Author's Note: Thank you to all my readers and reviewers. Here's chapter ten. I hope you like it. I've been a little busy getting ready for school.

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon. However, I do own Sailor Moon playing cards...toys...dolls...costumes...Hehe. I'm was a little obsessed as a kid...Anyhow, onto the story!

Chapter 10

It was breakfast time when Diamond announced that he would be leaving the Moon to go back home to Nemesis. Serenity, her mother, the four princesses and the two Lunarian guardians sat at the table.

"I will have to return home for a week or so," he told the queen although his eyes wandered to Princess Serenity. "My people insist on my presence. There is a food shortage there and they are throwing riots." Everyone gasped. There was a worried look on his face and he sounded tense as he spoke. "I must calm them down and assure them that this union will solve everything."

"That's terrible that your people have no food!" Queen Serenity said, a sympathetic look wrinkling her face. She had been busy buttering a piece of bread and now she stopped. "We will send food over to Nemesis today- I will tell my soldiers to prepare loads to be sent before you leave. Perhaps that will quell the crowds before your arrival."

"Yes, that would help very much." Prince Diamond answered, his face still tense.

Queen Serenity dropped her piece of bread and got up from her seat. "Luna, Artemis," she addressed them abruptly. "Alert the farmers and markets of this catastrophe- tell them we need surplus foods. Tell them that it is an emergency and that we must act fast"- She paused and the two guardians quickly left the room. Queen Serenity then turned to Serenity's four friends. "Mina, stay with Serenity and make sure that she is kept safe"- Mina nodded while Serenity pouted. She always had to be watched over like some child.

"Rei, Amy, Lita- alert the soldiers. Tell them that they need to gather up as much food from growers and landholders as they can. Then tell them to go to the Lunarian portal."

Everybody in the dining room got up but before Serenity could leave her seat, Diamond walked over to where she was sitting. He leaned down and kissed her quickly on the cheek. "I will be back, Serenity. Stay safe and wait for me."

With that said he strode out of the room with the others, leaving Mina and Serenity alone.

"So, Princess, what would you like to do?" Mina's cheery voice asked. "I won't keep us confined all day!" She rolled her eyes and then looked at Serenity with a wry expression. "I really don't think you're in any real danger…I mean, it has to do with Diamond's planet Nemesis."

"Yes, but perhaps they are angry that we haven't married yet…" Serenity suggested, biting her lip worriedly. Mina noticed this and reached over to pat Serenity's hand.

"Don't worry about it Serenity," she assured. "I'm sure that they are worried about the food shortage more than anything else but your mother is sending over food and Diamond is going over there to assuage the situation."

"I hope he gets those riots settled down…" Serenity murmured, looking concerned.

"He will- don't worry." Mina said confidently.

Serenity exhaled loudly and made her way to the door to shut it. "Am I ever glad he left!" she cried, turning to Mina as she pressed her back to the door. Mina looked slightly surprised and then amused. "He constantly touches me and it drives me mad! It's so annoying and his need for me…it's…it's almost…pathetic!" she sputtered.

"I wouldn't mind all that attention…" Mina remarked, her eyes sparkling dreamily.

Serenity stopped and stared at her. She felt as though she were about to say No, you would mind all that attention actually…or There's something bad about having so much attention like that…Serenity had the strong urge to convince Mina otherwise and there was something nagging at her mind, something that had happened between her and Diamond. There was something she felt she should tell Mina but however hard she tried, she could not find what it was.

Serenity shook her head and came out of her thoughts. "No, you wouldn't want all that attention…It really bothers me- at least Diamond touching me so much does." She frowned.

"Oh, Serenity!" Mina said, laughing a little. "You're so innocent and naïve; you're just not used to it." The Venusian princess gave a shrug.

Serenity let out a long sigh. "I guess so…" she replied sullenly. Mina just didn't understand- it was clear that they were different when it came to relationships…

Serenity turned to Mina when she heard her gasp. Mina had gone to the window and was eagerly watching some sort of activity below. Serenity, curious, joined her at the window and saw that it was a group of four uniformed men.

"Oh! It's Endymion's friends!" Serenity exclaimed, remembering that Amy had told everyone yesterday that Endymion's friends were coming to the Moon.

"Wow, they look good from here!" Mina remarked, watching them eagerly.

