"You can do better than that!" Vegeta yelled, catching Serenity's wrist as she punched him and flipped her over his shoulder. Bruises covered every inch of her body and blood came from a scrape on her knee, but she always stood up for more. From day one, she had showed an eager desire to become the warrior he had seen. Yet, she didn't know why, because no matter how hard she tried and pushed, she never came close to defeating him.

A month had past since she had begun her training with Vegeta and he could already see the improvement in her performance; not only in her figthing, but in everything she did. He thought her heart and soul would change after the training she received daily, but after each day of sit-ups, push-ups and ten mile runs, she gave him a smile for him and her friends. However, despite the smile, he knew she was hiding something from everyone, including her mother who was a telepath. Deep down, an image haunted her, eating away her pure soul.

"We're finished." Vegeta turned around and headed towards the castle. Not hearing Serenity behind him, he glanced back and saw her silently crying.

"I can't stop now! If I do, they'll all die! Vegeta, don't allow me to be like my mother and sit ignorantly by while a war is sitting under our noses." As each word came from her mouth, Serenity forced her self to stand and face Vegeta, preparing herself for another round. "For love, peace and justice, I shall fight the evil coming toward us and triumph or die in the attempt!"

He could feel the power rising within her, the crescent moon on her forehead blazing to life with a brillant gold. For a brief instance, he saw wings with rainbows on the ends of each feather, spring from her back and fade away. "What happened?" he whispered. The change was so quick that he thought he had imagined it.

Queen Selinity was sleeping when the crystal flew from her dresser and came to life with a silver light that she had never witnessed before. She could get the magical item to do things, but it demanded so much of her energy that she seldom pushed the limits. "What is going on?" As if answering her question, the silver crystal transformed and where it use to float, a beautiful silver, winged unicorn was looking straight at the Queen of the Moon. Her wings stretched over twenty feet with rainbows glowing on both of the tips, and silver eyes that pierced through the center of a person's being.

"The legend shall once again rise to use the full power of the crystal. Energy alone will not be able to control me, but love, heart and determination. Find the other half of myself and make us one, the users will never die again."

"Who is the other half?"

"He is the golden one."

"Who are you?"

"I am the crystal and the crystal is myself. With each passing queen of the moon, I become that person's guardian and await the day when the one destined to wield my power will come forth. I am already fused with the destined one, sleeping until she realizes who and what she really is. The same is of the golden one, meaning that only one soul mate shall exist for them. No other will make them happy or complete."

She started to fade away and Queen Selinity jumped out of bed and reached for her. "What is your name?"

"Hope... When all is lost, I am all that will remain."

The room was bathed in a silver flash and once more the silver crystal was in Selinity's hands as she sank to her knees in numb shock. "Luna, Artmeis!"

Her two feline advisors came running into her chambers and instantly thought something was wrong when they saw her body visibly shaking and clutching the crystal to her with a death grip.

"What's wrong Selinity? Are you sick?"

"Are either of you aware of a silver, winged unicorn being the source of the crystal's power or who the golden one might be?"

The cats were confused and glanced at each other, "No."

"I need you to find and bring Mercury to me as soon as possible. This is important, but I don't think I will find any information about her."

"About who?"

"Hope."

She continued to sit, thinking about the strange prophecy. Luna and Artemis had never seen their mistress so shaken, and wondered what she meant by Hope and a silver unicorn.

Jupiter, Venus, Mars and Mercury all felt an enormous power come from inside and outside of the castle. Mars dreamt about two creatures with wings of gold and silver; "Hope and Courage," she whispered in her sleep.

Pluto awoke with a scream, gasping for breath and clutching her sheets tightly to her chest. She heard her door creak open and for once she didn't mind the quiet warrior intruding on her thoughts. The images were coming closer and closer together and she knew the time of her destiny was soon at hand.

"You were dreaming again," he whispered, sitting heavily beside her. Despite his strength, he was gentle at brushing her soaked bangs from her face and pushed her back against the soft pillows. "Will you tell me this time, or forever remain a secret?"

