Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon or her characters, and have no right to it except as a long time fan.

Title: The Masquerade
Endymion x Serenity
Rated: T
Romance
Summary: A prince is surprised by his secret love.


The ballroom was lit up spectacularly. Large crystal chandeliers hung from the arched ceiling spaced evenly to provide light to every corner of the room.

The room itself was of course large, and the walls were painted a creamy white. There were large arched windows stretching down to the floor with velvety blue curtains tied open, and the floor itself was a shiny dark wood.

There was a balcony stretching the length of the room on the opposite side of the windows where the musicians played. Their instruments providing multiple melodies that spread through the room for the gathering to hear clearly.

At the end of the room were wide doors thrown wide open so the light and music spilled out into the night to reach those who had drifted outside to rest and catch their breath.

One would wonder why the ballroom was lit up and music was playing, but one look would tell a viewer that there was a ball being held. Not just any ball, but a masquerade ball. The royal family of the Earth had decided that it was time to host a gathering, and that it would be a ball since it had been too long since one was held.

On the evening in question invited guests began to arrive at the royal palace and the ballroom was filled in no time with people dancing in their best formal costume wear. There were masks that ranged from simple to elaborate in various colors and styles that matched well with the uniforms, suits, and dresses the assembled guests wore.

Drinks and food were provided and there were those off to the sides sipping drinks and snacking on food as they talked with friends and family. Everyone was having a good time and enjoying themselves; everyone except one.

The Earth Prince Endymion was none too pleased.

He was dressed in a royal blue uniform like suit with two rows of gold buttons trailing down the center of the suit jacket from his neck to his waist and three buttons on the cuffs of each sleeve. Tall black shiny boots covered his feet and lower legs, a simple gold mask framing his eyes, and a royal blue cape with an inner gold lining rested on his shoulders.

He sat straight and poised, one leg crossed over his knee, in his chair next to his fathers on a slight platform at the front of the room. His arms lay relaxed on the arm rests and his face was a calm mask; hiding his displeasure.

The evening was nice, the weather was even better, and the atmosphere was festive. He always enjoyed his home, and had no problem doing his duty by being in attendance with his parents, but he would rather be somewhere else.

Or rather with someone else.

Having to spend the evening at the ball meant he could not leave and visit with his love. It would be a different matter if his family was not hosting, but they were hosting and many eyes were on him as a result.

His parents were off dancing and socializing and his general's were in the room somewhere, but he was aware that all of them were keeping a subtle eye on him to make sure he didn't disappear from the event.

Beyond their eyes there were many guests that were looking his way because he wasn't dancing. He had danced once with his mother when the ball first began and that was all. He refused to dance with any of the unmarried ladies for fear of giving the impression that there would be more than dancing between them that night and in the proceeding days and weeks.

As heir to the throne he had that right.

However, he didn't discriminate. He also declined to dance with any married ladies, because they too, despite being married, would think something could or would occur because he decided to dance with them.

He simply wasn't interested in engaging in such behavior or giving the impression that he was. He hadn't since he realized that women would be interested in him because he was next in line for the throne, which meant they would have a chance at being the future Queen.

He wasn't interested in any of the ladies of his court or of his planet. His heart was already taken by a maiden of the Moon. A maiden he would be with at that very moment if he did not have to be at the ball.

At least I knew in advance so I was able to let her know I would be unable to see her tonight. He told himself as he idly gazed out over the gathering.

His eyes touched on his mother and father speaking to a couple from the eastern province, and each of his general's who were spread throughout the room some dancing and others speaking to a person or persons. None of them were paying attention to him at the moment, but considering where he was seated it would be very noticeable if he stood up for any reason.

Endymion held in a sigh as he lowered his eyes to the floor just in front of the platform he was seated on before he closed his eyes. The music drifting around the room was nice. Not too low nor too loud; perfect for dancing and talking.

If only my princess was here for me to dance with. I would be infinitely happy. He thought before he opened his eyes and looked up.

Before his eyes could wander the room again they were arrested by the vision of perfection slowly making their way toward him.

She wore a gold silk strapless dress with thin white swirling designs up and down the fabric that shined under the light. Laced to her upper arms with white string were gold bands with white chiffon attached to the bottom and trailing down her sides. A gold mask covered the top half of her face, and she wore a small pair of thick white wings on her back.

Endymion uncrossed his leg and slowly stood up as his eyes fluttered all over her. She was wearing a different gown, in a different color than he was used to, and her beautiful white hair was in a different style than he was used to, but there was no mistaking her.

His moon maiden, his princess, was here, and looking like a gilded angel.

He walked forward and stepped off the platform, aware of the eyes on him and uncaring, and continued forward as she stepped around dancers toward him. As she grew closer he could see that her mask concealed her royal crescent insignia, so despite her identity being obvious to him others would likely not recognize her.

