How Forever Found Us

Part One: Silver Millennium

Written by Jill Annette

CHAPTER ONE
Welcome to the Moon

Nemesis disappeared after it set the sun on fire but it would be years before the evil would be forgotten. However, unlike the inhabitants of the planet thought, what was left of the universe did not cave into chaos. The other planets learned to use more of its land for vegetation and found other ways to nourish their beings besides being so dependant. Soon they found that the burning of the sun helped the growth of the vegetation. In a way it seemed as if the spirits of the sun were still protecting the planets.

As for Queen Serenity and the princess, the years flew by quickly. Sere grew into her guardians nicely. They became best friends and did practically everything together. Now, the princess was a wonderer and she kept her guardians on their toes with where ever she may have gone off to. Sere was constantly being lost and found. She was a curious soul and well, you know how that can go.

It was near the princess's sixteenth birthday when the queen decided it was time to start looking for a suitor for her daughter. Queen Serenity grew an interest Princess Kakyuu's eldest son to marry her daughter. Kakyuu, however, would never give a definite answer, for she was untraditional and believed that her children should pick who they would like to marry. So the queen decided that her children should come as much as they like. Because the queen and Princess Kakyuu were such good friends to begin with, it did not take much effort from Queen Serenity's part to get the whole bunch over.

Seiya was eighteen, Taiki sixteen and Yaten fifteen. The three brothers looked nothing alike, save their noses held the exact same shape. When they were guests at the palace, Sere got moody. The only person she truly liked out of the bunch was Yaten and that was only because he did not pick on her like the other two—especially Seiya.

"You know your mom wants me to marry you," he would taunt when they were younger. Taiki would stand beside him making kiss faces and then they would both follow with laughter. Yaten would stay off to the side, his head bowed while his brothers were around. Once they left, Yaten would apologize for them.

Sere however would have none of it. She would not accept Yaten's apologies for them but she did take notice that Yaten wanted to keep peace between everyone. As they grew older, the taunting slowed down a bit and insults grew. "Maybe if you weren't so scrawny I would take your mother up on the whole ordeal." Seiya would say.

This would leave the princess huffing about, embarrassed by the remarks made. Somehow, the four made some sort of a friendship. They learned throughout the years to tolerate each other because they knew there would be no way they could escape. Queen Serenity tried her hardest to have her daughter grow feelings for Seiya and vice versa but it never seemed she would grow the slightest liking to him.

Hope started to leave the queen of her daughter ever falling for Seiya when the Earth Prince came to sign a waiver for the kingdom. The prince was twenty and just given rights from his father to help out with the politics of his kingdom. He was only to sign the papers if he felt convinced that the moon would be a good alliance. Endymion's father trusted him to make right what generations ago destroyed between the two kingdoms: trust for one another.

He was greeted at the gates of the Moon Kingdom by a couple, Luna and Artemis, the queen's two councils. They promptly handed him a ream of paper bound together with an unfamiliar form of glue. Endymion glanced over it quickly as he followed the two inside the castle.

"The queen wants a friendship with Earth again," Luna began as she led them down a long hallway. The soles of their shoes echoed repeatedly off the concrete walls. "The renewal of the bond must be definite and stronger than before."

"I understand," the prince said and followed the couple up a flight of stairs. "But you cannot expect me to just read over a bunch of papers and then make a decision."

Luna chuckled, "My boy, you have a lot to learn."

The shock of the informality made Endymion's eyes widen, but somehow he felt comfortable. He let the mishap slide, mainly because Artemis spoke up before the prince could say anything about it.

"No, the papers, your highness, are for you to read all that the queen proposes. Then she will set up a couple meetings over the next few days to talk about the alliance. If you feel we are sincere, you sign and we become what we used to be: friends, partners, and allies, whatever you will." Artemis explained. "Just to give you my opinion, no matter what the outcome, you cannot get rid of us. We are, of course, your nightlight."

Prince Endymion nodded.

"Well, Prince Endymion," Luna spoke up as she opened the door, "these are your quarters for the remainder of your stay. The rule is, when you are out of the meeting room you are to make yourself at home." Luna almost had the door completely shut when she stuck her head back in the door and smiled, "Oh, and dinner is at six o'clock sharp."

Again, Endymion nodded and began to wonder how exactly he got in this predicament. He set the papers on a desk near a set of glass doors that overlooked the moon's ocean. Its water was not blue like that of Earth or Mercury; instead they were perfectly clear and from what he learned in the schools of Earth, deadly to earthlings. He opened the double doors and stepped onto the terrace and breathed in the air.

