A/N: In order to avoid any confusion, this chapter is done in MOTOKI'S point of view. Also, I promise this is the last cliff hanger for a while, and I'll try and post the next chapter really fast to save your sanity. I know I shouldn't have so many cliffies in a row, but this story is based on them, and if you read the story from start to finish it wouldn't seem so bad. Anyway, hopefully you like this.

-Anja.

Chapter 15

On the Moon

In all the time I had known Endymion, never had I seen him so high strung, tense, and emotional. He was nothing more than a bundle of nerves that refused to eat, sleep, drink, or think. Well, at least think clearly. He was thinking, but only about Serenity.

"Motoki," he muttered, "has the blasted ship arrived yet?" He was in his quarters with all the blinds shut, leaving the room in complete darkness. It had taken three crew members, along with myself and Naru, to bring Endymion to his quarters. By the time we had gotten through that ordeal, he had been so spent that he just sank down to his bed and sat there, hunched over, unmoving. His elbows rested on his knees as he stared at the floor before him, his eyes shining with unshed tears.

"No, we are still about an hour away," I told him gently, not wanting to stir up his emotions.

All Endymion did was sigh and blink before resuming his staring contest with the carpet. I backed out of the doorway I was standing in, giving Endymion the space he needed at the moment, and closed the door once I was out. Naru was waiting for me there in the small corridor.

"Is he any better?" she whispered, clutching her hands together so hard her knuckles had turned white.

I shook my head. "No. He's still in the same position we left him in." He had been in that position for hours now, refusing to move at all until we reached the Moon.

Naru and I walked away from the door and to the same waiting room we had been in when Endymion had lost contact with Serenity. I felt my own heart breaking when I thought something could have happened to her. I didn't allow myself to accept the worst, though, that she could actually be gone forever. That just couldn't be possible. That would probably kill Endymion.

When we reached the waiting room Naru walked to the window and looked out at the vast starry sky. The Moon loomed before us, bright and shining, giving Naru a partial silhouetted look. Her delicate fingers touched the glass and slid down slowly. I walked over and stood a pace behind her. "I should return to the helm, but I'll be back for you before we dock," I said softly.

Naru nodded and glanced over her shoulder. "All right. I'll wait here or wander to my room."

"Try and get some sleep if you can," I told her, since none of us had gotten much sleep in the past few days.

"I'll try, but an hour isn't much," she replied, returning her gaze back to the window. I wanted to reach out and touch her gently, softly caress the soft skin on the back of her neck.

"Good night, Naru," I said, instead, as I turned on my heel and strode to the door.

"Good night, Motoki," she replied. "Try and rest a little too. You look ready to fall over."

I cast her a smile over my shoulder. "I'll try," I replied before walking in the direction of the helm. This was going to be a long hour. There was no way I was going to be able to sleep, so I would have nothing to do but talk to a few of the crew members and General Kunzite, who was in the helm giving orders. I walked over to him right away. He nodded at me and gave one last order before turning to speak.

"Is he still in his chamber?" he asked.

"Yes. I don't think we'll be able to get him out of there until we reach the Moon," I told him.

He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes as he straightened his back. "We have made contact with the Moon already and Queen Selenity is expecting us," he said as he let his breath out and opened his eyes. "We should make sure Endymion is presentable." He stared right at me as he said this.

I nodded and sighed. "I'll make sure he is."

"Good."

That was the extent of our conversation as I turned around and walked out of the room again. I hoped Endymion wouldn't growl at me for coming into his presence again so soon, but protocol was protocol.

