(no subject)
Title: Secrets End
Author: Raya
Theme: OTP (Optional: "Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within." -- James Baldwin)
Genre: Drama / Romance
Version: Manga (Silver Millennium)
Rating: PG
Couple: Usagi x Mamoru
Word Count: ~2,233
Disclaimer: My one true pairing (Usagi and Mamoru) and their protectors sprang complete from the mind of Takeuchi Naoko, and they still belong to her. These little chocolate simulacrums, however are mine! *hugs the chocolate protectively to her chest, and then reluctantly hands the chocolate Jadeite to blue to avoid being pummeled*
Canon, spelling, grammar, and punctuation corrections are appreciated. So is constructive criticism and general comments. Please let me know if you see something that you like or that should be corrected. Thanks! - Raya
Secrets End
Princess Serenity leaned against the warm pile of stone behind her, both hands pressed hard against her lips, and stared in horror as Prince Endymion fought valiantly against three assailants. Beside him, his four guards did their best to fight their own opponents while protecting him from as many blows as possible.
There was something strange about this enemy. The princess squeezed her eyes shut briefly and then opened them quickly as the forms of the attacking soldiers seemed to stretch and contort. It was almost as if they were overlaid by shadows that teased and tugged her eyes away from their true forms.
There was no choice, she knew. She would have to call for help. As experienced and skilled as Endymion and his warriors were, they were hopelessly outnumbered. It would not be long before they were overwhelmed.
Calling for help would have consequences, though, and so she delayed. Endymion and his men would learn who she really was. Even worse, her friends and guardians would learn of her secret escapades and rule breaking. It might even cause a political incident. She prayed fervently that more of Endymion’s guards would come to their aid.
The enemy leader raised his dark battle axe into the air, and Princess Serenity found her gaze caught by it. It seemed to glisten in the morning light as it hung poised over Endymion’s slightest warrior, the one with the long, light auburn hair pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck.
The movement caught Prince Endymion’s eye, and he cried out a warning. Diving towards Zoisite, he pushed the younger man out of the path of the whistling axe. The dark blade bit deep into the prince’s shoulder armor, and he cried out again. Only luck and his instinctive reaction to collapse to his knees under the blow kept the heavy blade from splitting through the heavy plate epaulets. His arm went numb, and he dropped his sword.
The prince’s eyes widened as he heard a shrill, feminine shriek, and he jerked his head instinctively towards the small stand of rocks that he had told Serenity to hide in. His mouth gaped open soundlessly, and he reached towards her as he saw her racing heedlessly into the battle, long white gown fluttering madly around her legs. ‘Get back,’ he tried to shout at her breathlessly. But it was too late.
She came to a stop between him and the enemy and threw her arms around his neck. “Endymion!” she sobbed hysterically. “No! Endymion!”
As he wrapped his good arm around her trembling body, he looked desperately towards his enemy. The tall, heavy set man smirked as he raised his axe again. Prince Endymion pulled at the woman that stood between them, trying desperately to get her down and covered by his own body. She shifted her feet, digging them into the hard earth and refusing to budge.
As the axe swung down once more, Kunzite and Jadeite called out in terrified anger and struggled to throw off their opponents so they could race to their prince’s side. Nephrite, who had been fighting some distance away, turned and stared in horror as he realized what was about to happen. Zoisite reached helplessly up from where his prince had thrown him, wishing for the sword that he had dropped as a sick feeling washed over him.
Just before the axe reached the princess’ pale neck, a blast of golden light threw it backwards. The heavy set warrior fell back, one arm raised to shield his eyes from the light, as a sphere of pinkish silver light surrounded the couple that he had been about to cut down. Slowly, Princess Serenity raised her head and lifted her face to the sky. On her forehead, a golden crescent moon glowed brightly and then a pillar of light surrounded her.
Sailor Venus lowered her trembling arm and stared at the scene in front of her. If she had ignored that horrible feeling that Serenity was in danger… If it had taken her any longer to reach this forbidden world… If she had trusted that foreign prince and his warriors to protect her princess… She did not want to complete the thoughts that were racing around in her head.
As the pillar of light faded, Princess Serenity slowly opened her eyes. Her azure gaze met her cousin’s sky blue one, begging for help and pleading for discretion. Sailor Venus’ face tightened, and then, as a surge of energy let her know that the other senshi had arrived, nodded very slightly. She knew as well as her princess what could happen if the Earthlings discovered that they were from the Silver Millennium. Even more, she feared what they would do if they learned that Serenity was the princess of the Moon and the heir to the stellar empire.
