Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or any character involved with it. It belongs to Naoko Takeuchi. This story is still going strong, but I do have to work a lot so I am sorry it takes me so long to update it!! Please R&R!!!! Thanx!!!!

Chapter 17

Serena's peaceful sleep was disturbed by her phone ringing.

She fumbled in the dark, knocked a glass of water off her bedside table, but she was able to retrieve the phone before it rang for a third time.

"At this time of night it must be a wrong number," Luna grumbled.

"Hello," Serena mumbled.

"I miss you," Seiya whispered.

Serena sat up and turned on her lamp.

"Seiya," she mumbled

"Go to bed," Luna demanded loudly. "It's three thirty in the morning."

"I know it's late," Seiya snickered. "I couldn't sleep. I wanted to hear your voice and make sure you were ok."

"I'm fine," Serena giggled and laid back to stare at her poster, while she listened to Seiya.

"You, Luna and Sikora left and Kakyuu said you went to see Darien. I called Sikora's phone, but she just sent a message saying you guys were talking, and not to bother her right now. I tried calling your house, but it just rang busy."

"I'm sorry," Serena pouted. "I think my phone was off the hook. Either my dad or my brother must have hung it back up. I didn't mean to make you worry."

"I tried to tell Sikora I was just worried about you," Seiya related. "But she just started bitching about me ignoring her orders and defying her every chance I get. Then, Yaten started snickering at me and Sikora started chewing his head off, so I left and came up to my room," he sighed.

"Some days I feel that my parents only notice I'm around when they need to yell at someone," Serena giggled. "Sometimes there's no pleasing them."

"And they definitely won't be pleased if you're too tired to get up for school in the morning," Luna said crossly. "Now say good night and go to bed," she ordered.

"I love you Serena," Seiya whispered and hung up before Serena could respond.

Serena very calmly hung up the phone.

Without warning, Serena scooped up Luna and fell backwards onto her bed.

"He said he loves me," Serena yelled with excitement, hugging the life out of Luna.

"He loves me," Serena rolled part way to the left. "He loves me," she rolled partway to the right. "He loves me," she giggled and continued to roll.

Luna put her claws slightly into Serena.

"Owww!" Serena whined and let go of Luna.

"I'm not a toy you can squeeze the stuffing out of," Luna scolded.

Serena grabbed a pillow and began dancing around her room.

"You have school in a few hours," Luna stated.

"Yup," Serena beamed and continued spinning around, till she tripped over a pile of clothes. She lay on the floor, holding the pillow and laughing.

Luna's ears flattened out to the sides and she shook her head. Then she turned her back to Serena and curled up to go back to sleep.

Serena knew she would never fall back asleep, so she decided to do her math homework and clean her room, in case her mom came home and saw it.

Serena's stomach began to demand food while she was still straightening up her room, but she ignored its rumbling till she finished cleaning. Serena knew that if she obeyed her tummy, she would be too lazy to finish her room. That and the fact she didn't think there was much by way of food anyway. Her dad knew less about grocery shopping, and then he knew about cooking.

She was surprised to see the lights come on in the kitchen when she crept down the stairs. Serena peeked around the corner and saw her mom making pancakes.

"Mom," Serena spouted enthusiastically as she bounced into the kitchen.

When Ikuko jumped, the pancakes in the pan she was holding, shot straight up, flipped over and landed back in the pan.

"Can you do that again?" Serena giggled.

"Why are you up at six thirty in the morning?" Ikuko smiled, still somewhat startled.

"I couldn't sleep. I wanted to clean my room," she began, then lowered her head and mumbled: "before you saw it." Serena lifted her head back up. "And finished my homework," she ended with a big grin.

"When did you get home?" Serena asked, getting plates from the cupboard.

"It was late. You were already asleep and I didn't want to wake you," Ikuko replied, putting the last of the pancakes on the serving platter.

Then Ikuko looked Serena in the eye: "I saw your room," she scowled.

"I couldn't decide what to wear on Friday," Serena said timidly. "But it's all clean now," she smiled.

"And what outfit did you find for your date with Seiya?" Ikuko grinned.

Serena almost dropped the plates.

"That is the name of the boy who called a few hours ago, isn't it," Ikuko placed the pancakes on the table and peeked over her shoulder at her awestruck daughter.

