Copyright © 1999-2000 All Rights Reserved. 'Day And Night: Evolutions' By Princess Destiny [ princessdestiny@hotmail.com ] http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Chamber/2588/Princess_Destinys_Fanfiction_Archive.htm ********************************************************************* Since the first Chapter of Book One had ALL the disclaimers ETC, I won't bother in this one :) I hope you're all enjoying this, because it's REALLY large. I estimate it'll be about 1 MB large! *Proud grin* My largest fic yet! _____________________________________________________________________ DAY AND NIGHT: EVOLUTIONS By Princess Destiny [ princessdestiny@hotmail.com ] _____________________________________________________________________ ************************ * BOOK ONE: BLACK MOON * ************************ _____________________________________________________________________ Chapter Two _____________________________________________________________________ "Serena!" Luna's voice came out of the darkness. Serena shot up in bed, gasping for breath. Her eyes were wide, staring at nothing. She'd been dreaming. Deeply. About a beautiful place. She'd been dancing in someone's arms, a person she loved with all her heart- "Serena!" Luna shouted in her ear. Serena jumped the glared into the black of the room. She could barely see her fury companion, the Moon having gone behind clouds sometime in the night. "What?" Serena demanded, irritated. Her mind sought after the dream, elusive though it was. She'd had such a feeling of belonging. Luna's weight on the bedspread disappeared, only to be replaced a moment later. Serena saw something glinting faintly in the cat's mouth had reached for it curiously. "Uf ooch oopd" Luna muttered. Serena's hands closed around cool metal. Familiar. "Oh, my communicator beeped" she said, heart sinking. She'd hoped it wasn't something like that. Serena felt for the buttons and pressed Mars. After a moment, the Scout came on screen. "Finally!" the raven-haired girl snapped. Her purple eyes flashed with irritation as she glared into the communicator. Serena noted her hair looked rather windswept. "We've got trouble down here at the arcade. Some sort of wolf-creature" Immediately Serena was on the alert. "I'm on my way" she promised. The communicator went blank and the blonde leapt out of bed quickly. Luna scrambled out of the way, amazed at how quickly Serena threw on her clothes. "You aren't usually this...prompt, Serena" Luna commented, following the blonde to the window. Serena glared at her through the darkness, reaching for the sill clumsily. "I'm not totally without responsibility, Luna!" She snapped. Serena touched the sill and pulled herself onto it, balancing for a moment. Just as she was about to drop, she slipped and fell into the bushes below with a crash. "Arrggggh!" She shrieked. The leaves and branches of her mom's plant bit into her and she froze for a moment. Her parents hadn't seemed to have heard her and she sighed with relief. Luna dropped down beside her nimbly a smirk on her face. "So I see" she commented. Serena had no time for her and got to her feet, wobbling slightly. Something felt...wrong tonight. She paused for a moment, then headed off the lawn and down the street. Luna trailed behind. At that time of the morning, there was no one around and she reached for her broach confidently. She bit her lip as her fingers closed around it. She'd never tell Luna, but she'd almost forgotten to pick it up from her bedside table on the way out the window! "Hurry, Serena!" Luna urged, catching up. Serena nodded, holding the Broach up to the Moon. It glinted eerily, almost seeming to take the moonlight into itself. "Moon Prism Power!" She shouted. As always, the power surged through her, giving her confidence. It consumed her and she felt a surge of fierce joy. As the power faded, she broke from her pose and continued down the street. As Sailor Moon reached turned the corner from the arcade, she saw what had worried Sailor Mars so much. Tables were upturned, shattered glass lying all over the sidewalk. Lights were coming crazily from inside, showing the Scout's different powers as they battled the monster. "Ahahaha!" a high voice laughed, annoying familiar. Sailor Moon's eyes narrowed. "Zoisite!" She murmured. Sailor Moon looked down at the black cat at her feet. "Luna, I want you to go back home and wait for me there" Luna looked up at her, eyes worried. "I'd rather see..." "No" Sailor Moon said with unaccustomed firmness. She startled both her and Luna. The blonde touched a gloved hand to Luna's forehead gently, tracing the crescent Moon there. "I-I just want you at home safe, Luna. So I know you're there" "All right" the adviser agreed, backing away. "For Serenity's sake, be careful Sailor Moon" "I will" Sailor Moon promised. She took a deep breath and ran through the doorway, boots crushing glass beneath them. Luckily she hadn't been heard, the Scouts repeatedly firing their attacks at something very tall. Sailor Moon's eyes widened when she saw the latest monster. "Eww. Ugly" she muttered, creeping closer. It was really tall, covered in fur and looked furious. It's fur showed signs of fire and electricity. Sailor Moon scanned the room and saw Zoisite floating a few meters away. She was holding a small purple crystal in her hands that looked familiar. "You Scouts are such a laugh. I don't know why I bother to show up" Zoisite sniffed haughtily. Her