"Darien, if there's life on other planets," She began

"The legendary Princess Serenity?" Malachite asked shocked.

"Yes...but before you can receive your entity, you must past three tests of worthiness." He paused. "The first test is of Strength and Confidence, the second is of power, and the third is of love."

"Wait a minute, the first two tests I understand, but the third. How do you plan to test me on love?" He inquired skeptically.

"Why that is simple King Endymion, to win the test of love, you must win the heart of the princess."

"Wait a minute," interjected Jedite. "If he passes the three tests, he will be the next ruler of the universe beside the universe's most beautiful and guarded prize, Serenity?" Galen nodded. "And what do we get?"

"Your jobs will be the same, to guard the king...and for your services, you will get a little something on the side." He chuckled at a hidden joke.

"Like what?" Nephlite asked.

"You shall find out, and believe me when I say that you shall not be disappointed." He turned serious eyes back to Darien. "Now, King Endymion, do you except?"

"What kind of test, what shall be expected of me, and what does the millennium alliance receive from this?" He pestered; he refused to go through an agreement with a people he did not know, blindfolded.

"I am sorry, but I am not to reveal what each tests entails, all you need to know is that each time you pass a test, you will be told so. The millennium's reason for choosing you can not be revealed to you, less it sway your reasoning." He paused. "There is something else, Serenity, the princess, knows nothing of this, as far as she is concerned you are merely another suitor, and should you except this mission, that's how it should remain. In fact, no one is to be told of what you have learned today." He paused. "Now, do you except?" Darien looked back at his generals. He definitely needed a change and suddenly felt as if everything was riding on this decision. That's when he knew his answer.

"I except...when do the tests begin?"

"Now." Galen began as a sword materialized in his hand. " I shall fight you to the death, but all you need to do is get the confidence that I look for."

"To the death?" His eyes became hard that so much would be expected of him so soon; choosing not to voice his thoughts, he prodded with another question. "How am I to do that?"

"I cannot reveal that to you, I can only let you know when you have it." He replied. "I suggest you tell everyone to get back, we're going to need all the space we can get." He grinned widely, a glint in his eye as he began to wield his sword. They all backed up immediately as both Darien and he got in fighting stances.

Metal met metal as they fought with dire earnest. Their bodies moved quickly and agile, beads of sweat dripping from their foreheads. They continued in this manner until Darien used his foot to make Galen trip. Galen surprisingly jumped up and over Darien and pulled him from behind. He then brought a sword up to his neck and began to whisper.

"I questioned the queen's motives for choosing you, I did not think you were worth it. Too bad now you'll have to die." As he said this Darien's eyes became fiery. "You are a worthless human, you could never rule the universe." Darien's mind was going crazy. "No self confidence in you at all, I don't know what she saw in you." He threw Galen over his shoulders.

He's right, I have no confidence, but in times like these, it's hard to be...god I miss her...think confidence...confidence, why do I feel this burning need to release some greater power in me when I know that I am giving all that I have got? Both opponents jumped in the air, swords hitting with great force before they touched ground one more. I feel like it's calling me…it's overwhelming…I must release it! He didn't know where it was coming from, but he didn't care, he was going to use it. Everyone watched in astonishment as Darien's body began to glow a dark midnight blue. His speed increased to the point in which he had Galen backing up and on the defensive, struggling to block every move he made. His eyes glowed a brilliant silver blue before Galen managed to get him in a chokehold one more, and whisper in his ear.

"You have achieved confidence in your abilities, now relax your powers." He slowly released him as the blue aura dimmed down to nothingness. "Your powers are great Endymion, they only be fine tuned. As you continue to focus on the relations of the moon, I will train you to fine tune it." With a flick of his wrist his sword disappeared.

"Powers?" Darien probed dumbfoundedly.

"Yes Endymion, you have powers, the powers of Earth. They are their strongest when you are on your own planet...just as the sailor warriors."

"A Sailor Warrior, they are not described in the legends." He replied.

"The Sailor Warriors have stronger weapons than those imaginable, but in order to protect the princess, those powers are kept secret." Galen continued as Darien's guardians approached. "And now, the queen herself wishes to speak with you."

