Seeking Love

Chapter 3

Serenity tossed a ping-pong sized chocolate ball into her open mouth. It melted instantly against her warm tongue, and made her taste buds tingle. The yummy treats originated on the planet from an area called France, and they were called truffles – they were absolutely delicious. Earlier she had eaten a pasta dish that had a thick and rich cream sauce she knew she'd be requesting when she made it back home.

The dark haired man had introduced himself as Takeshi, and in return the Princess told him her name was Serena. It wasn't a complete lie, because her friends use to call her that before they found out she had royal blood. After formal introductions, talking hadn't ceased. A second hadn't gone to waste, and time was flying by. They moved from introductions, to politics, and a few childhood memories. Takeshi was the type of guy who knew exactly what to say at the exactly right time. He wasn't the type to let his opinions be pushed around by a girl, but he was very diplomatic about his arguments if he didn't agree with Serenity on topics. He was quickly winning Serenity over, he resembled a lot of what she remembered of her father. She kept her walls up, but the guards were on snooze. She was surprised she was able to feel so comfortable with a stranger. Never had she bonded with someone as quickly as Takeshi, not even her sailor scouts.

Takeshi suggested during their meal that they go see one of the gardens in the second ring. There was a tea leaf garden, flowers, and other cultured plants that he promised she would enjoy. She doubted this, since the gardens on Earth could never outmatch the Moons', but she was willing to give it a look. After all, how could she resist the handsome face that belonged to the man sitting across the table gazing at her.

"Most of my friends call me Natsumi," said the woman Endymion had been taking a stroll with. She had a very deep tan so he guessed that she spent a lot of her time outdoors. This would also make the possibility that she belonged to a royal family very slim. Odd enough, Endymion was still attracted to this different and rare gem. The two new acquaintances still had no idea where they were going, and it seemed that they were going to end up walking a complete circle inside the third ring.

"You can call me Mamoru," he replied. He was trying to keep from smiling like an idiot, yet a corner of his mouth lifted. "Umm.. your name fits you quite well. It comes from 'summer' and 'beautiful' does it not?"

"Yes, it is! Not many people know that" she said with a sweet smile.

"I've taken a few anthropology classes. So I can usually tell a lot about a person from small bits of information?"

"So can you guess where I'm from?"

"That's not too hard. Based on the way you talk, and how you walk, I'd bet you were born on Earth. Although, I don't think you were born here at the capital, but maybe have been living here for a few years."

"Wow, you are good, but not that good. I was born here, and some distant relatives live here. I didn't grow up here though. I don't want to bore you with my childhood, but yes – I came back here to finish school. Somehow I ended up staying past my graduation date, and got stuck here working."

"So you are a university student. What did you study?"

"I studied a lot of things, but couldn't end up choosing one thing. That whole part of my life is sort of a gray area. Are you from here?"

Endymion noticed she was quick to change the subject. Maybe that was more then just a gray area, and a big sore spot. Best to leave it alone, that's what he learned from past girlfriends.

"I have lived here my whole life actually. Although, I seem to travel a lot, but family issues have kept me here on Earth. I also will add, gray areas are fine with me since I have a few myself. I believe what is most important is what we are doing today and now. Living in the moment is what my mom use to tell me."

"Okay.. well then I will share a bit more of myself. I was born before the forth and fifth rings were built. At the age of seven I was sent away because my family was going to be pushed out of the protection of the Kingdom, because there wasn't enough room to house everyone. Ever since we've just been a hard working family, and moving every couple years since. My grandparents still live here, but they are very sick, so I've come back to take care of them."

Endymion was about ten when the new rings were being built, so that placed him a few years older than her. He still remembered the devastation the capital went through when the royal court was forced to make the law that people who couldn't pay the tax had to pushed outside of the rings. There wasn't much they could do about the financial situation, but it was still a scar on Earth history.

Natsumi continued, "This place has changed a lot since I was a little girl. I can still remember the annual Spring festival. I always use to look forward to that. A time to embrace new life, and the warmth of the sun."

