Disclaimer: Truly, Naoko Takeuchi? I can? Oh wait, I'm dreaming… Drats…
A/N: Woohoo! Reviews! Thank you to: cardcaptor eternity, moonchild08, fan gurl, Baby Luna Kitty, Princess makkura, sugar230, heatqueen, and mae-E. They all mean so much and I love reading them. Review, and I'll update faster my peoples!
An early Merry Christmas and Happy New Year send out to all my readers! Happy holidays!
Self Destruct
Chapter 7: "The Irony of Time"
The red sportscar screeched to a halt in front of Juban Hospital. Darien jumped out, throwing the car door closed and not taking care to avoid the puddles he splashed through in his run to the doors. His pants were splattered, but he didn't feel the sogginess. He didn't feel at all.
He only heard the sound of his own heart beating and the sound of the prayers that ran through his head.
He flung open the doors and raced up to the pretty-faced woman at the desk. "I'm here to see Serena Tsukino!"
"Hold on a second," the secretary nurse responded sweetly, pulling out a clipboard and running down it with her pink painted finger. Darien felt like growling in anger. He didn't have time to hold on a second, Serena could be dying now!
"Could you repeat that name again?"
"Serena Tsukino," Darien said, nice and slowly as his feet scuffled in impatience. "Please hurry."
The finger went down the list again. Pages turned.
"I'm sorry, sir, but we have no Serena Tsukino written down for any room in the hospital. Perhaps she's at another?"
"No, I'm sure she's here... wait! You say she isn't in any of the rooms?"
"Yes, sir."
Darien was flabbergasted. He sunk into a waiting-room style chair nearby. The woman gave him a sympathetic look, since he looked so lost and sad.
Because Darien was sure Serena was dead. That they'd taken her body away. "Was she ever here?"
The lady sighed. She looked like she was tired of all the questions, since this man really didn't seem to get it. "Listen. I'll look on the files on our computer, but I'm almost positive we've never had a Serena Tsukino."
"Thank you," Darien mumbled, stuffing his face into his hands as the sound of the keyboard clicking filled the room. He hoped to God that her name wasn't there.
"Mr...ah..."
"Chiba," Darien supplied.
"Mr. Chiba, I'm sorry, but she's not in our files."
"Then can you look for someone else?"
Another loud, irritated sounding sigh. "I don't have all day."
"Do you have anyone under the name of Raye Hino, Mina Aino, Lita Kino, Amy Mizuno, or Chad Kumata?"
More clicking. "Chad Kumata is located in Room 135. Floor 2, 5th door on the right." Darien was up in a flash and running before "Have a nice day" was even out of the secretary's mouth. The ebony-haired man didn't hear this though, his heart was elated and higher than it had been for hours. Serena was alive. She was not injured. His breathing was finally back to normal. And now he would tell her the truth. They would get back together, and the world and his life would be right again.
It's funny how irony works.
Darien reached the room and didn't even knock. He just opened the door.
"Can I help you?" a brown-haired nurse asked, arms full of sheets. Sheets from an obviously empty bed.
"Is Chad Kumata here?"
"Oh, that sweetheart? He was just released. He'd been in a car accident and unconscious, but woke up fine. He'd just hit his head a bit too hard and blacked out."
"Was any else here?" Darien asked desperately.
"Hmm, yes, there were some girls here, but they left with him. Hurry; if you're looking for them you may catch them before they leave! It was only a few minutes ago."
"Thank you!" Darien exclaimed. He turned back at the door. "I suppose they went the other way? I never saw them leave when I was coming up."
"Probably, dear," the brunette replied, on her way to cleaning the bedclothes. Darien's running footsteps resounded throughout the white hallway. He raced down the stairs, foregoing the elevator since that would take him longer.
He bounded into the waiting room with the secretary in it, who looked up, alarmed.
"Did you find-" but Darien was already out the door and into the rain before she was finished. The woman shook her head and rolled her eyes. Men.
The sky was darkening as evening descended. He searched futilely for his odango angel, but she was nowhere to be seen. Only a taxi was pulling away, but Darien couldn't see past the tinted windows as to who was inside. It too quickly left the premises. And Darien was then all alone in the rain, and all alone with his regret that he hadn't gotten there sooner.
"Dammit," he croaked, hitting the bricks of the hospital with his fist to vent some of his frustration. A lump threatened to overwhelm his throat. "Dammit..."
He was too late.
She was gone.
He wouldn't be able to talk to her now. She was still in the dark as to the reason for the break-up. And now Darien had lost his nerve, and wasn't sure he had the guts to find her and tell her. The moment of his utter fear had passed, and now that he knew she was safe, the man of the roses was having second thoughts about facing her and telling her the truth. He was just so scared of her reaction and whether she would accept him back or not.
He knew he'd hurt her. He saw it on her face whenever she saw him.
Was she willing to forgive him for his faults? For his protectiveness? For breaking up the best thing that had happened to either of them?
Darien just didn't know.
A/N: Good? This is a little angsty side from Darien. He really does want her back, though! Review, and I'll update ASAP! Oh yes, and the girls were in that taxi! Funny how irony works, eh? And then when you lose a chance, you lose your nerve to do what you'd worked up your courage to do! Poor Darien.
Happy Holidays, and take some time to relax and spend time with family!
AngelMoon Girl