This is the last chapter!!! YAY!! Go me for finishing a story!!!! Thank you
to all who reviewed!!! Astgal, dpvballgirl88 and Pyro*chic!! Much
appreciated! I will post the epilogue later today, it's done!
Chapter Eighteen
Malachite punched the sandbag furiously. He turned and gave it a roundhouse kick to which it swung off its' hook and landed on the floor with a thud.
Malachite paused and taking deep breaths collapsed to the floor. He had tried to stick with his plan of approaching her and thought he had a great opportunity last night at the ceremony but that... that little minx! It was as if she had knew of his plan and tried to foil it in every way possible!
She had practically danced the whole night! With everyone but him! Even the old librarian who could barely see was twirled around the dance floor!
'What have I come to?' he muttered barely audible to himself. 'When I am jealous of an old dried-up stick of a man!'
He heard footsteps and by reflex grabbed a nearby sword and whirled thinking it was Jadeite. 'I could fight my frustration out on him,' he thought.
To his surprise it was not steel grey eyes he gazed upon but bright cerulean blue. She was just as surprised as he but quickly turned angry.
Mina had been upset already. Serena had announced that morning that they were departing for the moon this very afternoon! And also that the Generals would not be coming as they had duties on Earth. She was upset but happy as she heard first Lita then Ami's stories and of how their eyes shone bright as both girls was happier than they have been for weeks.
Raye did not have a story but Mina did not mistake the glance that General Jadeite keeping shooting at her, or the way he was always baiting her, waiting for her to explode.
'I was named for the goddess of love,' she thought unhappily, 'so why ain't love appearing?'
She had thought to relieve her frustrations out in the training courts before she had surprised the silver-haired General. The very man she did not want to see. Why, he had not even asked her to dance at the wedding last night! She had waited and waited but did he appear? Mina had given up.
'Are you threatening me, General?' she asked frostily.
'No,' he said coolly, having recovered from his shock.
'Then out of my way,' she whacked his sword from her face with her hand and turned to go.
Malachite smirked. Thank you Jadeite, he thought silently. The sword whipped up again, once more barring her way.
'It won't be that easy, Princess,' he drawled.
'I see,' she glanced at him, he had been training long, he would be tired. 'Is this a challenge then?' she asked.
'A challenge,' he affirmed, grabbing a nearby sword and tossing it to her which she deftly caught.
'And the stakes?' she asked as she tested the blade, slicing the air, it was a good sword.
'Winner can have anything they want,' he said, brushing the hair out of his eyes.
'Fine,' was the reply. Mina was about to transform but thought better of it. Her dress was light and had a high split, so it wouldn't be that hard. Anyway she didn't want him to think that she needed to transform to defeat him.
They circled one another, wary, and then Mina unexpectedly lunged. Malachite deflected and dodged.
She attacked again and he once more blocked the blow and dodged. Mina sighed. Was he being chauvinistic because he thought he was going to hurt her? Well, she thought, that would be your downfall.
She kept attacking, pressing her advantage when she overstepped herself and left herself open. He easily disarmed her and the sword flew in a graceful arc before landing point first in the dirt.
He grinned wolfishly. Mina took the fighter stance. His grinned widened.
'Never say that I wasn't a fair fighter,' he commented and threw his sword to follow hers.
She swung at him then, throwing all her fury at him into the fight. He returned with the same vigour, she had confused him no end.
She leg-swept him but he grabbed her as he fell and then it turned into a wrestling match.
Mina had the advantage, straddling his waist and pinning his arms down. She gazed down at him. By this time, he was sporting not a few scratches and had a slightly swollen eye. Mina's lower lip was bleeding and she knew that she would pay later in bruises for this. 'Admit defeat?' she panted.
He only grinned, thoroughly enjoying himself. He twisted and kneed her in the back, flipped her over and now he was in the advantageous position.
'Only to you,' he murmured and bent down to kiss her.
She fought it. Truly she did. She beat at his chests and squirmed for all of about two seconds before giving in and returning the kiss.
