Comments? *^_^* ALEB@xtra.co.nz   
Here's a short story I thought up 15 minutes ago. I wrote this poem in my school work today called "Winter was Warm" and I sort of wanted to write a story to it. It's mroe serious and maybe depressing story, but maybe not so
as "Angel Standing By" this one has the 3 Lights.it's when Darien is having dreams. I know the 3 Lights don't come in origonally, but it's just a story. :) 
P.s. If you're a happy ending person,you might not like this.         

    When Winter Was Warm
    ____________________________________________
                                                  Kathryn A. LeBlanc



       I was a child....we were just children laughing then.....
All the words had yet to be said........
The leaves fell to the ground to die, and hands
Spread white and silver to cover what was dead.

       Slay rides down the alley, Laughter in the air,
Falling into each other's arms, no one has a care.....
Snow fights, laughter and cheer in the air........
Winter, in my memories, was the warmest time of the year.

      Holes in the mountains of snow, warm by the fires at night;
And the next white days were laughter and togetherness again....
For times now, we've had only rainy days of torrid gray
No pure snow, no laughter,Winter's not as warm as it was then.

    We didn't know it then.....but winter was warm
 Days of laughter togetherer, times together, hands together when
 We were together. I remember the snow we fell in, I was never cold
 Will Winter ever be warm, like it was then?

       Winter Was Warm..............

                                       Kathryn A. LeBlanc

            
________________________________________________________________


     MONTHS AGO:

 
    Serena saw Darien down the street and ran to
greet him. "Darien, hi!" she smiled warmly.
He smiled back at her and stopped walking.
When she caught up to him, she wrapped him in 
a hug. The snow along the roads was
cold and hard and when you breathed,you
could see your breath in front of your face!

  "Darien! I was looking all over for you."
she smiled brightly. "It's so cold out here, 
how can you stand walking out here with only your
jacket on?"

 He grinned. "The cold's nice some times. I can't
be in my apartment the rest of the day. It's too nice out."

 "Says who? It's freezing! And any way I just got out of 
school for a week! They're closing the school 
because it's too cold and some sort of damage..
blah blah blah. Isn't it great?"

  he laughed at her silly face when she said "Blah blah 
blah." She wrapped her arms around his waist and
they walked together a little way up the street.
"Darien, you're hardly shivering! It's like you
can't even feel the cold!" she argued. he looked at her 
hands and they were stiff and red.

  "Serena, you really should wear mittens." he
said and she gave a face. "I can't."

 "why?"

 She lowered her eyes. "It's embarressing, if you
don't mind! Can't I have some privacy?"
He stared at her with a half amused, half curious
look. She rolled her eyes. "Ok, I'm allergic to
the wool they make mittens out of."

 "What? But I've seen you wear wool before."

 "Maybe it's the stitches then? I dunno!"

"Serena! You can't be allergic to knit stitches.
Maybe it's the type of wool they use."

 "I think it's lama wool or something. All I
know is that I get watery eyes and a runny 
nose for 2 days! Unless I hold my hands 
as far away from my face I can but then I can't 
pick anything up!"

 He snickered. "You're cute Serena."
She instantly withdrew her hands from his waist.
"EXCUSE ME! What did you just say about me!"

 "I said you're cute."

 "DARIEN! You did NOT! I heard you, what did you
say!"

 he laughed at her indignant display. "If you heard
me, why are you asking me what I said to you?"

"Qood question. I'll tell you later. And..OUCH!" she
looked frantically at her watch "I think I have to be.."

 he grabbed her hand gently and she looked at
him instead of her watch. "Serena, you know
as well as I do that if you had to be some where
you wouldn't be here in the middle of a winter
covered street walking with me." he smiled.
She blushed and he leand down to kiss her
gently. "Do you want to come over to my
apartment tonight? We can eat some KFC or
something?"

 She beamed. "FRIED CHICKEN! YEAH! I'd
love to!!"

 "Why do I get the feeling you'd rather spend the
evening with Fride chicken instead of with me?"
he joked. She blushed. "Sorry...but I love Fried
Chicken Darien!"

 "You love everything!" he said and playfully pulled
a strand of her blond hair. "And I love you."
_____________________________________
     Serena ran home, humming to herself "Waiting For
You" on the way, she saw Sieya across the treet, 
talking with soem of his school friends. She waved
instantly, being Serena. "Hey, Sieya!!!"
he turned at the shrill sound of his name being called
and he smiled at the sight of Serena across the
street. He waved to his friends and crossed the
very slippery street. It was almost covered in ice.

 "Hi Serena, what's up?"

 "Not much. Going home to change for a date with
Darien." she beamed. His smile faded slightly. But
he still smiled at her. "Serena, your hands!" he said,
looking down. Her hands were red and cold.
"Oh that, I'm allergic to the wool they make the 
mittens out of." she confessed, feeling embarressed
again at the confession. He stared at her strangely.
But he didn't ask questions, to her relief. 

