1 Chapter 3: At the party…

When Princess Serena and Princess Serenity entered the room there was great applauding and whistles of appreciation making the two royal ladies blush before Serenity held up her hands then led herself and Serena to their thrones. As they sat everyone moved to find a chair to sit on. The other Royalties were seated on their thrones beside Serenity and Serena. The Royalty from Mercury were seated on Serenity's left and beside them were the Royalty of Jupiter. On the other side on Serena's right were two empty chairs then the Royalty from Venus. Serena's gaze came back to the empty chairs beside her. Where were Rei and her mother? She wondered and was about to ask her mother quietly when the doors burst open.

"Sorry we are late," Reiya apologised looking shamefaced as she hurried to the chair with Rei close behind looking just as sheepish. The whole court burst into laughter as Reiya and Rei were always arriving late but they were indeed fashionably late. The court then erupted in sighs from the older men knowing Reiya was taken and sighs from the younger men who couldn't wait to ask Rei to dance. When Reiya and Rei were seated Serenity began her speech.

"I would like to thank you all for coming to this very important party and I hope you enjoy yourselves, I invite my daughter to begin the party," declared Serenity then sat and Serena stood shakingly. She was too nervous to do it. Rei was looking at her smiling warmly but Serena couldn't speak. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. After a few moments she heard a familiar voice yell across the room.

"Come on Meatball Head," a voice encouraged and Serena looked up to see Prince Darien seated on the other side of the room opposite her with his father. Sitting with them were the other queens and kings of the Silver Millennium. Queen Hotaruto of the Saturn Kingdom and her husband King Tomoat, Queen Michi and King Michial of the Neptune Kingdom, Queen Harri and King Harodu of the Uranus Kingdom and last was the Queen feared by many. All queens had a special queen power but they had to find it themselves. Serenity's power was her Silver Imperial Crystal and Reiya's power was her Universe Crystal and her psychic powers the other queens had yet to discover their powers except for Queen Setansu of the Pluto Kingdom. Her power was to control time and people feared her for she stood very tall and could make you feel as though you were nothing but a fly. Her husband had died with Prince David and she missed him greatly though she didn't show it. Beside her sat her eighteen-year-old daughter, Princess Setsuna who was just as formidable as her mother. She was a beauty but so cool and calm. Serena was fuming because the whole court laughed at Prince Darien's description of her.

"I declare my party, begun," she cried out their was a chorus of yelling before music started and people began dancing.

Immediately the five best friends were hugging in a huge bear hug at the edge of the floor ignoring the flow of people rushing past to the food or dance floor.

"I missed you all," Serena said happily, tears of joy in her eyes and looking at the others she saw they had the same tears in their eyes.

"As much as food?" Lita asked cheekily and Serena grinned.

"Almost," she replied and the girls laughed. Ami looked around as if intimidated by the sight of so many people. There weren't this many people at her party.

"Everyone looks so mad," Mina squealed and all the girls looked down at their dresses then at the others and agreed.

"I think Ami looks the best," Rei said and the girls agreed causing Ami to blush deep scarlet. All the girls knew of Ami's shyness and were forever trying to get Ami to abandon it and come out of her self enclosed shell and only Rei and Serena were the only ones who could do it and only together.

"Oh look, I think we are about to get asked to dance," Rei said as she motioned behind her before telling the girls, "Since we're sleeping over see you afterwards."

The girls all giggled at the fun they would have at the sleep over then Rei was swept away by a good looking boy from the moon kingdom with strawberry coloured hair and a sweet smile. Lita was bowed to by a boy from the Earth kingdom and then asked to dance, which she accepted for the boy, was one of the many eligible bachelors taller then her with brown hair and smiling brown eyes. Mina, Serena and Ami sat down in their chairs waiting to be asked to dance. Mina gossiped on to Serena and Ami who nodded absently staring at the sea of dancers longingly.

Serena looked at all the smiling faces and smiled herself. She was delighted that her guests were having so much fun, if only someone would ask her to dance. Serena looked down at her hands that were fiddling with her dress when she heard someone walk up in front of her. She looked up smiling happily to stare into mesmerising dark blue eyes glittering in the light and she gasped as she realised they belonged to Prince Darien.