Gods, how I hated my job sometimes.

~~~~~oOo~~~~~

The sound of our feet hitting the smooth marble ground was like music to the ears. We were finally on the Moon, now heading toward the welcoming party Queen Selenity was standing before. Beside me, Naru stared at her surroundings, completely taken with the serene beauty of the Moon. Endymion led our group, his hair and appearance neat but his eyes bloodshot and his face pale. I'd done my best, despite his protests, to make him look the crown Prince he was, but he still looked like he had not slept in weeks. I could see he was high strung, his patience nearly gone, and his nerves on the very brink of completely snapping.

This was not going to be pretty.

"Prince Endymion, it is a pleasure to see you once again," the Moon Queen said as her eyes scanned our party, obviously looking for Serenity; the Queen, after all, didn't know the princess was missing yet.

"Queen Selenity, my apologies for showing up so unexpectedly. I hope we are not presenting any inconvenience to you." Endymion's voice was strong and his words clipped, a sharp contrast to his usual smooth, low tone of voice.

"It is no problem at all, Endymion, you know you are always welcome on the Moon," the Queen said, still glancing around. "But isn't my daughter with you?" Her voice was hopeful and excited. My heart skipped a beat, feeling a pang of sadness for the Queen who was about to hear news no mother should hear.

"We were hoping that you would be able to tell us where Serenity is," Endymion replied. The room went eerily silent as Selenity's face froze.

"I can't even begin to imagine why you're asking me that, Prince. I would assume she is with you." Her words were slow and carefully chosen.

I could see the tensed muscles in Endymion's face twitch as he swallowed. "She is supposed to be with me, but she isn't. A couple of days ago she was abducted from the Earth."

Selenity's hand flew to her mouth as she let out a sharp gasp. "No!" she whispered as the crowd around her murmured in surprise.

Endymion gritted his teeth with a pained look on his face. "We've been following the link she and I have and it was heading straight for the Moon."

Selenity's hand shook as she lowered it from her face. "My daughter is not on the Moon, not to my knowledge at least. No one has come to the Moon in days."

"The link was coming here though," Endymion said with a frown and I could see a fresh wave of tears spring into his eyes, though he held them back. "I-I fear," his voice cracked as he tried to find the right words to use. "I fear I have lost contact with Serenity." Queen Selenity's already fair skin paled to a deathly white. Endymion's words registered with everyone in the chamber, and, once again there was an eerie silence. "Our link is gone," he stated bluntly.

"That's impossible," the Queen whispered, her hands clenched and knuckles white. "You must be mistaken."

I watched in awed silence as Endymion took a step toward the Queen and fell to his knees before her, bowing his head. The scene before me was one I would never forget. Endymion's black clothed form fell before the illustrious white Queen of the Moon, his cape falling around him like a pitch black pool of sorrow and pain. Before all the courtiers clad in silver and white, and all the guards and members of our entourage, the fearless, brave Prince of the Earth quivered as he allowed a single, anguish-filled sob escape from his lips.

I felt the sharp sting of tears as Queen Selenity closed her eyes and fell to her knees as well, flinging her arms around Endymion. Her silver hair floated around her and seemed to hug the both of them in a comforting embrace, falling around the pair like silk in water. Nobody seemed to know what to do, the situation was so delicate and rare. From the spot where I was standing I could see Queen Selenity moving her lips, obviously saying something, but no one could hear what it was; it was a private exchange that would never be put down in any history books. Next to me, Naru sniffled, and I turned my head to see her wiping a few tears from her eyes.

In a sense, the situation seemed ridiculous, since none of us had actually determined for sure what had happened to Serenity; no explanations had been offered, no answers given, but the feeling of dread was mutual among all in the room.

I turned my attention back to Queen Selenity and Endymion. The Queen had her forehead resting on Endymion's shoulder, her petite frame leaning against him. Slowly, she brought her head up, her eyes shining with tears, and she placed her delicate hands on either side of Endymion's face, forcing him to look her in the eyes. Her tender caress made him shudder again but otherwise he didn't move. The Queen closed her eyes and placed a gentle kiss on Endymion's forehead, before raising herself to her feet.

"Perhaps we should discuss this in private," she whispered, placing her fingers beneath Endymion's chin and bringing his face upwards. He stared at her, two streams of silver running down his face, and, hesitantly, he nodded. Rising to his feet, he stared at the Queen as she murmured a few orders to the servants, guards, and courtiers around her before turning and walking toward the doors. Naru and I followed, and I heard Malachite hissing a few orders at everyone else with us. Two guards fell in place behind Naru and I as we followed Queen Selenity and Endymion, and General Malachite walked next to me. One of the Queen's advisor's, Artemis, walked next to his Queen who was flanked by two Moon guards.

We soon reached a small seating room. After everyone was inside, Queen Selenity nodded at Artemis to close the doors. A cheerful fire crackled in the hearth, its merry popping and inviting warmth doing nothing to ease our bitterness and chill. I noticed that tears were now streaming down Queen Selenity's face but she wiped them away quickly. She sank into closest sofa and rested her elbows on her knees, her forehead in her hands. She let out a shaky sigh as the rest of us took seats around her, Endymion in the chair right next to her, Naru and I on a sofa across from them, and Artemis and Malachite in two other chairs. The guards that had followed us seemed to melt into the walls near the door.

