I hope everyone enjoyed the last chapter. I worked hard to get it out so soon after chapter two. Also, sorry about the delay! Please don't give up on me! I had my son's first birthday to plan and other things that needed my attention, but it won't happen again. Look for chapter five next week.

"Cursed"

By: LunaBell

The silence was unsettling. Upon waking, Serenity had taken it upon herself to explore her new accommodations. She needed something to take her mind off the silence. Not finding much in the writing table, she began to go through the trunk at the end of the bed. At first, it appeared to hold nothing except clothing, but at the bottom she came across a small, wooden chest. Running her hands over the exterior, she couldn't help but feel that she had seen it somewhere before. She looked about nervously before setting it on the floor and lifting the lid. There were many documents on top, but as she removed them she came to an abrupt stop.

There, encased in a small white picture frame, was a picture of her.

She couldn't have been more than three. She set the picture aside as she lifted out a child's sketch of a family. There was a mom and dad, both of which were holding hands with a small girl, but in the corner was another man. Underneath the drawing was written, 'We miss you Sammy. Come home soon. –Bunny.'

The sketch fluttered from her numb fingers as she realized what she was seeing. It had been years since she'd thought of her older brother. Sammy had left home when she was three, and she had very few memories of him.

This is where her brother had disappeared to.

She remembered his few visits and receiving gifts for her birthday, but they had stopped all of a sudden. She had asked her mom why she never received any letters or gifts from her brother anymore, but all that accomplished was to make her mother cry. So she never mentioned him again and, with time, forgot she even had a sibling.

"But why was he here?" She asked herself as she moved towards the door.

She wanted answers.

As she made her way down the hall she overheard raised voices. Recognizing Kunzite's deep baritone, she quickly made her way toward the commotion. Finally, she found the room where the argument was taking place. Placing her ear to the door she listened as they bickered.

"We need to tell him."

"Sure, Kunz! Let's tell Endy that Sam had a younger sister. He kept her existence from us for a reason, though at the moment I can't really see it." It sounded as if Jadeite were pacing.

"Perhaps he had meant to tell us, but never got the chance."

"Zoi, that makes no sense. He lived here for eight years. Don't you think a sister would have been brought up a time or two in that long of a time period?" Nephrite asked.

The sound of a chair scraping along the floor could be heard as one of the Generals stood. "I don't care why he didn't tell us. She is now in our care and we must let Endymion know that we plan to protect her - even if it is from our king and friend."

"Yes, I'm just glad that he had confided in Rita." This came from Zoicite.

All of a sudden the door was yanked open, sending Serenity sprawling on the floor. Looking up she almost laughed at their expressions. Attempting to find a more dignified stance, she pulled herself into a sitting position. "Well, gentlemen, I'm not sure why Sammy never mentioned me, but I think it would be safe to say, it was probably for a good reason." At this point she had managed to right herself.

Clearing his throat, Nephrite offered Serenity a hand. "What exactly were you doing roaming the halls, Serenity?" he asked.

She turned a becoming shade of pink before answering. "Actually, I was looking for you gentlemen. I found my brother's personal effects in my room and wanted to ask you some questions."

The men looked at each other, not really sure of what to say. It was ultimately Kunzite who asked, "What exactly did you want to ask us?" even though he already knew the answer.

"What happened to Sammy? I haven't heard from him since I was ten. Is he still here? Please, just tell me something." she implored as she looked amongst them.

A sudden chill went through the room, announcing a new arrival. "He's dead. He's been gone for ten years now." was the chilling answer.

Everyone turned to see Endymion standing in the doorway.

Shaking her head, Serenity took a step toward him. "I don't understand. He would have only been eighteen. He was always healthy, never sick. How could he have died?"

It couldn't be true! Sammy had always been so strong. It just couldn't be true. Turning blazing eyes on Endymion, it all came together. "What did you do? It was you, wasn't it?"

It was with no emotion that he answered, "Yes, it was me. He was attempting to bind my powers. I killed him in a blind rage, and he gave me these," he gestures to his horns, "to remind me of the innocent life I took."

Nobody could stop her.

Serenity threw herself at Endymion with enough strength to knock them both to the ground, where she proceeded to beat at his chest.

"Why? He didn't deserve to die! It should have been you! I needed him! I cursed him when he didn't return. I blamed him for not being there to save them, and the whole time he was already gone!" Serenity broke off as sobs racked her body, but continued to strike the man beneath her.

She never felt the gentle hands that lifted her off Endymion, but had no choice but to accept Jadeite's embrace. The others helped up their king.

"It wasn't her fault, sire. She just found out her brother is dead. Do not punish her for something she couldn't control." Nephrite pleaded.

"You think I don't know that? Take her back to her room. We will address this matter later tonight." And with one last glance at the weeping Serenity, he took his leave.

Serenity didn't remember being brought back to her room, though she vaguely recalled being lifted into Jadeite's arms. It had taken her a good hour to cry herself out, and another to get control of the shaking of her limbs.

