Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Stolen Kiss ❯ One-Shot

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

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Author's notes: Heidy Ho Neighborinos! Welps, to break off from my
current writing I decided to write this. It's my first songfic so sue
me. :: remembers huge sailor moon collection:: On second thought, don't
sue me. ~*~;; This isn't a typical piece of songfiction since there's
actually a story line rather than just a scene to put a song to. Oh
yeah, unlike my typical style of writing, I won't be focusing on the
senshi's feelings, just Serena and Darien. ^*^ Why did I use the
American names? Dunno, just felt like it! ^*^;; Oh, one last thing,
thanx Philip Marques for the idea on the waltzing scene. Thanks
Patch et as for encouring me! And thank you soo much ladybug
for the great tips and suggestions! SM is not mine and Savage
Garden's song is not mine but I wish they were! ^^;; Minna, enjoy! ^*^


**********************
A Stolen Kiss
by Diana Moon

Rated: PG 13
**********************

"Whew... For once I don't have detention!" Serena exclaimed as
she happily walked home from school. She lifted her book bag over her
head with a smile on her face. "Thank goodness Ms. Haruna had an early
dinner date."
The black cat on her shoulder began talking, "Also lucky that
there isn't a scout meeting today. Maybe you should take this time to
actually study for that English test tomorrow!" Luna scolded.
Serena made a face. "Oh Luna! Why do you always have to scold
me!? Everything's been so quiet recently, why can't I just have one day
to relax? Besides, why do i need to know about Romao and Jula anyway?"
"It's Romeo and Juliet, Serena. Didn't you even read the book?"
"Well, I saw the movie, doesn't that count?" Serena looked at
Luna, hoping her excuse would be good.
Luna shook her head and sighed. 'What will I do with you?'
Serena shrugged and waited for the light to turn green. 'Hmm,'
Serena thought, 'I'm not expected to be home this early so why don't I
take the scenic route home?' She smiled at the thought and started to
head towards the park.
"Serena, where are we going?" Luna asked, realizing this isn't
the way to the arcade or home.
"We're taking the scenic route Luna. I thought I'd take the
time and actually enjoy a walk home. Besides, I heard from Melvin
that's there's a fair today."
"Do you even have any money? I could have sworn you spent your
allowance yesterday when you and the girls went shopping."
Serena stopped and put her bag down. She began rummaging through
her pockets trying to see if she might have any money left. Within
minutes she produced some! She began counting, "Hmm, ten, fifty,
four-fifty, five... I have five dollars in change!" she exclaimed and
stuck her tongue out at Luna, "So there!"
Again poor Luna shook her head and jumped down to walk along
side Serena. As the two entered the park, booths and signs were
everywhere with vendors around the city proclaiming their wares for the
fair.
"Perfume! Straight from the heart of the Osaka Ken!"
"Fresh fish! Discounted price!"
"Have your palm read for free! One time offer!"
Luna looked around, amazed at the huge crowd going from one
vendor to another trying to find the best deal. She was about to
mention that to Serena but when she turned around, the blonde was gone.
"Oh where did she go now???"
"Mochi balls! Two for the price of one!"
Luna turned towards the vendor and saw Serena shoving her way
through the crowd with a mochi ball in each hand and two in her mouth.
"Serena! How much did that cost??"
"Mmphfree wodaas," She said while eating the two simultaneously.
Serena offered a mochi to Luna but the cat refused, disgusted.
"Serena, when will you ever grow up to be a proper young lady?"
asked Luna, knowing it was useless.
The blonde food compactor gulped the rest down and said, "When i
feel like it. Hmmph!"
"Stuffing your face like always, Meatball head?"
Serena and Luna turned around to see Amy, Raye, and Lyta standing
side by side, smiling. "Raye! Amy! Lyta! What y'all doing here?"
"Well Serena, since there wasn't a meeting we all decided to come
to the fair," informed Amy.
"Didn't you have detention?" asked Lyta.
Serena shook her head, "Ms. H had a dinner date so I got off scot
free! So where are you gals heading to?"
"We heard that a booth was giving away passes to some big shot's
daughter's birthday ball! It's going to be held at the hottest club
around!" Raye exclaimed.
"Really?" Serena's eyes grew wide. "You mean it's being held at
the Savag'd Garden?"
The three girls nodded.
"And to get these passes all you have to do is pick a card of out
of this bag and do what it says," Lyta informed.
"That seems a little too easy," Luna thought aloud.
"Oh come on Luna, stop being a worry wart for once! Whatever's on the
card must be really hard to do." Serena scooped Luna in her arms. "So,
where's the booth?"
"That's the problem, we don't know. Ami, Raye and I have searched
almost the entire fair and haven't found it."
Serena began to put her thinking cap on. Hmm. . .
"Maybe it's not even in the fair so there would be less
contestants," Luna implied.
"Then where?" Raye asked, frustrated. She was really hoping to
win some tickets so she good scope out guys.
"The boat shed!" Serena yelled. Then shrunk when she realized
people around her stared at her oddly.
"The boat shed?" asked Amy.
"Yeah! Not many people go out to the lake to boat and since this
fair's going on I doubt there'd be anyone in the area," suggested
Serena.
"How do you know where the boats are, Serena?" asked Raye since
only couples go boating and to her knowledge, Serena never had a date.
"Yeah, Serena," implied Amy very curious.
Serena looked nervous, "Um well, the one time um when Melvin
dragged me towards the boats and then I got attacked by the birds,
remember?"
"Oh yeah..." 'That was the same day Darien took me out on the
lake,' thought Raye.
"So what are we waiting for?" asked Lyta, excited. "Let's go!"
She began running towards the lake and the others shook their head and
ran after her.

