Title: Bonded By Love

Author: Lisa

Chapter: 2

Rating: G

E-mail: LisaZUMstories@aol.com

Author's Notes:

Hey minna! Lisa here, bringing with me chapter 2! I hope you'll enjoy, and please don't forget to e-mail me! Thank you to the few who have e-mailed/contacted me about this story, I *really* do appreciate it!!!! Enjoy, and visit my co-website at the end please!! ^_^

Disclaimers: Sailor Moon and the others don't belong to me, but this story does.

*************

"What?" Serenity asked, mind still concentrating on the matters of her room. It seemed so perfect; everything organized was and put into place.

"Prince Tranquility would like to see you in his room...now," he repeated calmly, taking a handkerchief to wipe small beads of perspiration from his round forehead. "It is extremely hot outside," the middle-aged man muttered, receiving a tiny giggle from the Moon Princess.

"I would suppose it to be. All right, I will be right over," she answered with a smile and dismissed him. 'I wonder what he has to say,' she contemplated silently to herself as a frown formed on her face. 'Not any more obscene caresses, I hope.' The princess's thoughts continued on as she changed into more suitable clothes than her fancy royal dress. Besides, she did not want it soiled or she would have to face her mother's anger.

Fluctuating around in the unbelievably large closet, she found a more satisfying dress, and changed into it, fingering its silky laces. She looked beautiful in the snowy, white dress, and it was more comfortable too. "It looks as if I am ready," she commented out loud and left the room. She doubted Tranquility would be 'gentlemanly' to her as a result of the slap she had given him earlier. The princess grinned at the thought of his swelling face; he deserved that, after all.

The halls were astonishingly long and slim, easy to get lost in if one did not know her way around the palace. Luckily for Serenity, Tranquility's room was right down the hall. She straightened her dress and cleared her throat, fidgeting nervously. Her arms drooped at her side, and anyone could tell she was apprehensive at seeing her betrothed again.

The door was pressed opened with a slight nudge, and Serenity stepped inside his room meekly, purposely trying to make as little noise as humanly possible. She found his bedchambers to be amazingly furnished. 'And I thought my room was nice,' she thought with a mental sigh.

Serenity found Tranquility sitting on the bed, a smirk lingering on his features.

"Prince Tranquility," she said formally and curtsied, "you wanted to see me?"

"Serenity, no need for formalities," he responded simply, coming closer to her. Serenity felt herself back away toward the door slowly. She was afraid if he was going to do something she would not like...perchance he would kiss her again. Her lips were still stinging from it. Tears filled her eyes almost instantly. "Prince...please do not," she pleaded with him, but Tranquility only shook his head.

"Do not be afraid," he answered. "I will not hurt you. I only want to apologize to you Serenity...for my poor behavior earlier." Tranquility's eyes glimmered in the sunlit room, and Serenity could see that he was indeed sincere with his apology. "I am sorry to startle you so, and would like to start over, it that is at all possible."

Serenity felt awkward at that moment and did not know how to answer.. "I.." She felt Tranquility's eyes searching hers, desperate for her forgiveness. "Well," she said, "I cannot forgive you this quick, so I expect you to make it up to me. " Serenity surprised herself even with her smooth response. Her eyes followed his as he gently picked up her hand, planting a kiss on it. Serenity was somewhat surprised that the kiss did not feel like Endymion's kiss, how Endymion's sent slivers down her back, and this only made her feel worse.

"My pleasure, Serenity," was his reply.

"I have to go," she whispered and pulled her hand away. "Goodbye," she turned to leave, silently hoping she would never have to go in there ever again.

"Serenity..." His hand grabbed onto her small wrist, making the princess stop promptly, growing tense and stiff once more. "I will immensely look forward to seeing and dancing with you at tomorrow night's ball," was all he stated before letting the grip on her wrist go.

The blonde grew curious at the mentioning of a ball, and preceded to ask Tranquility.

"Ball? What ball, may I ask?"

Tranquility seemed surprised, and a smile formed on his face. "Why, the welcoming ball for you, your mother, and your court's arrival, of course!" Seeing the confused look on the princess's face, he inquired, "Your mother did not tell you about it?"

"No," she answered.

"Well, I suggest you begin preparing, for all eyes will be on you tomorrow night, Serenity."

