AN: Hello everybody, thanks for the reviews! Sometimes, if I get all giddy about one, I'm very tempted just to post the next chapter straight away, so I can get more XD But then I'd feel like I have no willpower when it comes to Saturday ["Warped Posting Day"]. I'd also like to mention that the day the last chapter was posted, I went to see Taylor Swift in concert and it. was. AWESOME! Truuuuue story ;)
Disclaimer: Some funky reason why I don't own any of the Sailor Moon characters. Aria is all mine though!
"Serenity, what's that in your glass?"
Serenity, who had been sipping at her water, blinked and lowered the glass slowly.
"Pardon?" she switched to her right hand for better inspection and squinted through the clear liquid. "Nothing."
But Sailor Venus' eyes were fastened on her left hand. "Why are you wearing a ring on a very significant finger, hmm?"
Sailors Mars and Jupiter snapped their heads towards their princess, and Sailor Mercury glanced at Endymion.
"Are you... engaged?!" Sailor Venus shrieked. Sailor Jupiter yelled in excitement as Sailors Venus and Mars lunged for Serenity's hand. When they had successfully turned the plain silver ring upright, more squeals and shrieks were made. Serena clapped her hands over her ears and ducked.
"Oh my word!" Sailor Mercury smiled to herself, staring at the glinting diamond. "That is a beautiful ring."
Endymion sat back in his chair with raised eyebrows and Darien suppressed a grin. It was pretty funny watching the Scouts lose themselves for a moment, and the Generals were high-fiving each other. Venus was first to recover.
"But why did you wear it like that? Why didn't you tell anyone?!" She spun to Endymion. "And you! How could you not tell us! What's wrong with you!? We were going crazy before, not knowing! Of course, now that we know it was Serena we were with…"
Sailor Mars returned to her seat. "Yeah, have you got some brain cells loose?"
Serenity glanced at Serena beside her and put her hand on Serena's comfortingly. "They can get a bit excited sometimes," she explained apologetically. Serena nodded, eyeing the Scouts. That was only the understatement of two centuries.
No one moved as they waited for Serenity to speak, so Endymion jumped in to save her. "We had planned on telling everyone as soon as possible, but once we came back to the Palace and had the whole impersonation fiasco last night... I mean, there's already so much going on, we were going to wait until the bustle died down."
Sailor Jupiter put her hand over her heart. "That is so beautiful," she sighed dreamily. Nephrite looked at her like she was crazy.
Serena peeked at Serenity, who was smiling sadly at Endymion. "Looks like the secret's out now, darling."
Serena lowered her eyes. Serenity should have been ecstatic. She was getting married! It had to be one of the happiest moments in her life, and she'd kept her news quiet because of her and Darien. The guilt began to eat away at her.
Dinner was served and everyone chattered away happily. Serenity made polite conversation with Darien about how he was finding the Palace, whilst Endymion watched Serena. She was pushing the food around on her plate. When some time had passed and it was acceptable to leave, Serena stood up.
"I think I might just go for a little walk before bed, if you don't mind."
Queen Selene opened her mouth, but Endymion beat her to it.
"I will accompany you," he said. The others seemed satisfied with this, as it meant they could stay for dessert, and Darien watched as Endymion lead Serena through the door. Where were those two off to?
xXxXx
"So are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Endymion asked as he walked behind Serena, who was once again enchanted by the roses. She looked up.
"What?"
"It's never good to bottle your emotions up." He rapped a fist on his chest. "It's better to get it all out in the open; you'll feel better once you talk about it."
"I'm fine." Serena gave him a funny look. "What makes you think there's something wrong?"
Endymion chuckled as he looked at the ground. "If you are anything like your past self, I would think I know you pretty well. There has never been a time when my... fiancé," he smiled at the word, "has refused food. And you hardly ate a thing."
Serena stood up at the word fiancé and began walking again.
"Well, maybe I'm just not hungry," she suggested lightly. "I mean, I have been through a time void. That thing practically crushes you."
She reached a hedge wall and turned to him. "What is this for?"
He reached for her shoulders and steered her a little way away, revealing an opening. They stepped inside and Serena exhaled in awe.
Water flowed from several small ponds as they circled the space, the trickling sound creating a peaceful background lull. Silver-tipped roses bloomed from every shrub, spaced evenly apart and filling the place with their heavenly perfume. The Earth could be seen from above, so close that Serena could hardly believe it was real. But the moon looked so far away when she stood on Earth!
Serena spied a white marble bench in the centre of the garden, and two wooden swings hanging nearby. When she glanced up to see what they were connected to, it appeared as if they were hovering in mid air…
She tiptoed towards them and yanked on the nearest one; it didn't budge. She shrugged. That was good enough for her.
Serena lowered herself onto the seat cautiously, and when she didn't fall, she relaxed. She looked up and caught Endymion staring at her.
"What?" she asked, feeling self-conscious. He smirked and looked away.
"Nothing, it's just that you're exactly like Serenity."
"Well I'd have to be if I'm her future self?" That was entirely guesswork though. Endymion nodded thoughtfully anyway.
