AN: Arigato minna! I love all the reviews. Some of them are really funny. I'm extremely happy that you guys are enjoying the story. I'm enjoying writing it too
Disclaimer: I don't own anything. So please don't sue.
Princess Serenity/Usagi is 16 in this chapter
Nakago is 18
Chapter 2 A
*four years later. In Kutou*
"Nakago!" the emperor of Kutou bawled out. "Li, where is that rascal? You've been too gentle with him."
"I'm sorry your majesty. He is not usually like this. Do not worry, I'll go find him right away." Even before the words got out of his mouth, Nakago calmly walked in.
"Nakago where have you been? You better have a good excuse for keeping me waiting." the emperor demanded.
"Please excuse me your majesty. I was studying the scroll of the Universe of the Four Gods. I know how important the Seiryuu no Miko is. So I want to make sure that when she comes, I'll be worthy to be her seishi, and serve her and Kutou to my full abilities." Nakago gracefully lied to the man he hated with all his heart. Over the years, he had turned from the innocent boy to a handsome young man. Golden hair framed his lean face, and his cornflower blue eyes had darkened to the color of the ocean. The long years of training had put lean hard muscles on his slender frame. In his light blue armor, he cuts a dashing figure, which didn't fail to turn heads (both men and women ) no matter where he went.
"Fine, but next time, do not be late. I have a mission for you. As you know, the Yang Tribe (I made it up) has declared war. I'm going to send out the army as soon as possible to crush this rebellion. And I want you to lead as the general. Do you have any questions?" he asked, as he dismissed the young warrior who was now general.
"No, sire, I'm going to make the preparations right away." Nakago bowed as he left the room.
*Later that night in his dream*
"Usa-chan, you can come out now," Nakago said to the hiding bunny.
"Naka-kun, you're no fun," Usagi whined from her hiding spot with Furball by her side. At the age of sixteen, she had indeed turned to the goddess that she was. Golden-silver hair, tied up in the odango-style, fell in waves all the way to her ankle. The white shimmering dress hugged her upper curves closely and flared out at the waist. Her sapphire-colored yes became even more beautiful, and her angelic features could turn every man's heart into mush. It was no wonder that she had enough suitors to line up from the moon to Pluto.
"Stop playing around Usa-chan, I have some really good news." Nakago said.
"Oh really? I have some good news too. But you go first." It was so rare that Nakago's this excited. So it had be something big.
"You are now looking at the newest general in Kutou," he announced with pride and happiness.
Usagi stood there unmoving, and no words came out of her mouth. Both Nakago and Furball looked at her, worried that if she doesn't breath soon, she would faint from the lack of oxygen. Their worries were put to rest a second later when Usagi literally pounced on Nakago, knocking the two of them painfully against the hard floor. "Is this true, Naka-kun? Oh I'm so happy, I can burst with happiness! I can't wait to see you in your armor leading your men. How romantic," she sighed as she mentally pictured Nakago wearing an armor sitting on a white horse. He was holding her in front of him, showing everyone that they belonged together.
Nakago chuckled, snapping her out of her day dream. "Usa-chan, I think that your missing the point here. We're going to fight, not sweep a girl off of her feet," he teased from his position on the floor, still pinned beneath her. But he doesn't feel the need to get up as he put his arms around her tiny waist. "So, what's your big news Usa-chan? You seem even more excited than usual."
"Guess, I'll give you three chances,"
"Well, do I get anything if I guessed the right answer?" He asked.
"That depends." Usagi answered as she crawled off him.
"Okay, let's see, you used the martial arts that I taught you and kicked Endymion-baka's ass?"
"Wrong, but that would be fun, now that you mention it. I'll have to put that on my to-do list. So what's you second guess?" Usagi patted Furball's head.
"Hum, you convinced your okaa-san to let you choose your own suitor?"
"Wrong again! Like okaa-san will ever let me pick my own future husband. Sometimes, she can be as stubborn as you. Last guess, Naka-kun!"
"What can make you so happy? I got it, your okaa-san finally decided to unlock part of your hidden power!" Nakago knew that it was the right answer from the proud look on her face. "So does that mean that you have received the powers from every planet in the solar system?"
"Yeap, okaa-san decided that I'm finally responsible enough to handle the powers. So yesterday, on my birthday, she broke the seal on my planetary powers in front of the whole court. Now, I can finally beat you in a spar." Usagi declared.
