Here's the dealio, I'm sorry about not giving you this earlier but I had to clean my room and then Daddy was around. I had to wait for him to leave before I could go on the computer. Can you believe he removed the transformer for the thing. Without it I can't put the blasted thing on!! Luckily he didn't bring it to his home but left it here. Then I was falling asleep at the computer so I couldn't type anything that made sense. Forgive a poor authoress like me and review this fic after reading. Even one word would be sufficient.

This is part B of chapter Six. I see that some of you guys were eager for the action. Well you have your wish, here it is.

An Unlikely Bond

by: Lilaclight

Chapter Six

On Tsuki...

Luna and Artemis glanced at each other nervously before gathering their courage and entering the Throne Room where Queen Selenity held her court. Citizens of Tsuki would come and state their cases to her and awaited her judgment. She had acquired a reputation of being a fair and just judge. Her people adored her.

Taking a quick look around the room, they noted that it was empty of the usual crowd. Queen Selenity sat on her throne of pure gold that was encrusted with diamonds and pearls to form a crown over her head. It was said to weight so much that it had taken ten Mokujin and five Tennoujin to carry it in. Magic wards protected it from being stolen via magical means.

The room itself was cavernous as to provide adequate space for the numerous Tsukijins who were often present. The high ceilings were painted with scenes of angels in their white and gold robes, wings spread out in all their glory and harps or swords in their hands. In the centre of it all was a babe with an eight point star on its forehead, lower body covered in a thin, white, gauzy cloth.

When people spoke, there was a slight echo that enchanted and delighted those who entered for the first time. The normal din of the citizens would sound three times louder because of it. The acoustics had been specially designed by Apollo himself as a gift to his darling sister Diana.

Now the room echoed with the footfalls of the approaching advisors. They swallowed nervously as their Queen's disapproval became, almost, a palpable thing. They knew that they were in trouble because of last night's dinner but had underestimated the Queen's anger.

"Yare, yare, look what the neko dragged in." sneered the Queen while eying the two sharply. (since this is a cliché you guys aught to know what neko is in English. Here's a better hint, it's the adult form of koneko, Usa's nickname by Haruka.)

Was it mentioned that she had a nasty temper that was usually kept under wraps? Well, she does.

"Your Majesty, accept our utmost apologies for being absent at the dinner last night. We trust that nothing untoward occurred." Artemis said courteously with his gaze averted.

"I trust that you two have a good explanation for your whereabouts last night," Selenity said snottily, baiting them to reveal themselves.

"Your Majesty, sovereign of this empire, we were held captive by Prince Endymion in our feline henshin, albeit he was unaware of the situation." began Luna with a blush.

"WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" exclaimed the astonished Queen. "You dared to henshin without my permission and venture into the Prince's quarters?"

"Your Majesty, please forgive us for that transgression. We were trying to protect you and Serenity." interjected Artemis before she could say more on the subject.

"Protect me?" she laughed derisively. "From what? Prince Endymion is not that powerful and is on our side. I admit that Beryl needs watching but other than that I see no need for protection from them. I can protect myself as you well know."

"But Your Majesty..." began Luna before being cut off by Queen Selenity.

"No buts! I will hear nothing against the Prince. If you have anything on his advisor Beryl that may be suspicious then tell me but leave the innocent Prince out of it." commanded their determined queen.

"I'll not have you Luna nor you Artemis ruin my plans for an alliance with Chikyuu."

"But Your Majesty," gasped Luna, "We saw and heard both he and Beryl together! Not even married and already he is unfaithful. What kind of husband do you think he will make for Serenity; your own daughter."

"That brat is no child of mine. Her only use is to cement the relations between my empire and Chikyuu." Selenity proclaimed coldly.

Luna and Artemis stared at their queen in shock only to have it overcome by pity. They had never had the opportunity to see that side of her before and they pitied her. All the hard work she had put into creating a peaceful empire had gone to her head. She lived and breathed for only her Silver Millennium, forsaking her only child because of who her father was.

"Now get out. Serenity should be here soon and I'd like to prepare..." Queen Selenity began but was interrupted by the sound of knocking on the main entrance.