Queen Selenity raised her head and looked at Endymion. "Now, tell me exactly what happened." Her chin was resting on her hands that were still supported by her knees, her normally straight form now bent hunched.

"A few days ago, a small group of ships arrived on Earth, all of them unmarked. We had them searched and then my father and I went to speak with the two delegates that were on them. While talking to them, I felt Serenity panicking. By the time I reached our room, she was gone."

"You were still connected to her though, right?" Selenity asked.

"Yes. I didn't lose that connection until we were well on our way here," Endymion confirmed.

"Do you have any idea who took her?" Her tone was pleading, as if the identity of the kidnapper would lead to some sort of explanation.

Endymion stared at his hands for a moment before letting his eyes meet the Queen's. "I think that Prince Diamond has something to do with it."

"Prince Diamond?" Selenity asked, obviously taken back by Endymion's theory. "Why do you think he's the one to blame?"

Endymion's cold eyes glittered with anger at the very thought of Prince Diamond. "The delegates that arrived on the Moon were from the Dark Moon, Diamond's empire. It's a little too coincidental that they would arrive and right after Serenity would disappear. Besides, there is no one else who would want to take Serenity with such fervor."

Queen Selenity straightened as she bit her bottom lip. "I hate to bring down your theory, but I think that it's quite impossible that Diamond is behind this."

"Oh? And why is that?" Endymion asked.

"Prince Diamond is not even on his own planet right now. He is still in custody here on the Moon, and any contact he has had with his people has been closely monitored."

Endymion's jaw clenched. "He's still on the Moon?" he choked out.

"Yes. I have not yet released him since he has yet to answer for his actions."

I had to admit I was confused. If Diamond was still on the Moon, why wasn't the Dark Moon in an uproar? Why didn't we know about this? Why hadn't anyone demanded his release?

"I want to see him," Endymion growled. Well, he obviously wasn't thinking clearly, otherwise he would have been asking the same questions that were running through my head.

"If it pleases you. Now, or later?" Queen Selenity seemed a little hesitant to go right away since she probably still wanted to talk about Serenity, but Endymion stood.

"Now," he said and waited for us to stand before stalking toward the door. One of the guards opened it for him and he waited for us in the hall and for Selenity to lead the way. She walked quickly down the marble hallways, her feet making almost no sound on the stone floors. She led us through the palace labyrinth until finally our small party came to a stop in front of a door guarded by two warriors. Queen Selenity nodded at the door and one of the men pulled a ring of silver keys from his belt.

"This is his room," she said. "No one is allowed to enter or exit without my permission, and usually all visitors are supervised."

The guard pulled open the door and gave Queen Selenity a bow. She walked in and Endymion followed. Naru, General Malachite and I followed hesitantly as well.

There was no one in sight. A small fire crackled in the hearth but there was no one in the room. The room itself was humble but still decorated in good taste; a room used to house royal prisoners. Everything was in hues of lavender, the curtains, the carpet, the furniture, everything. On the opposite wall was a door that was closed, and I assumed that led to the actual bedroom. Artemis walked to that door and tapped on it gently. "You have company," he called before walking over to stand beside Queen Selenity. The Queen sank into a cushioned chair next to a small marble table and motioned Naru to join her, while the rest of us remained standing. The door creaked open after a few seconds and Prince Diamond stepped into the room.

"Queen Selenity, how kind of you to pay me a visit," the Prince said sarcastically, before his eyes fell upon Endymion. A sweet, venomous smile spread across his face. "And I see that the surprises keep getting only more pleasant. To what do I owe this unexpected honor?"

"I'm not here for idle chatter," Endymion snapped.

"Then pardon me for trying to be civil," Prince Diamond growled. "My apologies for not being more hospitable, but it is hard to be such when one has been living in a prison for as long as I have."

"Your situation is due to your own stupidity and I feel no compassion for that. I'm here for different reasons than to offer my sympathy. Where is Serenity?" Endymion was wasting no time or courtly speech. I resisted the urge to sigh or to tell Endymion to be careful, but I just remained silent.

"You ask me where your wife is?" Prince Diamond snorted. "I can only assume she is on the Earth or here with you, though why you ask is beyond me."

"I wouldn't be asking you where she was if I knew the answer already," Endymion retorted.

A look of surprise filtered across Diamond's face and was then replaced by a cheeky smile. "She ran away from you already? My, how quickly she tired of your company. I'm flattered that you would think she would come running into my arms for comfort."

Endymion glared at Prince Diamond as his fingers flexed toward the hilt of his sword, but he remained in control. I could see Malachite tense, and I knew he wanted to say something and step in, but Endymion didn't give him the chance.

"Watch your tongue," he hissed. "A small party of your ships arrived on the Earth the day Serenity was Kidnapped, she didn't run away. They said you wished to offer a peaceful hand to us, and then Serenity was gone. I am very interested to hear your explanation of their presence."

Diamond arched an eyebrow. "Perhaps you are not aware of my current situation, Prince Endymion, but I do have more important tasks on my list of things to do at the moment than abducting a woman who obviously wants nothing to do with me. Resolving my current housing is on top of that list, as if making amends in a fair way, not meeting any ridiculous demands." With that last sentence he glared at Queen Selenity, who's cool gaze didn't waver from the fuming Prince.

