"Tales of the Stars"

Book 1: Homecoming

Chapter 14

Everything had gone to hell. Endymion's personal guards had turned on the royal family. Tranquility rubbed her arms lightly, knowing the small action wouldn't chase away the chills from her body, but it made her feel a little better. She and Sapphrite were on a transport to the Moon Kingdom. There she would under go a purification process needed before she was sent to Estarilana, to received the powers of their falling princess. Sapphrite would be staying in the Moon Kingdom to assist Endymion and the royal family of the Moon.

Their home wasn't safe any more and Prince Lusion wasn't allowing Sapphrite in his kingdom. A bleak future was ahead of them indeed. She knew with her parents dead that she didn't have to continue with the marriage to the jealous prince. The royals of Estarilana could find another person to transfer Lyra's powers to. Tranquility, hoped though, that if she still went through with it, she could return and help free her home world from Beryl's clutches. It would take a little time, but if it could work it would be worth the sacrifice.

Then Endymion and the younger Serenity could return to the Earth and rule it, keeping it's people safe. She would have to return to Estarilana and Lusion, but she'd feel better about her fate in the long run. Losing Sapphrite would be her biggest sacrifice, but even as they were running he was refraining from getting too close to her. She knew it hurt him, as much as it was hurting her, but she wanted to just be held by him as long as she could. They would be out of reach of one another in too short of a time. She wanted what little time they had left to be spent together. He seemed to think that keeping a distance would make their final farewell easier.

She watched him gaze out the window as the Earth grew smaller. His own brother, Zoicite, had been the one to tell them they could either join Beryl or leave the planet. If they were still on Earth in the morning, and not on Beryl's side, they would be killed just as the King and Queen had been. Beryl was Queen now, and her only objective was to make Endymion hers. If that meant destroying the Moon Kingdom she'd do it, or die trying. They would warn Queen Serenity of this as soon as they arrived. She wasn't looking forward to telling her brother his best friends betrayed him and killed their parents, all in the name of that witch.

Tamaki sat in a hospital room watching over Staria. They hadn't been able to wake her up after the incident. Kyoya had her admitted to the Ohtori family's private hospital and Tamaki had contacted Mamoru about it. The older brother had stopped by several times over the past two days, but due to work and school obligations, he couldn't stay long.

All of her vitals were fine, but her temperature kept going up and down. The doctors couldn't find any reason for her to be in the coma like state she'd taken on. The blond teen had called his father and asked him to keep Staria's parents updated as well. He didn't want them to worry but they should know what was going on with their daughter. He looked up as the door opened and Kyoya walked in with a Starbucks cup in each hand.

"Still no change?" Kyoya asked as he handed Tamaki one of the cups.

"Not really, she mumbled a bit in her sleep. Probably dreaming." Tamaki reported and took a taste of the beverage he was given. "Mmm…thank you I needed this."

"Why don't you just go home and sleep? You haven't left since we brought her here. At least go take a shower and eat a real meal if you won't sleep."

"No I feel like I need to be here when she wakes up. I need to find something out."

"What could ever be so important that you won't give yourself any rest over?" Kyoya had been spending a lot of time at the hospital as well, but he'd go home to sleep at the end of the day. He was glad to see that the marks he had made on her had faded. Part of him was curious as to what all he had done to her, and part of him hoped she'd wake up not remembering any of it.

"Whatever happened to all of us, I think she did something to take away the effects of it." Tamaki confessed.

"How would she have done that exactly?" As he asked he thought back to his kiss with her. He shoved the thought aside quickly though. She hadn't kissed anyone else. They'll all just woke back up and were fine. Then again as soon as they did Tamaki screamed for him, and they saw that Staria had passed out, with a nightmare of a nose bleed, when she'd been fine only moments before.

"I don't know." Tamaki muttered over his coffee, "But I swear I saw a gold star glowing on her forehead before she passed out."

"I think you were still asleep. Random symbols don't just glow on people's foreheads." The raven haired boy argued. "Seriously though Tamaki you need to go sleep in a real bed. Not this cot you've asked them to set up for you. If you at least go home, clean up and take a nap, I'll stay here and watch over her till you get back."

Tamaki frowned and looked down at his cup for a moment. "Promise you won't leave?"

"I promise."

"And you'll call me if she wakes up?"

"Yes I'll call you if there's any change at all."

"You promise?"

"Yes damn it, I said I promise that means I promise. Now go of your own free will before I make someone sedate you and take you home."

