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A Love Like No Other
By Jupiter Princess 69

Author's note
PLEASE STOP AND READ THIS!!!!  I realize many of you just skip to the story, 
but
you NEED to read this note.  This is a love story.  This means that it talks
about sex and other mature subjects.  If this is going to offend you, do not
read this story.  I did not write much past, "they made love" in most 
places.
However, I did write a few hentai parts, for those of you who like that in a
love story.  It is not incredibly graphic when compared to true lemons.  
There
are also some other mature topics such as violence, abuse, and molestation.  
I
am telling you this because I just don't want any letters saying, "I was 
shocked
at the material."  K?  That's all the necessary stuff.  The rest is just 
FYI.
        This story takes place in the Moon Kingdom.  It is my rendition of 
how Serena
and Darien fell in love.  I am the type of person who is, shall we say, less
than happy about the way Darien treats Serena in the DIC series.  He is very
cold to her, but in his heart, I picture him as being warm.  I also am not
pleased with the way Serena is considered such a ditz.  She is the Princess 
of
the Moon and even after she almost single handedly defeated Queen Barryl, 
she
got no respect.  I was bitter.  So if you are looking for a ditz, you won't 
find
it here.  Just thought I would tell you. As far as the Sailor senshi go, I 
have not yet had the privilage of watching the Japanese Sailor Moon's, only 
DIC's, so I do not know everything about the outer senshi's traits.  Sorry.  
I kinda, more or less, stuck to what I knew.  Uh, I
think I'm supposed to say something like the character's (Serena, Darien, 
etc.)
were not made by me but by Naoko Takeuchi, Bandai, Kodansha, and all their
related company so don't sue me for taking credit.  Cuz I'm not.  It's just 
a
story.  Don't have a cow.  I will be happy to add other people's names who
deserve credit if they so desire.  Well, that's it.  Enjoy!
=) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) 
=) =)
(The above being sideways smiley faces)
=) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) =) 
=) =)

Darien
Chapter 1- The Crash

        I ran quickly down the corridor to my room.  I could tell she was 
right behind
me.  I was not about to be beaten again.  My heart was pounding so hard, I
thought it would pump out of my chest.  I tried to run faster, but I found
myself, only slowing down from exhaustion.  I knew she was going to catch 
me.
But I had to try to get away.  It was not right what she was doing.  If only
there was somebody there who could help me.  But there was not.  I was alone
during this time of fear.  The kind of pain my nanny inflicted on me was
uncalled for.  But then again, I should have been used to it by then.  She 
did
not seem to give any mind to the fact that she was beating an nine year old
child, much less the Prince of Earth.

        Mrs. Natalie Wildman was her name.  My mother had hired her when I 
was only
three.  The tasks that come with being the Queen of the Earth, were a bit
overwhelming.  Mother had to deal with the Ambassadors from eight different
worlds.  In addition, she had to come up with solutions to the problems on
Earth.  Probably most trying of all was attending every social function 
there
was on any world at any time.  The Earth had to make an appearance at every
occasion and Father was too badly needed on Earth all the time to attend all 
but
a few of the functions.  It was considered an insult of the highest if a 
Queen
or King from another planet invited the Earth royalty, but nobody from Earth
showed up.  Therefore, Mother had to rush off to every banquet, every birth,
every Ambassador or Delegate's wedding, etc...  With these kind of hours, it
hardly left my Mother time to effectively raise a well-bred, well mannered 
son.
So to fill in for her lack of time, she hired Nanny Wildman.  Unfortunately, 
my
Mother did not bother enough to get to know the Nanny well before she hired 
her.
Do not misunderstand me.  My mother loved me very much and only wanted the 
best
for me.  But unfortunately, like most abusers, they put on an innocent, 
sweet
facade to the world, and are completely different to the person they abuse.  
In
Nanny Wildman's case, my mother never saw a hint of the cruelty in her, and
thought that I was just a mischievous little boy.
        The first time Nanny Wildman's brutality was bared was when I was 
four.  I
spilled my dinner on the floor when my elbow bumped the plate.  Some of the
sauce splattered on her dress, as she was standing behind me, quizzing me on 
how
to have a proper meal.  I slowly raised my eyes to meet hers and when I did 
she
looked at me for the first time so viciously that I hardly recognized her.  
She
seized my arm and practically dragged me upstairs and scolded me in her 
room.
"I have done nothing but care for you, and you repay me with this?".  She
pointed to the stain in disgust.  She went on about how she would have to 
change
now.  She grabbed another dress from her closet and proceeded to change in 
the
adjoining bathroom.  She warned me that I better still be in the room when 
she
got back. When she came out she was in a fresh gown and threw the one with 
the
sauce in the laundry basket.  Then she reached for the handles, spun around 
and
glared at me, laundry basket in hand.  "Now Darien, this is what happens to
little boys who ruin girl's dresses!"  With that, she lifted the basket high 
and
slammed me in the head with it.  The blow was enough to make my head throb 
and
make me dizzy, however not enough to do permanent damage.  I collapsed in 
the
corner and began to sob, tucking my knees into my chest and burying my head.
She sent me to my room and told me if I told anyone she would do something 
far
worse.  Then she picked me up and put me in my bed without finishing dinner.
        This kind of punishment continued on.  Finally, when I was six, she 
hit me so
hard that I had noticeable markings.  Before this incident, she had always 
been
careful to hit me places that were covered by clothing.  She was also 
careful
not to do anything a month before doctors appointments.  But this time I got 
a
black eye.  I went to my mother, even though I knew if she didn't believe me
Nanny Wildman would beat me for it.
        My Mother was in her chambers, preparing for a dinner party.  The 
dinner wasn't
for another two and a half hours, though.  I found her sitting at her 
dresser,
applying make-up.  She was in her favorite burgundy dress.  Her room was 
mostly
deep red with huge drapes covering a large bay window.  I walked over to my
Mother nervously.
        "Mommy, Nanny Wildman hits me.  She's hit me since I was four.  I 
just don't
think I can stand it anymore.  She said if I told you, she'd hurt me.  She's
scary and she doesn't love me the way she tells you she does.  Please, could 
we
get a new Nanny?"
        My mother set down her brush and looked at me.  "She hits you does 
she?  I will
look into this immediately."  She turned to the door.  "Shannon!"  The 
servant
entered the room.  "Please send me Mrs. Wildman.  I wish to speak with her."
        "Yes, Your Majesty." she said, and proceeded down the hallway.  My 
mother sent
me to my room.  I sat on my bed, holding my pillow and watching the clock 
until
she came back  An hour later she walked in and sat down on my bed next to 
me.
She looked me in the eye and placed her hand on mine, and then spoke the 
words
that would change my life forever.  "Darien, sweetie, Mrs. Wildman told me 
you
got the black eye when you were jumping on the bed.  She claims she asked 
you to
stop, but you didn't.  You fell and hit your head on the bedpost.  She was
hysterical when she heard all the horrible things you said about her.  She
started crying, Darien.  You really hurt her feelings.  She loves you very 
much
and would never hurt you.  I think you owe her an apology.  She has done 
nothing
but care for you.  She has helped me out tremendously.  You simply can't go
around lying like this about people.  It hurts their reputation.  Now, I 
want
you to go to her quarters with me and apologize."
        I had learned from past experiences that there was no arguing with 
my mother.
Nanny Wildman's ability to cry on command had completely tricked my mother 
into
thinking I was a liar.  Needless to say I was beaten the next week, as to 
not
rouse suspicion.  That was the last time I ever tried to tell anyone about 
the
abuse.

        Now, I was racing to my room.  She was still beating me, now more 
severely
because I was older and able to endure more physical pain.  She didn't do
anything that would last longer than a week, most of the time.  She was 
smart,
I'll give her that.
        I reached my door and almost slipped when I tried to stop.  I 
managed to open
the door and stumble in.  I locked it from the inside just in time.  I heard 
her
screaming at me out side though.  I was safe for now.
        Not only were the beatings more brutal, but they were now over the 
silliest
discrepancies.  This time, I had snuck in a snack from the kitchen, to my 
room,
and she found the wrapper in the trash.  She called me on it in the dining 
room.
I bolted before she had time to grab me.
        I had successfully avoided a beating, but I would get it double the 
next time.
It was then that I realized I had to get out of the palace.  Leave my home.  
But
where would I go?  I was very smart and agile for my age.  My teachers had
already taught me algebra and simple biology.  I was already an eloquent 
speaker
and I had memorized much of earth's history.  I was not a genius, I just 
liked
to lose myself in books of old times and escape my present situation.  I 
hated
class, however.  My experiences with Nanny Wildman had made me bitter 
against
most adults.  I did much better teaching myself.  Alone.  Secluded.
        The one thing I had not been taught yet, was how to use my powers 
that I
supposedly had since birth.  Apparently, it was not common practice on Earth 
to
start teaching me until I was ten.  I most certainly didn't feel very 
powerful.
If I did, I would have rid my life of those teachers and Nanny Wildman.  I 
just
wanted to be left alone with my parents on Earth.
        There were a few people who I didn't mind, though.  However, they 
were all on
other planets, and all my own age.  First, there was the Prince of Saturn,
Micah, who was nine.  He was my friend but could get really mean sometimes.  
I
most enjoyed the company of my best friend, the Princess of Jupiter, Lita, 
who
was six.  Then there was Princess Mars, and Princess Pluto, Raye and Sharon 
who
were always up to something.  Princess Neptune and Uranus, Michelle and Alex
pretty mush kept to themselves.  Princess Venus, Mina,  always hung around 
Lita.
They fought sometimes, though.  Princess Mercury pretty much got along with
everyone, when her head wasn't stuck in a book.  Her name was Amy and was by 
far
the most intelligent of all of us.  Then there was my crush.  Princess 
Serena,
of the Moon.  I knew I was in love the moment I met her.  Micah was making 
fun
of me because I was new.  I started crying, only being six.  It was the 
first
time I had met any of them.  Then Serena came in the room.  The prettiest 
two
year old I had ever seen.  She saw me crying and came over in a very
two-year-old fashion and gave me a hug and a kiss.  I yelled, "Eeeew!  
Cuties!"
and ran away.  But I liked it.  She had tried to make me feel better and I 
had
never had anyone else my age around.  It meant a lot.  I spent the rest of 
my
childhood poking her and throwing dirt and things at her, to her annoyance 
but
deep inside, I thought she was cute.
        I soon realized if I ran away, I would never see any of my childhood 
friends
again.  But this abuse was too much to handle.
        It was then that my mother knocked on my door.  The noise startled 
me so badly,
I jumped and shook.  I had been deep in thought and at first, I thought it 
was
Nanny Wildman trying to get in.  "Darien, are you in there?"  I climbed off 
the
bed and raced across the room to open door.  "What is it, mother?", I asked.
        I gazed up into her eyes.  I almost hoped that she saw the fear in 
my eyes and
the tear streaks that I was sure were still on my cheeks.  That way, I could
tell her.  Tell her everything.  But I knew I could never try to tell her 
again.
It would only backfire and I was well aware of what Nanny Wildman would do 
to me
if she found out that I had tried to tell on her again.  My Mother did not
notice my expression, which was probably a good thing.
        "Darien, I need you to accompany me downstairs.  We are entertaining 
some
guests from the Moon and we want to introduce you."  How thrilling.  More
interplanetary delegates.  From the Moon this time.  I had to be introduced 
to
every person who called on Earth royalty, as they would one day have to deal
directly with me, when I reached the age of seventeen.  That was when I was
scheduled to take over my Mother's responsibility dealing with the delegates 
and
ambassadors that came calling.  She took my hand in hers and we began to 
walk
down to where Father was.  I took a deep breath in.  I always loved the way
Mother smelled.  She always smelled like cinnamon.  I never knew why but I
enjoyed the smell as we walked down the stairs.
        When we reached the parlor I caught the end of the conversation that 
the
delegates were having with my Father.  "Then you will be attending Queen
Serenity's banquet, Sire?", one of them asked.
        I knew which banquet they were talking about.  It was the banquet 
that Queen
Serenity threw every year for all the Royalty, Ambassadors and Delegates of 
the
Moon Kingdom.  She did this so that everyone would get better aquatinted,
although nobody ever did.  All the adults did was lie and make small talk.  
They
were formal, polite, but incredibly insincere.  If one said, "I love your 
gown.
Who designed it?" it translated to, "I want to know who had the insanity to 
make
that wretched thing, so I can avoid them."  I always found this quite 
amusing.
My Mother would say something there and then tell the truth when we got 
back.  I
liked these functions though.  It was another chance to see Lita... and of
course Serena.  Ah, my puppy love!
        "Yes, yes.  Of course.  But shall Darien's Nanny be accompanying the 
Queen and
I?"  The delegates looked at each other and then back at my Father.
        "Ah, Sire, we would think it best to bring the Prince Darien, um 
however, his
Nanny is not of Noble blood.  We would suggest leaving her here, Your 
Highness."
        "Very well then."  It was then that my Father turned and saw my 
mother and I
standing in the doorway.  My father signaled to us and we entered.  He
introduced everyone and started on about something, but my mind suddenly 
kicked
into high gear.  If these delegates were from the Moon, that means they came 
on
a ship, since only royalty had the ability to transport.  If I could make it 
to
the launch site and get on the ship I could..."Isn't that right, Darien?", 
my
father asked, seemingly out of nowhere.  I glanced up at him and the others.
All eyes were on me.  It was quite unnerving.  "Yes, Father.", I answered,
hoping it was the right response.  My mother let go of my hand and sat down 
by
my Father on the sofa.  With my Mother there now, they began discussing the
details of the afore mentioned banquet.  It was then that I managed to slip 
out,
unnoticed.
        These type of occasions were especially important to the Earth.  We 
had not
always been a part of the Moon Kingdom.  It was but ten years ago that Queen
Serenity had revealed herself and the rest of the Court to my parents.  My
Mother had just become pregnant with me at the time.  It came as a great 
shock
to Earth that there was in fact life on other planets.  We had a lot of 
catching
up to do.  They did not take me with them when they visited other planets 
until
I was six.  That of course being the first time I laid eyes on Serena.  I
suppose my parents were a bit afraid of the Moon Kingdom and wanted to make 
sure
I would be safe there.

        If there was one good thing that came out of this abuse, it was that 
it had
forced me to learn to be quick, quiet, and agile for sneaking around.  I 
felt my
heart start to pound as I crept down the first hallway toward the staircase. 
  I
often forgot how large the palace was.  Normally, Nanny Wildman restricted 
me to
only using my room, the dining hall, and my Mother's room.  It was a rare
occasion that I was permitted to visit the outdoors.  I could only gaze at 
the
yards through the large window in my room.  It overlooked a garden.  
Sometimes,
I would curl up on the sill and just sit there gazing for hours.
        There were a few times that I had been permitted outside, though.  
Most of the
time it was when Lita came to visit.  We would sit in the garden, picking
flowers for our parents, or playing tag or hide and go sneak.
        But there was no time to think of the garden.  I kept low until I 
reached the
foot of the stairs.  My body began to shake.  I could hardly keep from 
falling
down.  I gripped the railing and slowly, I ascended two flights before 
reaching
the launch site.  Upon entering the site, I quickly ducked down behind a 
plant.
There were a few servants bustling around the ship.  Cleaning it, I suppose. 
  I
realized I would need a distraction.
        Luckily, one came for me.  Nanny Wildman came storming into the room 
demanding
if the servants had seen me.  They replied that hey had not.  She then 
ordered
them to stop what they were doing and to help her look for me.  All three 
left
close behind Nanny Wildman.  I grinned.  I was free!  I bolted over to the 
ship
and entered it.  There were two beds towards the back with cabinets 
underneath
them.  They contained pillows and extra blankets.  In front were the 
navigation
systems with two chairs.  They had a little kitchenette at the head of one 
of
the beds.  This ship was meant for week long missions, I concluded.  It does 
not
take more than an hour to get to the Moon, though.  Hopefully, they were not
making any other stops.
        That's when I heard someone enter the launch site.  I quickly 
squeezed in one
of the blanket cabinets and shut the door behind me.  The two delegates 
boarded
the ship.  Before I knew it, we took off.  I heard one of them say we were
headed to the Moon, which gave me great relief.  I did not know how long I 
could
stay crunched up in this cabinet.  Sure it was soft... I had pillows and
blankets surrounding me.  But I was hot.  I began to squirm after a while.  
I
thought this flight would never end!
        About an hour later, that had felt more like an eternity, I heard 
them getting
ready to land.  Suddenly, their voices changed from routine, to panicked.  
All I
knew is that we were going down way too fast.  I heard screams and the 
deafening
blare of the engines.  I was frightened.  I pictured my body laying in the
wreckage, lifeless.  I had been trying to escape danger and had instead put
myself in the middle of it.  I screamed until my lungs were raw.  My heart 
raced
and my ears screamed from the pain of the quick decent.  I was going to die, 
I
knew it.  Then came the crashes and jolts.  I felt my body being tossed 
around
and a fear in my heart that was indescribable.  I smelled smoke and heard
explosions, as well as the terrified cries of the others in the ship.  On 
the
last jolt I was thrown out of my cabinet.  I was knocked unconscious for who
knows how long.

Chapter 2- Born Again

        I opened my eyes.  Wherever I was, it was dark.  My brow throbbed 
with pain, as
did my neck and back.  I saw a pool of blood where my head had been as I 
tried
to pull myself up.  I realized I had been bleeding from my left eyelid and
across my eyebrow.  I touched the cut, now, to see if I was still bleeding.  
I
examined the space directly ahead of me.  There was food that had been 
spilled
from the shelves on the floor, a small fire to my right, wires and mangled
machinery everywhere, and dent and holes on the sides of the craft.  There 
were
two bodies slumped over in the helm chairs, both of them lifeless.  I drew 
my
breath in.  I realized I was the sole survivor.  I felt almost guilty, but 
at
this point I was too unnerved to care.  I slowly managed to get to my feet.
"Where am I?", I said aloud, supporting my weight on the side of the ship 
with
my left arm.  Then I realized something very bad.  Not only did I not know 
WHERE
I was, but I did not know WHO I was.  I struggled to recall anything.  All I
could remember were a few emotions.  I was scared and I had been trying to 
get
away from danger.  Any more than that was a mystery.  "Well, you certainly
didn't do a very good job of getting away from danger." I said, looking 
around
myself.  I got down on my knees and managed to crawl out of the mangled ship
though one of the holes in the side.
        I looked around.  I was in a heavily wooded area.  I panicked.  I 
did not know
what to do.  I clenched my fists together and I decided to start walking.  
After
what seemed like hours, I came upon a beautiful building.  It was far off, 
but
my heart raced.  Finally, I could get help!  I started running toward it.  
It
had fountains and flowers and seemed to be well lit by a pink shimmer above 
in
the sky.  I figured this must be the palace of whatever planet I was on.  It 
was
then that two people walked by in very fancy clothes.  I was about to 
approach
them when an eerie feeling washed over my body.  I didn't know why, but I 
got
the feeling that I should stay away from them.  I almost hated them, but as 
far
as I knew, I had not even met them.  It was then that I looked down and 
studied
my own clothing.  It was, or rather had been, very fancy as well.  Maybe I 
did
know them.  I decided to steer clear of the palace for the reason that maybe 
the
palace was what I had been trying to get away from.
        I took one last look and darted across the path leading to the gates 
and headed
down a dirt road that eventually led to another building.  I had been 
walking a
good hour before I reached it.  It was dark, but maybe it was open and could
provide shelter from the cold.  I went to the front door.  Locked.  I went 
to
the side door.  Locked.  I peered in and saw it was a Library.  I went to 
the
back.  No door.  It was there that I sat down, exhausted, in the grass and
huddled against the back wall.  "Now what?", I asked myself.  I put my right
hand on my throbbing forehead and my left hand down on the grass.  Except, 
It
didn't land on only grass.  My fingers curled around a cold ring.  It was 
large
and covered in dirt and grass.  I tried to lift it but it was caught on
something.  I managed to get to my feet and began to tug.  Then to my 
amazement
what appeared to be a hidden cellar door opened up.  "The ring must have 
been
the handle to the door." I deduced.  Yeah, Yeah, I'm the next Sherlock 
Holmes, I
know.  But how often do you find hidden doors that lead underground.  It 
hadn't
been opened for years, I could tell by the way the grass had completely 
grown
over it.  "Well, it's shelter." I said.  I then proceeded to descend the 
stair
case just inside the door.  There was a flashlight sitting in what looked 
like a
torch holder.  I walked down to it, clutching the railing for dear life, as 
I
was very tired.  I figured I had lost to much blood and was now weakened by 
it.
I took out the flashlight when I reached the seventh step.  When I took out 
the
light, the door shut above me.  I clicked on the light and slowly went down 
the
stairs.
        I found a light switch at the bottom of the staircase.  I switched 
it on and a
bulb in the middle of the room flickered to life.  All I saw at this point 
was a
bed.  I was so exhausted, from walking I went and collapsed it.  I then 
figured
I had better tend to this cut on my head.  I reluctantly pulled myself up 
and
went to a table that was in the center of the room.  There I found an old 
rag.
I looked around.  I saw what looked to be an adjoining bathroom.  I found a
light switch just inside, but the bulb in there was broken.  I took in the
flashlight and went to the faucet.  I turned the water on.  There was a 
gurgling
sound followed by a gush a brown liquid.  I waited to see if it would clear.
When it got to a pale yellow I wet the rag.  I looked up, into a mirror and 
saw
myself for the first time.  I would have looked okay if it wasn't for the 
ugly
cut across my eye.  I cleaned it, (well, with the yellow water, cleaned it) 
and
went to collapse on the bed, but not before switching out the light.

        I awoke the next morning.  I got up out of bed groggily and looked 
around.  I
reached for my flashlight.  I walked over to the light switch and turned it 
on.
It was then that I examined the room more closely.  There were many 
furnishings.
A couch, a writing desk and chair, a coffee table in the middle of the room, 
and
of course the bed.  Along the walls were newspaper clippings of the 
building.  I
walked over to the wall.  The clippings were old and yellowed.  Some of them
unreadable.  I read a few that were legible and found out that the building 
I
was in was a community center.  Then I noticed two doors on the opposite 
side
the room from the stairway I had first entered.  My curiosity grew like a 
wild
fire.  I began to run to one of the doors but slowed my pace because my head
hurt too much.
        I opened the door on the right, revealing another stairway.  I 
scaled the
stairs only to bring myself to a sort of tunnel.  I figured that when the 
stairs
ended, I was at ground level again.  The tunnel now before me could not have
been more than five by five.  I began to crawl.  It had light coming through
somehow.  The tunnel had a sudden drop as it opened.  It became about twelve
feet high and only about three feet wide.  I jumped the drop which was only
about three feet down.  I looked into where the light was coming from.  I 
got to
a place where I saw what looked to be like a dance class.  I was standing 
there
behind only glass where they could surely see me.  Frightened, I stood there
just looking.  Then, the whole class turned towards me.  But nobody appeared 
to
see me.  No reactions like, "Who are you, and what are you doing here?"  No
funny looks.  Nothing.  The music stopped.
        "Okay ladies!" the instructor shouted.  Line up by the mirror.  The 
class
walked over to the other side of the classroom and turned away from me  That 
was
when I realized I had been holding my breath.  I let it out and took a deep
breath.
        I realized this was a one way mirror and that they couldn't see me.  
I
continued down the tunnel, taking great care not to make the slightest 
sound.
They couldn't see me, but I bet they could hear me.  The talent of sneaking
around seemed to come naturally to me, but I couldn't remember why.
        I then descended a short flight of stairs until I reached another 
tunnel; this
one being not as long.  I saw some light up ahead and I sped up slightly to 
see
where it came from.  I looked up and peeked through what appeared to be a 
set of
vents.  I was in a kitchen.  The smells of the room were so intoxicating.  I
realized for the first time how hungry I was.  I did not know when the last 
time
I ate was.  It felt like days ago.
        "This place must be a whole lot bigger than I thought." I whispered 
to myself.
It was apparently crawling through the walls of the community center.  I 
doubted
that anyone else knew about the tunneling.  I had found my very own way to 
get
around unnoticed.  I felt excitement begin to rise in me.  I also felt 
hunger.
My stomach growled so loud that I was sure someone could have heard.  I 
peered
through the vent to get a better look around.
        I saw three cooks with several large crock pots.  They appeared to 
be cleaning
them out over a large sink.  I waited for the cooks to leave.  They locked 
the
doors (one leading outside and the other to an adjoining room.)  I pushed up 
on
the vent and was quite surprised at how easily it lifted.  I raced to the
refrigerator and grabbed (of course being nine) the large vanilla cake that 
sat
in the center.  My mouth began to water.  I figured that I should take this 
back
to the room I had slept in.  I was about to make off with the cake when I 
heard
the key in the door.  I quickly shoved the cake back in the refrigerator and
raced to an open cupboard.  I looked around and found myself to be in a 
spice
and preserve cupboard.  The cook seemed to be having trouble getting the key 
in
the lock.  I debated making a dash for the vent.  Finally, the door opened.
        One of the cooks entered shouting, "Okay, I'll get the salt.  Lousy 
Louise.
Always forgettin' somethin'."  I saw the salt next to me and panicked.  I 
opened
the door and dropped the salt out of  before the cooked turned to the 
cupboard,
at least I hoped it was before.  Just then the man stumbled and hit the 
cupboard
with all his weight.  My heart leapt to my throat and I held my breath.  Not
even noticing the salt, the cook grabbed the door and yanked it open.  He 
took a
bottle that contained something green and shut it.  I had seen the man look
straight at me but he didn't even say a word to me about being in the 
cupboard.
The man tripped and stumbled back towards the door. Then he shouted, "Ya 
know,
Louise, I gotta lay off the beer.  I just thought I saw a dirty kid in the
cupboard."
        I almost laughed.  Thank goodness for drunks!  After the man 
eventually managed
to lock up the kitchen again, I crept out of the cupboard cautiously.  I 
went
back to the refrigerator.  I reached in, and got the cake.  Now, quick as I
could manage, I dropped it into the vent from which I came and climbed in.  
I
closed the vent and pushed the cake in front of me until I was able to 
stand.
This break came when the short stairway was within reach.  I picked up the 
cake
and ascended the stairs and retraced my steps until I got back to the room I 
now
called home.
        I didn't have a knife or silverware so I just grabbed a fist full of 
cake and
shoved it in my mouth.  It was delicious.  But then, I had a feeling the 
worms
would have been delicious at this point.  I thought I would die of hunger.  
I
kept eating until I had devoured half the  cake.  Once I was full, I 
journeyed
back into the tunnel, passing the vents in the kitchen until I had to climb 
a
ladder.  Once on top I found himself on a large platform hidden by a 
curtain.  I
peeked through to find I was an over a stage.  This platform was too high 
for it
to have been used by tech crew and was obviously hidden to anyone, including 
the
actors.  It looked like part of the ceiling.
        On the other side of the platform I found another part of the 
tunnels.  I
walked over to it and continued down it.  This time the tunnel roof was well
over six feet above my head.  It soon came to the library that I had seen 
the
night before.  After a few minutes of venturing down this hall, I came to a
waist high platform to my left.  The tunnel continued past it but the 
platform
had several vents in it.  I got on the platform and looked down through the
vents into the library I had seen the night previous.  I figured that the
platform I was currently on was the ceiling of the Library and the tunnel I 
had
been going down was near the roof in height.  That meant, I should have to
descend another flight of stairs eventually, to get back down to ground 
level.
After peeking in a while into the Library I climbed back to the tunnel and
continued my adventure.  The walkway began to slant downward and I saw 
another
light.  I heard the music of the dance class starting up again.  When I 
reached
the light's source I had to stoop.  It was the top part of a one way mirror 
of
the dance room, except this time it was on the other side of the room and 
the
mirror came up to only my waist.  I looked down at the dancers and then 
realized
I had made a full circle.  I started walking again and soon came to a 
stairway;
very  long this time, and descended it.  I recognized the door at the bottom 
of
the staircase as the door on the left of my room.  I came to the bottom and 
re
entered my room, coming out the opposite door I entered.  I was pleased.
        "How nice." I said to myself.  "I guess this is home now.  I have 
everything.
A kitchen that will always have free food.  A library, where I can get books 
to
learn.  A dance room that will let me hear music.  And I can watch all the 
plays
for free from the platform.  I'll live here forever."

Chapter 3- Growing up

        The Library was probably my favorite place to spend time.  At night 
I would
sneak out and confiscate books from it and take them back to my home to read
during the day.  It is how I furthered myself and my mind.  I soon learned I 
was
on the Moon and in no time I had digested all of it's History.  The current
ruler was a certain Queen Serenity.  Call me crazy, but I could have sworn 
that
I had met her before my accident.  I educated myself on the cultures and
Histories of the eight planets, finding Earth particularly interesting.  
Maybe I
came from there.  It was either Earth or the Moon.  I read many books.  
Math,
the Sciences, Astronomy, Psychology, Anatomy, Biology, Chemistry, Zoology, 
and
so on.
        I was woken up every morning by the sound of the music of the dance 
class.  It
was faint, but not quite faint enough.  Quite annoying as far as I was
concerned.  My daily routine was to get up, eat breakfast (which I would 
have
stolen from the kitchen the night before, to the aggravation of the cooks), 
read
yesterday's paper (the library got it delivered for it's achieves), read my
books and later catch the rehearsal of the plays that were always being
performed.  I, of course, never went in the auditorium itself.  Why would I 
when
I had my own personal viewing platform?  After that I would steal my next 
day's
food supply, considering that by the time rehearsal was over, everything 
else
had been closed up already.  They might be long rehearsals, but I was most
intrigued by the theatre.
        From all of my research, I had come to one conclusion.  I hated 
people.
History contained nothing but greed, war, poverty, murder, and adultery.  
Why
anyone would think that a man was great only because of how many others he 
could
kill or how many nations he could conquer, was beyond my comprehension.  I
wanted nothing to do with such creatures.  Especially royalty.  Royalty 
seemed
so over rated.  All they did was sit around and cause trouble.  They were so
proper and with all their formalities, it's amazing they got anything
accomplished.
        I learned quickly how to cope with my situation.  I gave up trying 
to remember
my past less than a year after I first began to live at the community 
center.
It just didn't matter all that much to me.  I spent the first few weeks 
spending
every minute of every day trying to come up with clues.  After all that hard
work and effort, I was still no closer to remembering anything.  It was
frustrating to say the least.  So I just gave up.  I realized that it just
wasn't that important to me.  I really didn't care who had brought me into 
the
world, considering all I COULD remember was the feeling of fear and danger.  
I
figured that my past was not something I wanted to remember.
        By most people's definitions, I was a fairly cold hearted person.  
To coin a
phrase, I cared for nothing and for no one.  I relied strictly on what I had 
and
needed, not what I wanted.  I became able to almost shut out emotions 
entirely.
I thought emotions to be small things which carried way too much weight.  I
could not believe that a society based around and upon such short, 
whimsical,
and pointless things such as emotions could even survive a day.  All they 
ever
did was hurt people in the end.  Anger, hatred, greed, lust, and jealousy 
seemed
to be the most common.  Very rarely did you see any great change happen as a
result of love.  And even love, in marriage, was not solid.  Emotions lead 
to
heartbreak and I for one did not see the point.  I planned never to 
befriend,
never to love, and never to marry.  Besides, what was the point of feeling
things if you weren't going to express them.  Especially in royalty, humans 
tend
to not say what they mean.  A woman will approach another woman and say, 
"That
is a lovely dress.  Who designed it?" when she really means, "Who designed 
that
wretched thing, so that I may avoid them in the future?"  It was a concept I
never grasped, and I did not wish to make the attempt.  I had done my best 
in
setting myself apart from everyone else, but at the same time, I was not 
ashamed
of what I was.  I found humanity to be an interesting race, and although I 
will
take this secret to my grave, I almost want to be accepted by them.  I 
wanted to
be considered one of them, just more enlightened than most, I guess.
        I, for the most part, was good about keeping quiet enough so that no 
one would
hear me.  However, on occasion, I had been heard bumping around, exciting
people's imaginations.  The began to say I was a ghost and that I had died
during a theatre performance and now I haunted the place.  I was amused by 
this
reputation and was just grateful the no one had discovered my home.  I had 
only
been visually spotted four times.  I gathered I looked rather frightening to
most people.  As I grew I stole outfits from the theatre's costume 
inventory,
not to mention a patch for my right eye.  The scar on it never healed, and I
liked the way the patch looked.  I was disgusted by the scar on my eye.  I
loathed it.  Although I highly valued my uniqueness and independence, I 
still
was part of humanity, and I saw nothing shameful in wanting to look like 
one.
        The first person to see me was a little girl who was peeking through 
one of the
vents and called out that there was a boy behind the vents.  That was when I 
was
eleven.  The strangest time was when I was fourteen and a woman saw me late 
at
night in the Library.  She thought I really was a ghost and was certain I 
was
going to eat her or some such ridiculous nonsense.  She fainted and everyone
told her she was just dreaming when they found her that morning.  Another
incident, I was getting food from the kitchen when a cook walked in.  He was
pretty upset about my being there and grabbed a knife yelling, "You!  You're 
the
one stealing food!"  He chased me outside and around back.  Luckily, I was 
able
to get into my home and close the door before he got there.  I was only ten
then.  That's when I decided that the true nature of humans was a violent 
one.
I hated all people until someone taught me other wise, many years later.  As 
for
the fourth incident, well, that's a long story.  I was eighteen at the time. 
  I
had adopted the nickname Tuxedo Mask because of my patch and because the 
garment
I wore was a tuxedo since thirteen.  (I found it to be the most logical 
piece of
clothing simply because I could add or take away layers due to temperature 
as
needed.)  That's where my real story begins.

