"I deeply apologise!" I blurted suddenly, with a glance at Mamoru.

"No, it's alright. It's me that should be sorry. I'm deeply sorry that you had to try that type of pretence. It didn't hide it, did it? Your yearning for Seiya, more that you ever yearned for me. I am fully ready to support you, Serenity. I, for one, am sick of pretending like this. Pretending that we are the dream couple when they can clearly see, in moments like this one, that we aren't." He looked back at me. "In fact, I do yearn for Setsuna, as you do for Seiya."

"Mamoru, it's not-"

"It's fine, Serenity. I get it. You want to be in denial just because of the fact you are around me. But, quite frankly, I am ready to support you." He coughed. "If Seiya does wrong, I'll jump in and save you like I used to do. I am absolutely fine with whoever you choose. It isn't at all like we're bound to our love because of a bracelet... That's such a horrid concept. Anyway, I am sick and tired of pretending like this."

"Me too, but... Well, I found it was the only way to keep this from Haruka, but that kind of thinking was such a mistake. Do you see where hiding it got me?" I showed him some bruises. "These. These bruises are from Haruka when she found out. And Michiru let her try and go along with it."

"Haruka is the biggest idiot of them all. She's the reason the Outers are misunderstood like this," he replied. "I would forgive her if only she'd be a little less - what's the word - temperamental. What's made her like this?"

"Well, it's abundantly clear she hated Seiya, even when she first came along, but WHY is what we both need to know." I parted ways with him. "Thank you so much."

"You're welcome. I'll make contact with Michiru to see why exactly is making Haruka like this. Rest assured that enquiries will be made." He bowed his head and left, leaving me stunned.

"I'm so sorry, Mamoru."

"I already told you not to worry!" He bellowed back at me and walked back towards where he was intending to go - which was, quite frankly, a place that I didn't know about. I was glad about that. Maybe I'd have some peace for once. Just Seiya and I, like we were kids again. That was something I yearned for. I wonder where she was in my past life?

I walked toward the room, where I couldn't help but try to stare after Minako. She seemed in a good mood. She had probably talked to Yaten again, and maybe even taken their relationship to the next level. Those words words words I wanted to hear from Seiya's mouth. I wanted to take things to the next level. We weren't bound by bracelets, as Haruka and Michiru tried to convince us, but I wanted to be with Seiya. It was that simple. She was a sticker, and Mamoru was an absolute jerk that I didn't want to deal with. But, he wasn't. He was nice to me about Seiya and I was nice to him in regards to his yearning for Setsuna. But, he wanted to end things. Not that I cared.

Shoulders slumped, I walked towards my room and proceeded to then sit on the edge of my bed. If only I was allowed to think of something or someone apart from Mamoru around the Outers. But nobody was supportive enough. We met in secret, just like most couples that weren't bound to each other by destiny did. We just needed nobody to care and nobody to find out. And that was harder than anything, even harder than being with Mamoru, which was painful in its own right. I slept and dreamt of a future where Mamoru and I didn't need to be together. One where I wasn't jeopardising the carefully carved out future by my yearning for Seiya. That would be the dream, but it wasn't to be, not if the Outers had anything to say about it. I sat straight up and frowned. Why should my choices be dictated by them and the restrictive future they set up for me?

I glanced up at the ceiling from my position on the bed. It looked like dreamland. It wasn't what was intended, I'm sure of that, but it felt that way to me. Anything was open to interpretation, including this ceiling, and that wallpaper. I grimaced. If only life were to be that perfect. The stars never seemed to be aligned for me.

A figure walked into my room and startled me.

"Serenity, are you perfectly alright?" He asked.

I blinked. "Oh! Helios, I'm fine. Don't worry. What do you wish to ask me?"

The cloud-white haired priest looked at me and shook his head. "I would like to know the location of Miss Rei of Mars," he said simply.

"Oh, Rei!" I smiled and looked at him from the tip of my bed. "She's in the room across the hall. She's probably praying, so may be some time if you require her immediately. She's firey when it comes to her prayers. I suggest silence when approaching her, Helios."

"How far across the hall?" He requested.

"Around a hundred metres across from here," I answered immediately.

"Thank-you," he responded.

"Please, call me Usagi."

"Alright," Helios agreed to my request. "Thank you again, Miss Usagi."

"It really isn't too much of a worry, Helios," I replied. "Good day."

He left and walked in pursuit of Rei and I had time to myself for once. I needed to think of something other than Mamoru and Seiya. But I just didn't have the time. A tall figure with a feminine frame was leaning into my doorway. Mako.

"Usagi, I need you to help me with the cake preparations for the birthday of your daughter," she told me.

I got up from the bed and let her lead me to the kitchen. "What exactly do you need my help with?" I asked.

"I need you to test the cakes," she replied with a serious look on her face.

"You're the best cook in the castle! Why would you need me to taste-test the batter?" I queried.

"I'm trying something new." She smiled. "A new flavour of cake to be exact."