Chapter 6

Darien's POV

Banging my head on the bench is what I really felt like doing. I understood only idiots did that, and that is what I was, the moment I whispered those words in her ears. I have lost count of how many times I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration while I drank my coffee at the arcade. I couldn't hold back the words. She was so beautiful at that moment; she was glowing in that silver light, and being in such close proximity of it was warming my insides. As her hair cascaded around her I wanted to know what her hair would feel like in my fingers. And they felt just how they looked, soft like silk. When I bent down to whisper in her ear, I inhaled her scent, a mixture of strawberries and vanilla, intoxicating my senses. I sensed her stiffen at my words but then relaxed as her cheeks reddened when she replied with a thank you and then gave a me a rather bad excuse for having to leave right after our moment passed. I just hoped I didn't scare her. Who am I kidding, if a guy that I barely know hit on me like that I would run for the hills as well. Deciding that brooding in the arcade wasn't a good place for it I said my goodbyes to Andrew and headed out for the park to clear my head.

As I walked I started to think about the last month that passed. My exams took a lot of my time, and I was so grateful that there were no attacks during such a crucial time for me. I haven't felt Sailor Moon in danger and was relieved by it. I wondered why the Negaverse hasn't attacked for such a long time. It then it occurred to me that my last battle with them was a little over two months ago. I stopped walking at my sudden realization. How did I not notice this before, I thought to myself. Serena had the accident two months ago so I was kind of out of it and then my exams the month after. The Negaverse didn't even cross my mind until now. There was no news about attacks so I assumed there wasn't any or the Scouts handled them, but if they did why was I not summoned? Screams put my thoughts to an abrupt halt.

I ran towards the park where the screams were coming from. People were running the opposite direction clearing the park. That's when I saw it, another disgusting youma. I stayed a few meters away from it hiding in the bushes observing it and waiting for the scouts. On cue the Scouts arrived. I automatically noticed Sailor Moon was not with them and just thought she might be running late.

I transformed and continued to observe the scouts fight the youma, I know it kind of looks like I'm a coward but my powers are limited to only assist and provide a distraction and of course save Sailor Moon from things that would impale her. It was never my job to end the youmas, only Sailor Moon was the one able to do that. As I observed the battle, I noticed the Scouts were struggling to defeat the youma, where is Sailor Moon, I thought.

Just then I noticed the youma aimed a power energy ball at Sailor Mercury who did not see it coming. Instincts kicked in and I ran for her to prevent such a collision that would have led to a serious injury. As I set Sailor Mercury down from my arms away from the youma and it's attacks, I noticed the Scouts were out of breath and heaving.

"Where is Sailor Moon?" I asked

As if not hearing a word I said, the Scouts didn't even turn their heads to look at me. Instead stared at the youma probably contemplating a way to destroy it. I turned to Sailor Mercury

"Where is Sailor Moon?" I have been watching from afar and you are not having luck destroying this monster, I would advise you call her for assistance" I said to her in a monotone voice

I watched as Sailor Mercury and her fellow Scouts down casted their eyes at my words and I saw pain and regret embedded in them. I had no idea what was going on, or what I said to have brought out such emotions from them. I suddenly had bad feeling in my gut.

"Look cape boy, just help us destroy this thing and we can chat later" Mars snapped while jumping away from another power ball the youma had released.

"I have a plan, and we will need your help Tuxedo Mask if you are willing to aid us?" Sailor Mercury asked while typing away on her mini laptop.

"I am willing to aid you but you will answer my questions about Sailor Moon's absence" I stated

"I will disclose what I can, but right now I need you to distract the youma long enough for us to power up. We will be emitting our powers at the same time so when you hear move I would advise you move" she said bluntly

I nodded to the blue haired woman and leaped away and headed for the youma, I used my cane to push the youma a few meters away from the Scouts.

"You have 30 seconds Scouts, that's how long my rose barricade will last" I shouted at them.

Readying my attack I took out a dozen roses from my sub space pocket and aimed it at the youma encircling it. Once the roses were firmly planted it shot out an energy shield barricading the youma inside.