Serena
Chapter 4- My Story
        "Mama, why must I go play with this earth boy?  I like Mina and Lita 
just
fine.", I whined to my mother as she did up my dress.  "Because, Serena, you 
are
the Princess of the Moon Kingdom.  And you need to get to know the Earth 
Royalty
as much as I do.  Besides, you will have fun.  Just think of him as a new
friend.  Now I know you will be nice to him, and be that little Princess I
taught you to be.  Make him feel welcome.  You know how you felt when you 
were
new."
        Mother was of course right.  I would treat him nicely.  I did 
remember what it
was like on my first day.
        When I met Darien he was just like me on my first day.  Off in a 
corner crying.
I went over to him and kissed him to make him feel better.  He just yelled
something about cuties and walked away.  Well, at least I could tell mama I
tried.  I spent the rest of my time playing tag with Lita and Mina, my best
friend.  Soon Micah joined the game and knocked all of us over.  That was 
the
end of that.
        Mother raised me the best she could.  As far back as I could 
remember, she
always made time to read me stories before bed and tucked me in after 
rocking me
in her rocking chair.  It must have been hard for her, having the
responsibilities of the whole universe on her shoulders.  But she never 
showed
it.  She was always kind and gentle and loving towards me.
        I suppose she got rid of a lot of her work load by dividing it up 
between the
members of her court and council (a.k.a. the rulers of the other planets.)  
She
and I would take long walks in the flower gardens and remark on how 
beautiful
they were.  We would go for late night swims in the fountains and walks 
along
the palace balconies.  Yes, Mother always had time for me, no matter what.
        When I was five, I found the greatest love of my life... ice 
skating.
Princesses Mercury, Neptune, Venus, Mars, and Jupiter invited me to go with 
them
to the rinks on Pluto.  I took to the ice like I had been doing it for 
years.  I
went on to be one of the best ice skaters in the kingdom.  Mother signed me 
up
for lessons the next week.  I was a natural.  I loved it.
        The night after my first lesson I got home hoping to tell Mother all 
about it.
But when I came to her room, she was not there.  I went around the palace
calling her name.  One of the servants heard me and came in to see if she 
could
help me.  I told her I was looking for my Mama.  The servant said that 
Mother
had to go to Earth on urgent business.  Something having to do with Darien.  
She
took me to Aurora, my Mother's friend and she said to put me on a ship and 
to
send me to Earth at once.
        When I arrived on Earth, I soon learned that Darien was missing.  
They
questioned around at the time of his disappearance with my Mother's help.  
See,
my Mother had the power of telepathy, so when people were questioned she 
could
easily tell if they were lying or being truthful.  It was through this line 
of
questioning that Darien's parents discovered that a woman named Natalie 
Wildman
had been abusing him.  It was then deduced that Darien probably ran away to
escape this torture.  They questioned her further to see if she knew where
Darien might have gone.  However, she truly had no idea where he had gotten 
off
to.  She was executed the following morning.
        Darien's mother took it the hardest.  She blamed herself for what 
happened
because Darien had apparently come to her, telling her of the abuse.  She
therefore felt responsible for Darien's disappearance.  She wouldn't eat,
wouldn't sleep, and locked herself in her room for close to a year. She had 
her
meals brought to her, that is when she was eating.  Meanwhile they conducted 
an
Earth wide search for Darien.  They even investigated a ship that crash 
landed
on the Moon, but found no sign of Darien.  After Four years, the search was
called off and he was pronounced dead.  It was a pity.  He was my friend and 
I
missed him terribly.
        When I was six, I began to be coached on the ways to use my powers.  
No other
royalty starts training until they are ten because their power is not as 
great
as mine.  Because my power is so strong, it develops in my body faster.  
Thus I
needed to learn to control it, or else I could have done some serious 
damage.
By the age of eleven, I had mastered telepathy and telekinesis (that means
moving objects with my mind).  I also learned how to disable attackers with 
a
thought and how to hit them with a surge of energy that I could produce at 
will.
My next step was to start the mastery of the silver crystal.
        The Silver Crystal was the basis of how our hierarchy worked.  Since 
the
royalty of the Moon were the only people who could use the full power of the
crystal, it was quickly decided that they would be the Supreme rulers of the
Kingdom.  As a result the hierarchy went like this.  First there was my 
Mother,
the Supreme Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, Daughter of Calliope and
Ambrose.  Then came me, Princess Serena of the Moon Kingdom.  I would not 
come
into the position of second in command until age eighteen, but I was the 
most
guarded and most powerful child alive, thanks to my Mother, who was very
protective of me.  It was said that as powerful as my Mother was, I would 
one
day exceed even her power ten fold.  Next came the Moon Court.  The most
influential members were of course the King's and Queens of the other 
planets,
followed by their sons and daughters, who would one day be their 
predecessors.
Venus carried a little extra weight for my Mother had married, the now Queen 
of
Venus's, brother, Delian.  Delian had died while in battle.  The next people 
of
the Court included the Ambassadors of the planets.  These were people who 
were,
for lack of a better explanation, the right hands of the King's, Queens, and
their children.  They were above the Delegates who basically carried out the
rulings of the Royalty, but still had their say in what went on and gave 
reports
back to the Court on how particular ideas and projects had worked.
          My Mother had been the strongest ruler so far.  She seemed to grow 
in power
with each passing year.  I suppose she was the strongest because she had 
ruled
the longest.  Mother was well over five hundred years of age, but her 
physical
appearance reflected a woman of twenty-two.  All of the royalty was like 
this.
The only way for a King or Queen to die was to be killed or to voluntarily 
end
your life.
        I was mature for my age.  Most royalty turns out that way.  When I 
was
thirteen, it was decided that I should be engaged to marry Micah of Saturn.  
I
was not pleased with this choice.  He had never gotten along with me and he 
was
much to big and violent.  He had such a temper that I was scared to death of 
him
despite the fact that I could easily win a fight with him using my powers.
However, I did not think that I should try anything of the sort.  After all, 
he
was five years my senior and I did not think it wise to challenge someone 
with
that much more training.
        I did not inform my Mother of my feelings because I knew that she 
desired the
marriage to work.  I did not wish to disappoint her.
        The day we were presented to each other was the worst day of my 
life.  I was
fourteen, and had not seen him since I was nine.  We were left alone in a 
room
together so we could 'get to know each other better'.  The only problem was 
he
wanted to get to know ALL of me better, which he was not the least bit 
discreet
about.  It started like...
        "It is a pleasure to see you again, lovely Princess."  He bowed.
        "The pleasure is all mine, Prince Micah."  Yeah, right.  I curtsied. 
  Micah was
a very attractive man.  He had dusty blonde hair in a mushroom cut, broad
shoulders, a seemingly firm stomach and strong arms.  His legs were too long 
and
lanky though.  And I did not care for his gray eyes.
        He crossed the room to a couch and sat down.  He studied me for 
moment.  I felt
my body tensed as he did so, wondering what his expression meant.  I could 
have
found out in a split second by reading his mind but I had been taught not to
read other's thoughts unless they knew I was.  Then he patted the pillow 
next to
him.  "Come and make yourself more comfortable.  Shall I pour you a drink?" 
he
said reaching for a tall bottle of Cider.
        Reluctantly I crossed the room.  I quickly realized his intentions 
were not
pure ones.  "Do you not think it is a little inappropriate for me, a young 
lady,
to be sitting on a couch with you, a young man, in room with no one else in 
it?"
        He looked up at me shocked.  Then I saw his face twist in such a way 
that I
could not breathe.  He had become so cold that I felt like I was looking 
evil
itself in the face.  He stood and grabbed my shoulders.  He shook me a hard 
and
brought me very close to his face.  I was so frightened and caught off guard
that I did not try to fight.  My heart began to pound with fear and I felt 
my
body tense up even tighter.  "Listen here, Princess.  The only reason I 
agreed
to marry you is because you have no other choice.  There are no other 
Princes
for you to marry.  It is therefore my given right to use you and your power 
to
further myself, considering I am doing you a favor.  One cannot help but 
notice
that you are very beautiful Serena, and I have every right to you and your 
body.
You will give to me what I want, and when I choose to have it."  With that 
he
kissed me roughly.  I was disgusted and out of breath.  I felt like I was 
being
smothered and I wanted nothing more than to get away.
        I had been kissed before, but never like this.  The other boys were 
just puppy
love and I had merely pecked their lips.  They were probably too intimidated 
of
my Mother and my power to have tried anything more.  I also knew that I 
would
not end up marrying them, so why set myself up for pain?
        Then I felt one of Micah's hands release my arm and grab my breast.  
He tried
to pull down the top of my dress.  Enraged I pushed him away using my 
energy.
Micah flew across the room landing on his back side. "How Dare you!!!" I
screamed as I backed away.
        "Ah Princess." Micah started calmly and methodically.  He was 
taunting me.  "If
you want a fight, you can have one.  The Queen of Saturn started training me
when I was only seven.  I have far more practice than you, you can be sure.  
But
never mind.  I do not need to have you now.  I can wait until after the 
wedding
That way you can dread its coming.  A far worse punishment in my opinion 
than
taking you here.  But just remember, you can't say anything to anyone.  
After
all, we would not want to disappoint Mommy and the Court, would we?" he 
sneered.
        Flustered, I glared at him, viciously with my fists clenched at my 
sides.  "No.
I will tell, my Mother.  She would never want me to be violated like this by 
a
man I am supposed to one day love!" I screamed, tears now streaming down my
face.
        "Well in that case, I will tell everyone that you came on to me." 
Micah replied
nonchalantly.
        "My Mother will be able to tell you are lying!"
        "Serena...  I can pull off a simple telepathic block.  The only 
reason it works
on commoners is because they do not have any telepathic powers.  Our 
bloodlines
do.  It is what separates them from us.  Your Mother, as powerful as she is,
will not be able to tell."
        "But my Mother knows me better than that!" I cried in desperation.
        "Does she now?  Serena you have never been around a man before.  She 
will think
it is possible that you came onto me."
        He was right.  I had only one choice for my husband considering that 
I was
bound by law and tradition to marry a Prince.  The other Princesses could 
marry
whomever the chose.  That was an asset Lita definitely took a great deal of
advantage of.  She had dated so many men.  Mina, a few.  Basically because 
she
felt compelled to as the Princess of Venus, the planet of love.  Raye had 
men
falling all over her but was swatting them off like flies, while Amy had a 
few
admirers but really had only dated one guy, a bookworm like herself.  Helen 
was
not yet old enough to date, Sharon was too busy with being the guardian of 
time
and all, and Michelle and Alex just hung around each other a lot.  There was 
no
other possibility of person I could marry.
        It was then that a servant entered the room and with the door opened 
for me, I
turned and ran out, sobbing.  When I was almost out the door, I heard him 
say,
"It was my pleasure talking to you, Dear.  See you soon.  I will call upon 
you
so we can start our wedding plans."  He cackled as I left, leaving a very
confused servant standing with a tray of food.
        For the next month, I did not leave my quarters.  My Mother asked me 
what was
wrong and I simply told her I was feeling poorly and that I wished to be 
left
alone.  Micah had tried to call upon me twice.  However, he found his
invitations twice declined.  I was furious at him, furious at my life, and
furious at myself.  How could I have allowed this to happen?  I felt so 
dirty
from the way he touched me.  I must have taken a dozen showers that night.  
But
it was pointless.  There was nothing that I could do about what was done or 
what
was going to be done with my future.  I felt so sick every time I thought 
about
the life ahead of me.  I was
        One late afternoon, my Mother came into my room with a broad smile 
across her
face.  "Serena, you know how you love the theatre?"  I turned my head slowly
toward her.
        "Yes.  Why?" I asked tentatively.  Normally when my Mother had that 
look on her
face, she had volunteered me for some activity without telling me so that 
way I
could not say no.
        "Well, I thought it would be fun if you were in a play.  You love 
watching them
so much, I knew you would enjoy playing a role.  You have always loved the 
stage
Serena.  Your ice skating competitions and all, I know you will love it.  
Please
say you will go.  It will give you a chance to meet some of our subjects.  
It is
at the community theatre.  Oh Serena, you shall love it, I promise."
        I sighed.  I could never say no to my Mother after she had gotten 
herself all
worked up about something.  She was so excited and she wanted to see me 
happy
again and out of my room.  She looked so pathetically hopeful that I agreed.
        As it turned out, the play was fun.  We were to perform a play 
called
Brigadoon.  It was from Earth.  We all had a wonderful time working on our 
lines
and making mistakes during rehearsals.  Luckily, Mother had signed me up as 
a
girl named Jasmine, so with the help of the disguise power pen, I was not
recognized by any of the people in the theatre.  Instead of my long gold 
locks
and blue eyes I had short black hair with green eyes.  That was good, for I
would have never have experienced what it's like to be a normal person doing 
a
play.
        One night, everyone else had left the theatre, but I stayed behind.  
I loved
the looking at the sets and just taking it all in.  I sat in the audience 
and
just pondered the significance of what I was doing and what I was a part of. 
  It
was then that I heard somebody walking up behind me.  I was a bit startled.  
I
thought everyone else had left.  I jumped out of my seat and ran to the 
stage,
where I could oversee everything clearly.
        There was a man walking up the center isle.  I couldn't make out his 
face.  My
heart stopped.  I was struck with fear as I realized who it was.

Chapter 5- The Saga Begins

        It was Micah.  Mother must have told him where I was.  Now what?  I 
have
nowhere to go, nobody's here, and he looks mad enough to kill me.  "There 
you
are my little Moon girl."
        This is the way he speaks to me?  His future wife?  His superior in 
rank?  Then
the lights came on in the theatre, responding to the movement sensors.  I 
had
nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.  I felt like a caged bird about to be 
pounced
on by a cat.  I began searching for an escape route.
        "Oh.  I am so sorry miss, have you seen Princess Serena?  I am 
Prince Micah of
Saturn, and she is my fiancé.  I was told by Queen Serenity that she was 
here.
Do you know where I might find her?"  I studied at Micah a minute, puzzled.  
I
looked down at myself.  It was only then I realized that I still looked like
Jasmine.
        I quickly realized that I should bow if I was a subject.  I did so 
and said,
"Yes my good Prince, I believe she is in the dressing room."  I thought that
maybe if I could convince him Serena, or I rather, was not there, I could 
get
him to leave.  He went to the dressing room and I was about to leave the 
stage
when he came and grabbed me from behind.  I let out a scream of terror and 
then
struggled to gasp for air as he began to tighten his arm around my neck, 
cutting
off my air supply.  "Thought you could fool me, did you not, Serena.  Next 
time
do not leave your disguise pen on top of your stuff.  Someone might see it 
and
figure out who you really are."  With that he raised the pen above my head 
and
made me change back.  I looked like me again.
        He whipped me around and shoved his tongue down my throat.  I felt 
energy
rising inside of me and I blasted him with it.  It was enough to get him off 
me
but I stumbled back and fell.  I wanted to scream and run for my life, but I 
was
so scared, I could not scream.  I could not get my body to respond to my
commands to get up and run.  My heart rose to my throat as he approached me, 
a
look of pure hatred across his face.  "Now Serena did I not warn you about
that."  'He is going to kill me', is all I could think.  He picked up a 
nearby
glass bowl.  It was a prop for the wedding scene.  He raised it high and was
about to smash it into my skull.  I put my hands above my head.  I closed my
eyes, waiting for pain.  The next thing I knew, I heard a loud crash, a 
thud,
and then Micah landed on top of me, causing me to bang my head against the 
wall,
knocking me out cold.

Darien
Chapter 6- Introductions

        My real story begins when I'm eighteen.  It was a typical night for 
me.  Except
this time I didn't wait until the rehearsal was over until I went to the
kitchen.  Normally I wait so that nobody walks in on me.  However, on this
particular night, I ended up not getting my food, despite my earliness.  I 
was
in the kitchen when I heard a girl scream.  I realized that there was barely
anyone left in the theatre and that nobody was rehearsing anymore.  I 
quickly
got to the top of my platform over looking the stage.  When I arrived I saw 
a
girl who was about to be killed by man who was obviously furious.  I felt 
rage
rip through my veins.  I absolutely hated violence, especially when the 
attacker
had such an unfair advantage.  This was one emotion I never managed to 
suppress.
I jumped on him.  He turned just in time for me to hit him.  He lost control 
of
the bowl and it fell and shattered off stage as it flew out of his hands 
into
the audience.  Unfortunately, he collapsed and landed on the girl.  She was
knocked out with  small cry, but he was still awake.
        Mind you, this man was not the first person I would have injured.  
When I was
seventeen, I caught a man following me through the vents.  I pretended not 
to
notice him until I got to my door where I grabbed a knife I had stolen a 
while
back for just such a purpose and waited.  I wouldn't have really stabbed him 
if
he didn't pull a gun on me.  That was the first person I had intentionally 
hurt.
I could not have people just barging into my home.  There was no way that 
guy
would have kept my secret.  I killed him and brought him upstairs after the
theatre closed.  I left his body on the auditorium isle.  He was found the 
next
morning, but since they did not know where I lived, or if I lived, they 
could
not identify the finger prints and could not find a murder weapon.  It was 
not
something I was proud of doing, but it was necessary to keep him from 
informing
anyone about me.
        I quickly turned the attacker's face up and began punching him 
repeatedly.  He
took out a knife from his pocket and stabbed me in the shoulder.  I got the
knife away from him then I picked him up and threw him off stage.  I did not
know if he was dead.  But anyone who beats anyone else for no good cause
deserves to die.  I did not know why I felt so passionately about batterers 
and
abusers.  I held my shoulder.  I had never felt so much pain.  I saw the 
deep
red blood on my fingers as I removed my hand.  Anyhow, I turned to the girl.
She was very beautiful, but she gave me the strangest feeling of De Ja Vu.
Well, I knew I couldn't just leave her there in case Blood Happy over there 
woke
up.  I groaned in annoyance.  Maybe there was another way to insure her 
safety?
Besides, I didn't even know her.  She had probably provoked that man and 
gotten
him angry, anyway.  I battled with my judgement for several minutes, just
staring at her.  I clutched my shoulder.  I would clean it out later.  
Finally,
I decided I had better bring her with me.  It took her around back and down 
into
my home.
        She was the first guest I had ever had.  Mind you I was not happy 
about this
arrangement at all.  If she woke up and recognized me as 'Tuxedo Mask', I 
had no
way of insuring that she didn't reveal my secret.  Other than to kill her, 
that
was.  I could not believe I was housing one of these violent creatures.  She 
was
definitely rich.  Which of course meant that I was dealing with a spoiled 
rich
snob.  I growled to myself.  If she woke up and found me here, not doing
anything for her, she will probably report me to others.  It was for this 
reason
the I tended her and tried to get her to wake up.   I laid her down on my 
bed
and got her a cold rag and placed it on her forehead.  I covered her with a
blanket as her shoulders were bare.  I took off my jacket to tend to my 
shoulder
in the bathroom.  I unbuttoned my shirt and ran a rag under the water, which 
by
now was running clear, although not warm.  I pressed the rag against my 
shoulder
the best I could, considering the man had stabbed me from the back.  It hurt 
to
strain that far.  I replaced my shirt, even though it had a blood stain on 
it
and I went back into my room.  I picked up a book and read on the couch 
until I
drifted off.
        She stirred eight hours later.  (I had also confiscated a clock a 
while back
from the dance room.  They had two anyway.)  At first, she was very groggy.
Then things seemed to set in with her.  She turned her face slowly to the 
side
and looked at me and was about to scream but I got to her first and closed 
her
mouth by putting my hand over it.  "Don't scream.  If I didn't hurt you 
while
you were asleep, why would I now?"  I took my hand away and backed away from 
the
bed to the table.  She stared at me a moment.  Then it all came out at once
"Who are you?  What is this place?  Why am I here?  Where am I?  Did you 
kidnap
me?  What happened to Micah?  Please tell me Micah's not here!  Did he send 
you
to keep me here for him?"
        "Shut up." was my only reply.  I could not believe the number of 
words this
girl was spilling forth in such a short time.  "When the Center closes you 
may
leave.  I do not want to take the risk of anyone finding out where this 
place
is.  I'm not going to hurt you.  I saved you, Damn it.  Show some 
gratitude."  I
was not going to baby this little rich spoiled brat as her parents and 
everyone
else probably did.
        "You saved me?  From Micah??"  Oh thank you!!!" she ran at me and 
threw he arms
around my neck.  AHH!  My shoulder!!!  I pulled her off and ordered her to
contain herself.        Soon she recognized me as Tuxedo Mask from the 
description
given of me by one of her actress friends.  She seemed quite surprised, as 
if
she had never seen a poor person before in her life.  Or it could have been 
the
surprise that I was alive and not a ghost.  I explained to her that she must
keep it down.  She complied with being fairly quiet but I had little luck in
getting her to stop talking to me.
        "So, this is where you live?"
        "Yes it is."
        "Is it not too cold during the winter?"
        "Yes."
        "What do you do for fun?"
        "Read."
        "Is that all?"
        "Yes."
        "Why did you save me?"
        "You would have died."
        "Do you know who I am?"
        "No."
        "Do you wish to know?"
        "No."
        "Would you tell me your name?"
        "I don't know my name."
        "You don't know your name?"
        "No."
        "Why not?"
        "I don't remember what it is."
        "Why?"
        I was growing impatient.  "Look.  I do not wish to divulge the 
intimacies of my
personal life with a complete stranger.  For all I know, you'll run right 
out of
here at closing and the next day you'll come in and have told everyone that 
I
live here.  Then they will kill me, at worst; but I will be out of a home, 
at
least."
        The girl looked at me a moment and then said.  She was obviously 
caught off
guard by my brash words.  Then she got a calm expression and sighed.  She 
became
very practical.  "You saved my life.  What reason would I have to betray 
you?
From what I can tell, you are harmless as long as you are not provoked.  
After
all, you could have just let me die, or you could have killed me in my 
sleep.  I
think that I would have had to attack you before you would hurt me, and I 
sense
that you are like that with everyone."
        She senses.  Great.  I've rescued the daughter of a Ares Damned 
gypsy.  For
some reason I felt like I could believe her when she said that she wouldn't
betray me.  It was strange.  She looked familiar.  Perhaps I had seen her in 
a
play?
        "What is your name?" I asked.  I decided to see if I knew her.  She 
had the
most beautiful blue eyes and the most gorgeous blonde hair.  And her body...
exquisite.  What I did not expect was the shock she was about to give me.
        "I am Princess Serena, of the Moon Kingdom.  I really am grateful 
for your
rescuing me and all.  I wish there was something I could do to...".  She 
said
more but I had heard enough.  Now the PRINCESS knew where I was.  Royalty, 
the
people who I despised most above all other humans.  I felt a burning 
sensation
as I felt rage at myself enter me.  I should not have helped her.  Now I was
surely going to be kicked out of here.  I no longer trusted her to keep my
secret.  I knew that I was doomed now unless I could GAIN her silence.  If 
not,
I would have to kill her; a task that could prove to be dangerous and one 
that I
was not looking forward to.
        "Your Majesty."  I started humbly.  "I only ask you not to tell 
anyone where I
live or that I am here.  Please.  I implore you to speak of me to no one.  
Do
not tell anyone that we have met or what happened last night.  I fear if you
did..."
        "I promise.  Nobody will have ever known that I was here."  I turned 
away from
her.  I had been right in front of her, on my knees, begging her with my one
good eye.  I thought I might have just won her over, but I was not entirely
convinced and I would certainly not count on this royal brat to keep 
promises.
When I turned, she gasped.

Serena
Chapter 7- An Act of Kindness

        I thought to myself, "Of course I will not tell anyone I was there." 
  After
all, he had saved me from that awful Micah.  I told him that.  "I promise.
Nobody will have ever known that I was here."  He turned away from me, but 
as he
did I saw for the first time the stab wound in his shoulder.  It was fresh.  
The
blood had seeped through the his thin white shirt.  I gasped, "You are 
injured!
It looks bad.  Let me help you..."
        "NO!" he yelled angrily.  "No.  I'm fine.  I do NOT need your help." 
  He
glanced at the clock.  "You are free to go now."
        With that, I was escorted out a stairway that led to the back of the 
center.
        When I returned to the palace, I figured I had a lot of explaining 
to do.
        "So where were you Serena?" Mother asked.  She was not mean about 
it.  More
curious, actually.  "Well, I stayed the night at somebody's house that I met 
in
the theatre."
        "Oh, that's wonderful dear.  I am glad you made new friends at the 
theatre."
        Then Mother turned serious.  "Now Serena, I want you to sit down.  I 
have some
bad news."
        "What is it Mother?"
        "Micah was attacked by a thief at the theatre last night.  He does 
not remember
much and he is not in very good shape.  I want you to be extra nice to him.
Clear?"
        "Yes Mother.  Crystal Clear." I replied.  I was relieved that he did 
not
remember what had transpired that night before.  It made explaining things a 
lot
easier.  I did not even really have to lie.  I merely said I stayed the 
night
with someone I met at the theatre.  It wasn't technically lying, but I still
felt guilty.  I wiped the small line of perspiration that had formed along 
my
brow.  This was the first time I had ever attempted to cover up the truth 
from
my Mother.  Luckily they assumed it was a thief attack, and Micah's fine 
clothes
had made him a prime target.  They then deduced that the thief found nothing 
on
him of value, and so they left him for dead in the theatre.  There was going 
to
be an investigation into the mugging, but Tuxedo Mask must have known how to
cover his tracks.  After all, he had spent his whole life in that center
undetected.
        Then it dawned on me.  If Tuxedo Mask was not a ghost, he must have 
a family
somewhere.  Where did he come from?  Why is he living there?  I decided to 
go to
sleep.  I looked around my room.  I had a huge white satin canopy bed with 
white
drapes, a balcony over looking the flower gardens and waterfalls, a long 
white
marble dresser with an antique mirror above it, a writing desk with matching
chair, a big overstuffed couch and two over stuffed chairs by the window 
which
surrounded a circular coffee table.  I noticed for the first time how much I
had.  I had never glimpsed first hand that there were people who didn't have 
all
this.  Tuxedo Mask had affected me more than I thought.  I entered my 
bathroom
and realized that even IT was larger than the room Tuxedo Mask lived in.  I 
had
a large, pearl sunken bath with spa jets, a long counter with two sinks 
against
the wall, )the water handles were in the shape of cherubs), and an 
incredibly
long mirror above the full length of the sink.  This all sat upon pearl 
white
tile.  Then I of course have what everyone else has in their bathroom.
        I took a long steamy shower and washed my hair with my favorite 
coconut
shampoo.  That always made me feel better.  I didn't realized how achy I was
until they started leaving because of the hot water.  I got out, got in my
satiny lace nightgown and curled up in bed.
        I could not seem to get Tuxedo Mask out of my mind all night.  I 
kept thinking
how lonely he must be.  He obviously did not have many friends or talk with 
very
many people.  "He certainly did not know how to speak to a lady!" I said 
allowed
to myself.  Then I thought of that stab wound on his shoulder.  He had 
gotten it
trying to rescue me, I was sure of it.  The least I could do was bring him 
some
bandages or something.  "Yes.  I will bring some bandages to him after
tomorrow's rehearsal."

        It must have been the longest day of my life.  I got up from bed an 
hour early
as to be able to sneak in to our doctor's office.  Yes that's right.  There 
is a
doctor in the palace in case one the visiting Court has an emergency.  
Normally
I could have just requested the supplies, but I did not want to have to 
explain
the reason for needing the iodine and bandages.  I fully intended to keep my
promise that I had made Tuxedo Mask and tell no one of his where abouts.  
Just
outside the supply room, I used my disguise power pen and transformed into a
nurse.  I just walked in and took everything I needed and put it into the 
duffel
bag that contained my costume, script, make-up, etc.  Luckily I did not run 
into
any one so once I was down the hall, I looked around, transformed into 
Jasmine,
and left for the rehearsal.
        When I got there our director was having a huge fight with our 
orchestra.  It
seems that the music the orchestra had and the music the cast had been
practicing was different in several places.  They were arguing about which 
one
to use.  I walked across stage to the dressing room and began to chat with a
girl I met named Molly.  Molly had short red hair, green eyes, and an accent
that was most peculiar.  It was from Earth I knew that much, but it was most
interesting.  Molly and I got along famously.  We helped each other with 
make-up
and then went out onto the stage to start voice warm-ups.
        After running through the first three scenes about ten times each, 
we decided
to break.  Everyone went outside, except for me.  I wanted to see what the 
new
music would sound like later on. (We had 'decided' that we should learn the
orchestra's music after they threatened to quit.)  As I was following along 
in
my head, I heard a bumping noise coming from what looked like the ceiling.  
I
stopped and looked up, but there was nothing there.  'Maybe that's where 
Tuxedo
Mask is?  Is that him?' I thought.  Now I couldn't wait to see him more than
ever.  There was just something about him that made me want to be close to 
him
all the time.  'Well, it's impossible to tell now.  There is no way he would
talk to me.  After all, I look like a completely different person.  But I 
will
see him soon enough."
        I glanced at the clock.  I only had three hours to go until closing! 
  I started
to get butterflies in my stomach.  Then I had a thought that sent my 
emotions to
a screeching halt.  What if he did not wish to see me again?  What if when I 
get
there, he yells and throws me out?  Should I go or not?
        I thought of nothing else the next three hours.  I had the hugest 
lump in my
throat and began to falter on a few of my lines, where as earlier, I had 
spoken
perfectly.  The moment I had been looking forward to all day, I was now
dreading.  The rehearsal ended early for a change, so I went back to the
dressing room after everyone else had cleared out and changed back into my
normal self.  I took off my shoes and sat down on a folding chair.  I 
started to
rub my feet.  I had been standing most of the day and they ached so badly, I
thought they would fall off.  I glared down at my duffel bag.  "Well, 
Serena,
you were thinking about doing this for two reasons.  One; you want to him 
again
because you think he is exciting.  The second; he was hurt trying to save 
you
and you owe it to him to do something to help him.  Besides, who says that 
he
will definitely be mad?  He might be happy for the company.  Maybe we could 
be
friends, even."
        That was that.  Even if I had decided it was not worth the risk just 
to see him
one more time, he needed help.  He had the wound because of me, and I was 
the
only one who knew about him, so I was therefore the only one who could help 
him.
I gathered my stuff and headed out back.  I was nervous.  I did not have any
idea how he would react.  I reached the back of the center.  I knew about 
where
the door was.  I squatted down and felt for some kind of handle.  I could 
not
find it.  "That's strange, I knew the door was around here." I said aloud.
        I was beginning to think that maybe it only opened from the inside 
when I got
an idea.  I sat down, closed my eyes, and concentrated.  I kept thinking of 
the
handle lighting up in my mind until I knew my telekineses had worked.  I 
opened
my eyes to discover a yellow-glowing metal ring.  I grabbed hold of it and 
the
glow died down and left.  I began to lift it up.  This door was heavier than 
I
thought.  "I wonder what he will say when I walk in..."

