Deceived Love
Usagi-chan
Usagi@tuxedomask.com
I don't own Sailormoon or anything pertaining to
E-mail me!!

~~~

Endymion slashed down with his blade and dodged another
blade at the same time.  Raising his sword once more,
he swung it to the side, hoping to do some damage.  

He knew it was a rather futile hope.  There were too
many for him to deal with on his own.  He knew that, and
more importantly, they knew that.

He was stupid to get himself cornered like this, but
who would have thought a group of theives would have the
nerve to attack the Prince of Earth himself?

He wished he had some help, but he was in a relatively
dark alley, even though the sun was bright in the sky.
The people in the streets wouldn't hear anything, and
wouldn't go looking in dark alleys, no matter what time
of day it was.

Suddenly, the thieves were flying against the wall and
losing consciousness.  Endymion heard the sound of metal
against metal, but didn't have time to look at his saviour.  
Instead he made quick work of the men nearest him.

Once he had finished and resheathed his sword, Endymion
looked up as he caught his breath.  Standing at the 
entrance of the alley was a young blond haired girl.
She was dressed in white pants and a white tunic,
holding a sword casually.  Her blue eyes were wide as 
she looked at him, now covered in blood.

Immediately Endymion wished she hadn't seen all the 
blood shed, hadn't been a part of it.  For some reason, 
he knew such things shouldn't touch her.

"Are you alright?" She asked him, her voice sweet and 
light, like the wind itself.  He noticed that she was 
looking at him with concern, and slowly moving closer
to him.

"No!" He cried, holding out a hand, willing her to stay 
back.  Startled, she froze and looked at him in 
confusion.  

"I didn't mean to startle you...  I...  Just let me come
out, okay?" He asked, not sure of how to explain what
he felt to her.  She nodded, and Endmyion picked his way
over the dead and dying bodies of his attackers.

"Let me see if you are alright." She said, putting her 
sword in the scabard on her back and gently checking
his wounds.  Her skin was soft against his.  Endymion was 
wondering who this girl was.  She had seemed unphased by 
the bloody corpses, a thing rare in a girl her age, and 
her beauty was unprecedented.

"Who are you?" Endymion asked softly.  She looked up
at him.

"There are more important matters at hand." She told him 
before turning her attention back to his wounds.  She 
pressed gently against his torso and Endymion gasped.

"I thought so...  You cracked a few ribs." She told him.
"Your lucky to be alive."

"I know." He grimaced with pain as she continued to 
check out his upper body.  "I'm just lucky someone came
along."

"That you are." She replied before straightening.  "Come
this way." 

The girl began walking and Endymion followed her 
quickly, wanting to learn more about her.  She led him
to a small shop at the end of the street and went right
into the back room.

"Have a seat." She told him, gesturing to the cot that 
was pushed against one of the walls.  "I'm going to get 
some bandages and salve."

She left without another word, pushing the blue curtain
closed as she left.  Endymion glanced around the room,
unimpressed.  He was used to the far finer things in
life, though he insisted he was a warrior through and
through.

A few minutes later the girl came back.  Endymion 
studied her carefully as she knelt at the table mixing
the salve.

Her movements were graceful, with an underlying... 
something.  Endymion wasn't sure, but she reminded him
of a warrior of sorts.

'Like me.' He thought. 

"Lie back and try not to move when I apply this." She 
told him.  "But take off that armor and tunic first."

Endymion raised an eyebrow but did as he was told.  He
was impressed when she barely glanced at his chest.
Lying down, he watched her carefully as she applied the
cooling mixture.

Carefully she bandaged the wounds before gesturing for
him to sit up.  She wrapped more of the material around
his ribs tightly, holding them in place.  Endymion could
smell a light lilac scent, and he knew it was coming from 
her. 

"You need to be more careful." She told him.  "This 
could have been prevented.  You should have been more 
careful."

Her voice was firm and crisp.  Endymion felt worse than
when his trainer or guardians yelled at him.  He felt
like he should live up to her expectations, and wanted
to cry when he hadn't.  He had disappointed her...

Endymion shook off the feeling.  He reached over and 
pulled on his tunic before turning to look at her again.

"Thank you." He told her gently.  The girl smiled at
him, a smile that lit up her whole face.

"Your welcome." She began cleaning the mess she had 
made before turning to Endymion once more.  "Maybe
you should train harder.  You have technique, but
you lack common sense Endymion.  Life on the streets
isn't as easy as life in a palace."

"I realize that..." Endymion ran a hand through his
hair.  "I don't get out much though."

"Neither did I, before." She told him, turning away
again.

'Ahh...' He thought.  'A runaway perhaps?'

