Title: White Roses Author: Alicia Blade E-mail: Kammi22@sprintmail.com Gomen nasai for not posting last week, but honestly, it totally slipped my mind. Besides, I went on a short vacation, and it's hard to post something without your computer handy, honest, it is. Anyway, some very important announcements!!! ROYAL FLUSH SEQUEL???? Alright, despite my warnings, people still asked my to write a sequel to RF, but ya know what, I'm still not gonna! Instead, Sailor Gany-Moon is! She was nice enough to volunteer, I've agreed with her plot, and so the sequel is now in her hands. Any ideas (or gratitude) for her, send it to Flipz_02@hotmail.com Go and check out Princess Destiny's website at http://www2.crosswinds.net/~aureliadestiny/MARS_MAIN_PAGE.htm IMPORTANT!! The first season romance website you all wanted is up and running! The archives are starting to have a bit of substance, and the Pikestreet Café is starting to fill up with some great poems as well! Go check it out!!! http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Spa/4410/ The next chapter in Road Trip will be posted next week. Now that that's out of the way, here's a bit about this story. It's my first complete Alternate Reality and it has a LOT of twists! It's a little strange, a little out there, but I hope you'll enjoy it anyway. Please write and tell me whatcha think! "`If you try to save your life, you will lose it. But if you give it up for me, you will surely find it.'" Matthew 10:39 White Roses "Why are you always following me around?" Darien screamed at his little seven-year-old sister, Michelle, her eyes brimming with tears. She took a step away from him shakily. "I told you to leave me alone! Will you just go away and stay out of my life!" The girl quickly turned and fled, her small legs gliding easily over the soft green grass. Soon, she disappeared behind a patch of large trees. Darien just stared at where she had stood a minute ago. He could still see her big blue eyes as a tear slid down her cheek and her soft brown hair flying behind her as she ran from him. His heart sank and he instantly regretted the things he had said. He did love his sister, it was just that sometimes she could be so annoying! And now she was running around in a park all by herself, because of HIM! Sighing, Darien stomped off in the direction she had gone, calling her name. Michelle crouched in the center of the small gazebo that stood in the middle of the rose garden. Tears streaked down her warm cheeks as her hand frantically tried to wipe them away. Finally she gave up and allowed the tears to fall, burying her face deep within her small palms. Slowly, she began to sense another presence in front of her. She opened her tear-flooded eyes and looked up. There, kneeling only a few inches from Michelle was a beautiful goddess. Her crystal blue eyes stared back at her with such warmth and caring and concern that the unwanted tears immediately ceased falling. The girl's glossy pink lips turned into a friendly smile. Her rosy cheeks highlighted her pale complexion and her stunningly golden hair tumbled in great waves around her shoulders, landing in a great heap upon the wooden floor of the gazebo. She wore a simple and elegant white dress of the shiniest, daintiest material. There was no lace or embroidery or frills, but it was by far the most gorgeous gown Michelle had ever laid eyes on. Strangely, she realized that as she gazed into the large, loving eyes of this mysterious girl, she felt joy. Pure, raw happiness. "Don't cry Michelle." Her sweet voice ringed in Michelle's ears like a bell. "Darien didn't mean it. He loves you. I'm sure if you give him another chance, he will apologize. Here why don't you give this to him as a peace offering." The girl held out her hand and pulled a white rose from the thin air. It was perfect. The soft aroma drifted off of the satin petals filling Michelle's nose with its delightful scent. She reached out a shaky hand and carefully took it in her palm. Slowly, she took the rose from the girl and pulled it to her chest, afraid it might break. When she looked into the crystal eyes again, she saw the girl smiling down at her with the same gentle, loving smile.