Well, as repayment for not updating in a while, I have an extra EXTRA long chapter for you all. Hope you all enjoy it, and please review! Thank you!

Storms Upon the Heart
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Chapter Six
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The sun shined brightly through the windows of Serenity's room. Her eyes caught the sunlight, and she opened them, blinking to awake herself. She sat up and stretched out, looking out at the bright day.

Turning her head, she noticed Endymion slumbering in an armchair next to the wide windows, still in his normal uniformed attire and boots. She stood from the bed and made her way to him. Sitting on her knees in front of his chair, she reached up and brushed back a few stray bangs from his face. "You stayed with me." She whispered. For several moments, she sat and watched him sleep.

Standing, she went and stood in front of the window, pressing her fingers against the glass and gazing out at the landscapes fresh with dew. 'A storm must have been here.' She noted, noticing how wet everything was,

She turned at a soft groan beside her. Endymion was waking up, his eyes disoriented.

"Good morning, Endymion." Serenity went and sat on the side of the chair, giggling at him.

He blinked and his eyes widened. "You're alright."

"Yes, I am." She nodded, placing a hand on his arm. "Thank you for helping me last night."

"I…well…" He gazed into her eyes. He turned sharply away and frowned suddenly. "Well, anyone would have done the same. It was nothing." He stood, and her arm dropped to her side.

Her eyes saddened.

He glanced over his shoulder at her. "Motoki and Makato marry today. I suppose we both have things to do. I'll see you at the wedding, Serenity."

She frowned deeply as she watched him leave. "Yes…of course…"

The door closed behind him.

Serenity sighed deeply and sunk into the chair, burying her face in her hands. "That man is so confusing. What goes on in his head I'll never know!"

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Makato twirled around in her dress, showing it off to her friends. "It's fantastic, isn't it?"

Serenity smiled softly. "It's lovely, Makato. You look beautiful."

Lady Rei sat in a chair sipping tea. "You do look beautiful, Makato."

Makato squealed happily, adjusting one of the frills on the white wedding gown. "I'm so excited."

Minako stormed into the room, stomping angrily. "Serenity! Makato! I'm NOT wearing this!"

Serenity and the other ladies in the room turned and looked at her. "But Mina, you look lovely."

"You do, dear. Why all the fuss?" Rei asked. She stood from her chair and made her way to examine Minako.

The young girl stood stiffly, her pale green chiffon dress hanging loosely around her.

Rei frowned. "No wonder." She went behind the girl and tied the bow on the dress to fit Minako. "There, now it's all better. See?"

Minako tapped her foot against the floor. "I don't like green."

Serenity sat and began to sip a cup of tea. "It's not a matter of what color you look, Mina. You're wearing it."

Makato went and knelt in front of Minako. "Oh, please wear it for me, Mina? It's my wedding day…your cousin Motoki's wedding day! Please, dear?"

Minako scrunched her nose unhappily, huffing. "Fine. I'll wear it. But I won't like it." She jumped on a sofa and crossed her arms, staring off unhappily.

Serenity rolled her eyes and nodded to Makato. "She'll be fine, Makato."

Makato nodded. "Well, now on to the next thing. Serenity, you will appear with Endymion at the wedding, won't you?"

"What do you mean?"

"Many kings and queens will be here…they'll want to see the future king and queen and of Hershim together…"

Serenity frowned. "I suppose I will, as long as I can stand him. He drives me insane."

Makato sat beside her and took one of her hands. "What has he done, love?"

Serenity shook her head. "One day, he'll be kind and he'll take care of me. The next…he will leave and not speak at all to me. He is so confusing."

Makato frowned. "Sere, you have to remember, he's still mending a broken heart. Setsuna left him, whether he loved her or not. It hurt him. My brother is impossible…but don't give up on him."

She stood and kissed Serenity's forehead. "The wedding is in an hour. I have to go and have Melodine do my hair, like she wanted. I'll see you at the reception, dear." She turned to Rei. "Come on, Rei. You're still not ready. My bridesmaid isn't ready. This is terrible."

Rei winked to Serenity. "She's crazy, isn't she, Sere?"

Serenity laughed slightly. "It's her wedding day, Rei, dear. All brides are prone to a bit of a crazy attitude."

Rei leaned down and hugged Serenity. "I have a surprise for you, my friend."

