Love and Desperation
Part 7
Author: Moon Sparkle
E-mail: lovablegwen@hotmail.com
Rated: PG-13



       The salty water was icy cold as it licked the High Princess’s small feet. The 
waves clouted her subtle skin as they reached the sandy shore, singing a soft mermaid 
song in her ears. Serenity thought about the tiring past three days as she walked on 
the beach barefoot, trying to soothe her mind and cry the pain away with the ocean’s 
calming cold water.
       How she hated war. She closed her eyes and painfully recalled the day of her 
return to the Earth Palace. 
       It had been chaos. She, the Prince and the four Generals teleported back, 
leaving an inexperienced captain in charge of the torn camp and its remaining soldiers. 
When they arrived, the castle was in absolute turmoil. Fortunately, the inner Senshi 
were not severely wounded and Queen Galia was safe, although in complete shock. King 
Hastol, however, was in critical condition.
       Serenity soon learned that the *same* troops that had attacked the camp at Trascar 
were the ones that had attacked the Castle. The War Association had been in utter confusion 
as to how the opposing force traveled so quickly. That was when Endymion and company had 
decided that Flapston did, indeed, join Beryl’s forces and was therefore granted with 
unlimited teleportation abilities. 
       Queen Selenity soon arrived at the Earth castle and decided to return home as 
swiftly as possible, accompanied by her Court. She and her daughter exchanged few words 
for the reason that Serenity herself was tremendously busy. 
       Against Endymion’s will, the Princess had taken her own seat in the War Room and 
surprised all and sundry with her sharp thinking. However, the members of the War 
Association did not appreciate her only because of this; although pressed, tired and in 
bad terms with the King himself, Serenity brought a warm light into a frozen room and 
her sweet, unperturbed smile made the old men (and only men) of the Organization beam in 
such appalling circumstances. 
       Following the orders of the Moon Queen, the training had begun once more. Six hours 
a day, Serenity and the four Inner Senshi fought irrelevant monsters and ran in the 
sometimes cold and hail of the month of January. 
       Serenity smiled as she recalled Minako’s worried and love-filled eyes when she 
learned of Kunzite’s episode. She literally picked up Serenity and kissed her cheeks 
countless times, thanking her repeatedly in the process, for saving the General’s life. 
As soon as she let the Princess go, Minako rushed to Kunzite’s quarters and chastised him 
for letting something such as terrible as that happen to him. Of course, her small lecture 
was followed by sweet kisses and promises of eternal love.
       Rei took the opportunity to scold Serenity for going to the military camp in the 
first place when she learned of the princess’s own incident. Fists clenched, she swore to 
be present when Beryl would be destroyed and very colorfully expressed how much she hated 
the evil female dog (expressed differently in Sailor Mars’s vocabulary). As for Jadeite, 
Rei took a good portion of her time to make sure that she did not leave a single inch of 
his handsome face free of her sweltering kisses.
       After taking a wide-eyed look at Serenity’s weary figure, Makoto made sure that she 
herself (not the cook) made the Princess her favorite food. She practically hand-fed the 
tired young woman before *ordering* Nephrite to carry the sleeping princess to her room 
when noticing that Endymion was not around. After the General performed his duties, he 
stole several sweet kisses from the Senshi of Thunder and Lightening before reporting to 
the War Room.
       As soon as things settled down and were once more in control, Ami confirmed that 
the new arrivals’ health was all right and carefully told the Princess not to do a great 
deal of physical activity before she received a good amount of rest. Serenity did not 
listen to Mercury, of course, and hastened to the War Room. Frustrated and tired herself, 
Ami sighed and turned to her laboratory screen. She gasped as she felt two muscular arms 
embrace her slim waist and she closed her eyes, knowing immediately whom it was. She turned 
around and smiled at the attractive blonde General that stood before her. Zoicite then 
*comforted* the Senshi before returning to work. 
       A heavy wave broke on the shore and disrupted Serenity’s thoughts. She let out a 
weighty sigh as she walked on and let the unshed tears slide down her cheeks. Her naked 
tiny feet were frozen, but she paid no heed to the stabbing feeling. Instead, she let her 
heavy mind wonder to the prince who had been working constantly to track the enemy and 
calm his people in his father’s place.
       Endymion had become further distant and she feared that the war was turning him 
into the Prince he had once been. Every time that Serenity tried to comfort him, to talk 
to him, he was too occupied with business. She had not felt his kisses since the day at 
camp and she missed their tender luxury immeasurably. 
       His twentieth birthday would be in two weeks, and Serenity doubted that he realized 
this.
       Her mind journeyed to Sailor Saturn and her visit. The princess had not told anyone 
about that night, but whenever she had time, she tried to figure out when Good and Evil 
became one. 
       Had it been when she healed Jorak? 
       Maybe.
