Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ A Trusting Heart ❯ Shadows of Doubt ( Chapter 17 )

Chapter 17

Shadows of Doubt

 

("Di" is pronounced "Dee")

 

A petite young woman stood before a large house that could easily pass for a small mansion even in this well-off part of town. Staring at a piece of paper in her hand, then glancing up to confirm the numbers there and beside the front door were the same, the blonde nodded her head slightly and tucked the ragged paper into her shorts pocket. She quickly walked up the drive and carelessly skipped up the three steps to ring the doorbell.

 

The bell sounded faintly within and she politely hid her hands behind her back and rocked on her heels in an effort to distract and entertain herself as she waited. Several moments passed before the girl heard a muffled step and the door opened to reveal a handsome young man.

 

The poor girl felt a twinge of guilt and- the slightest fraction of regret- as she took in the sight of her would-be host. Sweet Serenity but he looked a lot like Darien. Mina, Lita, AND Rei would surely swoon! In regular clothes, this guy looked really CUTE! 'Too bad he's taken!' She thought merrily, just imagining her friends' faces and the look on Prisma's when she'd been informed of her love's return.

 

Surprised pale blue eyes widened when he saw the Moon Princess Serenity- the legendary Sailor Moon- the future Neo-Queen- all hidden in the façade of the pigtailed, golden nymph before him. Serina met his gaze and stared back, a little anxious of his reaction, but she held her ground, trusting this man with her life as she had once or twice before.

 

"Sapphire?" She asked hesitantly. She wasn't entirely sure she'd be welcome; she'd just popped in to see how the two brothers were doing, she hadn't called ahead, and had just gotten the directions from Prisma who didn't seem to think they'd mind . . .

 

"Serenity-" He began, bowing in deference. Serina quickly reached out a hand to stop him: She hated it when people did that, more so now that Sammy had taken it into his head to make a mockery of the action.

 

"Serina is fine enough, Sapphire. I just came to see how you were faring. How's your brother?" Sapphire nodded, stepping back to allow her entrance. He looked pale in comparison to the darkness of his indigo hair, lines of stress seemed to materialize as he let himself sigh.

 

"He's recovering, Sere- He's been under Wise Man's influence for too long and then that last battle . . ." The young man let her recall herself what had happened in that battle as he led the modest princess through his new home, showing her up the wide staircase a few paces from the door. It was of no benefit to verbalize such painful memories.

 

Serina quickly wiped her feet on the rug outside before stepping onto the ornate obsidian and marble tile, a plush white carpet started where the tile ended just before the stair. This place was far beyond what Serina was use to but Serenity's faded memories of her moon palace were tickled to life.

 

One glance at her oddly emotionless expression worried Sapphire enough to recall what he'd been meaning to tell the princess since he had found himself sent to the past, unharmed, with his brother. "I, thank you for sparing us, majesty, your benevolence and compassion for your enemy-"

 

Serina's idle fingers danced on the banister as she took the wide, carpeted steps up to the landing, falling abruptly back to her side as her new friend spoke. "Nonsense, Sapphire, I wish I could have done more. I don't know exactly what happened in the future but I wish this all could have been avoided." Serina blushed, smiling a little in appreciation at Sapphire's gratitude, but she didn't do anything special, she just did what she always did, trying to save everyone.

 

"Majesty- Forgive me, Serina, a question, if I may ask?" The princess raised her eyes, a bright blue smile shimmering in them as she nodded, wondering when this young man would knock off the formal stuff. He was almost as bad as Garry! "Why do you allow us to live in the past?"

 

Serina smiled thoughtfully. She had expected this question, remembering her REALLY blurry thoughts in the haziness of the attack, and answered honestly, her eyes focusing on nothing beyond the dark wood railing sliding under her sore palm. Even after a few days, the energy burns caused by her moon tiara hadn't healed being the only wounds her 'super powers' had little effect on. 'And the others wonder why I never use that attack anymore. They STILL don't realize what the dumb thing does to my poor hand!' But they needn't know of the burns as long as she had her scepter attack and Crystal and no longer needed her tiara except in emergencies. Remembering such an emergency, Serina's attention refocused on the young Dark Moon prince's question.

 

"You deserved a second chance at life. I'm sure Crystal Tokyo and poor Serenity and Endymion are still busy trying to put their people and city to rights to have to deal with prisoners as well. Not to mention that future Mars and Jupiter looked like they could kill the whole lot of you with their pinky fingers! I thought it might be best if you tried to stay here for a while- that, and Prisma really missed you." Sapphire smiled shyly, a light smile that was too quickly lost as he escorted Serina down the second floor hall, turning to the first door on his right where within, his older brother fitfully slept, close to a deadly coma but fighting his own demons all the same.

 

Serina glanced around, coldly shocked by the room's emptiness. 'Of course, what'd you expect with poor Sapphire so worried about his brother?' She mentally scolded herself. 'There's been no time for a shopping spree! Well, then again, I could always find tim-' She frowned at herself for such heartless thoughts. She was here to care for the two brothers.