"Well, at least put your hands in your pockets or
something Serena! You could get frost bite that way!
This winter's one of the coldest I can even remember!"
he shivered a little to show his point.

 "I know what you mean. My mom was taking a shower
and she turned it all the way up high to get warm.
So she used up all the hot water!" she grumbled.
he smiled. "C'est la vie, oui?"

She gave him a look. "No, it's not C'est la Vie,
it's "Save ME Please!" he laughed. Then she looked
at her watch. "Yikes! I had better get home before
I freeze over wheer I'm standing. Nice seeing
you Sieya." she smiled and waved. He wished she 
could have stayed a little longer. he enjoyed her
company. Then he instantly pushed the idea out of
his head. >She's got Darien! you're just her friend!<
****************************************

 Serena stepped out of the bathroom to model her
clothes for her friends, Mina and Lita. She had been
doing so for the last half hour. Ami was on he bed
reading through a text book on Serena's bad.

 "What do you think guys?"

"I hate it."

"I don't care!"

"Serena, you look great!"

"Guys, you're no help." Moaned Serena frustratedly.
"Lita, you hate everything Mina likes, Ami you don't care...GAD!"

 "Serena, I think white becomes you."

"Serena, Black is something you don't wear enough. It's very
"IN" and mature!" Lita said.

"Serena, you look good in pretty much everything." Ami
said without looking up. Serena groaned again. She
had stepped out in a green sweater and green slacks.

  "Thanks guys!" she grumbled sarcastically. She looked
at Ami.  "Ami, you're the genius! You tell me! What do I 
wear for my date with Darien?"

 "Serena, he likes you no matter what you wear."

 "AMI! Stick with me here! Think of it like a math equation."
Ami rolled her eyes and closed her book. "Fine, but
then I'm going home!" she looked at the pile of clothes
Serena had lying on her bedroom floor. 

 "Lita said Black's in and Mina think's white becomes you."
She picked up a white fleece sweater, black clacks, and
some hair barretts. "Here. They go with each other.
Sophisticated. But Darien doesn't care what you wear!"
Serena went into the bathroom to try her clothes on and
Lita and Mina, tired as well with Serena's wardrobe 
delimma, agreed Serean looked great. 
______________________________________________

 Serena knocked on Darien's apartment door and he opened it,
surprised and then he smiled warmly at the sight of her familiar
pretty face. "Hi Serena, you're a few minutes early." he let the
door open for her and she walked in. She took her white jacket
off and he smiled appreciatedly at her. "Wow. You look very
nice."

   She smiled, feeling a little pride. "Thanks. My dad approved."
he looked surprised. "How'd you know I was going to ask?"
"Because I know you know my dad." she smiled and kissed his
cheek. He nodded and they sat down. They ate a small dinner of
fried chicken and talked about infinestimal things. "Darien, this 
was really nice." Serena smiled at him. he watched her face 
from across the table, the dim lights making her face seem 
outlined in a bronze glow. "And what exactly are you staring at?"

he shook his head. "Just thinking how much I'm enjoying
being with you, that's all." she smiled at him.

"I love being with you too Muffin."

She thought he'd lean over and kiss her but instead he got up
and took her hand, pulling her out of her chair.

 "I promised your dad I'd get you home by 9:00. It's quarter to."
he smiled and she rolled her eyes. "Grief! dad can't give me
my own life!" he laughed and they walked down the steps from
 his apartment. It was a cold night but the stars were outside 
and the street covered with ice and snow, had no cars at all. 
The street lamps made everything glow and shine.

  Serena stepped on the street and slipped slightly. 
Darien grabbed her arms to steady her balance. She 
laughed a little. "Sorry Darien."

"It IS slippery, isn't it?" he said with a smile and he 
stepped onto the ice covered street. It looked like a 
skating rink almost, except there was no water 
under the thin ice, just concrete. he took a step 
and slid across the street."Serena, you should try this!" 
he said to her. She wrapped her arms protectivly 
around herself and shook her head. "I am NOT
getting onto ice on a street. I'll fall and push my face in!"
Darien skated in a circle, as if he was on ice skates. 
he swerved past her and grabbed her arm, pulling her
 onto the street.

"DARIEN! YOU IDIOT!" she cried in alarm and
clutched him. But then they wer laughing, and they
they went spinning around and around all over the stret.
he laughed and held her arms, swinging her around 
infront of him. "Serena, this is neat!" he laughed. 
She laughed as well. Somehow she couldn't help herself. 
She knew he wouldn't let her fall. They were spinning 
around on the street as if they were skating, and they 
slid the way home, always holding the other one's hand to keep steady.

