Secrets Revealed by Athena nikita@sgi.net Well here we are folks, another Serena and Darien story. Hope you like it. Just a few ground rules here. 1) Once again I've changed the SM story around to fit my needs. 2) This Sailor Moon is the grown up version like the one in my last story (if you haven't read it, it's in ch.1 of Second Chances, so you may want to go and read it because I'm not going to describe it here) except here, Serena is going to be learning to use her new powers. So that means that she has the Imperium Silver Crystal and that she is the Moon Princess, the kick is that they don't know about Darien being who he is..they are still looking for the Prince and TM's idenitity. 3) Serena and the Scouts are juniors in high school and Darien is a Sophmore in College. O.k. I think that's it for changes. 4) I will get around to explaining why Serena is living with Lita. Just wanted to say a huge thank you to Alicia Blade who's "Winning Love" inspired this story. Please read it..it's fantastic!! And also without all of her support this story would not have been possible. Also a thanks to P-120 who's encouragement has been phenomenal! She is also another fantastic writer and you've just got to check out her Christmas story about Serena and Darien...Theresa, loved the Epilogue! Disclaimers: the standard Sailor moon disclaimers apply here, Sailor Moon is not mine and I'm not claiming that they are. Also, the character "Michael" is being modeled after a character named "Hiro" in "Venus Wars." I don't know who wrote that or anything, but please accept this as a disclaimer that I didn't create "Michael" totally and completely...I was inspired by their genius as well. All for now! Love and Peace Athena P.S. I love e-mail, whether it be good or bad, so please, let me know what you think of this. Thanks! ************************************************************************ He sat silently in a booth next to his prey. Silently watching and observing the young girl with long blonde ponytails that streamed from two balls on her head. 'Meatball Head' he thought silently to himself. As he sat there, his intelligent sapphire blue eyes absorbing her every movement and gesture, he realized that she was actually concentrating on something. 'That's strange,'he thought, 'the Meatball Head doesn't concentrate on anything unless it's an ice cream sundae or a video game.' Immediately he felt guilty and quickly reprimanded himself, 'Geez, Chiba! You are totally gone on the Meatball Head and here you are still cutting her apart!' He couldn't help it, he supposed. Making fun of Serena just came so naturally, that usually his remark was already out there by the time he realized what he was saying. He hung his head in despair for a moment and thought, 'Oh who am I kidding?! Why would someone as beautiful and loving and caring as Serena like, let alone LOVE, someone like me?? But then again, Serena was fond of charity cases! Maybe if I just let her in, let her see how vulnerable and lonely I am....' Just then his thoughts were interrupted by a squeal across the room. He looked up as he saw Serena trying deparately trying to grab whatever it was that the tall brunette had taken from her. Darien continued to watch and suddenly he realized what the prescious object was...a book! Just then, the tall brunette's voice reached him. "Oh my God! Serena, are you actually reading???" Serena actually blushed to the roots of her blonde hair and finally managed to grab her book back and said, "Chill out, Lita! So I am reading something educational, big deal!" Lita was too busy laughing at this, drawing even more attention to them and finally, Serena stood up and began to stalk out of the cafe/arcade. As she came closer, Darien leaned back in his seat and drank his fill of the vision of Serena heading directly towards him when he heard himself say, "Well it's about time you read something worth while, Meatball Head!" 'Oh great!' he thought, 'there goes my mouth working before my brain again!' Serena stopped directly in front of him, obviously working up a retort when Darien's mouth took over again. "Well, I guess the book hasn't sunk in yet, because you look like the cat's got your tongue." 