Bleed to Love Her 6/7 by Meredith Bronwen Mallory AN: Hi Minna-chan! Thank you again to all who sent congrats about my engagement! I'm on a roll with this story... I may even finish it tonight. One more part to go... unless another plot twist comes up, but I doubt it. Thanks again!! Luv, Meredith ----------- Serena sighed as she let the warm bath water cover her body. It was nice. She poured in some vanilla bath bubbles and let the aroma work itıs magic. Her body otherwise occupied, Serenaıs thoughts wandered straight down their well tread path to Darien. Their relationship was currently entering a new, and rather odd phase. The day after Amy had come to show her how to change the bandages, Darien had asked her what was wrong. After carefully evading the question, Serena had decided to avoid him for the time being. No need to lower his opinion of her buy proving herself to be the childish weakling he probably thought her to be. Thus, after moving the radio down to the study so he could have some entertainment, Serena restricted her visits to only four times a day. She came at mealtimes, staying only long enough to see if he needed help eating, and straighten things up a little bit. All through the time she did spend with Darien, she could feel his eyes on her, following her every move, and it made her nervous, yet also sent little shivers down her spine. Then, at night, after she was sure he was sleeping, she would slip into the study and lend him her energy. After the initial shock, the thought of dying stopped frightening the young girl who fought evil under the name Sailor Moon. After all, Darienıs recovery was more important, not only because she loved him,but because, in her mind, he was more valuable to the scouts. So, even though Amy and Luna had both told her not to use her new found healing powers, she ignored them in favor of what she believed was right. ---------- ³Hey Andrew!² Lita called out as she entered the Crown Game Center. The blond looked up from scrubbing the counter to smile at her. ³Hi, Lita,² he said as she took a seat, ³You hear for Darienıs stuff?² ³Yeah, if ya donıt mind,² she said, resting her chin in her hand as she gazed at Andrew, who currently had his back to her, and was completely oblivious to her obvious attraction. ³Sure,² he said, ³I canıt believe Darien got caught in another one of those youma attacks. Good thing you and Serena found him!² ³Glad to help,² Lita sighed, not really listening, then quickly schooled her features as he turned to face her, textbooks in hand. ³Whatıs this?² Lita asked, grabbing a small black book with a rose imprinted on the cover (AN: yes, the little black book, Surely you remember it, Darien dropped it sometime back in part one). ³Oh, Darien dropped it on his way out the other day,² Andrew said off handedly, ³Donıt know what itıs for though.² ³Well, yeah,² Lita said, shrugging as she set the little book atop the larger stack and picked them all up. ³Thanks so much Andrew, see you later.² ³Bye!² Andrew called, turning back to the tedious work of cleaning the counters. Lita took her seat on the bus and eyed the little book suspiciously. It was private property, she knew she shouldnıt look at it, that would be snooping. That was bad, as Amy would promptly inform had the little blue haired girl been present. But, Amy was not there, and so Lita had no one to blame but herself when she gave into temptation and opened it. It was poetry. ³How boring,² Lita said, about to close the book before a single word caught her eye. Serena. There was a poem about Serena. Correction, there was a TON of poems about Serena, Lita realized as she continued to flip through the small book. At first they were simple, mostly about her smile, and her child-like wonder. But the further Lita went, the more impassioned the poems became. They went on to talk about Darienıs love (love?!) for her, about her eyes (there were several poems about her eyes) and here and there, a poem would mention something about a princess as well. The brown-haired girl shook her head in wonder. Who would have thought that DARIEN, of all people, could write such beautiful poetry, let alone about Serena! Of course, she knew her friend was totally head over heals for the guy but... A devilish smile formed on her lips. If she gave this book to Serena instead, then maybe SOMEHOW the other girl might see the impassioned words of the man she loved. ---------- ³Hey, Serena,²² Lita said as her friend opened the door, ³I got Darienıs stuff here, where do you want me to put it?² ³Um, well, heıs sleeping right now, so why donıt you put them on the kitchen table and Iıll take them in to him later?² Serena said, leading her friend into the kitchen, ³Can you stay a while?² ³Iım sorry, Sere,² Lita said as she set the heavy textbooks down. ³But Iıve got cooking class in fifteen minutes and I want to get there early. But Iıll see you at the scout meeting tomorrow, kay?