"The Spring festival, that was one of my favorite times as well. It is tomorrow! We should celebrate. Unless..." Endymion was apprehensive about asking her so quickly after they first met, "...you already have plans."

She laughed in his embarrassment. "I have no plans tomorrow, and it would be nice to have company on such a rejoicing day."

Endymion was happy she said yes. Natsumi was definitely not part of a royal family, and since she hadn't grown up in the capitals walls, she wouldn't be able to recognize him as the Prince.

"See you tomorrow then!" Endymion said to Natsumi as she was turning to leave. She waved back to him. What had overcome him? He would never have acted like this in the past? His mind traveled back to why he originally was outside the palace, it was time to finish his errands.

Walking under an arched doorway with Takeshi, Serenity started catching whiffs of the sweet scent of cherry blossoms. There were pink flowered trees lining the walkway towards a large glass house. Takeshi had explained that it was a green house, but it looked more like a fragile piece of art more than a place to house plants. There were domes, and colored glass making a mural of couples dancing. If you spun in a circle, it gave the illusion that they were dancing across the walls in the fields of greenery.

"So you never mentioned why you came to the Earth Kingdom?" asked Takeshi.

"...you could say I came for family business."

"Being secretive are we? I can deal with that." Takeshi shifted his eyebrows making a funny but cute face.

"I'm not being secretive!" Serenity crossed her arms and made a pout with her lips. She felt like a teenager again, only a adolescent girl.

"Don't be that way. I was only teasing you. Millions of people come here to take a vacation.. meet a few people... meet a guy for instance."

The image of the Prince of Earth floated in Serenity's mind. Don't remind me! "You must be talking about yourself. Are you here to meet a guy?"

A smile spread on Takeshi's face, and he let out a laugh. "You are quite the young lady. I like a girl who can hold her own. And no, I am here for real business if you must know. I actually owe one of my friends a debt you see, and so I decided to come and finally pay it off."

"A debt. I don't know how I feel about hanging out with a guy who is in debt. It could be dangerous right?"

"Very dangerous, but you don't have to worry. I'll make sure none of those type of guys get too close to you." He held up an arm trying to show off his arms.

They had made it through half of the garden, and they came to a plaque that talked about the Mural. "Hey Takeshi, that mural we saw earlier.. there's a story behind it."

"Of course there is a story. There's a legend about everything here on Earth. The mural in particular though, is one of the most prized possessions of the this land. A famous artist was commissioned to create it after the long war between two feuding lands here on Earth back in the 17th century. The piece is called The Last Dance. Would you like me to tell you the story?"

"Hearing of another country's history is never boring to my ears. Go ahead."

Once upon a time there were two kingdoms separated by a river. The two kings had been at war with one another since they were appointed power, for they were brothers. Many lives were lost on both sides, and the most saddening part is that the two kingdoms use to be of the same people. Thus, they shared the same blood, the same traditions, and the same way of life. One very special tradition was the Spring Festival, and on this day – fighting ceased. The festival celebrated the coming of new life, and was the one day of rest out of the whole year for all the people.

Well – the Prince of one kingdom became very curious of the festival happening in the other kingdom. He had heard rumors since he was a child that they had dancing dragons, and his kingdom's festival never had anything so extravagant. So he snuck across the river in disguise, and it so happened that he ran into the Princess of that kingdom, and they ended up dancing all night long. Of course, neither knew of the others identity. Everyone celebrated, even in this dark time of war, and eventually everyone fell asleep from the spirits and the excitement.

In the morning, troops started to prepare to head back out to the battlements, but the Princess stood in front of them. They asked her, "Princess, what is the meaning of this?" and she explained that she woke up to find the Prince of the enemy lying next to her. He was no different then her closest of kin, and had come to the conclusion that there was no need to fight. The King of course was not happy with his daughter's outburst, but being the level-headed ruler that he was, he put the Prince to a test.

