Disclaimer: I do not nor have I ever owned Sailor Moon aka Pretty Soldier or its characters.
A/N: I am taking creative liberty with the time frame, manipulating some aspects of the plot and will incorporate other aspects of a show I love; the show will become more obvious in later chapters. As if this moment Rini is not part of the story yet. Let's say that after the events of the Negaverse, the Scouts, Serena, Darien and the Generals were reborn with no knowledge of their previous lives. No new enemy appeared, Luna and Artemis became regular cats their souls leaving since their mission had been complete. Yet the girls found each other became friends, Serena fell for Darien and the Scouts to the Generals. Their powers did not reappear because there was no enemy threatening Earth, but another member of the Negaverse was reborn, her powers growing slowly but surely.
Her small figure thrashed around the large bed. Flashes of blue entered her dreams those eyes that tormented her now. Eyes that looked away after telling her they could no longer be together that she would be safer without him and he would survive. It was always the same dream the day he had left her, the long walk she took in the rain after leaving his apartment. She had felt as though her heart had been taken out of her chest a huge gaping hole left in its place. Her world caved in the street she was walking on became dark, darker, and finally absent of any color or hope. Gasping for air she sat up feeling the pounding of her heart. Serena saw the light rain and sighed, "Stupid rain it serves no purpose but to mock me." Defeated she turned around to her clock it was 8 am, early but not early enough to go back to bed. She longed to curl up into a little ball feel him hands caress her long blonde hair, shaking her head she made her way into the kitchen. Luna was perched on the couch looking at the rain almost hypnotized by its movements.
Deciding that some oatmeal seemed fitting on such a cold day, Serena put her long her into a bun and prepared her and Luna's breakfast. She had long abandoned her pigtail buns not wanting to remember the nicknames that were associated with her trademark hairstyle. Wearing a pale pink night dress and some over the knee socks she decided it was time to get ready for the day that had to begin. She was supposed to meet Amy and the rest of the girls for alterations needed on the bridesmaid dresses. She smiled thinking of how beautiful Amy looked in her gown how her cheeks held a rosy tint her whole body radiating a glow, Amy was a good friend and deserved Zoicite who would no doubt make her happy. A knock on the door broke her from her thoughts.
She opened the door not really caring about her less than modest appearance. Her eyes widened at who was on the other side of that door but quickly she regained composure and arched an eyebrow.
"Well this is a surprise" she said in what she thought was a nonchalant voice. "I'm sorry to impose on you if you want I can return at a more fitting time" he replied with impeccable manners.
"Darien relax just come in I'm sure you're very busy and you don't want to be here anymore than I want you here." She felt the sting in the words but doubted he cared or that that they would hurt him. "Yes, of course," he entered her apartment cautiously almost looking around.
"There's no one here just my cat… So what's up" she said slipping on a pink robe and taking a seat across the table from him in her small kitchen. Then internally cringing at how lonely she sounded.
"I am not one to meddle in other people's lives and certainly not yours, but the girls are worried Mina in particular. I wouldn't even be here if it was not for Zoicite and Amy who notice how distant you are." He said carefully.
"I didn't know you still cared. You of all people should be the last one here. And you're right don't meddle in my life." She glared back afraid she would break first and seem weak to him.
"I think you should try to not be so selfish this is a happy time for them." Instantly regretting the words that left his lips he opened his mouth before she could protest.
"I guess I am just disappointed Serene." He said firmly.
"You don't get to be disappointed." She countered.
"Doesn't mean I don't feel it…. I expected better from you … I thought you would be okay." He said inching towards her. Feeling his cool breathe on her face she retreated unable to see those blue eyes so closely.
"I will deal with the girls and they won't put you in this position again. But it's my life. You asked not to be part of it and sure we are somewhat bound to each other because of our friends and the responsibilities we have to them, but we are nothing to each other." She emphasized the latter part of the sentence.
"Well you put me in my place" he retorted agitated. A knock from the door distracted Serena from the sour turning debate. "Give me a second will you" she told him instead of asking.
