MarshAngelMarshAngel
watsonma@hotmail.com
http://angelmoon.sinfree.net
rated R-NC17 
disclaimer: standard i.e.: no claim of ownership has or will be made
  
Touch
Chapter 10
 
Usagis eyes opened wide at the sudden change of light and temperature. The 
ground was hard and cool, but dry. She was inside. How did she get here? 
wherever here happened to be. 
She looked around. It was dark, but warm. Even with what little she could make 
out the room seemed familiar. Directly ahead of her was what appeared to be dark 
fabric draped along the length of an entire wall. Something about the smell of 
the room invoked a memory and she immediately remembered where she was.
What are you doing here?
The harsh deep voice sent a chill down her spine. Usagi turned her head around 
swiftly. 
Endymion, she whispered, not so much surprised by his presence as much as she 
was confused by the fact that he didnt seem to be at all surprised to see her. 
He sat in a plush dark armchair in a dark corner of the room with one leg up on 
his knee, an image of contemplative comfort. Her reaction to him surprised her. 
She simply stared at him, devouring every inch of the form she hadnt realized 
shed missed. Her heart pounded with nervousness and unnoticed desire. 
What do you want Usagi? His voice was cold and she recoiled from the harsh 
unwelcoming tone of it. 
I She couldnt quite get it out. Had she meant to come here? Did she bring 
herself here?
Cat got your tongue Little Bunny? He asked mockingly.
Please dont make fun of me. Her plea sounded pathetic to her own ears and her 
voice sounded childish and clouded from her sobs.
Then answer my question. Why are you here? What could you possibly want?
Usagi sighed, holding back a sniffle. She really did make a big mess of things. 
I missed you, she whispered. He didnt respond.
Ive been thinking, she began quietly, that maybe you were right.
Still, he said nothing. 
She got up from her seated position on the floor and walked over to the big bed 
and hopped up unto it, sinking comfortably into the feathery soft mattress. The 
bed was so high that her legs didnt touch the ground, she felt like a child, 
wringing her hands and sniffling quietly
Everythings out of control, and the more I fight the worse things get. I 
thought I knew what I wanted, what I believed Her voice trailed off and she 
paused, merely looking at him looking back at her intently but with a face so 
still she couldnt venture a guess as to the thoughts in his mind. 
Youd think after all those speeches I spouted about love and justice Id have 
some idea of the words meant, she muttered bitterly.
 I wasnt raised to believe in love. My motherthat is, Queen Serenity, married 
out of duty and my father died before I was even born. I wasnt raised to expect 
to fall in love. I was told fairytales, were just that and nothing more.
I think I missed out on a lot as a princess. I never had flights of fantasy, 
the dream of finding a handsome prince and living happily ever after, or any of 
the typical hopes and dreams normal girls my age indulged in. I had a fiance by 
the time I was five and my entire life had been planned for me. All I have ever 
known is duty.
I was feeling rebellious when I met you; I guess I didnt put too much thought 
into the plan to stir in some excitement into my dull, overly organized life. 
Even when it should have been obvious that being with you had changed my life 
forever, I always assumed that we would end and my life would go back to the way 
it was; I hadnt been raised on hopes and dreams. I didnt even imagine the 
possibility of a world where wed be together, where Id get to make that 
choice.
I didnt want to fall in love with you then because I was certain it would 
never last. I suppose it was nave to assume that I could just move on and 
forget what we had, or that I could completely control what I wanted to feel, 
but I tried. I was raised to be the one in control, the one in charge at all 
times and with you it was always a power struggle. But somehow I managed to 
convince myself that I never loved you. 
I guess I should stop apologizing for the past now, she said wryly. But Ive 
made so many mistakes. Ive lied to you and to myself. I guess what Im trying 
to say is. I love you. It was harder than shed believed but in some ways 
easier than shed expected. 
Ive always loved you Endymion. More tears ran down her cheeks and fell unto 
her hands as she stared down at them sitting in her lap. I should probably go 
now. I understand if this means nothing to you now, that maybe its too late for 
us
She got up and walked towards the door. It hadnt been the way shed come in, 
but her mind was in too great a state of confusion to concentrate on teleporting 
out when she couldnt figure out how shed done it in the first place. She kept 
hoping hed move, that hed even show the slightest indication that anything 
shed said had had an effect on him, that hed get up and stop her from walking 
out the door.  But she walked the entire length of the large room; past the 
chair he sat in, and towards the enormous double doors without a response from 
him.