Just as the boat shed came to view, Serena and company saw a
small booth right next to it with a very small crowd surrounding it,
mainly girls.
"Sorry Miss, but that wasn't the right answer."
The crowd groaned as the bodyguard like man behind the booth
rejected yet another girl from getting tickets.
"Maybe there is a catch," wondered Amy aloud. Luna and the rest
nodded.
The man saw the group and smiled, "Ah, would you lovely young
ladies like a go at winning tickets to get into the Savag'd Garden?"
"Oh yes!" Lyta exclaimed as she stepped toward the booth. "How do
I win?"
"You have a choice, either answer a question I ask or," the man
pointed towards the hat on the booth, "pull out a stunt to do from this
here hat. You have one chance and that's it."
Lyta began thinking what would be better.
"Go for a stunt Lyta!"
"I say answer a question!"
Lyta knew she was never good at test and was more of a physical
person anyhow so she picked a card from the hat.
"Well, what does it say?" asked the man.
Lyta grinned, "It says here to pick you up and carry you a few
steps away from the booth."
"WHAT?!?" Amy, Raye, and Serena yelled in unison. The crowd began
to murmur knowing it couldn't be done.
"Oh well, tough luck, maybe next year." The guy began to ask
Serena if she'd like a go at it but was interrupted by Lyta walking
around behind the booth. "What are you doing??"
"Exactly what the card says!" Lyta wrapped her arms around the man
and lifted him up a few inches. The crowd gasped and oohed when she
carried him towards the front and dropped him.
"Yay!"
"I guess I win a ticket then." Everyone began clapping as Lyta
dusted her hands.
The man, dumbfounded, slowly got up and fished out of his pocket
one single ticket. He stared at her amazed and handed Lyta, the first
one today a ticket to get into the hottest nightclub around.
Serena, Amy, and Raye surrounded Lyta.
"Wow! You're in!"
"Did you strain yourself?"
"Good job Lyta! Was it hard to pick him up?"
Lyta shook her head and whispered, "Not as a hard as a silly
little youma." She winked.
Raye quickly turned around, "Ask me a question!"
Finally getting his composure back, the man started thinking of
something hard and then grinned. From the booth, he pulled out a deck
of playing cards and randomly picked one and placed it in his breast
pocket. "What card did I choose?"
"What? That's not fair!" Serena whined. The crowd agreed.
"She told me to ask her a question and I did. She didn't say what
kind of question," he said snidely, thinking he'll get this girl to
lose.
Lyta rolled up her sleeves and was about to punch the guy when
Raye put a hand up. "It's okay, I think I can do it." The raven-haired
priestess closed her eyes and concentrated. A picture flashed through
her mind and her eyes snapped open. 'Think you're gonna get me with a
trick deck huh?' Raye smiled as she gave her answer, "A red and blue
Joker card is in your pocket."
The crowd turned towards the man as he pulled out the card from
his breast pocket and showed it to the crowd. A red and blue Joker
card! "How'd you know?"
Raye shrugged, "I guess it was just a gut feeling." She held out
her hand.
The man sighed and grabbed another ticket from his pocket and
placed it in Raye's hand.
Amy took a step forward, "I would like you to ask me a question
but one that requires knowledge and not luck or probability."
"Uh sure, give me a second." The man began thinking hard,
his mind still in disbelief that two girls had already won tickets, and
can another actually win one?
"Are you sure you'll be able to answer it, Amy?" asked Serena who
was unsure whether she wanted to try it or not.
Amy nodded, "Sure Serena. This guy seems like he never went to
college and I've been studying for college courses since I was nine!"
"Nine?!?!" The girls were shocked.
"That's Amy for you. . ." Raye mumbled. Lyta and Serena nodded in
agreement.
"All right! I have one for you!" the man exclaimed, confident
that he had a real tough question. "What is the F.M.F Disease?"
"The what?" Serena asked. But before the man could reinstate the
question, Amy answered.
"Familial Mediterranean Fever. Common in North African Jews
patients. Its symptoms are: episodic attacks of arthralgia (mainly the
large joints) and abdominal pain. In between the attacks the patient
should be under treatment of Colchizin. During the attack, had the
patient taken Colchizin, its doze can be increased until appearing of
diarrhea side effects. The patient can also be treated with pain relief
agents Pephidin with fluids. The best center in the world for treatment
of FMF is in Sheba Hospital (Tel Hashomer) in Israel."
Everyone stared at Amy in disbelief when she finished. They
quickly turned their head to the man as he silently handed her a
ticket shaking his head.
"Wow! All three of you got tickets!" Serena exclaimed. She turned
to the guy, "Okay! I'll try!"
The man shook his head, "Sorry, time's up. I have to get going
now. There's one more place I have to go to before the day's
over." He started packing up the small booth. The crowd that was
watching began to disperse.
"Aww come on! I'll be quick!" Serena pleaded.
"Yeah, it won't take more than a minute." Although Raye was happy
she got a ticket she did want Serena to at least try although there's
no way Serena would be lucky in getting an easy question.
"If not Serena, you can have my ticket, I think it'll be best if
