Surprise! Another chapter already?! I'm seeing the light at the end of the tunnel! Also this one is shorter than the rest and for that I am sorry but it was a good stopping point! I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 8
In the hours after the attack many things were happening at once. Usagi was berating her former fiancée, the Saiyan Prince had gone to tell his father what had happened, the Queen was notified of the attack and presence of their enemy on the moon, and an emergency council meeting was set for as soon as the guards were able to secure all guests in their quarters.
After the Moon Princess had left Endymion contemplating his life's choices she went to her room to change out of her torn and stained gown. She pulled out her favorite dress, a simple soft blue gown, and then slipped away to her mother's gardens to think.
In the aftermath of everything she could not believe how naïve she had been in regards to the Earth Prince. He had been so charming though, so handsome, and even thoughtful. Though she now realized all of it was only when it had benefited him to be so. He was a spoiled boy who expected that he deserved to have whatever he desired and was blind to the feelings of others. How could she also have been so blind as to not see that?
Idly she brushed her hand along her mother's famed white rose bushes as she wondered how she would broach the topic with her mother. An alliance with the Earth had meant to strengthen all the bonds within their galaxy. There would have to be some way to break the engagement without it causing trouble.
She sighed heavily and sat down on one of the stone benches tucked into a small alcove. Looking up at the stars above she mused out loud, "what do I do now?"
"Let me know what they say, I'm curious," answered a deep voice from the shadow of a large tree.
The young woman started at first before smiling softly and relaxing back on the bench her gaze seeking the heavens once more. When the Saiyan Prince sat next to her she leaned slightly into his arm in silent greeting.
"What happened?"
"I broke off the engagement. I have not told mother yet but, I will not marry someone like that. No matter what. He cannot be the only choice and he is most definitely not the right one." Despite the firmness in her tone there was still some underlying uncertainty that he could hear. She glanced up at him chewing her bottom lip as she searched for the right words. He surprised her by starting the conversation himself.
"You know," he started, leaning forward and putting his elbows on his knees hands clasped loosely in front of him. She sat silently beside him her gaze staring into the darkness of the garden. He seemed to have trouble finding the words for what he wanted to say so he finally straightened up. His white gloved hand went to her face and he turned her towards him. His fingers gently held her there until her deep blue eyes met his dark ones.
He leaned closer to her his tail snaking around her waist roughly pulling her closer, "I've never been good with words," he breathed huskily against her lips.
Just as her eyes fluttered close and she leaned in an imposing figure appeared in the archway to the alcove and coughed brusquely. Usagi's head whipped around and her eyes widened at the sight of the smirking Saiyan King.
The older warrior took in the sight before him with a grin. His son had the blonde snug against him and her hand was delicately resting on his chest while the younger Vegeta had his tail and arm wrapped around her waist. There was no mistaking what he was interrupting.
"The War Council is meeting now, come with me."
The younger Saiyan glowered at his father before standing up, pulling Usagi up with him. Vegeta Sr. turned his back giving his son a moment before they would head off. The dark haired warrior turned back to the blushing young woman in front of him.
He gently cupped her chin once more tilting her head up so she looked him in the eyes, "when I get back.." he promised before turning and striding off into the darkness with his father.
Usagi sat back down heavily on the bench. Her mind whirling. Did this mean he cared for, the way she did him? Her hand went to her lips as they curved into a smile. Sure he had kissed her before, but this, this promised to be different.
Unfortunately, she did not have time to dwell on what had almost happened. She leapt to her feet and followed as quickly but quietly as she could on the same path the Saiyans took towards the council room. She knew that there was a small hallway that the servers took to come in and out of the room unobtrusively during meetings. It was conveniently hidden behind some of the large tapestries that hung in that room.
Once inside she heard her mother speaking.
"That's the only thing I can think happened. Somehow this Earth woman was imbued with our enemy's strength. Most likely given to her with the promise of something more valuable should she be able to harm my daughter."
"I'm not sure that was actually her original goal. The two senshi who were with the princess said that this woman was a former companion of Prince Endymion and seemed to think Princess Usagi had somehow ruined their relationship." King Vegeta spoke, his dark gaze flickering to the Earth rulers before coming back to rest on the Moon Queen. "It would make no sense for our enemy to attack the princess. Kidnap for ransom maybe, or even spy to gain inside knowledge. They may have sent her here for one of those purposes before her jealousy got the better of her."
"Your Majesty, our son did have a relationship with Lady Beryl but that was years ago. She must have been stewing in her anger all this time and it finally got out of hand. I assure you though that the Prince is totally devoted to your daughter." The Earth King spoke up this time, his wife nodding in agreement beside him.
Behind the curtain Usagi's fist clenched in anger. Either Endymion had lied to his parents or his parents were lying to her mother. If only she could find Beryl and let her mother glean the truth for herself. By her mother's next words it seemed they were on the same page.
