Name: Kali Bohacek
Title: A Goddess's Flower Chapter 6
Email Address: AkaiSuzaku@aol.com
Rating: PG
wai wai, my email address has changed for the third time. hehe. oh well.
don't send me email for a while, i won't be able to check it until a week or
so. but i'm back at least ^_^ you didn't have to wait until the end of
summer. hope you people liked Ai no Senshi, the end kind of sucked but...
anyway, hope you like this part. ya, i know, i know, haruka is sailor
uranus's name on earth but anyway... for those of you who don't know, haruka
means 'distant' or 'far away' i think that's all translations for this
chapter. enjoy:
6-
"Kunzite! Kunzite, where are you? I need to tell you something!" Endymion
knocked impatiently on the door leading to his general's bedroom. "Kunzite?"
"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Abruptly the door swung open. A grumpy Kunzite
stood there in his pajamas. "I was tired and trying to sleep. What is it?"
"Kunzite, something strange is happening to me!" Endymion walked inside and
shut the door behind him. Kunzite regarded him oddly, so Endymion continued.
"I was out in the gardens with Princess Serenity and. . . I don't know what
it was but. . ."
"What happened?" Kunzite asked, his exhaustion wearing off when he heard
Endymion's eager words.
"Serenity asked to see a rose. But obviously I didn't have one to give her.
I
really wanted to show her one though. . . And then it happened! I felt
dizzy,
and Serenity said the symbol of Earth flashed on my forehead! And a rose
appeared in my hand! Just like that!"
"It just appeared?"
"Hai!"
Kunzite was silent for some time. "Can you do it again? Show me what
happened."
"I'll. . . try. . ." Endymion shut his eyes and pictured a rose in his mind.
Again, an overwhelming dizziness flooded his mind and his forehead felt
warm.
Kunzite gasped in surprise, staring intently at the symbol. It was the
planet
Earth, a blue-and-green sphere that glowed with its own light. Endymion held
out his hand, and in it appeared another red rose.
"I can't believe it. . ." Kunzite whispered. "You must have some power
inside
you."
Endymion's bright eyes were wide with excitement. "Should I show Queen
Serenity?"
"Hai. I think she would know what this is."
Kunzite and Endymion left Kunzite's bedroom and went in search of
Queen Serenity. On their way down the hall, they ran into Princess Mercury,
and asked her if she knew where the Queen was.
"I think she's in the library." Mercury said curtly, and continued on her
way. Kunzite watched her leave.
"What the hell is wrong with her?"
Endymion shrugged impatiently. "The library, Kunzite! Let's go!"
As they walked towards the library, Mercury looked over her shoulder
and watched them. < I don't like either of them. Princess Serenity should be
careful, and keep her distance! >
* * * * *
"Queen Serenity?" Endymion slowly pushed open the library doors and peeked
inside. The atmosphere was lonely and cold. He shivered as he walked in.
"Queen Serenity? Are you here?"
"I'm right here, Endymion, Kunzite." Endymion and Kunzite turned around.
Queen Serenity sat behind them, an open book lying in front of her on the
table. The title read, The History of the Earth. "Did you need something?"
she asked, shutting the book and pushing it aside. Endymion shook his head.
"I wanted to show you something." He knelt in front of her chair and
extended
his hand. He shut his eyes and once again he concentrated on a mental image
of a rose. The symbol of Earth flashed and a rose appeared in his hand.
Queen
Serenity didn't seem the least bit startled.
"What do you make of it?" Kunzite asked eagerly, kneeling beside Endymion.
Queen Serenity smiled slightly and touched Endymion's forehead.
"Endymion's power is awakening. I knew. . . ever since I first saw him, I
knew. Endymion has a secret power within him that is only now stirring."
"A secret power?" Endymion looked doubtful.
"Energy. You can command energy. Anything you want can appear in your hand
in
a second. It will make you a powerful fighter." she commented as she stood
up, and both Endymion and Kunzite also got to their feet.
