Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Reminisce ❯ So We Meet Again ( Chapter 1 )

Reminisce

Chapter 1

So We Meet Again

 

Darien was walking down the sidewalk, along the wet path worn through the snow and ice by those who came before him, when he spied the twin golden hair buns of his favorite sparring partner and- well, believe it not, his secret crush. Yes, he knew he was too old to have a crush, let alone on a Junior High student! But his heart leapt in his throat every time he saw her coming his way, his mind drifted off whenever he heard her laugh! And when she smiled . . . Ah, pure heaven . . .

 

But not for him. She hated him, he hated her, that's the way it was meant to be and that's how it would stay if he wanted to keep his honor and pride- If Andrew ever got a hold of this he'd never live it down. Even a rumor started by those giggling girls like Ann or Mina and Lita could ruin his life!

 

So Darien fell back on the tried and true method of communication when he saw his Serina walking towards him- walking, not running and that was unusual- unless she'd failed a test or something. Normally she was bouncy and energetic, never able to stay still for long, hardly ever one to be sad for more than a few minutes. That was one of the many things he loved about her. Her eternal hope and optimism and selfless love for everyone.

 

A little worried now, Darien called when he finally had a clear view of her. “Hey, Meatball head!”

 

@~~}~~~~~

Serina sniffed again, on the verge of new tears as she stared stoically at the dirty snow and slush on the sidewalk, her feet unconsciously, childishly stepping over the cracks. She didn't know nor care where they were taking her, as long as it was away. Away from home, away from school, away from all the confusion! Everything!

 

She'd had two more attacks today. Unexplainable bouts of unconsciousness, where her chest would hurt and her mind ached. They had started suddenly, and she hadn't told anyone of them yet; she hadn't been caught in trouble yet. She'd never had them before but now she had them almost everyday. Anything could trigger them from sparkling diamonds on rings to the red roses in the park.

 

Today, the first one had been caused by a tall girl with brown hair in a pony tail with the prettiest pink rose earrings. A girl she didn't know but for an instant, she knew she should. Her heart hurt when she saw her and soon after she'd passed out. Luckily she was out at lunch and Molly'd just thought she'd fallen asleep. The second and the worse so far, had been because of a picture in one of her schoolbooks of an ice field at the top of the world. That one had hurt a lot. Flashes of icy cold, strong gales, frozen tears and crunching snow underfoot. She'd actually felt it- or remembered exactly how the sharp blizzard felt as if she'd just been there yesterday!

 

Impossible! She knew those school books were bad news!

 

It was all really weird and really scary. She'd never even seen that much snow, let alone felt the biting cold and terror and desolation she'd felt in that daydream! And it all got even worse when that guy, the evil, conceited, high school jerk Darien, started causing the headaches too- not that that was unusual. He was a pain altogether in himself.

 

But she had a plan for him now. He always called her Meatball head because of her hair- Well, next time he did she had a way to get back at him! That hairstyle was important! She didn't know to whom or why, but she'd had it for as long as she could remember and she would never give it up because of some teasing- even his.

 

Her heart pinched.

 

But now, a little happier and pleased with herself, her strange attacks temporarily ignored, with the hopeful prospect of seeing her trusted enemy, Serina continued walking down the sidewalk, oblivious to anything but the wan, warm sun. She picked up her normal, light-hearted gait, following the tiny birds in the ice blue sky.

 

Then suddenly she saw him; Darien, tall, strongly-built, midnight-haired, dark sea blue eyes . . . `Whoa . . .' Serina took a deep breath as those mischievous, enchanting sapphire eyes caught hers. That smile, even as roguish and nonchalant as it appeared, sent tingling all throughout her body, made her knees weak, and sent the butterflies in her stomach into a mad panic. Everything below her heart went ice cold while her face gave away her burning blush.

 

Serina quickly shook her head. How dare her body betray her right now! Now she could get back at him! All he had to do was say-

 

“Hey, Meatball head!” Right on cue. `Thank you, Mr. Reliable!' Serina kept walking, hardly acknowledging the fact that he'd spoken to her. Without missing a beat as she passed, she turned to him and smiled her own bright, impish smile.

 

“Hi, Muffin.”

 

@~~}~~~~~

For a few seconds Darien didn't know what he'd heard. The first thing he noticed was that heavenly, brilliant smile. His heart stopped when he saw it directed at him. Then he realized she had kept walking. She wasn't screaming, turning an innocent cherry red in anger and/or storming off in a huff. She had said something. `Hi, Muffin?' Darien didn't know whether to collapse laughing at her or blush at the endearment.

