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

White Christmas

"Rise and Shine."

She didn't open her eyes.

"RISE AND SHINE!"

She didn't even move a bit. Darien frowned.

She's getting used to this already. I need a new strategy!

Suddenly, a light bulb hit his head.

I know!

He glided towards her and sat on the bed. His hand snaked to her jaw, caressing her face. He leaned forward, his face an inch from her and…

"RISE AND SHINE!"

Serena's eyes snapped open. She felt her eardrum shatter into small little pieces.

"Good one, Darien Miller!" Darien praised himself for his achievement.

"Aaaahhh! Darien! Damn you!" Now fully awake, she reached for his shoulders and shook him.

"Don't curse in the morning, honey. It will ruin your day."

"It already is!" Darien zipped his mouth.

"What? Say anything!"

"I'm giving you time to calm down and think what day it is today." Serena was dumbfounded. After a minute of peace, she brightened up and threw herself on Darien.

"Remember now?" He asked, hugging her back.

"Yup! I totally forgot! Merry Christmas, Darien!" She hugged him tighter, but Darien, the stronger one, pulled back and locked his eyes on hers. Serena froze as she found out she couldn't tear away from his stare. She was aware that his face was getting nearer every second.

Is he—is he going to…kiss me? …On the lips?

Y-yes…he's aiming for my lips…

It came to the point where his face was already not more than an inch far, his nose nearly touching hers. She could feel his cold breath on her face. She looked down on his red velvety lips. It parted.

"Merry Christmas…" He muttered.

However, it suddenly moved…sidewards. And landed on her cheek. Her breath, which she had been holding from the time Darien locked his eyes on hers, gave away. He didn't pull back, instead he continued on embracing her. He nibbled at her earlobe making Serena's knees shake.

"You didn't think I was going to kiss you on the lips, did you?" He whispered sarcastically. Snapping out of her trance, Serena gritted her teeth and pulled his best friend away. Darien laughed.

"Got you twice today, Serena! Oh, how gullible you could be! Hahaha!"

"Ugh! I hate you, Darien!" Serena screamed from the bottom of her lungs.

"Shh! You'll wake up the whole building!" She glared at him angrily. He smiled back at her sheepishly.

"Hey. I'm sorry, okay? It's Christmas. Let's not fight." This took away the evil stare on her face and was replaced by a grin.

"You're right!" Darien breathed a sigh of relief.

"So, are you hungry?" He asked.

"Of course! Did you cook?"

"Nope. I figured out we could eat at the coffee shop downstairs since it's Christmas."

"That's a good idea!"

"I always have the greatest ideas." Serena rolled her eyes.

Really, if today weren't Christmas, I would have probably knocked him out already. What a guy he is…

The two stepped inside the marble tiled floor of the expensive coffee shop. The waiter opened the door for them.

"Merry Christmas, Sir Darien, Miss Serena." He greeted them casually. Since they ate there always, everyone knows them already.

"Merry Christmas to you too, Richard." Darien greeted back. Serena just smiled at him politely as they went in. They sat on their usual seat at the corner by the window.

"May I take your order?" Richard asked them.

"I'll have a ham and cheese sandwich and a cup of coffee." Darien answered at once. Richard jotted down his order and turned to Serena.

"Uhh…I'll have my usual bacon and eggs breakfast meal." She said.

"And your drinks, ma'am?" She looked up as she thought.

"I'll have a—"

"She'll have a glass of mango juice, Richard."

"Darien, I want coke!" He shook his head stubbornly.

"No. You'll get acidic drinking that spirited beverage the first thing in the morning."

"I don't care!"

"Well, I care. Who do you think will take care of you when your stomach starts hurting?" He paused and raised his eyebrows. "I will, and besides, if you're in pain our plans for today will be ruined." He looked up at Richard. "That's final, Richard. Thank you." She glared at him but then sighed.

"Alright! I can't do anything anymore, can I?"

"As usual, no." She ignored his comment.

