Where Do I Belong? Book 1: Reflections Of The Past
Previously on Chapter 21
The battle had been won, the aliens returned to space.
"Who is ready to go home?" she asked.
"Definitely me!"
"ME!
"I AM!" some raised their hands. Serenity's gown disappeared to be replaced by Serena's clothes.
"I am hungry!" Serena whined.
"Yup! Serena is back!" Mars said and they all burst into happy laughter.
The evil had been destroyed, peace had been achieved. For now they will celebrate their victory, later they will worry about their new enemy.
Chapter 22 – The End Of Book One
"Come on, the princess needs to be fed." Darien said after his armor disappeared.
"Back to Japan! I have always wanted to go out of Japan, trust me…right now all I want is to go back there." Rei said and they all laughed. They gathered around Serena, Darien and Rini and in a flash, they were back in the Tsukino residence.
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After the scouts left, the Tsukino and friends of the scouts decided to have a sleep over at the Tsukino residence. The following day was Saturday anyway so they could stay up late. The truth was they were all so worried that each wanted to be the first to see them when the scouts arrived. But evening turned to night and from night to dawn and from down to sunrise. Those who could sleep dose off but with the rising sun, all were alert for another day of worry and waiting.
But as they sat for breakfast, a familiar light brightened the room and it died down to reveal 10 girls and 1 man.
"SERENA!!!" And other screams penetrated the house. Serena's whose full powers had just recently been exposed covered her ears, so sharp had her senses become that she could hear the crawling of a snail. Seeing the problem, Darien covered Serena protectively in his arms.
The noise stopped when they saw the action.
"Is something wrong?" Mrs. Tsukino asked anxiously.
"Keep the noise down. Her senses are way too sharp. A scream is like thunder right in her ears and normal voice is like a scream." Darien explained.
"Oh." They all said. Finally when all was quiet she came out of Darien's protective fold. She looked blankly at them and they looked at her with worry.
She yawned.
"I'm hungry." She said and they all dropped to the floor (anime style).
"Oh Serena." Her mother said amusedly, while shaking her head at the same time.
"She will always be our baby girl." Her father said with a chuckle.
"I like the cool her better." Sammy voiced his opinion.
Molly just bent down and hugged Serena tightly, tears falling from her eyes.
"Shh, it's alright. Everything is over now." Serena soothed.
"But...but I was so worried!" she cried.
"Well worry no more cause I am really hungry." The joke brought a watery smile on Molly's face.
"Mommy, I'm hungry too." Rini said. Too weak to pick her up, she held her daughter's hand and followed her nose to the dinning table where hot steaming pancakes awaited them.
"Don't mind if I do." She said. Sitting on chair and Rini on the other, the two piled food and began eating.
"If you don't join in, those two will finish the entire food." Mrs. Tsukino advised and they all began eating whatever they could get their hands on. Lita joined Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Tsukino in the kitchen to prepare more food.
When everyone had eaten with their bellies full, they sat in the living room and told their story of victory.
"Wow, I will like to see Serena in her princess form!" Sammy said after the story was told.
"Me too!" Molly agreed.
"Sorry, not now. Besides, she is already asleep." Darien said and they looked at the two sleeping moon princess on Darien's lap.
"She was awesome wasn't she?" Mr. Tsukino asked after a few minutes of silence.
"Yes, yes she was." Darien answered. Looking at the scouts and the man who held her daughter and future granddaughter with such love and tenderness in his eyes, Mrs. Tsukino understood that they were using all they had in themselves to keep awake.
"You guys should go to sleep. I doubt any of you can make it out of here, so sleep wherever you can." She offered.
"Thank you Mrs. Tsukino but I cannot stay. The others can though." Trista said, rising to her feet.
"Why?" Amara asked her.
"I have to check the time line."
"Can't you do that after some rest?" Michelle asked.
"No, it is absolutely crucial that I go check on the time line. I will see you later girls, Prince." She said with a short bow to Darien. Raising her hand, her garnet rod appeared in it, then she gave it a few commands and a door appeared inside the house. Those witnessing this for the first time gasped in surprise. She turn around to stare at the scouts one more time, but her gaze lingered longer on Rini, a frown in her eyes though only Saturn could see it. The door opened but none could see what was inside the door, all they was strong aqua light that seemed to be mist. She walked through and the door disappeared.
