Hey minna! So here it is, my long awaited (look, don’t give me a hard 
time about that, I need my self esteem) fan-fiction. A few thank 
you’s, a couple notes, and we are off! Thank you, thank you, thank 
you to Mary Ann and Corie, my fellow Moonies. And thank you to 
Gummiebear, dramaking12 and hegira for all the joy and cynicism 
you bring to my life. 

Okay, a few notes to clear up the story line. My story is set in the
Silver Millenium, or the past. In the Manga, the four generals and 
the sailor senshi had a little romance happening between them, and I 
use that relationship in my story. Also, the little lines that look 
like this (~ ~ ~ ~) are supposed to indicate a change in the POV. And, 
as per several tips from experienced authors, I feel compelled to 
point out that Princess Serenity was never portrayed as a tomboyish 
hoyden in the manga or the anime and Endymion was never such a jerk, 
well, not in the manga at least. And I love both these characters, 
but the minor changes are vital to my storyline. 

Disclaimer: I have come to the throughly depressing conclusion that I 
do not own Sailor Moon. Which actually makes sense as I am neither 
rich nor artistically inclined. Nor do I own any anime characters, 
with the exceptions of Hotohori, Tamahome (that’s right, Mary Ann, 
he’s mine) Lantis, Zagato, Eagle, Mitskake... yeah, I think that 
about does it. Anywho, Sailor Moon...not mine...duh. On with the 
show!

Wish Upon a Faerie Ring, Part 1
Rated PG 13(language and sexual reference)


	"I can’t believe he said that." Serenity, Imperial Princess of 
the mighty Moon Kingdom, was in shock. Endymion, Prince of Earth, 
had been civil and cool towards her for as long as she could 
remember. But today, something had changed. Endymion, or Darien, 
had caught the tomboyish Serenity, Serena to her friends, in the 
royal stables. His parent’s royal stables. Bringing his prized 
stallion, Orpheus, back from a long gallop. What she had seen as 
harmless fun, he had seen as an offense equal to treason or 
espionage. Her crystal blue eyes shimmered with tears at the 
memory of what he had said.

	"No gently bred lady would have stolen my horse and ridden at a 
breakneck speed across the countryside! Oh, wait. I forgot. 
You aren’t a lady, are you Serena? In spite of your fancy titles 
and powerful mother, you’re just a grubby, spoiled little brat who 
wouldn’t know what to do at a party if she had written instructions!"

	Serena’s heart had almost broken under his piercing gaze. Furious, 
Darien had whirled about to see to his horse and Serena had made her 
escape. She had walked calmly from the stables, making an extremely 
dignified exit, but as soon as she was out of his sight, Serena had 
broken into a run. She had run blindly, unaware of her direction 
and with no destination in mind. Her silver hair, the same heady 
color as moonlight, streamed behind her as she ran away from the 
only one in the universe who could cause her heart to bleed. Palace 
servants stepped in front of flowerbeds and fountains, herding the 
impulsive Moon princess toward an open field behind the castle, 
shaking their heads as she flew past. 
  
	Exhausted, Serena finally collapsed in a small grove of trees. 
Wildflowers grew in abundance here, and a small brook trickled past, 
combining with the delicate sound of bird song. It was an ancient 
place of magic, a place where the faerie folk cast their spells. 
But Serena was blissfully unaware of the power of this place. 
All her mind was open to at the moment was the burning pain in 
her heart. Serena brushed her tears away impatiently, cursing 
herself for reverting to her old crybaby habits. 
  
"Did Darien speak the truth?" Serena wondered aloud. No, she 
answered herself, for she knew far more than the arrogant prince of 
earth suspected. True, she had never been fond of balls and parties, 
but that didn’t mean she didn’t know how to behave at one. And while 
Serena had always preferred breeches and loose shirts to frilly gowns, 
she did have a feminine side. Serena bit her lower lip. She knew that 
she wasn’t as beautiful as Princess Mina of Venus, or as smart as 
Amy of Mercury, or as interesting as Raye of Mars and Lita of Jupiter,
but she must have something! After all, she could out-run, out-ride and 
out-shoot any man on the Moon or the Earth. She couldn’t out-wrestle very 
many, but one couldn’t have everything. But, she remembered ruefully, 
Darien preferred delicate, fluttery females who were terrified of bugs 
and fainted every time the opportunity to do so came along. Darien had 
disgustingly old-fashioned ideas about females, not the least of which 
was that woman needed someone to look after them.

 "Blech!" Serena said, her tongue coming out of her mouth as her lips 
curled back. Gods forbid that a woman show some intelligence, some spunk, 
around here. Half of Earth’s royal court would probably lie down on 
settees and call for smelling salts. That thought brought a reluctant 
grin to Serena’s lips, pulling her out of her morose mood. Suddenly, 
Serena became aware of her surroundings. In awe of the 
beauty all around her, Serena stood, venturing further into the grove. 
A sudden flash of movement caught her eye, and Serena turned quickly, 
prepared to defend herself. When her eyes fell on the source of the
movement, Serena giggled. The brook had formed a small, crystal clear 
pool, and the stillness of the water within caused the pool to act as 
a mirror. Tiptoeing closer, Serena knelt and 
leaned out over the small pond.

	What she saw took her breath away. A small oval face was framed by 
matted silver hair, which, though it had begun in pigtails, had fallen 
out of its customary hairstyle. One of her balls had come completely 
undone while the other was listing dangerously toward the left. A streak 
of some kind of mud ran along her left cheekbone. Glancing down at her 
clothes, Serena saw that the loose material of her shirt and breeches 
hid her curvy figure. Not only that, but every article of her clothing 
was covered in grass stains and horsehair. The color, which had been a 
rather lovely gray this morning, now seemed more the color of river clay. 
More tears threatened to fall as Serena saw herself for the first time 
as other’s, as Darien, saw her. A filthy, impulsive, spoiled little twit 
who had no self-control whatsoever. The tears that had been threatening 
for an hour finally fell, and Serena wept bitterly,
falling back onto the soft grass, her head in her hands. Sobs wracked 
her body as she recalled every smirk, every grimace that had been 
directed at her for the past seven years of her life, and the tears 
came faster. It was sometime before the clearing was silent again. 
The late afternoon sun showed that the Princess Serenity had cried 
herself to sleep.
	