"This is not happening." Zoycite replied in shock.

"I assure you, this is happening." Galen smirked before placing his fingers on the emblem once more. "Your highness, phase 1 completed, phase two underway."

"Thank-you Galen, I'm going to speak by visual message." She replied. They watched in awe as an image began to materialize before them. When it became clear, it revealed a 3-D image of a woman wearing a long ice blue sleeveless dress that hugged her figure. Her hair cascaded all the way down to her feet, on top of which rest two balls on either side of her head; her forehead carried the same emblem encrusted on Galen's vest.

Galen immediately bowed down and lowered his head, Darien and his guardians followed suit as a sign of respect.

"Rise." She began with a smile, watching as they all silently stood. "It's nice to finally meet you face to face Endymion. You have great promise and I am hoping that we will meet soon."

"It would be an honor." He replied.

"I am pleased to here you say this, because I am planning to visit Earth within two days, and I shall be bringing all of the royal family with me, I am hoping that you can accommodate us."

"Greatfully."

"Well then, it is settled, Galen, prepare to teleport back to the moon palace." she paused. "And again, it was nice to meet you."

"More so to be graced with your presence, your majesty." He countered as she and Galen disappeared.

"We have to leave immediately and prepare for their arrival." Darien commanded. "Wait till I tell mother."

Darien sat on his seat in the ballroom, all kinds of thoughts going through his head. He wished Serena were here. In the end, she had proven to be someone he was quite comfortable talking to. He wished he could talk to her now; this whole even was beginning to make him feel quite uncomfortable.

He sighed as his thoughts were suddenly bombarded by the sounds of trumpets. Two guards opened the door and the announcer began. He glanced behind him where his mother sat patiently; she winked at him and smiled brilliantly before he turned back around.

He watched as the crowd separated in order that the royal party may walk through. As necessary for protocol, he arose from his seat and stood in front of the table awaiting them to enter so that he may greet them; his mother joined him and stood to the side.

"Her royal heighness, Princess Minako from the planet Venus." Everyone bowed as she entered in an opaque orange dress that clung to her body like a second skin. It had thin straps at the top, and the breastline came over the dress like a hood that dropped down, showing some cleavage and yet keeping for modesty. The end of her dress came down in a frill.

Darien was shocked to see Mina walking up to him, and he could tell she was equally shock to see him standing before her. Her golden tiara glistened in the light, the orange gem dangling in the center of her head and sparkling like the sun. Huge candy curls spilt from the tiara, orange hibiscus flowers surrounding the fancy arrangement. He had to admit that she looked beautiful, but her beauty did not move him much.

He turned to look at his general Malachite, and inwardly chuckled at look he saw flash across his face. Mina walked up to him and curtsied, and he bowed in response. She then slowly got up as Malachite took her hand and led her to the spot in which she was to sit.

At this, all new types of random thoughts began to enter his mind. He stood dumbfoundedly and numb to his surroundings; his mind was still on Serena. He might get used to the idea if she was the princess...what if it was her?

Before he could make head or tails of the situation, he was bowing to the Queen of the Moon herself. She nodded her head in acknowledgment and he escorted her to her seat next to his mother before returning to his spot, one thing on his mind. He was about to meet the millennium' best kept secret, as the legends had called her. She was the only heir to the throne that would rule the universe. If she weren't heavily guarded, everything would plummet. It was she who was needed in order to continue the bloodline as well, for only the true bloodline could use the silver crystal. He had never heard much detail about it, only that it held within, the ultimate power. His thoughts were once more halted by the sound of the blasting trumpets.

"Presentingggg." The announcer began. "Her royal heighness, heir to the throne of the moon kingdom, and next ruler of the universe,"

Mental note...kill the announcer. Darien's heart stilled.

"The Supreme Princessss...Serenity!" He exclaimed with finality, and moved out of the way as she entered; everyone bowed at her presence. Without realizing it, Darien immediately searched for her eyes. Those eyes, that looked a smoldering gray. Gray...Serena's eyes were baby blue, her hair golden. They shared some resemblance, but it wasn't her, the princess's hair was a sparking crystal diamond shade. He breathed a deep breath as he looked over her apparel, her long ivory sleeveless dress draped to the floor, the breastline going straight across the top of her dress.