"I am forbidden by the laws of my planet," she whimpered, so wanting to have him hold her, but afraid of what she would feel if he did.

As if reading her thoughts, the warrior curled against her, running his fingers through her long hair and massaging her back with long, deep and powerful strokes. "Allow me to guard your sleep, just this once."

"I... can't..." she mumured, already drifting deeper and deeper to sleep. Gripping his tattered uniform, she forgot her dreams, her mission and the future that flew to greet them.

Vegeta continued to stare at Serenity, coming out of his daze after she had attacked without a warning. The crescent moon had not stopped glowing on her forehead, but the wings had disappeared and showed no signs of returning. Smiling, loving the thrill of a challenge, Vegeta went on the offensive and was surprised to see her hitting and blocking everything he threw at her.

'Time to increase the training,' he smirked. Raising his hand, he leveled a ki blast at the moon princess and hit her hard in the chest, knocking her to the ground. For several seconds, she forced herself to breathe and blink, the blank expression leaving her eyes.

With one arm wrapped around her bruised ribs, Serenity painfully sat up and looked at Vegeta with confusion. "Did I pass out?"

"Do you not remember?"

"All I remember is you knocking me to the ground and feeling like a failure. Can we eat now, I'm hungry?"

Vegeta frowned, but hoped that she would give him another good sparring session in the future. 'After a month, she's already stronger than the princesses of Jupiter and Uranus combined.' He wanted several years of training with her, but knew that was impossible. 'She won't understand when I tell her.'

When he first started teaching Serneity, the task was long, difficult and seemed impossible! The first week was spent on learning the basics, but what surprised him the most, was that she never had to be reminded about the same lesson or mistake twice. In between sparring sessions, he would teach her about Saiya-jin life, culture and history; this gave her a new out look that her friends and family knew nothing about and she had a new respect for the proud warriors.

Serenity remembered everything he told her and often asked questions. 'Why do you pay more attention to myself, than you do your professors?' he had asked one day. She simply responded that it was new history and something worth learning about. The time had come for him to reveal what he wanted to Queen Selinity, but would she accept his request.

Walking closer to the moon princess, he offered his hand to her, watching as she accepted it with trust and innocence. He sighed, knowing he could toss her over his shoulders if he chose, but helped her up instead. Their session had ended and he had no reason to harm her. The short time he had known the lunarian princess, his heart had opened up to her kindness and loving nature. He often wondered how he managed to find the one treasure worth more than all the gold and jewels in the universe. Vegeta loved her, beyond the sea of stars in space.

"Serenity, if you can focus on all the power from within, nothing would stop you from defending your friends."

"Maybe," she said, barely above a whisper. "I will never be as strong as you are, but I can accept that as long as I know I protected my friends."

Vegeta tried to remember the last time she had truly smiled or laughed. Her blue eyes were filled with a deep sadness and her gaze was often held to the Earth and other places that only her heart could feel. "Serenity, what's wrong?"

Startled out of her dreams, Serenity looked at him and blushed slightly. "How did you...?"

Grabbing her waist, he pulled the small woman next to him and purred softly against her hair. "I've known for awhile, but had hoped you would trust me."

He could see the battle waging behind her walls of defense and suddenly she hugged him with trembling arms. "Vegeta..." a whisper stuttered out.

"Why do you hold yourself back from me? Do you not trust me?" he asked again.

A gasp of dismay came from her lips and she glanced up at him, the hurt revealing itself to him. "I'm so sorry! I don't even known where to begin telling you, or how to anymore!"

"Most stories start from the beginning, Princess."

He had hoped to make her smile with his teasing, but the sadness deepened and she carressed his strong face. "This may take a while." Finding a bench, Serenity sat beside Vegeta and stared into a fountain close by. "Shortly after you arrived, I began having visions, visions of the events that will come to pass. A woman from earth will be coming to the moon, Beryl, and everything in her path turns to death and despair."

