Name: True to Yourself
Author: Starr Ryder
Genre: AU
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: No, I do not own Sailor Moon and/or any of its characters, but a girl could always wish, can't she? Just remember! The plot IS mine no STEALING!
(-(-(Authors Notes at Bottom)-)-)
The ballroom shined and glistened as the crowds of people receding from the dining hall entered. Guests walked about and chattered as the servants finished with their last-minute preparations. An orchestra was now tuning up at the far left side of the ballroom, as many of the talking couples proceeded to the dance floor. I, of course, with no interest of dancing at all, stayed off the dance floor, trying to spot any familiar black-haired royalties. I wasn't positive where Raye or Darien had went off to after dinner and I felt rather stupid standing around quietly while everyone else chattered and danced. I suppose they had some royal duties to forfill or something of that manner. Still, I didn't feel much like standing around all by myself, watching as people stared curiously at me.
"You don't like to dance, Lady Serenity?" asked a snakelike voice from behind me. The moment I turned around I regretted it. King Rolf glared his devious eyes at me as he arched an eyebrow at my hesitation.
"I've...Well, I've really never enjoyed dancing." I answered quietly trying furiously not to meet his eyes again. I knew he could sense my wavering attention and was enjoying it.
"Yes," He said with an evil smile. I felt even more uncomfortable when he began to stare at me again. He seemed to be looking me over and I tried to pretend that I didn't notice. We stood there in silence, King Rolf still staring curiously at me, while I uncomfortably looked for any trace of Raye or Darien.
"I'm sorry, but is there something I could do for you?" I said finally, after his staring had driven me over the edge and it didn't seem like anyone was coming to save me from it.
"I know your secret." He answered simply. I froze. What? How could he? Had someone said something? Was I that obvious over dinner? What had happened? I looked up at him for any trace of an answer, but he was just smiling and glaring. A bad mixture, if you ask me.
"I'm certain I have no idea what you're talking about." I answered calmly, trying to keep my voice even. His cat-like eyes glared furiously at me once again. I shivered as chills ran down my spine. What was going to happen? What was he going to do?
"I know you have the crystal." He snarled. "You have it, and I want it." I stared at him blankly, trying to hide my relief. Then his words hit me. Crystal? What in the world was he talking about? Did he know my true secret or was he just trying to scare me?
"What crys-"
"Lady Serenity!" called an all too comforting voice behind me. I turned from King Rolf to see Darien walking quickly up behind me. I turned back to the King, most relieved to end the conversation. "I apologize, your majesty." Darien said, grabbing my hand. "But I must steal Serenity away." He quickly pulled me away as we walked across the dance floor.
"Thank you." I whispered quietly as I followed Darien further onto the dance floor, never looking back to the King.
"No problem." He answered with a smile. Just what I needed after that lovely confrontation, HIS DAMNED PERFECT SMILE! I bit my bottom lip hard. Why in the world did he always have to smile like that?! "You don't have the best choices in the company you keep." He added raising an eyebrow. "Or have you not heard the stories of the King?"
"Oh, I've heard." I said flatly. "Believe me, I was enjoying that as much as I enjoy stabbing myself repeatedly with a long butcher knife." Darien laughed at his, but I'm sure he wasn't aware of how serious I was.
"That bad?" He chuckled letting his bangs brush his eyes. I tried to hide a smile. Gods, he was handsome! We walked through the waltzing couples and started to slow down as we reached a far corner of the ballroom where Raye and Jadeite seemed to be in a hushed fight.
"Oh please!" Raye snapped glaring at Jadeite with fury. "It can't be true! It's not! That's completely ridiculous!"
"You can't ignore what we both know is there!" He snapped back. "I know he's noticed it and it's only a matter of time before he confronts her!"
"She doesn't-" Raye stopped talking as she saw Darien and I walk towards them. She shot Jadeite a face before turning back to us. "So you found her?" She asked Darien, her mood still intacted.
"Yeah," Darien replied his eyes moving from Raye to Jadeite and then back to Raye. "She was talking to King Rolf." He finished slowly. I saw Jadeite throw Raye a look, who just shook her head at him.
"Really?" Jadeite asked facing me. "And what were you and my father talking about?"
I hesitated to answer. Did they know about that whole crystal thing the King had accused me of? "He asked me why I wasn't dancing and I said I didn't have a liking towards it." I answered. I couldn't tell them about this crystal just yet. I wanted to figure it out for myself first. I saw a smile cross Raye's face as she looked towards Jedeite in triumph.
