Story: First love part five
Author Razzz
E-mail: razzzberi@aol.com
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HI!! Done par five an guess what' - it's out this week - but you know that
already, its' fairly obvious. OK!! short AN here. SM belongs to Naoko
Takeuchi and all those other rich people.
        Thanks to the people who I know rock, I'm too lazy and tired right
now to name you all. If you're really curious, it's still the same people as
in my last chapter's AN's with the addition of Sailor Thunder and Sailor
Celestial, who both wrote amazing stories!!!
        I don't' know when the next part will  be coming out - expect me to
be taking a  long, long hiatus from writing right now though, cause I have
more that I would like to be doing going on in my life - Finals, AP's work,
life -0 so chapter six, the finale I think, might be a long time coming -
SORRY!! don't' kill me yet!! Let me finish - I hate leaving things
unfinished - then you can kill me.
last comment. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE send feedback. I totally appreciate all
comments and that's the only way you can tell me how evil and horrid and
terrible I am. OK? SO, now I'm gonna pass out - NEVER EVER volunteer to do
overtime after a six hour shift!!!!!!
LATER!!
Razzz

        "You don't need to walk me home Tyrian. I'm fine. The doctor said it
was just a  concussion." Darien said. Tyrian shook his head.
        "Serena asked me to take care of you. I will not fail her."
        "Well, I can take care of myself!" Darien said hotly. Why did it
feel as though he were competing with Tyrian? And why did he feel his face
flush in anger every time he mentioned Serena?
        "ARGH!"
        "Is anything wrong?" Tyrian asked. Darien shook his head.
        "I'm fine!" he growled. "I've been through worse and come out fine."
        "Like what?" Tyrian asked. Darien's eyes clouded over for a moment,
before the far-away look was gone, and his eyes had gone cold and hard
again.
        "Don't' pry into my life Tyrian."
        "You know," Tyrian said, a smile forming on his lips. "Serena may be
mine, but it is certainly no reason for you to hate me."
        "Darien stopped, standing stock still, his hand formed into a tight
fist. His face twitched from the effort to keep his anger in check.
        "I, I don't' know what you're talking about." He stammered, his
voice gruff with rage.
        "I think you do." Tyrian replied, his voice as calm as ever, if not
slightly mocking. Darien wanted nothing more that to punch him. Who did that
arrogant, pompous little piece of . . . . he shook his head, trying to get
control of his reeling emotions. It was just like before, at the orphanage.
He had to keep his calm.
        "I think I can make it the rest of the way alone Tyrian." Darien's
voice was cold and unemotional. Tyrian smiled. Somethings, it seemed, did
not change.
        "NO, My Serena asked me to take you home Darien. I cant' go back on
my word."
        "And since when did she become yours exactly!" Darien cried angrily,
immediately regretting his actions. He had never broken like that before!
How could he, what could have possibly made him act like that, cut through
his defenses. He already knew the answer, could see it in her eyes and
smile. Darien closed his eyes, regretting his brash action as they continued
to walk towards the apartment.
        "Serena is mine Darien. Don't' think you can steal her from me."
Tyrian said coldly, a challenge in his voice.
        "I never said I was going to."
        "I'm not stupid. I can see it. You . . .. care . . . for her more
than you would like to admit." Tyrian said. "But you can't have her."
        "I DON'T WANT HER!" Darien yelled in frustration.
        "You just keep telling yourself that. But I know you better than you
think I do."
        "Why are you . . . " Darien stopped mid- sentence, something
catching his attention, his eyes immediately glazing over as he stared at
some imaginary point. He brought a  hand up to his temple and rubbed it
slightly. Pinpricks, tiny pinpricks inside his head. Not as sharp as if
Sailor Moon was calling him, but still, someone, somewhere, needed him. he
closed his eyes.
        A wood, she was sitting down, crying, holding . . . .her foot, her
golden hair falling in her face . . . BLOOD!
        "Serena!" he said breathlessly, his eyes snapping open. Darien shook
free of Tyrian, racing to the phones. That image remained in his head, of
her all alone, crying, hurt.
        'Please be home Serena. Please have made it back safely.'
        "He dialed, the phone answered on the first ring.
        "Serena!" Her mother cried into the phone, sounding fatigued.
        "No. It's Darien, I was wondering if I could talk with her about . .
. her assignment."
        "I don't know where she is! She hasn't' come back yet! She was
supposed to be back HOURS AGO!" her mother said frantically. "You don't'
know where she is, do you? When I get my hands on that girl . . . "
        "I'm sorry, I don't' know where she might have gone to. But I'll
keep an eye out for her." Darien said, feeling ice creep into his heart. If
anything happened to her . . .he had to find her!
        "Thank you so much Darien. We're starting to get worried. IF you
find her, tell her that she is in BIG trouble. Think grounding in terms of
years.
        "I will. I've gotta go now, Mrs. Tsukino."
        "All right Darien. Good night." she said, hanging up the phone.
Darien turned to look back at Tyrian, his face pale.
        "What about Serena." Tyrian asked. Darien shook his head.
        "Nothing. I need to do something . . . alone!" Darien said,
emphasizing the last word. He fingered his rose, wanting to just run from
Tyrian, turn into Tuxedo mask, and find her. He couldn't' stand the delay.
        "I'm coming with you!" Tyrian said, stepping up to him. Darien shook
his head.
        "NO!"
        "If Serena is missing, I want to help! I'm coming! And there is
nothing that you can do to stop me!" Tyrian said unyieldingly. Darien
groaned in frustration, putting the rose away.
        "Fine. But hurry!" Darien said, starting towards the woods again,
his urgency apparent in his rapid gait.
        "Where do you suppose she is?" Tyrian asked, his voice remaining
steady. Darien wondered how he could do that. He knew he was barely holding
on to the calm that was in his voice. He knew that it would crack at any
moment, just at the thought of her helpless and hurt . . . he ran faster.
        "WAIT FOR ME ENDYMION!" Tyrian yelled after the rapidly moving man
he was following. Darien certainly seemed to have some sort of idea where
Serena was. It would not be a good idea to kill him because of that alone,
as well as the fact that should anything  happen to him while she had asked
him to watch over the prince, she would be disappointed in him. He could not
let that happen, se keep the boorish prince safe he must.
        It was almost like all those other times, when he had been racing
towards Sailor Moon. He wondered how he could do that with Serena. It just
didn't' make any sense. Was she clouding his judgment now, obscuring his
mission to protect the princess. Or was she in fact the princess, which was
why he could have such a link with her.
        'Or maybe you care about her too much! DAMMIT! How could you have
let this happen?' he screamed at himself. Things would never be the same.
Serena didn't' seem to know or act like the princess at all. He was
beginning to doubt the validity of his dream. Perhaps, it was just him
putting her face on his ideal, because, he had to face the fact that he now
thought of HER as his ideal. If she had any idea what she was doing to him .
. .he was willing to give up his mission, willing to forget about the
princess. There wasn't room enough in his life for the two of them. And
Tyrian was right. he could not give up Serena. He could try and not care,
and he almost succeeded, but then, that kiss . . . she had changed
everything. It was all he could think of. All he wanted was to be swept up
with her, to forget the past, not worry of the future, of Zoicite and the
Rainbow Crystals and Tuxedo Mask and . . . she alone could change all of
that. It seemed so clear to him now. She was his princess! Not THE princess,
the one calling to him, the magical woman that filled his night-time
thoughts. No she was HIS princess, the real, tangible one, the one he could
touch and hold and kiss, she was HIS princess. It was time to give up silly
dreams, and embrace the beautiful reality.
        "Which way! Hurry up! If she is hurt . . . why didn't you make her
come with us?" Tyrian raged, frustrated at how Darien had seemed to slow
down. Darien looked at him, his eyes immediately flashing in anger.
'TYRIAN!'
        He was too late. Tyrian. She had Tyrian. She loved Tyrian probably.
He had seen it with is own eyes, the way he had held her on the bench. The
way she had time and again chosen Tyrian over him. SHe held no love for him.
She had even admitted it to Rei. She thought of him as nothing more than a
friend, perhaps even less, nothing more than a tutor. But Tyrian, Tyrian she
loved. Tyrian was right, she was his. 'And she will never be mine.' He
couldn't' understand how Tyrian had let her go, how he could have allowed
her out of his arms. How he had allowed her to be lost in the park . . .
        "Why didn't' you?!?! You should have made her come with us! How
could you have lost her! How could you have left her alone in the woods! At
night! What kind of idiot are you!" Darien screamed angrily.
        "The best kind . . . " Tyrian seethed, feeling the energy gather in
his forehead. 'I'm sorry princess, but he must be eliminated.'
        "DARIEN!"
        Both men turned.
        "S, Serena?" Darien asked, breaking into a run towards the trees,
finding her slumped against one, holding her foot. He knelt beside her,
letting a hand stray over her face, reassuring himself that he had indeed
found her, that he hadn't' been too late.
        "DARIEN! YOU FOUND ME!" she shrieked, immediately wrapping her arms
around him tightly, burying her head against his shoulder. He returned the
gesture, as the relief set in.
        "Of course, meatball head. I love your faith in me." he teased. She
smiled, hitting him lightly with her arm.
        "Shut-up lame brain." she retorted, not really meaning a word of the
dig.
        "Serena!" Tyrian said darkly, his eyes a murky maelstrom as he saw
the two embrace. That didn't'; look like a  simple friendly hug to him.
        "Tyrian! YOU CAME TOO!!" She said happily.
        "I thought you weren't' hurt." Tyrian said, leaning down to look at
her foot.
        "I thought you were fine." Darien said, looking down at her foot,
the sock stained red. It almost made him ill, to know she had even been
hurt.
        "Yeah well, I AM! It's just a scratch!" she said hotly, as Darien
seemed to laugh at her internally. he reached over.
        "the you won't mind if I-"
        "YEEEOOOWWW!!!!" She cried, as he flicked her foot, her nail digging
into him in pain. "THAT HURT!" she pouted.
        "Geez, down Luna." Darien said, then, turning serious, "You should
have gone to the hospital too. This looks bad."
        "I thought I could handle it myself." She said, turning her head
down.
        "Serena." Tyrian said, stepping forward.
        "I know, I know Tyrian. It was a stupid thing to do."
        "You had us all very worried there Serena - but only for a second.
Then, of course, we celebrated!" Darien said. She looked at him angrily.
        "YOU DID NOT!" she yelled, then meekly added, "Did you?"
        "Of course not meat ball head. But really, if you needed help, you
should have asked."
        "But I didn't' want-"
        "It doesn't' matter Serena." he said, sweeping her up into his arms
and cradling her against him. "I'll always be there for you when you need
me. For always." His eyes sparkled, looking down at her longingly,
wistfully, so serious, pools of emotions. She couldn't' help but stare
through her lowered lashes as the butterflies began to dance within her.
Then, he smiled crookedly. "Even when I know you're gonna start leaking
blood everywhere and stain my brand new pants. OH! The dangers of being such
a noble guy."
        "NOBLE! HA!" she said, immediately breaking the spell. "You're about
as Noble as, as . . .well, some really jerky fairy tale figure, i cant'
think of who yet."
        "I can." Tyrian said darkly, glaring at the two standing there,
teasing and joking and so close to one another, his arms around her. He shut
his eyes for a moment.
        'DAMN THAT PRINCE!' He held his rage in check, the setting of his
jaw the only indication that something was wrong.
        "Are you coming Tyrian?" Darien asked, as he began to head towards
the hospital. "We're going to get our dear Princess in distress some medical
assistance."
        "Don't' call me that." Serena said, the light tone in her voice
lifted to reveal a more serious side of her. Darien looked down at her,
confused.
        "Huh? What do you mean?"
        "Just don't' call me princess, all right?" she asked. Darien
shrugged, not really understanding.
        "Sure thing. If you prefer meat ball head ,I don't' mind."
        "AND DON'T CALL ME MEAT BALL HEAD!"

