Chapter 1 - Pieces of the Puzzle

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A girl of five skipped down one of the many corridors of the Silver Palace, ignoring almost everything around her. All that was on her mind was reaching the gardens so she could play. Serenity had early on become an expert at weaving through the many servants and maids. She would be slipping by so fast that if she were to hit someone, it would be a complete disaster.

Over the course of Serenity's five years of life she had become known and loved by every single person in the palace. The few that were actually able to glimpse her speeding form would wave and say a short friendly greeting to her. In return she would flash them a smile but there was no time for anything more. Serenity was everyone's family in the palace and she always would be.

Finally reaching the wide-open doorway, Serenity bounced through it gleefully. The gardens had to be her favourite place there. Everything was vibrantly colored and well kept. All around the edges were large cherry blossom trees', and right now, they were in full bloom, adding their own color to the extravagant display. Directly in the center of the garden was an enormous willow tree, its branches nearly touching the ground in a large circle all around the tree. When one pushed aside the branches, it was like entering your own little world. The branches reached out a total of eight feet on all sides. The ground was covered in a lush green grass all around, it was the kind of grass that you could lay on forever without it making you itch or scratching at you.

In random areas around the edge with the Cherry Blossom Tree's was an assortment of bushes, vines, and flowers. They went from large lilac bushes to blooming rose bushes. Vines crawled along the garden wall and gave it that feeling of always having been there. Snapdragons and Pansies could be found in multiple places as well as Indian Paintbrushes. Giant sunflowers added their vibrant yellow to the colors and it was always appreciated. Numbers upon numbers of numbers of unnameable plants conquered the scene, giving it a mystical feeling.

Serenity made her way across the field of grass toward the willow. She loved it there, because most of the time people didn't even realize where she had disappeared to. Pushing aside the branches revealed a small play land to her. With a giggle, she was running around inside, her hand outstretched to swish the branches all around the tree.

Serenity let herself fall down onto the grass after a while, panting for breath. She truly did love it here, but no matter how much fun she was having, she wished she at least had one friend to share it with. Pouting to nobody, she lifted herself off the ground and made her way to the large trunk of the tree. Grabbing one of the branches to help lift herself off the ground, she continued this process as far as she could up the tree and simply sat there, practically hidden by the tree.

'Why wasn't there ever any children in the palace for her to play with?' Serenity thought stubbornly. It always got so lonely for her here. Why didn't her mother understand that she needed friends too... Serenity huffed and let out a sniffle, not knowing that she could be heard by another.

Taranis had been watching his daughter from the moment that she came out into the garden. She had apparently missed him, leaving him to watch her unnoticed. He approached the willow tree silently, listening to his daughter giggling and playing. All the sudden, the giggling stopped, and only the creaking of branches could be heard. Then that stopped as well, a faint sniffling could be heard from inside the willow. What could Serenity possibly be crying about? Was she hurt?

Taranis pushed aside the branches and entered the tiny haven, looking around for Serenity. His eyes went to the trunk and climbed up it slowly, looking for some sign she was there. His eyes snatched a view of a cream color within the brown and green. Moving his body so as to have a better view of the spot, Taranis finally had full view of his daughter's face.

"Serenity, my dear, what makes you cry on this day?" His voice was light and bouncy, as it always was when he spoke with her. This cheered her slightly, but not enough. Serenity lifted her head to look at her father down below. She wiped her nose and started to climb down hurriedly.

Taranis reached out and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her into a hug and setting her down in front of him. He knelt on the ground in front of her and smiled, waiting for her explanation.

"Daddy...it's just that..." Serenity paused for a moment, looking down at the ground. She took Taranis by surprise when she lunged at him and wrapped him in a hug before saying the rest. "I don't have any friends..." Her voice was slightly muffled as she spoke into his shoulder, but he heard her all the same.

"Nonsense Serenity, you have many friends, your mother and I, everyone in the palace loves you." Taranis gave her a tiny nudge and smiled at her.

"No Daddy...you know what I mean. Children..."Serenity's head lifted up of his shoulder and sniffed again, looking disappointed at her father.

Taranis looked at his daughter. He had known what she meant. He hitched up a smile once more and his hands inched forward as they always did when he was about to tickle her. "We'll just have to fix that then, won't we?" And with that, he pounced on Serenity, tickling her like mad. It always made him smile to hear Serenity laughing.

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Later that day Taranis was slowly making his way down the hall toward his own bed chambers. It was there that Selenity would be found, or so he had been told. Taranis came upon the large double doors that would lead him into the antechamber of the apartments. With a sigh, his hand lifted to push the door open. He entered silently and scanned the room for Selenity, but did not find her. Moving into the other rooms, he looked through each one and did not find her.

