Families Chapter 9

Disclaimer: Do I really have to cover this? My name isn't Naoko so obviously I didn't create SailorMoon, but I can wish. I do have money but it's not mine so you can't sue me, you can flame me since winter is approaching and it would help.

Notes: The asterics are the start and end of a flashback. If you don't know the significance of the names of everyone Opal encounters you need to do two things, one look up the names of the planetary moons, and two look up on gods and goddesses. They're all connected to their planets in a way. Finally I'm still using a mix of Japanese and NA names in case you didn't notice, ok I'm done talking for now enjoy.



I start shaking slightly; I can see the anger and hatred he feels toward me, but why? What did I do? Why did Neo-Queen Serenity ask me to go on this quest? I should have refused, but I know that's not how I really feel. He continues to glare at me as I shake my head, "I was found with amnesia when I was about six years old. I can't remember anything before that." I'm not any less scared of my host I just remembered something Sapphire had once said, he had told me to never show anyone I was scared or they would use that against me. "Now will you tell me who you are and why you seem to hate me?" I'm trying not to tremble with fear and anger as he glares at me as if I'm a disgusting parasite. Narrowing his eyes he looks at me "My name is Caliban, the last descendant of the Uranus royal family. unless you count SailorUranus, which I don't like to. The reason I despise you is because even if I don't have proof of it I know you unleashed the evil that destroyed the Silver Millennium. My uncle and I knew you when we saw you the first time you came here." He turns away from me in disgust and I close my eyes, "You're like a diseased vermin, you could endure a universal apocalypse." I can't understand why his voice is fading, then I notice a flash and open my eyes. Now the destination shard decides to transport me!? I pull it out and half glare at it. A giggling voice interrupts my thoughts, "You shouldn't frown like that it'll cause you to have wrinkles." I look up and see a young girl, probably the same as age as Small Lady, she has honey colored hair, and green eyes. "You'd better come with me, it gets cold when dark falls." She holds out her hand and starts leading me off.

I haven't paid much attention to the scenery as the girl is dragging me along. She stops so abruptly I fall over, I look up and notice that we're at the remains of another castle, but this one is half restored. "Freya! You shouldn't just drop visitors! What kind of impression is that to make?" the woman speaking looked like an older version of the girl but with blue eyes that looked familiar. "I'm sorry about Freya's manners I had hoped I had taught her better. " She mock glared at Freya, "Welcome to Magellan estate, it's what we have rebuilt of the old Magellan Castle. You've met my daughter Freya, and my name is Astraea." She smiled and held out her hand, "And you are?" I hesitantly took her hand, "My name is Opal, at least that's what I've been called for about ten years.." I stop, why am I being so open with them? They make me want to trust and admire them, and they've only introduced themselves. Astraea smiles at me, "Well Opal we have been expecting you. We received a transmission from the moon; the only thing to survive the destruction was the communication system, the transmission was to let us know that we had to find the shard that had been given to our rulers by Queen Serenity. We haven't quite found it though, I'm afraid you'll be here for a while. I hope you don't mind?" Sighing I reply, "Here is better than the last planet I went to, speaking of which planet am I on?"

Freya bounced up and down, "You are on Venus! Isn't it lovely?" Astraea looked a bit upset, "Freya! You stop that this moment! Honestly, is that any way to behave in front of a guest sent by the Moon Kingdom Royal House?" Freya stopped bouncing and look ashamed, "I'm sorry mother but it's exciting to have a guest from the Moon Kingdom here." Astraea smiled pleasantly, "I understand that but we must remember our manners, mustn't we?" she returned her attention to me, "You don't happen to know of any way to find the shard do you?" Shaking my head I answer, "I'm afraid not. My quest wasn't even explained to me other than that I was supposed to find all the shards." Astraea nodded and led me inside; Freya followed practically bouncing the whole way. She was a cute kid, almost made me wish I had a younger sibling. The two of them showed my to a room saying that it would be mine while I was with them, then Astraea told me to get some rest and she would be back to get me for dinner, I thanked her and they left. I took a few minutes to look over the room, it wasn't overly fancy, nor was it meager, it was a simple room that had a nice feel to it. I walked to the bed and flopped onto it, resting my head on my arms I starting thinking. I know knew why Astraea and Freya looked a bit familiar, they had to be at least distant relatives to SailorVenus, how they were related I would have to guess it didn't feel right to ask. My mind started to drift as I fell into a light sleep.

****

"Why are we going to attack them?" I asked looking at my 'brother'. He smiled at me with the half smirk he had a habit of giving me, "Because they exiled our ancestors, I've told you that before." Someone else entered the room, "Perhaps she doubts your leadership my Prince." I could hear the dislike in her voice, it wasn't my fault she didn't check her lipstick before putting it on. "Now Emerald you know for a fact that I wouldn't do something like that. Diamond is my brother and I wouldn't do anything to hurt him. And I can tell you how I did that trick with your lipstick." She almost snarled at me, "Why would I want to know something like that?" I shrugged, "I just thought it might come in useful next time the Ayakashi sisters annoy you." I looked at her smiling and she returned the amused smile, Diamond shook his head, "Opal I would have thought you had had enough of tricks after the last one backfired on you." I blushed; I hadn't realized Sapphire would tell Avery that I was trying to get her in trouble. He was too nice for anyone's good, to add to my embarrassment of the moment Rubius walked in.