In the midst of the breastline, two ivory fabrics flared out in an upside down vee shape and dropped to the opposite sides of her dress. They came from the center of her breastline down like a cape, which was not removable. The inside part of her dress was visible because the cape didn't cover the entire gown, but only the back and sides. There was gold embroidery all down the front of the inside on top of the ivory and on the side of the inside; she had a slit that came all the way up to two inches above mid thigh. Her hair was done up in the same way as her mother's, except around her buns she wore white roses and on her head, a crystal tiara with a huge blue diamond and a silver crescent moon in the center. Curls spilled from her tiara, framing her face beautifully.

When she reached him he took her hand, bowed low, and kissed it; she responded in turn, lightly dipping as he bowed, a sudden warmth overcoming the two of them.

"Now I know why the legends never described you, your beauty is breathtaking." He whispered to her while they danced.

"Is that your best?" She asked.

"Pardon?"

"The way you've addressed me, it's not unlike the way many of the suitors before you tried to earn my favor." She replied. He was stunned by her bluntness, but he was not one to be outwitted.

"Forgive me for commenting on your appearance in order to clear the silence that hangs between us." He whispered to her; she giggled lightly at his empty expression.

"You know, we can not argue like this, if we are going to be working together for a while."

"Excuse me?"

"Did you not know, it is customary, if I approve, for me and my suitor to go on a few missions to see whether or not we work well together."

"It would seem that the millennium alliance is keeping secrets from me again, but nevertheless, this could prove interesting…do you approve?" He replied sardonically.

"Perhaps, and I assure you, Endymion, that it is strictly business; no other suitor before you has ever managed to get me to do anything…that I did not want to do." She whispered gently into his ear, tickling his senses.

"If I didn't know any better, I'd think you were trying to seduce me." He smirked.

"This is merely child's play Endymion." She paused, her eyes darting to his lips before looking back up again. "If my intention were so, you would not be standing here." She was melting him with her touch; he needed to keep distance from her. As if on cue, the music stopped and he let go of her and bowed before her, she curtsied in return.

"It has been a pleasure dancing...with you, Serenity."

"No Endymion, the pleasure's all mine." He watched as she went to speak with the other princesses and he headed towards his generals. Just as he was almost there, he could have sworn that he saw Serena; a flash of blue and gold is what he saw before his eyes. He began to walk around the room, following the colors, and just when he thought he had lost her, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

"Lost?" He heard a feminine voice say. He immediately turned around to gaze into baby blue eyes once more.

"Serena, what are you doing here?" he asked.

"I should be asking the same, King Endymion." She raised the level of her voice and arched her brow when she said his name.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you but-"

"No it's O.K. really." She cut him off, her eyes darting to where the princess stood regally, talking amongst other royals. "Looks like somebody's climbing the social ladder." She continued as she looked back to him. "I had to come here to see if the rumors were true. I can't believe that the Princess you spoke of is here, and what's more, you have been chosen as her next suitor Darien Wales."

"Just call me Darien, Serena." He sighed. "Look, I never met for this to happen, I-"

"Don't apologize to me, I ended it remember." She cut him off once more, before changing the subject. "She sure is beautiful isn't she?" She turned her full attention to where the other woman stood. "I could never be more beautiful than her. She has everything; I have but my son...and I'm pretty sure everyone loves her, and yet the one man who has ever loved me, is lost to me…" The words perhaps forever were left unsaid as she glanced towards her shaky hands, immediately tightening into fists so that he would not see.

"Serena, I loved you." He countered fiercely.

"You didn't love me for the right reasons, Darien." She sighed before continuing. "And even if we would have gotten together, you would always have a spot in your heart for her, and I couldn't take that. I don't want a majority of your love...call me selfish...but I want it all." He could feel his heart breaking into; rejection was a hard reality.