"Amara can you help me out a sec? Please pick up Rini while I carry Serena." Darien said and Amara did as was asked.
"Amara, put Rini in her room so more people can share Serena's bed." Mrs. Tsukino adviced.
"I hope when you say more people, you don't mean Darien." Amra said, her and Mr. Tsukino's eyes darkening by the narrow of their eyes.
"Exactly what she means. Prince, please stay by the princess and I will stay with Rini." Hotaru said, the look in her face breaking no argument. Michelle and Amara began to suspect something. Taking the two moon princess into their separate rooms, the other scouts found comfortable places on couches, rolled out beds and Sammy's room for the two remaining Outers. Darien carried Serena to her baby blue bedroom and laid her gently on the bed. He then proceeded to take off some of her heavier clothing and when she was left in her shorts and sports bra, he stripped too. Though made sure his trunks were not removed. Her father would kill him otherwise!
Mrs. Tsukino entered the room.
"Darien, before you said she was dying and only you had what it takes to save her, is she saved now?" she asked worriedly.
"Yes, she is alright now though we cannot be 100% sure of it so for the moments I will still have to be around her frequently so my energy can easily flow through her." Darien explained.
"I see. Please do all you can for my daughter."
"I intend to and thank you for your warm welcome and acceptance of me."
"You are a part of this family now Darien, don't let her father's protectiveness scare you away. He is a man who doesn't like to share much."
"Once again, thank you."
"Sleep well Darien." She said and left the room, shutting the door behind her. Going under the covers, Darien gently drew his lover closer to him, wrapping her in his powerful arms. Soon they were both lost in sleep.
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Several hours later, Serena woke up. She looked at the time which read 6 pm before noticing the warm presences all around her. She twisted her head and noticed Darien asleep behind her. a small smile broke over her lips, they had survived and now they had a chance to make right and live a life free to love each other.
As much as she wanted to just snuggle back into his arms, she had a place to be and important information to retrieve. Kissing him lightly on the nose, teleported out of his arms into the bathroom where she took a quick shower and dressed. She did all of it so noiselessly that it didn't wake him up. She didn't want to go downstairs or else she would be late for the person she was to meet.
She teleported out of the room into a secluded garden of flowers. Seeing the French café store she had Troy had visited before, she began to walk toward it. As she walked, she reflected on the events of just house ago and sighed that she had another chance to enjoy the fragrance of flowers, the warmth of the sun, the gentle breeze and nature's firm ground beneath her foot.
I'm here. She said telepathically to Troy as soon as she reached the door of the café. Seconds later he appeared and led her though to sit at a private corner. For a while all he could do was stare at her. This girl, this beautiful angel he had fallen in love with was his own sister! How cruel fate could be.
"Fate can be quite upsetting right?" she said, guessing what his thoughts were behind his silent thoughtful stare.
"I don't know if I should rejoice or cry." He replied sincerely.
"There is nothing to have loved me, you and I both didn't know."
"It's not that. There was nothing wrong for me to have loved you in ignorance of your relation to me, what is strong is the fact that I still love you and I don't know how to get rid of it."
"The more you force yourself to not love me, the more you will. Now how is Dany and Celene?" she changed the subject.
"I erased Daniela's memories but Celene is in recovery. There is too much dark energy implanted in her so I have taken her back to the sun kingdom for the healers there to see what they can do." Troy said with a sigh.
"The sun Kingdom, the only surviving kingdom of the silver millennium." A waiter walked up to them but Troy shooed him away.
"Do you want to know how and why you were adopted by the Tsukino?" Troy asked.
"I can pretty much guess what happened. She, Beryl that is offered them a life of peace and riches if they gave her one of their daughters. Unfortunately or fortunately I turned out to be the sacrifice that was made for their greed."
"They were told to put you under a particular Cherry blossom tree and so you were placed there. My parents found bags of gold and money under that tree and you were left there for Beryl to pick up. But from what I have learned, as soon as she picked you up, you crescent moon insignia blazed and trapped her inside the arctic. For years she tried many ways to break free of the arctic that had suddenly become a prison cell to her. It took fourteen years for her to be able to weaken the magic that trapped her inside the arctic and she sent her youma out to attack for the first time. Even though she could send her evil monsters, she herself could not leave the arctic. Your current parents found you soon after but by then; your silver hair had turned golden so their search for your parents produced no fruit. Having no child of their own, they adopted you. That is all that I know."
