Chapter 6

Serena ran until her chest burned and she finally stopped and sat on a bench inside of a beautiful park. She sat there and let her tears fall freely.

"Why did he have to do this to me? Why now?" Serena cried to herself silently. Thankfully for her there wasn't anyone in the park to here her. "Why couldn't Darien just leave all of this alone?" Serena's tears began to fall harder as the memories of her past came flooding back.

It had been exactly one year after the Sailor Starlights had left to return to their own planet and Serena had fallen into a deep depression that no one could figure the cause. It wasn't until Raye and Darien had found her one day, sitting in her room clutching a little pink teddy bear keychain, and crying softly to herself.

It was then that Raye immediately knew what had caused her princess's depression and the thought scared her to death.

"You were in love with him?" Raye gasped, forgetting that Darien was standing beside her. Serena looked up, fear showing through her tear filled eyes.

"In love with who?" Darien exclaimed, anger and hurt in his voice.

"Darien, please let me explain," Serena started.

"Who is he?" Darien interrupted. "I want his name now!"

Serena bowed her head in defeat, knowing that her deepest secret was about to come out. Luna came and jumped onto Serena's bed, laying her head in Serena's lap to offer some kind of support.

"Who is he?" Darien demanded again. When Serena refused to answer, he turned to Raye, giving her an icy look.

"His name is Seiya. He was one of the Sailor Starlights. He was here while you were gone. He was there for her while you were gone," Raye said, but stopped once she saw the terrified look on Serena's face.

Darien stared at Serena coldly, "So, you decided because I wouldn't stay with you that you would find someone else, is that right?"

Serena shook her head hard, "That's not true, please listen to me. I didn't mean to fall for him. You are my only love, Darien. Only you. I never acted on anything… not even he knows. He means nothing to me," Serena pleaded.

Darien walked over to her and slapped her hard across the face, "I cannot believe you. I tried to make a better life for you and me and what do I get in return? While I was gone, you go sneaking around behind my back!" Serena stared at him with shock and hurt. She never believed that her Darien would ever hurt her… physically. "I never snuck around… I never did anything. You are my only one. You are my destiny."

Darien turned and went towards the door, but paused looking back at Serena, "You are right. I am your destiny… and don't forget it." With those words, he walked out, leaving a broken Serena behind.

"I didn't see him for almost a month after that," Serena explained, barely above a whisper as Seiya sat there, listening intently. He could not believe what she had told him. Hatred burned inside of him as he thought of Darien laying a hand on her. "Things got better between us, but only after he was satisfied of my devotion for him."

"Why are you still with him?" Seiya asked. "Why be with him if he is going to treat you like this?"

"Because it is our destiny," was all Serena could reply. Silence fell upon the two as they sat there. Serena could not believe at how easily it was for her to tell Seiya the truth. He had found her while she was remembering, and after seeing his face, she knew she had to tell him. So she did. Finally, she was able to put to words the day that Darien had broken her. "Only Raye and Luna knew before now… none of the other senshi knows, and I don't want them to." Serena stood, "I need to go see Raye. She needs to know before Darien tries to call her." Serena stood and began to walk to Raye's, with Seiya following closely.

Serena sat on the temple steps as Raye brought her a cup of tea. Raye could not believe Darien. 'How could he hurt her like this again?' she thought as she handed the cup to Serena and sat down beside her. Raye and Seiya had been discussing the situation while Serena just sat there… staring lifelessly at the ground.

"Maybe Seiya is right, princess. Maybe… and I know this sounds weird coming from me, but maybe you should reconsider this whole 'destiny' thing," Raye said softly.

"No," was all Serena said, never looking up.

"I think Raye is right," Luna's comforting voice said as she strolled up to the three. "I heard your mother talking to your father about the little incident outside your house, Serena, and thought you could use a comforting shoulder.

"Raye is not right and you know it, Luna," Serena said. "Sailor Pluto already saw how the future was mapped out. My future is tied to Darien's."

"Luna," Seiya asked as an idea came to his mind, "Is there any way that you could summon Sailor Pluto here so we can discuss this with her?"

Luna thought a moment then nodded, "I think there might be a way."

"Then let's do it," Raye said as she jumped up and they all followed her inside.