Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Trusting Heart ❯ Princess of Tomorrow ( Chapter 9 )

[ A - All Readers ]

Sorry about not having a cliffhanger,
but do recall that Rini and Serina�s birthday is tomorrow and there are still secrets to be dramatically revealed. And the healing thing, their souls can be cleansed without making them 'powerless' humans. The sisters wished to be normal.
Now that Robert and Garrett Rose are no longer evil, they have yet
to be formally requested to join the Royal Guard of the former and someday to be revived Silver Millennium of the Moon Kingdom. Everyone is alive and well after the wearisome battles of the past few days against the Nega-Moon . . . but that includes the Dark Moon family themselves. Down two great warriors, and the loss of the future Neo-Queen Serenity, Prince Diamond and Sapphire will stop at nothing to capture Sailor Moon again and destroy the future. However, Emerald will give all to see the beloved Moon Princess dead . . .
Serina, Sailor Moon, and Serenity have each faced trials of the soul, mind, and body and have succeeded. In the next twenty-four hours Serina will be surprised with much more than any fifteen-year-old should. It will take all the strength and trust in her heart to fulfill a promise and deliver the most wonderful gift of all. And to receive one of her own.
But for now she just has to deal with Rini . . . In Chapter Nine,
�Princess of Tomorrow.�

Anime/Manga: Sailor Moon Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Drama / Romance / Sci-fi / Suspense | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 06.12.2006 | Pages: 5 | Words: 6.6K | Visits: 302 | Status: Completed

Chapter 9

Princess of Tomorrow

The morning dawned bright and way too early according to Serina. It seemed the sun wished to spite her just by waking her up earlier and earlier every morning. However, it was the mumbling of voices and the delicious smell of eggs, bacon, and homemade waffles that woke her at nine o'clock Saturday morning. The day she turned fifteen and Rini turned six. June thirtieth, her birthday!

Serina jumped from her bed, noticing that everyone else in the room had all ready abandoned sleep at least an hour ago. She shut the door, then changed into the clothes Rini had grabbed for her from a pink and blue bunny duffel bag. She needed to take a bath or at least a shower sometime today, she felt so dirty after all that she'd been through yesterday but she didn't want to impose on the boys so she would wait till she got home. Serina took a moment to put her hair up into her meatball buns; it's sweeping length had finally gotten on her nerves. She shook her head, appreciating the feel of the twin ponytails swinging equally balanced on either side of her head. 'Much better.'

Serina left the room, following her nose to the dining room she'd helped layout and decorate. Mina and Rini were just setting the table, Lita busy carrying out dishes and plates of waffles and bacon. She ordered the two brothers around like slaves, moving chairs around and running back for spatulas and silverware. Serina's mouth watered at the sight and smell of so much good food. Just as she appeared in the doorway, however, Lita suddenly bellowed, "Come and get it!" And there was a mad stampede for the long oak table.

After being pushed aside several times and fighting for a seat and a plateful of food, Serina noticed with surprise that the number of visiting guests had nearly doubled. Four new faces appeared in this crowd, the four Sisters: Avery, Prisma, Birdie, and Catsy.

"Morning, Serina!" Birdie chirped. The other sisters waved greetings. They'd been informed of the changed situation by one of the Scouts and had come over for a breakfast rendezvous.

Darien sneaked up behind Serina, planting a kiss in between her meatball buns and wrapping his arms around her small form. "Good morning, my Meatball head." He whispered tenderly.

"Morning, Muffin." She smiled, and scooted her chair over so he could fit his own in next to hers.

"Sleep well after your interior decorating spree?" He chuckled. Serina blushed in return. He never grew tired of her delicate beauty, the creeping pink caressing her cheeks multiplied the sparkle in her eyes and her sunny smile.

"It wasn't just me, Darien Shields." She protested. Darien had his hand in the rearranging and embellishing just as much as she did! Although just about everything they did was corrected or changed slightly to suit the brothers' style.

Robert and Garry were watching the two from across the table, silently laughing in memory of last night's fun. Everyone else was too busy enjoying Lita's cooking to notice the exchanges. Serina, as well, dug into her plateful of waffles and syrup with a healthy appetite.

