"A White Rose, A Red Rose" - Chapter 9
Rated PG
Hey Minasan! Miaka here again! Can you believe that you are still here! Still screaming for this story to be over?! Well, I have news for you, it isn't! This is still another part! I should re-name it "The Never Ending Story" hee hee. Any how, same old same old.
Thanks to all my wonderful friends and family who have encouraged me through this, Chichiri, Minako, Hotaru, Melinda, Twilight, Usagi, Eike, etc. Yup, thanks to you! And esp. to Chichiri 'cause she is kind enough to edit my papers! Give her a big cheer everyone!
Disclaimers:
Have any ideas on how to make this interesting? Send them to nitehawk@silcom.com.
Oh, and I don't own Sailor Moon, just thought you'd want to know.
OK, you people should know that I was having some editor trouble again. My very best editor has been REALLY busy, and so I had to do some myself and get other people to do it, so it is not the best editing job, gomen. But please try to enjoy anyhow!!!
"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows his handiwork. Day unto day it uttereth speech, and night unto night shewth knowledge."
- Psalm 19:1-2
"A White Rose, A Red Rose" - Chapter 9
"So, anyone have any ideas?" Ami asked. The question hung in the air like a thick fog and neither the guard or the court knew what to say. They were discussing the absence of Endymion and Serenity. The Queens still forbid them from tracking the two, saying that they needed time to be alone, before they had to face each other. True, they were engaged, or would be officially in less than a week, but they still had to adjust to the idea of an arranged marriage and all. Being forbidden to track their lieges was driving the senshi and guard mad.
"Well, as a senshi and servant of Princess Serenity, I say we drop the Queen's orders and hunt her down! I cannot go on like this! I made my vow to the Princess, not to the Queen, and if anything happened to her just because I obeyed the Queen's, well, I would never forgive myself! It is too much to ask one to bear!" Makoto ended, practically screaming. Nephrite put his arm around her to comfort her.
After a moment of silence Mina spoke, "This has gone to far, I have to agree with Makoto. We have not seen the Princess for over two full days. That is too long, she could be anywhere in the universe by now, and well, she is most likely alone. I do not like that thought at all. So for once I shall have to agree with Makoto and say to disobey the Queen's orders. As leader and commander of the Princess's court, I take full responsibility for this course of action."
"I am inclined to agree with Minako, Kunzite, and if you will give your consent, I would like to follow the same course of action in terms of Endymion," Jedite said, turning toward Kunzite.
Kunzite's answer was not hesitant, "I will have to agree to it, there is no other choice. But what is the best way to track him? This is not the Earth where people are forbidden to leave the planet."
"That is quite well covered on our end, Ami can use her visor. Ami, if you please," Mina said, turning to Ami. Ami nodded and turned to leave the room.
As soon as Ami had stepped out Mina turned and suggested to Zoicite that he go help her. He left to give her assistance without hesitation.
@-->-->---
Ami quickly looked up and down the hall to make sure no one was present. Finding not the slightest trace of anyone she sealed the doors with a light ice spell. Really all it did was make the handles turn to ice and the doors freeze on their hinges. Any servant passing by would get the clue that whoever was inside wanted to be left alone.
After securing the doors, Ami pulled out her henshin stick. Raising it high above her head she began to shout, "Mercury Star Power!" but just as she got to "star" Zoicite walked into the hall. She almost dropped the spell, but with a quick calculation in her mind she discovered that it was unwise to do so. Dropping the transformation spell in the middle would leave a great amount of energy hanging loose in the air, and it might backlash. So had no choice but to finish the transformation, in front of Zoicite.
@-->-->---
Zoicite walked into the hallway where he had seen Ami go. Immediately he froze. Ami was there all right, but was being surrounded by ribbons of water that came out of a stick she held above her head. He could tell that there was a tremendous amount of energy going into this and wondered how she was doing it.
Suddenly his gaze shifted and he froze even more. Her clothes were gone. He stared at her unable to take his eyes off her. The ribbons of water surrounded her and then slowly became the uniform she had been wearing when Endymion and Serenity had battled.
'So beautiful . . . ' he thought to himself as he watched. 'I have never seen anything more beautiful in my life, this blue haired angel is the most beautiful creature I have ever seen. But why is it that I feel like I should know something, something about her . . . and myself . . . that I don't know.'
Just as he finished these thoughts, she finished transforming, and stood before him as the Guardian of Mercury, the one who draws her power from the ice and water in the atmosphere, she could draw it from anywhere. Zoicite could feel the ice in his blood rush as he looked at her and his heart picked up speed. The two just stood looking at each other.
@-->-->---
Mercury just stood staring at Zoicite, who in turn stared back. Finally she broke the silence that hung thick and heavy between them. "Lord Zoicite, a . . . good to see you?" she said stumbling on her words.
"Lady Mercury, I'm sorry for the intrusion, I didn't know . . . They sent me in here to help you . . . " Zoicite answered, stumbling on his words as well.
"There was no harm done, you would have seen it eventually anyhow . . . Lord Zoicite, are you all right?" As she spoke Zoicite had gotten whiter and whiter, and as she said the last words, he fainted. Fortunately Mercury was quick, and she caught him before he hit the ground.
'Oh my, oh my, I'm holding him! My heart is beating at least twice it's normal rate!' she thought and her face blushed a light shade of blue. (Mercury/Ami blushes blue and not red like the others. Zoicite does as well.)
"Lord Zoicite, are you OK?" Mercury asked out loud, already knowing the answer. "Oh boy, how am I going to explain this one to the others . . . Well, it has to be done, so here goes," Mercury said thinking aloud.
