Chapter 10

Black Mornings

RAYE

I sat in my room as the twin moons overtook the sky. They were huge tonight for some reason, and night seemed to fall slowly over us. Faintly I could hear the fire crackle and the creaking of the old floor board in the inn we were staying in.

"Black Mornings." Ami said softly as she sat next to me. I sighed and put my forehead to the cold window pane. Ami's soft little hands brushed my long hair from my shoulders. "It happens every other year. It when this world moves into its farthest rotation from their sun and one of the moons casts a shadow over this world. A sequence of three days starts later and daylight lasts just a few hours."

"Is that why the moons are so close right now?" It was Mina's voice and she fit herself to my other side.

"It will happen the day after tomorrow. The first day of the Black Mornings."

I said nothing as the two chatted around me. It was warm in my room, and even warmer with Ami and Mina around me. I felt a little better about losing Lita and Serena off the mountain. The anger had subsided but now, I was feeling really horrible. I was worried about them. Really worried. I knew they were still alive, I felt our connection. But our connection was weak. Both Serena and Lita were so far away from me…

"They'll be okay Raye." Mina's voice finally broke through my brooding thoughts. I turned to them and smiled weakly.

"Will the Black Mornings affect Serena's Bowa Charm?" I asked. Ami looked a little surprised at the question.

"I'm not sure. If it did, it should stall her growth for at least two days." She shrugged. "Perhaps when she turns twelve and fifteen."

"We'll find them." Mina said firmly. She was right. They couldn't be that far away. We just had to go through a pass in the south to get to the other side of the Snow Sands Mountain, and Ami said there were at least three small villages. What was it called again? Harron Valley? Ami gave us the run down on the history of King Xander's secret alliance with the four minor kingdoms. I got the feeling she was hiding something about them also.

"We'll leave in the morning." I told them quietly.

XOXO

Goddess of the Chalice, Beryl, hurt really really bad. She closed her eyes as tightly as she could and forced herself not to move one inch as the Demon King of the Wastelands was moving within her. She could feel her inside tremble with pain as he spilled himself. It was like a hundred rusty needles pierced her womb, and the Demon King groaned and pulled harshly away from her. She forced herself to blink back her tears of disgust as she grabbed a nearby towel and wiped between her legs. She tried not to let her hands shake and tried not to show the Demon King how much she hated him. He wouldn't have noticed anyway. He was too busy buttoning his pants. His great big hairy hands fumbled clumsily over the small buttons and his thick, wrinkled, leather skin made her feel even more repulsed.

"You have decided then? To join our Lord Diamond." She spoke, shaking out her fire red hair. The Demon King turned his bald head to her and smiled. His thin, dry lips were in a smirk.

"Of course I have decided. I had decided before you came to see me." His voice was raspy, like dead leaved shaking in the brutal wind. Blood rushed to Beryl's cheeks.

"And this…" She began and the Demon King let out a cackle and threw his huge hulking body on his bed.

"Just icing on the cake. Thank you my dear." He said. Beryl bit the inside of her cheek to keep herself from lashing out brutally against the demon. The Demon King held out a parchment scroll.

"Your prize." He mused and Beryl stalked toward him and took it from his hairy hands. Bastard, all that for something she was already guaranteed. She wished she could kill him. She had a pretty good way of doing so that involved a dull sword and a bat of flesh eating ants. But alas, she had a duty to do, and that was to gain as many Demon Kings and Queens her Lord Diamond needed.

A teleport spell was cast and she arrived outside where her waiting carriage was waiting. A yomen silently opened the door for her and she slid inside, still sizzling. She arrived at the Black Crystal Palace in minutes. It was once her father's palace, King Verdin. But when her Lord Diamond took over, he did some remodeling. It still was a bit creepy going inside the doors that her family once lived in and not having her siblings there to greet her.

