Return To The Past: Mamoru's Journey
Chapter 11 - A Day in the Life (Part 1)
Author's Notes:
*******************************************************
"Mmm." It was early morning and Mamoru lay contentedly in his bed resting groggily in the space between consciousness and sleep. He knew he should get up already, but the comforter wrapped tightly around him was warm and comforting.
Mamoru lay still in his bed contemplating the strange dream he had just had. He'd dreamed that a strange girl had appeared, thrown him back into the Silver Millennium, and he'd managed to get stuck in his past - self's six-year-old body. Weird, huh?
Oh, well. He really did need to get up. Turning over, he - found that he couldn't move. Someone or something was hugging tightly onto his right arm. Mamoru opened his eyes slowly unsure of what he might find.
It was - Terry, his little brother, Terry. The two-year-old held onto his elder brother's arm like a lifeline and snuggled closer up next to him. Mamoru blinked. Terry? But, that couldn't be. Was the dream real? As his eyes gradually brought the world into focus, he noted the quite large presence just on the other side of Terry - King Sol Endymion. Careful not to awaken Terry, Mamoru twisted awkwardly craning his neck to see the person lying next to him - Queen Terra. So, it hadn't been a dream after all. Lying back down, Mamoru stared off into space thinking about his plight while waiting for the rest of his family to awaken. He smiled at the thought - HIS family.
About 5 minutes later, a strong, deep voice spoke to him through a stifled yawn. "You up already, Endy?" King Sol opened his tired ice-blue eyes looking upon his young son.
Mamoru's midnight-blue eyes met his father's. "When is Terry gonna wake up?" He questioned.
"Hmm?" Sol shut his eyes for a moment. Taking a deep breath, he pushed himself into a sitting position. Mamoru attempted to do the same, but once again, Terry pulled him back down. Sol laughed. Reaching down, he pried the young boy's hands from his brother's arm moving a pillow in its place. Groggily, Terry moving his death grip onto the pillow seeming to almost strangle it.
Relieved, Mamoru sat up rubbing his sleeping arm to bring feeling back into it. His father looked down at him and a serious look crossed his face. "He looks up to you, Endymion."
"Nani?" Mamoru gave his father a curious look.
"He needs you, Endy. He trust you, and it is your job to protect him - remember that." Mamoru blinked looking down at his brother. "Come on." Sol told him lightening up. "Let us get dressed for breakfast. Mommy will take care of Terry.
Endy grinned putting his arms up in the air. Picking him up, Sol spun him around setting him down on the floor. Endy laughed. "Come on, Daddy!"
"Shhh." Sol quieted him. "Mommy is sleeping."
**********
Twenty minutes later King Sol, Mamoru, and 4-year-old David made their way down the long corridors toward the informal dinning hall. Bright-eyed and fully awake, David skipped merrily down the hall. Mamoru walked silently beside his father watching his brother act like a nut. David turned around walking backwards and starred curiously at his brother. "Whatchu goin' da eat, Endy?"
"Huh?"
"I'm havin' -"
"Do not say 'I'm' David. Say 'I am.' " His father corrected him.
David rolled his eyes. "I AM having cereal with orange juice and eggs with ketchup."
"Do those go together, David?" Sol questioned.
David didn't answer. Mamoru crinkled his nose in disgust. "What are you havin', Endy?"
Mamoru thought about it. So, they got to choose what they ate in the mornings? "I want pancakes!!" Mamoru was surprised at himself. He'd obviously been hanging around Usagi and Chibiusa to long.
"What kind?" David wanted to know.
"Strawberry."
David rolled his eyes. "That is boring. Why doncha eat something interesting?"
Once again, Mamoru crinkled his nose in disgust. "You are weird."
"Am not! I'm big."
"I AM bigger." Mamoru - Endy replied correcting his younger brother's grammar in an I'm-better-than-you tone of voice.
"Yeah. Bigger and Stupider." David mumbled turning back around to walk forewords.
"Daddy." Mamoru - Endy tugged on his father's pants leg to get his attention. So looked down at his oldest son. "David said 'stupid'."
Sol sighed. "David, apologize to your elder brother."
"But, Daddy." David whined. "Endy started it."
"David." Sol warned. "Do you want a time out after breakfast."
David stuck out his lower lip. "No, Daddy."
