Wow! Today ended up being good! After all of the problem I was having w/
ff.net, I thought I would never get around to writing Chapter 3!!!!! But
here I am, and I know I said this in the last AN, but I need an editor, to
double check me and all, so any applicants appreciated! I also, just
within the past 15 minutes, got 3 reviews, which made me VERY happy and
made me want to write more. Right now, that is a grand total of. . .
*gasp!* 11! This is good for me, really! **waves to people who love me**
LoL, j/k. Not THAT conceited, I promise! So, here is the next chapter!
I also thought I would reply to some reviews, 'cause it is just polite I guess. So here goes nothing!: (in alphabetical order)
Baby Bunnie: Gasp! Meanie?! I am shame-faced. You see, the longer you wait for a chapter, the better it shall be. If I rush it, it might not come out the way I planned and be a horribly written. Please understand, for I am a stubborn perfectionist.
Chintamani: Lets face it. . . if murder wasn't a crime, I feel sure that all Sailor Moon readers would have killed Darien at one point in time or another. But for this story's purpose, it would be a little bit better to keep him alive and all because, well, he IS Darien, and Serena would not stand for us to just kill him off, even after all the horrible times he has dumped her because of a stupid dream in our imaginations. Too bad, really. . . j/k!
Kiseki-no-niko: Glad you like. I'd love to help in any way I can. Well, almost, I guess.
Lexi: Why, thank you. I think I will hurry up. This is as fun to write as it is to read stories.
Rosealeena: Wow. I am in total and complete awe. Simple review, yet oddly effective. Wow.
Serena: I will need all the luck I can get. **said solemnly**
StarSponge: Ok, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess that you like Sponge Bob Square Pants. On to more pressing issues. . . Thank you, I like my story too, if I may say so myself!
Sniper957: Uh, can you say "mixed signals"? *__* I'm not exactly sure whether you mean ICCIIWT is good, it stinks, or it stinks even worse. Clarify, if you will!
TN: Yet another simplicity. Ah, the bliss!
~ ~ = thoughts and ~*~*~*~*~*~ = POV/scene change
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon, any of the other characters in that series, or any of Lesley Gore's song, so don't sue, you won't get a red cent. . . maybe a dog or two, but no money. Any web sites people want to visit that I have put here (for whatever reason) will have to have the spaces taken out 'cause it wouldn't upload right w/o them! Sorry!
"I Can Cry if I Want To" Part 1, Chapter 3: Aftermath
Last time on ICCIIWT:
Meet the girls at 3:10. . . "Darien, clothes, the Moon, Darien, the past, the future, Darien, ice cream. . . wait, that is food- scratch that, it doesn't count". . .
~*FLASH*!
They heard a scream. . . ~Hoping this would be an easy one~. . . She was too late. . . 2 more youma. . . Sailor Moon had become a lot more leader- like. . . ~ Won't have to face protecting her all the time when she hates me~. . . "These ones are much stronger than the last one". . . About to give up. . . Uranus World SHAKING!. . . Neptune Deep SUBMERGE!. . . Pluto Dead SCREAM!. . . Saturn Silence Glaive SURPRISE!. . . Moon Scepter ELIMINATION!. . . "Dusted!". . .
~*FLASH*~
"I can't pick you up. . . Accident at work". . .
~*FLASH*~
Avoid Serena at almost all cost. . . A major risk. . . "I'm her boyfriend". . . "Hook, line, and sinker". . . Saw Darien and Kyra leave together. . . "I suppose it is time". . .
~*FLASH*~
"Hotaru has something to say". . . "With another girl". . . "Knew he would find someone better than me!". . . "Them be's fightin' words". . . "We are OVER". . . . ~My plan worked~. . .
~*~*~*~*~*~
It had been a week since Darien left her party with Kyra, leaving her there to wallow in her own pity. Her friends had come with her home everyday after school, and she didn't dare chance going to the arcade, for fear of seeing him there. ~I don't know what would have been worse. If he had been just plain straight forward and mean or just not hiding his lusts.~ oh, well. It didn't matter now. He was gone, and she didn't think there was a single thing in this world that would bring him back to her. "Well, I promised I would go today." She was speaking, of course, about her promise to her friends that she would finally return to the Crown Arcade.
She had only agreed under the condition that they sit in the booth furthest back from the doors and counter, where Darien could usually be found, and she facing the opposite way, so as to not have to look at him, and quite possibly, Kyra. Yes, the girls had told her that the two had started to go steady, claiming love at first site at the party. ~Well, she certainly is closer to his age, and prettier, too.~ on the other hand, just about everyone who knew Darien or Serena was mad at him. This select group included the senshi, Andrew, and Serena's family. Setsuna arrived first, claiming that Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru would be along shortly, for they woke later than planned.
As you might recall, Setsuna is the Goddess/Senshi of time, and so knows the reasoning behind the breakup, as well as the end of it (AN: her and me both!). She, while not talking to him in a 'buddy-buddy' way, was not mad at him. Annoyed, yes. Disappointed, yes. Angry, no. She believes he should have just told Serena about his dreams, but was not to be allowed to guide the others in any way, so says the Gates of Time.
