By: Rini
Chapter 2: They
Darien took long lazy steps down the sidewalk, his eyes transfixed to the ground. One week. It was nearly one week since he had last seen Serena in the arcade and since that horrible night. Darien clutched his hands into fists, trying to ignore the shakiness they still possessed whenever he thought of that night. However, it proved useless. Nothing was ever going to dull the ache he felt left over.
It was nearly a week ago. That night he had stayed at home, sitting on his balcony of his apartment. He tried to watch the stars and forget the pain he constantly felt at the torment he was causing Serena, his true love. He loved her beyond words, but he was being forced to stay away from her. There was no way he could put her in that much danger willingly.
" I'm sorry, but it needs to be done. Forgive me."
Darien sat on the two-person lounger on his balcony. He remembered all the times he and Serena had spent sitting on it together, just basking in the city lights and sounds. Unfortunately, there would be no more chances at that. He had pushed Serena away. Now, he spent the night alone with a glass of strawberry lemonade, her favorite drink. He took a slow sip and tried to keep the reason present of why he had to be alone.
Suddenly, the all too familiar wave coursed through his body, meaning Serena was Serena no more and was now Sailor Moon. He stood up, the drink still in hand, and simply stayed there. If he rushed to her aid now, he knew he would be far too weak. He would see her bright eyes shining with hope and tears and he knew he would never be able to resist. He walked over to the railing and leaned his back against the cold black metal.
" Please. Forgive me."
He stayed like that for a long time. He could feel the slow drain of energy leave his body. He knew she was fighting hard, but she was still safe. She probably finished off the threat with the scouts by now. But, a shock ran through his body. He knew something was wrong. His energy was leaving faster and faster. Something was definitely wrong.
Darien was about to draw out his rose and race to Serena's aid, but a sharp pain ran through his entire system. The glass fell with a deafening clash. Darien tried to hold himself up with his arms, but his eyes were winced shut in pain and his whole being felt on fire. The complete torture was overwhelming to a point where he couldn't even stand. He tried to crawl over to the fallen rose, but he just cut his hands on the various shards of glass.
Darien tried to reach out for the rose one last time, but his breathing was becoming labored and his vision blurred. He couldn't get his limbs to move correctly and he finally had to give up. He turned over on his back and tried to regain his breath. The pain started to subside, but the ache all over his body refused to leave. After what seemed like ages, his body finally started to calm down.
Yet, what remained of his energy was starting to be drained again. Whatever she was fighting, she was giving it her all. He felt it deep in his soul. Serena was reaching deep down for every last ounce of energy left in her. His soul cried out for her to stop, but the broken threads of their bond prevented him from reaching her. It was like she was trying to shield him from what was going to happen.
" Damn her. I have to help," Darien croaked.
He couldn't move. His body was left weak and a whole new flood of agony coursed through his veins. Without energy in his system, it felt like he was drowning in it all. He struggled to stay awake and tried to focus on Serena again. He kept finding it impossible to reach her. The last shreds of the bond were barely staying together and they were becoming worse and worse the more Serena fought against him. But then something strange happened.
It all just stopped.
The pain just lifted. Overwhelming emptiness ensued. Darien tried to blink a few times, but the void still presided over him. If he thought it was bad before, this was far worse than any torture before. He tried to reach out to find Serena, to picture her smile, but he couldn't feel her. It was like she never existed. It was like she was just a dream he had a very long time ago.
Clouded, half-lidded eyes stared up into the bleak and dull night. Wasn't the moon bright just minutes before? He stared up and swore he started to see butterflies. There were thousands of them. Glittering rainbow butterflies that drifted up into the heavens. There were feathers too. Glowing magnificent feathers that floated on the breeze. Then there was silence.
" Serena," Darien whispered just before exhaustion claimed him.
But he would never notice the vivid full moon.
That's how it was. That's how it was for nearly a week later. Everyday he went to the arcade in hopes of seeing her, but after the last encounter they had there, it was no surprise for her to not show up. Andrew had no idea where she was, but it didn't seem like he would tell him whether or not he knew. His last hope was to talk to the girls, but that was like committing suicide. The girls were still angry over what he had done to Serena. If only they knew.
" Hey Darien," Andrew called.
Darien finally looked up. His feet took him right to the arcade without him even knowing. He took his usually spot at the counter and drew his eyes across the room to the girls' usual booth. Unsurprisingly, it was empty.
