Here's the next chapter everyone. Sadly, there once again might and probably will be delays. By now I'm up at camp, and I'll be dancing all day, and I'll only have the afternoons to write. So please don't loose faith, I'll try to get them out as fast as I can. I know not much has happened yet, but I promise adventure will come soon!

I don't own Sailor Moon.

Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Revelations

Endymion was about to collapse on his feet, his body felt like lead. The storm was finally calming, and they could all finally take a rest. They came out of the storm pretty good, there was almost no damage to the ship, and only two men injured. So he could finally collapse in his bed, and sleep for about two days straight. That is after he'd taken care of Serenity.

He wasn't even sure what to do with her. When he'd seen that it was her hanging onto him, her tiny body dangling over the edge of the deck

He'd felt a multitude of emotions, fear for her, and anger for her being out in the middle in such a dangerous storm, and gratitude for her being there to save him. But fear for her had been uppermost in his mind, and he'd let his fear for her rule his words.

He'd felt bad the instant after he yelled at her, he was just glad she was safe, but the storm had still been raging around them. And all he could think about was getting her out of harms way. But strangely she hadn't looked hurt by his words, but rather stared at him with a dazed and clouded over expression.

He shook his head at the strange behavior of women as he walked down the steps. He stood before the closed door of his cabin and took in a deep breath. He swung open the door starting, "Serenity I'm-"

He stopped as he saw there was no one on the bed; he was about to spin around and walk back on the deck, fearing she'd returned to it. But his eyes caught a figure lying unmoving on the floor. He rushed over to Serenity's prone figure heart pounding in his chest.

"Serenity." he said shaking her shoulder, "Serenity!"

He frowned as he unwrapped the blanket that she had wrapped around herself. It was soaking wet, and he quickly pulled it off of her. As his hand came in contact with her bare skin he hissed and dropped her arm. It felt like his hand was burned, he leaned closer to put a hand to her forehead.

She was burning up! His hand was a full four inches away from her forehead and the heat was radiating off her in startling waves. He saw now her face was flushed bright red and her breathing quick. As he felt under her chin it felt like he was touching a hot pot handle. He started to panic, "Zoicite!" he yelled out.

Endymion heard some of his men outside the cabin trudging back to their rooms. He quickly rushed out and saw Eric, he grabbed his arm and said in a rush, "Eric go get Zoicite as fast as you can, it's an emergency."

Without another word Endymion ran back in the room and scooped up Serenity in his arms, she gave no response as he carried her to the bed. Her small body felt like a burning furnace in his arms, and his worry was growing by the second.

He knew he had to cool her down, and fast, but she was shivering violently in his arms. Unsure of what to do he ran over to the wardrobe and pulled out another blanket. After laying it on her with hurried movements he undid the buttons that ran down the front of her dress. He left her partly covered to give a sense of modesty, but modestly quickly faded form his mind.

Her skin was flushed bright red a sure sign of dangerously intense fever, but she was shivering under his hands and the blanket. At a loss, Zoicite chose that moment to burst in the room. Looking around frantically to see what was alarming his captain, when his gaze settled on Serenity's bright red shivering body he rushed over.

"Open, the window Endymion" he said. As Endymion did as he asked Zoicite went over the Serenity's body with quick deft movements. Cool sea air was flowing into the room, but there was still humidity left from the storm.

Eric was standing against the door, his face went pail as he saw Serenity. At Zoicite's gesture he rushed over to his side memorizing a list of this that Zoicite needed pronto. As Eric rushed out Endymion was already back at the bedside his hand automatically finding Serenity's. Zoicite stood rubbing a hand on the back of his neck.

"Well, her fever is very high, but there is almost nothing we can do, but hope that it'll break soon. The main thing we have to do his keep her cool, and we have to hope that she'll get up soon." Zoicite went on to explain Endymion what he should do for, because Zoicite was already taking care of the two injured crewmembers he wouldn't have enough time to see to Serenity. Endymion had dealt with fevers before, even had it a couple times himself.

