Chapter 5

Dimension GW

"Duo! Trowa! Wufei!" She said happily, and sprang to her feet in spite of Motoki's protesting arms trying to hold her down. As she ran and gave a hug to each one, she proclaimed, "I'm so happy you guys made it here too!"

Heero glared at them as Usagi dished out hugs, but was pacified when he saw the completely bewildered expressions on their faces. His face returned to its perpetual mask, while the others looked all the more confused. He then glared at Quatre, who unwillingly removed his hand and allowed Heero to stand.

"Made it here too? Hey lady, I never met you before today!" Duo protested as she hugged him tightly. She drew back from him in surprise. Heero's face showed no expression, but his eyes flickered with curiousity. How could they not remember? Yet… the two glanced around. Motoki, Quatre, Wufei, and Trowa all seemed as lost as Duo. Serenity cleared her throat, and brought her hands together until a small object glimmered between them.

"Serenity!" Motoki made a face at her. "Don't you even think about using that Crystal right now. You're much to tired still from everything else that's happened."

"Honestly Motoki! You're going by only what I've done in this lifetime, and you forget the knowledge and control of my crystal that I just gained today." She shook her head. "Believe me, my control over the crystal is such that I can now pull energy from nature, and from those I'm using the crystal on. It prevents the draining of my energy, and only does harm to those I wish it to harm. All will be well."

Heero nodded. "She's telling you the truth. We've got most of our memories back, wouldn't you like to have yours? Serenity can give them to you without hurting herself, and both she and I would prefer sooner to later."

"I still don't like it…" Motoki made a face. "But I don't suppose I can stop you, can I Renity?"

"Nope, you can't." She smiled, than raised the Crystal over her head. "Crystal, give my friends back their memories!"

There was a flash of white light, and suddenly recognition filled the faces of the five men. Duo moved over to stand next to Serenity, hugging her again while ignoring Heero's glare. Wufei went quickly to Motoki's side, and the two men nodded at one another before smiling at each other and clapping one another on the back. Quatre and Trowa both smiled brightly, coming together and embracing in the tight hug of long lost friends.

"Renity, I can't believe I forgot you!" Duo exclaimed before releasing her. "You know, you two are the same as you were back then. You're still a bright, cheerful girl who for one reason or another that I don't understand has attached herself to that cold fish of a man over there. And you, Heero! I'd think that after finally getting her back, you'd at least smile!"

"Renity, is there any possibility of your commanding your bodyguard to leave me alone?" Heero asked flatly. The other four men exchanged glances. Now where had they seen this before…? Serenity giggled.

"Duo, you leave Prince Heero alone! You're well aware of his quiet tendencies, as well as the reasons behind them. I won't tolerate this kind of behavior." She smirked slightly. "Keep this up and I'll make you and Quatre trade places, and you and Trowa can guard each other."

Trowa shook his head, and Quatre laughed. Wufei and Motoki exchanged looks. Apparently some things would never change. Heero would always be reserved, Duo would always tease him, and Serenity would always find some way to make her body guard pay for it. Trowa and Wufei both mentally thanked heaven that Queen Serenity had given them the easier charges of Quatre and Motoki respectively to bodyguard.

"Hey, you guys?" Serenity said. "Do you have any other clothes I could wear? This dress is ridiculously heavy under Earth's gravity!"

"Silly Serenity. Why don't you just transform into something else?" Quatre asked, glowing slightly as his clothes faded back into their usual Arabian style. She giggled and nodded her head, and in yet another flash her clothing became a pale pink tank top and a tight pair of jean shorts. Heero's eyes roved over her body after he returned to his usual green tank and black shorts. Serenity walked over to him and wrapped her arms around him, holding him close.

"I've missed you so much! You don't know what I've had to go through in that other dimension. He was there, you know. He used some kind of magic so that I thought I loved him. Then he manipulated me into acting like a klutz and a total idiot." Serenity's voice was a soft whisper, and only Heero could hear her. "I can't believe I didn't see it! I was so blind."

Heero pulled her nearer still to him. "It wasn't your fault. Don't worry, he'll pay. I will never forgive him for what he's put us through, both in this life and the last."

"What's wrong?" Duo asked, interrupting the tender moment. Heero glared at him, and Serenity shook her head slightly. There had been so much pain in Heero's life, so many problems. Why couldn't they ever be alone long enough for her to help him? The goddess closed her eyes and let her memory flow swiftly back to similar times in the Silver Millennium, and to one of the few times Heero had been alone with her long enough to open up.

Flashback

Princess Serenity sat quietly among the flowers in her garden. She was supposed to be in lessons with the other princesses and her brother, but somehow she couldn't force herself to sit there quietly today. She pondered what Heero might be doing, as well as how long it would be before Duo found her. Naturally, he had no idea where she was. Giving him the slip was surprisingly easy, considering his background as a pocket picker. Duo was definitely not the brightest crayon in the box. She jumped when a hand touched her shoulder.

"Duo, please leave me be. I don't want to go back to lessons today." She murmured softly, staring at the ground. "Can't I just skip them for once?"

"Of course you can, Renity. And please, don't mix me up with that braided baka." Serenity spun around and wrapped her arms around Heero.

"I've missed you so much!" Serenity exclaimed. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be at home trying to work things out with your brother? I'm so sorry I came between you."

"Serenity," Heero said, and he stared deep into her eyes. "We need to talk."

"Of course Heero. What is it?" Serenity felt fear as Heero took her hands and led her over to the small bench near the river in her garden. His usually composed face was somewhat tight, and his hard eyes had become soft and sad.