Darien
Chapter 8- Life Changing Annoyance

        Finally I could relax and get some peace and quiet.  It had been an 
interesting
day.  I had spent most of the night and day worrying that Serena might have 
told
someone and that they were going to come in her after me.  All I knew was 
that
if somebody dared step foot into my home, I would cut them limb from limb 
with
my knife.  I had not left my room all day for fear that when I got back, I 
would
return to people going through my stuff and waiting to kill me for stealing
food, clothes, water...  I did not know the reaction people would have 
towards
me.  Especially considering my face.  I liked the patch, but my eye was the 
part
of my body I vowed to never let anyone see.  Even if I someday managed to 
let
someone get close to me,  (God, Forbid!)  they would never see my eye.
        Now I shed my jacket and laid it on the couch.  I unbuttoned all the 
buttons of
my shirt and grabbed my rag.  I filled a bowl with water and went back to my
couch and began nursing my stab wound.  I thought for sure it was going to 
take
forever to heal, and most likely not correctly.  the laceration stung as I
washed it.  I thought it might be getting infected.  But there was nothing I
could do.  I could not go out and seek treatment and have them put me on 
record.
Besides, I could not pay them.  I had no money.
        It was there that heard creaking.  I realized the outside door was 
opening.
Serena had broken her promise!  They were going to kill me!  I threw down my 
rag
and grabbed my knife and stood against the wall at the edge of the stairs, 
so as
not to be seen.  My heart pounded as I prepared to attack.  I felt a pang of
anger at her for breaking her promise and telling.  I heard footstep getting
closer... and closer... then someone came off the last step and I pushed 
them
down onto the couch and raised the knife to kill my attacker.
        "Please!!  Tuxedo Mask!!  Stop!  It is Serena.  I am not going to 
hurt you!!"
        I looked at her and let my breath out.  I set the knife down, 
starting to let
my adrenaline get down to its normal level.  Now I wasn't threatened, but I 
was
furious.
        "What are you doing here!!??" I yelled, probably more harshly than I 
had
intended.  I did not want to terrify her, but she did not deserve to be 
treated
with kindness for scaring me to death and barging in unannounced.
        "I-I was worried about you... Your arm, I mean.  Yes, well I felt I 
should help
you since you helped me, and I - uh brought you some medicine and real 
bandages.
Now you won't have to worry about it getting i-infected."
        She was stuttering from fright.  Or was she lying?  Were there a 
bunch of
people behind her waiting for her to lure me out.  I was sceptical of her
truthfulness.  I did not want to go up and shut the door for fear of a raid.
Yet, I had to explain to her that she could not just come over uninvited.
        "Go shut the door and come back.  I need to speak with you." I 
ordered gruffly,
communicating to her that I was still angry that she had come again without
notice.  Serena shot up from the couch and went to the stairs.  Her feet 
made a
'clip' sound as she walked on the stone floor in her heels.  She was having 
some
difficulty walking.  I had scared her more than I thought.  She then turned 
to
me and asked, "How do I close it?"
        "You'll see a torch holder on the wall near the top of the steps.  
Press the
button inside the holder and it will close."  She ascended the stairs.  I 
took
the opportunity to glance through her bag.  I picked it up and opened the 
zipper
and found iodine, pain killers, and bandages.  Maybe she was telling the 
truth?
And in that case, I had a good chance of getting this cut to heal better.
        I was not sure how to go about dealing with Serena.  What could I 
say or do to
make her not come back here again, without scaring her to death.  She most
certainly could not be permitted to just show up uninvited.  'Well Tux, you
probably put an end to that the minute you threw her on the couch and almost
stabbed her to death.' I thought.  I heard the door shut.  Then I heard her
light footsteps sailing down the stairs.  She had removed the heels 
apparently.
'She must be light as a feather.  She hardly makes a sound.'
        Serena appeared at the bottom of the staircase, shoes in hand.  She 
set them
down by the foot of the stairs.  I had long since reclosed her bag and I was 
now
facing her, half turned on the couch.  She looked at me and smiled, but then
diverted her eyes and said, "I am sorry for barging in on you again."
        I looked at her.  She was playing with the bracelet on her wrist, 
tugging at it
and rolling the beads across her skin.  I could tell she was upset and a 
little
scared.  "I just wanted to help you.  That wound could get worse.  See, I
brought you some medicine and bandages for it."  She came over to me and sat
down next to me on the couch.  She pulled her bag onto her lap and began 
taking
out the bandages, pain killers, and the iodine.  She began telling me what 
each
was for as if I were two.  I didn't seem to catch much that she said though.
For the first time I looked at her.  I mean REALLY looked at her.  She was 
by
far the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.  But it wasn't only her 
physical
appearance.  Her body just seemed to radiate goodness, kindness, and 
innocence.
In all the books I have read and all the plays I have seen, all the
conversations I over heard, and everyone I had ever encountered myself, I 
had
never heard of someone who was or who could be so pure of heart.  Either she 
was
as pure as I took her to be, or she was the best actress I had ever seen.
        "So would you like me to?" Serena asked.  It was only then that I 
realized she
had been talking to me about the medicine the whole time and now was looking 
at
me in my one good eye.
        "Would I like you to do what?"
        "Clean out the cut."
        "Well, since you're here, and I have been fairly unsuccessful 
myself, why not?"
        My shirt already unbuttoned, I slid it off and turned my back to her 
so she
could see better.  I heard her small intake of breath as I took off my 
shirt.  I
almost laughed outright at her innocence.  I did not think even royalty
sheltered their children THIS much!  I saw her reach for a cloth in her bag 
and
pour some bottled water on it.  She patted so gently, I hardly knew she was
there.  Then she reached for the iodine bottle.  She poured some on a 
separate
rag.
        "This shall sting.  Do you need a rag or pillow to grip?"
        "I'll be fine." I growled.  Imagine!  She thought that a guy like me
couldn't...,"AHHH!"  I screamed.  It burned and stung so badly I got tears 
in my
eyes.
        "It is alright.  It will only last a minute."  Yes, Princess, but a 
minute in
pain may as well be an eternity.  She blew on my wound and the stinging 
stopped.
         I turned to her angrily.  "Why didn't you warn me?" I demanded.  
Then
remembering that she did I turned again and grumbled, "Never mind."  She
giggled.  It was the most contagious laughter.  I could hardly keep from 
smiling
myself.  How did she do that?
        "Do you do this often, Princess?" I asked.  I was trying to poke fun 
at her.
But having little experience in this area, I doubt if that is how it came
across.
        "Normally the nurse would care for wounds like this.  But since I am 
the only
one who knows that you are here, and not a ghost, it was rather up to me."  
She
stopped.
        "Tuxedo Mask?" she said tentatively.
        "Yes?"
        "How long have you lived here?"
        "Close to nine or ten years by now."
        "Well then, how old are you?"
        "I don't know exactly how old I am.  I would guess eighteen or 
nineteen."
        "You don't know?  Didn't your parents tell you?"  I paused.  It took 
everything
in me to keep from yelling at her for asking questions, especially ones 
about my
parents who I figured abused me and that's why I ran away.
        "I don't know."
        "Why not?"  All the while she had been bandaging me up and with her 
now done, I
turned to her.  "Princess, with all due respect, I would prefer if the line 
of
questioning came to an end."  There.  I was nice.  But I wanted to rip out 
her
throat.
        She was quiet now.  She looked away but then spoke, "I wanted to 
thank you once
again for saving my life.  I am certain that if you had not come along when 
you
did, I would be dead."
        "I am glad I was able to help you, Princess." I replied.
        "Please, call me Serena."
        "Alright, Serena."  I put my back against the couch now.  I laid my 
feet on the
coffee table in front of me.  I figured I had better ask her something 
before
she started trying to converse.  "So how do you like being the Princess of 
the
whole universe?"  Lame question.  I guess conversation eluded my grasp.  It 
was
not as easy as it seemed.
        She looked puzzled.  She thought a moment and then replied, "I am 
not sure how
to answer the question.  Up until now, my life has been spotless.  Nothing 
has
really ever gone wrong for me.  I basically live to ice skate.  Ever since I 
was
a child, I loved picking flowers from the garden and then throwing them of 
the
ice and leaving trails and designs."  She blushed.  "Oh how silly I must 
sound
to you!" she said nervously.  Yeah, you do.
        "No.  Not at all.  You are simply different from most people who 
I've heard
of."  Serena appeared intrigued by this and cocked her head to one side and 
then
asked, "How so?"
        "Well, I have not had much human interaction.  But from the ones I 
have and
from studying history, literature, and psychology, humans for the most part 
a
violent creatures who put themselves above all else.  Just look at the way 
we
slaughter each other in wars and with the murderers, and criminals out for 
their
own personal gain.  You, however, seem to be exactly the opposite.  You are 
the
type of person that more people SHOULD be."  I congratulated myself.  I had 
paid
her a great compliment even though I figured that she was different on the
inside than she appeared to be.  After all, she WAS royalty.  But I was
intrigued by the fact that she had humbled herself and came to help me.  A 
lowly
commoner.  Now I was almost to the point where I wanted to learn more about 
her.
How was it that she was raised with everything handed to her and she still 
found
herself able to talk to someone like me?
        She seemed thrilled with this compliment.  She looked at me and 
said, "When can
I see you again?"  I glanced at the clock.  We had been talking for almost 
four
hours.  She had to be getting home.
        I was about to say never come here again, but looking into those 
blue eyes, I
couldn't say no to her.  She looked so excited and hopeful.  I couldn't take
that happiness out of her eyes, and risk her Mother questioning her.  
Besides, I
had to oblige her so she wouldn't tell anyone I was here.
        "How about tomorrow?  Same time?"  At least she had been smart 
enough to come
under the cover of darkness.
        Serena lit up.  "Oh yes!  I shall see you then.  I hope the pain 
killers work.
Try them.  It will help you sleep.  Goodbye!"  She got into her shoes and 
raced
up the stairs.  She was out the door faster than I had ever seen anybody go.
She just had such a glow.  I figured that she wanted to go before I changed 
my
mind.  I laughed.
        As she l closed the door I got up from my couch, walked to my bed, 
and fell
asleep.


Serena
Chapter 9- A Dangerous Idea

        Tuxedo Mask had made me the happiest I could ever remember being.  I 
realized
he had not really done all that much.  Everybody was always pleasant to me, 
my
being the Princess of the Moon and all.  He, if anything, had been harsher 
then
most people I had met.  But there was something about the way he acted 
around
me.  He used to be really cold.  Now, he was not so rigid.  Maybe that is 
why I
felt so elated.  He softened up to me, and from the sounds of it, it was
something he had never done before.  I was happy that I could do that to 
someone
and that he had opened up to no other.
        When I first walked in the door, I was of course frightened.  I 
mean, would not
you be if you were thrown down and had a knife put in your face?  I suppose 
he
had a right to react the way he did.  Here was a man who always felt 
threatened
by humans.  Then I go and barge in, late at night, unannounced.  He probably
thought I was an ambush.  He calmed down quickly though when he saw it was 
me.
I tried not to look or act too shaken.  I think he noticed I was frightened,
though, and tried to make me feel better and not so scared.
        When I got back from closing the door, I noticed how attractive he 
was.  I had
never seen a man's chest, in person that is.  Especially not one so well
defined.  I scolded my self inside, "Stop it Serena.  You are letting your
emotions and whims get the best of you."  But THEN he took off the shirt
completely so that I could help clean his wound.  I thought I was going to
faint!
        Well, he certainly could not hate me.  After all, he invited me back 
tomorrow
night.  I had a feeling he was doing it out of pity for me, but I had no 
proof.
Was it possible he wanted to get to know me as much as I wanted to get to 
know
him?  Maybe this would lead to us eventually becoming close friends... or
lovers?  "Oh Serena you are terrible!  That will never happen, so do not 
even
think it."  I said aloud.
        I was now sitting in my room on my bed, trying to get some sleep.  
"After all.
What would Mother think?"  Mother!  I had not thought of her.  It was 
treason to
love me, and I would be held accountable for being irresponsible.  It was 
not
anything compared to what would happen to him though.  He could be executed 
for
it.  I would never want that to happen to Tuxedo Mask.  Then it hit me... 
What
if Mother already knew?  She is telepathic.  But no.  She would have 
confronted
me with the situation.  Would she not?

Darien
        Serena confused me.  All of my life, I had spent avoiding people.  I 
avoided
them for two reasons.  One, I could be discovered to live under the center.
That had to break some rule.  Trespassing... Paying no rent... Not a 
licensed
living area...?  If that happened, I would have no place to go except jail.
Second, humans were supposed to have these incredibly violent tendencies.  
Even
children's stories were filled with death and violence.  Three Little Pigs,
Little Red Riding Hood, The Boy Who Cried Wolf...  Sure, some of them had
morals, but wasn't there another way to convey them?  Then there was 
History.
History is full of wars between The Moon Kingdom and the Negaverse.  
Murderers,
robbers, abusers, rapists...  It was too much.
        Then I had this girl who was none of that.  She was a genuine 
innocent.  I
might have been able to say she was just sheltered as a child but she was 
the
Princess of the Moon Kingdom.  She knew what had gone on everywhere.  Still 
she
remained so sweet and loving.  It was more than I could comprehend.  This 
one
girl threw a giant hole in my entire theory about mankind.  She made me 
question
my entire lifestyle.
        There was one downside to her innocence.  She asked too many 
questions.  I did
not like even thinking about my past, much less want to divulge it to an 
almost
complete stranger.  But then, what harm could her questions do?  I knew what
they could do.  If she ever got angry with me, she could run off and tell
everyone everything about me.  Was it not enough that she was the only one 
who
knew where I lived?  The only one who knew I was even alive and not a ghost 
or
just some myth?  "No "I decided.  "I must keep my distance from her and ot
reveal too much about myself.  I have to keep myself from harm at all 
costs."

Serena
Chapter 10- Sparks?

        I went around to the back of the center.  I was able to find the 
ring this time
quickly.  I had a bit of trouble with the door though.  It was heavy, and I 
was
very tired from a long rehearsal.  I wondered if Tuxedo Mask had seen it.  I
knew that even if he did he would not have recognized me.
        I finally got the door open and ventured down the stairs to his 
room.  There I
found him sitting on the couch and reading a book.  "Hello."  He greeted me, 
not
looking up.  I did not know how to take this greeting.  Either he was really
enthralled with his book, or he just did not care that I came over.  He set 
the
book down and looked at me.  He invited me to sit down on the couch.  I 
accepted
the offer and crossed the room.  He poured me a glass of tea and offered me 
a
plate with a dessert on it.
        "Chocolate cheesecake?  This is my favorite dessert."
        " I know.  Practically your whole life is recorded Serena, including 
your
favorite dishes."
        I was puzzled.  Had he actually gone to all the trouble of reading 
up on me to
find out my favorite dessert?  He seemed to be reading my mind when he 
answered,
"I read a book once on the royal family, everyone from your Mother's 
Grandmother
to you is written in.  Then when I saw the cheesecake in the refrigerator
tonight, I remembered that it was one of your favorite desserts.  I take it 
that
the information was accurate.
        I was shocked.  I did not realize until now that authors had written 
about me
in such great detail.  It was unnerving, actually, to think that someone, 
anyone
could simply pick up a book and find out about anything that I had ever 
done.
        He sensed my disbelief and laughed.  "What do you expect?  You are a 
public
figure.  Everything that goes on in your life is news."  It was then that I
realized he probably knew a lot more about me than I did about him.  I 
smiled at
the notion of my first word breaking headlines and took a bite of the cake.
        "This is delicious."  I told him.  "Where did you get it?"
        He looked at me cautiously.  I could tell he did not care for my 
asking
questions.  I decided to not ask anymore.  "There are tunnels that reach all
around this place.  I crawl through them to get anywhere in the center 
except
the dinning hall and the theatre's backstage.  I can gain access to the 
library,
theatre, dance room, and the kitchen.  That is where I get my wealth of 
books.
I always return them though.  I do not want to rouse suspicion that 'The 
Center
Spector' has a soft spot for books.  The cooks however, despise me.  Each 
night,
I steal my food for the next day.  They can never seem to figure out where 
all
their creations go.  I never take anything that I know they can't easily 
replace
though.  They have attributed the loss of food to the dance classes.  The 
cooks
figure that after all those people work off a meal, they figure they are
entitled to another."
        I laughed.  The thought of all those people raiding the kitchen just 
after they
worked out for hours was hilarious.
        "So what kind of books do you read Serena?" he asked me.  I could 
tell he was
desperately trying to get the conversation off himself.
        "I basically only read the books that are assigned to me by my 
tutors.  The
classics, mainly.  I never liked school.  I would much rather be involved 
with
my learning and applying it to my life rather than sitting in a classroom 
taking
notes on things I'll never need to know.  The only time I enjoy school is 
when I
have it with my friends from the Court."
        "Which friends?"
        "Well, let me see...  There is Michelle of Neptune, Amy of Mercury, 
my best
friend Mina of Venus, Lita of Jupiter..."  I continued on but when I said 
Mina
and Lita's name he got a strange look on his face.  Like it triggered a 
memory.
I did not lead on that I saw the change of expression.  I merely continued 
on my
list and when I got done, he snapped back into reality.  I took another bite 
of
cake.
        "Which one of them taught you to ice skate?" he asked.  He did know 
a lot about
me.  I felt like I was at a disadvantage.  But at  least this way by my 
being
open with him, he might open up to me and be able to trust me more.  He 
raised a
bite of cake to his lips and ate it.
        "None of them.  I went skating for the first time when they invited 
me, but I
got out on the ice and skated like I had been doing it since the day I was 
born.
I enjoyed it so much that my Mother brought an instructor to the palace to 
coach
me.  I have been skating competitively ever since.  I love to skate.  Have 
you
ever done it?"
        "No." he replied. "I have not been off these grounds in nine years."
        Nine years!  I could not believe it.  I doubted from the paleness of 
his skin
that he had not even been out much, but for nine years???
        "Your parents did not ever take you?" I asked.
        "No." He gruffly replied, lowering his gaze.  "Yours?"
        "Oh, yes.  Mother has gone with me on occasion but not often.  She 
and I mainly
take walks in the garden and around the palace.  Sometimes we vacation on 
Earth
or Venus and spend a week or so relaxing.  We are very close.  She has 
always
been very supportive of me and what I do.  She always used to make time to 
tuck
me in at night .  Now she and I spend a few hours talking on Saturdays
considering neither of us have time during the week."
        He asked some more about my mother and Lita and Mina.  As I was 
talking, I
glanced around and noticed all of the clippings on the wall.  I stopped.
        "What are all these clippings of?"
        Tuxedo Mask looked around him.  "The community center history, I 
guess.  They
were here when I found the place.  The previous owner of the apartment 
helped
build this place and therefore was able to specially build the center to
accommodate his living there.  I guess he was tired of paying for things 
too.
See his diary is over here."
        Tuxedo Mask got up and walked over to a writing desk and opened a 
drawer.  He
brought out an old worn book.  He turned to me and signaled me over.  When I
reached him he showed me a page where there was a blueprint of the center 
with
the tunnels all charted, including what was now Tuxedo Mask's house.  I 
noticed
there was a platform overlooking the stage and I asked him, "So do you watch 
the
performances from here?"  I pointed to a platform above the stage.  Tuxedo 
Mask
nodded.  He looked at me and said, "I watch rehearsals, plays, and any other
function held in that auditorium.  I love the theatre."
        "I do also."  I remarked.  It was the first truly common ground I 
had found
between us.  From this moment on, we looked at each other differently.  The
looks seemed to say, "I was desperately looking for a reason to like you, 
now I
found it." I looked into hs good eye and thought it was the prettiest blue I 
had
ever seen.  I wondered what happened to the other one, but I knew better 
than to
ask him.  If he was uncomfortable opening up to someone, he certainly would 
not
want to talk about an old injury.  After all, he was a man, and they do not 
ever
seem to want to admit they are in pain.  I figure this was the case if he
covered it up.  Perhaps he himself did not want to remember.  Maybe he got 
in a
fight or was attacked.  Oh well.  If I was ever going to find out, I had to 
be
patient.  I certainly was not going to find out tonight.  He returned to the
couch after putting the book away.  I followed him.
        "I have watched every show that has been here since I moved in.  
There have
been many performances held in the last nine years."
        So, not only has he not gone outside the center in the last nine 
years, but he
has not gone out since he had been there.  I pitied him.  There was so much
beauty on the Moon that he could not see for himself.  I would have invited 
him
to come to the palace gardens, but I knew he would decline.
        "Did you see many plays before you moved in here?" I asked.
        "I don't know.  I do not remember anything of my life before I moved 
in here.
If you will excuse me Serena, but it is getting late.  I wouldn't want to 
get
you into trouble."
        I asked how his shoulder was before I left and he said it was doing 
better now
that he had the proper medication for it.  He thanked me for taking the time 
and
going through the trouble to get it for him.  As I left there I got the 
feeling
that we had somehow connected.

Darien
Chapter 11- Healing

        That night I dreamt of Serena.  I had never met anyone like her and 
I guess she
shocked me enough to make my mind make her into a character in a dream.  I 
could
not often remember my dreams.  Sometimes I could see a woman that I called
Wildman.  Sometimes I would dream about a book I was reading and I would be 
one
of the characters.  I had never dreamt of someone I had seen though.  Maybe 
it
was because she puzzled me so.  Or it could be that she is just the first 
person
I had had a real conversation with since... since... ever.  She was the 
first
person who had taken the time or even to have had the opportunity to talk to 
me
face to face.  The strange thing was that even though I thought she might 
have a
hidden agenda behind those innocent heirs and those beautiful blue eyes, I 
found
myself able to talk to her and easily trust her.
        "Maybe too easily." I said aloud while lying in bed.  I had shown 
her the
blueprints of all the tunnels.  Now she could really get to me and I would 
never
see an ambush coming.  I had let down my guard for a minute and she swindled 
me
into showing her one of my most vulnerable assets.  I was kicking myself for 
the
error now.  How could I have let my guard down like that.  Sure, talking was
okay.  Even letting her know a little about my past.  But showing her my 
routes
and telling her where I got my food and books from was just plain ignorant.
Somehow, deep down, I knew I could trust her, my instincts and conclusions 
about
humanity had been wrong, at least in the way that not everyone was violent.  
But
still, I did not want to give too much too fast.  I didn't really know her.  
I
knew all ABOUT her, but I didn't know her.
        Still, I liked talking to Serena about things.  It was nice to hear 
what it was
like to grow up in a situation where there was a family who loves you and 
having
many friends to hang around with and talk to.  Up until now, I had never 
really
much thought of who my mother and father were.  They were probably rich
considering I was wearing such fine clothing the night of the crash.  I had 
put
that outfit away in a chest when I outgrew it.  It was not really of any 
value
to me considering I was not the sentimental type.  But I thought it unwise 
to
throw it out because it was stained with my blood and there was always the
possibility that someone could investigate where 'this mysterious piece of
clothing came from.'
        But now I began to wonder who they were.  Lita's name had sounded so 
familiar.
Mina's not as much but still... Could I have been wrong and have not come 
from
the Earth or Moon, but from Venus or Jupiter?  Is that why they struck me as
such?
        I decided to stop pondering.  I could sit there for hours 
contemplating and
still be no closer to finding any answers.  None the less, I decided that
tonight I would gather some books from the library on the other eight 
planet's
royalty.  I had really only learned of the Moon's.  Maybe my memory would be
jarred.  But for now I was content to just sit in bed and think about what I 
was
going to do about the situation with Serena.  She seemed sweet enough.  She 
also
appeared to be genuinely interested in me.  Imagine that!  The Princess of 
the
Moon interested in something I had to say!!  It was comical!  She thinks of 
you
as an inferior, Tux.  I reminded myself.  The only interest she has in you 
is
pure amusement because you're of the lower class.
        I was glad her questions had not traveled to my eye patch.  There 
were certain
things that I did not think I would ever be ready or able to discuss openly.
        I got out of bed.  I crossed the room to the bathroom and I got out 
the iodine.
Thanks to Serena's medicine, the laceration had been healing much better.  I
changed the bandage carefully and got dressed.
        It had been decided the night before that Serena would come over 
again at what
now seemed to be becoming her usual time.  I looked at the clock and 
discovered
it was almost five in the evening!  I had managed to sleep away well over 
half
the day.  I was unaccustomed to staying up until four in the morning, and 
now my
body was retaliating.  I decided to watch Serena's rehearsal.  That way I at
least could keep the conversation away from my personal life.  I knew if I 
gave
her the chance to start asking questions again, I'd cave just as easily as I 
had
done last night.  Well, maybe not just as easily.  Now I had regained my 
senses
and put everything back in its proper perspective.  She was the Princess of 
the
Moon, and I, a penniless commoner.  I failed to see why she was even 
interested
in talking to me, other than it might be amusing to see how the "other half"
lives.
        None the less, I felt myself begin to like her.  I did not know why 
she was
able to do this to me.  It was annoying actually.  All my life, I have been
trying to build up a defence against people, and here she was, undoing my 
entire
life's work with her... her... everything!
        I opened the right door and crawled through the tunnels past the 
dance room and
the kitchen.  I climbed the ladder (as difficult as that was thanks to my
shoulder) and began to watch the rehearsal, hoping to see Serena.  I didn't.
Maybe she wasn't rehearsing today?  Then I saw the characters who were 
supposed
to be working with her.  But the girl playing her part was that of a green 
eyed,
black haired girl.  She was short, slender, flat chested, and had cream 
colored
skin.  She was pretty.  But nowhere near as beautiful as Serena.  Serena had 
the
most gorgeous big blue eyes, long blonde hair that seemed to flow behind 
her,
done up in a bon bon shape (like her mother's).  Serena was thin but had all 
the
right curves in all the right places.  It seemed as though she had an 
impossibly
thin waist for the size of her chest.  She was in a word...Perfect.
        It was the sound of the scream of a character on-stage that snapped 
me out of
my daydream.  It was also then that I realized how just thinking about 
Serena
had caused my body to react.  Sure, I had seen pictures of barely clothed 
women
in books that turned me on, but Serena did not even have to try.  I found it
amazing that any man who laid eyes on her did not immediately fall in love, 
or
at least in lust with her.
        It was not until later that I realized my body would not have 
responded like
this if it was merely her body I was interested in.
        Serena came at her usual time.  This time, rather than casually 
reading a book
when she came I had a stack of them on the table.  Most were of the royalty 
of
the other planets, but I had not had a chance to read them.  I cleared 
enough
room so that I could set down another pot of tea and tea cups.
        When she reached the bottom of the stairs her face glowed.  I 
smiled.  She
always looked so pretty.
        This time she needed no invitation.  She sat down next to me on the 
couch, a
little closer then usual.  Get control of your mind and mouth Tux.  You 
don't
want to spill anymore information.  "So, I watched your rehearsal today.  I
didn't see you though.  Care to explain?"
        Serena grinned, as if she knew a secret and wanted me to pry and 
drag it out.
I didn't give in.  She looked up at me and began.
        "When I started the play, I used a disguise power of mine as to not 
be
recognized.  I did not wish to be treated any differently because of my 
status.
I look like a short black haired girl.  Her name is Jasmine.  Did you see 
HER?"
        I realized that the girl I had been comparing to Serena WAS Serena.  
I laughed
nervously, remembering where my mind (and body) had taken me earlier.  
"Yeah.  I
saw you."
        Then she gasped and got a strange expression on her face.  "Wait!  
My powers!
Oh why did I not think of this sooner?"
        I was about to ask her what she meant when before I knew it she had 
taken off
my jacket and was now unbuttoning my shirt.  I did everything in my power to
keep from losing my cool and letting my body react to this.  But when a
beautiful Princess starts spontaneously stripping you , you don't stop her 
and
ask "why?"!
        She took off my shirt and turned me around.  She then unwrapped my 
laceration
and gently placed her hand on it.  I saw a flash and I felt a strange 
sensation.
Then I heard her say, "That is better."
        I moved my arm with no pain.  I turned to her and looked at her 
questioningly.
"I have the power of telekinesis.  I healed you.  You are better now.  Sorry 
for
not thinking of it sooner."
        She was right.  My shoulder had completely healed; scarless.  "If 
only I had
known her when I hurt my eye'", I thought bitterly.
        "Thank you." I said to her, slightly bowing my head.
        "Of course, Tuxedo Mask." she replied, not making eye contact.  Was 
she staring
at my bare chest?  I raised an eyebrow.  She seemed to snap back and look up 
at
me.  She knew I had caught her staring.  Serena turned the deepest shade of 
red
I had ever see.  I smiled at her and broke the silence to her relief, "So
tomorrow night is your performance?"
        She looked at me, almost grateful and said that it was.  "Can I see 
you the
morning after my performance?  I should go home and rest now, and I fear I 
will
be exhausted tomorrow night."
        I nodded yes that she could come and she seemed to light up.  "Will 
you watch
Jasmine perform?  She is very pretty after all."
        "Not as pretty as you." I said before I could catch myself.  Great!  
Now she
knows I think she's attractive.  What will I say next?  Um... Princess, I 
really
want to sleep with you.  What do you think?
        We said goodnight and I didn't sleep all night.

Serena
Chapter 12- The Trust

        The morning before my performance Lita and Mina came over to bug me. 
  They were
going to attend the performance and came early to spend some time with me 
prior.
They came in my room and woke me up like this...
        "Serena..." Lita whispered as Mina shook me slightly.
        At this point I must have said something about Tuxedo Mask because 
when I came
to they looked at me with the biggest smiles and Mina asked me, "So.  Who's
Tuxedo Mask?"
        I sat up in bed.  "What?" I demanded, faster than I should have.
        "You kept saying that name in your sleep, so who is he?" Lita 
demanded of me.
        I put my head in my hands.  This was great.  I promised not to tell, 
but then
again, they were my best friends.  Tuxedo Mask would understand.  Afterall, 
I
did not have to tell them where he lived.
        They sat down on my bed and I told them my story.  I included the 
fact that I
had strong feelings for him and that he had said I was pretty the night 
before.
I told them I did not know for sure if he returned my affection.
        Mina squealed.  "Oh, how romantic!  I knew you were in love!  I 
could feel it!
My being the love Princess and everything... Oh Serena!  You're so lucky!  
He
sounds amaaaazing!"
        Love!  Love?  I had never associated the feelings I had for Tuxedo 
Mask as
'love' before.  Was I in love with him?
        Mina put her hands over her chest and squealed in-between giggles.
        "Mina, I really do not believe I love him.  Like, yes, certainly, 
but love?  I
simply do not..."
        "Yeah right!  Serena, honestly who do you think you're talking to?  
You have
bigger goggley eyes than I did when I liked Frederick.  You are so in love!"
        "Well, Lita certainly mentions Frederick enough to have been in 
love.  'Freddy
this.  ' 'Freddy that.'  It's SICK!" Mina grumbled, but then laughed.
        My friends were such valley girls.  Honestly, I sometimes wondered 
how they
passed as intelligent at Court sessions.  They were fun to be with, and they 
DID
know a lot about men.  But most importantly, I was beginning to think that 
they
were right about my being in love with Tuxedo Mask.
        "Besides." Mina started, "Anyone's better than Micah!  Is he still 
beating
you?"
        Micah!  I had almost completely forgotten about him.  What could I 
do?  I was
engaged to one but in love with another.  I certainly could not tell Mother
about Tuxedo Mask.  And, if Tuxedo Mask found out about Micah, there is no 
way
he would ever love me the way I love him.
        "I have not seen him in a long while.  Since Tuxedo Mask attacked 
him, I
believe."
        "Well if he doesn't cut it out I'll take care of him myself!" Lita 
stated.
Lita was by far the most powerful warrior Princess.  She could beat anyone 
in a
fight with or without powers.  Jupiter had always been stranger than the 
other
planets for some reason.  Lita was certainly no exception.  I figured it was
from the long line or War Princes and Princesses that were in her family 
tree.
She was the tallest of the Princesses.  She was brown haired, green eyed, 
and
had by far the biggest chest.  Mina on the other hand was the most graceful,
next to me.  She was also, in my opinion the prettiest of all of us.  She 
had
sparkling blue eyes, blonde hair, and an attractive figure.  But what made 
Mina
the prettiest is that she always acted as sweet and pretty as she looked.  
Even
when she was angry, she still managed to be graceful and Princess like, 
where
Lita would pound anything that got in her way.  I admired them both.
        "That is alright, Lita.  When we marry..."
        "IF!  IF you marry!!!" Mina corrected, glaring at me and looking all 
around
perturbed in a most Royal fashion.
        "IF we marry, I will be able to defend myself having the full power 
of the
Silver Crystal."
        "Yeah but still.  I'd love to kick his ass."
        Mina and I gasped.  It was not proper for a young Princess, or any 
royalty for
that matter, to curse.
        "What?!" Lita asked annoyed.  "Really, you innocents!"
        We all laughed and they said goodbye.
        I got up and decided to take a shower before my performance.  It was 
already
three in the afternoon.  The play started at seven and I had to be there 
early.
As I was getting in the shower I wondered what it would be like if Tuxedo 
Mask
was in here with me. =)>

        The performance was a success.  The audience gave us all a standing 
ovation.  I
was filled with mixed emotions.  I was relieved that it was over with and it 
had
run perfectly, but at the same time I felt like something special was now 
going
to be missing from my life.  I began to contemplate the possibility of 
starting
another production.
        Backstage, the cast members were exchanging thank yous, flowers, and 
phone
numbers.  Molly wanted my number and I told her that I would call her.  We 
said
goodbye and I finished packing up my things.  My friends and Mother were
standing outside waiting for me (all of us in disguise, of course.  But I
thought it might have been obvious with all the disguised guards around 
us!).
They congratulated me and we headed back to the palace for a small 
celebration.
I was exhausted and retired early.  I ended up taking another shower to wash 
off
all the perspiration I had gotten from being under the hot stage lights all
night.  I crawled into bed and set my clock to wake me up at nine.  I wanted 
to
sleep in, but not keep Tuxedo Mask waiting too long.