'Makoto!' she said signalling her through the mental link. 'Makoto! Get Nephrite in here!' she called mentally.
'OK, Mercury, hold on! But why do you need Nephrite?' asked Makoto curiously.
'Just tell him to hurry up!' Mercury said in a slightly exasperated voice.
Soon all six of the others came running into the room where she held Zoicite. Quickly she handed him over to the shocked Nephrite without explanation.
"So what happened here? You didn't knock him out with an ice blast did you?" Makoto asked after regaining her composure.
"Well, someone," Mercury began and looked straight at Mina who locked up at the ceiling and anywhere except Mercury, "sent him in here to 'help' me. Anyhow, he saw me transform and then fainted. Luckily I get really fast and much stronger in this form, so I was able to catch him without difficulty," then turning to Nephrite she added, "And thanks for taking him, he is still rather heavy." All Nephrite could do was nod.
"So that is what Mina sent him in here to do, we knew that she had sent him somewhere, just not where," Rei said laughing. Jadeite blushed and Makoto began to laugh as well. Kunzite and Nephrite looked extremely confused and Mina still avoided Mercury's gaze.
"You know, I would really like to know exactly what Zoicite saw that made him faint so. He usually has a very strong disposition and nothing really bothers him. So what was it? And why is Jadeite blushing so red? And why is this so funny to Lady Rei and Lady Makoto?" Kunzite asked, slightly exasperated.
"Mina, you sent him in here, so you explain," Makoto said laughing hysterically.
"Fine! You see, when we 'activate' our uniforms, hence what Mercury is wearing, we summon the power that we use to battle with. Only, there is a great amount of it that surges into our body making us incredibly powerful. The thing is that our power basically ribbons around us, and then attaches to us to create the uniform. But when it does so . . . well . . . basically our civilian clothes disappear and we don't have anything on for about 20 seconds. No one can see it unless they are looking at us when we start the spell or in the middle of it. If they came in during the actual transformation, they would not see a thing, just the finished product," Mina said rather quickly, but in a lecturing and slightly embarrassed tone.
"Oh," was all the sound that Kunzite could make, and he blushed red, almost matching Jadeite.
Nephrite, on the other hand, began to laugh. "Jadeite, I take it you have seen this? The Lady Rei no doubt." Both Jadeite and Rei blushed a deeper shade of red and the ends of Rei's hair sizzled a little. "But Makoto, I would really like you to demonstrate some time for me, I missed my last chance, next time make sure I am conscious," Nephrite's eyes twinkled mischievously.
"Very well, I shall give you the demonstration, how about latter this evening? Busy?" Makoto said, a grin lighting her face.
"Um, Makochan, do you realize what you just said?" Mina asked Makoto seriously. Makoto simply nodded. "Then it is true, you are engaged. I always knew the customs of Jupiter were strange, but this, and I suppose you guys fought and you would have killed him if he lost! What is this universe coming to! Why can't the guardian of love ever have it easy, people just don't get it!" Mina went off, only Kunzite understanding what she meant.
Putting his hand on her shoulder he thought out to her, 'Mina, it's OK, look at their auras, they are practically one aura already. The two could not hate each other if they tried, much less settle for friends. It would be like tearing their souls apart.'
'True, it is just, why can't the courtship ritual be the same everywhere, it is so troublesome to have to watch out for everyone by one's self,' Mina thought back, calming down considerably.
'Well, you won't have to by yourself anymore, that's what I'm here for. I mean technically our parents prearranged our marriage, so we will have to marry eventually. So if we can get the Princess and Endy together, we won't have to worry about separating.' Kunzite would have put his arms around her, but he noticed Mercury staring at them.
"Anyway, we had best get to work on Endy and Sere, Mercury if you please," Mina said, bringing everyone back to reality. The others nodded in agreement and Mercury went to work scanning the area and typing madly into her tiny computer.
"Found them! They have not left the planet, in fact they are in the garden, quite near each other, but with the greenhouse in between them. I don't think they know that the other is there," Mercury informed the rest.
"All right! This will be easier than I thought! You know that small room in the greenhouse . . . " Mina began.
"That is for the young roses that are not strong enough to be planted . . . " Rei continued.
"We can trap them in there! Sere would never fight him in there! She loves the roses too much!" Makoto finished off.
"All we have to do now is figure out what spells to use to trap them and how to get them in," Jadeite said, catching the girls enthusiasm.
"That's simple enough, just tell them that some beautiful roses have just come into bloom, Sere always wants to see them when they are young," Rei put in.
"And I am sure that Endy would like to see the Moon's way of raising roses," Nephrite added.
It was agreed, Makoto would go get Sere and Jadeite would go and get Endy, that way Kunzite and Minako could figure out the spells, Ami could keep track of the two, Rei would help lay the spells, and Nephrite would try to wake Zoicite.
@-->-->---
Usagi hid behind the greenhouse, it was only a matter of time before Mamoru found her and she would have to flee again. The two were playing a game of tag, though it was really more of a "Usagi hides, Mamoru follows the link, and then Usagi sprints off and hides again because Mamoru is too unfamiliar with the Moon to catch her." But both were enjoying it, and the occasional time he did capture Usagi was worth it.
So there was Usagi crouched against the greenhouse wall when Makoto walked up.
"Sere! There you are! I had a grand time finding you, had to get Mercury to do a computer scan. Anyhow, there are some really pretty new roses in the greenhouse that you might want to see. They are just newly bloomed! Come on!" Makoto exclaimed excitedly.
Serenity looked at Makoto and knew she was up to something, but decided to go, what harm could there be in looking at a few flowers? Besides, a moving target is harder to find than a stationary target, so Mamochan would just have a harder time finding her.
