Title: The Trainer

Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon

Authors Notes: Welcome back! Here's another chapter to get things going. Thank you to everyone who reviewed and commented. I really appreciate the community here, and how wonderful and supportive everyone is.

The journey to Herion was not overly long, but Serenity always felt her excitement wane within a few miles of the palace. At first, she waved to the people, smiled and laughed at the children running beside their carriage, and admired the beauty of Luna.

And then they hit the mountains and the trees were too close to see anything.

She sighed for the thousandth time.

"Would you stop!" Endymion said. "We get it, you're bored."

"You could entertain me," she said to him. He was sitting atop his horse, trotting beside the open carriage. She leaned her elbow on the edge, looking at him with a pout.

"You could entertain yourself," he said back with a smile.

"I suppose I could ogle you like my mother says I always do."

Her mother tsked but said nothing beside her.

"Let's see," Serenity pretended to really look at him, and he shook his head and pretended not to be bothered. "I suppose your shoulders are not all that bad."

Her mother smothered a laugh.

"How flattering," Endymion said.

"But you really need to do something about your hair," she said with a look of distaste.

He ran a hand through his inky black hair, and part of it stood up before falling back down. He had beautiful hair, but when he focused on training, he always messed it up and had it sticking up around him. He smiled, shaking his head to try and tame it.

"And your manners," she sighed dramatically. "Raised in a cave, I'm certain of it."

He seems happy, looking ahead of them with amusement all over his face. "What do manners do for me?" He asked.

"Apparently they're everything," she drawled. "You know you could insult a king by using the wrong fork!"

"I'm not sure a king who would be insulted by my use of utensils is someone I could respect," he said.

"Me neither," she pretended to whisper back.

"Don't teach her bad habits, Endymion," the queen warned.

Serenity watched him for a moment because she really couldn't help it. She couldn't remember a time she'd ever seen him slouch. And yet he seemed casual, holding the reins loosely in one hand, swaying slightly with the moment, like at this moment, he didn't have a care in the world. She liked that he was happy. There was a time he'd been serious all the time, his eyes distant, like he couldn't see through whatever pain he'd endured. Now he looked...

He could her looking at him, and she quickly looked away, sitting back in her seat with a huff. "I should have brought a book."

"Indeed, my darling," her mother said, flipping the page in her own book.

Serenity looked at her with wide open eyes and pouted slightly.

Her mother held off for a few moments before she rolled her eyes and handed her book to her daughter, making Endymion burst out laughing as Serenity smiled in triumph.

Herion was a city of stone. Grey and smooth, it was beautiful and dense in a way that Serenity had always found breathtaking. The stone was polished until it shone like marble, and the entire castle was built into the side of a cliff. She was certain it would take more force than she could comprehend to bring it down. Herion had won the games twice in a row. Their people were as strong as the rocks around them.

The city was decorated in preparation for the games. Streamers and banners lined the streets, and the celebrations had already begun. They could hear drums, loud and thundering, and Serenity smiled in excitement as they neared the castle.

Endymion had a silent way about him when he was focused. She didn't have time to wonder why he was so serious as he rode closer to the side of the carriage, motioning for the guards to take formation around them. He was not their captain, but they followed him without question.

"Look what they've done with the ivy," Serenity said in amazement. Her mother smiled beside her.

"They've painted it red," the Queen said as she glanced at Endymion, and then carefully folded her arms in her lap, and faced straight ahead.

"It looks like the castle is bleeding!"

"It's meant to mimic the legend of our fighter god and the river of blood."

Serenity tried to reach out and grab some as they passed but was surprised when Endymion moved to block her reach. She looked up at him, his gaze focused to the front. She finally recognized the tension in his jaw. He was protecting her.

She sat back beside her mother without another word.

"If he's worried, then we need to keep our eyes open," her mother said softly.

Serenity nodded. Endymion was not a guard or a soldier. He was not responsible for the protection of the royal family. He was an advisor more than anything else. And yet when he moved, they all moved. If he sensed danger, they took up formation. If he moved to protect them, they followed.

"Do you think there is danger here?"

"I shouldn't think so," her mother said. "Herion is known for their strength and army, but they are not a violent people. I have always found their King a man of kindness and respect. But we are not the only visitors at this time."

Serenity barely remembered the games from seven years ago. She had been little more than a child. She wondered if her mother had been protective then.

