Cactus Ambush

Summary: Arizona, a land of desert, it holds death and beauty for all who pass through. Set in feudal times, three kingdoms balance precariously. Each kingdom has something the other wants, and there have been peaceful trades, until now.

Started: 2/7/2012

Ended:

By: Rakusa -Hey look, that's me! :)

AN: So, this isn't a story I even thought about writing in the past, but now that there is an image stuck in my head, I have to see where it leads me. A sort of AR/AU but not too bad of one. I think you'll like it. The setting on this one might not jive right at first, but please, bare with me, I think it will be sort of fun. Also, individual chapters might have a time warp, I'll let you know before hand if that's the case. P.S. Ami's going to be my main friend in this story, Makoto is in Under the Rags, Mina in Blond Adventures, Haruka in Endymion and lesser in UtR, and Rei... well, she's kind of hard to miss in all stories. I like to give each of them their time to shine as a main secondary character. Hope you enjoy!

Chapter 1

It was the first meeting that any of them remembered. They were sure when Serenity was born, they had been hauled out to see her then as well. When they were born, the other's mother had been pregnant or had just given birth, so meetings had been held off. All three children of the Royal households though did not remember the first time, so this time had to be the first as far as they were concerned.

Their parents greeted one another with open arms and polite bows and smiles spreading across their faces. All of the children saw through it, but it was their parents' business, not their own. Demando's entourage had arrived first. However Endymion's had followed within the hour.

Serenity sat back, with Ami, her trusted friend and confidant. Serenity was in a flowing yellow dress, perfect for the heat that beat down on them this summer, and while it was breathable, it also kept her covered and regal. Ami had managed to get the stain out where her left knee was shortly before her mother looked her over to make sure she was presentable.

Serenity's hand shot out to grab Ami's in her nervousness and excitement, they had never done something like this. Ami's cool chubby hand was comforting around hers as she too watched what was going on in front of them. Ami wasn't supposed to be there, but Serenity had insisted and the Queen had relented. Secretly pleased though, because she knew Ami was liable to keep Serenity in order longer.

The man who stood in front of her mother was tall and kind looking, he had flowing white hair to his waist with periodic braids within. His wife had long wavy dark hair and had two buns on top of her head before it fanned out around her. Serenity looked at the woman and touched her own head, wondering what she would look like if she mimicked the woman's style. There was also a slight bump at the woman's waist. She looked like she could be very strict.

The Queen, Serenity's mother, came forward, her long silver dress moving with her long legs as she went out to greet them from the shaded shelter of their palace. "King Artemis, Queen Luna, how pleased I am that you could come. I understand that you are expecting, I would have suggested we come to you, had I known."

"Nonsense Selene my dear." Artemis took Selene's hands in his own and kissed them. "It has long been agreed that this should be the meeting place. It is between our kingdoms without making us trek through the harshest part of the desert."

Luna's face cracked a polite smile, but it was closed lipped. "It is rather beautiful out here, I rarely get a chance to see it."

"Your own country is beautiful." Selene sighed as she remembered where they hailed from. "I wish I could visit there more often."

"Perhaps, in time." Luna agreed, her eyes seeking out the shaded portion of the palace, not to get out of the heat, but looking for something in particular. "You seem to be missing a few members of your family."

"I see not all of yours is present either." Selene held a hand over her eyes in search of someone more. Serenity tugged on Ami's hand as she pointed to a boy coming out from behind his father's legs.

Ami patted Serenity's hand as she too saw the boy who took after his father in looks. Serenity came forward as well, pulling Ami along behind her until they reached the edge of the shade and then released her friend to join her mother. Queen Luna placed a hand on her son's back and pushed him forward while Serenity grabbed hold of her mother's skirt. "You'll remember my son, Prince Demando."

The boy looked up at his father who nodded at him to go on even as Selene spoke. "And my daughter, Princess Serenity."

Serenity didn't need any urging as she went forward between the gap in adults and curtsied to them. "Pleased to meet you." She smiled brightly at Demando.

He gave her a measuring look and then left his parents' side and bowed to her. "Pleasure to see you again." Serenity gave him an odd look and then recalled her mother had schooled her on their history with these people only that morning. The day before had been on the need to know about their friends to the North.

