16Roses in the Moonlight
Disclaimer: I don't own Serena (Sailor Moon), Darien (Tuxedo Mask), or Queen Beryl or any event that was mentioned. They are rightfully owned by Naoko Takeuchi of the manga, and the people who created the anime.
1st A/N: Hey, everyone. Jazz here. Okay, this is the first story I've ever written, so it may or may not be good, but I hope you guys will like it anyway. So, please enjoy the story and leave a review. :D
Chapter 1
One Saturday evening, Serena and Darien were out on one of their many dates that they had as a married couple, when the city was suddenly attacked by Queen Beryl's younger sister, Queen Amethyst. Realizing that disaster was once again among them, they soon transformed into Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Mask and were off to battle this new foe.
It was close to midnight when Serena and Darien returned home from an exhausting day of battling evil. As soon as they stepped into their apartment, Serena instantly collapsed against the sofa. Darien slowly followed after and gently placed her feet on his lap and massaged them.
"Geez. Who would've thought that Beryl would have a younger sister? Amethyst was harder to defeat than her," Serena softly complained to Darien.
He lightly shrugged his shoulders. "I don't remember Beryl mentioning she had one when she was one of my guards of the Earth Kingdom." (A/N: for some of you who don't know, this part is from the manga version when Beryl used to be a part of the royal guard of Earth) He tried to remember if Beryl or anyone else ever talked aboutAmethyst, or if he had ever seen her around, but his mind drew up a blank.
Serena was thinking if she ever heard of her, as well, but she came up with nothing also. "Well, maybe Amethyst was banned from the kingdom before you were born," she suggested.
Darien thought about it for a minute. "Yeah, maybe."
They sat in silence for a while, thinking about the day's events and whatever else came to mind. Serena was the first to speak up.
"Hey, Darien?"
"Hmm?"
"Do you remember when we shared our first kiss?" she asked suddenly.
Darien looked over to her and saw that she had a small blush beginning to form on her cheeks. He smiled gently and replied, "Of course, I do." Serena looked at him, wide-eyed.
"You do?" "Yes. Why wouldn't I?" "Well, when I had asked you once before, you acted like you didn't know. So, you can see why I'm a little surprised."
He blinked in confusion until he realized what she was talking about. "Oh. I'm sorry. I did remember back then. I just didn't want to say anything without the girls being able to eavesdrop on our conversation."
She thought over what he told her and decided to accept it. "Alright. I believe you," she said. "So, tell me. Do you remember when?"
He looked deep into her eyes and said, "Our first kiss was on the Moon Kingdom where we first met before everything was destroyed, and we lost all our memories." Serena smiled brightly and nodded at his answer.
Since he had told her the truth about their first kiss, she figured that she could get him to remember more things about their past achievements. "Okay. Since you answered that question, do you remember how we first met when we were reborn here on Earth?"
Darien smirked at her, knowing that she was going to ask that next. "Of course, I do. Meatball head."
Serena's face turned red as her cheeks puffed up when Darien called her "Meatball head." "Darien!"
He started to laugh uncontrollably at the look on her face. "I'm sorry, love. I couldn't help myself," he said once he had stopped laughing. "But to answer you seriously, yes, I do remember. You bumped into me when you had your head down, looking depressed about the grade that you got. That was the first day that we had our first argument." He stopped for a minute to catch his breath. "And that was also the first day that I fell in love with you. Again." (A/N: what he means by 'again' is that he loved her in their past lives before they were separated)
Her eyes widen in shock, but she was so glad to hear him say that. Although, she never knew that he has loved her for that long. Sure, they were in love during the era of the Moon Kingdom, but they didn't realize their feelings for each other until their memories were restored.
"I never knew that you had felt that way back then. And to be honest, I fell in love with you that same day, as well, even though I didn't know it at the time," Serena responded. She moved from her position on the sofa to wrap her arms around him in a hug. "But thank you for telling me. You made me happy all over again." Darien hugged her back and smiled softly.
She pulled away from the hug and sat back next to him. "Darien?"
"Hmm?"
"What were you thinking of when you first gave me my engagement ring?"
He looked down at her from the corner of his eye and said, "Well. I was thinking that after all we've been through, finding out that we are the future king and queen of Crystal Tokyo and with me going to college in America, I figured that it would've been the perfect moment to propose to you. I knew then that I couldn't live without you. You are my life, and I swore to protect you. Forever."
Darien looked deep into her eyes as he finished speaking. He saw many emotions flashing in her eyes but was only looking for two: her love for him and the happiness she produced from all their years together. As soon as he saw them, he pulled her gently into another hug and kissed her forehead softly. Serena buried her head in his chest and hugged him back tightly.
"I love you, Darien."
"I love you, too, Serena."
After that was said, they let go of each other and sat in a comfortable silence.
