Serena sat by her window and looked out. Already, her room was being
cleared (at least, some of it) for the baby things, like pillows and other
stuff.
"It's such a beautiful day," she sighed. "If I were myself again, I could probably go out to the park and walk around." She looked down at her womb and rubbed it. Don't worry, Mommy's going to be the best mother she can be, Serena thought. Like being Sailormoon taught me, you must accept what you have. Tears started to weld in her eyes. Can I really handle this whole pregnancy without a father? I know my family and my friends will do their best to help, but it's just not the same without the other parent. Oh what am I saying! I hate this child's father! I hate him! I'll be able to handle this hopefully all by myself!
"Serena? Are you all right?" asked Luna on her shoulder.
"I'll be okay," Serena answered. She wiped her eyes and questioned, "Luna, do you think that I overreacted with Darien the other night? I seem to be putting everyone on the line. I feel so guilty for this."
"I know that you feel bad, and I do blame some of this on Darien. But, you are taking this a little too hard. Why not go and apologize to him?" replied Luna.
"I guess," Serena mumbled. "But for the bigger matters, what about Sailormoon and the other Sailorscouts? I know that I have to give this all up, but who should be the new leader?"
"That's for you to decide," said Luna.
Serena slowly stood up, holding onto the bed as she went. "I'll go try to find Darien in the arcade."
"Good for you," said Luna. She jumped next to Serena. "Let's go!"
***
"Hi Andrew!" cried Serena. She walked to him but was a bit tired. Even though she took the bus to save her strength, she still was worn out.
"Hey Serena! Are you OK now? I heard about what happened with you and Darien. Is everything all right?" he asked.
"Hopefully," Serena answered.
"Oh, Serena! Before I forget, Darien left this for you. I think this might explain everything." Andrew handed Serena the package.
"Thanks!" Serena took it and turned around. She sniffed at the rose attached to the card.
Wow, what a beautiful rose! It's so sweet! What's this? (giggle) It's a pretty cute pic of Tuxedo Mask! How does Darien know him? Is he a fan of him too? she thought, blushing. Opening the envelope, she carefully took out the card and started to read:
To Serena:
Hi, Meatball head. I know you're wondering what's this all about. I'm really sorry that I've eavesdropped on you and the girls the other night, but I only did because I wanted to know why you've been acting so odd lately; you collapsing and throwing up, back pains, etc. Boy, did I find out.
I know you hate my guts, but I'd really like it if you'd forgive me. You might always see me as a jerk, and I guess you're right; I've never had anyone as great as you to show me how to be friendly, to care, and to love. I've never thought of this a lot before, but I do realize it. Thank you for that.
Anyways, I'd really be willing to help you and your baby in any way, in return for what all I've ever done to you. Name anything; I'd really be willing to help. I'm really sorry, Serena.
P.S. Would you like me to stop calling you "Meatball Head?"
Sincerely, Darien Chiba
Serena closed the note-card and held it to her heart.
He really does have some heart, she thought; And Darien, I'm sorry too. Thanks for this. I do and will forgive you.
Andrew peered over her shoulder. "So what's the note from Darien about?"
Serena tried not to blush. "Well, he was kind enough to apologize for what he did the other night. And Andrew, yes, I do and will forgive him."
"That's really affectionate," complimented Andrew. "Are you doing okay now? I think you're beginning to show a bit."
She smiled, "Yep. Ooh I hope I would get a daughter; I have so much that I want to teach a girl!"
"I'm sure that you're kid would turn out to be just like her mother," he insured.
"I hope so," she answered. She clutched onto the rose in her hand and continued smelling it. She pocketed the note and started to exit the arcade.
"Like I said before, let me know what I can do to help," replied Andrew.
"Thanks," Serena grinned. She came back. "Actually, maybe you can now."
"Okay, sure," he said. He quickly wiped his hands and came around the counter to her side. "What is it?"
She blushed, "Can you give me Darien's address and number?"
***
Serena held the slip of paper in her hand as she glanced around for the apartment number. The apartment hallway of floor 8 was brightly lighted like the Imperium Silver Crystal, and the floors were squeaky clean.
"Let's see, Apartment #815," she replied to herself. "Apartment #813, #814-- ahhah! Apartment #815!" She shoved the paper in her pocket and held her back. Man, being pregnant doesn't give you much of a break for sudden pain, she thought. And now, I'm so tired, and I feel so bulgy. But I just have to get this all out to Darien. She rang the doorbell and then placed her free hand on her abdomen. Boy, maybe Darien can give me a little rest, she pondered.
Darien from inside walked to the door. "Who could be visiting me at this hour?" He slowly opened the door and was surprised.
"Serena? Wow, how did you find my address? Are you OK?" he asked in a rush.
She smiled, with her hands still in their places. "Hi Darien. Andrew was nice enough to give me your address." She took out the rose. "I got your little note. Thank you, Darien."
He looked flushed. "Why should you be thanking me? Look, I'm really sorry what I did the other night; I didn't mean to do it, but I wanted to help."
"I know. I overreacted with the situation, too. I shouldn't have been such a Meatball Head. I forgive you."
Already, he was completely relieved. "Thanks. And I assure you that you're not a Meatball Head." He started to blush. "Where's my manners; uh, would you like to come in? You definitely need a rest, since it seems that you came all the way over here yourself."
"Thanks, I really can use a breather. I'm pooped." She eagerly followed him in and sat down on the nearby couch.
"Are you sure?" Darien asked.
"Sure about what?"
"Are you sure that you're really willing to forgive me?"
"Umhmm. Darien, I know that you didn't do that on purpose, and you just wanted to help. Horrible or not, you're worth forgiving and giving a chance to."
He blushed even deeper. "Thanks. If you don't mind me asking, how are you and your baby?"
"We're doing great. I'm due to have another appointment with the prenatal care doctor tomorrow afterschool," she favored.
"Do you need a ride? I can come with you just in case," he asked.
"Uh, sure; thanks. My parents won't be home anyways," she approved. "Since you're going to be a doctor too, you might as well come for an advantage."
"That sounds like I'm going to be using you for my advantage."
"Partially, but I don't really mind."
There was a brief silence.
"Uh--would you like anything? To drink? To eat?" Darien stammered.
"Umm--do you have any bread and lettuce and stuff? I'd probably like a healthy fresh sandwich. No more junk food for me!" she laughed.
"Yeah. Just a fresh sandwich right? Ya' like some water with that?"
"Alright. Thanks, Darien."
"No prob'. Make yourself comfortable for you two." He left to the kitchen as Serena sighed with happiness.
"Man, Darien the usual conceited jerk can be really cool sometimes. For once, he's actually been humanely nice to me!" she thought. "Maybe he just wants me to be his friend. Or, he's really doing what he promised; he's willing to help me and make this all up to me. Maybe I should really give him a chance."
Darien in the kitchen opened the breezy 'frige and took out the things he needed. "How come Serena's acting so nice to me? Is this some kind of joke? But it doesn't seem like it; her eyes says it all. I just hope she's going to give me a shot of being a friend. She really needs more now, even though she has enough friends to fill up 5 houses." He laughed at that thought.
"Let's see; fresh green lettuce and bread, with fat free cheese, a slice of fresh tomatoes and fresh ham. And water; no other caffeine or preservative stuff. Man, I never knew that she was pregnant. Now, since I'm training to become a doctor, this is where all my knowledge is put to the test--for the next 7 months." He finished putting the contents together onto a tray, and carried it to where Serena was. She was leaning onto the armstand of the sofa and resting. He placed the tray down onto the table in front, and peered down at her.
"Serena? You okay?" he asked.
She sat up, rubbing her eyes and yawning. "Yeah, I fine. I just nap around." She stared at the tray and her eyes glittered with joy. "Oh cool, food! Am I hungry! Thanks, Darien! Thanks for all of this!" She calmed herself down and reached out, took the sandwich, and started to munch.
"If you need to nap, you can go to my room," he acknowledged. "There's a bed and blanket already."
"Really? I'd probably want to before I go back out. I'm really exhausted. Thanks a mil' Darien!" She flashed him a cute smile and continued eating.
He smiled back as he sat right next to her, watching her. Pretty soon, Serena was finished with everything and tried to get up. She tried, but had a bit of difficulty.
"Ouch!" she cried.
"You all right?" Darien asked, lending a hand. She grasped it and pulled herself up.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks," she replied. "Man, I'm going to get these constant pains for the next seven months! Oh boy."
"You do know the rules about being pregnant, right?" questioned Darien.
"Rules? You mean no chocolate, junk food, and eat very healthy? Getting as much rest and prenatal care as possible?" she asked.
"Well, looks like you know all the basic ones," he complimented.
"Yeah. My family and friends are helping me remember that," she answered. She rubbed her stomach. "Hopefully this kid has had a big enough lunch."
They both laughed. Serena walked slowly to the nap room and lay flat on the bed. She placed a little covering over her belly and started to rest.
"Are you comfortable enough?" asked Darien.
"Yeah, thanks," she answered.
"I'm gonna be home all day, so when you wake up or need something, just holler. I don't have anything special to do anyways," he reasoned.
Serena nodded and fell asleep. As Darien walked out the room, he opened the door a crack and smiled. She's giving me a chance, he relieved thought. Thank you.
***
She woke up with a smile on her face. Feeling completely refreshed and cozy, she rubbed her eyes. "Wow," she said out loud in the silence, "This was felt so much like my own heaven. This bed of Darien's is so comfortable. Hmm, I had a two hour nap." She tried turning over, but she immediately stopped, remembering that she had a kid in her. Instead, she sat up in bed and peered around. She saw that it was furnished with mahogany bookcases of all types of books and pictures of him, his friends, and a vase of roses. When she saw the books, she was about to gag.
"Eck, how can he stand reading all those books?" she thought. Then something caught her eye. She slowly climbed out of bed and went over to his dresser.
"Oh man, could this be true?" she asked, looking into a portrait next by a vase of blood roses. She rubbed her eyes and looked closer. Her thought was true; there on Darien's dresser was a portrait of herself!
"Why in the world would Darien would have a picture of me on his dresser? And next to his roses that looks like Tuxedo Masks'?" she asked. She examined the picture closely; it was a picture of her in a beautiful, slinky white dress with a provocative slit up her legs that she could barely see in the pic. She held a fancy fan in her hand over her head, looking very seductively into the camera.
"This picture was from when I went to the Ecstasy Embassy Ball at the Embassy! How did he get a hold of a copy! I only got this picture taken from a professional photographer at the Embassy, and he wasn't Darien!" she exclaimed. "Maybe he got a copy from one of the Scouts, but who? Amy, Lita, Mina, Raye--who? Everyone had one copy of each other with no negatives." She sighed. "Well, I'm ready to go back home. Mom'll wonder where in Tokyo am I." She started to walk out Darien's room and into his living room. She found him watching a bit of TV.
"Hey," she whispered, yawning afterwards.
He turned and automatically turned off the TV. "Hey Serena. How are you feeling?"