Soon after, Mina, Lita, Amy and Raye showed up, again in Amy's new car, all bearing little gifts. "Go ahead, meatball! Open up!" said Raye.
"Oh! A little chocolate bunny! Two of my faves in one!!!" ~Wow. Food really gets her mind off of things. I hope she doesn't get really, really fat because of that idiot. . .~
"And. . . a graphing calculator. . .? Thanks, Amy. . .!" Amy saw her friend's confusion. "I thought you could maybe use it for your homework, and that might help you forget He-must-not-be-named." (AN: yes, from Harry Potter. So sue me, it fit.).
"Speak of the devil himself," whispered Mina, who was facing the door.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Darien had just walked in, followed very closely by Kyra, who looked around, spotted Serena at their table, and put on quite a show. She was about to drag Darien over their way, to show off, but just then, Haruka walked in, Michiru and Hotaru right after her. She saw this going on and made her way to cut Kyra off, midway to her destination. "And where do you think you are going?" Haruka said with a look that could kill. "To sit down and have lunch with MY BOYFRIEND," She replied, just as coldly, saying the last two words just loud enough to be heard by the targeted table. "Not on my watch, you aren't," Haruka threatened. She spoke again, this time in Darien's direction. "If I EVER see you within 20 feet of Sere-" but was quickly cut off by Setsuna and Michiru grabbing her on either arm, Michiru covering her mouth quickly.
"That goes double for me," said Lita over her shoulder as they walked off, who had come over, too, in case she was needed to help quell the feisty Uranian.
At these warnings, Darien quietly pulled his date toward the front counter, only to be ignored by Andrew, who walked right past while wiping the counter. Darien could tell easily by the way his hands were shoved aside when Andrew reached that part of the area. "Boy, she has really turned everyone against you. Probably spreading lies to make you look bad, hun," commented Kyra. "Sure. That's it. . ." mumbled Darien. He had seen how Serena's face had turned from one of confusion (because of the hasty exits of Setsuna and Lita) to one of pure hurt.
Just then, he saw a flash of blonde as Serena stormed out of the arcade, followed quickly by the rest. He noted sub-consciously that he received evil stares from almost all of her friends as they ran out, one by one.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Moon Crystal Power, Make Up!
A youma attack was just what Serena needed to get away from the pain. ~Well, emotional pain, at least.~ She had come to seek refuge from having to see Darien so soon, and when she got there, she realized that the senshi had followed her. Soon after that, a youma appeared, and the fight began.
~I wonder if Tuxedo mask dares to show his face around here.~ she thought, part of her hoping he would, part hoping he wouldn't. She had closed their link most of the way, the only part he could read was the transformation part. This is how he knew when and where battles were. ~Whatever happens, I will not let it bring down my fighting abilities!~ Sailor Moon heard her friends transform behind her.
Mercury Star Power, Make Up!
Venus Star Power, Make Up!
Mars Star Power, Make Up!
Jupiter Star Power, Make Up!
Saturn Star Power, Make Up!
Uranus Star Power, Make Up!
Neptune Star Power, Make Up!
Pluto Star Power, Make Up!
This youma was a very large one, but that didn't fool Mercury and her computer. "It may look super-huge, but it is relatively weak. Maybe, a few attacks should do it?" And they got right on it.
Uranus and Venus ran around its back, taking its attention off of the others, while Mars prepared an attack.
Mars Celestial Fire. . . SURROUND!
Her fires circled the youma, and it was drastically weakened, but not quite enough. Mars quickly dodged a rather large beam of Dark Energy. "Now, Jupiter!" commanded Sailor Moon.
"Right!"
Jupiter Thunder Crash. . . ZAP!
"Moon! It's ready!" said Mercury, but as Sailor Moon prepared her scepter, another youma appeared. "This one is as strong as the second ones from last week!" warned Mercury, talking about the new youma. "Ok, Pluto, take care of it." "Sure," she agreed with deadly undertone. Sailor Moon returned to the first monster.
Moon Scepter. . . ELIMINATION!
Pluto Dead. . . SCREAM! She sent a vast amount of energy, hoping to knock it down. It fell, and Uranus started over.
Uranus World. . . SHAKING!
Moon Scepter. . . ELIMINATION!
Yet again, as soon as it was destroyed, another youma seemingly dropped out of the sky. "Uh-oh. . ." said Mercury. "This one is a bit stronger. By a bit, I mean a lot."
~*~*~*~*~*~
Darien decided to hang around the arcade for a little while longer, hoping to get Andrew to talk to him. He had felt Serena transform, but she wasn't in any immediate danger. That much he was able to feel, even thought the rest of the link must have been blocked by Serena. He would only go when absolutely necessary.
"Andrew, I know you are trying to ignore me, but hear me out." His friend just kept wiping the already spotless counter-top. Darien sighed dejectedly. **sigh**
All of a sudden, Andrew exploded. It was almost totally unprovoked, and took the pair across the bar by surprise. "HOW DARE YOU, YOU BAKA, BREAK UP WITH THE PERFECT GIRL FOR YOU FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND START SEEING THIS. . . THIS. . . OTHER FEMALE!!! AT SERENA'S SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY, NO LESS! HAVE YOU NO CLASS, DARIEN? REALLY, DO YOU?!?!?!"
