1,2,3 Be with Me

Prologue

It was a snowy winter's day in the small town of Crescent Valley, where a small 6 year old boy with midnight black hair, a black coat, red scarf, scruffy jeans and white trainers sat on his front porch with his little legs cuddled against his chest as tear after little tear ran down his face.

He sat sniffling and sobbing his heart out as a small, little hand landed on his shoulder. A tiny gasp of surprise escaped his lips as his cobalt blue eyes looked up to find a pair of big, shining cerulean blue ones looking back at him. Wiping his nose with his coat sleeve, he hiccupped as he looked to find a tiny little girl of about the same age in front of him. She had golden blonde curls tied up in small pigtails and was wearing a pink coat with a hood lined with white fleece, pink woollen gloves and pink denim jeans with white snow boots. Tilting her head slightly to one side, the little girl asked "Why you crying?"

"Because" he sobbed "My friend left…just yesterday and…and I won't get to…to see him again"

The little girl ran of into the snow as the small boy continued to cry. Soon enough he was faced by a small roughly shaped snow bunny. His crying sobbing stopped as the boy looked from the bunny to the girl holding it out to him.

She smiled, as she said "Isn't it cute? My mommy said that making a snow bunny on the first snow of winter is a sign of good wishes"

"Really?" The boy sniffled wiping his eyes as the little girl nodded "Uh huh and she said that if you hand it to someone else then you're giving your best wishes to someone else" she handed the snow bunny to the boy and said "I wish that you see your friend again some day and that you can be my friend too"

The boy looked at the snow bunny and then to the little girl and smiled "Thanks, I'd like that, hey, what's your name?"

The little girl gave a bright smile "I'm Serena Usagi Silvers but you can call me Serena, what's your name?"

"I'm Darien Mamoru Shields, but everyone I know just calls me Darien" said the small boy.

Just then, there was a call from the house across the street opposite Darien's. A very gentle, feminine voice called "Serena, honey bunny it's time to come inside now you're dinner is ready"

"Ok Mama, I'm coming" Serena called back and turned to Darien with an apologetic little smile "sorry I gots to go home now but I'll come play tomorrow ok?"

Darien stood with the small snow bunny in his hands and nodded "Ok I'll wait here on the porch for you"

As she ran across the road to her house, and just before going back inside Serena turned and called back "Oh and don't worry about your friend leaving ok, my daddy says that if you meet with a person more then once throughout your life then the fourth time you meet them they'll be with you forever, so you'll see them again ok?"

With that Serena waved as Darien wiped the last of his tears with a hopeful smile on his face.

At age 8, Darien and Serena were inseparable; they were the best of friends and did everything together. They'd go to and from school on the bus together, have lunch, go on trips and even did homework together. As they grew up they developed in different way with Darien being greatly advanced in all academic subjects as well as being greatly talented in sports.

Serena on the other hand did well in all academics but mathematics and would take a great love in music and arts rather then sports. The only sport she cared anything about was ice-skating. Serena wanted more then anything to be a great figure skater and even joined ice-skating classes on weekends.

Although they differed in some of the things they liked, Serena and Darien had a natural bond that had grown over the time they'd spent together. Darien loved joking around with Serena and often teased her a lot by scaring her when she was waiting for him after sports clubs or putting fake spiders in her lunch box. Serena liked nothing more then to play little tricks on Darien too, like playing blinds mans bluff only to go climb a tree and wait for him to figure out she was gone or placing a whoopee cushion on his chair when he came over for dinner.

Laughing loudly as Serena chased Darien, racing across the street to Darien's house "Ha ha can't beat me, slow poke!" Darien taunted

Serena laughed "No fair you cheated by distracting me with pudding"

"It's not my fault you eat loads piggy," Darien teased as they reached his house, making pig sounds

Serena huffed looking off in the other direction in a snooty manner "I'm not a pig I just like desserts! They're the best part!"

"Aw come on Sere, don't get mad I was just kidding" Darien said with a smile as Serena gave a "Hmph!" in response

Sneaking up behind her, Darien placed his hands on either side of Serena's waist and tickled away as she broke out in laughter and said "Oh come on you know you can't stay mad at me"

"Haha…Darien stop…haha…stop it…hehe haha," Serena laughed as she squirmed about trying to get away from him

Darien smirked as he asked "Huh? Stop what?"