" She isn't here," Andrew said while wiping down the countertop.
" I can see that."
Andrew crossed his arms across his chest," I really can't understand you anymore. You dump her and now you're going to the ends of the earth to find her. This is seriously border line stalking you know."
" I know. I just have this bad feeling that something is wrong with her. I just need to see her to know she's alright."
" Well I can't help you. She hasn't been here since you yelled at her. I can't blame her. That was pretty low of you to do that."
" Thanks for understanding Andrew," Darien replied sarcastically.
" I do worry though. She's always here. You know the girls have been looking for her too."
Darien's eyes light up at that.
They can't find her either? Oh Serena. Where are you?
" It's just so weird that-," Andrew stopped.
Just then, the automatic door opened up and low clicks could be heard as heels walked along the linoleum of the floor. Darien was confused as to why Andrew stopped mid-sentence, so he turned around. Darien's eyes light up as much as Andrew's did.
A beautiful girl walked into the arcade just as Andrew stopped. She was a little on the shorter side, but that was by far not a problem for her. She had on a white sundress that buttoned from the bottom up with gold trimming the bottom and collar of the dress. It had no sleeves and the last few and top few buttons were left open, revealing long slender legs that went to eternity and an ample amount of her chest. She had on white high-heeled sandals that tied around her ankle and a silver anklet on her left ankle. Her arms were slender and a pearl bracelet was around her right wrist. A long silver chain hung between her breasts as a silver ring served as a charm. Her hair spilled down to her waist and was curled and waved to perfection. It was the oddest color of silvery white that seemed to suit her flawlessly. A few wavy bangs framed her face and made her look as innocent as possible. A pair of dark sunglasses covered her eyes and left her as mysterious as she was alluring.
" Can I help you Miss?" Andrew asked, apparently still stunned.
The girl smiled," I'm surprised."
Darien was struggling to keep his cool. Something about this new girl was so familiar, but oddly so completely different. He felt like he should know her and take her away into his arms, but he felt like this was the first time he had ever witnessed her. He was beyond confused. How could he know this silver haired beauty?
But why can't I deny her either?
The girl walked gracefully over to the counter and stood next to Darien. Her head was held high and she walked with a regal grace, like she had been trained all her life. Her hands went to rest on the counter and she leaned over top. She smiled once more and reached up to kiss Andrew softly on the cheek. Andrew flushed with embarrassment and surprise. Darien felt like jumping over the counter.
What is going on here? Who is she? Why am I so jealous? Oh where are you Serena.
" Andrew. I can't believe you don't recognize me. Am I so much of a stranger to you?" the girl's soft voice called.
" I..I..," Andrew mumbled.
The girl reached up and removed her sunglasses. Her eyes were closed for a moment before they opened to reveal the brightest shade of cerulean eyes ever seen. They shone with a slight ring of silver around the middle and were so full of life and happiness. Only one person could ever have eyes so bright and clear with love and vitality.
Andrew's light green eyes shot open and his jaw dropped. Darien rose from his stool and let his eyes drown in all that she was. Andrew walked around the counter and embraced the girl in the tightest hug ever. Her picked her up and spun her around. Her light laughter filled the empty arcade and echoed like bells.
" Andrew!" a cheery voice called.
Andrew, with a bright smile, set the girl on the ground and draped an arm over her shoulder. Andrew turned to see the ever bouncy blonde along with her four friends. Mina, a vivacious blonde with sky blue eyes, Lita, a tall brunette with forest green eyes, Amy, a genius with ice blue eyes, and Raye, a fiery black haired girl with even fiery violet eyes, walked into the arcade and stopped before the two boys and the silvery beauty.
" We have a real problem here. Have you seen Serena lately?" Mina asked.
" Mina, would you get a look at this girl," Lita said.
All four of the girls stopped to eye over this new beauty held so tightly next to Andrew. Her aura practically glowed with grace, purity, and a regal respect that could only honor royalty. Her head was rested against Andrew's shoulder and held his hand. She seemed so familiar to them and the response on Darien's face to her was priceless.
" I must go now Andrew. I'll be back later," the girl said, reaching up to kiss his cheek softly.
The girl then replaced her sunglasses and walked out of the arcade.