"Are you saying that I. . ." Endymion trailed off, not knowing how to phrase
his question. < I can use energy? >
"Hai, that's what she's saying. Both Queen Serenity and I have similar
abilities. Using the Ginzuishou, the sacred crystal that I'm sure you know
about, Queen Serenity is undefeatable. The Ginzuishou is powerful and
dangerous. And. . . as for me. . ."
Endymion spun around at the unexpected voice. Princess Mars strode
in
gracefully, her scarlet nightgown billowing behind her as if she commanded
her own mysterious night breeze. Her soft, haunting, almost seductive voice
echoed into the empty corners of the library.
Mars continued, "As for me, my mediumistic skill is unrivaled. I sense
spirits and. . . and, more dangerously, I sense intentions!" She shot an
intense, obviously suspicious glare at Endymion. "And you, Endymion, also
have a special ability. Like mine, your ability comes from within you, not
from an object. You can offensively use energy, life energy, to attack
enemies, or. . ." Mars smirked sarcastically. "Or to serenade women."
Endymion flushed guiltily and averted his gaze from the princess. "Arigato
gozaimasu, Queen Serenity and Princess Mars, for telling me all this. I
still
don't understand why I have this power or how I can use it, but. . ."
"I sense something about you, Endymion. Something. . . fearless. I will
discover what your powers mean." Princess Mars wrapped her fingers tightly
in
an iron grip around Endymion's forearm, bringing her face uncomfortably
close
to his. "I will know your secrets, Endymion. And I will protect Serenity and
the Moon Kingdom, as Sailor Mars."
Endymion sucked in his breath in shock. < Sailor Mars! Fuyuki told
me
that Serenity's guardians could transform into Sailor senshi. But. . . what
does that mean? >
Later that night, Endymion lay in bed, lost in the midst of a
restless dream. Queen Serenity stood atop a towering crystal spire, her eyes
wide and full of tears. She called out his name, her sweet voice echoing
slowly across the ruins of the Moon Kingdom. A breeze tossed her silver hair
and rippled her silk dress. Her tears glimmered in the dark night. Princess
Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus were lying around the spire, blood
staining
their lifeless bodies. Serenity called his name again, and in her hand, the
Ginzuishou shattered. Princess Serenity appeared beside her mother,
outstretching her hand to Endymion. She whispered his name, begged him to
return to her. . .
* * * * *
"Venus! Wait for me, baka!"
"Hurry up!"
The next morning, the morning of Endymion's third day on the Moon,
Serenity and Venus hurried through the cherry blossom gardens. Venus was far
ahead, leading the Moon Princess in an intricate series of turns and
passageways. Serenity struggled to catch up, seriously regretting eating
that
third cream puff for breakfast. Finally, Venus came to a halt. Serenity,
gasping and panting, ran up beside her seconds later.
"Aren't they adorable?" Venus whispered, kneeling. Serenity looked down and
saw five fox cubs stumbling blindly through the underbrush. Venus smiled and
stroked one. "I found them earlier today. The mother must be out catching
supper."
"We shouldn't be here, the mother will be suspicious!" Serenity scolded,
leading Venus away.
"Hai. . . I suppose we have more important things to be watching!"
"Nani?"
"You didn't know?" Venus stared at her best friend doubtfully. "And you call
yourself in love!?"
"Love??" Serenity repeated, her eyes widening. "Love indeed!"
"Don't deny it, baka. Anyway, Endymion and my Kun-chan are training this
morning. Follow me, quickly now!"
Serenity blushed. < Endymion. . . I still remember last night. . . > "Hey,
Venus. Can I tell you a secret?"
"Of course, princess,"
"Yesterday night. . . I led Endymion to the secret place on the cliff. The
one over the Serenity Sea." Princess Serenity paused, fidgeting
uncomfortably. Her face was bright red.
"And?" Venus prompted impatiently.
"And. . . he kissed me. . . On the mouth."
Venus nodded knowingly. "I knew he liked you." Suddenly she leaned forward,
grinning slyly. "So tell me, how do his kisses taste?"