"Yeah right, Usa-chan. You say that every time before we fight, and the outcome is always the same. Anyway, since I guessed the correct answer, you owe me something now," Nakago said slyly.
"Hehe," she giggled nervously. " But hey, it was my birthday yesterday, I still haven't got my present from you yet." She pouted.
"Trying to change the topic now, are we? I promise that you'll get it tomorrow before I leave to go fight. Now what should I get for my reward? I know, before I leave tomorrow, I'll get a kiss," He smirked at Usagi's red cheek.
"A kiss? From me?" She barely managed to squeak out.
"Of course. From my favorite girl. I need something for good luck, and a kiss from you will give me all the luck I need to destroy my enemies."
"Fine, but only if you give me my present first." Usagi said as she started to fade away.
"Well Usa-chan, I see that you've finally listened to me, its good that you get up so early now." Nakago teased. Before she could open her mouth for a comeback, Usagi was already back in her bed.
*End of Dream*
"This better be good." Usagi murmured as she prepared a tongue lashing at the person who dared to wake her up. Cracking open an eye, she jumped back as she saw a close up of Venus' face making kissing noises. Acting on instinct, she flung the pillow she had in her hand into Venus' face, thus creating an all out pillow war.
Both of the girls were having such a great time, that they had not seen nor hear the voice of Luna as she had tried to get their attention through the layers of flying feathers. Finally, she couldn't take it anymore as a stray pillow came flying her direction. Jumping on the bed, she gave Venus' leg a healthy bite, and a scratch on the Moon Princess' hand, which brought both blonds out of their fun and whining about their boo boos.
"There, that should do it. Venus, you and Princess Serenity should act more like young ladies. You are no longer five years old, and I expected to see a more mature behaviour than a pillow fight. Now princess, your mother wants to have a private talk with you right now. So I suggest that you clean up as fast as possible," Luna said before she turned around to walk out the messy room. I pity the person who is assigned to clean the princess' room
"Jeez, she must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," Princess Serenity said as she started to get dressed.
"Nah, I think that she and Artemis had a fight last night. That's why she's so cross. Hah, kitty love, aren't they just the cutest?" Venus said, not even noticing that Princess Serenity already left.
What does okaa-san want to talk to me about? It must be important, or else she would never wake me up this early. The princess thought as she walked to the Queen's private chambers with Furball, very much like she had four years ago when she had heard that she was going to be Cosmos.
After knocking, she went inside the chamber, but froze when she saw that she wasn't the only one that had been summoned by the Queen. Endymion was standing behind the Queen, with a smirk on his face. "Darling, what took you so long? Prince Endymion has been waiting for a long time. I thought that I taught you better than that." Over the years, the Queen had spent less and less time with her daughter. The relationship had grown farther apart as the queen placed her kingdom before her daughter.
"I'm sorry okaa-san, but Venus and I had a little disagreement before Luna came." She glared back at Endymion, questioning his presence here.
"Just make sure that it doesn't happen again." The queen sighed. "As you know, the Silver Millennium is being threatened by the Dark Kingdom, on Earth. To fight with this evil force, we must ally ourselves with the Earth Kingdom. Serenity, you are sixteen years old now, and you possess the power of all of your scouts. It's time that you are engaged. There are countless princes and kings all around the galaxy who are asking for your hand in marriage, but you denied all of them. So now, I'm going to make your decision for you. You have known Endymion ever since you two were children, and now, he has asked for your hand in marriage. Considering our current position with the Dark Kingdom, it will be a favourable alliance for both of our nations." Queen Serenity smiled at Endymion.
Princess Serenity froze in her place. It felt as if her world was crumbling. "What?! Why okaa-san? Why do I have to marry Endymion? You know how much I despise him. The whole galaxy knows for that matter!" Tears started to fall from her eyes, at the thought marrying the man she hates with all her passion.
"Serenity, apologize now," the Queen said firmly
"It's alright, Your majesty. I'm sure that the princess is still too shy to realize her feelings." Endymion put on a fake smile as he walked up to the Princess. Picking up her hand, he was about to press a kiss on the back, when it was snatched away.
