Chapter Nineteen: Of Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

 

*“You? Celebrating Christmas? You never celebrate Christmas. Or any other holiday for that matter. What’s really going on?” Trowa pegged Hiiro. Serena was gone. She had left the night before when shortly after their ‘Christmas’ conversation the other guys had all walked in the door. Of course, they had rejoiced to see Hiiro out of his room and smelling like a flower ( in a manner of speaking). Serena had slipped out in all the mess without saying goodbye, but he knew he would be seeing her soon.  Of course, now here he was, the only one of them who always managed to be busy on Christmas, and he was telling them he was going to Tokyo to celebrate Christmas. No wonder even Trowa was a little shaken by his announcement.

“Hey Hiiro buddy, need some company? I’d be glad to blow Hilde off for a trip to Tokyo with you for Christmas! I hear they light that big old tower of theirs in lights and party all night long in the clubs!” Duo joked.

“I already have company.” He told them. Then he instantly regretted it. Him and his big mouth! Why oh why in the universe did he have to tell Duo of all people that he already had company to go to Tokyo with?

“Yui? Company? On a trip to Tokyo? Who would be foolish enough to go with you?” Wufei sneered.

“Yeah Hiiro, who are you going with?” Quatre  asked, semi-concerned.

“No one.” He told them, hoping that would cover his trail. Who was he kidding? That wouldn’t work on a three year old!

“I’ll bet I know who he’s going with!” Duo cried out suddenly. “He’s going with Serena!” He accused Hiiro in a singsong voice. Hiiro outwardly grimaced.

  “Is that true Hiiro? Are you going with Serena to Tokyo for Christmas?” Quatre asked with an almost evil grin on his face. Hiiro could feel the teasing commence. He might as well out with it all now. 

“Yeah. We’re going to see her family.” He told them.

“Oh! Going to meet the in-laws already?  Hiiro you sly dog! When did you propose to her? Last night? Before, after, or during that wonderfully steamy bath Serena told Hilde who told me about?” Duo was smiling so wide Hiiro thought his face would permanently be stretched with wrinkles.

“Bath? What bath?” Trowa joined in.

“Well, the way Hilde told me Serena told her is this: Serena hit Hiiro over the head with a bat and dragged him into the bathroom, stripped his of his clothes, pushed him in the tub, then stripped off her clothes and got in with him. The way I hear it, they were doing a little hanky panky in that tub!” Duo broke out gasping for breath and laughing so hard he had tears in his eyes.

“We have to replace that tub, I’m never stepping in there again until we do.” Wufei grinned, getting in on the action.

“Hiiro! Is this true?” Quatre cried out in horror. And he had thought he knew Hiiro well!

“No it is not true. Hilde was lying. Serena hit me over the head with my alarm clock. And further more,  she pushed me into the tub fully clothed, and got in fully clothed herself. That was as far as anything went. And I NEVER proposed to her.” Hiiro tried pitifully to set the record straight. He knew it could do little good, the damage had been done.

“So then you admit something happened between you two, huh Hiiro? Wow! A full confession guys! I never would have thought…” Duo just laughed harder.

“Yui, men do not blush. Excuse me. Virgin men blush. The way I hear it, you are no longer that pure.” Wufei’s one comment sent all of them over the edge, even Hiiro himself. He couldn’t help it. He knew that the correct action would be to take a gun and shoot Wufei where the sun doesn’t shine, but he also knew that laughing was more gratifying then shooting was, so he laughed. Duo was rolling on the floor with tears in his eyes. Quatre and Trowa were in much the same fashion, only on the couch, and Wufei and leaning over propped against his knees laughing.

“Umm, did I come at a bad time?” Serena asked as she stepped into the room. The guys, unable to collect themselves, simply shook their heads. Finally Trowa stood.

“Guys, we should welcome the blushing bride!” They caught a second wind and began laughing more than ever.

“I may be blushing, but I’m no bride. What’s going on here?” She asked slightly confused and amused. It wasn’t everyday that you saw the five toughest men you have ever met rolling on the floor with tears in their eyes. Suddenly, something struck her.

“So how x-rated was Hilde’s version of last night?” She quipped, beginning to laugh herself.

