Damn. It's been over a year since I posted the last chapter. I'M SO SORRY! Writer's block is a total drag, but believe me when I say that I've been trying to push through it. It may have been a year since my last chapter, but seriously, I've been working on this chapter on and off for at least 6 months. It's the longest I have ever taken to write ANYTHING. Anyway, onwards!

Thanks to: Boston, TropicalRemix, angeljme, wannabe kairi, Sailorfan reborned, Perfect Beauty, Jenbunny, fluffy, Francis, Miss Katrina Malfoy, Moon Princess Selene, Jessica, SulliMike23, life705, CharmedSerenity3, TaliMoonAngel668, and UniversalBunny for reviewing the previous chapter.

I haven't done a chapter dedication in a long time, but this chapter is most DEFINITELY dedicated to boston. Over the past year, you never gave up on this story, and without your encouraging reviews, this chapter would *still* not be complete. I felt that I just had to write something to acknowledge that I am getting your reviews, and that I am truly grateful. I didn't want to let you down. Thank you boston, this chapter's for you!


Title: Akai Ito
Author: Crystal Saturn
Rated: T
Chapter: 16- Life and Love and Why

"Ask me for what am I living,
Or what gives me strength
That I'm willing to die for"

It had been an emotionally draining day. Although Serena was exhausted, she found it herself extremely restless and agitated, making it almost impossible for her to gain a night of peaceful undisturbed slumber. But of course, who could sleep knowing that the end of the world was looming on the horizon, ready to bear down its wrath and bring about eternal darkness. Serena groaned in frustration as she kicked her covers away from over her head and flipped on to her side. There he lay, her angel amidst the darkness.

The moonlight shone through his eerily translucent silhouette as he lay on his side, eyes shut and hands clasped together in a prayer like manner, tucked under his head. He looked so peaceful lying next to her. His bare chest rose and fell with every deep, sleep filled breath he took. Serena rubbed her eyes dazedly in an attempt to correct her possibly, mistaken vision. He seemed so delicate, so fragile. It was almost as though his features were merely lingering wisps of candle smoke left over from a flame recently extinguished. Serena reached her hand out with hesitation. She brushed her fingers along his cool chest. A faint glow momentarily enveloped him as the lines of his figure became more visible and dominant. Serena's breath caught at the back of her throat. It was him. She continued to skim her fingertips across his arms and he shuddered in his sleep.

"I thought you said spirits don't need to sleep." Serena thought out loud, smiling to herself as she mentally noted all the changes to Darien's spirit self, the most obvious, being the lack of clothing adorning his upper body. It made her blush like crazy knowing that Darien was sleeping beside her in her bed without his shirt on, even if he was still almost invisible. How many nights had he spent like that, by her side, without her knowing? Serena edged closer to semi-nude man and nuzzled her head against his cool chiselled chest, closing her eyes to rest.

"Mmm... so warm..." He murmured under his breath as he felt her warmth, pressed up against his chest. One of his arms moved as he slept and his hand subconsciously found its way to the small of her back, holding her close.

Warmth, it was something he could only feel with her. It didn't matter how many blankets he crawled under, or how close he got to the flames of a fire, not sunlight or even hot water could warm his spirit. There was only one thing that altered his icy physiology, and it was her.

"Sere..." he hummed into her hair, kissing the top of her head gently as she slept.

As the sun chased the last remnants of the previous night's shadows away, it shone its light into Serena's window, splashing a gentle mauve radiance across her bedroom walls. It signified the glimpse of another day, and hope that the Dark Kingdom would not use the Silver Crystal to destroy all life in the galaxy. Not yet at least. Serena's eyes fluttered open. A quick scan of her bedroom confirmed her suspicions. He was gone again. Had it all been a dream? Merely an illusion of the heart? No, it had to have been real, for a single red paper rose lay on her study table. A kiss of cool air caressed her right cheek as she slowly sat up in bed, still bleary eyed and in need of more sleep.

"Good morning Darien." She stifled a yawn and contemplated shuffling back under the covers to resume her slumber. She had to believe he was there, because not believing meant that she would have to surrender some hope of the possibility of her Darien coming back. He gave her strength to face Endymion and the upcoming challenge of somehow regaining the Silver Crystal. He gave her hope of a new love and a future together. His existence reminded her of everything she had, and a world that was worth fighting for. Even still, six in the morning was too early in the day to be fighting the Dark Kingdom. Serena snuggled back into her bed, pulling the covers over her shoulders and drifted back to sleep.


