All right...here it is FINALLY! I have been working so hard on this story, so you all better enjoy it! I'm really trying to make it realistic...like how Serena and Darien might act if all the "Evil Prince Endymion" crap never happened! And I have been doing so much research! I must have watched "A Crystal Clear Destiny" and "A Reluctant Princess" 20 times each, listening to every word and watching every move those 2 made! And OH MAN, getting to hear Terri and Toby again *tear* it was so beautiful! There will be another part or two after this one, but they will take me a while since I'm trying to make everything wonderful! Oh and there will be P.O.V changes throughout the story... SPOV=Serena DPOV=Darien OMPOV=Omniscient Disclaimer: Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko and Toei..... and *shudder* Cloverway. Personally, I think Andy Heyward should sneak into their studio late at night and TAKE OUR BELOVED SHOW AWAY FROM THE HANDS OF SATAN!!!!! :::starts chanting::: DOWN WITH BALLANTYNE! DOWN WITH VINCE! WE WANT TERRI---TAKE A HINT! "Damn!" Beryl spat as she hit her long, twisted staff upon the cold floor. It made a horrible and hollow clanking sound that echoed through every gallow of the Negaverse. Zoicite winced visibly as she pondered her icy fate she knew was almost upon her. With only the wave of her hand, the queen could kill. Zoicite was no exception this day. "How could you let that Moon brat get the Imperium Silver Crystal?" The lone general opened her mouth to speak but was once again silenced by her superior. "But more importantly...how could you let them take Endymion?!" The last of Beryl's words were screamed with great furor, her eyes blazing red with anger and jealousy. "Forgive me, my queen." Zoicite said as nobly as she could muster, bowing in respect. "I will not tolerate any more insolence from you Zoicite." The general lifted her eyes to meet the Queen's, hope lingering in their depths...hope that maybe she would be spared. Without emotion or words exchanged, Beryl lifted her hand and sent forth a white hot energy blast. The general let out a wretched scream as the energy ripped through her body and then collapsed in smoldering heap. Still devoid of emotion, the queen simply stared at the lifeless form before turning her attention to her crystal ball. "Malachite is my last resource." She mused, running a long crimson fingernail across the smooth surface. A vision of her mortal enemy suddenly generated inside the ball. The girl danced and laughed merrily as she exited a large white building with many others dressed in the same type of clothes. Beryl's nails unconsciously tightened around the sphere as she watched in pure hatred. "Zoictie was good for one thing..." She concluded. after a silence of bitter despise for the young girl she was watching. "telling me the identity of the Moon Princess...Sailor Moon..." An evil smile curved her cold purple lips as she spoke the next word. "Serena." "It Did" Part 2 by Sailor Tampa "FrrriiiiDAY!" The young girl with the golden odangos beamed as she spun around in a circle. 'The weekend is finally here!' she thought to herself as she pranced away from the school. She huffed the chilled air lightly, causing a misty white cloud to escape her lips. 'Fall's coming quicker than I expected!' Serena mused, drinking in the scenery around her. Leaves of golden and red hues blew carelessly off of tree limbs, littering the stony sidewalk and streets in the Juuban area. Fuzzy woodland creatures also scampered about, searching for food to keep them content throughout the approaching winter season. Serena's eyes rolled upwards towards the sky, studying it's light blue purity, as she continued to walk down the familiar pathway to her home. Only wisps of feathery white clouds tainted the sky that day. Serena quietly noted to herself that they resembled when you pulled apart cotton candy... "If only my life were simple now..." she thought aloud, tearing her gaze from up above. She took in a deep, chilled breath of air again, hoping it would help those incessant tears that decided to return again. "Like it was ever simple before..." she scoffed bitterly, reaching the corner her street rested across from. Tears stung at her eyes. 'I thought I was ok now...I really did. And I was so sure something would happen to Darien's feelings for me...now that he knows who am I. But-he just wants to be "friends"...' a sob choked within her throat. 