*to the tune of "Under the Sea" from Disney's "The Little Mermaid," as sung by Tuxedo Mask to Sailor Moon concerning the approaching storm surge and other adventures* Sailor Moon, listen to me. The first floor? It's a mess! Life on the second floor is better than anything they got down here! The skyline is always greener, In a big tornado's wake. You dream about staying down here, But dat is a big mistake! Just look at the flood around you, Right here on the bottom floor! Such perilous things around you, Storm surges, you can't ignore! The second floor! The second floor! Darling, it's better, Where it's not wetter, Far from death's door! Out on da sea, the tempest roars, And now da waves lap at the door! Egads, we in trouble! Help me move rubble! The second floor! Ah-ha-ha-hah! Up there we be much more happy As we would be out of da moat Down here we would not be happy We be sad 'cause we'd have to float. Unless we can find a way up We in for a worser fate! Next time that the ocean surges Guess who gets caught in its wake! Whoa-oh! The second floor! The second floor! Nothing can trap us, strap us, Or smash us into pieces! We what the surges like to chase The second floor gives us a safe place We got some trouble Hear that sky rumble! The second floor! The second floor! Seaweed is nearing, Get to the clearing! In a hurry-- In a hurry-y-y-y Even da youma dat was smashed, He'd be up there if he had not passed We got a current, But that's no deterrent! The second floor! The storm carries on, Tornados may come. But we can't stay here, Cause water is near. I know it's up high, With wind we could fly But oh that water's cold! If we don't move on, We may soon be gone. The water is high, Our time has drawn nigh. You feel undertow, It pulls at us so. And watch out for that wall! The second floor! The second floor! Ignore those sparks, They're better than sharks! Get up those stairs! What do you want, for us to drown? To spend our lives 6 feet underground? Thanks for assisting, With my snagged clothing, The second floor! Climb up those stairs, dear, Pick up your hair, dear! The second floor! Give me a hand here, Up to dry land there, Find us a blanket, I'm going to thank it! We're soaked as a mop, But safe at the top! The second floor! -Okay, that's a wrap. Tuxedo Mask bows out, as Aimee and Angela mutter their brief disclaimers: We don't own Sailor Moon or related characters, but this *is* our own story!! On to Chapter 3! * @}->-- * * @}->-- * * @}->-- * * @}->-- * * @}->--* Tempest Ardor By Angela and Aimee Chapter Three Wind howled and whistled outside, battering rain beating in torrents against the shambled walls of the mall. Inside, lit by the off-white glow of the battery-operated lamp, a rather disheveled pair stood opposite a Sears display bed from each other, arms crossed indignantly across their chests. Serena forced herself to stand stock still, trying in vain to ignore the swelling rumbles of thunder that rolled in threatening rhythm with flashes of lightning from the storm. Her shock receding bit by bit, she glanced in every direction but *his*, unsure of how to look at him now that she knew...knew that he was Tuxedo Mask...that it had been Darien's handsome features and striking eyes she'd been enamored with. *Darien's*! 'Oh my God,' she gasped inwardly, shutting her eyes against throbbing pain. 'What do we do *now*?' Darien, meanwhile, was chastising himself for being so blind as to not realize that a certain meatball-headed school girl and a certain meatball- headed super-hero were the *same girl*!! Gritting his teeth against exhaustion, he stared angrily at the damp tiled floor. In a burst of clarity, he realized he had no inkling as to why he was angry, just that it seemed natural to resume his brooding countenance in this untimely revelation. Serena swallowed nervously, idly entwining damp strands of a golden ponytail through her fingers as she bit at her lip, staring at her feet. The silence was about to break her, and she needed a release to fight off her growing fright in the wake of thunder and lightning. She cleared her throat tentatively. "Well..." Darien glanced up, annoyance flashing in his eyes as his arms crossed tighter across his chest. "Well?" he prompted mockingly. A shudder traveled down her spine as she swallowed again, her eyes widening slightly at his uncanny ability to become frigid so quickly. "I...um...well..." Serena abruptly shut her mouth against her stammering, silently cursing. This was Darien...the royal BAKA who was the bane of her very existence! She couldn't grovel at