Disclaimer: OK, this is the part everyone knows by heart...Sailor Moon is a trademark of Toie Animation + Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha

The Ice Cold Princess:

by Sailor Nena

"But mom!"

"Darien, don’t whine!" Queen Perceptimine hissed. They were in Derien’s room, which was as big as three spacious four room apartment. Against one wall was a king size bed with a blue and white silk quilt on top. The walls were painted a very light gold and the ceiling a light blue. This combination reminded Darien of his favorite thing on Earth, a sunset. His mother sat on his terrace’s wine colored velvet chair. "It does not become you." She began again. "I don’t understand why you refuse to go. It’s just one ball!"

"Who’s whining now?" He teased.

"Darien don’t start!" She gave one last look at her son. "Fine, you win."

"Thanks mom. I knew you would understand." Darien walked to his mother and kissed her lightly on the cheek.

"I’ll just send your brother, Marcos, instead."

"Mom, are you crazy?! You can’t send Marcos to the Moon! He’ll probably destroy the place in two minutes!" Darien cried exasperated.

"Well, I have to send one of my sons to this glorious occasion, and since you don’t want to go..." Perceptimine reasoned.

"No you don’t. Just say we all came down with the flue."

"Why would she do that? She has a willing son right here." Marcos informed Darien as he came in. He closed the door behind him, walk straight to Darien’s wall to wall mirror, gave himself an approving glance and said, "You know bro., for being 20, you surely act like a five year old."

"You know bro., for being 16, you really act like a three year old." Darien retorted. "Besides, what do you know about acting your age?"

"I know that I can get away with flirting with a beautiful princess at the ball, but you’re such a party pooper that you probably won’t let me." Marcos whined

"That’s because you’re a spoiled brat." Darien informed him with a giggle.

"Mama’s boy!" Marcos just had to retaliate.

"Idiot!" Darien couldn’t let him have the last word.

"Empty pants!"

"O0000hhhhh, below the belt, cry baby!"

"Chicken legs!"

"Skinny sticks!"

"Am not!"

"ARE TOOO!"

"NOOOO!!!!!!"

"Yeeeeeeeeeeessssssssss!!!!!!"

"That’s enough you two!" Perceptimine was usually light hearted about her sons’ immature arguments, but this time she had had enough, "I cannot stand your constant bickering any more! You two are going to behave like adults from now on! Is that understood?!"

"Yes mom." The two responded in unison. The Queen took a deep breath,

"Good. Now, Darien, you are going to go the Moon ball and have a good time weather you like it or not! Is that understood?!"

"But..."

"There shall be no ifs or buts about it!" Marcos started to laugh.

"She’s got you whipped man!" he giggled.

"As for you young man," Marcos stopped laughing as he saw his mother seriously turning towards him, "You will attend all you classes and start acting like the Prince of Earth before noon today or you will have no balls for the rest of the season."

"But mom..."

"I said there would be no buts." Perceptimine responded much calmer. The two young men sat down at Derien’s desk, which was a fine oak antique that had belonged to the first King of Earth. It had been a birthday present from his parents. He knew it was meant to encourage him in his activities of future king, but he preferred to use it as a scapegoat for when his mother became strict. She approached the desk. "Darien, you have always confided in me, please don’t push me away now that my gray hairs are coming. Why don’t you want to go my son?"

"Mom...Is just...is just that I don’t like what they say about her anymore." Perceptimine turn around and headed for the door.

"I don’t believe you! You knew her well." Her tone was cold and tinged with disappointment. "How can you let a rumor like that stop you from maintaining your planet’s health. You know it will not look right if you do not attend. We might even make a few enemies, and you are willing to risk it all because some two-time princess’s claims that she does not believe in love between a man and a woman!"

"Mother it’s more than that!" He was infuriated now, "As human, we only have one thing that sets us apart from the rest of the galaxy! Mercury has its knowledge; Mars has its warriors, and we have the ability to fall in complete love . We can freely and unwillingly give our hearts to one person! Not even Venus has that ability! By denying that such a love exists, she is claiming that the reason for human existence is a lie." He calmed down now as a single tear fell down his cheek. "I can’t let her do that to my people mother. I can’t let her murder them in such a fashion." His mother approached him. Giving her a weak smile she whipped of his tear.

"Then teach her son. Teach her to love."

"Can such a thing be done mother? Can anyone touch that stoned heart?"