"Nothing else?" He asked suspiciously. I looked from Jedeite to Raye and then to Darien who was still standing next to me. They all wore the same expression. They all knew.
"Nothing."
"Hmmm." He said nodding, but I could see that he wasn't satisfied. Whatever this crystal is, they all seemed to think I have it. How could I? I've never owned any crystals, and even if I did, a servant could hardly keep such luxuries. So I can't have it. Can I?
The orchestra started playing a slow waltz and Raye and Jedeite moved from the corner to dance, still giving each other dirty looks. I watched for a few moments as they seemed to be fighting while dancing.
"They even fight while dancing." Darien said turning to face me.
"You never know," I said smiling up at him. "Hate can always turn to love."
"Well, let's hope so." he laughed. "So, you want to give it another shot?" He asked motioning to the dance floor.
"You've got to be kidding." I say shaking my head. "I nearly fell flat on my face the last time!"
"Come on," he pouted. "I promise I won't let you fall...again." I made a face, but he just shrugged.
"I don't know..."
"Please?"
"I don't even know the dance." I protest, still hoping to get out of it. I really don't want to embarrass myself again.
"Don't worry." he said flicking his hand. "I'll teach you. You'll have your own private dance lesson." he added with a smile. He extended his hand out to me.
"Well... alright." I say in defeat. "But you have to promise not to make fun of me! It's really not my fault I was born with two left feet."
"I won't." he says. He guides me out onto the dance floor to a spot with not many dancing couples. He places one of his hands on my hip and places mine onto his shoulder. Our remaining hands clasp together. I start to get butterflies in my stomach. Why did I agree to this? "Don't worry." he says, as I'm sure he could see my discomfort. "It's a slow waltz. All you have to do is follow my feet. When I step back, you step up. When I step up you step back. Understand?" I nod still queasy about doing this. I'm going to trip or step on his foot or something else equally stupid. He moves his left foot forward and I move my right foot back. He goes left and I follow going right. He moves slowly in a box step. I was relieved to find it easy. Darien was a better dancer then I remembered. Still butterflies stayed in my stomach, though I'm not sure if it is because of the dancing or the close predicament of my body to Darien's.
"This is sort of easy." I say softly to him. "I must say you're a very good teacher."
"Why, Thank you, but you seem to be a very good dancer yourself." He says smiling. I'm pretty sure my butterflies grew 10 times bigger at that moment.
"Thank you." I whisper smiling softly.
"I'm going to spin you out and then you spin back in, alright?" He says. I nod my head as he spins me outward. I close my eyes as I twirl back in, ready for something horrible to happen. I spin in and gently hit something soft. I cautiously open my eyes to see Darien smiling down on me.
"I didn't fall." I tell him quietly.
"I told you you wouldn't." He whispers into my ear. I could hear my heart pounding hard and pray that he can't feel it. I look up into his sapphire eyes and can't help but look down and blush. He has the most amazing eyes, deep and cool and completely irresistible. I then discovered that his face was dangerously close to mine. I could feel his warm breath on my face and I didn't pull away as he bent his head closer to mine...
BANG! CRASH!
I jumped out of Darien's arms and quickly looked around for the source of the noise. Most of the other guests had stopped talking and dancing and were now looking for the trouble. On the far side of the ballroom, the refreshment table seemed to have been knocked over by a bunch of fighting knights and squires. More knights and squires and even some pages started to join in the fight, throwing punches and jumping into the big heap of men. Many guests attempted to pull the fight apart, but only ended up getting hit or joining the fight themselves.
"Shit." I heard Darien swear under his breath. He looked towards me uncertainly before shaking his head. "Sorry, I have to go take care of this." he said looking annoyed. "Prince duties." he added as he rolled his eyes. I nod my head as he smiles and rushes off towards the fight. I let out a long breath I wasn't aware I'd been holding in.
GODS! What had I been thinking!?! He would have kissed me! KISSED ME! I would have LET him! And in front of all these people! ARG! I can't believe it! My head was spinning and I felt dizzy. I looked towards the fight once again to see Darien and Jedieite yelling and attempting to pull the men off each other.
"This always seems to happen." said a voice behind. I turned around to see Raye standing there. "No matter what, those stupid knights throw insults and then fists and then start big commotions."
