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This chappie is gonna be kinda short.. I'm leaving in nine hours! So I gotta go to bed soon. I will be back in three weeks so don't bother checking to see if I updated until then. Ja ne! ^-^!
Chapter Ten
Halfway through the ride Lita had freed her hair from her usual ponytail, now her long brown tresses flew behind her like an auburn river. She turned her face to catch the wind and sun full on.
Faster, faster she urged her horse as it galloped across seemingly endless plains. She ignored everything around her, only concentrating on her senses and the horse beneath her. It had been awhile since she was allowed this much freedom. And she savored every moment of it.
Seated astride her horse, her long dress was bunched up around her upper thighs showing a rather indecent about of leg but she didn't care, she felt happy like the joy you feel from twirling in circles for no good reason.
Lita laughed. Not a feminine fake girly giggle but a full throated deep belly laugh that had not emerged since hearing news of the Earth ambassadors coming to visit. She forgot where she was, half believing that she was back on the moon and allowed to roam as she pleased again.
Another deep laugh joined hers and she nearly fell of her horse in shock. She had overlooked the fact that she was not completely alone. Lita stopped her horse, she felt vulnerable and invaded. The mood disappeared with the wind and Lita was wary once more.
'We have been out long enough. Let us go back to the palace.' She said abruptly to the surprised General.
Nephrite did not understand. he thought. Nephrite had in fact been enjoying himself. The sun on his face, the breeze in his hair, a beautiful naked .. no, not quite naked.. girl riding in front of him. He shook his head to clear the image of a naked Lita which was rather difficult as she was in front of him and did not seem aware of her ...display.
She had seemed so carefree that he could not help but join her. His heart had been doing little flipflops as he watched her. But it appeared that she did not want company for now she was on guard again.
'No. Not just yet. How about we walk the horses for a bit to cool them down.' He suggested instead, not wanting for it to end just yet.
Without a word Lita dismounted and began walking. He followed behind. Lita did not face him, afraid that he would see her burning face, her suggestion looked silly now. Lita had not failed to notice how the sun burned behind him making him appear as an angel. She had not mistaken the genuine smile that was causing a weakness in her knees. She turned away.
They walked in silence for some time, both not sure what to say and afraid of offense. Lita let out a small gasp, 'Look,' she breathed.
Nephrite followed her gaze. The sun was setting and out here on the plains, it was a massive fiery orange fireball. He had seen it before but each time was as enchanting as the first.
They seated themselves in a patch of daffodils and watched the setting sun. Lita rested her head on Nephrite's shoulder to which Nephrite cuddled her.
And as the sun disappeared beneath the horizon, a couple realized how they felt about one another but both refusing to admit it for fear of heartbreak.
@@@
Raye squished the teddy bear around the middle. She cuddled it, pressing her face to its soft fur. She sighed. She did not know what to do and it was tearing her up inside.
Ever since that night on the cruise ship, Raye had only one thing on her mind. Not that hard to guess, it was the General Jadeite. She had been aware every time he entered the room and whenever he left, she had noticed whenever he smiled to which her heart gave a little thump when it was directed at her and a painful squeeze when it was aimed at any other girl.
She became aware of the way he flicked his hair unconsciously when talking and how he always picked objects up with the left hand and then transferring it to the right.
She observed that he was always the General who made the others laugh or anger them to lighten the mood and break the tension.
She knew all these little things about him without really trying but that was not the problem. She knew how she felt about him, the pounding of her heart and the burning of her ears. She had admitted it to herself awhile ago, prompted when Mina had observed that she was acting like a jealous shrew when she saw Jadeite flirting with a garden maid.
The problem was that he did not feel the same way about her; at least she didn't think so. He did not seem to get all flustered when he saw her. Now she was trying to decide what to do about it. She did not want to play games for it was not a game to her. Saying it right out loud seemed too forward and would be mega embarrassing if she was rejected. A letter could fall into the wrong hands and then they would all gossip and laugh.
Raye sighed. Raye pounded her teddy some more (which by the way was the one he gave her and she had called Cupid). I will find Mina again she decided.
@@@
'Hello lady Lita, I didn't catch you yesterday,' greeted the pirate handing Lita a pink monkey.
'I had other matters to attend to yesterday Nathan,' explained Lita as she took a seat on her regular bench and accepted the balloon.
Lita and Nathan had been meeting quite often, she had found him amusing and he had given her pink balloons whenever they met. She considered him a friend. An attractive friend.
