Chapter Twenty-Two
The Morning After
The morning that followed Emperor Mu's denouncement of Universe in front of the entire Royal Court of the Moon Kingdom Queen Serenity sat in the courtyard with her daughter and all of the other princesses excepting Universe.
Neither the Queen nor any of the princesses had seen Universe all that morning and they all assumed that she was sleeping late because of the events of the previous night. There was heavy and depressing atmosphere hanging in the air as everybody thought about the horrible night before and so they all sat in an awful silence, each of them feeling too uncomfortable to speak.
Mercury was even more silent than usual as she gazed bleakly at the crystal clear water of the fountain as it bubbled and rippled thinking mainly about how distressed and upset Universe had looked when she had fled from the Ballroom the night before. The Mercurian was too immersed in her unhappy and worried thoughts to think of anything to say and so she remained in silence.
Prince Char had left the previous evening shortly after Universe's disgrace - Charon had been utterly unable to understand her brother as he had carried her up to her room so that she could get some must needed rest in order to recover from her collapse. The revelation of Universe's secret past seemed to have dazed Char and he hadn't replied to anything that she had murmured to him…
At the moment Charon was sitting in the same dismal silence as the others. The green-haired Princess had now recovered quite fully from her cold but she still felt as badly as she had the day before. Although she knew that it was silly Charon could not help but feel guilty about what had happened - after all if she had not pretended that she had been perfectly well then she would not have been at the party to begin with and wouldn't have ended up dancing which had led to Universe confronting Mu… Charon told herself again and again that Universe's pain had been caused by Mu's malice but she could not quite silence the accusation that nagged away in the back of her thoughts.
Estrella was puzzled by the heavy silence and she wondered why everybody was so quiet and unhappy that morning. The kitten sensed that it had something to do with the scene last night but she simply could not understand why this was happening. After all why should anybody care about Universe once being a Star Raider? After she WAS a princess now wasn't she? So why had she been so upset when Mu had told everybody about her being a huntress before coming to the Moon Kingdom?
The kitten actually felt a little frightened by the unpleasant silence and so she sat on Charon's lap quietly and she did not say anything nor play. She did not even rub her head against the Outer Moon princess to be tickled but it was probably for the best since Charon was feeling too uncomfortable and disconcerted right at that moment to stroke Estrella with her usual warmth.
Even Jupiter had felt deeply moved when she had seen Universe's face the night before after Mu had revealed her secret to all and sundry.
Queen Serenity sat with her hands pressed together on her lap as she sat beside Mercury on the edge of the fountain. The expression on the face of the Queen of the Moon was calm and reserved but as she sat by the edge of the water her eyes were as distant as the stars for her thoughts were with Universe. The memory of her purple-haired charge's unhappiness the night before constantly haunted her. Try as she might she simply could not stop dwelling on the strange manner in which Universe had spoken to her just before she had gone into her room.
Serenity knew that Universe had definitely meant something which had been more than she had said but long as she contemplated it the Queen just could not figure it out. Inevitably she found her thoughts returning to Universe's misery and its cause. She sighed sadly and hoped that Universe would be strong enough to cope with this new and unfortunate turn of events but she just could not feel certain at all...
Venus looked up and finally unable to bear the terrible silence a moment longer she spoke up at last. "So...no Universe yet?" she asked, her voice unusually hesitant as if she had not noticed Universe's absence already.
Serenity shook her head slowly. "No. That is most unusual since she is normally the first to be up and rise shortly before the day." she remarked thoughtfully. "I suppose that she has merely overslept because of the unfortunate incident last night."
Mercury looked up as the thing that everyone was thinking about was finally spoken of. "I suppose that 'unfortunate incident' is one way that it can be described." she muttered bitterly which surprised everybody. Realising that they were all staring at her Mercury decided that she may as well carry on and she did. "How could he do that to her?" there was an angry quality in her voice which she did not trouble to hide. "He betrayed her and he was grinning as he watched her run out! I saw him!"
"I wonder how he knew?" Jupiter muttered.
Serenity was silent but she had been wondering that very same thing all of the night before. Had somebody here given away the truth to Mu? No it could not be that. The only people who knew the truth about Universe were herself, Xizor, Captain Blackabar and his men who had all been sworn to secrecy, the princesses and the cat advisors. The queen was positive that none of them would have given her away to Mu...
But she had more important matters to concern herself with at the moment that finding out how Mu had found out Universe's secret, mainly Universe herself.
"Does it matter? He did it no matter how he found out about her!" Mercury cried as her eyes flashed angrily.
"Mercury calm down!" Venus exclaimed.
Mercury jumped up and hit the air as her eyes blazed. "No I will not!" she shouted in rage. "Emperor Mu is an evil, malicious and vindictive swine and he hurt Universe for pleasure! I hate him for what he did!"
Serenity bit her lip but kept quiet - none of them realised that Mu had, had more personal reasons for doing such a terrible thing even though the Emperor certainly had enjoyed doing it for its own sake.
As the others sat in stunned silence after this outburst the Mercurian was trembling with emotion. The fury in her normally warm and mild eyes was very disturbing to everybody. Serenity felt dismay that Mercury should feel such anger and she hoped with all her heart that she did not really feel hatred for Mu, that she was merely speaking out of emotion.
Mercury had always been the quietest and most peaceful out of all the princesses and perhaps that had been the reason that Universe had been so drawn to her when she had first seen her, the reason why she had grown so fond of her. If that light in Mercury's eyes was broken then Mu would have done two terrible things when he had betrayed Universe...
"Mercury why don't you go and see if Universe will come down?" she asked in a calming voice. "She needs to know that we are all here for her in her time of need. Go and see if she is ready."
"You are right mother!" her daughter approved wholeheartedly.
"An excellent suggestion!" Charon agreed enthusiastically. "Go and fetch her Mercury!"
Without another word Mercury turned and left the courtyard for Universe's room and as she watched her go Venus gave a deep breath. "What was THAT about?" she wondered out loud as she gazed startled after Mercury's retreating figure.
"Mercury and Universe have grown very close while she has been with us. I think that anything that upsets Universe will effect Mercury as well because of their bond." Serenity murmured quietly as she thought about the Mercurian. "Perhaps it will upset Mercury more than Universe in certain cases..." Serenity could help but feel a shudder as she recalled the anger she had seen in the blue haired Princess'ss eyes.
However she could not help but feel a little relieved at the same time for if Mercury had been so enraged because of the way Mu had treated Universe then she was most certainly a true friend to her who would see her through this ordeal.
At that moment Mercury returned with a very worried look on her face...and she did not have Universe with her.
"She would not come?" Serenity asked gently.
Mercury shook her head. "Universe was not in her room." she explained. "But it is strange...she did not go to sleep last night! Her bed had not been slept in!"
A faintly worried expression crossed Queen Serenity's face as a worry crept into the back of her mind. But for the moment she chose not to say anything. It could have been nothing but still...
"She was up all night?" Charon asked in concern. "It seems so." Mercury replied looking very worried indeed. "I hope she is alright."
But in her heart she knew that with the way things were Universe could not possibly be feeling less alright than she had ever felt in her life...
There was the sound of footsteps on the stone floor of the courtyard and they all looked up to see Captain Blackabar stride up to them. There was a grave and serious expression on his face as he knelt before them. Behind him stood Katarina who was carrying something which was folded over her arms and she looked slightly nervous standing in the presence of her queen and the princesses.
"Your majesty." Blackabar greeted the queen with a salute.
Serenity raised an eyebrow as she gazed at him kneeling and saluting both at the same time. Captain Blackbar had always been like this, paying more respect for those he served than was needed. "Good morning Captain Blackabar." she replied with a warm smile despite how she was feeling. "Is anything the matter?"
