Disclaimer: Er, if I say yes, all Sailor Moon fans will hunt me down and kill me in the middle of the night with their moon sceptors... so, no.

A/N: (sniff sniff) We're nearing the end of this story, but I am so proud of all my reviewers for really stepping up to the plate and delivering their best every chapter! For last chapter, I have to thank: moonrabbit04, Caytlyn Rose, Lady Razeli, spiegel-octopi, serenity11287, twilightlover05, Idsprincess, sakuraK155, Jubilee Torch, Double G, heatqueen, cardcaptor eternity, mae-E, defyentropy, Reviewer, and mystic soilder. Wow, the most reviewers for a chapter yet! (Does happy dance).

Unfortunately, email alerts aren't working so when you do receive notification, read, enjoy, and review! Sorry it's a little short, but I'm really busy so writing time is hard to find!

Self Destruct

Rated T

Part 16: "Kiss of the Saber"

The chilly wind slapped at Tuxedo Mask as he zoomed to the park on his motorcycle, the cold biting at him like a thousand knives, but he didn't feel it. His mind was on fire with worry and determination, and his lips formed in the word "Serena" over and over again. His eyes were narrowed in concentration, thoughts and pleas to the heavens racing through his brain as fast as he was driving.

Hurry, hurry. Please wait for me, Serena... I love you...

I will not let you die.

I refuse.

But would destiny deliver him in time?

He tried not to think about what would happen if it didn't. No, he could not think like that.

The park came into view and the ebony-haired caped crusader rounded the corner in a blur. Immediately, the sorrowful group came into view, grouped around their leader like she laid upon her casket, not a bench.

"Oh god, no," Darien choked out, catching sight of Sailor Moon, Serena's, pale face that glimmered as she lost more and more energy. "NO!"

He kicked the brake and launched off his bike desperately, running to her side. Almost dream-like, Serena's protectors parted for him. They knew, somehow, Tuxedo Mask would find some way to save her. It was like a whisper in their hearts, and they knew this was the hope they'd lost; this was the man to save their Princess. They moved away to give the grief-filled man room.

He held the key to returning Serena back to her normal self.

Tuxedo Mask gingerly lifted Sailor Moon's light body off the bench, and shook her gently by the shoulders.

"Sailor Moon! Wake up! Can you hear me?"

The girl made no responding movement.

"Please, Sailor Moon!"

Her eyelids didn't even move. Tuxedo Mask let out a despairing noise, holding her petite body he knew so well close to him. How could he save her? How could he awake his little bunny?

Oh Darien... her voice sighed in his head. Tuxedo Mask looked down at her face, almost peaceful in his arms. So loving and caring, yet so pale and lifeless... He felt so terrible for all she'd faced because of him. And now, he was losing her all over again.

"I love you," he whispered for only her to hear. "And I'm so, so, sorry. Please, wake up."

Then, he moved his head down and captured her slightly open lips in a fierce kiss, one that he'd been wanting to give her for so long. And suddenly, her body grew warm and Tuxedo Mask drew back as her mouth let out little feathery breaths, warm to the feel. He watched as an unseen wind lifted her hair and skirt, then she collapsed into his arms.

Sailor Moon opened her eyes, meeting black and realizing just who was holding her.

"Tuxedo Mask?"

She looked up, into her said savior's stormy blue orbs. She only saw relief with in, rather than contempt.

"I'm so glad, Sailor Moon," he smiled, and the girl felt her heart flutter.

He does care for me, he has to, he wouldn't have saved me if he didn't!

She smiled back, but the youma's harsh voice interrupted their passionate moment.

"How rude of you to interrupt her sleep, caped boy!" The monster grabbed the handle sticking out of its head and yanked. A saber slithered out of its head.

"You'll pay!"

The youma flew at the couple, arm outstretched and sword going in for the kill. Its face was contorted in hate.

Tuxedo Mask looked around just as Sailor Moon shouted, "Watch out!" She shoved him from her just as the sharp saber slashed her side.

"SAILOR MOON!" her friends and Darien screamed, powerless to stop the fast-moving youma.

Pain-filled and almost delirious, Sailor Moon conjured her Moon Sceptor, and swished it at the youma.

"Moon... Sceptor... Elimination..." she gasped out in a voice laced with agony. She clutched at her side as it sent white hot pain all over. The pink power flew at the youma and dissolved it into dust. An ornate Nega Moon jewel fell from the droid's dusted head and collapsed into the heep that was once its owner. The dark light within blinked and flickered out, but Sailor Moon didn't see it. Her vision was going steadily black and all she could feel was the all-consuming agony from her side.

The girl dropped the Sceptor, unable to hold it in her weak and shaking hand. She pulled her other arm away from her side, and was shocked to see her white glove stained red all the way up.

"Oh," was all that escaped her mouth, then the world turned into a dark abyss and Sailor Moon fell to the ground, transformation shifting back into Serena.

A/N: Heh heh... er... please don't come hunt me down! I know, I know, evil! I must punish myself in the name of the moon! I'll update ASAP, and remember the more who review, the faster I update!

Oh yes, and remember, Rini was there! And she didn't know Serena was Sailor Moon! You'll see what happens, and Mars will have some choice words for poor Tuxedo Mask... And what will happen to our Serena??

Review!

AngelMoon Girl