Her hand reached for and began to turn the doors handle.
I wouldnt go out that way if I were you.
She froze for a moment before taking her hand away from the door without turning 
around. Those were not the words shed expected but it was enough to give her 
hope.
Why?
The palace isnt what it used to be.
Usagi was amazed at her own stupidity for not having recognized the room for 
what it was. This was Endymions room in the Earths main palace millennia ago. 
So much was the same but the feeling was entirely different.
She turned around slowly and only just managed to stifle a scream as she found 
him standing right before her. Shed never quite figured out how he always 
managed to sneak up so quietly. 
As if on his command her heart began to pound furiously. She had never thought 
for a moment shed be this close to him again. She didnt dare look up at his 
face however. He didnt need to see her crying again. Endymion nudged her face 
upwards however, and caressed her face gently, wiping away her tears. 
Dont leave, not now, or ever again.
He pulled her into a close hug, and she buried her face into the warm firmness 
of his chest, luxuriating in the feeling of his heart beating heavily against 
her. 
Ive been dying to hold you, he whispered. Its time you realized that we 
were meant to be together. Ive never lied to you so always remember when I say, 
I love you and Ill never let you go.
I thought you did, she sniffled into his shirt.
No, he replied and she could hear the smile in his voice. I was waiting for 
you to come to your senses.
I almost didnt but only a fool makes the same mistake twice and Im sick of 
being the fool.
He kissed her then, gently first but passionately a moment later, tasting her 
fully. When he released her lips they were both breathing hard and her lips were 
brightly colored and swollen. 
God Ive missed you, he groaned before surprising her by sweeping her off her 
feet.  She laughed softly.
I missed you too Endy.
He dropped her unto the bed and she bounced a bit, giggling happily. She watched 
delightfully as layers of clothing were tossed aside, leaving him standing 
before her naked as the day he was born. She couldnt help but stare and smile. 
He really had missed her.
He climbed unto the bed beside her, looking down at her lovingly, tracing her 
jaw all the way down to the line of her blouse. Have I ever told you, youre 
the most beautiful woman I know? 
Not recently, she replied.
Well Ive been remiss. I think I should apologize a bit too. Ive been a 
something of an ass. I cant promise to change however; I think I may be too old 
for that. But I will be making up for a lot of bad behavior.
Usagi laughed out loud. I think Ill enjoy that.
Im sure you will. 
He rested his hand on the far side of her hip and pushed her blouse upwards. She 
eased up a bit to let him pull the shirt over her head. He cleared his throat 
and raised an eyebrow when she was shirtless and he could see her breasts 
through the sexy, sheer, lace-edged bra that did amazing things for cleavage. 
The entire surface of her skin flushed pink beneath his gaze and her nipples 
hardened, pointing visibly through the thin, translucent, fabric.
I thought you said you were sixteen? he teased.
We can have sexy underwear too, she defended, understanding his implication 
easily. 
What made you think I was talking about your undergarments?
She slapped him playfully, but he grabbed her wrist and pulled her up against 
him.
Be careful, or this might not be as gentle as I planned.
I dont remember asking you to be gentle, she whispered huskily.
Remember you said that, he whispered as he skillfully removed her black pants 
and the rest of her clothing. His hands commandingly slid over her bare skin 
making her gasp and moan with the skill of his caress. He kissed and caressed 
what seemed to her like every pleasurable zone of her body with wild abandon, 
torturing her nipples and bringing her to exquisite climax with his hands and 
tongue. He seemed to know her body even better than she did and did everything 
in his power to make her scream his name. The sounds echoed in the cavernous 
room. 
Their bodies moved together wildly, hot skin against skin, the very sensation of 
their bodies against each other enough to make them both whisper and moan. The 
excitement of their coupling finally culminated in a synchronized climax. It was 
a while before either of them could speak. 
The next words spoken moments later however, were not the ones Usagi expected to 
hear. 
Marry me? Endymion put forth. 
Usagi was stunned.  Her body stiffened against his and he could feel the 
physical reaction his words had caused.
I I dont know if I can. She regretted the words. She wanted to, she really 
did but there were so many reasons why she probably shouldnt.
Say yes to this, he pleaded huskily kissing her bare breast. Say yes to us.
But
No buts Rena. This time its our turn. Duty has had its chance. Now we have 
ours. Just say yes.
She was silent for a moment.
Yes.
He was obviously happy with her decision. Now lets see if I can get you to say 
that a couple more times, he smirked at her.
