Standard disclaimers apply. I don't own Sailor Moon, but let me know if it goes up for sale, ok? Thanks!
CHAPTER NINE
A Loss of Appetite
Serena promptly slammed the door in the person's face.
"What are you doing here!" she demanded of the person standing in the hallway. She was so disturbed by his appearance that she was unaware of the audience watching everything unfold.
"Rena?" Rei walked over. "What is it? What's wrong?"
"Rei," she murmured, "I think I'm being stalked." She had paled when she saw the blue-eyed, black-haired baka was standing outside of her doorway.
"What? Who's at the door?" she pushed Serena, who was creating a human blockade against the door, aside and looked out the peephole.
Motoki couldn't hold it in any longer. He burst out laughing so hard he bent over. Reika started pounding on his back, thinking he was choking. Serena looked over at him with narrowed eyes. 'It couldn't be. Could it?'
"Rena! It's only my brother," Rei confirmed her horrific thought. Rei opened the door to let the man in. "Darien! Late again!" she slapped him in a sisterly fashion then kissed his cheek.
The whole time, Darien never took his eyes off of Serena. What was she doing here? How did she know Rei? Wasn't she supposed to be out on her date? Or was her date here? He had stayed late at work after everyone had gone home, looking over Serena's desk to see if the man's name appeared in any of her doodles. He hadn't actually rifled through her things since that would've been an invasion of privacy, but glanced about her workstation just the same. He didn't find anything, so he resigned himself to not knowing and continued on to his sister's place. Only to be confronted by the object of his affections. And have the door slammed in his face. What was she doing here? 'Wait a minute. Back up,' he thought, 'what did Rei just say?' "What did you say?" he asked her aloud.
"God, Darien! Where's your mind tonight? Not to mention your manners. I was just introducing you to Serena, my roommate. Rena, this is my lame-brained brother, Darien. He's not usually so thick in the head."
"He's your brother?"
"She's your roommate?" They chorused together.
"Of course," answered Rei. "I told you about each other. Rena!" she called and reached out to grab her friend as Serena stumbled back. "Are you alright? You don't look too good."
"It's him," she whispered. She turned wide eyes to look at Rei. "It's him," she repeated.
"I know it's him. My brother, remember? What's with you two tonight? Seriously, are you feeling alright, Serena?"
"No!" she whispered. "It's the baka!" she hissed, still backing away.
"Baka?" Darien echoed. Judging from Serena's expression he knew without a doubt that she meant him.
Rei caught on, "Darien? He's the baka boss?! The one always giving you a hard time?" Two sets of furious eyes turned on Darien.
Silence filled the room as everyone watched the drama unfold, only to be broken by Motoki's failed attempts to keep from laughing so hard. Two pairs of blue orbs suddenly turned to him. He gulped. Serena's looked the fiercest of the two. She left Rei and Darien after a moment.
"Darien! I can't believe you!" Rei hissed. "You're the guy who's been tormenting Rena, giving her all that work and just ruining her life."
"'Ruining her life'? Rei," he sighed.
"No, Darien. I won't back off from this. Rena's become one of my best friends. I can't believe you'd treat someone like that. My own brother!" She continued chewing him out on behalf of her friend.
Meanwhile, Serena made her way back to Motoki. Once he realized she was headed towards him, he tried escaping, but Reika held him to the spot. "I thought that you loved me," he told her in wounded tones before Serena reached them.
"I do, and I always will. But right now I want to know how you're involved in all this and why you didn't tell me."
He was now backed into a corner, figuratively and literally from Reika's maneuverings.
"Motoki," Serena called in dark tones. "You knew about this, didn't you?"
"Serena, I didn't know until after you called me. I swear!"
"But you still knew, didn't you? Why didn't you say something, Motoki?"
"What would be the point?" he asked. "There was nothing you could do. You wouldn't just leave Rei hanging, would you?"
"Of course not, but at least I would've been somewhat prepared."
"Prepared to poison him, maybe."
"Motoki, you know me better than that."
"You're right, I'm sorry. And I'm sorry for not telling you that your worst enemy was your roommate's brother. I just couldn't help myself. There are so many accounts of you two going at it in the studio, I just had to see the fireworks display for myself. Ow!" he cried as something hit him in the ribs. Or should we say someone. "Reika! That hurt," he sulked.
"It was supposed to hurt, darling," she turned to Serena, "I'm really sorry about all this, Serena. If I had known what was going through this nitwit's head, I would've done something."
"Thanks, Reika. I depend upon you to watch him for me next time. Some champion," she commented, as she looked Motoki up and down. "Watch your back, Motoki," she joked before leaving to talk with other guests.
********
"'An evening of entertainment,' huh?" Darien immediately went over to Motoki as soon as he was able to break free from Rei. "Hi Reika. It's nice to see you again at least."
