Notes: This story was actually finished but I have been sooo lazy lately to add it to ff.net. --;; I feel horrible for not doing this. I do hope everyone forgives me. ^^;; If you cannot wait to read the rest of this story, feel free to go here: tenjou.blurty.com. You will find it there. Anyways do enjoy this story.

I wish to dedicate this chapter completely to those seven astronauts that lost their lives on February 1st, 2003.

And also to my grandfather who died that day eleven years ago. I miss you, Papa.

Reference of Characters not named in last chapters:
Cereberus: I am sure everyone should know about this one. He was the three-headed dog that guarded the entrance of the Underworld who allowed souls in but would not allow them to escape and those that tried, were devoured by him. He was also captured by Hercules during one of his tasks and carried above.
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To Pluck A Rose
by Utena-chan
























Chapter Seven















The Underworld



























Persephone looked at her husband for a moment, waiting for him to say something. Anything that would put an end to this. She didn't want to go back to the world above and face her mother. At least, not right now...not when she was beginning to know her husband and understand his dark world of the dead. After so many months of learning to live in this new life, they had to come and uproot her from him.

Yet there was something his eyes that implored her to return above...that separation from him wouldn't last long. And though she wanted to question him, she couldn't find her voice to say the words lodged in her throat. Instead, she nodded her head before lowering it. She would return to the world above to set things straight with her mother. She was a Goddess in her own right now. She had duties that were different from the ones her mother had set forth for her. Duties that would set her between both worlds.

"Hermes," Hades spoke finally turning cobalt blue eyes in the direction of the Mercurian God, "allow my wife and I a moment alone. I wish to say my goodbyes to her in private."

Hermes nodded his head and withdrew from the room to await just outside the doors. To the young God, he had believed that Kore had been unhappy here. At least, that was what he was led to believe. And now that he had seen her, it had been the complete opposite. She seemed rather reluctant to leave him. He was even sure that there was the possiblity that she would grieve for him when they left. This was a far cry from the delicate young girl he had met so many years before when she had been under her mother's thumb. Perhaps Zeus had done her indeed a great service by allowing Hades to abduct her. Yes, indeed.

Hermes thought back to the moment when he had barraged into the room. He had been sure that he had been feeding her fruit...fruit that belonged to the other side. And if he had remembered correctly, this tied Kore to his world completely. Didn't she know this yet? Or had Hades left this piece of information out? He wasn't sure yet and he would find out soon when they arrived above.

His thoughts turned to Demeter and he groaned aloud. He knew the Lady of the Grain was not going to be happy at all over this. No, not all. Not when she finds out about Kore eating the food of the other side. He wasn't even sure if the mortal realm could survive anymore of her temper tantrum as it was. Yet, he couldn't help but feel sorry for the two lovers in the room. There seemed to be a genuine love between them that even Aphrodite herself would be jealous of, but even he wasn't sure what Demeter would about this. He would have to wait...wait until they went back to Olympus to find out.











"Hades, I---"

Hades silenced her quickly by placing a finger to rest upong her lips. He already knew what she was going to say, but he had no choice by to relinquish her for some time. He also knew he had better tell her about the fruit before Demeter or Zeus did. He could not live if she hated him. Her love meant far too much to him to even chance losing it.

"Listen to me," he said quietly and pressed the half-eaten fruit into her hand, "this fruit you have eaten binds you to this world. You have eaten half of the fruit and this means you must return to me in time for a marked period. You must show it to your father and allow him to judge the time you will spend between myself and your mother. I will respect his wishes and judgement."

Though Persephone knew she should be furious with him, having been tricked into the delicatable fruit, she couldn't. Instead, her gaze soften further and filled with unshed tears. Gods, how she loved him...more than she could ever love another. She still had no desire to leave him. She wanted to still protest to Hermes, but knew the young God was only doing what he was told and this she had to respect. Yet, the gift in her hand made her more hopeful for a reunion with him worth returning to the world above.

As his finger slipped from her lips, Persephone nodded her head and answered, "I promise to let Father see this."

Hades lowered his head, allowing his scarlet mane to fall forward to curtain their faces from view and his lips sought hers for what would be the last time.

















Persephone was quiet as she and Hermes made their way through the labyrinth of caves and towards the grove that would lead them out of the Underworld. Though he had given her a chance to change her clothes back into those of what she arrived below in, she had turned him down. She was Queen of the Underworld, she had told him, and she would go above as such. This very statement had caused the crimson-haired God to smile and nearly caused Hermes to faint as he had never seen the dark lord of the dead ever do such a thing.

As they neared the entrance of the cave, Persephone shivered. She couldn't remember it ever being so cold up above. It had always been beautiful with bright blue skies and the sun's rays raining down upon the earth with its warmth. This was far different, however, and she quickened her steps moving around Hermes to see her first glimpse of the world she had left behind. But she found, she had not been prepared for. There before her as she stood at the mouth of the cave, was devestation all around her and she was sure she heard the cry of souls...calling to her...beseeching her to intervene on their behalf.