They sat and chatted about inconsequential and random topics until he interrupted her opinion of green tomato sauce to blurt, 'Lita what is bothering you? You clearly have something on your mind because you have repeated the last sentence three times already.'
Lita blushed. 'Is it that obvious?' she asked. 'Yes,' he replied. 'So spill.'
Lita sighed. 'I think I like a person.' She confessed. He met this statement with an arched eyebrow.
Lita shrugged. 'I think I like a guy from the palace.' She further revealed.
When she did not elaborate, 'And?' he asked impatiently.
Lita shrugged again. 'And what?'
'Have you told him? Does he like you back?'
'No and I am not sure.'
'Why not? Is he beneath your station? Or too far above? I want details!'
'This is not some star-crossed tragedy! And you are being nosy!'
He ignored the last statement. 'Someone at the palace eh?' Nathan's eyes widened. 'Is it the Prince Endymion? Is there a love triangle?'
'No! Don't be ridiculous. He is enamored of his fiancé and she him.'
'It must be one of the Generals then!' he crowed triumphantly when Lita blushed.
'It is common knowledge that the General Zoicite is infatuated with the Princess Ami, so that strikes him out.' Nathan began logically. 'And the General Malachite though a smart and respected leader is rather cold and distant, so he is gone.'
'I do not want to have this conversation. Stop right here Nathan!'
'So that leaves the Generals Jadeite and Nephrite. Both of them are infamous womanizers who have lured many a lass to their beds-'
'Nephrite would never do that! He is kind and caring and how would you know anyway?!' burst out Lita.
Nathan got up and did a little victory dance. 'Lita and Nephrite! Lita and Nephrite!' he sang as he danced. Lita charged, all ready to pummel him but he danced away.
'Sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-'
Lita grabbed a nearby pie from one of the local cake stalls and threw it out him. It missed and he stuck out his tongue.
'First come love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby-'
Whatever she could lay her hands on she threw. Sticks, stones, food, ornaments, but he danced and dodged and was having a merry old time as Lita went redder.
'I L-O-V-E love him. I K-I-S-S kiss him.'
Lita had had enough. As a last resort she tackled him and with a splash both fell into the parks' center marked by an ornamental fountain.
He spluttered and she dunked his head under water. He tickled and poked until they were both thoroughly drenched.
Several minutes later when they were both calm enough to hop out of the fountain and onto a bench, both still rather damp.
'Now that was a rather big reaction from just liking the guy,' observed Nathan.
'To tell you the truth, I really like him. Perhaps even love him.'
'Admit it. Do not try to fool yourself.' Nathan seemed very intent and serious all of a sudden.
Lita shrugged. 'Admit it!' Nathan persisted.
Lita gave in and sighed. 'Allright. I am in love with the General Nephrite. Happy?'
Nathan smiled. 'So tell me, what is so great about General Nephrite that has caused you to fall head over heels?'
A goofy smile appeared on Lita's face. 'Well...' she began.
By the time Lita got back to the palace she felt much better. Having a good listener as a friend was a real good asset and Lita was confident that Nathan will not go blurting her secret to the world. Lita whistled as she made her way to her room.
@@@
Mina smiled contentedly as she gazed at the stars from her balcony. It felt so good to put people on the right track. They had a little get together in Serena's bedroom after dinner.
It had not taken the girls very long to get Serena to admit that she was attracted to the Prince and did not object to the marriage as much as before. 'I will tell him how I feel on the night of the ball, if he doesn't say it first that is.' She said blushingly.
Everyone already knew about Ami and Zoicite so that wasn't big news. However Ami had not told Zoicite yet. 'It isn't necessary to say it out loud. I think he already knows.' She explained.
But when Mina was setting out to weasel from Raye her feelings about General Jadeite, Raye had blushed and admitted it quite readily. What surprised Mina was that Raye asked her help on how to inform Jadeite of the situation. 'Go for it girl!' was the unanimous advice. 'Just say it and if he doesn't see what a fine girl you are then it is his loss!' Raye had agreed that she would try.
Lita had told them of her afternoon with Nathan and how he helped her see her feelings. 'This Nathan sounds like a nice guy.' Said Mina. Lita offered to introduce them sometime.
However when the other girls tried to question Mina, Mina had denied all feelings for the silver-haired General. she reasoned with herself. Although she did feel a little lonely as the other girls seemed to be on the right track and she wasn't.
she thought with horror.
And although the thought comforted her Mina still felt lost, a tiny speck of life in a sea of bright stars.
@@@
That is all for now, 7 hours to go! I am very excited! I shall update in three weeks! Thank you to all! ^-^! Bye Bye!
