Chapter One

Everyone Has a Lover…Except Mina

"So you got another date with Darien, huh?"

The blonde seventeen-year-old lounged on her friend's bed as she watched her file through the selections in her closet. Serena stopped mid-hum and poked her head out, a dreamy smile on her lips.

"Yeah, he's got this really romantic evening planned. Naturally he's told me nothing about it, besides the need for semi-formal attire."

Mina sighed as the pig-tailed blonde disappeared again amongst the designer racks. Serena and Darien had been an item since well before she could remember; destiny had its name written all over them. Centuries ago, they had lived and died together, only to be reborn in the next life. No matter what tore them apart, they always seemed to find their way back to each other. To celebrate a recent break in Negaverse attacks, Darien had arranged a romantic dinner for two at the famed Starlight Tower, a place that held a special significance for them.

Serena sure is lucky Mina mused, picturing the handsome high-school student wrapping his arms around her friend, leaning in for a sweet kiss. Even a total stranger could see they were meant to be. She could remember smiling at them, reflecting the happiness she felt for her friend, yet longing to feel the same warmth and devotion herself. She had been burned in the past, falling hopelessly for a guy back in England, only to find it wasn't reciprocated. She remembered the heat of the explosion, the cold concrete of the alleyway, the nagging pull at her heart when she saw him wrapped in the arms of another…

"Helloooo! Earth to Mina!"

Mina blinked, pulled out of her reverie by her friend's exasperated inquiry.

"Sorry, Sere," she apologized, grinning sheepishly up at the ordango-haired girl, who now held a slimming black dress in her arms.

"What on Earth were you thinking about?" she asked. "I've never seen you spaced out during a fashion crisis."

Mina couldn't help but giggle. "I was just daydreaming a little," she confessed, forming a white lie to cover up her tracks. "I was just picturing how amazing it's going to be for you tonight, that is if those Nega creeps stay off our case."

Serena took the bait, giving Mina a confident wink. "Don't jinx it, Mina," she giggled. "I've waited too long for this date, and nothing in this universe is going to ruin it!"

Mina nodded, smiling at her friend's enthusiasm. She stood as Serena moved to the full-length mirror, holding the dress in front of her.

"Looks awesome, Sere," Mina remarked, looking over her friend's shoulder. "Now we just need to find some dazzling earrings to go with it. 'Ya know a dress is nothing without the right accessories!"

While Serena hunted through her jewelry collection, Mina turned to the window, another sigh escaping her. It did her no good to dwell on her broken dreams, so for now, the toils of the heart would have to wait.

A few hours later, Mina could be found standing on the bridge overlooking the river. It was a beautiful night, a bright crescent moon hanging in the lavender sky, a thousand stars winking back at her. It was the perfect night for romance, yet, like so many times before, the Goddess of Love found herself alone. Amy had Greg. Rei had Chad. Even Lita, who convinced herself she would never love again, had fallen in love with her childhood friend, Ken.

But I've got no one she thought sullenly, staring at her reflection. Her duty was her love, not just as one of the Sailor Scouts, but also as lead guardian to Princess Serenity, sworn to defend the princess and the Silver Crystal with her life. But was that all her life was meant to be? Would she ever get her chance at love?

"Oh stars," she cried to the heavens above her. "Please tell me this isn't to be my destiny. Please, let there be someone out there for me!"

She waited, but she received no answer. The stars remained silent, winking mockingly at her. And why shouldn't they? What good would it do, wishing on the stars like a foolish child? This was her lot in life, and she had to learn to accept it. Still, as she gazed at her lonely reflection, a few hopeless tears escaped from her cerulean eyes…

Several yards away, a lone figure stood on a streetlight, watching the woman on the bridge with intent curiosity. She was beautiful to be sure, but could she be the one he had been searching for? He watched as she wiped the tears from her face, straightened, and walked away, holding her head high.

"Goodnight, princess," he whispered as she walked out of sight. "Until we meet again."

With that, he smiled to himself before disappearing into the moonlight.