“Duo suggests we were ‘doing the hanky panky’ in the bath tub, and Wufei wants a new tub because of it.” Hiiro whispered in her ear. Serena herself broke up in giggles at the complete stupidity of the comment. As soon as they all collected themselves, they invited Serena to sit and chat.

“Sorry guys, I have to get back. Ben’s there with Kelly, and I left him with her so long last night that I fell bad doing it again today. Maybe some other time, ok?” She told them.

“Here’s everything you left behind last night after you snuck out without saying goodbye.” Hiiro huffed at her jokingly.

“Well excuse me, but I didn’t want to be in the middle of the stampede, unlike some people. Sheesh! But seriously though, I wanted to know, are you sure you want to come with Ben and I to Tokyo? I mean, it’s a big trip and I’ll understand if...”

“When do we leave?” He cut her off. She gave him a million watt smile and he could see the relief and thanks written in her happy eyes.

“Two days. I’ve already go the plane tickets on hold, and the plane leaves at nine, so I’ll see you around, say, seven?”

“Sounds good.” They stared at each other in silence for a moment. Then when Quatre cleared his throat they broke their trail of sight and blushed, trying to hide it from one another.

“Ms. Serena, I was thinking. I happen to have a house in Tokyo, my uncle left it to me in his will, and since you’re going there this Christmas anyway, would you mind if we all came along?” Serena’s eyes flew open with the prospect  of having so many of her new friends near incase her family decided they hated her.

“No! Not at all! In fact, I think it’s a great idea!” She quickly told him.

“Wonderful. I’d better go start making a few calls then.”

“Hey Quatre, can Hilde come?” Duo called out when he heard what their new plans for Christmas were.

“Yeah Quatre! Can Hilde come?” Serena jumped in.

“Please?” Both Duo and Serena begged him simultaneously. Quatre grinned and caved at both their child-like puppy dog expressions.

“Alright. And Duo, while you call Hilde, you might as well call Dorothy, Sally, and Catherine as well. I’m sure they’d all love to come.”

“Quatre, you so totally rock man!” Duo yelled at him as he ran to find the phone. The remaining guys and Serena looked at each other and grinned. So they were going to Tokyo for Christmas. Well, it was certainly going to be interesting.

>>>)(<<<

            So here they all were: Quatre and Dorothy, Wufei and Sally, Trowa and Catherine, Duo and Hilde, and Serena, Hiiro, and Ben. All of them were standing and waiting to board the airplane. They hardly had any carry on luggage, save for a few purses, Ben’s backpack, and, of course, Hiiro’s laptop. Soon enough their line began moving and the flight attendant had taken their tickets.

            “Momma, where are we going?” Ben asked as he wiggled his feet back and forth on the plane seat. He and Serena were seated in the middle aisle of the plane, Ben sat to her left and there was an empty aisle seat next to her.

            “We’re going to visit my old home. There’s some nice people there I want you to meet, and we’ll have lot’s of fun there, I promise.” She told him, trying to act happy that she was finally going him. It wasn’t so much that she was sad to be going home than she was scared of the consequences she would have to face when she did get there.

            “Why is Mr. Hiiro coming? Does he know the nice people too?” Ben continued.

            “Not yet, but he’s going to meet them.” She told her son.

            “Why doesn’t Mr. Hiiro know your friends?”

            “Because he didn’t know me before.” She told her son.

            “Why didn’t he know you before?” Ben kept up.

            “Because he didn’t need to save you yet.”

            “Why didn’t he have to save me yet?”
            “Because the bad men weren’t at the school yet.”

            “Why weren’t the bad people-” Ben paused for a large yawn to wash over him. “Why weren’t the bad people at my school yet?”

            “Because they weren’t bad yet.”

            “Why weren’t they bad yet?”

            “Because they were created nice. God creates all things good, even though sometimes they spoil.”

            “Oh.” Another yawn ensued. “Momma?”

            “Yes baby?”

            “Will these people like me?” Serena paused. Either she tell her son the truth that he might not be liked, or she lie to him and let him down if they weren’t accepted. Which one was the right decision?

            “Who wouldn’t like you Ben baby? Who wouldn’t like you?” And before she knew it, the little boy’s eyes drooped and he was fast asleep on the plane before it had even taken off.

            “Is this seat taken?” Hiiro asked as he moved from across the aisle to the empty seat next to Serena.

            “Now it is.” She smiled nervously.

