AN: Keep sending in reviews! I love receiving them, knowing that there are folks out there reading this… and hey, if you keep sending in reviews, I might just finish this fanfic!
We are getting closer to the end… well, as close as one can get without an end, but hey! I'm trying. And as always, if you comment on something, keep in mind before you ask the question that more than likely it'll get answered later in an upcoming chapter. If it doesn't, then ask away!
And now, onto our story…
Earth & Moon: A Forbidden Romance
Chapter Twelve
Time went by swiftly, as time often does, and as the seasons changed from spring to summer to fall, lives changed too. Serenity had come up with a plan to sneak off to Earth, to be able to leave Mare Serenitatis without anyone missing her. It wasn't one of the greatest plans, as problems did sometimes occur, but nevertheless, she wasn't caught and that was all that mattered to her.
Once a month, she'd tell her mother that she was feeling ill, thus being sent to bed early with the promise of no interruptions. This would give her clearance to sneak off to Earth, to see Endymion. Using the ring that she still wore from her first trip, she'd transport herself to the beach where Endymion would be waiting. They would spend the whole night together, talking and making love before the arrival of morning and when she would have to return. It was the only time since that one week, that they'd been able to see each other, for Endymion had no business on the moon to attend to.
Their guardians had no idea that this was going on, but that didn't stop them from worrying about their charges. Things were getting dangerous.
A month after Serenity had returned from her week on Earth, Beryl had disappeared. There was no sign of her anywhere. Kunzite and the others had searched for her for days, looking everywhere within the kingdom; however there was no trace she'd ever been there.
Believing there was danger to his kingdom, King Ouranus joined forces with Queen Serenity, believing that her army could handle any problems should some arise. They held meetings on the moon, each speaking of their fears regarding their kingdoms about once a month, around the same time that Serenity would sneak off to see Endymion. It was at one such meeting, that King Ouranus brought up some very interesting information to the queen.
"Kunzite reported to me when they had searched for the peasant girl, Beryl about some strange smoke that came from the North," he said. "I know of no one that lives in the North, Serenity. It has to be them." He paced the room, his boots sounding throughout.
Queen Serenity watched as he moved about the room, knowing it was his nerves that kept him from sitting. "I suppose you could be right, Ouranus," she said. Her lavender eyes met his blue ones. "What did Kunzite say of this strange smoke?"
"Just that it came from the north."
"Well, if you would like I can send some of my guards to investigate the area."
King Ouranus shook his head, his silverish-brown hair moving across his forehead. "No need. As I said before, Kunzite and the others had looked into the matter."
"And did they find her?"
"No. According to Kunzite, they found nothing, no life, no fire, nothing. They… I have no idea how smoke could be created if there was no fire to began with."
Queen Serenity thought this over. "Is your computer still picking up the smoke?"
"Yes, however I find no threat in smoke, Serenity," he said as he stopped to look at her. "Why didn't someone warn me about this Beryl before now? I'm the King of Earth for God's sake! King of the damn Heavens, even… How could I not know?!"
Queen Serenity stood, walked over to where he was, his head hanging low as if a weight had been placed there, and placed her hand upon his shoulder. "Do not worry, dear one. You had more pressing matters to attend to, such as I did. We weren't paying attention to our kingdoms, and as such this creature crept in. We shall find her, and any who follow," she told him. "Gaia will help, tis after all her planet."
"I wish she was still here. I miss her so much," King Ouranus said, his dark eyes filling up with tears over his dead wife. However, none fell and he gave Queen Serenity a watery smile. "Endymion is having a difficult time getting over her death. I think somewhere, deep inside, he blames me."
"Endymion is strong, and he will get over this just as you will. He doesn't blame you, for no one can be blamed with death arrives. Just continue to love him, Ouranus. He'll come around, you'll see," she said.
"Yes, I suppose you are right," he said. "She is always with me. I can feel her."
"Is the same with me," Queen Serenity said as she raised her head and closed her eyes. A light breeze blew in from the window to cover her, making her long hair fly about. Lowering her head, she opened her eyes to see Ouranus smiling at her. "Do not fret, my king. I shall continue to search for this Beryl and Metallia. However, now I must go. A kingdom doesn't run by itself, as I have more matters to attend to." She bowed her head slightly, a smile upon her face. "I shall see you very soon, Ouranus," she said hugging him. Whispering into his ear, she felt him tighten his embrace. "Keep faith in your heart, dear one, and all shall be taken care of."
Princess Serenity lay, her body tightly wrapped up and around Prince Endymion's, her hair undone and flowing about them in long silver waves, as they snuggled on the bed, the dark blue spread covering their naked bodies. They had just finished making love, both of their bodies sweaty and glowing from the aftermath. And while such actions should be making her happy, worries played heavily upon her mind.
