Disclaimer - I do not own anything to do with the Sailor Moon franchise and I do not own the image.

Chapter One – Fading Light

The warm wind caressed his skin as he stood in an open field. Dressed in his plain black trousers and white shirt his deep blue eyes honed in on a small lake with dense bushes. Where was he? Looking around there was nothing else he could walk to apart from the lake. The skies had started to be lit with stars and darkness started to surround him. He felt at peace for some reason. He didn't feel threatened. The only thing he felt was this need to walk towards that lake.

As he started to walk towards the lake noting that the stars started to brighten and the moon itself shone with an excellence. Mesmerised by the moon he only realised he was approaching the lake when he heard a giggle. It was light and playful, music to his ears. He crouched down behind a large bush which was just in front of the lake. He then heard a low moan followed by a sigh of what he would describe as someone on the verge of ecstasy. He was shocked at what he heard and felt embarrassed he had stumbled on something he shouldn't have done.

Emerging from the darkness a woman threw her head back with the most delicious grin you could imagine. Her eyes were bright and full of lust as she looked down at her lover. Mamoru saw she was naked and blushed furiously until suddenly he was taken in by her beauty. She had long flowing silver hair cascading down to her hips and covering her chest. Her grey eyes were soft and lips pink from all the apparent kissing she had been engaged in. He had never seen such a beautiful woman in his life. Her body was curvaceous and womanly. He then heard a low moan and knew her lover was in a passion as this goddess was on top of him.

Finishing their love making she bent her head down and kissed her lover. She then started to float into the sky and Mamoru could see her fully. Her pearly white skin against her silver hair gave her a fragile but stunning look. A half-moon crescent crown then appeared on her forehead and then a staff in her hand. He recognised her but couldn't bring the name to his mind. Rising further and further into the sky she didn't take her eyes off her lover. He then saw an arm lift up towards her as she disappeared. Mamoru felt lost for some reason when she was gone. It was very odd to him but he felt just as unhappy as her lover was that she was not there anymore.

Mamoru felt an urge to see this man as he heard light snoring. He was shaking as a sense of foreboding bore into him. He felt worried but he also felt a need to see this man that attracted a literal goddess to him. What Mamoru saw shocked the life out of him. The man was naked with only a cloth covering his modesty. His hair was dark brown with red tinges in it but none of this threw Mamoru off; no it was the man's face that shook him. This man that had made passionate love was him! It was his face that Mamoru was looking at. Mamoru wanted to scream out but he couldn't.

He felt a pair of eyes on his back and instantly turned round. The same beautiful woman that moments ago had been making love to the sleeping man was now staring at him. She was still naked but she didn't care, she was confident and sensual. Placing a finger on his lips her warm grey eyes drew him into her. She started to rub her hand into his black hair and as her face came closer to his Mamoru felt a heat rise within him. He never wanted to kiss someone so bad in his life!

He instantly woke up with a start. Sweating profusely he got up from his bed and rubbed his eyes vigorously. His dreams had never gone that far before but now they were getting more vivid. Looking at the picture of his girlfriend he sighed. He felt miserable and guilty. Here he was looking at the picture of the love of his life and all he wished for was that goddess that pursued him in his dreams. Looking at his girlfriend's face in the picture he felt warmth. She had only just turned eighteen, it had been two years since the battle with Galaxia and it was time for him to go back to Japan.

He had decided to go back to America to study but didn't feel right staying longer. Two years was a long time and he had tried to keep in contact with Usagi, he really did. He saw her text him almost every day but his responses were few and far between. He had been so busy with homework and practical work that time seemed to disappear, there wasn't enough time for him. When he did get the chance to contact Usagi, he preferred to call her and spend a long time listening to her antics. There hadn't been any problems until a few weeks ago when there was a Youma attack. He knew it had been hard for Usagi as most of her friends went away. Ami had also come to America to study and was going back a few days before him. Makoto had been busy studying cookery and Rei was busy with the temple and also studying. Haruka, Michiru, Setsuna and Hotaru had all gone to their own homes although they did try and see Usagi. Minako was the only one who spent time with Usagi even though she was busy with carving her own pop career. Mamoru was under no illusion it had been hard on Usagi and he took note of their last few conversations. She had hardly spoke to him and seemed distant. She was still her friendly self but there was an edge to her voice, a tremble, fear. It worried the hell out of him and he wished that his flight back to Japan would come sooner.

