Disclaimer: as always, the Sailor Moon characters don't belong to me, I just borrow them! Secret Garden Princess Serenity was restless. She found herself fidgeting with her half finished embroidery, the piece being folded and smoothed by bored fingers. She sighed, her eyes being drawn to the mysterious blue and green orb above her. 'Earth', she thought absently, bringing one slender arm up to rest on the arm of her chair. She cupped her chin in her hand as she stared, 'I wonder if it's as beautiful as mother says'. She sighed again and unfolded herself from her chair, dropping the half finished dress on the chair as she walked into her room. Embroidery was her way of relaxing after tending to her duties as Princess of the Moon. She closed the balcony doors behind her, her eyes drifting across the interior. The Earth was waning in the sky, making it almost time for her to turn in. The room was large with a double bed in one corner, the only window directly above it. Her dresser sat a few feet away, her vanity directly on top, a chair set next to it so she could brush her hair and watch without having to stand. The Wardrobe was on the opposite wall, encompassing the whole wall, and held her formal and un-formal gowns. Her dresser only held her undergarments, stockings and the two pairs of pants she actually had. Her bedroom door connecting her to the rest of the palace was on the same wall that her dresser was backed up against, directly across from the balcony doors. Everything in her room was white, the purest form of the color, silver or gold. Her sheets were white satin embroidered with golden crescent moons and stars. She walked over to her dresser and pulled out her chair, taking a seat as she looked in the mirror. A sad, beautiful face looked back at her. Soft golden bangs fell over her forehead, brushing against the golden crescent moon in the center of it; the symbol of a member of royal family of the moon. Two crystal clear blue eyes, a small slightly upturned, but perfect nose and soft, rose colored lips. Her hair was tied in two spherical buns on either side on top of her head, leaving two long ponytails trailing out behind her, reaching well past her knees. The silky, golden locks pooled around the back legs of her chair on the floor as she sat. Her slender, cream colored, neck attached to slim shoulders with smooth, unblemished skin was visible until it disappeared beneath the bodice of her nightgown. The nightgown itself was a simple shift in light rose, hanging down to her ankles, for sake of decency, if anyone should see the Princess of the Moon in her nightclothes. At 14 she was just beginning to blossom into a woman and her beauty was beyond compare. She had been labeled the angel of the moon by many; including her closest friends, the Princess of the other planets. Serenity reached up slender hands and pulled out the pins that held her buns in place. Her golden hair fell to her shoulders, soft and silky, brushing against her neck. She removed fingered the pearl barrettes that were on her dresser and picked up her brush to gently brush her hair before going to sleep. Midway through her 50th stroke she stopped, her eyes being drawn to the window and the image of earth beyond it, 'I wonder why it's forbidden to go there', she mused, 'Anything that shines with such life and beauty can't be all bad' a sigh escaped her lips as she replaced the brush and stared out the window. She walked to her bed and crawled on her knees to the window. She crossed her arms on the sill and continued to stare at the forbidden orb. 'One day, I'm going to go there just because I can', she promised herself, 'Just to see if the planet is really as beautiful, and the people as mean, as mother says.' She suddenly sat up, her eyes lighting up. 'I could go now, mother would never know I'm gone I'll just have to be back before breakfast.' She climbed off her bed and quickly went to her dresser, re-doing her buns rapidly. She'd put her hair up so many times that she was sure one day she wouldn't even need her mirror to know it was perfect. She then turned to her wardrobe, her eyes dropping to her nightgown. 'Need to change. If I meet any earth people I can't very well let them see me in my nightdress.' She opened the wardrobe door and then sighed in dismay. Her Mother usually gave her an idea of what to wear depending on what was going on that day. Her eyes traveled down the lengths of white, soft pink, peach, light blue and various other soft colored dresses. She sighed, walking over to where her light, soft blue dresses were hanging and reached out one hand tentatively. Her hands encountered soft blue velvet and she quickly pulled the dress off its hanger. 'I hope mom doesn't find out,' she suddenly though as she removed her night dress and pulled on the soft, semi-formal dress, 'She may be Queen and I Princess, but I still don't want to be grounded!' She quickly shook the thought off and reached behind her to button up the back of her dress. It was a soft blue, almost white in color, and pure soft velvet. It was a fabric and color that was only available to the royal families of the Silver Millennium, produced solely on the moon. She finished doing up the three buttons, the back of the dress only going halfway up her back. Her shoulders remained bare, the way she liked, her hands and arms bare as well, save for a golden bracelet on her right wrist. She smoothed the white-blue fabric down over her small bust, biting her lip. The dress was tight around her chest but she didn't mind, it would stay on better that way. She found herself absently thinking she'd soon need a new wardrobe as the soft fabric teased her sensitive fingertips. She twirled and the skirt flared out. It was multi layered with silk, more velvet and satin, all of an even lighter blue than the dress. It settled about her in a cloud of soft fabric and she had to hold back a giggle. The dress had no designs, save for a small, silver colored rose in the center of the bodice. 