Notes: When I was doing research upon this story, I
came across several other stories that deal with the
marriage of Hades and Persephone and I may use
them for this story. So do look for Keiko to make her
appearance soon.

Also take note that in many books they refer to Persephone's
abduction as "The Rape of Persephone." At least that is what
Edith Hamilton's book "Mythology" calls it.

There are so many reasons behind the change of names of Kore,
but I am going to rectify it here by giving Hades himself the
satisfaction of giving her the name Persephone. Now I understand
there are two versions as well as to what Persephone means. In
some books I have read, the name meant "one who destroys the
light" and in others it means "dazzling brightness." Perhaps in
some form to Hades himself she was a dazzling brightness to
his dark world. Yet there were some shady characters who came
into play. You will learn about them possibly towards the ending
of this set of chapters. I do not know yet. However, they will
appear.

Enough mythology lessons, ne? I am sure you would not like me
for a teacher. I could spend any entire chapter writing on Greek
Mythology and explore all its various versions to it. ^^;;

Lastly, I forgot to note the list of Gods and Goddesses in my
first part sent. So here is the list as it should be:

List of Gods and Goddesses:
Death--Ohtori Akio
Hecate--Himemiya Anshii
Athena--Arisugawa Juri
Apollo--Kaoru Miki
Diana/Artemis--Karou Kozue
Poseidon--Saionji Kyouichi
Amphitrite--Shinohara Wakaba
Nymph--Takatsuki Shiori
Kore/Persephone--Tenjou Utena
Celeste--Kiryuu Nanami
Hades--Kiryuu Touga
Minthe (Mint)--Sonada Keiko
Hermes--Tsuwabuki Mitsuru
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Pluck A Rose
by Utena-chan

Chapter Four

The Underworld

"You can't very well stay at that window, Persephone," Hades drawled, leaning against the doorway of the master bedroom. It had been hours since he had abducted her from above and rushed her though a marriage ceremony even before she had a chance to grief for her mother and the world above. Now, he had bestowed a name upon his new bride. Afterall, she was no longer a girl as Kore suggested. At least, not in the eyes of the other Gods once they learned of her "rape." Demeter was going to be another subject entirely.

Persephone turned her water-blue vacant eyes towards the man who was now her husband. In all her young years, she never thought him to be heartless as he was now. To abduct her was beyond all reason and she was trying to understand it all, but failing miserably. There could not be love for her. They hardly knew each other and thus carried themselves in different worlds. She had not even seen him since her birthday so long ago. Now, he stood before her like phantom dreams turned to flesh and blood.

She made no try whatsoever to answer him. Instead took this time to study him. Long crimson red hair fell at each side of his handsome face. Elegant features, not so becoming of a dark king, looked sculptured from marble. The finest she had ever seen. Cobalt blue eyes peered at her mockingly beneath thick lashes. Zeus help her but she could fall for this man.

Persephone looked away to hide the flush that was rapidly appearing across her cheeks. She would not give him the satisfaction whatsoever of knowing how much he could affect her. What he had done had been unforgiveable in her eyes and there was nothing that he could do to change her mind either. It would have to be a cold day in hell beforehand.

Hades cocked a crimson brow noticing his new bride's face before she turned from him. She was magnificent if not naieve to think he didn't see it. And what was more was the fact, she tried to hide it by allowing her rose-colored hair to fall forward in a curtain-like grace. He had to give her credit for this of course. He had indeed chosen his bride well. She was the match of his soul and he loved her completely even if the relationship was in its early stages. He had not meant to take her as he did, but he knew her mother would never allow him to court her daughter. Later, he would explain this to her. For now, he would make her as comfortable as possible here with him even going as far to make a promise to her.

"Persephone," the way he spoke her name sent a shiver to race down her spine and she wanted to melt then and there, but pride refused to bend, "what if I made you a promise? What if I promised to leave as you are as The Virgin Goddess you so desire to be? We will continue to be husband and wife by the laws made by my brother himself, but I will respect your wishes to leave you untouched."

This caused Persephone great surprise. She had even thought him to be kind while she cruelly shunned him for all he had done. She looked over at him and nodded her head. This was her wish and she knew that she would eventually be tempted by the flesh that held her night. It was a risk she would have no choice to take. She would accept his words as a gentleman husband.

"Come, wife," he replied moving into the room and extending a hand to her, "we must sleep. Tomorrow I will take you with me on my rounds."

"Hai," she answered placing her hand firmly in his and allowing him to lead her away from the window.

