Another World
Chapter Four
By: Krissy Muffinhead
Serena nervously twisted the edge of her veil, staring unseeingly ahead. The morning had passed in a blur. The seamstress, muttering all the time about how short notice this was, had hurriedly sewn Serena practically into
the dress. Her friends had done her hair in its usual odangos, but had entwined white lilies in intermittently. Her mother had been blustering around all morning, trying to get things organized. Between guests, food, seating, and clothing, she was just about over her head, but not quite there yet.
Serena fiddled some more with the veil, until Mars's hand reached out
and brushed her hand away. Serena looked up, expecting a reprimand from her fiery friend, but Mars only smiled softly. "Stop fiddling, Princess, you'll do fine. And he is a good man; you could have done worse."
Serena smiled back, feeling slightly better, but also discomforted by the words. Is that what I have to live with, I could have done worse? she thought.
A herald tapping on her chamber door and announcing that the wedding was about to begin interrupted her thoughts. Serena and the senshi
brushed off their respective gowns, and checked each other one last time before proceeding downstairs.
When they arrived downstairs, a few servants were waiting with a bouquet for each of them in their planets' royal colours. They were all wearing gowns that also represented these colours.
Venus was wearing a silky orange-gold gown that just barely grazed the ground, along with arm-length matching gloves.
Jupiter wore a forest green dress made of a soft, shiny material that brought out the shimmer of her emerald eyes. Its straps met around the back of her neck, tying together in a halter.
Mars wore a fiery red dress that hugged her every curve, and was in a Chinese-style. It had a high neck, a slit up the leg, and was sleeveless, though she wore red elbow-length gloves.
Mercury wore an ice-blue satin dress with a scoop neck and thick straps. A small ribbon of lighter blue went around her back to meet below her bust, tying in a small bow.
Serena, the bride, wore a shimmering gown of pure white. It was spaghetti-strapped and met in a V at her waist. From there, it went out into a graceful train and the silk was covered in soft white chiffon. It was a rather plain dress, as far as princesses go, but it suited Serena like it had been made months before, rather than hours.
The senshi walked into the hall ahead of her, the wedding music flooding out through the door as they swiftly opened and shut it. Each one
threw back a reassuring glance before going, Venus last in line. She gathered Serena into an impulsive hug, and whispered into her ear, "You and Endymion are perfect for each other. You just need to stop fighting and see it."
Serena smiled briefly at her living mirror image, before Venus was gone through the same doors that held her destiny. She stood uncertain for a moment; she felt the intense need to go back to bed and hide under the covers. But before she could do that, she heard the music change, and that
was her cue.
Inhaling deeply, she marched slowly but purposefully into the large hall. It was a fairly small wedding, with only close friends and family from both sides inside. She kept her eyes trained on the ground, because the last thing she needed right now was another frequent klutz attack. She finally stood beside Endymion, but kept her eyes on the floor as the priest began.
She wondered if this was the right thing to do through most of the priest's speech, and only began to pay attention when she heard Endymion say 'I do'. She gulped nervously, suddenly feeling thirsty. She tuned the
priest out completely, slowly bringing her eyes up to Endymion. He gazed at her steadily, and his eyes were caring. Her eyes flickered nervously, but she knew what to say.
"I do," she murmured softly, so only Endymion and the priest could hear.
The priest was silent for a moment, as if surprised by her answer, before saying, "Then, with the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Serena swallowed nervously. She had forgotten that they had to kiss! She glanced nervously at Endymion, who grinned slightly and shook his head at the look on her face. He gently took her hand and brushed his lips against it.
She heard clapping through the hall, and the senshi were all calling their congratulations, but she only had eyes for Endymion. He was still smiling at her with that same look, that look that made her wonder who and where she was. She broke eye contact, and politely thanked everyone for coming and accepted their good tidings.
She exited the hall as hastily as possible, and went to her room. Most of her things were already gone, moved to the room that she would share with Endymion from now on. She shivered at the thought. Tonight, this very night, she would be sharing a bed with her husband. She was married.
***
Endymion tried to follow Serena as she left, but the many well-wishers forced him to be polite and his escape was delayed. He finally managed to get away about 20 minutes later, and went to see if she was in her chambers.
He put an ear to the door and heard nothing. He knocked softly, and the doors opened a few moments after.
