Hey guys! Here's the seventh chapter. I know you guys have been waiting for this...so have I. I mean, I was waiting for the idea for the seventh chapter to pop up and it did, so here it is. Some of you asked the story to go back to the two original characters the story was supposed to be about : Serena and Darien. Sorry. I strayed too much didn't I? Well, this chapter kinda concentrates on them, but wait- Next chapter -It's all about your favorite couple! (at least I hope so) Please stick with me. I'm building up okay? And also, some commented on not understanding the end for the sixth chapter but unfortunately, its too late for me to change the ending because I already finished this chapter and too late to go back and fix it! (you see, I write the intros after I complete the chapter...weird!) But just to explain the ending, Rei hears the queens talking but she doesn't catch everything they say and ends up assuming that Darien was a danger to Serena but the pre -wedding vows already taken -and right now -those two are practically married..so no undoing. But anyway, anywho, I hope you love this chapter. And this is a note: If you haven't read the message in the intro of sixth chapter -READ IT NOW!!! Its the one about changed names.

And I would like to commemorate the signed reviewers. If you sent one without a name, remember that I appreciate yours too: ~~@NGELBLOOD~~ (don't know why her name became a link *shrug *) schoolgirltil2005, Gelasia, Nakee, Daughter of the Moon, aya, Lady Dark Angel, Rheia, minakochan90, KeeperOfTheMoon, anita, and Celest SilverMoon

All you guys really, really helped by telling me what the readers what...I love you all (butdon'texpectmetodothisagainbecauseIfeelreallylazy) lol..

ONTO THE SEVENTH CHAPTER ONWARDS LADS!!!! .....OR LASSIES!!! Oh and by the way....my little addition to the rules of the story - once a royal couple gets married, they can't get divorced because the marriage was under the ruling and blessing of a heavenly lord or something and to separate willingly will only cause problems with that lord....the end.

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Rei tip toed back to her room, although there was no specific reason to. Rei slowly closed the door behind her and walked wearily to her cabinet. Was she sure she heard right? Prince Darien was dangerous to Serena? Why? Should she tell Serena about this...no -no she couldn't. Would just have to keep a close eye on her groom. She fished out a small, silver key from under the bottoms of one of the drawers and placed it in the lock of the cabinet.

Click

The latch came open and she opened the doors, and a fume of sweet odors escaped from inside. Rei breathed in the potpourri and pulled out some candles. She looked at them dearly. She had made them from her own hands. She had to make the wax and the mold and everything needed for a candle otherwise, there was no use in them. The reason was because she needed to transfer some of her dust into the wax and with candles bought from a store, it just wasn't possible. There were some old pieces of paper next to the candles and she pulled them out too. They had writing gracefully painted in the Martian language. Seeing the bold lashes of black ink calmed Rei.

She carried the materials to the middle of the room and slowly placed them on the floor. Her forefinger lit up with flickering flames. She pointed to the floor and in a flash of red, there was fire hovering over the candles. Rei sat down and separated the papers and the candles. She placed each candle around the fire and a piece of writing in front of them. Now, she was ready.

She closed her eyes and reached for a candle. Her brows scrunched together. She needed to perfect balance of focus. Her mind searched for it looking far and wide, and suddenly Rei felt as light as a feather. She had reached the balance. Inside her, similar flames lit up, warming her soul and mind. Blindly, Rei guided the candle to the fire, and did the same with the rest. She finished without burning herself- she was trained by one of the best masters after all. Like an ocean, the scents waved and lashed around the fire, swirling together like a cyclone. Her hair flew back, whipping through the winds sent from the flames. Still, she was calm and she maintained her position. The small pieces of paper had some force keeping them still as well.

"Wise men of the universe, come now and we shall commerce," she chanted over and over again, her tongue lilting the words, although they were devoid of emotions. Anyone listening won't have understood because the language was one of far lands and seas never heard of. The silent flames began flickering and licking at the scents curling around them. Higher and higher they grew and faster and faster did to cyclone get. Rei pushed her mind to the pinnacle of concentration, to the tip of her commands. And then, everything died down.

Silence spread through the room. Rei fluttered her eyes open and her confusion lit up. What happened? She looked around in panic. Where was the saying? Her hands searched each paper, looking for any difference. God damn it, she was shaking. Why didn't they show? Why didn't they help her? Oh why? Tears sprung to her eyes and she continued to search through the litter on the floor.

