A couple more days had passed bringing them into being there almost two weeks. Time seemed to go by steadily with a bit of comfort.

Both girls sat quietly in the small den talking amongst them selves as they tried mending their torn garments. Serena stopped stitching the same moment a smile spread across her face. "I've noticed you and Kunzite have been spending A LOT of time together." She made sure to annunciate those final words.

It didn't go unnoticed as Mina's cheeks became a little rosy.

"Well, no not A LOT but a good amount." She stated with a smile

They settled into a quiet silence then it was Mina's turn to cease her movements and look at Serena with concern. "Um…I don't know if I want to go back."

"What?"

"Well, I've come to rather like this place as well as Kunzite…I know it hasn't been that long but when we all thought they both died all I could think about were those times he was nice to me or the quick glances I would see…This could be nothing but I don't want to leave him at least not yet."

They watched each other intently as Mina spoke neither breaking eye contact. Mina was fidgeting nervously waiting for whatever response she was going to get, her eyes looked scared. Serena momentarily appeared as if she had become hypnotized as stared blankly at her friend.

Her mind coming to conclusions as far as what she should do. She enjoyed everybody's company for the most part minus Darien, since the incident in the tub she was unable to be comfortable being any where near him. In her whole life she had never experienced anything like that making her feel slightly unhinged. Every time he entered the same room within seconds she would high tail it out of there leaving the others with confused expressions at her unusual behavior.

She thought about her happiness seeing their friend but most of all her brother, could she handle going back alone? She knew she would never have the courage to travel alone. Did she really want to leave without Mina?

It dawned on her that she did remember how Kunzite as well as Mina gave each other side glances, and she remembered how sad she was when they thought they both died. Serena felt a little selfish because Mina had always tried to take care of her when she was hurting as well.

"You are the best friend I could have ever hoped for; I will support you as you have done for me."

"Thank you Rena."

"If you're happy, I'm happy."

Moments later the door opened revealing Kunzite and his wet clothes. Serena suddenly felt out of place as she saw the way they looked at one another…it was love. She had meant every word she spoke to Mina; if you're happy I'm happy. Somewhere in heart she longed to feel what her best friend was feeling.

She sensed as though she was intruding on their secret smiles and looks so she excused herself. Jadeite wasn't around and she had no interest in looking for Darien. Serena needed fresh air her body urging her to step outside, not caring that she was still in a pink nightgown or that she didn't have shoes on and knowing that it was raining and continued to walk out the door without her cloak.



The rain came down at a steady pace as if it were bathing her. She closed her eyes tilting her head up to the sky opening and closing her mouth catching drops of water. Her silver hair became quickly damp and matted to her back as she pushed her hair back from her face. She raised her arms above her head as she laughed and slowly twirled.

Darien silently stood to at the side of the house enjoying the weather. He cautiously watched as the young girl walked into the rain, his eye brows furrowed together in confusion as to why she was out there in her night gown twirling in the rain…she's loosing her mind, he thought to himself. It was her laugh that slightly startled him it was so carefree and loud, something that he hadn't heard in ages.

He continued to watch her with curiosity and then stepped out from the side and walked up behind her. "You're going to catch a cold."

She instantly became startled causing her to trip and stumble into his chest, she leached on to his arms for support as she continued to look down she noticed his hands had never left his sides. She blinked rapidly as she looked at Darien's face and his eyes that stared back, holding no expression but maybe that of a smirk.

"Don't ever sneak up me like that again you nearly scared the wits out of me."

"I didn't sneak up on you; maybe if you had your eyes open you would have seen me."

Her nose slightly crinkled as her eyes glared. "You were going to let me fall weren't you?"

He had still yet to move any part of his body even before she asked. "I guess you're not as innocent as I thought." He stated now displaying a smirk across his smug face.

She looked at him confused. "What's that suppose to mean?" she asked with a heated voice.

"Well for starters your wearing a thing night gown…and it just so happens it's completely see through."