eyes turned towards the monster. "However, Queen Beryl is pleased with the huge amount of energy Worellia here collected. The new video game was my idea of course" "Video game?" Sailor Moon, Mercury and Mars said in surprise, glancing around them. "That's a GIRL?" Jupiter demanded, staring at the monster. Sailor Mars turned to look at her. "Does it MATTER?" She yelled at her friend. Sailor Jupiter scratched the back of her head in embarrassment. "Uh, no" she said, flushing. Zoisite watched them, a frown on her face. "Enough talk, Worellia, get them!" She ordered coolly. The monster growled and charged Jupiter, who dodged nimbly. It's arm swung back though and knocked the Scout off her feet. She flew back with a gasp of surprise. "Jupiter! I'll get it" Mars cried out angrily, stepping forward. "Mars Fire-!" "Uh, uh" Zoisite taunted, flinging her hand towards the raven-haired Scout. "Zoi!" A black ball of darkness formed in the palm of her hand and shot towards Sailor Mars almost before she could gasp. Mars dodged, but got caught on the shoulder. She fell to the floor, wincing. Zoisite looked at Mercury, who was standing defiantly between the others and the monster. "Mercury, I gotta do something" Sailor Moon whispered. She moved closer, reaching for her tiara automatically. She couldn't use the Moon wand; her friends were in the way. The wand was good yes, but it had never been aimed at a Scout. What if it accidentally hurt her friends? "Are you going to stand up to me, Mercury?" Zoisite laughed at the thought. Sailor Moon narrowed her blue eyes in concentration, aiming for the monster's shoulder. "I will if I have to-" Mercury shouted defiantly. Sailor Moon removed the tiara, golden energy forming in her hands. "Moon Tiara magic!" She shouted, flinging the energy. It flew from her hand like a bullet, streaming golden energy. Mercery stepped back, the monster turning away a little too late. It howled chillingly as the tiara hit it square in the shoulder. Sailor Moon watched with awe and horror as the smell of burnt fur filled the room. The monster's shoulder smoked and Sailor Moon saw with a fascinated horror that the skin was black. It roared again in agony, rearing back. Zoisite fell back in shock as it raced past her, heading where Sailor Moon was standing. "Urgh!" Sailor Moon shrieked in terror as the wolf-creature sprung at her, faster than she could blink. Blinding pain bit through her and she screamed. At the same time, the creature howled in her ear, seemingly echoing the agony of the Scout. Sailor Moon fell back, the creature on top of her. "Sailor Moon!" a deep voice called out, full of fear and pain. Her eyes cracked open as the weight of the monster was lifted from her. In the dim light overhead, she saw the shape of a top hat. "Tuxedo mask?" She gasped weakly. Sailor Moon tried to move and agony shot up her side. Her entire arm felt heavy, yet pained and she was sure it was bleeding. The monster was pushed from her and warm hand slid under her shoulders gently. A comfortable feeling swept over her as she was held in Tuxedo mask's arms. She saw the faint glint of his eyes through his white half-mask. "Are you okay?" He asked anxiously. She felt his hands run over her form. Sensed his pause as he saw her arm. But she didn't want to look. It would heal, she was sure. Since she could still feel her arm. "It's okay...what about Zoisite?" She whispered. His teeth glinted briefly in a grimace. "She left as soon as her creature was killed" he said coldly. Ice in his voice. She blinked at him, wondering suddenly why he was still with her. "Is she okay?" Jupiter asked from behind Tuxedo Mask's back. Sailor Moon felt him stiffen. He pulled away from her, arms sliding to his side. "Sailor Moon, are you hurt?" Sailor Mars rushed to her side, kneeling on the floor. Sailor Moon smiled weakly, feeling a bit nauseous. But it was nice to have Mars worry over her. "I'm fine Pyro" she said teasingly. Sailor Mars snorted. She got to her feet, hands on hips. "And here I was worried about you. Uh" she stomped away. Jupiter grinned faintly at Tuxedo mask. "Hey, thanks for your help. You showed up just in time" she commented. "Like always" Tuxedo Mask said nothing. He got to his feet, leaving Mercury to help Sailor Moon. The blonde got to her feet, shaking slightly. She looked down at the monster lying a few feet away. "It's ugly" she commented. Tuxedo Mask nodded slightly, as if his part were over and turned to go. He paused suddenly, staring at the monster hard. "Why hasn't it-" He began. "Hey. I just wanted to say thanks" Andrew said, walking up. He and Rita came into the faint illumination of the security lights. She was supporting him under one shoulder, a worried look on her face. The Scouts all blushed. "It was nothing" Sailor Jupiter clasped her hands in front of her, looking at Andrew with a star struck gaze. She completely ignored Rita's presence. Sirens were suddenly heard in the distance and the Scouts all stared at each other in consternation. "Gee, they took their time getting here" Jupiter commented. Andrew looked faintly apologetic. "I uh, turned off the alarms. I didn't think you'd want the police to see you fighting" he hesitated. "Or the reporters" Mars rolled her eyes. "Oh yes. DEFINETLY not the reporters" she said dryly. Sailor Moon sighed, turning her eyes towards Tuxedo mask. She frowned in puzzlement when she saw he was standing over the monster, cane out. Sailor Moon walked