Endymion paced up and down the floor of the apartment bedroom. What was he to do? It was only a matter of time before the Dark Kingdom tracked him down. He could only hide here for so long. Serena also had access to his hideout and it was almost certain that she too would appear before long. But maybe that's what he was waiting for. Maybe that's what he wanted, another confrontation. Why here, though? What was this place? What made it so special? Endymion searched about the apartment. There were no photo frames about. No little trinkets that gave any hint as to the identity of the owner. The furniture that decorated the apartment was minimalistic and of neutral tones. The whole place seemed plain and devoid of any homely touches.

Desperate for information, any clues at all to divulge the identity of the apartment's owner, Endymion pulled out drawers and searched through them. Medical journals. Articles on biomedical science. Was this person an academic? Maybe a doctor? He continued his search, his curiosity beckoning him toward the wardrobe in the corner of the bedroom. A black turtleneck. Grey slacks. A green jacket? Why did that jacket seem so familiar? Something within Endymion urged him to search deeper. Spotting the bedside table, he swiftly marched toward it, eagerly yanking on the metal ring of the top drawer. Success, what looked like a photograph. Black ink markings scrawled across the back of the photo paper.

"Hey Darien! Another typical Saturday at the Arcade. This photo captures your chemistry. Thought I'd give you a picture or some(one)thing you wanted, for your birthday. - Andrew"

Endymion turned over the photograph. His eyes widened as he focused his gaze at the dark haired man grinning cheekily at a pouting Serena in the photo. It was him. He was wearing a black turtle neck shirt under a green jacket. The same one that hung in the apartment wardrobe.

Darien

The name resonated within his mind. She had called him by that name when they first met. She tried to convince him that he had been brainwashed. Was she right? She had called out his name again during their latest battle. In fact, Queen Beryl had ordered him to take on the persona of Darien Chiba as he tried to seduce Sailor Moon into giving him her Silver Crystal. Why? Why was he pretending to be a man that looked exactly like him? How could such a person exist? If Serena was right and he was Darien after all, then why did he not remember anything about his own life? Either way, someone was lying, and Endymion still had no idea who he could trust.

The mechanisms within the lock of the front door clicked into place. The sound reverberated down the hallway, gaining Endymion's attention. It was her. Did she know that he was hiding there? Could she sense him, like he could now sense her? It wouldn't be long before he found out. Endymion ducked into the ensuite bathroom to hide as Serena quietly walked into the apartment. He reached for the grip of his sword and listened for her footsteps growing louder as her slipper clad feet padded down the hallway and into the bedroom. She sighed wistfully, heading straight for the wardrobe. As she opened the wooden doors, she pulled Darien's green jacket from its hanger. Wrapping it around her shoulders, she shuffled over to the queen size bed and crawled on top of the sheets.

"I've missed you, Darien." Serena hummed softly as she closed her eyes and imagined her protector lying by her side, much like the night when he had kissed her for the very first time.


The arcade doors slid seamlessly open, and the dark warrior stepped through. The constant electronic sound of arcade games, button mashing and the rustling of coins barely drowned out the noise of his heavy boots clicking against the tiled floor as he paced swiftly over towards the counter.

"Darien?" Andrew dropped a tray in disbelief.

"Darien's dead." Endymion's eyes silently scanned across the arcade as he noticed patrons slowly beginning to turn their gaping stares toward his direction.

"Right, of course... Who are you then?" Andrew lowered his voice to a hushed whisper as his gaze also briefly inspected the arcade, hoping that the oddly dressed man wasn't gaining too much attention. Endymion simply held up the photograph in his possession. "Ha ha! Buddy, the cosplay convention is across on the other side of town! Here, let me draw you a map." Andrew ushered the strange looking Darien doppelganger into the back room before proceeding with his previous line of questioning. "Darien never told me he had any other family, but the resemblance is just astounding. Who are you?"

"Tell me more about him." The mysterious man pointed to the picture once again.

"Uh, I don't know what to tell you. His name was Darien Chiba. He was a university student. He liked wearing green jackets. He was secretly in love with that girl in the photo, but wouldn't ever admit it. He was quiet, a hard worker, smart, and my best friend." Andrew attempted to sum up Darien's life in the simplest way. "Now it's your turn. Who are you?"