"Better, thanks." She started to blush. "You must really like roses, Darien. Seems like everywhere in your place has roses and picture of your friends."
Darien looked puzzled for a moment but then became wide-eyed. Oh no, she saw the picture of her on my dresser! I knew I forgot something when I cleaned my room for her! Oh how am I suppose to explain to her now! he thought.
"Well--thanks," he stuttered.
Serena came over and sat down.
"You need anything?" he asked.
"No, I'll be fine," she answered.
Serena rubbed her stomach and then carefully asked, "So--where did you get that picture of--me on your dresser? And I was wondering, why would you have a picture of ME on your dresser?" she asked.
Darien desperately tried to find the right words, so he stuttered, "Where-- did I get that? Um, I--I got that at--uh...well, let me skip to your second question then come back to that first one. I had that picture on my dresser because you looked--absolutely stunning in that dress. You were really beautiful," he commented, blushing like heck.
Serena was sparkling with pleasure. "Really? You really think that I looked great in that pic?"
"I hate to admit it, but yeah, you did," he answered. "And--not to make you pissed at me, but I got that picture at the Embassy. When the photographer was taking pictures of you, I snuck over and took a picture at the same time as he did. That's how I got the picture."
"Well--that's--brave of you," she stammered. She flashed him a smile.
Darien blushed more. "You don't mind having that picture on there?"
"No, I'm fine with it. Actually, I'm glad that you did, in a way. Yeah--I thought I saw someone who looked like you at the Embassy. That would explain it," she said.
He just nodded. "I guess you saw the other picture of you and your friends."
She stood up in a rush. "What? How--"
"Whoa, relax Serena," he soothed. "I basically only have your picture and Raye's on my dresser. No one has a space on that place for my friends."
Serena was surprised. "You--actually consider me as a friend?"
He nodded sheepishly. "Surprising, huh."
Serena sat back down and leaned back on the sofa. She stared straight ahead at the roses, remembering Tuxedo Mask's entrances. To think about him, Sailormoon and the other Sailorscouts business, tears threatened to pour down her cheeks. I hate to admit it, but I'm really gonna miss being Sailormoon, after this baby is going to be born. Why, in a few months I won't even be able to transform into her again anyway! she thought. The tears finally came. They streamed down her cheeks painfully. She tried to hide her sniffles and cracks in her voice, but she couldn't.
Darien noticed and dropped his book. "Serena, are you all right? What's wrong? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
Serena covered her face and answered, "No, no. I was just thinking about things, like Tuxedo Mask and Sailormoo--, I mean, nothing."
He heard that loud and clear. "Sailormoon? Tuxedo Mask? What do they have to do with this?"
"Nothing," she responded. She placed her hands down and stared at the roses. Yeah, nothing, she thought. I'm going to miss Tuxedo Mask and his cool, hunky entrances. I'm going to miss the Scouts, my friends, shopping, and even school!
Darien was thinking, how does she know me--Tuxedo Mask? Looks like she knows them, but how? I guess she does look a bit like Sailormoon. Same sparkling eyes, meatba--meatballs? Could Serena be Sailormoon? Oh golly, she's in so much pain. I can't believe it--I actually care about her. It hurts...
All of a sudden, she grabbed her throat and started to gag. She grabbed Darien's shirt, which he shrieked, "Ohmigod, what's wrong!"
She couldn't answer, except leaped up. He did too, and took her waist, dragging her to the bathroom. When she got there, she threw up madly into trash can. Her face reddened more in every time she threw up. After she was finished, she climbed up to the sink and cleaned up.
"Man, that was painful," she commented. She walked over and took the trash can. "I guess I can clean up now."
Darien stopped her. "I can do it. You can just grab something to calm you down." He smiled and left.
Why is he doing this all for me? This is still going to take some adjusting to, Serena thought. I know things are serious when I don't even feel like eating! She dragged herself into the living room and lay down on the sofa. Before she did, she went to the kitchen and wet her handkerchief, creating a wet cloth. She then lay back down onto he sofa and put it on her head, shutting her eyes. Oh, this feels good, she thought. She started to think about her future with the baby, all the joys and not the negatives. Wow, being a mom is powerful, she thought. She could already picture holding the baby in her arms.
"She would have the most beautiful shade of pink hair (Insert author's evil laugh)," Serena thought aloud. "She'll be just the cutest little girl anyone has ever seen. Perhaps she may be the next Moon Princess after the real one. If I don't fulfill my promise to protect the universe, she'll definitely be the next Sailormoon. What will be the perfect name for her? Wait, what am I saying? I don't know if this baby is going to be a boy or girl! How can I say these things already?"
Darien stood next to the wall of the opening of the Living room, and heard every word. What is Serena saying? he thought. Her child be the next Sailormoon? The next Moon Princess? How does she know all that? He sighed inwardly and pretended to just walk in on her.
"Serena, what are you talking about? Sorry, but just came back and heard you talking," he confessed.
Serena slowly sat up and faced him with a strange expression on her face. "Oh, I was just dreaming about what my kid would be like. Sounds crazy, huh? I don't know what gender this kid is going to be. And here I am, planning out everything that will never come true."
He came over and sat down. "It's not crazy. I sometimes dream about those type of things too. Everyone dreams, Serena, and if you dream enough, it may come true. You never know, like Mina said."
She thought back, and remembered that Mina once said that to her little "sister" friend, Carry. Maybe Mina's right, along with all the other Scouts and Darien, Serena thought. But will it happen for me?
"Yeah, like that's really going to come true for me," she mumbled. She clenched her fists and tried not to cry. "How can my kid be just what I want when her mother is just about the dumbest and unprofound person in the universe? I really just hope...that everything will go okay."
"Oh Serena, your kid is going to be great," Darien comforted. "Don't worry."
"Why shouldn't I?" she testified. "I don't have any of the qualifying things to be a mother. I'm doing better in school, back to a C- grade point average, but that doesn't make it any better."
"Serena, listen to me," Darien pleaded. "If you do think that way, your kid would be like that. Besides, I KNOW that this kid is going to have her mom's beauty." He blushed like mad.
She turned to him and smiled. "Why do you say that?"
"You are attractive Serena," he replied. "Very radiant. Why shouldn't your child have his/her mother's attractiveness and kindheartedness?"
Serena threw her arms around Darien's neck. "Thanks for making me feel like I'm worth something, Darien! But are you sure?" She let go.
He nodded with pure confidence. You're very important to me, Meatball Head, he thought. In fact, now that I think about it, you're the reason why I choose to even be happy and live for. Without you, nothing seems right. I must care for you with all my life, because you are my life. Darien swore that thought in his heart. I promise, he swore again.
"Thanks, Darien," Serena responded. She hugged him gently and quickly.
Wow, this feels so comfortable, Darien thought, her skin is the softest I've ever felt. I never knew...she could make a totally depressed person feel so loved. But I can't always take my share; it's time I should show that I care for her, it's the least I can do for her.
"So what do you want to do now?" he asked.
Serena yawned and got up to be next to the window, peering out into the sunshine. She rubbed her womb again.
"Well, nothing for now, but I'll just watch the sunshine go by," she replied.
Right when the sun struck her image, her hair gleamed sharply at Darien's face while her eyes sparkled like sapphires. Darien gasped internally, could it be? Could Serena be the Moon Princess that the Sailorscouts and I are looking for? She looks--so beautiful! She must be the princess...
Beep beep! Beep beep! screeched Serena's Scouts communicator. She gasped as she tried to hide the sound. Taking it out, she walked away quickly to the hall and answered the call, leaving Darien a bit puzzled. Serena whispered, "This is Serena, come in."
Amy's face appeared urgent. "Serena, Sailorscouts needed right away! Raye's got readings on some strange Negapower somewhere around, and we need Sailormoon--oh, wait; never mind."
"Hey, wait!" confided Serena as softly as possible. "Why won't you let me come! (standing up as fast as possible) I can handle this!"
"No Serena, we'll handle this! You have to stay with your kid, and you're in no condition to fight any time for a long time!" begged Amy.
"I'm coming and you can't stop me!" cried Serena. She flipped the switch off the communicator and ran to the door.
"Serena, where are you going? You're in no condition to run," Darien asked.
She looked at him pleadingly and responded, "Please, I have to go. My friends need me for something, and I'm part of the group." She swung the front door open and jogged out as fast as possible.
"Serena wait!" he cried. Too late, the door slammed shut in his face.
"Where is she going? Meatba-- 'Serena' can't go out all by herself!" he cried. He grabbed his keys and frantically ran out, running as fast as he could.
Serena tried to bolt, but she couldn't.
"Come on, I can't quit now! The Sailorscouts need me and I can't let them down! The whole universe is counting on me!" she panted. "But I--I can't run! I'm so tired, and I'm not even showing much yet!" She glanced behind her and saw no one, or so she presumed; Darien was following her very close by, but she didn't see him. She then ran into an alley and took a breather. Darien cried, "Serena! Where are you!"
"Oh no!" she cried. She took a deep breath and commanded, "Moon, prism, power!" Her power was activated, and Darien came just in time to watch her transform.
"Huh?' he asked in shock. He saw her swirl and swirl in a shower of pink ribbons naked. I can't believe this! Serena's--SAILORMOON! he thought. And she's transforming stripped too, right in front of me! He almost fell over. When Sailormoon was completely transformed, she saw him.
"Darien!?!" she cried. "You saw all that!"
He cautiously walked towards her, knowing that she could attack. "Serena? YOU'RE Sailormoon?" He blushed his deepest.
Surprisingly, she answered in a nonchalant manner. "Yes, I am. Now you know who I am, but I'll talk to you later. Right now, I have to help my friends with the Negamonster their fighting with!" She started to run past him.
"You mean Raye, Lita, Amy, and Mina?" he asked, feeling stupid. How could I not have seen that she and her friends were the Sailorscouts? It's so obvious; they look exactly the same except with only a different change of clothes and BARELY BARELY any skin color! Darien thought.
"Sere--Sailormoon, you can't go!" Darien pleaded. "You're going to get hurt! It's especially dangerous now, since you're pregnant! Let the Sailorscouts and I handle it; you go home and rest."
"How can you help?" she questioned, suspicious.
He tried to tell her, but he hesitated. Should I? he asked himself. Yes, I should. She already showed me who SHE is, so it's my turn.
"Well--if you go, I can give you a hand," he answered.
"Huh?" she asked. She started to run past him, with him following.
"Man, how much farther until the Menlo Park?" she sighed, breathless.
"I can get you there faster," Darien suggested.
"How?" she asked.
"Watch," he requested. He took out a rose and held it up. Sailormoon gasped, but that didn't stop him. Swirls of power encircled him, and with a few turns, he was Tuxedo Mask.
"You're--you're Tuxedo Mask? The guy I've been dreaming of?" she asked, now HER blushing.
Tuxedo Mask blushed deeper. "Yep. I'm sorry that I acted like a jerk before, both myself and Tuxedo Mask." She has a crush on me! he thought. Wait, on TUXEDO MASK, not Darien Chiba. Aww...
