Secrets, Lies, and Love
Part 1, Chapter 2
(disclaimer: I do not own Sailor moon, I just write about what I think could happen. Enjoy! Be forewarned, this chapter has a little "steam" in it )
UPDATED: June 16, 2009
The music filled the ballroom, which was an array of colors. Women danced around, wearing every shade Makoto knew, and a few others she had not seen before. Several men were also wearing different colored tuxedos, adding to the rainbow of people. Everyone was wearing a mask, whether they were simply covering her eyes, their face, or their entire head.
Makoto lightly touched her mask, making sure it wouldn't slip off. Her fingers brushed against the earrings Nephrite had given her. She wondered what he was going to tell her before Minako and Rei had dragged her away. His eyes had been so serious, but he had seemed nervous.
The music sped up into a waltz. Makoto stood off to the side, leaning against one of the many marble columns that ran along the circumference of the room. She saw Minako, wearing a flowing gown of gold and a matching feathery mask. Her partner was wearing a purple mask that covered his face, but Makoto guessed it was Kunzite, not only by his long white hair, but also by his rigid and nervous posture. Makoto smiled, knowing full well that Kunzite was not the easiest at relationships.
As Makoto thought of how different he was from Jadeite, she saw Jadeite on the other side of the room, trying to charm Rei into dancing with him. Rei eventually gave in, but Makoto noticed that Rei was smiling as she was led out to the dance floor. Makoto looked around some more, and she saw Ami and Princess Serenity were also dancing with someone.
Makoto sighed. She looked around, trying to see if maybe her brother was also standing off to the side. She couldn't spot him, so she figured he either had not come down yet, or he had really disguised himself well. She didn't see his familiar brown hair, which was usually worn free, cascading over his shoulders in waves. She also couldn't see his lavender eyes, most likely hidden behind a mask of some sorts. Makoto kept looking, searching for his tall, muscular figure.
Makoto felt her cheeks flush as she thought of his body. Her mind reflected the scene early that morning, when they went swimming. She hadn't expected him to be sleeping naked. She was surprised at her reaction, as her eyes fell over his bare skin, his toned abdomen, his...
"Oh my God!" Makoto gasped, covering her eyes as she tried to block the image in her mind. "He's my brother!" She whispered, repeating it to herself. She was so preoccupied with herself that she jumped when a hand touched her bare shoulder. Makoto turned and saw a lion's face, or what resembled one. It was a mask that covered the entire head, except the man's mouth and chin.
"Such a beautiful rose should not be hidden, but shown off." He lifted her hand and delicately kissed it. Makoto felt breath taken, and nodded her consent. He led her out to the dance floor, just as the music began to slow down. A lovely melody began to play, and the man pulled Makoto close to him, her left hand clasped in his right, and his other arm wrapped around her waist. Makoto became lost in the words of the song and the scent of this man's cologne.
Are those your eyes?
Is that your smile?
I've been looking at you forever,
Yet I never saw you before.
Are these your hands
Holding mine?
Now I wonder how
I could've been so blind.
Makoto closed her eyes, breathing in her dancing partner's cologne. She couldn't help feeling that it was familiar. She knew she had been around it before.
And for the first time
I am looking in your eyes.
For the first time
I'm seeing who you are.
I can't believe how much I see
When you're looking back at me.
Now I understand what love is, love is
For the first time.
The song continued, but the man suddenly led Makoto away from the dance floor, and out into the gardens, under the night sky. Makoto went to sit down, but he held on to her hand, pulling her close. "I need to tell you something," he whispered.
Makoto's eyes widened, not sure of what he was going to say. "Yes?"
He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again. He shifted his weight, a clear sign that he was nervous. "I...Well...You see..." He turned his head, muttering to himself.
Makoto smiled. "Whatever it is, I'll listen to..."
She was prevented from speaking further by the man's sudden action. His lips were soft against hers, and although he had taken her by surprise, he was gentle. Makoto remained still as he slowly pulled away, her eyes widened at the thought of her first kiss.
Can this be real?
Can this be true?
"I think I deserve a name, good sir, since you have stolen my first kiss." Makoto hoped with all her heart that he was a handsome man, although she could tell he was very kind. As he pulled off his mask, Makoto gasped, and her eyes brimmed with tears.
