Disclaimer
I do not own Sailor Moon (unfortunately), so don't sue me. I don't have any money anyway. If I did I would spend it all on manga and anime ^_^;
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A/N: Sorry it took so long to update. I was on a flow, but then I left my computer, and the flow stopped. But I got it back, and so here it is...an update. Enjoy! ^^

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Friends First
-Chapter 5-

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Serena was so caught up in her thoughts that she wasn't watching where she was going. Before the smiling figure could make it to her, Serena bumped into someone else. She waited for impact with the floor, but it never came. Instead, she found herself being held by well-toned arms. Blushing, she looked up to meet midnight blue eyes.

They stared at each other for a while, not noticing the, now scowling, figure retreating into the shadows. Just before the figure had fully gone, Serena looked away from Darien and saw a wisp of whitish-blue hair. She blinked, and the wisp of hair was gone. Shrugging it off, she turned her attention back to Darien, her cheeks coloring ever so slightly more.

"Oh! Darien! I'm so sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going." Darien shook his head.
"It's okay. No harm done..."

Darien was interrupted as Serena looked behind him towards someone else and started waving.

"Hey Rei!"
"There you are Serena! Come on, let's go! The car's waiting, Mina and Ami will meet us there."
"Okay..." Serena turned back to Darien and flashed him an apologetic smile, "Again, I'm sorry. See you later!"

Darien was not the only one watching Serena walk off. As soon as everyone had turned away, the figure slipped out of the palace through the shadows, and began to follow the path Serena and Rei had taken. He walked quickly, quietly, and undetected. Once he was safely away from the palace, he let out a smug smile. The royal family must be very confident that no one would threaten them, try to assassinate them, or enact a terrorist attack. Their security was lacking, he had gotten onto the palace grounds and into the palace quite easily.

The figure, a man about 5' 11" with whitish-blue hair, stepped out of the shadows and walked towards a black car with tinted windows. Another man with dark blue hair was waiting for him as he got into the passengers' seat.

"Did you find her?"
"Yes, I did, Shane*." He turned towards the driver and motioned with his hand towards a navy blue car. "Follow that car discreetly please."

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Serena kept glancing behind. Was it just her, or was that car following them? She began to get nervous, and decided to voice her thoughts to Rei.

"You know what? I've noticed that too. Hold on a moment."

Rei murmured something to the driver, then started dialing on her cell phone. When Rei finished her call, they had gotten onto a highway. Serena gave Rei a questioning look.

"What's up, Rei?"
"I have a plan to ditch the stalkers."

As Rei finished telling Serena her plan, the car stopped in front of a small boutique.

"Remember, casual--nothing out of the ordinary. Look for something appealing to try on, and get to the fitting rooms."

With a nod, they got out of the car and walked into the store. They began making small talk while looking through the racks of clothing. Out of the corner of her eye, Rei spotted the "stalkers" parked a block away. She snatched up a dark red halter-top and a black ankle length skirt with a slit up to the knee. Smiling, she walked towards the fitting rooms--Serena was already there.

Quickly exchanging clothes with their doubles, they waited. Their doubles purchased the clothes they had looked at, and walked out towards the car. Rei prayed silently that the plan would work.

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Derek watched as a blonde woman and a raven-haired woman stepped back into the navy blue car they had been following. He had not a clue that the women that got into the car were just decoys. Giving the same directions as before, they began following discreetly again, none the wiser.

As they stopped near a dock, he realized they were about to board a ship. Why? He had not realized the princess nor his goddess had any plans of going out to sea. That was when he took a closer look at the passengers of the car they were following, and cursed. How could he not have known? These were decoys! He had been duped! Growling in frustration, he barked orders at the driver to take them back to the hotel.

He berated himself for not knowing he was following decoys instead of the real thing. He should have known! There were major differences between this blonde woman and his lovely golden goddess. He let out a deep-frustrated sigh. He thought he had her, that he could finally make her his, but she was just out of his grasp. Someone speaking to him interrupted his thoughts.

"Why do you still want her? Evelyn* would be more than happy to become your wife. And we don't have to go around stalking her."
Derek glared at his brother momentarily.
"It's none of your concern. Why did I even bring you?"
"Good question. Why did you bring me along?"

Shane didn't receive an answer because Derek had not heard the question; he was staring off, thinking.

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It had been a long day. Serena was exhausted and glad to be back in the palace. She decided to have dinner brought up so she could get started on the work she had abandoned. Putting down several small bags of souvenirs, she cracked her knuckles and powered up her laptop.

