Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.

Hey Guys!! Major apologies for not updating sooner. I had finals and then I couldn't come up with a good ending for this story. Thank you all so much for reading this story and sticking through this with me, since this was my first fanfic. You guys are awesome.

As always, read and review and I'll be happy forever.

And I promise an epilogue. Don't think I forgot.

Enjoy

Chapter 21

Serena leaned back in her bed to contemplate her boy issues. It was quite funny actually. She always believed that Raye or Mina would fall in love first and be the one trying to choose between guys, but clearly that was not the case. She had fallen for two guys, both with raven black hair and both with wonderful blue eyes. The one with short raven black hair had told her he wouldn't be hurt if she chose the one with long raven hair. The one with long raven hair told her to choose the one with short raven hair. Seiya had his reasons behind the choice, saying he'd have to go to Kinmoku and that was where his loyalties lie.

In a weird way, Serena had always leaned a little more toward Darien. How could she not? They had history together. Be it in the Moon Kingdom or in this lifetime. She had found her first love with him, how could she turn him away? Seiya had always loved Serena and she had loved him as a friend back. She was being faithful to Darien, even while he was gone. Yes, she had feelings for Seiya, but she knew she'd be betraying her heart. Darien had placed his own heart in hers a long time before that and she had handed him her own. Seiya had come into the picture later, but Seiya didn't have proper claims on her heart. He had been kind, caring, generous and willing to accept her decision. He cared for her truly and fell in love, even if Serena couldn't accept his love.

She should ask herself a legitimate question. Did she choose Darien after all this because of Seiya?

Yes and no. Yes because he had told her his first loyalties, no matter where his heart belonged, was with his princess on Kinmoku. He had given Serena and Darien his blessing and accepted it. He said he had been in a one sided love before and he could do it again. Serena believed him. Her friends would call her naïve, but she was just trusting. But she didn't choose Darien because Seiya said so. She chose Darien because she loved him with every fiber of her being. She could never turn him away. She knew if she had ever turned away from him, he'd be beyond devastated. Well, so would she. Yes, she could love Seiya, but it was only half heartedly. She only loved him after Darien was gone. Darien she had loved for ever and always would. Yes they had fought in their past, but a strong relationship grows from those fights and moves on and helps strengthen their love for each other. That was how life worked. Learn, forgive and move on. Don't hold grudges and accept people for who they were. Besides, you meet people for a reason and if you start hating them, then what's the point of meeting them? You'll never learn anything from them anyway.

She and Darien had gone through that and they were madly and deeply in love, head over heels. She could love Seiya, but not the way she loved Darien. She could feel protected by Seiya, because he loved her, but she felt protected with Darien. Something Luna said rang true with her. Your first true love is the strongest. No matter how hard you try to forget, if it's true love, then it's real and strong. Yes, it's possible to find a second love and that could turn stronger, but Serena only had a half a heart for that. She had always been set after Darien and always would. She had him back and she wasn't going to let him go. No, she wouldn't.

Serena was the type of person who, if setting her mind and determination to it, would never let go of something once she decided it's what she wants. She wants Darien. No arguments needed. It was simple. She loved him. She loved Rini, no matter how much that little annoying girl irked her. Serena would never be able to live with herself if she closed off Rini's future. She had a set family and who was she to change it.

So this is what love feels like. No matter how many reasons one can reason to stay with someone, the real, one true reason was because of love. Love just made Serena feel all giddy inside. It made her stomach do summersaults and feel light and dizzy from joy. It made her feel like everything was perfect and nothing could go wrong. It made her feel whole and complete. That was her true reason for choosing Darien. The feelings she had for him were stronger than ever—and they had plenty of time to become strong over the millenniums.

Satisfied, Serena slid under her covers and went to sleep. A loud meow in her face jolted her wide awake. Why was Luna waking her up in the middle of the night?! A quick glance at her clock told her it was only nine.

"Go away Luna," Serena groaned as she pulled a pillow over her head. "It's only nine. I'm tired!"

"Serena, get out of bed!" Luna commanded. "I don't want your mother coming in and snapping at you! And on top of that, you're late for a scout meeting."

"Oh no!" Serena cried as she jumped out of bed with such speed it sent her black cat flying. A meow escaped Luna's lips. "You could have told me it was morning!" Serena continued as she grabbed the first piece of clothing that she could find. She ended up wearing jeans, a t-shirt and tennis shoes. She fixed up her hair in her typical buns as she ran out the door shouting a farewell to her parents. Luna was barely keeping up as she followed her Princess out the door and up to the temple.

"What's the rush?" came a jovial voice.

Serena skidded to a halt, causing Luna to bound into her and both squeaked 'ow'. Serena met a pair of lavender eyes that sparkled with joy. That small, childish, perfectly sculpted face held those wonderful jewels that were eyes. Chocolaty hair framed her face, causing Hana Mioko to look both old and young. Tiny red, yellow and white flowers were woven into her hair. She wore a simple pale red elbow length shirt and a mini black pleated skirt with knee length black boots. "Hana!" Serena panted. "I'm late for the scout meeting."

"Really? I thought we were on time," Hana said calmly, with laughter laced into her voice.

"We're on time?!?!?" Serena cried shocked.

Hana laughed at Serena's reaction. Those lavender eyes sparkled with good humor. "I'm pretty sure."

"Well, what am I running for?!" Serena cried. Both Hana and Serena laughed.

"Come, walk with me, Moon Princess," Hana suggested kindly.

