by Sailor Lily
posted December 30, 2000
“My love, what about children?” -asked Endymion lost in the stars above them. “Will we have any?” Setsuna considered his question for a long time, which made him look at her angelic face surrounded by her wild forest-green hair, and ask “Setsuna?”
She finally looked up at his eyes, which were as dark as the night around then. She answered blushing, “Of course we’ll have children,... children will be wonderful. Hopefully, they will be as good looking as you.”
“No, they will look like us. They will resemble us, and will be that beautiful because of all the love we have.”
She staid quiet and then said thoughtfully. “I don’t think I have ever been this happy before. I can remember being alone most of the time before moving to the Moon Kingdom. There were many noble families in Pluto, but as the only child of the rulers... I learned to do everything alone. I never made friend my age at my planet, I only had Briga and that is why I love her so much. My parents would try to be with me as much as they could, but they had duties to fulfill. I remember thinking that I would always be alone,... all alone. That’s why I love all of the girls so much, but specially Hotaru since she reminds me of myself,... I don’t want her to feel alone... the same way I did. Now I have all I ever wanted, and I will do anything to keep it safe.”
Endymion listened to her closely, since she had never opened up to him about her life too much. He knew how it was to be alone most of the time since he was also an only child, and everyone was often busy with other things. His parents tried to spend all their time with him, but some times it was impossible for them. He knew how she felt because her soul resembled his own.
She continued thoughtfully, “Your mother told me about the terrestrial belief that all people are born with a twin soul, and a soul mate. Well, even though I’m from Pluto, I think that I’ve found both. Michiru is my twin soul since I felt a connection with her since the day we met,... and you... you’re my soul mate because I love you more than you can imagine. I’m so happy now that... it scares me to think that I could lose everyone I love. I’m so scared Endymion... so scared. Please hold me tight and never let me go,... never let me go, please.”
Endymion hugged her tightly, wishing to protect her from everything that she imagined, to protect their dreams, and happiness. He knew exactly how she felt. He was scared.
“Setsuna, promise something to me.”-he said silently.
“Okay, What do you want me to promise?”-she said while turning to face him.
“First of all, I give you my most solemn promise that whatever happens I love you, and want more than anything to make you happy. Now... I want you to promise never to give up on life...even when things don’t look too good,...promise me.”
“But... Endymion...”
“No Setsuna. You must promise me now to live and fight.”-he said with a distant look and very serious.
“Okay. I promise by the stars, by everything I know that I will live... and I will love you forever... and fight for our happiness.”-she answered looking at his solemn face while thinking, < I will always do anything I can for your happiness, even before thinking of my own. I vow to live to see you happy.>
Endymion kissed her passionately, and then sat up saying, “We have sealed that promise with a kiss, but now we must seal it by uniting our blood.” He pulled out a small silver dagger that he always carried in one of his boots. He handed the dagger to her, extended his strong arm while saying, “I promise to love you forever, and make you happy until the day I die.” He took her steady hand and guided it to make a small cut on his right wrist.
She handed him the him the dagger and said, “I vow to always love you, fight for your happiness, and live to fight.” She extended her arm, and bravely guided his hand to cut her right wrist. They united their bleeding wrist and in unison said, “We swear by everything we know and love... to love each other forever thinking of being happy together until the day we die. We bind ourselves with love,... defying body, soul, space and time.”
That was their sacred vow. It was that vow -made with the purest love- that would prove stronger than ever imagined. They kissed each other and washed the blood from their wounds in the purity of the ocean. That was their vow, and as they kissed again, they never imagined how long it would be. How terribly long it would take for them to remember this vow made during the Silver Millennium.
They stayed together waiting for the first rays of sunrise to warm them, announcing the beginning of a new day. The beginning of a hopeful day where they would part in body, but not in spirit.
********************************************************
The following morning during breakfast, Beryl announced that everything was prepared for their return to the Moon Kingdom the following morning. After eating, Michiru took Setsuna to her room so they could talk.
“Michiru, I’m worried about returning to the Moon Kingdom. It will be almost impossible to meet with Endymion.”-said Setsuna while brushing her shining green hair.