"I see," He began, gathering his composure, even if he was hurting inside. "Well then, Serena, I have to tell you, that you have become to me one to reckon with. I admired you the way you are, I admired you for you, and I felt more comfortable with you than with any other. I find talking to you like a walk in the park. And I'm hoping that I can come to you and talk to you about anything, as a friend." He knew she was right; he would always reserve a part of his heart for her; but even if he knew it, he still wished it weren't so. I have never felt so alone in a room full of people before.

"Thank-you, I've never had a male friend before." She looked a little ways away and then directed her attention back towards him. " I think I see someone I want to speak to...I have to go."

"Did I mention that you look really good tonight?" He said to her as she walked away.

"Good, but not beautiful." She whispered as she walked away.

It hurt to let him go, but she knew it would never work out. Not with 'her' in the way especially, whomever she was. She still remembered that day on the ship when she ran away from him crying, as if it were only yesterday; she had been so stupid.

No...I won't do it! Not again! I can't do it again... She cried into her pillow, not surprised when she heard a knock on the door.

"Go away!" She cried.

"We need to talk." He said softly.

"I think we've talked enough!"

"Serena, will you give me a chance?" His voice grew slightly louder; he wasn't about to leave without talking the whole thing through; there was silence for a while. "Please, Serena, I'm...I'm scared."

"Scared of what?" She mumbled under breath, unbelievingly.

"I'm scared of, of losing another chance at love...it's a hard to find and I just need to, to; I don't know what I need. Please...just listen to me." His voice began to soften at his last words.

"Talk." She submitted finally. "I'm listening." He sat outside on the floor and leaned on the door.

"Serena, I still love, her, in fact I'll always love her." He began. "But just because I love someone else, doesn't mean loving another will replace that love. I mean, you love your parents, and even if they die, you'll always love them right, and if anyone else came along to act as a parent to you, just because you except them, doesn't mean you love your parents any less." She wondered if someone was trying to play some sickened joke on her when he had said those words. "It's been four years since the accident, and although I don't want to except her possible death, I have to see it as a possibility. I have to...to move on. I don't think she would want me to...to be miserable all my life. I can't live forever in a dream waiting for something that I will never be sure that I will get..." Thunk! His head hit the floor hard and he closed his eyes for a second. When he opened them slightly once more, his vision was a blur. Slowly, little by little he widened his view, and that's when he saw her. She was on all fours with her face directly above his, a few inches away, her body still inside the room.

"Sorry didn't realize that you were leaning on the door. You all right?" She asked. He got up slowly and she rose with him. He stood there for a while before he got a dazed look on his face and fell forward; she caught him and brought him in the room; he awoke five minutes later.

"Yeah, I'm all right." He answered.

"That's good to know but your response is 5 minutes late." She giggled as she continued to hold a washcloth with ice to the back of his head. He noted his position on the bed with his head in her lap.

"Did I black out?" he asked.

"You must of hit the floor harder than I thought, because like I said, you were out for 5 minutes."

"Why did you open the door anyway?"

"I pitied you."

"Pity huh? I should try that next time." He replied sarcastically.

"I guess you can say I'm a sucker for a hurt man." She laughed. He quickly got up and was sitting upright on the bed.

"When I was little, and I used to get hurt, my mom used to kiss it, and then it felt better all over again." He said with puppy eyes. She arched her eyebrow at him. "And if my memory serves me right, you're kisses are somewhat different than any other I've ever tasted before."

"Darien Wales, you are not hurt!" she retorted.

"Yes I am, really, so if you just kiss it and make it better then, I'll be able to leave this room without limping." He said sadly.

"You hit your head not your legs you idiot!"

"Hey, you were the one who did this to me, so the least you could do is remedy it and make it better." It was quiet for a while, and he just sat there giving her the puppy eye look.

"Oh All right, ALL RIGHT!" She whined and rolled her eyes. "You big Baby. But no, and I mean no, KINKY stuff."

"I'm hurt that you would even suggest such a thing, what do you think, I'm after your body?" he said sarcastically.

"That's exactly what I think, now tell me, where does it hurt?" She queried in a serious tone. He pulled off his shirt. "Just what are you doing?"

"Showing you the boo-boos." He replied. He wasn't about to let her know that he was enjoying this whole event; he turned his back to her and she gasped.