"No need to yell! You are going to scare off all your customers, Andrew!"
"Oh, yea. . . You're right. Why yell when I can just strangle you?!" and he lunged for his ex-best friend's throat. Kyra chose this time to intervene. "Watch it!!! That's my boyfriend you are trying to kill!" she yelled. However, she probably shouldn't have done that. This put almost all of Andrew's attention on her now. "Oh, no you don't. You are the cause of this! You split up possibly the best couple in the whole of Japan!" and he started making his way towards her. Darien saw his friend's intentions and hurriedly dragged Kyra out of the arcade. Just then, he felt that Serena was in more trouble than she was before and this time, he couldn't ignore the feeling that he should go. "Uh, Kyra. . . I need to go get some stuff from the store for our date tonight. See you later?" lied Darien. "Sure. . ." Kyra was still dazed from her near-death experience.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Tuxedo Mask run in the direction of the park, where the battle seemed to be raging on. The first thing he heard when he arrived, while sitting in a nearby tree was, "Uh-oh. . . This one is a bit stronger. By a bit, I mean a lot." This made him very worried. ~How many have they battled so far that she thinks they might not be able to take this one on??? Oh well. I better do this.~
~*~*~*~*~*~
Sailor Moon heard Mercury and almost immediately after that, she saw a quick flash of red and black. He had come.
"Mercury! Anything at all?" Mercury looked at her computer. Yes, there was a lot of information on this one. It was like one they had battled about a year ago, but upgraded in a way. "Ok, you are going to have to hit him right on his chest. That is his weakest spot, though it isn't very weak. . ." and she trailed off at the thought.
Mercury Shine Aqua. . . ILLUSION! It was slowed enough to a point that the others could get in a few good hits and kicks, and then. . . SMASH! It was free again.
Sailor Moon saw a chain of roses fly out of a tree and hit the youma on his chest, making it pause just enough for one of her attacks.
Moon Tiara. . . MAGIC!
Mars Firebird. . . STRIKE!
Two good hits, and then he needed some more restraint. . .
Mercury Aqua Shine. . . ILLUSION!
Venus Love Chain. . . ENCIRCLE!
Rose Chain. . . ENTRAPMENT! (AN: I decided to add a little more. . . how to say?. . . pizzazz to his attacking power. I read online the roses don't actually do anything except distract the enemy so Sailor Moon can attack and I felt it my duty to power him up a bit. And I needed to add a bit of my own creativity to it, also!)
Youma restrained, the girls were ready for more kicks, then some extra power surges.
Saturn Silence Glaive. . . SURPRISE!
Neptune Deep. . . SUBMERGE!
And in a flurry of bright marine and purple, the youma was finally ready for Sailor Moon.
Moon Scepter. . . ELIMINATION!
In a pile of dust now, they were in no danger for the moment. Moon detransformed, followed by her senshi, and stalked past Tuxedo Mask without even acknowledging he existed. Not even a simple "Thanks". Not that anyone blamed her, though.
~*~*~*~*~*~
As she was walking towards her home, Serena heard Haruka running behind her. ~Always there when needed.~ she thought with a smile. Without turning around, she asked, "Where did you send the others to wait for us?" Taken momentarily by surprise, Haruka stumbled on her words at first. "Um. . . Huh?. . . To wait. . . I mean, to the mansion." ~Wow. That was surprisingly hard to say!~ Haruka thought, for no particular reason.
"Well, you can report back to them that Darien will not be affecting my leadership role with the scouts. It is way too important to mess that up! Make sure Raye especially gets it!" she burst into tears, and ran off before Haruka even knew what happened. She started to run after her, but was stopped short by Tuxedo Mask leaping in front of her.
"What did you say that made her run off crying like that?!" he practically yelled at the Princess of the past Uranus. Now, if he had any sense, he wouldn't have acted so worried, but he was in a very emotional frenzy. Fortunately, Haruka was so angry she didn't take notice. "What I did??? How about what YOU did?!?!?!" she nearly screamed at him and took off toward the mansion, taking out the communicator that Luna had given her and the other new-comers two days ago. "Guys, we need to talk to Serena I think. She just took of wailing and I am just hoping she doesn't do anything she will later regret." And she signed off.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Sure enough, when they arrived at Serena's home, she was in a frenzy trying to come up with ways to make Darien pay. Obviously, she had gotten over the denial stage of grief, and was well into the next part, anger. "I will show that stupid baka! Now, I know he is allergic to macadamia nuts. I will ask Lita to bake some cookies with them in it! Yea. . . now I just need to find out what that home wrecker is allergic of. Then I will terrorize them with their worst fears with my disguise pen! Darien is totally afraid of clowns. Not a lot of people know that, though. It will be PERFECT!!!!! Maybe mice or bugs will work with Kyra. . ."
"Um, Serena? Are you Ok?. . ." asked Michiru. "Of course I will bake the coo-" started Lita, who was furious with the couple, but she was cut off by Raye. "Don't help her or give her any ideas!" she whispered harshly in her friend's ear. "Oh, I will be just peachy once Darien pays for breaking my heart into tiny, itsy, bitsy, miniscule, little pieces. Then I will be just as happy as ever!" she said cheerily with a big smile. Mina came over. "Serena, I hate to say it, but two wrongs don't make a left. Revenge will not help."