            “How do you manage with all his constant questions?” Hiiro asked, slightly in awe at the funny conversation he had just overheard between the mother and son. He watched Serena look over and smile lovingly at Ben.

            “I don’t know. Sometimes it’s annoying, but most of the time I just take it in stride. I have to, I’m his mother, and the only one that’s around for him.” Her expression drooped at the thought of Ben not having anyone else to turn to for help if he ever needed it. Suddenly she had doubts. Parenting was already so hard. What was going to happen when Ben hit his teenage years? Would he run off and ruin his life the way she had? Would she become like her own mother and father and drive him away? And if he ever needed help, would she be able to provide it for him? So many doubts about whether she was doing the right thing, or whether or not she should change their lifestyle around, doubts about everything, even the clothes she bought for him to wear. Was he ‘cool’ enough? Did he fit in at school? Was he well…

            “Stop thinking along those lines. You’re an excellent mother  who obviously loves her son very much. Just do what your instinct tells you and you can’t go wrong.” Hiiro interrupted her thoughts suddenly. It was funny, the way he always knew what she was thinking without her saying anything to him.

            “My parents followed their instincts trying to raise me, and look what happened.” She commented glumly.

            “They must have listened to too much advice from other people. It happens.” He told her mockingly.

            “Oh really? You think it’s funny do you? Did you know that scientists are now saying that the only true instinct humans have left is the instinct to suckle when they’re born? Everything else is taught and learned.” She retorted.

            “And you believe scientists?” He asked her, a genuine interest written in his expression.

            “Well, they do  do the research on these sorts of topics, so I should think they would know.”

            “You should think? That’s contradicting yourself you know” He told her pointedly.

            “Thank you Aristotle. Well? Are you suggesting there’s another instinct we have yet to determine as primal and un-learnable?” She asked him, getting deeper into the philosophical discussion. Hiiro had to think on this question for a moment. There was only one other ‘primal urge’ that could not be taught or learned, but he needed a delicate way to put it.

            “Well…Reproduction is primal.” He told her, hoping she didn’t take it the wrong way.

            “Re… re… reproduction? Hiiro! Get your mind out of the gutter! Honestly, I thought I could expect better manners from you at least.” She reprimanded him. Though she had to admit, when she thought about it, he was right. ‘Reproduction’ as he had so gently put it, was a primal urge that could not be taught.

            “Sorry. Just had to point that out.” He told her, an extremely faint blush spread over his tan cheeks.

            “Well, I guess I can overlook it for now.” She told him loftily.

            “Thank you very much your supreme highness.” He gave a short mock bow as well as he could while sitting down. She simply turned her check and stuck her tongue out as it turned.

            “Why you little…” he began. But he was cutoff by an announcement by the pilot that they were landing. Serena strapped herself, and Ben in tightly, and made sure Hiiro’s belt was fastened tight as well.

            “Thank you mommy.” He joked with her.

            “You’re welcome baby Hiiro.” She simply stated back before turning her cheek from
 him once more.

>>>)(<<<

            “Well, this is it. This is where I lived for the first fifteen years of my life. It’s funny, my younger brother, Sammy, should be fifteen this year. That’s how old I was when I ran away. I wonder if he’s about to make the same mistake I did…” The last part of her comment was more directed at herself, but Hiiro heard it and understood it. She didn’t want her brother to repeat her mistake, so if he was still here and about to, she could warn him first.

            Hiiro stared up at the house covered in a blanket of pure white snow. It wasn’t a rickety old house like he had pictured. It was more modernized with happy yellow paint and white shutters and windowsill  boxes. She had told him there were red geraniums growing up along the walk in the spring, and he could see the blue drapes on the inside of the window in the front of the house. He had a hard time imagining why Serena would want to leave the safety and security of this house for the god-forsaken San Francisco slums with a bastard like Darien. Well, no matter now. He needed to be strong for her, give her courage to ring the doorbell.

            Just looking at the house brought back memories from so long ago that she was afraid to make the first step. She knew that the only way to ever found out what her family thought of her was to ring the doorbell, but if she did that she would be trampled in so many memories that she would be buried neck deep. Well, she had Ben and Hiiro with her, so either way, win or lose, she came to play the game and she gave it the best gosh darn whack she could. Stepping up to the plate, she ring the doorbell once. No answer. She rang twice. Still no answer. The third time, she closed her eyes and felt Ben’s small hand grab hers extremely tightly.

