Cords of Silver and Gold: Chapter 5 - By: Selena - rated: PG-13 He he he. Hi…um I guess I'm back. For how long, I have no clue. I've had this written for a while now and its been posted at my homepage. You can see it at: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Bungalow/5811. I also have many manga galleries for those of you who love the black and white pictures! I even have a requests page where you can get HUGE versions of the ones already posted! (pretty soon, I'll have over a thousand pictures!) BTW, This is a romance fic, but it's also about self-discovery and inner strength. This is sort of my version of what happened in the past according to the manga. It's rated PG-13. (Nothing suggestive or anything - just more mature language and situations. And you need a fair vocabulary.) I hope you like it. Please see the thanks part of my homepage to see all the wonderful people who gave me a helping hand. I didn't want to bore you with a long intro. Enjoy!!! *********************** Cords of Silver and Gold Chapter 5: Feelings *********************** In the inner courtyard of The Quartz Castle, a cloaked figure waits in the darkness of the shadows underneath the gray marble staircase. Slowly, it raises its head to reveal two eyes, consumed with death and blood. Lightning illuminates the midnight sky. Creeping ever so slowly, a black cloud ascends from the hidden darkness, creating a gray haze, hovering above the ground. The creature bares its fangs and smiles wickedly. She looks up at the stormy, cloud-covered sky. "It is time. DARK ENERGY ARISE !!" Strong gusts of wind suddenly blow the hood from Beryl's head. Her eyes narrow and she raises her staff, the midnight crystal, floating above, beginning to glow with a dark power. The raging winds torment the castle walls as trees snap apart and flowers are pulled from the ground. In the blink of an eye, all falls silent… *********************** Kunzite leans on the top rail of a large balcony over-looking the gardens. He sighs. 'What am I going to do? I have to get rid of them both and find the prince. I have a feeling that this is *not* going to be easy.' A slow moving mist, making its way up his body, seizes his attention. 'What in the hell…' His eyes go blank and his body freezes. 'Something is really wrong here.' He thinks before everything stops. He no longer has the ability to think or see anything. Everything goes dark. A piercing scream awakens him. "Huh? What just… Venus!" He storms back into the castle and out into the gardens. ************************ Venus closes her eyes. She clears every thought from her mind. A subtle, yellow light glows on her forehead. The brightly shining symbol of love and beauty burns through her tiara. Slowly and carefully, she traces the intricate telepathic links tying her to the princess. Her mind screams, 'Selena, if you can hear me…where are you?! Please Princess!!' Suddenly, a wave of gold spirals toward her. Venus's head flies back from the magnitude of its power. She lets out a scream of terror and pain. Then, the communication breaks. Everything goes dark and silent as she slips into the cool grasses, fresh with dew. In a dream, a glowing gold rose with silver tips spins before her. 'It's beautiful! But I don't understand what this has to do with…I contacted the princess, but as soon as I reached her, an incredible force blocked me out.' As she stared at the object, a realization struck her. 'Gods! I don't believe it! Is this possible? The only way this could be is if she was…' With a jolt, Venus bolts into a sitting position. Breathing rapidly, she struggles to bring her vision into focus. Upon finally remembering the events of the previous night she shakes her head. 'I was hoping that when I woke this would all just be one big nightmare. I guess I'm not that fortunate.' She places a hand over her forehead, hoping to relieve some of the tension. "This can't be happening. It just can't! Oh Kunzite, where are you when I need you?" She bursts into tears. "I'm right here." She shrieks as a figure emerges from the shadows into the fire-lit room. "Gods! You have a way of sneaking up on someone!" Kunzite smiles. The reflection of conflicting flames dance across the planes of his face. Seeing her tears, he takes a deep breath and sits next her on the large four-post bed. Kunzite places his hand on her shoulder and tilts up her chin with the other. "What is it, love? What's wrong?" He gathers her in his arms, cradling her gently. Venus buries her face in his gray tunic. "I …can't…reach…her." She mumbles between sobs. She starts to shake and cry even harder. "I…I'm…such a …FAILURE!" "Never." He whispers soothingly into her ear as he brushes the sweat-soaked hair away from her neck. "Who can't you reach? Tell me. I'll listen." Completely disoriented and tired she begins to ramble. "Well last night I tried calling out to her, you know, telepathically. And I…something…hit me…well not physically. It felt strong and very powerful…but I didn't know what it was. It just looked light a bright light. Almost like the sun…" Kunzite lowers his head and closes his eyes. He wears an amused expression despite trying very hard to concentrate and think. 