"Anyway, what did you mean by our plans will be ruined today? I don't remember making any plans with you."

"Of course, you don't. I thought it on my own. And since YOU don't have any plans today, YOU'RE spending the day with me following my OWN plans." He beamed at her, triumph on his face. Serena rolled his eyes and mouthed 'jerk' to him.

"Thanks for the compliment." He replied good-naturedly and Serena rolled her eyes again. The waiter then arrived and placed their orders before them. She licked her lips and grabbed the spoon and fork. However, she stopped short just as she was going to eat and glanced up at him.

"And may I know what those plans are, Mr. Arrogance?"

"Today, honey, you're going shopping with me." Serena dropped her utensils and they fell on the plate with a loud clatter. She immediately apologized to the people inside the shop and looked back at him with disbelief. If there were one person who would die at the mere thought of shopping…it would be her best friend.

"Did I hear you right?"

"I don't know if you did. But I said we're going shopping today."

"Shopping?" She asked weakly. "As in like going to the mall, enter a shop after another and buy things?"

"Yep!"

"Oh my God, I think I'm going to faint." Serena made a face of combined nervousness, disgust and incredulity.

"Hey!"

"I'm just joking, Dare. But-but really. You're supposed to HATE shopping, remember?" It's Darien's time to roll his eyes.

"I DO hate it. But hell, it's Christmas! I want to go to the mall with my best friend and buy her the things she wants!" Serena's jaw dropped and her eyes opened wide.

"B-buy me what I want?" She asked softly. He closed his eyes and nodded slowly.

"Mm-hmm." She let out a sigh of happiness as she stood up and threw herself at him.

"Yippee! Darien, you're the greatest! Ever!" He beamed and glanced at the girl on his arms.

"Really? Even if I pester you always by shouting at you in the morning so you would wake up?" She nodded.

"Even if I boss you around and make you study with me every afternoon?" She nodded.

"Even if I ordered you a juice instead of coke?" She nodded.

"Even if I sometimes peep at you when you're dressing up?" She nodded.

"Great! Now you're convinced that I really am the greatest! Wahahahaha!" Serena can't help herself from rolling her eyes once more.

Is he going to take me shopping and buy me what I want just so he would prove that he's the greatest?

Humph. Stupid guy. He doesn't need to buy me things… he has been and will always be the greatest person for me…

Wait.

Wait!

"What do you mean you sometimes peep at me while I'm dressing up!" She exclaimed, aghast. Darien grinned nervously.

"Just joking, Sere! Just joking!"

Darien closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. It has been an hour since they arrived at the mall—the biggest in all of Cambridge—and for that whole time, he had been following Serena like a dog in almost every shop. He was going to brush his raven hair back when his arm was suddenly pulled.

"Darien, come on! I'm going to show you something." He sighed and obeyed her.

"Look at this." She handed him an expensive looking red backpack. "Isn't it cute?" She asked excitedly. Even though he was very dizzy, Darien managed to smile at her.

"It looks great, Rena. And I bet it looks even greater when you're wearing it!" He exclaimed, just wanting her to finally choose something. She tried it on.

"It does look great on me! Maybe I'll buy this one." Darien let out a sigh of relief, happy that she was finally done.

"Oh, wait!" Darien's ear cringed at the words he feared most. He sighed and looked where Serena ran off again. He saw him standing examining a denim tube dress that had a matching denim belt.

"Darien, this is just perfect!" She exclaimed. He nodded in approval. "Maybe I could fit this first. Wait for me here, okay Darien?" And she went towards the dressing room, not even waiting for his answer. Darien frowned and followed her.

"Serena, are you done yet?" He called to her from outside the door, a few minutes later.

"Wait…okay. Here." She opened the door and what Darien saw made his headache disappear. She was very beautiful. The dress fitted her perfectly, accenting her curves.

"Wow…Serena, you look…ravishing." He spoke softly. Serena beamed. She knew Darien rarely stare at someone like that—like he saw an angel.

