Querida Usagi

Hi guys! I guess I should disclaim right now and tell you that I do not in any way own any of the Sailor Moon characters in this story. All characters belong to Naoko Takeuchi. I've been working on this story for a little while now, revising mostly. For every chapter that I post, I'll have a song that is recommended if you enjoy reading to music to create "ambience", I guess. Whether or not you listen to the song with the story is all up to you lol. Anyway, read on & review! Enjoy!

Soundtrack: Shells of Silver - The Japanese Popstars

"How I wish your father had heard your pathetic little outburst."

Endymion slammed his keys down on a nearby table and yanked off his coat, tossing it carelessly to a startled maid.

Serenity visibly cringed and stared blankly at the wall of their foyer, her hands white and wrapped around her full skirt. Endymion noticed, but spared her none- swiftly moving to stand in front of her and reminding her of his superior height.

"That was incredibly foolish of you! Though I'm not sure I can honestly say I expected anything more." He growled angrily in her ear. Serenity shuddered and let her eyes linger on his for a moment before glaring dejectedly at his high-priced business suit.

"I'm not a child, Endymion." Serenity swallowed, smoothing her clammy hands over her thighs. A lump seemed to permanently reside in her throat these past few days. "You can't talk to me however you ple-"

"You are my wife, and you are to act like it."

"I am your wife…" Serenity chuckled harshly, and found the courage to look him straight in the eyes. The intensity with which she found his threw him off, and a variety of emotions splashed momentarily over his face before he settled on no emotion at all. "Funny, you never seem to remember that unless it's to your advantage."

They moved into the tea room when it became obvious that the household staff was quickly becoming distracted. Once inside, Endymion turned to his wife, a scowl marring his handsome face. "What's that supposed to mean?"

Serenity shrugged, her glossy silver curls sliding delicately off of her porcelain shoulders. She had tried tonight- tried to be beautiful. For him. He hadn't noticed, of course. He never did. The only way he'd even glance her way was if she suddenly grew long spindly legs, a generous chest, and flaming, scarlet hair. Not likely. She felt his anger radiating off of him in waves. To be fair, her actions earlier in the night were not incredibly smart- fueled by emotion, more so. Serenity quickly swiped at the beads of sweat forming across her brow.

"Nothing." She said lightly. The truth of the matter was, it wasn't nothing. It was never simply nothing. She had known of his affair with Beryl for the past year, and since then, their relationship had been nothing short of tumultuous.

She supposed, in the long run, that it didn't really matter. Their marriage had never been about love. She had been a casualty of business affairs. And, if she were to be perfectly honest with herself, she hadn't minded in the least when she'd first laid eyes on him- a picture of masculine perfection. Her body had practically shivered with desire when she took in his tousled black hair, falling slightly into his face as if to shadow him, ice-like azure eyes framed by thick, ebony lashes and full eyebrows, his wide sensual mouth and practical nose, his stubborn jaw, and flawless olive skin. All of which sat atop a body that could only be likened to some sort of god.

She wondered for a brief, foolish moment what he had thought of her the first time he'd laid eyes on her.

Serenity smiled to herself wryly. He most likely immediately pictured his freedom skipping merrily out of the window. He really was such a grump. Sighing, Serenity moved towards the door.

Endymion looked at her, darkly. "Where do you think you're going?"

A look of resignation on her face, she turned to face her husband. "I'm going to bed."

"I didn't dismiss you."

Lapis lazuli eyes clashed precariously with ice. "My dear husband," She began mockingly, her voice clipped. "I'm certain that my presence is no longer required in this room. It's late. I suggest you retire for the night as well. You have an early meeting tomorrow, yes?"

Endymion approached Serenity swiftly, a dangerous glint in his eyes. As he neared, she kept her head down, an obstinate look on her face. She could feel herself cracking underneath her thin façade of strength.

"I can make your life miserable."

Serenity's jaw clenched painfully at his words. She had irrationally believed during the beginning days of her marriage to Endymion that she had won his fancy. Her marriage would never involve love. It was about power- it was very simply a power struggle. And nothing was more poignant in that moment than that fact. Stonily, she finally met his eyes.