Darien
Chapter 13- Am I Falling For Her?

        I watched the performance.  It ran smoother than any of their 
rehearsals.  The
audience was great, too.  They laughed in all the right places and even
applauded after good lines.  Some people don't realize how important an 
audience
is to a production.  There have been cast members breaking down back stage
because nobody laughed at their lines or something.  The audience can make 
or
break a production.  This audience definitely made it!
        I enjoyed watching Serena, even if she did look like Jasmine.  She 
was a very
talented actress and really got into her role.  I was biased of course, but 
I
thought she was the best one on stage.  Jasmine definitely wasn't anywhere 
near
as beautiful as Serena.  But then again, Serena had an unfair advantage.  
Serena
was the Princess of the whole universe.  It was one of her jobs to be 
beautiful.
But she did it so well!
        On my way back to my room, I got some doughnuts and coffee.  I 
returned to my
apartment, anxious for it to be tomorrow.  I sat down on my bed and opened 
the
book I had been reading.  It was on Jupiter.  When I saw the picture of Lita 
as
a child, I recognized her.  DEFINITELY recognized her.  I remembered looking 
at
her on a bright day.  She was picking flowers and talking to me.  That was 
the
end of my flash back.  Now I was certain I was born on Jupiter.  I must have
been a Delegate's son or something.  Maybe one of the men in that crashed
airplane was my father?
        I decided not to tell Serena my findings.  After all, she'd want to 
help me
find my parents if she knew too much.  That wouldn't have been bad except 
for
the fact that I still had the feeling like I somehow escaped certain danger 
by
running away.  Serena wouldn't understand that.  I was also glad that she 
still
hadn't asked about my patch.  Maybe she knew it was a sensitive subject with 
me.
In any case, there were still a few things that I did not want her knowing 
about
me.  I finally gave up thinking and decided to get some sleep before 
tomorrow.
        I woke up to the sound of Serena's voice.  "Tuxedo Mask...?  Wake 
up.  It's
morning.  Tuxedo Mask?  Are you Alurate?"  I opened my eyes and saw her face
right above mine.  I had it in my right mind to just take her head in my 
hands
and kiss her, but I didn't.  If only I could wake up every morning to that
beautiful face.  She smiled down at me.
        "Tuxedo Mask, are you feeling well?" Serena asked me with concern.
        "Better now." I said with out thinking.  I stopped before saying 
anything else.
I had to wake up before I spoke again, otherwise I may as well just throw 
her
down on my bed and make love to her right now.  I sat up in bed.  Luckily, I
sleep in my boxers, so I wasn't naked.  I don't think she ever saw a man in 
his
underwear though.  When she saw what I was wearing, she, gasped, blushed and
turned around.  She clenched her fists at her sides and was holding her 
breath.
I laughed.
        "I'm sorry Serena.  Is it 'Improper' you to be in a room with a 
barely clothed
man?  Or am I just too hideous to look at?"
        She turned to me.  She was bright red, now.  She looked at my body 
and let out
an almost inaudible squeak.  "No, you are not horrible to look at.  You are
very... pleasing...to the eyes.  B-But I thought you might be 
uncomfortable."
        Me, uncomfortable?  Serena was so flustered, she was squirming 
around and
stuttering, not able to form straight sentences.  I felt bad for her.  I had
made her feel stupid.  I asked her to excuse me and I crossed them room to 
the
bathroom and got on my pants and brushed my teeth.  You'd be surprised what 
they
sold in the gift shop next to the center.  Long ago, I had found a way in
through, you guessed it, the vents.  It was how I got my shampoo and tooth 
brush
and paste.  Not to mention my other essentials including a razor that let me
shave and a scissor that let me trim my hair.  I got good at making it even, 
but
my first few attempts... We just won't talk about them.
        I sat down on the couch with my pants on now, and she sat next to 
me.  Our
normal routine.  I reached for the covered doughnuts and asked if she wanted
any.  She said no so I decided to wait to eat.  I wasn't really hungry yet.
        "Congratulations on your performance last night, 'Jasmine'." I said.
        She giggled.  "You liked it?"  I liked you.
        "Yeah.  It was the best I had ever seen any of you perform.  I had 
seen the
rehearsals and was not too sure how it would go.  But your cast pulled it 
off
with no problems or mistakes."
        "Thank you.  Tuxedo Mask?"
        "Yeah?"
        "Do you have a favorite play."
        I thought about the question a moment.  I never really chose a 
favorite.
        "Not really.  Why?  Do you?"
        "Yes." Serena replied smiling.  "Snow White."
        I knew that one.  It made sense that Serena would choose that play.  
It was
about royalty, after all.  Humans are creature of habit.  Like if you walk 
into
a classroom and you sit in a certain chair, when you come the next day, you 
will
sit there again, assigned seat or not.  Serena was sticking with what she 
knew
from her own life.
        I was beginning to get hungry.  "Sure you don't want a doughnut?  I 
have
powdered..." I coaxed in a sing songy voice.  She laughed and accepted this
time.  I got up to go put on some coffee.  Then I thought better of it.  I
thought Serena would like tea better.  I came and sat back down with a tea
kettle and cups.
        "Well, since you seem to know so much about my likes and dislikes," 
the
cheesecake and now the doughnuts, "I wish to know some things about you."
        Oh great.  Here it comes.  I thought.
        "What are YOUR weaknesses when it comes to food?"
        I was relieved.  She did not want to pry!
        We talked about basic things for hours... Food, clothes, plays, 
books, her
tutors, funny things that have happened to people in the community center.  
Then
we got onto more of a deeper level.  We started talking about issues like 
abuse,
rape, poverty, sickness...  I found that for someone who I presumed to be so
innocent, she knew an awful lot about what problems there were in the world.
She and I agreed on a lot of points.  Especially about abuse.  This was the
first time that we actually just talked for the sole purpose of getting to 
know
each other better.  Before, I had just been trying to avoid the topic of my
past.
        After a long while I got an idea.
        "Serena."
        "Yes?"
        "The center is closed today because it's Sunday, and I usually 
return the books
I took out and get new ones today.  Would you like to come with me?"
        Serena thought a moment.  "I'd love to, Tuxedo Mask."
        I opened the door on the left and got to where there was enough room 
for her to
follow me before motioning her in after me.  We crawled through the tunnels
until we got to the platform that was the ceiling of the library.  I opened 
the
normal vent and jumped down onto the floor.  I then ran and got a ladder and
climbed back up.  I motioned for her to come closer.
        "Serena, can you climb down this ladder?"
        Serena looked down.  "Yes."
        I climbed down the ladder and she followed.  When she was on the 
ground, we
began picking out books.  I found quite a few but only ended up picking 
three.
Serena grabbed two of her favorite stories and we headed back up the ladder 
to
my room.  We set the books down on the table and sat back on the couch.
        "Do you get books like that all the time?" she asked.
        "No.  But I figured you wouldn't be one to want to go snaking 
through tunnels
like me."
        She grinned.  We both picked up a book and started reading.  After a 
minute or
two she looked at the cover of my book.
        "What is that a story of?"
        I looked up.  I could tell she would not be satisfied just reading 
all day.  "I
don't know yet.  Come over here and I'll read it to you.  She glowed in a 
way
that only she could.  She came very close and I started the book over again.
She seemed to love having me read to her.  To this day, I am not sure how, 
but
by the middle of the book I was leaning against the couch armrest with a 
pillow
behind me with my feet on th couch and Serena was leaning against my chest 
on
her side in between my legs.  I did not realize the change of position had
occurred until I began to feel my right nipple being touched.  I looked down 
and
saw Serena, making circles around it with her finger.  She was so soft and
gentle, I could not help but immediately get turned on.  Her touch now added 
to
her beauty.  Not to mention the smell of her hair.  Coconut.  It was
intoxicating.  I only succeeded in getting myself ore aroused than I had 
been.
        "You do realize that that is distracting, Serena?" I stated 
teasingly.  She
looked up and got beat red.  I do not believe she even realized she had been
doing it.
        "Sorry." she said, embarrassed and avoiding my eyes.
        "Hey, don't apologize to me.  It felt good."  Why did I say that?  
My mouth had
gotten me into more trouble than it was worth.
        I glanced at the clock.  "Didn't you say you needed to be home by 
five-thirty.
It's five now.  Perhaps you should be on your way."  Serena agreed and we 
said
our goodbyes.

Serena
Chapter 14- A Late Night Caller

        I transported back to the palace and went straight to my room.  I 
had banquet
to attend.  It was for practically the whole Court and all the Delegates and
Ambassadors.  I sent for my maid servants to help me prepare.  They put 
beads in
my hair and dressed me in a long sleeveless pink gown with matching sash.  I
also wore a pearl necklace and earrings and carried the royal sceptre.  The
maids left and I laid back on my bed.
        It had been the most wonderful day.  I knew for sure now that I was 
in love
with Tuxedo Mask.  I had not even realized what I was doing until he 
informed me
I was distracting him.  With his face so close to mine, all I wanted was to 
kiss
him and have his arms wrapped around me.
        I had been so excited that he had not woken up when I got there.  I 
loved
waking him up and having him smile at me in the morning.  I had loved every
minute I spent with him.  He was no longer mean or rigid.  Now he was caring 
and
sweet.
        I was pretty sure that he felt the same way about me.  He had let a 
few
comments slip and I knew I had excited him when I was touching his chest.  I
knew that I had had that effect on men before.  But when I did it to Tuxedo
Mask, it was the first time I was glad that I was able to.  Tuxedo Mask was 
so
great.  He had become so open and true.  He was also the first truly 
observant
person I knew.  He could tell exactly what I was feeling and why, and 
reacted
accordingly.  He had no desire to hurt me.
        Tuxedo Mask also had another quality which you will never find in 
someone who
lives in a palace.  Tuxedo Mask was down to Earth.  He did not need
extravagances or indulgences.  He was happy living with what he was given 
and
even with the little that that was, he still didn't use all of it.  I knew I
would love him forever.
        I left for the banquet, finding my seat to be next to my Mother's... 
and
Micah's.
        Micah!  I had forgotten about him.  What if he sensed my emotions?  
My mind
must be practically screaming them.  I did a quick telepathic ritual which
allowed me to have extra control and would in turn allow me to block 
unwanted
probangs.
        Everyone was making their way to their seats.  Micah strolled 
confidently up to
my Mother and bowed.
        "Good evening Queen Serenity.  I humbly thank you for inviting me to 
this
banquet."
        I could not believe Mother bought his fake humility.  Everyone in 
the court
could have known that he was being impudent..  I was disgusted by his 
display
and reefed to look at him.
        "Hello, Princess Serena."
        "Shove it, Satan!" I yelled in my mind, and sent the message 
telepathically.
        "Greetings, Prince Micah." I said aloud to his astonished face.  I 
grinned
knowingly, mockingly at him and then turned back to the roll on my plate.
        I used my power to block him from responding to my message.  
Luckily, Mother
was too busy greeting her guests to notice what had transpired.
        The food was wonderful; the company, terrible.  Micah kept trying to 
invade my
thoughts and emotions and it took all I had in me to keep him out.  I tried 
to
enjoy my dinner and speak with my Mother as much as possible.  She thought
nothing of it considering that it had been a while since we had really 
talked.
        By the middle of the banquet Micah had become more than a nuisance.  
He had
become a threat.  I was tiring of this game he was playing.  It took more 
work
for me to keep him out of my mind than for him to make an attempt to get in. 
  We
had been having small talk together despite what was going on internally.
Finally I told him point blank, "If you do not stop your attempts to get 
into my
mind, I will leave the table and tell my Mother why."
        My Mother was busy entertaining the other guests, visiting other 
tables.  She
was an excellent hostess, I must give her that.  Micah replied, "Why 
Princess, I
do not know what you're talking about."  He smirked at me, and I wanted to 
wipe
it off his face with one blast of energy.  I merely glared at him in my most
menacing and frightening look.  It worked!  He did not try to probe my mind 
any
more after that.
        I thought I had won the battle until dessert came.  That was when I 
felt his
hand slowly working its way up my thigh.  I was stunned.  He started to rub 
and
squeeze my upper inner thigh when I jumped up.  I ran to my Mother.
        "Mother, I am feeling a little under the weather.  I think I am 
still fatigued
from last night.  May I retire to my quarters.
        She gave me permission to leave and said that she would check in on 
me later.
I told her that it would not be necessary and she should not worry.  I 
merely
needed sleep.  I grabbed my sceptre and exited the dining hall and headed 
down
the corridor towards my chambers.  I was about to close the door when a foot 
got
in my way.  The door was forced open and Micah stepped into my room.  "I see
what you did Serena.  You said you needed rest so that you could spend some 
time
with me alone.  Very clever."
        He knew that was not my intent.  He was merely gloating.  I realized 
this had
been his plan when he rubbed my leg.  He wanted to get me so angry that I 
would
leave and give him the perfect opportunity to rape me, with no one to help.
        He locked the door and came over to me.  He grabbed me and shoved 
his tongue in
my mouth.  This is so disgusting!  I thought.  I stumbled and almost fell 
but he
ad such a tight grip it only made it easier for him to push me onto the 
floor on
my back.  I was outraged, but there was nothing I could do.  I was too weak 
to
fight considering it had taken most of my energy just keeping him out of my
mind.  Now I had none left to keep him out of my body.  I looked round.  I 
saw
my sceptre not too far away.  Micah tugged at the fabric of my dress, 
attempting
to expose by breasts.  I reached for the sceptre and grabbed it.  I slammed 
it
down on his head.
        Micah rolled off of me and groaned.  Using the power in the sceptre 
I blasted
him.  Another agonized groan.  He looked up at me and got to his feet by
grabbing onto my chair.  He was annoyed because he had tried unsuccessfully 
to
undress me and now I could kill him if I chose and it would have been legal.
But I was not like him.  I merely raised the sceptre as if to blast him 
again
and said, "Leave.  Now."  He did so without argument.  I did not know what 
he
was going to tell his parents.  I did not really care, either.  Once again I
felt dirty.  Every time he touched me... Oh.  It just made me want to 
shower!
        As I was running the water I heard a voice in my head, 
telepathic..."I'll get
you back Princess, don't worry.  I will."
        I did not care about his threats.  As long as I had the Silver 
Crystal, he
could not harm me.  I undressed and got in the steamy shower.  It felt so 
good.
I imagined Tuxedo Mask was in the shower behind me, rubbing and massaging my
shoulders.  How wonderful it would be if I spent my life with HIM!  I 
thought.
I washed my hair and came out smelling like coconuts.  I blow dried my hair 
and
put on my silk lace nightgown.  It was my favorite.  Raye had bought it for 
me
at a store on Venus.  Venus, of course.  The love capital of the universe.  
I
opened my bathroom door, ready to crawl in bed and dream of Tuxedo Mask when 
I
saw him.  There was a figure standing in the corner with a sword in his 
hand.
Micah!

Darien
Chapter 15- Another Visitor

        Serena left.  I tried to finish reading the book to myself, but I 
could not
stop thinking about her touch.  The sweet, gentle caress of a beautiful
princess.  It was more than any man could bear, let alone a man who had had 
no
contact with humans until then.  I felt like my emotions were taking over my
mind and my body.  It was new to me considering I had never been partial to
whims and fancies before.
        For the first time, I realized how strong my emotions really were 
for her.  I
never thought that I could be won over so easily.  I thought it would be 
near
impossible to fall in love.  But Serena had managed to get me to fall in 
love
and not even realize it.  She had gotten to me through my backdoor after 
all.
Just certainly not in the way I had originally thought.  Oh, she ambushed me
alright.  But it was not to kill me or make me move out.  But she had made 
it
quite impossible to keep living the way I was living.  I needed her.  Not 
once a
day.  All day.  I wanted to marry her.
        Then just as fast as I had fallen in love, I was hit and knocked 
right down.
My loving her was treason.  I could never have her as my own.  The Court 
would
sooner kill me than to have me, a poor boy, marry the Princess of the Moon.  
How
could I have let myself believe that we could have actually one day lived
together.  What I had been worried about happening my whole life had now
happened.  I finally met someone whom I wanted to spend my whole life with 
and
now, in the same moment I fell in love with her, she was ripped from my 
grasp.
        We had to just stay friends, which might have been the way it was 
anyway.
After all, I still did not know how she felt.  Did she love me as much as I 
did
her?  Yeah right.  The Princess of the Moon... love me.  I really didn't 
have
the option of spending my life with her anyway.  But just in case, the next 
time
I see her, I'll tell her what I have come to realize
        I tried to read the rest of my book, but found it impossible.  It 
wasn't that
it was boring, it was just that I kept thinking about Serena and that 
beautiful
smile.  It wasn't even that I was in love with her anymore.  Now the problem
was... well, I guess it's like the old saying, "You don't miss what you 
never
had."  I never had human interaction as part of my life before now.  
Therefore,
I did not want it or think it essential.  But now that Serena was in my 
life, I
needed someone with me.  I found myself feeling an overwhelming emotion that 
I
had never experienced before.  I think it was...loneliness?
        I wonder if Serena would mind if I came over.  After all, she did 
barge in on
me the first time.  But the more important question is, how do I get to her?
The palace is large, unfamiliar, and guarded.  I knew that's when a trip to 
the
library was in order.  I had read a book awhile back that contained a palace
blueprint.  It was the handwritten diary of Serena's great grandfather.  It 
had
not been published for reasons that someone might try to plan an invasion or 
an
assassination attempt.  It was kept in a hidden safety box behind the
librarian's desk.
        When I reached the Library, I found the safe.  It looked like four 
bricks.  The
key, as I remembered it, was taped under the top desk drawer.  I opened the
drawer and sure enough, I found the key when I felt underneath it.  I 
unlocked
the safe and turned the light on the desk on.  I flipped through the pages 
until
I found what I was looking for.  It had maps of the grounds and whom all the
chambers were for.  I doubted they were still accurate but I committed the
information to memory and set off for the palace.
        I went outside the boundaries of the center for the first time since 
the crash.
It was a strange feeling.  I was excited, overwhelmed, nervous, and scared 
all
at once.  The path that I had walked on that night had been paved since I 
last
used it.  It was now quite a pleasant walk.  However, it was night and 
therefore
it was rather dark.  Luckily, I saw firecrackers up in the air and knew they
were above the palace.  I had never seen fireworks in person that I could
remember.  It made my walk all the more enjoyable.
        I relished all the natural beauty of the palace gardens once I 
reached the open
gates.  I knew these gates were more for show because Serena had confessed 
that
they never closed them.  Serena had said there was a huge banquet happening
tonight so I figured me, in my tuxedo, would fit right in.  I merely walked
inside.  I looked around me.  Never in my whole life had I seen such a 
gorgeous
place.  It was both huge and extravagant.  I could hardly believe my eyes.  
I
was certain my jaw hit the floor at this point.  It took me several minutes 
just
to take it all in.  Then I got my wits together and walked on.  I passed the
room where the banquet was commencing.  I peeked in and saw Queen Serenity.  
She
looked so much like her daughter.  Rather Serena looked like her Mother, but
they were both so elegant and refined.  I saw Serenity call one of her 
servants.
She said something to the girl and then the girl hurried out.  She came out 
the
door down from mine and began ordering another girl.
        "The Queen wishes you to check on Serena.  She is ill.  Her Mother 
wants to
know how she is."
        The second girl started off down the corridor.  Serena's ill?  The 
poor girl!
I then realized that if I followed the servant, I would know where Serena's
quarters were.  I followed the girl inconspicuously behind.  I passed many
rooms, all big and luxurious.  For visiting royalty, no doubt.  I passed two
studies, a library, infinitely bigger than the center's, and the armaments.  
The
armaments?
        The servant turned a corner or two more before ascending a large 
flight of
stairs.  Serena's room was on the second floor of course.  Her room would
definitely have a balcony.  I did not follow up the stairs until the servant 
was
half way down the hall.  I was one fourth the way up when she entered the 
room
seven doors down to the right.  I descended the steps and went back to the
armaments.  I decided to give the servant time to get out.
        The armor room was monstrous.  I was flabbergasted.  I walked over 
to a wall
with plaques and memorials of great warriors who had died in wars past.  One 
of
them was Serena's father, Delian, the keeper of Truth and Light.  I looked
around.  Then I saw something that caught my eye.  A sword.  There was a 
wall
full of swords but one in particular had caught my eye.  This would 
certainly be
a more effective weapon than the knife I have now.  And I have already 
committed
treason.  Why not add thievery to the list?
        It took the sword and the case and headed down the hall.  I saw the 
servant
that had been in Serena's room coming toward me, so I ducked behind a 
column.
She walked past me and I ascended the stairs.  I went to Serena's room and
opened it.  It was beautifully white.  Amazing.  I crossed the room to the
window.  It had the most gorgeous view overlooking the palace gardens.  I 
walked
back in the room just in time to see Serena come out of her bathroom.

Chapter 16- Realizations

        I saw the look on her face.  She was terrified.  I realized I was in 
the dark
and quickly stepped into the light.  She breathed a sigh of relief when she
realized it was me.
        She was stunning.  It was the first time I had seen her hair down.  
She was
beautiful as always but this way she looked more natural.  And that 
nightgown...
Oh my God!  She was even more sexy in that nightgown than in her day gown.  
My
mind and heart could have stopped right then and there and it wouldn't have 
made
any difference.  I snapped myself out of it.
        "So what do you think of my new toy, Princess?  Better than the 
knife?"  I said
demonstrating my new found weapon's capabilities.  I was like a child 
getting a
new toy.  It's a guy thing I guess.  We're into weapons and tanks and guns, 
even
if I didn't like what they were used for.  Serena, still recovering giggled.
        "Serena, I came to tell yo that I think we should just be..."  
Serena ran
towards me
        "Oh Tuxedo Mask!  I am so glad you are here!"  She wrapped her arms 
around me.
I dropped the sword and hugged her back.  "Serena, what's wrong?  I heard 
you
were not well.  What happened?"  I could no longer have any hope of telling 
her
that we must only be friends tonight, for she started sobbing into my shirt 
and
it tore my heart in two.
        "Oh, Serena."  I petted her hair with one hand and laid my head down 
on hers.
I pulled her to the couch where she crawled in my lap and hid her face in my
chest.
        "Oh Tuxedo Mask.  I was terrible!  He did it again!  I do not know 
how to stop
him.  When I saw you, I thought it was him and I realized how easily he 
could
get to me."
        I was puzzled.
        "Serena, who are you so afraid of?"  She sobbed for a while longer 
and I sat
there petting her head and telling her it would be alright.  I had never 
seen
her cry and I wanted to die, myself.  I couldn't bare to see her like this.
Finally she stopped and slowly moved away from me.  I reached for a tissue 
box
and I handed her one.  She thanked me and dried her tears.  She would not 
look
at me in the eye. A sure sign that Serena was not sure or knew I would not 
like
the words I was about to hear.
        "Do you remember the man you jumped on and saved me from that night 
in the
theatre?" she started.
        "Yes, of course."
        She continued.  "His name is Micah.  He is the Prince of Saturn.  He 
and I
are... engaged."
        A knife went through me.  Any hope, any dream, vanished at that 
moment.  I was
again alone in the world.  I wanted to die then and there.  I felt warm 
tears
fill my eyes, but I held them back.  I could not stop my hands from shaking
though.  I don't think Serena noticed how much I was bothered by her last
statement.  How could I have been such a fool.  I actually thought that a 
girl
like this would just come walking into my life.  How could I have never
considered that a beautiful, rich, powerful, yet sweet girl, had no lover.  
I
felt like crawling in a hole and shriveling.
        My life was over.  When I left here, I would fall on the very sword 
I had
stolen.  I could not do it in front of Serena, though.  She was so innocent. 
  I
could not allow her to see her acquaintance kill himself.  That is what I 
was to
her.  An acquaintance.  The saddest part was is that I knew I would never be
more.
        "But..." her voice began to waver...,"I do not love him.  I never 
will love
him.  I do not care for him... I can ot even stand him.  He is so cruel!  He
hits me and grabs me and..."
        Serena went on to tell me everything Micah ha done and said.  
Needless to say
if a thought could kill, Micah would have died a thousand deaths in under a
second.  She leaned over to me again and crawled back in my lap.  This time 
she
laid her head on my shoulder.  "You are the only one I have told, Tuxedo 
Mask."
She was looking into my eye with her own big teary blue ones.  "You are the 
only
one I feel I can trust."
        A fire went though my body.  She doesn't love him, and she trusts me 
most!  I
was elated!  Talk about emotional roller coasters.  Well, if she wouldn't 
tell
her Mother, I was the only one who could do anything.  But what could I do?  
Me
take on a Prince.  I would be laughed out of the Court room before I had 
even
spoken a word.
        Despite my new found confidence, I still knew now that Serena could 
never love
me.  She was a Princess and I, a lowly commoner.  The royalty of the other
planets could marry whomever they chose.  But Serena was bound by law 
because of
her status.  They had to keep the powerful bloodline pure.  I looked down at 
the
girl in my arms.  It was then that I realized she had stopped avoiding eye
contact.  She was looking straight at me.  I tried to lighten the 
conversation.
        "You must think my place is disgusting if this is what you're 
accustomed to." I
stated with a laugh.  She smiled.  That was a good sign.
        "No.  I like your house because it is so different from mine.  
Besides, it is
yours.  It is not digesting."
        "Mind if I come HERE more often?" I asked her.  It felt so good to 
get out of
the center.  Sure, it was a nice place, but I didn't realize until now that 
I
had so much to see.
        "No.  Please.  Come over as much as you like." Serena told me 
emphatically.
The way she said it made her sound like she was practically begging me to 
come
back.  Maybe she did have feelings for me?  No.  Impossible.
        "How about tomorrow night then?" I asked.  I was anxious to see her 
again.  I
knew now that I could never tell her the way I felt about her.  But at the 
same
time, I knew I couldn't tell her that we should just stay friends.  I 
decided to
just take things one day at a time, and whatever happened, happened.  I knew 
I
would always love her, whether or not she loved me.  I did not know how I 
was
going to react when her wedding day came.  I would die.  Especially if she 
told
me she loved him after all.  I never wanted to hear her say she loved anyone 
but
me.  However, I wished for her to be happy above all else.  If Micah made 
her
happy, then that's the man she should be with.
        I left over the balcony's edge and headed home.

Serena
Chapter 17- A Day To Relax

        Tuxedo Mask started to leave.  I caught his arm just before he left. 
  He turned
to me.
        "I am sorry, Tuxedo Mask, what was your reason for coming here?  I 
was so
caught up in your being here when I needed you, I simply forgot my manners 
and
did not ask why you paid your visit."  He turned to me and put his hands on 
my
shoulders.  Our eyes met for a long moment.  The eyes that I could see was 
the
most beautiful blue I had ever seen and his lashes were the longest I had 
ever
seen.  As he looked at me he said, "It no longer matters."
        With that, he made his way down the balcony to the outside corridor 
and made
his way down the steps.  It was early morning by now and he paused as he 
passed
by the gardens.  I knew he would love them!  I thought.
        I crawled in bad and tried to sleep.  I drifted in and out of 
consciousness.  I
dreamed of when I was two and I was meeting Prince Darien for the first 
time.  I
saw myself walking over to him in the corner and kissing him.  Except this 
time,
Darien kissed me back.
        I awoke to the sound of "SEREEEENA!!!!"
        It was Lita.
        "Yeah.  Great way to wake up a sleeping Princess, Lita." I heard 
Mina drawl,
chuckling with mock.
        "What are you doing here?" I asked yawning and slowly starting to 
sit up and
stretch.
        "Did you forget?  We were supposed to go to Earth today, Hon." Mina 
giggled and
smiled.
        "Yeah, we're going to Hawaii.  So get up!  Move it!  Let's get 
going!"
        Before I could protest Lita picked me up and threw me over her 
shoulder.  I was
definitely awake now!  Mina chose a cute summer outfit and bathing suit and 
set
them on my bed.  Meanwhile Lita had set me down in the bathroom and started 
a
shower for me.  I put up my hair considering I had just gotten a shower not
seven hours ago and got in quick.  I dressed and we transported to Earth 
using
the Silver Crystal.
        We set up beach chairs and umbrellas on a beach and began covering 
ourselves in
suntan lotion.
        We swam in the warm waters for a while.  We did not bring anything 
to play with
in the water, so we tired of that quickly.  We got out and rinsed off the 
sand
and salt in the public showers along the beach.  We then went back to our 
chairs
and decided to get a great sun tan.
        It did not take long for conversation to turn to my affair with 
Tuxedo Mask.
        "So how are things going with you and Tux?"  Mina inquired without 
looking at
me.  She had put on shades and was now sitting with a sun reflector in her 
lap.
I told them the goings on of last night, starting with Micah and ending with
Tuxedo Mask.  I informed them that he genuinely cared about me and that 
Micah
was hurting me.  I knew he hated to see me cry.  I was just so glad that he 
was
there for me.
        They both expressed that they were glad I had found someone to care 
about me.
Mina said she had talked to Raye about the situation with Micah and that she 
and
Sharon were plotting something.  After all, that is what they have been 
doing
since childhood.  They were always planning one scheme or another.
        Then I mentioned my dream.
        "Hey.  Isn't Prince Darien's Memorial close to here?" Lita asked.
        "Yeah.  I haven't been in a while.  We should go." Mina added.
        We packed up and headed off to the memorial.  When we got there all 
of us got
very quiet.  Lita looked especially sad.  She and Darien used to be best
friends.  I felt a pit in my stomach as I remembered Darien.  We stayed 
there a
while and then Mina said, "Listen.  I think we should all treat ourselves to
some ice cream.  We're supposed to be having fun.  Not that Darien didn't 
mean
anything to us, but I can't take all this sadness right now."
        I agreed with Mina and we left.  We went to a famous ice cream 
parlor.  It was
Amy's favorite place to go.  That gave me an idea.
        "Do you think we should invite Amy, Raye, and Michelle down?" I 
suggested.
        "Sounds good." Lita agreed nodding her head slightly as she sipped 
her
milkshake.
        Soon they all arrived.
        "So where are we off to?" Raye inquired.  Raye was always the one 
looking for
adventure and always on the move.
        "Just relax, Raye." Michelle said, "We are in one of the most 
beautiful places
in the whole universe."
        "Not quite as beautiful as Venus." Mina corrected, shooting a look 
at Michelle
as if to say, "My planet's the best."
        Amy came back to our table and sat down.  She had a huge hot fudge 
sundae in
her hands.  "That looks good!" Raye said, grabbing a spoon.  Soon everyone 
had a
spoon and, to Amy's dismay, her Sundae was gone.
        Amy was always the forgiving one, though.  She picked up a magazine 
and started
to read.  "Hey you guys!  This looks like so much fun!  We should all go to 
the
beauty and health spa.  It's doesn't seem to be far from here.  What do you
think?"
        Needless to say we all opted for the spa.  We got up and started to 
leave when
Raye exclaimed, "Hey!  Where's Lita?"
        We stopped and looked around.  "There she is!"  Mina cried out 
pointing.
        Lita had stopped to flirt with a boy in the ice cream parlor and was 
now
writing his number down on her hand.  She ran to catch up to us.
        "Who was that?" Mina asked pointedly.
        "His name is Andrew!  Isn't he cute?  He reminds me of my old 
boyfriend
Freddy!"
        The group groaned.  If Frederick had never graced the planet 
Jupiter, our lives
would have been better off.
        We made it to the Salon.  I got my nails, hair, and make-up done for 
the first
time in what felt to me like ages.  Everyone seemed to enjoy it.  I had
forgotten what it was like just to be with my friends and not have to attend 
to
business.  It seemed I never saw the other Princesses except at royal social
functions and to have class.  Then there of course was the never ending 
Court
sessions.  It was tedious work.  But now I was just out to have a good time.
        After the spa, we went to Michelle's favorite mall... on Neptune.  I 
had not
been to Neptune since I was four.  It was nice to see it again.  It was 
always
so lush and green there.  We shopped for the rest of the day.  I bought a 
new
pair of earrings and a pair of sunglasses.  It was so unlike me just to let
myself relax.  I could not remember the last time I had done anything that 
was
truly just for pleasure.
        We were about to leave the mall when I spotted a nightgown.  It was 
pure white
satin.  It had  The nightgown had lattice ties up the sides and 
spaghetti-straps
with a low  neck (actually, it came down so far, it barely covered the
mannequin's bust).  With it's high side slits, it was the perfect gown.  I 
ran
into the store and tried it on.  It was stunning.  I am sure to get Tuxedo 
Mask
to notice me as more than a friend in this.
        I bought it.  I left the store and returned home.  My friends stayed 
for
dinner.  I was not really paying much attention to the conversation, though. 
  My
mind was already with Tuxedo Mask.  I could not wait until I had him all to
myself, tonight.
        When my friends left, I raced to my room.  I went in the bathroom 
and stated
retouching my make-up.  I could hear the rain and thunder outside.  I was
relieved that I had gotten home in time.  I undid my hair and let it fall 
over
my back and shoulders.  I undressed from my day's clothes and put on my
bathrobe.  Luckily, I had gotten a shower in the spa, so I did not need one 
now.
It was then that I heard the knock on my balcony door.

