A Story To Remember
Chapter 8: Interlude in the Silver Millennium
Serena sat on her bed, smoothing the sheets with her hand. She had asked Bulma if she could stay at Capsule Corp. the following day as well, because she didn't have any classes. Bulma had allowed her to and had lent her a black skirt and white tank top to wear. Serena knew that she would have to go downstairs sometime, her stomach was grumbling loudly from hunger. However, she also knew that Vegeta would be there, knowing now that he actually lived at CC.
'Kami-sama.' She thought sadly, 'what should I do?'
****************
Bulma set out two plates and cups on her family's cherry wood breakfast table. She had already eaten earlier and she knew that Serena wouldn't mind eating with Vegeta. Bulma set out utensils and napkins and then leaned on the table.
'Serena seemed so worried today, I wonder what's wrong.' Her thoughts were interrupted as Vegeta came into the kitchen. He looked scornfully at the table then up at Bulma.
"Where's the food?" He growled.
"Well hello to you too Vegeta." Bulma spat out, "I'll set out the food as soon as Serena comes downstairs."
At the mention of Serena, Vegeta turned away from Bulma, wincing slightly. He still didn't understand the feelings he had for the young woman. When he had woken up he had racked his brain for every memory he could recall, wondering if he had met her in the past. He analyzed every dream, but he still didn't know why her felt so close to her. Her image was burned into his mind and soul and he fought to keep all his emotions from spilling out.
"Hey Serena!" Bulma called out cheerfully, setting food down on the table.
"Hi." Serena said quietly, trying to avoid looking at the dark prince.
"I have to go." Bulma said, hurriedly slipping into her lab coat, "Help your self Serena."
Walking over to her she gave Serena a hug and whispered in her ear.
"Don't let that vegetable head intimidate you Serena." She let go and grabbed her keys, leaving the Serena and Vegeta alone in the room. (AN: Convenient ne?)
Time Gates
"Pluto, it is time."
"Yes my queen." Pluto said, bowing to the silvery, shadow of the late Queen Serenity.
"They must be allowed to see everything." Queen Serenity said gravely, "Nothing is to be hidden."
"I know." Pluto said, "I already gave the princess her first insight into the future. She knows about the dark forces approaching the planet, yet only vaguely. She also doesn't know HOW she knows of these dark forces."
"That shall be revealed later." Serenity said, a little bit impatiently, "We must do this now. I will take care of the Sailor Senshi."
Nodding, Sailor Pluto watched as the image disappeared.
************************
KITCHEN
Vegeta picked up his plate and moved it to the counter to eat. Serena sat down, and picked at her food. Neither knew what to say to the other and time seemed to stand still for them.
"Vegeta?" Serena whispered.
"What woman?" He growled back, annoyed at the feelings that were stirring deep inside of him.
Serena looked down at her plate, her eyes filled with sadness.
'I'm crying over a man I hardly know.'
She thought incredulously, and yet it hurt all the same. Vegeta turned around and scowled at her.
"Weak woman." He muttered.
Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, Serena stood up and glared at him menacingly. "What did you call me?"
"You heard what I said." He said smirking, a challenge in his voice.
"First of all, my name is NOT woman, it's Serena. That's not TOO hard to understand, and secondly I am NOT weak." Rage and irritation rushed through her body.
"Humph. Whatever."
Fury burned inside her now.
'How dare he?' she thought angrily, 'How dare he call me weak, he has no idea what I can do.'
As the anger coursed through her body, she wondered why she was answering so quickly to his challenge, she didn't usually act like this.
Vegeta eyes widened as he felt a large power coming from Serena. It was deep inside of her but he could feel it. He found himself pushing her farther, wanting to know where this would go.
"What are you going to do about it?" He said, his smirk growing as he walked towards her.
Any feelings of fear Serena had before at seeing Vegeta again were gone. She had been treated badly enough by her Senshi, she would not take ANY of it here. Suddenly she heard a light laugh, and gasped out loud as she saw that Pluto was right behind her.
"Princess." Pluto said almost cynically, "You should watch your temper, you wouldn't want to kill the one you love."
"What?" Vegeta said confused, "Who are you?"
"Pluto, you shouldn't be here." Serena said worriedly.
"On the contrary my princess, I am here to show both you and Prince Vegeta something."
"Whoa, wait a minute. PRINCE Vegeta? Are you telling me HE'S a PRINCE?" She said in amazement. "Kami-sama!"
"What do you want?" Vegeta said, slowly moving into a fighting stance.
"Don't worry Vegeta-sama, this is my friend Plu..." She was cut off by Pluto's wary glance. "Uhhhhh, my friend Trista." Pluto gave her a shocked look, but quickly looked away.