"Then apologize to your Onii-san - NOW."
"Awww." Sol glared at his second-born. "Gomen, Endy-chan." David muttered his apology. Mamo - Endy grinned. David sulked the rest of the way to the dinning hall."
**********
Author's Notes: Pay close attention to which name is used when referring to Mamoru / Endy / Endymion. Mamoru and Endy are slowly become one person.
**********
Pushing open the heavy door to the dinning hall, King Sol waited for his two boys to step through. Mamo - Endy and David grinned running in excited to who was already up. At the far end of the table in the 3rd chair from the end, Prince Terrance sat across from his daughter, Arianna. To the Prince's left was Nephrite. To Arianna's left was the Ayah from the night before and beside Ayah was Jadeite.
Reaching the near end of the table, Mamo - Endy stopped abruptly. There, in the same seat where he had left her the night before, was his "sister", Elizabeth.
Mamoru and Elizabeth remained rooted to their spots each one filled with his or her own thoughts. Six-year-old Endy also starred. Why was Mamoru acting so strange? The room grew silent holding its breath nervously. "Who is she, Mamo?" Endy asked curiously.
"She claims to be my sister."
"But she's not?"
Mamoru had to think about this for a moment. "I don't honestly know, Endy."
"Hmm." Endy looked at Elizabeth curiously. "Is Mamo really your Onii- san?" He asked curiously.
Elizabeth smiled. "Yes he is, Mamoru." Elizabeth cleared her throat. "Excuse me, Prince Endymion." Getting up, she headed for the door, curtseyed before King Sol, and left the dinning hall starring after her.
"She knows." Endymion thought.
"Is that good or bed?" Mamoru questioned.
"Hard to tell with her."
"Wait a minute. You know who she is?" Mamoru accused. Endymion grinned.
"Whatcha talkin' about?" Endy questioned.
"Nothing you need to worry about, Endy. It is just boring adult stuff."
"Oh."
"Endy, are you alright?" His mother questioned nervously looking him over.
"Yes, Mommy."
"What were you doing?" Terrance asked suspiciously. What had that girl done to him?
"Um." Endy thought about it. "I was just talking to myself." Endymion and Mamoru laughed in the background at the irony of that statement. Endy cracked a smile though he didn't see what was so funny.
Prince Terrance sighed. "You have been hanging around Jadeite to long."
"Hey, I resent that." Jadeite cried out defensively from the table.
"Yeah, what are you going to do about it?" Terrance challenged jokingly returning to the table. "Mutiny?"
"Perhaps." Jadeite grinned evilly.
"Great." Nephrite enthusiastically agreed. "Then, we can drag Jadeite down to the dungeon, hang him up by his ankles, and beat him with a stick."
"Sounds like a plan." Terrance grinned. "Metizite!" He called to one of the two men guarding the doors. "We require your assistance." Nephrite smirked. Jadeite watched the King's younger brother suspiciously.
Promptly, a well-set brown-haired man of medium height entered the room. Bowing respectively to King Sol and young Prince Endymion, Metizite approached Prince Terrance. "You called, Prince?"
"Yes, Metizite. You will inform the high guards assigned to the dungeon to prepare the back room for immediate use."
"Nani?!" Jadeite exclaimed. "Prince, you can not be serious!!" Prince Terrance and Nephrite both cracked up.
"Yes, Highness. It will be as you say." Bowing once more, Metizite turned to leave. As he passed the king, Sol quietly told him to disregard the order. Metizite nodded returning to his post. Helping Endy and David into their seats next to their cousin Arianna, Sol took his place at the head of the table.
"Majesty," Jadeite whined. "tell your brother -"
"Mutiny is a high offense, Jade." King Sol informed him sounding completely serious. Behind him, a young servant girl waited. "The usual." He told her. "Orange juice and strawberry pancakes."
"I want what Daddy is havin'." Endy declared taking his seat.
The girl nodded walking over to David. "What you like little Prince?" She questioned.
"Same as yesterday - Cereal with orange juice and eggs with katsup." David told her. The woman wrinkled her nose in disgust, but turned back to the kitchen to inform the kitchen staff of the orders.
"Majesty, please." Jadeite pleaded.
King Sol laughed along with his brother and Nephrite. "Jade, you are so gullible. It is ridiculous."