All the other girls sweat-dropped. Mina looked around. . . "What?" "Don't you mean two wrongs don't make a RIGHT?" corrected Lita. "Isn't that what I said?" asked a now confused Mina. "Never mind, you guys. Now, how are you gonna help me torture Darien and that other. . . person?" Setsuna sighed. "Serena, we are not going to help in THAT way. We are going to try and help you get over him." Serena saw this as a point to contradict. "Oh, I am SO over him. I just want to make him miserable is all." This was said in the most serious manner possible. Weird.
"Ok, ok. Setsuna, I would do ANYTHING to get him back! Lets face it. I will never love anyone more than I did him, and anything is worth giving up to have him back!" Onward to the stage of bargaining. "Well, this is getting better, now isn't it? Only two more stages left in the ladder of grief!" chimed in Amy. "Wait. . . the next is depression. Never mind. . ." At the sound of this, Serena started her heart-wrenching wailing again. "I think that is the shortest amount of time I have seen anyone go through bargaining ever." said Raye in awe.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Darien sat down next to Kyra. She had no idea where he had disappeared off to, but was glad he was back. She in no way was in love with him, or even close for that matter, but as long as she was winning over Serena, she didn't care either way. ~I wonder why I resent that little girl so much as to go through this trouble.~ Kyra wondered. But in her mind, that didn't really matter.
"How about we skip dinner. I'm not all that hungry anyway," she suggested. "Where would we go then?" Darien was puzzled by her retraction of their date. "I was hoping the mall or something."
She had overheard Mina talking to Amy about it earlier before they all had run out of the arcade. They were planning a massive shopping trip to cheer their friend up, and she wanted to mess it all up for them. ~Wahaha!~
An hour later, she and Darien pulled up in front of the Tokyo Mall. Kyra had decided that since it had been 2 months since they first got together, they should celebrate by him buying her a big, expensive gift. ~As log as I am using him, I might as well make it good!~ she thought with glee. In all honesty, she thought he was way too mysterious and book-wormy for her likes, but you take what you get. It was better than no one, she supposed.
Soon, she saw the big group of girls walking a little ahead of her and Darien, and they all turned into a new clothing store. "Darien!!! I want to look in there! They just opened and have all the BEST stuff!" she squealed, Darien in tow behind her. She immediately noticed that to get Serena jealous wouldn't be as hard as she thought for there was not a single rack of clothing higher than one's waist, and they would be in plain view where ever she wanted to enact her plan. Quickly, she again began to drag him over a bit closer to the others, while saying, "It is so nice of you to take me out tonight, Darien! I am really having a ball!" just loud enough for the larger group to hear.
When Kyra knew they had their attention, she quickly reached up and made an attempt to kiss Darien. Fortunately, he still had a bit of dignity to hold up and gave her the cheek, whispering, "Not in public, Kyra. . ." looking cautiously over his shoulder in the general direction of Serena and her dangerously close friends. (AN: He isn't THAT evil! He still has feelings for our hero! No kisses till later, heeheehee!!! BTW, that is also a literary device know as foreshadowing, wink wink, nudge nudge. . .)
Darien said to Kyra, "I don't think any of the clothes in here are worthy of your beauty." And pulled the little witch, who was pouting all the way, to the next store.
~*~*~*~*~*~
After the couple's hasty retreat, Lita turned to Haruka with a begging look. To put it simply, it said "Can we kill them now?" Haruka's returned glance answered a quick, "I wish, but no."
Serena had obviously seen and heard the whole deal with her ex, but had gotten over the whole "He's not with me" thing. The only part that was tying her to them and depression over the whole thing was that he would be so cruel in the way he showed his disinterest in her. Even thought she had been the one to leave him, she felt that it was in all ways his fault, and no one could disagree with her. Yes, she believed she was almost totally over him. Very much closer, in fact than anyone knew, really.
Just then, the clerk that worked at the store came over to ask if they needed any help. "No, thank you," said Serena politely.
"Hey. . . Don't I know some of you from school? You are Serena, right? And Amy, Lita, and Mina?" The four girls were flattered that this handsome young man was showing interest in them. Raye quickly elbowed Mina, giving a silent reminder that she already had a boyfriend.
Then he turned his attention back to Serena. "I know this is a bit sudden, but would you like to see a movie later on tonight?" he shyly asked her. After but a moment's delay, she agreed to meet him here at 7:00pm, and she and her guardians left, all happy and smiling that Serena had finally gotten past depression, and into acceptance, the last stage of grief. Darien Chiba was out of her life for good (besides fighting the Negaverse!). . . so it seemed.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Ok!!! I am so incredibly sorry it took me so long to write this, but I was building my web page, and that took a TON of time. And it STILL isn't done yet! Argh is all I have to say to that. . . Onward! I would have to say that in all, this chapter was kind of hard to write, and Part 2 will be a bit hard as well, because I don't have all the details sorted out in my head yet! We Floridians know that F-CAT is really annoying, and we started it yesterday, so that WOULD have prohibited me from writing, but I never study for the stupid thing any way. It is just too easy to pass w/o wasting my time! I still need someone as a editor, but I can live w/o that right now. Just if you are really bored n like to read chaps before they get posted, email me! Also, if you want to be notified when I update, send me an email saying so. Oh, and as always, REVIEW! It really brightens my day-seriously!