"As I said, I have to show you something very important."
Raising her staff, she clicked it on the hard floor of the Briefs' kitchen. Garnet light exploded everywhere and Serena screamed in terror. Vegeta reached for her and held her tightly.
"I will let you live out your past." Pluto's voice echoed all around them before everything went black.
SILVER MILLENIUM
"Although history remembers Princess Serenity as calm, loving, and serene, there was more to her personality than just that."
THE MOON KINGDOM
Princess Serenity sighed as she sat in her garden. It was happening right now at this very moment. The time she had despised ever since the deal with her mother, The Gathering of the Royals. During this month, all the royal families from all over the universe would come to stay in the Moon Kingdom. All the thousands of kings, queens, princes, and princesses would be staying in the Palace. All came for one reason though, the last day of the month, the day in which the Princess of the Moon Kingdom would announce who her husband would be.
Serenity got up of the ground and brushed the twigs and grass out of her gown. She made her way toward the 1st chamber where the female guests were staying. All the queens and princesses would be together and the princes and kings would be together. Grumbling to her self, she pushed open the double doors that led to the 1st chamber. The 1st chamber was more like a sitting room, where the queens and princesses could mingle together, for a time forgetting about their duties. Ami, princess of Mercury was standing with Princess Akeiko of Sunpuar and the two girls smiled and waved at her, although Akeiko seemed a bit nervous.
It was true; Serena was known as the "Rebellious princess." among many a royal family. Serena was feared by many royal families for her fighting skills, envied by thousands for her beauty and the number of suitors she had, loved by millions for her serenity and purity, and hated my hundreds of princesses for her bold actions. Even now many of the guests were talking about her.
"What's wrong with her anyway?"
"She is so beautiful"
"I heard that she's had thousands of suitors, and turned them ALL down."
"I wonder who she will choose to marry?"
"She's so different."
"Perhaps she will marry my son."
"She's not a real princess."
"Can you believe she LIKES to fight?"
"Her mother will have a say in who Princess Serena marries, I'm sure."
"She's worse than the Princess of Uranus."
"She would make a fine bride for my brother."
"God, I envy her. All that power."
"Whoever she marries will become the strongest king in the universe, and the man's family given abundant riches!"
Serena heard them all. She didn't care though.
'Why do they think I'm so strange?' she thought, as she scanned the crowd for her mother, 'because I prefer pants to dresses? Because I'd rather marry someone I truly love, than be married off to the highest bidder like some possession? Is it because I would rather fight for what I need, than have someone wait on my hand and foot?'
She left the room and walked through the corridors of the palace, careful to avoid the kings, and prince's quarters.
'I don't care what those other stuck up princesses think.'
She said defiantly, yet deep down it cut into her heart. Slowly tears began to form in her beautiful, sapphire eyes and she started to run. Serenity covered her face as she ran out of the palace. She hated crying in front of other people, it made her feel weak and vulnerable.
She slipped out of the palace gates with the ease of someone who has done it one thousand times before. Running towards the lake she found what she was looking for. Making sure no one was in sight, she un-zipped her dress, giggling as the material fell to her feet. Trembling in the evening air, she pulled on a white tank top and loose black pants. She let her long hair down, and used her gold hairbrush to widen her bangs until her hair covered the crescent moon on her forehead. Throwing the brush carelessly in the lake, she laughed loudly and sprinted through the woods, enjoying the unrestricted freedom. Her LONG hair flew out as she did tumbles, handsprings and back flips. She swung from branches and took comfort in the openness of the forest, all the while getting farther, and farther away from the palace.
Finally she came to a clearing. She was out of breath and her cheeks were flushed, but she had never felt so elated. She was about to step into the clearing when she heard a loud rustling sound in the trees on the far side of the clearing. Serenity got down on her knees behind a bush, parting the plant just enough to see clearly. She gasped as a man burst into the clearing, sparring intently with an imaginary foe.
'He's incredible.' She thought, and her eyes locked on the man before her.
She had never seen anyone fight on that level of intensity before.
'Could he be a Saiya-Jin?'
Her mother had mentioned Saiya-Jins coming, but Serenity hadn't REALLY been paying attention. Serenity knew that during The Gathering, the princesses and princes weren't allowed to see each other unless they were family or if there was some sort of crisis. However, she couldn't tear her eyes away from the battle in front of her. Each punch he threw, every kick and jab, Serena followed. Her conscience whispered in her ear.
"Princess Serenity, WHAT are you doing? There are rules during The Gathering. You are NOT allowed to mingle with the princes until AFTER you've announced whom you will marry."
Serena winced at the thought of her marriage.
