Finally, chapter 5!!! You have no idea how much trouble I had with this chapter, I thought I would never finish it, and I was getting very desperate. But anyway, here it is and that's what matters, right? E- mail: dasha@mpsnet.com Rating: G By: Dafne Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, they belong to Naoko Takeuchi, so please don't sue me. A real princess Chapter five: Duty ...."I love you, too". Endymion was surprised by her words. "You...you do?" he stammered, not sure he had heard well. Usagi giggled "Of course, silly" she said while giving him a light peck on the cheek. She then pulled away from him and looked directly at his eyes, never concealing the emotions that were now flowing freely. "I know it's strange, but I've always believed in my heart, and it has never failed me." She paused for a brief moment and then lowered her head so she was looking at her feet. With her next words, her voice filled up with a seriousness unlike her joyful nature. "Several times I've wondered if I could ever be able to find true love...., I never thought I would... so soon." She sighed and then continued. "Maybe I'm going too fast, but I'm certain about one thing: since the moment I set eyes on you I felt a mysterious and powerful force dragging me..., it was a lot more stronger than me, and fighting it back was to no avail. Your eyes held me in place and my mind couldn't think clearly. I've never felt this way before, and, as a matter of fact, it scares me. But, just as well, I sense something deep inside that tells me this is the right thing to do, as if we were made for each other, as if this was meant to be..." with this final statement she concluded her speech, never lifting her gaze to look at him. Endymion had been listening to Usagi carefully, not missing a single word she said and admiring each and every gesture she made. As soon as she finished, he couldn't help but gape at her in amazement, his eyes went wide - open. He still couldn't believe that such a wonderful creature could trust him the way she did, not to mention it was beyond his understanding the fact that she loved him too. *Maybe I'm just imagining the whole thing* thought Endymion while pinching his arm "Ouch!" he yelled, *I'm not dreaming, this is really happening!!!* he thought happily. * * * * * Serenity didn't know what to do, she had just exposed herself to the man she loved. She had spoken of her feelings shamelessly and frankly to someone she barely knew. *What's going to happen next?* she asked herself *I'm supposed to return home in a few hours and maybe I won't be able to see him again. I have the feeling that I'm doing the right thing, but what if I'm not? What if my heart disappoints me for the first time? What would I do then?* Serenity was lost in her thoughts when suddenly she heard Mamoru cry out. She lifted her head and looked questioningly at him. He smiled down at her and then took her delicate hands in his own. "I can't believe you feel the same way I do. I was beginning to think I was just having a marvelous dream, but now I realize this is REALLY happening!!!" said Mamoru excitedly. "Even though we hardly know each other, I've noticed that you radiate love wherever you go, I mean, you'd be capable of brightening the darkest night and warming the coldest heart. I just don't know how I've been able to survive without you for 20 years!!!." He sighed and, while caressing her soft hands tenderly, proceeded with his conversation "Usually I'm not this open to someone I've just met, but when I'm with you all my fears seem to vanish into thin air, and, instead, feelings of peacefulness, trustfulness, completeness, and delight invade my whole being. It's something I've never experienced before, and I never want it to end." With this, Mamoru let his head drop to his chest, never releasing Serenity's hands, and lost himself in meditation. Serenity giggled at Mamoru's excitement. *Geez, I never thought this would mean so much to him...,* but then she recalled her past thoughts and her face fell *but this will never work out. I'm a princess, and not just ANY princess, I'm the Moon Princess and I can't avoid my responsibilities. I'm not allowed to marry someone that doesn't belong to royalty, besides, Earth is not part of the Silver Alliance which only complicates things even more. I won't be able to see him again... Damn duty!* she thought bitterly, tears started to form in her eyes. * * * * * At the same time Serenity was having this dreadful thoughts, an encouraging belief invaded Endymion's mind... * * * * * *What if she's the real princess my mother was talking about? If that's the case I'd have to marry her...* at this idea his heart started to beat faster. *And, even if she's not, I'm GOING to marry her, I don't care what my parents think, this woman has captivated my heart and I'm not letting her go, she's what I've been looking for all my life.... she'll be mine... no matter what* he thought determinedly. Endymion lifted his head from his chest and watched as Usagi's face filled up with pain and her eyes glittered with unshed tears. At that moment he felt as if one thousand daggers were stabbing at his heart, he just couldn't stand to see her distressed. He was about to say something when she caught him off abruptly, "I'm sorry" she said. He stared at her in confusion, startled by her sudden reply. After a while he smiled down at her and squeezed her hands softly in assurance "Sorry for what?, Usagi, there's nothing to be sorry about. I love you with all my heart and that's the only thing that counts, what are you talking about?" "I'm sorry...." she repeated "...but this can't be" she looked up at him while tears rolled down her ivory skin, her eyes displayed what seemed like an unbearable sorrow "Mamoru... I... I... I'm so sorry" she choked out the words and then ran away, leaving him dumbfounded. *What did I do?* he asked himself, bewildered by Usagi's reaction. "Usagi, wait!" he yelled and then ran after her. *I'm not going to give up that easily...* AUTHOR'S NOTES: Well, that's it for now. So, what do you think? You know I LOVE e – mails, so PLEASE!!!! give me your opinion, I'll appreciate it very much. By the way, on chapter 3 I told you that I was going to finish a new story I'm working on for this holidays, but I never thought my teachers would leave me so much homework, so I won't be able to do it, sorry. Because of the same reason, chapter 6 won't be ready for next Sunday, but I PROMISE it will be in 2 weeks. Besos y abrazos para todos!!! (hugs and kisses for all of ya!)