 
 
Usagi sat up suddenly in bed, groaning slightly at the effort it took for that 
basic movement. Endymions hand that had been resting across her waist as he 
slept now sat heavily in her lap. She looked around hurriedly, wondering at the 
time. There was no clock, no light streaming in through the heavy drapes; it 
could be midnight or midday but she had no clue.
The only thing she was certain of was that she had to get home. She rolled away 
from her lover and off the bed. She winced slightly at the weariness and 
soreness of her body as she gathered pieces of clothing that had been tossed 
aside. He hadnt lied; their lovemaking had been thrilling, exciting, and wild 
but not in the least bit gentle. The proof was all over her body.
Endymion woke up as he felt cool air replace the warmth of her body. He sat up 
in the large bed looking at her as she got dressed. What are you doing?
I have to go home.
He rolled out of bed immediately and stood towering over her intimidatingly. His 
nudity didnt lessen his intensity; in fact it seemed only to heighten it. She 
was immediately struck by the feeling of being an inch tall. 
She could immediately sense the chill of anger that ran through him.
Your home is with me, Rena. His voice was calm but she didnt miss his 
meaning.
I know that Endymion but I still have to see my family, she placated. My mother 
is probably in a panic about my not coming home and my father she grunted. 
Hes probably harassing some police officer at the moment or something.
He was still angry. 
What? she questioned, quietly but not without already having a vague idea 
about the source of his anger.
So this is it? Youre just going to go back out there and pretend that none of 
this happened?
Of course not! she snapped back. But theyre my family. They are worried 
about me.
And when you go back there what are you going to tell them? That youve decided 
to marry your millennia-old lover?
I dont know.
When I asked you to chose us Serenity what did that mean to you? Maybe Im 
being unfair but I dont feel like sharing your attention again. Ive been down 
that route before. Do you think that you can be a part of me for a time and then 
just go back to your world and live another life? Do you think thats going to 
work for you, for us? Just what does marrying me mean to you?
Usagi was silent in consideration. What he was asking her to do was a shock to 
her system. It was finally coming to her realization just what she had said yes 
to. She had agreed to marry him, which meant she couldnt be a little girl 
anymore. As any husband would, he expected her to leave her family behind and be 
with him. It wasnt an unfair demand, wasnt that what wives did? But was she 
prepared to be a wife, his wife?
Endymion, I love you and I have every intention of coming back but I have a 
life out there too. I have family and I have friends. You cant just expect me 
to just disappear on them one day and not say a word.
He ran a hand through his tousled hair and let out a frustrated breath.
I understand that you want the best of both worlds but Im not sure if you 
realize that it might not be possible. And Im not sure Im willing to fight for 
supremacy with your sense of duty. I want you to be my wife, to be a part of me, 
and whatever comes we will face together. Maybe its unfair but I have been out 
of your world for a long time. I dont belong there anymore.
It is your world too, Endymion. You belong there.
No. I dont. Too much has changed. This is where I belong.
How can you say that? You were brought here against your will.
And now my will is my own again and I choose to stay here. I have a life here.
In the Dark Kingdom? What kind of life is that? 
He stalked across the room to the heavy drapes and pushed the folds aside 
harshly.  Light immediately flooded into the room and Usagis mouth hung open in 
shock. 
The Dark Kingdom was not the dark depressing place she had thought it to be.
How? she whispered, not quite believing her eyes. In the distance the sun was 
rising over lush mountains and green forests, birds flew through a brilliant 
blue sky and though the glass screens prevented her from stepping out into the 
crumbling balcony, she could almost smell the freshness of the air.
 Its beautiful.
She turned to him, a question in her eyes that she voiced.  I dont 
understand. She turned toward him with a questioning look. 
Its just another dimension, he replied. Its a lot like Earth actually, 
maybe its just a different dimension of the same planet.
 He could almost hear the unspoken question he saw on her face. Why would Beryl 
and Metallia make such an effort to take over your world when she had one of her 
own? He shrugged. Revenge mostly. This world had no intelligent life. There 
was no one here to dominate, to torture or kill.  She damaged a lot of it but 
its beginning to recover and so are the people who she brought with her, 
poisoned, and turned to her cause. The ones that survived her reign are 
beginning to wake up from whatever spell she had them under. 
