Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ When Destiny Changed ❯ A Distant Time... ( Chapter 3 )

Chapter Three

A distant time…

"It is beautiful." She smiled at the blue flower I presented her with, her face like a glowing star, "Where did you find it?"

I grinned slyly, "Oh but that would be telling." Seeing her pout, I laughed, "I will take you there."

Taking my arm happily, I led her for a long stroll through the woods. After a time, we came through a dense bush, which I pushed aside for her. Even as I came after her, I could hear the soft gasp coming from her with the sound of delight.

"How…" came her soft words.

"Our `bookworm' found it in his usual nature walks. He thought I might like to take you here, so long as no one else knew."

She put her arms around me, smiling sweetly, "I like it that way. So long as he doesn't stumble in on us someday." I could see the color rise in her cheeks at this and I smiled, brushing a soft kiss on her forehead.

"It's our little secret."

"Even from the princess?"

"Even her."

Her smiled broadened, "Me over duty. I feel so honored." Her eyes looked serious for a moment, "What would happen if…well if something happened to her. To this kingdom, and you were called to that duty. To protect her no matter what happened…to…" Her eyes watered a little.

I held her close, softly shushing her, my hand gently going through her milky hair, "Shhh. Don't think of such things. She protects our home well and I feel sure nothing will happen, to any of us." I knelt before her, love in my heart and a sense of protection in my eyes, "I swear, whatever happens, you come first in my life. I will protect you, duty or not. Even the princess knows that and she blesses us in this decision."

Her eyes sparkled in wonder, her mouth so small as it whispered, "You mean…"

I took her hand, my other glowing for a moment where soon I held a string of silver and tiny sparkling white jewels with one flower like blue and red one, with a touch of silver, in the center. It was to be worn about her head with the flower jewel to hang in the center of her forehead. It was so thin, so fragile, much like my living beauty.

Her face radiated as that small mouth slowly opened in the most beautiful smile, "It's… Oh, my love!" She leapt into my arms as I rose, tears of joy in her eyes. It made me glad to make those of worry leave but what exhilarated me was her clear acceptance at what I proposed.

"Then you accept?"

"Yes! With all my heart." She pulled away, her face so filled with love, "The princess wishes this?"

I nodded, "She felt it was time even if my companions were hesitant. Even then they agreed." I took the silver string and lay it oh so gently atop her head where it rested on her crown of soft hair, the flower jewel along with a small portion of the strand sparkling from her forehead. (AN: Think of the scouts tiara's, jewel in the center and all and how it's across the forehead; That's how this would look only with the obvious changes.)

Looking into her eyes as I held her hands, I wished to show all the seriousness I felt for this and all the promise I would keep. "'My love is deep and shall remain even as eternity should pass.'"

"'I shall keep these vows, come death or destruction.'"

Then in unison, "'And we will rise, the power of love soaring through our veins, never to be silenced or extinguished. Our powers prevail as one.'"

We kissed, a searing joy flowing from it and a soft light radiating from this as if to seal our words into eternity. We pulled apart as the glow died away and I could see a new light in her glowing with hers.

Mine.

We both radiated with each other's light and would forever more: to shine as stars in the heavens for all eternity. Once again I spoke with duty, "Now as our tradition has declared, all has been performed as custom calls. In the sight of all whom see us from this day forth, we are wed. Husband…"

She looked down to her hand and it glowed briefly. Where the glow died was replaced with two silver wrist bands, the same color of flower as her jewel on each. She slipped these on my wrists and they glowed briefly to fasten themselves forever to me. She looked up to my eyes, love so deep within her as her words floated with gentleness.

"…and Wife."

We stood there, all the care in the world gone in our being together. She was the happiest I'd ever seen her.

"Do you know, with you for the first time I found myself," she said with purpose, "I never thought I would find happiness again. That is why I closed myself deep within. I am alive because of you. Ever since my home…" her words seemed a bit choked and she looked down.

I held her close, wanting to make that pain a far off memory. "I know. You have lost much but I am here now. I'll always protect you from anything and everything." I tilted her chin upwards, seriousness in my eyes, "When I found you I could see the pain you felt, felt it for myself as we grew closer. Your family…" I softened my face, "They would be happy of this. I'm sure of it."