"Why?" I ask curiously, still watching the fight, as Darien tried to pull one of the knights off another and got punched in the face himself. I saw him wince and cringed. The poor guy doesn't stand a chance against 20 knights!
"Country loyalties." She answers rolling her eyes. "Always fighting over whose better and insulting the one another. You'd think after 10 years of these stupid balls they'd just lay off, but no... the fighting never ends."
"Well that's just dumb." I say taking my eyes off the fight and looked towards Raye. "Why doesn't your father do anything? A punishment or something?"
"He's tried." Raye replies. "The foreigners never follow the rules, though. You would think King Rolf tells them to do such things, by the way they carry on."
"I wouldn't be surprised if he did." I say, looking towards King Rolf for the first time since our conversation. He sat in his throne smirking furtively as King Harold yelled and screamed towards the fighting men, not allowed to get into the fighting himself. I glared at the man and watched as his eyes passed by mine. I looked away quickly and prayed he hadn't noticed me staring.
"Just look at them." Raye said snapping me out of my reverie and focusing my attention the fight once again. The group had grown smaller, but Darien and Jedeite still struggled to pull the last groups of men apart.
"They have no chance in breaking that mess apart." I said as I looked towards Raye again. "Poor guys."
"Yeah, poor guys." Raye said looking away from the fight and towards me. A mischievous glint formed in her eyes. "Speaking of guys," she said raising an eyebrow. "You looked quite comfortable with my brother before that whole mess happened, hmm?"
"Err...well-" I mumbled looking towards the floor. I was almost positive I was turning a million shades of red. Raye laughed at my hesitation. "It-well... it was nothing." I finished softly finally lifting my head towards her.
"It didn't look like nothing." She teased laughing at my embarrassment. "I must say your heads were pretty close together..." She finished in a sing-song voice.
"They were not!" I said defensively still completely red.
"I think they were!" She taunted still giggling.
"Were not." I pouted as I crossed my arms over my chest and looked away. WHY did she have to see that?! If she noticed...did that mean other people did also? Oh no...
"Hey, look!" She said as her giggles died down. "The fight is breaking up." I followed her pointed finger over to the refreshment table, where the fight had use to be. Darien and Jedeite were still holding off two knights who were snarling at each other. They pushed both knights to there own sides of the ballroom and left them with other groups of other knights, who could hopefully keep them in there prospective places. Jedeite turned and started looking around the room until he spotted us. He nudged Darien, who had been rubbing the side of his face where he had obviously been hit, and pointed towards me and Raye. They started making there way towards us.
"I have to hand it to you," I say as they stopped in front of us. "I didn't think you could break that up."
"Lots of practice." Darien says flatly still rubbing his right cheek.
"Lots and lots of practice." Jadeite replies nodding his head. "They only do it-Let's see- EVERY time we come here."
"Well if your father would just teach them to keep their mouths shut, maybe you wouldn't be in such predicaments every year." Raye said simply. Jedeite clenched his teeth.
"And if your knights would just keep there fists to themselves we wouldn't have to break up messes like that!" Jedeite snapped taking a step towards Raye.
"If yo-"
"Stop!" Darien shouted placing his hands between Raye and Jedeite and pushing them a part. "And you wonder where they get it from!" Raye and Jedeite glared at him.
DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!
I cursed my luck. Eleven o'clock already? I know I can't stay any longer. Beryl and Susan would most definitely suspect something if I'm not back soon. Stupid stupid clock.
"It's getting late." I say softly to Raye. "If I don't get back soon they'll start to suspect something."
"Alright," Raye said nodding. "I'll go run and get your things. You can keep the dress."
"Not again, Raye!" I said protesting. I couldn't keep ANOTHER dress. This one had to be at twice the value of the last and the other wasn't one bit cheap.
"Don't be ridiculous! Of course you're keeping it! It would just be sitting in my closet, anyway! Why shouldn't you keep it? It will bring good memories."
"Bu-"
"No Buts! You're keeping it!" She said and before I could protest further she ran off to gather my things.
"Where is Raye off to?" Darien asked from behind me. I felt a little hesitant to answer as I remembered our previous encounter. Do I just act normal? Like nothing happened? Like he wasn't about to KISS me?
"She's going to get my things from her room. I have to leave soon or I'll be trouble." I said as causally as possible, but nervousness was starting to take over as he stepped closer to me. Just don't think about it. Don't think about it. DON'T THINK ABOUT IT.
