Angel with an Appetite
Serenity wandered aimlessly around the halls trying to remember what direction the kitchen was in but at every turn she took her mind drew a blank as to what direction she should be going. Her tummy let out a loud growl again and in response she tried talking to it to calm it. "Calm down tummy, I promise that once I find my way around this labyrinth of a palace I will fill you with all the food I can find" she soothed her grumbling organ."Now if only I could find somewhere I recognize.." she trailed off as she turned a corner and ran right into someone knocking her over for the second time in one day.
"I am terribly sorry Miss; I did not see you there! Are you alright?" A rather tall man with curly brown hair and matching brown eyes extended a hand out to the fallen princess. "May I be of some assistance madam?" he asked as he pulled her up from the floor and made sure she was on her feet before continuing "My name is General Nephrite lady, and what might yours be? He said keeping a hold of her hand and bringing it up to his lips to kiss.
'My, these earthlings are polite, I run into them and they apologize to me?' she mused to herself.
"You may call me Usagi good sir" she said with a giggle when she realized he still had a hold of her hand. "And I believe you may be of some assistance to me if you know your way around this palace." She smiled at him as she managed to get her hand back and dusted herself off from her fall.
"Oh? And how might that particular knowledge help you lady Usagi? Are you lost by chance? Roaming the hallways at this hour is not a usual activity of women of your status you know." He kindly joked.
"Well yes I suppose I do look rather suspicious do I not? Well I assure you I am not up to any mischief, I am merely in search of the kitchen, I missed dinner and" another loud grumble ripped from her stomach and she slightly blushed when she looked down at her tummy and back up at Nephrite.
"Your stomach did not like that did it?" he finished for her with a laugh at the woman's situation.
"No I think not. Would you be so kind as to point me in the right direction to the kitchen so I might remedy my problem?"
"I can do better than that lady" he said slyly taking hold of her hand again and leading her down a hallway. "I can take you there myself, and it just so happens I happen to be a first rate chef so maybe if you are lucky I can whip you up something special." 'And maybe I'll get something in return too' he thought to himself.
As they walked Nephrite filled the silence between them with polite conversation. "So Lady Usagi, how did you come to miss dinner in the first place? Usually it is customary by our King for all Ladies here for the Prince's hand to attend dinner so they may be seen by the King himself." He informed her as they walked
"Well, if only the ladies here for the Prince's hand are under orders to attend dinner then I guess I have broken no rules, the only prince's hand I have been on since my arrival has been young Darres". She let out a light laugh, much to Nephrite's delight. "I had planned to be there none the less but I was caught up by other activities, I am afraid. General Jadeite and Darres took me on a ride to this charming little stream and we lost track of time and did not return until just now."
'Wow Jed I give you credit going after a looker like her, I hope you don't mind some competition buddy' he mentally chuckled as he secretly looked Serenity up and down taking special interest in her blue eyes and shapely form. 'A girl like her doesn't come around everyday and I don't intend to let her go so easily, get ready for a fight Jed.'
"So have you seen much of the palace then?" he questioned her as they turned down another corridor and stopped in front of a brown door. "Ah, we are here Lady, come inside with me and I will see what I can whip up for us on such short notice." He escorted her inside and around d several large stoves and ovens covered in pots and expensive looking cooking gadgets to a small island on one side of the kitchen and pulled a small stool out for her to sit on as he worked his way around the kitchen opening drawers and cabinets.
"I have seen a good deal of the palace to answer your question before, Darres took it upon himself to be my guide today and I must admit he did a pretty good job for one so young." She spoke as he watched him open a large refrigerator door and pull something out. "What are you making by the way?" she asked curiously as she watched Nephrite place a pan on the stove and turn on a burner under it.
"Just something simple to calm that growling beast of a tummy of yours Lady Usagi" he smiled at her as he cracked some eggs into a bowl he had pulled out from underneath the counter.
"Just Usagi please, I hate all the formality I always receive in these palaces."
"Well then how would you like to try a new type of omelet that I have been experimenting with Usagi?"
"That sounds wonderful! What's in it?" She asked as she got up from her stool and came up behind Nephrite in an attempt to sneak a peek over his shoulder only to find that his broad shoulders and height did not allow her any better view than her previous position on her stool. 'Hmm but he is kind of nice to stand next to, maybe I can have a little fun with this after all' she giggled.