over, wincing as she jerked her arm. She reached out a hand to touch his Tuxedo lightly. "What is it?" She asked him quietly. He jumped slightly, moving out of reach of her hand. Sailor Moon lowered it, hurt. He was silent a moment. "Don't the monsters usually dissolve into dust-not just die?" He asked her. She frowned at the question, staring at the ugly creature. It didn't connect. "Yeah?" She said hesitantly, wondering what he meant. Her eyes widened as he poked the wolf-creature with his cane. "Oh-look out!" The creature abruptly stirred and reared back, fangs flashing in the light. Things seemed to move in slow motion for her. She saw the creature get to its feet, claws extended. Tuxedo mask raised his cane and the claws sheered right through them. "Jupiter thunderclap Zap!" Jupiter screamed from behind. Tuxedo Mask was grabbed by the shoulders and lifted up to dangle above the monsters head. Sailor Moon gasped with horror, reacting on instinct. Her hand reached into her sub space pocket even as the muzzle lowered towards Tuxedo mask's head. "No, Tuxedo Mask!" Sailor Mars shrieked. The monster's muzzle ripped into Tuxedo mask's jacket to the skin below. There was a sickening crunch...and then lightning hit both he and the monster. "Nooooo!" the monster howled, dropping Tuxedo mask's limp body. Sailor Moon eyes teared over as she stared at the body, then the blue of them hardened icily. "Moon Healing Activation!" She screamed out her power. It exploded from the Moon Wand in a blinding display of light. They were all blinded. Golden light filled the place, fuelled by Sailor Moon fear, agony and fury. The monster screamed one long agonised sound and then there was silence. The light died abruptly. "Oh my" Mercury said. It was a vast understatement. Everyone blinked around. The room had almost been obliterated behind the monster. Luckily there had only been wall. But what had once been white floor and roof was covered in black soot. The monster was also gone, completely. Sailor Moon stood frozen for a moment, then her eyes blinked. They fell on the hunched form of Tuxedo mask and she raced over to him. He groaned and opened his eyes. The Scouts raced over. "Is he...he's okay" Mars said with relief. She stared at Sailor Moon with awe. "Remind me never to get on your bad side, Moon" "Mmm" Sailor Moon said. Her eyes all for Tuxedo Mask. His shoulder was a mass of blood and ripped cloth. "Are you okay" she asked him anxiously. To their surprise, he pushed their hands away and got to his feet. "I'm fine" he told them, straightening. His eyes glinted at Sailor Moon. "Like you Scouts, I heal fast in this form" Before they could open their mouth, his cafe had swirled around him and he disappeared into the darkness of the arcade. The Scouts gaped for a moment. "Some gratitude" Andrew commented. "Is he always like that?" The Scouts sighed. "Yeah." Mars said. "Always" "Hello? Is anyone is here?" a voice called out crisply. The Scouts exchanged a quick glance. "It's the police" Jupiter whispered, looking towards the front of the store. Sailor Moon looked that way, seeing the red and blue flashes of light that announced the Tokyo Police had arrived. Several people entered the arcade. "Time to book it" Mars looked at the other three Scouts. Sailor Moon nodded. "Right" she said. she and the others raced swiftly out the back entrance, sparing only a brief glance at Andrew and his girlfriend. Outside in the alley, they jumped onto the roof of the place. Using the rooftops as an escape, they moved rapidly away, towards Raye's Temple. As they passed Mercury's place, she stopped. "See you at School, you guys" she called, dropping down the side of the house. The others paused, looking at each other. Sailor Moon sighed, shifting. The pain in her arm was less, but still fiery. Sailor Mars stepped closer, eyes on her friend. "You okay Sailor Moon?" She asked testily. Sailor Moon nodded, looking down at the wound. The cloth of her sleeve was bloody and ripped, but the skin underneath seemed no too badly damaged. "It seems all right. Nothing that won't heal quick" Jupiter said confidently, also looking at the wound. she touched it lightly. A frisson of pain and a strange sensation went down Sailor Moon's arm, but she said nothing. "I'll be fine guys" Sailor Moon's words were punctuated with a wide yawn. She smiled at them both sheepishly. "I think we need to get some more sleep before the sun rises" Sailor Jupiter yawned also, stretching her arms above her head. she hitched up her ponytail automatically. "I bushed guys, later!" She called, leaping away. Sailor Mars and Sailor Moon watched as she disappeared from sight, a blurred figure moving with inhuman speed over the roof tops of the Tokyo houses. There was a short silence, strangely awkward. "I'm sorry I couldn't stop the monster, Sailor Moon" Sailor Mars clenched a fist with silent rage. Her mouth twisted with anger. Sailor Moon blinked with surprise. It wasn't often that Mars showed her feelings. "I'm fine Raye" Sailor Moon aid gently, touching her fingers to her friend's cheek softly. Purple eyes glinted at her, looking suspiciously to be filled with tears. Sailor Mars turned her face away before Sailor Moon could be sure, facing her back to the blonde. "See you tomorrow, Serena" the raven-haired Scout called out. She leapt away, leaving Sailor Moon standing there alone. When Sailor Mars had disappeared from sight, she turned towards her own home. Luna