"Oh," He said almost sadly. "Will you be coming by again?"
I bit my bottom lip. How was I supposed to answer that? "I'm not sure. Maybe."
"Oh." He answered again. "Well, I hope you do." He added hesitantly.
"Yeah." I said softly, but my nerves prevented me from saying anything else. We stood in an awkward silence for a few moments. "Well, I better be going." I said finally.
"Yeah, I wouldn't want you to get in trouble." He said with a nervous tone. At least I'm not the only one.
"Yeah. Bye." I said as I turned around and started to walk away.
"Serenity, wait!" He called and I turned to face him. "I'll see you around...somewhere, right?"
"I suppose so." I said with an uncertain smile. He wanted to see me again? Why? Me? Gods! Men are so confusing!
"Good." He said softly. I looked up at him. He seemed to be fighting an internal battle of some sort. I was about to say goodbye when he bent down and kissed my cheek. "Bye." He said quickly before walking off towards the other end of the ballroom.
Oh. Gods. He. Kissed. My. Cheek. Me! GODS HE KISSED MY CHEEK! I knew I shouldn't be so happy about this. After all, just before hadn't I been scolding myself for almost kissing him? But then again... HE KISSED MY CHEEK!
I couldn't help, but smile as I turned around. I jumped back as I saw Raye standing directly behind me, a cocky smile playing on her face.
"Nothing, eh?" She asked laughing.
"Oh please!" I said as I pushed my way past her and walked out of the ballroom.
MINNA-CHANNNN!!! I'm extremely sorry for not getting this chapter out sooner. Like I said in the author's notes my life turned into one big mess and I just couldn't fit writing into my already bulging schedule. Now I'm a little more in order so I hope I'll be able to make more frequent updates.
Anyhow! How did you like this chapter? Yes, she DID get a kiss on the cheek! Nothing more... YET. A lot of you are asking about Amy and when she comes into play. She should be in here within the next 2 chapters I think... I'm not positive where her scene fits in. But I promise she will be there! A special thanks to all the reviewers and the emails! As you can see, they encouraged me A LOT. So keep them all coming! :)!
Send all questions/comments/suggestions to starrryder@email.com
-Starr-
Author: Starr Ryder
Genre: AU
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: No, I do not own Sailor Moon and/or any of its characters, but a girl could always wish, can't she? Just remember! The plot IS mine no STEALING!
(-(-(Authors Notes at Bottom)-)-)
The ballroom shined and glistened as the crowds of people receding from the dining hall entered. Guests walked about and chattered as the servants finished with their last-minute preparations. An orchestra was now tuning up at the far left side of the ballroom, as many of the talking couples proceeded to the dance floor. I, of course, with no interest of dancing at all, stayed off the dance floor, trying to spot any familiar black-haired royalties. I wasn't positive where Raye or Darien had went off to after dinner and I felt rather stupid standing around quietly while everyone else chattered and danced. I suppose they had some royal duties to forfill or something of that manner. Still, I didn't feel much like standing around all by myself, watching as people stared curiously at me.
"You don't like to dance, Lady Serenity?" asked a snakelike voice from behind me. The moment I turned around I regretted it. King Rolf glared his devious eyes at me as he arched an eyebrow at my hesitation.
"I've...Well, I've really never enjoyed dancing." I answered quietly trying furiously not to meet his eyes again. I knew he could sense my wavering attention and was enjoying it.
"Yes," He said with an evil smile. I felt even more uncomfortable when he began to stare at me again. He seemed to be looking me over and I tried to pretend that I didn't notice. We stood there in silence, King Rolf still staring curiously at me, while I uncomfortably looked for any trace of Raye or Darien.
"I'm sorry, but is there something I could do for you?" I said finally, after his staring had driven me over the edge and it didn't seem like anyone was coming to save me from it.
"I know your secret." He answered simply. I froze. What? How could he? Had someone said something? Was I that obvious over dinner? What had happened? I looked up at him for any trace of an answer, but he was just smiling and glaring. A bad mixture, if you ask me.
"I'm certain I have no idea what you're talking about." I answered calmly, trying to keep my voice even. His cat-like eyes glared furiously at me once again. I shivered as chills ran down my spine. What was going to happen? What was he going to do?
"I know you have the crystal." He snarled. "You have it, and I want it." I stared at him blankly, trying to hide my relief. Then his words hit me. Crystal? What in the world was he talking about? Did he know my true secret or was he just trying to scare me?