  "Darien, I had a really nice time tonight." she smiled at him 
when they stopped a short way from her house to catch breath.
he nodded and smiled. Then he pulled her hand and spun
her around wildly on the ice. She shrieked, but more in excitment 
than fear. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and the
rest of the world was a blur of colors spinning by them. They kissed 
softly and didn't even notice when they had slowed their sliding
to a stop. Serena looked up when she felt Something light. 
Snow was falling. She felt happy and warm inside and didn't
take time to notice the cold.

 "You're happy now, aren't you Darien?" she asked him and he
smiled at her. "Happier than I've been in my life."
_________________________________________________ 

   Serena sat at the temple, gloomily. Rei was there and 
hadn't said much to her, but then she noticed
how strange Serena was acting for once. "Serena,
is anything bothering you at all?"
Serena looked up in surprise as if Rei had
just appeared there. "Me? No, why do you ask Rei?"

 "Because if your lip gets any longer you're
going to trip on it instead of the stones for
once. A few days ago you are acting like winter
is the warmest time of the year and now you are.."

"Rei, I have a bit of a problem. Well, not a real
problem. Um...." she sighed. "My dad wants to send me to Canada."

"Canada! WHY!?" Rei looked surprised.

 "Because......" Serena let her head fall into
her lap again. "Mom and dad aren't getting
along. They're having a trial seperation and
Dad's going back to Canada to stay with
his sister for a few months. Mom's staying 
here but she's going to move in with Aunt Cerisaie.
 I don't know what I'm going to do!" she started 
to cry and Rei realized how complicated 
Serena's personal life was.

  "But your folks always seem to get along fine."

 "Yeah, but they've been fighting lately.
and now their counsellor is suggesting a trial
seperation! And dad's going to another
country and he wants me to come with him!"

 "Is he making you go?"

Serena gave her a dirty look. "OF Course not!
But every time I ask if he could stay here he
says he can't, and then he gives me this
hurt look 'Don't you want to go with me?'
What am I going to do?"

 "What does your mother say?"

"She says it's up to us. Sammy's definitly staying 
here. But dad didn't even ask Sammy. He
asked me and I feel like I'm letting him down."

 Rei felt sympathy for the blond haired girl.
"That's hard Serena. But we need sailor Moon
here. You can't go away to soem place like
Canada! That's not even near here! It's like on the 
other side of the world!"

 Serena nodded. "I feel all this pressure and I 
don't know what to do Rei." Serena sighed heavily.
Rei felt guilty for mentioning the sailor moon
business. Serena didn't need any more pressure
in on this. "Does Darien know?"

"No. he hasn't been around much lately."

"He hasn't what?"

"I haven't seen him as much and he hasn't returned
any of my calls or anything. I think he's busy so I don't
want to bother him with it."

"Serena, that's silly!"

Serena lowered her eyes. Even if it was silly, she
didn't want Darien to have to worry at a time like
this. But later on, she was walking over there to
see him on the way back from school. It was almost
time for the school christmas holidays. She felt in a
slightly better mood than she had before and saw
him standing by the bridge. Brightly she ran up and
hugged his waist, making him jump as if she had just shocked him!

 "Hi Darien!" she smiled brightly. His face darkened slightly
and he turned away. She looked at him anxiously. Something
was obviously wrong. "Darien...?"

"Serena....how was your day?" he asked thinly.
She let go of his waist slowly when he ignored the
gesture. "Fine. I Guess. Hey, what's wrong? You look like
you just lost your shadow!" he winced internally and 
closed his eyes tightly to block out the tauted voices 
in his head.

"Serena...this hasn't been the best day. Please.....I need to
be alone right now." She stared at him uncertainly.

"Darien, what ever it is, you can tell me."

"No, just leave me alone Serena." he turned and started to
walk in the other direction slowly. She didn't understand
why he was acting so queer but obviously he must have had some
kind of a bad day. She touched his shoulder and he spun around
so abruptly as if she had shocked him with her touch.

 "Darien..?!"

"Serena, do I have to say it 3 times! I want to be ALONE!"

She lowered her eyes. "Ok, fine..I just thought.."

"Serena GO AWAY!" he yelled and turned to walk away fast.
She stared at him in dismay, hurt and confusion. Why had he screamed
like that? She wrapped her arms around herself and walked towards
her home. The snow started falling again and she was out without a
suitable jacket on. The touch of ice made her shiver.

  She didn't hear Sieya calling her from across the street. Her head
was staring at the snow covered street. She remembered the weeks before
when she and Darien had been laughing and having fun. When her family
hadn't fallen to pieces. Why was life a cold valley all of a sudden???