The day was turning out to be a disaster for the poor princess. After finding out that her future husband is nothing like she had imagined him to be and having her first kiss stolen from her, the day was still not over. No, they had to host a big, fancy welcoming ball for all the citizens of Earth to attend to. And not to mention the fact that no one bothered to inform Serenity of the welcoming ball beforehand. Well, at least it would not take place tonight... Serenity sighed, remembering Tranquility's last words to her. "All eyes will be on you tomorrow night," she repeated them to herself. 'Great,' she thought bitterly. Serenity hated to be the center of attention, when everyone would continuously stare at her the whole time. On top of everything, the Moon Princess was extremely fatigued from her long, exhausting trip here to Earth, her new and permanent home. Exhaling another breath of air, Serenity brushed a strand of hair from her eyes, and glanced over at Tranquility.

At the moment, the prince had his back to her, seemingly oblivious of her presence. She had been standing in Tranquility's room long enough, she realized, and silence took her leave, closing the door behind her as quietly as possible.

Walking down the long hallway to her room, Serenity was deep in thought. 'He is so..' She could not think of a word to fit him. She wanted to go back home, to cancel this marriage and marry someone whom she would actually want to marry, and that would certainly not be Tranquility.

"I hope not anyway." Truthfully, Serenity knew Tranquility had no chance to make it up to her for what he did; she just said that to avoid making his enraged again. No, there was no earthly way the prince could ever earn her forgiveness.

"Hope not what?" She heard a voice behind her ask, startling her.

"Prince Endymion," she breathed, a smile forming on her face, "nice to see you again." The princess felt herself blush furiously, feeling very embarrassed for some reason. As a matter of fact, Serenity did not know why in the world she was blushing for. Endymion just had that effect on her, one no man has ever had, she realized. 'Could I be attracted to him?' Shaking her head to stop and further contemplations on that matter, Serenity forced her heart to stop racing and calmed her fast breathing.

"Princess Serenity," he greeted with a small nod of his head, "you seem to be troubled. What is the matter?" Endymion looked into her sapphire blue eyes, searching for answers.

Under his intense gaze, felt so warm, and...loved? A sudden rush of emotions ran through her entire body, sending shivers down her entire back and spine. 'What is this feeling?' She asked herself, though the answer never came. Instead, she merely shook her head. 'I just met him,' she rationalized, 'so there is nothing between us.'

"Nothing that would concern you." She wanted to take back those words the second they slipped out, seeing the hurt expression on Endymion's face. Then, Endymion's hurtful look turned into a smile.

"Oh, I see. A protective princess, right? You like to keep most things to yourself." Serenity was speechless. How did he know all that? "I respect your decision and your privacy," he finished.

"Thank you," the words came out only a whisper, "but perhaps talking it out will not hurt."

"Really?"

"Of course." Serenity accepted Endymion's outstretched hand. "To where?"

"My room," was the reply.

Serenity felt weird, going to his room. But on the other hand, she did want to see his room. Serenity was always curious and up for seeing new things and places. She liked to make the most of life, I guess you can say. "Sure," she agreed enthusiastically.

His hand wrapped around hers felt so natural to both of them. They experienced hidden emotions never felt before. And yet, those feelings scared them...deeply. Serenity and Endymion both were not the outgoing type, ones who did not show their feelings very easily. Perhaps it is that they were scared to show their true feelings..or maybe...they never found the right one.

"So Tranquility is your older brother," she said, trying to start a conversation while at the same time trying to looks around his bedchambers.

"Yes," he answered simply, letting the shades up. The orange sunlight poured into the room, encasing both of them with its eerie glow.

"He seems...different." Serenity knew that was not the right thing to say, and tried to rephrase her wording. "I mean, you two are not alike at all."

Endymion gave her a curious look. "By what means?"

"Considerably...you are much nicer and polite. You address me very formally. I believe that you should only address one casually when they feel comfortable. Tranquility...I do not know..." she trailed on, unable to find the right words. After all, Serenity did not want Endymion to have the impression that she was insulting his older brother, even though she was.

"I agree Tranquility does not quite have all her manners, perhaps he calls you Serenity since you are his betrothed, Princess," he suggested. "Tranquility and I are..unalike in some ways..in more ways than one I suppose," the prince agreed, conceptualizing the subject thoughtfully. Serenity had brought out a point to him, one he never really thought about.

"I can correspond with that," she said, "I think I will not love him." Serenity only spoke the truth. She was never the kind of person to hold things in. 'Nothing but the truth,' was her motto.

"Princess..that is a...big decision. You should get to know him and see..."

"Someone who steals my first kiss is not worthy of my love." Tears formed in her eyes, and she attempted to hold them back. "A first kiss is special..and he took that away from me..." Silent tears rolled off her cheek as Endymion understood her situation...

"Princess...I do not know what to say..." Instead of saying what he wanted to say, he embraced her tightly as she cried on her shoulder. He vowed silently to talk to Tranquility about this...

