A/N: Hey everyone! Thanks so much for the reviews and alerts and favorites. :) So I guess I have come down with a stomach flu after my wisdom teeth surgery... and maybe an ear piercing infection? Yuck. :( So I am off from school today, and my finals are tomorrow. Definitely sucks... Anyways, I just managed to squeeze some time in to write this chapter!
Many thoughts shot through her mind at the sound of his desperate voice. Should she stop? Should she run? She could feel fear pounding through her. She didn't have much time! Her hand was on the door, slowly pushing it open. She could hear her own ragged breaths as the cool air breezed across her face. She then decided that she should run, run like no tomorrow. She didn't spare him one glance and darted outside, pushing herself to go faster than ever.
Darien cursed under his breath and chased after her. He was worried about Serena. It was dangerous at this time of night for a girl her age, and he also didn't want to leave her in her current state of mind. "Serena!" he yelled breathlessly. She was extremely fast for being just a girl... Or perhaps because her speed was due to her being Sailor Moon. He was absolutely certain she was Sailor Moon and everything just seemed to click into place. Sailor Moon and Serena, both were klutz, both were loud, both were cute, both had the same style... Even the same pair of perfect lips.
She sensed that Darien was close behind, so close to catching up. She felt his muscular body pressed against her back and his arms wrapped around her waist. She was completely surprised.
"You didn't let me explain," he puffed out.
No words escaped her lips as she was left speechless from his embrace. The way his arms enveloped her made her forget everything but him. Why did being with him feel so familiar? Every time when he was with her, she could feel something itching at the back of her mind. But what was it?
"I am not messing with you, and I am sorry if you believe so," he said softly and turned her around so he could look clearly into her sparkling eyes. "It is my fault for being so critical of you all the time. As I told you before, I do not mean any of my harsh insults. Heck, they aren't even true!" He let out a laugh of disbelief. "But I just wanted to say that..." he hesitated out of nervousness. "I just want to say that I like you." As the words escaped his lips, he felt a huge weight lift off his shoulders. He sighed out of relief, glad that he finally didn't have to keep his secret crush hidden anymore.
Serena barely managed to say, "Y-you do?"
"Yes, honestly I do." Darien smiled reassuringly, feeling more confident. He pulled her to his chest, hugging her tightly.
She was more than happy. Nothing could explain how she felt, but the closest thing that could describe her happiness was like floating on top of the world. "Darien," she spoke into his solid chest. "I..." Suddenly David popped into her mind. She imagined his green eyes glaring spitefully at her for betraying him. Guilt seeped through her, but she couldn't draw herself out of Darien's embrace. This was what she always wanted since the moment she had met Darien. She buried her head into his chest, trying to hide her tears of shame. She didn't want to lose Darien or David, but in the end, she would end up hurting one or the other, or maybe both?
They stood there for the longest of times, the chilly night air harshly whipping around them. Darien and Serena never wanted this moment to end, but as always, the moment of happiness was crushed when they heard a loud scream. The Negaverse was at it again!
"Darien, I have to go." Serena said in her most serious, determined voice. She had to save the world from another one of those Negaverse creeps! But at the same time, she had to keep her identity concealed from Darien. He didn't know that she was Sailor Moon and she didn't plan to tell him.
"No, it's dangerous." He latched a big hand onto her arm, stopping her from escaping. "I won't let you go out there alone."
"I can manage," she replied, attempting to tug her arm free. "Darien, let go."
"No, unless I am coming with you," he persisted.
She hated to lie, but if she had to, she would for his sake. She nodded and as soon as he let go, she broke out into a dash, turning around the corner of a building. Darien was behind and she found it strange that he could keep up with her super speed. She turned into an alley, preparing to transform but she froze when Darien's hand landed on her shoulder.
"Why are you running?" Darien already knew the answer, yet he wanted to hear from her voice to actually confirm it.
She stammered nervously, racking through her mind for an excuse, but he answered for her.
"Because you're Sailor Moon, right?" he said gently.
Her eyes widened in horror and met with his knowing eyes. She could tell that there was no way to deceive him. "How'd you know?" she demanded firmly, although she was quite scared of his reply. Another scream interrupted them and Serena decided that she would transform in front of him since he knew her secret. "Moon Prism Power!" she exclaimed, lifting her hand into the air. She transformed quickly into Sailor Moon and touched Darien's arm. "Go home and I will talk to you later, but please keep this a secret." She leaped away toward the crime scene, not knowing that Darien was following behind as Tuxedo Mask.
Sailor Moon arrived at the scene within seconds. People were laying everywhere and she was unsure if they were dead or just energy drained. Her face paled when she saw so many lifeless bodies. She rapidly searched around, finding the assailant.