He first asked him to acquire an item that his forefathers and father before them all owned. The Prince came back the next day to court. It looked like he had failed, but the boy reached into his pocket and withdrew a rock. This is a rock from our lands, a piece of the people and their fathers before them. The King wasn't satisfied, and said that the test was not over, he couldn't let this young man win over his daughter's heart so easily. He told the Prince that he had to collect the life flowing through each person of both lands without spilling any blood. This the Prince had to ponder, but he quickly returned to the King. He brought back a chalice filled with the river that ran between the two Kingdoms. This is the source of life that sustains us all, and it is what connects us with one another.

On that day, the war stopped. The King had announced that if such a Prince had grown to be so wise at such a young age, there had to be some way for the two Kingdoms to rejoin and rejoice together. Discussions of peace pursued, and the two lands agreed on a truths. They became trading partners, and the two pieces became parts of a whole. The deaths of all those who fought in the war were mourned, and it was said that the Prince and Princess eventually married.

"So you see Serena, this is why the Spring Festival is still celebrated every year. It is a reminder of those who were lost, and remembering why we must not hastily turn against our brothers and sisters looking for war."

The two were now walking through the green house looking like quite the couple. Serenity's nose was filled with all sorts of scents, but surprisingly none of them clashed with the other. Every couple steps she took, the scents would slowly merge and transform into something new and intriguing. Not only were the smells soothing her mind, but the plants were a wonder in themselves. Some were tall enough to reach the ceiling, and one even transformed it's shape into neighboring plants. Others changed colors, or even sparkled like crystal rock. Serenity's favorite was one that seemed to hug your finger if you petted its petals. They continued through a tea garden, and then stopped at a small gift shop. Here there were various mixtures of liquids made out of the plants that had medicinal or magical qualities to them. Serenity picked up a bottle, and it looked strangely familiar. It was the same perfume she had bought earlier at the market for Mina.

Mina! Oh-no! What time was it? She thought alarmingly. "Takeshi, I haven't been paying attention to the time, but I've really got to go!"

"You have to leave already?" he made a disappointed puppy face.

"Yes, unfortunately. I'm sorry. I made a promise to meet back up with my friends. But.. we could do something tomorrow?"

A smile returned to his face. "Okay. You better be prepared to promise to that. Are you free tomorrow evening?"

"I believe I am, but I'm not completely sure what my plans are tomorrow."

"Well, will you meet me at the docks at seven?"

"Okay, I promise to be there if I can." She decided to be as bold as Takeshi was earlier, and she stepped towards him leaning in to give him a hug. "I've got to go now though."

"Okay. I will see you tomorrow pretty little lady." Takeshi bent down and kissed her on top of her head covered in golden locks.

Serenity didn't feel his lips touch her head, but she could feel that there was a connection that she could not ignore between them. She quickly started to walk out of the gardens, and started into a slight jog. She didn't want to call too much attention to herself, but she wasn't going to hear the end of it from her soldiers.

The sun was starting to set, and she knew she was going to be in trouble for being back to the palace so late. She still needed to get through the next ring to enter the palace. Doubling her pace, she was caught up in a huge crowd on the main streets blocking her path to the gates. Making a quick decision, she decided to take one of the narrower paths back to the palace. Hopefully this short cut wouldn't get her into deeper trouble.

At this exact moment, Endymion had just finished talking to one of his close friends who was helping him finish errands. While saying good-bye a body rammed into him from behind. What the hell? Did a merchant seriously just hit me with his cart? Turning around he saw nothing but an empty cobbled passageway... until he looked down towards his feet. A body sprawled on the ground covered in a large cloak was fumbling with a bag. A thief? In the second ring? He gestured for the body to take his hand, and delicate soft fingers reached up for his grasp.

"I'm sooo sorry! I'm in a hurry. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry. Thanks!" and the stranger was rushing down the street again. He hadn't noticed any of the person's featured except for their eyes. He figured out that it had to be a woman. No man would have such clear, innocent, and blue eyes. Odd that someone like that would be wearing such a nasty old looking cloak. Those guards at the entrance gate were probably slacking off since the festival was tomorrow. The thoughts of the woman passed, and he started his way back to the palace. He had received a call from his guardian that dinner was about to start, and his presence was requested.