Serenity smiled slyly at Mina. "Mina, you are so boy crazy!" she teased.

Mina smiled. "No, I'm boy aware not boy crazy…"

Serenity smiled and shook her head.

"You know what?" Mina said, turning to Serenity. Serenity looked at her expectantly.

"What?"

Mina's blue eyes sparkled and a wide smile split across her face. "I don't think they have a guest to greet them…" she trailed off. "How about we give them a tour, Serenity? What do you say?!" Mina said enthusiastically.

Serenity hesitated; Endymion would probably be there with his friends and she didn't want to deal with his cold looks. "Um…"

Mina grabbed Serenity's hands. "Come on Serenity! Please…?" she implored, with a pleading look on her face.

Serenity sighed and found her resolve crumbling at her friend's desperation.

"I don't want to be the only one there giving them a tour!" Mina whined.

"Fine…" Serenity muttered grudgingly. "I'll come…"

"Great!" Mina exclaimed. She cast a quick glance out the window and giggled. "I can't wait to meet them!"

She bounded out of the room and Serenity quickly followed. As they were walking down the hall, Mina turned to Serenity and looked quizzically at her.

"Hey, has anything more happened between you and Endymion?" she whispered. "I didn't even think to ask you because I forgot that he kissed you!"

Serenity felt her heart wrench at Mina's words and she pressed her lips together tightly. She stopped in her tracks and Mina paused as well. "I put it to an end…" she told her, voice shaky.

Mina was silent for a moment and then she spoke. "You…broke it off?" she asked gently.

"Yes…" Serenity replied, looking sad.

Mina moved closer and put a hand on her shoulder. "But why?"

"WHY?" Serenity shouted, looking at her with incredulous eyes. She lowered her voice when she spoke again. "I ended it because it can't go on, Mina! It can't! I am to be married soon and I can't just see him whenever I want to or talk to him casually…" She paused and heaved in a sharp breath. "I am to be with Diamond all the time…" she said, tears glistening in her eyes.

Mina looked away, finding it too difficult to stare at Serenity with her tear-filled blue eyes. She turned back to her and gave her a sympathetic look. "I'm sorry, Serenity…." she said softly. "I don't know why I asked you that- it was a foolish question. The girls and I should have stopped you sooner…It was not wise of us to let you continue to see him…but you have to understand Serenity…" She gave her an earnest look.

"We only wanted you to be happy…We didn't want to take that away from you. The girls and I thought that it was only a fleeting crush…"

"I think it's more than that…" Serenity told her, voice full of emotion.

Mina sighed and looked away. She leaned on the rail, looking at the floor below them. "Do you love him?" she asked.

Serenity blinked. "I don't know…" she answered honestly. Serenity really wasn't sure.

Mina exhaled slowly. "Well," she began. "I think it was very wise of you to call it off, Princess. However, if your heart calls for him I would follow it. I wouldn't ignore it. Do what truly makes you happy, Princess. You only have one life to live."

"But…that would be adultery, wouldn't it?" Serenity breathed, not liking the idea of being an unfaithful wife.

Mina nodded. "Yes, it would. You cannot justify it because what you are doing is still wrong…Still, if you decide to see him in private I will warn you that it is very risky. Your marriage could be annulled and your reputation would be tarnished. It would be a very hard life to lead…You would always be looking over your shoulder, hiding, having brief periods together so no one would suspect you…"

"It doesn't sound any better…" Serenity remarked, glum.

"Yes, but at least you'd be with him…" Mina pointed out. There was a moment of silence and Mina spun around. Serenity looked lost and that was when Mina pulled her into a hug. "Just know that whatever decision you make the girls and I will be here for you."

Serenity felt tears spring to her eyes. She was grateful that she had such good friends. "Thank you Mina…" she croaked, emotion taking over her. "I really appreciate that..."

Endymion's generals had arrived early and he was heading to the entrance to meet them. He was glad that they were here. The Terran prince had found it hard to relate to the Lunarian soldiers on the Moon. The Lunarian men were cultured, graceful and very proper. He, on the other hand, didn't lie just to be polite- he was blunt when he needed to be and Endymion relied more on strength than agility. He definitely wasn't as stiff as they were either.