"You’ll never know unless you try." She hugged her son. She understood him better than anyone. She knew this is what he had wanted to do since the beginning; all he needed was a little encouragement. "Show her why nothing is more powerful than love."

"I will mother. I will!" Her eyes filled with tears of pride. She knew he loved her. He had fallen in love with her four years ago when he had soothed her to sleep that thundering night. She was too young then, and he would never admit that he had lost his heart. Now, for the first time in four years, he was going to see her again, and this time, she was sure, he wasn’t going to leave at dawn.

"Another reception, another bunch of air headed princes that can’t keep their hands to themselves!" A blond girl remarked

"Chin up Princess. Maybe this time you will find the one your heart belongs to." Her companion encouraged.

"My dear Venus, you should know by now that I don’t believe in that type of love."

"How can you say that to me, the Goddess of Love, knowing very much that that is my very essence?!"

"No, love in itself is your very essence. I only renounced one type of love. I still believe in friendship and family, just not in....."

"The warmth of a man’s heart?" Venus questionably finished.

"Yes. Here they come. Who are they again?" Venus gave a hopeless sigh. The where in the Moon’s Intergalactic Spaceport picking up the very last of the guests for the ball. The Spaceport looked pretty much like JFK only bigger, busier, and with space-planes that could hold up to five thousand passengers at one time. Venus took a deep breath,

"The short one on the right, the one with brown hair," she waited for Serena’s nod, "that is Prince Voracious of Pluto’s smallest moon, Gargantuan. The one in the middle is Prince Rapacious of Covetous, a planet outside this galaxy, and the last one is Prince Darien of Earth." Venus turned to Serena, who was "checking out" Darien. "Does my Princess approve of the last?" Mina asked with a smirk.

"God, he has changed in four years! I bet you he is also become arrogant, self-centered, and uncaring."

"I guess not." The princes approached them, and Serena began her welcoming ceremony. She turned first to the short chubby 23 year old prince.

"Prince Voracious, it’s always a pleasure to have you here with us." He took her hand and kissed it. He was two feet shorter than her and had to look up to see her perfectly practiced fake smile.

"It is always a pleasure to be in a place were the food is plentiful and delicious." His voice reminded Serena of what a wild hog’s mating call must sound like.

"Rapacious, looking as bright and cheerful as always." The purpled hair 25 year-old gave her hand a cold kiss.

"When you have the time Princess, I would like to make a monetary proposition on a merger of our two kingdoms. I am sure it will be beneficial for both our families."

"God he has only just arrived, and already he has made the worst marriage proposition of the year." Serena thought. She took a deep breath, and with all her acting abilities she answered, "There will be plenty of time to talk business latter." With a softer smile she turned to Darien. "It has been to long since your last visit." Darien softly kissed her hand with such tenderness as if it would break after being mistreated by the previous princes.

"Happy 14th Princess. May it be a good one." Serena had been caught of her guard. From the four thousand guests that she had received, he was the only one to wish her a happy birthday. She quickly recovered her posture and responded,

"Only if I’m lucky."

"You are right it has been too long. My, how you have grown!" Darien took the hand he was holding and turned her around to get a better look at her. She was wearing a short blue sundress with matching sandals. Around her neck was a fine 24-karat necklace with a small diamond heart-shaped pendant. He recognized it immediately. It was his last birthday present to her. Somehow, seeing her with it gave him hope that the rumors weren’t true, and she did indeed love. Her hair was up in its usual way with golden ball and sapphire bracelets around her meatballs. He tugged one of her pigtails and said, "Unfortunately your hair style hasn’t. I’m going to start calling you meatball head until you get with the program." The colors of anger began to burn at her cheeks. God, he loved his effect on women. Before she could say anything he took out a single perfect red rose from his pocket and gave it to her, "An early birthday present to an early blooming princess."

"Thank you." She couldn’t help blush. This all was so unexpected. Boy was he smooth and different. All the other Princes had arrived in their official uniforms. He, on the other hand, was wearing a pair of jeans with a white shirt, blue tie and a blue sports jacket. He looked comfortable, not to mention drop dead gorgeous. What really had caught Serena’s attention was his smile. It seemed so warm and real. Could a man naturally smile like that, or was it another mask. She quickly decided to pay him back for the blush. She stepped closer, got on tip toes, pulled him down by his tie and warmly kissed his cheek.

Her lips were two small bloody ice cubes melted by her hot breath. He felt as if it would burn and freeze his face at the same time. Three fireballs played in his stomach making his cheeks blush.

"What...what was that for? The rose? If I had known it would have such an effect, I would have brought more." he joked.

