Hey all! Hope you're enjoying this! Here's the next installment! ^_^

Disclaimer: I do not own any Sailor Moon characters

Chapter 12: Questions Unanswered

Mina sat at the table with Kunzite and went over the night's events together, writing out a list of thank you letters they would have to send out. The silver haired man chewed on his feather pen as he stared at the never ending pages filled with names while Mina silently scribbled out the letters. She was the one who had the closest resemblance to the princess's handwriting and could mimic it quickly if need be. The only thing that needed to be done by her royal highness's hand was the signature.

"Do we really want to send a note of gratitude to Lord Demetrius?" Kunzite asked, breaking the silence.

"It's only proper," Mina answered without looking up from what she was doing.

"The man sent a crown to the princess! It's rude!" he exclaimed.

"It's just a crown for crying out loud," she replied exasperatedly. "You people get all flustered over the smallest things."

"It's disrespectful to my lord and master."

"Yeah? Well your 'lord and master' is not the one who will be signing these letters, Princess Serenity is," she stated as she continued to write the correspondence.

"You're like her, you know that?" he mused.

"People have called us sisters before," she replied nonchalantly.

He gazed at her as he rested his cheek against his closed fist and then asked, "What's your power, m'lady?"

She scrunched her face up with confusion, placed her pen down and replied, "I'm sorry, what?"

"I've seen Lady Ami with the gift of manipulating water, Lady Rei had this vision trait and she can do things with fire. I've heard from Nephrite that Lady Lita can produce electricity at her finger tips," he grinned.

"How did you – no, never mind," she smiled, shaking her head. "My power … is a little difficult to explain."

"Why's that?"

"It's not an element of the earth or the moon."

"What is it?"

"Love."

"You can manipulate love? What are you, cupid?" he laughed.

"Go ahead! Laugh!" she said as she stood up and walked over to the window. "But you won't be laughing when you see what happens around this palace."

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"Cupid never reveals her secrets," she winked.

She looked out at the garden and stared along the stretch of field that Rei and Jadeite were at. She was taking a day to do archery and he was pleasantly watching. She didn't necessarily need to use her powers with these two, but she liked to give them a little push. Mina flicked her fingers toward them as Kunzite walked up behind her to see what was going on.

"What are you doing?" he asked.

"Working my magic," she answered.

"From this far away?"

"Yes."

Rei suddenly lowered her bow and arrow and turned around, her eyes piercing their way on up to Mina. She gasped at the sudden violet orbs snapping up to her and then laughed; Rei always knew.

"What just happened?" Kunzite asked.

"The Princess of Mars saw me. She has a strong intuition," she explained.

"Does she know what you were doing?"

"Probably," she shrugged.

Rei glanced back at Jadeite who was still standing there, watching her. She shook her head and then started to pull her arrow back. Once she let it go and swiftly shoot through the air, she realized how heavy of a charm Mina had put on her. She cursed herself silently at how off she was on the target and watched the wards remove the arrows from it. Jadeite strolled up to her and tilted his head as he looked at the target. He nudged her over before shooting his own arrows at the rounded hay target.

"You're off today, Lady Rei," Jadeite stated flatly.

She rolled her eyes, "As if I couldn't notice myself."

"You're agitated. Why?"

"It's nothing."

He looked over at her and said, "You have your arms crossed, weight on one foot, and you're chewing the inside of her cheek."

"Why are you interrogating me?"

"I'm just curious is all."

She sighed and took a step toward him when he was finished with his shots, "I'm just exhausted from the night's events. It was a beautiful wedding."

"Yes it was," he nodded. "I assume the wedding night was even more beautiful."

"Please," she scoffed. "Nothing happened last night."

"What?"

"The prince didn't tell you? Oh dear," she grinned as she pulled the arrow back and let go. "Serenity told us this morning that they just fell asleep. There marriage has yet to be consummated."

