Hi, there

I was going to type the next chapter for the super-x wife… post it, instead of waiting for November, but my longhand draft is hiding…and this was at hand. Pray that I find it.

Actually, I'm feeling bubbly today because my niece is coming to see me and I'm sure I wouldn't be able to spend any more time in front of my computer when she's here, so I'm spending as much time as I could before she arrives.

Also, it was announced that there'd be power shortage tomorrow (third world, you see… hehe) so please bug my government instead of me.

Well, 'this' was supposed to be one of those hundred drabbles that never saw the light of day. I was new to fanfiction then. I found this on top of my chapter 11 never broken draft. The closest date was May 2006. It was in a special notebook.

I hope you like it. Tell me if you do. Maybe we can add more if I get enough reaction.

THUNDERSTORMS

Walking side by side in the rain. Sharing an umbrella. How romantic, Serena morosely mused. How could this be happening? Did Darien suddenly develop a conscience for being so nasty to her in the past?

Suddenly, a bolt of lightning flitted across the sky and there was a flash before them. She felt like a million dollars, like a star caught by the sneaky paparazzi. No, she wasn't the actor. The guy beside her was. And she was being cursed because of him. But there was a booming sound that followed it and she gave a shout of fright, and felt like a fool in the next second. Especially when she discovered that she had mechanically latched onto Darien's arm that was on her side.

He stiffened, his feet stuck to the ground and looked down on her shaking form.

The man muttered an incoherent invective (she really wasn't sure if it was). Was he annoyed at her cowardice? But she still couldn't let go of his arm if her life depended on it. Her heart seemed to have stepped out of her ribcage and all she could think of was pacifying herself and steadying her knees. They were wobbling.

"Are you all right?" he gently asked, much to her surprise. Time seemed to have been suspended.

"Terrified." It was a good thing her things are all in her shoulder bag. Her voice was unsteady. "I'm sorry." She carefully removed her two hands on his arm and forced her head that was so near his chest and chin away from his powerful form.

"Have you always been like this?" They were walking again.

Her knees were still weak, from fright perhaps. Or was it due to their contact? Her heartbeat was being painful in its speed. She'd never been this close to a man before.

"According to my mother, yes. She said I managed to jump over an obstacle that was more than half my size when I was three to get to her side one time. I don't really recall doing that. But a cousin attested to it. And then when I was ten, I was standing on this two-feet high platform, and she was standing a good length away from me," she was babbling without realizing it, her hand moving in front of her in action, "this mighty thunder roared and I mindlessly leaped to embrace her. She was too worried about me to give me a beating for nearly toppling her over." She smiled at the recollection. She gave a nervous laugh and looked up at him. He was smiling at her too. "Huh?"

"I'll remember to be around you during thunderstorms."

"Don't worry. I could sleep through it, believe me. And I'm getting better at overcoming my fear these days." She looked away. He's such a jerk, wanting to be around when she's feeling her pathetic self.

"Lady, do I need to explain it?"

She searched his face, puzzlement in her pretty blue eyes.

He continued. "I want to make sure you don't hug the wrong guys when your phobia hits."

"Funny," she said in an embarrassed, subdued tone. "I didn't hug you."

There was vehemence in that voice, Darien noted. And the princess was blushing.

"Did too," he mocked in a soft tone.

Rei would kill her now, if half the female population of Azabu Tech wouldn't beat her to the job.

"Thanks for bringing me home." They were at the gate of her house. "Guess what, it stopped raining. No need to see me to the door."

"Shame." He unfolded his umbrella and looked up at the sky, which was still covered by fluffy gray clouds. How he wished a thunder would break once more. "Say, can I meet your parents?"

"Maybe next time." She frowned at his request. Whatever for? Maybe never. I'll remember to have an umbrella with me all the time. No more next time.

"I'll take you up on that." With a smile on his lips, he turned upon his heel.