'Chiba! Lay off! Do you want this girl to love you or hate you!' his brain thought desparately. Serena just stood there, her blue eyes blazing like gems in the sunlight and finally all she was able to come up with was, "I hate you, Darien Chiba!" and she turned and stormed off, Lita following in her footsteps. Serena didn't realize what a crushing blow she had just set on Darien. Of allof the things she could've said...'Well you deserved that.' he brain told him. True, he agreed, but it didn't make it any easier to swallow. Finally he got up and walked out into the sunshine and headed toward his favorite place in the park to think. ********************************** "Hey Serena! Wait Up! Look I'm sorry! Just wait a minute!" Lita yelled after the practically running Serena. But with Lita's long legs, Serena soon realized how pointless it was to try and out run/walk her, so she slowed down to a normal walk. Finally catching up to Serena, Lita continued her apologies, "I'm sorry Serena. It's just that you are the last person that I'd ever expect to find sitting in an arcade reading! Are you turning into Ami on me? Come on Serena, you can't be mad at your roommate, now can you?" Lita asked. At this, Serena finally did laughed, realizing what a funny picture she must have made sitting there reading a book. She, Serena, of all people! "Oh alright! I guess that I deserved that considering my reputation towards learning. But we've gotta book it! The race starts in 20 minutes and I promised Michael that we'd be there." With that both girls ran to catch the bus that would take them to the race track. ******************************* Later at the track, Serena was practically going insane cheering for her friend. "Come on, Michael! Go! You can do it!" Lita looked at her with a mixture of embarrassment and confusion. Although, she really wasn't all that embarrassed by Serena's behavior because everyone else was going just as insane as she was. But what she was confused by was why Serena was so attached to this guy who had suddenly appeared in Serena's life a few months ago. "So where did you say that you met this guy?" Lita asked yelling over the roar of the crowd. "I've known Michael for years! When I was little, um, I was eight and he was eleven I think, and he saved me from being beat up by a couple of school bullies that were making fun of my hair. After that he just started looking out for me, ya know? Then when he was 16 he moved to America to race dirtbikes and we've been writing since he was gone. Then one day he tracked me down at the arcade and surprised me. Now he's back and racing here." "Wow! Sounds to me like maybe he has a crush on you since he's stayed in touch now that he's a big racing star." Serena blushed, but remained quiet. So Lita continued, "So, when do I get to meet Mr. Wonderful?" "After the race. Oh! Look! Only one lap left and he's tied for first! Go, Michael, GO!" Serena and Lita watched as Michael battled for the lead with another racer. Finally, he was able to pull ahead and won the race. Serena and Lita both went nuts, jumping up and down and hugging each other as Michael took his victory lap and then accepted his prize. An hour later, Serena and Lita were waiting by the back gate with all of of the other fans waiting for the racers to come back out. Lita looked around her at all of the other people and asked her, "So how are we going to get his attention with all of these other people waiting to meet him?" Serena shrugged and said, "I don't know. He just said to meet him here." Then suddenly the crowd of people started pushing and shouting Michael's name. Serena quickly realized that he was never going to see her in the crowd. So she grabbed Lita's hand and began to drag her away. "Where are we going?" Lita asked. "Over there where the crowd is thinner." Serena said nodding to where the crowd was only two or three people deep. Once there, Serena elbowed her way to the front of the crowd and waited for her friend to come her way. But he didn't do that. Instead he turned away after signing a bunch of autographs and began to walk towards a secured parking area. Frantically, Serena began calling his name, but she couldn't be heard. Then inspiration struck and she grabbed Lita and said, "Quick, whistle for me!" Lita looked puzzled for a moment and then smiled and let out a shrill whistle that made everyone including Michael stop and look around. Serena seized the opportunity and yelled, "Michael! Over here! It's me, Serena!" Michael turned towards her voice and a huge grin spread across his face as he spotted her. Then he changed his course and practically ran over to her. "Serena!" he yelled, then turning to the guard he said, "It's o.k. she's a friend. Let her through." Serena smiled as she climbed over the gate and at the last moment her she lost her footing and went tumbling into his waiting arms. He laughed as she blushed furiously and said, "It seems that I'm still coming to your rescue!" "Sorry." she mumbled and this made him laugh even harder and he set her