Alright...first of all..im really REALLY REALLY sorry for this really really REALLY long delay of the ninth chapter...i mean- i've been soooo busy lately that I barely even had time to type ANYTHING. And also I would also like to thank those like who kept e-mailing me and reminding me of my promise and making me feel guilty for....quite a few weeks now.. lol...you know who you are. Well you guys should be happy now cause here is the ninth chapter!!! * trumpets blow * and uhh..well normally I have more to say but you guys probably are soooo excited to see this chapter that...ur not even paying attention to what im saying...? hello??? YOU THERE??? ..lol..well then, onto the story and again...im really really really sorry!!!! *sobs outrageously *....

AND REMEMBER: FOR IMPORTANT NOTES, READ ALL THIS USELESS STUFF THAT I TYPE UP HERE...LOL....that's all...and now..onto the feature presentation!!!!

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

He blended right in between the chaos. His uniform blended right in with the other white and silver patterns. He carelessly ran one hand through his brown hair to make sure it wasn't too long. Long hair wasn't fashionable between workers. The servants were bustling around, trying their best to keep the cook in his right mind. He was surprised of the security of the palace. Probably they were becoming careless since peace existed between the kingdoms for many years.

"Oi!! What you be there standing idly for? The Cook will wring yer neck for it! Take this sack of rice into the kitchen for me, will ya?" And saying so, the servant grumbled and dropped the bag at the new servant's feet. He didn't see the scowl as the new servant picked up the sack and carried it to the end of the hallway....

"Damn Metallia...this job is a bitch" he growled to himself as Durmis walked into the kitchen...

~~~~~~~
Serena stared into her mirror. "I'm going to be a wife today. I'm going to a wife."

The door opened behind her and her mother smiled. "That you are, my dear. You look absolutely like a goddess. May the Goddess of the Moon bless this beautiful event."

Serena barely heard what her mother was muttering...she couldn't believe what was happening to her. She was going to be attached by the blessing of a Goddess, making the marriage unbreakable. She was to be Darien's wife for ever. And it only made it worse that she was between the line of hating and fearing him.

~~~~~~~

Darien seemed completely careless. His composure made Zoicite think of a cheetah stretching its long, sleek body.

"I suppose I still am in line to offer you my well wishes Darien," he said. Darien shrugged.

"I just want this to be over with. There isn't anything interesting here."

All the generals raised an eyebrow and looked at each other. They were all thinking the same thing. When he first came here, he was interested in his future wife. Now, these days, he gave her as much importance as he would to a flea. What the hell was wrong with him?

~~~~~~~

Serena smiled the best she could as her friends all gathered around her to share a hug. Ami whispered, "Serena, may the blessings be with you. And never change, Serena. We all love you."

Serena hugged Ami and kissed her on the cheek. Ami then turned and walked out the room as part of tradition, trying to hold her tears back. A close one was only allowed a word of wisdom before the ceremony. Next it was Lita's turn. She tried to grin but failed miserably. Serena wrapped her arms around her. "Lita I will miss you terribly."

"Oh Serena! Don't forget us when you're on Earth."

Serena growled, "Never!"

As Lita went out the room, Mina squeezed Serena and wiped her tears. "Serena, how will the Sailor Scouts ever manage without you? " she joked. Serena grinned and said, "I think one klutzy scout can be spared."

"Never Serena... we will always need you. You're the bond that hold us all together Serena."

Mina hugged her friend one more time before walking quickly out of the room. Now only Rei was left. Serena turned to face her. Rei kept silent. Serena smiled and asked, "What, no departing teases for me, Rei?"

"Serena, don't fear him. He will protect you."

"What are you saying Rei?"

A tear fell from Rei's eye as she gently hugged Serena. "Serena, you were my best friend. You are my savior, my friend. Never lose yourself between the chaos. Never give up finding yourself when you feel alone and troubled. My spirit will always be with you. And don't push him away Serena. For your sake, don't."

Serena didn't know what to say. She just didn't. Rei kissed Serena on the cheek and walked out of the room.

Now she was alone. She started at the door. She didn't know what to feel. Suddenly, Serena felt the heaviness of her sadness. She didn't notice the tear sliding down her cheek.

