Love will Never Die
Sequel to Moonlight Dreams
Part 2
by Veronica

Rei turned and saw that it was Chad. Chad looked really different. His hair had been cut so Rei could see his crystal eyes. He wore a black suit with a corsage for Rei in his other hand. She gasped as she spotted the corsage.

"Of course." Rei said softly still not believing that Chad was always this cute. They walked to the dance floor and started to dance.

Denise glared at Rei as she started to dance with a cute guy. The same guy that she had seen following her around earlier today. She wants this kid and Darien, Denise thought. How dare she!

Lita was standing near the door to the hot springs outside. The fresh air took her mind off the fact that she was single. A figure in a suit stepped up and started to breath in the fresh air. She couldn't see his face because of the darkness. The guy turned to her and nodded.

"Are you here alone?" The guy asked surprisingly.

"Yeah, why?" Lita responded with hostility.

"I was just wondering if some guy that you were with would be offended if I decided to take you in from a rainy day." Lita looked oddly at him. It's not raining out, she thought. What kind of idiot would…[wait] a second!

"Ken?!" Lita asked enthusiastically.

"Bingo!" Lita hugged him really hard. Then she let go.

"What are you doing here?" She asked with a smile. "Last time I saw you, you were in the hospital and I was giving blood to you."

Ken stepped out of the shadows. "I met Andrew when I was working as a disc jockey and he invited me to his party. Then I spot a girl that looks as if she has not a friend in the world except for the girl that keeps sucking down the punch." He pointed to Serena who was drinking the punch with some girl that wore glasses and was staring at Rei with a mean stare.

"Oh, that's Serena. She's waiting for someone." Lita looked up at Ken and smiled.

"If you're such a great disc jockey, you're going to have to show me your moves." Lita grabbed his wrist and they started to boogie down with everyone glancing at them for a second and then forgetting about them completely.

Serena was talking to Denise about why they were without escorts.

"I'm waiting for someone." Serena replied.

"Me, too." Denise replied as they both downed their fourth glass of punch.

"My guy just doesn't know I'm here yet." Serena said.

"My date invited me but that girl over there is trying to steal him away." Denise said as she pointed at Rei. Rei was oblivious to the fact that Denise was monitoring her actions. Serena just started to laugh. Denise looked at her, puzzled.

"Rei is trying to steal your boyfriend! She doesn't even have one." Serena laughed. Denise just looked at Rei.

"Isn't she going out with that boy that she's dancing with?" Denise asked.

"NO!" Serena said loudly. "She has complete control over him because he works at her temple."

"Oh." Denise still wasn't convinced. Rei still wanted her boyfriend. But technically he wasn't my boyfriend…yet.

Darien had walked into the room. He started to look around for

Denise. Why is Rei here? Darien wondered. Ami's here as well. Lita and Mina are dancing, too. That means Serena's here. Darien stomach turned over as he thought of finding Denise quickly and leaving. Then he spotted her. Standing and talking to Serena.

Denise looked at Rei while studying her features. She just better stay away from my guy. Serena spotted Darien and stared at him. He was looking at her. He started towards her direction. Serena's heart skipped a beat.

I might as well get this over with, Darien thought. Serena looks really beautiful in red. I hate to do this to her. Especially tonight when she looks so good.

Denise spotted Darien as well. "Here's my date now." she said to Serena. Serena looked at her in disbelief. Darien walked over and nodded to Serena.

"Hello, Serena." He managed to breath out. Serena looked at him with a smile on her face.

"Hi, Darien." She said softly as she went to touch his hand. Instead Denise beat her to it.

"Darien, you know Serena?" Denise said surprisingly. Darien just nodded.

"[You're] her date?!" Serena exclaimed. This was not going as planned. He was supposed to still care about her.

Darien held up his hand in protest. "All I did was invite her to the party."

Denise turned to him and looked at him with disbelief in her eyes. "You said I was your girlfriend, Darien! Don't you remember our walk in the park today?"

Darien's eyes went wide. "I never said you were my girlfriend!" But it was too late. Serena had already ran off in fury. He felt a burden on his shoulders that made his back hurt. He walked away from Denise to find Serena. He felt so bad for her now. He didn't mean to hurt her. Denise reached out for his hand and missed.

