Chapter 10

Promise Rings

AN: LEMON warning

Serena stayed up all night that night just watching Rini and Caleb sleep on her bed, snuggled warmly in the blankets. Their soft breaths were breathed in unison and little limbs would twitch with dreams. She didn't know why she was so keen on just watching them, it was just…beautiful. When she was with Darien, they would often talk about the future. She decided that she had wanted just one more, just one more child to love. She really wanted a girl, but if she had another boy then she would love him just the same. But, girls were different than boys. She felt the strong relationship Darien and Caleb shared; a bond that she didn't have. A bond just between father and son, and sometimes she grew a little envious and wished she had a daughter so that she could experience that same bond. Sometimes she felt it with Rini and wondered if it was just the ache of want that made her feel that way.

When Rini first came, she didn't know really what to think about her. She just knew that she was spoiled and stubborn and held secrets. She was just a little pest, following her like an annoying little sister, like Sammy did before he turned twelve and decided that he was too mature to hang out with her anymore. But now, something inside of her changed. She didn't know exactly when it was, but she began to understand why Rini was the way she was and did what she did. She became someone of infinite importance to her, like the daughter she longed for. The only thing was, Rini already had a mother. A mother that she adored and was going through great lengths to save. With a sigh, Serena gently pushed both of the children over to make room for her. She cuddled behind Rini and Caleb cuddled into Rini. She pulled the covers up to their chins and leaned over their sleeping faces.

"I love you." She whispered, kissing Caleb on the forehead and then giving one to Rini. "Both of you." It seemed nice, warm and tender.

The next day when Lita was away and she was left alone with them, she felt like she needed to get out and do something fun. So she made them both get ready.

"I'm glad that you're better Rini." Serena said after strapping Caleb in his stroller. She let Rini push him.

"Me too!" Rini said happily, her joy eliciting a happy laugh from Caleb.

"I'll treat you to anything you want as long as it doesn't break my wallet."

"But you said you wanted to treat me!" Rini protested. Serena smiled and they turned a corner. Like in times before, she felt a certain air and knew that she was going to run right into someone. She braced herself for the collision, stumbled into their arms as they steadied her. She felt the warmth of his hands on hers and the strength of his arms. For a moment, she and Darien just stared at one another. Clear, stunned dark blue eyes steadily held her own. It was just for a second, just a moment that they only stared into each others eyes, trying to see what he hid from her, letting him see her delight.

"Darien!" Rini ran from behind the stroller. He let her go and turned his attention to Rini.

"Ah, so you're well little one." He picked her up and held her firmly in his arms.

"Daddy!" Caleb called to him in happiness. It had been two whole days since Caleb and Darien had spent any time together.

"Let's go do something!" Rini exclaimed, hugging him. It kinda felt a little disheartening that Rini wanted to ditch her, but she always like Darien better than her. Serena stomped on that feeling. It was being selfish, she scolded herself. Besides, she would see her later and Caleb could spend some time with his dad. With her mind made up, Serena gave into a weak little smile.

"Of course, it's perfect!" She said as brightly as she could and slipped the diaper bag off her shoulder and gave it to Rini. She took it blankly. "Why don't you all spend some time together? I'm sure Caleb missed being with you as well. I'll just finish some other things and pick them up tonight okay?" She hurried and gave Caleb a kiss and ruffled Rini's hair. She almost fled the scene, faintly hearing Caleb call out 'bye-bye'. It was a good thing and Rini deserved it. If she couldn't be with her mom, the least she could do was let her have Darien all to herself.

Now, what to do, what to do. She wandered aimlessly for a while with freedom she didn't have since she was fifteen.

XOXO

"Look, over there!" Mina pulled Kunzite's hand insistently to a new pastry restaurant she read about in the papers. The large display window showed beautiful exquisite cakes of all kinds and her mouth watered.

"Look, there's Zoicite and Ami." He pointed to a small intimate table where Ami was smiling at something Zoicite was saying.

"Hey!" The couple turned to see Lita waving at them with Nephrite standing coolly by her side with hands in his pockets. "Did Ami call you about this place as well?" She asked. Mina scowled a little.

"No."