"I have set up entertainment for your family while we wait on the rest of guests." Serenity gestured towards the palace and all that waited behind the white stucco facade.

"We shall be pleased to view it." Luna's voice held some excitement now, but she still withheld it from showing as much as she could and she kept a straight face.

Serenity couldn't stop her own as she made one at how stuffy the woman seemed. Luna caught her action and despite the woman, a smile crept up her features and she bestowed it on the small girl. Serenity beamed back at her, realizing that it wasn't all there was to this woman.

Selene was mortified that her daughter would, well, act her age and let her displeasure be known. At least though, Selene thanked the gods, that she did not voice her opinion as well and that Luna took it so well.

Artemis covered the small silence that had befallen them and took Selene's arm in his as Luna trailed after with Demando in tow. "I was saddened to hear about the King's demise, I wish that I could have attended his funeral, but that was an impossible time for me to get away."

"I understand completely. It was not an ideal time for us either, but we managed and though the loss is felt greatly by all here, we have pulled through."

"Beautifully well." Artemis praised and Serenity heard the voices fade. Demando glanced back at Serenity as they passed through the hall, but her attendance wasn't required for now and it wouldn't be again until they saw the arrival signs of their next guests. Ami was waiting for her on the steps as she joined her friend, they hadn't even noticed her as they passed. Selene had sent a smile at her though and Ami didn't feel completely unnoticed.

Serenity did a flurious, bowed then when she straightened she held out her small pudgy arm to Ami. "Shall we go in, my dear Ami?"

Ami giggled and put her hand on Serenity's arm. "We shall, and what should we see within?"

Serenity's nose wrinkled. "The same thing we see every day and you shall love it."

They ran off to play for awhile, thinking they had all the time in the world, and possibly need to change before the other arrived, but it was not to be. They had barely gotten to where they were going, when they heard the sound that Serenity's attendance was needed once more.

Serenity ran to her mother, Ami hot on her heels, they were both laughing and Serenity practically ran into the elder's back when she realized that she was already greeting their newest arrivals. This did not make a great impression on the boy who stood proudly in front of his parents already, looking at the palace with a slight disdain and that gaze was transferred onto her without a change in expression, in fact it seemed to get stronger. Serenity wanted to know what he didn't like about her home.

Serenity was rumpled and her hair was sticking in a few different directions as she curtsied and her mother tried not to chide her in front of their guests. Ami, luckily had stopped again in the shadows, unseen by their guests and watching with avid fascination.

"Ah!" Violet eyes took in Serenity and she was swept up into a hug. "The little princess is all grown up!" Serenity was pressed uncomfortably close in this stranger's arms. "The last I saw you, you were only a baby." Then Serenity was set down so the woman could see her clearly. "You are as cute as a button. Selene, you are one lucky woman. I would love to have a daughter."

The young prince frowned slightly at that, but no one but Serenity had seen it. There was now a glare in his eyes as he looked at her, obviously there was now further animosity towards her without having merited any of it by her own doing. Serenity bowed her head so she would no longer have to see those dark blue eyes stare daggers into her. Doing so meant that she wasn't able to take in his parents clearer. He hadn't even said hello. That sparked a bit of fire into Serenity, this was her land, and she had been polite to him! She raised her head and glared balefully back at him. Then she turned her attention to the adults as they spoke and she tried to perfect her dutiful princess act, though she was antsy and wanted to leave to go play again. This was all so boring!

She was shifting from side to side as she watched them greet each other, the women greeted one another a bit more warmly than the last couple, though Artemis had been pleasant enough. The man held back, his eyes sweeping over everything in sight, as if trying to memorize every little detail. He looked down at her for a moment, but he seemed bored and then his eyes left her. Serenity didn't like him. Serenity liked everyone, but she didn't like him. She narrowed her eyes, craning her head back to look up at him, he looked like his son, but with less rounded features.