"Darien, you took me out and everything! Who is your girlfriend if I'm not?" Denise asked as she expected him to answer Rei. Darien turned to Denise and his eyes locked with hers as he whispered his answer.

"My Princess Serena." Darien then turned on his heel and ran after Serena.

Mina had been talking to Ben the whole time that they were dancing. Ben is so sweet and funny. I never knew a kid like him before. He's like the guy in my dreams. Ben doesn't care about anything that I do. The fact that I will be with him is enough. Mina sighed with pleasure.

Ben just looked at her with admiration in his eyes. How can I be so lucky as to be dancing with a girl that resembles a goddess. She looks familiar but I know I've never seen her in school before. This is now my big chance to actually get close to a girl instead of blow it like I've done one too many times before.

The music became soft and slow. The lights darkened slightly. Mina didn't bother to look around. She slipped her slender hands around his neck and fell into his body gently. Arms encircled her at the waist as she could feel Ben's heartbeat. It was like a heavenly drum to her sensitive ears. Ben had a firm grip on her. Mina felt that she was the one being protected this time instead of her protecting someone else. Mina lifted her chin up to stare into the face of the boy that had rescued her from herself. Ben glanced down into a pool of blonde hair shaped around a pale face. Ben felt like his guardian angel had finally come to save him from the troubles of the world and lead him into pure ecstasy. Ben bent down as his warm lips brushed against Mina's. The kiss seemed to last forever in a world found in a picture.

Rei could not help herself from staring at the handsome figure dancing dangerously close to her. He looks so good, Rei thought. She glanced at the table where she saw Denise standing alone looking puzzled as Darien walked off. Darien must have screwed up again, Rei thought as she smirked at Denise. That will teach that girl not to mess with me. Chad looked down at Rei who was smiling and looking off into the distance. He just sighed.

Rei could never like me, he thought. She is too involved with that guy over there. Rei is always hanging around with him and talking with him. I'm just a friend, if that much.

Rei peeked at Chad as she saw him look a little down. What's wrong with him? He was happy a second ago. Oh, well. Rei continued to dance as little by little Chad inched closer and closer to her. Rei had fallen into a deep trance as she just looked up at Chad. She didn't see him as Chad she realized. He was a whole different person to her. Rei felt herself get closer to him. Chad took this as a good sign as Rei leaned her head against his shoulder. The music had gotten soft and low as the couple danced, rocking back and forth.

Ami had been talking with Greg on the dance floor. She had not bothered to go and talk with her friends. In fact, time had no meaning to her at this point. Greg just smiled and answered her questions with enthusiasm. He seemed a little distant, Ami thought as she gazed into his dark eyes. His features may have changed but he was still the same old Greg.

Greg shifted nervously as he held Ami with a light touch. Greg was a little distant. I wonder if she has noticed anything, Greg thought. He fumbled with the box in his pocket. He glanced up as he found the box and relaxed slightly. His glance was met with a figure rushing out of the hall. Greg recognized him immediately. That's the guy that Ami saved me from the last time. What is he doing here? Is he after Ami? Is this part of the danger that I need to know about.

Ami noticed the worried look on Greg's face. She turned to meet his target of the intent gaze. "What's so special about Darien?" Ami asked.

Greg looked down and opened his mouth to reply. "He tried to keep us apart the last time. Why is he here?"

"Darien is our friend. He was turned against us but we got him back. It's okay. He means us no harm. Come on, I want to dance with my prince some more." Ami smiled coyly. Greg looked surprised. Ami never used to be this straight forward, he thought. Ami read his mind and practically answered him on her own. I never admitted my love for you before, she thought as Greg gripped her waist and pulled her near.

Lita had stopped dancing for a minute or so as she went to the open door. The steam was rolling off the water in folds of white. Ken followed her, still laughing from the dancing that they had finished. Lita and Ken had been practically break dancing and break a few other things in the process. Ken stepped up next to Lita as she leaned against the door . The air felt so cool against her skin as the moon was slowly rising and the sun had set long ago for its slumber. Lita sighed with relief.

