A/N: Sooo sorry this took so long to get out, but eh vacation and school but here it is and this story is slowly coming to a close so I hope you're enjoying it!
Two days and there had been no sign of Endymion. The servants were shooting worried glances at the library door, knowing their master had not eaten. Serenity of course remembered that he had not fed three days prior due to locking himself in the study, and she could only imagine what five days without feeding was doing to his system, Chosen or not. She resolved that if he had not emerged to feed by the next morning she would break down the door, or at least come in through the windows that she had also been carefully watching. She gave another sigh before finally the glimmer of an idea came into her head. The song had once brought Endymion out of his misery perhaps it could once again.
"O fare thee well, my little turtle dove,
And fare thee well for a-while;
But though I go I'll surely come again,
If I go ten thousand mile, my dear,
If I go ten thousand mile.
Ten thousand mile is very far away,
For you to return to me,
You leave me here to lament, and well-a-day!
My tears you will not see, my love,
My tears you will not see.
The crow that's black, my little turtle dove,
Shall change its colour white;
Before I'm false to the man I love,
The noon-day shall be night, my dear,
The noon-day shall be night.
The hills shall fly, my little turtle dove,
The roaring billows burn,
Before my heart shall suffer me to fail,
Or I a traitor turn, my dear,
Or I a traitor turn."
It was at the last words that the door behind her opened and a very shaky looking Endymion stepped out before her. His skin was a chalky grey that belonged more on a tablet than her dear Endymion. But it was the darkness in his eyes, the pain that she could not understand, she had never seen his eyes look so harsh with hatred and sadness. She expected his eyes to soften when he saw her as they as they always did, but instead today they seemed to darken further and for a moment she wondered if tears were threatening to fall from his cheeks.
"How fitting Serenity that you should speak of traitors and black wings for it suits you so well. In ten years, ten years of pretending to be there for me, of being the closest friend I could imagine you could not even tell me why you allowed him to ruin my life, to destroy my only chance at happiness. I was not even worthy enough in your eyes to know why, you have just been running my life for me like I was just some kind of sick puppet to you. I trusted you Serenity, I- I almost thought-" his eyes turned downcast and it was his last whisper that seemed to take any feeling of warmth away from Serenity. "Everytime I think I can begin to believe in love again, I learn what a painful curse that emotion really is. Leave me alone Serenity, allow me at least that bit of dignity."
He turned to go back into the study but she pulled his arm and he was weak enough that he could not wench free. Tears shone in her eyes, the first Endymion had ever seen in the time he had known her. He felt an unfamiliar tug at his heart, one stronger than even Setsuna could produce.
"You are right, the past ten years I have been unable to forgive myself for what I allowed to happen, to what I have been allowing to happen. But this is war Endymion, and in war emotions must be suspended, forgotten, destroyed. Everything but the will to survive and serve humanity, and if we succeed, if by some miracle we win, then we try and learn how to live everything we had to do, in order to be able to feel again. Please listen Endymion, I had no choice, we all had no choice. We knew the only way to truly gain the upper hand against the vampires of Satan; we would have to find the child descended from the Angels of Love, the only one with the heart strong enough to do what must be done. I hated having to watch Lawrence turn you, to talk about you as if you were some kind of prize, to goad him into wanting you, but I had to. You had to be turned by Lawrence so that you could become a Dark Angel of God. Your body needed the strength to match your heart." The tears hiding in Serenity's eyes began to fall as she finally released the burden she had been holding so deep within her broken heart. She fell back against the floor. "If only there had been someone else close to a vampire then I would not have had to, please Endymion forgive me I had no choice."
Endymion regarded the crying form carefully, ten years through the heartache she had spoke of, through the heartache they had withstood together she had never once cried, yet now here she was crying over something he was so ready to hate her for. He had finally been ready to close off his heart forever, and now as he tried to decipher her words he was slowly discovering he was foolish to think he could ever hate Serenity. Despite what had happened, there was no one else he was willing to put his complete trust in, no one else would stay be his side through all they had been through, and together they had learned to smile again, accept what they could not change and move on. Yes for whatever existence he had, he belonged with Serenity, they were one, true companions.
He knelt down on the floor beside her and took her gently into his arms. "Serenity, my dear Serenity, I am sorry I doubted you. We are true companions you and I, together through any struggle, we will always be together, I promise you." Her cries would not be stilled and he knew enough to know that he would simply have to wait it out, she needed to vent her emotions and she needed him there beside her. Raye had often needed his comfort when crying out her frustration or sadness.
