Title: To Brave the Darkness

Disclaimer: I don't own anything about Sailor Moon

Authors notes: I just want to make a formal apology. For those of you who read Legends of Love, I mentioned half way through the my Beta Reader seemed to disappear. I admit that I was a little annoyed and that's why I mentioned it. I found out she was in the hospital, unable to get to her computer. I am sorry for assuming the worst of people. My thoughts go out to her and I hope she gets better with no lasting damage. I feel horrible because she was such a great Beta Reader while we were working together.

Here's the next chapter, dedicated to Kimberly Kelly. Get well soon!

Raye and Serenity strolled the beautiful walk the next afternoon towards Endymion's. She was a little nervous, but Raye's easy conversation and witty banter kept her mind occupied. The Opera had been a huge hit last night, and Raye was already talking of going again. Apparently, not all Operas were performed with such talent and charisma.

The day was beautiful, and warmer than the previous. Summer was definitely on its way.

As they neared his great house, Serenity felt her heart flutter.

"Should you speak to him on your own?" Raye asked.

"That's not entirely proper," Serenity said.

"I think we're beyond proper now," Raye laughed. "It's alright. I've been to his house enough times to know how to keep myself occupied. It's such a beautiful day that I'd like to visit his rose gardens anyway."

Serenity nodded. "If you wouldn't mind."

"Not at all. When you're done, you should really meet me there. They're beautiful. Other than stealing the virtue of innocent young ladies, I think his roses are his next great passion."

"That seems so strange for a man like him."

Raye nodded agreement. "You'll think different when you see them."

They walked into the house, greeted by a servant. As soon as he recognized Raye, he walked away without another word. They were free to find Endymion themselves.

Raye led her to a room at the end of the long hall and smiled at her. "Are you sure you'll be fine by yourself?"

"Yes," Serenity said with a shaky voice. "I think I need to face him."

"This is his study. He's almost always here working."

Serenity watched her friend walk away from her and felt her nerves tie in tight knots in her stomach. She tried to swallow, but found a bit of a lump in her throat. She hesitated a moment, and then knocked at the door.

His voice was a little muffled by the door, but he gave her entrance.

When she walked in, she saw him immediately, leaning over a large intricately designed desk and scanning some papers. His tall form seemed slightly hunched, and his hair hung in his eyes. At first, he didn't look up, assuming she was a servant.

Serenity closed the door, taking a step farther into the room.

When he looked up, his eyes turned to surprise and he immediately stood straight.

"Serenity!"

She wrung her hands together. "I hope I'm not intruding."

He shook his head. "Not at all. Please, sit down," he said indicating the chair across from his desk.

She moved towards it, but didn't sit. He walked to the side of his desk, keeping some space between them.

"To what do I…"

"I came to apologize," she said, cutting him off.

He seemed surprised. "For what?"

Serenity always seemed surprised by how handsome he really was every time she saw him. This time was no different. His shirt seemed a little wrinkled and his hair slightly messy, but his blue eyes gazed at her strong and clear, and the strong curve of his jaw was perfect. His height had always been a little intimidating.

"I owe you a lot," she said softly. "I know that I do, and I am so grateful every day for everything that you did for me. I know you hadn't intended on it and I want to thank you again for doing as I asked."

"Serenity, I…"

"Please let me finish before you say anything," she said nervously.

He opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it and nodded.

Serenity took a steadying breath. "I do understand your concerns from last night and I am conscious of them. I was afraid that you were trying to tell me that I owed you something, and until I repaid you, I wasn't allowed to think of my future."

He went to argue, but she held her hand up to him and he stopped.

"I feel that you and I need to come to an understanding, especially if I am to continue seeing you as Raye's friend, so we can get past our anger. Whatever your intentions were last night, I should not have said to you what I did. I don't wish for you to think me ungrateful."

"Serenity stop," he said interrupting her. "Please, I'm not angry with you."

Serenity looked at him confused. "You were last night."

"I was concerned you were making a rash decision."

She nodded. "It is not your place to feel concern for me."

"That does not change the fact that I do," he said honestly. "I know my reputation as well as anyone, and I know my usual way is to simply walk away. I don't know if it's because of all that happened, but I feel a small bit responsible for you now that you're here, away from your stepfather. I know that you are perfectly capable of fending for yourself, but I can't stop myself from wanting to make sure you continue being happy while you do so."

"I am happy," she said.

"I know," he smiled softly, "and it makes me happy to see it. But that might change if you marry someone like the man you were speaking to last night."

"What's wrong with him?"

"He is your father's friend Serenity, and that alone doesn't recommend him. I can keep him silent, but he had the same intentions I did when we first met."

"You mean to seduce me?"

"Your father failed to understand one thing when he used you to attract men to his business ventures. By making it possible to see you only while in his house, he created this mythical beauty, untouched and untamed. He made you a fantasy that men of all ranks of life would covet. The men who saw you talked about your beauty to all their acquaintances and it circulated throughout society. I was never the only one intent on being able to claim the title of the one who got you first."

Serenity felt unsettled by that. She had assumed she was relatively safe behind those walls, but she was wrong. Her stepfather had made a very grave mistake.

"So you're saying that's still what he wants?"

"I have heard he intends to marry again, a woman he has already chosen from among the kings nieces. They are young and wealthy, and pretty enough. I wish I could say that men would want to know you, but because of your stepfather, it is not so. If you must marry, which I still don't agree with, I would choose someone who knows you from this life."

"I don't know anyone from here."

"Then wait," he said pleadingly. "We can find a way to keep you safe long enough to experience a little more before you make a decision."