"Nani?" Jadeite blinked; then groaned. "Oh, not again." Terrance laughed even harder.
"Daddy, you are a nut." Princess Arianna told her father while putting a delicate spoonful of cereal into her mouth. "Is the piano teacher coming today? I have been practicing, have I not, Ayah?"
"Yes, dear." Ayah answered her fondly. "You will be playing like your mother in no time." Ari smiled happily. Terrance frowned at the mention of his late wife but quickly shook it off. "Onii-san?" He questioned turning to his older brother. "I know we were interrupted last night, but have you and Terra made your decision about the Silver Alliance yet? Queen Serenity and her court will be here in two days."
Mamoru started with surprise. Two days? Queen Serenity was coming? Would he meet her? Would Princess Serenity be with her? Endy winced inwardly. "Mamoru, calm down." Endymion told him. "You are giving us a headache."
"Sorry." He apologized. "It's just -"
"I know. I know, but Endy has not even met Serenity yet. We can not reveal anything to him unless you want to end up not being with Usagi at all."
"Alright, alright. I'll try. Quit lecturing me. You are starting to sound like Father." Endymion grinned. "What are you grinning about?" Mamoru questioned.
"You just called the King of Earth, 'Father'." Mamoru blinked again surprised. He had, hadn't he?
"We still have some more questions." Queen Terra gentle songlike voice floated into the dinning hall. Everyone looked up. The Queen wore a conservative blue dress and low heels. Her hair was loose and fell freely down her back.
Holding a sleepy Terry in her arms, she made her way to the table taking the seat next to her husband and across from her eldest son. A servant brought a booster seat for Terry and placed it in the free seat next to the Queen. Setting her baby down, she turned her attention back to the table. "There is no rush to make this decision immediately. We will simply have to see what the Moon Kingdom's visit brings."
"That sounds sensible." Nephrite agreed. Sol nodded. The table grew silent as the group finished with their breakfast.
**********
About 10 minutes later, King Sol sat down his empty glass and turned to his two elder sons. "Endymion, David is you finished?"
"Yes, Daddy."
King Sol nodded. "Where is Kunzite?" He questioned of no one in particular.
"I am here, Majesty." Kunzite replied approaching from a silent corner of the room where he and Zoycite had been engaged in a private conversation. "Are you ready to take my boys to their lessons?"
"Whenever you are, majesty."
"What lesson?" Mamoru asked.
"Endymion, David. Kunzite will be overseeing your sword fighting lessons for a while. Nephrite has some other business to attend to. Arianna, your piano tutor is waiting for you in the ballroom whenever you are finished with breakfast."
Arianna grinned happily. "My Mama played the piano. Some day, I will play just like her. May I go now, Papa?" She questioned of Prince Terrance.
"Of course, sweetheart. Go right ahead." Ari smiled. Sliding out of her seat, she curtseyed sweetly to her aunt and uncle and ran off to meet the teacher.
King Sol smiled at his niece as she raced from the room. "She is one amazing young girl." He told his brother. Terrance proudly nodded his agreement.
"Arianna and Endymion's tutor will be here at 1:00." King Sol continued. "Ayah, make sure David and Terry are down for their N - A - P before she gets here."
"Of course, majesty." Ayah agreed. Standing up, she walked around the table towards the Queen and her youngest son. "And Terry and I are going to listen to Arianna practice while Endymion and David are training with Kunzite."
Terry whimpered. Before Ayah or his mother could reach for him, he slides down out of the chair. Crawling under the table, he latched onto his Daddy's leg. Sliding the chair back, Sol smiled fondly at Terry. "What is wrong, Angel boy? Do you not want to hear your cousin on the piano?"
Terry pouted. "No, Dada. I wanna pay wit Endy and Dabid."
"Terry!" His mother exclaimed. "You are to little to be sword fighting."
Terry gave his parents 'the look.' "Dada, I be a good fighder. I'w twain hard."
Sol laughed. "I am sure you would." He turned to look at his head general, Kunzite. "Kunzite, do you think you can keep an eye on Terry while Endymion and David are practicing?"
Kunzite looked down at Terry who shared 'the look' with him. "I suppose I could."
Terry grinned. "I can go, Daddy?"
Sol relented. "Yes, Terry-chan. You can go with Endy and David."
