To Last a Lifetime Chapter 2: Picture Perfect

By: Angelstar1014 ([email protected]) and Mee mee ([email protected])

Disclaimer: We certainly don't own Sailor Moon, some big-wig executives do. Suing us will not gain anything, since we probably have about twenty bucks between us. So sit back and enjoy

"Oh, that's so beautiful!" Serena exclaims as she stares at the painting.

"Nothing is as beautiful as you, ma petite lapinne."

Serena blushes deeply, before she notices Darien talking to a brunette.

"Derek, there's Darien, with another girl!"

"So?"

"So, he's dating Raye!" Serena says, upset at the thought of anyone hurting her friends. "I'll see you at our date tonight Derek. I'm going to give that jerk a lesson he won't soon forget!"

Serena storms out of the gallery and starts her lecture.

"Darien! You two-timing ameba!"

"What?" Darien says, turning around to see a steaming Meatball Headed blond. "What did I do now?"

"Don't give me that you no good..."

Serena's rant was cut short, however, when the brunette lightly tugged on her sleeve.

"Will you pose for a painting for me?"

"Me?"

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As Serena enters the house she checks her watch.

"Oh no! Peggy, I'm sorry I can't pose for you! I have a date soon!"

"Please! I'm really quick!"

"Um, can I make a phone call?"

"Sure. The phone is over there."

Serena quickly dialed the number.

"Allo?"

"Bon jour, mon chere." Serena says in bad French, so it sounds like, 'bone joule moan chair.'

"Bon jour ma petite lapinne."

"I called to tell you that I can't make it to our date tonight." Serena says glumly.

"Porqoi? Why?"

"Well, you remember when we were at the gallery? Well when I went out to give Darien a lecture, I bumped into an artist and she wants me to pose for her."

"I think you should. We can always reschedule."

"You're the best Derek!"

"Hey, Meatball Head! Hurry up! I don't have all day you know!"

"Who's that?" Derek asks

"Ugh. It's the only bad thing about posing about this painting. I have to pose with that awful jerk Darien!"

"Maybe I should come over there and make sure he doesn't steal you from me."

Serena laughs at Derek's remark.

"As if! But I have to go now, I don't want to take up anymore of Peggy's time then I have to. I'll call you tonight."

"A bien tot."

"What?"

"I'll see you later."

"Oh, okay bye!"

Serena hangs up the phone and sits down next to Darien, after making a comment about sitting next to an annoying jerk.

"So what was so funny?"

"None of your business!" Serena says glaring at him.

'He is kind of cute, I guess. I can see why Raye would want to go out with him...'

"...but what a minus zero personality!"

"What was that Meatball head?"

Serena blushes for a moment before turning her nose up in the air away from him, saying, "Hmm? Quiet I'm posing."

'She is a looker. When she's not falling flat on her face!'

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"Say what? Serena's posing for a picture???" asked Mina.

Raye who's eating an apple quickly chokes. "With Darien??!!" She exclaims.

Amy nods. "That's what I heard from Serena." She says.

"Meatball Head? With my Darien? I better get down there before she kills him." Raye says, jumping from the couch.

"But I thought we'd have a girls' night out tonight!" Shouts Lita.

"Sorry, Lita, this I gotta see!" Exclaims Mina.

Amy runs after the two.

Lita sighs. "And I made lots of snacks too." She says as she follows them out the door.

**********************************************************************

"Get your elbow out of the way!" shouts Serena.

"My elbow? Get your hand away from my face!" shouts Darien.

Peggy sighs.

"Do you think you two can pose without arguing once?" She asks.

The two blush.

"Sorry, we'll be nice." Serena mutters.

And sure enough, the two really looks like a couple.

"That's better." Peggy says happily.

Derek picks this fine moment to arrive.

'What? They have to pose like this! I can't allow it! Next thing you'll know, they'll fall in love with each other!' He shouts in his head.

"Um, are comfortable, Serena?" He asks.

"Derek! How on Earth did you find me here?" Serena asks.

"It's not hard to find the world's most beautiful girl." He says with a smile.

Serena blushes.

"You're so sweet." She says with a smile.

Darien's blood begins to boil again.

'There he goes again, making her blush! I should be the one doing that!' He shouts in his mind.

"Lapinne, do you like that Darien?" Asks Derek.

"Darien? Why on Earth would you ask me that?" asks Serena, looking very confused.

"Nothing, the way you were staring at him maybe?" Derek says.

"I just thought I saw a lipstick mark on his cheek, pink lipstick." She says.

"So?" He asks.