       She *had* felt something strange about him…but could he really be evil? He seemed so 
young and innocent. 
       “I’m sorry, sweetheart.” Serenity whipped around to the familiar voice and her heart 
leaped a mile. 
       Endymion looked back at her, his eyes soft, for the first time in days, and attired 
in a dark uniform, without his armor. His raven-black bangs fell over his ocean eyes messily 
and he smiled softly.  
       Serenity looked at him quizzically as he approached her weary stature and bent down 
to place a butterfly kiss on her pretty nose. She made a move to wipe the tears that had 
been flowing down her cheeks, but he took her hand and kissed them, wiping away the crystals 
with his lips.
       “I’m sorry Angel,” he repeated under his breath. “I know it seems as though I have 
been trying to ignore you recently, but you’ve been on my mind constantly. I had to straighten 
things up…” His forehead touched hers as he bent down to place another soft kiss on her nose 
and she smiled softly.
       “I understand,” she whispered. “Stay with me tonight, Endymion. You need to rest. You 
haven’t slept in days.” She urged. 
       Endymion sighed and nodded. He looked up toward the majestic castle and curled his arm 
around the princess’ waist. He led her away from the water and swiftly picked her off her feet 
and held her in his arms before placing her on the soft sand. She giggled like she hadn’t in 
days and she felt her heart lighten.
       She looked straight into his eyes and bit her bottom lip lightly. He gazed down at her 
and she frowned as a flash of darkness darted through the liquid blue that rested in his 
irises. 
       Her heart dropped at the thought that he would leave again, but instead, he bent down 
on his knees in front of her and grinned before attacking her rosy lips. She shrieked 
delightfully and laughed as he placed loving kisses on her neck and tickled the sides of her 
tiny waist with his fingers. 
       Serenity knew that if anybody saw them both lying down on the beach…like…this together, 
there would be hell to pay. 
       She decided she did not care. For the first time in weeks, she had him to herself. And 
only to herself. She had missed him terribly and she wanted to scream and leap for joy as she 
felt his warmth comfort her skin, mind, and heart and the blue in her eyes darkened with 
passion. 
       He landed kisses ubiquitously on her face and neck and chuckled as she laughed softly 
in his ear. 
       The air was unusually warm and the stars began to jewel the darkening sky as the two 
lovers lay on the soft sand. 
       “Do you suppose we should stop?” Endymion asked between kisses. His breath was hot on 
Serenity’s cheeks and she kissed his damp forehead as she meandered her hands in his dark 
hair.  
       “No. Stay with me, tonight.”

* * *    

       He was beautiful, Serenity concluded a she gazed down at the slumbering Endymion. 
His eyes were closed and his long, dark lashes rested on his killer cheekbones exquisitely. 
His dark hair messily lay on his forehead and his full lips were closed freely.
       The sun had just begun to pour its ginger rays into the turquoise ocean as Serenity 
awoke to the feeling of Endymion’s arms around her. Although the Southern air was slightly 
chilly, Serenity did not feel cold. Instead, she felt warm all over and a soundless bell 
tingled in her stomach at the thought of the night that she had spent with the Prince.  
        A trickle of internal fear peered in her mind, but Serenity decided to ignore it. 
She *did* hope that she would not be with child, but as long as Endymion stayed with her, 
she did not really mind if she was. 
        She smiled and delicately began to trail patterns on Endymion’s exposed chest with 
a graceful finger. He moved slightly, mumbling something incomprehensible before tightening 
his grip on her waist and pulling her closer. Serenity grinned and giggled softly.
        “Come on, darling,” she whispered. “Wake up.” 
        No reaction.
        The ocean was calm and the wind was mild, when a loud, authoritative voice 
interrupted the princess’s futile efforts to awaken Endymion and Serenity’s eyes darted 
up toward the voice. It was heard from above them, clearly near the castle. Serenity 
strained to comprehend the man’s words.
        “Search the beach! It is where I saw the Princess last and I believe Prince Endymion 
went after her.” Serenity recognized the voice as that of Nephrite’s and her heart began to 
hammer in her chest.
        She carefully and very quietly repositioned the prince’s muscular arms off her body 
to his abdomen and she silently thanked Selene for giving her the logical idea of slipping 
on her silk under-gown before falling asleep. 
        “Endymion, love. Wake up!” Serenity whispered vigorously, gently stirring his 
shoulders. 
        He opened his eyes sleepily and smiled before grabbing her tiny waist and pulling her 
down into a heart-melting kiss. She struggled to free herself from his grasp and he looked at 
her quizzically.
        “We need to go. They’re looking for us!” She murmured in his ear, her finger pointing 
upwards. 