~*Lil-PrincessK*~
I also thought I would reply to some reviews, 'cause it is just polite I guess. So here goes nothing!: (in alphabetical order)
Baby Bunnie: Gasp! Meanie?! I am shame-faced. You see, the longer you wait for a chapter, the better it shall be. If I rush it, it might not come out the way I planned and be a horribly written. Please understand, for I am a stubborn perfectionist.
Chintamani: Lets face it. . . if murder wasn't a crime, I feel sure that all Sailor Moon readers would have killed Darien at one point in time or another. But for this story's purpose, it would be a little bit better to keep him alive and all because, well, he IS Darien, and Serena would not stand for us to just kill him off, even after all the horrible times he has dumped her because of a stupid dream in our imaginations. Too bad, really. . . j/k!
Kiseki-no-niko: Glad you like. I'd love to help in any way I can. Well, almost, I guess.
Lexi: Why, thank you. I think I will hurry up. This is as fun to write as it is to read stories.
Rosealeena: Wow. I am in total and complete awe. Simple review, yet oddly effective. Wow.
Serena: I will need all the luck I can get. **said solemnly**
StarSponge: Ok, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess that you like Sponge Bob Square Pants. On to more pressing issues. . . Thank you, I like my story too, if I may say so myself!
Sniper957: Uh, can you say "mixed signals"? *__* I'm not exactly sure whether you mean ICCIIWT is good, it stinks, or it stinks even worse. Clarify, if you will!
TN: Yet another simplicity. Ah, the bliss!
~ ~ = thoughts and ~*~*~*~*~*~ = POV/scene change
Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon, any of the other characters in that series, or any of Lesley Gore's song, so don't sue, you won't get a red cent. . . maybe a dog or two, but no money. Any web sites people want to visit that I have put here (for whatever reason) will have to have the spaces taken out 'cause it wouldn't upload right w/o them! Sorry!
"I Can Cry if I Want To" Part 1, Chapter 3: Aftermath
Last time on ICCIIWT:
Meet the girls at 3:10. . . "Darien, clothes, the Moon, Darien, the past, the future, Darien, ice cream. . . wait, that is food- scratch that, it doesn't count". . .
~*FLASH*!
They heard a scream. . . ~Hoping this would be an easy one~. . . She was too late. . . 2 more youma. . . Sailor Moon had become a lot more leader- like. . . ~ Won't have to face protecting her all the time when she hates me~. . . "These ones are much stronger than the last one". . . About to give up. . . Uranus World SHAKING!. . . Neptune Deep SUBMERGE!. . . Pluto Dead SCREAM!. . . Saturn Silence Glaive SURPRISE!. . . Moon Scepter ELIMINATION!. . . "Dusted!". . .
~*FLASH*~
"I can't pick you up. . . Accident at work". . .
~*FLASH*~
Avoid Serena at almost all cost. . . A major risk. . . "I'm her boyfriend". . . "Hook, line, and sinker". . . Saw Darien and Kyra leave together. . . "I suppose it is time". . .
~*FLASH*~
"Hotaru has something to say". . . "With another girl". . . "Knew he would find someone better than me!". . . "Them be's fightin' words". . . "We are OVER". . . . ~My plan worked~. . .
~*~*~*~*~*~
It had been a week since Darien left her party with Kyra, leaving her there to wallow in her own pity. Her friends had come with her home everyday after school, and she didn't dare chance going to the arcade, for fear of seeing him there. ~I don't know what would have been worse. If he had been just plain straight forward and mean or just not hiding his lusts.~ oh, well. It didn't matter now. He was gone, and she didn't think there was a single thing in this world that would bring him back to her. "Well, I promised I would go today." She was speaking, of course, about her promise to her friends that she would finally return to the Crown Arcade.
She had only agreed under the condition that they sit in the booth furthest back from the doors and counter, where Darien could usually be found, and she facing the opposite way, so as to not have to look at him, and quite possibly, Kyra. Yes, the girls had told her that the two had started to go steady, claiming love at first site at the party. ~Well, she certainly is closer to his age, and prettier, too.~ on the other hand, just about everyone who knew Darien or Serena was mad at him. This select group included the senshi, Andrew, and Serena's family. Setsuna arrived first, claiming that Haruka, Michiru, and Hotaru would be along shortly, for they woke later than planned.
As you might recall, Setsuna is the Goddess/Senshi of time, and so knows the reasoning behind the breakup, as well as the end of it (AN: her and me both!). She, while not talking to him in a 'buddy-buddy' way, was not mad at him. Annoyed, yes. Disappointed, yes. Angry, no. She believes he should have just told Serena about his dreams, but was not to be allowed to guide the others in any way, so says the Gates of Time.
Soon after, Mina, Lita, Amy and Raye showed up, again in Amy's new car, all bearing little gifts. "Go ahead, meatball! Open up!" said Raye.