She had overheard the conversation her mother had had with King Ouranus just that morning. Wondering what was going on, she waited until the Earth king had gone home to approach her mother, asking questions. However, Queen Serenity had just told her that such things shouldn't worry a princess, and that everything was fine. She would speak no more of it. Knowing that her guardians wouldn't tell her if something was going on, she kept the information to herself, hoping she'd overheard something before she was to be sent to bed. But fate was not on her side, and she left without hearing anymore of it.
Now, hours later, she lay next to the man she loved, his strong arms wrapped around her, keeping her warm. However, even with the heat of his body next to hers, she couldn't stop the shiver that run down her spine. Something's coming…
Feeling her shiver, Endymion raised up on an elbow, his dark eyes searching her lights ones. He knew something was bothering her, but what it could be, he didn't know. Stroking her cheek, he smiled at her. "Is something wrong, my love?" he asked softly.
She smiled back up at him, her hand going to his to stop his movements. "I overheard your father and my mother speaking this morning, something about Beryl and Metallia."
"Who?" he asked with a puzzled expression on his face. "I mean, I know who Beryl is, but who is Metallia?"
"Some woman from your kingdom, supposedly," she said when he still held the same puzzled expression on his face. When Endymion just shook his head, she sighed. "I guess they're causing trouble for someone, I'm not too sure. All I know is that Mother was speaking about them with your father."
"Does this have anything to do with the smoke coming from the north?" Endymion asked.
"Yes!" Serenity exclaimed. Excited that he finally knew what she was talking about, she sat up in the bed, the covering falling down to her waist, baring her breasts. Blushing, she clutched at the covers and hid them once more from view.
Laughing softly, Endymion pulled the covers down until one bare breast was in view. "Still so modest, Serenity?" he said as he brushed her nipple, making it harden.
"Stop, Endymion. This is serious. Something is happening, and I think Beryl is in on it. She came to visit me," she said as she swatted his hand away from her body.
Hearing that she'd been visited by Beryl, Endymion stopped playing around and gave his full attention to Serenity. "When? What did she say? Where you hurt?"
"It was my second night staying at the palace on Earth, when I'd hurt my ankle. You remember, right? Of course you remember," she said as she waved her hand about as if to dismiss the idea. "Anyways, I don't quiet remember our whole conversation, just something about how she was the princess of the Dark Kingdom, whatever that is, and since you were the Crown Prince of Earth, she was the Crown Princess of the Northern Kingdoms. You two are to wed."
Now Endymion really did look puzzled. "Northern Kingdoms? What Northern Kingdoms? There is only one kingdom on Earth, my kingdom."
"That's what I thought."
"And to marrying her, well that's just outrageous! I don't even know her, let alone want to marry her! Besides, I love you, not her and I'm allowed to marry whom I desire to marry," he said as he bent down to kiss her softly.
"Endymion," Serenity said, fear shining softly in her eyes. "That wasn't all she said, through.
"Well? What did she say?"
"That she wouldn't let some princess of the moon spoil that and she'll have you all to herself."
"She threaten you?!" Endymion was outraged! Someone had dare to threaten his beloved?
"I took it as such, however her words didn't scare me. It was the way she was looking at me, as if she held pure hatred for me," she said. Pushing back the covers, she moved out of his embrace and found her gown. Holding the gown up in front of her, she turned back around to face him. "It was like she was looking into my soul, into my memories. Her eyes were so dark, like the sky before a large storm, and she had a strange smile upon her lips. She believed what she said, Endymion. I could tell she honestly believed what she had said to me, and no one, not even me nor anyone else would stop her from gaining what she wanted."
Dawn arrived, as it always does, and it came time for the loving couple to part ways. Kissing her, Endymion drew back, a smile upon his lips. "Now, aren't you glad I came up with this plan?" he asked her laughing.
"Oh aye, that I am. Now I get to wait another month before seeing you again," Serenity said as she cupped his face to kiss him one more time. "My love, I must be going. Tis getting light out."
"Aye," Endymion said, drawing back. He stared into her eyes, watching as the morning light lit them up. "Be careful, darling. I'm sure there is nothing to be worried about, however, I still do. I shall see you, in one month's time." He bent back over, his mouth capturing hers, as if he couldn't get enough of her. "I love you, my princess."
"Aye, that I will," Serenity said as she stepped out of his embrace and towards the blue water, the waves washing upon the shore in silent protest. Smiling, she raised her hand to her forehead, her finger hovering above the crescent moon. "I love you, my prince," she said softly, the breeze carrying her words to him. Then she was gone, a flash of bright light upon the wet shore.
Endymion watched the sun rise, his lone figure the only thing on the sandy shores as the sun cut across the horizon, bringing life to everything in its path. He waited until the sun shone across the water's edge before making his way back to the palace.
