The Red String

Chapter Three: The Return

It was the first day of Summer break and the girls were going to have a great time! Well, two of them were. Ami had gotten an offer where her mother worked for a summer study program, Mina was at an acting/modeling camp and Rei had to work at the temple. It was just Lita and Serena, who had been getting closer since the 'incident' a couple of months ago. Lita supported Serena who seemed happier.

The pair had decided to go to the local festival and visit Rei that afternoon. Serena had to get a new kimono as her one from last year was too small. Her new one had a base ombre color starting at a light pink to the bottom which was a deeper pink. There were butterflies spread across the fabric but conglomerated at the edges of the sleeves. To Lita, Serena looked beautiful. Lita's kimono was green with cherry blossom creating random patterns.

As the day turned to evening, Lita came to Serena's house and knocked on the door. Fidgeting with her kimono, Lita had brought a gift for Serena for tonight. In the box was an elegant lotus blossom hair clip which would go wonderful with Serena's kimono. As the door opened, Lita smiled at the sight of her Moon Princess.

"You look stunning, Serena. Here." Lita held the box out and chuckled as Serena opened it and was surprised by the jump-hug she was given. Laughing, Lita hugged the other female. "I assume that means you like it?" She teasingly asked.

"Yes! Oh, Lita, it's beautiful! Is this an early birthday present?" Serena reached into the box and pulled out the hair accessory. Lita gently took it and put it in Serena's hair. Using her phone, Lita took a picture of the two of them together and showed Serena.

"You look even more beautiful." Alright, so maybe Lita was spreading it a little thick, but the Sailor wanted her Princess happy and loved and know she was being loved in that special way. Once Serena and Lita said bye to her parents, they headed for the festival. Serena was excited about the food that would be served and Lita wondered how in the world Serena kept her figure.

As the pair went about at the festival, Lita could tell that Serena was truly happy and not putting her emotional mask on so other's wouldn't worry but Lita could see through that mask every time. Shaking her head mentally, Lita looked at her Moon Princess and bit her lip. She wanted to reach out and grab Serena's hand, but how? After a moment of contemplation and the two of them walking towards the crowd, Lita had an idea. Reaching out, she grabbed the shorter's hand without looking down, just forward.

"Lita…?" Serena asked at the surprisingly warm hand held her's. She looked up at the Amazon with questions in her eyes and a slight blush on her features. In this light from the full moon, Lita looked beautiful and strong; something she had never thought could go into one.

"It's a crowded place, Serena. There are people who would snatch you away, the enemy or someone else. It wouldn't be so bad if the whole gang was here, but it's just you and me." Lita looked at Serena and smiled a bit. Serena seemed to be hanging on every word she said and Lita really liked it. She had all the attention of the one girl who could make her feel like she was special. As they walked down the street that was lined on both sides with game and food booths. The two held hands as Lita walked them down to the first of many food stands she was sure they would be stopping at.

Rei's Temple

Rei had just brought out a fresh set of charms and talisman out for the crowd. Rei's temple was always a popular during the yearly festivals no matter if they were in the same area as whatever festival was going on. She thought it was because of the charms and such that she hand made every week. Happily looking around, she hoped her friends would come and visit. While she held love for the temple and her job, she was still a teenage girl and wanted to have some fun.

After helping one customer, Rei took notice of a tall gentleman that looked just like…

"Darien?" She breathed out, eyes going wide. He was supposed to be in America; studying to do whatever the hell it was that had been so important that he broke it off with Serena. Getting up from behind her booth and telling her grandpa she would be right back, she walked to the gentleman and turned him around. "It is you."

SMACK! The sound of Rei smacking Darien hard across the face could be heard even over the hustle and bustle all around them. The raven haired beauty, turned in time to see Serena and Lita coming up the temple stairs and tried to hide Darien, but it was to no avail. Darien saw Serena and smiled a kind of half smirk as if knowing what was going to happen.

Ignoring the pain from the slap, Darien walked over to the two girls and bowed. For a split second it was as if time froze. Serena looked at Darien, Lita looked at Darien then Serena and Darien took both ladies in. "Hello, my sweet Princess. I've come to take you out, if Lita doesn't mind me taking you from her."

"I…I…" Serena's rolled to the back of her head and she fell limp to the ground but was caught by Lita. The Amazon narrowed her eyes and held Serena close. Picking her up princess style, Lita stood and almost growled at Darien

"So you leave all this time and now decide to come back? Why do you want to torture her? Don't you think that you've done enough?" Lita turned and began to walk off, wanting to get as far as she could without beating the snot out of Darien.

"You can't protect her forever, Lita! I know your secret!" Lita froze for one step then went on to carry Serena to her apartment. Once there, she laid Serena in her bed and brushed some stray blonde locks out of Serena's face.

"I'm always going to protect you, my Moon Princess." Leaning down, she kissed Serena very lightly on the lips then pulled her head back. The moon light made Serena look like the princess she truly was.