She hesitated to continue and Vegeta squeezed her hand, letting her know that she wasn't alone. Serenity rested her head upon his shoulder and closed her eyes at the nightmares she saw even in her waking moments. "Lunaria is destroyed and all my friends lay dead, where my mother is, I do not know. You may say this is only a dream, but I know that the future is right on our front door step, staring at us with blackness instead of the blue that use to comfort my soul."

She stood to leave, but Vegeta pulled her down into his lap and wiped the tears flowing quickly down her cheeks. Blue eyes connected with dark black ones, finding warmth and security with her best friend. It was hard to place, but somehow, she wanted more than just a friend with Vegeta. 'What does he mean to me?'

Vegeta wanted to control his desire to take her and had succeeded while training her. But as the days turned into weeks, he was slowly losing the battle. "I promise, if I am here, I will protect you with my life. I just pray that nothing happens while I am away."

"Away?" Serenity went deathly pale and jumped from his grasp. "What are you talking about? You never said anything about leaving!"

Vegeta was touched by her cry and came close to her. "I must or my race shall be destroyed. An old enemy has resurfaced and right now the other Saiya-jins are fighting and losing. A leader must fight beside his soldiers."

Pain and loneliness were in her throat and all Serneity could do was stare at Vegeta as he was saying good-bye to her; just like in her visions. "Then go. It's just that..."

"What Serenity?" he reached out to hold her, but faster than the wind, she was gone, crying enough tears to feel the sea of Serenity for years to come. "Damn!"

He walked into the castle, knowing what he had to do and say. Selinity's guards had long since returned to their home worlds, no longer concerned about Vegeta wanting to conquer or destroy Lunaria. The King entered without knocking, finding her sitting with a far off expression and never hearing someone approach. "Does everyone day dream around here?"

Selinity blinked and smiled at Vegeta with worry deep in her brow. In the month that Vegeta and his commrades had been present, she had learned to trust them as much as her daughter, but still did not believe in the ways of war. However, she realized that some cultures had no choice, because they would perish or be placed into eternal slavery by their enemies. "Did you need something King Vegeta?"

"In two days time I will be leaving for the battle grounds. If I am successful, I shall return."

"I feel the heavy burdens of your heart and the pain that surrounds my daughter. Did something happen?"

"She took my news badly and never gave me a chance to finish what I had to say."

"Vegeta, I've often wondered and now I must ask; what are you're intentions with Serenity? She has an innocent heart and lacks in the knowledge of love and it's pain."

"I wish to have her as my mate upon my return. General Turn and Captain Pars, despite my objection have already done so."

Selinity's eyes widened, "A saiya-jin king hasn't accepted a mate in over two thousand years."

Vegeta smirked, "You've been studying."

"Why now, after all this time? Would a woman of your own race not suit you better?"

"Does it matter if she's a Saiya-jin or not? She never questions what I ask and gives me complete trust. Serenity may be naive, but her heart reflects in her eyes and actions. No other woman would give me the fierce loyalty that I have witnessed in your daughter, nor shall there be again." He sighed and ran his fingers through his thick hair, "Normally, royalty has their children through breeding and the labs, which I have already insured. My son should be a month old now and I will take him upon my return to Vegeta-sai. General Turn has done the same and his son is about two."

"Saiya-jins rarely bond because of the danger if one should meet their end. It is so powerful, that the other mate will shortly follow in death if the other is killed."

"Is Serenity aware of this?"

"She knows and has asked several questions about it, but what she doesn't know is that I'm willing to break all rules and change the laws of my planet for her. She will become the first Queen of Vegeta-sai in two thousand years. Finally, I've come to tell you why I came to Lunaria a month ago, but I was distracted by a certain daughter of yours."

"Name it Vegeta and I will try everything in my power to make it happen."

"I want an alliance between our two races."

"Why?"

"You need the alliance, especially with the enemy about to attack. There is a potential power here that could benefit us both in the future. I know your views of peace, but even your daughter knows this shall not last."

"What?"

"When was the last time you talked to your daughter as an equal and listened to what she had to say? Everyone underestimates that woman and it will be to the destruction of her enemies."

