Serena stared at Darien. Her heart lurched and her stomach churned. This was her reaction every time she saw him since his startling revelation of wanting to end their relationship. Now that they were returning Rini to the future, she felt as if there was nothing to connect them at all.
Oh why doesn't he love me? He's just got to! Why else would he keep coming to my rescue? ... Maybe he's just a nice guy. ... NO!
She thought defiantly.
He loves me! He's just got to!
Working up courage, and hoping she wouldn't be shot down by his sudden hatred, she pulled Darien aside.
"Darien...whatever happens...I want you to know...I love you."
Darien blinked blankly.
"I don't love you, Serena."
Serena allowed her crystalline tears to fall.
"Darien...you're breaking my heart."
And this is breaking mine darling. I wish so badly it didn't have to be this way, Darien thought to himself.
Serena shook the tears from her eyes.
"I love you, Prince Darien. Hate me all you want, but my feelings will never change. Ever."
She turned away, and transformed. Walking to join everyone at the dock, she waited to take off for the future.
Serena slowly took in the words of Phantom King Darien.
Marriage? Rini? Daughter? ...Dreams?
She looked to Darien, hoping to see something informative. Instead, her eyes met with confusion and...relief? Serena desperately needed to talk to Darien. Waiting for the King Darien to finish speaking, she excused herself and hoped Darien would follow. Standing on a concealed deck, Serena looked at the desolation of Crystal Tokyo.
My home, my kingdom.
Her thought were interrupted at the sound of approaching footsteps. She turned her head, and met with the lips of Darien.
"Tuxedo Mask...Darien."
Darien interrupted her.
"My nightmares. Something terrible would happen to you every night. It was our wedding, and you would step away, and," he hesitated. "You would die, Serena. I had to watch the love of my life die every night. In my nightmares, I was told that if we were to be together, you would die. I couldn't let my love for you endanger your life. I can't live without you Serena. Sailor Moon. Now I know it was a test of love..."
"Darien...I...you should have told me. I want our love to succeed so badly Darien. Now I know my dreams come true. Marriage, a child...an eternal love. I feel as if I could soar the skies with you Darien. To the ends of the Earth. I love you so much. My heart was in such a terrible condition," she broke off, her throat closing up from her crying. "To think you didn't love me anymore."
Darien enclosed her in his cape and kissed her passionately.
"I."
He kissed her eyes.
"Love."
He kissed her hair, her cheeks.
"You."
He kissed her lips.
The power of love, thought Serena. She held Darien's hand, and walked away. She knew they could be about face their final battle, but as long as Darien was with her, loving her, she knew she would be perfectly alright.