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Chapter 7
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"Nanako! Where are you?" A husky male voice drifted through the hot, slightly damp air of late morning.
Giggling, she turns her head toward the path she knows he will be coming down. "Over here. You should know where I am by now," she answered in a singsong voice, a smile plastered goofily on her delicate face.
Surrounded by lush tropical plants and trees, she anxiously awaited this man's arrival while sitting on a large rock. Behind her was a beautiful lagoon at the base of a small waterfall. Many of those watching could recognize much of the vegetation from the garden
they had just been in.
The outer Senshi could still see one another, but not Nanako.
"Where is Nanako at? I mean, that's her on the rock, but at the same time it's not. She seems younger there." Hotaru was right. Although not by much, the form in front of them was at least 3 years
younger then the woman they had just met.
"That is correct. As I have said, you will witness these events as I have seen them, for the most part. You will be able to see me as I was then, as well as some of those you now know. I ask you however to save all questions until this is over. It takes a
fair bit of concentration to accomplish this, and it is too draining to talk as I do so." The voice seemed to surround them, and was barely audible, sounding quite weak. The four nodded their acknowledgment of this, and continued to watch in silent fascination.
*I do hope that she isn't over doing it. She needs time to regain the energy she has already lost over the last two days. She shouldn't expel anymore. * Setsuna couldn't help worrying about her friend. The others did not understand how hard all of this was for her.
Suddenly, they could here the sounds of someone coming through the trees. Before Nanako had a chance to turn in that direction, someone had grabbed her. She let out a shriek before a hand covered her mouth and lips gently caressed her neck.
Slowly her assailant took his hand away, and gave a little chuckle. "I got you that time, now didn't I." Lips tickled her ear and neck again.
"You know I hate it when you do that!" Nanako turned around to face this person, trying her best to put on an angry face, though not succeeding very well.
The others breath was taken aback when the view shifted to reveal her would be attacker. They all recognized him immediately, though the clothing that both the figures wore was quite unusual. They had never seen anything quite like it before. It just looked out of place with what they were used to, along with the behavior of this man. With a shaky voice, Haruka spoke what all but Setsuna were surprised to see. "That's... that's... Mamoru... But that's...
impossible... Usagi." was all she could get out, but it was enough. Michiru, Haruka, and Hotaru couldn't believe what their eyes were telling them. They would never think it possible for him to betray Usagi's trust, their love.
Setsuna decided she should say something, lest Nanako's concentration be broken trying to answer their questions. "You don't understand. Please... allow this to continue. She will answer all your questions when she is finished, I assure you."
"But", Hotaru just couldn't figure this out. * What about Chibi-Usa? * She thought desperately. *Wouldn't this affect her? *
"This was long before the Moon Kingdom even came into existence, long before Usagi was to meet up with him and fall in love. Please. You must trust me on this one, all of you." Her tone was soft yet demanding. She had to make them understand.
The others looked at her in stunned silence. The look on her face told them she meant it, that they had to wait, if for nothing else but to honor her wishes. They nodded, though reluctantly, that they would do as she asked.
Setsuna bowed her head gratefully, "Thank you all. And please do the same with any future questions as well. This can not be easy for her to show us."
No one else had thought about that. Indisputably, she was informing them about what happened, equipping them with valuable information. But this was her life that she was presently sharing
with them. They would honor her wishes for now, in retrospect of this.
The scene before them hadn't stopped. The two were presently locked in a passionate kiss, a way for him to remove the angry look from his loves face.
They broke away, a little breathless. "Nokaru. You know I hate it when you do that to me. How did you sneak around without me hearing you anyway?"
"Oh, I have my ways. I just can't resist myself. I love to surprise you." He chuckled, causing a deep rumbling to come from his chest. "Speaking of surprises," he bent down and picked something up from the ground, just out of sight of Nanako. She let out a gasp when she seen what he had for her. "These are for you my love. I hope you like them."
"Oh Nokaru, you shouldn't have. Their beautiful!", she said as her eyes started to mist over with a fine layer of tears.
Before her, he held out a beautiful bouquet of red and pink roses, symbolizing their love and passion for one another.