 

`Muffin?!' How could she come up with something like that?! Why?! If the guys ever heard that they'd- they'd- well, he'd never hear the end of it! `Muffin!' He huffed again. But Serina had called him Muffin. The tiny goddess walking away had called him Muffin . . .

 

He stood stock still for the longest time, recovering from the surprise. Too many things flashed through his mind as he considered this strange shock. Had she figured him out? Who told?! Someone was going to seriously regret this because by the way this angel was smiling, she thought he was a joke!

 

He heard her steps falter behind him and her soft, silvery giggling returned his mind abruptly to the present. He could stand there forever and listen to her laugh, relishing in her happiness and delight. He'd give anything to see her face right now- just slowly turn, out of the corner of his eye, hidden by raven black bangs. Her two streams of gold framing and balancing her pale, perfect porcelain face, a glossy pink grin bright enough to outshine the sun and moon, her eyes twinkling like stars in the morning sky. If he didn't do something soon, she was going to leave, going to stop laughing- he had to do something, fast!

 

His unsure voice came out soft with uncertain hope and hesitation but strong enough to be considered indignant. “What did you call me?”

 

@~~}~~~~~

Serina snickered as she paused behind him. He had come to a dead stop when he heard her. She'd shocked him speechless! Serina grinned wildly; finally a victory! She laughed outright when he still didn't move at her giggling. Did she give him a heart attack or what? Surely he wasn't that old! And her joke wasn't that funny!

 

She almost couldn't stand his silence; after a while, she wanted more of a reaction. `Come on, Darien! Say something! Do something, this is great but I want to see the look on your face!'

 

Serina got her wish, kind of, as she spied Darien turning slightly, as if she wouldn't notice. For a second, he stared at her with those unruly, silky locks guarding his cerulean blues from her devilish grin. The lines of his face were breath-taking; they were perfect and strong and stubborn. He was as handsome as a prince. Yes, a charming, dashing, heroic prince! Along with his snobbish, arrogant, conceited- `Yeah, but you still like him.' She wanted nothing more than to throw herself into his arms and kiss those velvet lips shamelessly!

 

`Serina! Get a hold of yourself! You're fourteen, stop thinking like that! He's seventeen or something and too good for a little girl like you. Besides, you'll get your chance, someday . . .' Serina was ripped from her mental scolding and dreaming by his stuttering, hurt, angry voice. She almost thought she heard a fearful trembling laced through his simple question. And maybe a little . . . longing?

 

“What did you call me?” Serina hopped from foot to foot in amusement. Her triumphant smile glittered as she watched his white face. Then she stopped in surprise.

 

His eyes were so intense- they caught her off-guard- she didn't want to look at them anymore- it was too painful, too weird. They looked scared, of her. but kind of hopeful too and that scared her. He was so confusing! Why would he do that to her? He was supposed to be incredibly angry, stomping off to his little apartment, running his fingers through his hair in embarrassment and frustration. He should be ticked off and humiliated! What was this?!

 

Serina quickly tried to regain control of the rapidly disintegrating situation. This wasn't at all the insult-athon she was expecting. Maybe it could still be saved. But maybe she hurt him, maybe she'd gone too far somehow-

 

`Wait a minute! There he goes again, making me feel guilty for nothing! All he asked was what I called him. A natural reaction. That's what he's supposed to do, duh.' But his voice . . .

 

“I called you Muffin. It would have been Cookie but they're too sweet for you, and you take too much pride in Conceited Jerk! If you can call me Meatball-” Serina's righteous shout drifted off as she noticed his shoulders slump slightly, no one else could have seen it but she knew. He turned from her, his eyes downcast again, his hands jammed in his pockets as he began to slowly walk away.

 

“Please don't call me that . . .” She could barely hear his words, only the heart-aching loneliness of the mumbling. She felt her heart start to ache again, as if in response to the pain she had inexplicably caused him. Maybe his parents had called him that before they died-

 

Wait- how did she know his parents were dead? Was that really true?

 

Serina shook herself. How could she know something like that- it was just a guess, probably right since he was so antisocial! He was so moody! It was only a word; an annoying, cute nickname most guys would hate. How had she hurt him? She didn't mean to, she was only teasing, giving him back what he'd given her! Why did this feel so familiar? Why did he, his emotions, this situation, feel so familiar? That name, it flew from her lips so naturally, her heart reaching out to soothe his, his cool stance not wanting to admit weakness when she could see right through him like water- it all clicked! Like she'd done this before. Many times.

 

Serina's head started to hurt, overwhelming her with deja'vu and pounding with blackness and strange, forgotten feelings- Her chest hurt too, her heart tightening in a vise that caught her breath. `Oh no! Not again! Please, no! Darien! Help me, someone help me . . .'

