Okay! This chapter will be longer than the last. I'm sorry Chap. 7 was so short but I had to have my cliff hanger. Mwahahahahaha! Speaking of chapters, I don't know many chapters this story will have. I'll just write and count as I go along. Newayz, I'm starting to type up the first chapter of my next story so wish me luck. I hope you like 'No One's Slave' as much as u like this story. Enjoy this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. I have no money. Do not sue me. Thank you.
"You may chose to sit anywhere you like, Mr. Chiba. Once you've found your spot, tell me and I'll get a mat for you."
After he took off his shoes, Darien went straight over to Serena. He'd seen the dark-haired girl from last night but found himself attracted to and protective of the small blonde. Smiling, he gave her a light hug that was somewhat awkward because it took her a few seconds to respond. Everyone in the class was now watching the small affectionate scene. Who was he to Serena? Quietly asking a still drooling Mina to move one mat over, Ms. Hina gave Darien his mat and he sat. Serena's heart was in her throat. Her mouth was dry and she had no idea what to say to him. Her thoughts were every and anywhere:
Omigosh he's here he never said he'd be coming here maybe he didn't know he was coming the way he smiled at me maybe he likes me… no don't let your thoughts go down that path don't read what's not there he just happens to think that you're his friend and he's concerned for you…"
She did feel, however, strangely comfortable being with him. When he put his arm around her and asked her if she was okay, she nodded and laid her head on his shoulder, enjoying his warmth. Ms. Hina approached Darien for the last time.
"Also, Mr. Chiba, as you are new in school you will have an advisor. She will show you the ropes and around the school. As it happens, Serena is your advisor, and no one is better suited. She's one of our top students."
She beamed proudly at Serena and handed Darien his schedule.
"Welcome to St. Alban's."
The students applauded politely as they always did when a new student was brought in. Serena lifted her head from Darien's shoulder to move into a more comfortable position when she saw his schedule. She thought she saw a few classes of her own.
"Could I see that for a moment?"
"What, this…?" he handed her a sheet of paper. She promptly put it in her bag.
"No, this is the Advisor's Sheet. It's for me but I want to see your schedule."
"Oh…here. What's wrong with it?"
"Nothing, just…oh…my…god…"
"What? What is it?"
Serena shook her head in disbelief.
"They put you in all of my classes!!"
As she scrolled down his schedule, she wondered if she was dreaming. Darien, calm outwardly, was overjoyed in his heart. He tried to contain his excitement.
"Really?"
"Yes. Let me show you."
She opened her notebook and let him view her schedule. Darien smiled. 'This is great. Here I was thinking I would never see her again and there she is.' He was amused by the comical look on her face, eyes wide and her mouth open. He lifted her jaw gently with his index finger and closed her mouth. She looked and apologized.
"Sorry. It's just that I've never seen anything like this in my years of being here."
"Well, there's a first time for everything…wait…ears?"
"Yes, years. St. Alban's takes children 2 and up. The younger children's buildings are beyond this campus. I've been attending since I was 3 with my brother…"
"A brother…"
"Not anymore. He's dead."
"I'm sorry…"
"No, it's ok…"
He hugged her and she examined his face. She barely knew him. Was is possible for two people to become so close overnight? She didn't think so but…
'He protected you.', her conscience argued with her. 'And after that it's natural to feel close to him.'
'But we're cuddling like we've known each other for years…'
"Take a picture. It'll last longer."
"Excuse me?" She was brought out of her thoughts by Darien's voice.
"Pictures last longer. Plus, when I'm not with you physically you can have it there to stare at as long as you'd like until you see me again."
She laughed.
"I didn't mean to stare. I was just thinking."
"About what?"
"Things."
"What sort of things?"
"Just…things, Darien."
"I hope they were good things."
"They were."
She was in a silly mood, as was he, so she tickled him. The attempt failed.
"You're not ticklish!" she pouted.
He smirked.
"No, but I bet you are!"
He attacked. She squealed and tried to get away but he held her down with one hand and tickled her with the other. After awhile he stopped and her giggles subsided and they noticed the many people looking on with interest. Lita, Ami, and Mina were happy to see Serena laughing and having fun again. Beryl, in her little corner, was jealous. She didn't think that Darien held any real interest in Serena, and she wished it were she receiving all that attention from him instead of Tsukino. Diamond, on the other side of the room, under his wrappings, was infuriated. Although he'd cheated on Serena, he really had felt something for her. Thoughts of her turned over and over constantly in his head. In his exaggerated stupor the night before he had just wanted to rape her out of anger for her leaving him completely. Now he just wanted her, plain and simple. Badly. He knew he shouldn't still be feeling anything, but he couldn't help it. It made him sick with envy to watch the two cuddle, so he looked away. He would leave the girl alone. She wasn't worth dying for. Besides, Naru was a good playmate for now and he'd arranged a 'comfort session' with another girl later. The more he thought, the farther Serena was from his mind. Soon he'd forgotten all about her and was toying with Naru's shirt hem. Though battered and bruised, he wasn't much less devastating than he was before the beating, and his jewels hadn't been lost in the fight…
The chimes rang and he smiled. It was lunch hour. He put his arm around Naru's waist and led her to an empty classroom.
* * * * * *
Author's Note: The work beyond these stars is a totally different day from the one above. Thank you.
* * * * * *
Physical education. The last class of the day. She was so glad…she really needed to go home and lie on her bed and let the good memories of the day sink in. Her baton twirled up and came back down. She caught it effortlessly. She wondered if she had any chance with Master Chiba. The baton went up again. He acted as thought her were her brother and yet… It was caught. A part of her earlier conversation with Rei flashed in her mind.