"No it wasn’t for the rose. It was for a favor you once did for me ten years ago around this time. It seemed only appropriate that I thanked you now that I can. After all, I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t...interfered." She was good at this spur of the moment excuses, and she knew it. She had achieved her goal quite well. Not only had she insulted without insulting his joke, but she also managed to make him blush a second time.

"Princess, we’ll be late if we don’t leave now." Venus instructed her as she looked at her watch.

"Where did the afternoon go?" Serena sighted. "Shall we go your majesties?" She turned to see the other two princes a bit red under the caller. Obviously they weren’t expecting a flirting princess.

"As you wish." Rapacious answered. They walked to the Royal Exit. This was a special exit reserved for royalty and government officials only. Outside two carriages were waiting. The first was drawn by four magnificent white unicorns. The carriage itself was a rich purple with gold trimmings. The second was drawn by four breathtaking black unicorns, and it was a deep velvet blue with gold trimmings. The form of both carriages reminded Serena of a rose just before it blooms. The girls rode in the first, and the princes in the second.

"Serena, what was all that about?" Venus asked as soon as they were alone on the carriage.

"What was what?" She answered innocently.

"That kiss, that’s what! You never get any closer to a prince than you have to. Can’t say that I blame you for this one; he was very cute."

"Huh? Oh, you mean Darien. That was just simple and pure revenge. You know me; I can’t let anyone have the last word." Serena answered as she looked over her day’s schedule.

"How can you say it so nonchalant? You went from a girl that didn’t believe in love to a flirt in less than five minutes!" Venus exploded.

"What are you taking about?" Serena asked confused.

"You openly flirted with Darien in front of the two biggest gossips of the court!" Venus reproached angrily. How could Serena act like nothing happened, specially having such an over protective father?

"I did NOT!" Serena answered indignant.

"That was for a favor you did ten years ago. It only seemed fair." Venus mocked kissing the air.

"Did it come out like that?" Serena asked worriedly

"You mean you didn’t notice?" Venus was at the end of her rope. How was she suppose to make sure Serena fall in love someday, if Serena didn’t know when she was flirting? This was so troublesome.

"I...I didn’t mean it that way. I mean I...I...I only wanted to embarrass him!" She quickly added.

"So you like him?" Venus teased with a smile.

"Nooooo!" Serena answered a bit surprise. "He is just another prince."

"A prince that’s very cute."

"There are many cute princes in the court."

"But, how many bring you a rose for your birthday?" Serena began to count her fingers. Finally frustrated she answered,

"I can’t think of any now, but I’m sure..."

"None." Venus answered, "None realize how you love them but...."

"He was just trying to make up for the insult."

"Sure, he carries a rose in his pocket every time he leaves the house."

"OK, maybe he just wanted to make a good impression."

"Or may be he thought you would like an Earth rose for your birthday."

"Why?" Venus sighed at her young friend’s small knowledge of romance. She couldn’t talk romance with Serena. To Serena, the only thing besides friendship that could exist between a man and a woman was lust. From such a young age she met princes that were only interested in her kingdom. In their mission to marry the princess, she had learned how not to trust a prince. To her, love could not exist; otherwise, none of these princes would bother her.

"Serena, in your nearly 14 years of life, how many times have you gone to Earth?"

"Never." She answered a bit embarrassed.

"That’s why."

"Could you wipe that smirk of your face prince Darien. It is quite annoying." Prince Rapacious protested.

"Well what do you expect from him. The Princess did flirt with him, after all." Voracious intervened. Since Serena had kissed him, they had both been giving him the evil eye. They were still in the carriage, and Darien was enjoying the beautiful Moon countryside. He couldn’t help touch the place on his cheek Serena had kissed. He could still feel the ice of her lips and the fire of her breath.

"She didn’t flirt. She was just polite." The two princes gasped in surprise.

"Were you there today Darien?" Voracious asked exasperated. "Not only did she smile at you, but she kissed you."

"Like a brother!" He reminded the two.

"It shows you haven’t been here for a while Darien. No one else has gotten so much from her." informed Rapacious.
"No one?" he asked worriedly.

"Well, not a suitor at least." Voracious corrected.

"Who said I was a suitor?" The two princes broke up laughing at Darien’s comment.

"That...that’s a…good one...old friend" Voracious said between giggles.

"Really rich Darien." Rapacious stated after he was done laughing.

"I’m not joking. I grew up with Serena. She is like a sister to me." Darien defended his case.