@-->-->---
Mamoru walked carefully down the paths as he followed the instinct that always led him to her, they had been playing this game for about half an hour. What it really was supposed to be was a training session to get them used to the pull that concerted the two. Mamoru had found that the more he accepted it, the easier it was to follow. If he closed his eyes and walked he found that he would walk straight to her. So he kept his eyes open to get used to it that way.
'She's moving, and Makoto is with her,' Mamoru suddenly realized. "Usako," he thought out to her, "Remember not to tell Makoto about us."
"Don't worry, I won't break our plan, it is going to be so much fun! I bet they'll die of fright!" she said giggling, although keeping a serious exterior.
"Well, let's hope they won't die, but they will definitely be surprised." Mamoru chuckled as he said it.
Just then Jadeite ran up to him. "There you are Endy, I have been searching all over for you! I finally had to search out for you using the bond, luckily I found you. Where have you been?" Jade said, gasping slightly.
"Well, I needed some time to myself, so I have just been hanging around the garden. So what is it, you didn't come just because you were worried about me, " Mamoru said, suspicion evident in his voice.
"OK, I also thought you might like to see the roses in the green house, Rei was showing me them and they are quite exquisite. . ."
Endymion cut him off, "You like Rei."
Jadeite blushed. "Yea, I do. Don't go prying into my mind!" Jadeite exclaimed as he felt Endymions mind brush against his own.
"So you finally changed." Endymion stated.
"What do you mean by 'changed'?" Jadeite asked nervously.
"You have finally killed the last of your Terran blood. It didn't take you as long as I expected, I thought I had a little more time."
"Little more time to what?"
"To warn you about the pain of transformation, the first time is not all that fun. But fortunately after that it doesn't hurt so much, in fact you can get used to the rush." Endymions eyes twinkled with a smile.
"You knew?! How come you never told me?!" Jadeite said, his voice rising in volume considerably.
"Yea, I knew. Jadeite, I don't know what is going on or why, but I just know things. I suppose it is partly because of Usagi, I probably can see and know what she knows, but there is something happening. Things are changing, and there will soon be a point where no one can turn back. You have become a Knight, one of the ultimate Knights. Every generation there is a Seishi, but only once in a Millennium is there a Knight, and you are that Knight," Endymion said seriously.
"But how do you know this, and what about the others?" Jadeite asked, something was going on, and even with his ability to read minds there was something about Endymions mind that kept getting more and more complex, rendering Jadeite unable to read it.
"The others, that remains to be seen, time tells, not I," was Endymions only response. The rest of the walk to the green house was made in silence, each lost in their own thoughts.
@-->-->---
Makoto walked Serenity into the section of the green house that was reserved for roses. Every type of rose imaginable was there, all but the red rose. The Moon Kingdom was a place of magic, and things taken for granted often held unimaginable amounts of magic in them. Roses were no exception, so the Moon did not keep red roses, they were to powerful.
"I always love coming in here!" Serenity exclaimed as she looked around her at the gentle blooms. "It is so full of magic and life here!" She looked around happily and twirled around, her hair flying around her.
Makoto laughed as Serenity displayed her joy and laughter. 'Man, she'll be singing to a different tune after we pull off this trick,' she thought to herself, trying to hide her thoughts from Serenity. Fortunately Serenity was already moving farther into the greenhouse, examining every rose.
As soon as Sere had turned the corner to one of the isles of flowers Makoto ran out and quickly went to join the other senshi and guard. She nodded to Nephrite and immediately he mentally signalled to Jadeite.
'Jade, take him in now, quickly!' he mentally called.
'Gottcha, right on it!' Came the reply with laughter, but Rei noticed that in the reply there was also a hint of confusion, as if Jadeite was considering something very thoroughly.
@-->-->---
Jadeite led Endymion into the greenhouse and immediately Endymion turned his attention to the roses, they were exquisite. He could feel the power and magic of life that flowed through them. He smiled to himself as he felt Usagi's presence in the room, their game would soon continue, and this time he would catch her.
Endymion walked forward absorbed his thoughts and the flowers. He silently noted when Jadeite left, sneaking out. Looking around him he felt out for Usagi and quickly pinpointed her in one of the other ends of the green house. Swiftly he began to move in that direction.
@-->-->---
Serenity lifted her head and smiled, Makoto was gone as she had expected, but she sensed Jadeite and Endymion enter. 'Oh boy, now I am like a trapped rabbit in here, but then I am called 'Usagi',' she though giggling to herself.
Usagi continued looking at the flowers, knowing that as long as Jadeite was in the room, Endymion would not hunt her down. She felt his mind searching for her and she remained still, trying to hide her thoughts. It was to no avail, soon Endymion found her and she could feel him smile. 'Uh-Oh, Jadeite left, now Mamochan is going to play the predator, not that I mind horribly,' she though, laughing slightly.
Usagi turned around quickly, she felt someone enter the room, someone she did not know. They had not entered in through the door, they had just appeared. Her mind quickly stretched out, searching for the person who had entered. She pinpointed them under one of the counters of flower pots and other such items.
She was about to go over when suddenly a surge of energy went up around the greenhouse, but this was an energy she recognized immediately. Her court and Endymion's guard had put up a barrier around the greenhouse. 'They think that Mamoru and I hate each other, so they are trying to trap us alone in order to make us call a truce,' she realized and laughed at the thought.
Mamoru appeared beside her. "Well, why don't we give them what they are expecting," he asked, eyes sparking with mischief. Usagi giggled some more and nodded in response.