She held me tightly as if she felt as if she felt she would lose me, "Promise me…promise that you won't leave: that nothing like that will ever happen here. I couldn't endure it…not again."

I was solemn, "Never again. I swear it."

We stayed that way, holding each other in all deepness of our hearts.

"We are forever one."

~~~

Fire, all around me. I struggled through rumble, stumbling in the dark and heat. I could only grit my teeth at the gashes in my arms and legs. The others held `it' off from the throne room and the princess would be safe.

For now.

At my request, I was given permission to seek out my wife. I had felt as this had started that something was wrong. This was all very wrong. That it was not our Princess this enemy wanted.

I rushed faster even as the pain seared through my veins, my body screaming for me to stop. But my heart was determined to go on. The sight outside was horrendous, homes toppled, streets filled with rubble and terrified people trying to escape the fire. The fire that fell from the sky.

It was not like ordinary fire, yet once it hit it seemed the same. It had a purpose, I felt it, as if it were seeking something. I had stayed by the Princess as long as my heart would allow but I could feel the glow within me screaming to return. She had seen it and understood.

I could hear weeping all around me: pain and death followed those cries. It only increased my pace.

There, our home…or what was left of it. It was the worse ruin of all. We were with the palace and it seemed that it was the target. Running through the halls was like running through open streets, with no roof above me. My breath grew haggard but I continued on.

Fire, oh it was even hotter here. Why? Why were we being attacked? What had we done? Could this be the same… but no: that power was destroyed… along with her home. The glow within me was crying out more.

I heard her voice suddenly, pain mixed with fear and was doubled my pace even as my limbs grew numb. I was almost there.

There was an explosion from behind me and I hit the ground hard, blood oozing into my mouth as I coughed. I strained to see behind me and was met with horror. The Palace was in flames.

No. The others. The Princess! I choked back tears, hoping beyond all measure that they were alive. Over the heat it seemed even the stars above flickered in fear of the flames. Would they use that escape? Would they run, save her… If they were alive.

Rolling forward, I spat out blood, rising with difficulty and realized I could not hear her voice. My heart nearly stopped. But I could feel it. She was alive. Barely.

Then I saw it. A pit of darkness hanging in the air not far from me. It seemed to suck even the light around it like a black hole…and she was laying below it, unmoving. I went cold, my breath going from me.

"NOOOO!!!" I stumbled painfully forward, eve as the darkness rose higher in the air. It seemed as if the air it self laughed with mockery.

I fell before her, struggling to hold her in my lap, stroking her damp hair. Her face…her beautiful face was bruise and smeared with drops of blood as was her battered body.

"No," I choked, "You cannot be dead. I feel you, I know you are there. Wake up, my darling."

Her skin was so cold, so pale. Yet her eyelids fluttered so slightly and I saw her eyes. Oh the pain I saw there. How I wished to take it away. She was never to suffer like this. I had sworn it.

"F-forgive… me…" she said with such sadness.

"For what? You have done no wrong. It is I who am sorry. I should have been here first. I felt in my heart that something was wrong. I knew you called for me."

Her smile was hard for her as she touched my face, "And I… felt you… coming. This… I tried…" her words were choked as she grimaced with pain. She turned to that darkness that lingered. "You… you must flee it. It seeks…seeks…"

`Hehe. I seek you, Little One. I only want you.' It's dark voice echoed around me, turning my blood cold. In those words I knew it was responsible. I knew my love had fought it with all her heart. But now… she had needed me to defeat it. And I had failed. There was little I could do. Unless…

`Come my dear,' the voice laughed, `embrace the destiny you were meant to have. You shall not escape me again.'

Even in her pain I saw her anger, "I shall… never… submit to you!" This took so much of her strength I knew she could fight no longer. And with out her, I could do little. I knew what it wanted. She had told me before. I rose slowly, holding her in my arms.

"If it power that you seek then take me! You shall never have her! She has suffered enough at your hand!"

It laughed, `Little soldier, you are nothing to me.' Suddenly I was flung back to the ground hard, my breath gone as she was dropped from my arms. With all I could muster I went to her side and whispered, "You must… you know what must be done. It's the only way. I will find you. No matter what, I will find you again."

Her eyes filled with tears even as she nodded slowly. "I… love you." Her eyes closed even as I kissed her gently on the lips. I could feel the glow in my heart fluttering and knew it would guide me in future. We would be together.

Her body glowed and a shine rose from her, sparkling softly over me. It hovered over my face for a moment before racing away at great speed.

The darkness growled, `You will not escape me so easily!' It flew in front and the shine zipped aside but the darkness followed closely. I felt fear creep in me as I watched helplessly. With deep concentration I closed my eyes, focusing.

`I think not.'

It came like a thief to my side and suddenly sharp pain exploded in my head and I was on my side, unable to move or even focus. My vision blurred and all I could do was watch as the little shine tried with all its might to escape. I could feel fear flow as the darkness drew nearer and nearer. Until…

"No," my weak voice came even as I lost vision and comprehension. The last I saw was the shine… engulfed in darkness.