his feet, and thus, she quickly decided two could play his game. She haughtily raised her chin, a hint of defiance radiating from her blue eyes. He watched her stammering dissolve into her usual demeanor, and he shook his head darkly. "Isn't this. just. great?" he bit out, eyes narrowing in the dim light as he briefly scanned her small form for any injuries that he might have missed, careful not to let her see. "What?" "This! Here! YOU!" he gestured wildly at her. "Now the question is, Meatball Head, what are we going to do about it?" "I don't know," she retorted flippantly, finding the icy gaze he leveled on her chilling to the bone. Her jaw clenched tightly in anger as he reverted to his old habits of calling her his favorite pet name. 'Of all people to be stuck with!' she grated inwardly. "I suppose, we've managed to come this far..." 'Of all people to be stuck with!' Darien groaned silently, once again asking The Almighty if He was angered by something. "Yes, we HAVE managed to come this far. Thanks to ME, of course." Serena's jaw dropped instantaneously with his last comment, feeling the heat of anger burn in her cheeks. "WHAT?!" she shrieked. "You heard me!" he challenged, frustration and exhaustion fueling his words beyond what he truly meant. "You'd be half buried in the sand by that youma or drowning downstairs had I not shown up!" A low growl erupted indignantly from Serena's already scratchy throat as she did her best to keep from leaping across the display bed and choking the daylights out of him. Shame burned within her, alongside her righteous fury at his harshness. The truth always struck hard, she realized ruefully. But that wasn't the point. "Perhaps I could have been of more *assistance*, oh mighty rude one, had *someone* not used my head as a sledgehammer!" How *dare* he?! She had certainly done her fair share of work on the beach--granted, thanks to his timely rescue. Her fists clenched angrily as the telltale steam began to billow from her ears, building pressure in her already throbbing temples. "Drowning?! HAH! Funny choice of words, my *savior*, since that's what would have happened to you down there if I hadn't dove back in after you!" she spat. Darien's eyes narrowed at the girl angrily. Of all the nerve! After everything he'd done for her! After all those damn roses and campy speeches! This is what he got in return? "You ungrateful little brat!" he seethed, taking an ominous step towards the ever-reddening Serena. "I do recall apologizing for your injuries. And funny, but I also recall thanking you for your assistance with down there, as well. But I'll also remind you, *MY precious savior*, that I wouldn't have NEEDED your help had you not beckoned me out in the middle of a TYPHOON to save your hide!" Serena backstepped, feeling the familiar sting of tears at the edge of her eyes. His words were ripping her apart inside; how desperately she only sought his approval. She didn't know why. 'Don't cry, Serena...don't be a *baby*,' she repeated to herself hastily. That's all he would need to launch a full-scale assault on the remainder of her fragile emotions. She trembled from the tumult of feelings swarming around her, but managed to stand her ground as if they were having another day within the confines of the Crown Center Arcade. "I didn't *ask* for your help! And I am *not* ungrateful," she cried, lifting her chin and squaring her shoulders. "Quite the contrary. I'm sorry you feel I *dragged* you out of your precious hiding spot to help someone. Do you really think *I* wanted to answer that call? Do you?? At least if I had stayed at home in the storm shelter with my family I wouldn't be stuck here with an...an impudent *JERK* who can split his personality at the drop of a hat!" "What the hell does--AH!" his furious snap was swallowed by a painful gasp as he whipped around fiercely to demand a response, his injured shoulder searing in fiery protest. His knees nearly buckled beneath him as his head bowed against his chest in an attempt to control the cry that had escaped his throat. Her brow crinkled slightly as she stared back at him, scolding herself for taking his words so heartily. True, he always insulted her, but now he was exhausted beyond words, and she had continued to goad him. In the shadows, she could tell he was gripping his left arm against his side, miserably attempting to mask the pain of an injury. "You're hurt...!" she exclaimed, skirting around the bed to step towards him. "I'm fine," he grunted as he abruptly backed away from the approaching girl, still clutching