hey to anyone reading this! for those of you who know me,
you know i'm not much of one for SM fanfics, though heaven knows i love
reading enough of them! but yeah - this is something i started like a
year ago, and just now finished (tho this is only the first chapter - but
the other's will be up soon). it's a short fic - only gonna be half a dozen
chapters or so, but i hope u like it!
it's a little different b/c it's tells the story of a servant girl who
observes the whole Silver Millenium romance, but it is Serena/Darien,
for anybody curious. anyways, enough of my rambling. Happy Birthday Yami!
"Goodbye, and good luck!" Friends and family waved as Kume started along the path that would take her to the upper world. Kume's people, the Terrans, lived deep in the crust of the earth. Miles below the surface, a city had once been founded. Crystals of all value and color covered the walls of its caves in a soft glow.
Some, unused to the environment, might have claimed it a harsh way to live. In truth, it was one of the most comfortable and secure lives a person could lead. Culture thrived, and all lived in warmth felt by both the soul and body.
While this underground establishment was wholly self-sufficient, contact with the outside world was a given. All Terrans swore their allegiance and service to the royal family of Earth. A mutual friendship had been established between those living above and those below the surface of the earth.
Kume was now leaving for Kyoto, the world-wide capital where the royal persons lived. She would be fourteen tomorrow, the age when children could begin to find work in the palace. Each year, the strongest, brightest, and best children were chosen to serve in the royal court. They would spend between five and ten years there depending on how well they did their job. Then, they would be given a large sum of money and be allowed to leave, given a choice of paths for their future. To most children, the idea was a lot more exciting than the traditional mining of their people. It was a dream ever youth imagined; and now, Kume's dream was finally coming true.
Of course, not withholding the excitement of the moment, Kume was also quite nervous. She had received instructions on how to get to Kyoto, but now that she was above ground, everything seemed so much bigger. One road wound into the distance as several others joined it along the way. Most weren't marked clearly, and if there hadn't been large piles of rock every so often, Kume might have never gotten to the city.
After a few puzzling 'intersections', and countless questions asked, Kume found herself at the gate of Kyoto. Banners waved from the top of the palace somewhere across the city, but getting there was no easy task. Kume soon found herself hopelessly lost down a small, putrid alley-way. The sun was starting to turn the sky shades of orange, and Kume knew she had to hurry, or risk spending a night out on the streets.
Trying to avoid tears, Kume gathered her things closer to her, and stumbled back the way she came. Not bothering to glance up, she turned a corner and ran straight into something dark and solid which let out a surprised grunt. Kume fell backwards onto the soft dirt of the street, still clutching her belongings to her chest.
"I'm sorry. Please forgive me!" Kume begged hurriedly. "I wasn't watching where I was going. I'm so very sorry…"
"No," a soft tenor of a voice rang out. "The fault was mine."
A hand was offered to Kume who took it gratefully. Brushing herself off, she looked up for the first time into a pair of dazzling blue eyes shaded by a slight sweep of hair dark as night. His chin was carved nicely with a dashing purity to his overall expression. Slowly, Kume pulled her eyes from his face to the rest of him. The man stood clad in a tough armor and cloak with shifting colors of black and red. "Might I be of service to a beautiful young lady such as yourself?"
Is he talking to me?! Kume gasped in amazement, then told her soaring heart to relax. He must be just being polite. "Y-yes," she stammered. She had been warned about the dangers in the city, but it was getting late, and her instincts told her to trust this man. "I'm looking for the palace."
"What a coincidence. I happen to be going there myself," he smiled genuinely. "Shall I escort you?"
"I would be grateful," Kume blushed slightly.
If the man noticed, he ignored. "Good. Then come with me." He walked off once Kume stepped to his side. Expertly, he wound through the streets, making sure Kume would keep up. "By the way," he offered a short time later, "My name's Darien."
Kume smiled at this admission and remembered her manners. "I assure you it is a pleasure. You may call me Kume."
Darien left Kume at the servant's entrance at her request, then continued on to deal with whatever business had brought him. Kume presented the token she had been given to prove she had been sent, and was then admitted to the palace grounds. She was first introduced to Beryl, chief of staff, then shown around the grounds, told all the places she would need to remember. After the tour and several more introductions, Beryl let the girl retire to her chambers. The next morning, she would be presented to the king and queen and their court.
"Your highnesses," the court messenger bowed before the royal family, then addressed the king. "Kume of Terra is here to pay the respects of her people."