His words never reached her, as he knew they would not. After all they were not as sincere as he wished they would sound. He was hurt and angry and no amount of justification could get those emotions to dissipate quickly. But there was something much more important than his wanting to be angry, he found his heart reaching out to her, he needed to comfort her in spite of the emotions that were still running through him. He wished she would understand that, as she seemed to understand everything else about him, all of hopes and desires and even the emotions that he wanted to hide were all remarkably transparent to Serenity.
"Serenity, please you know me better than any being could, God himself included, you know that while my insides still churn with anger, my heart is desperately trying to remind my fool's brain that I cannot stand to see you upset. Please Serenity, look in my eyes and understand as you always do, as only you can." Endymion released a sigh as Serenity slowly lifted her head to grace him with her stare. He looked deep into her eyes praying that he would see relief and assurance wash over them, but all he saw was the sadness as they studied him, they had betrayed each other and neither could recover quickly no matter how much they wanted to.
Serenity was surprised to see that once again she could read the emotion in his eyes, and she did understand him. He may have understood her reasons but the pain was still raw and as stubborn as his mind, and just as she knew her own pain to be. She knew that he understood her as well, they both just needed time and comfort to heal the damage that had been done. They were true companions, forever and always, through all the trials that were to come.
They were silent, and more was said and expressed in that silence than the entire 10 years they had known each other. Endymion had become quite familiar with the uncomfortable silences that had often followed his mortal outbursts. But this was so still, so frozen in time it was tangible. Holding her made him want for nothing, beside her he could be anywhere, beside her he could see and hear anything. It was as if her presence, the wispy feel of her breath upon his skin, allowed any dream to come true, and each dream was happier than any he had ever known and every dream included her.
A revelation was building within him, but this time there was no energetic Kunzite to bring it to the surface. Perhaps it was better this way, perhaps the realization would be more beautiful and powerful when it came to him on its own. Time and Life are extraordinary things, and when allowed to move at their own pace they can cause extraordinary things to happen.
While he could have gone anywhere, his mind stubbornly remained on the present. The idea of a war raging on around him, suddenly thoughts of times he had heard sounds disturb dark alleys brought questions to his mind. Could he have known about this war and simply chose to live in oblivion, chose to equate the unexplainable to nothing…
A gentle snort broke Endymion's thoughts and caused then to wait in pieces for another day. Feather soft hay fell from her face, her breathing pushed it back and forth against his hand, forcing him to stone the flinch that surely would have awoken her. In that moment she seemed untouched by the darkness that surrounded them both. He watched her, his own weakness from lack of sleep and blood was quickly overtaking him, but still he wanted to watch the gentle rise and fall of her hair as her soft breaths blew it about.
The impatient cry of 'Master Endymion' rudely awoke the peacefully sleeping Serenity, and the anger was vivid enough upon her face that Joseph took a step back. "Pardon the interruption Lady Serenity, but there is a gentleman in the study that will not leave until he speaks to Master Endymion, something about a Miss Lucy." Serenity's eyes grew wide as she quickly untangled herself from Endymion and ran to follow Joseph to the study.
A visibly shaken Jedite waited for her in the parlor, his hands clasping and unclasping themselves in attempts to calm the nerves that drove the color from his face. She walked over to him and bowed as Joseph introduced them. Taking a seat across from him the pair sat in what could only be described as a torturous silence.
"I apologize for Endymion's absence but the last few days have been quite trying for him. Please tell me what has become of little Lucy?" She could feel his eyes as he regarded her. The silence reigned once again as Serenity waited to see if the distraught man would trust her.
"Lucy has been upset as of late…" his voice wavered as he spoke he lacked anything resembling the laughing exuberant man Serenity had often watched from the rooftop. "I think it is because Endymion has not been to see her. This morning she said about something happening to her "angel" and that she had to find him. She has not been home since, and it is well past dark. I have looked everywhere I can think of. I was hoping that because of what he is…" Jedite paused and Serenity noticed his cautious glance.
"You were hoping that because he is a vampire he would be better equipped to search for your daughter." Serenity finished easing his discomfort. "You are right, there are certain…traits that we possess that will ensure that we will find your daughter. I will rouse Endymion and once we have fed we shall begin the search. I promise she will be returned by morning." Jedite seemed to slowly relax as Serenity spoke and she felt glad to have been able to grant him a small bit of comfort.
"Joseph!" In mere seconds the ever diligent butler appeared in the doorway. "Please see that my friend has a room for the night and is well looked after, for I doubt he will sleep." The butler gave a small bow and motioned for Jedite to follow him. "Thank you Joseph and try not to worry Jedite, I know Endymion will do anything to find Lucy and so will I."