'This will be perfect,' she smiled. She quickly hid the crescent moon on her forehead with a thought, hoping the moon's magic would transfer with her to earth. She quickly went over and peaked out the door, checking the hallways to make sure they were clear and then closed her door and locked it. She turned to face the balcony door and then ran, almost tripping on her dress until she grabbed the front and held it up. She forwent slippers or shoes, figuring she probably wouldn't need them if her mother's tales were to be believed. She slipped out onto her balcony and then closed her eyes, focusing on her innate powers. As a child of the moon she could do many things, including go somewhere the moons rays were touching. She shimmered and felt herself flow into the moon's beams as she headed towards earth. ********** Prince Endymion was walking slowly in the royal rose gardens. The sweet, musky scents teased his nostrils and he inhaled deeply, closing his eyes as he lifted his head to look at the last rays of the fading sun. He opened his eyes as the last of them disappeared, leaving behind the gentle beams of the rising moon. The gardens were awash in moonlight after a few minutes and it became brighter as his eyes adjusted. He continued to walk slowly through the garden, his mind on the events of the past day, most notably the discussion, if you could call it that, he had had with his mother. *Flash back to earlier that day* "Mother, you wished to speak with me?" asked the Prince as he walked into the throne room. The Queen of Earth, Mindaya, regarded her son carefully. She sat regally on her throne, her soft brown hair falling in waves about her shoulders. Her brown eyes were the color of chocolate and just as warm. Normally. Today, looking at her errant son, they were simmering with repressed anger. "Endymion, I can't stand for this. You're 19 years old today; it's high time you found a suitable match! Your father and I are worried, you've been going through women like hot cakes since you're 16th birthday, haven't you found at least one woman who you could marry and start a family with? As the crown Prince of Earth, you have responsibilities." "Mother, I've told you before. I haven't found someone yet. Today is my birthday; you honestly think that in three short years I could find my soul mate? I've courted every woman you've asked me too, every noble woman from every court of earth has at least one suitable match and I have yet to find one that matches -me-. No, mother. I haven't found the girl I've spent the last ten years looking for. If it takes another ten then so be it, but I will not marry a girl just to make you and father happy!" The Queen's eyes flashed with anger, "If you are not engaged to the girl of your choice by your 21st birthday, by god your father and I will decide for you, Endymion. You will be wed to the girl of our choice, if you do not choose on your own!" Endymion felt his jaw drop, "Y-you can't do that!" he said quietly, his disbelieving tone showing that he never thought his parents would force him into something he felt was supposed to be far in the future. He spun on his heel and stormed out of the thrown room, his ocean blue eyes spitting fire. His mother just didn't understand! *End flashback* He walked purposely through the garden to his favorite spot. He passed through many stone and crystal arches, vines climbing the surfaces, ducked under the hanging branches of the weeping willow trees, brushed aside the soft leaves of the dangling ferns and slipped beneath a waterfall, careful not to let the water dampen or spray his armor. He walked through a small cavern, slipping beneath a low overhang, ducking his head so his 6'2" frame would fit, and then pushed aside the branches on the other end. He avoided the spray of a small waterfall as he stepped out into a clearing. His gaze traveled around the small area. The palace walls encircled the area but were overgrown with vines and weeds. Tall trees blocked out most of the view of the outside worlds, save for the view directly above. The moon was peaking over the trees as he stepped inside and the silver light of the moon illuminated the area, causing the little pond at the center to gleam silver. The grass underfoot was long but bent in the breeze and only grew around the base of the walls; the rest of the area was covered in moss. Beneath the moss was rock. The waterfall lent a very private air to the area and Endymion felt himself begin to relax. He reached up to remove his red cape but hesitated. Something about this night felt different. He smiled wryly, his lips twisting as he thought of his Birthday. 