\ "Mishy?" Michelle slowly turned away from the girl to see her big brother Darien staring at them in awe. Her face lit up and she ran to him. A few feet away, she jumped and was effortlessly caught in his strong arms and pulled to his chest, wrapping her arms tightly around his neck. "I'm so sorry Darien! I know you told me to leave you alone, but I wanted to be with you 'cause you're my big brother and I..." "Shhhh. It's okay Mishy, I'm sorry I yelled you. I do love you." "I love you too, Darien." She pulled away from him with a huge smile on her face. She untangled one arm from behind his neck and held out her rose. "See what the angel gave me? I want you to have it, Darien." "Gee, thanks, Mish. But did you thank the... uh..." Darien looked over the small girls shoulder into an empty gazebo. "Huh... where did she go?" he whispered to the air. "Heaven!" Michelle's voice replied matter-of-factly. Darien smiled at her and put her on her feet. "Thank you for the rose. It's beautiful. Now how about some ice cream?" "Yeah!" Michelle said cheerfully, pulling him down one of the pathways out of the rose garden. Darien looked back, but the girl, or angel, was nowhere to be seen. Five years after Michelle had met the "angel", an 18 year old Darien sat silently on his bed. Angel. That is what they had always called her, since neither had any idea who or what she actually was. Not that they hadn't heard from her since then. Darien knew that she was always nearby. Somehow, it seemed as though she was always watching him. Protecting him. Darien sat perfectly still. Glancing at the clock he noticed it was already past midnight. How long had he been sitting there? Three hours? Four? It didn't matter. His eyes returned to the vase that had held his attention so thoroughly. It contained 11 white roses, all in full bloom. Each one of them was so perfect. No scratches, bruises, thorns… One of them was the rose the angel had given to Michelle during their argument. It never wilted. It never lost its color, or its scent. It remained as beautiful as it was when the angel had first pulled it from the air. The other ten were also from the angel, though he hadn't seen her those times. When she gave them to him, they would just appear. Always when he was sad or angry. And they always brightened him up instantly. When his first girlfriend broke up with him, there was a rose in his locker. When his grandmother died he found one in the hospital chair next to him. And when he broke his wrist and couldn't play in the state H.S. Basketball Championship, there was a rose in his duffel bag. All and all he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that his angel, or whoever, would always be there for him, and he found comfort in that solitary thought. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, Darien sighed longingly. His memory held the image of the golden-haired beauty as if he'd been looking at her five minutes ago. Her smile, her eyes, her figure, were all engraved into his mind. His heart would tear every time he would so much as think of her. He wanted to sing and dance knowing that she existed, that she was nearby. But he also wanted to shout and scream. He couldn't see her, hold her, talk to her. He had no idea how to find her, no clue where she could be. Once he had tried to make himself cry in the hopes that she would show up to comfort him. She never did. And worse, he hadn't even heard from her in the past 8 months. The last white rose, the eleventh bud, had came to him eight months ago to the day. And he hadn't received another since. "Darien?" He opened his eyes to see a twelve-year old girl with short brown hair standing in his doorway. Michelle had matured a lot over the past five years. She was still young, as much a kid as anyone, but no longer did she tag along with him and his friends, or throw tantrum fits at the slightest deprival from him or their parents. She was also quite intelligent for her age, to the everlasting pride of her older brother. "Hey Mish, come on in." "Thanks." She walked in quietly, making herself comfortable on his bed. As they usually did, Michelle's eyes focused on the vase sitting on Darien's nightstand. Tilting her head to the side, she reached out for it to hold it in her lap. If it had been anyone else, Darien would have yelled and screamed at the innocent touch, no one seemed to realize how important the flowers were, but Michelle did. She had been there the first time, after all. "How are you doing?" she asked, her gaze glued to the vase. "Alright, I guess." A silence draped over the room as Darien rubbed at his sleepy eyes. Finally, he said, "I miss her." "Who?" "The angel." Michelle nodded in response. "Me too. I wonder where she is right now. If she's… flying around the sky, or sitting on a cloud, reading a book…" "Attending to her rose garden…" he added with a small grin. Michelle smiled as well, before placing the crystal jar back onto the nightstand. "I was wondering if you would drive me out to the mall tomorrow morning." "Sure, no problem. What are you looking for?" "Just stuff." "Alright, we'll get going around eleven then." "Thanks, Dare. I'll see you in the morning." "'Night, Mishy." "Sweet dreams!" she called as she skipped out of the room. Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, Darien closed his door and switched off his light. Moon beams poured through the window, attaching to the perfect roses. Pulling his sheets back, Darien climbed beneath the covers, looking up at the moon solemnly. "Good night, angel." A scream pierced the silence of the night, waking Darien from his not-so-peaceful sleep. Startled, he sat up to look nervously around the dark room. After listening for a moment, his heart beating rapidly, he thought he could hear a muffled squeal from down the hall. Immediately jumping from his bed, he ran out into the hallway, tearing Michelle's bedroom door open. "Mishy?" he called, flipping on the light switch. His gaze was met with an empty bed, an open window, and a white piece of paper fluttering in the breeze on the back of the door. Shakily, he reached up and pulled it from the doorframe. Prince Endymion of Earth, You take my princess, and I will take yours. The girl will be unharmed for 24 hours. After that, I make no guarantees. I want Princess Serenity by then, along with the Silver Imperium Crystal, or your precious 'sister' will never again see the light of day. I make no idle threats. Sincerely, Prince Diamond of Nemesis "Wha…" his eyes scanned over the paper, tears stinging in his azure gaze. Breaths becoming ragged, he scrunched the paper in his grip before running toward the window and jumping out fearlessly. Hitting the soft grass below, he thought of nothing but his sister's laughing smile as he began running past the orange streetlights on the deserted sidewalk. His breaths puffed up in the cold night air as his eyes searched for any sign of life or movement. They found none. Unsure of how many blocks or miles he had run, Darien began to slow his pace, the crystal tears falling down his cheeks thoughtlessly. "MICHELLE!" he screamed, turning in circles. His voice echoed for only a moment before disappearing, unheard by any other ears. "No…" he whispered, his mind becoming dizzy, hollowness and pain filling his heart steadily. "No… no… no…" Choking on his sorrow, Darien collapsed to his knees on the hard pavement below, staring up at the stars above. "No…" he begged, whimpered. His heart began to cloud with desperation, as all thoughts became numb and slow. "Darien…" whispered a soft voice from behind. Startled, he jumped to his feet and turned around, not bothering to wipe away the tears as they fell. Confusion entered in as his dark blue eyes widened in shock. The word 'angel' hung at the tip of his tongue, but he couldn't bring himself to utter it. "Darien, it's me," the girl said quietly, her voice melting his heart, comforting him gently. "Y…you… you're the angel…" he whispered disbelieving. Her small pink lips closed for a minute, before she began speaking again. "I'm sorry, Darien. This is all my fault. It's my fault they have Michelle with them now. I'm so sorry. I never meant for either of you to get hurt. I just…" "Wait! Wait, what are you talking about. What does this have to do with you? Who… who are these people? Where is my sister? Who are you?!" he started screaming at her, worry and anger filling his voice. The angel turned away, looking down at the pavement below. Darien gasped for breath, silent when she didn't answer him. "Please… tell me…" Shaking her head, the angel looked up at him once again. "It's a very long story, and we haven't enough time. Michelle needs you now." "Where is she?" The angel stood silent for a minute, unmoving and emotionless. "Where is she?!" he screamed again, placing his hands on her shoulders. He gasped pulling back as his hands slipped through her body. "What on Earth…" After examining his hands for a brief moment he made eye contact with the girl again,. Her pale blue eyes glimmered with held back tears. "You're not real…" he whispered. She shook her head again. "No, I'm simply not alive. There is a difference." "I… I don't understand." She sighed, turning to look up at the moon. "We don't have time for the whole story, but you need to know this. I am Serenity, Princess of the Moon, and heir to the Silver Millenium. At least, I was until it was destroyed. You see, a thousand years ago, I was betrothed to Prince Diamond of a faraway moon called Nemesis. But then I met and fell in love with another young prince, this of Earth. I convinced Queen Serenity, my mother, to call off my engagement to Diamond so that I might marry the Prince of Earth. She did, but Diamond then went into a terrifying rage. He destroyed my kingdom, and my people. He would have killed my love, but I threw myself in front of the blast, dying in my prince's arms." She closed her eyes tightly, her long hair falling about her shoulders as Darien watched in amazement. "Prince Diamond killed my mother and stole our most