'But he isn't a prince' she thought.
Then, another part of her whispered in her other ear.
"Your Right. Come on Serena. Have a little fun. Don't let that baka Tenshi of yours stop you. It's not like he knows your watching him. Besides, look at that body!
"DON'T DO THAT Diablo! (AN: Which is devil in Spanish!) You shouldn't be influencing her like that. You know the rules of The Gathering as well as I do."
"Oh tra la Tenshi. Don't throw go throwing a heavenly fit. Besides, Serena should be able to have fun every now and then like any other girl."
"Grrrrrrr! Diablo, SERENITY isn't just ANY girl, she is the princess of the Moon Kingdom and she shouldn't be."
"Don't go getting your halo in a twist Tenshi." Diablo said, cutting Tenshi off, "Come on Serena, don't you wanna know who he is?"
"Well." Serena thought, blushing slightly.
"AGH! I can't work like this." Tenshi said exasperatedly.
Diablo laughed evilly, "Then leave. Serena and I will be fine!"
"Wait." Serena thought, interrupting her two consciences, "I think I SHOULD leave, not to say your wrong...ughh...Diablo. Besides, they're probably gonna come looking for me if I don't go back to the palace."
Tenshi nodded approvingly and smiled at Diablo before disappearing in a flash of white light.
"FINE Serena, be that way. Listen to that baka Tenshi. But",
She smiled sinfully, "Don't let that guy get away...Find out who he is!" Diablo smirked again then disappeared in a blaze of red/orange flames.
Serena sighed and still crouching, crawled backwards from the bushes.
SNAP!
A large twig broke under Serena's weight. She stopped and held her breath.
Vegeta stopped sparring and listened. He had definitely heard something from the woods outside the clearing. He scanned the woods for any signs of life, breathing hard from his sparring session.
"Who's there?" He growled out haughtily.
'Dear Selene, please don't let him see me.' She thought, praying to the goddess of the moon.
"Come out coward." Vegeta half shouted.
Suddenly he saw something rush out from the bushes into the woods. Someone HAD been watching him. His instincts kicked in immediately and he smirked as he took off into the woods, his mind set on the chase.
THE MOON PALACE
Queen Serenity combed he hair gently, before arranging it into its usual odango style. She had been looking for her daughter for almost an hour but she hadn't called any guards out to look for her yet. She knew her daughter was safe, and she would've felt something if something HAD happened to her. Serena was becoming increasingly difficult, more so, now that The Gathering had arrived. Her daughter would often slip away from the palace at different times during the day, but now Serena did it more frequently. Every princess that will announce her fiancée has a gathering before she does so. Queen Serenity thought back to the conversation she had had with her daughter last month and the deal they had made.
FLASHBACK (Throne room
"Serena please." Queen Serenity said, "Prince Endymion would make a wonderful husband."
Serena glared at her mother, "I will NOT marry him." Her tone was bold.
"Do not be insolent to me daughter." Queen Serenity said, her eyes narrowing, "You have THOUSANDS of suitors who would do anything for your hand in marriage. Their dowries come in gems, crystals, gold, and platinum. You want none of that. Other mothers would have made you marry the one with the largest dowry, but I don't. I am allowing you to choose your husband from the many suitors you have, and yet you do not wish to."
"The suitors are fools. They don't care for my feelings. Only for my power and wealth." Serena retorted.
The throne room was heavy with tension.
"Serena, my Own, your father and I married the same way. I learned to love him." Queen Serenity's voice broke at the mention of her husband.
"You mean you shared his bed and THEN you learned to love him." Serena said her anger and sadness laced her voice.
Her mother leaped from her throne and grabbed her shoulders, squeezing almost cruelly. "Don't you DARE speak of your father that way? He loved you and you should speak with kindness when talking of him!"
"How can I speak with kindness for a man I never knew?" Serena spat out, the anger gone from her voice, leaving only misery.
She began to cry, soft and silent. The queen held her daughter gently to her body, holding her as she sobbed soundlessly.
"Gomen nasai. Forgive me my Own."
Serena pulled away from her mother and wiped the tears from her eyes. She smoothed her dress and planted her feet firmly. She gazed once more at the queen. Defiance shone in her eyes once again.
"I refuse to marry anyone I do not truly love."
"You remain tenacious my darling. I will make a deal with you."
"A deal?"
"I give you permission to choose your husband. He must be of royal blood though. You have until the second to last day of next month, the month of The Gathering. If you have not chosen anyone by then." She stopped for effect, "I will choose for you. Do we have a deal my Own?"
Serena considered for a moment. "Deal."
Both women smiled at each other, neither knowing what to expect.