Darien
Chapter 18- A Night to Remember

        It was seven.  I had been squirming all day.  I had drifted in and 
out of sleep
until one in the afternoon.  I finally gave up on sleep and got up.  If 
someone
had told me, a year ago, that I was going to fall in love, I would have 
laughed
in their face.  I could have never pictured myself losing sleep over a girl,
much less one that didn't even return my affection.  Finally I decided 
enough
was enough.  I was going to head over to Serena's.  I opened my door and 
managed
to slip out unnoticed.  I was no more than five minutes into my walk when a
terential down pour commenced.  I wondered if I should not turn back and 
wait
for it to let up.  Then I thought that I was already wet, so what good was
waiting.  I kept walking.
        I got colder and colder as I continued.  I felt my hands start to go 
numb.
This was terrible.  I was almost half way to the palace, so there was no use
turning back now.  I crossed my arms for warmth and kept on.  About twenty
minutes passed and I was freezing.  The temperature had dropped dramatically 
and
I was soaked.  I began to shiver and I struggled to keep warm.  Finally, the
palace was in sight.  I was now shaking uncontrollably.  I could barely 
walk.
        After what seemed like an eternity, I reached the palace.  I went 
around back
and slowly was able to scale the stairs.  I knocked on her window.

Serena
        I opened the bathroom door.  That is when I saw him.  He could 
barely stand up.
I quickly ran to the door to let him in.  He was soaked and freezing.  I 
have
never seen anyone shake so badly.  I was worried.  He could have died out 
there
from exposure.  His hands and face were red, a definite sign that he was 
nearly
frost bitten.  I helped him into my room and led him to the bathroom
        "Tuxedo Mask, are you okay?  I am sorry!  I did not even think about 
the rain.
You could have died from exposure out there.  I do not know what I would do 
if
you were no longer here.  I need you, Tuxedo Mask.  I can not live without 
you!
I am so sorry!"  I felt tears begin to well up in my eyes as I said that he
could have died.  I would never forgive myself if he was hurt because of me. 
  I
helped him to the sitting chair in the bathroom.  I felt his cheek and 
forehead.
It was like touching ice itself.  I did not think it was possible to get 
that
cold.  I walked to my bath and turned it on luke warm.  As soon as the water
felt like it was warming, I helped him take off his shirt and pants.  I took
them out to dry in the dryer down the hall.  I wanted to do it myself so 
that
none of the servants got suspicious.
        "Just take off your boxers, get in the shower, and turn up the 
water's
temperature as you warm up."  I shut the door behind me.  Then I realized I
could dry them by using telekinesis.  It would be safer than risking a 
servant
catching me.  I dried them and cracked the bathroom door enough so that I 
could
slip the clothes onto the counter.  I then noticed his boxers were sitting 
at my
feet.  I dried those quickly and set them on top of his pants.  I glanced up
briefly and saw his nude form through the shower glass.  It had fogged up, 
but I
saw the color of his skin and his slow movements as he tried to warm 
himself.  I
quickly looked away and scolded myself for being so horrible.  Here the man 
was,
almost dead, and all I could do was peek in on him during his shower?  I 
shut
the door again and sat down on my bed.  Why would he walk through that big 
of a
storm just to see me.  He could have come another day and just explained.
Surely he knew he could have done that.
        Then it occurred to me.  He had the same feelings for me and wanted 
to see me
as badly as I wanted to see him.  A feeling of elation washed over my being. 
  I
smiled and drank in the thought that Tuxedo Mask could be mine, at last.  I 
felt
a pang of mischievousness hit me.  I reached for my new nightgown.  Well, if 
the
shower does not work, this sure will!

Darien
        She closed the door.  I stripped the rest of the way and felt the 
water.  It
was scalding hot to my hand.  I knew that it was actually room temperature, 
but
to my cold skin, it felt like liquid fire.  I eased my way into the water 
and
slowly started to warm up.  If Serena were in here, I'd be sure to heat up
fast..  I thought as I let the warm water run over me.  This was actually 
the
first warm shower I could ever remember taking.  The community center had no
water heater and so my showers were cold.  This was nice.
        Soon I was starting to feel like the water was cold.  I turned up 
the
temperature and then started think clearly.  Serena had said she couldn't 
live
without me.  Could it be that she returned my emotions?  She must!   Oh 
Serena,
I love you ,too!  I would never leave you!
        I was so happy.  But as usual, my mind did not let that last long.  
I was
beginning to dislike my sensible side.  Now I had the problem of committing
treason.  If anyone found out about our love, I would be executed.  It did 
not
take me long to realize that either way meant death.  I would also die if I 
was
forced to face everyday alone, without Serena.  I decided I would rather die
happy and with her, than to die alone without her.
        I picked up her shampoo bottle and turned the water heat up.  I 
smelled the
shampoo.  It was coconut.  Her hair always smelled like this shampoo and it
drove me crazy.  SHE drove me crazy.  I realized that I was warm again and
turned the shower off.  I grabbed a towel and dried off.  My clothes were
sitting on the counter by the door.  I picked up my boxers, which were also 
dry.
I had left them by the door so she could dry those, too.  I dressed and 
opened
the door.
        When I saw what she was wearing, I could barely stand.  She was 
incredibly
sexy.  She was wearing a nightgown that covered everything, but barley.  I
walked over to her as soon as I was able.  I took her in my arms and just 
held
her.  When she put her arms around my shoulders, I almost collapsed.
        "Thank you for helping me, Serena." I whispered in her ear.  She 
pulled away
only far enough to look me in the face.  Still with my arms around her 
waist,
she took her right hand and brushed my cheek, sending waces of passion 
running
through me.  I heard a small cry of helplessness escape my throat.
        "You are welcome.  I was worried about you.  I was afraid that you 
might get
sick and leave me."
        I looked at her slowly resting my forehead against hers, now able to 
look
directly into her gorgeous blue eyes.  "I would never leave you, Princess."
        "But if you lost your life, you would have no choice." she told me.  
The
beginnings of tears began to develop in her eyes.
        "Serena, you are my life.  The only way I would lose my life, is if 
I lost
you."
        With that, I let my hand rise to her chin and held her face as I 
brought her
lips to mine. I kissed her.  I felt a raging fire run through me.  First we
started with little kisses, barely brushing eachother's lips.  Then she was 
the
one to hold the kiss and slowly let her small tongue slip into my mouth.  I
returned her affection fullheartedly.  Then she pulled away.
        "I love you, Tuxedo Mask."  She loved me!
        "I love you, Serena,  my Princess."  I took her back into my arms 
and kissed
her again.

Fly On The Wall
        They kissed for a long time.  Finally they broke for air.  Serena 
left his arms
and brought him to the bed.  She got up on it and pulled him to the side.  
Her
bed was very high.  She sat on the edge and wrapped her legs around his back 
and
kissed him again, this time allowing her tongue to slip out and caress his 
right
away.
        As the kiss deepened, Tuxedo Mask began letting his fingers play 
with the
ribbons holding her dress together on the sides.  He began moving his hands 
all
the way up to her neck then slowly started to let them slide down her chest.
        "Is this okay with you?" he asked out of breath from just having 
broke their
kiss.
        Serena nodded.  She then took his hand and placed it on her breast.  
Tuxedo
Mask kissed her again and began to cup her breast and squeeze it gently.  
Serena
let out a muffled squeal of pleasure against Tuxedo Mask's lips.  He left 
her
lips and began kissing her down one side of her neck.  He moved the 
spaghetti
straps off of her shoulders with his other hand.
        Now he took her breasts in both hands and rubbed them.  He felt her 
nipples
harden under the fabric.  He slowly pulled the nightgown down to expose her
naked body.  He was going slow enough so she could protest at any time.  But 
no
such complaint was made.  She was as eager to do this as he was.  She laid 
back
on the bed and helped him get the gown off.
        She was beautiful.  Tuxedo Mask stood there for a moment just 
looking at her.
Serena squirmed as Tuxedo Mask examined her body for the first time.  She 
hoped
she pleased him. But Tuxedo Mask could not help but be pleased with the 
sight
before him.  Serena had the most beautiful blonde hair that now was under 
her
body and a few wisps came down around her breasts.  They were huge and now
aroused with fairly big hardened pink tits, thanks to his touch.  Tuxedo 
Mask
let his eyes travel down her body and over her flat stomach down to her tuft 
of
blonde hair.  He looked at her long curvaceous legs and wanted nothing more 
than
to feel them pulling him deep inside her body.
        "Damn it, Serena!  You are more perfect than I imagined you would 
be!"
        Serena smiled, glad she passed his test, and sat up.  She rewrapped 
her legs
around his waist and began to undo the buttons on his shirt.  She kissed the
skin that was newly exposed as she undid each button.  She slid the shirt 
off
his shoulders and ran her hands down his chest.  It was so hard and toned 
that
she felt her breath escape her.  She leaned in and flicked her tongue over 
his
nipple.  He groaned with pleasure as she did this and felt himself ready to
explode right then.  But he knew he couldn't yet.
        Serena then undid his pants and let them fall to the floor.  Tuxedo 
Mask
stepped out of them and let Serena pull down his boxers.  He watched Serena,
waiting to see her reaction and shook with anticipation.
        Serena was surprised by the size of the bulge in his boxers.  She 
slid off the
boxers to expose him.  The boxers fell to the floor and she looked at him 
for a
short while before looking up and saying, "I did not expect it to be that 
big,
Tuxedo Mask."  He grinned at her and narrowed his eyes.  He let out an
animal-like growl and playfully crawled up on the bed next to her.  They 
laid in
the middle of the bed and Serena sat up.  She then sat between Tuxedo Mask's
legs and started rubbing his inner thighs.  Serena let her hands work their 
way
up until they reached his cock.  She touched the shaft gently, swirling her
finger around it.  Tuxedo Mask gasped and looked at her.  He realized she 
did
not know what to do next.
        "Here.  What are you trying to figure out how to do?" he asked, 
sitting up
slightly.
        "How do I give you a blow job?" Serena asked, rather embarrassed to 
have to
ask.
        "Alright.  Take it in your mouth and move your head up and down 
while you suck
back at the same time.  Don't be afraid to use your tongue, but be careful 
of
your teeth."
        Serena lowered her head and took him in her mouth.  She flicked her 
tongue over
his head and tried to get it to go inside the top.  Tuxedo Mask squirmed as
sounds of pleasure escaped his throat.  What she was doing felt so good to 
him.
Serena, excited that she was able to elicit such sounds of pleasure from him
plunged forward.  She licked his underbelly and began to softly run her 
fingers
through the hair above his cock.  Tuxedo Mask thought he was going to 
release in
her mouth if she continued.  Besides, he wanted to pleasure her now.
        Serena stopped and Tuxedo Mask pulled her up the head of the bed.  
She laid her
head down on the pillow as Tuxedo Mask crawled on top of her.  He took one 
of
her breasts in his mouth and teased the other one with his hand by grabbing 
her
tit between his index finger and his thumb.  He proceeded to make circles 
around
the expanse of her whole breast and back up to the tit, all the while 
teasing
the other breast with his tongue, flicking it back and fourth and sucking
gently.  He then allowed his free hand to slide down her body and feel her
pussy.  He heard her cry out with pleasure as his fingers, now wet with her
juice entered her body.  He found her G spot and moved his fingers against 
it
quick.
        "Oh Tuxedo Mask!  I did not know it would feel this good."  She 
cried grabbing
his head and pulling his lips up against hers.  Tuxedo Mask slowly slid out 
of
her and wrapped his arms around her slender body.
        "Are you sure about this Serena?  We don't have to go all the way if 
you don't
want to.  We can stop right here." he asked pressing his forehead against 
hers.
        Serena shook her head.  "No,  keep going." she told him, out of 
breath.
        Tuxedo Mask knew this would hurt her.  He moved his body in between 
her legs
and plunged into her.  Serena cried out and almost began to cry.
        "Oh, baby, I'm sorry.  I should have told you.  This is the only 
time it will
hurt, I promise.  When we do it again, it will be much better.  Do you want 
to
stop?"
        Serena said no, that she wanted to continue and soon, the pain 
subsided and she
began to be able to meet Tuxedo Mask thrust for thrust.  Serena became so
overwhelmed, she forgot to control her powers.  She felt a surge of energy
rising in her body but did nothing to stop it.  It emitted from her and 
engulfed
the both of them.  Slowly it became wisps of light as it circled their 
bodies.
Serena and Tuxedo Mask became able to read each others thoughts completely.  
Not
only that, but they became able to feel each others sensations.  When Serena
touched his back, she felt the same sensation on her back, doubling their
pleasure.
        With the ability to feel each other's pleasure, Serena and Tuxedo 
Mask climaxed
together, unable to control the cries escaping their throats.  Tuxedo Mask
pulled out of her and laid beside her.  He brought her body close to his and
after a while began to once again run his fingers around her warm breasts.  
He
began to cup them and she pulled him back on top of her.
        They kissed and made love until the early hours of the morning.
~

Serena
Chapter 19- Lovers at Last

        I awoke to the soft touch of Tuxedo Mask's hand on my face.  My 
first reaction
was to hold it there, but I let his hand rub my cheek a while longer before
taking it in my hand and kissing his wrist.  I opened my eyes to find his 
face
very close to mine.  He was looking at me and smiling.  I rolled closer to 
him
and moved around so that my head now rested on his chest.  He began 
mindlessly
running his fingers through my long hair.  I pulled the covers down to just
under my arms.  I put my arm around his body and was now lying half on him.  
I
looked into his face.
        "Good morning, my love." he said as he touched my cheek and rubbed 
it with his
thumb.
        "Good morning.  Did you sleep well?" I asked.
        "Oh, Serena.  I slept better than I have in years." he replied.  I 
leaned in
and kissed him.  He returned the kiss full heartedly and pulled the covers 
over
our heads.  I laughed.
        We made love again, but this time, we did not fall asleep 
immediately after.
This time we stayed up and talked to each other.  Now that each of us knew 
how
the other felt, we found a new level of trust and openness that we had never 
had
before.  He was lying to my right and was now on his side.  I reached out 
and
touched the patch over his left eye.  It seemed to surprise him.
        "Do you ever take this off?" I asked, curiosity suddenly sparking my 
interest.
        Tuxedo Mask squirmed and the smile left his face.  He looked away.
        "No.  I never have."
        "What happened?"  He paused for a long moment, as if gathering 
strength to
answer the question.
        "I was in a plane crash.  I woke up and I had a laceration that 
reached all the
way across my eyelid and across part of my brow.  It scarred.  The eye is 
fine,
but I don't like to look at the scar."  He said it as if he was ashamed.  As 
if
he was traumatized by it.  It was just a scar.  I had one on my stomach from
surgery when I was eight.  Besides, most men I knew loved showing off their
'battle scars'.
        "Can I see?" I asked.
        Tuxedo Mask sighed.  He obviously did not want me to know that this 
bothered
him so much.  His hands shook as he raised them to the patch.  I had always
found the patch sexy.  But now I wanted to see what it was that he felt the 
need
to hide.
        He removed the patch and I saw his full face for the first time.  He 
avoided
eye contact with me and I could tell he was embarrassed.  The scar was not 
all
that bad.  It was long, but not quite as puffed out as most scars I had 
seen.  I
reached to him and brought his face close.  I kissed the scar.  I kissed his
temple and made my way back to the scar.  It was only at this point that I
realized he was crying.  He left my lips put his head against my chest.  I 
did
not understand why this bothered him so much.  All I knew is that I would
comfort him.  I held him against me and ran my fingers through his hair.
        "I love you so much, Tux.  I would never do anything to hurt you.  
It is
alright."
        I held him a while longer.  Then he started kissing my neck and face 
before he
raised himself out of the bed.  He sat up and leaned over the edge and 
grabbed
his clothes.  He put on his boxers and turned back to me.  He smiled.
        "You are so beautiful." he told me.  The way he said it made me 
think that it
was a comment half to himself and half to me.  He got his pants on.  I 
rolled
over to where he was and reached down.  I grabbed the shirt laying on the 
floor
.  I brought it up and sat up.  I kneeled on the bed facing him.  I put the
shirt around his shoulders and was about to begin doing up the buttons when 
he
said, "Serena, honestly.  I need to go.  Now you should know I won't be able 
to
tear myself away from you if the last image of you I have is you doing up my
shirt, naked."
        I looked down.  I had forgotten that I, too, needed clothes.  He 
handed me my
robe which I had placed on the chair.  I put it on and did up his shirt.
        "You are coming back tonight, right?" I asked.
        "Princess, you couldn't keep me away if you tried."  He gave me one 
final kiss
before departing by way of my balcony.  He certainly had gotten bolder.  
Before,
he would never be caught going in and out of his house during the day time.

Chapter 20- Flirting With Demons

        Tuxedo Mask and I continued seeing each other.  He would sneak into 
my room
late at night and we would either make love or just talk.  Sometimes we 
would
spend all night reading to each other.  I loved him so much.  He came to the
palace four times a week.  We did not want to risk everyday.  Besides, we 
did
need our sleep.  We would have become nocturnal.  Whenever there was a 
social
function commencing in the palace , we would not see each other that night.
There were too many people around and that would mean a higher probability 
of
being noticed.
        During our talks, I really got him to open up.  He told me all about 
the crash
and how he found his way through the woods until he got to the community 
center.
He also told me why the patch was such a sore subject with him and how he 
had
vowed never to show it to anyone.  When he told me that, I finally 
understood
how much I had impacted his life.  He went from completely against humanity, 
to
showing a Princess (a rich snob, in his old opinion.  He had always regarded
royalty the ultimate in humanity's downfalls) his most personal and 
humiliating
trait.  I told him it did not matter and that it was not all that bad.  He 
then
explained that he felt it was just another thing setting him apart from 
everyone
else.  I never quite understood why he hated humans and their violent 
tendencies
and yet it still bothered him that he was set apart from us.  Twisted 
reasoning
if you ask me.  But he was different now.  He said that through me, he was 
able
to see the good along with the bad.  The other side of the story.
        After five months, he admitted to me that he had killed someone.  I 
knew he
regretted it without him even saying he did.  He was simply so against 
violence
that for him to have done it himself must have made him feel like the 
biggest
hypocrite.  He told me about his theories and where he drew them from.  I
learned more from talking with him in one night, than I did with any of my
tutors in a year.  One time, I had to write an essay about human behavior 
based
on history.  My paper was so well written and so well researched and backed 
up
that the instructor asked me if he could publish it.  I of course gave him
permission.  Tuxedo Mask laughed when I told him.  He said it just went to 
show
that tutors do not know everything and if they listen, can learn a lot from
their students.
        Tuxedo Mask was the wisest man I knew.  He was also the most 
romantic.
Occasionally, I would meet him at his house for a play and we would watch it
from his perch above the stage.  He would hold me close and tell me that he
loved me during the performance, making it almost impossible to pay 
attention to
the play.
        For my fifteenth birthday, he took me to see my favorite play, Snow 
White.  We
used the disguise power pen and sat in the second row.  It was in a real 
theatre
on Venus.  He put his arm around me and caressed my hand with the other for 
the
whole performance.  It was a beautiful play.  Afterward, he brought me to a
hotel filled with red roses.  Then he made a telephone call and ordered room
service.  After dinner, we made love to each other all night within the
wonderful aroma of a thousand roses.  I woke up in his arms and we spent the 
day
on Venus.  He returned me to my chambers that night and we parted ways.  I 
would
have never dreamed of meeting someone so cold and having him turn out to be 
so
warm.
        Micah and my Mother were not happy with me the next day when they 
found out I
was back.  Micah had planned out a similar evening (except without the play 
or
dinner, and not on Venus.  Other than that, it was the same.) but he 
certainly
did not have the same intentions as Tuxedo Mask.  I lied and said I was with
Mina, who kidnapped me to a surprise party on Venus and that I had ended up
spending the night there.  Luckily I contacted Mina in time and she covered 
for
me, but I could not be so irresponsible again.
        From then on Micah became increasingly abusive.  He was trying to 
take my love
and body much more vigorously now.  It was a full time job keeping him out 
of my
quarters.  I was starting to fear him in a much more real way.  Occasionally 
I
would have bruises from where he grabbed me.  One time he got so violent he
threw me down on my pavement balcony and tried to slam my head into the
banister.  Luckily, Mother was around and he helped me up.  He told her I
tripped.  I nodded, confirming his story.  Micah left that day and I knew he 
had
crossed the edge of annoying to a threat.  If it were not for my increasing
powers, I would surely have succumbed to him long ago out of sheer 
exasperation.
        Now quite a few of my nights with Tuxedo Mask were spent with him 
holding me in
his arms and comforting me.  He asked me, "If Micah were to meet with an
'unfortunate accident' resulting in his death, would that help?"
        I told him I did not want him to kill again and not to stoop to 
Micah's level.
He told me he had already planned out a way to assassinate him and all I 
need do
was give him permission and that I need not worry about his emotional state
after killing.  He would be doing the universe a favor.
        As much as I agreed with him, I could not allow murder to be the 
solution of my
problems.  For now, Micah had my days and Tuxedo Mask had my nights.  
Needless
to say I slept in a lot.  And I had tutoring.  LOTS of tutoring.  During the
day.
        Then the inevitable happened.  We had been seeing each other for 
almost two
years.  I was sixteen now.  Tuxedo Mask came over.  I was wearing a new sexy
underwear set that I had just bought.  He started stripping me down when my
bedroom door flew open.  Yes, it was locked, but power had opened it.  Micah
stood in shock as he saw Tuxedo Mask and I together for the first time.  
Tuxedo
Mask pulled me to him and reached for my robe.  I dressed behind him as to 
not
be exposed to Micah.  I had still managed to never let him get my clothes 
off.
        Micah was furious.  He lunged at Tuxedo Mask and pulled him to the 
ground.
        "YOU!  You attacked me that night in the theatre!  Now I find you in 
bed with
my fiancé.  You will die for this!"  He raised his hand and in his fist he
created a fire like ball of raw energy.  He brought it down on Tuxedo Mask's
face.
        I dove in between them.  The fire ball hit me in the back.  I was 
stunned for a
moment.  I felt the power of the Silver Crystal absorb the energy that had 
hit
my body.  I could not move.
        "Serena!  No!  Serena?  Are you alive?  Talk to me!!"  I could hear 
Tuxedo
Mask's desperate cries to me and eventually found the Silver Crystal giving 
me
power to fight.  I tried to get up but before I could Micah had created 
another
fire ball in his hand.  Tuxedo Mask ran at him and plowed him down and the
fireball released, hitting the ceiling.  They were in a fist fight on floor 
when
my Mother appeared at the door.
        "What is the meaning of this?!  Serena, what is going on?"
        "Mother, I can explain..."
        "Who is that?" Mother yelled looking at Tuxedo Mask.  "Did he try to 
attack you
Serena?"
        "Yes.  He did.  I saved her, Your Majesty." Micah claimed, standing 
up, out of
breath.
        "You LIAR!!" Tuxedo Mask screamed and punched Micah in the mouth.  
Micah fell
to the floor.  I ran to be in Tuxedo Mask's arms.  He embraced me and I 
looked
up at him.  I had never seen him so angry.  "Are you hurt, Baby?" I asked.
        My Mother looked at me.  "What?" was the only thing she could 
mutter.
        Tuxedo Mask and I were forced to explain what had transpired between 
the two of
us.  Micah sat there and listened and drank up every word.  When we got to 
the
part about Micah's abuse, he denied everything which only erupted in yet 
another
argument.
        My Mother was tired.  It was the middle of the night and she wanted 
to be able
to assess events rationally...with the Court.  She separated all of us and
posted guards outside of all of our doors and out side the palace.  She 
would
summon all of the Court to session in the morning.

Lita
Chapter 21- A Different Perspective

        I knew Serena and Tuxedo Mask had been caught the moment my family 
and I
received an urgent command to meet on the Moon at once.  I did not know what
would happen to Tuxedo Mask or Serena.  I felt awful.  They really loved 
each
other.  Didn't that count for anything?
        They had been going out for going on two whole years.  He made her 
happy.  I
personally thought Serena should have told her Mother about everything long 
ago.
But then again, if she had, she might not have had as long with him as she 
did.
        I arrived on the Moon.  An hour later, I was in court meeting hall.  
Everyone
was there.  Even the reclusive court members were in attendance.  The last 
time
I had seen this much Royalty in one room was when Darien disappeared.  
Everyone
was properly presented.
"The King and Queen of Mercury and Princess Amy
The King and Queen of Earth
The King and Queen of Jupiter and Princess Lita
The King and Queen of Neptune and Princess Michelle
The King and Queen of Saturn and Princess Helen
The Queen of Venus and Princess Mina
The Queen of Mars and Princess Raye
The Queen of Pluto and Princess Sharon- Guardian of time
The King of Uranus and Princess Alex"
        All of us entered and took our seats.  Each of the planets had along 
side them
a trusted Ambassador and two Delegates.  Micah was already seated along with 
a
man who must have been Tuxedo Mask.
        Queen Serenity and Serena, followed by their Ambassador, Aurora, 
took their
seats.  We were all sitting at what a world conference room would look like.
There were six giant tables at which all of the court were seated according 
to
which planet they were from.  The tables were set up in an rectangle shape.
        Serenity stood.  "Thank you all for coming, as you know from my 
briefing..."
Serenity went on to explain the situation at hand.  I did not hear all that 
much
of it.  I knew the story.  But looking at Tuxedo Mask...  He looked 
familiar.  I
could not figure out where I knew him from.  Then it hit me.  Darien?  Was 
that
Darien sitting over there.  The facial features, the manner, expressions... 
No.
It couldn't be.  If it was, the Earth royalty would have recognized their 
son
before I did.
        I came out of my thoughts in time to hear the first question.  It 
was from the
Queen of Mercury, "Serena, why did you not stay faithful to Micah, your
betrothed?"
        That was when the court shattered.  After the first question Serena 
spoke with
such eloquence and seriousness that the whole Court came to her rescue.  "I 
have
never been one to cause trouble.  I have never stepped out of line in my 
life.
I have done whatever I was told to do and I did it without complaint.  Then 
at
the age of thirteen, my Mother informed me that I was to marry the person I 
that
had regarded as a bully my whole life.  All the children of the Court knew 
that
he was violent.  He had been that way since the day I met him.  However, I 
did
not speak a word of complaint to anyone.  I gave him a chance.  I thought 
that
perhaps he had changed his ways and that he would treat me differently now 
that
I was to be his wife."
        Serena's tone changed from one of fact to one of anger.  "He had not 
changed.
The first time I was presented to him he molested me and tried to take 
advantage
of me.  I was able to fight him off, but he had made his intentions clear.  
He
told me I was nothing to him but a nice body and a way to power and that I
should be grateful that he was marrying me, because if he did not, I would 
have
no one else I could marry."
        She paused then started talking in a calm, but menacing voice.  
"When I met
him, he touched me.  When he was angry, he beat me.  When I was tired, he 
used
me.  When I was hurt, he abused me.  When I cried, he laughed at me.  When I
fought back, he threatened me.
        When he touched me, I said nothing.  When he beat me, I said 
nothing.  When he
used me, I said nothing.  When he abused me, I said nothing.  When he 
laughed at
me, I said nothing.  When he threatened me, I said nothing.  And now you all
have the audacity to sit here and call ME unfaithful."
        The planet Earth was the first to speak.  "Believe her, Serenity.  I 
did not
believe my son, and look what happened to him!" the Queen pleaded.
        "This is outrageous!  She is lying through her teeth!  Don't you see 
that she
is just making this up to give her a better excuse to be with him?"  Micah
pointed at Tuxedo Mask.
        "That's not true!  I have seen Micah hit Serena!" Mina piped up.
        "My daughter is right.  I have been sensing hostility in his heart 
against
Serena for a long while." the Queen of Venus said.  "Her love is pure, so I
thought nothing of it.  But now it is evident that pure love is intended for
another."
        "My son is not an abuser!" The King of Saturn yelled.
        "How do you know?" Sharon demanded.
        "Serena could be making this up." The King of Uranus stated.
        "I am not a liar!" Serena declared.
        "Are too!" Micah attacked.  What was he, three?
        "You are the liar, Micah.  Why don't you pick on someone your own 
size?" I
yelled.
        "If we could all just calm down..." The Queen of Mercury sighed.
        The entire courtroom was in an uproar.  Tuxedo Mask just sat in the 
corner,
motionless.  Poor guy.  I thought.  All he did was love a girl.
        Serenity set of a flash that went through the courtroom, silencing 
everyone.
        "I am going to leave with Micah.  This session will recommence after 
my
interrogation and I have reached a conclusion on his guilt or innocence."
        Serenity left with the guards, bringing Micah behind.  Everyone 
stayed put.  We
all knew it would not take long for Serenity to discern a lie from the 
truth.
        A half hour later Serenity returned with Micah.  Serenity raised her 
head.
"Aurora, please escort Helen outside."  Aurora took Helen out and when the 
door
was shut Serenity continued.
        "It is my conclusion, that Micah has abused Serena exactly as she 
claimed.  I
saw in his mind thoughts of what he wanted and what he had done to try and 
get
it.  Serena did not tell me of her troubles for the reason that I might be
disappointed." she turned to her daughter, "Serena, I would have never 
wanted
any of that to happen yo you.  I am so sorry."
        Serena had tears in her eyes.  "It is alright now, Mother." she 
replied.
        "It is therefore my duty to carry out according to the law what is 
right.  The
punishment for molesting of a Princess, attempted murder, lying in a Court
session, and abusing power, is execution.  This sentence will be carried out
five days from now."
        Micah's parents had to agree.  They were rather upset, as most 
parents would
be.  It was a complete shock to all the adults in the room.  He was rather 
two
faced.  The Micah I knew and the Micah they knew, were two very different
people.  I could tell Serena was upset for them and the fact that they had 
to be
in pain, but I could sense that she was happy to finally be rid of her
aggressor.

