Hey there peeps, Phoenix here. Sorry this has taken so long. Send any
flames, comments, praises, suggestions, whatever to : Marsfire01@aol.com.
Hope you like this. I was in a kind of dark mood when I wrote parts of this,
so I hope you'll excuse the rather depressing tone to parts of it. Other
parts are lighter, so I hope they balance out. I hope you can follow it cuz
the POV changes all of the time. When you see a line of dots, you can
expect
a change. Hopefully you can figure out who's talking. And, duh, I don't
own
any of theses characters. I wish. Have fun.
Family Ties
******************************************************************************
*******************
I stretched like a cat and climbed over Chad. He was snoring
lightly. I put my robe on over the nightgown I was wearing. I padded into
the kitchen. As I passed Darien's room, I peeked in, half expecting Usagi
to
be there, but instead, there was no one. I shrugged. But I didn't expect
the site that greeted my eyes in the kitchen. Darien, covered in flour,
standing over the stove. Usagi was indeed there. The two of them looked at
me guiltily. I just laughed. My brother and his girlfriend. Weirdoes.
Just then Usa, my supposed best friend, splattered me with pancake batter.
With friends like these who needs enemies. I'm kidding of course. Heavy
footsteps shake me from my reverie. Chad emerges in his boxers. He stares
blankly at the 3 of us, covered in ingredients. Chad just shakes his head,
like I'm a nut case. Well, this ticks me off, and suddenly he finds himself
with egg on his head. What a bunch we are.
******************************************************************************
******************
Rei walks in and catches Usa and I mid-food fight. I'm a little
embarrassed that she caught Usagi here. That is until Chad walks out of her
bedroom. Now I'm really embarrassed. Its weird, Chad and I are friends,
but
now, sometimes I have the urge to clobber him. He's dating my baby sister,
what do you expect? How dare he touch her. But I'm mature. Its not that I
wasn't protective of her before, I would've killed anyone who hurt Rei, but
now its different. But I can deal, my sister can take care of herself. Of
course that doesn't mean I'm not going to be totally involved in her life,
or
that I'm not going to torture and threaten Chad with his life if he hurts
her. He knows it's all in fun. Sort of. The thing is, Rei didn't seem
phased when she saw Usagi in the kitchen. But they are best friends, I
guess
she expected it. Chad takes over at the stove, because he's a pretty decent
cook. He's no Lita, but he's not bad.
******************************************************************************
*******************
My Darien is blushing cuz Rei just caught me here. Oh well, she
doesn't care, she knows. Now she looks like she's gonna beat me cuz I just
smushed pancake batter all over her. And Darien just turned a bright shade
of crimson cuz Chad just came out of Rei's room. That's so cute how he's
all
protective of her. Awwww. Right, like Dar didn't know they were sleeping
together! At least I think he knew. Well, he knows now ::laughs:: I hope
these pancakes are ready soon!
******************************************************************************
*******************
Why does Darien look like he wants to hit me? And why is my
girlfriend covered in goo? Oh joy, now I'm covered in goo. Egg goo to be
exact. These people shouldn't be allowed to be near a stove. Anywhere near
a stove. "Go sit down!" I'll take it from here.
******************************************************************************
*******************
Chad looks adorable with egg dripping on his face. I know that
sounds gross, but seriously, it's irresistible. I wonder if our love is
like
Usa's and Darien's? Sometimes I feel something tugging at my heart, like
something's missing, but right now I feel totally complete. Darien makes
things even better. And my dad's stopping by today. He's been doing that a
lot lately. Things are falling into place. I always envied Usa-chan,
because her family seemed so perfect, the only scout with a real family.
Lita has no parents, Mina lives with her dad and step-mom, Ami's dad left
when she was four, and I only had a dad and a grandpa. And my dad wasn't
around much. But things have totally changed! I still wish I had a mom, or
could at least remember her better, like Darien does, but I'm so happy. And
look at the four of us. How much better could it get? My brother, my best
friend, and my boyfriend. Darien and I are still regaining some memories,
mostly of the Silver Millennium. We have to talk to Setsuna again. Some
of the things she told us before left us with unanswered questions. But
that
can wait. Now, I just want to be here with my friends. Like last night I
had a dream about being in a grand hall. I was a child, about seven or
eight. The other scouts were there. We went up in planetary order to a man
and a woman in some sort of ceremonial garb, a priest and priestess I think,
and they anointed us with some foul smelling oil. Then they spoke in a
language I don't understand. But after the invocation we each would face
the
assembly and the priestess would proclaim "Behold the Chosen of Mercury" or
our own respective planet. After each of us went up, several young men,
including Darien, were anointed and proclaimed as the Chosen Protectors of
us. That part of the dream is a bit blurry. Perhaps Chad was one of them.
I
don't remember a protector being announced for Uranus or Neptune. Something
about refusing them was mentioned. But it was a strange dream. Now that I
think of it, Setsuna did mention something about The Chosen Ones, or
something like that. I guess I was in too much shock to notice. But that
can come later. For now I'm content with this.
