1 Chapter 4: Promises Of Love

"Well, crisis over," Rei said turning to Jed, "back to business."

The two went off into the crowd and picked up where they left off.

"Rei is right," Serena agreed pulling Darien into the crowd but Darien pulled her back and onto the balcony.

"Serena, I want you to know that I love you," Darien told Serena looking into her eyes and Serena could hardly believe that Darien was pledging his love to her.

"I love you too," Serena replied just as lovingly as she took Darien's big hands in her small ones and pressed her pink lips to his hands.

"Serena, I want you to have this, to remember me by," Darien said pulling away one of his hands and fumbling in the pocket of his tuxedo before pulling it out and producing a beautiful star locket. It had belonged to his grandmother and before she died she told Darien to give it to the girl he was going to take for his wife. Serena stared at the locket. It was gold in the shape of a star with a bauble on top. She took the locket gingerly then pressed the bauble and to her surprise it popped open to show a crescent moon going around a circle on top of clouds. It also played some soft lilting music that made Serena smile gently.

"I love it Darien, and you," she added shyly and Darien took her into his arms and kissed her while a shooting star passed over them.

A shooting star, Serena marvelled watching while they were still kissing, I wish on that shooting star that Darien and I will always be together no matter what happens.

They stopped kissing and Darien pulled Serena to him and they looked out into the galaxy. Both sighed contentedly feeling as though nothing in this world could break them apart.

Lita looked up into the eyes of the handsome man she was dancing with. He was one of Darien's guardians and his name was Neflite. He had wavy long brown hair, which Lita thought looked lovely with the way he looked. He had matching brown eyes that could melt you heart and it melted Lita's. He had been the first person she danced with then she had danced with other boys but she had danced with him five more times and they talked more and Lita found herself falling for Neflite. It felt so right. They had stopped dancing and were standing near a window looking out into the night.

"Lita, I was wondering would you like to be my lady?" Neflite asked looking into Lita's emerald green eyes that widened when she heard the question.

"Oh yes," she replied hugging him closer and the two kissed passionately before Neflite pulled away and held out his palm to Lita. Looking down Lita saw two pink rose bud earrings and she gasped because they looked so very lovely.

"Oh Neflite, are these for me? They are beautiful," She gasped taking in their beauty.

"Nothing but the best is enough for you," Neflite declared reaching up to unclip Lita's earrings and put in her new ones and she touched them lightly.

"If you ever miss me just touch the earrings and think of me and you'll be able to see me," Neflite told Lita who threw herself into his arms and kissed him again.

"You'll never be far from my mind," Lita declared kissing him again before they turned to stare out of the window hands clasped so tight Lita wondered if anyone would be able to part them. Suddenly a shooting star passed the window and Lita made a wish.

I wish that Neflite will never be far from my mind and I will never be far from his, Lita wished desperately before snuggling up to Neflite who put his arms around her and held her tight.

Zoisite approached Ami shyly brushing his amber hair from his face, which was as long as Malachite's. His green eyes regarded her shyly before he gathered up his courage and stepped forward.

"Excuse me Princess Ami, but would you like to dance?" Zoisite managed to say and Ami turned to him with surprised eyes.

"You want to dance with me?" she asked her voice full of incredulity.

"Yes please," he said eagerly and Ami stood up and Zoisite rushed to lead her to the dance floor. Zoisite thought Ami was perfect and decided then and there he had better confess to telling the guys to stay away from her so that she wouldn't be sad any more.

"Princess Ami?" he asked to get her attention because Ami's gaze kept wandering from him to the floor. Ami looked up at him shyly with a smile and Zoisite smiled back.

"Yes," she whispered softly almost inaudibly so soft that Zoisite had to bend his head to hear her.

"I have to confess to something, I am the reason no boys approached you at that dance when you were fifteen and even tonight because I told them if they even came close to you I would beat them up, I'm sorry I made you feel bad but I got cold feet then I couldn't ask you to dance like I'd planned," Zoisite finished expecting Ami to go crazy at him but she didn't. Instead she smiled at him with a disarming sweetness in wonder.

"You did that for me?" she asked in amazement staring up at Zoisite and Zoisite nodded then before anything could be said Ami reached up and brought Zoisite's lips to her own and there they stayed for a while until Zoisite pulled away.

"Uh… Ami, I have always longed for this moment and I don't want to loose you so, would you like to be my girl?" Zoisite asked hoping the answer would be yes. Ami was silent and Zoisite's heart fell.

"Oh course I will," Ami replied throwing her arms around Zoisite and kissing him over and over again.

"Ami," he said when all the love and kisses was over, "I want you to have this."

Zoisite handed Ami a silver bracelet with blue stones the same colour as Ami's eyes embedded into the silver that held the bracelet together. Ami looked into the crystal and saw the party.

"I can see you and me and the whole party in here but it isn't a reflection," Ami said who was a very smart girl as she tried to analyse how the hell she was seeing the party.

