Author's Note: Hehe.....back to write the last chapter.....At least, I
THINK this is the last chapter, actually I'm pretty sure it is...Um, yeah,
well....I will probably write an Epilogue cause I LOVE writing this story
soooooo much! Ask any of my friends! I was bounding around school so happy
that I was going to go home and write Chapter 14! hehe....I'm such a dork!
Anywho, on with typing!!
Title: Oops, I Klutz Out Again!
Author: KaBunny
E-mail: Alexandra_Miyoko@yahoo.com
Rating: PG
IMPORTANT Disclaimer: Yes, SM belongs to Naoko Takeuchi. But, the song in the fic that will be placed in between *~~~~~~* markings is by Phil Collins. It's called "I Can't Stop Loving You" and it completes my fic nicely.....at least I think so!! One of the verses is missing though, so....yeah! Some of the lines in this story are from "Great Expectations". Just a last note!! hehe....on with the writing!
Chapter 14: So You're Leaving
Serena turned back around in her seat on the couch. She sighed lightly as she began playing with the hem of the shirt she was wearing. "I- I did love......you, but I don't anymore," Serena admitted, tears welling up in her eyes. She knew that was a lie. "But it doesn't matter anymore. Any love and respect I had for you died while I waited for you to come back to me. You never did."
"But, I did come back," Darien stated, his eyes still on her face which was partial hidden by the blonde tendrils that had fallen out of her bun.
"Yes, you did, but not for me," Serena replied. "You came back to search for something you've lost. But, you *won't* find it here."
Darien continued watching her. She was right about one thing. He did come back to search for something he had lost. But the thing he had lost was her love for him and he wanted it back. He'd do *anything* to get it back.
"Why do you keep staring at me like that?" Serena asked, timidly as she reached up and pulled her hair out of its bun.
"Because.....because you're beautiful," Darien stated, simply. He said it as if it should be obvious to her and everyone around her.
"Showering me with compliments, isn't going to change my perspective," Serena grumbled, turning to level a glare at him. She stood up and wandered in to the kitchen which she had called her own for nearly four years now.
Darien finally took a look around. Serena had kept his furniture and just enhanced it with collectibles. The were pictures of her friends and family spread throughout the house. They were on the walls and on the tables. They were everywhere you looked. Candles were placed strategically around the house and were now lit because of the lack of power. The were each giving off their own subtle smell that filled the room nicely.
Darien noted that not much had changed in here. It just looked more cheerful and more 'lived in' because of all the accessories that he had lacked. It wasn't his fault that he didn't have family. He also never bothered to ask his friends for pictures. So, they were always minimal.
Darien hopped up from the couch and began to wander around the room to look at Serena's pictures. It was a wonderment to him that she had even put up the pictures that had him in it. Now that he noticed, she had even left up the pictures that he had put up even if they were minimal. It was as if she had just scattered her things throughout his and left his untouched.
There was a small tap on Darien's shoulder. He turned stare down at the small blonde girl holding up a cup of cocoa. He took it with a small smile as she sipped the other cup that she was holding. She walked back over to the couch and sat down again. Darien stared at her from his standing spot. Serena had turned to watch the rain and a bitter expression had come over her face.
He had an idea at that moment. He walked over to the cherry oak coffee table and set his coffee mug on one of the loose coaster. He then kneeled down in front of Serena and reached for her coffee mug. She turned to him with a surprised expression, confusion written in her eyes.
"W-wha-? What're you doing?" she asked as he pulled the coffee mug away from her and set it on a different coaster on the coffee table. Darien reached up and began rubbing his finger lightly on the line of her face as he brushed her hair out of her face. "D-Darien.....what.....I-I don't under- understand."
"What happened to Shields?" Darien questioned, taking her hands in his to play with them. Darien saw Serena cheeks tint lightly as she realized her mistake. Darien smiled slightly as he looked down to their hands. Serena pulled them away form him which caused him to look up at her. She was slightly glaring at him but he could still see the confusion in her mind.
"You don't understand," Serena replied, shuddering. Her heart had skipped a beat and was now going a mile a minute. She sighed as he looked confused. She took his hand and placed it over her heart. "What is this?"
"Your heart, but I-" Serena cut him off. She was showing him something.
"That's right," Serena muttered, the tears coming to her eyes again. "And do you know what's wrong with it?" Darien shook his head. "It's broken. This is my heart and you broke it." The tears leaked over from her eyes and began softly making their way down her face. "You broke my heart Darien and.....I don't think you can fix it."
"I'm sorry," Darien apologized as Serena let his hand drop away. Serena wiped the tears that had fallen down her face away and shook her head at Darien.
"It doesn't work that way," Serena replied, her face devoid of all emotion. "It doesn't work that way."
Darien could do nothing but stare at her. It was his fault. And she was probably right, he couldn't do anything about it. But he would sure try and try with all his might! When Darien came back from his thoughts Serena was still staring at him, but he realized that she had asked him something.
"What? I'm sorry. I was thinking," Darien asked, his attention drawn back to Serena again.
"I asked you if you were planning on sleeping here," Serena repeated, turning to look back out the window at the rain.
"I was actually, but since your here, there's no where else to sleep," Darien answered, standing up and grabbing his cocoa from the table.
"We'll both have to use the couch bed then," Serena responded. She stood up and pulled the cushions off the couch, tossing them to the side. Darien pulled Serena's cocoa off the coffee table and set it on the bookcase behind him. He then moved the coffee table out of the way, so Serena could pull the bed out.