“Striking a beautiful woman from behind?” the golden warrior called in the local language as she drew the backside of her hand across her face and summoned her mask. “How very unchivalrous. I, the Masked Warrior of Love and Beauty, will punish you for such a crime.”
She felt the surprise and uncertainty of her teammates behind her as they tried to place their surroundings and compared her actions to the scene in front of them. Predictably, it was Sailor Mars who recovered her equilibrium first.
“Demons of lust and hate, I sense you,” the dark haired senshi called as she summoned her mask as well. “I, the Masked Warrior of Fire and Passion, will banish you back to your rightful place.”
“Thirty against five…,” Sailor Jupiter mused thoughtfully as she rubbed her chin. The flashing green eyes behind her mask belied her calm tone. “That is hardly a fair fight. I, the Masked Warrior of Strength and Protection, will even the odds.”
Sailor Mercury’s chin tightened as she suddenly realized where they were and the potential political crisis at stake. She berated herself for not keeping a closer eye on her princess, and then pushed the useless thoughts to the back of her mind to deal with later. “This land is peaceful and prosperous, yet you seek to bring pain and destruction. I, the Masked Warrior of Water and Wisdom, will wash your dark designs away.”
As the strangely accented voices called out their challenges, Prince Endymion looked towards the pile of stone that had been Serenity’s shelter. His eyes narrowed as he studied the outfits of the women standing there. Each wore a simple, white, form fitting top with white gloves, masks, and short colored skirts. Short streamers danced in the wind from the colored bows on their chest and the small of their back, and only two of them wore practical shoes. Despite this, however, the women wore an aura of calm competence that he associated with experienced warriors. Something about their outfits tugged at his mind, but refused to come out.
The combatants stared at each other for a long moment, and then the leader of the enemy growled and raised his axe once more. “Crescent Beam!” Sailor Venus cried as she leapt off of the rock. She flipped once in the air, her golden hair following her like a shimmering banner, and then fired her attack as she landed in the middle of the battlefield. The beam of light hit the axe, shattering it in the man’s hand.
Prince Endymion jerked Serenity down in front of him and sheltered her from the flying splinters with his body. Then, he stumbled to his feet, pulled her up, and pushed her ahead of him back towards the pile of stones. Around him, the four strange women joined with his warriors to battle back the enemy.
“I’m sorry,” Princess Serenity sobbed as the prince positioned her in front of the pile and placed himself protectively between her and the fight. “Endymion, I am so sorry. I should have called them sooner… I should never have come…”
“Hush,” he said firmly as he glanced at her over his shoulder. “It is not your fault that we were attacked. Everything will be all right now. I promise.”
‘Of course,’ she wanted to say. ‘Of course everything will be all right. They are here now, my guardian senshi.’ Instead, she gave him a shaky smile and let him think that he was reassuring her.
With the addition of the senshi and their magical attacks, the battle was a short one. The enemy retreated a short distance, and then broke and ran. Sailor Venus reached out to grab Sailor Jupiter’s arm. “Let them go,” she called to her team. “They’re not our responsibility.”
Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mars looked momentarily rebellious, and then nodded their heads and followed her back towards their princess. Kunzite gave them a suspicious look, and then turned his attention to Jadeite and Nephrite who were still pursuing the routed enemy.
“Princess, are you all right?” Sailor Venus asked quietly in the language of the Silver Millennium as she stopped in front of the prince. “Did they hurt you at all?” Off to one side, Zoisite jerked up and spun around to stare at them.
“I am fine, Venus,” the princess replied in the same language as she gave Endymion a sidelong look. She turned her gaze towards her senshi, and then blushed. “Thank you for saving us,” she said softly as she lowered her eyes.
“What were you thinking?” Sailor Mars asked angrily. “You know it is dangerous here! You know it is forbidden!” The princess hung her head as Prince Endymion stiffened and glared at the dark haired woman.
“Mars, later,” Sailor Venus ordered as she saw the prince’s reaction. “Wait until we…”
“The Silver Tongue… You are speaking the Silver Tongue!” Zoisite blurted, interrupting her. Kunzite stiffened and spun back around to face them. The four senshi stiffened as well, and Sailor Venus cursed silently in her head. Just her luck that one of these men would recognize their language.
Zoisite turned his eyes to Serenity. “You… You had a crescent moon on your face… And then there was a pillar of light… And then four magical women warriors speaking the Silver Tongue appear… You are from the Silver Millennium!”
“Princess!” Sailor Venus ordered sharply as she held out her hand.
Tears filled Princess Serenity’s eyes as she realized that her worst fears were coming true. She pressed into Endymion’s back, savoring this one last feel of him, and then reluctantly pushed her way past him and walked towards her guardians.
