Author's Note: The prompt for this chapter is an image which can be found at: selinafenech dot deviantart dot com/art/Impossible-Love-30392649

It was hopeless. The Teacher was stronger, faster, more experienced. The beautiful blonde haired boy was agile, but it did not matter. It seemed wherever he moved, the Teacher's blade was always there, parrying, thrusting, slashing, forcing him back on his heels. He was tiring, and the Teacher seemed to not even be sweating.

"All your training seems to be wasted. You are not fit to even stand in the same ring as me."

The words were true, he knew. But he refused to believe it. He ignored the stitch in his side, and the sweaty strands of hair obscuring his vision. He ignored the burning in his legs and the heavy weight that seemed to press down on his arms. Instead, he persevered.

"You are wasting my time boy. Yield."

He did not obey.

"Your bravery is admirable. Do you expect it to move me? Yield, or I will kill you boy."

Many soldiers had heard this voice on the battlefield and been inspired with terror. In truth, terror was growing in the boy as well, but he chose not to give in. He fought back harder. Still the Teacher was unmoved.

"Fight like you mean it!"

He did. With everything he had, the blonde boy fought. But it was not enough. He was forced to a knee. The Teacher moved to strike. All he could do to counter was to put his sword across his hands and counter the strike. The Teacher's blow was heavy, and the blade bit into his hand. He could feel the Teacher push, attempting to drive the blade through him. With everything he had, he resisted. It would be futile. There was no way he could throw off this blow.

"Yield!"

"NO!"

Their eyes met. There was nothing but cold determination in the Teacher's eyes. The boy matched him. For an eternity, they remained locked in the struggle. Finally, the Teacher relented, and put his blade on the ground.

"I yield."

In his dream, he was flying. He could feel power pulsing through him with every beat of his wings. The power of Earth itself flowed through his veins, and the possibilities were endless. He skimmed over the ground and then soared high in the air, reveling in the feeling of freedom. He could see for miles in every direction.

This was his domain now, and he loved every inch of it. He felt power and privilege. Being able to take it all in only inspired more awe and wonder. He was a Shitennou now. And he took that responsibility very seriously. Off to the distance, he could see a twinkle of light reflecting off the ocean. Possibility was all around him. He flew to meet it.

The plan would work much better this time. She was crafty, as was able to get away during their previous encounter. Zoisite had underestimated her abilities as a fighter. Simple sneaking up on her would not be enough. Not if he was to capture her attention and not merely capture her.

She was desperate to leave last time. Clearly, this time, he needed to make sure Serenity was otherwise occupied and unready to leave. Fortunately, Endymion would be an unwitting, but very able partner in this endeavor. He'd simply make sure Mercury was early, and thus, captive. She would not leave without her princess.

The weather was right tonight. Endymion had been distracted all day. Zoisite had switched his own duties, as well as the requisite patrols to ensure that everything would go according to plan. All he had to do was wait.

Once again, he knew well before any alarm sounded that she was here. He set out and made sure no one would disturb them. He took up a concealed position and watched the clearing where she would emerge.

He watched as the fog rolled in. She was being extra careful tonight. Clearly, their last encounter had put her on her guard. All the better. It would make his victory that much more sweet in the end.

"I thank you for moving the patrols again General. It makes my journey much easier."

He would have turned around, but the blade pressed to his neck made him rethink that impulse.

"I'm very sorry that I must inconvenience you in light of your kindness, but I must retrieve my mistress," she said calmly as though she had accidentally spilt her drink on his lap. "Would you happen to know where she is?"

Zoisite had to smile. He had certainly picked a formidable opponent.

"I'm afraid Her Highness is indisposed at the moment. Perhaps I might make your wait more enjoyable Lady Mercury?"

She did not respond immediately. He knew he had taken her by surprise in knowing her name. Perhaps he was not quite the humble Earthling she thought.

"You are very kind to think of my welfare General Zoisite, but I'm afraid I only have one objective tonight."

She was once again a match for him. He expected no less.

"I'm sure your objective will be achieved in time. You needn't worry about your Princess. I assure you, my liege's intentions towards her are honorable… mostly."

She paused for a moment.

"And your intentions, General?"

He smiled. "They are much the same."

She did not respond immediately. He pressed his advantage.

"Why do you ask? Are you curious?"

Silence hangs for a moment. Then suddenly, the fog envelops him. The blade leaves his neck, and he knows she is gone.

In his dream, he is flying, skimming the water. There is something there. He can only see glimpses of it, just beyond his reach. It is a shadow, moving fast. He keeps up, but just barely. Every so often, the shadow moves closer to the surface. It is an enigma. But he can catch glimpses of inky blue hair and brilliant sapphire eyes. It is enough for him to continue his pursuit.

"You do not think it troubling that they are permitted to come and go as they please, but we are confined here?"

He really wished that she would leave, but Lady Beryl was an important woman in the court. He was a Shitennou, and could ill afford the discourtesy of telling her to keep her forked tongue between her teeth. What was worse was that he had to keep his focus twice as hard now. With Beryl watching, he could not afford to daydream about brilliant sapphire eyes and impossibly long legs.

"It is the will of the gods that we love here on Earth. If we are not ready to join the Alliance, so be it. It will come in time if it be their will."

Beryl moved even closer. Uncomfortably close.

"Perhaps. But why should they be the ones with wings? Why should we be so unfortunate? Must such power always be beyond our reach?"

It didn't pay to respond to her. She'd only keep going. The woman made his skin crawl. Her voice practically dripped poison. He was always afraid he could go mad just listening to her.

"Surely I'm not the only one who thinks this way. Tell me General, can you honestly say you've never thought he same?"

Shitennou did not lie. Zoisite knew this. So he said nothing.

A wicked smile grew on Beryl's lips. She walked away, but something lingered, and Zoisite still felt just as uncomfortable.

"Consider my words General."

In his dream, he was flying. He could see those bright blue eyes. It was as though they were mocking him, daring him to come closer. And so he does. And when he nears, he reaches out with a hand.

It closes around her neck. He feels her trying to resist, but she can not. Tears fill her eyes as the light begins to leave them. She sinks, deeper and deeper. He goes with her.

In his dream, he holds tightly, tenderly, lovingly. In his dream, it does not matter that they are so different. It only matters that she fits so perfectly in his arms, and her hair smells of the wide and wonderful sea, and her skin is softer than anything he has ever known.

He does not wish to wake. He wants to live in the dream forever. He wants to feel her hands in his hair, and he wants to feel her breath on his skin. It's all so vivid and so real, he could lose himself in this dream forever.

"I've missed you."

Even the sound of her voice is real.

"We'll get through this. I promise."

The feeling of her lips on his cheek is too real to be a dream. He opens his eyes.

"It's you…" There is wonder in his voice.

She smiles. "No more dreams. It's time to wake up."