******************************************************************************
*******************
Rei sure looks a lot like my Darien. It's uncanny. I don't know
why
we never saw it before. Someday she'll be my sister-in-law. Sometimes I
wonder about the future. What will it be like to rule an entire planet? I
have dreams about Crystal Tokyo. In them, we all walk around in big,
flowing
gowns and lots of jewels. And everyone is amazingly happy. I look so grown
up I can't stand it. How will I ever grow to be that mature? I asked Rei
once and she teased me and said maybe I never would, and that Neo-Queen
Serenity is really just a look-alike. Then she got real serious and told me
that maybe I already was like her, but I just didn't know how to show it.
That is one of the nicest things anyone has ever said to me. As hard as Rei
is on the outside, she's a big pile of mush inside. And people wonder why
she's my best friend.
******************************************************************************
*******************
Is she doing this to drive me crazy? She is sitting on his lap and
he is playing with her hair. And Usagi is not helping; she is only
encouraging them with her cooing and all that crap. I guess I feel like I
have to make up for all the years I missed with Rei. It's my job to harass
my sister's boyfriend, even if he is my good friend. Rei and I always had
this great connection. We used to talk on the phone for hours about nothing
or politics, Usagi, or our infinite futures. She had this way of getting me
to tell her things that I wouldn't even tell my Usa. And now we're even
closer than before. We sat up and talked once till four in the morning. We
talked about our entire past and how we always knew there was something
missing. She cried, I cried. She totally understands me. How I ever got
along without her I'll never know. The only thing that I hate is that I
know
I can't protect her from everything. That scares me. I want to prevent her
form any harm, physical, emotional, whatever. But she is a grown woman, and
I can't keep her from the world. I can still try though.
******************************************************************************
*******************
Look at us. The four of us. How did I end up with such an amazing
woman? She is so beautiful, and smart, funny; I could go on. I don't
deserve this. It's kind of weird how Darien just turned out to be her
brother. The whole story is weird. How he needed a blood transfusion, and
she volunteered and the hospital told them they were related. Strange. I
love
spending time with these people. Although sometimes I think they have this
secret that they're not telling. Me or anyone. I know that sounds absurd
and I am being paranoid. But I feel like I don't belong sometimes. Not now
though. I feel like this morning could go on forever and I would be
perfectly happy.
******************************************************************************
*******************
::: Several hours later:::
******************************************************************************
*******************
"Usagi, better put on more sunscreen, you're gonna get burned"
"Oh Rei, we're not all as pale as you. What do you have on, like SPF 65?
That defeats the whole purpose of tanning."
"It is not SPF 65, it's 20 for your information, and you go ahead and get
skin cancer and wrinkles, I'm gonna have perfect skin when I'm 45."
Usagi looked at me like I was crazy.
"Umm, Rei, were you absent on that little trip we took a thousand years into
the future? Did you see us? We all look like goddesses. If I get
wrinkles,
I'll just use the silver crystal to get rid of them. Instant face lift!"
"Talk about abuse of power. And could you talk any louder? Would you like
to alert the newspapers?"
Usagi bit her lip.
"Whoops."
Oh brother. What am I going to do with her? I flip onto my back and
untie
the bikini top, so as not to get weird tan lines. Chad comes over and rubs
lotion on my back, just as Darien walks by. Wow, that's a peculiar shade of
red he's turning. Darien is so silly about things lately. I think it's
sweet and all, but I get a little annoyed sometimes when he interferes with
Chad and I. I guess this is typical sibling behavior.
******************************************************************************
*******************
Oh sh*t. Darien has quite a way about turning up at the most inopportune
moments. It's really not a big deal, I'm just putting lotion on Rei's back,
but he looks madder than hell. I don't get it, he acts so cool around me
usually, but anytime I'm around Rei, he gets red in the face and looks like
he's gonna bust a blood vessel. But he's getting better, I guess. I can
understand, because I have a little sister, who I don't see much
unfortunately, and I would be a little aggressive around her boyfriend, but
I'm his friend for Kami's sake! He knows me and he knows I would never hurt
her for anything in the world! But he'll get over this, hopefully. Damn,
Rei looks great in a bikini.
******************************************************************************
*******************
The next day
******************************************************************************
*******************
"Darien, have you seen my robes?"
"Yeah, I just put them in the dryer."
"You WHAT??? Those robes are dry clean only! Oh, great, now I'm gonna have
to wear the ones with the hole in the shirt. The other ones are at the dry
cleaner, and you just ruined my best pair."
"Sorry"
"Yeah whatever."
Well now I feel all bad. I walk over to where she is sulking.
"Rei, I'm sorry, I'll be more careful with your stuff. And I'll buy you a
new pair of robes. By the way, where is my motorcycle?"
Oh no, she has that look on her face. Oh gods, what did she do to my
motorcycle?
"It's in the shed."
******************************************************************************
*******************
Great, he just asked me about the motorcycle.
"It's in the shed."
Now he's rubbing his forehead like he has a headache.
"And why is it in the shed, and not in the driveway, where *I* left it."
******************************************************************************
*******************
Please let my motorcycle be okay.
"And why is it in the shed, and not in the driveway where *I* left it?'
"Well. Ummm, it was Usa's idea!"