For the second time that morning she was stunned of what stood on the other side of her apartment door. She took a step outside and closed the door behind her. "Oh wow, hello" she said feeling surprised, uneasy, and just a bit confused. Dressed in a casual pair of jeans and black shirt stood the man she had woken up to the previous night. She had to admit he was a handsome man one that held a devilish smirk.
"I'm glad I caught you at this time" he smiled at her again his eyes softening. "You left your wallet at my place. But I'm glad this has given me an excuse to see you again." Her breathe caught in her throat "I really appreciate it; honestly I didn't even notice my wallet was missing yet. I'm such a ditz sometimes." came her soft reply.
"I doubt you could be a ditz, Serena. Adorable yes, I'm sure of it" he smirked again. "Please come in" she said feeling the warmth of his words fill her. "Crap" she groaned realizing her mistake.
The two men acknowledged each other's presence as soon as Seiya stepped into the kitchen.
"Sorry to intrude I assume you're a friend of Serena's? Or a relative?" he asked hoping it would be the latter and extended his hand towards Darien. He accepted his greeting though annoyed with the situation and angry that he could not kick the man out of her home.
Serena hoped the Earth would swallow her hole and take her away from this increasingly awkward moment. "Yes he's a family friend" she said in a hurried tone. Indeed a family friend who had seen her naked and would ravish her every night before he decided to dump her like last week's trash.
"This is umm this is..." she stuttered cursing herself for at least not learning the name of the man she had slept with and shared a bed with that night. Catching her predicament he stepped in, "I'm Seiya. I came to return her wallet. Which I am thankful for since it's given me an excuse to track this angel down" He said no trace of shame in his voice the man obviously smitten with the petite woman in front of him.
Darien visibly cringed at the picture they painted. The man's lustful gaze and her admiration of his compliment made him want to kiss her right there, claim her as he once would have. Darien met the eyes of the younger man who sent a cocky glance his way. A silent war starting between the two, at this tense display Serena thought it was best to intervene.
"Well I have a long day ahead of me so I'll catch you guys later.'" she said and gave a nervous laugh once again wanting nothing more but for this day to be over but sadly it was about 12:15 pm or more like a quarter past hell she thought.
"Think about what I said, take care." He said softly showing her tender emotion for the first time in months.
"A pleasure Serena, stop by for coffee any time" came his cool voice. His words lost her until she remembered the coffee shop he owned. He gently took her hand and kissed her knuckles. His eyes holding her gaze while he heard a grunt from behind him. Seiya made his way out the door with Darien right behind him making sure the man left the apartment structure.
He gazed up at her apartment seeing the light in her bathroom on and sighed oh what an idiot he was he thought. Putting on a pair of dark shades he headed back down the street he was needed somewhere else as well.
Serena stepped into her shower feeling the warm water relax her very tense body, letting the exchange between the three sink in. She had practically dangled Seiya in Darien's face though he didn't care she didn't want him to think she had done all that on purpose. Darien she thought his very name sent her into a panic filled cycle she still loved him desired him but he had only gone in representation of their friends. She would have to talk to them and try her best to put on a brave face though she knew Raye and Lita would give her the hardest time and call her bullshit.
Slipping on some wool grey wool tights, an oversized purple sweater, and some knee high black boots her hair up in a ponytail she knew she would be late again. She grabbed a messenger bag heading downstairs to hail a cab. Though she was glad to see her friends they were about to get an earful from her, they had chosen Darien to get through to her what were they thinking. The cab ride went by faster than expected and she found herself in front of the bridal shop.
Punching in the code given to her she entered the building and was met by the faces of her four friends. Mina stood next to Amy concern obvious in her eyes while Amy stared with the same concern and a bit of guilt. Sitting down and sipping on some wine Raye stared back at Serena clearly annoyed by the awkward silence. Lita sat next to Raye an unsure expression on her face but she got up and put her hands on her hip. "Serena before you start we didn't know what else to do," stated Raye the last person Serena ever thought would talk. Before Serena could respond Amy stood up making Raye and every else except for Serena to sit down. The bluenette began, "I have something to say….."
Well there's the second chapter. Hope it keeps you intrigued :)