Title: Dream Diary Rating: G-PG Written by: Raseyu & Mistic anglemoon_raseyu@yahoo.com & mistic@flash.net Chapter 2 - ^_^ - ^_~ - ^_^ - ^_~ - ^_^ - ^_~ - ^_^ - ^_~ - ^_^ - ^_~ - ^_^ Serena's eyes were wide and desperate, pleading with Darien to understand. For some reason, she had a feeling he would. "Please, Darien." Dumbfounded, Darien found he could do nothing more than nod his head. "Thank you!" Serena cried giving Darien a bear hug and a peck on the cheek before running towards the voice leaving Darien to sit where he was and ponder what the heck just happened. -^_^ - ^_~ - ^_^ - ^_~ - ^_^ - ^_~ - ^_^ - ^_~ - ^_^ - ^_~ - ^_^ - Stranger things have happened to Darien Shields. He fought the minions of the Dark Kingdom on a regular basis. He dreamed of a beautiful princess that had stolen his heart, or so he thought. He had had incredible urges to climb lampposts and leap fences in the early stages of adolescence--although, Darien's adventures as Tuxedo Mask quickly quieted those urges. He fought along side the reluctant heroine Sailor Moon and saved her just in time with a perfectly aimed rose or desperate leap meant to pull the young girl to safety. Yes, stranger things have happened indeed. So why was it that the kiss of a young, beautiful girl brought him to his knees? Azabu High School knew Darien as a heart breaker. He was 6ft 2in tall with a lanky frame that did little to hide the power within. He had a slight build that accented formal clothes in a way no other could. Finely chiseled features stood out in stark contrast to golden skin. Darien's stormy, sapphire eyes held an air of mystery that captivated the hearts and imaginations of women, both young and old. Yet for all his looks, Darien scoffed at the way women looked at him. He often ran the other way rather than suffer their advances. His manner seemed almost cold in the way he treated women. No, Darien never hurt them only scorned their attention. Only one woman had ever held Darien's attention. At fifteen, you could hardly call this girl a woman yet her appearance spoke volumes against her age. She stood at a height of 4ft 11in with a body any girl would kill for. She had long slender legs and arms that hid strength beyond imagining. Her waist was tiny, and she could eat almost anything without gaining a pound. Long golden hair cascaded down her back like a halo. Azure eyes shone with happiness as well as life, and she brought joy to all those around her. Yet for all her beauty, this girl was a klutz. She could hardly walk a block without tripping over something, usually her own feet. She was a carefree youth that preferred sundaes to studying. Her grades were less than stellar yet that did little for her disposition. She was a true friend to all those around her. Always smiling trying to make others happy even when she was sad. For all his charms and killer smiles, Darien could not find a way to be nice to the girl. He insulted her, and she insulted him back. They bickered with each other nearly everyday making their friends believe they could not stand each other's company. Poor Darien, all he ever wanted to do was say something nice to the girl, but it always came out, "how ya doin', Meatball Head," or "fail any tests lately." The suave things he had planned to say went out the window, along with his self-control, the moment he saw her. Never in his life had Darien had it so bad for a girl. Too bad, she hated him with a passion. Still Darien longed for the day they could be friends and maybe even more. The chimes of the Crown Fruit Parlor brought Darien out of his silent retrieve. He had not even realized he had been moving until that moment. Therefore, when the chimes sounded, it is safe to believe that Darien jumped almost visibly. He had not expected to find himself there of all places. Shaking his head, Darien mindlessly shifted his precious bundle and began to make his way slowly across the tiled floor. For what seemed like the hundredth time that day, Darien's mind conjured up the events of an hour prior. Again, his mind began to analyze every word, every action, and again he puzzled over the young girl's actions. All of a sudden, realization slammed into Darien's overtaxed mind. Serena trusted him. Darien abruptly halted midway to the old fashion counter. Shock filled his mind so completely he could no longer move. His mind raced trying to sort out jumbled thoughts and images. 'No that can not be right,' Darien thought dejectedly, 'there has to be some mistake. Why would Meatball Head trust me, her worst enemy, of all people? No, no there has to be some kind of mistake here.' 