I can't believe that it has been over 2 years since I last updated this story. And I thought I wouldn't be like other authors who take long breaks or don't finish his/her story. I am truly sorry for this long delay and for the short submission. I lost my muse. It's kind of hard to pick up on a story whose series has not been seen on t.v. in a while. Since I've begun this, I've had 3 jobs, several cliques of 'friends' and the same car. Anyway, I'm working through my block problem. I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Dove

Can Love That's Lost Be Found

By Crystaldove

The others watched as Serena crumbled into tears. They hadn't seen her cry since that night at same park when Darien, crushed the hope she in their future. Now, they had done the very same thing. Although, Darien's reason was to protect her, where theirs was to control her.

Her shoulders shook for a few moments, and then others noticed that she smiled somewhat. At first they thought she had gone insane until they noticed vines growing around her. An intoxicating scent of old world roses filled their nostrils. They grew up around her and tickled her nose. Amy took out her computer and tried to identify this phenomenon. She couldn't explain it and this disturbed her greatly. In her opinion, if she couldn't explain it, then it couldn't be possible.

The roses embraced Serena and she leaned into what appeared to be arms made of vines. The vines formed what appeared to be a head and eyes peered out from the floral face. Mina screamed and attempted to pull Serena from what she thought was a droid, when the flowers melted away revealing Darien.

"What type of trickery is this?"

The others agreed with their mouths agape as Luna was more 'expressive' about the matter. Darien looked at her nonchalantly and shrugged.

"No trick Luna, just an ability I have. Just because you didn't train me to do this, doesn't mean I can't. There are a lot of things I can do. I 'am' the prince and guardian of Terra."

Darien pulled Serena on his lap and stoked her face gently. She was content being his arms, ignoring the others.

"What happened? I felt you in pain. I got here as quick as I could."

The girls gasped in surprised. Luna and Artemis were perplexed as well. They looked at each other and Artemis decided to ask the question they all wanted an answer to.

"Darien, what do you mean, Serena destroyed your locket months ago, thus your link with her."

Darien lowered his eyes to slits. It was extremely scary for those who he was gazing at, for all they could see was stormy blue irises.

"It's love, pure and unwavering, that bonds us together. I thought the locket allowed me to sense her but it was the lack of knowledge about myself and my powers, that made me depend on the locket; but I've always felt her pain emotionally. That is what I used to find her in the past, and now my planet is attuned and receptive to our love and she tells me where to find her."

"Still, I destroyed my locket…"

Darien smiled at her and waved his hand over the earth…it opened up at his command and the broken locket emerged.

"You mean this locket?"

"Darien…but how?"

"You left it on the ground…even though I wasn't attuned with my planet, it was attuned with me. She kept it for us."

"But I broke it…it's ruined."

Darien smiled and cupped it in his hands. Golden light pulsed and when he lifted his hands, it was repaired.

"This locket is more special now."

Upon her confusion from his statement, Serena opened the locket and saw a couple made of gold and silver dancing a waltz to their song.

"The Embassy Ball; our first dance together. This is so beautiful."

"Not as beautiful as you."

Serena continued to shield herself from the pain the others caused by holding on to Darien. He felt her emotion, her pain was smothering him and he feared for her ability to pull through this. He noticed that even thought she was happy that he was with her, tears still fell from her eyes. He noticed that they still had an audience and this was part of the problem. He lifted Serena up and carried her a few feet away from the ears of the others.

She smiled gratefully at him, relaxing some. He snuggled her in his lap as he sat on a bench. He looked into her eyes, seeing them sparkle in spite of being filled with tears.

"What happened?"

"I know the truth, why they didn't tell me about you."

"I know."

"So you also know that they were jealous of my powers. And knew they couldn't control me anymore; no matter how much they complained about how I used to be, that's what they wanted me to be."

Darien's eyes widen from this information, processing all that she said.

"No…Paladin just told me that they hoped with me protecting you…there wouldn't be the need for you to save yourself."

Serena sniffed several times, clinging to him for support. She was tired of secrets, tired of the pain she gets from them and she was going to stop it right now.

"Darien…I didn't just evolve these abilities. I've always had them. I always known how to protect myself, it was just suppressed… in order to make the others protect me. What since would it have made for a 'warrior' princess to have a royal guard."

