Disclaimer:
Sailor Moon and the characters do not belong to me… All standard disclaimers apply.
A part of you has grown in me.
And so you see, it's you and me
Together forever and never apart,
Maybe in distance, but never in heart.
– by Anonymous –
They stood in stunned silence and watched in mute fascination as the blood seeped from Endymion, as Serenity became frantic—as the tears flowed like they'd never stop.
It was Mina who first broke the sudden and eerie silence by cursing loudly. Serenity was physically safe now, but she didn't appear anywhere near the emotional stability they'd hoped for.
There had been no sound from her chambers when they'd first reached the long corridor, but that didn't mean there was not a struggle inside—for the chambers were soundproof, sealed with the ancient wood and plaster. Worried now more than ever, all of them held weapons at the ready and burst into the Queen's bedchambers, ready to defend her if it came to that.
But things had, once again, happened too fast. Endymion's form had towered above Serenity, but they could see her slim arms locking about him, as though she could physically pull him back to her. And then the sword had gleamed and one of them had let the dagger fly.
It had been Lita. She preferred daggers to swords, and within a second she'd let her reaction run after noticing the long, sharp sword that the King was still holding. And she always struck gold…the heart.
Her allegiance had been to the Queen; if she needed to kill Endymion to protect her, then she would—and so would all the other Scouts. However, the ultimate dilemma arose: the entire Universe needed the Queen to be safe and alive, yet her Soul would be so battered without her husband that she could barely live. With or without him, there was danger to her person.
Mina swore again. Under Serenity's emotional stress, the Crystal had begun to glow, and she felt the resonating beat of her own Power.
"No!" came Andrew's anguished cry as Endymion's body became limp in his wife's arms.
Before Mina could restrain Andrew, a blinding light flashed, and when it'd faded a moment later, they were awed to behold Serenity drawing the Crystal from her own body and—
"No!"
This time, it was from Raye, who, before anyone could intervene, had dashed across the room toward Serenity—
But whatever she'd meant to do—to stop Serenity, no doubt—was in vain. An invisible shield glowed silver and surrounded the lovers, so that when Raye dashed headlong into it, she was repelled and thrown clear across the room. There was a sickening crunch of bones and then Raye fell against the wall, unconscious. Chad immediately rushed to her side, motioning for Amy to take a look at the injured warrior.
Mina cursed again. She had no idea what Endymion's death had anything to do with the Silver Crystal, but she knew it couldn't bode well. Nothing like this had ever happened before…
And they watched with mute fascination and horror as the Silver Crystal, guided by Serenity's hands, slowly sank into Endymion.
Endy, don't you dare refuse this. You know perfectly well that I cannot live without you.
Strangely, she felt calm and not at all panicked. This had been her premonition; this was what she'd seen. Her Endy would be killed by a dagger, and she would feel his life leaving her. This was her vision. Yet, she knew she had to do something to bring him back, because life without him would be meaningless and impossible.
And when she'd watched the life fading in his eyes, she realized that she could bring him back—against the will of the Divines and just about everyone else in the Universe—but she had to do it. Without him, she had no Soul…and she didn't care to live through that experience again.
It was painful to draw the Silver Crystal from within her body; it had been more than painful…it felt like ripping her heart out…but she did it, because she had no other choice. Endymion lay dying in her arms and she had to use whatever means necessary to bring him back.
Even if it meant weakening—and possibly sacrificing—herself.
The Crystal had become such an integral part of her that its withdrawal might very well cause her death. However, she did not care at this moment.
Endymion had formed something around him, so that she could not give him her life. But he lay dying, and she slipped through his rapidly weakening defenses. He was not to refuse her this right; she had a claim to his life, to his Soul, to his love.
Holding the exhaustion just at the edge of her vision, she brushed his hair back and softly called to him: Endy? Sweetheart?
An answering heart beat beneath her fingers. My sweet, sweet Bunny…
With a content smile, she let the exhaustion overcome her and collapsed on top of the King.
Andrew entered the great bedchamber and blinked to adjust to the sudden darkness.
Amy stirred from her post next to the bed and rubbed her eyes. She evidently tried to smile but failed at the attempt, though both of them knew that the situation was looking worse and worse by the hour, by the minute—by the second, even.
"No changes?"
Amy shook her head and stood up, looking at the couple in bed. After the two had collapsed, and after they'd finally managed to regain some sense, they had put the two to bed, trying to find a way to heal them or help them heal, but…well, they couldn't find anything. Even Luna, whose lore of medicine and healing of generations dated back to the beginning of time, was at a loss.