'And isn't that what I wanted?!' Her stubborn mind told her yes, but her heart had ideas of it's own. Glancing quickly to her left and right for oncoming traffic and seeing everything clear, she ran across the road and the rest of the way to her house, fighting back tears and sobs the entire way. ~~~~~~~ A pink bunny coat hangar trembled from the force of a slamming door by a very confused teenager as she stumbled into her room. Sighing pitifully, she flopped down on her bed and hugged her pillow tightly. "Darien..." she whispered into her sheets. Her eyes closed tearfully as long deserved sleep tugged at her mind, until... "SERENA!!!!" Jerking to a sitting position and covering her ears in pain, she called back to her angrily. "What is IT, Mom?!" Her mother's footsteps resonated off the hallway walls until they ceased when her door flew open, the bunny hangar crashing haphazardly to the ground. "I need you to pick me up a few things at the bakeshop in town." her mother commanded. Serena only groaned in frustration, swinging her legs over her bed and standing up. She secretly hoped this little errand would keep her mind occupied on other things, instead of a crystal and a handsome hero. The young blonde scrubbed tired hands over her moist cheeks and sighed. "All right...What do you need?" ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ SPOV I stepped quietly out of my house and shut the door with a soft click, my mother's shopping list crumpled hastily in my grasp. Small sniffles from my previous battle with my emotions still shook my shoulders as I touched a gloved hand to my pink cheek. I had to make sure no more tears fell that day. I didn't want to cry anymore... That's all I had been doing lately, actually. An icy wind suddenly brushed past and signaled to me that I should probably get going. It was nearly dusk after all, and the nights in Tokyo could get fairly cold. Crossing my already chilled arms over my lavender coat, I began my trek to the bakeshop. For some odd reason my mom needed yeast to make bread, and FAST. A crooked smile cracked my lips. That's my mom for ya... A busy crosswalk stopped my almost completed journey into town. 'How can so many people be out tonight?' I thought with a frown. 'A perfect opportunity for a youma to attack...or for that smart-ass, lowlife Malachite to make a scene.' Anger swelled in my chest at the thought of the unquestionably evil general. Just *see* what happens if that guy shows his face! The way I'm feeling right now, I might just be inclined to Moon dust that creep! I mechanically walked forward with the surge of the crowd, still caught up in the prospect of vaporizing Malachite. A smile crept to my lips as I considered the scouts' reactions if I *did* dust him...all by myself... PROVE to them I was capable of more than just screaming my brains out and tripping over everything during our battles. And what if Tuxedo Mask witnessed my sudden display of Heroinism? My heart leaped from my chest at the very thought of that damned gorgeous face behind the mask, beaming with pride and admiration for me. And then him leaning down to give me my first kiss... My thoughts stopped there. ' "Friends" don't do *those* things...' Ok you are *not* going to think about this remember, Serena?! I pushed the thought hastily to the back of my mind and I moved faster through the crowd. I absentmindedly glanced at the windows of the shops I passed as I walked. "Nothing interesting." I commented dryly. Window shopping was one of my all-time favorite hobbies, but this evening...it just wasn't the best timing. I had no desire to think about how much this or that costs or 'I wish I could buy that'...My mind would not have it. Suddenly I jostled myself right out of my spot in the moving crowd as my eye caught something. It was a florist shop with several beautiful floral arrangements displayed in the window. And right in the middle was a dozen ruby, red roses magnificently placed with tiny speckles of creamy white baby's breath and decorative stakes shimmering with silver glittery dust. On top of each stake were small, plastic crescent moons, that twinkled hauntingly in the fluorescent lighting cast upon them. My eyes immediately swung back into old habit and welled up with tears as I stared at the flowers. They had so much more symbolism than I'm sure anyone could have ever intended. I placed a gloved hand lightly on the glass window as I continued to stare. *Flash* "How ironic! It isn't you that I want, but your pal, Tuxedo Mask!" "Tuxedo Mask?! Give me a break! He's not even here Zoicite!" "Yes I am! I am Tuxedo Mask!" "You are?" "Mmhmm..." *Flash* "Tuxedo Mask..." "What did you say?" Gasping in surprise, I turned in the direction of the familiar voice. My heart pumped widely in my chest and my stomach filled with nervous butterflies. "Darien..." I breathed, wide-eyed. So much for not thinking about him. Unconsciously, I started to look him over. He was wearing a ribbed, fitted black sweater with a leather jacket over the top and black jeans. His hair was tousled slightly from the chilled breezes of dusk, and his eyes were an intense bright blue. That's where my exploration stopped. Right then and there, when I stared into his eyes. 