She quickly returned to Endymion's side and furiously shook him to wake him from his slumber. He refused to do anything of the sort and Serenity knew that his lack of blood was finally taking a toll upon him. With a sigh she strode out into the night. Being in the upper districts it was a longer walk to where she could find enough rats to tide her own hunger and Endymion's. The journey back was not pleasant with the numerous squirming rats, not mention their squeals when sent shivers down Serenity's spine, in her arms. Not wanting the servants to see the gruesome sight, she dropped the rats into the cellar.
Walking up to the inhabited portion of the manor she quickly ensured the way was clear of servants as she returned to Endymion. With an awkward grimace she asked his forgiveness as she hefted him over her shoulders in order to carry him down to the cellar. She praised her vampiric strength more than once on the trip and hoped that being carried about by a woman would not embarrass him too much.
The squealing of the rats, as they reached their destination sent a familiar shiver down her spine, one which was strong enough to cause her to drop her burden. The fall was just what was needed to rouse Endymion's winkle slumber. Serenity grabbed one of the rats and raced to his side, wasting no time in biting a hole in its neck and dribbling the warm blood over Endymion's still groggy lips.
The blood seemed to instantly revitalize the fatigued muscles within him. Endymion found himself making short work of all the rats in the cellar. He turned to Serenity with grateful eyes only to see that hers were full of impatience and worry. He walked over to her feeling the need to put his arms around her once again, for it comforted them both. But this time Serenity would not allow the silence to linger between them.
"Jedite is here." Endymion pulled away and Serenity could see the burning shock in his eyes. "Lucy ran off this morning to look for you and she has yet to return." Endymion's eyes changed to immense worry and in moments he was through the cellar window and out into the darkness. Without pause he exposed his wings and pushed into the sky. Serenity was quick behind him and together the pair flew high into the air, their eyes searching the ground as their noses desperately tried to pick up her scent.
Endymion refused to allow himself a moment's reprieve to understand the use of the great black wings at his back, and the act would have been unnecessary for it seemed that flying was almost instinctual to him. His five senses remained on tense alert. His mind however seemed loathe to the task his heart was set upon and it wondered just what else God's blessing had granted him and why was he so important to a war he had known nothing about. So busy was his mind it momentarily pushed away the tingling of his senses, but a cry from Serenity could not be ignored. As soon as such thoughts had been pushed from his mind, he was aware of Lucy's scent and her shrill cry echoing above the rooftops. He dove instantly following Serenity's lead. His eyes faced downward as he landed.
Serenity's gasp directed his gaze upward at once, every nerve alert to ensure Lucy's safety. But it was not Lucy's plight which extracted Serenity's pitiful gasp but rather the person who had put her in such a terrified state. He was clothed in an all to familiar black suit, the one he only wore to special occasions. His face was shadowed by the large brick wall of the GWB Boat House, but his daring green eyes blazed in the moonlight. Family had always been important to Endymion's eldest brother and while he may not have always gotten along with his youngest siblings, Kunzite had always felt the need to look after them. That same protectiveness was now transferred to their children. It was this knowledge more than anything that caused Endymion's breath to catch in his throat as Kunzite edged his fangs closer to Lucy's exposed throat.
"Angel! You have come! Please what is wrong with my uncle Kunzite?" Endymion did not answer as he stood frozen at the scene before him. Lucy's white dress was smudged and dirty, the ruffled skirt blew in the light breeze to expose the two bloody knees, remnants of an earlier fall. Kunzite's eyes were manic and taunting as he looked at Endymion as if daring him to take a stand against his own brother. Tears ran down Lucy's pale face. Kunzite's knuckles were white as he held firmly to the girl he had so often called his little butterfly. Lucy's hair was dirty and tangled, Kunzite's was as wild as his eyes. Lucy trembled, her lip quavering, allowing soft whimpers to escape. Kunzite laughed just as if he had listened to one of Jedite's vulgar jokes. Serenity's hand clasped over her mouth as she looked to him. She was telling him to make the decision- as if there was even one to make.
Endymion felt power surging within him, he refused to allow himself to think, to rationalize, for the fear that he would talk himself out of doing the necessary. With a surge he burst forth knocking Kunzite backward in the same moment that he took Lucy into his arms. Kunzite's laughter only rose as Endymion flew back to deliver Lucy to safety at Serenity's side. Kunzite stood to match Endymion's determined stance.
"Well brother I had no idea you would have the courage to fight me. Too much time hiding from the real world with your wimpy little characters. I have read all your books brother, not one of them had a character with a backbone. They were all like you depending on other people to make their lives better. Well brother I depend upon myself to improve my life and that starts with pleasing my master." Endymion blocked out the words, blocked out thought and closed off the heart which could not exist in war. With another burst of unknown strength Endymion threw his older brother into the already crumbling brick wall of the GWB Boat House. A moan erupted form Kunzite's lips but it drew no reaction from Endymion, he had closed himself off much too tight.
