AN: Hey, guys! I am SO sorry for the huge delay in updating this. Being a second semester senior, and trying to finish up everything in time to graduate took up all my time, and then some personal drama kinda stressed me out to the point of not even wanting to write... but the good news is, I'm done with high school, so I should be able to update this quickly, as I know where I want the story to go.
As always, thanks to my amazing reviewers for keeping to read this, you guys are what make me keep on going when I'm struggling with the story. So, hugs all around to xSmallLadySerenity13x, nickybluejess, Lady Silverress, Dream01, MoonPrincess998, and LoveInTheBattleField.
Also, as you will see, I did change the names of the characters. The poll I posted on my profile was tied, so I decided to go with it, since that's what I was planning on doing anyways. For a reminder, here are the new names.
Rei = Enyo
Ami = Metis
Minako = Aphrodite
Makoto = Athena
Haruka = Aura
Michiru = Amphitrite
Serenity sat in the library, pouring over a thick book. She sighed, setting the book down. She had been trying to translate the book, which was in Ancient Lunarian, but it was proving to be quite difficult. She wasn't sure why, but for some reason, she felt like she just had to know what was in the book. Maybe it was because her wedding was only days away, and she needed something to distract her. She heard the grandfather clock chime noon, and put away the book. Her mother had requested her presence at a council meeting, and it was starting in just a few minutes.
Serenity arrived at the council meeting a minute later, and found her mother, Artemis and Luna all waiting. She was just about to take a seat, when her mother stopped her.
"Take the seat next to me," Queen Serenity said. "As you will be Queen soon, I think it's time you start participating more in the council meetings, and take your place by my side."
Serenity forced a stiff smile. "Of course. Thank you, Mother."
"The topic of discussion today is possible peace with Earth," Artemis filled her in. "We will be discussing peace treaties, as well as the current situation with the hostile resistance, and what can be done to manage it."
Moments later, the rulers and ambassadors from all the other planets, with the exception of Earth, started filing in and took their seats. All of the Senshi, including Uranus and Neptune were in attendance as well.
"Welcome," Queen Serenity said. "As I'm sure you're all aware, we are here to discuss the future of our relationship with Earth. While Earth's threats have only been directed at the Moon, we are all part of an alliance, and as such, if one of us is attacked, we all are."
"I don't like the idea of a treaty," the King of Neptune said. "We haven't found the belligerents behind this. How do we know they're not just biding their time?"
"A fair point," Queen Serenity said. "We cannot know. However, I have been in talks with the Terran King and Queen, and they have expressed their hopes for renewed diplomatic relations. And it is my feeling that we cannot punish an entire planet, simply because some members of their society have threatened war against us."
"Still, I think we should proceed carefully," the ambassador from Mercury said. "I don't like the idea of leaving ourselves vulnerable."
"Nor do I," Queen Serenity said. "Which is why we are here to discuss treaty options. We are not simply forgetting about their threats, we are trying to find a way to restore peace and diplomatic relations between our two kingdoms."
Princess Serenity's mind started to wander. She cared about the issue with Earth, she really did. But meetings like this bored her. People were too cautious about it, they were too eager to see Earth punished in some way. They were too fast to blame Earth. Serenity wished there could be some sort of solution where Earth and the Moon were at peace again, and she and Endymion could marry. But she knew that was impossible, and it was selfish for her to even wish that.
"I propose that we resume diplomatic relations with Earth, as long as they agree to having a unit of Lunarian warriors on Earth, to ensure that these violent uprisings will not happen again," Queen Serenity was saying.
"I would like to call for a vote," the King of Uranus said.
"I second that," the ambassador of Venus said.
"All right then," Queen Serenity said. "All in favor of restoring diplomatic relations with Earth, so long as we keep a unit of Lunarian soldiers on the planet, please raise your hand."
Serenity looked around the room, and saw that most people had their hands up. She saw her mother look over at her, and realized she was supposed to be participating. Timidly, she raised her hand, and saw a hint of a smile on her mother's face.