            “Coming!” Called a sweet voice from inside. Strike three, it was good so far but would it land foul? The door opened to reveal a cheerful woman with long sea green hair and an apron on.

            “Yes, may I help you?” The woman asked. Serena cleared her throat and began.

            “Yes. I’m looking for Mr. And Mrs. Kenji Tsukino. Can you tell me if this is the right address?” She began. She knew who this woman was. But did the woman recognize her?

            “I’m Mrs. Kenji Tsukino, and yes you have the right address. May I help you Ms…?” Hiiro gave Serena a slight and unnoticeable push forward to get her to start talking. She gathered courage from the warm tap and felt a little bolder.

            “Ms. Tsukino. Hi mom.” Dead. Silence.

            “Mom? Who’s at the door?” called a deeper, younger, and slightly raspy voice from inside.

            “Your sister is.” The woman stated calmly.

            “What?” squeaked the little boy in the background.

            “Serena? Serena, is it really you?” The woman asked.

            “Yeah mom, it’s really me.” Serena stated shyly.

            “Momma, who’s the lady with the green hair?” Ben tugged on his mother’s jacket and the woman at the door and the boy behind her both took notice of him for the first time.

            “Ben, this is your grandmother, Grandma Ilene.” Serena told him gently, bending down and picking Ben up.

            “Grandmother? Me? I’m a grandmother? Oh, my baby’s home! My baby Serena’s home!” The woman’s dry façade dropped and tears begin to spill from her blinking eyes. A giant smile and strong hug followed the tears as the woman named Ilene embraced her daughter who had been lost to her for five years.

            “Come in, come in!” Ilene cried, moving over to allow Serena and Ben in, followed by Hiiro.

            “Serena? Is that really you klutz?” The boy asked.

            “Yeah spore, who’d you think it was, Elvis?” She smirked, a trait she had picked up none too quickly from Hiiro.

            “I’ll be darned, it is you!” With that, Sammy flung himself into Serena’s arms, barely giving her time to throw Ben into Hiiro’s arms. She hugged her baby brother while he cried tears of welcome for his once runaway sister.

            “Ilene? Sam? What’s going on?” The door shut behind a tall and lean man. As he shook the snow off his boots and removed his heavy coat, he turned to see what all the commotion was about.

            “Serena? My baby girl? Is that really you?” The man asked in disbelief.

            “Daddy!” Serena cried, finally getting into the spirit of the welcome home’s. She flung herself into his arms and Hiiro watched as the fully grown man with such a strict and stern face, graying hair, and slight worry wrinkles began to openly sob, just to know that his little girl was safe and sound, back home from where she once had disappeared so long ago. Finally,  after what seemed like an eternity, all the hugs and tears had been cleared away and all that remained was the happiness to all be reunited once more.

            “Now Serena, who is this young man?” Her mother asked, peeling Ben away from Hiiro’s arms. Hiiro felt an immediate loss of security, but it was soon replace when Serena grabbed his hand ad squeezed it tight. He was needed after all, even here where she had her family to back her up.

            “That young man is Benjamin Kenji Tsukino, your grandson and my son, and over here, this is Hiiro Yui. Ben, this is your Grandma Ilene and Grandpa Kenji. And over here is your Uncle Sammy.” She told him gently. Ben looked about the room, as if he were deciding whether or not the new people he was meeting were nice or not. Then he spoke.

            “Momma, where is Uncle  Duo and Uncle Quatre and them?” Serena and Hiiro let out booming laughter. They couldn’t help it. It had been so random, so completely off topic, and so adorable!

            “They’re unpacking. We’ll see them later Ben.” Hiiro answered for Serena, who was still laughing slightly.

            “Ok. I like you Grandma Ilene, you smell like cookies!” Ben turned his head to his grandmother and hugged her. Ilene began laughing and crying at the same time.

            “Imagine! I have a grandson! And a son in law! Serena! Why didn’t you tell us?” She laughed.

            “A…a… son in law?” Serena gulped in fear. What did they mean by that?

“Let’s go into the living room. I can’t wait to learn all about my new son in law, Hiiro Yui. And I want details on how you met and the wedding too! Oh, my little girl is all grown up!”*