 "Serena....HEY!" he called louder. She looked up and saw him waving to her.
"Hi Sieya." she called in a glumer tone. he crossed the street and she
waited for him to catch up to her. "Hey, I was calling you so loud
that my brothers across town could hear me!!!!! What was on your mind
and...hey are you ok? You don't look too well." he said with concern. 
She shakily nodded. "I guess."

 "Hey, Serena, what's wrong and for Pete's sake, why don't 
you have a proper jacket on!!!!!! You could freeze standing
here in the street hugging your arms with just a sweater
like that!" he was going to remove his jacket but she
stopped him and shook her head. "No, it's ok. I'm almost 
home any way."

 "I'll walk you in that case." he said and tried to put a warm
arm over her shoulder and she shrugged it off slowly. Not with
discomfort, and that was what made him look twice at her 
expression. Something was bothering her.

 "Serena, I'm not related to Helen Keller. I know something's wrong." he
said firmly. She slowed and was still staring at the ground.
Then she started to cry. "Serena...something IS wrong, isn't it?" 
She nodded and started to cry on his chest. he held her there 
for comfort for a few moments and waited fro her to
say something. "Serena...what's wrong?"

  "EVERYTHING!" she sobbed and put her hands on her face.

"What do you mean everything?"

 "My...my family....My dad's going back to Canada." she said.

"on business?"

 "Mom and dad are having a seperation." she said and
started to cry again. "He didn't ask Sammy! he asked me! And he'd be
so hurt if I said no!!!! He wants me to go with him!!!"

  "To Canada!? You can't!"

  "I don't know! And I went to see Darien today and....he yelled at me
in the street to go away and leave him alone. I asked him what's
wrong but...." she started top cry again "Oh Gad!" he pulled her
gently to his chest again and let her cry a few minutes. Her shoulders 
trembled slightly and he didn't know if it was from cold or from sorrow. 
He wrapped his long arms around her to keep her warm but she never
noticed the warmth of the gesture.

 "Serena...it'll be ok......." was all he could say. It was a cold winter day                          .

Serena took a breath. She walked up to Darien's apartment.
>Could he be angry at me!< she had wondered. Maybe that was 
why he hadn't been returning her calls or anything. Taking a 
deep breath, she shivered slightly and opened his door. It was 
chilly in the halls.

 "Darien....Are you home?" she called. he stepped out from 
the kitchen and stared at her with at first, surprise and 
then a cool calm look.

 "What do you want Serena?" he asked in a level tone. 
She looked at him, to try and understand what he was 
feeling. Never had she felt unwelcomed here before. 
"Darien, I came to apologize." she said. He was drinking 
a cup of hot coffee. >Probably black as usual!< she thought.

"I guess I should have noticed you weren't really in
 a good mood and I was a bit insensative and..."

 "It's not that Serena." he cut in sharply.

"What? But then....Darien...were you angry at ME?"

he took a few minutes in answering. "No."

"Then why're you so cold all of a sudden!"

"Serena......how many times have you ever gone on a date?"

"With you?"

"With anyone."

She stared at him and then started to think. "A few times when I was 13.
Several when I was 14. And since then I basically just saw you. Why?"

"Serena, you're just a kid and...I mean, you've got years ahead of yourself..."

"Darien, are you saying you're tired of me?" she stared at him, trying
to understand what he was trying to say, and at the same time, not
really wanting to. He looked away and drank a slow sip of his coffee.

"Darien....Look at me!" she didn't notice her voice waver.

 "Serena....I don't think we're right for each other." he said
in a low tone. She hardly heard him. "What? What do you 
mean???? Not right for each other! How!?"

 "Serena...you're only in high school. You're too young for a 
relationship any way. And...I'm not ready to be tied down yet."

 "Darien...I can't be hearing this from YOU!" she cried 
and grabbed his shoulder "What do you mean! I can't 
understand you!" he looked away. She didn't know he 
couldn't bare to look her in the face. he felt like there 
was going to be so much pain and frustration revelent
in his eyes, and she'd see it if she looked into his eyes while he talked.

 "Serena....I thought it would work...but I know it won't. I wanted to make
you just forget it, but it seems we'll have to end it the hard way!" he said
in a hard tone. it made her shudder. He could hear the high fear in her voice.

   "End it?!?!?"

  "Serena.....why should our whole lives be manipulated because 
of something that happened over 1ooo years ago!!" he cried 
loudly, slamming his cup down. "Serena, it just won't work. 
We're too different! I never Loved YOU!" She stared at him, 
tears starting to moisten her eyes. She bit her lip to try
and keep them back. "You don't mean that Darien!"

    "Serena....I never loved you! Endymion might have 
loved Serenity, but they DIED 1000 years ago!!! You and 
I are different and we aren't going to work!"

"YOU don't mean that! YOU DON'T!!!

 he turned away and stared out the window. "Sorry Serena, 
but I do. It just won't work. We're too different."