Serenity felt a hand on her head and she looked up at her mother, smiling widely and over-pleasantly and Selene smiled down at her and then gestured with her head towards the palace. Serenity beamed and curtsied to the new royal family and then bolted for Ami. She grabbed Ami's hand as she passed the other girl and then they were running through the palace again. When they were through the doors, Serenity tripped on her long dress and went tumbling onto the ground, getting her yellow dress exceedingly dirty.

Ami stood back from Serenity and then started laughing, holding her stomach as she tried not to bend over from it. Serenity scowled up at her friend and hip-checked her when she finally got back to her feet. Ami was still laughing as they continued to where they were originally going.

–

Serenity saw the boys again that night while the three Royal families ate dinner. Ami and the other nobles sat away from them, but still in the same room. Demando was shy and Endymion wasn't in the mood to talk. Serenity pushed her food around, it was all too healthy for her tastes, too green. She might have enjoyed it if her company was a bit more friendly. Usually she sat with Ami and the two jabbered the entire time with one another.

They didn't seem to be into eating either.

Serenity looked for her mother's eyes, trying to convey how awkward this all was to her, but her mother only smiled gently at her and then turned her head to continue her conversation with Queen Raye.

Serenity started building food mounds for something to do. Ami wasn't even facing her, and only every once in awhile they could send secret messages at one when Ami turned around to face her, but couldn't do that too often. Ami turned just then and Serenity knew she was amused at the predicament Serenity found herself in and then tried to reassure her that tomorrow they'd have fun. Serenity relayed her thanks.

The boys weren't even talking to one another, seeming to be immune to the knowledge that there was another being with them. They didn't dislike one another, but they had no interest in the boy their age. Serenity was three years their junior and it wasn't a huge deal at this age, but she was still a girl and that added a factor to uncool to friend her. It was like three individuals eating in their own little bubbles. Serenity tried to start a conversation yet again, but it was ignored by Endymion and Demando didn't respond for whatever reason.

Serenity was growing frustrated, if this is what she had to look forward to for the next week, she'd throw a fit! As it was, she was bouncing in her chair, dying to be excused from this room and so she could do something else. Luckily, Selene dismissed her daughter and Ami's parents let her go as well. Demando and Endymion remained behind as most of the noble children left at that time. They were to have one final group lesson before it was time to go to bed, but Serenity would have one more following the one for all noble children. The final one would be for her ears alone as sole heir to their kingdom, and information she would need for her future.

–

The next day, all pleasantries were off. Not that they weren't polite or cordial, but it was time to get down to brass tactics, as they were discussing the... eh Serenity didn't really know or care what her mother was discussing with the other families, it was just knowledge that she and the other two royal kids would be sitting through first a math lesson and then a science one before they were let go for a few hours. Demando and Endymion though weren't in her lesson, they had the reverse schedule she did as they were ahead of her in age and thus were also ahead of her in lessons and there was only one teacher for all three of them. Thankfully for the instructor, Endymion and Demando were the same age, and so the instructors only had to do two lessons and not three.

Though Serenity found out later that day that Endymion was farther ahead of his age and that tomorrow there would need to be three different lessons to accommodate all of their different levels. Every subject was that way, though there were a few that Serenity was in with both Demando and then Endymion as she too excelled at certain topics but there were a few she was clearly the weakest of all three. No wonder he was so pompous and aloof.

In the meantime though, they were walking with Ami along the river that ran through their palace. It was wide and deep and the land on either side was green and rich. "It takes up most of your palace grounds." Endymion finally spoke and Serenity was about to respond when he continued. "It would have been wiser to build away from it and not use up valuable land to build walls around a small section."

The river was largely encased and they were only on the south part of the river, they couldn't even see where it ended with more walls ensconcing it. It was also the narrowest section of the bendy waterbed that meandered through all of the palace so all could enjoy it at all times. The land that was inside was tended to by palace farmers and the food was produced and used for all who lived in the palace. The rest of it was available for their citizens to farm as they pleased.

"Do you have a river, Endymion?" Demando asked and Serenity heard stories about their two lands and yearned to see both.

"Not where I can readily visit." Endymion admitted. "It is not nearly as large as this one is either. And do you have one, Demando?"

"Similar to your own answer." Demando answered.