" Is it just me or does she seem very familiar somehow?" Raye spoke up.
" Serena!" Darien shouted as he pushed past Amy and Raye to get out the door.
Mina ran over to grab Andrew's hand," Andrew, you have a lot of explaining to do."
Darien raced down the streets after her. There was no way those eyes belonged to someone else. He knew it was her. It had to be. He would know her anywhere. But why did she look so completely different? Why wasn't her hair long and golden like it used to be? What changed her so much into this new person? But something else bothered him more.
Why didn't she notice me?
The girl rounded the corner as Darien shot out his hand and grabbed her arm.
" Serena," Darien said breathlessly.
" Darien," Serena replied.
Darien held her hand and walked her over to sit down on a bench across the street from an elementary school.
" It is you isn't it? You're really Serena."
Serena pulled her arm back.
" Why won't you answer me?"
" Who else would I remain to be?" Serena answered nonchalantly.
" Where have you been lately?"
Serena leaned back on the bench," Why on earth do you care?"
Darien sat closer to her," Serena. I have been so worried about you. I haven't heard from you in almost a week. What happened?"
" Darien. You are by far the most confusing person I know. You and I are no more and that means that I don't have to answer to you. Have you forgotten your own advice already?"
Darien winced. She was good.
" Well where have you been?"
" Again, what does it matter?"
" Serena, I was worried about you. Apparently the girls were too. They went to the Crown Parlor to look for you."
" Well that is all well and good for them, but I don't answer to them anymore than I answer to you."
" What's changed you Serena? What's come over you to be like this? You aren't this cold of a person," Darien said sadly.
Serena stood up and pulled off her glasses, raw fire blazing in her eyes," You have the nerve to ask me that!"
Darien stood up also and tried to grab her hand. She only jerked away sharply.
" I have heard nothing for over the past two months about letting go of you and me and that there is no longer an 'us.' I have had to deal with your rude and cruel remarks and the reminder of what exactly went wrong for way too long. I have had to deal with the fact that there is apparently something wrong with me that makes you so incapable of being with me. So go ahead and ask me one more time why I should answer to you?"
" Serena," Mina called.
Serena turned around and was met with four worried faces of four very worried sailor scouts.
Darien frowned and turned his eyes away from them. He couldn't look at any of them right now.
" Serena. We were so worried about you. We were so afraid," Lita said.
" Yeah Serena. I'm sorry for what I said. I didn't mean it," Raye added.
" Tell us what's wrong so we can help you," Amy uttered.
Serena shook her head," This is what I mean."
" Serena," a soft voice called.
Serena turned around to see Rini, a small child with pale pink hair tied up in a ponytail, and Luna walk over to her side. Serena reached out her hand and grasped Rini's smaller one, holding her close to her side. Rini looked up to Serena with worried crimson eyes. Serena just smiled down at the little girl.
" When last I checked, I was neither Darien's girlfriend nor a part of this team anymore. So I really don't need to answer either one of you. So if you'll kindly excuse me, I promised Rini and Luna I would go shopping with them. After all, I've had one busy week."
Serena turned on her heel and left with Rini by her side. They brushed past Darien with neither a glance nor a flicker of care. Rini held her head high, just like the older girl who she adored. Luna stayed behind.
" I am so very disappointed in all of you. You both have abandoned your responsibilities and promise to not only Queen Serenity but to Princess Serenity as well. You shall never know the damage you have incurred by doing so. I expected more from you, especially you Darien. I warned you before. You will never know what you have done until it is far too late. I pray she takes mercy on you all."
Luna scowled at the group before running off after her mistress. The girls and Darien were, to say the least, embarrassed and ashamed. Luna was right. They betrayed her in the worst way possible.
" What have we done?" Mina asked, sliding down to her knees.
Darien shut his eyes to stop the clouding of tears.
I will do whatever it takes to make this up to you. I love you Serena. I will do whatever I can to protect you. Even if it has to be from me.
" Mommy?"
" Yes hon?"
" Will they understand?"
" They will. Someday."
" Is all this necessary?"
" I know it's hard, but we have to do what we need to do."
" They will see. One day, they will see."
" I believe in you. I know you can do it."
" It's nice to have someone have faith in you."
" We all have faith in you. You have never let us down before."
" And I never will," Serena spoke softly to the little girl by her side and the black cat on her other.
" I never will."