"Remember that you turned your phone off?" Kunzite said lightly with an amused smile tugging his lips. A little blush swept her cheeks. Oh yeah.

"Come on, they reserved a table for us." Lita and Nephrite linked hands and Mina and Kunzite followed. It smelled like buttercream frosting and chocolate. Just looking at the vast array of sweets made her teeth ache in anticipation.

"You're here!" Ami exclaimed with a warm rose hue on her cheeks. Mina was amused at the sly look she gave Zoicite who was leaning back in his chair with his arms folded behind his head with a curious smirk on his face. "Let's move over there." She gathered her things. They pushed three square tables together and settled in the seats.

"An all-you-can-eat cake buffet?" Raye joined them a little later and seemed skeptical. Jadeite kissed her cheek and told her he would get them a plate.

"It goes right to a girl's heart!" Mina piped in

"Nothing with lemon!" Raye called out to Jadeite.

"Cakes are high in calories. In spite of the fact that they easily exceed you daily caloric requirements their deficiency in vitamins…" Ami went off and Mina sighed.

"Okay we get the idea." Lita waved her off.

"Ami, cakes nourish our hearts!" Mina insisted. "After all, we've been quite tired lately, so we need to replenish our energy."

"You're going to gain weight." Kunzite told her with a playful poke in the stomach. Mina glared and poked him back. He shook his head at her stubborn expression. "You're the one who's going to make a fuss later about gaining weight." He warned. Mina purposely grabbed a little cake from Raye's plate (Jadeite returned just in time) and shoved it in her mouth. So what? He could handle her complaints.

"Did you invite Serena?" Lita asked, wiping some frosting from the corner of her mouth with a frilly napkin.

"She didn't answer her phone so I left a message." Ami said and gave in to a fruit tart.

"Knowing her, she'll probably sniff out the cakes and come running." Raye mused. Soon the table became chatty, and Mina groaned when she bit into a strawberry cupcake with mouth melting frosting.

"This is bliss." Lita breathed after finishing another cake.

"Really?" Nephrite leaned and nuzzled her neck and the brunette giggled, whispering something back to him.

"We endured and survived those tough fights all for today." Mina commented and then halted when she saw Serena at the buffet table with a heap of sweets on a little plate. A few people were commenting on her as well as another woman beside Serena who was stuffing her face as well.

"How embarrassing." Raye mused with a gleeful spark in her eyes. "Someone go save her before she makes a bigger fool of herself."

"Over here Sere!" Zoicite bellowed across the restaurant. Serena gave a cheeky smile and put four more cakes on her overburdened plate, balancing the stack well as she made her way to them.

"Is this your paradise Princess?" Jadeite asked, pushing his plate closer to Serena so he could share.

"You know me so well." She said, polishing off a mini cream tart.

"Where are Caleb and Rini?" Kunzite asked. Serena shrugged.

"With Darien. I thought that they should spend some time together today." No sooner did the words come from her mouth when they heard Rini exclaim from afar.

"Wow, so many cakes! Look, over there." Rini pulled Caleb's hand and the dark haired boy toddled to the table under Darien's watchful gaze. Kunzite scooped him up in a swoop of his arms and Nephrite helped Rini settle on his lap. On the table were piles of plates.

"Did you guys eat all of these? Amazing!" She took a piece of chocolate cake and stuffed it in her mouth.

"Come on, I'll go with you to get some more." Nephrite let Rini slide from his lap and they left the party.

"Hey! Don't give him so much sweets!" Darien and Serena both told Jadeite who snuck Caleb a huge triple layer cake. Serena attempted to get it from him, but the enraged toddler threw back his head in a protest, letting loose an ear piercing scream.

"See what you did." Raye sighed at him.

"Here, take him to the bathroom and clean him up." Darien took the struggling, angry child and gave him to Jadeite. Caleb screamed indigently and threw his hands in the air as Jadeite took him away.

XOXO

Darien was feeling uneasy, and I wasn't because he was so close to Serena. There was something else. It didn't take long to see what. Two girls right in front of him turned to ice, or rather icing.

"What's going on?" Astounded, he saw many others turning. Nephrite and Rini were returning to the table with a pile of sweets.