        Darien wondered if she had been awake enough to hear him last night,
to have felt the stolen kiss upon her cheek as he watched her sleep for a
moment, after he had brought her home from the hospital. He had been so
relieved to find that her injury was nothing more than a deep cut requiring
only a few stitches, and she had been able to go home immediately. Being
able to hold her in his arms, so close to him . . . he shook his head in
frustration. Still, the nagging doubts were raised in his mind, the struggle
for superiority between his Dream Princess and his real one. But, the
argument was losing steam. He couldn't' help himself from feeling this way.
As though he were falling down a bottomless pit, helpless to stop himself as
he flew along for the crazy ride. There was no controlling these emotions
that raged. Nothing, not his cool logic that told him she was only 14,
nothing that special or pretty, just plain old, meatball head Serena. And at
those thoughts, he immediately began to defend her form himself, about how
when she smiled, the whole day seemed to become better, how one look into
her eyes, and he suddenly forgot what had been going on, what he was
supposed to say, how her hair looked more like a river of gold, how she was
the most special treasure in the entire universe. He laughed at the
stupidity of it all. He was arguing with himself! OVER A GIRL!!! (not just
any girl, his subconscious piped in. He willed it to be quiet)
        But then again, she was taken. But, how could he let her go!
        'As though she was ever yours to keep!' he chided.
        He got up, deciding a walk was the best thing to clear his mind.
        'I HAVE GOT TO GET OVER THIS!!!!!' he thought angrily, stubbornly,
as he tried to push her form his mind. 'I HAVE GOT TO FIGHT THIS!'

        "Thanks so much Rei! But are you sure you don't' mind?" Serena
asked. She was laying in bed, her leg high on a pillow.
        "Not at all. It's just my lunch break and my free period I'm
ditching. besides, your mom's cooking beats my crusty old sack lunch any
day." Rei said, sitting down on the edge of Serena's' bed.
        "Yeah. i wish I could just stay like this forever - just stay in
bed, reading my manga,  sleeping no homework, no worries. It's great!"
        "Don't' get too used to it Serena." Luna commented. Serena  frowned
at the cat, and threw a pillow at it.
        "Don't' you have some poor defenseless mice to catch or something
Luna?" she asked, hinting that she wanted the guardian to leave for a while.
        "No, I do not. But, I do have other scout business to attend to."
Luna said, standing and walking out the door. She threw her head over her
shoulder. "And the mice I catch are most certainly not defenseless. it's
always a fair fight!"
        "O yeah, way fair, a big cat that outweighs ya by about 100 times
with claws versus this eency weency mouse. That's what I call fair." Serena
giggled snidely to Rei. Rei merely smiled.
        "I guess you cant' come to the meeting today, huh" Rei asked. Serena
nodded her head.
        "My mom wont' let me out of the house. It's funny, since I think I'm
gonna go nuts if I'm trapped in here for much longer. O! But don't' worry,
Tyrian will be there for me!"
        "That's why I wanted to talk to you. That guy, Tyrian, how does he
know so much? I don't' really get it."
        "O! Yeah, well, apparently, we are all like these reincarnations of
these people from the moon, and he somehow was too, or something, only he
didn't' die,  and I guess the rest of us did or something, and anyways, he
knows us from then. He said he'd been serachign the whole galaxy to find us!
Pretty cool, huh?"
        "And you're sure he's not one of Zoicite's tricks?" Rei asked
seriously. Sera shook her head vehemently.
        "NO WAY REI! He's definitely not. How could you even say such a
thing about him!"
        "I just . . . .I don't' know." Rei said, not telling her about the
peculiar vibes she got form Tyrian. "You really seem to trust him." Rei
commented. Serena nodded.
        "I do. he really . . .  understands me, ya know? I can tell him
anything, and I know he gets what I'm feeling. It's really hard to explain
and way complicated, I guess."
        "And he's' way cute too, huh Serena?" She giggled. Serena blushed,
then threw her pillow at Rei.
        "HEY! I  was only kidding!"
        "Well, you wouldn't' strike an invalid would you?" Serena asked, as
Rei mencaingly held the pillow. She merely smiled, then let it fly.
        "OOOO!! OUCHIE!! REI!" She screamed, laughing. Rei clapped her hands
together in satisfaction, then sat down again.
        "Serena, this Tyrian guy-" Rei began again. Serena looked at her
intently, cutting her off.
        "I trust him Rei. I don't' know why, but I trust him as much as I
would trust anyone of you guys. he's who he says he is. I've seen him in my
dreams, you know. He's been int hem. He's who he says he is. I promise. He's
on our side."
        "You feel that strongly about him?" Rei asked, still uncertain, the
nagging doubts still there.
        "Yes, I do."
        "Do you love him too?" Rei asked. She hoped, for her sake, and for
Darien's sake, that she didn't.
        "I, I . . . I don't' know."
        "But you're real close, aren't you?" Rei asked again.
        "yeah, we are."
        "And just how close is close?"
        Serena narrowed her eyes. "And since when is this any of your
business?"
        "Since we all entered the covenant of girl-hood. Come on, this is
some prime gossip that I am NOT about to miss out on! So spill! I want ALL
the juicy details."
        Serena groaned. "Don't you have to be somewhere. Like class or
something?"
        "No way! There's tons of time for you to tell me everything. So,
have you two kissed? How far exactly did you two go! The suspense is killing
me!"
        "REI!"
        "Don't tell me -you're having his love-child!"
        "REI! YOU ARE DISGUSTING! GET YOUR MIND OUT OF THE GUTTER THIS
INSTANT!" Serena screamed, blushing a bright red. "HELP ME! SAVE ME FROM
THIS WACKO!"