After breakfast, the group wandered into the living room, chattering enthusiastically about the past week and how wonderful it was to have the two brothers on their side. Mina and Serina were particularly interested in whom they could hook them up with at their school.

"Ooh! What about April or Annalise?" Serina exclaimed excitedly, but Mina shook her head.

"No, they're both too young, even for Garrett. I'm thinking maybe Cara for Garry and Laura for Robert." Serina's combined squeal and scrunched face communicated her feelings on that pairing.

"Are you SERIOUS? Cara studies WAY too much, she'd be such a bore! Oh, sorry, Ames." She said over her shoulder when she received a confused look from her friend. "And then Laura's such a prep and snob, she'd run right through poor Robert's heart!"

"Um, girls, I think you're scaring our friends." The nearly identical blondes turned their interested gaze to the two subjects of their conversation. The boys were glancing between themselves a little abashedly and pleading with Darien to intervene on their behalf before they were paired off and set up by the two out of control matchmakers.

"Serina! It's almost noon! Don't you think we should be getting home? Auntie Ilene's NOT gonna be happy!" Rini called her warning from the spare bedroom they'd all slept in; she was trying to lug out Serina's bunny duffel bag.

"Oh, she's right! Mom's gonna freak, she's so OVER-PROTECTIVE!" Serina dashed from her seat to Rini, picking up her duffel and scanning the room to make sure they'd gotten everything. Rini waited patiently beside Darien giving him a quick good-bye hug.

"Oh! Wait a minute! Almost forgot something important."

"Big surprise, Meatball head!" Rei quipped, her smile showing she was only teasing. Serina stuck her tongue out anyway before dropping her duffel by the door and rushing back to stand beside her boyfriend. Rini turned away, expecting them to kiss or something equally gross but she was surprised to hear Serina's voice announcing to everyone present to get their attention.

Rini stood by the Scouts who had inexplicably transformed, the four Sisters lined up across from them, the two cats finishing the box containing the former Dark Moon brothers. Serina and Darien stood side by side to create the first wall.

"Speaking of over-protective . . . Rubeus, Garnyt, of the former Dark Moon, step forward, please." As she spoke, her lilting voice remaining unusually serene, Serina changed into the legendary Moon Princess. Her moon silk dress flowing over to her feet, her golden pigtails the living memory of the royal hairstyle of the long forgotten Moon Kingdom. Strings of pearls fell across her hair and forehead to accentuate her golden crescent moon. She stood, her gaze imperious and caring at the same time, her eyes, once worried, teenaged eyes, now carried the wisdom of a thousand years and bore the shining regal upbringing of the Moon Princess. Beside her, in reaction to her shift, Darien transformed as well, into Prince Endymion of Earth, her betrothed. He smiled encouragingly to the princess beside him when she glanced his way in subtle askance for support.

Rini was confused. This ceremony seemed familiar to her, but she wasn't sure quite where. Not to mention the fact she'd never seen Serina or Darien in their royal dress. They looked so different and- and yet, the similarities to two other people she knew were frightening. How many lives could a person lead? Serina was a princess of the moon just like Rini was princess of the moon? Her daddy was the king of the earth and her mother said she had once been the moon princess!

Something was wrong- this was too confusing! Rini squeezed her eyes shut and blinked hard- several times, to see if the image would disappear. Serina looked a lot like the Neo-Queen of Crystal Tokyo right now and the way Darien stood close to her, as if giving her support while she led the induction . . . But NO! It can't be! Her mother's name was SERENITY and her daddy's name was ENDYMION- not Darien! Or Serina!

The two young men, reverting again from their human forms to their natural Dark Moon selves, the form they would take to fight, just as the girls transformed into the Scouts, came closer to the princess. When they stood before her, they fell to one knee in a deferential kneeling position.

"My friends, as I have asked you before, I will ask you again before these witnesses. Will you serve me faithfully in my royal guard? Do you swear to hereby loyally and dutifully protect me, my family, my friends, and my kingdom from this day unto forever to the best of your ability and beyond?" Everyone watched the ceremony in silence, a little stunned silence, but respectful and in awe of the formal proceedings. Serina was rarely this serious but they all seemed to remember vague memories of this same ritual from way back on the moon, performed by Serina's mother, the late Queen Serenity.