	Hours later, Serena woke with a start. Sitting up, she rubbed 
her gritty eyes with the heel of her hand, and glanced at the night
sky. The full moon hung heavily in the sky, and the stars glittered 
brightly. Serena sighed. The time had come to return to the palace, 
and the cruel, if unspoken, taunts that awaited her there. Her 
mother would be worried sick, but Serena just couldn’t find it in 
her heart to care. The Sailor Senshi would be looking for her as
well, but so what? This was her time. Serena closed her eyes and 
breathed deeply of the warm night air. Gods, she loved nature, and
all its thrilling beauty. Giving another sigh, Serena pushed 
herself up off the soft ground and reached for her hair before 
reconsidering and dropping the hand. It would already take hours 
in the bath and a legion of maids to get her looking presentable 
again, no use in compounding the problem. Serena gazed toward the 
twinkling lights of the Earth’s castle, and turned to go.
	
  	Before she could take even one step, Serena froze. Every one 
of her nerves hummed with power and magic. Looking at the ground, 
Serena’s hand flew to her mouth. The wildflowers she had remarked 
on in the afternoon were interlaced with toadstools, and together, 
the toadstools and flowers formed a ring. A faerie 
ring, Serena realized suddenly. She had fallen asleep in a faerie ring!
Oh, gods what was the legend about the faerie ring? Cursing herself for 
not paying closer attention during her lessons, Serena wracked her brain. 
Oh, yes. The faerie ring was a rare phenomenon formed by the faerie folk 
when a mortal cried for help with all their heart and soul. When one found 
a faerie ring, one should step to the center and make a wish. 
One wish only and one should only wish for the utmost 
desire of one’s heart. 

  	Serena smiled slightly, and turned back toward the center of the 
ring. Thinking hard, she stood in the center. What was the utmost desire 
of her heart? To make the people at court, Darien especially, regret 
that they had ever been cruel and snide to her. Kneeling, Serena 
wished for the power to do this with all her might. Rising, she glanced 
around, expecting a solution to magically present itself. All of a 
sudden, it did; in the form of a thoroughly evil idea. Grinning 
wickedly, Serena considered her arsenal. She would need large 
amounts of help from her maid, Annette and it would require 
sneaking about the castle until the next ball. Oh, gods! The 
next ball was TONIGHT! Perfect! Now, where had she put that 
scandalous gown Raye had bought her?  
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
	
	Prince Darien of Earth was, in a word, pissed. 
His prize stallion, the horse he had paid an absolute fortune for, 
the on he had waited a year to possess, had just been ridden by 
Princess Serenity. And not only that, but skillfully ridden. Orpheus 
wouldn’t let anyone (including Darien!) ride him, and that moon brat 
had just climbed on and galloped off! That was the final straw, as far 
as Darien was concerned. He had been civil to the chit ever since her 
first visit when she was five and he was eight. He had played chess with 
her, ridden with her, escorted her everywhere and put up with her 
brainless chatter. But it wasn’t brainless, his inner voice reminded him. 
In fact, Serenity’s conversation was, if anything, refreshingly blunt. 
She had no tact and said exactly what was on her mind. That was annoying, 
too.
	
  	Darien had had enough. Servants threw themselves out of his way 
as the furious prince stalked down the hall toward his father’s office. 
Darien was going to tell his father that he was leaving. King Damian had 
no reason not to give his consent, Darien rationalized. The thought of his 
only son and heir leaving the palace grounds before the delegation 
from the moon left would doubtless send his father into an apoplectic 
fit, Darien realized, but no matter. He was leaving, and he was taking 
Orpheus with him.
  
  	Darien paused for a moment outside his father’s private study, 
regaining his composure. Raising his knuckles, the prince rapped on 
the door and awaited admittance.

  	"Come in, come in." Damian boomed from inside. 
Darien opened the door and stepped right into chaos. Delegates from the 
Moon were sitting in large chairs, talking in hushed voices. Queen 
Serenity, Empress of the Moon Kingdom, looked nothing short of 
dazzling. Darien winced as he mentally compared mother and daughter.
 
  	"Hello, Darien. Have you seen Serena?" Queen Serenity asked.
  	"No, I haven’t, Your Majesty." Darien replied, bowing slightly.
  	"Ah, Darien, glad you’re here. Queen Serenity and I have been 
talking, and we have come to an arrangement of sorts."

	 Darien’s eyes narrowed in suspicion. Every time his father 
made an arrangement, it meant Darien would have to do something of 
import for Earth. And nine times out of ten it was something Darien 
didn’t want to do. 
	
  	"You see, my boy," Damian began. Darien’s eyes narrowed even more. 
He hated being referred to as ‘my boy’. "Serenity and I have been hoping 
for some time that you and the Princess Serenity would become...fond of 
each other and unite our kingdoms forever. But, since that doesn’t seem 
to have happened, or seem like it will happen in the foreseeable future, 
Serenity and I have decided to give the two of you a little push."
	
  	"A push." Darien deadpanned.
  	"Yes. The two of you..that is you and the princess..." Damian 
floundered and turned toward Serenity, pleading for help with a glance.
  	"Your father and I have betrothed Serena to you," the queen 
finished, smiling up at him.
	
  	Darien felt as though the floor had just been cut out from under 
him. A mental picture of Serena appeared before him. She was pretty 
enough, he supposed, but she had no curves and she was much to outspoken 
for his taste. His face must have gone blank, and his eyes apparently 
showed a great deal of panic, because Damian was now clearing his throat. 
The entire room, including all delegates from the Moon and Earth, was 
staring at him, waiting for the volatile prince to explode. Darien 
threw a desperate stare toward the door, where his best friend Malachite 
stood. Malachite was shaking his head, a wide grin on his face. ‘No help 
from that quarter,’ Darien thought. 
	