would be waiting there for her, wanting to know what happened in the fight. **************************************** Darkness. It was all he saw for a moment. It scared him until things began to become distinct. Darian blinked rapidly, eyes focusing. His face was lying on something soft and after a moment he realised it was carpet. "What's going on?" He muttered groggily. Other things became distinct and he saw he was in his apartment. His blue eyes widened with incredulity. "How did I get HERE?" He exclaimed. Getting shakily to his knees, he used the back of his couch to get to his feet. Things wavered for a moment, a great feeling of weakness invading his body. The second thing he noticed was a terrible pain in his shoulder. Darian raised a hand to it, gasping as he touched ragged flesh. "Don't panic Darian" he murmured to himself, staggering into the bathroom. The light switch was hard to find since he seemed to be disoriented. Like nothing was real at that moment. In fact, everything seemed too bright. Darian walked to the sink and looked reluctantly in the mirror. His blue eyes widened in shock as he saw his left shoulder. His green jacket was torn from the throat to the elbow. His skin showed through and both it and his clothes were caked with a horrifying amount of blood. His blood. "Oh gods" he gasped, head reeling. He clutched at the sink, trying to keep focus. His eyes raised again to the wound as he slipped his jacket carefully off. Then his shirt. He stood naked to the waist and studied the bleeding wound carefully. As an aspiring doctor, he knew it was crucial to see how bad it was. How much blood he had lost. Darian turned to the side slightly, forcing himself to look. The wound itself was not as bad as he had first thought. The skin was torn jaggedly, about a finger width long. There were three of them, from the joint in his shoulder. Darian stared closer, then got a cloth a wet it. He carefully cleaned the wound and then just stared at it silently. "Teeth marks" he whispered, almost under his breath. Teeth marks. Where had he gotten them? Darian opened the cabinet above his sink and took out a bandage. He waled back into the lounge room and sat down on the couch while he rapped his arm up. It was awkward, but he was loath to call anyone to help. How was he supposed to explain it when he couldn't even remember where he had been bitten? He sat back casually, sinking into the smoothness of the leather couch. Darian's blue eyes raised to the roof as he thought back, trying to make sense of the mess. His mind was a whirl. "Lets see" he mused aloud. "I was at the cafe with Andrew and Rita. I remember leaving and then...screaming" his eyes widened as he began to remember. He had run back inside and seen a monster attacking his friends! Then the Sailor Scouts had come and- "Nothing" he breathed. His mind was a blank from then. He couldn't remember what had happened. Darian looked down at his bandaged shoulder in worry. He must have been wounded somehow by the creature and somehow gotten home. Darian turned to look at the phone, there was only one way to find out what happened. Shakily he dialled out the number and waited. "Hello?" Andrews' voice said on the other end, sounding weary. "Andrew, it's-" "Darian!" Andrew almost shouted. He sounded relieved and angry. "Where have you been? Rita and I were worried sick" Darian smiled slightly at his friend's tone. "I'm home" he paused, running a hand through his dark hair. "How did you get there. Why did you just leave...are you okay?" Andrew's voice rushed from question to question anxiously. Darian chuckled. Then his eyes fell on his shoulder and he abruptly sobered. "I'm fine. I don't really remember how I got home" he admitted. There was a long silence on the other end. Andrew sighed, sounding confused. "Maybe the Sailor Scouts..." He trailed off suggestively. Darian suddenly felt an enormous relief. The Sailor Scouts, yes, they must have brought him home! His mind immediately baulked at that idea though he never said anything to Andrew. "Yeah, that must be it" he said quietly. A few minutes later, he hung up the phone. The apartment was eerily silent and Darian felt cold to the bone. It just made no sense to him. And what was worse, he had had these black outs in memory before. It would have been so easy to just say the Sailor Scouts had brought him home unconscious-but how would they have even known who he was. Let alone where he lived? ************************************************ The air swirled, alive. It pulsed with multi-colours, dazzling to the eye. A breathtaking view for any to see. The only who could, however, had seen it for so long that she barely acknowledged it any more. A beauty that was accepted merely for itself. Sailor Pluto watched the swirling vortex with an expressionless face. She stood before the Time Gate, red eyes constantly seeking. It was her duty. As the Guardian of Time. "So pensive, Pluto" a quiet voice said. The green-haired beauty never turned her face. The figure that had addressed her stepped through a Portal, materialising. "You always were too serious" the person went on. Sailor Pluto nodded slightly, finally acknowledging. "Is that not what is required?" She murmured. Her eyes sought something far into the Time Vortex. Things that no one else could see. "Seriousness perhaps, but not entirely lacking in emotion" the figure smiled gently. "Is that what you think?" Sailor Pluto laughed lightly. She