"And when you told your parents that I was the daughter they gave up, what did they say?"
"Nothing positive." Troy told her truthfully.
"I wasn't expecting anything positive from them."
"I'm sorry."
"So am I." Serena replied. The waiter showed up again and they made their order.
"Hey Troy, do you know anything about a prophecy and something that happened to me at the age of 5 in the silver millennium?"
"Why do you ask?"
"Do you?" Troy sighed. He was uncomfortable with the subject. He sighed, knowing he couldn't dodge the question.
"Listen to me Serena, so many prophecies were centered on your birth but lots of them never came true because we came into the equation. I am only certain of one prophecy that actually came true. However as for anything happening at the age of 5, I have no idea. Why did you suspect something happened when you were five." Troy asked, digging through his memories to try and remember something of the past.
"Celene said something happened when I was five." Troy blinked.
"I don't remember anything. She probably said that to cause you worry but if I found out something happened, I will let you know."
"Thank you. You said you know of only one prophecy that came true, which one was it?" Now Troy was very uncomfortable, how was he to tell her something that might crush her spirit?!
"Look Serena, we don't know the whole details in…"
"Troy!"
"The destruction of the Silver Millennium." He said quickly. Serena sighed.
"Somehow I suspected that. It was just way too pre-destined to have happened spontaneously. Please, if you know any other prophecy that has happened or will happen, please tell me before it does." Serena asked.
"Sure, but I think father collected any written prophecy on paper and had it burned and destroyed the others engraved in stones.
"Why?"
"For your sake. He didn't want you to be burdened with prophecies with no guarantee of coming true. Mostly, he just didn't want you to worry about things that might be out of your control or live your life worried about everything you do to try and prevent some disastrous prophecy from coming true."
Serena nodded and they sat in silence. She considered the information he had just given her. The destruction of the moon kingdom and the other 8 planets, had it all been her fault? During the brief period before the destruction, she could remember how her mother had so tried every thing in the book to keep her away from Darien. At the time, she had thought that she was being cruel to her.
If you hadn't taken what is rightfully mine, none of this would be happening.
Beryl had said and the only thing she had 'taken' from Beryl was Endymion. If she had let him go when her mother had begged and pleaded, would there have been a chance that the destruction would not have happened? In the end, was the blame really all on her selfishness? On her greed to have a love like no one else? Had she placed herself solely above everyone one that she had caused so much devastation and brought down the time of peace and prosperity to it ends way before it was ready? If so, was there another chapter in the future of their lives where earth would be her next victim? She sighed; she didn't know what to think anymore.
"So what now?" Troy asked to break the silence.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, we never really had the chance to know each other back in the past, will you come to the sun kingdom with me to greet the rest of our siblings?"
"No"
"No?"
"Look Troy, Earth presently needs my help. If I leave the earth, it means all is well."
"So I guess this is the last time I will see you in a long while then. That sucks."
"Going somewhere?" she asked curiously.
"All the sun children have been recalled back to the sun kingdom."
"For what reason?"
"Father said that there might be a repetition of what happened to the silver millennium."
"I see. So you're going back for a preparation. I will miss you."
"So will I sis, so will I."
After they finished eating, talking about whatever came up; they split with a hug and a promise to meet again. Serena decided to walk home. As she walked, she met up with people from her school who wanted to know why she had not been at school on the Friday. As duty of secret identity required, she made up a lie to describe her and the scouts absence. She passed by the crown arcade and bought a large cup of milkshake and continued on her way.
She arrived at her house to find her parents and friends in a frenzy. When they saw her, they attacked her with hugs and kisses.
"What's going on?" she asked when she had managed to disengaged herself from their grip and safely into Darien's arms. He sighed.
"Well your mother came to check up on us and when she found you gone she sort of lost it. Her screaming woke everyone else up and there has been confusions ever since. I tried to tell them that you were ok but no one wanted to listen to me." Darien explained.