his shoulder protectively. Not taking notice of what was behind him, his legs unexpectedly came in contact with the edge of a display bed, tripping him and sending him sprawling backwards upon it. A long, drawn-out moan escaped the pallid lips of the angst- ridden man as he lay, frozen and motionless, pain surging through his injured shoulder and down his spine. "Ouch...pain...torture..." he managed, eyes swimming in agony. Serena gasped audibly as he toppled over backwards, peering over the edge of bed he had fallen on. "Darien! I-I'm sorry!" she whispered as she leaned over him, reaching out tentatively to his shoulder. "Are you all right? What hurts?" He could do nothing but stare at the ceiling as the leveling waves of pain slowly subsided, leaving him breathless and shuddering. Perhaps he'd injured himself much worse than he'd initially assumed...and carrying the unconscious Sailor Moon around the building hadn't helped matters much. A brief wave of dizziness attacked him as he sat up, trying to ward off the queasy pangs the pain had dealt his stomach. Serena swallowed, the incessant ache and burning of her own head dulled in the moment as she stood over him, his handsome features contorted in a painful grimace. "Everything hurts," he grunted, wishing she would just go away. "There's nothing you can do...just...just...OW!" "I'm sorry...I'm just trying to help," she sighed, drawing her hand away from his shoulder slightly. "This is so stupid..." He sucked a breath into his tight chest through gritted teeth as he fought against the waves of pain that were thankfully beginning to subside. "What's stupid?" "Fighting like this, as if we didn't know about what either of us just went through...together," she said quietly, a guilty undertone in her voice as she gently eased his hand from his injured arm. "Why do we keep doing this? I mean...is it that easy for us to dismiss what we've just discovered? And what we've been through up until now? You and I shouldn't change that..." she murmured quietly, slowly and gently pressing her fingertips into the muscles surrounding the area of his shoulder as she talked. His muscles loosened up a bit with her quiet words, and he blinked in surprise at their weight. Glancing down at the bowed blond head beside him, he hesitantly permitted her fingers to continue their careful inspection of his injury. "What are you trying to say, Serena?" he muttered in response. "That just because I turned out to be Tuxedo Mask and you, Sailor Moon, that things are now different between *us*?" Serena didn't look at him as he spoke, but she didn't have to in order to detect the abject bitterness that echoed in his voice. Didn't he want to get along? Why did he keep trying to hide behind a grudge match that she never really meant in the first place? Did he really...? Yes, of course he did. She was, after all, a childish schoolgirl who wore her emotions on her sleeve and did poorly in math, literature, and science. Of course he'd feel that way about her. She was annoying. Gingerly putting pressure into a few of the knots over his shoulder blade, she whispered, "Why not? I never really *meant* all of those nasty comments, even though you do poke fun at me and make me feel about the size of a worm. I know I'm annoying." She glanced to the side now, meeting his turned gaze briefly. "No, Serena..." He could see her clearly now, caught in the azure blue gaze her eyes held. He was astounded that he had never once paid close enough attention before. He may have been a few years her elder, but in those crystal blue waters of her serene eyes, Darien could see a strength and subtle wisdom that far surpassed her years. For a moment he felt an immense weight lift tentatively from his heavy soul as he stared at her...Serena, such a brave young girl who was still so very hesitant to be a warrior. A young girl with a nasty bump to the head and cheeks flushed from the fever he'd so crudely forgotten. She offered him a shy smile once she realized he'd been studying her. For a moment she'd nearly lost herself in those deep cobalt eyes of his that had suddenly taken on a warmth she didn't think Darien possessed. Blinking, Serena glanced away, continuing her soft kneading of the taut sinews in his upper back, muttering her apologies each time he lurched beneath her fingertips. Darien felt himself tense momentarily as she slowly worked her fingers around his neck and under the collar of his shirt, aware of the sudden onslaught of sensations her touch sent through him. He wasn't sure how long they had been