"Hey, Darien," Reika laughed. "I'm assuming that you didn't know about Serena being Rei's roommate either?"
"No clue. I wasn't as filled in as some people I know." Motoki had the good sense to look sheepish at that. "Reika, would you mind it so much if I pounded your boyfriend into the ground a little?"
"Of course I would, Darien," she answered. "You'd be disrupting your sister's party, so I suggest you hold back until later. For now..." and she promptly slapped Motoki hard upside his head, "...how's that?"
"That'll do for now."
"C'mon!" Motoki cried, "Was what I did so wrong? I didn't commit a crime here. And Reika! I never knew you were such a violent person. First my ribs and now my head. I'll need a hospital before the night's out."
"I agree," said Darien, cracking his knuckles.
"I'm really sorry, Darien. I apologized to Serena too. I wanted to see what you two's reaction would be too much. But look on the bright side, nobody got hurt. OUCH!" Reika pinched him. "Except for me," he added, rubbing his arm.
"Ok, everyone," Rei announced, "sorry for the delay. But since we're all here now and the food's ready, you can dig in. It's being served buffet style, so help yourselves."
"And the wine is on the counter," Serena added. "If you'd like something else to drink, we've got tea, lemonade, soft drinks, beer and water. Just let me know."
********
Serena gave a long-suffering sigh when the shadow appeared. She was the last to fix her plate, wanting to be courteous to her guests, and was just about to join everyone when he approached.
"Must you always sneak up behind me?" she asked without turning around.
"That's quite an appetite you've got there, Carroll-san," he gestured to her plate. "Is there any food left for any who want seconds?"
"Of course there is, I didn't get a lot!" she defended herself. "I'm just sampling a little bit of everything."
"Could've fooled me with all that's piled on your plate. I thought for sure that you were fixing food for two people out there."
She finally turned around. "What I do is my business."
"Yeah, well this is my sister's night, and I'm just making sure that her guests will be well fed."
"I can assure you that we've ordered enough. And they're my guests too, you know!"
"How could I forget with you shrieking like that?"
"You were the one that came in here calling me a pig!"
"Now did I actually say the word pig, Carroll-san?"
"No, but that's what you implied."
"I did nothing of the sort. You always jump to conclusions."
"And you always have to start something. I just make sure to finish it," she turned away again to finish dipping into the lasagna.
"I can't believe you're not through yet!" he cried. "At the rate you're going, you really will need a second plate."
"I really wish you'd do what I originally suggested."
"And that is?"
"To mind your own business!" she screeched.
"Temper, temper, Carroll-san. Your attitude is not one that befits a hospitable hostess. Whatever would the guests out front think?"
"That I was doing my duty and taking out the trash."
"Very amusing. If only they knew the real you."
"They already do. I've made many friends tonight."
"Very good, Carroll-san. That's quite an accomplishment for someone like you."
"Someone like me?"
"Yes, with your bouts of anger and shouting. At the guest of honor's own brother too!"
"All of which I'm sure you deserve."
"Really. I think you need to look into anger management classes. Or perhaps you need to go so far as to seek professional help. See a psychologist, a therapist at least. Maybe if you had a way to vent that anger somewhere instead of at innocents..."
"Are you saying that you are an innocent?"
"You do seem to find faults in everything that concerns me."
"The same can be said of you about me."
"I admit that I did treat you harshly during your first week here--"
"My first week! You still do treat me harshly!"
"If you think so, then perhaps I do. Which is why I offered the truce."
"The truce. The stupid truce. That thing failed ten seconds after it started."
"I guess we didn't put enough effort into it."
"One of us didn't anyway?" she turned away again.
"Don't worry, Carroll-san. I'm sure if you try hard enough, you'll succeed next time." He leaned in closer to her.
"What makes you think I was talking about myself?"
"But that would only leave me."
"No kidding."
"You think I'm the one who ruined our bargain?"
"I know so."
"What makes you say so?"
"You arrogant--" she stopped and took a deep breath and looked him straight in the eye. "The truce became obsolete when you first came over and interrupted my phone call."
"You were causing a disturbance."
"And I apologized to everyone for that. You know what? I'm not getting into that again."
"Fine." He answered.
"Fine!"
"Fine!" he shouted. He couldn't believe his childish behavior. He stood there a while just watching her finish fixing her food and grinned. She really was adorable.
"Why are you still here?" she asked when she saw him still standing there.
"Well, Carroll-san, you did say to ask you if we wanted anything else to drink, so here I am."
"Seeing as how you're Rei's brother, I didn't think you'd ask."
"It's your refrigerator too. Wouldn't want to step on anyone's toes. I know how sensitive you can be."
"Sensitive? What do you mean by that? What makes you think I'm sensitive?" she asked hotly.
"Just what I said. You take offense at everything I say."
