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Author's Note: Sailor Moon still isn't mine *sigh*, but I can hope, right? *laughs* I hope you guys enjoy the next chapter! I'd like to especially thank *KIWI* whose constant feedback I just adore! Thanks! Enjoy!! There'll be more soon!
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Serenity cast a doubtful look in the shop's window where they displayed a vibrant painting of a blood red flower with a dark green stem; she had never seen such a flower before; nothing like that grew anywhere in the snow. Some trees managed to produce something of a flower in the summer months, but the continuous snow and biting cold made it nearly impossible to have anything close to the plant the picture portrayed. Her blue eyes seemed stuck to the painting, though, and for the past ten minutes, Serenity had done nothing but stare at it.
"'Tis a fine piece of work, isn't it, little Serenity?" a older man murmured as he came to stand beside the entranced female. "Never seen one myself, of course. I've never left the north, much less this town. You brother's medicine is ready. The apothecary is holding it for you, but asked that I come by to remind you of it. They close soon. You should be heading home, anyway, if you want to avoid the tavern rush."
Serenity nodded absently to the hunched man. Lord Feriu was a minor noble who assisted her father with the manor's finances. She had never known him well, but felt comfortable in his presence. "Thank you. I will see to that now. I've wasted enough time here," she curved her head in a small bow and moved towards the apothecary across the street.
The sharp sound of horses hooves crunching against the icy snow brought her head up from the ground. Leaping back to the sidewalk where she had stood only moments before, Serenity just missed being trampled by the first speeding gelding. Her eyes narrowed into angry slits as the rider of the creature did not turn or slow his horse. Pushing herself from the ground, Serenity's fist clamped a ball of snow into a quickly formed ball of ice and released. Her eyes widened as she realized what she had done. The snowball landed squarely on the back of the cloaked rider's head with a loud thump that even she could hear from the relatively large distance separating them. Lord Feriu's mouth moved without any audible sounds coming forward, and Serenity did not take the time to hear his words. She snatched her basket from the ground and took off for the apothecary.
Endymion seized his horses reigns and grabbed at the back of his head to see what had hit him with such force. Removing clumps of ice and snow from the weave of his cloak, Endymion spun his gelding to face down the street. No one was looking in his direction, each person behaving as though nothing out-of-place had occurred. He was concentrating so intently on the throb in the back of his head that he did not hear Zoicite's laughter until Nephrite added his less-silent chortle.
"Why are you laughing? I could have been hurt."
"By a snowball? We have more faith in you than that, Endymion," Jedeite chided, fighting to keep the smile from his face. "What did you expect? You nearly plowed the small thing over."
"Small thing? What small thing? Nothing 'small' could have thrown that iceball, Jedeite," Endymion muttered before returning his cold eyes to the road they had intended to travel. "The office is not far from here. Whoever that child was has disappeared anyway."
Zoicite snorted laughter, but nodded her agreement. Endymion raised a single eyebrow and narrowed his spark-filled blue eyes. The female general returned his glare; however, she heeled her horse towards the enlistment office for soldiers wishing to join the northern forces. Kunzite followed her closely, his silvery hair flowing from the corners of his black cloak.
"You may wish to be more careful, Endymion. You don't need to make enemies in a town we have only just come to," Jedeite commented quietly.
Endymion considered him and finally looked towards Zoicite and Kunzite.
"I'm sorry. I suppose that I'm just tired. It's been a long trip," he admitted as his horse moved forward.
Nephrite laughed with good-natured humour. "You're not tired, Endymion. You're just being yourself. Try to lighten up a little. Maybe smile more or something? Don't take life to seriously either way, my friend, it all ends the same way in the end, right?"
"Right. . . ," Endymion's horse surged beneath him and plunged down the street.
Serenity watched from the window as the bay gelding began to run on the icy street again. Her face was hot with anger, although she could not directly place its source. For now, however, she could excuse her anger as a response to the horse's treatment; it could very easily break a leg by running on the uneven ground. The apothecary was warm making the layers of clothing she wore uncomfortable and awkward.
"Here you are, Serenity. Master Shingo should use these as he did his last prescription. I've changed their potency, however. I thought, considering the recent developments in his health, that the stronger pills would be a wise decision," the alchemist handed her a small brown bag from over the solid oak counter. "Send him my best wishes, will you? I do hope that he has a speedy recovery from here on in."
"So do I," Serenity nodded. She bowed slightly before leaving the shop. The cold air outside hit her roughly; the cold air a sharp and cruel contrast to the enveloping heat within the apothecary. Tucking the brown bag inside of her cloak, she set out to find her father.
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Lord Tsuniko had been waiting in the stables as the messenger had instructed for nearly two hours. Aside from the random stable-hand, his only company remained the horses and other barn animals. He had never been a man to mind the cold, but tardiness was high on his list of annoyances. The sound of approaching horses relieved a weight that he had not been aware of holding. The 'soldiers' the messenger had spoke of did exist.
Lord Tsuniko moved into the center of the stable to better see the approaching group. As soon as he had counted five forms among the mass, he moved outside infront of the stable doors. The five horses were pulled up, and each rider dismounted. Lord Tsuniko frowned upon seeing that one of them was a female; a female with a rather large and threatening sword. He dipped his head in greeting and motioned to himself with a gloved hand.
"My name is Lord Haroko Tsuniko, and I have come to offer you a place in my manor until you are able to find a suitable accommodation," the lord began, eyeing each soldier carefully as he spoke to judge their reactions. "I must admit that I do not normally offer strangers a place in my home; however, I have noticed that you are soldiers--I saw you enter the enlistment office and come out bearing papers of assignment--and being that I was also one once, I have come to trust people of your standing. I have need of assistance on my manor with fall and winter coming shortly. My only son has been ill this past year and is unable to help me as he should. In exchange for your work, I will provide food and shelter for you all."
"So, in truth, you wish to have us stay at your manor as hired help?" Zoicite asked curtly.
Lord Tsuniko raised his hands. "No, no. It is not to that degree. I simply will need help with small chores that my daughters cannot do, like cut firewood. I would be most grateful if you would accept my offer."
Endymion cast a doubtful look at the noble. There was something in his manner that distressed the younger man. Not to mention that the proposal itself was questionable. Yet something inside of him said to go to the manor and stay there, if only for a short duration. Endymion found himself nodding. "We will accept your offer, Lord Tsuniko, and with much thanks to you for your kind gesture."
The older man smiled briefly before motioning to their horses. "We may as well leave now, then. My manor is a fair distance from town, and I do not see cause to delay the trip. My daughter is late, anyway. She knows her way home, though."
Endymion nodded as though he was not actually listening to the older man speak; his eyes held a far-off look as he gazed into the beds of snow in the bleak distance. The four generals remounted and Endymion followed suit. Lord Tsuniko was quick in preparing his own horse and it did not take long for the group to set out.
Serenity reached the stable in time to see her father on his horse leading a group of five in the direction of their home. Her blood boiled hot as she saw the same bay gelding and rider. Her hands clenched into acrimonious fists and would have continued to tense had the basket's handle not bit into her wound from the barbed wire fence. Crying out in pain, Serenity dropped the basket and pulled the glove from her hand. Yet again, the angry, red slash was covered in blood. Looking up from the wound, she caught sight of the unknown rider's cloak before it disappeared over a snowy crest. In her mind, it somehow made sense to blame him for her pain.
So she did.
Author's Note: Sailor Moon still isn't mine *sigh*, but I can hope, right? *laughs* I hope you guys enjoy the next chapter! I'd like to especially thank *KIWI* whose constant feedback I just adore! Thanks! Enjoy!! There'll be more soon!
**************************************************************************** **********
Serenity cast a doubtful look in the shop's window where they displayed a vibrant painting of a blood red flower with a dark green stem; she had never seen such a flower before; nothing like that grew anywhere in the snow. Some trees managed to produce something of a flower in the summer months, but the continuous snow and biting cold made it nearly impossible to have anything close to the plant the picture portrayed. Her blue eyes seemed stuck to the painting, though, and for the past ten minutes, Serenity had done nothing but stare at it.
"'Tis a fine piece of work, isn't it, little Serenity?" a older man murmured as he came to stand beside the entranced female. "Never seen one myself, of course. I've never left the north, much less this town. You brother's medicine is ready. The apothecary is holding it for you, but asked that I come by to remind you of it. They close soon. You should be heading home, anyway, if you want to avoid the tavern rush."
Serenity nodded absently to the hunched man. Lord Feriu was a minor noble who assisted her father with the manor's finances. She had never known him well, but felt comfortable in his presence. "Thank you. I will see to that now. I've wasted enough time here," she curved her head in a small bow and moved towards the apothecary across the street.
The sharp sound of horses hooves crunching against the icy snow brought her head up from the ground. Leaping back to the sidewalk where she had stood only moments before, Serenity just missed being trampled by the first speeding gelding. Her eyes narrowed into angry slits as the rider of the creature did not turn or slow his horse. Pushing herself from the ground, Serenity's fist clamped a ball of snow into a quickly formed ball of ice and released. Her eyes widened as she realized what she had done. The snowball landed squarely on the back of the cloaked rider's head with a loud thump that even she could hear from the relatively large distance separating them. Lord Feriu's mouth moved without any audible sounds coming forward, and Serenity did not take the time to hear his words. She snatched her basket from the ground and took off for the apothecary.
Endymion seized his horses reigns and grabbed at the back of his head to see what had hit him with such force. Removing clumps of ice and snow from the weave of his cloak, Endymion spun his gelding to face down the street. No one was looking in his direction, each person behaving as though nothing out-of-place had occurred. He was concentrating so intently on the throb in the back of his head that he did not hear Zoicite's laughter until Nephrite added his less-silent chortle.
"Why are you laughing? I could have been hurt."