Endymion was uncomfortable and had been for a whole week. Every time he sat with the soldiers for meals he felt like he was being observed, like he was under the microscope. He felt like they disapproved of him and didn't trust him. The Lunarian soldiers did, however, take orders obediently and show him respect. On the whole though, it was an awkward situation.

Endymion met his parents in the foyer and together they walked toward the gate. The generals were dismounting from their horses when Endymion and his parents came outside. As he walked toward them, he caught sight of two blonde women walking toward the gate as well.

He squinted and peered closer. His heart skipped a beat and his breath caught when he saw that one of the women was Serenity. What was she doing at the gate greeting his generals? He thought that she would be attending to the Nemesian crisis with her mother or fiancé.

He watched her for a minute. Her golden hair flowed around her like streamers and her sweet face was animated as she talked to Mina. She wore her traditional gown; white with yellow embroidery except that this gown fitted her body more snugly and it was strapless, leaving her shoulders bare. He felt a surge of anger as he realized that his generals would be looking at her, seeing those bare shoulders.

I should be the only one allowed to see those shoulders…he thought. He sighed and knew that he would have to deal with it.

"Endymion!" he heard a voice call. He looked ahead of him and saw that it was Nephlite. He smiled and waved.

"ENDYMION!" Jadeite shouted dramatically. Endymion chuckled at Jadeite's behavior.

Odette clicked her tongue disapprovingly. "Why do they have to shout like that?" she asked her husband.

"It is because they are still little boys, dear. They don't grow up you know." Thaddeus told her.

Odette chuckled. A moment later Endymion heard her say, "Oh, look! There's Serenity and Mina!"

The two women turned towards the voice and waved. When they neared closer to the guests, they walked alongside each other.

"Good morning, Princess Serenity, Princess Mina." Endymion said politely, looking at each in turn. Serenity was surprised that he had greeted her before she had greeted him.

"Good morning…" Serenity mumbled, not looking at him.

"Good morning, Prince Endymion!" Mina greeted cheerfully.

"I'm so glad you could make it, Generals!" Odette said with a smile when they reached the generals. The four smiled and bowed low to the Terran monarchs.

The four had dismounted their horses and had given them to the stable boys to take care of. Serenity was amazed at their height; the generals were all at least over five foot ten.

Nephlite offered a charming smile. "We're glad too," he replied enthusiastically. He turned his attention to Mina and Serenity. "Who are these charming women?" he asked flirtatiously.

Mina giggled frivolously. "This is Princess Serenity and Princess Mina." Endymion told him. Introductions were made and Mina suggested that she and Serenity give everyone a tour.

"That sounds good." Zoicite remarked. The royal Terran couple parted ways with them, explaining that they had already seen the palace grounds and would be in the drawing room for tea.

After biding them goodbye, Mina turned to the generals and spoke up. "So if you'll follow me, I'll lead the way!" She smiled brightly before spinning around and joining Serenity, who walked alongside her. Normally it would be Serenity who would be responsible for showing the guests around but Mina knew that Serenity was preoccupied with more pressing matters.

"So, how do you generals like the Moon so far?" she asked amiably, flashing a dazzling smile as she looked over shoulder. Malachite turned to her and quickly surveyed the shining gold hair, blue eyes the color of lazuli azure and orange muslin dress with its tight bodice. The bodice hugged her curves and had wide, silk straps along the shoulders. She wore orange silk slippers on her feet and a dainty golden bracelet graced her wrist. Princess Mina's style was showy and colourful, something that he didn't care for. She was definitely not his type of woman but then again, no woman had met his standards yet.

He found most of them annoying and needy. He also found sometimes he didn't have the patience for them... or the time. Malachite was the oldest in the group, older than Endymion at twenty four and so he was well past childishness.

Nephlite's voice broke his train of thought.

"The landscape's very nice here…and I feel much lighter…" he confessed.

The golden-haired woman's smile widened and she nodded. "Yes, the Moon's gravity is only one-sixth of the Earth's gravity."

Malachite arched an eyebrow at her knowledge. He hadn't expected her to know something like that.