This chappie is gonna be kinda short.. I'm leaving in nine hours! So I gotta go to bed soon. I will be back in three weeks so don't bother checking to see if I updated until then. Ja ne! ^-^!
Chapter Ten
Halfway through the ride Lita had freed her hair from her usual ponytail, now her long brown tresses flew behind her like an auburn river. She turned her face to catch the wind and sun full on.
Faster, faster she urged her horse as it galloped across seemingly endless plains. She ignored everything around her, only concentrating on her senses and the horse beneath her. It had been awhile since she was allowed this much freedom. And she savored every moment of it.
Seated astride her horse, her long dress was bunched up around her upper thighs showing a rather indecent about of leg but she didn't care, she felt happy like the joy you feel from twirling in circles for no good reason.
Lita laughed. Not a feminine fake girly giggle but a full throated deep belly laugh that had not emerged since hearing news of the Earth ambassadors coming to visit. She forgot where she was, half believing that she was back on the moon and allowed to roam as she pleased again.
Another deep laugh joined hers and she nearly fell of her horse in shock. She had overlooked the fact that she was not completely alone. Lita stopped her horse, she felt vulnerable and invaded. The mood disappeared with the wind and Lita was wary once more.
'We have been out long enough. Let us go back to the palace.' She said abruptly to the surprised General.
Nephrite did not understand. he thought. Nephrite had in fact been enjoying himself. The sun on his face, the breeze in his hair, a beautiful naked .. no, not quite naked.. girl riding in front of him. He shook his head to clear the image of a naked Lita which was rather difficult as she was in front of him and did not seem aware of her ...display.
She had seemed so carefree that he could not help but join her. His heart had been doing little flipflops as he watched her. But it appeared that she did not want company for now she was on guard again.
'No. Not just yet. How about we walk the horses for a bit to cool them down.' He suggested instead, not wanting for it to end just yet.
Without a word Lita dismounted and began walking. He followed behind. Lita did not face him, afraid that he would see her burning face, her suggestion looked silly now. Lita had not failed to notice how the sun burned behind him making him appear as an angel. She had not mistaken the genuine smile that was causing a weakness in her knees. She turned away.
They walked in silence for some time, both not sure what to say and afraid of offense. Lita let out a small gasp, 'Look,' she breathed.
Nephrite followed her gaze. The sun was setting and out here on the plains, it was a massive fiery orange fireball. He had seen it before but each time was as enchanting as the first.
They seated themselves in a patch of daffodils and watched the setting sun. Lita rested her head on Nephrite's shoulder to which Nephrite cuddled her.
And as the sun disappeared beneath the horizon, a couple realized how they felt about one another but both refusing to admit it for fear of heartbreak.
@@@
Raye squished the teddy bear around the middle. She cuddled it, pressing her face to its soft fur. She sighed. She did not know what to do and it was tearing her up inside.
Ever since that night on the cruise ship, Raye had only one thing on her mind. Not that hard to guess, it was the General Jadeite. She had been aware every time he entered the room and whenever he left, she had noticed whenever he smiled to which her heart gave a little thump when it was directed at her and a painful squeeze when it was aimed at any other girl.
She became aware of the way he flicked his hair unconsciously when talking and how he always picked objects up with the left hand and then transferring it to the right.
She observed that he was always the General who made the others laugh or anger them to lighten the mood and break the tension.
She knew all these little things about him without really trying but that was not the problem. She knew how she felt about him, the pounding of her heart and the burning of her ears. She had admitted it to herself awhile ago, prompted when Mina had observed that she was acting like a jealous shrew when she saw Jadeite flirting with a garden maid.
The problem was that he did not feel the same way about her; at least she didn't think so. He did not seem to get all flustered when he saw her. Now she was trying to decide what to do about it. She did not want to play games for it was not a game to her. Saying it right out loud seemed too forward and would be mega embarrassing if she was rejected. A letter could fall into the wrong hands and then they would all gossip and laugh.
Raye sighed. Raye pounded her teddy some more (which by the way was the one he gave her and she had called Cupid). I will find Mina again she decided.
@@@
'Hello lady Lita, I didn't catch you yesterday,' greeted the pirate handing Lita a pink monkey.
'I had other matters to attend to yesterday Nathan,' explained Lita as she took a seat on her regular bench and accepted the balloon.
Lita and Nathan had been meeting quite often, she had found him amusing and he had given her pink balloons whenever they met. She considered him a friend. An attractive friend.
They sat and chatted about inconsequential and random topics until he interrupted her opinion of green tomato sauce to blurt, 'Lita what is bothering you? You clearly have something on your mind because you have repeated the last sentence three times already.'