And they recognize you as their prince again, she finished, understanding 
fully that the world shed left in death and he in sleep was awakening. He 
nodded. He stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. I ask a lot of 
you, perhaps more than I should. But I suspect you belong here even more than 
you do there. Ive watched you struggle. You know more about building and 
maintaining a kingdom than you do about geometry tests and literature.
Are you asking me to help you to rebuild your kingdom here?
Im asking you to be my Queen.
Usagis eyes went wide. A Queen? At sixteen she would be a queen?
Could she do that? Was she ready for that? When Queen Serenity had been alive 
had she been ready then? She had been trained her entire life for precisely that 
job. 
She leaned into him. I dont know if Im ready to be a Queen.
I believe you are, but if you wish I can make the honeymoon last until you 
are. She giggled a bit before turning in his arms to face him, her face 
serious.
This is a hard decision for me Endymion. I know I said yes to being your wife 
but I dont know if Im ready for all this; to leave my friends and my family 
behind for an entirely new world, with new responsibilities
I dont want to pressure you but weve been apart too long. Just be with me. 
The rest will fall into place.
She nodded in agreement.
I cant just leave them wondering. Give me some time. I have to go, if just to 
say goodbye.
She heard the quiet sigh expelled as she leaned into his chest. 
Alright, he whispered, holding her tightly to him before holding her at a 
distance. He kissed her gently on the forehead. Come back to me.
Usagi nodded and tried to concentrate on how precisely to teleport. The memory 
came back almost instantly and with a shimmer Endymions face disappeared and 
she reappeared in her bedroom. 
 She immediately sank into her bed, staring blankly at the walls. The pale pink 
walls, the beige carpet, the cluttered desk covered in neglected and 
half-completed assignments, the stuffed animals randomly tossed around the 
cluttered bed and floor, nothing seemed to have changed here. It seemed odd when 
in a few hours her life had changed forever. 
The sun had risen fully over the horizon and the light flooded in through the 
thin curtains. She got up and walked over to the window, pushing the curtains 
aside so she could see. Looking out over the sea of houses, carefully placed 
trees and streets, she was struck by how different this world was from the one 
shed just left. Just then her stomach growled and she frowned.
She moved away from the window and walked out of her room and down the stairs. 
It was still early on a Saturday morning. Even her parents wouldnt be awake 
yet.  She went to the refrigerator and pulled out a few items.
Usagi! 
The voice almost made her drop the bowl in her hand.
 Mom! Her mother was standing there in her robe looking at her with a near 
frantic expression on her face. She could almost see herself through her 
mothers eyes, as she looked her up and down. 
She hadnt changed her clothes, which were now wrinkled, from having been soaked 
and then dried. Her hair was an unruly mess, as much from her activities as well 
as from having been air-dried. As she looked down at herself, she saw right down 
her shirt to a small bruise, a love-bite, shed heard it called once, between 
her breasts. She fought the temptation to pull the neckline higher though she 
new her mother couldnt really see it from where she stood. She wondered how 
many more bruises she had on her body. She was sore in a dozen different places.
Where have you been? Ikuko demanded. Ive been up all night worrying. 
Hisahiko came back and said you just disappeared. The poor boy seemed to be in 
shock. We managed to convince him he must have been seeing things, that we were 
sure you just needed some time
Are you ok? What happened? Why didnt you call? When did you get back?
I. She needed more time to think through and formulate a decent explanation, 
to explain what she would have to say. 
Her father walked into the room just then.
Whats going on? he questioned. Where have you been? Why didnt you come home 
last night?
I she began again. She swallowed and closed her eyes for a moment so many 
questions. I have an explanation but I need some time. I have to organize my 
thoughts before I explain everything to you.
What in gods name do you mean you have to organize your thoughts? Kenji 
demanded. Whats so difficult about explaining where youve been?
I have something important to tell you but I need some time to think it 
through. Just let me go back upstairs and take a shower and Ill explain 
everything soon.
But Kenji began but his wife placed her hand on his shoulder indicating he 
should let her go. 
Usagi rushed upstairs to her bedroom and with a change of clothes in hand, into 
the bathroom. She stripped off her rumpled clothing and studied her reflection 
closely in the mirror. Her face flushed at the bruises on her neck and her 
breasts. She wondered if her parents had noticed. But then how couldnt they? 
There was an enormous hickey on her neck that was quite frankly, utterly 
embarrassing. 
She prolonged her shower as long as was reasonable. How could she say goodbye to 
all this? How could she convince them she was doing this because she wanted to? 
And did she really want to?