"His. . . kisses?" Serenity sighed romantically. "Like something warm, soft,
just. . . melting in your mouth. Like he's in love. . ." < He promised to
come back with me last night, back to the cliff. . . Maybe he'll kiss me
again. . . > Voices drifted over from the other side of the trees.
"Kunzite, are you slowing down? The master swordsman himself? Did I just
actually land a hit on the universe's most perfect warrior?"
"Shut up and get back to the lesson!"
Venus giggled and dragged Serenity towards a clearing. Serenity
pushed aside a few branches and peeked through. Endymion and Kunzite, armed
with blunt wooden swords, were battling each other and Kunzite was rubbing
his forearm sullenly.
"That's my first hit on you so far, brother." Endymion teased, lunging
forward again. Kunzite deflected it and grinned.
"It'll also be your last!"
Venus tapped Serenity's arm lightly and whispered, "Isn't Kun-chan cute when
he's fighting?"
Serenity frowned and didn't answer. < Something about Kunzite. . . I don't
like him. I feel some strange energy from him. . . I guess Venus doesn't
feel
it. Or maybe it's from Endymion? > Suddenly something bounced off her head,
something hard. Serenity squealed in surprise and touched the throbbing
bruise underneath her silver hair. Behind her, a wooden sword lay by her
feet. Venus burst into laughter, falling backwards and collapsing beside a
tree.
Endymion peered through the foliage at the two princesses, noticed
Serenity, and smiled gallantly as he stepped through.
"Gomen, Serenity. Kunzite caught me off guard, and my sword must have fallen
from my hand."
Serenity shrugged slightly and picked up the sword for him. "Didn't hurt."
"But there's a bruise!" Endymion persisted, taking the sword. "I can see
one."
Kunzite stepped through after him, surprised to see the two ladies
standing there. He looked down at Venus, who was still sitting on the ground
and clutching her stomach in laughter.
"You'll get your dress dirty if you sit on the ground like that." Kunzite
scolded, outstretching his hand to her and pulling Venus to her feet. "What
are you two doing here anyway?"
Serenity chuckled nervously and shrugged again. "Venus was showing me some
fox cubs and we were on our way back when Endymion's sword hit me."
"He should be more on his guard next time, then." Kunzite grinned. "Right,
Endymion?"
Endymion glared at him. "Right."
Serenity suddenly brightened. "Hey, Endymion, want to see the fox cubs?
They're so adorable!"
"Fox cubs?" He looked over at Kunzite and nodded. "Sure, why not?"
"Good, good! Kun-chan. . . I mean, Kunzite, you'll come, too, won't you?"
Venus tugged his arm back towards the gardens.
"Fine. But it can't take too long, Endymion still has a lot of training to
do
for today." Kunzite warned gruffly, wondering how to disentangle the young
princess from his arm. Venus beamed with happiness.
"Come on then, I'll show you the way!"
But the four of them would never see the cubs, because at that
moment, Princess Mars came dashing down the path, disturbing the neat piles
of cherry blossoms that had gathered beside the trees and almost
disappearing
behind the flurry of pink petals. She came to an abrupt halt before them,
and
Endymion was surprised. This flushed, panting girl seemed so different from
the calm, serious enchantress he'd seen last night. . .
"I have news! There's another visitor on their way from Earth, the Duchess
Beryl!"
"Beryl?" Endymion didn't believe he'd heard the name before. "Who's she?"
Mars shrugged. "Some woman from Earth, she probably owns a province."
"I've never heard of her."
"Queen Serenity sent me to alert everyone that she arrives tomorrow
afternoon, so be ready!"
"Hai!"
* * * The Earth Palace * * *
"Think she'll find something?"
"You mean, something about Endymion? Like what, Sumino?"
"Something like Endymion isn't doing his job. Like maybe he's not brave
enough to get the Ginzuishou."
"With all due respect, Sumino, it's only been three days. You haven't given
him much time. He has the whole month."
"I want to make sure nothing goes wrong. Endymion doesn't strike me as being
all too trustworthy."
"I have faith in him. He believes he's getting his freedom for getting the
Ginzuishou." Fuyuki grinned, showing white, pointed teeth and strangely
resembling a wolf. "Once he returns with it, we can get rid of him and
destroy the Moon!"
