Chapter Seven

Bound By Honor

Serenity sucked in a deep breath and shifted Ethan's weight on her lap. Pulling him closer in her arms she repeated her instructions, "Breath in, Breath out. With each breath in bring the moonlight closer to you."

Ethan grunted and she could sense his frustration, "Why? We've been doing the same thing for two days."

She smiled sweetly, understanding his rush to find out more about his gift, but his power was coming late and the basics were very important," Because you have yet to master this. Once you learn the basics of the moon, I'll teach you more," Kissing his forehead she whispered in the darkness, "You must start out small and grow too big."

Ethan gave a hefty sigh but none the less did as she asked, closing their eyes she allowed him to reach for the moonlight and master the art. Like all things this would take time, and she had no doubt that soon he would be among the ranks of the Lunar Warriors that had protected her tribe for generation. Expect this boy would be protecting a kingdom.

Soothed by his steady breathing she allowed herself to drift into her own memories. It had been nearly a fortnight since she had begun to recover from the illness, and while her body ached she felt the moon's demands of strength and worries of a danger. So she had pressed through and smiled every time someone asked about her, but in the dawn when she readied for bed she could not keep the exhaustion from sinking into her body. Endymion and the generals had returned three days ago, she could still see clearly the pain and ridge lines that were craved in to their faces. Jadeite had sustained another injury to his shoulder, and was presently out of commission when it came to battle exercises.

Malachite and Nephrite readied the troops, together with their wives and army was coming up to speed at an impressive pace. All four were working at a grueling pace to be ready for war, something that Endymion was sure to come. In the wake of his arrival he had been quite and withdrawn, almost afraid of himself again and of what he could do. In the debriefing to his parents he had said that they had found nearly hundred men tied to pikes and drained of blood upon their arrival. What they hadn't expected was for those dead to become undead, and the small battle that had raged had been bloody and terrifying.

The palace now housed almost four hundred refugees, most of whom were women and children, the men had all been brave enough to enlist in the army, and to take up arms with their comrades. Now they spend much of their time under the grueling pace of the generals and women warriors.

One of the large doors abruptly slammed in the throne room, startling Serenity out of her thoughts, and causing the moonlight to jump in the alarm it sensed from Ethan. With out the light the two of them were hidden behind one of the large marble pillars on the west wall. Signing for him to be quite, Serenity watched the figures cross the floor and into the moonlight. It was Endymion and the generals, some how she had thought so. Ethan shot her a questioning look as to why they were spying, and truthfully she wasn't sure. She just knew something was wrong, that Endymion had been holding back. At least this way she could watch him unhindered.

Even from a distance she could see the haggard look the last few nights had played on him, he was thin and paler than before, almost as if he hadn't been eating. She frowned, realizing for the first time that she had not seen him drink for a while. She knew for certain something was defiantly wrong.

"Reports?" Endymion asked, facing the generals. Taking in their haggard appearance he turned away and walked towards his father's throne. He had never sat in the chair before him, some how doing so and always seemed like pushing his father into an early grave, and now was no different.

Sighing, Malachite rubbed his eyes, "We've received word that Sieya's army is about four days away if they march fast with out stopping. Even with the sun as a hindrance his forces are moving at a surprising pace, and given the reports of the size I'm not to sure we can hold our ground if our allies do not come."

Endymion grunted, he knew they couldn't hold the kingdom with out help. The past years had been hard on the land, crops were bad, famines was every where and with the vampire scourge growing families were dying and orphans were left on their own. But he didn't need to hear that, he needed to hear that somehow they could win.

"Our allies?" he inquired, silently hopeful that they treaties his father had with neighboring clans would hold up in times of war.

"We've heard from both Mina and Lita's people, however both clans our three days out, and by the time they reach us, the forces will be beaten down and hardly able to with stand a full siege. Ami's clan we have not heard from, and we're not even sure if your messengers reached the Ladies of Wind and Sea.."