Darien walked down the hall toward the bedroom to the linen closet. He pulled out the black sheet set that he had had on the bed before he left. He wondered what the bedroom looked like now if his sheet set was out here. He pulled the black comforter out of the closet without thinking much of it. He walked back to the living room to help Serena make the bed.
When the cocoa was finished and the bed was made, Darien went into the bedroom and pulled some of his pjs out of the drawers. He had at least left some stuff behind. Good thing too because he wouldn't have any clothes if he didn't. His clothing was arriving by mail sometime this week.
He emerged wearing his usual black pair of pants that he wore to bed. To be modest he at least wore a dark blue shirt that matched his eyes perfectly. He went to one side of the bed as Serena was already sitting in the other. He lifted up the covers and crawled under before pulling them back over himself. He laid down and closed his eyes ready to sleep, but something was bothering him. It was the fact that Serena was still sitting up.
"Are you okay?" Darien asked, through the darkness.
"It's been five years exactly to this day," Serena replied, still not moving. "I have something to tell you Darien."
"What is it?" Darien questioned, sounding concerned.
"I'm leaving tomorrow. I'm going to go to Kyoto and working at a law firm there. It's for school," Serena mummered.
"But, I just got back," Darien protested, his heart sinking. He couldn't win her back in two hours. It was going to take time he didn't have. How could he prove to her that he loved her if she was leaving?
"I know, but that isn't my problem now is it?" Serena asked, laying down to face him.
"No, I guess not," Darien answered, sighing as he thought. He could come up with nothing. There was nothing he could do. Finally, he realized just how Serena had felt when he left her. She couldn't do anything to fight for him either because it was his decision to leave. He wanted to fight for her just as she did for him, but he couldn't because she wouldn't let him. It was an awful feeling. "Serena?"
"Yes, Darien?" Serena answered, her eyes popping back open.
"I'm going to miss you," he replied, bitterly. He didn't expect her to answer, but she did.
'I'm going to miss you too," Serena responded, reaching her hands out and finding him. She pulled him into a hug. He wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes content for the moment.
"I love you," Darien muttered into the darkness. He wasn't sure if she heard him or not. But, they fell asleep, both feeling safe and warm.
*~~~~~~* So you're leaving In the morning On the early train *~~~~~~*
Serena woke with a start. She squinted at the sun shining into her eyes. She untangled herself from Darien's arms and crawled out of bed to glance at the clock. It was 6:30 and the sun was just peeking through the balcony window. She had to start getting ready to leave.
A half hour later, Raine awoke and ran out to wake up Darien. She jumped on him causing him to get up grumpily. Raine just laughed and said something along the lines of Darien sounding just like her "Daddee".
Around 7:30 everyone had been fed and was ready to leave. Serena grabbed her jacket out of the closet and put it on over her forest green t- shirt. The khaki capris matched the jacket perfectly. Raine was dressed in what she was wearing the previous night for she had no other clothes. But, the petite girl looked cute in her violet tank top and jean skirt. Darien was dressed in a white button up shirt and his typical black pants. He had pulled his jacket out the closet and put it on also. Unfortunately, Raine didn't have a jacket to keep her warm in the early morning hours, so she shivered as she stepped out into the slight cold.
They began their walk to Raye's temple.
*~~~~~~* Well, I could say that Everything's alright Well, I could pretend to Say good-bye But, I would be lying *~~~~~~*
They arrived after about 20 minutes of walking. Serena had made the walk numerous times and hadn't minded it, but Raine complained of being very cold, so Darien decided that he would carry her and wrapped her up in his jacket. She giggled at his gesture, but appreciated it very much.
After walking up the millions of stairs out front, they reached the entrance. Raine jumped out of Darien's arms and landed on her feet unsteadily, but that didn't stop her from charging forward and running up the front steps of the beautiful shrine. Serena had turned to Darien, her eyes brimming with an unknown emotion.
"Shall we?" She asked, walking away from his side toward the shrine. He watched her back sighing heavily before following her.
*~~~~~~* 'Cause I can't stop loving you No, I can't stop loving you No, I won't stop loving you Why should I? *~~~~~~*
Raine had already run into the shrine, so there was no need to knock. Serena entered, Darien following her. They walked into the living room to see Chad and Raye dressed in their shrine robes. They were both drinking their tea as they had a simple conversation. Raine had dived on Raye almost causing her to spill her tea.
"Raine! What're you doing here, deary?" Raye asked, endearingly.
"Uncle Dawien and Aunty Sewena bwought me home," Raine replied, hugging her mother again.
Raye looked up to see Serena and Darien were standing behind her. Maybe they had made up? Raye still wasn't sure, so she decided to ask in the subtlest way possible.
"Are you still leaving for Kyoto today, Serena?" Raye asked, smiling softly at her friends.
"Yes," Serena responded, returning the soft smile. "I leave in about an hour. I'm still going by train. I couldn't save up enough money for a plane."
"Oh," Raye said, her voice failing her calm face. It showed that she was disappointed.
"I'll be back though, in about a year or so," Serena added quickly in an attempt to cheer Raye up. "I promise. And I always keep my promises."
"Well, I'll miss you, Serena," came from the other side of the table. Finally, Chad had said something. He had been quiet the entire time and Serena almost forgot he was sitting there.
"Me too," Raye added, looking to Chad and smiling before turning back to Serena.
"Me thwee!!" Raine chirped and then giggling afterwards.
"Bye you guys," Serena said, before turning and walking out the door. Darien gave a curt wave before following Serena out.
