Part One

Princess Serenity held Prince Endymion's hand as she sat by his bedside in the infirmary. He had sustained some head wounds, a few cracked ribs, and a broken arm. It would have been worse if not for his sister, who was in the bed next to his.

Serenity felt a certain kinship with the girl. Princess Elisande was the same age as Serenity, and about the same height. Also they were both powerful women in their own right.

"You look tired, Princess. You should go to your chambers, get some rest," said General Kunzite, who had not left Elisande's bedside once since he had carried her in.

"You should talk, General. You look worse than I do," Serenity replied.

Kunzite's only reply was a wry smile and an accepting nod. Serenity thought it strange that the man was so devoted. His actions that day had been above and beyond the call of duty, even the call of friendship.

Kunzite returned his gaze to the sleeping angel in front of him. She was a lot worse off than her brother. Her leg was broken, as were at least half of her ribs. Her lung was hemorrhaging, she had a few concussions, and she had not woken up since her head had hit the floor hours ago.

Kunzite had always known that Elisande had feelings for him, and that he had feelings for her. Yet he had never known how deep those feelings ran until today.

"Why, Elise? Why?" he whispered to her.

It was so ironic; he was supposed to protect her, not the other way around. It was his duty to lay down his life for her, not hers for his.

Kunzite felt a hand on his shoulder. It gripped him in comfort.

"It's all right, Kunz. She's a fighter; she'll make it," said Jadeite.

Kunzite hadn't even noticed the few tears that had escaped his eyes; he never cried…

"Kunzite," said Zoicite, "Mercury and I can stop the hemorrhaging, but you'll have to move."

Kunzite nodded. He walked over to the window. He stared at the rain. Bells could be heard in the distance. "Long live the King; the King is dead. Long live the Queen; the Queen is dead."

Endymion awoke to see Princess Serenity sitting at his bedside. He smiled. She was the loveliest woman he had ever seen. Her hair shone like gold, and her eyes glittered like sapphires.

"Oh! You've finally awoke!" exclaimed the startled Princess.

Mercury and Zoicite came over to check him out and then left, looking very tired.

"How long have you stayed here?" asked Endymion.

"All night," she answered in a voice as sweet as music.

Endymion didn't have to ask why; he knew in that instant that he would die for her, and that she would do the same for him.

"Endymion, I have some bad news for you."

"What is it?"

"Your parents are dead. I'm sorry, Endymion."

Endymion's heart sank.

"There's more."

"Is Elisande…" He couldn't finish his sentence. If he had lost his parents and sister in the same day he would…

"No. She is alive, but no one knows if she will make it or not. Oh, Endymion. I'm so sorry to have to tell you this, but I thought it best that you know immediately."

"Thank you for telling me."

"Would you like to be alone?"

"No. Please stay with me. Just sit with me… please."

Serenity sat with Endymion. They didn't talk. They didn't need to talk.

Prince Apollo of the Sun Kingdom stormed into the infirmary. He was stopped by Jupiter and Mars.

"State your name and business here," ordered Jupiter.

"I am Prince Apollo of the Sun, and I have come to see my betrothed, Princess Elisande," answered Apollo in a regal voice.

Kunzite snapped his head up at hearing that arrogant voice. How dare he come here now?

Kunzite walked to the doorway where the two Senshi were blocking Apollo's entrance.

"First of all," began the General, "this room is restricted to family and personal guards exclusively. Second of all, the Princess already informed you that she has no intentions of marrying you."

"Stand aside, Kunzite. I am going to see Elisande whether you like it or not," retorted Apollo.

"No, you are not," stated Mars. "Leave now."

Prince Apollo left, if reluctantly, with the promise that he would return.

"Who was that?" asked Jupiter.

"A dead man, if he's responsible for Elisande's injuries," vowed Kunzite.

"You should get some rest," said Mercury.

"So should you," answered Zoicite.

Mercury smiled. "Okay, okay. I get the point."

"It's a miracle that Endymion's up."

"Yes, it is. He should be able to leave the infirmary in a few days."

"I hope so."

"Do you think Elisande will make it?"

"I don't know. But with someone as bright as you attending her, she sure has a good chance."

"Thank you. Do you think we stopped the hemorrhaging in her lung?"

"Well, she's not coughing up blood anymore, and her pulse has slowed to a more normal rate, so I think so."

"Good."

"You know, you were very good in surgery."

"Thank you. You were good too."

Zoicite took Mercury's hands in his. "Your hands, they're so delicate and skillful."