I studied instead."
"No Amy, you of all people need to have a break from academics
and have fun," protested Lyta as she grabbed onto Amy's shoulders.
The man sighed, "Fine, if you can kiss the next guy that comes
down this path AND have him call you a pet name in the next five
minutes, you can have a ticket AND all four of you will be taken there
by limousine."
The girls gave up knowing it's unlikely that Serena will kiss any
guy that comes down if anyone does within the next five minutes and
have that guy call her a pet name.
Lyta stretched out her arm, "Come on Serena, you can have my
ticket if you want, this guy is not gonna cut us any slack."
"Yeah," agreed Amy and Raye. Luna, who was in Amy's arms, gave
Serena a comforting look.
Serena nodded and walked towards the group but stopped when she
someone round the corner of the path. The girls looked behind them and
saw Darien walking towards them with his nose stuck in a book. Her face
fell. 'Oh please not him! But it's for a ticket to get in to the
nightclub! I'll be alone if I don't...' Serena sighed and began
straightening herself up.
"You're not actually gonna do it? It's Darien!" Lyta muttered.
Looking straight at her target, Serena walked past her friends
and towards the unbeknownst Darien. 'You can do it Serena. The guy
didn't say what type of kiss. Just a quick one on the cheek should do.
As for the pet name. . . well, here' goes nothing!' Serena grabbed
Darien's book from his hands.
"What the? What are you doing?" asked Darien but before he could
react, Serena wrapped her arms around his neck jumped up and kissed his
cheek, so she thought. She didn't expect him to react so quickly and
instead of giving him a hard kiss on the cheek, she kissed him smack
dab on the lips. Darien couldn't believe it! He quickly pushed her down
and away from him. "MEATBALL HEAD!?!? WHAT IN THE WORLD IS
WRONG WITH YOU???!!!???"
Serena was stunned. She had just kissed her worst non-negaversian
enemy! "Uh uh..." she stuttered.
The man, flabbergasted walked right in between them and handed
Serena the ticket. "I don't know how you did it sweetie, but here's the
ticket and a form to fill out so the driver knows where to pick you
up." The man turned to the dumbfounded Darien and shook his head
as he walked away.
"Tickets for what? Serena what the hell is going on?" Darien
demanded. He's seen Serena do many odd things but kissing him certainly
wasn't just odd. He was in so much shock he couldn't keep his normal
composure.
"It- it it was a dare..." Serena stuttered again. Her mind was
aflutter. 'I kissed Darien,' she thought. 'I can't believe that I
kissed this jerk... But there was something there.' Before Serena could
actually analyze the situation more, Darien broke her concentration.
"What do you mean a dare?" Somewhere inside of him, Darien felt a
little hurt. 'I was used for some stupid dare?' He couldn't believe it,
he was mad no, furious. But why?
"To- to win tickets for an event," Serena mumbled. She looked
down as she realized that she liked the kiss albeit the fact it was a
quick one. She also realized that she was still holding Darien's book
titled "Isle of Woman" by Piers Anthony. She studied the book for a
second curious why Darien would be reading such a thing but again
he broke her concentration by grabbing the book from her "Hey!"
"Hey nothing," Darien spat, "You are so immature Serena." He
never felt this way and it confused him. 'It was Serena for God's
sake!' He began walking away.
Serena was furious. 'Why is he mad at me? What did I do?' She
caught up with him. "What do you mean I'm immature? For kissing you? It
was just a peck on the lips!" she retorted, although deep in her she
thought it was more than that. Or at least that's what her gut tells
her.
Darien stopped. He shook his head as he turned around. "You
don't get it Serena, do you? No one likes fickle girls who give away
kisses like that! Try to act your age for once!" Darien spat again,
"Otherwise, how in the world will you ever find a boyfriend?" He didn't
even realized what he said until the words escaped his lips. He knew
that was *the* wrong thing to say.
Serena was deeply hurt. 'How could he say such a cruel thing?'
she thought. She did not cry, instead, for once she knew the right
thing to say. "How in the hell would you know Darien? You're so cold to
the world, a woman wouldn't touch you with a ten foot poll!" she
countered. But she did not stay long enough to see that she actually
hurt Darien for she ran off like the speed of light. She tried to hold
back the tears as she ran home.
Darien was shocked. He began to breathe hard as he tried to
recover from such a severe blow. "Touché," he muttered as he slowly
began walking to his apartment.
The girls, meanwhile, were in shock at the scene that unfolded
before them. Luna was currently in Amy's arms as she began to speak.
"Did Serena actually insult Darien back?"
All three girls nodded.
"Will Serena be okay?" asked Amy. She looked down at Luna hoping
that maybe she would know.
"I think so. But I better catch up with her," Luna went as she
jumped out of Amy's arms, "I'll have Serena contact you all when she
feels better!" Luna then began scurrying off hoping to catch up to the
rather fast Serena.
The three girls looked at each other silently and separated
instantaneously to go off on their own.