"It's a secret Usagi, and what fun would a secret be if I told you?" he laughed back at her amused with her attempts to see over his shoulder as he added various ingredients into the bowl. .
"Please tell me?" She asked sweetly "If you tell me I'll do anything you want" she thought for a second and then added "well anything within reason anyway." At this Nephrite let a giant smile creep across his face and turned towards the princess.
"You really want to know that bad?" he inquired as he poured the contents of the bowl into the heated pan.
"Yes! I hate secrets that I don't get to be part of, just name something and it's done, just please tell me! I promise I won't tell anyone else." Nephrite thought for a few minutes as the omelet cooked on the stove and glanced at Serenity to see her looking at him expectantly and in return to her stare he finally answered
"Lady you make a very tempting offer, I will tell you, but first you have to sit down and eat it before it gets cold. How does that sound?" he asked as he grabbed a clean plate and set it in front of Serenity then handed her utensils to eat with.
"I accept your terms General Nephrite"
"Just Nephrite lady, if I need not use such formalities with you then it is only fair to you to not use such formalities with me" he quipped.
"Alright Nephrite, but I still want to know what's in this omelet of yours when I have finished it. She cut off a piece of omelet and started eating "Goddess this is delicious! You surely did not lie when you said you were a first rate chef. I wish I could take you back home with me to cook for me all the time." She managed to get in before taking another large bite.
"Well Usagi I am sorry to say that I doubt my Prince would allow me to follow you, being one of his top generals, as much as I would love to do so" he said with a wink in her direction, "but I would not mind cooking for you at any time during the duration of your stay here if that would make up for it." He glanced at her with a smile then turned back to grab the sandwich he had just prepared for himself while Serenity ate and sat down on a stool across from her.
After meeting Serenity he had almost forgotten the reason he was up and about this hour. His stomach had been growling also and during the process of making Serenity's omelet his stomach took it upon itself to remind him that it too wanted food. The pair ate in relative silence except for Serenity's sighs of approval as she ate. It took her almost no time at all to finish and soon she sat before an empty plate and a look of yearning in her eyes as she stared in Nephrite's direction. At first glance Nephrite had though she was looking at him but upon closer examination he found that she was actually looking at the other half of his sandwich that sat right in front of him.
"Neph would you mind sharing that sandwich?" she asked sweetly using a nickname in endearment as she slid her stool next to his and fluttered her eyelashes at him, "Please?" she added with a puppy dog face that nobody could refuse and placed her chin on his shoulder .
'Oh god she's cute, and quite the appetite on that one. Usually the girls only eat the smallest amount and complain about getting fat, I think I like a girl that can keep up with my appetite.' He mused to himself as he handed the other half of his sandwich over dejectedly.
She didn't know why she felt comfortable enough to be so close to Nephrite but it just seemed natural to fool around with him like she would a brother. Nephrite was ecstatic that she was so playful and played right along with her.
"Thank you Neph!" she exclaimed happily as she reached for the sandwich. "But on one condition" he said pulling the sandwhich back and holding it just out of her reach "You have to do something else for me other than the one thing you owe me for telling you what's in your omelet."
"You never did tell me what was in that you know, I do not know if that counts as owing you a favor."
"Oh but it does, because I will tell you eventually, do you accept my terms?" he asked with a cocky grin on his face still keeping the sandwich out of Serenity's reach. She attempted to jump up and grab the sandwich but he was just too tall for her reach. Her hands, even after jumping only made it half way up his arms andafter a few attempts she gave in and left her arms resting on his chest as she admitted defeat.
"Yes, yes, can I please have the sandwich now?" she said almost angrily.
"Here you go princess" he said endearingly and handed the sandwich down to her.
"You didn't have to be so mean about it" she mumbled to him as she took a bite of the sandwich and immediately stopped talking. 'Oh this is good. It was so worth the trouble' she continued eating and Nephrite just sat back down and watched her as she ate happily.
'Now there is a real woman' he thought to himself and flashed her a grin when she looked back at him after taking the last bite of her sandwich. "That was very good, thank you Nephrite."