"Oh! A little chocolate bunny! Two of my faves in one!!!" ~Wow. Food really gets her mind off of things. I hope she doesn't get really, really fat because of that idiot. . .~
"And. . . a graphing calculator. . .? Thanks, Amy. . .!" Amy saw her friend's confusion. "I thought you could maybe use it for your homework, and that might help you forget He-must-not-be-named." (AN: yes, from Harry Potter. So sue me, it fit.).
"Speak of the devil himself," whispered Mina, who was facing the door.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Darien had just walked in, followed very closely by Kyra, who looked around, spotted Serena at their table, and put on quite a show. She was about to drag Darien over their way, to show off, but just then, Haruka walked in, Michiru and Hotaru right after her. She saw this going on and made her way to cut Kyra off, midway to her destination. "And where do you think you are going?" Haruka said with a look that could kill. "To sit down and have lunch with MY BOYFRIEND," She replied, just as coldly, saying the last two words just loud enough to be heard by the targeted table. "Not on my watch, you aren't," Haruka threatened. She spoke again, this time in Darien's direction. "If I EVER see you within 20 feet of Sere-" but was quickly cut off by Setsuna and Michiru grabbing her on either arm, Michiru covering her mouth quickly.
"That goes double for me," said Lita over her shoulder as they walked off, who had come over, too, in case she was needed to help quell the feisty Uranian.
At these warnings, Darien quietly pulled his date toward the front counter, only to be ignored by Andrew, who walked right past while wiping the counter. Darien could tell easily by the way his hands were shoved aside when Andrew reached that part of the area. "Boy, she has really turned everyone against you. Probably spreading lies to make you look bad, hun," commented Kyra. "Sure. That's it. . ." mumbled Darien. He had seen how Serena's face had turned from one of confusion (because of the hasty exits of Setsuna and Lita) to one of pure hurt.
Just then, he saw a flash of blonde as Serena stormed out of the arcade, followed quickly by the rest. He noted sub-consciously that he received evil stares from almost all of her friends as they ran out, one by one.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Moon Crystal Power, Make Up!
A youma attack was just what Serena needed to get away from the pain. ~Well, emotional pain, at least.~ She had come to seek refuge from having to see Darien so soon, and when she got there, she realized that the senshi had followed her. Soon after that, a youma appeared, and the fight began.
~I wonder if Tuxedo mask dares to show his face around here.~ she thought, part of her hoping he would, part hoping he wouldn't. She had closed their link most of the way, the only part he could read was the transformation part. This is how he knew when and where battles were. ~Whatever happens, I will not let it bring down my fighting abilities!~ Sailor Moon heard her friends transform behind her.
Mercury Star Power, Make Up!
Venus Star Power, Make Up!
Mars Star Power, Make Up!
Jupiter Star Power, Make Up!
Saturn Star Power, Make Up!
Uranus Star Power, Make Up!
Neptune Star Power, Make Up!
Pluto Star Power, Make Up!
This youma was a very large one, but that didn't fool Mercury and her computer. "It may look super-huge, but it is relatively weak. Maybe, a few attacks should do it?" And they got right on it.
Uranus and Venus ran around its back, taking its attention off of the others, while Mars prepared an attack.
Mars Celestial Fire. . . SURROUND!
Her fires circled the youma, and it was drastically weakened, but not quite enough. Mars quickly dodged a rather large beam of Dark Energy. "Now, Jupiter!" commanded Sailor Moon.
"Right!"
Jupiter Thunder Crash. . . ZAP!
"Moon! It's ready!" said Mercury, but as Sailor Moon prepared her scepter, another youma appeared. "This one is as strong as the second ones from last week!" warned Mercury, talking about the new youma. "Ok, Pluto, take care of it." "Sure," she agreed with deadly undertone. Sailor Moon returned to the first monster.
Moon Scepter. . . ELIMINATION!
Pluto Dead. . . SCREAM! She sent a vast amount of energy, hoping to knock it down. It fell, and Uranus started over.
Uranus World. . . SHAKING!
Moon Scepter. . . ELIMINATION!
Yet again, as soon as it was destroyed, another youma seemingly dropped out of the sky. "Uh-oh. . ." said Mercury. "This one is a bit stronger. By a bit, I mean a lot."
~*~*~*~*~*~
Darien decided to hang around the arcade for a little while longer, hoping to get Andrew to talk to him. He had felt Serena transform, but she wasn't in any immediate danger. That much he was able to feel, even thought the rest of the link must have been blocked by Serena. He would only go when absolutely necessary.
"Andrew, I know you are trying to ignore me, but hear me out." His friend just kept wiping the already spotless counter-top. Darien sighed dejectedly. **sigh**
All of a sudden, Andrew exploded. It was almost totally unprovoked, and took the pair across the bar by surprise. "HOW DARE YOU, YOU BAKA, BREAK UP WITH THE PERFECT GIRL FOR YOU FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND START SEEING THIS. . . THIS. . . OTHER FEMALE!!! AT SERENA'S SIXTEENTH BIRTHDAY, NO LESS! HAVE YOU NO CLASS, DARIEN? REALLY, DO YOU?!?!?!"
"No need to yell! You are going to scare off all your customers, Andrew!"
