Dark Side of the Moon
Ryo Angel
PG-13
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prologue
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
She was the pretty one. Born a few minutes earlier, she was of the light and I was of the dark. Light and dark, good and evil... Funny how things worked out. Even as we grew, she was all sunshine and roses. Pale skin, blonde hair. No one could match her in beauty. She was the Moon princess of course. No one can outshine the moon. I was her complete opposite. Brown mousy hair and though my skin wasn't dark, in no way did it compare to hers but I didn't mind. While she was learning the etiquettes of being royalty, I was training to be Sailor Moon. Leader of the Sailor Senshi, protector of the Silver Millennium. Day in, day out. While she was memorizing the ways to agree with an ambassador without consenting to anything, I was memorizing strategies and learning how to control the ginzhoushi. It was how it had always been. Two daughters are born, one of the light and one of the dark. Two halves of the moon. The one of the light carries on the family line. Destined to marry and produce the next generation. The one of the dark was lucky if she marries at all.
I accepted this as my fate, my destiny. She has her own destiny to fulfill, her own path to walk, but that all changed when I met Him. It was a few weeks before our sixteenth birthday, the day when we will come to our birthright. I remember it was night, the stars were shimmering with glee, laughing as the servants rushed around to get the palace in order. Food was prepared and frozen in time, rooms were being swept clean and made to look presentable. All the galaxies ruler's were invited. All but Metallia. I suppose she had no choice but to retaliate... but I digress.
I was walking through the moon garden during my free time, clad in a long black gown, a string of crescent moons dangled around my waist. My hair was half up in the traditional fashion that identified myself as one of the Moon Princess'. The Odango style, as I liked to call it. My sister never found the joke to be funny... She was also the serious one. My mind on the initiation, I wandered through the Moon maze, weaving through the paths, my feet took me straight to the heart of the maze. I stood up at the fountain and closed my eyes, inhaling the sweet perfume of the moonflowers. The petals and the underside were dark, but center was white. A small smile on my face, I moved to the left, my eyes still closed and started to walk. A small breeze picked up and the chimes of my bracelet provided the music, I opened my mouth and sang softly, a traditional song, the song of Time. I made three circles around the fountain and finished with a lingering note. Giggling slightly at my silliness, I opened my eyes.
"Gah!" I fell towards the water, but He caught me. We stared at each other. Me in breathless wonder, trying to figure out why I didn't sense his presence Him... I never did figure out why he continued to stare at me, a small smile on his face. I finally caught my breath and pushed him away. Unfortunately, he fell into the fountain, creating a small splash. "Oh Selene!" My hand flew to my mouth, "I'm so sorry!" Getting down from the fountain, I offered him my hand, "Are you okay?" I struggled to keep from laughing, it really wasn't polite to laugh at him when he was trying to prevent me from falling in the first place, but his feet dangled along the fountain's rim while his body was drenched.
"Quite." He said in a low tenor. Be still my heart. He clenched my hand and hoisted himself up. I'm glad to say that I held my own and didn't get pulled in on top of him. He stood in front of me, drenched from waist up, a wry smile on his face. .
"I am Princess Diana of the Moon Kingdom." I curtsied, but as I straightened, the laughter just erupted, "I'm sorry..." I apologized between fits of laughter, "I'm... not... laughing at you..." Yeah right.
His mouth twitched and he couldn't hold it in, in the end he joined me in my laughter, his loud chortle mingled with my small fits of giggles. Finally we settled down, a small smile on both our faces. A slight uncomfortable silence fell through and I bit my lower lip, "So..."
"You don't remember me?" He asked.
I shook my head, "Perhaps if you tell me your name..."
"Oh, forgive me, I am Endymion."
A small smile on my face, I nodded, "Endymion of...?" I trailed off for him to finish.
"Um...." He seemed reluctant to speak and I shrugged.
"If you don't feel comfortable..." I walked over to the moon roses and plucked one, "It looks dark, but within every center there's light... Just like every soul. You really can't tell what a person is like just by the outside... you have to uncover its interior to find out who they really are." I looked over to him, "And you're staring." I stated.
"Oh," He quickly looked away, "I'm sorry. You just look so beautiful..."
"Apologize when you have something to apologize for." A grin appeared on my face, "It's no crime to stare at a beautiful woman and I am most beautiful..." I struck a pose, "Next to my sister of course."
