Well, aren't we all in shock! I got a chapter of Truths and of FA done back to back! It must be a miracle! *shocked* Okay, okay. Enough bashing myself, no matter how true that statement may be. So we are back with chapter 3 of Truths, Family and Friends. I hope you like it! Special thanks is going out to some special people! First off thank you to Kelly, C, M, Ang and Hea for wanting me to attack at the place I did! Second, thank you to Comet-kun for all of your wonderful Ideas too! Thank you so much! E-mail: stefaniecraig@hotmail.com Website: http://home.att.net/~stef_chan/ ICQ: 634674320 If you add me to your ICQ list, please tell me why, and who you are! ^_^ The voting for the Usa/Mamo WAFF stories has begun again. Please cast your votes! http://www.lunap.com/umwaff2000.html RATING: PG...but there's some tears in here. DISCLAIMER: Me writing this story would be a scary and horrible experience if I didn't say that I didn't own Sailor Moon. Because the lawyers would make my life a living hell. Quote of the Week: "The darkness drops again but now I know That twenty centuries of stony sleep Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle, And what rough beast, its hour come round at last, Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?" - W. B. Yeats 1865-1939: 'The Second Coming' (1921 (AN: Sounds a little familiar, doesn't it?) __________Living Nightmare__________ Sun glistened on the dewdrops of the red rose petals, casting a slightly red aura around the bud. Serena turned the rose around in her fingers and watched as some of the water fell and splattered on the rug beneath her feet. A tear slowly made it's way down her cheek and fell on the petals of the rose. She sighed and placed it back in the vase it had come from by the windowsill. The rose wasn't even close to being dead, and it had been left by him a week before. And in that week, she had seen much less of him than even before the attack. And it was killing her. Right now, the two terrors were off at his place, giving Serena a well deserved, and much needed, break. Sure, Alec and Rini had grown on her, but there was still the question everyone was asking himself or herself, "Who the hell are these kids and what do they want with us?" Serena sighed again, the question was all too familiar, and they were no closer to finding an answer than they had been two weeks ago when the children had first arrived. It was unsettling, and even disturbing that these children could make people believe whatever they wanted. She shook her thoughts from her head and looked at her clock. Five thirty. Time to pick Rini and Alec up from Darien's. Serena had to smile. The good thing about them being over there meant that she had to pick them up, and that meant that she got to see Darien, even if only for a little while. And Luna was at the Temple with Artemis; she wasn't going to stop Serena from seeing her beloved. ******************************************************************* "Yea! I win again!" Alec exclaimed as he through his money up in the air and laughed. Rini sat back and pouted, kicking at the little "Life" car. "You musta cheated!" Alec whipped to his sister and narrowed his eyes. "I did not!" he exclaimed. Darien rolled his eyes and began picking up the pieces to the "Life" game. He could hear Rini and Alec's continuous fighting and he chuckled. They were just like Serena and Sammy, only more playful in their insults and fighting. Thinking about Serena, Darien's face saddened. He hadn't seen her much in the past week...well...he had seen her; she was just asleep when he was there. So far he had not been caught on his nighttime excursions to Serena's house, and as long as Luna remained a semi-heavy sleeper, he never would be. Darien heard the light ringing of his doorbell and quickly got up to go and answer it. Rini and Alec's fighting didn't faultier. Darien didn't look out the peephole before opening up the door, and was elated, if not shocked, at what sight greeted him when he opened the door. "Serena!" Serena smiled at him, and for a moment, Darien forgot his fear of never seeing that smile again. With out even bothering to close the door, Darien brought his face down to Serena's and kissed her deeply. Pulling away, he saw a slight blush on her cheeks and chuckled. Serena smiled up at him, a pink hue still on her face, "I-I came to get Rini and Alec," she said softly. "And I'm *really* glad Luna wasn't at home to come with me." Alec stopped his fight with Rini when her heard a familiar chuckle. Darien's, yes, but he only laughed like that when Serena was around. He liked to think that he wasn't letting Serena get too close to him, but he was getting closer to her. She reminded him of his mother. Rini, on the other hand, had been very careful about not letting anyone get close to her, even Darien was having trouble. But Rini was going out of her way, and they both knew that the main reason Darien spent so much time with them was to try and find out about them. Serena and Darien walked into the room, Darien with his arms around Serena's waist, laughing