Hi, minna! I'm back with Chapter 9--Mako-chan is bugging me so here it is--I hope you enjoy this, I'm really enjoying writing this. I want to thank all the people who e-mailed me, all your comments mean alot! I also want to thank my best friend Mako-chan, who encouragement has helped this story reach this far--but most of all I have to thank Naoko Takecuhi for inventing Sailor Moon. Remembering Part 9 by: Sailor Starlite Serena sat on the park bench, deep in thought about Darien. She knew that she really liked him, but it was impossible. Even if he returned her feelings, it was wrong. He was in college, she was in junior high...what people would say....she shook her head, trying not to think about it. But another thought intruded in her mind of why she could not be with Darien. She looked up at the Moon, and thought about what she once had up there...her kingdom, her mother's kingdom, forever destroyed. She knew that one day she would be able to restore it, and how would she be able to explain to Darien once that day came? She saw Darien coming in the park, and she grabbed her skates and ran. Darien saw Serena flee from him, and he looked after her sadly. He knew that they couldn't be together-- he had another reason besides their ages. He *was* the Prince of the Earth, and he knew that one day that he would have to reclaim his kingdom. Serena wouldn't be able to be a part of that, and that saddened him tremendously. He found that he cared deeply for Serena, and that scared him. He who shut off all of his emotions when his parents died. He decided to follow Serena. Serena finally slowed down when she reached a secluded enough spot where she wouldn't be noticed. She glanced up at the silver moon in the sky, and thought about her life up there. Curiously enough, there were blank spots and she wondered what went on during those forgotten times. Did she have someone who loved her? Was she ever engaged to anybody? And again, she wondered, why did she die? What made her want to end her life when the war broke out? For she knew, with deep certainty, that she ended her own life. She didn't notice Darien behind her until it was too late. Darien watched the small girl silently as she rested, and glanced up at the moon, seemingly deep in thought. He wondered what she was thinking about. He came up behind her, startling her with his sudden presence. Serena was surprised to see Darien behind her, and she got up to move again when his hand on her wrist stopped her. "Stay, Serena. I want to talk to you." She nodded slowly, and he released her wrist, coming to sit beside her. "Serena...why did you run when you saw me?" He asked, getting straight to the point. Her eyes widened at his directness, and she swallowed uneasily. "I didn't want to face you, Darien. That kiss we shared was wonderful, but you know that we..we can't be together..I mean, look at you! You're handsome and smart and everything a girl could want in a boyfriend. You're in college and are sophisticated and friendly. I fell in love with you when I first saw you, but that time we spent together I feel as though I can't be without you. Like you are the missing half of me." She realized all that she said and turned away, blushing, ashamed that she admitted all of that to him. Darien was in shock. She loved him? She was so beautiful and cheerful, full of life. She could have her pick of any guy, but instead she was picking him? When half of the guys were probably knocking themselves out to get close to her? "Serena...I love you, too. I can't explain it. I have never allowed myself to get close to anyone before, and these sudden feelings for you scare me. I can't understand how a girl so vibrant and caring could love me, an old sourpuss. Why, Serena?" She looked at him. "I don't know how to explain it, either, Darien. I just love you." She leaned her head aganist his shoulder and smiled. Darien wrapped his arms around her, and the two just spent a blissful time alone together, nothing to bother them. Serena finally lifted her head when she realized the time. "My mom's gonna kill me!" She excalimed, and jumped up. He chuckled and pulled her down again. "Don't worry about it, Serena. You don't have school tomorrow, do you?" He asked. She shook her head no, unsure of where this was leading. "Well, then, call one of your mom and tell her you stayed late at your tutoring session." He handed her his cell phone and she took it, thanking him with a light kiss. He returned it, and they broke it off quickly, letting Serena call her mother. Illene Tsukino wasn't worried about where her daughter was because Reenie had told her that she was getting tutored. Anything to help out her daughter in school. She placed the phone back on the hook, not knowing what her daughter was thinking. "You know, Darien, I *do* love you, but we can't be together like this...I mean, there are certain aspects of my life that nobody would understand. Do you know what I mean?" He nodded, knowing relating with her problem perfectly. She stood up to leave, and this time he watched her go, silently wishing that she would never leave his side. ~~At Darien's Apartment~~ Darien thought about his problem with Serena. How he wished that they could have a relationship! But it was impossible. He had his duties as Tuxedo Mask, to protect Sailor Moon. He couldn't take Serena someplace and then just leave her without explanation when duty called him to fight. It would be cruel to do that to the person who seemed to light up his soul. He lay awake for hours, agonizing over the problem. ~~At Serena's House~~ Serena stared out the window, wishing that she could just leap out of it and into Darien's arms. She loved him so much...but she was Sailor Moon--how could she explain her life to him? It would be impossible to do, and she couldn't run the risk of putting him in danger. She cared for him too deeply. ~~Both at the same time~~ Darien sat straight up in bed, coming to a decision. *I will be with her, no matter what destiny throws in our way.* Serena made up her mind. *No matter what I do, I will make sure that we will be together.* Short chapter, ne? Gomen, peoples! Send me e-mail and I will send you story. MemoryStar@juno.com