Author's Notes: Hello everyone! Belle here! Okay, so here's the first chapter of Love Forever More I hope you enjoy it! Below is the summary! Please R & R! Thanks!
Summary: The universe is at war. A child is lost. And Serena is a normal eighteen year old girl just trying to find her way in life. After being fired from her job Jadeite comes to visit her and offers her a job within the palace. Serena will go on an adventure and maybe find her true self and true love.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. 'Nuff said.
Destruction. Fear. Those were the things that clung to the very air. Hearts racing a man and woman wove their way through the thick brush, the blood-curdling screams of their family and friends echoing in their ears. The raven haired woman heaved in a hardened sob, tears trickling down her flushed cheeks. A bundle of cloth, buried in her chest. She glanced over her shoulder and immediately regretted the hastily made decision. Thick, black smoke hovered above their heads high above, an orange glimmer burning brightly in the distance.
The attack had come from nowhere. No one had stood a chance. They had been celebrating their quarter of a century of peace, but that had been shredded within moments. She shook her head vigorously, pushing away the horrid thoughts that were beginning to plague her mind. She smiled down at the bundle in her arms, their last hope for survival. Ahead of her was a white haired man, whom she had loved for centuries, but and never spoken a word of it.
"Artemis, how much further?" she choked out, her lungs seeming to collapse from exhaustion.
"We're nearly there, Luna. Just keep pushing!" he answered, his eyes frantically searching hers, silently pleading for her to continue on.
She nodded quietly and within a couple of minutes they had entered a small clearing. They slowed to a brisk walk, eyes darting every which way for any sign of danger. None was found and they both collapsed onto the moist ground, eyes staring off into the distance.
"How is she?" Artemis questioned towards the immobile being in his companion's arms.
"She's fine…still asleep…only the Goddess Selene knows how she could still be though." Luna chuckled.
Artemis smiled, his blue eyes admiring his one true love. Her hair, though slightly dirty from twigs and billowing dust, fell perfectly in waves past her shoulders to her curvaceous waist. She was a true beauty. If only I had the balls to actually tell her instead of admiring her from afar like a cracked out creeper…
"The little angel could sleep through anything…except if the smell of food is in the air." he remarked, causing an eruption of laughter between the two of them; the type of laughter that lightens the soul and glistens in your eyes like the sun. Once they regained their composure, their eyes locked in reverence of one another. Both opened their mouth to speak, but before either one could the heart shattering sound of voices in the distance reached them. Their ears frantically twitched in panic, trying to locate which direction the voices were coming from.
Artemis looked around with dread filled eyes and grabbed Luna's free hand. He quickly led her to the correct exit and pushed her on her way. She whipped around to look at him, her amber orbs searching his face for answers.
"What are you doing?" she demanded, reaching for his hand again.
Artemis removed his hand from her grasp and took a step back. "Luna you must go. I'll hold them off for as long as I can, but you must finish the job. She's our only hope and it would do no good for her to fall with us, now would it?" He slightly winced at the pained expression on her face. Confusion and fear danced in her eyes in a taunting manner. No. He mustn't feel bad. This needed to be done. "GO! NOW!"
She took a startled step back, staring at him hesitantly before sprinting off into the night once more. She silently prayed to the Gods for her lover's safety, unshed tears blurring her vision. She wiped them away with the back of her hand and pushed onward. She tore her way through the thick foliage, low branches tearing at her legs, blood lightly seeping from the freshly opened wounds. She ignored the searing pain that shot up through her legs, repeating in her mind I must get her to safety…I must get her to safety…
After what seemed like hours she finally arrived to her destination. A beautiful lake lay before her. The surface of the water smooth, not a single ripple diminishing its beauty. Thick trees bordered the edge, flowers such as lilies and roses adorned the richly green grass. Ruins of an old manor had decorated the lake to the left in glory. It made the scene more beautiful in her opinion. This wonderful place was sacred to her people and was forbidden to any not of the Lunarian race. Inhaling sharply, she carefully walked to the center of the lake, the water only reaching her hips. Gently, she placed the slumbering child in the water. Crystal blue orbs lazily opened to stare transfixed on her, small arms reaching up to be held. When Luna did not return the gesture, a confused expression etched itself onto the infant's face. Luna's heart seemed to fall to her stomach in despair; she reached out a hand and gently grazed the baby's face.
"Shh, small one you will soon be safe," she whispered. Slowly, she removed her hand from the child and placed her pointer finger on the water's surface. A soft blue glow began to surround both her and the child as she spoke. "Oh Goddess Selene, please protect thy child. Hair of gold and eyes beguiled. Place her somewhere safe on Earth, full of wonder and of mirth." Luna then placed her thumb over the small crescent moon that adorned the infant's forehead and continued, "Conceal this sign until the time is right and she may return home to end this fight." Once finished, she removed her hand completely; the crescent moon already beginning to fade. "Goodbye, my small lady…until we meet again…" She placed a gentle kiss upon her cheek and took several steps back. Water began to swirl around the child, forming a protective barrier around her in a show of light and then disappearing completely.