'I had almost forgotten how she talks so much and so fast -and still doesn't make any sense.' He sighs lightly and looks back up to her inquisitive, yet confused visage. 'She looks so sweet and innocent sitting there…just like the little girl I had fallen in love with.' Catching his gaze, her cheeks color slightly and a soft smile makes its way to her lips. The world seems to slow down, getting ever slower and slower until time seems to stand still. They meet in a loving, passionate kiss. Farther and farther from reality, they fly as Venus weaves her fingers through his hair and Kunzite strokes the curvature of her back. 'Good God! Not again! I've got to have more control than this." His senses protesting madly, he breaks the kiss and brings her back into a sitting position. He shakes his emotions off and picks up where they left off as if nothing had happened. "So, do you remember anything else?" Venus struggles to regain control herself. Her face feels hot as with a burning fever and her insides begin to solidify back from the liquid goo they had just turned into. "Um…yes. I…I had a dream. There was a flower…I can't think of the name…a…ro…ro…" Kunzite stiffens and he can feel the hair on the back of his neck rise. 'Endymion, what have you gotten yourself into?' "A rose." "Yes, that's it! A rose." 'My God, what's happened?!' Desperate to know more he bombards her with questions, "What else? What else was there? Can you tell me anything about it? What color was it? Was there ANYONE in your dream?" She shrinks back at his insistence. 'Why is he asking me all of these questions. I don't like this. You sound as if your life depends on this. What are you hiding?' "Why are you asking me this?" "Venus, please. I need answers to these questions. Who were you trying to contact?' "You have grown into your part well. You certainly are the proud general." She looks down and takes a deep breath. "Very well, My Lord. I will do as you ask. I need your help as well." "No. Don't start this. There are much more important things at stake." "Like what?! You used to tell me everything, Kunzite. And now, when I look into those eyes that could never lie to me, all I see is emptiness. You hide your feelings and bury them where no one can find them." Indeed, his eyes turn cold. He casts her a glance that would turn anything to stone. "Look. I am not here to share my feelings. I have a mission to accomplish. You are here for your princess, aren't you? AREN'T YOU?!" He screams when she does not reply the first time. "Yes!" She snaps. The cold, icy wind blows in through the window from the darkness of a starless sky. Kunzite lays his hands on her arms and holds them tight and firm. "Now tell me what you saw!" He says in a voice of steel, every word cutting her to the bone. She breathes rapidly in terror and confusion that the man she loves, who obviously loved her not but a moment ago, could treat her so. "I…I saw a golden rose…it…it had silver tips…It was extremely powerful. I thought…I thought I felt the essence of Earth…" Kunzite let her go suddenly, causing her to crash back onto the bed. "Silver tips…My God! She'll stop at nothing…I've got to stop this, now!" He moves to leave the room. Gaining her stamina and courage, Venus runs and stand in front of him. "Wait! Where are you going? What are you going to do?!" He looks at her with eyes of steel - no love, no life. "I am going to return your princess to you. And when I do, you, as hell, better make sure she stays where she belongs." He exits the room in powerful, determined strides, leaving a trail of ice behind him. ********************** "Mars?! Jadeite stares at Kunzite in disbelief. 'No wonder she possesses such a great, fiery spirit…and what a temper! Nothing mild and tame about her…she is wild and free. No woman I've ever had makes me feel the way she makes me feel. I should have known.' He sighs. "Kunz, I don't care where she's from. I've never met anyone like her and I am *not* about to let the most perfect woman I've ever met get away now - even if she did singe my hair. I love her…" "I know." He places a hand on Jade's shoulder. "You're not alone. Look, I know this may be…well hard…in view of the past few days, but they have to go back." "It's not as though they pose any great threat." Zoisite interjects. The past few days had been a miracle for him. 