Zocite broke in, "With out them, I'm not sure we could hold the coast from a flanking attack, most likely we would be surrounded on all sides and with no way out it would only be a matter of days before they broke through our defenses. The truth my Prince is that we're going to need all of our allies and then some to make it through," Shaking his head he acknowledged, "And I just don't see that happening."

Endymion nodded, again he knew this. "The myth's you've been exploring Zocite is their any help there?" God, he prayed that their was.

Sadly Zocite shook his head and answered softly, "No."

"Rest my friends," Endymion responded, "It seems that we're going to need it."

Serenity watched as the four men left and it was nearly another twenty minutes until Endymion followed behind them, it was funny but she was almost certain that he knew she was in the shadows.

"What's going to happen?" Ethan asked, his voice shook in fear. That she understood, because she was just as terrified.

"We're going to call for allies, my love," she answered, but the really question was if they heard would they be able to come in time.

Walking in to the light, she wrapped the moonbeams around her. Cupping a bit in her hand she closed her eyes and blew her worries and thoughts in to the single moon strand. Like any messenger the light would know whom to seek out, a woman as wise as time and perhaps just as old. The moonlight fled from the room, and across the landscape to do the biddings of its friend and hopefully to bring the help that would be sorely needed.

Serenity returned Ethan to his parents a while later, and as she crossed the green to her small cottage she was not really surprised to find Endymion brooding by the window. In the past few days the cottage had become littered with maps and books, manuals of war and weapons. For the first time it seemed that he was not hunched over the giant stack of scriptrs searching for a way to allow his people to survive.

Right now he was searching for himself.

"Not hungry?" she asked, noting the goblet in his hands, it hadn't moved since she walked in the door. Usually he was quick to drain the liquid or hide it from her gaze; he was embaressed about his carnal need, about the darkness that demanded satisfaction.

Endymion set the glass down but did not turn around, "I knew you were there." Serenity spun around, "In the hall when I was speaking to the generals. If you had a question you should have just asked me."

Serenity realized for the first time that he was angry with her, a new experience and she was not all that certain how to handle him.

"You haven't wished to speak to me since you have returned," she answered softly, taking a place on the bed that occupied in the middle of the room. "Not once have you sought my company, asked after me, or touched me since you came back to us." She couldn't deny that she was hurt and found no reason to keep the hurt out of her voice.

Endymion did not answer.

She pressed, "Why?"

"You know why!" he snarled at her, rounding to face her. His fangs had lengthened and the black had taken over his eyes. Even for himself he was deathly pale, having forgone his dinner the past few days. He was angry with himself, with the events of the recent days, and even more furious with the nagging feeling that he had to hide what he felt for the woman in front of him. He was going to lose her. He was sure of it, in death or in life. They could have nothing together, and eventually his savage nature that held the monster inside him would take over.

Seeing those people on the pikes and what had happened to them had reminded him of his own nature. And all he could feel was disgust at him self for damaging her purity.

"Enlighten me," Serenity demanded, waving her hand in a lofty manner. "Don't you care?"

"Of course I care for you…about you," He answered, taking in the hurt on her face. Was it a horrible fault to find comfort in her arms? Moving to her he knelt in front of her, "I don't want to hurt you," he confessed.

Serenity smiled, and cupped his face in her hands. Dispite the change in his features she wasn't afraid, "You will never hurt me, I have complete faith you."

"Why?" Endymion asked, astounded.

"I love you, that's all the reason I need."

Endymion leaned forward and kissed her softly on the lips, careful to keep his fangs from cutting her soft lips. In moments their passion ignited, burning deeply in both of them so that it seared their souls. Serenity shook with climatic passion as Endymion made love to her in a fever, and then sighed as he kissed her slowly a second time. Their love making that morning was fast and harsh, then slow and soft. In each of their moments coupled together she whisphered her love and that seemed to drive a burning need into her lover.

