Well hello all! It is so wonderful to be back at school and doing so much work! But while I love it I still hate it because it takes away from the amount of time I can work on this story. I wanted to post the last chapter of the dream section before i started rehearsal tomorrow and my time became even more consuming. But I will try my hardest to get the following chapter out to you all: even if that means taking a notepad to my classes and jotting down short notes lol! I want you all to know that those who have sent me suggestions or PMs on things I have read and considered them all. Many are giving me different angles to twist with and there is one specific idea I've been toying with but we'll jsu thave to see how that pans out. I do hope that you guys enjoy this chapter and savor it for who knows how long it will be before the next one. sorry I think that is why I made this longer than the others plus its Darien and Serena. I mean that's alot of history and I wanted to write more but I didn't want to overwhelm the story with this chapter. Like I said I do hope you enjoy it and send reviews if you can. Oh yeah keep in mind that all italics is the dream world.

Bless it be

From Betrayal to Redemption Ch. 16

Serena moved over to her balcony doors to look down at the roses that Darien had created earlier. She knew in her heart that she still had feelings for Darien, but what good were those feelings if there was no trust or loyalty? 'Love just isn't enough when you're in a relationship. There's so much more that are factors,' she thought as she moved back to the other side of the room. Even though Jason has assured her that nothing bad would happen to her due to her blowout earlier, she was still worried. Sleep was not coming easily and she couldn't seem to stop moving around the house.

"Maybe Jason is still awake?" she asked herself and closed her eyes trying to open the link they shared. When she hit a wall she didn't understand why so she tried again but was met with the same results. 'He must have shut down as soon as he hit the pillow. Now what am I going to do?'

Lying back down on her bed and closing her eyes, she didn't see her balcony doors being blown open. With a slight slit of an opening, a breeze drifted into the room carrying rose petals with it, each one landing around Serena and her bed. The smell of the petals invaded her senses sending her mind and subconscious to a dream state.

Darien had just come back into his room when he noticed his drapes were open. 'I could have sworn that I had closed them earlier,' he thought as he moved over to re-close them. He had recently returned home from the hospital where he helped perform two surgeries and one on his own. The night had not been an easy one and that didn't even include the events that had occurred with Serena. 'She seems so different and yet there still that glimmer.'

'She just doesn't share it with you anymore,' his mind said.

"I have to find a way to get her to understand and take me back. But what?" he asked himself as he sat on the edge of his bed. He starred at a picture of Serena and him on his nightstand and couldn't help but recall when that photo had been taken.

Becoming frustrated with himself he decided to get some sleep before his shift picked back up again and laid down in bed. As he turned his body away from the window he did not notice when the drapes spread back open and the moonlight shined down on him.

"Sere, what are doing out here?" Princess Amina asked her when she came out onto the balcony.

"Just thinking," Princess Serenity said as she looked out to the skies.

"You're dreaming about it again aren't you? You know it's forbidden Sere."

"Doesn't mean I can't have thoughts involving it. Plus I heard the council discussing them just the other day."

"That doesn't mean anything will come of it."

"Doesn't mean anything won't. Look nothing is wrong with just looking," she said and turned to her cousin. "Go back inside and have fun. I'll be in soon."

"How you can even look at it with that mask on is beyond me," she said. When she got no reply and only Serenity looking at her with an exasperated look she relented and said, "Fine, but it better be soon or I'm sending Venus out here to get you."

"I'm shaking in my heels," Serenity said with a smile and turned back to look at the skies when Mina left. "You can't be as bad as everyone says. Nothing that beautiful can be."

"I was thinking the same thing," a male voice said.

She turned around and saw a man dressed for the masquerade ball in a tuxedo with a top hat and a simple white mask covering just his eyes. At first glance she thought him only to be another suitor trying to gain her attentions, but when she looked again she found nothing at all familiar about him. He had a different air about him that no one she had encountered here in the alliance possessed.

"I hope I didn't frightened you," he said when she had yet to speak any words.

"No, of course not. I was just taking a breather from the dancing."