"Then you do not know the joys of having such a wonderful thing at hand!" Serenity seemed excited for the first time, not only that they spoke, but also that she could show them something new. "Come on, I shall show you!"

She shared a look with Ami who nodded her agreement and they led the boys to the banks, it dropped off quickly but the water was calm and only had a slow flow. Ami and Serenity were behind each boy, and on a silent count to three, they pushed the boys in before running and jumping in themselves. There was a lot of splashes all at once and guards sprang forward towards the children, not expecting such actions, though those of Serenity's had.

It was easy to get back to the bank if one wanted to, they just had to paddle a short distance and then once mud, they could walk up the rest of the way. However that required them all to be sufficient at swimming and neither Serenity nor Ami had accounted for that, both assuming that it was a natural ability all knew how to do. Serenity and Ami resurfaced but Endymion and Demando were struggling to stay above the water's edge, though it wasn't difficult to do. Endymion was faring only a little better than Demando and Serenity and Ami both hooked an arm around the blond and pulled him to the edge. He sat there, panting and spluttering up water and they turned to Endymion but one of the guards had already reached for him and pulled him to safety.

Serenity stood on the grass, looking at the Princes with a bowed head, knowing she was in trouble and her mother would be coming down hard on her at any moment once they told their stories to their parents, if they didn't, the guards would be whispering the tales in their rulers' ears. "I am truly sorry." Serenity muttered, Ami stood behind her, completely drenched as well, but she had always been the best swimmer and she was only sorry that her princess was in trouble and that the boys hadn't fared so well. Neither realized just how bad things could have gotten if they hadn't gotten the boys out in time.

Selene was in front as the parents were pulled out of their meeting to deal with their children. "You!" She pulled her daughter to a halt as Serenity tried to slink away with Ami. The other girl gave Serenity an apologetic look as Serenity pushed her on to go and save her own hide. "I thought Ami would be a good influence on you! She is calmer, collected and more driven to learn and succeed in her studies. I never thought she would be egging you on in your careless behavior! You are a princess, Serenity, not a commoner, not a noble, this behavior is not acceptable for someone of your class!"

"Excuse me." Endymion spoke up and though his black bangs hung heavily in his eyes from the dripping water that slid down his face, he still looked up at the angry Queen unwavering as if he was her better and a full adult male who wasn't wet. "It is not her fault. She only wanted to show us what we were missing out by not being part of her Kingdom. I am grateful for what she has enlightened upon me."

Serenity wasn't sure why he was doing that, she had nearly drowned him and he didn't like her! They hadn't helped him out and he had been saved by his guard. She hadn't done anything for him. Selene pursed her lips, but Raye stepped forward and lovingly moved the bangs from her son's eyes. "He's fine, they both are. I heard that the Princess and her friend might have been the cause for this, but they had also saved Prince Demando before turning to help Endymion. Give her a break, she is only six and has already shown much bravery and courage. She should be commended."

"Even if that is so, she is a Princess and must be held to a higher standard." Selene looked at her daughter who was looking up at her with pleading eyes not to be punished. Selene sighed. "I am too soft on you. Go on, go change and be back for lunch." She waved Serenity away and Serenity ran to where she knew Ami was watching. The two ran off towards Serenity's room to both change into her other dresses.

Endymion was watching the entire thing, absorbing every detail of this situation. His eyes flickered to his father who looked bored and already annoyed to have to deal with something like this. The man's eyes rested on Endymion and the dark green gaze seared into him. Endymion straightened further and his face became a mask with no emotions. His mother's hand was still at the base of his neck, her fingers rubbing a calmly motion on it, but it was useless when his father was looking at him like that. He was told to go change and he nodded stiffly, walking off towards the guest area with Demando at his heels.

–

The rest of the week their lessons were longer as they had more subjects at one time to keep them all occupied together before being let out for lunch and then a break before having more lessons once more.

On the third day, Demando found Serenity and Ami swimming and playing in the river. They didn't go too far from where they were taught each day as the days were busy and with the visiting royals, they weren't allowed to be too far from their parents. That meant that they couldn't explore the rest of the river and so they were where they had been earlier in the week.

