Chapter 13

A/N:

Ok, ok fine. The last chapter was kind of short. I admit it. And every reviewer seems to be rubbing it into my face. Jeez, cut me some slack. No, just kidding, I didn't realize this until they pointed it out so I guess…all for the better.

So it hasn't ended yet, we resume this chapter while they're still in the courtyards, or gardens, or whatever you call it. Hope you're happy; please be happy! Not to sound desperate or anything.

YAAARRGH by the time I'm done with this chapter I can tell it will have been a long way from the last time I updated. Because I have 2 labs and a test due next week AAAAA!

Just read I supposed, enjoy, and review.

My new slogan: R, E, and R. RER? Or perhaps RRE?

Disclaimer: I'm auctioning Sailor Moon next week :D (J/K –don't sue me)

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She sat idly in his embrace, clinging to him desperately. The rain soothed to a hushed pitter-patter against the unnoticed shadow of two figures, encased so perfectly into one, awash against the peaceful drift of the tide creeping over their feet on the soft, sandy banks of the green-blue pool that rippled beneath a high-towering waterfall. A securing mist fell around the landscape, a mist that enveloped the sanctuary in its own world, apart from the worries and hassles that surrounded it. With each blatant sigh of the foam drifting against the rocks he held her closer. And she returned it, kissing him sluggishly, then choking him joyfully, then caressing him tenderly, then squeezing the life out of him. Her heart nearly crumpled in exhaustion; five long years of waiting making even one moment of separation unbearable. (A/N: Sorry to ruin the moment with my nonsensical author note, but I found the perfect picture for this. I forgot the link though. But it's really sweet…they're just hugging, she's half on his lap and their eyes are closed with this weird, tranquil expression on their faces. It's like the epitome of 'eternal love'. And for some reason the song 'Forever Young' keeps playing in my head. Now, moving on…:D)

"You know Serenity," he murmured, "I've always loved you." He kissed her softly on the cheek.

"Shhh…" she whispered, "Don't say anything." He nuzzled her neck and she sighed, letting the water sweep gently over her ankle.

A few minutes later she peeked her eyes open to find him fast asleep on her shoulder, blowing unconsciously at a wisp of ebony black hair that overlay its path. It teetered wobbly to the rhythm of his breathing. He looked so innocent at the moment, Serenity couldn't help letting out a little laugh.

But it was enough to wake him. Endymion glared at her accusingly, pulling himself off her shoulder, and stretched his arms lazily behind his back. "What's so funny?" he asked, stifling a yawn.

"You are."

He bent over carefully, a mischievous glint in his eyes as he took in her figure hungrily. "You think?" He cast her a lopsided grin and began to close in on her. It took her a while to register his movements but by then, it was too late; he had her by the waits now, his fingers working wonders…Serenity shrieked as he began to tickle her. He paused for a millisecond but this time her mind was ready. She dodged his fingers swiftly, suddenly awake and erect, and scampered off into the distance.

He growled, jumping upwards to chase her about the fields and pinned her against an overlaying tree, its branches seeping downwards to brush against the tip of his hair. "Now my dear," he began, licking his suddenly dry lips. She whimpered in anticipation, squirming out of his hold and breaking into another fervent dash across the premises. Restricted by her billowing skirts, she once again found him catching up to her and soon found herself in the same position, her back pressed against the trunk of a blossoming tree trunk, her arms hugging it to her as he bent down, his breath tickling her lips.

"Am I still that funny?"

"Of course."

His lips curled into a smile. "I beg your pardon?"

"I mean…of course not." She laughed uneasily, caught somewhere between his enrapturing cobalt eyes and his teasing smirk.

"I thought so," he murmured huskily, yanking her head up fiercely and plundering her lips with his own. He tore his lips from hers and gazed longingly into her startled sky blue eyes. "I've waited so long," he whispered as her eyes fluttered closed. He nudged her head upwards again, gentler this time. "No really, listen to me."

"I am," she answered dizzily, slowly losing control of her consciousness, "or at least I'm trying."

"You're trying?"

"Well you're not helping much…"

He grinned. "I see." He stepped back, placing a firm hand on her shoulders as she teetered oddly to the left. "Princess…I'm afraid I'm not safe here. Beryl's still searching for me."

"You mean you've left her."

He sighed. "Yes, I suppose. I escaped." Too bad I couldn't leave without experiencing her foul, misdemeanant, utterly horrific taste. "It's not as if she has no idea where I am, however." His eyes turned to the sky, wondering where Jedeite was at the moment. It was too early to explain to her that Jedeite had escaped as well, and that he was now in hiding under one of the thorn bushes she had so clumsily tangled herself into.

"Oh." Her head fell. "You can't stay, can you?"

He hung his head. "I'm afraid not…not for too long, that is. However it seems you're having some sort of Royal Ball this week?"

