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 ********************************************************************* Oooh! Chapter 3 already! Is everyone liking the storyline yet? There's HEAPS of action and romance coming up! It IS a Serena/Darian Romance Fanfic. Just with a little-suspense, action, moonlight wanderings and stray kisses chucked in. *Grin* Enjoy! _____________________________________________________________________ DAY AND NIGHT: EVOLUTIONS By Princess Destiny [ princessdestiny@hotmail.com ] _____________________________________________________________________ ************************ * BOOK ONE: BLACK MOON * ************************ _____________________________________________________________________ Chapter Three _____________________________________________________________________ “Waaaaaa! Lita slow down!” Serena wailed in the brunette’s ear. Lita winced, but didn’t slow down. She was dragging Serena forcefully to the other side of the School, outside the art building, where their scores for their recent Math test were posted. Amy came up behind them, valiantly trying to keep up with Lita’s long legs-and avoid Serena’s long flailing streamers of blonde hair. Some other kids laughed as they watched the three pass. Amy blushed redly in embarrassment. Really, sometimes, Lita and Serena were too much! “LIIIIIITA! I don’t wanna see!” Serena shouted as they reached the art building. Lita stopped abruptly, Serena and Amy almost bashing into her back. The brunette grunted with disappointment. “Looks as if you get your wish Serena” she commented. Serena glanced around her and saw that the area around the wall was crowded. Okay, so all the students scores were posted here from the whole school. “We could...come later?” the blonde said hopefully. Both Amy and Lita grabbed her arms before she could sneak away. Serena found herself dragged to the back of the crowd, while Amy tried to squint at the board. “Amy, can you see what it says? The writings too small for me” Lita asked her friend. Amy got on her tippy-toes and squinted also. She had good eyes but there the crowd of students was at least 8 people deep in front of them. She could make out anything. “No, unfortunately, I can’t. Though my eyes are perfectly 20/20-” Amy began. Lita rolled her eyes. Serena scowled at the board. She glared at it hard, her eyes automatically seeking out Amy’s score first. As usual, she sighed, the blue-haired genius had come 100 %. “Congratulations Ames! You came first, not that I didn’t think you would” Serena said eagerly to her friend. Amy and Lita stared at her, then as one, they turned to the board. Then they looked back at her. “What are you talking about, Serena. You can’t know that” Lita scoffed. Serena glared at her indignantly. Then glance at the board. Lita was taken aback as the blonde smirked openly at her. “Naughty, naughty Lita” Serena said teasingly, wagging a finger before Lita’s face. “Someone didn’t Stuuuuuudy. Miss 42%!” “Whaaaa?” Lita demanded. Her green eyes glared angrily at the board, though she still could not make out where her score was. “Now way! I did study!” “Serena!” Amy chided. “Don’t joke with Lita that way” Serena stared at them both. “I’m NOT” she protested. “You have nothing to worry about Lita, anyway. I only got a 22” Again, Amy and Lita stared at her. They glanced at each other. “Nah” Lita muttered, shaking her head. Serena looked at the floor, eyes filling slightly. Why didn’t they believe her? What was wrong with them. She glanced up at the board again and saw the answers clearly. Was it possible that Lita and Amy really could see the board? They seemed like they were telling the truth and why would they lie-it wasn’t like them to tease her. Her Scout friends were the first close and real friends she had ever had. Other than Molly of course, but it wasn’t like she could discuss Senshi business with the red-haired girl. Serena felt a gentle hand on her back and looked up to see Lita’s compassionate eyes. “It’s okay, Serena. I believe you” the girl looked angry at herself that she had upset Serena. “I just never knew your eyes were so good” “Maybe it has something to do with the Scouting?” Serena suggested tentatively, as they headed for the Netball courts. The two girls flanked her, keeping close as they thought about the possibility. Serena personally wondered where she had even gotten the question from. Since when had she turned into an Amy? The blonde giggled under her breath. There had to be an explanation for this. ********************************************************************* “If there’s an explanation for this, I’d like to hear it!” Darian muttered under his breath. He stood under the high wall of Juuban High-for the second time that day. And truth be told, he hadn’t the foggiest idea what he was doing there! He looked around carefully, not seeing anyone. Darian had deliberately chosen the side of the School that was near an oval. Not near the street. That way, less people could see him. “I mean, come on! How many average, normal Collage students in Tokyo do you see trying to sneak into a Juuban Middle School?” Darian shouted. Immediately, he realised how loud he has said it and looked around huntingly. “Stealth Dar. Remember?” he growled to himself. He took a step back and leapt upwards, hands grasping for the top of the wall. When he pulled himself up easily, he blinked in surprise. Since when had he been so fit, anyway? Darian crouched on the edge of the wall and realised he was right near the Netball Courts. At that moment, they were almost empty. Except for a teacher, setting up. Darian saw a tree near the inside of the wall, close to the courts and made his way swiftly towards it. The teacher never looked over and he made it to the tree. He frowned as he climbed up the branches. What was he DOING? Since when did he feel the urge to ditch classes to watch an annoying blonde, anyway. Was he going CRAZY?! He really didn’t know. The sooner he found out what drew him to Serena like a moth to a flame, the safer his sanity would be! Darian quickly settled into the branches and waited. He didn’t know what for...but still, he felt drawn. All there was left, was to wait. And he didn’t have to wait too long. Moment’s later a class of giggling girls emerged, along with a familiar set of blonde meatball’s. Darian found himself really looking at her, puzzled by the way his heart almost jumped out of his chest when he saw her. His blood was racing. His blue eyes swept over her long hair, the delicate line of her neck and her slender body. Finally, he settled on her face. The frown on his face intensified. The face was the same as always...the same annoying- though pretty, he had to admit-face that he saw all the time. His eyes swept over her body again, nose involuntarily twitching. He could almost-smell her. Her scent like flowers and the sunlight, but also the night. Darian looked down at his clenched hands, a vein throbbing in his forehead. “What is happening to me?” he whispered. ********************************************************************* “It’s