Title: A Million Kisses - Chapter 1
Author: Alicia Blade
E-mail: Kammi22@sprintmail.com

BIG thanks to Stefanie, the talented author of "Truths", for creating
the html for me. You're a huge help and it's MUCH appreciated!! Love
ya girl!

Alrighty, to fans of the incredible Moon Klutz, this might seem quite
familiar. If you REALLY want an explanation of why, email one of us and
we'll tell ya what happened. But it's not important, so don't fret too
much, k? Enjoy!

BTW: This takes place after 'Sailor V Makes the Scene', however,
Tuxie's mask didn't fly off, so his identity is still concealed, and
also, Zoicite was killed by the scouts. So, basically, no meeting at
Starlight Tower, no Silver Crystal, but all 5 scouts. Oh, and Darien
never got injured on the shoulder.

"'Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming
and I will dwell in your midst,' declares the Lord."
							- Zechariah 2:10


A Million Kisses
Chapter 1: If You Come Back to Me

	"I'm telling you, he was WAY cute!" said Lita, closing her eyes
dreamily. "And I just KNOW he was smiling at ME. He had these eyes you
would not believe! They looked like my old boyfriend's eyes now that I
think of it. But he really was very cute?"
	"Sure he was. Ya know, Lita, to you, every other guy you pass on
the street is way cute! Heck, I bet you even think DARIEN'S cute!"
Serena managed to choke out.
	"Well, actually?"
	"HEY! You cannot tell me that you think that brain-dead creep is
cute!"
	"Think about it Serena. I know you hate the guy, but with those
eyes and that dark black hair?" said Raye.
	"?And that quirky smile?" added Mina.
	"And the nice body." Finished Amy with a sigh, much to everyone's
surprise.
	"Oh no, not you too, Amy! You guys all make me sick! How can you
possibly think that that? that? JERK is cute?! Traitors!"
	"Serena, come on, think about it. Sure, he might tease you and
torture you and try to make your life miserable? but would you rather
have any other guy make you that miserable? At least he talks to you!"
	"And makes me feel stupid every time he opens his mouth."
	"And he actually pays attention to you."
	"Though I wish he didn't."
	"And he LOOKS at you with those gorgeous eyes."
	Serena sighed. "I don't know what you guys are trying to pull,
but it's NOT working! Darien is a conceited jerk, and nothing else.
Sure, he might be a LITTLE cute, but?"
	"A LITTLE?" said Lita. "You're telling me that you have never
gotten lost in those deep cerulean eyes?"
	"Well, okay, he's KINDA cute?"
	"Kinda?" interjected Raye. "So that smile couldn't make you faint
on contact?"
	"Fine! He's PRETTY cute?"
	"Pretty cute?" interrupted Mina. "You're saying your hand doesn't
itch to play in that ebony hair every time you see him?"
	"Ugh! I guess he IS cute?"
	"Cute?" said Amy. "And you have never caught yourself dreaming
about him or kissing him or being wrapped in those strong arms?"
	"FINE! I GET YOUR POINT! He's hot, okay? Darien should be a
freaking super model! He is the finest man I have ever seen in my life!
OKAY?! You happy?! DARIEN IS TOTALLY, UTTERLY HANDSOME, OKAY?!"
	"Gee, Meatball Head, never knew you felt that way about me."
	Serena froze dead in her tracks and slowly turned around. She
didn't notice when they had passed by the tall man with dark hair a few
moments ago, and no one noticed when he started following them.
	Serena stared at him now with nothing to say. Chewing on her lip,
she began stuttering, before finally finding her anger. "Shut up
Darien! Just shut up! I DON'T feel that way about you, I feel NOTHING
for you except maybe hatred! You are annoying and mean and heartless
and totally, utterly?"
	"Handsome?" he finished with a laugh.
	"Stupid," she replied icily. He simply laughed some more and
strolled closer to her, lessening the space between them until he was
less than a foot in front of her. She felt like backing away, but
something, maybe pride or maybe that excited twisty feeling in the pit
of her stomach, kept her from doing so. With a gentle, finger and a
careless smirk, he lifted her chin so that she looked up into his deep
blue eyes.
	"If you say so, Meatball Head." With a bit-wider smile, he winked
at her before brushing past her and continuing down the busy sidewalk.
	Serena couldn't keep her heart still. It continued to thump
wildly as she watched him walking away, that calm composure of his
driving her crazy. Finally, she managed to seek out her voice and
yelled, "WHAT ON EARTH IS THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?! YOU'RE CRAZY DARIEN!
YOU'RE INSANE! STUPID, TOO! AND STOP CALLING ME MEATBALL HEAD!!!"