"Prince Darien," Serena whispered and Darien smiled charmingly at her.

"Princess Serena, may I say what a charming picture you make sitting there," Darien said and Serena was flattered. This wasn't the same Darien that had pulled her hair this Darien was…different, incredible and very handsome. His smile was perfect and his eyes… they sent Serena's heart flying. Serena tried to appear mature as she sat there waiting for Darien to ask her to dance.

"Have you anyone to dance with Princess?" Darien asked and Serena almost swooned at the thought of dancing with such handsome young man.

"No, my prince," she replied softly waiting for him to invite her with longing in her eyes.

"Well, maybe someone will ask you," Darien replied cheekily before turning and walking away. Serena gaped at Darien's back. Had he insulted her? She didn't think so but…why hadn't he asked her to dance? Suddenly Darien turned back to her with a smile.

"Would you like to dance?" Darien asked and Serena smiled before nodding, picking up her skirts and walking into his waiting arms. They danced to a slow soft lilting tone that made Serena sway smiling. Darien smiled down at her and couldn't believe how beautiful the princess of the moon had become. Darien could barely break away his gaze from the angel with golden hair and blue eyes dancing with him but he managed and his eyes flew about instantly to look for his twin sister. Darien spied her dancing with a green haired boy that Darien knew from Earth. The boy was called Lanta and he came from a legendary land on Earth called Atlantis. He was a friend of Darien's and Darien thought that Lanta and his sister looked nice together but Darien knew of another who would look better with Rei. Like Rei, Darien had guardians but Darien had four. They were different because they weren't changelings but they were very powerful. They had their own attacks using energy balls and their names were Jedite, Neflite, Zoisite and Malachite. Darien knew Zoisite liked Ami and Neflite liked Lita. He was pretty sure Malachite had a candle burning for Mina although he hadn't said anything because he wasn't really the type and Jedite…well Darien believed Jedite or Jed as he was known had a soft spot for Darien's twin sister. Darien kept watching as Rei laughed at something Lanta had said and Darien suddenly felt jealous. That was his sister Lanta was making laugh and Darien frowned. Darien and Rei were close and Darien didn't want to let go of his sister but he knew he would have to sometime soon. Darien watched as Rei suddenly raised her head from Lanta's shoulder to look for Darien when she spotted him she smiled and her eyes brightened. They hadn't had a chance to talk ever since they'd arrived because Rei had been swung off boy after boy. She looked down to see Serena's head resting on his shoulder and her eyes narrowed. Darien chuckled realising Rei didn't want to let go any more than he did. Darien closed his eyes and tried his best to telepathically reach Rei with his mind.

*Rei, get Phoebe and Dimitrius and meet me outside, time for a nighttime ride* Darien sent Rei softly through his mind and Rei jumped as it reached her mind.

*All right* Rei sent back before smiling at her partner and excusing herself politely to go look for her two friends. Darien looked down at Serena and smiled apologetically.

"I have to go," he told her and at the sight of her pouting lips Darien reassured her, "but I will ask you to dance again."

"All right," Serena consented and allowed Darien to lead her to her seat. Darien kissed her hand in a grand gesture before setting off to go wait for Rei and her guardians on the balcony.

Rei looked about and when she spied Darien she cried out his name and ran into his arms.

Darien grabbed his sister tightly into his arms and kissed her cheek.

"Darien, I have missed you," Rei said almost in tears not releasing her hold on her brother afraid he would disappear.

"I have missed you too Rei," Darien replied before looking at Dimitrius and Phoebe who were watching the pair intently with happy smiles on their faces because the two children of Mars and Earth were reunited once again.

"Let's ride," Darien told Phoebe and Dimitrius who immediately changed their forms into that of two dragons with silver shining scales. Darien led Rei to Phoebe-dragon and helped her mount then Darien mounted Dimitrius- dragon and the two dragons set off leaving behind the party and the music.

"You are wearing the dress I sent," Darien called to Rei as the wind ruffled his hair and they road on through the clouds and space.

"I love it, thank you for remembering I always wanted one," Rei called back before grinning mischievously, "race you."