"Your sister..." He was considering his words, "Is pretty..."
"Pretty?" I echoed his words with disbelief, "She is the eldest born, Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom." I told him, "How is she just... pretty?"
He shrugged, "She lacks something." He told me, "I'm sure she's beautiful to everyone else, but she doesn't compare." He looked pointedly at me.
My mouth opened and closed, "Well..." I tucked the moonflower in my ear, "I have to go back in, everyone would be wondering where I've disappeared to." A blush was starting to form on my cheeks. Just doesn't compare! Dear Selene!
"Allow me to accompany you." He offered me his arm and I hesitated a little before accepting it, this was my sister's role... never mine. "Tell me, Princess, what do you think of Earth?"
As we walked from the maze, I told him my answer, "It seems to be very beautiful, but I heard that there was much shock when only one child was born to the King and Queen." Two twin boys. One for my sister. One for... hmmm... not for me, that's for sure. I would never get myself betrothed unless it was out of love.
He coughed, "Yes... much... shock." There was something he wasn't telling me, but I didn't press. If he didn't want to talk about it, then it's up to him. Right now, I just want to enjoy his company.
"And then there was much silence…" I said to fill in the void.
He broke into a small smile, "I was just thinking."
"I know. I could see smoke coming out of your head." I teased. We stopped just before the entrance to my chambers, "Well, I have to go change… it was nice to make your acquaintance." I curtsied again, showing that I was, after all, a princess. Just because I didn't take the same lessons as my sister doesn't mean that I don't know manners.
"Will I see you again?" He asked.
"Sure." I answered easily, "The universe is only so large." I entered my chambers and flopped down on my bed, thinking about him. A beeping sound propelled me to my feet, "I'm coming, Luna." I sighed, walking over to the balcony. Without a second thought, I closed my eyes and jumped, mentally calling out my transformation sequence and landed neatly on the ground, slightly crouched; my dark hair made into the full Odango style with braids trailing behind me. "The things I do for that cat…"
"You don't have to, you know." I turned around with much surprise.
"Serenity?" She never sets foot out of the palace… it was her domain, just like the Moon garden was mine, "What are you doing out here? Mother would have a fit!"
She shrugged away my panic, "I am on my own time. She does not have to know." I can see her weariness of being trapped inside all day long, but that was by her own choosing, she never did like the Moon garden and the library bores her. There isn't anywhere else she can go. The training room was forbidden to all but the Senshi and she doesn't know how to swim. "Can I go with you to train?"
I hesitated, "You know it's forbidden…"
"Yeah… but can't you make an exception?" She pleaded.
"I…" I bit my lips, "I'm sorry, Sere, but rules are rules." Little did I know, those words would be thrown back at me later on and it would be a hundred times more biting. A hundred times more venomous and hurtful. I left hastily without a backward glance, entering the training room and greeted my feline advisor. "So what is it that you want me to do today?" I asked her, starting on my stretches.
"Nothing." She leapt off the table, "The Senshi has arrived."
A grin on my face, I followed her to the waiting room. Princesses of the solar system, each and every one were destined to be a Sailor Senshi. That shocked their parent's and the universe all right. "So you guys finally arrived."
They gave off squeals and rushed to hug me. "It's been too long!" Much too long.
The weeks came and passed, and no sign of Endymion anywhere. I was in my room when Mother came in. I greeted her courteously.
She smiled sadly at me, "You are growing up."
"We all are." I told her, pulling my black hair into a half Odango fashion. Something was wrong and I turned to her, "Mother?"
"Serenity is to be betrothed." She spoke suddenly.
"Yes. That is to be expected." So my beautiful sister finally found a suitor who meets her requirements.
"To the Prince Endymion of Earth." Okay... so what's the point here...? "He asked for you." Point taken.
"What?" I spun around and the truth was in her eyes, turning around, I quickly assessed the situation and dismissed it, "Betrothals are made between parent's. It concerns me not." But it does. Just a little. Something about him seemed so familiar. I clipped on the string of crescent moons around my waist and walked over to Mother. She's hesitating. There's something she's not telling me.
"I will see you later tonight." She finally said, exiting my room, but her look haunted me, something was off.
As I made my way to the ballroom, I bumped into Endymion. With a small smile, I curtsied, "Prince Endymion."
