Hey readers I know it's been forever since I updated, but I've finally got around to it again and I must confess I nearly forgot about it during all this time. This is a short chapter, but I'll try to get another one up sometime soon. Thanks for being patient!

Chapter 8

Serena fought the urge to look back as she clung to Danny's arm tighter. This whole situation was tearing her apart but the reassuring twinkle from her bracelet eased her anxiety slightly. She knew that somehow this was all for the best. All she had to do was drown her sorrows in Danny's company.

Lord Akio felt a boost in confidence as he felt Serena cling to his arm tighter as they left her loved ones behind. He smirked inwardly as he felt his plans go into motion. Yes, this is perfect. I haven't even begun to use my guile and all is going according to plan. This foolish girl may indeed prove to be my perfect tool in exacting my long awaited revenge… He straightened his back and tried to pull Serena just a bit closer for her friends to see sending his signal that he wasn't going anywhere.

Darien did not let this little gesture go unnoticed as he clenched his fists tightly and grunted in anger. The girls also noticed this and couldn't believe the way Serena had seemed to change over night. This seemed to be a darker and colder side of Serena that no one had been prepared for.

"I don't trust this new 'friend' of Serena's," Lita stated as she crossed her arms.

"I know how you feel, I don't get how this guy just comes out of nowhere and thinks he can butt his way into Serena's life." Mina agreed.

"The real problem here is Serena's distant attitude, if she's going to try and push us away, fine. But why is she mixing herself up with this guy she doesn't even know." Rei fumed.

Amy decided this was her chance to speak. "Well now, we don't exactly know whether this new acquaintance in Serena's life is a stranger yet, she may in fact know him very well and it is us that remained unknowing of his presence…or you could be right, in either case we have no way of knowing since Serena has seemed to cut off all meaningful communication as of late."

Darien clenched his jaw and tried to suppress the mounting urge to beat the information he desperately wanted to know out of this 'Danny' character. Even the thought of him being anywhere near his precious Serena while he's being shut out clawed at his senses. It was all such a big mistake and he wanted nothing more than to wake up from this nightmare and see Serena's sleeping form next to him oblivious to the dark thoughts in his mind. He longed for nothing more than to scoop her tender form into his arms and revel in her warmth. To hear the sound of her heartbeat against his chest letting him know she was his and only his.

"It doesn't matter whether she knows him or not. He's getting way too close to her and we're going to get to the bottom of this. Just because Serena has chosen to shut us out, doesn't mean we've stopped caring for her and I'm going to do everything in my power to protect her regardless of what she wants." Darien stated matter-of-factly.

The girls seemed emboldened by his statement and nodded in agreement as they watched the two walk out of sight. It would be easy to find Serena but the hard part would be getting her alone since this new 'friend' of hers didn't seem to be deterred by their presence.

After walking together with Danny, Serena couldn't shake the feeling of being depressed and thought she might just go home and be alone for a while. She stopped Danny by tugging on his shirt sleeve to get his attention.

Upon feeling Serena tug in his shirt, Akio turned his attention to her. "Yes, Serena? Is there something on your mind?" He asked.

Serena had her eyes on the ground and shuffled her feet for a minute before answering. "Actually, I'd really like to go home now. I'm feeling a bit tired."

Akio turned to Serena and placed his hands on her shoulders. "I really hope it wasn't anything I did to make you want to go home so soon." He said with mock sincerity.

Serena lifted her gaze to meet his and tried to fake a smile. "Oh no, it's not anything like that, I just really feel tired and think it would be better to go home and get some rest." She assured him.

Akio grimaced inwardly. He needed to be around this fickle female longer in order to gain her trust. It just wouldn't do for her to have doubts and run back to her loved ones setting him back to square one. "Well, I won't keep you out, if that's the case. I just enjoy spending time with you and don't like the idea of wasting a minute if it can be helped." He felt this to be an appropriate response as he saw her features soften.

Serena felt touched by his kind words since it had been a while since she had heard Darien's heavenly voice utter loving sentiments in such a kind manner. She almost felt compelled to stay with Danny a while longer, but he was not her Darien and he couldn't banish the depression that was beginning to settle over her once more at the thought of her lost love. "That's really sweet of you Danny, and I'm sorry I can't spend more time with you today."

Akio could almost envision Serena's trust in him growing stronger. "It's ok, really. I wouldn't want to be the cause of such a lovely lady such as yourself not getting enough beauty sleep. But since you are going home let me walk you there." He offered.

Serena felt her guard slipping and just needed to be away from Danny before she let hr emotions get the best of her. "No, that's ok. I'm fine just walking by myself it's not that far anyway."

Akio searched her eyes a moment more before relenting. He didn't want to push his luck with her after making so much progress. "If you say so, Serena, I'll let you be on your way. But I'd like to see you again tomorrow, if that's alright with you."

Serena blushed slightly. It seemed he was really eager to spend time with her and the notion made her feel wanted. "Well, ok, I guess we can meet at the same place at the same time."

Akio smiled charmingly and took her delicate hand in his and proceeded to kiss it gently. "It's a date then. I'll see you tomorrow." With that show of affection he continued on his way.

Serena was stunned to say the least and was in a stupor as she watched him leave. She snapped out of her trance before he was out of sight and proceeded to hurry home trying to get her mind and emotions in check.