Rini gawked in paralyzed shock as they continued. Now she remembered where this was from, and who had performed this induction as she had watched back then from a secret room. The words were identical. She hadn't been allowed to actually be present because she was too young and would likely trip or have a fit and interrupt the ceremony. She'd been younger then, only four, and she could now see the reasoning behind her parents' decision. But that didn't keep her from watching it that day. It was Puu, the Sailor Scout of Pluto, who had shown her where to hide and listen.

Now she listened again, her attention riveted on the brothers and the prince and princess before her. As she watched, entranced, the brothers nodded in unison and confirmed their vows of allegiance to the Moon Princess Serenity.

Serenity.

"Then hence forth, Robert Rose, Garrett Rose, join my kingdom as Rubeus of the Moon Kingdom Royal Guard and Garnyt of the Moon Kingdom Royal Guard." With a slight tinkling of light from the Silver Crystal, the clothing the newly appointed Royal Guards wore shifted at the Princess's announcement into something more similar to Prince Endymion's armor but of white and rosy gold, their capes lined with silver. The ceremony concluded and the brothers beamed, the Scouts and Sisters burst into cheers and congratulations, Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion joining in. The girls detransformed as soon as the applauding was over but they continued to grin about at the new additions to the team.

After a few moments of smiling and praising, Serenity noticed that one small girl missing from the rejoicing group. She looked around and saw the little bunny-bunned child staring at her in disbelief and something akin to fear.

The moon princess was disturbed to see Rini looking at her like that. That little girl should never ever have reason to be so afraid of her! Then Serenity suddenly realized that Rini had never known that she and Darien were the prince and princess of time a thousand years dead. She'd never seen them in this form of transformation. It must frighten her to see that once again she didn't know them very well and they were keeping more secrets from her.

"Oh, Rini, what's wrong? Sweetheart, do not worry, it's still me. I thought you knew-" Prince Endymion turned at the concern he heard in his love's soft voice. He saw the look on Rini's face, directed at him as much as his Serenity, and it wrenched his heart to see her so confused and frightened . . . of him.

"Rini, munchkin, hey, it's okay." He knelt to her level, Serenity's hand alighting on his shoulder, her concern and regret communicated in the gesture.

Rini's cinnamon eyes darted between the two figures standing before her, worried about her, loving her, wanting her to be safe and happy. She knew who they were now, they'd hid it from her, unknowingly or maybe she'd just refused to see it but she saw it now.

Her eyes filled with sparkling tears, spilling over as she blinked rapidly to clear her vision. She wanted to see them, to look at them again and again in case they disappeared. The little princess could hardly find her voice, she didn't want to scare this dream away. "Mama?"

Rini broke into a run across the room, Princess Serenity falling to her knees to embrace the child. "Mama! Mama, MAMA!" She cried over and over again, weeping into Serenity's white dress, so similar to the one she wore as Neo-Queen Serenity, Rini's mother. Serenity stood, hushing and whispering comfortingly to the little girl in her arms, smoothing her pretty pink hair with her free hand. Endymion rose and stood by in shocked silence, the rest of the room stunned into a similar dumbfounded quiet. She ignored them all and concentrated on calming Rini.

"I'm sorry, Mommy, I didn't know it was you, I was so bad and mean, I'm so sorry, Mommy! I've been so scared and alone, Mama-" Rini wailed. Serenity disregarded the inquiring looks in order to focus on reassuring the near hysterical girl in her arms. So she had figured it out.

"It's okay, honey, it's okay. You're not in trouble, you did not know and I understand that, sweetheart. Shh, it's okay, we will talk about it later when you calm down, darling." Serenity soothed softly, sensing Rini's exhaustion, and soon the child had cried herself back into a relieved sleep. Serenity shifted back to fifteen-year-old Serina Tsukino, still unconsciously rubbing Rini's back in a slow sweeping motion, like her own mother did when she was upset. She glanced around the room silently pleading with the wide-eyed stares that reflected her own surprise. They looked more fearful and confused than she did.

