Chapter 5: Hardrock/Venus

Shu was making his way through the halls when he came across Princess Venus sitting up on a hill. He frowned, it was late, why was she out there? Making his way up the hill, he stood behind her. "Something troubling you?" he asked, making her jump and turn around.

"I thought I was alone," she murmured.

"You were, but it was late and with unknown dangers out there you shouldn't be out here alone," he answered.

She gave him a glare before turning her back. "I can protect myself," she told him.

"I believe you can," he answered as he leaned against the rock she was leaning up against.

The princess stared at the Warrior as he sat next to her. "What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I came to see where you were, not only that kind of boring sitting inside by myself while the others are off doing…whatever they are doing," he answered.

Venus smiled a little to see the Warrior was a little confused with what was going on. "Are you alright?" she asked.

"Yeah, it is just…odd to see them acting like a bunch of love struck kids," he answered.

The princess couldn't help but laugh a little at his comparison. "What? We vowed a long time ago that we would never compromise ourselves by started any sort of relationship with anyone outside of our circle," Shu told her, "It's safer that way."

"Why would it be safer? Doesn't that make you unhappy?" she asked.

Shu shrugged his shoulders. "Ever since I was a kid, I never had a lot of choices. I'm from a rich family see," he told her, looking at her, "My dad is a governor or something, very rich family. I was the first boy born." Venus looked at him curiously.

"If you were heir to his estate, why did you leave it all?" she asked.

Shu glanced at her before looking back at their view of the Earth. "The Ancient came to my parents and told them of the great destiny I had to look forward to. Something that was more important than being a governor's son. So…my father felt that the path the Ancient was telling him was more honorable, so he agreed for me to leave for him."

"Do you miss them?" she asked, pulling her knees to her chest.

The Warrior stared at the planet that seemed so close but yet it was so far away. "Sometimes, but I was so young I don't really remember much about them. Even visits home are sort of…uncomfortable because we don't know each other," he explained.

"Oh…that's sad," she said softly.

"I have my friends, they're my family. They always have been my family," he answered.

She saw the shine in his eyes when he spoke about his friends. "What about you, Princess, do you come from a loving family?" he asked.

"For the most part, always loved my home on Venus," she answered.

"What made you leave it?" he asked.

She shrugged her shoulders a little as she played with the bracelet around her wrist. "I wouldn't say I really left…I followed my duties as a Sailor Scout to come here and protect the Princess and the Moon Kingdom," she answered.

"Sounds as lonely as the life of a Warrior," he answered.

Understanding where he was coming from, she nodded her head slowly. "Venus, I can honestly say I have never met a woman quite like you," he commented.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

"You put on a strong front, act as though nothing ever bothers you. Yet your eyes speak volumes," he answered.

Her cheeks flushed. "You look into my eyes?" she asked, raising her brow.

"Well…I mean…you know…" he stuttered, rubbing the back of his neck, "Great, I'm sounding like Shin!"

Venus laughed a little when she saw the Warrior get flustered trying to find his words. "I like you, Shu of Hardrock, you are unlike any other man I have ever met," she commented as she stood up.

"Is that so?" he asked, standing up as well.

"You have yet to try to flatter me about how beautiful I am, or at least attempt to," she answered as she walked down the hill.

"Me? No way, that would be more Seiji's thing but since he's all wrapped up in Princess Jupiter, actually…I think this is the first time ever I saw Seiji take interest in one girl," he commented.

She looked back at him. "Seiji's a good guy, truly he just had the eye for the ladies and they liked him because of his mysterious eyes and the fact he's got that one piece of hair over his eye," he added.

"Well, not all girls find that attractive," she answered as they walked through the forest together.

Shu looked at her surprised. "No?" he asked curiously.

"Not all the time, I mean…some girls like men who have personality than looks. At least…I like a guy who has a personality," she answered.

"Is that so?" he asked suddenly intrigued.

Venus nodded her head slowly. "I would rather be with someone who can make me laugh than just stare at pretty looks all day," she replied. She suddenly let out a shriek when the Warrior wrapped his arm around her waist but then he lifted her up so she was sitting on one of his broad shoulders.

"You stick with me, Princess, and you'll be seeing the world," he told her with a grin.

She smiled as she rested a hand on the top of his head as he kept walking through the forest. "Where are we going?" she asked.

"To the best view around," he answered.

He set her back down on the ground and she climbed up on his back, her arms going around his torso as he carried her up a hill. "Better hold on tight," he told her before he jumped up and gripped a low hanging branch. Venus was grinning when he climbed up to the top of one of the largest trees on the Moon.

Reaching the top, she let out a gasp at what she saw. It was the Earth, but it was the perfect view of it. It was almost as if she could reach out and touch it. "Wow…" she whispered.

"You like looking at Earth so much, thought you would enjoy this," he answered.