 

A single simple chair sat forlornly beside the king-sized bed centered in the back of the large bedroom. A full glass of water rested with the stillness of death on a blank nightstand between the bed and chair. And beneath the flat, colorless covers, a pallid, silver-haired prince now lay motionless. The younger prince left her side to stand next to the bed, once more gravely shaking his head at his only brother's lack of animation.

 

"Prin- Sere, I despise myself to ask anything more of you, knowing we are your prisoners-" Sapphire, in all his heartfelt repentance, wouldn't even look at her as he made his request from his brother's side. It was enough to make Serina laugh if her dear friend's brother weren't lying near death before her.

 

"Sapphire, you aren't my prisoners. Your punishment is enough that you suffer and fear for your brother, and his brush with death may never truly leave his soul. I know not a single one of mine has but from each I've learned, as I hope he has. You are here in the hopes that you can learn to live peacefully just as the four Sisters do and that is your only obligation." She met Sapphire's electric blue gaze with one of her famous, heart-lifting smiles, setting his overwrought mind at ease. His relieved expression released the tension in her heart, his closed eyes and the tilt of his lips made her grin even more. She was ecstatic to have made him so happy! This brother would have no problem at all becoming one of her best friends, just like Garry and Robert, and would certainly be swiftly accepted into their circle.

 

"And you needn't even have to ask your request. That's why I came over today. Your brother hasn't healed yet, YOU'RE worried sick yourself and not helping anyone, and you're driving poor Prisma crazy fretting about you! I can't have my team and friends being pulled apart when I can do something to help." Serina's eyes requested permission, Sapphire instantly nodding as if she were insane to think she had to ask, before she slowly came up beside the two.

 

"Thank you, majesty." He murmured, taking a step out of her way and kneeling by his fallen brother's side, the light dying to a solemn ember in his eyes.

 

Serina edged closer, knowing she was making the right decision even as dulled, lifeless, haunting memories rose unbidden in her mind of the few horrifying minutes she'd spent under this man's scrutinizing gaze, hanging as vulnerable as a kitten in midair. A small, silent gasp escaped her lips recalling his touch the night he'd almost taken her and her future self away from their family and loves; so bruisingly tight and icy, the mad look in his eyes, mirroring that which Emerald had a few nights ago.

 

Praying she could trust him, knowing someday, she would grow to accept him completely, just as she could and had forgiven Darien for leaving her, the one man who could truly hurt her heart and soul- She could forgive this misguided prince. She would likely be one of very few allies in the beginning, all he had left was his Dark Moon family and even a couple of THEM had some quarrels to resolve.

 

As if sensing the reason for her hesitation, Sapphire raised his blue eyes to hers and whispered confidentially, returning the favor of easing her heart. "He would never hurt you, princess. Diamond loved you but not in the way your earth prince does. His thoughts and memories were twisted by the Wise Man. If he'd known what he was doing . . . he'd likely kill himself to make amends. Doing harm to you would be the same as hurting me or any other person of his family and he values us all much too highly to ever forgive himself knowing what has come to pass. He would never have done anything like this; his true goal in returning to earth in the future was to arrange with Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion the cleansing and acceptance of our clan in the new Silver Millennium. That was all."

 

"Sapphire, your entire family has all ready been accepted, the rest only wait for you to be cleansed by the crystal before the fun can start. But first, I would like to spare a moment to work on your poor brother." Smiling once again, Serina let her hand fall to her collar where the Silver Crystal dangled on a silver chain 'round her neck, hidden under her blouse. Since school was out and her proficiency with the powers of the crystal had grown exponentially, she had taken to wearing it thus more and more often.

 

Lifting the necklace over her head and away from her body, she delicately held the precious stone between her finger and thumb- and wished.

 

Snowy mists of magic drifted from crystal like heavy steam overflowing a hot spring, loosely wrapping and curling around the still figure. Her silent wish made, the fog began to dissipate before she'd even spoken the activation words. The crystal willing, the prince of the Nega-Moon would be healed of the injuries he suffered at her own and her love's hand, and not remember anything in great detail concerning any part of herself, past or future, since the corruption of the Wise Man. He would only vaguely recall the horrors he'd put them though but not well enough to haunt his nightmares.

 

Serina stepped back and without delay or the slightest embarrassment, the younger dark-haired man snatched up his brother's hand, almost desperately searching his face for the life that had to be there. "Diamond?"

 

Grey-violet eyes cracked open then quickly scrunched shut again, mimicking Serina's favorite greeting to the morning sun. The silver blonde hair fell away as the prince tossed his head to the side, obviously wishing to sleep longer. Sapphire grinned and almost laughed outright as he shook his brother's hand in a vain effort to wake him up, his attitude instantly soaring with pure joy. "Aw, come on, Diamond! There's too much to do today to sleep! You promised to show me the flowers on earth and in the name of all that's holy, you are going to do that!"