Serena laid her head on Darien's shoulder and began to play with his fingers. "Do you remember when we first regained our memories in Queen Beryl's castle, and I told you about when I gave you my Star Locket?" she asked suddenly. He looked down at her with a raised eyebrow and replied, "Yes. I do."
"Do you remember what I said to you?" Serena continued to play with his fingers, a slight blush forming on her cheeks.
Darien smiled softly and gently lifted her head up to look into her eyes. "Of course, I do, love. You said, 'I gave you my Star Locket, so you would always remember me'."
He looked deep into her eyes and held one of her hands to place it gently against his cheek. "I treasured your locket with my entire life, dreaming of when I would ever see you again to return it to you. But one day, I lost it during a fight for one of the seven crystals. I searched high and low for it, but I was never able to find it. I hope you can forgive me."
Serena felt tears pricking at the backs of her eyes. She never knew that the locket had meant that much to him. When he had answered her question, Serena was trying to decide whether or not she should give the locket back to him, but after his confession, she made up her mind. 'I should give him the locket, so he wouldn't have to worry over it so much anymore,' she thought.
"Um, Darien?"
"Yes, Serena?"
"I think I may have something that will help calm your nerves." Darien looked confused when she spoke and cocked his head to the side as she reached into the pocket of her skirt to pull out their Star Locket. (A/N: yes, I said 'their' because the locket technically belongs to both Serena and Darien)
Darien stared wide-eyed at the locket, confusion and relief showing on his face. "Is that..?"
Serena nodded her head, confirming his question. "Yes, Darien. This is our locket. I found it that same day you mentioned and have kept it ever since."
She looked down suddenly, not wanting to see his reaction to what she was going to say next. "I wasn't sure if I should've given it back to you, 'cause at the time, I didn't know that you were Tuxedo Mask. And after you got your memories back from the Moonlight Knight, I figured that you had forgotten about it, so I never mentioned it. Until now."
She looked up at Darien shyly from beneath her eyelashes. And what she saw surprised her.
Darien had a bright smile on his face. He couldn't believe it. He had been worried so much about the locket, only to discover that Serena had it this whole time. He had felt so relieved when she showed it to him. 'I'm so glad that the Star Locket is safe and sound,' he thought.
Serena was about to ask him what was wrong until Darien pulled her into a hug. Serena's eyes widen because she hadn't expected that kind of reaction from him.
"Darien?" she asked timidly.
Darien buried his head into her shoulder and began to speak. "You have no idea how relieved I am to see that our locket is safe." He leaned his head up and looked into her eyes. "And with you."
Serena blushed slightly and said, "Well, now that you know that I have it, do you want it back?"
Darien looked at her in slight shock. "No. You don't have to do that."
"But I thought that you would want to keep the locket once you had found it," she asked in confusion.
"No. That's not it."
"Then, why were you searching for it?"
"Because I was going to give it back to the princess as soon as I discovered who she was. And now that I know that you are the princess and have the Star Locket, I don't have to worry about giving it to you since I decided that you can keep it instead," Darien told her.
Serena sat there trying to process what had just been said to her. 'He's really going to let me keep the locket after all that we've been through? I guess it really does mean a lot to him.' She smiled at him suddenly and hugged him again. "Thank you, Darien. I'll protect it forever," she told him with tears brimming at the corner of her eyes.
Darien hugged her back tightly and whispered softly in her ear. "And there's another thing I'd like for you to keep, as well." Serena leaned back and looked up at him. "And what is that?"
He presented her with a beautiful, blood-red rose. "This. This rose is to show you that no matter where we are, I promise that I will always be with you and we will never be apart ever again." He handed her the rose and watched as her eyes lit up in adoration. She smiled at him lovingly and leaned up to kiss him gently on the lips.
As soon as their lips touched, Darien's eyes closed instantly, and he pulled her closer against him to deepen the kiss. The rose slipped out of Serena's fingers and fell to the floor, as she went to wrap her arms around Darien's neck. Their lips moved in sync with one another's as the kiss became more passionate by the minute.
Darien started to lean Serena back against the couch and continued to deepen the kiss. He let the tip of his tongue trail across Serena's bottom lip, silently asking for entrance. Serena moaned softly and opened her mouth slightly to let his tongue slip in and caress hers. His tongue traced the roof of her mouth, savoring her sweet taste that he loved so much. Serena moaned quietly and gripped the back of Darien's hair to bring him closer to her.
They continued to kiss for another minute until Darien pulled away. Serena's eyes slowly opened and saw Darien looking down at her with half-lidded eyes. No words were spoken as they continued to stare into each other's eyes.
Quietly, Darien got off the couch and held his hand out for Serena to take. Serena sat up slowly and placed her hand in his. He pulled her off the couch gently and began to lead her to their bedroom, the red rose forgotten on the floor.
2nd A/N: Okay, I know there was a lot of repetition talking about them getting their memories back and there was a reason for that because it all went along with them remembering what they did and said.
So, with that out of the way, don't forget to review.
This is Jazz, signing out. ;)