Persephone's sorrow magnified immensely. Her own happiness was now pushed aside so that she herself could return this barren land back to its former glory and she would see to it to. She was still the Maiden of Spring and in this, she drew her power calling upon the Earth itself to give her strength.

Earth responded to her call and flowers began to bloom everywhere and what had once been dead grass came to life returning to its natural splendor. Birds began to chirp and animals, nearly half dead, rose to their feet to pay homage to their goddess.

Hermes could only watch in awe. He had never sbore witness to an Earthian Goddess awakening the Earth. It had never been done nor have have ever needed to be so, but here was Kore, rather Persephone, using her own magick to remove the devestation caused by her own mother. He was sure the other Gods and Goddesses and felt and seen this as well.

"Kore!" came the relieved cry of Demeter as she appeared a few feet away. Tears rushing down her face as she raced towards her only child.

Mother and Daughter united, embracing each other as if they had not seen the other in centuries. For both, it had seemed that way. Yet, Demeter could not help but notice the change in her only child. She seemed more beautiful than she had been before her abduction. Though her skin was nearly a pale color, it was the water-blue eyes and colored cheeks that told her a far different story. For a moment, Demeter felt jealous towards Hades as she had never been able to get her daughter to look in such a way as he had done. Perhaps Zeus had done right, she now admitted to herself, by allowing Hades the liberty she had denied all others before him.

"I am not Kore anymore, Momma," the rose maned girl announced, leading them both away from the entrance of the Underworld and towards the center of the newly springed fields she herself had given life to moments ago. "Hades named me Persephone. A far more fitting name as I am no longer as I was before."

Demeter considered her words for a moment, knowing her daughter was right. She was no longer a "girl" but a young woman now. The proof was before her very eyes. She would not protest the change in names. No, her daughter seemed pleased with it and again that familiar ache returned to Demeter's chest.

"Then Persephone you shall be called," Demeter said finally.

The young woman smiled, almost nearly chuckling with happiness that bubbled forth within her very soul. She set out to tell her mother of her life beneath the earth and she spoke fondly of Hades and in this, Demeter herself realized that the dark lord of the dead had indeed caught her daughter's love. For the love of Olympus, the Lady of the Grain couldn't understand the attraction her daughter felt. She was sure Hades had no emotions nor even a warm heart. At least, none of them had ever seen such a thing, but here was her daughter telling her different and this caused Demeter to once more wonder exactly how much a change had overcome within Hades.

"My Lady Demeter and My Lady Persephone," Hermes called to them causing both women to halt their conversation and thoughts to turn to his direction, "our king seeks both of your presences at Olympus."

Persephone nodded her head. She too had something to show her father and it was high time to learn of his decision upon the subject. She was sure her mother would protest as she had not been told this yet, but it hardly mattered to Persephone. All she wanted was the chance to be reunited with the man she loved.

"I suppose we cannot make him wait any longer," Demeter sighed regretting the chance to further repair the separation between herself and her daughter. "Come, Persephone, we are being called."

The younger nodded her head and vanished upon calling upon her own power over Spring. A faint scent of roses and newly springed grass was left in her wake.














Chapter Eight













Olympus











Zeus couldn't help but allow the corners of his mouth to twitch into a smile. He was pleased by the report from Hermes that his daughter and her new husband were deeply in love. At least, they had been caught together and in that, he assumed that their marriage would be far more passionate than his very own.

Zeus couldn't help but envy Hades now for waiting for that right woman to come along when he was pulled into his in just a few short weeks after defeating his own father for the right of the Olympian throne. He couldn't exactly complain about Hera, but he wasn't in love with her. She was the perfect Queen and nothing more. His own taste had stemmed to the young mortal women below whose passions, he found, matched his own. And unlike Hera, the women he chose did not complain nor ask much of anything. He had found this intriguing and his passions for mortal women had continued to grow far passed obsession.

"My lord," Hermes' voice broke Zeus out of his reverie and sent the King of the Gods to turn his head towards the young Mercurian God.

"Yes?" He spoke up, his voice echoing through the nearly empty hall and sending those within to look towards them.

"Their Ladyships have arrived," Hermes announced with a formal bow before stepping off to the side and allowing Zeus full view of the two women behind him.



















The Underworld















Minthe was pleased as she moved through the dimly lit passageways of her lord's castle that would lead to his private chamber. She had been away far too long from him and she couldn't wait to surprise him. Of course, she would make up all the lost time she had spent away from him but it would be all worth it to her. She loved him and someday she would have his love returned. In this very hope, she refused to give up any chances she had.

Minthe halted her steps as the double doors came into her visage. For the longest time, she had always wondered what it would be like to be his wife and share his bed everyday knowing that he loved only her. She knew she would never get this chance. She was a simple nymph whose world was up above his very own, but even this had not stopped her from her visits.