Darien
Chapter 22- Hope Springs Eternal

        The trial for me was torture.  I was being labeled a criminal for 
loving a
wonderful person.  It was nothing that I hadn't expected, though.  To the 
people
in that court, I was nothing more than a gold digger.  I couldn't blame 
them.
From their standpoint, I looked pretty bad.  Taking an abused girl's 
emotions
and making it all better by manipulating her into believing that I loved 
her.
That way I could get her power and money, two things I lacked.
        Well, that is the way it looked.  They had no idea that I would love 
Serena
just as much if she were penniless.  I was glad that Micah was going to be
executed, though.  I had been torn apart all those nights she would cry in 
my
arms.  When she cries, my world is upside down.  That was the hardest part 
about
this trial.  It wasn't what hardships it brought on me.  I would gladly 
endure
any amount of pain for Serena.  But watching her cry was more than I could 
bare.
That was torture enough for me.  All I wanted to do was take her in my arms 
and
make all of her worries fade away.
        The trial was good for one thing.  I thought I recognized the Earth 
royalty.  A
personal memory, not one from a book.  And Lita.  I saw her and knew her.  I
knew her!  I didn't know from where or when, but she and I had been friends.
Come to think of it, all of the Princesses did.  But it was so far off, sort 
of
like a dream that you can't remember.
        I was in my room when a flash of light entered my eye.  I turned 
from the
window to see Raye, Lita, Mina, Sharon, Michelle, Alex, and Amy standing and
sitting in various positions.
        Most men in my position would been overjoyed.  Seven beautiful 
Princesses all
in my room at once.  However, I just wanted to be alone.
        "You flashed?" I said.  A few of the girls giggled.  I was more 
annoyed than
joking.
        "Yes, Tuxedo Mask, we did." Alex stated.
        "Why?" I pried.
        "We want to know what's really going on." Raye told me.
        "Yeah.  So do you love her?  I mean love her like, marriage type of 
love." Lita
asked.
        "Oh yes!" I said, heartbroken, sitting on my bed and putting my face 
in my
hands.  "I love her so much that I want to die because we're apart.  You 
don't
understand.  I can't live without her in my life.  She IS my life." I told 
them.
I heard a chorus of "Oh"'s and "How cute"'s and it made me sick.  That has 
to be
the most annoying thing about women to men.  Why is it that everything nice 
you
do for another girl results in some high pitched noise?  Here I was pouring 
out
my deepest emotions to a bunch of stranger and all they could muster was a 
bunch
of girlie noise?
        "We'll do everything we can to help.  Here's a message from Serena." 
Mina said.
I anxiously took the letter and set it down beside me.  I knew if I read it 
now,
I would break down.  I looked at Lita.  "Do I know you from somewhere?"
        Lita seemed surprised by the question.  "Maybe.  I gotta feeling of 
De Ja Vu
with you too.  Were you born on Earth?"
        "No.  It was either Jupiter or the Moon." I told her.
        "Oh.  Then you aren't who I thought you could be." she said with 
some
disappointment.
        "So, where did you come from?" Sharon inquired, folding her arms 
across her
chest.
        "Look, no offence but I would really prefer not to talk about my 
personal life
with all of you.  I don't even know you.  How do I know I can trust you?"
        Some of them looked puzzled.  Raye was the first to speak.  "You.  
Not trust
us?  Excuse me but WE are not the ones on trial here for a possible charge 
of
manipulating royalty.  And here we are in your room, trying to see if we can
help you and YOU'RE the one not able to trust us?!"  Raye was obviously 
angry at
me.  She must have thought I was saying that I couldn't trust them because 
they
were who they were.  None of them understood what my life had been like.  I
sighed.  There was nothing that I could say to make them understand without
telling them everything.
        I began talking.  I told them of how I had hidden myself away from 
people and
why.  I also mentioned the fact that when I was seen, I was attacked.  I
explained everything, from the way I saved Serena, to falling in love with 
her,
to my theories about human behavior.  They all sat in shock as I explained 
my
life.  I knew that none of them had ever endured hardship as far as 
wondering if
they'd be alive tomorrow and it was probably the first time they had talked 
to
someone who HAD been through it.  I explained how much the trial was hurting 
me
and Serena and how much I hated to see her upset.  Amy started to cry.
        "That's the saddest story I've ever heard."  I half smiled.  These 
girls really
WERE sheltered.
        Soon, they left, all feeling pity for Serena's and my situation.  At 
least I
might now have a chance at beating this thing.  With all the Princesses 
pulling
for Serena and me, it would be a lot easier.  I loved Serena too much and 
now I
had a glimmer of hope that we might be able to be together.

Chapter 23- The Trial

        The next day I got up early.  I had not slept all night.  I ached 
with
exhaustion, but I knew it was useless to just lay in bed.  I took a shower 
and
got dressed.  The court session was to resume and nine thirty.  It was nine
fifteen now.  It was only then that I remembered Serena's letter.  I reached 
for
it and I read it.  She told me how much she loved me and that we would find 
a
way to be together no matter what.
        "I love you too, Serena."  I said aloud, as if I was talking to her. 
  Somehow I
got the feeling that she knew that I had spoken those words.
        Every minute seemed like an eternity as the court members filed in.  
I saw
Serena at the other end of the room.  She looked beautiful, as always, but 
was
incredibly sad.  It ripped my heart out just looking at her.
        "Thank you all for coming.  I hope that we can run this session in 
order,
unlike yesterday."  The Moon Ambassador, Aurora said.  I looked over at 
Saturn's
royalty.  I knew I would never win them over.  Both of the parents looked 
like
wrecks and Helen was not even in attendance.  I felt terrible for the 
family.
It must be hard to loose a son like that.
        Aurora read my accusation statement.  "We are here to address the 
issue of this
man.  His name is Tuxedo Mask.  Obviously this is a nickname, but his real 
name
is not known.  He stands accused of treason against the Moon Kingdom.  He 
has
gone above his status and slept with the next ruler of the Kingdom.  If in 
fact,
they were to conceive a child, that child would no longer have all the power
associated with Moon royalty, in other words, tainting the bloodline."  I 
guess
that was true.  I had always pictured Serena and I one day having children.  
But
those children would not have the full power of the Moon, considering I had 
no
power of my own.  They would therefore be only half as strong as they should 
be
to carry on the Supreme ruler title.  The powerful bloodline was what kept
Serenity in charge.  It would cause chaos and a gigantic power struggle as 
all
the royalty of the different planets would have equal power.  No wonder it 
was
considered treason.
        "But we love each other!  It does not matter who he is or where he 
comes from!
I love him and that should not be a crime.  You can tell me a lot of things.
What I can wear, how to talk, where I can go, what I can do... But you 
cannot
order me not to love someone!"  I heard Serena scream.  She collapsed in a 
heap
of tears and sobs.  I wanted to shield her from the eyes of everyone in the
room, but I dared not move.  I felt helpless as I watched the girl I 
loved...
She was only a table down from me, but she may as well have been across the
galaxy.  She eventually calmed down enough.
        "We cannot allow the bloodline of the Moon to be tainted.  That is 
the bottom
line." The King of Neptune stated.
        "I agree." The Queen of Mars started, "We would not only open the 
possibility
for civil war down the line, but we would be weakening our defences against 
the
Negaverse.  Without the full power of the Silver Crystal, it would be 
impossible
for us hold them off."  It made sense that Mars would bring up that point.
After all, Mars was the planet of War.  It was where many of the armies 
trained.
        "But do we really want to sentence them to lives filled with 
unhappiness?  If
Serena is miserable, she will not be able to fight, anyway."  The Queen of 
Venus
said.  That put a smile on Mina's face and nodded seriously.  "I agree."
        "I think so too.  Serena finds strength in Tuxedo Mask whether or 
not he is
royalty." Lita proclaimed.
        "To my understanding, he's not a bad fighter himself." Raye added, 
folding her
arms.
        "But what we are worried about is not Serena and our defence now.  
We are well
set for battle now.  But in the future, there could be problems.  That is 
why we
are worried." The King of Uranus said.
        "But what kind of an example are we setting for our children when we 
make a
rule that love comes second to power?" The Queen of Pluto put in.
        "They will understand when they are older why we did what we did 
what we did."
the King of Saturn stated.
        "Yes, but first impressions last throughout your whole life.  If 
that is the
message you want to send to your kids... Fine.  But if I were a child and 
saw my
parents putting power over love, I would not be taught out of that state of 
mind
easily." Sharon said.
        "Why do we not impregnate Serena with Micah's child and then let 
Serena and
Tuxedo Mask get married.  That way they could be married and have kid of 
their
own and still have at least one pure child." The Queen of Mercury.
        I was going to object to that but I didn't have to.  I did not like 
the idea of
my Serena giving birth to someone else's child.
        "While that is a good idea, won't that cause too much friction 
between
siblings?  It would make raising the children impossible.  Eventually, 
jealousy
would take over when the children grew up and there would then be a civil 
war
inside the Moon palace itself.  On top of that, how would you feel if you 
found
out the only reason your Mother had you was to 'keep the bloodline pure' and
that she actually hated your Dad?" The Queen of Jupiter rationalized.
        "But that is a big 'if'.  Suppose they don't end up fighting for 
power?" The
Queen of Mercury argued.
        "Is it worth the risk in your opinion?" The King of Jupiter asked.
        "I will not be impregnated with that man's child.  I refuse to have 
anything of
his inside of me." Serena declared.
        "If it is the only way we can find for you to be with your Tuxedo 
Mask, would
you do it?  If you really loved him as much as you say, you would."  The 
Queen
of Mercury told her.
        Serena glared at her.  She was never one to speak against an adult.
        "Maybe we should impregnate her and then just not allow Tuxedo Mask 
and her to
have any children." The King of Uranus suggested.
        "But they love each other.  We would be depriving Tuxedo Mask of 
having
children and it is the right of a husband and a wife to have a child.  You 
can't
possibly take that away without consent." The Queen of Venus stated.
        "If they want to be together so badly, they will have to be willing 
to make
sacrifices." The King of Neptune.
        "Yes, but suppose the child that Micah was the father of died before 
he could
marry.  Then what?" The Queen of Jupiter asked hottily.
        "I think that it is horrible that Serena and Tuxedo Mask are being 
forced to go
through all of this just to earn the right to be in love." The Queen of 
Earth
blurted out.  It was the first comment Earth had thrown out.
        "Would you rather risk an all out war just so that these two 
children can live
together?"  The King of Uranus stood up.  "Serenity this is outrageous!  The
punishment for treason is death.  What is being debated?  We can't possibly
allow these two to be wed!  It would throw the Kingdom off the very 
foundation
it was built upon; the ability to fully use the power of the Silver Crystal.
The Moon's bloodline is the only one which has that kind of purity.  If any 
of
us tried to use it, it would work, but not completely.  Is this, puppy love
worth sacrificing that?"
        "Either we let them marry, or they'll just do it behind our backs.  
Serena will
cheat on whomever she is married to because he is not the man she wanted to 
be
with.  We might end up with a tainted bloodline anyway.  And let's say that 
we
do execute Tuxedo Mask and Serena marries another Prince from another 
galaxy.
We would then have forced her into a loveless marriage and the child would 
then
be raised in a loveless home."  Queen Venus got a few applause from the
Princesses.
        It was at that time that Helen was brought into the room.  She sat 
down with
her parents and listened.
        "What's the big deal with a loveless marriage.  The child will 
probably mainly
be raised by a Nanny even if the parents were in love."  The King of Mercury
pointed out.
        "Even so, children pick up on things and emotions that their parents 
have and
are affected by it." Queen Pluto stated.
        "I can attest to that." said Helen.
        "What are you talking about.  Hush child." Queen Saturn scolded.
        "Sorry Mother.  But you must admit that a loveless marriage never 
made anyone
in our family very happy."
        The room was silent.  I almost laughed.  Royalty was actually quite 
amusing.
They out right insult each other, but do it so properly.
        "Impregnating me is not an option." Serena stated though gritted 
teeth.
        "It is her body." Lita reminded the Court.  At least somebody other 
than myself
remembered that Serena's body was not property.
        "That's right.  You can't possibly be thinking of making Serena 
carry the child
of her aggressor.  Can you?" Mina asked.
        "You people make me sick!" Michelle exclaimed.
        Her comment was ignored.
        "The real question is, what is Tuxedo Mask's punishment for treason? 
  He
committed it, he confessed to it, and now he should pay for it." King 
Neptune
proclaimed.
        "Sit down, Charles." Queen Neptune ordered under her breath.
        "Isn't there any way to give Tuxedo Mask power?  Could we train him 
or
something?" Amy asked.
        "No.  The problem is that we're dealing with genes.  Earth, Mars, 
Neptune,
Saturn, Uranus, Jupiter, Venus, and Pluto's Royalty all have a gene that 
we'll
call the 'A' gene.  This gene is the source of their power.  Now the Silver
Crystal works fully with 'AB' genes.  The Moon has the 'A' and the 'B' but 
only
passes on the 'B' to their children.  The child therefore needs to get the 
'A'
gene from the Moon's mate." Aurora explained.
        "Could we give Tuxedo Mask some of Micah's blood and then amplify 
the power?"
Helen asked.
        "No.  The heart would never produce the 'A' gene." Queen Mercury 
answered.
        "The issue is not whether or not Tuxedo Mask can produce th 'A' 
gene.  The
issue is his punishment." The King of Saturn growled.
        "Well, it seems to me that he is merely a lowly commoner out to gain 
some
wealth and power." Queen Mars assessed.
        "That's not true.  He loves her a great deal!" Mina declared 
angrily.
        "That he does." Queen Venus affirmed.
        "You can tell just by the way he looks at her." Amy said.
        "He's manipulating her.  Of course he loves her.  Have you looked at 
her?
She's gorgeous!" the King of Neptune stated.  This time his wife knocked him
upside the head.  I was starting to like Queen Neptune!
        "They're in love.  They can't help it." Alex added.
        "But he's violent.  After all, he attacked my son." King Saturn 
said.
        "Yeah.  When 'your son' was about to kill Serena!  How awful of 
him!" Lita
snapped sarcastically.
        "Why don't we talk to him?" Michelle suggested.
        The whole Court turned to me.  For some of them, I almost thought it 
was the
first time they had seen me.  I had just sat there throughout the whole 
session,
waiting for someone to point out that I was in fact in the room.
        "Well, what do you have to say for yourself, you little animal?" 
King Uranus
asked pointedly with a sneer.
        "You people all act like barbarians." I said matter of factly.
        "Excuse me?" Queen Saturn hissed.
        "Barbarians.  You consider love to be a crime, defending a woman's 
rights;
pointless, you sit around arguing about the thickness of blood, think it is
acceptable to force children to grow up without knowing their parents as 
well as
a Nanny, insult each other politely - which is rather an oxy moron, you 
think
power is more important than people, and you sit in a hot stuffy room for 
hours
and never offer drinks.  On top of all that, we have been talking all this 
time
and you are no closer to finding a solution than we were six hours ago.  I 
have
read about chimps who could get more done in this amount of time than you, 
the
royal court of the Moon Kingdom.  And I'm the one who's an animal?"
        The room was silent.  I sat back and smiled.  These people must have 
never
realized how stupid all of this must seem to an outsider.  The Princesses 
all
cracked up followed by a few of the King's and Queens.  Serenity tried not 
to
laugh.
        "We must sound like fools." Queen Venus stated quietly.
        "How dare you?!" King Saturn yelled.
        Queen Serenity glanced at him and must have said something 
telepathically, for
he glared at her a minute but calmed down immediately.
        I sighed.  I knew what was going to be said next.
        "Tuxedo Mask, tell us about your feelings for Serena." King Jupiter 
said.
        "What can I say?  I was a recluse.  I hid myself away in a far 
corner where no
one could reach me.  I lived my life on day at a time, not really worried 
about
anyone or anything but my own welfare.  Then one night, I saw a man about to
kill this girl.  I jumped on him and saved her life.  She was knocked out, 
so I
brought her back to my room.  I couldn't just leave her there.  What if the 
man
woke up?  He would certainly try to hurt her again.  During the fight with 
the
man, the man stabbed my shoulder with a knife.  Serena saw that I was hurt 
just
before she left.  She felt guilty I guess and came back the next day with 
some
medicine.  We talked a while and we liked what each other had to say.  I had
always thought humans were all cruel and violent.  She put a huge hole in my
theory.  We continued seeing each other and we fell in love.  Serena 
completely
changed my life.  She filled me with joy and helped me see the better side 
of
humanity.  I couldn't go back to the way I had been, and to live without her 
in
my life became an unbearable thought.  I love her, for who she is, and who 
she
has made me.  I am not after money or power.  All I need is her.  I would 
love
her the same if she was penniless."  I looked straight into Serenity's face.
"If that is what I am being accused of, then I am guilty."
        I glanced at Serena who had tears streaming down the sides of her 
face.  Then I
saw her eyes close and she put her hands over her face.  It was more than I
could bare.  "No, Princess.  Babe, please don't cry."  I ran over to her 
faster
than anyone could stop me.  I feel on my knees in front of her.  I raised up 
to
just below her eye level and pulled her hands away.  I felt tears swell in 
my
own eyes but I didn't care.  I put my hands up against her cheeks.  "Serena,
it's okay.  I'm right here."  I brushed away her tears with my thumb.  I 
could
feel the warm water running down my cheeks as well.  She fell into my arms.
        "Tuxedo Mask, hold me." she said through loud sobs and tears.  I 
wrapped my
arms around her and held her.  I could hear some of the Kings and Queens
protesting our display of emotion.  I didn't care.  Serenity dismissed the 
Court
and everyone left.  I was still holding Serena until the guards came over.
        They pulled us apart.  I tried to hold on, but they pulled us apart. 
  I could
hear Serena's screams all the way down the hall as I was escorted to my 
room.
My heart was pounding, tears flowing down my face.  My temples throbbed.  
The
guards told me they wanted me to win this.  They wanted her to once again be
happy.  They told me that they had heard Serena screaming my name all night 
in
pitifully agonized wails.  It would be a long night.

Serena
Chapter 24- The Problem and The Unlikely Solution

        That night seemed to last forever.  When they brought me to my room 
I spent the
first three hours pounding the doors to try to get the guards to let me out. 
  I
wanted to be with him.  All I knew is that I could not allow anyone to kill 
him.
If my Mother read the verdict to have him executed, I would fall on my own 
sword
when I got back to my room.  At least that way we could be together in 
death.
        I could not sleep.  I kept wondering what tomorrow would bring.  
There must be
some  other way besides impregnating me with Micah's child.   I did not even
want to think of Micah.  He would be gone in three days, anyway.  I was not
pleased with the way the trial had gone.  My Mother would listen to the 
worst
case scenarios and base her decision on them.  I longed for Tuxedo Mask to 
be
with me tonight.  I needed him to be there for me.  He must be going through 
a
lot of pain, too.
        I spent the night just thinking about everything Tuxedo Mask and I 
had done
together.  I remembered the first time we went to Venus.  Once we became 
open
about our feelings for each other, we would take trips in disguise.  The 
first
time we went to Venus, we visited the pools of Utopia.  It was a beautiful 
place
with waterfalls and lagoons within a rain forest.  We went skinny dipping in 
a
secluded area and we ended up making love on the bank.
        We went to so many different places, most of which Tuxedo Mask had 
read about.
Once we went skiing on earth.  It was so much fun.  I could not ski and 
neither
could Tuxedo Mask.  We were so terrible at it that we ended up completely 
off
the trail had to transport ourselves back to the lodge because we were so 
lost.
        A few times I managed to get him to go ice skating with me on Pluto. 
  He did
not know how and it was fun to try to teach him.
        I loved being with him.  I always enjoyed going places that I had 
been many
times before, places that had become old to me and had lost their appeal 
because
he was seeing it for the first time.  He would get so excited about the 
things
that I now thought to be pretty unmarvelous.  He treasured what I took for
granted and it was so refreshing to once again discover the beauty of the
universe.
        I cried in my bed as I thought of these things.  I realized that 
these memories
could soon be all I had of him left.  I was roused the next morning without
getting a wink of sleep.  I got up and looked in the mirror in my bathroom.  
My
eyes were red and puffy.  Normally, I would have spent hours making them 
look
perfect again.  But this morning, I did not care.  I had no reason to want 
to
make myself look presentable.  I could spend hours in the mirror making my 
eyes
perfect and I would still end up looking this way after an hour.  I knew the
news coming was not going to be good.
        I arrived in session.  I glanced over at Tuxedo Mask.  He was 
looking straight
down at the table.  He too knew that the verdict was not going to be good.
        My Mother entered the room.  I looked up at her.  She avoided my 
eyes, but I
could tell she had been up all night and crying, too.  This was not easy for 
her
and I knew that.  I pitied her.  I felt a pang of guilt wash over my body.  
I
was the one who was putting her through this.  This was my fault.  This 
entire
problem was because of me.  I never thought that love, a pure and beautiful
thing, could bring so much pain and so many problems.
        "Thank you all for coming." Mother started.  Her voice was raspy and 
I could
tell she was starting to loose it.
        "I have reached the verdict on the case involving Tuxedo Mask.  The 
punishment
for treason according to the law, is death.  However, in this case, the 
treason
was committed through the act of love and not an act of hate or revenge.  
Tuxedo
Mask fell in love with my daughter and Serena returned his affection.  I am
confident that Tuxedo Mask would have not acted on his emotions had Serena 
not
returned his emotions.  Further more, Serena would not have returned his 
love if
her fiancé had not been an abuser.  Which brings me back to the question, 
'Is
this really treason?'  We have never had a case like this before in the 
history
of the Moon Kingdom.  Therefore this decision is my own and not based on any
prior results.
        I do not believe Tuxedo Mask committed treason, but the law says he 
did.  But
then there is the question of the bloodline of the Moon remaining pure.  As 
much
as I hate to say it, I cannot condone any action which may result in future 
war.
I have therefore decided that Tuxedo Mask shall be banished, not executed, 
for
the crimes he committed.  However, I do recognize the strength of their 
love.
It is for this reason that they will have one more night together.  In the
morning, he will be transported to another galaxy."
        I was stunned.  Everyone looked at me.  My eyes filled with tears.  
My ears
hurt.  It took me a minute to realize why.  I was screaming at the top of my
lungs.  I breathed in and collapsed on the floor.  I stopped screaming as 
soon
as I regained control.  Everyone left and Tuxedo Mask ran over to me.  
Mother
stopped him and came over to me.  I looked up at her and just glared.  My 
own
Mother was against me.  I would never forgive her.  Never.  She had put the
value of power over the value of love... and me.  She looked me in my eyes 
and
sobbed.
        "I am so sorry, Serena.  My dearest daughter.  But I cannot bend the 
rules as I
see fit, just to save my family pain.  I wish there was another way.  I hope 
you
can forgive me... Someday."
        She ran out.  She knew the way I felt about her.  She had been 
reading my
emotions the whole time.  She felt the pain I was going through.  But that 
did
not make a difference.  The man I loved and needed was now being ripped away
from me, forever.
        Tuxedo Mask knelt beside me and gently lifted my body off the 
ground.  He
picked me up, my body now a sobbing, lifeless piece of flesh and carried me 
to
my room.

Darien
        I carried Serena up the stairs.  She was a mess.  I could barely 
walk.  When I
got to the open door I set her down.  She ran to the bed and sat there 
looking
at me, her blue eyes red and puffy.  I closed the door and went to her.  I 
took
her in my arms and kissed her.  I climbed on the bed and sat back against 
the
headboard.  She crawled into my lap and buried her head in my chest.  I held
her.  Slowly I undid her hair and let the stands fall down her back and over 
her
shoulders.  She clamed down long enough to make one plea to me.
        "Please, Tuxedo Mask.  Do not leave me.  Never stop holding me.  
Hold me
forever.  That is all I want.  Just please, do not leave me.  I could never 
bare
it."  That was it.  I pulled her face up to mine and kissed her.
        I made love to her the next two hours.  After we finished I looked 
into her
eyes and said, "Take a good look at your room Serena, this is the last time 
you
will see it."  She looked around puzzled.  Then looking back at me she said,
"What do you mean?"
        "Run away with me Serena.  Please.  I can't live with out you.  If I 
get to
another galaxy and you aren't there, I will kill myself anyway.  They may as
well execute me.  But if you come with me, we can build a new life.  Start a
family together.  Serena please say yes."
        "Yes.  Of course I will.  I was also planning to kill myself as soon 
as you
left.  This way I at least get to be with you."
        I kissed her and then got dressed.  We ordered dinner and had it 
delivered to
her room.  She was in a robe and was setting up the table.  I opened the 
door
when the knock came.  We talked about our plan as we ate.  I was going to be
transported the next morning.  Then Serena was going to do the rest.  She
planned to cut her arm and get some of her blood on a noose and a mangled 
gown
Then she was going to leave a suicide note saying she transported herself to
Earth and hung herself off the side of a bridge.  She would then tie a rope 
to
the side of the bridge she mentioned in the note and make it look like the 
noose
broke.  Then she would throw the noose and the gown in the water.  That way 
it
would look like a shark or something ate her body.  Thus, leaving her free 
to
transport to me, unobserved.
        We made love a second time before ordering dessert.  I was so 
relieved that we
finally had this whole thing solved.  We decided she should not pack any 
bags
because it would look like she left with me.  After dessert, Serena 
disguised
herself and transported to a mall on Pluto.  Nobody would be looking for her
because they assumed that she would be spending the night with me.  She 
bought
all new clothes and accessories.  Then she bought toiletries and other
essentials.  She returned to her room at four in the morning.  I was leaving 
at
ten.  We packed everything in the new luggage she had bought and we hid them 
in
her closet.
        Then I took one of her old gowns and thrashed it with my sword.  She 
got out
the rope she had bought and I tore it after tieing a noose.  Next, she took 
one
of the knives we had used at dinner and she cut herself with it.  She was 
good
about it and we spilled her blood all over the gown and noose.  These we 
pushed
under her bed and quickly healed her arm.  She looked at me.  We were 
actually
doing this.
        "What if this is recognized?" she pointed out caressing my patch.  I 
took it
off and said, "there's not much we can do about it, is there?" I stated.
        "Well, maybe..." she said.  She lifted off the patch and touched my 
eye.  I saw
a flash and smiled.  "There." she said.  She handed me mirror.  My scar was
healed!  She had healed me!!  I threw me arms around her waist and held her
close.  "Thank you, Serena!" I exclaimed.  We crawled in bed and waited 
until
nine.
        Sure enough, at nine there was a knock on the door.  I quickly 
replaced the
patch over my eye and answered the door.
        "Tuxedo Mask, we're here to take you."  There were five guards at 
the door.
Serena started fake screams and crying and I managed a few tears of my own.  
As
they walked me down the hall, I could still hear Serena in her room.  The 
five
guards all commented on how sorry they felt for us and how they wished me 
luck.
I thanked them for their concern and told them to look after Serena for me.  
I
reached my destination and found that the whole court had shown up for my
departure.  I said nothing and concentrated on looking sad and crying as I 
was
put on a platform for transport.
        "Goodbye, Tuxedo Mask.  I am sorry." Serenity said as she 
transported me away.

Serena
Chapter 25- A New Life

        While everyone was busy wishing Tuxedo Mask farewell, I left my note 
and
transported to Earth.  I tied the rope around a pole at the designated 
bridge.
I had to work fast.  I had left the note on my bed and I was worried they 
would
find it sooner than I could get back.  I dropped the noose and the gown off 
the
bridge.  There was one problem.  The gown didn't sink.  It began to float 
down
the river.  I had to catch it!  I ran to the end of the bridge and started 
to
chase after it.  I finally caught up to it, after falling and bruising 
myself
many times.  It had snagged on a log that stuck out.  I crawled down the log 
and
tried to reach it.  I got it!
        I walked back down to the bridge just in time to see my Mother and 
the court
arrive on the bridge.  I heard my Mother scream and my friends start to cry.
Could I do this?  Forsake all of my responsibilities and my friends just for 
one
person.  Yes!  I had to.  I had promised Tuxedo Mask.  It would not be right 
to
leave him in a new place all alone.  I ducked under the edge of the bridge.  
I
had to get the gown snagged next to the noose.  There was only one way to do 
it.
        I dove in the water under the bridge.  I swam deep enough so that no 
one could
see me from the bridge top.  I went deeper and deeper until I could not swim 
any
further down because of the water pressure.  I spotted the noose.  I took my
bracelet off and hooked it onto my gown.  I made it look like an accident.  
I
let the gown go.  But now I was running out of air and if I came up for air, 
I
knew I would be seen and this will have all been for nothing.
        All of a sudden it occurred to me.  I transported myself back up on 
shore, but
in a nearby tree.  I heard someone on the bridge say they saw a flash of 
light
under water.  Confounded!   I had forgotten that when I transport, a burst 
of
light emanates from my body.  But it also does that when royalty dies.  It 
is a
sign of their power leaving them, back into the Silver Crystal.  I 
transported
again, this time to my bathroom.  I peeked my head out into my room.  Nobody
there.  I ran to my closet and reached for my luggage.  I was about to see
Tuxedo Mask.  This was the beginning of the rest of our lives together.
        I transported myself to wherever he was in the universe.

