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	      	         -*  T I T A N S  *-
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	   	    Written by Avanla Mireille

Book Three, Chapter Five - "Surprise, Surprise"
-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

	Three weeks later, Kunzite and Mina's child was born. Diavian
was a beautiful baby boy, with magnificent hair, the color of a pearl.
When he moved it would shine with golds, pinks, and blues. His eyes
were his mother's, the same bright robin egg blue. I hosted a party for 
the little general, but of course I did not attend myself. I was huge for 
a seven month pregnant woman, and I knew I could no longer hide it under 
cloaks. So I had Artemis announce I was sick, and say that I was happy
and overjoyed to be the child's godmother.

	And I would've been, if I weren't so devastated by the announcement
I received when I returned from Deline. The father of my child was
engaged...engaged. How horrible my life had become. I loved Endymion,
more than I loved Seiya, more than I loved Diamond. And I as stared
down at him and his fiancée from the balcony, that love melted into a 
burning hatred.
	
	She looked like me! The woman had long blonde hair, at least 
three shades as dark as mine, and from my perspective I could not tell 
what her eyes were. But she was petite and small, and cowered behind 
Endymion like a frightened rabbit.

	They didn't like her, either. 

	Zoycite, Jedeite, and Nephlite. I could just tell by the way
they looked at her back. She looked innocent enough but, she wasn't
me, I suppose. I never really knew her, for all time she was with 
Endymion, I never really cared to. People do awfully stupid things when
they're in love, things that they wouldn't do if they were in their
right state of mind. The wonder of love....


	"There you are." Serena turned her head around, to find Jedeite
standing behind her. 

	"Jedeite." She said surprised, turning back around. He came up 
beside her, and she turned to hide her stomach. 

	"I figured you weren't sick." He smirked, looking down at
Endymion. "I know I'm not the model human being, but I do love Endymion.
No matter what he's always been my friend, and trusted me without 
hesitation. He sees the good in people, much like you do, which is just
another reason why you should be together. He doesn't love Lady Elaina,
at least not like he loved you."

	"Jedeite, it's over." She shook her head.

	"But don't you love him?"

	"Of course I do." She sighed, looking over at him. "But it
doesn't matter. He's engaged Jedeite, you know, soon to be MARRIED! You 
and I both know he shall not back out of that commitment, he will not 
shame her."

	"He's not happy-"

	"That's his own fault!" Serena interrupted. "He's the one that's 
with her! And the only way for us to get back together would be if 
she would just die. But, looking at her, it doesn't look like that's 
going to be happening anytime soon."

	"So, it's over then?" He said.

	"Yes, it's over!" She huffed. "Now if you don't mind, I'm 
supposed to be sick!" She yelled, and stomped off to her room. 

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

	Hours later Mina opened the door to Serena's rooms, and found
her writing away at her desk. Mina sat down beside her, little Diavian
nestled in her arms.

	"How was the party?" Serena asked without looking up.

	"Oh," Mina sighed, shrugging. "It would've been more interesting
if I knew half the people there. And I know you don't want to hear it,
but Lady Elaina is a nice woman."

	"I'm sure she is." Serena said, sounding far off. She then sighed,
tapping her pen. "Did, did he say anything about me?"

	"Um, no, not that I heard. I'm sorry." Mina answered, and Serena 
turned her rejected face back down to her work. Mina looked at her a 
long moment, before deciding what to say.

	"Serena, I need to ask you something." The tone of her voice
made Serena put the pen down.

	"Yes?"

	"Well, you know how Kunzite and I were planning on getting 
married right after the baby was born. But with your pregnancy we've
planned to put it off until your child is born."

	"Really, that isn't necas-"

	"Yes it is." Mina insisted. "I want to be there for you, like
you've been here for me and Diavian. But the thing is, after everything
has settled down and we do get married, where will we live? I mean,
Kunzite has an obligation to Endymion, and I to you. I can't possibly
live separated from him." Serena sighed, and after a few moments smiled
at her best friend.

	"Go live in Ielaque Mina." Serena said, turning back to her 
work.

	"But, Serena, I won't go if you don't want me to." Mina said, 
and Serena laughed.