"Why don't you kill me now, okaa-san? I would rather die than marrying that man. And you, Endymion, don't think that you can fool me like you fooled my okaa-san," the princess hissed between her teeth. " We both know that we hate each other's guts, and that I'm just a stepping stone for you to get to the power of the Ginzuishou. Okaa-san why are you making me marrying someone I don't love? It's about otoo-san isn't it? It's because you didn't get to stay with the one that you love, so now you're making me live forever with someone that I don't love. Isn't it?" The girl was in hysterics.
*Slap* "How dare you say that? I loved your father to the very end. How would you know what love is? The engagement is going to be announced next week at the ball. And that's final." The Princess looked up with wounded eyes. Holding her reddened cheeks, she had stared in shock as the Queen had slapped her. Endymion just stood off at the side, watching everything with an amused look in his eyes. The princess gave a muffled sob as she ran away from her mother, feeling betrayed by one of the two people she loved the most in the world. Furball gave a warning growl to the two people who had hurt her mistress before following the Princess out the door. The Queen didn't do anything to stop the two, but she did look regretful about what she had done. It was the first time that she have ever lifted her hand on her only child, who was the only memory she had left of her husband.
Back at her room, Princess Serenity found Venus lying on her now clean bed, waiting for an explanation. Without uttering even one word, she pushed Venus out of the room and locked the door. Venus was left outside pounding on the door, demanding to know what had happened.
Looking around the room, she spotted the sword that was given to her by Uranus. If I end it now, I won't have to go through any of this humiliation. She slowly walked towards the sword and took it out, aiming it above her heart. Aishiteru, Naka-kun She was about to plunge the sword into herself when she suddenly thought of something else. I can't just die like this. Naka-kun is waiting for me tonight. This is going to be his first time commanding, I can't let him down like this. Oh Furball, what can I do? I can't die yet, the whole kingdom is depending on this marriage, but I can't give myself to that bastard. The princess cried against the tiger until all of her tears dried out, and she fell asleep.
*In Princess Serenity's Dream*
She stood there, not moving. There were no more tears left in her eyes. She didn't even feel him moving quietly up to her, putting his arms around her.
"Close your eyes. I have a present for you," Nakago whispered softly in her ear.
Usagi gave a little shiver as she felt his hot breath and did as he asked. When she opened them again, in front of her was a breath-taking golden necklace, cunningly molded into the shape of a pair of dragons, with sapphires decorating their eyes. "This was my okaa-san's necklace, and it is also the last thing that I have of her. This is a family heirloom, and I want you to have it. Happy sweet sixteen Usa-chan," Nakago said.
Forgetting her current troubles for a minute, Usagi turned around and hugged Nakago with all her strength. She held the necklace in her hand, marvelling at its beauty, before turning around and handing it back to him. "Naka-kun it's too beautiful for words, can you help me put it on?" She presented him with the back of her slender neck.
With shaking fingers, he slowly unclasped the necklace and put it around her neck, letting it rest on her chest before fastening it at the back. Furball looked at the two lovebirds, and if it was possible for a tiger, one would have been able to see the smirk on her face.
"There's more, Usa-chan. Before my okaa-san gave me the necklace, she told me to give it to someone that I want to share my life with." Nakago paused. Under Usagi's questioning look, he took a big breath before continuing slowly. "Usa-chan, ever since we had first met, I've fallen in love with you. I was too young to know it, and with everything that happened then, I didn't know if you felt the same way or not. Now, I watch you grow into the most beautiful young woman I have ever seen, and it pains me so much that I can be near you and not at the same time. Every time when you talk about how the suitors are fighting for your hand in marriage, I get so jealous because I can't be there to fight them off. I want you to be mine forever. Aishiteru Usa-chan. I have nothing to offer to you but my love. And if you will accept me, I promise you to make you the happiest bride in the universe." Nakago broke off, looking hopefully into her eyes.
Usagi listened to him. Happiness coursed through her upon hearing him saying the things that she had only dreamt about. She would gladly die this minute, if that were what it took to make him happy. Her heart had been in his hands from the very beginning, and always would be. "Naka-kun, don't you know how long I've been waiting for you to say those words? Every night, after you leave, I would dream about us like this, with you holding me in your arms. Aishiteru, Naka-kun." she whispered.
Nakago was on cloud nine. "So, I assume that that was a yes?" he asked, his eyes shinning with happiness and love."