"You remembered!" There was such pleasure in his voice.
"It has only been a few weeks, my memory isn't that bad." I laughed.
"Oh..." He tried to hide his disappointment.
"I take it that that wasn't what you were referring to..." I laid a hand on his arm and he shook his head.
"Perhaps you would allow me to escort you to the ballroom?" He asked hopefully.
"Of course, Prince Endymion."
"Endy." He corrected.
"Of course... Endy..." That name sounded so familiar... We made our way down the corridors and the callers announced our entrance. Serenity turned to face us, a frozen smile on her face. Something doesn't seem right. He claimed my first dance and reluctantly let me go, but only after I promised him the waltz. How bold!
Serenity rushed at me the instant he was gone from sight, "What do you think you were doing?" She asked me.
"Um... dancing?"
"With *my* future husband!" She hissed at me. Whoa. What happened to my sweet sister? Who replaced her with this cold snake? Her entire demeanor changed when Mother came upon us.
"Diana, may I have a word with you?" I looked between them and nodded, following her to another room that joined the main room. She paced the floor and I stood there expectantly, "I wish you wouldn't spend so much time with the Prince."
I couldn't take it anymore. Serenity's snapping at me. Endy is asking for my hand and Mother is now requesting that I not spend so much time with him? What is going on? "Mother, what are you hiding from me?" I demanded from her.
She wouldn't meet my eyes and her pacing continued. She looked like a frightened animal that's just been cornered. "Nothing."
"Then why won't you look me in the eye?" I asked her.
"I..."
"Mother, I'm not stupid. Why don't you want me to spend time with Endymion? Besides the fact that he is about to be engaged to Serenity." I was getting impatient. It's as if a big mystery suddenly sprouted out of thin air.
With a resigned sigh, she stopped her pacing and sat down on the couch. "It's fate..." She murmured to herself, "Always fate..."
"What about fate?" I grew up knowing about the Fates and Destiny, but what about them? What makes them so significant to me?
"You are the second born," She told me, "Destined to be Sailor Moon." Yes, I know that "When it is time, Destiny will bring forth new Senshi, but you shall take the place of Pluto."
"What?" This was news to me. "But there is a Sailor Pluto now."
"She was my sister." Sister. Pluto was my aunt? But she looks hardly any older than myself!
"I don't understand." I said, confusion marred my brow.
"And you are not meant to."
"Serenity?" I turned around to face her, "What..." I turned back to Mother who looked away, "Mother?"
"I'm sorry." She whispered. What's going on? I don't understand...
Serenity advanced towards me, "Wondered why Endymion looked so familiar to you?" She asked and I nodded hesitantly, she wouldn't harm me, I reassured myself, I'm her sister. "It's because you two met when you were younger. Always sighing and gazing at the Earth. Pathetic!" She spat at me, "But it paid off for you. He fell in love with the darkness of the moon. The 'Lady of the Moon'"
"I still don't understand. If we knew each other... how come I don't remember?" I took another step back as she advanced.
"Because you aren't meant to fall in love. Because Endymion was meant for me." She grabbed me by the arms. Who knew she could be so strong. "But you possessed all of him and I wanted him for myself. You're not supposed to be the Moon Princess. You're just a soldier! A Sailor Senshi!" She was screaming at me now. "You are supposed to protect me! ME!" She screamed, "But you stole him away from me."
Fear penetrated me and I called wildly to Mother for help. Why wasn't she helping me?!
Serenity laughed, "There's no one who can help you now, sister of mine." She told me, "I had tried to end your existence once, but you were strong. You survived and had amnesia. I didn't mind. All the better for me. You were always my favorite Senshi. But why did you have to meet him again? Why did you have to make him fall in love again??" She shook me. I tried to fight her, but her grip was hard and I couldn't transform, why couldn't I transform?? What was happening?
"I'm sorry." I saw Mother looking at me, her hand gripping something. The ginzhoushi. She raised it high, "I'm sorry."
She was the pretty one. But I, I was the lucky one.
------------------
Ohh... I know I should be working on Sins of an Angel, but I couldn't resist. This story helped me with some writer's block and probably won't get off the ground, but I don't think it'll hurt to see what you guys think. It could be read as a stand-alone ^_^
As always, a special thank-you to Kuro Tenshi for beta'ing.