No, oh no. Rei having my motorcycle is one thing, she has somewhat good
judgement, but Usagi (as much as I love her) is another story.
"Rei…"
"Well, you said you wanted to go to bed and you were gonna drive Usagi home,
but she wanted to stay, so she lied and told you she could call her dad, so
you went to bed. Well, then she said she wanted to go out somewhere, and I
was like 'well how are we going to get there?' And she had the idea to use
your motorcycle. It seemed like a good idea at the time."
"Usagi drove my motorcycle?" Must repress anger, must repress anger.
"Well, no, I did."
"YOU did?"
"I've seen you do it a million times. I was really good too."
"Well then why is my motorcycle in the shed?"
"I'm getting there. We were coming home…"
"Umm, excuse me, coming home from where?"
"The Mixx"
"You went to The Mixx that late at night? Are you crazy? Do you know what
kind of people go there?"
******************************************************************************
*******************
Oh gods, he's gonna kill me. And I just told him about the Mixx. Why didn't
I lie? I'm usually so much better at lying on my feet. But he is totally
over-reacting.
"You went to The Mixx that late at night? Are you crazy? Do you know what
kind of people go there?"
"Darien, it's no big deal, I go there all the ti…"
Oh sh*t. Why did I just say that! He's going to freak out.
"You've been there before? When? And how exactly did you two get in?
That's an over 21 club!"
He really doesn't know what a little flirting can get you.
"Darien, you're really out of the loop. I can't believe you didn't know I
went there. Where do you think the scouts go on girls night out?"
"I don't know, I thought you guys got make-overs or something. Something
girly. I did not think you went clubbing!"
"Kami, Darien, we're not eleven! "
"We'll come back to that later. Now what happened to my motorcycle?"
Damn. I thought maybe he had forgotten about that.
"Well, we were driving home, doing very well, I might add, but this cat ran
across the road and Usagi freaked and pulled my hair back so I was staring
straight up and couldn't see. I swerved and went off the road. We went
over
a big rock and the tire blew, so we just sort of flopped over." He's
starring
at me with his mouth open. Maybe I should transform, I may need to fight
him
off or something.
Wow, she handled the bike without killing herself and Usagi. Off road too.
I'm still gonna kill her, but I admire her driving ability, she had
potential.
"So what is the damage?"
I'm not sure whether I really want to know the answer to this question.
"Well, the tire's blown, the right headlight is broken, the handlebar is
bent, and the front is a little pushed in."
Kami, it's not totaled! I can fix that easily. She had me terrified. How
she managed to drive my motorcycle off road without killing herself astounds
me, but she didn't total the bike, maybe I'll go a little easier on her.
Yeah right. Now back to this club business.
******************************************************************************
******************
Wow, that was easier than I expected. I guess we're done. I start to walk
away.
"Wait a minute young lady, we still need to discuss this club!"
Did he just call me young lady?
"Wait a minute young lady, we still need to discuss this club!"
Now she's glaring at me.
"What about it?"
"It's not safe!"
"Darien, it is safe, nothing bad really happens there, not to me anyway. I
can take care of myself, you know that."
Damn it, she is too calm about this, she doesn't get it at all.
"Rei, you shouldn't be going there. I'm afraid I'm gonna have to forbid you
to go there."
Whoops, wrong choice of words.
******************************************************************************
*******************
Did he just "forbid" me to go somewhere? I'm seeing red.
"Ex-CUSE me? Did you just FORBID me to go to The Mixx? Who the hell do you
think you are? What gives YOU the right to tell ME where I can and cannot
go? Yeah, you BETTER look sheepish Tux-boy!"
I don't believe him! He is on some kind of power trip or something. It was
bad enough when he was getting involved in me and Chad's relationship. But
now he's gone too far.
******************************************************************************
*******************
I forgot who I was dealing with here. I've really pissed her off this time,
but damn it, I'm right! She shouldn't be there!
"Listen Rei, I know what's best for you soo.."
"Don't go there Darien! I've lived without your expert guidance for my
whole
life, and I've been going to the Mixx since almost right after we met! I
don't need you."
Oh gods, I didn't mean for that to come out the way it did. He looks so
hurt.
"Darien I'm sor.."
"No, Rei, you're right. You obviously DON"T need me. You probably never
did.
And since you don't need me, I don't seem to offer any good around me. If
you ever DO need me, I'll be at my old apartment."
He just stormed off! I really didn't mean to be so harsh.
"Hey Rei, do you know what's wrong with Darien? I saw him leaving as I was
coming in, and he just brushed past me."
That's the last straw. I collapse into her arms sobbing and mumbling
incoherently about the fight.
******************************************************************************
*******************
"Rei, Rei I can't understand you, you have to slow down!"
I can't get a word of what she's saying. All I know is that my best friend
is hysterical in my lap. Whoever caused this is going to pay dearly.
"Rei, why are you crying? What happened?"
"Dar, ::sob:: Darien.."
Darien? What the hell did Darien do?
"Rei, sweetie, what did Darien do?"
"He ::sob:: didn't do anything. I did ::sob::"
"What happened?"
She proceeded to tell me about him confronting her about the motorcycle, the
argument about the Mixx, and the last words between them.