"What?"

"You'll see tomorrow." She winked and left with Makato.

Serenity looked over at Minako. "Do you know what she is speaking of?"

Minako sat crossly, her eyes angry. "No."

"Stop being a fuss." Serenity stood and took Minako by the arm. "Come along, little cousin. I have to dress in green, too. It's not a big deal."

"I do not like green." Minako muttered, letting herself be pulled along.

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Serenity stood in the back of the church that the wedding would be held in. She peeked in through the door she was leaning against at the people that were arriving and sitting. She'd never seen many of them. She frowned.

"You're wearing my sister's color. It doesn't suit you well enough."

Serenity felt an arm wrap gently around her waist and she turned her head to see Endymion standing beside her. "She requested I wear this. She picked it out for me." She looked down briefly at her straight, long pale green dress sprinkled in soft cascading frills. "Though I have to agree with you. Green isn't my color of choice."

"I prefer you in your pinks and whites." Endymion stared down at her darkly, his eyes searching hers.

She turned away. "You are the best man, are you not?"

"I am."

"Why aren't you with my brother, calming his nerves?"

Endymion laughed, placing a kiss on her cheek. "He isn't the slightest bit nervous. I was given a moment to find you."

"Why?"

"I wanted to see you before the wedding. The wedding reception is vital for us both."

"So Makato tells me."

"Stay with me during the reception."

"You don't own me, Endymion. I'd prefer to stay with my mother."

"No, you stay with me, and you do not dance with any other."

"Stop trying to be such a dictator." She pushed his arm away from her. "I'm not yours."

"Not yet, correct."

"You arrogant bastard."

"You didn't seem to think that this morning."

"You weren't acting like this last night or this morning."

"You were sickly last night."

"Must I stay sick so that you might act human?"

He grabbed her again around the waist. "If you weren't so impossible, I might not have to act this way!"

"Me? Impossible?" She laughed haughtily. "How very ironic." She turned and gave him an icy glare. "I will stay with my mother during the reception."

"I'll come to fetch you and your mother will not refuse me."

"If I ask her to, she will. She doesn't care for you."

"I've spoken with her. She trusts you with me." He leaned down, his nose brushing gently against hers. "Stop being stubborn."

She turned her head away. "I am not being stubborn."

Endymion laughed and kissed her forehead. "I'll see you at the reception. The wedding begins in a few moments."

Makato came rushing around. "Endymion, Serenity! Oh, thank goodness. Endymion, could you also act as an usher? Oh, please, please? I'd forgotten that the sister of the groom is also ushered, if wished so. I think Serenity needs to, don't you? Right after Mother and Melodine. And having my brother, not to mention her future husband, ushering her, would be perfect! It would be perfect, wouldn't it?"

Serenity jumped away from Endymion. "No, no. I'd rather not, thank you." She turned to go into the church, when Endymion grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"If my sister wants you ushered, you'll be ushered." He glared into her eyes.

Serenity stole a glance at a beaming Makato. She frowned and looked back at Enydmion. "Fine."

Makato giggled happily and fluttered away, kissing her brother on her way out.

Endymion looked at Serenity with a smirk.

Serenity frowned. "Now I know how my dear Minako feels."

He laughed and kissed her softly. "You'll just get to practice walking down the aisle."

She found herself suddenly blushing. "Don't talk that way. You sound too loving. It doesn't suit you."

He frowned.

She turned away, shaking her head. "I'm just saying that you change. You'll be loving one moment, and arrogant the next. You confuse me so much."

"You called me a storm upon your heart last night. What did you mean?"

She blinked and looked into his shimmering blue eyes. "I said that?"

He nodded. "You did." He pulled her into his arms, and her head landed on his shoulder. His hands rested gently on her back. "What did you mean?"

She sighed, sinking into his arms. "Well…for some reason, storms always appear when I am…changing." She looked up into his eyes. "I don't know why. The first time it happened was the first time I became sick. Then after that, the storms came every time my life changed. When it sunk in that I was to marry you, every time I became sick…just a few random times. Mother says the gods sense what I am thinking and they bring it out into the open for the world to know." She shrugged. "I don't believe that, but…" She bit her lip. "I suppose what I meant last night was that…feeling anything in my heart is…a huge change for me…and…" She looked down, her eyes staring at the assortment of medals on his coat. "You are a storm upon my heart because you've…changed what is in my heart. You confuse me, you drive me mad…and yet I still want to be near you."