"It looked to me as if you were speaking on something. 'Nothing that beautiful can be.'"

"Wishful thoughts," she said and made her way back towards the ballroom.

When she walked back into the room she saw her mother's eyes catch hers and beckon her over. As she walked in her direction she passed her friends smiling with their dance partners-their Planetary Knights- and being twirled around the floor.

"I thought that we discussed you not wandering off anymore Serenity," her mother chastised.

"I apologize Mother. I felt the need to get some fresh air."

"Sit with me," she said and turned her body to face her daughter's. "I know that you find these events dull and boring darling but they are-"

"No I love these balls Mother. I just don't appreciate the endless advances I receive from these gentlemen who know nothing about me. Nor do they care to."

"I know that it is hard Serenity, but you know that it has to be done. We can't have the future queen ruling alone can we?"

"You do."

"I had your father for many years before having to do so. Your people just want the assurance that the line will not end with you. That there will be future heirs to carry on what has been put in place. But we can talk more about this tomorrow, for now I want you to have fun."

Kissing her mother on the cheek, she went back to the dance floor and made sure to avoid men's eye contact so she would not have to dance with them. She headed towards the stairwell and was about to make her way up when a hand touched hers and said, "May I have this dance fair lady?"

Looking over her shoulder she saw it was the man from before but without his hat. She saw that he had ebony hair that fell into his eyes and looked soft to the touch. She had intended on going upstairs and look at the festivities below but something was drawing her to this man. She let him take her hand and lead her back to the floor where he twirled her in a circle before placing her comfortably in his arms and starting a simple waltz.

SCENE CHANGE

"Does Endy look…I don't know… frantic to you guys?" Zoicite asked.

"Endymion doesn't get frantic," Malachite replied.

"No, I think he's right Mal. Look at him," Jadeite said. "Yo E! You're making us dizzy with the pacing try standing still."

"Endymion, I'd like to speak with you," his mother Gaia said from another room.

When he entered she ushered him over to her and said, "I know that this is a difficult time for you, even though you don't want to say so. Having to become betrothed to someone you haven't even met isn't the way I wanted this to be for you."

"Mother, you know that Father made sure that nothing of that sort would occur unless he and the Moon Queen come to complete understandings on everything along with the others in the alliance."

"That I do, but I always know your father. When he sets his mind to something there is nothing that will come in his way of achieving it. Much like you."

"Well then you have nothing to worry about."

Looking at her son she saw something flicker in his eyes and could have sworn she saw a smirk across his lips. "What are you hiding from me Endymion Terrance Chiba Shields IV?"

"What ever makes you think I am hiding something from you mother? I can't just be excited about the turn of events?"

"A little too excited I'd say."

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, we're descending upon the Moon. We should be there in approximately four minutes and 27 seconds," a man in uniform stated and left.

"I better get back to the guys then. I'll speak more with you later," Endymion said and started to walk out of the room when he heard his mother ask, "You've been here before haven't you?"

He turned back to her and could see the smirk on her face. "No need to answer darling. As long as you're happy then that is what is important. I just hope that you are not putting yourself in a compromising position for yourself or for your kingdom."

Kissing his mother on the cheek he said, "Don't worry so much Mother. Everything is going to happen as we want them too."

When they arrived on the Moon and came face to face with the Moon Queen and her guard, the generals and Endymion took gulps and deep breaths.

"Queen Serenity it is a pleasure," King Terrance said as he placed a kiss on her hand.

"I would have to say the same. Gaia, it's wonderful to see you," Serenity replied.

"It has been quite some time Serenity, but this is well worth the moment," Gaia said. "Did they just vanish?" she asked when she saw the Sailor Scouts disappear from the grounds in their respective element.

"They have other duties to attend to. You'll see them often on your stay, I assure you. But let me introduce you to my daughter, Serenity."

Curtsying before the royals Princess Serenity said, "Welcome to the Moon Your Majesties."

"Why thank you Serenity. I'd like to introduce you to our son…Endymion."

When Serenity looked up she saw the same man she had danced with at the ball being introduced as Prince Endymion of Earth. 'The Masquerade Ball…I…I danced with HIM!'