@-->-->---
Jadeite quickly ran out of the greenhouse as soon as Mamoru was around the corner. He caught up with Jupiter, who was waiting for him and the two ran to join the others.
As soon as they got there Venus nodded to Kunzite and the two began to start a spell to seal the green house. Quickly Jadeite and Mars joined in and then Jupiter and Nephrite, who had deposited the still unconscious Zoicite on the ground not far away. Mercury joined in soon after and placed the finishing touches on the network of spells and seals.
Energy crackled as the last spell was added and a dome of energy sprang up around the greenhouse. The dome swirled and crackled with four different types of energy, making a very powerful barrier. The Senshi and Guard had placed every seal and anti teleportation spell in the barrier that they could of; making it impossible for anyone to get in or out, and all seven of them were needed to lift the spell.
After the dome was up the seven of them sat down to wait for Serenity and Endymion to react. Nothing happened.
"Hey, while we're waiting don't you think that someone should wake Zoi? I tried, but he conducts electricity sometimes, and he is right now. That darn water power of his," Nephrite stated, looking over at his unconscious friend.
"Well, Mercury is a healer, so she can probably wake him without to much trouble," Makoto answered. "You know, it looks like our methods to wake people are the same!" She exclaimed, smiling at Nephrite.
"Um, using the healers method of waking someone unconscious involves entering his mind, isn't their someone else who can do it?" Mercury asked quietly.
Everyone turned and looked at her. Rei smiled and answered quickly before anyone could offer to, "No Mercury, it is easiest for you. Nephrite can carry him a ways a way so that you can work privately, we know how you don't like to be disturbed while you work." Every one else nodded in agreement and Nephrite quickly picked Zoicite up and began to walk away.
Mercury had no choice but to follow, which she did. A little ways away, behind some trees and bushes where no one could see her, she informed Nephrite to set Zoicite down and then waited for him to leave.
"OK, Lord Zoicite, you had better appreciate this," Mercury mumbled as she placed a hand on his forehead and closed her eyes. Immediately she was inside his mind and searching for the area that would trigger consciousness. Somehow being inside his mind comforted her. She felt at home there and noticed that it's patterns where very similar to her own. Suddenly she hit the trigger and pulled out quickly.
Zoicite's regain to flutter open and she put his head in her lap to support it better.
"Lady Mercury . . . " he mumbled as he opened his eyes and saw her.
"There is no need to call me 'Lady Mercury', I consider you a friend, Lord Zoicite," she replied softly.
He smiled at her statement and replied in kind, "And there is no need to call me 'Lord Zoicite', Zoi will do fine."
Mercury looked into his eyes for a moment and then began to speak, "Lor . . I mean Zoi, are you . . ."
"Yes, I am, though not of pure blood," he answered her before her complete question was out.
"How did you . . ." she began in a confused voice.
"Mercury, our minds work in almost the same pattern, we use the same methods, it is not hard to pick up your thoughts," he replied, smiling up at her.
"No, that is not it, many Mercurians think in this manner, but only two people have ever been able to read my mind before, but they say . . . "
"You think it might be?" Zoicite asked, understanding what she was getting at.
"The probability of us having the same power in the first place is about .0000000000000001%, which is not really scientifically possible. And then the chances of us having the same powers and meeting are even less than that. So their is really only one explanation. Ever heard the legend of Mercury?" she asked in an awed tone.
"Once there was a man and a woman, a Knight and a Senshi, who were soul mates. Though born on separate planets, both held the blood of Mercury. The bond that the two had was made even stronger by the blood and the two were drawn across space toward each other. Nothing could separate the two, the pull together was too great. Even at times when they did not realize or plan it, the two would end up in the same place. This type of bond happened only twice in the whole history of Mercury, but it is destined to happen again every 5,000 years," Zoicite recited the legend line for line.
"Do you think . . . "
"That this could be us?"
"How else is this all to be explained, it is not possible any other way," Mercury said in a small voice.
"But, if it is true, are you happy with it? It means that as long as we live we would always end up together, there would be no way . . . " Zoicite asked, with a little bit of anticipation edging his voice.
"That we could be separated. Zoi, it would make me happy. Mercury is a cold planet, but when people fall in love the love lasts. It would make me very happy to know that you are the person that I am bound to in soul," she smiled brightly as she spoke.
"And it fills my heart with joy as well, Princess of Mercury," and with that he gently put his arms up around her neck ad pulled her head down to kiss her.
When the two pulled away Mercury smiled softly, "You know, we had better join the others before they come to check on us." She stood up and reached down to give Zoicite a hand, he accepted it and stood up next to her.
"Lead the way, fare Princess," he said with happiness radiating from his eyes. She blushed at his words and led him back to join the others.
Once they returned they did not have long to wait on Serenity and Endymion. Almost immediately after their return they were mentally assaulted.
"Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Venus! This is unacceptable, you are not allowed to trap your Princess in a dome and hold her captive! I command you to let me out this instant! I do not want to be trapped in here with HIM!" Serenity called angrily through their mind link.
"But Sere, the Queen' ordered us not to look for you or bother you, and if we let you out, we might see you, so it is best that you are left in there for now," Venus said, trying to appease her a little.
"Yes, and we won't let you out until you come to terms with Endymion!" Mars added.
"Come to terms?! How can one ever agree on anything with such a low-life dweeb! I mean, he is a Terran! And do you really want to face my wrath when I come out, I am getting really angry!" Serenity called in warning. The Senshi could here displeasure rising in her voice. She was begining to lose the whine and speak in a controlled voice, like the one her mother used when she was angry. And when Serenity used that voice it meant trouble.
"You guys, are you sure this is really wise?" Mercury whispered to the others. "I mean, she is just a little more than upset."
