didn't even wipe them away. She just continued to stare distantly at
the large expanse of water that lay under the bridge she was on and
beyond. They skimmed the surface, watching the birds fly carelessly
above the surface. The water was a clear blue, only marred by the white
caps that made an appearance when the wind picked up.
She lowered her eyes to the water below, estimating a drop of
about one hundred and fifty feet. She breathed deeply as a gust of cool
sea breeze blew across her face.
Her hands were trembling violently as she lifted herself atop
the rail. Once on her feet, she brought one hand to a bar to support
herself. The sun was low in the sky. It would only be a little while
before it was gone.
She cried fresh tears at the memories of all the times she and
Darien had spent watching sunsets together. How he used to pull her
close and tell her he'd love her forever. He was such a good liar.
She'd believed him, being the foolish girl she was. He hadn't loved her
forever. He'd left her like an old toy, never once looking back.
Blinking away the memory, she let her hair fall freely from her
odango's, letting the pure gold flutter around her in a golden cape.
The memories came once again. When he used to protect her with
his cape, shielding her from danger and death more times than she could
process. When he'd carry her to safety in his arms, promising to
protect her forever. But he hadn't. He'd still come to battles, but he
wouldn't do anything. He'd just make harsh comments about how bad of a
fighter she was, how bad a leader she was.
Shaking her head, she picked up her briefcase and pulled out a
folder. It was pink with litte bunnies on it, her favorite one. Opening
it, she pulled out a little piece of paper, revealing it to be a
drawing she'd done of him while he was asleep. Bringing up a hand, she
lovingly stroked the contours of his face, praying that he would be
safe. That he would have a good life once she was gone.
The paper was whisked out of her hand and away by the wind. She
reached out for it, but quickly pulled back in fear of falling
unprepared.
She threw the backpack behind her, where it landed with a clang
on the cold metal of the bridge. Only one more item. She carefully
pulled a thin, gold chain from her pocket which held his pocket watch.
She'd held onto it ever since that time at his apartment when she'd
finally found out that he and Tuxedo Mask, were one and the same. The
cracked face had been repaired quite awhile ago, now looking brand new.
She remembered how the watch had helped her find him when he
was under Beryl's control. The thought brought chills down her spine.
At that time, she'd been so scared. It had taken all her might to take
the sword on him and then herself. But it had saved him in the end, and
that was the reason she was doing this to herself. She knew that she'd
been a nuisance to him all along. That he'd only stayed with her
because he had to. Well, soon he would be free.
Tossing the watch with precision, it landed face up on the
briefcase. Turning her head once more at the city behind her, she
closed her eyes. Her body leaned forward and she could no longer feel
the ground below her feet.
She was flying, the air whipping past her at accelerated
speeds. The time it was taking seemed forever. She opened her eyes and
looked at the water coming quickly closer and closer. She smiled as she
knew that within momements, he would be free.
When she finally hit the water, it was as if she'd slammed into
concrete. Her entire body felt broken, the pain taking hold of her. Her
body began to thrust upwards of it's own volition, taking her up to the
surface. Her heart yelled at her mind, telling it to stop and just let
it be, but it wouldn't listen.
Her body shut up 3 feet above the water when she broke the
surface. She gasped for breath, each one she took hurting tremedously
as her lungs seemed to want to explode. She screamed at the moon which
now shone brightly in the night's sky.
"Why? Why can't I just let him be free of me? It hurt so much!
Just let me be free," she cried, as the sobs began to rock her body.
She layed on her back and floated, not caring at all where she
ended up. She just wanted to die. To end all the pain her heart was
feeling. Couldn't she just do it? Why wouldn't they let her?
Her thoughts were interupted by the bright light of a boat and
a loud voice booming through a hand microphone.
"Please stay there. We will help you as soon as we can. Just
stay there."
The voice was male, and had a very authoritive tone to it,
which led her to think he was with the coast guard or police.
The boat came up next to her, strong hands lifting her onto
it's hard, wooden deck. She curled into a ball, holding herself to stop
the shaking that was consuming her body. She was very cold all of a
sudden and her tears had stopped. She lifted a hand to her eye level
and gasped hoarsely to see that it was blue. Her veins were showing
through the skin, giving her a sickly look.
