Disclaimer: I hope you enjoy this story, my mother and I have been working on this for some time now, I do not own Sailor Moon or any character involved with it. It belongs to Naoko Takeuchi. This chapter contains a poem/song for Serena. These are from the Memorial Song Box Collection:Sailor Star Fighter Three Rights. Poem for Seiya Kou, scenario and composition by: Tagami Yuu. Translated by: Alex Glover. Todokanuomoi: My friend's love. (Unreachable feelings: My friend's love). Sung by the Three Lights: Niiyama Shiho as Seiya, Sakamoto Chika as Yaten, Tsunoda Narumu as Taiki. Translation by: Hank Chen.

Chapter 11

Luna was peacefully basking in a sun beam, until Serena dropped her overnight bag, and book bag on her bedroom floor.

"Meeeoooowww!" A very startled Luna screeched.

"You're back," Serena smiled, and ran over to sit on the bed next to her cat.

"I cam back yesterday, and was loving the peace and tranquility," Luna remarked, and laid partially across Serena's lap. "Artemis is such a whinny baby," she sighed.

"Did Mina tell you everything that's happened, since you left?" Serena questioned her cat.

"Yes," Luna replied. "I went and talked to Trista about you and Darien."

"Did you mention Seiya?" Serena probed.

"I talked to her alone," Luna assured Serena. "I didn't think Amara needed to know Seiya was back right now. I wanted our guests to settle in a bit before they met Amara. And don't ever mention the fact he slept here," Luna warned.

"I'm not that stupid," Serena frowned. "How did you know?"

"I came to check up on you that night," Luna explained. "I hate to admit it, but you looked safe and content in his arms. That does not mean I want to find him in your bed again," she lectured.

"What did Trista say?" Serena needed to know.

"She said, Galaxia altered your future the day she made Kakyuu come to our world," Luna relayed. "She won't say anything more. She wants you to be a teenage girl, and enjoy yourself. You have earned the right, and shown us all that you will always do what you see as the right thing to do. The last thing she said was that, you should just be the fun loving Serena we all know, and that your heart will always tell you what's right."

"That's what Sikora told me," Serena said rather surprised.

"I have to agree with them," Luna stated. "I would really like to meet Sikora."

Serena recited Sikora's cell phone number and smiled at Luna: "Call her, maybe you can have tea tomorrow, before she picks the boys up from school."

"The buttons on the phone are too small for me to call," Luna appeared to scowl at Serena. "And am I supposed to introduce myself as your cat?" she sarcastically remarked.

"She knows all bout you," Serena giggled. "I brag about you all the time."

"Really?" Luna was delighted.

"Of course, who else could I blame my moments of intelligence on?" Serena laughed.

Luna had to laugh at that comment.

"Let me go find something to munch on," Serena told Luna. "Then I'll call Sikora, and you can talk to her while I do my homework."

"What!" Luna screeched. "You want to do homework?" her voice still raised.

"Dad said if my homework wasn't finished in time for school tomorrow, then he wouldn't let me stay at friends houses for a whole weekend anymore," Serena sighed. "And at the estate, they have hot springs, a heated pool, tons of food, and Yaten has just about every video game in the world," she smiled, and hopped off the bed.

"Homework is always done if it is rewarded with food, and video games," Luna huffed, and followed Serena.

"Her line is busy," Serena told Luna when she called Sikora's phone. "I really have to make sure my math is finished. It's one of the first things dad will check. I'll try Sikora again later." She put the phone on the floor, and her tray of food on her table.

"I'll go find a bed to go relax on," Luna said, and turned back to leave the room again.

"There's one right there," Serena pointed at her bed.

"I can't relax while you're cursing at your homework," Luna stated, and continued on her way.

Serena dumped the contents of her book bag on the floor. She dug through the pile of books, and papers, pulled out her math book, and flopped on her bed with it.

When she opened her book to the needed page, she found a folded piece of writing paper.

She unfolded the paper, and read:

'All the living things in this universe have the brilliance of a star hidden inside their bodies.

