Her anger and resentment came pouring out as she screamed at him. Anger at Endymion for ruining her childhood dreams. At her mother for making her become Queen. At her Senshi for treating her like some low life scum. At Hiiro because she couldn't tell him she didn't feel the same way. That she loved someone else and didn't want to hurt him. Yet somewhere in there she was angry at Duo. When she was younger she had only wanted him to notice and accept her as an equal, as he did with her senshi. The only times he did seem to acknowledge her presence was when he was teasing her. She wanted it back for some reason. She wanted him to see her again, even if it was at her own expense. Why did his opinion matter so much anyway? Duo took her pounding fists and pulled her to him, knocking them both to the ground. Wrapping his arms around her he held her close, pressing her head in the crook of his neck.

Serenity gripped the front of his shirt, pulling him towards her. She didn't want to let go. She wanted him to realize that she was still there. The pain he was experiencing, she wanted to make it go away. Why, she couldn't figure out. She'd hated him for so long it was hard to imagine herself feeling any other way. She truly wanted to hate him for all the suffering he had caused her. Why couldn't he just accept her the way she was?

"I'm sorry." The whispered words tickled her ear as she stilled and allowed him to hold her. "I never meant to hurt you Serenity, please forgive me." Pulling away just far enough to look into his eyes she was startled by what she saw. There were tears gathering there, threatening to spill over.

"Duo…" Placing his forehead against hers he shut his eyes.

"I'm sorry for the torture I put you through, I truly am. Just say you forgive me, it's all I ask." Opening his eyes she could see into their depths, and they frightened her.

"I forgive you Duo." Her voice was timid, barely audible as the shock from seeing his tears sank in. Releasing bated breath he placed his lips upon her birthmark, planting a soft kiss there before continuing to hold her for a while longer. The moment his lips had touched her forehead she'd felt a chill run down her spine. After, a warm sensation had covered her.

For quite some time they remained like that; Duo's arms wrapped tightly around her while she allowed herself to be pressed to his chest. Oddly enough she felt it comforting to be there. As they lay there her mind began to wander to her future. What would it be like if she were engaged to Duo instead of Endymion? However her thoughts were interrupted when he sat up abruptly, glancing around them in worry. Sitting up as well she glanced around, not seeing anyone.

"Duo, what's wrong?" Shaking his head he looked into her eyes, something akin to fear within them.

"Promise me you won't forget me?" Confused she quirked her eyebrows.

"What? Duo, what are you—?"

"Just promise me." Worriedly she nodded, standing as he stood. "I have to go now, I'm sorry." Placing a quick kiss on her hand he bowed low. The next thing she knew he was gone. He had vanished into thin air. Turning in a circle she looked for him, wondering where he could have possibly gone so quickly. She and her senshi were learning to teleport but in order to do so they needed to tap into one another's powers. That was hard enough, she couldn't imagine getting very far on your own.

"Serenity? Serenity where are you?" The urgent voice of her cousin drew her attention. Quickly she made her way through the winding paths of the garden until she came upon Mina.

"What is it Mina?" Grasping her hand Mina pulled her at a fast pace back towards the palace.

"Your mother needs you. I think we might be going to war." For a moment it felt as if she were standing still while time flew past by in a blur. War? There couldn't be a war. She knew for a fact that there was only peace amongst the planets. There were no discrepancies over anything. How could there be a war?