A/N: This chapter has been horrible for me. Writers block is killing me. I do not know how I wanted this chapter to go. However, here it is! I hope you enjoy it. As always, I do not own Sailor Moon. I enjoy every review I get and thank you for your feedback and for following along with the story. Nevertheless, as always without further delay let us get into the story!
Location: Moon Palace
Endymion sat and listened as he heard Nephrite walk in the door. He was whistling a tune while taking off his apron.
"You seem to be in a good mood." Endymion drawled.
"I happened to have a fabulous first day of work. The women were all so nice. I learned so much. Did you know that this whole time our chef at home has been making lasagna wrong?" He asked.
"No… I didn't." Endymion stated blandly.
"Yes! His sauce is all wrong. But you cannot tell that old stubborn bastard anything." He stated as he was rummaging in the drawers.
"Why are you changing?" He asked as Neph started to put his breeches and tunic on.
"Oh Lita asked me to go on an evening stroll with her around the gardens." He murmured looking down.
"Don't you think you're becoming a bit too chummy with the people here?" Endymion inquired.
"Well what do you expect me to do while you're running around trying to seduce the princess?" Nephrite hissed. "Besides Lita is just a good friend. She has been very helpful getting us settled."
"Don't you mean getting you settled? We are not staying here Neph. Have you ever thought about what Lita will think of you once this all over? Do you think she will still want you then? I do not believe good friends help bring down their friends and planet." Endymion shot back. He turned and looked at Neph's face and saw that he had not thought that quite far ahead.
"Of course I have thought about it! Jesus. What is up your ass? I was dragged here to protect you and because I decided to go along with the crazy ass scheme of yours! Now you are pissed when I start blending in. Maybe I should just go around telling everyone 'I am sorry I cannot speak to you because I am really here to fuck up your lives!'" He stated angrily. They both remind quiet for a moment.
Nephrite released a sigh and crossed his arms. "I'm not in love with the girl Endy. My country comes first. I have not forgotten why we are here. I won't let feelings get in the way." He stated looking Endymion in the eye. He released a sigh and nodded toward his general.
"I am sorry. I suppose I am just stressed. I ran into a possible obstacle for us. It seems Prince Diamond is here." Endymion stated.
"What? Did he recognize you?" Endymion shook his head. "No, I do not believe so. The princess was showing him around the castle. He was too busy trying to get in her pants to notice me. We need to take precaution not to be found out. I also need you to keep your eyes and ears open about why he is here." Nephrite nodded.
"Of course. I will see if I can find anything out. I see you met the Princess. Has she fallen madly in love with you yet?" Nephrite asked with a cheeky grin.
"Not yet my dear friend. It will happen soon enough though. I have already sparked her interest." Endymion stated.
"What is she like?" His friend asked.
"Like any other Princess I guess." Endymion stated with a shrug. However, he knew that was far from the truth. The princess was different. Even though their meeting had been brief, she intrigued him from the start. He pushed these feelings aside. Convincing himself, he could not help but be a curious about the little moon rabbit. It was only natural.
Nephrite blew out a breath. "Maybe there is more than what meets the eye."
"Perhaps." Endymion said.
"Just be careful around Diamond we don't need to be discovered before the plan is complete. Kunzite will have my head if you end up in danger." Neph stated.
"I will be fine. Now go for your stroll in the gardens." He waved Neph off.
"What are you going to do while I am gone?" Nephrite asked.
"Sleep. Now go away you are starting to pester me." Endymion said as he threw himself on the bed. He heard Nephrite chuckle and close the door behind him.
…...
The next morning Serenity could not help but feel a tad giddy. She was excited to see Darien again. She could not explain it but she felt drawn to him. She thought back to the day before when he had said her name before she had left. It sounded wonderful coming from him. His deep velvet voice brought shivers down her spine and made her tingly. She had to bite back a grin at the thought of the handsome Terran.
"You are so lucky." Molly stated as she braided her hair.
Serenity broke out of her trance. "What do you mean?"
"Well, you get to spend all this time with an extremely handsome man?" Molly giggled.
Serenity looked at her sharply. How could she have known?
Molly saw the look Serenity gave her and giggled. "Do not think I don't see the looks Prince Diamond gives you. Maybe if you're lucky he will ask you to marry him!"
Serenity snorted. The thought of Diamond made her nauseas. She spent most of her time at dinner last night dodging his wandering hands. She excused herself early saying she was not feeling well. Diamond was enough to make anyone sick.
"Oh yes lucky me." Serenity muttered sarcastically.
Molly did not seem to catch on as she continued. "Oh my goodness! I can just see it now. You will be the most beautiful bride in the galaxy."
Serenity rolled her eyes. The thought alone made her skin crawl.
