Persuasion
Rini walked over to Darien and clung to his leg. "Helios, I've changed my mind. I'm staying!" Rini glared at Serena returned to the spot she was sitting in before hand.
'Let's see if she's fit to rule,' Serena thought then looked over to Luna. "Please continue Luna. Who is next?"
Luna nodded and announced the next pairing, "Malachite and Serena."
"What?" Mina yelled, obviously not happy with the choice, "why?"
"Why what Mina?" Artemis asked her calmly.
"Why did you… No!" Mina shouted, "I won't have it. Pick someone else. Anyone but Serena!"
"Fine then Mina, you fight him," Serena told her and Mina's face went pale white.
"What?" she whispered. "Why me?"
"Isn't that all you ever do is complain?" Serena stood up annoyed. "You don't want me to fight him, yet you don't want to yourself."
"That's different you're the-"
"Don't even give me that!" Serena raised her voice. "Stop being so goddamn jealous of me! I love Darien not Malachite!" Mina sat there not saying anything. Serena's anger seemed to boil to the surface as she grasped a sword from the rack.
"Darien," Rini looked up at him, he looked down at her. "Do you really love that vile woman?"
Darien smiled and patted her head. "Yes, I really love her."
~~Rini's flash back~~
"Why should you get her just because she's a girl?" the black haired, blue eyed king yelled at his blond haired blue eyed wife.
"Why are you making such a big deal out of it Darien?" she asked with tears in her eyes, "It's tradition that a female take the throne of the moon kingdom."
"She was the first born, Serena. That gives me the right to have her too!" Darien stated coldly.
Two children stood there holding hands, watching the fight between their parents.
"What's so wrong with Ikuto being the heir to the Earth?" Serena asked him.
"That weak child could never rule my planet!"
"And why can't he?" Serena was crying. "What's so wrong with our son?"
"He's not my son." Darien stated coldly at the two children, "I only have one child, and that is Rini." Darien walked over and picked Rini up, cradling her in his arms. "Guards, remove this woman and that child from earth, and block all passage from the Moon. I will not let her have my daughter." With that Darien walked away from the two blondes. Serena had tears in her eyes as she was forcefully put into the telepath and sent home.
~~end~~
"It's no use… she's just a stupid cry baby who can't come to the realization that Ikuto doesn't belong to father. That's why he can't stand to look at him. Father has drilled this into Rini's head… Ikuto is not his son," Rini whispered. 'But even so… Ikuto holds father's symbol… that's something I can never have… so why is it that even though Ikuto isn't fathers… he has his symbol… and I'm stuck with a moon? I want father's mark too' Rini looked up at Darien, who smiled while looking at Serena.
Rini watched the fight between Serena and Malachite diligently.
'Every move she makes is elegant…' Rini thought as she stared at the blonde. 'Why… what does she have that I don't? I can't get father's attention he's only looking at her. Is it because I'm too small? Does he not love me because I can't give him what he wants like the mistresses he has?'
Darien noticed that Rini's eyes were fixated on Serena's movement. He smiled at his future daughter, 'Hopefully, we can change the future that she's been in so that she won't be so miserable.'
Malachite swung his sword at Serena, Rini gasped, Serena threw up her shield, making Malachite's sword reflect off of her shield. Malachite smiled at the girl in front of him.
Rini was still watching the fight, eyes full of wonder and amazement.
'Was mother like this before she died? Wait, why am I concern about her!' Rini yelled at herself, shook her head, and then turned her head away from the battle. Though it didn't last long when she peeked to see what was going on.
"I give," Serena held up her hands and smiled at her opponent. Rini's eyes widened in shock and held disappointment in them as well. "I can never beat you with the way I am, I admit."
'So… does a Lady admit when she's wrong?' Rini thought, 'No! A Lady is never wrong, everyone else is!'
Malachite wins!" Artemis announced.
"Rini…" Helios got her attention, "you and Ikuto may stay, but as I said, only one week." Helios golden eyes held no room for argument before he disappeared.
Serena walked over to Darien smiling. "Good work," he kissed her on the cheek and she blushed.
"Th… thanks." she stumbled over the word. Rini glared at the blonde once again. Ikuto ran over to Serena and clung to her leg.
"Momma that was great!" Ikuto praised her.
"I lost Ikuto," Serena laughed. "It wasn't that great."
"Momma's modest, as always!" Ikuto praised her again and Serena giggled picking up the boy and hugging him.
'See momma has never loved me even now she only recognizes him!' Rini glared at the two of them with jealousy and envy. 'Momma will never love me… but father does.' He clung to Darien more.
"Luna," Serena called out to her, "Since I'm done, do you mind if I left?" Luna looked at Serena a little shocked but soon nodded. Serena, holding Ikuto, walked over to Darien and smiled. "Trade me," Serena spoke as she plopped Ikuto in Darien's arms and scooped Rini up. Rini who was blushing from embarrassment couldn't find any words for a few minutes. Ikuto looked at Darien before he cuddled into Darien's chest.