 

"Go away, Sapph, I'm too tired . . . Go bother Emmi or the brothers . . ." His argument was weak as shrugged his hand from his brother's, waving him away sleepily.

 

"Di!" Serina couldn't help but giggle; this lazy prince was nothing like the Diamond she'd met, and the way the two men bickered like normal brothers- she was amazed people of the Dark Moon could act NORMAL! But hadn't the four Sisters proven that to her? Sapphire suddenly blushed as he became aware of the princess's presence again.

 

"Morning, Diamond! How're you feeling?" She chirped, momentarily forgetting herself, Serina fell headlong into the feeling of being an annoying little sister, Sapphire's counterpart. She grinned as she saw the blanketed figure freeze, his eyes wide as he slowly shifted as if she were a little rabbit to be frighten away by swift movements.

 

"Serenity . . ?! Highness, I'm- at a loss . . ." The young man stuttered, gaping at the little princess beside his brother.

 

"Then answer my question: How do you feel now? And please don't call me Serenity unless it's absolutely necessary." Serina whined in a low, weary voice, as if she'd repeated the request a thousand times in the last hour alone.

 

"I feel fine, Sere, thank you for your concern." He answered automatically as he eased into a proper sitting position, seeming to realize he had no idea where he was. His eyes darted back forth, taking in everything from the pale bed to the door across the plain room. "Forgive me, princess, but what's happened . . ?"

 

"It's a long story, Di, maybe Sapph-" Serina was conveniently interrupted by the doorbell. Sapphire shifted to stand but Serina beat him to it. "Oh, I'll get it, Sapph, fill your brother in, 'kay?" Sapphire paused for a moment, debating but Serina didn't give him the second he needed to protest. She hopped up and was out the door, grinning merrily, before either brother could draw a breath.

 

Once the door had languidly swung shut, Diamond turned hard, alarmed eyes on his brother- "Sapphir-"

 

"It's all right, Diamond, she saved us. After all we did to her and her family, she still spared us. She defeated each one of your attacks on Crystal Tokyo, Emmi's on the past, she turned the brothers on us, and she healed you, Di." Sapphire sat in the chair beside the bed, his head fallen but his eyes light with awe.

 

The elder prince seemed incredulous, his eyes still wide with horror and soul heavy with guilt. "Why?"

 

"I don't know, Di. She's Neo-Queen Serenity. She's the same Serenity we've grown up knowing. To her justice is served and we are forgiven. She understands us, Di. Wise Man was the real problem, and that's who she goes to fight next."

 

"I remember that much, I think- It's all so- faded. I can't believe I did that, Sapphire, I can't believe a moment of it . . . What I did, what I said, to you and the clan, not just Serenity. It wasn't me. Where is everyone else? What happened to the sisters and Emmi and Rubeus and Garnyt? Where are they? I have to talk to them."

 

"They wish to see you as well, I'm sure, Di. The brothers have some concerns, the four sisters are worried, Prisma and I- have a small request-"

__________________________

"You're much more than a friend."

 

"Oh hi! Come on in! I'm sure Di is just dying to see you! He's upstairs, Emmi." Serina threw open the door after checking the peephole for their visitor. A tall, haughty-looking woman stood on the steps, her long green hair pulled back in a wavy half-ponytail and a slimming work outfit in pinstriped black on.

 

Emerald's surprise couldn't be hidden, her eyes widened and her hand, so used to holding it's pink feathered fan, raised to her face to hide her dropped jaw. "Princess, I had no idea you would be here today-"

 

Serina groaned again. "There will be no more princess calling while I'm here, Emmi, no Neo-Queen Serenity, no highness, majesty, nothing." She saw Emerald try to hide a knowing smirk behind her pale fingers and knew she understood. "I got away from my Scouts as soon as I could. Rini and Irene didn't want to come so they're with their grandparents today." Serina backed up, opening the door a little more for her guest as she spoke, ushering the woman inside. Emerald followed her, still grinning lightly.

 

"I'm glad you've been able to take time from your busy schedule to see to our clan, Sere." Emerald was still too proud to hang her head in shame but that was impression Serina got from her minutely lowered chin. This may be the closest thing to an apology and thank you she would ever receive from the most vain and arrogant of the Nega-Moon family. And Serina appreciated it.

 

The blonde grinned proudly, ecstatic to the point of absurdity that Emmi was turning out so real, so human. "You know I don't mind, Emmi. You're my newest friends- I've always got time for you!" Serina's hand lightly fell on Emerald's shoulder as she climbed the stairs beside her. Startled by the touch, Emerald's brown eyes flashed down at the tiny princess- and softened. With that oblivious permission, Serina's hand fell to the woman's and squeezed it, brilliantly smiling as she took off up the stairs as quick as a rabbit. "Come on! Di will be thrilled to see you!" She winked, giggling at Emerald's sudden blush.

 

Serina raced to the door, not even bothering to pause and listen to the brothers' conversation before loudly knocking on the door. "meet with . . . Come in."