Sailormoon walked around, holding her face. "Wow, all of this happened so fast! First, we're just becoming friendly to each other, I just got pregnant, and now we know our identities! Whoa..." She snapped out of it. "OK, let's go! Let's dust that Negacreep!"
Tuxedo Mask heart thumped as he walked over and lifted Sailormoon up. "Faster way," he smiled. "Hang on!" He leaped onto the top of the building and jumped gracefully from building to building, making sure that Sailormoon and her baby weren't hurt. While Sailormoon was clinging onto Tuxedo Mask's neck, she sniffed him over, thinking,
"Wow, I'm actually touching DARIEN! Wait, I have before; he carried me when I collapsed. He's SO cute as Tuxedo Mask!" In a gutsy way, she tried to stretch over and kiss him, but hesitated.
"Wait, what am I doing? I'm going to kiss DARIEN? I should at least WAIT for a while!" she cried to herself. But she just continued to stare at Tuxedo Mask.
He was looking down at her delicate face through his snowy white mask. "Why is she staring at me?" he asked himself. "Some thing wrong? Nah, maybe she still has that crush on me." He went back on concentrating in getting to where the Scouts were. In a minute more, they both were in the docks of Tokyo. When they arrived, Mars and Jupiter were fighting fiercely with their powers. Tuxedo Mask gently put Sailormoon to the ground. Venus shrieked when she saw Sailormoon.
"Sailormoon! You're not suppose to be here! It's too dangerous! You're--" she paused when she saw Tuxedo Mask. She frantically hinted, "You know what I mean!"
Sailormoon glanced over at Tuxedo Mask and mouthed the words, "Should I tell them about this?"
Tux just said, "When you're ready." She nodded and ran over to where Jupiter and Mars were.
"You know, I CAN give you a hand here!" she cried. She peered at the monster, who looked like a clump of jungle green stinkin' slime. She took out her tiara and commanded, "Moon, tiara, MAGIC!" Everyone watched her with amusement as she worked her stuff. Tuxedo Mask couldn't stop watching her body flow and flow.
"How come I've never realized that when she swirls her body, she's so beautiful? She's always been the most gorgeous female I've ever met, but THIS! Wow..." he sighed.
After she threw her tiara, she cried, "Ha! Dusted!" Suddenly, she swayed, and then collapsed AGAIN. Her friends rushed over, but again, Tux was faster. He caught her in time and shook her.
"Sailormoon, are you all right? Say somethin'!" he pleaded.
She opened her eyes and stared at his face, dreamily. "I'm fine," she whispered. She sat up, clutching her head.
Sailormars was restless. "Why did you come, Sailormoon! I thought we told you not to help us in battle! It's too dangerous for you to! You're preg--" She saw Tuxedo Mask AGAIN and restrained herself. "Your body cannot take this right now! You know that!"
Sailormoon looked at her friend with gentle and caring eyes. It looked so tender that Mars was about to cry and hurt herself.
"I know that, Mars," she answered like an angel, "but I need to help you guys with battle. If the monster is really a human, I would at least have the Crescent Moon Wand to heal them."
Everyone was shocked that Sailormoon answered so gently at Mars. Venus standing up tripped and fell on her feet, and Mercury accidentally dropped her book. Jupiter just stared, and DARIEN, or Tuxedo Mask, was about to let go of Sailormoon.
"Huh?" asked Mars. "Why aren't you raging at me as usual? What's with you?"
Sailormoon smiled gently. "I'm trying to change my manner a bit, and there's something else." She turned to Tuxedo Mask. "Should I tell them?" He nodded.
"Only if you're ready," he responded.
Sailormoon turned to her friends. "There's something I need to tell you guys, and I think that you all are really eager to know."
"You are all right are you?" asked Mercury. "Should we take you to the doctor's of something?"
Sailormoon held her hand up. "No, no. In fact, I think all of you Scouts would like to hear this, if this is all right with Tuxedo Mask."
"Wait, what's up with you and Tuxedo Mask?" asked Jupiter, suspicious. "Has he done something to you?" Her eyes started to show emerald fires.
"No, Jupiter, calm down," she answered. "Actually, Mars and Venus would like this. And I was shocked when I found out."
"Well stop stalling and tell us!" exclaimed Sailorjupiter.
"Be patient, Lita," halted Tux. "She's going to tell you."
Sailorjupiter and the other Scouts (besides Sailormoon) looked shocked.
"H--how do you know? How do you know that my name is Lita?" asked Jupiter. She placed her hands on her hips and furiously glared through Tux's eyes, even though they were hidden behind the mask. Tux winced and thought:
"Oh no, big mistake. Lita's going to kill me again! Smart move, Darien Chiba. You don't want to let this tomboy get you again, even though she IS the thunder senshi Sailorjupiter!" He readied himself to fight back
"Yes, how DO you know?" asked Venus and Mars, both a bit angry.
Sailormoon stood in front of him and gasped for a breath. She then started to explain, "It's OK guys, that's what I'm going to explain. In fact, we all know who Tuxedo Mask is, but Lita and Raye might want to beat him up first when I tell them." (Raye isn't dating Darien in this fanfic.)
"OK..." replied Jupiter and Mars.
Moon continued, "I know this is going to be long, but hear me out. I went over to Darien's apartment to go and apologize for how I acted to towards him. And somehow he was nice enough to apologize back to me, and he suddenly became really nice to me from then on, which I really appreciate."
Tuxedo Mask came over to her side.
"I took a nap at his room ALONE, and I had a great rest. That's when you guys beeped me over the communicator and I came over to an alley to transform. Little did I know that Darien followed me to make sure I was all right. I didn't know, and I transformed RIGHT IN FRONT of him, and that's when he stepped in. So we talked about finding out my identity, but there wasn't enough time to get to where you guys were in time. He suggested a faster way and more careful way to get here, and that's when I saw the rose in his hand. I think you guys get figure out the rest."
Amy gasped and dropped her book again. She picked it up and pointed at Tux. "Darien--YOU'RE Tuxedo Mask?"
"How could I not have seen that? You two look so much alike!" cried Mars. Her cheeks blushed fiery red.
Tuxedo Mask smiled. "That's what I said when I found out Serena's identity, and when I knew who the rest of you girls are."
"Whoa," yelped Jupiter. "Mr. Chiba is actually Tuxedo Mask? Wicked!" She smirked playfully on her pretty face.
"Wow, this is so cool!" cried Venus. She smiled beautifully at Tux.
Mercury glanced at Sailormoon and asked, "Uh, Serena, I hate to admit this, but you're starting to show."
Moon glanced at her abdomen then back up, smiling. "Yep, I guess so! It's going to be a while before I'll have my kid, though."
"It FOR SURE will look just like its mother!" exclaimed Venus, excited.
Mars thought; surprising that they don't despise each other, even after finding out their identities. I thought Serena would just blow after this whole situation. She crossed her arms and looked stubborn.
Sailormoon rubbed her forehead. "Man, is it hot or is it just me?" she asked.
"It's just you," answered Jupiter. She glanced at the rest of the Sailorscouts and nodded. In a flash, all of the girls transformed back into their civilian forms. Tux looked embarrassed, so he transformed back too.
"What's going to happened now?" asked Serena. She looked at her friends. "I know I have to choose a new leader in place of me from now on, but how am I going to do it? Everyone here has their own qualities to qualify as leader." She sucked in a breath of fresh air. "Amy, you have the 300 I.Q. and the modesty to be leader. Raye, you have your fiery kick-butt leadership and fighting skills. Lita, you have your aggressive and unbelievably great strength in fighting. Mina, you were Sailor V and had a lot more experience in being a Sailorscout alone. And Darien--he has his quick reflexes in fighting and perfect entrances." She sighed. This was going to be a much more harder decision than I thought, she pondered.
***
"Late again, Serena?" asked Ms. Haruna. "Step outside please."
Serena obediently took her bag to her desk and walked back outside, her arm on her back. Molly looked at her worriedly.
When they were outside, Ms. Haruna pryed, "All right Miss Tsukino, I want some answers. Why have you come to school late every single day this week? And no more of your lame excuses too. Come on now, 'fess up!"
Serena looked into her teacher's eyes with tears in her's.
"I--I'm sorry, Ms. H," she wept. "I know I haven't been coming to school on time each day, but--I do have a good excuse. My parents and doctor wrote notes to you explaining my tardiness." She handed them to her teacher and bowed her head down. Ms. Haruna read them quickly, but her face changed into shock. She placed them in her pocket.
"Is it true?" she asked.
Serena nodded.
"I'm sorry, Serena," Haruna apologized. "I'll excuse your tardies, but you still have to work your brain at your schoolwork."
"Thank you Ms. H," she thanked, smiling. A sudden thought ran through her head. Schoolwork? she asked herself. I--I'm going to be a mother soon, so my child needs me to have great study habits for her to learn. I want her to be as smart as Amy! Well, maybe not as much, but close to her mark. This tot needs a well-educated mother to even be well-educated him/herself. She cringed at that thought. "I have hard times getting out of bed and getting around anywhere, but I DO get up early, but I have to walk here all by myself," she furthermore explained. "But I'll try to find a ride."
"It's a good idea to," the teacher responded. "You can save your health and strength by doing that."
Serena nodded again, her tears drying up. It's a good idea, she thought. And I know just who to ask for help.
***
School was finally out for that day. Serena basically limped home again, a lot slower than the way she CAME to school. Amy and Lita helped her walk and carry books, but it was still a strain to walk all that way. Every now and then they all had to stop at a bench to take a breather.
"Guys," remarked Serena. "I'm not going straight home today. I have to go to Darien's because he could give me a ride to the prenatal care doctor appointment."
Lita and Amy both stopped and gasped in surprise.
"Why?" asked Amy.
"Has that cold bastard actually started to act human more?" asked Lita, still a bit angry.
"Don't worry, Lita," assured Serena. "I already told you last time that he apologized and started treating me nicely."
"Yeah, but if he trips, I'll be sure that he falls HARD," the tomboy emphasized.
Amy and Serena laughed. Serena looked up ahead of her and groaned, "Oh, how much farther until Darien's place? I don't know if I have the strength anymore." She slowed her pace.
Suddenly there was a car honk behind them. The girls whirled around and set their gaze on the red sports car slowing coming along the sidewalk to them. One of the windows rolled down and a familiar voice sounded, "Hey Serena! Girls, do you need a lift? I can give you one."
All three of them walked over. "Darien?" they reacted.
The car stopped and Darien got out. "Hi. I was just driving by and I was hoping if you need a lift home or something. Serena, I can take you to your doctor's appointment pretty soon."
"Thanks Darien," she replied. "Um, sure, I'll go ahead to the doctor's."
He hesitated at first, but he managed to ask, "Lita; Amy, do you want to come along also? There's enough room for all of you and your stuff."
"Sure," answered Amy cheerfully. "Come on Lita." Lita followed her into the car, but Darien was a bit nervous. Does she have a baseball bat with her? I hope she won't hurt me when I'm driving, he thought.