"Raye wears only red lipstick." She says simply.

"Oh. I thought you started to maybe like him." He says.

Serena laughs nervously. "No way! Me and Darien? The world will end by that time." She exclaims.

'Me and Darien? I don't know...' She thinks.

"Okay, I really have to finish this sketch, so Serena, if your boyfriend doesn?t mind seeing you in Darien?s arms, I'd like to continue ."

Derek has the good sense to blush as two teen burst into the house followed by two more, slightly embarrassed teen-aged girls.

"You know, there is a thing called a doorbell." Peggy says, getting slightly annoyed that this is the second time in thirty minutes that she was interrupted.

"Guys?" Serena says "What are you doing here?"

"Sorry Serena, we tried to stop them." Amy says "But the second they found out that you were posing in a picture with Darien, well..."

"I get the picture Ames, thanks for trying."

"Why don't you guys sit next to Derek. He came along too." Darien says "Peggy must be at the end of her rope with all these interruptions."

"No kidding!" Serena says "Me and Darien had just finally started to get the right pose."

"Your friends can stay." Peggy says "Provided that they be quiet."

"We'll be good." Mina promises.

Serena and Darien resume the pose and soon...

"What is that sound?" Lita whispers.

"I'm not sure." Amy replies "It almost sounds like..."

Amy turns her head to see two very angry people. Derek was practically green with jealousy, and Raye was grinding her teeth, making a very unpleasant sound.

"Raye," Mina whispers "Stop grating your teeth! You're making too much noise! We're going to get..."

"Okay," Serena says, finally fed up. "You guys have had your fun, now out! You being distracting!"

"There's no way..." Raye starts, but Serena marches up to Raye, looking her dead in the eye.

"OUT!"

Lita, Amy and Mina drag out a slightly fuming Raye as Serena turns to Derek. He stands and she walks him out the door.

"I'll call you tonight." Serena promises.

"Then I shall wait all night."

He leans in to taste Serena's lips...

"Excuse me!" Darien shouts, breaking the two of them apart. "But I have places to be, so can we finish this?"

"Keep your shirt on! Sheesh!" Serena yells back.

The moment spoiled, Derek kisses her hand and leaves.

'I almost KISSED HER!' Derek shouts in his mind in frustration.

'I was THIS close and he had to open his BIG mouth and.....' he stops suddenly. 'He's already falling in love with her!' He thinks. Then an evil smile places itself on his lips. 'Then I shall have a little fun. Nothing like testing the temper of the Earth Prince.' He thinks as he disappears to who knows where!

"Who does she thinks she is? In the arms of MY boyfriend no less!" Shouts Raye.

"Calm down Raye! Sheesh! Girl, control that temper of yours!" Exclaims Lita.

"But he's MY boyfriend!" She shouts again.

"We know! And I think the whole Tokyo knows by know too! You've been shouting like crazy person for crying out loud!" Shouts Mina.

Amy sighs.

"Mina, you're doing the very same thing right now." She says.

"I am? Oopsie!" Mina says, as she notices everyone on the street are looking at her.

Raye clams down a little at this.

"Look, I just have a problem with my boyfriend having another girl in his arms, OK?" She says.

"We understand. I mean, half of the Tokyo's male population is after Serena, so you should be worried." Mina says.

"I am NOT worried!" Raye shouts again. Then she stops and thinks of what Mina said. "What do you mean with half of Tokyo after Serena?" She asks.

"You mean you never noticed? Like half the guys in our school would DIE for a date with Serena! And like every time we walk anywhere with her, people STARE!" Exclaims Mina.

"I thought they stare at Meatball Head's hairstyle and klutz attacks." Raye says.

Mina shakes her head. "Nope. Those guys have it bad." She says.

"How come no one ever ask her on a date?" Asks Raye.

Lita suddenly looks very guilty.

"Lita?" Asks Raye.

"I kindda chase them away." Lita says, blushing.

"You chase them away? Why?" Asks Raye.

"I just didn't want her to end up with a guy like Freddie and get hurt." Lita says.

"Aaw, that's sweet Lita!" Exclaims Mina.

"I guess we all care for her in our own ways." Amy says.

"Humph! I still don't trust her with MY boyfriend." Raye says.

"Chill Raye! They'd probably end up killing each other!" Exclaims Mina.

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"That's it!" Announces Peggy.

"Wow! You mean you're done?" Asks Serena.

Peggy nods and smiles. "Yes, I am." She says.

"Can I see then?" Asks Serena. Peggy shakes her head.

"Why not?" Asked Darien.