***************************

Sadly, Luna wasn't able to catch up and reached home to realize
Serena was already in her room crying. Luna crept up to Serena, who was
on her bed holding her stuffed bunny. "Serena...? Are you okay?"
"I'll be fine Luna. I just need to collect my thoughts," Serena
mumbled through the pillow. She turned her head towards the window.
'Why did I react in such a way?' she thought. ' Just because Darien was
rude to me doesn't give me the right to say what I did.'
Luna jumped on the bed and curled up next to Serena. She just
waited untill Serena was ready to talk. For once the royal advisor didn't
know what to say. She was confused herself on why Darien acted in such
a way. Then again, Luna never did know when it came to teenagers and
their problems. She sighed. 'Sometimes I wish I could be a human, just so
I could feel what Serena's going through,' thought Luna. Time and time
again, the poor cat wanted to be more than just an advisor or sometimes
mother. She wanted to be Serena's friend.
Serena sighed and turned onto her back. 'Why am I even caring
about what he said? And why didn't I believe myself when I said it was
just a stupid kiss?' Serena began to feel frustrated. 'It wasn't even a
kiss! Then again... How would I know? I've never kissed anyone
before.' She turned her head towards her bulletin board. There were newspaper
clippings of her and the scouts fighting. Including a composite sketch
of Tuxedo Mask but the mask was wrong. It wrapped around his face
as if was tied to his face by a rubberband. Drawing his eyes in is what
annoyed Serena the most. But for once the sketch looked real to her.
She stared at the picture wondering, hoping, that one day, Tuxedo Mask
would be the one she'd kiss. "Only in my dreams..." she sighed.
Luna perked her ears up. She turned her head towards Serena's
face and tried to study it. What she saw was suprising. Although Luna
hadn't known Serena long, she knew this look well. Not because Serena
used it a lot but because she's never had it before. For once in her life,
Serena was truly somber.
Looking down at her cat Serena questioned, "Am I really that
bad Luna?"
"What do you mean?" Luna was startled by the question.
"Do I really act *that* immature? Is he right? Am I too fickle?"
The poor blonde has never let Darien's words bother her so. Sure she's
cried because of him before, but today was different. And she didn't
know why.
Luna was stunned, "Of course not!" She still saw Serena's
face fall and tried to reassure her, "Don't listen to what Darien said!
He doesn't know what he's talking about. He just got a little
temperamental, that's all. You're not as immature as he made you out
to be. You're just a normal teenager. "
"Really?"
"Certainly. Don't let him get to you. I can honestly say that if you
were that immature, you wouldn't have lasted this long as a scout."
Serena smiled and hugged Luna. "Thank you Luna. I guess you're
right, I shouldn't worry about stupid old Darien. But I do feel sorry for what
I said to him, you know? That was sooo mean of me."
"In a couple of days, I'm sure you two will be at each others
throats as normal," quipped Luna. Serena chuckled.
"Serena! Sammy! Dinner's ready!" Mrs. Tsukino yelled from the
kitchen.
"Dinner!" Serena exclaimed. She jumped to her feet and rushed out
the door.
Luna shook her head. 'I hope you never change Serena,' Luna
thought to herself as she tiredly hopped down and began walking to her
dinner bowl.

********************

Darien had finally reached his apartment door, fumbling for his
keys. As soon as he walked in, he dropped his book on the hallway
table. He ran his hand through his hair as he leaned on the door
dejectedly. "Goddamn it Darien! You really did it this time, huh?" he
yelled to himself. He knew from Andrew that one of the things Serena
most wanted in the world was to have a loving boyfriend. He normally
felt guilty for making her cry but to actually have her say something
back made it feel worse. Even through all his "teasing" he never really
saw Serena get ugly. But he caused her to today. He doesn't blame her
for what she said. 'I had it coming.'
He sighed as he lifted himself from the door and went towards the
kitchen. 'Why did I say that to her though?' "It was just a stupid kiss, not
even a kiss," He placed his hands on the counter, staring at a bowl of fruit.
"You're thinking too much of this. She barely pressed her lips against yours,"
he thought aloud. 'She smelled like roses,' he subconsciously thought. As he
realized it, Darien shook his head. "This is Serena I'm talking about. Why am
I so obsessed with this stupid incident?"
Darien turned around to grab something from the fridge when he
noticed the photo on it. It was the only picture of Sailor Moon that
the press could get their grubby hands on and print. Her face was blurred
but he could see her as clear as day. He couldn't help but stare at the
photo. Whenever he was around Sailor Moon as Tuxedo Mask, he'd always
get a funny feeling like an extreme case of butterflies. Which is
why he never fought unless it was necessary. He realized that he had
the same feeling when Serena kissed him. He shook his head again.
"Nah, it couldn't be... could it?" Sadly again a knocking on the
door interrupted his thoughts. "Coming!" He groaned as he headed
towards the door. He opened the door to see the mailman.
"Darien Chiba?"
"Yes?"
"You have one certified letter," informed the man as he pulled
a letter from his mailbag. He handed it to Darien and then pulled out an
electronic box. "Could you sign here please?" Darien took the mock pen
and signed his name on the LCD screen.
"Thank you," he said as he handed the box back. The man bowed and
began walking down the hall towards the elevator.
Darien looked at the addressee as he closed the door. "Stefanie
Beran?" 'I haven't heard that name in years,' he thought to himself. To
get some extra money, he tutored this girl when she was struggling on the
entrance exams. Her father was rich but wanted someone cheap to tutor
her. Luckily her father was the dean to the high school that Darien
attended. Darien gently shook his head to return from the nostalgia. He
never liked reminiscing about the past. Too many bitter memories.
He swiftly opened the letter to find an invitation to her
birthday at the Savag'd Garden. It even said hip formal attire
required. 'What the heck does that mean?' he thought but then he
remembered that she was always a little eccentric. He trudged to his couch
in his living room and sat down. Darien was never really the party type
of person. He rarely danced with anyone and unless Andrew was around he
never talked to anyone. He looked at the date. 'Two days? Is that the
same party that Serena was talking about? With my luck it probably
is.' He thought about it some more and decided why not. He had
nothing to lose.
Darien picked up the phone and dialed the RSVP number,
"Hello Stef?"

**************

"Serena!! The limo's here!" yelled her mom from the kitchen. She
was still washing the dishes smiling to herself. She's never seen her
daughter so secretive about her dress. She knew Serena wouldn't be
using an old one but for once she didn't bother either parents on
money. "You don't want be late!" she reminded.
Serena's father, who was reading the newspaper, shook his
head. "Tell me again why we're allowing her to go dear?"
"Because it's good for Serena to get out once in a while.
Besides, Sammy's friends will be here in a couple of hours and she
shouldn't be stuck in her room." She started her way towards the stairs,
in anticipation to see the new dress.
Serena slowly began walking down the steps, ensuring she didn't
trip or fall. Her mom arrived at the stairs to see the lovely dress
Serena had bought. But Serena had disappointed her mother by walking
down in a hooded cloak covering her from head to toe. The only item
her mother could see were the opened toed purple heels since Serena
had to lift the cloak to walk down.
"Serena? Why are you wearing that ridiculous sheet?" her mom
scowled.
The blonde shook her head, "It's not a sheet, it's a cloak.
And I'm wearing it cause I'm not letting anyone see what I'm wearing
until I'm inside the club." She gave her mom a kiss and a hug as she walked
out of the door. "Bye Mom! Dad!"
Mrs. Tsukino rolled her eyes, "That girl..."