Am I the person I was this morning?
And are you the same you?
Makoto could feel her heart race as the emotions inside her fought with each other: anger, confusion, resentment, and something she couldn't identify. She felt the tears keep coming, but she couldn't take her eyes away from his guilt written face.
"How could you, Nephrite?"
Makoto didn't wait for an answer. She turned and ran towards the stairwell, leaving Nephrite alone in the garden. How could he do that to her? He was her brother, yet he had kissed her. As she shut the door to her room and flung herself onto the bed, she wiped her eyes. She was angry with him, and yet, she found herself wanting more of his kisses, more of him. She cursed at herself, at thinking such an ungodly thing.
It's all so strange.
How can it be?
All along this love
Was right in front of me.
Makoto began to cry again, except this time out of sorrow instead of anger. She finally realized what the strange sensation was: she loved Nephrite. He cared for her, protected her, listened to her, and shared everything with her. And if she wasn't mistaken, he felt the same way about her.
And for the first time
I am looking in your eyes.
For the first time
I'm seeing who you are.
Nephrite had sat out in the garden for a while, his head hung low and hidden in his hands. He felt a hand touch his shoulder and sensed someone sit down next to him, but he didn't look up.
"What's the matter, Nephrite?" Jadeite asked, leaving his hand on Nephrite's shoulder. He smiled teasingly. "Did someone turn you down?"
Nephrite sighed, sitting up straight. "I'm not in the mood for joking."
Jadeite's smile immediately vanished. For the first time that Nephrite could remember, Jadeite looked serious. "What happened?"
"I've done something stupid."
They sat there quietly for a while, the breeze tousling their hair. Nephrite battled with his thoughts, trying to decide if he should go to Makoto or leave her alone. "I don't know what to do."
"Is it a woman?" Jadeite asked. "I've had enough experience to share with you some tips."
"I acted without thinking, and now I've scared her. She probably despises me."
"Ah, so there is someone you're interested in."
Nephrite gave Jadeite a threatening look. "I have no chance with her now. I don't know how I'm going to face her."
Jadeite stood up and walked over to a nearby rose bush. "There are so many beautiful flowers here, I don't know which one to choose." He gently touched the different roses, leaning over to smell each one. "Each has a beautiful fragrance, a soft touch, and a lovely appearance."
Nephrite looked over at him. "What are you talking about?"
Jadeite ignored his question as he inspected a red rose. He smiled and gently plucked it from the bush. "But eventually, you find the right rose, one that fills your heart and soul with its aroma, beauty, and touch. And when you find it, you have to be gentle. Soft." Jadeite walked over to Nephrite, smelling the rose. "Loving." He held out the rose to Nephrite, a sincere smile on his face. "Go talk to her. If she's the right one, she'll listen."
I can't believe how much I see
When you're looking back at me
Now I understand what love it, love is
For the first time.
Makoto sat up, wiping away the tears from her cheeks. She had finally made up her mind. She would go back downstairs to talk to her brother. Checking her appearance in the mirror, she left her room, her mask abandoned on her bed.
Nephrite stood outside Makoto's door, the rose still in his hands. He lifted his hand to knock on the door, but paused, contemplating what he was about to do. "She'll probably be enraged that I've been lying to her." He looked at the rose, remembering what Jadeite had said. He knocked on the door, waiting for a reply.
"Makoto?" Nephrite pressed his ear against the door, listening for any sign of movement. He knocked again, and when there was no reply, he slowly opened the door. The room was empty, but Nephrite knew Makoto had been here, her mask sitting on her bed.
Makoto ran out into the garden, but Nephrite was not there. She sat down on the bench, her head in her hands. She felt like crying, but she didn't want to break down and make a scene. She heard someone walking towards her, and she looked up. "Good evening."
Jadeite smiled at her. "Good evening to you, milady. Why are you out here, instead of dancing the night away? Or are the men too scared to dance with you?" His last statement was said in a teasing tone.
Normally, Makoto would have proven her strength, but she was too emotional. "I'm trying to find Nephrite. I left him out here, and now he's gone."
Jadeite's eyes widened, pointing at her. "You were with Nephrite a few moments ago?"
Makoto nodded. "I got upset at him, and I ran off."
