On the track and off - Chapter 8

Written by: Neo Queen Serenity Chiba

Rating: PG - rating may go up.

Genre: Romance/Drama

Editors: Only me.

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Hey, I'm back with another chapter. I hope you'll all like this one. Anyway please keep in mind that I don't own sailormoon or this hit drama also remember these characters weigh less and are shorter too. Anyway let's get the show on the road. Please R+R.

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The next few days, everyone except Mina, Andrew, Ami and Greg all raced with Serena and Darien all getting 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Everyone all got into the Hong Kong International Cup that was going to be held the next 3 weeks. Right now, since their race trails have finished and it was a day off for the jockeys and staff and it was also Josh's birthday. Instead of all going home, they all decided to decorate the cafeteria in their building, which isn't very far from their rooms and placed balloons, streamers everywhere. Lita just finished doing the last touches of the cake and place it on the counter. "Quick, Josh is coming!" shouted Chad and everyone rushed to their places then lights turned off and in came Josh. Lights turn on, "SURPRISE!" said everyone. Josh was stunned but pretend to look mad. "Ok, ok, ok what on earth is going on here?" Josh said.

"We'll celebrating your birthday sir, don't tell me you're going to punish us, are you?" said Serena.

"Well, as a matter of fact yes. So I want every bit picked up before I come back to see it spotless and clean" stated Josh and was grinning. "Oh man, you're joking," said everyone. Then Josh started to laugh. "Just kidding, you guys should've seen the look at your faces," said Josh. Then everyone laughed and started to celebrate for Josh. Everyone had a piece of cake and then the party was over. Back in Serena's room, she was getting bored and she had many things to think especially about Seiya and her relationship. 'If he is going to continue this drug thing then I'm sure this relationship is going to end very soon' thought Serena and decided to go his place.

5 minutes later, Serena arrived at Seiya's place, taking a deep breath she knocked on the door. Then Seiya open the door to find Serena in white baggy ¾ pants and in a pink sweatshirt. "Hey Serena" said Seiya. Serena smiled. "Look Seiya. You have to stop this. If you want this relationship to last, you have to stop this. This drug dealing isn't getting us anywhere!" said Serena as he faced Seiya. Seiya sighed. "Sere, please, just don't worry. Nothing is going to happen. Trust me. Anyway I have a surprise for you" he said. He reached in his pocket and out came a white gold ring with 3 little diamonds across. "Marry me, Sere" Seiya said. Serena was stunned and she hasn't given him an answer and he already slipped the ring on her finger. Serena looked up and gave him a fake smile and hugged Seiya. Seiya already knew the answer to this question and didn't bother to ask her. "So how about, I walk you back home eh?" said Seiya. Serena nodded and both of them walked out.

The next day, at Seiya's home, since Seiya was the youngest in his family, Scott was the second oldest and his older brother was Leon. They were all at home, since Leon and Scott just finished work and they all knew about the drug dealing and both of them had to talk to Seiya. So Leon got the shoebox out from his bed that was filled with money and threw the shoebox at Seiya's direction. "Where did you get the money from Seiya?" said Leon.

"Don't tell me you are cheating are you?" Scott said. Seiya was stunned than ever. "How did you find this?" Seiya said.

"That is none of your concern Seiya, now where did you get this money from?" said Scott.

"You're dealing drugs and you're cheating are you?" Scott continued.

"This is none of your business," said Seiya.

"Oh yeah it is, now tell me does Serena know this too?" said Scott.

"Don't tell me you have already reported this to the ICAC investigator have you?" said Seiya.

"That is none of your concern, now Seiya. Right now answer the question," said Leon. Seiya sighed. "Fine, yes I'm doing both things and only Serena knows what I'm doing" said Seiya. "Why this is none of your business too" Seiya continued.

"Well, somehow the ICAC already know what you are doing and they have already asked us, but Serena, I don't know" said Leon.

