A/N: Hello everyone! This is my very first fan fiction so please go easy on me. Just to let you know I'm not the best speller in the world, and though I'll try to spot any and all mistakes there will probably still be quite a few (so I ask for forgiveness ahead of time) So please enjoy the fic, and reviews are appreciated. :)

By the way I'm sure we all know this but I don't own Sailor Moon.

Chapter 1: An Unwanted Engagement

Princess Serenity stared sullenly out at the gardens of the moon palace from her bedroom window. What she wouldn't give to go out there right now and throw the day away. But no, probably sensing her intentions she had been confined to her room by her mother, Queen Serenity, until their honored guests had arrived.

"Serenity, that's enough staring and mopping out the window. I know you want to go outside, but you have special guests arriving, and you must start getting ready," said Luna her trusted advisor.

"Buzz off Luna and let me wallow in my misery." Serenity mumbled still staring off into oblivion. "Besides who wouldn't want to be paraded in front of practically every suitable male in the world just so I can finally be married and start popping out babies."

"Serenity!" Luna gasped in outrage. "Your mother and father are trying to find a good husband for you; one that you could be happy with. But your marriage must also be thought out politically as well."

Luna tugged on Serenity's wrist and brought her over to her dresser and sat her down in front of it. She began shaping Serenity's hair in the royal hairstyle.

Serenity sighed. "Don't you think I know that Luna. Whoever I marry will probably greatly help my father and mother secure political ties to whatever country this Prince belongs to, and that's all fine and dandy for them."

Luna hearing the sarcasm in Serenity's voice scowled. "I don't see why you're so against this Serenity. Your parents will probably find you a nice young man, and you'll be settled down in no time."

"That's what you think Luna. You're lucky. At least you have Artimes. Me, I'll be stuck with someone I don't even know."

"If you wouldn't have such a negative attitude about it then maybe you would be able to hope that your husband will be a good honest man."

Serenity just stared silently at her reflection. The girl that stared back looked every inch a princess. With her golden spun hair and pale ivory skin many were attracted to her beauty. But Serenity also saw in herself a caged bird. She was locked inside a silver cage and must do everything that she was told to do. Life was dull and it was hard for Serenity to accept it. The only time she felt alive was when she was when she was in the gardens, or horseback riding.

She however could not hold the same optimism that Luna had for her marriage. Though her parents were still considering possible suitors Serenity knew they had practically already decided on Prince Diamond from Braeden. On the outside he was everything a Prince could and should be. He was handsome, gifted with a sword and politics, and showed much promise in becoming a great King. His country was also one Serenity's parents had been trying to ally with for a long time. He seemed to be the perfect choice, but to Serenity he was a snake hidden in a garden. She had voiced her opinion of him to her parents, but like they always did they dismissed it because they knew her aversion to getting married. All Serenity could do was pray that Diamond wouldn't become her betrothed.

Tonight, her fate would be sealed, and there was nothing she could do about it. Her parents had been organizing tonight's ball for weeks, and tonight her parents would be announcing whom she would be engaged to. So Serenity had to slap on her mask and act like any Princess was suppose to act.

"Alright, you're all ready Serenity. Besides the guests should be arriving momentarily," said Luna with a smile on her face.

Serenity just sighed and stood, readying herself.

"Presenting the rulers of Jericho, King Solus, Queen Serenity, and Princess Serenity!" the announcer called out.

The many guests of the ball clapped in appreciation as Serenity and her parents descended the white marble steps. Serenity had her serene smile in place, but inside she would rather be anywhere but here.

"We thank you all for coming tonight, to celebrate Serenity's engagement at 10 o'clock after dinner. Please enjoy yourselves," said King Solus.

As the festivities began Serenity wanted to stick with her parents, but her father turned around and whispered "Don't even think about it Serenity. Go out there and enjoy yourself, this celebration is for you after all."

As she watched her father and mother walk away Serenity mumbled to herself, "Father, how am I suppose to enjoy myself when no one is here for me at all."

Serenity had no friends amongst the court. When she wasn't restricted to the castle then she was either in the gardens or horseback riding. She'd rarely had any friends, and those who had tried to be her friends had only wanted to be her friends because she was the Princess. And almost all the men she had met especially here were just after her beauty and her hand in marriage. And as Serenity descended into the humongous crowd of people she had never felt so alone.

