"The Beginning"
By Sailor ClearMoon
1999
PG
        Heya peeps! Thanx minna-chan for reading my tacky stories! and thanx 
Shalom-chan, for coming up with a title for this baka thing. Later! Please 
E-mail moi!
P.S. SM is not mine. etc.
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        Serenity gaped at the men at the door. They stared back, well, all 
except Endymion. He looked down sheepishly. <No, he couldn't have heard!> 
Serenity thought.
        Finally the others noticed Serenity staring at the door. Their eyes 
followed to find five blushing men.
        Rei gasped while turning a darker red than her dress, Ami choked, 
Mina stared, and Lita sat down hard. Serenity just looked at the door, still 
white from her shock. Holly, Michelle, and Alex worn slight smiles, but 
eventually they felt bad for their friends so they frowned.
        Jadeite stepped forward, refusing to look at Rei, "uh, um... you see... 
well..."
        "Get it out." Serenity commanded, "What are you doing outside my door?"
        Jadeite gulped visibly, then Kunzite came to the rescue. But he didn't 
look at Mina, "We, the four guards, were coming to find... uh... um... Mina, 
Lita, Rei, and Ami and escort them to the... uh... ball. But then they went 
in here. We were going to ask them, but we started to... uh... 'get chicken'. 
Finally we came up to the room... and... the door was opened slightly..."
        Nephrite offered the rest of the story, "We were about to announce 
ourselves when you all started to," he blushed, "started to talk about, well, 
you know what... as Alex was saying something, Endymion came up behind us 
and wanted to know what we were doing..."
        "And you all just stayed to listen. Well it doesn't matter, they were 
just jokes. You can go now, if you wish. Soon we will be out." Serenity's 
voice was stiff. Though her face color was returning to normal. <At least 
Endymion didn't hear what Rei said!>
        The men bowed and left the room. Serenity walked over and closed the 
door hastily. Then she slid to the floor.
        "Rei!" Serenity shouted.
        "Sere!" Rei yelled.
        "Alex!" Lita growled.
        "Mina!" Ami shrieked.
        "Ami!" Mina met Ami's shriek.
        "Everybody!" Holly shouted. The others turned to her, "Listen, so you're 
embarrassed? So?! Now you know that they like you too!"
        Rei, Lita, Ami, and Mina looked at each other, "She's right! Great!"
        Serenity slowly got up and walked out onto the balcony. She whispered,
 "But Endy most likely doesn't want me... that thought makes me sad... why? 
it shouldn't matter. I just met him! But still..."
        She heard the others in her room chatting away. Serenity tried to stop
 it, but a tear fell down her cheek, then another, and another. Her body 
wracked with sobs. She tried to stop but she couldn't. Sere pounded on the 
balcony rail, trying to stop.
        She felt a hand on her shoulder, from the dress she knew that it was 
Michelle. "Elli..." Serenity cried, "I don't know..."
        "Yes, yes. I know that you don't. It's okay, let's do your hair now. 
The others have left-"
        "Did they even notice?" Serenity asked as Michelle led her inside.
        "No, Sere, they didn't. Only Alex and Holly did, but they didn't point 
it out. Holly had gotten the others happy so they left them in that state. I 
believe that the guards did go to the ball with the inners."
        "Yes, that's good-" Just then Alex came back, "Oh, Alex!" Serenity wiped 
her tears as Michelle started to brush the long flowing hair.
        Alex now wore her royal crown on her head, "All princesses are required 
to wear their planet's crown tonight. order by Selene, are you better?"
        Serenity looked in the mirror at herself, "Yes, and yet no." She sighed,
 "It was another one of those times when I feel so sad..." tears threatened 
again but she stopped them, "No, I won't cry anymore."
        Michelle stood by Serenity and turned the moon princess to face her, 
"Sere, I'm worried about you! Are you sure you don't love, or at least like,
 that prince?"
        Serenity turned away, "I- I don't know. Oh Elli, Alex! I don't know! 
I just-" She stopped as a knock was heard. In a calm voice she called, "Who 
is it?"
        To her surprise, a male voice answered, "Serenity? It's me, Endymion. 
Can I talk to you for a minute?"
        The princess gasped and then fought for a steady voice, "Yes, come in."
        The black-haired prince walked in and closed the door. He bowed to the 
three princesses. Michelle and Alex nodded their heads. Then Michelle set 
about fixing Serenity's hair. As she started to do something, Serenity stopped 
her, "No, Elli. I want it as the usual. The most you can change is have the
 Pigtails in braids. Nothing else."
        "But-" Alex protested. Serenity shook her head.
        "No, what I said before was stupid. I know it now," Serenity turned 
back to her guest and motioned to a pillow.