"Yaa!!" Terry grinned happily disappearing back under the table. A moment later, his head popped up from his mother's lap. Queen Terra glared at her husband. How could he be so careless?
King Sol Endymion sighed and turned back to his head general. "Kunzite, why do you not let Terry use one of David old wooden swords? He will be happy playing with that while his brother's are training."
"Yes, Majesty. I will do that."
"Me twain to Daddy." Terry declared.
Sol smiled fondly at Terry innocence. "You have to train hard, Angel boy if you want to be strong like your brothers."
"Like Endy!" Terry chirruped.
"We should get going then." Kunzite replied.
"Go on." Sol told his sons.
Obediently, Mamo - Endy and David slide down from their seats. David ran over to where Kunzite was waiting. Endy - Mamo started to follow, but something held him back. There was something he had to do first. Running over to his mother's chair, he looked up at his little brother. "Come on, Terry-chan." Terry grinned happily. Sliding out of the seat, he took his older brothers hand. Then, Endy and Terry joined Kunzite and David and the four of them headed outside to begin their lessons.
**********
Outside, Kunzite and the three boys head towards a private training area set-aside especially for high-ranking knights, generals, and royalty. It was basically just an open grassy area with high walls all around to keep out curious onlookers. To one side was a large concrete wall holding a wide variety of training swords.
Looking around, Mamoru was curious but bored at the same time. Though, he did not remember this place, it was uncanningly familiar. "My brothers and I use to train out here with Father all the time." Endymion remarked thoughtfully. He looked down at Terry, who was clinging to Endy's hand. "I wonder what ever happened to them after I went up to the moon?"
"Good question." Mamoru returned. "As far as I know, I was an only child."
"Hai." Endymion grew silent, but Mamoru could feel something was bothering him.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." He replied quickly, but Mamoru didn't believe him. Endymion sighed. "I was just thinking about how Terrance helped Serenity and me get together." He smirked. "After he almost made us enemies."
Mamoru was curious. "Tell me about it."
"Wait until Endy is concentrating on his training. We do not want him listening in."
"Right."
Going over to the concrete wall, Kunzite selected two mini-sized and slightly dulled swords. The larger of the two he handed to Endy. The smaller he handed to David. "Alright, Endym -"
*Tug. Tug. * A small tug on his pants leg caught Kunzite's attention. Looking down, he noticed Terry starring up at him with indignant baby blue eyes and his thumb in his mouth. Extracting his thumb, he glared at the general. "ME DO!!" He declared holding his hand out.
"Oh, right. Gomen Terry-chan." Reaching back to the wall again, he picked up a tiny wooden sword. Kneeling down, he held it out to the small boy. Terry looked back at his brothers, who were sparring with their "grown-up" swords, and back again at the little wooden one. "Not like Endy's." He pouted.
Kunzite frowned having to think for a moment. "Well, Endymion used to use this sword, but he uses a big sword now."
Terry looked at the wooden sword again. "Endy's?" He questioned.
"Hai."
"Me do!!" Terry declared deciding the wooden sword was ok if it belonged to his biggest brother. "Me do, me do!!"
Kunzite handed him the sword. "Hold it like this." He instructed wrapping both of Terry's tiny hands around the handle of the sword. Holding on to him, Kunzite showed him how to swing the little sword back and forth. "Like this." Terry let Kunzite hold on to him for only a minute before he began trying to pull away. He didn't need help. He could fight just like Endy, and Daddy, and David.
Letting go of the sword, Kunzite stood up watching the young boy. Terry grinned happily swinging his sword back and forth - sometimes with one hand and occasionally with two. General Kunzite sighed. There really wasn't much you could teach a two-year-old. "Terry-chan, why do you not go and practice over there?" He pointed to a nearby corner of the training area - out of the way, but close enough to keep an eye on. "Endymion, David, come. It is time for your lessons."
"Hai!!" David grinned.
Endy groaned inwardly. "Can't you guys do this for me?"
"No way." Mamoru replied. "This is your lesson."
"Besides, Kunzite would be suspicious if you suddenly starting fighting as good as we do."
"Awww. You guys are no fun."
**********
"So?" Mamoru prompted Endymion as soon as Kunzite had distracted Endy's attention.
"Ok. Ok. Let me think."