        He stood up instantly, pulling on the black shirt and jacket of his uniform on his 
powerfully built structure. Serenity followed, quickly slipping into her dress-like light pink 
robe, lined with swan feathers, which touched the ground heavily. She quickly and skillfully 
arranged her hair to look as flawless as possible and speedily intertwined her fingers with 
Endymion’s. 
        They began to casually walk toward the castle, talking and laughing softly, stealing 
a kiss from one another occasionally. They were both alert, however, and knew that they would 
be spotted rapidly.
Sure enough, Nephrite noticed them and suspiciously asked where they had been and what they 
had been doing. The prince and princess decided to appear very innocent and perform the 
what-are-you-talking-about pretense until the General told Endymion that he had to report 
in the War Room immediately.
        The two became serious at once and they rapidly headed toward the palace where 
Serenity’s court awaited. 

* * *
  
       “Where the hell have you been?” Mars asked angrily. She wearily sat down on Serenity’s 
bed and sighed loudly. Venus leaned against the balcony entrance, a smirk on her face. 
        Serenity didn’t answer her guard’s question. She began to change into a different 
dress and felt her stomach rumble, screaming for food. She closed her eyes tightly, letting 
the slight pain pass and commenced to furiously brush her hair. 
        She couldn’t tell Rei where she had been. She couldn’t tell *anyone* where she had 
been.
        Realization finally hit in and Serenity smacked herself spiritually.
        What if Endymion really had left her with child? They weren’t even engaged…she would 
lose her honor and her reputation would be ruined. Her cheeks pinked prettily as she thought 
about telling her mother of her actions. 
        But…she didn’t regret what she had done. Why was this so wrong?
        War. 
        War could ruin everything and if—and if she was pregnant and had to fight…
        “She was with Endymion, silly.” Venus answered Rei’s question. Mars’ eyes flew wide
open and she looked at the princess accusingly. Serenity didn’t meet her fiery violet eyes, 
but came to the decision of fixing her gaze on her reflection. How did Minako know?  
        “I am the Senshi of Love and Beauty,” Venus chirped, as though she actually heard the 
princess’s query. “I would know.”
        Serenity let out an angry breath and turned cold sapphire eyes to her two guards. She 
felt violated and uncomfortable when her best friends talked of her important matters in such 
singsong voices. It was her business, and her affair only. 
        “You know nothing,” she hissed, situating her long, sunshine locks in the usual 
hairstyle. Minako’s jolly expression melted away instantaneously, and a mask of worry took 
its place. The Senshi of Fire did nothing, but took a long, piercing look at her princess.
        Serenity did not look back into their concerned eyes, but pulled on her dressing gown 
instead and left the room. She decided to head to the War Room and become informed of the 
progress, if any, of the Terran Army. As she walked through the gigantic halls of the Royal 
Palace, her mind feverishly wandered from location to location and finally reached out to an 
occupied Endymion. His mind was locked and Serenity knew why: he was in the presence of his 
injured and rather displeased father. 
        The princess was acquainted with the castle quite efficiently by now, and she knew 
which room to avoid. Her pace faltered to some extent as she passed the Void Room (it was the 
name she employed for it) and an unpleasantly cold sensation journeyed through her veins. With 
a slight shiver, Serenity remembered the mistrustful and bamboozled look on Endymion’s face 
when she had asked about the room on her arrival.
       A silent knocking noise startled her and Serenity whisked around, a surprised yelp 
escaping her throat when she found herself nose to nose with the Guardian of Time. She cursed 
silently for letting herself be caught off guard in such a way and met eyes with Pluto. 
       Her expression was grave, as it was more often than not, and she held her long, 
powerful staff in her right hand. 
       “I’m sorry Princess,” her voice was glassy. “I did not intend to startle you.” She 
spoke her apology as though rehearsed (she was obviously accustomed to surprising members 
of the Royal Moon family) and smiled when Serenity nodded.
       “Oh, it’s quite all right, Setsuna. This must be noteworthy, what you have come to 
tell me, otherwise you would have sent Hermes.” Serenity remarked. 
       Sailor Pluto acquiesced with a trivial nod of her head and touched Serenity’s shoulder 
slightly, closing her cherry tinted eyes. The princess watched her circumspectly and waited 
until the Senshi of Pluto terminated her ..err.. whatever she was doing. Several minutes 
passed and Serenity bit her lip, becoming impatient. What was she doing?
       Finally, Pluto retreated her hand with a knowing expression on her face. The princess’s 
brow puckered somewhat and she waited. 
       “I had a feeling that this would happen.” Pluto stated lastly. 
       “What…what would happen?” the princess questioned, fairly perplexed. 
       “Follow me, Princess.” 
       Serenity frowned, but followed The Guardian nonetheless. After a few steps taken, the 
princess knew exactly where she was going. The room she hated most: The Void Room. However, 
she did not show her uneasiness, but continued to saunter with Pluto until they entered the 
large area. 
