Part 4: To the Moon

The Moon

Serenity sulked for a week after they had gotten home because her mother had
restricted her to her rooms for quite a while.  Minako was not punished, as she had
tried everything in her power to get the Princess home and been hurt in the process, but
was reprimanded lightly for not catching onto the Princess' intentions before it all
started.
      It was bleak out, clouds dark and pregnant with rain as Minako wandered
through the garden.  No one else was out, and she blessed the impending rain for her
solitude.  Her thoughts wandered to Kunzite, though she tried to push the images of
him away.  It hurt more than she thought it would.
      Minako sighed, a gnawing in her chest giving way to aching gloom.
     "Sit, Princess Venus," a light, musical voice suggested, and Minako swung
around in surprise to see Princess Mercury on one of the benches.  Pausing for a
moment, Minako complied.  "What brings you out on this dreary, wet day?"
      Minako suddenly understood why Ami was outside   her element was water.
But it did nothing to slow the pounding in her breast.  "Being melancholic," she replied
aimlessly.
     "Do you want to talk about it?" Ami was making something out of the damp,
drooping violets, her slim white hands working diligently.  Minako was struck by
jealousy   Ami was an intelligent, beautiful woman.  Her skin was porcelain white, her
eyes as calm and blue as the ocean, hair thick, silken, and figure a slender symphony of
delicate curves.  She could have any man she wanted, and keep him.  But she had never
wanted men.
      Truthfully, neither had Minako . . . before.  They had all been happy as soldiers
and had forsaken normal things   like love or families   for their duties.  Minako
wasn't afraid that her new feelings would interfere with her job, but it was a bit of a
distraction.  She chuckled.  Having Kunzite with her would be a bigger distraction.
      Ami gave her a curious sapphire glance, but Minako shook her head and
hugged the smaller woman.
     "I'm okay.  Thank you for caring, though, Ami-chan."
      Ami smiled and returned the hug, bemused as she watched her friend walk
away.  "Any time, Mina," she murmured, and continued to manipulate her wilted
violets.

Serenity, in the meantime, was throwing a fit.  "You didn't *tell* me that!" she yelled
at her mother, crying.
     "It was *supposed* to be a surprise, Serenity," the woman returned, "but you
just *had* to put yourself in danger to see him, so now you *won't* see him."
      Serenity turned and threw herself on the bed and sobbed.  "You . . . [sniffle] . . .
didn't tell me . . . [sob] . . . that he was [sniff] . . . coming *here*! [wail]"
     "Well he is," her mother stood, immovable, "and because you broke the rules,
you won't be able to see him during his visit."
     "Then I'll just run away again!"
     "You *try* and I'll put the senshi on you day and night!  And not just Venus and them,
I'm talking Uranus and Neptune!" her mother threatened.
      Serenity glared and swiped at her nose, then faltered and turned away.  Tears
began to slowly course down her cheeks.
      Her mother sighed and softened   she couldn't stay mad for long.  "If you're
good for the next two days, I'll let you see him for the rest of his visit."
     "Really?!" Serenity brightened.  Her mother nodded and she threw herself at the
tall woman.  "Oh, *thank you*, mom!  I love you!"
     "Yes, well," her mother smiled and stroked Serenity's hair.  "I have work to do.
Just make sure you stay in here no matter what, okay?"
     "Okay mom," Serenity hugged her one last time and threw herself onto the bed
as the door closed behind her mother. *Endymion, here!* She sighed, happy, not
realizing that he and his guards were already unpacking their things in the guest wing.