	"Traitor." Darien mouthed. Malachite bowed slightly in response, 
obviously trying to contain his mirth. Darien resisted the impulse to 
close his eyes in horror. 
	"Father, could I speak to you alone for a moment?" Darien asked, 
carefully keeping his voice even.
	"Certainly, my boy," Damian responded, moving towards the 
door to his bed chamber.
	Darien followed his father into the shadowed room, 
dusky in the early evening. 
	"Father, why would you do this to me?" Darien asked.
	"Can’t imagine what you mean, son. After all, the princess is 
pretty enough and you have some of the same interests. I think you shall 
suit admirably. Besides, you have to marry sometime, and you aren’t 
getting any younger."
	"I’m only 22, Father. I think I have a few good years left 
in me." Darien replied, sarcasm heavy in his tone.
	"Now see here..." Damian began, but Darien interrupted him.
	"We don’t like each other Father. We can’t stand the sight of 
each other. Not to mention the fact that she is reckless, far too bold, 
utterly tactless and not at all my type."
	"What is your type?" Damian jeered "The free, fast and available?"
	"There is nothing wrong with that." Darien said, immediately defensive.
	"Except that you can’t marry a woman who is free, fast and easy."
	"Says who?"
	"Says me." Damian said, his tone deadly quite. "Listen very 
carefully, Darien. You are going to marry the Princess Serenity on 
the eve of the next full moon. End of discussion."     
	"Make me." Darien threw down the childish dare, to angry to 
see that this was one battle he had no hope of winning.
	"Don’t think I can’t, boy. I would prefer you to resign yourself 
to this, but if I must drag you to the altar myself, I will do so. 
This match is advantageous to both planets and vital to keeping the 
peace in the galaxy. You will do as I say."
	Furious, Darien and his father faced off. 
	"The betrothal will be announced tonight at the ball. 
You will be gracious and civil to the princess. She knows nothing 
about this, and I will not allow you to damage this marriage before 
it has even begun."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

	King Damian was wrong in assuming that the Imperial Moon Princess 
didn’t know she was betrothed. The betrothal was an absolute secret, so 
the entire castle knew. No surprise, really. After all, a match between 
the Earth and the Moon had been expected for some time. Serena had heard
the news from her maid, who heard it from a footman, who heard it from 
the cook, who got it from the butler, who got it from the king’s 
personal secretary. Serena, naturally, was somewhat skeptical about 
the reliability of her maid’s source, but was nonetheless even more 
excited to put her plan in motion. When reminded of the ball, Serena 
tilted back her head and laughed, utterly confounding her maid, who 
had been expecting a long and difficult struggle to get her mistress 
to even consider going to the ball. Serena then called for a bath, 
which baffled her maid even more. Annette was seriously considering 
running for a physician when Serena confessed the afternoon’s adventures.
	
	"I want to make him sorry that he said those things Annette. 
I have the skills. Oh yes. I can dance and flirt and sing as well as 
the Senshi, I just don’t. What I need from you is help with the 
physical." Serena finished, breathless, and looked pleadingly at her 
maid and friend.
	"Not to worry, highness." Annette proclaimed, 
her expression caught between excitement and determination. "I have been 
waiting three years for you to let me make you as beautiful as I know 
you can be."
	
	Giggling excitedly, the two got to work. Serena bathed her 
body while Annette picked small leaves and twigs out of her mistress’s 
thick silver hair. When that was finished, the two of them washed the 
masses of hair and scented both hair and body with essence of lily. 
Serena stepped from the bath and dried herself off. While Annette 
rushed around gathering makeup and clothing Serena dried her hair 
and body. Annette returned to the dressing room with the only truly 
outrageous gown Serena had ever owned. It was a frothy creation of 
white silk shot with silver. The neckline scooped dangerously low, 
exposing more than it covered. The dress had no back, as a large V 
had been cut out of the material, showing off the graceful curve of 
Serena’s back. Annette began piling her mistress’s hair atop her head. 
The finished style showed a loose bun held in place by silver combs, 
while several silver tendrils, curled fashionably, framed Serena’s face
and accented her lovely neck. Silver earrings shaped like crescent moons
and a choker of silver lace finished the ensemble.
	A sudden knock at the door caused both Serena and Annette to jump.
	"Serena? Are you ready? It’s Raye, open up.
	"I’m fine Raye. You go ahead without me."
	"Serena? Are you feeling all right? Your voice sounds shaky."
	"I...I’m fine. Really. You go on. When am I announced?"
	"Ten minutes. Serena, what is going on?"
	"Nothing, nothing. Go on! And tell the others to go down as well. 
Oh, and tell my mother not to worry."
	"All right. See you...down there, I suppose.
	Sounding bewildered, Raye’s footsteps headed down the corridor.
	"Mistress, your tiara." Annette murmured.
	"Oh, yes. Of...of course." Serena drifted back to her seat. 
Five minutes later she was trembling violently.
	"Oh, gods, this is a bad idea. A very bad idea. I can’t DO this. 
Who was I kidding? This is crazy. I have to change." Serena moved 
quickly toward the dressing room.
	"Oh, no you don’t," Annette said, a note of iron in her voice. 
"I think it’s high time you looked in the mirror."
	
	Reluctantly, Serena walked toward the full-length mirror that 
graced her room. On every day before, she had rushed quickly by, eager 
to get outside. Now, however, she stood right in front of it and raised
 her eyes. What she saw was impossible. A goddess stared back at her. 
Not a grubby tomboy, but a woman grown, a woman who exuded confidence 
and sensuality. High, firm breasts pushed against the material of the 
dress, and her hourglass figure was unmistakable. Raising a hand to her 
face, Serena saw that her mouth looked softer, fuller and her eyes were 
blue glass. Arched eyebrows and a stubborn chin left no doubt as to the 
metal core of this woman, but the cheeks were soft and the eyes were 
kind. This girl, no, this woman, was an Imperial Moon Princess, 
no doubt about that. To her delight, Serena also noticed that the 
gown made her look delicate, vulnerable. Just the kind of girl Darien 
would fall head over heels for.
	
	"I’m beautiful." Serena gasped.
	"You’ll do, my lady. The prince won’t know what hit him!" Annette 
confided.
	
	Smiling at the thought, Serena glanced at herself one more time, 
and then glided out the door. Employing all her half forgotten princess 
lessons, Serena stood straight, forcing her body into a languid grace. 
She didn’t hurry, well aware that the ball could not officially begin 
until she was present. After all, it was her betrothal. Smiling, Serena 
snapped her mind back to the business at hand...looking graceful. 
She could do it. No problem. But the butterflies were still flapping 
in her stomach, and Serena felt her hands begin to shake. The sound of 
breaking dishes forced her to a halt. A young page was standing in an 
open doorway, a stack of broken dishes lying at his feet. His mouth 
hung open in utter shock.
	"P...Prin...Princess SERENITY?!?!" the boy stammered.
	
	Serena smiled slightly at him. The boy turned a brilliant shade 
of red and attempted to stutter out an apology before giving up and 
kneeling to clean up the mess. Serena continued on her way, aware now 
of gasps and whispered words coming, no doubt, from the same palace 
servants who had laughed at her only the day before. Her confidence 
building, Serena reached the curtained archway from where the nobles 
and royals were announced to the court. Outside the blue velvet 
curtains was a long marble stairway, and beyond that a gold and 
silver ballroom. The herald was just announcing the last couple 
before Serena.
	