'She's so mild and fragile…yet at the same time beautiful, strong, and intelligent. My blue-haired princess is the only other person beside myself who loves to discuss theories and philosophy. We stayed awake into early morning just talking in front of the fire…and doing *other* interesting things…She's like me. Someone *I* need.' Kunzite flashes him a stern glare. "We don't know that. There is a lot you don't know about the Moon Kingdom and its Queen." He drawls with loathing in his voice. "Then tell us." Nephrite says. 'I can't believe it. She's Jupiter…no wonder I could never find a girl I liked. They don't even compare with her - not even the stars in the heavens can come close. She's strong…a very worthy opponent…good with a sword…cooking…and in *other* things. I'm going to miss her shining emerald eyes. They hold such hope and promise. But I guess I won't be there after all to see her fulfill her dreams…even if I did promise that I would be.' "Now is not the time. We have to move quickly. Our first priority is to get them back to where they belong and then discuss the next move." They all reluctantly consent. "Meet me back at my castle and bring them with you." *********************** Selenity's skirts blow in the cool, evening breezes. Her back resting against Endymion, she stares up at the moon. A lone, silver tear falls down her cheek. Selena tightly closes her eyes, clenches her fists, and gulps. "Endy…" "Mmm?" "I…I…" Her voice cracks and she is unable to continue. 'How can I tell him something I don't want to hear myself?' Alarmed, he pulls away and turns her around. ""What's the matter? Tell me." He says soothingly as he brushes the hair away from her face. She slowly raises her eyes, brimming with tears and shining in the moonlight, to meet his. 'No. I can't do this.' Endymion frowns and sighs deeply. 'I knew it…it's too good to last forever.' He stares at the climbing ivy on the side of the castle walls. "It's time, isn't it?" He whispers. Selena nods sadly. "I wish there was a way I could prevent this…but…I just don't see how." She says starting to cry harder. He takes her in his arms. "I know. It seems like we live in a dream. But I think what scares me the most is waking up from this dream…" Endymion kisses her lips, salty from a flow of tears. "…One without you…sometimes I think that…" "Shh…" She places a finger over his lips. "It's too late for regrets. I know what I've done, but I believe that anything is possible if you truly want something. Endymion, I love you…and I always will." She takes his hand and threads her fingers through his. Endy leans down, tilts her head back, and kisses her passionately. He runs his fingers through her long, silvery hair and runs his hands along the curvature of her back, trying desperately to memorize the feel and smell of her skin. Breathing rapidly, he whispers in her ear, "Just…promise me…" "Any…anything!" She breathes as she passes her fingers through the silky strands of jet, black hair at the base of his neck. "Promise me that you'll return." She flies into his arms, burying her face in his chest, soaking his white shirt with her tears. "I promise…by The Moon itself, I swear it." He looks down at her silver tresses and rests his head on hers in between her two 'meatballs'. He smiles at her original hairstyle. 'God I love her.' "Selenity, I…I've never met anyone like you. You're so…so full of life and love…I don't know what I'm going to do without you. But…I do know one thing. Selenity, I…" "Selena!!" She whips her head up, her eyes wide in shock and embarrassment." Before her stands Venus, her face red with anger. Mercury, Mars, and Jupiter follow suit and take their place beside her. They don't seem pleased. "How could you…What were you…Are you out of your mind?!" Venus screams. "Your mother is sick with worry. Thank the Gods the kingdom knows nothing of your disappearance. You just left! No word, no nothing! You could have told me! We're here for a reason! When you disappeared, we all thought the worst." Selenity quickly stands. "But I was in no danger!" She pleads. Jupiter steps forward and comes up beside her. "You don't know that. *Anything* could have happened." Endymion walks in front of her, shielding her from further accusations and cutting words. "I would *never* let anything happen to her…NEVER. Leave her alone. She did nothing wrong." Venus stares at him, with defiance in her eyes. 