valuable heirloom, a gem called the Silver Imperium Crystal. It is the most powerful thing in this universe. It was then, and it still is now. But before Diamond could do anything with it, my fiancé grabbed it from him, and before anyone could so much as think, he had somehow used his own power to stop the evil plans of Diamond. I can still feel his love and power flowing through me as if I was not dead, and I…" Serenity paused, raising her eyes to Darien. "I'm sorry, I'm getting too detailed and we don't have time for this. Perhaps I will finish the story another time, but for now…" "Wait, what happened? Just… please, tell me what happened…" She sighed. "In the short version, my love saved the day by sending the people to the future to be reincarnated. He was, his family and my family were, even Diamond was. But for some reason… I was not. And so I have wandered this Earth as a spirit for a thousand years, waiting for my prince to return." "You're prince… it… it's me, isn't it?" She gasped, returning her gaze to his. Hope filtering into her eyes, she took a step toward him. "Do you remember?" Darien sighed, shaking his head. "No, but this Diamond creep left me a note. He called me Endymion, the Prince of Earth." Her eyes drooping slightly, Serenity turned and walked away slowly. "I see, then." "But, I don't understand. I mean, I'm no one special, just your everyday teenager who's going to college in a couple months, and…" Darien paused when Serenity began giggling slightly. "What?" She looked up to him, her blue eyes glazed over in love and admiration. "Believe me, you are anything but an everyday teenager. I should know." Darien gulped at the strange look she was giving him, afraid of the secretive glance, and yet delighted by it all the same. She continued, "You, Darien Chiba, are the reincarnated Prince Endymion of Earth. Like it or not. Understand it or not." "What does Michelle have to do with any of this?" Sighing, Serenity turned her gaze away yet again. "Nothing, I'm afraid. She was just… born to be your sister, not by fault of anyone. Oh, it is all my fault that she was brought into this though! I became careless!" "What are you talking about? What did you do?" "The roses. I shouldn't have given them to you. I should have known that Diamond would find out about them eventually. I should have realized that he would track you down! Oh, but I couldn't help it. It hurt so much to see you sad or angry… I could feel your pain as if it was my own… I simply couldn't stop myself… I'm so sorry, Darien…" "The roses? He found us because of… the roses?" "It's hard to explain, and I can't do anymore explaining right now! We have to go! You have got to go save your sister!" Darien remained silent for a moment, before nodding silently. Serenity walked closer to him, standing only a foot away. "Be careful," she whispered. "Remember, that I will always be by your side, even if you can't see me." With those words, whispered so lovingly into the surrounding night, Darien was washed in a glowing white until everything faded away to blackness. Slowly, his head stopped spinning and he could once again hear the sound of his heartbeat. Opening his eyes to slits, he was surprised that there was now dim lighting all around him. Shakily, he stood up from his crouched position. The large room had dark green marble floors and candle sconces, setting an orange glow across the dark walls. A breeze chilled him to the core and he gulped, wrapping his arms tighter around himself. Only then did he realize he was still in his pajamas, sweatpants and a black tank top. From behind him, a deep sinister laugh echoed through the room. Turning on his heels, he saw a golden throne before him. Molds of dragons and serpents surrounded the great chair and small demon figurines sat upon the back. On the throne, a man sat casually, sipping at a glass of red wine. His silver hair fell over his crystal blue eyes, the bony fingers of his free hand tapped mindlessly on the arm of his chair. A white uniform with pale blue embroidery stood out against the bronzy gold, making the man almost glow in dark light. "Welcome to my humble abode. As I'm sure you've guessed, I am Prince Diamond of Nemesis, the Dark Moon. And you must be Prince Endymion of Earth, I presume. Or… would you prefer Darien?" "Where's my sister?" "Oh, no small chit chat before we discuss business? What a shame. I'm quite interested in what you've been doing with your life these past 18 years. Been… growing many roses, have you?" Clenching his fist, Darien forced himself to stand straighter despite the shaking of his knees. "Where is she?! I want her back now!" The man laughed. "I'm afraid I can't give her to you. Not until you've completed your side of the