Hiya again peeps! Just to let you know EB stands for 'Ego Boy'. Once again this will be a short series of fics pertaining to my all time fav couple...Serena and Darien!!! There's not really any romance in it and there's definitely no action. hehe...but read it anyways. Please? And please visit my site at http://ficmaze.cjb.net and Neo Queen Serenity's at http://crystaltokyo.cjb.net PLEASE email about your comments and ::shivers:: criticisms...I'll accept those too!! lol Much love to my imouto's, Violet Ice, SailorTwin, Cutie (aka Gen Zelda) Hoyden, Jlala, Alicia and my other online family! you can see the site at the Animegals page at http://www2.crosswinds.net/santa-barbara/~animegals/ I'm Sailor Pluto! ::gigglez:: everyone there is SO Incredibly sweet and nice!!!! Just because...part 3 By: Twilight Editor: SailorTwin "Oh NO!!!! I'm late again!" Running full speed out of her house, Serena sped along the empty sidewalk praying Miss H. was in a good mood. 'Oh, I hope she had a hot date last night.' Too busy thinking about getting to school, she turned around the corner and collided with another body. Falling forward she yelped as the person below her broke her fall. Quickly getting off the man (she assumed) she bumped into, she frantically apologized, hoping whoever it was wouldn't be too angry at her. 'Good way to start the day.' Darien was walking to school and before he knew it, he was on the ground with someone on top of him. Glancing at the person above him, he sighed. 'I should have known.' Shaking his head, he cracked a smile as Serena quickly got off him and automatically started spewing apologies. 'Doesn't she ever look up?' He silently questioned, amusement playing on his handsome features. "You know, Meatball Head," stopping her in the middle of her apologetic tirade, she finally looked up to see the familiar face. "It's getting pretty old, meeting you like this...and don't you ever look to see who you've bumped into, instead of just apologizing over and over again?" Rolling her eyes she grabbed her briefcase she dropped when she fell and stuck her tongue out at him. "Oh shut up. Ego boy!!" Looking at her watch, she let out another piercing wail, "AAHHH!! Miss H. is for sure going to kill me!" Temporarily forgetting about Darien she ran away like a lunatic escaping from an asylum. Dashing around another corner she quickly stopped, glanced back at Darien and once again stuck her tongue out at him before completely turning around. The sound of Darien's rich laughter could be heard fading behind her, making her smile. After class, Darien made his way to the small cafe next to the arcade to say hello to Andrew. Holding his books tightly at his side, he grumbled inwardly at the thought of his English professor. 'Doesn't he know the meaning of break?!' Cursing the old man in his mind he stopped short when he felt someone grab his free arm, making him drop one of his books unnoticed. "Hey Darien!" An all too familiar voice cooed, "You wanna go out tonight?" The young girl with long black hair asked, clinging tightly to him. "Uh....hi Raye." Hesitating to answer, he looked around panicked. He thought Raye was a sweet and very pretty girl but she just wasn't his type and he didn't know how to tell her. She scared him, kind of....she was just so...so FORWARD. Suddenly the sweetest voice he had ever heard rang loud in his ears as a vision of beauty approached them. "Hiya Raye! What are you doing here? I thought we had a study session at your place?" The young blond asked gracefully walking up to them. "Huh?" Still holding tightly to Darien's arm, she turned her head to look at the new comer. "Oh, hi Serena. No, I don't remember having a session today, are you sure?" Raye asked peering closely at her. "What, really? Hmmm...I thought we did. Oh well, anyway I think Chad was looking for you. I passed him heading towards the store, mumbling something about replacing a....door?" Serena said in a confused manner, tilting her head slightly. "NANI?! I gotta go, maybe another time Darien!" Raye yelled hastily, making her way towards the temple. Darien smiled secretly as Serena cleverly made up an excuse for him. 'Man, I have to thank her.' Breathing a sigh of relief, he smiled slightly, watching Raye run like crazy back to her house. Bringing his attention back to the beautiful girl before him, he smiled charmingly but then frowned when he didn't see her. Looking up and down the street he found her slowly walking away, heading home he supposed. Forming a rose he quickly caught up to her, calling her name. "Serena!" Turning around, she looked at Darien, slightly annoyed. "I just wanted to say arigato." Handing her the flower, she smiled as she carefully took the rose from him. "But," Suddenly he sounded like the old Darien she was used to. "....it wasn't like I couldn't handle it myself." Walking proudly away, he tried to understand the emotions welling up inside of him. He didn't mean to be rude but she stirred feelings in him he didn't know how to handle, and so he reverted back to jerk mode. Serena watched, wide-eyed as Darien's form grew smaller and smaller in the distance. 'I should have seen that one coming.' She thought, curtly turning away from him. Bringing the rose to her nose, she smelled it's sweet scent, 'Still....the roses he always gives me are the most beautiful I've ever seen.' "Excuse me, miss?" A young man asked, walking up to her. "I believe you dropped this back there." Handing her the book, he stared at her for a moment before blushing and turning away. "Arigato." Looking at the book in her hand, she briefly glanced at the cover and noted that it wasn't hers. Opening it, she found a name clearly written on the front page making her groan. "And he complains about me dropping things." She mumbled to herself, stuffing it in her briefcase. Skipping home, she immediately went up to her room and locked herself inside. Plopping down on the bed, she lazily looked up to the ceiling with one arm resting on her forehead. 