AN: hello, once again, from (v)e. This is a very long chapter and I spent forever on it, so please, reviews applenty!

Imperial Moon

By: (v)e

Chapter 5: I Remember

Recap: The accent and the stiff placement of her shoulders gave it away. Disbelief crept over his features.

“Serenity?”

“Yes, Endymion? Have you any other scandalous falsehoods to throw in my face this night?” She demanded.

“This makes no sense. You and Serena are supposed to be one entity. Not separate personalities.”

Serenity shrugged her shoulders. “Serena did not acclimatize herself to my presence as easily as you and my guardians.” She explained. “We were never as one. You and Endymion were one and the same from the day of your birth. The same could be said of Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus. You all were so similar that your alter egos were able to mold together without duress. However, when I was awakened, our egos were so dissimilar that we could find no way to fuse.” She said eloquently as she seated herself.

Darien sat beside her, taking her hand. “Serenity, if you two weren't able to fuse, then why are you finally showing up after all this time.” Serenity seemed to consider her words carefully before answering.

“Now that Serena has accepted her destiny and has become the woman she was meant to be, instead of her adopted self, she and I are compatible now. I will continue to surface till we are one once more.” She turned herself more toward him. “You see, my love, we are one person, but different. Two sides to the same coin. Do not think that Serena is not I. I am Serena and Serena is I.”

Darien looked like a pitcher overflowing. He blinked once, twice and looked her in the eyes once more. “Are you the reason Serena's been acting strangely?”

Serenity nodded.

“I do apologize. I fear that I have been too aggressive in my attempts to regain contact with the outside world. It is dreadfully dull being trapped in my alter ego's head.” She confessed. “All she ever thinks about are sweets, the scouts and you nak-” Serenity caught herself, blushing.

Darien inclined a brow, a look of pure mischief closing over his features.

Serenity seemed very uncomfortable and looked around. “Your living quarters have not changed that drastically from the ones you inhabited on Earth. Is this tea blackberry? I adore blackberry, but you already knew that, didn't you, my love?” She babbled. Darien smiled devilishly.

“So...Serena's thought about me naked?” He asked rakishly. Serenity choked on her tea. “Well, I wouldn't know precisely she's so guarded-” Serenity relented at his gaze, “-very well, yes, she has. She only loves you more than anything else in this universe. It's a natural occurrence, so don't you go getting an air of conceit, Endymion. I'll not tolerate you badgering her with you annoying arrogance.” She ordered very royally.

Darien smirked, quite pleased with himself. Realization dawned on his handsome face and he pinned his past lover with an accusing glare. “You think Serena thinking about me naked is 'dull' ?”

Serenity laughed melodically. “By Selene, no. But seeing as she has no conscious memory of our past,” She cleared her throat, “activities, she doesn't have realistic fantasies. I, however, remember them quite vividly and can honestly say, she's way off.” She chuckled to her teacup. “Too many romance novels.” She whispered, as she sipped her beverage.

Silence enveloped them, Serenity unconsciously leaning against her lover. She sighed in contentment, pondering what she was to tell him, and Darien thinking about what she'd already told him. After a moment of Serenity sipping tea, Darien stiffened and looked down at her.

“Serena's 'adopted self' ?” Serenity looked up at him innocently. “I beg your pardon?”

Darien sat up further from their relaxed position and turned to the princess. “You said that Serena had an adopted self. What did you mean by that?” He asked seriously.

Serenity put her teacup back on the coffee table. “Well, when she was first born, she was very much like me. Literally my carbon copy. She was naturally like me. We weren't that dissimilar when we first encountered each other. This was before I was locked away into her subconscious. When she was child, I told her of her future, even though she wouldn't remember it; she was far too young.” She paused and straightened the skirt of her summer dress. “So, I convinced her to put on a persona of what you know today. Of course, she was a compliant child and feigned it unerringly. After a while, I receded. Serena became irresponsible and ungraceful naturally...because of me.” She admitted shamefully.

Darien's mind went blank and a sense of betrayal crept over him. Anger soon joined it. His hands tensed and he felt the walls begin to close in on him. The Serena he loved was just a product of Serenity's toying? What did he love then? A guinea pig?