	"Her Royal Highness, Princess Raye of Mars, escorted by royal 
ambassador Jadeite!"
	
	From what Serena could see, her friend was dressed all in red, 
as usual and was radiant on Jadeite’s arm. Serena knew that Raye had 
been interested in Darien’s tall, blond, gorgeous friend. It appeared 
that Jadeite returned her interest. Smiling, Serena took her place. 
In two minutes the curtain would open and her plan would be set in 
motion. One minute...thirty seconds...
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

	Darien had never felt so utterly frustrated. In two minutes 
Serena would appear at the top of those stairs and the betrothal 
would be announced to the court and he would be trapped. Not that 
the whole castle didn’t already know. After all, gossip was a prime 
form of entertainment and it was well known that the prince of Earth 
and the Imperial Princess had never quite seen eye to eye. That was the 
understatement of the year, Darien thought. They could barely manage to 
be civil to each other for five minutes, much less five years...more! 
Darien shuddered as he thought of the last ball Serena had attended. 
She had arrived in a silvery tunic dress that had to be five years 
out of style. Not only that, but she had refused to dance with anyone, 
and when Darien, at his father’s command, had pulled her onto the floor, 
she had slapped him and stalked off it again. He’d had to go after her 
five times before she gave in. And to add insult to serious injury, when 
she had finally stopped trying to run away, Serena had gone out of her 
way to step on his toes and had talked his ear off about woman’s rights! 
Darien closed his eyes in pain at the memory. Suddenly, the trumpets 
sounded. Darien forced himself to stand straighter at his father’s side. 
Queen Serenity sat next to his father, acting as Queen of Earth for 
the night. Now, why couldn’t his father marry Queen Serenity? Darien 
thought petulantly. They would make a perfect couple. With a heartfelt 
sigh, Darien turned his gaze toward the marble staircase.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

	‘Thirty seconds to go,’ Serena thought. 10...9...8...7... was her 
tiara on straight? Yes...2...1...and the curtains pulled apart.
	
	"Her Royal Highness, Imperial Princess Sere..." the herald choked, 
unable to continue in the face of the vision before him. Serena smiled 
gently at him, watching the crowds reaction. A heavy silence began at 
the foot of the staircase and spread outward. Courtiers turned to see 
the cause of the commotion, and then caught sight of the vision atop 
the stairs. Serena smirked inside as she saw mouths drop all over the 
ballroom. Even the senshi were staring! Raye’s mouth was hanging open 
and Lita, dressed in a rich forest green gown, looked ready to faint. 
‘See? I can look pretty too.’ Serena thought.
	 
	A warm, heady glow was starting deep inside Serena. Everywhere 
she looked she saw fascination, awe, jealousy. Her eyes found her 
mother, who looked pleased and so very proud. ‘Yes,’ thought Serena, 
‘This is perfect.’ Her eyes fell on Darien, and she smiled 
brilliantly. Her moment of triumph was at hand.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

	Darien was staring. He knew it, and he didn’t care. A vision 
had just appeared on the stairs, and he was unsure if it was real. 
Heavy silver hair caught and held the shimmering light given off 
by the chandelier. A shocking dress revealed more creamy skin than 
it covered, and a glittering diamond tiara threw pinpoints of rainbow 
light about the room. The angel atop the stairs looked gently at the 
herald, who was too busy gaping to announce her. Shaking her head in 
wry amusement, the silver figure lifted her skirts slightly and began 
descending the marble steps. The throngs of people parted, allowing 
this faerie princess to glide toward the raised dais where Darien stood. 
The girl moved with a sensual grace that made Darien want to fall to 
his knees in rapt admiration. He sensed an iron core in this girl, 
but also saw a soft, vulnerable mouth and crystal blue eyes that 
begged for protection. 
	‘Yes,’ Darien thought. ‘THIS is the kind of girl I should be 
marrying, not that half wild moon brat.’
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  
  	
	Serena could tell that Darien had yet to make a connection 
between the dirty urchin he had spoken to in the stables and the 
princess before him. Evidentially he had not been listening when 
the herald had attempted to introduce her. Smiling, she decided 
that now was the time to utterly burst his bubble. Stopping right 
in front of the dais, Serena gathered her silvery skirts and swept 
an elaborate curtsey. 
	
	"Good evening, your Majesties. Please forgive my tardiness."
	"Not at all, my dear, not at all." Damian sounded slightly 
amazed but no more. "Please take your place."
	"Thank you, your Majesty." 
	
	Serena curtsied once more and prepared to ascend  the dais. 
Before she took even one step, though, she glanced at Darien out 
of the corner of her eye. His eyes were hard, but she could read 
both shock and a frightening desire in that sea deep gaze. 
Gratified, she sank onto a small stool beside her mother’s throne. 
Her mother’s silver hair shone in the candlelight, the crescent 
moon sigil on her forehead glimmering. Crystal blue eyes met lapis 
blue, and both sets were glittering; one with joy, the other with 
triumph.
	
	"This is a surprise, darling; an excellent surprise. 
You are more beautiful than anyone, even I, could have imagined." 
Queen Serenity murmured, her blue eyes shining with pride and 
happiness. For several hours, Queen Serenity had worried about 
the inherent difficulties Serena would encounter with this betrothal. 
But now, instead of a young girl who had yet to comprehend the 
dignities of her position, Serenity saw a woman, a beautiful, 
gracious princess who could hold her own with anyone in the galaxy, 
including the arrogant Prince of Earth.
	
	"Thank you, Mother."
	"Now, in a few moments, His Majesty will announce your betrothal 
to Prince Darien. The prince and you will descend the dais and take the 
first dance of the evening," Queen Serenity shot a look at her 
daughter’s luscious figure and smirked.  "When the music ends, kiss him. 
It will, no doubt, set him more off balance than he already is."
	"I can do that." Serena muttered, a thoroughly wicked smile on 
her face.  
	"I don’t doubt it, my dear." Queen Serenity said, her eyes 
twinkling with mischief. Serena looked out on the masses, her heart 
swelling as she observed the expressions of shock that had yet to fade. 
Her mouth twitched as she saw several older women being helped to 
settees that stood along the sides of the ballroom. Straightening 
her spine, Serena turned her head to watch King Damian rise. 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
	
	Darien was in an advanced state of shock. He was struggling to 
maintain outer calm, hoping against hope that he was succeeding. 
Internally, however, emotions raged out of control. Desire was mixing 
with rage and disbelief, creating an emotional tumult that had explosive 
capabilities. Blue ice speared everyone in the room. He looked to his 
friends and advisors. Malachite looked like his ribs were about to crack 
from trying not to laugh. Nephlite was looking straight at Serena, 
frowning. He was also supporting Princess Lita, who appeared to be 
about five seconds from fainting dead away. Princesses Mina, Amy and 
Raye were staring at the dais, unflattering shock written on their 
features. 
Zoisite and Jaedite were smiling, waiting for their prince’s reaction to 
this unexpected turn of events. Darien wanted to kill everyone. 
No, he couldn’t do that. It would doubtless cause a war. He’d just 
kill Serena. How COULD she do this to him? He had never been anything 
but polite to her. Darien conveniently forgot he hadn’t been very kind 
to her in the past four months; that had never been anything more than 
coolly polite, and more often than not he had been cutting and cruel; 
that every comment he had directed at her had been caustic and insulting.
	