"What-what happened to your back? Where did you get all those bruises and scars?" His back was not a disgusting sight; it was just scared with smooth bruises.

.

"I got them from the wars." He replied softly.

"I didn't know you were a soldier."

"Well, I guess it was something like that."

"And here, you have these marks near the back of your head, they're sort of symmetric. They're between your neck and shoulder at the top of your back, where did those come from, Darien?" She asked softly.

"I don't know...when I had awaken from the accident they were there...they're very minor, and I know they could be easily fixed, but..."

"It's all you have of your past huh?" She whispered.

"Yes...it is."

"Funny...you have a scar that is the only piece of a past you can't remember and you hold onto it...I have a scar that's the only piece of a past nightmare that makes me remember it in vivid imagery as if it happened yesterday...and I can't get rid of it no matter how hard I try." She turned away from him, looking down at her hands so she would not have to see his eyes.

"Where did you get yours from?" He broached softly, he didn't want to frighten her into withdrawing from him.

"It's not something that I want to tell...it's not something that I like remembering." Bringing her legs to rest beneath her, she looked at him with deep pooling eyes.

"Come on Serena, don't be a hypocrite now." He smirked, trying to make light of the conversation as he attempted to remind her of what she had told him earlier about hiding feelings.

"Look, I can't." She argued.

"Serena you can trust me...like I trusted you...when I told you something that I've never told anyone before, not even Malachite." His hands reached up and cupped both of her soft cheeks within.

"I-I can't, Darien, I-I can't, I've-I've never told anyone." She sobered.

"Serena, don't you trust me?"

"Yes, but I can't tell you, I-I just can't." She cried and he held her close to his chest, allowing her to do so.

"Remember what you told me about keeping bitterness inside, you'll never be truly happy or have release unless you share it." He retorted.

"You-you were listening t-to me?" She asked puzzlingly as she gazed into his eyes.

"Yeah, what do you think?" He answered.

"That's not the reaction I get from most guys." She replied softly.

"Yeah, well there are those who ruin it for us good ones." Good ones? Since when did I become a part of the team of the good ones?

"It's not something very easy to tell." She began.

"Look, you go ahead and cry into my chest, and you can hold my hand too if you want...If you feel it overwhelming you, just cry all you want, and crush my hand as hard as you can." She laughed as he looked at her with sincere eyes.

"I'd like that, a whole lot." She replied as they began to shift positions. She opted to sit in his lap, her head lying on his chest. She entwined her right hand with his left as his right arm wrapped around her waist, her legs curled up between his. It was quite for a while before she spoke.

"I-I got this mark, when I was staying in France." She paused as she tried to continue; he decided not to pressure her, he knew in time that she would speak. She breathed deeply before she let out the words she had kept inside for so long.

"I...I had met this guy named Richard, an artist...and he seemed pretty nice and all. Typical male, flowers, candy, cards...always something new to show me how much he cared for me. Of course, I had been very stubborn about the whole thing...I didn't want to start a relationship because I had my son and all...I thought it was way too soon...well, one day, he overheard me talking to my friend about my 'long lost love'." She leaned her head against him, pausing for a moment before continuing. "I was an open book, I was so vulnerable...he went in for the kill...I was so happy...(sniff) that I didn't see what was happening...(sniff) until he was raping me on his studio floor." She gripped his hand tightly, burying her head into the crook of his neck as she shed tears. "God, I was such an idiot!"

"No, it wasn't your fault...you didn't know." He rebuked her softly. He hadn't known what to think of her words, it had hurt him to know that he had not been there for her, even if he had not known her then. It wasn't fair. He held her close as she continued to cry out, finally venting what he knew must have been months or so of held back misery. "I wish I could have been there, I wish I could keep you safe in my arms so that you could never be touched by another." He rocked her back and forth, consoling her with anyway he knew how.

"I just need you to be here for me now Darien." She lamented.

"I'll never leave." He replied adamantly

"No Darien." She said firmly as she pushed lightly against his chest, and looked upon his with new eyes. "I 'need you' to be here for me...now."

"Anything, anything you want." He responded quickly, still not understanding. She arose from his arms to look into his confused face, biting her lip lightly on the side, before raising her sweatshirt above her and allowing it fall softly to the carpeted floor.