Even now, she could still remember her first glimpse of him when he had come above. She had never asked why or even who he had been seeking but she had found him preparing to mount one of many coal black steeds he owned. Demonic horses with red eyes that burned like fire. Horses that she could have sworn were nearly impossible to get near like Cereberus. He was beautiful then with his crimson red hair flowing passed his shoulders. A stark contrast to the dark black armour he wore. And his cobalt blue eyes told of cold and darkness of the world he ruled. She had heard rumors about him, never truly believing any of them until she saw firsthand. Unlike all other Gods, Hades was far more distant and colder than the others. He was even ruthless than Zeus himself. It was truly no wonder why no one dared venture below. She knew they all feared him and with good reason. She feared him as well.

"You are not welcomed here," a voice from behind announced causing Minthe to nearly lose her balance and fall forward as she spun on the ball of her heel. There before her stood the Celeste, Goddess of the Eternal Candle. The woman's blond hair glowed like a halo around her head and her violet-colored eyes narrowed angrily at the intrusion Minthe had seemed to cause her by her presence.

"This is not your castle," Minthe pointed out dryly returning the narrowing glare at the other. "Only his lordship can toss me out and I don't see him here to do it."

She was right of course and this Celeste knew without a doubt, but then the girl had not yet fully heard of her brother's marriage nor was she going to devulge that little piece of information. Rather, she would wait until her brother's wife returned from the world above to deal with this insolent child and this she could not wait. Even now, such images of Minthe being tossed out of the Underworld by Persephone danced in her mind.

Yes, it was going to be very interesting when Persephone returned.

"You are right, it isn't my place nor my castle," she answered dryly, "but I do leave you with a warning to beware as things have changed here."

With those as her parting words, Celeste turned and strode away. Her candle's light growing dimmer and dimmer as she faded from view.

Minthe growled angrily to herself. She knew the older Goddess didn't like her and the feeling was returned tenfold. At one time, they had been friends but that had changed a month after Minthe had laid eyes upon Celeste's brother. She didn't even dare listen to the warning either. She was sure Celeste's threats were filled with emptiness as they had always been before.





















Olympus











Zeus leaned back on this throne eyeing both women with a cautious thought. His daughter seemed more vibrant now and more full of life than she had been before. Much like Demeter had, he too noticed her pale skin, flushed cheeks, and the unspoken words in her eyes. It seemed very well that Hades had done the overall change in her and he couldn't help but feel joy for his daughter. Indeed, his decision to marry her off seemed a very good idea to him and now the product before him made this very clear.

"Father Zeus," Persephone spoke first as she took a confident step forward. She lifted her head high and her chin raised. In one hand was still the gift Hades had given her, still hidden from her mother's eyes, "I have returned from my husband's world to set right what has been done the harvest and to return souls for rebirth from the Underworld. Also, I have a gift to share with you that my husband has asked you give judgement."

Zeus cocked a brow as Persephone lifted her hand to reveal the half-eaten fruit.

"You ate the food of the other side?" Demeter asked with wide eyes. She was horrified by the prospects that she would soon lose her daughter again to that damnable dark lord.

Persephone didn't answer nor did she look at her mother. She continued to hold the fruit up for her father to view as she awaited his judgement on the subject.

"Half of the fruit has been eaten," He noted allowed rubbing his chin, "then by my declaration you will spend six months above with your mother and the other six months with your husband."

"I will not allow it," Demeter stated firmly, raising her voice and clutching her hands into fists at her side. "Persephone belongs above with me and not below in that desolate world. She is the Maiden of the Spring and her role is thus that."

"She is also Queen of the Underworld, Demeter," Zeus roared back, angry at having his declaration being denied. "Her duties are the Underworld as well. If you have forgotten, Hades is still Persephone's husband and thus he has a right to see her as you do. Remember what I told you, our daughter is a Goddess in her own right. She no longer needs you telling her exactly how to behave and who she can spend her time with. My decision is made, Demeter, she is to return to Hades after the both of you have set the Harvest right.This gives you six months with her. Enjoy them."

Demeter pressed her lips together, trying to keep herself from further angering Zeus. It was no use in arguing with him at all over this. She wouldn't even dare in private either. She would lose and this she took little comfort in. Still, the idea of losing Persephone every half the year caused Demeter such despair within herself. She had never thought that it would dare come to this. She had just regained her in this short time and would lose her once more in a few months.

"So be it," Demeter stated, "but know this, Zeus, each time Persephone descends there will be no Harvest to come as I will mourn her loss to him."

Zeus eyed the Lady of the Grain for a moment before finally nodding his head in agreement to her words. He too would mourn his daughter's descension when the time came, but at least Persephone was finally happy. It was all that he truly cared for.
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Coming Soon:
The Final Installment?