She looked towards the door in annoyance, wondering who would dare disturb her. Artemis and Luna followed her line of vision when her look of irritation turned to one of intense dislike. Entering the Throne Room was the princess in discussion herself, Princess Serenity. Dressed in a simple cotton, ankle length, flower pattern on a dark blue background dress that complimented her figure and amplified the air of innocence she carried with her.

Queen Selenity almost growled out loud. How she despised the bitch that was her daughter! The air of innocence hid a black heart, she was certain of it. The girl seemed to do no wrong in the eyes of her servants, the results of sorcery surely as it was that she could not take three steps without tripping over something, be it real or non-existent. She was lazy and did nothing for herself; waking at a reasonable time seemed to escape her mental capacity and all she did when she was awake was eat most of the food the cooks prepared. The only times that the brat appeared to have some brains was when she was defying her.

Serenity looked at her guardians who also served as her mother's chief advisors. From the words of their conversation that she had picked up, the exalted position that the two had held for so long would not be theirs for much longer. Sending them a reassuring smile, she turned her gaze to her mother. The smile disappeared from her face as if it had never appeared in the first place. A frigid gaze of controlled anger and hate burned into the Selenity but she felt no remorse for her actions.

Serenity's facial expression gave away nothing. The only visible sign of her vehement disagreement with her mother was her burning gaze. Selenity dared to look her daughter in the eye to signify the solidity of her stand but, as usual, she had to look away. What she saw in her daughter's eyes every time she gazed into them was unnerving and even more so now that Serenity was angered. Unfortunate for Serenity, her mother's inability to stare into her eyes for long drastically increased the hate she felt for her daughter.

"You are dismissed." Queen Selenity told her advisors, not bothering to look at them.

"Yes Your Majesty."

They bowed and exited the room quickly, their worry filled gazes lingering on Serenity as they passed. They knew that even if Queen Selenity would not listen, Serenity would. They need to warn their princess was all consuming as a feeling of imminent danger lurked at the edges of their minds and senses.

"Well child, what have you to say for your atrocious behaviour last night?" asked Selenity with a gracefully raised brow and a cold commanding tone of voice.

"Why mother, I've no inkling of what you speak." Serenity retorted mockingly.

"Spare me your impudence brat!! You deliberately left early and refused the prince's offer to walk in the garden." Queen Selenity's beautiful features contorted to an ugly sneer and the words fell like acid from her tongue.

"I have worked too hard on this alliance. You will do as I say for I am your mother, the only parent who gave a damn about you. Your father abandoned you but I kept you. I own you and you owe me a heavy debt for sparing your life." Selenity reminded her daughter cruelly.

Serenity fought against the tears. This was not her first time hearing those words, they were forever imprinted in her memory from the tender age of four when all she heard were the embellishments of her mother's description of all her faults. That was why she often had fled the palace despite her young age. The one good thing that had come from that period was her friendship with Kuroi. He had been her rock through those harsh periods. He still was.

"'Dearest' mother, I was genuinely tired from all the tears I had shed earlier and need the rest. You know that I do not wish to marry the bastard that you have found for me. Your precious alliance be damned! I want to live my own life without the pressures that you CREATED!!!!!!!!!!!" Serenity ended on a shout.

The sound of a hard slap echoed throughout the room. Selenity stood in front of her daughter, face red in rage and breathing heavily. Lowering her hand, she hissed to Serenity in firm, low tones.

"Never, never speak to me in such a disrespectful way again. Try it once more and I will make sure that it will be the last time using methods that will have you weeping for mercy."

Serenity rested her hand on her stinging left cheek in shock. Her mother had never before struck her and with such force! The red handprint was beginning to show against Serenity's pale skin. A numbness invaded her as she stared at her mother unseeingly, lost in her own world.

'She hit me. She actually hit me. Oh Selene, why? Why must I suffer so?! She hit me!' Serenity's thoughts ran in circles.

Not even bothering to ask for dismissal, the now more dismal princess turned and left in a daze. Queen Selenity's actions had finally driven home the true extent of her hate, completely destroying what little hope Serenity had that they might one day truly be together as a mother and daughter should.