END FLASHBACK
Yes, Queen Serenity knew that her daughter was kind, intelligent, and serene. Serena's ability to use the Silver Crystal (AN: I can't spell the Japanese word for it.) surpassed even her own. However, her daughter's boldness and sarcastic humor, uncommon in a princess, was enough to give her a royal headache. She smiled at her image in the mirror.
'I almost feel bad for the man Serena will marry.'
"OH!" Queen Serenity gasped aloud. Suddenly remembering that HER mother had made the same comment before SHE had gotten married. Serenity smiled again.
THE WOODS
Vegeta smirked as he chased the person that had been watching him. Whoever it was, was fast, but he was faster. After about two minutes he caught up to the fleeing figure and grabbed its wrist.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!"
Vegeta almost let go of the persons wrist he was so shocked, "A girl?"
"Let me go!" Serena shouted at the man.
"Stop shouting little girl!" He shouted, struggling to hold her, while trying to see whom it was.
Serena yanked her wrist free, "How DARE you grab me? And how DARE you call me a LITTLE GIRL?!"
She turned to glare at him and Vegeta got an even bigger shock. 'She's beautiful.' His mind reeled at the magnificence before him.
'What am I thinking? What are these emotions?' Struggling slightly, he forced away his feelings.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Nani? You don't know who I am?" She peered closely at him, examining his armor,
"Who are you? You're not from around here are you?" she said suspiciously.
"No, I'm here for the stupid Gathering."
"Wait a minute." Serena said, "If you ARE here for The Gathering, that would make you a...a..."
"I am Prince Vegeta of Vegeta-sei." He said proudly.
"Oh Selene no." she mumbled. She started to feel a little bit dizzy, "Oh God no."
"What's wrong with you?" he said, a little bit confused.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no." Serena ran a hand through her hair, and put it up in odango style, concentrating, she sighed as a gleam of white light surrounded her. When the light receded she stood as Princess Serenity.
"What the hell?"
"Please don't tell anyone you saw me dressed as I was. Please?" Her eyes were pleading and her tone was desperate.
"Do you think I care what you were wearing?" Vegeta snapped, "Who are you?" he repeated.
Serena ran her hair through her bangs, splitting them so that they no longer covered her crescent moon.
"I am Princess Serenity, born of Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom. I am the first daughter in the House of Lunar, and the sole heiress to the throne of Chikyuu." She grinned at Vegeta, "You can call me Serena, though."
Vegeta raised an eyebrow, "So you're the reason why I got dragged off my home planet to this place? The reason for this Gathering?"
"Hey, I don't like it anymore than you do." She looked him up and down, "You sure aren't like any princes I know of."
Vegeta scowled, "What kind of princess leaves her palace to tramp through the woods?"
"I was NOT tramping." She retorted, "What are YOU doing here?"
"You were watching me, you should know." He smirked as Serena blushed and looked at the ground.
"I shouldn't have, I'm sorry. You're an excellent fighter though."
"I already know that." He turned to leave.
"Wait!" Serena called out, looking up, "Where are you going?"
"Why should you care woman?" Vegeta asked skeptically.
"I don't care. And DON'T call me woman!"
"Whatever Lunarian."
"Don't call me THAT either!"
"Humph." He turned to leave again.
"Wait Prin...Vegeta!"
"What the hell do you want now woman?"
"Will you teach me to fight like you do?" Serena asked.
"Why would a princess want to know how to fight?"
"I'm not just ANY princess Vegeta." She said smiling.
"I bet." He mumbled. "You aren't like any princess I've met before."
"Thank you."
"I'm not teaching you." He said firmly, "I could get in trouble if your mother found out."
"I may be young Prince Vegeta, but I'm not stupid. Since when does a Saiya-Jin care what a woman thinks?"
Vegeta grumbled in defeat.
"YATTA!" Serena took his hand, her eyes bright. "I have to go back to the palace before someone comes looking for me. You should go back too. We'll meet at the lake tomorrow morning at 4:00 AM. Is that ok?"
Electricity ran through Vegeta's body from the touch of the young princess's hand on his. He stared into her beautiful sapphire eyes and nodded.
"Good. Vegeta, we can't tell anyone about this though." She said seriously, letting go of his hand.
"I know woman."
"All right, tomorrow at 4, by the lake. I look forward to it."
"I doubt you could handle my training Serena." He said, a challenge in his voice.
Serena looked at him, staring deep into his black eyes. She felt like she could drown in their depths. She narrowed her eyes and said flirtatiously,
"I doubt you could handle me, Vegeta. Until tomorrow my prince." She winked seductively, and then took off into the woods. Leaving a very astonished Saiya Jin prince.