sitting in this unprecedented, comfortable silence, but the warmth of her delicate fingertips as they worked, albeit painfully, through his muscles was lulling him to sleep as he felt the tension recede bit by bit. His eyes rolled shut against his will, his head dropping forward drowsily with a quiet murmur, before he shook it, blinking slowly. "You're exhausted," he heard Serena whisper near his ear, her breath tickling against his neck as she spoke. It was enough to jolt him back to reality, realizing with alarm how vulnerable he'd just allowed himself to become. She gently took his forearm in her petite hands and positioned it carefully in his lap to keep from jarring his tender shoulder and back. "No, no. I'm sorry," he sighed, turning slightly towards her, his eyes wide with amazement. In light of how she must have felt, she had spent time trying to make *him* feel better. "You need to rest. We both do," she persisted in the same quiet whisper as she closed her hand over his forearm, hoping to add sincerity to her words. She swallowed uncertainly, realizing exactly how close they actually were...so close that her breath moved his bangs lightly. "Darien, if you keep pushing yourself like this, you're going to either injure yourself further, or you're going to collapse. We've got nowhere to go until this storm passes, which could take more than a day. We need to work together and trust one another...even if you don't like me very much." "Serena..." he began with an exasperated sigh. "No, it's okay." She hesitantly removed her hand from his arm as she spoke, and a sea of confusing emotions washed through her. "I understand." "No, I don't think you do. That's not how I feel about you at all. I just..." His words trailed off into a silence immersed only by howling winds and muffled claps of thunder. Shivering slightly at the haunting echo of the raging tempest, Serena's uncertain eyes stared at up him timidly. Just what was he trying to say? Since the first day she'd laid eyes on his lofty, supercilious stance, she'd never thought for a moment that he considered her anything but an annoyance...a brat, even. But now, as he sat before her, vulnerable and exhausted beyond words, he was admitting something different...something she was almost afraid to unearth. But she knew she had to find out, regardless of her uncertainty. "You what, Darien?" she prompted, her voice barely a whisper. He let out a long breath, fatigued eyes closing slowly as he searched inwardly for the right words to say. He reached out through the dim light to collect her hand in his own, surprising himself as well as the girl before him. "I just...want to get along," he said, squeezing her hand gently, noting that her skin burned against his own with fever. Serena's eyes wavered faintly at his softly spoken words, and a pleased smile found its way to her lips. "I'd like that, too." Darien managed a rather timid smile in return, still holding a loose grasp on her hand. "We've got to find you something for that fever," he said, rising slowly and reclaiming the flashlight he had dropped. "Up for a walk?" "I guess so," she answered, pushing her palms against her knees as she stood, then followed him into the dark recesses of the store. "Now, where in hell are we going to find something like that in here?" Darien snapped irritably, after several slow minutes had passed and they found themselves on the opposite end of the store. Serena reached over to gently pluck the flashlight from his hand, sweeping it across the wall carefully. She thought she could barely see the dark outlines of an archway...Bingo. "Perhaps in here!" she replied with a smug grin of accomplishment. Darien allowed his line of sight to follow the yellow beam of light to where it stopped on a dark wooden door set inside a recessed archway. "You've got to be kidding me," he growled. A small placard on the maple-colored door read: WOMEN. He shook his head. "No way...you go on in. I'll wait in the dark." "Darien..." she whined, "For crying out loud. I'll need your help!" she clasped his good arm by the wrist and tugged him into the tiled room behind her. Their footsteps resounded loudly as Serena moved purposefully to one wall, flashlight aimed directly at a mounted, coin-operated machine. "A-ha!" She grinned again, pointing to the clear window across the middle of the machine. "Man, I am *not* in here..." he frowned and leaned forward, inspecting the cartons hesitantly. "Hey!" he blinked, amazed that beneath the plexi- glass he could read the names of various sample medication