"Goddess, a message from the Sera Battalion you sent to capture Goddess Hotaru." A yomen quickly stepped in from of her. Annoyed, Beryl flicked her hand and sent the yomen flying across the room and into a wall.

"Later you fool." She hissed and started down the long corridor, and up the spiraling stair to Lord Diamond's meeting chambers. She stopped short when she heard distinct sounds that he was not alone. Her anger sparked even more and jealousy pulsed throughout her blood. She suffered so much for him, did so many horrible things and he still could not see her. She loved him so desperately; she did these things for him, like letting the lowly Demon King of the Wasteland have her. And he was in there, with some whore that had no such loyalty. Not like her.

So she waited, and a couple of minutes later, the door opened and a Sky Blue Succubus left. Beryl tensed, and felt something in the air. She gave the Succubus a critical look over and let out a hiss, quickly grabbing the skinny thing by the neck and slammed her against the wall. There was a loud smack and the Succubus tried to escape, but red burned in Beryl's eyes.

"Bitch. Think you could get away with that thing growing inside you?" She hissed in an ever so deadly voice. The Sky Blue Succubus's light blue eyes widened and she opened her mouth to speak but Beryl simply put a hand to the Succubus's stomach and with a quick spell the life of the small babe that was beginning to grow was snuffed out. The Succubus's eyes rolled back and she trembled with pain. Beryl let her drop to the floor in a pool of her own blood. She kneeled down and took a handful of the hurt girl's blue hair and made the girl look at her.

"Tell the others if something like this happens again, more that just a bastard seed with be killed. I will be the only one to carry our Lord's children. Not disgusting, lowly creatures like you. Understand?" She said. The Sky Blue Succubus nodded quickly and Beryl stood. "Clean this mess up." She said before entering the meeting chambers.

"Did you get it?" Lord Diamond asked as soon as she entered the room. He shook back his thick mane of silver white hair and proceeded to button the rest of his white jacket. Beryl smiled and ever so gently placed the parchment on the table. Lord Diamond took it and settled around the table in a huge black crystal chair. He broke the wax seal and skimmed over it before a little smile pulled at his lips.

"Good." He said with a note of dismissal. Beryl bowed and left the room. By the time she got down stairs, there was a yomen pacing widely down stairs.

"Goddess! Grave news!" He said as soon as he saw her. Beryl sighed and waited.

"Sera Battalion is no where to be found. They were to report on Goddess Hotaru's capture by noon but no one seems to know where they went!" Beryl frowned at this.

"Renegades?" She asked. The reporting yomen shook his head vehemently.

"Should I send a messenger to seek out this unusual business?" He asked. Beryl shrugged.

"Do what you must and report every three hours on your progress." Was all she said and went to the bathing chamber to get the smell of the Demon King off of her.

XOXO

LITA

I felt really really thirsty. And hot. I tried to groan, but my throat was dry. It took a second to process my thoughts before I popped my eyes open ad started looking widely around.

"Serena?" My voice was a squeaky scratch and I cleared my throat and flipped the blankets off of my body. "Serena!" I cried out louder and stumbled to the door. I yanked it open, fighting the panic that was welling up inside. I had no idea as to where I was, or how I got there. All I wanted to know was where Serena was. The hallway was dark and vacant of anyone and I decided to be as quiet as I could. I didn't sense any real danger, but I could never be to sure.

I tiptoed down the hallway and then I saw stairs. There was a faint light of a lamp and I walked cautiously down. There was a low murmur and I lightened my steps as much as I could with a little assist of my powers.

"'Little Princess, Little Prince I cannot find you.' Said the Little Prince in a light, playful voice. In the distance the Little Prince heard giggling in some bushes not to far away and the Little Prince hopped over to see." A male was reading to someone.

"Is it the Little Princess?" I heard Serena asked in a hushed, interested voice. The man laughed a sound that made my skin grow warm. I watched as the man turned the page of the huge book he was holding.

