Chapter Six: Lita Juno Chiba

Serena stood in the kitchen making breakfast for everyone. She looked behind her and saw Amy sitting on the floor playing with the pots and pans she had taken out of the cabinets. She began to wonder once Lita is born if she would spend all her time in the kitchen trying to cook.

"Aren't we having fun?" Serena said giggling as she took a seat on the floor next to Amy and watched her.

Amy began banging on the pans with a spoon while trying to sing. She giggled and held out the spoon to Serena. "Mommy!"

Serena took the spoon and smiled. "Do you want mommy to sing with you?"

Amy nodded and began to hit the pot with another spoon while singing la repeatedly.

Serena began to sing along with Amy as the door to the kitchen opened and Darien walked carrying Raye.

"Hey there Serena," Darien smiled at her and lifted an eyebrow in interest. "Having fun?"

Serena giggled and stood up quickly. "I was singing with Amy," she said. "So how did the visit to the doctor go? Did Raye behave when she had to get her check up?"

Darien shook his head and sat Raye down on the floor. "She ran away from the doctor and she also bit him."

Serena rolled her eyes. She knew that Raye would give the doctor a hard time but she didn't know she'd bite him. "Well I am sure that Raye didn't mean to." She said. "She's only a year old."

Raye walked over to Amy and grabbed the spoon from her as she then pushed Amy away. "Moo! Moo Amee!"

Amy teared up and shook her head. "No Raye go!" she said trying to make Raye move from in front of the pots and pans she had been playing with.  "Raye mean!"

Raye glared at Amy as she hit her with the spoon. "No!"

Amy began wailing loudly as she ran over to Serena and hid behind her. "Raye hit me!"

Serena looked over and saw that Raye had taken over the pots and pans Amy had been playing with. She picked the child up. "Raye we have to share," she said. "Amy was playing with them."

"Mine!" Raye said stubbornly. "Ma Ma me ball ed!"

"Raye stop that," Serena said. "I am mommy not meatball head."

"Ma ma me ball ed!" Raye chirped.

"I'm mommy." Serena said.

"Ma ma me ball ed!"

"Raye stop that!"

"Me ball ed! Me ball ed!"

Serena sighed and gave up arguing with the child as she sat her down. She then saw Amy walk over to her and lay her head in her lap. She looked down at her. "Do you want me to put you down for your nap?"

Amy nodded and yawned.

Serena stood up and picked up Amy. "Alright let's go take a nap." She said as she stopped and looked at Darien. "You look after Raye while Amy and I take a nap."

Darien smiled. "Have a nice nap Meatball head." He began laughing at the sight of Serena cringing.

Serena turned around and sent a death glare at him. "Just you wait until Raye starts calling you "Cape Boy."

Darien stopped laughing and looked over at Raye who was currently preoccupied with a doll.

As if Raye knew what he was thinking, she gave him a cute smile. "Ape oy!" she chirped not being able to pronounce Cape boy yet.

"Oh come on Raye! I'm daddy, not Cape boy!" Darien cried he could hear Serena laughing from the other room.

**********************************

Sailor Sun dove out of the way of the blast as she turned and looked at Sailor Star Fighter who had managed to keep her from the attack by creating a diversion. She let out a small curse of fury towards her luck; she had managed to get her one mean of attack destroyed and still had no luck in getting the weapon back by summoning it.

"Sailor Sun, throw your boomerang!"  Star Fighter ordered, she shrieked out as she was tossed against the wall nearby.

"My boomerang…right." Holding up the boomerang Sailor Sun closed her eyes. "Solar Boomerang," Releasing the weapon, it circled around the youma transforming into a transparent ribbon of light.

"Stupid toy…" The youma grabbed a hold of the ribbon and destroyed it as it turned back into the golden boomerang snapped in half.

"What the hell?" backing up Sailor Sun felt her back brush against the cold brick of the wall, she looked up above her and saw that it was a ledge in which she could escape from. However, looking to her left, she saw Sailor Star Fighter lying on the ground moaning in pain; no, she couldn't leave the senshi behind even if she considered her an annoyance.

"Pathetic Sailor brat…" The youma laughed and crushed forward attaching it's clawed hand to the front of Sailor Sun's uniform. It began draining the power from the center brooch on the front of her uniform.

