Serena's hand flew up to touch her cheek. Yet another bruise, more than likely. She slipped back into her room and closed the door before the plump woman could scold her.

She turned off the oil lamp and pulled the sheets of her bed high above her head. She had felt like nothing could touch her here, but had just been proven wrong. The reality of being a slave haunted her again as she curled into a tight ball. The freedom that had almost been in her grasp, slipped away once more.

For the first time in five years, she cried. It wasn't because her face was aching. It wasn't because she had lost so much. It was because she had been fooled into thinking that she could be happy here. As soon as she had begun to feel comfortable, the ugly truth revealed itself. And that was almost too much to bare.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next morning another metallic whistle blew, awakening Serena from her nightmare filled slumber. She flew from her bed upon realizing what the whistle was, slung open her door, and took her position in line.

"I'm glad you could join us, your lowness," Nephlite hissed. Serena's heart quickened, as she stiffened, awaiting her punishment. And it came quickly.

Nephlite kicked her legs out from under her, dropping her onto her already bruised knees. She did not wince; she did not show weakness. She kept her eyes on the plump woman in front of her, and kept them emotionless.

"And where is your list of chores?" Nephlite asked.

Serena shook her head.

"You don't know?" He wound up for another slap, Serena saw his hand in slow motion, coming closer, closer, then stop. A strong hand wrapped around Nephlite's wrist, attracting everyone's attention.

"She doesn't have a list," Prince Darien said, releasing his general's hand. "I've got another use for her. Get dressed and come to the dining room," he said to Serena, smiling a warm smile. "After breakfast, we'll begin."

Serena nodded feebly. His hand appeared in front of her. She stared at it as if it were poisonous before finally taking it. He pulled her up from her knees, and she kept her eyes to the wall once more.

The releasing whistle blew. Once again closed herself in her room quickly, getting away from the looks of the others. She found a long-sleeved, white dress hanging in her closet and she slipped it on. She brushed her hair and smoothly wove it back into it's single braid. She didn't have any shoes, so she walked barefoot to the dining room, her feet getting a cold sensation every time they touched the marble.

When she stepped into the dining room Nephlite, the white-haired man, and two blondes sat eating with the Prince. She stood quietly near the door with her eyes directed at the ground, waiting to be noticed.

"She's here, your Highness," the white-haired man said.

"I know that Malachite," the Prince said, studying her. "What I don't know is how at times she can act so tame, and others like a caged wildcat. She's quite peculiar indeed."

"I'm not peculiar," Serena said impulsively. She quickly looked back down after saying so.

"Do you see what I mean?"

"I know how she acts," Nephlite grumbled. "She's troublesome."

Serena's cheeks burned red in anger. She glared at them. "I wouldn't be so troublesome if you weren't so horrible!"

Nephlite stood up, his chair squealing against the stone. He took a step forward, coming to punish her for sure, but Prince Darien held up a hand.

He smiled at her, making her terribly uncomfortable. He stood up himself, taking slow steps to her side. She took a deep breath, looked back down, and locked her muscles up. But when he did touch her, it was gently. He took her hand and led her to the table like a small child. He sat her down right beside Nephlite, then took his seat at the head of the table.

They all remained quiet, too shocked or, in Serena's case, scared to breathe. The general's exchanged confused glances, their lips pulled tightly into frowns. Serena kept her eyes directed at her bony hands, her mouth slightly open. Darien was the only one smiling.

"Muffin, anyone?"

All at once, the generals reached for a muffin, muttering something or another. This broke the tension for awhile, but after the muffin grabbing ended, the silence returned.

"Well, Serenity, are you going to eat?"

Serena looked up at him, then down at her food. Fluffy, sunshine colored eggs were resting on the right of her plate while three strips of bacon laid on the other. The smells teased her nose and stomach. She ate slowly, somehow managing to eat some eggs and two strips of bacon. She downed a glass of orange juice, but wouldn't eat anymore. She was afraid if she did, the result may be hideous.

She finally set her fork down, and looked up to catch the gazes of five young men. She blushed in embarrassment, not that you could see it under the bruises.

"You may go," Darien said, and Serena stood to leave. The Prince's laugh stopped her. "The generals, Serenity, not you."

The four men slipped from the room. She dropped back down into the plush velvet chair, aware of the Prince's eyes upon her face. He studied her silently for moments, wondering to himself how a broken angel landed in his dining room. And how this angel kept doing what she did without wings. He couldn't come up with an answer.

"Truthfully the head maid forgot to give you a chore list this morning," he said, breaking the stone silence. "You'll be stuck with me today."

Serena gulped nervously. A whole day with her new master? How could this possibly end well?

"Would you like to go outside?" he asked, standing. She nodded and they walked together out into the endless fields of flowers.

The generals watched from a second story window.

"This will not end good," Jedite said.

"No, it cannot. If anyone ever finds out that he's treating her this way, the consequences could be deadly. For the girl, I mean, not his Highness."

"And we certainly don't want that to happen."

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

They ended up sitting in the tall grass, side by side. Serena sat cross legged with her chin in her hands, while Darien leaned back with his legs sprawled out in front of him. He looked up at the fragile beauty, deep in her thoughts, wrapped tightly in secret. He was amazed that not even those gigantic bruises could taint her utter brilliance.

"So tell me," he said, "is this better than a Martian home?"

She shook her head.

"Why not? The Martian landscape couldn't provide you with such natural beauty, only grotesque rocks."

"But I would be free there. They'd release me as soon as I had been sold."

The Prince shook his head. "That's what they told me to do. They told me to set you free, but I cannot do that."

"Why can't you?" Serena said, she tried to keep her voice from turning into a yell.

"Because if I would free you than Diamond would take you back, dead or alive. Either way you'd be prisoner to him."

"They wouldn't kill me. They want the silver crystal too badly to kill me."

"But what would be worse? Dying, or being a slave to him for the rest of your life?"

She avoided his question by ask him one. "Why are you doing this? Treating me so well?"

"I have my reasons.'

Serena studied his face, it's fine lines and his dark eyes. She watched how his hair fell across his forehead in ebony strands. She noticed his strong jaw, and the fullness of his lips. Do they taste like sugar? she asked herself.

Darien dropped his voice to a whisper, unable to stop himself from asking the question. "Tell me what happened. How was such a powerful kingdom overthrown?"

Serena didn't cry, she never had while telling the story before. So she told him in a monotonous voice, void of emotion.

"They killed my mother before she could draw upon the crystal's power. I could see it so clearly and her blood stained my dress. They burned the palace, killing servants and guests alike. Knights dropped as if struck by lightening." She took a deep breath. "They killed all of my Court, my friends. Do you know how?"
He shook his head.

"All my guardians were visiting their families, and when they came back for the party, their capsules were fired upon. I even saw them fall from the sky like meteors. I heard the explosions." She dropped her voice to a whisper. "They haunt my dreams."

Darien felt sorry for asking. He held her hand, but knew it couldn't do much to comfort her. She was so strong. She didn't even cry while telling him.

"I'm so sorry," he said.

"Don't tell me that. The past is the past."

He shivered at how calm her voice was. Like it never even happened. Of course, she'd learned to survive already. If she didn't think about it, she wouldn't feel it. Feelings were weaknesses she couldn't have.

"But that's not what haunts my dreams the most."

"Then what does?"

She trembled as her mouth formed the words.

"The Core."

Author's Note: Soo soorryyy that it took so long to get this out. I just couldn't find time between practice and homework and family and yeah. Please review, even if you're mad it took so long and that this chapter was kind of boring.

Until the next time,

Ai No Senshi