Moreover, Endymion and Serenity had simply refused to be separated, even for an inch, even if just to check their pulse or breathing rate or some such procedures. Even in unconsciousness, they clutched at each other, as though afraid that one second of inattentiveness might lead to the other's disappearance.
"Go get something to eat," Andrew advised. "Greg's waiting for you by the Control Room, I think."
Amy looked reluctant to be away from the couple but she nodded and made toward the door. "Any changes?"
Shaking his head, Andrew knew that the blue-haired princess was referring to the Control Room. No enemy had shown up; they'd tightened the security measures around the Palace grounds for a third time in the past three days. None of them had slept or eaten normally in the past few weeks—and months—and they all took turns keeping watch on the couple.
"Let us know if anything changes," Amy said, and left.
Consciousness came slowly at first and then rushed in with a jolt. Pain flamed across his body and he almost groaned, but suddenly the soft and warm body in his arms registered and all thoughts of pain fled.
Bunny?
Disbelief and joy leapt in him as he—ignoring the pain—breathed deeply of the scent of her hair and skin and felt her soft arms wrapped firmly about him. Emotions rolled through him like a great wave. She was here! She was with him and—
Oh Gods, he wasn't dead already, was he? This couldn't be a dream, right? It felt too real—too real; it just couldn't be a dream.
Opening his eyes, he saw the blonde curls stretched across the white pillow and hugged her closer. He wanted to see her face and taste her kiss but not yet, not yet—Gods, this was Heaven. Her breath was tickling his shoulder but he didn't mind at all. Satin had been bunched in his hands—probably when he was unconscious—and underneath was her skin…
Another presence intruded upon his moment of bliss and he looked up sharply, his eyes narrowed. Then he saw an incredulous Andrew staring open-mouthed at him and wanted to laugh but thought better of it. Andrew had always looked comical with that expression…oh he'd missed all his friends. But not yet, not time yet for them. Right now, his beautiful Bunny—
Andrew recovered and nodded curtly, scrambling to leave the room to give the couple some privacy.
Well, wasn't this just comfortable and warm. Goodness, for the first time since forever, she was warm and protected. She wondered how long she'd slept and how long it'd been since she last saw him—
Endy? She burst out, reaching for him. You're… Yes,
With a soft cry of relief, she opened her eyes and stared at his face and those beautiful blue eyes. Oh how she'd missed him! How she'd… Oh Endy, you're not hurt? Did the enemy—? No, no, not that bad—
Wordlessly, she enveloped him in an embrace and stroked the guilt away from him, cleansing his soul with her love. They cried together for their lost son as they clung together, and for long moments, they shared the grief, until gently, with a sad smile, Endymion drew away—just for an inch—so he could kiss her.
And then she sighed and melted into his arms and a ferocious desire snaked through his veins. Suddenly he couldn't get enough of her—virtually ripping the nightgown away from her, he kissed her lips, her jaw, her throat, his fingers dancing across her stomach—
Endy…
Her soft moan of complete surrender heated his blood to impossible temperatures and frantically he kissed her again and tried to retain a semblance of control as she combed her fingers through his hair and tugged at the buttons on his shirt and the belt buckle—
Oh Gods Buns—
He'd been too long away from her, way too long—her kiss tasted like honey and her skin felt like fire and silk and the noises that she was making in the back of her throat became too much to bear, because if she—
Oh Endy…
She swept her hands down his back and retraced the muscles she'd known by heart. Too long, too long…it'd been too long. His touch was uninhibited and his kiss equally wild— Desperately she pressed herself against him and gripped his shoulders and kissed him fiercely and—
Sweetheart— Oh Gods Endy, don't—don't stop— Oh Gods and Goddesses— I love you! I love you too,
And then it was over.
As she lay gasping for breath, she felt him attempting to move off her and tightened her arms in protest.
Sweetheart, I don't want to crush you. I don't care,
The obstinate girl in that voice made him smile. Well, wife mine, I'm not letting you go again any time soon, either.
A moment of silence passed and then Endymion raised himself on his elbows to look into her blue eyes. Gods, he'd missed her so much…
"I love you," she murmured, brushing back a lock of hair from his forehead.
He turned his face and kissed her palm, closing his eyes. He didn't understand why she could forgive him and still love him after Leto and everything else, but he wasn't going to question it. She was a gift to him and he would not waste another moment wondering the why's and how's.
Serena smiled as he lowered his head to kiss her throat. Always attuned to him, she knew this hunger between them could never been satisfied. Never. Perhaps only temporarily sated, although by the looks of it that wouldn't be achieved for a while yet. The last time had been frenzied, blind; this time she would make sure to rediscover the dips and quivers of his muscles, the trembles in his touch, and she would savor them again and again until exhaustion claimed her.
No matter what awaited them in the future, this hunger would never change, and neither would their love.