Queen Selinity was troubled by his words and realized that he was right, she had treated her daughter like a child, forgetting that she was now a grown woman with thoughts and feelings. "I give you my blessings, Vegeta and may your journey be safe."

Vegeta nodded and headed towards the door, "I will have the papers ready in the morning."

"King Vegeta, before you leave, tell her how you feel."

Serenity rested her head against the cool tile, the tears flowing freely as she sobbed. The public baths were empty, but to hide from the occassional servant, she withdrew into a private facility for royalty only. Normally her friends would be present as well, but all were attending their own duties and were unaware of the pain in their princess's heart. The water was heavily scented with several oils, but they held no comfort for the grief stricken woman.

'It hurts! I never thought him leaving would feel like a dull knife twisting in my soul! Vegeta... If you go we die, but to deny your place in battle will destroy your entire race! What do I do?' Serenity remembered a conversation, about choosing between the ones you love and the enemy. But how do you choose between the person that you love and a kingdom that was doomed from the beginning?

She thought she had heard the sounds of a door opening, but paid no heed to anyone coming for a bath. In the private baths, none may enter and she buried her head against her knees, wanting to sink below the warm waters and disappear from reality. A breeze brushed past her cheek and she looked up startled, but saw nothing except an empty room.

Sighing, she sank deeper into the warmth and leaned her head back, hoping for a few moments to forget her sorrow and fears. She shivered and again saw nothing. Standing up, she started to reach for her robe when a hand trapped it against the cool surface of the wall. "Vegeta?" she gasped.

He smiled and softly brushed a damp curl from her brow. "You were crying," he accused, letting his thumbs brush the crystal liquid away. "I promise to return."

"Are the public baths not to your liking, Vegeta? I'll get more hot water."

He looked back to the double doors, knowing their would be several servants willing to massage heavily scented oils into his muscles and wash his hair with a shampoo that always smelled of lilies and summer. The waters were said to come from the seas of Neptune, heated by an unknown source. He had a feeling that Selinity was responsible, but he would ask her when there was more time. "Why can I not be here?"

"This area if for royalty only, in times when we want privacy from all the people and noise."

"Am I not royalty?" he whispered, tracing the smoothness of her skin.

Serenity shivered and sank into the hot water. "Do you want me to call for the servants?"

"They are not fit to touch me; however, I can recall a certain princess that promised to ensure that every one of my needs are met."

Her eyes clouded in confusion, "Have I negelected you? I didn't mean to and promise to..."

He gently laid a finger across her lips and pulled back. Raising his hands above his head, he yanked off his shirt and tossed it across the room. Close behind were his pants and then trousers, leaving Serenity staring at him with curiosity and wonder.

Vegeta trembled at her innocent gaze, wanting to fold her in his embrace and never allow her to leave them. "I apologize if I upset you earlier. Maybe I should have told you sooner, but I wanted to be with you a little while longer. Lunaria is like a dream and for the first time I didn't have to look over my shoulder for someone to stab me in the back or poison my food."

He stepped into the water, letting the ripples carress his muscled chest. Vegeta wondered if he was doing the right thing, but one touch of her smooth flesh and he was spell bound. "How do you feel about me?" He asked softly, afraid of her answer, but needing it desparately.

"You're my best friend and I feel I can tell you anything. Maybe you are a fighter, but you've shown me a side that's caring and protective."

"Is that all I am to you?" His lips were dangerously close, yet she didn't pull away or try to run. "Am I not more than a friend to you? Do all your friends kiss you?"

The blood rushed to her face and ears, her heart beating heavily against her chest. "I know that I hate being separated from you, but these feelings are new to me. Vegeta, what if I'm not what you want? I'm not a..."

"It doesn't matter," he purred, licking her trembling lips with his tongue. "The thing I want most is for you to smile and laugh before I leave, a true smile that reached your eyes and heart."