"I've missed our little dancing sessions. We really haven't seen each other in a long time. How have you been?" Ken looked seriously at her for a moment. It was like he had been elsewhere for a day and she suddenly blossomed into the beauty that stood before him. Lita had always been there for him and he had not been there for her. He felt sort of guilty about that. She had, after all, saved his life. Lita looked so worn as if the weight of a thousand lives were on her shoulders. This was not the girl that he had left.

Lita just looked at the moon and smiled. She was a guardian of the Moon Princess and no one could change that. Ever since Darien had been avoiding Serena, she had become the main guardian of the Princess. Tonight, she felt free of that duty and Ken was here to make her feel protected again. "I've been better but now that you're here, life is starting to look up again." Lita smiled at him, exposing her true feelings for Ken. Ken smiled back and entwined his fingers between hers. Lita placed her head on his shoulder and allowed Ken to shelter her from all her worries and problems. Lita looked up and gasped. Ken glanced at her with surprise.

"I've forgotten about Serena." Lita cried out softly. Ken just shook his head.

"Are you her bodyguard? She is fine. You need to worry about yourself. You may think you're okay but I know you better. You have grown up into the most beautiful person that I could possibly know. Besides that, you act as if you carry the fate of the world." Ken held her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. They shimmered even in the absence of light.

Lita tried to smile but could not. "You don't understand. I have my duties and responsibilities now. I have grown up and now I have settled." Lita tried to explain it but found it hard to do. Ken just smiled.

"My little Lita has settled down. The loner that used to pick fights with anyone even threatening her with a glance. That is truly a surprise." Lita smiled as Ken bent over and hugged her tightly. Lita's arms allowed herself to pull him close as she buried her face into his shoulder. Ken lifted her chin up and kissed her softly on the lips with a deep passion that was for so long buried.

"We shall share those responsibilities and duties together." Ken said gently with a comforting tone. Lita pulled him to her and they walked side by side down the path to the hot springs.

Serena had tears streaming down her face as she tried to run out of the hall and run and hide. Her dress shimmered as she passed by all the people and made her way towards the hot springs. Her hair seemed to glow in the moonlight. She slowly came to a stop as she ran into the garden where the hot springs were steaming further back. Serena dropped to the ground on her knees.

"He has a girlfriend." Serena sobbed as she could not comprehend those words together. The moon was shining directly over Serena as her crystal tears held their position on her cheeks then were suspended in the air before the glinted onto the ground.

Darien had tried to follow Serena by the confused people looking towards the direction that she ran. I didn't mean to hurt you Serena, Darien thought as he was frantically searching for her. He saw a figure kneeling on the ground with their shoulders quivering slightly. Darien's heart suddenly cracked in two. He walked over to Serena with a hand held out to her. He placed it on her shoulder. Serena jumped up quickly trying to dry her eyes with the back of her hand.

"What do you want?" Serena asked as she took a step back from him. He felt a twinge of pain hit him as he heard [the] tone of her voice.

"I wanted to say I'm sorry." Darien admitted looking directly into her eyes. She just stared at him with tears filling the ice in her eyes.

"Why do you need to apologize?" Serena asked. Darien took a step towards her.

"Because I have neglected you. I'm supposed to be your protector and all I was doing was hurting you and myself as well. I love you, Serena and I shouldn't deny you and myself because of a misjudgment." Darien said with sincerity. Serena looked at him as her tears spilled over.

"What about that girl in there. She is your girlfriend now." Serena replied. Her voice had softened a little bit. Darien took Serena's hand in his and stared into her deep blue eyes.

"She was a girl that I hung around with today because Andrew asked me to help her with her studying. He asked me a day ago and I said I would. She got the illusion that I was in love with her when I asked her to be my escort to the party. I didn't know you'd be here." Darien explained. Serena cracked a smile and gave him a hug.

"I love you, Darien." Serena whispered in his ear. Darien turned to her and faced her.

"And I will always love you." Serena smiled and stood on her tip toes and gave him a kiss that made the heavens cheer above.

Mina had gone to the other room outside the hall to look for her friends. She had not seen Serena in a while and she was worried. Mina was walking and caught the glance of a couple people in a group. Turning on her heel to leave, Mina was face to face with Lita and her friend that looked vaguely familiar. Lita was smiling as if the world had become her best friend.

