Chapter 348

Darrien sat in the university commissary in a somewhat depressed state. He sighed and stared at the tray of food in front of him.

"Oh great, here we go again," Furuhata Sagara said sitting down. "So what have you done to get your girlfriend angry this time?"

"That easy to see huh?" Darrien muttered.

"Well of course it is silly, now what is it?"

"She wanted me to be in some couples pageant or something..."

"And you refused?"

"I don't like that sort of thing."

"Idiot."

"What?"

"Of course men don't like them, there isn't a guy there who wants to be there, now look this is something you do to show you love a girl."

"Oh," Darrien said.

"How is it you have such good looks, but no romantic aptitude whatsoever?"

"That's hardly the case," Darrien said. "I've got plenty, but Serena's hard to deal with."

"Yeah, well you're not helping things," Sagara said. "Look, when a girl asks you to prove your romantic, you better take her up on the offer, but to be perfectly honest, if you haven't figured this all out yet..you're in trouble."

"I am?"

"Yes, just why does she like you anyway?"

Darrien sighed.

At the Crown Restaurant.

"I don't care, he can do what he wants," Serena muttered and blew into her straw angrily. Her milkshake overflowed onto the table in front of her. Lita, Mina, and Raye all looked at her worriedly.

"You hardly seem over it," Lita said.

"No, no, I'm fine," Serena said and tossed the milkshake glass into the air.

The three gasped.

Lizzie Tillman raced forward and grabbed it out of the air.

"Serena, you have to stop doing this," Lizzie said.

Serena moaned.

"Now Serena, she's right, if something's bothering you, you shouldn't throw milkshakes around," Mina said.

"At the very least," Lita and Raye added.

"Now, what's the problem?" Mina asked.

"Darrien won't be in this with me," Serena said holding out a poster she had picked up.

"Couples pageant..huh.."Mina said looking at it.

The three girls read through it.

"What a romantic idea," Lita said.

"Yes, prove one's love is greater than anyone else's, how wonderful," Mina said.

"And he wouldn't go with you?" Raye asked.

"Says he doesn't like showing off his relationship or something like that!" Serena said grabbing Mina's milkshake and tossing it in the air.

"Aw geez!" Lizzie said and leapt into the air catching it and landing on top of Mina.

"Good catch," Mina muttered and fell under the table.

"You know we should have a talk with Darrien about this," Raye said her eyes narrowing.

"You're right," Lita growled. "How can a man abandon his duty?"

"I'm with you.." Mina said. "In a few minutes..." she moaned.

"Don't worry Serena, you're friends will straighten this out," Lita said.

"Yeah..." Mina said. "For everyone's good."

"You're not just going to leave me alone with her are you?" Lizzie said hesitantly.

"We've got to go, it's urgent," Raye said.

"Besides, it's for your own good," Lita said.

"Yes..but.." Lizzie said and trailed off as the three friends hurried off. Lizzie glanced back at Serena who was reaching for Lita's unfinished milkshake.

"No," Lizzie said and slapped her hand away.

Meanwhile at the Motorcycle Speedway.

"Hah!" the Shadow Racer shouted leaping from a closet wearing a dark black uniform, lined with white trim and a skull on his helmet.

"Real scary there Arnie," Steve muttered.

"What..isn't more impressive then the original Shadow Racer costume?" the Shadow Racer asked.

"No," Steve said.

"It has a cape!"

"I know that!" Steve snapped. "But you're an imbecile!"

"An imbecile with a cape!" the Shadow Racer shouted.

"All right, you've got me there," Steve muttered. "Look, how it that the only time I get into a battle of wits, and for that matter win is when I deal with you?"

"I'm the Shadow Racer!"

Steve sighed.

"New costume?" Haruka said walking up.

"Do you like it?" the Shadow Racer asked.

"Not really, no," Haruka said.

"Yeah, well..." the Shadow Racer said nothing more and jumped on a motorbike before speeding off.

"What an idiot," Haruka said.

"Yeah, but he's harmless."

"Anyone who rides a motorbike is not harmless."

"He's relatively harmless then," Steve said. "So what brings you out here?"