But it was new for him to feel such fear for someone who had the fever. He pulled a chair and smaller table up beside the bed and soon Eric came rushing back in with what Endymion needed. He stood beside Endymion wringing his hands; he'd grown to feel kinship with the Princess lying so sick in the bed.

"Is there anything I can do captain?" he asked.

"No, just inform the Malachite, Nephrite, and Jadeite about the situation, and I will most likely be unable to attend to most of my duties." he said without taking his eyes off Serenity. Once Endymion heard the door closed he quickly finished removing Serenity's dress, he hadn't want Eric to see her bare, even though he knew Eric only felt the worry that he was feeling. But still he felt something akin to jealousy, but didn't notice it because up most in his mind was doing whatever he could for Serenity.

He took one washcloth from a bowl of cool water and placed it on her forehead. He then picked up another and began wiping it across her chest. He wiped it over her collarbone then dipped it into the valley between her breasts. Wiping away the sweat that'd formed on the back of her neck, it was one small relief he could provide for her.

The fact that he was practically washing her naked didn't really reach his mind. He was more worried about her, but he was after all a man. He became somewhat aware of the steady rise and fall of her breasts, but her bright red skin kept his thoughts from going any further.

He brushed away her bangs from her forehead with a sorrowful sigh. He'd never thought this would happen. His beautiful ray of sunshine was lying in bed yet again. This time terribly sick and unmoving, and he was sure if was because she went of deck during the storm. She hadn't had any protective clothing on, and he just sent her off without a word. I should've made sure she was okay he thought.

"Serenity please wake up. Who's going to make my days worth while, and interesting." he smiled running a hand through her hair, "I'll especially miss you Meatball head style." He leaned over her and began pulling hairpins out of her buns, laying them on the nearby table. Her hair was soon laid out all around her in its golden beauty. Even in sick, she still manages to look beautiful he thought.

Suddenly, a few feeble coughs escaped Serenity's mouth followed by a small moan. Endymion gently shook her shoulder crooning her name in her ear. Asking, pleading for her to wake up.

Serenity moaned again; she didn't want to wake up, she could barley move. Her eyelids felt much to heavy to open and her body felt no better. But she heard Endymion's voice calling to her. His voice was heavy with sorrow and worry; why would his voice sound like that?

Silly Endy, she thought, he should be happy, he's alive and well. But she couldn't ignore his instant voice. Serenity slowly lifted her eyes to the dark interior of the cabin, she felt like she was burning and a bone fire, but she felt her body shivering.

"It's so hot Endy," she cried softly and few more weak coughs escaping her throat. Her vision wasn't exactly clear, but she could make out Endymion leaning over her with a smile of relief on his face.

"Thank god you're awake Serenity," he said re-wetting the cloth on her forehead and placing it back on her forehead. Serenity was to weak to respond and only watch as Endymion turned to the table and began making something that smelled like tea.

"Endy…" she said unsure of what she was even going to ask. Her throat felt swollen, like it was closing in on itself. Endymion turned back around with a cup of tea in his hand, talked softly to her, "Serenity, you're very, very sick right now. As much as I want for you to stay awake Zoicite says you're suppose to drink this. It'll help you sleep better and clear up your throat."

Serenity could only nod, smiling to herself at his endearing manner. Endymion tipped her head back and gently fed the tea down her throat. Serenity sighed as Endymion. moved the wet cloth over her heated skin, and all to soon she was asleep again.

The whole day Endymion spent by Serenity's bedside, his generals came in from time to time, but soon left for them to be alone. Serenity hadn't woken up yet, but he continued to keep her cool. But it soon obviously began too cool, and she began shivering even more. Endymion then wrapped her up with more covers laid beside her gathering her close to him, and sleep soon claimed him as well.

Endymion came awake with a thrashing Serenity in his arms. She cried and out a withered in her sleep tears pouring down her face. Endymion gentley shook her calling out her name, when she finally came out of her dream, she clutched him tightly.