Queen Selenity grew more enraged when her daughter left without asking permission and glared at her retreating back. Calling her back did no good as Serenity appeared to have turned a deaf ear to her. Prince Endymion would be there soon, if he could find his way problem free, and Serenity had gone out the door.

The greatly upset queen glanced dispassionately at her still stinging, red palm and smirked. At least one thing had been accomplished and she could rest a little easier. Giving up on the idea of meeting with Prince Endymion, she called for a servant who would in her place. She had to get something for her hand and to relax.

Patience. Soon everything would be as she planned it so long ago.

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Serenity's room...

The disillusioned princess lay still on her bed, eyes staring at the ceiling unseeingly and a stony expression on her face. Her guardians stood at the foot of the bed and watched her worriedly. A feeling of déjà vu persisted as the three remained there in silence. The silent tears that the princess was shedding pained Luna more as her strong maternal feelings for the Serenity surfaced.

"Serenity honey, it'll be alright in the end. Don't you worry." Luna said in soothing tones.

She lowered herself onto the bed and tried to stroke Serenity's hair and put her arm around her. She gasped in fear as Serenity's hands shot out and grabbed her own and she found herself staring into the empty eyes of her princess. Tears began to flow as Luna felt herself being drowned in the gaze. Her body grew lethargic and her resistance to Serenity's painful grip evaporated.

Artemis moved forward quickly and tried to pry Serenity's hands of Luna. The way she was staring at his koi was frightening. Luna needed to be freed and soon because it looked as if she was being drained of her energy and resistance. Finally, Artemis was able to free Luna by pulling her away from Serenity although it felt like Serenity had released her.

Carrying Luna princess style, Artemis ran to the door and opened it. He was frantic as Luna had fallen unconscious and wanted to get her to the medic as soon as possible. Upon opening the door he saw Reika and her ryuu fiancé with Reika's hand raised to knock on the door. Reika's eyes widened in surprise when she saw them and Draco took the situation in and started inside to find Serenity. He knew that if anything happened to her and Kuroi was not present, then all hell would break loose, literally.

"Artemis, what happened to Luna!" exclaimed Reika.

"Serenity went crazy on her. She kept staring into her eyes while holding her down. I didn't know what else to do; I tried to separate them and when I succeeded Luna fell unconscious." He said in a rush.

"Calm down," commanded Reika as she tried to make head or tail of what he had just said.

"What caused Serenity's mood? Do you know?" she asked, certain that something or someone had provoked her princess.

"She came from the meeting with her mother in a daze and just lay there. Luna was trying to comfort her when it happened." Artemis replied a little calmer.

"Hmm," Reika mumbled thoughtfully.

She turned towards the inside of the room and muttered a few curses under her breath. Turning back to Artemis she told him to go to the medical bay and find someone to help Luna. Then she entered the room and came to a stop as she Draco on the floor with a bruise on his face.

"What did you do?" she asked wryly.

Groaning as he stood, Draco sent his koibito a glare.

"That princess has one mean left hook. The strength behind her punch was almost equal to Kuroi's. I wonder just what he has been teaching her."

"Answer the question and stop digressing." snapped Reika as she saw the unconscious form of her princess. She was not sure if she was sleeping or not.

"I was asking her what was wrong. I tried to put my hands on her shoulder, not to shake her, and she just attacked me with this dark glow around her. Then she passed out." Draco answered with a dark frown.

"Something is very wrong. Artemis said that she came from the meeting with Queen Selenity in a daze. Could Prince Endymion have harmed her after the meeting? He was supposed to be present and Queen Selenity would see nothing untoward if he wanted to escort her to her chambers." Reika said with a frown, trying to find a reason for her friend and oujo's state.

"Maybe. Look at her cheek." Draco said tonelessly, eyes remote and cold.

Reika did as she was bid and her eyes widened in rage and shock. Someone had dared to hit her Oujo-sama, her best friend. Moving closer to the bed, she sat beside Serenity and bent close to examine the mark. The hand print was not as big as she would have expected it to be; more the size a woman's should be. The traitorous thought that Queen Selenity might have been the one to do it crossed her mind but she dismissed it as soon as it popped up. The queen would never raise a hand against her daughter no matter how much animosity stood between them. The only other woman who might have a reason to hit Serenity was that whore Beryl.

