Notes: This is the last and final installment to this Greek Mythology
Story. I must say that I am very happy with the way the story went. However, I
am not pleased with the Prologue but it will have to do.
This story doesn't actually follow accurate accounts of the abduction nor the
entire tale of marriage. There is not really anything on both Hades and Persephone
from mythology and what I did use came from research upon the web and
from countless hours spent in the library.
There is one story (can't really remember the names) where there was another
plot to kidnap Persephone, but Hades finds out and stops it before it can
take place. This is where Death (Akio) will come into the picture and ultimately
his sealed fate.
There will be nothing about Adonis in this. I did not care for the character in
Mythology and find him slightly pointless to even bring up. This was set to
be in the early stages of their marriage. Perhaps later on I might do a one-shot
sequel. I do not know yet. Right now, I just don't see it happening any time
in the future.
Before I even decide to begin another story, "The Mummy" will be finished
and another will be set up to take its place. Which story, again, remains to be
seen. I am torn between fans of Touga x Utena and Venus x Kunzite. We
shall have to see who will get top prority first, ne?

Special Thanks: I would like to thank the Schwartz Library and
countless web surfing nights for allowing me the chance to find material
for this story. An even bigger thanks goes to my sister who's child of Satan
refused to allow me an ounce of sleep and thus the finishing of this story. x.x
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
To Pluck A Rose
by Utena-chan
























Chapter Tweleve


















She had been avoiding from the entire week. Taking a room across the hall instead of the room they shared. She went about her duties with a smile on her lips and compassion within her heart, but she refused herself to be alone with her husband. It wasn't that she actually thought he had slept with the girl, but the very idea of it. Their marriage was suppose to be solid, unshakable and damage-proof but the image of seeing Minthe in those sheets had shattered all that.

Persephone brushed back wisps of rose-colored hair from her face as she rose from the ground. She had spent a good number of hours now teaching the cycles of life and death to souls eager to be reborn when she rose up for Spring. They had listened and asked questions they had considered appropriate enough to ask. Yet, there were some of them she truly did not have answers for, but she did promise to seek the answers out for them. She had been true to her word, researching all she could with the Three Judges and asking them various questions that she was sure they could answer. At least, they had managed to help her out.

After finishing her duties, she strolled back towards the docks with a treat she had promised Cereberus when she had returned. It was a promise she wanted to keep to the three-headed dog knowing that the animal had little contact with anything. It was, after all, the guardian of the underworld, and its job was to sorely make sure that none, other than its master and mistress, passed through the gates. To Persephone, it seemed like a lonely life for a fairly large dog and since her return to the Underworld and her inital separation from Hades, she tended to spend more time in its company. Always bringing with her treats she thought the dog would like.

"Cereberus?" Persephone called out, hearing a snarl come from the deep recesses of the shadows just ahead of her.

The large black dog stepped forward, towering over its tiny mistress. All three heads whined slightly and sat down to allow Persephone the chance to pet each head. Her voice was soothing to its ears as she cooed and talked to it. It was a different change than the life it had previously led with Hades. Then it had no contact at all with its Master, but here its Mistress ventured boldly out of the castle's confinds to feed it and to play. Cereberus welcomed this interaction.

"I am here to keep my promise to you," she said simply, laying the heavy basket at her feet.

The large dog whinned again as it lowered its heads to sniff the basket. Its tail thumped excitedly behind knowing now what the basket contained. The three headed dog burried one of its heads into
the basket happily munching on the treats its Mistress brought.

Persephone chuckled softly. Her water-blue eyes shone with amusement. Her visit here had done her some good, drawing her away from the problems of the heart. Yet, as she stood there watching the dog, she couldn't help but let her mind wander to Hades. It was hard to hate him even for her. She had never known such a feeling before. All her life had been filled with love and compassion. Hate was never part of it, but the idea...the very image that remained firm in her mind was the thought that Hades had taken a Mistress or even someone to replace her. She could understand this to an extent. After all, she was only with him six months of the year. It was probably lonely down here without her, but she wanted to be the only one in his life. She couldn't stay mad at him, but he would have to be the one to rebuild the trust.

