Konichiwa minna-chan, I have returned from a rather long absence. I'm sorry it has taken me so long, but things have been steadily changing in my life to keep me rather busy. As it stands I have also been revising all of my stories so that they are more up to my standards of writing now. I do hope you enjoy the work I put into re-writing these stories as I do them for you. Now, on to the legal stuff. I do not and never have owned Sailor Moon as much as I would. I do however own some characters that will be mentioned at various points throughout the story. I do not write stories with the intent of sex. I can be reached for comments and flames at as always please enjoy the stories and continue to live another day. The song that I used in this is copyrighted to Evanescence and they are copyrighted to themselves.

A Dream Come True
Chapter 1: The Question
By: Serenity Darkness

It was a beautiful evening as I took a stroll through the park near my house. I was supposed to meet Darien there after class was over for a bit before I went home to get ready for this years school talent show. It was the beginning of spring, and almost the end of my senior year of high school. Everyone was surprised that I was able to make it this far in school, especially with how much of a struggle it was for me to get through my first 2 years in high school, but I managed to pull it off, and even make it on to the Honor Roll for the last few years. I took a seat on our favorite bench, surrounded by the rose bushes that we both loved.

It wasn't long before I could see Darien walking up on his way to meet me. I smiled and stood up as I saw him and waved excitedly. "Hey there Serena." He said as he reached were I was and kissed me softly upon the lips. He looked great as awesome, in his green blazer jacket and jeans with black turtleneck. Where as I stood there wearing my school uniform. "So are you ready for tonight?" Darien asked me as we sat down. "You know I am, I've been practicing for days and nights love." I said softly as he wrapped his arms around my shoulder. "I just hope it's enough to beat them at their own game of showing off." I continued and he laughed a bit. "Don't worry, you'll do wonderful, and we'll all be there to cheer you on." He said kissing my cheek. I looked up at him and brushed his bangs away from his sapphire blue eyes. "Now I'm getting extremely nervous… just make sure you guys dress appropriately, this is supposed to be a formal event." I said as I smiled a bit giggling "I will." He said and we sat there for a bit longer before I realized it was time for me to get going. "I better get home so I can get my homework done and get ready" I said as I stood up with a stretch. Darien sat there and smiled "Of course, I'll see you later tonight" He said as we embraced and kissed again before I left.
It wasn't long before I reached the house, and it wasn't even dark yet. I unlocked the door and entered "Dad! I'm home!" I called out into the quite house. My mother had died about 3 years ago. So it was always quite now, sometimes it was a blessing to me when I was studying, but sometimes… it made life difficult, I missed her. "Alright Serena." He said as I went upstairs to do my homework.

Homework was now a breeze for me. Thanks to the entire group tutoring sessions we had for a while I began to understand things a lot better, and schoolwork, and homework became a lot easier for me to do. I had also done most of my homework in class, it was my way of making sure I had most of it done before I got home, since I had more distractions at home then I did at school. It didn't take me long to finish up what little bit of homework I had left. I stood up and stretched, and walked over to my CD player and put in the one of my CD's, I needed to hear the song I was going to be singing to help calm me down since I was getting nervous. I also used this time not only to calm down but also to get ready. I programmed the CD to number 9, and walked around and opened my closet.

My music choices had changed a lot throughout the years and I finally found one that I felt expressed me in quite a bit of a way, it was something different and yet nice. I had decided to sing a song by the name of My Last Breath, by a group called Evanescence. It was a very nice song, and I felt it expressed a part of me that I could not express with just pure words, especially when it concerned my mother, it reminded me a lot of her and how her last days were. Dad had not even heard this song… and most of my friends didn't know why I had chosen to sing this, but Darien knew… he was there with me when she passed in her sleep, and because of what this song meant to me, I would have to find an outfit in my closet that fit it. I had one dress. I had bought this dress a while ago, while shopping with Darien, I never knew if I would have a reason to wear it, but I did end up with one after all. It was a black dress that fell down to my shins, the sleeves and upper portion of the dress was made of mesh before it reached my breast, were the silk portion of the dress started. The mesh was in a v-neck pattern and showed a small amount of cleavage but not much. With this I was going to wear a simple pair of black strap heeled sandals

I laid the dress out on my bed and looked at it, I smiled and nodded. It was defiantly the right choice for the nice, nice, simple, and elegant. I just needed to decide on how I was going to do my hair and makeup for the night. It took a moment as I sat in front of my vanity looking at my face before I knew what I wanted to do. Once that was deiced, I pulled out the colors I was going to need. Once I had things situated there. I paused the CD, and ran to take a quick shower. I wasn't going to spend long in the shower, it was only supposed to be a quick one, but I also needed to make sure I washed my hair. I wanted it to shine.

