Okay, chapter two! Possibly a little longer than it should be. ...Oh well! Read on!

I DO NOT OWN SAILOR MOON!

Chapter Two
"Passion of the Twilight"

Seventeen years later…

Her hair was silken against the gown that she wore. A lighter shade of white now that she was older, it held her body snugly in contour with her now grown-up shape. Her long hair fell farther now, secured in the same traditional odango buns as before, but the hair fell below her kneecaps in a flurry of tendrils that were pure blonde. Her eyes now shone with a look of maturity, as her facial expression was that of a cheerful expression. She had much to be happy about, and one of them was her secret love for someone who would be returning shortly.

Rudhira.

It had been a long time, but it had been worth it. The look on her face didn't quite compare when her mother had told her that the acclaimed "Nox" would be returning, now known as a King on his planet, she had smiled for hours knowing that she would see him again.

And today was the day.

She had made sure that her hair was combed, and her dress was free of any wrinkles so that she could look beautiful for him. She had smiled in the mirror, her expression delightful to her own tastes. Her dress was ethereal, its color transparent to the mirror while she had spun around in a desperate attempt to feel princess-like—but to no avail, she was more than a princess to Rudhira: she was his first love, and his best friend. And hopefully, they could continue to be friends now that he had returned. Now that she was able to see him again.

He had walked down the courtyard in an attempt to clear his head. Knowing that the princess would be around here, he knew that she would most likely not recognize him in his armor, nor would he seem to be as youthful as before—his face much more grown up, and his body muscular than when he was twelve. But one thing remained the same during his change from boy to adult: His love for Serenity.

It had not changed at all, nor would it ever. His love for her would always be true, simply because of the reason that he existed—she was his breath, the air to his lungs, and without her, he could not survive. And somehow, he didn't want to live without her, knowing that she was simply nothing more to him than a breath of air—she was much more than that… And he didn't want to live without her.

"Princess… Have you missed me while I have been away?" He asked to himself. He had known of her escapades with the Prince of Earth, Endymion, and he had also known that the Queen had been involved in it. How he cursed the Prince, knowing that he could never reach Serenity in a way that he had seen visions of. He knew what she looked like, and he had seen her and him together—hearing about it from the local castle knights, their gossip filling his ears like honey to a bee; only it had stung his heart with every drop of its fated sweetness. His desire for her grew, though, and he could not imagine not fighting for what he believed in. He loved her, and thus, he would not give up. Life meant more to him now that she had entered his life, and he didn't wish to simply back down because some Prince of the Earth wanted to take a shot on his princess—his childhood lover.

No, he would not back down. And he would refuse to give up that easily. His training had taught him to never look back, and he refused to step down from the woman that he loved with all of his heart.

- - -

She had wandered out of her room, heading down the stairs in a fluttered mess. Her body was tired at the same time, as she was worried about seeing Rudhira. As she exited the castle, she went out onto the courtyard and saw that fated tree that they had talked to when they first met—and someone was underneath it, their armor shining in the resilient light.

Her heart sank as she neared it, seeing the face of a most handsome man who seemed to be upset and distressed. Was it him? …Could it really be him? He looked up as she neared him, his facial expression staying the same.

Would she recognize him, if he simply kept his expression normal? Or would she notice him right away? He had to know…

"H-..hello," she would say with a gentle voice, looking at him with a blank expression.

"Hello," he would say, returning her advances. He would try not to stare at her too much, since he might frighten her if she didn't recognize him.

"I waited for you…for a long time," she said, holding onto her crescent locket. "I…missed you."

Now he knew: she did recognize him. He smiled gently and held out his hand, patting the spot under the tree beside him. "Would you care to sit with me?" he asked, trying to remain a gentleman for her.

She would smile, and then sit beside him, her distance to him as close as before—her scent filling his nose, knowing that she had grown-up; her body more womanlike and her voice more mature. She was seventeen now, a princess about to be queen in another year—and for the first time in forever, he had smiled. Truly smiled. Because of her.

"It would be an understatement to say that I missed you, too, Serenity," he said with a smile. "But…I cannot say anything like that to you, for I am just your knight now. Your protector. I protect you, and I shall return your friendship and be there for you if you need me." There. He had said it. As much as it had hurt him, he had said it.

Her heart sank a little, knowing that he didn't possibly feel the same. "…I…see," she said, looking down at her lap. "So I suspect you've heard of my arranged marriage to the Prince of the Earth, then?" she asked, twisting the fabric of her dress in one hand nervously.

She was wise. He had been wrong in thinking she wouldn't catch on, or even know that he knew beforehand. "I have heard, and I am happy…for you," he said, smiling in her direction as he gazed down at his armor, its reflection glaring at him. His expression looked pained, even if he tried to make it happy, he had failed.

