A/N: Aaww, gomen ne minna chan. I have to work hard during the holidays to pay off school this sem. Thanks for waiting and continued support! Please Enjoy!

Chapter 10: Rivals.

Endymion narrowed his eyes to the tall handsome man with long black hair tied in a low ponytail who adoringly held Serenity. 'How dare he touch her!' He thought angrily. It also didn't help when Serenity couldn't seem to let go of the man's arm. 'The little minx!' Endymion could no longer stand watching the woman he loved display such affection towards another man when he longed to have what the other man had.

'You're jealous.' A voice in his mind said.

'I am not!' Endymion denied.

'Then why are you clenching and unclenching your hands? Admit it, you're jealous.'

'Shut up!'

'C'mon, Endymion, I am yourself. You already admit the fact that you love her. What's so different if you also admit that you're jealous?'

'Fine! I AM jealous. How come he has the opportunity to hold MY Serenity?'

'Maybe because he is nice to her and you're not.'

'What are you talking about? I am nice to her.'

'Uh-huh.'

'Okay! Maybe I was a little bit mean.'

'A little bit?'

'Damn you! Fine! I was mean to her a lot, but I'll change. For her.'

'Good, now you're talking.'

'But I have to get rid of that man first.'

'Uh-oh, I wouldn't do that if I were you.'

'What is it now?'

'If Serenity finds out what you have been planning I don't think she'll ever talk to you again.' Warned the voice.

'IF she finds out.'

'I wouldn't d-'

'Shut up and keep away from me!' With that, Endymion ignored the voice inside his head. His eyes were so dark you would think that it was black and not the deep color of sapphire. With burning anger and jealousy, he watched the pair like a panther in the shadows until they were out of his sight.

Next Morning...

Serenity woke up with a smile on her sleepy face. She was happy that her friend Seiya was here, but was disappointed that they didn't have the time to talk last eve and so, she decided to wake up early to make up for the lost time. She reluctantly opened one eye to glance at her clock then snuggled back once again on the bed when she was given few more minutes to sleep, albeit not until she felt or more likely smelled something very nice.

'Something smells beautiful.' She thought dreamily. Her silver head half buried under the warm covers and soft pillows. Serenity reluctantly pushed the pillows and covers from her body and sat up.

"Oh my divine Selene!" She exclaimed, unconscious that she had said it rather loudly for two armed guards that were guarding her room and a maid came charging inside the room.

"Princess Serenity!" The maid called in alarm.

"What's wrong, your highness?" Asked one of the guards while surveying the whole room for any intruders.

"I-uh, Umm... Look!" She said absentmindedly, pointing at the objects that had caused her sudden behavior. Her maid and the two men were confused at first before they had finally noticed that the whole suite was covered with red and white roses.

The sight overwhelmed Serenity. Beautiful roses surrounded her, every where she looked the roses were their. Serenity realized that she had slept on a bed of roses. She thought of the person who would do this for her. 'This is so romantic.' She thought blissfully and went out of her bed, frowning in regret for stepping on a delicate petal, but the emotion was soon forgotten when she read a piece of note that was ribbon on a white flower. It reads:

My Sweet Moon Angel,

Red rose stands for undying love and passion.

White rose stands for pure love and innocence.

I hope you like the flowers. I made them especially for you.

Your Prince.

"Endymion." She whispered.

"Seiya!" Serenity called, running towards the Prince of Mars.

"Hey, Sere." Seiya smiled as he watched Serenity pant in front of him.

"You haven't change a bit, Sere. You're still the cheerful girl I know." And Serenity could only nod.

"C'mon. You promised me that you'll show me around the Moon." He said as he took Serenity's hand and headed over to the south of the palace without waiting for an answer.

"Do you know that you're going to the palace's lawn?" Serenity asked.

"Of course, one of the maids told me."

"Seiya-oniichan, can I ask you something?" Seiya had never been bothered being called big brother by Serenity, but now he cringed at the thought.

"Sure."

"You mentioned last night that besides visiting me, you also have an important business here at the Moon. Can I ask you what business it is?"

"I'll tell you later when we get there (lawn)."

Seiya studied everything around him and smiled with complete pleasure. The Moon was the most beautiful planet in the system. The lawn was carpeted with lush green grass, assorted flowers that never wither from their beauty, and butterflies, rabbits, and other small creatures was playing around.

"Seiya-niichan, teeeelll meeee...!" Serenity insisted as she tugged the sleeve of his shirt. Seiya chuckled at her childish behavior. 'She always acts like this.' He thought adoringly. He never once complained about Serenity's unique behavior. He knew of her painful childhood and behind of her unhealthy appearance and poor choice of clothing he came to love her sweet cheerful personality. She was a person who wasn't afraid to show her true self to others and not like those selfish Princess wanna-be's.

"Okay, I'll tell you." He chuckled.

"Well?" She said after a full minute of his silence.

"I came here to talk to your mother, Serenity." He said seriously.

"My mother? What for? Is there a problem with Queen Kakyuu or Princess Rei?" She asked in concern.

"No, everyone's fine." He said, giving her a small smile of reassurance.

"Then what?" She said acting impatiently and Seiya once again laughed.

"You little rabbit." He teased and patted her head.