slightly at each other. Rini looked up at the two and felt a sudden pain in her chest before looking away. They were so happy. Like her parents had been at one point. Before the attack. Rini choked back a harsh sob and hugged her knees to her chest. Serena and Darien looked up and saw the child sitting on the floor, gently rocking herself back and forth in emotional pain. "Rini!" Serena exclaimed as she pulled out of Darien's arms and to where the girl was. Alec put his hand on Rini's shoulder but she shrugged it off. "Rini," Serena kneeled next to her and touched her forehead, "you can tell me if there's anything wrong, Rini." "No!" Rini exclaimed as a harsh sob racked her small frame, but she tried to hold it back. "It's not your business!" Serena pulled back and looked up at Darien, who shook his head at her, warning her not to try anymore. Meanwhile, Alec stepped up to his younger sister and began talking to her, causing her to stiffen slightly, but calm down, eventually. When Serena and Darien looked back, the two were normal, and calm looking. "It's time to get going, you two," Serena said softly. "Mom's expecting us back for dinner, and I don't want to get in trouble or something," she winked at them. Alec nodded with a smile and ran to the door for his shoes, with Rini following close behind, albeit, at a much slower pace. Rini's face caught a bit of the light and Darien's eyes opened wide as he looked at her profile. 'Serena?!' "I'm sorry that I can't stay longer," Serena whispered to Darien softly, breaking into his thoughts. Darien turned to her and smiled softly, taking her in his arms for a moment. "It's not your fault...it's mine. I'm the one having these stupid dreams," he murmured into her hair. Serena gasped and was about to pull away, but Darien held her tight. "I don't see you often anymore...and it's all because of some dream I have... your death haunts me, Serena. But staying away from you will only kill both of us. I can't give into the commands, it's weak. I love you too much for it." Tears pricked at Serena's eyes as she stayed firmly in Darien's arms, clutching him tightly. "No......" He pressed her closer. "I won't let go of you. Luna can't make me." He pulled her away just slightly and looked at her. "Actually...I do need a date for something this weekend," Darien drawled softly. Serena blinked and looked up at him curiously. "For what?" she questioned. Darien sighed, and blushed slightly, seemingly embarrassed to say something to her. "Well...There's an Awards Banquet taking place at my college and...well..." Serena's eyes lit up suddenly as she put two and two together. "You're getting an award!" she screeched, catching the attention of the two children who were waiting patiently in the hallway by the door. She threw her arms around his neck. "Oh that is so wonderful, Darien! Do you know what for?" she asked. Darien, still bright red, shook his head, the blush reaching his ears. "I don't know, Serena. But will you come? There is no way I am going alone," he told her. Serena smiled, a bright smile that lit up her face, and nodded. "Of course I'll go with you, Darien! I wouldn't miss this for the world!" Darien raised an eyebrow at her, indicated the unintentional pun in her statement and she rolled her eyes at him. "You know what I mean, you moron." ******************************************************************* In the hall, Rini and Alec exchanged looks. "Ya know, Rini," Alec began with a note of sadness in his voice, "if Serena really has the Crystal, she'll be occupied with Darien and we can try and take it from her..." Rini looked skeptical. "I don't know, Alec...in public? We could get caught! And not just by Serena and Darien!" Alec grinned, a bit cockily, at his sister. "No we won't. Serena wouldn't yell out that we stole it! What would the world think if they found out that she owned a powerful gem, that rightfully belongs to our mother anyway?" Rini considered this a moment before grinning. "Good idea! So, do we beg and plead until they let us go?" "Was there ever a doubt?" ******************************************************************* Darien wrapped his arms around Serena and kissed her cheek. "Thank you," he whispered. Before either of them could pull back, or breathe for that matter, two small bodies came bounding in and attached themselves to the elder's legs. "WE WANNA GO!" they both whined at the same time with tears in their eyes. Darien and Serena both gave a start, looked at each other, looked at the kids, and then back at each other, before looking at the kids again. Serena pulled away and knelt down to eye level with the two. "We can't do that. It's a grown up party, and you two would be very bored there," she explained gently. Alec rolled his eyes. 'Yeah right. Have you ever tried to sit through a political meeting?' he thought mutinously. 