"Why don't you stop this Seiya? And just continue normally" said Scott. Seiya ignore them and ran away. Scott was about to chase after him until Leon told him to stop, that he needs time alone.

That afternoon at the track, Serena and Darien had different races and Darien was the first one to race. "Race 10, 1000m, on 1.30 is now getting ready. Please line up, " said in the speaker where Darien was in the male conference room. Darien was wearing a red and white top with the sleeves was white with red polka dots while the front and back was red. He went out of the room. Picked up his saddle and added weights and went to pick up Media Puzzle. He went to Media puzzle's stable and placed his number sheet, saddle, bridle and rein and a head cover that covers half of the horse's head except the eyes. He untied the lead from one of the bars and leads Media Puzzle out of his stable then he meets Michael. "Hey Michael" said Darien while placing his cap and goggles and then hopped on his horse. "Hey Dare. Good luck ok. I bet a lot on you too and Serena as well. Better give me a good raise on my money kid" and laughs. Darien laughs too. "I'll try hard Michael," he said.

"Well you always do, anyway here we go" said Michael. Leading Darien and Media Puzzle to the gathering ring, then after a few rounds of galloping or trotting, they were lead into the gates.

After 10 minutes of getting all horses to be lined up, Darien was already and he placed his goggles over his eye and gripped his whip and rein tight and then he heard the commentators said now that they were all lined up they're ready to race. Then the gates open and all of the horses took off including Darien racing on the outside of the pack. The 100m mark went pass and Darien increased speed a little and over took a few horses. The 50m mark went by and Darien increased more speed on Media Puzzle and went pass al the horses coming 1st a head. Darien was nearly at his goal and increased a bit more speed on Media Puzzle until he was 1m away from the others. Then he reached for his goal. Everyone in the crowd started cheering and Darien also had the same spirit doing the same what Serena done the other day so he did it. Then Media Puzzle slowed down and then Michael took the lead of Media Puzzle and went to the stand where they took photos with the reporters. It took 5 minutes with all the photography and Darien quickly went to get weigh then returned his saddle in its original spot and went to get changed.

For Serena she was already changed into her Jockey suit, the one that her sister gave and was fiddling with her ring. 'Don't worry, nothing will happen' a voice of Seiya rang through her head. 'Race 11, 1200m on 2.00pm is now getting ready. Please line up" Serena got up, with her cap and goggles and whip and walked out of the room. She picked up her saddle and added more weights, and went to get Serenity. Placing all the needs for her horse, she took Serenity by the lead and Yuen came to take it from there.

"Thanks Yuen" said Serena, placing her cap on, goggles above her eye and hopped on the horse. "You're welcome Sere. Have you been alright lately?" said Yuen with concern as he took Serenity to the gathering ring. "Well for me, I'm not quite sure myself too" said Serena. Yuen was confused. "What do you mean?" said Yuen.

"It's a long story, I'll let you know sometime" said Serena.

"Alright then, but just to let you know I'm always available when a problem comes crashing in ok" said Yuen. Serena started to giggle. "Well here we go. By the way, go wild ok. I have betted on you including Michael and Candy have betted on you too" he said. Serena smiled. "I'll try my best," she said

"As always anyway" Yuen stated. "Shut up" and smack him on the shoulder.

As Yuen lead Serena on the gates, she placed her goggles over her eyes and Yuen handed the lead to one of the gatekeepers. As she was lined up and all ready, she moved her goggles and gripped her rein tight with her whip. Then the gates opened and all this wild feeling came into Serena and she took off just outside of the horses. She overtook a few horses and was now on the middle. Still running Serena made sure that Serenity stayed in the same speed until she hit the 100m mark. From then Serena increased more speed on Serenity and over took the horses until she was coming second. Then the 50m mark was gone, and then she increased more speed on Serenity until she was 2m away from the other horses. Then she reached her goal to the finish line. Now she was grinning through the whole race even now with the photos that were coming too. As Yuen lead Serenity on the stand everybody took photos with Scott, Josh and the CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and the people that betted on Serenity. ' I bet that they are the same people that had betted on Media Puzzle' thought Serena and smiled one more time then got off Serenity and went to get weighed and changed.