"NOW" I shouted leaping away from the barricaded youma

The combined power of the three Scouts was able to destroy the youma. It left them weakened and from my observation was barely able to stand up from exhaustion. I walked up them

"Now, will some please explain to me where is Sailor Moon?" this time I didn't ask I demanded

"Hey don't you dare take that kind of tone with us, where were you the past 2 months huh?! Were you on some fabulous holiday out on the beach frolicking while we bust our asses trying to get rid of these monsters" Sailor Jupiter argued

I was knocked back by her words, they were fighting all this time and I didn't even know about it. But how is that possible, I thought to myself. I was never summoned because I never felt Sailor Moon transform. I pondered whether I should divulge to them this bond I had with Sailor Moon. Before I could answer Sailor Jupiter, Sailor Mercury stepped in.

"Jupiter, I don't think yelling at him is necessary. He did aid us after all and we were in need of it" Sailor Mercury said in the calmness voice. She then turned to me.

"Thank you Tuxedo Mask for saving my friends and I from this situation. And as promised I will tell you what I can about Sailor Moon's absence" she said to me.

"Don't bother with him, Mercury. He doesn't need to know anything. We can handle this on our own" Sailor Mars retorted.

Before I could even get a word in Mar's remark Mercury stepped in again this time without the calmness.

"That is enough Mars, I knew it and you knew it, we weren't doing a great job beating that monster on our own. And to continue to protect her we need his help" Mercury stated

All three Scouts again down casted their eyes and again pain and regret reflected in them. What did they mean to protect her? Sailor Moon? Was she in danger? Was she hurt? I saw red; the words came out of my mouth before I could even think about them.

"Where the fuck is she!?" My hands were balled into fists and I could feel my hands shaking from gripping. I could feel the blood pumping to my face and I was pretty sure I was red in the face with rage. I didn't understand why I was so angry or why I cared so much about Sailor Moon's wellbeing. It hurt and confused me at the same time.

"I had a inkling you cared about Sailor Moon and your reaction right now just proved my theory correct. Like I said, I can only tell you what I can. This is to ensure her identity is kept a secret. Do you agree to our terms?" Mercury said nonchalantly

I nodded in response to her question fearing I might verbally abuse them again.

"Before I begin, can I assume that you never came to our aid in the last two months because you never felt that Sailor Moon transformed?" Mercury asked

Again I was knocked back; I really did admire Mercury's intellect right at that moment.

"I was contemplating whether I should divulge that information to you, but since you already know half I guess knowing the full details won't hurt. I don't just feel her when she's transformed. I also feel her when she is emitting strong emotions like fear and panic, I would say it was like I had a link with her" I stated calmly.

The Scouts nodded at my response. Before I could ask again where Sailor Moon was Mars started talking.

"She is safe and unharmed. Things have occurred in her life that has her unable to transform into Sailor Moon. I know that you know her well enough that even without being able to transform, she would try to assist us in anyway possible so before you ask why she is not assisting, we will not answer for it's to ensure her identity is kept secret" Mars stated

I contemplated what she said for a while. I knew I had to ask questions they can answer, and I knew they definitely will not tell me more than what I need to know.

"Ok, so she's safe?" I asked. They nodded

"Did she lose her powers?"

"No, she still has them" Jupiter replied

"But she can't transform but you can't tell me why?" they nodded in unison again

"For how long will she keep this up?" I asked curiously

"Indefinite, we hope" Mars replied in a sad tone

I sighed; I had so many questions going through my mind. Why have her powers but not transform. Why would they hope she wouldn't transform even when they needed her power so badly. I knew Sailor Moon loved her friends and would never let any one of them come to harm. But yet, she wasn't here protecting them. All I could do was trust them and hope that what ever they were doing was in Sailor Moons best interest.

"I don't quite understand what you've just said to me. And I can only hope that you've thought through what ever it is that you're doing with this situation. If it is to protect her that she does not transform then I will not question this. But from what I can tell you're all having hard time with this. I am willing to assist you in battle if it helps, though we do need to find a way to communicate with each other since Sailor Moon is not in the picture" I said knowingly.

I will do this for her I thought to myself, if it keeps her safe then I will do anything. I couldn't understand my feelings for Sailor Moon knowing I was in love with another. But for some reason it didn't feel wrong to care for both. Why is that I thought?

A/N: Hey guys this chap is longer than the others (read below why)

Ncisduckie: I have changed the quotation marks to " - when there is a conversation happening. Sorry for not doing that from the beginning!

AimlesslyGera: As much I would love to just sit down and type and finish this story, my kids and studies take a lot of my time , BUT from now on my chapters will be much longer ! Starting from this chapter to make up for only posting once a week! ENJOY

THANK YOU FOR YOUR REVIEWS

PLEASE REVIEW