They stopped a few feet apart and she curtsied deeply to him, revealing that half her hair was pulled up into a messy bun and the rest was in a long braid trailing down her back between her wings, before she stood straight.

"My Prince." She said softly, her voice sounding more musical to his ears than the music currently playing.

He bowed deeply in return, his eyes drifting over her bare shoulders and the peek at the top of her breasts, before he straightened.

"My Princess." He said caressingly, and watched her smile. "This is a surprise. How are you here?" He asked.

"As soon as you told me about this ball I decided I had to attend. You are always coming to masquerade balls on the Moon and on other planets surprising me. I thought it was my turn to surprise you." She explained, and watched a smile begin to form on his face.

"And you simply happened to have this attire at hand, and were able to style your hair differently without anyone noticing." He said with a slightly raised eyebrow.

"You are not the only one able to sneak around when the situation calls for it." She replied, and he smiled widely.

"Well my Lady." Endymion said as he held out his hand for hers. "Allow me to show you how pleased I am." He added as he gently grasped her hand as she placed it in his hand.

"Lead the way my Lord." Serenity replied softly.

The prince of the Earth led his disguised princess through the dancing couples, who appropriately moved out of his way, toward the middle of the room before he stopped and guided her into his arms.

He held her for a few brief moments, savoring the feel of the woman he loved in his arms, before he shifted one of his hands to the side of her lower back and grasped one of her hands in his.

She smiled up at him and he smiled in return as he began to guide her in a dance to the rhythm of the music. As they moved expertly he allowed his eyes to move over once again, and found himself fascinated with her hair style. It was completely different to her usual style.

How long did it take her to get that much hair up into that messy bun so it would not fall? He wondered as gazed at it.

His fingers itched to mess it up and cause it to fall. He had never seen her hair loose before, and very much wanted to in that moment. He would never do such a thing, but the want was there all the same.

"What are you thinking Endymion?" Serenity asked as she watched his eyes.

"Your hair." Endymion answered honestly. "I was contemplating how I have never seen it loose, and I am refraining from doing something inappropriate. Such as taking it down in the middle of this ballroom."

Serenity blushed at the thought of him performing such an action for all to see.

"If you wish to see it completely loose that can be arranged quite easily my Lord." She replied, and watched his eyes briefly flash gold. She knew the idea pleased him.

"I wish it." He said seriously. He really wanted to see it and could not wait for such an opportunity.

"Then it will be so." She promised sincerely.

"I eagerly look forward to it." He replied before he released his hand from her lower back and twirled her around by her hand.

The action allowed him to see that her dress was actually a corset design with white string pulled tightly and holding it firmly to her body. It looked nice, but he was distracted by the sight sitting above the tied corset of her dress.

There on her bare shoulder blades were the wings that went with her costume. Only to his surprise they were actual real wings coming out of her skin.

"Your wings are real." Endymion said softly as soon she was back in his arm.

"Yes. I wondered if you would notice." Serenity said with a smile. "I wished for my costume to be very realistic. Thankfully I had the ability to make it so."

"Now I find myself not only wishing to see your hair loose, but to feel your wings as well." He said as he guided them around another dancing couple.

"Well, they are easier than my hair at the moment." She said thoughtfully. "Is there not somewhere we can go?" She asked as she looked up to him.

Endymion hummed thoughtfully before he looked around, looking for some inspiration. He knew if he disappeared into the palace with her his general's would come looking for him.

But maybe not if we go out into the garden. He considered. There were others out there. It was why the doors were open after all, and he knew where to go for some privacy against the other guests.

"As soon as this song ends we will go out into the garden. We can find a spot away from others and relax." He informed her.

Serenity nodded and they continued dancing, twirling, swaying, and spinning around as they silently gazed at each other. Endymion knew he wasn't being as careful as he should. He hadn't danced with anyone except his mother, and here this vision of perfection arrives and he smiles for her and dances with her.

It wouldn't surprise him if others were not similarly surprised and curious, and wondering what made this unknown angel so special. He was also aware that leaving out into the garden with her would also be remarked upon.

However, Endymion didn't care. This was the woman he loved. She had come to him, surprised him, and he would not ignore her or distance himself from her for anything. No one knew her identity and that would have to be enough of a precaution for them.

Once the song ended the couple slowed to a stop, and the prince gently placed the disguised princess' hand around his arm before he casually guided her toward the open doors leading to the garden.

Beyond the doors in the night air was a high white marble and vine flowered archway at the base of a small set of stairs, which led down into a large wide garden that was sectioned off with white gray marble pathways and tall green hedges.

Scattered around well within view were white marble benches with cushions, and soft white lighting in the form of balls of various sizes sitting on the ground and placed within the hedges.