"Rei, call him, explain that they were words of anger. He'll cool down once
he drives around for a while. He always does."
"Usa-chan, I don't think he's ever going to speak to me again."
"Rei, don't blow this out of proportion. It's your first fight. You're a
little shook up, but that's understandable. Sammy and I fight like this all
of the time."
"But it's different for you. You and Sammy are used to fighting. You grew
up with it. Darien and I are just testing the waters here; neither of us
have ever done this sibling thing before. And look what I go and do…"
Poor Rei. She's really hung up on this. Darien probably is too.
"Rei, could you excuse me for a minute."
"Sure."
I'll just go in the other room and call his cell phone.
::ring::
"Hello. Darien Hino.."
"Hey muffin, its me.."
"Usa-chan, I don't want to talk right now. Not while you're over there
with
her."
"Darien," I'm getting that stern tone of voice that tells you I'm getting
annoyed " you can't do this. It was a fight. Don't stop being her brother
because you had a few angry words."
"You don't get it. Do you know what she said to me?"
"Yes I do, and she feels awful about it. But you pushed her buttons. You
should know how short her temper is and that she's not big on authority.
Why
don't you come back so she can apologize, then you can apologize, and things
can be peachy keen again!"
"Usa, this isn't just going to go away. I can't talk to her right now."
"Darien Hino, if you make me choose between you and my best friend, I just
may moon dust the both of you!"
"Usagi, please don't get involved. I have to go now. Love you."
"Love you too. Rei sends her love too!'
"Yeah, whatever." ::click::
Kami, the two of them even have the same temper; and hold a grudge the same
too!
******************************************************************************
*******************
That really hurt. I have been wounded countless numbers of times,
but what she said cut deeper than anything the negaverse could throw at me.
I was just trying to be involved. But she's right. Maybe she doesn't need
me. She is so damn stubborn! I have to pull over because the tears are
blurring my vision. This is the first time I've ever opened up to anyone
but
Usagi, I mean REALLY opened up, since the day I woke up in the hospital with
nothing but a first name sown into my jacket. And what happens? She rips
my
heart out. My baby sister was supposed to look up to me and listen to me,
instead she decides she doesn't need me after all. Oh Rei, how could you do
this to me? I trusted you! I let myself love you. My phone is ringing.
That was Usagi. I don't even want to talk to her. She can't understand.
She says Rei didn't mean it, but I think she did. Whether she realizes it
or
not. She doesn't need me. I am nothing but a nuisance to her.
"Rei, what's wrong? Rei, talk to me! Rei!"
I don't get it. What happened? She just brushed past me.
"Usagi, what's wrong with my Rei-chan?"
"Oh, Chad, it's a long story."
"I have time."
******************************************************************************
*******************
Wow. Poor Rei. Usagi just told me the whole story. I see why she's upset.
Why is Darien being so obstinate? You would think that a guy our age
wouldn't overreact so much. He won't even talk to her. I thought he was
cool. But he hurt my Rei-chan. No one hurts my Rei-chan. Going back to
his
apartment is he? He's in for some company.
******************************************************************************
*******************
Bitch. Bitch. Bitch. Stupid insensitive bitch.
How could I? My brother. How could I say that to my big brother? I didn't
think I had it in me to hurt someone I cared about so much. I am a horrible
person. I need a drink. A good stiff drink. Luckily, I keep a big bottle
of good rum in my drawer at all times. Make the pain go away.
The pessimists are right, the bottle IS only half full. Heh. Bitch. Bitch
Bitch Bitch. I should never have been born. I don't deserve to live.
Bitch. Stupid whore. How could I? Gods I hate myself. Why did you put me
here? Why did you let me say that? How could I? Bitch Bitch Bitch!
******************************************************************************
*******************
Who the hell is at my door?
"Listen Chad, I'm not in the mood to ta…"
Bam
"What the hell?"
"Get up Darien."
"Why?"
"So I can hit you again."
"Chad, what the hell is wrong with you? Did Rei send you? Didn't she hurt
me enough today, or would she like to add insult to injury, or vice versa?"
"No, she didn't send me Darien. And her? Hurt you? Hah! Yeah, that's why
she's in her room crying hysterically and won't talk to anyone."
"Well, she obviously talked to you enough to blame the whole thing on me!"
"She didn't tell me anything. Usagi did. Rei was too busy sobbing in her
room!"
Shut up Chad. This doesn't involve you. Bastard, I should kill you for
barging into my home and assaulting me.
******************************************************************************
*******************
I wish she would come out of her room. She's been in there forever. And
where did Chad go? His car isn't in the driveway.
Okay, it's been over an hour. I don't care if she wants to be alone, its
not
healthy to mope around like this.
"Rei, open the door." Silence. "Rei, get out here right now, or I'm coming
in." Nothing.
"Rei, I'm not kidding, I will kick this door in. You know I can do it.
Come
on Rei!"
Still nothing. Sometimes I wonder how she can be so obstinate.
"Alright. I'm coming in."
When I kick the door in, I don't expect what I see. Rei is lying crumpled
on
the floor with an empty bottle of rum next to her. Shit!
