Strong Destiny, Weak Heart

The Breakup

Disclaimer: I wish I could take credit for Sailor Moon! Alas, not my creation, only this story is.

A/N: Reviews are always encouraged.

Chapter 1

Darien and Serena were in a stalemate. She was starry eyed and drooling over the new dentist that came into town. If she'd known he was so hunky, she wouldn't have put up such a fight with Darien to go for her toothache. As soon as she saw him, she had hearts in her eyes, and his beautiful assistant didn't escape Darien's sights either. As soon as Serena noticed him looking at her, she was asking Darien what he was looking at, pulling his arm toward her, and telling him he didn't love her. He was really getting tired of her childish games, he wished she'd just grow up already.

While he waited for her in the Dentist's office waiting room, he made a decision. He would break up with her, and she would be free to do what she wants, for four years. If she chose to return to him after that, she'd have to learn that looking at other women, doesn't mean he lusts after them like she did with men. The time would do her good, and she would get it all out of her system and appreciate what she had, or so he thought.

When she came out of the office, she was all smiles about her toothache being gone, and going on about how gentle he had been with her. Darien hated how she couldn't realize how inappropriate it was for her to go on and on about another guy, especially to him. "Serena, do you wanna go to the park?"

"Sure!" She said, as she clung to his arm. The whole way there, she was going on and on about everything that was going on in her life. Her bad grades, how Rei always seemed mad at her, and how no one ever wants to listen to her side of the story. Darien couldn't even pretend to know what she was saying, he was so lost in his own thoughts. Once seated on the park bench, he was afraid of her reaction to his offer. Was it a really an offer? Was he giving her a choice? No, this wasn't an offer, this was more of an ultimatum. Either, she would wait four years, or they wouldn't be together at all.

"Serena, I have something to tell you." He cut her off from her ramblings, and she stopped short.

"What's wrong Darien? Are you okay?" She looked at him concerned.

"Yeah, I'm fine, it's just that...well...I love you Serena."

"I love you too, Darien."

"Yes, well, I don't think you're ready for our relationship yet, you're still so young..." He looked away, toward the green grass and roses surrounding the water fountain in front of them. He was lost in its beauty for a moment, while he let his comment sink in.

"But, Darien, I know what I want, and it's you. You're all I want for the rest of my life. My age shouldn't matter once my heart has spoken, did my dad talk to you? Don't let him scare you, he's just a big teddy bear."

"No Serena, this has nothing to do with your father, it's just that, I have more experience than you do..."

"What do you mean by that?" She eyed him with a narrow gaze.

"Nothing really, I just don't want to steal your 'fun years' from you. This is the time in your life where you have fun, joke around and be happy. Our relationship is just so serious, it's not like you, at least not yet."

"You don't think I take our relationship seriously?" Now she was insulted and started whining and tearing up.

"No, it just that" He was getting frustrated, he decided to just say it. "I think we should wait till you're 18. Four years isn't that long, and I think we'll both be better for it."

"You're breaking up with me? Again!"

"Please, don't think of it like that. It's not like that, it's more of a break. I promise I won't see anyone else. I love you and you're the only one I want, and I'm willing to wait for you."

"I don't want anyone else either! Why are you doing this? Did you have another dream about the future?" She stopped whining and just had concern in her eyes, and tears down her cheeks.

"I'm not saying you will find someone else, but with school, the scouts, tutors, and detention, I don't really think you have as much time for me as you think you do."

"Are you saying I'm neglecting you?" She really couldn't figure it out, she just felt so sad and heartbroken. She wished she could go back in time, before the date, back to thinking she was going to have a wonderful day with the man she loved.

"No, it's not that...*sigh*...I just think you need time. I can't really explain it, but I think we'd both be happier if you just got to be a kid for a few more years."

"I don't want to be a kid. I want to be whatever fits into your world."

"But that's just it! I don't want you to change, I want you to live. You shouldn't try to fit into my world, you should just do what makes you happy."

"You ARE what makes me happy." She was looking at the ground.

"Yeah, and is this a perfect example of that happiness?" He was angry at himself, but more so with her stubbornness. "I love you, I always will. I'm not saying we're not going to be together again, it's just-"

"What about Rini? Is that why you want to wait? All you want me for is her?" She covered her mouth immediately. Darien was speechless, he couldn't believe she would say that about their daughter, or himself. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean that."

"I know" he finally said, after the shock wore off "but that doesn't change the fact that you just proved my point. You're so afraid of something taking me away, why? Are you that unsure about my commitment to you?"

"No, maybe, I don't know, I'm not sure how I feel."

"And that's why we need this. I want to prove my commitment to you, to us. If you want to date, I won't stop you. I really want you to be happy, and I want YOU to be sure that I am the man that would move heaven and Earth for that to happen. I sort of want you to date, so you can see how truly committed to you I am. How much I love you."

She pondered what he was saying for a moment. He never said he didn't love her, like he had before. She couldn't figure it out, why had he decided this? "Darien, what's in it for you?" She looked up at him with tears still in her eyes, as her sadness showed.

"You." He stated simply.

"You have me. Why these games?"

"No, I don't want the worried Serena that is so afraid of any woman just sweeping me away from her, I want the strong, confident Serena that knows even if I was surrounded by women on an island, she'd just think, 'eh, he'll find a way out.'"

"So you want to be on an island full of women?" he sighed again, wondering if she'd ever understand. He hated seeing her cry, and to be the cause just made it so much worse.

"That's not what I meant. Look, it's more of a challenge. I challenge you to find a guy better for you than I am. You have four years to do it, if you can't, I guess you're stuck with me." He smiled at her lovingly.

"I guess I understand, but I don't like it."

"I know I'm kind of forcing you into this, but I know it will help our relationship in the long run."

"Okay." She finally agreed, still unhappy about his decision. 'Fine, if he wants it to be a challenge, I'll show him how serious I can be. I'll search all of Tokyo if I have to!' She was thinking out of hurt and anger, she felt like this deal was meant to make her betray her heart, and she hated the feeling. Darien moved closer to her, and held her.

"It's okay, it's not like we're over. We both know we still love each other, it's not the end of 'us'. I promise."

To Be Continued...