bargain." "We never had a bargain." "Oh, but I beg to differ. Your dear sister, for Princess Serenity and the Silver Imperium Crystal, a fair trade." Darien's breathing became quicker as his jaw began to suffer from the clenching of his teeth. "Listen Diamond, I…" "Prince Diamond." His eyes glared and he continued angrily, "I don't know what you're talking about. I don't have any crystal, and I certainly don't have a princess!" "Ah, then who gave you those beautiful roses might I ask? Don't play dumb with me, boy, I know very well that you've communicated with her. I've been watching you. Don't you think I know that she's still dead? Who's fault is that, by the way? She died protecting YOU! The love of MY life died because of some crazy infatuation with the prince of EARTH!" Diamond stood, his voice rising as he spoke. "A prince who doesn't even love her. Who never loved her!" "Where is my sister?!" Darien screamed back at him, anger and agitation pulsing through his veins. "If you truly loved her, you would be able to touch her now. I was watching you two before you came here, alone in the street. You still cannot have her! You can't hold her, touch her, kiss her, because you don't really love her! And yet… her childish images of you remain. It made my stomach churn at the way she looked at you. The tone in her voice when she said your name. And you noticed none of it! All you're worried about his your immature sister! Well THERE'S your sister!" Waving his hand to the side, Darien watched as a blood red curtain pulled back from the wall to reveal a small nook. Inside, chained to the wall, Michelle watched wide-eyed, tears streaming down her face. She screamed as Diamond's wineglass came flying at her, shattering on the brick wall by her side. Darien yelled in surprise. They stared at each other for a minute in silence. "Darien…" she whimpered quietly. He gasped. "Michelle!" he screamed shaken, immediately trying to run toward her, but a blast knocked him backward. Collapsing to the ground, he glared up at Diamond again. "Let her go." "Not until I get what I want," he hissed back. "What do you want from me?!" "The heart that you stole! I want the love and devotion of Princess Serenity. She is rightfully MY princess! You stole her from me. You took away her kingdom, her rule, her power, things that I would have had! I want them back!" "Take them! I don't care anymore, just let my sister go! Leave her alone! Take anything you want, but don't hurt her!" A silence filled the room, the only sounds ticking off the walls were the sobs of Darien and Michelle. Diamond's voice calmed to a whisper, sending chills coursing through Darien. "You fool. How dare you call yourself a prince? I see now just how ignorant Serenity was to have believed she was in love with a no one like you. You don't deserve her. You never did, and I assure you now, that you will never have her again. Mark my words, PRINCE, if I don't have Princess Serenity, no one will." Darien pushed himself to his feet again. "Kind of ironic, don't ya think? Saying you just called me a no one." The small grin on Diamond's lips melted and he held his open fist out toward Darien. "You will die now, for stealing my love, and for hurting her as you did. This time, no one is here to protect you." His hand began to glow with ice blue energy. Darien gritted his teeth, watching in amazement, unsure of what was happening or what was going to happen. He gasped suddenly as a bolt came flying out of Diamond's hand, heading for his chest. His mind dying to numbness, he simply stood and watched, frozen in place. He would never forget the many screams that echoed in his mind the next moment. Perhaps one was his, he wasn't sure. Michelle had called out his name, fear flooding her fragile voice. Then he heard an unfamiliar scream as a white and golden mass fell before him. Diamond shrieked soon after that, retracting his hand to his chest, before pushing it away as if a villain had taken control of his limb. Darien's stunned, ocean blue eyes drifted down to see a shaking body lying on the marble floor in front of him. Golden locks of hair sprawled all around her, tiny white fingers clutched at her side as crystal tears began splashing to the floor below. The chaos was replaced in calm, utter silence. His mouth running dry, Darien shakily collapsed to the floor now as well. From off in a forgotten corner, a small voice managed to choke out quietly, "The angel…" "Serenity…" whispered Darien. Finally, he drew his mouth close and scooted closer to her. With nervous fingertips, he reached out to stroke through her golden hair. Tears pushed to the corners of his eyes, when again his hand slipped through her. A loud startling sob fled from him as he pulled back, falling