"If we back down now, she'll never make up with him, and that will make our lives miserable. She'll thank us for this later!" Jupiter said, though nervousness was evident in her voice.
Meanwhile the guard was being assaulted by Endymion, "Do you guys really want to do this, I will exact revenge. I mean this is almost betrayal, trapping me in here with her," he growled dangerously.
The guard laughed nervously and Zoicite replied, "Um, well, we can't take it down until you make up, or at least come to terms, it was part of the spell."
"WHAT!!! That is not possible, but if it is, find a way to get us out, now!" Endymion commanded in a rough voice.
It went on like that for an hour or so, and then it went quiet. The guard and court could only hope that they were discussing the problem together.
After another hour of silence they started getting edgy. "What do you think they are doing," Jupiter asked, the silence begining to give her the creeps.
"I really don't know. Maybe they got out?" Mars asked quietly, almost as if she were afraid to speak.
"It is not that simple to get out, and we would have felt the breach of the dome, wouldn't we?" Jadeite said, trying to sound convincing, but failing miserably.
"Mercury, could you do a computer scan of the dome and make sure their are no holes or weak points they could have slipped through?" Kunzite asked, eyeing the dome thoughtfully.
"Well, I can scan the dome, but the amount of power in it blocks the traces on the inside, rendering it almost impossible to check on Sere and Endy without removing the dome." Mercury responded, immediately begining to type into her computer. She eyed the dome and scanned every portion of it.
"Well, there are no breeches, no holes, no way to get out. The only way anyone could even escape from that trap, even with us knowing, is if they were stronger than all of us combined," Mercury finally stated.
The others looked around at each other. "So they would have no way to get out," Zoicite translated for them.
"Oh . . . So what should we do now?" Mina asked.
"I have no idea, wait?" Was the only reply she got.
@-->-->---
Serenity and Endymion finally stopped threatening their guards and began laughing.
"So, do you think that was enough?" Mamoru said holding Usagi in his arms and laughing. She leaned back against him and then buried her head in his chest, desperately trying to calm her laughter.
"More than enough! They think that we hate each other. The plan is going perfectly! But now, do you think we should get going?" Usagi said, her laughter boiling down to a giggle.
"We should probably check out the other person first, I doubt that they will want to be left in here alone, not without a way of escape." Mamoru smiled down at his rabbit as he spoke. She had her head nestled into his chest and seemed to be listening to his heart beat. "But then, maybe we could just stay in here for a while . . . " He continued after a little while, considering the possibilities.
'I would really rather go somewhere a little more private . . . ' she thought out to him. Mamoru could feel his heart beat speed up as she spoke and she smiled in response.
'You know, I don't think we should wait the two months after the announcement to marry, I would really rather just get married when we announce the engagement,' he whispered to her.
'Mother would not appreciate it though . . . Still, I am inclined to agree,' she replied, never moving her head from his chest.
Mamoru took one of his hands from around his waist and brought it up to her face, tipping her head up to look at him. 'Usako, have I told you how beautiful you truly are? Have I told you how much I love you?' he asked in a low voice.
'Yes, as a matter a fact, you have, but you know, you could always tell me again." She smiled back at him.
'I could never deny you anything, you know that? So, I tell you, Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, my Usako, that I love you with all my heart. I don't think that I could ever tire of just looking into your eyes. I could drown in their blue depths. I would love to fly among the stars scattered in them. Happy would the man be that could die looking up into your face.' Mamoru told her, pulling her closer to him, if that were possible.
Suddenly, to Usagi's surprise and dismay, he released her and stepped back away. Her body protested the lack of his warmth and she began to feel cold. Mamoru was looking at her, as if considering something.
"You know, Usagi," he began, "our parents have decided that we shall be married, and that we have no choice in the matter, but I don't want that." Mamoru looked straight at her, Usagi's breath caught in her throat.
He walked up to her again and then dropped to his knees before her. 'Princess Serenity of the Moon kingdom, I, Prince Endymion of Terra, ask you to become my wife. I want it to be your decision, your choice.' With that he reached behind his back and brought out a ring, the most beautiful one she had ever seen. It was a thin silver band with gold twisting around it. Then on the top there was a red rose blooming made out of a stone she had never seen before. Green petals stretched gracefully from under the rose, highlighting the deep red of the blossom.
"Mamochan . . . the rose . . . it is real!" She gasped.
"True, my love, it is like the rose that I gave you those years ago, it will bloom as long as we love each other, and it can never be crushed," he whispered.
'Prince Endymion, my Mamochan, I accept your offer of marriage, but on one condition,' she said, her eyes sparkling. "I want you to promise that you will love me forever, no mater what happens."
"That, My Usako, is a promise that I can give with my whole heart. I will love through life and death. I can be happy and whole only with you at my side." Mamoru smiled broadly as he took her hand in his and slipped the ring onto her finger. He then kissed her hand.
Usagi looked down at him happiness radiating from her gaze. She sunk to her knees before him and leaned forward into his arms. He immediately took her in and kissed her forehead gently. Looking down into her eyes he heard her whisper, "Aishiteru," as he leaned into kiss her.
Usagi anticipated the kiss and accepted it gladly. She returned one of her own with just as much passion and love as he put into his. Energy built between them again, though this time it did not explode, only bridged the distance.
The kiss would have gone on like that, but they were interrupted by someone clearing their throat. Quickly they separated, blushing.
@-->-->---
Hotaru woke from where she was sleeping in the greenhouse. She had finally gotten away from her ever so protective parents. She sighed as she stretched out. She lay in the silence for a while, enjoying the feeling of being alone again. Her parents were good people, but they treated her as most other people did, with fear.