"You are going to the scout meeting, right?" Serena asked suspiciously.

"But of course," Hana replied, eyes sparkling with laughter. "I need to say goodbye after all."

"Goodbye?" Serena asked stupidly.

"A farewell," Hana answered humorously. "The Lady requires my presence on the Galaxial Shield."

"Oh." Serena didn't know what else to say. Here was the small, seemingly childlike woman, who helped battle and defeat Chaos, who wove her way into the Scouts' lives, who helped and gave advice even when no one asked for it. Here was the wonderful Flowerling who would leave them forever.

"Not forever," Hana said softly. Her eyes seemed to lose a little of their twinkle, but Serena barely noticed. Hana Mioko, Sailor Gloriosa, Flowerling and Soldier of the Galaxial Shield, was going to miss her Earth friends. They meant the world and she completely understood why Lady Guardiania chose these wonderful girls to be Sailor Scouts. Lady Guardiania required her presence back at the Galaxial Shield though. It seemed that the Lady knew if Hana stayed any longer, she would not be able to leave, because she had become so attached to these wonderful people. "I promise I'll see you all again. And do not fear, Maria will be meeting us at Sailor Mars' temple."

"I wasn't worried," Serena said. "Come, we are going to be late at this pace."

"So we can be fashionably late," Hana countered and Serena laughed.

"You can be fashionably late, but Raye'll have my head if I don't get there on time."

"I'm sure Raye will be fine this time," Hana said knowingly.

"Whatever you say, but if she starts chasing me, I have the right to blame it on you."

"Fair enough," Hana replied and they both laughed. Linking arms, they headed up to Raye's temple with Luna trailing, feeling much less ruffled than when she was trying to catch up with Serena. When that girl wanted to run, she did.

They reached the temple at a reasonable time and Raye smiled up at them. All Serena could think of was thank goodness she didn't get mad at me. They sat outside because of the wonderful fresh air and perfect weather.

"Hana, do you have to go back?" Mina asked.

"Why can't you stay here?" Raye added.

Hana laughed politely. "Because the Lady needs me back at home."

"Well, that's cheap," Lita muttered and all the girls laughed.

"Oh no, here comes Darien," Raye exclaimed to Serena and Serena smiled slightly.

"Good. I need to talk to him." Serena got off her bottom and ran up to Darien. Darien looked at her nervously. Serena smiled up at him and he smiled uncertainly back.

"Did you—err—mull things over?" Darien asked uncomfortably.

"Yes," Serena replied lightly. Her heart was beating really fast and she was feeling giddy all over.

"And?" He sounded nervous and unsure. Man he was cute.

Serena's grin widened. She leaned up and planted a wonderful, heart warming kiss on his lips. They both melted under the kiss and Serena pulled away, laughing and eyes sparkling. "I love you, Darien."

"I love you too, Meatball Head," Darien replied fondly and relieved. His heart skipped with joy as he looked at her.

A certain girl around Hotaru's height with long chocolaty hair and sparkling lavender eyes gazed at the couple approvingly. Her friend with bright orange hair and butterscotch eyes approached her. "It seems like it all worked out after all," Maria said in Hana's ear.

"You know, I think we did a good thing," Hana replied happily. "They belong together. They always did."

"And Star Fighter?" Maria inquired.

"He's good and he already had someone who will win his heart over, he just doesn't know it yet," Hana answered smiling.

"Oh? And who might that be?" Maria asked.

"Time will tell," was Hana's reply.

"It always does, my friend, it always does." Maria paused and then stated, "I've decided something." Her jovial butterscotch eyes peered into her friend's bright lavender eyes.

"What have you decided, dear one?" Hana asked with laughter in her voice.

"You and the Moon Princess are awfully similar."

"It took you that long to figure that out?"

"Hey!" Maria exclaimed, making a face to her friend. "I'm not gifted like you."

"But you are gifted."

"With what?"

"Okay, I lied. You're burdened. With me!" Hana laughed as Maria chased her down the temple steps and back up again.

The sun was high in the sky as Hana Mioko said her last farewells to her wonderful friends. They gifted her with a magnificent necklace carved with each of their names, both Earth names and Sailor Scout names. Hana embraced each of her friends, saving Serena for last. Maria and she had already said their farewells in their special way. Hana approached Serena and was squished in a bear hug that Serena graced her with. Hana whispered something in Serena's ear and the Moon Princess smiled at her winsomely. She had said love is the key to happiness and success. Do that and you'll never be lost.

In the blink of an eye, Hana Mioko transformed into Sailor Gloriosa, the Flowerling, Protector and Soldier of the Galaxial Shield. She lifted effortlessly into the air as silvery purple energy began to gather around her. "I will you," Sailor Gloriosa cried. "But I will see you in the future." They all waved at her and the energy around Sailor Gloriosa flared up. And then she was gone.

The Scouts dispersed, leaving Serena and Darien in front of the temple, staring up at the sky where Sailor Gloriosa had bid them farewell. Darien's strong arms encircled her waist and Serena leaned back, loving the feeling of being back in his arms. "You know what?" She asked Darien.

"What?" He whispered into her ear.

"Hana will do great things."

"So will we."

"Yes we will." Serena loved the sound of that.

There. What do you all think? Epilogue will be following shortly.

Again, sorry for keeping you all waiting and you guys are amazing.

Can't wait to hear from you all. Maybe I'll feel incentive to post faster with more reviews... no worries, I'm still posting the epilogue either way.

Thanks again guys, you rock.

moonlitsfantasy