"The vote is 12-6 by my count," Luna said. "The proposal passes."
"Very well," Queen Serenity said. "I will contact the Terran King and Queen and present the peace treaty. This meeting is dismissed."
The ambassadors and rulers filed out of the room, and soon the Queen, Serenity, Artemis and Luna were the only ones left.
"You did so well today, Serenity," the Queen said. "I know it's hard, adjusting to all of this, but you're dong so well. You will be a fine Queen someday."
"Thank you, Mother," Serenity said. She wished she could tell her mother to call off the wedding, and postpone the coronation. She wished she could act a like a little kid, or a normal teenage girl, and not the Crown Princess of one of the most powerful planets in the Silver Millennium.
Later that day, Serenity was sitting in her room, enjoying a few precious moments of solitude, and allowing herself a few minutes to thoroughly cry, and get it over with.
"Princess?"
Serenity turned around and saw Luna in the doorway.
"Oh, hello, Luna," Serenity said, quickly plastering a smile on her face. "Is everything alright? Am I needed for something?"
"No, you're fine," Luna said, an odd expression on her face. "I just came by to talk with you. Have you been crying?"
"No, of course not," Serenity said. "I'm fine. Everything's fine."
"You know, you can always talk to me," Luna said. "About anything. I know we haven't been as close lately, as you've been growing up, but I hope you know I'll always be here for you."
And just like that, Serenity's carefully constructed façade crumbled, and tears came pouring down her face. "Oh, Luna. I just can't do this."
Luna sprang onto the Princess' lap. "What can't you do?"
"Any of this," she cried. "I'm not ready to be Queen, I'm not ready to be married. I'm not ready for any of this!"
"But isn't that what all of the preparation is about?" Luna said. "That's why you've been working so hard, it's so you'll be ready."
"But that's not it," Serenity said. "I can't marry Tatsuhiro-sama, I just can't. I don't love him."
"Serenity…" Luna sighed. "I know it's hard, but sometimes marriage can't be about love. Sometimes you just have to hope that you will find love, even if love isn't the primary factor behind the marriage."
"But I can't love him," Serenity said. "Because… because I love someone else!"
"Serenity?" Luna said, surprise clearly evident in her voice. "What do you mean?"
"I met someone a while back," Serenity said. "We fell in love."
"Who is this man?" Luna asked.
Serenity shook her head. "I can't tell you. Because if I tell you, I know you'll be angry, and chastise me for not being careful enough, and you won't understand."
"I won't judge you," Luna said. "I promise. Why did you agree to marry the Prince of Mars if you already loved this man? Is he not someone who would be a suitable match? A commoner?"
Serenity shook her head. "He's not a commoner. But he's not a suitable match. He's a prince. Crown prince, to be precise. But I would never be allowed to marry him."
"But if he's a prince, then…." Luna suddenly trailed off. "You're not talking about the Crown Prince of Earth, are you?"
Serenity bit her lower lip nervously and nodded her head.
"Serenity! What were you thinking? Things may be looking up with Earth now, but do you know how dangerous this is? Do you know how many people on Earth would love to see you dead? How can you even trust this Prince?"
Serenity was crying again. "Please, Luna. You said you'd understand. I love him! He would never do anything to hurt me."
"I'm sorry," Luna said. "I didn't mean to upset you. But can't you see how dangerous this is?"
"Can't you see how much I love him?" Serenity said. "Please, Luna. There must be something I can do."
"I don't think there is," Luna said. "You have already agreed to marry the Martian Prince, and even if you hadn't, you know a marriage to the Terran Prince would be impossible."
"There has to be a way!" Serenity cried. "I can't do this. I just can't!" She stood up, knocking Luna off her lap, and bolted out the door.
A few hours passed, and Serenity was nowhere to be found. Aphrodite, as the leader of the Senshi, called for a meeting. The Senshi, all in their civilian forms, gathered in the courtyard.
"She's on Earth, isn't she," Enyo said.
"That would be my guess as well," Aphrodite said, sighing. "The reason I called you here is because we need to figure out what to do. Clearly she has ignored all of our warnings of caution."