'No. This won't happen to you, Selena. I won't let it! You will *not* go through what I did only to earn his hatred in return.' "You!" She cries, her eyes burning. "Stay *away* from her. You've done enough to disrupt the balance. Now do your part to keep the peace, and *let her go* home, where she belongs." "Venus, stop this. *Please* don't do this." Mercury feels sorry for her despite her anger. She walks over to her and takes her hand. "Selena, it alright. We've come to take you home." "No it is not alright." Mars states flatly. "Of all the idiotic things you have ever done, this one tops them all. Do *you* have any idea what you've done?!" "Mars, that's enough." Venus says, her voice shaking. "We can finish this discussion later. Right now, let's just go home." She looks back at Selena. "Come on." Selenity casts a sad gaze up at Endymion; he eyes swimming with tears. "I promised…I'll keep it." He moves to kiss her one last time but Venus intercedes. "Now, princess." Followed by the other Soldiers, Venus escorts Selenity back to The Great Seal of the Quartz Tower, leaving Endymion alone to watch his love disappear into the night. Chanting the words of magic, to whisk them away, Venus looks back with feelings of hurt and regret that may leave her scared forever. ********************** "I want to talk to you." Kunzite looks at him as he paces in a lone room of The Crystal Palace, his eyes blank, cold, and unfeeling. "There's something you need to know." Endymion narrows his eyes. "Fine. I've been meaning to talk to you anyway." 'This is not going to be easy.' Kunzite thinks. "Let me guess. You're a little miffed." He stares at Kunzite in disbelief. "Miffed?! I don't think that quite covers it. You've been acting crazy ever since Selenity arrived and watching me like my life is in danger. This isn't like you. Now what is going on?!" Kunzite turns his back to Endymion. He stares out the large window, looking beyond the cloud-covered, stormy night. "You know she shouldn't have been here." He says mildly. The anger leaves him immediately. Endy looks down, his eyes a dark, piercing blue. "I know." "Your mother never told you why The Sacred Law was decreed, did she?" His head snaps up at the mention of his mother. "What do you know of this?" Kunzite sighs deeply. "Nothing. I just…well…think of *her* She's from The Moon for God's sake! The punishment for breaking this law could very well be death! I have a feeling that she intends upon returning. If you truly love her, you will send her away and keep her there." Endy begins slowly and casts a penetrating glare at Kunzite. "Somehow…I don't think that is *your* reason for keeping her away." "Will you stop and think about what you are doing?!" He screams. "The price is the same for you! For the sake of this planet and all of the creatures on it, you *cannot* die! And you brought her *here* of all places. Earth is forbidden, but this place is sacred!" Kunzite's face is red and he turns away in anger. The Prince remains in silence for what seems like an eternity. 'It has always haunted me…I knew…I knew I could never have her forever…' The pain in his eyes is obvious. His fists tightly clenched and his eyes closed, he whispers in a cracked voice, "I …I always knew who she was." The general looks at him in disbelief. "Then how…why…why did you allow it to continue?" He asks incredulously. "I thought…I thought that if I could keep her here…that…no one else would find us…no one would be able to touch us. I thought that we could escape from reality and the life that the fates had deemed ours. I guess…I was wrong. Such a place does not exist…not even here…a place that only *5* beings have access to. Even now, I am haunted by not only the shadows of the past, but also those of the present." His eyes pierce through Kunzite, as though searching through the depths of his soul. He walks over to him and joins his friend's gaze at the outside. Placing a hand on his shoulder, he says, "And all this from someone who argued till he was blue in the face that The Moon Kingdom didn't even exist." "You can't fool me, Kunzite. I know there is more than what you're telling me. Even now, your heart burns with a great fire…but…there is something else as well…anger, hatred. Why? I don't want an answer at this moment. I will ask no more questions tonight. But I will someday. And I expect a good answer." He looks straight at him. "What ever it is, it's killing you! I can feel it. Don't let it! Fight it! You have a battle ahead of you - just as I have. I know what I have to do. I'm not sure if it's the right choice, but I guess I'll find that out soon enough…" Endy's voice dies down to a whisper until it is barely audible. Kunzite smiles to himself. He feels confident that he has won. Yet at the same time, he feels a that a wall has formed between them. 