- - - - - - - -

Rei smiled softly at the excitement that lit in Ethan's eyes. He had taken the annoucment of her pregnancy well, and seemed pleased that he might have a younger brother or sister. Secretly she was relieved he was not jealous or hurt by the soon to be arrival of a new baby. Ethan pressed his face to her stomach, offering a hug to both her and the baby.

The large group was gathered for a meal, a sinful respite from the stress of the recent days. Across the room, Rei noticed the fixed sadness in Mina's eyes, and a sharp pain traveled through her, she had not wished to hurt her friend. Yet, in her usually fashion Mina offered a valiant smile, and nodded towards Jadeite who was grinning like an idiot over his happiness. Rei smiled back thankful for the understanding.

- - - - -

Mina paced the walls of the armaments, settling in to her post to watch the training. Lita was sleeping and Nephrite was dealing with the weapons master. That left her to watch the progress of the troops in the light of day. It was early morning and the training would end soon, as the battle to come was going to be set with in the eerie silence of night the troops had to become accoustomed to it.

It was unfair of her to be hurt and slightly angry at Rei's announcement. She had wanted…did want a child so badly and it hurt that Rei was able to conceive so easily while she had such a hard time in the matter. Yet in her heart that good things came to those who wait and she hoped and felt that perhaps her luck in the matter would soon change.

"Mina?" Malachite called as he came up the stairs to her, "Are you alright?"

"Of course."

He smiled sadly, coming up behind her to take her in his arms, "Lair…you're upset." Mina leaned back against him, loving the way he could make her feel. Like the others, they had had little time together since his return. She missed him during that time, in her heart, and in her bed. "Tell me."

"Rei's…."

"Pregnancy?" he finished for her, "It reminded you how much you want a child."

She nodded against his chest, a slight smile coming to her beautiful face…he could always read her so well. "It just has me wondering again…if I can conceive."

Malachite turned his wife in his arms, tilting her chin up so that he would look at her. Concern marred his features, "Why would you think that you cannot?"

Mina lowered her eyes, "It just that Rei as a slight advantage over me."

"What might that be?"

She didn't like his amused tone…she wasn't talking about sex, "She doesn't get thrown around, and she hasn't had the battle wounds I've had. Her body is in a better condition to care for a baby." She answered in a serious tone.

"Rei's a priestess of the flame; her body is constantly under pressure to contain the wild element. The two of you are not so different in that respect," he rubbed the side of her cheek with the pad of his thumb, "We will have a baby, my love. It just might take us a bit longer, but it will be worth it to see you grow with my child. For us to have that future." He tugged her closer.

He understood her hurt at the announcement, for he too had felt the twinge of sadness. A child would make their union complete and bring happiness to them in a new way. It was ironic that until he had met her, the thought of children had never entered his mind. Now he could see no greater happiness that raising a few with her. He only hoped that her concern was not valid.

- - - - - - -

Lita yawned loudly and stumbled into the cooking area. Usually this time a day it was busting with people running around preparing for the meals of the day. Yet, with the coming war many had taken to the night and left the day for sleeping, after all that's when the danger was going to come. In the corner of the area an older woman stirred a large black pot, upon spotting her however discreetly made an exit.

In retrospect it was not the first time that a servant had avoided her company. It was true that she had a temper, but she would never take it out on one of them…mostly it seemed to be reserved for her husband. In fact, he seemed to be the only person whom she became cross with anymore. Shrugging she figured that having seen her hard temper the servants merely didn't want to be on the receiving end of it.

Lifting the lid of the heavy pot she sighed in contentment at the heavenly smell that rose from stew. Taking some for herself she sat back down at the heavy wooden table and began to eat. The past few weeks had been hard, and mostly she was tired all the time. But today seemed different, probably because she had gotten the chance to take a long nap in the middle of the day…something that didn't usually happen. Closing her eyes she recounted all that she had to do today…later there was a meeting with the other women. Though she really was looking forward to that, having grown close to the three other women in her stay and with Serenity.