SCENE CHANGE

"Serenity, get out of here!" Endymion screamed as he saw more men coming towards them.

"I'm not leaving," she yelled back and gripped on to his hand tighter.

"I won't let you die because of me. Please go and hide."

Looking him in the eyes, she relented and said, "I love you, please be careful."

When she was out of sight he made his way to the balcony and looked down at his and Serenity's people fighting a losing battle.

"Oh how sweet and delectable: the Earth Prince," a menacing voice sneered. "Why not do the smart thing Endymion and join me? You can rule besides me as King of the Universe with all the power you want at your disposal."

"I'd rather do the tango with a jelly fish," Endymion replied as he checked behind him once more to make sure Serenity was out of sight.

"You can't hide her from me, Endymion. Now I will ask you one more time, join me or suffer the consequences!"

"I'm going to take you up on the latter offer. I wouldn't join with you if you were the last woman in this world. You are a disgrace to your people and for what they stood for. You are nothing but a cheap imitation of what Serenity is."

"Really? So why don't I just eliminate her then so there will no confusion," she said and aimed her staff at Serenity who had came back outside after deciding she wouldn't leave the man she loved to fight for her planet alone. It was her home after all and Endymion had taken it upon himself to defend not only her but it as well. When she looked up to the skies she didn't even have time to gasp as she saw the black energy beam coming straight towards her. Closing her eyes and accepting the inevitable she was startled out of her reverie as she fell to the floor with a heavy body on top of hers.

"ENDY!"

"It's okay Sere. I'll be fine I promise."

"No, you're hurt and it's all my fault," she said as tears started to escape her eyes.

"LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO!" Beryl bellowed out. "I'm not going to miss killing you this time."

Looking down at Endymion, she saw he had fallen unconscious or worse… 'No I won't think that. I have to focus,' she thought. Starring up at Beryl she felt such immense hatred swimming in her veins towards this woman she didn't even know.

"Did the princess get a backbone? Let's see how well it can support her."

Before Beryl's attack could reach her Serenity flung her arm outwards an let loose an energy beam of her own, but not before Endymion had moved in front of her to block the dark energy beam. "NOOO!" Watching him fall to the floor with a dead look in his eyes, Serenity fell to the floor with him and begged for him to not die like this.

The energy beam however that she had sent out had hit Beryl and knocked her back down to the ground where Queen Serenity was.

"Endy? Wake up please," Sere begged. When she got no reply, she looked down at his dagger attached to his leg and a thought crossed her mind. 'I can't do this alone. The Scouts are gone, Endy…Oh god Endy…I love you and I promise we'll find a way back to each other. I swear it,' she thought to herself and plunged the dagger into her heart.

SCENE CHANGE

"I can't believe I got another 30! I really tried to study for this. And Ms. H is being so unfair with making me have Mom or Dad sign this. I'm going to be grounded for sure," Serena mumbled as she walked home from school. 'But…if there's nothing for her to sign then I can't get in trouble,' she thought as she balled the paper up and threw it over her shoulder with a confidant smile.

"HEY! Watch where you throw things at you Meatball Head! You could have put my eye out ya know?"

"Oh sir I'm so sorry for…wait what did u call me? How dare you insult me! You don't even know."

"It's pretty easy to assess that you're a Meatball Head I mean who gets a 30 on a simple Math test?"

Snatching her paper back she said, "Thank you kindly you big jerk!" and walked away not noticing the smirk across "the jerk's" lips.

SCENE CHANGE

"I love you," Darien whispered in her ear when he came up behind up in the Arcade

"I love you more," she said back when she turned to look into the eyes of the man she loved.

"Come on follow me," he said and took her hand.

When they arrived at the park he walked them into the gazebo that he had described weeks before. It was secluded and hidden well enough that no one passing by would see them or even the structure of the property.

"How did you find this place?" Serena asked as she looked at all the flowers surrounding her. "It's absolutely beautiful."

"Not even close to your beauty," he said said and handed her a pink rose. He took her hand and sat down on the floor with her in between his legs. "I want to tell you something."