As she turned for one last look at her love, she saw Kunzite and Zoisite standing protectively beside him, fierce expressions on their faces. “Endymion!” she cried as Sailor Venus and Sailor Mars gripped her shoulders firmly yet gently. She would never see him again. She had to tell him. Now! She reached out for him as she felt the energy swirl up around her friends. “Endymion! I love you!” she called desperately as he faded from her sight. “Endymion!!”
“Serenity!” Prince Endymion lunged towards her desperately as he realized that she was disappearing, trying to reach the hand that she held out to him. He fought against his friends' hands as they tried to hold him back. “Serenity!!” He stopped and swayed as she vanished from his sight. “No!” he wailed.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Princess Serenity stood on her balcony and stared up at the Earth as it floated in the dark night sky overhead. Tears trickled slowly down her face, and she wondered, yet again, whether or not he had heard her declaration.
She shook her head and swiped at the wetness. “It was worth it,” she whispered to herself. “He is safe… That is what matters.” The words were cold comfort to her aching heart. It would be impossible to slip away to see him any time soon. Now that they knew, all of her guardians would be watching her closely. She might never be able to get to Earth again. “It was worth it…” she whispered again as she sank down to the cold white floor and wrapped her arms around herself. “Oh, Endymion…”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Prince Endymion stared up at the moon, wondering if she lived on the half that was illuminated above him. “Serenity,” he whispered.
He remembered now. He remembered what it was about the women’s uniforms that bothered him. Each woman had worn an individual color: golden orange, fiery red, vibrant green, and soothing blue. He remembered, now, the conversation that they had had several months ago as they watched the sun set in the sky, the night of their first kiss. Each of her friends wore a particular color, she had said. And they watched over her. “Blue, orange, red, and green…” he murmured as he remembered her words. “Not to individualize them, but as a part of their individuality.”
Princess. According to Zoisite, that was what the one in the orange skirt had called her. And if she truly was their princess, they would never let her return to Earth. He wondered how she had escaped their watchful eyes to come to his planet in the first place. He wondered how she had managed to cross that distance safely. With magic?
Slowly, he straightened up, a determined look on his face. If it was magic, then he would seek it out. He had to. He had something to tell her.
Author: Raya
Theme: OTP (Optional: "Love takes off masks that we fear we cannot live without and know we cannot live within." -- James Baldwin)
Genre: Drama / Romance
Version: Manga (Silver Millennium)
Rating: PG
Couple: Usagi x Mamoru
Word Count: ~2,233
Disclaimer: My one true pairing (Usagi and Mamoru) and their protectors sprang complete from the mind of Takeuchi Naoko, and they still belong to her. These little chocolate simulacrums, however are mine! *hugs the chocolate protectively to her chest, and then reluctantly hands the chocolate Jadeite to blue to avoid being pummeled*
Canon, spelling, grammar, and punctuation corrections are appreciated. So is constructive criticism and general comments. Please let me know if you see something that you like or that should be corrected. Thanks! - Raya
Secrets End
Princess Serenity leaned against the warm pile of stone behind her, both hands pressed hard against her lips, and stared in horror as Prince Endymion fought valiantly against three assailants. Beside him, his four guards did their best to fight their own opponents while protecting him from as many blows as possible.
There was something strange about this enemy. The princess squeezed her eyes shut briefly and then opened them quickly as the forms of the attacking soldiers seemed to stretch and contort. It was almost as if they were overlaid by shadows that teased and tugged her eyes away from their true forms.
There was no choice, she knew. She would have to call for help. As experienced and skilled as Endymion and his warriors were, they were hopelessly outnumbered. It would not be long before they were overwhelmed.
Calling for help would have consequences, though, and so she delayed. Endymion and his men would learn who she really was. Even worse, her friends and guardians would learn of her secret escapades and rule breaking. It might even cause a political incident. She prayed fervently that more of Endymion’s guards would come to their aid.
The enemy leader raised his dark battle axe into the air, and Princess Serenity found her gaze caught by it. It seemed to glisten in the morning light as it hung poised over Endymion’s slightest warrior, the one with the long, light auburn hair pulled back into a ponytail at the nape of his neck.
The movement caught Prince Endymion’s eye, and he cried out a warning. Diving towards Zoisite, he pushed the younger man out of the path of the whistling axe. The dark blade bit deep into the prince’s shoulder armor, and he cried out again. Only luck and his instinctive reaction to collapse to his knees under the blow kept the heavy blade from splitting through the heavy plate epaulets. His arm went numb, and he dropped his sword.
