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White Lies

Chapter 7 Part 1

"Darien!" The shrill scream echoed throughout the small cott and past the glimmering lake where the dark-haired man sat thinking.

Darien jumped and tripped over a rock edged into the dirt behind him, falling face-first onto the ground. This was just NOT his day… Jumping to his feet, Darien sighed. What did he do this time? With a choked gasp, he realized that he had forgotten to close the door to his room. 'Does she know?' He wondered in worriedly as he hurried back to the cott.

But that was not the case. As Darien pushed open the door, a yellowish-blonde blur flew past the furniture and crashed straight into him. He stumbled back a few steps and threw a hand on the wall to stable himself. Smelling the familiar scent of vanilla and cherry blossoms, he sighed contentedly.

"Serenity… what is it?" He looked down at the young Princess.

"A-a SPIDER!" She sniffled and ran behind Darien's back.

He cocked an eyebrow and looked around the cott. "Spider…?"

"Yes! There!" Serenity timidly pointed a finger towards the sofa.

Darien walked towards the couch and flicked the small spider off. "Well, it's gone now, so I supposed you can come in?" He grinned lopsidedly.

"No! Now, it' probably running all over the place!" Serenity shuddered and took a few steps back.

Darien sighed again. He quickly located the spider and picked it up, flinging it out the door. "There. Now, come in before you catch a cold!" He dragged her in the door and shut it firmly behind her.

Serenity breathed a sigh of relief. Throwing herself onto Darien, she kissed him lightly on the lips. "Thanks."

Darien put his forehead against hers. "Serenity…"

She put a finger to his lips. "Shush. I know what you have to say. I'll visit. I promise."

"No. It's too risky. No one must know about… us." Darien spoke carefully.

"Fine. I'll sneak here."

"No."

"Why not? I promise, no one will know Darien!" She pouted.

Darien almost choked. "Ok… just… cut with that face…" He trailed off.

Serenity grinned. "Gotcha."

Darien cocked an eyebrow. "Don't they teach you to "speak properly" in the palace?"

Serenity rolled her eyes. "Unfortunately, I've never listened."

Darien shook his head. 'And I thought I was the only one who never listened…'

~

"Luna, is everything prepared and ready?"

"Yes, of course Your Majesty."

"Good. And you said something about the Prince of Earth?"

"Yes, but he is nowhere to be seen. I've heard something about the fact's that he's been gone from the palace for awhile."

"I see… Any reports on his location, or where they suspect him to be?"

"No… but I've heard chatter about him disguising himself."

"I see…"

~

Serenity yelped in surprise as the blonde Senshi appeared before her. Within seconds, Darien rushed to the scene.

Mina giggled at the sight of the two; flustered, yet relieved. "So… what's going on with you two?"

Serenity blushed; Darien raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean Mina?"

Mina sighed. "Serenity… any idiot can figure out that something obviously happened between you two." She flashed a devious grin at her.

Serenity was stuck on words.

"Come on. Why don't you tell me about it when we get back?"

"All right…" She sighed dejectedly.

Mina looked from Darien to the Princess. "Damn it!" She feigned. "I left the communicator at the Palace. Be right back!"

Darien stared as Mina's form disappeared in thin air. "Wow… how did she-"

"It's called teleportation. All the planets have it, except Earth." Serenity smiled sadly.

"Then how did she-"

"We have to use our own energy to teleport here. It's quite tiring."

"Sere…"

She bit her lip as she ran into his arms. "I love you…"

**

Meanwhile, in a nearby bush, Mina sighed contentedly. "I wish I had someone to love me like that…"

**

He brushed wisps of pale blonde away from her face. "Don't…"

"Darien, I'll-"

"Shush. I know. I'll miss you too, but I don't want to risk it anymore, okay?" He rested his head against hers.

She nodded slowly as she finally let go of him. "You can come out now Mina." She sighed.

Darien cocked his head questioningly. A sheepish Venusian appeared from a bush with twigs and leaves nestled in her hair. "Serenity…"

"No! Zip!" Serenity made a motion across her lips as she looked at her exasperatedly. "You never change do you?"

Mina frowned but kept her mouth shut.

"Shall we go?" She gestured.

"All right Princess."

Without looking back at Darien, Serenity closed her eyes as the all too familiar feeling of her energy surrounded her. Everything disappeared and for a millisecond, she was surrounded by a silver glow, then the walls of the palace came into view.

~

This is only Part 1 of Chapter 7. Thanks to all of you for your support, any feedback is appreciated.