"I learned though, rather quickly." She smiled.  "I 
was just lucky to have the training and skills I have."

"And I am lucky for those skills as well.  I owe you
a debt of life."

The girl shook her head.

"No debt is owed.  Your gratitude is more than enough."

"I do, it's Terran honor.  Is there something I can
provide for you?" Again she shook her head.  "Then
I must stay with you until the debt has been paid."

"That will not be necessary." She told him.

"Oh, but it is." He replied firmly.  

"I would be better off without you around to call
attention to me." She told him.

Again Endymion began to think.  If she was a runaway,
then of course she wouldn't want to have any attention
drawn to her, in case someone recognized her.

"Forgive me for being so forward, but have you run from
somewhere?" He asked her.  She looked at him before slowly
nodding.

"Yes."

"Slavery?  Imprisonment?" He asked.

"Yes, imprisonment.  I lead my own life now, though I know
it won't be for long." She sighed. 

"Why not?" 

"People are looking for me.  Powerful people." Another
sigh.  "I'll hold them off as long as possible, but..."

Endymion understood.  They would find her, no matter 
where she hide.  There was nothing she could do, but 
maybe he could...

"Come live at the palace."

"What?" She asked, looking at him as though he were crazy.

"No one will look for you there!  It'll be safe, and
as long as you are on palace grounds, no one can take
you."

The girl thought for a minute before extending her
arm.

"My name is Morgan."

"Let's get going then, Morgan." Endymion smiled at 
the girl as she gathered her few things.  He noticed
that her clothes were expensive, and her weapons of
the finest quality.

'What kind of imprisonment did she run from?' 

~~
The two swords clashed, the sound ringing throughout 
the field.  Endymion circled his opponent carefully,
trying to break through her guard.

"Just give it up.  You'll never beat me." He spoke
quietly.

"Yes, I will.  And you know it." With that comment she
lunged, tearing apart what little guard Endymion had.
Laughing, she kicked his sword away and held her own
blade at his throat.

"I win." She gloated.

"Fine, fine..." Endymion sighed.  Offering her hand,
Morgan hauled Endymion to his feet.

"Go again?" She asked.  Endymion nodded and retrieved 
his sword.

It was getting late, darker colours having claimed the 
sky already.  Darker shades of blue and purple were
slowly removing all traces of pink and orange that the
sun had left behind.

Endymion began circling her again, knowing full well that
Morgan was a better swordsman than he.  He had been shocked
when he first saw her fight.  The petite blond easily took
down each of the sentry guards, pointed out their errors
in her sweet voice and somehow had them all praising her
quite fervently.

"Keep your guard up, Endymion." She teased him.  Endymion
stepped forward and began forcing Morgan backwards.

Unsure of what he was doing, Morgan moved backwards.  She
knew she could get herself out from any position, even
back against a wall.  That was a good thing, because she 
felt the stone wall against her back at that very moment.

Endymion had his sword held loosly as he looked at her.
Morgan felt herself get trapped in his smouldering eyes.
He was looking at her in such a way that she felt shivers
running up and down her spine.

Endymion was likewise trapped in the depth of her blue
eyes.  She was so perfect and amazing...  Endymion had 
to fight back the urge to just kiss her then and there.
He held back knowing he would probably scare her, and 
knowing that he was already promised to another.

Without warning, Morgan brought her blade up, breaking
the connection between the two and knocking Endymion's
blade away.

"I win again." She whispered.  Endymion was still standing 
close to her, and she could feel his warm breath on her 
face as he gazed at her.

"You always do..." He replied, moving even closer.  There 
bodies were touching and Morgan had a strong urge to just
throw herself against him.

'No!' She yelled at herself.  Deftly, she slipped away
from him and headed towards the palace.

"I'm going to take a hot shower before dinner." She called
over her shoulder.  Endymion watched her walk away from
him, and cursed softly under his breath.

~~
"So basically you want to know if its okay for you to 
have a relationship before you meet the Moon Princess."
Kunzite summarized.  Endymion nodded.  

"Morgan is so.. So..." He sighed.

"Perfect?  Wonderful?" Kunzite suggested.

"Yeah.."

"I don't see any reason for you not too...  Just make
sure she knows." Kunzite told his prince.  

"I don't want to hurt her..."

"They don't deceive her.  Let her know how you feel,
and what your circumstances are.  Let her make the 
decision." Kunzite advised.  Endymion nodded slowly 
and stood up.

"I think she's in the garden's now.  I'll go see if
I can find her." 

Kunzite carefully watched his charge leave the library.
It was quite apparent that Endymion was smitten with 
Morgan, the odd girl who had saved his life.  Kunzite
doubted that even he could go up against the girl and
walk away victorious, and they had never seen her mad.

Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to the
book he had been reading before Endymion had burst in.

~~
"Morgan." Endymion stood in the entrance to the small 
garden Morgan was seated in.  She was sitting on one
of the stone benches gazing up at the night sky, and
the moon.  Wearing a gown of fine white silk, Morgan
looked more noble than any of the ladies of the court.

"Endymion, you startled me." She glanced at him before
wiping a few tears from her eyes.  She hoped he hadn't
noticed, but Endymion picked up on everything she did.

"What is it, Morgan?  What's wrong?" He asked, coming
to her side and kneeling next to her.

"Nothing." She whispered, turning her gaze back to the
moon.

"I know something's bothering you.  Please, tell me."

Morgan turned back to him and gazed into his eyes.  He
looked at her, imploring her to explain to him how she
felt.  Sighing, she relented.

"I'm homesick."

"You want to go home?" He asked, and she nodded.  "Back
to your imprisonment?"

"It wasn't really like that..." She sighed.  "I was escaping
responsibility, much like  you do when you sneak away from
the palace."

Endymion was shocked.  He thought no one knew about his
nightly excursions, but apparently he wasn't as careful
as he had thought.

"Do you want to go back?" He asked, his voice soft.

"I want to see Mother again, and the others, but...
I don't want to live that life anymore!" Morgan
exclaimed.

"Then stay here." Endymion told her.  "Stay with me,
here, forever..."

Even saying it, he knew it was impossible.  There
was no way he could keep her here when he married
the Moon Princess.   She needed to go back, to go
home to her real life.

"I can't, Endymion.  You know that as well as I..."
She whispered, her fingertips gently running along
the side of his face.

"I know...  I just wish..." Endymion buried his face
against her shoulder and held her tightly.  "I never
want you to leave..."

"I'm so sorry, Endymion.  You never should have 
met me." She wrapped her arms around him, even
as she spoke.  The two held each other, late into
the night.  

Finally, Morgan released Endymion and pulled away.

"Our feelings do not matter." She wiped a tear
away.  "I must return to my life.  I've been away
too long..."

"No..." Endymion whispered, knowing she had to
leave.

"Yes, Endymion.  I'm so sorry..." Morgan leaned
forward and kissed him gently on the lips.  "Perhaps
we'll meet again...  Someday..."

Morgan stood up, leaving Endymion kneeling next 
to the now empty bench.

"Good bye, my love..." With that, Morgan slowly
walked away from the garden, and from Endymion's
life.

As he sat there mourning, Endymion never noticed the
night sky lightening.  The sound of approaching
footsteps broke him from his reverie.

"Endymion!  Endymion!  She's gone!  The Moon
Princess is missing!" Kunzite exclaimed.

"What do you mean?" Endymion asked sharply.

"She's been missing for several months now.
Queen Serenity has kept it quiet hoping for
the Princess to return, but she sent out the
four other princesses to look for her.  They've
figured out that she's on Earth somewhere, 
which is why they're finally told us." Kunzite
paused.  "Endymion, do you realize what this 
means?"

"No."

"You are no longer obligated to marry the Moon 
Princess.  You can marry Morgan." 

Slowly Endymion shook his head no.

"No...  Morgan left..."

~~
"Where have you been Serenity?" Mars screeched at 
the Princess.

"Else where." Serenity replied evasively.

"Obviously." Mars glared at her.

"You've been gone for months Serenity.  What
happened?" Jupiter asked.

"I'm so sick of this!  This babying and
coddling.  I want adventure, and it was
denied.  So I escaped to live it." Serenity
replied.  "And I did not want to marry 
Prince Endymion."

"Did not?" Venus asked gently.  Tears welled up 
in Serenity's eyes.

"I met him, Minako, and I...  I fell in
love..." Serenity sobbed.

~~
Several months later, Endymion slowly dressed.  He
looked in the mirror, and was surprised at the 
gaunt face that looked back.  Since Morgan
had left, he had done nothing but train.  He didn't
care about anything anymore and no matter what
his guards and parents tried to do, Endymion let
himself fall apart.

"Stupid..." he muttered to himself.  He was going
to meet the Moon Princess, finally.  She had been
found shortly after Morgan left.  Although Endymion
had wondered about this, Kunzite had convinced him
the two were not connected.  Morgan wasn't Princess
Serenity.

"Where would a Princess learn sword work like that?"
Kunzite had asked.  "And do you think a fourteen year
old Princess would be able to run away to a different
planet?"

Endymion had been unable to answer his questions.

Sighing, Endymion finished tying his bow tie, and 
pulled on his tuxedo jacket.

