Chapter 10 is here! It's not incredibly long, but long enough for me to post it! Please enjoy! This chapter is dedicated to my onee-chan, Nikki-chan! She has been forever supportive of me and has promised not to sue for copyright infringement when my story turned out to be like a couple that she hadn't published yet! (She made me promise the same thing however and I'll still be poor after she puts those out! -_-;) Thank you for all you've done, Nikki and we have got to see each other soon. I'm not gonna do this HTML thingy for you forever! Although it is nice to get your stories before everyone else! ^_^ DISCLAIMER: I don't own any of these things. If I did, I wouldn't need a job. Probably should think about getting one of those...DONE! (Hey, I *thought* about it! ^_~) RATING: PG- It's pretty mild this week. Not really a battle scene in here, just romance! Isn't that why we read these stories? For all the sappy romance that is put in them? Fighting's great too, but you gotta love the romance part of Sailor Moon! NOWHERE TO RUN, UNABLE TO HIDE CHAPTER 10 When the energy of the two Princesses reached its peak, everyone in the room unconsciously held their breaths, not knowing if what they were doing would work. *****CRACK!***** The sound echoed through the halls. A sound so great and refreshing that it could be heard by a deaf man. Princess Serenity and Neo-Princess Serenity stopped releasing their energy and looked at their handy work. Serenity smiled, lowered her crystal and collapsed to the ground, transforming back to Serena. Tuxedo Mask ran to her and swept her in his arms. The sound of a person coughing and gulping for air broke every ones attention that was focused on Serena and Darien. The cry of "MOMMY!" made grins appear on the faces of all the people in the room, including Sapphires'. Endymion and Rini, who had de-transformed, rushed feverishly to where the quartz crystal had once been. *Once* been. Neo-Queen Serenity was kneeling on all four taking gasping breaths of air. Her head snapped up as she heard the approaching footsteps of her daughter and husband. Mere seconds later she was trying to kiss Endymion and hug Rini at the same time. Tears were falling from the eyes of everyone in the room. The Sailor Scouts of the future ran to their queen and began asking frantic questions. The Sailor Scouts of the past practically flew to where Serena and Darien were. Sapphire looked somewhat uncomfortable, not knowing what he should do, if anything. He finally decided to stay where he was, not knowing if anyone would trust him if he went to one of them. Both Sailor Mercury's' pulled their mini computers out and began to scan Serena and Serenity. "She appears fine," Mercury said while glancing up from her readings. "A little rest is all you need, Serenity." Amy was having similar readings, "She is very tired. We all know what using the crystal does to her. Just a little rest and she'll be fine," she told her friends with a smile. The girls sighed in relief and Darien pulled Serena closer to him. Several footsteps came towards them. They turned around and saw their future selves, sans the royal family, coming towards them. Venus motioned with her hands and the others nodded. Darien picked Serena up and the all of them quickly left the room. ******************************************************************************** Serenity held her family closer. She had never been as happy as she was that moment when her daughter and former self had released her from that prison. She had heard what Endymion and her friends had been saying to her for the past month. Her heart ached to tell them that she was all right, that she would be with them again. She had heard what Endymion had said to her earlier, and felt like dying when he had started to tell her that Rini was on her way home. She hadn't seen her daughter in so long, and now, even while she was holding her she still missed her somehow. There was something different about her. Something she couldn't quite place. Serenity pulled away from them and held Rini at arms' length. She smiled as she saw what was wrong with her daughter. "You've grown up, Rini," she whispered, barely audible. Tears began to form in her eyes. Her little girl was growing up, and she had missed a part of it during her sleep. 'But you didn't,' a voice whispered to her. 'You witnessed it one thousand years ago, even if you did not realize what you were witnessing. "You are no longer a child, young, but not a child.," Serenity whispered to her daughter. The two hugged again. Endymion smiled and then realized that their audience had left them alone for once. 