Ryo Angel
PG-13
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prologue
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
She was the pretty one. Born a few minutes earlier, she was of the light and I was of the dark. Light and dark, good and evil... Funny how things worked out. Even as we grew, she was all sunshine and roses. Pale skin, blonde hair. No one could match her in beauty. She was the Moon princess of course. No one can outshine the moon. I was her complete opposite. Brown mousy hair and though my skin wasn't dark, in no way did it compare to hers but I didn't mind. While she was learning the etiquettes of being royalty, I was training to be Sailor Moon. Leader of the Sailor Senshi, protector of the Silver Millennium. Day in, day out. While she was memorizing the ways to agree with an ambassador without consenting to anything, I was memorizing strategies and learning how to control the ginzhoushi. It was how it had always been. Two daughters are born, one of the light and one of the dark. Two halves of the moon. The one of the light carries on the family line. Destined to marry and produce the next generation. The one of the dark was lucky if she marries at all.
I accepted this as my fate, my destiny. She has her own destiny to fulfill, her own path to walk, but that all changed when I met Him. It was a few weeks before our sixteenth birthday, the day when we will come to our birthright. I remember it was night, the stars were shimmering with glee, laughing as the servants rushed around to get the palace in order. Food was prepared and frozen in time, rooms were being swept clean and made to look presentable. All the galaxies ruler's were invited. All but Metallia. I suppose she had no choice but to retaliate... but I digress.
I was walking through the moon garden during my free time, clad in a long black gown, a string of crescent moons dangled around my waist. My hair was half up in the traditional fashion that identified myself as one of the Moon Princess'. The Odango style, as I liked to call it. My sister never found the joke to be funny... She was also the serious one. My mind on the initiation, I wandered through the Moon maze, weaving through the paths, my feet took me straight to the heart of the maze. I stood up at the fountain and closed my eyes, inhaling the sweet perfume of the moonflowers. The petals and the underside were dark, but center was white. A small smile on my face, I moved to the left, my eyes still closed and started to walk. A small breeze picked up and the chimes of my bracelet provided the music, I opened my mouth and sang softly, a traditional song, the song of Time. I made three circles around the fountain and finished with a lingering note. Giggling slightly at my silliness, I opened my eyes.
"Gah!" I fell towards the water, but He caught me. We stared at each other. Me in breathless wonder, trying to figure out why I didn't sense his presence Him... I never did figure out why he continued to stare at me, a small smile on his face. I finally caught my breath and pushed him away. Unfortunately, he fell into the fountain, creating a small splash. "Oh Selene!" My hand flew to my mouth, "I'm so sorry!" Getting down from the fountain, I offered him my hand, "Are you okay?" I struggled to keep from laughing, it really wasn't polite to laugh at him when he was trying to prevent me from falling in the first place, but his feet dangled along the fountain's rim while his body was drenched.
"Quite." He said in a low tenor. Be still my heart. He clenched my hand and hoisted himself up. I'm glad to say that I held my own and didn't get pulled in on top of him. He stood in front of me, drenched from waist up, a wry smile on his face. .
"I am Princess Diana of the Moon Kingdom." I curtsied, but as I straightened, the laughter just erupted, "I'm sorry..." I apologized between fits of laughter, "I'm... not... laughing at you..." Yeah right.
His mouth twitched and he couldn't hold it in, in the end he joined me in my laughter, his loud chortle mingled with my small fits of giggles. Finally we settled down, a small smile on both our faces. A slight uncomfortable silence fell through and I bit my lower lip, "So..."
"You don't remember me?" He asked.
I shook my head, "Perhaps if you tell me your name..."
"Oh, forgive me, I am Endymion."
A small smile on my face, I nodded, "Endymion of...?" I trailed off for him to finish.
"Um...." He seemed reluctant to speak and I shrugged.
"If you don't feel comfortable..." I walked over to the moon roses and plucked one, "It looks dark, but within every center there's light... Just like every soul. You really can't tell what a person is like just by the outside... you have to uncover its interior to find out who they really are." I looked over to him, "And you're staring." I stated.
"Oh," He quickly looked away, "I'm sorry. You just look so beautiful..."
"Apologize when you have something to apologize for." A grin appeared on my face, "It's no crime to stare at a beautiful woman and I am most beautiful..." I struck a pose, "Next to my sister of course."