Above Ground

It had been nine days. Nine long days since she had last heard Kore's cry for help, but no one knew, or rather tell her, where her beloved daughter had went. Not even the great Apollo, who watched the world above, had been able to tell her anything. He had been far too occupied by his sister to take notice of the going-ons of the mortal realm. She had even gone to the green-haired sea god himself, but he and his wife had not even seen her nor had she come to visit them.

Sighing in resignation, Demeter had decided she would no longer set foot in Olympus. There would be far too many memories there and already she blamed Zeus for his part in it. Though he venomously denied this, she knew it to be otherwise. He had always believed that Kore needed a life far different than the one Demeter had carved for her. She was sure he was hiding her somewhere and schooling her himself, but something made her wonder if such thoughts were not preposterous. She was sure that Zeus did have his hand in it even if it were minimal.

Disguised now as an old woman, she paused in her trek across the countryside in her search for her daughter. She knew none would recognize her nor ask her for her reasons behind the devestation she was causing to the world around her. She didn't care whether man or beast lived. Without her daughter, there was nothing worth living. She herself had taken nothing to her lips. No ambrosia nor sweet nectar had she tasted. She had refused anything.

"Sweet lady, why do you look so forlorn?" came the melodic voice of the newcomer who peered down at the old woman sitting at the well. She had never seen her before and she was curious to know who she was. Perhaps she was someone's grandmother lost or even worse considered dead.

"I managed to escape captivity," she said absentmindedly. "I was to be sold as a slave, but I am far too old to even consider such work."

The other three girls looked at each other and then at their older sister. Each knew they could not very well leave her alone. It was not like them and they were sure their mother would not mind the company at all.

"Sweet lady, why not come home with us?" The eldest girl asked, refusing to hear a 'no'. She moved to help Demeter to her feet and led her back towards the house.

Death stood watching his sister for a moment with a slight frown marring his dark features and then glanced over at the other who seemed lost in her own thoughts. The girl in question had not yet heard the news nor had any idea as to what awaited her below, but then Death had no need to tell her either. He suspected she would find out on her own and in this, did he look forward to. The girl had no idea exactly what kind of Goddess she would be up against in Hades' affections. In this, he couldn't wait to see what would come about of the marriage between Demeter's daughter and the dark God.

Death himself could only muse on the possiblities Minthe would only cause. He had no need now to interfer and win Demeter's daughter's affections. Rather, he would play the gentleman and offer his shoulder to her. It couldn't be even more perfect.

Hecate paused for a moment, taking note of the dreamy expression upon his handsome face. She knew of his obsession with Kore but had never once interfered with it. She had always dismissed it as infatuation and now she beginning to think elsewise. Perhaps it was best she took her brother to aside and discuss whatever notion was playing in her head. Then again, she knew he would not listen to a word she said.

Sighing softly, she wiped her dark hands across her silk skirt and turned her gaze towards the entrance of the cave. She had seen Kore's abduction and had said not a thing to Demeter. Guilt riddled her body and she considered stepping forward to correct matters, but Demeter had vanished leaving a world devestated in loss of human and animal life. If things were not set right, human life would cease to exist.

The very thought of this had set Olympus on ear from the tales that reached her ears. She knew very well Zeus was furious with Demeter for this, but he had yet to seek the Goddess out. As each grain of sand passed through the small opening of the hourglass, time was running out and Hecate could do little or nothing at all. She did not have the power to control the weather or make things grow from the soul. However, she could change things and set them right.

Taking one last look at her brother, she took note his was busy with Mint. She didn't have time to take in that he was probably out to draw her towards the Underworld. At this time, she didn't really care. Her main concern was that of the world that worshipped and feared the Olympian Gods. She had to find Demeter now before it was too late.

Turning on heels, she walked towards the entrance of the cave and called for Demeter on the winds, knowing the Goddess would hear and come to her.

Chapter Five

As days passed into weeks and months, Persephone settled herself into a daily routine. She would often accompany her new husband on his rounds through Tartarus and Elysian Fields. At his requests, she would sit beside him at each judgment hearing of fresh new souls that arrived. She, in turn, took it upon herself to teach the souls that dwelled within Elysian the cycles of life. She had found her calling in this and enjoyed every minute of it. She was truly a Goddess in her own right. She understood all this time what her father had been trying to do, but she still was upset with his way of doing things.

Hades had also kept his promise to her. He had not laid a hand on her, but each time she stole a glance she always caught him staring at her. Always there was some sort of spark in his cobalt blue eyes. A spark she had never seen before in any man, but then not every man had ever caught her eye as the dark lord did. She readily admitted this to herself and noted each time she looked at him that she would blush. She knew then as she did now that she loved him. It was a far deeper love than it had been in the very beginning of the relationship. At that time, it had been friendship and now it had blossomed into something far more than she had been able to imagine.