'Things are different…and…I think that they will never be the same again. Was I right to let Venus go? Good God…the way I've treated her…she would never…' Visions of the yellow haired beauty fly through his mind. He can almost feel her in his arms. Suddenly a harsh, freezing wind blows past his heart again. His eyes open; they are cold and dark. 'It's too late. She's one of them now. We've both made our choices. Now we must fight for our separate ideals.' ********************** "Endymion!" Selenity screams, looking desperately from side to side. She runs through the forest has grown unusually thick and dark and heads toward the castle. Upon reaching it, her smile fades and she remains paralyzed as she stares at the once grand structure. The walls are charred and crumpled from a great fire. It looks as though it had been abandoned several months ago. She passes through the once magnificent gardens. Every step she takes sends chills down her spine. 'Something's not right. I feel…something dark and evil. "Endymion, where are you?!" Selena whispers, feeling the lump in her throat swell. She looks at the ground to see a gray haze circling her skirts. "He's not here little princess." Someone hisses in the wind. Selenity feels a cold rush fly through her body and her breath grows shallow and quick as she slowly turns around to face the voice of her tormenter. She gasps when she sees the sight of the monster standing before her. Beryl smiles wickedly and moves toward her. "So, this is the mighty Princess of the Moon, eh? Well, I'm not impressed. I used to be as beautiful as you are once upon a time. And still it was not enough!" She curses and she sets fire to a near by tree with a flick of her wrist. Suddenly calm, she turns to Selenity. "But it no longer matters. Now I will have everything. Once *you* are gone, there will be nothing to stop me. And The Moon Queen will not dare challenge me!" Seeing the horrified expression on her face asks, "What's the matter? Do I frighten you?" She cackles. "Good. That makes my task all too easy." "Stay away from me!" Selenity turns to run but slams into an invisible force field. "No!" She pounds her fists on the transparent walls. "Let me go! I've never done anything to you! *Please!*," she begs as tears of fright pour from her terrified eyes. Everything begins to spin and thunder sounds in the distance growing ever louder and louder. She feels dizzy and her eyes close halfway as Beryl advances toward her. Her mind screams for her to run, to fight, to do *anything*, but her body fails to respond. She falls to the ground, her vision growing dark, and her hearing growing silent. 'Endymion! Please! *Hear Me!!*' *********************** 'HELP ME!!' Endymion stops and drops his sword. He stares straight ahead and places his hands on his temples. Jadeite moves in for the kill, but halts his sword two inches from his chest. "Got you now, haven't I? Have you grown tired and lazy, oh mighty one?!" He jests in a mocking tone. Seeing his far off look, he waves a hand in front of Endy's face. "Hello. Jade to Endy…Come in…" Still concentrating on a voice he had given up all hope of ever hearing again, Endy remains transfixed. He feels her terror and pain. "My God." He whispers so quietly that Jadeite almost misses his words. 'Please, let me find her in time.' "Hey, are you alive?!" Jade begins to worry and shakes his shoulders. "Endy?!" Still receiving no response he calls for his brothers. "You guys, get out here now!" "What is it?!" Kunzite calls as he and his two brothers come running from the palace. "Jadeite, what happened?" "I don't know. We were practicing and all of the sudden he just spaced out." Zoisite closes his eyes and concentrates. A faint, pale, blue light encircles his body. "He's looking for someone…the whole Earth…he's searching for her…" His eyes snap open and he cries out in pain. "What?! What is it?!" Nephlite asks, in a panic. "Pain…he's in pain. Then he blocked my link…he's blocking everything." "That can't be." Kunzite shakes his head. "His body functions are normal. We would know if anything happened to him. It has to be coming from someone else." Endymion's midnight-blue eyes fly open, revealing a mix of fear and anger. "No! Selenity!" He