She sighed.

It wasn't that it was hard to except. No, she had considered him dead for years, though not in literal terms. She had blamed him for their parent's deaths. He hadn't been there to stop it. Serenity closed her eyes as memories assailed her.

Flashback

It was summer. The heat was almost too much to bear as eleven year old Serenity continued to clean the small cottage that her family called home. Mother had gone outside to work in the garden, while Father was busy hunting down dinner.
Pulling out a chair from their small table, she gazed out the window at the not so distant sunset. With a sigh, Serenity returned to her chores as her mother made her way inside.

With night fast approaching her mother became more agitated. It wasn't like her father to take this long.

Both turned to the door as it was slammed open. There, framed in the doorway, stood her father panting heavily.

"Kenji! What is the matter? Did something happen?" her mother asked as she neared her husband.

Grabbing his wife, Kenji roughly shoved her further into the house before barricading the door. "They have come! I thought that they would have forgotten her by now, but I saw their party on the road. They are coming here, and that can only mean one thing-they know we have her!"

"But that can't be! How could they have found out? She should have been pronounced dead years ago!" Ikuko exclaimed.

Confused, Serenity looked back and forth between her parents. "Mom, I don't understand. Who is coming?"

"Serenity, I want you to hind in the hole." Kenji said as he peaked out the window.

The hole was a small compartment hidden beneath the floor of their home. It had been made by Sammy and Kenji at some point before Serenity's memory. The door was well hidden beneath the window seat, into which you had to crawl before even reaching the holes entrance.

Serenity was terrified.

She had been made to hide in it many times as a child. It was to get her used to it incase of any real danger. Oh, how she had pleaded not to be put in that dark space. It had never been for very long, but the short spans were enough to make her dread the next time. She hated the dark, cramped hole with her whole being!

At her hesitation, Ikuko came forward to pull her toward the window seat. "Please, Serenity! There isn't much time."

Serenity turned her fearful eyes to her father.

Catching the fear in her gaze Kenji came forward. "I'm sorry, Bunny. I know you hate it, but it's for your safety. Just remember that no matter what you hear-you do not come out without our permission. I want you to remain quiet and move as little as possible."

Kissing her forehead, he nudged her gently into the crawlspace.

It took her no more than three seconds to reach the holes entrance, at which she hesitated a mere heartbeat before sliding it open and dropping inside. Pulling it closed she sat down and drew her knees up to her chest.

She would not panic!

It wasn't long before the sounds of horses could be heard outside the small cottage. Two seconds later the pounding began as an angry voice from outside demanded entrance.

"You have no business here. Kindly remove yourself from my land!" It was her father's voice raised in anger.

A loud crash quickly followed Kenji's demand. Seconds later, Serenity heard her mother screaming mixed with the sound of combat. Covering her ears, Serenity attempted to block out the horrendous sounds coming from above.

She cried silently long after the screaming had stopped and the sounds of the cottage being turned upside down ceased.

Leaning forward, she strained to hear what was going on above her. She could hear enraged voices outside the cabin, but couldn't catch what they were saying. Ten minutes later it didn't matter.

They had set her home on fire!

Terrified, Serenity clawed her way free of her hiding place. The cottage was already up in flames. Remembering the low window in Sammy's old room she scooted from beneath the window seat and made a dash for the back bedroom.

She was nearly there when she tripped. Turning to see what had toppled her, Serenity cried out in anguish at the sight of her father. Pulling herself forward she reached his side. There was so much blood. Thinking him dead she started to get up. It was the coughing that stopped her.

Turning back she dropped to his side. "Papa! Hold on, Papa. I'll get you out of here. I'll help you!"

He shook his head wearily. "No, daughter. There is no hope for me. I'm as good at dead. You must get out before…before the fire spreads."

"What about Mama! I need to look-"

"No! She is gone Serenity. You must get out." He shuddered before putting his hand against her cheek. "I love you, Bunny. You brought joy to your Mama and I. We wouldn't trade our time with you for the world. Go now, before it is too late."

Leaning down, Serenity placed a soft kiss to her father's cheek. Sitting up she closed his sightless eyes and sent up a quick prayer for her parents souls.

It didn't take her long to reach Sammy's room. She prayed that the men responsible weren't watching the back of the house before crawling through the small window. No one was around. Picking up her skirts she ran hell bent for the woods surrounding the back of her home.

Just before disappearing into the foliage, she took a minute to turn back. It was with a heavy heart that she watched the roof cave. Her parents were dead. Sammy was gone. All was lost.

With one last glance Serenity was gone.

End Flashback

It had been years since she had thought of that night. She had grieved for her parents deeply. She never remembered making her way through the forest. It was weeks later when she finally came out of her shock and found herself in the care of Kodoba Miniko.

It was the start of her new life. Her life of hell.

Well, there you have it! I'm truly sorry for the delay and promise to have the next chapter up soon. Thanx to everyone who left comments, your advice and praise are much appreciated.

LunaBell