------

When Serena got in the limo, Amy and Lyta were already picked up.
Both had jackets on so they too only hinted at the outfits concealed underneath.
They all looked at her oddly because of the cloak. They gave each other
a nervous look.
"Uh, Serena? What's the cloak for?" questioned Lyta.
Serena had waited until the limo began moving again to answer. "I
want to surprise you all with my outfit. I went with a totally new look
to show of- er surprise you guys!" Serena smiled nervously. 'Can it
Serena, you're gonna give yourself away!'
Amy looked at Serena oddly again. "Were you about to say show off?"
"Uh no! What ever gave you that idea?" She laughed nervously.
Amy decided to keep her mouth shut and smiled. Lyta began
divulging information about the girl who's birthday everyone would be
celebrating tonight.
Serena wasn't paying attention though, her thoughts on the
previous two days.


The day after the whole fiasco, Serena as always bumped into
Darien on her way to the only scout meeting occurring this week. She
apologized as always and than began to apologize for what she said.
He said it was no big deal and that he had it coming. They had shared
a nervous smile as both looked down. Serena still felt odd ever since
she kissed him and stood there forgetting where she was suppose to
be heading.
"Well?"
"Well, what?"
"Aren't you going to apologize?" Serena asked, looking up at Darien.
"Apologize? For what?" Darien looked confused. 'I thought I did
apologize, I just did it in a tactful way.' He noticed the way that she looked
at him was a similar way as someone else. But he couldn't think of who.
"For what you said to me," she said straightforwardly. She
believed his tactful way wasn't enough. She wanted him to say it. Serena
stuck her hands on her hips.
"I did." He looked at her annoyed. "You want me to say the words
don't you?"
"And what's wrong with that?"
He rolled his head around, "God Serena. Mature people don't
always have to say sorry to each other literally, only children! You just
want me to say those two words to make you feel better than me."
"Are you trying to say I'm immature again?"
"Yes- I mean no!" Darien stuttered. He did it again. 'Why do I
always do this to her?' he thought.
"Hmmph!" Serena began walking away, realizing that she had a
meeting to goto. 'I'll show him I'm mature. Wait untill he reads how I was
the most dazzling girl at Savag'd Garden. then he'll truly madly deeply feel
sorry he yelled at me for that kiss!'


"What's with the cloak?"
"Huh?" Serena snapped her head towards Raye who must have just
hopped in. "Oh! I just wanted to surprise you all with my outfit."
"Don't you mean show off?" Raye joked. She was in a too good of a
mood to argue with Serena.
The girls chuckled as Serena rolled her eyes. Lyta crossed her
legs, "So Serena, now that we're all here, aren't you going to show us
your dress yet?"
"Yeah Serena, I'm dying to know what's all this secrecy is
about," chimed in Raye.
Serena smiled, "You'll see when we get there." There was a small
twinkling in her eye.
Raye turned to face Serena, "You mean you won't even show us,
your best friends before the public?"
Amy laughed, "Wasn't you who said 'patience is a virtue' Raye?"
This time Serena joined the other two's laughing as Raye looked
away.

@}~~~*~~~{@

Andrew knocked on Darien's bedroom door. "Come on Darien! We're
going to be late for the party! _You_ know the bodyguards will close
the place exactly at eleven." He sighed and sat on the armrest of
the couch. Andrew was wearing a typical tuxedo, except it was the color
of gold. He played with the hem of his jacket. 'I wonder if this is hip
enough,' Andrew thought as the bedroom door swung open to reveal a very
purple Darien. Andrew whistled, "Whooo... Nice."
Darien, for the occasion of being weird, wore a dark purple tuxedo.
He had a dark night purple jacket and pants. Accenting the dark purple was
a midnight blue dress shirt and satin, angular and flat bow tie. To contrast the
darkness he had white gloves on that looked to the style of baseball ones.
There was even a purple tinge to his hair. "It's not much is it?"
Andrew laughed as he stood up, "Compared to me? Nah. Who are you
trying to impress any how?" If Andrew didn't know any better, it seemed
that Darien wanted to impress a girl!
Darien gave him a look, "Who am _I_ trying to impress? What about
you Mr. Golden Sun?" He grinned as Andrew feigned shock.
"Moi? I'm just looking forward to a good time!"
Darien smiled as he shook his head. 'I wonder if she'll actually
show. I have to talk to her and apologize.' Darien finally had realized
that he *felt* something for Serena. He didn't notice it untill the minute after
he insulted Serena's immaturity again. But he knew the feeling was there,
he couldn't deny it. But the problem was… now what?
"So, ready to go?"
"Yup."

-------------

"Woah." All the girls were in awe when they stepped into the
club. People everywhere in eccentric clothing and the music was booming
with Amber's hit song.
"This is the coatroom you guys," Lyta exclaimed as she dragged
the other girls into the main doorway laughing.
The main dance floor was bustling with waitresses and dancers.
The DJ was off to the corner and the buffet table near the back.
Flashing lights and even fog as a far as the eye could see. But the
most incredible thing, and what the Savag'd Garden was famous for was
not the Jungle/Garden theme but the fact that the ceiling was
crystalline glass in eccentric patterns. The only clear area was the
middle where at twelve midnight, the moon would shine through providing
a spotlight for the dancers in the middle.

