Info:  In this chapter, the identities of the three strangers will be revealed


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E-mail: ml_eclipse@hotmail.com

Disclaimers:  Sailor Moon and all its characters and likeliness 
belongs to its creator Naoko Takeuchi and respective companies. 

<< >> = thoughts

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>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>    A Shepherd's Kiss    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<
==================== << By Cosmos >> ==================================


Chapter 8:  Heart of a Kingdom



The golden arrows from Aurora's bow pierced the pale mist of early dawn to 
reveal two lonely travelers riding toward a destiny they were meant to reach,
but of which they feared.  For both, their paths held pitfalls of treachery 
and deceit, sorrow and guilt, fear and loneliness, anger…and love.

Strange that love would be listed among those other words that contribute 
to the degradation of this world.  But as light is linked with darkness, 
life linked with death, and love is linked with hate; one could not go 
without the opposite.

Fate's actions taken against these two innocent souls might strike one as 
being cruel, or Destiny's decision for making them trek on such a perilous 
and painful path as unjust.   One must realize, however, that to truly 
become an admirable leader, all realms of emotions must be felt and fully 
comprehended to the finest detail so that understanding can truly be 
gained with the heart and mind open to all aspects of life.

Ignorance decay the soul as it prevents one from righteously discerning 
the truth of another's character, of a situation, or of one's self.  In 
order to surpass the perils poised in their way, they must experience the 
pain and anger of the world to come to fully understand what it was to 
love and care.  If happiness and peace were to be given to them freely 
without having to surpass sorrow and war, the true values of the 
aforementioned two would not be justly understood, and truly appreciated.  
It is pitiful that it must be so, but alas it is.

They have been riding since the early dawn before the sun has even 
awakened.  Their journey has proven to be tiresome as they could feel their 
bodies sag under the weight of fatigue.

Serenity could feel her back ached with incredible pain due to her stiff 
position during the entire ride.  His presence was felt by her with every 
minute of the hour.  Her continually apprehensive mood made her mind tired 
and her body dreadfully exhausted.  Yet, she refused to allow herself to 
relax lest she might accidentally lean back against him.  That idea was 
unthinkable.

His position was no better than hers was.  He could sense the uneasiness of 
their situation that constantly troubled his heart and soul.  He, too, felt 
fatigued by the uncomfortable position they were bound to until they reach 
Camp.  It appeared that they might not become any more intimate than what 
has befallen them now.

This knowledge greatly pained him, as his heart wanted her so much more.  
Yet, the great ravine that yawned between them appeared to him, as a 
barrier too great to ever seemed possible of being surmounted.  And her 
behavior toward him, withdrawn and indifferent, gave him little hope of 
succeeding even if he did attempt to overcome the impossible.

As it was, they continued the rest of their journey in uneasy silence.  
Each mind deeply occupied by the old pains of the past and of new ones 
freshly inflicted against them.  It would be a great surprise to her if she 
knew how much his circumstance paralleled hers.  Of the pains carried deep 
within their hearts, his rivaled hers.  Treachery and deception were two 
elements known not only to her, but to him as well.  Perhaps, that was what 
made them so perfect for each other.  Two birds trapped within the same 
cage.  But the way each handled their situation greatly differed.  He, on 
the other hand, has a far greater command of his emotions than she did.

To be in control of one's feelings was not to deny its existence, which was 
what she was attempting to do, but to understand it with a free conscience. 
Bound down with the guilt lodged deep within her heart, she was not at 
liberty to discern what her emotions were trying to tell her.  By refusing 
their existence at all, she fooled herself into thinking that she was in 
control when she was not.  This could only lead to greater confusion that 
would cloud her judgement and prevent her from seeing the truth.

On the other hand, he fully understood his circumstance.  He neither 
rebuked nor denied the feelings that rose in his heart.  For him, they were 
his guidance; a light that would always burn brightly when everything else 
was dark.  Thus, he gave himself the freedom to decide which path he was to 
follow.  No guilt or pity obscured his vision of what was right or wrong.  
No hatred constrained him to a single road.  All this he knew, and all this 
she must learned.