One of them in one person, I met on this planet I've flowed to.

Ever since we met at the airport, I've surely had you on my mind.

But is it, that as a soldier I was charmed by the power you emit? Or is it that, carrying the heart of a boy, I was charmed by you?..

Dumpling.. Being allowed to call you that, should never be done by someone other than me. But that kind of thing doesn't matter. I just call you that because I want to.

First, are there any boys besides me? Dumpling.

Hey Dumpling, did you do your homework? There's nothing you can do about forgetting your eraser.

You say you want to see a recording? Nope, no way, nobody's allowed in except, those involved... Oh all right. But its because you're special.

Say Dumpling, I think there is surely a battle more painful than those up to now, waiting for us. But at all times I will be by your side, and I will help to protect you...

PS. Before we left Earth, I had written a poem for you. I think most of it has come true today.

Many, many times in dreams.

We were secretly kissing each other.

I was swallowed by you clear round eyes.

I fell asleep in your arms.

I was surrounded by your gentleness.

Atlas, don't ever let me wake up.

Painfully I shout.

Deep in my mind I was tightly aroused even I, myself know this time, it's serious.

I became panicked cause I'm too sad.

And I can't give you up.

Bathed in the morning sunshine.

Your smile is so bright and pretty.

Deeper and deeper.

I realize it's a terrible thing.

The ringing of the telephone.

Shortens the distance between us.

Are we good friends or more?

I can't figure it out.

Yesterday you were gently.

But today I will be gone.

Moonlight is shooting at the endless shore.

Atlas, I want to take you with me.

If we could have met earlier.

I would find all the reasons.

The moonlight is shining toward the endless shore.

Atlas, I want to take you with me.

Thought of doing her math homework quickly faded from Serena's thoughts.

Serena clutched the letter to her chest, and rolled onto her back to giggle softly up to her Three Lights poster.

She read the poem again, letting each word dance in her head. She pressed the letter back to her chest, and closed her eyes.

Images of Seiya flashed in her mind. She could see his sparkling eyes, feel his gentle touch, and taste his sweet kisses.

Suddenly the image of Seiya became blurry. She briefly glimpsed a picture of herself, laying on his bed, her legs wrapped tightly around his waist, and his bare skin in her hands.

A queasy feeling attacked the pit of her stomach, and she bolted to a sitting position.

The images, disturbed her. Somehow she knew these were memories.

The minute her overnight bag came into focus, she remembered drinking the wine, and waking up in bed with the other girls.

She began to pace her floor, trying desperately to remember something about last night. The only memories she could come up with, were the same flashed of Seiya.

She stopped pacing, and stared at the phone on her floor.

"I can't," she whined, and turned to watch the snow float by her balcony doors.

Serena dropped to her floor.

"I would remember if we did something, wouldn't I?" She cried to the passing snowflakes.

After silently watching the snow fall for several minutes. Serena remembered that Mina was with her.

"She'd know what happened," Serena said excitedly, and scrambled to her phone.

"Mina," Serena screamed, the moment she heard someone pick up the phone.

"Serena, please," Mina's mother moaned.

"Sorry," Serena sighed.

"Mina's sleeping," Mrs.Aino told Serena. "She's been sick since she got home. I think she might have a bad case of the flu."

"It's really, really important," Serena told her, on the verge of tears.

"I'm sorry Serena," Mrs.Aino stated. "She has finally fallen asleep, and I will not wake her up."

"But," Serena whined.

"I will tell her you called," Mrs.Aino stated more firmly.

"Thank-you," Serena moaned, and hung up.

While still seated on her floor, Serena leaned her head back until it rested on her bed. She looked up at Seiya's picture.

"I believe in you," she smiled at him.

With her decision made, she reached back, and brought her math book to the floor with her.

Serena was surprised by how easily the math answers flowed from her pen.

She closed her math book, and looked over at the contents of her book bag, trying to see what else needed to be done.

Since the day the novel 'Taming of the Shrew' by William Shakespeare, had been assigned to her, Serena heard a voice in her head say: 'Read me, time is running out.'