"Your sister..." He was considering his words, "Is pretty..."
"Pretty?" I echoed his words with disbelief, "She is the eldest born, Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom." I told him, "How is she just... pretty?"
He shrugged, "She lacks something." He told me, "I'm sure she's beautiful to everyone else, but she doesn't compare." He looked pointedly at me.
My mouth opened and closed, "Well..." I tucked the moonflower in my ear, "I have to go back in, everyone would be wondering where I've disappeared to." A blush was starting to form on my cheeks. Just doesn't compare! Dear Selene!
"Allow me to accompany you." He offered me his arm and I hesitated a little before accepting it, this was my sister's role... never mine. "Tell me, Princess, what do you think of Earth?"
As we walked from the maze, I told him my answer, "It seems to be very beautiful, but I heard that there was much shock when only one child was born to the King and Queen." Two twin boys. One for my sister. One for... hmmm... not for me, that's for sure. I would never get myself betrothed unless it was out of love.
He coughed, "Yes... much... shock." There was something he wasn't telling me, but I didn't press. If he didn't want to talk about it, then it's up to him. Right now, I just want to enjoy his company.
"And then there was much silence…" I said to fill in the void.
He broke into a small smile, "I was just thinking."
"I know. I could see smoke coming out of your head." I teased. We stopped just before the entrance to my chambers, "Well, I have to go change… it was nice to make your acquaintance." I curtsied again, showing that I was, after all, a princess. Just because I didn't take the same lessons as my sister doesn't mean that I don't know manners.
"Will I see you again?" He asked.
"Sure." I answered easily, "The universe is only so large." I entered my chambers and flopped down on my bed, thinking about him. A beeping sound propelled me to my feet, "I'm coming, Luna." I sighed, walking over to the balcony. Without a second thought, I closed my eyes and jumped, mentally calling out my transformation sequence and landed neatly on the ground, slightly crouched; my dark hair made into the full Odango style with braids trailing behind me. "The things I do for that cat…"
"You don't have to, you know." I turned around with much surprise.
"Serenity?" She never sets foot out of the palace… it was her domain, just like the Moon garden was mine, "What are you doing out here? Mother would have a fit!"
She shrugged away my panic, "I am on my own time. She does not have to know." I can see her weariness of being trapped inside all day long, but that was by her own choosing, she never did like the Moon garden and the library bores her. There isn't anywhere else she can go. The training room was forbidden to all but the Senshi and she doesn't know how to swim. "Can I go with you to train?"
I hesitated, "You know it's forbidden…"
"Yeah… but can't you make an exception?" She pleaded.
"I…" I bit my lips, "I'm sorry, Sere, but rules are rules." Little did I know, those words would be thrown back at me later on and it would be a hundred times more biting. A hundred times more venomous and hurtful. I left hastily without a backward glance, entering the training room and greeted my feline advisor. "So what is it that you want me to do today?" I asked her, starting on my stretches.
"Nothing." She leapt off the table, "The Senshi has arrived."
A grin on my face, I followed her to the waiting room. Princesses of the solar system, each and every one were destined to be a Sailor Senshi. That shocked their parent's and the universe all right. "So you guys finally arrived."
They gave off squeals and rushed to hug me. "It's been too long!" Much too long.
The weeks came and passed, and no sign of Endymion anywhere. I was in my room when Mother came in. I greeted her courteously.
She smiled sadly at me, "You are growing up."
"We all are." I told her, pulling my black hair into a half Odango fashion. Something was wrong and I turned to her, "Mother?"
"Serenity is to be betrothed." She spoke suddenly.
"Yes. That is to be expected." So my beautiful sister finally found a suitor who meets her requirements.
"To the Prince Endymion of Earth." Okay... so what's the point here...? "He asked for you." Point taken.
"What?" I spun around and the truth was in her eyes, turning around, I quickly assessed the situation and dismissed it, "Betrothals are made between parent's. It concerns me not." But it does. Just a little. Something about him seemed so familiar. I clipped on the string of crescent moons around my waist and walked over to Mother. She's hesitating. There's something she's not telling me.
"I will see you later tonight." She finally said, exiting my room, but her look haunted me, something was off.
As I made my way to the ballroom, I bumped into Endymion. With a small smile, I curtsied, "Prince Endymion."