"It was my pleasure Usagi, it's not every night I get to share a meal with a beautiful woman such as yourself." He said kindly. She blushed in response to his comment and leaned forward and gave him a small kiss on his cheek in gratitude.
"Thank you Neph but you're not off the hook yet, you still owe me a secret recipe." She giggled at him
"And you owe me two favors now Usagi." He answered her. "So what do I owe you for the sandwich?" Usagi inquired
"Oh nothing that you can not handle I promise, talk to me for awhile and keep me company tonight." he answered with a gleam in his eye and a cocky grin on his face.
Serenity did not miss the double meaning he hinted towardswith his words but because she was a lady she ignored the little voice in her head and played along. The pair spent a good deal of the rest of the night there in the kitchen talking about everything that popped into their heads and they were totally oblivious to the hour of the morning they stayed up to. When the morning kitchen staff started showing up for their posts for the day to start preparations for breakfast they were surprised to see Usagi and Nephrite happily conversing as if they were old friends sitting on stools in the middle of the kitchen.Whether she had meant to or not she had kept her promise and spent the night with him but not in the way he had intended for sure, but Neph seemed to being enjoying himself as they cheerfully prepared to make thier exit.
"It seems we have worn out our welcome here Usagi, let us move our conversation to another location where we won't get flogged with spoons or have flour thrown at us." Nephrite spoke as they both rose from their stools and arm in arm left the kitchen after being scolded several times by the cook that they were in the way.
"Surly they wouldn't really do that would they?" Usagi asked amused.
"Oh I wouldn't put it past Sarah, she tends to be very cranky in the morning, and most of the time Michael is not much better." He chuckled to Usagi. "That's why I usually stay out of the kitchen unless it's after they are gone, like at night."
"So then where should we continue…" her sentence was cut off by a large yawn "our conversation" she finished a moment later
"Well it seems that one of us is a little tired, perhaps now would be a good time to escort you back to your room and we could take a short intermission for some sleep and continue later?" Nephrite questioned.
"I think that would be a wonderful idea Nephrite, I think I could use some sleep and then perhaps we could meet again for lunch?" she inquired as they walked back toward her room.
"I think that can be arranged Lady, if I remember correctly you said you enjoyed riding did you not?"
"I did"
"Well then maybe would you like to join me and perhaps a small company on a picnic for lunch? I could show you some more of the country side and I will make food to bring along. How does that sound?"
Serenity stopped in front of her door and turned towards Nephrite, "That sounds wonderful! But I am afraid this is where we part until later, but I look forward to this afternoon. What time and where should I meet you?"
"How about by the stables around noon? Is that sufficient beauty rest for you?" he mocked her.
"Well that is cutting it close but I think I can mange it" she mocked back
"Very well then Usagi I will see you this afternoon, sleep well." With his last statement he gave her a kiss on the hand and she in turn gave him a parting kiss on the cheek.
"I'll be looking forward to it Neph, and don't forget you still owe me a secret recipe." She said as she opened her door and walked through the doorway throwing him a wink over her shoulder before dissapearing from his sight.
"And you still owe me a favor." He reminded her as she closed her door. He chuckled to himself and wandered off to go catch up on the sleep he had missed and to prepare for this afternoon.
In her room Serenity changed into an extra set of night clothes Queen Terra had lent her and climbed into her large and comfortable bed right next to the still slumbering Darres. "Good night little prince" she whispered and gave him a soft kiss on his forehead before laying her own head down and quickly falling asleep.
Not to far away down the hall Endymion was tossing and turning in his sleep and finally abruptly shot up into a sitting position in his bed breathing hard and fast. His previous dream still lingered in his head.
Her angelic face with that golden blonde hair and silky smooth skin was burned into his mind. A memory of a great celebration with countless roses of all colors of the rainbow decorating the large meadow outside of the Palace still hung in his mind. Her golden hair had been braided elaborately around her head with some sections free to hang down and blow in the wind. A delicate crown of roses had been decorating her head and she wore a simple but elegant white dress of silk that fit her perfectly and made her look more beautiful then he could have ever imagined. She wore a long string of pearls around her neck and a matching pair of pearl earrings in her ears. She had been holding a bouquet of red roses and had an elegant diamond ring adorning her ring finger on her left hand. She had just smiled at him and said she was the happiest woman in the universe to be marrying the man of her dreams and had just started leaning in for a kiss when he found himself sitting up in bed in his own room.
