Last Time: "I'll stay here with you willingly, if that's what you want," Serenity promised, then looked up.

"But on one condition."

"Anything!" The Lord of Darkness offered. Serenity grinned, feeling triumph surge through him...

"The unicorn is mine," she stated maliciously.

" I get to kill it!"

"Just like that!" Rei grinned.

"Perfect!" She studied the placement of the large gold plate with satisfaction.

"We're making good time, Haruka. Only one more to go, and then we can head inside."

"Good." Haruka sighed, and sat down -- but she didn't look as pleased as she should be. Rei wasn't sure she understood humans very well. If it worked, it worked, right? No sense brooding on it before they did anything. Panic while it happened, sulk afterward... but don't brood about it before. Well... she was probably worried about Serenity. That made more sense in Rei's mind. Love was difficult to understand, damn near impossible really.

She dropped beside Haruka and gave her a sympathetic look. "Are you thinking about Serenity?"

"Always," Haruka replied, sighing.

"I worry about her, you know. She teased me about it before. But this..." She trailed off, anguished ridden eyes rising to meet Rei's own.

"It's something I can't control, and that makes me afraid -- but not for me, for her."

"It makes most people afraid." Rei nodded.

"But we can't let it show, because we have to be the heroes -- and if we're running around waving our arms and screaming, then it probably won't inspire much courage in others, either." A smile lifted faintly on Haruka's face.

"That's true."

"Of course it is. I'm always right, you know." Rei grinned

"Relax for a while, Haruka, OK? Tell me about Serenity. And just don't think about what's coming, for now." Haruka smiled again.

"We'd need hours if you wanted me to talk about Serenity. I can't possibly tell you everything with just a few minutes." She shook her head ruefully.

"I suppose that's what happens when you're in love. You go on and on about them, and just can't stop."

"Well, tell me what you can, then," Rei urged her. "It's not for me, it's for you. We'll stop when we have to, but for now, pretend we're just having a cozy little chat." She tilted her head, grinning. "So, how are you, Haruka? Care for some tea?"

She laughed (ohh…tea).

"All right, Rei. We'll do this your way. No tea, though." She smiled (damn ruin my fun).

"Fine, as you wish" Rei sat back satisfied.

"So, you can start by telling me... what are you going to do when this is all over, and Serenity is safe? Did you have a plan, or were you just going to try and work out something as you go along? I know you plan to stay in the woods, but Serenity's a princess. Is that what she would want?"

"I'm sure it is." Haruka's eyes grew distant as he remembered.

"Serenity was always out in the woods, even before we met. She used to come and stay with Setsuna or Ami -- the woman in the cabin up by the fields -- and sometimes she wouldn't go back to the palace for days. I used to watch her," she added.

"But I'd never get close. She always fascinated me, from the first time I saw her. I could never get tired of seeing her." She closed her eyes, savoring the memory.

"Of course, it's different when you're only 6 or 7 years old."

"I would imagine," Rei commented, waiting for her to continue.

"The first time we met," Haruka went on, not seeming to notice that she was talking to anyone any more.

"It was like fate. She just happened to catch her foot on a stray tree root, and managed to sprain her ankle somehow in the process. And then guess who was there to carry her back up?" She smiled to himself.

"Serenity had never even seen me before, but she wasn't afraid. She looked up at me, and smiled, and then just said, 'Hello'. That was it, one word, and I knew I wanted to be with her every day. We were best friends until we were about 14 or 15 -- and Ami never knew about me, neither did Setsuna, I don't think, I could be wrong on that one. She had au uncanny ability to just know things. But then it turned into something else. That wasn't so long ago, either -- only a few years," she mused.

"So what happened?" Rei asked curiously.

"Well... I realized it first." Haruka grinned slightly.

"My Koneko-chan never was very good at seeing what was right in front of her face. So I brought her presents, just things from the woods like flowers or honey – Serenity has a sweet tooth, you know. I think it confused her -- but I got what I wanted in the end." She almost smirked.

"One day I just kissed her into submission, and she looked up at me with those big baby blue eyes and said, 'Haruka -- does this mean you're trying to tell me something?'" Rei laughed out loud.

"Poor Serenity! She's not one for subtlety, is she? But, then again neither are you." She grinned at Haruka.

"The two of you are perfect for each other." Haruka's eyes grew distant.

"Yes, we really are," she answered softly.

"I can't see myself with anyone else – ever, this life or any after it."

"So," Rei continued, not wanting to let her start brooding again.

"When she found out how you felt, how did she react?"

The smile returned to Haruka's face. "She pretty much said what she did whenever I suggested we try something new. And she's respond 'that's a good idea, Ruka-cha, let's go for it!'" She chuckled.

"I think I addicted her, when she's around, I can just feel how much she loves me. I know she can feel the same about me. We're like one soul; destiny brought us together, and we'll stay that way forever. Or so I always thought." She sighed, but didn't linger on the subject.

"Serenity threw her ring into a pond, and as much as said that whoever finds it holds all claims to her. It's her way of telling me she wants us to commit to each other, well formally anyways." A fond smile tugged her lips upward.

"Koneko-chan is so funny that way; everything has to be a challenge. She wouldn't have it any other way -- and neither would I."

"Haruka," Rei said seriously.

"This -- right now -- is just like that, you know, another challenge. If your love is as strong as you say it is, then the two of you can get through it, no matter what."

"I suppose." Haruka sighed again, and then stood.

"Come along then," she said abruptly. "We have work to do."