"Hey you, Negaverse junk!" Sailor Moon shouted, gathering the attention of the Negaverse leader Zoicite, who appeared to be a young man with brown hair tied up in a ponytail. She was about to give her trademark speech until Zoicite spoke up.
"Ah Sailor Moon." Zoicite laughed evilly. " You won't stop me nor will your lover boy." He then motioned toward Tuxedo Mask who surreptitiously appeared on the side.
"Tuxedo Mask!" Sailor Moon gazed lovingly at him, but then, she quickly snapped out of her daze. "Zoicite, I will stop you and the Negaverse!"
"Keep dreaming, Moon brat." Zoicite flung a ball of dark energy at her, causing her to jump out of the way. "I will destroy you once and for all. Those other useless Negaverse creations are absolutely wasteful. But I will make a difference." He threw another energy ball at Sailor Moon, and she dodged the attack again.
Tuxedo Mask quickly threw a rose at Zoicite that cut Zoicite's hand. "That is no way to treat a young lady," Tuxedo Mask chided mockingly before using his cane to hit Zoicite, yet Zoicite teleported away.
Zoicite quickly flung a tremendously fast energy ball at Sailor Moon, one that was so fast that she wouldn't be able to dodge it.
"Sailor Moon!" Tuxedo Mask dove at her protectively, somehow managing to push her out of the way, and the energy hit him, sending him sprawling onto the ground. He remained there motionless.
"No Tuxedo Mask!" Sailor Moon cried out in anguish. Her heart dropped as Zoicite cackled at her loss. She hurriedly grabbed her tiara and yelled, "Moon Tiara Magic!" Her glowing tiara flew at Zoicite, who was not expecting her her attack. He was flung onto the ground and he groaned in pain.
"I will be back, Sailor Brat. At least I managed to collect some energy and got rid of your lover boy." Zoicite disappeared back to the Negaverse, wincing and laughing.
Sailor Moon immediately dropped to Tuxedo Mask's side. "Tuxedo Mask!" Hot, angry tears rolled down her cheeks, splashing onto his perfect face. She propped his head up onto her lap, and she stroked his hair with her gloved hands."Wake up, please," she begged out of desperation. "Please." She shook his languid body. He couldn't be dead! NO! She refused to believe it!
"This is all my fault! You always come to save me and I-to think that this would never happen! No, you shouldn't save me! I should be saving you!" Her words were a mess and she could hardly articulate her words. She shook him again out of anger for herself. She couldn't bare to see him like this... She moved over and placed her head on his chest, hoping that she could hear a thump. Silence... complete silence... She sobbed when she heard nothing. He was dead.
"NO!" she screamed, unable to accept his death. She frantically clutched onto his body, hugging him.
Where were the Sailor Scouts? At that thought, they appeared, although too late to save anyone.
"Oh my goodness!" Sailor Moon heard Sailor Mars cry out in disgust.
Sailor Mars glanced around and finally spotted Sailor Moon. Sailor Mars spoke disdainfully,"Well, if it isn't Sailor Moon. What are you doing here?"
Sailor Moon brushed all her tears away before standing defiantly to face her ex-friend. "Saving the world before you guys showed up! And to even say that you would make a better leader! If you were a leader, you would've been here on time! Look around you and see all the damage done!" Sailor Moon never felt so angry in her entire life. She was entirely livid!
Sailor Mars cowered back, realizing that she was too late and it was part of her fault. "You know how it is. I have to take care of my grandpa!"
"Ha, your lame excuses! You don't even deserve to be a leader nor a Sailor Scout!" Sailor Moon spat angrily. "Get out of my sight." Her voice was solid, strict, and authoritative, which managed to frighten the other Sailor Scout.
Sailor Mars hung her head, ashamed. Was this how Serena felt all the time? She stepped away in defeat and decided to leave with the rest of the Sailor Scouts. She didn't want to feel anymore embarrassed than she already was.
However, Sailor Mercury stayed behind. "Sailor Moon." Sailor Mercury piped up softly. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry for not saying anything when I should have. I believe you are a good leader and fit perfectly in our team. I just hope you can forgive me."
Sailor Moon almost cried once more, but instead threw her arms around her friend, Sailor Mercury. She had dearly missed her friend. "I forgive you." Sailor Moon said with a wobbly smile. She understood that Amy was always the one trying to stand up for her, but Amy was too shy to argue within the group. The girls hugged each other tightly, laughing at their rekindled friendship.
Their joy was extinguished when Sailor Moon once more recalled her beloved Tuxedo Mask. "Oh Sailor Mercury, Tuxedo Mask is dead." Both of them flew back to the side of the the mystery man, water in their eyes.
A/N: Any guesses what has become of our beloved Tuxedo Mask? :P Thanks for reading! And please leave a review. :D Next update will probably be in a week or two? Not sure yet. But I hope that everyone enjoyed this chapter!