'Now those will just kill you!' While Alec was thinking his, very true, thoughts, Rini put the second part of the plan into action. Her lip quivered, her tears spilled over and she opened her mouth, letting a loud, high pitched wail escape her throat. Serena and Darien instantly covered their ears, while Alec nodded his silent approval of his sister. She had one good set of lungs. Having more experience in this field than Serena, Darien hugged Rini and said to her, "It's okay, it's okay. You can come." Rini's cries stopped and she looked up at Darien with hopeful eyes. Then both she and her brother slapped five and ran out of the room, leaving two very stunned people behind them. "That was weird...even for them," Serena said to herself. Darien could only nod his agreement. ******************************************************************* Three Days Later, Saturday Serena straightened the bows that were in Rini's hair and smoothed her dress a little bit. Rini pouted and complained that Serena was acting like her mother. A quick glare had shut her up. She glared like her mother too. Stepping back, Serena nodded her approval at the girl. A pink dress that came down to her knees with white lace frills on the sleeves and collar. The skirt of the dress was slightly layered, and it puffed out a little bit. (AN: Ever notice that after the age of 10, those dresses don't look good on you anymore?) And to top it all off, a pink pair of shoes with white socks and pink and white bows in her hair. Turning and inspecting Alec once more, Serena noted he looked fine. He was wearing a pair of black dress slacks, and white dress shirt and black shoes. He had refused to wear the tie, so much that he almost threw a temper tantrum about it, and Serena let it go. His hair was another story...she had tried everything to get that damn cowlick (AN: That's what it's called!) of his to stay where it was supposed to, but to no avail. His hair was just like Darien's if not worse. And then, Serena ran one last check over herself. Her hair was up in her buns and pigtails, though the pigtails were braided and had blue and white ribbons laced through them. She wore a dress that hugged her figure nicely. It was dark blue and floor length with spaghetti straps. She wore a pair of dark blue shoes to match. She let out a breath and straightened up. "Well...now all we have to do is wait for Darien to come and get us, then we can go and see what award he is supposed to be getting." Alec looked up at Serena curiously. "Does Darien even know what award he's getting?" Serena picked up her purse and smiled. "No, he doesn't. But I have on good authority that this is more than special, and it's just for him." The doorbell rang and Serena rushed to get it, before her father could. Opening the door she sucked in a breath when the most handsome sight she had seen in days greeted her. Darien was there, in full Tuxedo Mask attire, save the cape, mask, top hat and cane. He smiled at her and winked. "Being a Super Hero does have its good points." He placed his hands on her arms and brought her close for a quick kiss. "You look beautiful," he murmured. Serena blushed and looked up at her boyfriend. "And you look quite dashing yourself." Serena turned to call Rini and Alec and she caught sight of Luna sitting on the stairs. She paled visibly and her eyes begged Luna not to say anything. The cat smiled at her, her eyes clearing showing her semi-approval. Darien looked past Serena and saw Luna, too. 'Thank you,' he mouthed to her. The black cat nodded and retreated back up the stairs, her tail hanging limply as she did so. Rini and Alec came bounding in with smiles on their faces, and Serena and Darien torn their gazes away from the stairwell. Tonight they wouldn't worry about the dream. 'She will die!' Darien gasped and put a hand to his head. 'NO! SHE WON'T DIE!' he screamed to his mind and he held open the door. 'PRINCESS SERENITY WILL PERISH!' ******************************************************************* Luna watched with a sadness in her eyes as the red sports care pulled away from the curb at a safe speed, not surprising for Darien, though. She heaved a sigh and turned to face the girl that stood in Serena's room. "Mina, I know they love each other, but we can't let them do this. She could die because of him!" Mina looked at the cat sadly, and set down Artemis, who was in her arms, on the ground. "I know. But she could have been killed any day, any time because of our fighting. Luna...I don't want my Princess to die either," she paused a moment, trying to find the right words, "but I don't want her spirit to die because she's not with him. We could have her on watch twenty-four/seven and she would still find a way to see him. That I can guarantee. They're like that, Luna. That's how their relationship thrived in the Silver Millennium, and that will be how it thrives now." Mina blinked back sudden tears. "But it will be different this time, Luna, Artemis! They will live, no matter what is predicted!" Luna's dark eyes met Mina's light ones and she stared her straight in the eye. "I know what you are saying, Mina. But we can not, and shall not allow it. It was forbidden in the Silver Millennium, and destiny made sure that we knew that. If their love is still forbidden, though