	Darien watched in anger as his father rose from his throne and 
raised his hand for silence. Not that it was necessary. Everyone in 
the room was far to busy staring at Serena to even consider talking.
	
	"Friends, as I’m sure you all know, Imperial Queen Serenity and 
I have an announcement to make. This is a peaceful time, a time when 
all the planets are at peace and no threat of war hangs on the horizon. 
It is a time of joy, and love. For years, a permanent alliance has been 
sought between the Earth and the Moon Kingdom. It is therefore my great 
pleasure to announce the betrothal of Imperial Princess Serenity to my 
son Darien, crown prince of Earth."
	
	As Darien had expected, the applause was thunderous. 
The announcement was not news to anyone (the servants were a better 
information source than Earth’s secret agents) but everyone was pleased.
Alliances like this were always greeted with joy, because the meant 
increased protection for the residents of the planets to be united. 
Darien looked at his father, anger shooting sparks out of his eyes. 
The orchestra began to tune their instruments, and Darien stood a bit 
straighter. The beginnings of the tune drifted downward from the balcony 
where the orchestra was seated. Darien descended the dais, and turned to 
face Serena, her mother and his father. 
	
	"May I have this dance, my lady?" Darien asked with a caustic bow.
	"Certainly, good sir." Serena responded, rising with grace and 
poise.
	
	Darien held out his hand, and Serena placed hers in it. 
Together they glided toward the middle of the ballroom. Darien clenched 
his teeth. When they reached the center of the floor, Darien swung 
Serena around. Smooth as silk she turned and slipped into his arms. 
The music began, and they started to dance.
	
	"Your Highness?"
	"Yes?" Darien responded.
	"Perhaps we should adjourn to your private study after our dance?"
	"Why?" Darien asked, genuinely surprised.
	"So that you can write out instructions for me. I, after all, 
have no idea how to behave at one of these get togethers."
	
	Darien gritted his teeth, the memory of the awful insults he had 
thrown at her coming back to haunt him. Somehow he managed to pull 
together a scathing comeback.
	"Is that the reason for this little...display. I’m flattered, 
princess. I didn’t think you cared so much about my opinion."
	Serena gazed up at her intended through her eyelashes. Darien 
looked down, and caught his breath at viewing her stunning beauty. 
	"Who, in the Moon’s name, said I was trying to attract you?"
	Darien felt red hot fury coursing through him.
	"As my future wife and queen, you will conduct yourself with 
dignity befitting your station. That means, dear princess, 
no lovers."
	Serena blushed slightly, then laughed. Her laugh tinkled like 
wind chimes, and Darien found himself longing to hear it again.
	"I assume, my lord, that you intend to fill that esteemed 
position to my satisfaction?"
	"To your complete, never ending, satisfaction, my lady." 
Darien grinned wolfishly, a predatory gleam in his eyes. 
Darien reached out, tightening his arm around her waist. 
He pulled her closer to him, so much closer that her body 
was flush against his.Twining his hand more tightly with hers, 
Darien bent his head to one seashell ear and began whispering. 
Darien resisted the urge to laugh as he felt Serena’s body grow 
more and more tense with every passing moment. 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 
	
	Serena was listening to every word Darien spoke. She knew that 
her breathing was shallow and her heart was beating very quickly. She 
had become increasingly aware of the hands that pressed her body close 
to his. Uncomfortable, Serena gave a little wriggle, and heard Darien 
give a small chuckle. His laughter rumbled in his chest. Darien pulled 
away from her ear, ending the stream of seductive words that had come 
so easily from his lips.  Frighteningly aware of their proximity, Serena 
looked up into Darien’s arrogantly mocking eyes. ‘Well, she thought, he 
may have more experience, but I’ve got a few seductive tricks up my 
sleeve too.’ Serena listened to the music. The orchestra had almost 
finished playing their song. Serena smiled seductively up at Darien, 
throwing him slightly off balance. As the last notes of the waltz 
were played, Serena reached up and pulled his head down to hers.

	"I look forward to it." Serena whispered, and pressed her lips 
to his. Darien was surprised, no doubt about that, but he recovered 
quickly. Wrapping his long arms around her waist, Darien deepened the 
kiss, pulling her even closer to his body. Serena sighed and gave 
herself up to the sensations coursing through her body. Each of the 
two people was attempting to master the other, but the battle was 
doomed to failure. Serena noticed when Darien gentled the kiss. 
His lips seemed to soften, to become tender, almost loving. 
Darien’s tongue touched Serena’s lower lip and she opened her 
mouth for the onslaught, sighing again. Both were so lost 
in the kiss that the world faded, and everything ceased to 
exist except the rhythm of their hearts becoming one. 
Her hands twined in his hair, pressing him as close as 
she could. Darien responded in kind. The two of them 
were lost in their passion
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

	Princess Raye of Mars was in shock. Watching the handsome 
couple on the dance floor had only added to her confusion. She 
knew that Darien and Serena could barely stand each other; that 
they brought out the worst in each other. But watching them twirl 
around the dance floor, Raye began to wonder. Was it possible that 
the two were extremely attracted to each other? That the explosive 
reactions between them were based not on anger, but on desire? Raye 
watched the two intently. Darien bent his head close to Serena’s 
whispering something to her, never breaking the graceful rhythm of 
the dance. 

	Raye looked back at her fellow scouts. Princess Lita had been 
transferred to a chair, due to her pale face and apparent inability 
to retain any oxygen. Nephelite stood behind her, frowning. Princess 
Mina was slumped against Malachite, both trying desperately not to 
break out in gales of laughter. It looked as though Mina had already 
broken three ribs in the attempt. Princess Amy and Zoiscyte were 
watching with delight, waiting to see what the prince and princess 
on the ballroom floor would do next.
	