The prince’s eyes widened as he heard a shrill, feminine shriek, and he jerked his head instinctively towards the small stand of rocks that he had told Serenity to hide in. His mouth gaped open soundlessly, and he reached towards her as he saw her racing heedlessly into the battle, long white gown fluttering madly around her legs. ‘Get back,’ he tried to shout at her breathlessly. But it was too late.
She came to a stop between him and the enemy and threw her arms around his neck. “Endymion!” she sobbed hysterically. “No! Endymion!”
As he wrapped his good arm around her trembling body, he looked desperately towards his enemy. The tall, heavy set man smirked as he raised his axe again. Prince Endymion pulled at the woman that stood between them, trying desperately to get her down and covered by his own body. She shifted her feet, digging them into the hard earth and refusing to budge.
As the axe swung down once more, Kunzite and Jadeite called out in terrified anger and struggled to throw off their opponents so they could race to their prince’s side. Nephrite, who had been fighting some distance away, turned and stared in horror as he realized what was about to happen. Zoisite reached helplessly up from where his prince had thrown him, wishing for the sword that he had dropped as a sick feeling washed over him.
Just before the axe reached the princess’ pale neck, a blast of golden light threw it backwards. The heavy set warrior fell back, one arm raised to shield his eyes from the light, as a sphere of pinkish silver light surrounded the couple that he had been about to cut down. Slowly, Princess Serenity raised her head and lifted her face to the sky. On her forehead, a golden crescent moon glowed brightly and then a pillar of light surrounded her.
Sailor Venus lowered her trembling arm and stared at the scene in front of her. If she had ignored that horrible feeling that Serenity was in danger… If it had taken her any longer to reach this forbidden world… If she had trusted that foreign prince and his warriors to protect her princess… She did not want to complete the thoughts that were racing around in her head.
As the pillar of light faded, Princess Serenity slowly opened her eyes. Her azure gaze met her cousin’s sky blue one, begging for help and pleading for discretion. Sailor Venus’ face tightened, and then, as a surge of energy let her know that the other senshi had arrived, nodded very slightly. She knew as well as her princess what could happen if the Earthlings discovered that they were from the Silver Millennium. Even more, she feared what they would do if they learned that Serenity was the princess of the Moon and the heir to the stellar empire.
“Striking a beautiful woman from behind?” the golden warrior called in the local language as she drew the backside of her hand across her face and summoned her mask. “How very unchivalrous. I, the Masked Warrior of Love and Beauty, will punish you for such a crime.”
She felt the surprise and uncertainty of her teammates behind her as they tried to place their surroundings and compared her actions to the scene in front of them. Predictably, it was Sailor Mars who recovered her equilibrium first.
“Demons of lust and hate, I sense you,” the dark haired senshi called as she summoned her mask as well. “I, the Masked Warrior of Fire and Passion, will banish you back to your rightful place.”
“Thirty against five…,” Sailor Jupiter mused thoughtfully as she rubbed her chin. The flashing green eyes behind her mask belied her calm tone. “That is hardly a fair fight. I, the Masked Warrior of Strength and Protection, will even the odds.”
Sailor Mercury’s chin tightened as she suddenly realized where they were and the potential political crisis at stake. She berated herself for not keeping a closer eye on her princess, and then pushed the useless thoughts to the back of her mind to deal with later. “This land is peaceful and prosperous, yet you seek to bring pain and destruction. I, the Masked Warrior of Water and Wisdom, will wash your dark designs away.”
As the strangely accented voices called out their challenges, Prince Endymion looked towards the pile of stone that had been Serenity’s shelter. His eyes narrowed as he studied the outfits of the women standing there. Each wore a simple, white, form fitting top with white gloves, masks, and short colored skirts. Short streamers danced in the wind from the colored bows on their chest and the small of their back, and only two of them wore practical shoes. Despite this, however, the women wore an aura of calm competence that he associated with experienced warriors. Something about their outfits tugged at his mind, but refused to come out.
The combatants stared at each other for a long moment, and then the leader of the enemy growled and raised his axe once more. “Crescent Beam!” Sailor Venus cried as she leapt off of the rock. She flipped once in the air, her golden hair following her like a shimmering banner, and then fired her attack as she landed in the middle of the battlefield. The beam of light hit the axe, shattering it in the man’s hand.
Prince Endymion jerked Serenity down in front of him and sheltered her from the flying splinters with his body. Then, he stumbled to his feet, pulled her up, and pushed her ahead of him back towards the pile of stones. Around him, the four strange women joined with his warriors to battle back the enemy.