"I was hoping that that would work, but I guess I was wrong," Raye muttered, sighing heavily.
"Hoping what would work, Raye?" Chad asked, curious as to what she was talking about.
"Nothing, deary, nothing," Raye replied, plastering a smile on her face.
*~~~~~~* We took the taxi To the station Not a word we said *~~~~~~*
Serena had hailed the taxi that they were taking to the station. She didn't really feel like walking all the way back to the apartment. She would just have to have her things mailed to her. She had extra money to go shopping when she got there, so she had no worries.
She climbed into the back and Darien followed her inside. She glanced at him as he told the driver where to take them, but turned away to look out the window as soon as he had finished. Darien glanced at her for a second or two before doing just as she did except out his window.
Serena had a lot to think on while she was in the taxi. Had she heard correctly last night right before she felt asleep? Had he told her that he loved her or was it all a dream? She would never know because she would never ask and he could never prove to her that what he said was real because she was leaving. Besides, his chance to love her had passed him by when he left that day.
*~~~~~~* And I saw you Walk across the room For maybe the last time I don't know *~~~~~~*
Serena stepped out of the taxi and paid the driver as Darien was stepping out after her. She muttered a thanks to the driver before the next passenger crawled into his back seat. Serena turned and walked into the train station. She then stood in line at the ticket booth. There were several other people in front of her. She turned to glance at Darien, who was standing behind her.
"Why did you come with me? You could've just walked back to your apartment," Serena asked, looking at him questioningly.
"I wanted to do for you what you did for me," Darien replied, turning to look down at her. He smiled slightly and shrugged his shoulders. "Besides it looks as though you took refuge at my apartment anyhow."
"What have I ever done for you?" Serena questioned, trying to ever think of a time when she had ever done anything for him.
"Just having you sit next to me at the airport, so I didn't have to sit there by myself was doing a great deal for me, Serena. More than you'll ever know," Darien answered, smiling mysteriously as he placed a hand at the small of her back and gently nudged her forward to the ticket window.
"Um, A ticket for the 8:40 to Kyoto," Serena told the woman. The girl typed it into the computer and a ticket printed up form the slot in the counter. She tore it off and handed it to Serena as she took Serena's money. The woman gave Serena her change and the blonde left, following her was Darien.
Serena and Darien wandered over to the bench and both of them sat down next to one another. Neither said anything to the other. It was just like the day at the airport.
But, the blonde couldn't take it. She didn't want it to be the same. "My train is leaving in 5 minutes," Serena said, trying to think of anything to keep the silence around them at bay.
"Yes," Darien muttered in response. What was he supposed to say?
"Darien?" Serena asked, turning to him.
"Yes, Serena?" Darien responded, turning to look at her as well.
"Please indulge me and talk," Serena requested, her eyes pleading. "Talk about anything. I can't bear the silence. It's too much like 5 years ago."
Darien regarded her seriously. For that instant, Darien saw the younger Serena, the one he left behind. He saw her sitting there with her meatball hair, a smile plastered on her face. She then laughed. But, the image faded after a few seconds. No matter how hard Darien tried, he couldn't hold onto that image of the past. The image that he wished was now.
Darien sighed as he saw Serena's eyes well up with tears. He picked up her hand and placed it over his heart just as she had done the night before. "This is my heart and it's breaking," Darien said, his eyes never leaving Serena's. "You're breaking my heart, Serena, just as I unfairly did five years ago."
The tears began streaming down the blonde's face. She turned away from him and seemed to be about to turn back, but the train was called. So, instead, Serena got up and walked away from Darien just as he had walked away from her five years earlier.
Darien watched her walk away. He sighed heavily as he leaned forward, setting his elbows on his knees. She had left and he had lost his chance forever. And now, he realized, this was how Serena had felt. This is what he did to her the day hhe left. And it hurt, badly.
*~~~~~~* Feelin' hollow 'Cause you're on the..... On the real world track And when I hear The whistle blow I'll walk away And you won't know That I'll be cryin' *~~~~~~*
Darien could imagine Serena sitting down in her seat on the train and not even glancing back in his general direction. She had forgotten about him, but he hadn't forgotten about her. He would be chasing a memory. No, correction, he had been chasing a memory.
The whistle on the train blew, causing Darien to jump off his seat. He wiped his eyes which had water up from his emotions. He wished that he had never felt the emotion ever again, but it seems that Serena brought them out in him. But, he would be a better person because of her, he assumed. She had taught him that closing yourself off from the love people give you was far worse that actually receiving it when given and losing it when the time came.
Darien had finally understood the ever famous quote of "its better to have loved and lost, then to never have loved at all." He had actually lived it, but now that he thought about it, he probably would never admit it. Not because he didn't want to, but because no one would ever really know. Nobody really knew that he had loved Serena Moon and it looked as though no one ever would.
*~~~~~~* 'Cause I can't stop loving you No, I can't stop loving you No, I won't stop loving you Why should I?
Why try? I'll always be here by your side Why, why, why? I never wanted to say good-bye Why even try? I'll always be here.....if you change Change your mind *~~~~~~*
Darien stood up from his seat on the bench. He slipped his hands into his pockets and began walking toward the exit. He exited the building and hailed another cab which he crawled into the back of. He sat in the back, still left alone to his thoughts.
'I'll be here, if you change your mind,' Darien thought, staring out the window at the passing vehicles and buildings.
The taxi stopped in front of his apartment. Darien paid the man and crawled out of the back and stood in front of his building. He looked up to the sixth floor where he knew exactly where his apartment was. He now knew it stood empty as it always had many years before.