Of course, she would be on the balcony, as usual. He entered the large bed chamber and looked to the glass paneled doors. Outside on the balcony stood a silent Selenity, lost in thought. Taranis opened the doors and stepped outside. Selenity had been brought out of her reverie by the sound and turned to look upon her husband. She returned to gazing out across the courtyard below, noticing out of the corner of her eyes, Taranis come up next to her. He turned to face her, herself doing the same. He brought her into a sweet embrace and kissed her lightly on the lips.

"Our daughter is in need of some friends her own age Selenity." Taranis stated simply, waiting for his wife's response.

Selenity nodded slowly, wondering what had spurred him to bring this up. She had known for a while now that Serenity was in dire need of children her own age to keep her company. Serenity needed friends.

"I know Taranis, and I'm glad you have brought this up. What say we send to the Inner Planets and invite their daughters to school with us here?" Selenity had only just come up with the idea, and it seemed brilliant. The Inner Planets would be honoured to have their daughters learn in the Moon Kingdom. There was only a slim chance that they would refuse. Why hadn't she thought of this before, Selenity wondered with a smile.

Taranis nodded and smiled back, "I think it's a wonderful idea, love. I will send messengers straightaway. It's high time Serenity started schooling anyway."

Taranis embraced his wife once more before turning to find the messengers and send them off. In the halls, Taranis stopped one of the maids and requested for her to bring the appropriate messengers the Small Atrium, and head there himself.

Taranis waited impatiently for the four messengers, tapping his fingers on his belt. He stood erect, on a small dais off to the side of the room. His thumbs were tucked into his belt, giving him a relaxed look, though he always was able to give off an air of command.

After another few minutes, the same maid entered, leading a group of three women and one man. The maid bowed and then turned to amble her way out, closing the doors behind her. The four messengers also made their bows and stood before the King, awaiting their orders.

Taranis smiled at them all before speaking. All were familiar faces that he had grown up with. The King was rewarded with smiled from them all in return. "Good day Llyr, Aine, Daghda, Néit. I have a message that I wish for you all to take to the Lords of your respectful planets." Taranis reached behind him, tucked in his belt were four different letters, all sealed with the Silver Crest. He handed one to each individual and nodded. "Please return with a reply from each of them. And thank you."

The foursome nodded and turned on their heel to exit. Each was already on their way to deliver the message.

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Taranis paced the room anxiously, watched by an equally anxious Selenity. The messengers had been sent the days previously and were expected back anytime now. Selenity however, had to chuckle at her husbands pacing. He stopped and turned to face his wife, and started to chuckle as well. Though what they found amusing about the situation, neither could be completely sure.

The both of them were in the Small Atrium awaiting any news from the Inner Planets. Somehow they had found this extra time to make themselves available. Serenity still had no idea what the two were planning, and wouldn't find out until they actually arrived here.

Lucky for them, they had not been waiting long before the first messenger returned. It was Daghda who was announced first. She had been the messenger to Jupiter. Making her bows to the King and Queen, she approached them with a message in hand. She unrolled it to read the contents out to them.

'The Lord and Lady of Jupiter send their gratitude and have agreed to your invitation. Their daughter, Lita Kino, will arrive shortly with all of her belongings to stay with you for schooling.'

Selenity had already had four rooms made up in the permanent residency chambers. If these girls were to school here, then they would be living her for a long while yet. "Thank you Daghda, we appreciate your haste. When Lady Kino arrives, please arrange for her things to be placed in one of the rooms ready for her and send her here to us."

Daghda nodded and left the two in the room, going to greet the arriving girl.

Selenity and Taranis sighed, though they had been quite sure none would refuse, it was quite a relief to find out at least one would surely be coming, and soon. Again the couple sat waiting, but this time hardly as anxious as before. They could not wait all day, and each had different matters to attend to, so they told the guards outside the palace to send any messengers to the Small Atrium to await them.

All throughout the day, the remaining three messengers arrived as well as the girl Lita. Each of the messengers recited the Lord and Ladies reply saying that their daughter would be sent along at some time or another. One other was to arrive that day, her name being Minako Aino, the other girls would arrive in a few days time.

Selenity and Taranis were ecstatic. All of the girls would be coming, and Serenity would finally have people her own age around her. They had met and welcomed both girls who arrived that day and liked them already. They had also been shown their new apartments before letting them off to explore the Palace which they were both eager to do.

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Serenity had only just been informed that other girls were to be coming and staying at the palace, and she was doubled over with excitement. It wasn't until later that she actually found out that two of them were already here. She roamed the palace searching everywhere for the new girls but had no luck. Serenity sauntered off to the Dining Hall for today's lunch, thoroughly depressed, only to find that there were actually two extra settings. This brightened the small child up immediately and she sat at the table, fidgeting nervously. Her food was eaten within a matter of seconds, but she did not dare leave the table until she saw them. It was only minutes before a blonde haired girl came skipping into the room followed by another girl though this one considerably taller and with brown hair up in a ponytail.