	All five of the girls watched him until he was nearly out of
sight. They could still see his black hair bobbing above the shorter
people in the crowd. Raye sighed and shook her head.
	"You are SO lucky Serena."
	Serena said nothing but simply concentrated on ignoring the
beating of her heart. Then, an unexpected roar came from behind them.
It was very loud, and extremely frightening as well. Serena, her eyes
still glued on Darien, barely heard it. She watched as Darien turned
around sharply at the sound, and this in turn, made her snap back to
reality. She flew around to notice a large blue monster standing in the
middle of the street. She screamed and started to back away.
	'Wait a minute? I'm Sailor Moon!' and with that, she immediately
started searching for a hiding place to transform. But the street was
very crowded and everywhere she searched, she couldn't find a single
place to hide. With scared eyes, she turned back to her friends. They
all seemed to notice the predicament as well.
	"I think I see a place over there!" yelled Lita, pointing to a
small opening between the buildings, possibly to an alley. They all
started jogging toward the place, but the frenzied crowd circled around
them and Serena was cut off from the group. Her eyes lost contact with
her friends. Turning around blindly, she only noticed bright colors
falling all around as the crowd's energy was drained. Cupping her hands
to her mouth, she suddenly felt very scared.
	'I'm the champion of justice! I should be fighting this evil, not
cowering from it.' She watched as a group of women fell simultaneously,
the heavy beams of light from the youma having scorched them.
	"Oh no?" She glanced around to see that nearly everyone had
fallen. She had been spared so far, though she knew the beast was
beginning to pick off any stragglers. She finally looked up to see it
aiming an attack for her. She braced herself, clenching her fists and
taking a deep breath. She closed her eyes tightly just as the deadly
beams soared toward her.
	"SERENA!" She heard a familiar voice scream. A voice she wasn't
even sure knew her real name up until now. She felt something crash
into her, though it wasn't negaverse energy. Crashing harshly to the
pavement, she looked up to see Darien above her, breathing heavily.
	"Darien?" she asked weakly. Slowly, he opened his eyes. They
glimmered with pain, but he somehow managed to force a weak smile. With
that simple action, she broke into tears. "Oh, Darien, wha? what were
you thinking? Oh, Darien, are you okay? Tell me you're okay, please?!"
	He looked down on her tear stained face and smiled a bit more, a
little less forced this time. "It's okay, Meatball Head. I'm okay,
see?" He reached up a hand to gently stroke away some tears as if to
prove his point. Serena just shook her head and buried her face in his
shirt.
	Finally pulling away, she looked up at him, that same weak smile
lingering on his lips. 'She's crying for me?' he thought as he looked
down on her.
	"Dear Darien," she whispered. "It'll be okay, you'll see. We'll
get you a doctor and everything will be fine. And you can call me
Meatball Head all you like. And I'll never hit you with test papers or
shoes ever again! Just don't leave me!" She once again started sobbing.
	"Hey, ssshhhh? Calm down, Serena. Stop crying, okay? I'm fine.
Trust me, I've been through worse than this."
	Serena smiled weakly and wrapped her arms around his neck,
pulling him down on top of her. "Yes, it'll be okay. You're not hurt
too bad. Everything will be just fine," she whispered comfortingly.
Opening her eyes, she saw the scouts battling the monster. It was
strong, she noted. They were having a tough time winning. She watched
as it struck at Venus. Mina screamed and collapsed to her knees in
pain. Mars tried her attack, but nothing happened. She screamed just as
a fireball came soaring towards her from the monster's antenna.
Throwing her arms protectively in front of her, she braced herself.
Serena realized it was in vain as Mars was thrown back to collide with
the brick side of a building. Shuddering, Serena buried her face into
Darien's hair. She had to help them, but she couldn't leave Darien.
	"Serena?" she heard him whisper. She loosened her hold and looked
up into his eyes. They were filled with pain.
	"Oh, Darien?" she whispered, her voice filled with concern.
	"Serena? I'm sorry."
	"For what, Darien? You didn't do?"
	"For teasing you."
	"Wha??"
	"I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you, please understand that."
	"Of course I understand. But don't talk like that, Darien. You'll
be okay, I'll take good care of you and you'll be healed in no time."
	He smiled down at her again and lightly ran a hand through her
thick blonde bangs. "You really are beautiful," he whispered
mindlessly.
	Serena giggled a little. "Now you're hallucinating."
	He smiled at her once more and shook his head. "No. I always
thought you were beautiful. My gorgeous Meatball Head."
	Serena's eyes were once again filling with tears. "Darien, you
talk like you're not going to be okay?"
	Darien simply smiled at her and rested his forehead on hers. He
could feel her long eyelashes brushing against his skin. Then a scream
was heard from behind him. With all of his strength, he pushed himself
onto his elbows and twisted his head around. Serena peered over his
arm, her fingers clutched to the front of his jacket. What she saw
scared her half to death.
