Disclaimer: I don't own sailor moon. There done.


First of all I would like to thank all of you who have reviewed my story it gives me the drive to keep writing this for you. Keep those reviews coming and I'll get these chapters out faster. Now on with the story.





A Dimensional Adventure




Darien glanced about as the group made their way down the road that lead back to the city. He had felt ill at ease since he had woken up this morning. His ability to sense danger was coming had saved his life on more than one occasion but it was little comfort from a day spent constantly having to watch his back. Waiting for the sword to come out of the bushes behind him. Somehow he sensed that it wasn't his life in danger this time but someone else's. everyone seemed eager to return to the city after their little adventure at the fire temple. Chad and Raye stayed ever by the others side although they argued a lot of the time, he figured it was to hide their true feelings for one another. Andrew and Serena were chatting away ahead of him about one thing or another from their world. Sometimes they spoke of such wondrous things, like candle's that never burned out and box's on wheels that traveled very fast and ,although he was loath to believe him, Andrew had said that they had even walked on the moon! Such wonders. He hoped to see them for himself one day.

As the group came around a bend in the road Darien's felling of unease suddenly spiked. He raced ahead and pulled up in front of Andrew and Serena to slow down there progress while effectively blocking Serena on both sides between him and Andrew. The pair stopped talking when they noticed the look on Darien's face. It was very quite out. The forest made no sound at all. This unnerved Darien more than anything else. "What's wrong Darien?" Andrew questioned as he reined his horse into a stop. Darien didn't answer. Instead he scanned the tree's lining the road. A faint buzzing sound came from his left and he turned to see an arrow shoot out of the bushes. He turned quickly to see who it was aimed at.

"Serena!"

Panic raced through Darien's system. He lunged out and tried to cover Serena's body with his own.

He didn't make it in time.

Serena screamed out and fell from Lancelot's back. Darien ran to her and lifted her into his arms. "Surrender your gold to me now and no one else gets hurt!" A voice bellowed from the tree's. "Show yourself you coward!" Raye screamed. Darien turned to see a young man about the same age as the rest of them come out from behind the trees. Andrew turned and nearly lost his balance when he got a good look at Darien's face. His face was contorted into a mask of rage. Silver sparks were going off in his midnight blue eyes. Andrew obeyed his common sense and backed off a pace. Darien let out a roar and was devoured in a blast of silver light. Suddenly the light shot out and knocked the stranger on his back. In a second the man was unconscious. The others looked in shocked amazement as the light dimmed to reveal Darien. Wearing a silver and black fighting Gi. The symbol of the wolf burning brightly on his forehead. They watched in amazement as he walked over and began to check Serena to see the extent of her injures. "The arrow only grazed her arm but I think the fall knocked her out. Chad grab that blaggard over there and bring him with us I've a mind to question him further when we get back. I'll take Serena on my horse. Andrew grab that beast of hers and let us be on our way." Darien said as he picked up Serena gently and swung himself into his saddle. He did it with so much ease that the others just gawked at him. "Well are we planning on returning today or not? Lets go." With that he spurred his horse forward and was soon joined by Raye and Andrew. The unconscious man was draped across the front of Chad's horse while he kept his hand on the mans back. In case he should feel the need to try and get up early.

Serena awoke to a jarring motion. She opened her eyes and saw Darien's handsome features come into view. She blush a bit and then began to stir a little to let him know that she was awake. He looked down at her and smiled. "Feeling better?" he questioned. Serena was confused for a minute and then fiery pain shot up her arm. She winced and tried not to show any weakness in front of Darien. She failed because his face darkened and he rained his horse to a stop. "Oh Serena are you ok? Darien put her down so that I can use a healing spell on her arm." He did as Raye asked of him. Serena watched in fascination as Raye laid her hand on her arm. A warm feeling began at her fingertips and worked its way up. "There all done. How's it feel?" Raye asked. Serena moved her arm around a bit to test it. "Much better now thanks Raye." She said. she looked up and gave Darien a special smile which he returned. Then she noticed his clothes and the symbol on his forehead. "Are these new?" she questioned pointing to his attire. He gave a soft chuckle and then said. " No my lady tis meary the garb of the guardian wolf you see." Then he leaned down and whispered in her ear. "I am your guardian Serena, I shall always protect you." Then he leaned back up and smiled down at her. Serena blushed and smiled back. She then went over to Lancelot and ,after assuring him that she was fine, hopped up onto his back and continued the journey back to the city.


