The Coldest December By Aimee Author's Notes Konnichiha, minna-chan! For those of you who don't know me, my name is Aimee. I'm a college student, and I love to write. I've put a lot of hard work and a lot of myself into the story you're about to read. It is a season one story about Serena and Darien, told from Serena's point of view. I hope you enjoy it. ^_^ Please write me and tell me what you think! sailor_moon89@hotmail.com Here are some Japanese words that I've weaved into the story: Arigatou -- Thank you Gomen -- Sorry Hai -- Yes Konnichiha -- Good day Minna-chan -- Everyone (with added endearment) Goshinpainaku -- Don't worry Baka -- Idiot Nani? -- What? Ja ne! Aimee >^. .^< 11-12-99 @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- "Let us praise the name of the Lord, for His name alone is exalted; His splendor is above the earth and the heavens." Psalm 148:13 @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<-----The Coldest December By AimeePrologue He waits patiently before me, his stormy eyes hidden by shadows and the mask that I'd wished a thousand times didn't exist. His lips utter not a single syllable, and I find that I cannot speak either. The gentle stirring of his lined cape in the light breeze is the only sound apart from the pounding of my heart. My surroundings fade to gray as he takes a step toward me, the soft click of his boot joining the sound of his fluttering cape. The only thing I can focus on are his deep blue eyes--I marvel at them for one long moment, noting their depth. You could easily lose yourself in those eyes. They search my own, and I feel as though he can see straight into my mind. He enters into my thoughts, surveys my dreams, and delves into my innermost desires. . . all with a simple glance. I am drawn to him almost unwillingly, yet at the same time completely intimidated by him. He takes another step, and I feel myself begin to tremble from something that resembles nervousness. Never have we been so close, and yet as he draws nearer, the more complete I begin to feel inside. It is as if my own heart is not whole unless it is joined with his. I find I've all but forgotten how to breathe as he continues this slow, tantalizing approach. His movements are smooth and his pace steady. The long black cape which hangs from his shoulders gives him a distinguished look--upon first glance, one could easily mistake the man for royalty. His tuxedo is the deepest of blacks, matching his untamed ebony hair. Funny that I've never noticed quite how tall he is. His broad frame towers over my own frail form, and his legs and arms are strong, well-built. Still, I am not apprehensive or frightened by him in the least. I can study his features now, since he is near. I note the sensual curve of his lower lip, his distinguished and well-defined chin, and the thick black eyelashes that outline his intense, indigo-blue eyes. My gaze fails to stray from those eyes from some time, finding them quite addicting. . . almost as addicting as the man, himself. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I begin to wonder what he might look like without the mask, which kept from me the rest of his features. He began to speak, in a voice that was deep as well as stirring. "I've been waiting for you." Somehow I manage to find my own voice, but it sounded small and unfamiliar. "Have you?" I breathe, licking my lips nervously. He nods, a slight smile crossing his features. He reaches out a gloved hand and brushes a few stands of golden hair from my face before cupping my cheek gently. I can feel the warmth from his hand through the fabric of the glove, and my heart races faster still. He moves closer-- so close that I must look up to match the intense gaze he offered me. My breath stills as I feel his other arm encircle my waist partly, his hand finding the small of my back. "You're trembling," he murmurs into my ear, his breath causing my hair to sway gently. "Are you cold?" I am rendered speechless by his very presence and closeness and can do nothing but nod, although I feel quite warm indeed. He smiles yet again, and I find myself staring at his lips now instead of his eyes. They appear soft and inviting, especially to a girl who had never been kissed before. Perhaps he noticed by gaze, for he pulls me closer to him, and slowly ends the distance between our lips. He kisses me once. Twice. Then slowly but surely, I begin to lose count. His lips are rich and sweet, but surprisingly gentle. He pulls away eventually but holds me close still. "I have but one question, my sweet," he whispers in my ear. "Yes?" I ask, my head spinning, my heart dancing. "How many times can you hit your snooze button before you're late for school?" he asks in that tantalizingly sensual voice of his. "That's simple," I mumbled sleepily. "Four." I heard laughter. My eyes snapped open a few moments later to a voice and face far removed from that of my beloved Tuxedo Mask. They belonged to none other than my mother. "I suggest you wake up, Serena," she remarked, obviously amused. "And if it's not too much trouble, give my regards to Tux-Boy." And that, dear readers, is how my day began. @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- So I like to day-dream. What's wrong with that? Dreaming of a romantic midnight meeting with Tuxedo Mask is far more entertaining than. . . well, geometry, for example. I sit here now, in my geometry class, a test looming up in front of me, but my thoughts are elsewhere, as usual. "Miss Tsukino?" said a voice in the distance. "Miss Tsukino, I am speaking to you, young lady." "Hmmm?" I asked dreamily, bringing my eyes into focus. There in front of me was my geometry teacher, wearing that evil smirk of hers. I swear, that woman thinks that she is some omnipotent force in the universe. I cleared my throat, dragging my mind from my drifting thoughts, and pretended to be working on problem #4. "Um. . . yes, Mrs. Tutty? Is there a problem?" "There certainly is, young lady," she hissed, pointing accusingly at the clock. "You're not even halfway done with the test, and class is nearly over. What exactly have you been doing the entire hour? Day- dreaming again?" I swallowed hard, trying my best to ignore the snickering of my classmates. I felt my cheeks burn in embarrassment. "Gomen, Mrs. Tutty," I said in a small voice, my eyes downcast. "I'll get to work now." My nasty teacher pursed her lips, a gesture which caused her to somewhat resemble a drowned rat. "I'm giving you two hours of after-school detention. You and I are going to have a long talk,Miss Tsukino." Giggles filled the air, joined a few moments later with the sounding of the bell. Class was over, as was the geometry test that I hadn't finished. I blinked back tears as I stood to my feet to turn in my work. Amy stood outside my classroom door, waiting for me to join her for lunch. "Hey, Serena!" she said in her sweet, quiet voice. "How did your test go?" I bit my lip, glancing at the Advanced Multivarient Calculus book Amy held protectively in her arms. "I don't want to talk aboutit." She frowned, brushing a strand of dark hair from her eyes. "The tutoring didn't help at all?" "Amy, please. . . " I said firmly, but there was no harshness in my voice. She glanced at me speculatively for a moment, but to my relief, she smiled, linked arms with me and began leading me to the school cafeteria. "Come on," she grinned. "Lita brought sushi and rice for all of us to eat for lunch. Doesn't that sound wonderful?" I smiled at my friend's attempts to cheer me up with the prospect of food. Needless to say. . . it worked. "Let's go!" Truly, I had the best friends in the world. They looked out for me, and were always there to lend a shoulder to cry on. But still--there was something missing. Something inside of me that didn't feel complete. But what was missing? @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- @--<----- Well, that's it for the prologue. Did you like it? Please, send me your comments!I need an editor! Preferably someone who excels in spelling, grammar, and punctuation rules. . . unfortunately, I lack all three of these, so you can see why I need help. Also, I need some- one to provide suggestions and honest comments of what they think of my work. Are you interested? Email me and let me know. Aimee >^..^< sailor_moon89@hotmail.com