Do You Remember? by Usagi Carter Chapter 8 Usual Disclaimer’s apply “Mother, you’re absolutely right. Everyone, stand back and give me room.” I said as they all stepped back. “Older Senshi, let us form a circle around the Princess. We can infuse her with our powers.” Pluto said. “No! I must do this on my own. Understand?” “Serena, are you sure?” Raye asked. “Yes. This is something Darien and I must overcome on our own. I appreciate the gesture.” “We understand Serena. Good luck, and we believe in you.” Mina said as they all stepped back. “MOON CRYSTAL ACTIVATION!” I screamed as the Silver Crystal started to glow. “Serena, call on the golden crystal now!” Queen Serenity yelled from behind me. “GOLDEN CRYSTAL ACTIVATION!” I yelled as the room was bathed in a golden-silver light emitted by both crystals. “What?” Dimando asked as he and Darien stopped fighting and looked at me. “The Golden Crystal! My crystal!” Darien said as he started to glow. I hadn’t noticed it, but when he started to glow a deep gold, I started to glow silvery-gold. Both of the crystals flew into the sky and touched each other. “Serena, what’s happening?” Mayo asked from where she stood, transformed, with the others. “The joining of soul mates, sort of. Just as Darien and I have been soul mates forever, the crystals are too, I think. I’m not totally sure. OH GOD! Darien, help!” I screamed as a sudden power surge ripped through my body. “Serena! What’s happening to you?” he asked in terror. “The crystals are uniting, and she is taking the brunt of it. Darien, she’s protecting you subconsciously. She can’t do anything until it’s over, and neither can you.” Queen Serenity yelled. “What? Serena, don’t! You can’t handle that type of power all at once. Let me take my share of it!” Darien yelled. ‘No way! I will not let this hurt you!’ I thought as Queen Serenity’s explanation registered in my brain. ‘This hurts entirely too much and there is no way I’m gonna watch you go through that much pain.’ I thought as I started to rise from my seat. “Serenity, damn you! You are mine!” Dimando screamed as he lunged at Darien who was totally unaware of the attack. “Darien, watch out!” I screamed as a tremor of power shook the palace. ‘Oh my! What did I do this time?’ I thought as I slowly sank back to the ground and into Lita’s waiting embrace. That’s when I noticed it. Dimando was on his back and there were several pieces of the ceiling lying on his body. “Oh my! Serena, what did you do that for?” Queen Serenity asked, as a smile formed on her lips. “But I didn’t! I just saw that he was going to attack Darien and screamed for Darien to watch out.” I said as I cried for no other reason than fear of what my mother was thinking. “I know dear. That’s just it. When you screamed to Darien, the crystals heard you and reacted. They injured Dimando before he could hurt Darien.” She spoke mater of factly. “You mean, Serena unknowingly saved Darien?” Raye asked as a smile lit up her face. Queen Serenity nodded. “Nice job meatball head. Didn’t think you had it in you.” She said as she leaned down to give me a hug. “Thank you….Raye. I’m so tired now. Mother, what about the dual?” I asked. “Serena, there is no way he can have you now. The crystal will see to it that you’re always with Darien. No matter what, they’ll always lead you back to each other. They signify a stronger bond of your love for each other.” She spoke. “I don’t think so, Silver Queen!” screamed Dimando as he rushed toward Darien. That’s when we heard it, a loud cry of horror escape the man’s lips, and that’s when I saw the blood on the floor. Dimando’s blood. As the nega prince fell to the floor, I saw Darien’s sword and nearly fainted. Yes, I’ve seen blood before, plenty of times, but to know now, that it wasn’t Darien’s blood, made me weak. “Darien, I love you!” I said as I sank into Lita’s arms limply. “Serena!” was the last thing I heard for a while. * * * * * * * * * * “Where am I?” I asked as I opened my eyes. “You’re in my apartment Serena. You’ve been out for three days.” Darien spoke from the spot he occupied on the floor next to his bed. “Darien, what happened?” “You fainted. You had been protecting us all with the Silver Crystal until Galaxia brought you the Golden Crystal. Then you subconsciously combined the two and drained more of your strength. How do you fee love?” “Better. Darien, what about mother?” “She’s back in your memories.” “And the Senshi?” “Probably getting home from school and work.” “And Dimando?” “Dead. I killed him with my sword.” He said as he shivered. “What of the future scouts?” “All at their parent’ houses for the afternoon. Most of the kids are staying either at the temple, Lita’s, with the Lights, or here. Chibi Usa and Alan are at your house right now. Your mother has put Alan and Shingo together, and Usa is in your room. Apparently your aunt is in town.” “How come I’m here and not at home?” I asked as a look of hurt crossed his face. “I didn’t mean it like that.” I said sorrowfully. “I know. Your mom thought it better to have you here, where someone can take care of you 24/7 until you wake up. I also think she doesn’t want your aunt asking any questions. So, Serena, what do you want to do?” “I wanna eat.” “That’s what I thought. I made some chicken chow mien. Let me go warm it up.” He said as he left the room. >>A Few Minutes Later<< “Darien, come here please!” I yelled as he sprinted from the kitchen towards the bedroom. “What’s wrong?” he asked out of breath. “Come here.” I replied from the bed. “What?” he asked. I smiled and replied, “Come here.” “What?” he asked again. “Darien, will you make love to me?” “What?! Serena, are you crazy? Did you smack your head on something or what?” “Fine then! All you had to say was that you don’t want me that way and I would have left it alone. I’m going home! Where’s my stuff?” I asked angrily as I got off the bed. “Serena, sit down right now and talk to me!” he demanded as I tried to find my stuff. “Why, so you can reject me even more? I don’t think so!” I screamed as my body shook with sobs and I clasped to the floor. “Serena, why do you want to do that now and not a few months from now.” “Because it won’t make any difference. I almost lost you back there and I don’t think I could handle it if it really did happen. Besides, what’s a few months gonna change?” I asked as he sat down next to me. “Because in a few months we’re gonna be married.” He said as a wicked smile crossed his lips. “Wha..?” I asked. “Serena, I’ve already talked to your parents and have gotten their blessings. Now, Serena, will you marry me?” he asked as he brought out the diamond ring. It had a red rose and crescent moon with the diamond in the center of the rose. “Of Course! But Darien, I still want to make love to you.” I said matter of factly. “Really? Well then, I guess I can’t argue with the Ruler of the universe, can I? Come here.” He said as I leaned into his arms. He picked me up off the floor and placed me on the bed. We made out then we made love under a crescent moon.