Molly finished her hair. She had styled it in a simple braid. She was dressed in her yellow, silk, ridding dress.
"You look beautiful Sere. It is quite unfair you make simple things look stunning." Molly huffed.
Serenity blushed and thanked Molly. Serenity headed out the door to head to the stables when her mother stopped her.
"Good morning my darling. You look stunning today." Her mother praised.
"Good morning mother. How are you this morning?" She asked.
"Quite well darling. I was actually looking for you. I was hoping you could spend some time with Prince Diamond. I do not want him to get bored and it would be great for you to get to know each other better." Her mother stated.
"Really? Because I could think of better things to do. Like squirting lemons in my eyes." Serenity muttered.
"What was that dear?" Her mother asked.
"Nothing. I said I have plans to go the stables to ride horses." Serenity said quickly.
"Well that would be fine. I am sure Prince Diamond would love to go with you. Oh there he is! Good morning Prince. I hope you fared well last night." Diamond bowed before the queen.
"Yes Majesty, I had a wonderful nights rest. Good morning Princess. You look radiant this morning." Diamond swept up Serenity's hand up for a kiss.
"Prince Diamond. Nice to see you too." She regarded him coolly.
"Serenity was just wondering if you would like to horseback riding with her today." Serenity snorted under her breath and her mother gave her a glare.
"I would love to." He smiled charmingly at the Princess.
"Wonderful." Serenity stated through clenched teeth.
"Splendid! Well I will let you two be off. I will you see you two this evening." Her mother turned to walk toward the throne room.
Diamond offered Serenity her arm and reluctantly she accepted it. They walked in silence on the way towards the stables until Diamond spoke.
"You do not fool me Serenity." Diamond stated.
Serenity felt her irritation rising. "I am not sure what you are speaking of Prince."
"I know this was not your idea. But I am afraid sooner or later you are going to have to get used to me being around." He state smugly.
"Well since it is no longer a secret the truth is I would rather spend time kissing a cobra. In addition, as for getting used to you, I see no point. In a few days, you will be gone and having your hand up some other maidens skirt I assure." They had stopped walking.
"Oh I would not be too sure of that. You are going to be my bride if things go my way. So be careful what you ask for. I can surely arrange for you to kiss a cobra." He snatched Serenity by the arm and pulled her closer. She was visibly shaken. They both turned when they had heard footsteps. Lita and a man Serenity had never seen before were behind them.
"Serenity, are you alright?" Lita asked her posture tense.
"I am fine. Right Diamond?'" He stated nothing but continued to glare at her with his gray eyes.
"I suggest you let the Princess go Prince." Lita stated. Diamond released his grip.
"I suddenly do not feel like riding anymore. Please forgive me Princess. I bid you a good day." Diamond stormed off before any of them could even respond.
"What the hell was that Sere? Did he hurt you?" Lita roared.
"Lita I am fine." She let out a rushed breath.
"Bull shit!" Lita yelled.
"Lita! Not. Now." Serenity looked her straight in the eye.
Lita said nothing. Serenity knew this conversation was far from finished. However, she decided to change the topic. She laid eyes on the man next to Lita.
"I do not believe I have met your companion. I am Princess Serenity. May I ask your name sir?" She curtsied. The handsome man smiled. Serenity could see why Lita was drawn to him. It was obvious he was the Terran man Lita had spoken of before. No man of the moon would have looked anything like him. His long brown mane made him appear more ruggedly handsome. He had a dazzling smile. He was roped with muscle.
"You may Majesty. I am Neph. I work in the kitchens. Lita was just showing me to the gardens." He bowed.
"I hope you have enjoyed your time here so far. Are you perhaps a friend of Darien's?" She inquired.
"Yes. We are from the same village. We came here together."
"Well, I was on my way to see him at the stables. I am going riding if you two would like to join me." She offered.
They both agreed to go with her and they followed her to the stables. She saw Darien feeding the beautiful horse from yesterday. Her heart fluttered. He saw the group approaching and smiled at them. She could not think of another man as beautiful as him.
"Hello Princess. Princess Lita it is nice to see you again. I see you have picked up Neph along the way." He mused.
"I came to protect them from your charms. I know how you can be with the ladies." Neph joked.
"I cannot help that I am handsome and charming." Endymion added.
"Perhaps charming. Handsome I am not too sure about Dare." Neph countered
"If you boys are done playing around I have food. Lucky for us I packed enough food to feed an army. Perhaps we can have a picnic after our ride." Lita stated as she lifted up her picnic basket.
"That would be wonderful. Darien maybe you could join us?" Serenity asked.
Darien seemed to think on it for a second before nodding slowly. "I suppose I could break a way for a while. Not too long though." Serenity walked to the beautiful white mare for yesterday. She stroked her and Endymion go the mare ready for her to ride.