She looked back at Endymion. Seven years ago he'd already been with them, but not in the same way he was now. She remembered him the day he'd come, in the throne room, bowing low, asking for permission to live in Luna. He'd promised to stay hidden, to never cause trouble, and to stay out of their way.

She frowned at the memory. She didn't think of it often because it seemed he had always been in her life. But now she remembered how thin he'd been. Tall and malnourished, like he hadn't eaten a full meal in months. And yet his strength had always been there in his eyes. She remembered the way he'd turned to look at her when she'd been noticed. His gaze had been fierce.

He glanced at her, and she gave him a tight smile. She saw him relax slightly and give her a tight smile back, before looking ahead once more. What would her life have been like, if he'd really disappeared into the woods to live hidden and away?

As soon as they reached the castle, it was a whirlwind of activity. They greeted the kind old king, and then hurried up to their rooms to change for the evening's celebration. There was a welcome party to mark the beginning of the games. Not a royal ball where one had to be invited, but an open event that anyone could attend. Everyone dressed up and no one cared who was royal and who was not. At least that was the intention.

Dressed in her finest blue silk dress, Serenity tried to keep her forced smile on her face as she was greeted by yet another prince. She remembered him from a few years ago, and the same arrogance was on his face. An eyebrow lifted as he looked at her, that haughty certainty that he was more desirable than the others.

"We will have the third dance," he said.

Serenity felt her mother grab her elbow tightly. "Indeed," she said. "I believe the third dance was taken by…"

He waved his hand, cutting her off. "You will rearrange. The third dance. I will find you then."

The moment he was gone Serenity turned to her mother. "No."

Her mother laughed. "He is rather full of himself."

"He's a pompous ass."

Her mother held her fan in front of her face to hide her smile.

"And the one before him was worse!"

"He was a nice boy."

"He had sweaty hands, a red face and he kept standing too close."

Her mother bit her lip. "Your choices are somewhat awful, aren't they," she teased. "What has happened to royalty."

"I had hoped some of them would be married already, and no longer on my list of potential suitors."

"You were hoping they would all be married, and your list whittled down to nothing."

"Not one," she said. "Not a single one married. But is it any wonder? I cannot be the only princess dismayed at the lack of refinement."

"There are no princesses left, my dear."

She turned to her mother. "What?"

"Have you not noticed? Count them Serenity. How many kingdoms have royal daughters?"

She had never thought of it before. She only counted two. One older than her, already married to the first son of Amalthea named Nephrite. They had married before Serenity had become a woman. And then Titan's daughter was still much too young. She had been born after the last games.

"I'm the only choice?"

"You're the best choice, my dear. Once you are married, they will go after their noble ladies and make alliances. But until you have chosen, they are all hoping to be rulers of Luna."

Well that made things more difficult for her. It made her uncomfortable that she was so desired. She realized then that it wasn't just the sons looking at her, but their fathers and mothers as well. She swallowed nervously.

Endymion moved through the crowd towards them, and she was relieved he was there.

"You and I have to dance the third dance."

He raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

"Serenity," her mother chided.

"What? You can't honestly believe I'm going to let that horrible boy order me around like that. I told him I had other plans for the third dance."

"But you didn't, not until now."

"Just because Endymion didn't know the plans, doesn't mean I didn't have them. Besides, I knew he wouldn't say no."

"Just for that, I'm no longer sorry to inform you that I am currently engaged for the third dance."

She pouted at him, her eyes wide.

"Don't try guilting me into it, I actually have promised the first few dances to other ladies."

"You have?" She asked surprised.

He raised an eyebrow at her. "You've been ogling me for years, tonight other ladies have the chance."

She crossed her arms but didn't say anything, and her mother laughed.

"I didn't consider that tonight is not just for my daughter to meet her possible husbands. Have any young ladies stood out to you?" Her mother asked.

He shrugged. "I'm not swayed by beauty alone. I'd rather find an intelligent woman considered plain, than someone who cannot think for themselves."

Serenity looked around the room, trying to distract herself from this conversation. She was very pointedly ignoring the way her stomach had started hurting and her heart was beating too loudly. Who had he decided to dance with? She looked at the beautiful young women all around her. So many of them. Her choices were few, where his were too many to count.