Not only was she Satrainian, but she was the Princess, she was the guardian and Senshi of Death. Everyone she met feared her, even when she was a little baby. Her mother had not been the Senshi of Death, her aunt had, and her aunt had never had any children. In fact, her aunt had walked her life alone. It was the curse of the first princess of Saturn.
For generations it had been as such, even before the joining with the Moon Kingdom. The first daughter of the King and Queen of Saturn was fated to be the Senshi of Death. Even from birth she was treated differently than other children, always regarded with fear and respect. At the age of three she had been placed in her Aunt's care, the former Senshi of death. The Aunt would then train the child to follow her path, but as part of the training she would be left alone for long periods of time. The life the Senshi of Death would be lived alone, much like the lot of the Senshi of Time.
But Hotaru was different than the previous Senshi, she was born sick. That was how she was named. When she was born her life had been flickering in and out, and with it a dark purple light. The doctors were sure that she would die, but the Senshi of Death was there and declared that she would live. So they continued to fight for her, but in the end, though she lived, she was extremely weak.
Instead of letting her parents have her the first three years the Senshi of Death took the child immediately and began to train her in the use of her powers before she could speak. She was called Hotaru because of the flickering light at her birth and was never given another name. She had been instructed to call her Aunt Death, but had called her Saturn instead.
Unfortunately, Hotaru's health had never improved. Her body seemed to be at war with itself. But despite it all she was immensely powerful, more powerful than any Senshi of Death before her. She could look at a person when she was two and know when they were to die. But because of the early training and her health she had abnormal growing spurts. There had been one day in which she had aged a year, and then she had not aged at all for a year.
There were only two people who had ever treated her with care and love, her aunt and Setsuna, the next Guardian of Time. Hotaru had been taken to the gates of Time when Setsuna had been brought there for the first time. Hotaru had ben only four and Setsuna was seventeen.
The old Guardian of Time and her Aunt had greeted each other with a look of sadness. Setsuna had then been taken to the Gate and handed the time key. Black mist swirled around her and her uniform had appeared. The old Guardian had then left, just left Setsuna standing there in front of the gate, she had simply disappeared.
Hotaru felt sorry for the girl that stood at the gates. Event though she held a face of stone Hotaru could since her breaking heart. To be there, at the gates, alone until the next Senshi was of age was almost to much. Hotaru had been left there with Setsuna for a long while as her Aunt had gone to take care of some business. The two had become fast friends. Both were exceedingly powerful, and both very alone. They were each others only friends.
But that had all come to an end to soon. Because Hotaru had been alone so much since she was just a little girl, she had grown accustomed to it. So when her parents had to take her back to train etiquette so that they could present her to Queen Serenity and Princess Serenity, she found herself in a world completely alien to her. Another difference about this generation of Saturn royalty was that the Queen and King had no other children, and so Hotaru was heir to the throne. For the first time in generations it appeared that the Senshi of Death would rule.
Her parents tried to treat her like a normal child, tried to be loving parents, but it was to difficult. Hotaru was different. It was also that Hotaru would just disappeared during the night to continue her training. She was different than the others and that made people afraid of her. No one would look her in the eye, and no one would speak to her unless she spoke to them.
More and more Hotaru found herself longing for the days when she had nothing to do except sit alone and practice her power. She longed for the times when she could go and visit Pluto, relieving them both of their eternal solitude.
And now she had a chance to rest, rest from all the pressures of being a Princess, even if it was just to sleep in a green house.
Suddenly Hotaru was disturbed from her peaceful solitude by some joyful laughter. Slowly she crawled from her hiding place and crept toward the noise. A young man and woman were there, laughing together, and Hotaru could not see why.
She watched them in silence as they laughed and held each other. The two did not speak to each other, but seemed to be communicating nonetheless. Something about the pair made her feel comfortable, as if this was right, but it also made her feel like she should be kneeling at their feet. Suddenly Hotaru realized that she could only feel one life forse beating, one life forse between the two of them.
It was when the two began to kiss deeply that Hotaru finally made her presence known, and the two pulled apart blushing.
@-->-->---
Usagi stood up and brushed off her pants. Mamoru stood beside her and entwined his fingers with hers. They both looked at the girl that stood silently before them. She wore a dark purple frock and her eyes were black as was her hair. Her skin was a deathly white. Immediately Usagi noticed that she was sick. But beneath all her smallness and sickness she held incredible power, one that none of her guard could match.
"Hello! I am Usagi and this is my fiance Mamoru," Usagi cheerily said, breaking the silence. Mamoru bowed slightly.
The girl stared at them for a moment and then answered in a small voice, "And I am Hotaru."
"Well, good afternoon Hotaru!" Usagi greeted her smiling. Something about the girl drew Usagi in and she liked her immediately. "So Hotaru, would you like to get out of here? It is my friends who trapped me in here and we are going to play a little joke on them by leaving without telling them. I have worked with them enough to know the loopholes in their tricks." Usagi's eyes twinkled mischievously and Mamoru could tell that she was up to something.
Hotaru caught Usagi's eye and understood her meaning, even if Mamoru did not. She walked over to Usagi and put out her hand. Hotaru knew what it was like to want to fool the world, and she could see Usagi's desire just to get out. Something about Usagi called to Hotaru and she trusted her.
As soon as Hotaru touched Usagi there was a flash of light and the three of them disappeared.
@-->-->---
"So, have any ideas?" Jupiter asked the question that had silently been floating around the Senshi and guards heads for over an hour. But no one had any answer.