Lita noticed the look on Darien's face, so she reassured, "Hey Darien, don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you. You can relax; I only do that if they caused the problem to begin with." Flashing him a gorgeous smile, Darien blushed and instantly felt more relieved. Whoa, Lita can be really beautiful at some points, but she, Amy, Serena, Raye and Mina are all pretty. I guess Lita's beauty is the "dangerous" kind, he thought. He smiled wickedly but still blushed. Still, she's not as attractive as Serena, he added, but ALL of her "four" friends including Serena are indeed beautiful.
Everyone got into the car and settled down.
"Hey, do you all want something to eat? We still have over an hour, and I can wait," Darien suggested.
"Oooh, FOOD! Yummy!" cried Serena. But, she calmed down. "Okay, but the food has to be pretty damn healthy for me."
"Sure," he responded. He drove to a restaurant that specialized in healthy foods for certain people like Serena and parked the car. Everyone ordered their food, which everyone's was a pasta and salad.
"Aww, I know I can't eat ice cream or junk food anymore," Serena complained. "But oh well; freshly tossed greens with a huge siding of potato salad and some fat free alfredo cheese pasta works for me!" She picked up her fork and started eating, surprisingly neatly and properly. Everyone else was shocked.
"Since when did you start to eat so neatly Meatball Head?" joked Lita with her mouth full of pasta.
"My baby and I slowly digest our food, and I want him/her to eat acceptably when they're older," she answered. "I don't want the kid to get food TOO fast."
"Well, that's good for you to think ahead," complimented Amy. She wiped her mouth. "What's the doctor going to do today? Is it another check-up?"
"I guess," Serena answered. "Even though it's pretty annoying, I have to go for my baby's sake. This is one thing that I cannot chicken out on."
"Good point," said the brunette.
After when they finished, they rapidly went to the hospital, for time was timing out. They all actually arrived at the clinic a few minutes early, so then went on in.
When inside, Serena's special doctor, Dr. Koto greeted them.
"Hello their Miss Tsukino," she saluted. "Are you ready for today?"
"As ready as ever," she answered.
"All right, I'm going to ask your friends to wait out in hallway just for a moment, and so am I, so you could slip into this cotton gown," the doctor requested.
Everyone nodded and left the room, except Luna. She crept onto Serena's lap and replied, "Are you sure you're ready? You seem a bit pale."
"No, I'll be fine," the blonde answered. She took hold of the gown and slipped out of her clothes, with Luna turned around. When she finished, she turned around and faced her cat.
"Before the doctor comes in, I need to admit something to you," Luna remarked.
"OK," Serena said, "what is it?"
Luna jumped onto a nearby chair and coughed. "Serena, over these past few months, I've noticed that you've become a more responsible person, maybe even more responsible than Raye! You're more graceful and tender, like the actual Moon Princess. And I want to say that I'm really proud of you, just like my own daughter."
Serena beamed. "Thank you, Luna. I'll still try to be improving my skills, but I have you to thank for helping me, along with all my friends and family. Even Darien!" She giggled and blushed. "I guess he's trying to really be friends with me." She knocked on the door, and the others came in.
Dr. Koto tied her dark, mahogany hair into a ribbon and slipped on some gloves. "All right, the first thing I'm going to do is the general stuff, like feel your heartbeat, look at your weight, etc. Then I'll start with the more complicated stuff."
After the generic things, she said, "OK, Serena, you're perfectly fine. Your heartbeat is pretty normal, and your weight is increasingly normally fine."
Serena nodded.
Dr. Koto beamed, "It's all part of the process, don't worry. I went through the same thing when I had my two daughters." Serena nodded again. "Uh, Doctor; when do I do my ultrasound and amniocentesis routine?"
"Not for at least another six months," she replied. She switched to new gloves and turned to Darien. "OK sir, what's your name?"
"Chiba; Darien Chiba," he answered.
"And are you a close guardian or friend to Miss Tsukino?"
Darien looked at Serena and her friends. They nodded.
"I guess so," he responded.
Koto nodded and looked at the girls. "Now, you're allowed to stay in this room. but I'll have to ask you to stand to where Serena and her cranial cavity is. This next thing is private."
Everyone gestured and stepped back. The doctor started to do the examining while the others respectfully stayed still. Darien, on the other hand, was fidgeting a bit in where he was standing, causing Amy and Lita to be nervous. Oh, why am I so embarrassed all of a sudden? he asked himself. I'm not looking! So why am I so embarrassed?
Finally, the check-up was over, and everyone could go. Serena made another appointment to come back next week, and she was happy that she was completely fine. Her friends were deeply relieved, too.
When everyone got into the car and Darien started to drive, Amy spoke up, "So, where does everyone want to go now? Serena, you want me to come over to your house to help you with some things? Lita and I can do it, Darien too. Is that OK with you Darien?"
He gulped and had a quick thought; what if Serena's family think I did this to her? Uh-oh...but maybe I should give it a shot and see how it goes.
"Uh, sure Amy," he agreed. He paused at a stoplight and turned around. "How about you Serena? It's mainly your decision."
"I'm fine with it," she answered, smiling. She patted her belly. "Boy, I know I just ate, but I'm hungry again. I can't wait until I get home to get something to munch on."
"You don't want to go the restaurant?" asked Lita.
Serena shook her head.
Darien pulled up next to the Tsukino's house and parked the car. He hastily got out and walked the girls to the door, then knocked.
"So Darien," started off Serena, "you want to stick around for a while, right? Can you give me a hand with things?"
He nodded, "I can, IF you let me." He beamed, with Serena smiling back.
Instantaneously, the door opened. Standing in the door frame was Sammy and Mr. Tsukino.
"Hi sweetheart," Mr. Tsukino greeted. "Glad you're back home. Hello Amy and Lita." He abruptly fixed a cold gaze at Darien, causing Darien to stand rigid. He frantically tried to find his voice, but he couldn't. "And you, young man, what's your name?"
Darien tried to calm down. He smiled insecurely and answered, "Darien Chiba, Mr. Tsukino. Nice to meet you."
Mr. Tsukino's gaze lessened. "And hopefully you too, Mr. Chiba. What relation to have with my daughter?" His gaze was harsh again.
Darien tried to speak, but no words came out of his mouth. Serena from the corner of her eye saw and responded, "Daddy, don't worry. Darien's one of our friends. He's friends with me, Amy, Lita, Raye and Mina. He also sometimes helps Lita compete in combat, since you KNOW how good Lita is with karate. And he's friends with my friend Andrew at the arcade." She smiled as sweetly as she could.
Mr. Tsukino smiled, still with a serious look on his face. "OK honey, I'll trust you on this. This better not be the guy who--"
"DAD," pleaded Serena. "He's not. He's a really good person."
"Well, okay then," he answered. He glared at Darien and pointed at him seriously. "But if I find out that you're the one who did this to my daughter, or do ANYTHING else, YOU are going to have a date that will last for the rest of your afterlife on a silver platter. Got that!"
Darien gulped noticeably, but he nodded vigorously, fear in his eyes. So fearful, so afraid; he didn't even notice himself put a hand on Amy's waist.
"Hey!" yelped the genius. She stared at Darien, and he woke up.
"Huh? Ohmigosh, I'm so sorry Amy! I--I didn't know what I was doing," he apologized sincerely. "I--w--was th--thinking--th--th--"
"Darien, it's all right," Amy forgave. "I was just surprised, that's all. I know you didn't mean that. Don't worry." She smiled assuring at him, and he let out his breath. Mr. Tsukino let everyone in, and Serena with her friends went straight to her room. While walking upstairs, Darien was sure that he's going to get beaten any minute by Serena's dad.
When everyone was in her room, Serena shut the door. They tossed their things by the door and sat on a nearby chair.
Amy glanced around. "Wow Serena, you surely have a head start in decorating your room with baby things," she complimented. "You already have the crib, blankets and things lined up here."
"Yep!" she cheerfully answered. "I want to be as prepared as can be. I even got some baby books too! For her and for me to read!"
Everyone gasped and stared.
"You actually want to read? And maybe even do some homework?" asked Lita. "Are you OK? Do you have a fever or somethin'?"
"No!" Serena snapped. "I want to improve my schoolwork and grades, because I want my kid to be a smart one, like Amy! Amy, can you and everyone else help me when this tyke is born? I'm going to need all the help I can get."
"Sure!" answered everyone at once. That left Serena suspicious.
"O--kay," she responded. She shook herself and continued, "All right, let's change the subject. Darien, what you think about my dad? I know what you're gonna say, but-- oh well."
He looked at everyone, then back at Serena again. "Uh, are you sure that your dad doesn't have a gun right under the couch just to shoot me whenever I'm going to come over? Man, I'd better hire a bodyguard whenever I come over!" He smiled, but clearly showed his fear.
Amy giggled and responded before Serena, "Oh, Darien, don't worry. Serena's dad is always like this. He's very protective of Serena, ESPECIALLY with all the guys that come into mind and to the house."
Darien thought, how many guys? Probably several hundred dates before actually even now letting me have a chance with her.
"My dad can be VERY overprotective," admitted Serena. "But deep under, he's really a good person. He's the best dad that anyone could ever have, basically." She walked over to her bed and lay down, staring at her friends. Suddenly, she sat up. "Man, I forgot! If I ever want to get better grades at school, I'd better study and do my homework! Whoa!" She scrambled up as quickly and carefully as possible and grabbed her school bag. Ripping it open, she tossed out her books, pencils and sheets of homework onto her bed.
"Hey!" cried Lita. She ducked from a a book flying her direction. "Watch it!"
"Ouch!" cried Amy. An eraser slicked her arm.
"Let me get this straight," stated Darien, "You're actually FOR REAL going to do your homework? Are you sure you're still the same old Meatball Head I used to know, that had just given me a chance to be friends with? Or has the Negaverse had something to do with this?"
She stopped tossing her things onto her bed and whirled around. "No Darien, I assure you that the Negaverse had nothing to do with this. I just want to do this, under my own will. Well, I take half that statement back. Yes, it had something to do with the Negaverse. In the last battle I just had, when we just discovered our identities, I did some serious thinking about the future of being a Sailorscout. I still don't know who's going to be the leader in my place, but that's for a bit later to decide." She shut her bag shut and gathered her things and went over to her desk. She started to sit down, but she stopped and walked back to her bed.
"Maybe you should take a little breather before you start some heavy-duty studying and working," suggested Amy. "If you want, I can help you, along with the rest of us. Is that all right with you, guys?"
Lita and Darien, who were sitting almost next to each other, nodded.
"Sure, we'll be glad to give you a hand," replied Darien.
Serena looked up. "You know what? For the past month or two, my grades have been pulled up to C-'s! Isn't that great?" She laughed with joy and hugged Amy. Amy, on the other hand, tried to release herself from her friend's grasp.
"Wow, congrads'!" cried Lita. "You've really dedicated yourself!"
"And I'm going to keep dedicating myself to all my work!" declared Serena. "And to a good life from now on, hopefully with no more bad fortunes!"