"Rei," I scream in her ear as I shake her, progressively harder, "Rei, get
up. Can you hear me? Umm, blink twice if you can." Nothing. Apparently,
that only happens in movies. Okay, what do I do? What did that first aid
lady say about unconsciousness? Pulse. Okay, there's a pulse, but not much
of one. Oh gods, what do I do? Rei, what were you thinking? I can't tell
whether she's breathing. Somebody help me!
Damn it.
Darien.
Phone. Ring. Ring. Ring.
Pick up Darien. What the hell are you doing? I know you have to be there!
********************************************************************
This has progressed into a full-fledged fist fight. The phone is ringing.
For some reason, it calls my attention and demands precedence over what's
happening in my living room.
"Hello?" I say angrily.
"Hello, Darien?"
That is my Usa and something is definitely wrong.
"Darien, don't talk, just listen. Rei is in trouble."
"What the hell did she do this time?"
"SHUT UP Darien! I told you not to talk. Rei was in her room for over an
hour when I finally broke in, she was unconscious on the floor. She had
been
drinking, and I think she might have alcohol poisoning or something and I
can't tell if she's breathing. I don't know what to do. Please help me!"
I can't speak. Chad is looking at me, like 'what's wrong asshole?'. And he
should. I am an asshole. I think I'm going to drop the phone.
"Darien? Darien? You need to get over here right now!"
"Yeah, I'll be there right away!"
click
"Darien, what the hell is wrong?"
"Rei."
"What?! What's wrong with Rei? "
"I have to get there."
"Darien, tell me what happened to Rei or after I see for myself, you're not
going to see tomorrow."
"She may or may not have alcohol poisoning, she's unconscious and she may or
may not be breathing."
"What? Let's go!"
"No, you stay here."
"Excuse me? Why?"
"You're not family!"
"Some family you are! Storm out on your sister and look what she does. Like
hell I'm staying!"
"Fine, let's just go."
We take my car. Chad is glaring at me the entire time. I know it's my
fault, but even now, I don't want to share her. I am such an asshole. My
baby sister is in trouble and it's my fault. It's all my fault.
******************************************************************************
*******************
What an asshole! I can't believe I was ever friends with Darien. How dare
he tell me not to come! I wasn't the cause of this whole thing. Bastard!
We should've taken my car, it goes faster. Finally, we're here. I am out
of
the car before it quite stops and up the steps before Darien closes his
door.
He hurries up the stairs. I rush into the temple and there is Rei, lying on
the floor of her room. Usagi is weeping in her lap. I run over to my love.
I check her pupils like it says in the first aid handbook. They are
responsive to light, good in terms of science. But I can't tell if there is
any spark of life behind them.
"Rei? Rei can you hear me? Rei, please don't leave me!"
She mumbles something. At least she's alive. Oh, Rei, why did you do this?
"Love you"
"Rei?"
"Love you Chad. I…"
"Shhh. I love you too."
This is when I hear Darien pounding up the stairs. He pushes me out of the
way and leans over Rei. I still want to hit him, but somehow, I know she
needs Darien right now.
******************************************************************************
*******************
Things are spinning. I can hardly see straight. My baby sister is lying
here half conscious and it's my fault. I know it's my fault. Rei, please
don't die on me.
"I didn't…"
"Shh, Rei, save your strength."
"No, you have to know. I didn't mean that. I didn't mean to hurt…"
"I know."
******************************************************************************
*******************
The whole world is hazy. But at least it's not the blackness I was in
before. Why do I do stupid things? I have this feeling that I'm not going
to be here much , longer, like something on the other side is pulling me.
Chad is here. I love you Chad. And Darien, I love you too, though I never
really got the chance to show you. And Usagi-chan. I'll miss you so much.
I love you too; my queen, my friend, my sister. All of their voices are
swimming around my head.
"Her pulse is slowing down!"
"Do something!"
"I'm going to call an ambulance!"
FLASH
I'm in a different place, and it feels strange, yet familiar. I'm in the
gates of time, and I have a felling this isn't where I pass into eternity.
******************************************************************************
***************
Oh gods Rei, don't die. You're my best friend. What would I do without you?
Your teasing little remarks, your logic, your laugh, your advice. Yes Chad,
go call the ambulance. We'll save you yet, you obstinate little goat. How
could you do this? What about your father? Your grandpa? To put them
through this, just when things are coming together, would kill them. And
Darien. Oh Rei, I know he's stubborn. I know he was wrong. But he loves
you. Please don't put him through this. Don't put us through this. I know
you could come back if you wanted.
FLASH
Where are we?
"Welcome back. Why is it we always meet under these circumstances?"
"Setsuna?"
******************************************************************************
***************
What these kids put me through would kill a normal woman. But I suppose it
goes without saying that normal is not a term you'd apply to me. Why is it
always Rei that ends up like this? Why does she get herself in these
scrapes? And this is just in THIS lifetime. But I suppose this is all fate,
because I've been meaning to have a chat with them. To answer a few
questions I know they've been wondering about. But honestly, we could've
done it over tea, but no, she has to go and get herself in trouble. I'm
going to have to watch that one more from now on.
******************************************************************************
***************
Things just got awfully bright. Pluto is looking at me rather
disapprovingly.
