Chapter 12

We Meet...Again?

I sat in the cushioned chair on my balcony staring out into the gardens, trying to figure out what was going on. It seemed as if there really was nothing for me to figure out. I had dreamt a dream the night before that had seemed very real but was nothing more than what it really was; just a dream. It didn't seem possible that what I was currently experiencing was a dream, so I could only assume that I had been dreaming about Endy and the Earth.

Why did it bother me so much though? There was no link between him and me, which only furthered the notion that I had been dreaming, but even so, I could see in my mind's eye every detail clearly, as if it had happened only the day before. The feel of his warmth, the sound of his voice, the smell of his skin, the sight of his face...those were things I could not erase from my mind no matter how hard I tried, and all of them taunted me with unforgiving malice.

I sighed and closed my eyes, rubbing them gently. Artemis had been staying a good three feet away from me since the incident that morning, which didn't help me feel any better. Why was my fear still so strong if nothing had happened, if the situation with Prince Diamond never occurred? Even the thought of any man, besides Endy, touching me sent shivers up and down my spine. Oh sure, I knew that not everyone was like Prince Diamond and not every male of every species was out to take advantage of me or any other woman. I couldn't really explain the feeling I got. I tried to fight it, but no matter what I did or thought, I simply didn't feel safe anymore. I suppose part of it was that although not every man was like Prince Diamond, some were. Who were they? I had no way of knowing for sure.

Perhaps the dream I had had was a foretelling of events. It was quite possible that everything had been so real because it had been an epiphany, but I couldn't be sure of that.

Before I could let my mind wander any further there was a knock on my inner door. I rose from my seat reluctantly and walked into the room. The door opened silently as I pulled the handle, the hinges refusing to give way to any noise. Standing before me with a worried look on her face was mother.

"How are you feeling, Serenity?" she asked me as she scanned my face.

"I feel all right," I told her. "Just a little tired." It was true, I felt very tired. I didn't even know what day it was.

"Are you feeling well enough to go on that walk we had planned?" she inquired.

I nodded, not letting her see my surprise at the news of a walk couldn't remember planning. Besides, I felt fine, save for the confusion and fatigue. A walk would probably be a good idea since it would give my head a chance to clear out and perhaps start functioning properly again. In all honesty I didn't even know what day it was, much less that mother and I had a walk planned.

I walked next to mother down the corridor in silence. The hallways were bustling with activity, people walking everywhere, all seeming to have something to do. We stopped along the way every so often so mother could give a few instructions or deal with a few disputes, but eventually we did make it outside where Luna was waiting for us.

"Are you feeling better?" she asked me with a smile. The sunshine was bright and warm, making me feel more energized already.

"Yes. I don't know what was wrong with me this morning," I answered, taking in a deep breath of fresh air. "I feel better now, I think."

"If you start feeling odd again, you can always go back in," mother said gently as she placed a hand on my shoulder.

I nodded. "I will."

Mother and Luna smiled and we walked down the paths through the gardens. Flowers bloomed all around us, all enjoying the warm sunshine as much as we were. Everything seemed so calm. Yes, this had been a wonderful idea.

"Your Majesty," a voice from behind us called. We stopped our stroll and turned around to see Artemis approaching us. "Your Majesty, Luna, I'm sorry to interrupt you, but the ambassador from the Orion Nebula sent me with this message for your Grace." Artemis held a folded piece of paper out for mother to take, which she did. She scanned the contents quickly before folding the paper back up.

"I apologize, but it seems as though he needs to see us immediately, Luna. Serenity, do you mind if we leave you to finish the walk by yourself? Or would you like to go back inside?" she asked, looking sad to end our walk.

"I'll be fine by myself," I told her, giving her a cheerful smile. After all, I was at home, in the gardens, with plenty of people around and nothing to worry about except my own sanity. No problem. I could handle this.

Mother smiled and, after saying a few words, departed with Luna and Artemis at her heels. I, in the meantime, would resume my stroll. After all, there was no point in wasting the warm air and sunshine.

I smiled to myself as I walked with my hands clasped before me. Perhaps I should have told mother that all the ambassador was worried about was whether or not we had the proper sheets on the bed for his prince, since he was accustomed to sleeping on only a certain type of fabric. I chuckled, remembering mother's reaction when she had found out that's what it---wait!

I froze. How had I known that would happen? I thought back and remembered my 'dream.' Of course, in my dream the same thing had happened; mother, Luna, and I were out walking when Artemis came up to us and told mother he had a message for her from the Ambassador of the Orion Nebula. I shivered in the warm sunlight. The day was starting to be rather creepy.

I tried to think back to my dream and remember what would happen next. Mother and Luna had gone off and I had resumed my stroll, but I ran into someone and finished the walk with them.

"Princess Serenity, it is a pleasure to see you here," a smooth voice from behind me purred. I felt an icy chill run down my spine and every fibre in my body tensed. Yes, of course I had not finished the walk alone, a certain prince had joined me.