packs. "Well I'll be," he shook his head. "I'll hand it to you on this one. Good thinking, Serena." He reached out to push her hand to the left slightly, the beam of the flashlight falling upon a quarter-sized key lock that kept them from getting anything without loose change. "Can you do anything with that?" Serena asked. He glanced aside at her, cocking an eyebrow. "How do you think we got past that security gate at the front of the store, my dear?" She wasn't sure what to say, but managed a look of mock-reproachfulness as he reached into his pocket to retrieve a mangled piece of wire. "Hey!" she exclaimed, narrowing her eyes and leaning near him as she recognized the deformed shape of one of the pins that held her buns in place. "You were unconscious," he stated simply, the pin between his teeth as he held the flashlight in front of him, studying the lock with his fingers. "You didn't miss it." She huffed and folded her arms across her chest, but secretly admired his ingenuity at such a dire time. Tilting her head sideways, she observed as he worked his magic on the hapless lock. Darien expertly jiggled the pin through the teeth in the lock, and with a click-chink, the door swung open with a creak. In the shadows, Serena caught a flash of his trademark, cocky grin before he bowed to her in a grandiose fashion. She whacked him on top of the head and peered inside to see what choices she had. "Here, you baka," she grunted, handing him a few packets of ibuprofen tablets and pocketing some for herself as she pushed the metal door shut again. She stepped over to the sink and was just about to cup her hand under the faucet when she froze. "Um, do you think it?s safe to drink the water?" Darien frowned. "Honestly, I don?t know. Do it quickly, and you should get some of the residual that is already in the lines." "I suppose it?s better than nothing," she sighed, and he murmured in agreement as he stepped in front of the neighboring basin. She carefully tore open one of the medicine packs and placed the coated pills on the back of her tongue with a grimace, then leaned over to slurp at the water she let run into her palm. She gagged slightly, having not been daring enough to get much water from the faucet. She had to stifle a giggle when she heard Darien choke on his as well. "Well, this is good, Meatball Head," he cajoled her as they left the bathroom, "But couldn?t you have found us something better to drink in there, too?" He hopped to the side just in case she decided to retaliate. She instead snatched the flashlight from him once more to begin pushing her way through scattered aisles of clothing as they made their way back in the direction they?d come. He nearly gave her a bump on the *back* of her head when she stopped suddenly and he crashed into her prone body as she stood amidst a pile of dress shirts. "Serena?" Darien frowned as her eyes grew wide with apparent fear, the beam of the flashlight trembling into the vast expanse of the darkened store when her fingers gripped the barrel tightly. "Do you hear that?" her voice wavered. He blinked, dropping his gaze to the floor momentarily as he strained to listen. Serena backed against him unconsciously, her entire body numbed with fright as a churning howl that was all too fresh in their aural memory echoed through the air. The floor began to quake beneath them, the vibrations of the building rumbling through their feet. "Darien..." Serena whimpered. "Not again..." "C?mon," he breathed behind her, ripping the flashlight from her now iron grip. "We?ve got to get out of the open." He jerked her through toppled clothes racks, wading through merchandise debris towards the nearest wall, which was already shaking from the dangerously thrashing winds that shrieked outside. They bumped along the side of the wall, their footing precarious as they stumbled against scattered items. "Here!" Darien cried out, his arm wrapping around her back as he pulled her through a heavy door and they clattered into a stairwell. "Get down," he urged her as he dropped in a corner on the landing a few steps down, pulling her with him and shielding her head with his arms. She sobbed and buried her head against his chest, and he found himself squeezing his eyes shut, the horrifying sounds of the tornado that roared in the proximity of the building wreaking havoc on his nerves as well. His arms tightened around her as she held on to him, her sobs now drowned by the furious roar that shook the ground beneath them. A deafening shriek issued through the air, and all that remained was the