	"Don't be ridiculous. Go be happy Mina, you deserve it as much
as I."

	"No I don't. If there's one person on this planet that deserves
a little piece of happiness, it's you." Mina said. "I just don't want
to leave you, you're my best friend."

	"Oh, it's not like you'll be a continent away Mina, you'll
practically be down the hall." Serena smiled.

	"Thank you for understanding. I love you Serena." Mina stood
up, kissing Serena's forehead.

	"I love you too, Mina." Serena smirked. "So, how's my godson
doing?"

	"I do believe he's tired of being handed off to so many different
people." Mina smiled. "Would you like to hold him? I'm sure he can
handle one more person. I have to make sure everything is clearing up
well downstairs anyways."

	"Sure." Serena nodded, and Mina placed Diavian in her arms.

	"I'll be back in a few." Mina said and walked out of the room.
Serena looked down at him, touching his soft cheek.

	"I'm not going to lie to you Diavian, the world today is not a
nice place to be born into. But you have two loving parents, and a 
godmother who's an empress." 

	Serena giggled, causing him to coo. "You'll be alright, I 
promise. I won't let harm come to you. And I keep my promises, unlike 
your godfather King Endymion. But we won't get into that, Endymion's a 
good man, sometimes."

	She sighed, running her fingers through his beautiful hair. His 
eyes were so clear, looking around the world as in awe.

	"I envy your innocence." She said, shaking her head. The door 
opened back up, and Mina came in. She smiled and reached out her arms,
Serena handing him to her.

	"Kunzite wishes to say goodbye to his son." She said. "Thanks
for watching him."
	
	"Anytime." Serena smirked, as she walked out of the room again.
"Anytime."


	"Did you have a good time?" Endymion asked his fiancée, as they
rode away from the Alvediacian palace.

	"Yes, I did wish to see the empress though, it was a shame she
was sick." Lady Elaina replied. "You've spoken so highly of her."

	"Well there will be a next time. I'm sure she'll come to the
open house of the new palace." Nephlite said, as Endymion stared at him
dangerously.

	"So, lady decorator," Endymion said to Moleara, since she had 
decided to help with the wedding. "How are the wedding plans going?"

	"Alright." She nodded. "Her highness and I have gotten everything
picked out. We're right on schedule for one month from now."

	"Good." Endymion nodded, taking his fiancée's hand and squeezing
it. They looked at each other and Endymion gave her a flirtatious kiss.

	"The sooner the better." Elaina smiled, causing Jedeite to feel
sick.

	"Please..." He moaned quietly, placing his hand over his eyes.
Endymion smiled, and Elaina and Moleara began talking, so he let 
himself slip away in thought.

	'Yes, the sooner the better.' He thought.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

	Today was their wedding day. It was supposed to be a celebration,
a beginning of a new journey between two people. For me, it was just the
end of something, a funeral of a dead possibility. And the beginning
of something foreign.

	It was a cold, rainy day in Alvediaca, but the perfect sunny
day in Ielaque, perfect for an outside wedding. Perfect....


	Serena stood looking out her bedroom windows, watching the hard
rain and lightening coming down upon the earth. Everyone knew not to 
bother their empress, her melancholy mood affecting almost everyone in
the palace. 

	"Why?" Serena said quietly, looking up into the sky. "Why must
my life be so hard? I don't understand what I did, why I deserve all
this."

	"No one ever does." She gasped, turning around to find Rei at 
her door.

	"Rei," She sighed, placing a hand over her heart. "You startled
me, haven't you ever heard of knocking?"

	"The door was open your highness." She smiled, walking in.

	"Oh." Serena smirked, and watched as Rei came to stand up 
beside her.

	"I asked the same questions, when I was taken away from my 
mother. Why is this happening to me, why are they taking me away?" Rei
shook her head, touching the glass. 

	"Our question should not be why sometimes, but when. When will 
our pain and heartache be worth it? Everything, I believe, happens for 
a reason. Because I was taken away from my mother, I was eventually 
brought here, to you." Rei looked over at Serena and smiled. "And the
time I've spent as your lady has been the most exciting, and releasing
time of my life. I wouldn't trade one moment for anything."