"Do your worst."

She did not move a muscle as he swept past her with barely concealed rage, storming out of the tea room, the slam of the door causing the fixtures within the room to shudder in its aftermath.

She did not move until she could no longer hear the tap of his shoes as he moved hastily down the hallway- anywhere, as long as it was far away from her.

And once the familiar sound of silence shrouded over her, she finally let the dam forth.

"You deserve better than him, Serenity."

Serenity opened her eyes hesitantly, immediately groaning in protest at the onslaught of sunlight. She grouchily yanked her rose-colored satin sheets over her head and croaked, "Mina. What the hell are you doing in my room?"

"That's besides the point."

"That is very much the point," Serenity deadpanned, her voice muffled beneath layers of comforters. "I wasn't even aware you were let on the premises."

"I came last night. Kunzite let me in."

Serenity nearly huffed at that. By God, she knew what that meant. "I should have him hung."

Mina's voice softened. "I heard your argument."

Oh no. She recognized that tone well. The picture of her friend's pitying face popped into her mind, and she clamped her eyes shut in an attempt to be rid of it. She was cornered, of that she was certain, and it wouldn't make any sense to hide.

"It wasn't really much of an argument." Serenity sighed and heaved herself upwards, her blankets pooling lazily around her midsection. Dolefully, she rubbed at her eyes and leaned against her mahogany headboard. She wearily eyed Mina, her long waves falling haphazardly across her face.

Mina had been her best friend for – well, for most of her life. She was a stunner and always had been; with waist length locks of spun gold and enchanting blue-green eyes. They were practically aquatic - unfailingly reminding Serenity of the sea. Today, she wore a flattering tangerine sundress that set her olive skin positively aglow.

Sure enough, her facial expression brimmed with concern. And, to be perfectly honest, it stung. "Mina – "

"No, Sere." Mina scooted closer to her, her soft hands clasping Serenity's in her own. "Look at you. You are heartbreakingly beautiful. All the boys in grade school were practically in love with you. You're brilliant, and the kindest person that I know. You're worth so much more than you give yourself credit for, and you don't even know it."

Serenity allowed a cursory glimpse at her reflection in the mirror presiding on her vanity, and swallowed uncomfortably. "Mina – "

"You should leave him. Come away with me! We can travel… We'll visit Italy. You've always wanted to go there, right? It's gorgeous this time of year," Mina rambled on with conviction, her emotions getting the best of her. "Leave him to rot with his bitch Beryl."

Serenity gasped and glanced sharply at Mina, whose face rapidly drained itself of all color. Clearing her throat delicately, she slowly looked away from her companion, focusing instead on a spot on the wooden floor. "Who told you?"

"K-Kunz –"

"I don't believe you!"

Mina had the grace to blush. "He did tell me, Sere."

Serenity whipped around, her eyes fixing incredulously on Mina's. "He wouldn't do that. He loves me." The words, unsure even of themselves, seemed to quiver as they tumbled out of her mouth. Apprehension began to trickle down her spine. All of a sudden, she was parched.

"It is because of his love for you that he did tell me. And yet I know that you turned him down to be with Endymion."

Finally. A feeling she was certain of – indignation. Serenity jerked forward. "You know very well that is not how it happened, Minerva." She hissed, an accusation burning in her eyes. "The merger was with his brother – "

"Half brother."

" – Half brother, and so I was bound to him before Kunzite even came into my life."

Mina pursed her lips and looked away. "He's still in love with you, Serenity."

Serenity let out a long breath, her posture unraveling. "I know." She replied quietly.

"And I love him." For a second, Serenity wondered just what she meant by that.

"I see."

Unspoken words rang loudly throughout the air. Serenity's heart clenched.

"But I love you too. And I want the best for you. Come," Mina squeezed Serenity's leg gently. "Get dressed. We'll have a day out on the town." After waiting for Serenity's (hesitant) nod of consent, she removed herself from the room, allowing Serenity time to get ready.

Closing the door softly, she turned, only to find herself peering up into concerned grey eyes.