Today the voice said: 'I'm due tomorrow.'

Luna came back in the room before Serena had made it through the first chapter.

Since the book had yet to catch her attention, Serena was easily distracted.

"I'll try Sikora on the house line," Serena told Luna, quickly replacing the book in her hand for the receiver.

"It's Serena," she replied to the male voice that had said 'hello' to her.

"Seiya is still grounded."

Serena had recognized Taiki's chuckle.

"Actually," Serena stated. "I phoned to ask Sikora if she'd like to join Luna for tea, or something tomorrow."

"I can't imagine Sikora sitting at the Crown, sipping tea with your cat," Taiki laughed.

"Let me talk to Sikora for a minute," Serena asked, then added: "Please."

"She's really busy right now," Taiki told her. "Yaten has that flying stomach thing like Mina."

"What?" Serena squeaked.

"Mina's mom called, and she..." Taiki started.

"She has the stomach flu," Serena cut in.

"Yeah," Taiki agreed. "The contents of Yaten's stomach flew all over," he laughed even louder than before.

"Taiki," Serena used her sweet little voice, "did you ever read, 'Taming of the Shrew' by Shakespeare?"

"Your book report is due tomorrow," his laugh became more of a chuckle.

"Please," she whimpered.

"Serena," he said sternly. "Are you trying to beg me into doing your home work?" He remarked sarcastically.

"Please, please, please," she begged, jumping up, and down.

"And I would do this because?" He dragged out the word 'because'.

"You care," a cute little voice came from Serena.

"Hum," he remarked. "We'll see," he chuckled, and hung up.

"Serena," Luna scowled.

"You try reading it," Serena responded, and kicked the book towards her cat.

Serena resumed her spot on the floor, and stretched across the mess pile of books. She latched onto her English workbook, and sat back.

She flipped through the pages, and then moaned loudly when she read the assignment.

On her hands and knees, she scattered some papers about, obviously searching for something.

"Where is that damn book of translations?" She huffed, and began throwing some of the papers out of the way.

"Let me have a look," Luna said, and took a step.

"I got it," Serena announced. "I thought you were going to read that book."

"I might," Luna replied. "But don't expect me to do your homework."

"Taiki is just doing a book report for me," Serena stated. "Its not like I'm going to need that information in the future."

"It's not needing that information," Luna began to explain. "It's the ability to complete a task assigned to you."

"And if its beyond my ability, then I should delegate the job to whoever is the most qualified," Serena grinned broadly.

Luna was speechless by Serena's logic.

Serena continued with her smug grin, as she began her English exercise.

"Serena," Sammy bellowed from the hallway. "Are you home yet?"

"Yes," Serena replied.

Sammy opened the door, and stepped into the room.

"This is how you do homework?" He sneered, and kicked a few papers out of the way. "No wonder you lose assignments all the time."

"I didn't tell you, you could come in," she returned the sneer, "but since you're here, tell me what you want. I'm really busy."

"So I should tell the guy that keeps calling, you're to busy to talk," Sammy grinned.

"I didn't hear the phone," Serena scowled, and lifted the receiver of the phone. "There's no one on the phone," she snapped, and hung up.

"He'll call soon," Sammy remarked. "I told him you should be back this afternoon. I told him you were staying at a friends for the weekend. That was Friday. Saturday, I told him you were still away. And again this morning, I told him you weren't back yet."

"What guy?" Serena queried.

"Darwin, Dar... Ah, Dar something like that." Sammy shrugged.

"Darien?" Serena squeaked, and felt a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"That's it, I think," Sammy answered with a big smile.

"Tell him I don't want to talk to him," she snapped, stood up, and quickly grabbed her jacket off the floor.

"Having a fight with your..." Sammy started.

"He is not my boyfriend," Serena yelled, and stomped towards Sammy.

Sammy jumped out of the way, and Serena stormed passed him.

Serena flew out of the house so fast, she didn't even close the front door.

Luna scurried after her, but soon lost her as Serena bolted across traffic.