       It had not changed by any means. How could it? It was tall, entirely vacant and 
completely colorless. The familiar cold sensation made its way through her blood, and Serenity 
swallowed nervously.
       “Tell me princess,” Pluto turned wise, solemn ruby eyes to the young cerulean ones and 
gracefully referred to their surroundings with a refined hand. “Have you received any certain…
feelings when you entered this room?”       
       The princess swallowed again and gazed at the Senshi for a moment, a mental war ensuing 
in her mind. She surely could not lie to The Guardian of Time, for she knew everything and 
everyone. 
       Slowly, the princess nodded. Pluto’s expression did not change in any way; it remained 
blank and unreadable and Serenity came to the conclusion that if there was one thing that she 
was not partial to about the old, yet young, Senshi was the way she did not express anything 
on her beautiful face.
       “Two thousand years ago, when the Silver Millennium emerged, Selene appeared on Earth 
and cautioned Terratus, the ruler, that a woman of royal blood will bring about the fall of 
the empire. Terratus panicked and with the goddess’ help, built this room. It is bewitched, 
you see, and it is supposed to detect this woman of regal blood. The way it does this is by 
sending strange, cold vibes or feelings to this female and since the royal members who know 
about it are sworn to secrecy, she would not know of its purpose and would seek medical 
attention or something of the sort. However…you have not done that.” The Guardian explained.
       Pieces of a broken puzzle began to fall into place as the words dropped their meanings 
into the princess’s mind and her skin became the color of the whitest snow. 
       “A-are you indicating that I am this woman since I am obtaining these feelings?” 
Serenity’s voice was small as she articulated and her skin prickled like that of a goose’s. 
       How could she be the one to bring about the fall of the Silver Millennium when she 
was the one that wanted nothing but to make it flourish and expand?
       Pluto nodded slowly, her eyes filled with sadness and intelligence. 
       “However,” she began. Serenity hung on her every word. “Things that were not supposed 
to happen occurred. Good and Evil intertwined, and the Time Cipher has been disturbed.” 
Serenity sighed and nodded significantly.
       “I know…and I think I know when it happened, but I am not certain.” The princess 
remarked, taking notice that her palms had become suddenly damp and colder than before.
       Pluto looked at her expectantly, her rod’s jewels glowing prettily in the whiteness 
of the environment and Serenity felt her stomach rumble again. She bit back the pain and 
leaned against the impeccable wall.
       “When I healed the soldier at Trascar… I felt strange. His name was Jorak…Jorak Samson, 
I believe, and although he looked innocent…there was something in relation to him that I felt 
odd about. He was also awfully young to be a soldier. Is the age of seventeen not the proper 
age for males to be drafted into war?” The princess recalled. 
       Pluto nodded and not unlike the way that Saturn did, she softly and skillfully waved 
her staff in the cool atmosphere, making the Time Cipher appear before Serenity once more. 
The millions of multicolored symbols hung in the air and Pluto reached and captured one. It 
looked like a rune, a circular green and red character with silver strings entwined around it.
       With wide, soft blue eyes, the princess observed as the symbol hovered above Pluto’s 
delicate palm.
       “This is Jorak Samson’s rune,” Pluto said. “The strings entwined around it are your 
power…you were right.” 
        The Guardian seemed as though she was contemplating for numerous moments and Serenity 
let out a heavy breath. She felt another chill capture her dainty body and she shivered, 
placing her hands on her defined abdomen. Lastly, the older woman gesticulated at the 
plethora of multihued characters with a tanned hand and the Time Cipher withdrew.       
       “I need time to outline this…” Setsuna murmured.
       “How serious were the disturbances in the timeline?” The princess questioned quietly. 
       Setsuna smiled softly and looked into the pool of blue that lay in Serenity’s eyes 
solemnly. It was then that the princess first noticed exactly how difficult it must be to 
subsist in the senshi’s position. She knew everything; the exact moment when her loved ones 
would breathe their last, the exact second when a nation would plummet into painful oblivion 
and countless heartbreaking details that nobody other than her would know. 
       “Princess…you are carrying a child. This is definitely off the timeline.” 
       Time stopped. Serenity’s vision became suddenly distorted and her stomach growled once
more. It felt as though her legs were not in attendance and her balance would be lost in a 
matter of seconds, but Pluto softly placed a hand behind her for support, indicating her out 
of the unpleasantly cold room.     
       “Serenity!” Makoto’s voice was loud and clear in the quiet hallway.
       The princess turned around and smiled weakly, regaining control of herself. 
        “Mako! I was just talking to Pl-“ Serenity began, but as she turned around to the 
place where the Guardian had stood, she found nothing but crystal clear space. 
       “Serenity, we don’t have time to chat. Endymion and the Generals have been called 
into battle.”

End Part Seven.