Chapter 11
Do not want what you cannot have

Meanwhile, Saffiru was fighting his own battle. He paced back and forth by Usagi's bed, where she was still sleeping peacefully. That Crystal must have really knocked her out, and he had no idea when she was going to wake up again.
"Occupied? How in the Moon do you keep a queen occupied? Thanks a lot, Demando." He did not know a single thing about her, except for the fact that she liked music. But that would not be of much use. Saffiru looked back at the sleeping beauty, only a foot away from him. He had never been so close to someone so gorgeous before. Her impossibly long lashes fluttered gently against her cheeks. Demando wasn't kidding when he talked about her ethereal aura. Her pink lips pouted just slightly, as if they were rosebuds ready to bloom. Subconsciously, he moved closer by her side, to better look at her. Even as a captive, her sleep was peaceful and serene, her chest rising and falling with every deep breath. Closer he came, catching the enticing scent of roses in her hair, which was now completely silver. However, enchanting as she was, she belonged to his brother. He wasn't here in the room though. Surely it wouldn't hurt for one...tiny...
"Saffiru? What are you doing?" He jumped up, almost having a panic attack from the voice that had addressed him. Looking down, he saw that Usagi was half-awake. His entire face flushed with a bright red stain and he turned away, muttering a short apology. He heard the sheets rustle and peeked behind him as she stood up. Usagi approached him and circled around him so they were face to face.
"If you think that your brother owns me, you're incredibly mistaken. I don't love him and I am going to get out of here, whether he likes it or not. But for now..." Usagi trailed off, bringing up a slender hand to his cheek, a soft kiss touching his lips. His heart fluttered, filled with a strange, yet extraordinary emotion that he had never felt before. She drew back, looking curiously into his sapphire eyes.
"You look like someone I know. But I can't remember." Saffiru hesitated. She was talking about Endymion. He had to admit that there was a slight similarity between them. But Demando would kill him if she found out about her true husband. She wasn't supposed to know.
"I don't know, Usagi," he lied. He tried to change the subject, "Listen, onii-san doesn't mean to be so harsh to you. He loves you very much." Usagi scoffed, stomping to the vanity.
"I don't think so. I think lust is a more appropriate word." She spotted a comb on the dresser and picked it up, then started to brush her hair. Saffiru watched intently as she combed through the silver strands, making them shimmer like, well, moonbeams. He sighed inwardly, wishing that he had someone to love, to hold, and to run his fingers through their hair.
"Saffiru!" Usagi giggled.
"What? Oh! Gomen..." He blushed again as he drew his hand from her hair, not realizing that his thoughts had almost become a reality. She set down the comb.
"Listen, let's go down to the music room. I want to hear what else you could play." She grabbed his arm, dragging him to the door.
"Uh, Usagi, I don't think this is a good idea. I mean, you just woke up-" he stammered.
"Music always gives me energy," she replied. Saffiru racked his brain for a way to convince her to stay in the bedroom.
"B-But what about your ankle? You really shouldn't be standing on it," he insisted, pulling her back. She couldn't find out about his brother's plans!
"I healed it already. Look." Usagi ran in circles around him, then twirled around, stopping steadily on both feet. She took his hand again.
"See? I am fine. Iku yo!" Saffiru became desperate and he heard himself use a tone of voice he never knew he had.
"Usagi! Stop it now" he roared angrily, grasping her hand from his and thrusting it to her side. She immediately stood still, staring up at him in fear. He had never been so mean before! His heart almost broke when her azure eyes started to brim with tears. He stepped forward, realizing what he had done.
"Onegai, don't cry. Gomenasai, I didn't mean it. Usa..." Usagi turned and ran out the door, a stream of silver flowing from her eyes.
"Usagi, wait!" But she was already gone. Knowing that he should apologize, he quickly chased after her. She was surprisingly fast and he lost sight of her in less than half a minute. He rolled his eyes.
"You're making this too hard," he scolded himself. He concentrated on the small amount of energy her body was emitting, locked it, then teleported right in front of her. She almost screamed at his sudden appearance, backing against the wall. Not wanting to scare her anymore, Saffiru stepped away at a considerable distance, waiting for her to calm down. How could she get so emotional? After a moment, he spoke calmly to her.
"Usagi, I apologize for my behavior. I don't know what came over me." She sniffled, wiping her eyes, her bottom lip starting to tremble again.
"You didn't have to-to hit me," she mumbled, wringing her hands, "If you didn't want me to leave, you could have just told me."
"It's not that I didn't want to leave, it's just-"
"What? Are you hiding something? Are you afraid that I might find out about something?" For a moment, Saffiru hesitated. She definitely suspected something and he did not want to lie anymore.
"Listen, Usagi, I-" But stopped abruptly. Demando had just appeared beside them and Usagi inhaled sharply as he looked back and forth between the two.
"There's not a problem, is there?" he said smoothly.
"N-No, there isn't, Demando," Usagi answered quietly. He eyed her suspiciously and stepped closer. She bit her lip as he grasped her wrist and brought it up to his face, examining it. There were small purple bruises blotching her pale skin, and his eyes narrowed.
"Did you do this, Saffiru?" he asked bitterly. The younger man gulped, attempting to speak, but all he achieved was a hesitant squeak. He had grabbed her hand too harshly earlier, such a mistake that would not be overlooked by his older brother. He could not respond to a question of which the answer was so obvious.
Usagi cried out when Demando administered a sharp slap on Saffiru's face, making him stagger slightly. The White Prince's eyes seemed to glow with a violent purple, his anger so intense.
"Never touch my wife again!" he whispered harshly. Without a second thought, Saffiru disappeared, leaving Usagi with his wrathful brother. There was a tense silence that seemed to last for an eternity. She shifted uncomfortably when she realized that his grip had not released her wrist. Inconspicuously, she tried to ease her hand out of his, but he whipped around, facing her with an angry expression. A tiny squeak escaped her and she bit her lip back. His eyes cooled from a blazing violet, to a soft purple, a hint of a smile in his voice. For a moment, Usagi couldn't even move. Then his words hit her like a bucket of ice water.
"Wife?" she asked tentatively, still trying to slip her hand from his. But he held on to her tighter, locking her eyes with his. She could not look away!
"Hai, Serenity. I want you to marry me. Onegai, will you make me the happiest man alive?" Usagi stared in shock as he knelt before her with a rapturous aspect. He looked so sincere and passionate and…she couldn't refuse! Her knees felt weak.
"I-I don't know what to say," she breathed.
"Say yes, my angel. Say yes and be happy." Usagi couldn't speak, couldn't breathe. She couldn't feel her legs, but she was certain that they were shaking.
Just say yes. Say yes. Do it, say it. Answer yes. Yes!
No! You can't marry him! He kidnapped you and is holding you hostage. He wouldn't care about you, only the Ginzuishou. You can't!
But he's so gentle and caring. He would never hurt you. He loves you. And those kisses were so soft...
Gentle? Caring? You just saw him bitch-slap his own brother, all because of your stupid fondness of piano music. Demando would treat you the same! Don't you dare say it! Don't-
"Demando, I-I-" She took a deep breath, gathering her remaining courage.
"Yes, Serenity?"
"I-I can't. I can't marry you."