Hello All! So based on your requests I've decided to continue this story! Yay! As always everyone who writes fan-fiction about these love birds doesn't own them.

Enjoy! ^.^

It was winter again, the time of year Serena always hated. It was a year ago today that she found out her first love, her only love was dead. As she sat in the snow holding a single white rose, she couldn't help but remember the last times they were together…

It was a crisp fall day, and a light breeze gently caressed Serena's golden locks but she didn't feel the cold. She sat with her boyfriend Seiya on a bench they had dubbed years ago as 'their bench'. Serena was blissfully happy and it showed. Today was their five year anniversary. They had been together since she was 14, and now that she was in college they could finally get married. Serena knew today would be special and was hoping Seiya would pop the question tonight at dinner. Serena's daydream was interrupted before she could start planning out the wedding dress in her head.

"Serena," Seiya called her name to get her attention.

"Yes pumpkin?" Serena's looked up to see Seiya's face take on a look of guilt.

"We need to talk." Seiya's voice was guarded. The smile on Serena's face dropped. She had expected his voice to be light, and happy. His demeanor was the exact opposite.

"What is it Seiya? You know you can tell me anything." Serena prodded. Seiya looked at Serena, conflict in his eyes. Serena knew it was something big, and she knew she wasn't going to like it.

"Serena, I have to go away."

He told her he had a lead that was taking him to Tokyo, his homeland. Seiya was a treasure hunter and the biggest treasure in history to date was the Qing Dynasty treasure. It was the hidden fortune of the last emperor Puyi, and as of now no one had found it. Seiya's treasure hunting group got a tip that Puyi hid his treasure in Japan, which was why Seiya was leaving for Tokyo.

Serena reluctantly accompanied Seiya to his plane at the airport. She was devastated he was leaving. She thought for sure they'd be starting their new life by now, but here he was, leaving again. It was what Seiya did best. Throughout their relationship he would leave to go here or there for his work and always left Serena to wait for him. She thought for sure this time would be no different.

But it was different. At the gates of his plane, right before he boarded he dropped to one knee and promised to spend the rest of his life with her if she would have him. That was the happiest and at the time, the saddest moments of her life. Happiest because they were finally going to spend their lives together and the saddest because he was leaving and deep down Serena worried for him.

"Serena, I promise I'll only be gone for a couple of months. While I'm gone, you can plan our wedding and when I get back we'll make it official."

Serena smiled at him, tears of happiness in her eyes as she knelt on the floor with him. "I'll wait until you get back and we'll plan our wedding together."

It was six weeks later when she got the letter.

Ms. Chandler,

It is with a heavy heart that we write to you. While searching for the lost treasure of the Qing Dynasty, our search led us to Korea where we fell under attack of a rebel army. We were separated in an attempt to escape with our lives and found soon after that Seiya was missing. Once we realized Seiya wasn't with us we went back but were unable to find him. We assume the rebels captured him and they are known to never leave survivors. Seiya knew the risk we all faced when we embarked on this journey together, but did so willingly as any of us would have. We feel the same loss you do. Seiya was not only our leader, but he was our friend. Our sympathies are with you at this time. If there is anything you should ever need, please let us know.

Our Deepest Sympathies,

Taiki Lighten and Yaten Starr

Serena couldn't feel the cold biting at her already frigid hands as she continued to sit in the snow reminiscing on what could have been. She stared unseeing at the stone that marked the grave of her first love. A grave that was empty. It was merely a memorial, for they had never found Seiya's body. Serena had fought tooth and nail with Seiya's sister Lita, her 'then' best friend, over the gravestone. After six months Lita wanted to give him a proper gravestone whether his body was there or not. Serena thought they shouldn't have given up.

It wasn't long before something cold and wet touched her nose bringing her out of her stupor. She looked up to see it had started to snow. Laughing quietly she found the situation ironic. It was exactly a year to the day when they had gotten the news of Seiya's death.

It had been snowing then too.

Serena's friends gave her time to grieve, and were always there for her, but after months of nothing but sorrow, her friends tried to convince her it was time to move on. Serena wanted none of that. Lita had even stooped so low to remind her harshly that "her" brother wasn't coming back for her. Serena stopped returning her calls after that.

Even though it's been a year since Serena received the letter, a small part of her always hoped he could come back for her. Seiya would always have a part of her heart, and until recently Serena thought she couldn't move on. After reminiscing and soul searching she realized Seiya wouldn't have approved of how she's been. It was time to get her life back on track and that meant saying goodbye to the one person she's ever loved.

In that moment of decision, Serena looked up to see the sun come out and the snow stop. Serena smiled at the metaphor. She knew Seiya approved of her decision and wanted her to be happy. It was then that she removed her engagement ring from Seiya and buried it beneath the snow and earth at the base of his gravestone, where he would watch over it forever. Serena finally had her answers and for the first time in over a year, Serena smiled.

She placed the rose she'd been holding on the stone and walked away wondering where she goes from here.