Chapter 8: Interlude in the Silver Millennium
Serena sat on her bed, smoothing the sheets with her hand. She had asked Bulma if she could stay at Capsule Corp. the following day as well, because she didn't have any classes. Bulma had allowed her to and had lent her a black skirt and white tank top to wear. Serena knew that she would have to go downstairs sometime, her stomach was grumbling loudly from hunger. However, she also knew that Vegeta would be there, knowing now that he actually lived at CC.
'Kami-sama.' She thought sadly, 'what should I do?'
****************
Bulma set out two plates and cups on her family's cherry wood breakfast table. She had already eaten earlier and she knew that Serena wouldn't mind eating with Vegeta. Bulma set out utensils and napkins and then leaned on the table.
'Serena seemed so worried today, I wonder what's wrong.' Her thoughts were interrupted as Vegeta came into the kitchen. He looked scornfully at the table then up at Bulma.
"Where's the food?" He growled.
"Well hello to you too Vegeta." Bulma spat out, "I'll set out the food as soon as Serena comes downstairs."
At the mention of Serena, Vegeta turned away from Bulma, wincing slightly. He still didn't understand the feelings he had for the young woman. When he had woken up he had racked his brain for every memory he could recall, wondering if he had met her in the past. He analyzed every dream, but he still didn't know why her felt so close to her. Her image was burned into his mind and soul and he fought to keep all his emotions from spilling out.
"Hey Serena!" Bulma called out cheerfully, setting food down on the table.
"Hi." Serena said quietly, trying to avoid looking at the dark prince.
"I have to go." Bulma said, hurriedly slipping into her lab coat, "Help your self Serena."
Walking over to her she gave Serena a hug and whispered in her ear.
"Don't let that vegetable head intimidate you Serena." She let go and grabbed her keys, leaving the Serena and Vegeta alone in the room. (AN: Convenient ne?)
Time Gates
"Pluto, it is time."
"Yes my queen." Pluto said, bowing to the silvery, shadow of the late Queen Serenity.
"They must be allowed to see everything." Queen Serenity said gravely, "Nothing is to be hidden."
"I know." Pluto said, "I already gave the princess her first insight into the future. She knows about the dark forces approaching the planet, yet only vaguely. She also doesn't know HOW she knows of these dark forces."
"That shall be revealed later." Serenity said, a little bit impatiently, "We must do this now. I will take care of the Sailor Senshi."
Nodding, Sailor Pluto watched as the image disappeared.
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KITCHEN
Vegeta picked up his plate and moved it to the counter to eat. Serena sat down, and picked at her food. Neither knew what to say to the other and time seemed to stand still for them.
"Vegeta?" Serena whispered.
"What woman?" He growled back, annoyed at the feelings that were stirring deep inside of him.
Serena looked down at her plate, her eyes filled with sadness.
'I'm crying over a man I hardly know.'
She thought incredulously, and yet it hurt all the same. Vegeta turned around and scowled at her.
"Weak woman." He muttered.
Wiping her eyes with the back of her hand, Serena stood up and glared at him menacingly. "What did you call me?"
"You heard what I said." He said smirking, a challenge in his voice.
"First of all, my name is NOT woman, it's Serena. That's not TOO hard to understand, and secondly I am NOT weak." Rage and irritation rushed through her body.
"Humph. Whatever."
Fury burned inside her now.
'How dare he?' she thought angrily, 'How dare he call me weak, he has no idea what I can do.'
As the anger coursed through her body, she wondered why she was answering so quickly to his challenge, she didn't usually act like this.
Vegeta eyes widened as he felt a large power coming from Serena. It was deep inside of her but he could feel it. He found himself pushing her farther, wanting to know where this would go.
"What are you going to do about it?" He said, his smirk growing as he walked towards her.
Any feelings of fear Serena had before at seeing Vegeta again were gone. She had been treated badly enough by her Senshi, she would not take ANY of it here. Suddenly she heard a light laugh, and gasped out loud as she saw that Pluto was right behind her.
"Princess." Pluto said almost cynically, "You should watch your temper, you wouldn't want to kill the one you love."
"What?" Vegeta said confused, "Who are you?"
"Pluto, you shouldn't be here." Serena said worriedly.
"On the contrary my princess, I am here to show both you and Prince Vegeta something."
"Whoa, wait a minute. PRINCE Vegeta? Are you telling me HE'S a PRINCE?" She said in amazement. "Kami-sama!"
"What do you want?" Vegeta said, slowly moving into a fighting stance.
"Don't worry Vegeta-sama, this is my friend Plu..." She was cut off by Pluto's wary glance. "Uhhhhh, my friend Trista." Pluto gave her a shocked look, but quickly looked away.