The protests had fallen silent an hour previous and neither Endymion nor Serenity had made a sound, and needless to say the guards were worried. It was not like Serenity and Endymion to give up so easily, they had only protested for about two hours, and then given up.
"So what, say we take down the dome and go to dinner. I'm starved," Mars complained.
"You know, I think that Mars is right, and I am getting worried," Ami said, in a concerned voice.
"I think they are right, Venus. This is going a little far. Let's just let them out and go get something to eat," Kunzite put in, trying to stifle a yawn.
"I suppose that you are correct, maybe they have made up, though it is more likely that thy have fallen asleep," Venus said after a moment of hesitation.
The group of eight gathered around in a circle and began to pull down the intricate network of spells. Soon it was completed and the dome around the greenhouse flickered and disappeared. But no one came out.
The guard stood, watching the door, but no one emerged from inside. Mercury began a computer scan and suddenly her head shot up and her visor disappeared.
"Um, no one is in the green house, in fact no one is even near by, and there hasn't been for over an hour," Mercury whispered to the others. All seven of them turned and stared at her.
"But that isn't possible, how could they have escaped without us knowing?" Mars said, her voice barely audible.
"Mercury, can you track them down," Venus asked quietly.
Mercury's eyes grew large and her computer disappeared from her hands. "I can't do it! I can't! Haven't we already caused enough trouble! We went against the Queen's orders to hunt them down, and then we played that awful trick, and now, knowing Sere she is probably exacting revenge like she threatened. I can't be involved in this!" She cried franticly and then turned and began to sob into Zoicite's jacket. Zoicite looked stunned but wrapped his arms around her comfortingly.
"Perhaps we should just go to dinner and then resume our search later, like when they have cooled their tempers. Besides, they won't be missed at dinner," Nephrite suggested. And, as there was nothing else that they seemed to be able to do, they went to dinner.
@-->-->---
Usagi, Mamoru, and Hotaru appeared in the Lunar forest outside the castle. Hotaru looked around at the height of the trees, amazed. The lush foliage rose over two hundred feet over their heads and only smatterings of light made it through. Hotaru realized that Mamoru and Usagi were staring at her, and looked down at herself. She giggled nervously at what she saw.
During the teleportation Hotaru had aged five years. She now had the body of a twelve year old. Her hair had not grown, but her eyes had grown darker. She laughed slightly. But their penetrating and caring gaze broke through her barriers. Hotaru was still young, to young to have been through what she had. Usagi's very eyes told Hotaru that she could be trusted, that she could be told anything, and most of all, that she would understand. So Hotaru found herself crying into Usagi's arms.
Usagi smiled at her and rocked Hotaru back and forth in her arms. Mamoru walked up behind her and placed his hands on her head. Both Usagi and Mamoru closed their eyes. Energy began to shoot through Hotaru's small body and she could feel herself being healed. She looked at her hands and found that she was glowing silver and gold along with her own dark purple glow.
For the first time in her life Hotaru felt whole. And suddenly she realized who these people were. She pulled away from Usagi's kind embrace and knelt down before her and quickly spoke, "Usagi and Mamoru, you have deceived me. You are none other that Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion. But I must thank you, you have done what no others could, you have healed me! I pledge my eternal service to you, and if I can ever be of any service, please tell me."
Serenity laughed, "Hotaru, I appreciate this, but I have always hated being treated like a Princess, I would much rather have your friendship."
"I would nonetheless like you to accept my pledge," Hotaru pleaded, "It is the least that I can do."
"Very well, so be it! I accept your pledge. Lift your head," Serenity commanded. Hotaru did so and looked into Serenity's eyes. "Do you make this pledge eternally as you said, do you wish to be bound?"
"I do, and I understand what it is I pledge to," Hotaru answered honestly. In her heart she knew that the Princess Serenity was someone who was worthy of the most devote servants.
"Then I give you the pledge you have desired." As soon as the words left Serenity's mouth a crescent moon appeared on her forehead and a beam of light shot down and connected with the symbol of Saturn that appeared on Hotaru's forehead.
"You're from Saturn?" Endymion asked, surprised.
"Um, yea, I came with my parents for the ball," Hotaru replied with a sigh. "I don't do well socially."
"Well, don't worry about it! You have friends here!" Serenity said smiling broadly.
"Thank you so you! You have honoured me greatly by allowing me to be both your servant and your friend," Hotaru exclaimed.
"No, it is you have honoured us with your friendship!" Serenity responded, laughing happily.
@-->-->---
Serenity woke earlier than usual. The stars were still bright in the sky and the air still chilled with the night breezes. Silence hung about the palace like a heavy fog, almost thick enough to touch. Even the crickets and the birds, even the bugs, were silent and sleeping.
Serenity quickly climbed from her bed and dressed in usual attire, pants and a shirt. She then ran to the terrace and flung open the doors with her usual cheeriness. Climbing out onto the wall she quickly made her way to the ground. As soon as her bare feet touched the cold earth she began to run.
Swiftly Usagi ran, hair streaming out behind her. There was no wind that night and Sere missed it's touch, so she called out to it, "Wind, where are you this night? Bear me up, up to his window!"
As soon as the words had left her mouth the air stirred around her and soon became a strong wind. It raced along with her and soon lifted her off the ground, bearing her up in it's strong embrace. Usagi's wings unfurled behind her to catch the feel of the wind on her back and to steady her on her flight. Soon the wind set her gently down on the balcony that led to Mamoru's room.
"Thank you kindly, Wind, you have done me a great service and I appreciate it," Usagi said gently, turning away from the balcony doors and kissing the air before her. The air rippled, seemingly with pleasure and a slight gurgling sound, like the running of a brook or the whistling of leaves could be heard coming out of no where.