A very handsome man came up to them. "May I take your coats,
ladies?"
Ami and Lyta blushed as they gave their coat to him. Rei smiled
and handed hers over. Serena on the other hand looked around once more.
'Darn, he's not here yet. Oh well, I guess I better do it now,
maybe he'll find me easier,' thought Serena.
She slowly began to take off her cloak and shyly handed it over.
The girls stared in amazement. For one thing, Serena's hair wasn't in
her usual two-meatball style. Her hair was half up and half down, the part
that was half up was in a tight bun in the back of her head which had a
ring of small violets at the base. Also her hair hanged down in a golden
wave instead of its usual straight look. Instead of wearing a regular party
dress, she was in a gown that had a slit in the front the gown for movement.
It such a radiant shade of purple you could swear it was ultra violet. The
sleeves were stiff and curled around her arm showing off every bit of bare
skin on her neck and shoulder. The neckline was at the same level ad the
top of the sleeve, only teasing anyone that noticed. It was a tight fitting
dress until her midsection where it ended in a V line as the rest
fell around her frame. Her body was accented with long violet gloves, a
charm bracelet of the solar system and one single golden locket in the
shape of a crescent moon.
Serena turned towards her friends and finally noticed each outfit.
Amy was wearing simple straight and softlooking dress that fell
past her knees. It was baby blue with no sleeves and a moderate neckline.
What made the outfit intriguing was the fact that under the blue dress was a
white blouse. The collar was huge and triangular leaving the neckline at a
sharp v-shape. The sleeves of her blouse fitted tightly at the shoulders but
then drastically loosend out leaving Amy's small hands swimming in it. Since
not much could be done for her hair, Amy accented it with a ringlet of daisies.
Lyta, on the other hand, was more daring. Unlike other dresses, the
brunette beauty wore an unusual two-piece. Lyta's top was actually a dark
satiny green tubetop that ended inches before the navel. Her skirt replicated
the color and fabric of the tubetop but was loose. So loose, the dress was lightly
held in place by two dark green suspenders. The suspenders allowed the skirt to
rest comfortably on Lyta's hips. But the most shocking thing was that her hair was
down! It was rather wavy and was accesorised with pink rose clips on either side
of her head.
Finally, Serena's eyes led to Raye's outfit and wasn't that surprised. Raye
wore a tight black leather dress that ended five inches before the knees. The neckline
was straight and moderate with the dress being held up by two very thin straps. To
cover her very bare shoulders, short red lace sleeves in a triangular style. But that
was not the only part of Raye covered in lace. The bare skin between the straps was
covered in lace and ended at the middle of her neck. That wasn't all. Wrapped
around Raye's waist was a lace shawl. It tied at the middle and covered the back
her legs to the back of her knee. To accentuate the outfit more, Raye wore red
stalleto shoes and a red ribbon in her hair.
"Whoa Serena! What a fabulous outfit!" exclaimed Lyta. The other
two nodded in agreement.
"Where did you get the money for that?" questioned Raye.
Serena smiled brightly. "It was my grandmother's. I found it in
the attic and used what little money I had to get it dry-cleaned. But your outfits
are trey cool too! So, you really like mine?" she asked as she twirled around.
The three girls nodded.
"What are we waiting for? Let's have some fun!" exclaimed Lyta as
she descended the steps on to the dance floor. Amy and Raye smiled at
each other as they too walked down the steps.
Serena hesitated for a second realizing she was never really a
good dancer. 'What the hey, why not?' she thought as she picked up her
gown a little and joined the circle of her dancing friends.

