Usurper

Disclaimer: Naoko Takeuchi owns most characters.

It\'s been a long while since the last update. First of all it all began with AFF.net going all \'organized\' and whatnot, so that delayed that update. OK and then I come back a month later...they said they would be back on March and nothing... so eventually I stopped checking and once again I checked--recently--and I was like yeah that\'s great. I\'ve no idea how long it\'s been working but all I know is that I can finally update...YAY. Thank you for waiting for those who are still waiting for this update, and I hope that this story is as enjoyable to read as it is to me to write. ^.^

.:Chapter 1: A Sister in Need:.


Serena heard her doorbell ring, who the hell would want to come and chat at three in the morning? She was not feeling at her best in the moment. In fact, she felt quite grouchy. How dare anyone intrude her sweet sleep? She was half-asleep and not at all alert, but wasn’t stupid as to not check the peephole before she opened the door. So the person she saw was somewhat blurry, and so very familiar. Maybe she was asleep, that’s the reason the person would not go away when she rubbed her eyes.


The person at the other side of the door simply gave up the bell and began knocking very loud. Completely abusing Serena’s hearing, but making her realize that indeed this was not a dream.

“Mina?” Serena’s voice spoke up. The knocking proceeded, “Stop the darn knocking already! I heard you!” With a nervousness she had not felt in a very long while, Serena unlocked the three locks of her door rather clumsily. Once that was done, she took a deep breath and slowly turned the knob.

The door seemed to take ages to open, but when it did…there stood her mirror. Both had the same eyes, the same hair. Anyone who had ever seen them together had always had trouble recognizing which was which.

Serena was flabbergasted, at such a loss of words that Mina would have almost laughed. Mina shyly smiled at her sister, and the look of seeing their dead grandmother was written on Serena’s features. Of course, Mina was not surprised.

“Serena,” Mina said cautiously, “I hope you invite me in because it’s a bit cold out here.”

Serena finally snapping out of her shock extended her arm towards the living room, “Come in.” She slowly closed the door and faced her sister. “I can’t believe you are here…after so many years, you decide to see me again?” Not to mention the fact that she had found her without knowing her address.

Mina looked at her surroundings and was glad to see that her sister was not doing so badly at all. For a moment she felt regret for not believing in her sister’s abilities so long ago. “Serena,” Mina began, “I can clearly see how surprising it is for you to see me…after so long, and after that ‘incident’, but at least let us talk. I need to talk to you, before you tell me to leave or anything like that.”

Serena shook her head, “Oh, I’m not going to tell you to leave at all. After three years of not seeing you, I agree, we should really talk.”

Mina took Serena’s hand and both sat in a comfortable blue sofa. “Serena, I am truly sorry for all that happened years ago. I felt that you, father and mother were judging me for what happened. All I needed at that moment was to get away. I am sorry but that’s why I left without notice.”

Trying to hold back tears and letting go of Mina’s hand, Serena responded, “You just have no idea all the worry we went through. We thought you were dead! Last time I saw you, you were with your boyfriend. And you know Mina how I never trusted him for one minute!” She abruptly stood up, “If only you knew all the pain you caused us; your family!”

Mina also stood as well and yelled, “I know! That is why I am here! I got your address from that nerd you always hung around with in high school.”

“Amy is not a nerd!” Serena automatically defended Amy against Mina’s typical comment.

Mina rubbed her temples; this was not going to be as easy as she had thought. “Look, I did not come to talk about your friend. I came to talk about us, about how sorry I am to have ever left home.” Not true, but she was trying to make things better.

“I’m listening.”

“Serena you mean a lot to me, when I left home…it broke my heart to leave you behind with them. They really knew how to make life a living hell. You were always in my mind, in my prayers; you name it. Still, I had to leave. I had to find myself, the person who I truly was. I could not be with our parents anymore. People who only cared about social parties, social statuses, looking good, but did they ever really care for us?”