	All four scouts had fallen. Jupiter, sitting with her back
against a wall and her knees clutched to her chest, managed the
strength to hold up her pen. "Jupiter Power!" she called.
	Mars was lying on her side, her leg appeared to have been broken
and blood crawled down her calf. Weakly holding up her pen, she
shouted, "Mars Power!"
	Mercury was on her hands and knees, her blue hair falling messily
over her face. In a very painful action, she pushed herself back to
a kneeling position and held up her pen. "Mercury Power!"
	Venus had fallen on her stomach. She coughed raggedly attempting
to roll over to her back. Giving up, she simply held the pen out to her
side and yelled, "Venus Power!"
	Four colored beams collected together and went hurling toward the
youma. At first, it simply screamed, but then it fell to its knees and
threw its hands in the air before disintegrating into a pile of dust.
	Serena breathed a sigh of relief, but it soon turned to horror
when she noticed that none of her friends were getting up. In a flash
of pink, a white-haired man wearing the dark kingdom jacket appeared
and stared down at the scouts mockingly.
	"How does it feel, you wimpy sailor twits? Now you will receive
the same fate you delivered to Zoicite! None of you will survive!"
	He held out a ball of black energy, preparing to send it toward
Jupiter and Mars who lay not far from each other.
	"NOOOOO!!!!" Serena screamed, catching Malachite off guard. He
turned to see a small blonde girl laying on the pavement. A tall man
with dark hair covered most of her body with his.
	Darien tensed under the general's gaze and pulled Serena a bit
closer to him. 'Where is Sailor Moon?' he wondered silently.
	'Where is Tuxedo Mask?' Serena thought to herself. 'Surely he
would have come by now, wouldn't he?'
	Malachite laughed a deep, evil laugh. "So lover boy thinks he can
protect his girlfriend. Usually, I don't attack civilians, it makes me
look mean, but you," he pointed to Serena. Darien tensed more above
her, "ruined my concentration!"
	With a howl, he hurled a ball of energy toward them. Darien threw
his body protectively over Serena once more, much to her protesting.
He threw his neck back in agony when the weapon came in contact with
his back, and then slumped down, his energy spent.
	Satisfied, Malachite turned back to the scouts, ignoring Serena's
whimpering.
	"Darien? Darien, are you alright? Answer me!"
	Darien opened his eyes slowly to look down upon Serena's
shivering body. "I? don't think I can stay awake much longer," he
whispered, unconsciousness calling to him.
	"No!" Serena whispered harshly. "Don't say that, Darien. You're
gonna be fine. You're strong, right? You can do this! Just stay with
me. Just look at my eyes, okay?"
	Darien did as she asked. "I could look in your eyes forever. So
beautiful. I always loved your eyes, even though they only glared at
me. I used to get jealous when you would always look at Andrew with
those eyes, and you would smile and bat your eyelashes? I always
wondered what it would be like if you looked at me like that, just
once?"
	Serena didn't try to keep back the sobs. "Oh, Darien, I DID look
at you like that. Every time you would walk away I would watch you go.
Oh Darien, don't talk like this! You're going to be fine!"
	"I wish I could be as sure as you Serena."
	"Don't talk. Save your energy."
	"No, listen. I have to tell you this, and I don't know if I'll
ever get another chance."
	"Of course you'll get ano?"
	"Serena!" He spoke harshly. He sighed at her surprised face. "You
always were stubborn."
	Serena smiled weakly. "I'm sorry?"
	He smiled down at her again. "I'm sorry I was always so mean to
you. I'm sorry I wasn't nice to you like I should have been. Like I
wanted to be. But whenever you were around, I would lose all thought,
and just say whatever came to mind. But I never wanted to hurt you. I
don't think you're dumb or lazy or air-headed. I think you are the most
wonderful, talented, enchanting girl I have ever met. And I? I love
you. I always have, even if I never showed it."
	Serena gulped and sobbed some more. "Darien?" she whimpered. He
put a finger to her lips, rubbing it softly over them.
	"Serena, I always wondered? what it would be like? to kiss you.
Just once? I used to dream about sweeping you into my arms and kissing
you over and over, and never letting any other guy even lay eyes on
you. I think I dreamed about that more than anything else? you were
always on my mind. Your lovely eyes, and innocent smile? Serena? could
I kiss you? Just once?"
	Serena let the tears roll down her cheeks as she looked into
his azure eyes. "Darien, if you live, I'll give you a million kisses.
Just don't leave me."
	Darien smiled weakly, still running his finger over her trembling
lip. "A million kisses? I would like that. But I only ask for one?"
