Sorry for the late post. Thank you for those fans that's sticking by my side as I write this story. ::Hands all her fans a cookie:: Oh, and I'm having trouble keeping the humor as I go along. X___x; So I apologize if it isn't as humorous. ^_^;; ::twitch::

Disclaimer: You know the drill

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            Jadeite glared at the intruder in his lair. The one his favorite Senshi, Sailor Mars had brought. Brushing back his blonde hair, he narrowed his eyes and poked her.

            "What the hell is wrong with you?! You've been poking me ever since I got here! God damn it! Poke me again, I swear there'll be nothing left for your precious prince to kill because I'll kill you myself!" Haruka turned around and pushed past him towards the window.

            "Well, it's all your princess' fault! If she hadn't been so careless, then I never would have found out about her damn secret and I wouldn't be stuck here with you!" He immediately regretted saying that for in a flash the warrior was in front of him, pressing a dagger dangerously close to his throat.

            "What'd you say about Princess Serenity?"

            Now, if this person had been … say an enemy, he probably would have brought her down. But no! This was a special guard of a kingdom who could probably wipe his own kingdom if pissed off. Not to mention she had special powers that probably could kill him within the next second. "I said she was a lovely girl and … and that she was very nice!"

            "…" Back went in the knife in the side belt and away went the scary woman. "Don't you dare say anything like that about anyone in the royal family. Understand?"

            He nodded vigorously before standing very still. Then he sauntered closer to her, making sure she didn't notice and … poked her once more.

            "THAT'S IT! YOU'RE A DEAD MAN! NO WONDER YOU'RE PRINCE IS TRYING TO KILL YOU! YOU KNOW WHAT? I'LL JUST DO HIM A FAVOR!"

            Several creatures glanced towards the small cottage hidden in the royal gardens before going on about their way. Lately, those shouts had become a regular occurrence.

            "I'M SORRY!!"

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            Serenity sighed, frowning. Today would be her first day out of bed in two weeks. And during all that time, she knew the prince had passed by her door more than a couple times. This was really un-like him. He was usually very cocky and sure of himself. Andrew had stopped by a couple of times too, though he became very disconcerted when the Lita's and Mina's attention weren't lavished him. In fact, they ignored him all the times he'd been here, clinging to the arms of one of the Earthen generals. Serena couldn't help but mumbling "traitors" under her breath the entire time. Donning a silver dress, she put away the emblem that helped her transform. The doctor had told her she wouldn't be able to handle a spell like that for at least another couple of days, or she'd be going back into bed.

            She had decided to sneak into the garden without the prince knowing and risk being seen. The truth was, she was going stir crazy in her room with people hovering her all the time, and her mother both frowning and grinning at the same time. Who knew what that witch was up to. She'd made one of her guards make sure Endymion was in the library so she could go into the garden. So, now she was hurrying down the hallway, glancing back and forth nervously. As soon as she entered the garden, she let out a breath of relief, and then sucked in the fresh air, closing her eyes in contentment. The princess had tried and tried to push aside the conversation she had with the prince last. He said he loved her. But could it be some kind of a joke? Maybe?

            She could not ignore the joy that had burst through her at that moment. It had been so quick and sudden it couldn't have been real. Maybe she'd dreamt it. She could never compare to that Earthling, Beryl. Her beauty was beyond hers! Serenity knew that her own beauty was famous among the galaxy, though she could not understand why. Deep inside she believed her beauty paled next to the one of Lady Beryl. For the first time in her life, she felt helpless and confused, not knowing what to do. She didn't even know what the problem was. Endymion said he loved her! Her, of all people. In the disguise. Once again, the bolt of pleasure shot through her body at the thought. Only to be replaced with an ominous feeling. "Why does everything have to be so difficult?"

            "Why indeed, milady."

            Serenity's head whipped towards the side; ignoring the whiplash she received from her hair. She took in a quick intake of breath, eyes widening at an alarming rate. "Prince Endymion!" As was habit, a string of swears flew through her mind at the moment. Would he recognize her? What the hell was he doing in the garden? He was supposed to be in the library! Hiding her trembling hands underneath the folds of her dress, she bowed low. "I mean, your highness."

            He quirked an eyebrow, staring at the slender beauty in front of him. She was five feet two inches, very slender, and very lovely. He bowed in return towards the stranger. She seemed to know him. "I'm apologize for startling you, milady. I was just taking a walk in the gardens when I heard your voice. I didn't mean to eavesdrop."

            Well, there went the first question. He didn't recognize her. She forced a smile, relaxing just a tiny bit. "May I ask why a prince is in the gardens?"

            "I enjoy flowers and they are prized very highly among the Earthlings. I also needed some fresh air." In truth, he had been running from Beryl once more. The woman didn't seem to understand the words it's over. He had been in the library, for some reason everyone seemed adamant about him going there today - especially Mercury who almost had a heart attack when he left. But as soon as he heard Beryl's throaty voice, he had stood up and shoved his way past the senshi, the guards, and then through the doors. He knew not many people came into the gardens due to the fact that if the princess found even one flower mangled, she would be furious. His mind turned towards the princess, a deep glow pulsating through his body. He'd heard that she was feeling much better but still refused to leave her room. Probably to avoid him.