Jadeite stood, his mouth agape. "Y-y-you? You are the one Nephrite's worried about?" Jadeite ran his fingers through his hair, and then rubbed at his chin nervously. "This is interesting."
Makoto looked at him, her eyes worried. "What do you mean?" She jumped up, her hands clasping his arms. "Did you see us? Did you talk to him?"
Jadeite struggled with what to say, but he couldn't find the right words. He shrugged his shoulders, and Makoto let go of his arms. "I've got to find him and talk to him." She left Jadeite in the garden, standing dumbfounded.
Makoto walked around the perimeter of the ballroom, looking for Nephrite's familiar features. She could see Minako, dancing with a man in a red suit and mask, and she spotted Rei talking to Ami and Zoicite in a corner. Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion were dancing in the middle of the floor, lost in each other's eyes.
"You look troubled, my dear."
Makoto felt a tender hand touch her shoulder, and she turned to face Queen Serenity. "Your majesty!"
"Do not bother with formalities. I'm not finicky." She smiled at Makoto. "Is something wrong?"
"I'm trying to find Nephrite."
"Oh, your charming brother."
Makoto felt resentment in her chest as she heard him referred to as her brother. "Y-yes."
Queen Serenity continued to smile softly. "I remember when I first met you two. You were just a baby, but your brother was about six years old. He was very protective of you. I understand why, though."
Makoto saw a change in her expression as the queen continued to look at her. "Is something wrong?"
Queen Serenity reached out and touched Makoto's ear. "Where did you get these earrings?" The queen seemed a bit desperate as she spoke.
"Nephrite gave them to me. He said they matched my dress."
Queen Serenity forced a smile. "I'll have to ask him where he found them. My daughter would love a pair like them."
"Excuse me," Makoto said, bowing her head as she walked away. She felt uncomfortable around the queen at the moment. It was as if she knew something she didn't. Something life changing.
Nephrite had waited in Makoto's room for over an hour, but she had not returned. He returned to his room, discarding his mask and jacket on the chair by the fireplace. He almost tore the buttons on his shirt from frustration as he took it off and discarded it on the floor. He plopped onto his bed, resting his hand over his eyes. He sighed deep as he heard a knock at his door.
"Go away!"
Nephrite listened to the fire cackling in its hearth when he noticed the door shutting. He huffed, aggravated with his uninvited guest. He sat up, facing the door. "I said..."
He was met with a forceful kiss. The softest lips in the world were pressed against his. The scent of roses filled the air around him, and he pulled away.
"Makoto? What..."
She kissed him again, refusing to let him speak. Makoto knew that if she did, she would not be able to do what she came here to do. She was in love with Nephrite, and her feelings were stronger than the blood that ran through both of them.
He tried to pull away from her and speak again, but Makoto just kissed him again, and this time he gave in. He kissed her with the same passion she felt within herself. His hands were in her hair, brushing against her back; anywhere he could reach. He lay down, pulling her with him so that she was lying beside him.
He propped himself up on his elbow, looking down at her. "Makoto, I need to tell you something."
Makoto looked into his eyes. "Can it wait till later?"
"It's important."
"Nephrite, I love you. I don't care about anything else right now. I want to live in the moment." She pulled him down, kissing him passionately. He didn't try to pull away this time, returning her kiss.
Makoto brushed her fingers across his bare back, feeling the smoothness of his skin. He pulled her closer to him with each kiss, his body pressed against her to a point that started to drive her crazy. She needed to be closer to him, one with him. She could tell he wanted it to.
She rolled him onto his back, straddling him. Her skirt was caught between them, bunched up in several different places. "This dress is so troublesome."
"We can take care of that." Nephrite pulled her down and kissed her neck, his fingers working the buttons on her dress. Makoto giggled as he kissed a part of her neck that was sensitive. She gasped as he lightly bit at it, sucking on the skin. There was a slight pain, but the sensation it gave her drove her to madness.
"Don't stop!" She gasped. She could feel her bodice fall free around her, leaving her chest bare. Nephrite continued to suck and nibble at her throat as his hands caressed her breasts. Makoto squirmed, enjoying the sensations, but finding it hard to bear the tickling feelings.