"All the same, I'd rather Beryl be there while he gets it, to make sure he
doesn't forget his real mission."
"As you wish, Sumino."
Fuyuki and Sumino sat in library of the palace, alone, like they had
barely a week ago. But now, they discussed different matters. Beryl, who
wasn't really a duchess but a spy for Earth's royalty, had been ordered by
Sumino to approach Endymion on the Earth but not let him know of her real
mission. Endymion wasn't to know that she had been sent to watch him and
make
sure he obtained the Ginzuishou. Beryl would be on her way the following
day,
and Fuyuki hoped that she would assure the success of Endymion's original
mission. Now, there was nothing to do but wait and see what would happen. .
.
* * * The Moon Kingdom * * *
< Duchess Beryl. . . Fuyuki must have sent her after me. But why?
What the hell are they up to? > Endymion, showered and dressed, was lying on
his bed that night. He needed a few extra minutes of silence before dinner.
The problem that Beryl presented for him was troubling. If she really had
been sent by the Shogun of Earth, then she'd be monitoring his mission.
Obtaining the Ginzuishou. . . He sighed sadly. He had to focus on Serenity
now. He had to somehow bring the Ginzuishou back to Earth by the end of the
month, in twenty-six days. < Serenity. . . > His thoughts were drawn back to
last night. Ever since he'd first laid eyes on her, he'd been tortured
relentlessly with dreams, blissful and yet equally agonizing images of
holding her in his arms, bending over her, kissing her softly, fiercely,
experiencing her sweetness, being close to her like no other man ever would.
. . Then last night, at least part of his dreams had come to reality. True,
he hadn't thrown her underneath him, straddled her, and simply taken what he
desired like some of his dreams had portrayed them. But that hadn't even
been
an option. With someone as innocent and delicate as Serenity, physical
intimacy had to be sensitively approached rather than ruthlessly taken. So
he'd settled with one kiss. But that one kiss had been magic! Tender,
willing, a perfect moment! He had realized then that no other woman could
ever replace, or even come near to, the position that Serenity had taken in
his life. And he was determined to make her feel the same way! < Tonight
I'll
go back up with her to the cliff over the Serenity Sea. . . Her touch must
be
addictive, for I know I could never fall asleep tonight if I didn't feel it
again. . . >
But Serenity could never be his, or anybody's. At the end of the
month, Serenity would be. . . gone. And by his doing. < What kind of love is
this, when I must destroy her to survive? >
* * * * *
"You. . . You were not expected! W-We had no idea that you would be here!"
"Gomen nasai, Queen Serenity, for our hasty arrival. However, Princess
Saturn
has stirred in her sleep, giving us cause to believe a dark power is rising,
and that the Ginzuishou is in danger. We must stay close to the Moon until
this wicked cloud has been lifted. Princess Pluto loyally guards the flow of
time and could not accompany us, but she expresses her deepest condolences
for you and your lovely daughter."
"Arigato gozaimasu, Princess Neptune, Princess Uranus. I am grateful for
your
concern. Please, come inside."
"Arigato gozaimasu, Queen Serenity." The two princesses belonging to the
Outer planets seemed to float gracefully inside the Crystal Palace of the
Moon. Queen Serenity called everyone down for dinner, where she planned to
announce the arrival of Neptune and Uranus. < The Outer princesses rarely
visit. There must be a dangerous threat! >
Everyone gathered for dinner, and all were surprised to see the two
new guests. Introductions were made, and then everybody took their seats.
The
four Inner princesses sat in a row, Endymion had Princess Serenity to his
right and Neptune to his left, Uranus sat beside Neptune, and as always,
Queen Serenity sat at the head of the table.
"Is there something wrong?" Endymion asked politely, turning to Neptune and
studying her carefully.
Princess Neptune was the most like Princess Mars in many ways.
Appearance-wise, Mercury, Jupiter, and Venus had a certain young, energetic
beauty. But Mars and Neptune both had a very elegant, adult look to them.