            She gazed at him, as his eyes seemed to focus on a point past her. Shifting her feet, she cleared her throat. "Your highness?"

            His eyes focused back on the girl in front of him. Endymion then took a step back, finally releasing the similarity between her and the queen. Eyes narrowing suspiciously, he studied her closer. "Sorry, I became lost in my thoughts. You know, you remind me very much of the Queen. You look more like her than the princess herself!"

            Panic seized her as another wobbly smile crossed her face. "I am the Queen's niece and the princess' cousin." 'Course, neither her mother nor her father had siblings but he didn't know that, did he?

            He blinked accepting the words. "I see. When did you arrive? I would think the queen would have had a big reception since her niece came." Once again she seemed to jump at the words and he wondered briefly if this woman was naturally jumpy. Wouldn't be surprising since she reminded him of a rabbit.

            Taking in a shuddering breath, she tried to regain her composure. "Oh, I don't like things like that. I loathe it. So, she agreed not to make a big deal out of it. Besides, my cousin is ill and I think she has more to worry about than me."

            He seemed to become more awakened at the mention of the ill princess and he tilted his head. "Have you been to see her? Is she okay? Why hasn't she come out of her room yet? As she mentioned anything about me at all?"

            Serenity blinked in surprise at the words and question and couldn't help but feel pleased at his worried expression and words. He truly did care for her. Suddenly, it seemed like the devil had taken possession of her words as she grinned evilly. "Why do you ask, dear sir? Is it because you have feelings for my cousin?"

            Endymion sighed and laughed, realizing he was sounding desperate. "I suppose I do have feelings for her. But she does not return those feeling for me." He frowned, trying to gather his thoughts. It was very easy talking to this cousin. "I'm sorry I don't believe you've told me your name."

            Startled by the question, her mouth opened and closed as her mind spun with ideas. "I … My … name … is …is Lady Usagi Tsukino." She sighed in relief, taking the name of a fabled fairy that was rumored to haunt the palace.

            "Rabbit of the Moon? How fitting. Well, I have answered your question. Can you answer one of mine?"

            "…Yes?"

            "Does the princess hold any feelings for me at all?" He said these very quietly, eyes gazing down at the grass. He didn't look up at the startled gasp and continued to look down at the silence that followed.

            Serenity frowned, her hands shaking once more. Then, she closed her eyes and then opening them. "Tell me, why do you care so much for her? She holds no true beauty."

            The prince's head shot up at this, sudden fury taking over. "She does hold beauty! Inner beauty. She is stubborn, intelligent, kind-hearted, and most of all honest! She's what I've been looking for all these years. Someone I can spend my life with."

            She winced at the word honest. She'd been deceiving him this entire time. Even now she was deceiving him. "What if you were to find out she has been deceiving you this entire time?"

            "What do you mean? Oh, you mean all those pranks? I do not mind. She lied to get me to fall for her tricks, but that is harmless. I know she will never lie to deceive me with bad intent." His pushed his black hair back wondering at the sudden quiet that had settled over the girl. He had to agree, she was a beautiful girl, slender and delicate. The complete opposite of Serenity. He grinned at this … no one was like Serenity.

            "Princess Serenity?"

            She looked up, eyes widening at the call. She recognized the voice and panic gripped her. Serenity started to back away, smiling nervously and rubbing the back of her head. "Well, it was wonderful meeting you! I must be on my way. I'll tell my cousin that you were looking for her. And well …OOF!"

            "Huh?" He blinked, one minute the girl was standing in front of him, the next she was laying on the ground.

            Serena sighed, trying to stand up through the flurry of ruffles that was her dress. It was just her luck that a branch would stick out of nowhere and trip her … of course. "…"

            "Princess Serenity?!!"
            The prince looked around as the voice became closer and he held out a hand to help Usagi up. That's when a plump woman broke through a bush out of breath and clearly glaring at the female sitting on the floor.

            "Princess! What on Moon are you thinking sitting on the ground like that?!"

            Prince Endymion Darien of the planet Earth quirked an eyebrow and his extended hand fell limply at his side. "…She's not Princess Serenity."

            "Why of course she is, your majesty. Only someone of the royal house can wear that hairstyle." The woman clucked under her breath, helping the princess to her feet. "Who did you think she was?"

            "She's the princess' cousin." He stated this with a confident look, smiling towards the girl who was now looking down at the ground.

            "Ha! Cousin? That's the silliest thing I've heard all day. Everyone knows that the princess has no cousins. The queen does not have any siblings and neither did the late king." The woman kept a tight grip on the princess' arm, chuckling.

            Silence filled the air as Darien stared down at the girl in silver in front of him. All she did was gaze back at him, awaiting his reaction. He alone held together the pieces to her heart, and he alone could break it.

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::Bows Repeatedly:: Gomen ne for writing such a short chapter and bringing it out so late! ;__; But I've hit a writer's block. u__u; I promise I'll update next week … considering my computer doesn't decide to go evil and ruin everything. I SWEAR IT WILL BE OUT SHORTLY. VERY VERY SOON. O_O I KNOW I'VE SAID IT BEFORE, BUT I'LL KEEP MY PROMISE THIS TIME! PROMISE!!  … So please don't try to kill me. ;.;