Serenity watched as he rose and began to stalk about the room. His face contorted with anger and she felt a slight hint of fear. Why was he so angry?

“Endymion, what's the matter?” She asked calmingly. Darien turned to look at her.

“You...you made Serena the way she is today?!” He exclaimed. Serenity jumped at the fury in his voice.

“By Selene, no! I just instilled some less than savory traits in her to deflect suspicion.” Darien's face reflected the shock he felt.

“W-what?” He stuttered.

Serenity rose and glided to him. “Darien.” She surprised him again by using his Earth name. “I merely put defensive traits in her. The Nega-Verse still wanted me dead. Her hair style was enough to give her away. How many people do you know that wear the hair style of Moon Kingdom royalty? However, if she were an irresponsible, klutzy air head, do you honestly think that they would look twice at her as the Future Ruler of the Moon Kingdom?” She left the question hanging for a moment before continuing. “I did it to protect us both. And it worked. Luna, Artemis and the scouts, even you, had no clue that I was your princess.” She explained.

Darien nodded, his anger fading. “I'm sorry. I guess I'm a little jumpy.” Serenity lifted a hand to wave it off, but stopped as she paled. “Endymion, I need to hurry. Serena is waking up and I don't have much strength left.” Darien sat beside her, ready to listen.

“Endy, remember.” She shivered violently and forced herself to continue. “Serena does not possess the strength of character that I do, atleast not yet. Be gentle with her, till we are once more whole. She's terrified of losing you. Remember. True love. It surpassed all reason and lasted for over a thousand years. Don't throw it away over petty jealousy.” She paused she regain her breath. “Seiya will try to lure her away from you and to steal her away. Until we are one again, I need you to look out for her. She doesn't have much experience with men like Seiya.” Darien nodded.

Serenity's lids fluttered. “I have to go now. Oh, and one more thing.” She added as an after thought. “She thinks she's going crazy, hearing voices in her head. Make sure she knows she's not.” Darien smiled and nodded in reply.

Serenity looked into his eyes. The eyes she'd missed so dearly. A pale hand came up to caress his face. “I love you, Endy.” Their lips met for the briefest instant before her body went limp.

Darien caught her as she fell in a dead faint, her hair turning back to its golden hue. He shook her slightly. “Serena? Serena?” After a few moments of fear and confusion, the blond woke up, looking around very perplexed. “Darien...what happened? The last thing I remember is us fighting. Are you we still fighting?” She asked innocently.

Darien smiled. “No, we aren't. It was just a misunderstanding.”

Afterwards, Darien made her more tea and retrieved aspirin for her headache. “I feel like I've been run over with a 18-wheeler.” She said, her voice strained. As she took the pills, she remarked, “I didn't even feel this bad after battling Galaxia.” She swallowed the remaining water and stared at him for a moment. “Did I black out?” She asked.

“Yeah, I think you're just tired.” The prince glanced at his watch. “I need to get you home. It's already nine o'clock.” He mentioned off-handedly. The usual sadness enveloped him at the thought of her leaving. He ignored it, however.

Serena looked at him for a moment, then averted her gaze, blushing. “Well, I kinda told my mom and dad that I was sleeping over at Amy's.” She mumbled. Darien's eyes nearly flew out of their sockets. “You what?”

Serena's face turned red again. “Well, we've been having problems. I wanted to be able to make sure we were on the same page. We never have time to talk, so I told a fib. I feel horrible about it, but you're more important than a little white lie.”

Darien's gaze narrowed. “And what happens when your mom calls Amy and finds out you're not there?”

Guilt spread over her angelic face. “I told them that her phones were out and to just call me on my cell phone.” She admitted.

Darien sat beside her and sighed. “While I agree it is morally repugnant, I understand what you're saying. We have been fighting a lot. And about stupid things.” He pulled her into his arms and sighed heavily. “I'm so sorry, Serena.”

Serena smiled. “There's nothing to be sorry for.”

