Chapter 7

Darien's POV

It's been 2 weeks since my first encounter with the Scouts. During those two weeks we battled 5 youmas. They seemed stronger than what we used to fight before or it could just be the lack of power we had. I was surprised the Scouts were able to hold out for 2 months without their leader.

The Scouts let me meet their Guardian, a strange black cat who to my astonishment could talk. She then gave me a pink watch. She had explained it was Sailor Moon's communicator, and it was used to communicate with the rest of the Scouts to call for help. Unfortunately, our identities from each other were still kept secret and I was told to hold the watch away from my face if not transformed when I answered to keep my identity hidden. We also met transformed, during the weekends to discuss battle strategies.

The knowledge about Sailor Moon's predicament still had me worried and confused. I could only trust that what the Scouts said about her being safe and unharmed be true. But I wanted to make sure. And the only way I knew how without finding out about her secret identity was through the link I shared with her.

Everyday for the last 2 weeks I would focus on our link. And surprisingly everyday the link got stronger and stronger. At first I could feel nothing, but only her life essence. The days went on and I was able to feel some of what she felt, most was boredom and annoyance but on most days I felt something familiar within her feelings. She felt lonely. That was a feeling I know all to well. I wondered why she felt lonely, and I had the urge to comfort her. I suddenly felt guilty. And I automatically thought of her.

I realized that the last time I saw her was when I hit on her at the arcade 2 weeks ago. I slapped my palm to my forehead "just great" I said to my self. She probably thinks that I've been avoiding her since that day. Looking at the clock in my kitchen, I realized it was almost 3:45pm. Deciding to go to the Arcade I headed out of my apartment hoping to catch Serena there. I had to admit, I didn't have a lot of spare time to think about Serena with everything that's happened. But now that I did, I had an overwhelming feeling of longing in my chest. I missed her, and I didn't even notice how much I miss her. I took out my car keys knowing it would be faster to drive than walk. I really wanted to see her more like I needed to see her.

I parked my car across the street from the Arcade. I was feeling rather excited. I looked at my watch and noticed it was 3:55pm, 5 more minutes I thought, and she'll be prancing through those doors. I walked in the Arcade, the smell of burgers and coffee invaded my nostrils and made me realized how hungry I was. I sat in my usual stool and on cue Andrew greeted me. I ordered burger and fries, which he thought was unusual but then explained to him that I haven't had lunch.

Waiting for my order I heard the door open, I felt her before I even saw her. It's astonishing how she can bring so much life and warmth in a room just by walking in. I felt the hairs of my arms stand as I felt that golden aura of hers. She took the stool next to me and turned to face me and gave me that bright smile she always wears. I grinned back.

"I'm assuming you had a wonderful day?" I asked her

She shook her head in response and grinned even more. I sighed with a smile and ran my fingers through my hair. This woman will never cease to amaze me I thought. She was the only one who could ever make me smile or laugh.

"Ok?" I said. In a confused tone

"Do you want to tell me why you're grinning when you haven't had a wonderful day?" I asked again in a mocking tone with a smile

"Well let me start by saying I had the worst day today! I woke up late and was late for school and the gates were locked, left my lunch at home, got detention for being late, and to top it off I was told I have a math's test tomorrow!" She explained and by the time she finished she was breathless

"And you're still grinning because …?" I asked pausing for her to reply

"Because … Today I finally get to hangout with Ami, Lita and Rei!" she said excitedly.

I raised my brows at her reply. She goes to school with two of the girls and sees them 6 hours a day and yet she's so excited to see them, didn't I just say this woman will never cease to amaze me.

"I know what you're thinking" she said in a tone I've never heard before. That immediately stopped my inner monologue. She suddenly turned away from me and stared at the bench in front and started tracing invisible lines on the counter with her index finger. My eyes widened at my realization. She's sad. I've never seen her this way, I've seen her angry, frustrated and crying but never sad.

"Yes, I spend 6 hours a day with Lita and Ami, but I can't explain this feeling I have inside, that there's something missing. I don't know what it is but I miss them Darien, I really do" she said in such longing tone.

My heart ached at the sight of her. I've never seen her like this and I really felt like holding her in my arms and if could, I would take away her pain in an instant. Instead I settled for my hand over her fidgety one. My actions caused her to look up at me. And I swear I felt a sharp pain in my chest when I saw her eyes. Filled with so much pain, longing and frustration. It hurt me to the core to see her like this, her eyes were glassy and I knew she was holding back her tears. I squeezed her hand that was in mine.