turned, hand resting lightly on her staff. The Garnet Orb glinted with an eerie red light. Pluto's eyes sought out the figure, looking for something. "Are you well?" she asked the figure. Slender fingers reached out to touch Sailor Pluto's face, but passed right through them. Pluto flinched slightly, but her slight smile never faded. "I am well, Pluto. Do not worry for me, old friend" the figure laughed, a musical sound. Sailor Pluto bowed her head for a moment, hiding the sadness deep within her eyes. "How fares time?" the figure went on, voice filled with many undefinable emotions. Sailor Pluto raised her head, turning back towards the swirling Vortex that was the Gate of Time. "Everything is exactly as it should be. I've been doing this for too long for anything to go wrong" "Too long Pluto" the figure said sadly. "Are you weary?" "It is my duty" Pluto replied. Her eyes never wavered from the Vortex. "I have never regretted it" "Never? Not even when you knew-" the figure broke off, falling silent. Pluto turned, a soft smile on her face. "I knew that better things would come. More peaceful times. All destruction that I have ever witnessed in all of time has been for a reason" Pluto sighed, passing a hand over her red eyes momentarily. "I know that all the Millennia of silence will bear fruit" The figure nodded. "Soon" ********************************************************************* The day was calm. A bright blue sky and a shinning sun overhead made the mood perfect for the four girls. They were walking through the park, talking. It was a Saturday and Serena was glad to be spending the day with her friends, instead of having to clean her room. With a strange insight, she realised that if she cleaned her room late on Friday, there would be nothing to hold her back on the weekend. Not even chores. Lita folded her arms behind her head, green eyes gleaming. "Can you believe what a perfect day this is?" She asked the others happily. Amy shook her head, smiling. "It IS a great day" she looked upwards. "Really bright too" "Mmm, good for the flowers" Serena agreed enthusiastically. Her eyes alighted on all of the flowers surrounding them. They were walking through the multi-coloured flowerbeds. They were in full bloom. With tones of red, yellows, blues and pinks. "You guys, can we go to the rose gardens?" She asked suddenly. Raye smiled, eyes lightening with excitement. "Yeah, it hear they're really beautiful this year" the raven-haired girl said eagerly. "Lets go then!" Lita led the way down the path. They came to a hedge, which separated the flower gardens from the roses. Before them was a large courtyard, familiarly known as the rose gardens. Collage students had made it about a year ago. Serena's eyes lit up as she gazed at them all, her feet automatically taking her towards her favourite part. She found herself wandering away from the others, down a path. She reached the roses and smiled. The red ones were her favourite, without a doubt. They always reminded her of Tuxedo Mask. "Red is for passion" she murmured. She'd heard it somewhere. Her fingers reached out to touch one. It's petals felt soft under her fingers. Her blue eyes were dreamy as she stroked them. An abrupt pain bit into her fingers and she jerked them away. "Ow" she muttered, staring down at her index finger. It had been pricked by a thorn and was bleeding lightly. Her eyes stared at the blood, for a moment as if mesmerised. It was so red, so pure and warm- "You can't be left alone for a second can you, Meatball Head?" an annoying voice said. Serena's head jerked up. Darian stood a few feet away, looking at her. Her blue eyes narrowed in annoyance. "What do YOU want?" She snapped. Darian's eyes gleamed, their blue seeming to deepen. "So rude" he murmured, a smile in his voice. He turned away, staring at the roses near him. "You really should learn to read" Serena was confused and angry. "What?" She demanded. Darian grinned at her, pointing to a sign. Serena looked and a flush started on her face. A 'don't touch the roses' sign was stuck in plain view. "I didn't see it" she told him coolly. "Obviously" "Huh!" She turned her back on him, looking at the roses. They really were beautiful, gleaming red with moisture. She stuck her finger into her mouth absently. A flash of white came into her vision and she glanced down in surprise to see a handkerchief being thrust at her. "Don't suck on it" Darian advised. "They put stuff on the roses to make them grow better" Serena snatched the white cloth from him. "I knew that" she grumbled. It stung her finger, but she wrapped it carefully. Her eyes glanced at Darian sideways, noting he was ignoring her. Her eyes went again to the roses. "They're beautiful, aren't they?" He said quietly, sincerely. Serena started slightly. "Yes" she admitted. "They are" There was a short silence and she realised that perhaps that had been the first thing they had ever said to each other that was a normal conversation. She hadn't liked it. She didn't like HIM! And he was invading her privacy. "Why don't you go look somewhere else?" She snapped at him, unreasonably angry. Darian turned his head to look at her in amusement. "Why don't YOU Meatball Head" "It's SERENA, you big zero" she shouted, taking a step towards him. He turned fully to face her, arms crossing. "Say it" "MEATBALL HEAD" he said calmly. Serena felt her face go red. "Ooooh! I don't know why I bother talking to you!" "Then don't" he