The arrow was dead on. Jadeite and Rei faced one another. He ran a hand through his short blonde hair and wondered why his prince hadn't done as he was supposed to. It should have been so easy; a no brainer for this handsome man who had wooed so many women. The Princess of Mars started to laugh suddenly, making the second in command furrow his brow.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"You," she chuckled. "I can see you asking all of these questions in your head. You're never going to get any answers unless you go to the prince yourself."

"Would you happen to know where he is?" he replied as he gestured to the ward to not hand him back his arrows and instead take his bow.

"No. I'm slightly psychic when I'm next to a person, not when they're tens of feet away from me," she answered. "I can see anyone I want when I use the flames, but otherwise I do use the old fashioned way to find people."

"You're such a mystery to me," he whispered.

"And I hope to stay that way."

Jadeite cleared his throat and bowed to her before saying, "If you'll excuse me my lady. I'm going to go searching for the prince."

"Please, go forth," she grinned as he stepped away and started to walk toward the castle. She was handed another arrow and was going to continue shooting when she decided to holler at him, "And do not be surprised if you still find him in bed with his wife! Serenity is a hard one to remove from the sheets!"

The princess laid on the couch in the living room of her chambers. The fire was crackling, she was in a pair of white silk bloomers and a blue lace top as she read a book silently. She had woken up that morning with the intention to take it easy. There was no reason for her to get dressed completely and she didn't really want to be restricted in a dress again. So she decided to spend the day reading up on literature that she had missed out on due to the wedding affairs. In the middle of one of the chapters, she was interrupted by a servant walking in.

"Your majesty, Lieutenant Jadeite is here to see you," he announced.

"Let him in," she answered without looking up from the pages. The young, slender man walked into her room and she put her book down, "Your grace. What can I do for you?"

"Your majesty," he greeted, bowing to her slightly. "I was wondering where your husband is this lovely morning?"

"I have no idea," she smiled. "I woke up to a rose in his place. For all I know, he turned into the flower."

"May I ask a personal question, your highness?" he asked cautiously.

She placed her chin on her palm and said, "Depends. What is this about?"

"One may argue that this isn't my place to step into, but your marriage wasn't consummated," he stated.

"You're correct; this isn't your place. You have stepped over your boundaries," she replied curtly as she leaned back against the couch. "I've been through this before. I will not consummate this marriage until I am in love with Endymion. Don't tell me it's my wifely duty or anything else of the sort."

"But it is!" he exclaimed.

"Lieutenant!" she snapped. "This is not of your concern!"

"Yes it is!" he roared suddenly, making her eyes widen in shock. He calmed down and explained himself, "The king is of poor health, your majesty. If an heir is not created soon, it will be devastating to the throne."

She stared at him for a moment before asking, "Does Endymion know about this?"

"No, your majesty."

"Good. Keep it that way for now," she nodded. "We have a lot of people to meet, planets to go to, balls to attend …"

"Until the king wants it known, we aren't allowed to divulge this to the prince," he said.

"But you're allowed to tell his wife?" she inquired with a raised eyebrow. "You have a strange allegiance, your grace."

"It lies with the king first and foremost."

"Yes, I know. My scouts are like that as well."

"Your majesty," he started as he stepped toward her closer, "I thought that if I came to you first, I could talk some sense into you. Will you please conceive an heir? Before this problem blows out of control?"

"My lord, you have crossed the line already, I suggest you stop meddling in my private affairs," she replied. "I will do what I want under my sheets, when I see fit. Now will you please leave my presence?"

"As you wish, your majesty," he bowed.

"Your grace."

The servant came back in right as Jadeite was leaving and announced, "High Commander Demetrius of the Moon requests an audience with your majesty!"

"Show him in," she ordered.

Jadeite paused at the door to let the man with billowing cape, navy blue suit, and gold adornments come wafting in. Serenity looked between the two of them and then waved at Jadeite, reminding him that she had instructed him to leave. The tall commander waited for the lieutenant to leave before relaxing his stiff stature and sitting down in a chair across from Serenity. She curled her legs up onto the couch and draped her arm across the back of it.