        "BYE MRS. TSUKINO!" Rei called, racing out the door. She wasn't'
really paying attention, so when she ran into the soft wall , she didn't
really expect it to have been there.
        "Watch where you're going!" she yelled angrily. "I'm late!"
        "And a good morning to you too Rei."
        "O!" she said softly, blushing. "Darien. What re you doing here?"
        "Just came to check up on Serena."
        "O." she said unemotionally. "Well, I gotta go. It was nice seeing
you." she whispered, stepping around him.
        "Nice to see you too Rei!" He called after her, not seeing the pain
in her face.
        Darien walked through the door, unsure of whether to wait to be
invited in , and waved to Serena's mother.
        "O DARIEN!" Ilene Tsukino enthused. "I'm so glad you came! I'll bet
Serena would love to see you, she's right up stairs."
        "Ok, thanks."
        "And, Darien."
        "Yeah."
        " Thank you for everything." She said warmly, smiling at him. He
returned the gesture.
        "You don't' even have to thank me." He said, walking up the stairs.
        He shyly knocked on the door to Serena's room, accidentally opening
it. She lay sprawled out, reading a manga, Luna curled at her feet.
        "That stuff is gonna rot your brain. What about a good old classic.
Ever read The Fountainhead?" he  asked her in a slightly mocking tone.
        "This is a classic. It's Sailor V number one! And after that, onto
FUSHIGI YUUGI!! It's so romantic!"
        "Then perhaps you should try Romeo and Juliet." he said, sitting
down beside her on the bed. Serena glared at him.
        "But there aren't any pictures!"
        "Of course there aren't - it's a book!"
        "And that is the problem!" she huffed, turning the page of her manga
with extra flourish. Darien shook his head. Sometimes, that girl could be
soo frustrating! He smiled. It was that frustration that he . . .  He shook
his head, trying to clear it, but with her so near, all he could think about
was how she had felt to him the other day, how he had held her, how he had
kissed her . . . how she had kissed him . . . Serena looked up, seeming to
notice the sudden tension in the air, the change in atmosphere.
        "So how's the foot doing?" he asked, wringing his hands nervously.
This was definitely awkward.
        "Decent." she mumbled. Darien shook his head. Why did everything
seem slightly off kilter. He did all he knew how to do.
        "As long as you don't' go youma hunting." he said sarcastically,
hoping that falling into his old mode of callousness would fix things.
        "O be quiet you! If you're here to pester me, I don't' want to hear
it. I get enough of that from Luna." she said. The said cat lifted its head
curiously as it heard its name, almost as though it could understand that it
was being talked about, then silently jumped off the bed and walked out of
the room.
        "HAHA!! That got her!" Serena cried happily. Darien looked at her,
scrunching up his features.
        "Well, that was certainly . . .odd. You do realize that you are
crowing about verbally badgering your cat."
        "Of course I am! Don't' you?" she asked, smiling triumphantly. "Now
maybe she'll leave me alone for more than two seconds when company is over."
        "You are a strange one, no doubt about that."
        "Look whose talking. O yeah, by the way, how's the head?"
        "Fine. Don't' feel a thing." he said. he glanced at her foot. "I
guess study sessions are out of the question for a while."
        "Thank GOD!" she squealed in delight. Then she sobered up,  noting
the disappointment on his face.
        "O! I didn't' mean it like that! I mean, it's just that . . . well,
I HATE studying! You know."
        "Yeah. I'm sure you have a ton of things to be doing instead."
        "You can say that again!" She sighed, leaning back against the
pillows.
        "So what are you gonna do."
        "O! I don't know. I don't' think mom would let me out of the house."
        "I wouldn't' blame her." Darien said. "Besides, you should be tired,
you had a long day yesterday."  It got quiet again, as their banter trailed
off. As long as they were teasing, that was safe, that they could handle,
that was NORMAL, but those seemingly impossible silences, so vast and
uncertain, changed everything, and he was so acutely aware of only her. He
opened his mouth to speak, yet one look at her silenced him. What was he
supposed to say to her? The kiss flashed through his head, as his mouth
suddenly went impossibly dry. Serena looked at him carefully, trying to
puzzle over some deep issue. She took a deep breathe.
        "Darien." she asked shyly. She wondered briefly why he hadn't' said
anything about yesterday. Had he forgotten, had he not even cared? He was
probably laughing at her right then, thinking she was some silly kid.
Thinking she was a complete moron. She lowered her eyes, suddenly unable to
look at him, suddenly aware that he was sitting right beside her. He looked
at her, confusion passing through his eyes for a moment, before they
cleared..
        "Yeah?" he asked, feeling a bit off. It was hot for some reason, as
he remembered how soft her lips had been, how her arms had felt around him.
And then his eyes met hers for a moment, and he immediately looked away. She
could probably see his eyes, see how much he cared . .. and she  probably
didn't return the sentiment . . . and it just felt soo weird, especially
when all he could think of was taking her in his arms again, and kissing her
. . .  She opened her mouth, then closed it, unsure of what to do next. She
opened it again, her words soft.
        "About yesterday, with Rei . . . .I didn't' mean to have . ..  I
mean . . .. well, when I  . . . I just , I didn't' mean it, you know, so um,
. . . I'm sorry." she said, apologizing quickly. Darien cocked his head.
        "You're sorry?" he repeated. SHe nodded her head.
        "yeah, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that just to get Rei mad."
she said. He nodded sadly.
        'Just to get Rei mad. What does she  need me for when she has
Tyrian?'
        "I, I hope . . . I mean, well, I really want us to be friends, so I
hope I didn't' do anything to make us not be like how we were a few days
ago, ya  know. I mean, I still am your friend, right?" she asked.
        "Sure thing, meat ball head." he joked, covering up the
disappointment in his voice. Just friends. God, he could never be just
friends with her anymore, could he? Not when he felt like forgetting the
practicalities of the world around them, and sweeping her away with him. Of
course, she had said it . . .she didnt' want him. They were just friends. He
strained his soul to try and be able to handle just that. He didn't' know
how to do it though! With her so near, he shook uncontrollably, his mind
reeled, and he felt that if he couldn't' hold her, now that he had known
what he had been missing, he would go insane. His mind retreated back into
his reserves of strength, knowing what to do. Tease her, go back to the cold
ways you used to know so well, return the walls that she had broken through.
It was his only defense against her. It was his only choice. Because, if he
allowed himself to feel anything, any small amount of affection towards her,
it would all come rushing in and he would be helpless to stop it and then,
he would have to have her, have to tell her, have to have her love him back.
His face became that taunting mask it had been before he met Serena, trying
to shut out his unstoppable emotions. But as Serena looked into his eyes,
shimmering and wavering blue water, she could have sworn that for a second,
he had seemed . . . hurt?
        "Just like before." he said sadly, his head drooping just a bit.
Then, he straightened up, erecting his wall. 'Tease her!' he silently
ordered himself. 'It's safer!'
         "Which means, of course, that I can call you whatever names I feel
like, right,  meat ball  head!" he said. She pouted at him.
        "Don't' call  me that!" she said, grabbing a manga angrily and
pointedly ignoring him. He watched Serena flip through her manga, she
stealing glances at his serious face as it watched her intently. Finally,
she grabbed the TV clicker.
        "How about some television?" she asked.
        "Sure. Whatever." he said. She flipped it on. The news was playing,
showing a clip from the night before.
        "And the real question is, where was Tuxedo Mask through it all.
Have the Sailor scouts and he parted ways, or was he merely not on hand for
the youma attack that occurred last night, injuring two people? This is-"
        Darien immediately shut the television off, clenching his fist
tightly, his face tense with anger. Serena was startled by the display of
such contained emotions, and put down her manga, reaching over to
comfortingly touch his arm.
        "Darien? What is it?" she asked, concern glittering in her eyes.
        "I just . . . I-"
        "It wasn't' your fault." she said, with a startling maturity and
insight. He looked at her, deeply probing her eyes for some trace of . . . .
        "What happened, it wasn't your fault. it was the youma. You know
that, right?" she said. "Right?"
        "WE . . . I, I shouldn't have left you. I should have known that you
were hurt. If I hadn't found you . . .who knows what could have happened!"
he said angrily, his eyes hard as diamonds. Serena bit her lip, unsure of
what to do. Darien looked as though he was in so much pain. Because of her!
If only she had gotten to the youma faster . . .
        'I'm so sorry Darien.' Serena lowered her head. Why did things have
to be so hard for her! Why did this stupid job make life so difficult? And
Darien was still blaming himself for her own mistake! He looked so
miserable, wouldn't' even meet her own eyes now. She reached over, gently
pulling him into a hug, trying to make him understand that it was all right.
        "WE cant' deal with the what if's - you know? I hate them. Never did
like what if's at all. Because, we cant' go back and change them. What
happened happened, and we can't change it. Besides, I'm fine!" she said into
his ear. She could feel his large hands reluctantly return the embrace, so
unsure as they were wrapped around her.
        "I am so, so sorry Serena." he whispered, his voice trembling now
with guilt.
        "I'm fine! REALLY! So stop stressing. Besides, Sailor Moon was
there!" she said happily, pulling away from him, despite the protests from
inside her heart. She wanted to stay like that, with Darien, so badly that
it terrified  her. It would be so easy to just let herself go nuts over him,
to let herself give in to her infatuation, although, some where deep down
inside her, she knew it was something more than mere infatuation. She could
love him, could love the mysterious blue eyes, the dark, unruly hair, could
love how his arms felt, how his frame seemed to compliment her own. Even his
teasing and mocking, she enjoyed, even if she did put up a fight against it.
She could even love that she thought. But then again, Tyrian . . . and she
was a princess . . .  and a Sailor scout . . .. and, and . . . . but she
loved . . .
        'Why is this so hard!'
        "I guess we are lucky that Sailor Moon was there." Darien greed
after a moment, staring intently at her face. What had just happened upon
that beautiful canvas, the emotions painted across it, flitting by,
confusion, fear, tenderness, the soft, soft edges of . . . love? Or was he
merely fooling himself, that she loved him. And why would it matter! it
wasn't' like he loved her! Even if he did love her. And he had almost lost
her. He was struck with an almost unstoppable desire to grab her in his
arms, as though he would never see her again, afraid that such a nightmare
would come to pass, and maybe, maybe, steal one sweet moment upon her lips
. . . Thank God Sailor moon had been there. Because, he thought bitterly,
Tuxedo mask hadn't' been there. If he hadn't' been such an idiot, hadn't'
been so slow to transform, he could have stopped the youma, and Serena would
never have been hurt. Couldn't' she see that it was his fault that this had
happened to her! Couldn't' she understand. He was a failure, incompetent! He
had been the reason that she had been subjected to pain! IT WAS ALL HIS
FAULT! The guilt would never be washed away, would lie so heavily upon his
heart! 'I'm so, so sorry Serena.' he said silently again, knowing that there
was no way he would ever be able to forgive himself. He had let Serena down,
he had let Sailor Moon down. She had been injured as well, and in the same
place as Serena . . .
        "Do you know why Tuxedo mask didn't' show up?" Serena asked
innocently.  Darien immediately looked up, startled.
        "I, I . . .  I don't' know." he said, trying to hide how unnerved he
had been for a moment.
        "I wish I could have seen him. He is just soo dreamy!" She said
wistfully. Darien could almost feel the blush rise to his cheeks, but he bit
it back.
        "Dreamy?" he asked.
        "Yeah. He's soo romantic and mysterious and gorgeous and brave! He's
perfect!" she said. Darien frowned. For a second he had felt jealous of
Tuxedo Mask. Which was just ridiculous! He WAS Tuxedo Mask, for crying out
loud! He was jealous of himself! he shook his head. When did his life become
such a soap opera!?!?!
        "I thought that you and Tyrian . . . " she looked at him, startled.
        "Me and Tyrian what?" she asked.
        "You know. That he was your . . . boyfriend." he said. Did he sound
disappointed? She smiled.
        "I do not have a boyfriend!" she said, crossing her arms. "Why is
everyone digging into my personal life!"
        "Ah, so you admit. You have a personal life to dig into!" he
exclaimed. Serena was ready to scream! Why was this one boy so frustrating!
One second, she could almost imagine herself  in his arms and the next, she
wanted to kill him. how could anyone be Mr. Perfect, to Mr. Puke-face!
        "ARGH!" she screamed.
        "WHAT IS IT!" Darien cried, concern sweeping across his features as
he reached out for her. She smiled.
        "Nothing, just felt like screaming. but, while we're talking about
personal lives, what about you! I saw you two timing on Rei MR. Chiba. Now
what do you have to say for yourself!."
        "Two timing Rei? We're not even going out - we never really were.
Rei was more like a little sister than anything."
        "So you weren't' two timing Rei, you were just going out with that
one girl you were totally making out with in your apartment!" she said.
Darien shook his head frantically. She still didn't get it.
        "She kissed me meatball head. Not the other way around. I was not
making out with anyone, and I am not going out with anyone!" he said,
annoyed.
        "WEll neither am I!" Serena retorted hotly.
        "Fine!" Darien said.
        "FINE!" She yelled. 'Why do I even care anyways if he's going out
with anyone. Besides, I have to leave my options open for Tuxedo mask . . .
'
        "I wonder . . .hey Darien, do you think Tuxedo Mask loves Sailor
Moon?" she asked. Darien was startled at the question. He had never even
thought of things like that before. But that was Serena, always throwing you
for a loop.
        "I think that maybe . . .  in his own way, he does. But-"
        "O THAT IS JUST SO COOL!!!!" Serena squealed happily, interrupting
him.
        "And what are you so happy about? it's not your love life - you've
got too many boyfriends as it is!."
        "O would you just shut up! You talk way too much! JEEZ!" she said,
putting her nose up in the air. Then, suddenly, her expression changed, and
she looked at him meaningfully. "in his own way?" she asked again, staring
into his eyes deeply. Darien wasn't' even aware that he replied to her
question, so trapped by her luminous blue eyes was he.
        "In his own way, I'm sure that he loves her very much." he said
softly, with deeper meaning than he had intended, reaching out for her to
brush a loose strand of her hair out of her face, gently letting the pads of
his fingertips lightly dance across her skin.
        Serena didn't' even look down at his hand when he put it on her
shoulder, barely felt herself moving forward, was only aware of Darien, and
his eyes, and the connection she could practically see, the beating of her
heart, the beating of his heart, which matched her own rhythm perfectly. Was
it possible to ever feel like this, so lost and yet, found. She closed here
yes, not really wanting to lose sight of him, and yet, hoping, knowing that
perhaps, the touch of his lips in the coffee shop would not be her only
experience with them. Did he know that she thought that maybe, she might
(did said something deep inside her) love him. She placed her hand against
his chest, feeling herself be crushed into him, and felt like she was home
after such a cold, solitary journey.
        And she was so close to him, he thought he would die from the
crashing of his heart, and the pounding of his head. Was it possible that
she loved him as much as he loved her? Did she realize he would give it up,
had no  choice but to give everything up, for her , his true princess.
'Please, don't let her leave. Don't' let me wake up! Let this princess be
real!'
        Something suddenly darted between them, scratching him, and Darien
immediately pulled back. He looked down at his arm and the four small
scratches that marked the length of it. He looked at the offender.
        "Luna?" he asked. the cat looked . . . .mad? That didn't' make sense
at all! But his arm was a testament to the cat's mental state.
        "LUNA! HOW COULD YOU! I am so sorry Darien!" Serena said, grabbing
her cat by the scruff of its neck.
        "It's all right Serena." he said, a hand nervously placed on the
back of his head. She wouldn't' even look at him, but he could tell her face
was probably flushed crimson. He was a bit embarrassed too. How could he
have let himself get so caught up in her?
        'Because'
        'O SHUT UP!' he yelled at himself, groaning as he realized he was
arguing with himself. That girl was driving him crazy.
        "Maybe, I should, um, leave. Yeah, I'm gonna go. OK Serena."
        "Yeah." she said, laughing nervously. "Maybe you . . . yeah, I think
that would be good."
        "OK! then I, Um, well . . . " he took one last look at her. If she
had any idea how beautiful she was . . .. these thoughts weren't helping him
at all! he had to get out of there before he lost all will power. "I'll see
you around. Hope you feel better!" he said, running out the door. He stood
int the hallway, leaning against the wall, breathing hard. What had just
happened in there?!?! What had he almost done . . .and with Serena . . . and
why did it feel so right?!?!
        'ARGH!!!' Not caring for her was going to be harder than he thought.