they were born on the same planet, we will know. Maybe fate is giving us a warning this time, Mina. We can stop this. If they love each other, if Darien loves her, he won't see her." Artemis cleared his throat, hesitant to intervene between the two. "Luna, Mina, we all want what's best for Serena and Darien, but it's their lives. We can't say anything for them, or order them, our Prince and Princess, to stay away. Fate is fate, we can't change it." Luna didn't say anything for a moment. "Yes...but this is one time, where I will not let either of them hold any power." She looked up at them. "I will not compromise this time, Artemis." She looked away again, tears in her eyes at the pain she knew she was putting her charge through. She didn't want to, but she would let it pass this last time. One last time. ******************************************************************* "A SCHOOL?!" Avery and Birdy cried together, looking scandalized. Rubeus turned and glared at the two out of the corner of his eyes, instantly hushing them. Satisfied, he turned back and gazed at the large campus building. "Yes, a school. K.O. University to be exact. There's a large award ceremony going on their tonight, plenty of people to infect with Dark Power." He looked at them cynically, noting their current state of dress. "Dress nicely." ******************************************************************* Darien took Serena's arm and Rini's hand, while Serena had Alec's, as they made their way to the dinner table at the front of the dinning hall where they were to sit. Serena glanced at Alec out of the corner of her eye and noticed how he held himself. He seemed proud, sure, but not arrogant. Leaning forward a little while she was walking, she could see that Rini, too, had the same look about her. They had been trained to walk like this; almost like Royalty. They approached the table and looked for their places to sit. Darien had told the person in charge of this that he would be bringing four people, and sure enough, there were four extra places sitting by the Dean and some of Darien's professors. Serena squeezed his arms in reassurance, knowing he was nervous, and they continued their walk. Stopping conversation, and looking up, the Dean caught sight of Darien and his guest. He stopped for a moment when he noticed that he had three guests. Two of them were children. Casting a side-ways glance at one of Darien's Professors, the Dean stood and smiled. "Mr. Shields! So good to see today!" he exclaimed as he took Darien's hand and shook it. "I'm glad you could make it," he continued as he sat back down, gesturing for Darien to do the same. Darien pulled out Serena's chair for her as Rini and Alec simply hopped into theirs beside Serena. Sitting down, the Dean eyed the children and then looked back up at Darien, who jumped in with introductions and explanations. "Mr.Gakkan, this is my girlfriend, Serena Tsukino, and her two cousins Rini and Alec. Serena was supposed to stay with them tonight and we saw two solutions to this, she doesn't come or the kids come with her. Rini and Alec will be on their best behavior, so you don't need to worry about that." Mr. Gakkan nodded in understanding. After all, this was an important night. Far more than Darien even thought. "Well, it is a pleasure to meet you Miss Tsukino." Serena bowed her head slightly in recognition. "It's an honor, Mr. Gakkan. And I am terribly sorry about brining them-" "No, no! That's fine, Miss," Mr. Gekkan intervened. "No problem at all." "Ah, Mr. Shields," a new male voice spoke, "so glad you could make it." Darien turned and saw one of his Professors sitting beside the Dean. "Good evening, Mr. Kyouyu." They shook hands briefly. "And did I hear that that lovely little creature of there is your girlfriend?" Mr. Kyouyu asked with a knowing grin. Serena looked up and blushed red. Darien chuckled and put an arm around her waist. "Yes sir, you heard right. Serena, this is my Physic's Professor, Mr. Kyouyu. Mr. Kyouyu, this is Serena Tsukino. Sitting next to her are her cousins, Rini and Alec." ******************************************************************* Birdy adjusted her dress slightly and scowled. "This thing doesn't fit me right!" she complained. She pulled the light blue dress down slightly and sighed. "Oh this really bites!" Avery watched her sister with a smirk on her face. "Well, I don't know what you're complaining about. You picked that dress out last week!" "Yes, well at the time it fit!" Birdy snapped back. "Well, we should get going, the party will end soon and we'll have lost our chance to attack at such an opportune time." Avery rolled her eyes as she willed the image of the party to appear. They saw dancing, laughing and all around happiness. 'Like before we were banished,' she thought bitterly. 