~~~~~~

She sat facing Darien in the transporter. He stared back at her, his eyes cool and mocking. Serena quickly turned to wave goodbye her friends and family. She refused to cry in front of him. She'll show him that she wasn't puny. She gave a brilliant smile at everyone as the transporter lifted up. Malachite smiled and said, "Don't worry, my Highness. You will see them again very soon."

Serena turned and asked, her eyes lighten up. "I will?"

Jadeite grinned. "We're not barbarians to separate you forever from everyone."

Nephrite mocked, "Don't lie to her Jadeite. When we get home, you know we're going to lock her up in an underground prison and send her food under the door."

Serena laughed and everyone in the transporter grinned, except Darien. Her voice was almost on the edge of magical. The king and queen of Earth smiled too, each one from the opposite side of the room. The King sat next to Darien and the queen next to Serena.

The joke instigated a flow of stories and Serena grinned at the dashing adventures the generals seemed to exaggerate. Somewhere in the middle, she tuned out with her own thinking. The ceremony was so swift and flawless. For some reason, Serena frowned at that. Weren't weddings supposed to be long and joyful?

~~~~~~

The Keeper of the Moon looked at the wedding couple as he recited, "And do you take Princess Serena Selene of the Imperial Moon as your lawfully wedded wife, under the blessing of the High Goddess of the Moon, Goddess Selene, and all her people?"

Next to Serena, Darien said, "I do."

"Princess Serena of the Imperial do you take Prince Darien Shields of the Royal Earth as your lawfully wedded husband, under the blessing of the High Goddess of the Moon, Gooddess Selene, and all her people?"

Serena took an inward breath and let out a small, "I do."

"I now pronounce you husband and wife, the next Rulers of the ....."

~~~~~~

She shivered. When Darien had placed that ring around her finger, she had felt something tug her heart, as if an invisible chain was pulling it to her throat. Serena spread her fingers and looked at the sparkling round of gold. This was what changed everything for her. Now she felt as if she shared an invisible bond with her...husband...

~~~~~~

"Serena!!"

Serena snapped her head to the side as a whirl of purple flew at her. Serena forgot everything as she cried out, "Hotaru!"

Hotaru flew at her friend's shoulders and wrapped her arms around. Serena laughed merrily. Above Hotaru's shoulder she saw the rest of the outer princesses, and gave them a cheerful grin. The fact that a wedding had taken place was completely forgotten by Serena. All she could feel was happiness. And her friends all looked beautiful in their dresses. Michelle was glorious aqua blue satin gown and Setsena had a similar one except her's was of a deep violet. Haruka was wear a simple, gray gown with a floral design down the leg and Hotaru looked adorable in her designed purple gown with straps.

"Michelle, Haruka, Setsena, its so great to see you all again!" she said as Hotaru untangled herself from the hug.

"And Hotaru, you've grown so tall," she added fondly as Hotaru grinned.

"Thanks Serena! And oh! Congradulations! You're married now! We saw it ALL happen...it was beautiful..." Hotaru faded into a dreamy sigh. "He's such a hunk Serena. Where on Earth did you find him?"

"On Earth," Serena said.

Serena then was enveloped into a group hug by all the outer princesses.

Michelle whispered into Serena's ear," I hope he takes good care of you, my dear...you deserve it."

With an extra squeeze and a peck she took Serena's hands into hers and admired the wedding gown.

"Apart from the fact that it's completely destroyed now by Hotaru", she grinned, "It's beautiful."

Hotaru stuck her tongue out and everyone laughed. Haruka gave Serena a light punch on the shoulder and said, "You better be happy okay? Don't you dare cry Serena, " she added quickly as tears welled up in the bride's eyes, matching the ones in her own. Setsena took Serena into her arms, "My dear, we will always be there for you, no matter what happens, remember us and we'll be by your side."

Setsena then stepped back and announced, "Your flight is waiting for you...we're holding you up."

Serena wiped her hand across her eyes and whispered, "I will miss you all. I will never forget any of you!"

Then she headed towards the awaiting guards and she only stopped walking for a spilt second when Michelle called out, "Serena, try and love him."