"Just beyond the bushes, the Little Prince spotted the color white, and then it was gone in a flash. 'Little Princess where are you?'" The Little Prince asked again. Suddenly, the Little Princess popped out from behind a rock with a loud cry. 'Here I am silly boy!' The Little Princess said and she and the Little Prince laughed out loud. 'Little Princess!' There was another voice and the Little Princess turned to the sound. "'Who is that?' The Little Prince asked. The Little Princess just smiled and waved goodbye. 'We'll play tomorrow boy!' And the she was gone and the Little Prince hopped away. The person who called the Little Princess gave the girl a hug. 'Where were you Little Princess? We were looking high and low for you.' The Little Princess just smiled. 'It's a secret' she said and ran back to the castle." The male stopped and looked into his arms where I could see little Serena's golden head rested.

"Serena?" He whispered her name but Serena just let out a little sigh. The man placed the book by a nearby table and stood up. I was going to hide—you know, dash back into a shadow, but I was rooted to the spot. As he stood, my eyes were locked onto his growing figure. He was so tall, and his hair was so long, and his eyes were do dark, and his face…I realized that I was gawking and I quickly gave my head a quick shake. He stilled all of the sudden when he saw me.

"So, you're awake." He said. Just like before, his voice tenor made my skin grow warm. He had such a beautiful dark voice.

"Yes." I managed to say with my cracked voice. Serena's head lolled deeper in the crook of his arms. She grew I realized, staring at her in a big shirt that hung from her little shoulders. Her hair was so long, it touched the tops of his knees, which was saying a lot seeing how tall he was. "I'm sorry, you are…"

"Nephrite." He said. Nephrite….that's a strange name. Nephrite stood awkwardly in front of me and I cursed myself for being really weird.

"Here, let me…" I began, but he shook his head.

"I have her." He said.

"But…" I began, but he shook his head again.

"Really, I have her. I don't want you to open your wound." A little off track, I looked at what I was wearing. Dirty clothes, eww, that's a good impression. Bare foot, my arm was wrapped. I tugged at the knot tied to my arm and the white ribbon of cloth fell away. My skin was a bit pink but other than that it was alright.

"Impossible, it took thirty five stitches to…" Nephrite touched my arm. He was so close I could see that his eyes were dark intense blue.

"I heal fast." I said softly. Nephrite regarded me a bit hesitantly and I tried to smile his concerns away.

"I'll put her to sleep and then we have some things to discuss." He said. Well, I owed him some explanations I guess. I decided to follow him up stairs. He put Serena in my room and I sat beside her, pulling the blankets to her chin. So how old was she now? She was three when we fell from the mountain, and now she had to be six. I looked from her to the window where night loomed. How long was I out? A whole day? And I left her to deal with these strangers all by her self?

"She was okay." Nephrite's voice cut into my thoughts. "She was worried about you and would come check on you every hour. My male servant and I found you both this morning, in a cave." He told me. I winced. Stupid mountain had to go all berserk and toss me and Serena from the top. I wonder where my cousins were. How long would it be until I found them? What would I do until then? Well, if my mother was correct, if I was lost I was to stay where I was until someone found me. But does that rule really work here? I mean, these strangers have done so much for Serena and I. How could I ask them for more?

"We were separated from our party." I began, before I could stop my self. For some reason, I saw no point in telling Nephrite anything other than the truth. "My cousins and I were looking for something on the mountain, and the mountain began to shake. We were thrown off and I had to use more that what I should have."

"Magic?" He asked. I saw the disbelief in his eyes. After all, I knew that only a rare few in this whole world knew how to use magic. I nodded, and opened the window to the room with a flick of my finger, like I was flicking a bug. The curtains billowed in the cool night air. Nephrite turned to it, a little surprised, but no really startled. I felt much better now, I couldn't even feel the power I used being drained from my body.