As soon as he'd uttered those words she reached for his hand eagerly, her eagerness surprising them both. Her silver hair rustled in the wind. "Oh, please come, please come Endy! You must!"

He kissed the hand softly. "I'll try my best." He paused. "I really will."

She sighed and sat down on the parched grass, hugging her knees to her chest. He stooped down to grasp her own hand.

"Serenity, I haven't even taken the time to find out how you are."

Her pupils zoomed back into focus. "How I am?" She glanced at the ground uneasily.

Endymion lifted her chin up shakily. "Not too good I suppose?" She nodded solemnly and tried to dismiss his penetrating glare but he held her still. "If it makes you feel better I haven't been having the best of times either."

She gulped as he massaged her shoulders and looked up at him again with wide, perplexed blue orbs. "Endy…"

"Princess." He squeezed her shoulder in reassurance.

"I have another fiancé." She hadn't wanted to seem weak but was unable to control the hot flood of brazen tears streaming down her rosy cheeks, pouring her heart out to him. He had his arms around her in an instant, brushing the tears off her face tentatively.

"Diamond, is it? I'd like to meet him." She felt his fingers dig into her palm and paled, pressing his hand to her chest and turning his head to look at her.

"You mustn't."

Her regret was too much to bear. He conceded without thinking clearly. "And I won't. I promise, my dear princess."

She sobbed harder, the melancholy atmosphere overcoming her until she was just a crying silver bundle in Endymion's arms.

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Luna paced her chambers nervously.

From the time she had spotted the two lovers together she had known it was a love like no other. Just the way they had held each other in the incessant rain had been truth enough. It was a bond that couldn't be broken.

But needed to be.

Oh, her poor Serenity, to have fallen for such a sleazy seducer as the prince of Earth. She didn't blame her, however. There were things about him that…Luna shuddered, scratching her black fur perplexedly. There were things about him that perhaps raised the hairs of her own furry back. Yet more out of fury than anything else.

She crept to her drawers and begin to fish for a loose piece of parchment. No, she thought to herself, it would devastate her. She shook her head sadly and slowly uncapped the lid to her pen, pausing before beginning to write the first words.

To her Majesty the Queen Serenity II of the Moon Kingdom…

Because some secrets were too large to be kept.

And in the darkness, Jedeite bounded for the Palace, wondering why Endymion had left him unattended on the palacial grounds. Fortunately for him, he still remembered the area.

Clear as day.

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He scaled the marble walls with ease, clawing his way through the inscriptions and tails of ivy that lay in his path. A single destination perturbed in his mind. The master suite. A room he once had occupied. A room he had once…he shook his head sadly, telling himself to keep focused.

He as easily reached it as he had begun. The window was still permanently engraved into his memory, the satin curtains and the white lacy cloth that hung underneath it.

A fragment of a memory wisped through him, and he made no effort to stop it.

He watched her as she slowly unwound the curtains to face him from the terrace beneath her. "Rena!" She blushed and quickly brushed them closed once more. He felt slightly hurt but persisted. "Love, please, come down here, there's something I need to show you."

The windows peeked open timidly this time, a silver head bobbing into sight. "What is it?" she asked, glancing down at his for a second, turning beet red and then hiding her face in embarrassment.

He wondered at her embarrassment but shook it off as bridal innocence. "If you don't come down yourself, I'm going to have to climb up there and carry you down. Is that what you want?" He'd already begun climbing the walls, using a tug of ivy as a hold and soon had reached her balcony. His hand outstretched and she took it, her petite fingers curling perfectly into his. He nodded slowly and swept her upwards. She gasped silently as he began scaling the wall downwards again, one arm on the rope of ivy and the other cradling her to his chest.

He set her down lightly, and she took a quick look around her. "What is it…" she stopped suddenly as she gazed to her left, her eyes widening and her breath catching in her throat.

There stood the widest, most beautiful rose garden she had ever seen. Perfectly crafted, crimson flowers, so perfectly in bloom, joined to form a magnificent heart-shaped rose bed, fresh drops of dew sprayed upon them delicately. She held a hand to her chest as he bent down on one knee and bowed his head. "I love you, Rena," he whispered, "let this be a reminder to all those that visit this rose garden."

At loss for words, she walked towards him, falling to the ground beside him, and kissed him under the sunset.

He would always remember that day.

He had already reached the familiar balcony, uneasy about the whole ordeal. Seized with a bout of compulsion he grabbed the lace, thrust it to the side, and stepped into the bedroom.

Only to find the two most beautiful blue eyes he had ever seen staring up at him in surprise.

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A/N:

I'd originally intended to write more but felt I should stop there. I DO have a thing for eyes though, I know, I use them as cliffhangers much too often.

Hope that chapter wasn't too short…I suppose it was short but it did have a substantial bit of information I suppose.

So review of course! I'm not writing too much today.

Ummster