"I don't know what we're supposed to do," Metis said. "But for now, we just need to bring her back safely before the Queen, Luna or Artemis start to worry."
"I agree," Athena said. "Let's all go to Earth, it will make it faster."
"Alright," Aphrodite said. "Let's go."
They quickly changed into their Senshi forms and linked hands. Since technically using the teleport to Earth was illegal, it was easier for them to teleport by combining their powers.
Moments later they arrived on Earth, and set off to find Serenity. They wandered off in no particular direction, following their instincts.
"Wait a second," Aphrodite lifted up a hand to stop everyone. "Do you hear that?"
They could hear the faint noise of voices talking.
"Come on," Aphrodite said.
They ran off towards the noise, and as it increased they could clearly make out Serenity's voice. They pushed through a few bushes, and came out in a courtyard, with Serenity and Endymion right in front of them. Standing nearby were also the four Shitennou.
"Serenity!" Aphrodite called out. "There you are. You had us all worried when you disappeared like that."
"I'm sorry," Serenity said, and she did look truly sorry. "I just… needed to escape for a bit."
"You can't just go running off like that," Enyo chided gently. "I know this is hard for you, but you have duties to fulfill, and you must learn to be strong and not run away every time something hard happens."
"I know," Serenity said.
"Is everything alright, my liege?" Kunzite asked, approaching them.
"It's fine, Kunzite," Endymion said. "Serenity and I were just saying goodbye."
"Oi, what's all this about?" Jadeite called, sauntering over to the group. "Is something important going on which I'm missing?"
"You!" Enyo spat, her eyes widening.
"Me?" Jadeite asked, smirking and feigning innocence.
"You're that arrogant jerk from the ball!" Enyo said. "I should have known a self-centered, conceited ass like you would be a Terran!"
"Ah, yes, you were that stuck up lady who thought she was better than everyone else," he said. "Now I remember you."
Enyo was about to say something else when she was cut off by Athena.
"You're a Terran, too?" she asked in disbelief.
Zoisite and Nephrite had wandered over to see what the fuss was about, and Athena recognized Nephrite from the ball.
"Please, don't be angry at me," Nephrite said.
"How could I not be mad at you?" Athena yelled. "You lied to me! You swore you weren't a Terran."
"Actually, I seem to recall swearing I wasn't a Terran spy, which I'm not," Nephrite said.
"Now is not the time to be getting all clever on me," Athena threatened, cracking her knuckles.
"Please, just calm down," Nephrite said, as Athena advanced on him.
Metis sighed and closed her eyes as Athena swung at and missed Nephrite, and Enyo started yelling at Jadeite again.
"You don't seem to be angry," Zoisite said.
Metis snapped her eyes open. "I'm not."
"But why?" he asked. "Aren't you upset that I'm Terran and that I lied to you?"
Metis smiled. "Did you really think I wouldn't recognize you?"
"What do you mean?" Zoisite asked.
"I've known you were one of the four Shitennou of Earth from the beginning," she said. "It was quite obvious."
"Wait… you knew I was Terran?" he asked. "And yet you didn't throw me out or call the guards on me? You even danced with me!"
"I don't believe it is prudent to make assumptions about people simply because of their nationality, or their race," Metis said. "I was a bit wary, knowing you were Terran, but as Serenity trusts the Prince, and you are his guardian, I didn't see any reason to throw you out."
Zoisite smiled. "You're kind of amazing, you know that?"
Metis blushed. "Well…"
"Seriously, though," he said. "If only more people thought like you, perhaps this whole conflict between the Earth and the Moon wouldn't be as severe as it is."
A loud shriek from Enyo made them both wince.
"If only our friends had your same philosophy," Zoisite amended. "That would be even nicer."
Metis giggled a little.
"Well, it looks like we're going to be here awhile," Zoisite said. "Oh, I've been meaning to show you something, ever since the ball." He handed Metis the notebook he'd been holding. "I was really interested in what you said about Gensai-sensei, so I looked up the 5th edition of Astronomical Equations. And you were right, the extra content is so useful. Take a look at this."