"Your majesty," he nodded to her.

"Your grace .... What brings you here? Shouldn't you be leaving for the moon?"

"That's what I'm here to talk to you about."

"Oh?"

"Your mother has requested that I stay behind and help you along with your diplomatic necessities," he informed her.

"I have my scouts to full that job," she replied.

"Forgive me, your highness, but I don't believe they have your best interest at heart. They see everything from the inside, from a perspective of being your extremely close friend. I think you need someone else to help you along," he explained.

"So my mother's suggestion is an ex-lover I almost ran off with? I find that this isn't just her idea."

"You need more influence from the moon," he reiterated. "You have your inner circle of ladies who are from other planets. It makes a big difference to these earthlings."

"All I care about is what makes a big difference to me and my newly gained husband," Serenity said. "Having you around would make him uncomfortable I believe."

"What makes you say that?"

"I will not get into this," she snapped as she stood up to her feet. "You're playing the role of incompetence and it's going to drive me mad. I'll discuss the situation with my husband when I see him next."

As if on cue, the servant came bounding in and announced, "His majesty, Prince Endymion!"

The slender man strolled into the room with in a tight long sleeve charcoal v-neck with gold stitching along the edges and a pair of dark green velvet pants with matching embroidery. He had sweat stains along his chest and back and looked like he had been doused in water.

"My lady," he greeted breathlessly as he walked up to her.

She held her cheek out and laughed, "My lord! Darling you look exhausted!"

"I was sparring with General Nephrite and Lady Lita. The two are exceptional! No wonder you have her as your trainer," he smiled.

"You went sparring without me?!" she whined as she wrapped her arm around him.

"I didn't know you wanted to come," he murmured, kissing her moon crescent.

He looked over at the man still sitting in his presence and stood his ground as he asked his wife, "My dear, what is Lord Demetrius doing here? And why is he allowed to see you in your most casual of garments?"

"I don't mind that people see me in this," she shrugged.

She looked over at Demetrius and noticed that he hadn't stood up at all upon Endymion's arrival. She narrowed her gaze at him which he took as the signal to bow. The commander stood up and did his duty, greeting the prince who only curtly nodded to him.

"Hope you don't find this rude, but what are you still doing here?" Endymion asked. There was a tense silence and when Demetrius didn't answer, but gave a heavy glance to Serenity, the prince turned to his wife and asked, "Do you have the answer?"

"I … yes. Apparently," she started, "my mother has suggested that he stay for my benefit. She wants more of an influence of the moon incorporated in our marriage."

"You have five ladies surrounding you at all times," he argued.

"Yes, but they are from other planets," Demetrius replied. "They don't have her best interest at heart. They aren't her true kind."

"I don't see why that matters," he mumbled. Endymion looked back at his wife and rubbed her back as he asked, "Well, what do you think? Would it be beneficial to you?"

She didn't want to offend Demetrius, but her loyalty had to lie with her husband now. Serenity sighed and shrugged her shoulders, "I suppose he could stay around for a bit."

"Like a trial run?" the commander asked.

"Yes," she answered. "We'll see how it goes. It'd be nice to have an ambassador from the moon, I suppose."

"Let's get one thing clear your majesty; I am not an ambassador. I will be helping you along with your political and military projects just as I have with your mother," he responded.

"Sounds fine for now. We'll see how well it works out," she nodded.

Clasping his hands together he smiled, "Wonderful! I look forward to working with both of you. Good day my lady." He bowed to the prince and said, "Your majesty."

"Your grace," they said in unison as he backed away from them and left the room.

Endymion turned to his wife and leaned over to kiss her. With his arms still wrapped around her waist, he asked, "Are you sure this is a wise idea?"

"I don't see why this would be considered a mistake."

"He seems reckless, a bit out of control, and I don't know that he would really be the best choice to have your political ear; he is a commander after all. His highest regard is war," Endymion sighed.