“I’m sorry,” Princess Serenity sobbed as the prince positioned her in front of the pile and placed himself protectively between her and the fight. “Endymion, I am so sorry. I should have called them sooner… I should never have come…”
“Hush,” he said firmly as he glanced at her over his shoulder. “It is not your fault that we were attacked. Everything will be all right now. I promise.”
‘Of course,’ she wanted to say. ‘Of course everything will be all right. They are here now, my guardian senshi.’ Instead, she gave him a shaky smile and let him think that he was reassuring her.
With the addition of the senshi and their magical attacks, the battle was a short one. The enemy retreated a short distance, and then broke and ran. Sailor Venus reached out to grab Sailor Jupiter’s arm. “Let them go,” she called to her team. “They’re not our responsibility.”
Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Mars looked momentarily rebellious, and then nodded their heads and followed her back towards their princess. Kunzite gave them a suspicious look, and then turned his attention to Jadeite and Nephrite who were still pursuing the routed enemy.
“Princess, are you all right?” Sailor Venus asked quietly in the language of the Silver Millennium as she stopped in front of the prince. “Did they hurt you at all?” Off to one side, Zoisite jerked up and spun around to stare at them.
“I am fine, Venus,” the princess replied in the same language as she gave Endymion a sidelong look. She turned her gaze towards her senshi, and then blushed. “Thank you for saving us,” she said softly as she lowered her eyes.
“What were you thinking?” Sailor Mars asked angrily. “You know it is dangerous here! You know it is forbidden!” The princess hung her head as Prince Endymion stiffened and glared at the dark haired woman.
“Mars, later,” Sailor Venus ordered as she saw the prince’s reaction. “Wait until we…”
“The Silver Tongue… You are speaking the Silver Tongue!” Zoisite blurted, interrupting her. Kunzite stiffened and spun back around to face them. The four senshi stiffened as well, and Sailor Venus cursed silently in her head. Just her luck that one of these men would recognize their language.
Zoisite turned his eyes to Serenity. “You… You had a crescent moon on your face… And then there was a pillar of light… And then four magical women warriors speaking the Silver Tongue appear… You are from the Silver Millennium!”
“Princess!” Sailor Venus ordered sharply as she held out her hand.
Tears filled Princess Serenity’s eyes as she realized that her worst fears were coming true. She pressed into Endymion’s back, savoring this one last feel of him, and then reluctantly pushed her way past him and walked towards her guardians.
As she turned for one last look at her love, she saw Kunzite and Zoisite standing protectively beside him, fierce expressions on their faces. “Endymion!” she cried as Sailor Venus and Sailor Mars gripped her shoulders firmly yet gently. She would never see him again. She had to tell him. Now! She reached out for him as she felt the energy swirl up around her friends. “Endymion! I love you!” she called desperately as he faded from her sight. “Endymion!!”
“Serenity!” Prince Endymion lunged towards her desperately as he realized that she was disappearing, trying to reach the hand that she held out to him. He fought against his friends' hands as they tried to hold him back. “Serenity!!” He stopped and swayed as she vanished from his sight. “No!” he wailed.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Princess Serenity stood on her balcony and stared up at the Earth as it floated in the dark night sky overhead. Tears trickled slowly down her face, and she wondered, yet again, whether or not he had heard her declaration.
She shook her head and swiped at the wetness. “It was worth it,” she whispered to herself. “He is safe… That is what matters.” The words were cold comfort to her aching heart. It would be impossible to slip away to see him any time soon. Now that they knew, all of her guardians would be watching her closely. She might never be able to get to Earth again. “It was worth it…” she whispered again as she sank down to the cold white floor and wrapped her arms around herself. “Oh, Endymion…”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Prince Endymion stared up at the moon, wondering if she lived on the half that was illuminated above him. “Serenity,” he whispered.
He remembered now. He remembered what it was about the women’s uniforms that bothered him. Each woman had worn an individual color: golden orange, fiery red, vibrant green, and soothing blue. He remembered, now, the conversation that they had had several months ago as they watched the sun set in the sky, the night of their first kiss. Each of her friends wore a particular color, she had said. And they watched over her. “Blue, orange, red, and green…” he murmured as he remembered her words. “Not to individualize them, but as a part of their individuality.”
Princess. According to Zoisite, that was what the one in the orange skirt had called her. And if she truly was their princess, they would never let her return to Earth. He wondered how she had escaped their watchful eyes to come to his planet in the first place. He wondered how she had managed to cross that distance safely. With magic?
Slowly, he straightened up, a determined look on his face. If it was magic, then he would seek it out. He had to. He had something to tell her.