'If she did not trust you, why did she give you her diary?' The voice of his heart challenged in an arrogant tone. 'She did not want her father to have it.' Darien's rational side responded automatically. 'Why?' The voice mocked. 'Because she...' 'Trusts you.' The voice exclaimed gleefully. 'She trusts you more than her own father.' Darien's rational side remained speechless and gawking at this revelation, for it rang of truth. Serena trusted him. She trusted him to guard her deepest, darkest secrets. A sense of overwhelming happiness swelled within Darien's heart. And for the first time in his life, he felt giddy all over, and he *liked* it! The sensation of knowing that Serena trusted him overwhelmed him with its intensity. Never before in his life had Darien felt so completely happy. The knowledge of Serena's trust filled him with unimaginable hope that he still stood a chance of beginning anew and winning her heart. A small, genuine smile hovered about Darien's lips. His eyes sparkled with hope as he took a seat at the counter. Carefully, Darien stacked Serena's diary and pencils off to the side. The girl had, had the good sense to give him the case for the pencils; therefore, they had no chance of rolling off the counter any time soon. 'She's more intelligent than she gives herself credit for.' Darien thought, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Well, somebody's in an -offly- good moon this morning! What happened?" A sandy haired blonde inquired from the other side of the counter. A large grin spreading across his face at the sight of Darien's vacant, love-struck look. 'He's got it bad,' the young man thought, causing his smile to grow bigger with every passing second. Startled, Darien nearly jumped off his stool, but after realizing whom had spoken to him, he just smiled mysteriously. A few moments of quiet contemplation passed before stormy, sapphire eyes lifted to meet the inquiring gaze of his grinning friend. Darien gulped at his best friend's Cheshire grin. He did not like that look one bit. 'Some friend you are,' Darien thought with a sigh. "Oh, nothing." Darien paused. Looking into his friend's rather suspicious gaze, he gave an inward sigh before continuing, his eyes taking on a mischievous glint. "Just ran into someone this morning..." Silence settled between the two young men as Andrew scrutinized Darien's gaze. What he saw there was mischief as well as hope. Taken aback by the mischief shinning in his stoic friend's eyes, Andrew had a hard time finding his voice. His mind raced trying to find a reason for the other man's good mood. Finding nothing in his friend's gaze, Andrew nearly shouted, "For Peter's sake! Who? Who did you run into this morning!" Laughter bubbled within Darien's throat, but he stifled it. He pushed it down yet his eyes shown with mirth. He just could not hide the amusement building within him. Therefore, knowing this, Darien offered just a bit more bait. "A friend." "Yes, I gather that, but who is she!" Darien faltered--openly no less. He had not expected his friend to figure it out so easily. 'How...' "W-who said it was a she?" Darien stuttered, trying to hide his initial shock. "It could have been one of the guys for all you know." "Yes, but I highly doubt that." At Darien's pointed look, Andrew hastily continued least his friend murder him. "That is to say, you had this vacant look on your face when you came in, and I think I am safe in saying you care about this person, deeply. I assumed that the person in question is female because I didn't think you swung -that- way-" "ANDREW!" "Okay, okay! Sheesh! Jeez, you don't have to bite my head off." Andrew exclaimed backing away from the counter, hands raised in defense of Darien's steely gaze and clenched jaw. "I know you don't, but still..." Andrew lowered his hands while Darien just glared at his so-called best friend. "You've go to admit..." "WHAT!" A visibly shocked Andrew jumped nearly a mile high with a yelp that sent many stares in the direction of the counter. Seeing nothing wrong, customers turned back to their meals and light chatter grumbling about overworked teenagers and so forth. Darien drew a deep, calming breath, "What? You've got to admit what?" "N-nothing-just forget it." Andrew stuttered shakily, nervously. "Now, tell me. Who is she?" Again, silence draped around the two young men. The hum of soft chatter and the ding of silverware on china were the only sounds that newcomers heard upon their entrance to the arcade. Darien's eyes became hooded and steely against Andrew's inquisitive gaze. His silence was that of a brooding man while Andrew's was that of quiet scrutiny. Neither man spoke lest they start another argument. "Excuse me." A voice called softly from beside Darien. "Umm...Could I place an order please?" Both men jumped slightly at the voice. Two heads turned in near unison to gaze upon a young woman in her early twenties. She had startling amber eyes and hair so green it looked black. So engrossed were they in their own world, the two men had not paid any attention to the young woman's approach. 