pounding of rain and thunder in their ears. The twister had blown itself out almost as quickly as it had come in, but not before severing the few remainders of their wits. Beneath his protective grasp, Darien could feel Serena shaking with muted sobs, the fabric of his shirt gathered in her clenched fists. "Shhhhhh..." he whispered into her damp hair, trying to sooth her tender nerves. "It's over. You're safe." "Darien..." she whimpered, pressing her face to his chest, gripping his shirt tightly as she tried valiantly to stop the frightened tears that slipped unrestrained down her cheeks. "I hate this...I really hate this." Darien's eyes closed lazily as he breathed in the pleasing scent of her shampoo, mixed lightly with salt water. Her warmth was soothing to his nervous tension, and he pulled her closer, running a hand down her back slowly. "The storm will pass, Serena. Soon. Just calm down." Serena shivered involuntarily as his warm hand traveled leisurely down her spine. A lone finger traced its way up again before the process began once more. Feeling his breath stir her hair and brush gently against her neck, she realized with giddiness exactly how close they truly were once more. Partially intertwined in an embrace as they huddled in the darkened corner, Serena's nose brushed lightly against his chin when she lifted her face to look at him. Through the darkness of the stairwell, she could see little of his handsome features...only shadows and a little glimmer of his eyes, compliments of the flashlight that still burned but lay forgotten beside them. Darien gazed at her curiously as she studied him. The hands that were before gripping his shirt in fear were now pressed flat against his chest. He swallowed as a lump of uncertainty welled up in his throat. She felt his muscles tighten slightly under her hands and blinked unwittingly, startled out of her trance. What was she *doing*? This was *Darien*, of all people! The same baka who addressed her as 'Meatball Head' and other awe-inspiring adjectives. Why should *he*, of all people, be the source of such a peculiar sensation in the pit of her stomach? But it was there, nevertheless... Confusion rising to her throat, she swallowed painfully, her face falling in perplexed uncertainty. Darien watched her inward struggle in bewilderment. "Serena?" his voice inquired, a warm finger lifting her chin up. "Are you all right?" Trembling inside with daunting insecurity and exhaustion, she shook her head at his question, her eyes stinging with the threat of tears once again. "No...I'm not." 'Especially since you keep touching me like that...' she added silently, noting that his hand continued to stroke her back lightly. His features tightened in concern, and he brought his hand to rest on the small of her back protectively. "What I can do to help?" And with that simple question and caring touch, Serena's whole perception of Darien the Eternal Baka shattered into a trillion pieces. She blinked, swallowing tersely as she met his gaze again. Her stomach was hosting a three-ring circus, but she could not ignore the infinite attraction she felt washing over her. She leaned forward hesitantly, and Darien's eyes widened in surprise as her face approached his own with obvious intent. Her soft breath brushed against his parted lips, and they ached in anticipation. '*Meatball Head!?*' He inwardly gasped in astonishment. Granted, it was the last thought he had. Her lips grazed lightly against his own in the tiniest of kisses. She pulled away slightly, eyes searching his momentarily before lowering her face to his again, lingering at his lips a bit longer. Eyes fluttering shut in elation, Darien held perfectly still, afraid to move...that somehow it might make her stop. But she continued, her fingers tracing lightly down his face and neck as her delicate lips shyly teased his own with brief but delightful kisses. He was tense and unmoving, transfixed like a cold statue, seemingly unmoved by her advances, and tears quickly sprang to Serena's eyes at his lack of response. She pulled away from him suddenly, face turning away in disgrace and humiliation. Darien felt Serena abruptly push against his chest, moving away brusquely, and he struggled to pull himself out of the daze he'd fallen into. Reaching out, he caught her wrist before she could slip away completely. Pulling her close once more, a hand on her chin forced her to look at him, and through the dim light the flashlight offered, the emotions in her wavering eyes did not escape him. Serena felt her heart begin to thud