Chapter Four

Family Gatherings

Ethan flew across the grass and into this mother's arms. As he ran the moonlight raced with him, lighting the way for his small feet. Serenity watched with uncertain eyes…he was the first she had ever seen that called to the moon and yet had not been born of her tribe. He was special…of that she was certain.

His mother wrapped her arms about him, tears streamed down her beautiful face as she welcomed him home. His father was not far behind, cradling the two with one good arm. The other was bandaged and in a thick sling, bruises and fresh scars marred his features telling of the hard battle that had recently raged.

"Thank you," the woman said, looking at each of them. She crushed Ethan into her arms and breathed a sign of relief thankful that he wasn't hurt.

"Rei, Jadeite," Nephrite acknowledged, embracing the two; Ethan smiled over his father's head at her, and barely managed to cover his mouth before the coughing began.

Rei frowned at her son in concern, "How long have you been coughing?" her hands felt his fore head for signs of a fever. Ethan shrugged, and rested his head on her shoulder not really worried about the cough.

Serenity stepped forward, "Just recently. Most likely because he's tired, we've been moving around quite often."

Rei smiled at her and nodded thankful for the information.

"Yours?" The word came from behind Serenity, Endymion has asked with a slightly amused voice. He never would have figured his cousin for a mother but it was apparent that she was a wonderful one.

"Ours," Jadeite answered, pulling his family closer and into his arms. He knew how much it had hurt his wife when Endymion had disappeared. Endymion smiled in his cousin's direction and felt some sense of family when she smiled back even if it was with uncertainty. It was rather awkward making the introductions of the front green, but it didn't really bother him. Almost anything to stall for time before entering the palace. It wasn't really ready to face his past but it seemed that delaying it was no longer a choice.

Slipping his hand into Serenity's he tugged her along with him. She fell in step next to him with no questions asked or inquiring looks.

"Milord?" Artemis asked, pacing next to them.

Endymion shot him a glance and nodded, knowing that as the older man left his side he would be making the necessary arrangements. This wasn't the first time in six years that he had needed to stay in a large manor, however when other's inhabited the rooms he preferred a small cottage or inn next to it. If he resided in a place it gave others of his kind to enter with out an invitation, and calling a place home was far more dangerous. If he was to stay it would be on the grounds, insuring that none of the nights creatures could slip in to the halls and murder those sleeping.

Moving through the large halls of his former home he could not help but flinch at the amount of activity surround him. The palace was alive with people and all moved swiftly out of his way as he past them. They were the first to enter the large throne room. Decorated with banners and large balcony doors and windows the room was meant to entrance and overwhelm those who thought to intimidate the rulers.

The room was dark, lined briefly with few candles and for those with out his vision it must been nearly impossible to see in. Grinning he watched her move to the door, throwing them open to allow for the moon's light to grace the marble floors. She amazed him, with in a few days she had him completely enthralled. She wasn't afraid of him or what he could do, and even at his worst she offered peace and understanding. Leaning against the marble pillar he watched her breath in the moonlight, content to merely stand back and see her.

His day dream was interrupted. Though in all honesty he was far from surprised when Nephrite and Malachite burst threw the doors, followed by Zoicite. The general was more fit to be a scholar than a military commander, he was the only person Endymion knew that had read every book with in the royal library and knew each word and volume by heart. Zoicite gapped at him in astonishment, but said nothing.

Endymion was grateful.

Rei and Jadeite soon joined the ranks of the small party, and while the fourth general joined the other three in order to keep an eye on him, Rei walked towards Serenity.

Serenity breathed in the night air, and let the moonlight surrounded her in its love. Her body began to glow and her heart and soul began to swarm inside her chest, recognizing the love of their counter part. A mother's love that she had only known through the soft rays of the moon beams.

"Where did you learn your gift?" Rei inquired, watching the younger woman intently. She had never seen some one so young control their gift with such calm and certainty. She had been a fire priestess since she was a child and yet part of her charge still eluded her. The fire was a living thing, that with each breath could and often became dangerous, and yet for all the minor burns and startling rise of the element she would not have changed her destiny. She was meant to walk with the flames and find their secrets.

"I've never learned by gift, I was born with the knowledge to hold it close to me," Serenity smiled, laying her hand upon the woman's arm.

"Thank you for bring my child home safely to me."

"Your welcome, but to tell the truth after seeing him I couldn't leave him. He stole my heart," Serenity smiled, happy to bond with the woman who had given life to the child she adored.

Rei laughed, "His father was like that. I'd never tell him though," With a wink she embraced Serenity, certain that she found a new friend to hold dear to her heart.