~~~~~~~

Serena turned to face her new husband, who was now turned away and laughing merrily with his friends. No one seemed to notice the distance between the two, and if they did, they chose not to mention it. What did Rei and the outer princesses know that she didn't? This was frustrating. They were hiding something from her. Why wouldn't they tell her the whole story? Try and love a heartless jerk like him? She almost scoffed. She'd rather go mad. He hadn't given her a single glance or thought in the past hour. She could barely imagine spending the rest of the day with him. Then she thought of the tradition after the wedding. Oh dear. The honeymoon. Serena blushed and then scolded herself for doing such . She was going to have to think of something and quick. The queen noticed and smiled, "My dear, whatever are you blushing for?"

She then followed Serena's darting eyes to Darien and gave a small smile. "Oh," she grinned. "I see.."

Serena blushed furiously. "It's not what you think!"
"Of course my dear. Has your mother told you about, umm, what to expect in the matrimonial bedchambers?"

Serena shook her head. Everything went so fast, she barely had time to even give her mother a proper good-bye. She opened her mouth to say something when she felt the transporter enter a graceful landing. This was surprising.

"We're here? Already?"

"It might surprise you, your Highness, but Earth is closer in distance to the Moon than any of the other planets," Malachite said.

Serena dismissed the grandeur title. "Please, call me Serena."

Darien then grabbed her hand and said coldly, "It's time to get off, Serena. And try to put on a smile. They'll be waiting to see how nice and wonderful their new queen is."

For some reason, his words came out bitter and sarcastic.

He practically dragged her to the exit while Serena was still confused. " 'they'? I'm a queen?"

The generals were first to exit and Serena heard the loud cheering and clapping from the huge group that cluttered around the transporter. Then it was the king and queen of Earth. More clapping and cheering. Then it was their turn. Darien kept his poker face as he and Serena stepped out of the transporter. Serena kept moving but Darien held her back. The crowd fell to silence. Serena tried to concentrate on the horizon. She knew she was waiting for their approval. And so was Darien. He wanted they're approval of her. Suddenly, there was an uproar of heavy clapping and loud cheering. Serena felt herself loosen up as she walked down the stairs and trough the crowd. She heard people call out to her and admire her.

"Welcome, your Grace!"
"We hope you love it on Earth!"

"Oi., she's a pretty one isn't she?"
"Pretty? Her beauty doesn't have any parallel. Welcome, your Highness!"

She felt herself growing more confident and her wavering smiles grow to huge grins. She waved her free hand towards the people, blowing a small kiss once in a while.

Darien gripped tightly onto her arm and Serena let out a small yelp.

"Serena, if you observe something of the people walking before you, maybe you could try and comprehend one of our customs."

Serena turned her eyes toward the king and queen walking in front of her, rigid, they're bodies strong and vibrant, never letting anyone doubt of their royalty. She also noticed that they weren't waving or smiling and her grin fled her face. Already, two minutes on Earth, and he found something else to reprimand her for. Until the carriage, she imitated the royal couple, more for getting back at Darien than for his stupid traditions.

"Well done Serena," he whispered through his teeth, although his compliment came out sounding mean. "But don't get carried away with compliments. They say to every woman who's dangling in my arms, for i doubt your beauty has no parallel..."

For some reason, the sharp insult didn't affect her as bad as it was meant to. She tried hard to think of something to shoot back at him, but she was tired. Come tomorrow, she would be ready for his games, whatever they were.

She sighed. This was going nowhere. How ever is she going to survive?