Darien walked up to the front door and entered his apartment building.
*~~~~~~* So you're leaving In the morning On the early train Well, I could say that Everything's alright I could pretend to Say good-bye But, that would be lying *~~~~~~*
Darien unlocked his door and walked into his apartment. He glanced at all the pictures of Serena's smiling faces as they stared back at him. He wouldn't remember her that way. He'd always remember her as the little girl whom he had saved from those three bullies in fifth grade. He'd remember her as the girl with the strange hairstyle. He'd remember her as the girl that had left him just as he had left her.
Fate was strange. It had thrown them together at such a young age. It had been one of Serena's bad days. Come to think of it, Darien realized that he had always been around when Serena was at her worst. It had always been him that had been there when she had dirt deliberately kicked in her face or she had been put down to make someone else's self-esteem higher.
The ebony haired man plopped down on his couch and sighed as he ran a hand over his face. Life would be hard without her. She was the brightening of his day and night. She was the highlight of his life. Everyday in Europe, that's all he would ever think about was her. How they had argued, how they had teased, how they had kissed, and how they had loved one another.
Darien laid down and closed his eyes only to fall into a dream of his lost loved one.
*~~~~~~* 'Cause I can't stop loving you No, I can't stop loving you No, I won't stop loving you Why should I? 'Cause I can't stop loving you No, I can't stop loving you No, I won't stop loving you Why should I? Why should I? Why should I even try? *~~~~~~*
There was a loud pounding. 'What in heaven's name?' Darien thought as he sat up on the couch. He rubbed his blurry eyes and looked at the clock. It was 9:32. He glanced away form the clock as another merciless round of pounding began on the door. He jumped up from the couch and walked over to the door.
"Okay, okay. I'm coming, sheesh!" Darien yelled to the person at the door. The ebony haired man pulled the door open to see the last person he ever expected to see. Serena.
He didn't even get the chance to ask her how she had gotten back there because she dove at him and began sobbing openly into his shirt. Darien closed the door before wrapping her up in his arms. They stood there for what felt like an eternity. Darien was rocking Serena back and forth lightly to soothe her. It seemed very effective because after a few minutes she seemed to have stopped crying.
"How did you get back here?" Darien asked the girl in his arms. There was no response. He looked down to discover that the blonde had fallen asleep. He laughed quietly to himself. This was going to be hard. But, Serena could sleep through a hurricane, right?
Darien lifted Serena up to get a better handle on her around her waist. He held her up with one arm and leaned down to pick her legs up with the other. He now hand her cradled in his arms like a baby. That was much better.
He smiled to himself as he walked into the bedroom. He had uncoordinatedly pull the covers back with his foot. Darien nearly dropped Serena several times, but laughed each time he failed to pull the covers back. But, eventually, he did it and he then laid Serena in the bed. He covered her back up and sat down on the floor next to the bed. He took her hand and laid his head in his free arm as he fell into a light sleep just as he had at the hospital.
Serena moved her fingers slightly as her eyes fluttered open. She immediately recognized the room and realized that she had made it back to the apartment and it wasn't just a dream. Serena then sat up in bed only to meet the face of Darien.
Darien had jumped at feeling the movement from Serena's sitting up, so now he was face to face with her like they had been before at the hospital. Except now, there was no nurse to interrupt them.
"Why did you come back?" Darien asked, staring at her intently. He felt her grasp his hand more firmly.
"Because.....I'm still in love with you," Serena stated simply.
That was all Darien needed to hear. He kissed her lightly, enjoying the feeling immensely. But as he went to pull away Serena kissed him again and of course, Darien had no objections.
Eventually, Darien ended up having to sit on the edge of the bed. He smiled at Serena who had just rolled her eyes at him. Darien had just made a snide comment about her old hairstyle.
"Well, at least I grew out of my hairstyle, but you didn't grow out of your cocky attitude!" Serena grumbled, crossing her arms.
"Maybe not, but I at least convinced you to stay with me," Darien replied, giving Serena that heart pumping smile of his.
"That was *so* unfair. I would've made it if you hadn't told me that you loved me," Serena retorted, proving him wrong.
"You actually *heard* me?" Darien asked, turning completely red.
"Yes," Serena sighed, over exaggerating her movements. "And then you told me just what I didn't want to hear."
"Oh, I love you too!" Darien said, rolling his eyes sarcastically.
"Damn straight!" was Serena's response.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ YAY!!! bounces off walls I am soooo finished with this story!! And I'm soooo happy about it too!! I'll probably write and Epilogue, but what should I put in it? I have NO idea.....that could be problematic, ne? Well, send me ideas and then I can write it, kk? The more ideas the better......or....you could just read and nor review.....that's cool too!!
Oh, I forgot to tell you....I don't actually know it Kyoto is on the same island as Tokyo, but I do know that Kyoto is another big city in Japan and that's the only reason I used it. I don't even know if you can reach Kyoto by train from Japan.....O.O.....I'm such a dork...And sorry about that if I did mess everything up.....I have tendency to do that!!
Lastly, I am going to be starting a new story soon....should I write The Apprentice (Serenity/Endymion story......Serenity becomes an apprentice to see what he battle skills have to do with her forgotten past.), A Promise is Forever (it's a continuation of a different story of mine called In the Light of the Moon), The Christmas Spirit (S/D ficcie.....Andrew, Serena's cousin, brings a friend who's never had a Christmas before.), or The Ultimate Showdown (S/D.....set in the old west...about the best poker player, Serena, who finally meets her match, Darien!)