She intended to go over to the refreshment table to get a drink to calm herself, but that plan was foiled as a hand on her wrist whipped her around, and she came face to face with the one person she wanted to avoid.

"May I have this dance Princess?" Diamond asked pulling her out to the dance floor before he even received an answer. Serenity said nothing, but just followed the steps in the dace he was leading her in. As he pulled her close to him Serenity flinched, this man radiated evil; why couldn't anyone else see that. The dark aura that surrounded him never failed to put a feeling of dread in her stomach, but he seemed to be able to hide it from other people.

Diamond was a cleverly disguised monster. He was a handsome man with a head of silver hair and dark violet eyes that could charm any women. But Serenity knew his true nature, and wanted nothing to do with him. But it seemed where ever she was or went Diamond seemed to find her. This just made it seem that she and Diamond spent a lot of their time together, when Serenity just spent the time trying to shake him off.

"You look beautiful tonight Princess." Diamond whispered to her. Serenity mentally groaned; it started out this way every time. He would pay her a compliment as if it would somehow change how she viewed him.
"Can't say I say the same Diamond." Serenity said looking up at him dispassionately. Always at first glance Diamond would look handsome, but the second time she looked at him she could see the true monster lying underneath his façade.

His arm tightened around her bringing her closer than was proper, she tried to squirm away, but the strength in his arms was kept her closer against him. "Don't be rude Serenity. By 10 o'clock tonight, you will be mine." he said with a smile on his face. Serenity's blood ran cold as his hands began boldly roaming her body, even sliding up to feel the undersides of her breasts. Serenity promptly brought her foot down hard on Diamond surprising him, and he let go. Serenity moved out of his reach and hissed, "Don't touch me Diamond! I will never belong to you, even if I become engaged to a snake like you."

Skirts whirling around her Serenity walked away leaving Diamond standing there with a dark look on his face. Uncaring of what would be said later Serenity slipped outside and soon found herself in the gardens that she loved so much. Sitting down at the edge of a water fountain Serenity sighed and rested her head in her hands.

A lone tear slid down her face; she quickly wiped it away. Tears were useless and they only made you feel worse and worse. To distracted herself Serenity turned and looked at her in the water. Her reflection looked the same as it did in her bedroom mirror; a beautiful Princess bound by the duties of her birth.

Serenity stood, she didn't want to continue pitying herself. She would just have to face her future head on. As she entered the ballroom again she immediately walked away from the direction she saw Diamond was in. In stead she spotted a sandy colored head and rushed over.

"Andrew!" Serenity called, and the man turned to greet her. Unable to greet him with her usual hug she instead had a huge smile on her face; one that was far from fake.

"Hello Serenity. How're you doing so far?" Andrew asked bowing over her hand. Serenity hated the formalities they had to perform, but her parents would have scolded her for not in such a public place. Andrew had been her friend for the longest time, and was the only person she really trusted her secrets with.

"I'm okay. It's just hard to be here while my fate is decided for me." Serenity said with a small smile. Andrew gave her a sympathetic look, but they were then interrupted by another one of Serenity's suitors; Seiya Kou.

"Hello Princess Serenity. Can I steal you away for a few moments?" Seiya said giving her a polite bow.

"Of course Seiya. I'll find you later Andrew." Serenity said, and then was lead away by Seiya. In her opinion Seiya was a much better choice than Diamond, but he still wasn't someone she wanted to spend her life with. Call her picky, but she barely knew Seiya at all.

For the next couple hours she made small talk with many of her suitors only stealing away to the garden twice more for some fresh air. And before she knew it the servants were announcing that dinner was ready.

Serenity sat next to her father, but somehow Diamond was place across the table from her. But her spirit lifted as she saw Andrew was only a seat away from her. Dinner was delicious, as it always was. If there was one thing Serenity loved to indulge herself in it was food. When she was little she used to hang around the kitchen while the cook gave her tons of sweets.

But the end of dinner came around to quickly and the ringing of the bell announced that it was 10 o'clock. Serenity gave a small sigh and resigned herself to the inevitable. Everyone moved back into the ballroom and her mother and father stood from their thrones and everyone grew quiet.

"After much thought and consideration my wife Serenity and I have determined who we feel is best for our daughter Serenity." the King Solus started. As he grew silent a hush fell over the crowd. "I'm pleased to announce Princess Serenity's engagement to Prince Diamond of Braeden."