"You're going to fight me on everything, aren't you?" she asked as she pulled herself out of his grasp.

"What? No! No, that's not …"

"Endymion, Jadeite came in to speak to me about consummating our marriage," she announced to him.

"Everyone saw you in this get up, didn't they?"

"Please stop," she begged. "I don't like being bombarded by your generals to have sex with you."

"I'll ask them to stop," he suggested. "I will …. In fact I'll do it right now."

Before she could hold him back, he was storming out of the room, making his way down to Kunzite's office where he assumed most of them would be. Sure enough, he was right and he found Kunzite and Jadeite discussing the recent encounter with Demetrius. They stopped their conversation and bowed to the prince as he entered.

"What is the meaning of you talking to my wife about our personal matters?!" he exclaimed as he stepped toward Jadeite.

"Your majesty, I am simply looking out for you best interest," he mumbled.

"Well don't! What happens in the bedroom is private and if I choose to discuss it with you, then I will, but don't you ever go behind my back and try to convince my wife to do something that she does not want to, understood?!" he roared.

"Yes, your highness," he answered, keeping his head down.

"Good. Now where's Zoisite?" he asked, changing the subject.

"He is with Lady Ami," Kunzite replied. "They are putting together the schedule for our planetary departure. I believe we will be leaving for Mars tomorrow."

"Must we exploit my marriage so soon?" Endymion sighed as he plopped down onto the couch.

"It's customary," a rough female voice said from the doorway.

In walked Lita with Nephrite following close behind. The two had changed out of their fighting gear and into their royal garb, yet they still had a light sheet of sweat covering their foreheads. Endymion was familiar with what they had done and couldn't help but grin at the sight of it; they had become physically involved with one another.

The two of them bowed to the prince as Lita continued, "For any royal couple getting married, it is customary that they visit all of the residing planets and stars to present themselves to the leaders of this galaxy. Your parents had to do it and Serenity's parents had to do it."

"You are right, Lady Lita," he grinned. "I'm sure that whenever you get married, you will have to do the same, correct?"

She cleared her throat a bit, "Ahem, um, yes sir."

Noticing her uncomfortable demeanor and blushing cheeks, he dismissed her, "You may leave. I'm sure you need to tend to the princess."

"My lord," she curtsied.

Once she had left and was out of earshot, Endymion tilted his head while the other two chuckled, "Nephrite!"

"What?!" he exclaimed. "What did I do?"

"Are you involved with her?" The general didn't answer, so the prince continued, "You know that can be dangerous."

"Wouldn't it be ideal?" he asked.

"It would be stupid," Jadeite answered. "You'll become distracted in your work and get tangled up in her."

"Don't listen to him," Kunzite replied. "You know how he gets."

They all smiled, knowing that this was in fact the way Jadeite was; he never trusted women. No one really knew the reason why he was like this, they just knew that he hadn't changed over the years of being a general to the prince. No one had bothered to ask him what happened to him either. How could someone be so turned off by women? It was a question that had troubled the whole group, but none of them seemed to bring the topic up for discussion.

Zoisite entered the room, bowed to the prince and then announced, "We leave tomorrow morning for Mars, your majesty. I have asked that the servants pack your things and prepare for departure."

"Good. And my wife?"

"Lady Ami has taken care of it," he replied. "There will be a show for the Grand Prince of Mars, Lady Rei's brother."

"Grand Prince? He hasn't been given the title of king since his parents' demise three years ago?" he asked.

"No sir. Not until he is married," Zoisite answered.

"I'm surprised he hasn't been wedded off yet…"

"You won't be once you meet him," Kunzite stated. "I've heard the man has a fiery personality to match that of his sister's."

"I haven't seen her break out yet," commented Nephrite.

"I don't think we've seen any of them at their full potential," Jadeite responded.

"Maybe by going to their home planets, we'll see who they really are," the prince mused.

He anticipated going to Mars the next day; it would be filled with the utmost entertainment he imagined.

Please review! ^_^ Up next: They're headed to Mars!