 

Serina's vision disappeared to blurry colors, her hearing to a dulled, quiet murmuring. She reached out for the brick wall she knew was somewhere beside her, her slender white fingers grazing the rough, chafing surface as she sank to her knees. Tears of anguish and confusion spilled from her blind eyes and she squeezed them shut, breathing heavily, haltingly as if the faster she got the cold air in, the sooner this dizzy fever would fade.

 

Her heart fluttered as weak as a butterfly as she sighed away her breath. She couldn't stop it. Darien had done it to her again, causing one of her strange attacks in the middle of the street. Serina's hands fell cold in her lap, and she collapsed none too gently against the wall.

 

“Not now . . . please, not again . . . Darien, help . . .”

 

@~~}~~~~~

Darien's heart fell. His high aspirations, his dreams and wishes- all came crashing down around him with the harsh sound of breaking glass.

 

So . . . she didn't like him. It was just a game, a taunt, nothing serious at all. She didn't think anything of him, nothing more than a cruel, heartless, cold man. Some guy that teased her incessantly, never listening to her protests, never giving her mercy. Where was she now? She should take advantage of this. She should be rubbing in the fact that he never let go of her nickname, why should she?

 

Darien abruptly felt a lightning flash in his mind, a punch to his heart. Images flooded his mind, too fast to see more than white, black, and silvery blues. He gasped in sudden pain, gone as quickly as it had come. This happened sometimes, more often nowadays but quickly over and forgotten- but this time it was particularly strong. It was the third today alone!

 

But as before, the young man ignored it. It was gone instantly and there appeared to be no side effects so he didn't want to worry about it. He had plenty of more important, immediately threatening things to think about- like finals. He returned to his walk, wondering vaguely if Serina had noticed his pause-

 

Serina.

 

Darien whirled to face the direction he'd last seen the girl- she was gone.

 

But something was wrong; something told him something was wrong. His heart was racing with something akin to fear, his head ached in response to someone else's pain he felt nearby. His entire body was tense with expectation and empathy. Then he heard her whisper float up from behind some pedestrians.

 

“Not now . . . please, not again . . . Darien, help . . .” His eyes found her sitting up against the wall, a space clear of the snow, trembling and unconscious. It didn't take more than another breath for him to reach her side. His hand fell on her shoulder, shaking her gently. Receiving no response, Darien lifted a hand to her wan face, far paler and cooler than normal.

 

“Oh God, Serina, what's wrong?” Darien whispered as he took her slight form in his arms and stood. She still didn't answer and he wondered briefly what he should do. He hadn`t heard or seen anything, she didn't trip or was knocked down, what could have happened? Why would she just pass out in the middle of the sidewalk- She'd never had such episodes before, at least not that he'd heard. His apartment was around the corner from here, the hospital was too far away. Maybe if he called Andrew he might have her home phone number and he could call her parents.

 

Darien took off down the sidewalk. Serina's trembling had ceased but her breathing had become worse; ragged and labored. She was wheezing- maybe it was some kind of severe asthma attack? He could feel her pulse throughout her body like it was his own- and it was too fast. Cold, glittering tears slipped from beneath her delicately closed eyes, her small mouth creased in a frown, and she whimpered softly making him wonder what nightmare she'd been drawn into.

 

Miraculously, Darien made it to the safety of his apartment in mere minutes. His entire world revolved around the girl in his arms; he didn't bother to acknowledge anything else. He carried his treasured burden gently, worry for her overwhelming any other emotion as he lightly stepped within the bleak grayness of his living room.

 

`Serina might think it just a little strange if she woke up in my bed.' Darien thought with little humor as he placed her carefully on his couch, her golden head resting on a pillow. He paused a moment just staring at her. This was probably the last time he'd ever be so close, ever see her sleeping- in his apartment. She slept all the time at the arcade under Andrew's protective watch. Her sunshine hair spilled over his couch seeming to gleam an inexplicable silver, her skin shone a soft silk white as pearls of tears traced paths from her crystal blue eyes. “Serina?” He whispered.

 

Then her dreams took a noticeable turn as she began to weakly fight unconsciousness before his very eyes. Poor sweet Serina's head tossed from side to side as if to shake off the visions she saw, her face pale and frightened. How he knew what she was feeling was beyond him; it was as if he could sense her emotions, her terror like it was his own- but detached, separate though still a part of his mind and soul. The feeling was like the faint scent of roses on a soft breeze.