"Now ai-chan, don't go jumping to conclusions. We will find out what happened when she awakens and only then." Draco admonished gently.

Reika sighed heavily and walked over to her koi, who had sat down on the same chair as before. He opened his arms and took her into his protective and healing embrace. Nestled against his firm, muscled chest, she took refuge until Serenity awoke.

Time passed indeterminably and the first stirrings of the sleeping oujo finally came. Reika jumped from Draco's arms and found herself at Serenity's side in mere seconds. The first thing the groggy oujo saw was Reika's relieved face peering down at her from a close proximity.

"Reika, I thought you weren't into yuri (?)" mumbled Serenity.

Moving back, Reika turned an alarming shade of red as she caught Serenity's words and the laughter her koi was releasing in the background.

"That's not funny," she glared ferociously at Draco who was clutching his stomach.

"I...ha ha...could have told you...he he...that would happen." Draco gasped out while still laughing. Lucky for him, he had remained seated.

"What are you guys doing here?" Serenity asked, the last of the lethargic glaze receding from her eyes.

"We came to find out what Endymion and your mother had told you but when we came, Artemis and Luna were just leaving." Reika began before stopping nervously. She was unsure of whether Serenity remembered what had taken place.

"You attacked me." Draco said, cutting to the chase instead of drawing things out.

"Hai, I know. It could not be helped but I'm glad you are okay." Serenity said after sighing.

"What happened?" Reika queried in a gentle voice.

Serenity got a far away look in her eyes that was soon replaced by a stubborn one.

"I don't want to talk about it," she growled.

"It's the only way to get over it safely. If you won't tell us, then tell someone else at least. Someone you trust more than us." Draco said wisely already thinking of who she would tell.

Serenity shot her a grateful glance before returning her attention to Reika.

"But.." Reika started defiantly.

"I don't wish to speak of it as yet. I can't. Please understand." Serenity whispered brokenly.

"Fine." Reika swallowed her pride and anger and acceded.

"Doomo arigatoo." Serenity responded with tearful eyes.

Reika moved forward and embraced her sorrowful friend while promising vengeance on the one who had hurt her. The two hugged until the sound of Draco clearing his throat brought them back to the present.

"Sorry to interrupt your yuri fest and all but we have very little time left to get ready for that stupid ball." Draco told them, barely able to contain his amusement as they glared at him, their eyes promising retribution. That was one time he was happy that they were not related to Nemesis.

"Run," mouthed Reika.

Taking her advice without question for once in his own way, he strolled out nonchalantly and checked to see if there were servants about. Noting that they were somehow often absent from this area, he made himself invisible and waited for Reika to emerge.

Inside the two princesses were fuming over his implication that they were lesbians. The arrogant baka was in for it.

"I guess he's right though," Reika began but quickly explained herself in the face of Serenity's upset incredulity. "Not about the yuri! About us having very little time to get ready for the ball. You know we are normally given the entire latter part of the day to prepare. Well, more than half of it is gone if I can tell by the light outside."

"Oh my gosh!!! You're right. Shimatta!" Serenity exclaimed.

"Don't you worry. you can be ready in record time. if I have any extra time after dressing, I'll pass by to help you. Expect the others to appear. They'll be ready before the both of us...well except Keseimi if she keeps to her habits." Reika consoled her, while glancing out the window.

"I hope so. Leave now, I know you're eager to. We'll meet in the ballroom at the first pillar near the buffet as soon as possible." Serenity said with a small smile. She had seen her glance out the window and knew that she was eager to go get ready.

"Hai. Until then, I wish you good fortune." Reika said in parting

Watching her friend leave, Serenity smiled bitterly. Reika had a great mother, a supportive one who loved her. And she, the most important princess in the whole fucking solar system had a miserable saseko of a mother who did not know how to keep her legs closed. Life was never fair and in her case it was a bitch.

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Hall leading to Balcony Entrance of Ballroom...