Serena laughed louder "hahahaha…stop…tick…tickling!"

"Oooh! That's what you meant! No not until you stop being mad" Darien smirked

Serena giggled, "Ok…ok ok I'm not mad!"

Darien asked, "You swear?"

"I swear…haha…now…stop…stop it hahaha" Serena laughed in response.

As soon as the tickling stopped a chase began with many shouts from Serena "I'll get you back yet Shields!"

"Yeah? You'll have to catch me first Silvers!" Darien laughed

Throwing herself forward, Serena went crashing into Darien and landed on top of him as they both fell to the ground laughing. Finally after they calmed down a little, Serena asked "Hey Darien? We're best friends right?"

"Of course we are funny bunny! Why?" Darien asked a little confused by her question

Serena asked, "Well we're always going to be best friends with each other right?"

Darien gave Serena a big hug and said "You don't need to worry Sere, no matter what you'll always be important to me, you're my very best friend and it'd really make me sad if one day you go away"

"I'm not going away! But you can't go away from me either" Serena said "Just like daddy said if we meet again more than three times in our lives we'll be together forever"

Darien nodded "Yep and if that happens you have to promise to come find me!"

"You've got to come find me too! Promise" Serena asked holding out her pinkie

Darien wrapped his pinkie around Serena's smaller one and said "Pinkie Promise!"

On Darien's 10th birthday an unexpected guest arrived to the party. A very excited Mrs Shield came into the living room where, Serena and Darien were playing around on Darien's brand new Xbox 360.

"Oh my gosh Darien you won't believe who's here" Mrs Shields said with a delightful smile

Darien looked towards his mother with a curious look "Who is it Mom?"

Stepping aside Mrs Shields revealed a young boy about their age with sandy blonde hair, blue eyes about the same height as Darien. He was wearing a navy blue shirt with dark jeans and black trainers.

"Hey Darien! Long time no see!" He greeted excitedly as Darien gawked back at him

Darien dropped his controller for his game console and ran over to the boy giving him a brotherly hug "JED! I can't believe you're here! When did you come back?" he exclaimed happily

"I got back yesterday, me and my Mom moved in down the street because she got a more permanent job now, I'm back to stay!" Jed cheered happily shortly joined by Darien "That is so great! Hey Serena! This is the best friend I told you about when we were little! He's come back"

Serena came over to the both of them with a bright smile "Oh wow it's great to meet you Jed, I'm Serena I live across the street from Darien"

"Wow Darien since when did you hang out with girls?" Jed asked with a mocking tone

Darien and Serena both looked at each other then at Jed as Darien asked "Serena's been my friend for ages now, what's wrong with that?"

Jed shook his head "Nothing…but wouldn't it be cooler to hang out with me and my friends I brought them with me" Turning to a small group of boys Jed gestured for them to come forward

There were three other boys, one with dirty blonde hair and green eyes, one with Silver blonde hair and ice blue eyes and the other with chestnut brown hair and green eyes. The each introduced themselves to Darien and Serena.

"I'm Zach," Said the dirty blonde boy

"I'm Malcolm," Said the Silver blonde boy

"And I'm Nathan" Said the boy with chestnut brown hair

Serena smiled at all of them sweetly "It's really great to meet all of you, let's play"

"Great Idea! But there are no dollies and tea sets here! Why don't you go make cakes with Mommy" Jed said snidely

A look of hurt and confusion adorned Serena's little face "Huh?"

Zach stepped in next to Darien and said, "You don't really want to play with a group of boys do you? Won't you get bored little girl?"

Serena was shocked and very hurt by how they were treating her and was about to her cry when she felt someone take her hand. Looking up she saw her older brother Andrew; he was blonde like her but had her dad's emerald green eyes instead of blue ones like hers. He was only two years older then her but he was very mature for the age of 12 and always looked out for his little sister.

"You punks better beat it and stop picking on my sister right now!" Andrew snarled shaking a clenched fist at the boys and they went running to the kitchen.

Darien ran over to Serena and took her other hand trying to get her attention as she was looking at the floor about to burst into tears "Sere I'm sorry they were mean to you, Jed's usually really cool, are you ok?"