They each curled up on the sofa, content in each other's arms, their legs tangled together and their hands intertwined. Serena sighed contentedly. This was where she was meant to be. For the rest of eternity. By Darien's side.

The princess thought back to all the times they'd spent together; on the moon and on Earth. When did it happen, exactly? When did she fall in love with him?

She delved into her memories, searching for that moment when she'd felt so strongly for him and came to one that stood out above the others. The moment she knew that she loved him. Her eyes trailed over his hand, grasped in her own. “Hey, muffin?” She began, looking up from her position beside him.

He smiled at the pet-name. “Yes, my love?” He endeared in return. “Do you remember the night your father died?” She asked seriously. Darien blinked. “Which one?”

“The first one.”

Darien nodded, his eyes turning dark. “I wasn't in the best frame of mind when that happened.” He replied, tightening his hold on her. Serena nodded.

“I remember that night, I was wandering the halls...”

Flashback

Serenity strolled along the darkened hallways of the Moon Palace, her long nightgown trailing behind her, swishing softly. She looked out one of the long, elegant windows of the palace and sighed. Another storm had rolled in. With all her might, she hated storms. She could never bring herself to sleep on those nights. The lightening always managed to scare the usually stable princess.

Behind Serenity, her scouts followed. Her ever-faithful guardians and friends. She turned and smiled at them. Mars, Mercury, Venus and Jupiter. They never left her side. “You may go to bed, my friends. Tonight proves to be sleepless for me, but you shouldn't fatigue yourselves on my account.”

Mars smiled. “You know the answer to that, Your Highness. We won't leave your side till you're safe in your room.” Serenity smiled down at the windowsill. “Will you be satisfied with my promise to immediately return to my chambers?” The scouts looked to the leader of the guardians.

Venus thought for a moment and smiled. “Very well, Princess Serenity. Make your way and we shall retire.” The agreement reached, they all went their separate ways.

Alone, Serenity made her way to the Princess Chambers. It felt good to be alone for once. With all the stress and image of a royal, she rarely found herself with her own thoughts. She'd had little time to contemplate the growing fondness for the Prince of Earth.

The prince hadn't struck her has anything out of the ordinary. Another mindless testosterone -driven prince vying for her hand and her throne. They'd met on the Earth King's first envoy to the Moon. The King and Queen were pleasant and wonderful people that genuinely loved the Moon and its people. However, their son, Endymion, hadn't been as eager to oblige their hospitality. Upon entering their palace and seeing her, he'd declared her, “Meatball Head.” It infuriated her to no end.

One unappealing feature of the prince was he did not believe very much in romance in some cases. He'd bluntly told her that love didn't matter in a physical relationship. How they'd come to that topic was still beyond her. Serenity had tartly told him that there was no such thing as a purely physical relationship and that she would die before engaging in lust with love. This had begun a very heated debate and many jeering comments from the prince.

Sometimes all they did was argue.

Despite this, they eventually became friends during their three months on the Moon, Serenity had found Jerk-Face, as she'd dubbed him, was a very well-rounded individual. He loved to hear the syron played, a Moon-made musical instrument similar to a piano, but made of moonstone, not strings, creating a soft, mystical and delicate sound.

On his third trip to the Moon, Serenity had been graced with him coming to hear her play several times. He also loved reading and roses, regaling her with tales of his mother's garden on Earth.

The prince had been shocked to hear she'd never seen a rose before, as they did not grow on the Moon. Immediately, he went to his chambers and returned with one perfect bloom.

Serenity slipped a hand into her pocket to remove the rose, still as beautiful as the day he'd given it to her. A simple task for a princess of the moon, preserving a simple flower but she'd wanted the rose to last forever. It touched her.

Still more, she had to contemplate the sultry kiss they'd shared before his leaving for Earth. It had been quite sudden and unexpected, right before they'd entered the receiving hall. Her head was still spinning from the feel of his lips on hers.

Serenity sighed as she reached for the moonstone handle of her chamber door. Would she ever see him again? With each visit, lasting from a month to three, she felt more and more attached to him. Their passionate encounter had made that longing almost unbearable. She missed him so.