~~~

I will find you.

~~~

Presently…

"Will she be all right, sir?"

I rubbed my chin, "I'm not sure. She did not appear injured when I found her but when I came in to check on her, her body was riddled with wounds and bruises. She was unconscious and it seems she is now in a coma."

"Will she ever wake up?" came the worried voice.

"I hope so. With my new instruments, it may be more possible then these conventional methods doctors use now a day. Is the system operating at full capacity?"

"Yes sir. The techs went over it this morning. All are compatible for transfer of her needs. Much like these `conventional methods' only with better results."

I grinned, "Good. Keep me informed."

"Sir," the voice was hesitant, "Will you need anything? You have not slept or eaten since you've found her."

"I will be fine. Thank you for your concern."

Nodding, they left. I just stared off into space from my chair, gazing at the stars outside my window. The night was lovely. Much like that night I found her.

Who was she?

Rising I left my study and went down the darkened hall of my obnoxiously large house. I wasn't sure I'd ever wanted this but I was stuck with it. I wasn't even sure how I ever obtained it but it made my work easier.

Coming to a sealed door, I stood before a light, my hand on a pad and the usual retinal scan was done. The door clicked and I entered.

The room glowed with a soft blue light, a few beeps softly cheeping occasionally. I went to the source of the glow and pressed a button, a soft swishing sound coming as the metal shield split apart like twin doors. There floated my reason for insomnia.

A glass cylinder about four and a half-meter's high and at least two meters wide was filled with a thick blue liquid that glowed with inner light. Within were tubes and small wires connecting from the metal tops and bottoms of the cylinder and one small one to a small panel on the side of the glass. They were connected on the other end to what floated in the middle.

She floated so quietly, barely a movement to be seen. Her milk like hair encompassed her at her sides, dangling to her feet and floating like wisps of silver in the quiet glowing liquid. She was clad in a soft simple white slim dress that reached her ankles and floated as beautifully as her hair. The others had suggested thermal strips but I had felt for her modesty that this dress would do. It gave heat where needed and suited her more appropriately.

A small oxygen mask covered her nose and mouth while the tubes were attached at her stomach (a spot was made for this in the dress) and the wires to her head, chest and arms. It was all I could do for her. This would heal her injured body and keep her alive. Waking up was up to her.

I looked sadly at her face. She seemed at peace yet there was pain. Nothing I could explain. It must have been a pain caused before all this. One she experienced within her mind. Yet with all this, she was without a doubt, the most beautiful creature I had ever seen. So exquisite and delicate. What could have brought her to me?

I grinned a little at the thin little silver anklet floating about her ankle. A gift from one of my young trainees. He seemed head over heels for her but it seemed a lost cause. Still, it suited her.

I touched the glass softly, the coolness slipping through my skin. My mind was so filled with questions. But they might never be answered. This strange lady, an angel from heaven? What happened to her? Why was she here? My face grew sad as I gazed upon her silent face.

Who are you?

~~~

R&R Please! Hope nothing too confusing. Let hear your thoughts.

SFS