It was a typical day in the world of Serena and she was late. Very very late. The masses of Tokyo stopped to gape at the streamers of gold attached to a blur that would have been a very pretty face, had anyone been able to see it. Anyone who was not frozen gawking in opened mouthed amazement were busy attempting to jump out of Serena's way. Really it was mind-boggling that she hadn't yet caused anyone permanent physical damage.

'Rei is so going to kill me!' She wailed silently as she ran head long through the double doors of the arcade. Her goal reached she bent double, hands on knees, panting for breath.

"Serena you're early!" Amy uttered voice weak with shock, the book she'd been studying falling from nerveless fingers. Maybe it was the end of the world, but Serena would probably be late for that too. Serena looked up brows drawing together quizzically still out of breath.

"What are ... you talking ... 'bout Ames." She managed to gasp between pants standing slowly and making her way towards the 'usual' booth. They were there often enough it was practically reserved for them.

"The meeting doesn't start till four," Amy explained, "and it's ten too." Varying expressions of shock graced the features of all the girls, all that is except Rei who's lips twitched as she tried not to laugh.

"Rei you pyro you told me the meeting started at three!" Serena screeched her voice going up several octave, making everyone in the arcade cringe and setting several dogs howling. "I thought I was way late!" She wailed.

"Can it meatball brains! If I had told you the meeting was at four you wouldn't have gotten here till five!" Rei stated authoritatively crossing her arms under her breast.

"Ohhh your sooo mean Rei!" Serena huffed a little hurt by her friends lack of confidence in her and if she were being really honest with herself the truth of the statement. She could be on time if she really wanted to, she really could it was just so hard!

"I can be on time pyro I just have to have the right incentive."

"Are you using big words again meatball head? Are you sure you know what they mean?" Darien interrupted blandly his husky voice washing over them. He was turned to face them on his usual stool. Coffee check. Smirk check. Serena didn't have to turn around to know exactly how Darien would look leaning back slightly against the counter full of nonchalance but that didn't mean she could help stealing a peek out of the corner of her eye.

"Oh don't you start you conceited jerk." She threw over her shoulder as she took a seat beside Lita facing away from her arch nemesis and full time tormentor.

"Aw I'm disappointed meatball head I thought you were about to amaze me with your enormous vocabulary." His voice flowed over her like velvet and she shivered slightly. In her opinion his voice was once of his best qualities.

"I'm so sorry to ruin your vacuous notions, although it really wouldn't take much to stun, and shock someone as callow as you. When it's all said and done you're rather rudimentary." Serena smiling sweetly finally looked over at mr. tall dark and sexy. In other words the bane of her existence. It really was too bad he was such and ass, because he was definitely the most amazing eye candy she'd ever seen. Eyes a blue so dark they were almost black with a wealth of lashes lacing them. Soft, or at lest she imagined it was soft, jet hair fell messily into those eyes and she always had the urge to run her fingers through it brush it back. With the high cheek bones and those gorgeous eyes he was just a touch more beautiful than handsome. It was the chiseled jaw that saved him from looking feminine and true beauty.

"Why meatball head was that sarcasm?" Darien teased a little doubtfully. Everyone was looking at her dazedly. Serena smirked very proud of herself. She'd been staying up late looking up insulting words and thinking up comebacks and insults, writing down everything she thought of. Some of it was more in the line of back handed compliments kay a lot of it was in fact, not just similar to, back handed compliment but she was going for original. There really are only so many time one can use the insult conceited jerk without it wearing thin. She looked around at her friends and sighed in exasperation.

"I'm not a complete idiot guys." She glanced back over at Darien who was sipping his coffee thoughtfully still not fully recovered and smiled.

"Are we going shopping or what? Cuz if you just want to sit here I've got some Sailor V to play." Serena stood and looked to her friends. They all stood up following Serena's example.

"I've got to buy a dress for the dance. I met the dreamiest guy... looks just like my ex boyfriend Freddy." Lita said hearts appearing in her eyes. Darien watched their progress wondering just where meatball head had come up with that. 'Maybe I was hearing things.' He thought turning back to the counter and staring into his coffee mug as if it held the answer he was looking for.

"I did hear that didn't I Drew? Serena said rudimentary right?"

"Um yead she did, vacuous and callow to. I've just got one question though... what does rudimentary mean?" Darien looked over at his friend who was absently wiping the already clean counter. 'Wow Serena used a word Drew doesn't know impressive.'

"Um pretty much means basic, primitive, undeveloped not generally used in reference to individuals though, civilizations yes..." He mumbled then trailed off absently.