The door to her room came open silently as she stroked her beloved rose. He was just...so sweet...sometimes, she amended. He could be an outright jerk sometimes.

Serenity's thoughts were interrupted by the sight of someone sitting on her balcony. She froze and felt the urge to run, to scream for the Scouts, anything. But her body wasn't cooperating. Calm down, Serenity, she told herself.

The rose slipped into her pocket easily as she called on her birth-given powers. All royalty were born with a measure of power from the Silver Crystal. She would merely knock the intruder unconscious and run for her Scouts.

Steeling herself, she approached the balcony, her hands glowing in the night. “Who's there?” She called out shakily.

The figure turned the natural luminous surface of the moon pulled his face slightly from the shadows.

“Endymion!” She cried out in relief. “You gave me quite a fright.” She said, discharging the energy from her body.

As she walked forward, she activated the glow stones. The room came into light and she saw his face for the first time.

Serenity felt her heart lurch at his expression. His face was pale and his cheeks streaked with smeared tear stains. She also noticed that he was missing his sword and armor. He was clad only in his loose shirt and breeches with hastily thrown on boots. “Oh, Selene. Endymion, what happened?!” She exclaimed.

She raced forward and took him into her arms quickly. A wrenched sob rang from his throat. “My father...” He broke off.

Serenity went into action, seating him on her bed. When he'd settled, she tried again. “Endy, what's wrong?” She entreated soothingly. She unconsciously rubbed his back, trying to soothe the pain she could feel radiating off his form.

He swallowed convulsively and found his voice. “I'm sorry, Sere. I shouldn't have come.” He managed before rising. Serenity grasped his arms and followed. “No, Endy. Sit back down and talk to me. You came here for a reason. Now tell me.” She said as she coerced him into a seated position once more.

Endymion stared at the room for a moment and spoke. “My father was just...killed.” He choked out. Serenity gasped. “Oh, Selene. Endymion, I'm so sorry.” She said wrapping her arms around him.

The proud warrior's resolve broke and silent tears fell from his cheeks. “It was just...so sudden. I...was hunting with him just yesterday and...my mom found him this morning. A heart attack.” He bit out. Serenity turned him to face her and tucked his face into her neck. “I know it hurts, Endy.” She whispered.

Serenity watched his tears, empathy seeping through her, remembering her own father's death. She'd wanted to die when she'd discovered her precious father gone.

She held him as he tried to control the pain of loss. “Endy, it will be alright.” She said softly. “I know your pain, as I too have lost my father. But the pain will lessen over time.” He calmed shortly after and wiped his cheeks. “I'm sorry to come and break down at your door.” He murmured. Serenity smiled, trying to cheer him.

“There is nothing to be sorry for. I know.” She brushed a lock from his face. “I'm actually kind of touched that you would come to me.” She admitted. Endymion was silent.

“Would you like some tea?” When he didn't answer, she rose to prepare some. His voice cut into the silence, jarring her.

“I tried to think of the last place I felt happy.” Serenity turned and met his eyes. They were completely honest and sincere. “I don't know why, but I feel calm and at peace when I'm around you, Serenity.” He continued.

Serenity started at his words, caught completely off-guard. His words seemed to act as a catalyst in her mind. Realization seemed to hit the princess full force. She loved him. She truly, undeniably loved Endymion. And she always would.

End Flashback

“That's when it happened.” Serena concluded. “That's when I fell in love with you.”

Darien smiled down at Serena, who returned it fully. No words were needed. They knew what the other thought. They each drifted off not long after, in each others arms.

AN: hello, everyone! thanks so much for reading my newest chapter in Imperial Moon. I hope you liked it and it cleared up a lot of confusion that was running rampant. I love you guys so much! And thanks for the wonderful reviews and Story Alerts and Author Alerts! That makes me so happy! Oh, and to all of you who tagged this as a Favorite Story, I LOVE YOU! You guys make being an author worth -while! thank you so much! Oh, and don't forget to tell me what you think of this chapter! Particulars are welcome!

However, please remember your manners, thanks.

Thank you again for all the reviews and tags!