² ³Sure thing,² Serena said, walking her friend to the door. ³But listen,² Lita said, ³Thereıs this little black book sitting with Darienıs stuff. I think t might interest you,² a smug smile appeared on the other girlıs face. ³What is it, Lita?² Serena asked, interest piqued. ³Darienıs poetry book. He left it at the arcade the other day, and Andrew gave it to me to give to him. Did you know he writes poetry?² Serena shook her head and Lita went on, ³You might want to read some sometime, itıs good, and the subject manner will really interest you.² ³Lita you DIDNıT!² Serena said, scandalized The other girl only nodded and slipped out the door, throwing a Œbye, Serenaı over her shoulder. Serena stood in her wake, watching her go before closing the door and going back to the kitchen. As she opened the fridge to make Darienıs supper, she glanced at the kitchen table. The little black book sat atop the other texts, tempting her. For once, she excreted some self-control and focusing on not burning Darienıs food. --------- Later that evening, Darien lay on the couch, pretending to sleep, when he heard the study door open. He opened his eyes just slightly, watching as his Meatball Head carried a large stack of book, presumably work he needed to make up, and set them on the end table. She paused for a moment picking up a small, terribly familiar black book from the top of the stack. Darienıs mind and heart screamed at once. This was not good. If she saw that book... for heavenıs sake, she COULD NOT see that book, after all, his undying love for her was only written on every page! As if willed by his thoughts, she started to put it down, but picked it back up again, studying it. ³Oh, Lita, why did you have to go and make me curious!² Serena whispered in exasperation. Darien thought with an air of hopelessness. To his eternal horror, she began to walk away from the stack, book still in hand, ³Iıll just keep this until tomorrow and give it to him when he wakes up...² Serena said to herself, ³Yeah, thatıs it.² Darien was ready to shoot himself, cursing little black books and brown haired senshi that read them when they werenıt supposed to. ³Serena? Who are you talking to?² he heard Luna ask as she hopped onto the coffee table. ³Hehe, no one,² Serena said innocently, concealing the book behind her back. ³Didnıt you say you were going to bed *early* tonight?² the cat inquired. ³Iım going, Iım going!² Serena snapped, grumbling as she left the room and hurried up the steps. Darien thought painfully. He forced himself to be calm. Heıd just wait for her to go to sleep, then go upstairs and get the book. After all, knowing Luna, Serena wouldnıt have a chance to read it tonight... As planned, Darien waited until around midnight, when all good little meatball-headed goddesses should be in bed, then reached for the crutches Amy had brought. He had yet to use them, for his wound had yet to heal properly, but he had no choice tonight. Slowly, he made his way into the hall, ignoring the pain that was somewhat less tan he expected, and somehow made his way upstairs. The door to Serenaıs room was open slightly, and he could see her beautiful form laying on the bed. As quietly as possible, he opened the door, noting the little black ball of fur that slept at the end of Serenaıs bed. The book lay unopened on her nightstand, and Darien quickly snatched it up, ready to turn and flee the room (as fast as one can flee whilst on crutches), when he stopped abruptly His traitorous gaze had landed on Serena, who slept on top of the comforter, still dressed. She looked as though she had collapsed in pure exhaustion, though her deep breathing indicted she slept. She looked incredibly adorable, curled up on the bed, with her silky golden locks spread around her, head pillowed on her hands. Of itıs own will, Darienıs hand reached out to tenderly brush a few fray locks of hair away from her face. She murmured in sleep and moved closer to his hand. Darien started, fearful that she was awake, but she didnıt open her eyes. His fingers now rested against the softness of her cheek, and he caressed it for a moment before running his fingers through her hair. ³Oh, Darien,² she murmured, rolling over on her side, facing him. Darien snatched his hand back. She was still asleep...she called out HIS name in her sleep? He knew sheıd been avoiding him lately, but he had taken that as a sign that she still considered him to be her tormentor, not even a friend. But then why... Darienıs thoughts were cut short by Lunaıs yawning as she stretched. He needed to get out of there NOW. With one last longing look at the sleeping goddess, he hurried from the room. As soon as his back was turned, a pair of blue eyes opened and watched in wonder as he left. He was not the only one who faked sleep, Serena had been awake the whole time. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ "Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely." ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~