Disclaimer: This is what you get when you write long Sailor Moon fics… ;_; You say too much IDOSMs. Yep. I don't own Sailor Moon. TT.TT

Title: Love Isn't Always Deadly

Author: baby bunnie

Rated: PG-13

Genre: Romance

Episode 7: Realizations

Serenity stole a glance at Endymion. This was awkward. They had been sitting like this for what must have been quite long, for the sky was slowly lighting up and it was past Quarter Moon. He was still kneeling there, head down, hair covering his now dull eyes. Serenity bit her lip and bit back a sob. Why was he acting like this? Did she disgust him that much? She was scared, scared enough that she couldn't say anything to him. Finally, Endymion shifted, and Serenity gave a start. First movement in what seemed like years. "Serenity… I'm sorry. I have to leave." A weak smile. "There are some things I need to clear up, some things that I'm sincerely confused about." Another faint smile and he stood up.

Serenity sucked in a breath. "I understand. Would I… would I see you again?"

"Perhaps."

She flung herself into his arms, silent tears trailing down her cheeks. "I love you…" it came out as a whisper.

"I know." Those words pierced Serenity's heart, and it hurt. He didn't say he loved her back. He didn't. She bit her lip hard till it started to bleed. Serenity felt his arms tighten around her and sniffed softly. "I wish you wouldn't leave me." She stood back and rubbed at her tears, smiling. "But if you do leave, you better come back. You better."

A chuckle, a soft brush on the lips, then he was gone. Serenity ran after the disappearing white horse, her screams carried away by the wind. "Endymion! I'll be waiting for you to come back! Promise me! Endymion!" She collapsed on the ground, panting hard.

I promise, my love.

Serenity gasped. "Endymion?" she whispered, eyes searching the field she had just now entered. The wind caressed her skin and lifted her hair. Serenity smiled. "I believe you. You'll be back, I just know it."

~

"My Lord!" Endymion flung around as Marine reformed in front of him.

"What is it? I do not have time to deal with your silly chats." he sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

Obviously ignoring his talk, Marine continued, "Why, back so soon? Have you already changed her? She is being sent to the palace, isn't she?"

"No, she is not. Now if you will get out of my way."

Marine huffed and frowned. "M'Lord, what do you mean she is not?"

Endymion looked away. "I released her."

A gasp was heard from Marine and Endymion snapped around. "My god! What- how? But the Elders-" she was cut off then.

"WHAT?!" Endymion winced and rubbed his ears. "Endymion, are you crazy? The Elders will go berserk on you!" Mina reformed and stomped on the ground.

Endymion narrowed his eyes. "Next time you sneak around and I'm in the room, let out your signal." He nodded towards the back door. Mina stiffened and nodded slightly. "Good."

"All right, back to the topic at hand. You can't be serious Endymion!" Mina cried.

"Do I look like I'm not?" Endymion looked at the blonde, amused at her antics.

"What are you going to say to the Elders? It's obvious that you failed this one."

"Perhaps…" Endymion looked away wistfully.

"What about your status? What about Serenity? Can't you see she loves you?"

Endymion winced inwardly but showed no expression on his face. A fake smile crept onto his lips and he sneered, lifting his upper lip. "They all love me, Mina. And they're all nothing to me, nothing but servants. What's one release going to do to me?"

"Everything! The Elders relied on you to especially take Serenity because she was mentally strong. Yet, you failed to do so. They can easily take away your powers." Endymion just looked forward as Mina groaned. His feelings were churning inside him. Sure, the girl was different… but that doesn't mean anything, does it? He had met girls who were strong and powerful, but Serenity was… different. What was going on? He couldn't answer.

"Endymion, you love her don't you? Truly… not just one of those "pretend" games, right? You have never betrayed the elders on a mission, nor have you released one as powerful as Serenity. Endymion, tell me, please." Mina begged him.

Endymion's eyes flickered as the truth slammed into him. "Yes, I do. I do love her."

~

Serena cocked an eyebrow. She couldn't believe this. It's got to be a dream. This couldn't possibly be true. She reviewed the events that have happened for the past… day? She got kidnapped in the bathroom by vampires and witches, then met a guy who claimed he knew her in her "past life". The guy then "took her back to the past" to see herself in the past as someone called Serenity, and now the man's calling her a vampire and just fell before her. She had always dreamt of men falling at her feet, but not literally. She chuckled nervously and took a step back, only to be grabbed by Mina. "Hey! Let go of me! I want to go home! Let me go, or I'll report you to the police!"

Mina felt ready to burst. Without thinking, she wrenched Serena towards her and spoke, "What the hell do you think you're saying?" She whispered. "I thought you loved him. The only reason we accepted Serenity was because she loved him truly. He's ours, our Lord. You don't have the right to be with him. Damn it, you don't even love him do you? You care only about yourself, nothing else. Well, let me tell you something. Serenity loved him, but you're not her. You're nothing like her. If Serenity was here right now and she sees Endymion lying on the ground right before her, she would rush to him. But you? You're whining about going home. Don't you even care about him?" Mina scrubbed furiously at her tears, sniffing softly. She swallowed and looked at Serena. Her eyes widened and she took a step back.