"As I said, I have to show you something very important."
Raising her staff, she clicked it on the hard floor of the Briefs' kitchen. Garnet light exploded everywhere and Serena screamed in terror. Vegeta reached for her and held her tightly.
"I will let you live out your past." Pluto's voice echoed all around them before everything went black.
SILVER MILLENIUM
"Although history remembers Princess Serenity as calm, loving, and serene, there was more to her personality than just that."
THE MOON KINGDOM
Princess Serenity sighed as she sat in her garden. It was happening right now at this very moment. The time she had despised ever since the deal with her mother, The Gathering of the Royals. During this month, all the royal families from all over the universe would come to stay in the Moon Kingdom. All the thousands of kings, queens, princes, and princesses would be staying in the Palace. All came for one reason though, the last day of the month, the day in which the Princess of the Moon Kingdom would announce who her husband would be.
Serenity got up of the ground and brushed the twigs and grass out of her gown. She made her way toward the 1st chamber where the female guests were staying. All the queens and princesses would be together and the princes and kings would be together. Grumbling to her self, she pushed open the double doors that led to the 1st chamber. The 1st chamber was more like a sitting room, where the queens and princesses could mingle together, for a time forgetting about their duties. Ami, princess of Mercury was standing with Princess Akeiko of Sunpuar and the two girls smiled and waved at her, although Akeiko seemed a bit nervous.
It was true; Serena was known as the "Rebellious princess." among many a royal family. Serena was feared by many royal families for her fighting skills, envied by thousands for her beauty and the number of suitors she had, loved by millions for her serenity and purity, and hated my hundreds of princesses for her bold actions. Even now many of the guests were talking about her.
"What's wrong with her anyway?"
"She is so beautiful"
"I heard that she's had thousands of suitors, and turned them ALL down."
"I wonder who she will choose to marry?"
"She's so different."
"Perhaps she will marry my son."
"She's not a real princess."
"Can you believe she LIKES to fight?"
"Her mother will have a say in who Princess Serena marries, I'm sure."
"She's worse than the Princess of Uranus."
"She would make a fine bride for my brother."
"God, I envy her. All that power."
"Whoever she marries will become the strongest king in the universe, and the man's family given abundant riches!"
Serena heard them all. She didn't care though.
'Why do they think I'm so strange?' she thought, as she scanned the crowd for her mother, 'because I prefer pants to dresses? Because I'd rather marry someone I truly love, than be married off to the highest bidder like some possession? Is it because I would rather fight for what I need, than have someone wait on my hand and foot?'
She left the room and walked through the corridors of the palace, careful to avoid the kings, and prince's quarters.
'I don't care what those other stuck up princesses think.'
She said defiantly, yet deep down it cut into her heart. Slowly tears began to form in her beautiful, sapphire eyes and she started to run. Serenity covered her face as she ran out of the palace. She hated crying in front of other people, it made her feel weak and vulnerable.
She slipped out of the palace gates with the ease of someone who has done it one thousand times before. Running towards the lake she found what she was looking for. Making sure no one was in sight, she un-zipped her dress, giggling as the material fell to her feet. Trembling in the evening air, she pulled on a white tank top and loose black pants. She let her long hair down, and used her gold hairbrush to widen her bangs until her hair covered the crescent moon on her forehead. Throwing the brush carelessly in the lake, she laughed loudly and sprinted through the woods, enjoying the unrestricted freedom. Her LONG hair flew out as she did tumbles, handsprings and back flips. She swung from branches and took comfort in the openness of the forest, all the while getting farther, and farther away from the palace.
Finally she came to a clearing. She was out of breath and her cheeks were flushed, but she had never felt so elated. She was about to step into the clearing when she heard a loud rustling sound in the trees on the far side of the clearing. Serenity got down on her knees behind a bush, parting the plant just enough to see clearly. She gasped as a man burst into the clearing, sparring intently with an imaginary foe.
'He's incredible.' She thought, and her eyes locked on the man before her.
She had never seen anyone fight on that level of intensity before.
'Could he be a Saiya-Jin?'
Her mother had mentioned Saiya-Jins coming, but Serenity hadn't REALLY been paying attention. Serenity knew that during The Gathering, the princesses and princes weren't allowed to see each other unless they were family or if there was some sort of crisis. However, she couldn't tear her eyes away from the battle in front of her. Each punch he threw, every kick and jab, Serena followed. Her conscience whispered in her ear.
"Princess Serenity, WHAT are you doing? There are rules during The Gathering. You are NOT allowed to mingle with the princes until AFTER you've announced whom you will marry."
Serena winced at the thought of her marriage.
'But he isn't a prince' she thought.