"Can I join you?" Lita opened her eyes, knowing who would be standing there. It was a voice she knew as well as her own…while man behind it was still much of a mystery. She nodded.

Nephrite took a seat across from her and offered a hesitant smile. He really wasn't sure why he had asked to sit with her; they could barely be in each other's company without a fight starting. Hell, they had separate bedrooms because of it. A marriage in name only and he was grossly unhappy with the entire arrangement.

He cleared his thoart, "How are you?" he asked.

Lita shot him a questioning look from across the table, "Fine, just a little tired."

"Why?"

"All the stress…I'm not sleeping well," she answered, woundering why she told him something like that. They never talked about anything personal…of course they had never really talked before either.

"I could help you with that," Nephrite blurted out. He blushed deeply, horrified at his own comment and desperately hoping that it wouldn't begin a fight. "That was out of line, my apologies." Inwardly he groaned. He was making a mess of this. Truthfully, if she gave him half a chance he would love to have her in his bed and on top of him in an instant. Some how he had always figured her to be a…on top…sort of girl…and he'd love to find out.

Lita surprised both of them by laughing, the sound echoed through the small kitchen. "I don't know why your sorry. Aren't married couples supposed to talk like that to one another. I mean look at Mina and Malachite," she pointed out reasonably.

He grinned, "We aren't them."

"A shame huh? They're so happy." She responed ruefully.

Nephrite reached across the table and slipped in hand around her fingers, "Maybe we could be?" it was a thought that had been on his mind for so long. That maybe they would work past everything and fine peace and love with one another.

Lita stared at him in shock.

He cleared his thoart again…nervous habit, "We could give it a try after all. Stop fighting, and form a friendship that could lead to a happy marriage. Hell neither of us are fine with the way things are and it's certainly not helping the present situation."

"A friendship?"

"Yeah, the kind people talk about. With mutual trust, respect, honor." Nephrite blinked, wondering why she looked so upset. Wasn't a friendship all that she wanted after all? He wanted so much more, but some many things stood in their way…old loves, anger, and the past.

She was silent for a moment before nodding, "A friendship would be nice," she answered. The pain welled up in her chest, she didn't want a friendship for a marriage she almost had one of those prior. To the outside world her romance to Andrew had been a passionate string through time. But the truth was it was nothing more that a comfortable friendship with comfortable friends who had decided to marry. She wanted more, a love that burned in her soul. She wanted their lives together to be more than a friend. But wasn't it a good start? After all his smile was something she could get used to.

- - - - -

Endymion stood on the high balcony of the throne room, staring out over the battlefield. If he ever died he would have to remember to thank his ancestors for having enough forethought to allow the room to over look the landscape. Behind him his parents sat, commanding attention and guarded by a heavy armed assembly. Rei had left Ethan with them while she set up a healing station with Ami. Lita and Mina commanded the rear guard from the armaments. Jadeite took control of archers, refusing to be kept out to the fray. Lastly both Nephrite and Malachite were at the front, they would stand behind him in the coming battle.

Beside him he turned to Serenity, kissed her softly and whispered in her delicate ear. Turning he walked out with Lady Venus, and Lord Jupiter. Together the three of them would control the bulk of the forces, and he was ungodly grateful that they had managed to arrive in time. Walking out he left the small group in the room, and an angry lover staring at his back.

Serenity glared at his receding form, and covered the urge to mock his request. More like demand. "Protect them." Was all he had asked. A request that should have warmed her heart but she knew he only meant to keep her from the battle to keep her from being hurt. He was keeping her at a distance again, as if she was a fragile figure that would break at any moment.

She turned her head sharply into the distance, hearing in the quite dim the sounds of war drums, and knowing the feeling of impending doom. She would deal with Endymion later…now she would deal with the monsters that stalked the night.

And what did ya'll think? Tell me…Tell me. Thanks again to all my reviewers.

Love,

Danielle.