The blonde girl was the first to notice Serenity and waved in greeting. She was wearing a summer dress that had an orange shade to it. Her eyes were blue, though darker than Serenity's own. In her hair was an overlarge red bow that made Serenity chuckle. Maybe one day she would grow into the bow, was the first thought to cross her mind. Serenity waved back, "Hi! I'm Serenity."

"I'm Minako, it's nice to meet you Princess Serenity." Minako curtsied quite well for a five year old, not dropping her manners for whom she now knew to be the Princess. The brown haired girl followed suit and curtsied as well.

"I'm Lita, it's nice to meet you as well Princess." The both of them took their seats at the table and looked around at all the food hungrily.

Serenity took this time to notice the other girl as well. Lita was wearing a summer dress as well, though hers in a shade of green. Her eyes were a green as well, though much darker than the dress. In her ears were some pink rose earrings that matched the color of her lips quite well. Serenity smiled at the both of them and spoke again.

"Please, just call me Serenity." The girls relaxed a bit and giggled together throughout the meal. It was the beginning of a friendship closer than any of them could imagine.

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Selenity watched from the archway to the gardens as the three girls were immersed in a frenzied game of tag with one another. Their dresses were effectively ruined by now with grass and dirt stains, more than likely a tear or two as well. A smile drifted across the Queens face as she watched her daughter run around, truly happy with her friends for the first time.

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Over the next three days, the other two girls arrived and were moved in completely.

Serenity, Minako, and Lita were all called to the courtyard to meet them. Two carriages were already parked out front. Men were unloading their things and already moving them to the appropriate apartments so they would be ready. Out of the first carriage came a small girl with a head full of raven black hair. Her dress was a fiery red that could not be mistaken in a crowd. She smiled at the three girls and skipped over rather foolishly to meet them. Her eyes were a brilliant shade of violet that any flower would be proud of. She curtsied to them, just to keep her manners, but introduced herself as well. "I'm Rei Hino," She looked at each of them in turn, "You must be Serenity, Lita, and Minako!"

The three girls giggled madly and pulled Rei in next to them. "Welcome to our group!" They all chimed together to a beaming Rei.

Out of the next carriage cam a girl with short blue hair and blue eyes to match. In fact, everything on her was blue. Her hair, her eyes, and her dress. In her hands was a book that she had obviously been reading. The other girls could hardly even read anything, but here she came already reading a book that large!

She seemed shy as she made her way over to the group of girls, her voice came out in a soft whisper as she curtsied. "Good day Princess Serenity, Lady Kino, Lady Aino, and Lady Hino. I'm Ami Mizuno."

Minako was the first to speak out, her voice booming compared to Ami's. "No need for formal introductions! We're all friends here, welcome to our group, Ami. I'm Minako, and they are Rei, Lita, and Serenity."

Ami lightened up considerably at the warm welcome and took her place next to all of the others. They all looked so nice, it wasn't going to be so bad after all. In fact, she thought she might have more fun here than she would have thought.

The five girls skipped merrily through the halls of the Palace, showing the newcomers practically everything to catch them up. Within days, the five of them were as close as anyone could possibly be and having the time of their life, strutting around the Palace as if they owned the world. Nobody disagreed with them, they all just smiled lovingly at the girls that had easily become everyone's daughters.

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"The girls should start their schooling soon. I mean...that's what we brought them here for is it not, Serenity?" Taranis grinned at his wife. He knew she didn't want Serenity to start schooling, for that would mean that she was growing up, and what mother wanted her child to grow up? And now, the other four girls had become just like daughters to her as well. It would be hard for her, but it had to be done.

"Yes Taranis, it is, but do they really have to start school so soon?" Selenity pleaded with him, looking ridiculous with that look on her face. She was not one to plead, and this just showed how motherly this situation had really become.

Taranis chuckled before replying softly, "Must I really answer that question, love? Of course they must start schooling now, we can't wait forever, and the sooner the better. You know this."

Selenity could not argue, she knew he was right. So she nodded her head, saddened only for a moment at the thought of her daughter, her baby, growing up.

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All the while on Earth was a boy of eight, skinny and rugged from lack of food. His name was Endymion. He lived with his mother in a small village somewhere outside the capital. Though he didn't look in very good shape, he had a smile plastered on his face, a sparkle in his cobalt blue eyes peeking out from beneath a mat of jet-black hair. His clothes were tattered and worn but they served their purpose well. Everyone in the market knew him by name and would always greet him as he went by, some giving him treats for being 'good'.

Endymion 'ruled the village' with his small group of four friends. They romped through the village every day, each looking just as tattered as the next. Just as the girls were family to the palace, these boys were family to the village. Everyone took care of them.