	Removing his finger, he slowly lowered his face to hers. Wetting
his lips slightly, he tenderly kissed her, softly laying butterfly
kisses on her tempting lips. Deepening the kiss, he tasted her and
savored the taste he had dreamt of since the first day he laid eyes on
her. Serena trembled under his touch and tears slid from underneath her
closed lids. She allowed him her kisses without the slightest protest
and felt light-headed when his lips lingered on hers. She sensed his
patience. His desire to move slowly for her. To not scare her or move
too fast. She felt his arms slowly wrap tighter around her, his fingers
delicately tracing the hem of her shirt. He began to deepen his
intentions when she gave no sign of objection. Serena gasped slightly
when she felt his lips knowingly part her mouth and his tongue lightly
probe her own. And still, she gave no signal for him to stop, and
continued to supply his access to her willing kisses. But despite her
willingness, Darien had detected her uneasiness and slowly pulled away,
leaving both of them dazed. Licking his lips, he looked down on her
peaceful face. It almost seemed as if she were sleeping. Her lips were
still parted and her eyes closed, the remains of tears still left on
her cheeks, though no more continued to fall. Nervously, she opened her
eyes. He smiled, the pain just now filtering back into his memory.
	"Thank you?" was all that he said before he closed his eyes once
more and let his head collapse onto her chest.
	It took Serena a moment to gather her thoughts, but when she did,
she immediately noticed the lack of breath in Darien. With shaking
hands, she lifted his head. "Darien? Darien, wake up. Don't? don't do
this Darien. Darien, NO! This isn't funny. Wake up! Open your eyes!
Please, just look at me, please! Darien, don't leave me?" She tested
for a pulse on his throat and found none. She searched for any sign of
life or movement, without result. "This can't be happening! This can't
be! We'll get you to a doctor. I'll take care of you. DARIEN!" She
broke down then and cried into his shirt, her body shaking and racking
with the pain of a broken heart. "I love you. Don't you see? I love
you. You can't go, not now. You can't leave me like this. No?"
	Serena was ignorant to yet another tear sliding down her cheek.
She only noticed when it began to glow a bright white. It was blinding
to everyone else, but to her, it was simply a comforting light, bathing
her in its rays. She watched as two brightly colored crystals came out
of Darien's jacket and combined with the tear, and another five flew
from Malachite to combine with it now as well. The general stared
wide-eyed at the sight. Serena stood up, shaking, as the crystals
formed together into one silver stone. It attached itself to her moon
wand and memories of a long forgotten past filtered into her. Memories
of a graceful lady, reigning a palace with a strong, yet gentle hand.
Friends who would always protect her. A man who looked familiar, and
who she loved. A man she would have married, had the peace not been
shattered. A man she used to love, does love, and always would love. A
man she would not let die.
	The light faded away to show a beautiful princess where the
scared teenager had just been. Princess Serenity looked around her.
Strangers were strewn all around, most not hurt seriously, though
five people she DID know were fading away. Sailor Mars did not have
enough strength to open her eyes even to the bidding of her princess.
Venus simply stared awestruck for a minute, a faint glimmer of hope in
her eyes fading as her head crashed to the pavement below her. Mercury
gathered the power to whisper, "Princess?" before losing all strength
and collapsing lifeless to the street in which she lay. Jupiter
muttered breathlessly, "We're sorry we can't help more." Her head
lolled over to her shoulder before falling forward on her chest.
	Darien was lying on his side below where Princess Serenity
stood. In the back of her head, she thought she heard him whisper, "I
always loved you, Meatball Head, even if I didn't show it."
	Serena clenched her fist around the wand and held it up above her
head. "You will not get away with this! I will avenge the deaths of my
friends, of my mother, and of my love! Moon Cosmic Power!"
	Malachite chuckled softly and held his hands in front of him,
gathering his power into another black ball of energy. "So the measly
girl thinks she can destroy me? Ha! Try this!" The ball hurled toward
her, expanding as it came closer to devouring her. However, the light
of the crystal countered it. Malachite looked on shocked as he watched
the crystal's power exceeding his own. Throwing his hands in front of
his face, he yelled in pain as the light washed over him. "This can't
be! How can this child have? so? much power??!" With a last howl, he
collapsed to the ground before crumbling to a pile of dust.
	Serena transformed back to her normal form and collapsed to her
knees. With a longing glance at Darien, she fell into blackness. Her
last conscious thought was;
'If you survive, I promise I will give you a million kisses.'

Serena felt an aching in her head. Groggily, she opened one dull
blue eye, allowing blinding white light to flood her senses. She
quickly closed it again and fell back into darkness. From somewhere in
the room, she heard a small giggle. "Good morning, sunshine." She
turned her head to the side and opened both eyes this time. They
focused on a short girl with light brown hair. She wore a white suit
with small pink stripes and what looked to be a fast food restaurant
hat. She walked over to Serena and held her hand friendly. "How are you
feeling?"