"What in the…" Sailor Sun gasped out as her senshi uniform burst into a string of blue ribbons and reverted to her regular clothing. She felt all of her power as a senshi draining from her body. "No…let me go!"

The youma laughed and moved away from the girl as it held her crystal change rod in it's hands. "Your power is contained inside of this little toy?" Holding up its hand the youma smashed the wand to pieces.

Her eyes wide with horror Keisha collapsed to her knees, her only means of protecting the planet was now gone. She had failed as a senshi, and now had no way of helping the others. She couldn't take it her power had been taken away from her and she had no way of getting it back.

"Star Gentle Uterus!"

The youma was knocked away from Keisha as Sailor Moon rushed over and grabbed her friend by the hand leading her away.

"Keke, what happened?!" Sailor Moon asked, she grabbed her friend's shoulder and shook her gently. "Keke answer me!"

"My…power…" Keisha whispered softly she touched her chest trying to see if it was all a dream, but her hands brushed against her clothes. She had really lost her power. "I…I…I can't help you."

"Keke, you're not making any sense," Sailor Moon said softly, she looked behind her and saw the ruminants of Keisha's crystal change rod lying on the ground. She immediately understood what had happened. "You can't transform?"

"Yes…I'm sorry Sere…" Keisha whispered. "I failed as a senshi…I can't protect you."

Sailor Moon shook her head. "Don't feel that way, well figure out how to get your power back." She smiled softly. "We'll talk to Luna about it."

"No…I can't…" Keisha stood up and shook her head. "I'm so sorry I can't help you!" she stood up and ran away, she did not look back at the battle nor did she even hear the scream of the other senshi as they were attacked.

"Keke," Sailor Moon shouted, she let out a loud scream as the youma had grabbed her and was draining her energy.

**************************

"Why…Why…Why….WHY!"

Keisha stopped running, she had ran away from protecting her friends and even more so made it a hell of lot harder for her friends to rely on her. She stopped outside of the amphitheatre in the park; she closed her eyes feeling the wind surround her body. She placed her hands to her ears and tried to hear and feel the music, her eyes filled with horror when she couldn't feel anything, nor could she hear any music, looking around she saw that on stage there were people playing instruments but she couldn't hear the music or feel it. The power she had once held to become one with music was taken from her. She felt as though she lost a part of herself, collapsing to the ground she let out a loud scream of anguish.

"My power…I…I can't hear the music anymore…"

She began crying, she wasn't able to hear or understand the music she had come to love and cherish, she really held her power as a Sailor Senshi as the most important part of her life that gave it meaning. She looked up at the sky and whispered. "Please…I want to have power again…I know I have doubts of being a senshi but I was just a coward…I…I want to protect my friends…I want to protect our futures!"

A bright blue light began emitting from the amphitheatre's large statue, Keisha looked up and caught sight of the statue glowing, and she looked up at it as she touched the statue and felt overwhelming warmth emitting from it. She closed her eyes and let the blue light engulf her; she felt time around her stop and her whole body disappearing.

**************************

"What happened to Sailor Sun?" Starfighter demanded as she tried to get free from the youma's grasp.

"She ran away," Sailor Moon explained she let out a loud scream of pain as the vines from the youma was sapping her energy, she looked over and saw Sailor StarMaker and Starhearler were having a hell of a time fighting the youma. Their attacks had failed and they were trying to free them as well as protect themselves from being captured, they were the only line of defense as of right now.

The only thought on her mind was that of what happened to Keisha and how would she be able to help them if she didn't have her crystal change rod.

************************************

"The stars are aligned, and the star are shining above the bright blue shining Earth,"

Keisha felt warmth as she heard a familiar voice singing a soft melody she had heard as a child, opening her eyes she sat up and looked around she saw that she was inside of some palace. Looking down at herself, she was wearing a light blue dress with yellow accents, on her head she wore a tiara made of jewels and a treble cleft jewel sat in the center. She slowly sat up and began wondering where she had gone. Wait she knew this place well…she had spent her time there as a child, standing up she got up from the floor. "Where am I?"

"Welcome to your palace Princess Kalliope,"

Keisha turned around, she came face to face with an older woman, she saw that she had eyes that mirrored her own, and she couldn't believe it her mother from the past was standing before her. "Mother…"

"My darling daughter, you've grown up into such a beautiful young lady, if only I had lived long enough to see you." Eumelia smiled softly as she embraced her daughter in a hug.