	"I know but, it's just that Endymion is getting married today."
Serena shook her head, and laughed pathetically. "And here I am, carrying
his child. How can I ever tell him about it, without it affecting his
life with Lady Elaina? I don't, I don't want to be the evil mistress."

	"Oh Serena, your heart is too big for this world." Rei smiled,
taking hold of Serena's hand. "Life's a journey, with different paths, 
and different rest stops, where you meet different people. Some take you
down the right path, some lead you astray and you wonder for days, 
years."

	"But you learn, and you see things that you wouldn't have seen 
if you were going the right way. Some good will come out of this, I 
know it, and you know it too. Someday."

	"Thanks Rei." Serena smirked, giving her a hug. "..Owe."

	Rei pulled away, seeing Serena's brows pulled together, her
hand over her stomach. Rei grabbed her outstretched arm, and help her
sit down on the bed.

	"Serena?"

	"I-I think it's time." Serena gasped, wincing in pain.

	"Oh no, great." Rei breathed, hesitating for a moment. "Hold on
Serena, I'll be back."

	"Hurry!" Serena said through her teeth, as Rei ran out of the
room.

-*-*-*

	The organ played softly, the music floating over the crowd.
Endymion looked up to find Lady Elaina descending down the steps. She
looked beautiful, dressed in a cream wedding gown, with lace and ribbons.
She looked up at him, and he smiled, getting a nervous smirk from her.

	"This is it, my friend." Nephlite said from beside him, and he
turned to look at his colleague. "Is this what you really want?" After 
a moment of contemplation Endymion nodded.

	"Elaina is the one now." He looked back over the fields, and 
the dark clouds far in the horizon. "We better hurry up before that
storm comes." He said to the priest, who nodded.

-*-*-*

	"Common Serena, you can do this." Mina held her friend's hand,
as nurses and ladies rushed around the room.

	"Almost there." Doctor Davion Svair said. Serena took in a big
breath, as Lita put a wet cloth onto her forehead. Serena pushed, letting
out a scream. 

-*-*-*
	
	"Do you, Lady Elaina Begail, promise to uphold the laws of
marriage set before you now, to honor, love, and cherish Endymion
D'Odiaramar, till death do you part?" The priest said, and she nodded.

	"I swear it." She looked to Endymion, who gave her hand a 
squeeze.

-*-*-*

	"Is it over yet?" Serena screamed, squeezing her eyes. 

	"Almost, your majesty, just one more." Davion said.

	"That's what you said before, remember?" She sighed, taking a
big breath.

-*-*-*

	"And do you, Endymion D'Odiaramar, promise to uphold the laws of
marriage set before you now, to honor, love, and cherish Lady Elaina 
Begail, till death do you part?" 

	"I swear it." Endymion said.

	"Then by the powers investing in me and through me,"

-*-*-*

	"Oh my," Mina smiled, as two different cries echoed through
the room. "You have twins Serena!"

	"Twins?" Serena repeated surprised. "Twins..."

-*-*-*

	"I pronounce you husband and wife, king and queen of Ielaque."
He finished, and the two newly weds smiled at each other as the crowd
erupted into applause.

	Endymion bent down and kissed her, just as the sky released,
and rain began to fall on the crowd. Everyone screamed and made a dash
for the palace. But Endymion looked over at Alvediaca, where the storm
had come from, seeing the lightening course in the distance.

	"Come Endymion!" Elaina laughed, and pulled him inside.

-*-*-*

	Rei placed Serena's twins into her arms, as everyone began to 
clean up. 

	"Now we know why you were so big." Lita laughed. Serena gazed
at her children, and gasped quietly at their appearance. Both had their
father's dark black hair, and the deep sapphire eyes of his as well. She
played with her daughter's little ringlets, and laughed at her son's 
yawn. Tears of happiness and sadness came to her eyes, and she reached 
up a hand to wipe them away.

	"Twins." Serena shook her head, unbelieving.

	"What are you going to name them?" The doctor asked, coming up
beside the bed. She looked up at her friends for a moment, before
returning her gaze to her children.

