Disclaimer: I don't own Sailormoon.
A/n:
Angel: ~Thanks~
Michiru Reann: Really appreciated the review.
Lexi: Darien/Sere. Thanks for the review. ;0
Rini: Thanks a lot!
CelestialShadow: Big thanks!
Dim: It is. ^_^
Raven Pendent: Thank you!
Serenity Bliss: Thanks. I hope that you weren't bothered too much with the grammars and spelling.
Lin Linh: I'm glad that you like it enough to review! I feel honored. ^_^
Moonrose888: Thank you!
Serenity's rose: The couples are Sere/Dare of course! And maybe a Seiya/Rei? Thanks for reading!
Sweet and sour gal: Thanks for the advice, really appreciated it. I hope that you will continue on reading this story, I need all the help that I can get from other fellow writers and critiques from readers. And about the question where they are popular or beautiful? I don't think it really doesn't matter much in this story for now. But they are beautiful don't you think? And maybe they are not exactly the popular queens but they are well-liked.
Marie: Thanks!
* Big thanks to the reviewers! *Hugs them all* I really appreciated all the advice and boost of confidence in continuing this story so I'm dedicating this chapter to the reviewers. ^_^
Chapter 4 She Makes Me FeelA day before the dance, it was Friday. Serena and her friends were at the park sitting on the grass. Darien, Andrew, Seoya and his brothers approached them. Serena looked up to Darien a question in her eyes. Darien silently shook his head. Serena looked disappointed for a moment but a bright smile replaced it all away.
"So what have you girls got planned?" Andrew asked smiling as he sat beside Mina. Mina shrugged and looked at Serena. Serena just shook her head. "I really didn't thin about anything…I just thought about the food." She said almost sheepishly.
"Hey, why don't we sing for you?" Seiya asked suggesting.
Darien rolled his eyes but couldn't protest seeing Serena's eyes light up.
"Really?" Rei asked softly staring at Seiya.
Seiya glanced at her as though seeing her for the first time. "Would you like to sing with us Ms. Rei? Usagi here told me that you're a great singer yourself." Seiya answered her with a warm smile and directed his attention to Usgai.
Rei blushed and gave Serena a sort of glare. Serena grinned. She gave her friend an urging smile. Seiya held out a hand to Rei and pulled her up.
Seiya began to sing…Serenai held her breath.
"Consider this a special performance to special audience." Seiya spoke in his pretend microphone, his eyes traveling towards where Serena sat. Taiki and Yaten brought out a guitar and made for what they can with the drums.
Song:
"That was great!" Serena clapped enthusiastically followed by the rest. Darien did so grudgingly. "Let's eat!" Serena suggested already hungry.
"Mmmmmm! Your cooking is always delicious Mako!" Serena praised as she grabbed for another slice.
"Slow down Sere and leave some for the rest." Mamoru scolded jokingly.
Serena frowned then broke a piece of the tart that she was going to eat and handed it to Darien. Darien looked surprise. "No you eat it." Darien protested. Serena silently shook her head and continued on holding out the tart to him. Serena opened her mouth and demonstrated. "Just say Ahhh."
Darien with no choice left opened and his mouth and found a big piece of tart protruding his mouth. Serena looked satisfied. "Next time when you want to eat just say so." Serena cocked handing him another piece. Darien shook his head mutely his mouth still full. Serena shrugged and ate the piece herself.
"Oh no! I forgot the other cooler with all the drinks in the car!" Mina exclaimed.
"I'll go get it." Seiya volunteered standing up.
"I'll go with you." Darien spoke quickly. Others shot him a look of surprise but he didn't mind it and walked ahead of Seiya.
At the car… "Whew, thanks for the help, man." Seiya spoke grateful as he began to close the trunk of the door.
"I need a favor." Darien spoke abruptly.
Seiya looked at him in surprise. "The Great Darien Chiba needs a favor from me?" Seiya joked smirking. He didn't laugh anymore when he saw that Darien was dead serious. "So what is it?" Seiya asked curious.
"I need you to take Serena to that dance on Saturday." Darien commanded.
"Whoa…you mean as in her date?" Seiya asked surprised at the favor.
"No." Darien snapped.
"But I thought you wanted me to take her?" Seiya asked confused.
"Yes. But you can say no if you want to." Darien added hastily.
"But I want to take her. I wanted to ask her since a few days ago." Seiya spoke with a slow smile.
"Whatever." Darien answered irritated. "Just don't make nay moves on her or you'll pay." Darien threatened looking at the popular singer darkly.
"Hey…sure man. You know I'm not that kind of guy to jump on a girl. I'm your boy-next-door guy." Seiya protested.
Darien rolled his eyes and stalked off.
"Aren't you going to help me carry these?" Seiya called out eyeing the two heavy-looking coolers.
***
Darien turned the other way and took the longer route back to the others. "The things I'll do for her." He thought sulking. How he hated Seiya's smiling, smirking…at the thought of taking Serena! "Grrrr…" Darine thought his fist clenched.