        "And just what did you think you were doing!" Luna spat angrily.
Serena looked down at her hands.
        "I don't' know Luna." she said. "I  just well . . . it was like . .
. O I DON'T KNOW!" she said, frustrated.
        "Its' a good thing your father didn't' come in! I don't think that
Darien would be living if he had seen what I just did!"
        "WEll, then it's a good thing Dad's at work, isn't' it." Serena
retorted impertinently. Luna sighed.
        "That behavior is completely unacceptable!"
        "I know, I know. Luna, I get it, you don't' need to yell at me for
much longer. If you do, I'll be too deaf to hear your ranting."
        "I do not rant!" Luna said angrily, her voice rising.
        "Then what are you doing right now."
        "I am . . .scolding. There is a difference. And you are in definite
need of scolding. And, while we are on the subject, why didn't' you call for
back- up the other night. That was just plain stupid of you! The girls would
have come! So why didn't you call them!"
        "I don't' know! I JUST DON'T" KNOW LUNA! Just . . . " Serena put her
head in her hands miserably. "Just leave me alone Luna, Ok? Just go. I'm not
having a good day and I'm tired."
        "But Serena, we need to talk about-"
        "GET OUT! Don't' you get it! WHY WONT" YOU JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"
Serena yelled, almost in tears. Luna opened her mouth to say something, but
the dejected look on Serena's face made her rethink her words, and she
followed Serena's wishes, leaving the room.

        'I almost KISSED HER!' he screamed to himself. 'Maybe . . .  she
said that Tyrian wasn't' anything to her! . . . What if she does care for me
. . . but she said she wanted us to be 'just' friends . . .  STOP IT!!
You're being RIDICULOUS! YOU'VE SEEN THEM TOGETHER! There isn't' room for
me!'
        His mind whirled as the dream-like events of the last hour replayed
in his mind. His heart was still pounding, and all he could think about was
her. 'Maybe she does . . . '
        "You look like your having some problems Darien." Andrew said,
coming up beside his oldest and bestest friend at the counter.
        "Problems? Why do you think that?" Darien asked, immediately
bringing his full attention to the outside world.
        "WEll, you just poured your cream over your bagel. And here I
thought you took your COFFEE light, not your bread."
        "O." Darien said, immediately blushing. "Yeah, I guess I have had a
lot on my mind."
        "Wanna talk? I've got a break." Andrew offered with his usual
cheerful smile.
        "I don't really-"
        "O COME ON!! We're best buds, right? So. The girls need gossip,
well, so do the guys! So are you gonna tell me or what? Who knows, I might
even be able to help."
        "Fine, fine." Darien conceded, throwing his hands up in defeat.
Andrew smiled, and sat down at the booth.
        "Well, I'm flattered that you came to me for advice on girls, but
why me?" Andrew asked, sipping a coffee.
        "Well, besides being TRICKED into talking, you are the only guy I
know with a functional relationship with his girlfriend." Darien said.
Andrew smiled.
        "WHOO BOY!! I am the absolute worst person you would want to go to
for help on how to make a girl go totally nuts for ya."
        "But Rita is crazy for you!" Darien said, not really understanding
the joke that Andrew was laughing so hard at.
        "I never did tell you how we met, did I?" Andrew asked. Darien shook
his head.
        "WEll, let's just say I'm lucky she didn't' arrest me for perversion
or something."
        "What do you mean?" Darien asked, leaning forward in the chair.
        "WEll, I was coming back form school and I se this girl talking with
one of her friends. And this girl is gorgeous. Drop Dead knock-out."
        "Rita?" Darien asked. Andrew nodded.
        "Anyways, she and her fiend were talking about their friend
Danielle, and didn't' notice me following t hem. I must have followed her
for five hours as she went around the mall. Finally, she went into a
restaurant. So, I went in, and decided to make my move."
        "Your move?"
        "Yeah. I introduced myself to her, and, from listening to her and
her friend's conversation I knew her name was Rita. So, I said that I
recognized her from some of Danielle's photo's, and that I was a friend of
hers, and we ordered a drink, and I kinda of pretended that I was this great
friend of Danielle's, making stuff up based off of her conversation with her
friend that I had listened to."
        "You're kidding!" Darien said, amazed that his honest friend could
have ever done something so . . . off character.
        "I'm not. Well, Rita and I had a great time and I gave her my
number, and she called, and we went out a few more times. Finally, after
about maybe five dates, I told her the truth about how I didn't' really know
her friend, and how I had followed her and eavesdropped on her and pretended
to be Danielle's friend."
        "That was bright." Darien said sarcastically. "what did she do?"
        "What else could she do? She slapped me, called me a scary freak and
left. But a few days later she called and said that even if I was a pervert,
she really did have a lot of fun with me and liked me a lot, and asked if I
wanted to do something with her, and the rest, well, here I am today."
        "That is the most . . . I don't' even know." Darien said, leaning
back in the chair and sipping his coffee. "Never knew you had it in you to
do something so devious."
        "Yeah well, you learn something knew every day." Andrew remarked.
"So, back to you, about these girl problems. I don't' see why you're having
any. It's not like you're ugly or anything. Just so long as you aren't' a
total jerk to her like you usually are, you should be fine."
        "Thanks a lot."
        "Hey, I'm trying to help. You want my advice or not?"
        "I do. It' just that . . . do you think it would be right if she was
seeing someone else and I-"
        "Wait a sec. Back up. Seeing someone else?!?!?!" Andrew cried. "I
don't' really know about that Darien. Its' kind of a sleaze ball thing to do
if you steal her away from another guy."
        "I know but-"
        "She must be really special."
        "O she is! But, I mean, you know me. I don't' know if I want to deal
with that in my life."
        "Deal with what?"
        "Love.  I don't' want her to get in the way and there are so many
other factors, like I'm older than her and then I have so much going on that
she would probably-"
        "you realize you just said love, right?" Andrew asked, interrupting
Darien's automatic defense system, trying to convince himself of why he
shouldn't care for this girl, or, for that matter, care for anyone. Andrew
knew Darien long enough to know that he had never had someone special in his
life. And Now this girl, whoever she was, had made Darien lose sight of his
usual goals, made him disoriented, made him so distracted, that it was like
a totally different person. Darien was already too far gone to not go for
the girl.
        "Darien, I think, whoever this girl is, you need her in your life.
You cant' be alone forever. And, let's face it, you've been a wreck lately.
i thought it was just finals stress coming up-"
        "But I never stress over finals!"
        "I know! But it wasn't' finals stress at all. It was this girl. So I
say, that if she is that special, that important, if you love her-"
        "I don't' love anyone!" Darien protested. Andrew smiled knowingly.
        "Sure you don't'. Of course, I don't' believe you. But, if you feel
this strongly about her, I don't' think I'd care if she was engaged to the
richest prince in the entire world. I'd go for her."
        "you would?"
        "yeah. I think, love, it doesn't' come around that often. And for
you, I think we're pretty lucky it happened at all."
        "HEY! I thought you were supposed to be my fiend."
        "I am. Now stop interrupting. What I was trying to say is that,
love, real love, the kind that lasts forever, it doesn't' happen that often,
or to everyone. But if it does, you can't ever let it go. Because you might
not ever get a chance at it again. I say go for it, grab her in your arms,
ask her out whatever, but get her, and never let her out of your sight. Or
else, you could live to regret for the rest of your life."
        "But what about-" Darien started.
        "it's not important."
        "but you don't' even know what I was going to say."
        "I don't' care. Whatever the other factors are, they aren't
important. The girl, your love, now that is important. ": Andrew said,
looking at his watch. "And my break is over. But Darien, if you and a
certain girl need a place to eat, I'll leave the back booth open for you
two."
        Darien looked up at his fiend gratefully.
        "thanks."
        "No problem. Its' about time someone snuck her way into that heart
of yours. I never would have believed it would happen. Guess I just lost
twenty bucks." Andrew said wryly. Darien looked at him, confused.
        "What are you talking about? Lost twenty bucks?"
        "O! WE made a bet. I bet that you would never fall in love. Guess I
lost, huh?"
        "YOU BET ON MY LOVE LIFE!?!?!" Darien cried, incredulous.
        "no, I bet on your lack of a love life."
        "You know Andrew, you had better get back on shift, before you
aren't' capable of going back on shift, ya know?" Darien said darkly. Andrew
laughed nervously, before scampering off into the kitchen. Darien smiled
despite himself, leaning back into the booth. maybe, Andrew was right.
maybe, he should just go for it. But, would Serena have him?