After my shower, and drying my hair, I wrapped my hair into a towel and ran back to my bedroom were I began to get dressed. The dress I picked fit wonderfully and hugged my curves like it was made for me. Second I put on my shoes, strapping them on and stood in front of the full-length mirror and smiled. I looked nice, but once I had finished I would look even better. With my hair still up so it wouldn't get in my way I started to do my make up. I started with the liquid eyeliner, which is a bitch to put on, but I wanted something that would bring out my eyes. And to add to that effect, I added just a tad bit of black eye shadow, just enough to really make my eyes shine out, but not too much. Followed by the mascara, to accent my eyelashes, and I already had long ones as it was. I didn't need to add any color to my lips because they were already a rosy shade of pink, so I just dot a bit of clear lip gloss to them and was done with my make up. Now came the troubling part, my hair. I didn't know what to do with it, as it was so long, and a beautiful blond color. I took it out of the towel and my hair cascaded down my back to my knees. It was still a bit stringy because it wasn't fully dry, but it was mostly. I walked over to the mirror trying to think of what I could do with it. Then I realized, it looked very nice when it was down and free flowing. So that's what I deiced to do, of course I had to brush it first to make sure it shone.

I grabbed a small black shawl from my closet and wrapped it around my arms. I walked to look in front of the mirror and smiled. I liked the image that was staring back at me, a beautiful young girl right on the edge of maiden hood and adult hood. I walked over to my CD player and turned it off and grabbed the CD before I walked out of my room and called to my dad "I'm ready!" I called out and I could hear him reply to me "Alright, I'll be there as soon as I get off the phone!" he said. I had never heard the phone ring, but then again I was also very busy. It wasn't long after I told dad that I was ready that he came down stairs. He stopped for a moment and smiled as he looked at me. "You look fantastic Serena." He said. "Thanks daddy" I replied as I hugged him. "Sammy, it's time to go!" dad called to my little brother, both dad and Sammy were dressed as elegant and formal as I was, with their suites and ties on, though it was obvious that Sammy didn't like the fact that he had to wear one, but if it meant getting to go see the talent show he would do it. Once Sammy came downstairs we all got into the family van and drove off to the school, were I parted with my dad and brother and went into the backstage area of the auditorium

When I reached the backstage area I saw a lot of the other students who were participating in the show, and a lot of them were very nervous. There was the group of cheerleaders off to the side, the band kids off to another side, and the group of those who would be singing at another area. Each group was clustered around several of the postings of order of who would go first and what group had which spot. I knew just about everyone there, but I did not become friends with any of them. I had my own special group of friends, because I didn't fit in the groups that had been formed at this school. But that didn't matter to me. I walked over to see what the order was going to be in. Well the groups of dancers had the first spot in the night, and singing was going to go after them, with instrumentals last. I was not very happy with the order, as the last dance that was going to be preformed was by my enemy, Robbie, and her group of cheerleaders. I had disliked them most of all; they were stuck up, and made fun of anyone and everyone they chose. They made fun of me every year, because I would not join their group. I wasn't a cheerleader, and I wasn't fake, not like them. I knew they were entering, but only found out after I did, and I wanted to beat them at their own game.

My thoughts were broken as I heard the Senior Class President speaking words of welcome to the guests, and students in the audience. I had no idea that they had already filed in and were ready to begin the show, and that made me even more nervous, though I still had a while to go before it was my turn to put on my act. The dances were interesting I must say, done to several different songs, there was even a ballet dance preformed as well, that was defiantly a delight to see, and very different. It wasn't long before Robbie and her select group went on stage, it was then that I began to get nervous, because it meant I was next. While another group of cheerleaders had set the standards for the dance category, I was going to be the one to set the standards for the vocals category; all I could do was hope and pray, that I could pull this off.

I heard the end of the song that Robbie's group was dancing to, and the voice of the announcer speaking. "Thank you ladies, that was a marvelous dance you all put on." She said as they all bounced off stage and into the back area. They were giving each other congratulations like they had already one the entire event. "Now ladies and gentlemen, we are now going to begin the competition for the vocals category; please remember to be respectful to each of the contestants, and that the judging will take place after each act, with the winners being announced after the break. Now without further ado, I will introduce our first vocalist for the night. I've been here on several occasions to watch the practices, and I must say this one is a treat, please put your hands together for Miss Serena Mystic!" She said as she backed off on stage. The lights had dimmed down as I walked out onto stage. With one spotlight but it was on the floor of the stage so they could not see when I walked on. Even though they couldn't see me, I could see them, everyone was there, Daddy, Sammy, Darien, and even my best friends, Mina, Lita, Rae, and Amy, and they were all there.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, I knew the song was the song was ready, and the light started to move over the stage and to my feet… I took another deep breath and as the music died down, I put the microphone to my mouth, and I began to sing, strong and soft conveying my emotions in those first words.