"Mother…I have failed…I…I can't help the others and I've lost all sense of hearing and feeling music within my heart." Keisha teared up. "I want to help my friends but I have no way of helping them."  

"Darling you have not lost the power to feel music," Eumelia said, she lifted her daughter's chin, her soft eyes gazing into her child's. "Music is within your heart and so is your power."

"In my heart," Keisha didn't understand, part of her wanted to object where as part of her wanted to regain the power to protect her friends.

"Princess Kalliope of the sun, I bestow upon you, the power of melody," Eumelia held out her hand as a wand appeared. She held it out and smiled softly. "This is yours, you have matured as a senshi and friend to wield this power."

Keisha took the wand and looked at it closely; it was a wand with a large crystal sitting atop it. "This is…"

"The Rainbow Melody prism," Eumelia explained, she pointed to Keisha's wrist as a small silver bracelet appeared on her wrist. "It's power will make it self known to you, so will the jewelry star bracelet, please take it as a gifts to you my daughter."

Keisha nodded, she closed her eyes hearing the sound of music emitting from the Earth, she felt the melodies blender and intertwine with one another as she smiled softly. "Thank you mother, I'll make you proud."

Eumelia nodded. "I know you will," she hugged her daughter. "Now go help your friends."

"Right."

***********************************

The youma cackled watching as its prey that caught within its grasp, their senshi powers were feeding it as every moment passed. The sounds of their screams of pain was enough to make it feel as though it was claiming a genuine prize to it's queen, surely she'd be rewarded greatly.

"We can't get out of this!" Sailor StarHealer shouted, she felt weaker by the moment, she glanced to her left, and her eyes filled with horror at the sight of Sailor Starmaker's head falling to her chest. "Maker!"

"We have to get out of here…" Sailor StarFighter was keeping herself awake, she looked over at Sailor Moon who was slowly falling into a deep slumber. "Sailor Moon stay awake!"

"I can't I'm so sleepy…" Sailor Moon could feel the power leaving her body as she wanted nothing more than to fall into a deep sleep.

"Stop it right this minute!"

The youma smirked evilly catching sight of Keisha walking towards the battlefield, it licked its lips and prepared to attack. "You're going to sacrifice your life in favor of protecting your pathetic friends?"

"I am a sailor senshi and I will fight until the end," Sailor sun held up her wrist as the jewelry star bracelet transformed into a larger bracelet, the row of crystals began glowing as she called out. "Sun Melody Power, Make-up!"

She waved a hand over her head as her hair changed from its curled state to a straightened state, a ribbon of music notes appeared around her body as her leotard and sailor collar with the yellow ribbon. Her skirt and shoes appeared on her feet as her gloves and tiara all appeared in place. She grabbed a hold of one of the music note ribbons and used it as it tied around her ponytail. She landed in her final pose.

"Solider of Melody, Sailor Sun! In the name of the Sun, I'll punish you!"

"I thought I stole your power little girl!" The youma shouted in fury rushing forward and attacking. "I'll destroy you before you even have the chance to dirty up pretty little uniform of yours."

"Bring it on," Sailor Sun said she rushed forward and started attacking the youma, she spun away from it just as it's clawed hand made a swipe at her. "Is that all you got? Come at me!"

The youma attacked again and slashed its right hand at Sailor Sun who ducked as it destroyed the glowing bonds around the other senshi. "My captives,"

"Now, return their power to them!" Sailor Sun pulled out her new weapon and pointed it at the youma. She held it close to her chest. "In the name of my guardian star the sun…I hear all of the melodies of this planet," She held the wand up in the air as a bright light began collecting inside the crystal. "Rainbow Melody Prism!" a burst of multicolored music notes left the crystal as it surrounded the youma and destroying the large gem on its forehead.

"My crystal!" The youma screamed out loudly as the powers it collected went back towards the other senshi.

"What in the…" StarFighter sat up and saw Sailor Sun fighting the youma. "About time you showed up pixie!"

"Shut the hell up, I saved your ass!" Sailor Sun snapped, she yelped and flipped away from the youma. "Get up and help me!"

"Star Serious Laser!"

"Star Gentle Uterus!"

"Star Sensitive Inferno!"

The attacks from the Starlights flew towards the youma shattering the other crystal allowing the energy it had stolen from the people in the city to return to them.