Mercury blushed at the complement. He kissed her, and she lost herself in his arms.

Jupiter walked over to Nephrite. He was just sitting in a chair in a corner. "How are you?" she asked him.

"Arm's in a sling, but other than that, I'm fine."

"You were very brave out there."

"So were you. Would you like to get out of here for a little bit?"

"Yeah, I think that's a good idea."

They left the sickroom and walked around the palace grounds some.

"Who do you think was behind the attack?" asked Jupiter as they walked.

"I don't know. I didn't think an attack like that would happen. There haven't been any uprisings anywhere."

"No enemy kingdoms?"

"None that I can think of."

Jupiter nodded. "Where's the kitchen?"

"Down the stairs to left. Why?"

"Well, I can guarantee you that no one in the sickroom has eaten; and besides, cooking helps me relax."

"Me too. So, what do you feel like making?"

"Well, Prince Endymion should probably have some soup…"

"Ah, I've got the perfect recipe for Chicken Noodle Soup."

"Chicken Noodle Soup?"

"Yes. It's the best thing for the sick."

"It is, huh?"

"Yup."

"Well, you'll have to teach me how to make it."

"It would be my pleasure, fair lady." Nephrite bowed to emphasize his statement.

Jupiter laughed as they proceeded to cook up a storm.

Jadeite stood next to Kunzite, who was back at the window while Zoicite and Mercury were trying desperately to do something for the dying Princess.

Kunzite was just staring at the rain. Jadeite wanted to scream. It wasn't right and it wasn't fair! They all deserved happiness. But now…

Jadeite walked out of the room. He didn't know it, but Mars was on his heels.

Jadeite stopped abruptly and slammed his fist into the wall. He sank to his knees and wept. He couldn't recall the last time he had cried… if he ever had.

Suddenly he was in someone's arms. A hand was patting his back, and a soothing voice was trying to comfort him.

He looked up into the most beautiful face he had ever seen. She looked at him with loving eyes. He didn't understand it and he didn't care.

He let himself be held. In the back of his mind he thought it odd that she was comforting him; that was usually his job.

He pulled away after a bit. "Thank you."

"It was nothing."

"Why did you do that just now?"

"I don't know. Maybe it's because I feel some strange sort of connection to you."

"I know what you mean… You know, I don't ordinarily cry on the shoulders of people I don't know."

She smiled at him. "I don't ordinarily let anyone cry on my shoulder. Come on, let’s take a walk."

"Thanks."

Venus sat alone by the door. She realized that her Senshi and the Generals seemed to be pairing off. There wasn't much she could do about it now. Maybe they would come around once they were all home.

She noticed Serenity and Endymion smiling at each other. She wondered if they would end up together or not. She was sure that they, the Lunars, would be blamed for the attack. If that happened, then Endymion's people would not be pleased with a union between him and Princess Serenity.

Venus then noticed Kunzite. He was sitting next to Elisande. He was holding her hand and seemed to be saying something to her. Was he weeping? Yes, he was. He seemed to love her very much.

Venus remembered a time when a man had loved her like that, but that was a long time ago.

Prince Apollo entered the room again. This time he had ten of his guards with him.

Venus stood to stop him, but Kunzite beat her to it.

"I thought you were told that you were restricted from this area," growled the general.

"How are you going to stop me? I have ten guards," remarked Apollo.

Venus' stomach started to turn. There was no way the two of them could hold off Apollo and his ten guards. Mercury and Zoicite couldn't help because they were busy trying to keep Elisande alive.

Kunzite made a guttural noise in his throat as he stood aside. Venus followed suit.

Prince Apollo shot the General a triumphant glare as he walked over to Elisande's bedside. The ten guards situated themselves near their Prince.

Kunzite resumed his place next to the Princess and Venus stood close by. She watched as the two men glared daggers at one another.

Nephrite and Jupiter walked back into the infirmary, both loaded down with food.

"Hope you're all hungry!" sang out Jupiter, trying to lighten the mood. She quickly noticed Apollo and his ten guards. So did Nephrite.

"Get your men out of here now, Apollo. There isn't enough room in here for them and the rest of us," ordered Nephrite.

"He's right, Prince Apollo," said Jupiter. "General Zoicite and Sailor Mercury won't be able to help Princess Elisande if they can't get to her."

Prince Apollo nodded to his guards and they left.

Everyone ate in silence.

To be continued.

Webmaster: Larry F
Last revision: May 21, 2007