"Don't eat them!" He knocked the plate from her hands. Everyone became alert. Looking around, he saw a suspicious looking waitress wheeling in more treats and he stopped her by throwing a plate. She became startled and her guise fell and a dark skinned yomen glared at them.

"Go, we'll hold it here." Kunzite ordered the girls. Outside, they all transformed and then switched places with the guards. The battle was a tricky one, almost all the girls were trapped in some way. Only Mercury remained and with the help of Tuxedo Mask, they managed to destroy the yomen with Sailor Moon's Princess Scepter. When everything was finished, they spotted a sly figure with long flowing green hair peeking into the room.

XOXO

Serena, the Scouts and Tuxedo Mask all looked over the new person.

"A lady should never peep." Tuxedo mask commented and Serena rolled her eyes. The woman turned around.

"You—" She paused and gazed at him with an interested eye. Serena's temper bubbled. "You're handsome." She gave a wink. Despite the problems they were having, Darien was still her man! How dare she! Tuxedo Mask moved away in unease.

"So you were the one controlling that monster." Mars folded her arms in front of her. The green haired lady smirked and gave a mock bow.

"Oh, so you are the Sailor Warriors I heard so much about. Unbelievable! You're still flat-chested kids with no hips!" She said in a scoff and then paused, her eyes lingering on Sailor Moon. "Well, maybe not you." She addressed her. Even though she was the enemy, Serena couldn't help but be pleased and she gazed down at herself with pride.

"Yes, I did fill out really well." She commented in an off hand tone, giving

Tuxedo Mask a laughing gaze. He tried to ignore her, but Serena felt his eyes linger.

"Hey! I have breasts!" Jupiter protested.

"Hey old lady, I rather you described it as…firm." Mars said conceitedly with Venus and Mercury nodding. The enemy's mouth dropped open.

"Old? What did you say? Old lady?" She squealed in outrage. "Listen well you brats! I am the top leader of the Black Moon Clan, Esmeralde! All the men in the twenty first bow down before me!"

The Scouts all groaned. Jeeze talk about conceited! Serena never met anyone so vain in her life! And she wasn't even that pretty! Esmeralde let out an ear crushing cackle and everyone in the room had to cover their ears for fear of a popped drum.

"Just remember that it will be me that will destroy you in the end." And she left. The guards came back in the restaurant. Caleb was blabbing to Jadeite and seemed to be over his tantrum.

"So that's our new enemy." Kunzite spoke and everyone was lost in their own thoughts.

XOXO

She was sooooooooo late! Serena raced down the hallway toward her first period, hoping the last bell didn't ring while she was making her dash. And then someone stepped out of the room and she collided with them in a loud thump. Damn! That hurt. Poor Melvin looked squashed under her.

"Calm down Serena. Miss Haruna isn't even here today." He groaned and rubbed the bump on his head.

"Really?" Oh such relief ! She could have had another helping of breakfast this morning!

"Melvin, give it back." Molly's soft voice made Serena turn. "I don't want to give it to you until I'm finished." Serena frowned in confusion.

"Give what?" She asked her friend. She murmured something back which sounded like pro wrestling. An image conjured in her mind and she gave the couple a sly smile.

"Kinky." They blushed.

"Promise Ring, not pro wrestling!" Molly corrected her. A promise ring huh. Molly held out the one she was making. It was a pretty thing with slender strands of teal and sable embroidery strings.

"Pretty. How do you make them?" She asked, entering into the classroom and sitting in her chair.

"You make them one knot at a time while making your wish and then you tie it around your wrist or ankle." Melvin said. Such a childish thing, but Serena couldn't help but think of Darien. A wish on every knot? Seemed interesting even if she didn't fully believe it. "And then when they snap, your wish is suppose to come true!"

"It's really popular right now." Molly threw in and motioned to a girl sitting with her friends. On her wrist, she saw a little pink promise ring.

"I didn't even notice anyone wearing them until now." She commented absently. I wonder if I should make one too. One for Caleb and Rini. Maybe even one for Darien. She smiled, it was so absurd, but she really wanted to make one just to see.

"There are different ways to make them. It depends on the wish." Melvin said, bringing her back to the present. "They have a specialty store where you can buy the supplies and they give free classes to new customers."