**********
Chapter 11 - A Day in the Life (Part 1)
Author's Notes:
*******************************************************
"Mmm." It was early morning and Mamoru lay contentedly in his bed resting groggily in the space between consciousness and sleep. He knew he should get up already, but the comforter wrapped tightly around him was warm and comforting.
Mamoru lay still in his bed contemplating the strange dream he had just had. He'd dreamed that a strange girl had appeared, thrown him back into the Silver Millennium, and he'd managed to get stuck in his past - self's six-year-old body. Weird, huh?
Oh, well. He really did need to get up. Turning over, he - found that he couldn't move. Someone or something was hugging tightly onto his right arm. Mamoru opened his eyes slowly unsure of what he might find.
It was - Terry, his little brother, Terry. The two-year-old held onto his elder brother's arm like a lifeline and snuggled closer up next to him. Mamoru blinked. Terry? But, that couldn't be. Was the dream real? As his eyes gradually brought the world into focus, he noted the quite large presence just on the other side of Terry - King Sol Endymion. Careful not to awaken Terry, Mamoru twisted awkwardly craning his neck to see the person lying next to him - Queen Terra. So, it hadn't been a dream after all. Lying back down, Mamoru stared off into space thinking about his plight while waiting for the rest of his family to awaken. He smiled at the thought - HIS family.
About 5 minutes later, a strong, deep voice spoke to him through a stifled yawn. "You up already, Endy?" King Sol opened his tired ice-blue eyes looking upon his young son.
Mamoru's midnight-blue eyes met his father's. "When is Terry gonna wake up?" He questioned.
"Hmm?" Sol shut his eyes for a moment. Taking a deep breath, he pushed himself into a sitting position. Mamoru attempted to do the same, but once again, Terry pulled him back down. Sol laughed. Reaching down, he pried the young boy's hands from his brother's arm moving a pillow in its place. Groggily, Terry moving his death grip onto the pillow seeming to almost strangle it.
Relieved, Mamoru sat up rubbing his sleeping arm to bring feeling back into it. His father looked down at him and a serious look crossed his face. "He looks up to you, Endymion."
"Nani?" Mamoru gave his father a curious look.
"He needs you, Endy. He trust you, and it is your job to protect him - remember that." Mamoru blinked looking down at his brother. "Come on." Sol told him lightening up. "Let us get dressed for breakfast. Mommy will take care of Terry.
Endy grinned putting his arms up in the air. Picking him up, Sol spun him around setting him down on the floor. Endy laughed. "Come on, Daddy!"
"Shhh." Sol quieted him. "Mommy is sleeping."
**********
Twenty minutes later King Sol, Mamoru, and 4-year-old David made their way down the long corridors toward the informal dinning hall. Bright-eyed and fully awake, David skipped merrily down the hall. Mamoru walked silently beside his father watching his brother act like a nut. David turned around walking backwards and starred curiously at his brother. "Whatchu goin' da eat, Endy?"
"Huh?"
"I'm havin' -"
"Do not say 'I'm' David. Say 'I am.' " His father corrected him.
David rolled his eyes. "I AM having cereal with orange juice and eggs with ketchup."
"Do those go together, David?" Sol questioned.
David didn't answer. Mamoru crinkled his nose in disgust. "What are you havin', Endy?"
Mamoru thought about it. So, they got to choose what they ate in the mornings? "I want pancakes!!" Mamoru was surprised at himself. He'd obviously been hanging around Usagi and Chibiusa to long.
"What kind?" David wanted to know.
"Strawberry."
David rolled his eyes. "That is boring. Why doncha eat something interesting?"
Once again, Mamoru crinkled his nose in disgust. "You are weird."
"Am not! I'm big."
"I AM bigger." Mamoru - Endy replied correcting his younger brother's grammar in an I'm-better-than-you tone of voice.
"Yeah. Bigger and Stupider." David mumbled turning back around to walk forewords.
"Daddy." Mamoru - Endy tugged on his father's pants leg to get his attention. So looked down at his oldest son. "David said 'stupid'."
Sol sighed. "David, apologize to your elder brother."
"But, Daddy." David whined. "Endy started it."
"David." Sol warned. "Do you want a time out after breakfast."
David stuck out his lower lip. "No, Daddy."