"It's magic for you so you can see me whenever you wish," Zoisite said and Ami looked at him in astonishment as he fastened the bracelet onto her wrist.

"I have nothing to give you so this will have to do," replied Ami as she kissed Zoisite but this time it was soft and sweet making both of them shiver. Ami looked up through the see through dome in the top of the ceiling and spotted a faint shooting star.

I wish that Zoisite and his magic stays in my life forever, Ami whispered softly before burying her head happily into Zoisite's shoulder. I have a boyfriend, she thought, I have a boyfriend and he loves me.

Mina looked anxiously in the sea of faces before her looking for the face of the one boy who had interested her the whole night. She found his face and focused on it not noticing Ami being swept away by an amber haired young man. Malachite returned to Mina and smiled winningly.

"Now would my lady like to dance?" Malachite asked then added cheekily, "You have no excuse now."

"As if I would look for an excuse not to dance with you," Mina said before she could stop herself and Malachite laughed and pulled her tightly into his arms.

Mina stared up in Malachite's and eyes and sighed contentedly then giggled as Malachite bent his head to whisper in her ear.

"I have liked you for a very long time," Malachite confessed and Mina's eyes widened at the confession then Mina realised she had liked him too and it was him she had been looking for when she looked at all the faces.

"I have liked you too," she confessed back making them both smile before Malachite took her hand and led her to the pond outside in the garden away from the noisy party. They sat beside it and Mina absently reached down to touch the cold water. Malachite watched her before deciding to start his declaration of love to her.

"Mina, I have always loved you and I probably always will and I would love for you to be my woman," Malachite said and Mina gasped standing up and rushing into Malachite's arms with so much force that Malachite fell back into the pond.

"Yes I would," she said laughing and Malachite laughed too.

"You know you bowl me over," Malachite joked making them laugh harder. When they stopped laughing Malachite reached into his pocket and produced a broach with two crescent moon joined together by the back.

"This is for you, you will be able to see my face whenever you touch it," Malachite said attaching the brooch to Mina's wet dress with shaky hands. Mina immediately reached up to touch it and closed her eyes seeing Malachite's smiling face.

"Wow," she marvelled her eyes still closed.

"You don't have to use that now when the real thing is standing before you," Malachite said pulling Mina into his arms to keep her from shivering. Mina opened her eyes and stared at Malachite's face.

"No I don't," she said then they kissed and Mina saw the same shooting star everyone had seen.

A wish, a wish, Mina thought thinking of the perfect wish, I wish Malachite will always be able to see how I love him.

Rei and Jed had decided to go for a walk outside and neither had said a word as they sat down next to each other on the swings.

"My name is Jed," Jedite said realising that they hadn't really had a chance to talk.

"I know," Rei replied with a grin, "my brother talks about you often."

"He talks of you too," Jed said softly reaching out for Rei's hand and he took it gently.

"What does he say?" Rei asked coyly fishing for compliments.

"He says you're a brat, a bit annoying at times and sometimes selfish," Jed said with a smile and Rei flushed red with rage.

"He what?" she almost yelled pulling her hand away and Jed leant backwards before reaching for her hand again.

"He also said you were the best girl he ever met, that you were beautiful and kind and very graceful," Jed said softly and Rei calmed down and looked at Jed gently as he added, "I know now he is right."

"Jed…" Rei said but Jed pressed a finger to her lips before pulling out a jewellery box and giving it to her.

"This is for you, I bought it to give to you tonight," Jed said and to his surprise Rei gave it back to him with a toss of her head.

"And if we hadn't met tonight you would probably be giving it to someone else," Rei pouted though secretly delighted with Jed and his present.

"I couldn't give it to anyone else, it was made especially for you," Jed replied taking out the necklace inside the box. The necklace was actually a choker and in the middle it had a red star ruby. Engraved in the ruby was, 'Rei you are my shining star, I have loved you forever and I will love you forever'. Rei ran her fingers lightly across it before jumping off her swing and into Jed's lap.

"I take it you like my present," Jed asked and Rei's only response was to kiss him passionately.

Rei looked at the shooting star and had a feeling all the other girls had wished upon it. Mustn't break the tradition, thought Rei looking at the star, I wish Jedite and I stay together forever.

*We will* Jedite sent her telepathically and Rei gasped looking at him.

*You can…* Rei sent him at a loss for words.

*Yes, it's another of my powers* Jed replied and Rei kissed him again and sent him a last message.

*I love you* and after that message Jedite didn't need reply because he felt the same way.

Finally a loud bell rang all over the palace and everyone groaned knowing this meant the party was over and they were all to come back into the ball room. The five couples met up back inside and after everyone was introduced to everyone Queen Serenity approached the stage.

"The party has come to an end but we look forward to seeing you again, goodnight," Serenity said then there was a round of applause then quiet whispering as all the young people said goodbye to those they had met at the party.