	"Prince Cairan and Princess Caitriona." She said, sniffing.
"Cairan and Caitriona...de la Teratariarc."

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-

	Sometimes life throws you into an unexpected circumstance, and
most of the time you just have to run with it. But sometimes, it grabs
you by the ankles and drags you behind. Life's hard, and sometimes all
you can do is keeping breathing. But always, there is something that
can save you, if you wish to be saved and reach out for it. Whether it
be religion, your friends, parents, a spouse. 

	Obviously, for me it's been my children. I don't know what I 
would've done without them. They were my happiness, my one moment of
joy in a day of hardship. To look upon their smiling faces, their big
eyes that viewed the world with such wonder and fascination, they were
my salvation.

	It would be eleven months later that I would again see 
Endymion, and finally meet his wife, Queen Elaina. It was at his open
house for his new palace, and it was beautiful. It was made of gray and
black stone, spanning up into the sky for at least 250 feet. It was also
carved into the side of a mountain, but not inside it like the other
one. Two towers branched off from the main piece, connected to the main
and to each other by suspended corridors. The towers were wrapped in 
glass, as was the main palace, which looked like four round-edge 
rectangles on top each other, each one getting smaller. For this festive
event, it was also wrapped in banners, colorful flags coming out of
every top of every tower.


	"You must give him credit," Artemis said as they came out of
their carriage. "It is magnificent."

	"More magnificent then ours?" Broc raised a bushy eyebrow, but
Artemis shook his head.

	"Of course not." Artemis smiled, grabbing the hand of his new
bride. Setsuna smiled at him, lacing her arm in his. They had gotten
married two months ago, Serena doing the ceremony. Serena smiled at
them, lacing her own arm through Broc's.

	"Would the Commander in Chief be kind enough to escort his
empress?" She smiled sweetly.

	"How could I resist." Broc chuckled, as they walked into the
palace. It was just as beautiful outside as inside, great crystal 
chandeliers and silver lampposts. It looked nothing like the more down
to earth palace of the Endymion she once knew. It was, not to be rude,
but civilized. 

	"Endymion sure cleaned himself up, didn't he?" Broc whistled.

	"Yes." Serena mumbled, her attention elsewhere. 

	They entered the ballroom, a beautiful room made of glass and
alabaster. A large fountain sat in the middle of the room, a stallion 
made of white marble. Serena looked around at all the white, gold and 
silver banners, which gave the place a heavenly look as they draped from
one side to the other.

	From across the room Kunzite looked up, and hit Endymion's arm
lightly.

	"What?" Endymion asked.

	"She's here." He said, and Endymion looked across the room to
find Serena. He sighed, shaking his head.

	"Well then, we'd better say hello." He said. "Elaina, come here."

	"So, where's the man of the night?" Rei muttered, taking a sip
of a red wine. 

	"Empress Serena." Serena looked over to find Endymion and Elaina,
plus the full league of generals. Inside Serena exploded, just about
every emotion running through her mind. But she put on a smile
nonetheless. Endymion took her hands and kissed her knuckles, and for a
moment they stood there impassively, memories flashing across their
minds. Everyone looked on uncomfortably, but Elaina the most uncomfortable
of them all. She cleared her throat, walking in between the two.

	"Empress Serena, I'm glad to finally meet you." They looked
away, and Elaina kissed Serena's cheek. 

	"It's a pleasure too, Queen Elaina." Serena smiled, having 
difficult calling her queen. "Your palace is magnificent."

	"Thank you, your majesty." Endymion nodded. 

	"Kunzite!" Mina came down the steps, Diavian in her arms. Kunzite
smiled, giving her a kiss.

	"Hello Diavian." Kunzite said, picking up his one-year-old son.
"How's my boy doing?"

	"I'm sure he's looking forward to his parents getting married
sometime this century." Mina murmured. 
	
	"All in time my dear." He kissed her quickly, then the two
looked at Serena and Endymion, an uncomfortable silence coming over them.

	"Well," Elaina cleared her throat again. "Would you like to see
the new palace, Empress?"

	"Sure." Serena nodded.