Persephone sighed, breaking herself away from her thoughts and turning on heels back towards the castle. Her three-headed companion was still munching on the treats she had brought and she doubted she would be missed until the next time she came around. It was fine, she supposed. She had other matters to attend to. Other matters of the heart.


















Hecate's Cavern













Death was less than pleased. Minthe had failed. He should have known that the girl would have, but he had not expected her to be cursed into being a plant. Persephone was indeed a force to be reckoned with especially when it came to her husband. Yet, the girl now avoided Hades like the plague. It was a serious matter that it caused the servants within to whisper about it. He was not one prone to listening, but it had caught his attentions numerous occasions as he went in search of Celeste.

Thinking of Celeste, the Candle Bearer seemed pleased when she had heard the news. Rather indifferent. He knew she had never liked the girl. It had been obvious when Minthe had set her sights upon her brother. He couldn't help but consider that Celeste had been jealous of her, but why Minthe and not Persephone? This question bugged him to no ends. He couldn't fathom the reasons behind Celeste's change. She seemed to have warmed up to Persephone. A far change from a girl who seemed determined to keep anyone away from her brother. Had her obsession for Hades died? Or was it still there? He couldn't answer this alone. It was the Candle Bearer who could, but even she wasn't talking about it.

Death frowned at his thoughts. He had once hoped that Celeste would be some form of help. Yet, he had given up that hope. She was too happy, to say the least, of her brother's choices in brides and would do nothing to upset the already delicate balance in their marriage. Even now that delicate balance was in trouble of being mended. He knew this...could taste it from his observations of Persephone. The rose-maned girl was having second thoughts. There seemed to be a determination inside of her that spoke of this change from her. If he wanted her, he had to act quickly.

Turning around, he called for two of the Dead and the rose from the ground like shadows. Their eyes vacant of life and they moved to him like zombies willing to obey his every command.

"Find Queen Persephone and take her," he ordered and they bowed to him, leaving as they came.
















Hecate stood in the shadows watching her brother. His obsession was growing more stronger than she had imagined it to be and she had no choice but to stop him. She hated this. Hated turning against him in order to save him from himself, but he had given her no choice. He was clearly not in his right mind. At least, not to her.

She wasn't going to allow him to hurt Persephone nor take her from the one man she belonged to. The Fates had made this clear to her during their talk with her. It was her duty to keep her brother in check, but how was the question. She didn't know what he was planning or how he was going to go about doing things. She had not heard him speak of it nor had he given any clue to what he was planning. Nevertheless, she had to do something....anything to stop his madness.

Hecate hating getting involved. Already she was the cause of the change in seasons, but she couldn't allow mankind to die. It was not in her nature to see others suffer, but it had not been her place to tell either. Not that this mattered now. What was done had been done and she couldn't change it. It was high time she did something right for a change. She would make things up to Hades by telling him of her brother.

Deciding this was the best course of action, she vanished quickly before her brother even was aware she had been there.















Chapter Thirteen











The Underworld














She stood just outside their bedroom door, trying to decide exactly how to word the right words. It wasn't easy. She was not one to swallow her pride, whatever that was but she wasn't one to allow her marriage to break down either. She had to repair it no matter what. If she had to grovel, so be it. At least, she could say she tried. It was all she could do. It just had to be done.

Collecting herself and pushing away all further stray thoughts to the back of her mind, she reached for the brass knob and turned it entering the large bedroom she had always shared with Hades. She found him there preparing for yet another day, another set of rounds through both Tartarus and the Elysian Fields. It hardly mattered to him that the souls in Elysian hardly wanted him around. He was, in fact, the darkest of all their Gods. His name forbidden. Yet he was hardly dark to Persephone. At least not with his coloring. Pale and beautiful with contrasting crimson red hair that fell to his shoulders. The color reminded her often of blood against the black armour he wore.

"Hades," she began closing the door quietly behind her so that none other heard the words they would spill between them, "I wanted to come ask for forgiveness. For not trusting nor believing in you."

It was over for her. Her pride had been swallowed and she now waited for his reaction, if anything from him. He had always been a hard person to understand. Even as a child, she could never move past the barriers he had placed up. Just when she thought she had accomplished something, he simply shut himself off again leaving her alone in the dark. Perhaps this was his way of hiding the hurt...the pain...and loneliness of all those years gone by and this caused her compassionate heart to ache.