Luna stared at where her princess once laid praying silently that she would be okay.
"What the hell did you just say to me?"
"You heard me…I said when are you going to give me some of that sweet ass, wench?" a rather husky man sneered, showing a couple of his front teeth had rotted out. Pimples the size of apples decorated his face, his breath smelled of stale alcohol.
"That's what I thought," came the calm reply of a rather petite blonde. She slowly walked up to him, a radiant smile engraved on her porcelain features.
As she stood before him, he took this as submission and brought his hand up to cup her rear end. She caught him by the wrist and twisted it behind his back, shoving him roughly up against the old tavern wall. Standing on her toes, she whispered closely to his hair infested ear so only he could hear. "If you ever speak to me in such a manner again, I will do more than break your wrist…understand?"
A hesitant nod was his only response before a sharp cracking could be heard and a pitiful scream tore from the man's mouth. A sinister smile painted her lips as she released him from her grip. He took his wounded hand and ran from the tavern with nary a glance over his shoulder. She emitted a slight chuckle and wiped her hands upon her already filthy apron. She swiped a couple of blonde strands away from her face that had escaped the loose plait she wore. As she turned around to continue cleaning off a table she was met with the disgruntled face of her employer. Chubby arms were crossed over his broad chest, mud-brown eyes glaring down at her.
"And what the hell was that Serena?" he barked. Serena went to open her mouth for his reply but he shoved his hand in the air causing her to close it promptly. "That's the third time this month Serena, I've told you time and time again you can't be treating our customers like that. You're a hard worker, one of the best I've had, but I'm going to have to let you go."
"But Mister Jacobson, I really need this job!" she pleaded, batting her delicately curled eyelashes.
"No, no, no! Not this time! I'm sorry Serena, but I need you to leave." The burly bartender ordered.
Sighing in defeat she removed her apron and placed it on the designated knob. She glanced around the shabby tavern, which was no longer anywhere near its glory days due to the war that was raging between the planets and not enough money circulating, but this had been her home. She had worked here ever since her parents had passed away. Thoughts of what her parents would've done to her if they had seen the way she had acted began to claw their way into her mind. Murder was the persistent one. Azure eyes wide, she left the tavern and headed straight for the woods. She needed to be alone right now to figure out what could be done to solve her little conundrum.
An hour into the forest she came to a small creek, the radiant sunlight bouncing off the multi-colored stones, creating a dazzling light display she smiled. Inhaling smoothly, the fresh scent of pine and untouched water infiltrated her nose, nearly intoxicating her. Quickly, she removed her once pink slippers from her feet and plunged them into the water. A sigh of relief escaped her slightly parted lips as she soaked in the nature around her. She had found this place when she was five years old and had visited it at least once a week since. A serene smile began to stretch across her face as she lay upon the ground, arms stretched behind her head.
"Now what to do…" she spoke softly, afraid to disturb the peace around her. She didn't get very far in her thoughts due to a man's cough behind her. Instantly sitting up she turned her head to the right, making her feel slightly dizzy. Before her stood a man who could've quite possibly been the most handsome in the entire universe. Blonde hair a little darker than hers swept gracefully over his equally perfect brows. Dark blue eyes glanced down at her with intrigue. Serena stood and dusted herself off, doing her best to conceal how many wrinkles were in her dainty pink dress.
"What do you want?" she scoffed. She figured if she didn't act afraid then he would continue on his way. This caused the God before her to laugh heartily. She glared at him, her heart to race within her chest. She would've sworn you could see it thumping vigorously but knew that was a crazy notion. She opened her mouth to speak, but he put his hand up to stop her. Why won't anyone let me talk today? She scowled and crossed her slender arms over her chest waiting for him to speak.
"Please forgive my rudeness…I should've introduced myself…my name is Jadeite an..."
"You're the Captain of the Southern Guard!" she choked out, her eyes wide at the realization. She cleared her throat and placed her oh so faithful nonchalant mask back in place. "You're quite popular around here…but then again you would be since this is one of the areas you control…"
"Indeed," he smirked, "…and you are?"
"My name is Serena."
"Ah, very pretty name for a pretty girl," he grinned.
Serena looked at him like he was slightly insane. Does that really work on women? She guessed by the try-too-hard seduce look he had plastered on his face that it must. She straightened her posture and held her head high. "Well it was nice meeting you but I must be going." She gave him a quick curtsy and prepared to take off.
"Wait, I must admit that I knew your name before you gave it to me…" Serena paused and turned to look at him. "You have quite the reputation around her as well."