And she knew they would want him. She was teased about ogling him, but she'd always admired him. He was too handsome for his own good, and he was kind and charming. He had a respectable position in Luna, had made himself a good life, and was here in a place of honour. His only downfall was the mystery of his heritage. But if anyone could prove how little that mattered, it was Endymion.

"Serenity?"

She realized she'd missed a question, and tried to smile. "I'm sorry, I was distracted. What did you say?"

"I said I could free up the sixth dance if necessary," Endymion said.

She turned away. "That's okay. Have fun tonight," she said, moving to leave their company. She knew it would seem strange to them, but she was starting to feel flustered and she had to get out of there. She was glad that he hadn't made a move to follow her, and at the same time disappointed. Thankfully, she was distracted before she could let that feeling take over.

"Serenity?"

She turned to look at the voice and smiled happily at the young woman she recognized. Princess Lita, who had married Nephrite, the Prince of Amalthea.

"Lita, you look beautiful," Serenity said hugging her.

"And you look like someone just stepped on your heart," Lita said knowingly.

Serenity sighed. "Sometimes it's a bother to be a princess."

Lita laughed, taking her hand. "Come now, it's not so bad. I found a man to marry who is both good and generous. It's not impossible."

"I know." She looked around at the men in the room. Because it was so full, she couldn't see any of the princes she was supposed to consider as possible husbands. She was almost glad of it. Instead, she saw Endymion whisk a lovely young woman onto the dance floor. His beautiful smile was genuine, and something within her chest cracked at the sight of him smiling at the young, red-haired girl with the bright green eyes. Her smile was too bright. She was blushing at being so close to him. What woman wouldn't?

"Are you alright?" Lita asked, her voice turning to worry.

Serenity nodded. "Fine. Let's find something to eat."

Lita took her hand tightly and they turned to the food tables. But when they got there she couldn't bring herself to eat anything.

This wasn't like her. She'd always felt connected to him since the moment he'd turned up in Luna. But she'd always known she would marry a prince, and so had been careful to keep him at a distance. They teased and bantered, but it was always with an understanding of friendship.

"It hurts you, to see him with another?"

She looked at Lita and felt tears in her eyes. Lita had always been a friend. Serenity didn't know her as much as she'd like, but Lita always seemed to turn up when Serenity needed her. This was one of those moments.

"Sometimes I take him for granted, I think. Tonight is the first time I've ever… he's never tried to find…" she shook her head. "I think my mother did it on purpose, tease him about finding a wife. She did it to remind me that one day I won't have him in my life the same way I do now."

"He'll always work for the royal family of Luna."

"But he won't always be my friend the way he is now."

"You don't know that."

She did know that. One day she would be Queen, and Endymion would have to serve her and her new husband. Right now she was young and their teasing was thought of as childish innocence. But that would change when he had a wife, and teasing him about his fondness for the princess wouldn't be tolerated. The thought of him having a wife made her want to flee this room as fast as she could.

"You could always tell him how you feel," Lita said.

"What would that accomplish?"

Lita shrugged softly. "Nothing, other than getting it off your chest."

"How is that fair to him?"

Lita smiled then, almost knowingly. "I don't think he'd mind."

Serenity turned back to see him dancing with the young girl. He still smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. His gaze briefly scanned the crowd, to rest on her. He smiled, but she quickly turned away back to Lita.

"I think your first dance is here," Lita said as a prince moved towards them.

Serenity sighed. "Here we go."

She danced five dances and then disappeared for the sixth. If Endymion had been joking, she didn't want to find out. She knew it was selfish, but she couldn't shake it. He'd danced with a few ladies, each one more beautiful than the last. Each one young and wealthy. Each one a perfect match for him.

She found her mother when the sixth dance ended.

"Endymion was looking for you," she said softly.

Serenity smiled. "Oh, I didn't realize. I hope he wasn't too disappointed."

Her mother looked at her seriously, concern in her eyes. "Are you alright, my darling?"

"Of course."

Her mother continued watching her but didn't push anymore. They turned to the King of Herion and smiled, and introductions were made to his youngest son, who was three years younger than Serenity.

As they were talking, Serenity felt Endymion's presence as he came up behind them. She felt her heart flutter and refused to look at him, even when her mother turned to smile at him.

"Please excuse me," Serenity said, curtseying quickly and moving to walk out onto the balcony. She'd cut the king off mid-sentence, and the man had looked bewildered. But she couldn't even stand close to Endymion anymore. It had changed so quickly, and now she was afraid because she could feel it changing around her, and she was afraid of what it meant.