advised calmly. He smiled and she felt her heart contract suddenly. It was unexpected and left her feeling stunned. She looked away, swallowing. She whirled away. "Fine, then I'LL leave!" She announced haughtily. Suddenly a large explosion rocked the area. Serena staggered. The ground shook violently and she went flying. She hit something hard and warm and tumbled over. Shaking the hair from her eyes, she realised her nose was pressed into a green jacket. Darian's. "What's going on?" She shouted. The ground continued to shake for a moment and then all went still. Serena's fingers clung to Darian's jacket as they lay on the ground. She went to move and his fingers tightened on her waist. She stiffened as she realised exactly where she was. "Wait a minute" Darian said in her ear. "The earthquake might start again" Serena lay there silent for a long moment, both of them waiting. Slowly, she became aware that she was pressed close against Darian, his body half-covering hers. Her face was pressed into his shoulder and she could feel his breath stirring the hair of her fringe. "Okay, I think it's safe" Darian said. She nodded shakily. It had been a bad earthquake. Darian sat up and she moved away. She couldn't look at him and her hands were shaking slightly. She bit her lip and stood. Serena was shaken not only by the quake. She knew it had been Darian's presence. But she didn't even LIKE him! "You okay, Meatball Head?" He asked her quietly. Serena was suddenly angry at the confusion she felt. She glared at him. "Don't call me that! I'm fine" she shouted, storming away. She strangely felt-knowing somehow-that Darian’s eyes were on her the whole way. Until she disappeared around a hedge and from his sight. Serena slumped against a hedge, closing her eyes. What had happened just then? When she’d fallen against Darian, her body had felt so-alive. Like it’d been filled with an electricity. Her heart had pounded, her hands shaking. “All because I TOUCHED him?” she muttered disbelievingly. Her eyes narrowed for a moment. The other night too, at the arcade. When she had reached for her bag and their fingers touched- “THERE you are, Meatball Head!” Raye snapped. Serena opened her eyes to see her friends coming around a hedge.. Raye looked particularly annoyed. The raven-haired girl opened her mouth, but Serena dove in quickly. “That jerk you call a boyfriend is here” she said rather darkly, rubbing her fore-finger and thumb together unconsciously. There was an itch there, a tingling. Immediately, Raye’s face lightened into a pleased smile. “Darian? Here’s here?” she exclaimed in delight. The girls watched in amusement as Raye smoothed down her hair carefully. She turned to Lita expectantly. “How do I look?” “Good enough for Darian to eat” Lita teased. Raye smiled and dashed off. She turned at the last minute to call back to them. “I’ll see you later at the arcade!” “Sure! Bye!” Lita shouted. Serena was silent. She watched as Raye disappeared, frowning. What did Raye SEE in him?! Serena crossed her arms, glaring at a bush of yellow roses. Okay...he has beautiful black hair and his eyes were absolutely gorgeous. “But he’s DARIAN! And he’s a jerk!” she shouted aloud. Lita giggled and Serena realised she had talked out loud. She turned beet red. “You really have a thing about Darian, don’t you girl?” Lita commented. “I don’t understand how you two hate each other so much” “Quite easily” Serena said normally, anger fading. What did she care anyway? Her day was too nice to be thinking about Darian! “How ‘bout we go get some ice cream guys?” Lita grinned and even Amy smiled. “Sounds like a plan” Amy murmured. ********************************************************************* The day was bright and sunny, a few clouds in the sky. Serena contemplated them wistfully from her desk by the window. It really was too much a good day to be inside, she complained to herself silently. However-she glanced over at Miss Haruna, who was facing the board and writing math on it. One of Serena LEAST loved classes. Math, yuck. “Who needs it anyway?” she muttered. Serena put her arms on the table and crossed them, resting her chin on her arms tiredly. She was so sleepy. Why did they have to start School so early in the morning anyway? “Serena!” Molly hissed warningly. Serena jerked her closing eyes open quickly, in time for Miss Haruna to shoot her a warning look. The blonde keep her eyes innocent until the teacher had turned back to the wall. Serena then turned to face Molly, smiling her thanks. “Thanks Moll. I guess I should watch her more carefully” Serena commented. “You need to stay awake you mean” Lita said teasingly from behind. Serena turned to face her friend, watching as the brunette stretched tiredly. Having to be a Scout my night was not always a plus. Okay, you kept fit-but you barely got any sleep. Serena frowned, turning back to rest her head on her arms again. There was also a certain annoyingly smug Moon cat, who never let Sailor Moon forget she had to be this great Warrior in order to serve the Moon Princess better. Who was she anyway and just exactly how were they meant to find her? “Why can’t she just find US? It’s not like we don’t fight the Negaverse so much that the Scouts aren’t easy to find. The battles make heaps of noise and all...” Serena mumbled, yawning. She yawned again. “Serena, what Miss H” Molly warned her. Her friend’s voice seemed to come from far off. “Uh huh” Serena muttered. Everything