They stepped down the stairs and walked along the pathway, passing by guests milling around and talking. Serenity thought the view was beautiful but she was aware that the view was the last thing on her prince's mind as he unmistakably guided them toward a break in a far hedge wall.

As they stepped through she saw that there was a large square open space with lighting as well as two benches along two different hedge walls. They bypassed those benches and stepped toward an opening in the hedge and walked down a softly lit path.

They walked along in silence without any hurry down paths and through two more open square spaces before her guiding prince finally came to a halt.

"Have we finally arrived?" Serenity asked curiously as she looked around. She had not minded their silent walk, knowing that he was looking to insure their privacy.

"Yes my love. This should be far enough." Endymion said as he turned to her. "May I see your wings now?" He asked, and Serenity smiled and simply turned around to allow him full view of her wings.

His eyes trailed up and down her back, idly taking in the long braided rope of her hair, before they rested on the bright wings. He lifted a hand and lightly brushed his fingers along the skin where one of the wings protruded from, and watched as the muscles shifted slightly.

He hummed silently and brought his other hand up and traced along the top edge of both wings until he reached feathers. He watched them move up and down slightly, and as he gently brushed along the feathers the wings as well as her whole body shivered.

Ah. So they are not simply there. They really are real, and very much a part of her body. He told himself as he moved his hands away from the soft wings and grasped the hanging braid.

"Perhaps one day you can make larger wings and fly." Endymion said in a tone that was half suggestion half longing. He could easily imagine her with large white wings flying in the sky.

"Perhaps." She agreed, knowing from the tone of his voice that he would enjoy seeing that. And likely feeling them as well. She thought.

"How long can you be gone without being missed?" He asked as he let his hand slide down the silky braid.

"I have the night." Serenity answered softly.

"Good." He replied as he stepped closer to her, releasing her hair in the process, and placed his hands lightly on her waist.

He leaned down and pressed his lips to her shoulder, careful of her wings since he now knew she would feel whatever was done to them, before trailing light kisses along her skin until he reached her neck. She sighed softly and seemed to stretch her neck as he continued up the warm delicate column.

He was so very happy she was here with him. He had been completely prepared to not enjoy the evening since the one he wanted to spend his time with wouldn't be there. Because of the rules on their planets she would not have been able to attend; just as he was unable to attend events on the Moon.

The only time he could attend on the Moon was if there was a ball that required costumes and masks. If the event didn't require such then he usually snuck into her bedroom late at night to ensure none of her guardian scouts were there with her.

Endymion did not like that he had to sneak around to see her, but he did not mind making the effort. He figured since she had made the effort before they met, and even when they met, he could make the effort from there on.

Now seeing her here, knowing that she had snuck into an invitation only ball simply to see him, was pleasing; so very pleasing. And he intended to continue to show her just how pleased he was.

He lifted a hand and gently turned her face toward him and pressed his lips to hers in a gentle kiss. As he let his hand drift back down to her waist she turned and slipped her arms up and around his neck.

His hands settled on her hips before he moved them around to her back and pulled her closer as he deepened their kiss. As their tongues danced together his arms trembled lightly with the effort not to pick her up. He wanted to tighten his arms around her, lift her up, and hold her close before pressing her against the nearest surface.

However, there was no surface sturdy enough, and even if there was he wouldn't dare do so for fear of hurting her wings. Instead he simply held her tightly, as close as he could get her, and poured his feelings into his kiss.

Suddenly the darkness of his mind was filled with images, the Earth reporting something to him that he clearly needed to know, and immediately recognized the area as different parts of the garden he was in.

First he saw Zoycite walking, his eyes flittering here and there, then Malachite stepping around the corner of a hedge wall and turning his head, next was Neflite as he walked down a path lined with hedge walls, and lastly was Jedite walking through an open square space with hedge walls.

They were all clearly looking for something. Or rather someone. He thought just as he heard his name being called from a slight distance.

"Endymion." He easily recognized the voice as belonging to Jedite.

Endymion broke their kiss and looked toward the direction of the sound with a frown. He had no wish to return to the ball even though he knew he was supposed to be there.

Although, no one said I needed to attend for the entire night. He told himself.

"Is that not one of your generals?" Serenity asked softly, her arms still around his neck, as she idly played with the ends of his hair.

"Yes." He answered as he looked back to her. "Likely to insist I return to the ball." He added, and watched a light frown grace her face.

"Do not worry my love. I have no intention of returning to the ball." He assured her.

"Then what shall we do?" Serenity asked. "He will find us soon."

"We shall continue to hold each other, and I will bring us away from here." Endymion informed her before he called on his power and focused on where he wished to go.

Within moments the couple disappeared in a golden flash to Elysion where they could continue to spend time together in peace.