"What crys-"
"Lady Serenity!" called an all too comforting voice behind me. I turned from King Rolf to see Darien walking quickly up behind me. I turned back to the King, most relieved to end the conversation. "I apologize, your majesty." Darien said, grabbing my hand. "But I must steal Serenity away." He quickly pulled me away as we walked across the dance floor.
"Thank you." I whispered quietly as I followed Darien further onto the dance floor, never looking back to the King.
"No problem." He answered with a smile. Just what I needed after that lovely confrontation, HIS DAMNED PERFECT SMILE! I bit my bottom lip hard. Why in the world did he always have to smile like that?! "You don't have the best choices in the company you keep." He added raising an eyebrow. "Or have you not heard the stories of the King?"
"Oh, I've heard." I said flatly. "Believe me, I was enjoying that as much as I enjoy stabbing myself repeatedly with a long butcher knife." Darien laughed at his, but I'm sure he wasn't aware of how serious I was.
"That bad?" He chuckled letting his bangs brush his eyes. I tried to hide a smile. Gods, he was handsome! We walked through the waltzing couples and started to slow down as we reached a far corner of the ballroom where Raye and Jadeite seemed to be in a hushed fight.
"Oh please!" Raye snapped glaring at Jadeite with fury. "It can't be true! It's not! That's completely ridiculous!"
"You can't ignore what we both know is there!" He snapped back. "I know he's noticed it and it's only a matter of time before he confronts her!"
"She doesn't-" Raye stopped talking as she saw Darien and I walk towards them. She shot Jadeite a face before turning back to us. "So you found her?" She asked Darien, her mood still intacted.
"Yeah," Darien replied his eyes moving from Raye to Jadeite and then back to Raye. "She was talking to King Rolf." He finished slowly. I saw Jadeite throw Raye a look, who just shook her head at him.
"Really?" Jadeite asked facing me. "And what were you and my father talking about?"
I hesitated to answer. Did they know about that whole crystal thing the King had accused me of? "He asked me why I wasn't dancing and I said I didn't have a liking towards it." I answered. I couldn't tell them about this crystal just yet. I wanted to figure it out for myself first. I saw a smile cross Raye's face as she looked towards Jedeite in triumph.
"Nothing else?" He asked suspiciously. I looked from Jedeite to Raye and then to Darien who was still standing next to me. They all wore the same expression. They all knew.
"Nothing."
"Hmmm." He said nodding, but I could see that he wasn't satisfied. Whatever this crystal is, they all seemed to think I have it. How could I? I've never owned any crystals, and even if I did, a servant could hardly keep such luxuries. So I can't have it. Can I?
The orchestra started playing a slow waltz and Raye and Jedeite moved from the corner to dance, still giving each other dirty looks. I watched for a few moments as they seemed to be fighting while dancing.
"They even fight while dancing." Darien said turning to face me.
"You never know," I said smiling up at him. "Hate can always turn to love."
"Well, let's hope so." he laughed. "So, you want to give it another shot?" He asked motioning to the dance floor.
"You've got to be kidding." I say shaking my head. "I nearly fell flat on my face the last time!"
"Come on," he pouted. "I promise I won't let you fall...again." I made a face, but he just shrugged.
"I don't know..."
"Please?"
"I don't even know the dance." I protest, still hoping to get out of it. I really don't want to embarrass myself again.
"Don't worry." he said flicking his hand. "I'll teach you. You'll have your own private dance lesson." he added with a smile. He extended his hand out to me.
"Well... alright." I say in defeat. "But you have to promise not to make fun of me! It's really not my fault I was born with two left feet."
"I won't." he says. He guides me out onto the dance floor to a spot with not many dancing couples. He places one of his hands on my hip and places mine onto his shoulder. Our remaining hands clasp together. I start to get butterflies in my stomach. Why did I agree to this? "Don't worry." he says, as I'm sure he could see my discomfort. "It's a slow waltz. All you have to do is follow my feet. When I step back, you step up. When I step up you step back. Understand?" I nod still queasy about doing this. I'm going to trip or step on his foot or something else equally stupid. He moves his left foot forward and I move my right foot back. He goes left and I follow going right. He moves slowly in a box step. I was relieved to find it easy. Darien was a better dancer then I remembered. Still butterflies stayed in my stomach, though I'm not sure if it is because of the dancing or the close predicament of my body to Darien's.