They reached Camp late in the day when the sun half-hid itself beneath the 
horizon.  As they continued closer toward their main habituation, Serenity 
could hear melodic whistles of various species of songbirds that were 
common to the area.  Behind her, Serenity could hear Endymion whistle in 
reply to those other voices.  <<Strange,>> she thought, <<what is he 
doing?>> The beautiful and haunting scenery unfolding before her captured her 
attention.  Such giant trees that the Silver Forest on the moon could not 
even be compared.  <<Amazing!>> she thought in awe, <<what beauty this 
planet holds.>>

Soon they reached Camp, Serenity observed with astonished eyes at the 
incredible scene laid out before her: Tall redwood trees surround an 
enclosed encampment like the picture of Sherwood Forest in a Robin Hood 
tale.  Large bonfires speckled across the dark campground, where pale 
faces of poor farmers and peasants gathered around together for comfort 
as well as for warmth, greatly contrast the strength and beauty of the 
forest encompassing them.  Their faces were ones she could never erase 
from her memory.  Haggard and mournful, these poor people must have truly 
suffered a lot.  Small ragged little children played barefoot around their 
tired mothers, ones whom seemed to have too much on their mind to even 
notice what their little ones were doing.

It was a painful scene that her dark blue eyes beheld on that first night.  
She could not have thought it was possible for people to look so depressed 
and hopeless.  Could her people look like this under Radon's rule? She was 
now more determined than ever to return to her home and win back what was 
rightfully hers…and free her people.  With this thought, it seemed hopeful 
that she might not be lost entirely to hatred, yet.

Once the horse came to stop, she immediately jumped down.  Her eyes still 
remained on the poor people huddling together close by the fires.  His 
words instinctively came to mind, "He oppresses the poor people of Earth 
to a point that rebellion is necessary for survival."  <<And I see very 
well what he meant,>> Serenity thought, <<how can anyone live under such a 
terrible condition as this? Whomever this King Darius is, he is a greedy 
bast-d!>>

Endymion got down and stood beside her.  While she observed the deleterious 
condition of these people, he was examining her.  He could see emotions of 
pain and sorrow for these poor peasants wash over her cold blue eyes, but 
he soon saw anger replaced them.  <<Anger,>> he thought, <<is that all you 
can feel?>>

"Endymion!" a familiar voice called to him.

He turned and saw a small slender form running toward him with open arms.  
"Hello, Diana," he called out with joy.

"I thought you would never arrive, brother," she cried with glee.  "What 
took you so long?"

"I had an extra burden remember?" he replied glancing over toward Serenity 
standing silently a distance away, her eyes still remaining on the bonfire 
and the people around them.

"So what is she like?" his sister asked him.

"I don't know," he replied solemnly.

"What?" she said incredulously, looking at him with wide blue eyes.  "With 
two days between you two and you haven't even talked to her?"

"I didn't say I haven't talked to her," he replied exasperated by his young 
sister's eagerness to be introduced to the stranger, "I said I don't know 
what she is like.  Besides, sis, one cannot be truly acquainted with a 
person in only two days."

"I know," she said looking slightly disappointed, "I know."

"Why are you so eager for me to know her, hmm?"

"I…" she replied, taken aback by his question and implication, 
"I…I…thought you could introduce me to her.  I just want to know her, 
that's all," her gaze fell to the forest floor where she dug the toe of 
her worn shoe into the decomposing leaves.

"Then you will have plenty of time to be introduced to her," her brother 
replied cheerfully.

"Welcome back Endymion," a soft voice whispered to him a small distance 
behind Diana.  "I really missed you."

His attention fell upon a young woman a year Serenity's senior, with 
waist-length auburn hair that flowed around her like satin in the wind.  
Her dark gray eyes gazed at him with a strange light that made him wary of 
her intentions.  "It's nice to see you, too, Faith," he replied in a 
friendly tone.  "I'd like you both to meet someone," he continued as he 
turned to go over to Serenity.

Faith observed with narrowed eyes the beautiful young woman Endymion slowly 
led toward them.  The stranger has long silver hair, a color of which she 
has never beheld upon any head, that shone magnificently under the rosy 
light of the great bonfires.  The woman's tall slender form was adequately 
revealed beneath the dull brown uniform she wore, enough to indicate a 
physical beauty that surpassed her own.  As the foreigner was led closer 
toward them, Faith watched with ever heightened emotion at the peculiarity 
in the glances Endymion gave the stranger.  <<He spent two days alone with 
her?>> Faith thought, feeling a strong emotion of sudden dislike to the 
other woman…an emotion that could very well be called jealousy.