 

The door was open before he'd even inhaled. And through it stepped the incognito form of Princess Serenity. Serina smiled to make sure she was still on their good side and hadn't interrupted anything important. She despised it when Sammy interrupted her conversations with her daughters or dinnertime was called while discussing- plans- with Darien.

 

The two men smiled and beckoned her in. "Hey, guys! Brought a visitor." Serina sidestepped to allow Emerald through the door.

 

Her green-haired head was bowed in deference, Serina could see she was still fighting down the red blush on her cheeks- she refused to lift her chocolate eyes to her prince. 'Ah, I remember when I was so young- I mean, when I first fell in love with Endy, and how we were so self-conscious . . .' Serina smiled wistfully, caught in the memory of days a thousand years past . . .

 

"Emmi, you're here- Are you all right?" Diamond's eyes widened, their violet irises ever more enchanting with the awe and concern drifting within their depths. He would have tried to stand but Sapph held his arm and Emerald rushed to his side, falling to her knees before him.

 

In a soft voice, her head fallen, and a hand spread across the pale blankets in a gesture of submissiveness, she whispered. "Oh, Prince Diamond, please forgive me . . ."

 

Stunned, Diamond stared at his general, at a loss for words. "Emmi . . . For what, what- are you talking about?" His sincerely worried eyes focused solely on her soft, tumbling green hair.

 

Serina saw Emerald's teary eyes shoot upward, meeting her prince's gaze unfalteringly. Serina edged close enough to gently hiss, signaling with her raised eyebrows and wide eyes to Sapph that it was time to go. It took a second and a little mental push from the crystal but she captured the younger brother's attention and, reddening, he caught on. Silent as the moon, the pair quickly disappeared out the door.

 

"Oh that is so cute! How long have they been in love, Sapph?" Serina asked as she hopped down the stairs, glancing happily up at the blue-haired man behind her.

 

"I suppose she's always been fond of Diamond- I never thought about it, she never questioned him- unless he was leading himself into trouble- and he always listened to her, more often than me, sometimes. Emmi and Di- I never thought . . ." He eased down the last step, collapsing on the carpeted stair, his head in his hands and elbows on his knees.

 

Serina whirled in delight. "Well I think it's fantastic- you and Prisma, Robert and Catsy, Di and Emmi- once you're given the chance to be human you all fall in love! Come, dear Sapphire, let's go visit some friends." She dropped to her knees beside her friend and grabbed one of his hands, pulling him up with her.

 

She had escaped her scouts for the day but sooner or later they would search her out so she had to get everything done now. She had left her children at home alone with their grandparents and even these few hours without them left her feeling empty. Darien was busy at the library trying to find out all his curious mind could about the future site for Crystal Tokyo, all the myths and prophecies that might relate to it's being- Serina had never seen him so excited and dedicated to anything other than his new family and the latest medical breakthroughs. For now, though, she and Sapph should be able to stop by the brothers' home and snag the four sisters for a little meeting on the way- 'Ha, now I'm the one calling meetings! Good thing Rei's not here, she'd have a heart attack!' Speaking of hearts . . . "Did you tell Di about you and Prisma, Sapph?"

__________________________

 

"Princ-"

 

"I will have you thrown out of my royal guard if you don't stop that, Robert." Her voice hid a smile but her expressionless eyes dared the redhead to challenge her warning. "Now, Sisters, Garry, Sapphire, do you each know what you want to do?" The two brothers, the four sisters, Sapphire, and Serina sat around a low, round coffee table in the living room of the brothers' home. Serina sat at the head, opposite Sapphire, Prisma and her sisters beside him, Garry and Robert completing the circle with Robert next to Catsy.

 

"I've all ready discussed with Diamond everything that has happened since he- lost his memories. He knows Rubeus wishes to see him, and Prisma and I- And Catsy and Rube- well, he knows and only awaits our formal requests." Sapphire blushed, shaking his head in embarrassment. With a slight effort he steadied himself and turned to the elder brother. "Robert, he feels terrible about your banishment and revokes it. He said it never counted anyway since he wasn't really in control of himself. He regrets everything, my friends, it wasn't his fault, I hope you know that-"

 

Serina nodded. "He's right. The Wise Man soaked his mind in so much negative energy if a kind thought ever crossed his mind it would have been devoured by his spell. He wasn't himself, if this is hard for any of you to accept, talk to one of us, myself, or Sapphire. Do not forget that you were all once under the same spell and you have all been forgiven and healed. And so has he. Being the leader of your clan, he feels the agony of letting you down. He failed each one of you with his orders, his nonchalance with your lives. Trust me, he is the worst off in spirit of all of you. Take your time if you must, but please forgive him. I understand his pain and I would have died had my Scouts not been there for me."

 

A few seconds of silence froze the air. Traffic outside disappeared, the birds held their breath to listen to her words. Sitting primly in the comfortable armchair, Serina watched each of her new royal guards. Some nodded as she spoke, never questioning the truth of her words. Others paused, fighting with their hearts and memories of their royal leader- but in the end, all came to a common agreement. "We understand, Sere."

