Title:After the Moon. Part 6 Author:Tapestry Email:Shaddow_Cat@hotmail.com Rating:PG/PG13 Standard Disclaimer Apply *denotes thought ~denotes mind speaking 6/12/01 "Woman was created from the ribs of man Not from his head to top him Nor from his feet to be walked upon She was made from his side to be his equal From beneath his arms to be protected From very near his heart to be loved." --Anonymous-- AN: I was just wondering, do you think I'm cut out for writing? I mean, I like it, but I don't think I'm getting any better at it. Anyway, the descriptions of the dresses, Serenity is in the princess dress and the others are in their own princess dresses. (You know the picture that shows the signs on their foreheads and each of them hold their planet coloured rose.) ps: If you don't, take a look at ASMR's backgrounds at the library. The back grounds with the side borders of the senshi in long gowns. Tapestry, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The days at the Palace passed by quickly for the bored Moon Princess. It seemed, there hadn't been a youma attack in weeks whereas in reality it had only been four days since Serenity had been attacked. The Dark Kingdom, Artemis and Luna surmised, was 'laying low'. Serenity watched as Endymion trained with his fellow Guard. Watching them, watching her own senshi train... it almost seemed depressing. It made her feel useless and a burden to her love and her friends. Always when the youmas attacked, she couldn't do anything to save or protect herself. She always had to rely on someone else to save her, whether it was her soulmate, Prince Endymion or her senshi, the Sailor soldiers. Serenity buried her head in her hands. She felt like such an encumbrance to the others. How could the safety of Earth be served by protecting a useless lump like herself?? Silent tears trickled down her cheeks. She rubbed at them harshly. She was weak in all else. But she would NOT be weak in this. She would not allow anyone to see her cry. "Serenity??" came a worried voice. She turned to the owner of the voice. Her beloved Endymion. Endymion was worried about her. He'd felt her emotions when he was training. He'd felt a huge wave of despair, helplessness and self- loathing. "My love, is something wrong??" Endymion tried to see into her mind. She'd been experiencing bouts of loneliness and melancholy lately.. he knew. It did not make him happy. He watched as Serenity gave him a tremulous smile. Her nose and eyes were red. The tell-tale signs of tears. "Have you been crying??" "No.. I just, stubbed my finger. Everything's fine. Please continue with your training, Endy. I'll be fine." she said wobbly. Endymion tried to gauge her true feelings but they seemed to be blocked from him... *Since when did Serenity learn to block her thoughts and emotions from me??* he wondered. "If you're sure, love..." replied Endymion uncertainly. "Yes!! Certainly!" smiled Serenity brilliantly. "Only for you, love." responded Endymion tentatively as he pressed a kiss to her forehead. "Serenity!!" called Amy enthusiastically. "Amy? I thought you and the others would be in the library with Alex and the others. Aren't they teaching you the known customs of your planets??" asked Serenity curiously. "Oh yes, but Uranus just explained to me the senshi don't really have names easily pronounced since they're in our own language. So we call each other by planet." grinned Amy. "Really... as in Lady Mercury." "Right, so in Lunar terms, that's actually my name, can you make any sense of it at all??" asked Amy excited. "Er, no." "Well, Luna says the names she gave us, aren't exactly ours but she didn't think four baby girls named after planets was such a good idea." babbled Amy on technically. That seemed to bring Serenity down even lower. *So...my friends aren't really my friends because it's not their names.* sighed Serenity to herself. Serenity sat silently as she listened on to Amy's quick excited breathless history of their origins. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dark Kingdom, Somewhere in the Earth Beryl smiled wickedly as she stared at the depressed silver-blonde. It seemed, Queen Serenity had truly sent her daughter to the blue crystal ball named Earth rather than sending her to one of the Outer Planets. Killing her and destroying the Silver Imperial Crystal would be so much easier than she thought. Without the heir to the White Moon's throne, there would be no Silver Crystal. Everything was better than she anticipated. "Poor sad little Princess...you have no idea just how vital you are to everybody and the universe. The Senshi won't be able to help you this time...nor will your Protector who shall be the first Prince Consort of the Dark Earth Kingdom." laughed Beryl insanely. "I'm only saying that we should take precautions on safety. A masquerade will hardly protect the Princess if a Dark Kingdom spy shows up." argued Luna. "Everything will be fine, Luna. We'll know if there's a dark energy. Serenity will be fine. Besides, the Inner-Senshi due to the way they were awakened have progressed rapidly through their training. A little too fast, one might say." sighed Artemis. "Hmmph, these are perilous times, Artemis. The girls as you have said, cannot avoid this anymore." "You almost sound like the old Luna back on the Moon." "Yes, well- being addressed as Counsellor Luna does bring back quite a few quirks." smiled Luna faintly. "Mm-hmm... what do you think of the safety precautions, Prince Endymion??" asked Artemis turning to Endymion. Silence... "Um, Your Highness??" "He's not listening, Artie." grinned Jadeite. "Artie??!!" exclaimed Artemis with a scowl. "Yup, Artie... Artemis is too long a name. It's making my tongue hurt." grinned Jadeite. Luna muffled a giggle. "LUNA...." threathened Artemis. "What???" "Don't - say - anything." "Whatever you say,....- Artie." laughed Luna. "Luna!!" "Yes, Counsellor Artie??" asked Luna trying to hold her laughter. "Shut up." "Furball." Artemis turned back to Jadeite with a menacing look on his features. "Now Jadeite, lets discuss the ramifications of your 'Artie' business." "I'm scared, Artie... please don't hurt me??" snickered Jadeite. "I'll make you scared,....Jeddie-boy." "EXCUSE ME???!!!" "What's going on??" asked a voice as 10 people trooped into the sitting room of Endymion's chambers. "Where's Serenity??" asked Uranus. "Napping in my bedroom, next door." answered Endymion absent-mindedly as he continued to stare at the door. "So... what was the fuss about just now??" asked Nephrite curious. "I was just talking to Jeddie-boy about calling me Artie." answered Artemis smoothly. Luna burst into peals of laughter. "Jeddie-boy??" tested Zoiscite. The rolled off his tongue easily. He grinned. "Too bad I didn't think about it." "WHAAT??" "Oh sure, I'm sure you must have heard the four different names floating about." smiled Malachite. "I liked Endy's the best. But he liked Nephrite's." grinned Zoiscite. "Oh REEE-ALLLLY???" asked Jadeite as he eyed Endymion who heard Zoiscite and turned a calm face at Jadeite and smiled, showing his blindingly white teeth. "Jeez, are you trying to blind someone with that smile of yours??" snapped Jadeite disgruntled. "Oh no, of course not.....- Jadeoola." The other three Generals burst out laughing. "Right, no one's against you, Jeddo." guffawed Nephrite. "Definately not, who would dare, Jadie??" grinned Zoiscite. "Endy would never try to blind you, Ol'Jademeister." gulped Malachite. Jadeite eyed his four friends maliciously. "The four of you are ASKING for a wallop." "What's going on??" asked a soft sleepy voice. Endymion turned to see that the door to his bedroom next door was open and Serenity was standing there adorably, rubbing her eyes with her wealth of silver-gold locks tumbling around her shoulders looking delightfully mussed. His eyes travelled downward and then he gulped, wishing he hadn't perused his beloved. She was wearing one of his oversized black silk shirts that reached down only just above her knees. Her pale long legs were exposed right down to her bare toes. The other men in the room gaped and immediately turned their backs. "WE DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING!!!" they shouted. Luna gasped. Her charge was dressed scandalously. It wasn't appropriate!! And just where in Selene's name did Serenity get her hands on a black silk shirt meant for a man???!!! Her eyes went to the Earth Prince's face. She glared at him as he caught her gaze. He blushed and looked away, his line of sight once again resting on Serenity. He gulped audibly. "Endymion!! Pervert!!" screeched Mercury as she slapped him on the head. Luna marched over to her Princess. Somebody's head was going to roll for this. Or at least somebody's eyes were going to be scratched out... "Serenity!! Where in Moon's sake, did you get that shirt!!? And sleeping in it in Endymion's bedroom too!! Where's your gown!!???" Serenity looked sleepily down at what she was wearing... She was wearing one of Endy's shirts. She always slept better in one of his shirts. They smelled of him. "Endy gave it to me. What's wrong?? I didn't think it would be such a big matter if I napped in his room. I sleep better in Endy's." answered Serenity puzzled as she tried to find fault with the garment she had on. Sure, she wasn't wearing anything under the shirt except her panties, but still...that was nothing to scream about. The shirt still covered her decently. "What's wrong??? What's wrong???!!! You're obviously quite naked under that shirt and it belongs to Endymion, plus the fact that you happen to be sleeping in his bedroom!!" exclaimed Luna exasperated. "Also, that shirt doesn't cover you very well!!" Serenity turned bright red. Endymion's composure flew out the window and his face became one of chagrin as Luna's insinuation of Serenity's situation got to him. He closed his eyes and groaned. Didn't he just wish??? ~Pervert!!