Actually, deep in her soul, she had known this secret all along. It felt so right. There were too many coincidences, she wasn't that stupid. She'd put all the 'facts' together after the construction site battle, but she'd known long before then, maybe since the first day but- why hadn't she said anything? 'Because Darien still hated you and you couldn't stand acknowledging that Rini was your daughter and might not be his.' The royal hair style, the crescent moon, the moon beam, her knowing about the Silver Crystal, Rini, or Serina, being a princess- There had been too many clues, they had to be related somehow- but a thousand years in the future?! She lived that long?

It was Luna who screeched first. She was immediately cut off by Rei slapping a hand over the cat's mouth. "What was THAT all about?!" They both demanded, whispering to keep from waking Rini.

"Yeah, Mama, aren't you a little young to have a six-year-old daughter?" Mina quipped, smiling uneasily. Except for needing the Silver Crystal to save her mother in the future, this was the first time Rini had mentioned her parents since she'd arrived. And, of course, it was something as ridiculous as SERINA being her mother!

Besides this, there was the fact that her mother was in trouble in the future and needed the Silver Crystal. Mina was kinda worried about what that might mean. 'What if Serina's really Rini's mother in the future? Did we fail to protect her? Are we even still alive? This would explain the hairdo, the moon beam-thingy, and her Luna Ball, but- who's the-'

"Who cares about the math, Mina. I wanna know who the FATHER is, Serina!" Lita nearly shouted, her gaze humored but still reserved with the shock and suspicion. She smirked knowingly at Darien standing speechless behind Serina.

"Yeah, spill it!" Rei demanded. Serina cringed under their attacks, her own emotions running rampant with the sudden revelation and the powerful need to protect her daughter. She was still so confused, she couldn't prove anything she thought was true and it was all beyond her little airhead. She fell back on her boyfriend for support but he in turn looked at her in disbelief. That hurt her.

He wasn't sure WHAT to say. Other than the obvious: Was it true? Darien felt a burning surge of jealousy rush through him at the irrational thought of Serina having a child and him never knowing about. But that couldn't be right, she was only fifteen, it wasn't physically possible. But Rini was from the future- anything could happen between now and then. And hadn't Rini also told him there was no Sailor Moon in the future? Was it only because she was queen of this 'Crystal Tokyo'? Was that the vision he'd seen when he touched her those first few days she'd arrived? The golden-haired queen surrounded by high crystal towers?

His soul sighed in relief that this must be true, it was the only thing he wanted to believe with the only other option being her death. He'd vastly prefer her living, happy and with a family- even if it were without him. At once, this thought was brushed aside by rapidly flashing visions of his dreams of their wedding, daydreams of forever together, homes and family. All of his own, all he'd ever wanted and now- this was the closest he'd ever come. He knew Serina would never marry another, they were meant for each other, their hearts belonged to only the other. Nothing short of death could keep them apart and even that had not worked yet.

What if- Could it be that- Dare his heart hope that he and Serina . . . That Rini, the little girl that had stolen his affections with her bright smile and contagious giggles so like his Serina's, her stubborn obstinance as immovable as the earth and the angelic innocence and childlike beauty of the moon- Could she be his? His and Serina's daughter? Darien thought he might faint with joy, he was so light headed and his mind whirling with hopes and fears, anticipation and dread and everything above, below, and in between.

But he would not let it show. He'd spent his life hiding his dreams and emotions from the world so he wouldn't be hurt. This was no different. He would surely die if his dear Rini was Serina's and not his. So he swept up his dancing emotions and bottled them into a cold, impassive expression. No one else needed to know what he hoped and feared.

Serina's glittering eyes turned to him, begging understanding from him, something he couldn't give because he was so uncertain himself. But he wrapped his arms reassuringly around her and the sleeping child and kissed her on the top of her head, then on the cheek. "Don't worry, princess." He murmured in her ear, his warm breath making her shiver delicately. His actions comforted her a little, even got a tiny smile from her, before she could face the others again, still feeling unsure.