to his elbows, his head hanging down. His body shook as tears streamed down his cheeks. "No… no… no… Not again…" he whispered as visions of another time, exact duplicate to the nightmare he was living now. "NO!" roared Diamond madly. Pulling himself from the clutches of shock, he ran forward to the girl lying on the ground. Dropping beside her, he slipped a hand beneath her back, holding her head to his chest. Shakily, he began running his hand through the golden mane, attempting to comfort the fading girl. "Wha…" Darien mumbled in shock as he watched Diamond touch her and hold her effortlessly. His eyes only stared in shocked silence as Diamond kissed her forehead tenderly. Then, jealousy and anger began flooding through him again. Jumping to his feet, he pointed a finger at Diamond. "Get away from her!" he screamed. Eyes filled with sorrow and hatred lifted to his. Strong arms only tightened around Serenity, rocking her slowly back and forth. "Why should I? I'm the one who loves her, not you!" he hissed. Darien clenched his teeth. "That's not true!" "Oh, isn't it? Then tell me, why can't you hold her?" Darien stumbled back slightly for a loss of words. Gently, Diamond placed her back onto the floor, placing a gentle kiss on her cheek before standing yet again. He stepped over her body, coming closer to the seething man. "You never loved her. I was the one who could have given her everything, and I would have. I would have given her the stars, all the moons in the galaxy. I would have filled her with love and nurturing. But she chose YOU. And all you've ever done was hurt her. YOU took her for granted. Honestly, was she ever more than a pretty face and being of power to you? Ever?!" "That's not true. None of that is true!" "I don't hear you denying it! I don't hear you proclaiming your undying love, as she always did with you! You don't love her!" Darien stepped back with every forward motion of Diamond. Unsure arms tied themselves about his waist as he refused to make eye contact with the progressing man. "I… I…" "And now, Endymion, Prince of Earth, you will pay for breaking her heart, as you broke her mind and soul. You will pay for forcing her to pine over you so, and never giving her what she deserved." Again, a beam of energy glowed around Diamond's hand. Darien looked around, searching for any sign of help, anything he could use to protect himself. What he saw was his sister, who had always been there to love him and talk to him, and an angel, who had given him hope and happiness when he thought there was nothing left. She was dying. Michelle was chained up, and she would die also, if he lost this battle. "I won't lose… I won't lose them…" he whispered to himself. Tear after unknown tear slipped from his eyes, but one stopped in thin air. Gleams of white swirled around it, forming a glowing white stone in front of him. His hands reached out to it as he felt a warmth invade his body. His mind began to throb as an image of long ago filtered back to his thoughts. "I won't let you do this, Diamond!" Prince Endymion screamed from his crouched position in the main ballroom. Princess Serenity's lifeless body was strewn on the floor only feet away from him, along with eight soldier suited girls about the room, all having died attempting to destroy one of the men left standing. Crumpled on the floor at Diamond's feet, a dying queen choked for her last breaths of air. In Diamond's hand, a silver stone shimmered brightly in the morbid room. He cackled evilly, ready to kill the Earth prince, and claim this kingdom for his own. He dodged easily when Endymion's sword was thrown at him, skimming by his armor-clad shoulder. He laughed, turning back to where the attacker stood, but then he froze. The prince was gone. "What?!" He yelled again as the stone was grabbed from his fist. Whirling around, he faced Endymion, who was holding onto the Silver Imperium Crystal for dear life. "You will pay for all that you have done, Diamond!" the Earth prince yelled, holding the crystal above him. With a flow of power, a loving look directed to the princess fallen on the floor, and a scream of agony, the glowing light of the crystal engulfed all. Darien fell to his knees on the hard, cold floor, gasping for breath. The dull stone clattered to the marble beside him as the last screams from Diamond echoed and died in his ears. Closing his eyes, he listened thankfully for the beating of his heart and his heavy breathing, stirring the silence in the large room. "Endymion…" whispered a small voice. He opened his eyes to see that the princess had managed in pulling herself to her knees, only a few feet before him. He forced a smile, inching closer to her. "Princess… are… are you alright?" Her pale blue eyes dawned