'That's the only reason tonight is different,' he thought sourly, 'Today was my 19th birthday and now I've got to find a bride.' He walked on into the clearing and went to his favorite tree, a tall birch and swung himself into the lower branches, resting his back against the ancient trunk. One knee came up and he bent it, resting his arm on it as he closed his eyes, the positioning of his body lending him balance. He inhaled the scent of the pines and that of the fresh water as it burbled merrily through the pond at the center and out through a small brook. He sighed, his head dropping in a dejected posture. His birthday had not gone as he'd hoped. His generals, his only real friends, had been away at the request of the Queen. He'd been given a new sword and dagger, a few new items of clothing but nothing about his birthday had been really special. Unless you counted the ultimatum his mother had given him. 'How could she betray me so?' The Moon's silver light hit the small clearing silently, unknown to Endymion, and the wind blew, ruffling the leaves of the trees and the Prince's cape. The petals of the wild flowers that grew between the grasses and in the rocky ground shook slightly and then calmed. Endymion swore he heard the breeze sigh as he opened his eyes to a slit. He nearly fell off the branch as his gaze collided with the most beautiful female he had ever laid eyes on. She was petite, dressed in what looked to be silver and blue moonbeams. He closed his eyes, trying to see if he was dreaming. "Oh!" came a startled exclamation and he opened his eyes to see this angelic creature collapsed on the ground, a puddle of white-blue fabric, golden hair and bare feet, having suddenly fallen for no apparent reason. He finally noticed his jaw was open and shut it as he jumped into action. He dropped to the ground softly, crushing the moss underfoot as his boots made contact. His cape swirled out behind him and he froze as she suddenly looked up, directly at him. He found himself drawn into the clearest, purest blue eyes he had ever seen and felt himself falling... falling... He snapped out of it as he saw fear come into her eyes, and tears moisten the delicate lashes under her eyes. He swore, if he didn't know any better, that she thought he was going to hurt her! "A-are you alright?" he asked her, carefully modulating his tone so that it was comforting and unthreatening. He found himself absently thinking he should be mad this woman, more of a girl now that he got a good look at her, had invaded his private place. Oddly enough, he found he didn't mind. The girl lifted shaky arms to the ground, as if moving to get up, but her arms were quaking too badly. He was at her side in an instant, his hands on her waist gently lifting her into a sitting position. She pulled away from him as his hands contacted her and her eyes still held a note of fear. "Where am I?" she asked, her eyes darting around the space as if looking for an escape. To Endymion her words, her voice; was that of a soft-spoken angel. There was a purity; an innocence, to her that he found appealing and he suddenly realized that she was very lost, very alone and extremely disoriented. "You are in the garden." He told her, as if it was obvious. His tone was still gentle and reassuring as he tried to take the fear out of her eyes. She looked up at him, her baby blue eyes clashing with his midnight blue and his breath caught. He felt as if she was looking into his soul, "What planet am I on?" she asked softly, the fear disappearing at this stranger's kindness. "Am I on Earth?" her eyes were pleading with him to tell her yes. He had enough presence of mind left not to laugh, "Of course, where else would you be?" he asked, puzzled. Her eyes lit up, "I did it," she murmured to herself, "I really did it." Endymion was confused. One minute she was sad and frightened and now she was elated. And what exactly had she done? He looked at her from his kneeling position as she tucked her legs under her and moved to get up. He offered her his arm, his training kicking in, as he himself stood up. She smiled a brilliant, dazzling smile at him and accepted his arm. He was amazed at how light she was as she tried to get up, fell, and then tried to get up again. Her knees were shaking, as was the rest of her body, as he lifted her up with care and gently set her on her feet, his hands encompassing her tiny waist easily. "You alright? Can you walk?" he asked. She gave him a shaky smile, "I... I am sorry. I can usually walk, I am just not used to this gravity yet." She blushed becomingly, ducking her eyes away from his frankly admiring stare. He raised an eyebrow, "Where are you from?" he asked, removing one hand from her waist so he could left her chin to meet his gaze. "I..." she looked at him, her eyes suddenly panicked. "I can not tell you." She pulled away from his hand and moving to run towards where she thought was an exit. She was able to move two steps before the gravity of the Earth caught up with her again, making her legs wobble and she collapsed to the moss covered ground. Endymion looked at her shocked, wondering what about where she came from caused her to panic so. He knelt by her again, "My Lady, I am sorry." He said softly, "I did not mean to upset you. Please, accept my humble apologies." 