---------
"Woah woah, are you two on the list?" The bodyguard asked as he
stopped Andrew and Darien. This guy looked as though he already had to
"escort" many a people who claimed to be on the list.
"Yes we are. Darien Chiba," replied Darien. He looked worriedly
at Andrew. 'What if there was a typo and my name isn't on the list?'
The bodyguard quickly scanned the list, "and guest," he
commented. He opened the double doors. "Just in time Mr. Chiba, we
were about to close the club."
Both Andrew and Darien sighed and smiled as they walked through
the doors. They too were surprised at the decorum of the coatroom.
Just as Andrew and Darien walked past the coatroom doors someone
noticed them.
"Darien!" a young woman squealed as she squeezed her way through
the dancers. She herself wearing one of the loudest costumes Darien had
ever seen. A 1950s style neon pink colored dress. She jumped up the
stairs and grabbed Darien's hands. "You came!"
Darien chuckled, "Stef! Happy birthday!" He took a step back and
studied her, "You look lovely as always." And as always, he managed to
make her blush.
Stef twisted her hips slightly. "Surely I've changed a
little bit!" She grinned.
Andrew cleared his throat, looking at Darien expectantly.
Darien finally remembered he was there. "Oh! Stef, I would like
you to meet my best friend Andrew Furuhata. Andrew, this is Stefanie Beran,
daughter of aristocrat and Dean of Azabu High School, John Beran."
Stef made a look of annoyance, "Oh Dar, you always have to bring
that up huh?" She changed her look and smiled towards Andrew. They
shook hands.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Beran," greeted Andrew as he
turned Stef's hand and kissed it.
Darien rolled his eyes.
Stef blushed, "The pleasure's all mine. And you don't have to
call me Miss. Stef is fine." She then finally noticed the odd outfits
of the two. "Whoa, nice getups."
"Thanks, now why with all the weirdness?" inquired Darien as he
looked around. "And what's this I hear about giving out club tickets to
random people?"
Stef started, "Well I-"
"Andrew!"
Everyone turned around to see a woman run up the steps towards
Andrew. She was wearing what looked like a cross between a lab coat and
a dress.
"Rita?!?" Andrew exclaimed as his girlfriend ran into his
bewildered arms. "What are you doing here? I thought-"
"I'm on a two week break. I came in this morning and planned to
surprise you here since I heard that Darien was bringing you."
Andrew smiled and shook his head. "Rita you're the best."
This time it was the birthday girl's turn to clear her throat.
"Oh!" Andrew exclaimed, "This lovely woman in white is my
girlfriend, Rita. And this other lovely woman in pink is the birthday
girl herself, Stefanie." Then he gestured towards Darien, "And everyone
knows him."
Darien chuckled mockingly, "Thanks Andrew."
Andrew grinned and hugged his girlfriend.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Miss Stefanie," Rita nodded and
smiled.
Stef returned the smile, "It's a pleasure to meet you too."
Rita suddenly stood straight and turned to look at Andrew, "Oh
honey there's someone I want you to meet. He's the one that got me into
the club. It was nice to see you again Darien, bye Miss Stefanie!" She
waved to the two as she began to tug away Andrew.
"Uh bye! See ya around I guess!" Andrew stated.
Darien laughed, "See ya!"
"Bye bye!" Stef smiled and turned towards Darien. "Now what did
you want to know?" she asked remembering that Darien had asked her
something before the interruption.
"Huh? Oh yeah. Why were you giving tickets away to random
strangers?"
"Oh that..." Stef rolled her eyes annoyingly. "That was all my
father's idea. You see, he's going to run for district attorney and
thought it would be good PR."
Darien rocked his neck, "That's your dad for you. Well, at least
it makes it look like you have a lot of friends." He grinned.
She mocked hurt and playfully punched him. "You really haven't
changed have you Dar? Still the sarcastic know it all who thinks he's
funny." She stuck her tongue out at him.
"Hey, that's no way for a young lady to act," he teased.
"And how would you know how a young lady would act, huh?" She
retorted.
"Because I just do." They both laughed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, in another corner of the Garden, Serena and Amy were
sitting down letting another slow song pass them by.
"Amy why are we not dancing?" Serena groaned. She leaned back
against the chair. 'Maybe Darien isn't coming,' she thought glumly. She
strained over the dancing couples trying to see if she could see him.
'Man, I really wanted to show him off.'
"I'm not for slow dancing really and I think people are afraid
you're gonna step on their foot like the last guy," Amy informed. She
looked at Serena. "Are you waiting for someone? Is that why you're
dressier than usual?" Amy asked. She always wanted the latest news on
her friends.
The blonde shook her head, "No! I'm not looking for anyone in
particular." She lied, "Just the normal hotties." Serena grinned her
usual guy hunting grin.
Amy shook her head and looked at her watch. "It's almost
midnight!" she exclaimed.
"So?" Serena had closed her eyes and didn't realize the song
ended.
"So, at midnight something really special is going to happen. And
then around 12:30, cake will be passed out and such. That's why the
party started so late," commented Lyta as she sat down exhausted from
dancing an hour straight.
Serena snapped her eyes open and saw that both Raye and Lyta were
back from the dance. "Did you have a nice dance?"
Lyta shook her head, "The guy was too short and kept staring at
my chest." She casually removed a strand of hair from her face.
Amy blushed furiously while the other girls laughed. "Um, what
about you Raye? How was your dance partner?"
"He was all right. He kept going on about how beautiful the
birthday girl is and how powerful her father is. That guy was really
getting on my nerves. Hey Ames, what time is it any how?"
Amy peered at her watch again, "Almost time. It's 11:58." She
looked out on the dance floor. The song that was playing was actually a
short waltz so only people who knew classical dancing were out there.
Serena stood up, "I'm gonna get some punch. Anyone want
anything?" She turned to look at everyone as they all shook their head
no.
"Don't take too long Serena. You don't want to miss the big
surprise. Whatever that may be," Lyta warned.
Serena nodded. She decided not to take the long route around the
dance floor and instead walk across it.

~~~~~
Darien was still standing at the top of stairs talking to Stef.
He had almost forgotten to look for Serena until Stef looked at the
tiger shaped clock.
"Oh shoot! I've almost forgotten!" She hugged Darien. "Sorry Dar,
but I've gotta go. It's almost midnight and I promised my boyfriend
that I'd dance with him."
Darien laughed, "Who would have thought you would have a
boyfriend."
Again Stef feigned hurt, "And what's that supposed to mean?" She
punched him playfully when he grinned, "I'll see you at the cake
cutting in half an hour, okay? Bye bye!" Stef ran down the steps and
zig zagged through the crowd.
Darien shook his head. Even with the soft waltz ending and people
around talking, he head a soft *jingling*. His head snapped towards the
middle of the dance floor and saw the most beautiful sight. "That
couldn't be," he whispered.