When they finally parted for breath, she gasped, 'If I win then I should be claiming my prize.'
'Then what is it that you want,' he breathed into her ear.
'I want...I want...' Mina trailed away as she gazed into his eyes.
'No one has ever mad me angry as you have,' he whispered at her. 'No one has ever made me laugh like you have either. And I have never met any girl who fought like a warrior like you. You are unique and I love you for it.'
Mina smiled then, a slow smile that spread across her entire face. This was what she had been waiting for.
'You are egotistical. And arrogant. And cold and you rarely laugh openly. Something that I hope to change. But I love you too,' she replied and this time she kissed him.
@~@~@~@~@
Raye searched the gardens frantically. They were leaving for the Moon in less than an hour and she still hadn't seen him yet!
Early that morning, when the royal couple announced their decision of leaving and how the generals were not going to accompany the Prince, (Raye was positive that had been Serena's way of speeding things along) Jadeite had not even glanced at her. Instead he had run out the door at the earliest possible time!
She had packed and waited for him to find her. Even taken to touring the palace grounds so that he might 'accidentally' bump into her. Now she had given up all pretence and was searching for the man that had stolen her heart.
'I give up!' she cried and stamped her foot frustratingly. A pair of maids stopped and one of them started towards her but her friend pulled her back and whispered furiously. She giggled and they went off together.
Raye ground her teeth and went back to her room. If he wants me then he'll have to come find me, she thought angrily. Suppressing the thought that that was the easiest place to find her, she did after all want to be found.
@~@~@~@
'Stupid, stupid, stupid General,' muttered Raye as she pounded the cushion. Lita glanced at her worriedly. Lita had spent too much time talking with Nephrite and now needed Raye's help as she frantically packed.
'Raye dear?' questioned Lita putting an arm around her shoulders comfortingly.
'I do not like him anyway,' Raye announced abruptly and stood up.
'I am going to help you pack!' she walked over to the suitcases and began to jam the dresses in with way more force than required.
Lita started forward to rescue her unfortunate dresses when a knock sounded at the door.
Lita went to open it.
As Raye was busy she did not notice the silence that followed, she did however hear Lita.
'Raye? I...um... think this is for you' she called.
Raye stood up and walked to the door. 'What?' she asked rudely then glanced at the being in the door.
Round fluffy ears. A smiling serene face. Tow giant paws. And a cute button nose. Did I mention it was as tall as Raye though three times the width?
And there was not one, but three giant teddy bears crowding in the doorway.
'Do you want me to send them away?' asked Lita, 'they look suspicious and frankly a little bit spooky.'
Raye did not get a chance to reply as the middle bear stepped forward.
'Ahem,' it coughed. 'I have a singing telegram for Lady Raye.'
It then proceeded to sing. It sung of apologies and forgiveness. Of fury and temper. Of danger and despair. And of course of love.
My Lady's eyes could not disguise,
Her tender, gentle heart.
She cannot feign, she feels my pain
Whenever we must part.
Now while I live, I needs must give
Her all my love and more.
That she may know I worship so
This one that I adore
And while away, I long and pray
The days may speed, and then
I heartward hie, I flee, I fly
To see her eyes again.
And on and on it sang. Lita had begun to smile foolishly at the soppy words. And when this giant bear was done it retreated to the back. The giant teddy bear on the left stepped forward. This one was armed with flowers which it bestowed on Raye.
'For you,' it said simply. 'Ninety-nine roses.'
Lita gaped. I must remember to tell Nephrite about this, she thought to herself.
The third bear than approached and seeing Raye's arms full, it hesitated. Lita stepped forward instead. It gave box upon box of chocolates to Lita.
When it was finally done, Lita had to glance around the stack of cholates to see. The bear turned to Raye. 'Do you describe this as a mountain of chocolates?' it asked. Raye looked at Lita and grinned. To hide Lita from view, and she was the tallest of the girls, could be described as a mountain.