"Oh, yea. . . You're right. Why yell when I can just strangle you?!" and he lunged for his ex-best friend's throat. Kyra chose this time to intervene. "Watch it!!! That's my boyfriend you are trying to kill!" she yelled. However, she probably shouldn't have done that. This put almost all of Andrew's attention on her now. "Oh, no you don't. You are the cause of this! You split up possibly the best couple in the whole of Japan!" and he started making his way towards her. Darien saw his friend's intentions and hurriedly dragged Kyra out of the arcade. Just then, he felt that Serena was in more trouble than she was before and this time, he couldn't ignore the feeling that he should go. "Uh, Kyra. . . I need to go get some stuff from the store for our date tonight. See you later?" lied Darien. "Sure. . ." Kyra was still dazed from her near-death experience.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Tuxedo Mask run in the direction of the park, where the battle seemed to be raging on. The first thing he heard when he arrived, while sitting in a nearby tree was, "Uh-oh. . . This one is a bit stronger. By a bit, I mean a lot." This made him very worried. ~How many have they battled so far that she thinks they might not be able to take this one on??? Oh well. I better do this.~
~*~*~*~*~*~
Sailor Moon heard Mercury and almost immediately after that, she saw a quick flash of red and black. He had come.
"Mercury! Anything at all?" Mercury looked at her computer. Yes, there was a lot of information on this one. It was like one they had battled about a year ago, but upgraded in a way. "Ok, you are going to have to hit him right on his chest. That is his weakest spot, though it isn't very weak. . ." and she trailed off at the thought.
Mercury Shine Aqua. . . ILLUSION! It was slowed enough to a point that the others could get in a few good hits and kicks, and then. . . SMASH! It was free again.
Sailor Moon saw a chain of roses fly out of a tree and hit the youma on his chest, making it pause just enough for one of her attacks.
Moon Tiara. . . MAGIC!
Mars Firebird. . . STRIKE!
Two good hits, and then he needed some more restraint. . .
Mercury Aqua Shine. . . ILLUSION!
Venus Love Chain. . . ENCIRCLE!
Rose Chain. . . ENTRAPMENT! (AN: I decided to add a little more. . . how to say?. . . pizzazz to his attacking power. I read online the roses don't actually do anything except distract the enemy so Sailor Moon can attack and I felt it my duty to power him up a bit. And I needed to add a bit of my own creativity to it, also!)
Youma restrained, the girls were ready for more kicks, then some extra power surges.
Saturn Silence Glaive. . . SURPRISE!
Neptune Deep. . . SUBMERGE!
And in a flurry of bright marine and purple, the youma was finally ready for Sailor Moon.
Moon Scepter. . . ELIMINATION!
In a pile of dust now, they were in no danger for the moment. Moon detransformed, followed by her senshi, and stalked past Tuxedo Mask without even acknowledging he existed. Not even a simple "Thanks". Not that anyone blamed her, though.
~*~*~*~*~*~
As she was walking towards her home, Serena heard Haruka running behind her. ~Always there when needed.~ she thought with a smile. Without turning around, she asked, "Where did you send the others to wait for us?" Taken momentarily by surprise, Haruka stumbled on her words at first. "Um. . . Huh?. . . To wait. . . I mean, to the mansion." ~Wow. That was surprisingly hard to say!~ Haruka thought, for no particular reason.
"Well, you can report back to them that Darien will not be affecting my leadership role with the scouts. It is way too important to mess that up! Make sure Raye especially gets it!" she burst into tears, and ran off before Haruka even knew what happened. She started to run after her, but was stopped short by Tuxedo Mask leaping in front of her.
"What did you say that made her run off crying like that?!" he practically yelled at the Princess of the past Uranus. Now, if he had any sense, he wouldn't have acted so worried, but he was in a very emotional frenzy. Fortunately, Haruka was so angry she didn't take notice. "What I did??? How about what YOU did?!?!?!" she nearly screamed at him and took off toward the mansion, taking out the communicator that Luna had given her and the other new-comers two days ago. "Guys, we need to talk to Serena I think. She just took of wailing and I am just hoping she doesn't do anything she will later regret." And she signed off.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Sure enough, when they arrived at Serena's home, she was in a frenzy trying to come up with ways to make Darien pay. Obviously, she had gotten over the denial stage of grief, and was well into the next part, anger. "I will show that stupid baka! Now, I know he is allergic to macadamia nuts. I will ask Lita to bake some cookies with them in it! Yea. . . now I just need to find out what that home wrecker is allergic of. Then I will terrorize them with their worst fears with my disguise pen! Darien is totally afraid of clowns. Not a lot of people know that, though. It will be PERFECT!!!!! Maybe mice or bugs will work with Kyra. . ."
"Um, Serena? Are you Ok?. . ." asked Michiru. "Of course I will bake the coo-" started Lita, who was furious with the couple, but she was cut off by Raye. "Don't help her or give her any ideas!" she whispered harshly in her friend's ear. "Oh, I will be just peachy once Darien pays for breaking my heart into tiny, itsy, bitsy, miniscule, little pieces. Then I will be just as happy as ever!" she said cheerily with a big smile. Mina came over. "Serena, I hate to say it, but two wrongs don't make a left. Revenge will not help."