Suisei rushed throughout the palace, her nightgown flying behind her as she ran down the marble hallways. She'd been on her way to wake Mokusei, a task she did everyday, when she felt the need to check in on Serenity. However, when she knocked on the princess's door and received no answer, she grew worried. Opening the door, she found that the princess wasn't in her chambers. She'd tore the room apart, frantic to find Serenity and not wanting to wake Kinsei. But it was to no avail. Having no other choice, she knew she had to wake Kinsei, hoping the love princess knew where their princess was.
Throwing open the door that lead to Kinsei's room, Suisei found the love princess half on bed, half on the floor, her light yellow bed spread tangled in her form. Rushing to Kinsei's side, Suisei began to shake the sleeping princess, calling her name.
Feeling like she was in a wind tunnel, Kinsei moaned "No… I don't wanna feed the horses… " and began to toss about, hitting Suisei. Feeling her hand come in contact with something hard, she opened golden eyes to see a frantic Suisei looking down at her, one hand rubbing her cheek, while the other shook her. "Huh? Suisei?" she asked groggily, sleep still in her.
"Wake up, Kinsei! Wake up!" Suisei cried over and over again as her shaking increased.
"Stop… stop… Suisei, stop! You're going to make me sick!" Kinsei yelled out, pushing Suisei off her.
"Oh, thank goddess, you're up!" Suisei said as she stopped shaking her and stood.
However, once she let go of the love princess, Kinsei lost what had been holding her up and fell flat on the floor, her head in the pillow that lay beside her while her butt was high in the air. Falling sideways, Kinsei lay in a heap on the floor, her blankets tangled around her and stared up at Suisei.
"Mind tell me what is so important that it couldn't wait for me to get up?" Sleep still sounded in her voice, and she knew that once she was up, there was no going back to bed. Damn…
"It's the princess," Suisei said, worry showing in her voice.
"And what of the princess? She's probably in her room, sleeping… which was something I was doing a few minutes ago… Damn." Kinsei wasn't a morning person, especially at… What time was it anyways? Glancing past Suisei, Kinsei saw the hands on the clock and nearly groaned again. "Someone had better be dead, Suisei, in order for you to be waking me up at a quarter past six in the morning. If it has to do with Serenity, I can only pray she is in her chambers, sleeping. Which is where you need to go, before I seriously hurt you. Me, on the other hand, am going back to bed," she said as she grabbed the pillow from the floor and began to get back into her bed.
"Kinsei… Serenity isn't in her chambers."
That had Kinsei stopping. Laying her blanket on the bed, she turned around to face Suisei. "I hope I didn't just hear you right. Did you say the princess wasn't in her chambers?"
"Aye, Princess Serenity is no where in the palace."
"Well, damn it Suisei! She'd got to be somewhere. Did you check the kitchen or perhaps the bathhouse?" When Suisei nodded her head to say yes, Kinsei threw her pillow on the bed. Grabbing her robe from the bottom of her bed, she started for the door, Suisei close behind her. "She's got to be around here, somewhere, Suisei. Where would she go in the middle of the night?"
Serenity appeared in her chambers, the clock on her nightstand reading 6:20. Good, made it back just in time. No one should be up yet. Taking her cloak off, she began to undress when she noticed her room was a mess. It looked as if someone had gone through it, looking for something or someone. It was then that she heard the voices just outside her door. Realizing what had happened and what was about to happen, she looked around trying to figure out what to do.
"Suisei, please. You're just overreacting. I'm sure Serenity is in her room, perhaps you just missed her or something. She could have been using the bathroom, when you walked in. She is probably in her bed, asleep, which is something I'd like to be doing right about now," Kinsei's voice sounded throughout the door.
"I'm telling you, Kinsei… She wasn't there," Suisei's voice sounded desperate, as if she were running out of options.
Serenity glanced around the room, her eyes going to the bed and the bedding laying on the floor. What am I suppose to do? If they find me… The bed… Get the bedding back on the bed, act as if you are just waking…Come on, Serenity! Grabbing her pillows and blankets from the floor, she began to throw them on the bed, arranging them to look as if she had just woken up, that was until she looked down at her gown and realized that the hem of her dress was dirty and wet. "Shit!" she said under her breath, as she pulled the gown over her head.
Which was when Kinsei decided to open the door, Suisei right behind her.
Serenity froze, the hem of her gown falling down her face as she held the remaining garment in front of her chest, blocking their view of her breasts, her crystal blue eyes going wide at being caught.
"Serenity?" Suisei was the first to speak, shocking sounding throughout her voice.
It was Kinsei who's voice rose in temper. "Princess Serenity!" she yelled as she stepped further into the room, right up to the princess.
Serenity couldn't really think at this point in time, and as a result of that, all she could say was "Oops."