"Don't call me that! I am not a rabbit!" Serenity's cheeks puffed out and her lips pouted very cutely and moved her head away from his big hand.

"But you are a rabbit."

"Whatever. Don't change the subject, Seiya. Tell me your business with my Mother." Seiya abruptly stopped laughing.

"I..." He clears his suddenly dried throat. "... I will ask the Queen for your hand in- in Marriage." He said seriously. Serenity's eyed widened and her lips parted slightly in surprised.

"Y-you wa-want t-to mar-ry m-me?" She stammered, face aflame.

"Yes, I-I love you, Serenity." Seiya grabbed Serenity's wrists and pulled her to him.

"When you left Mars, I felt sad and alone. I couldn't stop thinking or talking about you, then I realized that I love you." He blurted out, tightening his hold on her. Serenity was still silent from his confession. She was utterly surprised or more likely, shocked. From all this years, she had cared for him as an older brother she never had and thought that he felt the same way even though he already had a sister.

"Se-Seiya..." She murmured.

"I love you, Serenity. If your mother gave me the permission to marry you, will you marry me?" He asked, pulling her away to look at her. 'His eyes...' Serenity thought. 'I wanted to believe that he was only teasing me, but... but his eyes shows the sincerity of his words.'

"Seiya, you know that I am already betrothed to another. You'll just get disappointed for coming here."

"I don't care. I will try. I will plead if I must, but I cannot let you go!" He said fiercely as he grabbed her shoulders. Serenity gasped as Seiya leaned his face towards her and kissed her. She couldn't believed that he would do this to her. She could feel his lips kissing and nipping at her lips. 'His kiss isn't as sweet as Endymion's.' She thought. She tried to move, to push him away, but couldn't. He was physically stronger. Suddenly, she was thrown back and landed on her behind and saw Seiya sprawled a few yards away from her, there was blood on his lips.

"How dare you touch what is mine?" Endymion roared in anger. He was watching them from the moment he saw Serenity ran towards the man. He was about to marched towards them and give the man a short 'talk', but controlled him self from doing just that. Instead, he followed them. He watched with great restraint not to stomp his way over to them and pound the man in the face every time Serenity laughs with him or be very affectionate. However, his restraint snapped and an intense fury broke lose as he saw the man kissed HIS Serenity.

'Bastard!' An instant rage tore through him. He strode over to where Seiya was and pulled him by his collar and gave him another punch on the face.

"Endymion!" Serenity yelled as Seiya was getting on to his feet and ready to give the angry man a big hard punch, but before he could deliver a blow, Serenity threw herself to him, stopping him from his tracks.

"Endymion! What do you think you're doing?" She demanded angrily.

"Step away from him, Serenity, so I can beat the hell out of that bastard!" Endymion said in a steal voice, his hands were clenched.

"Who do you think you are coming over here?" Shouted Seiya.

"I have every right, you fool! How dare you touch Serenity?" Endymion replied in a same tone.

"What I do is not your business!"

"If it involves Serenity IT IS my business! She is MINE! And she and I will marry, so if I were you, I'd rather be careful kissing someone who already belonged to another." Endymion hissed.

"Stop it! Just stop it you two!" Serenity couldn't take any more of their farce and over flowing male pride.

"I have had enough of this Endymion! We are agreed to be married, but I am not yours yet, so what I do is none of your concern!"

"But Serenity, I-"

"No!" She cuts off. "Why do you always hurt me, Endymion? I always hoped that you somehow feel something for me, but I guess I'm a fool for hoping an impossible wish. Do you send me those flowers so you can laugh at me?"

"No, Serenity. I send them, because... I care for you." Endymion said, he couldn't admit his love for her just yet, not with their current complicated situation and relationship.

"Cared? You never did, Endymion."

"That's not true! I always did care for you." Six words were said softly.

"Well, congratulations, you have a great way of showing it." She said sarcastically.

"You know what? I just realize what a great fool I was to believe every word you say. You always lied to me."

"Serenity, please listen to me-"

"Do you think I don't know how you object from marrying me eight years ago? I clearly remember hearing you telling your father that you will not marry me, because I looked like a disaster. For those days I thought you actually cared for me, but you are just like the people who mocked me, but you are even worse. Unlike you, at least they care to tell me the truth. Tell me, Endymion; tell me if I'm wrong."

"..."

She smirked in disgust. "You can't even deny it now. You only took interest on me when I was no longer the ugly little girl from the past. I am flattered that I pleased you. Knowing that my appearance had finally met your qualifications only now you're willing to accept me as your bride and even if I was still ugly, you'll only marry me out of duty and not for love or even a slight affection."

"Serenity, I..." He started, but trailed off for he didn't know what to say. Serenity laughed sardonically, ignoring her heart that was breaking apart. She wanted to run away from him, to scream her pain and the love she had for him, albeit she stood firm.

"Don't worry, Endymion. I'll still marry you... for it is my duty to my family and to my people to see that they have a good future." With that, she turned and left with Seiya. The Mars Prince didn't object nor tried to interfere in their argument, although he smiled inwardly in satisfaction as he knew now that there was a chance for him to have Serenity. On the other hand, Endymion still stood there, aghast.

A/N: Next chapter will be posted as soon as possible!