Nephlite was clearly impressed as he grinned and said to her, "Wow, not only are the Moon's females beautiful, they're also well-educated…"

To Malachite's great surprise, the princess did not blush but instead giggled elatedly. She touched Nephlite's arm gently and allowed her hand to rest there for a moment. "Oh, General Nephlite you're too kind…" she trailed off and her hand drifted from his arm. "I'm not really Lunarian, though… I was born on Venus. You know what though? I was educated by the best scholars on Venus and I am one of the best dancers on the Moon…In fact, many people I know say that I'm very talented and quite knowledgeable."

Malachite pursed his lips as he listened to her. Yes, and you didn't mention humble, he thought wryly. She was so full of herself it was ridiculous!

"I can see that you are very gifted…" Nephlite replied smoothly, grinning down at the small blonde.

Princess Mina smiled but didn't say anything more, much to Malachite's happiness.

They reached a stone path that cut through the gardens and turned onto it. There were gardens at the entrance but this path would lead them through the gardens, which wound all around the palace.

"You can see we have some basil plants here…" Serenity piped up, gesturing toward the leafy green herbal plants. It was the first time she had spoken since they had made introductions and Mina looked over at her in surprise.

Nephlite stopped and bent down to smell the basil plants. "Perfect for cooking…" he remarked.

Serenity stood over him and leaned over. "You can use it for cooking?"

"Yes, you can use it when it's fresh or dry…" he told her, rubbing the leaves. A white butterfly rested on a basil plant's leaves. Nephlite continued. "If you rub it on your skin, it can repel mosquitoes…" he added.

"Wow, how do you know so much about plants?" Mina asked, curious.

"My father used to know a lot about herbs and their remedies. I learned from him about all sorts of plants and herbs."

"That's interesting…" Mina commented.

Nephlite looked at the plants and flowers for a few minutes. Mina decided to move on when she sensed that everyone was becoming restless. "Alright, let's go to the medical research building." she suggested.

"You have a research building?" Zoicite asked, curious.

Mina smiled at his interest and nodded. "Yes, we treat patients and conduct research on health there."

"Alright, well what are we waiting for, guys? Come on, let's go!" Zoicite urged.

"Jeez, Zoi relax, will you? We're stopping to smell the roses, okay?" Jadeite joked.

"There are no roses!" Zoicite protested. Everyone laughed, knowing full well that Zoicite was right. There were no roses on the Moon, only on Earth. When the laughter died down, Serenity spoke up.

"What's a rose?" she asked, puzzled. It was silent until Endymion spoke.

"You've never seen a rose before?" he asked, shocked. He watched as she looked at him, frowned and then turned her head away.

"No." she answered abruptly. He gave a short, inaudible sigh at her abruptness and spoke again.

"It's a flower…" Endymion continued, watching her closely. She twitched under his gaze. "It's usually a deep red colour and it's very popular on Earth…"

Serenity's resolve crumbled and she turned to look at Endymion. "Are they pleasing to look at?"

"Oh, yes, they're very beautiful…" he answered meaningfully, voice low, eyes fixed on hers.

Serenity felt her cheeks redden from the look in his eyes and the feeling in his words. She dropped her gaze. "Perhaps I will be able to see them one day…" she said softly.

Endymion smiled secretively but she didn't see the smile because her head was bowed. "Perhaps…" he agreed.

"Can we stop talking about plants and flowers now?!" Jadeite complained, breaking into the moment between Serenity and Endymion.

Malachite chuckled and looked at Jadeite with an amused expression. "I thought you wanted to stop and smell the roses, Jadeite…"

The group laughed and Jadeite passed Malachite an annoyed look. "Yes! I did but I didn't want to spend all day talking about it!"

"Don't worry; we won't spend all day talking about flowers…" Mina assured him, her voice teasing. "The medical building is just down this way…" she added, walking down the stone pathway that turned to the left.

When they came to the research building, Zoicite was utterly fascinated and would ask Mina about various things but Mina didn't know the answer. As Zoicite conversed with the researchers, Mina leaned toward Serenity and whispered, "I wish Amy was here! He keeps asking me so many questions and I don't have the slightest clue as to what the answer is!"

Serenity giggled. "I guess he thinks you know everything…You know, you did kind of imply that…"

"What?! When?" Mina cried, furrowing her brow.

Serenity smiled. "When you said that 'many people say I'm very knowledgeable'…"

Mina's mouth dropped and Serenity just laughed harder. "So? That doesn't mean that I'm some genius or something just because I said I'm intelligent!" she scoffed. The only answer Mina received was Serenity's amused laugh.