'Guess, this'll have to wait for another time.' Andrew thought with a dejected sigh before pasting on a smile and speaking to the newcomer. "Sure, what can I get you?" The young woman just smiled mysteriously as she stated simply, "Green Tea." "Green Tea. Got it. I'll be right back," and with that, Andrew disappeared into the back storage room in search of some tea bags. Silence fell once more and the young woman took the opportunity to give Darien a once-over. Stormy sapphire eyes, chiseled features creased in a frown, unruly bangs falling into his face. He was handsome, she decided with a small smile. 'Now wonder the Princess has fallen for him.' "Umm, excuse me." The soft voice ventured. Startled, Darien jumped slightly. He had not expected this newcomer to speak to him. Very few ever ventured to speak to him when he was in 'one of his moods,' as Andrew put it once. Therefore, he was very surprised someone had decided to brave his temper. Darien responded with a raised eyebrow and a half smile. "I'm sorry. I just could not help but notice..." She looked down to see a piece of paper falling from the--what looked like a diary from her angle. Slowly, she bent down and picked it up. As she gracefully straightened, she could not help but notice how lovely the drawing was. "This picture...did you draw it?" she asked Darien offhandedly as she continued gazing upon the drawing in her gentle hand. Darien eyes widen in shocked terror as swiftly he grabbed the picture from the young woman's hands. So hastily did he shove the drawing back into Serena's book; he did not even take a moment to look at the picture. Instead, Darien held the diary close to his heart like a little child would hold his favorite teddy bear. The women could not help but giggle as Darien hugged the diary so close to his chest nor could she miss the protective glint in his eyes. "I guess not. Then do you know who the artist is?" she asked, raising a perfectly formed eyebrow and eyeing him. Nervously, Darien scanned the area around him before turning back to the woman. For a moment his protective hold loosened on the leather bound book as his eyes twinkled almost impishly as he taunted, "Yes, but I'm not telling." The woman could not help but laugh at Darien's mock- serious tone. He had seemed almost innocent holding that black book so near and with such fierce protectiveness in his eyes. She could have almost sworn she had seen that look before... It was then that Andrew sat a steaming mug of green tea down before the woman. Upon glancing at Darien, he could not help but laugh at the spectacle that his best friend made holding Serena's diary so close to him--even if not as close as he had held it only moments before. "Buddy what are you doing?" Andrew asked, raising one suspicious eyebrow in question and bringing his head to rest on his hands. He cocked his head to the side as though he was trying to derive the answer from the close inspection of his friend's steady gaze. However, Darien did not respond right away; instead, he decided to search the arcade for a way to change the subject. However, much to his eternal shock, Darien found the focus of the room to be on himself and the rather absurd spectacle he made holding Serena's diary as though it were a child in need of protecting. Why was he acting like this anyway--so protective of something as silly as a diary? 