"Interesting." He murmured in a strange tone. I regarded him mutely, studying his expression. He was fixated on my hands. "Hold still." He said, and amazingly I did what he said. It was like a spell had bound me to what he asked. He kneeled in front of me, and took my hands into his own, turning until he saw my palm. My silver star shone in the dim lamp light of the moons. I felt his breath slow, and grow heavy. With a one of his long fingers, he gently stroked the star on my hand, tracing the faint thin lines.

Partners. Raye had asked Mina bluntly the day Kunzite joined us. Someone saved just for me. To make me stronger, to teach, and love…I smiled and linked hands with Nephrite, feeling a strong bond begin to form.

"Mine." I whispered in English, and then broke away from him. One day, I will have him. When that day was? Well that was something different.

"What did you say?" He asked. I shrugged and smiled not answering his question.

"It's nice to meet you." I told him and he smirked a little. He knew I avoided saying our bond out loud. But he knew I knew.

"Lita, of the Shay Warriors. He sat in a chair, lazily. "I grew up knowing my purpose, hearing the story of the Shay Warriors."

"That's nice to hear. As for me…hey, one day I was hiking in England, the next thing I knew I was being sucked down a hole." I told him nonchalantly.

"How long have you been here?" He asked. I shrugged. It's been a while since I last checked how long we have been here.

"About half a year." I told him.

"And Serena? She is Princess of Mayvelynn? A demi goddess?" I nodded. Serena had sprawled herself across the whole bed. "Interesting." He murmured again. Humm, that seems to be his favorite word…

XOXO

AMI

As we rode though the pass, I felt a little better because we were closer to Lita and Serena. I felt it in my heart. It was only Raye, Mina, Kunzite and I that rode this day. Trista thought it wise for her and Hotaru to leave as soon as possible. The two goddesses told us that they would be waiting back at the Main House for our return. I saw the way Hotaru looked at Trista's announcement. She wanted to stay with us and help find Lita and Serena. But Trista warned her of the yomens who would still be looking for her and she reluctantly decided to go.

Luckily the pass through the Snow Sand Mountains was wide enough for our horses to follow so our trip was short. We made it through the pass in two hours, and arrived in a vast, lush valley. There were no villages that I could see or smell really. I used my powers to carry the winds to me to see if populations were close. But there was a faint smell of smoke. Sweet wood was the popular fire wood, and I smelled a faint stench of it toward the west.

"Kunzite, you know this land pretty well. Tell me, is there anywhere Lita and Serena could be?" Raye asked. Silence fell over the party and Kunzite gave her a surprised look. But it was quickly hidden and he looked around. He nodded to the right.

"This is Harron Valley. Once it was a thriving land with a place for Shepards and Cattle folk. Now, the grass is poisoned and it had lost its appeal. But there should be a royal country house that way. It's not far from the mountain. It's the best place to start." He said. Raye nodded.

"Lead the way." She said. Kunzite rode ahead of us, and Mina gave a little laugh.

"Thank you Raye." She spoke and Raye just shrugged and followed close behind him. That was a major break through for Raye. It was a good thing because she trusted Kunzite now.

Soft sounds of shuffling grass blew against Mercury's long legs and he nibbled here and there at small flowers that were called horses-treats. The name said enough about the flower. Kinda like catnip, but for horses. It made the trip faster because the horses tried to eat as many horse-treats they could before another did. It was a funny kind of playtime for them and we all laughed about it. Clouds dipped low to the tips of the smaller mountains that surrounded Harron Valley and a chill swept down and rolled over us. I pulled my cloak tighter around me and put pressure on Mercury's side to press faster. The rest of the party followed, not wanting to get caught in the beginning rains.

"There." Kunzite pointed to a building in the distance and we all kicked our horsed into an all out run. The cold winds whipped my cloak back, and I leaned in to keep the wind from slapping me in the face. Mercury's muscles clenched and tensed as he ran to the building.

"Hold!" A man stepped from the gates with his hand held out. He looked old from a distance, but as we got closer, I could see that he was rather young. His blue eyes were hard with warning. "You have no business here. Our Lord had no time for visitors." He said.