"Have you thought of a name for her yet?" He murmured
"I am still working on it. She needs a worthy name." She responded.
"Let us go. I am quite starved." Neph announced loudly and the girls giggled.
"You are always starved Neph!" Darien chuckled.
"Then it should be no surprise I am ready to get going." He joked back.
They each got on their horses and took off. Lita and Serenity taking the lead being that Endymion and Nephrite were not familiar with the trails of the moon.
The whole ride Serenity kept sneaking glances at Darien. He was so poised and had a regal sense about him. It was almost as if he was born and bred into royalty. He caught her glancing at him and gave her a wink. "See something you like princess?"
"You wish." She huffed and sped up to catch up to Lita. She had a hard time fighting the blush on her face the rest of the ride. They finally stopped at Serenity's favorite clearing. The waterfall and the lush green was calming and it was her favorite place to escape to. Moon Lilies grew abundantly.
"I will lay out the blanket. Serenity will you come help me set up the food and perhaps you can do it without trying to taste test it all?" Lita asked with a smirk.
Serenity blew her a raspberry. "I cannot help I am a growing girl who happens to love your food."
"Well, I cannot blame you there dear Princess I am a wonderful cook. But today's meal was prepared by Neph." Lita stated.
"I hope you do enjoy it Princess." Nephrite stated.
"She will. You are a marvelous cook. Serenity is not too picky when it comes to food anyhow." Lita exclaimed.
"You are too kind Miss Lita." Lita's blush stained her cheeks beautifully.
"Wow Lita you two really are a match." Serenity teased. Lita turned an even darker shade of red.
"Serenity!" She scowled. Serenity's tinkling laughter echoed across the clearing.
Endymion caught his breath watching her. He could not help but be mesmerized. She was stunning. So carefree with her head tilted back in laughter and her spiraling, silver hair floating around her like a misty waterfall. He felt a tinge of guilt at the thought of what he was here to do. He pushed the thoughts aside for now. He could not keep thinking like that. Endymion was trained in the ways of war and not ways of the heart. It never had been a problem for him to remove emotions….before.
Soon Serenity and Lita had finished setting up and they all began chatting among each other. Lita and Nephrite went on a walk with each other soon after. Leaving Endymion and Serenity to finish their meal in silence.
"What is Earth like?" Serenity asked softly.
"It is a lot different from the moon that is for sure. I suppose it is more vibrant. The gravity is heavier. It can be overwhelming with all the bustle of everything. There are all kinds of colorful flowers, more creatures than you have on the Moon but it is the people who make it so wonderful." He stated while picking at a piece of pie.
"It sounds wonderful." Serenity sighed as she laid back.
"Wonderful? I thought you would much more prefer the moon. It is much more peaceful here. The people are more demur and it is much more… serene." He concluded with a smirk.
"Do not get me wrong I love my home but I always stare up from my balcony at the Earth. I would love to experience it. My friend Mina says it is lovely. Venusians are not banned from the Earth. I am quite jealous. She brought me a flower back once. It was the most beautiful flower I have even seen. Nothing like we have on the Moon. I lost it though. As far as the moon being more serene, I will admit for the most part it is. However, you never have been to the villages. You have only experienced life here in the palace. It is much livelier! " She smirked up at him.
"Do you visit the villages often?" He inquired.
"When I get the chance to sneak away. I love being someone different for the day. Not being a Princess and just being Serenity. Perhaps one day I can show you the life in the village." She suggested.
"The princess sneaking away with the stable boy… scandalous. A Terran stable boy no less." He said cheekily. She playfully slapped his arm.
"Never mind. Maybe I will ask Neph to accompany to the village." She stated haughtily.
Endymion glanced to the shaded tree Nephrite and Lita currently sat under. They were cuddled into each other's embrace. He turned toward Serenity and raised a brow.
"I do not believe you will be able to tear them to apart. So I guess you are stuck with me to be your partner in crime." She gave him a grin and he felt is insides turn to knots.
"Good. I will see you after dinner. I will meet you here." She stood to brush herself off.
"Tonight? Are you sure that is a wise idea?" He asked.
"Of course. No will notice I am gone after I go to bed. Why? Is the great Darien of Terra scared?" She teased.
"Of course not." He stood and took her hand and laid a kiss upon it. What really took her by surprise was when he leaned down and brushed his lips upon her ear.
"Challenge accepted your majesty." His breath upon her ear sent shivers down her spine. She could smell his spicy masculine sent and felt as if she could bathe in it. She watched as he mounted the stallion and rode back toward the stables. Her heart beating rapidly in her chest.
'What have I gotten myself into?' Was Serenity's last thought before she managed to head back to the castle.