Hey everyone, sorry about the wait but things just happen that you can't get out of anyway enjoy chapter sixteen and please review with any compliments or criticisms.

daisyboo xx

Diclaimer: I do not own sailor moon or any of the characters, only the ones created by my own imagination

Chapter Sixteen

Serena shock herself slightly as she returned to the present occurrences and thoughts that involved her brother left her for a moment. Tears had escaped from her eyes as she thought of James and all that he had given up just to see her live. He had given up his life to save her and she thanked him everyday. However, James had given Serena all the duties that came with being a sole to a large and important kingdom and Serena had to admit that she had been a little fazed by her new role but she vowed to James and herself that she would complete it to the best of her ability. Serena smiled then as thoughts of her brother returned to her and her thoughts returned to his final moments of life that were held within her loving but fearful embrace. Serena would have given up absolutely anything to see her brother for one last time and she missed him more than life itself. James had been her one true love and although she loved her husband, Diamond, very much, nothing could replace the yearning of fatherly love that James had given her, in absence of their father. He had loved her dearly, protected her and played with her and Serena had adored him. James had been Serena's constant shadow, since the day she was born and the words that his father gave to him, rung in his ears, until his final breath left his body. Theodore had told his son that if he was unable to, then James was to protect his family with everything that he had and James valued nothing more than family.

However, after Theodore's death, James had taken upon the demanding male role that was expected of him and prepared himself fully for the future, even though his mother still ran the country. James was the Crown Prince after all and he prepared himself thoroughly for the role that would follow. His first act was to select a suitable wife that would please his subjects and also please himself. He wanted a woman who was beautiful but who could also be intelligent and even a little fiery. He wanted a woman who would get along with his sister and would love her as much as he did and that was when his eyes fell upon the beautiful fiery princess of Mars, Raye. Raye had only recently joined the Moon and began training to become one of Serena protectors but she had caught James' eye and James had caught hers. She had only just turned fourteen at the time and James was sixteen but he and Raye were instantly captivated by each other. They dated for a few months and then James proposed. Raye had been thrilled and was so much in love with James that she instantly accepted. Everyone was extremely happy at the match and that included Queen Serenity, Raye's parents and even Princess Serena herself. Serena loved Raye like a sister and was happy that she would now be able to official call her family. Raye and James were due to wed once Raye turned sixteen, which was a while off and both could not wait. Raye and James had never been as happy as when they were together but then tragedy struck the young couple, when James was taken whist defending his sister.

Raye had been heartbroken with James' death but she continued with her studies and became one of the best Sailor Scouts. She was very dedicated to her commitments and became very busy with them so she would not have to think of James, which was very painful for her. However, Serena helped Raye through her pain and together they both recovered as normally as can be expected, although the pain of losing James would always be there. Serena's thoughts were broken then as the music finished for the dance and Raye left her partner. Serena watched Raye's partner as he left the ballroom and was almost certain that he was Mark. Serena caught his gaze for a second and then turned away once she realised that he was watching her intently as Diamond tightened his hold upon Serena's arm, oblivious to the fact that his wife's eyes were wandering. However, Serena's gaze was completely broken, once Mark left the ballroom and she saw that Raye was approaching both her and Diamond. She composed herself expertly as her friend embraced Serena in a warm hug and then allowed Diamond to kiss the back of her hand politely. However, Raye suddenly noticed the waistcoat that Diamond was wearing and stepped back a little in surprise but she said nothing and just looked at Serena instead. Serena caught her gaze and then Raye approached her again.

"Princess, may I have a word?" Raye asked Serena politely as she curtsied to the beautiful royal couple before her.

"Of course," Serena accepted as she turned from Raye for a moment to speak to her husband, "I shan't be long, honey."

"Be as long as you want, princess," Diamond replied lovingly as he lightly brushed Serena's lips with his own, "but please don't be too long as my arms feel bare without your warm sweet presence."

"I shall try," Serena replied as she smiled at Diamond and then Celeste approached Diamond to claim her brother for the next dance that was about to start.

Serena and Raye then left the warmth and pleasures of the ballroom and walked out elegantly together onto an adjoining balcony that was connected to the ballroom and looked out onto a beautiful sparkling ocean before them. The ocean was calm tonight as the slight waves that bounced on the surface leisurely wandered to the large sturdy marble standings of the balcony that were submerged magically in the water. Serena watched the water for a brief moment and then she turned to Raye. There was a fire in Raye's eyes that Serena had not seen in a long time and she had to admit that it scared her a little.

