Um yeah… he he so... Don't really have much to say other than life can get the best of you… And not always in a good way… So it's been almost a whole year since I've posted anything and I sincerely apologize. I hope that some of my old followers will come back to this story and that I will hopefully gain new ones… but I really won't be offended if they don't... I haven't been the most loyal to this story so I can hardly judge.

I will also be going over and making some minor changes in the previous chapters and the story set up. Things like chapter titles and spelling and grammar mistakes.

Oh! I am still looking for a Beta who is actually willing to put up with me and my horrible mistakes. :p Any ways enough with the notes! On to the LLOOONNNGG awaited story!

P.s. I LOVE EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU WHO TOOK TIME TO READ AND REVIEW/ FAVORITE/ ALERT THIS STORY!! I DON'T THINK YOU REALIZE THAT YOU ARE MY TRUE MOTIVATION BEHIND WRITING AGAIN!! I really took time and read all the amazingly thoughtful people who replied to what happened to me. I really owe you guys. 3 You are all amazing people!

KEY;

Italics = thoughts

" - - - - " = talking

*** ** *** ** *** = time lapse

Disclaimer: I own Diddly Squat and a Kitten... other than that I do not own the Famous Sailor Moon Series. ^^ (Oh but the story, plot, and made-up characters are my prisoners.)

Chapter 14 of TsukiHime

The Preparations

DARIEN'S POV

After a light breakfast Darien decided half way to the stables that he would just talk to Andrew about finding the trader who owned the little filly. He was afraid that after spending a month in a coma, even though he felt fine, that people would worry that something happened t o him if someone decided to look for him. They would start to look for him and this would lead to questions and this would lead to people finding out where he went and surely, just like any other place with servants, the gossip would spread that the prince of Earth was getting a present for the Moon Princess… The princess he just happened to take an arrow for.

Walking up to the stables to find it bustling with errand boys, stable hands, and cleaning maids, he sought to find Andrew and pull him aside without making too much of a scene. Seeing that Andrew was nowhere to be seen, Darien continued on to the back of the stable only to come upon a secluded couple hushing each other.

He didn't want to disturb them knowing that such a confrontation would only lead to embarrassment to both parties involved until he noticed that not only was the gentlemen taller than average and had the same coloring as Andrew but the woman he was with was also unusually tall… and looked suspiciously like Serenity's Guardian, Lita.

Deciding he had no choice but to intervene he lets out an uncomfortable noise that was somewhere in between an "ahem" and a cough. Stepping out into a particularly bright patch of sunlight so they would easily see him, he chuckles as they jump apart. Geeze one would think that they were kids who got caught after stealing cookies or something, he thinks to himself.

Seeing them clearly now that they are apart from each other, Darien sees that his assumption about their identities was correct, which was at once a relief and awkward at the same time. An angry and rather nervous Lita yells out "Geeze Pretty Boy! You almost got your ass handed to you when you startled me like that! Don't you have anything better to other than sneaking up while two people are- … Ah-ah…um." Stopping suddenly, the words dying on her lips; a perfuse blush spreading across her cheeks as she thinks about what she almost revealed and to whom she was speaking.

Andrew starts to fix his shirt, while Lita straightens up her hair, neither of them looking at the other. Realizing that he couldn't stall any longer, Andrew looked to Darien and let out an undignified "Um.." before clearing his throat saying, "Hello Prince Darien. I assume you are here regarding the drop off for you?"

Looking startled at hearing this Darien quickly glanced over to a now very attentive and inquisitive looking Lita before replying, "I was not aware that I had received anything while I was in a coma."

"Oh yes your Highness! I know that you had arranged for-" Andrew began before a malicious glare stopped him mid-sentence, sent to him by one irritated Prince. He looked around and found that they had a gossip monger among them and that continuing this conversation in Lita's presence probably wasn't the best thing for his health right now if the facial expression of the Earth prince's face was anything to go by. Coughing slightly to cover up his slip he very diplomatically suggested that Lita head back to the Palace and that he would see her again soon. Taking the queue Darien also adds, "Good day to you Princess Lita; please give my kind regards to your fellow Princesses."

Suspiciously glancing between the two males, she huffs and mumbles something about a "good whooping" and "never grow up" before stomping off to towards the palace. Hearing Andrew let out a not-so-quiet sigh of relief, Darien turns him with a shake of his head and a you-just-had-to-go-and-open-your-big-mouth-didn't you look.