"You sound so serious," she said while a face with the last word.

"It is."

Becoming weary she looked him in the eyes and asked him, "What's on your mind?"

"After everything that has happened: us being reincarnated, the fighting, the rediscovery of each other, being ripped from each other's arms, me being turned evil, forgetting you again thereafter, and finally now. We've been through so much together and I just want you to know that no matter what happens in this life or the next I will ALWAYS love you. Nothing can break what we have Serena."

With tears in her eyes she placed a kiss on his lips and said, "I fill the same way. I know in my heart that there isn't anything in this universe that can keep us apart from one another. We're meant to be together Darien. Now and forever," and kissed him again with more intense passion.

SCENE CHANGE

"Serena I can't be with you anymore."

"What? Darien, that's not funny. Come on."

"No Serena. I'm not joking. I can't be with you anymore."

Not wanting to believe what she was hearing she looked him in the eyes and saw nothing even close to what she saw moments ago: love, devotion, tenderness; now all that she was distance, cold distance.

'I have to be strong. I can't let her think I'm not serious about this. God, Sere please don't cry. I don't know if I can handle this if you cry,' Darien thought.

"But why? Darien we love each other. We have for a thousand years and we've… There's someone else isn't there?"

"No, Serena there's no else…right now. I don't want to be with you anymore. I'm tired of leaving my life based on some ancient destiny that was laid out for me thousands of years ago. I want to make my own choices and choose who I want to be with."

"And that's not me?"

Holding strong to his resolve, even though he saw tears coming to her eyes, he said, "No it isn't. Goodbye Serena."

"No, Darien wait! Please don't leave! Darien I love you," she screamed but Darien just continued to walk away. Not noticing as she fell onto the sidewalk weeping from the pain that was filling her heart or the tear that cascaded down his cheek.

SCENE CHANGE

"Serena what are doing?" Luna asked when she crept into the kitchen.

"Eating," she sobbed out.

"It's almost 4am and you're eating! Serena what has gotten into you?"

"Darien doesn't love me anymore. He…said he doesn't want me."

Watching as her charge sobbed out her heart all she could say was, "Oh Serena."

"I don't care if I get fat and ugly because it doesn't matter anymore. Darien doesn't want me and…" her words were broken off by her sobs.

Not being able to stand another moment, Luna jumped out of the window and ran towards Darien's apartment.

'If you stay with her she will die,' a man's voice said.

"No, I won't leave her! This is some kind of trick!" Darien shouted back in his dream state.

'You cannot be with Princess Serenity for if you do this is her future.'

Tossing and turning in his bed, Darien watched as he embarked upon his wedding day to Serena. He watched as she walked down the aisle towards him, took his hand as she placed the ring on his finger, taking her hand and placing his ring upon her finger, and he priest announcing them as husband and wife. As he lent down to give her their first kiss as a married couple, darkness feel over the skies and Earth opened up taking Serena down with it.

"NO!" He screamed as he woke up sharply trying to control his breathing.

"Darien, are you alright?" Luna asked.

"Luna what are doing here?" he asked once he got his bearings back.

"I came to see you about Serena."

"Not you too."

"Yes me too. I thought you were just going through some male phase to spread your wings and see how far you could go, but would once again regain your senses once you realized the magnitude of what you had done but I was surprisingly wrong. Do you have any idea what you are doing to Serena? That girl hasn't slept in days and all she does is cry whenever someone mentions your name. Why in the name of Selene would you break up with her?"

"That's my own business Luna. I'm not your charge so don't even think…"

Before he could finish his sentence Luna was in front of his eyes with her claws drawn. "You may not be my charge Endymion Terrance Chiba Shields IV, but that girl whose heart you broke is. And I will do everything in my power to make sure she is safe and happy."

"Get your claws out of my face. You think the world has come to an end just because I don't love her anymore. I have the right to choose who I want to love ya know? Why do I have to go with what someone else tells me?"

"Because it's your destiny! You two were meant for each other."