down. Then they both looked up as someone called Serena's name. "Hey Serena! A little help please!" Lita was trying to get past the guards and was getting ready to hit one when Serena said to the guards, "She's with me." The one guard looked up at Michael for approval and he nodded his head. The guards stepped back as Lita gracefully vaulted over the gate. "Show off!" Serena said as Lita joined them and Lita just gave her a playful nudge. Then Serena began the introductions, but Lita didn't hear her because she had finally given Serena's friend her full attention. All rational thought flew out the window as Lita gazed at Michael. He was quite possible the most gorgeous man that she had ever met! He was tall with an atheletic build. He had short black hair, but long silky bangs that hung in his eyes. But his eyes were her undoing. They were the most beautiful shade of blue-green that she had ever seen. And now she was seeing laughter in those eyes as she realized that she was gaping at him and Serena took advantage of the situation and said, "Lita! Close your mouth, will you? You're attracting flies like that!" Embarrassed, Lita snapped her mouth shut and mumbled a greeting. "It's o.k." Michael said, "I'm use to it." "Well aren't we conceited." Serena said playfully, making him laugh as he gave Serena a hug and said, "Boy I missed you!" Serena hugged him back and quietly said, "I missed you too!" Their embrace was interrupted by Lita who blurted out, "Now I know who he looks like!" "Who?" both Serena and Michael asked together. "That Darien guy!" Serena made a face and Michael looked confused as Serena said, "Yuck! Does NOT!" Michael raised an eyebrow at her emotional response and asked, "Who's Darien?" "No one! Just some conceited jerk who's always picking on me!" "Oh?" "Yeah," Lita chimed in laughing, "He calls her 'Meatball Head'!" Serena looked like she was going to strangle Lita as Michael began to howl! "Meatball Head!" he said, "Now that I think of it, you really do look like one!" This made Lita bust out laughing too. But Serena didn't find any of it amusing. "AAAHHH!!! Who needs ANY of YOU!!!" and she stormed off leaving Michael and Lita to chase after her. **************************************** A few days later, Darien was heading toward the arcade after just finishing his afternoon classes. He had a few hours to kill before he had to go in to work, so instead of studying like he should, he was going to the arcade with the hopes of seeing his Serena. If he was lucky then he's get to apologize for what he said to her the other day and if he was REALLY lucky, then maybe she would tell him that she really didn't hate him and that she had just said that because he had made her mad. Darien quickened his pace in order to get to the arcade faster. he thought. As he rounded the final block that lead to the arcade he began planning his strategy. It was only when he heard the revving of a motorcylce engine did Darien actually take in the scene before him....It brought him to a deadstop. In front of him, on the motorcycle in front of the arcade was HIS Serena with another guy! Darien watched in mute shock and horror as the guy got off of the bike and then turned around to assist Serena to the ground. His hands lingered a bit too long on her slim hips for Darien's liking. He was suddenly so overcome by the urge to go over and pound the living hell out of the guy for daring to touch HIS Serena. he thought. He began to stalk over to where Serena and her "guy" were standing. The closer he got the more he realized that they were now gazing into each others eyes and the guy suddenly threw back his head and began to laugh at something that Serena had said. Darien saw red! he thought again, but then the thinking part of his brain kicked in and tried to make a desparate attempt at stopping him. This thought made him stop and as he looked on, he closed his eyes and forced himself to calm down. When he opened his eyes again, Serena and her "friend" were gone, but now Raye stood in front of him, looking up at him with a worried expression on her face. "Hey Darien, you o.k.?" He forced himself to focus on her and he answered, 'Yeah, fine. Just thinking about a test that I just took." "Oh, is that all? Well then how about we get a milkshake or something?" she said as she grabbed his arm possessively and lead him into the arcade. Reluctantly he followed her into the arcade, not really wanting to be there with her, but afraid to tell her no. Plain fact was, Raye scared the hell out of him (AN: Thanks Alicia!!!!)