'I wish I knew who he was.' Last night, another youma had appeared but luckily for them it was easy to defeat and was dusted in no time. Tuxedo Mask didn't help fight but she knew he was there, she could feel him, hidden somewhere amongst the deep shadows of the night. Closing her glazed eyes, she happily pictured Tuxedo Mask in her mind and sighed out dreamily. Giggling to herself, she stopped when suddenly his image melted away to be replaced with no one other than Darien. Snapping her eyes open, she abruptly sat up in disbelief. 'Why did I picture him?!' Glancing around her personally decorated room, she eyed her briefcase lying on the floor near her door. Standing, she walked over to it remembering the small book she found. Digging through her briefcase she quickly found it, pulled it out and walked over to a small cozy chair near her window. Making herself comfortable, she finally was able to look at the cover and read the title: Poetry. "Hmph...I didn't know he had a romantic bone in his body!" She said smartly, opening the book. Skimming through the many different types of poems she suddenly had to the urge to write one herself. 'Well, why not? It's not like anyone will read it.' Grabbing a piece of paper and pencil she started to write, never stopping till she was done. ~~~~~~~~~~ Stronger than you know, a bond that's unbreakable. One's everywhere one goes, a relationship so stable. A love that's so true, it's power is strong. What would one do, if one was gone? Together they stay, never to part. And to their dismay, it's all from their hearts. Two souls lost, but united as one. There is no cost, when love is won. Like a solid rock, their love is strong. Like a ticking clock, that goes on and on. Never to end, together they stay. Each one they defend, in every way. Like a dove, that soars up high, it's one's true love, that shall never die. Serena Tsukino ~~~~~~~~~~ Serena stared dumbfounded at the poem before her. 'Where did that come from?!' She wondered, unable to believe she actually wrote it.. Honestly, she didn't think she had it in her. "Serena! Dinner's ready!!" Ellen called from downstairs. "Coming!" Folding the paper, she placed it in the book and set it on the night stand beside her bed before leaving to eat. Serena lazily opened her worn eyes and groaned inwardly at the thought of school. Slowly sitting up, she threw the sheets off her body to the floor which sent Luna flying. Looking sheepishly, she apologized giggling nervously bringing a hand up to her head. "Uhm...hehe....gomen Luna." "Sure you are!" She grumbled, jumping back onto the bed and falling fast asleep. "Serena, are you up yet?" Ellen asked, knocking on her door, then opening it. "Oh good. Don't forget today is Tuesday." She reminded, popping her head through the cracked door before disappearing. Suddenly wide awake, Serena seemed to be full of energy and bounded out her room, getting ready for school. "Finally." Serena breathed, walking out of the school grounds, her backpack slung loosely over her shoulder. Glancing at her watch she squeaked quietly and started running. 'I'm glad I changed at school.' She thought, leaving for her destination. "Ahhh!!" She suddenly screamed falling backwards. "Ohhh....ouch." Whimpering, she painfully stood up rubbing her sore bottom. "Geez, Meatball Head!" Darien huffed bending to pick up his scattered papers, "Don't you ever look?! You're such a klutz!" Almost as if he had physically lashed out and struck her, she flinched, stepping back. He might as well have, for his words stung, deeply. More so than anyone else she had ever known. Not even her closest friends' own harsh words had ever hurt this much. Blinking back oncoming tears, she quickly zipped open her backpack and threw his book back to him on the ground. "Here.....you dropped this yesterday." Quickly closing her backpack, she turned and fled into a large white building a few blocks away. Looking up, Darien watched with apologetic eyes as her form disappeared, 'I shouldn't have said that.' Picking up the last of his belongings, he walked back home with a guilty conscience. Passing the mall he stopped, and found himself looking into a small jewelry store's window display. There, in the center of all the beautifully designed and expensive rings sat one golden simple one. A tinted red rose extended slightly upward with dark green leaves stretching from either side. Staring at it, he recalled a time when he saw Serena a few days back, standing in the exact same spot. ~Flashback~ Darien sat idly under the shade of a large cherry blossom tree, reading a book. It was too beautiful a day to spend indoors. Suddenly having the feeling to look up, he saw Serena strolling across the street by the mall. He watched as she stopped at a few window displays smiling; he could see it in the reflection. Tilting his head a little, he carefully closed his book and stood. She had been standing in the same place for a good 10 minutes now. Having the urge to go to her, he slowly walked up to the unsuspecting girl. Standing behind her, he looked to see what she was staring at and rolled his eyes upward when he saw. 