Well, that's all I gotta say....I was just wondering what you folks would think would be a good idea to write....doesn't matter to me....well, ja mata ne!!
~KaBunny
Title: Oops, I Klutz Out Again!
Author: KaBunny
E-mail: Alexandra_Miyoko@yahoo.com
Rating: PG
IMPORTANT Disclaimer: Yes, SM belongs to Naoko Takeuchi. But, the song in the fic that will be placed in between *~~~~~~* markings is by Phil Collins. It's called "I Can't Stop Loving You" and it completes my fic nicely.....at least I think so!! One of the verses is missing though, so....yeah! Some of the lines in this story are from "Great Expectations". Just a last note!! hehe....on with the writing!
Chapter 14: So You're Leaving
Serena turned back around in her seat on the couch. She sighed lightly as she began playing with the hem of the shirt she was wearing. "I- I did love......you, but I don't anymore," Serena admitted, tears welling up in her eyes. She knew that was a lie. "But it doesn't matter anymore. Any love and respect I had for you died while I waited for you to come back to me. You never did."
"But, I did come back," Darien stated, his eyes still on her face which was partial hidden by the blonde tendrils that had fallen out of her bun.
"Yes, you did, but not for me," Serena replied. "You came back to search for something you've lost. But, you *won't* find it here."
Darien continued watching her. She was right about one thing. He did come back to search for something he had lost. But the thing he had lost was her love for him and he wanted it back. He'd do *anything* to get it back.
"Why do you keep staring at me like that?" Serena asked, timidly as she reached up and pulled her hair out of its bun.
"Because.....because you're beautiful," Darien stated, simply. He said it as if it should be obvious to her and everyone around her.
"Showering me with compliments, isn't going to change my perspective," Serena grumbled, turning to level a glare at him. She stood up and wandered in to the kitchen which she had called her own for nearly four years now.
Darien finally took a look around. Serena had kept his furniture and just enhanced it with collectibles. The were pictures of her friends and family spread throughout the house. They were on the walls and on the tables. They were everywhere you looked. Candles were placed strategically around the house and were now lit because of the lack of power. The were each giving off their own subtle smell that filled the room nicely.
Darien noted that not much had changed in here. It just looked more cheerful and more 'lived in' because of all the accessories that he had lacked. It wasn't his fault that he didn't have family. He also never bothered to ask his friends for pictures. So, they were always minimal.
Darien hopped up from the couch and began to wander around the room to look at Serena's pictures. It was a wonderment to him that she had even put up the pictures that had him in it. Now that he noticed, she had even left up the pictures that he had put up even if they were minimal. It was as if she had just scattered her things throughout his and left his untouched.
There was a small tap on Darien's shoulder. He turned stare down at the small blonde girl holding up a cup of cocoa. He took it with a small smile as she sipped the other cup that she was holding. She walked back over to the couch and sat down again. Darien stared at her from his standing spot. Serena had turned to watch the rain and a bitter expression had come over her face.
He had an idea at that moment. He walked over to the cherry oak coffee table and set his coffee mug on one of the loose coaster. He then kneeled down in front of Serena and reached for her coffee mug. She turned to him with a surprised expression, confusion written in her eyes.
"W-wha-? What're you doing?" she asked as he pulled the coffee mug away from her and set it on a different coaster on the coffee table. Darien reached up and began rubbing his finger lightly on the line of her face as he brushed her hair out of her face. "D-Darien.....what.....I-I don't under- understand."
"What happened to Shields?" Darien questioned, taking her hands in his to play with them. Darien saw Serena cheeks tint lightly as she realized her mistake. Darien smiled slightly as he looked down to their hands. Serena pulled them away form him which caused him to look up at her. She was slightly glaring at him but he could still see the confusion in her mind.
"You don't understand," Serena replied, shuddering. Her heart had skipped a beat and was now going a mile a minute. She sighed as he looked confused. She took his hand and placed it over her heart. "What is this?"
"Your heart, but I-" Serena cut him off. She was showing him something.
"That's right," Serena muttered, the tears coming to her eyes again. "And do you know what's wrong with it?" Darien shook his head. "It's broken. This is my heart and you broke it." The tears leaked over from her eyes and began softly making their way down her face. "You broke my heart Darien and.....I don't think you can fix it."
"I'm sorry," Darien apologized as Serena let his hand drop away. Serena wiped the tears that had fallen down her face away and shook her head at Darien.
"It doesn't work that way," Serena replied, her face devoid of all emotion. "It doesn't work that way."
Darien could do nothing but stare at her. It was his fault. And she was probably right, he couldn't do anything about it. But he would sure try and try with all his might! When Darien came back from his thoughts Serena was still staring at him, but he realized that she had asked him something.
"What? I'm sorry. I was thinking," Darien asked, his attention drawn back to Serena again.
"I asked you if you were planning on sleeping here," Serena repeated, turning to look back out the window at the rain.
"I was actually, but since your here, there's no where else to sleep," Darien answered, standing up and grabbing his cocoa from the table.
"We'll both have to use the couch bed then," Serena responded. She stood up and pulled the cushions off the couch, tossing them to the side. Darien pulled Serena's cocoa off the coffee table and set it on the bookcase behind him. He then moved the coffee table out of the way, so Serena could pull the bed out.
Darien walked down the hall toward the bedroom to the linen closet. He pulled out the black sheet set that he had had on the bed before he left. He wondered what the bedroom looked like now if his sheet set was out here. He pulled the black comforter out of the closet without thinking much of it. He walked back to the living room to help Serena make the bed.