"Thank you," she said with a feigned smile, a façade put on for him to hide her true feelings. "But…I am not as happy as you are about it. My mother is forcing me to keep the treaty of peace going—it's nothing but a rouse to make me queen."

He didn't look in her direction when she said this, only because if he did, he would probably have said something else—something a lot more sweeter than he was supposed to. But to no avail, he simply wished for her to be happy, and yet, she wasn't. Far from it, if he knew her like he did. But he couldn't let that get him down. He rose, and stood, looking at her. "Well, I have matters to attend to. The Queen has wished to see me, and your audience. Shall we?"

Serenity rose, despondently, unsure of what awaited her. "…Alright."

Little did she know of the pain that would be waiting for her when she got there.

- - -

Why is this happening to me? Serenity thought, as she slammed the door to her room, nearly knocking down a photograph on the wall as she threw herself onto the bed and sobbed on her pillow. Her mother had deceived her, causing her to be the martyr of her own life—her love for Rudhira would never be now, because she had done something terrible.

"She's…killed his father, his planet…is…" she looked down to see Luna, one of the cat guardian advisors looking up at her. "Oh, Luna, I am such a fool…"

"I'm sorry, princess," Luna would offer, climbing onto the bed and sitting. "I knew about this, and I warned the Queen that it would be a mistake. But to no avail, she went ahead and did it because she knew that you two were perfect for each other. True love, she said. And a princess like you…must marry the betrothed—not true love."

Serenity sobbed again, her pillow stained with tears. "I hate her!"

"Please don't say that, and please don't cry, princess—it'll be alright." Serenity shook her head at these words.

"No, Luna. It won't be alright. I am heartbroken at my mother's actions; all along, she was deceiving me—building me up like a tower and then sending me to plummet to the ground in a thousand pieces. I am nothing now but ash, dust…" she would turn to Luna, her expression fading. "…And I will never forgive her!"

- - -

I am such a fool, Rudhira thought as he walked down the gardens and saw nothing but that fated tree. Curse it all… I am to live forever in sin for her mother's actions. He kicked a nearby bush, knowing that he was far more pissed off than anything right now. He was simply… Well, there were simply no words for it, were they? In a matter of minutes he had been berated in front of his assumed "princess," and then, she had knelt down and apologized to him asking for her own forgiveness for her mother's actions. Only then would she storm out after glaring at her mother, heading to the main wing of the castle to do god knows what in her room. He knew, though, that she was crying. And yet, somehow he felt anger at both of them.

She had been a pawn all along. A simple piece of equipment to lure in the Prince of the Earth, and now, it was doomed for the both of them. He would have to stand to the side and watch the princess and her prince make merry, while he had to mourn deeply inside for his loss of her. It was all too much to bear… He wished that he could go back, to anytime before this, and forget everything he knew about the Moon Kingdom. As much as it hurt him to think so, he wanted to cut himself away from all emotions for her. For Serenity.

"A pawn… I was a pawn, too." He knelt down in front of the cherry blossom tree that they first met at and held his sword tightly in his hands, its tip pressed into the dirt. "I … I hate myself for this. Serenity."

Yes, it was all too much to bear. He knew that he would not be able to find true happiness without Serenity's love shining down on him like a beacon of light—but yet, he would have to move on, simply for her sake. She had not known of this plan of the Queen's, and he would not punish her for it. She deserved better than that, and if he could not at least give her happiness then how did that prove that he loved her? It was a self-actualization, at its best. "To be happy for her… I will be happy for her, if she is simply happy."

Yet he knew she wasn't, but soon, she would be. The Prince of the Earth could provide her with much more than he could; a shelter, security for the rest of her life, and a home. Something that he lacked now that he had his duties residing in the castle here. Being a knight was something he couldn't back down from, and even though his title was "king" he had to still show obedience for the Queen's rules here.

He rose, as he sheathed his sword and looked around. The Senshi were nowhere to be found, and he was alone for once in his life. Everything seemed so dark, no light to fill his heart with hope or warm it like a flame. She was his light—his hope—and without her he would have nothing. She could no longer reach him, nor fill his heart with the warmth of her smile, or that fated kiss that they had yet to have. Oh, how many times he had dreamt of it! As real as can be, they had kissed, their lips touching gently and his touch holding her close, his cape wrapped around her. She would shiver, but he would hold her closer and kiss her forehead after pulling away. It had been a dream that recurred for weeks, and then, he would dream of something new. His dreams had always revolved around Serenity, and they were as real as can be; as tangible to the touch, but intangible when he awoke to find that he was still in his bed, waking from a dream with darkness all around him. He would then roll out of bed, and hold his head, unsure of the pain that would await him if he could not make that dream real—if he could never hold Serenity as if he dreamt he could. He had missed her countless nights, knowing that everyday his training took him one step closer to her, his princess.