"How is she?"

Mina sighed, impatiently brushing back strands of sunflower hair that had fallen into her eyes. "She's fine. Quiet."

"Maybe I should – "

"No, Kunzite." Mina scolded, a frown marring her lovely face. "Do not go in there."

Kunzite swallowed and worked to regain his composure. Mina drank in his appearance. He was almost as beautiful as his brother, with his strikingly breathtaking features. Long, shoulder length platinum hair, so fair that it seemed white, and silver-like eyes that were as disturbing as they were magnificent. Mina shuddered. Strange, but beautiful.

"He's going to destroy her." Kunzite hissed in an irritated voice. "I can't believe he brought Beryl to the charity ball last night."

"Ah, yes. Her. He certainly knows how to choose them." She rolled her eyes in agitation.

Inside her room, Serenity released a shaky sigh. She catapulted herself from the bed with a forced spurt of energy, and briskly entered her wintry, marble bathroom. Everything in it was sparkling, white – flawless. Everything was in its place, as always. No disorder. Prison. That's what this was. A spotless prison. Serenity itched to throw the rose scented soaps and French beauty products to the floor. Instead, she ran the cool water in the sink to the top and, without falter, plunged her face in, letting out a raw, stifled sob. When she finally materialized from the water, she found herself face to face with a solemn, red-eyed version of herself. Cold water trickled down her face and from her hair, pooling around the sink.

"Get it together, Rena." She whispered to her reflection. "Get it together."

Serenity patted her face down with a towel and then tentatively applied noir mascara to her thick, chocolate eyelashes. Running her hands through her hair, she appraised her appearance and, after deciding that she was at the very least presentable, she slipped out of her nightdress and donned her favorite lilac summer dress.

"Knock, knock."

Serenity squealed and twirled around in surprise, her hair once again in disarray. Seeing that it was Kunzite, she released her breath in one hefty puff. "How long have- how long have you been in here? You startled me!" Her face warmed in embarrassment at the thought of Kunzite seeing her dress.

Kunzite offered the silver-haired beauty a small smile. "Mina asked that I let you know she'll be waiting for you in the parlor."

"Ah." Serenity swallowed. "I'll go there now then."

Neither one of them dared to move.

"Ren-"

Serenity squeezed her eyes shut, painfully. "Kunz… Don't. Okay?"

When Kunzite's eyes met hers in sorrow, she felt her heart squeeze as well. "I just couldn't handle it right now. Please?" She appeased to him, as she realized they were no longer feet away, but mere inches. Gently, she ran her hands along the amethyst lapels on his jacket. Serenity couldn't help herself – she leaned in and buried her nose in his chest, inhaling his woodsy scent. "I couldn't bear it."

With a swift kiss to his shadowed cheek, she turned away from Kunzite and leaned over her dresser in an effort to gather her things. What things, she had yet to figure out, but she didn't feel that she could face him anymore. She needed anything, any excuse not to see the pain that she knew was in his eyes. After sliding a few choice items in her purse, she righted herself, only to feel an unmistakable aura of body heat directly behind her, surrounding her. Her breath caught when Kunzite's hands moved to her shoulders, sliding sensuously down until he had her by the elbows. With one gentle pull, he had her melting into his embrace.

"Kunzite..."

"Shh..." He murmured into her hair, breathing in the aroma of strawberries and vanilla that clung to her. "Just let me have you... just once. Let me have you."

Serenity's eyes closed as she leaned further into him, bringing his arms to wrap around her slim waist. Her resolve was wavering. Did she think of him as more than a friend? Did she love him? She didn't know. The line between love and loneliness had blurred for her a long time ago. "Mina is waiting on me. You said it yourself."

Kunzite delicately gathered her hair to the side and, running a lone finger along the length of her neck, laid a searing kiss on the skin under her ear. Serenity shivered in response. "And yet your body is making no arguments."

"How could it, when you're being so persuasive..."

A loud rap on the door startled them out of their reverie, and they managed to only just jump apart when the door opened. Flushed, Serenity turned around and met with Endymion, whose eyes were coolly surveying the both of them before fixing themselves on Kunzite. Kunzite, it seemed, hadn't had the time to fully compose himself, his gaze lingering over Serenity before sliding to the door.