~ hissed Serenity's mind, as she glared at Endymion. ~Whaaat!!???~ exclaimed Endymion innocently. "What do you mean it doesn't cover!!?? It's not even as short as the Senshi's outfits!!" pointed Serenity at her friends, whose skirts only reached to their upper-thighs. Amy, Raye, Lita and Mina turned red at their princess and friend's comment of their uniforms. "And I am NOT completely naked under here!! I am wearing my underwear!!" Endymion choked. Luna fumbled and tried to explain. "That's different. Those are their uniforms." "Yeah!! And I'm definately sure they were designed by a guy!!" exclaimed Jupiter. Serenity giggled. "The point is, you're a Princess. It's not dignified." "Pooh, I've spent 18 years as a country girl and suddenly I'm supposed to be a Princess. Hah!!" pouted Serenity as she walked over to Endymion and sat down on his lap. "I've been trying to instill good manners in you though!! You can't say I never tried." smiled Luna. "Yeah, I guess." she conceded wriggling slightly to find a comfortable position and nestle her head next to his neck. "Love, don't do that." choked Endymion. Serenity smiled and kissed Endymion lightly on the cheek. "You're a sweetie." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Serenity sat in front of the mirror, staring nervously at her reflection. Tonight was the night of the masquerade as well as the night of Prince Endymion's announcement of his engagement. Her nerves were on the edge and she could feel a sinking feeling in her stomach. She wound pearls into her usual meatball hairstyle and stared at her reflection. She was wearing a white gown with shell shaped sleeves and a beaded bodice. Her neck was bare and only gold crescent earrings graced her ears. Her hand clutched a white rose and nestled it into her hair. Her bedroom door burst open, Mina, Raye, Lita and Amy came in laughing. They seemed so close, so carefree. Serenity felt a distance between them. She smiled demurely at their antics. Mina was twirling around in a yellow sleeveless gown. Her gown had a ruffled overskirt with pale yellow and white flowers embroidered into it. A pendent hung from her neck, a yellow ribbon tied around her neck. Amy and Lita wore a gown with the exact same design, sleeveless with a translucent material hanging from their shoulders like capes. The only difference was the colour. They too wore pendents and ribbons around their necks. Raye wore a sleeveless red gown with red and white lines running down vertically at the front. A pendent and red ribbon around her neck. They smiled. "Serenity! You look wonderful." smiled Amy. "Yeah, Endymion won't be able to keep his eyes off you. Not to mention he won't allow you from his side at all tonight." snickered Lita. Serenity smiled and nodded. "Shall we go? Where are Alex, Michelle and Holly??" asked Serenity. "They went to the ballroom already." answered Raye. "C'mon Meatball Head. Your masquerade awaits." she grinned before putting a red mask with red feathers over her face. The others put their own masks over their faces at Raye's lead. Serenity gave one last look at the mirror and placed her white mask, studded with tiny diamonds over her face. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Endymion shifted from foot to foot. He felt uneasy. It wasn't because women were making eyes at him and trying to catch his attention. It was something else. Something he couldn't put his finger on. He frowned, his eyes going from their ocean blue to a deep midnight colour. Lucky for him, his mask hid his expression. "Is something wrong, my Prince?" asked Malachite turning to Endymion. "How is it, you always know when I'm feeling anything other than calm?" asked Endymion with a wry grin. "That's easy, when you're unsettled you always shift from foot to foot. Or you pace about like a caged panther." "I'll remember that. I already have one person in my head, and she's the only one I want there. I don't need you