"You said storms usually scare you, though." He whispered, nudging her face up to his a gentle brush of his fingers.

"Normally, yes…I'm terrified of storms…" She whispered, leaning up and looking at him. "But you're a storm I'm not afraid of. You're a storm I'd like to challenge."

"I…Serenity..." He looked down soulfully at her, and abruptly caught her lips with his.

She kissed back with equal passion, clinging to him.

They pulled apart, breathless, and stared at each other for several long moments.

Nuzzling her lips against his, Serenity began to murmur. "Why won't you love me, Endy?"

He sighed deeply and began to pull away from her. "No, Serenity. Let's not go into that…" He gave her another kiss. "Not today."

She frowned and leaned against him. "I want you to love me." She whispered.

"I can't." He whispered, his voice pained.

"Why?" She looked up sharply at him, her eyes swimming in tears. "Is it Setsuna?"

He sighed deeply, in exasperation. "Stop bringing that whore up, Serenity. She has nothing to do with me any longer."

Serenity frowned. "She hurt you, though. So is she why you're afraid to love me? Because you think I'll do that to you?"

He sighed again. "Serenity…"

"That's it, isn't it?"

"No…no…"

"It is. I can hear it in your voice."

He pulled away from her. "No, Serenity. You're wrong." He looked into the church and noticed someone. "Look. That's her in the purple dress." He pointed into the church where a woman with long, dark brown hair sat with two elders. He looked at Serenity. "I did love her at one time. I did. I won't deny that."

She looked away from Setsuna and back to him. "Is she the reason then?"

He shook his head. "No. She's only part of it."

"Then what is it?"

He noticed Motoki standing at the front of the church. "Serenity, we cannot talk about this now. The wedding is about to begin."

Serenity frowned. "Alright. But we will talk about this. I won't marry you until we do."

He looked at her in surprise. "Blackmail, my dear?"

She grinned, leaning up and nipping at his lips playfully. "But of course. It works when one is after something."

He found himself wrapping his arms around her waist again and kissing her softly. "And what is it that you're after?"

"Many things, Endy." She whispered, letting him gently kiss her face. "I want answers about you…about your heart…and I want you…"

He stopped kissing her and gazed down at her darkly. "I may not be able to give you all that you want, princess."

"Try."

Melodine, Minako, and the queen of Hershim, Cassandra, walked in.

Melodine saw the two and blinked. "Endymion, Serenity!"

They sprang apart, both looking sheepish.

Minako giggled.

Cassandra, an elderly woman who looked half her age, with ebony locks and soft brown eyes, grinned at the pair. "Well…quite the match we have ourselves, yes, Melodine?" The woman was clad in a soft green dress as well as every other woman of the Royal families, and she looked at Melodine in humor.

Melodine laughed. "There is no doubt that they will keep each other busy. That is for certain."

Serenity found herself blushing.

Endymion cleared his throat just as the organs in the church began to play. "Mother, Queen Melodine…" He smiled nervously. "I believe the wedding is beginning…"

Kunzite and Nephrite came up to usher the queens.

Serenity looked at Minako. "You are not a flower girl?"

Minako frowned and showed the basket of rose petals hidden behind her. "Makato forced me to." She rolled her eyes. "I go first." She went through the doors.

Serenity giggled, taking Endymion by the arm. "She has already said she will not be a flower girl at our wedding."

He grinned. "One time role, I suppose."

Melodine and Cassandra were soon ushered down the aisle, and Endymion looked at Serenity.

"Like I said…it's just practice for you, for later." He grinned, winking at her.

She rolled her eyes. "You're terrible."

"Obviously." He reached down and kissed her cheek, and then offered her his arm.

She sighed and took it. "I really don't want to do this."

They went through the doors, Endymion with a smile, and Serenity feeling queasy.

"Where are you sitting?" He leaned over and whispered.

"With Mother."

"Do not stay with her at the reception, please…come to me, alright?"

She glanced up at him briefly. "Alright."

He smiled and let her go, and she quickly sat with her mother, while he made his way to stand at the front with an excited Motoki.

Motoki leaned over. "Why did you usher Serenity like that?"

Endymion grinned. "It was your wife's idea."