"Stay away from me!" I shrieked as I spun around. There he stood before me, his black eyes sparkling, his platinum hair swaying gently in the breeze. I could remember every detail of him clearly and precisely, the way one corner of his mouth curled into a smile more so than the other, how his onyx eyes studied me with the hunger of a predator, how his every move was graceful and calculated, smooth and precise.

He looked stunned at my reaction. "Is something wrong, Princess?" he asked with concern and sincerity I did not believe in.

"Just stay back," I ordered, holding my hands out in front of me as a barrier. He obeyed and even took an obligatory step backwards.

"My humblest apologies, Princess, if I have done something to offend you, though I fear I have no idea what I have done to cause such animosity," he said.

I couldn't find the strength to move. He hadn't done anything wrong, yet I couldn't shake the odd feeling that I had, one of loathing and discomfort of his presence. I wanted him to crawl under the nearest bush and die. Not very princess-like thoughts, but they suited me just fine at the moment.

We stood there, frozen, for the span of a few minutes. I almost felt like I was holding my breath the whole time as I stared at him staring at me. Finally, he broke the silence. "Perhaps you will allow me to introduce myself again. I am Prince Diamond, we met only a few days ago and have spoken only a handful of times."

I stared at him. "Why are you here?" I demanded.

"Rumors of your beauty reached me even in the far reaches of the galaxy, and I felt the need to come and see your radiance for myself. Along with that, stories of your kindness, grace, and goodness. I hope that this is all a misunderstanding and that you have mistaken me for someone else, since I would hardly wish to be in a dispute with your Grace so soon after our first informal meeting."

I blinked at him and slowly lowered my arms. Our first informal meeting? Talked only a handful of times? I felt like smacking myself in the head. Of course this was our first informal meeting. It had been such in my dream as well. He certainly didn't look dangerous, but he hadn't then either. I let my hands fall down to my sides. I was being unfair. He could not know I had such a dream, and the dream had already been slightly different from reality. I couldn't assume that he was the same as he had been the first time we met, so to speak.

I was still going to be cautious though. I still didn't trust him. "I'm sorry," I said finally. "It is my mistake."

A smile lit his features as he let out his breath. "I'm glad to hear it," he said, then paused as he glanced around at the flowers. "I saw your Grace walking alone and thought perhaps I could join you in your stroll."

I wanted to refuse. My mind was screaming at me to say no, my muscles were telling me to bolt, my heart was telling me to reject him... "I was just about to go back to the palace," I said, hoping he would take his leave.

"Then will your Grace please allow me to walk back to the palace with you?"

I gritted my teeth. Of course he wanted to walk me back. "Very well," I replied , and started to walk briskly in the direction of the palace. He matched his step to my own, keeping enough space between us for a pair of horses to pass by.

"I have never been to these parts of the galaxy," he stated as we walked. "I was pleasantly surprised at everything there was to see on the way here and upon our arrival."

I nodded. "It is a beautiful area." Being curt and polite was my aim, while not giving any hints that I wanted his person to be any closer to me.

"The people seem very kind too. Everyone is very obliging and hospitable," he added.

"Except for me, of course," I replied, half joking.

Prince Diamond laughed. "You are allowing me to walk with you, are you not?"

"I suppose."

"Then you have nothing to worry about."

I smiled. I didn't know why, but I smiled. He could be normal and charming when he wasn't trying to tear my clothes off. I smacked myself mentally once again; that had never happened and I had to stop thinking that it had.

"This must be a busy time for you. I hear that there are many visitors on the Moon," Prince Diamond said, breaking through my thoughts.

I nodded. "Yes, mother invited almost more people than the palace and city can hold."

The Prince clasped his hands behind his back. "Have you had a chance to speak with many of the visitors?"

"No, well, yes, I suppose. I have met everyone that has arrived. I've only been able to have conversations with a handful of them." A picture of Endy flashed through my mind and I found myself smiling. If my dream was true at all, then I would definitely be trying to find Endy and talking to him.

"Is your Grace looking forward to the ball tonight?" he asked me.

The ball? That was tonight? I shivered. "Yes," I lied. I was dreading it now, remembering what had happened before. I was starting to loath my own mind for creating such a dream, since now the lines of reality and imagination seemed so blurred.

"I shall see you there then," Prince Diamond said gallantly as he stopped walking.

I stopped as well and glanced before me, noticing that the palace doors were before me. I blinked in surprise. "Yes, until then," I finally said and curtsied to him. He bowed and I took my leave, entering the cool palace.

In my dream he had kissed my hand when we arrived back at the palace after a long stroll. This time he hadn't. Perhaps the dream that had me in it's grip wasn't as strong as it thought it was.

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All day I had tried to find him, and all day it seemed as though he had disappeared into thin air. Endy was simply nowhere to be found. Every so often, from a distance, I thought I caught sight of him, but by the time I reached the area he had been in, he was already gone.