 

Birdie smiled at the unanimity for peace then leaned forward on her knees, grinning mischievously at the younger prince. She watched him like a hawk for his response. "So, Sapph, where's Emerald today?"

 

The boy looked up, startled and wide-eyed. "Huh?" The four sisters burst out laughing, the brothers shaking their heads at his blushing. "Em- Emerald? Uh, she's-takingcareofDi." He rushed, impressing even Serina. She laughed as the clan around her started discussing the possibility of marriage or the 'real' length of this relationship.

 

'This is so much like home- It's just as bad as a Scout meeting!' She grinned and leaned forward to listen to the Dark Moon gossip.

 

"So if they get married do you think Emmi'd choose me as the maid of honor?"

 

"Avery! She likes me better!"

 

"Catsy, Avery, please! I bet ten to one Emmi and Diamond will give the honor to the girl who allowed them to finally get together!" Eyes shot up to meet Birdie's ice blue, giggling eyes. "To Sere!"

 

"No! They wouldn't- would they? I've only been to one wedding before and I was just the flower girl!"

 

"Four to one, Di and Em break up before the month's out."

 

"Robert, you're just jealous! You've got Catsy." Catsy took the opportunity to slap her boyfriend upside the head.

 

"I'll take that bet, Robbie!"

 

"Not you too, Garry! With that attitude neither one of you are gonna be the best man!" That shut the boys up. Sapphire started grinning evilly . . .

__________________________

 

"Sapphire, what did Diamond say about our oaths to Serenity? Did you tell him?" Robert acted like he was relaxed on the couch, but his tense arm was wrapped protectively around Catsy's shoulders.

 

Sapphire paused as he reached for a pretzel. "Yeah, I told him. He gave his permission but I think he was hurt that you- we so quickly deserted him."

 

"Now he didn't really give us a choice and Sere did. No one can blame us." Robert spoke up, holding Catsy close. She nervously eyed the two men, sensing the sudden tension.

 

"No one's blaming you, Rubeus. I asked permission to turncoat too-"

 

"Turncoat?!" The redhead abruptly stood, his eyes on fire. The calm young prince coolly regarded him from his seat.

 

"What would you call it? Deserting the Dark Moon-"

 

"Sapphire. Rubeus." Serina stood in the doorway of the kitchen, her taut form outlined in white and eyes flashing ice. She had sensed the building strain in the room and Catsy's silent plea for help. She turned her eyes on the prince then the elder of the two brothers. "You. Quit antagonizing him. You, put some cold water on that pride. I release all of you from my Royal guard. If you wish to remain, keep in mind your loyalties will be divided when it comes to battle." Her voice softened. "Should Wise Man attack both Diamond and myself, who will you protect?" With that, Serina twisted on heel and marched back into the kitchen, feeling like a mother trying to push her kids in the right direction without actually telling them what to do. 'I hope it's not like this everyday, Serenity. I'd feel sorry for you.'

 

Catsy reached a tentative hand up Robert's arm to comfort him. "Darling, just wait until we can talk to Diamond. We'll see what everyone decides then. You can stay with Sere's guard or Diamond's generals. I won't mind whichever you chose."

 

Robert sat down beside his love and held her close a moment. "I'm glad you're supporting me. It's just, Sere was there for me when Diamond threw me out-"

 

"He didn't mean it-"

 

"I know. And Sere's right, I don't know if I could trust my self to stand by and protect her if Wise Man attacked Di."

 

"We'll protect them both." Catsy smiled gently up at him and hugged him. "We'll protect them, love."

 

"Yes, we will. All of us will." Sapphire stood and moved closer to the pair. "Diamond swore his loyalty to Serenity. She doesn't know it but he'll be fighting alongside us to protect her."

__________________________

"Only a memory away."

 

"Serina Tsukino, who else could it be- I can't believe I was so blind. You were the Moon Princess the entire time. Right under my nose."

 

"It must have been a real shock for you, Luna." Serina said sarcastically, throwing a stuffed bunny in her black guardian cat's direction. 'As if my life doesn't all ready suck! I'm failing Junior High, Ms. H hates me, the Scouts hate me, I can't fight, I can't win, I can't get Tuxedo Mask back . . .' She tried to stop them but the old Serina was still in control of her body; hot, stinging tears overflowed her eyes at the memory of her beloved Darien's too-recent loss- His raven hair matted to his pale face, his head resting as if just in sleep in her lap- like old times, on the moon when they played in the gardens watching the earth rise . . . He had told her he loved her, she could remember his voice, only hours ago, begging her to remain free for him, to live without him- he knew he was dying- and then he disappeared . . .

 

"I know you never asked for this, Serina. I'm sorry being the last living royal heir to a solar system kingdom and the Silver Millennium doesn't appeal to you or fit in your grand designs of life. Some things you have to accept responsibility for whether you want to or not; fate chose you. It is you destiny-"

 

"Screw destiny!" Serina slammed her fists into her pillow, her eyes squeezed shut, and held her breath. She hurled herself into bed, hiding from the world and just wishing everything would disappear!