Nephrite suddenly stopped, and he rolled her over onto her back. He stood up by the bed, and pulled her dress off over her legs, dropping it on the floor. He knelt down, pulling Makoto to the end of the bed so that her legs hung off the edge. He kissed her thighs, meanwhile giving her feathery touches around her woman hood. Makoto felt a sudden urge to be touched, and she whined lightly.
Nephrite pulled her closer, and he buried his face in her. Makoto grabbed the bed sheets, clutching them as she gasped. She bit her tongue from crying out in pleasure as his tongue nearly drove her mind to madness. Nephrite sensed that she was close to a climax, and he slipped his fingers into her. Makoto nearly jumped off the bed as she tried to fight the feelings coming over her, but they were too powerful, and her whole body shuddered with a pleasurable sensation.
Makoto jolted up, pulling Nephrite away by his hair. She looked down into his face, gasping for breath. "Please: I need you!" She kissed him, giving him no chance of reply. He stood up, and lay down on the bed with her beneath him.
"Oh my God..."
Nephrite and Makoto both froze where they were. Whoever had spoken was not alone, for there were several gasps shortly after. They turned their heads, Nephrite's body covering Makoto's naked one.
Rei, Minako, Ami, and Jadeite all stood in the doorway. Ami had turned her back towards them, while Minako's hand covered her mouth. Rei had dropped her mask on the floor, and Jadeite was trying to look anywhere else but at them.
Finally, Jadeite spoke. "Girls, why don't we give them a minute." He shuffled them off, shutting the door behind them. They stood outside the door, their whispers heard by Makoto and Nephrite.
"You have been caught in a blasphemous act."
Queen Serenity looked down on them, her smile long gone. After they had composed themselves, Makoto and Nephrite were taken straight to an empty room, where Queen Serenity was waiting. Rei had gone ahead of them and notified the Queen of what had happened.
Makoto and Nephrite were now standing in front of the Moon queen, their heads hung low. Jadeite stood between them, while the girls were standing behind the queen. Makoto tried to steal glances at Nephrite, but his hair hid his eyes.
"You two are blood related, and you have engaged in wickedness. What do you have to say for yourselves?"
Makoto felt like crying. They would never understand how much she loved her brother. Her hands covered her eyes, brushing away her tears. "I don't care what you think. I love Nephrite." She breathed in deep. She must be strong. If she was willingly to love Nephrite, then she must be willingly to pay the price.
Queen Serenity turned towards Nephrite. "And what do you have to say in your defense?"
For the first time since they had left his room, Nephrite looked over at Makoto. His eyes were filled with guilt. "I'm sorry."
"You should be sorry," Rei whispered. Minako nudged her.
"Do you wish to say something, Princess Minako?"
"It would not matter. But, after all, I am the guardian of love, and true love is what I believe in. I am blind to race, sex, or blood. I was just shocked at what I saw." Minako smiled sadly. "I see that they both truly love each other, and they should be given a fair trial."
"There is no need for a trial."
Everyone looked at Nephrite. "Why is that?" Queen Serenity asked.
Nephrite sighed. "Because, I have been deceiving you all."
Makoto's eyes widened. "What?"
"My sister, Makoto, died on Jupiter with my mother and father."
Makoto couldn't believe her ears. "But I'm Makoto. Am I not your sister?"
Nephrite turned away from Makoto, and suddenly she felt angry. "I had found you, just shortly after the attack. Your nursemaid had protected you, and died. I took you so the youmas would not. Queen Serenity had assumed that we were brother and sister, and I was only six, so I agreed. I didn't want to be alone."
Queen Serenity raised her eyebrows, but she seemed calm about his explanation. "Princess Ami, if you would extract a blood sample from the both of them to see if what General Nephrite says is true, I would appreciate it. However, if you have lied, you will be stripped of your title, and other punishments will follow."
The process was quick and painless, or so Makoto had thought. She had barely noticed Ami come over and prick her finger. She was too upset about the fact that Nephrite had lied to her. Just as she had realized that she loved him, when she was willing to sacrifice all of her moralities to be with him, she found out her whole life was a lie.
But what worried her more was that she did not know who she was.
Princess Ami typed away at her mini computer, and still Nephrite would not look at her. His facial expression had already given Makoto the answer before Ami spoke.
"What General Nephrite says is true: they are in no way related. They both have Jupitan blood, but that is all they have in common."