'It was just a dream? Damn it! It seemed so real, and she was right there, I saw her, I touched her. How could she be gone again? Am I allowed no pleasure in my life? I had her in my arms and we were married!' As much as he tried he couldn't get her image out of his head and he finally gave up and got out of bed to go for a walk to try and clear his head. He exited his room and was surprised to see Nephrite walking down the hallway towards him.
"Hey Neph what are you doing up so late?"
"Don't you mean early Endymion? And I might ask you the same question." He retorted
"I had a dream that I can't seem to get out of my head so I was hoping that a short walk would clear my head. What's your excuse?" he asked as he joined Nephrite on his walk back towards his chambers, "Oh nothing special just getting a midnight snack." He laughed to himself in memory of how little of his snack he actually got thanks to Usagi's appetite.
"What's so funny?" Endymion questioned when he noticed Nephrite's chuckle.
"Oh nothing, just thinking of an angel with a very big appetite." He answered with a smile.
"Angels with appetites? What are you talking about? Angels don't eat, have you been cooking something up in the kitchen again?" he looked quizzically at his friend and general.
"No I assure you that concoction was a one time occurrence not to be repeated. Let's just leave it as I had a good night." He responded to his friend with a smile growing on his face.
Endymion spared a sideways glance at his friend and noticed his grin 'I've seen that grin before' he thought as he tried to place the look. "Neph you dog! Who was she?" he burst out when he finally remembered the last time he had seen that look on his face. "Was it one of the princesses?" he asked while giving him a somewhat menacing stare.
"No, oh fearless leader, I am not trying to steal your precious princesses, she's not here for you anyway. But she is very beautiful, a lot prettier than I've seen around here for a very long time." He thought for a second, "actually I have yet to see her equal" he finished.
"Neph you say that about every woman you find attractive, that means nothing to me anymore."
"Oh you say that now but you haven't seen beauty until you've seen my little bunny, and we spent the WHOLE night together." He commented using a play on Usagi's name that Darres had named her for.
"A bunny Neph? What kind of a name is that, even for a nickname? Are you going soft on me buddy? She better not have been a real bunny becasue that's just sick man." he laughed
"Oh you'll see man, I promise you when you see her you'll understand" 'then I'll be the one laughing at you' he added to himself. "and of course she's real, don't everaccuse me of something thatobscene again, it wounds a man's pride." he added rather put off.
"I think you're pride can handle a few blows Neph."
"Well whether it can or can't either way I need some sleep, I have a very important meeting scheduled later today so I must be going, good luck with your dream, maybe we can discuss this more in depth later on?"
"Yeah sure Neph, I guess we can talk later, good night"
"Don't you mean good morning?"
"Whatever man, just go to sleep." The prince answered with a huff.
"If you say so your majesty." He replied jokingly and gave him a bow before heading down to his room.
'Neph's being awfully strange this morning; I wonder what's gotten into him? Now he's just like the rest of them….no matter, in a few hours I will have my search party assembled and ready to scavenge the whole palace for my mystery angel and then I can figure out why my generals have been acting so oddly.' The prince walked down the hall unknowingly passing the room of the very person his thoughts were of and continued down the hall in an attempt to clear his mind of his dreams of the mystery girl that stole his heart.
I apologize to everyone that this took so increadibly long to get out but my schedule has just been hectic with softball and class and work all at once i've been a little over whelmed. Thanks to everyone who reviewed and keeps checking in on me. Hopefully i'll find some more time and get some more chapters up for you guys quicker, i promise i won't give up on this story as long as you guys still want to read it.
special thanks goes out to Serenichii again for making sure i ddin't fall off the face of the earth, thanks for caring, you helped alot in getting this last chapter out.
inn0c3nt ang3l: Serenity is indeed too old for darres and there will be no funny bussiness like that in this story, i just like making them miss each other because then when they meet it will be all the sweeter, keep reading and i promise they will find each other...eventually.
daisy31: you were right with your guesses as you can see and don't worry about daddy dearest, he'll be showing up soon enough, i have a plan that i am working the kinks out of that envolves both father and son meeting Serenity, just keep reading and i promise i'll do my best to keep you happy.
