Confrontations
"Endymion! I believe you have some explaining to do," Kunzite demanded
of his prince. The Generals and Endymion had gathered in the study for
their nightly meeting.
Endymion, feigning confusion, "I have no idea what you are talking about
Kunzite."
"Don't play coy, Endy. You know very well what I am talking about the
fact that Minako, or should I say Sailor Venus, made her sword from nothing
while we were sparring."
"Yeah, and why my hand is burned from where I touched Rei?" Jadeite added.
"In my defense, I told you that they were powerful," Endymion retorted.
"But you casually forgot to mention just how powerful," Jadeite murmured.
Zoicite, seeing a chance to added his knowledge, spoke up, "Actually, besides
their Sailor powers, each has control over certain elements. Ami has water,
Minako is metal, Rei is fire, and Makoto is electricity and some plants. I
also learned that Endy, here, was attacked by three, not four girls."
"Three instead of four girls? This story only gets better!" Nephrite laughed.
"Yeah, apparently Rei was not involved," Zoicite stated.
"You know what, that was in the past, and I think it is high time we move
on from that," Endymion huffed.
Jadeite quickly changing subjects, "What did you do to make Rei upset with
you in the garden, Endy?"
"Jade, you are just jealous because she won't give you the time of day,"
Nephrite remarked.
"Neph, please, I saw the way you were looking at Princess Makoto, so
don't lecture me on my love life."
"Just because I find her company enjoyable doesn't mean anything beyond
that, and at least she can stand the site of me. Besides, it was nowhere
near as bad as Zoi and Princess Ami."
Zoicite got a dreamy far off look in his eyes, "She intelligent, and yet,
humble about it. I never met anyone quite like her."
"Aww! Our little Zoi is in love," Nephrite and Jadeite both quipped.
"Hey! Just because I admire her does not mean I am in love," Zoicite objected.
Jadeite rolled his eyes at Zoicite, and pushed the conversation along.
"What I really want to know is about the fabled Venusian beauty."
The men of the room all looked expectantly at Kunzite. Who for his part,
was desperately trying to think of a way to avoid the question.
"General Kunzite, as your Prince, I demand an answer," Endymion smirked.
Kunzite turned his gaze upon Endymion. "With all due respect, Your Highness,
go to hell. How about you and the Moon Princess, since we are in a sharing mood."
Endymion smiled at the memory of Serenity's small hand slipping into his, and her
bright eyes smiling at him. "There is something special about her."
-----------------------------------
Rei sat in Pele and Hau's chambers brooding. She had come there after the garden
incident to talk with her Aunt and scold the twins. Unfortunately, the entire
family seemed to out, so she decided to wait alone that way none of her
friends could bother her.
Rei was lost in her own thought when Pele entered the room with Phobos and
Deimos. Pele's hazel eyes beheld her niece as she tried, unsuccessfully, to remain
calm while she battled her emotions.
"What troubles bring you to my room, Rei?" Pele asked as she sat down next to Rei.
Rei looked at her Aunt with righteous anger burning in her violet eyes. "Phobos and
Deimons, and Minako, mostly."
"Really?" Pele eyes shot at the twins who were trying to inch to the door. "Freeze,
the both of you! Alright what have you cousins and your friend done?"
"Last night at the ball, Phobos and Deimos stuck their noses into my business. Then
this morning Minako insisted that in needed a man to be happy," Rei huffed.
Pele caught a little off guard be her children's disobedience, "They were at the
ball?" She shot them a look as to say 'I will deal with you later.'
"Yes, and they were giving out personal information about me to General Jadeite,"
Rei snapped.
"What kind of personal information?"
"My name!"
Pele waited, expecting to hear more, but when there was no other answers she
continued, "Rei, Is that it?"
Rei just nodded.
"You know the general knowing your name is not the end of the world. It is not
always a bad thing to love someone because you never know how much time
you have with them. I love your uncle in and see how that turned out. As for Minako,
you know Freyja loved to play matchmaker, too. It is just something in their Venusian
blood and you have to learn to ignore it."