Thinking about it, Darien decides that pursuing the subject A) isn't going to get him anywhere and B) coming down to the stables to reprimand two people for enjoying each other's company was not his intent. So fully turning his attention to a sheepish Andrew he asks, "So concerning this "drop off", does it happen to be a black and white filly?"

Thankful that Darien didn't reprimand him for being with Lita he replies eagerly, "Oh yes Prince Darien! A kindly trader came by about a week and a half ago saying that you were interested in her and that you had originally planned to come pick her up a few days before. He had also since then heard that you had been injured and figured that you probably weren't in any shape to come pick up a frisky filly. He also informed me that it was probably for the best that it remains a secret that she was being delivered, so we discussed it and arranged for her to be put into the farthest Royal Pasture possible and that she would be a well kept secret. Which is true since no one but me knows that she is here; pretty little thing she is by the way. If our princess were to see her no doubt she would immediately fall in love with her; got a fine eye for horse flesh that girl does."

Andrew nodded slightly and gave a self satisfied smile, he turned from Darien beckoning for him to follow, no doubt to the pasture she was being kept in. Looking to see that no one was watching he silently follows the Head of the Stables to a pasture that was out a very good ways out of the way.

Besides being the only horse in the large pasture she was an unmistakably beautifully filly; at least as fine as the mare Serenity road now for sure. The little filly had grown over the last few weeks; grown more stable in her running, more confident in who she was and if it was possible even more beautiful. She was smart too for she instantly recognized Andrew and came trotting over the fence with a pretty little whiny that seemed to say hello.

Andrew loving patted her on the neck and pulled a few loose oats from his pocket, holding his hand out to her. Darien almost laughed when he saw how daintily the horse ate; she was more princess- like than Buns! Maybe the horse will rub off on her and teach her some manners, he inwardly chuckled. Seeing that the horse was perfectly fine he left her in Andrew's obviously capably hands and decided that he need to take a swim.

SERENITY'S POV

After dressing, tucking a fresh lily in her hair, and packing the few things she would need once she was out of the pool, she quietly made her way down to the Gardens and the somewhat secret pool entrance. Humming to herself while she undresses, she is completely unconcerned about being seen. This was the Royal Gardens and the Royal Pool with in, meaning that the only other person who would be able to use this pool was her mother. Serenity giggled out loud at the thought of how despite how a strong woman Serelaina was that strength didn't apply to swimming outdoors with all the bugs and such.

Still humming to herself, she slipped into the pool, letting thoughts of what to do today float across her mind much like she was across the surface of the cool waters. Not having any lessons was a bright spot to her day and she knew that her girls must just by dying to get the gossip and give the gossip. Seeing as how she had gotten up early and knowing that she would be hungry by the time she was finished swimming she hoped she could persuade the girls to have a brunch session in the Parlor room. If the thought of food didn't appeal to them, then she would just have to resort to bringing up the fashions for the upcoming Spring Ball.

Being a princess of the Royal Moon Lineage had its benefits, they lived longer, healthier, healed quicker, and when adding the power of the Silver Crystal to it you had one super human immune system, but this still didn't mean that Serenity didn't feel the effects of being in a bed for a month. She could feel the tightness and stiffness of the muscles that seemed to want to protest after so little use.

Doing some laps and stretching the muscles in the cool water seemed to be the cure though and soon she felt completely better. Feeling like she had accomplished a little something for the day she allowed herself time to just relax and float again. This time her thoughts took a different direction though, one that wasn't as desirable as plans for the day, fashion, and food.

Images of Darien hovering above her came creeping into her mind no matter how hard she tried not to think about him or what happened. Try as hard as she might they persisted till she felt that she actually had to address the issue. She could clearly remember the look in his beautiful blue eyes as they went from worried to something different, and it was that something that she was afraid of. Not only because she couldn't identify it but because she was also afraid she was reciprocating it.

She felt wrong thinking of Darien as anything other than infuriating, rude, unbearable, cute… Whoa! Wait, what? Where did that come from?*mental sigh* I guess I just can't deny it after all. Besides I think it's ok to think of him as cute. He did save my life not once, but twice, that must mean he has some redeemable traits, she thought to herself, I guess I should try and be a little nicer was well. He's not completely insufferable all the time.

Looking up at the sun and judging that she needed to get out now before she began to prune, she slipped back out of the water and padded on light feet to where her stuff lay on a stone bench. Reaching into the bag she brought down with her, she grabs a short bathrobe and slips on her still wet body, not wanting to risk being seen just in case someone happened to come in. Meaning Darien, her mind muttered, yet she could help but feel a tiny thrill run through her body as she thought of the look in his eyes.