After refreshing herself she decided to go find her friends. She found her friends at the cafeteria with Darien too. "Hey guys" said Serena

"Hey! What's up?" said Mina.

"Nothing much. Just finished that race" she said.

"Hey Dare. I saw what you did. What the hell happened? Once I saw that I started to crack myself laughing once I saw you on the track when I was on my way getting Serenity!" said Serena. Darien blushed. "Ah...... well...... like you said somehow Media Puzzle gave me the sprit to do that!" he said. Everyone started laughing including Darien. "Sure whatever" Serena said and wink at him. Darien went from light red to a darker red. "Looks like someone is really blushing!" Andrew said. Darien gave him a glare. "Shut up! Well, I'm going for all I care. See you later!" said Darien and got up and left. "Hey Serena. How's you and Seiya doing?" said Raye. Serena was stunned about Raye concern. 'Oh please don't tell me that the ICAC has got them interrogating too' thought Serena. "Well Seiya and I are doing fine. Why ask?" lied Serena.

"Oh nothing really. We're just worried about you. You know what I mean," said Ami. Serena smiled. "There's nothing to worry about. I'm just doing fine" she said. "Well, I feel like going for a jog. I'll see you later" Serena said and left. "She's lying you know" said Lita with concern. "I know. After the interrogation with us and the ICAC, we all know what Seiya is doing but I don't know why he is taking Sere with him too" said Luna.

"It's alright. Sere will figure it out too. She just needs time," said Ken.

"Yeah. That's all she needs then she will figure out what to do with Darien" said Greg

"Yeah man. I know Sere is a tough girl. Just don't worry ok" said Chad and everyone smiled.

That night, Serena was in a pink sweat jacket with a pink sweatshirt and ¾ white pants. She was sitting on the grandstand where she could see the finish line of the track. She remembered what happen the other night when 2 men in black and white business suits came. She knew they were from the ICAC.

Flashback

"Excuse me miss? We are looking for Serenity Moon" one of the men said.

"I'm her. Why do you ask?"

"We're from ICAC and we were wondering if it's alright to take a few minutes from your time to ask some questions"

"Is this about Seiya?"

"Why yes. Are you any relation part of Seiya?"

"I'm his girlfriend though"

"Well it is alright then?"

"Alright, show me the way"

"This won't take long. We promised" she smiled and was lead into a white van. The interrogation took only 2 minutes and they thanked her. "Thank you for answering the questions as much as possible Miss Moon"

"Please call me Serena"

"Well Serena, we might call you again sometime and this will go into court just to let you know. Thank you"

"You won't tell Seiya will you?"

"No, we won't we keep these confidential"

"Goodbye Serena"

"Bye" then they left.

End of flashback

Serena quickly shook the memory away then went to her room.

The next day, Seiya had a race around 5.35pm. After dressing in his jockey suit, he got his horse and went to get Taiken take his horse to the gathering ring then to the track. Then his race started for the 1200m ending up coming first. After the photo he went to get changed then asked all his friends to met him at the club and asked Serena and Darien to come along. Serena and Darien knew the ICAC were watching from the club and had a funny feeling something was going to happen. But still went. From the conference room of the Hong Kong International Jockey Club administration, all the people from the ICAC watched what was happening so far.

At the club, Seiya was celebrating with everyone in a private room at the club and he started to hand yellow envelopes. Instead of drugs this time it was watches and jewellery. As the ICAC saw this, they quickly went. It took only 2 minutes to get to the club and now was walking to the private room they were in. Serena and Darien were feeling uncomfortable and looked at each other. Their eyes were telling something and both of them understood. Then 4 men from the ICAC barged in. "ICAC, don't move!" they shouted and handcuffed all Seiya's friends and Seiya while Serena and Darien were to go and answer questions while the others did the rest.