Serena shrugged, "Harrowbrook is a small village. Gossip whether true or false spreads like wildfire. Best not to believe any of it."
"That may be, but I have a feeling that what I've heard about you is most definitely true."
"And what, pray tell, would that be?" she humphed.
"That you've tossed men nearly three time your size around like they were nothing but a feather. In fact, there was quite an occurrence today at the tavern I believe."
"How did you…?"
"You said it yourself, wildfire."
She stared at him curiously, a minute or two slipping by without an utterance of a word. She sighed and pushed her hair back once more. "Okay, so are you here to arrest me sir? Because let me tell you, those pigs deserved it!"
Jadeite laughed and shook his head, "No miss. I am not here to arrest you, though I'm sure that ugly fellow from earlier would find great pleasure in that, and I undoubtedly believe you when you say they deserved i. No, I am just simply curious about you is all." He saw her shoulders relax and smiled. The young girl must only be seventeen or eighteen but she appears to hold the weight of the world upon her…His thoughts were broken by the sound of her voice.
"So what would you like to know?" she questioned, her stance relaxing somewhat.
"How old are you?"
"Eighteen."
"Ah, that's what I thought. What are your parents' names?"
She looked at him uneasily, "Edward and Mary, why?"
"Just trying to get a feel of you please don't fret. Do you live with them?"
"No."
Jadeite began to notice the blonde's apprehension to his questions and he decided to probe a little more. "Well where are they?"
"Dead."
Jadeite stumbled. That's why she looked hesitant. Damn, way to shove your foot in your mouth old chap. "I'm deeply sorry, miss."
"Don't be. They died honorably. They fought in your war and died with dignity."
"My war? Don't you mean everyone's war? After all, we're fighting together to save an almost non-existent race who once were our protectors."
"Yes, I know. The all mighty Lunarians." She snorted, waving her hands in the air and trembling her knees as if she were scared.
Jadeite looked at her confused and angry at the same time, "Not all of them are all mighty as you say. Only the royal family and its protectors are gifted. Have you never heard the story?"
"What story?"
"You've got to be kidding me. Here sit down I'll give you the children's story version." He took a seat on a mossy rock and waited for her to join him.
"Should I take that as an insult?"
Jadeite rolled his eyes, "No Miss priss. It's just a shorter version. Now sit down."
His eyes followed her until she sat down in front of him. He nodded his approval and began, "Okay so once upon a time there was a magical kingdom on the Moon. There lived a race of the most beautiful people in the entire universe. However, the most beautiful of them all was Queen Serenity and in her footsteps was the baby princess, whom they addressed as small lady. Eighteen years ago almost to the day, the Lunarians invited everyone to celebrate their quarter of a century of peace. There was dancing and laughter but in moments it was all gone. A force from a planet outside of our universe called Nova attacked in the middle of the celebration and destroyed everything. It is said that the small lady was killed or kidnapped for no one knows where she is to this day. But legend has it that the One will step forward and end the war with the light radiating inside her."
Serenity sat there with a stupid grin on her face. She had tried very hard not to laugh during that ridiculous rendition of what supposedly happened. "So is this small lady the One?"
Jadeite nodded, "That is what legend says…"
"But people only think she's the one because she can't be found…what do you guys think she's doing? Training and hiding out waiting for fate to call her and then POOF the war is over? HA! That is absolutely ridiculous…very entertaining." Serena gave him a round of applause with mock laughter.
Jadeite's eye twitched in annoyance, "It's not ridiculous! Your parents fought for this belief! How could you shame them so?" Ah shit. Jadeite raised a hand to his cheek, a powerful burning sensation igniting his whole face.
"YOU DON'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MY LIFE SIR! YES, MY PARENTS FOUGHT FOR THAT BELIEF BUT THEY ALSO ABANDONED A FIVE YEAR OLD CHILD TO DO IT! I WAS LEFT ALONE AND HAVE BEEN SO SINCE THEN! DO NOT TELL ME I HAVE SHAMED MY PARENTS FOR YOU KNOW NOTHING OF WHAT YOU SPEAK!" Serena heaved in and out, oxygen rushing into her overworked lungs, her face a splotchy almost sickly red. "AND FURTHERMOREWHY THE HELL ARE YOU STILL FIGHTING A WAR THAT ONE SINGLE GIRL COULD INSTANTLY STOP? IT'S RIDICULOUS AND MORONIC! INNOCENT LIVES ARE BEING LOST EVERYDAY. PEOPLE STARVE BECAUSE OF WHAT YOU ARE DOING. YOU WANNA SAY YOU'RE FIGHTING FOR EVERYONE AND WITH EVERYONE BUT DO YOU REALISE YOU'RE KILLING EVERYONE YOUR OWN DAMN SELF?" Tears unknowingly slipped from her eyes. She swatted them away angrily and waited for his response. A clash of thunder was heard above, rain lazily falling from a rather black cloud. Irritation was boiling over and Serena swore she absolutely saw red when she looked at Jadeite and he was staring up at the sky, then the creek behind her, and then finally at her.
