Seeking Love
Chapter 14
Serenity was practically skipping through the halls, her ponytails bouncing from her evening out.
"Good Evening Mina, you look quite joyful" said Kunzite.
"Good Evening Prince Endymion!" She had run into him at the end of the corridor. "I went out into the city, fresh air and all. Couldn't stand being indoors any longer."
"Really? Did you enjoy yourself? Hopefully you didn't get lost in those rings of ours," he sounded truly concerned. He knew that those streets could be dangerous, especially for a woman.
"No, I found my way around. Felt myself getting hungry, and was searching for some of that 'real' Earth food."
"Ahh.." he said elated. "That's not where to find it. If you want authentic meals, you go to the kitchen – the leftovers is where it's at," he smiled.
Now that Serenity took a moment to pause about it, she hadn't spent any time with the Prince. The chance never came up since he was always with Mina, but this was the perfect chance that finally presented itself to her.
"If you'd care to join me, I'm actually heading to the kitchen for a night snack anyway. It's a good way for me to get my mind off things."
"I'd love to. We can get to know each other better. I haven't really had much interaction with anyone, well - except Kunzite. Other then that, busy looking after the Princess and all."
Kunzite laughed. If only this protector knew who she really had been spending her time with. "Come along then, maybe I can change your views of how men act here on Earth."
Sitting on a wooden stool, weird tubed shaped noodles covered in a thick yellow sauce sat in front of Serenity. Poking at it with her fork, it jiggled. What is this? Is it really edible?
As if reading her mind, Kunzite bellowed, "BonAppétit! Homemade Mac & Cheese. It might not look like anything special, but it's the Pr.. it's my favorite dish." Almost slipped up.. whew.
Putting a few noddles into her mouth, the cheese sauce coated her tongue. A creamy texture and addicting cheddar flavor turned her stomach muscles on again. She had eaten with Takeshi, but this was worth another siting. Her metabolism sucked out anything in her stomach anyway.
"So, in truth, what do you think about this fair city of mine?" asked Kunzite.
"The truth? Hmm... in all honesty?" Kunzite nodded Serenity onward. "What I've seen so far is your people are all tied together through a deep bond, your history between the common people and the royalty. However, there is also a distinct separation of classes; the walls and all. Other things - I was surprised to see your streets so busy, and also to mention clean. From what I've seen of your docks, trade isn't too bad. Your technology advancements, as seen through Zoisite, are improving, but I don't see them being implemented into the daily workforce." She took another bite of her pasta.
"Wow, you are quite perceptive," Kunzite said surprisingly. "Not many would have noted all of that on such a short visit here. I'm glad though. Only because... it was not that way not long ago." Kunzite started cleaning used dishes. "The King, you see, was a fair ruler. He brought many continents together and created the U.E.N.P, United Earth Non-Agression Pact. That was in his early days. However, once the Queen died, it left a scar in him and on this planet. It seemed like he gave up on everything, and then the council was created in order to fill his shortcomings. Many 'unsettling' laws were put into place, many that have now been overturned, but it's been a slow healing process."
"I had no clue," said Serenity. She did know about the Earth's government unfair look over the classes, but had no idea that it was because the Queen died. The King must have loved her very much, but how could he just give up on his people. "Question Prince.." Serenity started.
"Go ahead," Kunzite looked at her with trusting eyes.
She continued, "How do you feel about ruling with my Princess?"
"From what I've seen, I think we would rule strongly together. She is this burst of life.. and," Kunzite looked up at the doorway – Endymion, as always, leaned against the frame, arms folded. He was always good at sneaking in on people's conversations.
"You two seem invested, please – don't let me interrupt," Endymion said. He meandered into the kitchen, also looking for left overs, but not expecting company.
"The Princess, how does she feel about the engagement.. let me in behind the veil." Kunzite said, changing the subject.
"Hmmmph," Serenity caught a noodle in her throat. What did she think? "She seems... confused at the moment. Not quite sure where she stands. If it is with her people, or her heart. In all honesty, she needs more time," she said hurriedly.
"I thought the Princess was decisive, always knew what she wanted?" butted in Endymion.
"She is, on ruling. This is another matter," Serenity said.
"I agree actually, it would make me wary if she fell for me the instant she saw me," said Kunzite.
If only you knew, thought Endymion and Serenity at the same time.
"I better get back to bed. Thank you for the 'left-overs' Endymion," Serenity curtsied.
"You're perfectly welcome" Kunzite said with a bow in return.
"What was all that!" asked Endymion after Serenity left the room.
"I was just asking her about how she felt about Earth. She had a lot of positive and constructive things to say."
"No, what were you saying about the Princess! Don't forget, you.. well I, am NOT marrying her. Don't let your feelings get too tangled up in this," ordered Endymion. He hated being so harsh, but it was the only way to keep his men in line. "By the way, I'm leaving for the night. Take care of things here would you."
Lights were off in the palace, and everyone had gone to bed. The white disc in the sky had waned to a new moon over the few nights. Puffs of smoke from chimneys filled the stagnant night air. From the north, a shadow in the sky soared through the silence, and began circling the palace grounds; a predator claiming its prey. Black webbed wings spanning 4 meters protruded out of the creature's back. Purple eyes scanned the terrain for security, teeth barred in hunger. It was time.
It's time, Endymion let out a sigh of nerves. He had knocked on the door, and was now fidgeting with his hair until she answered. Light streamed out into the street, Natsumi stood in the opening. Eyebrow raised, she grabbed his collar, and pulled him into her room. He didn't get a chance to get a word in, her lips had covered his. Her hands began scavenging his body.