Endymion lifted his head when the doors to the north opened. With his hearing he would sense the thick doors moving over top the marble. Still he did not move from his position, content to view the proceedings from the shadows and find what he had been missing for six years. All four generals left his side to take their places in court, as they left Serenity came up to him. Taking his hand in her own, she offered support. He smiled at her, letting himself forget that it was wrong to touch her and held on tight.

A royal guard surrounded his parents, however something was different. Two women stood at the front of the formation, one with golden lock and the other with auburn hair. Both looked like formidable women and he had no doubt that they would take down any threat to his parents. The two were dressed in warrior grab, from different clans but both well known through out the lands. They were a part of women warriors who for centuries had gain knowledge and fighting styles that would be worth a solid alliance. He had to wonder how his parents achieved it. The blonde's eyes turned to him in the dark, and Endymion had a sneaking suspicion that she was seeing more than he wished her too.

His parents took their seats, and the debriefing began. Endymion took his time looking the over. His mother looked the same as she had nearly six years ago; her hair was a silky white and pulled up into a strict bun on the top of her head. Her beautiful face showed more worry lines but despite her age she was able to look youthful.

His father was a different matter, and Endymion could barely refrain from chocking on the scent that rolled off of him. It was death. His father was dying, and rapidly. He no longer was the image of health and strength, instead he hunched forward unable to support his own weight. Perhaps it was because he was staring at them so hard that their eyes turned to his. Neither spoke out to him, beckoning him forward. Never the less the three of them came to a silent agreement; their meeting would be in private where for just a time the past could be forgotten and future not known.

The meeting ended and his father and mother took their leave. Even with his decaying body King Erebus managed to make and dignified bow, his mother Queen Pelee shooed the guards away, wanting a solitary walk with her husband. They had been married nearly sixty-three years and the two were still very much in love, something Endymion envied greatly.

The lower guards departed, but the two women stayed. There was something about them that nagged at Endymion, a scent and feeling that declared they belonged to someone. He wasn't far off and certainly didn't have to wait to find out. The smaller blond raced across the room as soon as the doors had closed, leaped in to Malachite's arms, wrapped her legs about his waist and kissed him.

"I missed you, husband," She smiled, not put off by Malachite gruff exterior.

"Mina," he replied, but a smile was plastered on his face. It was obvious that he was happy to see his wife.

The other woman was much more reserved, offering a quaint hug to Nephrite. Endymion had a feeling that she might not be as head over heals in love with her husband as the blonde. He would learn later that her name was Lita and she came from the Thundering Sword clan. From what he understood of those women, they were often more reserved.

Rei yawned loudly, offering a blushing smile in apology.

"Tired?" Jadeite asked, stroking her long black hair. Rei leaned her head on his shoulder and nodded. "It is getting late; I say we go to bed."

Endymion smiled, it was noon for him, but he refrained from saying anything. Serenity caught his grin and pulled him towards the balcony, "How about a walk," she asked.

"Aren't you sleepy?" She shook her head not really worried about sleeping; she would sleep with him when he slept.

"Bed sounds like a wonderful idea," Mina agreed, giving Malachite a wink. When everyone turned to look at her she blushed but leaned down to kiss her husband, her legs still wrapped around his waist.

"Why don't I put you down," Malachite asked, beginning to walk out the door.

"Carry me, I've had a hard day," Malachite snorted at her words but none the less did as she asked. Endymion could hear their laughter as the moved down the halls.

"Your bedrooms?!" Rei gasped, having completely forgetting about sleeping arrangements.

Endymion soothed her worries, "Artemis took care of it." Nodding to the group he left them.

Rei watched them go…like the other's disbelieving in the man they saw. He was different that what she remembered…different than the man described in Artemis' letters…and she was certain it was because of the woman.

- - - - - - - -

Endymion opened the door to the rather large cottage that was built on the back of the palace yards. The first settlement that proclaimed this land his family's was still standing, and in remarkably good condition. But then it was a source of pride for his family and an honored room for guests. Walking in to the large bedroom he by-past the bed and entered the stone bathing chamber. This room like all the baths of the palace were built and run from natural steam vent that kept the water at a wonderful temperature. Slipping into the water he let the steam burn his skin, and making it tingle. He was naturally cold now and any temperature adverse to that made his skin sting with a fever. He found he craved the feeling for it gave him some sense of the living. The life he craved.

The meeting with his parents had been emotional, filled with heartache and questions. His mother had cried in is arms, and his father had stood to the side with a watery gaze. When his mother retired to bed, leaving them alone he had poured out his heart to his father. The one person in all his years he was certain would understand, even if it was just a little bit. They talked of the kingdom, the raging vampire attack that had pressed against their borders. The alliances that had bee made out of fear and necessity, clans were desperate to find friends in the dark world, terrified of the vampires growing in strength. He told them of his search to find himself, of the hunting of his kind that he did, or the legends that he had found. His father acknowledged his death, and left him with one last request.