Hold on to me love
You know I can't stay long
All I wanted to say was I love you and I'm not afraid
Can you hear me?
Can you feel me in your arms?

I had not known it, but the nervousness at the pit of my stomach had vanished, and I closed my eyes as I sang, for a moment I was in my own world, safe, alone, singing with no one there. I could hear my own voice, strong and full of the emotion I could only hope that I could convey in this song.

Holding my last breath
Safe inside myself
Are all my thoughts of you
Sweet raptured light
It ends here tonight

I was singing my heart out, visions of my mother filled my mind, all the good times, and it was all I could see as I sang. I was moving around the gym floor. I had long since taken the mic off its stand and was looking down at the faces of my loved ones. I could see the emotion in their eyes as they realized exactly what the meaning was behind why I chose this song. My dad and brother most of all, they missed her to. They never realized it but this was my way of letting out emotion, and it was the first time, they had ever heard me sing.

I'll miss the winter
A world of fragile things
Look for me in the white forest
Hiding in a hollow tree (come find me)

I know you hear me
I can taste it in your tears!

Holding my last breath
Safe inside myself
Are all my thoughts of you
Sweet raptured light
It ends here tonight

I was by no means done, but I could feel, my own tears falling down my face, thankfully I used waterproof make up, but the feelings, the emotions I had pent inside of me were releasing into this song. This song, the only thing I knew that I could use to describe what I think my mother was feeling as she passed on that night.

Closing your eyes to disappear
You pray your dreams will leave you here
But still you wake and know the truth
No one's there

Say goodnight
Don't' be afraid
Calling me calling me as you fade to black…

Holding my last breath
Safe inside myself
Are all my thoughts of you
Sweet raptured light
It ends here tonight….

When I finished I was crying, the tears slid down my face, but I was back in the middle of the stage. I didn't know what had happened during the song, but the looks of sadness I remembered seeing from my father and brother could only tell me that I had indeed let my emotions out and the whole auditorium could feel the effects, as I could hear sobbing in the audience, but that was coupled with the sound of resounding applause. I bowed as I whipped my face and the applause had not ceased even as I walked off stage. I could hear the announcer covering up her own tears "Thank you Miss Mystic… such an astounding voice, such feeling such emotion!" she said, slowly the applause started to die down enough for the next vocalist to be announced. Even backstage some of them were crying. I didn't realize that I had that much pent up emotion to release in that song, but I defiantly did.

I snuck out the backstage entrance and into the auditorium with my friends and family. They had saved a seat for me knowing I would want to come out after I had finished my act. A lot of the other participants had done the same as well. I took a seat right between my father and Darien, I was surprised they were getting along, but I didn't give a second though to it as I hugged both Sammy and my dad who were still drying the tears from their eyes. "You were wonderful sweetheart" daddy said as he hugged me and kissed my forehead. "Thanks daddy" I said before I sat back and leaned against Darien as the acts continued.

I had defiantly set the standards for the rest of the vocals competition, the other acts were good, very good, better than me in my opinion, but obviously not to the crowed. No one had such applause as I did, but they were good nonetheless. The vocals ended soon, and the instrumentals began, there weren't many of them but that was because they mostly did classical solo pieces and some of them were indeed long. But they were just as nice as the vocals, and quite a break as well.

The last act was done around 7:30pm, and for having started at 4:30pm, it was a lot to go through. I was glad when the break came and everyone started to disband for a moment.

Darien and I walked out of the auditorium, and towards the schools garden. It was a nice garden, but didn't have any roses. "You look absolutely fantastic, you made a good choice when we bought that dress last week." He said as I smiled "Thank you… I had hoped one day this dress would come in handy." I said as I stood next to him. We both stood there looking at the moon. "I know she meant a lot to you. She would be very proud of you Sere," Darien said as he held me "I know… I can only hope that she heard it." I said as I closed my eyes lying against his chest. "I think she did." He said, as we stood there for a bit longer.

