STORY BY: SAILOR STARDUST

RATED:G

DATED:17/06/2001

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE HEART:

FIREY LOVE: CHAPTER 10:

"Come my dear, I'll take you to a place that you might find interesting!" Orlus grabbed Serenity's hand and led her to the crowd of people. Most of the men just stared at her. Some of them even have the guts of greeting her. She smiled back to them. "Where is this place?" Serenity asked cheerfully. "It is sure friendly here," she added. Orlus laughed and headed straight to the riverbank up front. "Here we are," he let go of Serenity's hand and pointed at a bridge that connected to the busy market area. "It is called the floating market," Orlus remarked proudly. Serenity stared in awed at the scene before her. Never she imagined there is such market. "What do they sell there?" she asked as she admired the view. "Well, everything!!" Orlus laughed uncontrollably and dragged her to the market. As soon as they reached the floating market, Orlus handed her his grocery basket."Here, take anything you want, I will pay them for you," he offered and made his way to the nearest coffee shop. "I'll be waiting here for you," he announced and walked away. "But, I couldn't," she protested but Orlus was long gone. "Oh well!" she thought and made her way to the food market. She was having the time of her life as a commoner and how she enjoys them.

Jadeite took a strolled at the nearby village. The wooden houses at both side and the dirt road on the ground, he misses his days when he was just nobody, before he became the kingdom's general. Memories flashed in front of him as he stopped at a particular old wrecked house. It was his house at one time. "God, I'm home!" he thought sadly. The bittersweet memories from his childhood and how he found Nephrite, Zoisite and Kunzite, and how they end up being the best's friends. "Those were the days," he thought and smiled as he saw four young boys playing merrily together. "Jadeite?" a familiar voice asked. Turning his head, his eyes were widened as he spotted the stranger in front of him. "Nephrite!" he yelled out.

Queen Celest lay in her bed; the pressure that she was facing was unbearable and it made her internal sickness even worsens. "Endymion had felt in love with someone else, that is impossible. Oh, dearest Serenity, I'm so sorry, I have betrayed our friendship. Forgive me." Pearly tears strolled down her pale cheek and she closed her eyes.

Mars walked out from her chamber and to the garden where she can watch the moon high above. She wasn't wearing her fuku or her guardian uniform instead she was wearing a red evening gown. "You look beautiful Mars," Endymion admired while walking up to her. "Please, call me Rei," she smiled at Endymion. "Its still day and yet I can see the moon, how weird," she said letting Endymion enveloped her from behind. "Hm, that's because one of it's beautiful guardian is watching it intensely, guarding it from far," he smelled the sensual scent of her long raven hair. Turning to face him, Rei looked into his deep blue eyes, filled with love and gentleness that no other men could have possessed. "Are we doing the right thing, Endymion?" she asked sadly. Endymion frowned and hold on tight to his new lover. "I'm sure she will forgive us, she has the heart of an angel," he muttered softly. Rei buried herself in to his embrace. Never would she give up on her new beloved for anyone.

"Ah! This is so much fun! Never in my entire life have I felt the joy of being free!" Serenity exclaimed happily, skipping merrily beside Orlus that still held an undying smile on his face. "I'm glad that you appreciate a piece of it." As they reached the house, the door was opened widely. "I thought Jadeite had gone for a walk?" Orlus felt suspicious and crept carefully into the house. Both of them stood by the entrance surprised in seeing a new stranger that sat next to Jadeite. "Serenity! Nephrite is here to bring us back to the palace." Jadeite exclaimed joyfully. Grinned happily Serenity couldn't control herself but to hugged Nephrite. "Well, I never thought that I would get a reward from the princess herself," he teased Serenity. Jadeite introduced Orlus to Nephrite. They shook hands. "Thank you so much dear Orlus for your hospitality, we wouldn't have survive without your help," Serenity informed him sincerely. Orlus smiled at her with tears in his eyes. "If you need anything Orlus, please don't hesitate to come to the palace, we shall repay for your kind deed," Jadeite added. After they bit farewell, the three of them walked to the nearby bushes where Nephrite had left his white stallion to munch. "Your highness, why don't you ride the horse, me and Jadeite will walk up front. Smiling, Serenity obeyed. Holding the rope that tied on the horse's neck, Nephrite and Jadeite talked in front while Serenity watched the surroundings leisurely. "I don't know how to tell you this but.." Jadeite whispered to Nephrite. "But what, Jade?" Jadeite gulped and whispered softly to Nephrite. "I'm in love with the princess, Neph," he confessed. Nephrite stopped in his track and stared bewilderedly at Jadeite. "WHAT!?"