possible, I suppose” Amy said doubtfully. Thinking hard. Lita and Serena waited patiently. They let the blue-haired genius think all the time they were changing into their gym clothes. As they went outside, Amy finally spoke. She drew the three of them off to the side, as the game was set up. “I think that perhaps it is a definite possibility, you two. Perhaps Serena, having been Sailor Moon for much longer than the rest of us has developed more acute hearing abilities. We have after all, entirely different powers from each other according to our Planets and distance from the sun” Lita and Serena’s eyes had glazed over during this discussion. Lita was first to recover, while Serena stared silently up at the sun. Was that the reason for their powers? But Jupiter was more powerful than Mercury and Mercury was closest to the sun. Not that there was a Sailor Earth-maybe she would have been the more powerful of them all? Was this girl maybe the Princess. Serena frowned, thinking hard. Hadn’t Luna said this Princess was of the Moon? Now, what was Amy saying. Ah, that the good sight was because of her being Sailor Moon! “Right” Lita looked pleased that they had found an answer. Serena was even more pleased than her friends. She’d really began to worry-Serena suddenly stiffened, every nerve in her body coming to life. Her skin began to tingle, her heart racing and it thundered in her ears. Her blue eyes looked around sharply, seeking...something-A scent was suddenly apparent to her. She raised her face, half- closing her eyes. It was almost like a scent of the night air, warm and inviting- “Oh no, this isn’t happening!” a voice wailed. Serena’s concentration was abruptly broken. She looked around, but no one was near enough to her and Lita and Amy to have sounded that close. “What did I do to anger Miss G anyhow? I have to have that-that DITZ on my team?” Serena finally recognised Sarah Mckellar’s voice. She stared, eyes turning slowly in the direction of the girl...who was right across the other side of the court. Serena slowly blanched white as she realised how far away the girl was. “Serena, you okay, girl?” Lita asked worried. Both her and Amy had noticed her sudden lack of colour. Serena knew her hands were shaking. She sat down abruptly, on the edge of the courts. Lita knelt beside her in concern while Amy checked her pulse. “It’s a little slow” the blue-haired girl said doubtfully. “Look at that, she fell over!” Kelly sneered from next to Sarah. Serena looked across the courts reluctantly to see both pairs of eyes staring at her scornfully. Sarah waved mockingly, not realising that Serena could actually hear them. The blonde’s eyes filled with tears as she stared at them. “What a baby. We're, like, doomed” Kelly went on. Both girls turned their backs on Serena, who was suddenly as furious as she was upset. She was trying! She WAS! But even Luna didn’t realise that. Serena gasped as a rage hit her, but it didn’t entirely feel like her own anger. Was it? “I don’t see why Miss G wants her to do Netball anyway, she’s SO uncoordinated” Sarah bewailed. She looked down at her nails and gave a little scream. “I broke a NAIL!” “Oh no” Kelly looked down at the nail sympathetically. “How are you going to go on that date with Brett now?” “I’ll-have to get a fake one” Sarah said swiftly. Serena stared across at them, eyes burning. She could feel her tears slowly making their way down her check. She was so confused. A burning was in her chest and it was almost as if she could sense her anger being echoed...somehow. A whistle suddenly blew, signifying the start of the game. Sarah and Kelly turned back. Sarah sighed, glancing again across at Serena. “Maybe we can swap her or something? Brigit likes the Klutz better anyway” Serena’s mouth trembled. She couldn’t take any more! With a cry of anger and shame, the blonde jumped to her feet and ran away. She didn’t know where she was going, but anywhere away from there would be heaven! ********************************************************************* How could those girls be so mean? One minute abusing Serena, the next talking about a date-and fingernails? Darian was filled at disgust. His blue eyes darkened in rage, hands clenching at his sides. Serena suddenly bolted to her feet, blue eyes glaring like blue beams of fury and tears. Before her friends could do anything, the blonde had raced off the courts and disappeared around the corner of the building. Darian hesitated. His fingers tightened on the tree branch, till the blood circulation was almost cut off. “Those bitches” he snarled, eyes burning with fury. If looks could kill, the Sarah and Kelly would be nothing but ashes right then. Serena too, looked as if she had been waring between fighting them or crying.. As Darian slipped down the tree to the ground, he knew in his heart that the small blonde was probably crying her heart out right now. He didn’t like Serena, but he’d be damned if she was going to be alone in this! Darian strode around the edge of the School Gate, then slipped inside. He immediately looked of a sign of blonde hair, but could see nothing. He searched for a while, not daring to actually go inside the School. How he was going to explain what a Collage student was doing on Middle school grounds was not something Darian wanted to do. After 10 minutes, he finally gave up, returning reluctantly to his motorbike in the street. Serena had completely disappeared. A tingling feeling invaded his body for a moment, familiar and warm. Then it was gone, leaving Darian wondering what it could have been. He almost felt a loss, when it was over. It had been a feeling of intense joy. Darian hesitated for a long moment, before putting on his helmet. It might have just been his imagination, but Serena had seemed to almost...sense him. Her eyes had closed and her face turned towards him. Then those girl had started to talk. Darian started the motorbike, revving it wildly. Then he took of down the street, mind in chaos. ********************************************************************* Serena ran blindly, only seeking to get away from the horrible words. What was worse, they were true! She was a Klutz and she knew it. But people didn’t have to constantly throw it into her face. Even Luna. [“When will you ever grow up and be responsible Serena. One day you’ll be the Protector of the Moon Princess. Her life will be in your hands!”] Serena skidded to a stop as she remembered what Luna had once said to her. It was true, she needed to be more responsible. But right now she needed to feel loved, to feel wanted...to feel free! The blue eyes widened. When was the one time she felt truly free? Serena raced out of the School and up the back staircase to the top courts. They were deserted, as always. After only a slight hesitation, she reached for her Moon Broach. Holding it above her head, she felt the tears slipping down her cheeks slowly. “Moon Prism Power!” she shouted. Serena felt the power envelope her, surging through her veins even as the ribbons surged along her limbs and formed