        "GO AWAY!" Serena cried, not really caring who was knocking on her
door this time.
        "Serena?" Tyrian asked, standing in the doorway. "Should I leave?"
        "No. Come on in. It's just that everyone and their mother has
stopped by to see how I'm doing. I'm fine, really, but . . . it's just a
little frustrating." she sighed.
        "I understand perfectly." Tyrian said with a smile.
        "Somehow, I knew you would." Serena said. Tyrian pulled up a chair
from her desk and sat across from her.
        "I didn't' come to just see how you were doing. WE need to talk." he
said seriously.
        "Bout what?" she asked, her eyes narrowing in confusion.
        "That business last night. When did you become a scout?"
        "Wasn't' i always one?" she asked. Tyrian shook his head.
        "No. There has never been a scout of the moon. This is a new
development - I would have noticed if you'd been one before. It's kind of
hard not to." he said.
        "O." Serena replied, letting the words sink in. She had never been a
scout? She wasn't' supposed to be a scout? What did that mean for her?
"WEll, Luna just gave me my brooch, and I'm one now, so I guess, things
change, you know. What happened in the past can't always be carried over
into the now."
        "I suppose." Tyrian said slowly. "But, isn't' it dangerous?"
        "WEll, DUH! Of course it is!" Serena exclaimed.
        "Then why are you doing it! You're a princess! You shouldn't be out
in the thick of battle!" Tyrian cried angrily.
        "Yeah, it would be nice not to have to be Sailor Moon . . . but my
friends need me. I cant' abandon them." she said, thinking her words over
carefully.
        "I don't' want you being Sailor Moon." Tyrian said. Serena looked at
him as though he had grown two heads.
        "Not be Sailor Moon. That would be nice and all but . . . I can't!
What if the scouts need me!"
        "They can handle themselves! They could handle themselves quite well
before, and I'm sure they have not lost any of their skill."
        "Tyrian," Serena began, placing her hand on his arm. "I think it's
really nice of you to be worrying about me and all, but, as much as I
totally want to shoot myself for saying this, I don't' think I can Not be
Sailor Moon. It would-"
        "I don't' care WHAT it would be! I will not allow you to be Sailor
Moon! My wife will not-"
        "HOLD ON!!! When did  this wife thing happen? I never said anything
about marrying you!"
        "WE were engaged on the moon. Are you saying that you are taking
that vow back?"
        "Again, let me say DUH! I am not on the moon, and I for sure don't
remember the moon. Besides, I'm only 15! I can't marry you!"
        "Serenity! You are being ridiculous! I forbid you to be a Sailor
Scout, and I forbid you to-"
        "Forbid me?" Serena said angrily. "Did I hear you right? Did you
just say, forbid me! YOU! HAHAHAHAHA! And when exactly did you get to tell
me what to do? You have absolutely NO right to tell me how to live my life
and what I can do with myself. I'm sorry if that includes me not marrying
you right this second!"
        "Serenity-"
        "MY NAME IS SERENA!" she yelled angrily at him.
        "Serena," he began again, calmer now, "Why are you being difficult?"
        "ME! DIFFICULT! I don't' think so!" Serena said, her voice rising
with attitude. "I don't' even know you that well Tyrian. I cant' decide to
marry you just because of what I might have done in a completely other time
or life I don't' remember. I'm not even that same girl. I am no princess,
you have to admit. I'm really not. I'm a totally different person. I don't'
even know if I could marry at all, even if I was an adult."
        "Are you saying that you wont' marry me Serenity?" Tyrian asked
darkly, his eyes glinting cold, blue steel.
        "I'm not saying anything Tyrian. I just, I just need time to think."
Serena said, tired from all of the arguments, from all of the talking. "I
don't' know what I'm going to do."
        "YOu don't' love me, do you Princess?" Tyrian asked. "You have
betrayed me?"
        "I told you Tyrian, I just don't' know anything about anything. I
just don't' know!"
        "That, that . . . Prin-"
        "Tyrian please, I'm sorry, I really am, but I am so confused right
now. I keep on hearing all these different things telling me this or that,
and I don't 'know which voice to listen to."
        "That boy has done this! HE has turned you against me!" Tyrian said,
the pitch of his voice rising madly, his face contorting in an
uncontrollable rage. "He has made you fall in love with HIM! Just as he
tried to back on the moon! WELL I WON'T LET HIM HAVE YOU! YOU ARE MINE
SERENITY! DO YOU HEAR ME! MINE!!!!"
        Serena cowered back against her headboard, trying to get away from
Tyrian's tirade. It was starting to scare her. He seemed completely
different than the Tyrian she thought she had known. Where had this
possessiveness come from? Or had he always been like that, and she hadn't'
noticed. Were all the times he had been there for her, all the times he had
magically shown up right when she needed him, were they all a result of his
possessive nature? Why couldn't' she have seen this in him? He had hidden it
so well from her. But now, she was scared, terrified. Because he seemed so
serious about controlling her life, telling her what to do. If only Darien
had stayed a little longer. Or maybe that would have made it worse. His rage
seemed directed at some boy, and the only one she could think of that she
had spent any time with was Darien. What if Tyrian decided to go wacko on
Darien. What if he tried to hurt Darien? But, Tyrian didn't' seem the
violent sort, but then again, she hadn't' been that great of a judge of his
character before. Suddenly, Tyrian's hands clamped down over her wrists
harshly, as he spoke directly to her face. She swallowed a dry lump in her
throat, her eyes wide in fear.
        "NEVER DOUBT IT SERENITY! YOU ARE MINE, AND MINE ALONE! MINE!!!!"

        Prince Endymion thirsted hard with the sword, running the straw
dummy through with it over and over, each jab of the sword more brutal than
the next. He swung again, ignoring the sweat on his brow, the sharpened edge
of  his blade digging into the soft neck of the practice dummy. The head
went flying.
        Malachite bent down with a smile, to pick up the decapitated head.
        "I think its' dead now, your highness." he joked. Endymion glowered
at him, wiping his forehead.
        "Don't' start with me today Malachite." he said gruffly. Malachite
rolled his eyes.
        "Bad mood?" malachite asked. "let me guess. It's either the princess
or Tyrian." Endymion looked back to the dummy, and rammed his sword through
it once more, fluff and straw flying all over.
        "It is not Tyrian!" He growled, bringing the sword back around to
hack at a leg. "And it is NOT the princess." he cried, before sheathing his
sword, breathing heavily. Malachite smiled knowingly.
        "Sure it isn't. So, what did you do to make the princess upset?"
        "Why do you assume that I did something to-"
        'Because you're here mutilating a poor defenseless practice dummy,
and the princess has been moping and sighing all day. So what did you do?"
        "If you're the expert on myself and Sere, why don't you tell me!"
        "Touchy, touchy. I would have to guess that it's because you have
completely distanced yourself from the princess. Have you truly said more
than two words to her your entire stay. But really, all you are doing is
making both you and the princess miserable. You, because well it's obvious.
I don't' need to spell it out for you. And her because she misses her
friend."
        "You know I cant' be just her fiend Malachite! I can't! And to think
that she's with Tyrian! Why can't she see that he's just using her! Or her
mother! Or anyone!! Why am I the only one who listens to logic! I don't'
understand-"
        'I realize your frustrated Endymion, but ranting isn't helping. I
have to agree with you. Tyrian is , shall we say, less than honorable, and
the Queen does realize that, but she also knows that her daughter, for
whatever reason, loves Tyrian, and will not deny her daughter love. I don't
think you should punish her for it either."
        "I can't malachite. I can't even be in the same room with her
anymore, its' gotten so bad."
        "If you care for her so much, why cant' you see what your apparent
rejection of her is doing to her?"
        "What are you talking about?" Endymion asked. Malachite, glad to see
he had finally caught the prince's attention, continued, his voice full of
some deep meaning.
        "She cant' understand what she did to make you hate her."
        "WHAT!" Endymion cried angrily. "HATE HER! Now that's ironic!"
        "True, but that is what the princess thinks, that you hate her. To
her, its' the only explanation why you have been avoiding her as often as
possible. You still are, in her eyes, her best fiend, and she thinks she's
done something to drive you away, to make you hate her. You know the
princess better than I. How do you think this, knowing she had driven away
one of the most important people in her life away, has affected her."
        "Me? Important? To her? What does she need me for if she had Tyrian.
You are mistaken Malachite. It's a good thing you decided to be my guard
because you would fail as a psychiatrist."
        "I don't' think so Endymion. I know Serenity and I know that you are
very, very important to her. And you running from her at every turn is
making her miserable. I can see that. So why cant' you?"
        "But Tyrian-"
        "She may love Tyrian, but that doesn't' mean she doesn't' love you
as well, just in a different way. Why are you so block headed!" Malachite
said in exasperation.
        "Born that way. " Endymion deadpanned. "But malachite, that is the
problem."
        "What?"
        "She might love me, but not in the way that counts."
Malachite shook his head.
        "Love, young prince, is love. No matter what form, no matter what
context, it is still love, and you cannot, must not, take it for granted. I
would not lose this love for anything in the world, if I was you. because,
she does love you. And no mater how you look at it, it is still love."
Malachite said, looking straight at the prince, who had a hard time not
averting his eyes from his advisors penetrating stare.
        "I, I just don't' think I can Malachite. I love her too much."
Endymion said, standing up and sweeping from the room.
        "But so does she." Malachite said softly, shaking his head sadly at
the melancholy prince. "So does she."