 She couldn't talk to him if he refused to listen, and if he refused
to even look her in the eyes. She closed her eyes and turned away.
She needed to get out of here before he saw her cry.

 "I'm sorry Darien..I guess we weren't meant to be...after all."
he tuned around when he heard her saunter out the door.
He sighed and slumped against the wall. >I'm sorry....Serena<                                 .

  Serena walked in through the front door. She 
heard her mother cooking dinner in the kitchen. She 
went to help. Her father wasn't home yet. Serena 
shuddered as she recaleld last night. Her father
had insisted in helping cook the cheese schnitzel but 
Ilene had argued she wanted a break from his 
assistance. They broke into a huge fight and Ilene
 stormed off to bed, leaving the incomplete food.

 "Serena, get Sammy down from his room!" Ilene 
called to serena. Serena nodded heavily, wiping the 
tears form her face and went to get her brother.  
When the 3 weer seated, serean realized her father wasn't
there. "Mom, where's dad?" asked sammy. Ilene shrugged. 

"Working late I guess. He usually works late on Fridays. But 
he usually calls at least."

 "Should we wait?"

"No. Eat." she said gruffly and was helping herself to 
some potatos. Half an hour later, Mr. Tsukino came in. 
"Hi daddy." Serena called. Sammy said hello as well. 
Mrs. Tsukino didn't say anything. Kenji greeted
them and sat down. It was then he looked at his 
wife. "Why didn't you wait for me?"

 "You are a half hour late Ken! Why should we wait
 for you! You could have called and said you were 
going to be late!"

"I was held up!"

"You STILL Could have called!"

"Ilene, don't start acting like I'm the irresponsible 
one again." he said gruffly and started to help himself 
to some food. Serena and Sammy glanced at each other 
nervously. The silence was so thick you could cut it with
 a knife! It was when Sammy asked to be excused,
that they started to argue again. That lead to screaming 
and Kenji stormed out. Serena didn't want to help her 
mother with the dishes because she'd just rant about 
how it was all Ken's fault again. She ran up the stairs 
and when she had shut the door to her room, she started
to cry heavily on her bed.

 "Why is my life falling to pieces of broken glass.....?" 
she picked up her notebook. She stared outside at the 
falling snow.

                     "Winter of The Heart"

               The worse things I could ever do......
             The pieces of my life are being broken by you...
             They're being scattered like autumn leaves....
             And buried by snow when autumn is through.

              It;s so cold outside in the inter snow!
              But there is no warmth any more when I coem home.
             And when I leave to find your comfort,
             Now when I'm with you, it's when I feel most alone.

              It's cold outside.....It was warm shortly before now....
           I could run, I could hide....what do I do?
           But I only know in my heart that if I ever cried in front of you.....
           That's the worse thing I ever could do.


  Serena heard her parents yelling again and she buried her 
head in the pillows                                                                                      .                 


Serena tried to see Darien to try and talk to him 
more, but every brief time she did, it hurt more and more 
every time! Her friends didn't understand any mroe than 
she did.....but what if he was right? Maybe they weren't 
right. Had Darien just been pretending to enjoy her
company because he was trying to use their lives like 
a blue print for the past? She knew they were different 
people now....but if they were wrong for each other, 
why did she LOVE HIM???

  She came to the temple one day in a depressed mood. 
Sieya ,Mina, Rei Yaten and Lita were there. "Serena! Where'd 
you get that shirt!" cried Lita. Serena looked at her yellow 
sweater. "My grandmother sent it to me."

  "Is she color blind or something?"

 "Why? Don't you like it?"

 "You look like an easter chick." Yaten cackled. Serena glared at
him. "Happy easter to you!" he sang out and laughed again.
She crossed her arms. "For your information, my grandmother IS
color blind, you idiot, and secondly, I like this sweater!"

 "It does look a bit silly Serena." Rei said, trying 
not to laugh. Serena didn't appreciate the effort. 
"So...if you swed a desifng on it or something..."

 "Like what? Bugs Bunny holding a basket?" Laughed Yaten.
Serena glared and even Sieya was trying not to snicker a little.
Serena started to take the sweater off.

 "I like it." Mina said, taking the sweater.

 "YOU! You have to be crazy Mina!" cried Lita.
"Hey, I like yellow."

 "Just don't wear anything green with it, ok?" Yaten 
laughed. She stared at him blankly. "Why?"

 "You'll look like a corn stalk that's why!"

"Serena, here take my sweater." Sieya offered her his red jacket.
She wrapped it around her cold arms gratefully.

 "So, what's new?"

Serena's face drew a sad look. "My dad's moving 
on Saturday." she said sadly. The amused looks 
drained from their faces.