"Terra?" the old monarch frowned, "Terra?" The queen bent and whispered briefly in his ear. "Oh yes," he remembered. "Terra. The underground country. Send her in."
Kume stepped through the door that was opened for her, and walked shyly but steadily up to the royal persons. What caught her eye immediately was not the majesty of the king and queen, but the person standing next to them. It was the man from the day before who had helped Kume find her way. What is he doing here?
Kume stared for a long moment before remembering her place. She bowed deeply before the king and queen, then rose to address them, forcing a tremor from her voice. "Your majesties, I am Kume, your humble servant of the Terrans." The speech prepared started to flow more naturally now as her nerves settled slightly. "My people have always lived in peace with those above ground. We respect and honor your authority, hoping that this peace will continue to last for years to come."
Here Kume revealed the package she had guarded so carefully coming here. Three sparkling stones, each as big as her fist, tumbled out. The king's eyes widened. "Diamonds." Kume pronounced. They were uncommon in her world, but her mother had assured her that they were considered rare and of exceedingly high value on the surface. "A gift from my people who dig such treasures from the earth in great thanks for your taking me into your home. May I always serve you with joy in my heart, and may you forever rule with wisdom and integrity towards all." Her speech finished, Kume bowed again, waiting for reply.
"Thank you, my dear," the queen smiled warmly. "I hope that you will enjoy the palace, and be happy hear with us. We are pleased by your offer, and hope that you find us to be a second family while you are here. I am Queen Meriel, this is King Aldan, and this is our son, Prince Endymion." Here the armored man by her side bowed slightly. The queen continued her welcoming speech, but Kume lost track of her words, staring dumbfounded at the prince.
It was the same man who had accompanied her the night before. He had asked her to call him Darien! And he had allowed her to walk by his side! It was against all royal protocol she had learned. Kume couldn't believe it; the prince had been so kind to her - a servant in his own home nonetheless. It was indeed going to be a strange experience. Kume might have fainted at that moment from the shock of it all, had her own dignity not managed to grab hold of her at the last possible moment.
Endymion winked at her. Had he seen her staring? It was the ultimate shame! Luckily, he wasn't upset, and the king and queen had taken no notice of where her attention had been pulled to. Finally, the queen's speech ended. Remembering her place, Kume bowed again, then turned and quickly hurried out.
"How was it?" Beryl asked. The chief of staff had been waiting outside the main entry room.
Kume was still in a little bit of shock. "They seem very nice."
"They are," Beryl agreed. "Although the king is growing old and a little lazy. Still, the queen takes care of him. They say the prince will soon have to find a suitable companion, though no one knows who she will be," Beryl mused to herself, "Endymion has the kindest heart in the royal family. And with his looks, finding a bride should be no problem." Kume let the words sink in, almost detecting a note of sadness in Beryl's voice? Strange. There would be a lot to learn.
Beryl left Kume at the kitchens to help with the meal preparations. Kume chopped mounds of greens until her arms ached. Stopping to wipe her brow, she didn't hear footsteps behind her. "It can't be!" a teasing voice spoke up. "But it is! Little Kume, all grown up!"
Kume turned and squealed in delight, "Akito!"
He swooped her up in a gigantic hug, "It's been so long. I wasn't sure if I'd ever see you again!"
"Me neither," Kume grinned as Akito set her down. "But I worked hard, and look where I ended up!"
"Whew," Akito replied. "Seeing you sure brings back memories."
"It hasn't been that long," Kume objected.
Akito shrugged, "But it seems like forever. This place becomes your home before you realize it."
"I hope so," Kume whispered as a little bit of homesickness returned.
Akito saw this, and moved the conversation a different direction. "True, but you can always return later if you want. It won't be so bad. But tell me, what was your first impression?"
Kume laughed, "I've hardly formed one yet. Everything is still so confusing. The world up here is so open! I've been up before, but each time, I marvel at the greatness of the sky and the way the land goes on forever," she paused. "And the people. There are so many of them. At least here in the palace, all of them are nice."
"Most," Akito agreed. "Though a few have short tempers. You'll learn to get around them quickly." He reached for the buckets by his side, "Well, I ought to be off. Cook needed some more water. I'll see ya around."
"Yeah," Kume watched as he ran off. "See you." Then she turned back to the food. Somehow, the rest of the day didn't seem quite so bad anymore.
like it so far? lemme know what u think?! please?!
neways...Jadeite comes into the story next chapter & i promise Serenity will soon!
i'll be back in a couple days...after i fail my finals tomorrow... -_-
out
~joey :P
disclaimer - don't own sailor moon. don't argue.