Rei looked at her skeptically, but eventually nodded her head in agreement.
-----------------------------------
Selene sat with Midas on a private balcony having afternoon tea. There was a comfortable
silence between them. They were taking to time to listen to the sounds of the garden
and savor the food. It was not often that these two great rulers has time to enjoy
the simple things like this, and because of this, it was with reluctance that Selene
ended the silence. With steely resolve in her grey-blue eyes, Selene looked at
her friend across the table.
"Midas, who is the young woman with the crimson hair?"
"Her name is Beryl. She is the daughter of a Duke." Midas looked at the usually
serene Moon Queen and saw worry in her eyes.
"Why? Did something happen, Selene?"
"No, but I saw her watching Serenity and Endymion in the garden, and something
in her eyes worried me."
Midas reached his hand across the table to comfort Selene.
"Don't worry, I will take of things."
-----------------------------------
Kunzite strolled leisurely down the hall after meeting in the throne room
with King Midas. He pause briefly when he saw Endymion on the balcony, but stopped
from going over when he saw the prince with Serenity. He watched them for
a minute. Endymion's eyes' lighting up with the princess laughter at whatever
he had told her. He noticed how the elegant princess blushed each time her
and Endymion touched.
Watching them together, it was no surprise that the king had wanted to speak
to him about the ball and the princess safety. He knew if Beryl had seen them
that she would be seething with anger, and hell hath no fury right? He was shaken
out of his thoughts by laughter coming down the hall. He looked up to find Nephrite
occupied by Makoto and Minako. By the looks on the girls' faces, Nephrite most
have been an embarrassing story about someone, and that was mostly likely
Endymion.
Minako's eyes lit up when she saw Kunzute in the hall before them. She left
Nephrite and Makoto behind and bound over to the platinum haired general.
"Kunzite," she said with as much flirtation as she possibly muster. "Fancy
seeing you here."
She was a determined Venusian minx when she wanted to be. She was a hunter and the
general was her prey. She was going to break that cool exterior, come hell
or high water.
"Minako, Nephrite, Makoto," Kunzite nodded at them.
"We have been looking for you. Where have you been?" Nephrite inquired.
Kunzite glanced at Minako. He was pretty sure they had been looking because a
certain blonde haired vixen had talked them into it.
"Meeting with King Midas," Kunzite replied. "He is worried about tonight's
ball, and the safety of Princess Serenity. I think we should have a meeting with
us, generals, and Serenity's guardians to discuss the situation. Minako, could
you gather the rest of the guardians?"
He turned to her, amazed at how quickly her eyes went from flirtatious to warrior.
"Where shall we meet?" She asked.
"Endymion's study, half hour. Neph, could you find and tell Jadeite and Zoicite;
I need to speak with Endymion and then I will meet you there."
Makoto, Minako, and Nephrite set off in different directions to inform everyone of
the meeting. Kunzite turned back the way he came, only this time he did step
out on the balcony.
"Endymion, Princess Serenity sorry for the intrusion, but I need to speak with
Endy for a moment," he bowed to them.
Endymion leaned in a kissed the princess hand, "I will be right back."
She smiled and nodded. Kunzite could not help but to notice how innocent and
truly brilliant her smile was.
"Kunzite, what is wrong?"
"Endy, your father is worried about Princess Serenity's safety at the ball
tonight. Apparently she has garnered some unwanted attention from Beryl."
Endymion stiffened at the thought Serenity hurt, and them shudder at the mention
of Beryl's name.
Kunzite continued, "I meeting with the other generals and her guardians to
discuss things. I just wanted to inform you first."
"Thank you. I will not let anything happen to her," Endymion's eyes narrowed
to blue chips. Kunzite nodded in understanding as he turned to leave
them alone once again.
