Chapter Three - Hour Before Dawn
Saturn sat on the edge of the bed, her hair still damp from washing. Her simple dress was gone, replaced by a thin robe that made her feel naked anyway. She glanced at herself in the mirror hanging from the wall and absently wondered just what it was about her that made Safire desire her for his bed.
Oh, she was beautiful, she knew that - all the Senshi were beautiful in their own way, from shy Mercury to bold Uranus, but that certainly didn't mean men chased after her like they did Venus. She was silent, reserved, and serious - small and slim, with no interest in anything outside of her duty as a Senshi. This, also, was part of her duty as a Senshi, no more and no less. Or so she was trying to convince herself.
Saturn, get a hold of yourself, she thought sternly. This is the most important part of your mission. It's pure luck that you managed to catch Safire's eye - the only person better than him would be Aidoneus, and Hecate would have you skinned alive if she knew. Just spend the night with him and find out what you need to know. That's it.
She jerked her head up as Safire entered the tent, clad in a robe, his own hair wet as if he had just washed. Outside it was dark, and the stars were blinking in the velvet sky. Saturn swallowed in spite of herself as he approached her, but all he did was sit next to her and pour two glasses of wine.
"Do you know who I am?" he asked, handing her a glass.
Saturn took the glass and shook her head, deciding that a poor girl of the common people would not know a prince if she ran into one. Safire apparently accepted her answer as normal and did not volunteer any further explanation. "Good."
Good? Saturn repeated mentally, sipping at the wine. What is that supposed to mean?
"I have to tell you, my Lady," he began, "That I have never met anyone quite so beautiful as yourself. I have had many women in my bed... all who wanted to be there because of who I am, but never have I wanted someone in my arms as I want you tonight."
Saturn nearly spit her wine out, and hastily set her glass down as Safire knelt before her. She noted his handsome face with its straight lines that escaped arrogance and suggested subtle charm instead. His grey eyes tinted with blue held hers as he spoke. "It is not only your face and your form, but your spirit that glows in your eyes... I feel as if the night sky has been poured into your soul and your eyes show only a glimpse of what you hide..."
What is he saying? Saturn felt her head in a whirl, almost wishing he would just sleep with her and get it over with. Her heart pounded strangely against her chest, not in fear, but in an emotion new to her. "You don't know me that well..." she found herself saying. "I'm quiet and boring and not at all the kind of girl that men like." What am I saying?!
"They are stupid then, that they do not recognize your charm, my Lady," Safire brought one of her hands to his lips. Saturn felt heat rising in her cheeks as he gazed into her eyes, and as his mouth found hers in a dizzying kiss, she found her senses all alive only to his touch. He cupped her face within his hands, and she felt his tongue caress hers. With a stifled moan she found herself helpless in the arms of this strange man... this man who had turned her calm world upside-down with his desire for her...
* * * * * * * *
"Why are you so sad, my Lady?"
Saturn, snuggled in the curve of Safire's arm, raised her head at his rather random question. He was looking her with that silver-blue gaze that made her feel as if he pierced her very soul. "Do I look sad to you?"
"Sad.... sadness hidden beneath will... a will to do your duty to someone, I think." Safire ran his hand over her back, lightly passing over scars from past battles. "Is this someone so precious to you that you hide your spirit behind a wall of ice for them?"
"I chose my path," she said shortly. She had chosen long ago. "I chose to give up all I had for someone, and I don't regret it." Not even now.
"But let your spirit free, my Lady," he said softly. "No spirit, least of all yours, deserves to be caged for the sake of another."
Have I ever desired to be free? Saturn ruthlessly pushed the thought away. "Perhaps freedom is a heavy burden for someone who has put their chains on willingly."
"Chains?" Safire repeated, and Saturn felt annoyed at her choice of words. Is that what I have thought of my bond to Serenity, to the Senshi? But his frank gaze compelled her to answer. "Sometimes, they feel like fetters, but what they chain me to is something I would die to protect." That was true, surely.
Safire sighed as he moved his mouth against her hair, holding her close. "I once knew someone like you... with your eyes. She was... beautiful." His voice became somewhat distant, and Saturn felt jealousy stab through her, but his next words made her freeze. "She was my sister."
The opening I have been waiting for.. Saturn steeled herself against the conflict within her and pressed her ear against his chest, listening to his heart beat, wanting to stay there forever. She forced herself to speak. "Your sister? Where is she now?"
"...I haven't seen her since she was a child," Safire said heavily. "She was... born under an ill-fated star, I suppose, and everyone feared her. But they didn't kill her... although sometimes I wish they had, it might have been more merciful." He closed his eyes. Saturn bit her lip. "She... smiled at me whenever I held her hand... and I ... could do nothing but watch when they took her away and locked her up...in the darkness."