Queen Serenity looked towards Nephrite. "You have told the truth. Your title remains. However, because of your lie, this young woman has no history." Queen Serenity stood up. "Under the circumstances, I cannot send Makoto back to Earth with you when you leave in three days. However, if you two love each other, and wish to marry, I will let her return with you. Otherwise, Makoto will remain here with me."
Queen Serenity approached Nephrite. "Do you love Makoto?"
Makoto could sense that Nephrite was looking at her, and she heard him answer meekly. "I would die for her, my love is so great."
Makoto felt like crying. She could feel her chest grow tighter, almost suffocating herself. She knew she would be asked, but she couldn't answer. She did love him, but her anger was much greater. He had lied to her, deceived her. Yes, he had saved her life, but why did he have to lie?
"Makoto? Do you love Nephrite?"
Makoto could feel the tears in her eyes, demanding to flow down her cheeks. "I..." She closed her eyes, fighting back the pain. She wanted to scream, to let everyone know of her agony. In the background, she could hear the ballroom music playing softly. Just an hour ago, she had been dancing in his arms, had kissed him, had allowed him to love her. In just a few moments, all those blissful moments had been smashed by a lie.
"I can't!"
Makoto ran from the room, far away from everyone. She could hear the girls call to her, but she couldn't go back there. She needed to be alone.
She could smell the roses in the gardens, and quickly turned, disappearing into the darkness the plants provided. Kneeling down on the ground and resting her head on a bench, she began to sob. Her arms shielded her face, and when she turned her head, a sharp pain pierced her neck.
She felt for the source of the pain, and felt the earrings Nephrite had given her. She took them out, holding them in her hand. The tiny pink rosebuds were beautiful. Nephrite had wanted to tell her where he got them, but never had a chance. And Queen Serenity had been so intrigued by them. Makoto closed her hand over them, laying her head on her arms once more.
"Why does love have to hurt?" she cried.
She heard thunder overhead, and groaned at the thought of rain. Rain?
Makoto sat up, looking at the sky. The Moon never had storms. She had only heard thunder back on Earth. There was no clouds overhead, but another clap of thunder rolled around her.
"Some things cannot be explained so easily."
Makoto turned suddenly, startled by the soft voice that spoke behind her.
"Who are you?"
The girl that stood there smiled at her, but it was a sad smile. "My name is not important. In a short time, everything will change: My name, your name, our world."
"What are you talking about?" Makoto stood up, brushing away her tears. As she stood to her full height, she noticed that the girl stood no higher than her chest. "What do you mean everything is changing?"
"Like you. Your identity has changed in an instant."
Makoto stared down at the girl. Her violet eyes were vast, filled with a wisdom Makoto could not comprehend. Even though she was a child, she seemed much wiser. She wore a purple dress, and it lightly fluttered in the breeze.
"How do you know that?" Makoto whispered.
"I know many things."
"You wouldn't know who I am."
"Yes, I do."
Makoto's eyes widened. "Who am I then?" Makoto turned and sat on the bench. "Nobody in there knows who I am," she said, nodding towards the castle. "I don't even know what my real name is."
Overhead, the thunder rolled again, and the girl was standing right next to Makoto. With Makoto sitting, she could see right into her eyes. Makoto couldn't tear her eyes away from the girl with violet eyes. The thunder grew louder, but Makoto did not want to run. This girl proclaimed she knew who Makoto was, and she wanted to hear what she had to say.
"Who am I?"
The girl looked down at Makoto's clenched hand, and tenderly touched it. Makoto opened it, and gasped. The earrings had blossomed, not buds anymore. They were now full pink roses, shining in the light. "How?"
"These are an heirloom of the Jupiter royal family. They are a sign of nobility--of a princess."
Makoto tried to speak, but she could find no words. A princess?
The girl touched Makoto's forehead, and Makoto saw a symbol appear on the girl's forehead, resembling a shining purple 'h.' She could feel her own forehead grow warm, and a strange sensation overcame her.
"Awaken, daughter of Jupiter!"
Jadeite searched around the ballroom, looking for his prince. He knew that sooner or later Endymion must be informed of Nephrite and Makoto. Jadeite had wanted to tell him later, seeing that the prince was indulging himself in the company of the moon princess, but the moment came sooner than he desired.
Nephrite had disappeared.