The girl had a strange expression on her face, like she was empty inside, as if something wild was fighting their way out. She turned and looked at her fellow leaders. They too, had stopped what they were doing and were looking at Serena. A strange wind was blowing and Mina stumbled backwards as energy was slammed into her. She heard a scream and threw her head up. The rest of the girls were fighting to even stand up. Amy was the one who let out the shrill. Raye clutched at Darien as the wind picked up. Mina knew Raye was talking, screaming, actually. But she was also positive no one could hear her. Mina threw a look at Serena. She gasped and covered her mouth. Oh god, this wasn't happening. Serena's hair had come out of their usual style and her eyes were closed. The aura of the Princess surrounded her and she was… shimmering. Her eyes opened and she looked at Mina. She took a step back. The wind had died down. No one spoke until Serenity said, "Minako." Wild Silver was unleashed and the power slammed into her, knocking her against a tree. She screamed as the world slipped away.

~

Endymion ran his hand through his hair and he plopped himself down onto the chair, propping a leg on a nearby table. He was exhausted. He hasn't fed today, and with the added pressure of the Serenity ordeal, he felt ready to collapse. Grunting, he got up and walked out the room, big, steady steps to the stables. Whistling for his horse, he jumped on and rode past the gates of the World Beyond, into the human world. A smile etched his lips and he cocked his head to one side. Raye reformed in front of him and jumped on behind. "Yes?"

Raye laughed. Endymion had always enjoyed Raye laughing. Like bells chiming in the wind, he thought. "How did you know I wanted something?"

"I guessed." He shrugged and kicked into high speed. Raye laughed again and he felt her arms circle his waist, her head leaning on his back.

"So, I heard you released Serenity?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"You don't need to know." Endymion straightened, wanting to change the subject. They were arriving at Serenity's town now. Why did he take them here? He didn't know.

"Have you fed today?" Endymion was thankful that she changed the subject. That was Raye, always knowing what you need.

"No."

"Endymion, that's not very wise. We're at a village anyway; drop off and grab someone."

He cocked an eyebrow. "Grab? I didn't know that was your style, Raye." He teased her as he slid off.

A groan was heard and he felt her punch him playfully.

They both laughed as Endymion slung an arm around her shoulder.

Mina narrowed her eyes at Endymion and Raye. What did the man think he was doing? This was ridiculous. Mina bit her lip when she saw a girl come out of a nearby house. This promises to get interesting, as the girl was Serenity.

Serenity looked up at the laughter, expecting to see Mirin, her childhood friend. The sight that greeted her broke her heart. They weren't near, quite far away, actually, but she could still make out Endymion's form. And a more lithe figure at his side, a female, obviously. Serenity cast a glance to her basket on the ground beside her and bent down to retrieve it. Mother had instructed her to pick more plants for dyeing, expecting her back before dark. How was she to be back on time if she has to go the long way to avoid the two? Serenity chewed on her lip and tried to ignore the two. Curiosity got the better of her and she threw a glance in Endymion's direction only to find him gone. She blinked. Her mother's call startled her and she whirled around.

"Serenity, you should get going. It's going to be dark soon." Her mother smiled.

"Yes." She nodded and lifted her skirts, picking her way around the mulch and finding the path to the mountains, where most of the dye plants are.

~

Lita took a step forward and shifted her position so that her feet were firmly planted on the ground. She twisted her body into a defense stance and looked at Serenity's back, expecting her to turn. Turn she did, and Lita was caught off guard for a second as she smiled warmly. Her face changed into that of a wild animal and she threw a blast of power at Lita. She too, was knocked backwards, but being more experienced in situations like these, she stopped herself and brushed aside the Wild. Serenity snarled, and Lita wiped a small trail of blood on the corner of her mouth. She grinned as she realized Serenity hasn't changed. She was still mentally strong, except now they were dealing with a fully awakened vampire… no. That wasn't right. Serenity wasn't fully awakened, she was… barely awakened. A fully awakened Morpher at Serenity's power level would be much stronger. How she longed for a good challenge, and one's standing in front of her. Lita chuckled and cocked her head to the left, indicating that Serenity give her best shot.

"Serenity…"

The girl, recognizing the familiar voice, turned around slowly. For a moment, there was just staring, and silence. Serenity had gone into a strange mood again, eyes blank as she started swaying back and forth.