her Sailor suit. With a last burst of intense joy, she threw her arms out, welcoming the cool feel of the golden tiara forming on her forehead. Then the power died out and Sailor Moon stood there, the tears dried on her pale skin. But still, the joy and freedom she had felt in the transformation remained. Sailor Moon sighed, then leapt onto the fence around the edge of the courts. The ground was far below her, but she had no fear of the heights. She had no doubt she would heal, as always, if she should fall. Tuxedo Mask was always there to rescue her anyway. Sailor Moon’s eyes glazed slightly as she thought of the handsome guy...not that she had ever seen his face, she frowned. Only his eyes, his wonderful deep blue eyes. The eyes that always seemed so familiar to her. A movement caught her eyes and she glanced down to see a tall figure moving in the shadows to the School building. A guy, from the way he moved. But oh, so graceful. Sailor Moon watched intently, wondering if he were a threat. But the guy seemed to be seeking someone, not lying in wait for a girl. If that had been so, then the man below would have seen Sailor Moon’s fury. She looked with startled eyes as the man emerged into the sunlight, walking slowly towards the back wall. He was familiar-that dark hair, the familiar black turtle-neck sweater. Darian! “What? Darian” Sailor Moon murmured. What on Earth was HE doing in her School? She watched, infinitely more interested and rather annoyed. He made his way to the back wall and jumped up, hands grasping at the top. She saw as he leapt gracefully down the other side and walk along the path. Her vantage was great from the courts, she could see him the whole way as he walked smoothly, with an almost animal grace to the car park. His tall body was really perfect, she thought as she watched him. Her head would rest right below his chin-Darian stopped at a motorbike and pulled out a set of keys, drawing her attention back from her dreamy state. “I didn’t know he had a motorbike” Sailor Moon exclaimed, somehow thrilled. The jerk suddenly didn’t seem so stodgy. “But still a jerk” she added. She watched how the sunlight shone on his dark hair and brought out the blue highlights. Somehow, she could even see his slender fingers as they tightened on his helmet. He was angry about something. Sailor Moon’s eyes faltered on his back. Could it be that Darian had seen those girls taunting her? Had seen Serena run away like a baby, crying. Sailor Moon clenched her gloved hands as she watched him put on his helmet and finally ride away. Her blue eyes were staring blankly into space, thoughtfully. She finally moved, realising she could be caught up there. How would she explain what Sailor Moon was doing in Juuban High? Sailor Moon de- transformed, her mind on Darian and what he had been doing in her School. Again, she was distracted by the memory of his graceful body...his hair. Serena shook her head, glaring at the wall in frustration as she made her way down the stairs to the ground. “I don’t care how beautiful his hair is! What was he doing here?” ********************************************************************* The blue eyes looked upwards assessingly. Amy watched as Sailor Moon stood there, her long blonde hair trailing in the wind. She'd been worried when the blonde ran off and had followed her. Moments later, Sailor Moon leapt back down from the fence and disappeared from sight. "Oh Serena" Amy murmured, clutching her books to her chest tightly. "What is happening to you?" The blue-haired girl stood there for a moment, ignoring the end-of- period bell that signalled everyone from gym class was to go back inside. Lita would be waiting for her too. Amy started to walk back towards the netball courts, her feet barely moving. Her mind was in turmoil. There was something terribly wrong with Serena. Even the blonde had more sense than to transform where others might see her. And yet, Serena had done so. Lita saw her and ran over, her pony-tail swaying wildly. She skidded to a stop a foot from Amy, green eyes worried. "Did you find Serena? Was she okay?" Lita demanded. Amy nodded, reaching out for the brunette's arm. She pulled Lita close, turning their backs on the rest of the gym class, who were moving inside to change back to their School clothes. "I found Sailor Moon" Amy said significantly. Lita's eyes widened. "Sailor Moon. You mean Serena transformed?" The brunette lowered her voice even more, till she was almost hissing into Amy ear with urgency. "Was there a Monster? Zoisite? Why didn't she call us?" "Calm down Lita" Amy said, soberly. "There was no Negaverse activity in the vicinity at all. Serena just...Transformed" "Just...Transformed?" Lita echoed, confused. "The bell meant for ALL the students to get inside and change before next class, Miss Kino!" The Gym Teacher bellowed from across the courts. Amy and Lita started nervously, turning to face the Teacher. Miss G-Short for Gertrude-was collecting the stray Netballs from around the court. Lita waved, then dragged Amy towards the School building. "I really don't like her attitude" Lita almost snarled, green eyes glaring at the ground. "Notice how she said Miss KINO. Not Miss MIZUNO!" "She didn't mean anything by it Lita" Amy soothed. Lita nodded in understanding, a lopsided grin forming on her lips. "Oh, of COURSE not Ames." She said sarcastically. "Who do you think started the rumour of 'the karate maniac? The Teachers of course!" "I think you're over-reacting Lita" Amy noted, as they entered the School. Lita snorted. The two passed through the girl's change-room door and into the room. The room fell slightly silent as the girls saw Lita's thunderous face. Lita suddenly grinned wickedly. She turned towards a small girl, tying her shoes. "You...Come here" Lita ordered. The girl looked terrified. She started up from her bench, clutching one shoe to her chest. "M-me?" Sarah squeaked. She looked around to see if there was anyone behind her and saw with horror that Lita had meant her. "Yeah you, Sarah" Lita beckoned, throwing a 'I told you' look at Amy. Sarah approached cautiously, her eyes wild. "Y-yes, Lita?" She stammered. Lita smiled. "You're in my math class right. I seemed to have forgotten what was for homework" "Oh" the girl looked relieved. "It was chapters 5-6 in the algebra part" "Great, thanks" Lita said warmly. Sarah backed away uncertainly, then hurried from the room. Lita and Amy looked around and saw that practically the entire room had watched the exchange with baited breath. One looked form Lita's green eyes, had them all turning away hastily. "You see?" Lita said sarcastically. Amy nodded. She really hadn't thought the problem that big. The two girls got back into their School clothes and walked from the room. Students were rushing in all directions to get to class, ignoring the two slowly walking girls. "About Serena" Amy began again. "Hey guys" The object of their discussion abruptly appeared, coming from the left. The blonde's face was strained, slight evidence of tears visible in her red-rimmed eyes. "You