"Diana, Faith," Endymion began, "I'd like you to meet Serenity."  Turning 
to Serenity he said, "Serenity, this is my sister Diana, and my friend 
Faith."

Faith winced slightly by the word "friend".  Serenity noticed this.

"Nice to meet you Serenity!" Diana stuck out her hand in enthusiasm and 
friendliness.

Serenity could not help but smile inwardly at the younger girl's 
cheerfulness, whom of which she guessed to be fifteen.  However, that smile
never reached her lips.  "The pleasure is all mine," she replied politely
shaking her hand warmly, and turning to the older woman beside her 
said with the same tone, "And I am glad to meet you too."

Faith replied with a smile Serenity could very well see through, "Likewise."
She saw Serenity's eyes ice over with a coldness that Faith found herself 
fearing.  She suddenly questioned whether it was wise to make enemy 
with this person, but her jealousy soon got the better of her and such 
doubt was quickly erased from her mind.

The cold response she received made Serenity feel a sudden dislike to the 
girl known as Faith.  She was not sure why this young woman would have any 
arguments against her, since they have never met before.  <<Perhaps, there 
was another reason,>> Serenity thought.  <<Whatever it is, though, she sure 
does not give me credit to fully introduce myself.  It is best, I think, to 
watch her carefully for it appears that I have already gained an enemy 
where a friend is lacking.>>

Once they were introduced, Faith quickly grabbed Endymion's arm from 
Serenity and said in a childish voice, "Come on Endymion, I have something 
to show you."

"Well," Endymion said hesitatingly, "perhaps later Faith.  I have to 
introduce Serenity to the others and show her around our dwelling to 
accustom her first.  Once I get her settled down, I'll go see what it is you 
have to present, alright?"

Faith made no reply.  Serenity watched the older woman's reaction warily.
Cautious of her vulnerable circumstance, Serenity wanted to avoid creating
anymore ill feelings, thus she said, "It is quite alright.  I can find my 
way around just find," and she began to stroll away from the party.

"Wait Serenity!" Diana called, "I'll come with you."

Endymion watched with solemn eyes as the two walked off toward the center 
of the encampment.  He sighed inwardly and reluctantly allowed Faith to 
steer him wherever her surprise was, which he soon realized was a vegetable 
garden she managed to produce in the poor forest soil.

"Well," Diana began, "what do you think?"

"About what?" Serenity replied indifferently.

Diana looked at the young woman in surprise.  Her personality was not 
what she had expected.  She had never met someone who looked so forlorn and 
sad, but at the same time sounded so cold.  "Our Camp," Diana said again, 
this time some of her cheeriness was gone from her voice.

"It is something I have never seen," Serenity admitted admiringly.  "The 
forest is magnificent, but the people…are so…"

"Defeated?" Diana finished for her in a soft sympathetic tone.

Serenity looked down at the young girl and asked, "Tell me, are all of you 
part of this rebellion?"

Diana remained silent for a moment then she replied in a solemn voice, "I 
see that my brother has told you about Era.  No, not all of us here are 
part of the rebellion.  Those you see by the fires are simply poor 
peasants, farmers, and merchants who were driven from their home in fear 
and are now seeking refuge among us.  I will introduce you to our soldiers.  
Perhaps it is best to start by letting you now that I am one of them."

"Is," and Serenity hesitated slightly before continuing, "Faith part of 
Era?"

"No," Diana replied, "Faith is a daughter of a farmer somewhere over the 
mountains to the West.  She was hunted by Green soldiers for reasons we are 
unsure of, but now she is hiding here with us."

"I see," Serenity said thoughtfully.  Suddenly she remembered that Hotaru 
was brought here as well.  Her next question was to inquire into her 
whereabouts, "Would you happen to know if a young girl by the name of…"

"Hotaru?" Diana quickly interrupted.

"Yes," Serenity said in an astonished voice, "how did you know I was asking 
about her?"

"Because I helped brought her here, along with two of my friends."

"So you are one of the three strangers that captured us?"

"I should think that we had freed you, Serenity."