"I am Kunzite of Midnight Terra. I wish to speak with your Lord. Will you challenge my request?" Kunzite's voice was nothing like I heard before. Raye, Mina and I exchanged looks. Impressive really, it was the first time I actually looked at him like a King.

The man gave a look over us and motioned a young boy hiding behind a large wooden shed to come to him. He whispered something to the boy and he took off down the pebbled way. I sighed and jumped from my horse. My legs were beginning to cramp, and my butt was pretty numb.

"You found us!" A little voice called out and we all turned to see Serena running down the stairs. She was dressed in an oversized nightgown because she had grown. Mina let out a little cry and scrambled from her horse. Serena broke through the white haired man and sailed into Mina's arms. I was so relived I joined the reunion. Serena was talking so fast we could barely keep up with what she was saying.

"Where is Lita?" Raye asked her after a long hug. Serena smiled a little secretively like she had the juiciest gossip.

"She is coming with Nephrite." She said and turned her attention to Kunzite who had stood quietly and watched the whole exchange. Serena laughed and held out her hands and Kunzite scooped her up with a playful groan.

"You're getting so big Little Princess. I can hardly hold you anymore." He said with hic icy blue eyes sparkling.

"I missed all of you so much. I'm glad we're together again." She said. Kunzite let her down.

"Big softy." Mina said with a roll of her eyes. The white haired man seemed to let his guard down, and he opened the gate for us. Serena ran and took the man's hand and began pulling him to the door.

"Come on Artemis, Nephrite needs to tell you something." She said. It was an interesting scene. Serena had only been here for a day and a half and already, this stranger was trusted and made her friend. It only showed me that Serena trusted readily and she could get along with almost anyone.

The house looked rather old, but it was in spectacular shape. Artemis led us through the threshold where a warm fire crackled alive. I looked behind us to see the young boy Artemis beckoned earlier was putting away our horses just as a sheet of rain fell down. The poor boy hunched over, tugging at the reigns. With a little frown, I summoned some warm air from the house and made a little bubble around him to keep him dry. The boy seemed a little confused as to what was happening and he looked toward my way where I gave him a wink and a little wave. His little face brightened up and the door closed behind me.

"Guys!" Lita cam running down stairs and we all crowded together to give hugs and such. "I'm so glad you're here! Oh my gosh, you cannot begin to know what it felt like to be separated…" She began to tear. "I mean we were only apart for a few days but it seemed like forever!" She said and wiped her cheeks.

"How have you been? I know you out did yourself when you came off the mountains and Serena gave us the jist of what you went through. But, are you okay? Recovered?" Raye asked, holding Lita by the arm and giving her a critical look over.

"Just a cut, but you know how fast we heal. Artemis and Nephrite really helped us out." Lita replied. Moments later, a tall man came down stairs. I surmised it was Nephrite. Raye dropped her hands from Lita's arms and looked beyond her shoulder at Nephrite coming down the stairs. We all quieted as she studied him intently, she circled him with a hand on her hip while Nephrite stood still.

"So, he is yours?" Raye finally asked Lita. I saw Lita flush and nod a little.

"Alright! Two down and two more to go." Mina said happily, pretending to clap her hands.

"Huh, right." Raye muttered. I had to smile. If there was anything Raye hated more was something that was planned for her. Especially when it came to men. One time, Mina dared to set up Raye with a blind date without telling Raye. The whole thing backfired on her when Raye found out. She threw a huge rock into the windshield of Mina's brand new beamer and didn't talk to her for two weeks. Mina learned her lesson, and Lita and I never conceive the thought of ever doing that to Raye. Lest we get caught in her revenge inferno. The idea that we had partners didn't set too well with her or me for that matter. I saw how close Mina and Kunzite were getting, and it was strange to get that involved with someone when you knew that as soon as you were finished here, you had to leave them.