After a while I began to tense, I could feel eyes; unfriendly eyes upon my back "What is it?" Darien asked me and I looked up at him "We're being watched." I said. "Ignore them, they only want to cause trouble." He told me as he wrapped both arms around me and pulled me a bit tighter to him, apparently he could see them.

I don't know when they showed up, but Robbie, and Tina were they're two of the cheerleaders who hated me. "This is so disgusting, stupid blond" I could hear Robbie say about me to Tina. "I know. She probably paid him to do this for her." I was shaking a bit and Darien, I could tell was getting annoyed and he leaned down to whisper to me, "Lets get back inside, the break is almost up anyway." He said and I nodded. Darien lead me back to the backstage door entrance and smiled "I have faith you'll win this" He said and leaned down to kiss me softly "Thank you love…" I said as I kissed him back before I slipped into the backstage area and he went back to join the rest of our group.

I never heard Robbie and Tina come back in much less did I care. I was happy at the moment off in a corner by myself thinking of the fact that I was going to go out after this was over and have dinner with Darien. I had a curfew but it was all right, I knew I would be home in time, as Darien never once kept me out to late. "Welcome back!" I heard from the Class president as she began to welcome people back from our intermission. "Now the moment we've all been waiting for, the results of the competition!" she called out "Will all of the contestants of the dance category come on stage please?" She said as about 4 groups went out. I stood there listing and watching as she began reading out who won what, of course Robbie and her group got 1st place in their category.

Next up she called for those of us in the Vocals category. I walked out on stage with he other contestants. There were more of us, but that was because we were solo acts. I stood there just waiting and listing, I didn't think I would get an award, so I was surprised when I was announced as first place winner of the vocals competition. The others congratulated me as they left the stage and I stayed there, next to Robbie and Tina, much to my dismay. Then the instrumental category was announced. Her name was Sierra Grande, with her flute.

"Thanks to all who participated, but these 4 are the best of their groups. Now lets find out who is the best of the best!" I heard her say, I knew this was it, this would be my make or break moment, and I had made I this far. It was now time to see who the best really was. I had hoped that if I didn't get it that the other girl did, anyone but Robbie and Tina. I despised them, showing off like they were better then everyone else, with their fake hair and nails. "Third place not to be put off but she was pretty good, was Sierra Grande!" The class president announced. Sierra was just glad she made it this far as it was and took her third place trophy happily. "Now this was a tough one, as both these last contestants put their all into their show, but a decision had to be made as to who had the over all talent, so in second place…" she started and trailed off. I stood there, with a calm interior as opposed to the two cheerleaders next to me who were flashing winning smiles to the crowds in preparation for being announced the first place winners, "In second place we have… Robbie and Tina!" The Class President said.

The moment the names left her lips, both Robbie and Tina lost their smiles. They didn't win, the competition. The looks of utter disappointment on their faces were priceless to me. I looked out in the audience knowing what this meant, and I saw Darien's smiling face first of all as I smiled happily. I had done it; I had beaten them at their own game of showing off. "That means, our grand prize winner of this competition is Miss Serena Mystic!" The class president said and the crowed burst into a joyous round of applause. I accepted my trophy graciously and happily as I smiled shaking the hands of the judges. It seems I was very impressive and put on the best performance of my life. I closed my eyes for a moment and silently thanked my mother I think if it had not been for her love and care even during her last days I might not have been able to put on such a performance.

I was receiving congratulations from everyone around me though Robbie and Tina stood off snubbing their noses as usual. "You were great Sere, We're so proud of you!" I heard Mina say as each of my friends came up and hugged me, and each one also had a rose. It didn't strike me as odd, though even the other contestants had roses for me, by the time I had gotten all the roses I had 17 beautiful red roses. Then I looked up and saw Darien, he had one rose left for me, but it wasn't red like all the rest, but a beautiful pure white rose. I hadn't even noticed by this time that no one in the audience had left their seats, but were all watching us intently. Darien, gave me the last rose right in the middle of all the red ones I had already been given. As he gave me this last rose he slowly began to kneel down in front of me.

At that moment my head began to spin. I was still so happy from winning the competition and beating my childhood rival that I was still in shock even when I saw Darien pull a box from the inside of his suit pocket. "Serena… you have shown me what it means to really be loved. You have given me hope and happiness, more so than anyone else on this planet. Since the day I met you, I've know that we would be together. Would you complete this lost soul by becoming my wife…"

Sorry to end it here, but this as anyone who has originally read this story knows this is how this chapter ended, with a question. Up next in the revision of one of my more romantic stories, is her answer! Please stick around and enjoy!