She already knew that there was for she could tell by the look on his face....
"I fear that I bear worrying news for your majesty." Blackabar continued before coming to a stop.
"Yes?" Serenity prompted him after a while - she felt that she could almost guess what it was though she hoped against hope that just this once she could be wrong.
Blackabar motioned for Katarina to step forward. The servant girl curtsied nervously as she cleared her throat. "I...I found this folded up in the dressing room your majesty." she stammered and unfolded the thing that she was carrying.
They could all see now that it was made from dark blue material. Mercury gazed uncomprehendingly, her eyes blank as she gazed at the gown in Katarina's hands.
"I also found that her clothes, that is those she came in were missing as well." Katarina finished and then stepped back in relief.
There was a dead silence as everyone took this in. Queen Serenity felt her heart sink as her worst fears were confirmed. "Oh dear..." she murmured faintly.
Mercury did not realise it but her body had gone numb with dismay. No... As she realised the dreadful truth her face had become pale.
Blackabar cleared his throat, there was more it seemed. "That isn't all your majesty. I thought that it would be prudent to check. I did and found that her spear had disappeared as well!"
Mercury's breath returned to her all at once in a rush. "She can't be gone! She just can't be!" she cried in consternation.
"Universe wouldn't have gone without saying anything! Without even saying goodbye to me! It can't be true!!" Mercury knew that all of the other princesses were looking at her in shock but she did not care...let them stare all they wanted!
Blackabar blinked at the Mercurian, he had not been prepared for such an outburst of emotion and he wondered what he ought to say to her. "I'm sorry your highness but I'm afraid that it certainly seems that way." he replied eventually.
"No!! You're wrong!" Mercury's eyes were becoming more and more frantic as she grasped his sleeve and shook it desperately. "She wouldn't go away like that! She wouldn't!"
"Mercury..." Charon tried to take the other girl's hands in her own to comfort her.
"Don't touch me!" Mercury cried as she pulled her hands away from the Charonian's.
For a moment Charon was shocked just like everybody else and eventually she took advantage of the shocked silence to speak to Serenity. "Queen Serenity...what are we going to do? Universe must come back!" she exclaimed.
"Where has she gone?" Mercury demanded of Blackabar. "She'll come back if I go to get her! I know she will!"
Blackbar cleared his throat awkwardly. "I...I'm very sorry your highness but it seems that she has not left any hint about where she may have gone to after her departure."
There was a pause and then the Queen of the Moon spoke quietly but her voice carried through the courtyard and everybody stopped and listened to her as they heard it. "I think that perhaps Universe is not thinking clearly. She did I remember seem to be quite inconsolable when I left her last night." Serenity mused gravely. "She was afraid about how people would feel about her now that her past is known. I feel certain that she thinks that there is nothing she can do now but run away."
Mercury turned on her angrily. "Why are you just sitting there?!!" she demanded. "Why aren't you doing something about it?!! We HAVE to FIND her!"
Mercury knew that she was not being fair, that Serenity felt just the same way that she did and that the queen was trying to remain calm so that she could think of the best course of action. However the thought of losing Universe was simply so unbearable that she could not think straight.
Serenity knew that Mercury did not mean the harsh things that she had said and understood all too well how the blue-haired princess was feeling. "I know Mercury. We will." she promised and her voice was gentle and reassuring.
Mercury's lip trembled as she reached breaking point. "She was afraid of being hated so she ran away!" she buried her face in her hands as she began to weep inconsolably.
The other princesses watched helplessly for they had never seen the blue haired princess so distraught and none of them had any idea what they should do. Jupiter's eyes had softened as she had watched Mercury's pain and she reached out to put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Hey look Mercury I'm sure that she'll be okay. I mean we all know Universe right? She can..." Jupiter did not get any further for as she listened to this Mercury had finally snapped.
Shrugging away Jupiter's hand she looked up and fixed the taller girl with a terrible glare of her tear-filled eyes. As Jupiter gave a gasp of shock Mercury screamed at her. "No Jupiter as a matter of fact you don't know Universe at all!!! You never let her show you her true self!!! And it's as much your fault as Mu's that she is gone!"
Jupiter was staggered as this eruption of fury was directed so suddenly at her. Who would have ever dreamt that Mercury was capable of it? "M-me?" she stammered shocked beyond words.
Mercury's face was pale from grief and pain. "You!! You've always treated Universe like a dog and made her feel unwelcome ever since she came here!" tears streamed down her face unchecked as she sobbed. "She's my best friend and I'm never going to see her again and it's your fault! YOUR...FAULT!!!!"
A shocked silence reigned as she put her face in her hands again and sobbed heartbrokenly. Estrella was by now crying herself because of all the shouting and Charon was doing her best to comfort the kitten.
Serenity's soft voice broke through the thick atmosphere. "Mercury," she said gently. "You are frightening Estrella."
Mercury uncovered her eyes and they all saw that she had come back to her senses. Her eyes had lost all of the anger that had been there so short a while ago leaving only the terrible loss and sadness she felt in her heart. "Forgive me..." she whispered simply.
With that she turned and bolted out of the courtyard and everybody was so dazed by her emotional outburst that they sat too confused to try and stop her. Queen Serenity's eyes were distant as she sat thinking long and deeply about everything. Mercury's grief had been terrible to watch and already she had decided to speak with her as soon as she could...
"Captain please rouse your men and search the palace grounds and the nearby area for any trace of Universe." Serenity instructed Blackabar, her calm voice finally breaking the subdued silence. "She may not yet have left the Moon and if we move quickly then we still might be able to catch her." The Queen's voice was very calm as she made this suggestion but deep down she knew that Universe was really gone.
"And if we aren't able to find her your Majesty?"
"Then I will ask the King and Queen of Charon, as well as the rulers of the rest of the planets in our galaxy for assistance in finding her. You may go and begin the search Captain."
Blackabar bowed to his Queen and with that he led Katarina out of the courtyard and headed for the guard barracks to call for his men to begin the search for the missing Princess.
With the arrangements for the search made Serenity looked around at each of the Princess. Everybody was deeply upset by what was happening. Charon was comforting Estrella who was crying and Jupiter was white-faced and speechless with shock after being the focus of Mercury's outburst of painful emotion.
"Do not worry too much about it." The Queen advised her. "Mercury is distressed right now. I am certain that she did not mean any of the things she said to you."
"It's okay…I really don't mind." Jupiter muttered and her voice was thick with shame. "If it makes her feel better then it's okay."
Queen Serenity smiled faintly and then she turned and walked out of the courtyard. There was an intentional look on her face as she walked up the stairway, as she headed up them she was intending to go to Mercury's bedroom. As the Queen arrived outside the door all was quiet inside the room but she knocked anyway. There was no reply but somehow the inside of the room seemed to become even more silent than it had been before she had knocked.
Serenity tried the handle and just as she had expected she found that the door was locked from the inside. "Mercury?" she called out to the princess who she was now certain was in the room. "I am here to see you. Please open the door."
At first she received no reply as an even quieter silence than ever hung in the air…and then a tiny, timid voice spoke from inside the room. "Queen Serenity…please leave me alone…"
"Mercury I am determined not to leave until I have seen you." Serenity firmly told her. "Now please let me come in."
There was a short pause and then there came the sound of the lock being undone then the door was opened. In the doorway stood Mercury. The edges of her eyes were red, a clear indication that she had been crying even though Serenity had already seen her doing so moments before. Without delay Queen Serenity stepped into the room and closed the door lightly behind her. Mercury's face looked forlorn as she stood unable to look at the queen's face.
"How do you feel Mercury?" Serenity asked her in concern.
"My head hurts, my mouth is dry and my eye-lids are burning." Mercury muttered quietly. "But otherwise I feel fine."