Serena seemed to have a specific destination in mind, and was oblivious of the cars screeching to a halt as she darted across their path.

Luna had tried calling, but Serena didn't hear that either.

The other girls all lived in the direction Serena was heading. So Luna raced for Lita's house, even if Serena wasn't there, Lita would be able to help call the other girls.

Serena wanted to get as far away from her phone as possible. Tears blurred her eyes, anger drove her on. She wanted to yell, scream, and tell him to never call her again. But most of all she wanted to feel his arms around her. For years, his arms gave her warmth and security.

When she thought of being in his arms, she thought of the future they would share. She could see Rini.

She stopped, and leaned on a wall to catch her breath.

"Darien," she softly called out.

She slid her back down the wall, until she was sitting on the ground. She wrapped her arms around her legs, and dropped her head on her knees.

Once her tears subsided, she decided she should head home. She slowly got to her feet, and glanced around to see where she had to go.

She dragged herself out of the alley way she had crouched in, and the first thing she noticed, was a young couple holding hands, and looking into each others eyes standing outside the movie theater.

"I have to do the right thing," she told herself, while waiting for the corner walk light to change.

A car pulled up near her, its window opened, and the Three Lights music blared out from inside.

The light changed, but Serena was not moving. Even after the car was long gone, the music still played in her head.

Her decision to go home changed again. She didn't run, she just let her feet take her where they wanted.

Her thoughts had now drifted to Seiya. In Seiya's arms, she felt compassion that she hadn't noticed in Darien's.

The pace of her feet increased.

She had to talk to Trista. Only she could tell her to take duty or love. It was at that moment, she realized that she was in fact in love with Seiya.

But Sailor Moon would do what was best for everyone.

Serena was exhausted, and starving by the time she reached the house of the Outer Scouts.

The sun had set some time ago, and her jacket offered very little warmth. She realized her feet were now freezing, and wet from trudging threw the freshly fallen snow. Her teeth chattered as she rang the doorbell.

"Serena?" Amara was stunned.

Amara grabbed hold of Serena, and pulled her into the warmth of the house.

"I need to talk to Trista," Serena shivered out, while her teeth still chattered.

"Let's get you out of these wet clothes first," Amara said, as she peeled off Serena's jacket.

"What are you doing, walking over here on a night like this?" Amara began her questioning.

"I need to Talk to Trista," Serena repeated.

"Yes, you said that already," Amara remarked, putting her arm around Serena. "Come on," she ordered, and lead Serena down the hall.

"Is something wrong?" Amara probed, and lead Serena into a bedroom. "Get those clothes off," she ordered Serena, and walked into the bathroom.

"Is everyone OK?" Amara asked, still in the bathroom.

"Mina has the flu," Serena replied.

"Here," Amara handed Serena a heavy soft feeling robe.

"There is a nice warm fire burning in the study," Amara told her. "Let's go sit you down, and I'll tell Michelle to make you some hot chocolate," Amara smiled. "Maybe a shot of Brandy would help warm you up a bit."

"Is that like wine?" Serena said, sticking out her tongue with disgust.

"Don't like wine?" Amara snickered.

"No," Serena admitted.

"Michelle," Amara called out when they excited the bedroom.

Serena was kneeling in front of the fire by the time Michelle came into the room.

"Serena," Michelle said happily, and ran over to the shivering girl before the fire.

"Amara, get a towel for her hair," Michelle ordered. "And tell Trista to put the kettle on, and stir the spaghetti sauce."

With the orders given, Michelle knelt down next to Serena.

Amara let out a slight huff, but went to do as she was asked.

"Only boy trouble would have you walking all the way over here in a snow storm," Michelle giggled, and put a comforting arm around Serena.

"I have to talk to Trista," Serena said in a rather monotone.

"That tells me there's someone besides Darien in your eyes right now," Michelle grinned.

Serena looked at Michelle with wide eyes.

Michelle giggled, and gave Serena a little squeeze.

"Seiya," Serena whispered.