Eventually I gave up, knowing that If I was patient I would see him that night at the ball. It was getting difficult searching for him anyway, with all the princes, kings, and lords milling about. I ended up making a lot of curtsies, since each time one of them started a conversation with me they would bow and try to kiss my hand. My mind was still not allowing that.

Finally I returned to my room. I hadn't been there ten minutes before there was a knock on my door. It was a soft tapping sound and I recognized it as mother's. I opened the door and let her in. She was already dressed in her formal evening wear.

"I thought we could spend a little time together. The past couple of weeks have been so hectic that we haven't been able to talk very much," she said as she motioned for me to sit at the vanity. I complied and sat patiently as she took out my hair and started to brush it out slowly.

"There are so many people here now," I remarked, unsure of what to say.

"Yes, there are. There are very many fine men out there, Serenity. I just hope that you will be able to choose one whom you'll be happy with."

I smiled. Of course I would, just as soon as I could actually get to him without him disappearing. "I will," I finally told her.

"Is there anyone you like in particular?" she asked me with a teasing smile on her face.

"Perhaps," I answered, feeling my cheeks warm up a bit.

Mother paused her brushing as she gazed at me in the mirror. "Who is he?"

"One of the visiting princes," I replied.

I laugh bubbled form mother's throat. "I assumed it would be one of our visitors." She ran her fingers through my hair. "I have seen a few that I think you would like as well, and of whom I would very much approve."

"Oh?" I asked as she started brushing again. "Who?"

"Well, there is Prince Adonis who seems like a good man, but I must admit that thus far Prince Diamond has struck me as the most outstanding one."

I felt my mouth and heart drop. Diamond? No way! I remembered that I had talked to her about the visiting suitors before, and Diamond had not been on her list of candidates. Or had he? No, the conversation had happened before the dream, so it couldn't have been during the dream. I was not confusing reality with imagination now.

"Y-you like Prince Diamond?" I stuttered, making sure I had heard her right.

"Yes. He seems to be a fine young man who's courteous and respectful. He's been nothing but a gentleman and he's left quite an impression on me. Besides that, the general report of him is very good. He's a capable ruler who is loved by his people and a allies. There are no blemishes on his name as of yet, and I doubt that there soon will be any." Mother spoke as if Prince Diamond was a real gem, with no pun intended.

"But mother! How can you be so sure that he is as wonderful as he seems?"

"Why not? Thus far I have neither seen nor heard anything to make my opinion any different."

I had to bite my tongue. I hadn't either. "What about Prince Endymion?" I asked To get the conversation away from Diamond.

"Prince Endymion?" she said hesitantly. "I'm not too sure about him. He seems somewhat aloof. I haven't heard anything bad about him, but nothing that would impress me either."

I stared at her in the mirror as she put up one of my buns. I felt crushed for some reason. Maybe it was because the man I loved was proving to be simply a dream. I had spent time with him, and in my opinion he was warm and friendly, but couldn't it be possible that I was wrong? I felt as if all my conceptions and opinions had been blurred by my vision, and now I wasn't able to form a proper, unbiased opinion.

He couldn't be bad though. After all, it had been a couple of weeks since he had arrived on the Moon, and in that time I had spoken with him and learned a bit about his habits, likes, dislikes, and personality. I had to talk to him again, at least once more, just to see if I was really being completely close-minded and obsessive.

Mother pinned the bun in place and went to work on the second one. I felt relaxed just sitting there with her doing my hair. It was mesmerizing, soothing, comforting. I could have sat there for hours just letting her play with my hair,

"There," she said suddenly, bringing me from my daze. "All done. You should go get dressed now, we have to go to the ballroom soon."

I nodded and stood up. "Thank you," I murmured.

I suddenly felt a hand on my chin bringing my gaze upward. Mother smiled at me with that radiant smile no one could match. "You're so grown up," she whispered.

I smiled at her and wrapped my arms around her waist. "I love you, mom," I whispered, feeling her put her arms around my shoulders.

"I love you too, my Serenity."

I pulled back and smiled at her. "I'll get dressed now. It shouldn't take me more than half an hour."

"That's fine. I'll send Artemis to escort you to the ballroom in half an hour."

I nodded and pulled away. "All right."

Mother walked to the door. "Serenity, keep in mind what I said about Prince Diamond. I think he has grown fond of you."

I nodded and swallowed hard. Mother left and I walked to my wardrobe,

Could she be right? Was I letting the unreal block my decisions. I felt bad about being so unwilling to give Diamond a chance.

I sighed as I took a gown from my wardrobe. Perhaps I would have to give Diamond the benefit of doubt. I would speak with him that night, him and Endy, and get a few things straitened out.

This was going to be a long night.

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--Disclaimer--

I do not own the rights to Sailormoon or any of the characters. That honor belongs to Naoko Takeuchi, and I am simply a lowly author who can use her characters for my plots.

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A/N: So, what happens next? What will happen that fateful night at the ball? Will it be a repeat or no? Ahh the suspense. Hopefully this story is still maintaining your interest. I still have a twist or two planned. Anja.