 

"Serenity! You can't mean that!"

 

"I'm NOT Serenity- I'm just Serina, a little, dumb girl in Junior High. I'm a crybaby, not a hero. I'm stupid, not a leader. I'm clumsy, not a princess. I'm unloved, not a soul mate-" Serina broke down again, her voice thick and choked with sobs that shook her entire frame. Tears soaked her pillow in cold wetness, her breath catching a thousand times before she could even begin to inhale. 'I'm hyperventilating.' A far off part of her mind realized as her chest seized up. 'What would dear Darien think if he saw you like this? His dream princess sobbing like a child-'

 

Bingo.

 

"Oh, Seren-Serina, you miss Endymion . . ."

 

"Give the cat a prize! For having been appointed by Queen Serenity herself to be my personal guardian, you sure are attentive to my feelings, Luna!" Luna cringed but Serina didn't look up from where she was attempting to suffocate herself with her pillow. "My heart has been torn in half and ripped out- my body is not my own anymore and has more bruises than the entire year's worth of BATTLES combined- I've never been more mortally tired than I am right now- I haven't been through a crisis this agonizing since I died! And tomorrow I'll have to go to school in front of Haruna and Molly, and have breakfast with Mom and Daddy and Sammy all the while pretending nothing's wrong and my life hasn't completely tipped upside down and bass-ackwards!" Serina ran out of breath and inhaled deeply, choking on her sobs again and not bothering to continue to breathe as she cried.

 

The cat hung her head, tears finally glazing her eyes as she realized the life this young woman was being forced to live. All the pain she had so far endured and had been multiplied last night in the Starlight Tower- And it would explode her delicate heart when she forced it all down tomorrow.

 

"I haven't slept in days, Luna, beyond the few hours I passed our from over-exertion. I fight every day and night, demons keep coming and they keep getting stronger. Zoycite just won't die and he took Darien- Tuxedo Mask- with him. He's the only reason I'm still alive- If not for Darien that first monster would have killed me and Molly. Now he's gone . . . and I'll die." Luna glanced up at Serina's suddenly breathless voice; she sounded exhausted, without emotion or life. "I'm so tired, Luna. So tired . . ." 'Of everything.'

 

"The Scouts will protect you-"

 

"They've done a great job so far." The sarcasm was faint but it was the only color in her voice. "They don't like me, Luna, and they hate the fact that I- of all the worthy women in the world- that I got stuck being their princess and leader."

 

"Serina, you don't even know Sailor Venus yet, and you were Ami's first friend-" Luna started getting desperate, she felt like she was somehow losing the little blonde girl-

 

"Mina is too perfect to want to care anything about me and Ami is smart enough to realize she can't hang out with me and maintain her ace standing. I have an adverse effect on people around me- Oi, look at the words you're making me use. Lita's too concerned with guys and told me she never considered or expected me to make much of a leader. Rei- humph, she NEVER liked me. She hates everything about me, and doesn't mind letting me know every moment of every day. She has no faith in me and fights for herself, hoping she alone can save the world from me botching it up." Serina shifted, still under her pillow and covers. "How could they have possibly followed me when I was princess? How could Endy love me? It must have been Mother-"

 

"No, Serina, no. It was all you, it's still all you. I don't know why you're saying all these things that aren't true. I thought you could read hearts- you'd know everything you're accusing your Scouts of is false!" Serina winced. Yes, she knew but only in her deepest memories. Luna didn't say anything more for a long moment and Serina gratefully added to the silence.

 

She felt the cat land lithely on her bed, padding delicately over to the pillow smothering her princess. "Serina. Take tomorrow off, don't go to school. You don't have to. Have the girls come and visit and your mother will make you some pancakes and you can just rest the whole day. You deserve it, you've worked so hard and lost so much though you've asked so little of us." Luna nudged her cold nose under the pillow, whiskers searching out soft skin to tickle. "I can't give you the one thing you most desire, little princess, but I can try to help you, to make it a little easier for you. I can give you the powers of the moon if you would accept them. You can remember everything you were taught on the moon, every day and lesson and name. You can remember your family and friends, your beautiful kingdom that you would have ruled. You'll know how to command the Silver Crystal's most incredible powers, and how to heal by yourself. You'll see all the moon sees*. Your complete memory restored, your heritage, and blood- You would be completely Lunari again, Serina."

 

Serina stopped breathing and the pillow stopped moving. As she spoke, she eased her head from under its hot, stifling touch. "I was reborn human, a Terran . . . Luna, this was how I always wanted it, so I could live on Earth with Endymion- I would have died as a Lunari without him. This was what I wanted." 'Thank you, Mother.' Luna waited beside her, ready to give her the world, a whole other life that was her own. The vision of her empyrean mother before she died flashed through her mind, other faces flickered through her thoughts: instructors, maids, knights, nobles from other worlds, so many people-

 

So many people died. All for her, for her beloved mother. Because of Beryl and Metallia. Each and every death she knew, she felt them as they lost their memories to space and heaven, she knew all of them by heart. To become full blooded Lunari again. To return names to those faces, actions and traits and quirks and conversations to each person in the planets and moons of the solar system and beyond- It would kill her.