Endymion gazed at his wife in reverent awe as he fingered a blonde curl and trailed a finger down her cheek. She sighed, murmured his name, and nestled closer to him.
They lay tangled in a confusion of hair, limbs, garbs, and sheets. Through the curtains, a thin shaft of light arced across the bedchamber and landed at the foot of the chaise next to the fireplace. Taking his eyes off his wife for a moment, Endymion surveyed her room and nodded to himself. It was quite comfortable, and also quite warm, though the fire hadn't been lit in the fireplace.
A painting of him hung above the mantel and his heart warmed. He admitted it was rather a romanticized painting, but he felt happy nevertheless, knowing that—well—she loved him so. Settling his eyes back on the beauty sleeping quietly in his arms, Endymion pulled her closer and closed his eyes, breathing in the unmistakable scent of her.
She stirred in his arms and he waited with bated breath as she awakened and stretched luxuriously underneath him. Her simple movement roused the hunger again, but he managed to rein in the beast and for a moment only held her.
Serenity raked a fingernail down his back and smiled when she felt him tense.
Sweetheart, don't do that. What will you do, kiss me?
He laid his head next to hers, gazing into her eyes. Later. Right now I just want to look at you. Gods, Bunny, I've missed you so much.
Smiling, she reached out and brushed that stubborn lock of hair away from his forehead. Well, look as long as you like, although I'm probably not at my best. No,
Blushing, she buried her face in the crook of his neck. You're embarrassing me, Endy. But her embrace was soft, warm, welcoming, as exhaustion caught up with them again. He felt sleep claiming him and, just before he entered the realm of dreams, pulled her close and kissed her soul.
I love you, Bunny. I love you, too, Endy
The dreams came then, so swiftly and so suddenly that he could do no more than to witness them. And he was reminded of what he had seen, what he had discovered, while he remained in the Witch's clutches.
He'd finally found the secrets to unlocking his Power. His father had, after all, left him the instructions he needed. The Power had lain dormant and latent and was waiting for the moment of extreme trauma and strain to activate the hidden lore. Now that he knew how to access and use his Power…well, it'd take much practice, of that he was sure. But at least now he had a way to protect his sweet wife.
Even without opening his eyes, he knew it was still dark. Bunny lay asleep in his arms, sprawled unceremoniously on top of him, her arms wrapped firmly around his neck. Smiling, he brushed a kiss to the top of her head. Gods, this hunger for her would never end…and he had no desire for it to end.
Perhaps by now a new life was growing within her. They would have a new baby! Another child…of course, there were about ten more to make, but they wouldn't have to worry about that for a while. At least until this child is old enough so that they could sleep together for one night in peace without a baby's wails.
Leto…
Grief tightened its hand around his heart again. His son was gone, just like that. If he'd been—if he'd just been quicker, or more alert, perhaps…
No, no use regretting what had already happened. Leto was gone now, perhaps forever…if Fate would be kind enough to let his Soul cycle into the body of another baby they'd make…well, that was up to Fate. Leto was gone now, but his sweet Bunny was still here, quietly sleeping.
He had to protect her. If indeed a life was growing within her now, as it was highly likely—oh, how would he know such things? He was a man, after all. But he had to protect her. She was not yet ready to face the Witch; he could feel it. And she was unlikely to ever be ready; an essential piece of the Silver Crystal—or herself—was missing, and if she tried to defeat the Witch anyway, she would die in the effort, and he wasn't about to sit idly by.
No, he was going to protect her, and now he could, with his Power. It would take him a while to tap into the Power and discover its secrets, but he would do it, because she simply could not die. No. She just couldn't. She was all of his heart and Soul, and he would never let her go.
His wife shifted and murmured his name before sighing and slipping back to sleep.
He would help her to defeat the Witch; with their combined Power the Witch didn't stand a chance. Yet, he knew her reaction if his secret were discovered…she would be shocked, she would vehemently deny him this right to help her, and she would try to sacrifice her life so that he would live. No, she couldn't know. Which meant that the others couldn't know, either. He had to make sure no one suspected his plan. In fact, the only way for him to protect her without her knowledge was…well, to defeat the Witch altogether. Yes, he would do that, so that his wife would not have to do it.
But he'd be gone for hours on end and his concentration couldn't be jarred by any intrusions, which meant he had to make sure Bunny…but how could he? They were so accustomed to their form of communication that any deviation would be suspicious.
The only way to distance himself from her—no, no. He couldn't… He couldn't hurt her like that. No… He just couldn't do it; he loved her…
But if he had to choose between his life and hers, temporary pain and her life… There was no choice at all.