Motoki rolled his eyes. "Obviously! Obviously!" He looked out at Serenity. "Is everything alright with you and my sister?"

Endymion shook his head. "I'm not sure what is between us. Don't worry about it now, though. Your wife is here."

Motoki's eyes widened and he looked out and where Makato was walking down the aisle, on her father's arm.

He glanced at Endymion. "This is why you should've been up here earlier! So I wouldn't drive myself mad like this!"

Endymion gave him a grin. "I believe you would do that anyway…"

"Hush, Endymion!"

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Endymion glanced around the ballroom, searching for Serenity. His eyes became dark when he didn't notice her.

He sought out Melodine and found her sitting at a table with his father and mother.

Cassandra stood instantly when noticing Endymion and hugged him. "Oh, my son! It's so good to finally see you again!"

He smiled. "Mother." He turned to Melodine. "Queen Melodine, where is Serenity?"

Cassandra laughed. "Not a moment for your mother any longer now?"

Endymion grinned and looked at his mother, pecking her cheek. "I'm sorry, Mother."

Cassandra patted his arm and sat again with her husband. "I do not blame you."

Melodine shook her head. "I have not seen Serenity, Endymion. She left the church before me."

He frowned. "I tried to search her out. I can't find her!" He turned away in frustration and noticed Motoki and Makato standing off to the side with an elderly queen and king, and he walked up near to them. The king and queen soon left their sides, and he approached them. "Motoki, Makato…"

Makato squealed and reached out, hugging him. "Endymion, can you believe it? I'm married!" She frowned and pulled away. "Why isn't Serenity with you?"

He sighed. "I can't find her. Melodine hasn't seen her…have either of you?"

Motoki frowned. "No, Endymion. I haven't."

Endymion shook his head. "I told her to come to me at the reception. She said she would, and now…I…" He turned away in exasperation. "I suppose I'll go search for her again."

He walked away. Motoki and Makato looked at each other and shrugged.

Endymion walked to the edge of the ballroom, and was about to exit when a slender hand fell upon his arm. He turned and his face dropped. "Setsuna."

The woman smiled brightly. "Endymion, how wonderful it is to see you."

"Yes…of course. If you'll excuse me, I…" His eyes became sharp. "I was searching for my fiancée."

Setsuna's eyes darkened and her face held anger. "The Fellotinhan princess?"

Endymion nodded and left the ballroom. 'I can't find one girl, and yet I'm plagued still by another!'

He began to walk around the palace, but stopped when he came to the winding staircase that led up to Serenity's bedroom when he noticed her coming down the stairs. "Serenity!"

She looked at him and smiled softly. "I'm sorry…have you been looking for me?"

She met him at the bottom of the steps.

"I have, actually…" He pulled her close. He frowned suddenly and held her at arm's length. "You…changed dresses..."

She nodded. "I did." Her smile held a bit of humor.

He glanced over her shimmering light pink gown that fell softly to the floor, flowing softly around her. The halter style left her back bare, and the neckline held diamonds. She had piled her hair atop her head, clipping it up with diamond barrettes.

"You're beautiful." He murmured, leaning down to kiss her forehead. "Why did you change?"

Her eyes gazed up into his. "You said you liked it when I wore pink or white. I couldn't wear white…it is Makato's day to wear white. So pink will have to do for you, Endy."

He laughed and kissed her. "You're amazing. You did all this just because I said I didn't like green."

She nodded. "Uh-huh…"

He shook his head. "Well…I have to warn you. Setsuna has already tried to corner me. She'll try again. Stay with me, please."

She grinned. "You want me to fend off the demon woman, I suppose?"

He grinned back. "If you want to put it that way, yes."

She laughed and slipped her arm through his. "Alright, then."

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The moment they entered the ballroom, Serenity's eye caught Motoki's. She gave Endymion a small look and rushed into her brother's arms. "Oh, Motoki, congratulations!"

He laughed and hugged his sister. "Serenity. About time you showed up!" He kissed her forehead. "You look beautiful."

She beamed. "You're truly the king now."

He laughed. "I suppose you're right."

"You were crowned." She tapped the jeweled crown atop his head.

He laughed and hugged her again. "Alright, little sister. Now, I believe your fiancé is looking very antsy without you." He nodded to Endymion, who gave him an evil glare.