	"Come with us Endymion." Endymion shot his head up, opening his
mouth to disagree.

	"Yes, come." Serena smirked, and he shot her a look.

	"If it pleases you both." He sighed, and they walked out of the
ballroom.

	"This is the library." Elaina said, as they walked into the
enormous room.

	"Do you really need so many books." Serena looked around at the
walls covered in them. "I don't think you could possibly read them all."

	"That's not the point." Endymion said. "If we need a certain
book, we know that it'll be there."

	"How clever of you." Serena smiled. Elaina cleared her throat
once more, leading them from room to room.

	"And here's our aquarium." 

	"Aquarium?" Serena repeated. They walked in, and Serena looked
down into the pond, where an albino alligator rested.

	"An alligator." Serena shook her head, laughing. "An albino
alligator."

	"Yes, they're very rare." Elaina said. "Endymion insisted on
having one."

	"I'm sure he did." Serena looked up to him. "They're very 
beautiful creatures. I used to have one, but it died two years ago." 
Suddenly a page came, needing Elaina to come to the banquet.

	"I must go."

	"We'll come with you-"

	"No you guys catch up, you haven't seen each other for some
time." Elaina said, following the page out, and leaving the two alone to 
stare at each other. Suddenly Endymion grabbed her arm, and pulled her
across the hall to the spa. 

	"What are you doing?" She asked, pulling her arm away.

	"What are YOU doing?" Endymion hissed. 

	"Me? You're the one contradicting everything I say!" Serena
hissed back.

	"I am not!"

	"See, you're doing it right now!" Endymion growled, pushing his
hand through his hair. They stood in silence for a few moments, each
not looking at the other. Serena sighed, looking at him from the corner
of her eye. 

	'What am I going to do?' She thought. 'Oh well, just say what
you're trying so hard not to, Serena.'

	"Endymion, do you love her?" She finally said, and he turned
to her quickly.

	"Of cou-" He looked into her eyes, faltering for a moment.
"Yes, I do. I was drawn to her, she reminds me of someone from my past."

	"Really?" 

	"Yes," He nodded. "I was hunting one day with my father, when 
I was fourteen. I was looking for a deer when I heard this scream. I 
ran to the river and there were these little hands coming out of the
water. When they went under I dove in and there was this little girl,
her foot caught by a rock. Although it was a horrifying moment, she 
looked beautiful. Her hair was spread about her, and the way the sun
came in, she looked like an angel."

	Serena looked at him, not believing what she was hearing. She
turned away, pretending to view the spa room. 

	'Endymion was the boy?!' Her mind screamed.

	"So I pulled her out, and gave her CPR since she wasn't breathing.
When she opened her eyes, they were so clear, and when she spoke it was
beautiful. She lives today I hope, and I've always dreamed of seeing
her again. Elaina reminds me of her, and as I began to know her, I 
began to love her. And please Serena, do not shame me by telling her we
slept together. I told her well, that she was my first love."

	"Oh you did, did you?" Serena shook her head, laughing.

	"Serena?"

	"And you love her because she reminds you of someone *else* in
your past?" Serena asked.

	"Well, that's half of it." Endymion said. 

	"Endymion, you, you.." Serena sighed, looking him in the eyes.
"I was little girl in the river. That was ME!"

	They stared at each other amazed, before Serena shook her head
and stormed out of the room, leaving Endymion alone. He looked into the
spa's turning water, piecing back together everything he had just heard.

	"Oh geeze," He breath, running his hands through his hair.

	"Serena."


	Not what you thought would happen, huh? You thought we would 
kiss and make up, and run away and be happy, like all people in love.
Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but it doesn't always end happily
ever after. Sometimes it just ends. Endymion and I were over, and I knew
it. He was Elaina's, heart and body. But the most horrible thing, or
the greatest thing about it all-I had his soul. And he had mine. To 
create a soul-tie with someone can be dangerous, you become someone 
else's, and you, yourself are lost. We were both lost, and when you're 
lost you become afraid, and hostile. So one little thing could set you 
off, one little misunderstanding.

	I'm sorry, I correct myself, Endymion and I weren't over. No, 
we hadn't even begun.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-