"Terrible," answered Serena truthfully. The girl laughed a little
more.
"I'm not surprised. You've got quite the bump on the head there.
You've been out of it for a good 24 hours since they brought you here."
"Who's they?"
"The paramedics. Do you remember what happened?"
Serena closed her eyes and concentrated. All too soon, she
remembered everything. DARIEN! He mind screamed. She jerked her eyes
open.
"Where is he?" she all but screamed at the startled girl.
"Who?"
"Darien!"
"I'm sorry, I don't know who you are talking about?"
"He was right next to me when I passed out. I know he was!"
"Please, calm down. There were a lot of people around you on the
street. I hear that a monster of some sort took their energy and you
were one of them?"
"Yes, I know that, but this man was hurt worse than any of them."
"I can't tell you for sure, but after you've had something to
eat, you are welcome to look for him. All of the victims of the
creature are in this section of the hospital, so he shouldn't be far?"
Serena choked down the food faster then she'd ever eaten,
miraculously, and threw on the robe handed to her by the young candy
striper. After thanking her, she traveled out into the hospital.

Serena fell depressed into the seat, her head falling into her
hands. After hours of traveling over the hospital, she had lost any
hope of finding Darien or her friends. No one knew about them, and no
one seemed to care.
'They're probably sitting in a morgue somewhere,' thought Serena
as tears welled up in her eyes. 'I lost him. I lost him before I even
really had him. Dear Darien? my prince? my love?' She sobbed more, her
eyes throbbing as she made no attempt to stop the flow of tears.
Somehow, she had come to the lobby of the hospital. People walked
about. Doctors and nurses hurrying to meet a patient, people crying,
people smiling, patients just now stepping out of wheel chairs, mothers
carrying their newborn infants.
Suddenly, shouting emitted from the entrance and a bunch of men
ran through the doors, leading a gurney between them. Immediately, a
group of doctors ran to meet the new arrival as it was wheeled down the
hall. Curiously, Serena stood as the crowd ran past her and her jaw
dropped.
"Lita?" she whispered. She watched stunned as the body
disappeared down the hall. No doubt about it, the patient had been
Lita. Her face was bruised and bloody and the pieces of clothing Serena
had caught a glimpse of were torn. After her heart had once again
started beating, Serena ran down the hall after them. When she reached
the door they had went through, a nurse stepped in front of her.
"I'm sorry miss, you can't go in there."
"Oh, but please, I have to see?"
"It's against regulations."
"But?"
"I'm sorry, you'll simply have to wait."
Serena gulped and nodded her head. "Can you tell me what happened
to her though?"
The man looked down into her quivering blue eyes and felt his
heart melt. With a sigh, he said, "She was in a street fight earlier
today. She is the only known survivor."
Serena gasped. Slowly, she turned on her heels and walked away.
When she came to a bench, she collapsed into it tiredly.
"A street fight? But how can that be? Lita hasn't been in a fight
for months. And besides, after yesterday's attack, she never would have
been strong enough to fight. This doesn't make any sense."
"Excuse me, miss, but can I help you?" asked a familiar, soft
voice. Serena snapped her head up to see Amy smiling down at her.
"Amy!" she yelled and jumped into her full speed, hugging her
tightly. Amy was stunned at first, but slowly hugged her back.
"I? I'm sorry Miss, but how is it you know my name?" Amy asked.
Serena pulled away slowly to see nothing but confusion in Amy's eyes.
"Wha? what do you mean? Amy, don't you recognize me?"
Amy stared at her for a bit, but slowly, recognition dawned over
her gentle features. "Oh, yes? uh, Serena, right? You are in my
Language class. I'm sorry I didn't recognize you at first, but you look
different without your hair up like usual."
Serena stared at her silently for a minute. "La? language class?
Oh, yes, of course." 'She doesn't remember me? she doesn't remember
about the sailor scouts or anything?'
"So why are you here?" asked Amy, taking note of Serena's
hospital robe.
"Huh? Oh, I was, uh, in the youma attack yesterday."
"Youma? What's that? Oh, you must mean the horrible monster over
on Pike Street yesterday afternoon. I heard about that on the news. I'm
terribly sorry you had to go through that. It must have been awful."
'The news? Amy, you were THERE!' "Yeah, it certainly wasn't fun."
Serena sighed. "So, why are you here?"
"My mother works here and I often come here after school to study
until she gets off of work."
"I see. Well, Amy, it was nice talking to you, but I have some
things I need to think about now. If you'll excuse me?" Serena brushed
past her and began heading back to her room.