"They say that if you make one for someone important, you'll stay together forever." Molly said in a dreamy tone, giving a fond look to Melvin. It was on Serena's mind all day. When she got back to the apartment, only Ami and Lita were there.

"Have a good day?" Lita asked. Serena smiled and nodded. "Where are Caleb and Luna?" She looked around the little living room.

"Luna and Artemis went out and Caleb is in your room. I just left him to get him some warm milk in his sippy-cup. He was being fussy." Ami said, holding out the green sippy-cup.

"I'll lay him down. Thank you." She wanted to be alone anyways to brew in her sad thoughts. Caleb was a little fussy, and didn't want his milk at first, but he quit fighting and she rocked him to sleep, humming in his sweet smelling hair. In her quiet room, she could hear Lita and Ami talking and giggling. The door opened and she heard Rini's energetic greeting.

"Thank you for brining me home Darien." Serena stiffened. He was here? The very person she was thinking about? New tears stung her eyes. Why did she have to cry at the most unwanted times of the day? She cried so much, for so long it seemed like part of her daily routine.

"Caleb?" She heard Darien's muffled voice and prayed that her friends wouldn't tell him, half wishing that he would come into her room. Her wish was answered when she heard the knob turn. She didn't look up, but she knew he was there.

"Sorry, I just wanted to see." He murmured and she heard him turn to leave.

"Wait." She said, finally packing up her courage to look at him. "I've been trying to figure out why." She said softly, searching for any trace of betraying emotions. "But I just can't. Why can't you tell me? What is it? It was so sudden and irrational I just can't bring myself to let it go so easily. There is just so much, and you won't tell me." She saw it, just for a second, but she saw the pain. He quickly broke eye contact, composing himself.

"It's just me being selfish." He left then, closing the door behind him. So much for that. She didn't want to sulk, and didn't want to deal with the complicated emotions raging inside of her. She laid Caleb in his crib, giving him his favorite blue bunny to snuggle with. She waited until Luna came back before she left to the promise ring specialty store with Rini. She told her about the promise rings and Rini was eager to make one herself. The class was small, but making the rings was easy and Rini finished one herself.

"You're making so many. Are they for your friends?" Rini asked when they headed home. They held hands as they crossed a busy street.

"Yes. I have special wishes for each of them." She winked. "Even you and Caleb."

"You're making me one?" Rini asked excitedly.

"Of course. Come one, let's hurry. I think Lita is finished with dinner. And do you want to hear some good news?" Rini nodded emphatically. "The guys are eating and Mina's so we'll have Lita's good cooking all to ourselves tonight."

Laughing, Rini began skipping. "They eat a lot." They made it home in good time, and after helping Rini finish her homework and bathing her and Caleb, she was once again bundled in her bed. She hadn't dreamed for a long time, but tonight she did.

"We're finally married." She spoke lovingly to Darien as they walked down the aisle of their cheering friends and family. Bliss, floating happiness and an all consuming love were only a few of the feelings she experienced. And then it turned to horror. The sunshine turned to cold shadows and the ground beneath her trembled and broke apart. She was ripped from Darien's arms and fell into nothingness. As she fell, she heard a booming voice warn her, warn him…Darien Chiba, you must not get close to Serena Tsukino. When the two of you are bound together, the world will crumble and Princess Serenity will be struck by misfortune…

The voice, it was so dark and demanding, but it pulled something deep inside of her. She knew that voice, but didn't know.

"You're lying! A lie!" Darien's voice screamed in the darkness and Serena woke up with a gasp. Her mind was blurry, and her breath was bit shallow. A dream? Why did I have a dream like that? Slowly, she removed herself from the bed, stumbling in the dark to find her shoes and a sweater.

"Serena?" It was Luna. "What are you doing?" Something cracked behind her, making her jump. She looked to see what it was. In the dark room, where lights from the street were the only illumination, she saw a river of cracks on a picture of her and Darien that was sitting on her night stand. Such a bad omen, and it made her get dressed faster.

"Just watch them while I'm gone. I need to see him." She whispered hurriedly. Luna stared for a while and then nodded and curled in the pillow next to Rini. Her car was speeding down the deserted roads in minutes. For some reason, that scary dream seemed like a missing peace to her break-up nightmare. When she got to Darien's door, she knocked urgently and he opened, squinting in the hallway light.