After Serena changed her clothes back, she returned at the bag section and studied the red one again.

"What will I buy? This bag or this dress? Both seem so perfect, but…" Darien just stared at her, which she noticed. "Hey, help me decide will you, Dare?" He sighed for the last time and shook his head.

"Give me both of them, Serena."

"Huh?" Although confused, she handed them to him. He started walking towards somewhere and she followed him.

"Hey, what are you going to do?"

"If you can't decide, buy them both." He replied as he placed the dress and the bag on the counter and put his credit card on top. Serena's eyes widened. True, she was ecstatic and grateful but those two were just too much.

"Dare, they're both very expensive."

"I don't care. I just want to rest." He said simply. Serena continued to stare at him but knowing Darien, she broke into a smile. She put her arm around his waist and leaned on him.

"Thanks, Dare." He smiled back and patted her.

"No prob. As long as it's you, Sere…"

The night was cold and windy. She leaned on the balcony, her golden hair blowing to her side. She smiled as she saw the countless stars that reigned the dark sky.

"Hey, lovely."

"Darien, I swear—someday the ants will eat me with those sweet names you call me." She joked good-naturedly.

"Hehe…Sorry, I've just gotten used to it." They fell silent.

"Are you cold?" Darien started again.

"Yes, but I've gotten used to it. Why?"

"Nothing." She chuckled.

"You don't have to hug me for warmth, Dare. Unless, of course, if YOU are cold." He shot his eyebrows at her.

"Who said I was going to hug you? I was just asking. Besides…I'm not that cold…"

"Humph. Oh, by the way," She got the paper bag at her side and opened it, pulling out a box. "Here's my present."

"You didn't have to get me one, Sere."

"What are you saying? I needed to get you one. You were kind enough to let me stay in your place. And of course, you're my best friend…" Darien just smiled and took the box from her.

"What's this?" He opened it and gasped as he found the newest cellphone model of Nokia—7250. He had been planning to buy one actually, since he really liked its look and features.

"Serena, I…this is great! Thank you so much! I really wanted to buy this in the first place." He paused and studied the phone. "But…this is…very expensive. I…"

"Oh, just accept it, Darien. Besides, look at this." She took out another box from the paper bag and opened it. It was a 7250 cellphone exactly like his but the housing was pink and his was blue. She grinned. "It's a buy one take one promo! This was the last two…oh, I was so lucky!"

"Really? This is great! Thanks again!"

"This is nothing compared to what you bought me last morning."

"Actually Serena, I have another present for you."

"What? Darien, stop it now."

"No." He reached for his pocket and took a small box. He slowly opened it, revealing a glistening diamond necklace. Serena stared in awe.

"Darien, that's just…" He pressed her lips with his index finger to stop her. He then took the necklace and placed it around her neck.

"Darien, I don't know what to say… This is just…amazing…Thank you…" He gently pulled her into an embrace.

"That's not even enough, Serena. Money can't buy the trust you gave me until now…"

"Darien…"

Oblivious to them, a girl slightly younger than Serena watched the two embracing figures from a nearby building that faced their balcony. She gazed at them happily, mistaking them for lovers.

Her thoughts were interrupted by her mother's voice.

"Go back here inside, Maya. You'll catch a cold there." She sighed and took one last look at Serena and Darien before she came inside…

Author's notes:

Sigh Serena is very lucky to have a best friend like Darien… I hope I find a guy who's as sweet as him. Hehe… Anyway, this is the chapter where you can actually find me…remember the girl at the very last part who watched Serena and Darien? That's me! That part is actually not at all significant to the story but I just wanted to express how much I'm lovesick at the time I wrote this chapter. Also, this chap is where you can find some things about me. The first one is the part where Darien won't let Serena drink coke. Well, MY friends won't let me drink coke too because they know that I'm acidic. The second one is the cellphone part. I WANT A 7250!(Specifically a 7250 with a pink housing) Well, that's it! See ya!