"So what is it about my engagement that bothers you?" he asked seriously, coming over and sitting on the other swing.
Well that was pretty blunt. Serena rocked on the swing, the little movement distracting her momentarily. "It's... It's not your engagement that I was upset about." She looked up quickly. "I mean, you're just Darien from the future! So it's not like I care if Serenity has bad taste or not… I mean, he's alright looking, but his personality sucks. Yours is much better. I think I did well in this lifetime. I mean, I could have married a total-" She blushed as she realised she was babbling and stared at the ground, not meeting his eyes. It wasn't like she was jealous or anything, but how could she explain her feelings to him if she couldn't unjumble her thoughts as it was? "But why did you feel the need to hide the fact that you were engaged? Why wasn't Serenity excited?"
"Serena, Serenity was excited. Very much so. In fact, that's why it took us so long to come back, she had to control herself for the public. Royalty aren't allowed to act so... Serenity-like."
Serena nodded, although the guilt didn't lessen. "But you still hid it from us all."
"We were focusing on finding out who you and Darien were at first, and then on trying to save you. If Serenity and I hadn't come down to see you, you realise you would have been executed by now, right?"
"What?" Serena gasped, startled. Endymion nodded.
"And Serenity suggested that we should keep quiet until things with you and Darien were okay. You were both in quite a bit of danger, you know."
A tear escaped Serena's eye, and she quickly brushed it away. "That was so... Serenity is so nice!" she spluttered. "She shouldn't have done that! Yesterday should have been one of the happiest days of her life, and it was ruined because of me!"
Endymion reached a hand out and turned her swing around to face him. "Serena, she's you. You seem to keep forgetting that. You would have done exactly the same thing if it had been Serenity and I turning up in your palace."
Serena frowned at the thought. Her in a palace? No way. More like in class with Miss Haruna. Endymion sighed.
"Whatever you're feeling guilty about, please don't. Nothing was yours or Darien's fault. In fact, if anyone's to blame, it's Sailor Pluto." He grinned. "She could have at least warned us you were coming, or you'd have ended up dead."
Serena smiled faintly. "So you and Serenity aren't mad? You don't hate us for ruining your moment?"
Endymion barked out a laugh and Serena jumped. She wasn't used to the man showing that much emotion. "You are exactly like Serenity!"
Serena hit him on the arm and paused as she realised something.
"Oh my god!" she yelled, causing Endymion to freeze and look at her in alarm. He stood up quickly and looked around.
"What? What's wrong?"
"YOU'RE ENGAGED!" Serena shrieked, gazing up at him in wondrous eyes.
"Yes..." Endymion looked at her like she was slow. "Because Serenity is..."
"No, but YOU'RE engaged! Oh my god! Congratulations!" Serena jumped up and hugged Endymion, who returned it just as fiercely. Serena almost let go as she realised this was what hugging Darien might feel like, but dismissed it quickly. Endymion was much kinder than Darien; surely they weren't the same person.
xXxXx
Darien followed the sound of excited laughter as he rounded the corner and came to a stop. At the end of the path was a secluded area, and he could just make out Serena jumping up and hugging a tall, dark figure. Endymion.
As he crept closer, he watched as Endymion wrapped his arms around the petite blonde, together making the perfect picture of intimacy. He clenched his fists as a surge of jealousy shot through him. Why were they hugging? Why were they off in some quiet corner of the garden, instead of in the middle of the path where they could be seen? Why did that stupid Meatball Head have to go around, infecting everyone with her 'bubbly charm'? Why didn't anyone see her the way he did – just another person? Everyone she met, she had instantly wrapped around her little finger. They'd only been here two days, and already she had thawed his blasé past self. Something he'd yet to do completely.
The hot surges of jealousy continued to shoot up and down Darien's spine, and he stood rooted to the spot in confusion. Why do I care? Darien snarled mentally. Let them love her. She'll mess things up again soon enough. Then they'll realise what an airhead she is. He looked back up to see Serena plonking herself back on the swing and kicking her legs as Endymion walked around her and began to push her. This was the last straw for poor Darien, and he stalked off.
xXxXx
Knock knock.
Darien woke up in his large bed as agitated as a fresh-out-of-hibernation bear. He hadn't slept well at all that night. Stomping to his en suite, he splashed his face with cold water, trying to cool himself off. After quickly changing into the first outfit from his closet, he opened his door to reveal Nephrite waiting for him. Together, the pair made their way down to breakfast, where peeling laughter and mad giggles could already be heard.
Darien rolled his eyes. Serena could be such a child sometimes.
"Nephrite, Darien!" Serena grinned when they walked in. "Look at this!" She picked a grape off from the stem in front of her and tossed it in the air, opening her mouth and moving her head to catch it. When the grape hit its target and landed on Serena's tongue, Serenity clapped.
"Well done! You picked that up so quickly! Are you sure you've never done that before?"
Serena shook her head enthusiastically as she chewed and swallowed the grape. "Nope!" She turned to Darien. "Hey, wasn't that cool?"