"Persephone," her name rolled from his lips like the sweetest ambroisa poured and he turned to look directly at her. His cobalt blue eyes filled with so much pain that Persephone could almost taste it.

In an instant, she knew the truth. He had never slept with Minthe. At least, not since he had married her and for the merest moment, she felt truly like a heel. She should have trusted him more than she had given him credit. He did show her his undying love and she squashed it ruthlessly underneath her small foot.

He moved to her, towering over her like some beautiful God come to take her soul. Perhaps he had in some form, but she would never truly admit this to her mother. The poor woman would never handle such words.

"Hades," she spoke softly, reaching up to touch his face, "please forgive me. I never meant to break our bonds of trust. When I saw her---"

He drew her against him, cutting her off as his mouth captured hers. It had been the only way to silence her for the moment. He wanted to hold her...to love her again. The past events hardly mattered to him. They were done and over, but here was the chance for their future. It was the only thing he had been waiting for. Well, that and her apology but not necessarily in that order.














Hecate had arrived in the darkest realm of all. Though often associated with Underworld, she was hardly a candidate ruling such a vast land of death and souls. It was not her forte. She preferred her cave to this place with its path to the fresh warm light of the outside world. In fact, she wanted to return home but duty was duty. She had to warn both the King of the Dead and his young Queen. It was inevitable to stop her brother in his tracks.

Drawing the hood of her cloak further of her head, she moved with the shadows of the realm, passing guard after guard on her way to the palace. She understood the reasons behind such protections. Hades was not a very liked man. Even the Gods as well as Zeus feared him. Reasons to her, she hardly knew as they were lost with the eons of the past.

"Halt there!" came a voice from the shadows of her left and she complied with the wishes. "Who are you and what are your reasons behind the visit?"

Hecate swallowed, drawing back the velvet hood of her cloak. "I am Hecate and I have come to pay a visit to your King and Queen regarding such urgent matters."

The guard seemed to be giving this much thought before nodding his head and allowing her to pass. She did so, brushing past the two that had finally materialized before her eyes and entering the large dark castle. Of course, she was aware of the possibilities of more encounters with their kind. It all made sense to her.

Hecate pushed her violet mane away from her visage and carried onward. She would not be deterred from this mission. No longer did it matter what happened to her brother. All she carried about was simply saving and preserving the peace within this realm. After all, there was truly no telling what kind of temper Hades had. If he had one, she never saw it nor heard a word about it but then she was not part of this realm either.















"My love," Persephone whispered softly touching his cheek tenderly. Sweet Zeus how she missed this so much. If only she had not been so stupid to assume the worse of her husband. She knew she should have believed in him to begin with. He would never decieve her. He had no reason too and neither did she.

"Come with me on my rounds, Persephone," he begged softly refusing to leave her now. He hated being away from her and he hated the wedge that had been caused between them. "Please."

Persephone lowered her head for a moment to give this some thought. She had her own duties to attend to. Duties to the souls of Elysian. The cycles of life had to be taught before she took any of them above. And though she wanted nothing more than to stay at her husband's side, she knew she could not. Tonight, after duties, she would spend as much time with him.

"You know I cannot," she said finally. "We both have other things to do and time is of the essence in this realm. I have a cycle to teach and you have your methods of torture to carry out. Besides, you know I loathe Tartarus."

If Hades were one to sigh, he would have. Instead his proud shoulders slumped slightly in their place. He knew she was right. She would only cause a distraction for him as he would for her. Not that such a distraction bothered him any. Yet to have a woman as beautiful as the one in his arms was enough to agree with her words.

"You are right," he agreed. "You would only cause my wander from my work."

Persephone blushed deeply at the intent behind his words. She understood them, however. Just because she was one of the Virgin Goddesses, it did not stop her mind from wandering...from desiring the man whose arms she remained in. She had always wanted to know what it was like to lay in them in each time after a night of spent passion. Though it was a foolish thought, Persephone was starting to question her reasons behind such decisions. There were already far too many Virgin Goddesses. Well most of them pretended to be one while others remained loyal to their cause. She, however, was weakening beneath the flimsy gown she wore. Her body ached to be touched, crying out in fustration at being denied its simplest wish.