screams. He closes his eyes again and a bright golden aura surrounds his body. He desperately chants in an ancient tongue and disappears. *********************** Beryl quickly moves toward the fallen princess. "Ha Ha Ha Now you are mine, Endymion." "No…" Selena mumbles. "Please…" Her head flies from side to side with a desperate fever. The monster bends down and moves to place her hand over Selenity's heart, when a sword slashes her hand. Beryl screams and lashes back, but a forceful kick sends her face down into the ground. Endymion runs to Selenity. He takes her in his arms, checking her for any injuries. "Selenity, are you alright?!" Seeing her condition, he places his hand over her heart. His skin glows and it appears as though tiny pulses are flowing from his hand and into her body. She moans, her eyes begin to flutter, and she slowly opens her eyes. As soon as her vision comes into focus, she grabs on to him, holding on for dear life. "Endymion." She is too scared to think or act. All she can do is cry. "Shh…it's alright. You're safe. I won't let it near you again." His eyes dart, filled with anger, back to the hideous creature as it regains consciousness. "Fool! Whoever has done this will pay with more than their life. I will torment your soul for all eternity!" She hisses in a deadly tone. She floats to her feet and her hair flies upward as she calls to the dark forces. Her eyes glow blood red and she turns around to face her victim. She stops dead when she sees him. "Prince Endymion?!" She steps back, surprised. "Who are you?" He asks with a voice of steel. "A woman you once spurned." She says cockily. He can't believe it. "Beryl?!" "Yes, my love. So, you have not forgotten me entirely." With a horrified expression, he stares at her. "What's happened to you?" He asks incredulously. "I have become what I have always wanted to be. Finally, I will be worthy of your hand. And *nothing* will stand in our way. All you have to do is take my hand." He can't move or think. 'Beryl…what's happened…she can't be the one behind this…but her power…has something possessed her? Maybe I can help her." "Beryl listen to me. What ever has control of your mind, fight it. Let it go." Beryl's eyes narrow as she looks at him, holding on to Selena. "Nothing possesses me, my love. I now have the power and glory that I have always sought. That witch…" She points to Selenity. "She possesses your mind. Your every thought centers on her. Once she is gone, you shall be free. Now, give her to me. And together, our strength will grow ten thousand times over!" His eyes harden again and his voice grows deadly. "No. I don't know what's happened to you! Stay away from her, or I swear I 'll kill you!" Endymion stands, carrying Selena in his arms. The aura surrounding his body glows and he disappears. Lightning crashes in the sky and Beryl screams, "Noooooooooo!" *********************** "She's gone!" Luna cries as she runs our of Selena's bedchambers. "No!" Queen Selenity falls to her knees. "It can't happen again - especially not now!" She sobs. Venus looks down. "It's all my fault. I should have stayed with her every minute. I just thought that by now she would have…" "There's no use in blaming yourself, Venus." Artemis says as he comforts Luna by licking her paws. "I just should have known." She turns to the queen. "Please, Your Majesty, let me go alone. I think I know where to look." "No. It's not safe." "Please." The Queen looks into her determined eyes. "Alright." ********************** Selenity moans and opens her eyes. She recognizes the room she's in as Endymion's. She peers to her right to see him sitting in a near by chair, asleep. "You're awake then?" An unfamiliar voice asks her. She jumps and looks at the man standing next to her. He smiles kindly. "Don't be afraid. You're safe now. My name is Zoisite, Your Highness." She smiles in return. "Yes, I'm awake. Thank you, Zoisite." She looks at Endymion. "Has he been asleep for very long?" His face turns serious. "Yes. He needs to regain his strength." He says as he begins to walk away. She stops him by grabbing on to his sleeve. "Why?! What happened?!" "Don't worry. He'll be fine. You had quite a bit of negative energy in your system and he had to act fast. He healed you. It took a lot of energy from him. But he'll be back to his normal self very soon." *********************** "Kunzite." Venus nods her head in acknowledgement. "Why did you call me?" He says blankly with no emotion. Her tone formal and cold she says, "Have no fear. You know why I am here. I think we both agree that it would be best for me to take her home as soon as possible." "Yes. Come with me." *********************** Endymion stands in the doorway leading out onto the terrace, admiring the woman dancing from flower to flower. The rose vines weave their way in and out of the rails. 