Her eyes darted to her body coming into view of her thin white under garments not leaving much to the imagination. She quickly tried covering herself not exactly knowing where to start.

"You idiot why did you wait to tell me, you are no gentleman."

"I never said I was."

Those words were the end of the discussion, with a grunt of annoyance and irritation she stomped away and slammed the door once she was inside.

The sudden loud sound brought Kunzite and Mina running towards where they heard the noise. They came to an abrupt stop taking in her appearance, Mina's mouth agape while he blushed finding the ceiling very interesting.

"Serena, what the hell were you doing outside?"

"I needed air! You know Mina you keep using words that we have never heard and they don't come off as something inappropriate…I'm sure your mother wouldn't be to happy about that."



Mina slightly blushed at her blatant statement as she remembered that the three men used hell and damn along with some other words around her. A small chuckle slipped through Kunzite's lips as he continued to look at the ceiling.

"Uh Serena…do you think you could go change my neck is starting to cramp." Kunzite asked still finding the ceiling interesting.

With a short grunt she made her way down the hall and slammed the bedroom door, mumbling incoherent words along the way.

The remaining couple shared looks amusement as they held hands walking back towards the den.

A few more days came and went as did the rain. They had all come to the conclusion that they needed to discuss when the girls should leave, taking seats in the den with an awkward silence while everyone sat a little nervously except for Darien.

"So now that Serena is healing properly and getting better, we need to make arrangements for their departure." Darien stated with no hint of caring.

"Who says were leaving?" Serena asked just as none caring.

"I don't want to leave." Mina stated suddenly as she squeezed Kunzite's hand, as he did the same.

"Well unfortunately neither of you has a say in this." He replied once again but this time with a little more bite to his tone.

Serena saw the sadness in Mina's eyes causing her to automatically glare at the man across from her. "Well unfortunately the same goes for you."

"You guys cant stay, that's the way it goes and that's the way it is."

"I don't even see how this applies to you, Mina wants to stay and…so do I. So Mr. Know it all that's the way it goes and that's the way it is." She replied back with sarcasm dripping off each word.

"Both of you enough," Jadeite responded before either could speak again. "I think that if the girls want to stay…"

"You both know why they can't, if they mean that much to you then they need to leave." Darien cut him off before he would allow him to finish his statement.

Both men he spoke to let out a sigh as they hung their heads down knowing that what he said was true.

"He's right, it's not safe here." Kunzite stated with his head still down casted.

Mina's head jerked to the side to face him with shock, she pulled her hand away from him fiercely with tears silently streaking down her cheeks one by one. "How is it not safe?" She asked with a strain trying not to let the sobs escape from her throat.

No one responded to her question, causing her to stand up with anger. "Tell me!" She yelled forcing all eyes to fall on her. Kunzite tried to hold her hand which only made her hold both hands to her chest.



"There are others just like us, only not so kind to those that are not one of us. We struggle not to feed off of human life, while they don't give it a second thought." Darien responded with a light voice.

Without hesitation Mina quickly left the room seconds later the bedroom door slammed. Kunzite stood to follow her but Serena stepped in front of him with her hand casted out. "No I'll go, I think you've all done enough. You're all disappointing." She said with anger as she left to check on Mina.

"They can stay for another week so we can try to settle this without causing anymore pain. Then I shall escort them to their village." Kunzite said with no emotion as he too left the room not leaving it open for further discussion.

Shortly after Serena comforted Mina Kunzite entered the room, Serena glared but decided it was for the best to let them be alone. He walked over to Mina carefully touching her back, arms and then lifted her into a hug, she struggled at first but quickly held him tight.

"Please Kunzite…I don't want to leave…Don't make me go." She pleaded with head in the crook of his neck.

"I don't want you to either but its true it is dangerous staying here. I can't bare the thought of you getting hurt or worse. When and if matters are taken care of…I will find you."

"Promise me."

"I promise." They gently embraced each other even further, not wanting this moment to end.