"He's still pressuring me to go with him. And I don't know
what to do!" she shook her head. "He never asked sammy, 
just ME! So Sammy feels resentment to me because he thinks 
dad favours me, but dad said he just feels Sammy favours mom. 
I don't favour anyone, and mom is treating me like I do, and so
is Sammy! But all my friends are here and...and I can't even
speak English! But every time I talk to him about it he says "Don't
you WANT to go with me either? Am I that horrible?" when I say
he isn't then he just shrugs and said "Sure. Maybe your mom's
right when she says it IS me being the diffacult one!" he 
ALWAYS has to say that!" she started to cry slightly. They
nodded and sat with her in sympathy. Even Yaten didn't crack
another joke for annoyance.

 "What about Darien?"

 "EVERY time I talk to him...he..UGH!" Serena started 
to cry again. "He treats me like I have some kind of fatal 
disease and I can't go near him!" Sieya's face hardened. 
he'd never liked Darien much. But why was he doing this 
to serena? Didn't he see how Vulnerable she was now? 
Didn't he UNDERSTAND!

    "Serena....what do YOU want?"

  "I don't want daddy to go...but we'd  have to move with 
mom any way... but to another country is TOO much! But...
I...I DON'T KNOW!" she cried in frustration and threw her 
head into her thin hands. "I just don't know...."

  Sieya took her hand. "What YOU need is some relaxation!"
he said and lead her outside. "Sieya, it's freezing out here!"
she cried. he laughed. "Come on! You never skated before!"

"Skated! I don't know how to skate!"

"It's easy..." he klaughed and grabbed her hand and 
jumped onto the ice covering the path down the hill.
he went skidding down and skated in a small circle at the bottom.
he looked up to her. "Come on! It's easy!"

 "I'll fall on my face, you idiot!" she called.

"If you don't get down here, I'll come and get you!"

But then Yatne saw his own fun and scooped her up, 
making her scream.he set her quickly on the ice an pushed 
her down. She went skating on her shoes down the ice covered 
little path and right into Sieya's arms. he laughed and holding 
her hand, spun her out as far as his arm could reach.

"See....it's easy!" he laughed and went skating in circles,
still holding her hand in his. She screeched if he got too near
a tree or something but he always swayed away from it easily
as if he was on skates. he spun in a small circle and pulled
Serena into his arms. She laughed at the excitment. She
had felt this excitment not long before. She didn't even
notice the proximity of her face from Sieya's. But he did 
and he was staring at her and they just spun around and 
around in circles. They wer oblivious having their own little 
games on the wide ice path.

  Suddenly his lips brushed her own and she at first didn't
notice sicne his face was already close to her any way.
Then she realized he had kissed her. She felt it was the 
most natural thing to just kiss him back and she did, softly.
But then she felt slightly dizzy from the circles they were
spinning at such a speed. Then she opened her eyes and
expected to hear Darien, but then she realized she was with Sieya.
And the revelation hit her so strongly she felt like she had
only just realized it.  Abruptly she stopped. Sieya was
surprised to see her ending their fun so quickly. Before
the others could notice she gave him his jacket and
started to run the way she had come.

 "Sorry guys...I have to go...."

   She walked a little while, shivering in the cold of the winter air.
Ashamed of herself. She had kissed Sieya. But she
was still in love with Darien. She liked Sieya, but
she had forgotten he'd used to have a crush on her. What if he
got his hopes up now she was available? Even if she got
involved with him, it would never feel right. >I'd probably end
up ruining everything, including our friendship because of some
dream about destiny< she thought sadly. She felt she owed
Sieya and herself more than that. What was really keeping her here?
Darien? But Darien didn't want to see her again? Maybe it was
just false hopes that was keeping her here, day after day.
Maybe it would do her good to take time out. Then maybe she 
could coem back and things would be better.
It was such a cold time! Where had all the warm days gone?
At least it was summer in Canada right now.

  She got home and her dad was in the kitchen. Drinking coffee
as he always did. "Dad, can I talk to you?" he nodded.
"Sure Princess." she smiled at the old nick name. She told
him that she had been thinking of going with him. his face
lit. "Serena, that's great!"

  "But daddy......I'm still not sure. if I really wanted, could
I come back? It's not that I don't want to be with you....
but I want to stay in Japan! So if I wanted...."

 "Sure." he nodded. "You could if you wanted to. But stay at
least 2 months and see how it works ok? And this seperation
isn't permanent Serena.."

>That's what they all say.< she thougth glumly. he went
on and on about loving someone and how sometimes
you need a break or sometimes it doesn't work out etc.
"Serena, sometimes you love someone but living life with them
is another matter. It might not work out like you want. And
it happens every day! There's nothing to keep me in 
Japan right now.You understand?"

 >I understand better than you think dad< she nodded.
"I'll go pack. Can you tell mom?" she asked. he nodded.
His tone was somewhat more bitter. "I'll try."                                                    .