The bears cheered in muffled voices. 'Come now,' one of them gestured. 'You must come outside. Raye barely had time to place the roses down before she was pushed out the door by the giant teddies. Lita quickly followed, this was not something she wished to miss.
The bears dragged her outside to the gardens, already there was already a small crowd of pointing maids and guards.
Raye glanced up uneasily. In the sky was written the word 'Raye.' The skywriting plane was still at it thought. F - O - R - G - I - V - E M - E It spelt in clear cursive writing.
Raye gasped in shock. Then she began to think. Skywriting? Mountains of chocolates and roses at her door? Giant cute/spooky teddies singing apologies?
She had only told that to one person. She glanced around frantically, if she was right, then next should be a hot air balloon.
She searched but did not see it. A maid approached her. 'You are one lucky lady,' she commented before rushing away.
She knew it. I mean after all this, she knew it.
It was after some time and still Jadeite hadn't shown up. Raye began to doubt.
Just when she had finally decided to leave, who should show up but a very embarrassed General?
'I couldn't find a hot air balloon,' he explained then offered her a rose, 'The hundredth rose.'
Raye did not accept the rose. 'Is this some kind of joke?' she demanded.
'No!' he replied. 'I remember you told me of the measures one needed to go to obtain you forgiveness. I could not think of anything else.'
'A bet then? A prank? A hoax? Some form of male ego?'
Jadeite shook his head at each one. 'I mean it. I know you are leaving today and I didn't want it to end with us at odds.'
He looked so adorable at that moment that Raye laughed and flung herself into his arms. He swung her around and kissed her soundly on her the lips.
The gathered crowd cheered and whistled but Raye and Jadeite paid them no mind.
Up in the palace, gazing out of a window at the scene below, Serena glanced at her husband who stood with his arms entwined around her. 'I told you it was a great idea,' she murmured.
'And it was,' he murmured back, happy and content.
@~@~@~@~@
Not the end yet. Just the epilogue to go and that is rather short. YAY!! Aren't you excited? I have the epilogue typed and have begun to write my next story also a Senshi/General fic but not like this. Please review, see if I can get to 100!
Chapter Eighteen
Malachite punched the sandbag furiously. He turned and gave it a roundhouse kick to which it swung off its' hook and landed on the floor with a thud.
Malachite paused and taking deep breaths collapsed to the floor. He had tried to stick with his plan of approaching her and thought he had a great opportunity last night at the ceremony but that... that little minx! It was as if she had knew of his plan and tried to foil it in every way possible!
She had practically danced the whole night! With everyone but him! Even the old librarian who could barely see was twirled around the dance floor!
'What have I come to?' he muttered barely audible to himself. 'When I am jealous of an old dried-up stick of a man!'
He heard footsteps and by reflex grabbed a nearby sword and whirled thinking it was Jadeite. 'I could fight my frustration out on him,' he thought.
To his surprise it was not steel grey eyes he gazed upon but bright cerulean blue. She was just as surprised as he but quickly turned angry.
Mina had been upset already. Serena had announced that morning that they were departing for the moon this very afternoon! And also that the Generals would not be coming as they had duties on Earth. She was upset but happy as she heard first Lita then Ami's stories and of how their eyes shone bright as both girls was happier than they have been for weeks.
Raye did not have a story but Mina did not mistake the glance that General Jadeite keeping shooting at her, or the way he was always baiting her, waiting for her to explode.
'I was named for the goddess of love,' she thought unhappily, 'so why ain't love appearing?'
She had thought to relieve her frustrations out in the training courts before she had surprised the silver-haired General. The very man she did not want to see. Why, he had not even asked her to dance at the wedding last night! She had waited and waited but did he appear? Mina had given up.
'Are you threatening me, General?' she asked frostily.
'No,' he said coolly, having recovered from his shock.
'Then out of my way,' she whacked his sword from her face with her hand and turned to go.
Malachite smirked. Thank you Jadeite, he thought silently. The sword whipped up again, once more barring her way.