Once back in the city and after having cleaned up from their journey. They all adjourned to Raye's conference room. "Alright the first order of business is to decide our next move." Raye said while scanning everyone in the room. Next to her on her left sat Serena and Darien. On her right where Chad and Andrew. "I don't know the exact location of the next gem but the closest kingdom to ours is the water kingdom. The lady Amy, ruler of the capital city of Atlantis, is a friend of mine she may be able to help us in our quest. I think it would be best if we went there next to gather information as to the whereabouts of the blue power gem." Raye said. everyone nodded. It did seem like the best course of action. "Now about the man we brought with us. I had him locked in the dungeon but I have no wish to keep him there in our absence. Darien you said you wished to question him further right?" Raye asked while turning to face Darien. "Yes I will go do that as soon as we finish this meeting. Chad would you like to come to? I dare say I may have need of your strength to hold the blighter down." Chad cracked his knuckles. "With pleasure." He sneered. " No don't hurt him please!" Serena begged while grabbing ahold of Darien's sleeve. Darien turned to her and smiled. (you have such a gentle heart Serena.) he thought. He looked into her beautiful blue eyes and could feel his resolve crumble under the onslaught. "Very well I will not hurt him." He said. Her eyes narrowed at him. "Or Chad." She said. Darien barked out a laugh before he could stop it. She was a very clever wench. "Or Chad." He promised. Chad's face fell slightly. Then perked up. "But we can ruff him up a bit right." He said hopefully. Raye whacked him on the back of the head. "Just go and don't hurt him unless it's necessary." She said as she pointed to the door. Chad got up and Darien slung his arms over the other mans shoulders. "Fear not my friend after this I will give you a go in the lists." Darien said. "Lists?" Chad said in confusion. "Good god not another man who has never wield a sword before!" Darien exclaimed in shock. Then he heaved a gigantic sigh and said. "This has proven to be a most tiring day."


When they reached the dungeon Darien and Chad where escorted to the cell that held their prisoner. They went in and shut the door behind them. Darien turned a cold glare on the man. It was obvious that he had only recently awakened and that his head was hurting him a great deal. Darien smirked. The man took notice of his guests and after looking them both over he stretched out on his cot and smiled at them. "Welcome gentlemen, I would offer you a place to sit but as you can see it is rather a mess here at the moment." He was goading them and Darien knew it. He curbed his rage. "Why did you attack Serena?" he questioned with steel in his voice. "I wasn't aiming for her I was aiming for you, you lackwit. You moved out of the way and she moved into the path of the arrow after I had fired it." The man retorted. "Who sent you after me?" Darien asked. "Nobody did. You just looked like the one with the most gold, so I singled you out is all. I'm a mercenary and pickings have been slow lately so I resorted to less honest methods." The man said. "And mercenary work is honest!" Darien all but shouted. The man just shrugged. Darien thought about this for a minute when an idea hit him. "How would you like to earn your money fairly?" he asked. The man turned and looked at him. "I'm listening." He said. "We are on a quest and have need of a good blade. I would be willing to hire you as a protector to the two women in our party. I can not be there at all time's and it would ease my fears a great deal to have another who can expertly handle a sword." Darien said. The man looked at Chad who flushed a little. Then he seemed to consider it awhile. "Very well anything to get me out of this pigsty. My name is Ken tis a pleasure to meet you uuhhh." "Lord Darien Sheilds." Darien replied. They shook hands to seal their pact and then exited the chambers. Chad looked a little miffed that he didn't get to pound on someone. Then Darien reached back into the cell and grabbed him by the arm. "Come along Chad tis time you became a man and learned to wield a sword." Darien said as he dragged Chad out of the room. "We should stop and get Andrew as well I dare say he could use the extra practice."


A short time later, Serena and Raye heard Andrew run screaming past their room. They looked at each other and shrugged then went back to having their snack.