Serena could understand her sister in that sense. Her father and mother were both people who worried just too much about appearances, but that still did not make them evil. Though she had had those feelings, they had not been strong enough to leave home as Mina’s had. Her mother would have been heartbroken, and her father disappointed; just like they were with Mina.

“Well Mina, now I can understand more of your feelings. Back then I simply thought you were a rebel who was seeking attention…now I know better.”

“Oh please forgive me!” Mina pleaded.

This was her sister, Serena thought, she could not hold a grudge against someone she loved. “There’s nothing to forgive…” Both sisters hugged and shed tears. Serena’s were tears of joy, while Mina’s were tears of triumph; her sister would help her in her plan after all.

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A week had passed since the twins had reunited. Mina was actually having fun, remembering the days when they were so carefree…not knowing of such a shallow world. As they passed the streets of London, they decided to do something they had not done in a very long time, and that was dressing in the same way.

After two hours of looking for something perfect to wear, they found two identical white dresses, shoes, and even a purse. To top it off they managed to make their hair into the same way: in a long curly ponytail. Serena’s hair was longer than Mina’s, but all she had to do was curl it more so that it would look just as long as her sister’s would.

After the boutique, they decided to leave the car for a while and walk to the nearest café. Their physique made some people even stop and admire them. Serena and Mina were not only beautiful, but they were the exact same way. If one was enough to make a man gasp in appreciation, two affected even more the people around them. It was like looking into a mirror, when they were younger, they would even play tricks on their parents by switching places. Most of the times they switched, it was clearly harmless and later they would laugh about it in their room.

To the eye, they were so identical and so easy to mistake, specially now in the same clothes. They got to the café, and the attention they received was truly nothing they had not experienced before. If anything, both had missed that for that while that they separated. What most could not see of course, were the very slight differences that they had physically. For example, Serena’s hair was golden; her eyes wide and full of wonder towards anything. Mina’s eyes were a deeper, darker blue and her hair more pale. She looked more exotic, and even as a child there had always been a mystery surrounding her. She had discovered this at the age of thirteen, while it seemed that Serena never noticed her own beauty.

Although no one is truly entirely good or entirely bad—most at least—Mina’s heart was further away from the good. This difference never showed on the outside of her. It was not that she meant to be this way, but some people move further away from their good side. All the radiance in her hid that dark part, but she was aware and she knew it…and did not want to change it. It was part of what and who she was.

As Serena finished telling her a story pertaining to a painting of a dog, and how much fun and how silly the dog had been; Mina’s thoughts wandered to her lover. She had planned enough, and now she felt prepared to make Serena fill her shoes for a while. It was time, she pondered as she took a last sip of her vanilla cappuccino. Fun was always great, but she wanted her excitement to return. Andrew was that excitement that her heart missed to see.

“So what do you think Mina? Did you enjoy shopping in London this morning?” Serena’s eyes shone, like Mina always remembered. Her sister always seemed to have such calmness and excitement mixed in the depths of her eyes.

Mina smiled and nodded, it had not been her first time shopping in London. Her smile then faltered, and her face became serious. “Serena there is something I need to tell you, it is quite delicate and I hope you can understand.”

Serena’s eyes showed concern right away, “What is it Mina?”

Mina took a short breath and said it swiftly, “I am married.”

Serena’s mouth dropped a little, closed it quickly and suddenly beamed at her. “Oh wow! You are married? Wow…wow that is so wow.” She laughed at her lack of words, “Oh I’m sorry but that truly surprised me, c’mon we’re only twenty…but hey I am totally happy for you! So who is he? Do I know him?” At Mina’s sober expression, Serena quickly turned serious.

“Well first I must begin by telling you, that I feel it was a terrible mistake. Our marriage is quite a disaster.” Mina groaned.

Serena’s eyebrows furrowed close together, “Why is that? Are you divorcing him...?”

“Oh no, definitely not, I love him too much to do that.”