"What's wrong, Raye?" Serena asked worriedly as she approached her dark-haired friend cautiously.

"What's wrong?" Raye yelled in a heated whisper as tears emerged from her sparkling violet eyes, "what's wrong, you ask? Sometimes you can be so brainless, Serena."

"Is it the waistcoat?" Serena asked quietly ignoring Raye's comment after there was a brief pause between them.

Raye slowly nodded her head as tears began emerging.

"You noticed it too?"

"Of course, Diamond noticed my emotional staring and he asked me to do up the buttons too."

"Did, you?" Raye asked looking scared.

Serena just nodded as more tears emerged from Raye's eyes and then they enveloped each other in a warm tight embrace. They stayed in each other's embrace and took great comfort from it knowing that they were together still in their grief.

"Do you still think about him?" Raye asked vulnerably.

"Everyday," Serena answered sentimentally, "I will never forgot what he did for me and what he gave up just to rescue me."

Raye leant back then and stared at her beautiful friend who she was supposed to protect with her life, just like James had done willingly, almost two years ago.

"Do you still love him?" Serena asked as she looked at Raye with soft eyes.

"Of course," Raye answered quietly as she nodded her head, "James was my first and only love."

"You can move on, Raye."

"Yeah but its not as simple as that but sometimes I wish it was because I still think of him, every second of everyday," Raye admitted as she lowered her head in grief.

"But you looked happy, only a few minutes ago."

Raye lifted her head suddenly then as she looked at Serena, a little horrified at her mentioning that she had dishonoured James' memory.

"But it's okay, Raye. James would want you to be happy."

There was evident sorrow in Raye's violet eyes and Serena comforted her in a warm friendly embrace. Tears fell from Raye's eyes and Serena gently began stroking her protector's sleek dark hair. Raye cried into Serena's loving hold but then the tears subsided a little, when Raye heard Serena's sweet voice.

"James would have wanted you to be happy, Raye."

Raye looked up at Serena then and looked into the soft sparkling blue of her infamous eyes.

"Really?"

"Of course," Serena nodded comfortably, "the one thing James never was, was selfish, he would have wanted you to be happy, Raye."

Raye sorrowful eyes began shining dazzlingly then and a large smile brightened her face.

"Your right, Serena, as usual," Raye stated as the smile stayed in its position, "James wouldn't have wanted me to mope forever and for that I'll always love him."

A smile crept onto the dignified Moon Princess' features then and she looked admiringly at her friend.

"Now, go and grab that happiness."

Raye looked as if she was going to burst full of happiness then and she hugged Serena in a less dignified manner than usual. Raye and Serena gazed at each other then as Raye laughed and finally left the glowing princess.

"Thank you, Serena."

"No problem, Raye," Serena whispered quietly to herself as she saw Raye re-enter the ballroom, "just be happy."

Tears escaped from the princess' eyes then as she watched her friend approach a tall male and whispered excitedly into his ear. The man was tall and extremely handsome with short ruffled blonde hair and green eyes. He was wearing an elaborately decorated midnight blue coat with a satin white shirt and black trousers with matching boots. He looked worried for a moment until Raye whispered eagerly into his ear and then his worried expression turned to one of sheer happiness and completeness. He then instantly sweep Raye up into his arms and planted a passionate kiss upon her lips. Serena watched the happy exchange between the young lovers and then she left her watchful position. Serena walked along the length of the balcony that over looked the calm clear waters of the sea before her. She was lost in deep thought of her lost brother, James and her husband, Diamond. Serena smiled thinking of the men that had been in life and how protective they were of her. However, she stopped dead in her tracks then, when the Earth entered her view and she stared wide-eyed at the planet that had always enchanted her. It was beautiful and bright and it hung in the inky black sky like a proud natural orb surrounded by its loyal small but shining stars. Serena sighed heavily then as she approached the safety barrier of the balcony to get closer to the planet that she loved so much. Serena stayed glued to her spot, as her eyes never moved off the beautiful floating orb the entire time she was in that position. She became completely engrossed in the haunting light of the Earth and nothing else, until someone quickly grasped Serena in a strong embrace and placed a firm hand across her mouth to prevent her from screaming.