She brought the hand back quickly to her body, afraid to look
at it any longer. Heavy blankets were draped over her body as she lay
immobile on deck. She couldn't move anything anymore. It brought with
it immense pain, and she didn't think she could survive more pain added
to what she was feeling in her heart.
The boat growled into gear, and began to go quite fast towards
the shore. As they approached it, she could hear the sirens of an
ambulance going off.
As soon as the boat had stopped, she was hoisted onto a cotlike
pad, and carried to the waiting ambulance. Serena could merely gaze
emotionlessly into the eyes of the emergerncy team. They were moving
quickly and carefully, hooking her up to machines of all kinds.
The pain had begun to cloud her vision and her head began to
throb like mad. Unconciousness called to her, promising the comfort of
no pain. She gave into it without hesitation, welcoming the arms of the
man of her dreams.
They were dancing in a large ballroom, people she recognized
standing in a circle around them. He lead her around the floor, their
movements perfectly coordinated and smooth. The music was light and
airy, sounding as though it were what they would play in heaven. She
twirled and laughed as the surrounding group clapped enthusiastically
at their dance. She could only stare into his deep blue eyes, which
kept their gaze only on her.
The song was soon replaced with a quieter one, the steps
slowing by decibals. She leaned her head on his chest, basking in the
feel of being held by him once again. Tears were coming to her eyes as
they moved, moistening the front of his tuxedo.
He looked at her with alarmed eyes, but relaxed as he saw they
were those of joy. Suddenly, darkness covered the room and they broke
contact. Large red eyes shone mercilessly at the two, light bursting
from them. The shot hit her head on, knocking her to the ground. The
pain was unbearable to the point where she couldn't even cry. Her body
was immobile, nothing would move.
She blinked her eyes, the room disappearing at being replaced
by white walls. A pair of red eyes stared into hers, tears threatening
the small red ones.
"Oh Serena, I was so afraid for you," the little girl cried out
as she wrapped her arms around her.
Serena tried to comfort the girl, but she found she couldn't
move her arms. She held back the tears, trying not only to be strong
for herself, but for Rini.
The pink hair tickled Serena's face as it's owner cryed tears
of joy into her chest.
"Rini, be careful."
Serena's eyes jerked up to the doorway. She knew that voice. He
was standing there, looking only at the little girl. Rini complied and
returned to him after planting a light kiss on Serena's forehead.
"Rini, why don't you play in the arcade for a bit. I need to
talk to her for a bit okay?" he asked gently as he handed her a five.
She nodded enthusiastically and headed out the hall.
Darien shut the door behind him and walked slowly to her
bedside. He sat down and simply put his head in his hands, sighing
loudly.
She couldn't bring herself to look at him. He had to be furious
at her for making him come out here, for only causing him more problems.
Serena was knocked out of her thoughts by him lifting her into
his embrace. He squeezed her tightly, running his fingers through her
long hair.
"God Serena, what were you thinking?" he asked.
"Darien, I couldn't stand it anymore. I just couldn't live that
way," she answered as tears formed in her eyes.
"What? What was so bad that you did that?"
She stared disbelievingly into his eyes. How could he not know
what she'd been going through because of him. What she'd done because of
him.
"You. I couldn't stand living without you."
His fiddling stopped, and she felt him tense up beneath her. He
layed her back down gently and looked away. She wanted to comfort him,
to hold him, but now, she couldn't move at all. She'd never be able to
do anything for him again.
His head turned to face her, his eyes stormy and glassy. He
closed the space between them, his lips claiming hers for the first time
in what seemed like forever.
It was with this movement that she began to glow. Light began to
fill her body, making her glow. She lifted her arms around his neck,
pulling him closer to her. He jerked away suddenly.
"Sere, you moved."
She looked at her hands and wiggled each finger, tears of joy
streaming down her cheeks.
"The crystal, it has to be."
They both looked at eachother and came together once more. It
was this way they remained forever, never to be pulled apart again.