 

She looked as if she were in pain, emotional pain like she was reliving the loss of her dearest friend. Knowing the caring person Serina was, that was likely one of her worst nightmares. He sighed again with concern and sympathy. He'd never seen her like this, so helpless, and it tore his heart that she had to go through this, whatever it was. He couldn't explain the protectiveness he felt. `I guess it must be love.' There was no other way to explain it. He just didn't want her to be in such pain and confusion, it hurt him too much. She was too perfect to ever be troubled by anything and he should have been able to stop anything that threatened her happiness and serenity.

 

But maybe something had happened to her, recently or deep in her past, something that scarred her sensitive mind like the car accident did his, except she dealt with it better or had repressed it. There was so much he didn't know about Serina- But he'd give anything to . . .

 

`Darien, you've lost it. You're sprung over her, it's no longer a simple crush. You've fallen in love.' He'd never thought it possible; the great, immovable Darien, alone and cold all his life, had finally fallen for someone. A perfect girl, an angel- `That needs your help, Romeo.' Darien shook his head and turned away from the small, luminant goddess on his couch in the middle of his sterile, colorless living room. He searched out the arcade's number in his caller ID, glancing every now and again to study Serina's profile. His beautiful Meatball head was in trouble and needed him. Why did that feel familiar? Like deja'vu . . . Something so right and normal, that he should guard her and keep her safe and happy . . .

 

Before he disappeared into the kitchen, he whispered softly to her, hoping she could somehow hear him. “Please be okay, Serina.”

 

@~~}~~~~~

Light flashed off the gleaming silver sword. The prince lifted it above his head, prepared to let the cold blade fall. She lay on the floor at his mercy. Her slitted eyes blinked again in aching pain, a hand stretching out before her, reaching across the cold stone tile floor for a gold and pink stick with a crescent moon on top. A huge, glittering round diamond was cradled at the base of the moon. It was her only hope, it was the only thing that could save this dark prince- Somehow-

 

Serina gave up on trying to reach the wand, it was too far now and she hurt too much to retrieve it. He would kill her at any moment, the sword would fall and her one true love would take her life, never realizing what he did. If only she could use the Silver Crystal to save him, if only she had the time- but she couldn't give up! The girls, her friends, had died for this chance, the opportunity to save her soul-mate and to kill- to kill-

 

Harsh laughter filled the darkness of the cavern. Serina could sense the evil in the very air as if it were a thick, tangible mist. She felt the loss of warmth and love, the agony of her heart and spirit being torn slowly off into bits like old rags. She had lost her dearest companions. She had lost her prince long ago and even now, when she was so close to him, the witch still had control. He was under her spell, SHE caused all this pain!

 

“Kill her, Prince Endymion. The little moon princess has been more trouble than she's worth. Her dead mother was never this foolish. That's enough, Endymion. The Princesses head…remove it!” The hissing voice floated through the smoky haze as if created from the very air.

 

“Yes . . . my queen.” Came the strained reply. Serina glanced up again, her eyes wide with terror. The figure still hovered above her, his dark cape swirling around his silver armor, his sapphire eyes like chips of hard ice from the softly teasing gaze she was used to. There was only one option left, one way to stall long enough to save the man she loved. She could stop him for the few seconds she needed to grab her moon wand and heal him. With him safe, restored, and on her side, she could defeat this Negaverse menace, this queen of darkness. When he woke from this he would help her, her prince and love, he would fight with her by her side.

 

But in the moments she had to recover from the drain of power it would take to restore him, she prayed she could still protect them both. But right now she needed keep him from killing her. Serina raised a shaking, abused hand to her forehead, feeling her energy disappear into her burning palm.

 

She would never forgive herself . . .

 

The sword clattered to the ground, it's owner collapsing weakly to his knees beside it with a cry of agony that echoed in the sudden enveloping silence of the throne room. Serina tried to shout his name into the void, hearing Beryl's deep laughter in the distance, her love's shallow breathing beside her, her own horrified sobbing held her frozen in place. She heard a faint murmuring, a soft, almost sighing sound, distinctly her love's voice.

 

“Please be okay, Serina . . .” It was like some last request, the last living thought of the man she knew, the prince she loved a thousand years ago and fell in love with again in the past year. A plea before he . . . he was lost forever.

 

“Darien!” She screamed. “No!”

 

@~~}~~~~~

Darien was just lifting the phone off the receiver when he heard a soft whimpering. It almost sounded like someone whispering his name. Darien dropped the phone when he heard Serina's painful scream, almost as if her very soul were being torn away from her. “No!”

 

Darien left the phone hanging and was by the girl's side in a single heartbeat. His first instinct was to grab her hand and hold her close, to reassure her and keep her safe and tear away her fear. Her eyes were wide and afraid, tears glittering like a well of stars to trace her cheeks in silver. Her face, framed by her golden hair, was ashen and confused, her expression panicked and lost. For a moment, she didn't seem to see him though he knelt by her side, inches from her abruptly upright body. “Serina? Are you okay?”