"I- I don't know. It makes sense, doesn't it? But, it's just so WEIRD! Rini, this little bratty spore, my daughter? It sounds crazy but- you know, I think- I hope- maybe it's true-"

"Seems to fit perfect to me, Meatball head." Rei put in, approaching her where the others still hung back from the physical and temporal paradox. Rei could tell her friends' distrust and fear of her was unnerving Serina herself. She needed her friends right now. As if this girl hadn't been through enough all ready; they were just adding more to her worries. Rei was surprised Serina hadn't had a nervous break down by now! And now a future kid to take care of?

'Too much.' Rei decided, shaking her head in sympathy. "Come on, let's get you guys home. This is too weird." Rei herded Serina and Rini outside, the three other girls, Darien, and cats following. They left the former Dark Moon officers and Sisters still in stunned disbelief.

"They didn't know?" Garry asked his brother.

"Prince Diamond himself just figured out that Serina was Neo-Queen Serenity; how could they know? It is a thousand years from now." Robert reminded him.

"Hmmm. I suppose, perhaps we should have told them and spared them the shock?"

"And disturb the timeline further? They handled it just fine without us adding to it. I'm surprised the rabbit never recognized her own parents."

"You haven't known Serina very long. She's nothing like Neo-Queen Serenity . . ."

__________________________

"I get clues."

"How's that for a birthday present? Serina gets a daughter and Rini gets a mother, whether it's her real one or not."

"Ami, can't you tell with your computer if it's true?" Serina asked softly. Ami nodded and instantly got to work.

'But what's this mean about my future? Am I the queen of Tokyo? Rubeus said that he'd seen the future and I- Sailor Moon- wasn't in it. But if Rini's right, and I'm her mother in the future, then I'm alive and well- no wait. That's the reason she came back, because I was in trouble. I needed the Silver Crystal. Am I still such a ditz that I lost the Crystal? And- and who's her father? Rini always reminded me of Darien, and we are supposed to be together forever- could it be? She's Darien's child as much as she is mine? Goddess, if ever I've needed something- this is it. Please, please, let it be Darien!'

Serina grinned at the thought, her dreams of the future coming true even as she watched. She was a bit frightened but completely content with the idea of Darien and her getting married and having a child together, that much was expected- but ruling Crystal Tokyo? That was a little scary, but it didn't matter as long as Darien was by her side. At least this was a sure way of knowing she and Darien stayed together forever, despite the Dark Moon, or his nightmares, and their quarrels, or her father, or the age difference, or his college studies. Everything would still turn out all right in spite of everything that stood in their way. Rini was her guarantee of a perfect life!

Ami cleared her throat from where she'd been walking directly behind Serina and Darien, the rear of the escort that the four Scouts had unconsciously encased them in. The noise jolted Serina back to reality unlike the persistent hisses and questions of the other three girls. They had to keep their voices down as they walked down the street in broad daylight questioning Serina's motherhood.

"Yeah, Ames?" Serina glanced over shoulder, the uncertain look on her blue-haired friend's face made her stop dead in her tracks, dragging Darien with her. The Scouts pulled off to a side alley, hidden from the busy residential street, just a couple houses from Serina's. Ami started to beam when she saw the maternal hope in Serina's eyes. 'Good, she really wants to hear this.' She glanced down at her palmtop, confirming her comparisons a fourth time before informing her leader, friend, and princess.

"Congratulations, Serina, you're a mother. According to my scans, Rini's definitely your daughter." Serina practically hopped with the rush of excitement, then she screeched to halt with dread. 'Oh no! What if Mom and Dad find out? Who's the father? What if in the future I'm dying while we're standing here discussing whether she's my daughter or not? What if it hurts? Wait a minute, WHO'S THE FATHER?!'

"But I think you might want to hear who the father is later, when we're alone." She pointedly stared at the gathered Scouts, gawking at Serina and Rini. "I believe it would spare you much humility and I'm also afraid of creating some kind of paradox by telling you; if you know, it might not happen. No one should know who they're going to marry and have children with in the coming years."