All the other girls sweat-dropped. Mina looked around. . . "What?" "Don't you mean two wrongs don't make a RIGHT?" corrected Lita. "Isn't that what I said?" asked a now confused Mina. "Never mind, you guys. Now, how are you gonna help me torture Darien and that other. . . person?" Setsuna sighed. "Serena, we are not going to help in THAT way. We are going to try and help you get over him." Serena saw this as a point to contradict. "Oh, I am SO over him. I just want to make him miserable is all." This was said in the most serious manner possible. Weird.
"Ok, ok. Setsuna, I would do ANYTHING to get him back! Lets face it. I will never love anyone more than I did him, and anything is worth giving up to have him back!" Onward to the stage of bargaining. "Well, this is getting better, now isn't it? Only two more stages left in the ladder of grief!" chimed in Amy. "Wait. . . the next is depression. Never mind. . ." At the sound of this, Serena started her heart-wrenching wailing again. "I think that is the shortest amount of time I have seen anyone go through bargaining ever." said Raye in awe.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Darien sat down next to Kyra. She had no idea where he had disappeared off to, but was glad he was back. She in no way was in love with him, or even close for that matter, but as long as she was winning over Serena, she didn't care either way. ~I wonder why I resent that little girl so much as to go through this trouble.~ Kyra wondered. But in her mind, that didn't really matter.
"How about we skip dinner. I'm not all that hungry anyway," she suggested. "Where would we go then?" Darien was puzzled by her retraction of their date. "I was hoping the mall or something."
She had overheard Mina talking to Amy about it earlier before they all had run out of the arcade. They were planning a massive shopping trip to cheer their friend up, and she wanted to mess it all up for them. ~Wahaha!~
An hour later, she and Darien pulled up in front of the Tokyo Mall. Kyra had decided that since it had been 2 months since they first got together, they should celebrate by him buying her a big, expensive gift. ~As log as I am using him, I might as well make it good!~ she thought with glee. In all honesty, she thought he was way too mysterious and book-wormy for her likes, but you take what you get. It was better than no one, she supposed.
Soon, she saw the big group of girls walking a little ahead of her and Darien, and they all turned into a new clothing store. "Darien!!! I want to look in there! They just opened and have all the BEST stuff!" she squealed, Darien in tow behind her. She immediately noticed that to get Serena jealous wouldn't be as hard as she thought for there was not a single rack of clothing higher than one's waist, and they would be in plain view where ever she wanted to enact her plan. Quickly, she again began to drag him over a bit closer to the others, while saying, "It is so nice of you to take me out tonight, Darien! I am really having a ball!" just loud enough for the larger group to hear.
When Kyra knew they had their attention, she quickly reached up and made an attempt to kiss Darien. Fortunately, he still had a bit of dignity to hold up and gave her the cheek, whispering, "Not in public, Kyra. . ." looking cautiously over his shoulder in the general direction of Serena and her dangerously close friends. (AN: He isn't THAT evil! He still has feelings for our hero! No kisses till later, heeheehee!!! BTW, that is also a literary device know as foreshadowing, wink wink, nudge nudge. . .)
Darien said to Kyra, "I don't think any of the clothes in here are worthy of your beauty." And pulled the little witch, who was pouting all the way, to the next store.
~*~*~*~*~*~
After the couple's hasty retreat, Lita turned to Haruka with a begging look. To put it simply, it said "Can we kill them now?" Haruka's returned glance answered a quick, "I wish, but no."
Serena had obviously seen and heard the whole deal with her ex, but had gotten over the whole "He's not with me" thing. The only part that was tying her to them and depression over the whole thing was that he would be so cruel in the way he showed his disinterest in her. Even thought she had been the one to leave him, she felt that it was in all ways his fault, and no one could disagree with her. Yes, she believed she was almost totally over him. Very much closer, in fact than anyone knew, really.
Just then, the clerk that worked at the store came over to ask if they needed any help. "No, thank you," said Serena politely.
"Hey. . . Don't I know some of you from school? You are Serena, right? And Amy, Lita, and Mina?" The four girls were flattered that this handsome young man was showing interest in them. Raye quickly elbowed Mina, giving a silent reminder that she already had a boyfriend.
Then he turned his attention back to Serena. "I know this is a bit sudden, but would you like to see a movie later on tonight?" he shyly asked her. After but a moment's delay, she agreed to meet him here at 7:00pm, and she and her guardians left, all happy and smiling that Serena had finally gotten past depression, and into acceptance, the last stage of grief. Darien Chiba was out of her life for good (besides fighting the Negaverse!). . . so it seemed.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Ok!!! I am so incredibly sorry it took me so long to write this, but I was building my web page, and that took a TON of time. And it STILL isn't done yet! Argh is all I have to say to that. . . Onward! I would have to say that in all, this chapter was kind of hard to write, and Part 2 will be a bit hard as well, because I don't have all the details sorted out in my head yet! We Floridians know that F-CAT is really annoying, and we started it yesterday, so that WOULD have prohibited me from writing, but I never study for the stupid thing any way. It is just too easy to pass w/o wasting my time! I still need someone as a editor, but I can live w/o that right now. Just if you are really bored n like to read chaps before they get posted, email me! Also, if you want to be notified when I update, send me an email saying so. Oh, and as always, REVIEW! It really brightens my day-seriously!
~*Lil-PrincessK*~