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The Generals were waiting in the study for the Guardians to arrive. Kunzite
rolled the metal globe between his hands while he reflected on the conversation
with the king from earlier. Midas told Kunzite of Beryl's watching Endymion and
Serenity, and was concerned about the princess' safety. Kunzite knew the
king had more than just cause to be concerned. He had watched Beryl navigate
her way through court politics. The woman was ruthless, and would stop at
nothing to get what she wanted. Now, she wanted Endymion, and Serenity is
what stood in her way.
Kunzite was shaken out of thought by Nephrite clearing his throat to signal
the Sailor Soldiers had arrived. He looked up to find them dressed in their
uniforms. Venus was staring at the globe he played with. Mars was eyeing
Jadeite as if she was trying to decide whether to blast him or apologize
for earlier. Mercury was using a small hand held computer with her symbol
engraved on the front. Jupiter was already walking over to Nephrite.
Venus strolled over and sat in the chair next to Kunzite. "I made that, you
know?"
Startled, he looked at her, "Made What?"
She rolled her eyes; men could be so dense at times. "The globe you have
been playing with since we got here. I made it for Endymion when he visited
the moon."
"Oh," he said as he searched his brain trying to remember if Endymion had told
him that or not.
"Is there a reason for this meeting, or did you just want to flirt with
Venus, Kunzite?" Jadeite teased.
"Of course we are having a meeting," Kunzite countered returning to his cold serious
demeanor. He went on to explain the situation with Beryl and the possible
threat to Serenity. He looked at the generals and guardians waiting for them
to take it all in. The generals showed worry for the young princess. In the
short time they had known her, the warmth she had won them over, and they knew
she was important to their prince. The guardians' eyes burned with righteous
anger. Serenity was their princess, and they had sworn to protect her, but
above that she was their friend. As long as they had breath in their bodies,
they would do all they could to keep her safe.
Venus broke the silence, "Tonight at the ball we will stay close to Serenity.
I think we will wear gowns as to blend in better. Hopefully there will be
no need for the Sailor Soldiers. General Kunzite, what is you plan of action?"
"We will watch over our prince."
"I believe Endymion will be accompanying the princess to the ball," Zoicite
added. " So we will be close by."
"If we are trying not to stand out, then maybe the generals should be our
escorts for the evening," Mercury said with her usual tactical insight.
Most of the room looked agreeable to this idea. Jupiter and Nephrite smiled
at each other because that was their original plan anyway. Venus looked as
if she had won a great victory. Kunzite was still unreadable. Jadeite smirked,
while all the color drained from Mars face. The idea of spending the entire
evening with Jadeite was not a pleasant one to her. She took a few calming
breaths, knowing if it was to protect Serenity, she would ender it.
"Well ladies, I for one feel honored to accompany such a beautiful soldier
to the ball," Nephrite grinned at Jupiter. Who just blushed under such
flattery.
Kunzite stood to leave, "Venus, I will see you this evening. Oh and gentlemen,
I want each you to wear a blade tonight."
As everyone left the room, Mars stopped Jadeite to talk to him. It took a lot
for her to swallow her pride, but she did not want this to interfere with
her duties.
"Look, I am sorry about the way I acted earlier. It is possible that I was
too hasty in my judgment."
"It is ok Mars, all is forgiven," Jadeite bowed as he left. Just as he was
exiting the room, he turned back to her. "Besides, I knew you could not
resist me forever."
Mars eyes widen in shock as she watched him leave. Once she recovered, she
stamped her foot and yelled at his back, "You are an insufferable ass!"
-----------------------------------
Beryl seethed with jealousy as she watched Endymion enter the ball with that
waif-like Moon Princess. He was to be her prize, and she would win him. Endymion
needed a forceful woman, who knew how to get what she wanted, not a timid
little moon brat. Beryl watched in utter disgust as Endymion pulled Serenity
close to him as they danced. 'Oh this would not do,' she thought to herself.
