Before we get into it: big news! Did you know that as of Chapter 20 (Part 19) the this story was EXACTLY 44,000 works long?

Holy cow for me, BRAVO for you! You lovely little readers! Not only that but as writet this the latest hit count for this segment of time (tnot the total amount- just for the last few months) is 4020? Holy nut bunnies. Sombody do some math!

Again- apologies fr being so late with it all. The next chapter.

I think is going to end within the next…4 chapters? Good luck!

Start-o!

Part 20: For You, Against You

It was only a small attack really. It was the beginning of a new end for the Solar System. Kunzite was actually rather proud of the way his plans had neatly come together-everything in its time and place.

Of course the Prince had no idea of what was happening. He was sure to use the rebels who had been following Beryl for some time first. Then they would think it was just them. But he also used some veterans of his own fleet to guide their way. It was easy to decide whom to attack first as well.

Mercury was the most unguarded of the five planets but still close enough to home that a person might have thought it was a personal vendetta against the planet or the princess herself. The timing was perfect as well because Mercury was closest to Earth and Venus would be n the other side of the sun- a direct shot for fast moving armies. Mercury was the farthest Jupiter who was the strongest but also on the outskirts of the inner circles to entrap their enemies.

Venus would send help without knowing that Mercury was so far away at that time- it would take The princess of Mercury's genius to figure it out so quickly without all the math involved. But certainly Zoicite could do it. And he had.

He had also figured out that by sending a fleet to Mercury, the focus of their attention would be there- not on the other side of the system… which fell into the next part of the plan.

Best of all, he had sent no message to Mercury of why the Earth attacked. That would come together all too soon for the people of the Moon- their true goal.

Kunzite mused on the idea that the Moonlings would figure out just a little to late that his goal was ultimately them. He didn't want to destroy all of them of course; that would be madness. But in order to attain a final peace for the system to finally get out from under the Moon's dictatorship, it was time he took action and broke a few eggs, as the saying goes.

He was walking with his arms linked behind him through the white gardens when he noticed his dear Prince sitting at the fountains edge. It was a large statue of a woman and small boy- the woman, very somber, the child, oblivious to her plight,

"Endo, what are you doing out here?"

"Kunzite! I hadn't heard you coming…do you want to sit down?"

"Of course, tell me…what's on your mind." Kunzites gave a slight grunt as he sat- he had been feeling sore these last few weeks. "What can I do you for?"

Endymion looked at him for perhaps a moment too long then regained his thoughts by starting as all young men do.

"I don't know. You know? It juts feels like I'm missing something Kunz."

He chuckled, "No, Endo, I don't understand."

"Kunzite…I think…I think I'm-"

"Endymion, how long have we been friends?"

"Since I was born."

"Right. Has there ever been a time that you couldn't tell me something you wanted to."

He had to think about this. "I guess not. But this is different. It's personal. And I don't want you to get angry with me."

Kunzites smiled and nudged him with his elbow. "If you've done something stupid I'll tell you. But we're friends Endo. I've always been here for you and I always will be. I look out for your best interests so I promise I won't tare you limb from limb OK? At least not today- I'm in too good of a moon."

"…A Moon?"

"A mood. That's what I said. I feel good today. So tell me, what going on?"

The black haired prince smiled gratefully up at his childhood friend but didn't immediately continue. He leaned forward on his elbows and pressed them into his knees. His fingers played with each other and he coughed once or twice.

Kunzite waited patiently by watching him. He was a handsome young man. A good man and true to his word. He thought about the time they had spent together as boys.

He could see that stupid grin on his dirty face just after he pushed Jedite back into the mud. The echo of his voice when he called out "Kunzite let me hide with you!"

The messy black hair as he crouched next to him in the tree.

"You GUYS. This is no FAIR." Zoicite would wander around below looking for them. "I MEAN it you guys. It was Nephrite's turn to be 'it'. You GUYS!"

Enyimion tried not to laugh. Kunzite remembered his face when he called out with boy-fat hands cupped to his mouth, "You'll never find us Zoi-boy!" with a new roll of laughter he fell right out the tree.

Kunzite remembered reaching out to catch him but missing by just a few inches of his hand. He remember that panicked feeling in his stomach as the matted black hair disappeared over the apple branch.

"Endymion!" Everyone came out of hiding to dig him out of the copper leaves below. Kunzite had practically thrown himself down to get there in time. His sad little face was sobbing as they all saw his arm was bruising and swelling up. Kunzite remembered carrying him inside. He didn't recall the scold he was surely to have gotten after but instead focused on the promise that he wouldn't let his Prince be hurt like that again. Ever again.

That boy's face grinning up from the white bed laughing away the pain. The smell of flowers by his bed and the playful card game that lasted all night.

Another memory crept at the surface of his thoughts, a ball.

Ten years old or so, the boys were enjoying themselves as much as possible while in little black suits. That memory seemed a long time ago. In this memory, everything seemed blue. They danced with some of the girls at the party and boys being boys, he watched as his dear prince leaned in to kiss a girl. She pushed him down and ran for it. They had all laughed at his first failed attempt.