with a tiny smile, gazing back at him with more love and compassion than he thought it was possible for a person to have. "I'm fine, my prince, but…" Darien's grin turned to concern as he saw the girl began to become transparent. "Wha… what's going on?" "You have no need of my anymore. I must leave now…" she whispered. "What? No! No, you can't leave! I do need you! What about the roses and… and the crystal? Wait, you can't leave me, not now, not after everything!" He reached out a hand to her, but once again broke into tears. He could feel nothing where she was but empty air. "Diamond was right, my prince. You never truly loved me. That is why you can't feel me, and why we can't be together." "No, that's not true. You must know that that's not true!" "You never said the words, my prince. I know that you love me, I always knew in my heart. But… did you? Did you know that you loved me?" "I… I do. I do…" "What, Endymion?" "I… I…" "Shh…" her eyes became paler as her body faded away. "I know. Please, be happy. And remember, I love you…" her last words shimmered through the air as the last golden locks disappeared from his view. Silence once again draped through the room. Darien's eyes searched frantically for any sign of the princess, but he found none. Choking on his sobs, he collapsed fully to the ground, pounding at the marble with his fists. "I do love you," he whispered, then repeated louder, "I DO love you! Why can't anyone see that? Doesn't anyone have any idea how much I love you?! How much I NEED you?!" Tears falling carelessly, he chanted the phrase over and over, asking why, begging her to come back, declaring his love and devotion. Minutes later, and still crying, Darien weakly stood and walked to his sister. She had tears streaking her cheeks as well as she watched him silently free the binding chains. "I know you love her," Michelle whispered quietly. A tiny smile tugged at the corners of Darien's lips as he released her. They stared at each other for a minute, before he pulled her into a tight hug, and they cried together. The blue sky was dotted with small white clouds. Birds hopped around the grass, twittering and playing, flying about together. Somewhere in the distance, laughing could be heard. He knew that somewhere in the distance, there was a couple. Many couples. Happy and loving, holding each other and playing, teasing, kissing and holding. He knew that somewhere in the distance, the words 'I love you' were on someone's tongue, ready to brighten the day and life of another. How he wished he was that someone. The grass below him was warm from the sun, itching at the back of his neck. Looking down at his hand, he watched as a small red ant climbed over one of his fingers before disappearing in the forest below. A patch of white daisies was not too far away. A warm summer breeze made the leaves sing and dance above him. The large oak tree shaded his eyes from the blinding sun, letting patches of golden light sparkle through. It reminded him of her hair. Then again, the sky reminded him of her eyes. The birds reminded him of her voice. The breeze reminded him of her words. "I love you…" he said to the air. He didn't know how many times he had said those three simple words in the past week, since the fearful day at Diamond's palace. Not enough. His memories of a thousand years ago were in tact. He remembered loving her, feeling her love engulf him every time they were near each other. He had known then that they were meant to be together. And he remembered every time she had told him she loved him. Every time the words had escaped her lips. He also knew that not once had he returned the favor. He never could bring himself to say it, for reasons he didn't understand. Fear of rejection, or loss? Possibly. But he regretted it now. He knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that he was completely in love with her. He had been a thousand years ago, and he had been the first time he'd seen her in the gazebo at the park. This park, to be exact. He knew that if ever he had another chance, he wouldn't hesitate to tell her the truth. To tell her his feelings, his love for her. IF ever he had another chance. It was quite unlikely. He closed his eyes sadly, ignoring the familiar tears as they fell down his cheeks. He wondered if there were many more tears left in him to cry. It seemed that's all he did these days. On the warm breeze, the soft scent of roses flowed over him. His brow furrowed. The last time he had smelled such a delicious scent… was 8 months and 7 days ago. His eyes popped open. Sitting up, he turned to his side to see a perfect white rose lying amongst the patch of small daisies. Fervently, he looked around, reaching blindly for the rose as his eyes scanned