--------------I do not own Sailor Moon, so please don't sue me!!! All I have is my beloved computer, which is my life line for survival in this horrible, horrible world!!!-----------

Lead Astray 1b

Serena ran towards the Juuban District Park, once she came near the main trodden pathways she took a detour into a small secluded area slightly off the main paths which were commonly used. She paused for a moment looking around to see if anyone was watching her before she disappeared into a hidden trail. The path looked slightly used and led straight into a small clearing. Once inside the hidden area Serena inhaled deeply and allowed herself to look around the peaceful area she called her own. The first time she set foot inside the calming area was when she had gotten herself lost, she had detention that day and thought to take an alternate route going home. Instead she wondered about the park aimlessly, not particularly paying attention to where she was going, and when she did look to see where she was, she found herself here. The path opened up into a clearing of soft grass that looked like thick carpet, a small tinkling stream with beautiful wild flowers that lined the sides of the flowing water, and above it hovered a majestic flowing willow tree that seemed to protect the secluded area from the world that was only meters away. Once Serena eyes laid upon the magical area, she fell in love immediately. She found herself sitting under the tree just to gaze at the water as her thoughts flowed freely. She had made it a habit to stop in the area a few times a week to either recuperate from battles, or to try to relax in her few spare moments of freedom or just to hide from the world and all of it's problems that seems to come with being a super-hero and teenage girl all at once. But this visit was not for it's pleasantries, this time it was different, this time it was a secret haven to release all of her pain and humiliation in the hidden protection of nature.

She collapsed under the willow tree, sobbing into her hands. Serena whispered to herself "I wish I could be the person they want me to be. How could I even compare to any of the girls? I'm a walking disaster." She paused to inhale a breath of air and continued on " All of the girls have a wonderful feature they were all born with. They all have a naturally abilities in life that comes so easily to them. Like Lita, she has great cooking skills and isn't afraid of anyone or anything, she's so strong in everything she does, and Rei, she the ability of inner strength, she knows exactly who she wants to be and which direction she must go to achieve it AND her leadership skills that would put any politician to shame. Then there's Mina who is so beautiful and talented with acting and sports that people will never forget who she is ever, and of course Ami is so smart and patient that she can go to school anywhere in the world to become anything she wants to be. Even when we fight in battles, they all seem to know what's suppose to be done, it's like they all have this internal sixth sense to be perfect." Serena stopped talking to herself and lifted her head up from her hands and gazed at the sky above. The afternoon was slipping into dusk and a light breeze picked up and gently danced across Serena's skin, making her shiver as she remembered a memory that left her feeling ashamed of herself even more. Her one and only, Darien. Yes, even he was perfect. In studies, looks, attitude, and well everything that came with life.

----memory flashback----

Serena had just gotten out of school without gaining one of Ms. Harouna's(I hope I spelt her name right?)famous detentions and she was quiet ready to enjoy the day with what karma had blessedly given her. She had remembered that Darien had a rather big and important project that had to be done by the end of the week and she knew that he would be over at the Tokyo Art Museum doing research. Serena smiled to herself as she skipped along the sidewalk towards the nearest bus stop. Thinking to herself 'Darien's going to be so surprised and happy that the love of his life is coming to the rescue'. The bus was quite crowded, so Serena stood the whole 25 minute bus ride to the Museum, not minding since she was on her way to see her Muffin. Usually she was complaining so much that one time a little old lady got up from her seat and told her to sit down if it would shut her up. Serena had blushed a bright red, thanked to old lady, politely turned her down and quickly got off at the next stop to save herself from further embarrassment and walked the rest of the way home, berating herself.

She clumsily made her way off the stuffy bus and walked the two blocks up towards the Museum. Once she saw the Museum, she broke out into a run, excited to see her Darien. Not realizing that there was a tour going on inside the main entrance, Serena had run straight on into a large crowd of people causing the majority of the group to fall into one another. Serena being used to the daily occurrence had jumped up from her fallen position and quickly apologized and continued on her way, leaving in her path, glares of many disgruntled people complaining of rude children these days. Serena had finally reached the entrance into the main part of the Museum which was a balcony that separated into two separate stair cases, but one could observe the main room below with a full view of everyone looking at the artifacts. She gazed for a moment, looking across the sea of people until her crystal blue eyes laid upon the dark waves of a certain handsome young man. Excited by the prospect that her Muffin would be as happy to see her as she, she bellowed out loudly from the balcony "Darien, Hi Darien, don't move, I'm coming down!!!" Darien turned at the sound of his name and turned beet red when everyone in the room stopped all conversation and observations to see what the commotion was all about. All was silent except the sound of Serena's footsteps against the marble floor and her breathless greetings. "Hi Muffin." Darien turned even more red (if that's even possible) at the endearment while everyone continued gazing on. Dazed and confused as to why or even how his princess even came to a place like this was such a concept that Darien forgot that someone was behind him. A feminine cough was heard behind him as he quickly snapped out of his momentary stupor. "Serena?... Serena! What are you doing here?" Darien quickly asked in his embarrassed state. Just then the voice behind the cough asked, "Darien? You know this girl?" A woman who was standing behind Darien had asked in a surprised and slightly haunted voice, as if to say 'I sure hope not' and looked down at the young girl in question with a delicate eyebrow raised. The woman to Serena's point of view was well, breath taking. She had smokey hazel eyes, framed by long, glorious brunette hair that seemed to shine with health. She had a beautiful model face and a body to match, adorned in a stylish tweed skirt and jacket that screamed wealth and fashion. Serena also noticed that the beautiful woman's hand was on Darien's arm which he was NOT removing. Serena quickly ignored that fact when Darien looked at her and nodded his head rather reluctantly and answered. "Mary-bella, this is my girlfriend, Serena." Mary-bella expression was one of surprise and then instantly smug as she looked Serena up and down and whispered quietly to Darien. "She looks rather young Darien, even for you." Darien quickly looked away from Mary-bella to Serena's confused face and continued "Uh, this is my study partner in college and old friend from my modeling days, Serena." Serena not really understanding what was going on took up the chance to meet anyone from Darien's past with innocent enthusiasm and held out her hand to the breath taking woman.