From every direction there could be a voice heard, saying hi to at least one of the boys. Every time someone greeted them, they would puff out their chests and strut for a few steps feeling mollified. But right now, they had 'important business' to attend to.

Endymion was undoubtably their leader, so when he spoke, they listened. "Kunzite and Zoisite, you two go that way," He pointed to his left, "Jadeite and Nephrite, you two go the other way." He pointed to his right. "I'll go forward and take 'em from the front." They all nodded seriously as if taking orders from a commander.

Endymion watched as the four boys scampered of and turned around, heading down his own assigned way. He smirked and muttered to himself. "They'll learn not to mess with us anymore." He of course meant the city kids from the capital that thought they could come down here and throw them out. No way that was happening.

There were constantly these little wars between the village kids and the city kids. Sometimes they won, sometimes they lost, but the village kids were tough and never let down their guard. The village had yet to be overruled by city rats.

Endymion picked up his speed after grabbing the bucket of water from the spot he had hidden it earlier. The city rats always stayed in a group, and that was their folly. Each of the boys had their own bucket of water that they would pour in the city rats path. It was an ingenious plan, making the road muddy and watching them slip in it. And better yet, they could pick up the mud and throw it at them.

An extra bounce was added to Endy's step, it wasn't their best plan ever, but it was certainly a good one.

Endy approached the square cautiously, careful not to be seen by the city rats who were slowly ambling his way. He spotted the others coming from streets to the left and right, each with his own bucket in hand. Endy signaled to them silently. All of the sudden, five boys burst into the city rats sight. They had no time to react to them before the water was poured everywhere. One by one the city rats would start after Endy or the others, and each time they would slip into the mud with a horrid squelch.

The five boys burst out into fits of raucous laughter and picked up handfuls of the precious mud to hurl. The city rats finally caught on and started flinging mud back, but most of it was dodged as the village boys were not stuck in the slippery mud. When the city rats were thoroughly soaked from head to toe with mud, and then some, the village boys waltzed off down the street, leaving the angry city rats behind.

"Well that was a productive day!" Jadeite jumped up and down in front of the other four, still full of adrenaline from the mud fight. The rest were just as excited, but didn't jump up and down with Jadeite. Instead they picked off the little mud that had attached itself to their clothing.

The sun was starting to set, and they were all expected home by dark. The five said their goodbye's to one another, each heading off in a different direction to their houses. Endymion took a left after leaving the boys and skipped down the street happily. It was strange though, lately it felt like, no matter how close he and his friends were, it felt as if there was more that was needed, like there was still half the puzzle to complete. Endy had been feeling this for a while, but was still too young to completely understand it.

Shaking his head, Endy wound his way through the streets to his home and his mother. He opened the door to smell the stew that was so rarely cooked. It was his favourite, even though they hardly ever had it. Endy sauntered into the kitchen and found his mother standing over the stew and stirring it. Their two usual places were set and waiting. He lived alone with his mother, and even though sometimes it was hard for her, they managed to survive. Endy had slowly come to realize some of this over the past few years and had tried his hardest to make things easier on her.

As his mother heard Endy's steps in the kitchen, she turned around and smiled at him. "Would you like some stew darling?" She need not even have asked, she knew it was his favourite, so she scooped some up into his bowl and handed it to him. It was all worth it for her just to see him smile like that. And yet...it also made her sad, though nobody knew, or if they did, she had never told why.

"Thank you mom..." Endy said with a smile of appreciation before piling the stew in his mouth. It was the best meal he'd had in months, but he didn't have the will to savor it, he just wanted to eat it all. And he did.

His mother sat down moments later with a bowl of her own stew, taking a much longer time to eat it than Endy. He had learned long before not to ask for more, because the only 'more' was his mothers, and she would gladly give hers to him. But Endy knew she needed it just as much as he did, so was content with his own.

After their meager dinner, Endy wished his mother goodnight and crawled into his own bed. He fell asleep fast, nothing on his mind to stop it from coming.

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From the shadows of the alley, a man disguised in the rags that the villagers wore, stood watching the five boys. He watched one in particular, the boy with the jet-black hair and blue eyes. There was a mysterious air about him, as if he knew something that nobody else knew, and was content to have it so. As the boy, Endy, disappeared down the street, as did the man to the shadows.

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And there we have the first chapter of my fanfic! As I said, it is longer than the prologue, though not as long as I had hoped. Oh well! I hope you all enjoyed it just as much as I. I was surprised with myself that I got this long of a chapter out so soon, so if I don't update as fast in the future...please don't hate me! Lol, anywho, on a different note. Thank you much to my first, and only, reviewer as of yet. It may have been a short one, but I loved getting it all the same.

So, thank you otakuprincess! I hope you like this chapter as well!

And to everyone else, please, read and review!