too." chuckled Endymion. "So??" "It's nothing. I just have this uneasy feeling." confessed Endymion. "Maybe you're restless." suggested Jadeite. "Maybe." "Presenting Ladies Serenity, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus." announced the footman. Endymion's head swivelled to the doors. There was silence in the room. His breath caught at his throat. His beloved was a vision in white satin. When the doors shut, the chatter began once more and a few young lords made their way towards Serenity and her friends. Endymion sensed Serenity's anxiety when one of the lords kissed her hand and lingered at it, reluctantly releasing her hand when she pulled it away. Jealousy boiled his blood as he made his way towards his love. His other half. Serenity cringed at the man that was in front of her who had introduced himself as Lord Bolton. Even with his mask, she could sense the lascivious glances he gave her and the way he had kissed her hand had revolted her. She wanted Endymion. "May I have this dance, Lady Serenity?" asked Lord Bolton bowing, his eyes on her bosom. Serenity panicked. She didn't want to dance yet, she couldn't bring herself to be mean to the man. No matter how much he disgusted her. "I-" "Her dance card is already full, Lord Bolton." came a low drawl. Serenity's heart leapt in joy. She spun to look up at a tall man with dark hair and a white domino mask covering his features. Even though she could not see his eyes, she felt his eyes on her. The way they simmered, switching from Bolton to herself. She sensed his rising anger at the man. He was jealous! Bolton straightened and turned to the man who had said the words, ready to argue he had seen the beauty first. He froze when he realized who it was. Even with the mask covering his features, there was no mistaking the man. It was the prince himself, and Bolton could feel the prince staring at him with cold hard eyes. He backed away slowly. "Your pardon, your Highness." mumbled Bolton before turning and scurrying away. Serenity smiled brightly at Endymion. Endymion's arms locked about her waist, pulling her closer to him. "Are you glad I got rid of that silly fop, love??" whispered Endymion into her ear. Serenity smiled, turning her head upwards, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Very glad." "Dance with me, beloved." said Endymion catching hold of her hand. Serenity's breath caught in her throat. She nodded, settling her small hand into his larger one. Endymion led her to the dance floor. The music started up, a slow dance. Endymion watched as Serenity's lips curved into a secret smile. He felt the urge to kiss it off her luscious red lips. So kissable. ~What is that secret smile there for, love?~ Serenity's eyes met his and she grinned. ~It's for me to know and you to find out, my love.~ ~Do not tease me, love.~ "Tease you? As if.." exclaimed Serenity forgetting to speak mentally. Endymion smiled as other men and women on the floor stared at her strangely. ~Everyone's watching you, love. They are wondering if you are mentally unstable.~ teased Endymion. Serenity looked round for the first time and realized the stares and the looks. Serenity turned back to look at Endymion. She blushed and bent her head. Their peaceful dance was not to last when sudden screams were heard coming from the balcony. Serenity's head shot up as Endymion tugged her closer to his large frame. A man stumbled backwards from the balcony, his mask askew and his eyes holding looks of horror. Youmas entered the ballroom, their drooling mouths dripping saliva onto the tiled floor. Women in the ballroom started screaming and fainting. Men were backing the women into a corner, trying to keep them away from the youmas. Endymion's guards and the seven senshi surrounded the couple as Serenity gripped Endymion tightly and fearfully. Some men trying to be gentlemen offered to escort the senshi to a safer area. The seven women glared at the men. Seeing their expressions, the men scurried away frightened. "Mercury Planet Power! Make Up!" "Mars Planet Power! Make Up!" "Jupiter Planet Power! Make Up!" "Venus Planet Power! Make Up!" "Saturn Planet Power! Make Up!" "Neptune Planet Power! Make Up!" "Uranus Planet Power! Make Up!" In the place of the seven ladies were women dressed in sailor suits. There shocked mumurs and gasps. The protectors took up protective stances. Through the balcony doors, a woman wearing a dark tight fitting purple dress with auburn hair and topaz eyes stepped onto the ballroom floor. "How quaint. It's a pity you didn't invite me...so I crashed." she smiled. Her eyes found Endymion and sent him a flirtacious stare. Endymion met the stare with a cold disdainful look. He hugged Serenity tighter to him. "Who are you?" demanded Endymion. "I am Queen Beryl of the Dark Kingdom. And I have come for the Princess Serenity of the White Moon Kingdom." snarled Beryl, her eyes switching to glare daggers at the pale girl cradled at Endymion's bosom. Whispers could be heard throughout the room. Words such as "Princess", "Moon Kingdom" and "legends and myths". Serenity shut her eyes. *I take it back! I don't want any youma attacks.