Darien snorted. "You look like a pig when you do that."
Jadeite, Sailor Jupiter, Serenity and Nephrite sniggered at Serena's shocked expression, thinking it was back to their usual bantering, but the others remained still. Sailor Mars didn't need her planetary powers to sense the tension between the two, and Sailor Mercury wasn't the Scout of Knowledge for nothing. Zoisite glanced at Malachite, who was already looking at Endymion.
Endymion frowned.
Darien sat moodily through the rest of breakfast, which passed remarkably quietly as everyone ate their food silently. Once everyone began clearing out, they discussed what they were to do for the day. Endymion turned his attention to Darien.
"Are you up for some more training?"
Darien nodded. He really needed to work off his agitation. They walked through a series of short corridors until they arrived at the weapons room. Darien immediately picked up the biggest sword he could see and turned impatiently to Endymion, who was carefully selecting his own.
When they had their weapons, they brought them to the adjoining room, which was small and circular. Perfect for one-on-one sparring.
Darien lunged for an attack, but Endymion blocked it quickly, covering his surprise. Endymion knocked Darien's sword back with his own and twisted his wrist to go for an undershot. Darien leaned back and the sword missed.
For fifteen minutes straight, Darien and Endymion fought nonstop. There was much jumping and ducking, weaving and striking, clashes and clangs, grunts and curses. Finally, Darien dropped to the ground, panting heavily.
Endymion, who looked the picture of ease, stood over him. "Lesson number one," he reminded him. "Know your weapon." He lifted his sword up for inspection, turning it this way and that. "If your sword is too heavy, you will lose energy much faster than if you were using a lighter one. You will tire easily and lose the fight if you use one not right for you."
Darien turned his head and stared at the sword beside him. Now lying beside him, gleaming in the light, he could see what Endymion meant. It was huge.
"Fine," Darien spat. "I'll get another one."
Endymion shook his head. "No, I think that's all the training for you today. You seem a little distracted."
"I'm not distracted," Darien disputed, trying to get to his feet. Maybe Endymion had noticed he was out for the kill.
Endymion held out a hand. "If you're angry about what you saw last night, I can assure you, nothing happened. Serena just had a little misunderstanding about Serenity's engagement."
Darien wiped the sweat from his eyes and looked up at Endymion, squinting up at the light.
"I caught you leaving once our conversation was over, and I can only guess what you saw that agitated you so." He wriggled his fingers and Darien grudgingly took the offered hand. Endymion pulled him to his feet.
"So you had better start thinking up a really good apology," he advised, leading the way back to the weapons room. "Because after this morning, I don't think Serena's all that impressed with you."
xXxXx
"He's such a jerk!" Serena brought her fist down on the grass. Serenity looked on in sympathy. They'd come to Lake Serenity for some quiet fishing and then maybe some swimming – Sailor Jupiter had suggested the great outdoors - but Serena seemed incapable of consoling, and that was scaring away the fish. The Scouts looked up from further down the bank to see her ranting once more, and went back to their fishing.
"Are you still bothered by what Darien said to you this morning?" Serenity said. Serena blew her fringe from her face.
"Yes! You just can't see it! He really is a total jerk. He may look nice to you, but I know better. I know he's a stuck up little snot inside." She glanced at Serenity's hair. "You know, he makes fun of this hairstyle back at home. He calls me Meatball Head." She said the words with distain.
"Really?" Serenity asked, surprised. "Because I haven't heard that nickname yet. Is that insulting in your time? What's a meatball anyway?"
Serena had to pause her rant as she nodded, realising that he hadn't said it as often since they'd gotten there. Maybe it was an Earth thing; maybe it was a jerk thing. Or maybe it was just a Darien thing, trying to get her to lower her guard so that he could pull a trick on her later. Embarrass her in another time space, that'd be so typical of Darien.
"Would you like to know what I think?" Serenity asked, interrupting Serena's thoughts. Serena scowled at her, but she continued. "I think that men in general are just crazy. They're so confusing! All the time! They want this, and then they want that, then they realise they don't know what they want, so they start fighting with another man. It goes on!"
"But not Endymion," Serena pointed out. "He's not like that."
Serenity giggled. "No, I got lucky with him. And you have too, with Darien. You just don't know it yet."
"Not bloody likely," Serena muttered, going to cross her arms, but tangling herself with the fishing rod. Serenity gave her a look and said,
"You'll see. He's not the arrogant snot," she smiled, "that you think he is. Just give him a chance."
When Serena eyed her sceptically, Serenity threw her hands in the air. "Trust me, by the next time you see him, he'll be completely over it."
Serena sighed and slumped against a nearby tree, exhausted by the conversation. "All right, but if you're wrong, you owe me a vanilla milkshake."
Serenity nodded, then paused. "What's a vanilla milkshake?"
I see you watchin' me, watchin' you, baby. Not really. I don't even like that song. Actually, I have no idea why I thought I'd put that in there. Anyway, review, favourite story, favourite author, whatever! XD
xx
Carms