~~~~
'Oh shoot,' thought Serena. Just as she was in the middle of the
dance floor, all the couples began waltzing in a continuous and fast
circle. She was stuck there until they broke the pattern or until the
song ended. She sighed, 'See, this is what happens when you get thirsty
right before an event.' She rubbed her eyes again and caused her
bracelet to *jingle* again. As she opened her eyes, she turned her
face towards the stairs and gasped. 'Is that who I think it is?'

~~~

"Serena," Darien whispered. 'She looks spectacular,' he thought.
He noticed the great difference in her style, including the one bun
wavy golden hair. What surprised him the most was that she looked
like a mature young lady and not the dizty teenager he knew her to be.
At that moment, a bell rung throughout the club. Everyone stopped
dancing and looked up at the crystallized ceiling. Darien looked down at
his watch, "11:59." Another song began to play and almost as if it was
all staged, the moon appeared through the middle out of the clouds.
Just as the moonlight hit the crystal ceiling, light flooded down in
numerous colors. But in the middle, it was pure white light that fell...
Onto Serena.

~~

The Moonlight...
Shines down interstellar beams
And the groove tonight

Serena was frozen. Her eyes met up with Darien's right when the
moon came out. People had begun dancing again to the song.

Is something more than you've ever seen
~
Something flowed through him as he raced down the steps and had
to side step people to get through the middle to finally stand in front
her. Soon, the light too engulfed him. He was entranced, knowing
only one thing to do.

The stars and planets taking shape

*jingle*
"Darien?" Serena wondered. Not sure since the hair was purple.

A stolen kiss has come too late

"Serena, May- May I have this dance?" he asked as he offered
his hand. All Serena could do was nod her head.

In the moonlight

She took his hand and he pulled her close to him as he gently
wrapped his arm around her waist. *jingle* Serena gasped slightly
when she felt his body against her. 'What am I doing?'

Carry on, keep romancing
Carry on, carry on dancing
In the moonlight

As if they had been dancing partners for over a lifetime, Serena
and Darien began to dance fluidly and in tune to the music.

Carry on, keep romancing
Carry on, carry on dancing

Serena looked up at Darien, confused, "Darien?" He looked down at
her with bemused look. "What _are_ we doing?"

You're never safe 'till you see the dawn
And if the clock strikes

He laughed and shrugged, "I really don't know. But do you really
want to stop?"

past midnight
the hope is gone

She shook her head. "No." The feeling she had inside when she saw
him intensified. 'This is Darien I'm dancing with! Darien…'

To move under...
In the moonlight

'I can't believe I'm dancing with Serena of all people. What has
come over me?' Darien thought as he slowly dipped her. *jingle*

Carry on, keep romancing
Carry on, carry on dancing
In the moonlight

'There's something about him, but what? What makes him different
than any time?' She began twirling slowly as Darien took a step back.
*jingle* 'I've never danced this good before, why haven't I fallen yet?'

Carry on, keep romancing
Carry on, carry on dancing

Darien stares at her twirling body, 'That feeling...' Serena
slowly stopped.

Move.
'It's that feeling again,' Serena thought.
Closer.
Darien pulled her against him and their eyes met again.
Passion.
'His eyes... The same sadness like Tuxedo Mask...' She
subconsciously wetted her lips.
Stronger.
'Her eyes... As sweet as Sailor Moon's...' Without thought,
Darien pressed his lips against Serena's. At first softly then when
the music and heat between them intensified, so did the kiss.
To Serena it lasted like an eternity. But after a while, Serena
began to move her lips away until they were just hovering near his. Her
breathing intensified a hundred folds.
Darien was speechless, ashamed he impulsively kissed her but he
couldn't look away. "Serena..." he breathed.
"Darien..." 'Is he the one?' she wondered, 'Of all the people in
the world I had to fall in love with him?'
'That feeling,' he realizes, 'It's the same one I have in my
dreams when the princess is calling for me.' He gazed deeply into her
crystal blue eyes, almost drowning in them.
*My love, help me be free!* a voice within him cried out.
'It can't be... Serena?' By this time they were once again in the
middle of the dance floor but they had stopped dancing.
Serena almost felt weak in her knees. Something inside of her
wanted to come out like when the first time she had ever transformed.
Her hand gripped his waist. *jingle* 'It is him.'
'It is her.'

There's a magic only two can tell
In the dark night
Ultra Violet is a wicked spell

"Serena, I've been searching for you all my life." Darien
confessed, "And I'm sorry I've been so mean to you."
"You are?" she was dumbfounded. This man who has teased cruelly
ever since she first met him is apologizing? "What are you trying to
say?" *jingle*

The stars and planets taking shape

"What I'm trying to say Serena is that until this moment, I
never realized that-"

A stolen kiss has come too late

"You love me?" she finished. Lost in the magic of it all, she
stood on her toes and kissed him with a passion so long forgotten.

In the moonlight
Carry on, keep romancing
Carry on, carry on dancing

Darien replied to the kiss with the same fervor and wrapped his
arms around her small frame pushing her fully against him. *jingle* The
memories for the both of them flooded through like a dream finally
remembered. He gripped her tightly.

In the moonlight
Carry on, keep romancing
Carry on, carry on dancing

"My prince," she uttered as their lips parted, one hand holding
his face.

Moving on...

"Princess, I have finally found you." He hugged the violet clad
woman in his arms. "And I'll never lose you again," he whispered in her
ear lovingly.

Moving all night

"We're finally free," she gasped. A smile so grand was on her
face that he too couldn't help but laugh.

Carry on, keep romancing
Carry on, carry on dancing
Moving on...

Serena also laughed. "All because of one little kiss."
Darien grinned, as he suddenly twirled her around him, "And what
a kiss!" *jingle*

Moving all night
Carry on, keep romancing
Carry on, carry on dancing

The charms on Serena's bracelet began to fly off as she twirled
around. *jingle* Soon only two charms were left. The moon and
the earth. *jingle*

Moving on...
Moving all night long..
Carry on, keep romancing
Carry on, carry on dancing

~*~*~The End~*~*~


FEEDBACK makes the world go 'round. ^*^ Oh, and one lil note: The
book Darien was reading is based about two ppl who fell in love at the
dawn of time but were seperated. Since they're soulmates they spend
the rest of Earth's history looking for each other, having many lives. It's
a beautiful book and I suggest y'all to read it. ^*^