"Serenity, something terrible has happened. My brother has joined Metallia, and declared that he loves Beryl and will become King of Earth with her by his side. He then declared war against me, "his traitorous brother", and your kingdom." Heero looked down at their
hands for a moment and did not lift his face as he continued. "Serenity, I don't think I'll ever see him again on our side. From now until eternity, he and I are enemies."

"But Heero, he can't do that, can he? Your parents said that they wanted our kingdoms united, and that the union had to be by marriage." Serenity had tears in her eyes. "It's because of me, isn't it? Because I chose to love you, to follow my heart, instead of choosing the "older, wiser brother." All this is my fault Heero. I can't tell you how sorry I am for all the pain I've brought to you and your family."

Heero grabbed her arm as she started to flee and pulled her close, gripping her face with his other hand so that she was forced to stare into his eyes. In that instant, the mask came off completely, and she could sense all that he wanted to say. Serenity now knew him, and Heero wasn't sure if he liked it, but he knew she had to be shown the truth. His history, his pain, his loss, and most of all his love were all a part of her. In scarcely moments their faces moved towards each other, and their lips came together in the sweetest of kisses, light and gentle.

In that sacred second, volumes were spoken. Their minds opened and united, binding them together in the most holy of vows. Serenity felt deep pain as she watched the murders of Queen Gaea and King Stephen from their younger son's viewpoint. Fate had been so
cruel to her beloved. Heero was filled with comfort as Serenity showed him significant scenes in her life, most cast in the silver shades of the Silver Millennium's royalty. Her peaceful and loving nature filled him, calming the wounds of his soul and assuring him that he was right to trust her. He could feel her pain at the loss of her father and brother, and regretted the fact that his goddess had ever had to know such a terrible pain. Serenity would never intentionally do anything to hurt him. Heero swore a vow, in that moment, to protect her at all costs, and in return Serenity gave him her heart and life, for as long as he would allow her to remain with him. They were two of a kind, regardless of how different they seemed, and would not be broken apart. Slowly, they pulled apart.

"I love you, my Heero." Serenity said, cradling his head in her hands. "And from this moment on, we'll never be alone. I'll always be with you, and I'll always, always love you."

Heero struggled to make a reply, but just couldn't. His head told him he had to say something, but deep in his heart, Heero was sure she knew. Serenity brought his face near her own and leaned against him so that their foreheads and noses were perfectly aligned.

"You don't have to say anything." Her voice was as gentle and soft as her touch. It comforted him, and he smiled slightly before replacing his mask.

"He will be coming after you now. It is unlikely that we will be allowed any peace until either he and Metallia are dead, or you and I are." His voice held no emotion, but Serenity knew better than to trust her ears. He was hurt and upset by the betrayal of his older brother. For years their hatred for Metallia and drive for revenge had unified them. It was a terrible thing that the arrogant fool had allowed his desire for power to override his sense of honor and kindness.

"Don't worry Heero." Serenity said quietly. "I'll never let Endymion win. We will always be together, no matter what he tries to do. Always."

The Silver Millennium had been destroyed later that same day.

Present Day

"You know, I'm Really getting sick of these two always drifting off into space." Duo remarked. "Hello? This is Earth calling, is anyone there?"

"Shut up or I'll kill you Duo." Heero replied. Serenity giggled softly, and stepped sideways so that Heero's arms remained around her but she was able to see her friends. Motoki had changed into normal clothes while she and Heero were lost in thought, and was now wearing a pair of jeans and a white shirt.

"Princess Serenity, it is an honor to have you with us again." Wufei said, bowing. "But where are the senshi?"

"You never could wait to see her could you?" Serenity remarked, laughter running through her voice before it was stilled abruptly. "They are not here, nor will I be the one to bring them here. The senshi have chosen not to trust in me and follow me, and so I have taken their memories. They remember nothing, and will remain to protect their dimension."

The looks on the faces of the three bodyguards were priceless. Their eyes bulged and they stared at her. Heero held her tighter, his face remaining expressionless as he led her from the room, opening the door of the apartment only to step back when he saw at what was
waiting there for them…

Dimension SM

"Luna, what are you talking about? Who is this Usagi you keep going on about?" Makoto's voice was extremely puzzled.

"She's the Princess of the Moon, the holder of the Imperium Silver Crystal, your leader, and the future ruler of this time!" Luna exclaimed, exasperated and upset. The senshi and Tuxedo Kamen were gathered to discuss the defeat of the youma earlier that day, and their guardian cats joined them.

"Luna, are you feeling all right?" Ami asked, concern evident in her voice. Luna and Artemis exchanged looks. Something was very, very wrong here. The princess's protectors were all acting strangely. How could they not know her name, and who she was after all the time they'd spent together?

"What could have happened to her to make them forget her?" He asked. "You don't think that she…"

"No, I won't believe that!" Luna yelled. "Serenity is stronger than that, and I refuse to believe that she's dead!"

"Honestly Luna, Artemis, what are you going on about? Minako is our leader, and she always has been!" Rei declared. The cats were beginning to annoy her.

"And who is Serenity?" Minako asked. "I thought we were talking about this Usagi person."

A flash of white light had filled the small room at Cherry Hill Temple. The eyes of four girls, one man, and two cats went wide with shock as memories flooded their minds. A beautiful woman with silver hair and sea blue eyes smiled at them in a welcoming way, greeting them. She giggled as they played games like tag or hide and go seek, or splashed around at the Neptunian beaches. Together they watched as she cradled a man with brown hair in her arms, apparently very sad, and were horrified as he stabbed herself to death with the man's dagger. Shots of the same girl, only with blond hair now, infiltrated their minds. They all simultaneously breathed out the name that had been so important to them for so long…

"Serenity…"