I don't own Sailor Moon. All I own is this story.

The bell rang for school to get out. Serena followed Molly out and they walked to the designated area.

Molly turned and said "My mommy's gonna pick me up. I'll see you tomorrow."

Serena waved to her as she ran off. "Serena!"

Serena turned and smiled. She waved at Amy and walked over. "Hey, Amy. Do you take the bus?"

Amy nodded her head. "My mommy's a doctor and works long hours. My nanny meets me at the bus stop. Do you take the bus?"

Serena nodded. "Yep and my mommy's gonna meet me. Come on, I don't want to miss it."

Serena and Amy walked over to the line and waited for the bus. Then Serena gasped.

Amy turned and asked "What's wrong?"

"I forgot my lunch pail. I'll be right back." Serena ran back towards her classroom. She ran in and grabbed her lunch pail. "Bye, Mrs. Moore!" she shouted, running out.

But once she got back to the designated area, she noticed there was no line. "Oh no, did I miss the bus?" she said, looking around.

After a couple minutes, she realized she had and she walked over to the playground and sat down on the bench. She put her face in her hands and tried really hard not to cry. "How am I supposed to get home now?"

"What's wrong?" a familiar voice asked, sitting down next to her.

Serena looked up at the same dark-haired boy from that morning. Serena sniffed and said "I missed my bus and I don't know how I'll get home."

The boy sat thinking for a while. Then he said "I'll walk you home."

Serena perked up, but then she said "My mommy said I shouldn't talk to strangers."

The boy said "But I'm not a stranger. I'm a kid like you."

Serena thought for a moment, then smiled. "You're right." She got up and they walked out of the gate.

"By the way, I'm Darien Shields." he said.

"I'm Serena Tsukino." Serena smiled.

Darien stopped and stared at her. "Hey, aren't you the same girl from this morning?"

Serena nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for doing that."

"No prob," Darien smiled. "Kids who tease younger kids like that are mean."

Serena smiled. They walked in silence for a while, until someone yelled "Darien!"

They both turned and saw a brown-haired boy running up. The boy reached them, breathing hard.

"Hey, Andrew. What's wrong?" Darien asked.

Andrew looked up and laughed "Nothing. I was just wondering if you'd go to the arcade with me?"

"Sure, but first I gotta take Serena home." Darien smiled.

Andrew looked at the little, blond girl and asked "You're Serena?"

Serena nodded. "Serena Tsukino."

Andrew smiled. "I'm Andrew Furuhata." Then he looked at Darien and asked "Why are you taking her home?"

"Because I missed my bus." Serena supplied.

Andrew smiled, then laughed "That's my best friend. Also helping girls. I bet once you get older, you'll have lots of girlfriends."

Darien blushed at this comment, which caused Serena to laugh.

"Well, we better get going." Darien changed the subject, turning to walk away.

"OK, later then." Andrew waved. Then he looked at Serena and smiled "Nice meeting you, Serena. Bye." Andrew ran off, leaving the two kids alone.

"We better get going." Darien repeated starting to walk.

Serena nodded and started walking. "Can I ask you a question?"

"Sure." Darien smiled.

"Why are you walking me home?" Serena asked.

Darien stopped for a moment and thought. "I don't know. I guess you looked kind of helpless."

"Hey, I'm not that helpless." Serena mock-frowned.

"Really?" Darien asked, in mock-surprise.

Serena grinned and grabbed Darien by the hand. Before he knew what was happening, Serena flipped him onto the ground!

"Ow, that hurt." Darien complained, rubbing his butt.

Serena giggled. "Told you I wasn't helpless."

Darien got an evil gleam in his eyes. "You sure about that?"

Serena gasped and ran off, yelling/laughing "Go away!"

Darien chased her until they reached the bus stop. Serena saw her mom talking to the bus driver, looking worried.

"Mommy!" Serena yelled, running to her mom. Her mother turned "Serena!" She hugged her, hard.

Once they pulled back, her mother put her down and put on a stern look. "Serena, why weren't you on the bus?"

Darien walked up and said "She accidentally missed the bus and I walked her home. I'm sorry, Ma'am."

Ikuko looked up in surprise. "And who are you?"

Serena walked over and said "Mommy, this is Darien. He walked me home. Darien, this is my mommy."

Ikuko smiled. "Why thank you, Darien. Would you like to come home for some snacks?"

Serena smiled "Yeah, it'll be fun."

Darien smiled. "I'm sorry, I can't. I gotta get home. Bye, Serena!" He waved, running off.

Ikuko watched him go. "What a nice boy." Turning to Serena, she took her hand. "Ready, sweetie?"

Serena looked up and smiled "Yeah. Let's go." Serena and Ikuko walked home.

Pleaz RR