She waited for her opportunity to scare the little princess away from her
prize. She was so absorbed in the Earth Prince and Moon Princess that she failed
to notice the four couples the stuck close by them that evening.
Serenity, unaware of her watcher, happily chatted with one of the Earth nobles.
She had turned away from Endymion, and that is where Beryl saw her chance. She
began to carefully work her way across the ballroom to the enchanting Moon
Princess.
Jadeite's observant eyes caught the shock of red hair as it weaved its way
toward the group. He leaned to the raven headed beauty next to him.
"Get ready, Firebird, she walking this way."
Rei's violet eyes honed in on Beryl's progress, and the scanned the other couples
around the princess to make sure they were aware of the approaching danger. Once
she was satisfied they were ready for any problems, she turned to Jadeite and
questioned, "Firebird?"
He shrugged, his eyes never leaving Beryl, "I thought it fit you."
Beryl walked up to Serenity with a saccharine sweet smile plastered on her face.
"Princess Serenity, It is so nice to finally get a chance to talk with you. I am
Beryl, daughter of Duke Pazcina. How are you liking Earth?"
Serenity smiled her sweet innocent smile at Beryl. "Please to meet you. Everyone
here has been so nice."
Beryl nodded and continued to plaster a smile on. She took a quick glance at Endymion
to make sure he still was otherwise engaged. She stepped forward, close to Serenity, and
grabbed her arm. When her hand had firmly planted on the princess' arm, she dug her
nails into her pale skin. Serenity looked down where Beryl had grabbed her. Serenity's
eyes widened in horror and she let out a gasp of pain as Beryl's nails pierced her
skin.
"Listen closely, Princess," Beryl hissed. "Endymion will be mine, and I won't
let anything get in way of that, including the precious Moon Kingdom heir."
Endymion, feeling Serenity's pain and distress, looked over to where she was. Upon
seeing Beryl's grip on her, an icy fury settled over him as he moved to them. Beryl,
for her efforts, found herself and Serenity surround by Sailor Soldiers and Generals
with murderous glints in their eyes.
"I believe, Beryl, that is for the Prince to decide," Kunzite's stern voice cut at her.
"Take your hand off our Princess," Minako's uncharacteristically cold voice command.
"And if I don't?" Beryl demanded.
Endymion strode up behind Serenity and placed an arm protectively around her tiny waist.
"Then there will be hell to pay," his blue eyes icy with anger.
Beryl shocked and angered at Endymion choosing Serenity over her, released the princess'
arm. She mustered as much dignity as possible and turned to leave, but her exit was
blocked by Makoto and Rei.
"If you ever touch Serenity again, death will be a welcome relief," Makoto hissed at her,
her knuckles cracking with electricity.
When Beryl releases Serenity's arm, she sank further back into Endymion's embrace. Turning
to face him, Serenity saw the worry in his eyes when he looked at her, and her emotions
overwhelmed her. She buried her head in his chest as her tears flowed. Endymion tightened
his arm around her waist, and with the other began to softly stroke her silky blonde
tresses.
"It is ok, now, Serenity. I would never let anything harm you," he soothed her.
With the danger now gone, Serenity took a moment to inspect her arm. She reached to stop
the sticky flow of blood, but winced away in pain. Endymion seeing her flinch in pain, he
carefully touched her injured arm. Gently placing his hands around the wound a soft golden
glow was emitted from them. When he removed his hands, the wound on her arm was gone
as if it had never occurred. Serenity looked up at him, her crystalline eyes wide in
surprise. She stood upon he tip toes and leaned into Endymion and placed her soft
lips on his cheek. In a whisper meant only for him, she thanked him for being both
for his protection and his healing.
-----------------------------------
Selene stood talking to Pele with her back to Serenity when she noticed Pele's back
stiffen and her eyes narrow. She instantly recognized her posture, knowing that Pele had
seen danger. As she turned to follow her friends gaze. She heard Pele hiss, "That
woman just grabbed Serenity's arm.
