Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Shitennou ❯ Engagement ( Chapter 8 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

The Stone is one of my all time favorite songs. I highly recommend it! Sorry, sorry, sorry it has taken me so long to get this chapter up. I have had all kinds of chaos in the past month and I apologize. I promise both chapters 8 and 9 will be up this week! Maybe even more...we'll see where inspiration takes me. Also this chapter borders a little on an R rating. Just be warned.

I do not own the characters or stories of Naoko Takeuchi. They are hers. I'm just borrowing them for a story.

Chapter 8: Engagement

I've this creeping, suspicion that things here are not as they seem.
Reassure me, oh why do I feel as if I'm in too deep.
Now I've been praying, for some way to show them I'm not what they see.
Yes I have done wrong, but what I did I thought needed be done, I swear.

Now I'm just wondering if you'd come a-long.
Hold up my head when my head won't hold on.
I'll do the same if the same's what you want,
but if not I'll go, I'll go alone.

-- Dave Matthews Band, The Stone

Mina huffed along to her room. She walked into her bathroom and started the hot water. This was what she needed. For once, the leader of the inner senshi needed some space. Things had been happening so quickly and she had no way of controlling it - something she was very used to doing. Her thoughts turned to her Princess…Venus was secretly glad that Prince Endymion had become the champion for her silver haired liege. Venus suspected that Endymion would be willing to lay down his life for Serenity. She wondered how long it would be before they become betrothed.

Finally turning off the water, Venus reached for a big fluffy orange towel. Wrapping herself in it, she pondered what to wear. Suddenly there was a knock at the door. Of all the times…

“Mina?” The Venusian froze. She recognized that voice anywhere. Maybe if she was very still, he would go away.

“Mina, Endymion is about to make a big announcement, he wants you there,” said Kunzite through the door, “I'll escort you there.”

“I just got out of the shower. Just go ahead without me.”

She's naked in there!!! Kunzite tried to shake a number of highly inappropriate thoughts from his head, “No, it's quite alright, I'll wait,” he said gruffly.

On the other side of the door Mina rolled her eyes. Men… Then a thought popped into her head. She didn't know how it got there, but found herself blurting out, “Remember the promise you made me?! After I transformed the first time you told me I could get a look at you…” Mina blushed. She knew that this flirty comment was probably her Venusian heritage coming out, but she couldn't take the comment back.

What?!!! Still a General never goes back on his word, Kunzite smiled,and this monkey suit is getting annoying. “Fine. But I'm not undressing in the hall. I'm coming in.”

Before Mina could do much of anything, Kunzite burst through the doors. He was surprised to find Mina wearing nothing but a fluffy towel. How could anyone's legs be that long?! The sound of Mina's voice shook Kunzite from his staring, “Hello, Kunzite? If Endymion has a big announcement, you'd better make this…quick,” Mina smirked at her double entendre. Kunzite began to unbutton his collar, knowing he had nothing to hide. He knew that he wasn't horrible to look at, and it wasn't as though he had never gotten a look a Mina. Mina took a seat on her bed and made a big show of getting comfortable. This is how it's supposed to be. I've never had a relationship where I wasn't the one in charge.

Kunzite grumbled, “Can you turn around? I'll let you know when I'm ready.”

Mina obliged. This is better than the time I convinced that Venusian Duke to go skinny-dipping and promptly left him alone and naked in the water.

“Ready,” Kunzite said, regretting it instantly. There was no way for him to hide the fact that he was, largely attracted, to Mina.

Mina turned around, a tart reply on her tongue. It froze in her mouth. He was simply the most beautiful man she had ever seen. She doubted if there was one inch of fat anywhere on his muscular, tanned body. Mina knew her anatomy, as she had been raised on a very immodest planet, but the sight of Kunzite took her breath away. It was in that moment; Mina knew she had been acting childish. Life was too short to hold a grudge or ignore your deepest feelings and you never knew what the next moment was going to bring, “Come and sit next to me,” she requested. Kunzite walked as if under a spell. Sitting next to her, “I think the Prince is going to have to wait awhile,” he said huskily.

“Maybe even until the morning?” Mina shyly asked, an uncharacteristic blush on her cheek. Kunzite kissed his warrior Princess deeply. So this is what Heaven tastes like…

In the ballroom, Serenity and Endymion stood at the top of the stairs, smiling into one another's eyes. Endymion tapped his foot impatiently. Where was Kunzite?