"Get up." "I can't." "Yes you can." Wow, she's right. I can get up.
Darien is pale as a ghost and Usagi is crying. I really messed up this time.
What was I thinking? I wasn't. I hope they don't tell my father. That
would crush him.
"Darien, are you still mad at me?"
Oh no, now Darien's crying.
"Oh, Rei, I was never really mad at you to begin with, I was hurt, and angry
with myself, but never mad at you."
Ok, now he's hugging me, very, very tightly. And Usagi is trying to hug us
both at the same time.
"Darien, I'm sorry I hurt you. I didn't mean what I said."
"I know, I know. I shouldn't have run out like that. And…"
"THAT"S ENOUGH! You will have enough time to sob and apologize and such
after we have finished our business. Rei, transform."
I've learned not to question Setsuna when she's like this. Or ever really.
So I pull out my transformation pen, rather woozily, and transform in the
ribbons of fire that I so love. And I feel fine.
"You can de-transform now."
So I do. And I still feel fine.
"Hey, I didn't know I could do that"
"There are many things you do not know child. Many, many things."
I hate it when she's all cryptic and mysterious. It's annoying as hell. But
I'm healed, and this whole ordeal is basically over. I am ready to go home.
"Now, for the business at hand."
"I thought that was 'the business at hand'"
"No, that was more of a distraction really."
Wow, I'm glad she thinks my near-death experience is a simple distraction.
******************************************************************************
***************
What is Setsuna talking about? What else could be "the business at
hand" other than Rei's "dilemma"? But I'm just glad she's okay. I could
kick myself for what happened this afternoon. But it's behind us now and
Setsuna is getting ready to speak. This must be good. I mean, the last time
we were here on business, I walked out with a new family. So, if she's got
something to say, I want to hear it.
******************************************************************************
***************
"Now, the last time you were all here, under similar circumstances I
might add, I told you a large part of your past lives, which directly
affected the two of you. Well, what I have to tell you today will affect not
only the two of you, but all of the scouts, so I'll expect you to inform
them."
"Does this mean you're going to answer some of our questions? Because I have
quite a few!"
"Yes Rei, I am going to answer your questions. What I tell you today will
probably make a lot of things clearer, especially some of those dreams you've
been having."
"You know about them? Did you send them?"
"No, but it's only natural that you would have them. Your subconscious
remembers things that you don't. It has a much stronger link to your past.
I do however, know what it is that you have been dreaming about."
Rei and Darien look at me suspiciously.
"Now, don't go thinking I've been popping into your minds at night and
interfering with your subconscious. It just so happens that when you have
scout related dreams, I can automatically see them. It's not my doing, it
just happens. But don't worry, it only happens with relevant information.
It's fate's way of letting me know what information you have and what you
need to know. Rei, if you recall this scene…"
Rei's dream suddenly appears on the scene, stopping after the senshi were
anointed.
"That's my dream!"
"Yes, but more than a dream, a memory. One that everyone has, it just
happens that you are more in touch with the past. What you saw is true.
Obviously, every generation of senshi is special, possessing strong powers,
defending their kingdoms, then moving on to rule their respective planets and
mother the new generation of senshi. But, your generations was, well,
different."
"The Chosen Ones?"
"Precisely. Due to the alignment of the planets and stars in the years of you
births, you were deemed the Chosen Generation. You were prophesized from the
beginning of time, and the kingdoms rejoiced at the time of your births. You
are the senshi with the most power, the ones who will save human-kind
countless times, and the senshi who will live on forever."
At this moment, I expect a reaction.
"What exactly do you mean, 'live on forever'? You mean in history, right?"
"No, my princess, I mean precisely what I said. You will never die."
"Sets, " Rei questioned, "I don't understand, some of us have already died.
Even in the Silver Millennium. It was the power of the Crystal that brought
us back!"
"No, Rei, in other Generations, when a senshi died, even the Silver Crystal
could not bring them back. You were not reborn because there was nothing to
be reborn to. In fact, during the Last Battle, none of you were actually
dead. But when you woke up, there would be a desolate wasteland for you to
protect. Queen Serenity was not saving your lives in the usual sense of the
word. She did what she meant to, she sent you to a new future where you
could be happy. You would have been obsolete at the time. Human kind was
starting over, from scratch. You were far too advanced, so you were sent to
a time where you would be needed and appreciated. The Silver Crystal was a
help in bringing you back, but it was the power of your Generation fueling
the Crystal that actually did the work. Now I know you've been wondering
about the Chosen Protectors of the Senshi. First of all, only certain Senshi
had a protector. All of the Inner Senshi received one, and the Senshi of
Uranus and Neptune were offered one. The Senshi of Uranus and Neptune both
refused a protector, and instead pledged to be one another's protector. The
protectors were more in name, since most of the Senshi had greater powers
than that of their Protectors. But it insured, to an extent, that they would
never be alone. Darien, you are the Protector of Serenity, as I'm sure you
well know."
The two of them glance knowingly at one another. Rei looks expectantly at me.
"Setsuna, is Chad my Protector?"
I knew this was coming. Hard questions are part of the job, I suppose.
"I'm sorry Rei, he's not."