Metis opened the notebook, and saw it was filled with mathematical equations, scribbled astronomy problems, hasty drawings, and lots of notes. "What is all this?" she asked.
"Oh," he said, embarrassed. "I guess I forgot to say what it was. I felt so inspired by the extra content that I fiddled around a bit with some of the questions he brings up. I was hoping to get a second opinion on it."
"Hmm…. let me see," Metis said, flipping through the pages. "This is all so interesting, you bring up a lot of good points. Although… I'm confused as to how you how you got this result." She pointed to one of the equations.
"Oh, well, I was going off of what he said about the way the planets are interconnected…" he was cut off by a loud shriek from Enyo.
"I did not like dancing with you one bit! You should be grateful I'm not hauling your ass back to the Moon right now for illegal trespassing!"
"Shall we go somewhere more quiet?" Zoisite asked.
"That sounds lovely," Metis said, and they walked off to the other end of the courtyard.
Serenity and Endymion, meanwhile, were observing their fighting friends, Endymion with amusement, and Serenity with worry.
"Should we do something?" she asked.
"Oh, don't worry about it," he said. "Jadeite loves to talk big, but that's all he does. And Nephrite… well, I think he took quite a liking to Lady Jupiter."
"Hmmm… it is true that Enyo tends to talk big, too," Serenity said. "And I don't think Athena would hurt Lord Shitennou Nephrite."
"Serenity, we need to go back," Aphrodite said, turning away from her conversation with Kunzite. "We'll leave Enyo and Athena behind if we must, but the Queen will start to worry if you're not back soon."
"Alright," Serenity said. She cast one more longing look at Endymion, and then walked to her guardian's side.
"Jupiter! Mars!" Aphrodite yelled.
Enyo, who had been engaging in a loud shouting match with Jadeite quieted, and Athena, who was still trying to get in a good punch, stopped as well. They knew that Aphrodite only called them by their more formal names when they were on a mission, or when she was mad.
"This is no way for the Senshi warriors to behave!" Aphrodite admonished. "You are behaving like children. You should be ashamed of yourselves. It doesn't matter who these men are, or who they claimed to be, our duty was to return Serenity safely to the Moon Palace, something we could have already accomplished if you had acted like the sacred warriors you're supposed to be."
Athena and Enyo both looked slightly embarrassed.
"Don't think this is the end," Enyo threatened Jadeite. "If I ever have the misfortune of running into you again, I will make sure you pay the price for your lies and your behavior."
"Bring it," Jadeite said, giving his trademark smirk.
"Can we please just put this behind us?" Nephrite asked Athena. "I am truly sorry for not telling you I'm Terran, but not all Terrans wish the Moon and the Lunarians harm. I sincerely hope you can forgive me."
Athena thought for a moment. Quick as lightning, she threw a swift punch to his face. "Now I can put it behind me," she said.
Aphrodite rolled her eyes, and walked off with Serenity, with Athena, Metis and Enyo following behind.
Back at the Moon Palace, Serenity sat in her quarters, contemplating her options. Her reverie was interrupted by a knock on the door.
"Princess?" Kaiya, Serenity's main lady-in-waiting stood at the door. "The Prince of Mars requests your presence for a walk around the gardens."
"Oh," Serenity said. "Thank you, Kaiya."
"No problem, Your Highness," Kaiya said, curtsying. "Would you like me to deliver a message to His Highness, or would you rather speak to him yourself?"
"No, it's alright, I'll go meet him," Serenity said. "Is he in the gardens?"
"He's in the courtyard, I believe," Kaiya said.
"I suppose I should change my dress," Serenity said, sighing. The dress she'd been wearing was relatively simple, and a bit rumpled, as she and Endymion had gone horseback riding on Earth.
"Would you like help changing, Princess?" Kaiya asked.
"Yes, thanks," Serenity said.
Kaiya walked over to the closet, and after searching for a moment, emerged with a white dress with light pink accents. It was adorned with lace, and had ruffled skirts. Kaiya helped Serenity slip off her dress, and buttoned her into the new one.