Saturn impulsively reached out and cradled Safire's dark head to her breast, feeling the pain inside of him as if it were hers. That is her, the someone Mars meant... "Did you love her so much?" she whispered. "Why then did you not protect her?"
Safire shook his head. "I am not like you, my Lady. I was not brave enough to save her."
"I am not as brave as you think, my Lord," Saturn sighed. "Perhaps battles do not scare me, but ... people ... people who can bend you with words..." She was starting to relive unpleasant memories about her life on Saturn, where a power-mad brother had once tried to trick her unto death to get to the throne. I envy this sister of yours, Safire.
"If I could, I would keep you here forever, my Lady, and no one would harm you as long as I had breath in my body." The conviction in his voice made Saturn want to weep as she buried her head in his shoulder, wanting time to stop so she could savor this moment forever.
* * * * * * * *
Saturn kissed Safire's brow and stood up quietly, dressed in her Sailor fuku like the Senshi she was, stealing across the tent and to the exit. On the threshold she paused, and turned to look at him sleeping, his black hair covering his face. She clenched her fists.
I have never regretted the fact I was a Senshi before... if only we had met in another time, Safire. Perhaps I could have loved you then.
Outside, the stars were all black - the hour of the night just before sunrise. I have left him in the darkest hour before dawn... Saturn turned away from the tent, her eyes full of tears that she would never shed, and disappeared into the shadows.
* * * * * * * *
Mars woke up with a cry, gasping for breath, drenched in sweat as she sat upright on her bed. With an effort she tried to calm herself, one fist clenched to her breast. What was that? she thought. That pain I felt ... that heart-wrenching pain as if I had betrayed someone I loved... where did it come from?
Taking a shaky breath, she stood up, pulling on a robe over her thin nightgown, and pulled back the curtains to see the night sky. The Earth was a swirling ball of blue and white in the darkness of space, and Mars found herself remembering a certain blond visitor that had been from that star. She shook her head impatiently. This is no time to be mooning over a man..
Her hair caught the breeze and danced gently around her face, and she pushed it back, her almond eyes brooding with worry over her nightmare she could not recall. She hoped it didn't have anything to do with Saturn. Mars wasn't very close to the solemn, silent girl, but she wasn't keen on danger befalling any of the Senshi - they were linked closer than sisters, closer than lovers. She sighed and turned to go back into her room.
Suddenly she felt pain shoot through her entire being - sharp and swift, driving her to her knees with its intensity. She cried out, even as she knew what was happening. The barrier was starting to break.
They can't be here already! Mars clenched her teeth, her hands groping for her talisman of ruby. "Mars Star Power!!" she snapped, as light swirled around her, transforming her into her Senshi self. And not a moment too soon.
"Senshi!!" Venus' voice could be heard all over the palace. "To battle! Take your places!!"
"Don't those idiots ever get any sleep?" Jupiter muttered as she swung down from her balcony, landing next to Mars. In another heartbeat the rest of the Senshi were also there.
"It's a long range attack, meant to weaken our barrier before they actually come to fight," Mercury said quickly, her blue visor over her eyes. "Another wave will hit in less than a minute, and I don't know if we can hold."
"Can you estimate where it will hit?" Neptune inquired.
Mercury was straining to hurry her calculations. "Straight above the Palace," she said at last, pointing to the point. "At least, I think so."
"We don't have the strength to spread our power," Neptune pointed out. "We should focus on one point."
"Where is Aerin-san?" Pluto inquired.
"He is helping Serenity, who is obviously suffering the effects of the Moon, being the pillar of our Kingdom." Uranus drew her brows together in worry, but her expression didn't change. "Well?"
Venus held out her hands. "The stars help us," was all she said as they joined hands.
Eight beams of light swirled and shot upwards. At the same time, from a distance came a wave of black lightening, hitting the barrier a moment after the Senshi had gathered their power. There was an enormous sound of thunder that shook the air as the two forces fought to prevail.
Mercury's prediction had been accurate. In a few seconds the darkness dissolved, leaving eight panting Senshi sprawled on the ground.
"If... if we had been one finger wrong..." Jupiter gasped, her ponytail limp with sweat.
"But we weren't," Uranus said shortly, putting her hand on Jupiter's shoulder for a short second. "We weren't."
"I don't think we can take much more of this," Venus muttered to Mars. Her usually bright blue eyes were clouded with strain. "Do you think Saturn will be all right?"
Do you think she will succeed? Mars heard the silent question. "She will," she said firmly. "She is a Senshi. She will not fail us." She closed her hand over her friend's. "Remember, Venus, that the darkest hour is just before dawn."
"Let's hope there is a dawn," Venus said quietly as the Senshi fell silent, each occupied with her own thoughts.
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