"How long, exactly, have you known him?"
"For a month now. Since the gala."
"So what's bothering you?"
"He acts like my big brother."
"And? What's wrong with that?"
"I like him more than as a big brother.:
"Ooh…BIG problem."
"Exactly."
"And he hasn't shown any signs of wanting anything other than a brotherly relationship?"
"Well…"
"Yes?"
"It doesn't seem like it at times, but then at others he looks at me like…well, you know how boys look at you when they like you."
"I suggest you ask him how he feels about you."
Serena was stunned.
"What?! Are you joking? Me?! What if I'm rejected?"
Rei shrugged her shoulders.
"So you'll be rejected. And you'll get on with your life."
"But I don't want to move on! I want him!"
"How many other people have you dated."
"Just Diamond."
"So how do you know Darien's 'The One'?"
"I just know."
"So you need to tell him."
"But I'm afraid…"
Up went the baton. Ask him indeed! The thought scared her to death. What if he said no? What if he said yess? She shook her head. She didn't know. The baton came down. Maybe she could get up enough courage to ask him. There was a chance he liked her. Why not? Why shouldn't he like her out of all the girls in the school? In the world, for that matter! She sighed. And missed the baton. She heard it's dull thud as it landed at her feet. Several people shifted to look at her including the instructor.
"What happened there, Serena? You re the best cheerleader I've got. You've never dropped the baton."
"Gomen, Miss Tomagochi. I guess my mind was elsewhere."
"It's quite ok, Serena. Let's start it up again, from the beginning. Okay! Pick 'em up, and one, two, three, repeat! Keep those legs stiff there! Move to the left…"
Serena looked over and beyond the fence. There, she could see Darien playing a round of tennis against Tomaki Ryen. He was losing. Badly. She laughed as he ran and fell gracelessly trying to hit an ace to his far right. She shook her head. She wasn't really expecting him to win against the best player in school.
The chimes rang for the last time that day. Serena picked up her bag from the sidelines before hailing Darien. He was soiled, sweaty, and completely worn out.
"So how does it feel to play on an all dirt court?"
"It's painful." He rubbed his arm tentatively. "My playing arm will be shot for at least two days and I think I pulled a hamstring trying to his play. Did you see him move? It was incredible!"
"But of course. Tomaki Ryen is our school tennis champion."
"School champion?! He told me he was an amateur, just starting out and he needed a warm-up."
"Warm-up is right. You were sweating beads out there, dying just to hit one shot."
"So where are we headed?"
"Home."
"My house or yours?"
She laughed.
"Slow down. I still don't know you that well."
"We could get to know one another."
"Ok, but not this afternoon. I've got homework and I need to get home."
"So…tomorrow afternoon?"
"That's fine. Bye, Chiba."
"Please call me Darien. It's much less formal and doesn't make me feel as old."
"You're such a ham!"
He waved and jogged to the front of the school, his tie flapping in the breeze. She watched him, smiling, and suddenly felt a hand clamp down on her shoulder. Thinking it was Rei she grabbed the hand.
"Let's go. I got permission from Mom to use her theater. It's great, you can't see the screen, so the movie looks like it's suspended in thin air…"
When she got no response, she turned to see who it was. Diamond's bruised face was 6 inches away from hers.
"I do remember saying that I wanted to talk to you. What, you were going to leave and have me here looking for you? Did you think I wasn't going to come back and talk to you about this?"
He pointed at his face.
"It was well deserved, Diamond."
"Well! It looks like someone grew a backbone. Who are you kidding? You wanted it as much as I did."
Serena tried to maneuver around him but he moved to block her way each time.
"Let me explain what the word 'no' means, Diamond. It is a negative expressing dissent, denial or refusal in response to a question or request. It emphasizes a negative statement. It means not in any degree or manner; not at all or a negative vote. Is there any part of that you don't understand? Or do I have to define 'negative' for you? I must have said no a thousand times last night as well as refusing physically. What part of my actions did you not get?"
Diamond sniffed.
"You girls, always saying no to begin with and then screaming yes after."
"I'll let you know from now that when I say no, I mean it."
A growl came from behind Diamond.
"And if you don't seem to understand what she says, I'll drop by and clear up any language discrepancies."
Diamond shrugged, but walked away.
"Thank you, once again. Why'd you come back?"
"Got worried when I didn't spot your ride or see you pass the gate, so I came back to look for you. It's a good thing I did. Are you sure you don't want a lift home?"
"Perhaps that would be best. I'm going to call my mom. I wonder what happened to my caddy?"
In the care she phoned her mom on her cell. An unusually perky voice answered.
"Hello?"
"Mother?"
"Serena, my darling. I just meant to call you. Your father and I are going away to London for two and a half weeks so you'll be staying at Momo's. I've sent all your things over and I've asked the servants to fix your room there the way it is at home."
Serena was quiet for a moment.
"This is why I love you mother. Thank you!"
"You're welcome, darling. The flight leaves in an hour so we've got to get going. Ta-ta Sere."
"Adieu, mama."
She ended the call.
"You seem happy. What did your mother say?"
"I'm staying at my godmother's for a while because my mother is going away on a business trip."
Darien smiled.
"What do you call 'a while'?"
"Two and a half weeks, approximately."
"That's great!!…What I mean is, I'll be glad to have someone to talk to. My age."
Inside he was ecstatic. 'She is staying…at my house…for over two weeks…YES!"
"So, after out work is done, what shall we do for fun this evening?"
* * * * * *
Whew! This chapter is finally done after long last. It took me forever to type it up but I hope you like. Chapter 9 isn't far away, and neither is 'No One's Slave'! Until next…
~ Moonlight Siren ~