Serena stood there, still in her wedding gown, which was somewhat rumpled from sitting. She smiled uncertainly at him, and invited him in.
They stood there or a few moments in silence, before Endymion asked, "What's the matter? Do you regret it already?"
Serena's eyes widened, and she burst out, "No! Never!" Seeing Endymion's skeptical look, she explained. "I'm just confused, that's all."
"About what?"
She twisted her hands, answering, "I don't know. About this whole thing. I mean, I know I'm doing the right thing, but I just, I wonder if it could have been different."
Endymion ran a hair through his hair. "Different how?"
She shrugged, looking uncomfortable. "Like, what if we had met under different circumstances? Would we have fallen in love?"
Endymion's eyes softened, and he took a step closer to her, tilting her face up to see his own. "Serena, I can't tell you what might have happened. But I know that you're different, and I know if we hadn't been betrothed, I
still would have been drawn to you."
She smiled, her first real smile that day. "Did I ever tell you how cute you look when you get that worried, puppy-dog look on your face?"
She giggled at him as he actually began to turn a faint pink. He led her back downstairs to where the rest of the guests were dancing, eating, and mostly waiting for the couple to return.
***
The four senshi were sitting around a table in the corner of the hall, glancing towards the entrance every once in a while. "What do you think they're talking about?" Venus said, absently twirling the ice around in her
water glass.
Jupiter shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know, but if they take much longer, I'm going and changing." The 3-inch heels Venus had convinced her to wear didn't seem so sexy now that her feet were swollen and red.
The other senshi giggled at her predicament, before Mars motioned towards the entrance. "Speak of the devil."
The prince and princess were strolling in, in all appearances calm and happy. The senshi watched carefully as they began to dance. They looked a
little strange, hunched over the table, glaring at the couple with somewhat evil eyes. Suddenly, Jadeite popped up beside the table. "What are you looking
at?"
"ARGH!" the senshi cried, falling simultaneously out of their chairs.
Two other heads popped up as the senshi attempted to upright themselves (AN Did that even make sense???). Jadeite, Nephrite, and Zoicite all began to laugh hysterically at the senshi. Kunzite strode up, hand at his forehead, eyebrow twitching.
"Are you three ever going to grow up?!" he sighed in exasperation. When the three generals continued to laugh, he whacked them all across the back of the head, and casually knelt before Venus.
"May I have the honour of this dance, Princess?" he asked smoothly. Jupiter and Venus sighed in response to his romantic invitation, and Venus gave him her hand.
The remaining generals rubbed at their heads, glaring at Kunzite as he walked off with Venus. Suddenly, Nephrite knelt before Jupiter with a white rose in hand. He gave her a slightly shy smile. "Will you dance with me?"
Jupiter nodded and stood up with hearts in her eyes. She frowned for a moment and glanced down at her throbbing feet before kicking off the heels and following him.
Mercury and Mars giggled at her before Jadeite and Zoicite escorted them to the dance floor. Each of the senshi and generals had hearts in their eyes, and thoughts of their Prince and Princess were pushed to the side for the night.
***
"So, Venus, what is your real name?" Kunzite asked once they were settled into a slow waltz (AN- Is a waltz slow? I have no idea! Let's go with.yes!).
Venus paused for a second, before replying, "Venus is the name I took when I chose to become Princess Serenity's guardian. I can't answer to any
other."
Kunzite paused, his gaze unreadable. "That doesn't seem fair."
Venus smiled, a large beaming one that was often seen on her face. "My life is Serena. I don't need to know happiness, because as long as she is happy, I am. My life is protecting her, and I will until the day I die. Nothing will change that."
Kunzite thought about what she had said. Even though he was Endymion's guardian, he hadn't had to give up his entire life for him. Somehow, it didn't seem fair that this beautiful angel would only live for her princess. "Do you not need love either then?" he asked softly.
She paused and grinned a little. "Well, a few dances never hurt anyone," she said flirtatiously. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and
they danced together for the rest of the night.
***
AN- Well it's not as long as it probably should be, but at least it's something! I'm not sure how to spell the Generals names by the way, so if they're wrong- blame the Word Spellcheck!! Anyways, thanks and lotsa luv to my 13 reviewers!!! Yes!!!!!! Hopefully, someone reviews this chapter, even one would be awesome! (I just had a nap, which is why all the exclamation marks!) Later!