'But it's not just a silly diary,' Darien's heart cried out in defiance against his mind's insensitive inquiry. "Well?" Andrew drawled inquisitively, one eyebrow raised in amusement. Never in their years of friendship had he ever seen Darien be so protective of something--well, except for his past, but that's another story--that wasn't even his. Gazing upon the mildly inquisitive amusement expressed in Andrew's boyish features, Darien finally realized just how foolish he must look--almost a grown man--clutching Serena's diary as if it held the greatest treasure in the world. And to tell the truth, had he been honest with himself, Darien would have seen that the book did indeed hold a treasure--the treasure of an angel's trust--but he chose to ignore that fact. Instead, he opted rather hastily to gulp down the remains of his coffee-- burning his tongue yet again in the process--in a single gulp. Hissing gently in order to cool his abused tongue, Darien decided to take a moment to think before stating simply, "I'm just protecting Sere-er-Meatball Head's privacy. She deserves at least that much for the way I treat her..." Abruptly, Darien trailed off as a stupefied look clouded Andrew's features only to be followed by a stupid grin as he finally put two and two together. A silly grin steadily spread across his boyish face and vibrant emerald eyes began to cloud over in a dreamlike state. Finally, finally he was getting somewhere. "That's it," Andrew exclaimed, snapping his fingers in gleeful delight, "That's who you've been with all morning-- how come I didn't see it before? You always stare at her when she comes in, and you always talk to her--even if it's just to tease her mercilessly--" Abruptly, his eyes grew incredulous as he smacked himself on the forehead. "How could I have been so stupid!!! You've never looked at a girl that way before--hee hee--Darien's in love!" A collective gasp rose from the arcade as if Andrew had just spilt the biggest secret in the universe. The great Darien Shields was in love--and with Meatball Head no less! Who'd a thought that the cold aloof Darien would fall so hard? No one but a very smug looking Guardian of Time sitting on his right side, desperately trying to hide her laughter at the insane situation she had suddenly found herself in. Desperately, Darien tried to find some way out of this conversation--this "confession" of emotions that he had only recently realized burned deep within his once frozen heart. He had no classes today and Andrew knew it, or he would have used that excuse. However, Darien did have one card up his sleeve that Andrew did not know about. His work schedule. It was something that Darien only shared with Andrew when the later wanted to drag him to some party or nightclub. Today Darien was not scheduled to work but what Andrew did not know would not hurt him. Therefore, Darien hurriedly glanced down at his watched and exclaimed, "Sorry to interrupt your littler tirade, Andy, but I have to get to work." And with that, Darien gathered Serena's art supplies and headed towards the door. Halfway there, he abruptly spun around on his heel to face Andrew square in the eyes and stated in a calm, even tone, "I am not in love with, Meatball Head, nor do I loath her. She is an enigma--one that I plan on solving in the near future--but my feelings do not run any farther than that." Andrew only looked at Darien with a single eyebrow raised mockingly. "Sure Darien, sure. That's why you are holding--rather--protecting her dairy so carefully." Andrew stated calmly, pointing to the black book inscribed with the word "Bunny" in fancy golden script. "I don't have to take this from you Andrew," Darien exclaimed puffing him self up like a blow fish and crossing his arms (Think Steve Urkle ~ Mistic), " I DO NOT like Meatball Head, and I mean for my feelings to stay that way." And with that Darien spun on his heels only to wind up on his butt for all his troubles (Raseyu: tee-hee ^_^). "You're a regular Serena, Darien," Andrew exclaimed as he laughed and pointed at his disheveled friend, "This is classic, wish I had a camera!" Suddenly, a light bulb went off in Andrew's mind and within a second he was furiously rummaging through the lost and found drawer--which, just happened reside right in front of him. Seconds later, a triumphant Andrew yelled out, "Wait! I do have a camera!" (I am so mean! *evil laugh* ~ Mistic) Nevertheless, it was too late for Darien's tomato red face to be immortalized on film. (Ah--too bad... tee-hee! ~ Mistic) For almost as quickly as Darien had fallen, he had gathered himself up off the floor and ran out of the arcade, Serena's diary clutched in his hands and Andrew's laughter ringing in his ears. ~*~ To be continued... ~*~ Raseyu: Ha, I wrote this time! Mistic: not much... *rolls her eyes* Raseyu: *raspberry* I don't have to take this from you! Mistic: whatever...*walks away* Raseyu: Humph! I don't! *walks away, bowing her head* Mistic: Next chapter is already in progress. Hope you enjoyed this one! Oh! And constructive criticism is appreciated but flames are not! Thanks! ^_^ \/ Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon are (c) Naoko Takeuchi, Bandai, Kodansha, Toei Animation, etc.