An: Now this is where most of me comes through. Standard disclaimer applied. Enjoy! ^_~

Chapter 3

"I am not jealous!"

"You are! You're turning red!"

"I'm not jealous! You can hang out with whomever you wish! If he breaks your heart, don't come crying to me!" Endymion stormed back to where Diamond and his generals sat talking among themselves. Endymion stopped when he saw a young woman had joined Diamond.

"Welcome back. Endymion, let me introduce my half sister to you. This is Beryl."

Beryl smiled seductively as Endymion bowed slightly. "Beryl, what an interesting name."

"I'm an interesting woman. Let's go for a walk and I'll show you how...interesting I can be."

Endymion smiled akwardly. "Heh, no thanks. I need to stay with my guards here."

"Endy, what are THEY doing here," Malachite asked when Beryl, swaying her hips seductively, sauntered away.

"Diamond and Beryl are staying here. It's an act of kindness on my mom's part and trying to keep peace with the NegaMoon."

Zoicite groaned. "Endymion, did you see the way Beryl looked at you? We'll be fighting her off all the time, we'll never have a moment's peace!"

"I know. And look at Diamond. Serenity's just using him and I think he knows it but doesn't care. He'll be in a world of hurt if he thinks he can play with Serenity."

"So will his friends," Jadeite growled as Diamon'd general started talking to Raye again.

Endymion watched in disgust as Diamond leaned in close to Serenity and whispered in her ear. She blushed and laughed lightly at what he said, leaving Endymion to wonder if Diamond's intentions to Serenity were honorable.

That evening before dinner, Endymion paced alone in his bedroom, talking to himself. "I don't know why I care about her. I mean, she's spent all day and nothing happened. But what if it does? What if he tries something with her?! I'll kill him! I'll wring that Jackass's little neck so hard...What am I saying?! I hate her! She's spoiled and overprotected and.....just so cute. I'm going insane! I mean, it's been a year and I was just fine without her but she shows up practically perfect and she has to smile at me..."

"Talking to yourself again, huh Endymion?"

Endymion froze and turned. Zoicite and Malachite grinned from the doorway, Zoicite leaning on the door frame with his arm hanging loosely on Malachite's shoulder.

"Yeah, well, I've got something on my mind."

"I know. Isn't that something and her friends cute?" Endymion laughed and hit Zoicite on the arm. "Dinner's ready. We were sent to look for you. They're waiting for us."

Endymion moved to look in his mirror and began smoothing his hair down. "Geez, guys, why didn't you tell me that five minutes ago! I'm late! I'm never late! Geez!"

"Never late? I think you forget yourself..."

"Shut up, Malachite, and get moving."

Endymion stopped when he entered the main dining room. Queen Serenity sat with his mother and father, the three of them smiling wearily from their long afternoon of discussing the NegaMoon. Endymion's eyes moved to a long table in the middle of the room. There sat his friend and Serenity's court. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Diamond's guards and Beryl weren't present then cursed under his breath when he saw the empty chairs.

Malachite heard Endymion's curse and put his hand on his shoulder. "Half of them went looking for you, Berly included. I think she wanted to catch you alone. And the other half are late."

"Their places at the table?"

"Exactly where you know them to be. Beryl and I beside you, Serenity and Diamond across. Mina and Raye will be seated on either side of them, Raye on Diamond's side to make sure he keeps his hands off your betrothed. I think, Endymion, your parents wished to make this as interesting as possible with the seating arrangements."

Endymion laughed grimly. "That's an understatement. My mother put Diamond and Beryl near me to drive me crazy..."

Endymion would have dozed during dinner if not for Malachite; himself keeping Diamond's head general from messing with Mina and keeping the conversation alive as well as Beryl at bay, and constant watch of Serenity and Diamond. He knew he would have to thank Malachite one day. At the moment, however, Endymion wished for only two things: a chance to kill Diamond and his bed.

When Malachite tried to convince his friend to go for a walk, Endymion gently turned him down, knowing that despite the invitation Malachite desired some time alone with Mina. He got as far as Serenity's chambers and froze, listening to the sounds from within. It didn't sound like a happy conversation was going on, or any conversation for that matter. Something was up. With little effort, he threw open the door...