'Private time with Serenity...They've never given us that willingly.' He turned to his wife and the two smiled a secret smile at each other. He saw Rini curled in her mother's embrace, asleep. He bent down and kissed her again. "She takes after you. Can't get her up before noon; can't keep her awake when it's important." Tears came to the Neo-Queens' eyes. "No teasing tonight, Endy," she whispered as he drew her into an intimate embrace. "I just want to be with you." She closed her eyes and leaned against him, giving a small sigh. He chuckled and kissed her again. Serenity's' eyes shot open. "We should check on Serena! She must be exhausted!" Endymion stood and helped his wife up, being careful not to wake Rini. The two walked out with Rini resting comfortably in Serenity's' arms. ******************************************************************************** Venus led the way out of the Queens' chambers with Sapphire bringing up the rear. Venus motioned for Darien to place Serena on a couch that was out side of the chambers. Darien placed her down and began stroking her hair back lovingly. The others smiled. Even Sapphire. A few moments later, Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion came out of the room with Rini in Serenity's' arms. The others looked up. Remembering what had been said earlier by King Endymion the Sailor Scouts of the past choose not to bow to Serenity, who smiled gratefully at them. The ones of the future, however, ran straight for her, encircling her in a group hug. After a moment Jupiter pulled back and looked at Serenity, "Hey girl, what's wrong?" she asked. Serenity somehow managed to choked out, "...air...!" The Scouts, looking slightly embarrassed, pulled back and smiled sheepishly. "Sorry!" Venus whispered, holding back a giggle. The others in the room laughed, too. "SERENITY!" a new voice yelled. The people in the room turned to the source and saw two cats sprinting towards the center of the room. Serenity handed Rini to Endymion and bent down. Luna and Artemis jumped into her arms with out a second thought. The two cats began purring as if their motors would brake. Serenity began to cry again and placed the two cats on her shoulders. Luna and Artemis of the past jaws' dropped. They obviously hadn't been expecting to see *their* future selves. Darien saw Rini and became very concerned for his future daughter. "Is she alright?" he asked, still stroking back Serena's' hair. Serenity looked at him and then at Rini. She smiled, "Yes. Just an energy drain for both of them. Breaking my prison took a lot out of them. A little rest and I'm sure Rini will be driving all of us nuts in no time." She stole a quick glance at her former self and shook her head. "And as much as I hate to admit it, so will Serena." Darien gave a slight chuckle. Endymion smiled, remembering his times with Serena and how adorable she had been when she was annoying. "I suggest that we move her to either Rinis' room or a guest room. She's probably going to out of it for a while," Endymion said while shifting Rini from one arm to the other. Darien nodded and picked Serena up. Jupiter (30th-planets. 20th-names. Same as it was last time.) stepped forward and took Rini from Endymion. "This way, Darien. We'll put the two 'Sleeping Beauties' in Rinis' room," she said, gesturing for Darien to follow her. During this whole time, Sapphire had been quiet. He looked up at Neo-Queen Serenity, who was looking back at him. Sapphire took a deep breath, and went down on one knee before her. "Your majesty," he began. "I am asking for your forgiveness in my actions. I never truly saw what I was doing wrong, but I do now. Please forgive a blind man." Serenity smiled and stepped forward. She placed hand on the young mans' shoulder. "You may rise, Sapphire." He looked up at her and did so. "Do you truly renounce the Dark Moon? Do you swear loyalty to *this* kingdom and not the Negaverse?" Sapphire looked straight into her eyes, "Yes," he said, sincerity clear in his voice. "Yes, I do." Serenity smiled wider. "Then as soon as I can get the Silver Crystal, I will heal you. You are welcome to stay in Crystal Tokyo, Sapphire. And..." "Actually," Sapphire cut her off. "I would much rather return to the twentieth century. I have someone there..." he trailed off at Serenity's knowing smile. Venus, who had been talking in her communicator, spoke to Serenity. "Hey, Sere." Serenity looked up, "Jupiter says that she'll get Serena's Crystal and bring it down when she comes back." As if on cue, two sets of footsteps could be heard jogging down the hall. Jupiter and Darien joined their respective groups; Jupiter handing Sailor Moons' transformation locket to Serenity. Serenity held the locket in her hands as if it were made of porcelain. She turned it over and over in her hand, studying its every detail. She hadn't touched her transformation locket in years, and somehow holding it brought a sense of peace into her soul. She closed her eyes and remembered the vigor of transforming into her Super Heroine form. The form that had hidden her true identity from all of her friends and enemies. She was vaguely aware of the others staring at her curiously, but she didn't care. It was strange to her how she had always hated to fight, but now, she often found herself missing the exhilaration of fighting. It was easier. It was easier just to use a weapon to get rid of her problems. Not knowing was always easier. She had to admit something; she missed fighting, but she wouldn't trade her life for anything in the world. 