"Where'd she learn that?"

"That's what I want to know."

Five exhausted girls sat down at the food court in the mall. Ok they didn't sit they... plopped, sprawled, flopped or collapsed into the nearest seat. Serena was happily shoveling food into her mouth as her friends relaxed.

"Guys my feet kill." Mina complained.

"Really who?"

"Why do we always shop till we drop literally?" She continued ignoring Rei's sarcasm.

"Cuz we always see something else we want." Lita answered reasonably.

"At least we got the perfect dresses for the dance!" Rei gushed excitedly. Serena worked on tuning them out. She was the only one who didn't have a date and was kindda bummed. She'd bought a dress anyway, it never hurt to be prepared, it was a soft ivory halter with a faux wrap into an empire waist. Small gold beads were sown into an intricate pattern just below the bust. The full skirt fell to mid thigh in layers of flowing translucent material. The other girls hadn't seen it and she wanted to keep it that way incase she didn't go to the dance.

"Hey Serena did you find a date yet?" Mina asked looking over at her.

"No I don't think I'm gonna go." Serena managed around a mouth full of food.

"Don't talk with your mouth full meatball head." Rei snapped.

"Don't call me that pyro." Serena shirked in return sticking out her tongue. Rei quickly fallowed suite.

"Way mature guys." Lita stated folding her hands behind her head and leaning back in her chair. "Can't you two ever get along?" She asked in irritation.

"Sure if pyro ever learns my name." Serena bit out.

"As soon as meatball brains here stops acting like a ditzy cry baby." Rei rejoined and they were back to the tongue war.

"Anyways..." Lita said rolling her eyes. "What are you guys doing tomorrow I thought we might have a picnic down by the lake?"

"Ouuu are you going to cook Lites?" Serena asked drooling already. Lita nodded and Serena spaced out thinking of all the delicious homemade goodies Lita could make. Rice balls, cookies, manju, sakuramochi, mizutaki, chocolate brownies...

"I'm in!" Serena exclaimed happily.

"Great how about we meet at one by the rose garden?" Mina suggested and they all nodded.

"Do you think you can remember that meatball head and get up on time?"

"You make me sooo mad Rei! I'm not an idiot! I'll even be there early." Serena declared haughtily.

"Yeah right meatball head and pigs can fly. Bet that's why you've never had a boyfriend you've always been so late for your dates they're gone before you get there." Rei knew it was mean but she and Mina had come up with a plan long ago and Rei couldn't help but seize what seemed to be the perfect opportunity. She tried to ignore the looks of reproach from her friends, the angry hurt tears that shimmered in Sere's eyes. Maybe she had gone too far.

"For you information pyro, I don't have a boyfriend because I don't want one right now." Serena replied haughtily sticking her nose in the air while fighting back the tears. That had really hurt.

"Really?" Rei loaded that one word with all the doubt and disbelief she could muster.

"I'll have you know I can get anyone I want." She declared arrogantly.

"I bet you 50$ you can't." Rei smiled coyly.

"Your on." Serena didn't even pause.

"Perfect seduce Darien." Rei said leaning back and crossing her arms under her breast. Mina grinned rather evilly and covered her ears.

"WHAT!" Serena shrieked and everybody flinched. Mina dropped her hands.

"You can't be serious Rei. He hates me!"

"I thought you said you could get anyone." Rei mocked. "Your not backing out. Are you?"

"Noooo..." Serena said slowly. "Fine I'll do it." She gave a resolute nod, "how long do I have?"

"Get him too take you to the dance in two weeks."

"No problem." She said with far more confidence then she felt. 'how exactly did you go about seducing a sexy as hell conceded college jerk?' She asked herself. 'Yes I admit it the man is the sexiest thing I've ever seen but if you notice the conceded jerk part, that's the part that matters.'

"Hey guys I gotta go I'll see you tomorrow." She said and with that streaked out of the food court her packages in tow. She didn't go home just yet she had more shopping to do. If she was going to seduce a guy she needed to look sexy and her wardrobe was sadly inadequate. Cute yes sexy no.

"What are you up to Rei?" Lita asked sitting forward. Rei smiled smugly.

"An experiment."

"You know they'll probably kill each other before the weeks out." Lita added. Rei and Mina shared and small smile.

"Oh we don't think so." Mina's smile grew. "They'll make such a cute couple."

"Do you honestly think Serna, meatball head, biggest klutz ever, can seduce Darien?" Lita asked disbelievingly.

"Guess we're about to find out."