"Have you talked to them about this?" I asked concern etched on my face

She shook her head in response "But I will today" she said with a sad smile.

"Good, I don't like this gloomy Serena. To be honest I would prefer the klutzy, whining Serena, even pig like Serena, who walked around and ate everything in sight" I said with a smirk hoping to distract her.

Just as I finished my sentence Andrew placed my order on the counter. Grabbing my burger she smirked back.

"Your wish is my command master" she said sandwiching the burger in her palms like a genie and blinking her eyes before taking a big bite.

I whole-heartedly laughed at her actions, not because it was undeniably hilarious but because I knew, no matter how much in pain she was she would put everyone else above her self not to mention the worry that was on my face a few seconds ago. It was one of the traits she had that made her shine brighter than the rest.

Her phone ringing saved my burger from complete annihilation. The moment she placed the burger back on to the plate I lunged for what was left. As I ate, I watched as she rummaged through her school bag looking for her ringing phone

"Hey Rei, I'm at the Arcade already where are you?" I heard her say over the phone. I kept on listening.

"I'll come down and help … Are you sure? Is every thing ok?... No it's ok, I have a math's test I should study for anyway … ok let me know if you need me … no don't, really its ok … alright talk to you later .. bye." Serena's tone was cheerful through out the conversation but I knew from her eyes she was nothing but cheerful. I had a feeling her friends just bailed on her.

I watched as she pressed the end call button on her phone. She sighed and took a fry off my plate and smiled. I shook my head at her.

"You can't fool me with that smile?" I said with narrowed eyes.

"I'm not smiling coz I'm trying to hide my annoyance with my friends bailing on me, I'm smiling coz at least I get to spend more time with you plus got a free meal out of it too" She said beaming

I cupped her face with my hands. She flushed at the contact, and the warmth of her skin on mine radiated through out my body. She stared into my eyes shocked at my actions.

"Don't ever hide the fact that you're hurting, not from me please" I begged. She placed her hands on mine and removed them from her face but kept them in hers. She laced our fingers together and took a breath while staring at our entwined fingers.

"I'm not hiding that I'm hurting, I'm smiling coz you're here with me, and that's something I can smile about" she said as she stared back into my eyes and gave me small and yet loving smile.

I found myself getting lost in that moment, lost in her eyes, her scent, her touch, her warmth and her aura. That smile she gave me, that loving smile, gave me hope that maybe; just maybe she could love me as much as I love her. I wanted to kiss her right then and there and found that our faces were inches apart. Our breaths could be felt on each others skin. She closed her eyes as our lips almost touched when..

BEEP BEEP BEEP BEEP

We both pulled back by the sudden noise that came from my pocket and to my surprise she started rummaging through her pocket. I looked at her confused.

"You can hear the beeping?" I asked

"Yeah sorry, I thought it was me, that sound is some what familiar" She said in an uncertain tone. Confusion flashed across her face and I looked at her with furrowed brows. I was told no ordinary person could hear the communicator's beeps as it was on a sound frequency that could not be heard by normal ears.

"Aren't you going to answer that?" She asked.

"I.. ahhh .. its reminder alarm, I forgot I had to be somewhere. Sorry to bail on you. I'd ask you to wait for me but I'm not quiet sure how long I'll be." I said, feeling guilty. I would blow off anything for her at this moment, but dealing with youmas was something I couldn't blow off since lives depended on it.

She smiled that loving smile at me again and guilt surged through me once more.

"That's ok, thanks for the afternoon snack. You go, I have to be getting home anyway. Thanks for being here" She said and before I could say anything I felt her lips on my cheek, I froze. And before I could pull myself together she was gone.

I laid a hand on the cheek she kissed, her scent and warmth still lingering. I shook my head, I can be shocked and pleased later I had a youma to deal with I thought to myself. I quickly ran out of the Arcade making sure to leave cash for the bill, and headed straight for the nearest deserted ally way and transformed. I popped open the communicator lid

"Tux here" I said

"Park near the lake" Mars stated.

"Be there in 2 mins" I said.

As I ran, I couldn't help think of what just happened. We almost kissed. That kiss she gave me on the cheek still had me stunned. I never thought her to be so bold. I smiled at the thought. Hope grew inside me, maybe my love was not one sided.

A/N: I just finished this chap, had a busy week! How bold was Serena? I'm making her a bit bold in this story, kinda irritated me how subtle she is at times. Thanks for the reviews guys and the support! Next chap will be Serena's POV! I bet you're all wondering what was going through her mind through out her and Darien's convo !

PLEASE REVIEW