The air was much different on the moon than the Earth. It is much heavier despite what you might think. Not with humidity either, just a heavier form of oxygen. So different from that of Earth in fact, Prince Endymion had to take a little blue pill when every so often to help his lungs breathe.

He heard laughter brought up by the wind and found a group of girls on the rocky shores of the ocean. They were all dressed elegantly and they walked at a leisurely pace. Sandals were carried in the hands of the girl that seemingly lead the others. As he watched, three gentlemen sauntered up to the group of girls and joined them. The tallest male wrapped an arm around the blond that lead the group for a moment before pushing her away.

The blond stumbled a little before righting herself and crossed her arms. Prince Endymion laughed when the girl stuck her tongue out in self-defense, all elegance lost on her. He closed the doors again, back inside is room. Deciding now was a better time than never Endymion sat down at the desk and began to read the queen's proposal.

-.-.-.-.-.-

Queen Serenity watched Seiya flirt with her daughter just like she had been throughout the years. However, her daughter seemed to find his flirtations downright aggravating. Time after time Sere had come in to tell her that all Seiya was good for was tormenting her and she did not understand why she had to put up with it every time he came to visit. Sere really did not understand why the queen wanted her to marry Seiya anyway. Time after time Queen Serenity had explained to her daughter the reason for marriage was convenience. If Sere were to marry Seiya, one day she would help rule the stars as well as the moon. Still, Princess Sere was adamant about keeping her distance from Seiya and never would she ever marry him. At least that is what she always told her mother.

"Cute are they not?" Queen Serenity asked her friend.

Kakyuu said not a word but raised an eyebrow instead.

It was about that time Luna and Artemis knocked on the door to announce their presence before ascending the steps up to the gazebo where Princess Kakyuu and Queen Serenity were perched. "The prince of Earth is here." Artemis announced.

The queen nodded, "Thank you." Then, looking to her friend, she said, "I guess after tonight it is all about business."

"It was a pleasant stay," Kakyuu said, "as always."

"If you will excuse me," the Queen stood and bowed her head to the princess who did the same. "Until next time."

Their stays at the palace were always when the queen had no prior arrangements; it was a custom they had grown used to. Rarely was the queen ever able to leave her kingdom and visit Kakyuu, so instead they came to the moon during the days Queen Serenity had no business to attend to. Kakyuu waited until the queen descended the stairs completely before she went to fetch her boys so they could go home.

-.-.-.-.-.-

The water glowed today because of the light from the sun. Princess Serenity found it hard to believe that just seventeen years ago, before her mother even found out she was pregnant, the sun was not on fire. The magnificent flames that lit the universe were so bright; she could only believe that the sun had forever burned. To top it all off, the father she had never met was part of the war between the Sun Kingdom and Planet Nemesis that had lasted merely weeks. Supposedly, the war was ongoing today but Nemesis was nowhere to be found.

Sere's best friends followed her along the rocky shores. They were to be with her no matter where she went. The only time Sere found herself alone was when she escaped them or at night went she slept. For the most part it was nice, the princess was always promised a companion but even as her guardians were her best friends, they still fought. Besides they were much older than she, although they looked to be her peers.

The ocean was calming to Princess Serenity. Her soul and mind were at peace when she walked this path. Waves crashed into the rocks and the seagulls that were imported from earth had been genetically enhanced for the moon's waters called for one another. Sere could never truly explain the emotions the shores of her kingdom stirred in her.

She could tell you however, the feelings were much better than those that a certain black headed boy ever stirred. Seiya sauntered up to her, his brothers close behind. Taiki with a smirk held firmly on his mouth and Yaten trailing behind both. Seiya threw an arm around the Princess's shoulders and started to walk with her. She knew he could feel her tense up at his touch but she could not stop herself.

Seiya chuckled and lowered his mouth to her ear, "You better get used to it, especially if we get married."

"We are not getting married," Serenity confirmed.

"Oh but your mother has different plans." Sometimes it seemed as if his mischievous smile never left his lips. "And if we do get married, I shall be expecting quite a bit more from you."

Princess Serenity's eyes widened and the blood rushed to her face. With her pale moon skin she turned red, even at the slightest blush. Seiya laughed and pushed her away. Not expecting the playful shove, the princess stumbled a couple steps before she was able to catch her footing again. She stuck her tongue out at Seiya because she could not think of any thing better to do and crossed her arms. Pouting never really worked on Seiya but again she could not help herself.

Princess Kakyuu arrived moments after Sere tucked her lip back in and started to continue her stroll down the beach. Sere turned back to watch Kakyuu gather her boys and told them they were leaving.

"Bye-bye princess!" Seiya called behind him.

Princess Serenity raised a hand to wave him off. "Good riddance," she muttered under her breath.