"You've talked..." Michelle stopped. "I'll need a hairbrush too," Michelle said over her shoulder, as a towel came flying over to her.

Michelle waited until Amara was out of the room before she whispered: "You've talked to Seiya?"

"Remember a couple weeks ago, I called everyone to my house?" Serena continued to whisper.

Michelle said nothing, so Serena continued: "Princess Kakyuu came to me, and asked if she could use Earth as a meeting place for her people, until they found a new planet."

"Here," Trista was holding a cup of hot chocolate out to Serena.

Neither Serena or Michelle had heard Trista come into the room.

Michelle glanced up at Trista. Her eyes contained more than surprise at the unheard approach, they seemed to also carry a look of concern, that the conversation between her and Serena had been over heard.

"I know about Seiya, and what Darien did," Trista smiled at Michelle.

"What Darien did?" Michelle looked uncertain.

"What did Darien do?" Amara's voice, came from behind Trista.

"I think we should let her warm up a bit, and drink her hot chocolate," Trista suggested.

"What did Darien do?" Amara repeated, with a more forceful tone.

"It is not up to me to say," Trista stated, and scowled at Amara.

"Let's finish getting dinner ready," Michelle said to Amara, as she got to her feet. "When Serena is ready to tell us, she will let us know."

"Whatever is going on, she felt it necessary to come here," Trista told Amara.

"She needs advice from an older woman," Michelle added. "Not that your old," she smiled at Trista. "Not from an over protective big brother type," she put her arm around Amara. "Now let's take care of dinner." She gave Amara a little push out of the room.

Serena had remained quietly staring at the fire, cradling her hot chocolate in her hands.

Michelle closed the big double doors that led into the study, offering Serena and Trista some privacy.

Trista did not speak. She draped the towel around Serena's shoulders, and sat down to brush her hair.

"Darien's been calling my house," Serena quietly mentioned, as she intently watched the little marshmallows melt in her drink.

"You haven't talked to him about what you saw?" Trista inquired, and began to gently brush Serena's hair.

Serena shook her head, and said: "I was away for the weekend, and to upset to think about what to say."

"How are our visitors?" Trista asked.

"You know they're hear?" Serena spun her head around, causing Trista to tug her ponytail.

"Wait a minute," an after thought came to Serena when she saw Trista's grin, "Luna told, you didn't she?"

Trista let out a little laugh.

"Luna told me that you want me to enjoy myself," Serena remarked. "To live like a regular teenager, but I can't," she sighed. "Normal teenage girls do not have their future written out for them. Everything I do in the present, affects the future."

"After you defeated Galaxia, the seeds of life went out to live again, and some of those seeds will grow differently then they had in their previous life. In a sense, we to have been given a chance for a new life," Trista told her.

"We haven't changed," Serena said with a confused expression.

"Everything you, and all of us Scouts went through is necessary for us in the future. Our skills, and our friendships have changed," Trista explained. "Who, and what we are has not changed. You are still Sailor Moon, therefore you will still become Neo Queen Serenity. Your Scouts have not changed, they will still be beside you in the future. Kakyuu's planet was, and still remains destroyed. Your friendship with her, and the Starlight's must be necessary to our future," Trista revealed. "They were not known in the future you had seen, therefore our future has been changed, and it means they are involved in our newly designed future," Trista smiled warmly.

"How?" Serena looked bewildered.

"I cannot say," Trista replied. "It would be like me saying there will be an Earthquake tomorrow, and a hundred people will die. If you run out to save those people that were supposed to die, then you would be changing the future."

"Then how would I know, I'm doing the right thing now?" Serena scowled. "if I'm supposed to turn right, but I turn left. Then I would be changing our future."

"You have always followed your heart, and if you continue to follow it, then we'll have a good, and happy future," Trista smiled brightly. "Neo Queen Serenity is a wise, and loving woman. Wisdom comes from experience, experience comes from life. Those are the qualities you will need in the future. You will not take a wrong turn if you follow your heart. That is all you need to do, and that's all you need to know."