"That's because every word from your mouth IS offensive."
"And no one should be offended at what you say I take it?" he asked dryly. "Maybe I should take my earlier comment back. The way you're carrying on right now seems more insensitive."
"Argh! You are so annoying!"
"And you are a pest!"
"If I'm such a bother to you, then why don't you do us both a favor and stay away from me."
"That's not exactly possible, Carroll-san, seeing as how we work together and now I find out that you're my sister's roommate. I thought you were smarter than that. Guess I was wrong," he said matter-of-factly.
"As usual," she wryly commented.
"The sad part is, is that Rei told me about this great roommate she had. She couldn't wait to introduce me to her newest friend, and I have to confess that I was eager to meet the person living with my sister. Imagine my surprise when I see you here."
"It couldn't be helped. I needed a place to stay and Rei needed a roommate to share expenses. It worked out perfect till you showed up tonight. And I'm not going anywhere either!" she added as an afterthought. "Besides, you should talk! All I heard about Rei's brother was that he's a kind, loving, and generous person who looked out for his little sister. Or anyone else, for that matter. The thought of you never entered my mind and I'd never have guessed that you'd turn out to be him. You're the complete opposite of what I thought he'd be. I was really looking forward to meeting such a person too."
"Sorry to disappoint you, sweetheart--"
"Don't call me sweetheart," she cut him off.
"Or what, Carroll-san? You'll report me to Ito-san? For what?" He leaned closer to her. "Sexual harassment?"
"I could," she threatened, standing her ground.
"If you hadn't noticed, it's after hours so you can't intimidate me with something so feeble." He took a step closer.
"You're not worth the time and effort anyway," she scoffed, backing away.
"Careful, you might hurt my feelings."
"I'll hurt more than that if you don't stay away from me."
"Another warning? How can I resist that?" He moved closer, so close that he was almost touching her. "What would you really do if I did make a pass at you?"
"You'll experience it firsthand if you even think about it, so I advise you to back up. Preferably out of the building, but I'll settle for at least five feet, buster!" She tried pushing him away.
He laughed at her futile attempt to move him but stepped away anyway. "I love these pet names you have for me, Carroll-san. You know, in Japan it's really quite improper. Such an endearment is usually reserved for lovers. I might start to get thoughts of you desiring me. And if you persist, then that will only provoke me to call you something equally endearing," he ran his finger down her cheek.
"You wouldn't dare!" She shoved his hand away. An unexplainable fluttering formed in her stomach, and her cheeks and ears seared with heat at his words and touch.
"'Dare'? Yet another pet name. Yes, your shortening of my name only confirms my beliefs. I 'dare' alright. I think I'll just settle for calling you Serena for now." He tried to touch her hair.
"Do what you like. Whatever you do makes no difference to me." Secretly, her name on his lips was the most exhilarating sound. She wanted to hear him say it again. 'What am I thinking? Snap out of it, girl!' She saw him grin and him moving towards her again. "And stop touching me! Just stay away"
"If nothing I do makes a difference, then why tell me to stay away from you? Why keep backing away when I step towards you or try to touch you?" He stepped her way again. "See? You moved back again. You, Serena, sweetheart," he called her again to annoy her more, "are a walking contradiction. I find that fascinating."
Ok, a change of subject is needed. "A minute ago I was a pest. You can't have it both ways."
"Can't you be a fascinating pest? Something in me wants to try to figure you out no matter how much you irritate me."
"Well you get on my nerves even more, so based on our mutual dislike, try to resist that particular urge."
"Surely you know how hard it is for men to resist urges," he murmured.
She put more distance between them this time and looked at him like he had grown two heads. "What's with you tonight, man? One minute you tell me I'm a temperamental, insensitive, misunderstanding fool, implying that I'm not good enough to be your sister's roommate or even her friend, and now you making a pass at me?! You, bossman, are a piece of work! How could you possibly be related to Rei?"
"You see Carroll-san, when a man and a woman love one another-"
"You see? That's just what I mean! I see what you're doing. You hate me so much that you're trying to get me to give up this chance and go back to Digital Anime! Well I won't be fooled by your change of tactics. Your comments are just as insulting and rude as you are. What kind of upbringing did you have? Rei's your sister, and she's the complete opposite from you. Where did your parents go wrong with you?"
She immediately regretted her words when his face darkened and he straightened his stance. What did she say wrong? She didn't want to hurt him. She moved forward to apologize when his quiet words reached her.
"You've made your point, Carroll-san. And I apologize for upsetting you. My words were only meant in jest. Forgive me. If you'll excuse me, I'll get that drink from the fridge, and move out of your way."
********
Serena pushed the food around her plate. She didn't taste any of the food that made it to her mouth. She didn't even hear any of the lively conversation around her, or even Reika, who had called her name three times already.