	Raye turned to Jadeite, who smiled down at her.
	"Well, this is certainly an unexpected, if thoroughly 
interesting, turn of events," Jadeite said.
	Raye returned his smile. Turning to Amy and Mina, she 
jerked her head toward Serena.
	"She might have TOLD us that she was planning this!"
	"That would have ruined her surprise. And who knows, we might 
have tried to steal her thunder. She is beautiful though."
	"Well, she would be. After all, her mother is widely 
acknowledged to be the most beautiful woman in the galaxy 
and her father was one of the most handsome men the Moon ever 
produced. It stands to reason she would look like this," 
Mina commented.
	
	A sudden gasp from Lita incited the girls to turn about. 
Mina’s jaw dropped, Amy blushed, Lita tried to breathe and Raye 
just stared. Serena and Prince Darien were engaged in the most 
sensual kiss Raye had ever seen. Color began to rise in her own 
cheeks. Suddenly Malachite spoke.
	
	"What an utterly fabulous idea." So saying, Malachite grabbed
 Mina around the waist, dipped her backward, and began kissing her.
 Amy blushed even more furiously, and probably would have spoken, 
but Zoiscyte grabbed her around the waist and kissed her too! Lita 
looked up at Nephlite, who smiled and knelt beside her chair. 
Lita and Nephlite met halfway. Raye giggled and turned expectantly 
toward Jadeite. Grinning, Jadeite hauled her into his arms and 
began kissing her thoroughly. 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  
	
	Serena had never been kissed before. Darien realized it 
about two seconds after she pressed her lips to his. Her sweet 
mouth had no finesse, and that fact was strangely arousing. The 
idea that he would be the only one to ever kiss her was even more 
arousing. Kissing her was so sweet, so interesting. Darien, it was 
widely known, preferred experienced woman who knew how to please a 
man. Woman threw themselves at him, so he had never lacked for female 
companionship. After all, as far as Darien was concerned, a woman was 
good for only one thing. But now...now Darien felt a strange 
protectivness steal over him. He held Serena in his arms, and never 
wanted to let her go. She fit so perfectly into the curve of his 
body, almost like she was made for him. The thought caused him to 
shudder, startling Serena into breaking the kiss.

	"No," he murmured, already lowering his head for another 
taste of her lips. 
 	"Darien, as enjoyable as this is, people are staring," Serena 
chided, looking into his lust glazed eyes. "Besides, the Senshi 
will have questions, and I am bound to answer."
	Darien snorted in disgust and looked around for his advisors 
and the senshi. All of a sudden Darien laughed, a genuine laugh that 
sent shivers running up and down Serena’s spine. Turning her around, 
he pointed to the corner where the Senshi stood. Serena’s mouth 
twitched.

	"Somehow, I don’t think they’ll be asking any more questions 
for a while." On that note, Darien turned Serena around, his eyes 
focused on her mouth. But at that moment, Damian and Serenity walked 
out onto the floor. Damian bowed low to Serena.

	"May I have this dance?" Damian asked, a devilish 
twinkle in his eye. 
	"Certainly." Serena said, returning his mischief. 
Damian extended his hand and Serena took it. The two of them whirled 
off, leaving Darien with no choice but to bow to the queen and request 
the dance. Serenity nodded regally and moved into his arms. Darien 
moved through the steps by habit, his eyes on Serena’s lithe form. 

	"You already want her. This bodes well for part of your 
marriage." Queen Serenity observed. Darien looked down at her, 
chagrin showing on his face. Queen Serenity laughed merrily.
	"She’s still the same girl, you know. Her personality hasn’t 
changed a bit. Serena is Serena. Nothing, and no one, has the right 
to take it from her."
	"Where did she learn all this?" Darien asked. "The dancing, 
the conversation, the movement. She’s even walking like a princess."
	"You didn’t think we were heathens on the Moon, did you?" 
Serenity chided. "I hired the finest tutors and instructors for 
my daughter. She can cook, manage a household, forge a treaty and 
declare war. She knows fifteen ways to agree with an ambassador 
without actually promising him or her anything. She can play the 
harpsichord and she sings like a nightingale. She knows 76 different 
stitches and can weave tapestries. She can also ride, shoot a bow and 
arrow, hunt, track, and use magic."
	"Touting your daughters virtues, my lady?"
	"Only to make you understand what a prize has been delivered 
to you." Queen Serenity’s lapis blue eyes became very serious. "I 
sincerely believe that you can make my daughter deliriously happy, 
Darien. See that you do, or believe that you will pay for every 
tear that falls."

	Darien looked at the queen, surprised by the warning. The music 
ended and all partners bowed and curtsied to each other. Smiling, the 
queen was swept away by a dignitary from Jupiter. Darien turned to look 
for Serena, and was confronted by Malachite with a glowing Mina on his 
arm. 
	"Darien, I believe this is the dance Mina promised you."

	Cursing under his breath, Darien remembered the arrangements he 
had made before the ball. In an effort to avoid Serena, Darien had 
decided that he would simply be unavailable all evening. So he had 
asked all the most beautiful women in the ballroom to dance before 
hand. He was committed all evening. Still muttering under his breath, 
Darien bowed to Princess Mina, watching Malachite ask Serena for the 
dance. 
	
	The evening followed a frustrating pattern. Darien had been right 
in his calculation that he had asked someone for every dance. His mood 
grew darker with every handsome man who swung Serena, laughing and 
chattering, around the floor. Finally, the ball was over. Darien bowed 
politely to Princess Raye, with whom he had danced last. He kissed her 
fingers and turned to go. But Raye kept a tight grip on his fingers, 
turning him back around. Pulling his head down, she whispered quickly,
	
	"Serena’s room is on the third floor of the west wing. It will be 
hot tonight," Raye kissed his cheek. "She’ll be sleeping with the 
balcony doors open."