Andrew turned to hug his sister "It's ok little bunny, if they pick on you, you come find me I'll deal with them for you"

"I don't… don't get it…why…why would they say…stuff like…like that?" Serena sobbed as a bout of hiccups started up

Andrew looked at his sister as he wiped her tears "Because they're stupid little boys Serena, trust me one day your going to be a beautiful young lady and then the whole world will want to know you and be like you" he said with a smile

"Yeah?" Serena asked, unsure of her brother's words

Darien spoke up now "Yeah they just don't see how cool you are that's all, but I do!"

Serena still didn't seem convinced so in an attempt get her to cheer up Darien squeezed her hand and said "Wait here I'll be right back"

Sitting on the sofa of the lavish living room as she waited with her brother, Serena swung her legs as Darien came running back into the room with a box wrapped in pretty pink bunny printed-paper. Sitting next to Serena, Darien handed the gift to her and said "This was meant for your birthday but I think I should give it to you now, go a head open it"

Serena gasped "What? But my birthday isn't for the next three months"

"I know but just trust me k? Open it come on!" Darien urged her

Peeling away the pretty pink paper, Serena saw two battery-powered phones. One was in the shape of a pink bunny, the other of a black wolf. A little confused by this Serena looked at Darien who smiled and said, "They are special walkie talkies my mom got from a friend, she said they were specially made so that one will call the other and no other walkie talkie so I thought it'd be a fun way to talk when we can't hang out, isn't that cool?"

Serena gave a curious gasp "Really? They can do that?"

Darien nodded with a chuckle "Yep! All you have to do is press the bunny's nose to call with. Now we can talk when ever we want ok?"

Throwing herself into Darien's arms Serena cuddled him tight as a bright smile returned to her face "Thank you Darien! You're the best!"

"I know!" Darien responded encouraging a laugh

Now you'd think that after the whole walkie-talkie thing that these two would become even closer right? Well sadly you'd be wrong.

At first Serena and Darien talked every night regardless of the day they'd had and would talk for hours. As they grew up, their different interests pulled them towards a different circle of people as Serena joined up to singing, dancing and figure skating lessons as well as other artistic clubs and Darien joined with most sports clubs with Jed and his other friends. Although Serena would make the effort to see Darien or speak to him through their walkie-talkies, it would always turn out that he was hanging out with his 'Guy' friends when they had arranged to meet.

Finally on Serena's 12th birthday, a nice outing at the bowling alley with her brother and friends was arranged. After calling and visiting his house to ask Darien if he would come and getting no luck contacting him, Serena finally got a response to her request

Darien coughed down the phone "Sorry Serena but I'm not feeling too good, I think I'm going to stay home tonight, hope you have a great time though"

"Oh…ok Darien, hope you feel better" Serena said in confusion as she'd seen him yesterday at school and he'd been fine.

That evening her, Andrew who was now 14 and her friends Amy, Lita and Raye walked happily into the bowling alley to get their shoes and lane paid for, when Serena had to run to the bathroom. On her way there Serena bumped into someone "Oof! Oh I'm sorry I didn't see…you"

Right there in front of her was Darien looking the picture of health in black jeans, black t-shirt, black trainers and red over shirt with short sleeves. Jed, Nathan, Zach and Malcolm as well as some girls about their age were there with him.

With all the hope in her heart, Serena smiled and said "Oh Darien are you feeling better? You've come to join us right? Your friends can join us too if they want too"

Jed and the others laughed cruelly as Darien stood looking at the floor not making eye contact with her.

"Sorry but Darien's hanging out with the cool kids today" One girl with auburn hair smirked

"Beryl knock it off!" Darien said quietly

Beryl gave him a mocked innocent look "Why Darien? You don't need that dork! You have us"

Jed grinned maliciously "Yeah there's no way Darien would hang out with you anymore you baby loser"

"Take a hike would ya! He doesn't want to hang out with you anymore!" Zach snarled

Serena looked pleadingly at Darien as tears built up in her eyes "Really Darien? Is that true?"