"Hi, Lita. Who's your friend?" Mina asked as she checked out Ken. He does look nice…and hot!

"This is Ken." Lita said, blushing slightly. Mina picked up on this.

"I remember you! You got attacked and Lita saved you! Wow. You look really different."

"It helps when your savior is next to you and the fact that I'm not in the hospital is another." Ken said with a smile. Lita laughed and linked arms with him. Mina looked on with her full approval. It's been so long since Lita has been this happy with a guy.

"Where's your guy, Mina? He hasn't met all your friends yet, has he?" Lita gave a secretive wink as she leaned towards Mina's ear. "He's pretty hot, too. You'd better watch him closely." Lita leaned back to Ken's side as Mina laughed. Ben walked up to Mina she waved as he saw her. Ben held her hand for a second and gave her a kiss. Lita just turned to Ken for a second and giggled in his ear. Ken smiled at Lita and laughed as she started to make funny faces. Ben looked up at Lita and was met with one of Lita's faces. Mina looked, saw this and started to laugh.

"This is my friend, Lita and her friend, Ken. Lita this is .."

"Ben! I've heard so much about you." Lita took a deep bow in front of him. She stood up and kept a straight face.

"Lita has a problem with maturity." Mina said as she started to crack up.

Rei was wandering the halls with her arm linked with Chad's. She saw Lita and Mina with their dates and made a beeline for them, dragging Chad along as well.

"Hi guys." Rei said happily. Chad just gave a little wave since he knew the girls pretty well. "Where's Ami and Serena?"

"Watching Ami on the dance floor, she probably is with Greg." Mina laughed at the thought of Ami with a guy on the dance floor. "I don't know where Serena is."

"Who are these guys?" Rei suddenly asked with interest. The guys all looked up and gave wavering smiles.

"This is Ben from my school. Ben that's Chad." Mina said quickly.

"This is Ken. He's my best friend." Lita added a wink to Mina, who understood completely. Rei just smiled.

"This party is getting to be a bore. My feet are starting to hurt from all the dancing." Rei complained. Mina and Lita raised their eyebrows at the thought of Rei being bored with a guy.

"We could go change into our swim suits and go into the hot springs. They're in the garden and quite warm." Ken said softly. Everyone turned to listen and nodded their heads eagerly in agreement. Then they planned to meet each other in the back of the hall. They scurried off into different directions. Mina, Lita and Rei stopped dead in their tracks.

"What about Ami? She might want to join." Mina said thoughtfully.

"I'll go get her." Lita volunteered and rushed to the dancing hall.

She spotted Ami right away standing next to the punch bowl while Greg was off taking a break. Lita walked up behind Ami and tapped her on the shoulder. Ami turned quickly, hoping it was Greg but realized it was Lita instead.

"The other girls and I were going out to the hot springs now. We thought that maybe you'd like to join us." Lita said. Ami turned her head and smiled as she glanced at Greg.

"I'll ask him when he comes over and I'd love to go." Ami replied happily. Lita smiled at Ami's enthusiasm. Greg brought out the best in her.

Lita walked off then turned again. "Have you seen Serena, Ami?" Ami shook her head. Lita shrugged her shoulders and turned to go change into her bathing suit.

Mina was staring into the mirror of the large dressing room. She examined herself critically as she turned around in circles in front of the mirror. Rei had just stepped out of the dressing stall and sat down on one of the chairs. She laughed as she caught the sight of Mina examining herself in the mirror.

"This guy must be rich to live here. Not only is there a dressing room and ballroom but to have hot springs in your backyard is just amazing. I wonder who this guy is?" Mina said. Rei shrugged her shoulders and stood up. Rei was wearing a dark purple bathing suit that matched her eyes. Mina had a gold one on that linked in the back. Rei looked at Mina seriously.

"Do you really like this guy? He seems a little distant." Rei said with uncertainty. Mina just smiled serenely.

"I think I'm falling in love. Is this a bad thing?" Mina asked. Rei just shook here head slowly. Rei had been getting vibes from him. She wasn't sure what kind of vibes but she never got vibes from good people usually.

Lita entered the room and lifted off her dress revealing a forest green bathing suit that was rather low in cleavage. The back was open and the suit fit her like a glove. Mina and Rei stared at her with opened mouths. Lita smiled boldly.