He squatted at the edge and looked hesitantly into the depths not to far from where he was. Serenity and Ami smiled at him and waved, even inviting him in if he wished. "Could the two of you do me a favor?" They stopped what they were doing and swam closer to him, their outer dresses were on the bank beside him, but nobody cared.

"What's that, my Prince?" Ami asked as she did a back-crawl along the edge.

"Could the two of you teach me how to swim?" He seemed unsure of his question and if it was an imposition, especially with all the lessons they currently had to sit through.

"Sure!" Serenity squealed coming out of the water and taking his hand in both of hers, she was so excited to share this knowledge with him. Her cherub features were just beaming away.

"Though in five days I'm not sure how much we can teach you, as we don't really know the mechanics of it ourselves." Ami cautioned, coming out to stand with Serenity.

"That's all right, not sinking will be a start, and becoming comfortable with it." Demando explained. "One never knows when it will be helpful."

Serenity's head bobbed away as she agreed with him. Then she spotted Endymion standing not too far away, but in the shade of the palace. "Would you like to join us? We could teach you both!"

Endymion scowled at her. "I think not. One brush with death is enough for me."

Serenity's nose scrunched up at him, clearly annoyed that he was being such a downer. "Come on." She tugged on Demando's hand. "Get out of your heavy clothes and come into the water with us. No shoes necessary!"

Demando knocked them off and then stripped down to his lowest layers and waded into the water up to his knees. This so far wasn't so bad. Then he went further, until he was shoulder deep and it felt odd.

"Ok, now we want you to lie down, like this." Serenity demonstrated lying on her back and floating but when he tried, he went under.

Ami caught him and gave him some finer details, like keeping his butt up, but not too far, trying to lie flat. "Keep your neck straight. If your ears are touching the water, you're doing fine."

"And breathe!" Serenity reminded as she returned to treading water. "That's the most important part when you swim."

Endymion watched it all. He watched it that day and he watched it for the next four as Demando got more confident in the water and was even able to do a bit of swimming on his back and also vertical. Endymion took it all in and listened to every detail the girls gave the blond boy and watched them in action as well, doing things that they didn't yet teach. His eyes sought Serenity as she stayed back to talk to a few teachers and she'd come up with new points to add the following swimming lesson and Endymion realized that when the golden headed girl decided to do something, she did it with gusto.

Then the night before the week was up, Endymion stripped to his lowest layers and walked confidently into the river and then walked back out a few hours later, having managed to learn how to swim vicariously. He caught a small movement in the dark, but he wasn't sure what it was.

The next day though, it was easy to figure out as they were leaving and Serenity was grinning ear to ear, looking like she knew a secret. She even hugged him goodbye, the only other time she had touched him was when she had pushed him into the river that second day.

They were to leave at the same time as Demando's family and as they were going, Serenity's features looked sad to see them go, or at least Demando as the two had become fast friends, laughing and giggling when they were alone or with Ami. As soon as Endymion arrived though, that would cut off and they'd become serious once more, though every once and awhile a giggle would still escape Serenity if whatever they had been talking about had been exceedingly funny. Endymion had an uncomfortable feeling they sometimes were talking about him but he could never prove it if that was the case.

Endymion looked behind him once when they were already passed the gates to the water kingdom, the ivory stucco adobe stood out along the yellow-orange sand like a beacon of peace and a paradise oasis. Endymion found that he might actually miss it and the strange creature that called herself princess.

They would all see each other again in Demando's playground when his younger sibling was born. Endymion's jaw squared at the thought of being in the other boy's territory, not looking forward to that journey. Though he offered no ill-will towards the boy his age but opposite in looks, in fact, once the shyness abated, he might be fun to be around. He had no thoughts however that perhaps the shyness remained while Endymion was in the room was due to Endymion himself.

EAN: How'd we like? I haven't written a story yet that had all of them under the age we find them in the anime. Though Taken Away has a younger Serenity for a few chapters. I imagine her pretty much the same as that, but not the same as if she were raised by the Tsukinos since birth in Tokyo. What are your opinions on young Demando and Endymion? They can't be totally badass yet, they're only 9, they are kids after all but filters of their personalities are coming through a little.