"No! Angel! Please do not hurt Uncle Kunzite I know he would never hurt me! Something must be wrong! Please Angel…Please!" The words were stalled by choked sobs and Lucy's soft whimpers were enough to cause Endymion to look away from his prey. Lucy was too much like her mother, too easily could she draw him away from his carefully constructed barricades. His heart reached through the bars of its cage, but his determination held firm.
"Serenity take her and go-" his stoic words were cut off by a blow from Kunzite, one which knocked him hard into the jagged rocks that lined the shore. The groan that left his lips was as inhuman as he. He lifted himself up, the crystal at his neck glowing with the power it was giving him. His eyes lost all color as they shown with his pure energy. His skin took on a pale glow and his wings sparkled with silver.
As his colorless eyes bore down upon the now frightened Kunzite, the latter fell to his knees. "Please Endymion, I-I do not know what came over me. You know I would never hurt Lucy. I have always looked out for you, I did my best to protect you too." Endymion paid no heed to his brother's pleas. He advanced upon the form that had only moments ago been powerful and confident. Endymion lifted the pathetic form and threw it once again against the ever crumbling brick. "Who made you Kunzite? Who bit you and turned you into this?" Endymion's voice was monotone as he spoke. Kunzite seemed to pale even further until a calm came over him.
"I will never betray my master! Nothing you could do would compare to what his punishment would be, and even with your powers you do not have the courage to kill me. Just like Serenity cannot kill Lawrence." Kunzite's eyes were once again taunting as he became sure that his brother would not kill him. Endymion's demeanor never wavered even as he sensed Serenity stiffen sharply at Kunzite's words. He came to stand directly in from of Kunzite's still fallen form.
"Is that who made you?" Kunzite's laughter echoed through the night as the stoic form of Endymion questioned him.
"Lawrence? No I am afraid I was made of a much purer and more powerful stock. My blood has not been diluted like yours." As he spoke Kunzite lifted himself up growing more confident with every word.
"Diamond" Serenity spoke the word under her breath but both men heard it just the same. Kunzite's exhuberant smile sent a chill down her spine. Endymion frightened her further for his gaze was blank but it still radiated with his anger over her not abiding by his instructions. Quickly she took the terrified Lucy tightly in her arms and flew from the sight. Her thoughts, her heart and her soul all prayed that Endymion would have the strength to do what she could not.
"It seems I underestimated her-"
"I have the information I wanted. I will make him pay for taking my beloved brother away from his family. And I will spare him the guilt of living a life of pain and death. I hope dear brother that one day we will meet in death and I will be able to ask your forgiveness." Endymion raised his palm preparing to release all of the energy that had built up within him. White light radiated from his hand as Endymion's heart made one last desperate plea for something to spare him killing his own brother.
"Endymion?" It was soft and timid, Endymion felt his hand slowly falling and his heart rising with hope. "Endymion? What has happened to you? What-What has happened to me?" Endymion felt his guard dropping as he began stilling the power that had been building up within him. He breathed a heavy sigh of relief, perhaps just perhaps he could survive this war with his heart intact.
"Kunzite my brother!" Endymion dropped his hand completely and moved to embrace the man he had nearly lost. The embrace was stiff and cold but Endymion knew it was simply because Kunzite was disoriented. "It is alright Kunzite, everything will be fine." It was of course a lie but the vacant expression on Kunzite's face made him think the truth was better saved for another day. "Come I will take you home, a bit of sleep is all you need." As he turned to lead the way home he heard Serenity's frantic voice in his head. 'His eyes Endymion! Look at his eyes!' Confused and unsure how her voice had called in his head, he turned around to fell a metal stake being driven into his chest. His hand groped for the wound, already coated in blood. Endymion looked into Kunzite's eyes and saw no compassion left within them.
"You foolish Angels! All this power and you are still bound by your weak hearts. You will never win." Endymion instantly closed off his emotions once again, feeding the sadness and betrayal to the power that was once again growing within him. His body was weak but the power of the crystal was stronger than ever.
"No, we get our power from our hearts and your weakness is your lack of one." Once again Endymion raised his hand, nothing would stop him now that he saw what his brother had truly become. As he began to release his power, he spoke again to the terrified demon. "And you missed." Endymion was not sure if that was true or not but at least the demon would not have the satisfaction of thinking he had won. "God have Mercy." The power released with such force it crushed the demon against the wall as the light of the crystal surrounded them, turning the demon to ashes. With a blank stare at the pile of ashes, he disappeared into the night."…this is war Endymion, and in war emotions must be suspended, forgotten, destroyed. Everything but the will to survive and serve humanity, and if we succeed, if by some miracle we win, then we try and learn how to live everything we had to do, in order to be able to feel again."