'At least she can't run from me', he thought perversely. She looked up at him, "You are forgiven," she told him softly. Noble sir, could you lend me your arm again, I am afraid my legs do not wish to co-operate." He offered her his arm again and then pulled her up, linking an arm around her waist as he took one of her hands and brought it to his mouth, kissing the backs of her fingers. She blushed prettily at the touch of his mouth, "I am Endymion," he told her softly. He was unwilling to tell her exactly -who- he was. If she wasn't of this planet there was a good chance that she wouldn't know his name or his station and something in him wanted her to accept him for who he as, not because of his title and station. "I am..." she trailed off, looking up into his eyes as he placed a gentle finger on her lips. "Do not tell me your name, not yet." He begged her softly, "You are an angel in my eyes and for as long as you are with me; you shall be an angel; my angel. Do you mind if I call you that?" She shook her head and for the first time he noticed the unusual hairstyle she wore. Her yellow tresses turned to pure, glittering gold in the moonlight. He was surprised, because of the uniqueness, that he hadn't noticed them until now. The two buns on either side of her head left her hair free to cascade down, well past her knees. He wondered what they (her locks) would look like under the influence of the sun. Her hair almost hit the ground and as the soft strands slid over his fingers, he had to repress a shudder of pleasure. They were softer than silk. "You may call me what you like," she said shyly, "Angel is what my mother calls me." He smiled, "Appropriate, I assure you. Shall I show you the rest of my little garden?" Her smiled was answer enough for him but she nodded anyway, "Please? I've never seen so many colors or flowers." She pointed at the tree he'd been sitting on, "And what are those?" He walked her slowly around the secret garden, "That is a tree. More specifically a Birch tree." "Birch tree." She echoed softly. She pulled him along, "And those?" "Roses. You have never seen one?" "Not like that. What's that stuff they grow with?" "Grass." "May I have a rose? It is gorgeous!" "Woah! Wait, do not touch it. You might hurt yourself if it bites you." "How can a flower bite someone? We have roses where I come from but they can't hurt us." He laughed, amused by her innocent question. "It has thorns see? These little spiky things are sharp and they make sure animals and birds can't eat the rose. It lets it grow in peace." "Oh," she sounded disappointed, "Well, maybe one day I'll show you our gardens and that we don't have flower that can bite us." She was eagerly asking questions as they walked around and as the minutes turned into hours her body adjusted to the Earth's gravity. She committed everything this Endymion told her to memory, looking at the greens and blues and reds that never were anywhere on the moon. She learned that there were many different flowers, and that waterfalls, makes ponds and rivers and streams. She learned that trees all have different names and that she was walking on moss, not grass. They talked for close to two hour before she finally had asked just about every question about everything in the garden. They went back to study the roses many times at her request. It was night so there were no bugs, and for that Endymion was thankful. She had pulled knowledge from him that he hadn't needed in years. The last time he'd had to learn about the earth and the plants that were living on it he'd been closer to ten years old. He was amazed at how little she knew and impressed that she seemed so interested in the garden. He led her to the tree he'd been sitting on when she'd first shown up in the garden and grasped her around the waist, lifting her onto the lowest branch. She gasped, her small hands clutching his arms in surprise, "Endy! What?!" He chuckled, "Easy, my angel, I'm just putting up on the branch. I won't let you fall." He gave her a heart melting smile, "I don't believe you would fall anyway, you'd probably fly away." Blushing, she felt the branch under her bottom, but refused to let go of his hands. If her earlier experience with the gravity of this planet was any indication it would hurt a lot if she fell. His words calmed her somewhat and she swung her legs cautiously. She blushed as one of her bare feet connected with the cold metal of his armor, "Why do you wear armor, like that Endy?" she asked, shyly running her finger up his arm to trace the metallic surface that covered his shoulders and chest. He caught her hand and looked slightly upward to stare into her eyes, "Part of my station, little one," he told her softly, wrapping his other arm around her waist to give her added balance on the limb. She was almost nose too nose with him, she slightly higher sitting on the branch. Her hands came up to rest lightly on his armor above his heart. Her small fingers looked extremely pale next to the black polish of his breastplate. "Do you ever take it off?" she asked, innocently, "It looks very uncomfortable." Her skirt was pooled around her and he felt the soft fabric brush against his hand as he tightened his grip on her waist. Her hair was dangling behind her, golden streamers blowing in the faint breeze. Her innocent words had affected him and he swallowed hard, "Only to sleep, my angel, only too sleep." She looked down at him, her eyes turning the color of a robin's egg, "Can you take it off for me?" He nearly fell to his knees at her words... until she finished, "It hurts to stand next to you with that digging into my skin." He laughed at himself and found her looking down at him with hurt eyes all of a sudden, "You think that hurting me is funny?" she asked confused. After all the nice things he'd done, she hoped she wasn't wrong about him. She hoped he was indeed the nice, caring man she'd just seen and not someone who would take advantage