"Now Sailor Moon destroy this youma!" Sailor Sun ordered.

"Right!"

The Eternal Moon tiare appeared as Sailor Moon spun the Eternal Moon tiare above her head and held it in front of her calling out. "Starlight Honeymoon Therapy Kiss!." She began spinning around as she held it above her head and the crystal atop the wand emitting waves of power that flew towards the youma.

"Beautiful!" the youma screamed out as it burst into multiple crystals before turning to dust.

"Sailor Sun, you got your power back," Sailor Moon hugged her friend happily. "I'm so glad!"

Sailor Sun smiled gently. "I couldn't bear to lose the power to protect you Sere, you're my best friend."

"Hey, I'm hungry what are we going to have for lunch?" StarFighter asked, she went silent when the other senshi glared at her. "What?"

"Come on, let's go back to the café, lunch is on me," Keisha said. "Well…maybe not for all of you…Seiya you have to pay half price."

"You puffy haired pixie, why do I gotta pay!?" Seiya shouted chasing after her.

*******************************************

"I want everyone to draw something that makes them happy,"

The first grade teacher began writing the assignment on the board. She smiled at her class and saw that they were excited about the assignment.  She walked back and sat down at her desk watching the children.

Michelle giggled and began drawing a picture of flowers as she looked across the room and saw Saphir looking at her and then back down at the drawing her was doing. "I wonder what he's doing…" she stood up from her desk and walked over to him. "What are you drawing Saphir?"

Saphir looked up and blushed as he covered his paper so Michelle couldn't see what he was drawing.  "N-nothing."

Michelle saw the outline of green on the paper and giggled. "Are you drawing me?"

Saphir blushed as he uncovered the paper to show Michelle the picture of her. "I…I chose to draw you."

Michelle blushed. "That is so nice!" she giggled softly and she took a seat next to him so she could watch him.

Saphir went back to drawing as he blushed each time he looked up to make sure he drew Michelle correctly.

"What are you doing with our brother freak?" Yui screamed rushing over from her desk. "We don't like you hanging around him!"

"So go away!" Mimi said shoving Michelle to the floor as she took a seat in the chair.

Michelle teared up and began wailing loudly from getting pushed on the floor as Saphir got up and helped her up.

"That was mean Mimi!" Saphir said glaring at his sister. "You shouldn't be so cruel!"

"Saphir she's a freak!" Yui cried. "She is also a poor person who only wears unstylish clothes.

"So!" Saphir said leading Michelle to another table to finish their drawing as his sisters glared at them.

****************************

After school Michelle arrived home after school as she took off her shoes and ran towards the living room where Serena was sitting.

"Aunty Serena!" She called out.

Serena smiled and set the story book down she had been reading to Amy and Raye as she smiled. "Welcome home Michelle." She said. "How was school?"

Michelle giggled. "I made a new friend today." She said. "He's really nice and he saved me from his sisters."

"You met a new friend that's wonderful!" Serena said with a smile.

Michelle nodded. "His name is Saphir Darkhart," she said. "He's really nice to me but he is also a bit shy."

Serena stared at Michelle silently for a moment. She couldn't believe that she had became friends with one of the Darkhart children. It was a surprise that one of them were not a brat. "Just be careful around his siblings," she said. "They might try to make him pick on you."

Michelle nodded. "I promise Aunty Serena, I wont' let them pick on me anymore about it."

Serena smiled and watched Michelle skip to her room happily.

**************************

"Sounds like Michelle is in love,"

Serena spat out the tea she was drinking and stared at her friend in shock. "What do you mean?!" she choked out. "She's only a child!"

Keisha took a seat across from Serena. "It's like Romeo and Juliet! The two of them are from different families that can't stand each other." She sighed dreamily and giggled softly. "To be young and in love, It must be so great!

"She's a kid," Serena pointed out again. "Michelle probley doesn't know what love is since she's only in the First Grade."

"Whatever you say," Keisha giggled. "But don't be surprised if Michelle starts to dress up every day for school."

The doors to the café opened as Michelle walked in with Saphir. The two of them were holding hands and talking about their day at school.

"Oh wow their first date!" Keisha squealed out standing up. "I so gotta make sure it turns out ok!"

"Keisha get back here!" Serena hissed grabbing her friend by the back of the skirt. "You can spy on them for me,"

"That isn't nice," Keisha said as she began walking away from the table.