A knock upon their door startled Persephone out of her thoughts and her head turned, allowing her rose-colored mane to fly about her and her water-blue eyes held the closed door for a moment.

"Come in," Hades called out refusing to allow Persephone to move from his embrace.

The door opened and in stepped Hecate, the Goddess of Childbirth. She eyed the two lovers curiously before giving them both a respected bow befitting their station as King and Queen of the Dead.

"Great Lord of the Dead, who rules the lower regions of the earth, I have come baring great news of importance to you and your lady," she spoke up. "My brother, the cloaked one of death, desires your wife and set forth a plan to possibly kidnap her."

"Surely you jest, great Hecate," Persephone blurted out in disbelief. She had never really met the one whom her father called the Grim Reaper but she had seen him once or twice upon the Olympian grounds. "I hardly know him. What would his obsession be with me?"

Hecate shook her head. "I do not know," she said truthfully, "but I do know he wants you, Kore.He was angry when Hades stole you away here. He had not expected that one of Zeus' own brothers would fall in love with you. To tell the truth, neither did I. I always thought Hades--forgive me my lord for carrying on."

Hades moved away from his wife and waved his hand. "There is no harm to entertaining my wife," he chuckled. "I am quite sure she has always been as curious as you are now about the reasons behind her abduction. To tell the truth, I have loved her since the beginning. I have dreamt of her long before she was even a thought in Demeter's mind. Persephone is my Light. She balances me no way any other could. Her heart is pure and compassionate."

"Oh Hades," Persephone whispered throwing herself at him and hugging him tightly.

In this, Hecate saw the love that had deepend over the months and for a moment, she was envious. At one time, she would have gladly given up her life for another but that was not to be. The Sea God's love was just not enough for her. She wanted something more than simple devotion. She wanted what she saw now. There would never be another for her. She knew this and accepted her fate as a pure Maiden.

"What are we going to do, Hades?" Persephone asked with a deep concern for her own safetly.

"Hmm, I don't know at this time, my love. I don't want you to leave the palace this day. You will have to postpone your duties in Elysian until this settled," He ordered.

Persephone nodded her head, agreeing silently with his words. This was hardly the time to argue.

"I do have something in mind for Death," Hades said suddenly looking over at Hecate for a moment. "I will not bring him any harm but he will dwell here as punishment for his crimes, but first I will deal with his accomplices. Rather, I will let Cerberus deal with them."

With that, he lowered his head to brush his lips across Persephone's before walking out of the room leaving the two women alone to ponder Death's fate.
















From the shadows, the large three-headed dog lay in wait. His master had come earlier bearing tidyings that it understood. Its mistress was in danger and it was up to the large dog to make sure that none, other than its master, were allowed to breach its path. It would not allow anyone to reach its kind Mistress. Not a single soul would be allowed to pass no matter what kind of treats and offerings they brought. It would see to it.

A single noise from the right drew one of the three heads up, ears perked in that direction. Something, or rather two someones, were heading Cerberus' way. It stood then, commanding the other two heads to attention as it waited for its prey to arrive and it was far from disappointed when two shadowy figures came into view. The best part were that they were still flesh and blood. An even better treat than the ones brought to him by his master.

Cerberus gave a low warning growl, but it seemed to go unheed by the two approaching figures. Glowing red eyes peered out from the darkness catching true sight of its two delicious preys and the large dog stepped out, towering before them.

The figures let out a scream before once more silence filled the Underworld.









The invitation was sent and Death was not one to turn them not especially when one came from the dark lord of the Underworld. No one dared. Such invitations didn't come often and were not at all truly sought by Gods and mortals alike. After all, none dared visit the dark world below as they did know if they would ever return to the land of the living. He had no worries nor problems. He resided in both worlds just as Persephone had the ability too. The only difference was that she had to take a mere few weeks to adjust in between. He did not. He had moved in between all his life.

He would go and when he returned he could only hope that his two lackys would bring forth the prize he sought so much for.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Coming Soon:
The Last Set of Chapters