"Well...I'm trying to get my job back. Seems that ever since I was about to break into the sport only to drop out for unknown reasons, more and more people wanted to hire me, go figure..so here I am," Haruka said. "I want to race in the fall league."

"Ah...worth a try," Steve said. "Provided you aren't called into duty again."

"I doubt it'll be enough to keep me out of the races this time," Haruka said with determination.

"I hope so."

"You do?"

"Sure, you should be able to race just like anyone else. The fact that you're you know who shouldn't stand in your way."

"In a perfect world."

"A perfect world is unattainable, but even the flawed universe we live in you should have your chance."

"Well..I'm glad you think so," Haruka said. "What have you been up to?"

"Not much, with Rick with Raye, and Mike trying to get Mina back they've been pretty preoccupied."

"Hmm..yes, with Michiru over in New York I have similar problems," Haruka said. "Not that I can't find things to do. Still, being with someone you know well and can trust to be there, it uplifts you."

"More or less," Steve muttered.

"Yes, I forget that you boys can't express true emotion," Haruka muttered.

"We can express plenty of negative true emotion."

"That's not what I meant."

"I know. I understand though," Steve said.

"Guess we're both sort of reliant on our friends."

"Yeah, never saw it that way, but then again I usually don't look," Steve said.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Why not?"

"You told Lita point blank you wanted her back, only then to say that you'd wait for her, why?"

"Was I wrong?"

"Some would say yes, some no. I'm surprised at your courage, at least in that endeavor."

"Well..I'm not a finesse guy," Steve said. "I never will be. So I told her how I feel, so they'll be no doubts."

"So you're sure you're not confusing deep friendship for romance?"

"This time I am," Steve said.

Haruka nodded.

"I believe that. Second question. What makes you think that she'll give up Seiya?"

"Haruka, Seiya is not the womanizer people believe him to be, I know that. He's searching for the perfect girl, like most of us are."

"So that's men's excuse for being fools," Haruka said.

"I wouldn't say that," Steve said. "But..Seiya wants a girl who thinks the way he does, more or less, he can grow, but see, he has specific needs."

"How do you know this?" Steve asked.

"I can tell."

"You can tell? Since when?"

"Okay, it's more of a guess," Steve said. "But let's just say I'm right for a minute."

"I've got the time," Haruka said skeptically.

"Seiya wants a girl who responds just how he'd expect her too, no surprises with him. He wants excitement, but on his own terms."

"Really?" Haruka asked.

"Lita's a free spirit. She's open to new ideas, she'll go the extra mile, adapt, whatever, but she's unpredictable. In truth, Seiya wants someone more mature."

"More mature then Lita?"

"Right, someone who knows where she's coming from?"

"Ah...because Seiya knows exactly where he's coming from does he?"

"He thinks so."

"That I'll agree with. So that's why you figure they'll break up?"

"Soon enough, yep."

"It'll be interesting to see if you're right or not."

"Yeah I guess it will," Steve said.

"But if she doesn't, then what will you do?" Haruka asked.

"Kill Seiya," Steve said with a grin.

Haruka laughed.

"Don't blame you," Haruka said.

The shadow racer skidded in and began to laugh.

"What now?" Steve muttered.

"I just thought of a slogan," the shadow racer said. "The Shadow Racer:Soon he will be back where he was, but not when you think he will be, because he's too fast, and he lurks in the shadows!"

"Needs work," Steve said.

Haruka sighed.

"Hmmm...I see..you think it stinks then?" The Shadow racer asked.

The two nodded.

"How about this one! On behalf of Shadow Racer fans everywhere I will punish you!"

"Do you want to smack him or should I?" Steve asked.

"Tell you what, I'll pull off his helmet, and you smack him," Haruka said.

"That's good thinking," Steve said.

"Ehh..no!" Shadow Racer said and raced off.

"What an imbecile," Haruka said.

"Ehh..he's harmless," Steve said.

Serena's three friends had since found their target on a side street.

"There he is!" Raye shouted. Darrien whirled.

"Hey we want to talk to you Darrien!" Lita shouted.

The three girls hurried towards him. Darrien thought quickly.

Better run. He thought and took off down the street.