'She looks even more beautiful than before. I've missed her so much. I'm so sorry it has to be this way.' He slowly approaches her. Feeling his presence, Selenity turns and hugs him fiercely. "How I've missed you!" She says with tears springing from her eyes. He holds her tightly, on the verge of tears himself. He hates himself for what he is about to do. 'It's the only way. I'm so sorry, Selenity. Please forgive me.' He pulls away. "What is it?" She asks, worry in her voice and in her eyes. He stares at the floor and bites his lower lip. He clears his throat. "Selenity, I…we can't…I think you should go." "Endymion?! Why? Have I done something? I know it's been a year, but…I would have come sooner if I could have. Please! I'm sorry! Forgive me!" She pleads, the tears streaming down her hot cheeks. He clenches his fists and keeps his eyes cast downward. "No. It's not that. I just…Look, it's all for the best. Just please believe me. No matter how hard we try there will always be a barrier between us…" "She shakes her head and sits down in shock. "What are you saying?" She whispers. The pain in her voice cuts him to the core. 'No! This isn't right.' The conflict in his mind rages on. 'But today is proof of the danger she is in when she's here. I can't take that risk. I would rather stay away from you forever than see you die. You have no idea how close you were to death." With that last thought he resolves his mind to finish what he has started. Endymion stares closes his eyes and says harshly, "We can't be together anymore!" Her breathing goes rapid and she cries desperately, "But Endymion…" He shakes his head, still refusing to meet her gaze. "Please, Selenity! Can't you see how hard this is for me?" She stares at nothing. "It couldn't have been that hard…" She whispers in a trance like state, with tears welling unchecked from her sad eyes. "…You just did it." She steals a glance at him. He stands with his back to her now. 'He won't even face me. What have I done?! Am I worth that little in your eyes, when you've been everything to me? Do I cause you nothing but pain and grief? I love you. I'm such a child to think that…you loved me as much as I love you.' She wipes away her tears and says brokenly. "I will…cause you…no more trouble. I assure you…I'll not bother you again." Discerning her thoughts through their newly formed bond, his head snaps up. He faces her with eyes of fear and confusion. "Selenity! No! I never…" She holds up her shaking hand. "Please! You've said enough." She begins to cry profusely. Abruptly, she turns and runs out of the room, through the palace, and out toward The Holy Tower. She runs into Venus, who is accompanied by Kunzite. She flies into her arms. "Selena?! What's wrong?!" "Just take me home, please!" Venus looks up toward the stairs to see Endymion sitting on the edge of the rail, his face buried in his hands. 'I knew this happen. Damn you! How could you do this to her?!' "Come on, let's go." *********************** Endymion storms into his room, slamming the door behind him. He stops near the window. In a blind rage he grabs the nearest object and throws it against the wall. The fragile, crystal, heart-shaped vase smashes and the pieces scatter on the floor. He stares at them. 'That's what I've done to her heart.' Tears well up in the corners of his eyes. 'Go after her!' His heart screams. 'But how can I put her at risk? No! She loves me. She knows the risk. She takes it. And I would do the same for her.' "Damn it all to hell!" He screams and runs from the room. 'I'm such a fool.' He thinks as he goes. He runs outside, past the lake and into the gardens of The Holy Tower, where The Great Seal stands. It still glows from recent use. Not even stopping to allow doubts to form, he steps onto it. Endymion closes his eyes and breathes a prayer. "Please, Holy Tower of The Sacred Land, give me strength! Lend me your power!" The massive golden spire flashes. He begins to glow begins to fade. "Please! Though it is forbidden, allow me to go to The Moon! Please! Soon only a pool of rose petals is left in the creases of the seal… ********************** To be continued in Chapter 6… Did you like it / hate it? Send me all your comments at s2jemeko@atlas.vcu.edu. _____________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com Or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]