He knew it wouldn't be long before Crystal Tokyo was to be formed and that was probably the reason all the other Senshi had decided to live as much of their own lives as possible. It was the real reason he left and he believed it foolish that he didn't admit it to himself earlier. To be honest they were all scared by it. So much had happened to all of them before that last battle that they all felt they needed a break, of course no one consulted Usagi's feelings and he kicked himself for being so self-absorbed. Of course Usagi wouldn't say anything, she always felt she was holding them back and Mamoru had used that to his advantage to leave. He had been happy with his independence at first but then he started to feel lonely and his thoughts always strayed back to her. Now these dreams were coming and the Youma attacks were happening with Usagi and Minako being the ones taking them down. He didn't know what he was going to do when he returned. He hoped that whatever was wrong with his Usako that he would be able to fix it.

Going back to his bed all these thoughts ran through his mind. How could he face her after these dreams? He was attracted to this woman in his dreams and it wasn't Usagi! Anger ripped through him as he yelled out to the heavens. Why couldn't they get a break? Why couldn't they be happy? Why was the world so against them? Falling back to an uneasy sleep an image of his girlfriend appeared in his mind. Feeling calm he went to sleep.

She had noticed Hotaru had been silent for the past couple of days. Setsuna had started working in an office for a massive investment company so she hardly had time for Hotaru. Hotaru hadn't complained but took all this change in silence. She had looked at Setsuna strangely a day ago and it bothered Setsuna. Haruka and Michiru were also unnerved by the way Hotaru stared at them coldly. Setsuna knew something was wrong but Hotaru wouldn't say. It was only when Setsuna came home late from work one day that she discovered what the problem was. Setsuna had taken the elevator and then tapping her card onto the card reader the elevator went right to her apartment. Taking her red heels off slowly, Setsuna heard whispers coming from the living room. Remaining quiet Setsuna tip-toed towards the living room and stopped by the slightly opened door.

'We will have to keep an eye on her Mina-chan…I know I've noticed the change too. I understand why, of course she would be hurt but you know she isn't the type to say anything about her feelings on it…..' Setsuna placed a hand to push the door open a little more. She had wanted to know who Hotaru was talking about with Minako, why had Minako called only to speak with Hotaru?

'I want to come over but they'll ask questions, well yes I guess that's a good idea, is she upset with me, I do try and talk to her often, oh I am glad cause I was sooo worried. No that doesn't sound like her….no…..maybe she'll change when Mamoru-san returns' Setsuna went stiff, they were talking about Usagi-chan! A feeling of dread washed all over her as she thought about Usagi. When was the last time she had gone to see her precious princess?

'I don't think any of them realise, no I haven't mentioned it to them I thought they would've realised it themselves….no I don't think they have forgotten their responsibilities…..I am sorry it has just been you and Usagi-chan fighting these Youma, I only managed to get to the last battle because I was out already. They seem to be targeting her? she has got a lot stronger Mina-chan….I know that de-transformation was unforeseen….Setsuna-chan hasn't seen it yet but she has been busy, they all have I guess but that isn't an excuse…no…..maybe it's part of her transformation towards becoming our future Queen….you don't think she is doing it to herself do you?' Hotaru felt tears pour down her eyes. She was so worried about Usagi. There were so many changes happening and none of the others saw it. They never took the time to notice how fragile she had become from lack of sleep and the constant shadows she complained about following her. Hotaru knew her responsibility and she resolved in herself to not let anyone get in her way.

'Ok, she'll be here soon, call me tomorrow and we'll arrange to meet, no I don't think he'll be back for another day or so and he'll need to settle first…Ami-chan will be back soon as well, before Mamoru-san I think…..Mako-chan is finishing her studies and Rei-chan should be done with hers too….no I don't know how Usagi-chan will react…..I didn't know she was so unstable…oh I think I hear something, we'll talk tomorrow, bye!' putting the phone down Setsuna tried to catch her breath. Usagi….unstable? It didn't make sense to her, how could this be? There were still four years away from the event that was to befall them all. This couldn't be…could it?