"You cannot say you're being treated badly here, Prince Diamond. There are a few conditions for your release, ones that are both fair and acceptable."

"You know I disagree with that opinion," Prince Diamond replied with a sneer.

Endymion sighed and ran his hand through his hair. His agitation was radiating from his entire being and everyone in the room could sense it.

"Perhaps, it would be better, if we left for the time being and returned at a later time," General Malachite said in a genuine display of wisdom. I applauded him.

"What, and leave me so soon? I'm quite entertained by this. I never thought I'd get the chance to see Prince Endymion so emotional and pained. For all he knows, his wife may never return to him."

"I told you she was Kidnapped, she didn't run away," Endymion snapped.

"Are you sure? Just think, right now she could be in the arms and bed of another man, enjoying pleasures you could never show her. She won't want to return any-" his words were cut off as he was slammed into the wall by Endymion with such force it knocked the air from his lungs and he gasped for air.

"Endymion!" Queen Selenity exclaimed sharply.

"Your walking on very thin ice, Diamond, very, very too thin ice. I'd watch my words if I were you," Endymion growled as he pushed on Prince Diamond harder to the wall.

Prince Diamond grinned. "And if your theory is true, she could already be dead."

Endymion let out a cry of frustration as he slammed Diamond into the wall again and let the Prince slide to the ground as he turned on his heel and strode to the door. Queen Selenity and Naru got to their feet quickly.

"Just think, Endymion, you couldn't protect your own wife," Diamond called out as Endymion placed his hand on the door handle. He froze.

"One more word, Diamond, and I will kill you."

"Endymion, please, control yourself," Queen Selenity said softly as she glared at Prince Diamond. "And you, sir, should watch what you say."

Endymion pulled the door open and stormed out. The rest of us followed and once we were all out, the guards closed and locked the door once more. Endymion was facing the wall, leaning his arm and forehead on the smooth stone. Queen Selenity walked over to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry about that," she murmured gently.

Endymion let out a long sigh. "It's not your fault, my Lady. I should have been in better control of my emotions."

I walked over to the two. "Endymion, you should really get some sleep before we do anything else." He needed the rest, that much was apparent.

"We have to continue our search for Usagi," he muttered. "Since she's not here, we have to continue on."

"We have no clue where to go," I argued, wanting desperately for him to get some rest before his body gave out. "Maybe in the morning-"

"We will leave now, Motoki. I can sleep on the ship if I need to," Endymion said with a deadly calm voice.

"Endymion's right, Serenity needs to be found as soon as possible," Queen Selenity said quietly. I sighed, since I was now on the losing end of the battle.

"I advise against this, but if you're set on going right away..." I let my words trail off as Endymion straightened his back and stepped away from the wall.

"We're going now," he said.

No one argued as Queen Selenity started to lead us back to the docks. She and Endymion walked ahead of the group, sharing in a low conversation, while the rest of us walked in silence. At least it gave me a chance to think a little. If Diamond wasn't behind the abduction, then who was? What reason would anyone have for taking the Princess? There was the possibility of holding her for a high ransom, but why had her link with Endymion disappeared then? There was no one I could think of that would want Serenity dead. Most people on the Earth were enchanted by her, save for a few like Anne...

Anne? Could she have something to do with it? It would make sense. She had been after Endymion for years, openly trying to make him court her. Would she sink so low as to commit treason and murder? I would have to discuss the point with Endymion as soon as we were on our way.

It puzzled me that Rubeus and Esmeraude had come to the Earth with an invitation of peace from Diamond when Diamond had been quite hostile towards Endymion just now. It was possible that one of the conditions for Diamond's release was him making peace with Endymion and Serenity, but why had he been so snide just now, when his delegates had wanted to extend friendship? It didn't make sense.

We reached the ships. The room was buzzing with activity, crew members checking over the ships and preparing them for departure. I turned to Queen Selenity. "My Queen, I was hoping before we left you could answer something for me."

"Yes, Motoki?"

"What were the conditions that were imposed on Prince Diamond for his release?" I asked.

"There were not too many. Why do you ask?"

"There are just a few things that are unclear to me, my Lady, and I only wish to straighten a few things out in my head," I told her.

"Well, he was required to-" her words were cut when Endymion took in his breath sharply all of a sudden. We all looked at him. He was staring in the direction we had just come from, his eyes wide and his breathing rapid.

"Endymion, what-" before I could finish my question Endymion was gone, sprinting in the direction we had just come from. We all stared in surprise before anyone sprang into action. Malachite and I set out after Endymion, running after the mad man with a few Moon Guards and our own men following.

What had gotten into him? We all called out his name, but he didn't stop his mad dash. He was far ahead of us, and none of us knew where he was going, though he was heading in the same direction as Diamond's room was.

What had gotten into him?

-Disclaimer-

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

A/N: As I mentioned earlier, I promise this is the last cliff hanger for a while. Most of what is going on will be explained in the next chapter, and I'll try and get that out quickly. Until then, please be patient and feel free to make up your own theories. Anja.