"Ar!!! I couldn't help it, I just had to get this story out! Sorry if the chapters look short. I've been typing like forever and it only looks like this!"

"Sailormoon ain't mine to claim"

"Get the reviews coming in!! I luv it!!"

----Hanei T.

A MYSTERIOUS TALE by Hanei Tamashii

Chapter Two



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Serena flinched again. Her feet was tired from the long walk and her empty stomach was making weird sounds as usual. Serena pushed her bangs away as she tiredly made her way through the thick forest. And I thought this was a short cut!, Serena thought wryly. She had been walking through the unknown deepness of the forest of Glenwood for hours, a so-called short cut to the castle but she still had not seen the main road that was supposedly at the edge of the forest. "I shouldn't have taken this route!" Serena muttered to herself. As she struggled to find a way out, an unknown figure quietly followed her.

"But pa, ma! We can go to the castle to find her!!!" said Raye frantically. Robert Keller shook his head in disagreement. "Raye..."

"I don't care!!! Serena is my sister and as her elder sister I am responsible for her!" Ilene Keller was quietly sitting beside her husband as she cried softly. Putting his arm around Ilene, Robert sighed again. "But Raye, if we do so, her life will be in danger! The prince would probably throw us all in his dungeon for the rest of our lives. You know what he does to those who show dislike to him...he might even behead us all," said Robert. Raye opened her mouth to argue but her mind was blank. Raye knew her father was right. Tiredly, she fell on her knees and finally the tears she was holding for the whole morning rolled down her pale face.



Setting her belongings down, Serena sat by the small lake she had found. There was a beautiful waterfall and lots of flowers grew by the lake. Sighing blissfully, Serena dipped her tired feet into the cool water. She was about to lie down with her legs soaked in the lake when a better idea struck her. Serena got up and undid her clothing. She put away the last pieces of her clothing and walked into the lake enjoying the coldness of the water. In was indeed a better change then walking through twigs and wild bushes. Serena swam in the lake; letting the smooth ice-cold water caress her skin. She knew it would be embarrassing if anyone saw her but for god sakes...she was in the middle of nowhere! As for bandits...they never went through the forest and it was all because of a legend, a myth of long ago. Tired, Serena closed her eyes and let herself float for a moment. Just for awhile, Serena thought.

As quietly as it had been following Serena, the dark figure pushed away Serena's clothing into a wild bush. Taking one last look at the lake, the figure turned and hid in the darkness of the forest.

The cries of wolves had finally awaken her. Forgetting where she was, she turned and immediately, water came rushing into her nostrils. Serena pushed herself up to the surface of the water and began coughing and sputtering out water. Taking a deep breath, she swam back to the riverside. Her hair as well was soaking wet and darkness was already consuming the forest. Muttering curses, she looked around for the clothes she had left before she took a dive in the lake. Tears were starting to well as she struggled to find her clothes and her package. Tired, wet and hungry, Serena collapse under an oak tree and cried her heart out. "If only that bastard prince didn't gave out such an order, I would still be at home," said Serena to no one. But after thinking if Raye had gone through what she had, all traces of doubt to reach the castle vanished.

ATISSHU!!!

Serena sniffed and wiped away her tears. She had to be strong for her family . but without any clothing, she was bound to freeze to death. The chilliness of the wind licked at her bare skin and blew at her harshly. Without neither food nor warmth, Serena began to feel sleepy. Her eyelids felt heavy and the darkness seemed to welcome and comfort her. Serena couldn't resist the comfort and gave in.



The dark figure peeked out from its hiding place and took a good look at the intruder. Her eyes were closed, hiding away those beautiful blue eyes of hers. Her creamy fair skin was partially covered by long golden tresses. Her nose was pink from the cold, and her lips, nearly a shade of blue. Her small body shivered whenever a slight breeze blew at her. Ever so slowly, it came out of the bush making only a slight rustling sound. In the moonlight, its beautiful dark body gleamed and sparkled. It lay down beside her, shielding her away from the freezing wind and provided her warmth. She smiled as she dreamed and snuggled

closer to her source of warmth, her guardian, and her protector. Warmth?! But wasn't she naked, wet and currently in the middle of nowhere? Serena woke up with a start. Her heart started to pound unusually fast. She didn't dare to make another move. The huge body beside her seemed to be asleep. Ever so slowly and quietly, she turned around. Oh my...her heart fluttered. Right beside her was a...a...man?!



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Hm...it seems rather illogical to have a naked women in the middle of nowhere...but hey, this is a 'mysterious' tale isn't it? ^_^

Whoa and a man from nowhere?! Hehehe...find out in the next chap.

---Hanei T. ( the evil cliffhanger )