 

“Da- Darien? What . . . happened? Where am I?” Darien started at her question. Didn't she remember? Her innocent eyes searched his for answers, for safety and reassurance. He delicately picked up her cold hand, covering her icy fingers with his own in hopes of calming her down a little. It immediately took affect as her breathing returned to normal and her body slowly relaxed.

 

“Serina, you passed out on the street. I- brought you back to my apartment. Do you know what happened to you?” He studied the young lady suddenly in his care. He realized he wasn't surprised to find she was much more than the carefree, lazy child he'd once thought.

 

Serina's brow furrowed as she concentrated, the pink tip of her tongue stuck out slightly from her frowning lips in an adorable expression that almost had Darien smiling- were he not so concerned. She stared at nothing for a long moment then blinked and shook her head, her gaze returning to meet his with an almost haunted, sad look. “All I can remember are pieces of bad dream . . . He was trying to- to- that sword and her laughter- it hurt . . .” Serina abruptly broke off, smothering her face in her hands and beginning to softly weep.

 

Now he was worried. When Meatball head was scared or angry or sad she wailed, screamed, and fought. She didn't accept it. She didn't quietly cry, Serina was rarely quiet. And her dream . . . For no reason she faints in the middle of the sidewalk and dreams of a man trying to hurt her? That's just not right. A pure, faultless girl like Serina shouldn't have nightmares like that- Unless something had happened to her . . . Darien's frown deepened and he felt a hot anger rise.

 

“I'm sorry, Darien. For being such a bother. Thank you for helping me, I guess I should be going.” Before he knew it, Serina was up and walking for the door; a weak, forced smile gracing those perfect lips- `Darien, knock it off . . .'

 

“Meatba- Er, Serina, it's no problem, are you sure you're all right? No one should just pass out like that.” Darien quickly stood and followed her, pausing by the door where she had conveniently hesitated, her head hidden from him by her locks of yellow hair. She was trying to keep something from him- that's why she was in a hurry to leave! “Has this ever happened before?” He demanded, his voice commanding as he gently held her slight shoulder and blocked the door. He didn't want to intimidate the girl but he had to know she would really be okay after she left his sight. “Serina?” He prodded more forcefully when she still refused to answer, or to even look at him.

 

“Not that it's any of your business, Darien-” Serina replied with equal force, her voice rising with the return of her energy and spirit. She easily knocked his hand off her, her lightest brush enough to freeze him where he stood and still send him reeling. She took a step around him, towards the door as he slowly turned to follow her movements. His stunned eyes watched her carefully as her eyes fell again to the ground, filling with confused tears, her hair hanging limp from it's momentary life. Her angry pace faltered, one hand on the open door. It seemed as if her whole aura of strength and passion had evaporated for a few seconds. Her whispering voice shook a little as she finished her sentence and raced out the door. “But it has . . .”

 

Darien's frozen body refused to move after her as she quickly left his life, the ray of sunlight and warmth disappearing in darkness. He instantly worried about her: Would she get home all right? Did she even know how to get home from here? When had she started having black outs? Why hadn't he known about it? Would she pass out again? Who would find her if she did?! That thought scared his mind into action as he swung the door open and searched for his little meatball head.

 

“Sere! Wait!”

 

@~~}~~~~~

`Dumb, Serina! Stupid Meatball head! Why'd ya go and tell him that?! He doesn't need to know and now he'll think you're even more stupid than before! I'll never hear the end of it from him! And what if he tells someone? What if he tells Andrew or my friends- or my parents?! They'll get all worried or make me see a doctor- ohh, I hate doctors! Or they'll just tease me for having weird dreams that make me faint. This is terrible! Just plain awful!' Serina continued to run, headed straight for the elevator and hitting the button that would cut her off from the world for a minute or two while she descended.

 

As the doors began to close, she thought she heard a voice calling her name. “Sere! Wait!” That name, it meant something. Her heart froze for the longest, most painful few seconds. `Sere?' She poked her head out the elevator to see him. The closing doors instantly halted and retreated, making her vulnerable again. Darien wouldn't really chase after her, would he? He wasn't cold-hearted enough to start torturing her now?!

 

Sure enough, the handsome, heart-tingling jerk, was down the hall, hanging half way out his apartment door and just about to step out. He looked terrified though!

 

`Run! Run now while he still can't catch you!' Serina hopped back and slammed the down button, heart tightening again at the new nickname. “Stay away . . .”