okay, Serena?" Lita asked quickly. Serena gave them both a look that said she had no idea what they were talking about. Her blue eyes seemed...Glazed. "Ready for the English test?" Amy cut in smoothly. Serena gave her a look of complete horror, all traces of unhappiness gone from her pretty face. "TEST?!" She shrieked. "There’s a test? In English" "Yes, Serena" Amy murmured in resignation. Did the girl never study? Sometimes Amy truly thought fate was playing a game with them. That this girl-terrible in every class-was the Leader of the Sailor Scouts. It was a miracle. Amy slapped a hand to her mouth in guilt. "You okay, Amy?" Serena asked doubtfully. She peered closely at the blue-haired girl. Amy went even more red-faced under the scrutiny. "I'm fine, Serena. Uh, I need to go wash my face" Amy stammered, moving quickly away from them, in the direction of the girls toilets. Lita gave Amy's fleeing form a narrow-eyed look. She turned to the confused Serena. "I'm going to check on her, you go to class, okay?" "Er, right. Class" Serena muttered. Her eyes were again panicked. Lita dashed after Amy, crashing through the toilet door. Three girls looked up, startled. The brunette gave them a look and they swiftly filed out the door, leaving Amy and Lita alone. Amy was bent over the sink at the far end, wiping her face with a wet cloth. She glanced at Lita as the girl approached. "Why aren't you in class?" Amy asked neutrally. Lita glared. "Okay, what gives Amy? You've been acting as weirdly as Serena!" Lita accused. Amy looked startled. "Oh, I see." She sighed, leaning back against the sink. Amy turned and dropped the cloth into the waste-basket almost thoughtfully. "Oh Lita! I was thinking horribly of Serena" The blue-haired girl said in a guilt-stricken voice. Lita looked at her incredulously. "You?" She managed, staring at Amy. "Nah. You think the most of Serena. You were her first friend out of all of us Scouts" "It's true" Amy covered her face with her hands, shaking slightly. Lita moved closer, laying a comforting arm about Amy's shoulders. "Tell Aunty, Lita what the problem is" Lita urged. Amy giggled, pulling her hands from her face. "I don't KNOW what it is Lita. Serena is acting so strange. I mean, she's never been the best leader. She klutzes out all the time. Tuxedo Mask always has to rescue her from Zoisite or a monster" Amy stared sombrely at the wall, absently noting the cracks in the off- white paint. "And yet, when I think of her warm heart, her unselfish acts of kindness towards others. I know exactly why Luna chose her as Leader of the Scouts" "I know what you mean" Lita removed her arm and hitched her pony- tail up nervously. "But destiny, you know...It works in strange ways" Amy turned her head to ask Lita a question, when suddenly, their communicators beeped simultaneously. The two exchanged a glance. Amy reached into her bag, taking out the small communicator. The light for Mars was lit up red. Amy pressed the small button and Raye's face popped up onto the screen. The raven-haired girl looked...Almost harried. "Guys, about time!" Raye snapped, her purple eyes filled with worry. "Where were you?" "What do you mean, Raye?" Amy asked, perplexed. Raye ran a hand through her long dark hair in annoyance. She glanced around, seeing if she were alone. Her face moved closer to the screen. "I MEAN that I've been trying to contact you for about 10 minutes now!" The Priestess-in-training snapped in irritation. Amy and Lita looked at each other and then back at Raye. "This is the first time we've heard the communicator go off, Raye" Lita offered. Raye stared at them both, disbelieving. "That can't be. I've had my finger on the all-call button for ages!" She looked slightly ashamed. "Except for Serena's, that is" Lita and Amy looked alert. "Why not Serena?" Amy asked calmly. Raye looked down, her eyes hidden by her long lashes. "I've been having weird vibes all day. In fact, since the battle the other day" She admitted to them. The screen abruptly flashed and the yellow sign for Luna came up. Before Raye could say anything more, Luna's face came onto the screen. "What are you girls doing? This is not a phone-line! This is for Scout emergencies only!" The cat snapped in irritation. Amy coughed low, embarrassed that they had been caught. "Luna! We weren't chatting." Raye came back on the screen, looking even angrier than the cat. "Something is seriously wrong with, Serena!" Luna looked startled as she came back on. Amy discretely pressed a button so that the screen split. Now both Luna and Raye could been seen. "I-I've noticed her strange behaviour also" The cat admitted. "The other night, she woke up screaming" "She ran off during Gym-class. When she came back, we could tell Serena had been crying" Amy told them all. Raye's eyes flashed for a moment with an indefinable emotion. "Crying?" She murmured, lips firming. "Who made her cry?" The question was so fierce that the other three were startled. "We don't know" Lita scratched at her head, confused. "What is more important are the strange changes" Amy cut in. Raye and Luna stared at her inquiringly. "Her eyesight seems to have improved, her emotions seem more...Unstable. And from what Luna has said, she's not sleeping well either" "This calls for a Scout meeting" Raye ordered coolly. They nodded. Lita looked suddenly chagrined. "How do we stop Serena from finding out we're having a Scout meeting without her?" The brunette asked. Raye smirked. "Detention of course, Lita. The ditz has it everyday. Right?" "Yeah" Lita rolled her green eyes. "She has it this afternoon" "Then the meeting should be right after School today" Luna said calmly. "Raye, I'll meet you there when you get home. Lita and Amy, get here as soon as you can after School" The three Scouts nodded in determination. 'Right!" Amy suddenly looked horrified, her blue eyes wide. "Oh my god! The English test!" Lita looked similarly horrified. "She's right!" Lita sank back, closing her eyes. "We're totalled!" "Oh girls" Luna shook her head. "Whatever you do, don't forget this afternoon!" The cat pressed her paw to the communicator and disappeared. Raye frowned. "Who does she think we are?" She muttered darkly, resenting Luna's words. "Serena?" ***************************************************** Serena walked out slowly from class, hair trailing on the ground. She bombed on the test. Been like a fish out of water! "How'd you do, Serena?" Molly said, quickly catching up to the blonde in the hall. Serena gave her a weak smile. "Uh, good. I guess" She stared at the ground, absently avoiding the other students in the hall. The last bell had gone and everyone was headed home. Except Serena. Molly picked up on Serena's mood and smiled brightly. "Want to go shopping, Serena? I hear the Mall had some great sales on at the moment!" The red-haired girl said enthusiastically. Serena groaned. "I CAN'T" She almost wailed. "I have detention again!" "Oh. That would put a damper on it, all right" Molly noted. Her blue eyes were filled with disappointment for a moment. Then they cleared. "Well, maybe