"This is so wrong Jade, both of you cant possibly! Its..Its.." Nephrite was searching the right word to say when Jadeite stared coldly at him. "Its what, Neph!?" Jadeite scowled back at him. "Its just wrong alright! Two words! Love Forbidden! Have you heard of it?!" Nephrite lectured Jadeite. The feeling of guilt came rushing into his mind and heart. Serenity was long asleep on the horseback. Staring longingly and lustily at her. "Have you ever been in love Neph?" Jadeite asked him back. "That's not the point Jade!" Nephrite tried to defend himself. "Then, you never feel the pain I had suffered in trying hard to ignore her few days ago!" Jadeite gave a sharp glance at him and continued his walking. Both of them walked silently back to the kingdom.

Soft breeze blew across him, and a song sang in a nearby tavern was heard. Jadeite came across the village's tavern where travelers will stop for a drink or pleasure. Jadeite signaled Nephrite for a rest at the tavern. He nodded in agreement. Jadeite went to the horse and woke Serenity up. "Are we there yet?" she asked sleepily. "No, my dear, but would you like to have a drink at the tavern?" he asked softly. "Oh yes, please," she grinned happily and followed both of the men in to the tavern. At first, the people stared silently as they entered until Nephrite ordered their drinks only the crowd made their noise once again. "Who's the pretty lady?" the bartender asked Nephrite. Receiving his glass of beer, Nephrite looked at Serenity and back to the bartender. "A friend, why do you ask?" he mocked. Jadeite received his glass of beer and just watched the barbaric surrounding in disgust.Whores everywhere giving the men their sexual service. Serenity sat between both of them and just shrugged herself when she saw the look that she gets when she turned to look at the people in the tavern. Drinking with one gulped she pulled both of them outside. "What's wrong, Sere?" Jadeite asked concerned. Nephrite brought along his glass of beer when Serenity pulled him. "I haven't finish my drink yet, princess," he zipped his mouth after he said the word. The people and most of them are rouges kept quiet for a second on hearing the word Princess…'ahh a dream hostage to have such fine ransom!' That was their thoughts on Serenity. "Run," Nephrite said softly and made a run for it! As they dashed out of the tavern, Jadeite and Nephrite mounted the rouges' horses hurriedly while Serenity with her former one and with a "Gitty up!" the horses galloped away. The rouges yelled and cursed them for stealing their horses.

In the Tyron Planet, Queen Serenity sighed relieved for she had finished the treaty agreement. "Senshis, tomorrow, we shall head for home." She announced proudly. Venus, Mercury and Jupiter bowed in respect. "It's been a long time your majesty," Venus remarked. "It sure has," the Queen answered her and dismissed them.

Galloping at her side, Jadeite stared at her frequently. "I wonder if she still loves me?" he thought in timidly. A sound of giggled escaped from her. "Oh god! She has telepathic power!!" Jadeite blushed furiously making Serenity laughed loudly. When she stopped laughing, with a serious tone she said, "always." Jadeite grinned at her.

"Endymion, take care of her, she's one of the kind." He closed his eyes. Serenity was too busy watching the gloomy forest to notice a single tear from him.

A song echoed in his mind, a song that he heard in the tavern back then. Uttered in sadness and regrets to those whom failed in their love life. The song that had branded itself in his mind forever.

If he brings you happiness,

Then I wish you all the best,

Your happiness that matters most of all,

But if he ever breaks your heart,

And your teardrop starts to fall,

Then, I'll be there before the next,

Teardrop falls.

I'll be there before the next

Teardrop falls.

AHH! Finish chapter 10…how was it so far????….Best one yet to come…stay tune for the final chapter of journey to the center of the heart!!!…Thank you so much!.