When she got out of the shower and got dressed she momentarily considered hiding 
the bruise on her neck but decided it was pointless, as they had no doubt 
already seen them. She pulled on some clothes and walked downstairs slowly as if 
delaying the event would make it less difficult. 
Her parents were sitting around the breakfast table talking. There was immediate 
silence when she walked into the room however. She sat down at the table 
For a moment she was stuck on where to begin. 
Well? her father questioned impatiently. 
She decided it was best to be blunt. I was with Endymion last night.
You were what? her father snapped loudly. How could you he had a hard time 
finishing the sentence, with that bastard? Her mother on the other hand 
seemed disappointed but not surprised.  
Dad please, Usagi pleaded. 
But why Usagi? her mother asked. I thought you said it was over.
I thought so too but I her voice trailed off. I love him. I always have.
The room was silent but tense. 
Please tell me you were at least safe? her mother pleaded. 
Usagi paled and then flushed. Of course they hadnt been. She hadnt even 
thought about it. She couldnt answer the question and see the disappointment in 
her mothers eyes. So she changed the subject.
He asked me to marry him.
She was faced with silence and the angry tensing muscle in her fathers clenched 
jaw as he tried to withhold the angry yell she knew he wanted to let loose. She 
sighed, quietly. It was going about as well as she expected, perhaps even a 
little worse. 
The last thing shed wanted was to leave them angry. She just wanted to hold 
them one last time, to tell them that she loved them. 
I know you think that hes all wrong for me but I really do love him. I just 
took such a long time to realize it.
You said yes didnt you? her mother asked.
Usagi nodded. 
You cannot marry that man! her father snapped. You are sixteen years old, you 
live under this roof and I dont give a damn what your extracurricular 
activities are; you are not going to marry him. Ill send you to boarding school 
before I see you with that man.
Daddy, this isnt your decision and I dont think theres anything you can do 
about it, Usagi replied calmly in a mature voice that said a lot more than her 
actual words. I might seem like a nave sixteen year old girl to you but in 
this case I can honestly say that being forty-five couldnt have made this 
decision any less difficult or changed it in the least. 
 But Usagi you cant be serious about this, her mother stated unbelievingly. 
You are so young and have so much ahead of you. Why would you want to restrict 
yourself in this way?
Its not a restriction Mom. For the first time in a long time, I get to make a 
decision for myself that benefits me and not someone else. I get the chance to 
do something that I want to do. Endymion is the man I should have been with so 
long ago. Just once I want to put myself first. Maybe its selfish, perhaps even 
wrong, but Im tired of sacrificing my happiness for my duty.
When I marry Endymion Ill be doing what I was raised to do. She turned to 
face her mother. You were right Mom; I cant be a senshi forever. I was raised 
to be a queen. Had I had my own choices I might have married Endymion and ruled 
by his side, as I am about to do now. I understand that this might not fit into 
what you envisioned for me but this is what I want. 
But sweetheart, Endymion is so much older than you. Youre only sixteen surely 
this can wait a few years, her father pleaded. He could see by the 
determination in her voice and tone that convincing her not to marry Endymion 
wasnt working.  
Weve been apart a long time Dad. Now is our time together. 
I dont understand honey, her mother sighed, frustration evident in her voice. 
What is it that makes you think you need to do this now? And precisely what is 
it that youre thinking of doing? Because if you are about to do what I think 
you are then I dont know if I can handle that. The tears began to flow and 
Usagis heart almost broke and gave in.
I am going to marry Endymion Mom. Tears spilled down her cheeks. I know its 
nearly impossible for you to be happy about this, but I really wish you could. I 
know you want me to be a little girl for a little while longer and you want to 
stay here and be all the things you dreamed I would be, but I have made my 
choice.
To be honest, I came here to say goodbye.
She heard her mother sniffle loudly and her fathers face had an indefinable 
expression. 
Youre right we arent happy about this, Kenji muttered, attempting to console 
his sniffling wife. I can see we cant change your mind about this, but where 
do we go from here? Are you just going to walk out of here and leave your family 
behind forever?
I dont know, Usagi whispered. A part of me wants to stay but an even bigger 
part of me wants to be with the man I love and his world is an entirely 
different one from this one.
Im not going to be your little girl anymore and come home to dinner every 
night. I cant make promises as to when Ill see you again but I will, I 
promise, but I have to go.
She pushed away from the table and walked out of the room. She didnt dare look 
back. Saying goodbye once was hard enough.