'Before Diamond and his sick obsession!' Casually, the two of them stepped through the mirrors and in to the room, unnoticed by the other guests. "Well, I suppose we have earned mingling rights. Let's gets some food and then do our job," she told her younger sister. Birdy smiled and went straight to the dessert buffet table, and began to pile a plate full of food. "Well, that's good." ******************************************************************* Serena leaned her head against Darien's chest as they slowly swayed to the music, lost to anymore but each other. Darien's hands were around Serena's waist and her arms around his neck. They had been like that for nearly a half-hour, and not stopped. Serena and Darien had both been wondering what the big deal was about getting an award, since he was the only one being honored at the ceremony, but that just made them even more curious and excited at the same time. Darien smiled into Serena's hair, where his head gently lay, and kissed her head. He knew that Luna had shone a moment of weakness earlier when she hadn't said anything about Darien stealing her away for most of the night. He knew also that this would probably be as close as he would be able to get to her for a long, long time. He didn't want to end what they had, but knew it was almost inevitable. Luna wouldn't allow it much longer, and she would find a way to stop them. Darien clutched Serena closer and fought back angry tears. She didn't want to, but she wanted to protect her Princess, like he did. Even Luna wasn't sure him staying away from her was the best thing, but it was probably the only thing they could do to insure nothing would happen. Even if it did kill them inside, it may be the only thing they could do. 'But not for now,' he told himself as visions of Princess Serenity being torn from his grasp flashed in his mind. 'For now she's mine, and mine only.' Darien suddenly looked up, his senses alert to someone or something in the room. Serena picked her head up from his chest and looked at him curiously. "What is it Darien?" she asked him softly. Darien scanned the room and saw nothing out of the ordinary. "It's nothing..." he whispered. Serena looked doubtful, but Darien calmed that with a quick kiss. "Nothing. But I think we've neglected Rini and Alec enough for tonight. Let's go and see if they want to dance with us." Serena sighed a little, but pulled away from Darien and nodded. "Sure...just like them to interrupt our romantic night," she complained teasingly. ******************************************************************* Alec was quite surprised, actually, the night hadn't been as boring as he thought it was going to be, and he found himself enjoying talking to some of the teachers at the school, who were very surprised at his academic level for his age. He saw Serena and Darien stop dancing and begin to head over here, and he frowned slightly. The whole reason that he and Rini had even come was to try and take the Silver Crystal from Serena. But Rini seemed to have forgotten that too. Rini stopped talking to the Dean when she noticed Serena and Darien coming closer. When the arrived at the table, Rini furrowed her brow. "Hey you two," Serena said with a smile. "Would you like to dance with us?" "Yeah!" Rini and Alec exclaimed together as they got up. Rini ran to Darien and he quickly picked her up, as Serena did the same with Alec. The four quickly walked to the dance floor and began to slightly sway to the music. Back at the table, Dean Gekkan was slightly startled, but had to smile. "Well, I'm sure the girl's happy to know that he's good with children." "Indeed," came a voice from the side of the Dean. Mr. Gekkan turned to face a familiar face, the man who had wanted to honor Darien Shields in the first place. "Dr. Jones! Well, I'm glad you could make it earlier than you said so. Darien is here, but you're going to have to wait a while to present your proposal to him. He's occupied at the moment," he said, glancing to the dance floor. ******************************************************************* Birdy nearly choked on her food when she saw the two people who had been dancing earlier come back on with the two people she least expected to see in their arms. 'It's the two rabbits! The two brats!' She looked over and caught her sister's eye. She had seen them too. Out of nowhere, Avery's whip appeared in her hand and she snapped it at the CD player, destroying it. Everyone looked up from what they were doing and gaped at the woman. "What they hell do you think you're doing?!" a man from one of the tables exclaimed. Birdy stepped forward next to her sister and held out her hand, firing ice water at the dance floor, causing everyone to scream and step back. On the dance floor, Serena and Darien exchanged looks, knowing exactly what they needed to do, and what the two women were after. "Now," Birdy said as she transformed from her dress to her normal outfit; Avery doing the same, "we want those two brats!" she exclaimed while pointing to Serena and Darien. Avery cracked her whip, a reminder as to what would happen if they didn't get what they wanted. Serena and Darien started the two of them down until Avery smiled evilly. "So...you won't give them up? Well in that case...take this!" she screamed as she charged her whip and cracked it at all the people