'Well...maybe a double hot fudge sundae...Oh, food sounds good right now!' Endymion placed a hand on Serenity's shoulder. She opened her eyes and looked up at him. "Are you sure you can do this?" he asked, concern showing in his deep blue eyes. Serenity simply smiled and gave her trademark 'V for Victory' sign. She inhaled sharply and let her breath out. Raising the Imperium Crystal over her head, she did what she had done so often in the past. "MOON CRYSTAL...POWER!" Sapphire sucked a breath in. He'd never felt anything quite like this...power. It was exhilarating. He felt all his hatred evaporate as the healing power surged through his veins. When the Crystal had completed its work, Serenity nearly collapsed. She placed her hand on Endymions' shoulder, to steady herself, and called for a dear friend. "Puu." In a flash of light Sailor Pluto appeared, kneeling, before the Queen. "Yes, my Queen?" she asked softly. Serenity smiled at her old friend. "As if you don't already know. Sapphire wishes to return to the past with the sisters. Please take him to them." Sailor Pluto stood up, and smiled back. "And what gave you the idea that I knew what was going to happen?" she asked innocently and then turned to Sapphire, "Please follow me. I will take you to the past." Sapphire nodded and then bowed one last time to the royal family. "Thank you. I'm sorry that I can't stay and help, but thank you. And, tell Sailor Moon that I will see her later. I'm sure the sisters will make sure of that." With that, he and Sailor Pluto were gone. Serenity smiled and then sank even further into Endymions' embrace. He leaned down and gently kissed her. Serenity kissed him back. Darien smiled and turned his back, as did Amy and Mercury. Mars and Raye exchanged a look between each other and shook their heads. Jupiter, Venus, Lita and Mina sighed as they watched the couple. Both sets of Lunas and Artemis' smiled; and then frowned as the kiss seemed to drag on forever... "ALRIGHT! JEEZ! WE *KNOW* IT'S BEEN OVER A MONTH, BUT REALLY YOU TWO, ENOUGH PDA!!!" Serenity and Endymion broke the kiss and shot killer looks at Mars who just grinned. Had she and Serenity been younger, this no doubt would have become a tongue war. Everyone else in the room (except Raye) yelled, "***MARS!!!***" Serenity simply shook her head. "One of these days, Raye. You'll get what's coming to you." Mars smiled again, "Until that day, I will thoroughly enjoy doing that. I'm sure Rini will, too." There was an awkward pause for a moment, until Serenity's stomach broke it. No one in the room could help it; they all started cracking up! "Yep!" Lita laughed. "Now I know for sure that you are Serena!" "Come on!" Jupiter yelled. "I can't blame her! I'm starving too!" She turned to Lita, "Between the two of us we should be able to make enough food, right?" "With two Meatball Heads?" Mars asked. "Doubt it," Raye said. Lita rolled her eyes at the two, "Right!" she agreed. The two quickly jogged off; Jupiter leading the way to the kitchen. ******************************************************************************** Serena tried to hold onto the little bit of reality that she had managed to find, and somehow did. Her eyes fluttered open and she shifted in her bed. Wait! It wasn't her bed...She sat bolt up right and surveyed the room she was in. It was decorated in pink. She was laying in a light pink canopy bed with pink pillows and sheets. 'Pink...' she wondered. She heard some muttering come from her side, and realized that someone was desperately gripping her hand. Serena glanced down and saw Rini in a pair of pajamas holding her hand tightly. Serena smiled and laid a butterfly kiss on her future daughters' forehead. She remembered the events that took place not too long ago, and smiled in relief. She could feel that what they had done had worked. She didn't get a good look at Serenity, but it was good enough to know that Rini wouldn't need her as a mother anymore. Her heart seemed to fall at that thought. She was glad-no *ecstatic* that the Queen was alright, but she was saddened that now Rini wouldn't need her. Even in the short time that she had been a mother to the girl, she felt like her heart was shattering from the thought of *not* being there for her. "And to think, you two couldn't stand each other seventy-two hours ago," a new voice intervened. Serena's head snapped up. She gave a slight smile at what she saw. "Hello, Serenity!" she chirped happily. "How are you feeling?" Serenity smiled. She knew she couldn't keep the act up, not for long... "I'm alright. Hungry, but alright." Serena's smiled widened (if possible), "Ohhhhh, FOOD! I'm soooooooo hungry! When's dinner?" "Pretty soon. That's why I came here; to get you two up and see if you wanted something to eat." She pulled the Silver Crystal out of her dress and placed it into Serenas' hand. "And to give this back. Sapphire's gone to the past and says thank you." Serena nodded, almost sadly. "Yeah..." she trailed off. Serenity became concerned for her younger self and placed a hand on Serena's shoulder. "Are you alright?" Serena averted her eyes and looked down. "Yeah, I'm fine." Serenity took Serena's hands and led her off the bed. She closed the canopy of Rini's bed and led Serena to a couch near the bed. The two women sat down. "No, I know you better then that. Something *is* wrong. You can tell me." Serena remained quiet. Serena looked up at her future self with shocked, tear-filled eyes; but she didn't answer. Serenity, however, continued to question her. Serena let a few tears slide down her face. ******************************************************************************** Rini shuddered in her sleep. 'Why is it so cold all of the sudden?' she wondered as she pulled her covers tighter around her. She turned to snuggle into Serenas' embrace like she had so many times before; but found her not there. Rini sat up in her bed and looked around frantically. Her canopy was closed, something that rarely happens. Rini realized that she could vaguely hear voices outside and strained to hear what they were saying. "It's Rini, isn't it?" she heard her mother ask quietly. Rini gasped, 'What have I done wrong?' "You're afraid of loosing her, aren't you?" her mother continued. 