When the cocoa was finished and the bed was made, Darien went into the bedroom and pulled some of his pjs out of the drawers. He had at least left some stuff behind. Good thing too because he wouldn't have any clothes if he didn't. His clothing was arriving by mail sometime this week.
He emerged wearing his usual black pair of pants that he wore to bed. To be modest he at least wore a dark blue shirt that matched his eyes perfectly. He went to one side of the bed as Serena was already sitting in the other. He lifted up the covers and crawled under before pulling them back over himself. He laid down and closed his eyes ready to sleep, but something was bothering him. It was the fact that Serena was still sitting up.
"Are you okay?" Darien asked, through the darkness.
"It's been five years exactly to this day," Serena replied, still not moving. "I have something to tell you Darien."
"What is it?" Darien questioned, sounding concerned.
"I'm leaving tomorrow. I'm going to go to Kyoto and working at a law firm there. It's for school," Serena mummered.
"But, I just got back," Darien protested, his heart sinking. He couldn't win her back in two hours. It was going to take time he didn't have. How could he prove to her that he loved her if she was leaving?
"I know, but that isn't my problem now is it?" Serena asked, laying down to face him.
"No, I guess not," Darien answered, sighing as he thought. He could come up with nothing. There was nothing he could do. Finally, he realized just how Serena had felt when he left her. She couldn't do anything to fight for him either because it was his decision to leave. He wanted to fight for her just as she did for him, but he couldn't because she wouldn't let him. It was an awful feeling. "Serena?"
"Yes, Darien?" Serena answered, her eyes popping back open.
"I'm going to miss you," he replied, bitterly. He didn't expect her to answer, but she did.
'I'm going to miss you too," Serena responded, reaching her hands out and finding him. She pulled him into a hug. He wrapped his arms around her and closed his eyes content for the moment.
"I love you," Darien muttered into the darkness. He wasn't sure if she heard him or not. But, they fell asleep, both feeling safe and warm.
*~~~~~~* So you're leaving In the morning On the early train *~~~~~~*
Serena woke with a start. She squinted at the sun shining into her eyes. She untangled herself from Darien's arms and crawled out of bed to glance at the clock. It was 6:30 and the sun was just peeking through the balcony window. She had to start getting ready to leave.
A half hour later, Raine awoke and ran out to wake up Darien. She jumped on him causing him to get up grumpily. Raine just laughed and said something along the lines of Darien sounding just like her "Daddee".
Around 7:30 everyone had been fed and was ready to leave. Serena grabbed her jacket out of the closet and put it on over her forest green t- shirt. The khaki capris matched the jacket perfectly. Raine was dressed in what she was wearing the previous night for she had no other clothes. But, the petite girl looked cute in her violet tank top and jean skirt. Darien was dressed in a white button up shirt and his typical black pants. He had pulled his jacket out the closet and put it on also. Unfortunately, Raine didn't have a jacket to keep her warm in the early morning hours, so she shivered as she stepped out into the slight cold.
They began their walk to Raye's temple.
*~~~~~~* Well, I could say that Everything's alright Well, I could pretend to Say good-bye But, I would be lying *~~~~~~*
They arrived after about 20 minutes of walking. Serena had made the walk numerous times and hadn't minded it, but Raine complained of being very cold, so Darien decided that he would carry her and wrapped her up in his jacket. She giggled at his gesture, but appreciated it very much.
After walking up the millions of stairs out front, they reached the entrance. Raine jumped out of Darien's arms and landed on her feet unsteadily, but that didn't stop her from charging forward and running up the front steps of the beautiful shrine. Serena had turned to Darien, her eyes brimming with an unknown emotion.
"Shall we?" She asked, walking away from his side toward the shrine. He watched her back sighing heavily before following her.
*~~~~~~* 'Cause I can't stop loving you No, I can't stop loving you No, I won't stop loving you Why should I? *~~~~~~*
Raine had already run into the shrine, so there was no need to knock. Serena entered, Darien following her. They walked into the living room to see Chad and Raye dressed in their shrine robes. They were both drinking their tea as they had a simple conversation. Raine had dived on Raye almost causing her to spill her tea.
"Raine! What're you doing here, deary?" Raye asked, endearingly.
"Uncle Dawien and Aunty Sewena bwought me home," Raine replied, hugging her mother again.
Raye looked up to see Serena and Darien were standing behind her. Maybe they had made up? Raye still wasn't sure, so she decided to ask in the subtlest way possible.
"Are you still leaving for Kyoto today, Serena?" Raye asked, smiling softly at her friends.
"Yes," Serena responded, returning the soft smile. "I leave in about an hour. I'm still going by train. I couldn't save up enough money for a plane."
"Oh," Raye said, her voice failing her calm face. It showed that she was disappointed.
"I'll be back though, in about a year or so," Serena added quickly in an attempt to cheer Raye up. "I promise. And I always keep my promises."
"Well, I'll miss you, Serena," came from the other side of the table. Finally, Chad had said something. He had been quiet the entire time and Serena almost forgot he was sitting there.
"Me too," Raye added, looking to Chad and smiling before turning back to Serena.
"Me thwee!!" Raine chirped and then giggling afterwards.
"Bye you guys," Serena said, before turning and walking out the door. Darien gave a curt wave before following Serena out.
"I was hoping that that would work, but I guess I was wrong," Raye muttered, sighing heavily.
"Hoping what would work, Raye?" Chad asked, curious as to what she was talking about.