"Do you guys like it?" Lita asked as she knew the answer was obvious.

"Of course! You did all this for Ken?" They asked in unison. Lita shook her head.

"I didn't know he was going to be here. This was just to pick up guys. By the way, you and Chad were getting kinda cozy." Lita said with a mocking tone. Rei blushed.

"He looks different and since no one was around to dance with but him, I decided to make the best of it." Rei said with a tone that made everyone smile slyly.

"Rei, face it. He looks real hot!" Lita laughed as Mina said that.

Rei's eyes practically popped out.

"I hadn't noticed." Rei said softly. She knew that she wasn't kidding anyone.

"YOU hadn't noticed! Where were you? Another planet!" Lita burst out.

"Okay, okay, you've made your point. Yes, he's real cute and nice but he's not for me." Rei knew that he was but wouldn't admit that.

Mina had picked up one of the robes and put it on. Lita and Rei did the same. The girls walked out as Ami walked in with a blue bathing suit that matched her eyes. She was holding a robe over her arm.

"Your guys are looking for you. They thought you were abducted or something." Ami giggled. The girls groaned and raced past Ami to meet their guys. Greg came up behind Ami in a robe. He put his arms around her waist. She looked at him and smiled. They slowly made their way towards the doorway to the springs.

Serena had slipped into Darien's arms. She held him tightly as she gazed at the springs. Darien held her as he felt her shiver slightly. Then he realized that she was only wearing a dress. He had a great idea.

"Let's go into the springs. They are very warm." Darien said with persuasion. Serena turned to face him.

"Of course." She stepped back and held her arms to her sides. She lifted one hand and reached behind her. Serena pulled down the zipper in the back and let the dress fall to the ground revealing a red bathing suit that matched her dress. There was an open back and low V-neck in the front. Darien's eyes went wide. He was burning holes into her with his eyes. Serena stepped toward him and grabbed his arm.

"Let's go." She laughed as he nodded his head. They walked until they found the perfect spot in the garden where out of all the springs, this one was hidden from everyone's view by all the hanging flowers and trees. Serena pulled Darien into the hanging foliage where the moon was hanging high in the sky. Darien was wearing a black bathing suit. He came and sat down next to Serena, who was staring into the sky at the moon.

"Ever wonder what would have happened if we had never been attacked? We would have been together and never separated. My mother would still be alive and we would have stayed together." Serena said softly. Darien looked at her profile. Her face looked so serene. Darien smiled. He stood up and took Serena's hand in his. She gazed at him seriously. He smiled sweetly at her.

"We are together now and your mother is always with us. Now come on." He lifted her up and carried her to the edge of the spring. She smiled at him as his heart melted in his chest. He placed her on the ground and slipped in the spring. The mist seemed to envelop his face. Serena leaned towards the water and a hand took hold of hers and helped her in. The spring was so warm. Serena lifted her hands and put them around Darien's neck. Darien held her at the waist. Serena leaned against him as he bent down and they kissed against the rising mist that swallowed them into a world of their own.

Ami and Greg met up with the others shortly after. Mina had hugged Ben as if he had been gone for years. Rei just stood very close to Chad. Lita walked over to Ken and tossed her hair as Ken slipped his hand into hers. Ami and Greg were holding each other. All the guys were wearing robes just like the girls. They started to head out into the springs in the garden. The split up as each couple followed their own path. Mina and Ben took a path that lead them to a small spring. It was all by itself. Ben smiled as Mina slipped past him. She dropped her robe to the ground and Ben did the same thing. He wore a light blue bathing suit and stepped towards the spring, preparing to go in. He's really fit! Mina thought to herself as she took a glance at his biceps and chest. She started to follow him in. Ben was already in and held out his arms to her, ready to catch her and help her in. She looks really great in that color, Ben thought. She looks like a goddess in the moonlight. Mina fell into his arms and he gazed into her eyes that sent him into a deep trance. Mina smiled shyly and put her arms around his neck as he slowly placed her into the steamy water. Ben sat down in the shallow pool with his arms still on Mina's arms. Mina sat down in his lap as well. She leaned against his chest. Mina looked up into the starry sky. The twinkling stars above was beyond words. Ben followed her gaze into the endless sky.