He's occupied. You don't need to worry about him. A soft voice filled his head. He looked over to Serenity. She nodded up at him. The prophecy was indeed coming true.

The orchestra finished the song they were playing. Endymion raised his hands to speak, “People of the Moon. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your kind hospitality and warmth. In the past week, I have fallen in love not only with this satellite of Earth but also the beautiful Princess who rules it,” Endymion got down on one knee. ”Princess Serenity, would you make the happiest man alive? Will you marry me? I vow to protect you and your people for as long as I live.”

Serenity looked at her people, eagerly awaiting her answer, at her senshi who smiled knowingly at her, I hope this okay with you, Mom…”I - yes, Endymion. Nothing would make me happier.” As they shared a kiss, the ball guests cheered. In the few days that the Prince had been on the Moon, they recognized how perfect he was for their Princess. Anyone could see how happy this couple was.

(The entity crept closer…this was the moment. The energy bonds had been forged this evening. If he could only get them alone…Patience…wait for the right opportunity…it will present itself soon).

As morning rose on the moon, neither the senshi nor the Generals woke up alone. Shy Ami had played chess late into the night with Zoisite and worn out by the day's events, she had fallen asleep right before her checkmate. Not wanting to leave her, the blonde General had carried her to his bed (it was closer, that's all), lying to himself that this was harmless - just two people sleeping. It wasn't so innocent the next morning when he woke to find his arms wrapped around his angel. Mako had gone to sleep alone until a late night craving for banana pancakes had her creeping to the kitchen. She wasn't the only one with that idea. Nephrite offered to give her a massage in return for a bite of pancake. Mako, who was never one to turn down an offer from a cute boy, told him they would probably be more comfortable in her room. Rei and Jadeite simply couldn't keep their hands off of each other. Although Jadeite was no stranger to women, passionate and fiery Mars had kept him up most of the night.

Mina woke up and looked over. She smiled at the broad shouldered, chiseled man that shared her bed. This is how life is supposed to be…She considered her options. It was early enough; they still had some time…She woke up her lover with a kiss.

Everyone tried to make it back to their respective rooms before they were found out. The Princesses had long ago been instructed on how to keep their affairs discreet.

The Generals and the Prince sat around in the Billiards room discussing the night's events. Kunzite was being given the hardest time. Endymion had decided to keep Kunzite in the dark about his engagement for a little while. The other Generals played along.

“You missed a good party last night, Kunz,” yawned Jadeite.

“I was there. I was just in the back,” stuttered Kunzite, as if anyone could miss a 6-foot plus man with long platinum hair.

“Uh-huh,” Nephrite rolled his eyes, “That would explain why you are still wearing a tuxedo.” Everyone, except Kunzite shared a laugh.

“Well then if you were there, what do you have to say to Endymion?” said Zoisite.

Kunzite was stumped. He had just made it back from a very pleasant morning with Mina. His mind wasn't exactly concentrating at the moment.

Endymion decided to keep the charade going, “I'd think you of all people would care about this. It's not like it was an everyday occurrence. Frankly, I'm a little hurt. Maybe I should think about changing the order of my Generals.”

Kunzite blew up, “Well if you must know, I was in the company of a gorgeous blonde last night, so…”

“That's not exactly an excuse, Kunz. Now about this demotion…”

Kunzite took a deep breath and interrupted, “I'd hoped it wouldn't come to this but, my Prince, I love Mina. I'm going to ask her to marry me. So, I'm sorry if true love got in the way of my duty, but last night, that's exactly what happened.”

Now it was Endymion's turn to smile, “Well, at least I got to be the first to do it.”

The wheels in Kunzite's head began turning, “Endymion!! You're engaged?!”

“That's right. My parents thought it was a great way to seal the alliance.”

In a rare moment of emotion from Kunzite the once icy General reach over and hugged a very surprised Endymion, “I'm happy for you.”

“Well, if Kunzite's getting engaged, I think it's only fair that we all do,” said Jadeite jokingly, although there was a sound of truth in what he said.

“You have to think of it logically,” said Zoisite, “When the Prince marries the Princess, we're going to be around her Court for the rest of our lives. It's just easier that we marry them.”