Tamaki smiled, "Alright. Thank you Kyoya." he hugged his friend as he made his exit.

Kyoya watched his sleep deprived friend go before making himself comfortable in one of the chairs that had been brought in. He couldn't help but ponder over Tamaki's questions. Had Staria indeed done something to aid all of them?

"Quil, did you have a safe trip?" Endymion hugged his little sister, who latched onto him on sight. "What's wrong?"

"Things aren't good your majesty." Sapphrite answered with a solemn look painted on his face. "The kingdom's been lost. The King and Queen have been killed, by the hands of my brother and your other guards. We have no allies on that planet any more. Beryl is Queen now and she plans to attack the Moon Kingdom. We must notify Queen Serenity right away sir." Endymion let the report sink in. His best friends had killed his parents, their leaders, and now were going to attack the home of his love.

"Yes we must warn her at once." The prince answered and looked down at his sister. "Does this mean you're staying here with us now?"

"No, she still plans to leave for Estarilana as scheduled." Sapphrite answered for her in disdain.

"But Quil, you don't have to now. Despite this tragedy you can be free now."

"No Endy I can't. We have no way to take back our home. The senshi serve Serenity. They will protect the Moon Kingdom and leave the Golden Kingdom for darkness. If I'm a senshi I can fight for our home. But I can't become a senshi without Princess Lyra's powers. Those powers come at a cost, and if it means that we have a chance to save our world I'm going to take it." Tranquility pushed away from her brother and made her way to the palace. She'd report to the queen herself.

Kyoya found himself staring at the sleeping girl for a while. The story of 'Sleeping Beauty' kept popping into his head. It was such a silly notion. Waking a sleeping girl with true love's kiss. He chuckled a bit to himself, surprised that Tamaki hadn't suggested it already. The thought of each of the club members taking their turn at trying to wake her made him laugh, mostly because if Tamaki had his way they'd all be dressed as princes or knights while doing so.

At the same time though he didn't like the idea of others getting the chance to kiss her. Even if he'd already gotten to. He knew it was bad that he was feeling possessive over a rhetorical event. How was she going to react around him from then on? He had after all basically gotten to second base with her, even if he hadn't been aware of it. Was she going to avoid him now? What exactly had lead to her kissing him? Tamaki had his questions for her, but Kyoya had his own. They'd have to wait for some private time though. No way was he about to open that can of worms in front of anyone but the parties involved.

The queen frowned at the news. "I see. Thank you Princess Tranquility for your aid in this matter. I'm sorry it has already come at such a cost to you. You are welcome to stay here as long as you wish. My castle is open to you and your entourage."

"Thank you Queen Serenity. It is only myself and my faithful guard Sapphrite. He will be staying with my brother, as I plan to go through with my engagement to Prince Lusion of Estarilana." Tranquility bowed to her superior, thankful for the offer.

"So you will still be needing the planned ceremony." Serenity watched the girl's eyes for the truth. She could see the young princesses didn't wish for her destiny but was determined to still make it so.

"Yes, please. As soon as possible would be best."

"Rest for now, child. We will need time to finish preparing for the purification ceremony. Let your worries go and be at peace with yourself." The ruler of Moon kingdom walked over to the obviously stressed princess and gave her a gentle hug. Tranquility was surprised by the action but accepted it willingly and even dared to hug the queen back.

"Feel free to come to me with any problems you may have. I will gladly guide you in any way I can. I will leave you with one bit of advice for tonight though. Do as your heart desires. The purification will wash you clean of any….over indulgent actions you may choose, but once it is done you will be allowed nothing until the power transfer is complete. You will be placed in a state of sleep so you will not even need to eat or drink. So before all of your sacrificing begins, allow yourself to live the life you wish."

Tranquility tried not to blush. The queen had seen right through her and was basically tell her to give Sapphrite her love while she could. The only problem with that was he still was avoiding her. He would follow in the halls behind her, but never beside her. Even then he was waiting outside for the conversation with the queen to end.

"Than you Queen Serenity. I'll keep that in mind. If you'll excuse me…." the princess made her exit, not sure as to what to do with the advice.

Kyoya was brought out of his thoughts when Mamoru walked in the room.

"Any change?" the older boy asked.

"No, though she's been making funny faces for a little while. Must be having an interesting dream." Kyoya stood up and stretched. "If you don't mind I'm going to stretch my legs a bit."

"That's fine I only have a little time today but I wanted to check in on her."

"You've been rather busy lately haven't you. You only ever seem to stay for five or ten minutes at a time."