of her like her mother had warned. He hurried to correct her, "No! er... No, I don't think it's funny at all. In fact, I never want to hurt you, ever angel. I'm sorry." She smiled at him, leaning in close to plant a soft kiss on his cheek, "I forgive you." He lifted her down from the branch and quickly set about removing all of his armor, from his breastplate, to his body armor to his knee protectors and finally stood before without all the metal. Even his cape was gone. He turned to look at her and noticed her watching him intently. He gave her a heartbreaking smile that she returned. He was tall, with raven hair, ocean blue eyes and a well-built body. From the easy way he held himself she could tell he was confident, even arrogant but he had yet to pull anything remotely arrogant with her. His looks, the most gorgeously handsome male she'd ever seen, made her smile once again, trying not to shiver under the intense look in his eyes. It was a nice switch from the treatment she usually received from the males of court. They all felt they were Selene's gift, and she should actually be flattered they paid attention to her and swoon over them. When she didn't they found it rather ego breaking, to say the least. She walked up to Endymion slowly and gently laid her hand on his arm. "Endy..." she started to say. She didn't finish as he gently pulled her into his arms. He realized, as soon as he did, what a bad idea it was to have removed all of that armor. Her every curve was suddenly, but softly, molded to his body. He groaned, wrapping his arms tightly around her and bent his head to her shoulder, trying to keep his self-control with this goddess in his arms. She froze, her arms against his chest, her ear over his heart. She heard it beating rapidly, in time with her own. "Endymion?" she asked softly, aware of a new tension in him. "Yes, Angel?" he replied, his breathing ragged as he exerted an enormous amount of self-control to keep from kissing this woman-child in his arms. He was amazed to find that he, the master of self control, could be brought to his knees by this girl. It was a frightening revelation... She was so soft... so yielding... and yet... he sensed that she also had awesome power should her need to use it arise. They stood silently for a few minutes when she sighed regretfully. "I have to go back home now, the moon is starting to set, I didn't realize how late it was. If mother find out I'm gone..." He pulled back sharply, "You're leaving? Must you?" His disbelieving eyes flew to her own remorseful ones. "I have too. If I'm caught..." the words stuck in her throat. "Will I ever see you again?" he asked, his heart jerking painfully in his chest. She thought about it and as tears filled her eyes she shook her head, "I can never come back." She said brokenly, tearing away from his embrace, "I'm not supposed to be here in the first place." She ran to the brightest moonbeam in the garden and turned to face him, her eyes and hair glittering in the moonlight. Her tears sparkled like silver rain drops on her lashes. She was standing about ten feet from him now but it seemed like a huge chasm had opened up between them. He watched her go, unable to move, his heart tearing in two, "Never?" he said, just loud enough for her to hear him. "Maybe one day... my Prince, my Endymion," she told him, on the verge of breaking down. "Never forget me." "Never, my angel, never; I shall wait for you here every night should it take a thousand years before I see you again." He promised. He stepped closer to her, reaching out a hand to touch her one last time. Her tears were pulling at his heartstrings and he didn't realize that he, too, had tears in his eyes. She extended her hand and, sobbing softly, let him pull her close. His head descended and he brushed a chaste kiss swiftly over her lips, letting her go almost immediately. The tracks of her tears were plainly visible on her cheeks. He chose that moment to produce something for her, a gift that would always keep him in her mind. A red rose. He offered it to her and their fingers gently caressed as she took it in one of her small hands. She was careful of the thorns as she put it over her heart. She looked at him one more time and then closed her eyes as the rays of the moon shone down on her and, as she disappeared, Endymion heard her whisper, "When you see the moon shine, know that someone is looking back at you. And thinking of you..." Endymion looked at the moon abruptly, "She's from the moon..." he whispered disbelieving, "My angel is from the moon." His heart in his eyes as tears tracked down his cheeks, he sent his thoughts heavenward, 'I'll think of you, my angel'. He looked around, noticing something glinting on the ground where the angel had appeared earlier. It was in the shape of a star; golden and glinting in the fading moonlight. He scooped it up. The moment he touched it a song began to play. His eyes went heavenward as he held the locket in his hand. Long after the moon had set, he stood in his secret garden, looking after it and wondering. ********** Author's note: Well, this is my first fan fic, so please, be gentle. If you're reading this, feedback would be much appreciated.. did I do a good job? An alright job? A horrible job? I've got ideas for continuing this, though not 100% sure if I should. Comments? If you want to get in touch with me, the e-mail addy is Jade_Max@innocent.com I'll do my best to respond to your comments :) Thanks for reading!