[Little side note. For those that don't know it, when it comes to the language of flowers, in roses particularly, red = passion, pink /= love, yellow = friendship and white = purity.]
"How did you manage to get these? They're so rare here! You really shouldn't have you know. But I do love them. Thank you so much." Nanako hugged the flowers close to her, aptly avoiding the thorns, which may have caught on her blue silk gown she was presently
wearing, which was in a more or less Asian style. She took in a long breath, breathing in the wonderful fragrance of her favorite flower.
"I knew you'd like them." Nokaru beamed with this small victory. He loved to please her, that was clear. "I have another surprise for you as well. Come, follow me."
"Huh? Where are we going?" she asked as he helped her to her feet.
Pulling her gently towards him, he encompassed her in his embrace. Nanako blushed a crimson red, as he drew closer for another kiss. He added a little pressure, making the kiss more passionate as time passed. After a few minutes the couple drew away from each other, each trying to catch their breath. "I told you, it's a surprise. If you would like to find out, you must follow me." He had a devilish smirk on his face.
Smiling, she nodded. He took her hand and gently guided her along the path, suddenly turning into what looked like trees. "Are you sure we can get through this, especially with what I'm wearing. I'd hate to ruin it. It is new," she added a little warily.
"Don't worry. Things aren't always what they seem Nana. You should know that, at least when it comes to me." He pulled aside the branches to allow her to pass through, and to her obvious surprise,
there was a small clearing which followed along side one of the many brooks that ran through the area. When she looked around, she noticed an amazing little picnic laid out on a large blanket.
"I didn't know this was here. I thought I knew this forest inside and out. It's beautiful Nokaru! When did you find it?" She couldn't hide her amazement. Her face was beaming, utter happiness
written all over it.
"I see you approve," he said looking down at her. "I found it last week, when I went out with the hunting party. I thought it the perfect place for a little intimate picnic." He couldn't get rid of the goofy look on his face.
"Oh... I love it!" she added, turning to him again, "I love you." She gazed up into his deep blue eyes. "I don't deserve you sometimes, you know that," a devilish smirk on her face now as well.
"No, it's the other way around. I still wonder why a lady like you would ever fall for a simple man as myself. So never think that. I love you Nana," he said in a husky, deep, rich voice. His
eyes looked deep into the very dark brown pools that were her eyes. He could feel himself getting lost in those orbs again, the way he had the first time he had laid eyes upon her in the market several years ago. *Surely this is what they meant when they said the eyes
are the doorway to the soul* he thought to himself. Her eyes were always so full of emotions, and he was happy to see contentment and joy there now.
She leaned into his chest, as he wrapped his arms around her. She sighed with contentment. This was all she could have everwished for.
"Come on, let's eat. I've made all your favorites.
"Oh that's great," she forced a smile on her face. *I'm in for it now. The poor guy just can't cook* she thought dismally as a sweat drop appeared on her forehead. Oh well, she'd eat it for him.
He laughed looking at her. "Don't worry. I got some help this time."
"Was it that apparent?" Laughing, she raised one arm up and behind her head. "I would have ate it anyways. I'm sorry, but you have to admit that your last attempt was pretty... well."
"I know, I know. DON'T remind me. I can't believe you ate that. I nearly died when I tried it." The two broke out in a fit oflaughter.
Sitting down, Nanako looked longingly at the desert. "It all looks wonderful, especially the chocolate cake! Who helped you?"
"Oh. I got Nagisa to help me out this time. She's a great cook."
"I know. I always get my pastries from her shop when I'm out. Father hires her for some of the more special occasions he hosts as well. It's simply amazing what she can do with food." She always loved to eat Nagisa's cooking.
Nanako and Nokaru continued to talk back and forth, feeding each other all the goodies that he had prepared, with some help. As they were finishing up their desert, a bright light surrounded both of them, and the wind whipped furiously up around them.
"What's going on?" Nanako almost screamed, as she tried to get to her feet. All she managed to do is scramble over to Nokaru who held her tightly to him, protecting her from the flying debris.
"I don't know. I can't see. It's too bright." He tried his best to squint and see what was happening, but the light was blinding him.