Darien
        I arrived at my destination and took a look around me.  I was in a 
valley that
was covered with trees and brush.  I had the feeling of de JA vu, 
considering
that once again was to be lost and without help.  I started walking.  I was 
not
in a forest this time.  I shifted the bag on my shoulder.  I had packed some
necessities and toiletries as to look like I was planning to be alone.
Considering I didn't own much to begin with, my bag was very light.
        I looked up.  At least the sun was out this time.  I walked on, 
gazing at the
natural beauty around me.  I considered myself lucky.  At least I had not 
been
sent to a dessert planet.  Queen Serenity had at least put some thought into
where I was going.
        I heard a creek running nearby.  I had been walking for a long while 
now and I
needed a break.  I sat down on a log and watched the creek.  There were 
little
fish that kept swimming by and jumping out of the water.  I opened my bag 
and
got out a water bottle.  I filled it up and raised the water to my nose.  It 
did
not appear to be polluted.  I drank a sip.  It tasted fine.  I refilled the
bottle and placed it back in my bag.
        I started to wonder if Serena had succeeded.  I guessed I would see 
her by late
afternoon.  That is, if she was coming.  Maybe she got caught, or wasn't
planning to come after all.  Not that I could blame her.  She had a life,
family, and friends to leave behind.  I didn't.  I began to feel guilty for
asking her to run away with me.  I still hoped she would come, though.
        I got up and brushed off my pants.  Serena had bought me some 
clothes, too at
the mall luckily.  I was no longer dressed in a Tuxedo.  Now I wore a white
shirt and a pair of jeans.  They felt a little strange to me, but I became
accustomed quickly.  I started off.
        About an hour passed.  It was then that heard a crack of a twig 
behind me.  I
turned around.  Nobody there.  I continued on.  Fifteen minutes later, 
'snap'.
I turned again.  Still, I saw nothing.  I turned back and kept walking.  Now 
I
was hearing things all around me.  I stopped dead in my tracks, laid my bag
down, and put my hands on my head.  "I am unarmed.  Who ever's out there, I 
mean
you no harm."
        Eight men jumped out from all around me.  I was scared stiff.  They 
all had
guns and were dressed in camouflage colors.  That is why I could hear them 
but I
never saw them.
        "Who are you?" one of the men asked.
        Good question.  I thought.  I could not very well tell them my name 
was Tuxedo
Mask.  I had to think of a name quick.
        "My name is Skyler." I announced, still with my hands on my head.  
One of the
men ran to me and grabbed my bag.  He backed away with it and he and another 
man
went through my stuff.
        "No weapons." the taller man reported.
        "Search him." the one who asked my name ordered.  That must be their 
leader.
        The taller man who had helped search my bag now came to me and felt 
my clothes.
He shook his head indicating I had no weapons.
        "Lower your guns." the leader ordered.  "Where you from?"
        "I am from the Moon Kingdom.  I just got here.  I was sent on a 
mission to
scout out possible threats when my shuttle hit a wave of energy.  The nest 
thing
I knew, I was on board a bigger ship.  They had taken my shuttle and they
transported me here.  I think they are still in orbit.  They still have my
girlfriend on their ship.  I am hoping they'll transport her here, too."
Wow.  That was a good story.  I couldn't very well tell them I had been
banished.  They'd shoot me.
        "He must have been captured by the Nemesis." one of the men told the 
leader.
        "Yes.  Or a spy for them."
        "But he has no weapons with which to fight."
        The leader crossed to me.  "Are you working with the Nemesis?"
        "Who is the Nemesis?" I asked.  "I was a scout for the Moon in the 
Moon
Kingdom.  Our enemies are the people from the Negaverse.  Most of them are
rather tall and led by a Queen Barryl.  Is that who you mean?  If it is, no. 
  I
am not working for them."
        "I believe him." one of them men said.
        The leader turned from him and looked at me, his face softening.  
"I, too,
believe you.  Your Nega Verse? and our Nemesis are one and the same.  If you 
are
enemies with them, you are friends with us.  You are on the planet Trysidia.
Come.  We shall take you back to our town.  We are one of the last colonies 
left
on this world.  The Nemesis has nearly wiped us out.  You may live with us 
if
you wish.. You are far from home and with no ship, you have no way to get 
there.
You said your name was Skyler, right?"  I nodded.  "I am Julian."
        We walked a ways before we stopped at a small clearing to rest.  "We 
patrol far
out from our camp.  You see, we are frequently attacked my Nemesis and we 
need
all of the warning time we can get.  You must understand being a soldier
yourself."
        "Yes." I agreed.  "I did not catch your men's names, Julian."
        "Ah, yes."  He pointed to each man and said his name.  "This is 
Tobin, J.R.,
Allister, Paris, Ethan, Chris, and Ryan.  Ethan, here has recently had a new
addition to his family."
        I looked at Ethan and smiled.  I hoped to one day be a father, also. 
  "Her name
is Natasha." Ethan declared proudly.
        The other men all laughed.  I found out later that Natasha was all 
Ethan ever
talked about.  She and his wife, Teresa.
        We walked on until wee came to a secluded town.  It was kind of like 
a village,
no paved streets.  One of the men, Tobin, came up to me.  "Skyler.  You have 
no
place to stay tonight.  My wife and I would be honored if you would stay 
with
us.  If your girlfriend shows up, she may stay, too."
        "Thank you kind sir.  You are Tobin, correct?"
        "Yes."  He was a short man with brown hair and brown eyes.  He was 
muscular
from being a soldier and walked casually.
        Tobin walked me to his house.  It was small, but lovely.  It was 
three
bedrooms, to bathrooms, a kitchen and a small dining room.  There was also a
parlor at through the kitchen.
        "This is my wife, Ivy." Tobin said.  I bowed and shook her hand.
        "What are you doing?" Tobin asked puzzled.  Ivy just laughed.
        "What do you mean?" I asked.  "Have I offended you or your wife?"
        Tobin took my hand and shook it.  "What is this?"
        "A hand shake?  It is a formal greeting in the Moon Kingdom.  What 
is the
custom here?"
        "This." Tobin reached out and embraced me.  I hugged him back, 
rather
embarrassed.  I must have frightened poor Ivy.  I apologized.  Ivy just 
giggled
and told me it was alright.  Tobin explained my situation to her and she 
went to
prepare their guest room.
        "I hope I am not any trouble, Tobin.  Ivy."  I said.
        "No.  No trouble.  I just don't want you sleeping on dirty sheets is 
all.  Will
your girlfriend be here soon?"
        Ivy had shoulder length, white blonde hair and bright green eyes.  
She was
almost as tall as her husband and was quite thin.  Her face resembled that 
of a
cat with her high cheek bones and her slightly slanted eyes.  We all walked 
back
to the guest room.  Ivy retrieved the sheets from the hall closet and began
taking apart the bed.  Tobin and I assisted.
        It was at this moment that Serena appeared in the room with two 
luggage bags
and one duffel on her shoulder.  She was wearing her hair down and had on a 
red
tube top and jean shorts that barely covered her rear.  Tobin and Ivy 
stopped in
amazement.
        "Thank Heaven they transported you here, Fiona!" I said to a puzzled 
Serena.  I
took the luggage from her and embraced her.  She muffled a 'huh?' against my
chest and gave me a rather strange expression.  I turned to Tobin, still 
holding
Serena's hands.
        "This is Fiona, my girlfriend.  Fiona, this is Ivy and Tobin.  They 
were nice
enough to let us stay with them.  Are you alright, Babe?  Did they release 
you
without a fight?"
        Serena looked at me for a moment.  She must have probed my mind for 
she came
out with, "Skyler, it was awful!  They asked me a whole bunch of questions 
and I
did not know what they were talking about.  They took our ship and said that
they had already sent you away!  But then they gave me my things and sent me
down here, when they finally believed I was telling the truth.  They told me 
the
people here would probably kill me.  Oh, I am so glad you are alright and we 
are
back together!"
        Serena turned to Tobin and Ivy.  "Thank you so much for inviting us 
into your
home.  Is there anything we can do for you as payment?"
        "You can help me with dinner, Fiona." Ivy said.
        "Great!" Fiona said.  She walked out with Ivy, smiling at me 
knowingly as they
left the room.
        "You can stay until you can afford a place of your own." Tobin told 
me.
        "Thank you Tobin.  If there is anything I can do for you, let me 
know."
        We heard the back door open.  Two children ran into the room yelling 
"Daddy!
You're back!"
        "Skyler, these are my daughters, Lina and Stephanie.  Girls, this is 
one of
Daddy's friends.  His name is Skyler.  He and his friend Fiona are going to 
be
staying with us for a while."  They were twins.  They looked about ten years
old.  Brown hair and green eyes, they were both beautiful.
        "Pleased to meet you, Lina and Stephanie." I said.
        "Pleased to meet you, Skyler." they said in unison.
        "Now how old are you two?  You must be ten years old, right?" I 
asked.
        Both of them giggled and looked at each other with their hands 
covering their
mouths.  "No.  We're five months old." Lina said, beaming.  I looked at 
them.
        "Five months?  You pulling my leg?"  The girls laughed and ran out.  
I looked
at Tobin. "Five months?"
        "Yes.  Five months.  Why is that so hard to believe?"
        I sighed.  "Where I come from, five month olds are about this size." 
  I made
the size of a baby and now it was his turn to gasp.
        "That does not leave you much time to be grown up then, does it?" 
Tobin asked,
amazed.
        "How long is the average life span here?" I asked.
        "The oldest age we get to is six years.  I think there have been a 
few who have
made it to seven, but it's rare.  Why how old are you?"
        "Around nineteen or twenty years old.  I am not exactly sure."  
Tobin's mouth
hit the floor.  "Nineteen?  How old is your girlfriend?"
        "Sixteen."
        "I do not believe you." Tobin laughed.
        "No, truly.  Ask her."  Tobin left the room with me close behind.  
Tobin went
up to Serena and looked her in the eyes.
        "Fiona, how old are you in years?" Tobin asked.
        "Tobin!" Ivy gasped.  "You must never ask a woman her age!"
        "No, it is alright." Serena told Ivy.  "I am sixteen."
        Ivy dropped the pan.  "Sixteen?  Years?  You people in the Moon 
Kingdom sure
live a long time!  How old do you get?"
        "Royalty lives until they are killed or they choose to die.  
Commoners live to
be about Eighty or Ninety."

        Needless to say, it took a while to get used to this new planet.  
Luckily
Serena had brought things to trade rather than money.  She did have some 
gold,
which did hold the same value over here.
        That night Serena and I sat up talking quietly.  We were sitting up 
under the
covers with our backs up against the headboard.
        "We did it, "Skyler."  Now we can finally live together and share 
our love
openly with others.  It felt so good when you called me your girlfriend!  Oh
Tuxedo Mask, I am so happy."
        "I am too Serena.  But we have to be careful.  Call me Skyler now.  
You are
Fiona, a daughter of a Delegate, and I was a soldier for the Moon Kingdom."
        I laid my head down on the pillow.  I had no pajamas so I slept in 
my boxers.
Fiona didn't seem to mind, though.  She had brought the sexy nightgown she 
had
worn the first time she seduced me.  She was wearing it now.  I rolled over 
and
looked her in the eyes.
        "It just occurred to me, Fiona.  Serena and Tuxedo Mask have made 
love several
times.  But Fiona and Skyler have not."  I raised an eyebrow.  Fiona 
giggled.
        "We shall fix that.  But we must keep quiet." Fiona said.  It was 
'quiet' for
the next three hours.

Serena
Chapter 26- Ghosts of the Past

        First thing in the morning I got up and went to the top drawer.  
Skyler had
unpacked everything the night before.  I opened the drawer and pulled out a
small sack.  It was some of the gold coins I had brought.  I got dressed and
attached the sack to a belt loop of my shorts.  I was wearing a pair of 
black
short shorts, a white tank top and a jeans jacket over the top.  I went to
Skyler's side of the bed.
        "Baby, I am going to exchange this gold for currency." I told him.  
He grunted
a reply and answered me by pulling the covers over his head.
        Ivy was already up with the twins.  She just washing the plates from 
breakfast.
"Good morning Ivy.  Lina.  Stephanie." I greeted.
        "Why, I suppose it is, isn't it?" Ivy answered me.  I realized that 
I would
have to stop using Moon expressions.
        "Ivy, where is the nearest bank?" I asked.
        "Bank?  What do you mean dear?" Ivy asked.
        "Um...  Where do you exchange money or get money from?"
        "Oh.  You want to go see the Creditor."
        "Yes.  Where is the nearest Creditor located?"
        "Oh, don't worry about it, Fiona.  I'll take you there myself.  I 
wouldn't
dream of sending you out there alone with everyone in the town staring at 
you!"
        Ivy cleaned up the twin's hands and put on their jackets.  We headed 
out the
door and walked down the street.  The twins walked ahead of us and were 
skipping
and giggling with each other.  I could sense a feeling of true bliss with in
them.  I figured their school must have been a lot more exciting than mine.
        Ivy dropped the twins off at school and we headed down the street to 
the
Creditor.
        "Thank you so much Ivy.  I just need to get currency here so Skyler 
and I can
buy a house of our own.  We do not wish to impose forever, you know."
        "Buy a house?  You and I come from two very different worlds, Fiona. 
  Here,
there are no houses for sale.  You buy the materials and draw up the plans, 
then
the whole town builds your house together.  It is almost as big a social 
event
as a wedding.  It is just another way to get to know the people in the 
town."
        Well, I could not argue.  It would be fun.  I was beginning to like 
this
planet.  Except I thought it would be depressing to out live everyone I 
knew.  I
was already going to out live Skyler.  I figured I would forfeit my life at 
the
time that he died.  That way, we did not ever have to leave each other.  I 
could
not live my life happily without him there.
        We reached the Creditors office and I walked up to a man behind a 
counter.  He
was old, probably five.  He had white hair, no beard, and had a round belly.
        "Excuse me.  I was wondering if you could help me." I said reaching 
for my
pouch as I approached the counter.
        "I probably can.  I haven't seen you before, you knew in town?  Oh, 
you are
probably Fiona.  Staying at Tobin's house, right?  Word gets around quick in 
our
town.  You were lucky to survive the Nemesis.  Now, what can I do for you?"
        I was shocked.  I had never been assessed like that in my life.  The 
whole town
already knew everything about us.  I almost felt the way I did when Tuxedo 
Mask
knew everything about me from books.  I just could not seem to get any 
privacy,
no matter where I go!  I laughed.  It was really rather hilarious thinking 
that
the whole town knew everything about me already and I had not even seen all 
of
them.  "I would like to know your name, considering you already know so much
about me."
        The man introduced himself as Grant.
        "Now Grant, I have in this pouch some material that was very 
valuable on the
Moon but I am unsure of whether or not this is worth anything here.  Would 
you
tell me?"
        "I can try." Grant stated.  He put on a pair of glasses and
        I spilled  the sack onto the counter.  Grant's eyes shot out of his 
head.
"Gold Coins?  Gold is VERY valuable here, but I have never seen it made into
coins.  Honey, you'll need to buy a safe when you build your house.  This is
about a lifetime's worth of wages right here."
        Grant exchanged it into bills and coins and sent me on my way.  I 
did not
mention that this was just one of about twenty sacks of gold that Skyler and 
I
had.  But considering we had to live ninety years on it, I figured that we
better be careful with it.
        Ivy took me to the places I needed to go to buy the supplies for a 
house.  I
picked a piece of land that was not too far from Ivy and Tobin's home.  
First I
met with a man who wrote down everything I wanted and drew up a floor plan 
in
about a half hour.  I was amazed.  I bought wood, picked out carpets and 
rugs,
tile floors, beds, mattresses, spreads, kitchen supplies, appliances...
Everything.  I would have never been able to do this on the Moon, but 
everything
that I needed to build a house with was all in one store.  They showed me
catalogs for a good three hours before I finished.
        We returned to the house to find Skyler sitting at the kitchen 
table.
        "Hey, Fiona.  Where did you two get off to this morning." Skyler 
said yawning.
"I told you.  I exchanged the gold we had for currency.  Then Ivy told me 
how
people do not buy their houses here.  Instead they buy the materials and 
then
the whole town works together and builds the house.  We went by the man who
designs houses and he helped me draw up the plans.  Look." I laid the blue
prints out in front of Skyler.  He looked at them a minute.  The house was 
to
have three bedrooms, two bathrooms, one off the master bedroom, a kitchen, a
living room, a study, and a dining room.  There was to be a backyard with a 
pool
in  and a deck.  Skyler looked pleased and handed me back the plans.
        "Looks good, Babe.  How soon can we get everyone to help us, Ivy?  
What's the
customary amount of warning time?"
        "A day."  Ivy said.  Nobody here needs much warning.  Everyone 
merely stops
working and we work on the house until it's done.  This one is fairly large 
and
will probably be a good two days work for the town.  Because of the 
purchases
Fiona and I made, the town should already be planning to help start 
tomorrow.
After the house is done, you will throw a party and invite everyone.  Don't
worry.  Nobody really makes a mess during these things.  It is mainly a
formality and it is a chance to thank the people who helped build your 
house."
        I smiled at Skyler.  These people were so friendly.  And quick.  I 
supposed
they got so fast at everything because they only live such short lives.  
While
we spend months planning a house and a year building it, they could grow 
old.
They needed to move quickly.  But surely not the whole town would be there  
The
businesses and the armies could no just stop.  I figured that I should not 
ask
anymore questions.  I should just sit back and watch.
        The next two days went swiftly and sure enough, the house was built. 
  It was
amazing.  I bought the furnishings to make it look like my old room in the
bedroom and bathrooms, since I knew Skyler liked it..  The living room had
overstuffed leather (plastic) furniture and had an pine coffee table and a 
pine
bookcase.  We bought books to go on them and to Skyler's delight, he had 
never
read any of them before.  The kitchen was all pine too, with a pearl colored
refrigerator.  We had bought all the kitchen appliances and had put them 
away in
pine cabinets.  The whole house had sky blue carpeting.  The dining room had 
a
pine table and four chairs.
        The study had five bookshelves, a desk, (both oak) and a couch that 
was brown.
The other two bedrooms had queen beds and a bookshelf with a desk and a 
night
stand.  Our house, was perfect.
        After the house warming party, we really felt like we had gotten to 
know
everyone better.  Ivy had introduced me to two of her friends, Victoria and
Jessica.  They all helped clean up after the party.  Skyler walked around 
the
house in amazement.  Then he went over to the sink.  "I'm going to make some
tea, do want some?" he asked.
        "No thank you." I replied.  "Oh, Skyler look at this."  I walked 
over to the
sink.  There were three faucets.  "This one is cold, this one is warm, and 
this
is a new thing.  It is an instant-hot.  As soon as you turn it on, it gives 
you
hot water."
        "Oh, really?"  Skyler put his hand under the faucet and turned it on 
before I
could protest.
        "Yaaah!" Skyler yelled.  He had burned his hand.
        "I told you.  Instant-hot."
        "I just didn't think it would be hot so,... Instantly!
        I laughed at Skyler.  It was quite funny.  Danielle.
        The next night we invited Tobin and his family over for dinner.  It 
was our way
of saying thank you to them for their hospitality.  Ivy was so sweet.  I 
thanked
her for teaching me everything that she did.  She said she was pleased to do 
it.
But she still could not get over the fact that I was sixteen.
        Skyler and Tobin went out into town.  They were going to a bar of 
some sort.
The town could not have held more than two thousand people, and yet they 
seemed
to have everything that the Moon Kingdom enjoyed.
        Ivy and I walked back to Tobin's house to put the girls down to bed. 
  She
offered me some juice and I accepted.
        "Ivy, how many towns are there like this on Tysidia?"
        "Nobody knows exactly.  We think about a dozen.  You see, the whole 
planet used
to be populated with Trysidians.  But then one day the Nemesis attacked us,
unannounced.  We were completely unprepared.  We had no armies because we 
all
lived in peace with each other.  The ruler was King Willingham VII.  All of 
the
royalty was slaughtered as were many of our people.  Those of our people 
that
survived were scattered across Trysidia.  Our people were forced to live in 
the
underground caves for many years.  They came up only to hunt food and bring
water.  Eventually people started coming out and living on the surface 
again,
once we were convinced the Nemesis had left our planet.  We built small 
towns,
but this time, we trained armies to fight, in case of an another attack from 
the
Nemesis.  We got reports that there have been colonies attacked on other 
parts
of Tysidia.  We have now a great army of almost seven hundred men, almost 
half
of our towns population.  Just about every man joins the army.  Will Skyler
enroll?"
        I thought a moment.  It had still not set in with me that we were 
going to have
to get jobs.  Neither I nor Skyler had ever worked before.  Surely with the
amount of gold we had, we could live quite well for about the next forty or
fifty years.  But I figured as a social obligation that we should work.  
Besides
we did need to integrate ourselves into society, and a job might be just the
thing to do it.
        "I do not know what Skyler is planning to do." I told Ivy.  "I will 
speak to
him about it though."
        I had not realized that the Negaverse went after innocent people as 
well as the
Moon Kingdom.  It was a terrible thing that they were attacking the poor
Tysidians.  But as far as I knew, the Negaverse only attacked people that 
they
could gain something from.  Why attack this peaceful planet?
        "Did the Nemesis just kill of your people, or did they demand 
something of
you?" I asked, trying to determine the cause for the attacks.
        "Well, no.  They didn't just kill the people, they gauged out their 
eyes and
cut off the hands of each victim.  Gruesome, I know.  Luckily, they did not 
get
to all of us.  We have been living here for twenty years and we have yet to 
be
attacked again.  But rest assured, they'll come."
        I talked with Ivy a while longer before returning home.  Skyler came 
in shortly
after I did and st down on the couch next to me.  He must have seen the 
puzzled
look on my face.  He sat down next to me on the couch and put him arm around 
my
shoulders.
        "What's on your mind, Fiona?"  I looked up at his face.  He looked 
so different
without the patch.  I loved his eyes.  They were so warm and loving now, 
where
as the first time I had met them, the were cold and lifeless.  I really had
changed him.
        "I was talking to Ivy today about the Nemesis.  It is definitely the 
Negaverse,
right?"
        "I think so.  Why?"
        "She said that more than twenty years ago, the Negaverse, or 
Nemesis, attack
their planet.  They killed many people and not just killed them, took their 
eyes
and their hands.  I just do not understand.  The Negaverse always has a 
reason
behind what they do.  But what could possibly be gained by killing these
innocent people?  What are they doing?"
        I was frustrated.  Skyler pulled my face to his and kissed me.  
"Seren...
Fiona, I don't have any idea.  All we can do is help them fight.  The 
Negaverse
is just violent.  There is nothing rational about them.  They probably just 
want
to get a foothold in this part of space.  Rather than attacking the Universe 
at
it's strongest point, the Moon Kingdom, it's coming through the back door.  
But
don't worry.  The Moon Kingdom and your Mother could hold off any invasion."
        "And that is another thing, Skyler.  The Negaverse IS attacking 
innocent
people.  If they had wanted to completely wipe out all life on this planet, 
they
could have done it easily.  But they let some of the people live.  I just do 
not
understand."
        Skyler pushed me back on the couch and laid on top of me.  "You're 
stressing.
Stop it.  I am going to get you to relax.  Skyler turned me away from him 
and
began rubbing my shoulders.  I had not had a massage for a long while.  I 
was
very achy, and was relieved when his hands worked out the knots in my neck.  
I
felt the brush of his lips against the back of my neck.  I sighed.  He began 
to
work his way around my neck and up to my ear.

Fly On The Wall
        Skyler pulled Fiona's body back into his by slipping his warm arms 
around her
waist.  Now with her back against his chest, she put her arms up around his 
neck
and relaxed.  She had just given Skyler full access to touch her.  She put 
her
head back against his left shoulder.  She felt his hands slowly move up the
sides of her body and up her arms. He ran them back down, teasing Fiona.  He
knew what she wanted him to do but he was holding back.  She felt her body 
begin
to respond.  Skyler looked down and saw Fiona's hardened tips through her 
shirt.
He slowly slid his hands onto her breasts.  She groaned and squirmed with
delight as his thumbs flicked her hardened tits.  She felt herself 
tightening up
and wanting more.  Skyler let his left hand drop to her waist and then 
slowly
slide up her shirt, running his hand over her stomach.  He reached her 
breast
under the fabric and slid his warm hand under her bra.  He allowed the other
hand to now do the same thing.
        Fiona feeling impatient removed her arms from around his neck and 
pulled off
her own shirt.  She glanced down and saw Skyler's hands kneading her breasts
under her bra.  She lifted herself up and turned to Skyler.  She kissed him
passionately and began undoing his pants.  Skyler had his eyes fixed on the
black lace bra Fiona was wearing and nearly cried out when he felt her warm 
hand
touch him down below.  Fiona discarded his pants and his boxers on the 
floor.
Skyler removed his own shirt.  He was now sitting shamelessly naked before 
her
eyes.  She looked into his eyes and kissed him once more before whispering,
"Come on."  Skyler looked at her for a minute.  "Where?" he asked.  Fiona
giggled and placed her hand around his cock.  She then got up from the couch 
and
pulled his member slightly.  Skyler complied and raised himself off the 
couch.
Fiona led Skyler through the house, still holding him, until they reached 
their
new bathroom.  She let go of him and turned on the bath.
        As soon as the tub was full, Fiona grabbed Skyler again and entered 
the bath,
gently tugging him in after her.  Skyler, finding this incredibly erotic, 
got
into he bath and pressed her body against the bath side.  The kissed her 
deeply
and raised her body up to meet his.  His tongue pressed forward into her 
mouth,
gently massaging hers.  He ran his right hand down her body.  He reached 
under
the water and ran his fingers over her blonde tuft.  He then found her clit 
and
began to touch it.  Rub it.  Soothe it.  Fiona gasped outloud, breaking 
their
kiss.  She cried out with pleasure as he continued to pleasure her.  As 
Fiona
continued to squeal, Skyler took her exposed breast into his mouth and 
sucked.
If that wasn't good enough, he took her left breast in his other hand and
started to roll it around with his fingers.  He pushed her breast up and 
down
and as he did so, he rapidly moved against her G spot.  Fiona let out a 
scream
as she orgasmed.  But this night was far from over.  Skyler let Fiona relax 
for
a while, just letting her sit there, kissing her, talking to her, telling 
her
how much he loved her.
        Skyler put his hands around her waist.  Fiona looked slightly 
confused.  Skyler
lifted her gently and placed her body on the side of the sunken bath.  The 
floor
was even with the tub's top so she put her hands behind her for support.  
Skyler
spread her legs apart an examined her beauty.  He gently touched her clit 
and
saw her shake with enjoyment.  Then he put his face against her most 
personal
area and let his tongue penetrate into her body.  Fiona groaned.  She 
grabbed
his head and ran her finger through his hair.  She had never felt so good in 
her
life.  She felt her legs and hips begin to thrust slightly, as she wanted to
make love to him.  Skyler pulled his tongue out of her only long enough to 
say,
"Damn!  You taste SO good!  You're like candy, Fiona."  Then he plunged back 
in.
        Fiona orgasmed again only adding to Skyler's excitement.  He raised 
himself out
of the bath and reached for a towel.  First he dried off Fiona, letting his
fingers 'accidentally' slip off the towel as he passed her breasts.  Then 
she
took the towel from him and ran it all along the length of his body.
        Skyler carried Fiona into their bedroom and laid her on the bed.  
Fiona gazed
into his eyes for a while before she said, "Now I want to pleasure you."
        Skyler protested by taking Fiona's shoulders in his hands as she was 
about to
plunge her head down onto his cock.  "Oh no you don't.  This is about me 
getting
rid of your stress.  I can't let you..."  Skyler was cut off.  Fiona used 
her
power and pushed his body down against the bed, letting go of her shoulders.
Fiona sat between his legs and lightly massaged his balls.  She tugged 
gently on
the tiny hairs along them, teasing him, causing him to cry out in delicious
agony.  she then took her moist tongue and licked the entire underside of 
his
balls and up the shaft but not over the head.  She repeated this motion 
until
Skyler was completely wet.  On her last lick, she licked the underbelly and 
then
placed her mouth over his head.  Skyler cried out as she tried to shove her
tongue into him.  Then she started lightly sucking on him at the same time 
that
she was flicking her tongue up and down his shaft and head.  He groaned with
pleasure.  She grabbed the lower part of his cock and removed her lips.  He
grabbed her and flipped her over and plunged his body deep inside hers.  He
kissed her lips and kneaded her breasts as he thrusted needily into her.  He
orgasmed at this point just followed by Fiona.  He pulled out of her after a 
few
more minutes and laid next to her.
        "Well, at least I got her relaxed."   Skyler thought.
~

Darien
Chapter 27- A Question of Importance

        I signed up to train to be a warrior.  Fiona had talked me into it.  
I figured
it wouldn't be so bad.  I enjoyed spending time with the army guys.  I loved
being outdoors and talking with these people.  It was an experience that was 
new
to me.  Before this, the only person I had had even a semi-long conversation
with was Fiona.  I had been an outcast.  But now, I was accepted for who I 
was
and what I could do.
        I never really went through an exact training procedure.  Since the 
army was
small, I just got assigned to a group and learned as I went along.
        I was assigned to a group of six.  I made it seven.  Our leader was 
named
Alexander.  The second in command was Brent.  The other four were Derrick,
Lucas, Stephanie, and Kevin.  This particular group was quite relaxed.  They 
did
train me well, but I had a hard time keeping up with all their jokes.  We 
had
the day shift.  At night, we traded posts with another group of nine.  I 
caught
onto my job quickly.  Our main objective was to hide in the wooded areas and
watch the skies and the ground for the Nemesis.  I soon found that the
Trysidians were terrified of this enemy.  They told me the horror stories of
what had happened to their ancestors.  It became my duty, as well a the 
other
men's duty, to make sure that the Nemesis did not succeed again as it had on
some of the other colonies.  It was also my duty to protect the other men in 
my
group, and in battle I defended anyone.  I took the job of insuring the 
welfare
of my group seriously.  One day, one of the men saw a snake that was about 
to
bite Derrick.  I crept up from twenty yards away and didn't make a sound.
Derrick was frozen and the others did not know what to do.  They knew if 
they
spooked the snake, it would attack.  I crept up silently and then cut off 
the
head with one quick slash of my sword.
        Alexander came up to me and looked me in the eyes.  "You are here to 
be trained
by us.  However, you were silent while sneaking up on that creature.  It 
seems
to me that the army should be taking lessons from you."
        First I taught my group how to sneak around.  It was easy, really.  
They
already had the necessary skills, they just needed to learn how to use them.
When that went over so well, Alexander reported me to his superior.  I was
called in and talked to by the head of the army, Montgomery.  He said he 
wanted
me to begin training the other groups immediately.  They needed all the help
they could get.  I agreed.  I remembered the first time they tried to ambush 
me.
I knew that they were there.  Had they been silent, I would have been 
completely
surprised.
        That night I went home to tell Fiona the good news.
        "Fiona, this means I will not have to patrol anymore.  I will be in 
town,
training the men.  That allows me to come home sooner."  Fiona beamed at me 
and
threw her arms around my neck.  She kissed my lips.  She was so 
affectionate.  I
would have to do something nice for her.  I loved her so much.
        "That is good news, my love.  Which brings me to a question that I 
have had for
quite some time now.  As you know, I applied for work at the daycare and 
have
been working there for almost two months now." she started as we walked down 
the
hallway to the bedroom.
        "Yes, I know.  An you love it, Fiona." I said, sitting down on the 
bed.  She
crawled in the middle with me and looked me in the eyes.
        "I love children, and working with them has made me realize how much 
I want one
of my own.  Skyler... Could we have a baby?"

Serena
        He fainted.  I had never seen a man faint before in my life!  I 
lightly slapped
his face.
        "Skyler.  Skyler!  Wake up Skyler!" I said, begging him to come to.  
He had
fallen onto the bed and I was now propped up over his body.  He was 
motionless.
I did not think this was a good sign as far as my question.  His eyes slowly
opened and he sat up.
        "Skyler!  I have never seen a man faint before in my whole life!  I 
did not
think that it would be such a problem." I stated.  Skyler closed his eyes 
and
rubbed them with his left hand, grabbing his nose and pressing his eyes at 
the
same time.
        "Fiona, a baby is a big step.  It's not that I don't want one.  I do 
want
children and I want you to Mother them, but isn't it a little soon for that? 
  We
are barely settled here.  Why don't we wait?"  He opened his eyes as he told 
me
that he wanted me to Mother his children.
        I sighed.  He was right.  We had barely gotten our feet on the 
ground and here
I was asking to have a child.  I was only seventeen and he was probably only
twenty or twenty-one.  I felt bad for troubling him.  He saw that I was
disappointed.  He took me in his arms and pulled me into his lap.
        "I love you, Serena." he whispered into my hair.  He always called 
me Serena
when I was upset.  I guess it was his way of showing me that he still loved 
me
the same as before.  "I just don't think I'm ready to be up all night 
rocking
and feeding a baby yet.  I want to enjoy just having you and living with you 
the
way we want to right now.  Not tied to anything or anyone.  But if it means 
that
much to you, I will be happy to Father our child now."
        I glanced up at his face.  "Working with the kids is fine for now, 
Skyler." I
said.  I knew we would one day have a baby, but it did not have to be right 
now.