   Serena drew heavy breaths after crying for 2 hours after the house was
quiet. She looked through her things and had found a picture of herself
and Darien on the night of one of their dates. They had sat in the snow
and had pretended to be married under a blanket of snow. Lita had popped
up with her camra and said "Cheese! As the latest married couple, you're on
Candid Camra!" it had been so warm and happy then? Where had it all
gone? Maybe it had just been buried with new snow? Colder snow. 
She knew her friends wouldn't agree. But her dad had the idea:
What was there in her life really worth staying for? Really 
worth the aches? Better to go away, and come back with it all 
forgotten. She had also found some of the pictures that had 
been taken in the last 2 yeasr of her family all playing out in the 
snow. Even an old picture she had put away of her and 
Sammy as kids. Somehow, she had the sad fatal feeling that 
there would be no more family pictures any more. That life was
continually just going to be a collection of fine cut pieces! 

   She dried her eyes and picked up the phone. She had called 
her friends. They had been upset but understood when she 
had said she wasn't living there forever just 2 months or so.
This was the hardest call she had to make:

 "Darien? It's me. Serena,. before you say anything I need to
tell you something,then I'll go."

He groaned. "WHAT! What is it! Why can't you just leave me alone!"

 "Darien...I need to meet you on Saturday."

 "Why?" he asked suspicously. Had he always sounded so hard?
"I need to talk to you. No more fighting, no more pleading...
I promise. It's....I guess as the french say, the final stroke."
she laughed sadly. he seemed uncertain but finally agreed.
"Ok. Bye." she hung up. She needed to know, for once and for
all for one last time....and even if not that.....she needed to 
at least say good bye. She called Sieya next. he started by
fumbling with an apology for earlier but she cut him through it.
"Sieya, I'm not mad. But I need some time out." she explained
why and how she'd be back but it was probably best for her 
and Darien and even her friends.

 "Sieya.....I like you.....But it would be wrong if we got involved,.
It would ruin our friendship." she sighed.

"Serena..not if we tried. I know you love Darien, but we could
at least give it a chance!"

Serena felt more practical suddenly. "Sieya......that's what
they all say." she sighed. "My parents say they'll give seperation
a try but I know better that they're never going to get back 
together. They'de feel too awkward in each other's company, and
they'de try too hard to make it work again. If I tried being
with you, we'd try too hard and I would always want to be
with someone else........in the end I don't think we'd be much
better off than my parents. That would ruin our friendship....
and I don't think either of us deserve that."

  he sighed. he had to admit it would probably happen.
Maybe there would be a chance someday.....but serena's words
rang true....no matter who she was with she would always just
want to be with Darien. he knew she needed time to get used to it.
"Ok Serena, but write ok?"

 "Ok. Bye Sieya." she said sadly and waited fior him to hang up.
The click of the phone receiver was the lonliest sound she had ever 
heard because it indicated there was nobody there.                                             .  

 
   Serena waited anxiously for Darien to come. he came, looking
stiff and prepared for a lot of sobbign and pleading. Serena
felt regret rise in her at the cool look on his face. He still could not
look her in the eyes.

  "Darien....I'm glad you came." she said ina  tiny sad voice.
he was surprised almost. But then nodded. "What is it serena?
if you just want me to.."

 "I just want to know if you can give me another reason?" she 
asked him, looking at the snow covered ground and shivering.

"You didn't bring a jacket." he noticed. She shook her head.

"I prefer the cold." she lied and asked again. "Why Did you leave Darien?"

 "Serena...I told you 100 times! I don't love you!"

 "Do you mean that?" she asked in a cool, low calm voice. 
She looked at the ground. There were some dead leaves on 
top of the snow. It was depressing. Death on top of death. 
How many things die of cold?

 "YES! Serena, I'm sick and tired of this..."

 "Darien..don't shout. Please." she closed her eyes briefly. 
When she looked up at his face she saw he was looking at 
her with interest and copncern."Serena...are you all right?"

she shook her head. "No. But I guess that'll be fixed. Darien....
I wanted to talk to you because....it should stop here. I'm
going to ask you for the last time....do you love me? is there
any chance of giving it one more try...?" she tried not to
look as anxious as she felt. She certainly didn't sound anxious
She sounded cooled. Calm. Sad. Lonely. There was some kind
of fatality in her voice making him uneasy.

 "Why Serena? What's wrong?"

 "Darien.....is there any chance for us again? I have to know
and....whatever you decide.......I'll do. I promise that if you
can just look me in the eyes for ONCE and say you don't love
me.....you'll never see me again."

 "Serena, if you're planning to do anything stupid..."

 "My dad's going back to Canada. My parents are on the verge of
probable divorce. I learned about it that day you
told me to leave you alone." she said sadly. His heart felt icy
pin pricks of pain and saddness. Serena was going through 
something more than she should need to bare! He had 
to stay away for her own good! 