"But the rose?" Voracious began.

"It was a peace offering for not coming sooner. I always gave her a rose when I did something wrong. Like I said she is like a sister to me." He astutely answered.

"You mean you weren’t flirting?" Rapacious asked curiously.

"Nooo! I was just teasing her like I tease my sisters." He confirmed. The two princes thought over the previous events. In this new light, everything seemed so innocent. How could they have been so blind? It was obvious that there was no attraction between the two.

"Does that mean we can have your dances?" Rapacious quickly asked. Darien gave him an annoyed look.

"Would I let my sister dance with two gossips like you?"

Rapacious gave a nervous laugh and quickly changed the subject.

"Welcome home princesses." Jedite helped the girls off the carriage. "Serena, your mother wants you to change and meet her in the Crystal room."

"How rude of you General!" Rapacious began.

"What nerve addressing the princess without proper respect!" Voracious added.

"General Jedite did not address me without respect. He is one of the few that has my permission to call me by my name!" Serena defended him. Jedite couldn’t help but laugh at how the two princes were growing pale.

"If it is not too big of an intrusion, who are the other few?" Rapacious cautiously asked.

"Actually, it is an intrusion, but not a secrete. They are the Scouts, my parents, the General, a young servant boy, and..." She waited a moment to let them digest the information. Apparently Darien didn’t seem to care. "Prince Darien." This last one did catch Darien’s attention.

"Serena," Jedite couldn’t help but to shove it in their faces, "you better change before your father sees you; you know he doesn’t like to see you with such a short dress." Serena looked at her dress. It wasn’t that short. It was just three inches above the knee. Too long for Serena’s taste.

"When will my father learn to let me dress the way I want?!" Serena whined.

"When hell freezes over. Now go before you get me into trouble!" The two princes gasped at Jedite’s order.

"Yes sir!" Serena sarcastically answered. She quickly turned and ran up the front stairs into the castle. Darien took a good look at the castle. It hadn’t changed much. The building was as large in area as a small city. It had four main towers designed in an Arabic style. The domes at the top of each tower and the dome at the center of the building had a long rod followed by a crescent moon, the royal family’s code of arms. The edifice had hand carved stones as its building blocks and it faces a large moon made lake. It was a breath taking work of art. "General," Venus began.

"Yes Venus."

"Are we having practice today?"

"Of course. It will begin in half an hour."

"I’ll assemble my team." All hope had drained from her voice. "Will you excuse me gentlemen." They bowed. She left. Darien walked towards Jedite.

"Hey Jed. How’ve you been?"

"Fine, and you?" The shook hands.

"Can’t complain."

"We’ve missed you Darien. It just hasn’t been the same these past 4 years."

"I know. It’s been too long."

"Hey, no one kicked you out. You could’ve come when ever."

"I know, but my military trainer is worst than you." They both laughed. "Walk me to my room, and tell me all that I’ve missed."

"Sure thing" Jedite pointed at three servants, "Show the princes their rooms and take their luggage with you." Two servants showed the other two princes to their rooms in the guest building. The other picked up Darien’s suitcase. He was relieved at the sight. All the other guest had at least six bags for a weeks stay. "Come on. This way." Jedite pointed at the way Serena had gone before.

"Huh?"

"You have the honor of staying in the main building with the family, the Scouts, and me."

"Boy, I feel special."

"Don’t. Half of the guest building is under repairs. We didn’t have enough room, and our Queen thought that you would be the only one that she could trust not to show off that his room is down the hall from Serena’s." Darien couldn’t believe his luck. Not only did she seem to favor him already but he was going to be close to her. They walked through the long corridors and went up the marble stairs. Every bit of the castle was decorated in early Lunar, a style known for its elegance and good taste. The railing on the staircase was made of the finest oak, and the doorknobs were made of pure white gold.

They reached Darien’s room laughing. They had been talking about the good old days.

"So Darien, tell me the truth. Why did you wait so long to return?"

"Jed...I think you know better than me."

"It’s because of the rumors, right?"

"Are the true?"

"To some extent. She believes in friendship and family, but she doesn’t believe that love between a man and a woman is possible."

"How can she believe in all but one?"

"Simple, she has felt friendship and the love in a family, but never the other type. Do you still love her?"

"Excuse me?!" Darien was caught of guard.

"Do you still love her?!" Jedite insisted.

"I...I"

"I’m glad."

"But I didn’t answer."

"Your eyes did all the talking."

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Part III

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