"Perhaps," Serenity replied in a strange tone.

Silence resided between them for a short moment as Diana led her to where 
Hotaru was abiding.  Suddenly, the young girl commented, "Now I see why my 
brother said he doesn't know you."

"Oh?" Serenity asked with curiosity, "And what could he have meant by 
saying that?"

"There are many mysteries surrounding you, Serenity," Diana replied, her 
openness and ease of talk surprised Serenity, "I can see a lot of pain in 
your eyes, but none in your outward expression.  You are like a sleeping 
volcano surrounded by ice."

Serenity made no more replies as astonishment washed over her by the words 
escaping from such young lips.  Could others see so clearly into her soul? 
But why couldn't she?

"Serenity!" a young voice called joyfully breaking her train of thought.

She looked up and saw Hotaru dashing for her in the very same slippers she 
had given her many months before.  A joyous feeling washed over her, and 
Serenity bent down with open arms to gather the frail child into her arms 
and swung her around in circles.  The still air rang with their laughter as 
these old friends were brought together once again.

Having fully seen the incredible vegetable garden, Endymion was walking 
toward them when Serenity's laughter reached his ears and made him stop.  
He stood there, quite distant from them, watching her twirl Hotaru around 
while their laughter intruded the silent atmosphere of the forest.  Many 
other solemn faces turned to watch the strange silver maiden and her young 
companion rejoice in a joy they wished they could have a share into.  His 
gaze softened to a light blue hue as he saw how happiness became her.  
Momentarily, her eyes were the color of a bright sunny sky, which lit up the
rest of her face with its radiant smile, so rare in appearance as seemed a 
truly valuable treasure.  There was only one thing that he yearned at the 
moment, he only wished she could have saved one of those brilliant smiles 
for him.  With a heavy heart, he continued toward them.

She saw his arrival from the corners of her eyes, and this brought all 
excitement to a halt.  She placed Hotaru down beside her as she turned to 
face him with a completely different expression than the one he had seen 
only seconds before.  Unexpected, Hotaru ran toward him with open arms as 
she cried cheerfully, "Endymion!"

He smiled at her with a warm expression that lit up his handsome face, and 
one that did not go unnoticed by Serenity.  He bent down to embrace the 
young child in a friendly hug.  His husky laughter filled the air where 
hers once was.  Serenity silently watched the affectionate scene before 
her with eyes inexperienced to seeing such compassion.  A prickle of warmth 
pierced her isolated heart, but she ignored it.

"I told you I'd take care of her," he told Hotaru with the intention of 
being heard by Serenity.  He looked up to see a surprise, and slightly 
flushed, face as a response.

"So," he began to ask Serenity, "have you been introduced to the others 
yet?"

"Nope," his sister replied instead, "I was just about to, though."

"I see," he said solemnly with his gaze still upon Serenity's face.  She 
gave him an arcane expression but quickly turned and looked away.  He 
continued thereafter, "Well, sis, since you were about to introduce the 
others, I think it'd be best you should continue.  I will see you all later 
at dinner."

Serenity turned in time to see his receding back disappear behind a large 
tree trunk.  Hotaru looked up to witness a strange light glow in her eyes 
as she gazed in his direction.  <<Hmm,>> Hotaru thought.

"Come on, Serenity," Diana said, "the Soldier's Fire is over here."

"Soldier's Fire?" she asked in bewilderment.

"That's where all Era soldiers gather," Hotaru explained helpfully, "Don't 
worry, Serenity, they are really nice."

Serenity laughed softly, "Thank you for the assurance, Hotaru."

The Soldier's Fire soon came into view with all its unbelievable majesty.  
It was a large bonfire that burned with a phenomenally strange blue flame, 
unlike the orange-red of ordinary fires.  There were many soldiers gathered 
around it, chatting away merrily as if this was a simple outdoor party, not 
a military meeting place.  However, upon closer observation, Serenity could 
see worn faces with eyes that have seen many battles and knew a lot of 
pain.  Upon their entry, all grew silent as their hard, analytical eyes 
were placed on the new stranger.  She felt herself examined like a piece 
of meet hung out in a market.  She felt greatly angered by such offensive 
gestures that she returned each gaze as cold as she received them.