"Does anyone know where she went? I'm afraid it is difficult for me to hone in on a single energy signature, especially when she was able to pull it so low." The Queen Serenity searched the faces around her, finally the Saiyan that was seated next to her spoke up.
"We were able to track her to the outskirts of the kingdom and we know she fled into the surrounding hills."
Usagi slipped out, her face a mask of determination. If the people of Earth were determined to lie in order to keep her tied to Endymion then she would find and bring the one person who could shed light on the truth. However, the words that she missed being spoken by the Saiyan General would have been wise ones for her to consider.
"And if she can hide her own power, who knows how many more may be lurking nearby."
The Moon Princess was too quick to leave however and was already halfway down the hall by this time. She tip-toed back to her room where she knew her senshi would be. And sure enough all of them were gathered there waiting for her.
"Usagi," Ami said worriedly when their princess entered, "where have you been? You should not be so careless so soon after the attack."
The others made noises of agreement.
"I know, I am sorry for worrying you. I was curious as to what the council was deciding. Beryl is still nearby. I think I can track her and I want to go find her and bring her back. Endymion has been lying about our whole relationship and I refuse to marry him. The only one, surprisingly, who can resolve this is that woman. If she can only speak to my mother then mother will know the truth." Usagi took a breath looking at her friends who were both shocked and upset. They had trusted this man to protect their princess.
"Rei, Makoto I want you to come with me. Minako and Ami if we are not back my dawn please go alert my mother."
"Why not tell her now? Why not let the guards go find this Beryl." Minako's voice was full of concern. She knew Usagi was growing stronger by the day and Jupiter and Mars produced some of the fiercest warriors in their galaxy second only to Uranus, but still there was a risk.
"I am tired of waiting for things to happen. I want this resolved and I want to do it myself. Certainly we can subdue one woman. Especially if we tell her that I am no longer engaged." Minako sighed softly taking note of her cousin's resolute expression. This was not an argument she would win. Not to mention Rei and Makoto looked more than ready for a rematch with their foe.
"Fine Usa. Just, please be careful."
The Moon Princess grinned happily and hugged the other blonde. "Of course I will!"
Quickly the three girls wrapped dark cloaks around them and snuck out the Queen's Gardens and over the wall towards the hills. Just outside the wall they paused.
"Give me a moment, I know I sensed her before and she's not too far."
Usagi plopped down on the ground cross-legged in order to concentrate. Her cerulean eyes closed and she felt for the deep well of power inside her. She was able to easily sense the strong energy signatures of her senshi, of the Saiyans nearby, and her mother in the castle. It was harder to find the softer sources, the humans all were the same. Low energy signals that from too far away were barely noticeable. Finally though she honed in on a lone source of energy.
"The caves, of course." She stood up brushing herself off. "The tunnels that were dug out when they were quarrying rock to build the castle." The girls nodded. Those tunnels were forbidden as they had been dug over a thousand years ago and no one knew how much longer they would last before collapsing.
It would take them almost an hour to get there on foot. They headed out, strategizing as they went.
"Surely Beryl would not be so stupid as to go too far into the tunnels. So I say we go in, stay near the entrance and look for her. If we cannot find her then we should go back. I want to find her as badly as you Usa but killing ourselves over it will do no good." Rei looked seriously at her princess hoping she was not going to have to resort to dragging the other girl out if they did not find Beryl within her time limits.
"Of course Rei, I would not put you all in that kind of danger."
"How about you would not put yourself in that kind of danger," Makoto said with a touch of exasperation. Usagi only grinned cheekily back at her before marching off in the direction of the energy source she hoped would lead to her eventual freedom.
Back at the castle Minako and Ami anxiously paced the sitting room that lay just outside the princess' bedroom.
"I just cannot help feeling that this could go horribly wrong." Minako said as she twisted her hands together.
"Do you think we should go tell the Queen after all? They have not yet been gone an hour?" Ami asked as she wore a path across the sage colored rug on the floor. She felt as if she should have insisted on going with them. Usagi had a tendency to act impulsively and Makoto and Rei could let their tempers get the better of them sometimes. While she loved her spirited friends for who they were, she also knew it could lead to trouble.
"Maybe.. maybe will give it just a little longer."
The girls worried for another hour while their companions were gone before Minako finally jumped up from the couch where she had been sitting.
"I cannot wait any longer. We should go."
Before she made it to the door it was opened and Vegeta walked in. It did not take long for him to take in their worried expressions, to read the palpable tension in the air, and then for him to sweep the area searching for Usagi's familiar warm glowing energy. It was nowhere to be found.
His darkening gaze was turned on the two young women who visibly shrank back from the anger that was beginning to burn. "Where is she."
Also a quick shoutout to those who have commented, favorited, and are following this story! You make my heart happy.