'Even if it's only for a moment… I want to remember his scent.' Ikuto thought and Darien soon set the child on his feet.
As Serena ascended the stairs Rini started to retaliate.
"What do you think you're doing?!" Rini yelled pulling at her hair. "Put me down you blonde bimbo!"
Serena ignored her and continued to walk up the stairs. Serena just held her tightly to her chest as the girl squirmed. Soon Rini stopped moving and Serena walked to the front door stepping outside. Opening a Telepath, Serena and Rini disappeared off of Venus and were now in front of the Moon Palace.
"This Serenity, is supposed to be your kingdom," Serena spoke to her.
Rini's eyes widened at the sight she was seeing. 'I've been here before but never with mother… and it's been such a long time…' Serena transformed into her royal gown, then pressed her finger to Rini's forehead and her outfit was now a white two layered flowing gown that looked identical to Serena's. Serena, still holding Rini started to walk towards the palace.
"This place is sacred." Serena told her "It holds the greatest power in the whole universe. You and I are descendants of this great place." They entered the palace and immediately turned to the left, Serena forced a door open that had not been open since she was young.
"What is this place?" Rini asked as they entered the pitch black corridor. Soon the black corridor was brightly lit with portraits on the walls.
"This is our lineage," Serena told her. "From as far back as ten thousand years ago, these portraits are our family. Mine, yours, and even Ikuto's. But tell me what you see."
Rini gazed at all the pictures and noticed it right away, there were no males in the line of succession.
"So you noticed?" Serena smiled walking to an all too familiar portrait and Rini's eyes widened in shock.
'There… are two mommas?' Rini thought.
"My sister and I," Serena spoke as she looked into Rini's eyes. "Were the first known twins to be born into our long lineage. There are no males, Ikuto will be the first male ever to be born from our lineage. But by law, you have our symbol, you have our royal blood in you." Serena raised one of her arms to gesture at all the portraits. "You should be the queen after I resign."
Rini looked up and gasped at the portrait they were in front of. In front of her was a woman who had a pink skin tight dress on, a moon on her forehead, pink hair, red eyes, and had her hair done up in rabbit ear shaped buns. She was sitting at a table holding the Imperial Silver Crystal.
'Is that… me?' Rini asked herself. Serena glanced over at the portrait and smiled at the awed look on the little girl's face.
"That is my grandmother," Serena was smiling gently at her.
"So, that means… I actually belong here?" Rini asked in disbelief.
"Would you like to meet her?" Serena knew the answer was yes when the girl's eyes lit up.
Serena and Rini soon left the room, Serena sealed it once again and they made their way to the eastern part of the palace. Rini was watching in awe as she passed a pond that had lilies floating on the water's surface. They soon reached a large marble door. Serena set Rini on the ground and smiled at her.
"Grandmother," Serena knocked three times before entering. "I have someone who wishes to meet you." Serena smiled as she saw the pink haired former queen sitting at a table reading a book.
"Serenity!" she exclaimed as she ran to Serena and hugged her. "It's been so long since you've came to see me!"
Rini glanced up at the former queen from behind Serena. She had not changed one bit since the portrait was painted.
"Grandmother," Serena spoke and pushed Rini forward. "There is someone who wishes to meet you."
They looked at each other, shock was over the grandmother's face as she examined the girl.
"H… how do you do?" Rini asked and curtsied.
"She looked just like me!" she smiled and in an instant Rini was in her arms.
"My name is Serenity, Serenity Shade. I am the former queen of this wonderful kingdom," Serenity smiled at the child. "May I ask your name?"
"Se… Serenity… Shields…" Rini told her with a blush painted on her cheeks. "I'm the future queen… though now… I'm confused on what is right and what is wrong…"
"So… she's yours?" Serenity looked at Serena.
"In a matter of speaking… yes," Serena laughed lightly. "She looks just like grandmother. When I first saw her I was quite shocked."
"Indeed. I thought I was looking at a younger me." Serenity patted Rini's head as she put her on her feet. "So this is the result between you and that Earth prince?"
"Actually… I have a brother… so there are two of us." Serenity's eyes widened at the news.
"Well, you will soon give me two wonderful great grandchildren. I guess I can't hate your Darien that much." Serenity smiled and Serena blushed.
"Well grandmother, it's time I head back now." Serena bowed to her, Rini followed suit.
"Please come again soon Serena," Serenity looked at Rini. "You as well." A blush crept across Rini's face as the former queen went back to her table. Serena and Rini exited the room; they walked a few feet before Rini stopped.
"Serena…" Rini whispered, Serena stopped and looked back at the girl. "I still hate you… but I may just like you a little more now…" a blush tinted the girl's cheeks.