But at the tail of this long faded memory was their late teen years when another failed attempt could not go so lightly passed by. He cried again that night and Kunzite was lucky to be there, he was only passing by when he heard the light sniffles.

He had put his head to his chest and rubbed at his eyes. He pulled at the front of his soaking shirt. Trying to profess everything he felt in his heart all at once. He expressed the pain as having been worse than the time he fell on his arm.

And Kunzite promised that he wouldn't let his Prince be hurt like that again. Ever again. This was just another time like that.

He ran his hand through his friend's shadowy hair and softly let the corner of his mouth raise in admiration and love.

"Can you remember, " he thought to himself, "when I told you I would never leave your side? I never did. I never will. I will be the one to protect you now my dear prince." He almost laughed to himself. "She was right though, about one thing. I do love you. I am devoted to you. And I guess if I have the strength to do what I am about to, then, I really don't need her. Do I?"

"Hey." The prince looked up with dark eyes and grinned. "Thanks."

Kunzite nodded.

"Your highness!" Someone called from the castle. "Your Grace! Where are you?"

Kunzite and Endymion exchanged a confused glance with no need to mention they would continue their conversation at another time.

Moon

She couldn't smell, see, feel, or taste. It really didn't matter too much.

It didn't feel like long at all before someone approached her.

"Princess…" they hesitated. "We need to know what to do."

She didn't respond at first.

'Do? What do I do?' Her eyes seemed to search around grasping for anything.

"You're highness…are you alright?"

She seemed surprised that some asked her and turned to face whomever it was.

She didn't fully recognize who was speaking. Not that it mattered too much. Those eyes looked so worried and alone. They looked afraid and so young. Venus felt pity in her heart.

The Princess of Venus had no time to sit in shock. Others were depending on her strength. As though she had been thinking about what to do the entire time she calmly smiled. She placed a gentle hand on the face of her companion.

"Send all my prepared armies to Mercury as soon as you can. Send them with instructions to bring medical specialists and food aid. The mercurians don't have any fields to burn but they do have land to lose. We want to assist what they already have so the second fleet ready should go with as much water as possible and I don't want to see the team that goes first because I want them gone. Now. Go."

The person hastened from the room calling out her instructions.

She turned on her heel to face another person standing nearby. It didn't mater who they were either but she told them anyway. "Prepare my transport immediately. I'll be ready to leave in 30 minutes." They seemed surprised but also ran from the room.

The solid brain clenched it teeth around her duty.

She had no time to cry right now. What was the point anyway?

"Venus" She recognized the person as Mars in the doorway. "My Queen wants to see you." She nodded and followed the raven-haired girl to the great Throne room at the heart of the great castle.

Venus had no fear as she knelt before the Queen or when, as she explained in very low tones, all she knew about the situation and what she had already done to help.

The Moon Queen was as still as stone as she listened and asked questions to the kneeling princess of Venus. Her white hair rolled over her shoulders as the rest of the princesses stood at the edges of the room to hear what she had to say. Even Serenity respectfully stood by her mother's throne.

"Princess of Venus." The great Queen began, "I very much appreciate your actions. Now it has come time to consult Mercury to find out what they need the most from us." She stood and a great flat square dropped from the ceiling above them. The rest of the members in the room silently turned to face it.

The crackling was the only sound in the room until the face of their beloved friend appeared upon its enormous screen.

"Your Majesty." She said. Her voice was low and steady. "Please forgive me for not contacting you sooner." She gave a small smile.

Venus could feel everyone in the room relax just a little bit to see her face but at the same time few were made a little afraid by the fact that laced on her delicate forehead was a tiara of gold and blue.

"Sailor Mercury. We thank the heavens this day that you live. We come to inspect some ill report we have had from one scout Hodochi of battalion #1. We have understood from his report and now we can see that it is so- that you have been attacked."

The weary blue eyes were still and unwavering. She nodded solemnly. It was hard to tell what was going on in her head.

"Four legions of 300 men attacked the main city and Trident Castle the night of the Neko Ball." She blushed a little bit as she admitted, "The attack came so swiftly that my body and lands were completely unprepared for the reciprocation. Therefore I fainted. I should have…" She faltered, "I'm sorry."

The Moon Queen did not acknowledge this; brushing it off as a silly comment. "Can you confirm your enemy at this time?"

"Yes, Your Majesty." She didn't mean to but she withheld a breath within her chest. "It is without error a rebel group from Earth."

"I see. In this case-"

"Forgive me highness, I don't believe this is within the Earth's liability. This only seems to be a temporary small gathering of criminals and revolutionaries." She seemed sincere and pleading. "As a jurisdiction of the solar system, I would not hold them at fault. In fact, I have already contacted them. They deny any association with these people and are sending help that should be here within a few hours."

"Mercury I trust your judgment in this but know that the Erath will not be totally free from responsibility in this. You must understand that."

"Hai..."

The queen was resolute but almost as though she were fighting the urge to scream. She did not however, but instead turned to look at Venus who was still kneeling but in the opposite direction to face the delicate face of the innermost sovereign.

