"The ball? You want to go there? Why? Didn't you say that the Prince isn't even worth a minute of your time?

- Yes, but mama, it's different now. He has my locket. And I want it back.

- But how did¾ oh never mind, I don't even want to ask how that happened. I know you cherished that locket a lot though I don't see how you'd be able to get it back. Maybe if you'd ask his highness nicely to give it back since it —

- Did it. He didn't give it back. He said I must have stolen it considering my social status and blablabla…

- Well that isn't true at all! I can't understand why he didn't believe you. We are HIS people and he did say he will forever trust each one of us so I — unless, Serena were you acting like a kid again?

- No I wasn't! He was just mean! And, and — alright fine I did show a bit of attitude…

- Then there you have it. I did tell you to control your feelings but no you never listen. I think he should just keep it. It'd be safer with him anyways and —

- HOW CAN YOU EVEN SAY THAT?! I HATE YOU! WHY SHOULD I LISTEN TO YOU ANYWAYS, IT'S NOT LIKE YOU ARE MY MOTHER OR—

- …

- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to —

- You are right, I am not your mother. But you are my child, same goes for Naru. So promise me, this time, you two won't get into trouble. Be wise for once…

- Mama… I'm—

- Good night Serena.

And then, she left. Serena felt awful. She didn't mean to hurt Mama Tsukino. It was true, she wasn't her birth mother but she had given her more than anything a child wants from a mother. Even if Serena was sad that she never got the chance to see from whom she'd got her traits, she would always throw those thoughts away after thinking how much Mama Tsukino loves her. But today, she was frustrated and had hurt her "mother".

"It was all because of him", she muttered.

- Him? Don't tell me you are still thinking about the prince?

- Oh Naru, you finished your chores?

- Yeah I did. Say did you say something to Mama?

- … why are you asking me that?

- Well, I saw her in the backyard so I called out to her and before turning back, I saw her wipe her cheeks. So I asked her if something was wrong, but she just smiled and said: I'm sorry my dear for I could never give you answers from your past… Know that I will always love you as my own even if you despise me, now hurry go join Rena, she's waiting eagerly for your ideas for the ball. Speaking of which, take these (she handed her some kind of cloth), it was a gift from my very own mother when my sister I were your age so use it.

- …

- So, mind telling me what happened?

- I wasn't honest to mama so well, we argued. I'm thinking of giving up the whole idea of getting my locket back. It's such a pain for nothing… Anyways let me see what she gave you?

- Here. Be careful with it. I'm thinking we could craft them into outfits or something and then we could—

- Wow, they are beautiful. Naru, it's not a cloth. It's two dresses. OH, there's champagne colored one. I'm taking it!

- But this don't want to wear white, I'll look like a ghost if I do. I guess I will have to color it with—

- DON'T! Just give it to me, I'll just wear it as it is…

- Rena, you do realise that you aren't going to wear it unless we go to the ball…

- … yeah, you are right.

- So what do we do?

- I'm thinking we should go. And I'll still get my locket back but then I'll bring to mama and I'll destroy it. I don't want to hold onto something from the past anymore… It's enough as it is so what do you say?

- I think it's as brilliant as it is stupid. But I'm in!

- Yay! Now about the hair and the…

The girls didn't sleep at all that night. Since the ball was more of a masquerade, they had to prepare a lot more: the story behind their costumes, their masks and accessories to complete the whole look. By the following night, they had done pretty much everything. Papa Tsukino had even got them horses as dark as the night sky. They weren't going to use a carriage since they thought it would be too revealing and risky. So with the horses, they would be able to ride back faster and by the time, the prince would realize he had lost the locket; the girls would be by far gone. The plan was just perfect. Now, all they needed was the ball.

"You better be prepared Prince Darien", thought Serena before drifting into the dream world.

"Atchoum! Atchoum! Atchoum!

- Well bless you Darien.

- I won't thank you Kun.

- I never understood why but ever since we were kids, you always made that weird expression whenever you'd sneeze.

- Argh, I hate sneezing more than once in a row. Everytime I do, I know something bad will definitely happen to me.

- Aren't you being a bit too superstitious now?

- Oh you won't believe me? Mhmm let me think. OH yea, I remember. For example, we were three and we went outside the castle remember?

- Yea the one where you—

- Exactly! That very same day. You know before we headed out I sneezed and when I came back, Father was waiting for me in front of the gate with a bucket full of fecal matter and well you remember what happened after that.

- Ha ha that is one day I won't ever forget!

- Well, I'd prefer you don't reveal that to anyone else if you please. So next one, two years ago on Spirit's death, I had sneezed the night before and trust me I hated it even more since then…

- I know it was hard for everyone: we grew up with that horse. Even though he was your father's, I remember how much we played with him everyday. Well I do hope one day you'll change your mind, we never know maybe it might be luck—

- You must be kidding me? I sneezed like this two days ago and then the next day, a stupid kid fell on me.

- A lady, my friend, she said she was a lady".

They both bursted out of laughter remembering that day. They always would go through the forest to get to the town village: it was kind of their playground. Usually no one would be in those woods, most of the peasants wouldn't even dare to look at them: they said it was full of human killers, The Dead hunters. It all started when about fifteen years ago, they found a body of a woman seriously wounded. Some woodcutters had found her so they decided to bring her to the town doctor for him to find her family. But when he saw the body, he turned as white as his smock. He told them that the woman had been tortured with human-made tools and that she had been dragged on the ground by an animal most likely a horse. Then, the stories started spreading: a man killer was in the woods. He had horse legs and made tools with his human hands. Then others said that he might had brothers and that they were immortals or spirits hunting for lost souls and blablabla. "Nonsense", thought the Prince. He never saw any of them roaming among those trees but he did see a tiny girl fall from one. He couldn't believe it at first when she didn't recognize him. He was used to being haul from afar but even close, she didn't flinch. She stared at him which indifference in her eyes. Actually, that's what made him steal her locket. He knew he went a bit far threatening her of thief but he had to tease her so she'd come to the palace. He really hoped she'd come or he'll have to throw away her precious locket. His father was so happy about his initiative that he invited all the other single ladies from the other kingdom. Darien wasn't totally thrilled at that whole idea, but his best friends were. So, he thought it'd be fun to dance in the company of lovely ladies while waiting for that little clumsy one. Maybe he might even find a love like his parents then or maybe not… Anyways, it was the next night and he was ready for anything that could happen.