"That does not surprise me at all. I don't think that I have ever seen you so angry!" Serenity remarked as she gazed at the Mercurian.
"I don't think that I have ever FELT so angry…" Mercury murmured softly and then stopped as she thought of something. "Oh Queen Serenity…what I said to Jupiter…" she looked up anxiously as she realised just what she had said to the green-eyed princess in her anger. "Do…do you think that she…?" she fell into a miserable silence as she stared dejectedly at the floor.
"It's alright Mercury. Really it is. Jupiter knows that you did not really mean any of the things you said and she does not hold any of them against you." Serenity reassured her with a comforting smile. "Believe me - you don't have a single thing to worry about."
"Queen Serenity…" Mercury's voice was a quiet whisper as she began but then her voice became a cry of anguish. "I want Universe back! Please…" she flung her arms around Serenity and her shoulders shook as she began to cry afresh.
Serenity cuddled the young Mercurian as she felt her pain - the Queen understood only too well how it hurt to be separated from her dearest friend. "I know my dear princess…and so do I." She told her reassuringly.
Mercury looked up at her with tears running down her face. "She did not even say goodbye to me." She whispered sadly.
"She is going through much at the moment." Serenity reminded her gently. "But I am certain that once she has had time to clear her thoughts she will return to us." A warm smile crossed the Queen of the Moon's lips as a thought occurred to her. "But I have to admit that I did not realise just how much you care about Universe! I knew that you and she are friends but I didn't know that your friendship ran so deeply!"
Mercury's eyes were earnest and beautiful. "I do, I do!" she murmured. "She…I love her! If she doesn't come back then I don't know what I'll do…" then an awful thought struck her and she gasped in horror. "She…she can't go back to them! She can't!" she exclaimed desperately. "One of them…"
Realising that she'd said too much already Mercury fell silent. Looking carefully at the blue-haired girl's face Serenity realised that there was something on her mind, something bad that concerned Universe. "Mercury…is there something that I ought to know about?" she asked gently.
Mercury lowered her eyes not wanting to betray Universe after she and Charon had promised never to tell anybody else about what she had admitted to them several weeks ago in the garden. Knowing how Mercury felt Serenity decided that it would be better if she let the matter drop for the present - instead she intended to ask Universe about it the next time that she saw her. As she comforted the heartbroken Mercurian as best she could Queen Serenity closed her eyes and wondered where in the galaxy the missing princess could be have gone…
~*~*~
"Venus!" Charon exclaimed urgently as her blonde-haired friend wandered back into the courtyard. "Any news?"
Venus had told her that she was going to visit Captain Blackabar's quarters to inquire if he had found any trace of Universe or at the very least any clue as to where she had gone when they had left the palace to search.
The look on her face made it as clear as crystal that they had not and when she looked at Charon the dark-haired Princess knew before she even replied that it was hopeless.
The look of sadness in her friend's eyes spoke so many volumes that Charon felt her shoulders slump. "None. She's gone." Venus said sorrowfully. "I'm very sorry Charon."
Charon sighed - she could not stop worrying about where Universe had gone and whether she was going to be alright by herself. Charon knew how strong Universe was so she was not the least bit concerned about her safety but still that did not stop her from being afraid for her.
Somewhere out in the endless reaches of the galaxy Universe was all on her own and as Charon remembered how upset she had been when she had last seen her and thought of how she must be feeling right now she realised what being alone truly meant.
Even before she had come to the Moon Kingdom and met the others she hadn't been alone for she had had her brother and parents to look to for help - but Universe had nobody. "Poor Universe." She murmured softly as she gazed into the clear fountain water.
"A couple of the servants have been grumbling among themselves." Venus said in a low voice. "They're angry about having spent months serving a commoner, somebody no better than themselves as though she were a Princess."
Charon's eyes flashed but she controlled her anger. "Them! What do they know about Universe?" she growled. "Nothing, that's what! And Universe never ordered any of them around, she did everything for herself and now she's..."
Venus sighed sadly. "Yes…she must feel so awful wherever she is." she agreed.
"I want to go and look for her!" Charon suddenly announced as she rose from the edge of the fountain. "She needs her friends right now!"
Venus had stared at her in surprise at first but in the next few seconds her eager mind got to grips with the thought of searching for Universe. "That's a brilliant idea!" she cried as her blue eyes shone. "We'll look for Universe ourselves! Let's go this very minute Charon!"
However the first moment of optimism past and then Venus's face slowly fell as she thought of something else that was more practical. "But we can't can we? The guards would not let us leave the palace grounds!" the blonde princess murmured deeply disappointed.
But Charon's face remained determined and her eyes hard as she turned away and made towards the palace gates in the near distance. "I don't care Venus! Universe is all by herself out there! She needs her friends with her now!"
Venus's face was blank as she watched the Charonian walk away and then she pulled herself together and hurried after her friend. "Charon…wait!" she exclaimed as she ran anxiously along behind the dark-haired girl. "You mustn't go! Wait Charon!"
Charon looked over her shoulder at the Venusian and there was an unaccustomed frown on her face. "No! I have to find her Venus!" she replied firmly. "I'm going to help her and if the guards try to stop me they'll be sorry."
"Charon…if you walk out then Queen Serenity will worry about you too!" Venus exclaimed in a sudden burst of inspiration. "Is that what you want?"
Charon stopped so abruptly in her tracks that the blonde Princess almost bumped into her. Charon's expression was upset as she thought about Serenity, she had not thought about how she must be feeling before now.
The last thing she wanted to do was be the one responsible for causing more distress for the already worried Queen…
Seeing how upset her friend was as she was torn between going to help Universe and being responsible Venus reached out and took Charon's shoulders in her hands. As she was turned around and saw the anxious concern in her friends eyes Charon realised that Venus was right - there was nothing that she could do by rushing off without a word to try and find the missing girl on her own.
"You're right Venus…I am sorry." Charon whispered sadly as she closed her eyes and felt utterly helpless to change a thing that was happening. "Oh Venus…where can she be?"
Dismayed by the sorrow in her friend's voice Venus put her arm around her shoulders as she led her back to the fountain. The Venusian pressed her back down onto the marble edge and then sat beside her. "Don't worry about her Charon. Queen Serenity is sure to find Universe and talk her into coming back." Venus said comfortingly as she put her friendly hand on Charon's shoulder. "So don't be sad. Universe will be back before any of us have even noticed she has been gone…even though we already have and that is the reason why everybody is so upset!" she blustered.
Charon knew that Venus was trying her very hardest to make her feel better but she just couldn't stop thinking about her unhappy friend who was all alone somewhere in the galaxy…
"How has Estrella taken it?" Venus asked gently in an effort to get her friend talking again instead of worrying about it.
The green-haired Princess'ss face clouded as the kitten's name was mention. "She has of course been very upset about the whole thing." She murmured softly and her eyes were distant as she thought about Estrella. "After I took her to my room she took such a long time to get over all of the shouting. And as soon as she calmed down she began crying about Universe being gone. After a while she cried herself to sleep and I decided to leave her on my bed."
"Oh…" Venus's face was quite sympathetic. "I see…poor little Estrella! I hope that she will be alright."
Charon smiled sadly. "She won't Venus…not until Universe is back. You know it was strange but she looked so sweet lying with her tail curled around her body. Seeing her peaceful like that almost made me forget about it all."
Venus hugged her tightly as she felt frustrated that this was all that she could do for her. Sensing how she felt Charon responded by putting her arms around the Venusian and squeezing her back.