"Then apologize to your Onii-san - NOW."
"Awww." Sol glared at his second-born. "Gomen, Endy-chan." David muttered his apology. Mamo - Endy grinned. David sulked the rest of the way to the dinning hall."
**********
Author's Notes: Pay close attention to which name is used when referring to Mamoru / Endy / Endymion. Mamoru and Endy are slowly become one person.
**********
Pushing open the heavy door to the dinning hall, King Sol waited for his two boys to step through. Mamo - Endy and David grinned running in excited to who was already up. At the far end of the table in the 3rd chair from the end, Prince Terrance sat across from his daughter, Arianna. To the Prince's left was Nephrite. To Arianna's left was the Ayah from the night before and beside Ayah was Jadeite.
Reaching the near end of the table, Mamo - Endy stopped abruptly. There, in the same seat where he had left her the night before, was his "sister", Elizabeth.
Mamoru and Elizabeth remained rooted to their spots each one filled with his or her own thoughts. Six-year-old Endy also starred. Why was Mamoru acting so strange? The room grew silent holding its breath nervously. "Who is she, Mamo?" Endy asked curiously.
"She claims to be my sister."
"But she's not?"
Mamoru had to think about this for a moment. "I don't honestly know, Endy."
"Hmm." Endy looked at Elizabeth curiously. "Is Mamo really your Onii- san?" He asked curiously.
Elizabeth smiled. "Yes he is, Mamoru." Elizabeth cleared her throat. "Excuse me, Prince Endymion." Getting up, she headed for the door, curtseyed before King Sol, and left the dinning hall starring after her.
"She knows." Endymion thought.
"Is that good or bed?" Mamoru questioned.
"Hard to tell with her."
"Wait a minute. You know who she is?" Mamoru accused. Endymion grinned.
"Whatcha talkin' about?" Endy questioned.
"Nothing you need to worry about, Endy. It is just boring adult stuff."
"Oh."
"Endy, are you alright?" His mother questioned nervously looking him over.
"Yes, Mommy."
"What were you doing?" Terrance asked suspiciously. What had that girl done to him?
"Um." Endy thought about it. "I was just talking to myself." Endymion and Mamoru laughed in the background at the irony of that statement. Endy cracked a smile though he didn't see what was so funny.
Prince Terrance sighed. "You have been hanging around Jadeite to long."
"Hey, I resent that." Jadeite cried out defensively from the table.
"Yeah, what are you going to do about it?" Terrance challenged jokingly returning to the table. "Mutiny?"
"Perhaps." Jadeite grinned evilly.
"Great." Nephrite enthusiastically agreed. "Then, we can drag Jadeite down to the dungeon, hang him up by his ankles, and beat him with a stick."
"Sounds like a plan." Terrance grinned. "Metizite!" He called to one of the two men guarding the doors. "We require your assistance." Nephrite smirked. Jadeite watched the King's younger brother suspiciously.
Promptly, a well-set brown-haired man of medium height entered the room. Bowing respectively to King Sol and young Prince Endymion, Metizite approached Prince Terrance. "You called, Prince?"
"Yes, Metizite. You will inform the high guards assigned to the dungeon to prepare the back room for immediate use."
"Nani?!" Jadeite exclaimed. "Prince, you can not be serious!!" Prince Terrance and Nephrite both cracked up.
"Yes, Highness. It will be as you say." Bowing once more, Metizite turned to leave. As he passed the king, Sol quietly told him to disregard the order. Metizite nodded returning to his post. Helping Endy and David into their seats next to their cousin Arianna, Sol took his place at the head of the table.
"Majesty," Jadeite whined. "tell your brother -"
"Mutiny is a high offense, Jade." King Sol informed him sounding completely serious. Behind him, a young servant girl waited. "The usual." He told her. "Orange juice and strawberry pancakes."
"I want what Daddy is havin'." Endy declared taking his seat.
The girl nodded walking over to David. "What you like little Prince?" She questioned.
"Same as yesterday - Cereal with orange juice and eggs with katsup." David told her. The woman wrinkled her nose in disgust, but turned back to the kitchen to inform the kitchen staff of the orders.
"Majesty, please." Jadeite pleaded.
King Sol laughed along with his brother and Nephrite. "Jade, you are so gullible. It is ridiculous."