Then, another part of her whispered in her other ear.
"Your Right. Come on Serena. Have a little fun. Don't let that baka Tenshi of yours stop you. It's not like he knows your watching him. Besides, look at that body!
"DON'T DO THAT Diablo! (AN: Which is devil in Spanish!) You shouldn't be influencing her like that. You know the rules of The Gathering as well as I do."
"Oh tra la Tenshi. Don't throw go throwing a heavenly fit. Besides, Serena should be able to have fun every now and then like any other girl."
"Grrrrrrr! Diablo, SERENITY isn't just ANY girl, she is the princess of the Moon Kingdom and she shouldn't be."
"Don't go getting your halo in a twist Tenshi." Diablo said, cutting Tenshi off, "Come on Serena, don't you wanna know who he is?"
"Well." Serena thought, blushing slightly.
"AGH! I can't work like this." Tenshi said exasperatedly.
Diablo laughed evilly, "Then leave. Serena and I will be fine!"
"Wait." Serena thought, interrupting her two consciences, "I think I SHOULD leave, not to say your wrong...ughh...Diablo. Besides, they're probably gonna come looking for me if I don't go back to the palace."
Tenshi nodded approvingly and smiled at Diablo before disappearing in a flash of white light.
"FINE Serena, be that way. Listen to that baka Tenshi. But",
She smiled sinfully, "Don't let that guy get away...Find out who he is!" Diablo smirked again then disappeared in a blaze of red/orange flames.
Serena sighed and still crouching, crawled backwards from the bushes.
SNAP!
A large twig broke under Serena's weight. She stopped and held her breath.
Vegeta stopped sparring and listened. He had definitely heard something from the woods outside the clearing. He scanned the woods for any signs of life, breathing hard from his sparring session.
"Who's there?" He growled out haughtily.
'Dear Selene, please don't let him see me.' She thought, praying to the goddess of the moon.
"Come out coward." Vegeta half shouted.
Suddenly he saw something rush out from the bushes into the woods. Someone HAD been watching him. His instincts kicked in immediately and he smirked as he took off into the woods, his mind set on the chase.
THE MOON PALACE
Queen Serenity combed he hair gently, before arranging it into its usual odango style. She had been looking for her daughter for almost an hour but she hadn't called any guards out to look for her yet. She knew her daughter was safe, and she would've felt something if something HAD happened to her. Serena was becoming increasingly difficult, more so, now that The Gathering had arrived. Her daughter would often slip away from the palace at different times during the day, but now Serena did it more frequently. Every princess that will announce her fiancée has a gathering before she does so. Queen Serenity thought back to the conversation she had had with her daughter last month and the deal they had made.
FLASHBACK (Throne room
"Serena please." Queen Serenity said, "Prince Endymion would make a wonderful husband."
Serena glared at her mother, "I will NOT marry him." Her tone was bold.
"Do not be insolent to me daughter." Queen Serenity said, her eyes narrowing, "You have THOUSANDS of suitors who would do anything for your hand in marriage. Their dowries come in gems, crystals, gold, and platinum. You want none of that. Other mothers would have made you marry the one with the largest dowry, but I don't. I am allowing you to choose your husband from the many suitors you have, and yet you do not wish to."
"The suitors are fools. They don't care for my feelings. Only for my power and wealth." Serena retorted.
The throne room was heavy with tension.
"Serena, my Own, your father and I married the same way. I learned to love him." Queen Serenity's voice broke at the mention of her husband.
"You mean you shared his bed and THEN you learned to love him." Serena said her anger and sadness laced her voice.
Her mother leaped from her throne and grabbed her shoulders, squeezing almost cruelly. "Don't you DARE speak of your father that way? He loved you and you should speak with kindness when talking of him!"
"How can I speak with kindness for a man I never knew?" Serena spat out, the anger gone from her voice, leaving only misery.
She began to cry, soft and silent. The queen held her daughter gently to her body, holding her as she sobbed soundlessly.
"Gomen nasai. Forgive me my Own."
Serena pulled away from her mother and wiped the tears from her eyes. She smoothed her dress and planted her feet firmly. She gazed once more at the queen. Defiance shone in her eyes once again.
"I refuse to marry anyone I do not truly love."
"You remain tenacious my darling. I will make a deal with you."
"A deal?"
"I give you permission to choose your husband. He must be of royal blood though. You have until the second to last day of next month, the month of The Gathering. If you have not chosen anyone by then." She stopped for effect, "I will choose for you. Do we have a deal my Own?"
Serena considered for a moment. "Deal."
Both women smiled at each other, neither knowing what to expect.