we can go together this weekend?" "Yeah. Sounds good" Serena cheered up quickly. She stopped in front of the Detention room, a hand on the door-nob. "Well, see you around, Serena!" Molly called, walking away. Serena watched her go, blue eyes filled with disapointment. Her skin tingled suddenly. Her eyes widened and she spun around to see Miss Haruna walking up quietly. The Teacher looked almost disappointed. ["Because she wanted to startle me?"] Serena wondered in surprise. Miss Haruna DID always seem to be popping up from nowhere and scaring Serena. It made her stare at the woman in a slightly new light. "Ah, Serena" Miss Haruna seemed put off. She reached Serena and stopped a foot away. "You'll be happy to know that I've been...Pulled away by an urgent appointment" "Oh" Serena tried to play it down, knowing she had just escaped a few hours of detention. Miss Haruna smiled slightly, almost bursting with happiness. The red-haired woman's smiled turned slightly sour. "As I'm sure it will get all over School by tomorrow anyway" Miss Haruna paused, running a hand through her long hair. "I have a date. With a prominent figure in the computer industry" Serena stared at her teacher wide-eyed. Miss Haruna didn't usually come right out and admit she had a date. Melvin usually had to dig around for a while to find out. "Er, right" Serena stammered. "So, you can go now" Miss H gestured with her right hand, eyes far away. Serena turned away and quickly walked down the hall, unable to believe her luck. Miss Haruna's voice stopped her just as she was about to leave the School. "Oh and Serena" The Teacher's voice was annoyed. "Tell Melvin to keep his nose out of my draw!" "Right!" Serena called back, escaping swiftly through the front doors. As they closed behind her, she pulled her bag onto her back and stood there for a moment. Was it her imagination, or had that been a really weird experience? She walked down the steps and into the sunlight. There was barely anyone left in the School Yard as she crossed it, heading for the front gates. "Why, if it isn't the beautiful, Serena. And all alone too. My good fortune!" Melvin's voice came from outside the gates. Serena's steps paused for a moment as she looked around for him. Unerringly, her blue eyes swung upwards and saw the annoying boy in a tree above the gate. "Melvin. What are you doing in a tree?" Serena looked at him as if he were nuts. Which he probably WAS. Melvin scrambled down a branch ungracefully. Then he lost his balance and fell the rest of the way to the ground. His pad and pen fell onto of him a moment later. Serena just looked at him, rolling her eyes. Melvin scrambled to his feet, brushing leaves from his unruly hair. He held his pad to his chest as if they were the crown jewels. "Ah, just checking around for gossip" He muttered. "In a TREE?" Serena asked in amusement, heading down the path away from the School. Melvin fell in beside her without asking. "Well. Not in the tree exactly. More in the upper level of the School" Melvin opened his pad and scanned the contents. "Room 2c to be exact. I just observed Miss Haruna applying an large amount of make-up to her face" "And?" Serena looked at him strangely. Melvin thrust up an hand in the air, face triumphant. "From evidence gathered...And the fact that you have been released from your detention. I would surmises that Miss H-" "Yes?" Serena said wearily. She was suddenly incredibly tired. Her steps slowed slightly. "Miss Haruna has a date!" Melvin almost yelled. "I know" Serena said softly, eyes closing slightly. Was the sun brighter than a minute before? Melvin stopped dead, reaching out to grab Serena's arm. "Serena!" He almost whined. "You KNOW Miss H has a date? Have you been holding out on me?" "Get a life Melvin" Serena told him, wrenching her arm away. Melvin stared after her, making no move to follow as she walked off. Serena remembered something and turned her head back towards him. "Oh, Miss Haruna said to keep your nose out of her draw!" Serena kept walking, relieved that Melvin was no longer following. She's almost reached the corner when she heard Melvin's words clearly. "How did Miss H know about that? I'm SURE I was careful" Melvin muttered. Serena whirled around, eyes wide. She expected to see Melvin behind her, but the boy had not moved at all. he was meters away from her, where she had left him. Too far for her to have HEARD him so clearly. Serena's blue eyes widened as panic again hit her. It was like earlier, with those girls! She couldn't possibly have heard them OR Melvin so clearly, but she HAD. "This is not happening. It's so weird" Serena murmured, walking away fast. She headed instinctively for the Arcade, wondering if Lita was still there. The girl enjoyed Andrew's place as much as Serena did. ["AND Andrew. He IS a cutie!"] Serena thought with a smirk. A vision of the red-haired guy entered her mind. It was abruptly replaced with a vision of Tuxedo Mask. Serena nodded, a wide smile on her lips. ["Okay. Tuxedo Mask is DEFINETLY more handsome than Andrew is!"] Serena gasped as a feeling suddenly hit her, overwhelming. Moments later, she crashed into a soft, yet firm body. Warm arms came up to steady her. Serena automatically put her arms up to stop herself from falling. Her palms met the black shirt and the warmth beneath. Her fingers tingled. In fact, her whole body was tingling. Especially from where she was being held by strong hands. "Oh, excuse me" Serena said, embarrassed. Below that feeling was chaos. And an indefinable feeling that she knew this person. Serena raised her head at the same time as a familiar voice spoke from above her head. "Are you following me around?" Darian asked sarcastically. Serena glared up into his dark blue eyes. Trying to ignore the sensations in her body. It was like a thousand fires were moving through her blood. Her veins burned and tingled with the strangest feeling. Like an electric jolt. Her fingers involuntarily clenched into his black shirt. Darian's eyes went abruptly blank. Then his fingers tightened on Serena's shoulders. She suddenly realised that they had been standing there for five minutes, holding onto each other tightly. Darian seemed to realise it at the same time. They simultaneously let go of each other. Serena weirdly felt...Almost as if she'd lost something when she'd lost touch with Darian's body. They stared at each other, a foot away and Serena could see her own confusion mirrored in Darian's eyes. Their eyes locked. Serena's hands clenched at her sides, unable to drag her eyes from his. The tingling had receded when she had no longer had contact with him, bit it was still there. She felt light-headed, her mouth dry. But her body had never felt so alive. She wasn’t sure who moved first, but Darian's face was suddenly closer. She could feel the warmth radiating from his body. There was only half-a-foot between them now and Serena had to tilt her head back to look at his face. She saw his eyes darken. Her heart thundered in her ears and she felt her eyes dilate. A car horn beeped loudly, sounding like