Disclaimer: I don't own Sailormoon or any of its characters. They belong to Naoko Takeuchi.

Author's Notes: Hi, guys! This is an ALTERNATE UNIVERSE. Please read and REVIEW! That's all! Thanks!

Forever

by Maya Kitajima

Boy vs. Girl

"Rise and Shine!"

The sleeping blonde moaned as sunlight hit her eyes. However, she was suddenly roused when she realized that someone—a man—had gone inside her room and had opened the curtains. She rubbed her eyes hastily and saw a topless guy, wearing only a gray drawstring sweatpants. She blinked as she took in his large muscles and well-built body. She rarely sees him not wearing a shirt but nonetheless…

"Darien! Go away! What are you doing here in my hou—" She stopped, realizing that she wasn't anymore living in her place.

"When would you get used to living here, Serena?" He asked as he sat himself on the bed beside her. She curled against him to hide away from the sun.

"Please let me sleep more. Unlike you, I'm a night person so leave me." She muttered as she tried to get some more sleep.

"Sorry, honey. I set the rules here and every Saturday morning, we go jogging."

"Ugh! More health exercise! I don't want to, Dare."

"Are you sure? Co'z after that I'm gonna cook us some delicious breakfast." Serena's eyes snapped open.

"Breakfast?" She groaned. She knew how this guy could cook…It's more than delicious. And he knew she couldn't resist it.

"Yep! Maybe some crunchy bacons and yummy eggs and…"

"Stop!" Her mouth was watering already. "Okay! I'm going. Just wait a few minutes. I'm going to get ready." She said, but she didn't move from her lying position.

"Great!" Darien however pulled her up and dragged her to the bathroom. "Now when I come back I want you all dressed up." He closed the door behind him as he left. Serena yawned and sighed.

"This is what I get for having a bossy best friend…" She thought loudly as she started to undress. After that, she brushed her teeth and took a nice bath. She then went out wearing a towel around her and headed towards the cabinet. It was not long after she had put on her underwear when Darien, who now had a white shirt on, suddenly entered.

"Aaaahhh! Darien, have you ever heard of knocking! Get out!"

"Jeez, Serena. It's not like I've never seen you in your underwear before." He said, remembering the times he had to change her to her pajamas when she falls asleep there in his place.

"Well, whatever! Just get out." Darien threw his hands up.

"Fine. Okay. I'm leaving." And he did. Serena frowned as she put on her jogging pants and blue cotton shirt.

That guy is so annoying!

She put her hair back on a high ponytail and finally went out of the room. She found Darien sitting on the couch.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Yeah. Let's go."

"Darien, please wait for me…" She was exhausted and her thighs were aching.

"Tired already? Serena, we haven't run a mile yet."

"Please…can't we at least rest for a minute?" He shook his head and stopped running.

"Fine. Come on, let's sit there." She flung herself on the bench and tried to catch her breath. Her shirt was soaking wet because of his perspiration.

"Really, Serena. I can't believe you're worn out already."

"For once, shut up." Darien sighed.

"Oh, why can't girls run as fast as guys?" He complained. Serena, who had calmed down a little, poked him on the arm.

"Hey, some girls run faster than guys…no, MOST girls run faster than guys."

"Of course not! Guys are better than girls in everything. God made us first, you know…and He made you out of us."

"Fine, but He thought of us as equal beings."

"Really? Then why are guys better in basketball than girls?"

"Well, it's your sport. Girls are better in volleyball than guys."

"Of course not. Guys play volleyball as good as girls."

"No way."

"Prove to me then." Serena frowned.

"Fine! I'll take some lessons to prove myself."

"What lessons?"

"Uh…ballet and…gymnastics!"

"Whoa! This I've got to see."

"Great! Because later you are going with me when I enroll."

"Sure thing." He stood up and started walking.

"Where are you going? I said later, not now."

"We were jogging when you got tired, Serena. Now let's continue."

"Oh, okay."

Serena sighed heavily and stepped outside the air-conditioned building. It was a very long day for her. After school, she attended her ballet lessons, which started that day. She found it fun and interesting but nothing can compare to life without extracurricular activities. She envisioned the cozy bed at her new home…it feels so much like heaven that time. She was so tired that all she wanted was to sleep.

It's the first day I'm attending these lessons and I hate it already. Oh no…why did I make my week so full? On Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, it's Ballet. And on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, Gymnastics. Oh well, I guess I'll get used to it…

She tightened her grip on her bag as she noticed that she was walking on the deserted street that led to Darien's apartment.

I'm glad it's still day…I'll die walking here at night—

"Aa—" She screamed and was cut off when someone grabbed her by the mouth. Her heartbeat quickened as nervousness reigned her. She felt herself being taken to the dark alley in between two big buildings. Finally, her captor dropped her. She looked up at him terrified. He was a big muscled man with a bald head.