END FLASHBACK
Yes, Queen Serenity knew that her daughter was kind, intelligent, and serene. Serena's ability to use the Silver Crystal (AN: I can't spell the Japanese word for it.) surpassed even her own. However, her daughter's boldness and sarcastic humor, uncommon in a princess, was enough to give her a royal headache. She smiled at her image in the mirror.
'I almost feel bad for the man Serena will marry.'
"OH!" Queen Serenity gasped aloud. Suddenly remembering that HER mother had made the same comment before SHE had gotten married. Serenity smiled again.
THE WOODS
Vegeta smirked as he chased the person that had been watching him. Whoever it was, was fast, but he was faster. After about two minutes he caught up to the fleeing figure and grabbed its wrist.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!"
Vegeta almost let go of the persons wrist he was so shocked, "A girl?"
"Let me go!" Serena shouted at the man.
"Stop shouting little girl!" He shouted, struggling to hold her, while trying to see whom it was.
Serena yanked her wrist free, "How DARE you grab me? And how DARE you call me a LITTLE GIRL?!"
She turned to glare at him and Vegeta got an even bigger shock. 'She's beautiful.' His mind reeled at the magnificence before him.
'What am I thinking? What are these emotions?' Struggling slightly, he forced away his feelings.
"Who are you?" he asked.
"Nani? You don't know who I am?" She peered closely at him, examining his armor,
"Who are you? You're not from around here are you?" she said suspiciously.
"No, I'm here for the stupid Gathering."
"Wait a minute." Serena said, "If you ARE here for The Gathering, that would make you a...a..."
"I am Prince Vegeta of Vegeta-sei." He said proudly.
"Oh Selene no." she mumbled. She started to feel a little bit dizzy, "Oh God no."
"What's wrong with you?" he said, a little bit confused.
"Oh no, oh no, oh no." Serena ran a hand through her hair, and put it up in odango style, concentrating, she sighed as a gleam of white light surrounded her. When the light receded she stood as Princess Serenity.
"What the hell?"
"Please don't tell anyone you saw me dressed as I was. Please?" Her eyes were pleading and her tone was desperate.
"Do you think I care what you were wearing?" Vegeta snapped, "Who are you?" he repeated.
Serena ran her hair through her bangs, splitting them so that they no longer covered her crescent moon.
"I am Princess Serenity, born of Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom. I am the first daughter in the House of Lunar, and the sole heiress to the throne of Chikyuu." She grinned at Vegeta, "You can call me Serena, though."
Vegeta raised an eyebrow, "So you're the reason why I got dragged off my home planet to this place? The reason for this Gathering?"
"Hey, I don't like it anymore than you do." She looked him up and down, "You sure aren't like any princes I know of."
Vegeta scowled, "What kind of princess leaves her palace to tramp through the woods?"
"I was NOT tramping." She retorted, "What are YOU doing here?"
"You were watching me, you should know." He smirked as Serena blushed and looked at the ground.
"I shouldn't have, I'm sorry. You're an excellent fighter though."
"I already know that." He turned to leave.
"Wait!" Serena called out, looking up, "Where are you going?"
"Why should you care woman?" Vegeta asked skeptically.
"I don't care. And DON'T call me woman!"
"Whatever Lunarian."
"Don't call me THAT either!"
"Humph." He turned to leave again.
"Wait Prin...Vegeta!"
"What the hell do you want now woman?"
"Will you teach me to fight like you do?" Serena asked.
"Why would a princess want to know how to fight?"
"I'm not just ANY princess Vegeta." She said smiling.
"I bet." He mumbled. "You aren't like any princess I've met before."
"Thank you."
"I'm not teaching you." He said firmly, "I could get in trouble if your mother found out."
"I may be young Prince Vegeta, but I'm not stupid. Since when does a Saiya-Jin care what a woman thinks?"
Vegeta grumbled in defeat.
"YATTA!" Serena took his hand, her eyes bright. "I have to go back to the palace before someone comes looking for me. You should go back too. We'll meet at the lake tomorrow morning at 4:00 AM. Is that ok?"
Electricity ran through Vegeta's body from the touch of the young princess's hand on his. He stared into her beautiful sapphire eyes and nodded.
"Good. Vegeta, we can't tell anyone about this though." She said seriously, letting go of his hand.
"I know woman."
"All right, tomorrow at 4, by the lake. I look forward to it."
"I doubt you could handle my training Serena." He said, a challenge in his voice.
Serena looked at him, staring deep into his black eyes. She felt like she could drown in their depths. She narrowed her eyes and said flirtatiously,
"I doubt you could handle me, Vegeta. Until tomorrow my prince." She winked seductively, and then took off into the woods. Leaving a very astonished Saiya Jin prince.