Rei opened Lita's apartment door quickly, helping the others take Serena to the sofa. Lita set her down carefully, ignoring her whispers not to worry. The four girls took a seat by Serena, worry evident in their eyes. Amy cleared her throat and reached for Lita's cordless phone.

"I'll call our parents and tell them we're staying here for the night," she told them as she began to dial Mina's number first. "That way they don't worry." The others nodded.

"Would you like some tea? I sure could use some after seeing that," Lita said nervously as she started for the kitchen. The others nodded once again. The girls sat silently for a while, listening to Lita moving around the kitchen and Amy talking quietly on the phone. Serena turned to look at her friends, guiltily. She knew what they were thinking. She faced Rei, knowing the others wouldn't have the nerve to ask. She was right.

"Sere…where did you learn that…power?" Rei whispered. Serena looked to the window again.

"What can I say guys? I've practiced. I've practiced on my own for a long time. Testing my limits. I know I hid it from you but…" She was cut off by Mina.

"You've been lying to us," she stated, coldly. Tears sprang to her eyes. She had always trusted Serena, always known Serena would stick up for her no matter what. It hurt her deeply that her best friend was someone she didn't even know. "How much of the you that we always saw was you?"

"It was all me Mina! Things were just...omitted or exaggerated." Serena moved off the couch and knelt before her friend, taking her hands in both of her own. "I never truly lied to any of you. It was for your protection, trust me!"

"Protection from what?" Mina murmured.

"From…" Serena let go of Mina and stood, walking to the balcony and fingering one of the fern plants that hung near the sliding doors. "From the truth," she whispered. "I'm sorry guys, I have to get away from you for a while." Serena moved out onto the balcony and jumped to one of the near, low rooftops, landing on her feet and jumping down to the street. Within moments, she had disappeared from view. The scouts were now crowded on the balcony, watching the spot they had last seen her.

"We need to talk," Rei said quietly. The others nodded in agreement.

Darien walked down one of the many dimly lit paths in the park near his apartment. The night was perfect. He admired the flowers and the trees as he passed them. Rounding the bend, he looked over to the bench and wasn't at all startled when he saw Serena sitting there, looking at the sky. Stealthily, he moved over to her, making sure she couldn't hear him. He got close enough to clearly hear she was speaking to herself, then stood still, listening.

"…not fair to them. They have a right to know the truth about their princess. I can't keep pretending I don't know who it is." Darien stiffened as he heard her words. Serena hung her head, putting it into her hands. He could hear that she was crying, but stayed where he was. "Why do things have to be like this? I've accepted the fact that I have to be Sailor Moon, but to be her? Why must I be her as well?" She choked back the sobs that were now shaking her body, hugging herself as if it were suddenly freezing.

Darien watched Serena, confused as to what she was talking about. He replayed her words over and over in his head, trying to get a clue as to what she meant. Then he found several. He thought back to his dreams of the princess. Her golden hair, done in Serena's style. And her voice, the same as Serena's. Of course! How could I not notice? It's the same as when I figured out she was Sailor Moon. He shook his head in wonder. How was it he hadn't figured it out sooner? When he thought about it, it began to make sense. Her identities must be protected by some kind of magic, the same as his. You could only figure out who it was if something they did or said triggered something in the right part of your memory. He smiled at the idea of his princess being right under his nose. He was glad it was Serena, it would have been awkward to tell the princess he loved someone else.

Walking closer to Serena, he frowned in confusion. Why was she so upset about being the princess? He stopped again, becoming lost in thought.

*Flashback*

At the mention of the princess Tuxedo Mask grabbed Sailor Moon's shoulders and looked at her searchingly. "You know who the princess is? You must tell me!"

She looked down at her boots. "I could never disappoint you like that. Never them."

*End Flashback*

Darien stared at her, surprised. You think you're a disappointment? Oh, Serena. He shook his head and silently sat beside her as she wept. "You know, when you cry under the moon you make the stars fall." Serena immediately stopped crying and straightened.

"What?" She looked away, trying to hide her tear stained face as she wiped her eyes, even though her voice was wavering.

"It's true." He smiled down at her. "They're like the moon's tears. Sad because you're sad." He reached out and turned her face to the sky. "Just watch," he murmured.

As if by magic, a shooting star flew across Serena's vision. She watched it in awe, and when it was gone turned to Darien. "How did you…?" He smiled.

"Told you." Darien leaned back on the bench. "Don't be sad Serena. After all, you're more than you appear to be, right? I assume that means stronger too." He laughed at her confused expression. "For someone who says they may be more than a match for Tuxedo Mask, you sure are swayed easily."

"What are you talking about Darien?" Serena frowned. Did he find out who I was? How does he know about my conversation with Tux?

"What name is it you hate most?" he asked, ignoring her question. "Serena? Sailor Moon? Or is it Serenity?" Serena gasped in shock. She got to her feet swiftly, staring at him as if he had grown two heads. He stood beside her and took her hands in his. "Despite what you may think, you would never be a disappointment as the princess. I'm happy that it's you." He let one hand go and formed a perfect rose, handing it to her. She gazed at him, astonished. A faint blush spread across her cheeks and tears rose in her eyes.

"But...I'm not strong enough. I could never…" He placed his finger over her lips, shushing her.

"You are strong enough. You've proven it many times." Darien stepped back from her and turned to leave. "I know you don't want to tell your scouts who you are without them figuring it out first, but stop hiding your true personality. Even if Serena resembles the princess so much." As he walked away, he could hear her whispering thank you. Turning the bend he had come around, he headed back to his apartment. Don't worry Serena. I'll always be there for you.

Serena walked into the apartment, making sure not to make too much noise. The others were already asleep. On tip-toe, Serena made her way to Rei, who slept on the couch. I know you hid whatever you saw in the fire, but I have to know what scared you so bad, she thought. Reaching out her hands, she placed them each to Rei's temples, letting her mind become focused and tuned to Rei's thoughts. After a moment, Serena saw exactly what the fire had shown Rei.

Pulling back her hands in shock, Serena stifled a cry as tears coursed down her cheeks. Oh Rei, I shouldn't have done that. I should've trusted you to tell me if you thought you needed to. On the other hand, it will be easier for you if I know and can talk with you about it. Don't worry Rei, it's only a possible future, not a definite one. I won't leave you guys like that. Serena lay down beside Mina, giving her body over to sleep. Tomorrow we'll call Luna. Then we'll all talk.