"How could Serena like that guy? Seiya's a smooth talking womanizer." Darin thought with a nod. "Well, how can she like an insensitive anti-social snob like you?" His conscience asked. "Cause I'm her best friend." Darien rationalized.
"Whatever…" (Imagine that little voice in your head speaking ^_^ ) "Why are you so annoyed anyway? It's just for one measly night. Hey…maybe you're jealous!" The voice teased.
"Am not!" Darien snorted. "Serena and I are best friends. We made a pact that we wouldn't ruin it by risking it into something more." Darien argued. (Note: this is all thinking in his head and he's not actually talking or else he'd be crazy talking to himself!) "It's just that I'm sure Seiya is going to make a pass at her and I've got to protect my best friend!" Darien defended.
"Yeah, yeah so now what are you going to do?" The voice mocked.
"I've got to go to the dance and protect her." Darien thought determined.
"Aren't you being too over-protective?" The voice smirked.
Darien scowled. "It doesn't mean anything right? Serena's my best friend." Darien consoled himself. "Girlfriends… I can have anytime I want and whomever I want. But Serena is the only best friend I have." Darien thought to himself as he made his way back.
***
"Hey dare did you get lost?!" Serena shouted loudly stifling a giggle as she made her way to intercept him across the path.
"No just did some thinking." Darien answered with a wry smile, His eyes full of humor.
"What? You think?" Serena teased.
"Of course I do. You're the only one who doesn't do any thinking, Odango." Darien teased back with affection.
"Ouch! How many times have I told you not to call me that?" Serena asked frowning hands on hips trying to be scolding. In truth she really didn't bother.
"C'mon! Let's go or they are going to leave us! They had threatened to leave you five minutes ago." Serena spoke starting to get worried as they made their way to the parking lot, the clouds starting to turn gray just above them.
"Oh no!" Serena groaned as an empty parking lot greeted them, at the same time tiny droplets of rain started falling. When a loud crash of thunder was heard.
"Hurry run for shelter!" Serena shouted and ran furiously to where?
Darien followed her but there was no shelter except the huge trees. Moments later, there was an outpour drenching them both wet.
Serena stopped running suddenly. "Why did you stop?" Darien asked.
"I'm wet already." Serena answered simply and started to walk normally as though it weren't raining at all. Darien followed her, hating the coldness and the way his clothes started sticking against his body.
"Where are we going?" Darien asked loudly to be heard from the harsh rain falling steadily fast like beating drums. Serena didn't answer and was humming a happy tune.
"Sometimes I don't believe you. We're drenching wet and you're humming a song! An annoying song at that!" Darien muttered.
Serena turned towards him. "Hey? Remember that old shack we used to play at here in the park? Wanna know if it's still there?" Serena asked.
Darien nodded willing to do anything to get out of the rain.
***
"Ah! Dry land!" Darien spoke gratefully as he shook his head. He heard a giggle behind him.
"You look like a dog after taking his bath." Serena laughed at Darien soaking.
"Look who's talking! You're not exactly dried up either." Darien shot back.
"Well, it's your fault that we were left behind. Seiya had came back minutes ago." Serena blamed him.
"No one asked you to wait for me." Darien answered miffed.
"Aw! Would I leave my best friend behind? What kind of a friend would I be?" Serena answered hugging him from behind.
Darien stiffened. "What do you think you're doing?" He asked softly.
"Hmmm? Hugging you." Serena answered.
"Well, get off since you're making me more wet!" Darien spoke frowning turning towards her.
Serena grinned and moved steps away towards the window. She then turned to look at him, "I love the rain! Don't you?" she asked with a large smile.
"Ugh! What's to like?" Darien answered grumpily as he sat at the wooden floors.
"It's so soothing and refreshing." Serena answered with a sigh and sat next to him.
After a few moments of silence, "So are we just going to wait here till the rain lightens up?" Serena asked.
"Darien nodded. "Then we'll go check out the new apartment that I had just rented." Darien answered.
"Ok. I'll rest for awhile first." Serena answered with a yawn and laid her head on his shoulder.
***
Minutes later, Serena was resting peacefully on the floor with an old pillow on her head that Darien had placed. Meanwhile, he was staring outside and watching the rainfall, this time thumping softly against the ground.
He heard a moan and glanced back towards Serena, a soft smile making its way on his lips and warmth on his eyes. He came closer and squatted just above her. His hand touched her face tenderly. "Do you know how important you are to me Odango?" He asked softly not expecting any answer. He gently touched the stray hair that fell across her face and pushed them back. "I care about you more than I care for anyone else in the world." He whispered.
Suddenly an eye shot open, and a hand grabbed his.
Darien's eyes widened and he became rigid like ice.
A/n: Cliffe! Maybe not much update till Friday but if I get lucky maybe I'll update sooner. Wish me luck everyone! It's going to be my final exams so I have to study study and study and do thousands of projects. And of course don't forget to review! Since it always cheers me up.