Ch 7: I Promise
When Sunlight meets Moonlight

Ch.7: I Promise

Lita stepped into the shadowy classroom. The only light in there was from the artificial light from the hallway and the sunlight trying to peek through the closed blinds. She was a little spooked out herself. She nearly screamed, but she certainly jumped, when everything went black. Hands slid on her shoulders, steadying her.

" Are you okay Lita?" Darien asked. His tall body had blocked out all the light from the hallway, thusly making the room darker. He frowned at the darkness of the room. It usually wasn't this dark, unless Mrs. Kane left the campus already. But if she did, shouldn't the door be locked?

Lita felt foolish. She was glad that the darkness hid her scarlet cheeks. Then her ears perked up. She heard something. She knew she heard something. " But what is it?" she thought.

" Lita-" Darien started, but was startled when Lita clamped her hands over his mouth. She shot him a warning look.

Lita shushed him and mouthed, " I heard something."

Darien instantly shut his mouth and strained to hear what Lita heard. He narrowed his eyes, squinting to see if something or someone was there. Then he heard it. Muffled sobs. Short gasps and the soft sound of something rocking back and forth. He was surprised he didn't hear it before; it was quite loud. Taking quick steps, with Lita closely following behind, he pursued after the sound. He finally reached it. Moving a desk over, his eyes widened at the sight before him.

Serena knew they were getting closer. She tried to stay silent. Maybe if I pretend that I'm not here, they'll go away. Then suddenly without notice the hallway light went out, plunging her in even more darkness. Acquiring swift intakes of breath, Serena tried to calm her racing heart. She tightened her hold on her bag and closed her eyes. She was once again in another nightmare. Muffling her sobs, Serena tried to wrench her eyes open and stop the pain filming inside her head. She just couldn't and she could hear, in her dreams and reality, footsteps. Footsteps that took them closer to her. Hearing the desk, that was sheltering her, move away Serena buried her head in her arms.

Lita felt Darien stiffen in front of her. " What is it?" she whispered in his ear. She tip toed up and looked over his shoulder. There, sitting in the corner hunched over was…….Serena. " I think. Is that her?" she thought disbelievingly. Sure enough, the hair looked like hers. Pallid long blonde hair spilled over the slim arms, clutching the leather bag. She moved closer to the shaking blonde, but strong hands stopped her.

Darien took the first step in his life, that wasn't carefully debated and thought over. Stopping the tall brunette, he kneeled down closer to Serena. He leaned in closer to take the blonde in his arms. When, he had wrapped his arms around her, the blonde made a big struggle.

" No, no. I won't let them win this time. No." Serena thought in her head. She tiredly fought the arms enclosing her in warmness. Slowly she opened her eyes. Her weary, red eyes stared back at dark blue ones. Those blue eyes that she felt that she should know. Focusing her eyes a little more, she saw Darien. She fought back a happy sob, and wrapped her arms around the warm young man. His arms tightened around her, and he lifted her up. Up, not only away from the cold floor, but also from her nightmares. Letting out a soft, happy sigh, Serena settled her head in his shoulder and fell asleep. Fell into a dreamless sleep, not a nightmare.

Lita stepped aside, wide eyed, letting Darien with Serena in his arms through. She never thought she'd see the day Darien Shields helping a girl, a " pale" girl. Seeing the leather bag laying forgotten on the floor, Lita stooped to pick it up. As she did, a piece of red paper fluttered out. Frowning, Lita picked it up. Sliding her finger underneath the wax seal, Lita opened it up.

" Lita, lets go!" Darien hissed impatiently. Not that he minded the blonde in his arms, of course.

Lita folded the paper back up, not having a chance to read a word. She slid it back into the bag, reminding herself to say something to Serena about it later. Swinging the bag onto her shoulder, Lita followed the edgy male out of the building.

As they stepped into the now cold air, Darien felt Serena shiver slightly and move in closer. Wrapping his arms closer, he quickened his pace, knowing that Lita could easily follow. He stopped in front of the building he remembered seeing Serena go in. He waited for Lita to show the way. Seeing her questioningly glance, he raised an eyebrow, and quickly looked down at the blonde. Flower petals and buds had swirled around in the wind and landed in her hair. With a soft smile, he caressed her hair lovingly.

Lita smiled widely as he watched Darien smooth Serena's hair back. When he looked up, Lita quickly walked away, leading him to their room. But all the way, she couldn't help replaying that image over and over. She knew that Darien probably knew where Serena lived, remembering the night before when he walked her home. " It was to her balcony, so he probably doesn't know the room number." She reasoned with herself, as she unlocked the door. She pointed to Serena's room and mouthed, " Be right back. Need to pick up groceries for dinner." And with that Lita grabbed her coat and bag, and walked out.

Darien smiled slightly as he saw the girl hurry out. " She's up to something." He thought. He didn't care. He had to worry about Serena first. Looking down at her tear streaked face, he cursed at whatever hurt her. He strolled over to the door and was welcomed with a dark hallway. He normally would just walk in, since he enjoyed the dark, but he didn't want to trip and drop Serena. Feeling along the wall, he felt two light switches. Choosing one, he flipped it. Scented candles suddenly flamed up, burning sweet flora smells around the hallway. Ambling over to the somewhat opened door, he kicked it open. A small breeze flowing through the open balcony door greeted him. He put Serena on the bed and pulled the covers over her. Walking softly, so that his boots don't make noise, he closed the balcony door. He turned around and saw the blonde turn over in the bed. She had twisted the blanket around her, so that part of it wound around her body, leaving her back uncovered. Smiling at the innocent display, he went over to her, and tried to untangle the blanket, so that it would cover her back. Instead, he caused her whole body to roll back teetering close to the edge. Darien caught her as she rolled off.

Serena woke with a start. She looked down to see herself about half a feet away from the floor. Strong hands held her up, while her flowered blanket covered her stomach. As she looked up she saw Darien's laughing eyes, contrasting against his worried face. " Hi." She whispered.

" Serena, how are you? You almost rolled off, but your prince was here to rescue you." He joked softly. He knew how delicate she was at the moment. He glanced anxiously at her, but she smiled lightly back.

" You're too kind." She replied, her eyes twinkling.

He smiled back. His smiled faded, as he got the courage to ask her what he was dying to know. He tried to approach it as painlessly as he could. " Serena, you want to talk about what happened in the classroom?" he asked, looking closely at the blonde. All color just seemed to be drained from her face. Her eyes lost all their energy.

" Can we talk about this sometime later?" Serena asked, as she curled up in a ball on the bed.

Darien nodded. " Do you want me to leave?" he asked, looking the other way.

" No." she whispered.

Darien looked at her, eyes hopeful.

" Could you just sit here, and stay with me?" she asked, eyes down.

He smiled. " Anything for you." He whispered, sitting on the bed.

Serena uncurled from her position, and moved in closer to Darien. Propping a pillow up against the headboard, Darien leaned on it. Serena moved her head on his lap and quickly fell asleep. Darien grinned as he saw the blanket slid from her back. He shifted the blanket over Serena, covering her body. He ran his hands over her tangled hair.

Serena sighed. " Darien?" she whispered, eyes closed.

" Yea?" he replied softly.

" Just don't leave me okay?" she asked.

" I won't. I promise." He said, looking down at her now sleeping face. " I promise." He whispered, as he leaned his head back, falling into a dream filled with pictures of a certain blonde princess.

To be Cont'd…………….

AN- See? Promised you! No biggie cliffhanger! But you have to promise to review, and check back because there are more!!! About Serena' s nightmare, and the conflicts between Raye, Mina, etc. ^_^ okay? Please don't stop reading and reviewing!