Lita blushed. 'Is it that obvious?' she asked. 'Yes,' he replied. 'So spill.'
Lita sighed. 'I think I like a person.' She confessed. He met this statement with an arched eyebrow.
Lita shrugged. 'I think I like a guy from the palace.' She further revealed.
When she did not elaborate, 'And?' he asked impatiently.
Lita shrugged again. 'And what?'
'Have you told him? Does he like you back?'
'No and I am not sure.'
'Why not? Is he beneath your station? Or too far above? I want details!'
'This is not some star-crossed tragedy! And you are being nosy!'
He ignored the last statement. 'Someone at the palace eh?' Nathan's eyes widened. 'Is it the Prince Endymion? Is there a love triangle?'
'No! Don't be ridiculous. He is enamored of his fiancé and she him.'
'It must be one of the Generals then!' he crowed triumphantly when Lita blushed.
'It is common knowledge that the General Zoicite is infatuated with the Princess Ami, so that strikes him out.' Nathan began logically. 'And the General Malachite though a smart and respected leader is rather cold and distant, so he is gone.'
'I do not want to have this conversation. Stop right here Nathan!'
'So that leaves the Generals Jadeite and Nephrite. Both of them are infamous womanizers who have lured many a lass to their beds-'
'Nephrite would never do that! He is kind and caring and how would you know anyway?!' burst out Lita.
Nathan got up and did a little victory dance. 'Lita and Nephrite! Lita and Nephrite!' he sang as he danced. Lita charged, all ready to pummel him but he danced away.
'Sitting in a tree, K-I-S-S-I-'
Lita grabbed a nearby pie from one of the local cake stalls and threw it out him. It missed and he stuck out his tongue.
'First come love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby-'
Whatever she could lay her hands on she threw. Sticks, stones, food, ornaments, but he danced and dodged and was having a merry old time as Lita went redder.
'I L-O-V-E love him. I K-I-S-S kiss him.'
Lita had had enough. As a last resort she tackled him and with a splash both fell into the parks' center marked by an ornamental fountain.
He spluttered and she dunked his head under water. He tickled and poked until they were both thoroughly drenched.
Several minutes later when they were both calm enough to hop out of the fountain and onto a bench, both still rather damp.
'Now that was a rather big reaction from just liking the guy,' observed Nathan.
'To tell you the truth, I really like him. Perhaps even love him.'
'Admit it. Do not try to fool yourself.' Nathan seemed very intent and serious all of a sudden.
Lita shrugged. 'Admit it!' Nathan persisted.
Lita gave in and sighed. 'Allright. I am in love with the General Nephrite. Happy?'
Nathan smiled. 'So tell me, what is so great about General Nephrite that has caused you to fall head over heels?'
A goofy smile appeared on Lita's face. 'Well...' she began.
By the time Lita got back to the palace she felt much better. Having a good listener as a friend was a real good asset and Lita was confident that Nathan will not go blurting her secret to the world. Lita whistled as she made her way to her room.
@@@
Mina smiled contentedly as she gazed at the stars from her balcony. It felt so good to put people on the right track. They had a little get together in Serena's bedroom after dinner.
It had not taken the girls very long to get Serena to admit that she was attracted to the Prince and did not object to the marriage as much as before. 'I will tell him how I feel on the night of the ball, if he doesn't say it first that is.' She said blushingly.
Everyone already knew about Ami and Zoicite so that wasn't big news. However Ami had not told Zoicite yet. 'It isn't necessary to say it out loud. I think he already knows.' She explained.
But when Mina was setting out to weasel from Raye her feelings about General Jadeite, Raye had blushed and admitted it quite readily. What surprised Mina was that Raye asked her help on how to inform Jadeite of the situation. 'Go for it girl!' was the unanimous advice. 'Just say it and if he doesn't see what a fine girl you are then it is his loss!' Raye had agreed that she would try.
Lita had told them of her afternoon with Nathan and how he helped her see her feelings. 'This Nathan sounds like a nice guy.' Said Mina. Lita offered to introduce them sometime.
However when the other girls tried to question Mina, Mina had denied all feelings for the silver-haired General. she reasoned with herself. Although she did feel a little lonely as the other girls seemed to be on the right track and she wasn't.
she thought with horror.
And although the thought comforted her Mina still felt lost, a tiny speck of life in a sea of bright stars.
@@@
That is all for now, 7 hours to go! I am very excited! I shall update in three weeks! Thank you to all! ^-^! Bye Bye!