	That said, Princess Raye adjourned. Smiling crookedly, 
Darien made his way toward Serena. She was chatting idly 
with a few of the ambassadors 
from Uranus and Saturn.  Darien stepped up behind her, placing his 
hands on her shoulders. Serena started, turning around with an 
apprehensive look on her face. Her luscious mouth broke into a 
smile when she realized it was him.
	"Hello, Darien."
	"I need to speak with you. Can you spare a moment?"    
	"Certainly," Serena was smiling up at him, and Darien felt as 
though his heart would pound through his chest. Solemnly, Darien 
offered Serena his arm. Bowing to the delegates, Darien escorted 
Serena away. Darien smiled slightly as he steered Serena onto the 
balcony. Stopping suddenly, Darien turned Serena around in his arms 
and lowered his mouth onto hers.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

	Serena was shocked. Darien had asked to speak with her, and 
although she was fairly new to this passion business, she was 
fairly sure that talking was impossible in this position. Serena 
felt Darien’s arms creep
around her waist, molding her body to his. Serena relaxed, pliant in 
his arms. Darien moaned, and pulled back a little, breaking the 
contact of their mouths. Serena smiled and pulled him back. This 
kiss was white hot, wild with desire. Darien bit her lower lip, 
and Serena gasped before capturing his mouth once more. Her fingers 
threaded through his silky hair effectively trapping his mouth on 
hers. One of Darien’s hand stayed on her waist, but the other began 
roaming up and down her back. Serena shivered delightedly. After 
long minutes, the kiss ended. Serena, breathless from the kiss, 
staggered slightly. Darien smiled.
	"Well, princess, you certainly are a revelation," Darien said.
	"Of course. After all, I grew up in a palace. I can do everything 
the Senshi can!"
	"Yes, I know. You’re mother wasted no time in spouting your 
virtues to me." Darien said, derision coloring his tone. 
	"You can hardly blame her. After all, it’s well known that 
you can’t stand the sight of me." Serena’s tone was matter of fact, 
but she turned away from Darien so he wouldn’t see how much that 
had stung. Darien just snorted.
	"Well, can you blame me? After all, you were half wild, 
running around, riding and hawking. Good thing you left your 
hair long, or no one would have known you were a girl!"
	
	Serena closed her eyes and heart against the pain those 
words caused. Her pride was wounded, even though she knew he spoke 
the truth. Serena stiffened her resolve. Forcing her voice to be 
soft and seductive, Serena retaliated.
	
	"And now, Darien? What do you think of me now?" Serena inquired, 
as she drifted toward the gardens. Casting a siren’s stare over her 
shoulder, Serena smiled slightly. Serena saw when Darien’s eyes 
became dark, saw when his stance grew predatory. Turning, she 
moved towards him, one hand coming up to caress his chest. 
Darien reached for her, but she slipped underneath his arms.
	"Well, you can’t have me." Serena turned to walk back inside. 
"Have a good night Darien. I’ll see you in the morning."
	Darien watched as his princess sashayed back into the ballroom. 
He crossed to the open door, his eyes lingering on her as she 
crossed the empty room and walked through the arch that led to 
the west wing. A humorless smile crossed his face. 
	"We’ll see who has the last laugh, princess." 
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

	Serena was unable to sleep. Flushed with her victory, Serena 
had returned to her rooms. Annette had greeted her mistress with a 
hug and excited chatter. It appeared that word of Princess Serenity’s 
magical transformation had spread beyond the ballroom, and into the 
servants quarters. From there the tale had moved beyond the castle 
walls and into the village.  Not only that, but the gossip was that 
the crown prince was incredibly possessive of his soon-to-be bride, 
and that his eyes never left her all evening. Laughing delightedly, 
Serena twirled around her room, spinning faster and faster until she 
collapsed in a flurry of silver hair and gauzy skirts. 
	
	Annette was almost as giddy as her mistress, having spent the 
entire evening running back and forth between castle 
seamstresses. Now a large pile of dress patterns, 
along with swatches of material lay on Serena’s 
nightstand. Annette managed to get her mistress out of her ball gown 
and into a nearly transparent nightdress, due to the unusually humid 
July weather. Finally, Serena sat on the bed, Annette brushing her hair. 
Serena and Annette looked through the dress patterns, laughing at some, 
oohing and aahing over others. Together they selected designs and colors 
that would perfectly compliment Serena’s figure and coloring. It was 
close to three in the morning when Annette bid her mistress good night 
and moved off to bed. Serena walked about the room, dimming the lamps. 
Finally she lay in bed, silver hair spreading across the pillow. 
	
	Soon, however, Serena noticed the stifling heat of the room. 
Rising, Serena padded to the window and threw open the double doors. 
Stepping up into the warm night air, Serena felt a cooling breeze 
blow back her silver hair and cause her nightdress to mold to her body. 
Smiling slightly, Serena leaned on the balcony, unaware of what a 
striking picture she made. Glancing upward, Serena’s eyes fell on 
the full moon, and tears filled her eyes.
	
	‘Earth will be my home now. And a fine home it will be, 
married to a man who hates my personality but wants my body.’
	
	Serena forced herself to brush the tears away. Though her 
heart might break to pieces a thousand times, she would bring the 
arrogant prince of Earth to his knees. Serena’s spine stiffened 
with her resolve, and she tossed back her head. Turning, 
Serena moved back inside, leaving the windows open. As a 
precaution, Serena retrieved her dagger from its box on her vanity. 
Slipping back under the thin silk sheets and light counterpane, 
Serena turned on her side, placing the hand clutching her dagger 
under a pillow. Laying down, Serena closed her eyes and drifted off 
to sleep, unaware that someone had been watching her on the balcony,
 and that that person had very different plans for the rest of the 
night, and they didn’t include sleeping.  
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 

	Prince Darien waited a suitable interval after the light in 
Serena’s room went out. He had watched her when she stepped out 
onto the balcony. His throat had tightened when he saw her silver 
hair blowing in the breeze. Smiling to himself, Darien surveyed 
the terrain. The balcony was easily accessible due to a wrought 
iron arbor that held a spray of pink roses in place against the 
castle wall. Darien made a mental note to send the brilliant man 
who had installed that trellis a thank you card. Grinning in 
anticipation, Darien climbed upward toward Serena’s room. 
	
	He landed gently on the balcony only moments later. The doors 
to the balcony stood open and the curtains blew inward, wrapping their 
shadows around the bed where Serena slept. Darien crept closer, noting 
the waterfall of silver hair that cascaded over the edge of the bed. 
He shivered deliciously when he thought about that silver hair wrapped 
around his body. Darien crept closer, his bare chest and black silk 
pajama bottoms glistening in the moonlight. Gently, gently, Darien 
picked up Serena’s hair and the coverlet, sliding into bed next to 
her. He smiled as he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her 
into the curve of his body. Darien settled his face in the curve 
of her neck and settled in to wait. He knew the exact moment Serena 
awoke. Her body stiffened, and she gasped. What he didn’t expect was 
her sudden movement. Serena bucked, rolling away from him. Serena 
managed to roll to one edge of the bed before Darien snaked out an 
arm to pull her back. Smiling, Darien rolled her beneath him, 
pinning one of her arms to the pillow above her head. Serena 
looked up at him with startled eyes. Darien lowered his head...
and felt the press of cool metal against his throat.
	