 

Serina sniffed, biting her lip to hold back more tears. It would kill her to see their deaths again, to know inside and out every Silver Millennium citizen who died a thousand years ago- But to heal and use the Silver Crystal, would it be worth it? To be immortal but slowly dying without the prince of earth by her side?

 

"I want to heal, Luna, I want to remember the good times on the moon that I can't anymore. But I can't handle it. Not now, I can't deal with the death of the Millennium on top of my responsibilities now. And I certainly can't handle being immortal at fourteen. Going out everyday knowing everyone I meet is aging and all my friends will be dead by the time I reach twenty-one. I can't do that. Not yet." Serina sighed, throwing her head back and falling onto her pillow. "Later, Luna. I'm not ready now." And with that, she turned off her mind and fell asleep. Luna lay down beside her cheek, purring, and watched over her . . .

__________________________

 

"To be immortal and to heal. To call upon the powers of the moon and Crystal without danger." Serina stood leaning on the rail by the lake in the park, the moon hanging over the water, inviting her up. She smiled kindly but declined. The moon would always be her home, though she was human now, her heart and spirit soared among the stars beside the silver globe.

 

'But from now on, I'll have to rely on Darien to survive on earth but- I can control the Silver Crystal and save the world from Wise Man.' "I'll sacrifice myself for them . . . I renounce my human blood for Selene, Luna, Diana, and Artemis. In the name of Serenity, Lunari I once was, now become again! Silver Crystal, heal this body, your princess appeals to you and demands it!" Serina thrust her arms out to the sky, and the moon welcomed her, bathing her in its pure white light, almost searing her skin. She felt her body stretch and ache as her soul reached for her ancestral home. Her skin felt cold and sunburned at the same time, the blood in her veins tingled just under her skin. Her heart soared and stopped in the same moment; she felt every cell in her body crash to a stop, a wave of nervous electricity washed over her, through her flesh and imbuing every tissue with silence and frozen stillness. For a moment, it was only an agonizing ecstasy--

 

'I have to die to live . . .'

__________________________

"I don't have a good feeling about this."

 

Rini suddenly gasped. Held by the hand, half a moment later, Irene stopped dead in her tracks on her way to the kitchen. "Mommy . . ." The twins flickered slightly as Rini fell to her knees, holding her heart. It felt like she was dying! 'Irene-my heart-Mommy-'

 

'I know, my head hurts too. I want Mommy and Daddy!' Irene clamped a fist over her chest where her heart pounded painfully and pulled her sister to her feet. "Come on!" Dragging her sister behind her, Irene raced out of her grandparents' living room and out the door. Without even pausing, the two princesses rushed into the moonlit night, searching for their parents.

__________________________

 

White-hot agony flashed through Darien's brain and he dropped his many library books as he quickly sat down on a bench before he could topple over too. He held his head, certain it would explode but the pain ebbed in seconds, evaporating slowly away but leaving a dull, pounding ache behind.

 

"Serina . . ." He moaned as he tentatively opened his eyes to the harsh whiteness of the moon's glow, the darkness of the night was a welcomed ease on his eyes. Silvered by the light, he saw two flashing, glittering figures run out Serina's house where he'd been heading to see Serina and the twins. The figures' direction suddenly careened towards him as soon as he noticed them.

 

"Rini, Irene- What's wrong?!" He was on his feet and running to his daughters before his mind could process the actions- Had Wise Man attacked Serina's family? Had he come after the twins? Where was Serina?! Why couldn't he feel her nearby? As Darien drew closer to the two girls, he could sense that their combined pain and confusion was nothing compared to the anguish he'd felt moments ago- They weren't the source. Serina was.

 

The realization hit just as his daughters ran full tilt into his arms. On his knees, he quickly snatched them up and held on for dear life. They could sense the pain just like he had, he knew they understood something was wrong with their mother. They needed him- their Daddy. "It's all right, girls. We just need to find Serina, everything will be fine."

 

Irene sniffed a little but bravely pulled away. "I know. We felt Mommy. We gotta find her, Daddy-" Had his mind not been so focused with intense worry, the orphaned young man could have truly enjoyed the moment with his future children. 'Daddy.' He squeezed the girls close again then lifted both into his arms and took off for the park. That was where his sixth sense told him Serina could be found.

__________________________

 

Darien would have found her first had the other four Scouts not been in the area searching for their renegade princess and seen the column of intense white light streaming down from the moon to the earth. All of them were alerted to the moonbeam and rushed to find its source.

 

"Ami, what is it? Where's it coming from-" Rei demanded as they ran through the park.

 

"More importantly, is Serina around there?" Mina asked as she followed the light.

