AN: This is my ficathon entry 2011. It was my first time participating and was such a blast!

Who? V/K

Conversation

"I hadn't realized how much I'd been needing to meet someone I might be able to say everything to."

Talk Before Sleep, Elizabeth Berg

I had more people in my life than any young woman could ask for. I had friends to laugh and celebrate with, courtiers constantly fluttering and flirting about, planetary leaders to debate the struggles of the universe, seamstresses who could create closets full of exquisite clothing, and wise teachers to learn from. I counted myself among the fortunate and lucky.

And yet, in the midst of my busy life, I was alone.

I was not afraid to speak, nor did I lack those who would listen. I was adept at languages and counted fluency in at least five. I could hear. Part of my training granted me the ability to observe both what was being said and what remained silent. I watched body language, picking up on small elements that others missed. I was not so naïve to believe that there were not others who wanted part of the power – like moths to a flame, they sought to get closer to her light.

I knew my mind. I understood my place in the universe. And yet, the deepest secrets of my heart were known to no one – not my princess, not her highness the Queen, not one of my senshi sisters. They wouldn't understand, couldn't know the depth of my devotion – the limits I would go to in the name of duty. I would gladly step in front of a sword, or slit a throat in her name. I would bring the end of the universe if it guaranteed her safety.

Serenity.

I did not ask for this position – it was a gift given to me, part of my birthright and one I accepted with honor. Of all those in the universe, of all the other lives I could have lived, the duty was mine alone.

While debates raged on the Moon above, the sole heir to the kingdom sought refuge and solace in a place no one ever thought to look for her.

Smarter than most gave her credit for, it took me a few occasions to understand where Serenity was slipping away to. Still too young to fully realize her powers, she was only able to summon the energy to visit the closest planet, Earth, when the moon waxed full. Waiting for her to sneak off a lunar cycle later, I followed her to the gardens. Too far away to stop her, I watched my princess steal away in a beam of moonlight.

Knowing I needed to sound alarms, I took a step back towards the palace and stopped suddenly.

Not wanting to alert her mother, not wanting to admit my own failure, I ground my heels into the ground and clenched a fist. There were protocols I had personally put in place – procedures I was required to follow. How could I get to her? Withdrawing the Sword of the Moon, I closed my eyes tightly and knelt on the ground, praying for the ability to transport to protect my princess.

How they found each other on the bright blue planet, I cannot know. Perhaps it was fate.

One gaze at their interlocked embrace told me everything I needed to know.

I moved to interrupt them when his voice distracted me.

Of all that I had heard about Terrans, of all I had read and determined from my studies, nothing could prepare me for how his accented voice would impact me.

A guardian like myself – that much was apparent.

A sword like my own.

Our uniforms different in every way.

He spoke three words, 'They are safe.'

In that shortest of sentences, I knew he understood.

In front of me was everything I was. We stood silently, studying each other. Across the distance, his silver eyes turned sad. It took a moment, but I knew. As lucky as Serenity was to find her soul mate, we would never have the same destiny. We could never sacrifice ourselves and our duty to something as fleeting as love.

Crossing the distance to join him, I took his gloved hand and said, 'Come, let us talk.'