  "My dad's taking me with him. Today."

 "CaANADA!!!!! Serena...that's half a world away!" he cried. he felt
desperate. Could he risk her life, to make her stay??? But how could
he live without her?

  "I know. That's why I need to know Darien.......I'll never ask
you again after this. That's what I can promise you."
he looked down. "Serena..I..."

 "Just tell me the truth. Please..." she touched his face so he 
would look in her eyes. he shut them tightly and then let out 
a sigh. He looked into them with hard detirmination.

 "There can never be a way Serena." Never. It felt like a hard 
rain fall!!!! It roared inside of him. And it brougth him pain.

   She lowered her hand slowly and he saw the saddness, 
the lonliness and forced acceptance in her face. She nodded.
"That's all I need to know. I won't bother you again." she
gently rubbed her cheek against his, wiping her tears on his face
and kissed him softly. Then she pulled away and both, feeling
like they were whole together, had been ripped in half now!

>Serena...don't...< he pleaded for her to just look a little deeper..
see HOW MUCH he loved her and needed her. half a world away
meant she was going to have anew life...without him! She
turned away and started to walk away. "Good Bye Darien." she said
sadly. Then she turned around and smiled sadly at him. "For
anything it's worth," she shrugged "I did Love you you know."
When she turned away again, he closed his eyes.
When he opened them, she was gone. he'd never felt so alone!

"SERENA WAIT!!!!!" he cried and then sank to his knees and
buried his face in his arms. It was such a cold time........
And all the trees had lost their leaves.                                                        .

Serena wiped her eyes as she brought her bags down to the car.
Her father was sitting behind the front seat, waiting for her.
She slipped beside him and stared out the window at the yards
and lanes covered in the white of snow.

 "When I leave, I'll never see this winter again.." she said to herself.
Her dad heard her. "Yeah, we'll be headed for some warm sun." he
smiled at her and she nodded. "We'll leave all this cold snow
behind and head for where it's nice and warm."

 >And where we won't know a soul.....< she thought sadly. 
Some how the strangness of the huge country Canada, 
despite the fact she'd be living with her aunt, made it seem 
even colder than here.

  "And you'll make some friends...and maybe even go to a school
there Serena...I think you'll like America!"

  She closed off her mind to his talking, and stared out the window.
It was so early, the sun had only been up a few minutes. Her
friends probably weren't up yet.

 They drove past Yaromlei meadows. Early this winter, She and 
Darien had often gone up there, and her family had taken
slay rides and winter morning walks. There had been
laughter, fun, happiness...warmth! That slay ride with her friends
and Darien wheer they had ended up all taking a nap in it most
fo the trip. So much warmth! And the starry night above........

 >Was it so long ago...that slay ride? It was snowing.< she thought.
>It was snwoing, and cold, but we didn't know then that winter
was warm.< she sighed as they drive far away from the site and
she realized they were now into a part of town where she didn't
recognize anything. They had driven far from everything she had known.
>Will Winter ever be warm like it was then?< she thought silently.                         .


   *^_^* OK! That's the end here! This is just a story. No chapters. I
am goign away for a week on July 30th and so for a week you won't
really get anything from me, but I'll be back. You'll probably like
a break from my name always appearing on the sm site now!!!! :)
I think Luna an dArtenmis would liek abreak from em sending in so much
stuff every week. Ok, I'll just say here that a lot of people are now
mailign me to send them copies of my work but only on the 2 short
stories I have written so far "Angel Standing By" and "Winter
was warm" have I kept. I don't bother keeping the copies of my long chapters.
But if any one wants to use the chaptesr to put on asite or anything
then go right ahead! I don't  mind! That will save you the trouble
of writing me if I say so now, not that I don't love your mail people!!!!
But I won't be able to answer it for a while, remember :) 

 So hope you like this story. The poems that have appeared are
of my own work.And the plot is my own work too, proudly:) 
I'd like to thank Tania, Jade, Roo, Uyen, Austin, razzz, Lianne, Sidnei,
DvusAgent, Criss, Moon star, Willow, Moon angel, Angel Wings,
Maria, Michelle Grazer, Michelle Castonguay, Joel, Yohanna DeSabrais,
Sugigi Perara, Swanhilde, Kitsun-bi, Jenifer Wand, Janice Go, XOXO546,
Bold Ryuler, Small Lady Bensai, Amanda, Jillian Parisi, Melissa,
Haruka, Anita, Loreen42 and Jessi. I am gettign qwuite a bit of
e-mail now and it makes me very happy. You have no idea. 
Some people may not liek this story, because it ends sadly. But
sometiems in life, there are no happy endings because nothing ends.
But there can be sad endings because things go on.

   Love for always

  Kate *^_^*