Serena thought for a moment as she pulled out a CD. "Have you ever had the new Bad Luck CD?"

Keisha walked back to the table and gasped out. "Is this real?!" she cried out. "I bet it has some hot tracks on it!"

"It can be yours if you spy on Michelle." Serena said waving it in front of her face. "Or I'll give it Raye and Amy so they can use it as a Frisbee."

Keisha nodded. "I will go spy." She said walking over to the table where Michelle and Saphir were sitting.

"If we finish the drawings I will let you have mine," Saphir said to Michelle.

Michelle giggled. "Alright and you can have mine," she opened her backpack and pulled out her spelling book. "Can you help me?"

Saphir nodded and looked in the book with Michelle. "Those are the words for the test on Friday." He said. "I think we should memorize them."

Michelle nodded. "That's a good idea."

"Are you ready to order?"

The two kids looked up and saw Keisha and Andrew together. The two of them had bright smiles on their faces.

"Hi Aunty Keke and Uncle Andy," Michelle said. "This is my friend Saphir Darkhart, were in the same class and we are really good friends."

"Hi…" Saphir said softly as he gave a small smile.

Keisha smiled. "You two are so adorable!" She said with a giggle. "Anything you two like is free of charge!"

"What?! Andrew gave Keisha a weird look but he smiled and nodded when Keisha elbowed him in the stomach.

"Oh goody!" Michelle said with a giggle as she looked at Saphir who was quietly reading the spelling book.  "Aunty Keke can you bring us the chocolate and vanilla cake  please?"

Keisha nodded. "Alright." She said grabbing Andrew by the hand and the two of them took off to go get the order.

Michelle turned back and began reading the spelling book as she giggled and pointed to the word she was having trouble with.

On the other side of the café Serena made a face as she stood up and walked over to get a closer look at what was going on.

"Aunt Serena?"

Alex and Susan walked over to their aunt and saw that she was watching Michelle and Saphir.

Serena turned around. "Oh hi girls I didn't know you were coming here."

"We came to spy on Michelle." Alex said. "I am worried about her being here with that Darkhart brat."

"He's not mean," Susan said. "I think he's the only one who's really nice and he seems to like Michelle a lot."

"That is a cover up!" Alex said. "No dumb boy is going to take advantage of my little sister!"

"Will you calm down?" Susan cried. "They'll hear us!"

Serena rolled her eyes and remembered how the others would spy on her during a date. She giggled softly at the fond memory as she watched her nieces argue.

Michelle turned around when she felt as though she was being watched. She turned around and only saw a plant that hadn't been there before. She shrugged it off and began to do her spelling homework again while Saphir helped her.

"Here you are!" Keisha walked over with a tray of cakes and ice cream. She sat it down on the table. "Enjoy!"

Michelle giggled as she looked at the cakes which were in the shape of hearts. "Oh wow!" she squealed. "Look Saphir!"

Saphir looked at the cakes and immediately turned a crimson red; he then hid his face in the book so Michelle wouldn't see.

"Come on try one!" Michelle said with a giggle as she shoved a piece of the cake in Saphir's mouth. "Good right?"

Saphir nodded and began eating another piece of the cake. "Michelle…you are really nice."

Michelle giggled. "So are you!" she said. "But why are your sisters and mommy so mean?"

"They don't mean to be," Saphir said softly. "They just don't know how to be nice to anyone different."

"You have to show them!" Michelle cried. "They won't be able to make friends if they continue to be mean!"

Saphir went quiet for a moment and thought it over. He looked up at her and nodded. "Alright I will!"

What is Michelle doing!?" cried Susan in astonishment from behind the plant. She had heard the whole conversation.

"She's being a dummy that's what!" Alex cried. "Aunty Serena you have to tell Michelle that she can't be friends with them!"

Serena shook her head. "I think what Michelle is doing is a good idea." She said softly. "Let's leave them alone now."

"But…" Alex said.

"She's right Alex." Susan said. "Michelle knows what she is doing and I know she'll be able to help Saphir talk his family into being nicer."

Alex sighed and shook her head. "Ok…" she leaned back against the chair but fell right onto the floor.

Michelle looked up and saw Alex. "Alex! You are spying on me!?"

Alex giggled nervously as she took off to hide under the table.