That "look" being the one he gave her when he saw her as a woman, not as a princess with money and power, but at who she was. Serenity knew that he wouldn't ever try anything but she was somewhat thrilled at the fact that he found her attractive. He was the first to really see her as anything but the little pigtailed princess that the whole kingdom seemed to remember. Sighing quietly, she continued cleaning up for the day before seeing the girls about brunch.

DARIEN'S POV

The way to the pool was an easy and simple one; he figured that it didn't really need to be too far out of the way seeing as how only Royals could use it. The only servants allowed to enter were gardeners to prune the hedges and keep the pool clean of natural debris.

Even before the pool came into view, the sound of splashing came from the direction he was heading. Seeing as how it could only be one of two options, the princess, or Queen, or a gardener, he felt that it was wise to proceed forward with caution. His caution proves to be of use; as he peeks around the corner he catches a glimpse of Serenity slipping on a knee length bathrobe.

At this point he doesn't really know whether or not to be thankful that he was just a little slow in looking. It would have been both at once a blessing and a curse to see her beautiful body exposed in all its glory. He resolves that it would have been a curse more than a blessing and is silently thankful that the robe isn't any shorter than knee length… nor that it is see-through despite her dripping wet body.

Still not ready to face the haughty princess, he keeps himself hidden behind the hedge making sure to pay attention if she decides to move his way. Peeking again he watches as she pulls out a slender silver brush and cobs out her long golden hair; trying all the while to not think of how it would fall through is fingers like liquid silk. If he kept thinking along those lines his body would betray him and that was NOT something he wanted to try and explain.

It takes her a considerable while to finish, meaning, that by the time she was finished she was practically dry from head to toe. She packs up her bag once more and instead of dressing again, she turns to a little gate on the other side of the pool's court yard. Darien can only just see it and the retreating form of the princess from his hiding spot.

Thinking that it's safe to come out he glances around before proceeding to the pool bathed in mid-morning rays of light. Stopping at the bench that Serenity had used, he lays his sword gently down and bends over to take his boots off. Not feeling the least bit self-conscious he strips down to all his naked, muscled glory and dives smoothly into the cool pool. Splashing through the surface of the already disturbed waters, he shakes out his midnight colored hair and face.

Images of Serenity begin to plague him as he beings to quietly tread water; once again his body reacts to the pretty princess making him growl with frustration. Trying to think of anything else to help reel in his dirty mind doesn't seem to be working. When thoughts do not prevail, he glances around for a distraction and notices that the far side of the pool's depth is deeper than where he dived in. Gliding quietly over and with seemingly no other choice, he dives down to the bottom of the pool, using its colder water fix his bodily problems.

SERENITY'S POV

Putting a hand up to push back a stray piece of hair Serenity suddenly stops in realization that she had forgotten to put the lily back into her hair. Huffing to herself in annoyance, she turns around in the small servants corridor and makes her way back to the pool. With nothing better to really do she thought along the way about the natural gifts. I still have yet to figure out who the mysterious flowers are coming from. Whoever is giving them to me still continued to do so even when I was in a coma, meaning that it couldn't have been Darien. Thinking that make her chest, no... not her chest, it was more like her heart, hurt a little. It was something that she didn't know how to describe, yet she somehow suspected that it was trying to tell her that she really did want Darien to be the one to give them to her.

Shaking her head ruefully, she couldn't believe at how much she was seeing him in a different light. It's just natural after he saved your life twice; you wouldn't be human if you didn't like him a little after that. Yet even as this thought passed through her conscience she knew it was just an excuse.

Coming to the entrance of the corridor she pushed open the light door open and proceeded to the gate. Seeing the gate was just around the corner she sped up her pace a little, only to find that as her hand touched the gate none other than Darien came splashing up through the surface. A small "eep" escaped her lips before she could wrangle herself back around the corner and clap a hand to her mouth. Her heartbeat going through the roof at almost getting caught as well as at the sight of a drenched, and, yes she'll admit it, handsome guy. Breath, she told herself, breath. Just take big deep breaths and you'll be fine.

Not able to help her incurable curiosity, she poked her head around the corner to take another look at the swimming prince. Darien had by this point gone over to the shallower end of the pool where he was able to easily stand with his back facing her. The first thing she noticed was that he didn't have any scars where the arrow had pierced him then without realizing what she was doing, she found her eyes raking over his strong defined back muscles; an even more heated blush spreading across her face. She began wondering how they would feel rippling underneath her roving hands before stopping thoughts of those kinds from taking it any further with a strong internal admonishment and hiding back around the corner.