Dinner was eaten in silence as the two families could not find the right words to say to each other. Serenity wore her ball gown for the ball tonight, and picked at tiny bits and pieces of the meat they were eating. She did not seem to be enjoying herself at all with that lonesome look marring her delicate features. She was seated across from Tranquility, sitting beside her mother and the senshi. Even with that, she still was not comfortable.

Queen Serenity noticed her daughter's discomfort and tried to start a conversation. "So..it seems we like to eat in complete silence," she said, but receiving no response. "Queen Gaia, I think our children are getting along quite happily."

"As do I, Queen Serenity," Queen Gaia answered with a smile. "That is good to know."

Endymion continued to remain silent as he wiped the corner of his mouth with a napkin and got up from the table.

"May I be excused?"

Serenity wanted to talk with Endymion again, or rather be with him again, and stood up herself. "May I too, Mother?"

The room suddenly became deathly quiet as Serenity waited for an answer. "Please?" Her eyes held a pleading look, one the Queen could not bear to say no to.

"Of course," she replied with a sigh.

"Thank you," she whispered to her mother, kissing her lightly on the cheek before taking her leave.

They left the dining room together, both families seeing them holding hands. It gave them a clue as to what was going on with their children, both queens hoping their predictions were wrong. Even if Serenity and Endymion were to fall in love, it could and would never be. The people of Earth have waited so long for the joining of the Earth and moon...and the joining of Prince Tranquility and the Moon Princess. Everything was set in stone, so nothing could be helped. Serenity and Endymion's relationship was forbidden, no matter what they were beginning to feel for one another...

Tranquility watched angrily as Endymion and Serenity walked off together, hand in hand. It was not right; Serenity was his betrothed! He almost felt like leaving with them, and it took most of his willpower to stop his actions. Tranquility's dark eyes narrowed until it almost seemed like his eyes were closed. 'I am not jealous,' he thought. 'Endymion, do not do this.' The prince looked at the remains of his dinner, having lost his appetite...

The two of them walked out the door straight into the gardens for a stroll. Serenity could not help but to glance over at Endymion once in a while, then blush, realizing her mistake of taking secret glances at the young man when he was not looking. The truth of the matter was, Serenity could not take her eyes off him. To her, Endymion was the perfect man, one every woman would want. He was handsome, nice, friendly, and caring. Four things she was almost positive Tranquility would never be, no matter how hard he tried. Endymion could be the prefect husband, Serenity realized. But for now, he was just a friend, something she could trust and share her secrets with. He was there when she needed him, and that is what mattered to the princess right at the moment. She did not know what her fate was, just that she did not want to marry Tranquility. 'Who knows where this friendship with Endymion may go,' she thought to herself. 'I do not know anyway.'

They walked on, finally finding a stone bench to sit on. Kicking the stone pedestals a bit, they felt uncoordinated, incapable to say something to the other person. Their eyes met, Serenity finding herself lost in those endless depths of ocean blue. Endymion made her feel special, something she wanted from a man...preferably one she would marry.

"Save a dance for me tomorrow night," he whispered after a period of silence, causing Serenity to flush crimson red, and thus breaking the building tension between them.

"Of course, my prince," she answered gracefully, flashing him one of her best smiles in the darkness of the night.

Endymion sighed contentedly, breathing in the fresh air in the gardens. "I love being out here," he said, grinning, "this is my favorite place to think. I could stay here for hours."

The princess eyed him before saying, "I love staying in the gardens to think and such as well." She stopped, seeing a confused look on the prince's face. "I mean, back home, on the moon."

"Oh, then we have something in common, Princess Serenity."

Their eyes met yet again, and Serenity shivered under his intense gaze. "Prince..."

His hand encased hers once more as he opened his mouth to say the words that built up in his heart. "Princess...I feel...utterly attracted to you," he felt himself saying. "I wonder...do you feel the same way toward me?"

His question caught the Moon Princess off guard, for she was not expecting it. Her mouth dropped open, and she desperately attempted to keep them closed. A million answers swarmed about in her mind, though she still did not know how to answer him. Was she attracted to him? If so, could she gather up the courage to tell him?

*************

*giggles* There's a short chapter 2! I know, why is it so short, right? Well, I didn't want it to be really long...^_~ So...how is it so far? Am I rushing it? I hope not! PLEASE e-mail at LisaZUMstories@aol.com or Lisafics@sailormoon.com, or contact me on AIM at LisaZUMstories.The way I see it, if you really wanted me to continue writing this story, you would e-mail! Comments and suggestions are always welcome, just please hold back from flaming! Thanks, and be sure to visit my co-website! The URL is provided at the beginning of the story! Until the next chapter, bye!

This story written and posted April, 2001, revised/edited March, 2002.