"Goodbye Ami, look for me whenever you can," Zoisite told Ami kissing her lips lightly before walking to the guardians black corvette and waiting there for the others who were following.

"I will Zoi," Ami called to him and Zoi lifted up a hand of goodbye to her.

"If you ever need me you can call me by the earrings," Neflite told Lita kissing her hand and Lita kissed his lips.

"Goodbye Neflite for the moment," Lita said tears threatening to pour down her face.

"Mina, I can't wait to see you again," Malachite said hugging Mina who held on tightly to him before letting him go.

"That makes two of us Mal," Mina whispered to his back walking towards the car.

"Rei remember I love you whatever happens in the future my heart will always belong to you," Jed told Rei and Rei stiffened as a vision went through her. A vision of Jed destroying something special went through her brain.

*What was that? * Jed asked confused because he had seen himself fighting someone dear to his heart.

*Just a vision, its nothing* Rei said dismissing the thought hugging Jed tightly.

*Goodnight, my sweet princess and dream sweet dreams of me* Jed said and kissed Rei softly on the lips.

Darien touched Serena's hair then kissed her.

"Good bye Princess Meatball head," Darien said smiling and Serena smiled back.

"Hmm…I love it when you call me that," Serena replied snuggling up to Darien who hugged her then jumped into the car with his guardians.

"Goodbye," they all called out in unison.

The girls waited till the car sped off before dejectedly trudging up to Serena's room.

"Everyone have a good night?" Queen Serenity asked as they passed her on the stairs.

"Yes," the girls replied giggling before their happy mood returned and they ran up to Serena's room instead of trudging.

"That was the best," Rei said throwing the door to Serena's room open.

The girls all began giggling when they saw who were inside. Luna and Artemis were standing together kissing and on the other side of the room Phoebe and Dimitrius were engaged in the same act.

"Excuse us," Serena said loudly startling both couples who stopped what they were doing and looked at the girls guiltily. Phoebe started laughing at Luna's flabbergasted red face. Artemis blushed down to the tips of his toes while Dimitrius tried to suppress Phoebe's laughter but was very unsuccessful.

"Hello princesses," Luna said and all the girls all gave Luna sly looks before looking at Artemis and then giggling.

"Excuse us," Phoebe said as she grabbed Dimitrius and left the room pulling Luna and Artemis with them still laughing.

The girls all laughed again before throwing themselves onto Serena's bed and sighing. Neither could wait until they could meet their boyfriends again.

"It was a great night," Lita said after a while.

"Sure was," Ami and Mina agreed in unison and Serena opened her fridge and took out some cookies and milk and her and Rei began shoving some into their mouths trying to talk at the same time. After an hour of talking and eating the girls all changed into their nightgowns. Serena put on a silky pink gown with a large bow on the chest and the ribbons flowed down to the edge of the dress that reached her ankles. Ami put on silky blue short pants and a matching top with tiny bows placed on the neckline. Rei wore a nightgown similar to Serena's but Rei's was purple and instead of a bow there were soft feathers on the arms, the neckline and the bottom of the gown. Lita put on a nightgown that reached her knees that was green and had frills on the arms while Mina wore a gown that went to her shins and was very simple yet elegant with no trimmings. They all sat down in a circle on Serena's bed deciding whether to go to sleep or play some games. Rei suddenly stood up and frowned. She thought she heard something outside on the balcony so she went outside and looked around but could see no one. The wind was blowing harder than it was earlier in the evening making Rei's gown flew up slightly and her hair began to get messy so Rei pulled out the pins holding her hair in place and shook her head about. The curls fell down beside her face and she was about to go back inside when she heard whispering. The voices sounded male and they sounded as though they were coming from below the balcony so Rei walked to the edge and looked down.

"Jed," she cried out in surprise looking at her love who was about to climb a ladder up to the balcony, "what are you doing?"

"Coming to see you," Jed replied and then Rei noticed all the other boys were there too following Jed up the ladder they seemed to have taken from the gardening shed.

"Are you crazy?" she asked knowing Queen Serenity would go mad if she knew boys were in her daughters room.

"About you? Yes," Jed said simply smiling cheekily then started climbing the ladder. Rei ran inside to the girls who were all talking about their guys.

"The boys are going mad and are coming to see us, they are coming up a ladder onto the balcony, we have to tell them to leave before Serena's mom comes in and goes psycho, I don't think she'd appreciate men on her daughters balcony," Rei cried out and the girls looked at her before each rushed onto the balcony to see her man. Rei sighed and rolled her eyes before looking at her reflection in the mirror. She noticed her hair was a bit messy so she fixed her hair before deciding to go to the balcony and tell everyone off. As the leader of the Princesses Protectors it was her duty to be the most mature and take control of the situation. By the time Rei reached the balcony all the men were standing on the balcony being hugged by their girls. Rei was about to reprimand all of them when she saw her love staring at her smiling mischievously.

Oh I give up, she thought running to hug Jed who opened her arms and accepted her small form into his arms.