Darien grinned back and lent forward to talk into Dimitrius-dragon's ear.

"Did you hear that Dimitrius, we can't let women beat us can we?" Darien asked and Dimitrius-dragon roared with gusto and waved his wings faster to pick up speed.

"Come on Phoebe, lets whip these boys," Rei urged Phoebe-dragon and Phoebe- dragon picked up her speed and caught up to the men. They were neck and neck when they passed a meadow full of daisies.

"Let's stop there," Rei said pointing and the four figures flew down to lie on the grass. Rei and Darien dismounted then, hands clasped; they ran and threw themselves beside each other on the grass. They lay in silence trying to figure out what to say both knowing they had to separate their strong bond. Both were sad this would be the last time they would run away in the night together. Darien decided to start.

"Rei, we love each other as much as any brother and sister can but one day we will have to find ourselves someone who can love us differently, and we may not be able to do this anymore, to just leave and spend time with each other," Darien began and Rei's eyes widened in fear because she thought Darien meant he wouldn't love her anymore and ignore her completely, that he was saying he didn't need her in his life anymore.

"But we will still need, love and talk to each other right?" Rei asked hopefully and Darien turned on his side to stare at Rei's lovely face.

"Of course, no one could mean as much to me as you do for you are my family," Darien replied touching her face comforting her.

Rei was silent realising what Darien said was true. Rei would have to find someone to marry, as would Darien.

"You are right Darien," Rei said then she sat up brushing off her clothes, "speaking of leaving, I think we have left the party for too long."

Darien realised too that they had been gone a long time and was anxious to be reunited with his princess.

"Shall we return my lady?" Darien asked holding out his arm which Rei accepted daintily.

Both shut their eyes and touched Phoebe and Dimitrius then dreamed of the balcony. Rei and Darien had never tried teleporting this far before and with two extra people but with Rei's hidden power and Darien's burning need to be with his moon princess they believed they could do it. After a feeling of nothingness they opened their eyes to find themselves at the party.

*Yes, we did it* Rei sent Darien unknowingly and Darien replied *I know we did duh! *

"Let's go inside," Darien said eager to return to Serena but Rei kept his hand.

"Darien, hug me once more please," Rei begged and Darien did so for a long time before pulling away and leading Rei inside. The party was in full swing and everyone was dancing except Ami and Mina who were sitting watching everyone dance. Why hadn't anyone asked them to dance? Rei wondered but was pulled away by Darien. Rei stayed by Darien's side as Darien looked for Serena and when he spied her Darien almost turned green with envy. She was dancing with Jed. Rei saw and laughed at Darien's face.

"Come on, let's cut in so you can dance with your princess," Rei said begin to dance with Darien then began making her way towards Serena and Jed.

"Rei, you are the best," Darien congratulated her and Rei smiled.

"Could you expect anything less?" she asked as they came up next to the other pair.

"May I cut in?" Darien politely asked Jed who looked at whom Darien was dancing with and nearly fainted.

"Sure," he managed to say before Darien whirled Serena away and Jed and Rei were left staring at each other. Rei couldn't take her eyes of Jed's. They were ice blue and so beautiful and his hair…oh she loved his hair. In fact Rei loved him and Rei didn't even know him except for who he was but there was something about him…something she couldn't quite explain. Jed couldn't take his eyes from her soft lips and before he knew it he stepped forward took her into his arms and kissed her on the mouth and Rei didn't resist. She relaxed against Jed who kept on kissing her. A few feet away Darien and Serena watched the two.

"I hope he didn't ask you to dance like that," Darien said his voice low and threatening.

"No, but Rei is luckier than me," she said and Darien looked at her more than a little hurt thinking she liked Jed.

"What do you mean?" Darien asked softly and Serena looked up into Darien's eyes.

"She got a kiss from her date," Serena replied and Darien bent his head and pressed his lips to Serena's.

"Satisfied?" he asked after he'd pulled his lips away.

"Horribly," she said resting her arms around his neck and touching his soft hair.

On the other side of the room Mina and Ami spotted the two couples.