Kinsei's golden eyes narrowed as she stared at her princess. "Oops? OOPS?! That's all you can say? Where the hell have you been all night, Princess? Tis dawn!" she exploded out with.
Smiling, Serenity took Kinsei's out burst in stride. Letting the gown fall to the floor, she began to undo her hair, letting the long silver locks fall to the floor as well. "What would you have me say, Kinsei?" Serenity asked tiredly. Kinsei was starting to act as if she were her mother, and it was starting to get old.
However it was not Kinsei who spoke next, but Suisei. "Where have you been all night, princess?" she asked softly, her navy eyes asking questions.
But she wouldn't get any answers, not from Serenity. "Does it really matter where I was, Suisei?" Serenity said on a sigh.
"Well, seeing how you don't really understand what kind of danger you are in when you are no longer on Mare Serenitatis, perhaps I should go and inform the queen that you have been leaving during the night. I'm very sure Queen Serenity will like to know what her daughter has been up to," Kinsei said. She started towards the door, pushing Suisei out of the way, but stopped when Serenity cried out to her.
"Wait!"
Turning around, she looked at Serenity, a smirk across her face. "Yes, Princess Serenity?"
"Please, do not go to Mother about this."
"Why?"
"Because it will just cause her to worry more, and she already has enough to worry about without adding me to the mix. Besides, I am back, safe and sound, am I not?" she said as she began to undress, turning her back to the other two women in the room. As she began to brush her long hair, it parted in the back, and it was then that the they saw the markings upon her back. In an instant, Kinsei knew where she had been.
"You've been with Endymion, haven't you?!" she hissed out, her voice harsh and uncaring. She knew Serenity had been playing with fire by seeing his young highness, but now she had crossed the line. "You went to Earth! Without one of us there to protect you?! Have you finally lost your god-forsaken mind, Serenity?"
Serenity stopped what she was doing, the long locks of her hair falling down to the ground. "And what if I have, Kinsei? What's it to you?" she said without turning around, grabbing the robe that hung from the hook next to her. Sliding the robe on, she tied the middle and turned to face her guardians. "Tis no concern of yours."
Kinsei saw red. She went to speak, but a hand grabbed her shoulder, making her stop. Looking behind her, she saw Suisei, a frown on her face. She shook her head, the blue of her hair shining in the morning light. "My lady, trouble is brewing on Earth. You cannot risk gong to see his highness without one of us there to protect you. Tis too dangerous," the Senshi of water stated to her.
But Serenity would hear of no such thing. "I shall go where I please, see whom I please, and do as I please, Ice Princess," she said, her voice almost as cold as the ice in which the young Mercurial princess produced.
And it was that statement that finally got Kinsei. Walking up to her princess, blue flashing before her golden eyes, Kinsei grabbed Serenity arm, her fingers digging into the soft skin. As Serenity tried to pull free of her grasp, Kinsei pulled her towards her, their faces only inches from each other. "Now you hear me, Princess," she said, eyes a deep blue color as her anger flashed before Serenity's eyes. "You are under my guardianship, and as such you are my responsibly. From this day forward, you are no longer allowed to go to Earth. You are forbidden to see his highness, Prince Endymion. You are forbidden to leave this palace, forbidden to even see the blue planet, and forbidden to even speak of its name. One of us shall always be with you, from this day forward until I deem you have come to your senses and are no longer a threat to this kingdom."
"A threat to my kingdom?!" Serenity was outraged! "I am not a threat to my kingdom, and you have no right to order me about as such!"
Kinsei smiled, and it made Serenity shiver. "Oh but you are. You are playing with fire, being with the prince. You are going to ruin us, Serenity. You are going to bring about our destruction, as well as Earth's."
Serenity laid her hand on Kinsei's, and removed Kinsei's hand from her arm. Stepping back, she glared at the love princess. "Now tis my turn, love princess, and you hear and understand me. I am the Crown Princess of Mare Serenitatis, and as such you will never in your life speak to me like that again. You are to stay out of my life, tis my life. I will do as I please, not what you feel is good for me. Now, leave! I no longer wish to see you," she said as she started for the door that would lead to the bath. Upon reaching it, she turned back around to see them still standing there, staring at her. She opened the door, saying, "I shall speak to Mother about this today," before slamming the door closed behind her. Moments later, they heard the door latch and lock.
Once she was gone, Kinsei stood there staring after her, tears slowly running down her cheeks. She turned to Suisei, a frown on her face. "Stay here and notified me once she has come back out," she said to the stunned Ice Princess. Suisei could do nothing more than just shake her head. Going to the door that lead out of the room, Kinsei opened it and stepped out into the hall. Closing the door behind her, she leaned up against it, her head lowered, eyes closed. "She won't get hurt by falling in love, will she?" she asked the silence that surrounded her.