Endymion groaned softly when a gust of wind swept by, identifying itself as Silver power. It was Serenity's aura, he could feel it. He opened his eyes, only to see her ready to charge at Lita. Gathering the last bit of his energy, he stumbled up, unnoticed, and muttered her name. She had heard him, for she turned and went into a trance. Endymion watched with half-closed eyes as she came out of it, then tripped the rest of his way towards her, taking her into his arms. His energy let out, and they both fell. Endymion closed his eyes and felt soft hands brushing his bangs aside, whispering loving words to him. "Serenity…" He reached up blindly.

Raye looked behind her shoulder for what seemed the hundredth time during the past minute. Serenity was with Endymion still, and it doesn't look like either has moved much.

"Raye, we must hurry and paralyze her. You know that she'll be found if we don't. Her signal is unique, there aren't many like hers." Raye nodded at Amy's words, silently agreeing with her. Once again, she drifted in and out of the Void, feeling herself casting powers into it. A mental snap, the only way to describe the feeling, stated that the power globe of the Witch's Circle was ready. It wasn't as strong as the real one, since she and Mina were half witches, but it would paralyze Serenity, all the same.

~

Serenity sighed and plopped herself on the grass. She needed yarrow still, and she couldn't find any fresh ones. The sky was dimming, sunlight waning, and the horizon a light tinge of pink and orange. The sun had mostly disappeared, and she knew she ought be heading back soon. As hard as she tried, she still couldn't get the image of Endymion and the girl out of her mind. Who was the girl? Why was Endymion with her? Did he truly love her? She didn't know, and she sighed again. She was tired, and she needed a good night's rest. Without hesitating, she staggered up and started back home.

A shadowy figure leapt out at her and covered her mouth, taking away her ability to scream. Her hands were thrown roughly behind her back and she was thrust forward, a meaning she took as to move. Her hands hurt, and she faintly recalled her basket of dye plants that she worked so hard to collect. She managed to utter a sob and tried to shake the tears that were now rolling down her face. Her captor stopped for a moment, as if hesitating, but went on a second after, thrusting her body forward. She noticed quite a few things about her captor as they walked. As much as her hands hurt, the grip on them was gentle in a soothing way. The way he pushed her to keep her working was firm but not harsh. It seems he didn't intend harm to her in any way. That thought alone calmed Serenity down enough to take notice of where they were going. They had somehow strayed away from her path home and was on an almost intelligible road. Dry leaves covered it so that the road could barely be seen, yet, it was so clear to her captor, who seemed to know exactly where they were going.

They turned off the road at an oak tree and her hands were released. It was still too dark to see the person's face, so Serenity just followed, trying to keep silent the way the figure was. It was strange how he could walk on dry leaves without making a sound, for they pretty much cracked right under your feet. The person stopped so suddenly that Serenity bumped into him, gasping in surprise and rubbing at her sore head. She heard a chuckle, a chuckle from him whom she had missed so much, from him whom she thought had betrayed her and was still wavering about his actions from earlier. She staggered back a few steps and felt herself coming into contact with the tree behind her. The gag was gently untied from her face and her hand shot up to her mouth.

"No…" She felt his hand touch hers, removing it from her face. "Don't do that…" He spoke so softly that she could barely hear him. His thumb traced her jawbone, then a hand trailed to her neck, wounding itself with her hair. She swallowed a sigh. She wasn't going to let him do this to her, betray her once again. All thoughts fled from Serenity when he brushed his lips against hers, licking her mouth for permission.

Serenity jerked and pushed him back, watching as he staggered for one moment, and ran. She could feel his shock, and her the leaves behind her finally crack as he stumbled and righted himself. He was confused, she could feel it. Were they connected? She didn't want to know. He was running after her now, and Serenity slowly gave up, letting herself be caught. "Endymion… please…"

"What? What did I do? Why are you doing this? Why are you running?" There was so much confusion and begging in the voice that Serenity broke down, sobbing into his arms.

"Why are you doing this to me? You promised me that you loved me, and yet you're with her." The words just tumbled out, as if she had no control over her voice.

"Her? Who?"

Serenity bit her lip. He wouldn't even admit it. "That girl…"

"Girl…?" There was still confusion in his voice.

"Yes, damn it! Why won't you just admit that?! That you love someone else, and you've lied to me?" Serenity could hear the tremor in her own voice.

"What are you talking about?! I've broken every single law just to be with you, to see you and touch you and taste you… to know that you're here. I've gone through everything; I've lied to the Elders, I was almost tempted to kill Marine, hell, I've even appointed you guardians to ensure your safety!"

Serenity's head spun at the words. She didn't understand a single thing he had said. Looking up, she sucked in a breath and closed her eyes, muttering but four words. "Do you love me?"

She watched as his eyes sparkled, reverting to a cloudy look. There was silence, then he kissed her, gently at first, then begging for entrance. Serenity sighed into his mouth and parted her lips, wrapping her arms around his neck to play with his hair. She pulled away a little while after and whispered, "Answer me…"

She watched as he hesitated, then…

"Yes."