A/N: As much as I hate to admit it, this chapter is short. It was shorter and I added more, but the rest simply must be left for the next few chapters. I don't think I'll have more than 20 in total for the whole story, but considering the fact this was supposed to be ONLY a 10 chapter story...well, 20 isn't too bad, now is it ? Hopefully this one will raise a few questions.

Anja.

Chapter 10

Questions and Concerns

I raked my hand through my hair for the millionth time. That bastard, that undeserving mass of quivering flesh, that putrid prince of the bloody black moon, had done it again; he had managed to hurt Usagi, and there had once again been nothing I could do to stop him. The worst part was that I could not prove anything. Prince Diamond had not set foot on the Earth, and there was no way I could prove that Rubeus and Esmeraude had been sent as distractions.

I raked my hand through my hair again. I had wanted to leave and go after her right away, which my father allowed me to do. I had been able to go out only for a few hours before father decided she was too far and we had to head back to get a larger fleet, more supplies, and a plan. That was where I was now, in a room, waiting for father to get in, and to make a plan.

I did mention he was making the plan, correct? I could volunteer my opinions, but somehow I didn't think my father would be too impressed with my ideas of how to take the Prince and chop him up into little itty bitty pieces and then...I growled in frustration. Oh how I could make him hurt.

The door swung open and a small group of men walked in, led by father. I stood, ready to hear anything he had to say.

"Sit down, Endymion," he ordered. I sat. Well, that was easy.

I watched as he sat down, as did the others who had come into the room with him: Motoki, General Kunzite, General Zoisite, General Nephrite, and General Jaedite. "We will have a fleet ready to leave in a couple of hours," father began, "and I'm assuming you wish to accompany it, since you have the best way of tracking her down. I fear that I cannot go with you since I don't know how long you'll be gone, but you will be joined by these fine men."

I kept staring at him. "How long will the supplies last us?" I asked, unable to think of any other question that didn't involve how I was allowed to hurt Prince Diamond.

"About a month or so, but you will have sufficient funds to re-supply if you need to," he paused and gave me a sharp look. "I don't want you starting up a war needlessly. Go and find out what happened to her and try to negotiate for her safe return. If there needs to be bloodshed you will consult with me first, is that clear?"

I nodded. "Very."

"Good. Go get some sleep now, in a few hours you depart."

I almost laughed. Me? Sleep? Now? Impossible. "I'll try," I replied, and stood from my seat. The four generals bowed to me and Motoki followed me out of the room. We walked in silence until we reached our rooms.

"Are you going to be able to sleep?" Motoki finally asked as I was reaching for my door knob.

"Probably not."

"Do you want me to keep you company for a while then?"

"Aren't you tired? It is nearly morning."

Motoki shook his head. "I don't think I'll be able to sleep either. I'm worried about her too."

I nodded in understanding and opened the door, leading the way into the room. Motoki followed and closed the door behind us. A cheerful fire was crackling in the hearth, so we didn't need to light any candles.

I strolled over to the two chairs before the hearth and sank down into the overstuffed cushions. It pained me to see how miserably thin the golden thread was, as though it was about to snap like a spiders web. She was far away, and I didn't know where. At least I had some way of finding her.

Motoki sat down next too me. He looked just as worried as I felt, his face betraying his thoughts and feelings. "We'll find her," I told him, trying to reassure myself as much as I was trying to reassure him.

Motoki gave me a weak smile. "I'm still worried though."

"I know. I have an irksome feeling that we should have seen this coming somehow." I ran my fingers through my hair, which must have looked like a rats nest already.

"Do you still have you connection?" Motoki asked.

"It's weak, but it's there. I can't ever lost it, not unless she was dead." There was an eerie silence that followed my statement. Dead. It hadn't even crossed my mind, and suddenly, in a twisted, wrong way, I was grateful that it was Diamond who had abducted her and not some other lunatic. He, at least, wouldn't try to harm her.

"Well then let's pray to all the gods that connection doesn't disappear," Motoki murmured.

I nodded. "I don't think it will. Diamond wouldn't try to kill her."

"Are you positive he's the one to blame?"

"Why else would he have sent Rubeus and Esmeraude here? They are his subjects."

"How did they do it, though? How did they get Serenity out of here?"

I shrugged. "I have no clue."

"Well, your father said he was going to question them extensively after we left. You know, a very thorough search was done of their ships, and all of them are accounted for, so I really don't think we can pin the blame on them."

"There has to be something, something we're missing, but I just don't know what."

Both of us lapsed into silence.

I couldn't shake the feeling that we should have seen this coming and that there was some vital information we didn't have. It had been all too easy for whoever took her to do so. How did they know where to find her, and how had they known she would be alone? Was it a group of people, or just one, and how had they escaped out the window unnoticed? Something was off, but what? My head hurt from the barrage of questions it was creating,

Why had she been calling to me so playfully before though? That bothered me the most. She knew I was in a an important meeting with father, yet she still tugged at my heart. It didn't bother me that she did so, but she never tried to gain my attention when she knew I was in a meeting that she didn't attend. It was as if she though that I wasn't there, but that didn't make sense; she knew for a fact that I was with father.