Serenity was able to slip in between a huge family procession towards the first ring. She had run into a few troubles on her way, but none too major. She just felt relief when she finally made it back into her room, and she was able to wash off all the sweat, dirt, and exhaustion from the day.

She had just finished drying her hair, and was picking out her clothes for the evening when her soldiers returned. They all had the glow of joy radiating from them. They looked a little too happy for having spent the last few hours taking a tour of a palace.

"So which one of you is going to tell me what you all are so smiling about?" Serenity questioned while sprawling onto her bed.

The soldiers looked at one another, and they all knew that it wouldn't make a difference who told the story of what happened earlier that day.

"Here is the Grand Library. We have every book ever in print from the last several centuries, as well as some antiques in the vault," announced the Prince while he led the group into the wide open space. There were four different levels in the library, and everything seemed to be made out of glass except of course the books. There were delicate designs of flowers, and geometric shapes etched into various faces of the glass on the bookcases, and the spiral staircases.

Ami stood in awe in the middle of the room; she had never seen anything this magnificent. The moons library was probably just as big, but she had spent so much time in there that it had become dull over the past years. The feeling of entering a whole new dimension captured all of Ami's senses.

Zoisite looked at her amusingly. Nobody had ever looked at the Grand Library with such curiosity except for himself when he started his studies as a student. Flipping his long ponytail behind his shoulder, he immediately seized the moment to fill the empty answers to all of the questions speeding through Ami's mind. He continued to show her around the different sections of the room, as well share some of his favorite books.

Rei and Makoto had been challenged to a game of tennis with Jadeite and Nephrite; soldiers vs. generals. It was one of the most cunning and physically tiring games either side had played. After a long hour of grunting through just the first point, they took a welcomed break. Orange juice and water was brought out for the guardians and soldiers, and they joined Mina and the Prince under a large canopy on the lawn.

"I haven't played tennis in at least two years!" Makoto slumped down into her chair.

"It is quite the sport! You need a heart of steel, as well as a mind of a warrior. Tons of fast paced thinking mixed with strategic planning is always my type of game, " Nephrite said.

"Princess! You should ask the Queen to build a tennis court at the Palace. That would give us something new and entertaining to do!" suggested Rei.

"Oh, but I don't think you two would have as much fun without these fine opponents to play against." Mina responded.

"Who says we can't come visit the Moon every once in a while? We will most likely be visiting more due to the marriage," Kunzite added.

"Makoto's eyes brightened. "Now that would be a treat. I think there is a higher oxygen content in the atmosphere here then on the Moon. You won't be able to play as easily there, we will have the upper hand."

"Are you suggesting that we are going to be in need of a handicap Miss. Makoto?" asked Nephrite.

"Maybe, since you can't seem to keep up with us on your own planet," Makoto teased back.

"Looks like we've got some training to do Nephrite," Jadeite commented.

This is either good that we are all getting along so well, or very bad. I wish the Princess had stayed here!, thought Mina. She was having a difficult time keeping her heart in its cage around the Prince. What was she going to do? The real Princess needed to return, and fast.

"I see. So you all had quite the eventful day. It pleases me that you all had a good time. I didn't want you all to suffer while I was out and about," Serenity said.

"You look a little too happy yourself... something happened that you aren't telling us," mused Mina.

"Spill it Princess!" ordered Rei.

A smile slowly crept onto Serenity's face. All the soldiers started pushing for more information, and Serenity spilled all the details of the man she was to spend tomorrow evening with. The soldiers were asking questions left and right.

"Calm down! I promise to tell you what happened... after we eat dinner. I still need to talk to the Prince and his guardians while I stay here. They can't think I'm neglecting our visit. That'd be just plain rude now wouldn't it?"

"Of course, of course. Lets go eat!" Makoto was interested in seeing how the cuisine was here. She was studying to be a chef after all.

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The story is slowly developing. I want to have a good base to start. Once again, thank you for reading. Please review :D