"Hmm, nothing to say? That's what I thought. You're just a pompous ass like the others. Good day sir. I will leave you to your thoughts. Hopefully you'll hang yourself with them." She gritted out, her eyes shooting daggers his way.
Jadeite looked up at her stunned out of his wits. He didn't know what to say. Wait, I always know what to say…who the hell is this girl? He was one hundred percent listening to her every word but something had caught his attention. The weather had been absolutely beautiful and then this ominous black cloud and seemingly appeared out of nowhere and then he happened to look at the creek and saw it boiling. He had finally looked at her and had wanted to say something but once again knew of nothing to say.
"Wait! Before you go will you please allow me the privilege of asking one more question?"
Serena turned around sharply, her heels sending dirt flying around her. "What do you want from me?" She shuddered as another clash of thunder rolled above. This did not go unnoticed by Jadeite.
"Does it always rain when you're upset and crying?" he asked.
Serena looked dumbfounded, "What a stupid question! I don't know I've never paid attention. Why would that even matter?"
Jadeite stood and shrugged, "Just a theory I'm working on, no need to worry." Smiling he took her hand in his and placed a gentle peck on her knuckles. "Would you like me to escort you back to your house?" Please say no. Please say no.
"No, thank you. I can manage. Besides I don't think I want a creep like you knowing where I live…no offense."
Jadeite nearly toppled over. What the hell? "Uh…none taken…I guess…" He scratched the back of his head, staring at her like she could quite possibly be the spawn of Satan. Her personality definitely doesn't suit her angelic looks. That could work in our benefit….ah shit she's walking away….ummm….okay…here goes nothing…
"Serena!" he shouted, holding up his hand he formed a fireball and launched it straight at her back. He sent up a silent prayer that his theory would be correct because if he wasn't then he would probably draw and quarter himself. Jadeite got in a stance ready to grab Serena if she did not turn around. Just as he was about to leap she gracefully turned around and out of nowhere she shot a water disc at the threat, cutting it in half and extinguishing it.
She looked down at her hands, her fingers trembling uncontrollably. She glanced up at him and then the creek and then back to her hands. Shock, amazement, and fear danced in her eyes. Jadeite smiled in satisfaction as he proved his theory correct but his silent celebration did not last. The next thing he knew a five foot two blonde beauty was on top of him pounding his chest with her fists.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU? HUH? WHAT WERE YOU TRYING TO DO? YOU COULD'VE KILLED ME YOU ARROGANT ASS!" she screamed, her eyes ablaze. Her hands found their way around his neck and she started to beat his head into the ground.
He grabbed her wrists and pulled them away from his throbbing neck. Definitely will have some awful bruises tomorrow…I can already see the guys and the jokes I'll have to suffer through…he groaned inwardly, and rolled Serena off of him. Once he was back on his feet he helped her onto hers. "No, I was not trying to kill you…was just testing a theory of mine."
"And what theory would that be?"
"That you will discover in time. First and foremost, I would like to offer you a position in the Palace Guard. You'll earn a nice pay and have accommodations provided for you."
Serena quirked a slender, golden eyebrow. "What's the catch?"
Jadeite held his hands up in surrender, "No catch…the branch you will be serving is with the King and an elite group of others who have…gifts…like you do. There are women in the group as well so never fear you'll get to talk your mindless prattle to open ears."
Serena smacked him upside the head, "Anything else I should know?"
"It's a need to know basis and I really don't trust the people in your village…so you will be debriefed at headquarters…that is if you decide to accept the offer."
"Why do you want me?" she asked quietly, her eyes staring at the ground.
"Because you're a beautiful, witty, smart-ass woman who can kick ass in every sense of the word. You'll be a great help to us…" he encouraged, a smile forming on his Adonis features. And more special than I think anyone knows.
Serena stood there quietly pondering her choices. She could either stay in this rundown town for the rest of her life or she could go with Jadeite and experience not only the world but the universe as well. She snorted. Like that's much of a choice, Sere. She glanced up at the man who had nearly killed her in an attempt to prove himself right but she had never felt safer. This town would never supply her a sense of safety and nothing exciting ever happened unless she provoked it. No, she knew what she must do and needed to do for herself. Stiffly, she tucked her hair behind her ear for the third time within a couple hours, nearly giving up on it all together and sighed, "Fine…when do we leave?"
"We'll leave at first light. The journey is only a half a days' ride from here. That should be enough time for you to pack essentials and say goodbyes, right?"
Serena looked away from him and nodded, "Alright, I will meet you then at the entrance to the village." She gave him a curt nod and walked away.
Jadeite smiled mischievously. Oh the King is going to love this one.