a gun-shot to Serena. She and Darian leapt away from each other as if burnt. With a half-meter between them, they stared at each other. Both of them were panting lightly. everything swum in Serena's vision for a moment, before her head cleared. Her heart slowed. She blinked dazedly. ["What just happened?"] She whispered inside, horrified. It was DARIAN! Darian. The guy she loved to hate. Serena couldn't take the tension a moment longer. The air was thick with it. She backed away, edging around till her she was facing down the path towards the Arcade. Vaguely, she could see the lights outside the Game Centre. Darian watched her silently, seeming bemused. Nothing at all was said as Serena swiftly turned and walked away from Darian. She could FEEL him though. All the way till she reached outside the Arcade, she could feel his eyes on her back. Knew he was watching her. The glass doors swished open as she stepped towards them. Serena stopped, freezing. She stood there for a moment, then her head turned towards the left. Back to where she had crashed into Darian. Serena's eyes clearly picked his tall form out of the crowd. He was standing where she had left him, not having moved. But he was looking her way. She could feel it. As she looked at his indistinct form, something seemed to happen. Her eyes blurred over, objects seeming to pass her at an enormous speed. When her eyes cleared, she was looking directly into dark blue eyes. She could even see the flecks of silver in them. The dark lashes surrounding. The slight creases from laughter at the corners of his eyes. Her body began to tingle as their eyes again locked. She KNEW he was seeing her as clearly as she was seeing him. There was a confusion and anger in the blue depths of his eyes. But also a longing and an uncontrollable hunger... Serena gasped and fled into the Arcade blindly. Anything to get away from that look. It had almost seemed to devour her on the spot. She didn't understand what it meant. Why he was feeling those emotions. Why she had been able to read them in his eyes. Hands caught her smoothly. Serena almost fainted in shock, thinking irrationally that Darian had somehow followed her. But no, the hands evoked no feelings in her at all. "Are you okay, Serena? You look Kinda pale" Andrew's voice said in concern. Serena glanced up, her head still thundering. She had too many shocks in the last day than she had had in her life. "I'm-I'm fine, just a little weak" Serena said weakly, leaning into his warmth. It felt different. Safer for one thing. Serena's eyes drifted close for a moment, trying to sense. Being in Andrew's arms felt safe and calm. He radiated concern. But that was all. "Serena?" He asked, his voice full of concern and embarrassment. Serena realised how it must look, her clinging to him in the centre of the Arcade. Everyone must have been watching! Serena was about to pull away and apologise, when she heard the doors to the Arcade swich open. There was a silence. Immediately, she gasped as a feeling of danger flooded her senses. It rolled through her like a tide. She stiffened up like a board, the hair on the back of her neck standing up. She knew exactly who was standing there. "Darian. Buddy" Andrew said. His voice was full of embarrassment and bewilderment. And a slight fear. ["Fear?!"] Serena's eyes flashed open. She could sense Andrew's slight fear acutely. The white of his apron came into focus. She released her death-grip on his arms and turned her head sideways, seeking the source of Andrew's emotions. Darian stood there, just inside the doors. His face was impassive, cold. It was his eyes though, that Serena knew was making Andrew afraid and confused. Darian's blue eyes were so dark that they were almost black. They seemed to almost burn though, with an incandescent fury. Absolute fury, barely concealed. And it was aimed at Andrew. His eyes locked on his friend's. The moment seemed to stretch out for Serena. Vaguely, she could hear everyone in the room. Laughing, talking, ignoring the three frozen near the door. Not sensing the barely restrained violence in the air. Serena's numb finger's unclenched from Andrew's t-shirt. She stepped back slowly, eyes on Darian. For a moment, his eyes swung in her direction. The look in the made her falter back a step in actual fear. It wasn't so-much the rage in them, but an ill-concealed hunger and possessiveness that flashed into their depths for a moment. Serena wrenched her eyes away and quickly stepped in-between Andrew and Darian. It felt like she was moving through water. She realised quickly that she was too short to block Darian's eyes from Andrews. The look in Andrew's eyes was glazed. ["Almost like he's being hypnotised"] Serena thought incredulously. She resisted the urge to glance back at Darian. Instead, she reached up and lightly slapped Andrew's face. It shocked him out of the trance and he glanced down at her as she had wanted. "Serena?" He almost pleaded, trying to understand what had just happened. She opened her mouth, then closed it, not sure what to say. She placed a hand on his arm, not really knowing why, but with the uncontrollable urge to comfort. Undo whatever damage Darian had done to his friendship with Andrew. "Andrew, get me a drink?" She asked, voice faint to her own ears. It sounded as if she had not used her voice in years. Foreign even. He blinked at her, then slowly a smile spread over his face as she continued to look at him with calm. Serena almost stepped back as a slightly glazed look came over his face again. The scary thing was...He was looking at HER this time. "A drink. Right" Andrew looked up from Serena, to Darian. "What would you like to drink, Darian?" Serena almost gaped. It was like Andrew had completely forgotten what had just happened! Her blue eyes fell on the hand still resting on his arm gently. A hand she had raised to calm him. The doors swished open again, before Serena could even glance back at Darian. "Darian!" Raye sounded almost panicked. "Are you alright? Serena?" Serena whirled around, wrenching her hand from Andrew's arm. Her eyes widened with alarm as she saw Raye, Amy and Lita standing just behind Darian. The fury in his eyes intensified for a moment. Serena saw Raye flinch. The girl had always been sensitive to emotions. Raye reached out almost hesitantly to touch Darian's back. As soon as her fingers brushed his shirt, she reeled back. Her purple eyes were wide, as she stared at him. Darian's face went blank. He turned, reaching out with a hand to catch Raye's. Something strange happened then. Serena was watching Raye's face as Darian touched her. The raven-haired girl's face went expressionless. Serena reeled as she felt something. It swept through her like a tidal wave, burning through her blood. It was almost like when she transformed as Sailor Moon, but different somehow. And familiar. Haunting familiar to her! "Thanks Darian, I thought I was going to fall for a second" Raye laughed, her face relaxing. Serena stared, mouth open slightly. "What?" She gasped. Lita cut between her view of Darian