Serenity reached for more of his kiss, but he tilted his head aside and moved towards her neck, giving delicate and sharp nibbles. A part of her mind wondered if one of the girls would walk in on them, but she pushed the thought aside and pressed herself closer to his warmth, instinctively wanting something she had no words for. Every kiss was like honey, luring her with it's fragrant smell and sweetness.

"Until I leave, I want you to remain with me."

"Even at night?" she asked, feeling slightly dizzy.

"That is my desire," he commanded gently, entertwining his hands into her thick hair. "Will you honor my request little princess?"

"Anything you desire, if it's within my power, I shall give it to you."

"I desire you, more than just a friend, but as my soul mate. If you deny me, then I will forever leave this place and you in peace."

"Soul mate? I thought that the royal family didn't..."

"I'm changing that law. Please Serenity, I need to know before I leave for battle; will you be my mate, wife and Queen of Vegeta-sai upon my return."

New tears sprang to her eyes and she gently cupped the King's face in her small hands. "My dear friend, even if I weren't queen of your planet, I would gladly give what you seek. My soul aches when you're away, even if it's only for a moment. Through death, I shall be yours if that is your desire; I love you."

"Serenity?" He felt as if she were hiding something from him again, but she silenced his fears with a kiss, teasing his lips with small bites. Wrapping his arms around her body, he gave into the passion of his heart, never wanting to stop.

Pushing her back, he braced his hands against the warm suface of the wall and gave Serenity no room to move. He began a slow trail on her forehead, working himself down to her nose, chin, ear and slowed at the nape of her neck. Vegeta could still smell the scent of lilies, the aroma driving him insane as it intensified.

Serenity moaned and closed her eyes, reveling in the sensations he was creating throughout her body. Never had anything felt so warm and when she looked into his eyes, she couldn't help but wonder if everything would be right as he promised. His hands were strong and gentle, exploring the curves of her youthful body, glistening from the steam of the bath she was in.

Following his example, her hands traced the curve of his spine, hearing him growl and purr against her neck. Her reward was sharp bites, making her yelp and wither closer against him. Reaching his tail, she hesitated, remembering the last time she had touched it. Ruffling the fir with the tips of her fingers, his response was a cry of surprise and pleasure, the black of his eyes clouding with desire. Each stroke was kindling the fire within and it was all he could not to collapse against her or in the water. "Sere...nity."

She smiled and pinched the tip, almost laughing when he moaned. "Do you want me to stop?" she whispered.

Serenity's eyes went wide at the touch of fingers on her thighs, slowly weaving small circles until they were on a spot that sent her screaming over the edge, clinging to his shoulders as if death were upon her. Vegeta gave her a moment to calm down, but he wasn't finished as he began his trail again and claimed a heaving breast in his eager mouth, suckling and biting at her pert nipples.

Until he was satisfied that neither had been neglected, Vegeta moved to her belly button, to her inner thigh, and felt the heat in her body rise. Her breath was in small gasps and knew if he let go she would sink under the water. With an evil smirk, he hefted her up and wrapped her knees around his shoulder, pinning her back against the wall and supporting her weight with his hands.

Serenity didn't know what to expect when her back arched, the feel of his tongue in the most sacred place of womanhood sending her in a wild frenzing. Every time the pressure would build, he stopped, refusing to listen to her pleas. Vegeta wanted her and slowly lowered her, wrapping her legs around his back and holding her bottom suspended slightly off the water. "Do you trust me?"

She nodded and wrapped her arms around his neck, bringing their lips together once more. Serenity could feel something hard pressing against her and pushing up, but never had time to ask when he broke through a barrier that made her his for the first time. A tear streaked down her cheek and he brushed it away with the tip of his thumb. "The pain will pass," he comforted, moving with small thrusts. After a few minutes, she was moaning, wanting more of the Saiya-jin King.

No longer able to hold back against his instinctive nature, Vegeta struck with lightning reflexes and bit down on her delicate neck, drawing blood and a cry from his Lunarian. Quickly the pain subsided and he licked the red with his tongue, a loud purr vibrating through his chest. "Will you finish the bond, princess?"