Once he reached the age of seventeen, he had realized that he was stronger than five years ago. He would then realize that Serenity was only twelve then, still a child and yet, not. Her maturity had been quite impressive when her had met her, and he knew that even though there was an age difference it didn't matter. He would always love Serenity, even if she was younger than him. Even if it meant loving her despite her youth, he would.

At the age of twenty-two, he found his youth gone and his now rugged appearance sometimes frightening while looking in the mirror at his reflection. He was unsure who the person was, nor what their purpose was in life. He knew the purpose was Serenity, but he had always wondered if he had never met her what his true purpose would be then. Now, his purpose in life was only half of Serenity—protecting her was the only thing he could do, since she had been stolen away from him beneath his guard.

"Curse it all," he said, while entering the castle and heading to his quarters through the stairs. "If protecting her means hurting this much… then I will have to keep my distance from her." He would then climb the many stairs before he made his way to his room. As he looked at his bed, he felt pain in his heart knowing that the princess was probably sleeping in her own bed, tearstains on her face. He wished he could brush them away, causing them to be dispersed by his hand alone. There was so much he desired to feel with Serenity, and his heart could not take it at times. He loved her, but watching her be in love with another man—namely the Prince of the Earth—caused him to feel blatant jealousy mixed with hatred for his life.

Where was she? Sleeping, he knew. What was she dreaming of? Him? Maybe a sweet serenade of wishes and dreams that only he could feel—his heart quickening at the notion that she could be dreaming of him. "Perhaps…I am in her heart in many ways." He would glance out the window to the blackened starry sky. "…Or maybe…not."

At that, he would turn to the bed and remove his armor, taking off his helmet and placing it on the table. He would then be in his long black pants and shirt before he climbed into bed, silencing his thoughts and preparing for his dreams that lead him to Serenity.

- - -

In dreams, only Serenity could see the feelings that Rudhira would acknowledge. His warm touch against her face, he would kiss her lips deeply, his hands moving through her tamed hair free of the buns and he felt its silky texture in his hands. Her lips brushed against his, their tastes mixing as he would pull her closer, his legs leaning against the bottom of the bed. Finally, he would turn her around, his body leaning onto the bed as he fell on top of her, her body colliding with his as they tastes fueled another in his lips. She would pull away, her gaze distant from Rudhira. He would take notice and hold her cheek with his hand.

"Love, are you afraid?" he asked, kissing her hand gently.

"Just a little… I mean… I trust you, completely…but…"

"You don't have to do this, darling. I already know your worth of how much you love me."

Serenity would turn away. "I…I want to. I love you so much. Beyond words."

He would nod slowly. "But, you're afraid."

"I'm afraid of how perfect it'll be," she said, looking at him. Her eyes were reflecting in his, his gaze able to be seen through her oceanic hues.

He kissed her at that moment, their tastes meeting again; his hand around her head, holding her gently. He pulled away, but for a moment, to whisper in her ear. "I love you."

"I love you…" she said, holding him close.

He pulled away and looked into her eyes. She took his hands and placed them on her side. "Make us one, Rudhira… Make me yours…"

He kissed her at that moment—his touch around her hips, their passion igniting in one second; his kiss sweet and bittersweet when he pulled away to kiss her neck, suckling on her neck as he would graze her ear, the sound of her earrings making a clank. "I love you, Serenity… My princess…"

- - -

He awoke at that moment, shaken by the dream. When he looked around, he realized it was morning. "Damn," he said to himself. As he looked around, he felt sweat on his body, his heart racing. Another untamed surprise awaited him as he got up. "Shit," he said, as he realized part of himself was there that was not supposed to be. A knock on his door caused him to be even more panicked.

"Be right there!" he said, in a fluttered motion as he began to try to calm his own self. "Think…think… Think of something bad." Thoughts filled his head, and all of them seemed to reflect on Serenity.

"Rudhira, are you there?" a female voice would ask. Instantly, he knew that voice. No, she couldn't be here. Not in his room! "It's me, Serenity…"

Shitshitshit… "I'm…here," he said, stumbling to put on his socks. "Hold on…" He ran to the bathroom and examined himself, his hair a mess. He ran his hands through it, combing it and fixing it; he shook it a little, and it fell past his cheeks, his bangs falling in a swept motion past his chin. "Okay, now that that's done…" He walked out and noticed that the "problem" was gone. Good, he thought.

He walked to the door and opened it, clearing his throat. As he opened it and glanced at the princess, his eyes were awestruck by her appearance. My, god, she looked absolutely angelic today; her dress with a white cape at the back of it, its silky texture flowing down past her legs. "Hi," she said with a smile. "I just, wanted to see if you were alright. I left you in a hurry yesterday."