"Nani?" Jadeite blinked; then groaned. "Oh, not again." Terrance laughed even harder.
"Daddy, you are a nut." Princess Arianna told her father while putting a delicate spoonful of cereal into her mouth. "Is the piano teacher coming today? I have been practicing, have I not, Ayah?"
"Yes, dear." Ayah answered her fondly. "You will be playing like your mother in no time." Ari smiled happily. Terrance frowned at the mention of his late wife but quickly shook it off. "Onii-san?" He questioned turning to his older brother. "I know we were interrupted last night, but have you and Terra made your decision about the Silver Alliance yet? Queen Serenity and her court will be here in two days."
Mamoru started with surprise. Two days? Queen Serenity was coming? Would he meet her? Would Princess Serenity be with her? Endy winced inwardly. "Mamoru, calm down." Endymion told him. "You are giving us a headache."
"Sorry." He apologized. "It's just -"
"I know. I know, but Endy has not even met Serenity yet. We can not reveal anything to him unless you want to end up not being with Usagi at all."
"Alright, alright. I'll try. Quit lecturing me. You are starting to sound like Father." Endymion grinned. "What are you grinning about?" Mamoru questioned.
"You just called the King of Earth, 'Father'." Mamoru blinked again surprised. He had, hadn't he?
"We still have some more questions." Queen Terra gentle songlike voice floated into the dinning hall. Everyone looked up. The Queen wore a conservative blue dress and low heels. Her hair was loose and fell freely down her back.
Holding a sleepy Terry in her arms, she made her way to the table taking the seat next to her husband and across from her eldest son. A servant brought a booster seat for Terry and placed it in the free seat next to the Queen. Setting her baby down, she turned her attention back to the table. "There is no rush to make this decision immediately. We will simply have to see what the Moon Kingdom's visit brings."
"That sounds sensible." Nephrite agreed. Sol nodded. The table grew silent as the group finished with their breakfast.
**********
About 10 minutes later, King Sol sat down his empty glass and turned to his two elder sons. "Endymion, David is you finished?"
"Yes, Daddy."
King Sol nodded. "Where is Kunzite?" He questioned of no one in particular.
"I am here, Majesty." Kunzite replied approaching from a silent corner of the room where he and Zoycite had been engaged in a private conversation. "Are you ready to take my boys to their lessons?"
"Whenever you are, majesty."
"What lesson?" Mamoru asked.
"Endymion, David. Kunzite will be overseeing your sword fighting lessons for a while. Nephrite has some other business to attend to. Arianna, your piano tutor is waiting for you in the ballroom whenever you are finished with breakfast."
Arianna grinned happily. "My Mama played the piano. Some day, I will play just like her. May I go now, Papa?" She questioned of Prince Terrance.
"Of course, sweetheart. Go right ahead." Ari smiled. Sliding out of her seat, she curtseyed sweetly to her aunt and uncle and ran off to meet the teacher.
King Sol smiled at his niece as she raced from the room. "She is one amazing young girl." He told his brother. Terrance proudly nodded his agreement.
"Arianna and Endymion's tutor will be here at 1:00." King Sol continued. "Ayah, make sure David and Terry are down for their N - A - P before she gets here."
"Of course, majesty." Ayah agreed. Standing up, she walked around the table towards the Queen and her youngest son. "And Terry and I are going to listen to Arianna practice while Endymion and David are training with Kunzite."
Terry whimpered. Before Ayah or his mother could reach for him, he slides down out of the chair. Crawling under the table, he latched onto his Daddy's leg. Sliding the chair back, Sol smiled fondly at Terry. "What is wrong, Angel boy? Do you not want to hear your cousin on the piano?"
Terry pouted. "No, Dada. I wanna pay wit Endy and Dabid."
"Terry!" His mother exclaimed. "You are to little to be sword fighting."
Terry gave his parents 'the look.' "Dada, I be a good fighder. I'w twain hard."
Sol laughed. "I am sure you would." He turned to look at his head general, Kunzite. "Kunzite, do you think you can keep an eye on Terry while Endymion and David are practicing?"
Kunzite looked down at Terry who shared 'the look' with him. "I suppose I could."
Terry grinned. "I can go, Daddy?"
Sol relented. "Yes, Terry-chan. You can go with Endy and David."