“I don't think that's you're only reason…” said Nephrite grinning, “I'm not going to pretend that I didn't see you and a certain Miss Mercury sneak into the library last night.”

“Well from what I heard, there was a large mess in the kitchen that mysteriously appeared last night,” Zoisite shot back.

The men shared a hearty laugh.

“Seriously, anyone know where I can find a ring on this planet?” Kunzite quipped, saying what was on the mind of everyone in the room.

Later the night…

Everything was peaceful on the Moon. Earlier in the day, Queen Selenity had quietly returned to the Palace. She looked worn and even though aging on the Moon took considerably longer than on the Earth, she appeared older than when everyone had previously seen her. The Queen briefly explained that even she did not know all the mysteries of the Millennium Silver Crystal which she had used to defeat the evil that had attacked the planet. Without wanting to cause panic among her people, she related only to her daughter and the Inner Court that she had been placed in a protective cocoon of crystal, but she was in a suspended animation of sorts. She knew she needed to return to her people, but the Crystal held a power over her…rebuilding her and restoring power to the planet. She would tell them more but after she was better rested.

Mina stood in the garden. The Venusian had a lot to consider. What did the return of the Queen mean? Mina was upset with herself. Had she been spending too much time worrying about the Terran Generals rather than looking for her Queen? Wasn't there more she could have done? Princess, you did all that you could…also, I cannot fault those who follow their hearts. Queen Selenity's voice rang through Mina's head. Follow my heart? Was she following her heart? Ever since meeting Kunzite, she began to think more and more of her future. Not as Sailor Venus the warrior or Princess Mina the stateswoman, but as a wife and mother even…

Kunzite had been watching Mina from a distance. She was obviously distraught and he recognized the look. Recently, it had appeared on his countenance more often than usual. The struggle between love and duty… However, with Endymion's changing life, Kunzite knew all their lives were going to be different. Kunzite knew that having Mina at his side, for the rest of his life, was what he wanted. He straightened his shoulders and walked over to her.

Mina was so deep in thought, she didn't hear Kunzite approach. He put his arms around her from behind, “Penny for your thoughts?” he whispered in her ear.

Mina shivered involuntarily. How could she ever be apart from someone who held this kind of power of her? “Nothing, I'm just concerned over the appearance of Queen Selenity.”

“Understandably. I'm glad that Endymion's parents have their own guard to watch over them.”

The couple was silent for a minute. They looked over the moonscape, bathed in silver white moonlight. Kunzite got down on one knee. Mina looked at him with a confused look on her face. What was he up to?

I guess they don't do this on the Moon. Kunzite took a deep breath and reached for Mina's delicate hand. “Mina, these past weeks have been more special to me than any other time in my life. You are the most wonderful woman I have ever know. You are beautiful and courageous, warmhearted and special. Mina, will you make me the happiest man alive? Will you marry me?

In the royal dining room, Nephrite toasted champagne with Mako. Nephrite stared across the table at his tall, gorgeous brunette. As they drained their delicious bubbly, Mako noticed something in the bottom of her glass. Was that a ring? Nephrite took the glass, reached in for the ring, got down on one knee, and said simply, “I love you Mako. Will you marry me?”

Jadeite watched his beloved Mars sit in front of a roaring fire in her shrine. Her raven hair was lit up by the flames. She sat deep in concentration. She could be so many things at one time. She was passionate, powerful woman that made him feel so alive. How could he possibly spend his life without her? He walked up and sat next to her. With a characteristic smirk on his face he said, “Bet you didn't foretell this one. Rei, will you marry me?”

Zoicite paced outside Mercury's chambers. He wasn't as confident as Kunzite, as tall as Nephrite, or as charming as Jadeite. What chance would he have convincing Mercury to marry him? Well, he would never know unless he tried. Zoisite took a deep breath and knocked on Mercury's door. As soon as the blue haired senshi had opened it, Zoisite rushed in and started rambling, “You see Ami, it's simply a matter of logics. I've calculated percentages and scenarios and all of them include you in it. You are so intelligent and beautiful, I can understand if you tell me I'm not good enough for you, Princess.”

“What are you talking about?” asked Ami.

“Marry me,” said Zoisite softly.