Neither of them exchanged another word about Universe for the rest of that day but thoughts of the missing girl were always on their minds…
~*~*~
As she directed her gaze wistfully up at the sky Queen Serenity's eyes were as distant as the stars and tinged with sadness. The Queen of the Moon's eyes were directed at the velvety darkness of the sky but her concerns were not about the magnificent jewellery of the universe that endlessly sparkled in the endless reaches of space.
As Serenity sat on her personal balcony and gazed flatly up at the darkness her mind was far, far away from her kingdom - over the past few days her thoughts had been solely with Princess Universe who had disappeared from her life just as suddenly and unexpectedly as she had entered it in the first place. The Queen's agelessly beautiful eyes were filled with sorrow as she sighed and understood what it meant to be utterly powerless. She felt so worried…Universe had taken her leave of them all and now she was all alone somewhere in a dangerous world away from any kind of help or guidance.
It distressed Serenity that she could not speak to Universe and try again to soothe the fear and doubt that had driven her away and assure her that even though her secret had been revealed not a thing had changed, What she had been before and everything that she'd done did not matter. Her friends were still her friends, she was still herself and she herself still…
Though she had done her best to remain calm for the benefit of the others the Queen just could not keep up the pretence of being completely in control of the situation now that she was alone. The truth was that her feelings about Universe's disappearance were very varied and conflicting. While she was upset about Universe's unexpected departure she was worried about her safety as well as desperate to get her back.
But there was another emotion mixed with her feelings. Serenity was also very angry with Universe for running off in the middle of the night without so much as a word and making her worry so badly about her. Also Queen Serenity felt a deep disappointment for she had given Universe a home and friends and yet the purple-haired girl seemed to have thrown all of it back in her face.
The Queen of the Moon felt cheated.
With a sigh Serenity stood up and rubbed her finger against her forehead…she needed to clear her mind of such thoughts. Right now the only thing that she should be concentrating on was finding Universe. At the moment that was the only thing that mattered for the Queen could not bear the thought of letting that young woman who was so lovely in looks and personality go back to those terrible people the Star Raiders after she had found true friends as well as a place to call home here.
Universe deserved better than that! It had been a mistake that she had grown up among the Star Raiders and Serenity wanted to correct that. Now that she thought about this she realised that this had been her real reason for inviting Rula to come to the Moon Kingdom when they had first met on Min. Rula had great potential that made it impossible for her to ever truly belong with the Star Raiders. The huntress had been raised by them that was for sure but she had never really been one of them because she was just…different from them.
And there were so many things that Rula had kept secret about herself...her singing for instance. Serenity had been amazed and delighted on the night the anniversary night of her coronation when Universe had revealed her beautiful singing voice. After Universe had shown her, her wonderful gift the Queen had insisted that the princess should take singing lessons so that she could not only perfect her already glorious voice but also learn new songs. Universe had seemed anxious for everybody to forget about her singing but Serenity had been so insistent that on the third day after the anniversary the purple-haired girl had given in and accepted the singing lessons that the Queen had arranged for her. As she had sat and listened to Universe trying out several different songs Serenity had given the brown-eyed princess encouraging smiles whenever she'd glanced nervously at her for her approval.
Universe had blushed a lot but she had looked rather pretty as she had clasped her hands together behind her back and sang the words softly but steadily...she had looked so wonderful as she had tried her hardest.
Serenity had noticed that she had seemed extremely reluctant to sing again after the anniversary night as if she has felt almost ashamed of her talent and now that she had the time to think about Universe's upbringing and the attitude she had shown towards life the Queen had come to blame the Star Raiders for it. Queen Serenity realised how scornfully people like them must see feminine things and because she hadn't wanted the people she lived among to look down on her Rula had hidden her singing from them. Because of that she had never had the chance to develop her talent. Queen Serenity felt angry at the Star Raiders for putting Rula through such a life that had prevented her from knowing any true happiness.
Universe's boyish ways were the result of the fact that she had never been among any women during her life as a Star Raider since she had been the groups sole female. Serenity realised that it was quite possible that other women had simply not been a part of Rula's life until she had taken away from the Star Raiders. That was why Universe had flourished in the company of the princesses once they had accepted her for she had finally begun to experience the friendship of other girl's and shown gentleness and warmth instead of aggression and the necessity of being violent so that she'd fit in with the people she was with. Universe had been treated with friendship and she had grown to understand and live in peace and she had loved it.
For a time at least she had been content and truly happy here but now it had proven to be too good to last. Now partly because of Emperor Mu's vindictive spiteful nature and her own fear Universe had fled leaving behind everything that she had found here. Serenity gave another long sigh that echoed with the sadness she was feeling as she once again found herself wondering where Universe could have gone to…back to the Star Raiders?
Oh Universe…why? She thought sadly as she closed her lovely eyes and bowed her head. Please be safe…
For a minute or two she stood there with her head lowered as tears began to trickle beneath her eyelids - and then she opened her fathomless eyes again and though tears rolled down her face they were filled with a deep new graveness as she made a decision. I have to find her, the Queen thought as she rose to her feet still gazing firmly at the sparkling starry heavens.
Universe was not a Star Raider and she had never really belonged with them - the Moon Kingdom was her home now and the Queen wanted her to return just as the princesses did. The thought of Universe's singing being wasted was also preying at her heart, the mere thought of her beautiful singing voice never being heard ever again filled her with a kind of desperation that gave her new determination to find her lost charge.
Whatever happens, Queen Serenity promised herself as she gazed up at the sheer magnificence of the stars, Universe will sing again. I swear that that freedom shall not be stolen from her…
Suddenly a timid voice floated from the doorway and surprised her. "Maj' stee?"
Knowing who was there Serenity lowered her gaze as she turned around to look at her companion on the balcony. Estrella looked up at her forlornly as she stood in the doorway. The look of sadness in the kitten's eyes dismayed Serenity as she knelt before her. "Oh Estrella! Whatever can be wrong?" Serenity asked softly as she stroked the top of the kitten's furry head.
As if she did not know perfectly well what was troubling her…
Estrella whimpered softly as she looked up at her beloved Queen. The kitten had woken up in Charon's bedroom to find herself alone on the bed. Naturally Charon had remembered to leave her door open in case Estrella awoke before she returned and wanted to leave. Estrella had still been upset and since Charon was not there she had immediately come looking for the one person whom she knew would definitely comfort her.
As the kitten remained silent Serenity held her hand out to her meaningfully and in relief Estrella scrambled onto the Queen's lap. There were tears in her eyes as she sat on Serenity's skirt looking up at her and try as she might she just couldn't stop crying…it was as if she was full of tears. Serenity's eyes were full of love as she gazed down at the kitten - Estrella had not been in this world for even a year now but she had known much joy and sadness so far in her short life. She knew that right now Estrella was feeling just the same way as Mercury and herself.
"Maj' stee…where Universe?" Estrella wept as she looked up at her with wide eyes.
"I do not know Estrella…I honestly don't." the Queen replied sadly as she petted the kitten and wondered what to say to her.
Estrella lowered her eyes sadly. "Universe not want to be our friend anymore?" she asked sadly.
Serenity's eyes widened in surprise for a moment and then she laughed gently. "Oh Estrella! Of course Universe is still our friend!" she exclaimed. "And that is not all - I am going to write to Queen Chara and ask her to help us find Universe."
Estrella's eyes lit up as Chara's name was mentioned - during the time she had spent with them over the week that she stayed with them a few months ago Estrella had grown to like Charon's mother very much, almost as much as she loved her own beloved Queen.
As Estrella started to feel hopeful she gazed closely at Serenity's face as she noticed something about it for the first time. "Maj' stee crying!" she exclaimed.