"It's amazing," she answered, resting her chin over his shoulder.

She looked at him with a soft smile on her face. "I can honestly say, I have never known a man quite like you, Shu of Hardrock," she answered. He gave her a smirk.

"I'm one of a kind, beautiful," he answered.

Feeling her heart flutter at what he had called her, she leaned forward and rested her forehead against his. Shu rested his forehead against hers as the Justice and Venus symbols were pressed together.

After a while, they reluctantly went back to the castle. Shu escorted the Princess back to her chambers and stood there with a small grin as she opened the door. "I bid you goodnight, Princess, and I hope you have a restful sleep," he answered. Smiling, she reached out and grabbed the front of his tunic. Pulling him down, she pressed her lips to his.

Shu was stunned at first, but then he placed his large hands over her slender waist as he kissed her back. Pulling away, she reached up and stroked his cheek down to his jaw line. "Goodnight, Warrior of Hardrock, sweet dreams," she told him softly. Breathless, he watched as the Princess walked into her chambers.

"Goodnight," he answered.

Turning to him, she waved a little as she closed the door. Once the door was closed, Shu felt like he could just walk on air. This princess was amazing, not only did he just impress a girl but he impressed her by being himself and she loved it. He walked through the halls whistling when he nearly ran into Touma. "What are you doing out here so late?" Touma asked.

"Was escorting Princess Venus back to her chambers, could ask you the same question," Shu answered.

"I was making my rounds, it was my turn to check the security points," Touma told him.

Shu was silent and let out a deep breath as he walked by the Warrior of Strata. "Are you all just desperate to throw everything we have fought so hard for away?" Touma demanded.

"Nothing wrong with adding a girl in the mix, Touma, nothing wrong with it at all," Shu answered.

"I can't believe you guys! You were all with me when Seiji started a relationship with Jupiter, all of a sudden you're spilling onto his side like water!" Touma exclaimed.

"We got to know our girls," Shu answered, "You know, you probably should stop being so cold to the Moon Princess."

Touma stared at his friend. "Come on, Touma. We see the way she tries to talk to you, she might as well be talking to a brick wall. You have interesting things to talk about, my friend. Talk about them with her," he stated.

"It is an assignment, nothing more," Touma answered.

"I agree with Seiji, I feel stronger than ever since meeting Venus. You are fooling yourself to thinking that caring for the Moon Princess would be a weakness. I thought it would be too, but I would rather live one life with Venus than spend the rest of my mortal life as nothing but a warrior," Shu told him.

He turned on his heel and went towards his chambers, leaving Touma with what he had last said.

Reaching his chambers, Shu sat down on the bed completely worn from the day, but yet he was happier than ever. Meeting Venus was the best thing that had ever happened to him. He suddenly couldn't get this princess out of his mind. He leaned back against the headboard of his bed as he stared out the window at the starry sky. Smiling a little, he let out a long yawn before his eyes slid closed and sleep claimed the Warrior of Hardrock.

The Moon Kingdom was peaceful as everyone who lived there slept. On Earth, however, it was a completely different story.

A young woman named, Beryl, was sitting in her chambers clearly unhappy with something on her mind. Letting out a frustrated breath, she stood up from her bed and stood in front of the window. Her eyes glared at the Moon that was showing high in the sky. "Curse you Princess Serenity, because of you I will never get Prince Endymion's attention," she muttered.

It was true, the woman was head over heels in love with the Earth Prince, but he rejected her advances stating that he loved and was going to marry the Moon Princess. Beryl, heartbroken and angry clenched her fists as she thought about what he had told her earlier that day. Ever since hearing the words she did nothing but curse the girl, at no fault of her own. "They will pay, they will all pay," she hissed under her breath.

The next morning in the Moon Kingdom, Shu had finished his third serving of breakfast and was standing outside staring out the view of Venus practicing her powers. Smirking, he walked over to her when she swung around ready to strike. "Hey! It's just me, Princess," he told her, his hands raised. She raised her brow at him before lowering her hands.

"And what are you doing sneaking up on a Sailor Scot practicing?" she asked.

"Wondering what she was practicing," he replied easily as he sat down on the stone bench behind him.

She smiled softly at him. "Just a few of my powers," she told him, "I am the Scout of Love and Beauty."

"Makes sense," he answered as he leaned forward, "Fits you."

"And now the flattery," she quipped, making him grin.

"Nothing wrong with a man admiring his girl," he answered.

Venus raised her brow at him. "Your girl?" she asked. His face flushed and he silently cursed himself.

"Well…would that be alright to say?" he asked.

Walking over to him, she rested her hands on his shoulders as he looked up at her. "That is perfectly fine with me," she replied. Leaning forward, she pressed her lips to his. Shu kissed her back, his hand resting on the back of her neck with a smile on his face.