"What about Darien?" Serena said quietly, as she stared directly into Trista's eyes.

"What does your heart say?" Trista kept the eye-to-eye contact.

Serena lowered her head, and stared quietly at the floor.

A knock came on the big double doors, and Trista got up, and went to it.

"Dinner is ready," Michelle told Trista. "I can bring you some if you'd like," she added.

Serena stood up: "That's OK, we'll come eat."

"Did your talk help?" Michelle inquired as they made their way to the dinning room.

"Yes, and No," Serena replied, her voice somewhat distant, and quiet.

Once everyone was seated, Amara looked over at Serena: "Are you going to tell me what's going on?"

"Perhaps," Serena smiled. "When I'm sure I know."

"What does that mean?" Amara scowled.

"She's a little over whelmed right now." Trista explained.

"With?" Amara continued to probe.

"Life," Serena huffed, then smiled at Amara: "You know."

"What's wrong with your life?" Hotaru asked.

"You'll understand when you're a teenager," Michelle giggled.

"That's when you'll end up with more school work then life," Serena laughed, hoping her words would put an end to Amara's questioning.

"If you study, then school work is easy," Hotaru commented.

The three older women looked at Serena.

"Food, sleep, and fun with friends gets in the way of Serena's studying," Trista remarked.

The whole table laughed.

Serena ate very little, her thoughts obviously not on her food, or the conversations of the table.

"Serena," Michelle called out for the second time.

"Sorry," Serena apologized. Then quickly invented an excuse for her lack of interest in the table conversation: "I was trying to remember what I still have to do for homework."

"Would you like some dessert?" Michelle asked.

"No thank-you," Serena answered. "I'm full."

"You didn't eat much," Amara noted.

"There was a lot of marshmallows in her hot chocolate," Michelle frowned at Trista.

"That's the best way to have hot chocolate," Serena gave Trista a big grin.

"Want to come see my volcano?" Hotaru asked Serena, and hopped out of her chair eagerly.

"Sure," Serena smiled at the young girl.

As soon as Serena, and Hotaru left the dinning room, Hotaru whispered: "You didn't look like you wanted to sit there with them."

"I have a lot on my mind," Serena remarked. "And I have to kind of work them out for myself, I guess."

"Problems with Darien or Seiya?" Hotaru grinned.

Serena stopped dead in her tracks.

"They are a powerful force, and I felt them enter our solar system," Hotaru explained. "Trista swore me to secrecy, she said Amara wouldn't understand, and it was important that you met with Kakyuu."

"Why?" Serena questioned, and began to follow Hotaru up the stairs.

"She didn't tell me anything more," Hotaru frowned.

"I think her, and I need to talk some more," Serena huffed, seeming somewhat annoyed.

"Are you mad at Trista?" Hotaru pouted.

"No," Serena stated empathetically, "I just need her to help me out with a few things."

"She won't answer questions about the future," Hotaru mentioned. "Sometimes I ask her about things in the future, and she just says 'you'll see when you get there'. And if I study then I don't need her to tell me if I'll do good on my test."

"That's not usually a question people ask about the future," Serena laughed. "Most people ask who they'll marry, if they'll have money or if they will have kids."

"I guess I don't think that far ahead," Hotaru commented. "There is a guy in my class that I kind of like."

"do you want him to be your boyfriends?" Serena grinned broadly at Hotaru.

"No," Hotaru spit out quickly. "Boyfriends always want to kiss their girlfriends, and I don't want him to kiss me," she gave a disgusted facial expression. "Did you let Darien, and Seiya kiss you?"

"Sometimes," Serena laughed. "And you might like it when you get older."

"Maybe, when I'm really, really old," Hotaru replied.

Serena knelt down at the little table in Hotaru's room.

Does it work?" Serena questioned.

"Mine billows smoke, and has red colored lava," Hotaru said proudly. "I put a special coating on my volcano so it doesn't get ruined when I use it. Amara helped with the smoke part. It's actually dry ice with a small timer that drops water on the ice. Let me show you."

