Summary: In a time when Tux and Moon defend the streets of Tokyo as a superhero duo, the discovery of the Moon Princess triggers irreversible changes to their relationship. What do you do when you can't look at your friend the same way anymore?

Author's Notes: I've always thought the idea of Tux and Moon fighting crime on their own for a while, sans Sailor Scouts, would make for an interesting story premise. Enjoy and please, read and review!

Rating: M - as a caution, profanity and some adult situations will come up later. If you are uncomfortable with that kind of language or content, please refrain from reading anymore.

Chapter One: New Moon
In South American, New Moon is the phase when we see the moon's first visible crescent.

"Moon, wait two god-damned seconds and I'll be there," yelled Tux into the communicator.

"And be reduced to sharing the glory with your sorry ass? Get real Prom King, I'll have this thing dusted before you can get your silly little hat on."

He hated it when she ragged on his costume - as if he had gone through a catalogue and personally chosen his lame ass formal wear. Through gritted teeth, he retorted, "Just try to stay alive till I get there, Moon." And with that, he shut his communicator closed and continued running.

Ever since they had discovered Moon was the Princess, she had become arrogant and reckless. Without the Prince to awaken her remaining memories, their stockpiled rainbow crystals remained uselessly separate.

A loud bang jarred him from his reverie. Instinctively, he tossed a rose at a flash of green to his right before leaping on top of Moon at his left, attempting to shield her from the oncoming orb. Bracing himself for pain, he relaxed when he felt a sprinkling of green dust tickle the back of his neck instead. Sailor Moon, Tuxedo Mask and a green, leafy bush monster named Gardenia stared as they stood equidistant from a rose and green dust pile.

With a quiet, even voice, Tux whispered, "Moon, finish him now."

Sailor Moon shot him her usual, grim face before reaching for her tiara. Tux would never admit it, but he had always admired the way she looked prior to dusting. Her reluctance to take any life, combined with a set determination to do what was right anyways, transformed her into an ethereal warrior.

"Earth to Suit Boy, can you cut it out? We're done here," Moon announced while absentmindedly dusting leaves off her tiny skirt.

Tux's eyes went hard. "You could have gotten yourself killed. Again."

Moon shot him a careless smile, "You worry too much. I knew you'd come in the nick of time. You always do," she said flatteringly, batting her eyelashes for effect. Despite his struggle to stay angry, he could feel his eyes soften. Stepping flush against his chest, she whispered, "Why don't you let me show you my appreciation, hmmm?" He closed his eyes and allowed himself to bask in the feeling of her warm lips on his neck for a moment before calling on every moral fibre of his being to extract her from his body. Though she frowned, she was still beautiful.

"You know we can't, Moon."

"My supposed soul mate Prince can go fuck himself, I want to fuck you," she retorted, frustration clear in her eyes and voice. The day they had discovered she was the Princess had been difficult. In a duel for the rainbow crystals, high atop Crystal Tower, Tux was mortally injured and steeling himself for Malachite's final blow. He remembered her cry and her moon mark flashing with a light that transformed her suit into a long, flowing, white dress and moon diadem. The rainbow crystals had floated from the holding box and pulsed above her. Her eyes had shot open and stared back at him with new understanding and maturity. He had known then that he was no longer looking at his Moon.

It was a cloudy, Monday morning as Darien strolled towards Juuban High. He wore a Juuban, oxford shirt, the embroidered 4 on his sleeve marking him as a senior. Caught up in a mental replay of the Gardenia battle of last night, he was ignorant of the blonde projectile approaching him until he was nearly knocked over from their impact.

In front of him lay a petite, golden-haired freshman who looked extremely peeved.

Immediately, he proffered his hand. Blue eyes glaring up at him, the girl slapped away his hand and got up on her own.

"I don't need some prince to come save me, just watch where you're going next time."

"I don't remember volunteering to be anyone's prince, Your Highness," he retorted. "And anyways, I'm the victim here – who do you think you are?"

Absentmindedly dusting leaves off her Juuban, pleated, blue skirt, "Serena Tsukino, but Your Highness works too," she replied with a grin.

"I thought you said you didn't need a prince to save you."

"And I maintain that. I'm a modern day princess." With laughing eyes now, she turned on her heel and broke into a run toward the high school entrance. "Later, loser."

Darien stood stunned as he watched her run at breakneck speed through the main gates and into their school. Seconds later, the school bell rang, breaking him out of his reverie.

"Damn," he cursed and called on some of his inner Tux power to help him speed towards homeroom. Despite being late, the memory of the Tsukino girl's striking blue eyes lingered in his thoughts.

Author's Notes: Some of the most fun you have as an author is purposely leaving things out of your explanations so that readers are lured into reading more of your story. Write a review and let me know the questions that have surfaced after reading Chapter One! I may or may not choose to answer them in the next chapter! Til next time! –Serafina Sky