"Come to the opening night and you'll see it with everyone else!" Peggy exclaims.

"Wow! Really? Way cool!" Exclaims Serena.

Darien rolls his eyes. "Sheesh! It's just an opening, Meatball Head, don't get so excited." Darien says.

"Ugh! You Jerk! How I kept my temper, I will never know!" She says.

And she turns and manages to fall flat on her face.

Peggy helps her up while Darien laughs out loud.

"JERK!" She shouts as she smacks him on the head and walks out in a huff.

"Ow!" Darien yelps.

'That girl can hit!' He thinks.

"Oh dear, she forgot the invitations for the opening!" Peggy says.

"Invitations?" Darien asks.

Peggy nods. "This isn't some charity event. There's a grand opening." She says.

"I'll give it to her." he says.

"Are you sure?" Peggy asks.

He nods. 'More reason for me to meet up with her.' He thinks.

'Ack! What's WRONG with me? This is Meatball Head we're talking about!' He thinks as he walks out of the studio.

"Hey Meatball Head!"

Serena whirls around, her face tinted pink with anger.

"What do you want creep?"

"Retract the claws will ya? I just wanted to give you the invitation for Peggy's opening!" He holds out the invitation.

Serena blushes slightly and walks up to him.

"I'm sorry I shouldn't have yelled at you..."

'What!? Meatball Head is apologizing to me? I never thought I'd see the day!'

"...but I wouldn't yell at you in the first place if you didn't keep insulting me!" She snatches the invitation from him and continues to walk off.

'Man, she's certainly cute when she's mad.'

'Woah, hold it! Cute? Where'd that come from?'

Darien shakes his head and looks at his invitation.

'Hey black tie. Maybe I can impress Meatball Head...'

"Ugh! Get it together man!" Darien shouts to no one and sulks off.

**********************************************************************

"Mom! I'm home!" Serena shouts as she walks into her house.

Hearing no answer, she walks to the kitchen to find a note.

Dear Serena,

Your father and I are going to a dinner at our friend's house tonight. There are food for you in the kitchen. Don't worry about Sammy, he's staying over at a Mika's house. We'll be home quite late, so don't wait up for us.

Your mother.

"Great." She mutters and heads for the fridge. She grabs a load of food and sulks. "There's nothing to eat!" She whines.

Then the phone rings.

"Tsukino Residence, Serena speaking." She says.

"Hiya Serena! What's the matter? You and Darien killed each other?" Chirp Mina from the other line.

"Actually no. Peggy just gave me some invitations for the opening. You coming?" Serena asks.

"Opening? Cool! I'm there!" Mina says happily. She notices Serena's unhappy voice. "So what's bugging you?" Mina asks.

"Nothing, just that I wish Darien could be nice for me, just once." Serena says, stuffing some chips in her mouth.

"You know, it makes me wonder why you care so much if he says something bad about you." Mina says.

Serena blushes, though she knows Mina can't see her.

"I always care about what people think of me." She mutters.

"Ignore him then. After all, he's Raye's problem now." Mina says.

Serena laughs, but find the thought not at all comforting.

"See you at school, Mina." She says.

"Later girl!" Mina says and hangs up.

But not long after the phone call,

"Great!" Another Negaverse attack!" Serena mumbles. "Why can't I have one night of peace and quiet!"

"Moon Prism Power!"

Serena runs over to where the monster attack was located.

"Oh no! It's Peggy!"

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The Negaverse...

"Malachite!"

"Yes Queen Beryl?"

"You had better hope that Zoisite gets this rainbow crystal."

"I assure you that she will my queen."

"I am quite disappointed in you, not lonely have we only gotten one of the rainbow crystals but you have not found any information on the people that attacked recently. I will not tolerate any more mistakes!"

"Yes my Queen."

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"...Actually there is something you can give me, the rainbow crystal you have, could I have it?"

'She's gotta be kidding me! Cute or not, there's no way I'm gonna give this to her!'

"No, Sailor Moon, I'm not going to give you the crystal. I want the one you have too."

"What? But you're Tuxedo Mask, our protector, you wouldn't hurt us in order to get the crystal, we?re on the same side."

"I only help you in order to keep them from winning. I must have those crystals." Tuxedo Mask says turning away. "As for hurting you, let's hope it never comes to that."

A shocked Sailor Moon stares at Tuxedo Mask's vanishing figure. "He's so cold, just like Darien?" She wipes a tear away from her eye.

'Whose side are you on Tuxedo Mask?'

A cold wind blew by, as if to answer for him.

'Mine.'