Authors Notes - Sorry this chapter took so long but I had exams to take. Anyway as I know you probably don't care for my excuses much less my personal life I'll get on with the story. E-mail me with any comments, questions, or ideas at:
Meghanscuderi@hotmail.com

Rating - PG 13 for cursing and other gruesome details.

Disclaimer - I don't own Sailor Moon but I do own this story so DON'T steal my characters or my story line.

"We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospection."
- Anais Nin


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I Shall not Perish
Chapter Four
By: Messy Meg
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I awoke with a start. Last night was stuck in my mind, constantly replaying itself. I realized somewhat belatedly that I was no longer just Queen Serenity of the fallen Moon Kingdom and the Sliver Millennium; But I was now also Sailor Moon. I felt elation swell so great in my chest that I feared I would burst myself. But then Miri came to my mind in a fetal position, as did Runka's face crying out in horror, and reminded me that I had just alienated my only family, my only friends. My pride of becoming a soldier immediately deflated.

Then something strange happened. A thin tendril of warmth and strength seemed to wrap itself around and around my heart. I felt my chest and indeed there was a warmth emitting from it. I gasped in surprise and then I realized I was being watched not by one but by two sets of eyes. Runka leaned against the doorframe of my room and a young man, obviously Plunarian for he had their strange ruby eyes and tan skin, stood next to her grinning. I gasped once again in surprise and then hastily pulled my covers over my night shift as my face reddened. The young man grinned all the more for my reaction so I switched my tactics and glared. Then, remembering the bug I looked anxiously around the room. Haruka caught my glance and grinned.

" Bug's gone." she said. " Miri got it." I nodded my acceptance of that statement and then asked a more pressing question.

" What are you doing in here?" Runka grinned and then after a moment of contemplation answered me but not my question.

" Grumpy today are ya."

" Please just answer my question, Runka. I believe I deserve an answer when you bring strangers into my room, not to mention yourself."

" Setsuna said you were about to wake up so she sent us to check on you." She answered.

" How long have I slept?" I asked Runka while looking out my window. It was at least mid afternoon. I have to meet Chronas later on this evening.

She grinned just like the man beside her did. " Two days."

" Two days!??" I shouted. " That means I was supposed to meet Chronas the day before yesterday! How could I do this? Why didn't you wake me up!?? He still has to accept me formally as his Queen. What if he doesn't want to now!??"

" Rena, calm down. Setsuna told him what happened but he probably found out for himself, you do know that he reads thoughts don't ya?"

" What do you mean read thoughts?" I asked her. I had no idea he had any powers.

" You mean ya don't know."

" No I don't know!" I said hotly. " How am I supposed to know?"

" Are ya saying that the whole time he was testing you didn't know he was reading your mind?" She asked.

"That's what I'm saying. After all how many people do you know read thoughts?!" I asked Runka.

Runka thought for a moment, shook her head and then glanced at the man beside her to see if he knew anyone else. At the shake of his head she responded.

" I guess King Chronas is the only one I know of, but you should've known. I'm surprised your mamma didn't tell you."

"My mother didn't have the time to tell me anything, even if she had wanted to." I said bitterly.

The young man eyes grew wide at the contempt in my voice towards my mother and I'm guessing, his beloved late Queen. She was a horrible mother, but I admit, she was the greatest Queen in all of history.

I thought of what I knew about Chronas. I had only seen him that once, when he had accepted me. He hadn't given anything away that he could read my thoughts. All he did was that stupid staring contest - wait a second - staring contest! Kings didn't have staring contests! He must've been reading my thoughts the whole time! On Goddess what did I do?!!!

" Runka when we were in the hall waiting for him to accept me-" I started.

" Yeah, he was reading your thoughts." She finished.

" Oh Goddess, please help me." I groaned falling back flat upon my bed.

" It's alright Rena. He liked you and he accepted you even if it was informal. Don't worry about what you were thinking. You should've heard my thoughts when I first met him. Then again maybe you'd rather not know." Haruka answered grinning sheepishly.

" Anyways it doesn't matter you'll meet with him tomorrow an' don't be upset because you needed to recover." She finished getting over her obvious embarrassment.

" I didn't need to recover from anything." I muttered angrily.

The young man burst out laughing. I felt totally insulted. First he saw me in my night shift and then he had the nerve to laugh at me. At me!