"It seems like Serena and Rei scored tonight," Mina giggled and Ami muttered a reply before looking longingly at the dancers. How she wished someone would ask her to dance. Suddenly a handsome man with shoulder blade length white hair and icy blue eyes a shade lighter than Jed's approached Mina holding a cherry blossom to her which Mina took staring at him in awe.

"What is one as beautiful as you doing sitting and watching?" Malachite asked Mina who blushed like a tomato.

"Nobody has asked me to dance yet," she replied softly and the man laughed a deep laugh his blue eyes sparking in anticipation of his dance to come with Mina.

"Good, because I threatened to beat anyone who did, Princess Mina," Malachite revealed and Mina's eyes lit up with love. Mina remembered this man as one of Rei's twin brother's guardian's called Malachite

"That's the sweetest thing I have ever heard, no one has done anything like that for me before, Lord Malachite," Mina said sighing thinking her dreams were about to come true as Ami watched the two intently.

"Would you like to dance?" Malachite asked and Mina resisted the urge to jump up and pull Malachite onto the dance floor as she glanced at Ami fleetingly.

"I can't leave my friend…" she said softly and Malachite turned his eyes to Ami for the first time and his eyes widened in surprise.

"Princess Ami? But Zoisite was…where is that man?" Malachite said running off much to Ami and Mina's surprise.

"Where did he go?" Mina wandered aloud trying to catch a glimpse of the white hair but she couldn't find it.

"You could have gone and danced," Ami told Mina who frowned.

"No I couldn't, I'd feel horrible leaving you here by yourself," Mina replied and touched Ami's hands, "friends are like that."

Malachite pushed through the crowds cursing Zoisite for not already asking Princess Ami to dance. After all Zoisite had always had a crush on her. Coward, Malachite scowled as he kept searching for Zoisite. He spied Jed and thought maybe he'd be able to help kick some sense into Zoisite. Malachite sallied up to Jed and his date who were still kissing and tried to attract their attention.

"Ahem!" he coughed loudly but the two didn't stop.

"Ummm…excuse me," he said but still they didn't stop and Malachite was getting impatient. He wanted to dance with Princess Mina now!

"Excuse me," he called loudly in Jed's ear and Jed stopped kissing Rei and rubbed his ear dramatically and Malachite rolled his eyes to the ceiling.

"Ouch!! Malachite? Huh? What was that for?" Jed said still holding his ear. Rei ran forward to rub it and the two looked at each other hypnotised again.

"Jed, Zoisite is hiding somewhere and won't ask Princess Ami to dance," Malachite explained and Jed snapped to attention as did Rei who heard Ami's name.

"What about Ami?" Rei asked and Malachite explained that Zoisite had a major crush on her but didn't have the guts to ask her to dance.

"We have to get them to dance, it would make Ami so happy," Rei confirmed and the boys agreed but they still had to find Zoisite. Rei spotted Serena and Darien and decided she could use their help so she interrupted them and both joined the cause and everyone paired off to look for Zoisite except for Malachite who went on his own. Malachite was tired after walking around the whole ballroom and turned to get some punch when he spied a desolate figure standing behind a pillar holding a still full cup of punch.

"Zoisite," he cried out and lunged for Zoisite.

"Aaargh!!" Zoisite cried, "Malachite, why are you attacking me?"

"Because you haven't asked Ami to dance, you know the girl you have been in love with for a hundred years," Malachite yelled but no one noticed because it was so noisy in the room. The other two couples spotted Zoisite and Malachite and rushed to stop Malachite from rearranging Zoisite's handsome face. They stopped him just in time and sat Zoisite up rubbing his sore body from being manhandled by Malachite.

"You know Ami is really sad," Serena said deciding that making Zoisite guilty was the best way to get him to his senses.

"Yeah, she is almost in tears because no one is dancing with her, she doesn't know you told them not to," said Rei picking up what Serena was onto winking conspiritiously at Darien, Jed, Malachite and Serena.

"She thought people thought she was ugly," Serena continued on winking back and both watched as Zoisite's face drooped in guilt.

"Really?" he asked meekly.

"Really," Rei confirmed and Zoisite swallowed hard.

"Excuse me but I have a Princess to dance with," he said bravely then headed straight towards Ami with a determined stride.

"Thanks guys," Malachite said before rushing off to follow Zoisite.