and Raye. Amy joined her a moment later, both girls stopping near Serena and Andrew. "Hey Andrew. Anything happening around here?" Lita asked casually. Serena saw her green eyes sweep the area warily though, as if seeking something. Andrew scratched at his arm, in exactly the place Serena had touched him. She glanced at the skin and saw that it was white. Pure white skin, amongst the profusely freckled skin of the rest of his arm. He stared at it for a moment, then shrugged and walked away to the counter. "Nothing much happening around here Lita" He answered her question of a moment ago. Andrew smiled at them all as Raye and Darian joined them. The two stood next to Lita. Darian looked calm and relaxed as Raye leaned her head on his shoulder, looking happy. Everyone ordered drinks, then Andrew looked at Serena. "Chocolate shake, Serena?" He asked knowingly. She nodded, feeling as if she were waking up from a nightmare. Darian had not looked as if he wanted to kill Andrew. He had not looked at Serena as if he'd like to... "Chocolate. A triple, with whipped cream" Serena said coolly. Her eyes firmed, a determined smile spreading over her face. Andrew nodded. Lita took Serena's arm and led her to the side slight as everyone else headed for a table. Darian's arm brushed hers and Serena almost leapt out of her skin. Jer looked down at her momentarily as he passed, eyes glinting. She couldn't read his expression though. Lita's voice got her attention back. Serena moved her head closer to the brunettes. "Did anything happen here? A monster? Zoisite?" Lita hissed. Serena's eyes widened. "No. Nothing" She swallowed, feeling bad about lying. But really, what was she supposed to say? Darian had suddenly changed into something infinitely dangerous? If so, then why was no one else seeing it. Sensing it. "At ALL?" Lita asked, incredulous. Serena shook her head as Andrew walked over to them, a large tray in his hands. "Go sit down girls. Drinks are up" He said cheerfully. Lita pushed Serena gently towards the table. She sat down next to Amy as Andrew began to serve the drinks. Serena saw that there was two chairs left around the large table. One was on the other side of Lita and one...Next to Darian. For a moment, complete panic consumed her. Darian's eyes met hers knowingly. Serena stopped dead. Lita looked at her understandingly and pulled Serena into the chair next to hers. "Sit next to me Serena" She said loudly. Andrew took the tray back to the bar, collected his drink and went to sit next to Darian. Serena watched carefully, but neither Darian nor Andrew gave any sign of what had happened earlier. What was going ON? "So Darian" Raye began smoothly, moving her chair closer to his. "I hear the boat rides are really romantic at night" Darian looked down at her, smiling slightly. "Yeah, so did I" Serena held her breath, eyes suddenly glued to the two. Her blue eyes swept over Raye's hand, fingers splayed over one of Darian's arms. Even through the green jacket, she could see the lightly muscled arm. "Well?" Raye said, hinting. Serena heard her voice from a long way off. Her attention was held solely by a fascination in Darian's jacket. Her blue eyes swept over the green, seeing every detail. Even the loose thread near the middle button. The blue moved upwards, over his chest. The muscles were evident there too. Serena wondered why she had never noticed before, how fit Darian was. His chin had a slight cleft in it, his mouth...Serena's eyes skittered to the right. His skin was smooth and lightly tanned, laughter lines at the side of his mouth. The dark hair fell over the dark blue of his eyes, which Serena carefully avoided. ["His hair looks so soft. Dark like a raven's wing"] Serena thought absently. Her blue eyes swept downwards again, over his broad shoulders. ["Familiar"] She mused blankly, mind wondering. Where had she seen those shoulders before? "But not tonight, Raye" Darian's voice cut abruptly into Serena's thoughts. Her eyes swung upwards in surprise. Darian's eyes were fixed firmly on her. Not Raye. And in his eyes was a knowing look. Also something darker. Serena's heart began to beat faster. Darian broke their gazes, turning to Raye. "I've got something to catch up with tonight" Raye looked disappointed. Her eyes flickered over him, then Serena. The blonde stiffened, turning her face away. Her eyes fell on Amy, then on Lita and Andrew. They were ALL looking fist at her and then Darian. Serena felt her heart freeze. They had NOTICED! They had seen the way Darian and Serena had been staring at each other. ["Oh Gods"] Serena panicked. Her hand tightened on her thick shake glass. "Maybe another time, then" Raye said, trying to hide her disappointment. The raven-haired girl again stared at Serena and then Darian. A loud noise made everyone jump, as Serena's glass exploded into chunks. She opened her fingers slowly, letting a large piece of glass drop to the table. Blood dripped down with it. Serena stared at the piece of glass with fascination, noting the blood on the sharp edges. Her hand remained suspended above the glass, just watching as the blood dripped continuously, steadily onto the table. "Serena!" Andrew gasped in horror. He ripped his apron off swift. "Oh god!" Raye gasped simultaneously. She reached out for Serena's hand, but a larger one beat her. Darian wrapped his slender fingers around Serena's wrist and turned the hand till the palm was facing upwards. Serena gasped at the tingling sensation. It swept along her arm and into the rest of her body. ["Like getting an electric shock"] Serena murmured in her mind. She tried to take her hand from Darian's, but his fingers tightened almost painfully. She tried to ignore him as Andrew and Raye bent over her and examined her hand. Serena glanced indifferently at it. There was a long cut along her white palm, looking jagged. "I think she needs stitches" Andrew noted with worry, picking out the smaller pieces of glass gently. Serena winced, biting her lip. All the while, intensely aware of Darian's grip upon her wrist. She felt as if his hand had been burst into her skin. Andrew wrapped his apron around her hand, bandaging it as best as he could. Darian let go. Serena refused to look at him, even though she knew his eyes were on her bent head. She felt both relieved and strangely bereft, when he was no longer touching her skin. ["What is WRONG with me?"] She cried inwardly, suddenly close to tears. Raye and Lita took it the wrong way, thinking that Serena was finally going to give into the wailing tears that were so common of Serena. A single tear made it's way down her check, seeming to burn. But Serena wouldn't cry. It just didn't seem...Necessary any more. She frankly couldn't think why she always used to cry so much over such little things. "Darian, do you have your car?" Raye was asking. Serena's eyes widened with horror as she KNEW what Raye was going to ask. "Can you drive her to the hospital?" "I'll come" Lita said firmly. Serena's eyes met Darian's, wary as she saw a sudden amusement in their blue depths. "I'm sorry Lita, but I