Darien looked at her with guilt in every fibre of him and was about to say something in response when Beryl rushed forwards and shoved her to the ground "Just get lost you dork"

Darien saw this and moved to help her up but was stopped by Beryl again "Come on Darien! Let's go"

Serena fell to the ground with a yelp as she hit the floor hard; tears ran down her face, as her gaze never left Darien's retreating form. Running over to her brother, Serena threw herself in his arms and cried silently into Andrew's shirt.

The next day Darien rushed over to Serena's house spewing apologies the minute she answered the door, only to have her shake her head "You know what Darien it doesn't even matter anymore"

Darien gave a confused expression "Huh? What do you mean?"

Giving him a sad smile "It's ok, I get it, you finally got that one friend from all those years ago back with you and now he's cooler than me" she shrugged as she continued to say "I guess I'm just not as good for company anymore right?"

"Serena that's not true it's just that…I mean…" Darien stuttered and Serena just shook her head "It's ok, I've kind of hoped that maybe I could be a good enough friend for you too but don't feel you have to make the effort for my sake because to be honest Darien, if you want to hang out with them instead of me that's fine, I want you to be happy but not if it means at my expense! So please if you don't want to hang out with me or you feel I embarrass you in some way please don't come round here anymore ok? Stop messing me around!"

Darien looked shocked as he tried to stop Serena "Hey? Serena wait a minute"

Serena went inside her house and closed the door on Darien before another word was spoken.

At the end of the week, Darien got off the bus after returning from school. He spent all day, all week even, looking for Serena to talk with her alone but she hadn't shown up…and when he got home he saw why. There in front of the terrace house across from his own, Darien saw a for sale sign, a moving van and the family car all being loaded, ready to leave.

Not liking where this was going, Darien raced over to the house just as Serena was coming out of the house.

"Serena! Hey! What's going on?" Darien asked fear gripping his heart

Serena turned to him after handing a box in her arms to her mother "Oh hey Darien I thought you had soccer practice on Fridays"

"Stop changing the subject here Sere what's going on?" Darien asked almost panicked

Serena shrugged and said nonchalantly, "We're moving Darien"

Darien couldn't hide the shock and hurt from showing on his young face "Moving? Why?"

He heard hints of sadness in Serena's voice as she said "Daddy has a new job and has to move to another town so we have to go too"

Placing his hands on her shoulders Darien looked Serena in the eyes "Why didn't you…why didn't you tell me about this?"

"Well I…um" Serena struggled to find a reason

Darien felt hurt by her lack of words "I can't believe you wouldn't come and tell me you were leaving"

"It's not like that! I left a letter with your Mom so you'd know once you got home, is it my fault you came home early? You know something Darien sometimes you're so selfish" Serena shot back agitated

Darien snapped, "You running off and not telling me is what I call selfish Serena! You think I'm happy about this?"

"I wouldn't know Darien! I wouldn't know what makes you happy anymore because we don't see each other anymore and you don't care about me that much anyway! So I honestly didn't think it would bother you at all!" Serena yelled back, shocked as her own rash words slipped passed her lips; she slapped a hand over her mouth.

Hurt and overwhelmed Darien said in a sad, quiet tone "Would I be here asking you why you're leaving if I didn't care for you? Would I have spent all day...no all week looking for you, wanting to talk to you if I didn't care?"

"It hasn't been that way recently," Serena said looking away from him only to feel Darien pull her against him and hold her tightly to him.

"I know I've been a bad friend to you, I know I've hurt you but please Serena don't go" Darien whispered to her, hearing her gasp in surprise he continued "Don't you remember what I said four years ago? I said that if ever you should leave it would make me very sad, now it's real and I've never felt so bad in my life"

Serena's heart leapt with hope as she wrapped her small dainty arms around Darien and said, "If that's so, then do you remember the promise we made?"

Darien nodded as he took in every little detail of Serena, the golden blonde of her hair, the smell of sweet strawberries coming from it, the way she felt in his arms. With a single tear tracing down his face Darien vows with a whisper "I'll see you again"

"You mean it?" Serena pulled back from him holding out her pinkie to him "Pinkie promise?"

Wrapping his own slightly bigger pinkie around hers, Darien nodded "Even if I have to find you myself, I will see you again"

A minute later, Darien was looking at Serena as she leaned out the back window of her father's car waving they're silent goodbye and did not take their eyes from each other until the car was out of sight.