'It won't be that easy, Princess,' he drawled.
'I see,' she glanced at him, he had been training long, he would be tired. 'Is this a challenge then?' she asked.
'A challenge,' he affirmed, grabbing a nearby sword and tossing it to her which she deftly caught.
'And the stakes?' she asked as she tested the blade, slicing the air, it was a good sword.
'Winner can have anything they want,' he said, brushing the hair out of his eyes.
'Fine,' was the reply. Mina was about to transform but thought better of it. Her dress was light and had a high split, so it wouldn't be that hard. Anyway she didn't want him to think that she needed to transform to defeat him.
They circled one another, wary, and then Mina unexpectedly lunged. Malachite deflected and dodged.
She attacked again and he once more blocked the blow and dodged. Mina sighed. Was he being chauvinistic because he thought he was going to hurt her? Well, she thought, that would be your downfall.
She kept attacking, pressing her advantage when she overstepped herself and left herself open. He easily disarmed her and the sword flew in a graceful arc before landing point first in the dirt.
He grinned wolfishly. Mina took the fighter stance. His grinned widened.
'Never say that I wasn't a fair fighter,' he commented and threw his sword to follow hers.
She swung at him then, throwing all her fury at him into the fight. He returned with the same vigour, she had confused him no end.
She leg-swept him but he grabbed her as he fell and then it turned into a wrestling match.
Mina had the advantage, straddling his waist and pinning his arms down. She gazed down at him. By this time, he was sporting not a few scratches and had a slightly swollen eye. Mina's lower lip was bleeding and she knew that she would pay later in bruises for this. 'Admit defeat?' she panted.
He only grinned, thoroughly enjoying himself. He twisted and kneed her in the back, flipped her over and now he was in the advantageous position.
'Only to you,' he murmured and bent down to kiss her.
She fought it. Truly she did. She beat at his chests and squirmed for all of about two seconds before giving in and returning the kiss.
When they finally parted for breath, she gasped, 'If I win then I should be claiming my prize.'
'Then what is it that you want,' he breathed into her ear.
'I want...I want...' Mina trailed away as she gazed into his eyes.
'No one has ever mad me angry as you have,' he whispered at her. 'No one has ever made me laugh like you have either. And I have never met any girl who fought like a warrior like you. You are unique and I love you for it.'
Mina smiled then, a slow smile that spread across her entire face. This was what she had been waiting for.
'You are egotistical. And arrogant. And cold and you rarely laugh openly. Something that I hope to change. But I love you too,' she replied and this time she kissed him.
@~@~@~@~@
Raye searched the gardens frantically. They were leaving for the Moon in less than an hour and she still hadn't seen him yet!
Early that morning, when the royal couple announced their decision of leaving and how the generals were not going to accompany the Prince, (Raye was positive that had been Serena's way of speeding things along) Jadeite had not even glanced at her. Instead he had run out the door at the earliest possible time!
She had packed and waited for him to find her. Even taken to touring the palace grounds so that he might 'accidentally' bump into her. Now she had given up all pretence and was searching for the man that had stolen her heart.
'I give up!' she cried and stamped her foot frustratingly. A pair of maids stopped and one of them started towards her but her friend pulled her back and whispered furiously. She giggled and they went off together.
Raye ground her teeth and went back to her room. If he wants me then he'll have to come find me, she thought angrily. Suppressing the thought that that was the easiest place to find her, she did after all want to be found.
@~@~@~@
'Stupid, stupid, stupid General,' muttered Raye as she pounded the cushion. Lita glanced at her worriedly. Lita had spent too much time talking with Nephrite and now needed Raye's help as she frantically packed.
'Raye dear?' questioned Lita putting an arm around her shoulders comfortingly.
'I do not like him anyway,' Raye announced abruptly and stood up.
'I am going to help you pack!' she walked over to the suitcases and began to jam the dresses in with way more force than required.
Lita started forward to rescue her unfortunate dresses when a knock sounded at the door.
Lita went to open it.