"Oh, don't be ridiculous, Ami, I'd think my knowing would make me all the more determined to get him." She grinned but Ami's reluctance and secrecy was worrying her. What if it wasn't Darien? Her smile began to falter as she clutched Rini closer and sneaked glances at Darien beside her. His face was emotionless on the outside, quickly draining of all color. Only she could tell he would break down or coldly walk away, giving up on everything he believed in were the news anything other than what they both hoped. His eyes were hard as ice and glittering like diamonds. Did she want to know? What would it do to her Prince? Their relationship? What if she had to give up the love of her life for someone else? What if something happened to him to keep him away from her and she had to marry another and Rini was someone else's daughter? She had to protect Darien- if anything happened to him- but then Rini wouldn't be- 'No! How can I choose?!'

"Even that could cause a problem. Didn't you notice the more you pursued Darien while you were broken up, the more he pushed you away?" Ami's calm continuation knocked Serina back to the present and her runaway train of thought screeched to a halt. "Or after Beryl was destroyed and we all lost our memories and he didn't remember you? Aren't you worried about that?"

"I wasn't until you mentioned it. Why? Sh- should I be?" She stuttered, her weak voice almost caught in a panicked sob. Serina's attempt to hide her growing terror failed miserably as Darien placed an arm around her shoulders to comfort them both. Serina could feel his strong hands trembling. She caught him looking longingly at the sleeping child in her arms.

Ami glanced uncertainly around the group of faces staring at her, begging the answers. Serina and Darien's matching expressions of fear and agony broke down her shield. She couldn't let her best friend live in fear of her future like that! Serina and Darien would never be the same, too much had all ready been changed to rectify now. She sighed in surrender. The seven pairs of eyes, five human, two cat, stared at her, their breath held expectantly, fearing the withheld answer. She shook her head.

"No, Serina, I don't think you need to worry about it. The DNA scans show Darien positive as the father."

Luna and Mina both fainted dead away, Rei screeched nearly as loud as Serina laughed, joyously, and Darien shook his head, speechless. Lita clapped her hand on his back grinning madly. "Good choice, Darien." She said as she winked wickedly. Artemis and Ami were the only other two who seemed unfazed by the information.

"Congratulations, Darien. Rini's a beautiful girl with her mother's looks and your disposition." Ami smiled; the dreamy grin on Darien's face belayed her fears that he'd reject the idea and abandon Serina again, this time with a child that would soon after cease to exist.

'Oh what a terrible thought.' A world without Rini seemed as bleak as one without Serina. 'Speaking of Serina- What had Rini said about the queen in the future?'

Serina was positively ecstatic with the news, her laughter and jostling woke Rini in her arms and she set her down after hugging her tightly. Rini glanced confusedly up at her, then remembered the scene before she'd fallen asleep. A memory of her mother setting her down flashed before her eyes in place of Serina. There was no doubt she was her mother.

"Mommy! Daddy!" She cried and threw herself at Serina and Darien who were embracing almost shyly. Her exclamation only confirmed Ami's computer scans. This was a perfect little family, if a little out of whack with the time stream. Speaking of, Rini's temporal DNA scans showed that although she lived a thousand years in the future, she'd been born sooner, in this century. In fact less than a decade from now . . . They also showed another little surprise. Rini hadn't been born alone. Ami smiled at her secret, hoping the reason Rini's twin hadn't come with her had nothing to do with being injured or in danger.

"Yes, sweetheart, we know." Serina smiled down at the girl hugging her legs, and tousled her hair.

"But, we've got to keep this quiet, munchkin. No one would understand that we're your parents so try not to say anything, okay?" Darien knelt to Rini's level and spoke gently, like a father, and Serina smiled inwardly. He would be the perfect father, in spite of his lonely past. Rini nodded her understanding.

"Don't worry, I'm a big girl now, remember? I'm six today." She declared proudly and the group left their refuge to continue on to the Tsukino house, unbeknownst to Serina's family, a new addition had unexpectedly been revealed.

"Now for the rest of our birthday, my little one."

"I can't think of anything that would make it any better, Mommy." Serina smiled at the genuine sincerity of her daughter's smile. The spore would still be there but the sweet little girl that was her daughter would never be lost again. Not to her now, nor in the future. Serina vowed to follow up on her plan for Rini's birthday present, one that would give this princess of tomorrow, a tomorrow to look forward to.

"I know how you feel. But I can think of one more thing . . ."