Mars had a dark, mysterious aura, while Neptune reminded him of the ocean,
wise and poetic, the lines of her face and the gentle curves of her hair
seeming to flow peacefully. Her eyes reflected a tranquil soul, and as
Endymion stared at her, he thought they resembled a fathomless, aquamarine
sea of silence. Behind her sat Princess Uranus. Endymion saw a stark
difference in the two women. Uranus had boycut hair, white-blond, and her
eyes were the color of a cloudy, rainy sky. Was it blue or was it gray?
Endymion couldn't tell. There was an odd, almost malicious frown on her face
that would have seemed out of place on Neptune. Under the long, ash-colored
gown, Endymion saw the definite outlines of a muscular body. The two of them
made an odd couple. < I've heard tales on Earth about Neptune and Uranus
being lovers. They're obviously very close. . . I wonder if the rumors are
true? >
"What do you mean?" replied Neptune evenly, giving him a sidelong glance.
Endymion smiled.
"Well, on Earth, there are many legends about the princesses of the Outer
planets, mystical and discreet. And I hear they only leave their planets
when
there is dire need."
"Princess Saturn has stirred in her sleep. This causes great distress within
me, for I fear an impending doom for our kingdoms."
"Stirred in her sleep? Is this Saturn some kind of a prophet?" Endymion was
confused. He knew nothing of Saturn or Pluto, and this 'stirring in her
sleep' business sounded somehow phony.
"I thought you knew of the Outer planets!" scolded Uranus, rolling her eyes.
"Princess Saturn is a fearful girl. She is but thirteen years, but Neptune,
Pluto, and myself used the power of the Talismans to put her to sleep. There
is a well-known prophecy that if Saturn remains conscious, a great power
will
awaken within her and destroy this universe. And when she stirred, it was
obvious that a legendary evil was approaching."
"But. . . what are these Talismans?"
Neptune's serene face suddenly flashed with anger. "Sacred treasures. That
is
all you must know."
Endymion saw that the conversation was over, shrugged, and turned
away. But he had learned very much. < This evil that almost woke Saturn. . .
Is it me? >
Uranus glared at Endymion irritably one last time before turning
back
to dinner. < He asks too many questions! Perhaps he is sided with the evil
forces? > She frowned. It was possible. He had seemed interested in the
Talismans, the sacred weapons that held the power and energy of the Outer
planets. Uranus herself protected the Space Sword, Neptune the Aqua Mirror,
and Pluto the Garnet Orb. No commoner was allowed to see the Talismans, only
their keepers could possess them. Maybe Endymion planned to steal them. . .?
"Don't worry so much, Haruka. He's just a curious boy!" Neptune whispered,
giggling. 'Haruka' was her nickname for Princess Uranus, because Uranus
always seemed so distant, as if she was endlessly daydreaming. "You are too
serious!"
"I suppose. . ." Uranus muttered, still doubtful.
"You won't attack him like you did before with that other young man, will
you?" Neptune asked, grinning, and Uranus nodded her assent. She knew what
Neptune was talking about. Just a week or two ago, she and Neptune had been
walking together and a teenager and his friends had called, in a loud, rude,
raucous voice, "Lesbians! Lesbians!" Uranus had lost her temper then, and
the
boy had been sent to the hospital.
< They don't know anything! > thought Uranus furiously to herself.
No
one could possibly understand the deep devotion between her and Neptune. It
was something rare, special, something no one else could ever feel or share.
She would die, willingly, if it meant that no harm would befall Neptune. She
couldn't care less what was considered normal, or what other people would
murmur as they walked by. All that mattered was Neptune, and her happiness.
Beneath Neptune's calm guise, Uranus knew her lover felt the same, and just
as fiercely.
Endymion reached over the table and took Serenity's hand. "So, princess, are
we still on for tonight?"
Serenity blushed and nodded slightly. "If you. . . still want to. . ."
Endymion stared at her as if he had taken offense. "Want to!? Of course I
want to, baka! And this time, you must remember to make a wish!"
that's it for now, arigato, sayonara!
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