"Serena?" He looked at her questioningly as she leaned up to him, her hands clasping behind his neck, and caught his lips for a deep kiss. He stiffened for a moment before relaxing above her, slowly lowering her back to the bed. He understood what she wanted as she kissed him with an unforeseeable passion and urgency, digging her hands into the back of his head, plunging her hands in his hair.

He moved hand up her clothed thigh slowly, and stopped where her sweatpants began, pausing for a moment, before linking his hand beneath her pants and pulling down, kneading her thigh in the process. She bent her knee up so that her foot was flat on the bed as he moved his lips near her ear and whispered huskily.

"Vous êtes si beaux." He spoke passionately in French; she closed her eyes, feeling as if she was drowning. He began to slowly send hot massaging kisses down her neck, setting her body afire. He knew that no one had touched her like this since she conceived Justin; he wanted to take things slow just for her.

His hands were all over her, slowly caressing and kneading, eliciting moans from her. "Je vous aime." He continually whispered sweet words into her ear that spoke of her beauty and his feelings for her. Wherever his hands went, his mouth followed suit, planting light butterfly kisses, never lingering long enough to send her over the edge, and she whimpered because of this. He divested them of their remaining clothing before continuing, spreading her legs wider apart, and placing his thighs between them. He moved closer to her face with a look of uncertainty in his eye; things were going too fast. Even as his manhood was close to her mound, he was unsure of whether or not he should continue. "Serena, this isn't right."

"Please" She said softly while licking her lips seductively. Being so close he couldn't stop himself even if he wanted to; he brought himself in to the hilt in one fell swoop and waited as her body arched towards him repeatedly, shivering slightly as she grasped his shoulders tightly. Her eyes were shut tight, and he stared lovingly at the look of sweet agony on her face.

"Look at me." He commanded; her eyes opened like a beacon, one tear falling out the side of each. "You okay?" She nodded her head, instinctually tightening her grasp on him by wrapping her legs around his waist. He almost choked as he began to move within her slowly; she met him thrust for thrust as they continued to ride the escapade of love. They went at various paces, savoring every moment, and he was with her every step of the way. When she wanted faster, he was faster. When she wanted slower he was slower, anticipating all her feelings, understanding all her needs.

She cried out his name when she came and shuddered beneath him; he screamed her name in response and spilled his seed deep within her, before falling lightly to her side. For him, with release came pleasure, happiness, and sated love. For her, release was accompanied by reality; almost too soon she shot up like a bullet from a gun, bringing the sheets up to cover her nudity as she swung her legs over the side of the bed.

"Oh god." She rocked back and forth, clinging the sheet tightly as she sobbed. "What have I done?"

"Serena?" He touched her back lightly; she jerked away from him.

"Please...don't touch me." She shivered, continuously rocking back and forth in that one position.

"Serena what's wrong?" Had he hurt her? He didn't even want to approach the possibly, but he had to know what was wrong…he couldn't live with himself if he had…"Did I…did I hurt you?" He flinched as she brought the sheet even tighter to her chest.

"No okay…please...just-just leave...please." She continued to sob as she brought her hands to cover her face in shame.

"Don't do this to me...don't close me out again Serena, damnit." He spat. "What we shared was beautiful…don't regret it please…I'll do anything you want just…please don't regret it…tell me you don't regret something so-" Special?

"I'm sorry...I should have never...we should have never" She never felt so ashamed in her life; she had practically begged him for it...and now, now she could lose her chance forever. She should have never brought Darien into her world, he would never understand, and she would never be able to tell or explain it to him; she should have told him the first time they had gotten together that she wasn't interested. It would have saved him…it would have saved them both.

"Serena I don't get it...what did I do?" He felt his body slump, rejection finally sinking in full force.

"I've lost...for one night of passion, I have lost any chance I ever have of getting him back again...I've lost..." She rocked back and forth continuously, repeating the same words over and over again.

"Serena please-" He reached out one more time for her with shaky hands.

"Just go away...." She sobbed with finality as she arose from the bed and shut herself up in the bathroom.