"It's such a beautiful day," she sighed. "If I were myself again, I could probably go out to the park and walk around." She looked down at her womb and rubbed it. Don't worry, Mommy's going to be the best mother she can be, Serena thought. Like being Sailormoon taught me, you must accept what you have. Tears started to weld in her eyes. Can I really handle this whole pregnancy without a father? I know my family and my friends will do their best to help, but it's just not the same without the other parent. Oh what am I saying! I hate this child's father! I hate him! I'll be able to handle this hopefully all by myself!
"Serena? Are you all right?" asked Luna on her shoulder.
"I'll be okay," Serena answered. She wiped her eyes and questioned, "Luna, do you think that I overreacted with Darien the other night? I seem to be putting everyone on the line. I feel so guilty for this."
"I know that you feel bad, and I do blame some of this on Darien. But, you are taking this a little too hard. Why not go and apologize to him?" replied Luna.
"I guess," Serena mumbled. "But for the bigger matters, what about Sailormoon and the other Sailorscouts? I know that I have to give this all up, but who should be the new leader?"
"That's for you to decide," said Luna.
Serena slowly stood up, holding onto the bed as she went. "I'll go try to find Darien in the arcade."
"Good for you," said Luna. She jumped next to Serena. "Let's go!"
***
"Hi Andrew!" cried Serena. She walked to him but was a bit tired. Even though she took the bus to save her strength, she still was worn out.
"Hey Serena! Are you OK now? I heard about what happened with you and Darien. Is everything all right?" he asked.
"Hopefully," Serena answered.
"Oh, Serena! Before I forget, Darien left this for you. I think this might explain everything." Andrew handed Serena the package.
"Thanks!" Serena took it and turned around. She sniffed at the rose attached to the card.
Wow, what a beautiful rose! It's so sweet! What's this? (giggle) It's a pretty cute pic of Tuxedo Mask! How does Darien know him? Is he a fan of him too? she thought, blushing. Opening the envelope, she carefully took out the card and started to read:
To Serena:
Hi, Meatball head. I know you're wondering what's this all about. I'm really sorry that I've eavesdropped on you and the girls the other night, but I only did because I wanted to know why you've been acting so odd lately; you collapsing and throwing up, back pains, etc. Boy, did I find out.
I know you hate my guts, but I'd really like it if you'd forgive me. You might always see me as a jerk, and I guess you're right; I've never had anyone as great as you to show me how to be friendly, to care, and to love. I've never thought of this a lot before, but I do realize it. Thank you for that.
Anyways, I'd really be willing to help you and your baby in any way, in return for what all I've ever done to you. Name anything; I'd really be willing to help. I'm really sorry, Serena.
P.S. Would you like me to stop calling you "Meatball Head?"
Sincerely, Darien Chiba
Serena closed the note-card and held it to her heart.
He really does have some heart, she thought; And Darien, I'm sorry too. Thanks for this. I do and will forgive you.
Andrew peered over her shoulder. "So what's the note from Darien about?"
Serena tried not to blush. "Well, he was kind enough to apologize for what he did the other night. And Andrew, yes, I do and will forgive him."
"That's really affectionate," complimented Andrew. "Are you doing okay now? I think you're beginning to show a bit."
She smiled, "Yep. Ooh I hope I would get a daughter; I have so much that I want to teach a girl!"
"I'm sure that you're kid would turn out to be just like her mother," he insured.
"I hope so," she answered. She clutched onto the rose in her hand and continued smelling it. She pocketed the note and started to exit the arcade.
"Like I said before, let me know what I can do to help," replied Andrew.
"Thanks," Serena grinned. She came back. "Actually, maybe you can now."
"Okay, sure," he said. He quickly wiped his hands and came around the counter to her side. "What is it?"
She blushed, "Can you give me Darien's address and number?"
***
Serena held the slip of paper in her hand as she glanced around for the apartment number. The apartment hallway of floor 8 was brightly lighted like the Imperium Silver Crystal, and the floors were squeaky clean.
"Let's see, Apartment #815," she replied to herself. "Apartment #813, #814-- ahhah! Apartment #815!" She shoved the paper in her pocket and held her back. Man, being pregnant doesn't give you much of a break for sudden pain, she thought. And now, I'm so tired, and I feel so bulgy. But I just have to get this all out to Darien. She rang the doorbell and then placed her free hand on her abdomen. Boy, maybe Darien can give me a little rest, she pondered.
Darien from inside walked to the door. "Who could be visiting me at this hour?" He slowly opened the door and was surprised.
"Serena? Wow, how did you find my address? Are you OK?" he asked in a rush.
She smiled, with her hands still in their places. "Hi Darien. Andrew was nice enough to give me your address." She took out the rose. "I got your little note. Thank you, Darien."
He looked flushed. "Why should you be thanking me? Look, I'm really sorry what I did the other night; I didn't mean to do it, but I wanted to help."
"I know. I overreacted with the situation, too. I shouldn't have been such a Meatball Head. I forgive you."
Already, he was completely relieved. "Thanks. And I assure you that you're not a Meatball Head." He started to blush. "Where's my manners; uh, would you like to come in? You definitely need a rest, since it seems that you came all the way over here yourself."
"Thanks, I really can use a breather. I'm pooped." She eagerly followed him in and sat down on the nearby couch.
"Are you sure?" Darien asked.
"Sure about what?"
"Are you sure that you're really willing to forgive me?"
"Umhmm. Darien, I know that you didn't do that on purpose, and you just wanted to help. Horrible or not, you're worth forgiving and giving a chance to."
He blushed even deeper. "Thanks. If you don't mind me asking, how are you and your baby?"
"We're doing great. I'm due to have another appointment with the prenatal care doctor tomorrow afterschool," she favored.
"Do you need a ride? I can come with you just in case," he asked.
"Uh, sure; thanks. My parents won't be home anyways," she approved. "Since you're going to be a doctor too, you might as well come for an advantage."
"That sounds like I'm going to be using you for my advantage."
"Partially, but I don't really mind."
There was a brief silence.
"Uh--would you like anything? To drink? To eat?" Darien stammered.
"Umm--do you have any bread and lettuce and stuff? I'd probably like a healthy fresh sandwich. No more junk food for me!" she laughed.
"Yeah. Just a fresh sandwich right? Ya' like some water with that?"
"Alright. Thanks, Darien."
"No prob'. Make yourself comfortable for you two." He left to the kitchen as Serena sighed with happiness.
"Man, Darien the usual conceited jerk can be really cool sometimes. For once, he's actually been humanely nice to me!" she thought. "Maybe he just wants me to be his friend. Or, he's really doing what he promised; he's willing to help me and make this all up to me. Maybe I should really give him a chance."
Darien in the kitchen opened the breezy 'frige and took out the things he needed. "How come Serena's acting so nice to me? Is this some kind of joke? But it doesn't seem like it; her eyes says it all. I just hope she's going to give me a shot of being a friend. She really needs more now, even though she has enough friends to fill up 5 houses." He laughed at that thought.
"Let's see; fresh green lettuce and bread, with fat free cheese, a slice of fresh tomatoes and fresh ham. And water; no other caffeine or preservative stuff. Man, I never knew that she was pregnant. Now, since I'm training to become a doctor, this is where all my knowledge is put to the test--for the next 7 months." He finished putting the contents together onto a tray, and carried it to where Serena was. She was leaning onto the armstand of the sofa and resting. He placed the tray down onto the table in front, and peered down at her.
"Serena? You okay?" he asked.
She sat up, rubbing her eyes and yawning. "Yeah, I fine. I just nap around." She stared at the tray and her eyes glittered with joy. "Oh cool, food! Am I hungry! Thanks, Darien! Thanks for all of this!" She calmed herself down and reached out, took the sandwich, and started to munch.
"If you need to nap, you can go to my room," he acknowledged. "There's a bed and blanket already."
"Really? I'd probably want to before I go back out. I'm really exhausted. Thanks a mil' Darien!" She flashed him a cute smile and continued eating.
He smiled back as he sat right next to her, watching her. Pretty soon, Serena was finished with everything and tried to get up. She tried, but had a bit of difficulty.
"Ouch!" she cried.
"You all right?" Darien asked, lending a hand. She grasped it and pulled herself up.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Thanks," she replied. "Man, I'm going to get these constant pains for the next seven months! Oh boy."
"You do know the rules about being pregnant, right?" questioned Darien.
"Rules? You mean no chocolate, junk food, and eat very healthy? Getting as much rest and prenatal care as possible?" she asked.
"Well, looks like you know all the basic ones," he complimented.
"Yeah. My family and friends are helping me remember that," she answered. She rubbed her stomach. "Hopefully this kid has had a big enough lunch."
They both laughed. Serena walked slowly to the nap room and lay flat on the bed. She placed a little covering over her belly and started to rest.
"Are you comfortable enough?" asked Darien.
"Yeah, thanks," she answered.
"I'm gonna be home all day, so when you wake up or need something, just holler. I don't have anything special to do anyways," he reasoned.
Serena nodded and fell asleep. As Darien walked out the room, he opened the door a crack and smiled. She's giving me a chance, he relieved thought. Thank you.
***
She woke up with a smile on her face. Feeling completely refreshed and cozy, she rubbed her eyes. "Wow," she said out loud in the silence, "This was felt so much like my own heaven. This bed of Darien's is so comfortable. Hmm, I had a two hour nap." She tried turning over, but she immediately stopped, remembering that she had a kid in her. Instead, she sat up in bed and peered around. She saw that it was furnished with mahogany bookcases of all types of books and pictures of him, his friends, and a vase of roses. When she saw the books, she was about to gag.
"Eck, how can he stand reading all those books?" she thought. Then something caught her eye. She slowly climbed out of bed and went over to his dresser.
"Oh man, could this be true?" she asked, looking into a portrait next by a vase of blood roses. She rubbed her eyes and looked closer. Her thought was true; there on Darien's dresser was a portrait of herself!
"Why in the world would Darien would have a picture of me on his dresser? And next to his roses that looks like Tuxedo Masks'?" she asked. She examined the picture closely; it was a picture of her in a beautiful, slinky white dress with a provocative slit up her legs that she could barely see in the pic. She held a fancy fan in her hand over her head, looking very seductively into the camera.
"This picture was from when I went to the Ecstasy Embassy Ball at the Embassy! How did he get a hold of a copy! I only got this picture taken from a professional photographer at the Embassy, and he wasn't Darien!" she exclaimed. "Maybe he got a copy from one of the Scouts, but who? Amy, Lita, Mina, Raye--who? Everyone had one copy of each other with no negatives." She sighed. "Well, I'm ready to go back home. Mom'll wonder where in Tokyo am I." She started to walk out Darien's room and into his living room. She found him watching a bit of TV.
"Hey," she whispered, yawning afterwards.
He turned and automatically turned off the TV. "Hey Serena. How are you feeling?"
"Better, thanks." She started to blush. "You must really like roses, Darien. Seems like everywhere in your place has roses and picture of your friends."