'Figures, she would be looking at expensive rings.' "Hey Meatball head!" He said, grinning madly. "Ooohhhhh" Turning around she stared defiantly at him, "Don't call me that!" She huffed staring back at the window and their reflection, though trying not to. "You know you'll never be able to afford any of those because you always spend your money eating and playing games.......And you couldn't possibly have a boyfriend......” He joked, chuckling at her angry expression. "I KNOW that ego boy!" Serena screamed, trying to hide how deeply his remarks hurt her, "You don't have to remind me." Pausing for a second, she remained quiet, appearing to be deep in thought, ".....and besides, I don't want those expensive rings," She commented quietly, "I just like the one with the rose." Turning and walking away, she left Darien as she walked into a building. All laughing ceased when he heard the low melodic tone Serena was speaking in. It sounded so unlike her, almost mature? Stepping closer to the encased jewelry, he nearly hit himself when he saw the ring. It was beautiful and surprisingly.....cheaper than anything else displayed. Glancing in the direction Serena left, he sighed and walked back to the park. ~End Flashback~ Blinking his eyes, he looked to the near distance and noticed it was the same building she had entered before, when he realized that it was the ice skating rink. "What would she be doing there? She can hardly walk, let alone ice-skate.' Shaking his head, he headed back for his apartment but accidentally bumped into someone. 'Great. I'm turning into Serena' he thought dryly, picking up the book that he dropped. "What's this?" He mumbled to himself, pulling out the folded paper. Slowly, he carefully stood, shoving the book back under his arm. Skimming over the poem, he noted it was very touching and nearly choked when he saw who wrote it. 'I guess you never really know a person.' Cautiously, he folded the flimsy paper and placed it in his pocket before walking through the glass doors. The following Tuesday Darien waited impatiently around the corner where he and Serena usually 'met.' Looking around nervously, he fidgeted with the small object in his pocket. Pacing, unable to stand still, he pulled it out and idly opened it. Still looking intensely at the content of the box he let out a startled yelp when he felt another body bump into his. Quickly, he grasped tightly to the velvety box within his hand to make sure he wouldn't lose it. Falling backwards to the hard pavement, he braced himself for the inevitable impact but two small hands quickly grabbed onto his wrists. Sighing with relief, he looked up to thank whoever saved him and was a bit surprised to find it was Serena. 'I never knew she was that strong.' He remarked to himself, curiously looking at her, 'I wonder what else I don't know' He pondered. "Uh....I have to go." Serena stated, still angry at him from before but blushing none the less. Pushing her way past him, she stalked away as quickly as she could. She felt kind of bad for being so rude but shook her head as she pushed back the guilty feeling. 'He deserves it...for being so mean.' "Serena!" Darien yelled from the same spot behind her. Turning around reluctantly, she gave him an exasperated look with her hands resting on her hips. Throwing the small box to her, he quickly turned and walked away. Naturally, she easily caught the small object flying towards her. Upon catching it, she looked up quickly when she realized what she held. Frowning a bit, she watched as Darien walked away, apparently never intending to explain. With shaky hands, she carefully opened the soft box and let out an amazed gasp. Looking up again, only this time more eager, her bright blue eyes frantically sought to find Darien, knowing he was long gone. Staring, her eyes were fixated on the beautiful ring. She blinked as it glistened brightly in the sun making the crafted rose look real. Gently plucking it from the velvet case, she read the tiny note attached and smiled slightly. 'Just because' Leisurely, she slipped the elegant ring onto her finger, a smile illuminating her delicate face. 'Perfect fit.' Dazedly turning around, she skipped the rest of the way to the rink, all angry thoughts of Darien, diminished. Stepping out from behind the corner where he had hidden, he smiled to himself as she happily skipped away. Breathing a sigh of relief, he leaned up against the brick wall, pleased at her reaction. Darien remained standing there until her petite figure disappeared through the glass doors of the rink. Maybe some day he would have enough courage to follow her, but that day was yet to come. Turning on his heel, he strolled home, whistling to himself. The End!!! Well? Well? What do you guys think? It's longer than the other ones..but I couldn't cut it down and I didn't want to take anything out. Gomen if it was boring...::looks at Jlala threateningly:: but I tried. The ring I wrote about is a ring I WANT!!! I saw it at the mall here and nearly cried when I couldn't buy it! ::sniff sniff:: damn these bills! ::poutz:: but I WILL...oh yes I WILL get that ring. Anyone wanna give me a late birthday present? ::snickers:: Just kidding. Anyhoo....many arigato's to everyone who emailed me!! SUKI DA YO guys SO much!!! Oh and a favor if you're up to it ::blushes:: I wrote a story called 'How Strong is Our Love' awhile back...my first story actually, and I was wondering if anyone read the alternate ending to it? If someone has could you please email me and tell me what you thought? I know it wasn't a happy ending, but anyone??? ::begs:: oh yes and PLEASE feel FREE to email me.....it's what helps keep me going, you know?? :gigglez: ~SmTwilight@aol.com~ by the way...yes the poem is MINE!!! hehe *hugz n kisses* Twilight