She fell back down and placed her face in her hands. And her sobs echoed in the room. Why wouldn't they help her? She felt pain in her heart to think that she couldn't perform anymore. She had failed. After awhile, through her watery eyes, she looked at the fire. She didn't know if she imagined it but, was there something in it? Rei wiped of the tears with her hand and stared at the fire. There was something there she flung her arms through it but them pulled them back in pain. Her face screwed up in pain but she still stared at the fire. They sent it differently. They wanted to show her something but what? The flames kept covering anything legible. Then she had an idea. Rei slowly, but painfully repeated the steps to building up her focus again but this time her eyes were open. Suddenly, through the red tips of the fire, she could see what was in there. Strings of smoke began to form words. The words then raised up and up and Rei silently read them. They flew up, right in front of her face, as if urging her to read carefully.

Do not despair for you friend

He shall do no harm....to her

But should something else touch her...

Beware, for a war will strike and

It will receive his doomed wrath....

And should that doom destroy us all...

Rei shivered at the message. She felt as if icicles were scraping her back. Everything died down again and this time Rei didn't notice. She was right. Serena will be in trouble. But not from her fiancé. Of that, Rei was relieved. At least it seems that Darien is willing to protect Serena. There was something wrong about the message. She read it over and over in her mind but her feeling didn't recognize any of the words to be misplaced. She sighed and blew of the flames of the candles and vanquished the fire between. They she packed up the things, washed her face in the sink and changed to her clothing. The message kept repeating itself...what was wrong. She reached for the door handle and thought of the time. It must be at least seven in the morning. The ritual may not have seem long, but it did take hours to perform.

'I wonder where Justine is? She normally comes to bath me at this time -" her thoughts cut off as Rei suddenly felt as she was an ass not to realize what was wrong. She felt dumbstruck. Her hand paused on the door knob. Shaking in revelation. The message didn't say "he" or "she" or "they". The message said "it." And that "it" will receive the wrath. That "it" was a "something." But what could it be? And will saving the imperial princess cost all their lives? Or will Darien actually destroy them....she didn't know. Rei walked until she reached the practitioner's study. Her arm was throbbing now.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

He strode down the stairs, tying the knot on his night gown. Where the hell was the kitchen? He made a note to himself to know the whole castle outlines. Darien smoothed his dark hair back and went in search of the opening to the kitchen. His stomach grumbled. 'Ah, but it might not be grumbling for food." He grinned to himself and walked around the ballroom. He was sure it had doors leading the kitchen. He remembered the servants coming through the door to serve food each day. He reached out to open it when suddenly, at the corner of his eye, he saw a flash of blue cloth. He backed up against the door. Since the wall on each side protruded from the sides, he was hidden well enough. He heard doors fling open and soft footsteps exit the room. Darien wondered whether to follow or not. Might be just a servant to meet a lover...but could it be? He narrowed his eyes and silently walked through the doors. He was in the hallway that led to the gardens. And as he watched, his head spun in anger as he recognized that stranger as his own bride. All at once, his hunger was replaced by fury.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Serena walked through the maze, being careful not to mix up the directions. Left, now right, right again, she muttered to herself. She had much to tell him today. Yesterday, she couldn't have seen him for she retired early after the pre- nuptials. She shivered. She didn't really want to think about that. Once or twice, her robe got stuck in the sharp branches but she didn't really not. Finally, she reached the middle, which was a huge space with a marble floor and a grand fountain in the middle. She walked over the fountain and sat down.

"Oh, Felix, " she cried teasingly, "where are you loverboy?"

Her hand dipped into the refreshing water and she fidgeted around with the colorful fishes swimming around, irritated by the intruding hand. She felt a breath of hot air next to her and she spun around. She looked up in joy and exclaimed, "I never tire of seeing you, loverboy."

She reached around the neck and gave the mighty cat a squeeze.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Darien gritted his teeth he wanted to look around the corner of the hedge but then he would be seen. He hadn't even known that this maze had existed. From what he could tell, Serena was facing the way she had come in and her "loverboy" seemed to have her occupied at the moment. He heard her giggle and his eyes darkened, his pupils turning to stone.

"Whoa! Calm down Felix! I will be here for a while!" she shrieked in laughter. Darien thought he could hear a small growl. Damn that girl. Was she actually even a virgin?

"I have so much to tell you and such little time. I wish you could always be with me." Then she sighed. They were mocking him. Darien could here the taunting in their voices. His hands curled into fists.

"First come closer to me, "he heard her say. "Tonight is very chilly."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Felix was a huge Persian white tiger with some red fur framing his face. It was almost twice the height of a normal tiger. Serena had found him on the streets of Jupiter, a small mutt, starving on the streets. She was only seven then but she was determined to take the small tiger home and nurse. Her mother had resisted the idea of keeping Felix forever but one day, when Serena accidentally fell of from a wall of the Palace, Felix had rescued her and from then on, Queen Serenity agreed to keep him but on one condition. Huge white tigers weren't known to many on the Moon so Serena had to let him loose at night and keep him hidden in the mornings, when the servants were awake. Once in a while, a servant or a villager caught side of the mighty apparition but filed it away as stress working its wonders. The other princesses knew and sometimes would come with Serena to play with him.