“I don’t understand then…”

Mina took a deep breath, “Well let’s just say that he does not love me as much as I love him. I adore that man; I would give my life for him in a heartbeat. The problem is that I know he just does not…well I’m not so sure he would do the same thing.

It is almost two years of marriage, and trust me they have not been too pretty. We have shared much happiness, but I hate to admit that it has been more bitter than sweet. He…well he is not that nice of a man.”

“Does he hurt you physically?” Serena interrupted.

Mina slowly nodded and Serena gasped loud enough for a couple of bystanders to check if something was wrong. “Oh but don’t worry, it only happened once. Not ever has he touched me like that again. It’s just that he was angry that’s all.” Mina looked away.

Serena was appalled, “Just listen to you Mina! Can you not hear what you are saying? A man should never be allowed to hit a woman even once…Mina can’t you see how wrong that is?”

“Of course I know that that’s wrong, but like I said…it’s only happened once. It was recent, but I am positive he will not do it again. He—took force on me that way because I was angry with him. For almost two years, it seems that right after we got married, he has never been able to be—loyal.” Her voice broke off.

“Oh Mina…” Serena felt her sister’s pain.

“That’s right,” Mina’s tears slid easily, “but I love him so much and I know that deep down he will someday return my love the way I love him. I just need him to realize how much he really loves me, but I don’t know how. I don’t care anymore how many times he has been unfaithful; all I want is my husband back.”

Serena shook her head, “Oh Mina, that’s preposterous! This guy is a total idiot and you actually still want to be with him?! You said it yourself; it was a mistake.”

“A mistake that I want to correct, that I want to get better. Understand that Serena, I truly love him and nowhere in the world will I ever find someone like him.”

“Why the crap would you want another bastard like him in the world?!” Serena hardly ever cursed, but this aggravated her. Mina was truly blindfolded if she could not see the pig her husband was. What truly boiled her blood though, was the fact that this man took advantage of Mina’s pure heart. The old Serena was coming suddenly out of her shell: The Serena that would do anything to protect her sister.

“I can see that you’ve never been in love.” Mina shook her head, “Or else you would understand why I want to keep this marriage together. Look Serena, I—I know it would be difficult, but there’s a favor I want to ask you.”

“If it’s that you need a place to stay after divorcing that idiot, I will widely open my doors to you!”

Mina shook her head in exasperation, “Of course it is not that; I told you I will not leave him. I…well first I need to tell you the reason why I need this favor, and why I will do what I will. You see, been unfaithful, and sometimes aggressive are not all of the flaws of my dear husband. He…well, I’ve told him that I wanted to go around the globe for a while. I wanted to do this so that I could help sick children in need, in poverty. We have the money, and he freely gives me much of it. So, I have thought that they need someone like me to help them. I have the means necessary to do so.”

Serena smiled at Mina; her sister was so wonderful. Her smile soon faded, “Let me guess, that idiot does not let you right? He is wretched.”

Mina’s tears had stopped by this time, but they came back as easily as they had left. “You’re right. You see, I can forgive him for hitting me once. Also for cheating on me all the times he wants or has done it. Something I cannot allow though is leaving that something that I know these children need from me. I want to be there for them, and I cannot allow Darien Shields to take that away from me. As much as I love him, I simply can’t comply.”

Serena vigorously nodded, “I’m glad to hear that! Yeah that’s the Mina I know.”

Mina almost smiled; Serena was totally buying it. “I…you know I can’t leave him! I love him so much, and if I was to go against his will, I know he would leave me. I just cannot live without him.”

“Oh Mina but—.”

“But nothing Serena, I want them both. I want my husband, but I want to do my mission in life. This is very difficult for me, more than how it sounds. It is difficult, but I’ve come up with something that can let me have both. Just like painting is your thing, my thing happens to be trying to help the world as much as I can. I know that I will not change it, but at least I can change a child’s world.”