Usagi looked into his eyes, drowning in the endless blue depths before turning away. "Naka-kun, I've come here to say goodbye." Her words hit him like a ton of bricks. Before he could say anything she continued. "I've loved you ever since I saw you that first day, I promised myself that I would be the one to take away your sadness, and replace it with joy and love. You might think that it's silly, but you were the only one that I have ever considered giving myself to. You are different from the other men I've met. You see the person inside of me, not just my appearance. You understand the loneliness, and the pain." Nakago carefully looked at her to see if she's telling the truth. His eyes fell on the bruise on her cheek It was so faint that he had almost missed it. Anger began to boil inside of him as he promised death to the person that dared to lay a hand on his itooshi.
Noticing the direction of his eyes, Usagi began speaking again. "It's the first time that my okaa-san has ever hit me. It hurts so much Naka-kun." She stopped, unable to continue as tears began to flood her eyes. "Why is she so cruel? I don't want… want to marry… Endymion. I hate that bastard." Nakago froze, marry… Endymion? The words were slowly repeated in his head. "There's going to be a war between the Moon Kingdom and the Dark Kingdom. Okaa-san decided that an alliance with the Earth Kingdom would help us stop Queen Beryl from taking over the kingdom. That's why I came to say goodbye. I will never be able to marry Endymion, but I can't disobey my okaa-san and leave my kingdom to Beryl. I don't know what to do." She sobbed into his chest.
His arms wrapped around her as he digested her words. "I want to die Naka-kun."
At this he pushed away. Shaking her shoulders, he stared into her eyes. "Don't you dare say that Usa-chan! If you ever do that, I'll never forgive you, you hear me?! Swear to me now, that no matter what, you'll live. You told me to be brave and strong, but now, you are the one who is the hypocrite. Don't you see, we'll always be together, no matter what." Tears began forming in his eyes as well. "Are you going to let this one little obstacle come between us? Remember what you told me about Cosmos? Once I get my wish from the Seiryuu no miko, we'll be together for eternity. No one will be able to come between us," He tried to convince her desperately.
"But I'll no longer be good enough for you."
"Usa-chan, I'm the one who isn't good enough to even be in your presence," he said to her, love filling his voice. "Here see this?"
He pulled out a dagger from inside of his boots. Pulling his sleeve up, he slit his left wrist. He then took her left hand and repeated the process. Then, he held the cuts together, binding their arms with a piece of red ribbon, letting their blood mingle together. "We are bounded together forever, Usa-chan. No one can separate us. I swear to you, as long as there is a breath left in my body, I'll love and wait for you, even for all of eternity." Lowering his head, he gently kissed her lips. Their first real kiss. Sliding her arms around his neck, Usagi pressed her body against his as she savored her first kiss. It was everything she expected and more. His kiss was gentle yet demanding. He softly nipped her lower lip, asking for entrance. After the initial hesitation, she slowly opened her mouth for him, allowing him to taste the honeyed interior. The feel and taste of her blew him away. Never had he tasted anything so intoxicating; the more he kissed her, the more addicted he was. At last, they broke away from each other, cheeks flushed and panting.
"Naka-kun? Can I ask you a favor?"
Nakago looked at her with amusement. "Considering that I just gave you everything I have, I don't think that you need to ask me anything."
She blushed, "Don't tease me. Anyway, it may be very dangerous once the war breaks out. Can you keep Furball from now on? I don't want to see her hurt, if something terrible should happen."
"Of course I'll keep her. She's my pet too, and you've been hogging her for the past nine years!"
"Hey!" Usagi gave a pout, and hit his arm playfully, before resting her head against his firm chest again, "I promise you."
They didn't say anything. They just stood there, enjoying the comfort of being held by the one that they loved, until Nakago slowly faded away to the real world.
*End of Princess Serenity's dream*
Slowly opening her red and puffy eyes. She blushed at what had just happened in her dreams. As if to reassure herself, she reached up to feel the cool smooth metal of the necklace that Nakago gave her as an engagement promise. "So it was real." She looked down on her left wrist, and there it was, a thin white scar to remind her that she belonged to him. At that thought, she smiled.
AN: Finally finished, a little mushy, sorry, but I can't help it. Anyway, here's a little preview of what's to come: "We're under attack!"…. "Endymion, how could you?"… "Usa-chan, why?"