Why had she been so earnest to gain my attention? I raked my fingers through my hair. Why?

I closed my eyes and concentrated on our link. I could still tell that Usagi was frightened. As thin as it was, the thread was still being held taught, as if she was pleading me to come and help her. I cracked my knuckles absentmindedly as I opened my eyes again and stared into the dancing flames. Was it possible that I was wrong, that Diamond had nothing to do with her disappearance? That was very unlikely. It was just too much of a coincidence that ships from his planet arrived on the same day as Usagi was taken. Things still didn't make complete sense, and I only hoped that time would reveal what had happened.

Motoki suddenly leaned forward in his seat. "I just remembered there's something I want to do before we leave. Do you mind if I go for a while?"

I waved my hand. "No, not at all," I replied and watched as he stood and walked to the door. "Say good-bye to Naru for me as well," I called out just as he was exiting. He paused mid step, gave me a sheepish grin over his shoulder, then closed the door behind him.

I let out a sigh and went back to my musing about how I could paper cut his entire body, millimeter by millimeter, and soak him in vinegar and lemon juice before tearing off his limbs and then...

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I exited Endymion's room and quickly made my way through the dimly lit hallway. Dawn was starting to break over the horizon, and I knew I didn't have much time. Everyone was anxious to get going, but I wanted to see her before I left.

I reached her chambers without even really noticing the trip there. I breathed a small sigh of relief when I saw the light seeping out from beneath the door. At least she was still awake and I didn't have to worry about waking her. I knocked softly and heard the padding of small feet. My heart sped up but I remained calm.

"Who is it?" came Naru's voice from the opposite side.

"Motoki," I replied, noting the fact that her voice had been quivering. The sound of a lock clicking followed my name and the door opened a little, revealing a tearful Naru. "Naru!" I exclaimed, worry overtaking me right away. She had started to shed tears soon after she had heard Serenity was missing, but I had been helpless to do anything since I had to perform many duties and tasks to prepare for the trip. Now, though, I was free to speak with her, to try and comfort her.

"Have they found her yet?" she asked, opening the door wider so that I could enter. I shook my head sadly and followed her into the room. It was inappropriate, and I had only come to say goodbye, but her sad features and mournful aura forced me to push all my doubts of propriety aside. She closed the door behind us and walked over to the window."I'm worried about her, Motoki," she whispered, clasping her hands to her chest.

I walked over to her and recalled Endymion's words. "We'll find her," I murmured. It pained me to see her so upset, and I could tell that she had grown incredibly close to the princess over the past few months. I had seen them together and Naru's reaction now only propagated her feelings towards Serenity.

"Are you leaving with Prince Endymion?" she asked quietly.

"Yes. We're leaving in a short while," I replied. In a way I didn't want to leave her behind, but I was also determined to find Serenity. Besides, it wasn't as if Naru and I were...involved.

"Make sure you find her and keep him sane."

I would have chuckled had her words not been so serious. Instead, I touched her shoulder lightly. "I will."

Without warning she suddenly turned and flung herself at me, her arms wrapping themselves securely around my waist. A sob erupted from her throat as my own arms wrapped instinctively around her. I pressed her closer to me and leaned my forehead on the top of her head. Her quivering form held on to me, begging for the strength and support which I freely gave. My hand found its way to the back of her head where I stroked her hair gently, letting her pour our her worry. Her smell filled my senses and caused my mind to go numb as my heart accelerated yet again.

It would be hard to let go.

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Three hours later, the two men stood on the ship that was moving through the sky, one looking to the woman ahead of them, one yearning for the woman left behind.

Naru knew this as she stared out the window at the disappearing ship. The room was filled with guards, courtiers, engineers, crews, and servants. Everyone was either cleaning up or slowly filing out of the chamber.

Naru sighed and glanced next to her, at Anne. She was staring out the window as well. "I wonder how long it will take them to get back," she murmured, keeping her gaze fixed on the disappearing ships.

"Hard to say," Naru replied. "Hopefully soon, and with Serenity."

Anne didn't respond to the comment. Instead she kept gazing out. "It is a pity," she finally said quietly, her breath fogging the window. "I wonder how he managed to do it without making the Princess scream and cause commotion."

"Who?" Naru asked.

Anne looked at Naru. "The man who abducted the Princess from her room," she replied.

Naru shrugged. "I don't know. I don't think anyone knows."

Anne nodded and returned her gaze back out the window.

"I should go and get some sleep," Naru said finally, stifling a yawn. "I didn't sleep all night."

"Very well. I'll see you later," Anne said, giving her a smile.

Naru nodded and walked out of the chamber towards her room. She locked the doors behind herself and walked to the bed, flopping down without even changing. Her eyelids closed on their won accord as she snuggled herself under her blankets, the weariness in her muscles soaking into the sheets around her and out of her body.

I hope they find you soon, Serenity. Motoki and Endymion will find you, don't worry. Naru sighed. It's too bad Endymion didn't get to your room in time to save you or see your abductor.

No other thoughts passed through her head before she was claimed by sleep.

Disclaimer

I do not own the rights to Sailormoon or any of the characters. That honour belongs to Naoko Takeuchi, and I am simply a lowly author who can use her characters for my plots.