Being the princess of the moon meant that she had led a fairly sheltered life when it came to the opposite gender. Any interaction that she did have was altered to be fit for a queen in training. She had had plenty of time dealing with her own guardians to know to not be ashamed of her body but the number of times she had seen a guy even close to her age with his shirt off, much less anything else, could easily be counted on two hands. Reflecting on this, Serenity decided that she was glad that she couldn't see anything below the waist due to the sun reflecting off the water; it might have been quite a shock.

Knowing that she really wasn't ready to talk with Darien yet, and the fact that her cheeks were still flaming red, she decided to wait on getting the flower till later. Turning around she headed back the way she had come, humming just a little louder than before.

*** ** *** ** ***

"Hey Mina! Miiinnaaa! Wait up!" Yelled an overly eager princess; one who was now dressed in a light pink summer dress. The flowing dress was as casual as one of royalty were "allowed" to get away with and just happened to be Serenity's favorite to where on extremely hot days like this after a refreshing swim. I really need to get more of these made, and soon if the current weather is anything to go by. Perhaps one in periwinkle, oh, or a great raspberry color would be nice. What color would Darien like? A blue or green maybe? She thought to herself while slightly jogging to catch up to her best friend, never registering that she cared what Darien wanted.

"What do you think you're doing!?!" Mina shouted back; panic and worry lancing every word, "Serenity! You should not be running! What are you even doing out of bed already?"

Skidding to a complete halt next to the similarly blonde princess of Venus, with about as much grace as a three legged giraffe, Serenity was brought out of her fashion intense thoughts, back to the real world and one very pissed of Guardian. "I'm sorry Mina, you were saying something?" The clumsy moon queen to be asked innocently; feeling a lecture coming on she unconsciously began to play with the end of a pigtail. She knew that she should have paid more attention to where she was going but it wasn't like this was anything new for her; she had no idea why Mina chose now of all times to take her to task for it. She mentally shrugged; Mina was her best friend but could also be the harshest person she knew when it came to her duties, training, or safety. She can even be colder than the ever-frozen ice princess Rae; who is constantly on my case, she added.

Mina's eyes practically bulged out of their sockets at the question, "Yes! Yes I was saying something, you twit." Bonking her charge on the head to punctuate each word. "What are you thinking!? You have been stuck in a bed for a month! Not only that but in a coma…after you were just attacked! I think that warrants you some time to recover and not push yourself too hard! I don't know what I would do with myself if you were the one to hurt yourself, I mean more than you already do that is." Mina finished crossing her arms; this whole time Serenity had been trying to cut in to explain why she was up.

Giving her startled friend a hug before replying she said, "Mina, I am allowed to be up; not only by Setsuna's orders but my mother's as well." Glancing around to make sure that no one was lurking about, she pulled out her pendant from which the Silver Crystal dangled and sparkled. Mina let out a little gasp at the site of it; Serenity only held up one finger to put off any questions, then, taking a deep breath she continued, "This is called the Silver Crystal. It's something that all the females of Royal Lineage carry, but it only when in great need, and response to strong emotions does it actually materialize. All moon people are naturally inclined to heal faster than most, the Royals more so and with this, I am as good as new now, well mostly. Sadly enough it couldn't take away all the stiffness that comes with lying in bed all the time."

Following the intake of all this new information in, Mina just stood there for a second before shaking her head and saying, "Alright Little Miss Miraculous Healer Special New Toy Girl, I'll take your word for it for now, but I warn you. If I see a single hint of something wrong you will be going back to resting up." Serenity just grinned like a Cheshire cat and eagerly nodded her agreement before Mina asked, "So now that we have that all cleared up, what had you galloping like a sick hippo down the hallway calling my name from the rafters?"

Gasping with indignity at the horrible name her so-called "best friend" just referred to her as, the princess of the moon just huffed and declined to answer before making her way back down the hallway leaving a giggling and apologetic Guardian behind.

*** ** *** ** ***

After an hour or so later, of friendly bickering and bribery, all the girls were gathered; that's when the munching and gossiping began in earnest. A huge brunch had been brought up to girls' favorite room, the Parlor, due to the fact that it was the epitome of comfortable. There were recliners of every shape, size, color, and pushiness to choose from, not to mention there were a few squishy love seats as well. This room being the typical meeting place for such gatherings meant that each girl had a certain spot or chair they liked to settle in while snacking.