"Wait, wait. We can't do this again. This isn't what I want." He pushed her off of him. She was a temptrice, that was for sure. "What happened to you? I remember this intelligent woman, but since the spring festival.. you've been like this," Endymion said.
"This is me Darien. Can't you let a girl have some fun? I've missed you, its been days." She closed the gap between them. Their lips locked again,her lips tasted like cherries. Her tongue tangoed with his, and her teeth pulled on to his bottom lip. Endymion let his fingers roam to her body tight tank top. Her groans rumbled into his ears. His body began to react to her persistence, he felt heat emanating from all over. His shirt was thrown off, and Natsumi's hands were busy on his buckle. The zipper slid down, and her fingers traced the elastic of his boxers. This all just on the other side of the entrance door. Natsumi looked up at him in question for permission. Those blue eyes... reminded him of Mina.
Buzz... Buzz...zzz... a vibration in his pocket. His phone. Natsumi got the electronic out, and handed it to him. He was looking at new text. "GET HERE NOW! EMERGENCY!" It was from Kunzite. Damn it!
Natsumi had pulled away, knowing that their party was over. "Looks like we'll have to wait 'til next time."
"I'm sorry." Endymion began buttoning up his shirt. "I've got to go, someone needs me." He couldn't shake the mixed feelings from his mind. Natsumi gave him a peck on the cheek, and he rushed back out the door.
Craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! CHHHHSSSSSSS!
Glass fragments shattered everywhere, the monster had found its way in. The thing landed crouched in the middle of the Princess's quarters, the last remnants of the skylight mixed with the beast's hair. Instinct told it to move fast, someone had to have heard the noise. Going for the first door it saw, it tore through. The bed had been slept in, but turned out empty.
"You think you can just come in and sneak up on me, ruining my peaceful sleep! Think again! In the name of the Moon! I will punish you!" A girl in bunny slippers and a nightgown, holding a baton – her weapon raised, shouted at the creature. Serenity's sailor scouts came rushing in from the other doorways.
"Maaaars... Juuuupiter... Meeercuuury... Veeeenus... Poooowweer! MAKE UP!" The girls were already in fighting positions ready to take down the dreadful demon. It was not the lizard from before, but a new feen, in the form of a bat.
"Give me the Princess!" it demanded. Each word short and choppy.
"As if we would give her up so easily," Makoto said.
"Fine, then we do it the hard way," it snickered. The monster started moving, and fast. The soldier's could barely keep their eyes on it. It was a moving shadow.
"We need to slow it down guys!" said Rei.
"How are we suppose to do that?" asked Mina, at her wit's end.
The soldiers surrounded their Princess, but they weren't quick enough to see the next attack. The form had flown up above the circle of protectors, and had a straight shot of its target. Spiraling down towards the blonde meatball head, it roared in delight. But right before it was able to touch a hair, an unforeseen force bounced the bat onto the opposite wall.
"Didn't see that one coming! Don't you know? For every action - there is an equal and opposite reaction" said Ami. She had put up a bubble barrier around them, it was acting as a shield.
"Hurry, while we've got the advantage!" Makoto yelled. She wasn't going to fall short on this fight. She flung a flurry of bolts towards the mammal. The smell of singed flesh filled the air. The creatures purple eyes were bulging in rage, sharp fangs were exposed chomping into the empty air, it was prepared for a second round.
"No you don't!" Rei shot multiple darts of fire at the stumbling creature. Half of them missed their target, but the ones that made it – made a difference; wounds in the chest, and legs were evident. Crumpling to the ground, the creature gave out a high toned shriek, a call of defeat.
Makoto buzzed the thing with another shock to check if it was still breathing, it was a mistake. The monster's wings spread out in the room, its back arching in fury. Air waves created by the flapping wings knocked Ami and Makoto to their knees. It was going to escape! Mina flung out her golden chain, just catching the ankle. It flung back towards the ground. Books fell from the shelves, mirrors cracked, and the creature moaned in agony.
"You're turn Princess," called Rei.
"Moooon Princeeeess HAAALATION!" yelled Sailor Moon. The demon bat, wriggled on the ground. It's chest rose in the air, and another high pitched scream escaped it's mouth. Collapsing back down to the floor, the body started transforming. The fangs retreated, the skin and wings started falling off. A naked man laid on the floor, wounds seeping from the center of the chest and left thigh.
OH MY GOD! Serenity covered her eyes, and fell to her knees. She knew that raven hair, those hands, that face... How could this happen? Why? WHY TAKESHI!
Kunzite, Nephrite, Jadeite, and Zoisite rushed into the room, minutes too late. Turning on the lights, they witnessed the destruction the battle reaped. Rushing to the scouts, they checked for injuries, and Kunzite inspected the injured man. A doctor came to heal wounds, and Takeshi ended up in a high impact cell. Serenity was left in confusion and tears. She had no injuries, no injuries that could be fixed by a doctor. She felt empty inside, something was missing - it was her heart, it'd just been clawed out.
Fight scene 2! - Complete. Hopefully, the pace isn't too slow, or too fast. Trying to keep the story real, but not bore everyone along. Next installation coming soon. Now for those who are really into critiquing stories, I ask of you this: What do you honestly think about the writing style in the last few chapters? I've been writing more then ever, but I'm hoping I haven't gotten boring or sloppy. Any input is welcome! Thanks again for reading :D