Darien looked puzzled for a moment but then became wide-eyed. Oh no, she saw the picture of her on my dresser! I knew I forgot something when I cleaned my room for her! Oh how am I suppose to explain to her now! he thought.
"Well--thanks," he stuttered.
Serena came over and sat down.
"You need anything?" he asked.
"No, I'll be fine," she answered.
Serena rubbed her stomach and then carefully asked, "So--where did you get that picture of--me on your dresser? And I was wondering, why would you have a picture of ME on your dresser?" she asked.
Darien desperately tried to find the right words, so he stuttered, "Where-- did I get that? Um, I--I got that at--uh...well, let me skip to your second question then come back to that first one. I had that picture on my dresser because you looked--absolutely stunning in that dress. You were really beautiful," he commented, blushing like heck.
Serena was sparkling with pleasure. "Really? You really think that I looked great in that pic?"
"I hate to admit it, but yeah, you did," he answered. "And--not to make you pissed at me, but I got that picture at the Embassy. When the photographer was taking pictures of you, I snuck over and took a picture at the same time as he did. That's how I got the picture."
"Well--that's--brave of you," she stammered. She flashed him a smile.
Darien blushed more. "You don't mind having that picture on there?"
"No, I'm fine with it. Actually, I'm glad that you did, in a way. Yeah--I thought I saw someone who looked like you at the Embassy. That would explain it," she said.
He just nodded. "I guess you saw the other picture of you and your friends."
She stood up in a rush. "What? How--"
"Whoa, relax Serena," he soothed. "I basically only have your picture and Raye's on my dresser. No one has a space on that place for my friends."
Serena was surprised. "You--actually consider me as a friend?"
He nodded sheepishly. "Surprising, huh."
Serena sat back down and leaned back on the sofa. She stared straight ahead at the roses, remembering Tuxedo Mask's entrances. To think about him, Sailormoon and the other Sailorscouts business, tears threatened to pour down her cheeks. I hate to admit it, but I'm really gonna miss being Sailormoon, after this baby is going to be born. Why, in a few months I won't even be able to transform into her again anyway! she thought. The tears finally came. They streamed down her cheeks painfully. She tried to hide her sniffles and cracks in her voice, but she couldn't.
Darien noticed and dropped his book. "Serena, are you all right? What's wrong? Do you need to go to the hospital?"
Serena covered her face and answered, "No, no. I was just thinking about things, like Tuxedo Mask and Sailormoo--, I mean, nothing."
He heard that loud and clear. "Sailormoon? Tuxedo Mask? What do they have to do with this?"
"Nothing," she responded. She placed her hands down and stared at the roses. Yeah, nothing, she thought. I'm going to miss Tuxedo Mask and his cool, hunky entrances. I'm going to miss the Scouts, my friends, shopping, and even school!
Darien was thinking, how does she know me--Tuxedo Mask? Looks like she knows them, but how? I guess she does look a bit like Sailormoon. Same sparkling eyes, meatba--meatballs? Could Serena be Sailormoon? Oh golly, she's in so much pain. I can't believe it--I actually care about her. It hurts...
All of a sudden, she grabbed her throat and started to gag. She grabbed Darien's shirt, which he shrieked, "Ohmigod, what's wrong!"
She couldn't answer, except leaped up. He did too, and took her waist, dragging her to the bathroom. When she got there, she threw up madly into trash can. Her face reddened more in every time she threw up. After she was finished, she climbed up to the sink and cleaned up.
"Man, that was painful," she commented. She walked over and took the trash can. "I guess I can clean up now."
Darien stopped her. "I can do it. You can just grab something to calm you down." He smiled and left.
Why is he doing this all for me? This is still going to take some adjusting to, Serena thought. I know things are serious when I don't even feel like eating! She dragged herself into the living room and lay down on the sofa. Before she did, she went to the kitchen and wet her handkerchief, creating a wet cloth. She then lay back down onto he sofa and put it on her head, shutting her eyes. Oh, this feels good, she thought. She started to think about her future with the baby, all the joys and not the negatives. Wow, being a mom is powerful, she thought. She could already picture holding the baby in her arms.
"She would have the most beautiful shade of pink hair (Insert author's evil laugh)," Serena thought aloud. "She'll be just the cutest little girl anyone has ever seen. Perhaps she may be the next Moon Princess after the real one. If I don't fulfill my promise to protect the universe, she'll definitely be the next Sailormoon. What will be the perfect name for her? Wait, what am I saying? I don't know if this baby is going to be a boy or girl! How can I say these things already?"
Darien stood next to the wall of the opening of the Living room, and heard every word. What is Serena saying? he thought. Her child be the next Sailormoon? The next Moon Princess? How does she know all that? He sighed inwardly and pretended to just walk in on her.
"Serena, what are you talking about? Sorry, but just came back and heard you talking," he confessed.
Serena slowly sat up and faced him with a strange expression on her face. "Oh, I was just dreaming about what my kid would be like. Sounds crazy, huh? I don't know what gender this kid is going to be. And here I am, planning out everything that will never come true."
He came over and sat down. "It's not crazy. I sometimes dream about those type of things too. Everyone dreams, Serena, and if you dream enough, it may come true. You never know, like Mina said."
She thought back, and remembered that Mina once said that to her little "sister" friend, Carry. Maybe Mina's right, along with all the other Scouts and Darien, Serena thought. But will it happen for me?
"Yeah, like that's really going to come true for me," she mumbled. She clenched her fists and tried not to cry. "How can my kid be just what I want when her mother is just about the dumbest and unprofound person in the universe? I really just hope...that everything will go okay."
"Oh Serena, your kid is going to be great," Darien comforted. "Don't worry."
"Why shouldn't I?" she testified. "I don't have any of the qualifying things to be a mother. I'm doing better in school, back to a C- grade point average, but that doesn't make it any better."
"Serena, listen to me," Darien pleaded. "If you do think that way, your kid would be like that. Besides, I KNOW that this kid is going to have her mom's beauty." He blushed like mad.
She turned to him and smiled. "Why do you say that?"
"You are attractive Serena," he replied. "Very radiant. Why shouldn't your child have his/her mother's attractiveness and kindheartedness?"
Serena threw her arms around Darien's neck. "Thanks for making me feel like I'm worth something, Darien! But are you sure?" She let go.
He nodded with pure confidence. You're very important to me, Meatball Head, he thought. In fact, now that I think about it, you're the reason why I choose to even be happy and live for. Without you, nothing seems right. I must care for you with all my life, because you are my life. Darien swore that thought in his heart. I promise, he swore again.
"Thanks, Darien," Serena responded. She hugged him gently and quickly.
Wow, this feels so comfortable, Darien thought, her skin is the softest I've ever felt. I never knew...she could make a totally depressed person feel so loved. But I can't always take my share; it's time I should show that I care for her, it's the least I can do for her.
"So what do you want to do now?" he asked.
Serena yawned and got up to be next to the window, peering out into the sunshine. She rubbed her womb again.
"Well, nothing for now, but I'll just watch the sunshine go by," she replied.
Right when the sun struck her image, her hair gleamed sharply at Darien's face while her eyes sparkled like sapphires. Darien gasped internally, could it be? Could Serena be the Moon Princess that the Sailorscouts and I are looking for? She looks--so beautiful! She must be the princess...
Beep beep! Beep beep! screeched Serena's Scouts communicator. She gasped as she tried to hide the sound. Taking it out, she walked away quickly to the hall and answered the call, leaving Darien a bit puzzled. Serena whispered, "This is Serena, come in."
Amy's face appeared urgent. "Serena, Sailorscouts needed right away! Raye's got readings on some strange Negapower somewhere around, and we need Sailormoon--oh, wait; never mind."
"Hey, wait!" confided Serena as softly as possible. "Why won't you let me come! (standing up as fast as possible) I can handle this!"
"No Serena, we'll handle this! You have to stay with your kid, and you're in no condition to fight any time for a long time!" begged Amy.
"I'm coming and you can't stop me!" cried Serena. She flipped the switch off the communicator and ran to the door.
"Serena, where are you going? You're in no condition to run," Darien asked.
She looked at him pleadingly and responded, "Please, I have to go. My friends need me for something, and I'm part of the group." She swung the front door open and jogged out as fast as possible.
"Serena wait!" he cried. Too late, the door slammed shut in his face.
"Where is she going? Meatba-- 'Serena' can't go out all by herself!" he cried. He grabbed his keys and frantically ran out, running as fast as he could.
Serena tried to bolt, but she couldn't.
"Come on, I can't quit now! The Sailorscouts need me and I can't let them down! The whole universe is counting on me!" she panted. "But I--I can't run! I'm so tired, and I'm not even showing much yet!" She glanced behind her and saw no one, or so she presumed; Darien was following her very close by, but she didn't see him. She then ran into an alley and took a breather. Darien cried, "Serena! Where are you!"
"Oh no!" she cried. She took a deep breath and commanded, "Moon, prism, power!" Her power was activated, and Darien came just in time to watch her transform.
"Huh?' he asked in shock. He saw her swirl and swirl in a shower of pink ribbons naked. I can't believe this! Serena's--SAILORMOON! he thought. And she's transforming stripped too, right in front of me! He almost fell over. When Sailormoon was completely transformed, she saw him.
"Darien!?!" she cried. "You saw all that!"
He cautiously walked towards her, knowing that she could attack. "Serena? YOU'RE Sailormoon?" He blushed his deepest.
Surprisingly, she answered in a nonchalant manner. "Yes, I am. Now you know who I am, but I'll talk to you later. Right now, I have to help my friends with the Negamonster their fighting with!" She started to run past him.
"You mean Raye, Lita, Amy, and Mina?" he asked, feeling stupid. How could I not have seen that she and her friends were the Sailorscouts? It's so obvious; they look exactly the same except with only a different change of clothes and BARELY BARELY any skin color! Darien thought.
"Sere--Sailormoon, you can't go!" Darien pleaded. "You're going to get hurt! It's especially dangerous now, since you're pregnant! Let the Sailorscouts and I handle it; you go home and rest."
"How can you help?" she questioned, suspicious.
He tried to tell her, but he hesitated. Should I? he asked himself. Yes, I should. She already showed me who SHE is, so it's my turn.
"Well--if you go, I can give you a hand," he answered.
"Huh?" she asked. She started to run past him, with him following.
"Man, how much farther until the Menlo Park?" she sighed, breathless.
"I can get you there faster," Darien suggested.
"How?" she asked.
"Watch," he requested. He took out a rose and held it up. Sailormoon gasped, but that didn't stop him. Swirls of power encircled him, and with a few turns, he was Tuxedo Mask.
"You're--you're Tuxedo Mask? The guy I've been dreaming of?" she asked, now HER blushing.
Tuxedo Mask blushed deeper. "Yep. I'm sorry that I acted like a jerk before, both myself and Tuxedo Mask." She has a crush on me! he thought. Wait, on TUXEDO MASK, not Darien Chiba. Aww...