His mind was flooded with memories of watching mock battles or training where the princess seemed to be more interested them other ladies in court.

Flash

"Princess, you know the Queen will have my sword if she catches us like this!"

"Either you show me how to use weapons or I'll have to rely only on my powers. Besides, I have so much pent up energy and if I tried to get one of the others to spar with me, they wouldn't take me serious. I'm tired of always being the 'fragile' princess. It's bad enough no one knows how much power I have besides you and my mother, you could at least teach me how to fence."

"Alright highness, I am your soldier and your friend…the Queens' orders come second to yours."

"Thank you Haruka."

End flash

"The reason why I suppressed my powers is because I am stronger than the others. I didn't need protectors, but my mother felt it was necessary due to the threats in the galaxy."

Darien was surprised by this revelation. He found more to love about Serena every moment. He held her tight, bringing comfort for one that wasn't able to confide in anyone about this. He sighed.

"I didn't have to hide my abilities to protect my guards' feelings. I had to fight. How would it look to have a weak male heir to an entire planet that was known for battling to assert power?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry, this must be hard for you. Let me take you home. It's late and I know your parents will be worried."

Serena nodded and allowed Darien to lead her from the group. Paladin was perched high above and Darien mentally communicated with him to stay here I case the others tried to follow.

And that's exactly what happened…

"Wait, where are you going?"

Luna tried to run after them, but Paladin hovered above her, cutting off her path.

"The prince is taking the princess away from you. You caused her enough pain this evening, don't push it over the edge."

"But we've told her the truth Paladin, why hasn't she forgiven us like she did Darien?"

"Haven't you learned anything from this ordeal Luna. You are an advisor, but are as naïve as a child! Just because you have told her the truth and apologized, doesn't mean you are entitled to forgiveness. It is a healing process. When Darien apologized to Serena, did she forgive him? No, she needed proof of his sincerity, and then they started as friends first, then forged a new bond between themselves. They need each other. They can't survive without that love and now not only are their souls bonded, but their hearts as well."

"So what do we do now?"

"Nothing…there is nothing you can do. She can take care of herself, and Darien is by her side. Frankly, there is no need for you in my opinion."

"You can't mean that!"

"But I do Luna. Now if you would excuse me."

The goshawk took off into the night sky and headed back to Darien's apartment. The group sat idle for a few minutes taking in all that was said.

"Paladin's right, we took Serena for granted made her feel worthless for what she was and when she changed, we questioned everything that she did. She helped us, advanced our training, which enabled us to help Darien. So truth be said, we didn't help Darien, she did."

The realization of this fact sent the others into extreme depression. The departed from the park without a word to each other and returned to their homes to think about where they went wrong.

The next few days were hard on everyone involved. Darien and Serena continued their slow progression in their relationship, both feeling content in the fact that they were the only ones involved. Both trained together under Paladin's keen eye. But unlike Luna, he let them make mistakes so that they could learn from them. He didn't nag; he didn't boast or tell them how to use their own powers. The only thing he assisted with was their fencing. He saw openings in their defenses that could prove fatal in an actual duel.

High in space, Rubeus sat brooding. Every time he tried the smallest advance in securing points in old Tokyo he was stopped by Sailor Moon. It was like she predicted his moves and didn't allow him any area to gain. This made Prince Diamond very upset. The Black Moon was aware of the rift between the prince and princess and thought this could be used to an advantage and take over the past capitol. Instead, it seemed that Sailor Moon used this opportunity to take out her frustrations on them and destroyed all.

"Rubeus, this is your last chance! I have been very lenient with you due to the fact you were successful with the first component of this plan. So as a reward, I have a special gift for you."

A portal opened and a green-haired harpy emerged from it with several droids.

"These are just a few that Sapphire made for me, but instead of your unsuccessful tactics, we are going to do a two person strike against the witch of the white moon!"

"Sire, is this true?"

From the monitor Rubeus watched as Diamond raised his brandy glass to the light and smile.

"It is correct, as long as Serenity and Endymion are out of sorts and those pathetic senshi are working behind her back, they are all vulnerable. Don't waste time, attack now."

"Yes sire."

End Chapter

Ok, I know this was very short and frankly there is only like 2.5 chapters left! So, if you still like this, review.

Dove