"This is sort of easy." I say softly to him. "I must say you're a very good teacher."
"Why, Thank you, but you seem to be a very good dancer yourself." He says smiling. I'm pretty sure my butterflies grew 10 times bigger at that moment.
"Thank you." I whisper smiling softly.
"I'm going to spin you out and then you spin back in, alright?" He says. I nod my head as he spins me outward. I close my eyes as I twirl back in, ready for something horrible to happen. I spin in and gently hit something soft. I cautiously open my eyes to see Darien smiling down on me.
"I didn't fall." I tell him quietly.
"I told you you wouldn't." He whispers into my ear. I could hear my heart pounding hard and pray that he can't feel it. I look up into his sapphire eyes and can't help but look down and blush. He has the most amazing eyes, deep and cool and completely irresistible. I then discovered that his face was dangerously close to mine. I could feel his warm breath on my face and I didn't pull away as he bent his head closer to mine...
BANG! CRASH!
I jumped out of Darien's arms and quickly looked around for the source of the noise. Most of the other guests had stopped talking and dancing and were now looking for the trouble. On the far side of the ballroom, the refreshment table seemed to have been knocked over by a bunch of fighting knights and squires. More knights and squires and even some pages started to join in the fight, throwing punches and jumping into the big heap of men. Many guests attempted to pull the fight apart, but only ended up getting hit or joining the fight themselves.
"Shit." I heard Darien swear under his breath. He looked towards me uncertainly before shaking his head. "Sorry, I have to go take care of this." he said looking annoyed. "Prince duties." he added as he rolled his eyes. I nod my head as he smiles and rushes off towards the fight. I let out a long breath I wasn't aware I'd been holding in.
GODS! What had I been thinking!?! He would have kissed me! KISSED ME! I would have LET him! And in front of all these people! ARG! I can't believe it! My head was spinning and I felt dizzy. I looked towards the fight once again to see Darien and Jedieite yelling and attempting to pull the men off each other.
"This always seems to happen." said a voice behind. I turned around to see Raye standing there. "No matter what, those stupid knights throw insults and then fists and then start big commotions."
"Why?" I ask curiously, still watching the fight, as Darien tried to pull one of the knights off another and got punched in the face himself. I saw him wince and cringed. The poor guy doesn't stand a chance against 20 knights!
"Country loyalties." She answers rolling her eyes. "Always fighting over whose better and insulting the one another. You'd think after 10 years of these stupid balls they'd just lay off, but no... the fighting never ends."
"Well that's just dumb." I say taking my eyes off the fight and looked towards Raye. "Why doesn't your father do anything? A punishment or something?"
"He's tried." Raye replies. "The foreigners never follow the rules, though. You would think King Rolf tells them to do such things, by the way they carry on."
"I wouldn't be surprised if he did." I say, looking towards King Rolf for the first time since our conversation. He sat in his throne smirking furtively as King Harold yelled and screamed towards the fighting men, not allowed to get into the fighting himself. I glared at the man and watched as his eyes passed by mine. I looked away quickly and prayed he hadn't noticed me staring.
"Just look at them." Raye said snapping me out of my reverie and focusing my attention the fight once again. The group had grown smaller, but Darien and Jedeite still struggled to pull the last groups of men apart.
"They have no chance in breaking that mess apart." I said as I looked towards Raye again. "Poor guys."
"Yeah, poor guys." Raye said looking away from the fight and towards me. A mischievous glint formed in her eyes. "Speaking of guys," she said raising an eyebrow. "You looked quite comfortable with my brother before that whole mess happened, hmm?"
"Err...well-" I mumbled looking towards the floor. I was almost positive I was turning a million shades of red. Raye laughed at my hesitation. "It-well... it was nothing." I finished softly finally lifting my head towards her.
"It didn't look like nothing." She teased laughing at my embarrassment. "I must say your heads were pretty close together..." She finished in a sing-song voice.
"They were not!" I said defensively still completely red.
"I think they were!" She taunted still giggling.
"Were not." I pouted as I crossed my arms over my chest and looked away. WHY did she have to see that?! If she noticed...did that mean other people did also? Oh no...
