Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Torn Between Duty And Love ❯ Where I am to run? ( Chapter 3 )

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

TORN BETWEEN DUTY AND LOVE
by Blue Dreamer (bluedreamer80@hotmail.com)
A Land Of Dreams : www.alandofdreams.com

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Disclaimer:
Sailor Moon is owned by all its respective owners, Naoko Takeuchi, et al. Any other characters in this story are copyright to me as well as the story itself. Thank you and I hope you enjoy. This fic is inspired by Yumi Tamura's masterpiece Legend of Basara which happens to be the manga and anime I prefer.

Synopsis:
Serenity grew up in the shadow of her twin brother... What happens when she will have to take destiny in her hands and go fight the dictatorship that has taken place in her country?

Editors:
Jessica (futuremoonteen@aol.com)

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Chapter 03 : Where am I to run ?

Herds of people and horses were to be heard as the Army was trying to catch with 'Shingo'. Serenity was upset, as when she took the horse and passed through the village, her family was nowhere to be seen 'Have they been taken as prisoners or killed?' She tried to recall the hole scene in her head but everything was mixed up.

'I must not fall I must not fall' she was telling herself as it was the very first time she was on a horse... 'Shingo's horse' Her mind wondered towards the good and bad times she had with her brother in their childhood. Pictures of them playing, fighting, joking... were popping into her head like a moving book but also all the scenes where she was getting scolded because she was 'disturbing' the Savior.

She realized her brother had always been on her side... each time she was getting scolded, he intervene in order to protect her. 'Did he know? I wonder if he really thought HE was the savior or else thought it was ...?' Serenity recalled Luna's words "Be patient girl, you will have to learn that things never seen to be what they look like - and you will have a life long to discover that!"

'Oh Luna, always protecting me and saving me as well' Indeed the prophet had taken Serenity into her home and had decided to teach her essentials about life, to survive and live. Serenity became much wiser lucky to her teachings.

'What I am to do now? And how long will it take the people to realize who am I really?' she remembered the desperate faces of the villagers when they saw Shingo dead. 'They must believe he is alive, a man is taken more seriously as a woman' There again she remembered Luna's advice "Men are strong and don't expect women to give orders" Indeed, if Serenity appeared as Serenity, the people of her village would not have reacted... she had no choice but to cut her long beautiful hair in order to get the attention she needed 'It will grow back after all'

The next picture that popped up in her head was a scene of their childhood. She was playing with Mokko, Shingo and Minako. The latter had always been crazy about Shingo and could not hide it. She remembered how Mokko and herself were mocking them and Shingo and Minako were embarrassed. She also remembered when Minako told her one day that Shingo had kissed her and that she was the happiest girl in the world. She remembered also how jealous she felt at that moment as she never felt such an experience but at the same time happy for her friend and brother. She also remembered Shingo asking her for advise for Minako, and finally remembered when her brother and girlfriend used to not ask her anything or tell her anything more about their relationship.

Serenity felt very lonely at those times as Mokko wasn't there any longer, her best friend been killed for pretending he was the 'Savior' in order to protect Shingo.


Serenity thoughts was brought back to the present situation as she felt intense pain in her arm. An arrow had been sent by the Dark Prince and it reached it's goal. He was there in front of her, his helmet protecting his face. He decided to let one part of his army deal with the prisoners and the orders were given to take them to the castle's prison.

-" Arrrrrr..." Serenity screamed "Tempest go faster, we must evade them and go to the mountain see the villagers" As the horse seemed ton obey, Serenity was fighting to fall from the horse.

The Dark Prince was stopped in his progression by a strange man who came from nowhere and shot towards the Prince. He missed but the horse got the arrow and the Prince fell. The army quickly worried about their prince and ran towards him! The strange man took the direction Serenity had just taken, towards the mountain. With a helping fog, the army would not be able to follow them !