"Serena!" she waved her hand in front of the blonde.
"Huh?" She looked around, "Oh, Reika! I'm sorry. My thoughts were wandering."
"I could tell. Where were you? I've been calling you and calling you."
"I'm sorry. Did you need something?" She had forgotten that she and Rei had guests. Her mind kept wandering back to what happened in the kitchen. Why had Darien reacted like that? She had obviously hit a sore spot. Did something happen to him in the past? Did it affect Rei too? If it did, she certainly hid it better. She'd get to the bottom of this sooner or later. But she'd have to say something to Darien to convey just how sorry she was.
"I was just wondering why you weren't eating?"
"I guess I've just lost my appetite."
"What? But Italian is one of your favorites, not that you actually dislike food."
"I hate Mexican, to tell the truth, and sushi had to grow on me."
"Really? That's unbelievable considering what an amazing palate you have. But stop trying to change the subject. Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure? I saw Darien go into the kitchen while you were alone in there. You two stayed a while. I was just about to check for signs of life."
"And we're both still alive. Nothing to worry about."
"Be serious, Serena. I saw the way you two looked when you came out of there. I'm pretty sure everyone else did too. Both of you were getting kind of loud when suddenly everything went quiet."
"We had words, as usual. He was just as aggravating as ever and I refused to take his crap, that's all. Like I said, as usual."
"Are you sure that's it? You two are my friends, and I don't want anything to happen to either one of you."
Serena was tempted to ask if Reika knew what happened to Darien to make him act so strangely in the kitchen, but thought the better of it. It would be better if she asked Rei. "It's nothing. But thanks."
"No problem. If something comes up, you know who you can call."
"I will. Same thing goes for me."
********
"What did my baka brother do now?"
"What makes you think he did something?" Serena laughed. "Tonight was your night."
"You can't fool me. I could feel the tension radiating through the wall when you two were in the kitchen."
"Was it really that bad?"
"We all wanted to come see what was going on, but I think everyone was afraid."
"Afraid? Afraid of what?"
"Of finding a body or two laying around somewhere, I don't know. Motoki was the only one not worried."
"He would be. He knew that you were Darien's sister, and that I was your roommate. He just didn't say anything, the nutcase. He's used to our spats and wanted to have a front row seat so he could tell everyone at work."
"Is that what you called that? A spat? You two seemed like you were just short of hurling stuff at each other--you sounded that way at least. What did he tell you?"
"I don't want to go into it. It'll just upset me again."
"Rena, if I had known he was the one giving you so much trouble, I would've done something."
"There was nothing you could do. He's the boss, and I'm the fresh meat that he thinks he can push around. Don't worry. I've been handling myself."
"Well, thanks for not killing him, at least."
"Don't thank me yet. My eighteen months of being at Ito-san's aren't over yet."
"You haven't done anything so far."
"I repeat: It's early days yet."
"Well anyway, that didn't seem like an ordinary fight to me. I watched you two after you came out. You ended up throwing out half the food that was on your plate and didn't even touch the dessert! And I could only get one-word answers from Darien, so you've obviously affected him too. So give."
Serena hesitated. This conversation came up fast. "I think I really said something that hurt Darien's feelings," she said quietly. "I didn't mean to hurt his feelings. I just said the first thing that popped in my mind because he was aggravating me so much. He's really annoying! You know that? There are times when I really want to take a swing at him or something. Usually we trade insults and move on, but I went too far this time. And I feel really terrible now for all that I said to him tonight, and you should've seen his face after I said it. I'm sure it will haunt me for the rest of my life."
"Whoa, whoa, Rena, calm down."
"I can't be calm, Rei!" she said frantically. "You weren't there. I think I really pushed him to the edge and I'll never forgive myself if something happens to him because of something stupid I said."
"Darien wouldn't dare do something so irrational, so don't worry about that. Why don't you explain to me what happened."
So Serena finally told her what happened in the kitchen. Rei listened without interrupting and was quiet when Serena finally finished. 'No wonder Darien got so weird. But it wasn't Serena's fault. She didn't know,' she thought.
"What did I say wrong, Rei? He started acting so weird. I didn't mean to hurt him. I tried to tell him that, but he just got what he came for and walked out. And afterwards when I tried to go up to him, something always happened to take me away. He left before I could talk to him."
Rei was quiet a moment. She never thought to tell anyone about what happened so many years ago. There were days when the past felt like they happened only the day before, and there were days when it seemed like events had started before time began. Only a select few knew the story, and Rei figured that it was her roommate's turn to be let in on the tale.
What do you suppose the 'tale' is? Click the "Go" button for the "Submit Review" section & let me know what you think it is. I wanna hear what you think about this particular situation. Hopefully I'm keeping you interested. Obviously I'm doing something right if your still reading this minor Author's Note. Thanks for reading!! Til next time...