The room erupted into thunderous applause and cheers. Serenity could only stand there stunned, she barely even responded to her mother when she came over and hugged her. Then she was swung up against Diamond, his dark aura suffocating her like it always did. And before she could even react his head dipped down and kissed her in front of everyone. Serenity fought not to retch as the stench of evil became over powering. She felt Diamond's tongue sweeping across her lips and she immediate pulled away a hand going to her mouth.

Diamond however retained possession of her in his arm as they were bombarded by congratulations. Sernity just focused on keeping a serene smile on her face, when all she wanted to do was scream her grief to the stars.

Endymion sat in the chair behind the mahogany desk in his cabin unable to keep the eager anticipation from showing on his face.

"Are you serious?" he asked his first mate Malachite

Malachite smiled.

"Dead serious Endymion. This is what we've been waiting for." he said with a smile on his face. "They're engagement was announced just a couple hours ago."

Endymion settled back in his seat with devious smile on his face. This was a perfect opportunity to hit Diamond where it would hurt the most. If they could capture Princess Serenity just after she and Diamond left for Braeden then it was most likely that the treaty would be broken. It was important to keep Diamond from allaying himself with Jericho.

"When do they leave for Braeden?" Endymion asked.

"Tomorrow night, and they're suppose to be stopping at Lithgrow the same night."

Endymion pulled a map from his files and spread it out on his desk. He located the town Lithgrow with a practiced eye.

"Where are they staying?"

"At Kou manor." Malachite replied looking closely at the map of Lithgrow with Endymion.

"The crew could distracted the town while we go in a get the Princess. If we can locate her room it would make our job that much easier." Endymion murmured to himself.

"We'll send Eric in. He's young so no one will suspect him he'll be able to locate the Princess's room no problem." said Malachite thoughtfully.

"And I'm sure the crew will be more than happy to go and create some havoc while we go secure the Princess."

"Endymion, what will we do with her once we have her with us? Her father will probably terminate the treaty pretty quickly, but if we hold her for ransom things could get more complicated."

"No, we won't hold her for ransom. We can just hold her at the hideout until things cool down. We'll send a letter to he father as well, we don't want them coming after us as well."

A man with short blond hair burst into the room an air of excitement surrounding him. "When do we attack Endymion?" he asked.

"Always eager aren't you Jadeite?" Endymion laughed.

"Of course, along with the entire crew." Jadeite said smiling.

"Tell them we attack tomorrow at midnight."

Serenity silently rose from her bed and stepped out onto her balcony. With practiced ease she swung her legs over the balcony railing and lowered herself until she found a foothold in the wall. She slowly descended down the wall catching foot and hand holds that she herself had made in the walls.

She broke into a run when her feet hit the ground, heading straight for the gardens she loved so much. But instead of heading to her usual spot she walked up to a wall heavily covered in vines. She pushed them aside and found a door worn with age, she just looked around her to make sure she was a lone the opened the door and walked through it.

Once on the other side she gently closed it, before her stretched open fields and not far away she heard the roar of the ocean. This was her way to escape the castle; she'd gone into town many times under a peasant disguise. It was the best way to get to know her people who she would rule over one day.

Serenity broke off into another run until the roar of the ocean came closer and closer. And soon she could see the white crests of the waves that crash into the sand. Without preamble she ran and threw herself into the ocean.

She came up, and then dove back under swimming with the ocean, but staying close to the shore. When she came up she dunked back under again to wash unwanted tears from her face. She had not allowed herself the luxury of crying until now. Only when she was far away from others, and no one else could see her. And even then, the ocean water on her face made it look like she wasn't crying at all. She just kept going up and down out of the water, an occasional sob bursting from her mouth. Her throat hurt from keeping them bottled up inside.

Serenity raised her face to the sky and stared mournfully at the moon shining brightly above her. Why? Why me? she cried in her mind. Her life had been forever decided for her, and she knew if she became Diamond's wife in Braeden that she wouldn't survive. The darkness that surrounded Diamond would begin to affect her; it already did when she just spent a long period of time in his company. She would wither away inside, and Diamond would eventually win.

Another cry escaped her throat as she collapsed to her knees and let the silent tears pour down her face.