-"You idiots you should not have stopped !!! now that Shingo fellow's out of reach again! Father will be furious"

-"Prince Endymion, your security's more important to us" said Kunzite

-"Never mind, let's go back to my castle and see about the prisoners we have" Edymion said


The mysterious man found Serenity a little further away on the ground, her horse close to her. He approached slowly to find out she had fainted 'Poor boy' he thought and decided to attend to 'the boy's' injuries. He first removed the arrow, making Serenity moan in pain. Luckily for her she had passed out ! The mysterious man seemed to know what to do exactly and removed Shingo's upper clothing. She got a shock to see 'this boy's chest bandaged tightly. 'This boy fought with a chest injury?!?' The mysterious man decided first to attend to the Shingo's arm. After putting some medicinal herbs , he bandaged the arm carefully. He then decided to attend the bandaged chest which seemed to be too tight. As the bandaged loosened, the mysterious man realized that Shingo was a girl?!? 'So, the girl's the Savior!, I thought as much'. As he was trying to cover her, Serenity woke up and screamed

-"Don't worry girl" the mysterious man started "I'm not an enemy" ; Serenity saw her upper body uncovered and hid her breasts with her hands and the man continued "I saw to your arm, and thought you had an injury on your chest as well. Here's your clothing" the man said and turned.

Serenity was a little relaxed by now and had calmed down.

-"Thank you" she said

-"So you're the savior, isn't it?" he asked

-"No, it's my brother"

-"Really? It's better that way as a girl would not be seriously taken" he said laughingly

-"By the way who are you?" she asked intrigued by this mysterious man

-"Well, let's say I'm an old friend of Luna's" he said laughing more "My name's Artemis. Now young girl, we must get going before the villagers get more worried than they are already."

Serenity nodded and climbed back on Tempest while Artemis climbed on his horse. It took them a little time to find a big camping spot where the villagers hid.

The villagers were so glad to see Shingo back. Serenity enquired about her parent's.

-"The Army took them, I saw them" said an old lady

-"We must get some rest now, tomorrow's a another day"

Serenity went to see Luna : "Luna what I am to do?"

-"First of all we must get this cure this wound" she said as she looked at Serenity's wound "Artemis told me about hot springs... hot springs are good for injuries, you know"

-"Then, I want to go now itself" Serenity said

-"Fine then"

Luna made her way and went to see Artemis

-"Thank you for bringing her safely"

-"Don't mention it Luna, how you owe me" he said jokingly

-"I know" she said "I told Shingo about the hot springs and she would like to go there. Do you think you could take her now, please?"

-"You call her Shingo?"

-"Yes, it's better in case someone overhears. Will you take him then?"

-"No problem Luna, for you I'll do anything" he winked and went off to fetch a horse

Serenity and Artemis took off to the hot springs which were said to be curing. Artemis stopped a little away from the waters and Serenity made her way to the springs while Artemis decided to take a nap. As she got there, she undressed and entered the hot water. "It's fantastic" she said to herself or she tough

-"Definitely" said a voice. Serenity turned around to see a handsome looking man. "I thought only myself and the surrounding animals knew this place he continued"

Serenity noticed the man looking at her intensely and realized half her body was out of water and quickly remedied to that by going more into the water.

-"Don't worry, it's nothing that I've never seen in a woman" he said "Now why don't you get out and let my horse enter"

-"You're here for your horse?!?"

-"Yes, he's got an injury the poor fellow" and added "he's the quickest horse in the world"

-"I bet my horse could beat him"

-"Yeah right" he said "Now will you get out or else..."

The man made his horse enter the hot springs and he was amused by the scene. This girl and his horse in the springs. He was highly amused by the situation

-"I don't see what's so funny"

-"Obviously..." and continued mocking her "Now come out of the hot springs or else you'll burn - Here your clothes"

-'He's right but I cannot get out with him being here looking at me' "Don't look pervert!!!!"

-"okay, okay ..." he reluctantly turned away, leaving her just enough time to cover herself quickly.