Chapter Four
By: Krissy Muffinhead
Serena nervously twisted the edge of her veil, staring unseeingly ahead. The morning had passed in a blur. The seamstress, muttering all the time about how short notice this was, had hurriedly sewn Serena practically into
the dress. Her friends had done her hair in its usual odangos, but had entwined white lilies in intermittently. Her mother had been blustering around all morning, trying to get things organized. Between guests, food, seating, and clothing, she was just about over her head, but not quite there yet.
Serena fiddled some more with the veil, until Mars's hand reached out
and brushed her hand away. Serena looked up, expecting a reprimand from her fiery friend, but Mars only smiled softly. "Stop fiddling, Princess, you'll do fine. And he is a good man; you could have done worse."
Serena smiled back, feeling slightly better, but also discomforted by the words. Is that what I have to live with, I could have done worse? she thought.
A herald tapping on her chamber door and announcing that the wedding was about to begin interrupted her thoughts. Serena and the senshi
brushed off their respective gowns, and checked each other one last time before proceeding downstairs.
When they arrived downstairs, a few servants were waiting with a bouquet for each of them in their planets' royal colours. They were all wearing gowns that also represented these colours.
Venus was wearing a silky orange-gold gown that just barely grazed the ground, along with arm-length matching gloves.
Jupiter wore a forest green dress made of a soft, shiny material that brought out the shimmer of her emerald eyes. Its straps met around the back of her neck, tying together in a halter.
Mars wore a fiery red dress that hugged her every curve, and was in a Chinese-style. It had a high neck, a slit up the leg, and was sleeveless, though she wore red elbow-length gloves.
Mercury wore an ice-blue satin dress with a scoop neck and thick straps. A small ribbon of lighter blue went around her back to meet below her bust, tying in a small bow.
Serena, the bride, wore a shimmering gown of pure white. It was spaghetti-strapped and met in a V at her waist. From there, it went out into a graceful train and the silk was covered in soft white chiffon. It was a rather plain dress, as far as princesses go, but it suited Serena like it had been made months before, rather than hours.
The senshi walked into the hall ahead of her, the wedding music flooding out through the door as they swiftly opened and shut it. Each one
threw back a reassuring glance before going, Venus last in line. She gathered Serena into an impulsive hug, and whispered into her ear, "You and Endymion are perfect for each other. You just need to stop fighting and see it."
Serena smiled briefly at her living mirror image, before Venus was gone through the same doors that held her destiny. She stood uncertain for a moment; she felt the intense need to go back to bed and hide under the covers. But before she could do that, she heard the music change, and that
was her cue.
Inhaling deeply, she marched slowly but purposefully into the large hall. It was a fairly small wedding, with only close friends and family from both sides inside. She kept her eyes trained on the ground, because the last thing she needed right now was another frequent klutz attack. She finally stood beside Endymion, but kept her eyes on the floor as the priest began.
She wondered if this was the right thing to do through most of the priest's speech, and only began to pay attention when she heard Endymion say 'I do'. She gulped nervously, suddenly feeling thirsty. She tuned the
priest out completely, slowly bringing her eyes up to Endymion. He gazed at her steadily, and his eyes were caring. Her eyes flickered nervously, but she knew what to say.
"I do," she murmured softly, so only Endymion and the priest could hear.
The priest was silent for a moment, as if surprised by her answer, before saying, "Then, with the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Serena swallowed nervously. She had forgotten that they had to kiss! She glanced nervously at Endymion, who grinned slightly and shook his head at the look on her face. He gently took her hand and brushed his lips against it.
She heard clapping through the hall, and the senshi were all calling their congratulations, but she only had eyes for Endymion. He was still smiling at her with that same look, that look that made her wonder who and where she was. She broke eye contact, and politely thanked everyone for coming and accepted their good tidings.
She exited the hall as hastily as possible, and went to her room. Most of her things were already gone, moved to the room that she would share with Endymion from now on. She shivered at the thought. Tonight, this very night, she would be sharing a bed with her husband. She was married.
***
Endymion tried to follow Serena as she left, but the many well-wishers forced him to be polite and his escape was delayed. He finally managed to get away about 20 minutes later, and went to see if she was in her chambers.
He put an ear to the door and heard nothing. He knocked softly, and the doors opened a few moments after.