"Nothing, deary, nothing," Raye replied, plastering a smile on her face.
*~~~~~~* We took the taxi To the station Not a word we said *~~~~~~*
Serena had hailed the taxi that they were taking to the station. She didn't really feel like walking all the way back to the apartment. She would just have to have her things mailed to her. She had extra money to go shopping when she got there, so she had no worries.
She climbed into the back and Darien followed her inside. She glanced at him as he told the driver where to take them, but turned away to look out the window as soon as he had finished. Darien glanced at her for a second or two before doing just as she did except out his window.
Serena had a lot to think on while she was in the taxi. Had she heard correctly last night right before she felt asleep? Had he told her that he loved her or was it all a dream? She would never know because she would never ask and he could never prove to her that what he said was real because she was leaving. Besides, his chance to love her had passed him by when he left that day.
*~~~~~~* And I saw you Walk across the room For maybe the last time I don't know *~~~~~~*
Serena stepped out of the taxi and paid the driver as Darien was stepping out after her. She muttered a thanks to the driver before the next passenger crawled into his back seat. Serena turned and walked into the train station. She then stood in line at the ticket booth. There were several other people in front of her. She turned to glance at Darien, who was standing behind her.
"Why did you come with me? You could've just walked back to your apartment," Serena asked, looking at him questioningly.
"I wanted to do for you what you did for me," Darien replied, turning to look down at her. He smiled slightly and shrugged his shoulders. "Besides it looks as though you took refuge at my apartment anyhow."
"What have I ever done for you?" Serena questioned, trying to ever think of a time when she had ever done anything for him.
"Just having you sit next to me at the airport, so I didn't have to sit there by myself was doing a great deal for me, Serena. More than you'll ever know," Darien answered, smiling mysteriously as he placed a hand at the small of her back and gently nudged her forward to the ticket window.
"Um, A ticket for the 8:40 to Kyoto," Serena told the woman. The girl typed it into the computer and a ticket printed up form the slot in the counter. She tore it off and handed it to Serena as she took Serena's money. The woman gave Serena her change and the blonde left, following her was Darien.
Serena and Darien wandered over to the bench and both of them sat down next to one another. Neither said anything to the other. It was just like the day at the airport.
But, the blonde couldn't take it. She didn't want it to be the same. "My train is leaving in 5 minutes," Serena said, trying to think of anything to keep the silence around them at bay.
"Yes," Darien muttered in response. What was he supposed to say?
"Darien?" Serena asked, turning to him.
"Yes, Serena?" Darien responded, turning to look at her as well.
"Please indulge me and talk," Serena requested, her eyes pleading. "Talk about anything. I can't bear the silence. It's too much like 5 years ago."
Darien regarded her seriously. For that instant, Darien saw the younger Serena, the one he left behind. He saw her sitting there with her meatball hair, a smile plastered on her face. She then laughed. But, the image faded after a few seconds. No matter how hard Darien tried, he couldn't hold onto that image of the past. The image that he wished was now.
Darien sighed as he saw Serena's eyes well up with tears. He picked up her hand and placed it over his heart just as she had done the night before. "This is my heart and it's breaking," Darien said, his eyes never leaving Serena's. "You're breaking my heart, Serena, just as I unfairly did five years ago."
The tears began streaming down the blonde's face. She turned away from him and seemed to be about to turn back, but the train was called. So, instead, Serena got up and walked away from Darien just as he had walked away from her five years earlier.
Darien watched her walk away. He sighed heavily as he leaned forward, setting his elbows on his knees. She had left and he had lost his chance forever. And now, he realized, this was how Serena had felt. This is what he did to her the day hhe left. And it hurt, badly.
*~~~~~~* Feelin' hollow 'Cause you're on the..... On the real world track And when I hear The whistle blow I'll walk away And you won't know That I'll be cryin' *~~~~~~*
Darien could imagine Serena sitting down in her seat on the train and not even glancing back in his general direction. She had forgotten about him, but he hadn't forgotten about her. He would be chasing a memory. No, correction, he had been chasing a memory.
The whistle on the train blew, causing Darien to jump off his seat. He wiped his eyes which had water up from his emotions. He wished that he had never felt the emotion ever again, but it seems that Serena brought them out in him. But, he would be a better person because of her, he assumed. She had taught him that closing yourself off from the love people give you was far worse that actually receiving it when given and losing it when the time came.
Darien had finally understood the ever famous quote of "its better to have loved and lost, then to never have loved at all." He had actually lived it, but now that he thought about it, he probably would never admit it. Not because he didn't want to, but because no one would ever really know. Nobody really knew that he had loved Serena Moon and it looked as though no one ever would.
*~~~~~~* 'Cause I can't stop loving you No, I can't stop loving you No, I won't stop loving you Why should I?
Why try? I'll always be here by your side Why, why, why? I never wanted to say good-bye Why even try? I'll always be here.....if you change Change your mind *~~~~~~*
Darien stood up from his seat on the bench. He slipped his hands into his pockets and began walking toward the exit. He exited the building and hailed another cab which he crawled into the back of. He sat in the back, still left alone to his thoughts.
'I'll be here, if you change your mind,' Darien thought, staring out the window at the passing vehicles and buildings.
The taxi stopped in front of his apartment. Darien paid the man and crawled out of the back and stood in front of his building. He looked up to the sixth floor where he knew exactly where his apartment was. He now knew it stood empty as it always had many years before.
Darien walked up to the front door and entered his apartment building.