Ikuko laughed at her daughters expression then sat down.

Serena slowly approached the table and gently put the stack of plates down, before she dropped down in a chair.

"Your dad can sleep through a ringing phone, I can't," Ikuko smiled and loaded up a plate for Serena. "Seiya is the name you said when the boy mentioned missing you," she handed Serena the plate.

"Don't worry," Ikuko continued to smile as she placed a few pancakes on a plate for herself. "I hung up right after you called his name," she giggled. "I was a teenager once. A phone call from a boy is a private thing, especially if he's daring enough to call in the middle of the night."

Serena shoved a whole pancake in her mouth. She hadn't even put syrup on them yet.

"Would you like the syrup?" Ikuko said sarcastically.

Serena nodded.

"You will however tell Seiya not to call that late again or I might have to have a word with his mother," Ikuko stated, handing Serena the syrup.

"He called to say he loved me," Serena's face lit up with delight and a warm fuzzy feeling embraced her.

Ikuko was happy to see such joy emanating from her daughter. The look on Serena's face told her, this was more than a school girl crush. Ikuko felt sadness at the realization her little girl suddenly looked more mature. She was also concerned; she remembered what had brought that joy and bubbly glow to her face many years ago. But Ikuko would not dwell on what could or could not have happened.

Serena noticed her mother was lost in thought.

"What's wrong?" Serena asked.

"I was remembering the day your father brought such happiness to me," Ikuko smiled. "I remember the first time he said he loved me."

"How did you know he was the right man for you? Did you know right away?" Serena inquired with eyes of wonder.

"It's a feeling that you can't really explain," a happy little giggle escaped and her eyes appeared to drift off to some distant place. "It's like feeling, excited, happy and awkward all at the same time. There was something in his eyes. Something indescribable. A feeling. A sparkle. I knew that sparkle was for me. I didn't look for it, it was just there. It's not something you can search for," she told Serena. "It's something that you feel, when you look into his eyes."

Serena had her elbows on the table and her chin rested in her cupped hands, the whole time she had been listening to her mom.

Ikuko now imitated Serena's stance: "When do I get to meet Seiya?"

Serena smiled, gave a playful little shrug and stuffed her mouth with a pancake.

"Where did you meet him? Is he in your class? How old is he?" Ikuko was full of questions. "How long have you known him?"

"Morning," Kenji smiled at Serena and gave Ikuko a kiss on the cheek.

"Real food," Kenji's face lit up at the sight of the pancakes.

"Can't stomach your own cooking?" Ikuko teased her husband.

"If you ever have to go away again, you'll have to fill the freezer with home cooked meals before you leave," Kenji smiled warmly at his wife.

"You'd burn it while trying to warm it," Serena remarked with a stupid grin.

"You're still alive," Kenji quipped. "You didn't starve to death."

"I have Lita to thank for that," Serena announced proudly.

"Our starvation diet is over," Sam bellowed and threw himself into his mother's arms.

"Why are you up so early?" Kenji asked Serena.

"I had homework to finish," Serena replied and stood up. She didn't need to see the look on his face, she knew it was shock.

Ikuko smiled at Serena. She knew all her questions about Seiya would have to wait till they could be alone again.

Serena was halfway to school before Mina, Rei and Lita caught up to her.

"Can we slow down now?" Mina panted.

"That's what you get for running late," Serena mocked.

"We're not late," Rei stated. "You left your house early."

"We couldn't believe it when your mom said you left already," Lita added.

"I woke up early. I cleaned my room, finished my homework and had breakfast with my mom," Serena explained. "I didn't really look at the time; I just got ready and left."

"In a hurry to see Seiya?" Mina giggled.

Serena smiled and gave her walk a little sway.

"He said he loved me," Serena skipped off ahead of them.

"When did he do that?" Rei grabbed a hold of Serena, after a few skips.

"Is he sneaking into your room again?" Lita probed.

"Nope," Serena grinned. "He called me."

"You two have fun taking care of little miss giggles," Rei let go of Serena and looked at the other two. "I'm off to the peace and tranquility of my school," she laughed. "Meet me at the crown," she waved and ran off.

"Thanks," Lita moaned.

They could still hear Rei laughing as she went around the building.

Serena and Mina glanced at each other, held hands and skipped ahead of Lita.

Mina quickly threw her coat in her locker grabbed her book bag and ran off to class.

