Title: Who Really Cares for Me?
Author: Usagi San
Email: chiba_serena@hotmail.com
Rating: Pg-pg13, may change throughout story
Genre: rom
Part: chapter 5
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon.
AN: I'm back! It's been a long time since my last chapter and I apologize. My excuse? Writer's block. I absolutely loathe writer's block and pity any other author who has to go through that phase. Well here's chapter 5 and again, something unexpected happens. In this chapter, you'll sort of see how stubborn the Serena I made up is. I'm exasperated with her myself and want to strangle her sometimes for her pig-headedness! Ok, now I'm blabbing, so I'll stop. Enjoy the chapter and don't forget to email me!

____________________________Chapter 5_________________________

Charles is jealous of Darien. That thought ran through my head as I sat down on my bed numbly. A flutter of hope rose in me and my face reflected that hope. Darien saw it and immediately stomped over to me bed and towered over me with his huge frame.

"Serena, forget him," he almost pleaded. "Hasn't he done enough to you?" I barely heard him. My mind was busy thinking up schemes to make Charles open his arms to me and forget about Lydia. I know I am positively evil sometimes, but all's fair in love and war! As though a lightning bolt struck me, a perfect plan began to take shape in my head. I looked at Darien, contemplating my brilliant plan. He looked back at me with open curiosity and a hint of something else. Could it be...no, it couldn't have been. I must be imaging things. I tore my gaze from his face and stood up.

"Darien, I have a favor to ask of you."

"What is it?" he asked cautiously, eyeing me with half curiosity, half hesitation.

"I'm not going to tell you unless you agree beforehand, because this favor is VERY big and just a trifle embarrassing," I told him in my most girlish voice, hoping he would say yes.

"Serena, you know I'd do anything for you." Then, as if he had just revealed something important, Darien blushed. I giggled inwardly at the sight he beheld and then prepared myself and said,

"I want you to court me."

I had never seen so much emotion flicker across his face. First disbelief, second confusion, then astonishment, followed by joy, and finally a *yeah right* expression.

"Not seriously of course," I proclaimed. My plan was to get Charles to be so jealous of Darien and me that he'd be begging me to take him back. I know that this is unfair to Darien, but doesn't he want the cousin he despises to be jealous of him? In a way, this pretend courtship can benefit both him and I. So I explained this to him.

For a second, I thought I saw hurt on his face, but it was gone as fast as it had come. He agreed, muttering about insanity in his family. I smiled at him, very content, and just a bit smug. Charles is going to be begging in no time!

"I have a question though Serena," Darien interrupted my thoughts. I looked at him inquiringly and he said,

"Are we going to be dating, holding hands, and kissing?" He asked all these in a bland voice.

I gaped at him. It honestly had never crossed my mind that we have to be *intimate*. But I suppose we should be doing all those things if we want to deceive Darien. An image of Darien and I kissing, our tongues dancing, and our hands exploring, flashed through my head, and I blushed furiously, erasing the thought. Maybe this isn't such a good idea after all. I will not deny this strange spark between Darien and I, and it certainly isn't wise to be close to him when we might do something we both will regret later. But then, this is the only way to make Charles mine, and I just can't pass the chance! My resolve strengthened and I squared my shoulders, determined to win Charles over.

"Of course we're going to be dating, holding hands, and kissing," I said in what I hoped was an off-handed voice. Then I went back to putting finishing touches to our deception. I was so busy thinking that I didn't once consider why Darien is all of the sudden helping me.


I walked down the stairs with Darien escorting me and my head held high. He pretended to murmur something in my ears and I faked a silver laugh. That got everyone's attention. Austal and Damale had been talking quietly, and they stood up, smiles on their faces, as I descended down the stairs. Charles had been eating breakfast and he looked up as well and paled at the sight of us. Coolly, I brushed past him with Darien and seated myself beside Austal.

"Serena dear, how'd you sleep?" she asked in a motherly voice. I smiled at her sweetly.

"Thank you Austal, I slept fine."

"Good, oh good," Austal burbled on. "You're just in time for breakfast, so let's eat."

Darien had been looking a bit mad for some reason. I could see the slight tick on his face and the way his lips had thinned. He finally intercepted, "Mother, Serena and I will be going to a friend's house for breakfast. Thanks but we'll have to leave now." Without waiting for a reply, he got up, took my hand and practically dragged me away from the table.

Once we were alone in the hall, I folded my arms and stared angrily at him.

"What do you think you're doing?"

Darien looked slightly abashed.

"Sorry Serena, but I just can't stand to be in the same room with Charles." At this point, he brought his previously clenched fist up to his forehead and rubbed his temples.

"He makes me so mad! Every time I look at him, I feel this surge of anger at how he treated you." Darien's eyes seemed plead with me even as his mouth did the same. "Serena, think carefully before you forgive that creep. He has done you harm, and yet, you still go through this ridiculous scheme for his benefit. He doesn't deserve you."

I overlooked his remark about my scheme and raised my chin.

"I know what I'm doing Darien, but thanks for your concern. Now aren't we suppose to go to a breakfast? I'm famished."


Finished this chapter! Thank you so much to all the people who emailed me with comments. See ya next time!

-Usagi San