As Raye was busy she did not notice the silence that followed, she did however hear Lita.
'Raye? I...um... think this is for you' she called.
Raye stood up and walked to the door. 'What?' she asked rudely then glanced at the being in the door.
Round fluffy ears. A smiling serene face. Tow giant paws. And a cute button nose. Did I mention it was as tall as Raye though three times the width?
And there was not one, but three giant teddy bears crowding in the doorway.
'Do you want me to send them away?' asked Lita, 'they look suspicious and frankly a little bit spooky.'
Raye did not get a chance to reply as the middle bear stepped forward.
'Ahem,' it coughed. 'I have a singing telegram for Lady Raye.'
It then proceeded to sing. It sung of apologies and forgiveness. Of fury and temper. Of danger and despair. And of course of love.
My Lady's eyes could not disguise,
Her tender, gentle heart.
She cannot feign, she feels my pain
Whenever we must part.
Now while I live, I needs must give
Her all my love and more.
That she may know I worship so
This one that I adore
And while away, I long and pray
The days may speed, and then
I heartward hie, I flee, I fly
To see her eyes again.
And on and on it sang. Lita had begun to smile foolishly at the soppy words. And when this giant bear was done it retreated to the back. The giant teddy bear on the left stepped forward. This one was armed with flowers which it bestowed on Raye.
'For you,' it said simply. 'Ninety-nine roses.'
Lita gaped. I must remember to tell Nephrite about this, she thought to herself.
The third bear than approached and seeing Raye's arms full, it hesitated. Lita stepped forward instead. It gave box upon box of chocolates to Lita.
When it was finally done, Lita had to glance around the stack of cholates to see. The bear turned to Raye. 'Do you describe this as a mountain of chocolates?' it asked. Raye looked at Lita and grinned. To hide Lita from view, and she was the tallest of the girls, could be described as a mountain.
The bears cheered in muffled voices. 'Come now,' one of them gestured. 'You must come outside. Raye barely had time to place the roses down before she was pushed out the door by the giant teddies. Lita quickly followed, this was not something she wished to miss.
The bears dragged her outside to the gardens, already there was already a small crowd of pointing maids and guards.
Raye glanced up uneasily. In the sky was written the word 'Raye.' The skywriting plane was still at it thought. F - O - R - G - I - V - E M - E It spelt in clear cursive writing.
Raye gasped in shock. Then she began to think. Skywriting? Mountains of chocolates and roses at her door? Giant cute/spooky teddies singing apologies?
She had only told that to one person. She glanced around frantically, if she was right, then next should be a hot air balloon.
She searched but did not see it. A maid approached her. 'You are one lucky lady,' she commented before rushing away.
She knew it. I mean after all this, she knew it.
It was after some time and still Jadeite hadn't shown up. Raye began to doubt.
Just when she had finally decided to leave, who should show up but a very embarrassed General?
'I couldn't find a hot air balloon,' he explained then offered her a rose, 'The hundredth rose.'
Raye did not accept the rose. 'Is this some kind of joke?' she demanded.
'No!' he replied. 'I remember you told me of the measures one needed to go to obtain you forgiveness. I could not think of anything else.'
'A bet then? A prank? A hoax? Some form of male ego?'
Jadeite shook his head at each one. 'I mean it. I know you are leaving today and I didn't want it to end with us at odds.'
He looked so adorable at that moment that Raye laughed and flung herself into his arms. He swung her around and kissed her soundly on her the lips.
The gathered crowd cheered and whistled but Raye and Jadeite paid them no mind.
Up in the palace, gazing out of a window at the scene below, Serena glanced at her husband who stood with his arms entwined around her. 'I told you it was a great idea,' she murmured.
'And it was,' he murmured back, happy and content.
@~@~@~@~@
Not the end yet. Just the epilogue to go and that is rather short. YAY!! Aren't you excited? I have the epilogue typed and have begun to write my next story also a Senshi/General fic but not like this. Please review, see if I can get to 100!