        "EXCUSE ME!" Endymion said gruffly, as he hurried away from
Malachite's words, trying to shut out his heart to them. He desperately
wanted to just be her friend, at least have that small amount of contact
with her, but every time she was near him, he felt like he was losing
control. Friends! IMPOSSIBLE!! Not with her. He loved her, and he didn't'
think just friends would be enough. No, he knew. Because, he loved her too
deeply to just let it end at that. And to know that she was loving someone
like Tyrian, and knowing that he was helpless to stop it, was tearing him
apart. He wanted nothing more than to rip the prince's heart out, shred it
into small strips, but he couldn't do that to Sere. His encounter with her
two years ago had proven that to him. And now, some body, some lowly servant
probably, was bumping into him unceremoniously! Didn't' the servant realize
he was not in the best of moods, that this was a time NOT to bump into him
so roughly.
        "Prince Endymion - didn't' see you there. Btu I must admit, you
certainly have grown up from that little boy we all remember." Prince Tyrian
said lightly, almost mocking him. Endymion sensed a challenge in the voice,
but did nothing about it.
        "The same couldn't be said of you. You are still the same arrogant,
pompous . . .. never mind. Excuse me Prince Tyrian." Endymion said quickly,
reigning in his anger. Just the sight of his visage made Endymion well up in
terror.
        "Temper Temper, little prince. I was hoping I'd find you. I would
like to have a  word with you."
        "And who said I wanted to have a word with you?"
        "Please, don't' be difficult. I just want to have a friendly talk."
Tyrian said, smiling. Endymion thought it looked like the smile of a
crocodile, ready to viciously destroy him in a second. "Unless, of course,
you are intimidated by speaking to your future ruler of the Silver
Millennium."
        "Afraid? Of what? Of you? Can you hear this?" Endymion asked,
pausing for a second. "Its' the sound of me laughing."
        "Then you have no reason not to take a walk with me and talk. Come,
the gardens are lovely, and I know you have an affinity for them." Tyrian
said, walking ahead of Endymion into the vast gardens outside. Endymion
sighed, having no choice but to follow.
        "What do you want Tyrian?" he asked roughly. Tyrian smiled again.
        "I wanted to thank you, of course, for leaving my Serenity alone.
After that nasty business a few years ago, I thought that you might have
tried something stupid."
        "Like what?" Endymion asked, narrowing his eyes. Tyrian laughed.
        "Like stealing what is mine."
        "Sere is NOT yours. She's no one's property. You shouldn't-"
        "O, but she will be my wife, so she will be mine, and mine alone.
You do understand, don't' you Endymion. You cannot have her."
        "I never said anything-" Tyrian raised a hand abruptly, stopping
Endymion.
        "You don't' need to say a thing. Just remember, Serenity is Mine. So
I don't' want you interfering with her, trying to turn her against me."
        "I don't' need to do a thing. I'm sure she'll eventually see you for
what you are! She'll see that you don't' love her, that you're using her,
and I wont' even need to say a thing to her."
        Tyrian paled in anger at Endymion's words. "You se, Tyrian, I have
not forgotten what I heard two years ago in your chambers."
        "But Serenity did not believe you, now did she."
        "She will. She'll see you for what you really are, a lying,
cheating, slimy snake." Tyrian trembled with anger, but tried to laugh it
off nervously.
        "You really are a fool, Endymion. You are so wrong that it's
comical."
        "I don't' see anything funny about this at all. My threat still
stands. If you hurt Serenity, I wont' fail to hunt you down and make sure
you pay for what you have done."
        "Hurt Serenity! I can't do that! I need her. I do, contrary to your
belief, . . . .care . . . for her, I suppose. It's hard not to develop some
feelings for someone you have known for two years. And it's not that hard to
like the girl, is it?" Tyrian said knowingly, raising an eyebrow at
Endymion. "Perhaps, in time I will learn to love her. But, I do care for her
. . . somewhat."
        "That . . .that  . . . .SHE DESERVES MORE!" Endymion raged, turning
on Tyrian, his hands raised and poised to grasp his throat and throttle the
golden prince in a moment. But slowly, Endymion's hands dropped, as he
fought to regain his calm demeanor.
        "I'm sure she does, Endymion. At least in your mind she does. But, I
refuse to lose her . . .not to you. She is mine." Tyrian said posessively.
Endymion looked at him, his head cocked to the side.
        "You say that a lot. Mine. Do you have some sort of complex. There
are great shrinks back on Earth who can-"
        "I AM NOT ILL IN THE HEAD!" Tyrian cried angrily, leaning forward on
his feet to face Endymion.. "How dare you even suggest I am incompetent. I
assure you that I am most certainly not! I am more than capable! Of keeping
Serenity, of being king of the Silver Millennium. I am not about to fail! I
am not about to lose what is mine. And you cannot have it, not any of it. I
came to talk to you to warn you little prince. Stay away from what is mine,
this kingdom, my princess. You cannot have them, have no chance at winning
them. They are mine, forever! Do you understand."
        "Yeah, perfectly." Endymion said. Tyrian smiled happily.
        "Good, I am glad that is settled."
        "Yeah, I understand." Endymion repeated, his voice thick with
sarcasm. "You are an absolute loony who is just a tad obsessive and
possessive. I also can understand that when Serenity realizes this, she's
going to dump you so fast that you're gonna break the earth's sound
barrier."
        Tyrian lunged at Endymion, who easily side stepped the raging
prince, who had no experience in battle and hand to hand combat. Tyrian
landed on the ground with a loud thud, and Endymion lightly placed a foot on
Tyrian's back.
        "Now this is a warning to you. If you dare hurt Serenity, crazy or
not, I really don't' care, I will not fail to kill you. DO YOU UNDERSTAND?"
Endymion said darkly. Tyrian refused to answer, to Endymion ground his shoe
a little harder into Tyrian's back. Tyrian gasped.
        "I understand."
        "Good. It's  good that we got that cleared up." Endymion said,
starting back towards the castle, not even bothering to look back at Tyrian
or help him up form the ground. Suddenly, Endymion looked back, calling over
his shoulder.
        "O, and by he way Tyrian. It isn't' a good idea to try and fight me.
Serenity would be mad at you if she ever found out, and then, I doubt she's
still want to be yours." Endymion said lightly. "Besides, it's not like you
could ever win against me, LITTLE PRINCE.

        Serenity saw Tyrian and raced over to him, knocking into him and
giving him a bear hug.
        "Please, Serenity, a little control would be nice." Tyrian
admonished. Serenity lowered her head, trying to hide the immediate blush.
        "Sorry. I forgot. But I saw you and I just had to come over." she
said cheerfully. Tyrian smiled at her, taking her hand in his, his face
going serious.
        "I'm glad, we really do need to talk."
        "OK!" Serenity said, slipping her arm in his and hanging onto him.
"By the way, why are you so dirty?" Serenity asked, noticing the mud on the
front of his clothes. Tyrian looked away.
        "I was . . .practicing." he said quickly. Serenity shrugged her
shoulders.
        "OK. So, what do you want to talk about?"
        "When we are married, I want you to live with me."
        "WEll, obviously. That's what married people usually do." Serenity
said, giggling.
        "No. I mean, at my home Serenity. I want you to leave the moon and
live with me in my kingdom."
        "Leave the moon?" she repeated, unsure. How could she leave the
moon? And all her friends? and her mother?
        "I cant' leave the moon!" she exclaimed. "It's my home!"
        "No, it's not." Tyrian said. "Your home is with me, and my home is
back on my planet."
        "But Tyrian-" She protested. Tyrian shook his head.
        "It's been decided Serenity. We are going to return to my kingdom
after the ceremony." He said, his voice ringing with finality. Serenity
looked down at her feet, trying to hide the tears that came to her eyes. She
didn't' want to leave the moon! It would be so hard. But Tyrian wanted her
to . . . and he did love her . . . she could at least do this for him.
        "All right." she said finally, slowly, still unsure as to whether
she made the right decision. Even if she didn't' want to leave the moon, it
wasn't like she couldn't' visit or anything, and besides, Tyrian seemed so
set to live on his home planet - she couldn't disobey him in something that
she could so easily give up . . . even if it did hurt to just think about
leaving everything she had here behind.
        "And another thing, Serenity."
        "MM HMM?"
        "That prince, Endymion." Tyrian began. Serenity immediately turned
to face him.
        "WHAT?" she cried. "What about him? He's all right, isn't; he?" she
asked, beginning to worry, not even sure why she was worrying so much at
all. Endymion had clearly made it apparent that he didn't want anything to
do with her, but still . . . he would always be her best friend.
        "I would appreciate it if you stopped seeing him. I will not allow
him in our home when we are married, save for strictly diplomatic purposes."
Tyrian said. Serenity's jaw dropped. How dare he tell her who she could and
could not see!
        "I will not! He is my friend! You cannot tell me who I can be
friends with!" Serenity said, her eyes flashing in rage. Give up the moon,
perhaps she could do that. Give up living with her family and her friends,
for Tyrian, it wasn't that big a  deal, but for some reason, she was not,
was most definitely not, willing to give up Endymion! Not for anything in
all the universe!
        "Serenity, you forget. You are to be my wife."
        "So what! That doesn't' mean a thing! I am not about to stop being
friends with Endy."
        "He doesn't' even want to be friends with you, Serenity. Its' a one
sided relationship. Cant' you see how he has been avoiding you!" Tyrian said
earnestly. "I just don't want you getting hurt."
        "Endy would not do anything to hurt me! I know him, and I know him,
and I know he wouldn't do that!"
        "But what about these last few weeks." Tyrian said, coaxing her into
believing him. "I have seen the sadness in your eyes. And it hurts me as
much as it hurts you." Tyrian said. Serenity's anger began to subside. he
was doing all of this because he cared for her. Which made it a little
better. But he still couldn't' ban Endymion from her home if she invited him
over.
        "I appreciate your concern Tyrian, but If I want to invite Endymion
over, I will." she said stubbornly Tyrian shook his head.
        "No, you won't." he said seriously. "You are mine Serenity., I won't
allow that man in our home!"
        "Well,  I will allow him in our home, and I don't' care what you say
Tyrian! I , I . .. he's my best friend! I will not let you stop me from
seeing him!" she cried angrily, tears forming in her eyes once again as she
fled from him. Tyrian watched her leave, seething. Endymion had struck
again.
        "YOu will not have her. Even if I die, I will not allow you to have
her! SHE IS MINE ENDYMION! MINE!"