Queen Serenity realised that her sparkling tears were still streaked down her face and she wiped them away with her fingers. "Don't feel sad that Universe is not with us Estrella…she is just feeling upset at the moment. And when she feels better she will come home...and back to us"
I just know that she will…
The Morning After
The morning that followed Emperor Mu's denouncement of Universe in front of the entire Royal Court of the Moon Kingdom Queen Serenity sat in the courtyard with her daughter and all of the other princesses excepting Universe.
Neither the Queen nor any of the princesses had seen Universe all that morning and they all assumed that she was sleeping late because of the events of the previous night. There was heavy and depressing atmosphere hanging in the air as everybody thought about the horrible night before and so they all sat in an awful silence, each of them feeling too uncomfortable to speak.
Mercury was even more silent than usual as she gazed bleakly at the crystal clear water of the fountain as it bubbled and rippled thinking mainly about how distressed and upset Universe had looked when she had fled from the Ballroom the night before. The Mercurian was too immersed in her unhappy and worried thoughts to think of anything to say and so she remained in silence.
Prince Char had left the previous evening shortly after Universe's disgrace - Charon had been utterly unable to understand her brother as he had carried her up to her room so that she could get some must needed rest in order to recover from her collapse. The revelation of Universe's secret past seemed to have dazed Char and he hadn't replied to anything that she had murmured to him…
At the moment Charon was sitting in the same dismal silence as the others. The green-haired Princess had now recovered quite fully from her cold but she still felt as badly as she had the day before. Although she knew that it was silly Charon could not help but feel guilty about what had happened - after all if she had not pretended that she had been perfectly well then she would not have been at the party to begin with and wouldn't have ended up dancing which had led to Universe confronting Mu… Charon told herself again and again that Universe's pain had been caused by Mu's malice but she could not quite silence the accusation that nagged away in the back of her thoughts.
Estrella was puzzled by the heavy silence and she wondered why everybody was so quiet and unhappy that morning. The kitten sensed that it had something to do with the scene last night but she simply could not understand why this was happening. After all why should anybody care about Universe once being a Star Raider? After she WAS a princess now wasn't she? So why had she been so upset when Mu had told everybody about her being a huntress before coming to the Moon Kingdom?
The kitten actually felt a little frightened by the unpleasant silence and so she sat on Charon's lap quietly and she did not say anything nor play. She did not even rub her head against the Outer Moon princess to be tickled but it was probably for the best since Charon was feeling too uncomfortable and disconcerted right at that moment to stroke Estrella with her usual warmth.
Even Jupiter had felt deeply moved when she had seen Universe's face the night before after Mu had revealed her secret to all and sundry.
Queen Serenity sat with her hands pressed together on her lap as she sat beside Mercury on the edge of the fountain. The expression on the face of the Queen of the Moon was calm and reserved but as she sat by the edge of the water her eyes were as distant as the stars for her thoughts were with Universe. The memory of her purple-haired charge's unhappiness the night before constantly haunted her. Try as she might she simply could not stop dwelling on the strange manner in which Universe had spoken to her just before she had gone into her room.
Serenity knew that Universe had definitely meant something which had been more than she had said but long as she contemplated it the Queen just could not figure it out. Inevitably she found her thoughts returning to Universe's misery and its cause. She sighed sadly and hoped that Universe would be strong enough to cope with this new and unfortunate turn of events but she just could not feel certain at all...
Venus looked up and finally unable to bear the terrible silence a moment longer she spoke up at last. "So...no Universe yet?" she asked, her voice unusually hesitant as if she had not noticed Universe's absence already.
Serenity shook her head slowly. "No. That is most unusual since she is normally the first to be up and rise shortly before the day." she remarked thoughtfully. "I suppose that she has merely overslept because of the unfortunate incident last night."
Mercury looked up as the thing that everyone was thinking about was finally spoken of. "I suppose that 'unfortunate incident' is one way that it can be described." she muttered bitterly which surprised everybody. Realising that they were all staring at her Mercury decided that she may as well carry on and she did. "How could he do that to her?" there was an angry quality in her voice which she did not trouble to hide. "He betrayed her and he was grinning as he watched her run out! I saw him!"
"I wonder how he knew?" Jupiter muttered.
Serenity was silent but she had been wondering that very same thing all of the night before. Had somebody here given away the truth to Mu? No it could not be that. The only people who knew the truth about Universe were herself, Xizor, Captain Blackabar and his men who had all been sworn to secrecy, the princesses and the cat advisors. The queen was positive that none of them would have given her away to Mu...
But she had more important matters to concern herself with at the moment that finding out how Mu had found out Universe's secret, mainly Universe herself.
"Does it matter? He did it no matter how he found out about her!" Mercury cried as her eyes flashed angrily.
"Mercury calm down!" Venus exclaimed.
Mercury jumped up and hit the air as her eyes blazed. "No I will not!" she shouted in rage. "Emperor Mu is an evil, malicious and vindictive swine and he hurt Universe for pleasure! I hate him for what he did!"
Serenity bit her lip but kept quiet - none of them realised that Mu had, had more personal reasons for doing such a terrible thing even though the Emperor certainly had enjoyed doing it for its own sake.
As the others sat in stunned silence after this outburst the Mercurian was trembling with emotion. The fury in her normally warm and mild eyes was very disturbing to everybody. Serenity felt dismay that Mercury should feel such anger and she hoped with all her heart that she did not really feel hatred for Mu, that she was merely speaking out of emotion.
Mercury had always been the quietest and most peaceful out of all the princesses and perhaps that had been the reason that Universe had been so drawn to her when she had first seen her, the reason why she had grown so fond of her. If that light in Mercury's eyes was broken then Mu would have done two terrible things when he had betrayed Universe...
"Mercury why don't you go and see if Universe will come down?" she asked in a calming voice. "She needs to know that we are all here for her in her time of need. Go and see if she is ready."
"You are right mother!" her daughter approved wholeheartedly.
"An excellent suggestion!" Charon agreed enthusiastically. "Go and fetch her Mercury!"
Without another word Mercury turned and left the courtyard for Universe's room and as she watched her go Venus gave a deep breath. "What was THAT about?" she wondered out loud as she gazed startled after Mercury's retreating figure.
"Mercury and Universe have grown very close while she has been with us. I think that anything that upsets Universe will effect Mercury as well because of their bond." Serenity murmured quietly as she thought about the Mercurian. "Perhaps it will upset Mercury more than Universe in certain cases..." Serenity could help but feel a shudder as she recalled the anger she had seen in the blue haired Princess'ss eyes.
However she could not help but feel a little relieved at the same time for if Mercury had been so enraged because of the way Mu had treated Universe then she was most certainly a true friend to her who would see her through this ordeal.
At that moment Mercury returned with a very worried look on her face...and she did not have Universe with her.
"She would not come?" Serenity asked gently.
Mercury shook her head. "Universe was not in her room." she explained. "But it is strange...she did not go to sleep last night! Her bed had not been slept in!"
A faintly worried expression crossed Queen Serenity's face as a worry crept into the back of her mind. But for the moment she chose not to say anything. It could have been nothing but still...
"She was up all night?" Charon asked in concern. "It seems so." Mercury replied looking very worried indeed. "I hope she is alright."
But in her heart she knew that with the way things were Universe could not possibly be feeling less alright than she had ever felt in her life...
There was the sound of footsteps on the stone floor of the courtyard and they all looked up to see Captain Blackabar stride up to them. There was a grave and serious expression on his face as he knelt before them. Behind him stood Katarina who was carrying something which was folded over her arms and she looked slightly nervous standing in the presence of her queen and the princesses.
"Your majesty." Blackabar greeted the queen with a salute.
Serenity raised an eyebrow as she gazed at him kneeling and saluting both at the same time. Captain Blackbar had always been like this, paying more respect for those he served than was needed. "Good morning Captain Blackabar." she replied with a warm smile despite how she was feeling. "Is anything the matter?"