“Ha! If you actually think you can convince him sorry sis, but I can already tell you that that bastard won’t let you do crap.”

Mina dried her eyes away and took Serena’s hands. “Serena, I…need your help for this. In order for me to get both I need your help. Without you, there will always be something missing in my heart—in my life. If you help me, I know that I can die a happy person. Don’t you understand? I feel a call towards helping those in need, but I also feel that love for my husband.”

“Just leave him Mina, there are plenty of—.” The look that Mina gave her told her that she would never be able to look at any other man, or even be able to live without that idiot. It was hard, difficult to understand her sister. One thing that was not so tricky though, was that said love that her sister claimed to have. Serena was concerned, she knew hearts when in love could be so blind, but…she just could not leave her sister with that man anymore. Not now that she knew his nature, that he could not only hurt her spiritually but also physically. Yet, Mina’s eyes pleaded for her help. Something in the back of Serena’s mind warned her. She did not know what her request would be, but something suddenly chilled her bones. Mina’s eyes were determined though, they were set to the point that Serena knew there was no convincing her. When they were like that, it was impossible to sway her. Of course, there was always a way…even if something had to be sacrificed first. I will find a way to help you Mina; to help you see that someone like that will never make you happy…you deserve so much more. With that determination in mind Serena had no doubt that what Mina wanted was probably not good, but if that sacrifice needed to be made for her sister to find the strength to leave that man…then she would do it. “Tell me Mina, what is it that you have in mind?”

Yes! Mina yelled in her head. She knew that as broad and dangerous as the idea would seem to Serena—heck even to her…her ‘little’ sister would not deny her. “Remember when we were children and we would play by switching places?”

Serena let go of Mina’s hands, “Oh No there is no way—”

“Please Serena; all it would take is a few days for me to tell you how to act. You always caught up so easily; it will not be any trouble for you I—.”

“Mina! Leave that man! He is not a good person…don’t take such drastic measures... You are only hurting yourself and deceiving him will not do anyone any good. He is an idio—.”

“I love him so much! You cannot understand that, I also want to help the unfortunate ones, but he thinks that is useless. It is a waste of money and time. He threatened that if he ever heard of me even thinking about doing it, he would leave me. He cannot be with someone who mixes themselves with a lower human.”

“Lower human?! Oh! I would hit him if he was standing right in front of me!” Serena’s eyes turned into a fiery blue, such was her anger that even Mina felt it.

“Serena dear, please, it would only be six months.”

“Six months? Are you insane?” She quickly apologized at Mina’s grim expression, “Mina I have a life here in London, I’m an artist I can’t just keep it on hold for so long…”

“So that means that you agree?” Mina beamed.

“No… I…” Serena had never done something so deceitful and for a moment she felt regret, but this could not be as bad as it sound. After all, her sister needed that time off away from him. Enough time for Mina to find her identity again, and maybe find a man who would love her completely. As for her artist life, she could last without being around for six months; it had barely been a week ago that she had had an exclusive exhibition of her masterpieces. The guy had cheated on her sister though; maybe she could do some justice for her weak twin. It was starting to sound less like a bad idea the more she thought about it. Mina would greatly benefit and she was sure she would find someone else while going around the globe helping people. “Alright,” She finally answered, “but trust me, when you come back; I better see a changed Mina… At least tell me you will consider divorce.”

Mina tried her best to look serious, “As hard as it is for me to do so…I will at least try to think about it, but Serena I love hi--.”

“Very well, I suppose you need to start telling me how to act; let’s begin.”

Mina hugged her fiercely, and as much as Serena tried to think that what she was doing was only fair…that it would help her sister; she still could not let the feeling of regret leave her. She knew she should not feel that way, the man did not deserve it, but Serena was not one to lie often. Especially at something as serious as this. She knew she could pull it off; they had done it so much before…when they were children. How hard could it be to do it again…right?
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I need feedback plz *-*