Persephone never said a word or even made a confession to her husband. She was far too afraid to even think of it. She wasn't sure she would be able to handle any sort of rejection from him if it came down to that. Instead, she kept it bottled within and spent as much time as she could within his presence. She hardly had time to miss the world above much less spend time dwelling upon what could have been. She wouldn't allow herself such luxuries either. It really no longer mattered to her. She belonged here now and here was where she was willing to spend the rest of her life, but she knew that she would have to see her mother. It was only a matter of time.

"Persephone, something wrong?" came the husky voice she had come to so easily recognize.

Persephone turned her head and wiped her brow with the back of her hand. She never realized how tiring her duties had become. "I'm fine," she assured him with a tired smile.

"Allow me to escort you back to our home," Hades offered, extending his hand out to her.

"Hai," she answered placing her hand firmly in his. She was trully happy for the first time in her life. Happy with her life and happy with her husband, if not by the circumstances that brought them together.

"Tomorrow," he began, casting his gaze in her direction as they made their way towards the castle, "I would like for you to sit beside me in Judgement, not as observer but as my advisor."

Persephone was stunned by this that her water-blue eyes widened at his words. She opened her mouth to accept but not a word came out. Stunned, she supposed, had robbed her of her own voice and she nodded her head vigorously at his offer.

Hades chuckled as Persephone's face reddened.

Olympus

She was furious with Zeus, having been dragged back to the very place where she had made it clear she would never return. At least, not until her daughter had been found and there was still no sign of Kore anywhere. She had searched this vast world and found no one who could tell her the whereabouts of Kore.

Demeter fixed her eyes upon the crowd of Gods and Goddesses who had assembled in the grand hall as they waited the arrival of their king. Each of them seemed lost in their own world, obvious to her own grief. This only caused Demeter's anger to rise a few more knotches causing storms to suddenly appear upon the surface of the earth. Already, people were either dead or in the process of dying and she still didn't care. She had made that quite clear when she cursed the earth's surface as well as its people. Nothing was going to change her mind. Not even Zeus.

"Lady Demeter," the soft voice of Hecate drew her from her thoughts and she turned towards the violet-maned young woman, "I know where Kore is."

Demeter's eyes widened at this very announcement and she drew the dark-skinned girl away from the crowd towards a spot where ears and prying eyes could not see them.

"Where is she?" Demeter asked finally. Her voice low and filled with concern. Her only hope was that Kore was not dead, but still alive and being taken care of.

"This is not going to be easy to tell you," Hecate replied as she flitted with the words in her head trying to find the right words to tell the Goddess of the Harvest. She knew she was going against Zeus and would be punished for this but she understood Demeter's anguish when no one else seemed to. If she had been in the same situation, she would hope another would help her in her quest. "Before I tell you where she is, I will say that she is in good health and being very taken care of. In fact, I believe she is happy."

Demeter considered this for a moment. "Continue please," she commanded.

"On the day your daughter was kidnapped, she ventured further from her friends in hopes of completing bouquet I am sure she would present to you that night. When I stepped out of my cave, I noticed that she seemed transfixed on a certain flower. I didn't know what it was at the time as I was too far away to tell. Suddenly the ground shook beneath her feet and ripped apart. Your daughter, I believe, was too scared to move or even let out a shriek. From the ground rose the dark lord himself and he collected your daughter from her place and returned to the world below. The Lady Kore is in the Underworld."

Demeter shook with rage. She understood why she had been unable to find her. She had not thought whatsoever to journey to world below. No one had ever returned be him mortal or God. Yet, she knew then that Zeus had indeed had his hand in this and she was going to confront him here and now.

Stepping away from the violet-maned young Goddess, she marched herself through the small gathering and towards her brother's figure. He was going to recieve the tongue lashing he deserved more than anything. Demeter didn't give a damn who was present to hear it either.

"How dare you!" She hissed. Her eyes glittering dangerously at her king. "How dare you allow our daughter to be kidnapped by Hades! You knew very well that she was to be initated that day as one of my priestesses and yet you went behind my back and plotted against me! You are a bastard!"