! Darien had no doubt that Raye was a powerful priestess and that she probably had little vodoo dolls that she kept handy to give anyone she didn't like a curse or something and he certainly did not need to be on the receiving end of that! he consoled himself, Once inside, Raye lead them to a booth that was empty at the back of the arcade. Darien craned his neck to look around the room and try and locate Serena. But no luck. He sat back in his seat with a loud sigh, drawing Raye's attention from the menu in front of her. "Are you sure that you are only upset over a test?" He looked up into her direct gaze and then looked away before saying. "Yeah, it was a big one, worth half my grade." Raye reached out and placed a hand on his his and tried to reassure him, "You're really smart, Darien, I'm sure that it will be o.k." He was about to thank her when a loud squeal interrupted him. "Hi! Guys!" Both Darien and Raye looked up to see Serena standing there with a tall guy standing. Darien felt white hot jealousy burning through him as he noticed that they were holding hands. "Oh hey, Serena! What are you doing here?" Raye asked, her voice betraying the annoyance that she felt, but Serena didn't notice. "Like, duh? We're here to eat. I've been telling Michael all about this place and he wanted to come and see where I 'lived' as he called it. So when I saw you, I wanted to introduce you to him." Raye finally gave her attention to the guy standing behind Serena and her mouth dropped open. Raye thought. "Michael, this is my friend Raye. She's a priestess at the Cherry Hill Temple, she and her grandpa live there." Michael stuck his hand out and smiled down at her causing Raye to cease all rational thought at all as he said, "Hi! It's nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you." "Um..I.uh..Hi!" she finally managed to get out, causing both Serena and Michael to laugh. Finally Darien had to clear his throat in order for Serena to realize that he was there too. After all, he wanted to meet his competition. Serena looked over at him and groaned, then she said with little enthusiasium, "This is Darien." Michael raised and eyebrow and watched how Darien's eyes betrayed a hurt look. "Oh right, Darien. You gave her the name Meatball Head. It's appropriate!" Michael said as he waited for Darien to shake his hand. Darien looked at it as if it was a poisonous snake and then reluctantly he shook his hand and said, "Well thanks, but I don't think that she agrees with that." Serena was surprised. Darien finally noticed that she hated that nickname he gave her? she thought. "You guys want to join us?" Darien asked. "Sure." Michael said. Serena looked from Michael, to Darien to Raye and then back to Michael and shrugged her shoulders. So Serena slid into the booth next to Darien and Michael sat next to Raye. She thought for sure Raye was gonna give her one of her get-out-of-here, Meatball Head, looks, but she didn't. Instead she was too absorbed in asking Michael all about his life. He was accomodating and answered all of her questions and soon began flirting with Raye as well. However, Serena wasn't bright enough to catch on. Instead, she was still trying to figure out why Darien was being so nice to her. Darien on the other hand, knew exactly what Michael was doing and thought that Serena did too because her head was bowed and she seemed like she was upset about something. Darien was ready to reach across the table and knock this guy's block off. He really didn't care that the guy was hitting on Raye, he was welcome to her as far as he was concerned. He just couldn't believe that the guy actually had the nerve to do it in front of Serena. She was suppose to be his girlfriend, wasn't she? Darien looked back at the Serena, now she was playing with the bow on the front of her school uniform. It was obvious that she was uncomfortable about the situation and he was about to call a halt and straighten this guy out, when Serena all of a sudden gasped. "Oh no!" Everyone looked at her and Michael asked, "What's wrong, Rabbit?" Serena was now trying to get herself out of the booth and out the door as she yelled back over her shoulder, "I'm late for something really important! Thanks for the ride Michael! Bye!" And then she was out the door. Raye and Michael both shook their heads at her, but Darien was smiling. he thought. He looked at his watch and saw that he was going to be late for work if he didn't get going. "Well guys, I'm sorry to leave you, but I've got to go to work. I'll see you later." He got up and headed for the door, with either Raye or Michael saying so much as a good-bye. ************************************************************************