Serenity felt stupid for feeling a little upset that he had been protecting her last night and not jealous that she was thinking of marrying another man. Of course it was no surprise, but she had hoped he might think of her in a way unlike anyone else.

She nodded, trying to keep her emotions from showing on her face. "Do you think we will be able to remain friends?" She asked hopefully.

Endymion smiled a little sadly. "Yes, I very much hope so."

"And instead of fighting we'll talk?"

"Of course," he said. "I will make a great effort to do so as soon when I return."

"Return?" She asked surprised.

He nodded. "I have business in the kingdom."

She couldn't help but assume his business meant something other than what it usually did. "Does part of your business include a lady?" She asked, trying to seem as if she didn't really care.

He didn't answer for a moment. His eyes were not teasing. "Yes," he said, "I believe I am to be in the company of ladies."

"As in more than one?"

He obviously didn't like these questions. His brow furrowed and he looked away from her for a moment before nodding. "The Lord has three daughters."

Serenity didn't want to hear anymore. She smoothed out her dress and lifted her chin. "Raye is waiting for me in the rose garden. She said I must see it before I leave. Apparently it is another skill of yours."

"You will not be disappointed," he said, making no move to walk her out.

Serenity felt like there was something hanging between them that they weren't saying, but she refused to be the one to bring it up. She hesitated for only a moment before walking out of the room without saying any sort of departing goodbye.

She felt stupid. Whatever she had been expecting she had obvious expected too much.

Endymion wouldn't change.

Serenity spent the next two weeks in complete bliss. Raye and Lita had decided that public appearances were probably not in her best interest, so they started having dinner parties with just their friends and spending long hours riding along the walls of the Kingdom. The sun stayed bright in the sky and the flowers continued to bloom.

Endymion seemed to linger in her mind, but she refused to think about what he might be doing and with whom. Even though they had agreed to be friends, she didn't want to think about him being with other ladies. And she certainly didn't want to talk about it.

"Should we talk about your birthday Raye?" Mina asked.

Serenity looked at her surprised. "When's your birthday?"

"This Friday," Mina said, "which leaves us no time to prepare."

"I don't need a party," Raye said.

"Nonsense," Mina said. "The only question is where. Your home is beautiful of course, but I was thinking maybe Endymion would allow us to use his house. Especially if he's not there."

"I don't know if that's appropriate," Lita said.

"Everyone knows they're friends," Mina argued, "and his home really is beautiful. Besides, I've already written him."

"Of course you have," Raye sighed.

"When he responds, we should go in and decorate. I thought a dinner party on Thursday night. Raye can invite whoever she wants."

"Well that's a relief," Raye said.

"And you have to invite more than just us."

Raye rolled her eyes and Serenity laughed.

"I will take care of everything. All you have to do is show up."

"Alright, but on one condition. You have to stick to my colors."

Mina pouted. "But red and black is so boring."

"If you go crazy I will not show up."

"Fine, red and black. I'll stick to your colors. You have to get a new dress and you have to make sure you're not late. Oh, and you must make sure you provide a list of the things you want there before tomorrow so I can get everything. Serenity, you're in charge of making sure the invitations are sent tonight. I've already had them printed, they just need to be addressed to whoever Raye is inviting."

Lita shook her head. "She's already planned most of the party."

"I know," Raye said. "She started planning it a month ago."

"It's not my fault you leave things to the last minute," Mina whined.

"What else can I do to help?" Serenity asked.

Mina beamed at her. "I have a list for you."

Serenity spent the next couple of days helping Mina prepare for Raye's party, and then helping Raye not pull all Mina's hair out when she saw the white flowers added to her red and black color code. Mina argued that white doesn't count because it's not really a color, more like an accent. Raye was furious, but calmed down when Serenity made sure Mina didn't send out more invitations than Raye wanted.

There were going to be around thirty people at the party and Serenity was happy to see that she didn't recognize any of the names. Hopefully she wouldn't bump into anyone she hadn't already met through her stepfather.

Of course Endymion was invited.

"Do you think he'll come?" Serenity asked.

Raye shrugged. "Sometimes he does. Sometimes he won't respond and then show up on the day of. He likes to surprise me."

"Then I should warn him it wouldn't be a surprise if he came on Friday."

Raye laughed. "I really would be happy if it were just us."

"I know, but you'll be just as happy with all your friends around you. I've always wanted a birthday dinner, but my stepfather always insistent that the passing of age wasn't something to celebrate."

"You've never had a birthday dinner?"

Serenity shook her head. "I hope maybe this year I might invite some friends over, but my goal is to make it that long first, and then we'll talk about it."

Raye nodded softly, her eyes growing concerned. "Have you heard the latest rumors?"

"Yes," she answered with a sigh. "He hasn't stopped looking yet. He's asked the royal guard for help in finding me, and there's a larger reward now. I'm afraid he's going to make it large enough that even my friends might not resist."

"Nobody but us really knows who you are, so you're safe here. Nobody knows what you look like."

"I know," Serenity said. "But it is still a stress. I had hoped he'd simply give up."

"Men are capable of numerous idiotic things."

"Yes they are," Serenity said sadly.

Things were getting so stressed. She assumed the longer she stayed away, the easier it would get. But that was turning out to be myth. She became more and more convinced that her father was getting closer to her and soon things would could to a head.

And even above that, there was Endymion.

Serenity gritted her teeth, forcing herself not to think of him. Why she was so on edge about him she wouldn't allow herself to understand. When she thought of what he was doing, she got angry. The anger was quickly followed by a heart wrenching saddness. So she convinced herself that she could't care less what he was doing, and focused more on how on earth they were going to be friends when she was constantly so angry with him.

End of Chapter seven.