"It's okay Serenity," he said placing a kiss on her head. "It was just a dream."

"Endy, please don't let him do that to me again, please, please just send him away. I don't want to relive it anymore," she murmured burying her head against his chest. Endymion held her to him letting her words register in his mind.

"Who are you talking about Serenity? Diamond?" rage filled him at the thought of what Diamond did to her, but her next words stopped his thoughts.

"No, Endy. The guard, the guard. Just don't let him come near me." Serenity said not lifting her head. Endymion frowned.

"What did he do to you Serenity, did he attack you?"

"No, Endy." she said looking up at him; her eyes were filled with misery and a deep sorrow. Her eyes were alive with memories best left forgotten, her eyes red and puffy. "I was thirteen, he raped me Endy."

Having said those words Serenity let the tears flow from her eyes. Endymion just held her stunned, he'd never had thought something like that could happen to her. That it could even happen to a Princess was hard to believe, but the fact that it happen to Serenity just made him clutch her tighter. A young girl of thirteen barley even touched by the world shouldn't have had to experience that.

Serenity moaned as anew wave up heat assaulted her and rolled through her body. She tried to squirm away from Endymion, his extra body heat that had been providing her comfort now only added to the heat encompassing her. Endymion practically jumped out of the bed and brought up a new cool wet cloth, trying to still her squirming so he could cool her down.

Serenity lied still for his ministrations, it brought her a little comfort the heat still beating at her. Endymion tipped some cool water down her throat, she tried to say something to him, but his finger on her mouth stopped her. Endymion repeated the procedure several times and her temperature still didn't go down.

"Ah, hell." he said. He walked over to his dresser and pulled out on of his plain white shirts. He pulled it over Serenity's head and picked her up. He walked out the cabin and up onto the deck Serenity gave no response, but just warily rested her head against his shoulder.

Endymion knew taking her outside might only make her fever worse, but she was so hot he was afraid she would burst into flames. He nodded to the crewman on watch and sat down against the railing of the deck. He set Serenity down on his lap letting her body cool down. The cool night sea air beat against them, and Endymion hoped it would help Serenity.

He sat there rocking her in his arms for a while, and soon Jadeite walked over to them. He sat down beside them and said, "How's she doing?"

"Hell, Jadeite. Her temperature was so high I had to cool her down somehow. There's not much I can do and I hate feeling this helpless."

Jadeite placed a comforting hand on Endymion's shoulder. "Its alright Endymion. That's how anyone feels about someone they care about."

Endymion didn't bother to deny it, he knew he cared deeply for Serenity; he wasn't just sure how deep. Their conversation continued for a few more moments, then Endymion felt Serenity start to shiver again. Excusing himself, he brought her back into the cabin pulling her under the many blankets again.

"This is reeeeeaaaaaaaly bad Endy." she giggled as if she were drunk. Endymion looked down at her and saw her eyes completely glazed over. Most people with high fever tended to not know where they were, ramble, and hallucinate things. Serenity probably had no idea what she was saying.

"Why is that Serenity?"

She lifted a finger and traced a random pattern on his chest sighing; Endymion sucked in a breath. "Because Endy, I'm beginning to love you. And a Princess has no business loving a pirate captain, and soon I'll have to go home."

Serenity sighed again and snuggled into his side, ''I'm so tired Endy, when am I going to stop being tired." With that she feel asleep. Endymion spent a few long moment gazing down at the angel in his arms. He was very familiar and comfortable with his emotions, and he knew without a doubt that eh wanted Serenity in his life. Even though he didn't know that much about her he knew he maybe already loved her. But then there was the whole problem with her being a Princess, and Diamond still had to be dealt with. Their situation was infinitely complicated, but now he needed to worry about keeping Serenity with him, and keeping her away from Diamond.

He would get her to their hide out, where he could keep her safe, after that he could figure out what to do about their situation. With a smile Endymion placed a soft kiss on her cheek, and gazed once more upon her beauty before falling asleep again.