* thought Serenity to herself. Beryl smiled a cruel smile at them. "Get her!" The youmas jumped from their places with lightning fast movements. The Generals backed into a tighter circle around the royal couple. "Fire...Soul, Bird!!" exclaimed Mars releasing her attack. The flames licked harmlessly past the youma. "Sparkling Wide Pressure!" cried Jupiter sending a disc of lightning towards one of the youmas that dodged it easily. "World Shaking!!" "Damn it! They're too fast!" exclaimed Venus. "Venus Love Me Chain!" Zoiscite blinked at Venus's words and got an idea. "Mercury! A fog!" Mercury who had turned towards Zoiscite's voice, smiled and nodded. "Shabon Spray!!" shouted Mercury as she released bubbles into the air, fogging up the area of the ballroom. The youmas howled in anger. "Deep Submerge!" A giant wave of water headed towards a group of youmas. The attack destroyed the youmas, leaving black piles of ashes on the floor. Beryl glared, her eyes glowing. She made out the form of the Moon Princess watching in fear as Prince Endymion attacked a youma that had come too close to their position. A smile curled her red mouth. Beryl released a burst of black energy towards the Princess. "Silent Wall!" The black energy bounced harmlessly off the shield in front of Serenity. Endymion saw this and gave a growl. The tiled floor shook with his anger and dark storm clouds gathered outside. Dark and menacing. Lightning cracked a tree open and as if by magic, another bolt of lightning turned and struck another group of youmas rendering them smoking ash. Beryl frowned and took a step back. She had not expected the Prince of Earth to wield this much power. The planet Earth was not as well known in it's magicks as the other planets in the system. "Shine Aqua Illusion!" Beryl barely dodged the oncoming freezing waters. She glared at the Sailor Mercury. Endymion stood in front of Serenity and was ready to defend her to the death if need be... The ground rolled once more, a ripple of apprehension from it's Prince. As the last remnants of the fog dissipated, Beryl was standing alone on the ballroom floor with piles of ashes around and the senshi and Generals moving to surround her. Beryl sneered at them. "Protect the little Moon Princess well, or she'll die at the first chance I get." laughed Beryl as black fog swirled around her. "You damn-" hissed Jupiter running towards the black fog. "Jupiter!!" shouted Uranus. Black lightning crackled and struck Jupiter. She screamed. "No!" shouted Nephrite. Serenity screamed and tried to run towards her friend. Before she could even take two steps, she was pulled back by a strong arm, locked about her waist. "No!! Endy, let me go!! No!" "Get down!" shouted Endymion, pulling his love to the ground. The night exploded with fury as black winds errupted in the room and the black fog disappeared. Jupiter lay unmoving on the floor, battered. Women and men screamed. Endymion cursed, this was the damn witch's last attack at them...at Serenity. He held her close to him, his body shielding hers from the wind. Saturn stabbed the staff end of her glaive into the tiled floor. "Silent Wall!!" A purple dome covered everybody in the room, shielding them from the black wind. Cracks appeared on the tiled floor and finally, the tiles cracked under the pressure of the glaive. As the black wind disappeared, Saturn slumped to the ground, tired. "Saturn! Are you alright?" asked Neptune moving to the dark small girl's side. "I'm alive...the Princess?" "She's fine." Serenity moved towards Saturn and looked down at her. "Thank you.." Saturn's amethyst eyes looked up at her and smiled. "It is my duty.." Tears filled Serenity's eyes and she got up to go to Jupiter. "Lita??" she asked fearfully. "Lita will live. Thank goodness." sighed Mars. With the relief came awareness. Ladies and lords stared at them fearfully and some coldly. They had brought the terrible woman down upon them. Serenity backed away from the cold stares of women. Endymion felt her fear. He moved behind her and glared at the snobby ladies. "Seize them! Seize them!" shrieked Lord