"You remembered!" There was such pleasure in his voice.
"It has only been a few weeks, my memory isn't that bad." I laughed.
"Oh..." He tried to hide his disappointment.
"I take it that that wasn't what you were referring to..." I laid a hand on his arm and he shook his head.
"Perhaps you would allow me to escort you to the ballroom?" He asked hopefully.
"Of course, Prince Endymion."
"Endy." He corrected.
"Of course... Endy..." That name sounded so familiar... We made our way down the corridors and the callers announced our entrance. Serenity turned to face us, a frozen smile on her face. Something doesn't seem right. He claimed my first dance and reluctantly let me go, but only after I promised him the waltz. How bold!
Serenity rushed at me the instant he was gone from sight, "What do you think you were doing?" She asked me.
"Um... dancing?"
"With *my* future husband!" She hissed at me. Whoa. What happened to my sweet sister? Who replaced her with this cold snake? Her entire demeanor changed when Mother came upon us.
"Diana, may I have a word with you?" I looked between them and nodded, following her to another room that joined the main room. She paced the floor and I stood there expectantly, "I wish you wouldn't spend so much time with the Prince."
I couldn't take it anymore. Serenity's snapping at me. Endy is asking for my hand and Mother is now requesting that I not spend so much time with him? What is going on? "Mother, what are you hiding from me?" I demanded from her.
She wouldn't meet my eyes and her pacing continued. She looked like a frightened animal that's just been cornered. "Nothing."
"Then why won't you look me in the eye?" I asked her.
"I..."
"Mother, I'm not stupid. Why don't you want me to spend time with Endymion? Besides the fact that he is about to be engaged to Serenity." I was getting impatient. It's as if a big mystery suddenly sprouted out of thin air.
With a resigned sigh, she stopped her pacing and sat down on the couch. "It's fate..." She murmured to herself, "Always fate..."
"What about fate?" I grew up knowing about the Fates and Destiny, but what about them? What makes them so significant to me?
"You are the second born," She told me, "Destined to be Sailor Moon." Yes, I know that "When it is time, Destiny will bring forth new Senshi, but you shall take the place of Pluto."
"What?" This was news to me. "But there is a Sailor Pluto now."
"She was my sister." Sister. Pluto was my aunt? But she looks hardly any older than myself!
"I don't understand." I said, confusion marred my brow.
"And you are not meant to."
"Serenity?" I turned around to face her, "What..." I turned back to Mother who looked away, "Mother?"
"I'm sorry." She whispered. What's going on? I don't understand...
Serenity advanced towards me, "Wondered why Endymion looked so familiar to you?" She asked and I nodded hesitantly, she wouldn't harm me, I reassured myself, I'm her sister. "It's because you two met when you were younger. Always sighing and gazing at the Earth. Pathetic!" She spat at me, "But it paid off for you. He fell in love with the darkness of the moon. The 'Lady of the Moon'"
"I still don't understand. If we knew each other... how come I don't remember?" I took another step back as she advanced.
"Because you aren't meant to fall in love. Because Endymion was meant for me." She grabbed me by the arms. Who knew she could be so strong. "But you possessed all of him and I wanted him for myself. You're not supposed to be the Moon Princess. You're just a soldier! A Sailor Senshi!" She was screaming at me now. "You are supposed to protect me! ME!" She screamed, "But you stole him away from me."
Fear penetrated me and I called wildly to Mother for help. Why wasn't she helping me?!
Serenity laughed, "There's no one who can help you now, sister of mine." She told me, "I had tried to end your existence once, but you were strong. You survived and had amnesia. I didn't mind. All the better for me. You were always my favorite Senshi. But why did you have to meet him again? Why did you have to make him fall in love again??" She shook me. I tried to fight her, but her grip was hard and I couldn't transform, why couldn't I transform?? What was happening?
"I'm sorry." I saw Mother looking at me, her hand gripping something. The ginzhoushi. She raised it high, "I'm sorry."
She was the pretty one. But I, I was the lucky one.
------------------
Ohh... I know I should be working on Sins of an Angel, but I couldn't resist. This story helped me with some writer's block and probably won't get off the ground, but I don't think it'll hurt to see what you guys think. It could be read as a stand-alone ^_^
As always, a special thank-you to Kuro Tenshi for beta'ing.