Serenity studied her image in the mirror, not certain what to expect. Her face was the same -- blue eyes, pale skin, and silver hair. The clothing would have made her mother faint, it was so far from her idea of 'decent' -- but underneath that, she was still herself, wasn't she? It didn't look that way -- and honestly, Serenity could no longer tell. She looked so different -- so detached and resigned... Well, she needed to be, now. Her new life would demand it. There was no point in hiding from the truth any more. Accept your fate, she told herself sadly.

Haruka had warned her... Her happiness was forfeit the instant she reached out her hand to touch the unicorn. This, now, was her punishment, an eternity of cruel servitude. If she lived through what she had to do that night. Serenity wondered how much pain she would be forced to endure. An eternity's worth, probably. And every minute of it would be spent mourning her losses.

Well, she would not go down alone. That thought brought her some comfort. 'I will not be the only one to fail. So in some way, I will succeed -- a little.' A small smile graced her lips. 'I wonder what the punishment for this will be. 'Footsteps alerted her to another presence. Serenity turned, and dark claws caressed the soft skin of her cheek. She shivered involuntarily but forced herself to look up at her new Lord. That loathsome face smiled down at her, fiercely possessive.

"It's time, Serenity," he purred, then turned to lead the way out of the room. Serenity followed, shuddering. 'I wonder how much he will hurt me... when I'm made his...'

"In the beginning," The Dark Lord's voice thundered, over the hissing of fire and the shrieking of his minions,

"There was nothing! A void of darkness..."

"We have to start now," Rei hissed, glancing back at the plate they'd just set up.

"Makoto, stay here and make sure nothing disturbs that plate." She glanced out to where the Lord of Darkness continued her chanting.

" Haruka I will keep them from killing the unicorn until the light comes." Rei raised his bow.

"I'll do that," Haruka offered, taking it from her.

"Thanks." Rei looked up at the little sparkle of light that hung over her shoulder.

"Go, Minako! Bring us that light!" And she zipped away, following the trail of plates set up to reflect the sun's rays where they wanted.

"The doors are closing!" Haruka hurried forward, sliding through the space, with Rei ducking gracefully after her.

"This way," she hissed, climbing up the rocks to a concealed viewing point. She stole an arrow from the quiver on Rei's back and readied it on the bow, peering out to get her first full look at the Lord of Darkness. The man-beast was growling, hissing in triumph even as he finished up his rites. He was so huge... Haruka felt her heart pound. So rough, uncaring, totally heartless. 'Serenity...' To the side stood the silver haired girl, no longer looking pale and terrified, but with her eyes lowered respectfully, the very picture of submission. Haruka gazed at her in horror. That couldn't be her Koneko-chan! What had happened to her?

"Haruka," Rei whispered, following her gaze.

"Be careful. Dark powers are persuasive. If Serenity is one of them..." She didn't finish, but Haruka could guess the rest. 'Koneko-chan... Please...don't let it be so'. Even like this, in those dark clothes with uncaring indifference painted on her features, the sight of Serenity made Haruka's heart ache. Inside, she believed, the younger girl would always be good, and pure... and still that innocent young 8-year-old who'd smiled up at a ragged little forest girl when she should've been afraid. She could never be evil, not even if she killed a thousand unicorns.

"Hear me, powers of the night!" the Dark Lord boomed out, waving the horn.

"We offer this sacrifice in honor of you! Sanctified with blood and with fire!" His face grew exultant.

"I pray you, Father, accept my sacrifice. Let light be forever extinguished. Let the age of Darkness begin anew! Come, Serenity," he urged, gesturing.

"The birth of a new world awaits your stroke!"

Serenity gripped the huge sword in both hands, bracing herself. There was a look of determination on her face as she stepped forward.

"Let my offering be made of flesh and blood," she began, voice devoid of any emotion. So cold...

"Haruka..." Rei looked at her with big, pleading eyes.

"We can't lose that unicorn, Haruka. We can't." She seemed to see something in the girl's face that Haruka herself couldn't grasp. The balck-haired elfin youth stared at her without comprehension, then looked back at Serenity.

"I am kin to what dark fates enfold me..."

"Haruka, please!" Rei begged.

"It's not only the unicorn she's killing, can't you see? Somewhere around the world, maybe even just the next town over, another girl just like you could be watching her own little Koneko-chan -- waiting and wishing; the same dreams, hopes... There are millions of them, Haruka! And you would deny them their happiness, because you cannot have yours..."

Haruka looked from Rei to her Koneko-chan and back again, face twisting in anguish. Rei reached for the bow.

"I'll do it, if you can't."

"NO!" Haruka jerked the bow out of reach then forced her voice to become calmer.

"No..." She pulled the arrow back, watched Serenity lift the sword high above her head, face exultant triumphant.

'' Flashback ''

She folded a piece of cloth lengthwise a few times, and held it out toward Serenity's face.

"Don't you trust me, Haruka?" Serenity asked teasingly, as the older girl tied the blindfold around her head.

"I trust you, Koneko," Haruka answered, with conviction. "But I don't want anything to happen to you."

'' End ''

-- such an innocent question.

But with the most important answer in the world. "I trust you, Serenity," Haruka breathed, too softly for Rei to hear. Her fingers tightened on the bow, and she aimed, readying her arrow. She closed her eyes and whispered,

"I'll always trust you. Always." At the last minute, she held the arrow back, not letting it go.

AN: Comment, questions, suggestion, please review.