Selene's first thought was to run to her precious Bunny, but thought better of it
knowing she was surrounded by her guardians and the Prince's generals. Both women
began to weave their way to Midas and Hau, who were close by. When they arrived,
the situation seemed to be under control. Selene breathed a sigh of relief before
turning to Midas, who was talking the Kunzite. The general had come over to debrief
the king on the incident. Midas' lips pulled tight into a grim line. He motioned for
one of the guards behind him to come forward.
"Go find Duke Pazcina and his daughter, Beryl, and tell them I need to speak with
them now."
The guard hurried off on his mission. Not long after the Duke and Beryl came over.
Pazcina waltzed up like he owned the palace. Beryl, at least, had the good graces
not look up in a defiant way.
"I am at your service, Your Majesty," Pazcina oozed with mock respect.
Midas nodded curtly at him before beginning, "Do you not teach your daughter proper
manners?"
Pazcina eyes blazed with anger but before he could retort Midas continued. "I can't
believe she would dare threaten any guest of mine, especially the Imperial Moon
Princess. This is unacceptable behavior. I want you both to leave the palace
immediately."
Pazcina's eyes harden as he addressed the king, "You have not seen the last of us!"
"Are you threatening me?" The king demanded.
"Let's call it a promise," Pazcina icily replied, as he Beryl exited the ballroom.
Once the excitement died down, Selene rushed over to her daughter, who was still being
held protectively by Endymion.
"Bunny, are you alright?" Selene worriedly questioned her.
Serenity blushed at the use of her mother's pet name, nodded and replied, "Fine Mama,
Endymion and the girls would never let anything happen to me."
As she spoke she softy caressed the prince's arm for reassurance.
A relieved Selene turned to the leave the Moon Princess and Earth Prince to themselves.
She smiled knowing her sweet Bunny had found love and a champion.
-----------------------------------
Selene praised the gods that the rest of their stay on Earth was peaceful. The Sailor
Soldiers and Generals had become quite close. When not sparring together, Minako and
Kunzite could be found somewhere among the gardens. Ami and Zoicite could be found
in the library, each sneaking glances at the other when they thought no one
would notice. Makoto and Nephrite would take daily walks through the orchards,
and Nephrite took to his treasure observatory. Even Rei and Jadeite had started
keeping each other's company, but Rei, still, maintained her fiery temper with
him from time to time.
Serenity and Endymion were hardly seen apart anymore. They would take long strolls
through the garden with their hands intertwined. At meals they sat together, smiling
whenever they brushed against each other. During the evenings they would wonder
out of the ball and sit on a balcony whispering to each other, and laughing at
their own private jokes.
When the week ended everyone gathered in the teleportation chamber to bid the Moon's
envoy goodbye. Serenity's eyes brimmed with tears as Endymion embraced her. Endymion
reached up and brushed her tears away.
"Serenity, crying does not suit you, besides we will see each other again soon."
"I know," she nodded.
Endymion's arms encircled her waist and pulled her close to him again. Looking into
her crystal eyes, he bent down and pressed his lips to hers. The warmth of his
kiss overtook Serenity, and she in return breathed her passion for him into their
kiss. The room watched in awe as her silver aura mingled with his gold, each giving
a part of themselves to the other.
Ami at the display blushed and turned away not wanting to intrude on the couple. Makoto
smiled at Nephrite, glad her princess found the perfect prince. Jadeite looked at Rei
and winked, to which she just rolled her eyes. Minako got a mischievous smile and
looked at Kunzite.
"When in Athens," she exclaimed before throwing her arms around his neck and assaulting
his lips with hers.
Kunzite usual composure was stripped away. His eyes widened in surprise, and closed
softly in pleasure as he drunk of the Venusian beauty's lips. When they parted, they
found a room full of people wide eyed in wonderment.
Minako shrugged, "Like you people never kissed before."
Selene smiled and sighed the purity of young love. She hated to leave and separate them,
but they had duties of their own to attend to at home on the Moon.