Rei and Minako walked down the hallway in silence, each debating what to say. They didn't want to gossip, but eventually, the silence broke.
"Correct me if I'm wrong," Rei said, "but I can't believe what General Nephrite did to Lady Makoto."
Minako nodded. "Yes, I agree that the general should have told her the truth before they got involved, but I can understand why he hid the truth from her."
"It makes you think back about your past, doesn't it, Minako?" Rei stopped and watched her friend. She was wiping a tear away from her blue eyes. "But he was doing it to protect you, not to hurt you."
"Just like Nephrite was protecting Makoto." Minako wiped her hand on her dress. "That's why I sympathize with them."
"That's all right. I know how you feel." Rei looked up into the sky. "I have one of those pasts too." She peered at the dim light of Mars, almost hidden by the dark clouds overhead. "Where did this storm come from?"
Minako cocked her head, staring at Rei. "I didn't notice it approach. There's nothing evil about it."
A sudden strike of lightning startled them both. After the bright white light faded, they noticed a bright green light emitting from the garden. They looked at each other and nodded, both racing towards the source.
"What are you doing to me?" Makoto gasped, her chest heavy with a strong force she could not identify. Her body was surrounded by a light—no, she was causing the light. Her body felt warm all over, and a sudden power flowed through, like an electric charge. Her forehead suddenly felt hot, and she fell to her knees.
"Look, your identity is revealed."
The girl pointed towards a nearby fountain, and Makoto crawled over to it. Her body was still tingling all over, and her forehead was burning. As she peered over into the water, she jumped back suddenly. Slowly, Makoto gazed back into the water. A bright green symbol shone on her forehead, similar to an elaborate four. Makoto turned back to the small girl, but she had disappeared.
"Lady Makoto, are you all right?"
She heard Princess Minako's voice, but before she could turn around, the Venusian princess touched her shoulder.
"Ouch!" Minako cried, pulling her hand back. A sudden shock had been sent through her hand and up her arm. "What's wrong, Lady Makoto?"
Makoto turned towards her, and she saw Princess Rei was with her as well. Both of the women stared at her, eyes wide and mouths ajar.
"It can't be..."
"Mako-chan! Wait up!"
Makoto turned to see her princess running towards her. "Serenity, you should be waiting with your mother in the grand hall."
"I just can't wait to see Endymion. They haven't been here in so long..." Serenity saw the look upon her friend's face. "I'm sorry, Makoto. But maybe he'll be here this time?"
"He hasn't been here in over a year, I don't expect to see him this time."
"But it's my eighteenth birthday, and Endymion said he was bringing all of his guards." Before Serenity waited for a reply, she ran ahead of Makoto to meet her prince who had just arrived.
Makoto stopped and watched from a distance. She had not seen Nephrite in almost two years, when she had discovered that they were not related. That same evening, she had awakened as Sailor Jupiter, the princess of Jupiter. Queen Serenity took her in, and Makoto had immediately progressed in training. Endymion and his guards continued to visit, but Nephrite always stayed on earth when they did. The other princesses had become very friendly with the generals, and Makoto envied them.
"Makoto!" Serenity called out, waving her arms. Makoto smiled at how childish this young woman still was. "Makoto, he's here!"
Makoto's heart stopped suddenly. He was here.
She watched the group come towards her, her heart suddenly working again, beating faster. She could see his curly dark hair coming over the hill, and she couldn't make up her mind to go to him or stay. Makoto could not block out her love for him, but she was still injured by his deceit.
He came closer to her, and Makoto opened her mouth to say hello. However, no words would come, for she sensed something strange about him. As he approached, he made no eye contact and walked right by her. The others stopped short, staring at her and Nephrite.
As he walked away and into the palace, Makoto felt the tears fall from her face. "Something is different about him."
Jadeite nodded. "He hasn't been the same since the night of the masque. We found him back on earth, and he's been very odd since then. He's not his usual self."
"We were hoping that being around you would bring him to his old self," Endymion added.
"I don't think we'll ever be the same," Makoto said, turning towards the palace. Everyone around her stood quietly, as thunder rolled quietly in the background.
((To be continued in the next part))
((AN: I still have to laugh over my friend's reaction years ago when she read this chapter: "KNOCK ON THE DAMN DOOR!"))