She already knew that there was for she could tell by the look on his face....
"I fear that I bear worrying news for your majesty." Blackabar continued before coming to a stop.
"Yes?" Serenity prompted him after a while - she felt that she could almost guess what it was though she hoped against hope that just this once she could be wrong.
Blackabar motioned for Katarina to step forward. The servant girl curtsied nervously as she cleared her throat. "I...I found this folded up in the dressing room your majesty." she stammered and unfolded the thing that she was carrying.
They could all see now that it was made from dark blue material. Mercury gazed uncomprehendingly, her eyes blank as she gazed at the gown in Katarina's hands.
"I also found that her clothes, that is those she came in were missing as well." Katarina finished and then stepped back in relief.
There was a dead silence as everyone took this in. Queen Serenity felt her heart sink as her worst fears were confirmed. "Oh dear..." she murmured faintly.
Mercury did not realise it but her body had gone numb with dismay. No... As she realised the dreadful truth her face had become pale.
Blackabar cleared his throat, there was more it seemed. "That isn't all your majesty. I thought that it would be prudent to check. I did and found that her spear had disappeared as well!"
Mercury's breath returned to her all at once in a rush. "She can't be gone! She just can't be!" she cried in consternation.
"Universe wouldn't have gone without saying anything! Without even saying goodbye to me! It can't be true!!" Mercury knew that all of the other princesses were looking at her in shock but she did not care...let them stare all they wanted!
Blackabar blinked at the Mercurian, he had not been prepared for such an outburst of emotion and he wondered what he ought to say to her. "I'm sorry your highness but I'm afraid that it certainly seems that way." he replied eventually.
"No!! You're wrong!" Mercury's eyes were becoming more and more frantic as she grasped his sleeve and shook it desperately. "She wouldn't go away like that! She wouldn't!"
"Mercury..." Charon tried to take the other girl's hands in her own to comfort her.
"Don't touch me!" Mercury cried as she pulled her hands away from the Charonian's.
For a moment Charon was shocked just like everybody else and eventually she took advantage of the shocked silence to speak to Serenity. "Queen Serenity...what are we going to do? Universe must come back!" she exclaimed.
"Where has she gone?" Mercury demanded of Blackabar. "She'll come back if I go to get her! I know she will!"
Blackbar cleared his throat awkwardly. "I...I'm very sorry your highness but it seems that she has not left any hint about where she may have gone to after her departure."
There was a pause and then the Queen of the Moon spoke quietly but her voice carried through the courtyard and everybody stopped and listened to her as they heard it. "I think that perhaps Universe is not thinking clearly. She did I remember seem to be quite inconsolable when I left her last night." Serenity mused gravely. "She was afraid about how people would feel about her now that her past is known. I feel certain that she thinks that there is nothing she can do now but run away."
Mercury turned on her angrily. "Why are you just sitting there?!!" she demanded. "Why aren't you doing something about it?!! We HAVE to FIND her!"
Mercury knew that she was not being fair, that Serenity felt just the same way that she did and that the queen was trying to remain calm so that she could think of the best course of action. However the thought of losing Universe was simply so unbearable that she could not think straight.
Serenity knew that Mercury did not mean the harsh things that she had said and understood all too well how the blue-haired princess was feeling. "I know Mercury. We will." she promised and her voice was gentle and reassuring.
Mercury's lip trembled as she reached breaking point. "She was afraid of being hated so she ran away!" she buried her face in her hands as she began to weep inconsolably.
The other princesses watched helplessly for they had never seen the blue haired princess so distraught and none of them had any idea what they should do. Jupiter's eyes had softened as she had watched Mercury's pain and she reached out to put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Hey look Mercury I'm sure that she'll be okay. I mean we all know Universe right? She can..." Jupiter did not get any further for as she listened to this Mercury had finally snapped.
Shrugging away Jupiter's hand she looked up and fixed the taller girl with a terrible glare of her tear-filled eyes. As Jupiter gave a gasp of shock Mercury screamed at her. "No Jupiter as a matter of fact you don't know Universe at all!!! You never let her show you her true self!!! And it's as much your fault as Mu's that she is gone!"
Jupiter was staggered as this eruption of fury was directed so suddenly at her. Who would have ever dreamt that Mercury was capable of it? "M-me?" she stammered shocked beyond words.
Mercury's face was pale from grief and pain. "You!! You've always treated Universe like a dog and made her feel unwelcome ever since she came here!" tears streamed down her face unchecked as she sobbed. "She's my best friend and I'm never going to see her again and it's your fault! YOUR...FAULT!!!!"
A shocked silence reigned as she put her face in her hands again and sobbed heartbrokenly. Estrella was by now crying herself because of all the shouting and Charon was doing her best to comfort the kitten.
Serenity's soft voice broke through the thick atmosphere. "Mercury," she said gently. "You are frightening Estrella."
Mercury uncovered her eyes and they all saw that she had come back to her senses. Her eyes had lost all of the anger that had been there so short a while ago leaving only the terrible loss and sadness she felt in her heart. "Forgive me..." she whispered simply.
With that she turned and bolted out of the courtyard and everybody was so dazed by her emotional outburst that they sat too confused to try and stop her. Queen Serenity's eyes were distant as she sat thinking long and deeply about everything. Mercury's grief had been terrible to watch and already she had decided to speak with her as soon as she could...
"Captain please rouse your men and search the palace grounds and the nearby area for any trace of Universe." Serenity instructed Blackabar, her calm voice finally breaking the subdued silence. "She may not yet have left the Moon and if we move quickly then we still might be able to catch her." The Queen's voice was very calm as she made this suggestion but deep down she knew that Universe was really gone.
"And if we aren't able to find her your Majesty?"
"Then I will ask the King and Queen of Charon, as well as the rulers of the rest of the planets in our galaxy for assistance in finding her. You may go and begin the search Captain."
Blackabar bowed to his Queen and with that he led Katarina out of the courtyard and headed for the guard barracks to call for his men to begin the search for the missing Princess.
With the arrangements for the search made Serenity looked around at each of the Princess. Everybody was deeply upset by what was happening. Charon was comforting Estrella who was crying and Jupiter was white-faced and speechless with shock after being the focus of Mercury's outburst of painful emotion.
"Do not worry too much about it." The Queen advised her. "Mercury is distressed right now. I am certain that she did not mean any of the things she said to you."
"It's okay…I really don't mind." Jupiter muttered and her voice was thick with shame. "If it makes her feel better then it's okay."
Queen Serenity smiled faintly and then she turned and walked out of the courtyard. There was an intentional look on her face as she walked up the stairway, as she headed up them she was intending to go to Mercury's bedroom. As the Queen arrived outside the door all was quiet inside the room but she knocked anyway. There was no reply but somehow the inside of the room seemed to become even more silent than it had been before she had knocked.
Serenity tried the handle and just as she had expected she found that the door was locked from the inside. "Mercury?" she called out to the princess who she was now certain was in the room. "I am here to see you. Please open the door."
At first she received no reply as an even quieter silence than ever hung in the air…and then a tiny, timid voice spoke from inside the room. "Queen Serenity…please leave me alone…"
"Mercury I am determined not to leave until I have seen you." Serenity firmly told her. "Now please let me come in."
There was a short pause and then there came the sound of the lock being undone then the door was opened. In the doorway stood Mercury. The edges of her eyes were red, a clear indication that she had been crying even though Serenity had already seen her doing so moments before. Without delay Queen Serenity stepped into the room and closed the door lightly behind her. Mercury's face looked forlorn as she stood unable to look at the queen's face.
"How do you feel Mercury?" Serenity asked her in concern.
"My head hurts, my mouth is dry and my eye-lids are burning." Mercury muttered quietly. "But otherwise I feel fine."