"You look lovely, Princess," Kaiya said.
"Thank you," Serenity said. "You look nice, too. You look far better in that dress than I ever did."
Kaiya blushed. "Thank you, Princess. I never really got to thank you properly for giving me this dress on the night of the ball. It was very generous."
"No problem," Serenity said. "Like I said, it looks better on you. Besides, I have more clothes than I know what to do with."
Kaiya smiled. "Come, you shouldn't keep the Prince waiting."
Serenity walked over to the courtyard, and found Prince Tatsuhiro standing there, looking dashing in his military uniform.
"Princess," he said when she arrived, bowing low and kissing her hand.
"Prince," Serenity said, giving a curtsy.
"Would you care to accompany me around the gardens?" he asked.
"I would love to," she said. It was the last thing she wanted to do, but she knew she didn't have much of a choice.
"It's such a beautiful day, don't you think?" he asked.
"Indeed it is," she said.
"You have such lovely gardens here on Luna," he said. "There are many exquisite flowers."
"Thank you," Serenity said. "I do love spending time in the gardens, they are quite beautiful."
"Indeed," he said.
Several minutes passed in awkward silence, as they walked around the garden, Serenity searching for something to say. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore.
"Tatsuhiro," she said, turning to face him. "Forgive my informality, but… why are we doing this?"
"I don't understand what you mean, Princess," he said, clearly surprised by her use of his first name.
"We're betrothed," Serenity said. "We're going to be married in a few days, and yet everything is still so formal. We call each other Prince and Princess, we talk about trivial topics like the weather, we spend most of our time in silence as we can't think of anything to say. Why can't we just talk to each other like regular people?"
"The formality is befitting for someone of our ranks," he said. "I do not see the problem."
"Just answer me this," she pleaded. "Do you love me? When you prepare for our wedding, do you think about how you want to spend the rest of your life with me, or is it just another day?"
"Of course I am happy about our wedding," he said. "It will be a wonderful event, I'm sure, and it will bring our two kingdoms together."
"That's not what I'm asking," she said, shaking her head. "Are you marrying me because you love me, or is it to bring our kingdoms closer together? Please, just answer my question. Do you love me?"
Tatsuhiro said nothing.
"I'm sorry," Serenity said. "But I cannot marry someone I don't love, and especially not if they don't love me. I hope you can forgive me."
And with that, she turned around and fled back into her room. She couldn't believe what she had just done. She had staked the entire future of her kingdom, and of the Silver Millennium on her own personal feelings. How could she be so selfish?
And yet… she felt a strange sense of freedom, even though she may have caused catastrophic damage to the relations between the two kingdoms. She had too many thoughts running through her head, and she needed to find someone to talk to. The first 'person' she encountered was Luna.
"Luna!" Serenity cried out, rushing towards the cat, who was talking with Artemis.
"Is something wrong, Serenity?" the cat asked.
"I… I told the Prince of Mars I didn't love him and that I knew he didn't love me and that I couldn't marry him," she said, the words coming out in a rush.
"Slow down," Luna said. "What was that?"
"I told the Prince I couldn't marry him," Serenity said, the words practically a whisper. Upon seeing the shocked faces of Luna and Artemis, she rushed forwards. "I know, I know, I'm jeopardizing the future of the Silver Millennium, and the relations between Mars and the Moon Kingdom. But… what was I supposed to do?"
Luna sighed. "You accepted his betrothal, Serenity. You didn't have to. But when you did, you made a promise to the Prince, to the kingdom of Mars, and to your kingdom as well. You cannot rescind that promise now."
"But how am I supposed to marry someone I cannot love?" Serenity was in tears now. "Perhaps I could stand it if he loved me, but he doesn't. Everything is so formal, it's always 'Prince' this or 'Princess' that. I've never had a real conversation with him, and I'm supposed to marry him in three days!"