"Look you guys, you can't freak out whenever I am not here. I am very much aware that my duty can get me killed but if you are going to worry about my slightest moves and absence I might as well erase your memories." Serena warned.
"No!" the screamed.
"We're sorry Serena; we just didn't see you walk out the door." Andrew who along with the others had stayed since the scouts had gone to sleep said.
"Yeah, that's because I teleported." She explained.
"Teleport?" Molly asked, she had heard the term before but needed clearer understanding of it.
"Amy, you do the explanation. I'll be back." She left Amy to do the explanation and returned to her room. She was very low spirited. She sat on her bed and looked out of her window, insecurities eat at her.
"There are many factors that contributed to the destruction of the kingdoms princess. The prophecy was a double edge sword, we only understood the first part and not the second. By the time both were understood, it was already too late." Pluto's voice filled the room. The time door shimmered into existence and the soldier of Time walked out of it. The gate disappeared and so did her Sailor outfit.
"What do you mean two parts?" Trista walked and sat by her, pulling the younger girl into her arms for comfort.
"Sweetie, the prophecy as I said just now did have two parts. It spoke of how your encounter with Prince Endymion will begin the journey of the Silver Millennium's destruction. That was why your mother fought so hard to prevent the meetings between you and him."
"Then why didn't anyone tell me at the time?!" she said, pulling herself out of her arms.
"There were a lot of things kept away from you Serena. Who your real father was, why your other siblings were kept away, the progression of the battles and the other wars we got into."
"Why?!"
"Because, we just wanted to protect you. your innocence was the purest thing the moon Kingdom had and didn't want it tainted. From the surface the moon kingdom was the perfect picture of peace and Serenity, but in its shadow hid betrayals and deceits. It had a history so dark that if I were to tell you, it will make your skin crawl. It did not become as prosperous as it was by selling Barbie dolls Serena, so when something so pure like you came along, it was in unison that no matter what, we would shield you from the darkness of the universe. That was the stupidest mistake we ever made." This was the first time Serena had heard anything so wrong about the kingdom she had been born to rule. What exactly did she know about her world? Her people? Her mother? it seems so much were hidden that it had become a broken puzzle, when one look like it will fit here, it doesn't.
"What was the other part of the prophecy?" she asked.
"The second part spoke of a shinning light. That if your relationship wit the prince of earth was encouraged, you would harness enough power to fight back Metalia. But of course, the way it was written made it seem that no amount of power would save the kingdom. The ancient Lunar language is very difficult, what may mean this could also mean a whole host of other things depending on how it is used."
"But who predicted all of this?" Trista shook her head.
"It was from a time long before we were born and that time alone I am not allowed to access. It was during the beginning of the kingdoms, when they had just formed. But I do have my suspicions that it may have been predicted by the first ever sailor soldier." Serena's eyes widened in disbelief.
"What do you mean?"
"I am not familiar with the legends of the sailor scout, or how they came into existence but what I know is that they hadn't been there from birth. The first ever soldier was Sailor Universe, but how she came to be and how others followed in her birth is a total mystery to all of us. But one thing I know is that, there has never been another sailor soldier as powerful as she was and there never might be." Trista said, lost in awe of this long forgotten soldier.
"Anything else I should know now?" Serena asked.
"Oh yes." Trista got serious. "The nemesis will arrive on earth in less than a week."
"Ah, our foes from the future."
"And I suspect something is wrong with Rini." Hotaru said, walking in through the door and shutting it behind her.
"What do you mean?" Serena and Trista asked.
"I sense a dark presence in her."
"Do you think it is an aftermath of her time spent with Beryl?" Trista asked.
"I'm not sure." Hotaru admitted.
"Ok, for now let's just see how it goes. For me to erase a dark presence, I need to know its nature or I might end up erasing more than I should." Serena said.
"Agreed." Trist said as Hotaru nodded.
A knock came at the door. They all turned to it.
"Enter."
Darien opened the door to find all three of them staring at him. it was unnerving.
"Will you excuse us princess." Trista said and along with Hotaru they walked out of the room, giving Darien a little bow on their way out. He blinked and looked back at Serena.
"What was all that about?" she shrugged her shoulders.
"Something wrong?" she asked instead.
"Yeah, your family and…"
"Our family." She corrected him. He smiled sheepishly.
