A/N: Well, I know that this chapter is kindof short, but I felt like I should update real soon because of the awesome response I got after the last chapter went up. Um, review some more and you'll get a new chappie up soon, in fact I'm already working on it! Well, read and enjoy!

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A Lovely Confession

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Darien let out a soft sigh as he leaned against his balcony and stared into the sunset. His heart was missing and he desperatly wanted it back. He needed her back by his side, in his life once again. He closed his eyes and he let Serena's picture flow through his mind yet once again. Deep, seemingly endless, innocent-yet all knowing eyes. Golden hair, like spun silk through his fingertips. Soft, smooth skin, softer then the gentle petals on his favorite rose. Her small body fitting against his like no other woman ever could. Her voice, loud, cheerful, full of love and hope. Soft and sultry in the deep of the night when she was sleepy. Hard and cold, forever condeming against her worst enemies.

He should have known better than to take her for granted. He should have cherished every day with her. Should have told her everytime he was with her that he loved her and needed her. He should have worshipped her body every chance he could. This long, seemingless endless torment of her disapearence left him sad and lonely. There was no one he could truely talk to. No one who would listen with the same intensity as Serena Tsukino did. No one would talk to him like Serean did either. Full of spirit and love, her ideas and her thoughts of the future. He should have known better.

He would tell her when she returned to him. He would hold her close to him and never let go again. He would tell her, and show her-yes, he would show her that he loved her in everyway possible. That he supported her decisions and that he stood by her no matter what. He would defend her against anything. Friends, family, and enemy alike. He would be her protector, her lover, and (if the gods smiled apon him once again) her husband.

"My Prince." a soft voice murmered behind Darien. Kunzite.

"What is it?" Darien asked, reopening his eyes.

"I think we've found something, My Lord. With the help of the Princess of Mercury, I think we may have found the source of the barrier." Kunzite announced.

Darien turned to face the man who was once his best friend, his best general. Even after all those centuries had past, it seemed that nothing had changed. "Stop addressing me as your Prince when we are alone, Kunzite. We know each other too well for that."

Kunzite gave a small grin and bowed slightly in obediance. "Very well."

"So have you decided what the plan of action is? Are we to attack it with everything we've got? Or what to see what happens? As of yet, nothing has happened to show us that this new threat...actually is a threat. There have been no attacks. Nothing. Just a barrier that keeps us inside the city." Darien said.

"Aye, but it also keeps us out. Jadeite can not come back into the city. Nephrite told us that he went in search of the Princess. He should have found her by now. They are probably on their way now...that is if Jadeite hasn't run into trouble yet." Kunzite murmered.

Darien's right eyebrow rose, "You have doubts about our young General?" he asked.

Kunzite shrugged, "He's capable enough I suppose, I just would have rathered it be Nephrite or even myself out there with your Princess rather than a young rebel." he replied.

Darien nodded, "I can understand that. I remember you telling me that you had your doubt about him."

"You still made him a General anyway."

Darien grinned at Kunzite's frown, "That I did, and I still stand by what I decided. He has qualities in him that are unique to the group, and he can hold his own in almost any fight. Even when the odds are against him-as they usually are." he explained to his right hand man. "When I first met him, he was a young rebel, fighting with the overly confidant soldiers in my army, and winning. After I watched him in a fight with a man three times his size and win without a scratch I decided he would do well to fight in my own army. He was determined to make his place in Earth's great army. To help support his family. I watched him rise threw the ranks faster than even you, Kunzite. Within two years he was the commander of his own platoon of men. You took three. He was destined to do great things, Kunzite, just like you and the others. And personally I'd rather have you guys with me, rather than against me."

Kunzite was silent, and Darien stopped talking about his reasons for naming Jadeite a General. "I'm sure he'll be fine, and he will protect Serena with his life." Darien murmered.

"Yes, he will protect Serena with his life. That much I know to be true." Kunzite finally spoke up.

Darien nodded. "Alright, here's what I think we should do. I want you, Amy ,Luna, Artimes, and Leta to head down to where you believe the source of the barrier is. I want you and Leta to work on survalience while Amy, Luna, and Artimes learn more on the source of the barrier. I want to be contacted every hour on the hour on the situation. You will not engage in any fighting unless you are fighting for your lives. Understood?"

Kunzite nodded and bowed at the waist and let out a low growl of obediance, "Yes, my Prince."

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Dirks growled and shoved his hands deep into the pockets of his well worn, blue jeans. "What do you mean you have to leave?" Dirks handsome chocolate colored eyes bore into Joan's own brilliant green eyes. He had just met her, yet she was leaving him. He didn't expect to get so attached to the brave, sexy woman who lived next door to him.

Joan sighed and dropped her eyes to the freshly mowed grass in her front yard, "Dirks, please don't make me feel this way. I'll be back in a few weeks, I'm just going to help out a friend."

"And I think that helping out a friend is noble. But does it have to be him," Dirks growled, referring to Jadeite. "He's not here even one day and he's gained your trust. It took weeks for you to finally trust me."

Joan glanced up at Dirks, and upon noting the cute pout on his handsome lips she smirked, "Is that jealousy I hear Dirks? You jealous of Jadeite?"

Dirks felt heat run up his neck and cheeks, and not for the first time in his life, he was embarassed. Hiseyes dropped to the ground as he spoke. "Look, Joan. I know you probably think I'm crazy, but in this short time that I've known you I feel this connection, you know? Like somehow I was supposed to be here, in your life. I feel like I need to protect you and everything you touch. I hope it doesn't scare you, but I think I'm in love with you."'

Joan brought a single hand up to his unshaven jaw and tilted his head up, so his eyes met hers, "Dirks, I am not worthy of your love. Save it for someone pure and unblemished."

Dirks eyes flashed angrily for a moment but quickly covered the emotion up. He reached out, wrapped his arms around Joan's slim body and pulled her close against him. "I'll decide who is worthy of my love and who isn't worthy of your love thank you very much. And I've decided that I love you, no matter what you may think. I'll wait for you Joan, I'll wait for however long it takes for you to realize what I do." he wispeared. He pulled away slightly and dropped his lips down to Joan's. He kissed her gently, sweetly-then pulled away soon after, leaving her wanting more of his gentle caress.

"Dirks," Joan wispeared, her eyes half closed.

"Remember that, Joan, and come back to me." he wispeared gruffly. Then with one last lingering look, he turned his back and walked back into his house.

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Cold, hard cobalt black eyes stared at the couple behind a pair of black sunglasses. Slut, the man thought angrily, couldn't stay faithful to me when we were married, can't stay faithfull to me while I was in prison. I always knew she was a slut. She will pay, her lover will pay, everyone will pay. Laughter bubbled out of the man, insane giggles that-if he was not hidden inside his rental car-he would have been given odd looks. Instead he was given the chance to collect himself, and coldly calculate exactly what he would do to Joan once he got his hands on her once again.

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