He swallowed hard. Think, he urged himself. Don't let her stun you. But it was so hard to resist her, for she was irresistibly beautiful and amazing to the eye. "Oh," he said, as he backed into the room a little more. "I'm fine, really."

"I see," she said, as she noticed his nonchalance. "Are you alright, though? You seem a little…detained."

He smiled. "Oh, that. Well, I just woke up. I was trying to make my presence notable for you so that I didn't look like a wreck." He added a nod for more effect. Right… And the fact that I had another detainment that would disgrace you much, princess…

"I apologize," she said immediately. "I didn't mean to rush you. By all means, if you need more time to make yourself presentable, then I will leave you." She began to turn away.

"No, wait," he said, as she turned back. He looked at her with a gentle expression. He didn't want her to go. It would be heartbreaking if she left him. "Please. I'm presentable." She would turn to face him completely, staring at him with her blue eyes. "…Would you mind going for a walk?" he asked, surprising himself.

She would stare at him, as if unsure, but then she smiled. "I would like that very much."

He smiled. "Well, then," he said, taking her arm and hooking his through it. "Let's go then, shall we?"

They began to walk down the stairs, his touch feeling her skin. It was almost too good to be true that she was allowing him to do this with her. "So," she said with a smile, her gaze focused on the ground as they walked out of the castle. "You sleep well?"

His breath caught before he nodded. "Oh, yeah. I guess… You?"

She smiled. "A little. I had a troubling dream."

He swallowed hard. "Oh?"

"Yeah," she said, giggling to herself. "Don't worry about it. It was confusing."

They would enter the gardens, the castle courtyard lightened by the sun's light. She began to take the lead as she walked towards the cherry blossom tree. "Just like old times, isn't it?" she remarked as they stopped. She pulled her arm out of his, which made his heart sink.

"Yes," he said, glancing at her. "Very."

She would smile, before she took a seat on the ground below the sakura tree. "Well… I came to see you for another reason, too. So…"

He sat down beside her. "Oh?" he asked, looking at her. "And what reason is that?"

She would look down at her dress, its fabric surrounding her as she fingered a piece of the grass entwining it in her index finger. "It's sort of, personal. I thought what I have to say to you should be kept between us, and no one else."

"I understand."

"I have…been keeping a dark secret for a long time. When you left for Nox, I found myself torn. Shattered. I longed for you to return, and when you would, we would spend an eternity together. I felt emotions for you that I've never felt for another… And I realized on my twelfth birthday that what I felt for you was love."

He would look at her with a distant stare. Was she really saying what he thought she was saying? Did she totally feel the same for him?

"I…I love you, Rudhira. I know you may not feel the same, but…I feel as if I can tell you anything, and I'm hoping you won't hate me for this." She would smile at him gently, before taking his hand into hers.

He swallowed, feeling the pain. He could never love her—his life was dedicated to protecting her solely, now that she was betrothed to the Prince of the Earth. Their love could never be, as perfect as it would be, they could never love another… And that truth caused his heart to throb in pain.

"Serenity, I'm sorry," he said, slipping his hand out of hers. "But we can't do this. Granted, I feel the same for you, but you must marry the Prince of the Earth—he's your destiny, not me. I can only protect you, and be your knight."

She felt her hand hit the grass in a painful ache of her heart. She turned away, her tears forming in her eyes. She was broken, defeated… her heart aching in a way she never thought she'd feel from him. "I…I see," she said, as she looked at the grass. "That was foolish of me, then. I apologize to you." She rose from her seat and stood, her cape blowing in the wind as she kept her gaze away from him. "I must go. I'm sorry for wasting your time."

He looked up at her, and wanted to stop her. By all of the power in him, he wanted to prove her wrong. He wanted to tell her that she wasn't a "fool," nor was she wrong in doing anything. That she hadn't wasted him time at all, for he had all the tme in the world for her. Any time at all. He wanted to say to her how he felt, his words endless in comparison to how he made her feel. She was his sun, the light in his world—but no, he couldn't. She began to walk away, in a flustered hurry, her heart obviously broken. And all he could do was curse himself. "Damn it all."

Why did things have to be so painful? So cursed? He loved her, and that much of a right was taken away from him the moment the Queen had decided that he wasn't worthy enough to love the princess. "Damn it all to hell!" he said, kicking the trees bark and causing several cherry blossom petals to scour in a flurry around him. His anger was not towards the princess, but towards Fate—for it was unkind and cruel to him, his heart pounding as he began to walk towards the castle, knowing that today he would ignore his duties and lock himself in his room to reflect on how pained he was.

- - -