AN: This is a follow up to the New Year's entry earlier in the year.

If I fell in love with you,
could you promise to be true?
And help me understand...

- If I Fell, The Beatles (Across the Universe version ain't bad either)

"Why do you not celebrate inside with the others?"

She looked up, distracted, and neatly dodging his question answered, "You joined us? My lord flatters the Moon Kingdom with his presence."

Her words, no matter how courtly or flirtatious, did not match the emotion behind them. Why? From what he had seen so far, she had every reason to be joyous – surrounded by friends, handsome courtiers, and the elite of the Lunarian kingdom, dressed in expensive fabrics, the most beautiful princess at the Ball… And yet, from his vantage point he had seen the smile not reach her eyes, the mechanical and spiritless approach to her dance steps.

And how would he know if this wasn't her true personality, his subconscious chided. He had only shared her company on a scant number of occasions. How would he know the first thing about someone from such a foreign background to his own? Worst of all, why did he believe that he could change her mood?

"I was curious," he stated vaguely.

"And? Is our kingdom everything you thought it would be?"

Unsure if her subtext was deliberate or not, he answered, "It is…interesting."

"Did your Prince join you?"

"Yes." He failed to mention the other Shitennou, masked to conceal their identities, had also journeyed to the Moon.

"Ah, Serenity will be most pleased."

For once not wanting to speak of his regent, he commented, "The hour glass has almost run out."

In the light of the full moon, a ghost of a smile graced her delicate features and he wondered what could have possibly transpired since he had seen her last. She turned away from him, and said, "Perhaps I should go back inside."

He scowled at her veiled rejection, but offered his arm formally, "Can I escort you?"

She leaned upon him, delicate fingertips grazing the crisp lines of his uniform and sighed deeply. They walked in silence, and realizing the moment had almost had almost passed, he asked, "Can I ask what troubles you?"

"No, you cannot."

Rather than accept the wishes of a princess, he, unused to not hearing others acquiesce to his demands, tensed sharply.

"Can I ask what troubles you, my lord?"

He heard the humor in her voice as she turned his question around. He stopped suddenly, and listened to the revelers inside.

"10…9…."

"Why do they count backwards?"

Venus turned to look up at him, "The sands will be gone shortly. A new beginning is almost upon us."

"…6…5…"

He held her gaze. The look on her face was challenging and expectant. He stared at her a moment longer.

"…1."

They met passionately in the middle, open mouthed, his lips crushing hers, and her hands twisting through his long silver locks.