A/N: This one is from Usagi's POV.

Excerpts from the diary of Princess Serenity:

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I'm afraid of today. Ami said I'm not a coward, but she is wrong. If I am so terrified of meeting my mother, whom I know she loves me, and the Prince of Earth, whom I barely know... How can I ever confess my feelings to the one who is the most important person in the world for me now?

I will not speak of my love now, for even my diary must be tired of that. Oh my poor diary, you drank so man tears, and heard so many of my pathetic rambles; is it even too much for you? But I must speak to someone, and I can't take advantage of my dear Ami too much.... Too often as it is I'm so afraid my mask will slip, and that I can wear that smile no more...

And what would happen then? If they all knew my innocence was long gone, and my faith in the world and justice almost non-existent? My mother would be broken, and the trust of people in the royal line of Moon would be put to the test. The peace and harmony that rule this system now are much more important than the sanity and happiness of its Princess, so my mask must never fall.

In fifteen minutes I will be summoned to my beloved mother. I can't tell her of my love toward my protector. I don't think she would expressly forbid it, but I'm sure she wouldn't approve... And I can't take it right now. Look at Haruka and Michiru! How difficult they made it for them, doubting that their relationship will interfere with their duties and that they will put each other before the security of the Outer Planets. How much more doubts would they have of a relationship between a princess and a senshi?

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The talk with my mother was as difficult as I've expected to be. She asked me a lot of questions I didn't have answers too, and I think she suspects I'm not telling her everything.

I will write down a part of out conversation to demonstrate:

"Serenity dear... My dearest Usagi... You've made it perfectly clear you do not desire to marry Prince Mamoru, but you still haven't given me a reason for this sudden change! This marriage would benefit both kingdoms so much, and Mamoru is such a well behaved and handsome boy. I want you to be happy, and would never force you to do anything you didn't want... But you must tell me why! "

I was silent for a long time. I could see she really had high hopes for this marriage, and I didn't want to disappoint her, but this had to be done. I decided she deserved at least some of the truth.

"Because I don't love him, mother."

"Love is a strange and comes in many forms, my daughter. Are you so sure you could never love him?"

There was a heavy silence in the air this time, and her look felt as if she was trying to read my soul. I really loved my mother; and she was a just and compassionate ruler, but she always knew what the right thing was, and always made the correct decisions. She never let her emotions get in the way of it, and that was what made her the greatest Queen ever, celebrated everywhere where there was life. I don't think she would understand that I may be... Weaker. That for me, that was too difficult.

I had to destroy any hopes she might have left about this union, but I just couldn't tell her I love someone else! So I just said, with as much conviction in my voice as I could muster at that moment:

"I will never love him mother, I am sure. I…Don't like men like that. It is something I've discovered only recently; or I would have told you sooner… But this marriage can never happen".

"Well... This is a relief. For a moment I feared something much worse. Don't worry, Usagi – there are many suitable and desirable princesses through this system, and I'm sure one of them would catch your liking. It's only too bad that Mamoru doesn't have a sister!"

And that was that. But still, as I made my way to my rooms, her look stayed with me, probing, searching.

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The talk with Prince Mamoru… I mean Mamoru, went extremely well. I fell so lighter now! I expected him to act wounded, and I knew his ego would suffer. Or maybe something even more? As Ami said, he did seem very much enchanted with me, and perhaps he even fell in love with me? But I just couldn't see how that could have happened, as we hardly knew each other. In other hand… As Hotaru would say, men could be fools. Who knew?

When I saw him, my chest tightened. He seemed so … happy, and glad to be here. And I had to do this to him?

Soon it turned out I was mistaken. He didn't seem at all surprised when I stumblingly told him I didn't want to marry him, he even seemed satisfied. I guess all that 'in love' behavior earlier was just for show, as was mine.  But what really shocked me was this:

"Usagi-hime… I can tell you are going through rough times right now. I really like you – as a person, as a friend. So I would like to offer you my friendship, and any help I can too you. We were obviously never meant to be husband and wife, but that was probably for the best. We can be honest with each other now… We could be friends."

Maybe this Mamoru really isn't this shallow as I thought! And maybe… I'll take him up on his offer. It seemed sincere.

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It seems today is the day for strange events. Hotaru came to visit me! That is a bit strange even to itself; as Hotaru usually prefers for me to come to her... She, as all the Outers, hates coming to the Palace, and dread all the pomp and ceremony that rules here. It was hammered into me from birth, but I still agree with her – but I don't have another place to go. Not another planet, not another palace. Nowhere to escape...

Anyway, what was really strange was that she apparently came for no reason other than to ask me if I'm feeling alright! Those words sounded unnatural coming from her mouth, and she looked even more uncomfortable saying it, so I had to try really hard not to laugh. I lied with practiced ease, and she left very soon, as soon I've assured her everything is right in the world for me.

I just can't get over how alike and how different they are. Their eyes are almost the exact same color, as is their hair but for the highlights... They are both slender and seem deceptively fragile, and so serious and wise beyond their years. But here, all the likeness stopped. Hotaru's eyes were deep dark pools of calm, and for me they were more like Setsuna's then... hers.

My love's eyes were calm only on the surface, but you look a second too long, and there is current of fire there, a scream of emotions so strong I have to look away. Her violet is vibrant and alive, and I can see how much more there is to her… So much more… And she lets know one in close enough to see it.

Where Hotaru's hair is slick and shiny and frames her face perfectly… My love's hair is a living breathing creature, moving with a life of its own, and... It's enough. It's enough.

I think I should stop now.

Even her name is like a prayer to me… My Rei.

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A/N: I know this story is moving a little slowly, but want you to get to know the characters, and create a setting for story as it develops. I thank you for you patience. J

Special thanks to the people who reviewed:

EPM, Balticbard, and ShadowClub.

This story will be Rei/Usagi, but it will be Rei/Minako too, and even I am not yet sure how it will finish. I still hope you enjoy the ride.

I turned off the 'no anonymous reviews' options, so now everyone can review – even if you have no fanfiction.net account or you're just to lazy to log in. ;)

Next chapter: Minako comes into the story!