"Then who is?"
"Well, the Chosen Protectors were meant to be immortal as well as the Senshi.
But the bond was not as tightly bound as that of the Chosen Ones. Your
Protector, the other four as well, were born into this life, but met
unfortunate ends. They are immortal baring accident, meaning, they will not
grow old, but they can be killed."
"Is there any chance they will come back?"
"No. I'm sorry Rei, but it would be best if you forgot about them."
"I think I can do that, but what about Chad, will he die?"
I don't want to have to answer this question.
"Yes Rei, he will grow old, as all humans do, and die."
"What about me? Will I be young and healthy while he is dying?"
" Yes. You will see him die. All of the Inner Senshi will see the ones they
love die. Even Usagi will have to watch her Earth family pass on. The life
of the Chosen Ones was never an easy one, nor of a senshi of any generation.
You are lucky to have found love on Earth. I can tell you that while you are
together, the two of you will be very happy."
"What will he say when I never age?"
"I give you permission to tell Chad about your 'other identity' when you feel
he is ready. The same goes for the others if and when they find love."
"Thank you for that."
"Now, I suppose you remember when I told you about Beryl, and her relation to
you?"
"I certainly do! I'd like to know what an evil hag such as Beryl is doing in
my family tree?"
"King Darius the First, your grandfather, was married off to a duchess from
Earth. The match was ill-conceived. The Duchess was from a powerful family
of sorcerers, but she went mad at an early age. Her family hid her curse
until after the marriage. She and the unfortunate king bore Princess Beryl.
The girl was a normal child, until her mother went completely insane and
killed herself in a huge magical explosion. After that, she grew dark and
disturbed. I am quite sure it was Metallia who drove her mother insane, and
then when the woman died, moved on to little Beryl. The Council declared the
marriage null and King Darius remarried, a woman he truly loved. King Darius
the Second was born, and he later fathered you. Beryl kept her title as
princess, but she was a blemish on the family of Terra. She stayed locked in
her own castle for months, rarely emerging. Things got even stranger when
you grew up Darien. By then, she was completely immersed in her madness and
she fell madly in love with you. She talked of a glorious kingdom, where you
would rule by her side. You of course refused her, completely disgusted.
Also, by that time, you were engaged to Serenity. She blamed you for taking
Darien away from her. That is where Beryl's deep hate for Serenity is
rooted. From there it grew, and she became the woman you know as Queen Beryl
of the Nega-verse. She corrupted many good warriors, including your guards.
Thankfully, the power of the senshi and the Crystal was able to destroy them
all."
"Wow, I knew Beryl was evil, but this just makes her creepy. I can't believe
she fell for her own nephew. And I always wondered why she hated me as much
as she did. It went way beyond wanting to take over my world, it was
personal. Now I understand."
"I can't believe I'm related to her. And EWW about her liking Darien. Just
plain EWWW!"
"What Rei said."
"Well, that clears a lot up, don't you think?"
"One more question. Before, you mentioned protectors for all of the Senshi
except yourself and Sailor Saturn. Why is that?"
"In Sailor Saturn's case, it was prophesied that she was never to have a
successor, since her powers would never pass and there was too much danger in
having two women with the power of Saturn, so no one was Chosen for her, as a
precaution. She may or may not have a love in the future, but it was also
'seen' that Saturn would chose a solitary rule. I have seen that perhaps she
may adopt, so as not to pass one her powers, but to raise a child as her own."
They are looking at me as though I have condemned Hotoru to a lonely life.
"Please, I assure you, she will be happier this way. If she is not, I'm sure
she will take a lover, but fate is fate."
"Alright, but I still feel bad for her. So what about you, Pluto?"
"I have had a Protector since the moment of my creation, literally, at the
beginning of time, and that is Hades himself. We are all the seed of gods,
and I am the daughter of Cronus, as you Rei, are the daughter of Ares. But
since Cronus has no ties to any planet and I was so obviously a Chosen
Senshi, he gave me into the care of Hades, of Pluto. Hades became my
Protector, since the rest of the Chosen Ones would not be born for millennia.
Since I, as well as Saturn, am not meant to bare children, being the consort
of a being such as Hades was much more suitable to my situation."
Their eyes are wider than usual.
"Do you mean," Usagi says, breathless, "that you're in love with a god?"
I have to laugh at her.
"You truly do not realize who you are, do you?"
They all look at me blankly.
"Ladies, you yourselves are of the caliber of goddesses. Each guardian of
your planet granted you the immortality and powers of the divine. While you
may not live amongst them, and you may lack a precious few of their powers,
they are not so far above you. As adults, when you reclaim the solar system,
the deities will be allies, counsel, and trusted associates; friends even.
As of now, you don't seem to realize how powerful you are. Perhaps that is a
good thing, since you may not achieve your full ability for centuries."
They are staring at me flabbergasted.
"Wow."
That is all the response I can elicit from them at the moment. They seem to
be ready to leave.
"One last thing before you go,"
"There's More?"
"Yes, Darien and Rei, have either of you tried using, say, the other one's
power?"
"Not really, why?"
