"I know you're not talking to me, Rini, but goodnight!" Serena's voice floated up through the floorboards of the trapdoor to Rini's room. Rini did not respond to her voice. She just sat on her bed, listening. After a moment, Rini heard the sound of Serena's retreating footsteps. Good, she thought, go away.

Rini clutched the tube of soft pink lipstick that belonged to Setsuna. The lipstick was one of the few little things that Setsuna had given her or that she had secretly taken from Setsuna's apartment. Rini reached under her bed and pulled out a flowered box that Michiru had given her. Rini smiled and took the key on the chain around her neck and slowly put it into the lock on the box. She heard a little click as she turned the key, and then she removed it and opened the box. Inside, there was an array of different things: An earring that Setsuna had left at Serena's house once, a rabbit ring of Serena's, Rini's Time Key, two of Haruka's racing badges, and a pretty crystal lid to a perfume bottle Rini had swiped at Setsuna's. There was a dried up buttercup from Lita's window-box garden, a bowtie that Darien had worn to one of the Christmas parties (it still smelled like his cologne), and a dual-color eye shadow compact of Michiru's that Rini had found on the table in Michiru and Haruka's apartment.

Rini delicately laid the tube of lipstick in the box, and tears came to her eyes. She pulled open the secret drawer in the bottom of the box. In the drawer were some pieces of paper, and at the bottom, there was a picture of Rini and her mother and father in the future. Rini slowly pulled this picture out of the drawer and looked at it.

"Mama," she whispered. She traced one of her mother's long, beautiful pigtails. She stared at her mother's kind, loving face. Had her mother really been so cruel to Setsuna and the others? "Why would you do this to Luna P, Mama?" Her mother was strong, her mother's power of love had saved them all countless times. So how was this to be explained? Why was this allowed to happen?

Rini set the picture down on her bed near the box, and she took the other papers out of the box and started to look through them. Finally, she found the one she had been looking for. She found the picture of her day at the beach with Setsuna, Hotaru, Darien, Serena, and Amy. Everyone had been so happy and carefree that day. Rini pulled the picture closer to her face. Setsuna looked happy, but there was something in her eyes. Rini stared a moment longer at the picture, trying to figure Setsuna out, then she hopped off the bed and hurried over to her bookshelf. She fingered each book, searching for the right one. Finally, she found what she was looking for: a pink photo album with a caricature of a rabbit on the front. Mina had given it to her one of the time she had gone back to the future.

Rini plopped down on her knees onto the nubby blue carpet and threw the album open. She leafed through the pages and finally found an event at which Setsuna had been present. Setsuna was standing with Michiru and Haruka, and the three of them were looking at Serena trying to argue with Darien. Setsuna was smiling, even laughing. Yet, her eyes still held that same look. What was it? What were Setsuna's eyes trying to say?

-

Darien sat on the edge of his bed with his head in his hands. Bright moonlight poured into his room from his big windows. There was no sleeping for him that night. He couldn't pull himself out of the state of depression that he was slipping silently into. Darien had gone to lunch with Serena, but he had not been able to speak to her. He had only been able to pick at his food and listen to Serena's cheerful voice carrying on about how nice the weather was supposed to be that Friday and how she'd just love to go for a walk in the park.

After lunch, he had gone to Setsuna's apartment. All of her things were gone. Every trace that she had been alive had disappeared with her. Darien went through the rooms like a ghost. His mind rebuked him at every turn.

What are you doing here, Darien? Are you searching for some little reminder? Are you trying to find some little part of her that you can keep with you forever? Are you looking for something to hold onto, now that your emotions are in a shambles? She's gone, Darien. You get to be a zombie, now. You get to forget all about her. Say goodbye to Setsuna.

Setsuna had more or less told him all of that the previous night. She had done her best to prepare Darien for what lay ahead. He thought he had been ready. Yet, here he was, wandering her apartment as though something of her remained for him. His heart ached horribly. Last, he reached the bedroom, where they had made love together, where he had held her in his arms and known that all was right with the world.

There was something. On the floor, there was a folded piece of paper. His heart missed a beat and he rubbed his eyes once to make sure the letter was real. Darien slowly walked into the room. He bent down, picked up the letter, and straightened. There was something inside the folds, a necklace of some sort. Darien opened the letter, still somewhat disbelieving. Upon opening the letter, he discovered that the object was a necklace. It was a simple sterling silver chain with a beautiful key on the end. Darien's heart skipped a beat again. The necklace was the one he'd given to her so long ago.

He exhaled in a tremulous sigh, then he began to read the letter, clutching the paper so that it wrinkled in his grasp.

If you get caught with this, we will be in a lot of trouble.

The necklace has a memory charm on it. If you always wear it, even after Raye tries to put the spell on you, you won't forget. You will harbor ever dream, every memory, and every part of our love.

However, you know that doing so will require quite a bit of acting. Your heart will hurt with the deep pain and sense of loss, and it may become overwhelming…

I do not wish that upon you, Darien. And even if you do not wish to use the charm that the necklace holds, if you cannot pretend for us, please at least wear the necklace as a symbol if not a mnemonic.

You know there is little chance for us.

I love you.

She signed no name, but he knew. Darien knew it was hers. He lifted the necklace in his shaking hand and stared at it. This was the key to their memories. This was his one chance not to forget her. However, he feared that he wouldn't be able to pretend to move on. He was afraid he would not be able to pretend he had simply forgotten. In many ways, the spell would be helpful. The spell would ease his pain. This necklace would only dull it.

"Oh, but I love you Setsuna!" He cried. "I love you so much…"

Now he sat, wakeful in his apartment, the necklace hanging around his neck. He had only to wear it during Raye's incantation to save his memories of Setsuna. That was all it would take. It would take a lot to continue loving Serena. It would take all that he had. He wanted so badly to care for Setsuna, to be with Setsuna, to love Setsuna. He had never been so completely torn down the middle between two opposing forces. Serena was his destiny. Serena had been his love for so many years. Serena had saved him more than once. He wouldn't forget Setsuna, but he wouldn't forget Serena. It would take a week before he could forgive her, but he could, and when he did, things would slowly go back to normal. Darien would wear Setsuna's necklace, and he would wait for the time when they could be together.

-

Darien and Raye sat in silence before the fire while they waited for Serena.

"Darien… Is it true?" she asked, sounding almost afraid of the answer.

"It doesn't matter, Raye. This is what Serena wants."

Neither of them spoke again until Serena arrived.

She came in, looking oddly cheery. "Okay. You ready, Darien?" She smiled. He did not reply, just as she had expected.

Darien and Raye stood, and Serena and Raye stood on either side of Darien. Darien closed his eyes. Raye stared at him a moment longer, trying to figure him out, then she closed her eyes and placed her hands together. Then she began the Japanese incantation.

Serena watched him and listened to Raye. The fire blazed. He was still furious with her, but she didn't mind. All of that would be over, and he would belong completely to her.

Darien silently vowed that he would be with Setsuna again in the future. He promised to her that she wouldn't have to be alone anymore. He would go to her, and their love would be fulfilled.

I promise.