"Hey, look!" She said as her giggles died down. "The fight is breaking up." I followed her pointed finger over to the refreshment table, where the fight had use to be. Darien and Jedeite were still holding off two knights who were snarling at each other. They pushed both knights to there own sides of the ballroom and left them with other groups of other knights, who could hopefully keep them in there prospective places. Jedeite turned and started looking around the room until he spotted us. He nudged Darien, who had been rubbing the side of his face where he had obviously been hit, and pointed towards me and Raye. They started making there way towards us.
"I have to hand it to you," I say as they stopped in front of us. "I didn't think you could break that up."
"Lots of practice." Darien says flatly still rubbing his right cheek.
"Lots and lots of practice." Jadeite replies nodding his head. "They only do it-Let's see- EVERY time we come here."
"Well if your father would just teach them to keep their mouths shut, maybe you wouldn't be in such predicaments every year." Raye said simply. Jedeite clenched his teeth.
"And if your knights would just keep there fists to themselves we wouldn't have to break up messes like that!" Jedeite snapped taking a step towards Raye.
"If yo-"
"Stop!" Darien shouted placing his hands between Raye and Jedeite and pushing them a part. "And you wonder where they get it from!" Raye and Jedeite glared at him.
DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING! DING!
I cursed my luck. Eleven o'clock already? I know I can't stay any longer. Beryl and Susan would most definitely suspect something if I'm not back soon. Stupid stupid clock.
"It's getting late." I say softly to Raye. "If I don't get back soon they'll start to suspect something."
"Alright," Raye said nodding. "I'll go run and get your things. You can keep the dress."
"Not again, Raye!" I said protesting. I couldn't keep ANOTHER dress. This one had to be at twice the value of the last and the other wasn't one bit cheap.
"Don't be ridiculous! Of course you're keeping it! It would just be sitting in my closet, anyway! Why shouldn't you keep it? It will bring good memories."
"Bu-"
"No Buts! You're keeping it!" She said and before I could protest further she ran off to gather my things.
"Where is Raye off to?" Darien asked from behind me. I felt a little hesitant to answer as I remembered our previous encounter. Do I just act normal? Like nothing happened? Like he wasn't about to KISS me?
"She's going to get my things from her room. I have to leave soon or I'll be trouble." I said as causally as possible, but nervousness was starting to take over as he stepped closer to me. Just don't think about it. Don't think about it. DON'T THINK ABOUT IT.
"Oh," He said almost sadly. "Will you be coming by again?"
I bit my bottom lip. How was I supposed to answer that? "I'm not sure. Maybe."
"Oh." He answered again. "Well, I hope you do." He added hesitantly.
"Yeah." I said softly, but my nerves prevented me from saying anything else. We stood in an awkward silence for a few moments. "Well, I better be going." I said finally.
"Yeah, I wouldn't want you to get in trouble." He said with a nervous tone. At least I'm not the only one.
"Yeah. Bye." I said as I turned around and started to walk away.
"Serenity, wait!" He called and I turned to face him. "I'll see you around...somewhere, right?"
"I suppose so." I said with an uncertain smile. He wanted to see me again? Why? Me? Gods! Men are so confusing!
"Good." He said softly. I looked up at him. He seemed to be fighting an internal battle of some sort. I was about to say goodbye when he bent down and kissed my cheek. "Bye." He said quickly before walking off towards the other end of the ballroom.
Oh. Gods. He. Kissed. My. Cheek. Me! GODS HE KISSED MY CHEEK! I knew I shouldn't be so happy about this. After all, just before hadn't I been scolding myself for almost kissing him? But then again... HE KISSED MY CHEEK!
I couldn't help, but smile as I turned around. I jumped back as I saw Raye standing directly behind me, a cocky smile playing on her face.
"Nothing, eh?" She asked laughing.
"Oh please!" I said as I pushed my way past her and walked out of the ballroom.
MINNA-CHANNNN!!! I'm extremely sorry for not getting this chapter out sooner. Like I said in the author's notes my life turned into one big mess and I just couldn't fit writing into my already bulging schedule. Now I'm a little more in order so I hope I'll be able to make more frequent updates.
Anyhow! How did you like this chapter? Yes, she DID get a kiss on the cheek! Nothing more... YET. A lot of you are asking about Amy and when she comes into play. She should be in here within the next 2 chapters I think... I'm not positive where her scene fits in. But I promise she will be there! A special thanks to all the reviewers and the emails! As you can see, they encouraged me A LOT. So keep them all coming! :)!
Send all questions/comments/suggestions to starrryder@email.com
-Starr-