“Don’t worry too much, we’ll find a way. But tell me...have you and him...well... done anything?”- asked Michiru with a devilish wink.
Setsuna smiled shyly, and blushed intensely by the question. She answered, “No, I swear we have done nothing but kiss. But tell me, who else knows about my late night meetings?”
“The only person I told was Haruka. You don’t mind, do you?”-she asked nervously.
“No, I don’t mind. She’s a good person that I can trust. Michiru, she’s a good person, but sometimes... I get jealous; the two of you are often together, and... well, I don’t want to loose your friendship.” -confessed Setsuna putting the brush down next to her on the bed.
“Nobody will ever, ever break our friendship, I promise. But I do... like Haruka alot.”-answered Michiru quietly blushing.
“I’m sorry Michiru, I guess I’m just being... selfish. You’re absolutely right, nothing will break our friendship, nothing. Besides, it’s absolutely all right if you like Haruka.”-reflected Setsuna with a smile.
Michiru drew in a deep breath trying to gather as much courage as she could to make her confession. She knelt in front of Setsuna, and said apprehensively, “No, you don’t understand... I ... I’m... in love... with Haruka.” Setsuna’s eyes went wide with surprise, but really didn’t know what to say. Michiru began crying and said, “Are you going to say anything? Please... say something! Anything! Please!”
Setsuna felt so much pity to hear her dearest friend so upset. She didn’t know what to say, and then she had a flashback of the presentation where she had met Michiru, and she had been with Haruka. She finally smiled at Michiru with genuine understanding, and an open heart. < I shouldn’t be surprised. That day we all met each other was surely a sign of who we were meant to love. It was a sign that they are meant to be together, just as Endymion and I.>
“I’m happy for you, Michiru. You have found the person you love, and the person who loves you; I hope you will both be very happy... since you two deserve it.” -she finally said with a softened look to Michiru’s hopeful face.
“Really? You’re happy for me... you don’t think I’m weird? Oh, thank you, thank you Setsuna! I thought you’d think me crazy, or sick... and stop being my friend...”-whispered Michiru weeping uncontrollably with relief and hugging Setsuna tightly.
“No... please don’t cry. Michiru, I will never think less of you because of who you love... I love you too much to judge you so harshly. Come sit next to me, you’re a little... too big for my lap.” teased Setsuna helping her off the floor. “Listen, you can always come to me for anything... and you know that. Besides, love works in mysterious ways, and we have no control of who we fall in love with. We should be... happy... that we have found someone, and will never be alone. Ever.”
“Thank you for being the way you are, I... could have never asked for a more understanding friend in my whole love. It’s a... relief to know that you approve, and I can count on you.” -said Michiru finally smiling.
“You, Hotaru, and Haruka will always be able to count on me... any time you need me. I love you three too much to leave you in though situations, I don’t know what I would do without all of you.”
The two of them sat there, across from each other smiling with perfect sincerity. They understood each other perfectly. They were ready to fight for love, and learn to make sacrifices without even knowing it. They sat across from each other with misty eyes and holding the hand of the best friend they ever had. They did not share a bond of blood, their bond was stronger than that; it was a bond of souls, and therefore would last much longer.
**************************************************
That same day Setsuna went out when the night was well advanced. It was a warm night with a playful wind that was beginning to exasperate her. Her long, shiny black-green strands were flying wildly about, and would not let her see.
<No, it’s not only my hair which exasperates me, it’s this meeting. This will be the last time we will be together here at Earth. I’m so scared! What will happen to us when we are at the Moon Kingdom?> -thought Setsuna closing her eyes full of tears, and said out loud to the night, “We cannot keep meeting this way forever. Out feelings are too strong, and can’t be... wrong. They can’t be wrong,,, for everyone’s sake we can’t be wrong.”
An arm came from behind her and slid around her slender waist. She felt her heart skip a beat, but knew who it was without even setting her eyes on him. He asked full of mischief, “Should I be concerned with the fact that you let a stranger hug you without fighting him off?”