seemed to drift and she was so tired- “SERENA TSUKINO!” a voice bellowed in Serena’s ear. Serena shot up so fast she almost bashed her head on Miss Haruna’s chin. “What have I told you about sleeping in my classes?” the teacher continued to shout, despite the fact that Serena was now wide awake. “I wasn’t sleeping” Serena protested automatically. She heard Lita and Molly groan and realised how lame an excuse that had been. Miss H thought so too, from the glare she was giving, Serena though in dismay. “Oh REALLY?” Miss Haruna said sweetly. “Then you won’t mind giving me the answer...will you?” Serena stared at her in worry, a fine sweat breaking out on her forehead. The teacher had her there. Serena bit her lip. If she didn’t say something then she’d get detention and Luna would kill her! “Uh” she muttered. Miss Haruna crossed her arms smugly, ready to order Serena out of the classroom. A favourite punishment of the red-haired woman was standing outside with a pale of water of your head. Serena rubbed at her head absently, remembering the last time that had happened. The blonde glanced around, trying to get help. Molly was mouthing something frantically...but unfortunately, Serena could lip-read. “Well?” Miss Haruna demanded impatiently. The teacher rubbed a hand through her hair, rolling her eyes skyward. Both she and Serena knew that she was stalling and didn’t know the answer. Serena gnawed more frantically on her lower lip, mind seeking frantically for something to distract Miss Haruna. “54 Serena. 54” Amy’s voice came clearly to Serena, who glanced over at her, wide-eyed. Amy stared back, blue eyes full of resignation. She met Serena’s gaze and shrugged to say that she couldn’t help her. But Amy had just told her the answer. Serena glanced at the teacher, knowing she would have heard Amy say 54 also and punish them both. Amazingly, Miss Haruna had not even glanced Amy’s way. Serena swallowed her astonishment. “54?” she blurted tentatively. Miss Haruna’s jaw dropped. There was a dead silence in the class. Serena glanced over at Amy to say a silent thanks, but saw an equal look of shock on the blue-haired girl’s face. What was going on? Serena glanced around uncertainly. “HOW did you get that-? It’s the right answer” Miss Haruna said suspiciously. She glanced around, but saw nothing that could have given Serena the answer when she had clearly been asleep during the question. Snoring even! Serena straightened proudly. “I told you. I was awake” the blonde announced. Miss H rubbed a hand over her eyes wearily, walking back to her desk. Serena clearly heard her mutter under her breath. “But Serena would have known that answer even if she HAD been awake. She doesn’t study! Arrggggh! I need a stiff drink” Serena’s eyes widened. She looked at the teacher and giggled. Strangely, no one else had seemed to hear Miss Haruna’s talking. A hand slapped her lightly on the shoulder. Serena turned her head to meet Lita’s mirthful eyes. “Okay, spill the beans Serena. How’d you get the answer?” the brunette demanded. Serena shrugged lightly, not understanding herself. Surely someone else had heard Amy say the answer? But the girl was three rows across. “Luck I guess” Serena murmured, unblinkingly. ********************************************************************* The long slender fingers clenched around the handles, resting against the clutch. Darian sat on his motorbike and watched the blonde coming fast down the sidewalk. Like clockwork, he mused. Serena was ALWAYS late, that he had noticed-but still, she passed this place about the same time each day. If she got up a little earlier she’d be at School on time. Darian frowned darkly when he realised what he was thinking. “I don’t CARE if she’s late or not!” he growled. Serena past him just then, dashing past people expertly. She’d been doing it for a long time, Darian supposed. He waited, but she never tripped once. His eyes widened in amazement as she disappeared around the corner swiftly. She hadn’t tripped once, was it possible that Serena was somehow graceful when running? “Or maybe-and more likely-she’s so scared that she’s late that she forgets to think entirely” Darian grinned at the idea. That sounded more like the Meatball Head! Before he thought, he’d kicked the stand up and started his bike to follow her. Truth be told, he’d gotten up and waited for her to come past. Darian frowned darkly. He couldn’t understand it. He hated the girl, but something had drawn him here this morning. It was only after he had stopped his bike in wait for her to pass that he realised he knew her pattern so well. When had that happened? Darian cruised slowly along the road, gradually catching up to the whirlwind that was Serena Tsukino. He was glad that even if she had noticed him, his helmet hid his true identity from her eyes. Serena never turned her head though and Darian followed her all the way to Juuban Middle School. The blonde dashed through the gates, disappearing from Darian’s sight all together. He parked his bike slowly and got off. The wind brushed lightly through his hair, but he ignored it, thinking hard. Why was he here in the first place? “I don’t like her, so what is it?” Darian murmured. He was genuinely confused. He knew though, that what had started all this-what had changed-had been the other night. The Meatball Head had been late home and come to the Arcade when he was studying. Their fingers had brushed and he had felt something. It