Once Serena stepped outside the hospital doors, she ran as fast as she could. The silver-headed man's image plagued her mind. Miki Taro? Who is he and how did he know me by my name? What possessed him to touch my hand? The questions sent chills all over her body. Not that she was frightened by him; it was just that he reminded her of someone she once knew. Someone...special...dear in her life. Serena quickly stopped and made an "eh?" sound. Someone she knew? Special? Dear to HER life? What the hell? I have never seen nor heard of him until now. Why would he hold such importance to me? Another breeze swept in from the trees and brushed against Serena's back harshly, making her hair lift up. Goosebumps rose and then left as she rubbed her arms. Looking up she noticed that she was only steps away from the cafe and slowly walked in.
Lita was the first to come in contact with her as she walks in. The other followed and surrounded her with Darien holding her around the waist checking for any harmful marks. All at once they started in on questions with frantic expressions. Where were you? Are you alright? Accident...what kind of accident was you in? What happened? Feeling suffocated Serena pulled everyone away with her hands and stepped out of the circle they had made around her.
"I'm okay. I wasn't IN the accident. A man just had his car wrapped around a pole and I stayed with him."
"Is he alright?"
"Who was it? You know his name?"
"Was he cute?"
Everyone turned to Mina with a bewildered look and Rei just rolled her eyes. They sighed knowing only Mina would ask that kind of question at a serious matter as this. Serena sighed and relaxed by sitting on a stool around the counter.
"Yeah he is alright, just got knocked out that's all. Yes, he was a so-so looking guy. The jerk's name is Miki Taro."
"Jerk?" Ami asked tilting her head to the side. "Why do you say that?"
"Well I waited at the hospital until he woke up...make sure he was fine...and the guy ca-.."
Serena stopped there and was wondering if she should let them in on how he knew her nickname and that he almost appeared to be Darien. She decided against it and stayed silent.
"The guy what, Serena?"
Trying to find something to easily say, she just shrugged and turned to Andrew behind the counter. To everyone's surprise she disregarded the rest of her experience and ordered a chocolate milkshake. Rei, who was getting irritated, sat by Serena.
"He what, Serena?"
Serena turned to Rei and shrugged off the question. Rei sensed something that her friend was keeping. After receiving her shake, Serena ate quietly and waited until she finished her shake. Rei waited impatiently for her to answer. When she did Serena spun to face the others.
"He was just being a jerkā¦that's all. He was rude and then I left. End of story."
The group all sighed and went back to the booth, except Rei and Serena, who were now facing each other. Blank stares were the only thing they did for about 10 minutes. Rei tried to see past her friend's barriers and uncover what she was hiding. She told one story, but her eyes told Rei another. What was she hiding? Serena then just gave Rei once of her signature smiles and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Cheer up Rei. You keep your face like that and it will stay that way forever."
The blonde hopped off the stool and joined the others at the table for the latest gossip. Rei sat there for a moment and thought. Serena is hiding something. Even though she may think I don't know...but I do. I'll find out one way or another. Serena can't keep this bottled up for long. If I'm right about seeing fear in her eyes...then she'll come to me. All I have to do is nag at her.
Week Later
A week had passed and Serena had tried to forget the man with silver hair, but with no success. She had frequent dreams of him at night and woke up sweating from the nightmare that followed his image. Rei had pointed out in different notions that she knew Serena was keeping something from them all and wanted to know. Serena just pretended that everything was fine and that she didn't know what Rei was talking about.
It was a beautiful day when she woke up. Serena had the day off and decided to get and go for her morning run. From Lita and her home all the way around the block and back. The weatherman predicted it to be up in the 90's and rising higher. The sun would be shining all day with barely any clouds in the sky. Serena dressed up in khaki shorts, a blue tank top and her white tennis shoes. She placed her hair in a high pony tail with bangs that hung over her eyes. Walking to the sidewalk in front of their house, she started there. She got in the position (like she did at her school track meet), looked down at the time she had on her watch, took a deep breath, and dashed off. Serena made it a point to start of jogging before really running, but today she was full of energy and ready for the speed.
About three-fourth of her run, her leg became tighter and tighter. She may have been ready for the run, but her body wasn't. Suddenly her knees buckled and she came crashing to the ground. The pain in her leg throbbed and she sat there holding it. She applied pressure to her muscles trying to relax them. She became aware of blood coming from her other leg. It seemed when she fell, her knee, along with her palms that she just noticed, had scrapped against the concrete.
"Damn."
"Looks like you need the help now."
A shadow stood over Serena, probably the owner of the voice as well. She looked up to see a figure behind her, the face hidden in shadow because of the sun above them. The figure knelt down to Serena and revealed Miki with an emphatic grin on his face. He was dressed in jeans and a red polo shirt, with his silver hair pulled back in a loose pony tail. He had his hands in his front pocket and looked over her.Serena scuffed and attempted to stand only to fall back down. The man walked in front of Serena and held out his hand for her. Relentless, Serena grabbed a hold of it. I can't just sit her all day, might as well. She groaned at the pressure she was putting on her legs, on top of that the hand he had grabbed.
"Miki Taro at your service."
"Hey! That's my line!"
Serena narrowed her eyes and Miki smiled, at the same time lifting her up in his arms. She let out a scream as he picked her up.
"I can walk you know?"
"Not from what I can see. I'll carry you home. Where do you live?"
Serena sighed and pointed backwards, the direction Miki had come from.
"1422, South Pike Avenue."
"Alrighty then."
Miki had carried her all the way to her front door, then sat her down so that she could unlock the door. Once the door was opened up, Serena turned around and led her gaze to the ground.
"Umm...thank you for the help. I can handle things from here."
Miki lifted her head with his index finger to meet his gaze. He had a serious expression, which made Serena feel small...very small...like a child who had been caught with her hand in the cookie jar.
"You need someone to look at those cuts. The could get infected."
Serena shook her head away from his finger and smiled. He placed his hands back in his pockets.
"I'm fine. I can take care of it. Again, Thank you for your kindness."
"I could only return the favor."
For a minute he just stared at her than smiled, nodding his head.
"I'll be around if you need me. I can't repay the debt I owe you."
"No its o-"
He stopped her from speaking my placing his finger on her lips.
"I serious. What you did for me...I owe you...a lot...and I won't be satisfied until I have repaid the debt to you. If you are in any trouble at all, please know that you have me to help. I apologize for my actions the last time we met. I didn't mean them."
"Like I said..its okay. I'm sorry for being rude myself."
He smiled again at her. She tilted her head and for a moment it was like looking at Darien. Serena shook her head and smiled back. Miki nodded his good-bye and walked away. Serena waited till he was gone before she limped back in her home. Life had just got a bit weird for Serena Tsukino...and was going to get a lot weirder.