"I don't know." The dark haired man turned his attention back at the photograph in his hands. "I think I am Darien."


Darien grazed the back of his fingers across Serena's sleeping face, trying to push the stray strands of golden hair away from her eyes. She murmured softly in her sleep. Lately, it seemed like sleep was all she wanted to so. It was her only solace in a time where, at any moment, the world she knew and loved could end. She missed Darien, and it was as though only sleep could take away the aching in her heart, and replace it with fond memories and dreams of a happier time with her prince.

"I know you can't hear me, Sere, but I want you to know that I'll always protect you." Darien curled his translucent body closer to the petite sleeping girl in an attempt to feel her warmth. "You know," He began, tracing the outline of her bottom lip. "It's been so long since I've seen you smile. I would give anything to see you happy again." Leaning back against the bed, he watched her sleeping peacefully and burned that image of her into his memory. She always looked so serene when she slept. "We'll be together again. I promise."

Just at that moment, the sound of the apartment door gently clicking shut resonated from down the hallway. Darien swiftly rose to his feet, taking a protective stance beside Serena's sleeping form as the sound of footsteps began to grow louder.

"Woah, at ease, soldier." Endymion's deep voice preceded him as he quietly stepped into the carpeted bedroom.

"You can see me?" Darien took a defensive step forward as he clenched his jaw, ready for a showdown.

"It seems so. Maybe it's because I have the Silver Crystal now, or maybe it's because we're the same person." A seemingly dangerous smirk spread across Endymion's lips.

"We're not the same person." Darien's eyes lowered into a glare. "The fact that my spirit is over here proves that the Dark Kingdom is using my body as a means to manipulate Sailor Moon. I don't know who you are, but you're not me. You never will be, and you're not fooling anyone."

"Au contraire, my little fairy spirit, but it looks like I already have Sailor Moon eating out of the palm of my hand, and whether you like it or not, she loves it." Endymion watched as Darien raised a fist. "What are you going to do, punch yourself in the face? Because once again, whether you like it or not, it turns out that we really are one and the same."

"What..." Darien lowered his hand slowly. "What are you talking about?"

"Tell me, Darien, how did you and Serena first meet?" Endymion watched in contentment as Darien's eyes glazed over for a moment and he looked away. The armour clad man folded his arms across his chest in amusement as his other self seemed to be struggling with the question. "Something about a test paper..." Endymion hinted after a few more moments, knowing all too well that it would not help.

"What's going on?" Darien shook his head briefly as he struggled to wade through the mess of memories in his mind.

"Well, you see. A funny thing happened when I took the Silver Crystal from Serena, it started to restore some of my, or, your memories." Endymion reached into a leather pouch near his sword and produced Sailor Moon's locket. Waving his hand across the dull crystal, Endymion's form changed and he powered down into his civilian form, clad in grey slacks and a black turtle neck sweater.

"If you really are me, and you really do have my memories, then surely you know that Sailor Moon is the true wielder of the Silver Crystal." Darien glanced down at the sleeping teen to check that she had not been awoken by their conversation. "You'd know that you're not meant to have it. She is."

"That may be true, but you're forgetting, Darien, that I'm merely a vessel of the Dark Kingdom. Even with my memories coming back, Dark energy still courses through my veins. With your heart and your purity trapped as a spirit outside your body, who's to stop me from manipulating your memories and corrupting Sailor Moon and the Silver Crystal in order to take over the world all by myself?"

"You can't do that." Darien's voice threatened in a low growl. "I won't let you."

"What are you going to do?" Endymion slowly stepped toward his semi-transparent reflection, reaching through his chest to pry the green jacket from Serena's shoulders. "One by one, all of your memories are disappearing and becoming mine. It won't be long until you disappear too. Then who will protect Serena?"

"You will." Darien watched as Endymion turned his back away from him, flinging his green jacket over his shoulder and let out a sceptical laugh. "You don't know it yet. But when the time comes, you will be the one throwing yourself in front of her to shield her from harm, because you love her."

"We'll see," Endymion briefly glanced over his shoulder at Serena's sleeping form before walking out of the room. "I doubt it, but only time will tell."


. . .

So, just when you thought it was all coming together, I make Endymion crazy evil again ^_^ Right, well, I'm still stuck with what to do here, so I may need to take a bit more time to plan out the rest of my chapters a little more thoroughly. I also desperately need to update Summer Rain too. Ugh. I'll try to update soon!

Crystal Saturn