This get-together's topic was all about the Spring Ball being held in the Crystal Palace tomorrow. Everything was discussed; from the current fashions expecting to be seen, the food being brought in as well as specialties only seen at this event, to the people who might possibly be attending. Serenity sat quietly through the last part, already knowing that Darien would most likely be in attendance. She also already knew that if he did attend that she would be required to dance with him; more than once if her mother and the girls had their way she suspected. She began to feel nervous at the thought of being so close and intimate with him; the nerves weren't due to dislike but rather because she was staring to like him. Like him for his body any ways, she mentally added.

As if the girls could read her thoughts, the biggest gossiper of them all, Lita, asked, "So Serenity, do you know if Darien is going to be coming? I saw him earlier today at the stables talking to Andrew about something dropped off for him. He seemed to be doing fine walking around and stuff, but after what he went through it wouldn't surprise me if walking there and back was the extent of his energy."

Not quite sure how to answer she started off with, "Well I saw him at the pool today an-" But before she could get any further she was bombarded with questions and such.

"What do you mean you 'saw' him? As in you swam with him? Or what?"

"That pool is off limits to anyone but Royals, so that means you were all alone with him?!"

"How did he look? He looked yummy didn't he?"

"Oh my, did you see anything? If you don't understand anything I'd be happy to help find you books on it."

They kept coming for what seemed like hours; leaving her blushing to the roots and gasping at some of the out right things suggested. When they started to die down and she could get a word in edge wise she said with a touch of exasperation, "Are you all finished now? My goodness, all that happened this morning was that I forgot something by the pool and remembered half way back, I turned around and went to go get it when I saw Darien come to the surface of the pool right as I walked up. So not wanting to spy, or get caught, I decided I would just go get it later. That was it; nothing was said and nothing happened."

The girls all looked disappointed, especially Lita, that the possible gossip fodder was apparently nothing more than a fleeting glance, but Serenity wasn't about to them that she had actually stopped and started for quite some time. Then thinking of the missing scar from his back, she decides now is the best time to explain what her mother told her about the Silver Crystal.

"One thing that I did notice when I glanced was the absence of an arrow scar; he should have had at least some puckering of the skin from when I pulled it out." Seeing that she has their full attention she reaches in her dress and once again reveals the Pendant before continuing, "And I think it may have something to do with this." She then proceeds to tell them pretty much everything that happened and what her mother had said to her when she had first woken up, and then answers all their questions.

By the time she was finished, her four Guardians all sat around contemplating what this could mean, and not only how it would affect them, but their princess as well. Mina, leader of her Guardians, was the first to break the silence, saying, "We need to also think about the people right now; we need to plan a trip to the city and have Princess Serenity with us as well."

"We can't do that! She was just attacked not even a month ago and you want to parade her around town again?! She isn't bait and-" Rae interrupted vehemently; even though her and Serenity fought all the time, she was also fiercely protective of her. Sometimes more protective than she should be, Serenity thought while listening to the others pipe in as well, and now is one of those times.

Standing up to intervene before it could escalate any farther, all she had to do was hold a hand up and that cut off all discussion immediately. They may be her best friends, her, their charge and pupil most the time, not to mention that they are princesses of their respectful planets but she was their sovereign and as such when she exerted her authority, they listened.

"I fully understand your concerns girls but what I believe Mina is trying to say is that we need to look at this whole situation from the kingdom's people's point of view. Put yourself in their place right now; you have just heard that the beloved princess just had an attempt on her life and that the visiting Prince from another planet was wounded. It takes us both one month to even awaken; now that would cause me to worry and worry leads to unrest and unrest leads to worse, and worse things. Seeing me out and about would be a good moral booster; just knowing that I am perfectly fine and that there was no harm done would do a world of good. And besides… We can make a picnic day out of it!" She finished with a girly squeal of delight.

Figures she would try to fit food into this whole thing somehow. All four girls thought together.

Ok then… So this concludes the first chapter back and boy was it a long one. The longest one I have done to date. ^^ And Yes I am working on the next chapter already so hopefully it won't be too long in coming out. All depends on my muse right now… so if you have any suggestions you'd like to make please feel free to drop me a private message. (but please don't suggest something if you are going to get mad if I don't use it :( … I have had people do that in the past and get mad when I go a different direction :p)

By the way if you are in the mood for a Oneshot Lemon please be sure to check out my other stories! They are Darien and Serena of course. :) But they are graphic, more so than this has been, so please be warned.

If you had any thoughts on this at all then pretty please drop me a review or comment! Any little thing would be greatly appreciated!!

Please Read and Review!

With Love,

Hime-chan