on the dance floor, sending them flying. Darien put Alec in Serena's arms and looked at her, the look intense enough to tell her exactly what he wanted her to do. She hesitated at first, but after a few moments, nodded her reluctant agreement and grabbed both children and ran out of the room. Darien turned and faced Birdy and Avery, a determined look in his eye. They weren't going to get them. ******************************************************************* It didn't take Serena long to hide the two children, and now that she was done, she was transformed and ready to go. She ran back inside the room, and was surprised to see that the only thing that was going on was that the two villains were fighting over who should go and look for the children. Sailor Moon shook her head and pulled her tiara off of her forehead. Sometimes, she had to wonder if she were ever that stupid. "MOON TIARA MAGIC!" The Moon Tiara sailed through the air and cut Avery's hand. "YOU!" she screamed. Sailor Moon bounded into the room, and Darien looked up in relief. 'She made it.' "You were expecting maybe the Three Wise Men?" she asked sarcastically as she jumped right in front of them. Both women paled, but said nothing about it or the Wiseman. "You brat!" Birdy exclaimed as water swirled around her and began towards Sailor Moon. "JUPITER THUNDER CLAP ZAP!" A ball of lightning came from out of nowhere and went straight towards the water, channeling through it, back to it's original holder, slightly singeing her. Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mercury jumped down next to Sailor Moon, in front of the already stunned audience. "You know, Sailor Moon, you really have to start inviting us with you. You always get to start having fun before we do!" Jupiter said while cracking her knuckles. Mercury sighed. "Really, Jupiter, you are the only person I know who actually enjoys fighting." Jupiter laughed and put her hand behind her head. "Well I have been doing it all my life, Sailor Mercury!" She looked up suddenly and jumped out of the way of an incoming whip. "MARS CELESTIAL FIRE SURROUND!" The rings of fire came around the whip and burned it out of Avery's hand. "Ooh...why are you aiming for my hand?!" she demanded as she charged up an energy blast. "Uhh...Sister," Birdy addressed carefully, "shouldn't we call a Droid to take care of them?" she asked. Avery glared at her younger sister. "NO! I'll take care of them all by myself!" The energy went forward towards them, but hand no hope of hitting them. Sailor Moon shook her head and sighed. "If my aim ever gets that bad, someone shoot me!" "Well, Dear, we could save your friends the trouble and just kill you now!" Birdy said with a sick smile. Sailor Moon glared. "I'll pass." Avery turned her attention from the Soldiers to the young man who had helped Rini and Alec escape earlier. "Fine...but will he?!" she exclaimed as she picked up her whip and charged forward... towards Darien. The next few moments seemed slow motion. The Soldiers gasped and turned to move, cries of fear and begging cried from their throats. They tried to move, but Sailor Moon was faster than each of them was. She through her body in front of the projectile and felt the searing pain crawl up her spine. A dry scream escaped her throat and she collapsed to the ground. "SAILOR MOON!" Darien exclaimed as he lay her on her stomach so that the wound wouldn't be on the ground. Several people began crowding around to see if their Heroine was very injured. The Sailor's eyes hardened and they turned back to the two Sisters who laughed. "Well...I think we took Sailor Moon down for a little while!" Birdy exclaimed. Sailor Mercury glared one last time before running off to Sailor Moon, who was till being frantically shaken by Darien. She somehow managed to pry him off of her with just a look. "DAMN YOU!" Jupiter screamed as she charged at the two sisters in anger. She kicked and punched at them, but each time they disappeared and then reappeared someplace else. Jupiter's fist went through a wall and she seethed. Pulling it out, she charged up her lightning and missed, hitting another hole in the wall all the way though to a classroom. Sailor Mars turned and began her chant, as Birdy did the same. The two energies clashed, but Mars' fire was easily overpowered by the element of water. She jumped out of the way just in time to watch the dark water sail past her into the ground, causing a minor explosion. After a short while of doing that, and causing several thousand dollars in damage, Birdy noticed that Sailor Moon still hadn't moved. "You know, I think we should go. They seem mad enough to not make a mistake," Birdy observed. Avery nodded her agreement and they both disappeared. "COWARDS!" Sailor Mars yelled after them. "YOU DAMN COWARDS!" she exclaimed with tears in her eyes for her fallen friend. "Princess!" Venus exclaimed while running over to Sailor Moon. "Please, hold on!" "VENUS!" Mercury reprimanded for her use of Serenity's title in public. "And don't worry. She's just fine. Jupiter, if you would?" Jupiter nodded