"W-what d-do you w-want from m-me?" She stuttered.

"Nothing, missy. I was just paid to beat you up."

"B-beat me up?" Tears formed in her eyes. "Why? Who asked you?"

"Shut up! I'm not telling you anything! Now prepare yourself! I'm planning to do this quickly so I can get my money." Her eyes widened with fear.

"No! Someone! Help me! HELP!" She yelled as she saw him snap his knuckles.

"Be quiet!" He punched her and she cried with pain.

"I said shut up!" He raised his hand to give her another blow.

"Stop!" She turned around immediately.

"Darien!" She cried. And in a second, she rushed to him. He embraced her as she cried in his arms.

"Shh…it's okay, Serena. I'll take care of this guy. Just stay here, okay?" Serena nodded and proceeded behind him.

"Who are you?" The man asked.

"My name is not important. What's important right now is that you get kicked on the face."

"Hah! Don't fool with me, young man. I guess I have to take you down first before I finish with the lady."

"Try me!" He yelled and rushed to him, fisting his hand. He gave him a blow…and another…but he was still standing. He punched the guy with all his might and finally, he dropped to the ground. This didn't finish the guy, nevertheless. He stood up and wiped the blood that trickled out the corner of his mouth.

"Darn you!" He shouted and hit Darien. He went flying in the air and landed on the ground with a big thud.

"Darien!" Serena cried. She was going to go to him but she saw that the guy was heading towards her.

"Go away!" She exclaimed. The guy smirked.

"Bye-bye, Missy." He hit her once…but as he got ready for a second, someone kicked him on the back.

"I won't let you touch her again!" Darien exclaimed.

"Darien!" Serena said, happy that he was okay. Darien ran towards the guy and punched him really hard on the gut. This made the guy weak at last.

"Tell me, who paid you for this?" He asked. When the guy didn't answer he kicked him again.

"I-it's Miss Laurent!" He said.

"Candice!" Serena exclaimed. She didn't know Candice could do something like this. Did she really hated her that much?

As the man fell out of consciousness, Serena noticed that Darien's head was bleeding.

"Oh my God, Dare!" She put his arm around her and helped him walk.

"I'm okay, Serena."

"No, you're not. It's good we're near your place already."

They trudged on the street until they reached his apartment. He moaned as she laid him down on the sofa."

"Wait here, I'm going to get water and a towel." As she got what she needed, he cleaned his wounds deftly.

"You shouldn't have fought him. We could have run away, you know. Look what happened to you." She said softly but firmly.

"But he hurt you, Serena."

"Still…"

"Stop worrying. I'm gonna be okay."

"Okay." She whispered hesitatingly. "Come, I'll help you to your bed." They went there and Serena stayed inside, watching over him.

"Serena…" He reached out his hand and she took it. "Thanks for cleaning my wounds…"

"It's my fault you got hurt, Dare. Thanks for saving me, by the way. You really beat that guy up. You're right…you guys are better than us…" He chuckled.

"But look at how you expertly treated my injuries. I wouldn't have done better." She grinned.

"Well, that just proves we're equal. Let's face it. There are some things that we are much better at and some that you guys are more excellent."

"You're right."

"As usual."

"Don't start."

He made his way through the halls of their school…eyes at fire and fist clenched. His bandaged head attracted even more attention than he's usually getting. Meanwhile, his golden-haired best friend followed from behind him.

"Please stop, Darien. You're going to ruin your reputation."

"I don't care. She almost killed us…and I'm not going to let her away without a word." By then they have reached her classroom. He opened it and stepped inside not hesitating a bit. He saw that pair of crimson eyes at once and made his way toward her. As she saw him, her air of arrogance vanished and her expression turned to a nervous one.

"Laurent." He called out firmly. He stopped before her.

"D-darien…" she made out weakly. Everyone saw how her body jumped as he pounded the table beside him.

"I am totally displeased with what you tried to do! Are you aware of the consequences you're going to receive by asking someone to beat Serena up? Students of Cambridge High are known for their good personality. You just ruined our reputation through that! I'm going to ask the principal to give you a detention, Laurent. And if you know who I am don't even try to run away or get revenge." He was going to say more but Serena pulled his arm.

"Please stop it already, Dare." She pleaded.

"Serena…" He took one last look at Candice and left.

Later, outside the school building, Serena grinned at him.

"You really showed it to her, Darien."

"I was going to show her more but you stopped me."

"You were starting to scare other people you know."

"Good. That'll teach them not to mess with those I care about."

"Humph!" Serena scowled. But as she looked away, she smiled.

I hate how this guy not notice his own sweetness…

Author's notes:

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