"I feel bad about that but, I'm in the process of moving and have work obligations."

"Moving?"

"I'm getting my own place. Once I finish up the term I can't stay in the group home any more. So I'm trying to be as little of a pain to the people who raised me as possible."

"I see. Well good luck with that. Would you mind waiting till I get back before you go? I promised Tamaki I wouldn't let her be alone while he went home to sleep."

"Finally got him to leave for a bit?" Mamoru smiled.

"Yes, he's a dumb ass but loyal. Call him if she wakes up too." With that Kyoya went to go take a walk and find a snack.

Once the Ohtori boy was out of ear shot Mamoru held onto Staria's hand.

"I know you're resting up after that attack, but you really need to wake up. You're starting to worry your friends a lot. I have a feeling I know what's going on though. You're like me. Healing yourself takes time, after you use your energy to save others.

We have a lot to talk about when you wake up. I hoped you wouldn't have to find out, but if you're going to be pulled into this world it's better for you to know. I don't understand it all myself yet, but I'll explain what I can and we'll just learn the rest as we go. So finish restoring your energy and wake up, Star." he smirked to himself a bit.

"You're crush has been watching over you too. I'm not really sure what you see in him, he's bit cold if you ask me. Tamaki seems more your speed, but I know he's just another brother to you. Either way it's rude to keep everyone waiting so long.

Motoki was asking about you today. He wants you to stop by and hang out at the arcade again. He still can't believe I have a little sister. It's funny how flustered he gets about it some times." Mamoru went on just telling her about his day as if she were awake.

Motoki had told him that it's good to talk to coma patients. So even though he knew she'd be fine, he himself had black out periods from healing, he'd put up the front that she was a normal coma victim. At least he was ninety-nine percent sure that she was the same as him. They were blood related after all. So he'd soon have someone to share secrets with, but more people to keep them from. Kyoya had started to question him, when Tamaki had informed him of the attack. They were far too close to nailing him as Tuxedo Mask. He had played it off with a good laugh and acting like they were both still in shock from the event. Neither boy had asked anything since so he hoped they had given up the notion.

Sapphrite stood in the palace courtyard staring at the Earth. He had ease dropped on Tranquility's conversation with the queen and ran away before she could confront him about the queen's words. He wanted nothing more than to just keep her for himself, but he knew her duty to her kingdom had taken a large spot in her heart. Her need to avenge her parents, was battling with their love. He didn't want to stand in her way and yet he wanted to keep her locked away from the world.

"You know there's other ways to make her yours for all time you know." Sapphrite turned around to face the female talking to him. Sailor Venus stood before him in all her royal grace.

"What are you speaking of?" He asked.

"There's a ritual that will join two souls for all of time, and the purification ritual your princess will go through will not undo it, only hide it. You may not be able to stay together in this life but your souls will be bound to one another and will meet again in your next life for sure." The blond warrior explained.

"It's only a myth. There has been no proof of such a thing working." He frowned at the absurdity of it.

"Then what's to loose when you're already loosing her to another?" She handed him an old book. "It's in there, should you change your mind. The purification will take place in the morning. I wouldn't wait too long." She smirked and left with a giggle. "Not if you want to enjoy your last night together." Sapphrite turned bright red at the forwardness of the warrior. He turned the book over in his hands and opened it after a moment. Nothing wrong with educating yourself.

Mamoru stood up when Kyoya returned, "Good timing, I need to be going."

"Already? Another quick stop by." Kyoya gave him a curious look. He was always running off quickly.

"Please give me a call when she wakes up. I know she's in good hands here."

"The best. We wouldn't allow anything less in one of our family's facilities." Kyoya moved back over by the bed, feeling a bit possessive again. "We'll call if there's any change."

"Thank you. I feel better knowing she has good friends watching over her. She cares a lot for you all." Mamoru said as he left, but all Kyoya heard was 'She cares a lot for you.' Once he was sure the elder brother was gone he brushed a bit of Staria's hair out of her face. She must have tossed a bit in her sleep earlier.

"Why do I get the feeling he knows what's going on with you?" Kyoya asked aloud to Staria, but really to no one. "You are running the risk of making me seem very foolish. Not an easy task." He smiled and chuckled a bit. "Well what the hell. If I'm going to be foolish let it be while no one is looking." He gave into his urge and sat down carefully on the bed and leaned over her. He cupped her cheek ever so gently and kissed her tenderly on the lips. All the while thinking 'It's time you woke up Princess. We have questions only you can answer.'