To lead the kingdom as he had been born to do.

Endymion had nodded, unable to deny the request of a dying man…of one he cared for so dearly. The thought and emotion struck a cord…he could care…he was not completely lost to the shadows.

He was startled when he felt a soft figure press against his back, and two bare feet touch the pool of water. He had been so lost in his own thought that the world has ceased to exist for him. He wanted her, of that he would not lie…but he knew the danger. He could not trust himself and yet she pushed him. Daring him to take was he craved the most.

Serenity's small hands messages the back of his neck, and shoulders, soothing away the tension that she felt. It baffled her that he fought what she knew was right.

"What are you doing here?" his voice was gruff.

"This is my place," she whispered in his ear. Nipping at it slightly.

"Your place in is the castle…in your room," he turned around and moved away from her in the pool. In the dark it would be hard for to see him.

"No," she shook her head. Slightly amused at his behavior. He wanted her…she could sense it…and yet he denied himself out of shame, and embarrassment. Despite her upbringing she hadn't been able to bring to come to him fully naked. So instead she had come in her undergarments, slipping into the pool. She watched as his eyes widened, narrowing in as the fabric was plastered to her skin. She move towards him the pool, wrapping her arms around him she pressed her face in to his chest.

"Its alright…I just want to be with you."

Endymion gave him, bending to kiss her, "You're a fool."

"No…you are to deny what has already been written in the heavens," she kissed him back, squeaking when he pulled her tight against him for her entire body t feel.

They never made love that morning; instead in the dawn they laughed and explored each other in the water. Soon she lost her clothing, and couldn't help up blush at his appraisal…but he made her feel beautiful. They washed each other, and she giggled sweetly when he dried her off with a small towel and laid her on the bed. The slept then…a deep sleep that offered promise of the future and a love that could rival the stars and moon.

- - -- - - - - - -

"Rei…come to bed," Jadeite said, pulling his wife away from their child's door, "He's fine my love…I promise you."

"I'm worried about that cough," Rei signed, but got into bed.

"We'll have Amy examine him in the morning, I'm sure her tribe as some medicine that can cure him," He said, kissing the side of her neck and pulling her close. He was still unsure after six years how he had managed to have her fall in love with him…but he was never so stupid as to say anything…she was his life.

He grinned cheekily, "Perhaps we could start on another, give you something more to love."

She managed to look down her nose at him in a very regal way, "You should have asked me that two months ago…we'll be expecting a new addition shortly."

Jadeite looked slightly dazed.

"Honey?" "Aren't you happy?" Rei asked concerned.

His smile was blinding, "Of course, I'm happy."

"Maybe we could have a little girl this time," Rei mused.

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because if she's anything like you…she'll need five or six brothers to keep her out of trouble," he replied, loving the horrified look on her face.

"Six!" she croaked, Jadeite kissed her before she had time to realize he was joking.

- - - - - - -

Mina rolled over in the bed, sitting up and tossing the covers to the side. Malachite opened one eye before closing it and rolling on to his back.

"Hungry?" he asked.

"Yup."

"You eat enough for two," he said, opening his eyes again he watched his wife gild naked across the room the tray of fruit.

"Not yet," Mina pouted, disappointed that this month she had not quickened with a child. Climbing on to the bed she placed the tray between them. She smiled at her husband, loving the way his well muscled body shimmered in the candle light.

He grabbed her wrist, and rubbed the soft skin, "Is that what you're worried about," he asked, taking a piece of fruit from her fingers. She frowned at him…not all the certain she like him reading her so well. It had been two years since her clan had made the alliance with the kingdom…she had done her duty a year later by marrying Malachite…and alliance that would keep both sides safe. In her heart she thought that she would never come to love her husband…but she hadn't counted on Malachite. She had loved him from the moment she and seen him…from the moment he had bent to kiss her hand she had known. He had too, or so he said the day they were married. She had been happy that day, knowing in her heart that she was bound to a man she would cherish forever.

They both wanted children…but recently Mina had begun to worry that she could not give him heirs. She was a warrior, maybe a bit unconventional but the intense training and wounds that she had received over the years were not all that wonderful for creating life.

"Yes…I want a baby, and I'm scared I can't have one."

Malachite moved the tray and pulled her into his arms, "We'll have a baby, its just going to take some time," he kissed her. Rubbing her arm the two of them leaned back on to the bed.

"He's in love with her, he just doesn't want to admit it," Mina said staring up at the wall.

Sitting up on one elbow Malachite asked, "Nephrite?" knowing how hard his friend's marriage had been thus far. The two of them were constantly fighting or fussing and he feared there would never be any happiness.

Mina smiled, "Him too," kissing his lips she snuggled under the covers.

"Who were you talking about?"

"Endymion."