"Aunty Serena…and Susan are spying on me too?!" Michelle teared up and began wailing loudly.

"Michelle calm down!" Serena said. "We were worried about you."

Michelle sniffled and continued to cry. "You guys are so mean for spying on me!"

***************************

"I'm sorry for my sisters and aunt spying on us." Michelle sniffled softly. "They were so mean!"

"It's ok I think they're funny," Saphir said with a smile.

The two of them were quiet as silence passed between them as they walked home together.

"Hey Michelle let's hang out tomorrow after school!" Saphir said. "At the arcade?"

Michelle giggled. "Ok!" she said giving him a hug. "We'll meet at the front of the school's gates!"

Saphir smiled. "Alright!"

Michelle smiled and hugged her new friend happily. She knew that they'd be friends forever.

**********6 Months Later

Serena looked through a magazine while she sat on the couch. She looked up and saw that Amy and Raye were sitting on the floor watching their cousins decorate the Christmas tree.

"Mine?" Raye held up a wrapped box, which had been placed under the tree, she walked over to Serena and held up the box. "Mine!"

Serena shook her head. "No, that is not yours," She said gently with a smile. "Give the present to me Raye."

Raye shook her head. "Mine!" she cried out holding the box tightly. "Mine! Ma ma me all ed!"

"Raye it's not yours," Serena said managing to wrestle the box from the toddler. She stood up from the couch and placed it under the tree.

Raye crossed her arms as she pouted. She quickly got over it when she saw Amy cuddling with her stuffed cat doll. She immediately darted off to go take it.

Serena placed the box back under the tree. "There that's better." She smiled at her three nieces. "How about we bake Christmas cookies today?"

"Cookies," Michelle smiled and ran to her room to go find her apron she wore whenever she helped Serena cook.

"Can we make some that aren't so girly?" Asked Alex.

Serena nodded. "How do Christmas trees and stars sound?"

Alex nodded. "That is better I guess…" she said following Serena into the kitchen.

Serena began opening the cabinets and refrigerator to gather the ingredients to bake the cookies. She placed them on the counter. "Alright girls we will make sugar cookies today with sprinkles and lemon frosting."

"Can we make some with Strawberry frosting too?" Susan asked. "They're my favorites too."

Serena nodded. "Yes," She turned to leave the kitchen. "You start without me I need to check on Amy and Raye."

"Ok Aunt Serena!"  

Serena walked into the living room; she saw that Amy and Raye curled up in their beanbag chairs sleeping soundly. She giggled and placed the blue and red blankets on the two little girls. "They'll be up and around after their nap."  She began walking back to the kitchen when she felt a pain go through her.

"That's weird…I bet it's nothing…" Serena walked back into the kitchen to help with baking the cookies.

***********************

"I'm home!"

Darien smiled as he took off his jacket and hung it up on a nearby coat rack. He was greeted by the smell of fresh baked cookies in the oven. He walked into the kitchen and smiled at Serena.

"Hi Darien, welcome home," Serena said brightly walking over to him as she placed a soft kiss on his cheek. "How was your day?"

Darien smiled. "It was typical." He said. "How was yours?"

"I went out shopping today and I am baking cookies with the girls. So it's been a pea…" Serena stopped speaking as she placed a hand on her stomach when she felt a small pain.

"Serena?" Darien placed his arm on her shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"I'm fine," Serena took a deep breath. "I've been getting these small pains all day but it's nothing to worry about."

"Pains?" Darien immediately scooped Serena into his arms and sat her down on the couch. "Why didn't you call me when they started?"

"I didn't think it was a big deal," Serena said. "It hasn't been bothering me too much."

"Stay here," Darien said heading into the kitchen to get a glass of water for Serena.

"I am fine Darien!" Serena called out standing up and following him. "It's been like this all day and I have had only small pains don't worry we have a few more days before Lita decides to make her appearance. She might be late for all we know."

"Are you sure?" Darien asked.

"Yes," Serena smiled softly at him and sighed. "Now how about we finish the cookies and then spend the rest of the night in front of the fireplace?"

Darien nodded at the thought of the idea and placed a gentle kiss on his wife's lips.