Bolton. "They are witches!! They perform witchcraft and pretend to deceive people with their phoney legends of the moon and other planets. Endymion turned his icy regard towards Bolton and hissed. "If you do not be silent, you will be kicked into the dungeons like the squealing pig you are." Lord Bolton gaped at the Prince, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. Turning to the King and Queen, Bolton protested. "Your Majesties!!" he sputtered in indignation. "The Prince will see to your accommadation in the dungeons if you do not cease, Bolton." said the Queen coldly. "They tell no lies. The women come from other planets." said the King. "And the Lady Serenity, is the Princess of the White Moon and my son's bethrothed." "B-But the scientists-!!" exclaimed Bolton. "Will discover in time that all we have said is true." snarled Uranus at the damn stupid fop. "Time is unnecessary." came a calm voice. "Counsellor Luna," said Neptune. "What do you mean?" "The Outer planets have revealed themselves to us." said Artemis who came in with a nervous looking young man dressed in a white robe. "What?" asked the Queen. "It's true, Your Majesties...the scientists have confirmed civilizations on the outer planets and the ruins of civilizations on the moon and the inner planets." "How is this possible!? The Crystal protected us from this planet's detection! Are the shields to our planets down?" asked Uranus. "No. The shields protecting the Outer planets are still in place but the screen that shielded the planets from detection of Earth have been removed." explained Luna. "By whom?!" asked Neptune. Saturn was silent as she looked towards Serenity. "It's was Princess Serenity.." stated Saturn. A dozen or more eyes turned to look at Saturn and then turned their gazes to Serenity. Serenity moved closer to Endymion for protection. "Impossible! How can that be!!? We have not even located or found out what has happened to the Silver Crystal!" exclaimed Uranus. "You wished for it, did you not, Princess Serenity?" asked Saturn quietly. "I-I wished that people of Earth could see the civilizations and know that Endymion was not wrong." said Serenity softly. "And the Silver Crystal responded to her wish.." breathed Artemis. "By Selene's Light..." gasped Luna. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Serenity followed Endymion back to his chamber after the excitement. She had not wanted to return to her room. She wanted to be close to Endymion and feel safe in his arms. Upon entering his chambers, Serenity made her way to his balcony door to look at the shining silver moon. Her eyes were sad and tears started to form... Endymion saw them. The signs of a weary sad soul. He felt guilt rising up from the pit of his stomach, trying to choke him. He lifted a hand to her face. "My darling, please...don't cry." whispered Endymion close. Serenity couldn't stop the tears that rolled out from her eyes. "Deities on Earth, please...don't cry. What is wrong??" asked Endymion, with one hand, cradling her head to his chest. He felt her tears and her feelings of insecurities and inadequacies rising to smother him. "Serenity, my little love...what's the matter??" asked Endymion in a soothing voice, smoothing her silver blonde curls. Serenity looked up at him. "I'm sorry. I just felt like a freak show, being stared at, all those people...they hated me. Because I brought the woman down on them. I could feel it and I'm trying so hard to be a lady. A lady that matches you." whispered Serenity in a hurt voice, hiding her head in the crook of his neck. Endymion tightened his hold slightly on Serenity. His lips brushing her silver blonde curls. "They don't hate you. They were confused and unbelieving. You are to be my wife. You are my other half and we will be together for all eternity. I love you and even if you were nobody, not a lady...I would still love you." he whispered. "Endymion...I'm afraid. I love you so much and all I do is draw all those youmas to us. I'm your weakness.." sobbed Serenity. "You are my strength. You are the one that keeps the darkness at bay. You could never be my weakness. Never." Serenity merely hid her head and clutched to him tighter. Endymion stroked the shining curls on her head gently...reverently. No one was ever going to hurt her. Never! He would protect her. Protect her with his own life, forever. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To be continued... Weeee..not. Well, finished this chapter. Nope nothing interesting here. Right? It's an everyday occurence for youmas and Beryl to bust right into a masquerade. :p Email me!! I NEED mail!! 20/4/02