"That does not surprise me at all. I don't think that I have ever seen you so angry!" Serenity remarked as she gazed at the Mercurian.
"I don't think that I have ever FELT so angry…" Mercury murmured softly and then stopped as she thought of something. "Oh Queen Serenity…what I said to Jupiter…" she looked up anxiously as she realised just what she had said to the green-eyed princess in her anger. "Do…do you think that she…?" she fell into a miserable silence as she stared dejectedly at the floor.
"It's alright Mercury. Really it is. Jupiter knows that you did not really mean any of the things you said and she does not hold any of them against you." Serenity reassured her with a comforting smile. "Believe me - you don't have a single thing to worry about."
"Queen Serenity…" Mercury's voice was a quiet whisper as she began but then her voice became a cry of anguish. "I want Universe back! Please…" she flung her arms around Serenity and her shoulders shook as she began to cry afresh.
Serenity cuddled the young Mercurian as she felt her pain - the Queen understood only too well how it hurt to be separated from her dearest friend. "I know my dear princess…and so do I." She told her reassuringly.
Mercury looked up at her with tears running down her face. "She did not even say goodbye to me." She whispered sadly.
"She is going through much at the moment." Serenity reminded her gently. "But I am certain that once she has had time to clear her thoughts she will return to us." A warm smile crossed the Queen of the Moon's lips as a thought occurred to her. "But I have to admit that I did not realise just how much you care about Universe! I knew that you and she are friends but I didn't know that your friendship ran so deeply!"
Mercury's eyes were earnest and beautiful. "I do, I do!" she murmured. "She…I love her! If she doesn't come back then I don't know what I'll do…" then an awful thought struck her and she gasped in horror. "She…she can't go back to them! She can't!" she exclaimed desperately. "One of them…"
Realising that she'd said too much already Mercury fell silent. Looking carefully at the blue-haired girl's face Serenity realised that there was something on her mind, something bad that concerned Universe. "Mercury…is there something that I ought to know about?" she asked gently.
Mercury lowered her eyes not wanting to betray Universe after she and Charon had promised never to tell anybody else about what she had admitted to them several weeks ago in the garden. Knowing how Mercury felt Serenity decided that it would be better if she let the matter drop for the present - instead she intended to ask Universe about it the next time that she saw her. As she comforted the heartbroken Mercurian as best she could Queen Serenity closed her eyes and wondered where in the galaxy the missing princess could be have gone…
~*~*~
"Venus!" Charon exclaimed urgently as her blonde-haired friend wandered back into the courtyard. "Any news?"
Venus had told her that she was going to visit Captain Blackabar's quarters to inquire if he had found any trace of Universe or at the very least any clue as to where she had gone when they had left the palace to search.
The look on her face made it as clear as crystal that they had not and when she looked at Charon the dark-haired Princess knew before she even replied that it was hopeless.
The look of sadness in her friend's eyes spoke so many volumes that Charon felt her shoulders slump. "None. She's gone." Venus said sorrowfully. "I'm very sorry Charon."
Charon sighed - she could not stop worrying about where Universe had gone and whether she was going to be alright by herself. Charon knew how strong Universe was so she was not the least bit concerned about her safety but still that did not stop her from being afraid for her.
Somewhere out in the endless reaches of the galaxy Universe was all on her own and as Charon remembered how upset she had been when she had last seen her and thought of how she must be feeling right now she realised what being alone truly meant.
Even before she had come to the Moon Kingdom and met the others she hadn't been alone for she had had her brother and parents to look to for help - but Universe had nobody. "Poor Universe." She murmured softly as she gazed into the clear fountain water.
"A couple of the servants have been grumbling among themselves." Venus said in a low voice. "They're angry about having spent months serving a commoner, somebody no better than themselves as though she were a Princess."
Charon's eyes flashed but she controlled her anger. "Them! What do they know about Universe?" she growled. "Nothing, that's what! And Universe never ordered any of them around, she did everything for herself and now she's..."
Venus sighed sadly. "Yes…she must feel so awful wherever she is." she agreed.
"I want to go and look for her!" Charon suddenly announced as she rose from the edge of the fountain. "She needs her friends right now!"
Venus had stared at her in surprise at first but in the next few seconds her eager mind got to grips with the thought of searching for Universe. "That's a brilliant idea!" she cried as her blue eyes shone. "We'll look for Universe ourselves! Let's go this very minute Charon!"
However the first moment of optimism past and then Venus's face slowly fell as she thought of something else that was more practical. "But we can't can we? The guards would not let us leave the palace grounds!" the blonde princess murmured deeply disappointed.
But Charon's face remained determined and her eyes hard as she turned away and made towards the palace gates in the near distance. "I don't care Venus! Universe is all by herself out there! She needs her friends with her now!"
Venus's face was blank as she watched the Charonian walk away and then she pulled herself together and hurried after her friend. "Charon…wait!" she exclaimed as she ran anxiously along behind the dark-haired girl. "You mustn't go! Wait Charon!"
Charon looked over her shoulder at the Venusian and there was an unaccustomed frown on her face. "No! I have to find her Venus!" she replied firmly. "I'm going to help her and if the guards try to stop me they'll be sorry."
"Charon…if you walk out then Queen Serenity will worry about you too!" Venus exclaimed in a sudden burst of inspiration. "Is that what you want?"
Charon stopped so abruptly in her tracks that the blonde Princess almost bumped into her. Charon's expression was upset as she thought about Serenity, she had not thought about how she must be feeling before now.
The last thing she wanted to do was be the one responsible for causing more distress for the already worried Queen…
Seeing how upset her friend was as she was torn between going to help Universe and being responsible Venus reached out and took Charon's shoulders in her hands. As she was turned around and saw the anxious concern in her friends eyes Charon realised that Venus was right - there was nothing that she could do by rushing off without a word to try and find the missing girl on her own.
"You're right Venus…I am sorry." Charon whispered sadly as she closed her eyes and felt utterly helpless to change a thing that was happening. "Oh Venus…where can she be?"
Dismayed by the sorrow in her friend's voice Venus put her arm around her shoulders as she led her back to the fountain. The Venusian pressed her back down onto the marble edge and then sat beside her. "Don't worry about her Charon. Queen Serenity is sure to find Universe and talk her into coming back." Venus said comfortingly as she put her friendly hand on Charon's shoulder. "So don't be sad. Universe will be back before any of us have even noticed she has been gone…even though we already have and that is the reason why everybody is so upset!" she blustered.
Charon knew that Venus was trying her very hardest to make her feel better but she just couldn't stop thinking about her unhappy friend who was all alone somewhere in the galaxy…
"How has Estrella taken it?" Venus asked gently in an effort to get her friend talking again instead of worrying about it.
The green-haired Princess'ss face clouded as the kitten's name was mention. "She has of course been very upset about the whole thing." She murmured softly and her eyes were distant as she thought about Estrella. "After I took her to my room she took such a long time to get over all of the shouting. And as soon as she calmed down she began crying about Universe being gone. After a while she cried herself to sleep and I decided to leave her on my bed."
"Oh…" Venus's face was quite sympathetic. "I see…poor little Estrella! I hope that she will be alright."
Charon smiled sadly. "She won't Venus…not until Universe is back. You know it was strange but she looked so sweet lying with her tail curled around her body. Seeing her peaceful like that almost made me forget about it all."
Venus hugged her tightly as she felt frustrated that this was all that she could do for her. Sensing how she felt Charon responded by putting her arms around the Venusian and squeezing her back.
Neither of them exchanged another word about Universe for the rest of that day but thoughts of the missing girl were always on their minds…
~*~*~
As she directed her gaze wistfully up at the sky Queen Serenity's eyes were as distant as the stars and tinged with sadness. The Queen of the Moon's eyes were directed at the velvety darkness of the sky but her concerns were not about the magnificent jewellery of the universe that endlessly sparkled in the endless reaches of space.