Serenity was fuming 'Who does this guy think he is????' As she had taken the option to leave the place, the man grabbed her hand and with a quick move was on top of her "Women love when I do this" he said smiling as he approached to kiss her.

-"I'm not that kind of girl" she screamed punching him on the face and leaving in a hurry
-"Ouch... you hurt me" he said laughingly "Never mind, see you tomorrow sweet heart"

Serenity was boiling inside of her... and this was not due to the hot springs... well maybe a little. As she walked quickly, she tripped on Artemis and woke him up

-"Already finished?" he asked

-"Yes! Take me back to the camp"

That night, Serenity could not help thinking about this insolent person 'How dare he'

-"Shingo, is everything okay?"

-"Er... yes" Serenity had nearly forgotten that she was now back to Shingo "Luna I was wondering..."

-"Yes?"

-"How do you know Artemis?"

-"It's a long story", she said as her voice saddened

-"Was he your lover?" Serenity asked out of the blue and blushed "I'm sorry, I have no right to ask you"

-"It's okay" she said and proceeded telling her about Artemis

She had met Artemis some time ago. He was from a poor family and her parents disapproved them seeing each other. They were planning on running away, but Luna's father threatened Artemis and made him leave the village or else he would rather get Luna killed. Artemis loved Luna so much that he left leaving Luna desperate. Her father told her that Artemis came to see him and asked for money in order to leave Luna alone.

Only years later she found out the truth as she heard her parents talking but it was too late... Luna had already promised to accomplish her task as a prophet and prophets cannot take time for love.


The next day Serenity was still very week and all the left over villagers were trying to help out with food, water... wanting to please Shingo

As the evening came, Serenity went to Luna's tent and gathered a few medicinal herbs. She asked if Artemis could take her to the hot springs

-"You shouldn't bade everyday... it's not good you know?"

-"I won't be long Artemis"

-"Okay Shingo, I'll take you over"

As Artemis stopped at the same spot, Serenity did a quick change making her piece of cloth a dress and went to the hot spring spot and looked around. 'He probably won't come' She sat on a rock and waited a little. As she decided to leave she heart someone approaching :

-"So, you were waiting for me girl!"

-"Not at all" she tried to hide her blushing face

-"Really? Just admit your feelings..."

-"I just came to give you this" she said as she gave him a little parcel

-"What's that?"

-"It's for your horse. Apply twice a day... it should help him cure faster"

"-By the way, my name's Endymion and you are ...?"

-"Me... er... Serenity" she answered. It felt strange telling her name as everybody was now referring to her as Shingo the Savior.

-"Serenity, why don't you come with me, I could offer you the most luxurious life you'd dream of!" Endymion said seriously

-"I'm not one bid interested in luxury. All I want is revenge. I want to kill the person who killed my family"

-"Revenge? Well well, at least you have a family to revenge... I don't have that much"

-"What do you mean?"

-"My mother's died and my father treats me like shit" and added "I will somehow prove myself worthy and overpass his power"

-"Well good luck then, good luck for both of us" Serenity said with a smile

-"Well thank you for you gift Serenity." He said "Well, until I can get you something let me give you let me give you this" he added and kissed her

Serenity was taken aback a few seconds before punching his face once again.

-"You seriously have a problem" she shrieked

-"You liked it!' he laughed.

His laugh was attracting and Serenity was having all her senses floating. Somehow, he was intriguing and something mysteriously weird was surrounding him.

-"Bye" she simply said and left

-"See ya girl"

-"Grrrrr...."

As she left, Endymion thought 'Yes good luck to both of us - I will capture Shingo and become more important than Darius' Endymion was putting his military outfit...

Meanwhile Serenity was on Artemis' horse thinking 'that idiot kissed me!!! - my first kiss!!! - why I am in this state? Could I have fallen for him? I must not think of him... tomorrow we'll be leaving this place and anyways, I have no time for this... not until I get my revenge'

'Good luck to both of us'

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Author's notes
Hope you like it so far. Anyways keep me informed on how you like this fic so far.

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