Hotaru moved the backside of the drape on her table, and laid on her tummy.

"All the stuff to make it work, is under the table," Hotaru told Serena. "I got Amara to make holes in the table, so I could keep my lava, and smoke machine underneath. Cause that way I can keep mixing my lava, and adding it, so I can use my volcano over, and over."

"That is a really good idea," Serena said with praise.

Hotaru sat back up, and the girls watched and waited.

It wasn't long before the first puff of smoke billowed out of the top. The third puff of smoke was accompanied by little pieces of black colored Styrofoam popping out the volcano top.

Serena let out a giggle, then looked at the lava as it began to slowly ooze out, and slide down the mountain.

"This is the best volcano I've ever seen," Serena admitted, and picked up one of the Styrofoam balls. She examined it before returning it to Hotaru.

"I have a handle, like the ones on a pinball machine. When I pull it down, a piece of Styrofoam falls into place and I let it go," Hotaru explained as she demonstrated, and one of her artificial stones flew out the top of the mountain.

"I wanted to use gun powder, and make real stones fly out, but Michelle said that was to dangerous," Hotaru pursed her lips.

"I don't think your teacher would like you to do that either," Serena grinned.

"It took me three days to come up with this alternate launching device," Hotaru remarked.

"Your teacher should be very happy with this volcano," Serena mentioned. "I've never seen one that spits out rocks before."

"You finally got your rocks working," Trista said proudly, as she stood in the doorway.

"Yup," Hotaru beamed, and launched a few more.

"Serena," Trista stepped into the room. "I'll take you home after you change," she handed Serena her now dry clothes. "You said you have some homework to finish. So I think we had better get going."

When Trista and Serena made their way out to the car, Serena asked: "How did you talk Amara into letting you drive me home?"

"I told her I was taking you," Trista stated.

"I don't know what to tell her," Serena sighed as she climbed into the car. "She won't be happy about Seiya being here. Or that I let Kakyuu use Earth to set up a main base for her people. None of Kakyuu's people have had to leave their temporary homes to come here yet, but if some do come, I want them to feel welcome. Not be attacked by Amara." Serena took a deep breath, and let it out slowly.

Serena turned her head, and gazed out at the snowfall, and continued to take a few deep breaths.

"And I really don't know what to do about Darien," Serena mentioned quietly, as a few tears rolled down her cheeks.

Serena took a very deep breath.

"Why is he calling me?" Serena questioned with a clenched jaw. "I don't want to talk to him. I left my ring with him, doesn't he understand, I don't want him in my life right now."

"Then tell him that. He is probably calling because he wants answers," Trista told her.

"My heart says don't take the ring back, but my mind says I have to," Serena now wept without hiding her tears. "I would rather live without love, than let Earth perish. If I have to take Darien back to save this world, than that is what I will do."

"No one your age should be concerned with such things," Trista remarked, handing Serena a box of tissues.

Trista pulled over to a curb, and stopped.

Trista put her arms around Serena, and held her close: "I would tell you all I knew if I could."

"Then tell me what to do now," Serena sobbed.

"If Darien calls, tell him you are not ready to listen to his excuses," Trista replied. "The only aspect of your future that you should be worried about right now, is passing your classes at school. Do not worry about who you will spend the future with. Laugh, and have fun with your friends, for they will always be beside you."

"And Seiya?" Serena asked.

"Is he a friend?" Trista questioned.

"Yes," Serena smiled. "They all are."

"Then laugh, and have fun with them too," Trista returned the smile.

"What if I want Seiya to be more then a friend?" Serena looked directly into Trista's eyes.

"Only you can make that decision," Trista responded with out the slightest facial change, or an alter of her tone.

Serena realized she was on her own when it came to choosing a man in her life.

"Ready to go finish your homework?" Trista giggled.

"Do I have a choice?" Serena huffed.

"You always have a choice," Trista smiled, and moved back, ready to resume driving.

This chapter is kind of long, and unnecessary, but It works. Please leave more comments. Darien's confrontation is coming soon, so keep reading.