        Endymion walked over to where she had gestured while thinking, <She's
 even more lovely than before! Oh no, she doesn't know that I've heard Rei 
two times. I feel awful, I really ought to tell her how I feel, no she said 
everything was a joke. No that wasn't true,> he knew it by the way the others 
had taken up the escort offered by his guards. He knew for he had seen her 
grow pale as she saw him, and the others. Yes, she cared.
        "Well?" Serenity's voice brought him back to the present, "What did you 
want?"
        Endymion's heart raced, he didn't want to say what he needed to. "Well, 
I hope you will forgive my guards for eves dropping. I don't know why I joined
 in..."
        "You wanted to hear if there was anything about you?" Serenity suggested.
 Michelle listened intently as she braided the hair coming from the odangos 
on the top of the princess's head.
        Endymion looked down, "No, not quite. Though you might want to know 
that I overheard the conversation between you and Rei in the hallway..." 
Serenity flushed slightly, <Great, after the next thing I'll tell her, she'll
 hate me and Rei> "And," he sighed, "I also was a little ways from the door 
when Rei shouted out... uh... y'know."
        Serenity clenched her dress in her fists, "Rei..."
        "Don't, it's not her fault. It was mine."
        "No, it's nothing, don't worry. She was just kidding me, uh, us. We like 
to get on each other's cases. Don't worry, it's not true."
        <But it's how I feel. Do you really not care? Oh Serenity, I wish that
 I could stay longer than just tonight! I want to get to know about you, I 
want to be your friend...>
A maid came in, "Princess, your mother requests you. Oh, prince, your 
mother is looking for you. You are to follow me..." Michelle finished the 
last braid.
        "Go on now. I'll see you there, Sere," Michelle told her as she placed
 the royal crown of Neptune on her head.
        "Yes Elli. See you later, Alex!" Serenity replied a little sadly.
        "Are you *sure* you're okay?" Alex asked. Serenity nodded, though water 
built up in her eyes again.
        Endymion and Serenity followed the maid down the hall to the main doors
 to the ballroom. "Mother?" Serenity asked.
        "Oh, there you are dear! What took you so long?" Selene asked, then she
 noticed the faint sign of tears in her daughter's eyes. "Tell me later."
        Serenity nodded, "Yes mother."
        Galla beckoned her son over and whispered to him, "Now be on your best 
behavior, okay? We want to look good to these on the moon."
        "Yes, of course."
        "Now come on, we must go in. Oh, Endymion, Serenity, you two are to go
 in together." Selene said.
        Serenity's heart sank, could she do this? Of course she could! She'd 
done harder! First William and Galla descended the stairs, Selene following 
after, and then Serenity and Endymion. Out of the corner of her eye she saw 
Rei smiling.
        Without turning her head, Serenity knew that her friends Mina, Lita, 
Rei, and Ami were holding onto their escorts arms. Serenity continued with a
 fake smile on her face, Endymion did the same. Finally they were allowed to
 split apart and turn to the crowd. Selene introduced the king, queen, and 
prince of earth. Then the dancing begun. Many danced, though Serenity did her
 best to stay away, she didn't feel good. Then, only about ten minutes into 
the ball, there was a flash of light. Then a silhouette of a woman appeared. 
When her features could be seen, it revealed Setsuna, princess of Pluto. 
Guardian of the time gate.
        Serenity smiled. her mother calmly introduced Setsuna to the earth 
guests, who were a little stunned at the entrance. <Endymion handled it well
, he was prepared in case it was an attack. But once he saw who it was, he 
settled down. He's so handsome...> She snapped herself out of it as Charles, 
one of her possible suitors, touched her arm.
        "Serenity, may I have this dance?"
        She couldn't refuse, though she wanted to. There was nothing she could
 do, "Sure." 
        They danced, but Serenity was distracted by the feeling of being watched.
 She turned her head to see Endymion staring at her, and Charles as if in 
jealousy. <Huh? No, that can't be. He wouldn't like me...> tears threatened again and 
she was glad when the dance was over. She curtsied quickly and made her way 
to the outdoors. She finally made her escape and stood outside on the balcony.

        Endymion watched as a man danced with Serenity. He was jealous, though
 he shook it off. He got into a conversation with Zoicite and Ami when they 
came by.
        After the couple left, Endymion turned to where he had last seen Serenity.
 He was surprised to see her making her way to the balcony. <Where's she going?>
 He made his way over to her. She had already reached the balcony and was 
standing out there. Then he saw her shake her head and then run down the steps
 of the balcony to the gardens.
        Endymion rushed after her. At first he couldn't find her, but then he 
spotted her white dress. She was sitting on a bench, her body was shaking. 
She was- crying? She pounded on the stone and cried.
        "Serenity?" Endymion stepped out of the shadows. Serenity gasped as she
 moved the hair out of her eyes.