*~~~~~~* So you're leaving In the morning On the early train Well, I could say that Everything's alright I could pretend to Say good-bye But, that would be lying *~~~~~~*
Darien unlocked his door and walked into his apartment. He glanced at all the pictures of Serena's smiling faces as they stared back at him. He wouldn't remember her that way. He'd always remember her as the little girl whom he had saved from those three bullies in fifth grade. He'd remember her as the girl with the strange hairstyle. He'd remember her as the girl that had left him just as he had left her.
Fate was strange. It had thrown them together at such a young age. It had been one of Serena's bad days. Come to think of it, Darien realized that he had always been around when Serena was at her worst. It had always been him that had been there when she had dirt deliberately kicked in her face or she had been put down to make someone else's self-esteem higher.
The ebony haired man plopped down on his couch and sighed as he ran a hand over his face. Life would be hard without her. She was the brightening of his day and night. She was the highlight of his life. Everyday in Europe, that's all he would ever think about was her. How they had argued, how they had teased, how they had kissed, and how they had loved one another.
Darien laid down and closed his eyes only to fall into a dream of his lost loved one.
*~~~~~~* 'Cause I can't stop loving you No, I can't stop loving you No, I won't stop loving you Why should I? 'Cause I can't stop loving you No, I can't stop loving you No, I won't stop loving you Why should I? Why should I? Why should I even try? *~~~~~~*
There was a loud pounding. 'What in heaven's name?' Darien thought as he sat up on the couch. He rubbed his blurry eyes and looked at the clock. It was 9:32. He glanced away form the clock as another merciless round of pounding began on the door. He jumped up from the couch and walked over to the door.
"Okay, okay. I'm coming, sheesh!" Darien yelled to the person at the door. The ebony haired man pulled the door open to see the last person he ever expected to see. Serena.
He didn't even get the chance to ask her how she had gotten back there because she dove at him and began sobbing openly into his shirt. Darien closed the door before wrapping her up in his arms. They stood there for what felt like an eternity. Darien was rocking Serena back and forth lightly to soothe her. It seemed very effective because after a few minutes she seemed to have stopped crying.
"How did you get back here?" Darien asked the girl in his arms. There was no response. He looked down to discover that the blonde had fallen asleep. He laughed quietly to himself. This was going to be hard. But, Serena could sleep through a hurricane, right?
Darien lifted Serena up to get a better handle on her around her waist. He held her up with one arm and leaned down to pick her legs up with the other. He now hand her cradled in his arms like a baby. That was much better.
He smiled to himself as he walked into the bedroom. He had uncoordinatedly pull the covers back with his foot. Darien nearly dropped Serena several times, but laughed each time he failed to pull the covers back. But, eventually, he did it and he then laid Serena in the bed. He covered her back up and sat down on the floor next to the bed. He took her hand and laid his head in his free arm as he fell into a light sleep just as he had at the hospital.
Serena moved her fingers slightly as her eyes fluttered open. She immediately recognized the room and realized that she had made it back to the apartment and it wasn't just a dream. Serena then sat up in bed only to meet the face of Darien.
Darien had jumped at feeling the movement from Serena's sitting up, so now he was face to face with her like they had been before at the hospital. Except now, there was no nurse to interrupt them.
"Why did you come back?" Darien asked, staring at her intently. He felt her grasp his hand more firmly.
"Because.....I'm still in love with you," Serena stated simply.
That was all Darien needed to hear. He kissed her lightly, enjoying the feeling immensely. But as he went to pull away Serena kissed him again and of course, Darien had no objections.
Eventually, Darien ended up having to sit on the edge of the bed. He smiled at Serena who had just rolled her eyes at him. Darien had just made a snide comment about her old hairstyle.
"Well, at least I grew out of my hairstyle, but you didn't grow out of your cocky attitude!" Serena grumbled, crossing her arms.
"Maybe not, but I at least convinced you to stay with me," Darien replied, giving Serena that heart pumping smile of his.
"That was *so* unfair. I would've made it if you hadn't told me that you loved me," Serena retorted, proving him wrong.
"You actually *heard* me?" Darien asked, turning completely red.
"Yes," Serena sighed, over exaggerating her movements. "And then you told me just what I didn't want to hear."
"Oh, I love you too!" Darien said, rolling his eyes sarcastically.
"Damn straight!" was Serena's response.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ YAY!!! bounces off walls I am soooo finished with this story!! And I'm soooo happy about it too!! I'll probably write and Epilogue, but what should I put in it? I have NO idea.....that could be problematic, ne? Well, send me ideas and then I can write it, kk? The more ideas the better......or....you could just read and nor review.....that's cool too!!
Oh, I forgot to tell you....I don't actually know it Kyoto is on the same island as Tokyo, but I do know that Kyoto is another big city in Japan and that's the only reason I used it. I don't even know if you can reach Kyoto by train from Japan.....O.O.....I'm such a dork...And sorry about that if I did mess everything up.....I have tendency to do that!!
Lastly, I am going to be starting a new story soon....should I write The Apprentice (Serenity/Endymion story......Serenity becomes an apprentice to see what he battle skills have to do with her forgotten past.), A Promise is Forever (it's a continuation of a different story of mine called In the Light of the Moon), The Christmas Spirit (S/D ficcie.....Andrew, Serena's cousin, brings a friend who's never had a Christmas before.), or The Ultimate Showdown (S/D.....set in the old west...about the best poker player, Serena, who finally meets her match, Darien!)
Well, that's all I gotta say....I was just wondering what you folks would think would be a good idea to write....doesn't matter to me....well, ja mata ne!!
~KaBunny