"Hush, your majesty." Endymion said mockingly.

Serenity giggled and slipped away from Motoki and wound her arm with Endymion's again. "Happy now?" She grinned.

He laughed. "Perfectly." He nodded towards Motoki. "Crazy one to be crowned king. We at the international council are all going to be very much in trouble."

Motoki rolled his eyes. "I'd say the same for Hershim. Poor country."

Endymion laughed.

Motoki grinned back.

Serenity looked around. "Where is Makato?"

"She escorted someone away." Motoki grinned. "She was so excited, getting to use her power in Fellotinhan for the first time."

Endymion frowned. "What happened?"

"She was upset that Setsuna was here. Setsuna is no longer, however."

Serenity raised an eyebrow. "Goodness."

Makato suddenly fluttered up, and wrapped her arms around Motoki's arm. "Problem taken care of, darling!" She noticed Endymion and Serenity, and winked. "Aren't you two just precious together?"

They mumbled to her, both managing blushes.

Endymion cleared his throat and nodded to the wedded couple, and then pulled Serenity away to the dance floor.

Once she was securely wrapped in his arms as they danced, he looked down at her. "I thought we both could use an escape."

She laughed. "You thought right."

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Night soon fell, and Serenity found herself still dancing in Endymion's arms.

He glanced down at her closed eyes. "Serenity?"

"Mmm?"

He shook his head and led her away from the dance floor onto a balcony, her head still resting against him. They sat together on a stone bench. "You're tired."

"Mmm…" She wrapped her arms around him.

"It has been a long day."

"It has…"

"I suppose it's time we go to sleep?"

"Uh-huh…"

"Would you like me to stay with you?"

Her eyes snapped open and she looked up at him. "What did you say?"

"You heard me."

She blushed brightly. "Is it proper?"

He grinned down at her, placing a kiss on her nose. "Does it really sound like I care about what is proper?"

She laughed nervously. "Well…" She glanced up at him through her eyelashes. "Do you want to stay with me?"

"Of course." He said bluntly.

She bit her lip. "Well…" She suddenly had an idea. "Alright." She looked up at him. "But, you have to answer my question from earlier first."

He groaned and leaned back. "You and your blackmail."

She giggled, placing a hand on his chest. "Well…do you want to sleep with me or not?"

"What was the question again?"

She sighed. "Endy! Alright, alright. The question was: Why won't you love me?"

He looked at her for several long moments. "I don't know, truthfully."

She blinked. "What?"

He frowned. "I've been over Setsuna for a very long time, Serenity. She's nothing to me at all." He looked at her searchingly. "I won't love you…because I don't want to hurt you. I hurt everyone I love. It would hurt you more if I ever did anything and I proclaimed to actually loving you, than if I did not."

Serenity sighed. "Then just don't ever hurt me, and it won't matter!"

He laughed. "It isn't that simple, and we both know that."

"It can be…" She whispered, looking up at him with tears in her eyes.

He shook her head. "It can't, Serenity. I will always care very much for you…but I can't love you. I don't want you to end up like Setsuna. She was very hurt by me and she left, and…I won't have that with you."

Serenity stood and turned away. He watched her back for a long while, as she walked around the balcony.

Finally, after pacing the length of the entire balcony twice, she turned back to him. She walked up and sat in his lap. "Fine, then. I'll win you yet."

He raised an eyebrow. "Serenity?"

She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him.

Pulling back, she stared into his eyes. "I'll make it so you can't help but fall in love with me." She whispered. "I won't let this go…I want your love."

Endymion sighed. "Why is it so important to you?"

She nuzzled her face against his. "Because…you're the only one who's ever made me love. Because I love you." She glanced up. "It's only fair that I want you to love me as well." She stood and took his hands. "Come on; it's late."

His eyes were dark and glittering. "You love me?"

She blushed, and was thankful for the soft darkness around them. "I do."

He stood and kissed her forehead. "You're foolish. You do know that, don't you?"

She laughed. "I've been foolish since the moment I saw you, Endy." She leaned up and kissed him. "I'm going to go up to bed in a few moments. I'll see Motoki again, and then I'll be up." She grinned. "I'll meet you there."

She kissed him softly again and turned and went into the palace.

Endymion slunk down on the stone bench and sighed. "She'll be the end of me yet."

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End Chapter Six