Serena and Lita had to give a little giggle when they saw Mina sitting backwards in her desk. Her elbows on Yaten's desk and her chin resting in her palms.

Yaten seemed to be so involved in the book he was reading, he hadn't noticed Mina.

Serena was quick to spot Seiya's eyes upon her and his radiant smile made her glad to be at school, or anywhere that he was.

Serena put her hands behind her back and swayed softly from side to side as she headed down the aisle to her desk. She knew Seiya liked the little walk she did for him. It was her way of saying how happy she was to see him.

"Mrs.Ito is away today," Mr.Hayashi announced, closing the door. "Those of you from her class will remain here for math today," he informed them as the bell rang.

As before, Seiya knew Serena's sweet little walk was for him and he was oblivious to anything else. He gazed upon her with his mouth agape. He stared with admiration and desire, he found her approach erotic.

Serena couldn't understand his look. The last time she walked for him in this manor, a brilliant smile adorns his face. But today he wasn't smiling.

Serena straddled her chair backwards, so she could talk to Seiya.

"Serena," Mr.Hayashi called out. "The front of the class is this way. You to Mina."

Yaten peeked over his book and watched Mina slowly right herself in her seat.

"Where's my smile?" Serena whispered to Seiya. "Don't you like that little walk anymore?" Her eyes reflected sadness and a little pout appeared.

Seiya raised himself part way out of his seat, so he could lean over and get close to Serena.

Seiya deeply inhaled the sweet scent of Serena's neck.

"Seiya sit. Serena turn around," Mr.Hayashi ordered. "Those of you from Mrs.Ito's class should know what you should be working on. My class turn to chapter seven."

Seiya had slid back into his seat, but Serena was in no hurry to turn around. She was more concerned with Seiya, then the orders of a teacher.

As soon as Mr.Hayashi turned his back to the class and began writing on the blackboard, Seiya rose up again.

Seiya brushed his face against Serena's, as his mouth neared her ear: "I love the walk," he whispered and inhaled her scent deeply again. He exhaled slowly: "If we were alone in the cabin, I'd show you how it makes me feel," a little snicker escaped his lips, as Lita pulled him back down to his seat.

"You're in math class Romeo," Lita whispered.

"Will you guys knock it off," Yaten grumbled quietly as he leaned partway across the aisle.

And at that moment realization struck Serena. She now understood what Seiya meant and her head fell to Seiya's desk, with a head turning 'thud', as embarrassment washed over her.

Yaten crashed to the floor, Lita and Ami burst out laughing and Mr.Hayashi spun on his heels.

"I will see the five of you after school," Mr.Hayashi barked.

Yaten's eyes were like ice when he glared at Serena and Seiya.

"Sorry," Serena apologized quietly as she turned around in her seat.

Not another sound was heard from any of them for the duration of the class.

When the class change bell sounded, Yaten stormed out of the room, leaving the rest of them exchanging glances.

"What the hell is his problem?" Lita huffed.

"He's having a temper tantrum over a little detention," Seiya sneered.

"I've never had a detention before either," Ami remarked. "But I'm not storming off."

"You've been quiet all morning," Serena mentioned to Seiya when they sat down in the cafeteria for lunch.

"Sorry," he sighed. "I just need some sleep," he rested his head on his arms.

Serena couldn't believe he fell asleep that quickly, with all the noise in the room.

When Serena saw Lita approaching, she held her finger to her lips.

"Is he sleeping?" Lita whispered and leaned over to look closely at Seiya.

Taiki gave Seiya's ponytail a few little tugs when he came to join Lita and Serena.

Seiya didn't even flinch.

"Let him sleep," Ami told Taiki.

"Serena's the only person I've ever seen fall asleep in the cafeteria," Mina giggled when she saw Seiya.

"Did you keep him up last night?" Taiki elbowed Serena and chuckled.

"No," Serena replied quite seriously and slightly red-faced.

The others laughed at her.

"I'm going to go find Yaten," Mina announced, standing up.

"Let him be," Taiki told her. "He'll come back when he decides to be sociable."

Mina sat back down, with an audible sigh.

"Is he still pouting about getting a detention?" Lita huffed.

"He was pouting all last night and this morning because Sikora was yelling at him about something yesterday," Taiki explained. "Last week her and Maliki freaked on him about the wine. I think he's worried what they are going to say about him getting detention," Taiki snickered.