"Do you know what time it is?" He asked groggily, glaring at the same time.

"I'm sorry, but I need to know something!"

"Serena—" He began only to be silenced.

"I had a dream tonight. A horrible dream." She whispered with hope building in her heart. He seemed shocked.

"You had it too?"

"It could be just a dream!" She insisted. He grabbed her arm roughly.

"Are you crazy? You could die!" He spoke harshly.

"Is that why you were so cold? To protect me? How can you think that I would just believe in something like that?"

"I didn't believe it at first either, but I kept having that dream every night. It's probably not a regular dream. It's predicting the future." Serena growled in frustration, taking his face in her hands so he would stop avoiding their eye contact.

"If it's with you, I wouldn't mind dying." She said softly and tippy-toed to kiss him on his stubborn mouth. "I did it before, and I would do it again. Don't you see? All I want is to be with you. I want our family back. I want you in my life Darien." She finished, pressing herself firmly against him, deepening their kiss. She felt the battle inside of him.

"Maybe we're not supposed to be together in the future, but right now…just for a little while…" It seemed to crush his defenses because he pulled her fully into his apartment. They were too urgent to make it to the bed and ended up on the cold couch. Night clothes had to be the best kind of clothes because they came off with ease. His white tee shirt and blue pajama pants and her green capri draw-string pants and pink tube top left a trail on the floor. His skin was smooth and warm to her fingers. She didn't dare lift her mouth from his and was becoming dizzy. Her insistent arches under him were making her mad with unfulfilled desire. When they finally came together in an urgent mesh of flesh it was hurried. It didn't matter though, all that mattered was that they were finally together and everything was finally brought into the light.

Her legs stretched apart, giving him deeper entrance. She sank into the couch as he pressed her down and down again. Over and over they pressed together, unable to keep the mews of pleasure and whispered words of love, quiet. The couch was scooting across the slick hardwood floors. Sinful tremors were making her gasp. It seemed like her body was becoming over sensitized because even feather brushes made her skin tingle. And his mouth, his glorious mouth was so supple and warm on her skin. He pushed harder and deeper, filling her so fully. Her tights tightened around his hips, rocking her as he moved. Her cheeks were flushed and her flesh was sizzling and he urged him to move faster and faster, wanting him to take her away, just away from everything. The room was spinning, blurring out of her sight. Trilling anticipation began to build deep inside of her and her stomach clenched just as an exclamation of pleasure filled her ears and made her throat burn. Her scream echoed in the dark, sparse room and with it, his cry as well. Darien gritted his teeth, buried his face in her hair as her legs fell limply on either side of him. She pulsed, and purred with content as he fell on her. She couldn't breathe much, but was unwilling to move just now.

There was something pressing against her bare chest. Like a pebble or something and she forced him up to see. It glinted in the darkness. She fingered it, a hollow middle, warmed by his body heat.

"My ring?" She asked, slipping her pinky inside of it.

"I always wore it. Close to my heart." It sounded like he was a little shy about it. Serena slid her finger up the delicate silver chain.

"Are you going to give it back to me?" There was more to that question than just the obvious. His resolve to stay away from her was shaken. It was a crucial time for them, to listen to the dream, or listen to their hearts. It seemed like the moment was thick with the decision.

"Do you want it back?" She didn't know she was holding her breath until it rushed from her lips. Her heartbeat was rapid in her chest, pulsing in her throat. His eyes searched hers as she tried to force the emotional answer from her lips.

"Promise you'll never make me take it off again?" His eager, tense face softened and he leaned down to take her lips in a heated kiss.

"Promise." He breathed and gathered her again to show her that he would keep his word, no matter what.

XOXO

AN: If you haven't already guessed, I'm using the original Japanese version rather than the DIC dubbed version. Just wanted to change it up. The next chapter will be episode 80 (I think). I'm skipping the one where the girls were all sick and Mina tried to take care of them and the one where Artemis discovers the strange happenings at the pet adoption place because I don't really know what I would write and honestly, they were kinda boring to me. Anyways, hope you all are having a great week, if you're not…keep your chin up! Review! Kisses :muh: