Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon.
:IMPORTANT NOTE: I've decided that the story will be about 19 chapters long and perhaps an epilogue. The end comes soon my little chickies.
---------------
Luna sat near the door, tapping her foot to some unheard tune, eagle watching the patrons of her pub for any trickery or malicious movements. There were two things Luna hated seeing happening in her pub-a bar brawl and someone getting away with eating/drinking and running. No one had gotten pass her swift eyes yet, as Artemis so liked to boost to their daughter and the patrons.
She barely bat an eye when the dark cloaked figure entered. "He's at the bar." she said quietly. The figure nodded and passed.
Kunzite sipped his beer and nodded as Artemis passed by. He watched the cowled figure sit down next to him and lifted their hand, ordering a drink. When they had their drink, the figure turned to him. "We've come into some information about the second crown prince and the Head Wife Prisma." he said in undertone.
"Indeed?" murmured the figure before taking a drink.
"It seems there is an affair going on."
"The Skeit will not be pleased."
"We've offered Amity if they agree to help us." Kunzite murmured. The figure turned, curious.
"And?"
"They've accepted-both of them."
The figure nodded. "Ahh, good, this will make things easier-and he'll be pleased." he murmured. "And so have they given us any information?"
"Yes, both are very helpful."
"Good." chuckled the figure. "Such good news-who found out about them anyway?"
"One of ours-happened quite by accident." sighed Kunzite with a bit of a grin on his face. He blinked and to the figure. "I shall be leaving then."
"Pleasent tidings then, Kunzite."
"And to you, Mamoru."
---------------
Rei growled as she flipped over the last card. "Damn!" she hissed in undertone. Jadeite blinked and looked over the edge of his thick book. He watched as his wife scooped up the cards, cursing all the while, and put them back the slot of the false book. She slammed the book back onto the shelf, stomped over to the bed, and flung herself down.
"Nothing again?" he asked, reaching over to rub her back. She huffed into the sheets and nodded.
"I even tried a fire reading and not even that could tell me anything!"
Jadeite's widened and his frown deepened. "That's...what could block even the fire?"
"I don't know." she huffed. He bite his lower lip and thought carefully.
"Maybe I should stay here..."
Rei blinked and looked up.
"The caravan will be gone nearly a month...if there's any trouble I should be here."
"No!" she snapped sitting up. "It's important that you get to Encarnación! We'll need all the help we can get if this revolution is to work and Encarnación has the highest number of Zojotentian Rider and their allies-you have to go."
He sat there and stared down at his wife. "You still don't want me go after all that you said."
She flushed but rolled her eyes at him. "You're my husband-what woman in the world wants her beloved husband to leave?"
"..."
She flushed hotly and buried her face in the sheets. Damn pregnancy hormones!
Jadeite gave her a wide sly grin. "Beloved, huh?"
"Oh, shut up!" she moaned as he laughed at her.
---------------
Usagi stood at the door to the room watching Lady Galaxia reading her book. On the other side of her, the four sisters-Catzy, Bertie, Prisma, and Avery all sat tinkering about with pots of rogue. The Ladies Metallia and Beryl were somewhere else, probably off gossiping. Usagi didn't have high opinions of either of them though she did find that she got on well enough with the five other Head Wives. She found herself wondering if she would still be here, being a spy and a maid, by the time Diamond married Minako. Then she would have another friendly face.
She blinked and turned her head as the door beside her opened. She nearly squeaked as Diamond walked through the doors. It's alright-they're his wives, right? Right! He's just here to see them!
He greeted his wives then glanced over his shoulder and saw her standing there. He give her a sly smile.
...Or maybe not...
She stiffened and fought the urge to run right out of the room and race out to the stables and hide behind Mamoru's back no matter how much he teased her. Usagi smile twitched and she wanted nothing more than to take her chances and go with the idea-at least Mamoru didn't leer at her like he wanted her for a bed warmer!
She stayed still as she listened to the Skeit and his wives as they greeted each other. She lifted a brow as he greeted all of them cordially-except Galaxia. Hmm, another little tidbit for Kunzite! she thought watching him ignore her and her him.
Catzy looked up at her and flashed her a pretty smile. "My dear, darling, go fetch us some tea."
Usagi nodded. "As you wish, my lady." She turned to leave but came up short. "Oh." she gasped softly before she could stop herself. ...Mamoru?
The man in the door had a striking resemblance to Mamoru; he had the same slanted blue eyes and midnight black hair. He was wearing a black tunic and navy blue leggings with a red cloak pinned to his shoulders and black boots. For a dizzying moment she pondered why he wasn't wearing his headdress and riding garb-but this wasn't her Mamoru, wasn't her Mamo-chan, and she didn't know him.
"Ah, Endymion, come to join us?" asked Diamond like silk over steel and it snapped her out of her stupor.
Endymion? This was Endymion? she wondered in half awe.
Endymion fixed his gaze on her and she felt her knees went watery. Oh, what was going on? When did her world suddenly turned topsy turvy? He blinked and opened his mouth to speak. When he did it was Mamoru's voice spilling out. "I've come to speak with you on some personal matters."
"Ah, dear brother, now's not the time for that! Come and join us, you've barely been home a day-"
"Actually, he's been here three." grumbled Galaxia. Usagi blinked at her. She caught Usagi's stare, colored, and turned back to her book smoothly.
Usagi shook her head, bowed to Endymion murmuring "Milord," before slipping out of the door and down the halls.
Endymion turned his head slightly and watched as she raced on, thinking quietly to himself. ...that couldn't be her...could it?
---------------
Mamoru took a deep swig of his ale and bit deep into his warm, crusty bread. Motoki, who was a personal friend of Mamoru's for nearly seven years and a fellow groom here at the royal stables, was sitting next to him with an amused look on his face. Alan, who happened to Usagi's friend Ann's fiance, blinked owlishly forgetting his stew. Asanuma Ittou, the new person of the group ignored them and inhaled his food. Urawa shrugged and sighed.
"So, Mamoru," started Motoki. "Hungry a little?"
"Mmmhmm," he murmured. Motoki shook his head at him.
"You always do this-go on rides come back starving. What are you-"
Mamoru glared at his bread. "Does the food smell odd to you?"
Alan blinked. "My food's fine."
"It's great!" huffed Asanuma.
Mamoru shrugged and went back to his food.
---------------
Usagi's feet stamped out a tattoo as she ran along carry the tea service on a tray. She carefully tried to maintain her balance as she hurried back to the room carrying the tray. She squeaked when a body stepped in front of her way. She dropped the tray and squeaked louder when she saw who was. "M-m-milord!" gasped Usagi as she took a hesitant step back away from the Skeit.
He gave her a lazy, lustful smile and stepped up to her. "Now, now, no need to be shy..."
"Milo-!"
"Hush." he grinned and pinned into a niche. She mewled angrily as his pressed forcefully against her lips. He pulled back with a amused grin and pressed back against her even as she tried to shove him away. "Don't be so temperamental, sweetheart..."
"I-" she gasped, "am not your sweetheart, no matter-"
"Ahem."
Usagi shot a terrified glance beneath the Skeit's arm-he was a good deal taller than her-and saw Galaxia glaring at her husband. Diamond glared at her, upset at being interrupted.
"Milord." clipped Galaxia. "I need to borrow my maid."
Dizzingly, Usagi remembering her saying that she was all of their maid such short while ago-yesterday? But she didn't fight her as Galaxia pulled her away and followed like a woman in a trance. Belatedly, she realized that Galaxia was talking.
"Disgusting son of a whore!"
Well at least she wasn't talking about her.
"Right there! In the middle of the blasted hallway!" she growled. "No sense of propriety!" She glanced back at her. "So tell me...is there someone you can go to to stay with for the night?"
She was asking her a question. Better answer. Usagi twisted her face up in thought. Suddenly a pair of blue eyes flashed through her eyes and she knew where she wanted to be-there may be a chance he wasn't there but please...oh, Selene and her archer, please let him be there. She nodded her head and began to pick up space. She didn't even realize that she was walking even with Galaxia, who raised a brow at her, but didn't speak.
Usagi finally reached the edge of the palace. "There." she said, staring at the stables which windows spilled warm golden candle light. She looked back and nodded at her mistress-she couldn't follow her any longer. "Good bye..." Thank you hung unsaid in the air but Galaxia nodded and she thought she meant yes to both of them and she pulled back into the palace.
Usagi raced out to the stables, and tossed open the doors without bothering to knock. Urawa jumped when he saw her. "Usagi!" he gasped. "What are you doing here!"
Usagi looked up at him and blinked as if she had just realized where she was. "Ahh...is Mamo-chan here?"
Urawa blinked. "He wasn't feeling well...he's laying down...Motoki and Alan's gone to Nephlite...oi! Usagi! Don't go up there!" he shouted as she raced up the ladder. Urawa yelped and tried to follow her up-he knew where she was heading. "Usagi! He isn't decent! Usagi!"
Too late now; she had raced past Asanuma and was now kneeling next to Mamoru's side. "Mamo-chan! Mamo-chan, are you alright?"
Asanuma nearly choked at the girl's nick name for him and goggled as Mamoru opened his eyes a crack and grinned at her weakly. "Ah...Usa-Usako...what are you...doing here?"
"Mamo-chan, what's wrong?" she asked and he groaned. "Mamo-chan?" He fell limply on the bed. "Mamo-chan! Mamo-chan!"
Wai, two chapters in two days. Don't know what got into me.
It's been decided. Only 19 chapters. 20 with an epilogue. Ciao.
searchingformydarien-Yes, it's sad but hey! They may just make this through in one piece. XD I still like that pen name.
daisy31-Heh, the end is soon. Only three chapters after this...and that epilogue.
AmberJupiter-Heh, your kind review helped me write this chapter quickly. Love you!
KeraJeir-Heh, it was fun to write! Update is up now!
Samantha-Review #1: Heh, read my email. Love you!
Review #2: Ask me in an email or ask in a review on what confuses you.
serenity3571-Who's to say that he hasn't been in it all the time? (laughs) No, no. He's busy enough-he can't spy I'm afraid.
Serene Amethyst-The Hindu Gods are mentioned because they are the deities to Minako's people. I was readying a story with Hindu believers and I wanted to incorporate them some how-that's why Minako prays to Hindu Gods.
Starlit Warrior-New chapter up now!
Friends1004-Heh, Chibi Lady's fine. (gets glared at by muse) ...well, she will be sooner or later.
Laura-Thank you. New is now.