	"Darien, get off of me. Now."
	
	Darien stared at her, his emotions caught between amusement 
and admiration. He settled on desire and reached slowly for the 
arm that held the knife.
	
	"Come now, princess. You don’t need that." Darien managed to 
ease the knife away from his jugular. In an instant, Serena slashed 
at him, forcing him back. Serena leapt off the bed, the weapon still 
clutched in her hand. Striking a defensive pose, Serena waited for 
Darien to make the next move. Darien climbed off the bed to face her.
	
	"We are betrothed."
	"I was under the impression that betrothed didn’t have the 
same meaning as married."
	"But it has the same benefits."
	"Really."
	"It can." Darien took a step toward Serena; she stepped back. 
Darien moved right, Serena moved left. They were at an impasse.
	"Besides," Serena said, "you don’t want me that way. You don’t 
see a woman when you look at me; you see a half grown kid."
	Darien just smirked. Serena's hand itched to slap that 
expression off of his face. Serena’s eyes hardened.
	"Just go, Darien."
	"I don’t think I will. I’ve heard you aren’t much of 
a wrestler. Care to try me?"
	"Oh, you are SO funny. I see right through that courteous 
outer shell. I also see the direction that this evening is supposed 
to take. Well, guess again."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
	
	Darien growled, and Serena smirked.  She watched him carefully. 
By the Moon, the man was breathtaking. Broad chest tapering to a hard 
stomach and slim hips: hair the color of midnight skies; eyes like 
the fathomless ocean. It should be illegal to look that good, 
especially when one was trying to seduce someone. At least when 
the person one was trying to seduce had no desire to be seduced. 
	
	‘Stop that! You do NOT want the all mighty Prince Darien to 
kiss you. Or make love to you.’
	Then came that annoying inner voice, the one that was always 
brutally honest.
	‘Oh, yes you do. You want him to catch you! Admit it!’
	‘No.’
	‘No, you don’t want him to catch you, or no, you don’t want 
to admit it?’
	‘Neither... both.. I don’t know!’
	‘Well, you had better make up your mind, because whilst you 
are arguing with yourself, the seductor is looming closer.’
	‘WHAT?!?! Oh, goddess, what do I do?!’
	‘Why are you asking me? I’m just the voice inside your head, 
remember?’
	‘Shut up! Okay, Serena, think. You can get out of this. 
Just think. Thinkthinkthinkthink...’
	
	"Princess? Are you all right? I thought I heard a noise..." A
sleepy Annette, clad in a nightgown and robe, poked her head inside the 
door. Reacting as one, Serena and Darien moved. Darien dove under the 
bed while Serena rocketed onto it, attempting to grab the coverlet 
mid-flight. The motion neither looked nor sounded very graceful, 
but it had the desired result. Serena was in bed, attempting to 
look innocent.
	"Are you all right, princess? I thought I heard a voice."
	"No, no, that was me. I had a nightmare. Really bad. Horrible. 
Hee hee," Serena’s voice was shaky and a bit reedy, but if Annette 
noticed she was too polite to mention it. 
	"Are you all right, then? Do you want me to stay with you, 
get you something?"
	"No, I’m all right, really. I just...eep!"
	
	While Serena had been talking to Annette, Darien had snaked 
his right arm under the silk sheets of Serena’s bed. His hand was 
now in the process of caressing her ankle, and Serena was acutely 
aware of the sensations he was causing. When HAD her skin become 
so sensitive? Instictively, Serena lashed out with her foot. She 
heard a yelp, and the offending hand withdrew.
	
	"Princess?"
	"It’s nothing! I’m just, ahhh...cold! Yes, cold!"
	Annette looked puzzled. "Shall I close the balcony doors then?"
	
	First Serena was confused. Then she panicked. If the doors 
were closed, Darien would be trapped in her room! The fact that the 
door locked from the inside completely slipped her mind.
 	"No! I mean, no," Serena tried to cover. "I feel fine now. 
Warm and toasty."
	Annette was growing suspicious. Serena never behaved like this. 
If anything the princess was too fearless for her own good. Serena 
appeared nervous, and a desperation was shining in her eyes. 
	"Are you sure I can’t get you anything? I could stay with 
you for a bit..."
	"No, that’s all right. I’ll just try to go back to sleep.
 Goodnight Annette." 
	"All right then. Goodnight, princess." Looking doubtful and 
a bit concerned, Annette closed the door to the princess’s room. 
Serena breathed a sigh of relief, allowing her muscles the luxury 
of relaxing. Her heart resumed its normal tattoo. Smiling slightly 
at the close call, Serena closed her eyes and fell back against 
the pillows, throwing her arm over her eyes. Suddenly, the knowledge 
that she was not alone in her room reasserted itself, and Serena 
forced herself upright. 
	"Darien?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

	Annette carefully shut her mistresses door before bolting 
down the hall. Something was wrong, the little maid was certain 
of it. Serena never acted so high-strung, especially in her room! 
Annette ran down the marble hallway, skidding around corners and 
nearly crashing into an end table. Ordinarily the Senshi would 
have slept near the princess, but late night rendezvous with the 
four generals had infringed on those sleeping arrangements. 
All the Senshi would be in one of the common rooms, perhaps alone, 
perhaps not. Bolting from door to door took longer than Annette had 
expected, and her worry was growing by the minute. Finally, Annette 
burst in on what could only be described as a conference, with all 
four of the Senshi sitting around a table, talking softly. 
	
	One glance at the harried maid had the Senshi on their feet, 
and after a few moments of explanation, the four princess’s had 
transformed into the Senshi of their respective planets. The next 
few moments were chaotic as the young women formed a plan of attack. 
Soon they were off, running toward Princess Serenity’s room. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 
So there it is: Part 1 in all its glory. This is probably 
only a 2 part story, and I’ll have the next part up soon. 
In an effort to generate both positive and negative e-mail 
for myself, I pose a question to all Moonies out there. Here it is.

What is the #1 way to identify a Sailor Moonie?

For me, it’s humming the songs. I have heard more people humming 
theme... anyway, what do you guys think?

Skiangel_sv@lycos.com