Disclaimer: Sailor Moon does not belong to me, I do this purely for fun.

I previously went by the pen name of Twilight some odd years ago but since it's taken here it's been changed to SmTwilight. So don't think I'm stealing someone elses story :) They're mine.

Just because...

By: Twilight

Serena giddily made her way out the front door and jumped out smiling brightly. It was finally the weekend! Time for her to relax, enjoy and most of all play video games! Breathing in deeply she inhaled the spring air savoring the feeling of this perfect day. The sun was out and there wasn't a cloud showing anywhere in the light blue sky.

Skipping to the arcade she hummed the tune of her star locket quietly to herself as she made her way down the sidewalk. Not paying attention to where she was going she collided with a very familiar body as they both crashed to the ground. Knowing who it was (or at least she was pretty sure) she almost started to yell at him but stopped and chose listen to him complain first. It was always fun to make him mad!!

"Don't you ever watch where you going meatball head!?" The young dark haired man bit, standing and dusting himself off.

"Oh shut up Darien. Why do you...huh?" Serena started but soon realized he didn't bother to stick around like other times. He was quickly walking away from her mumbling something under his breath. Confused she continued watch him clutching his notebook to his chest as if protecting it while some books dangled on his side. Hmmm...I wonder what's bugging him? Seeing there was nothing she could do about it she slightly shrugged her shoulders and turned on her heel. Weird

As she spun around she pushed back her feelings of worry and started for the arcade, but found herself nearly slipping from something on the ground. Quickly she regained her balance and looked down to see what it was. Under her right foot was a piece of notebook paper with scribbled writing on it. Bending down she slowly picked it from the ground and curiously read it.

Everyday is the same. Wake up, go to school, go to work, talk with Andrew then go home to my lonely apartment. I'm constantly plagued with dreams and visions

Tearing her eyes away from the paper she quickly skipped over the rest and looked to the bottom to see if it had an owner. Gasping, her eyes grew huge in surprise as she stared at the legible name beneath.

Darien Shields.

Apparently this was something personal to him and he didn't want anyone else to read it. After all, Darien wasn't the type of person who liked to show what he was feeling. She knew. Looking around her eyes searched to see if he was still anywhere in sight. No luck, Folding it she carefully tucked it into her back pocket and headed for the park, for some reason she didn't feel like playing games anymore.

Walking around the clear lake she made her way to the shade of a tree and sat down, leaning her back against the bark. The cool spring breeze fluttered through her long golden hair and caressed her soft delicate features, calming her. Closing her eyes for a moment she leaned her head back and just listened to all the sounds around her. Suddenly out of nowhere, an image of Darien flashed in her mind. Snapping her head up she blinked, her eyes looking in every direction. Breathing out she watched as people rented boats and floated over it's crystal surface, the sun making it sparkle like a thousand diamonds.

Remembering the note resting inside her pocket she eagerly took it out. She felt bad for reading something so personal, but at the same time, she felt she should know. She wanted to understand why he was always so cold, mean and distant towards her. Well, towards anyone. Carefully she unfolded it and started to read again:

Everyday is the same. Wake up, go to school, go to work, talk with Andrew then go home to my lonely apartment. I'm constantly plagued with dreams and visions of a beautiful princess who I hope to one day find. Maybe she can answer all the questions I have and fill that emptiness inside of me. For once, I'd like to be able to have someone to love and care for me. To know, that no matter what happens, they will never leave my side. I can't describe the amount of loneliness I feel. Not even to Andrew.

Why has fate been so cruel to me to take away everything I love? Why did you decide to let me live but take away my parents at such a young age? It's not fair. You've tainted my view on life. I can no longer take anything at face value without questioning if that person will be there tomorrow. It's easier to stay alone. That way I'll never have to feel that heart ache again. I'll never have to live each day afraid of losing that person again. Darien Shields

Serena read the letter over and over again in complete and utter shock. She never knew Darien had been through so much pain and suffering. Now she understood why he was always so cold and distant towards everyone. He was afraid. He was alone...he was a little boy crying out for attention but he would never admit. He didn't want people to look at him differently, with pity. Quickly folding the paper back up and placing it in her pocket with great care, she stood from her spot and made tracks for the arcade. Maybe he would be there.

Like every other time the double glass doors smoothly slid open revealing their new arrival.

Sauntering in Serena skimmed over the small arcade then turned to look inside the café. There weren't too many people here yet, which was good. She was a people person, but she also liked to have some quality time to herself. Today was one of those days.

Finding an empty booth she quickly occupied it and ordered herself a chocolate shake plus one extra. Slowly she sipped away nervously waiting for Darien to appear. Glancing around she took note that all the booths were now taken with couples, kids and groups of friends, surprising her. Where did all these people come from?!. Sighing she sipped at her shake again and looked towards the doors, waiting, hoping.

Finally he walked in. Notebook in hand with a couple extra books messily resting at his side. Strolling into the café he looked around at all the booths and groaned when he found not one empty. Then a familiar voiced called his name from the side making him turn his head to see who it was. Sitting in a booth all by herself Serena happily waved, welcoming him to join her. Shrugging his shoulders if not a bit dubiously, he headed for her table and casually sat down across from her hoping it wouldn't be that bad.

"So Darien, what have you been up to?" Serena sweetly asked smiling warmly at him.

"Uhm...not too much Meatball head." He replied a little unsure and suspicious, giving her a funny look.

"Oh, come on Darien. I'm not going to bite. I'm just interested. So did you do anything fun today?" She interrogated, sincerity in her melodic voice.

"I just went to the library is all. Why?" His answers short and his voice holding a hint of annoyance.

"Geez, calm down. Why do you have to be so uptight all of the time?" Darien remained silent not really wanting to answer her question. "Hmm...okay then. I bought you a chocolate shake. I hope you like chocolate." She stuttered after realizing he wasn't in a talkative mood. Which was understandable. Your most hated enemy suddenly want to make friendly conversation. She would be on the edge too. Patience, he'll come around. She reminded herself, beginning to make idle chat.

Smiling slightly he accepted it and started to drink, if not a little awkwardly. He was still suspicious thinking she was up to something, acting so nice and all. But he soon found himself relaxing and actually enjoying himself! He felt more at ease with Serena then he had felt with anyone else in his whole life. They found themselves talking about everything and everyone they knew until early evening and laughed happily at her interpretations of her friends and teachers at school.

"Oh my god!! I've got to go!" Serena screeched looking at her watch. "I've had a really good time talking to you Dare, but don't expect things to change between us! Your still that jerk that teases me on the streets! Bye" Smiling warmly she quickly kissed him on the cheek surprising herself and Darien. Blushing profusely she headed for the doors bringing up a hand to her face to try to hide her embarrassment.

"Wait...Serena. I had a nice too time and...I still don't understand, why all of a sudden?" Darien asked with a hint of curiosity in his voice. He watched as she slowly turned around and smiled again making her face light up and his heart melt.

"Just because..." She whispered loud enough for him to hear then exited through the doors leaving his sight.

Long after she had left, his eyes remained where she last stood smiling. She brightened his day with her cheerful personality and made him forget his worries. Bringing a hand up to rest on the table he heard the crinkling of paper and looked down.

There, nestled under his arm was the piece of paper he had been searching for all day.

The end...

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