"Yaa!!" Terry grinned happily disappearing back under the table. A moment later, his head popped up from his mother's lap. Queen Terra glared at her husband. How could he be so careless?
King Sol Endymion sighed and turned back to his head general. "Kunzite, why do you not let Terry use one of David old wooden swords? He will be happy playing with that while his brother's are training."
"Yes, Majesty. I will do that."
"Me twain to Daddy." Terry declared.
Sol smiled fondly at Terry innocence. "You have to train hard, Angel boy if you want to be strong like your brothers."
"Like Endy!" Terry chirruped.
"We should get going then." Kunzite replied.
"Go on." Sol told his sons.
Obediently, Mamo - Endy and David slide down from their seats. David ran over to where Kunzite was waiting. Endy - Mamo started to follow, but something held him back. There was something he had to do first. Running over to his mother's chair, he looked up at his little brother. "Come on, Terry-chan." Terry grinned happily. Sliding out of the seat, he took his older brothers hand. Then, Endy and Terry joined Kunzite and David and the four of them headed outside to begin their lessons.
**********
Outside, Kunzite and the three boys head towards a private training area set-aside especially for high-ranking knights, generals, and royalty. It was basically just an open grassy area with high walls all around to keep out curious onlookers. To one side was a large concrete wall holding a wide variety of training swords.
Looking around, Mamoru was curious but bored at the same time. Though, he did not remember this place, it was uncanningly familiar. "My brothers and I use to train out here with Father all the time." Endymion remarked thoughtfully. He looked down at Terry, who was clinging to Endy's hand. "I wonder what ever happened to them after I went up to the moon?"
"Good question." Mamoru returned. "As far as I know, I was an only child."
"Hai." Endymion grew silent, but Mamoru could feel something was bothering him.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing." He replied quickly, but Mamoru didn't believe him. Endymion sighed. "I was just thinking about how Terrance helped Serenity and me get together." He smirked. "After he almost made us enemies."
Mamoru was curious. "Tell me about it."
"Wait until Endy is concentrating on his training. We do not want him listening in."
"Right."
Going over to the concrete wall, Kunzite selected two mini-sized and slightly dulled swords. The larger of the two he handed to Endy. The smaller he handed to David. "Alright, Endym -"
*Tug. Tug. * A small tug on his pants leg caught Kunzite's attention. Looking down, he noticed Terry starring up at him with indignant baby blue eyes and his thumb in his mouth. Extracting his thumb, he glared at the general. "ME DO!!" He declared holding his hand out.
"Oh, right. Gomen Terry-chan." Reaching back to the wall again, he picked up a tiny wooden sword. Kneeling down, he held it out to the small boy. Terry looked back at his brothers, who were sparring with their "grown-up" swords, and back again at the little wooden one. "Not like Endy's." He pouted.
Kunzite frowned having to think for a moment. "Well, Endymion used to use this sword, but he uses a big sword now."
Terry looked at the wooden sword again. "Endy's?" He questioned.
"Hai."
"Me do!!" Terry declared deciding the wooden sword was ok if it belonged to his biggest brother. "Me do, me do!!"
Kunzite handed him the sword. "Hold it like this." He instructed wrapping both of Terry's tiny hands around the handle of the sword. Holding on to him, Kunzite showed him how to swing the little sword back and forth. "Like this." Terry let Kunzite hold on to him for only a minute before he began trying to pull away. He didn't need help. He could fight just like Endy, and Daddy, and David.
Letting go of the sword, Kunzite stood up watching the young boy. Terry grinned happily swinging his sword back and forth - sometimes with one hand and occasionally with two. General Kunzite sighed. There really wasn't much you could teach a two-year-old. "Terry-chan, why do you not go and practice over there?" He pointed to a nearby corner of the training area - out of the way, but close enough to keep an eye on. "Endymion, David, come. It is time for your lessons."
"Hai!!" David grinned.
Endy groaned inwardly. "Can't you guys do this for me?"
"No way." Mamoru replied. "This is your lesson."
"Besides, Kunzite would be suspicious if you suddenly starting fighting as good as we do."
"Awww. You guys are no fun."
**********
"So?" Mamoru prompted Endymion as soon as Kunzite had distracted Endy's attention.
"Ok. Ok. Let me think."
**********