Small note: I used the manga version of Serena's death in the Silver Millenium for more effect.

Chapter Four: Reflections

Serena woke up groggy and looked around as she tried to comprehend where she was. She heard soft snores behind her and turned to see Duo peacefully sleeping his hands still holding her tightly. His head was tipped back and his long braid hung over the edge of the couch.

Serena noticed the brown hair twitch and curious she raised herself up to see a playful Diana standing on her hind legs and batting the tip of Duo's braid. "Diana, what are you doing?" Serena asked in a soft whisper.

The half-grown feline looked up startled and let go of Duo's braid falling onto her back in the process. "Sorry, your Majesty but I couldn't resist," She explained bending her head in shame. Serena started to giggle not realizing the noise had woken up Duo.

Duo opened one eye and saw Serena bent over the couch giggling at something that was tugging his braid. He stayed silent and quietly watched the girl. He felt a sudden vicious tug on his braid and he clutched his head in pain.

Serena turned as she felt the couch shift and saw Duo holding his head. She bent back over the couch and saw Diana tangled in the chestnut locks and was desperatly trying to free herself. Serena stared at the scene for a moment before breaking into loud laughter.

Duo finally succeeded in freeing the cat and turned to see Serena's eyes dancing with amusement as she laughed. He grinned, 'Finally I succeeded in doing something other than making her wail,' he thought to himself.

Serena's eyes closed for a brief moment and frowning she got up and left the room leaving Duo by himself. Duo watched her go in confusion, 'What did I do?' he wondered.

Diana looked up at him and leapt onto the couch beside his head, "Mr. Duo?" Duo turned and nodded for the cat to continue. "What are you thinking?"

Duo sighed, "You mean besides the fact I'm an idiot?"

Diana blinked confused, "I don't understand."

Duo shook his head, "Serena is in danger here. Quatre and I are Gundam pilots and if OZ ever found this place they wouldn't think twice about killing her along with us."

Diana gasped, "That's awful!"

Duo shrugged, "It's just not OZ either. If any of the other guys knew about her they'd be sure to kill her."

Diana frowned, "If she dies this universe is doomed. It may be already. If her majesty has to go against Beryl again in an all out fight it will kill her just like it did the last time."

Duo's face turned emotionless. "I'm not going to let her die," He reassured before walking the way Serena had gone.

Diana watched him go. "It hurts to see Mrs. Serena so unhappy," she thought with a sigh. "I hope that Duo can make her feel better."

Serena sat on a porch swing and slowly rocked back and forth. In her slender hands she held a golden locket in the shape of a star. The locket was playing a haunting melody and a single tear trailed down Serena's cheek. It hung suspended for a moment before falling onto the center of her treasure.

Duo sat beside and listened to the music for a moment. "Serena?" He whispered softly.

Serena turned startled the tears still in her eyes. She quickly slammed the locket close and wiped her tears away. "What do you want, Duo?" She asked inner turmoil evident through her voice.

Duo stared at her for a moment. "Serena, why did you come here?"

Serena closed her eyes and looked away. "It's where you carried me to," She replied.

Duo frowned, "That wasn't what I meant and you know it. Why did you leave your family to save this world?"

Serena turned towards him her eyes opening and staring into his. "I wasn't strong enough to destroy the Negaverse entirely when I was a teenager. I only sealed it away. It's my fault that they're free again and I'm going to stop them. Even if it costs me my life I'll do anything and everything required to destroy them once and for all."

Duo watched her blue eyes twinkle with emotions he couldn't even try to comprehend. "You're serious," Duo said in awe. He was used to him and the others risking their lives but for Serena to risk her life for a time that wasn't even hers was unbelievable.

Serena sighed softly and lowered her head, "I just wish I could have said goodbye," She whispered her fingers stroking the golden locket.

Duo gently grabbed her hand and she looked up at him startled. "Serena, tell me about yourself. Everything I want to know everything about you."

Serena closed her eyes to escape his intense gaze. "I.. I don't know where to begin."

Duo leaned forward his lips softly pressing against her cheek. "Try at the beginning," He whispered softly.

Serena felt her whole face flush and struggled for a coherent thought. "I'll start from the Silver Millennium then," She whispered.

"Over thosands and thosands of years ago in my world there was a beautiful kingdom. A wise and powerful Queen ruled it and all the surrounding planets in the Solar systam except for one: Earth. Her name was Queen Serenity and she had a daughter named Princess Serena."

Duo realized Serena had was remembering everything and he lifted her still form and cradled her against his body as she struggled to go on. She didn't appear aware of the change of seating as she continued.

"The Earth was a forbidden place to the Lunarians. They were meant only to protect it and assure that only good would bless the peaceful planet. Above all the Lunarians were ordered NEVER to fall in love. Princess Serena broke all these rules and fell in love with Earth's Crown Prince... Prince Darien."

Duo frowned not pleased with the information, 'Her husband,' he thought to himself.

"A woman named Beryl was jealous of the young couple and she joined her power to that of an evil demon. Beryl stirred up the people of Earth against the moon and the only one trying to stop them was the Princess's love. Beryl came to the moon on the day Princess Serena and Prince Darien were to be married. She attacked in a jealous rage and the prince was killed."

Serena whimpered as memories of the bloody battle replayed theirself in her mind. She spared a glance at Duo and saw him deep in thought his eyes closed and apparently listening to her every word.

"The Princess in her grief picked up the royal sword of the moon that was her only protection from Beryl and her minions. She took a deep breath before she plunged the sword into her heart and fell beside her fallen love."

Duo stared at Serena in shock. 'She killed herself thousands and thousands of years ago?' he wondered. Serena heard him gasp and looked up at him willing her eyes to show her inner emotions. Willing for him to feel what she felt that day so long ago.

"The queen was in such turmoil and emotional agony that when she used her ultimate weapon to seal the demon away she failed to seal it completly. So with her final breath all of the children of the moon the princess, the prince, and their protectors were sent a thousand years into the future to be reborn."

Duo frowned deeply. "Serena, stop you don't have to tell me anymore if you don't want to," Duo interrupted.

Serena stopped talking and looked up at him, "Duo, I love him and only him. He and I are destined to be together forever. Not even death can tear apart our love."

Duo winced. "Serena," He said as he fought to think of words. She merely looked away from him.

"Your majesty, are you out here?" Asked Diana stepping into view.

Serena got up and with a small nod of the head towards Duo followed Diana. "You need to train. Jedite will be back and who knows what he'll do to you. So please transform," Diana instructed.

Serena nodded and pulled off her brooch when Diana interrupted, "This isn't a game. Why are you using such weak transformations?"

Serena lowered her head, "The others I got when Darien and the Senshi were around. I don't want to transform with them or I'll remember..."

Diana frowned, "At least use your next level of transformation then," She demanded.

Serena sighed and nodded not realizing Duo was silently watching her. "Moon Cosmic Power!"

Duo watched Serena transform his mouth open in awe and a faint blush on his cheeks from what he saw. When she had finished she turned and her eyes narrowed on him. "Get out of here, Duo. Stay away from me," She demanded clutching the locket in her fist.

Duo blinked confused by obeyed. Serena watched him go and took a deep breath. 'When I'm with him I feel as if I'm in danger of actually loving him. I can't let it happen and I won't. Too much depends on my success,' she thought turning away and walking towards the waiting cat.