At the ICAC headquarters, Leon, Scott, Serena and Darien's friends, Darien's parents and Serena's family were all waiting outside waiting for their loved one. Then Serena and Darien came out. "Sere! Dare!" they all said. While Darien was hugging Serena. "You're alright?" Elane said. Serena nodded and went to hug Elane. One of the ICAC men came to Serena. "Excuse me Serena," he said. Serena faced him. "Yes sir?"

"Can we have that ring that is on your finger?" he said getting a plastic bag. Serena stared at the ring on her finger then used her shaky fingers to take the ring off. Then she placed it in the plastic bag. "Its alright now Sere, now it has stop the war is only started in court" said Leon.

"Yeah, don't worry about it" said Scott. Serena let a shaky breath and a sad smile appeared. "Thanks. I'm sorry about Seiya. I tried my best to stop him but there's no help" she said.

"It's alright, we tried too" said Leon and placed a hand on her shoulder. Then she went to hugged Leon. "God. I didn't know what to do when he asked me to marry him," she cried. Then Seiya came out and Serena couldn't look at him and said to Becky "Can we go home. I'm tired"

"Sure honey. I suppose we might give some of you guys a lift home. William, Candice you don't mind taking some do you?" Elane said.

"No, not at all. I'll just call some more cars to come in" William said and called his house. Irene did the same thing as well. As Serena took the girls and Darien took the boys they all drop them off then the last stop was to Serena. As Candice and William stayed in the car Darien got out of the car while all the ladies and Serena came out of their car. "Serena! You're coming tomorrow right?" Darien said. "I don't know. But I'll come for a visit anyway to see Serenity" Darien nodded. "Ok then. Bye Sere" and left while Serena went back to the apartment.

The next day, court cases were going in the Hong Kong Supreme Court. All of Serena's friends, her parents and Darien's parents and Darien all went to court. Leon and Scott were there too for Seiya. Then as the judge came in, everyone stood up and then sat down when they were told. Then the cases started going for 2 hours then court had stop to continue the next day. Serena didn't know if she could continue racing.

That afternoon, she went to practice on the mechanical horse. She was going well and thought she can do it tonight, as it was the first time. As it was nearly time for Serena to race, she went to her room and got her equipment. Then she went to the changing rooms with her gym bag and got changed into a black and white stripe top with the white shirt and pants. The groom had cleaned Serenity and was already. She went to get weighted and get Serenity. "Hey Serenity" Serena said. Serenity started rubbing her head against Serena's chest. "I'm alright. Thank you for your concern. Well it looks like tonight is the first night race eh?" and Serenity made a sound and Serena giggled. "Come on" and lead Serenity out to Candy.

"Hey Sere. You're ok now?" said Candy.

"Yeah I'm alright" Serena replied and smiled.

"Well let's get a move on. By the way, we'll skip the gathering ring and we go to the track and do your little rounds there" Serena nodded and Candy lead then to the gates. There were only six horses on tonight's race and there wasn't may people due to there was only two races on that night and Serena was on the 2nd heat. As Serena finished doing Serenity's flexibility and stretches and she was then to go into a barrier that was near the rail. As everyone was lined up and ready, Serena placed her goggles over her eyes and took deep breaths as she gripped her rein and the whip tight. Then the gates open and she took off with the others as well. Going in the middle around the outside at the same speed from one of the horses then increased her speed when she passed the 50m mark, then she came first place. As Serena made Serenity slow down and came to a stop, she jumped off Serenity and handed her horse to one of the grooms. Then she went to the changing rooms. Then the night ended when she went to sleep to face the court again.

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Well there goes another chapter. Please R+R. I hope you all really enjoyed this chapter as I am making it as best as possible.

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27th February 2003 (but revised on 03 May 2004)

Neo Queen Serenity Chiba

serenity4darien@hotmail.com