Sailormoon walked around, holding her face. "Wow, all of this happened so fast! First, we're just becoming friendly to each other, I just got pregnant, and now we know our identities! Whoa..." She snapped out of it. "OK, let's go! Let's dust that Negacreep!"
Tuxedo Mask heart thumped as he walked over and lifted Sailormoon up. "Faster way," he smiled. "Hang on!" He leaped onto the top of the building and jumped gracefully from building to building, making sure that Sailormoon and her baby weren't hurt. While Sailormoon was clinging onto Tuxedo Mask's neck, she sniffed him over, thinking,
"Wow, I'm actually touching DARIEN! Wait, I have before; he carried me when I collapsed. He's SO cute as Tuxedo Mask!" In a gutsy way, she tried to stretch over and kiss him, but hesitated.
"Wait, what am I doing? I'm going to kiss DARIEN? I should at least WAIT for a while!" she cried to herself. But she just continued to stare at Tuxedo Mask.
He was looking down at her delicate face through his snowy white mask. "Why is she staring at me?" he asked himself. "Some thing wrong? Nah, maybe she still has that crush on me." He went back on concentrating in getting to where the Scouts were. In a minute more, they both were in the docks of Tokyo. When they arrived, Mars and Jupiter were fighting fiercely with their powers. Tuxedo Mask gently put Sailormoon to the ground. Venus shrieked when she saw Sailormoon.
"Sailormoon! You're not suppose to be here! It's too dangerous! You're--" she paused when she saw Tuxedo Mask. She frantically hinted, "You know what I mean!"
Sailormoon glanced over at Tuxedo Mask and mouthed the words, "Should I tell them about this?"
Tux just said, "When you're ready." She nodded and ran over to where Jupiter and Mars were.
"You know, I CAN give you a hand here!" she cried. She peered at the monster, who looked like a clump of jungle green stinkin' slime. She took out her tiara and commanded, "Moon, tiara, MAGIC!" Everyone watched her with amusement as she worked her stuff. Tuxedo Mask couldn't stop watching her body flow and flow.
"How come I've never realized that when she swirls her body, she's so beautiful? She's always been the most gorgeous female I've ever met, but THIS! Wow..." he sighed.
After she threw her tiara, she cried, "Ha! Dusted!" Suddenly, she swayed, and then collapsed AGAIN. Her friends rushed over, but again, Tux was faster. He caught her in time and shook her.
"Sailormoon, are you all right? Say somethin'!" he pleaded.
She opened her eyes and stared at his face, dreamily. "I'm fine," she whispered. She sat up, clutching her head.
Sailormars was restless. "Why did you come, Sailormoon! I thought we told you not to help us in battle! It's too dangerous for you to! You're preg--" She saw Tuxedo Mask AGAIN and restrained herself. "Your body cannot take this right now! You know that!"
Sailormoon looked at her friend with gentle and caring eyes. It looked so tender that Mars was about to cry and hurt herself.
"I know that, Mars," she answered like an angel, "but I need to help you guys with battle. If the monster is really a human, I would at least have the Crescent Moon Wand to heal them."
Everyone was shocked that Sailormoon answered so gently at Mars. Venus standing up tripped and fell on her feet, and Mercury accidentally dropped her book. Jupiter just stared, and DARIEN, or Tuxedo Mask, was about to let go of Sailormoon.
"Huh?" asked Mars. "Why aren't you raging at me as usual? What's with you?"
Sailormoon smiled gently. "I'm trying to change my manner a bit, and there's something else." She turned to Tuxedo Mask. "Should I tell them?" He nodded.
"Only if you're ready," he responded.
Sailormoon turned to her friends. "There's something I need to tell you guys, and I think that you all are really eager to know."
"You are all right are you?" asked Mercury. "Should we take you to the doctor's of something?"
Sailormoon held her hand up. "No, no. In fact, I think all of you Scouts would like to hear this, if this is all right with Tuxedo Mask."
"Wait, what's up with you and Tuxedo Mask?" asked Jupiter, suspicious. "Has he done something to you?" Her eyes started to show emerald fires.
"No, Jupiter, calm down," she answered. "Actually, Mars and Venus would like this. And I was shocked when I found out."
"Well stop stalling and tell us!" exclaimed Sailorjupiter.
"Be patient, Lita," halted Tux. "She's going to tell you."
Sailorjupiter and the other Scouts (besides Sailormoon) looked shocked.
"H--how do you know? How do you know that my name is Lita?" asked Jupiter. She placed her hands on her hips and furiously glared through Tux's eyes, even though they were hidden behind the mask. Tux winced and thought:
"Oh no, big mistake. Lita's going to kill me again! Smart move, Darien Chiba. You don't want to let this tomboy get you again, even though she IS the thunder senshi Sailorjupiter!" He readied himself to fight back
"Yes, how DO you know?" asked Venus and Mars, both a bit angry.
Sailormoon stood in front of him and gasped for a breath. She then started to explain, "It's OK guys, that's what I'm going to explain. In fact, we all know who Tuxedo Mask is, but Lita and Raye might want to beat him up first when I tell them." (Raye isn't dating Darien in this fanfic.)
"OK..." replied Jupiter and Mars.
Moon continued, "I know this is going to be long, but hear me out. I went over to Darien's apartment to go and apologize for how I acted to towards him. And somehow he was nice enough to apologize back to me, and he suddenly became really nice to me from then on, which I really appreciate."
Tuxedo Mask came over to her side.
"I took a nap at his room ALONE, and I had a great rest. That's when you guys beeped me over the communicator and I came over to an alley to transform. Little did I know that Darien followed me to make sure I was all right. I didn't know, and I transformed RIGHT IN FRONT of him, and that's when he stepped in. So we talked about finding out my identity, but there wasn't enough time to get to where you guys were in time. He suggested a faster way and more careful way to get here, and that's when I saw the rose in his hand. I think you guys get figure out the rest."
Amy gasped and dropped her book again. She picked it up and pointed at Tux. "Darien--YOU'RE Tuxedo Mask?"
"How could I not have seen that? You two look so much alike!" cried Mars. Her cheeks blushed fiery red.
Tuxedo Mask smiled. "That's what I said when I found out Serena's identity, and when I knew who the rest of you girls are."
"Whoa," yelped Jupiter. "Mr. Chiba is actually Tuxedo Mask? Wicked!" She smirked playfully on her pretty face.
"Wow, this is so cool!" cried Venus. She smiled beautifully at Tux.
Mercury glanced at Sailormoon and asked, "Uh, Serena, I hate to admit this, but you're starting to show."
Moon glanced at her abdomen then back up, smiling. "Yep, I guess so! It's going to be a while before I'll have my kid, though."
"It FOR SURE will look just like its mother!" exclaimed Venus, excited.
Mars thought; surprising that they don't despise each other, even after finding out their identities. I thought Serena would just blow after this whole situation. She crossed her arms and looked stubborn.
Sailormoon rubbed her forehead. "Man, is it hot or is it just me?" she asked.
"It's just you," answered Jupiter. She glanced at the rest of the Sailorscouts and nodded. In a flash, all of the girls transformed back into their civilian forms. Tux looked embarrassed, so he transformed back too.
"What's going to happened now?" asked Serena. She looked at her friends. "I know I have to choose a new leader in place of me from now on, but how am I going to do it? Everyone here has their own qualities to qualify as leader." She sucked in a breath of fresh air. "Amy, you have the 300 I.Q. and the modesty to be leader. Raye, you have your fiery kick-butt leadership and fighting skills. Lita, you have your aggressive and unbelievably great strength in fighting. Mina, you were Sailor V and had a lot more experience in being a Sailorscout alone. And Darien--he has his quick reflexes in fighting and perfect entrances." She sighed. This was going to be a much more harder decision than I thought, she pondered.
***
"Late again, Serena?" asked Ms. Haruna. "Step outside please."
Serena obediently took her bag to her desk and walked back outside, her arm on her back. Molly looked at her worriedly.
When they were outside, Ms. Haruna pryed, "All right Miss Tsukino, I want some answers. Why have you come to school late every single day this week? And no more of your lame excuses too. Come on now, 'fess up!"
Serena looked into her teacher's eyes with tears in her's.
"I--I'm sorry, Ms. H," she wept. "I know I haven't been coming to school on time each day, but--I do have a good excuse. My parents and doctor wrote notes to you explaining my tardiness." She handed them to her teacher and bowed her head down. Ms. Haruna read them quickly, but her face changed into shock. She placed them in her pocket.
"Is it true?" she asked.
Serena nodded.
"I'm sorry, Serena," Haruna apologized. "I'll excuse your tardies, but you still have to work your brain at your schoolwork."
"Thank you Ms. H," she thanked, smiling. A sudden thought ran through her head. Schoolwork? she asked herself. I--I'm going to be a mother soon, so my child needs me to have great study habits for her to learn. I want her to be as smart as Amy! Well, maybe not as much, but close to her mark. This tot needs a well-educated mother to even be well-educated him/herself. She cringed at that thought. "I have hard times getting out of bed and getting around anywhere, but I DO get up early, but I have to walk here all by myself," she furthermore explained. "But I'll try to find a ride."
"It's a good idea to," the teacher responded. "You can save your health and strength by doing that."
Serena nodded again, her tears drying up. It's a good idea, she thought. And I know just who to ask for help.
***
School was finally out for that day. Serena basically limped home again, a lot slower than the way she CAME to school. Amy and Lita helped her walk and carry books, but it was still a strain to walk all that way. Every now and then they all had to stop at a bench to take a breather.
"Guys," remarked Serena. "I'm not going straight home today. I have to go to Darien's because he could give me a ride to the prenatal care doctor appointment."
Lita and Amy both stopped and gasped in surprise.
"Why?" asked Amy.
"Has that cold bastard actually started to act human more?" asked Lita, still a bit angry.
"Don't worry, Lita," assured Serena. "I already told you last time that he apologized and started treating me nicely."
"Yeah, but if he trips, I'll be sure that he falls HARD," the tomboy emphasized.
Amy and Serena laughed. Serena looked up ahead of her and groaned, "Oh, how much farther until Darien's place? I don't know if I have the strength anymore." She slowed her pace.
Suddenly there was a car honk behind them. The girls whirled around and set their gaze on the red sports car slowing coming along the sidewalk to them. One of the windows rolled down and a familiar voice sounded, "Hey Serena! Girls, do you need a lift? I can give you one."
All three of them walked over. "Darien?" they reacted.
The car stopped and Darien got out. "Hi. I was just driving by and I was hoping if you need a lift home or something. Serena, I can take you to your doctor's appointment pretty soon."
"Thanks Darien," she replied. "Um, sure, I'll go ahead to the doctor's."
He hesitated at first, but he managed to ask, "Lita; Amy, do you want to come along also? There's enough room for all of you and your stuff."
"Sure," answered Amy cheerfully. "Come on Lita." Lita followed her into the car, but Darien was a bit nervous. Does she have a baseball bat with her? I hope she won't hurt me when I'm driving, he thought.