"Oh, he's a runner," Mina said menacingly.

"What do you girls want?" Darrien shouted.

"It's about Serena!" Raye shouted.

"What? Did she send you to kill me?" Darrien shouted.

"Nothing as quick and relatively painless as that!" Lita shouted.

"Ah..geez.." Darrien said.

"Come on Darrien don't make us chase you all over town!" Mina shouted.

"I don't know what you plan on doing!" Darrien said.

"We just want to talk!" the three girls shouted.

"Yes, that's how it starts," Darrien said.

"How what starts!" the three shouted.

"Anything!" Darrien said.

"You're not making any sense!" the girls shouted back.

"That tends to happen when I'm being chased down the street by three crazed girls!"

"Does this happen often!" they shouted.

"And more importantly why?" the three added.

"Sorry we're going to have to have our discussion on the run here," Darrien said.

"Why aren't you taking Serena to that pageant?" Raye shouted.

"But I am, I was just going to find her and tell her," Darrien said.

"You were?" The three girls asked.

"Yeah, yeah!" Darrien said.

"How do we know you're not lying?"

"Guess you're going to have to trust me!"

"Hmm...too risky! We'll just follow you there!"

"Oh..wonderful.." Darrien said.

"Ah, come on it's only another mile!" Lita said.

"You girls are going to be the death of me you know!" Darrien shouted back.

"Hey, you can't use that line anymore," Mina said.

"Well you'll be another death of me!" Darrien shouted.

"Better!" Mina shouted.

"Mina, let's change the subject," Raye said.

"Oh, sorry Raye," Mina said. "That was wrong."

"It's okay, let's just keep going," Raye said.

"Come on girls, can't we just walk fast there!" Darrien said.

"You slow down first!" the three shouted back.

"Aw come on..you know me..I promise not to run!" Darrien said.

"Fine," The three girls said and slowed. Darrien slowed down too.

"See..no problem," Darrien said.

"Just keep on walking," Raye said.

"Uh..right," Darrien said.

These girls really are scary. He thought. I wonder what's gotten into them Of course maybe Serena really is upset and that would do it. I'd better hurry.

"Say girls, maybe I should run there," Darrien said.

"What?" the three asked.

"Well I mean to get to her house faster!"

"Hey wait you can't do that! It only works if we're chasing you!"

"What works?" Darrien asked starting to run.

"Never mind!" The girls shouted.

At the Cherry Hill temple.

"You have shown even more progress now that the distractions have ceased," Urawa Motoki said.

"Thank you," Rick said.

"In fact I think you are ready to learn a new skill," Motoki said. "This will serve you well. However, it takes a long time to learn and integrate it's parts."

"All right," Rick said. "I'm up for it. I must regain some discipline."

"Very well," Motoki said. "Then we shall begin tomorrow."

"Urawa Motoki.." came a voice. The two turned to see Sai Tsukano standing on the temple steps.

"Sai Tsukano, it is a wonder to see you here," Motoki said.

"Why is that?" Sai asked.

"Because you have been forgiven for a great deal," Motoki said.

"He had it rough," Rick said.

"A hard life does not give one an excuse," Motoki said. "It earns compassion, not freedom from responsibility."

"Well put," Sai said.

"Do you two know each other?" Rick asked.

"Sai was a fellow student at a dojo I trained at. He possessed great potential, but refused the discipline of the time," Motoki said.

"Discipline I have since learned well," Sai said.

"You are not a true warrior," Motoki said.

"Who are you to say, I fight for the defense of others, I learned the art, even if I did break some rules."

"You cannot learn an art unless you have followed all the rules, a master can defeat you at any time."

"Let's see," Sai said.

"Very well, these lessons are best taught this way," Motoki said.

"Here," Rick said and tossed Sai a sword.

Rick backed up.

Sai and Motoki faced off. Rick watched them and the concentration they faced each other with. This is like watching Patterson fight someone. He thought.

The two continued to stare at each other and the environment around them. Rick watched the two with anticipation. He truly wanted Motoki to win, yet he had his doubts having seen Sai in action. Then again, Motoki was very good.