"Well, due to the fact that each of you possesses some power of both the
Earth and Mars, it is more than likely that you can master some low level
skill with the other's powers. Darien, you may be able to perform a Fire
Soul, a very weak one, but you should be able to do it, nonetheless."
Darien concentrated very hard, then shouted "Fire Soul"
A small burst of flame, not impressive really, but flame, emerged from his
fingertips. He seemed thrilled.
Rei pursed her lips and suddenly, in her hands there was a lovely rose, in
partial bloom. She tried again and produced a yellow rose. Rei tucked both
roses in her hair and smiled pleasantly.
Usagi watched the two play with their new powers, impressed. But something
is still on her mind, I can tell.
******************************************************************************
***************
I must say, this has been an interesting day. And now those two
playing with their new powers. Now would be a perfect time to talk to
Setsuna about something I've been wondering about.
"Hey Sets," I whisper "I need to ask you something."
"Ask away Princess."
"Last time, you said something about the two of them using the crystal. Is
that true?"
"Yes, I'm quite sure that they could use it for a few small things. They
will never have the command on it which you do, but Rei could probably use it
to destroy a lesser youma and together they might be able to do some healing,
as you saw last time. They will be a valuable asset in large 'jobs', because
with their help, you may not need to expend so much energy. I doubt the
other Senshi could really use it, because another thing that makes it
possible for Rei and Darien to use the Crystal, is their connection to you.
While the others are bonded to you, the link between the three of you is
stronger than any other. There isn't any need for them to use it now, but it
is an asset to have someone else able to use it. It is up to you whether you
want to tell them."
"I'll tell them eventually, but I think they've had enough shock for the day.
It has been lovely to see you again Pluto, but I think we had better be
getting back soon. Chad will probably be wondering where we are by now."
"Don't worry, I'll return you right where I took you. Or when, I should say."
"Thanks Setsuna, I'll see you soon, on different terms I hope."
"Make that a promise. Goodbye Princess."
FLASH
We're back at the temple. Rei is getting up. Oh crap, Chad is calling an
ambulance.
"Wait Chad, don't call, she woke up!"
******************************************************************************
***************
Did Usagi just say "She woke up?"
Oh thank the gods.
"Rei. Oh Rei, I'm so glad you're alright!"
"Hi Chad. I'm sorry I did something so stupid."
"Wow, you really are better. You can't even tell how you were a minute ago."
"Miracle recovery, I suppose."
"That's great. Now for that scumbag, Darien…"
"Chad, wait, we've reconciled. We're not mad anymore. What happened was
just as much my fault as it was his. Don't ruin your friendship with Darien
over this."
What did I miss when I was in the kitchen? Gods, I was only in there for two
minutes!
"Alright, if you say you're okay, I'll believe you. I guess I better
apologize to Darien now."
"Yeah, I think so."
Quick kiss.
Darien is on the other side of the room. He moved there when I came in. As
I approach him, he looks ready for a fight.
"Now listen Chad, I don't want to hurt y.."
"Hey man, I'm sorry."
"You're sorry? Oh. Cool."
"Are we friends again?"
"Yeah, we'll give it a try. I guess I understand why you did what you did.
I probably would've done the same thing, had I been in your shoes. Its good
to know you're looking out for Rei."
"Yeah, well, if her boyfriend doesn't protect her. Who will?" I ask teasingly.
Darien glares at me, then we both have to laugh.
******************************************************************************
***************
I am so glad this is over. I hate fighting. Okay, I hate REALLY fighting.
Arguing doesn't count. Its so neat what I can do now. I've always loved
roses! And all I can say about the other stuff Pluto told us is WOW! It's
kind of upsetting about the Protector thing, but what am I gonna do? If he's
gone, he's gone. And I'm so crazily happy with Chad, I could scream.
Forever is a long time though. I wonder if, in Crystal Tokyo, I'll jump from
one guy to the next? Probably not, that's not the kind of girl I am. Chad
will always be in my heart, and I don't think anyone could replace him. I
don't know when I'm going to tell him about being Mars. It'll come
eventually. But not yet. Soon, but not yet. In the next few years, which,
in my life span, can be considered a short time. Telling the other girls
about all this stuff is gonna be a blast. I can't wait to see the looks on
their faces. I wonder if the outers know? I doubt it. My life is coming
together so well, and I can only imagine the things we're going to see.
Knock Knock
"Come in. Oh, hey Chad."
"Rei, this may come as a shock. Will you marry me?"
Holy crap! Did he just ask what I thing he asked? Oh gods!
"Oh my god! Yes, Chad, oh my god, Yes!"
******************************************************************************
***************
Well, that's the end of Family Ties. It took forever, and it
rambles, and gets a little strange in places. Or a lot, whatever. If you
can't tell, I will probably do a sort of sequel. It won't really be based on
Darien and Rei, but it will be branched off of this story, and will have them
as siblings and everything. It just won't be the main focus. I am also
planning a teeny itsy bitsy follow up, or a bunch of itsy bitsy follow ups on
little quirky things about life as brother and sister. I have NO clue when
these will all be out, because these are not the only story ideas swarming
around in my head. So let me know if you liked this one, and if you like the
follow up ideas. I love to hear from everyone! Ciao!
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