The day had gone well after the "little" incident. In fact, Serena had to admit, it was fun. She had met Mina and Ami. Both were complete opposites of each other-the only thing they had in common was blue eyes, and even those were different-but Serena liked them both immediately. Mina was very outgoing, while Ami was very shy. They both had dreams that they were on their way to fulfilling. Serena always admired anyone who tried to achieve their dream; even more so for those who succeeded.

A knock interrupted the steady clicking of the keyboard keys.

"Come in." Serena yelled.

"Please just put it over on the nightstand." She instructed once she heard the door open and someone shuffle into the room, not even looking away from the screen.

"As you wish, Princess."

The voice made Serena swivel around in chair. The person who had spoken was in a mock bow, a playful glint in his eyes.

"Darien! Oh...I didn't...But...I..." Serena flushed. "Sorry, I thought you were a servant sent to bring up my dinner."

"No such luck. But I did come here for that same exact reason." Darien motioned to the food. "I brought up your dinner instead."

"Thank you." Serena replied as she walked towards the food.

"Working late again?"

"Late?" Serena repeated, glancing at the clock. She didn't even notice how late it had gotten, until now. Giving Darien a sheepish smile, she replied, "I guess so."

Serena and Darien held a conversation all through Serena's dinner, and continued it after she finished. They talked about anything and everything for several hours. Darien had brought up the ball, which Serena reluctantly agreed to go to. As it got later, Serena's eyelids began to drop and she let out a molar exposing yawn.

"I guess you better get to bed."
"I guess so."

Serena got up and began her bedtime routine. Letting out a yawn of his own, Darien decided he should be getting to bed too.

"I'm going to go now. Okay Serena?"

Serena walked out of the bathroom clad in a silky nightgown that clung to her curves, accentuating them perfectly. Her hair was loose, not in it's usual meatball style, and some of it flowed over her shoulders. It looked silvery in the moonlight streaming in through the windows. She had discarded her fake glasses on her nightstand long ago, and her blue eyes were crystal clear.

Darien sucked in a breath, and his heart started pounding. She looked so beautiful, like an angel. She smiled brightly, then nodded her head.

"Alright."

Darien tried to do something else other than stare, but it was for naught. She was too beautiful. He watched as she gracefully walked-no, floated-over to him. Serena snapped her fingers in front of him, finally breaking him out of his reverie. His cheeks colored slightly, which was rare-Darien hardly ever got embarrassed.

"S-s-sorry." He stammered. "What was that?"

Serena giggled, "Is this going to become a regular occurrence; me repeating myself? I said, 'Alright'."

Darien's cheeks colored even more. "Right. I'll be going then..."

Serena walked Darien out, but before she could close the door Darien stopped her.

"Serena, would you like to go somewhere special tomorrow?"

Serena's eyes brightened. "Of course!"

Darien smiled. "Great! I'll be by to get you around 10. Be ready."

He began walking away, but this time, Serena stopped him.

"Good night, and sweet dreams Darien."

He turned back towards Serena, and leaned down. Giving her a kiss on the cheek, he replied, "You too Serena."

He continued his walk towards his room, leaving a smiling Serena at her door.

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A/N2: How'd you like that? No cliffie this time. Well, at least I don't think it's a cliffie.

*Shane=Sapphire (I thought I should use everyday names instead.)
Evelyn=Emerald

Notes:

Kyle=Kunzite (Serena's older brother)
Jedrick=Jaedite (Serena's cousin)
Zeke=Zoicite (Serena's cousin)

Derek=Diamond

Kyle, Jedrick, and Zeke own their own company. Serena is the heiress to Moonlight Inc. if she gets married before she turns 25 (although she is currently trying to change her parents' minds about that), or else the company goes to Sammy.

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Thank Yous

kino amiko kun: thanks! glad you like the little note. ^^

princess2000204: hope you like this update. ^_~

Shygurl7: Here's your long awaited new chapter. Hope you like.

peaches21: You should've guessed! ^_~ Oh well, now you know who it is.

SaKuRa LoVa: I know...this update took a while...but I hope it was worth the wait.

christine12: Oh no! Not puppy eyes! Can't-Resist...ahhh...okay I gave in. ^^ Hope you like this chapter.

PINK: thanks! You know...I was thinking of doing Serena and Darien fights, but I went a different route ^_~

Wolfblaze: Updated! Hope you like! :D

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