Endymion smiled at the sound of Serenity's laughter. Her laugh was beautiful; so full of joy and love. The prince was glad to see her happy; all this tension between them had been making her very unhappy. It had sent her and him both on a myriad of emotions.

He turned as Malachite walked over to him. Malachite looked grave. "I have some news to tell you about Earth..." The platinum-haired general spoke quietly so that no one else could hear.

"Yes?" Endymion arched his eyebrows.

Malachite exhaled slowly and a troubled look passed over his face. "They have not moved their encampments," he informed him. Endymion frowned. "King Leonias and his men have not moved. It makes me uneasy- I fear that they are planning something…"

Endymion shook his head. "Or King Leonias could just be planning what he is going to accept in the truce…" he suggested.

Malachite shook his head. "I don't think it's that, Endymion…"

Endymion pursed his lips before patting Malachite on the shoulder and saying, "We'll talk about it later, Mal…Right now we should enjoy this break while we can…"

Malachite sighed as Endymion walked away. He couldn't relax- at least not until this matter was solved. He wanted to deal with it now. Malachite didn't trust King Leonias and didn't like him being so close to the palace. As a general he cared for security and order- there was security on Earth but stability was almost nonexistent.

"Maybe we should move onto the training grounds now…" Mina said to the group but before she could go on, Queen Serenity walked into the medical building. Artemis appeared shortly after her and came in as well.

Everyone paused and stared at her. The queen met everyone's gazes and smiled.

"Queen Serenity…" Mina said as she curtsied respectfully. Princess Serenity did the same and the queen nodded to them both. She then turned her attention to the generals and addressed them.

"Generals…" she greeted. They bowed deeply. "I'm so glad you could make it. I'm sorry I wasn't present to welcome you here but a disaster occurred on Nemesis and I was busy attending to it"- She paused and looked over at the two princesses. "Serenity, Mina, I must speak with you in private." she told them.

The queen turned back to Endymion and the generals. "In the meantime, Artemis here will accompany you around the palace grounds and continue the tour." She motioned to Artemis who moved forward and introduced himself to the four.

Queen Serenity turned to Princess Serenity and Mina. "Alright," she said with a sigh. "Now we must gather in the dining room and talk." The tall, slender queen turned around and walked out of the same door she had entered. Serenity and Mina followed, puzzled.

Serenity passed Mina a questioning look as they walked but Mina just shook her head and shrugged. The queen walked through the gardens and into the castle, then finally down a hallway until they reached the long, sunny dining room.

The two girls took a seat at the long table as the queen shut the door. "What is it, mother?" Serenity asked, wide-eyed.

The queen walked over to the table and put a hand to her forehead. She stopped in front of the two girls, who were seated beside each other, across from Queen Serenity. She looked at them wearily. "In the midst of all this chaos and misfortune happening on Nemesis, I completely forgot about the ball that we were holding tonight!"

"Ball!" both girls exclaimed at the same time.

Queen Serenity smiled ruefully. "Yes, a ball…" she answered.

"How come we didn't know?!" Serenity complained.

"I sent out invitations a week ago, Serenity…I forgot to tell you girls."

"Are we still holding the ball?" Mina asked tentatively.

"Of course!" Queen Serenity responded. "I can't just cancel a ball like that," she said. She heaved in a breath and then released it tiredly. "I have a large amount of paperwork to do and I must see that Nemesis is well cared for…That is why I want you girls to make preparations for the ball though…Tell the servants to cook lots of food, decorate the palace and make sure that everything is well for the gathering tonight. I won't be able to attend to matters of the ball so I want you to take care of that."

"Oh, there's so much to do!" Serenity cried, grabbing her hair.

Mina laughed and put a hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Sere, we'll get it done!"

"I hope so!"

"Don't worry if everything's not perfect," Queen Serenity assured them. "Just make sure that you get everything done fairly well."

Mina nodded and the queen bid them goodbye. After Queen Serenity had left, Mina spoke. "We get to boss people around! This should be fun!"

"I bet the ball will be even more fun!" Serenity exclaimed as the two left the dining room.

The ball was something to look forward to, amidst all the war, upheaval and forbidden love.

TBC. Keep reading to find out what happens next! Until next time,

atheniangoddess