Setsuna answered smiling secretly to what sounded like jealousy, “But you’re not a stranger, I don’t just let anyone hold me like this. Why are you jealous?”
“No! Okay... maybe I’m just a little... concerned.”
“Really, is that what jealousy is called now? Endymion, you know that there is nothing to worry about... there is no one else in my heart but you. Besides, I can recognize you so well that I would know if it wasn’t you. Don’t tell me you want me to fight you?”-she teased while looking at the ocean ahead.
Endymion simply smiled, not surprised with her answer and sincerity. Everything she said was how she felt. He could only stand behind her, smelling her hair, and filling himself with everything she was. < I love her, she completes me. I’ll never find another like her, ever. Or... could I betray this love? Could I... love some one else? NO... no... I couldn’t love with the same intensity... it shouldn’t be the same.>
For them time had stopped to allow them a longer final night at Earth. The wind picked up speed around them as they stood watching the stars reflected on the dark ocean’s surface. She finally turned to face him, and put her arms loosely around his neck. She looked into his eyes with absolute trust and crystalline love. He looked back at her with total devotion, admiration, and profound love.
“What are you thinking?” -asked Setsuna quietly.
“I’m thinking about you.”
“Really, what about me?”
“Everything. About how badly I want to go to Pluto with you. About how I can’t wait to be with you every day. About how perfect and stubborn you are with all that wild green hair of yours. Most of all... I think about how much I love you.”
She smiled widely at him, she always smiled when he was near. She didn’t want to bother with saying anything that could break this wonderful moment in her life. < He’s so dear to me, ... I love him so much... I would do anything to protect him. Anything.> -she thought while placing her palm on his cheek. He turned toward her soft palm and kissed it softly. She smiled at him, and he leaned down to kiss her sweet lips gently.
He led her towards a large tree with thousands of dark green leaves. She sat there leaning her head back on the bumpy tree trunk, while Endymion laid his head on her lap. He laid there looking up at her while she caressed his smooth hair. He could see her staring absent-mindedly towards the dark horizon where sky and ocean met: joining and becoming one.
“What are you worried about?” -he finally asked with a steady eye on her. She came back from the dark horizon, and looked down at him with surprise but no answer. “Come Setsuna, you can tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Well,... nothing. I was just... thinking about how hard it will be to be with you at the Moon Kingdom since the Queen will... most likely keep a steady eye on both of us. It will be impossible for us to be together... like this.”
“Don’t worry, we’ll find a way. Love always find a way to overcome great obstacles.”-he answered smiling confidently.
“I hope so. I was also going to tell you that Michiru told me that Hotaru wants to visit her home, so... we’re going to ask the Queen if she will allow all of us to visit our parents.”
“That’s great since it will be almost two years since they last saw you. Your parents will be pleasantly surprised to see how much more wonderful and beautiful you are.”
“I guess,... not to mention older. Some times I feel so old... probably because I’m the oldest girl. They’re so young, they manage to impregnate with all their youth, and energy.”
“Setsuna, you’re talking as if you were an old woman that’s live very long. Besides, I’m older than you... by three years, and I don’t feel old.”-he teased.
“Don’t pay attention to me, I’m just babbling about nonsense. Darien,... I wish you could come with me to Pluto.”
“Don’t you worry, we’ll find a way with the aid of out friends.” -he said smiling openly with hopeful eyes.
She smiled wanting to believe what her said. She found she had so much hope in her, that she believed he would be able to go with her. As the darkness began to fade, she let some tears escape her eyes. < I will miss you so much, Earth. Thank you for being the nurturer of our love... I will never forget this. Thank you, I will never forget this happiness.> She finally looked down at the peaceful sleeping face of her only love, and was amazed to see how young he looked.
He still resembled the little boy that she had met at Princess Serenity’s presentation. He still resembled the little boy that had wiped the blood from her injured hand, and said he would marry her. She continued caressing his hair with the dark locks of hair that fell on his forehead. She leaned down to kiss his forehead, then she kissed his closed eyes very gently, and then his warm lips to announce the time head come to leave this wonderful dream.