"Venus being your next closest neighbor had already set out a fleet of ready soldiers to aid in your fight. She, and the rest of the senshi, also intend to join you shortly-"

Venus almost tried to smile but Mercury's gaze fixed on the girl- her face stern.

"Don't come Venus! I think it's best if you stay there to protect the Princess. At her side where you belong."

"You need help." It was a fact, not a request; by looking at the state of her mercury boy scout this was no small battle at all. As far as Venus knew he had already been taken to the infirmary to have his wound treated. Venus could vividly see the blood stained at the corners of his uniform- some one had tried to kill him.

"No. I'll be alright. Don't worry about me- these people are my duty and I don't want anyone else to get involved with this war. Stay where you are."

"I cannot allow you to let your people fail."

Her blues eyes went sad. "Have you such little faith in me Venus?"

A silence fell as Venus looked rejected but conceded to the answer being no.

"We'll be fine. We've been preparing for this for quite some time."

"Ami-Chan! At least let me send my troops to be with you. They should be arriving within the hour. Before you can object, dress them as your own and let them fight for Mercury." Venus scrunched up her face. "Please Ami-Chan! Please let us come to you."

"No. Your people I accept but only them. I refuse to risk everything. We will take care of these war-mungurers. These rebels of Earth. I will contact you if we do need anything. I promise." It wasn't until later that Venus asked why Mercury had though that sending the sailor Soldiers would be 'risking everything'.

Ami winked in a sad strange way and then made a motion to leave.

"Blessings be with you from Venus-"

"-and Jupiter" Makoto stepped forward clutching her handkerchief.

"-Mars" Said The Princess of Mars with a tear at her dark eye.

"-and the Silver Moon." Said the elegant Queen.

"Arigato…Mercury out."

As the image blinked away Jupiter reached forward as though she could keep her there. Her voice, now high and sharp even, let out a whisper-

"Mercury, no!" but Rei reached forward to take her away from the screen.

After a moment of standing in the same position for quite some time there was a soft knock at the door. The Transport was ready.

The blond head looked up and thought. The queen of the moon spoke.

"Go if you wish to my soldiers. We will protect the princess."

Venus slowly shook her head. She assumed the rest of the senshi followed suit because the messenger backed out of the room.

Serenity clung to her mother begging her to let her go protect her friend. But the pale queen shook her head and changed from diplomat to mother as she took Serenity gently from the room.

Venus sat back on her legs and let her hand drop to her sides. She heard Makoto swear loudly and then swipe at the air. Mars must have let her go because in a few moments she saw Makoto run past her toward the door. The rushing by made her hair gently fly forward around her pretty face.

Before the strands landed on her shoulders Makoto had already gone out the door and Venus reached out to touch the over-fine texture of her flaxen hair.

It felt so soft and Venus wondered if it was because she washed it too much or the fact that her hands had never worked before.

Stop-o!

A/n:

Hey! Anyone who has reviews this in the past should check up on previous stories- I always write back. I know I can respond directly but this is traditional. 

Heta A happy Ending huh? Hmmm. I'll think about it:giggle: Thank you sweety for leaving a review! I look forward to hearing from you again! T-T at least I hope!

Vchanny well here's anew chapter for you. I hope I can keep you with me just a little bit long until the end. I'm a poor writer but I try my best. It's always so nice t see your name in my Inbox. As for changing writing styles, you don't know how happy it made me to see you say so. I'm re-assured. I'm sure to resolve everything but I wonder your opinion on this- how would you feel about a Part 2? Like, one for their re-births? I'm almost against it because of how much I would have to make up. At least in the silver millennium much of the story is already set up for me. Plus, Who knows how good I am at modern writing…we'll see neh? Perhaps it'd be more consistent than this garbage. I miss you and I'm so happy you are still with me.  Thanks hunny buns! (such talent you got!)

Azar the Kinslayer You missed me:blush: I update for you. I hope you like the direct we're going in…and that you don't hate me. THANKYOU for writing to me. MUCH love- miss me.

Angry Girl Can you see? I tried NOT to put myself down…:tweak:. But it's very hard. I love you show mush. You keep me very happy. I hope this chapter gives a clearer idea of what's going on…but I'm sure it'll all show up soon. I won't destroy the planet…yet. You like rei0chan right? Perhaps I'll do a little ditty on her. XD Yay for Miss Angry girl who is always by my side! I love your writings and it makes me smile when I read them.

OK GUYS!

I love you all so much. I know this is a lengthy story. I know I know. But to make you feel better it repeal what I first said- you can skip to the dialogue. There is more of it now.

How would ya'll feel if I re-wrote this?

Take it all off or replace chapter by chapter?

Also, what is your favorite color on Venus chan? Yellow, Orange or some other dizzy thing? …please don't say nude. It'll make me blush.

I Love you all so very much. PLEASE review. I don't get as much support as I think you all think I do. Not much at all. I don't let anyone read this but you guys so do need a little love.

So, with all my lovelove,

Vbabe1