Turning back to the doors of the balcony, they opened for her immediately. No door on any planet ever stayed closed to her, it was as if they did not want to be the one to keep her out. Every room welcomed her and the lamps would light when she merely set her foot in the door and would go out if she wanted it dark. The mere presence of the Princess seemed to bring life to a room or house.
Usagi stepped lightly into Mamoru's bedroom and glanced around. The light of Terra and the stars shone into the room, but seemed to be flowing mainly toward Endymion and Serenity. Yet, somehow, the room still seemed to be darker than a normal room, almost unnaturally so. A soft golden glow began to emit from him as soon as she stepped into the room and she noted that she had started to glow her silver as well.
Usagi walked over to Mamoru's bed and sat down next to his pillow. Gently she stroked some of the bangs out of his eyes and looked into his face, memorizing every detail. He reminded her of a little child sleeping peacefully.
Gently she leaned over and kissed his forehead, whispering in his ear, "Ohayoo gozimasu, Mamochan!" (Good morning)
Mamoru slowly opened his eyes and found himself staring into the deepest blue eyes he had ever seen. He smiled and reached up his hand to stroke her face. "Ohayoo gozaimasu, Usako. You know, I could get used to waking up to your face every morning. I rather like it as opposed to just your voice. I pity the man who does not have someone like you, so I guess that means I pity everyone. Have I told you yet that I love you?" Mamoru sat up in his bed, never taking his eyes off her face.
Usagi leaned up against him. "You know, you have told me that, but I don't believe that you have told me it today," she answered softly, a smile in her voice. "Now, we need to go outside if we are to catch the sunrise, and of course the morning star!"
Mamoru quickly slid off the bed and pulled Usagi up with him. Taking her hand he led her outside and then sat her down on his lap to watch the sunrise. "You know, this has been a dream of mine for several years," he told her as they stared up into the sky.
"What has?"
"To sit like this and hold you on my lap. Just to stare up at the sky with you instead of just listening to your voice and feeling your thoughts. To actually know that you are mine, and not just to know that I am madly in love with you. To actually feel your breathe nearby me, and not just hear it far away. I have dreamed of this moment almost since the first sunrise," he said, whispering the answer in her ear.
'It has been a dream of mine as well, to be here with you. I always sort of thought it would always be a dream though, this is to perfect to be true. I am having a hard time believing that I am not going to wake up and find that this is a dream. Are you really real? How can I believe all of this?' she thought into his mind.
Mamoru reached his arms around her, and then pinched her arm. Spinning around in his lap she punched his arm, and asked in a rather loud voice, "What, may I ask did you do that for?"
Laughing he caught her hand and pulled her into a tight embrace. "I did that, my Usako, because you asked me how could believe that this is real, so I figured that if you feel pain as well as joy, then this has to be real."
Usagi's eyes flashed merrily and returned the embrace. "Mamochan, you are strange, but I love you. You know that I would do anything for you?"
Mamoru smiled down at her and kissed her lightly on the nose. "I know, and I would do the same for you. I love you more than my own life, I take that back, you ARE my life," he said as he pulled her tighter into his embrace. "Aishiteru."
"You know, Mamochan, we should get to breakfast," she whispered to him as she leaned up against him.
"It is not even time, we would be early . . . "
"Exactly," she said, cutting him off, her eyes twinkling.
"Oh . . . "
"So, what do you say?"
"Crazy, but I like. So what do you say that we get going?" he asked, his eyes also alight with the same fire as hers.
Both of them stood together and ran down the passageways reaching the dinning hall in record time.
Sitting at their respective places, which the Queen's had just happened to place together, the two began to wait for the others to arrive.
@-->-->---
Ami and Zoicite approached the dining hall discussing quantum physics. They both glanced at the table as they entered the room.
"Oh, good morning Endy, Sere," Zoicite said as he saw them and then went back to talking Ami. The two sat down at the table and continued talking. Suddenly, both of them lifted their heads at the same time and starred straight at Endymion and Serenity. Then collapsed in their places, fainting dead away.
@-->-->---
Endymion and Serenity enjoyed themselves immensely. The guard and court arrived one, or two, at a time each making it different lengths. Ami and Zoicite made it the farthest, while Mina fainted in the doorway.
When Queen Serenity entered the room she stared at the two sitting side by side, on time for the first time in thirteen years, walked over to her seat and put her head in her hands. Usagi heard her mumbling something about it all not understanding.
Last of all Endymion's parents entered the room. They looked around at all the bodies on the floor, at Queen Serenity at the table, and then last of all at Endymion and Serenity sitting side by side. The Queen fainted into the Kings arms.
"Is the universe coming to an end? Is there a war? What happened? Is this an omen?" the King asked into the air, absentmindedly hiding his wife in his arms.
@-->-->---
Can you believe it! I have reached the end of the chapter! Long one, ne! Well, this is all down hill from here, all going toward the end, so be prepared! WAHAHAHAHAHA! Anything can happen at any time, you never know what is going to happen when you turn the page! Beware! Well, as always, I would adore it if you would e-mail me! My address is Nitehawk@silcom.com ! (HINT HINT) I love e-mail! I always write back, though I think I may have accidentally missed a few when I changed addresses! And I apologize for it! Gomen! That was around chapters 2.5 and 3 I believe. Oh well, Gomen! E-mail me! I love it when you do! Gotta go, Chapter 10 is calling and so is my other story, "Meeting Again"! So Ja ne and E-mail me! God bless you!
~Miaka (Chichiri, I did it again! Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha)
Endy, Sere," Zoicite said as he saw them and then went
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geocities.com/element_sprite)