"Good bye, Serena, I'll see you at school."
"Yeah? see ya."
Serena stumbled blindly into the elevator and mindlessly pushed
the button for the floor her room was on. 'This is way weird?' she
thought. 'How come she doesn't remember me? And why doesn't anyone
remember being at the battle yesterday? It's almost like they were
never scouts?'
Looking up, Serena noticed she wasn't alone in the elevator. A
girl with long black hair and violet eyes was standing silently. In her
hands, she held a bouquet of flowers. Her eyes were wet and Serena saw
that she had been crying. 'I've never seen Raye cry?' she thought.
'Hmm? evidently she doesn't remember me either, or else she would have
said something.'
Clearing her throat, she asked, "I don't mean to be rude, but who
are the flowers for?"
Raye looked over at her briefly, before returning her eyes to
watch the numbers light up as the elevator rose. "My grandpa." She
said.
'Oh no! What's wrong with him? What happened?'
"Can I ask what he's in here for?"
Raye shrugged and looked down. Serena wasn't used to seeing her
so sad and quiet. Usually she would have been yelling at her for being
such a busy body by now. "Have you heard of those awful attacks by ugly
beasts around the city?"
"Yeah, I was in one the other day."
Raye looked up at her a little surprised. "Oh, well, then you
know what I'm talking about. One happened at my grandpa's temple about
a week ago. Some witch was there and she said she wanted a rainbow
crystal or something. And then she hurt my grandpa, and since no one
was there to protect him, his heart couldn't take it and now? now?"
Raye broke down crying and Serena wrapped a friendly arm around her.
"Now he's in a coma," finished Raye through her sobs.
"It's okay. I'm sure everything will be fine, you'll see?"
Right then, the bell dinged and the doors to the elevator opened.
Raye wiped the tears away with her sleeve and looked back at Serena.
"Thank you, I guess," and then she walked out. The doors closed behind
her and Serena fell against the wall.
"That's not right. Raye, YOU were there to protect your grandpa.
You kept Zoicite off until the rest of us could arrive? None of this
makes any sense?"
The bell dinged again and Serena walked out into the hall
identical to all the rest. Keeping her eyes glued to the numbers above
the doors, she watched for her own room number. From inside one, she
heard a small voice yell, "Sailor V! Is it really you?"
Serena froze in her steps and backtracked. Looking through a
window, she saw Mina in her original Sailor V outfit bending over a
little girl with a broken arm.
"Yup, kiddo, it's me. How are you feeling?"
"I'm great! Hey, could you sign my cast for me?"
"Sure thing! Hey, I love the color you chose," said Mina,
admiring the orange cast.
"It's my favorite because it's yours too."
"Sure is." Mina signed the cast 'Sailor V'. Patting the girl's
head, she asked, "So what is the V for?"
"Victory!" The little girl cheered. Mina smiled and gave her a
hug. "That's right. Now I want you to take good care of yourself,
alright?"
"Okay!"
Mina smiled at her again and walked out, shutting the door behind
her. She nearly rammed into Serena on her way out.
"Oh, excuse me," she said.
"Sailor V?" Serena asked. 'But Mina gave up on show business when
she became a real Sailor Scout.'
"Yes?" asked Mina, turning around. "Oh, hello there. How are
you?"
"I'm wonderful, you?"
Mina laughed. "A little tired, but fine. Can I help you? Get you
an autograph?"
Serena looked at her a little stunned. 'Autograph? Mina, I'm your
friend, I don't need an autograph!' "No, thanks."
"Oh, well, okay. I'm really sorry, but I have to go meet with my
agent before I visit some more kids?"
"Do you come to the hospital often to visit them?"
"Yup, it seems to cheer them up, seeing their favorite action
hero."
"I can imagine," said Serena, remembering all the times kids had
looked so hopeful and joyous when she would come to save the day.
"That's sweet of you."
"Yup. Well, I really have to go now. See ya!"
"Bye." Mina held up her signature V sign and bounced off happily.
After she had gone, Serena fell against a wall and slid down
until she was crouched with her knees to her chest. "Mina, not you too.
Why doesn't any one remember me? I can't do this alone. I need you
guys. I need you as scouts and as friends. What's wrong with you?"
Serena cried for a long time before finally regaining the
strength to stand and continue toward her hospital room. Through one of
the windows, something made her stop. Walking backwards with her mouth
agape, she stood in the doorway. Was it? Could it be?
"Darien?" she whispered.