I thought back to my last boyfriend, Greg. He received a scholarship to study abroad, and no matter how much we tried to have a long distance relationship, it never felt real. We were so far away from one another, and I caught myself looking for someone else. I felt so horrible about it, and when I thought that Greg might be doing the same thing, it felt even worse. I really loved him, but there were so many other people right next me that my feeling for him began to grow weaker and weaker until one day I awoke and realized that he and I never called one another for three whole months. From there, I knew we were finished. I missed him, and sometimes I catch myself wondering what he is doing right now. Is he thinking about me? Is he happy? What would have happened if we stayed together? What kind of future did I give up when I gave up on our relationship…

"Ami!" Mina snapped her fingers in my face and my thoughts scattered. I flushed.

"Sorry, what were you saying?" I asked.

"We're thinking that we should leave as soon as possible to make it back to the Main House by late tomorrow morning." Raye said.

"That sounds good. We just have to restock our supplies. Is Nephrite up for the plan?" I asked looking to the stranger talking quietly to Kunzite in the corner of the room.

"He has no choice does he?" Raye snickered. I shrugged and untied my cloak from my throat. It fell heavily down my back and I caught it before it tumbled to the floor in a big heap.

"Come on Serena. I have some extra clothes for you." Mina said and sat down on the couch to dig in her bagpack. Serena plopped next to her.

"Good. I don't like this nightgown." She began to pull off her clothes in front of everyone, but I quickly stopped her.

"You're a big girl now Serena and it's not proper to get naked in front of an audience." I whispered in her ear. Serena looked to Nephrite and Kunzite looking blankly at her. She flushed.

"I'll change in a room." She said and gathered her clothes from Mina and shot up the stairs.

XOXO

SERENA

The Main House was as busy as ever when we arrived home after out journey from Harron Valley. I sat behind Ami because she was the smallest, and didn't take a lot of the saddle. This morning, I grew to twelve. The morning started out really slow. Light reached us late and I heard Ami explaining to Lita about Black Mornings. I looked down at my wrist and saw two charms left on my Bowa Charm, but Ami told me that they wouldn't fall until one of the Black Mornings was over. Black mornings were two days, so that meant that I was going to stay twelve for two day and when I turned fifteen, I would stay fifteen for two days as well. Mina told me it was a good thing because she had a lot to tell me, and these ages were the right time. I didn't know what she was talking about because she wouldn't tell me anymore.

"Mistresses!" I saw Rita running to greet us at the Main House gate. She looked at the others, pausing on Nephrite, and finally settling her eyes on me. I fidgeted under her gaze.

"Is that the Princess?" She asked as Raye slipped off her horse and gave her the reigns. Raye nodded, but Rita said nothing more. We all slipped off of our horses and I stayed closed to Nephrite and Kunzite as we entered the gates. I didn't like all the strange looks everyone was giving me. I wanted to yell and tell them about the Bowa Charm.

"Come on Little Princess." Nephrite pulled my arm and I followed him silently. When we got inside, everyone parted ways and I was left standing in the parlor room. Okay…now what am I to do?

"Princess, I admit I am curious about your…uh…growth spurt, but I am sure there is a reason behind it." Rita came from behind me. She smiled gently and bowed. "Shall I show you to your room?" She asked.

"Alright. That sounds great." I said. I followed her up the stairs. I know the whole story about when I was a baby until now because Ami told me. And it was strange because I felt like I lived all these years that I had skipped. It was baffling to the others as well because I knew things that they never told me. I knew how to speak, I knew about the world around me. I knew how Raye was, and how Mina, Lita and Ami were also. I knew Nephrite well, and Kunzite well. It was like I grew up around them normally. I had memories about certain events that helped me grow, like when Lita and Ami showed me some of their magic skills. I knew how to handle a sword even though no one ever taught me.