He bowed to Diamond, "Sire we have the latest report on the activities of Crystal Tokyo." Diamond raised a hand and he fell silent. "I think the report can wait for later. For now would you escort Opal to her rooms to prepare for dinner while I speak with Emerald." Diamond liked formal dinners, though some of us disliked having to get dressed up to eat. Rubius bowed in acknowledgement of Diamond's order and held out his hand to me. I glared at Diamond as I bowed to him, he only smiled in amusement, then I tried desperately not to blush as Rubius led me to my rooms. We walked in silence for a while, then he spoke up, "You know Wiseman says you shouldn't be trusted since you weren't born here." I tensed, "Wiseman doesn't like me because I dare to question him." I stared straight ahead in anger, how dare Wiseman question my loyalty. I had never done anything to indicate in any way that I wasn't trustworthy. My thoughts stopped when I realized that Rubius was no longer walking with me but he had stopped a few paces back, "What's the matter?" He looked at me with a serious expression, an expression that made me worried, "Opal, would you ever betray the family?" I can feel myself tense up, "How can you ask me that? You were there the day I was brought into the family, you know that I have nothing to gain from betraying everyone." He continues staring, "And if the rulers of Crystal Tokyo offered you a new life? Or said they knew who you really were? Would you betray us?" Tears formed but I wouldn't let them fall, "I'm happy with the life I have, and I know who I am." He folded his arms, "If they told you they knew where your real family is?" I was looking him straight in the eye and that was the only reason I saw it.

He was afraid of what I would say. "Why are you asking these questions?" he stepped toward me, "Would you ever leave us Opal? Would you ever leave me?" Gasping I stepped back instinctively, he took a hold of my arm to keep me from walking away. "Would you leave Opal?" The tears I had been fighting were starting to fall, "Even if the rulers of Crystal Tokyo said they knew who my biological family was it wouldn't matter, they abandoned me and if they didn't, after this many years I would be dead to them. This is my home, Diamond and Sapphire are my brothers, Emerald is my friend." He pulled me closer so that I was less than a foot away from him, "What am I Opal?" he reached up and brushed some hair from my face, "Am I a friend, a threat, or something else?" I blinked in confusion, what was he asking me? Of course I didn't see him as a threat he had never done anything to make himself appear as one. but was he a friend to me? I wasn't sure, when we had first met he didn't trust or like me, I hadn't cared before but now. If only that last prank hadn't backfired, I would probably think him a friend, but because it did backfire. I wasn't sure anymore. "You aren't a threat or I wouldn't allow you to escort me."

I look at the ground, or I tried to, instead I looked down at his arms and chest, "Am I your friend Opal?" I struggled to answer but the words were stuck in my throat, after a few moments of silence I tried again, my voice came out as a whisper, "I don't know." He began to move his thumb on my arm sending a tingle up it, "Do you want me as a friend?" Why was he affecting me so much? I had never given him a second thought before, had my opinion of him changed? Had he changed? .Or had I? His hand moved up my arm and stopped to rest on my shoulder. Then it dawned on me, I knew, I didn't know how or why but I knew, but how was I going to tell him? "Opal." he raised my face to look me in the eye, "I don't know if you noticed or if you even cared. but I care for you, more perhaps than Sapphire does." He had confirmed it, Sapphire was not only a brother to me but he was my best friend, he had always been the one who was there when I needed someone. Sapphire was the one to make sure I had everything I ever needed, and that I was happy. Sapphire loved me, as if I had been born his sister. Sapphire loved me just as he loved Diamond. Did Rubius mean what I thought he meant?

I knew my eyes were asking him that very same question. He pulled me into a hug, "I've never had to express any emotion other than obedience and disdain," he paused and rested his cheek on top of my head, "but now I find myself feeling something new. I almost approached Prince Diamond, but thought better of it I instead approached Sapphire. He spoke with me at length in the end he said one simple sentence that answered all my questions." Rubius pulled away from me slightly, "What was that sentence?" I could tell he was amused that I asked. He smiled a true smile at me, "Sapphire told me and I quote; 'If you hurt her in any way, I'll personally see to it that you don't live long enough to regret it.' I'll admit at first I didn't understand him, then I did." He brushed back the same strands of hair he brushed aside before, then pulled me to him and kissed me.

****

I sat up suddenly, what was going on? Why had I remembered that moment? Did it have any significance to my quest? Don't misunderstand it was one of my happiest memories but still. before I could think anymore on it there was a knock on the door, "Miss Opal? Are you awake? Mother sent me to get you for dinner." I shook my head to clear my thoughts, "Come in Freya." She walked in so calmly I almost thought her ill, then again her mother may have lectured her. I straightened my clothes, splashed some water on my face, and hastily brushed through my hair so it was presentable, then gestured for her to lead the way.