"By a snowball? We have more faith in you than that, Endymion," Jedeite chided, fighting to keep the smile from his face. "What did you expect? You nearly plowed the small thing over."
"Small thing? What small thing? Nothing 'small' could have thrown that iceball, Jedeite," Endymion muttered before returning his cold eyes to the road they had intended to travel. "The office is not far from here. Whoever that child was has disappeared anyway."
Zoicite snorted laughter, but nodded her agreement. Endymion raised a single eyebrow and narrowed his spark-filled blue eyes. The female general returned his glare; however, she heeled her horse towards the enlistment office for soldiers wishing to join the northern forces. Kunzite followed her closely, his silvery hair flowing from the corners of his black cloak.
"You may wish to be more careful, Endymion. You don't need to make enemies in a town we have only just come to," Jedeite commented quietly.
Endymion considered him and finally looked towards Zoicite and Kunzite.
"I'm sorry. I suppose that I'm just tired. It's been a long trip," he admitted as his horse moved forward.
Nephrite laughed with good-natured humour. "You're not tired, Endymion. You're just being yourself. Try to lighten up a little. Maybe smile more or something? Don't take life to seriously either way, my friend, it all ends the same way in the end, right?"
"Right. . . ," Endymion's horse surged beneath him and plunged down the street.
Serenity watched from the window as the bay gelding began to run on the icy street again. Her face was hot with anger, although she could not directly place its source. For now, however, she could excuse her anger as a response to the horse's treatment; it could very easily break a leg by running on the uneven ground. The apothecary was warm making the layers of clothing she wore uncomfortable and awkward.
"Here you are, Serenity. Master Shingo should use these as he did his last prescription. I've changed their potency, however. I thought, considering the recent developments in his health, that the stronger pills would be a wise decision," the alchemist handed her a small brown bag from over the solid oak counter. "Send him my best wishes, will you? I do hope that he has a speedy recovery from here on in."
"So do I," Serenity nodded. She bowed slightly before leaving the shop. The cold air outside hit her roughly; the cold air a sharp and cruel contrast to the enveloping heat within the apothecary. Tucking the brown bag inside of her cloak, she set out to find her father.
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Lord Tsuniko had been waiting in the stables as the messenger had instructed for nearly two hours. Aside from the random stable-hand, his only company remained the horses and other barn animals. He had never been a man to mind the cold, but tardiness was high on his list of annoyances. The sound of approaching horses relieved a weight that he had not been aware of holding. The 'soldiers' the messenger had spoke of did exist.
Lord Tsuniko moved into the center of the stable to better see the approaching group. As soon as he had counted five forms among the mass, he moved outside infront of the stable doors. The five horses were pulled up, and each rider dismounted. Lord Tsuniko frowned upon seeing that one of them was a female; a female with a rather large and threatening sword. He dipped his head in greeting and motioned to himself with a gloved hand.
"My name is Lord Haroko Tsuniko, and I have come to offer you a place in my manor until you are able to find a suitable accommodation," the lord began, eyeing each soldier carefully as he spoke to judge their reactions. "I must admit that I do not normally offer strangers a place in my home; however, I have noticed that you are soldiers--I saw you enter the enlistment office and come out bearing papers of assignment--and being that I was also one once, I have come to trust people of your standing. I have need of assistance on my manor with fall and winter coming shortly. My only son has been ill this past year and is unable to help me as he should. In exchange for your work, I will provide food and shelter for you all."
"So, in truth, you wish to have us stay at your manor as hired help?" Zoicite asked curtly.
Lord Tsuniko raised his hands. "No, no. It is not to that degree. I simply will need help with small chores that my daughters cannot do, like cut firewood. I would be most grateful if you would accept my offer."
Endymion cast a doubtful look at the noble. There was something in his manner that distressed the younger man. Not to mention that the proposal itself was questionable. Yet something inside of him said to go to the manor and stay there, if only for a short duration. Endymion found himself nodding. "We will accept your offer, Lord Tsuniko, and with much thanks to you for your kind gesture."
The older man smiled briefly before motioning to their horses. "We may as well leave now, then. My manor is a fair distance from town, and I do not see cause to delay the trip. My daughter is late, anyway. She knows her way home, though."
Endymion nodded as though he was not actually listening to the older man speak; his eyes held a far-off look as he gazed into the beds of snow in the bleak distance. The four generals remounted and Endymion followed suit. Lord Tsuniko was quick in preparing his own horse and it did not take long for the group to set out.
Serenity reached the stable in time to see her father on his horse leading a group of five in the direction of their home. Her blood boiled hot as she saw the same bay gelding and rider. Her hands clenched into acrimonious fists and would have continued to tense had the basket's handle not bit into her wound from the barbed wire fence. Crying out in pain, Serenity dropped the basket and pulled the glove from her hand. Yet again, the angry, red slash was covered in blood. Looking up from the wound, she caught sight of the unknown rider's cloak before it disappeared over a snowy crest. In her mind, it somehow made sense to blame him for her pain.
So she did.