"If he spends more time with Serena he might learn how to deal with angry parents," Mina mentioned. "She has more experience than anyone I know."

Serena hated Mondays enough without being the butt of everyone's sarcasm, there had to be a way to distract them, so she could have lunch in peace.

"Sikora said she'd like to try skiing," Serena mentioned, hoping to get the girls talking about their weekend instead of making comments about her.

Serena was happy that the rest of the lunch hour was filled with ski talk.

"Seiya," Serena said softly in Seiya's ear when the bell rang.

He didn't move.

Taiki snickered, then a mischievous grin came over his face: "Seiya, school," he barked with a voice that was identical to Maliki's.

Seiya's head shot up and he looked around. He seemed unimpressed to see four giggling girls and a stupid grin of satisfaction on Taiki's face.

"Asshole," Seiya grumbled at Taiki.

Taiki laughed at Seiya and continued to laugh as he walked away.

"I'm really not looking forward to a double period of gym," Seiya sighed and took hold of Serena's hand.

"I need a nap too," Serena moaned.

"I heard Miss Takahashi left the school," Ami mentioned. "Her fiancé got a job transfer and she went with him."

"A new teacher won't notice us missing," Seiya remarked. "We could sneak over to your house and take a nap," he pulled Serena close to his side and stopped walking.

"Don't even think about cutting class," Taiki scowled at them.

"My mom is back," Serena said and pulled away slightly. Then she scowled up at Seiya: "I doubt sleep would be the first thing that would come to your mind if we were alone in my room," she whispered.

A laugh escaped Seiya's smile and he leaned down and softly kissed her cheek.

"How about you fly me to the cabin?" He whispered in her ear.

Serena pushed him away and scowled, trying to eliminate the redness she felt rushing to her cheeks.

Seiya snickered for a moment, while the very embarrassed Serena continued down the hall.

Seiya ran up put his arm around Serena and pulled her close.

Serena buried her face in Seiya's side and let him lead the way. Until they had to go to separate changing rooms.

"That's Marisa, she was a student of Sikora's," Ami told Serena when she joined them on the floor of the gym. "I met her last week. Her husband is one of the scientists that will go investigate possible planets."

"He's checking out the possible planet we found this weekend," Taiki added. "I think you better call her Mrs.Kobayashi at school."

"Finished your temper tantrum?" Seiya teased Yaten.

Yaten gave Seiya an ice cold glare.

Seiya laughed at his angry looking brother.

Seiya turned his head and looked at the woman standing at the head of the class. Then his eyes darted to Taiki.

"I told you, you couldn't cut class," Taiki remarked with a stupid grin.

By the end of gym class, Serena was ready to fall asleep standing up.

"I called Rei on her communicator and told her we had a detention," Ami informed them as they dressed. "She was surprised that I would be involved in some hair brained scheme of Serena's that would get me in trouble."

"I am the root of all evil," Serena scoffed.

"What am I going to do?" Mina pouted.

"Wait in the library. Do your homework," Ami began to suggest.

"I think I'll go to the Crown and practice the racing game," Mina replied as they excited the locker room. "You'll come there after your detention right."

"If I'm still awake," Serena grinned.

"We'll be there," Ami assured her.

"I'll come play a few games with you," Taiki smiled at Mina. "Sikora's supposed to pick us up there later."

Mina hooked her arm in Taiki's.

"Have fun," Mina giggled, then waved as they walked away.

"I bet Mrs.Kobayashi is the teacher monitoring the detention room," Serena moaned as they all slowly sauntered down the hall. "They like to put new teachers in there, so they can learn who the trouble makers are."

"That is not a label I wish to carry," Ami sighed.

Serena opened the door: "Slow day," she remarked to her friends. "The only one in there is Yaten."

As Serena had told them, Mrs.Kobayashi was seated at the teacher's desk.

"Mr.Hayashi brought these papers for you to complete before you can go," Mrs.Kobayashi told them. "Take them; find a seat and no talking."

Serena made an audible moan when she saw that it was three stapled together sheets of paper.

Once seated, Serena mumbled to Lita: "I'll be here for hours."

"Shhh," Yaten glared at Serena.

"You shut up," Seiya growled quietly at Yaten.