wasn’t enough to disturb him though. It was really the incident at The Rose gardens that had nagged in his mind. The way he hadn’t wanted her to move away from him. The strange electricity that had flowed through him-and he knew she had felt it too by the way she had jerked away. This was SERENA though! The Meatball Headed klutz that was WAY too young for him. “Woah! Wait a second Chiba, where did THAT come from?” he demanded out loud. A man passing gave him a strange look and Darian glared back. “What? A man can’t think out loud?” he said coolly. The man quickly scuttled away. Darian suddenly calmed. She wasn’t worth the grief. The dark-haired guy looked towards the School. What the heck was he DOING here anyway? He was about to walk away, but a flash of blonde hair caught his eyes. He walked closer, staring through the gate at the School building. It was Serena, sitting at the window. Her head was resting on her arms, her face tilted towards the sunlight. Darian unconsciously drew in her features. She really was a pretty thing, he thought. “Okkkkay! That’s it. I’m going to be late anyway, so backup there Chiba” he muttered, horrified at his thoughts. The Meatball Head...pretty? Darian hopped back onto his bike lithely, pulling away from the curb. Maybe Andrew and Rita were right-he really DID need a girlfriend if he was thinking 14 year olds were good-looking! Darian pulled into Juuban Collage car park 10 minutes later. He parked the bike, collected his books and headed inside. A few people passed him in the hall, even fewer greeting him. Darian was a quiet person and had made some friends, but not many. Mostly girls, who were attracted to him for his good-looks, Andrew had teased frequently. Darian grimaced. It only strengthened the red-head’s resolve to get Darian hooked up with some girl. It just wasn’t Darian’s thing- “Hey, Darian. In here!” Rick shouted. Darian blinked, coming out of his thoughts. He realised he was outside the music room and that his friend Rick was hailing him from within. He went in quickly, eager to take his mind of girls and a particular annoying blonde. A girl, Sally Bergman was playing at the piano in the corner. A piece that Darian recognised as ‘Moonlight Sonata’. It was one of his favourites. He winced as she hit a wrong note. “So, how’ve you been, Darian?” Rick asked eagerly. Darian had a few classes with the guy. They’d become quick friends, though Rick hadn’t made many others. He was a shy, brown-haired guy. A bit on the lanky side. Definitely not football material, Rick had said once jokingly. But he was a nice guy and Darian was glad to see him. “Good. How about you though?” Darin said with concern. “Is that cold totally gone?” Rick smiled and waved a hand negligently around. He’d had a bad cold for weeks and had to stay in bed. “I’m fine. It’s all gone-are you all right, Darian?” he trailed off as Darian winced again. Darian glanced over to where Sally was playing, her hands gliding gracefully over the keys. The girl had been playing for years. A regular genius. So why was she playing so many wrong notes? “Darian?” Rick urged, a puzzled look on his face. Darian grimaced as Sally made two more mistakes on the music. He turned and backed towards the door, Rick following. “Yeah” Darian muttered. They reached the door and Darian paused, glancing back at the blonde girl at the piano. She finished the song and was glaring at him slightly, almost accusingly. “Look I’ll see you around, okay?” “Yeah, sure” Rick murmured. Darian and left. As he did, heard Sally and Rick talking. “What was with him?” she demanded. “He acted like my music stank” “I don’t know, he kept wincing though” “But I only played 8 mistakes! He couldn’t have heard them” there was a snigger from her. “We all know how tone-deaf Darian Chiba is! Remember when Mrs Wilson ordered him to take music classes as a relaxation course?” “Oh yeah-I remember that one all right” Rick laughed in amusement. Darian leaned on the wall, a few meters from the room. How he was still hearing them so clearly, was beyond him. But the fact that he was, was troubling enough that he had stopped in the middle of the hall. Students passed around him, glancing at his face as if trying to see what he was doing. Darian supposed he looked rather weird, laying against the wall and clutching his books to his chest. He felt as if the wind had been knocked out of him. His heart was thundering in his ears, though he continued to hear Sally and Rick clearly. “When did Darian become such a music expert?” Sally demanded. “Maybe he was just being a snob?” Rick suggested, laughing rudely. Darian’s eyes widened. Had Rick, quiet Rick said that? “He doesn’t need any lessons in THAT!” Sally sniggered, beginning her playing again. Darian could hear all the deliberately wrong notes she made as if to mock his absence. Darian had head enough. He stood up straight and stalked down the hall. Apparently, not everyone who pretended to be his friend...was. ********************************************************************* I WAS going to send this fic in 250 KB +...But I decided maybe some people can't handle such large files :) I was encouraged by a close friend P-Chan to break up my Books into smaller-readable-parts. *Smirk* I personally get ecstatic at the sight of huge fanfics. Absolutely in heaven! Can you believe I'm starting my 83 Fanfic? Wow! And in only four years too...Watch out for the next Chapter next week! Love, Princess Destiny