"Brother." Endymion greeted, his eyes ice. "Leave us."

Kunzite sent an apologetic glance Serenity's way before nodding towards Endymion and exiting, the door closing with finality behind him. Serenity stared at the door, the silence thick in the room. How could she escape – she wondered, briefly – through the window, maybe? Ah, yes, and fall a hundred feet to her death. It was a silly, fleeting thought, and she didn't know why on earth she'd thought of it, but what she did know was that she would do just about anything not to look at Endymion at the present moment. Regardless, that was exactly what she did. Immediately, her eyes stung with regret. He was leaning against the door looking impossibly self-righteous and, what was worse, unbearably handsome. How could someone so blessed be so cold? Her memory hazily recalled a time when things had been different. He had been so kind to her in the beginning days of their marriage, almost loving. Overnight, it seemed, he changed. Serenity had wondered for the longest time if it was something she had done to turn him off to her so. She found her eyes caressing the contours of his face, soaking him in, in all of his perfection.

"Quite the little hypocrite whore, aren't we?"

And, just like that, the illusion was shattered. Shame rose within her.

"I should send you back to your father, disgraced. I wonder, did you consider your consorting with my brother before you publicly humiliated Beryl and yourself? Calling her a whore," He tisked, a cruel smile on his face. "Ironic."

Serenity stared down at her dress. "That's not fair." Her voice sounded strained, even to her ears. "Kunzite is a friend. We have never been more than that. Not that I owe you an explanation, " She sighed. "But our relationship was always very innocent. It isn't my fault that the merger bonded me to the wrong brother for life. Trust me, I would rather not be in this with you."

She finally looked at him and found him assessing her. After what seemed like a protracted moment, he spoke. "I couldn't care less about your feelings. You're mine, and that's how it will stay."

Serenity tensed in irritation, her hand forming a fist at her side. "In that case, it'd probably be in both of our interests if you would keep your bloody whore on her leash. Before I, as you so fondly said, publicly humiliated Beryl and myself, she was busy bragging to all that could hear about your length and your girth, and your magnificent love-making skills. Of course, those were her words and not mine because, as you well know, I wouldn't know anything of the sort about that."

Endymion smirked, amused. "Wife, you sound as though you want to find out."

Serenity glowered. "Oh, you have a minute before you go to Beryl, do you?"

Endymion was quiet. He pushed himself off of the door before moving towards Serenity until he was standing so close that they were almost touching. Serenity looked up at him, the top of her head barely reaching his shoulder. She felt herself begin to shake, unused to their close proximity. The few times over the past year that he had been this close had caused strange things to happen to her – as if she were no longer in control of her hormones, her emotions. He brought a hand up and tenderly pushed her unruly hair away from her face, leaning down until his lips were only a hair's breadth away. His eyes shone an emotion that Serenity had never seen before, barely recognized. She was caught. It took a moment to register, but his voice, in a whisper, finally reached her ear.

"Weak."

Serenity's eyes fluttered open. "What?" She breathed.

"You're weak. How could my brother be so enamored with such a weak woman?"

Serenity froze. "Weak..." She repeated, numbly. She stood there, not fully registering as Endymion proceeded to leave the room. She could vaguely remember a time when she was happy, carefree even. Now, she was just a shell of her former self. Weak.

The door clicked.

On the other side of the door, an exhausted Endymion slumped against the wall, his posture and cold façade unraveling. That had been close – he had nearly lost himself in her presence, nearly given in to the temptation to kiss her soft, full lips. They had beckoned to him in a way that no woman ever had, no woman ever could. His face crumpled. He had to do this. He hated it, but he had to. He had to let her think him a monster because if he didn't...

He couldn't let himself think of that. Shaking himself of those sinister thoughts, he straightened himself and walked off. Soon enough, he reassured himself. He had business to take care of.

That felt a lot longer than it actually was while I was writing lol. I hope you guys liked the first chapter! Stay tuned.