"Sometimes people can surprise themselves," Artemis said. "I'm sure things are hard for you right now, because getting married is a very big, life-changing event. But even if you don't like the Prince now, you may surprise yourself and grow to love him."
"But I can't!" Serenity said. "You don't understand."
"I do," Luna said. "I understand you don't love him, and that you love someone else, and I'm sorry, but you don't have a choice. Artemis is right, perhaps you will grow to love the Prince."
Serenity cried out, turned on her heel and ran off, tears streaming down her face. How could she make them understand? They all told her the same thing—if she gave it a try, one day she could grow to love Tatsuhiro-sama. But she knew, deep down, that she would never love anyone but Endymion.
Perhaps it was foolish or naïve or her to say so, as she wasn't even sixteen yet, but she just knew. And yet… could she really stake the safety and happiness of her kingdom just because she loved the wrong person? Even though she knew she could never love Tatsuhiro-sama, he was a good person, and he would be a good king.
She stopped running, and realized she was standing right outside the chapel. She entered and sank down in one of the benches, burying her face in her hands. What was she supposed to do?
"Serenity?"
Serenity turned around and saw that Aphrodite had entered the chapel. She walked over to the Princess, and sat down next to her.
"I heard what happened," Aphrodite said. "It's quite the talk of the palace."
"What am I supposed to do?" Serenity asked her friend. "Should I marry him even though I don't love him? I don't know if I could stand it. But… I can't risk the happiness of the entire Moon Kingdom, and every other planet in the Silver Millennium. Please, just tell me what to do!"
Aphrodite sighed. "Are you asking me as the Senshi of Love, your friend, or a warrior whose job is to protect the Moon Kingdom at all costs?"
"I don't know," Serenity said. "All three?"
Aphrodite gave a little half-smile. "Well, as the Senshi of Love, I would tell you that you must follow your heart, and I know your heart leads you to the Prince of Earth. As your friend, I would tell you to do whatever makes you happy, because your happiness is just as valuable as the happiness of the kingdom. But as a warrior whose job is to protect the Moon Kingdom at all costs, I would tell you that you made a promise to the Martian Prince, and breaking that promise would have dire consequences."
Serenity sniffed, wiping at her eyes. "I guess I already knew all that. But it still helps. I know what has to be done."
Aphrodite placed a hand on her friend's shoulder. "I'm so sorry, Serenity."
Serenity wiped the remaining tears off her face, and sighed. "Me too."
"The Queen wants to speak with you," Aphrodite said. "She's… not happy."
Serenity groaned, and stood up. "Thank you. You really helped."
"Anytime," Aphrodite said, but her face was solemn.
Serenity stood outside the throne room, knowing her mother was inside and not happy with her. Word had gotten out about the royal wedding possibly having been called off, and the whole palace was gossiping. Taking a minute to collect her emotions, Serenity pushed open the heavy doors and walked inside.
"Serenity!" the Queen immediately stood up from where she had been sitting on the throne, discussing with Artemis and Luna. "What in the name of the Goddess have you done?"
"I'm sorry, Mother," Serenity said, casting her eyes downwards.
"Do you have any idea what damage you have caused?" the Queen was livid. "I have been discussing with King Ryo, and he is very upset. You made a promise to me, King Ryo, Prince Tatsuhiro, and the entire kingdoms of Luna and Mars. Your duty as Crown Princess to the Moon Kingdom means that you must marry an eligible prince of a different kingdom. And, once you become betrothed you certainly cannot break off that engagement!"
"I know," Serenity said, biting her lip. "I am truly sorry, I know that I have betrayed my kingdom. It was never my intention to cause conflict, or to hurt in any way our kingdom or the kingdom of Mars. I realize that as Crown Princess, my duty to my kingdom and my people comes first, and I cannot let personal feelings get in the way of that."
Queen Serenity sighed. "That's all very well and good, but what are you going to do about it?"
Serenity took a deep breath. "I'm going to apologize to the Prince. I simply got cold feet, as the thought of being married and becoming queen soon was too much for me to handle. I will ask for his forgiveness. The wedding is back on."
AN: Please review! :)