"Enough!" Zeus roared, standing up and glaring down at Demeter angrily. "It is always about you, isn't it Demeter? Its what you want but never what Kore wants. You put it in her head that she was to become your priestess, never asking her what she wants. You have denied her the privileges of knowing love and what it is like to be loved by another. She is a Goddess in her own right and should be placed in consideration before your own greediness. And to answer your accusations, I gave Hades permission to take her as I knew you would never allow her the chance to be courted by anyone else. I knew Hades would be a perfect match for her and she for him."

"People are dying, Demeter," Athena spoke up finally as she took her place at her father's side and tilted her head, allowing coral ringlets to fall about her beautiful face. "It is time to place the world back on course and return the harvest."

"No," came Demeter's answer. "Not until Kore is returned to me."

Zeus glared at his sister for a moment before finally answering, "I shall dispatch Hermes to fetch her from her husband's world and return her to your side only if she hasn't eaten the food of the other side. You know the rules about that. Then you are to set the earth back on its course and stop the rage of storms you have unleased upon the people you are punishing without reasons."

"Fine," Demeter replied.

Chapter Six

The Underworld

Hades sighed, looking at the gift in his hands for a moment. A pomergrant. The very food of the other side and the only thing, should her mother appear and try to take her, that would tie her to his world. He didn't want to trick her. By no means did he want her to hate him again. He simply wanted her willing to eat this, but how was going to be the problem.

Then it came to him. They had not consumated their marriage and this would be the best way to seal any chances of Demeter annulling it. Closing his gloved fingers over the fruit, he moved through the dimly lit halls of their home intent on finding his beloved wife. Odd how he thought of her in such a way. Others would probably stare at him if he dared called her that as if he had grown two to three heads. They viewed him, as he was sure of, as the coldest of Gods with no heart and no emotion, but he did have them. He had them whenever she was around. She had become something of a light in his dark world and he loved every chance he had to see her smile or to walk beside her. There was no other woman who could compare to her, not even Mint. Persephone was far more beautiful than the Goddess of Love herself and he would tell the Goddess so whenever he got the chance to.

"I've been looking for you," a voice replied coming out of a room.

He turned his cobalt gaze towards the figure and smiled. Persephone stood before him, a vision of loveliness with her rose-colored hair drawn away from her face and a thin gold band around her head. The ice blue empire-style gown she wore brought out the darker blue tone of her eyes. Thin arm bracelets with the depiction of life and death circled around both her arms came into view quickly when she reached out for him and then vanished beneath the small puffed up sleeve of her gown.

"Something wrong?" He asked curiously allowing her to lead him away.

"No," she shook her head gently, "I just wish to spend a few moments with you alone before duty calls you away again. I hardly get to you these past few days and I have become jealous of your duties. Please forgive me."

"There is nothing to apologize about, Persephone," he assured her with a smile, "I have been feeling the same way with you. You tend to your own duties as well and thus making you out of my reach. Most of the souls do not like my presence within the Elysian Fields but they seem to find comfort in yours. Since you have taken up the duties there, I find myself longing to see you there but I cannot."

"I don't think its dislike, Hades," she chided, "They are afraid of you. You are the God of the Dead. They think that you bear no emotions or even a heart and thus see you as the other Gods do."

"And what of you?" He wanted to know.

Persephone looked over at him and smiled. "I see you as I saw you so long ago except in a different light than I had as a child. I see you as man and as a husband. You are not without emotions or even a heart. I have seen them and heard your heart beat as I lay with you. You are my husband, Hades, and I would have it no other way."

This very knowledge sent Hades' heart to soar. She loved him even all he had done to her and here she was content. Of course, he was well aware that she perhaps missed the world above. Although they never spoke of it, he could sense that part of her missing...perhaps even longing to see the world she had left behind. He had long considered allowing her the chance to walk above for a short time and allow her to see her mother, but first he wanted an insurance that she would return to him and to this world. Still, he would not resort to magick as so many would do. He wanted her to return on her own accord.

They entered their room, closing off the Underworld and allowing this brief interlude between them. Neither of them were aware of the impending arrival of another nor did any of them seem to care if they were to have a visitor anytime soon. This was their time together. Lost in each other and enjoying the fruit that would consider their marriage consumated.

Hades drew Persephone against him with the fruit still in his hand and lowered his head to lick the juice that escaped from her lips. Persephone closed her eyes allowing her to get lost in this seductive dance they danced. The feel of his body against her own made her moan softly as another seed was placed into her mouth. Lips crushed hers savagely and her body reveled in this.

The door of their room swung open and the lovers drew apart quickly, casting their gaze at the unwanted visit of Hermes.

"Hades, I have come to retrieve Kore and return her to her mother," he announced firmly in resolve.
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Coming Soon:
The Third Half