"Seiya," Mrs.Kobayashi snapped, and then went to answer a knock at the door.

"Can we just get this done and get out of here?" Ami whispered while the teachers were out of the room.

Serena was surprised at how easy she found some of the questions. Still it was the longest detention she could ever remember having.

Serena noticed that her friends had all remained in their seats till she was done and all together they took their papers up.

"Think Mina has wore out Taiki yet?" Lita questioned as they made their way to the Crown.

"I'm dying for a shake," Serena sighed. "Milkshake," she moaned and pretended to faint into Seiya.

Seiya almost fell over, but Lita steadied him and Serena quickly recovered herself and stood back up.

"Careful Serena," Lita scowled. "He can barely hold himself up."

"He should have slept last night instead of waking me up at three thirty," Serena commented and took hold of Seiya's hand.

"You snuck over to her house?" Yaten smiled at Seiya.

"No," Seiya replied. "I called her."

"My mom says you're not supposed to call that late anymore," Serena giggled. "Or she says she'll have to talk to your mom."

Yaten burst out laughing.

"Nice to see you're in a better mood," Lita remarked.

Yaten gave a weak shrug with one shoulder and kept walking.

Serena noticed Yaten kept glancing around as they walked.

Serena grabbed Yaten's arm and made him turn to face her: "Do you feel someone is following us?" She stared into his eyes.

Ami and Lita pushed Seiya near a wall and they stood in front of him, with their hands clasped on their transformation wands in their pockets.

Serena now looked at Ami and Lita: "What are you doing?"

"Protecting Seiya," Ami replied.

"It could be Darien," Lita glared around.

"I told Darien I wanted to be with Seiya and he said he'd leave us alone," Serena told her friends.

"I do not trust a man who would hide in the shadows and attack an unarmed person," Yaten stated coldly.

"I agree," Lita nodded and Seiya tried to step around her, but she pushed him back to the wall.

"Lita, you promised not to go after Darien," Serena whined.

"But I am sworn to protect my future queen and her king," Lita responded and gave a very slight tip of her head to Seiya.

Ami giggled.

Yaten looked up at Seiya, then quickly turned his head towards Lita: "You don't expect me to bow down to him," he remarked with a grimace.

Seiya and the girls burst out laughing.

Yaten gently shook his head and continued on his way.

"Why were you looking around?" Ami asked, coming up beside Yaten.

"I was looking for the time," he answered.

"It's almost four thirty," Ami told him, glancing at her watch.

"It took us over an hour to do that math crap?" Yaten moaned.

"No," Lita smiled. "It took Serena an hour to do math."

It was now time to laugh at Serena and they were still snickering when they entered the Crown through the game room.

"Finally," Mina uttered loudly, recognizing the laughs before she even saw her friends.

"Sounds like you had fun in detention," Mina peeked around a machine.

"Fun," Yaten scoffed.

"I will endeavour to never darken those doors again," Ami sighed as Taiki approached.

"What?" Serena and Mina squeaked.

"She never wants another detention," Rei explained, then gave a Serena a stern scowl.

"It's not Serena's fault," Ami smiled at Rei. "I got detention all on my own."

Rei stood there with her mouth open.

"Got your practicing done?" Lita strolled over to Mina. "Ready for a real challenge?"

"Yup," Mina answered confidently.

"Confident, aren't you?" Lita took the seat next to Mina.

"Taiki had been showing me all sorts of moves and where to put my hands," Mina smiled.

"Showing her moves and where to put her hands," Seiya elbowed Taiki and snickered.

"Isn't that something you should be doing with Ami?" Yaten quipped.

Taiki just smirked and raised an eyebrow.

"Perverts," Mina sneered loudly.

Yaten went and stood behind Mina. A mischievous grin formed and he leaned over: "I could show you a few moves and where to put your hands," he whispered in Mina's ear and gave her neck a few soft kisses.

"Go away," Lita ordered Yaten when Mina crashed.

"Tea?" Taiki offered his arm to Ami, then his other arm to Rei.

"That's so cute," Rei giggled and took Taiki's arm and smiled at Ami.

"Milkshake time," Serena announced and pulled Seiya along.

"Sikora here?" Yaten asked and left Lita and Mina.

"Her and Marisa must still be having coffee somewhere," Taiki answered as they all sat down for their drinks.