couldn't fit all of us" He told them all, a smile in his voice. "I brought my bike" He explained smoothly. Serena's eyes widened in horror. She's have to RIDE with him? Hold onto his waist. Be NEAR him. "I'm fine" Serena blurted, shifting her chair backwards. Darian looked silently at her, an eyebrow raised. His expression was almost challenging. Serena's eyes flashed fury at him for a moment, the old dislike coming flooding back. "That cut was deep" Andrew said admonishingly. Serena wiggled her fingers absently, feeling an itching sensation on her palm. She frowned lightly. When the other's turned to talk to Darian, Serena lifted the edge of the apron and peered at her palm. She quickly pulled it back, going pale. "You know what. I'm feeling sort of queasy. I'd like to walk. Raye, Lita, come with me?" Serena asked swiftly. Her friend's frowned at her, angry and concerned. "Look Serena, I know you and Darian hate each other" Raye began heatedly, ignoring Lita's gasp. "But you NEED to get stitches. So go with Darian NOW or so help me. I'll-" "Fine" Serena said abruptly. She'd startled them all. Even Darian. That gave her a feeling of triumph. Serena looked at him from under lowered lids, a slight smile on her lips. He looked down at her, eyes shuttered, face expressionless. "Lets go" He told her abruptly. Cool as a winter storm. "Try not to kill each other" Lita called. Serena followed Darian out. He turned to the right and Serena realised they were headed back to where she had bashed into him earlier. She flushed bright red as she remembered acutely how they had stared at each other. Her eyes spotted his bike, parked on the side of the road. She must have smacked into him just as he got off his bike. Of all the luck! Darian got onto the bike, then looked up at her motionless form as she stood on the curb. "Hop on" Darian said quietly. Serena hesitated, then climbed on after him. Her body came alive as she was forced to cling to every inch of his firm back. It burned through her School dress. Her heart began to thunder and she could hear it even over the sound of the motorbike, as he started it. The engine roared to life. Darian revved it, then took off fast. Serena's hands clutched at thin air for a moment, before clinging to Darian's shirt in a death-grip. She glared at his back, knowing that had been intentional! They turned a corner and she almost lost her grip again. Darian turned his head slightly to glance back at her. "You'll have to hang on better than that, Meatball Head" He shouted back to her, blue eyes glinting wildly. Serena's glare intensified as Darian sped up. Her hand wasn't hurting so bad now, so she flung both hands around his waist. Serena's fingers wound into his belt. She felt him shiver as her fingers brushed his waist. Serena almost let go in shock, not knowing HOW she had felt that. The bike was vibrating from the speed they were going, yet she had clearly felt him shiver. Serena closed her eyes, feeling tears surfacing. She rested her head against him back without thinking, almost sinking into his warmth. What was going on lately? Was she going crazy...Was that it? It wasn't possible to be feeling all that she was. The things that she had seen and heard. Sensed. The bike slowed. Serena raised her head, wiping futilely at her cheeks to erase the traces of tears. Darian stopped the bike at the hospitals front Entrance. She waited, but he said nothing. Serena hopped off the back and stood there, looking up at him. She opened her mouth, an irresistible urge to ask him if all that had happened was just a dream. A nightmare. Darian's eyes became quietly mocking as she continued to stare at him. "Cat got your tongue, Meatball Head?" He asked her, the old Darian back. Before she could blink, Darian leaned forwards, an arm shooting out swiftly. She felt his strong fingers encircle the wrist of her left hand and was jerked forward. She lost her balance, falling against his body and half-across his lap on the bike. Serena put up her hands to fend him off, but as soon as she touched his chest, an electricity filled her body. Darian must have felt it also, for his eyes darkened to a deep blue. "Let me GO, you jerk" She hissed, wanting to be anywhere but there. She hated the way he made her feel...and to be sprawlled across his lap like this in front of the hospital- "Don't I deserve a reward for bringing you to the hospital?" He mocked. Their eyes locked, Serena's with a heplessness and growing anger. ["How DARE he do this to me?"] Darian's head dipped quickly, capturing her lips in a searing kiss. Every thought in Serena's head went out the window as she felt his warm lips against hers. She couldn't believe it! Darian Chiba was kissing-her... ["That creep!"] Her eyes darkened dangerously. She pushed at his chest hard and he fell back. She looked at him, face furious and saw a smug expression in his eyes, along with a deep hunger- Serena's reaction was immediate. Her hand swung out of it's own violation and she slapped his face hard. Darian never flinched. His head turned back slowly, eyes burning. Serena took a step back, frightened at the look. Darian said nothing as she backed towards the doors. She watched as he revved the bike and sped off, barely missing a car. Serena watched till be disappeared from sight. Then she turned and walked in the opposite direction, away from the hospital. She walked through the car park and onto the walkway, heading towards home. The sun was going down soon. As she passed a bin, Serena paused and unwrapped the apron from her hand. She stared down at the palm, now completely smooth. The blood had dried where the cut had been, but there was no sight of a wound at all. Serena threw the apron into the bin, walking away. She looked down at her palm, wiggling her fingers. She felt completely numb. She remembered watching the shadows form on the ground and under the tree's as the sky darkened. The sun slipped slowly down behind the horizon and the sky was lit with red's, pinks and golds. "Mmm. Beautiful" Serena murmured. She stopped near an ally, leaning back against the shop window to watch the sunset. There was almost no one about and for a moment, Serena felt completely alone. As the colours faded and the Moon became visible in the sky, Serena felt a sudden dizziness overcome her. Her fingers began to tingle, spreading into the rest of her body with a burning sensation. A horrible burning. She felt like she was ripping apart! "Help me" Serena whispered, slipping to the side. She had no control over her body as it slid to the ground. The last thing Serena saw was the bright Moon in the sky. The everything went dark. ********************************************************************* Oooh! I just loooove doing cliff-hangers! Don't you? *Bright look* Only a week till you can find out what happens! BTW. I sort of had an idea for a Sailor Moon/Labyrinth Crossover Series. Would anyone at ALL be interested in trying it out? I need at least 3 people to get it started...We COULD do Sailor Moon Buffy I guess. I'll try anything! Love, Princess Destiny