erratically in her chest, pumping the blood furiously through her temples. She could feel them both trembling nervously as they stared at each other with an unmistakable intensity. One arm enclosing her waist, Darien pulled her gently against his body, causing Serena to gasp quietly. Gazing at her sincerely, he cupped her cheek and caressed it lovingly, trying to ease away the doubt that burned in her eyes. Slowly, he lowered his face to hers and, like she had done, touched his lips to hers in a brief but tender kiss. She breathed his name, her eyes rolling shut as he pulled away to kiss her cheek, directly to the right of her aching lips. Her simple endearment sent shivers skittering down his spine. Shy, yet determined hands tangled in his hair and eased him back in the direction of her mouth. Their lips met in a mutual caress, both exploring the other's face with gentle hands. Neither attempted to end it--slow and tentative at first...almost shy as they began their exploration of each other. But as Darien's hand left her cheek and slid down her back with deliberate slowness, the kiss swiftly deepened another level, increasing in firmness and longing. Both abandoned their frustrations and fears and imparted themselves completely to the comfort and affection the other offered. The yearning for more began to escalate rapidly. It was if the lightning outside suddenly leapt through their skin and heated their blood in a surge of electricity that left them both shaking. Lost in the sensations that inundated them, they ravaged each other feverishly, not really knowing what they sought but demanding it nevertheless. Serena tightened her arms around his neck as she felt him draw her impossibly closer, his hands now tangled in the silky lengths of her golden hair as they gently roamed up and down her back. A desperate whimper escaped Serena's throat, met with Darien's soft groan of pleasure as he eased her head to the side, his mouth parting against hers. As their tongues danced, they clung to one other passionately, surprising even themselves with the weight of their need. Gradually, their desire became sated as the kiss turned soft and gentle once more, mingled with their ragged breathing and fervent caresses. Unexpectedly, an overwhelming feeling of dread swamped Darien's senses heavily. Eyes snapping open in alarm, he pulled away from the kiss sharply. Serena gasped at the sudden end of contact, gaping up at him, a surprised and wounded expression clinging to her pallid features. But the anguish and rejection in her heart faded quickly when she saw the look on his face and felt his hand grip her waist protectively. "Darien? What is it?" Ears pricked, his eyes scanned the dark shadows that stretch out before them. His ragged breath mingled with her own as he turned to her. "Something's wrong..." he muttered, rising to his feet. Still attempting to recover from the overwhelming sea of emotions that was still flooding her mind from their kiss, Serena was slow to follow suit. She clutched his arm in fright. "Darien...?" she whimpered, but a finger pressed against her lips, gently hushing her. "Stay close to me," he ordered firmly, pulling her behind him protectively. Retrieving the flashlight from the ground, he shone it into the thick shadows of the stairwell. Haunting echoes of the typhoon resonated loudly through the bare walls, and Serena hugged herself in fear. The beam of the flashlight shone everywhere...in each corner...up and down the staircases around them and into the rippling water that filled the bottom...but it was otherwise empty. "There's nothing there, Darien..." Serena whimpered, clutching at his shirt with fright. "Let's go...please..." Nodding absently, Darien's eyes continued to search their surroundings suspiciously as he enclosed her hand in his. "Come on. Let's get out of here." Grasping the door handle that led back into the store, Darien turned it, alarm hammering through his senses a moment too late. Serena screamed in terror as the still-bleeding youma they'd left on the street crashed through the door, barreling into the pair brutally with a deafening shriek. * @}->-- * * @}->-- * * @}->-- * * @}->-- * * @}->--* *Two big cheesy grins* Don't you love us? Oh, come on...we had to keep up with our past precedent of cliffhangers, here. What kind of fic authors would we be if we let you guys down into the third chapter? The fourth is on its way! Let us hear it at moonlit_eclipse@hotmail.com. And check our site for the latest updates at: http://www.geocities.com/moonlit_eclipse Ja ne, peoples!