"Who was that girl that you were hanging around with?" Ben asked curiously.

"Her name's Lita. She has been my closest friend since I've lived here. We have a special bond." Mina replied without taking her gaze away from the sky. Ben just pulled his arms tighter around her.

"How long has she lived here for?" Ben asked. Mina turned to face him.

"Aren't we a little curious? She has lived here for about a year." Mina replied and then settled back into her position. Ben pondered this for awhile then suddenly started to kiss Mina on the lips. She was taken aback by this action. His lips are so cold, she thought as she started to kiss him back. The air felt sticky around them as Ben slowly pulled her lower into the water. She giggled as he started to tickle her. Their heads suddenly disappeared for a second as they slipped under the dark surface. They reemerged a second later as Mina surprised Ben with a kiss on the lips.

Rei held onto Chad's hand. His hand was warm in the cool night. The air had become thicker as they walked down the path to the nearest spring. The bubbles surfaced and made very little noise. Rei slipped out of the robe and left it on the ground and slide her legs into the water. The water soothed Rei's nerves as she closed her eyes. She was still thinking about Ben and his vibes. Rei didn't notice Chad sit next to her and mimic her actions. He stared at her from his dark eyes. The soft breeze teased her hair and gave Rei a look of total nirvana. Chad sighed. Rei opened her eyes and peeked at him. Chad had a look of despair on his face. That didn't change how the darkness made his profile seem almost unworldly. Rei started to put her hands into the water and feel the water's warmth. Chad just looked at her.

"Why did you invite me here?" Chad asked all of the sudden. Rei glanced at him with surprise.

"I wasn't going to bring anyone else and you seemed like you had nothing to do tonight." Rei responded. She knew that wasn't the answer that he wanted.

"I don't mean that. You invited me here to the spring. You could have just left me behind. Why didn't you?" Chad's robe fell off his shoulder as a breeze blew it to the ground. His true body was built well. Rei took a quick breath in as she caught the sight of his muscles. She didn't remember him in this way. Chad was waiting for an answer. Rei took another breath.

"What does it matter? We're here on a peaceful night without anyone else and we should just enjoy it." Rei stated as she looked up at the stars that held her destiny.

"What does it matter?! It matters a lot to me! In case you haven't noticed, for the longest time I've tried to get you to notice me and it hasn't worked. Now that we're here alone, you ask what does it matter." Chad burst out. Rei looked at him with shock plastered on her face. Chad had never spoken back to her until now. Rei shook her head sadly.

"You're right, Chad. I have ignored you because I never got to know the real you. You have every right to be upset." Rei admitted to him. Now it was Chad's turn to look surprised. Rei smiled and slid into the water. She motioned for him to follow which he did hesitantly. Rei held his hand.

"Tonight you have revealed to me that you care for me and for that I'm thankful. To put up with all my tantrums and yelling takes real strength." Rei said with a smile. Chad looked into her eyes and felt safe. He held Rei's other hand.

"I would put up with all of that for you." Rei smiled and kissed him on the lips, sealing the bond that they shared.

Ami had been leading Greg to a spring that she had had in mind. Greg found out why she had brought him to this exact one. The spring was surrounded with flowers. Most of the flowers were white gardenias. They sparkled in the moonlight. Greg smiled as she lead him towards the edge. He plucked off a gardenia and handed it to her. She smiled and took in its fresh aroma. Greg had looked up at the sky for a second.

"Ami, I'm glad you invited me here. I couldn't see myself going anywhere else with you by my side." Greg said softly. Ami blushed and held Greg's hand.

"I would rather be struck down by the Negaverse than forget about our love that we have always shared." Ami replied. Greg smiled as he took off her robe for her. She was still the beautiful Sailor Mercury that he had come to know and love. He dropped his robe and he saw Ami shiver slightly. He put his arms around her and kept her warm. The stars reminded him of the fact that he was here to keep everyone safe, but most of all Ami. Greg reached into his pocket and Ami put her legs into the water. Her hair was tossed around like the whispering gardenias beside the two. Greg took out the small box. He carefully presented it to Ami. Ami had a puzzled look on her face. He motioned for her to stay silent for a second. He sat down next to her.

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