"Hi Mary-bella, it's a pleasure to meet you." Serena greeted sunnily. Mary-bella replied flatly "Charmed, I'm sure." Darien quickly looked at Serena and asked "Serena what are you doing here, I thought you had detention?" he looked less than pleased. Serena ignored the look on his face and brightly added "I thought you would need help and well here I am, Super Serena here to rescue! I just knew you would love it for me to be here." Serena finished off as she became enraptured in her own daydream of Darien adoringly accepting her help with all the acceptance of a man in love, (hearts in the eyes and all)( ahem, this is Serena's daydream in her minds eye). Darien gazed at his little princess, really not wanting to know what was going on inside her blond head of hers. Serena suddenly snapped out of her daydream and turned to the task at hand and quickly rushed to the nearest object she saw. Out loud she exclaimed "Why this is beautiful, so elegant, so inspiring....so...old??" She was looking at a vase with flowers which were only for decoration purposes, not art. "I guarantee I am worldly in the art of art and this is perfection in a well kept preservation of history!!!" She was about to continue when Darien quickly stepped in, "Serena you don't even know what my project is about and that isn't art, Serena, that's just a decoration." Serena slightly put off, added swiftly with false confidence, "Of course silly, I was just testing you! I meant over there." Just then Serena had raised her hand to point in another direction of the room and accidently hit an actual historical piece. Darien was in the middle of telling her that his project was on Medieval Art and History when he stopped short as he watched the artifact fall in slow motion. Mary-bella watched amused until Serena hit the artifact and with quick reflects grasp the object securely before any harm was done. A security guard came running towards them, hands in the air and yelling at Serena, which he had seen was the one who hit the object. Darien, who seemed to have held the world record of being the only living being who could turn red the longest and as many times in one day, grabbed Serena's hand and pulled her behind him as he headed towards the exit. Serena being Serena just apologized in a confused fashion and allowed Darien to pull her outside, thinking that he was just being her knight and shining armor wanting to spent time with his princess. Once outside Serena wrapped her arms around Darien and talked into his chest "Oh Muffin, I know you want to spend time with me right now, but what about your project?" There was no reply. Serena looked up and realized that her Muffin wasn't in the lovey, dovey mood she lead herself to believe. Darien looked furious. He firmly moved Serena away from his tall frame and half whispered and half yelled " Serena, I did not ask you to come here to help me! What in havens name made you think that I would need your help, you can't even pass your own classes, what made you think you could help me with COLLEGE STUFF!!! He grasp her shoulders and looked into her face " Why can't you be more like Mary-bella, you can't even hold a conversation with me, Serena" he sighed and continued "why don't you go and play or whatever it is that like to do, JUST GO and let me get some work done." He turned around and headed back inside the Museum intent on apologizing to the security guard and to Mary-bella, and not once looking back, leaving Serena alone on the busy street.

----End of memory----

And Serena cried even harder, unable to control the tears that fell unceremoniously unto the soft grass. 'I'm a horrible failure, and I hate it' she paused and whispered to herself ' And they hate me...they just put up with me because of our past.' The realization struck a cord within Serena and she allowed the pain to sink in. ' They don't need me, none of them do' she sat in resigned sadness as sorrow washed over her. ' Even my own parents are disappointed with me, everything I do is wrong, and I wish....I wish....I could make everyone happy.'

The night had already settled its blanket over the city, and the small girl found herself in darkness. She just sat there, staring into nothing and finding that inside her heart she would do anything for her perfect friends, family and love to accept her. So she looked into the night sky and stared at the twinkling stars and wished. 'Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight.' her words carried softly into the wind, but not to be heard by the gods or goddesses above, but by a man, hidden in the folds of magic not known to this galaxy and whispered for only his ears to hear. "Little princess, your wish is my command, and who am I to deny the wishes of my queen...my wife"