'Who's afraid of loosing me?' "She-she has you now..." Serena hiccuped out. "She won't ne-need me anymore." Rini's eyes opened wide with shock. Then she realized something; since she had gotten back, even though she had only had her father, she had been almost completely ignoring her parents' younger selves. She had only called Serena 'Mommy' when her father had made her apologize earlier that day. 'Oh no! I didn't mean to...' "That is not true!" Serenity almost yelled to Serena. "She will always need you! She is-" "Mommy's right, Mommy," a quiet voice whispered. Serena and Serenity looked at the bed as a small pink head poked out of the cover. "I *do* need you. I love both of you and now..." Rini started to cry. She couldn't help it. She never realized how attached she'd grown to Serena and Darien. When they had come back from the battle when Prince Diamond had tried to take Sailor Moon she had gone to her father, not Sailor Moon. Serena hugged Rini. "I know she's right," she said, holding back tears. "But, I guess I'm just paranoid, ya know? I never thought I'd hear myself say this, but I *will* miss you, Rini." Rini hugged her tighter, "I'll miss you too, Mommy." Serena, Serenity and Rini pulled each other into a three-way hug. The women stayed that way for a while. "I think I would give my right arm for a camera right now!" a masculine voice yelled. "No kidding! We've got no pictures of Serena and Rini being civil to each other and this one would be perfect!" came another mans' voice. "And I thought Raye was bad," Serena muttered under her breath, letting Rini and Serenity go. "Unfortunately, she gets worse," Serenity whispered back. Serena swore silently under her breath before turning to Endymion and Darien, who were grinning that to die for grin of theirs. "You two...are really annoying," she told them trying to look angry. "And don't count on things changing," Serenity said loudly enough for the men to hear. "I'll choose to ignore that, Serene," Endymion said, trying not to smile (and failing miserably). "Lita and Jupiter are done and it's dinner time," he told them mentally preparing for Serena's yell. Serena stood up and pumped her fist in the air, "FOOD!" she yelled as her stomach rumble on cue. Serenity agreed with her, but in a more...subtle manner. "Let's go!" she yelled hopping up. Taking their respective loves' arms, the five walked to dinner together, with Rini holding both of her mothers' hands. ******************************************************************************** During dinner, Serenity managed to pack away as much food as Serena, only not *quite* as fast. After dinner there was about five minuets of casual conversation before everyone began to fall asleep in their desserts. Luna (the younger one) stretched and hopped into Serena's lap. "It has been quite a long day and I say that we get some sleep!" she told the group while yawning. The others were quick to agree. "We should all stay together tonight," Venus suggested. "We don't need them sneaking into our rooms and taking us one by one or something," she pointed out. "The shield is still down." "Venus is right," the older Artemis agreed. "We should all sleep in the control room tonight." Getting a nod of agreement from the others in the room, the weary group trudged to the control room. ******************************************************************************** Once there, the group began splitting up. The Sailor Scouts stayed with their counter parts; Serenity and Endymion went to a corner of the room and practically collapsed; Serena and Darien went to a different corner. Rini went to Serena and Darien and gave them a hug. "I'm going to sleep over there, ok?" she told them. Serena smiled and gave her a kiss on the cheek. "Good night, Rini" "Sleep well, Pumpkin," Darien told her. Rini smiled and ran to the other side of the room, where her parents' immediately pulled her into their embrace. Serena smiled and leaned back into Darien's arms. He tightened his hold on her and she sighed. "Do I get a good night kiss, too?" he whispered mischievously into her ear. Serena giggled and lifted her head, "Maybe..." was all she got out before Darien's lips caught hers. She gave a small sigh and fell headlong into the kiss. ******************************************************************************** Serenity looked behind her and smiled. She caught the slight movement of a black cat going over to the two lovers and her eyes widened. Thankfully, Venus caught Serena's guardian cat and put a hand over her mouth. "Let them be!" Venus hissed to the outraged feline. "They don't get much time together and they need each other right now." She then grinned, "Besides, I'm not letting you go until you agree not to bother the two of them." She looked at Luna with an evil gleam in her eyes. Reluctantly, Luna agreed with Venus and returned to her spot; unconsciously snuggling up with Artemis. When Serena and Darien (finally) stopped kissing, they snuggled into each other's embrace, and promptly fell asleep. To Be Continued... OK OK! I know there was no action in this chapter and it wasn't a cliffhanger either! Please don't hate me! Well, I'm sure you don't hate me for not giving you a cliffhanger...Next chapter I promise a huge cliffhanger and lots of action! :) Yes, I know I am evil! ^_^; Later, Stef