'No more tears, Serena!' I scolded myself. 'No tears...' "So Princess, what are ya up to?" Darien asked me with a grin. Ok what *am* I doing?! I'm standing here like a moron, gaping at him! "Oh, um...I was just...looking at those roses." I gestured to the lovely bouquet through the glass. I immediately screamed at myself. What am I thinking? Geez! First you stare at him and then you just give away that you're pining after his alter ego by staring at those roses! "Oh." he responded simply, and I feared he knew of my thoughts... ~~~~~~~ DPOV 'Oh? OH?! That's all I could say to her?! What the hell, Darien!' In the midst of me cursing at myself, something came to me. It came fast, and boy did it come hard. The realization hit me like a moving truck, as I stood there, gazing at Serena's ethereal profile. Her cheeks were tinted dark pink from the chill in the air, as was the tip of her nose. Thick, black eyelashes shadowed over her dazzling light blue eyes, which seemed to be swirling with emotions. My mind reverted back to 3 days ago, when I had turned around and seen that curious little Meatball Head had followed me to my destiny in the Starlight Tower...And in the elevator...when I'd been fighting an inner battle with myself, wanting to show this girl she was so much more special to me than she, or I, had thought. I wanted to give her everything I had, but only settling for the moment, and letting my cold heart bleed with the tragedy of my childhood, knowing somehow she would understand. By God, I was *so* close to telling her...telling her my brain turned to mush whenever I saw or spoke to her. And I, the calm and collected upperclassman, did not understand the foreign feelings she provoked inside me. But alas, I didn't know how to comprehend them, and therefore, couldn't very well expect her to know what the hell I was talking about. Of course I had taken the easy way out and reverted to calling her Meatball Head, even when I had made a promise to her that I'd never say it again. If only she knew it was an endearment and not an insult... Her profile caught my eye again, and combined with unsettled emotions, knocked my breath right out of my lungs. God...she's so beautiful..so much more beautiful than I'd ever imagined the Moon Princess was. Serena was more breathtaking than any of my fantasies...even when my eyes were opened to the truth of our identities, and I stared into Serenity's eyes...it was *nothing* compared to the goddess that stood before me. How could it have taken me so long to sort this out? All along, I'd thought I was in love with Princess Serenity--and I was blind! Yes, when my head lay in her lap and she took my hand in her own, I felt the sweet memories of 1,000 years ago fill me again--fill the void in my mind and answer so many questions--but even as I gazed into her blue eyes, I realized that it didn't fill the void in my heart. Not the Darien Chiba of this day. I brandished a rose out of thin air, making quite sure it held no thorns or imperfections, just like the woman before me. Serena turned to me suddenly, a hand still lingering on the frosty window. Her wide eyes stayed glued to the blossom I held between my fingertips, amazed no doubt, by the feat. I hesitantly stepped closer to her and gently wove the stem into one golden bun. I could feel her body heat radiating onto mine as a result of the cold fall day, or perhaps from the close proximity of our bodies. My heart coated over with that same warm feeling I had whenever she was near, as I glanced down into her pure blue eyes. 