Endy? Her voice drifted over him. She sounded sleepy and completely irresistible. Endy, is anything wrong? No, Sweetheart,
A bubbly giggle most unbefitting a queen erupted from her as he kissed his way down her body. Endy, you know how ticklish I am, she scolded, tugging his head up from her knee so that she could kiss him.
Grinning, he relented and gazed into her laughing blue eyes. The impending future couldn't be further from her mind, he knew. And he wasn't going to disappoint her. At least for a few hours more, they could love and touch like Eternity belonged to them.
Love me, Bunny. Just love me.
I love you, Endy. So much that I don't know what to do with it.
A tear rolled down her cheek but she didn't bother to wipe it away. Her Endy was gone…something had changed while he was under the enemy's spell. Something in him had changed…and though she had hoped desperately that she could save him, could cleanse his Soul of all the evil and sorrow and pain he'd known…
Well, she'd failed. And she would have to pay one way or another. Both of them would have to pay.
She dreaded dawn and the morning. Reality would catch up with them so quickly—what would she do? What could she do? Perhaps she could try to Heal him again. That last time when they'd made love, he'd closed off his mind to her, but in that moment when she saw nothing but white, his Soul had been exposed to her—just like hers was exposed to him—and as ecstasy had swept through both of them, she felt his fear and saw the remnants of the enemy. The Witch, as he called her.
Serena stroked a finger across his face and kissed his lips softly. He didn't stir, but his arms did tighten around her. Smiling sadly, she let herself sink into his embrace and pressed her ear against his chest so she could hear his heart beat.
She had to try again. At least try again. He wasn't lost to her yet, not yet… All she had to do was to cling to their love, to him…but that wasn't enough anymore. Not anymore. Not after Sam and her parents and Leto and all those men who died fighting. He alone bore the burdens of all those souls…and he would not share that burden with her, because he was a stubborn mule.
I love you, Endy. She told him again, shifting in his arms to find a more comfortable spot. Dawn was approaching…the horizon was turning faintly pink. And with dawn, a new day would come…a new day with unpredictable changes and challenges.
Holding him close, she finally closed her eyes and sighed.
Don't you ever forget that we're bound for Eternity. Don't you ever forget we love each other.
"Luna?"
The gray-eyed woman turned from the windows to her husband. "Yes?"
"Are you all right?" he tried to sit up but was stopped by his wife.
"You shouldn't put any pressure on that leg," Luna admonished with a small kiss. "Does it hurt still?"
"It's not so bad," Artemis said and took her into his arms. "I'm just really worried for Endymion and Serena."
"Yes. I am too."
Artemis tensed and pulled away slightly. "What do you mean?"
She worried her lip and drew herself closer to him. "I'm worried. Endymion has changed…and the future does not bode well. He will try to do something, but I couldn't see…"
"Will they survive?"
Luna took a long moment to answer. When she finally did, her voice wavered and tears stained her cheeks. "I don't think so."
For a moment Artemis was stunned into speechlessness. Then he sat up and fully looked into her face. "But how can that be? Whatever he means to do, it can't possibly… They love each other!"
"Yes! But the future is so misty and whatever Endymion does will be so damaging…" Luna paused and then plunged ahead: "I don't think they'll survive this storm, and if one of them should fail, the other won't live, either."
"So they're bringing their own destruction?"
"No. Yes, but no. Endymion has absolutely no idea the repercussions of his actions; he's counting on Serena's faith and love to sustain her. As for he himself…well, I don't know what he plans for himself, but if Serena discovers his intent… I don't know!" frustrated, Luna angrily tugged at her nightgown. "I can't see beyond the vision like I used to. I can't see beyond the misty veils. All I know is that Endymion will attempt something and they'll both be hurt and neither will survive."
Artemis was silent for a long moment as he stared incredulously at his wife. Then he closed his eyes and wearily passed a hand over his face. "So. We've come to it at last."
"Yes."
"And their love will not survive this."
"No."
"We'd hoped that the entire Universe would not have to come to depend on their love."
"Yes."
"But it's inevitable."
"Yes."
He sighed heavily. "Can't we—"
"Artemis!" Luna's retort was sharp. "You know we can't. Not even to the others. I'm bound by oath. The future can't be revealed, remember?"
"Yes, I remember," he lay back on the bed and tucked in the covers around them both. "We'll have to watch them falter and fail."
Luna swallowed hard against the lump in her throat and nodded.
"Gods help us."
A moment of silence passed but she could not help herself:
"The Divines won't be enough."
I actually have no excuse for this late update. But i would like to dedicate this chapter to a good friend of mine who was murdered last monday. RIP Michelle Lynne Miller 9/1/1995 - 4/8/2013
~Crystal Selena