"My flowers! Where are they!?" Nanako tried to feel around for them, to see if she could find them, but won't let go of Nokaru. *Oh no. I've lost them now. * She thought, bringing a pout to her lips.
Before Nokaru could respond, the wind died down again and the light receded. When the two could finally open their eyes they saw that they were nowhere near to the brook. In fact, they were now
crouched together on a beautiful marble balcony, which appear to overlook a large city shrouded amongst the trees.
"I am sorry. It appears that you have been summoned here at an inconvenient time," the voice was warm and rich. When they turned in its direction, they could see an elderly man with a long white beard. Thin and frail as his body appeared, it also had an air of great strength and commanded loyalty. He was cloaked in robes of red, gold, white, and royal blue, giving him a very regal appearance. As they crouched there staring at them, it finally dawned on them where they were, and who this gentleman was.
Scrambling to their feet, both showed their respect for this man. Nanako curtsied gracefully, and Nakoru gave an equally elegant bow.
"Now, now. There is no need for that my children. Protocol does not have to be met on this day." He smiled warmly at them.
"But, your highness..." Nanako was dumbfounded. Why would the King of Earth ever summon them to the palace, and in such a way? The King gently cut her off, "I insist. No protocol, please. I do get enough of it around here. Any break is a welcomed one. Please, arise. There is no need for either of you to bow, especially you, Nanako."
A shocked look crossed her face before she had a chance to hide it, causing her elder to laugh softly. *How does he know who I am? Why am I here? Surely I can be of no use to the King? * So many questions ran through her mind.
"Come. I shall tell you all you wish to know. But first we should sit." Smiling at them, he added in a slightly subdued tone, "I'm sure this all must be very confusing to the both of you." He
led them slowly across the balcony, stopping to pick up something along the way. Turning immediately, he passed this to Nanako. "These must be yours my dear. They are lovely. I'm sorry though, they've seemed to have gotten a little disheveled from their trip."
Nanako couldn't restrain her relief, "my roses!" A little embarrassed at her outburst, she added in a timid voice, "Thank you so much for finding them. I had feared that they would be lost to me."
Smiling warmly, the King turned and continued on to a set of benches, which were comfortably shaded from the noonday sun by some lovely bushes. He waved an outstretched hand towards one of them,"Please, sit."
Nokaru and Nanako looked at each other and slowly took their seats. She reached out for his hand, looking for some type of reassurance, for some strength to draw upon. This was too confusing for her to get her bearings.
Clapping his hands, their elder took his seat across from them. A servant quickly answered his summons. "Please, bring our guests something to drink." Looking at them, he silently gave them
encouragement to speak up.
"Anything will suffice, thank you." Nokaru's voice had a slight edge to it, revealing to Nanako that he too was uncomfortable and perplexed at this situation.
The servant bowed, and returned quickly with a pitcher of red colored liquid. "Please, help yourselves," the King's voice was warm and rich. It reminded Nanako of her father, on those occasions where
they were left alone to talk to one another, and to get caught up on any new events. He was frequently gone away on business trips, but always made time for her. Although he seemed hard to many, when they
were alone his voice and disposition was always one of love. *What would he think about this?* she mused.
Nokaru poured them each some into the small crystal glasses that were also on the tray. "Thank you sir. But, if I may ask, why are we here?" Nokaru was tense as he handed the glass to Nanako, who gently squeezed his hand to now reassure him that all would be well.
As she brought the glass to her lips, Nanako smelled a lovely fruity smell emanating from its contents. Her taste buds danced as it hit her tongue. What ever this was, it was simply delectable.
"There is much I have to tell you both. First of all, I am not the one who summoned you here." He was clearly pensive now, with his head bent slightly and his hands folded in front of his face.
The couple looked at each other in confusion. "If you did not, then who did sire?" Nanako had finally found her voice again, though it was shaky.
"As you both know, the ancient crystal is what watches over all of us, keeping peace and harmony on the planet by protecting it and its inhabitants from all those who wish it harm. It must bond or fuse with a couple to enable it's powers to be used. It can not act on its own, though long ago it had gained a consciousness of its own." He paused, trying to find the correct words to convey what he was trying to say. "It is this power which has summoned you both
here today. It is time for a new couple to be fused with the crystal."
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