"Here we are." Rita fumbled with one of her pockets and pulled out a ring of keys. She inserted a pretty one with a decorative handle and I heard the bolt move. She pushed open the door. "The Shay Warriors had asked me to save this room for you. It's the master bedroom where your father, King Xander stayed as well as your mother Goddess Selene. I've cleaned it as much as I could, I hope you are pleased." She said and I stepped inside.

It was a massive room that took up almost the whole top of the Main House. Clean, shiny wooden floors. White walls with jewels of silver dotting them like little stars. A Huge vanity table with an exquisite mirror sat against the wall. The bed was big, with fresh sheets and fluffy pillows. A chest was at the foot of the bed. It was carved in fine white marble. I kneeled in front of it and traced the carvings of stars and the twin moons. It was so beautiful, I was anxious to see what was in it.

"You are pleased Princess Serena?" Rita asked. I turned to her and nodded.

"Very. Thank you." I murmured to her. She smiled and bowed once more.

"I will send Lizzy with clothes for you and Molly has prepared a bath once you have settled." She bowed and then left. I turned my attention back to the chest and fingered the lock. Frowning, I tried to lift the lid, but it was no use. Standing, I decided to go through the drawers of the tall dresser, and the vanity, but nothing. Sighing, I sat on the edge of the bed with a frustrated sigh.

"Where could it be?" I muttered. My curiosity was eating me! How can such a thing distract me so? And I just got in here! Tap tap

"Come." I said in a far away tone. The girls came in and Mina and Lita jumped onto my bed.

"Comfy." Lita said lying on her side, propping her head on her hand.

"What's wrong Serena? You don't like your room? Because if not, I could always trade you." Mina said in a teasing voice.

"It's pretty big." I admitted, but shook my head. "But it's just right for me." I told her. "It's the chest. I can't find the key to it and I want to know what's in it." I said motioning to the white box Raye and Ami were sitting on. They got off and Ami smiled.

"I'll be right back." She said and left us, dashing out the door. We chatted idly until she came back with the Intibi book. She muttered something and then there was a light that bathed the room. We all crowded in to read the script.

Winding roads of hidden paths

Red desires that come to pass

Unknown light, bleeding sin

And the age of knowing will begin

The key to this is what you find

That makes even the strongest blind

"What's up with this world and riddles?" Raye muttered. Everyone shrugged except Mina. I caught on to that.

"What?" I asked her. The others turned to her Cheshire-cat smile as well.

"You know the answer?" Lita asked. Mina nodded.

"What is it?" I asked her.

"This world if filled with magic. And it's the greatest magic of all." Was all she said. The others complained about her secretiveness. There was another knock at my door and Kunzite popped his head in. Mina kissed my head and rose to meet him. They began talking about stuff, but I didn't listen. Instead, I watched the light around Mina and Kunzite shimmer. It was like a glow of dust around them. A very light pink at first, but as they got closer, the hue grew darker. It was nothing I ever saw before and I looked to the others to see if they saw what I saw. But they were oblivious to the light around them. I watched the way they interacted. The way Mina touched his chest when she spoke to him, they way she looked at him underneath her lashes. Kunzite would move in closer to her, touch his arm with Mina's shoulder. I saw the way they watched each other's mouth when they spoke, the way they would catch each others gaze and hold it, but then turn back to the others. It was almost like they were sending secret messages to one another. I made myself almost invisible, keeping quiet so I could just watch them. Nephrite came in and I saw a faint light spark between him and Lita.

Swirls of light danced all around them, but they had no tint really. Maybe pink, probably for friendship, or hint to more than friendship. There was something unspoken about their relationship. I didn't know what it was, but I would find out.

"Are you coming to bathe with us Serena?" Lita asked me. I nodded and we all proceeded down stairs to the bathing room. I let the others go before me so I could watch them. Nephrite and Kunzite left us at the door, and I watched as Mina whisper something to Kunzite and the color around him grew red. It was such a beautiful hue of a color and Mina's color turned red also. I wanted to ask what she said, but found that I was embarrassed to even do so. It was something personal. I knew that much for sure.