'How could you have ever thought of her as anything less than a goddess?' My mind whispered to my heart. And I knew it was right...so *very* right. ~~~~~~~~ SPOV "Darien..." I breathed gently onto his face that was only a few painful inches from my own. "One day," Darien whispered softly. "Someone will give you so many roses you won't know what to do with them..." My body screamed in agony as he lengthened the space between us by standing up straight. "And this," He lifted his hand and stroked the part of my hair the rose was tangled in. "is just the beginning." His large hand dropped to his side, and he turned and walked away from me. My breathing was heavy, my heartbeat irregularly fast, as I watched his form disappear into the crowd. The glass I was leaning on helped tremendously as I trembled, and then collapsed on it for support, my knees ready to give any second. My mother's list as well as the errand I was supposed to be on was quickly forgotten. 'Oh Darien...I'm so confused...what do you want from me? What do you want from *us*?' ~~~~~~~ DPOV I crossed my arms over my chest in an attempt to capture back some of the warmth I had felt so close to Serena. The puzzle of my feelings had finally come together....and I must say, I was pleased with what *I* felt--but unsure of what she did. My eyes fell on familiar yellow letters glued to an ever moving automatic door. 'I think it's time I paid Andrew a visit.' I thought suddenly and entered the doors of the Crown Center Arcade. ~~~~~~ OMPOV Andrew's golden blonde head perked up at the buzzing sound of the doors. His eyes greeted Darien's warmly. "Hey buddy! What's goin' on? Anything New?" Darien chuckled in irony of the comment and took his favorite seat at the stool by the counter. "Andrew, my friend...you have *no* idea..." he trailed off as he eyed the empty seat the Sailor V game, sighing. "So what is is? You are going to tell me, right?" the smaller man joked, leaning on the spotless white countertop. Darien's train of thought steered it's course towards Serena again. he pictured her so clearly in his mind, smiling brightly at the mere mention of ice cream, sleep, and...Tuxedo Mask. 'I know how I feel for her, but how do I know what she feels for me?' "Helloooo, Darien?" Andrew whistled, waving an annoyed hand in his best friend's face. Startled, Darien mumbled a weak "sorry" and then took a deep breath. He was ready to deliver Andrew, his only trusted friend, whom he'd shared his tragic life story with, another blow. "Andrew....I..." Darien stuttered momentarily, unsure of whether to continue. Andrew took a sip of his coke and nodded.
"I think I'm in love..." Andrew proceeded to make an unpleasant gagging noise with his soft drink, his eyes widening. He clamped a hand over his mouth, trying to keep the brown liquid from spilling onto clean countertop. Darien, however, didn't seem to notice as he uttered the last two words of his sentence. "...with Serena." A number of "ews" bubbled from several teenage girls nearby, as a fountain of coke sprayed from the blonde's pursed lips. He choked a little and wiped his dripping mouth with the back of his shirt sleeve. Slamming down his glass, he turned to Darien in utter shock. "WHAT!?" he squeaked, still choking a bit. "I thought you guys hated each other?!" Darien shook his dark head slowly, knowing that he had *never* hated her. "It's taken me a long time to figure it out, Andrew... but I think deep down I've always known she was special to me in some way." he finished with raw feeling in his words. "By God, Darien..." Andrew breathed, still shocked by his friend's confession. "How did this come about?" Darien's eyes became uncharacteristically hazy as he stared at the ceiling. "Something happened a few days ago. We found out some things about each other..." he paused briefly and looked Andrew in the eyes. "...that were a bit shocking, to say the least." The blonde man raised his eyebrows in anticipation. "And are you going to tell me these 'things'?" he inquired curiously. "I really can't..." Andrew's face fell to the counter as he groaned. "Right now!" Darien finished hurriedly. "I will though, I swear Andrew, but--I need to know if Serena..." he swallowed a lump of uncertainty that rose inside his throat, "feels the same way too." Andrew lifted his fallen face and held up his hand in protest. "Wait a second--so, you love her, but you don't know if she returns the feeling?" "Exactly." Darien confirmed. His friend slumped down onto the counter again, hoping to devise some sort of advice to give the man before him. 'I never would have guessed it... Darien Chiba is in love...' Andrew recited to himself, and quietly furrowed his brow in thought. From a nearby table, a raven haired priestess digested every word that had been exchanged between the two men. She stood and slipped unnoticed out ot the arcade, an unreadable emotion masking her face. ~~~~~~~~~~ Ok that would be part 2...hooray! Please tell me what ya thought!