Lita noticed the look on Darien's face, so she reassured, "Hey Darien, don't worry. I'm not going to hurt you. You can relax; I only do that if they caused the problem to begin with." Flashing him a gorgeous smile, Darien blushed and instantly felt more relieved. Whoa, Lita can be really beautiful at some points, but she, Amy, Serena, Raye and Mina are all pretty. I guess Lita's beauty is the "dangerous" kind, he thought. He smiled wickedly but still blushed. Still, she's not as attractive as Serena, he added, but ALL of her "four" friends including Serena are indeed beautiful.
Everyone got into the car and settled down.
"Hey, do you all want something to eat? We still have over an hour, and I can wait," Darien suggested.
"Oooh, FOOD! Yummy!" cried Serena. But, she calmed down. "Okay, but the food has to be pretty damn healthy for me."
"Sure," he responded. He drove to a restaurant that specialized in healthy foods for certain people like Serena and parked the car. Everyone ordered their food, which everyone's was a pasta and salad.
"Aww, I know I can't eat ice cream or junk food anymore," Serena complained. "But oh well; freshly tossed greens with a huge siding of potato salad and some fat free alfredo cheese pasta works for me!" She picked up her fork and started eating, surprisingly neatly and properly. Everyone else was shocked.
"Since when did you start to eat so neatly Meatball Head?" joked Lita with her mouth full of pasta.
"My baby and I slowly digest our food, and I want him/her to eat acceptably when they're older," she answered. "I don't want the kid to get food TOO fast."
"Well, that's good for you to think ahead," complimented Amy. She wiped her mouth. "What's the doctor going to do today? Is it another check-up?"
"I guess," Serena answered. "Even though it's pretty annoying, I have to go for my baby's sake. This is one thing that I cannot chicken out on."
"Good point," said the brunette.
After when they finished, they rapidly went to the hospital, for time was timing out. They all actually arrived at the clinic a few minutes early, so then went on in.
When inside, Serena's special doctor, Dr. Koto greeted them.
"Hello their Miss Tsukino," she saluted. "Are you ready for today?"
"As ready as ever," she answered.
"All right, I'm going to ask your friends to wait out in hallway just for a moment, and so am I, so you could slip into this cotton gown," the doctor requested.
Everyone nodded and left the room, except Luna. She crept onto Serena's lap and replied, "Are you sure you're ready? You seem a bit pale."
"No, I'll be fine," the blonde answered. She took hold of the gown and slipped out of her clothes, with Luna turned around. When she finished, she turned around and faced her cat.
"Before the doctor comes in, I need to admit something to you," Luna remarked.
"OK," Serena said, "what is it?"
Luna jumped onto a nearby chair and coughed. "Serena, over these past few months, I've noticed that you've become a more responsible person, maybe even more responsible than Raye! You're more graceful and tender, like the actual Moon Princess. And I want to say that I'm really proud of you, just like my own daughter."
Serena beamed. "Thank you, Luna. I'll still try to be improving my skills, but I have you to thank for helping me, along with all my friends and family. Even Darien!" She giggled and blushed. "I guess he's trying to really be friends with me." She knocked on the door, and the others came in.
Dr. Koto tied her dark, mahogany hair into a ribbon and slipped on some gloves. "All right, the first thing I'm going to do is the general stuff, like feel your heartbeat, look at your weight, etc. Then I'll start with the more complicated stuff."
After the generic things, she said, "OK, Serena, you're perfectly fine. Your heartbeat is pretty normal, and your weight is increasingly normally fine."
Serena nodded.
Dr. Koto beamed, "It's all part of the process, don't worry. I went through the same thing when I had my two daughters." Serena nodded again. "Uh, Doctor; when do I do my ultrasound and amniocentesis routine?"
"Not for at least another six months," she replied. She switched to new gloves and turned to Darien. "OK sir, what's your name?"
"Chiba; Darien Chiba," he answered.
"And are you a close guardian or friend to Miss Tsukino?"
Darien looked at Serena and her friends. They nodded.
"I guess so," he responded.
Koto nodded and looked at the girls. "Now, you're allowed to stay in this room. but I'll have to ask you to stand to where Serena and her cranial cavity is. This next thing is private."
Everyone gestured and stepped back. The doctor started to do the examining while the others respectfully stayed still. Darien, on the other hand, was fidgeting a bit in where he was standing, causing Amy and Lita to be nervous. Oh, why am I so embarrassed all of a sudden? he asked himself. I'm not looking! So why am I so embarrassed?
Finally, the check-up was over, and everyone could go. Serena made another appointment to come back next week, and she was happy that she was completely fine. Her friends were deeply relieved, too.
When everyone got into the car and Darien started to drive, Amy spoke up, "So, where does everyone want to go now? Serena, you want me to come over to your house to help you with some things? Lita and I can do it, Darien too. Is that OK with you Darien?"
He gulped and had a quick thought; what if Serena's family think I did this to her? Uh-oh...but maybe I should give it a shot and see how it goes.
"Uh, sure Amy," he agreed. He paused at a stoplight and turned around. "How about you Serena? It's mainly your decision."
"I'm fine with it," she answered, smiling. She patted her belly. "Boy, I know I just ate, but I'm hungry again. I can't wait until I get home to get something to munch on."
"You don't want to go the restaurant?" asked Lita.
Serena shook her head.
Darien pulled up next to the Tsukino's house and parked the car. He hastily got out and walked the girls to the door, then knocked.
"So Darien," started off Serena, "you want to stick around for a while, right? Can you give me a hand with things?"
He nodded, "I can, IF you let me." He beamed, with Serena smiling back.
Instantaneously, the door opened. Standing in the door frame was Sammy and Mr. Tsukino.
"Hi sweetheart," Mr. Tsukino greeted. "Glad you're back home. Hello Amy and Lita." He abruptly fixed a cold gaze at Darien, causing Darien to stand rigid. He frantically tried to find his voice, but he couldn't. "And you, young man, what's your name?"
Darien tried to calm down. He smiled insecurely and answered, "Darien Chiba, Mr. Tsukino. Nice to meet you."
Mr. Tsukino's gaze lessened. "And hopefully you too, Mr. Chiba. What relation to have with my daughter?" His gaze was harsh again.
Darien tried to speak, but no words came out of his mouth. Serena from the corner of her eye saw and responded, "Daddy, don't worry. Darien's one of our friends. He's friends with me, Amy, Lita, Raye and Mina. He also sometimes helps Lita compete in combat, since you KNOW how good Lita is with karate. And he's friends with my friend Andrew at the arcade." She smiled as sweetly as she could.
Mr. Tsukino smiled, still with a serious look on his face. "OK honey, I'll trust you on this. This better not be the guy who--"
"DAD," pleaded Serena. "He's not. He's a really good person."
"Well, okay then," he answered. He glared at Darien and pointed at him seriously. "But if I find out that you're the one who did this to my daughter, or do ANYTHING else, YOU are going to have a date that will last for the rest of your afterlife on a silver platter. Got that!"
Darien gulped noticeably, but he nodded vigorously, fear in his eyes. So fearful, so afraid; he didn't even notice himself put a hand on Amy's waist.
"Hey!" yelped the genius. She stared at Darien, and he woke up.
"Huh? Ohmigosh, I'm so sorry Amy! I--I didn't know what I was doing," he apologized sincerely. "I--w--was th--thinking--th--th--"
"Darien, it's all right," Amy forgave. "I was just surprised, that's all. I know you didn't mean that. Don't worry." She smiled assuring at him, and he let out his breath. Mr. Tsukino let everyone in, and Serena with her friends went straight to her room. While walking upstairs, Darien was sure that he's going to get beaten any minute by Serena's dad.
When everyone was in her room, Serena shut the door. They tossed their things by the door and sat on a nearby chair.
Amy glanced around. "Wow Serena, you surely have a head start in decorating your room with baby things," she complimented. "You already have the crib, blankets and things lined up here."
"Yep!" she cheerfully answered. "I want to be as prepared as can be. I even got some baby books too! For her and for me to read!"
Everyone gasped and stared.
"You actually want to read? And maybe even do some homework?" asked Lita. "Are you OK? Do you have a fever or somethin'?"
"No!" Serena snapped. "I want to improve my schoolwork and grades, because I want my kid to be a smart one, like Amy! Amy, can you and everyone else help me when this tyke is born? I'm going to need all the help I can get."
"Sure!" answered everyone at once. That left Serena suspicious.
"O--kay," she responded. She shook herself and continued, "All right, let's change the subject. Darien, what you think about my dad? I know what you're gonna say, but-- oh well."
He looked at everyone, then back at Serena again. "Uh, are you sure that your dad doesn't have a gun right under the couch just to shoot me whenever I'm going to come over? Man, I'd better hire a bodyguard whenever I come over!" He smiled, but clearly showed his fear.
Amy giggled and responded before Serena, "Oh, Darien, don't worry. Serena's dad is always like this. He's very protective of Serena, ESPECIALLY with all the guys that come into mind and to the house."
Darien thought, how many guys? Probably several hundred dates before actually even now letting me have a chance with her.
"My dad can be VERY overprotective," admitted Serena. "But deep under, he's really a good person. He's the best dad that anyone could ever have, basically." She walked over to her bed and lay down, staring at her friends. Suddenly, she sat up. "Man, I forgot! If I ever want to get better grades at school, I'd better study and do my homework! Whoa!" She scrambled up as quickly and carefully as possible and grabbed her school bag. Ripping it open, she tossed out her books, pencils and sheets of homework onto her bed.
"Hey!" cried Lita. She ducked from a a book flying her direction. "Watch it!"
"Ouch!" cried Amy. An eraser slicked her arm.
"Let me get this straight," stated Darien, "You're actually FOR REAL going to do your homework? Are you sure you're still the same old Meatball Head I used to know, that had just given me a chance to be friends with? Or has the Negaverse had something to do with this?"
She stopped tossing her things onto her bed and whirled around. "No Darien, I assure you that the Negaverse had nothing to do with this. I just want to do this, under my own will. Well, I take half that statement back. Yes, it had something to do with the Negaverse. In the last battle I just had, when we just discovered our identities, I did some serious thinking about the future of being a Sailorscout. I still don't know who's going to be the leader in my place, but that's for a bit later to decide." She shut her bag shut and gathered her things and went over to her desk. She started to sit down, but she stopped and walked back to her bed.
"Maybe you should take a little breather before you start some heavy-duty studying and working," suggested Amy. "If you want, I can help you, along with the rest of us. Is that all right with you, guys?"
Lita and Darien, who were sitting almost next to each other, nodded.
"Sure, we'll be glad to give you a hand," replied Darien.
Serena looked up. "You know what? For the past month or two, my grades have been pulled up to C-'s! Isn't that great?" She laughed with joy and hugged Amy. Amy, on the other hand, tried to release herself from her friend's grasp.
"Wow, congrads'!" cried Lita. "You've really dedicated yourself!"
"And I'm going to keep dedicating myself to all my work!" declared Serena. "And to a good life from now on, hopefully with no more bad fortunes!"