        Endymion heard the familiar voice contorted in an unfamiliar way.
She was crying. It broke his heart to hear Serenity sound so miserable. He
watched her, unable to help himself from hovering around, trying to protect
her silently, not seen and not heard. He would protect her, for always, even
if she had no idea he was there. She continued to cry brokenly and
Endymion's resolve crumbled, as he shyly stepped from his position behind
the tree.
        "Princess Serenity?" he asked formally, yet concerned. She looked up
at him, wiping the tears from her face quickly, hoping he hadn't' noticed
them. Of course, he had, but didn't' let on that he had seen her.
        "Prince Endymion!" she replied, flustered, making a haphazard
attempt at a curtsey. If he was planning on being formal, than so could she.
        "Is anything the matter, Princess? I thought I heard someone
crying." he asked, this time the concern in his voice very clear. Serenity
didn't' fail to notice and smiled in spite of herself.
        "No. I'm fine. It must have been some creature around here baying or
something." She said,. Endymion smiled at her knowingly.
        "Perhaps a rabbit?" he said. SHe blushed at the childhood nickname
that her father had affectionately called her. "Come now, if something is
bothering you, I'm willing to listen." Endymion said, as the old comfortable
feeling of just being with her, alone, talking, joking, settled over him. He
had missed it, and the ease with which he could slip back into that old mode
amazed him. It felt so nice, like being home, and all of the tension he had
felt with her before seemed lifted.
        "I'm fine, really." she insisted. Endymion shook his head.
        "Sure ya are Sere. And I'm the prince of -"
        "O don't' say it! that was the corniest saying you ever came up with
- and you always said corny stuff Endy!" She exclaimed. Endymion smiled at
her.
        "if you insist Serenity." he said, laughing a little. He sat down
beside her, forgetting for a moment that he had to be on his guard against
this very thing, being too close to her. "But really, I don't' believe a
word of this 'I'm fine' stuff. My ears still work pretty well, I haven't'
heard you screaming into them lately, so if you want to talk, I don't' mind
listening." he said. Serenity's eyes began to water with emotion. Where had
he gone! WHere had her best fiend gone, and why had he suddenly come back!
She wanted to hug him right there, but held herself in check It just want'
befitting an engaged girl to go around hugging handsome prince's - even if
the prince in question was her best friend.
        "I really don't . . ." she let her voice trail off as a plot formed
in her had. "Actually, if you answer one of my questions, I'll answer yours.
Deal?" she asked, extending her hand. Endymion looked at it skeptically,
then, shook it firmly.
        "Deal." he said. "
        "OK!! But I get to go first!"
        "Sure thing. Not a problem" he said.
        " OK. What i want to know is . . .what happened on earth?" she
asked. Endymion's face immediately darkened, and the light mood suddenly
lifted. He stood abruptly.
        "I think I should go Princess Serenity." He said cordially.
Serenity's eyes began to water.
        "NO! You promised that you'd answer my question! Endy! Why wont'
you!"
        "I asked you not to ask me about that Serenity. It's better if you
don't know." he said, his voice deadly seriously. Serenity shook her head in
disagreement.
        "NO! I just, I just . .. " she threw herself against Endymion,
crying as she hugged him tightly. "I thought I had gotten my best friend
back. I thought you had stopped hating me! But I guess I was wrong. I just
wanted to know what had happened to make you not want to be friends with me
anymore. I assumed it was something on earth that had changed you, had made
you hate me! I just wanted to know why you don't want to be my fiend anymore
Endy. Because I still want you to be my friend, even if you don't' want to
be mine! You're still my best friend! You'll always be my best friend, no
matter what, no matter how much you've changed, even if you hate - "
        "Serenity, get one thing straight! I do not hate you!" Endymion
said, pushing her away form him so he could look into her tear filled blue
eyes, penetrating them deeply, trying to convey the sincerity of his
meaning. "I could never, ever hate you. I . . .I care for you too much."
        "I do too! But you were soo changed! It was like you didn't' even
want to be around me!" she said through her tears, cringing under the stare
of the man who was now holding her shoulders so delicately. She wanted to
hide form him, but instead he pulled her closer to him, holding her so tight
she thought there was no way the air could pass between them, as though she
were the only thing keeping him sane, her body his only link to a different
world.
        "The earth . . you don't' want to know about what happened down
there Sere. Bad things happened down there. Bad, bad things." he said, his
voice hollow as he spoke, still clutching her tightly.
        "Like what?" she asked innocently. "You can tell me."
        "I . . . I  . .. I sent my people to death! I knew they would die!
EVERY BATTLE WE FOUGHT! I ordered someone, somewhere to die every time we
went up against Beryl! we're no match for her, and yet, every time, I still
fight! I . . .my friends! There was this one boy Sere, he was so young, not
much older than you . . .he could have BEEN YOU!! And I ordered the line to
go, and I knew that we had to sacrifice some but . .. he died because of me
Sere! So many died because of me! I . . . I had no choice but to grow up . .
. . because . . . .I killed them all Sere. Their blood . . . all on my
hands. So much blood . . .so much death . . it's all my fault Sere, all my
fault . . . " his voice was a thin, anguished whisper, as he let it run off
into memory. He was crying silently, his body heaving with the silent sobs
he tried to control. Serenity could not help but cry with him. He was
suffering so much, had seen so much pain. No wonder he had changed so much!
No wonder he had grown up. Anyone in that situation would have. And the pain
in his soul, this searing pain inside, she could feel it, as though it where
her own, and she just wanted to take it all away. Her poor, poor best
friend. No wonder he had been so distant. the guilt was killing his heart.
She held him tighter to her, as he cried, as she joined him, her arms twined
tightly around him. She closed her eyes as she leaned against his chest,
whispering soothing words she doubted he could hear, but said anyways.
        Suddenly, he gently let himself free of her embrace, wiping at his
face furiously, looking like the 17 year old boy she had known, with his
hair mussed and falling forward into his eyes. Before she realized what she
was doing, she reached up and brushed the strands of silky black hair back,
and he smiled at her gratefully.
        "I -"
        "You don't' need to say anything Sere." he said, his voice still
shaky. "I . .. you have no idea how much I . .. thank you." he finally
decided to say. Serenity smiled at him, shaking her head a little.
        "You're my best friend Endy - for always."
        "That I am." he agreed. "And what about you? I think you owe me a
problem of your own. Why were you crying out here all alone?"
        Serenity looked away, embarrassed.
        "It's not really important, not like your problem was-":
        "If it bothered you enough to make you cry, it was important." he
said, putting a reassuring hand over hers. She sniffed, smiling.
        "I guess you're right. It's just that Tyrian-"
        Endymion almost growled at the name, but remained silent. Only his
thoughts were murderous, not his words.
        "Tyrian . . . he . . .I don't' even know! But I don't' like it!"
        "Like what Serenity?" Endymion asked, trying to better understand
something she obviously didn't' understand herself.
        "He just . . it's not the same as before. He's kinda different! I'm
not even sure if I . . . take  today for example! He wants me to live away
from the moon! And he doesn't want me to see you! At all! he 'forbade' it!
He cant' do that! I need you! I cant' just not see you anymore because
Tyrian doesn't' like it!" she said, her voice steadily becoming angrier.
        "Then don't' Sere. You are free to do whatever you want."
        "But . . what if I lose him?" she asked timidly. "I don't' want to
lose him! He loves me. that's why he acts like that, all over-protective and
stuff. Because he cares for me. What if I get him mad and he doesn't' want
to marry me anymore! What if no-one would want to marry me! I don't' want to
be alone Endy. I want . . . I want . . .I just want to be happy. I want to
have love, you know? I've never loved anyone before - he was my first, and I
don't' want to lose him!" she said, feeling the tears well up in her before,
her never before voiced fear sounding so tangible that she was almost
trembling with the force of it.
        "Sere, Tyrian may be your first love, but is he your true love?"
Endymion asked, all mocking aside, his tone serious and succinct. Serenity
lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes.
        "I don't' know. I thought I loved him but I'm just not sure . . it
doesn't' feel right sometimes but . . . What if no one-"
        "You cant' be scared that no one will care for you, that he is the
only one who will ever love you Sere! Because it's not true! You have to
have more confidence in your self. You're such a beautiful girl. People
would jump at the chance to court you!"
        "But-" she said, unsure of the truth of his words, despite how
convincing they seemed.
        "Sere, It seems to me, that you need to decide if you really love
Tyrian, or if he was just your first, and you are still looking for your
forever love. But, don't' just settle for what you think is a sure thing.
Keep on looking for your dream guy. He's out there, waiting for you to waltz
into his life, if Tyrian isn't' him. You deserve the best Sere." He said,
looking at her directly, studying every crevice of her face. She had no idea
why there was so much passion behind his words.
        "How do you know Endy. How do you know that there will ever be
anyone else who could love me?" She asked, returning the gaze, no longer
afraid to look at him, at her best friend, all grown up, so handsome, no
longer a little boy.
        "I know Sere. I know that there will always be someone out there who
will love you." he said softly, his voice low. He leaned in closer to her,
his lips almost touching hers. "I will love you, for always." his words were
so faint that Serenity almost missed them, but his kiss said it all. She
knew, as her lips, her heat, touched his, that he loved her, that he would
love her for all eternity, that she had captured his heart, and there was no
room for another. He loved her.
        'And I . . . '
        He let her go, standing abruptly. "I'm sorry Sere." he said quickly,
turning from her before she had a chance to see the emotions that were
sweeping uninhibited across his face. Serenity reached out a hand to stop
him.
        "Wait, Endy-"
        "you have to decide if you love him Sere. You have to follow your
heart." he said, closing his eyes sadly as he walked away to let her ponder
her next move.
        'You have to decide, even if your decision doesn't' include me.'