Rushing in Setsuna placed a hard look at Hotaru. Hotaru didn't look surprised and didn't back down from the stare. Instead she stared back coldly which unsettled Setsuna.

'I think you have some explaining to do' Hotaru shook her head.

'I don't have anything to say…..' Setsuna nodded.

'Really, didn't sound like that to me; you know I never knew you were so open with Minako…..' Hotaru saw the hurt in Setsuna's eyes and instantly softened.

'Oh Setsuna you can't tell me you know nothing of what is going on' Setsuna was taken aback.

'What do you mean by that?' Hotaru shook her head again.

'Haven't you heard about the Youma attacks lately?' Setsuna went silent. She had heard about them but honestly thought nothing of them. She didn't feel any enemies that were strong enough to be a worry so she paid no mind to it.

'Did you know that Mina-chan and Usagi have dealt with all the attacks on their own even after contacting all of you?' Setsuna vaguely remembered her own compact ringing faintly but again she had not acknowledged it.

'You're finally realising it aren't you, the truth of what not only you but all the others have done, you've ignored your responsibilities and now we may all pay for it….' Hotaru's eyes took on a faraway look that disturbed Setsuna.

'What do you see?' Hotaru didn't answer at first. She was deathly silent caught up in whatever vision she was having. It was truly frightening.

She saw her princess lying on the floor deathly pale. Her once brilliant blue eyes were dull and lifeless. Her white gown was torn and dirty. Her hair was no longer in their two high buns and her broach lay broken by her side. What hurt Hotaru more were the small tears that escaped her princess's face. Where was everybody? Why was she on her own like this? She then saw Venus lying on the ground barely moving. She stretched out her hand trying to reach her princess but Hotaru saw the futility in this. Suddenly she heard a low chuckle as a man approached the princess. She couldn't see him but she felt like the princess knew him and was scared. Hotaru screamed out for him to stay away from her but no sound came out of her mouth. Hotaru screamed and screamed as the man bent down and wrapped his arms around Serenity's waist. He started to walk away with her and as darkness surrounded them Hotaru felt as if the world had ended. Crystal Tokyo would never be and Chibiusa would never be born….

Coming back to her senses Hotaru saw the look of shock on Setsuna's face. Hotaru drew her hand to her eyes and noticed her cheeks were wet. She had been crying. The sheer distress at what she had seen for the first time showed on her face as she watched the scene. Maybe it was because she had grown to love Usagi deeply that this vision had affected her so much.

'What did you see? Please Hotaru say something!' Setsuna was shaking.

'Darkness is coming and our princess is in grave danger… Crystal Tokyo is in danger of not coming about'. Setsuna felt her whole world fall apart as a vision of Chibiusa slowly vanishing and her Princess disappearing flooded her mind. What had they all done?

In a dark room a man sat on a crystal like throne. Holding a glass of red wine the only light emitted from a globe. Looking intently at the image he smirked as he felt his plans were finally starting to work. To be truthful he counted himself lucky at arriving at the time he did. It was a few years before Crystal Tokyo was to be formed and of course, they had all just had a massive battle that had damaged their princess more than they all knew. But he knew, he saw her nightmares, he knew her fears and they were all stupidly playing into them. All he had to do was wait for that breaking point. Sending out a few Youma was the perfect idea. He wanted her to feel isolated and alone. Her mind was fragile now and he was going to make it shatter into tiny unrecognisable pieces. He relished the time when he would pick up her damaged body and make her his own. Oh he was going to make sure she was hurt, angry, scared and fragile. The best part of it all was that the Senshi and that stupid prince had done most of the damage for him already. All he had to do was tip her over the edge now. Patience was what he needed. He would have his prize soon.

Hi,

I have been writing this story up for a while and thought to post it up. I am working on two more at the moment, one of them a sequel to Tears of Selene and another was a request I received. I will post up soon but for now I will update this story and Return to you.

See you guys soon :)