"Endymion, are you ready?" Kunzite asked from the
doorway.

"Yes." Endymion replied.

"Let's get going then." Kunzite smiled sadly
at his prince and friend.  He understood how
deeply Endymion had felt about Morgan, but
Endymion also understood his duty.  He knew
all along he would have to marry Princess
Serenity.

"The Lunarian Royals are waiting in the Throne room.
Your parents made excuses for your lateness.  You've
been ill as of recent, and are just recovering."
Kunzite explained as they walked.

"Have you seen the Princess?" Endymion asked.

"Not yet.  She had something to take care of, 
and will be here shortly."

"Since she isn't here yet, might I take
a walk in the gardens?" Endymion asked.

Kunzite sighed, but nodded.

"Don't take too long."

Endymion nodded and turned down a different corridor.
He pushed open a door and went into the gardens,
heading straight to the spot he had last seen Morgan.

When he got there, he was surprised to see the bench
already occupied by a young woman in a white dress.
She was speaking softly, but no one else was there.
Enymion turned to leave her alone, when he caught 
what she was saying.

"Oh Endymion...  It hurts so much to be here again..."

Endymion recognized the voice.  It was Morgan.  She
was back.  She had come back to him.  In three swift
steps, he had cleared the space between them.  He sat
next to her and wrapped his arms around her.

"Morgan." He breathed into her ear.

"Endymion!" She exclaimed in surprise, turning to
look at him.  When Endymion caught sight of her
face, he froze.  There was a golden crescent moon
glowing in the middle of her forehead.

A look of tragedy crossed her face as she stared
up at him.  He knew, now, she was sure, and she 
had no idea how he would take it.  She had deceived
him.

"Endymion, I'm so..." She began, but he released
her.

"Who are you?" He asked hoarsely.  

"It doesn't matter." She replied tearfully.  "The
agreement is off.  You are no longer betrothed."

With that said, Morgan stood to leave, but 
Endymion stopped her.

"I don't give a damn about the agreement.  I
only care about you.  Who ever you are." He
told her.

"No...  I lied to you...  I.. I'm so sorry,
Endymion.  We never should have met before..."

"Before?  Before what?  Before the alloted time?
There isn't a specified time to fall in love,
Serenity." 

Her head snapped up as he used her real name.
Shock was written all over her delicate features.

"Love?" She asked softly.

"Yes..." Endymion pulled her closer.  "I love you,
Serenity."

"Endymion... I..." She tilted her head back to look
up at him.  Instead of letting her speak, Endymion
kissed her.

"We should be going to the council meeting.  Your
mother will want to introduce us." He said, before
claiming her lips once more.  

Serenity melted in his arms, letting her own go
tightly around him.  He hugged her slender waist
tightly, holding her as close to him as possible.

"Serenity, Serenity..." He murmured into her ear.

"Oh Endymion..." Serenity sighed happily.  "We
really do need to be getting back, I suppose."

"Yes..." Endymion whispered.

"But I don't want to."

"No."

"But, alas love, we must." Slowly Serenity 
disentagled herself from Endymion's embrace.
"Let's got back to the council room.  Mother
told me to be back in a few minutes.  Already
I'm late."

"Tell me, Serenity, why did you come here and 
tell me your name was Morgan?" He asked, as the
two walked arm in arm towards the palace.

"I escaped, I ran away." Serenity replied.  "I
didn't want the obligation of the Moon Princess.
I knew of our engagement, and I knew Mother
wouldn't expect me to come here, the planet I 
wanted to escape.  I hadn't planned on 
running into you though.  Or falling in love..."

"And why did you leave?" Endymion asked.

"I had to.  I had to return to my duty.  You
made me realize that." Serenity smiled up at
him.  "Ready?"

They were paused outside the council room
doors.  Both their families were inside,
anxiously awaiting their children's appearances.

"I am." Endymion gestured for the guards to open
the doors and he escorted Princess Serenity
inside.

"Serenity!  There you are!" Queen Serenity exclaimed.
"I was beginning to worry."

"I see you met our son." The Queen of Earth smiled.

"Yes, your majesty." Serenity curtsied.

"You two seem to have hit it off."

"Yes, Father." Endymion blushed slightly, and
wondered if Serenity wore lipstick.

"Well..." Queen Serenity smiled.  "I guess you
two can run along and play, while we plan the
wedding."

Neither of them needed any more encouragement.
Arm in arm, they turned around and ran back to
the garden.

"Oh Endymion, let's never leave this place." 
Serenity sighed from her place in Endymion's
arms.

"Never, Serenity." Endymion whispered back, as 
he leaned down and kissed her.

~~~