Serena stood there, still in her wedding gown, which was somewhat rumpled from sitting. She smiled uncertainly at him, and invited him in.
They stood there or a few moments in silence, before Endymion asked, "What's the matter? Do you regret it already?"
Serena's eyes widened, and she burst out, "No! Never!" Seeing Endymion's skeptical look, she explained. "I'm just confused, that's all."
"About what?"
She twisted her hands, answering, "I don't know. About this whole thing. I mean, I know I'm doing the right thing, but I just, I wonder if it could have been different."
Endymion ran a hair through his hair. "Different how?"
She shrugged, looking uncomfortable. "Like, what if we had met under different circumstances? Would we have fallen in love?"
Endymion's eyes softened, and he took a step closer to her, tilting her face up to see his own. "Serena, I can't tell you what might have happened. But I know that you're different, and I know if we hadn't been betrothed, I
still would have been drawn to you."
She smiled, her first real smile that day. "Did I ever tell you how cute you look when you get that worried, puppy-dog look on your face?"
She giggled at him as he actually began to turn a faint pink. He led her back downstairs to where the rest of the guests were dancing, eating, and mostly waiting for the couple to return.
***
The four senshi were sitting around a table in the corner of the hall, glancing towards the entrance every once in a while. "What do you think they're talking about?" Venus said, absently twirling the ice around in her
water glass.
Jupiter shifted uncomfortably. "I don't know, but if they take much longer, I'm going and changing." The 3-inch heels Venus had convinced her to wear didn't seem so sexy now that her feet were swollen and red.
The other senshi giggled at her predicament, before Mars motioned towards the entrance. "Speak of the devil."
The prince and princess were strolling in, in all appearances calm and happy. The senshi watched carefully as they began to dance. They looked a
little strange, hunched over the table, glaring at the couple with somewhat evil eyes. Suddenly, Jadeite popped up beside the table. "What are you looking
at?"
"ARGH!" the senshi cried, falling simultaneously out of their chairs.
Two other heads popped up as the senshi attempted to upright themselves (AN Did that even make sense???). Jadeite, Nephrite, and Zoicite all began to laugh hysterically at the senshi. Kunzite strode up, hand at his forehead, eyebrow twitching.
"Are you three ever going to grow up?!" he sighed in exasperation. When the three generals continued to laugh, he whacked them all across the back of the head, and casually knelt before Venus.
"May I have the honour of this dance, Princess?" he asked smoothly. Jupiter and Venus sighed in response to his romantic invitation, and Venus gave him her hand.
The remaining generals rubbed at their heads, glaring at Kunzite as he walked off with Venus. Suddenly, Nephrite knelt before Jupiter with a white rose in hand. He gave her a slightly shy smile. "Will you dance with me?"
Jupiter nodded and stood up with hearts in her eyes. She frowned for a moment and glanced down at her throbbing feet before kicking off the heels and following him.
Mercury and Mars giggled at her before Jadeite and Zoicite escorted them to the dance floor. Each of the senshi and generals had hearts in their eyes, and thoughts of their Prince and Princess were pushed to the side for the night.
***
"So, Venus, what is your real name?" Kunzite asked once they were settled into a slow waltz (AN- Is a waltz slow? I have no idea! Let's go with.yes!).
Venus paused for a second, before replying, "Venus is the name I took when I chose to become Princess Serenity's guardian. I can't answer to any
other."
Kunzite paused, his gaze unreadable. "That doesn't seem fair."
Venus smiled, a large beaming one that was often seen on her face. "My life is Serena. I don't need to know happiness, because as long as she is happy, I am. My life is protecting her, and I will until the day I die. Nothing will change that."
Kunzite thought about what she had said. Even though he was Endymion's guardian, he hadn't had to give up his entire life for him. Somehow, it didn't seem fair that this beautiful angel would only live for her princess. "Do you not need love either then?" he asked softly.
She paused and grinned a little. "Well, a few dances never hurt anyone," she said flirtatiously. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and
they danced together for the rest of the night.
***
AN- Well it's not as long as it probably should be, but at least it's something! I'm not sure how to spell the Generals names by the way, so if they're wrong- blame the Word Spellcheck!! Anyways, thanks and lotsa luv to my 13 reviewers!!! Yes!!!!!! Hopefully, someone reviews this chapter, even one would be awesome! (I just had a nap, which is why all the exclamation marks!) Later!