As Serenity sat on her personal balcony and gazed flatly up at the darkness her mind was far, far away from her kingdom - over the past few days her thoughts had been solely with Princess Universe who had disappeared from her life just as suddenly and unexpectedly as she had entered it in the first place. The Queen's agelessly beautiful eyes were filled with sorrow as she sighed and understood what it meant to be utterly powerless. She felt so worried…Universe had taken her leave of them all and now she was all alone somewhere in a dangerous world away from any kind of help or guidance.
It distressed Serenity that she could not speak to Universe and try again to soothe the fear and doubt that had driven her away and assure her that even though her secret had been revealed not a thing had changed, What she had been before and everything that she'd done did not matter. Her friends were still her friends, she was still herself and she herself still…
Though she had done her best to remain calm for the benefit of the others the Queen just could not keep up the pretence of being completely in control of the situation now that she was alone. The truth was that her feelings about Universe's disappearance were very varied and conflicting. While she was upset about Universe's unexpected departure she was worried about her safety as well as desperate to get her back.
But there was another emotion mixed with her feelings. Serenity was also very angry with Universe for running off in the middle of the night without so much as a word and making her worry so badly about her. Also Queen Serenity felt a deep disappointment for she had given Universe a home and friends and yet the purple-haired girl seemed to have thrown all of it back in her face.
The Queen of the Moon felt cheated.
With a sigh Serenity stood up and rubbed her finger against her forehead…she needed to clear her mind of such thoughts. Right now the only thing that she should be concentrating on was finding Universe. At the moment that was the only thing that mattered for the Queen could not bear the thought of letting that young woman who was so lovely in looks and personality go back to those terrible people the Star Raiders after she had found true friends as well as a place to call home here.
Universe deserved better than that! It had been a mistake that she had grown up among the Star Raiders and Serenity wanted to correct that. Now that she thought about this she realised that this had been her real reason for inviting Rula to come to the Moon Kingdom when they had first met on Min. Rula had great potential that made it impossible for her to ever truly belong with the Star Raiders. The huntress had been raised by them that was for sure but she had never really been one of them because she was just…different from them.
And there were so many things that Rula had kept secret about herself...her singing for instance. Serenity had been amazed and delighted on the night the anniversary night of her coronation when Universe had revealed her beautiful singing voice. After Universe had shown her, her wonderful gift the Queen had insisted that the princess should take singing lessons so that she could not only perfect her already glorious voice but also learn new songs. Universe had seemed anxious for everybody to forget about her singing but Serenity had been so insistent that on the third day after the anniversary the purple-haired girl had given in and accepted the singing lessons that the Queen had arranged for her. As she had sat and listened to Universe trying out several different songs Serenity had given the brown-eyed princess encouraging smiles whenever she'd glanced nervously at her for her approval.
Universe had blushed a lot but she had looked rather pretty as she had clasped her hands together behind her back and sang the words softly but steadily...she had looked so wonderful as she had tried her hardest.
Serenity had noticed that she had seemed extremely reluctant to sing again after the anniversary night as if she has felt almost ashamed of her talent and now that she had the time to think about Universe's upbringing and the attitude she had shown towards life the Queen had come to blame the Star Raiders for it. Queen Serenity realised how scornfully people like them must see feminine things and because she hadn't wanted the people she lived among to look down on her Rula had hidden her singing from them. Because of that she had never had the chance to develop her talent. Queen Serenity felt angry at the Star Raiders for putting Rula through such a life that had prevented her from knowing any true happiness.
Universe's boyish ways were the result of the fact that she had never been among any women during her life as a Star Raider since she had been the groups sole female. Serenity realised that it was quite possible that other women had simply not been a part of Rula's life until she had taken away from the Star Raiders. That was why Universe had flourished in the company of the princesses once they had accepted her for she had finally begun to experience the friendship of other girl's and shown gentleness and warmth instead of aggression and the necessity of being violent so that she'd fit in with the people she was with. Universe had been treated with friendship and she had grown to understand and live in peace and she had loved it.
For a time at least she had been content and truly happy here but now it had proven to be too good to last. Now partly because of Emperor Mu's vindictive spiteful nature and her own fear Universe had fled leaving behind everything that she had found here. Serenity gave another long sigh that echoed with the sadness she was feeling as she once again found herself wondering where Universe could have gone to…back to the Star Raiders?
Oh Universe…why? She thought sadly as she closed her lovely eyes and bowed her head. Please be safe…
For a minute or two she stood there with her head lowered as tears began to trickle beneath her eyelids - and then she opened her fathomless eyes again and though tears rolled down her face they were filled with a deep new graveness as she made a decision. I have to find her, the Queen thought as she rose to her feet still gazing firmly at the sparkling starry heavens.
Universe was not a Star Raider and she had never really belonged with them - the Moon Kingdom was her home now and the Queen wanted her to return just as the princesses did. The thought of Universe's singing being wasted was also preying at her heart, the mere thought of her beautiful singing voice never being heard ever again filled her with a kind of desperation that gave her new determination to find her lost charge.
Whatever happens, Queen Serenity promised herself as she gazed up at the sheer magnificence of the stars, Universe will sing again. I swear that that freedom shall not be stolen from her…
Suddenly a timid voice floated from the doorway and surprised her. "Maj' stee?"
Knowing who was there Serenity lowered her gaze as she turned around to look at her companion on the balcony. Estrella looked up at her forlornly as she stood in the doorway. The look of sadness in the kitten's eyes dismayed Serenity as she knelt before her. "Oh Estrella! Whatever can be wrong?" Serenity asked softly as she stroked the top of the kitten's furry head.
As if she did not know perfectly well what was troubling her…
Estrella whimpered softly as she looked up at her beloved Queen. The kitten had woken up in Charon's bedroom to find herself alone on the bed. Naturally Charon had remembered to leave her door open in case Estrella awoke before she returned and wanted to leave. Estrella had still been upset and since Charon was not there she had immediately come looking for the one person whom she knew would definitely comfort her.
As the kitten remained silent Serenity held her hand out to her meaningfully and in relief Estrella scrambled onto the Queen's lap. There were tears in her eyes as she sat on Serenity's skirt looking up at her and try as she might she just couldn't stop crying…it was as if she was full of tears. Serenity's eyes were full of love as she gazed down at the kitten - Estrella had not been in this world for even a year now but she had known much joy and sadness so far in her short life. She knew that right now Estrella was feeling just the same way as Mercury and herself.
"Maj' stee…where Universe?" Estrella wept as she looked up at her with wide eyes.
"I do not know Estrella…I honestly don't." the Queen replied sadly as she petted the kitten and wondered what to say to her.
Estrella lowered her eyes sadly. "Universe not want to be our friend anymore?" she asked sadly.
Serenity's eyes widened in surprise for a moment and then she laughed gently. "Oh Estrella! Of course Universe is still our friend!" she exclaimed. "And that is not all - I am going to write to Queen Chara and ask her to help us find Universe."
Estrella's eyes lit up as Chara's name was mentioned - during the time she had spent with them over the week that she stayed with them a few months ago Estrella had grown to like Charon's mother very much, almost as much as she loved her own beloved Queen.
As Estrella started to feel hopeful she gazed closely at Serenity's face as she noticed something about it for the first time. "Maj' stee crying!" she exclaimed.
Queen Serenity realised that her sparkling tears were still streaked down her face and she wiped them away with her fingers. "Don't feel sad that Universe is not with us Estrella…she is just feeling upset at the moment. And when she feels better she will come home...and back to us"
I just know that she will…