"Wait."

Serenity ignored his voice. She kept moving, pretending she hadn't heard him. He wouldn't follow her. It would look too suspicious. That's why she was so surprised when she exited out onto the balcony and felt his warm hand gently grab her arm.

Her heart leapt into her throat as she turned to look at him. His deep blue eyes were full of worry. She swallowed hard, hating that she suddenly realized how attracted to him she was.

Well, that wasn't true, it wasn't so sudden. She'd only refused to let herself feel it.

"What's wrong?" He asked, and his voice was deep and warm like it always was when he was worried about her.

"Nothing," she said. It was a struggle for her to pull away from him, but she forced herself to do it. "I'm just feeling a little warm."

There were others on the balcony, and she was aware of their gazes. She turned away from him and walked towards the railing.

"You know you can talk to me," he tried again.

She looked up at the moon, wishing he would leave. "It's just my future," she said, half lying. "I hate seeing my choices like this, all together. It makes me realize that I might never find someone I could be happy with."

"Don't think that," he said, and she hated how caring his voice was as he moved to lean on the rail beside her. "There's no hurry. You have time to get to know them."

She didn't want him to give her advice about love and marriage. In her mind, she could picture a future with him. She saw herself grow old with him, have children with him and love passionately with him. This man who knew her better than anyone.

"You missed our dance," he teased.

She looked away.

She felt him sigh, almost as if he was resigning himself to her stubborn mood. He knew when he couldn't shake it from her. It made her sad to realize this is what she'd have to do from now on, push him away. Now that she realized just how happy she could be with him, she couldn't allow the teasing anymore. It would hurt too much.

She felt his large hand cover hers on the railing, and the lump in her throat grew until it hurt.

"I know what you're thinking," he said softly.

She shook her head. "No, you don't."

"I hope I do," he said softly. "Maybe it's better if it's only in my head."

She turned and looked at him now, confused. "What do you mean?"

She was surprised that he wasn't looking at her as confidently as he normally did, and he gulped like he was nervous. She'd never seen him nervous before. It made her heart flutter wildly, and she forgot how to breathe.

"If you feel half for me what I feel for you," he said in little more than a whisper. "Then just maybe now you understand how hard it is for me to tease you about your future husband, or try and make you feel better when you're sad about your choices. If I had a choice…" he looked away.

Not caring who saw, she turned towards him and hugged him tightly. She tried to stop her tears as he hugged her tightly back.

She clenched her teeth, torn between relief and fear. She felt the warmth of him all around her, the strength of him keeping her safe. She shouldn't let herself do this, but she wanted to believe he was possible.

"What do we do?" She asked shakily.

He held her close, breathing her in. "What we have too," he said. "I'll continue to protect you, as I always have. You will look towards your kingdom before your own happiness, as you always have. We will find a way."

"Why couldn't you be a prince?"

She felt him smile against her hair, and he breathed out a laugh. "And you would call me pompous like the rest of them, and we never would have gotten to know one another as we have."

She sniffed, moving away from him. "That's true."

He smiled softly at her, gently brushing her tears away. "For now, let's celebrate together. We'll dance and eat too many sweets."

She laughed.

"We don't have to decide our entire lives tonight. I understand more than anyone that things can change at a moment's notice. Today we see a dark future, separated from one another. Tomorrow could bring a new opportunity."

"I hope so," she breathed.

"Come on. You missed our last dance, so I think you owe me."

She grimaced. "I think I promised the next dance to someone else."

"Well, I'll apologize for their disappointment afterwards."

She smiled gently at him, still feeling shaken. But she felt better knowing that he understood. And if he liked her as much as she liked him, then he wasn't really looking for a wife seriously. But one day he would.

The rest of the night passed in a more festive mood. Serenity felt lighter with Endymion beside her and even managed to roll her eyes when her mother teased her about how easily Endymion always knew how to make her feel better. She would talk to her mother later about the teasing. It would have to stop.

Dancing with Endymion simply put to shame all the other princes she danced with. Endymion was stronger and more confident and led without hesitation. It really was too bad he wasn't a prince. He certainly could pass for one.

When the fireworks signalled the end of the night, he held her hand tightly, and she tried to stop her thudding heart from coming out of her chest.

End of chapter two.