" Just who are you?" I demanded imperiously towards him. The Snobbish Queen in me was quickly taking over and intended to wipe off his smile in just a few short seconds. But Haruka answered for him, noticing just what kind of mood I was in and seeing my intent.

" Rena," she said so gently and lovingly that I realized she was the one who had sent me that silent strength, which meant that she did not truly despise me, as I had feared. " This is Talis, my nephew. He's my sister's son. I think ya'll met before."

I struggled to recall my other distant cousin, Haruka's older sister, and got a vague vision of her face in response. It had been a long time since I had seen Princess Kaika, in fact I was five when I last saw her, and she was, at that time, already married with two sons and a daughter around my age.

She had brought her children with her that visit I remember. I remember the daughter being an exquisite child who had taken a fancy to Endy. And the older son had gone with his father to talk with my father, who was still alive at that time. The second son who was the middle child stayed and played with my court and I. He must've been this Talis. I didn't remember much more than that. I recalled Kaika's face once more. The only part of him that looked even remotely like his mother was his dark brown hair and tall frame. Even his name had no trace of Uranian in it. I would've never known this was her son.

" Yes I recall his visit with Princess Kaika." I confirmed. Haruka continued.

" He's gonna be joining us from now on, even though I don't particularly like it. If he dies and my sister finds out that I let 'em come with us, I don't wanna be blamed. If we didn't need him so much I'd have sent him home long ago, but unfortunately that isn't the case." She paused a moment and scowled at him.

My annoyance slowly subsided and amusement took over for it seemed as if he had indeed cajoled Runka into taking him, although I had no idea how. I saw automatically that they had an easy relationship as friends often do.

" He's one of the finest soldiers I've ever seen." Haruka praised on, as if she were trying to beg my acceptance of this man. " Just wait till you see him in action. In fact, he'll be your sparing partner. Anyways he'll be your bodyguard from now on."

My amusement died very quickly as Talis, still grinning but from ear to ear now, swept a courtly bow in my direction. Then he cleared his face and was totally serious.

" Queen Serenity, please accept me as your guard and confidant." He asked as protocol befitted.

It did not suit him, an arrogant and obviously mischievous young man, to be humble before me. I was after all a relative of sorts to him and relations were not supposed to treat each other with formality. Mother was always formal with me and as a result I pledged that if ever I had a family, I would never be formal towards them, never. They would never doubt my love for them. This Plunarian was a close enough relation for the rule to apply.

I decided resolutely at that moment that this man would never bow before me after this. For I was going to accept his service as he was highly recommended by Haruka. Even if I didn't like the idea of a bodyguard one was needed. Where I once had my court as guards I now have none and a Queen has more need of guards than a princess. Runka and Miri couldn't look after me forever after all. Talis would do.

" Talis, I knew your mother only slightly, but all that I do recall of her reminds me that she is an outstanding individual. Who I know and trust more is Haruka and that she speaks so highly of your skills speaks more for you than you will ever know. I am honored to accept you into my service, my cousin."

His ruby eyes creased in pleasure and I saw the mischievous grin back in place as he raised his head to look at me.

" High-" he started but I cut him off.

" It's Rena, I am your cousin after all no matter how distant and get off your knees. You will not bow to me again just as Runka does not bow. I want no titles in private nor do I want you to be humble ever again. Be your normal arrogant self, and don't protest that you have no arrogance because I can just look at you and tell. In the long run I'm sure it will help us. You do understand me don't you?"

" Yes Rena, I understand." He said looking surprised only in his eyes.

" Good now that this is over both of you get out!" I commanded and then I looked over to Runka's grinning face. " I can't believe you did this to me. I know this could've waited until I was at least dressed and out of bed! You just wait Runka, I'll get you back for this."

" Come on Talis, we need to leave before the beast attacks us." She said and then bolted out of the room with her nephew on her heels.

" Beast huh!!! I'll show you a beast!!!" I screamed as the door closed and then I scrambled out of bed and into my wardrobe room plotting an interesting scheme along the way. I would show them a beast.


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It's short, I know, and not much happens but I promise you chapter 5 will be a lot more interesting. Be patient with me. I will try and post chapter 5 within the next week but I can't promise. Please tell me any ideas or comments you have at meghanscuderi@hotmail.com. Thanks for reading!
Messy Meg