        Through dinner, Serenity could not look Tyrian in the eyes, the kiss
she had shared with Endymion still burning in her mind. She slowly went over
every detail, every emotion, how her heart had jumped, how her stomach had
filtered, how warm her insides had turned, how content and relaxed her body
had felt, how well she fit against him, how much she longed to be back
there, on that bench in the gardens, with him.
        "You seem distracted Serenity." Tyrian said. "Did anything unusual
happen today?" he asked. Serenity immediately felt the blush rise, and she
nearly choked. She shook her head, reaching over for a roll to hide her
emotions. She was sure he could see her thoughts, could read her face, knew
she had kissed Endymion, even thought she was engaged to Tyrian. WHY had he
complicated things! He was her best friend, and she was engaged and . . .
his advice made perfect sense. He was only trying to help her. But he
didn't' need to kiss her . . .even though she didn't' really mind.
        "N, nothing out of the ordinary." she choked out. "Yep, an ordinary
day. Totally boring. The day was ordinary. Ordinary, ordinary, ORDINARY!"
she exclaimed nervously in a sign song voice.
        "If you say so Serenity." Tyrian said, sipping his wine coolly.
Serenity studied him. No, her stomach didn't' really get all jittery when
she looked at him, her heart didn't seem to turn into gelatinous goo at the
sight of his face. She stole a peek over at Endymion, who was watching her
with an amused expression. As soon as he saw her blue eyes, though, he
immediately turned away. She smiled despite herself. He looked so cute when
he did that! Suddenly, she knew what gelatinous goo felt like. BUT FOR THE
WRONG PRINCE!! Why did her heart seem to stop for Endymion and not for
Tyrian! She wanted to SCREAM!!
        "I heard that Beryl will attack a few days before schedule." Tyrian
commented coolly. Endymion, who hadn't really been paying attention, as
Serenity had arrested most of it, fumbled as he struggled with the right
words to respond with, startled from his silent reverie.
        "Um, well, uh . .. Yes. She has. That is why Malachite and I decided
it would be best if we left as soon as possible." Endymion said coolly. "I
am sufficiently healed, so we will depart tomorrow morning for the Earth."
he said, his voice turning cold and steady again. Serenity gasped. He was
leaving? He couldn't' just leave! He can't just leave her! She had  barely
spent any time with him and they had so much to catch up on and she's miss
him too much and he . . . well . . .  he  couldn't' just go all of a sudden!
He just couldn't'!
        Serenity's thought were so vehement that she didn't' notice her arm
knock over a goblet, spilling wine over the table cloth. She flushed with
embarrassment immediately, fumbling to pick up the glass, despite the tears
that were threatening to invade her eyes.
        "Are you all right Serenity?" Endymion asked. She simply nodded, not
trusting her voice not to crack.
        "Are you sure Serenity? You haven't been yourself this evening."
Tyrian said, concerned. She shook her head.
        "I, I'm fine." she whispered, flashing her most brilliant smile,
reassuring them that she was indeed all right.
        "Our intelligence heard that Beryl is planning on targeting your end
of the galaxy before she strikes on earth." Endymion said to Tyrian. The
prince nodded his head.
        "I know. That is why I will be leaving as well in the morning, to
lead my people against this new threat." Tyrian said, putting on a noble
face. It was all Endymion could do to hide a snicker.
        "About time, you coward." Endymion muttered. Malachite kicked him
under the table, giving him a warning glance.
        "What was that prince Endymion?" Tyrian asked. Endymion did his best
to appear innocent, his eyes wide.
        "Nothing. Not a word." he said, flashing that crooked smile that
Serenity knew by heart by now. When did her best friend get so cute! Or,
rather, handsome. She could look at him all day and . . .
        "Serenity! You are so clumsy today., First your cup, and now you
drop your fork." Tyrian admonished. Serenity looked up, embarrassed,
realizing that as she had been looking at Endymion she had dropped her fork
on the ground.
        "You're sure you are feeling all right?" Endymion asked, giving her
one of his own, special, 'you-are- an- idiot- but-you're- my- best-friend
smiles with his own special mix of sarcasm and affection.
        "I, um, well, uh . . maybe I should go to bed." she said quickly,
after stuttering for the right words. Her mind was just too far gone,
thinking of other things, like dark hair between her fingers, and warm
strong arms and slightly chapped, yet sweet lips and . . . .
        "Yes, I think that would be for the best. I don't' want you so out
of it tomorrow when I leave for battle." Tyrian said. "You will, of course,
see your fiancee off?"
        "Of course!" Serenity said, not really sure of how sincere her words
were. "I um, I should go get some rest now, so I can be up bright and early
to say good bye to the men I care about so much!" she said. Curtseying, she
left the dining room, trying not to trip over her own shoes as she thought
about her absolutely horrid dilemma.

        Morning had come much too fast, and the two people she cared about
more than anything in the world were leaving, off to fight some stupid war.
SHe didn't want them to leave. But, she was a princess, and they were
princes and they had their own people to lead. Serenity sighed sadly. She
would miss them, miss her fiancee, and miss her best friend.
        Endymion had already boarded his ship, and it was preparing for
take off, as Serenity skidded into the launchpad. She almost cried in
frustration. She had never had a chance to say good bye to him!
        "ENDYMION!" she cried, yelling at the ship. From a window high up,
she could see his familiar dark head. She waved at him, trying to catch his
attention. He smiled at her, his eyes longing. She didn't want him to go.
But it couldn't' be helped.
        "BE BACK SOON!!" she called, not noticing  the wind from the booster
rockets as the ship started to lift from the ground. 'I can't imagine being
without you for another two years! I couldn't' stand it!'
        Endymion said something, but she couldn't hear what he said. He
waved, his mouth silently pantomiming his message. But she knew  what he was
trying to say, knew that he meant so many warm things. SHe wanted to cry as
the love of his silent words hit her. She would be waiting for her best
friend to return. They would see each other again, she knew it. He was her
best friend, after all.
        As she watched the ship turn into a small star on the horizon,
Tyrian put an arm around her, comforting her.
        "I'll miss him so much." she said, resting her head on her shoulder.
        "I know. And I'll miss you, my princess." Tyrian said warmly.
Serenity was suddenly hit with how alone she would be. Tyrian loved her so
much. And hew as leaving too! They were all leaving, and she was suddenly
hit by the strength of her emotions, emotions that made her want to chain
them to the moon, keep her loved ones safe. She didn't' want them to go, was
terrified that they would never return. She couldn't' lose them, not her
best fiend, and not her first love. She turned to him, her blue eyes filled
with tears.
        "Must you go?" she asked. He nodded his head gravely.
        "I must. There is, after all, a war going on. But do not worry, my
princess, I will return to this kingdom."
        "You will? Promise?" she said. He looked out over the gorgeous
civilization that would soon be his to rule, the beauty that would soon be
his wife.
        "How could I leave all this behind?" he asked. She smiled, satisfied
of his answer. He leaned over, kissing her deeply. It would all be his so,
so soon.
        And then, he was gone too, and she was all alone. She sunk to her
knees as she lost sight of Tyrian's ship, the tears silently streaming down
her face.

        The scouts waited outside the princess's room, as the Queen, her
face grim, went to give her daughter the news. Princess Serenity had been
less cheerful than usual in the two weeks that had passed since Tyrian and
Endymion had departed, and they feared that this development would be
crushing to their beloved Princess's morale. They couldn't' imagine having
to give Serenity such a message, and did not envy the Queen for her job. But
they were prepared to comfort Serenity, as she would truly need it.
        "NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!'
        The scouts grimaced as they heard the anguished cry of their
princess and friend. It was a piercing cry that rang throughout the halls,
one that they would hear in their nightmares, one that they could not
forget. Her grief was infinite, and so painfully apparent in her cries. Mars
slowly opened the door, her heart breaking as Serenity, gathered in her
mother's protective embrace, sobbed, her body shaking uncontrollably.
        "He cant' be dead! NO! I, I, I wont' believe it! I can't! I . . .. I
love him." Serenity said brokenly through her tears, her voice small and
choked.
        "I know dearest, I know." her mother said, stroking her baby's hair
comfortingly. She wished that she could somehow mend the heart that had just
shattered, take away her daughter's pain, but she couldn't'. She couldn't'
change what had happened. Serenity was still trembling,, shaking her head,
as though she didn't' believe a word of what her mother had said. She could
picture his perfect smile, his silky hair, his voice, his touch, that last
kiss . . .
        "NO!! HE CAN'T LEAVE ME!! NOOOOOO!"

To be continued . . .