Diana noticed Serenity's changed of expression and quickly said, "Don't be 
offended by their looks, Serenity.  Being rebel soldiers, you must 
understand that we are suspicious of all newcomers.  Once they come to 
trust you, though, friendship is not far behind."

"I am not here to gain a friend," Serenity replied coldly.  "But it seems
that we have a commonality after all."

"Really?" Diana replied, her tone unchanged by Serenity's coldness, "and 
what would that be?"

"I don't trust anyone either."

Diana remained silent for a moment before replying, "You have to place 
your trust in someone, Serenity," and she paused for a moment, "and these 
people are your best bet.  They may seem wary of your presence initially, 
but as any soldiers we are cautious.  Yet, behind every hard face, lies a 
heart that is as pure as any heart can be.  You must see them for who they 
are, not what they appear to be," she paused again then added, "as I see 
you."

Serenity looked at Diana with a surprised expression.  She returned her 
shocked gaze with a friendly smile, which Serenity quickly looked away with 
shame.  <<Am I judging these people wrong?>> she thought to herself as 
she placed her attention on the soldiers once again.  For many years she 
had considered the entire world against her, and so far they have proven to 
be against her, until now.  These people, these unknown strangers…their 
expressions were cold like hers, but their eyes were warm.  <<What am I 
doing?>> she thought in confusion, <<What am I feeling? What should I 
feel?>>

Suddenly, a small warm hand took hold of her cold ones.  She looked down 
in surprise to see Hotaru holding onto her with a knowing expression deep 
within her violet eyes.  Her eyes almost seemed to say, "Trust them, 
Serenity.  Trust in your heart and trust them."

The hours rolled away as one-by-one they were introduced to each other.  
Serenity soon discovered that there were only three battalions here, each 
comprising of only twenty soldiers dressed in very simple navy-blue 
uniforms, led by a single commanding officer distinguished by a single gold 
star over the heart.

Shortly thereafter, she was introduced to the commanding officers, which 
she discovered were her earlier captors: Haruka and Rei (Diana introduced 
herself again as the third officer).  The first officer eyed her with 
solemn misty-blue eyes that held a fiery challenge to its glare.  Serenity 
met the challenge without so much as a flinch.  Soon Haruka's expression 
softened to admiration of the stranger's strength and boldness.  Most 
other newcomers usually cower under her glare, but here was a girl that 
would give her blood-for-blood if she asked for it.  
<<I have a feeling,>> Haruka thought, <<that she would be a great 
challenge.>>

It took Serenity many days before she could fully understand the intrinsic 
nature of these officers.  Diana, she soon found, was a joyful person, but 
one who spoke her mind.  Initially, Serenity felt offended by certain 
things she said, but soon realized that it was in Diana's character to say 
what she believed in whether her companion would be offended or not.  With 
a person like her, Serenity realized that all her words should be taken as 
a great advice since she did not withheld anything and all was spoken with 
a high degree of sincerity.

Haruka was a character that was harder to understand.  Much like herself, 
this older woman of twenty-two, was a person of little words, a lot of 
hidden emotions, and a cold appearance.  Nonetheless, Serenity soon 
discovered that deep down, she was a caring person, but whom does not 
want others to know that she has a soft side.  She liked to see others 
fear her, not warm up to her in a sappy way.  Serenity later learned that 
Haruka was the best fighting officer of the three.  And indeed, she saw the 
proofs during training.  Secretly, Serenity decided to find a way to have 
this great officer help her improve her fighting skills in preparation for 
a mission she has yet to fulfill.

The last unmentioned officer, Rei, was a priestess with incredible psychic 
ability and a phenomenal power over fire.  The Soldier's Fire was her 
creation.  It acted not as a source of warmth, as Serenity later discovered, 
but as an oracle from which military strategies were guided.

During the first few days she spent with this strange, but awe-inspiring, 
group of rebels, Serenity came to fully understood the terrible situation 
that Earth has been succumbed to, and of the mission these brave Earth 
soldiers try with desperate hope to win for their beloved planet and 
people.  It did not take her long to realize that what this beautiful 
ancient forest was protecting was not simply a camp of rebels and poor 
peasants, but a group of people that were truly the heart of this Kingdom.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Chapter nine coming next week!  "Breach of Faith"

<<Cosmos 2000>>