The room was warm when we entered, and steam rose from the hot bath water. The fire stone surrounding it were dull embers. We all disrobed and climbed in. There was a collective groan of pleasure from everyone. About an hour later, we all returned to our rooms. Clothes waited for me when I entered. Thankfully they were pants and boots. After dressing, I decided to go outside. Some of the young children played out there, and the girls were in the fields, laughing and gathering some vegetables for dinner. Further behind the house were the older boys. They were tending the stalls and I saw the girls' horses being brushed and fed.

"Heads up!" Someone cried out. Instinctively, I ducked my head and someone ran into me. With a loud oomph, I fell to the ground with someone on top of me. A little dazed, I opened my eyes and saw a sweaty, dirt boy on me. I saw his color change yellow, and he stiffened. It was strange because it looked like he couldn't talk. Did he knock a lot of wind out of him or something? Hit his head?

"Are you alright?" I asked him a little awkwardly seeing that he was the one on top of me.

"What?" He asked in a thick voice and blinked out of whatever daze he was in. He must have realized that he had been on top of me for some time because his face turned red and he managed to pull himself from off of me.

"Oh my gods, Seiya you idiot!" Someone yelled and pushed the boy away from me. He held out a hand and yanked me to my feet.

"Are you alright?" He asked me, brushing grass from my hair and dusting me off. It was Jenkin and he was glaring at the boy, Seiya.

"Surprised, that's all." I said, fixing my hair.

"I'm sorry I couldn't stop in time and I—" He stuttered running his hand through his long, messy black hair. I smiled which made Seiya stop his hands and stare at me. A little confused I touched his shoulder before I knew what I was doing.

"I'm fine…" And then something happened. I felt powerful all of the sudden, and I said his name in a way I never heard myself sound before. It was low, soft, like a purr. "Seiya." His yellow dust light turned red all of the sudden, just like Kunzite's and Mina's dust light. Some kind of keen knowledge burned inside me. A special power that was nothing like Ami or Lita's power. No, no, it was power over flesh and power over men. I don't know if it was a bad kind of power or not. I was still learning, but I could try it. Learn it, develop it and then…

"Serena! Come here!" Kunzite's voice barked out at me and Seiya and I turned to see him and Nephrite stalking towards us. They looked really angry.

"Oh no." Jenkin moaned and stood between me and Seiya.

"What are you doing?" Kunzite asked me al the while not looking at me. Jenkin and Seiya tensed at his glare.

"He was just helping me up." I protested, and then smiled sweetly for my argument, but mostly to keep both guys from doing anything to Seiya or Jenkin. Mostly Seiya though.

"That doesn't work on me." Kunzite told me, his voice a little softer now. He cursed and made a dismissive wave to Seiya and Jenkin. They bolted away and Kunzite sighed. "Should have known about this." He muttered. Did he know about what I just discovered about myself?

"She is the daughter of Selene Goddess of Heart." Nephrite interjected and sighed heavily as well. Dang it, they did know. I was worried, what would they do?

"Come, Little Princess." Kunzite jerked his head. "Nephrite and I have the duty of teaching you more sword work." Surprised by this, I followed.

"Are you going to tell the girls?" I asked them. Kunzite snorted and Nephrite looked behind me with a smile.

"I'm sure they'll witness it sooner or later." He said and I saw the corner of Kunzite's mouth curl into a smile at Nephrite's remark. I wondered what the girls were going to do about it. I looked behind me and saw Seiya by the stables, staring at me. I gave a small wave and he smiled and waved back. It was nice that I had a friend now…

XOXO

AN: I am a die hard Serena/Darien fan! Seiya is just a distraction for our Little Princess. Come on (gives a nudge to the reader) stay with me on this. Probably more Trista and Hotaru and Amara and Michelle will meet the new Goddesses next chapter… Anywhoo, love you all for reading and your wonderful reviews….so REVIEW some more! Kisses! Muh!