Serena curled up against the tiger on the marble floor. She sighed as he placed his head over hers.

"You are wonderful," she praised Felix took it with a lick. Serena giggled again. "Stop it, you naughty boy! I see what you are doing. You're trying to make up for yesterday, aren't you?"

Felix seemed to shake his head in shocked denial but Serena knew better. "Ah, Felix," she sighed. "I have to get married in a few days now. I really don't want to. I'd rather spend the rest of my life with my friends and you. That's all I need. But Rei was right. I need to move on with my life. Felix, don't whine. I will always meet you under the midnight stars until the day I die. I know you'll always be here for me, loverboy."

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Darien couldn't take it anymore. His jaw had tightened up and his eyes were devoid of any emotion. He felt like wringing her tiny neck between his hands. He couldn't bare looking over the hedge... he didn't want to see her with him.

'That bitch,' he snarled to himself. 'That whore will never meet him again after I'm done with her. So not only does she dress like one but she is one. She will know who is the master then.' His lip curled in demonic pleasure.

He had remembered the way into the maze and slowly, he began to walk out. 'Then I will humiliate her in front of the whole palace. She will deserve what she is worth.'

With that thought in mind, he walked back into the palace and back into his bed. But he knew he wouldn't be able to sleep now. He will have his retaliation

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Serena turned one last time to give her companion one last hug. Then she looked at the sky. Dawn was arising and she didn't have much time. She had poured her heart to Felix for hours now, and Felix had been compassionate. Serena knew that Felix could understand what she was saying and sometimes was regretful that he couldn't talk back. Felix whined, and Serena considered about staying for a bit longer but she knew she couldn't. She scolded at the tiger, "do you want to get me in trouble?"

Felix shook his head mournfully.

"Then you know you have to let me go. We had a fun time Felix and I promise I will come tomorrow. Then we can run in the meadows again and play again. Oh wait-before I leave."

Serena stuck her hand into the pocket of her robe and fished out a box of chocolates. Serena warned him, " These are from Lita. Their made especially for tigers like you. I know, I know. It looks small but one piece of chocolate is supposed to fill you up. Lita said so. Don't you dare eat these at once. You just had a huge buffet so don't stuff yourself too much with these chocolates. I have to go now."

Serena turned around to walk out but not before saying, "I love you Felix."

