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Forbidden Love
Chapter 7
Authors: Usa-chan & Krys Yuy
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Quatre smiled as Serenity appeared at their bars with Haruka and Michiru. "Does this mean you're coming with us?"

Serenity nodded, "Hai… I… I can't stay here." Her eyes flickered to Heero's. "My Senshi have bought us some time… but we must hurry."

Haruka nodded, "Koneko, go with Michiru and wait for us in the shuttle. I'll get them free."

"Serenity-hime…"

Serenity's head shot up and she gasped. "P… Pl… Pluto!" She stuttered. "You're really Sailor Pluto…."

Duo frowned faintly, "Why are you so tounge-tired, Renity?"

Serenity swallowed, "You don't understand… No one from the royal family has seen her in person for at least five generations… why are you here?"

Wufei frowned faintly, "Are you here to take us back?"

Serenity's eyes widened. "Nani?" She shook her head confused, "What do you mean? Back to where?"

"It's alright, Serenity-hime. I'm not here to take them back just yet. I'm here to help you."

"World Shaking!"

The attacked blasted through the bars and the Gundam pilots walked through it with an awed expression on their faces. "How?" Duo asked Haruka.

Haruka smirked, "I'm a protector or Koneko-chan. You didn't think I'd be weaponless did you?"

Serenity grabbed Heero's hand and pulled him after her. "We must hurry… Okaasan is probably using the Ginzuishou."

"She isn't."

Serenity turned to Pluto once again startled, "She isn't?"

"No, since the crystal would bring you harm if it did as she bade it's not responding to her." Pluto formed a portal with her staff and smiled grimly, "This will lead you directly into the shuttle. We'll meet again, Serenity-hime."

Serenity impulsively hugged the older woman before practically dragging the silent Heero through the portal after her. Haruka watched all of the other pilots follow and paused to glance at Pluto, "Arigato, Setsuna."

"Keep her safe, Haruka."

"Of course," Haruka responded with a faint smile before she jumped through the portal.

Pluto closed it and sighed her head bowed. 'This won't save you from what's to come but at least… at least you have a chance for happiness before it happens, hime.'

**

Serenity tugged a ring off her finger and threw it in the trash. She sat down in one of the shuttle's chairs and curling up into a ball finally let the impact of all the events hit her. Within just a few moments she was sobbing her heart out.

Duo motioned to Heero to go comfort her but Heero ignored him. "Renity?" Duo asked with a sigh. Only more sobs greeted his efforts and with a depressed sigh he turned and took a seat near a window of the shuttle.

Heero finally couldn't take anymore of the soft sobs coming from the girl and sat beside her, "Serenity?"

Slowly so very slowly her light blue eyes met his. "… I… I never said thank you… A… Ari… Arigato, Heero." She shivered, her teeth chattering and she unconciously leaned against him, hiding her head. "If it hadn't been for …. for you…. I'd…" she sobbed against him for a moment and was startled when she felt a warm arm around her.

"Cry, Serenity," Heero softly ordered. His voice was so soft not even Quatre had heard him. For a brief moment Heero was thankful that the other pilots had decided to vacate to the other side of the shuttle and leave him and Serenity alone.

Serenity looked up and her eyes simply seemed to stare through him. "You saved me," she whispered softly. "If it hadn't been for you I would have died or even worse… that thing almost… he almost…" her face started to turn green and Heero took her into his arms gently rocking her until she once again sobbed into his chest.

"I won't let anything hurt you, Serenity," He whispered softly for her ears alone. "I promise to protect you…"

Serenity's eyes slowly rose. From what she knew of him all of his words and actions were completely out of character! "Arigato, Heero…" she whispered feeling a bright blush come onto her cheeks. 'He's being so kind and sweet…'

"Are you alright, Serenity?"

Serenity looked up and flushing nodded, "h… hai."

"Koneko?"

Serenity managed to get her face back into a normal shade and smiled slightly, "Hai?"

"Come up here for a moment…"

With a puzzled look on her face Serenity obeyed. Her eyes fell on a monitor and with a nervous gulp she pushed the blinking call button. "Minna…"

Venus smiled sweetly, "Are you okay, Serenity?"

"Hai, I am."

Venus flushed faintly and tried to look behind the princess. "And Quatre?"

Serenity giggled, "We're all fine, Minako-chan. What about all of you?"

The blonde turned scarlet, "We used that potion on Endymion… and your mother."

Serenity's jaw dropped. "You used it on Okaasan!"

Minako winced, "You don't understand, Serenity… we had to. She was trying to use the Ginzuishou and was about to order every shuttle near the moon grounded and to kill everyone but you."

"Kill?" Serenity asked startled her face paling. "Iie… Iie! IIE!!!!" She felt the tears start to roll down her cheeks and was about to argue with her guardian when a pair of arms wrapped around her stomach and she was pulled against a warm body. "Heero," Serenity whimpered before turning and crying once more into his chest.

Heero stared at the solemn Venus for a moment and nodded. "Arigato for informing us." He turned off the communicator ignoring the watchful eyes of Haruka and picked the crying Princess up.

Duo looked up as Heero re-entered that section of the shuttle and his eyes filled with worry as he saw Serenity. "Is she okay?"

Heero sat down with her and merely held her as she sobbed. "Her mother was about to order that all shuttles near the moon be brought down and when she was found that everyone else in the same shuttle should be killed."

Duo went a ghastly pale. "Ho… how could she order that?"

"She was about to. The others put that potion in her drink and she's out for twelve hours."

Serenity sniffled in his arms. "Heero?"

"Hnn…"

"Take me back."

Quatre's eyes went wide, "Nani?"

Serenity offered a weak smile. "I… I can't let Okaasan act like this. Something's wrong… She needs me."

"You know what will happen if you return, hime," Trowa calmly reminded.

Serenity winced and turned her attention away. "I know… but should I really sacrifice innocent people's lives for my happiness?"

Heero frowned faintly, "Yes."

Serenity blinked startled, "Nani?"

"You can't marry, Endymion, Serenity."

Serenity's heart skipped a beat and she felt color rise in her cheeks. 'Could he be… jealous?'

"He's right you know," Wufei agreed. "That dishonorable baka doesn't deserve you."

Serenity closed her eyes and sighed, "But… I can't let my kingdom fall to ruins because of my wishes…"

"Serenity…"

The princess of the moon once again turned her sparkling blue eyes to Heero. "Yes?" She wondered about the almost quiver in his words and fought to not become elated over it. Just because he sounded uncertain didn't mean he cared for her.

"Can I speak to you alone for a moment?"

"Hai…" She excused herself from the others and followed Heero into the bathroom. She watched confused as he locked the door behind him then turned to her his prussian eyes almost seeming to show emotion.

"I love you."