 

Ami nodded, her fingers dancing over the keyboard of her palm top. "Yes, according to these initial readings, Serina is at the very center of the power flux phenomenon."

 

The girls' eyes met with matching expressions. They nodded a silent agreement and took off for the beam by the lake. "This is so like her-" Rei muttered.

 

Mina rounded the corner first and was instantly hit from behind by Rei and Lita when she suddenly stopped. "Oh my God . . ." Across the walkway, the Scouts spied Darien running up, his arms full with Rini and her sister. He, too, stopped short at the sight between them.

 

A ray of solid, shimmering snow-white light speared the ground, opalescent mists glided over the surface, it's reflection non-existent in the placid lake.

 

Within its pearly depths hung an angel.

 

Graced with silver-feathered wings, spread in an intangible current, Princess Serenity drifted in the magic light, her hair dancing with weightless ethereality, her white gown swaying in timeless slow motion.

 

All at once, the moon's life-giving light disappeared, absorbed into the celestial princess. Serenity fell the few feet to the grass, her dress completely disintegrated into stardust around her before her foot touched ground. Serina collapsed and lay still for few seconds, breathing heavily then not at all.

 

Darien instantly felt a pressure on his heart, as if something were leaning against it. In his arms, the twins' cinnamon eyes widened and his chest pinched painfully as both wavered between existence- for a moment his mind froze with panic when he thought he might lose them. "No . . ." He croaked as he hugged them desperately closer and rushed to his fiancée's side. He heard Serina suck in a breath and the pressure was relieved a little, Irene and Rini's arms immediately tightened around his neck. "Rini, Irene, are you all right?" The twins sniffed and slowly nodded, not letting go. "Serina? Is she-"

 

Beside him, the four Scouts appeared, Mina holding Serina up and Ami checking her pulse. "Yes . . . I'm fine, guys. Don't worry about me." Serina blinked, feeling strangely lightheaded and- just, light.

 

But that disappeared under the dog pile of hugs she was attacked with half a second later. Between hugs, they peppered her with questions.

 

"What was that light?"

"Serina, what happened? What'd you do?"

"God, Serina! You're gonna kill us all off if you keep scaring the daylights out of us like that!"

 

Serina smiled gently as her eyes caught her daughters'. 'You'll be fine, children, I would never do anything that would hurt you.' Delighted azure eyes were suddenly confronted by worry-stricken sapphire. Her fiancé held her tightly but gently for a long moment. 'He's trembling!' She realized with concern.

 

"I thought I'd lost you this time.*" His quiet voice confessed. Serina bit her lip, averting her eyes as she debated on whether she should tell them or not. A warm, strong hand caught her chin and lifted her lips to meet his. For that golden, chocolaty moment, Serina felt alive- The same hand caressed her hair, brushing away her bangs with such tenderness- then froze.

 

"Serina- your skin-" 'Damn.' Darien's fingers delicately traced the symbol of royalty on her forehead. Reflecting in the moonlight, in silver-gilded gold was her crescent birthmark. Still present though she was now simple Serina. The little blonde drew in a deep breath and held it. "Sere, what happened?"

 

From behind the group, a familiar voice announced. "I know what she did. Serenity," Luna bowed to the princess as she walked up beside Darien and Serina on the ground.

 

Serina's eyes widened with fear, 'No-' She shook her head, desperately praying her guardian wouldn't so carelessly reveal her secret. "No . . . Luna . . ." She begged, reaching out a complaisant hand to the black cat.

 

Seeing this reaction made him even more frantic. Darien jumped on the cat- "What happened, Luna? What did she do?!" His heart pulled and ached, twisting as if in response to the confused feelings he sensed from his love.

 

"Darien . . ." She whispered. Now she had everyone's attention. Her bewildered Scouts stared between the prince, the cat, and Serina whose crescent moon now shone vibrantly. Irene and Rini's marks began to faintly shimmer, catching the moonlight just slightly.

 

"Serenity, you chose wisely after all this time, you have made your decision. My princess . . ."

 

"No, Luna, it's- I think- it's only temporary. Mother didn't want me to have this kind of power until I came of age-"

 

"Serina! What are you talking about?!" Rei suddenly exploded, grabbing the girl's shoulder. "You're talking in riddles!"

 

"What'd you do, Serina? Why's Luna acting so weird?" Mina asked, releasing her princess's shoulder from Rei's death grip. Ami nodded, concurring with the question.

 

"Yeah, what happened? You keep beatin' around the bush and I'll have to beat an answer out of you!" Lita grinned and hoped her merry threat would get a laugh out of the bubbly girl. Or an answer.

 

"What happened, Serina." Darien held Serina at arm's length, forcing her to drop her head to avoid his demanding, imploring gaze. He was shaking with fear again and he hoped she could feel it. She wasn't taking them seriously.

 

Suddenly he noticed SHE was trembling- Tears glistened and rolled down her cheeks as she hesitantly faced him, the twins gasping in unison at her sorrowed face.

 

"I died."