She was sure the cat crooned back.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Serena rushed to her bed, took off her robe and slippers. She wanted to sleep but that idea seemed miles away. Serena laid but she couldn't sleep. All she could think of was her marriage in a few days... Was he really as terrible as she was thinking of him? She had told Felix that she never wanted to marry him but was she lying? Serena thought back to the day of her pre- nuptials...

~~~~~ flashback ~~~~~

Serena sighed as she stared into the mirror. Any viewer who have thought that she was heading for the slaughters. Her pale pink gown almost bore a white look, shining and glittering under the crystal lights. The gown was sleeve-less and the top hugged tightly around her chest. The straps to the gown were thin and transparent, almost not there. Early in the morning her maid, Natasha, had come in to set her hair. It was in the royal mark, tow pigtails floating out of the buns on to of her head. Natasha oohed and ahhed as she placed a headband of white roses on her mistress's head. Serena's gown was wrapped tight around her till her waist and then flowed freely from there on. There was one touch missing and Serena reached out for them....then she stopped. Was it really worth it to act the whore anymore? Rei and the others were right. Would the extra blush and shadow help her? A tear threatened to leak from her eye but she wiped it off. There was a knock on the door and Serena said to come in.

There stood Queen Serenity, in all her splendor. Her tranditonal royal clothes curved around her body, showing off her elegance. The hair, too, was much like Serena's, except her head was adorned by the royal Moon tiara. She smiled and went to hug her daughter.

"My, dear. I want to thank you."

Serena tried to not sniff. "For what? For being about to throw my life into someone's hands? For giving away my freedom?"

Serenity tried not to grin. "My dear, I know how much this will affect your life, but honey, it won't be as bad as that. Darien is a most, umm, upright prince and he will take care you dear."

Serena could swaer she saw a hood of darkness flash in her mother's eyes. She glared. "You know as well as I do, that he is a rake. How do I know that he will look after me?"

The Queen hardened. "That does not matter. He knows he is responsible for taking care of you and that is good enough."

Serena growled, "You make me sound like a, a chicken!" She mocked, "He is responsible for taking care of you...thatgoodfornothingbastard."

"I didn't quite catch that honey...."

"Nothing."

Serenity sighed. Will her daughter ever be tamed? She didn't know. "All right dear. If there is anything you need, Natasha will provide it...and honey.."

Serena went back to stare at the mirror on the dresser. Was her left eye bigger than her right. She peered closer and squinted.

"No matter what you do, remember that I'm always proud of you and that I'll love you...always."

With that the door closed and Serena was left alone. She kept her gaze on the mirror. In a matter of days, s he was going to be tied with rope with a man she wasn't sure she liked...why? Oh why?

~~ ~~

Darien stood in a corner, murmuring to his generals. Jadeite was grinning. "My, my Darien. Please keep those wedding jitters to yourself," he said sardonically as Darien leaned casually onto a nearby wall. His face was uninterested in Jadeite's jibe. "This is a pre-nuptial."

"How you ruin all the fun, my prince."

There the messenger appeared at the door and announced, "Introducing the guardians of the royal Moon Princess Serenity."

"Princess Minara of Venus."

Mina stepped into the ballroom and gave dainty curtsies to everyone in the room. Her hair was set up in a loose bun on her head, with ringlets falling out in precise places. On top of her head was the tiara representing Venus. Her face was sparkling with the pale yellow diamonds dangling from her ears. She was dressed in the purest of yellows. It had long transparent sleeves going of the shoulders, and the sleeves ended into loose pieces of cloth dangling from her wrists. She gracefully glided down the stairs and walked towards her parents. She looked in the direction of the generals and the prince and sent a small wink their direction. Malachite paled for a second but didn't dare stare after the princess.

"Princess Litana (an: the 'n' actually has the wavy line on top, making it lita(nya). o_O heehee..that's all) of Jupiter. In entered Lita, her eyes peering into the crowd like an eagles. She too gave dainty but somewhat sharp curtsies and ambled down the stairs. Her brown hair was in the usual fashion of a ponytail but her hair had been curled and primmed, giving the effect of waves. Her dress was velvet and flowed down in a straight line down her body, only stretching over her chest and hips. It had no sleeves or straps, starting at the bottom of her neck bone. It was of a forest green color, bringing out her eyes. Wrapped loosely around her arms was a sheer piece of green material, giving the effect of elegance.

"Princess Reina of Mars," said the announcer.

And in came Rei, the tempting siren of her room, or so thought Jadeite. Suddenly, he had this heavy and light feeling in his stomach. His eyes latched on with the princess's. She felt trapped in his power, somehow. She managed to divert herself to make the curtsies. Her hair was arranged into a bun, with chopsticks holding her hair together. Wisps of tendrils framed her proud face. Her body was emphasized every way by her oriental, silk dress. It had short sleeves and a low, square cut. The gown was red with pale golden dragons stitched in. Down the side, were slits going up to her knees, revealing her thin, red stiletto heels. Rei walked down, carefully avoiding the general's eyes.

"Princess Amiella of Mercury."

And out came Ami, her eyes half hooded and shy. She had always hated crowds. Her hair, since it was short, was just fluffed but like the other princesses, she also claimed the tiara of her respecting planet. Her blue eyes were wide and innocent, the blue sapphires she wore energized her face, radiant and warm. Zoicite smiled reassurance at her. Ami caught the smile and somehow, she seemed to loosen up. The gown was of icy blue velvet which seemed to drape over her body like a glove. The gown was tightly held at her chest, since there were no straps or sleeves. The sash lining the top ended in a bow around the back. Ami gave her respects to the crowd and joined her family on the other side.

"Princess Serenity of the Moon."

Everyone glued their eyes to the door and Darien also seemed vaguely interested. Was she going to put aside her slut act today, he wondered. There was no Princess Serenity, for she didn't appear at the door. Darien stood up, vague irritation claiming his features.

This time the messenger, loudly, "PRINCESS SERENITY OF THE MOON."

And out rushed a girl in pink and she barely stopped herself from going over the stairs. She scowled at the messenger and then turned a sweet smile onto the audience. Whatever Darien was expecting, he wasn't really for this. She was beautiful, a picture of innocence and beauty. The other men in the room seemed to appreciate the view also. This time Darien was very irritated. What the hell was with the men? Half of them were married! He decided to lean back onto the pillar again, and put on a black face. Zoicite leaned over and said, "Darien, you don't seem very impressed."

"I've seen better."

Zoicite shrugged and said, "So have I but only one better."

Princess Serenity seemed to latch her eyes onto Darien but her curtsies were for everyone else. Her pink cheek seemed radiant from the running and her wide blue eyes sparkled with challenge towards her groom. Her chest seemed to be moving by the heavy breaths that she took in. Darien almost groaned. He had lied to Zoicite. She was impressing. Unfortunately, damn impressing.