In the hospital bed, a man was sleeping. He had black hair
falling messily over his closed eyes? that Serena knew were a dark
blue. He looked lonely, lying there asleep. Beeps and hums emitted from
every corner and a small television set was playing the evening news
with very bad reception.  His face had a bruise on one cheek and a
bandage was wrapped tightly around his head. With tears in her eyes,
Serena walked in slowly to kneel beside his bed. With a shaking hand,
she held his, bringing it to her lips to gently kiss his palm. She put
her head down on his hand, allowing tears to fall into his sheets.
"Darien? you came back to me?" she whispered. Slowly, she laid
butterfly kisses on every one of his fingers, always keeping her eyes
glued to his sleeping features. She reached up a hand to push some
bangs aside. He was so handsome, even when he was injured and sleeping.
She imagined what it would be like to hear his voice.
"Hey Meatball Head. Going to the arcade to dull your mind on some
video games?"
She smiled crookedly. "You WERE very mean, Darien. But I still
couldn't help falling in love with you. I guess it was because you were
nice to everyone else, and so I did see how you could be so kind and
friendly, even if it wasn't to me. But I forgive you. A thousand times
I forgive you. Besides, I love you. How could I not have fallen in love
with you? Dear Darien?"
She broke down crying, her head falling onto the bed and golden
pools of hair falling in waves all around her.
A weak, gentle hand stroked through her hair, causing her body to
tingle and her heart race. She looked up to see Darien looking at her
curiously. His eyelids were drowsy as he looked at the beautiful girl
before him. Shocked, Serena stood up, surprising Darien a little at her
quick movements.
Darien looked at a young woman, dresses all in white. She had
soft golden hair falling down her back and over her shoulders. Blue
eyes glimmered at him with hope and love. With the bright fluorescent
lights and the painkillers given to him earlier, how could he not have
made this simple mistake?
"Are you an angel?"
Serena stared at him for a moment, not saying a word. Finally,
she caught her voice. Sitting down on the bed beside him, she said
quietly, "Darien, don't you remember me?"
He only looked on blankly and Serena felt her heart sink.
'Please, if anyone remembers me, let it be him.'
"Angel?" he repeated.
Serena smiled weakly. With a sigh and a shaking of her head, she
closed her eyes and leaned forward so that her head rested on his
chest. He didn't move at first, but soon instinctively wrapped his arms
around her comfortingly. She sighed again as he stroked his hand
through her hair, content for the moment just to be in his arms.
"How many times have I dreamed of you holding me? And you told me
once that you used to dream of kissing me. If only we hadn't been so
stubborn, Darien."
"Angel?" he whispered, obviously not understanding her. Serena
smiled and backed away. With a finger, she lightly traced his jaw line
and ran her hand through his thick hair. Returning her eyes to meet
his, she whispered,
"No, Darien, I'm not an angel. I'm a princess. And you will
always be my prince." She leaned forward so that their noses lightly
brushed against each other's. "And someday you will remember me. Then I
promise I will give you a million kisses. Though I only ask for one."
She kissed him gently, and only deepened it when she felt him
responding. However, she was not as daring as he had been and soon
pulled away. With a small peck on his lips once more, she turned and
left the room. Darien opened his eyes to see he was alone once more.
With drowsy eyes and thoughts, he let sleep pull him back to her
clutches, and dreamt of a beautiful, golden-haired angel.

	Serena collapsed sobbing onto the hard mattress and wished she
was lying back in HIS room, in HIS arms. But he didn't remember her. No
one remembered her?
	"Serenity, my daughter, how you have grown."
	"Mother?" she asked weakly.
	"Yes, it is me."
	"Where are you? Why can't I see you?"
	"You can, child. Just try."
	Serena closed her eyes and concentrated. When they opened, she
nearly fainted. Queen Serenity was a beautiful lady, no doubt. She had
silver hair that fell from two silver balls on either side of her head.
A white dress fit her hour glass figure like a second skin and pale
blue eyes sparkled and smiled with her soft pink lips.
	"Now you see me, my daughter. Oh, my precious Serenity. You are
even more beautiful than I remember. Always so full of life and joy.
But my dear daughter, why are you crying? All of your friends are
alive. They are not dead on that street as you earlier believed. Is
that not reason to celebrate?"
	"Oh, mother, it is wonderful that they're alive, but? but? they
don't remember me. They don't remember at all, about the Silver
Millenium or being Sailor Scouts. I don't know what to do. I can't
fight all of this evil without them! I'm not strong enough! Oh mother,
what am I going to do? Please help me?"
	"Shush, my daughter, do not cry. Everything will be fine, as you
shall see. You killed Queen Beryl's most powerful general yesterday,
and it shall take awhile for the dark forces to regain such strong
warriors. Do not worry about fighting just yet. Concentrate on your
friends, and on your love. I do believe Endymion is called Darien these
days?"
	Serena sighed at his name. "Yes. My dear Darien, if only he would
remember me, none of this would hurt so much."
