Disclaimer: I own nothing Sailor Moon.

Love and War

Chapter Two

I yawned as I walked into work, early in the morning. There was still an hour before the place would actually open but we had a lot of getting ready to do. I walked into the bathroom to make sure my uniform looked fine. Our job here had a cute outfit of choice. Each girl was given a white pleated miniskirt, tennis shoes, and a white collared tee that had a few buttons at the top and our name's written in hot pink cursive at the one side. Oh the back was a hot pink outline of the restaurant name, Sunrise.

My hair was pulled back in a long blonde ponytail that was straight, only gathering in loose curls at the very end. The hair form had been with me ever since I could remember. Even when I had this unique hairstyle where there were two buns with pigtails coming out of them my hair would be straight except for the loose curls at the bottom. Oh that hairstyle… I'm glad it's gone!

I walked out of the bathroom, after washing my hands again – just in case – to see that the other girls had arrived. Lita had been the only one present before me and that was because she practically owned the place. It was her parent's place but Lita basically had complete control. The café/restaurant was in good hands though, that much was obvious even to a completely oblivious person.

Raye hadn't brought up yesterdays incident and I was happy about that fact. Even though Seiya thought he'd opened up a can of mess, Raye didn't say anything and neither did I. She was a good friend in the sense that she wouldn't push on soft topics when she felt one arrive. However, she did come over towards me and frown. "You know Seiya will probably be here, right?"

I sighed, not wanting to hear the truth. "I know."

"Want me to make sure he doesn't bother you?" Raye questioned.

"Yes, please." I gave her the go-to and she smiled, nodding, and accepting the idea that she might get a good yelling battle out of this one. Surely there would be plenty of sweet military men to help throw the bad egg out that was bothering the sweet, beautiful, little waitress.

Several hours later, yet still early, the café was stuffed with military men ordering breakfast and drinks – soda, water, juice, milk, or coffee – while chatting. The old people that usually filled the place knew about the men and appeared to avoid the café for their breakfast this morning. I checked the clock on the wall, only sixty-two minutes to go….

Another customer came walking in, respectfully taking off his hat, and found the only empty table left. I grabbed a pad and pen and walked over to him and instantly recognizing him. How could I mistake those midnight blue eyes – which looked an insane amazing blue blue color when the Cali sun was shinning in them – and that ebony hair?

"Hello sir," I handed him a menu, "my name's Ayame and I'll be your waitress today. Can I get you something to drink while you look over the menu? Our drinks," I leaned over his slightly (as I flashed a dazzling smile) and pointed to a section at the bottom of the one inside flap, "are all right there."

"I guess I'll have some orange juice, please." He said in this voice was sounded sweet and shy. I couldn't help but notice that his confidence wasn't the best, since he kept taking these small glances up at me. Maybe I had scared him the other day, though?

I nodded and walked away to retrieve the desired drink. I was back at his table in a matter of two minutes, fighting my way through the cat-calling crowd of rowdy men. I set the drink on the table with a straw. "There you go, sir. Have you figured out what you'd like to order or do you still need a couple more minutes to decide?"

"I think I'll have the Sunset Treat. With scrambled eggs, turkey bacon on the side, hash browns, and wheat toast, please? Oh, and I guess I'll have chocolate chip pancakes. I don't know how I'm going to finish all of this but it sounded too good to resist." he ordered.

"I assure you it is. Lita's food is always to die for." I smiled brightly.

Two days past eighteen,

He was waitin' for the bus in his army green,

Sat down in a booth in a café there,

Gave his order to a girl with a bow in her hair.

"Look… I… uh… would you mind taking a seat? I just… I mean I'm going to leave soon and it's a little lonely so I figured maybe we could talk or something?" His voice was nervous as his eyes drifted down to his hands on the table, which were fidgeting.

"How about I bring you your food and you eat it and we'll go somewhere to talk? I know a great place and I give off in an hour. Well, actually less than an hour now but I round up and prepare myself for the worst-case situation. How's that sound though?" I asked politely with a smile.

"That sounds like a plan." He made eye contact and smiled. I felt a little part of me melt as my heart did this tricky thing. My stomach was twisting itself around. My breath had honestly left my lungs, too. What the hell was this kid doing to me?

He's a little shy so she gives him a smile,

And he says "Would you mind sittin' down for a while,

And talking to me, I'm feeling a little low."

She said "I'm off in an hour and I know where we can go."

I glided around the restaurant and made sure all of my customers were happy and satisfied. I exchanged a few polite words here and there but kept thinking back to the ebony haired boy, who I checked in with more than anybody. Suddenly, I wasn't rounding up the time; I was counting down the seconds. I took the empty plate from my black haired boy eventually and headed back to give him the bill. Just in time, I had only five minutes left!

He smiled and handed me a ten dollar bill, which I tried to refuse. Of course, he kept pushing for me to take it. With guilt and a pout, I let him shove it into my hand. I threw my hands on my hips and gave him a stern look but said 'thank you' nonetheless. As I rang him up, the door was flung open and I saw my former friend and previous enemy walk in. Seiya… I froze slightly and ebony acknowledged my discomfort, turning around to take note of the issue.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly, his eyes seeming concerned.

"I'm fine." I laughed awkwardly before totaling the bill, which he handed me the money and insisted I keep the change. After the ten dollar tip, I absolutely refused and made him take it. Looking at the time I held my breath. I had one minute left. Ebony was sticking by my counter.

"I can kick his ass, if you want." He offered, innocently enough.

"It's not necessary but thank you." I smiled brightly.

"Serena, get your butt out of here. Those last few seconds don't count. You worked six hour day to me!" Lita smiled and gave me a wink.

I felt Seiya stare at me as I walked out of the place with my newfound friend, after thanking Lita of course. I figured I should strike a conversation as I ushered him towards my car. After I was safely in the driver's side he got in. "So, I just want to know a little bit about you. I mean, I know nothing. How about we start off with the basics, like you're name?"

"I'm Darien Shields and I'm an impressive eighteen years old." He answered. "I like football, ice hockey – contradictory since we're in Cali I guess but the rinks around here are amazing – soccer, and baseball of course. I surf and am crazy about the ocean but I miss the sight of snow. I play guitar and drums and my mom drives me crazy with her 'military' lectures. What about you?"

"I'm Serenity Williams and I've an impressive sixteen years old. So, yes, my license is fresh and you should be scared. I'm a cheerleader and I play baseball. I can't play softball to save my life; I was trained and grew up on baseball. I love swimming as well and I'm pretty nifty on the guitar myself. I love singing and dancing is a must, though everyday walking makes me appear like a huge klutz. Isn't eighteen a little young?" I answered.

"Two days after, today." He smiled.

"Is that even possible?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"Apparently." He laughed, lightly.

"Aren't you scared?" I asked.

"I'm scared of a lot of things, everybody is. I can't sit back and hide from my fears though; nobody can if they really want to live. I want to do something in my life that will make me worth being alive. I want to do something that will make me feel like I'm the edge of the earth. I want to make an impact to help somebody. Even though I'm one of many, at least I'll know what I accomplished." He explained.

"You inspire me." I thought aloud, truthfully.

"I'm already making an impact, then. That's one step closer. So, Serenity Williams, where are you taking me?" he asked.

"You'll see, Dare." I replied.