"It's okay, Rini," Serena smiled at her. "I can't get you to trust me over night, so it's understandable that you don't trust me." Serena turned and continued to walk, leaving Rini staring at the back of the blonde haired Princess.
"Dad…" Ikuto pulled on his shirt as Darien sat on the couch reading. Darien looked down at the small blonde.
"I'm not your father, Ikuto," Darien said to him with a sigh. "What do you need?"
"I… I… want to know more about father." Ikuto looked down, his red eyes found an interesting spot on the floor.
"What would you like to know?" Darien asked coldly, going back to reading his book.
"Well…anything you want to tell me is fine." Ikuto stared at the floor more.
"Child, go play will you?" Darien dismissed the boy. Ikuto's eyes widened in shock as he heard the words come out of Darien's mouth.
"You're always like this!" Ikuto yelled at him, his red eyes were now fixed on Darien. Rei, who was walking into the room, looked surprised at the child. "Why?! Why do you always treat me so coldly?!" He demanded to know.
Darien glared coldly at the young boy, trying to intimidate him, but to no avail.
"You always pay attention to Rini!" Anger flared up in the boys eyes, "Why? What did I do to you to deserve any of this?"
"Look kid," Darien spoke to him. "Stop overreacting.""Darien, that's enough." Rei spoke and the two looked at her. "Obviously you know nothing about how to talk to a child."
"Then why don't you keep him company?" Darien abruptly stood and walked out of the room carrying his book.
"Don't mind him Ikuto," Rei smiled at the boy.
Ikuto just looked at the black haired woman in front of him before turning away from her.
'Like father, like son,' Rei thought amused.
"We are back." Serena announced walking through the door way with Rini in her arms.
"Momma!" Ikuto's eyes lit up as he ran to Serena. Serena picked him up with her other arm, now holding both children in her arms.
"My two children," Serena kissed both their foreheads, "are so cute and adorable." Ikuto giggled before hugging her, Rini blushed from the compliment.
"Put me down," Rini spoke in a low voice. Serena set the little girl on her feet, she soon left Serena's side and walked out onto the patio.
"Momma," Ikuto spoke her name. "Why doesn't father like me?"
"Darien… just isn't a kid person right now." Serena smiled at him. "I'm sure that it will change in the future when we have you." Ikuto was silent. "Oh I never asked, how old are you and Rini?"
"In this time period we are eight," Ikuto answered, "But in our time we are twenty."
"Why did you get changed into a child?"
"It was easier this way to try to find you." Ikuto replied.
"May I see what you look like when you are your real age?"
"No," Ikuto told her, "there is only so much we can do, and I broke most of the rules. If I break anymore I'll be sent back home. Time can only be altered a little before it will go into chaos. So I'm sorry but no."
"It's fine Ikuto." Serena smiled at him, "Please do not apologize for anything."
"Serena," Darien smiled at the blond, "welcome home."
"Thank you," She smiled back at him before turning back to Ikuto.
"Darien… how much do you love me?" Serena turned to Darien with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"I love you a lot why?" Darien was half scared of the moon princess in front of him.
"I want you to take Ikuto," Serena told him, "And go to earth for a day to get to know each other better."
Ikuto's eyes lit up but Darien's eyes went cold. "If you do this, then…" Serena was trying to think of a reward. "I'll let you take me before our wedding." Serena hoped that would work.
Darien looked a bit shocked at the statement his soon to be wife just mad, then smiled.
"You're really something else aren't you." Darien laughed, "fine I agree to your terms then. I'll take Ikuto to Earth and show him the Palace and everything there is to it. You just remember to keep your end of the deal got it?"
"I promise," Serena held up her right hand, "I'll keep my end of the deal."
A smiled broke out on Ikuto's face as he realized he was going to spend time with Darien alone.
Darien walked over to Ikuto and knelt down in front of him. "We leave in the morning kiddo okay?" he said ruffling his hair.
"Okay!" Ikuto was still smiling,
Morning came fast and Ikuto was up and ready to go. Darien looked at the small child and couldn't help but smile at him.
'He's definitely more like his mother I'll give him that one,'
"Daddy let's go," Ikuto kept telling him as Darien was getting dressed. "Hurry, Hurry!" Darien was dressed and Ikuto started to pull him out of the room.
"I'm going to!" Rini stated.
"Oh no you're not." Serena looked at her smiling.
"Watch me!" Rini started to stomp away.
"With an attitude like that," Serena spoke and Rini stopped dead in her tracks, "you'll never be able to become a lady. Then you won't win the challenge I made with you."
Once again, Sorry it's not long... i've had a lot of things going on lately. It's been awhile since i updated i know this. So i apologize for keeping you all waiting for so long. I hope that you like this chapter.