and picked Sailor Moon up. She stirred in her friends' arms, but didn't awaken. Darien still looked worried, but nodded at his friends before they left. She was safe with them. ******************************************************************* "And so you ran like cowards?" Prince Diamond asked the kneeling Avery and Birdy. "You didn't even leave a Droid to take care of them?" he asked. Avery gulped. "We are terribly sorry, Prince. It will never happen again." "Leave me," he said with a wave of his hand as he picked up his brandy and took a sip. Both women were gone in a flash. "You should not trust them so openly, Prince," a voice rasped. The Prince didn't start and looked at the Wiseman with interest. "Why is that? They have shown no reason to not be trusted." Wiseman's hands moved over the Crystal Ball several times, not pausing. "They will...We need to watch them closely. I sense a new light is being put into them, one we may not be able to erase." "I will be cautious, Wiseman," the Prince said absently. Wiseman hissed though his teeth, but said nothing and disappeared. A man watched from the shadows and narrowed his eyes. 'What does he think he is doing? Prisma is forever loyal!' ******************************************************************* "Sailor Moon's condition is still unknown, due to the fact that none of the mysterious Sailor Soldiers could be found to make a comment," the newscaster announced with a grave tone in his voice. "My prayers to this brave young woman. The young man that Sailor Moon saved was being honored at the college as the youngest student in K.O. University to be asked to travel to Harvard (AN: this series will most likely continue to Stars at some point, there is a reason for this.) and continue his training to be a doctor there. The young man, Darien Shields, declined after the battle. And seeing as though Dr. Jones offered him full apprenticeship with him on live television afterwards, we have Mr. Shield's reply." Darien appeared on the screen with Serena at his side, looking rather worn out. "I'm very flattered, Dr. Jones, but I cannot accept your offer. I have too much here that I can't give up, and won't give up." "What do you think about Sailor Moon saving you? Any comments to her?" a reporter called out. Darien's eyes became sad and the arm around Serena tightened a little bit. "I can't thank her enough, and I want her to know that she will always be a hero, especially to me." Luna turned off the television angrily and turned towards Darien and Serena, who was already asleep with her head in Darien's lap. "She was almost killed because of you today, Darien," her voice was cold and cruel. She was not taking an argument this time. "Had the whip gone any deeper, she would be dead now. DEAD DARIEN!" The Sailor Soldiers were still transformed, prepared to transport their critically injured leader to the hospital at a moment's notice. They exchanged looks, but did not say anything. They couldn't. Darien looked away from the black cat, who was just as soon joined by a white cat. "Darien...what happened today was proof. Something terrible is going to happen to Serena...I was lenient before, but I don't think we can afford to be now." Artemis took a deep breath. "Prince...you are forbidden to see her. The Soldier's will have her on twenty four hour watch if we need to, but when it becomes midnight, you are only to see her if it is an emergency and when she picks up Rini and Alec from here." Darien said nothing for a moment, but looked up and turned to the Soldiers. "What do all of you think about this?" he asked coldly. The ice in his voice caused the girls to stand straighter at attention and gulp. None of them answered, but it was enough for him. "Leave," he ordered. "DARIEN!" Luna exclaimed. "NOW!" he ordered. "IT'S AN ORDER! LEAVE US!" Sailor Venus and Sailor Mercury ran forward and grabbed Luna and Artemis from the floor before jumping off of the balcony with Mars and Jupiter. Darien's breathing was ragged and labored as he glared at the balcony door, willing it to disappear and not let any of them bother he and his Serena again. He clutched the unconscious girl to his chest and held her there all through the night. To be continued... Sad, I know, I know. But it had to be done at some point in time. I've had a lot of people asking me when this story is expecting to be finished and I can only say that it will be longer than "Nowhere to Run, Unable to Hide," and shorter than "Final Awakenings." So somewhere between 13 and 26 chapters. *sweatdrops* Um...I'd say more like between 13 and 19 at the most. I'm hoping to wrap it up at 15. Does that sound pretty good. Okay, a little fast, but I wrapped up "Truths, Renewal" in eight total chapters. And that was what was covered in 13 original ones! E-mail: stefaniecraig@hotmail.com Website: http://home.att.net/~stef_chan/ ICQ: 634674320 If you add me to your ICQ list, please tell me why, and who you are! ^_^ The voting for the Usa/Mamo WAFF stories has begun again. Please cast your votes! http://www.lunap.com/umwaff2000.html Stef-chan