	"It's alright, dearest. Now listen to me, and perhaps I can
answer some questions for you."
	"Mother, why don't they remember me?"
	"Sweet Serenity, before you fainted after the battle, do you
recall making a wish?"
	Serena scrunched her brow in thought. "Not? really. I remember
thinking, 'If you survive, I promise I will give you a million kisses,'
or something like that. And he did survive, mother, but now I can't
kiss him. If only he could hold me and whisper things to me? it's all
that I want, but no one remembers?"
	"Honey, you have just answered your own question."
	"Huh?"
	"You see, when you promised him a million kisses, the silver
crystal interpreted it as being a wish. And so, being a part of you,
the crystal looked into your heart to see what it was you most desired.
When it saw your love for your friends and your desire to let them
live, it granted the wish."
	"But then, why don't they remember?"
	"Because you did not put your whole heart into the wish, the
crystal couldn't grant it completely. And so, live they did, however
parts of their lives and memories have been erased, from everyone's
minds except yours. This includes their memories and any signs that
they were ever scouts. They are living their lives now as if they had
never heard of the Negaverse, or Sailor Scouts."
	Serena sighed. "Or me?"
	"Now, my dear Serenity, don't give up hope. Their memories can be
revived."
	"How, Mother? How? I'll do anything!"
	"I'm afraid there's nothing you can do. When they're hearts and
minds are ready to remember, they will."
	"Mother, what do you mean? There has to be something I can do?"
	"Take this opportunity to start over with them. Befriend them,
and let Darien fall in love with you again."
	"Oh, but mother, I'm so weak. I'm so tired of these games. Why
can't anything ever come easy?"
	"My darling, nobody ever said true love and friendship would come
easy."
	Serena sighed. "I understand. And it will be worth it in the end.
I suppose."
	"Of course it will be. And now, my darling child, I must go.
Remember, I will always be watching over you. You are in my heart, as I
am in yours."
	"Good bye, Mother. I love you."
	"And I, you, my little Serenity?" The queen faded into a pale
blue light the color of her eyes, and in a flash of white, she was
gone.

Serena opened her eyes to be met with yet another candy striper bustling
around her room in a way too hyper fashion. Sitting up, she realized the
lady was? cleaning?
"Oh, good morning! I'm so glad you're up! Great news. You are being released
today. As soon as you're ready, you can be outta here. We just need your
signature on a few things. We also need your parents to sign a few things.
They were called in this morning and should be here soon. We're sorry they
couldn't be here earlier, but it was very hard for us to track them down,
given the only identification you had was a handkerchief with your school
name on it."
"Oh, I understa?"
"Serena? Oh, my baby! How are you? We were worried sick! Are you okay? Is
there anything I can get for you, sweetie? Anything at all?"
Serena returned her mother's hug gratefully. 'At least someone remembers 
me!'
"No, Mom, I'm fine, thanks."
"Are you sure?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, sweetie!" Her father came running in and bombarded her with a hug as 
well.
She smiled at them.
"It's good to see you guys."
"Oh, dear, we were so worried, we thought something might have
happened, we couldn't sleep, we must have called Molly a million times
to see if you were over there! Oh sweetie, I'm so glad you're okay!"
Her father sobbed. Serena smiled weakly.
"Thanks, guys, but I'm fine, really. It's okay now."
"Yes, you're fine. But I'm sure you'll be even better once we
take you out to your favorite ice cream parlor!"
"That's sounds great. But? I have to visit some friends first,
okay? I'll come home when I'm done."
Ken and Ilene looked at their daughter strangely. "Honey? are you
sure? Don't you wanna come home first? You can always come back, and
besides, this is ice cream!"
She laughed. "Yeah, I'm sure. This is important. Please? I'll be
home in a couple hours, I promise."
Ilene held her daughter's hand. "Well? I guess? if that's what
you want to do?"
"It is. Don't worry!"
Ilene smiled and hugged Serena again. "Okay, honey. We'll see you
in a little while then. First we have to sign some papers and stuff?"
	"Thanks, Mommy. I'll come home later, alright?"
	"Sure, sweetie. Your father and I will give you some rest now."
	"Okay."
	Serena sighed as her parents left the room uncertainly, before
tossing her legs over the side of the bed and throwing a robe on over
her hospital outfit. Walking to the mirror, she quickly managed in
tying her hair up in the 'meatballs' before rubbing some color into her
cheeks. Forcing a smile, she backed up to stare at her reflection.
"Take this opportunity to start over with them. Befriend them,
and let Darien fall in love with you again."
	"I can do that, Mother?" she whispered before slowly heading out
of the room.

Tell me whatcha though!
God bless!
<3 Ali-chan