"Yes, our family and friends have decided we need to celebrate our victory by going out to eat." He told her and sat by her side.
"Oh."
"We, the girls and I will return home and get dress and we will meet you and your parents and Rini at the place." She said, turning her head to stare into her eyes.
She shook her head.
"I have already showered all I have to do is shower Rini. Why not wait for us and the three of us will go to your apartment and meet our parents at the restaurant?" she said. He thought about it.
"That is a good idea…besides…"
"Besides?"
"I am not yet ready to part with you." he said, flipping her over to the bed. He kissed her and tickled her all at once. She laughed and kissed all at once too, from the door way Rini giggled. The looked up to find their future daughter holding her stomach as she laughed helplessly. Darien chuckled with her.
"Come here sweetie." Serena called sweetly to her daughter. Her eyes lit up and she bounced to her parents.
"Yes munchkin, help me tickle your mother." Darien asked her and together, both father and daughter mercilessly tickled the one most important to both of them. Serena laughed even through her tears. Hearing the noise, the scouts of others down the stairs ran up to the room to see what was going on and fell helplessly into laughter too. Joining in on the tickling, it soon turned into pillow fights. Besides, Serena had too many pillows sot spare!
From anyone outside of the know, these group of giggling girls had no troubles but those in the know of their destiny smiled wistfully, knowing that these moments of fun were moments the scouts cherished the most because it didn't and wouldn't happen often and because, everyday they risk their lives. They had just victoriously come out of a millennium old battle, there was more to face but in this moment, Serena just wanted to enjoy her time with her family, friends and her scouts. There will be enough time for seriousness, but for tonight…she would laugh and laugh some more, for the days she has to wear a frown.
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In the time stream, a dark prince with an even darker obsession traveled with his band of evil family into the past. This time, he will not fail in making her his!
"Wiseman!" he called out to his old and wise councilor.
"Yes my prince."
"Send that fool of an earth prince the dreams." the prince sneered.
"As you wish, my prince." The creepy cloaked Wiseman said, vanishing to do the bidding of his sire.
You will be mine Serenity, with no doubt! He vowed.
From the shadows, the eyes of his followers glowed in anticipation.
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"My king, the nemesis approaches the earth, so the time warrior has spoken." A mall cat with purplish white skin said to a man dressed finely in purple royal attire.
"I see. Thank you Diana. Please, keep an eye on the queen." He said.
"Yes your majesty." The cat said, bowed again and on its small legs raced to the side of its sleeping queen.
Oh Rini, I hope you are safe. He thought wistfully of the daughter he had sent away for protection.
Now all I need to do is sent him the dreams. Diamond I will not let you use him to hurt her. Never!
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Further away in space, an oval shaped planet was making its way, slowly but steadily towards the earth, its goal? Earth's total destruction.
Darien, my one true friend, I am coming. As I promise, I will bring you flowers; lots of beautiful Kisenian Blossom so wait for me my friend, wait for me.
The scouts were about to face more drama than they had ever anticipated!
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The end of Book One
Watch out for Where Do I Belong? Book 2: The collision of the Times
I am having trouble deciding which title I should use…please help me!
Book 2: The collision of the Times
Book 2: Present and Future Dangers
Book 2: The clash of Times
Book 2: Impossible Foes
Book 2 : Paradox of Time
Or if you think of anything that sounds cooler…please let me know
A big THANK YOU to all my readers and reviewers for guiding me this far to finally complete the first book in the series. I hope you continue to help and guide me into the second book of Where Do I Belong?! Thank you so much for you loving supports.
I wish I can individually name all of you and thank individuals for all they have done for me but that would take forever and believe it or not I am rather lazy…lol
I love you all…THANK YOU!
Special thanks go to Artistia, Ana Serhaine, Beloved Dawn and maya09 for reading and editing my mistakes on previous chapters.
Lovely: You know what you did for me girl…thank you!^^
And to everyone else too…THANK YOU ALL!
ONE DAY I WILL MAKE A LIST OF ALL OF YOUR NAMES AND THANK YOU INDIVIDUALLY…THAT IS ONE DAY AND THERE IS A MIGHT BE SO DON'T HOLD ME RESPONSIBLE!
hehehehehe
READ AND REVIEW!