A bird chirped. The two still remained motionless. A song erupted from the woods of several birds. The two still faced off showing great concentration. Rick stood intently watching them. Minutes passed. A bird swept over the temple, Sai shot forward. Motoki slid at him and the two met swinging their swords into each other, and spinning in mid air turning to face each other, they were soon sparring and going back and forth with incredible speed.

Motoki had been holding back for my training. I had never seen him this fast. Rick thought with awe.

The two slid back and took up stances again. The waiting began.

Darrien wasn't afraid to knock on Serena's door anymore. The business between him and her father was long over with.

"Ah Darrien, how are your studies coming?" Mr. Tsukino said showing him in.

"Very well," Darrien said.

"Got a job lined up."

"Sure," Darrien said.

"Where?"

"Well it's variable depending on certain circumstances."

"Just remember, no job, and I get an ax," Mr. Tsukino said.

Darrien laughed worriedly.

"Now dear don't threaten our future son-in-law," Mrs. Tsukino said.

"Hey, I always threaten people," Mr. Tsukino said.

"What are you talking about dear?"

"Nothing," Mr. Tsukino said and headed off.

Darrien headed upstairs.

"Serena?" He asked knocking on her door.

"What?" Serena muttered.

"I uh..reconsidered..about the pageant and all..I want to take you."

"Oh.." Serena said.

"Can I come in?"

"Sure," Serena said.

Darrien opened the door and was immediately hit with a pillow.

"You deserve it," she said.

"I guess I do," Darrien said.

"Now Darrien, how many people had to come to you to make you to realize you were wrong?" Serena asked.

"Uh..well...just one really," Darrien said.

"Too many," Serena said and lobbed another pillow at him.

"Oh..uh..sorry," Darrien said. "I'm still new at this."

"New at what?"

"Uh..." Darrien sighed. "Serena I'm sorry."

"That's better, now take me shopping."

"Uh..well...I've got work."

"You always have work."

"Yes, well.."

"Now Darrien, you've got some making up to do. Come on."

"All right," Darrien said.

Luna briefly awoke from a nap, glanced at them and went back to sleep.

Those kids. She thought.

"You know I don't know why I put up with you?" Serena said as they headed out of the house.

"We're engaged."

"Yeah, well...you've got problems."

"So do you."

"Yeah, but mine are not important."

"Now come on, I think we're both equally flawed."

"Is that so?"

"Yes," Darrien said.

"Well you're wrong."

"Look I said I was sorry, but you know I've been stressed out lately."

"You would have said the same thing if you weren't."

"Yes, but we could have talked about it more then."

"Is that so?"

"Sure Serena, we both know how to make the other agree with us. It's just a matter of communication."

"Don't try and blame me for this."

"I didn't say that."

"Sure you did. Now look we'll just go shopping and everything will be fine."

"Fine with me," Darrien said.

"It should be," Serena said.

"Can we just go."

"Hey, don't you get impatient with me. This is a punishment."

"Sorry Serena," Darrien said.

Sai Tsukano spun at Urawa Motoki quickly, but the sword master avoided it and swung forward, Sai's sword was knocked from his hand and slammed into the wooden temple wall.

"I told you," Motoki said.

"I knew," Sai said. "But it is always a pleasure to fight you."

Sai grinned and walked off.

"He has learned a great many things," Motoki said. "But not enough."

In New York City, Guardian Mercury stood on the roof of an abandoned apartment building. A figure climbed up the ladder. Guardian Mercury turned to face him.

"And who are you now?" Guardian Mercury asked.

"My name is unimportant, who I work for is. Perhaps you've heard of the CIA?" the man asked.

"Ah..yes," Gmerc said. "You have information."

"More than you have, I know that."

"Ah..you like to patronize then."

"Of course I do," the CIA man said."That's what the CIA's all about."

Gmerc sighed.

"Seriously though. Let me put you on the right track before this gets any worse."

"Please do," Gmerc said.

"You see you're barking up the wrong tree with Churchill. He's the face, but not the brain. They knew he's the first place you'd look."

His communicator went off.

"Gmerc! Get out of there, there's an energy surge!" Sailor Mercury shouted.

Seconds later the building exploded

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