For a moment she hesitated, recalling something that Mars and Jupiter had told her about their own mates. If she bound him to herself, it could destroy him. Yet, to deny his one wish, his only desire, would be a slower death. She loved him with all her heart and to know him even for a short time was better than to never know him at all.

His mouth was like the nectar of a flower, better than any magic that worked on the moon. Tiny hands glided into Vegeta's hair and massaged his scalp. It felt so right to be with Vegeta that being separated was so wrong. "Please, Serenity. I need, want, you to finish the bond. It would be a comfort to feel your presence in battle."

Unable to deny him, she bit down and shuddered at the loud roar escaping his lips. The reaction was explosive and they cried in unison, clutching each other tightly as they were hit with emotions and memories of their pasts. Vegeta had heard of the Saiya-jin bond, but nothing had ever prepared him for the experience he was now feeling with Serenity. Purity and love he held in his arms, more than he deserved, but he could and would never part with her. He delved deeper, finding the fighter hidden within her soul.

Serenity saw pride, courage, honor, and a fierceness of what the Saiya-jins were and are. There was no evil in Vegeta's heart. Her body ached for more, and Vegeta smiled with affection and love. For the second time that day, magical wings of rainbows spread from her back, enfolding the couple in a tight embrace. "They... are real!" he gasped, reaching out to touch them with a finger.

The princess shuddered, loving the sensation. Resting her hand against his chest, she looked deep into his eyes and saw everything that he was within them. "We too, have a way of bonding with a soul mate and you're the first in many long years for a lunarian to share this with. A silver warmth wrapped around his heart, easing the burdens of his past and future battles and when she pulled back, all he could feel was her presence.

Wrapped around her neck was a golden star necklace, and she gave it too him. "The light will continue to shine as long as I draw breath. When it dies, you will know that I have departed for another journey."

"No!" Holding her tightly against him, he buried his face into the curves of her neck, never wishing to let her go. "Nothing will happen; promise me!"

"Love me, Vegeta. That will make me smile again." Pulling slowly out of her, Vegeta continued to support her weight upon the rock and gave a quick thrust, watching and listening to her gasp and moan. The pace began slow, increasing until a sheen of sweat glistened their exhausted bodies. Crying out in unison, the room exploded in a light of gold and silver. When Serenity could see again, her eyes widened at the wings carressing her own.

Golden fire scorched the rocks, creating a wind that melted the doors shut and hotter than the fires of Mars, and left their skin unblimished. "You have wings too?" she asked.

"Impossible..." he stammered, too tired to question the wings. Moving to a dry surface, he curled around her, the last to fall into a deep sleep. When he awoke, the wings were gone and Serenity was smiling against his chest. He didn't have the heart to disturb her and gently wrapped her in a towel before he disappeared.

Vegeta looked around, but Serenity showed no signs of appearing. Stepping onto the space craft, he waited for Turn and Pars to say good-bye to their mates. He sighed and started to close the doors; "Vegeta, wait!"

Jumping down, he threw his arms around the moon princess and closed his eyes. "You came."

"I didn't want to see you leave, but it would be..." Not wanting to say to much, she kissed him one last time and fled, tears streaking down her pale face. It would be a very long time before he could see or hold her again, but the next she would be his queen.

She was careful to hide her feelings and thoughts from Vegeta, knowing that their double bond would cause him to stay. "I'll be back for her," he promised to Queen Selinity.

"Good luck, your majesty." Turn and Pars had convinced Mars and Jupiter to live with them on Vegeta-sai after the war was over. The two princeses stood beside the queen, crying silently as the ship vanished to the stars. "Mars, Jupiter, do not weep. They shall return as promised."

"I wish that were true, but our fates have already been decided. The last days of the alliance are at hand," Mars predicted. Saying nothing more, she vanished in the shadows of the castle, her long, black hair flowing behind her like the wings of a raven.

"Jupiter, what did she mean?"

"I don't know, that's the first time she's ever said anything like that. She has been quieter though, a lot like Serenity."

'Do they see something that I cannot?'