Chapter 28 A Strange Discovery

        I loved working at the daycare.  I had gotten to know many of the 
children and
through them, many of the people in the town more intimately.
        The kids grew up it seemed over night.  They would only be in day 
care for
about two months before they'd start real school.  It was frustrating for 
me.  I
would barely get to know the kids, and when I finally DID figure out how to 
deal
with a particular child, the child would begin school.
        After work, the other sitters and I would go over to one of their 
(or my)
houses and have tea and dessert.  There were four other women that worked 
there;
Bianca, Charlotte, Tiffany, and Chloe.  We would sit and talk for an hour or
two.
        One night we were discussing our own childhoods.  I did not know 
what to say
for mine.  I made up something around the story that I was the daughter of a
Moon Delegate and had grown up in the royal palace as a result.  I told them 
of
my love for ice skating, and how I was disappointed that Trysidia did not 
have
such an activity.  Then I told them that I had met Skyler at one of the 
benefits
for the Moon Kingdom armies.  We fell in love, etc.
        They were most intrigued by that fact that I had been alive so long 
and yet I
only looked a year old (to them).  I simply laughed.
        The next day I was working with the kids on a arts and crafts 
project.  I was
still a little disappointed that we were not going to have a baby.  I was
somewhat sad all day, but I did not show it.  I was helping a little girl 
named
Abigail with the scissors when she stopped and looked at me.
        "Do not be sad, Serena.  You will have a baby with Skyler someday."  
She looked
away and continued working.  She called me Serena!  And she knew about 
Skyler
not being thrilled about a baby.  It went to the other side of her desk and 
I
kneeled down to eyes level.  She looked at me curiously.
        "How did you know my name was Serena?" I asked.
        Abigail looked at me for a long moment.  Then she leaned over and 
whispered in
my ear.
        "I am not supposed to talk about it.  The adults don't like it when 
the kids
say anything.  They tell us we are liars and that it is just our 
imaginations.
They say we'll grow out of it." she nodded and backed away from my ear.
        "Abigail, what am I thinking right now?" I asked.
        Abigail thought a moment.  "You are thinking about grass." she 
stated.
        She was wrong.  But even so I knew that she was telepathic.  She 
just had not
been trained on how to use the power.
        "Abigail I want you to do something for me, okay?  I want you to 
look at me."
        Abigail put down her project and looked.
        "Now I want you to think really hard.  Now, picture me and the 
expression on my
face in your head.  Now I want you to close your eyes and tell me what you 
see."
        She was quiet a long time.  "You are in a room with lots of seats 
and there are
people in front of you wearing funny clothes.  They are dancing and singing 
and
one of their names is Snow White."
        She nailed it.  This little girl was telepathic.  I thanked her and 
walked over
to Tiffany.
        "Tiffany, I need to ask you something.  Outside."
        "Alright, Fiona."  Tiffany walked over to Chloe and told her that 
she and I
would be outside.
        "Tiffany I have a strange question for you.  Now it is going to 
sound odd, but
it is not  joke."
        "Yes?"
        I shut the door to the room.  "Do you ever feel like you can read 
people's
minds by seeing visions?"
        Tiffany was silent.  She looked at me for a moment and then asked, 
"Why?"
        I explained.  "I am telepathic.  Many people in the Moon Kingdom 
are."  That
was kind of a lie.  The only telepaths were the royalty.  But she did not 
know
that.  "I have been around telepaths all my life.  Now I just got told by 
one of
the girls that I should not be sad because Skyler will have a baby one day.  
She
also called me my official title in the Moon Kingdom and nobody knows what 
that
is besides me and Skyler.  That girl is an untrained telepath and I have a
feeling that the rest of this town is too.  All untrained telepaths."
        Tiffany glared at me a while.  Then she glanced away and started to 
fumble with
her dress.  "Yes, I can see things." she finally admitted.  "But we are told 
by
the elders that we are just crazy or that it was coincidence.  Sometimes 
they
say that the gods are just sending us visions to help each other.  We aren't
supposed to mention them."
        "Tiffany you have a gift!  If you learned how to use it, rather than 
run from
it, you might be able to hold off the Nemesis better."
        Tiffany said that she could not do anything but told me to talk to 
the elders
if I thought it was that important.
        That night I talked to Skyler about the Tysidian's abilities.  He 
just smiled
and nodded.  "It figures you would find some way to help these people fight 
the
Negaverse."  He sighed and touched my cheek, brushing a free strand of hair 
from
my face.  "Tomorrow we will go to the elders and tell them of the 
discovery."
        That is what we did.  We went to the elders the next day and sat 
down in their
meeting room.  There were five of them.  They really were not elderly, they 
were
just in high power.  I guessed the youngest one was two, and the oldest,
probably five.
        "What can we do for you?" The head of the elders asked.  His name 
was Samuel.
        "Well, my name is Fiona and this is Skyler." I introduced.
        One of the elders leaned over to Samuel and whispered something in 
his ear.
Probably telling about our background.
        "Oh, yes.  Joshua here tells me that you are the couple from the 
Moon Kingdom
and that you were abandoned here by the Nemesis.  I have heard a lot about 
you."
        "Um, yes.  Well, I came here today to tell you that I have found 
something that
would help the Trysidians fight the Nemesis."
        The elders all looked at me and at each other.  They were obviously 
intrigued.
        "Continue."
        "Well, as you know I come from the Moon Kingdom.  And there have 
many
differences between the people there and the people here.  However, I seemed 
to
have stumbled across a similarity.  The people in the Moon Kingdom have 
special
powers.  One of these powers is an ability to read minds, sense emotions, 
and
see the future.  It is an ability called telepathy.  It is a genetic gift 
given
to us my Miota, the same person who gave us the silver crystal.  Now, I know
this may come as a shock to you, but I believe your people have the same 
gift.
You see, I was speaking with this young girl yesterday in the daycare that I
work at and one of the girls was able to read my mind not once, but twice.  
If
she was coached on how to use her abilities, she would be able to detect any 
new
or unwanted presence's in or around the town.  That is why it would be such 
a
great asset to the armies.  They could sense attackers or intruders, and be 
able
to fight more efficiently.  Now, I do understand that you do not like your
people to talk about the visions, but they are a rare gift, and they should 
not
be stifled, but encouraged."
        The elders were stunned.  Up until now, they had considered the 
visions a
horrible thing to covered up and now here I was, marching in here telling 
them
it was a gift.  I hoped this would go over alright.  They spoke outside the 
door
for a long time.  Then they re entered the room and said, "Have you, 
yourself
been trained?"
        "Yes.  I have spent the last eleven years of my life using these 
powers."
        "So can you look at someone and know everything about them?"
        "That would require a great deal of time and energy.  I doubt if 
your people
would have the ability to do something so elaborate.  However, you must
understand, I do not read into everyone I know.  I only read their thoughts 
if I
have their permission or if they have harmed me in some way.  That is one of 
the
first lessons that you learn when you are taught how to use the power."
        After weeks of negotiations, the elders agreed to let me begin 
training the
people.  The first ones to learn were the children.  I got permission from 
the
elders to probe a child's mind completely to find out what they were capable 
of.
Tobin volunteered Lina.  He said he trusted me not to hurt her.
        I woke up early that morning.  My body ached as I stretched and 
yawned.
Skyler, peacefully sleeping next to me slowly opened his eyes and grinned at 
me.
He reached over and pulled my face close to his.  "Morning, Babe." he yawned 
and
kissed my cheek.
        "Morning."  I got up from bed slowly.  I did not want to leave the 
warmth of
the covers.  When I finally did manage to drag myself out, I headed straight 
for
the thermostat.  I cranked it up to seventy-five and then proceeded to get a
shower.  When I emerged, Skyler took his turn while I dressed.  He and I 
headed
out the door, without breakfast and proceeded to a counselor's office.
        When I arrived, the elders, Tobin, Ivy, Lina, and Stephanie were 
already there.
I almost felt late, even though we were still fifteen minutes early for the
appointment.  We all said our greetings and we sat down in a small 
conference
room.
        "Now what will you be exactly doing today, Fiona?  What will this 
procedure
entail?" Samuel asked while glancing down at a notepad of paper.  He 
obviously
still had a lot of questions for he must have had four pages full of notes 
in
front of him.
        "Well, first we will sit down and I will try to get her to relax.  
Then I will
envision her mind joining as one with mine.  Then my 'mind's eye' will relay 
the
messages of her thoughts, desires, capabilities, anything that has gone on 
or
that she has ever felt, into vision form.  For instance, if she likes to 
play
tag, I might see her laughing and running from me yelling for me to chase 
her.
Of course, part of telepathic training is partly learning how to interpret
visions."
        "I see.  Is there any possibility that this will hurt the girl?" 
Samuel
questioned glaring at me.  I could tell he was still not sure that this was 
a
great idea.  I had not yet earned his trust and it would not be easy for me 
to
do so.
        "No.  No possibility.  The only possibility is if I did something
intentionally." I stated.
        "How do we know you won't?" Joshua barked, all of a sudden 
protective of Lina.
        "Sir, if I had wanted to hurt anyone, I would have done so by now.  
You would
have never have known of my capabilities and I could have done whatever and
nobody would have tied me to it.  Why do something now that you know?"
        "She has a point, Joshua." Jeremiah, another of the elders stated.
        Joshua seemed perturbed and merely folded his arms and leaned back 
in his chair
in a huff.  They continued questioning me until they felt we were ready to
begin.  I cannot say I was accustomed to other people judging me.  After 
all, I
had been Princess of an entire Kingdom.  The only people who had ever had 
the
audacity to question me was Tuxedo Mask.  Ironic actually, that out of all 
the
people in my Kingdom, I ended up loving probably the only one who disliked 
me.
        I sat Lina down in a room by ourselves.  The elders, Tobin, Ivy, 
Stephanie, and
Skyler watched through a one way mirror as I began to probe her mind.  I put 
my
hand on her face and told her to relax.  Lina was very trusting and was 
actually
looking forward to this.  That I could sense even before we started.  I just 
sat
there looking into her mind.  I knew everything I needed to in an instant.  
I
took my hand away from Lina and told her, "That is all.  We are done."
        I took her hand and we left the room.  We joined everyone on the 
other side of
the mirror.  I made my report.
        "Your people are very strong in this ability.  That is why despite 
your
attempts to suppress it , it still is present.  Your people have the ability 
to
see into people through the use of a vision.  With that comes the ability to
project an image into another's mind.  Then there is the most shocking 
power.
You have the ability to summon energy within or without of your body and 
blast
it at your enemy.  I take it that sometimes when children or adults anger, 
there
might be a burst of light that is released at something or someone, thus
destroying it.  Correct?"
        I was.  The elders were amazed and with that immediately allowed me 
to train
the children.  The children on Trysidia took to their abilities much faster 
than
the children on the Moon.  I suppose that made sense, considering that
everything had to be quicker for these people.
        Next, I began training the armies, who did not take to the power 
quite as
quick.  They eventually got it and afterwards were more confident in their
ableness to fight the Nemesis.    I trained twenty four people on how to
instruct others and they helped me train the people faster.  Soon the whole 
town
was trained.

        I headed for bed.  It had been a long day and I needed to relax.  
Skyler came
into our room and walked over to me.
        "Hey you.  Miss me?" he asked.  I nodded and carefully draped my 
arms around
his shoulders.  He brought my mouth to his and kissed me.  "I missed you 
too."
He said after a moment.  He scooped me up in his arms and gently placed me 
on
the bed.  He climbed on the bed with me and laid his head against my chest.
        "I am so happy here, Skyler.  Everything is going so well."  We had 
lived here
close to a year now.  "I do not know what I would be doing with myself if I 
was
still on the Moon.  I would have died without you." I began lightly running 
my
fingers through his hair.  He sighed.
        "I do not know what I would have done without you, Fiona.  You have 
completely
changed my life, even before we came here.  I look at things and people so 
much
different now.  I love you so much."  He squeezed my body gently.
        Skyler tilted his head and kissed my neck.  "I have a great idea."  
He said.
He got up and pulled me across the room with him.  He opened the bedroom 
door
and we ran out of the house.  "Where are we going?" I exclaimed.  He had 
pulled
me outside and although it was only moderately cold because of the summer, I
still felt as if I needed a coat.  We were heading towards the hills that 
were
not too far out of town.
        "Skyler, I am barefoot!" I called.  I was tired and I did not like 
running
through the dark like this with no shoes.  Heaven only knows what I could 
have
stepped on.  Skyler, rather than take me home, picked me up and carried me 
as he
ran into the surrounding brush.  He ran for a good ten minutes before we 
came to
a clearing.  I could see a huge waterfall that was coming out from the side 
of
the mountain.  There was a pool below it and it filtered out into five 
different
streams.  Skyler approached the side of the waterfall and walked right into 
it.
        "SKYLER!  I am soaked!" I exclaimed accusingly, as if he did not 
already
realize this.  My clothes were drenched now.  To my surprise, there was what
looked like a cave at the other side of the falls.  Water had pooled inside
making it completely secluded.
        "We need some light." Skyler told me.  "Princess, would you do the 
honors?"  I
looked into his eyes.  They had the reflection of the three moon's light 
that
circled Trysidia in them.  The light showed though the water at the mouth of 
the
cave.  Enough to see outlines, but not enough to see anything clearly.  He 
set
me on my feet.
        I knelt down to the water.  I summoned some of my energy and touched 
the water.
The pool lit up in an iridescent aqua color.  It was beautiful.
        Skyler began to strip off his clothes and, to my dismay but not 
surprise, he
jumped in.
        "Come on, Serena!" he called to me.  I groaned.  I was tired, but I 
could not
say no to him.  I stripped off and jumped in after him.  The water was
surprisingly warm, probably because of the energy I had released into it.  
We
swam around a while and it ended up in a splash fight.  I laughed.  I had 
never
done this type of thing with Tuxedo Mask or Skyler before.  Skyler swam over 
to
me and put his arms around my waist.  He pulled me close and whispered in my
ear, "Happy anniversary, Serena."
        Anniversary?  I had completely forgotten.  Today was the anniversary 
of the day
that we met three years ago.  "Happy anniversary, Tuxedo Mask."
Fly On The Wall
        Tuxedo Mask pulled away from Serena slightly but she wrapped her 
arms around
his waist and coaxed him back.  He bent his knees just enough so that he was 
at
eye level with his shorter love.  She pushed her body closer and brushed it
against his, causing him to become aroused.  Tuxedo Mask kissed her gently,
encasing her small body in his warm grasp.  Their bodies pressed together 
now,
Serena felt him getting harder.  She kissed him more deeply.  Tuxedo Mask 
began
to travel up and down her back with his hands.  He felt Serena's hardened
nipples being pressed into him and he broke the kiss.  He kissed her 
forehead,
her cheeks, and then down the side of her neck to her shoulder.  He grabbed 
her
hardened tip and rolled it between his fingers, evoking loud, sensual cries 
of
delight from Serena.  Tuxedo Mask then placed his lips on her other breast,
stroking it with his tongue, over and over.  She held the back of his head 
and
wrapped her legs around his waist, beginning to move her body against him, 
even
tough he was not yet inside her.  Tuxedo Mask groaned as her felt this new
movement and let her breasts gently fall back into the water.  With her 
still
around his waist he walked to the edge and got out of the water.  He gently 
laid
he down at the side of the water and examined her body.  He spread her legs
apart and took a good, long look.  He loved the way she looked down there.  
He
gently stuck a finger inside her body and began to move in and out.  Serena
cried out but Tuxedo Mask knew she could do better.  He stuck another finger
inside and began to move in and out of her body fast.  Serena shrieked.
        "Oh, Tuxedo Mask!  Make love to me!  Please!"
        "As you wish, my Princess."
        With that Tuxedo Mask laid his body down between her legs and thrust 
into her,
causing himself to moan as well.  They laid there a while just thrusting 
their
bodies together before Serena pushed Tuxedo Mask onto his back while he was
still inside her.  Serena sat up, with him still buried deep with in and 
began
to pump roughly, wanting him deeper.  Tuxedo Mask reached over and began to
caress her now swollen breasts, causing her to moan with pleasure.  Finally,
Serena orgasmed, calling out Tuxedo Mask's name loud enough so that Tuxedo 
Mask
worried that the whole town had heard.
        They continued to make love until the early hours of the morning
*************************

        We put on our wet clothes and headed home.

Darien
Chapter 29- The Attack

        Fiona climbed on my back as we headed back to town.  It had been an 
exhausting
night, but a memorable one.  I knew she had not remembered our anniversary, 
but
I did not give her a hard time about it.  We had both been busy and I would 
have
forgotten also if it hadn't been for Lucas mentioning that he and his wife 
had
just had theirs.
        On our way back to our home, I noticed some dark objects flying 
around in the
sky.  At first, I thought they were birds.  But then I knew.  It was the
Negaverse preparing to attack the town.  I sent Fiona home.  She ran through 
the
streets yelling, "It's the Nemesis!  Wake up!  They are here!  Wake up!"  I 
went
to the weapons locker.  I got my sword and put on a uniform.  Fiona didn't 
want
me to fight.  I did not have the same mental abilities as everyone else 
here.  I
was not royalty in the Moon Kingdom and I was not Trysidian.  The dark 
portals
opened up above us and soldiers started to infiltrate the town.  Boy would 
they
be surprised!
        I saw the first Negaverse soldier come to a house.  He was greeted 
with a blast
of energy from the owner.  He fell back, dead.  The training had paid off!  
Our
armies had surrounded the town, making a defence perimeter around the edge.
Good thing too, because the Nemesis soldiers began attacking by coming 
through
the brush surrounding the town so that no one could escape.  Our men were 
hidden
up in trees, so they could surprise the Nemesis by blasting them from above.
Several of our troops stayed in town to protect the civilians.  They hardly
needed to be there how ever.  When the Nemesis tried to attack the daycare, 
they
were met with not only the experienced and powerful Fiona, but the children
combined strength and used their energy to kill over a hundred enemy 
soldiers.
Fiona turned in surprise to the children and just said, "Well done."  The
children laughed.
        Our armies were now better able to defend themselves because they 
could sense
their attacker if he tried to come from behind by using their mind's eyes.  
I
fought by sword against thirteen men considering I had no other line of 
defence.
One of them, the last one I fought stabbed my side.  I came back to the town
wounded.  I saw flashes of light everywhere.  It was hard to see and I would
have been helpless to an attacker.
        Unfortunately one of the Nemesis solders noticed me.  He snuck up 
behind me and
threw me to the floor.  He stuck his sword in my face and laughed at me.
"Today, is your day to die Trysidian!"
        He brought the sword up and held it over my chest.  As he raised it 
I heard
Fiona's voice in my head.  I saw he image flash before my eyes and began to 
feel
tears swell in them.  "Goodbye, my only love." I said.
        Then I realized her voice had said, "You will not live long enough 
to regret
that mistake, you Harpie!"
        Harpie?  She called me, her love, a Harpie?
        That's when I saw what seemed like a lightening bolt hit the soldier 
above me.
He began to shake and turn to a kind of brownish-gray dust.  I looked up to 
see
Fiona.  "Moon dust!" she cried with triumph.  Must have been a Moon thing.  
She
smiled at me before running back into the fight.  She didn't realize I had 
been
stabbed.  I got back up slowly.
        The battle was over within two hours.  The Negaverse had come hoping 
for an
easy target.  They were not equipped for a real fight.  They might even 
leave
the town alone completely from now on.  There must have been other colonies 
they
could attack, they would most likely just go to those and not trouble with 
us.
        When I stumbled in the door to our home, Fiona greeted me and told 
me that the
Negaverse had retreated.  Then she saw me gripping my side.  I had lost a 
lot of
blood and was feeling quite weak.  She gasped loudly and began to fuss over 
me.
She helped me over to the couch and used her own power of telekinesis to 
heal
me.  I immediately had my strength returned.  I kissed her.
        "We totally stopped the Nemesis, at least for this battle.  They 
left after
only a few hours.  Oh, Skyler it worked!  And I have other news.  I talked 
to
the elder and explained to them why the Nemesis was cutting out their eyes 
and
hands."  She proceeded to explain.
        I was quite pleased myself.  All of the training Fiona had given 
them had paid
off.  I looked into her eyes.  It was still not even noon yet.  The day was
young, even though she and I were quite drained from being up all night and 
now
this..  It was then that we got a knock on the door.  It was a few of my 
soldier
friends.  They came in and thanked Fiona for training them.  They said that 
the
armies would have failed if she hadn't helped.  They left after staying a 
while
and talking.  Then Ivy came over.
        "Oh, Fiona!  They are having a huge celebration tonight!  The fight 
went so
well, not one man was lost.  On our side, of course.  This is the first time 
any
Trysidians have ever won a fight against the Nemesis.  Of course, we haven't
been in contact with any other colonies recently, but we are sending out 
three
people from our town to go find other towns and train them the same way you
trained us!  Isn't that wonderful?"
        "Yes, it is!" Fiona exclaimed.  That must have made Fiona feel 
overjoyed to
know that she had saved a whole planet from the Negaverse.  I smiled.  Ivy
looked at me.
        "Will you and your husband be attending the celebration?" she asked 
Fiona.
Fiona's face fell slightly.  I knew why.  I had been thinking the same thing 
for
quite a while.  We were not even officially married yet.  We had no 
ceremony, no
rings, nothing.
        Fiona said that we'd be there and went and sat on the couch.  Fiona 
did not
know it, but I had already bought her a ring.  Custom made.  It was a gold 
ring
with one star shaped diamond and a crescent moon shaped diamond.  I had to
haggle with Ambrose, the diamond cutter for an hour.  He had never cut a 
star
shaped diamond before.  I paid him good though, so he didn't mind.
        I knew then that I would propose to Fiona that night at the 
celebration.

        The celebration was huge.  There was music and dancing, and the 
markets had
gotten together and prepared a huge feast.  Fiona went around talking to
everyone in sight.  She knew every single person in town, thanks to training 
all
of them.  I knew all of the army, but I was not nearly as talkative as she 
was.
She had been throwing parties and entertaining guests her whole life, while 
this
was one of my first big parties.  Fiona may as well have been the hostess, 
for
she was so social, and had practically saved the entire colony.
        I had many of the men come up to me and thank me for training them 
in how to
keep quiet.  Between the skills I had taught them and the ones they had 
learned
from Fiona, they easily defeated the Nemesis, or so they said.
         Dinner was delicious.  I enjoyed the atmosphere almost as much as 
the food.
There was music all throughout the meal.  I looked over at Fiona.  She was 
so
funny.  Here I was stuffing my face and there she was, as dainty as could 
be.
She refused to eat anything with her hands.  Finally, I picked up the 
biscuit
and shoved it in her mouth.  To her horror, crumbs and butter went 
everywhere.
        "Skhuhuh!!" she said as I shoved the biscuit in.  I think she tried 
yelling my
name, but when she spoke crumbs blew everywhere.  Then she turned to me and 
blew
them all on my shirt.  I laughed and then got a mischievous look on my face. 
  I
threw some pudding at her but she ducked and I ended up hitting Tobin.  She
covered her mouth and started bursting out.  Needless to say, We started a
gigantic food fight.  I ducked under the table with Fiona who was cracking 
up.
Well, here goes nothing.  This is as good a place as any.
        I touched Fiona's face.  She looked at me with the biggest smile on 
her face I
had ever seen.  I kissed her lips.
        Fiona saw my serious expression and quieted quickly.  She stared at 
me for a
moment as I reached into my pocket.  I brought out the tiny box that held 
her
ring.  He eyes widened and I smiled sweetly at her.  I took her face in my 
hand
and with my other hand, I opened the box and handed it to her.
        "Serena, Princess.  Would you marry me?"  I brought out the ring and 
she opened
the box.  Tears filled her eyes and she nodded.  "Yes of course I will!"
        She looked at it for a long while before I reached in and retrieved 
the ring.
I took her hand in mine and I placed the ring carefully on her finer.  It 
fit
fine.
        We let the town fight.  We stayed under the table and kissed.  When 
things
calmed down we came back up.  Dessert was served.  It was some sort of 
cinnamon
cake.  I pulled the cake to my face and smelled it.
        I had a flash.  I saw for the first time my Mother's face.  I knew 
it was her.
I remembered looking in a mirror as a child and turning to the woman behind 
me
and calling her Mommy.  Then I remembered the smell.  She smelled like this
cake.  Cinnamon.
        I ate the cake and as soon as I was able, I pulled Fiona home.  She 
was
reluctant to leave.  She was chatting with everyone still.  Ivy had noticed 
the
ring and there was a gigantic squeal fest.  Everything said even was in a 
high
voice.
        "Oh how sweeeeet!"
        "AAAAH!  You're so lucky!"
        "It's BEAUTIFUL!"
        "Oh my God!"
        "When is the wedding?"
        "That's so adorable!"
        "I wanna get married!"
        "That's a beautiful ring."
        There were various screams and squeals going on the entire time.  
The men
gathered around me and Tobin shook my hand.  "Way to go." he said.  The 
other
men just said, "Yeah."  We sat down.  That was it for us.  We continued to 
watch
our women swoon a while before someone Alexander came over to me and said, 
"Oh
my stars!  It's so beautiful!" in his falsetto, purposefully lisping all his
's's.  Then the other men gathered around me and started mimicking the 
ladies.
We all turned and laughed at how when we started squealing like them, they 
all
stopped and glared at us like WE were the strange one's.  Didn't they know 
how
stupid they looked?

        I finally got Fiona home.  I sat her down on the couch.
        "Serena, I remember.  I remember my Mother's face.  I was in a fancy 
room and I
remember her face.  She smelled like cinnamon.  She had short brown hair 
that
was always in a loose bun, and she wore burgundy dresses that came to her
ankles.  She had high cheek bones, and blue eyes.  Serena, my Mother was..."
        "The Queen of Earth!"  She screamed.  Tears filled her eyes once 
more and she
threw her arms around me.  "Oh Darien!!"
        Memories flooded my mind.  I remembered everything.  From Nanny 
Wildman, to the
crash, to my Mother, my crush on Serena, to finding my way to the center, 
then
meeting Serena, falling in love with her again.  It was complete.  I told 
Serena
all of it.  She sat in amazement as I revealed the reasons for running away 
and
how I had done it.  Everything was explained.  I felt finally complete.  She 
was
relieved to now have all the gaps filled in.  We made love all night that 
night,
for the first time as a Princess... and a Prince.

Serena
Chapter 30- The Truth Bared

        I woke up in the morning next to Darien.  It all fit together.  I 
was so happy.
I reached over and brushed his cheek with my lips.
        "You do realize this means that we could have children and still 
keep the pure
bloodline."  I stated.
        Darien sat up.  "You're right!  We could go back!"  His face fell.  
"Do we
really want to?"
        I stared for a minute, silently urging him to explain.
        "I mean, we have lives now.  We have a house, friends, jobs...  Do 
you really
just want to walk away?  Besides, these people could use our help.  Everyone
back there won't miss us."
        He turned away from me, his feet now hanging off the bed.  I sat up 
and came
behind him, putting my arms around his shoulders.  I kissed his neck.  
"Honey, I
know.  But I must say that I do miss my family.  And my friends, and my old
life.  I know we have it good here.  But think about it.  Your Mother will 
never
know that you are still alive, my Mother and friends think I am dead.  Is 
that
really fair to them to have lied and now live our lives like nothing's 
changed
now knowing what we know?  It is not right."
        "It is not right what they did to us in the first place, Serena.  
They banished
me because I didn't have the right blood type.  They put power over love.  
We
are not like that."
        "But we will rule one day if we go back and we can change things."
        Darien turned and looked me in the eyes.  He sighed.  "Well Serena, 
you gave up
your life to be with me.  I can give up this one to make you happy.  We'll 
go
back."
        I hugged him.  "Thank you Darien, my Prince."
        "Will the crystal work this far away?" he asked.  I had not thought 
of that.
The Silver Crystal was how I transported to begin with.  I did not believe 
that
I could get it to work all the way over here.  I have to give myself a boost 
of
energy to kind of propel my body from one place to another.  If could not 
create
the boost...  "Well there goes that idea."
        "Not necessarily." Darien stated.
        Darien told the town our problem.  He said that we had found a way 
to go home,
but we needed their help.  Some of the people did not want us to leave for 
the
reason that if the Nemesis came back, they might not be able to win.  Darien
assured them that with the help of the other colonies they would be fine.  
They
had already received word by telepathy that they had found another colony.
Besides, they had solved the mystery of why the Negaverse was killing them 
and
took their eyes and hands... That was the source of their power.  The eyes 
of a
telepath and the hands of one who can shoot energy would bring a great deal 
of
energy to the Negaverse.  Considering they were in the business of stealing
energy, the Trysidians who had not even realized their power had made 
perfect
targets.  It also explained why so many were allowed to escape the first 
sweep.
The Negaverse had planned on letting them procreate making even more energy. 
  A
sort of energy cultivation.  They had separated them over the planet to try 
and
make sure that they did not join forces against the Negaverse's attacks.  
That
would no longer be the case now that the Trysidians had realized their 
powers.
        We convinced the whole town to get together and they summoned their 
energy.  We
said our goodbyes and Serena summoned all she could get from the Silver 
Crystal.
We stood in the middle of a giant circle of people.  We managed to transport
back to the Moon.
        Serena and I landed in her room.  Serena had concentrated on landing 
there.
The room was just as she left it.  I guessed her Mother had probably not
accepted the idea that her daughter was gone and was therefore still holding
onto her things.
        She got in one of her old gowns and she reached for an old Tuxedo.  
We stepped
out of the room, after she did her hair back up in meatballs.  A court 
meeting
was being held.  The servants all gasped and were stunned when they saw us
walking down the hall, her arm linked in mine.  We pushed open the doors to 
the
meeting hall.
        Mouths dropped to the floor and the room fell silent.  "Mother, I 
have an
announcement."

Chapter 31- A Surprise Ending

        Serena explained how we had run away together to the Court.  
Everyone was
overjoyed to see Serena alive.  However everyone was not so pleased to see 
me.
Serena's Mother cried and embraced her daughter.  She then embraced me to 
the
shock of both me and the Court.  I returned the hug and she took me outside 
with
her.  Serena's friends rushed to give her hugs and kisses as we left the 
room.
        Serenity took me to a small room with two chairs in it.  She sat 
down and
pointed at the other one, offering it to me.  She read Serena's mind and had
discovered who she thought I was.  I could just tell.  She had taken me away 
to
question me, but didn't want to get my parent's hopes up by announcing it in
front of them.
        "Where were you born?"  she asked.  I realized she wanted me to 
prove who I
was.
        "Earth."
        "What is your Mother's name?"
        "Augusta."
        "Do you have any powers?"
        "I do but I've never used them."
        "How old were you when you ran away?"
        "Nine."  That meant I was twenty-one now.
        "What happened?"
        I continued to answer Queen Serenity's questions until she was 
satisfied.
"Welcome home, Darien." she said finally.
        We walked into the Court to find everyone seated again, but arguing. 
  When
Serenity entered the room fell silent.  "May I present to you, Prince Darien 
of
Earth."
        My parents began to cry.  My Mother ran to me and kissed my face.  
"But how?
Oh Darien!  You are back!  I'm so sorry, Darien!  I should never have 
doubted
you when you told me about Natalie Wildman!"  I gathered my Mother in my 
arms
and held her against me.  She sobbed.  I never thought of the fact that my
Mother could have blamed herself for my running away.  I always figured that 
the
emotions I felt were because my parents didn't love me, but from the 
memories I
now had, and with my Mother weeping in my arms, I knew otherwise.
        I left with my parents and we talked about everything.  We were a 
family again.

Serena
        I had a long talk with my Mother.  We made up concerning the verdict 
and the
faked death.  I told her about my life on Trysidia.  I loved her so much.  
We
cried and she told me of how devastated she was when she thought I was dead.
The fake noose and gown had worked just as Darien and I had planned.
        Next was the hard part.  Darien and I met with all the Princesses 
the next day.
Lita and Mina came in first.  Lita burst into tears and threw her arms 
around
her sorely missed best friend.  Mina and I cried as we hugged and everyone 
took
turns holding each other.
        Two months later Prince Darien and I were wed.  The Kingdom was 
overjoyed to
have two members of the royal family back in place.  We lived on the Moon, 
but
in our own wing of the palace.
        We honeymooned on Venus but we did not see much daylight.

Darien
        We made love all night.  Afterward, I couldn't sleep.  I finally 
remembered who
I was.  It felt great.  I looked over at the beautiful girl sleeping by my 
side.
I was so glad to finally be with her, on the Moon, no more lies or 
conspiracy,
and going by our real names.
        I came out of my daydream and found her looking at me.  She had a 
smile on her
face as she gazed into my eyes.  "I love you Serena." I told her.
        "I love you too, Darien." she replied.  She looked away and rolled 
on her back.
Then she spoke.  "Oh.  By the way. I have been meaning to tell you.  I am
pregnant."

~Hope you enjoyed~ =)