over the horizon. Above him, he thought he heard a soft giggle. Looking up, he watched as a stream of gold disappeared in the tree. "Serenity!" he yelled, hopping to his feet. The tree branches ruffled. Running around the trunk, he saw the figure of a girl drop from the above branches before scampering away. "Wait!" Clutching the rose, he took off after her, watching and listening for her gentle laugh, her golden hair. But soon, she was out of sight again. He continued running through the park as fast as he could, unbelieving that she had left him yet again. After what seemed hours, he slowed to look around him, gasping for breath. He found himself in the rose garden. Gulping, he traveled up one of the many trails, his eyes searching over the colorful bushes. Then he looked ahead of him. It was the large wooden gazebo where he had first seen Serenity with Mishy. Where he had seen an angel. Walking closer, he saw that a girl was standing in the gazebo, facing away from him. She wore a Juuban school outfit, with a blue pleated skirt, white blouse, and navy collar. Knee high socks and black mary-janes adorned her small feet and shapely legs. Golden hair was tied into two matching buns on top of her head, with the ponytails flowing to her knees. Darien gulped, striding up to her nervously. At the top of the steps to the gazebo, he paused and looked at her. She stood still, ignorant of his existence. Closing his eyes for a brief moment, he inhaled a sharp breath, before taking a few more shaky steps toward the girl. "S…Serenity?" he asked uncertainly. "Hm?" the girl turned to face him, large blue eyes sparkling curiously from beneath soft bangs. Darien gasped, a smile tugging at his lips. On seeing him, the girl turned around completely as well, her pale pink lips opening slightly. Her gaze traveled down briefly to the white rose held in his hands, before she met his stare once more. "Serenity…" Darien whispered astonished. The girl's grin widened and she took a step toward him. "Please, Endymion, my name is Serena now." He smiled as well, a surprised and relieved chuckle escaping from his lips. "And I'm Darien." A silence filled the air between them as Darien looked at shy girl. She blushed, looking down at the wooden floor as her hands began to tie themselves in front of her stomach. After a moment, Darien whispered, tears beginning to cloud his eyes, "You… you came back to me." "I had to," she whispered back, still refraining from looking up at him. "There's something… I need to hear." Biting her lower lip, Serena glanced up at him through her long thick eyelashes. Darien could feel his heartbeat speed up with the tempting looks she was giving him. He stepped closer to her, lessening the distance between them enough so that he could reach out and touch her. Or could he? "Serena… can… can I touch you?" She raised her stare up to look him straight in the eyes. "Do you want to touch me?" "More than anything." She only looked at him for a moment, and he thought he could see something shimmer in the corner of her azure eye. She gulped. "Yes… if… if you could do something for me… I… I came back because I need to know if… if you…" "If I love you?" he whispered, startling her from her train of thought. Their damp eyes met and she motioned 'yes' with a quick movement of the head, too frightened to do anything else. Darien smiled lovingly down on her. With shaky hands, he reached up to trace along her jaw line. She shuddered at the touch, and he sighed quickly, a tear falling down his cheek. His lips curling up in a wide, delighted grin, he looked deep into her eyes. "I love you," he said. "I've always loved you. And I promise to tell you that many more times in the future." A sob of happiness fled from Serena's lips and her tensed body relaxed as her eyelids drifted close, relishing in the simple words. He repeated them to her again and again, growing quieter, as well as closer, until she was stunned at the feel of warm lips pressing against her own. Darien wrapped his arms about her waist, pulling her closer to him as he kissed her with every bit of love and passion he had been holding for this angel for one thousand and five years. His lips teased her continuously, even after they had pulled apart, and he refused to let his hold loosen from around her waist. As they walked happily away in each other's arms, in between kissing her lips, cheek, and temple, Darien chattered away, "Which reminds me, when was the last time I told you I loved you? Because I love you. Oh! Did I forget to mention that I love you? Hey, Serena, guess what! I love you!" Her delighted giggles echoed in his ears and heart for the rest of both their lives. There ya go, my first AR. Hope ya liked! Luv and God bless! <3 Alicia