"Well things change. Now if you'd do me the greatest pleasure: SCRAM."

When Luna left Darien looked up at the skyline and couldn't help but think of Serena. "I'm so sorry Serenity. I do love you. So much that it hurts and I will do everything in my power to keep you safe. Even if that means hurting you the way I have."

SCENE CHANGE

"Darien, open the door!" Mina yelled. "It's Mina and Amy!"

"Are you two crazy? It's not even 8 yet," a groggy Darien muttered.

"We know, but this was so much important than sleep. We went to Serena's house to check on her and see how she was since hasn't been in school. And to try and make her see that even though we didn't want her as the leader we still wanted her as apart of the team and that we were sorry for what happened, but…"

"Mina slow down and come inside. What happened when you went to Serena's house?"

"She hasn't been sick! Everything in her room was gone Darien. Her books, her comics, her favorite stuffed animals, the pictures of her family around the room. EVERYTHING!"

"All that was left was pictures of us and you plus the gifts that you had given her and this," Amy said when she handed them the Star Locket.

"This was left in room?" Darien asked as he fell onto the couch. "She never would have left this. Something must have happened to her."

"Yeah like she packed up and left Tokyo! Her entire family is still there but she's gone and I think Luna went her too," Mina exclaimed.

"Did you talk to the other girls?"

"Both of them are still on the same page they were the other day. They could careless right now and just think that she's trying to get our attention."

"Gimme a sec and I'll head back over there with you."

Minutes later Mina, Amy and Darien arrived at the Tsukino residence and were greeted by Serena's mother. "Oh hello you three. What can I do for you?"

"We were looking for Serena Ms. Tsukino. Is she here?"

"Serena left Mina. I could have sworn she said she was going to say goodbye to her friends at the Arcade. She never made it?"

"I suppose not. Do you know where she went?" Amy asked.

"She moved to…Oh that's right! She wanted me to give you these letters," she said as she rushed over to the mantle and handed Mina one and Darien the other. "She said everything would be explained there. You kids have a good day."

"Thank you ma'am," Darien said as she closed the door.

"I guess this one is for all of the girls, huh?" Amy asked.

"We'd better get over to temple and show this to them," Mina said. "You coming Darien?"

"No, I'll see you guys later," he said as he focused on the words Serena had written.

When he finished the letter he just continued to reread her words over and over again.

……………I know that you don't want to be with me anymore Darien, but remember that a part of me will always love you. I won't hold you any longer against your will to be with me. We no longer have any connection to one another as I have returned the star locket you once gave me……………I do hope that you find happiness with whomever you choose to be with………I realize now what you meant when you said not wanting to be ruled by a destiny set by others………And I will making my own new destiny for myself without you………

As he looked at the lake he had ended up at while he was thinking all that he could say was, "Serena."

When Darien awoke from his dream he could see the sunlight coming through his window. By the look of the clock his next shift was coming up in half hour and he had yet to take his shower. "What was with that dream?" he asked himself when he went into the bathroom. "It was like it was being shared between us." As he turned on the water he replayed the sequences of the dream and could vividly remember the pained expressions of Serenity and Serena's faces. "I have to make this right. I can't live my life without her. We've been through too much to just give up now." Before he could even get into the shower though his work cell was ringing telling him that they needed him in now. 'Maybe I can find a break to go and talk to her,' he thought as he put his helmet on his head and made his way to the hospital.

All that Serena could do for the moment was stare back at the wall in front of her. She couldn't understand why she had those dreams and she knew in her soul that Darien had shared them too. She wanted to hold strong to her resolve and not give in to what she was feeling but… 'I know what he said was true about the dreams, but I can't just forgive him now. He still should have come to me and WE would have found a solution. But I do know now that he was hurting as much as I was. But if he had come to me he wouldn't have been hurting.' She went out to her balcony and look down to see Matt's car leaving the driveway. As she looked up at the same spot the moon had been hours ago she thought of her mother. 'I don't even know what to do anymore. I wish you were here to help me. Luna is great and you know that but I need you.'

"We have a problem Serenity and it is needs to be fixed now."