****************************

Serena sighed as she sat in the living room with Seiya and Yaten; she had been forced to stay behind due to Darien worrying about her. She had told him clearly that she was experiencing small pains that came and went throughout the day. She glanced beside her at Yaten who was casually looking through a magazine while making comments about how the photographer managed to get his best side. Her gaze drifted to the kitchen where Seiya was making some tea and snacks for them. She could hear him cursing the various dishes that he had dropped when getting them out of the kitchen. Oh how she would need a new set of dishware for Christmas.

"Drinks and snacks are now served!" Seiya sat the tray on the coffee table and smiled as he placed them on the table. "Tea for Yaten and I," he said then sat a cup in front of Serena. "And milk for Rena."

"Seiya…" Serena grumbled. "I could have tea too you know…it won't hurt if I have a little bit."

"I have strict orders that you aren't to have anything like that," Seiya said he sat down and poked Serena in the stomach. "You look ready to pop any moment."

"Seiya don't poke me." Serena grumbled, she placed a hand over her stomach as Lita moved from being poked. "Lita doesn't like it."

"Why not?" Seiya asked poking her in the stomach again, he laughed as he placed his other hand on her stomach feeling the future senshi of Jupiter moving. "Hey Rena when I poke you Lita moves around to get away from me poking her."

"That's because you are annoying her and me..." Serena grumbled; She felt the urge to hit Seiya if he poked her one more time. "You have one more time to poke me before I end you."

Seiya didn't heed her warning and laughed poking her again. "Hey Yaten you should try this!"

"I happen to like living," Yaten said taking a sip of his tea.

"But it's fun," Seiya said smiling again, he was going to poke Serena again that is until she grabbed his wrist. "Rena?"

"Seiya, if you poke me one more time I will break your wrist." Serena threatened. "So stop it."

"I…I understand," Seiya said, once his wrist was let go, he quickly moved away from Serena and used Yaten as a semi shield in case he had to avoid Serena's wrath.

"I'm going to take a nap," Serena stood up from the couch and headed to go to her bedroom. "Tell me when Darien and the others come home."

"Sure Rena," Seiya said smiling.

*********************************

"Were back and it's really coming down out there,"

Darien took off his coat and hung it in the closet; the house was quiet, which wasn't a good sign. Quickly taking off his shoes he went into the living room, there were no sign of Serena, Seiya or Yaten anywhere, looking in the kitchen he saw that it was a mess with broken dishes thrown in the trash. He rolled his eyes making note to buy more dishes before Christmas.

He stepped into his and Serena's bedroom and saw she was sleeping soundly, that solved the mystery of where the meatball headed girl was. He walked into the outers' bedroom and found Seiya and Yaten playing video games, rolling his eyes he left the room.

"I'll go wake Serena," He said. "Keisha and Taiki can you two make snacks for the girls?"

"Leave it to us," Keisha said with a wink, she giggled and picked up Amy who was happily playing with her shoes. "Let's go have a snack everyone!"

"If there is anything left of the kitchen," Taiki said shaking his head, he held Raye who was happily puling his hair. "Miss Raye please stop it."

"Top it!" Raye repeated giggling as she pulled Taiki's hair again.

In the bedroom, Darien leaned down and kissed Serena on the forehead gently. "I'm home now Meatball head."

Serena made a small sound and turned over as she waved a hand indicating she did not want to get up yet. She grimaced at the pain in her stomach again and tried to ignore it.  She opened her eyes, turned over and gave a forced smile. "I'm glad your home, but you might have to go out again."

"What's that my love?" Darien asked gently, he pulled Serena close and kissed the top of her head.

"I think…it's time." Serena said, she placed her hands over her stomach at the feeling of pain. "No…I know it's time."

"Ok…we'll get to the hospital," Darien said as he took off towards the door while grabbing Serena's suitcase and he then rushed out the door forgetting the most important thing…

"He forgot me!" Serena cried out in anger.

**********************************

Four hours later, Serena's daughter was delivered.  When the doctor slapped her, she proved that her lungs worked as well as her mother's as she was dried, weighed, and measured, and finally given into Serena's waiting arms.  Darien beamed proudly next to his wife at the tiny girl and they both gasped when she opened her eyes and quieted down.   They were the clear, green eyes.  The wispy frizz of hair on the girl's head was brown, and her tiny, chubby hands waved clumsily in the air.

"Hello my little Lita." Serena said placing a kiss on the child's forehead. "I promise you will be loved forever."

End Chapter

Next Chapter: Finding the Venus Crystal