Serenity hurried along the hallway while muttering curses under her breathe. She was late by just a few minutes but late none the less. Queen Selenity would be livid but she did not really care. Her mother was no longer in her mind her mother. As far as she was concerned, she had no mother and no father. She was an orphan.

The pain in her heart cried out to someone, someone who would never desert her in her time of need. The echo of that pain made that someone wince and want to take on her pain as their own. Serenity was unaware of this, only feeling the sharp ache in her chest where her heart was supposed to be.

Lifting her skirt higher, she sped up until the door was in sight. Then she slowed down to compose her features into a polite mask. Dropping her skirts, she walked slowly towards the door and cleared her throat to alert the distracted guard. The look of amazement and adoration on his face amused her. It even appeared that some drool had found its way out of his mouth.

Fumbling like a man in a dark room, the guard opened the door for her and alerted the announcer to her presence. When he indicated that it was time for her 'entrance' she stepped forward and ventured forth onto the balcony where everyone could see her and vice versa.

"Oujo Serenity no Tsuki, heir to the Ginzuishou and betrothed of Ouji Endymion no Chikyuu." was heard throughout the room and all heads were raised in her direction.

Taking a deep breath, Serenity moved closer to the banister and smiled warmly before turning and moving down the staircase. She surveyed the crowd and the room, making note of who she already knew and who she did not. The room itself was lavishly decorated, no expense spared. The elaborately designed chandeliers shone brightly, casting a golden glow upon everything, making it all so magical. The only shadows present were those made by the people present and even those were faint.

The stares of admiration that she was receiving from most, well all, of the male occupants of the room did not go unnoticed by her or their partners. Her beauty had been severely understated in their minds and they all agreed that Prince Endymion was a lucky bastard. Most of the women were green with envy and could not wait to begin their malicious gossip as Queen Selenity had allowed rumours of Serenity's untoward behaviour to spread and be made worse until they became outright lies. A select few were awed by her and grateful for such a beautiful princess to emulate and, or protect.

Serenity searched the crowd, taking in all the reactions as she descended. Soon her gaze fell upon a lone man standing near the door leading to the outside balcony. At that moment he chose to look up and their gazes locked. Serenity felt as though all the air had been sucked out of her as she recognised the eyes. The beautiful eyes that soothed her and took away her fear.

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Whatever that was said at the beginning is true for the beginning of the week. It's Thursday now so kind of ignore it.

That's all for now. I'll try to get the next chapter out soon. I so wanted to finish this fic by the end of the year but it looks like that's not to be. I have a little over ten more chapters to go and most promise to be long. I'll try to update every week but I'm going to be hard pressed to if there is no inspiration.

Sorry for not updating sooner. I would have updated yesterday but my father did not want me on the computer. I'm not supposed to be on it but he don't live here and can't know unless my mother tells, which she probably will.

I'll try to give you guys an update for Body Swapped this weekend as well as Tainted Innocence. I have no idea how many of you have bother to read the latter story but I don't really mind. If it interests you, you'll read when you are ready to. Fortune's Gift got a lovely little update and will get another one next week. Honestly, I don't know what I'm doing with that fic. I'm just writing until I get a plot. Now to stop my rambling. One last thing though, the first chapter for From Stone to Man will be posted later today.

Now for a little guide to the japanese name for the different planets and the names of the scouts.

Suisei
Mercury
Kensei
Venus
Chikyuu
Earth
Kasei
Mars
Mokusei
Jupiter
Dosei
Saturn
Tennousei
Uranus
Kaiousei
Neptune
Meiousei
Pluto

Ami Ameisu

Minako Keseimi

Rei Reika

Makoto Kuseimo

Hotaru Seitoda

Haruka Tuneka

Michiru Kaichimu

Setsuna remains the same as she did not die during Beryl's attack.

Hopefully you guys can get them straight now. I know I had some trouble. Here's a belated Merry Christmas to you all and a thank you to all my reviewers.

I'm dedicating this chapter to Tenshi-chan who is a loyal reader. I'm waiting for my chapter now. (^_~)

Sorry about not being able to use AOL or AIM. I live in the Caribbean and I'm not sure the effect of using it will have on the internet bill.

Ja ne.