        "What? What are you doing here? Go away!" She whispered between her 
tears.
        "No, I need to tell you something." Endymion came over, "Please, can I
 sit here?" Slowly she nodded. He sighed as he sat down, "Rena, I mean, 
Serenity..."
        The princess smiled and sniffed, "Rena? Call me that, please."
        He gave her a confused look, but smiled, "Okay then, Rena. Y'know what
 Rei said, right?" She looked down her smile changed to a frown, "No, don't 
do that. You have such a lovely face." She looked at him in shock, "Oh, 
that's what I want to tell you. I don't know what it is, Rena. But I think 
that I love you. I know that I've only known you for a day, but-"
        "You, you what?" Serenity asked, stunned.
        "I- love you."
        Serenity stood up suddenly and turned her head up as she closed her 
eyes, "Say that again, please." She whispered.
        Endymion nodded, confused, "I love you Rena."
        Serenity looked down at him with a smile, "I do too." She said softly.
        "Really, Rena?"
        "Truly, Endy."
        They smiled. Serenity sat back down and looked at him, "Endy, I was 
just so scared to admit it. I just wasn't sure, earth and the moon aren't on
 the best of terms. Earth has yet to join the alliance between the planets, 
but it feels so good to know that someone truly loves me."
        Music floated to their ears and he asked, "Dance?" Serenity smiled and
 curtsied. They danced for two songs.
        Then Serenity murmured, "We must go back. They'll be looking for us..."
        "Don't say that, let's just stay here..." Endymion pleaded.
        "No, we mustn't. Come now." They headed back inside where Rei, Lita, 
Mina, and Ami flocked to her and asked her a million questions, "no, no. I 
was just taking a walk. I wasn't feeling good..." Endymion headed off to find
 his mother and father. Both were over by the refreshment table.

        When Serenity finally got free, she barely missed bumping into a red-
haired woman with purple lips. "Excuse me. Oh, I've never met you, who are 
you?" Serenity asked.
        the woman looked slightly annoyed but was polite enough, "I am Beryl. 
And you're Serenity of the moon kingdom, right? I'm from earth."
        "Oh, nice to meet you." Serenity moved onto the refreshments table 
where she served herself a full glass of punch. Then she noticed the king 
and queen of earth at the end of the table, so she went to join them.
        "hello child." Galla greeted, "You've been gone. Where have you been?"
        "Well I was- umph- hey!" Serenity was bumped, spilling her glass onto 
the royals from earth. She turned around to see Beryl snicker.
        "Ahh! My dress! Dear girl, be careful!" Galla did the best she could 
to keep from screaming.
        "Here," Serenity said, handing them napkins. "You could go back and 
change, that 'Beryl' just bumped into me."
        "Don't blame it one someone like us!" William hissed. Serenity backed 
up, surprised.
        Obviously Selene had been watching for she now came up. First Galla 
told what had happened, then Serenity explained. When she was done telling 
her mother what had *really* happened, she was pushed right into the queen 
and king. Poor Serenity couldn't get her footing as she slipped forward. As 
she turned her head, she noticed Beryl.
        The three fell on the floor. Now Galla was mad, "That couldn't have 
been an accident! What are you trying to do? Embarrass us?! Well Selene, the 
deal's off! Thanks to your *daughter* for opening our eyes and letting us 
see how you people on the moon really act!"
        Endymion rushed over as the three got up. William and Galla brushed 
themselves off as Selene pleaded with them. Serenity broke in, "But Beryl 
pushed me! I swear it was an accident!"
        "Stop it, brat!" The king snapped, "Don't blame it on one who is true 
to the earth's crown. unlike some here!"
        "Father? Mother? What's going on?" Endymion asked.
        "That little witch bumped right into us, making us fall down! After 
she spilled punch all over us!"
        Endymion shook his head, they all ignored the group that had gathered.
 The crowd all wore frowns, all except Beryl. She smirked.
        "No, Rena wouldn't do that! Mother-" He was broke off by the king's 
shout.
        "Kunzite, Jadeite, Zoicite, Nephrite! Come here, escort the prince home
 while I finish some business." The king ordered.
        The guards slowly led Endymion away, Serenity ran after them with the 
other princesses behind her. "Endy!" Serenity called when they were in the 
hallway and away from the crowds' ears. 
        "Wait!" Endymion commanded. He ran back to  Serenity, "I'm so sorry 
Rena! What happened?"
        Serenity explained, "I know you didn't do it Rena." Neither noticed the
 four men and eight princesses watching them.
        "I guess we won't be seeing each other again," Serenity wept, "Endy, 
take this. It's my star locket, never forget me..." She closed her eyes and 
lifted her lips to his. At first the prince was surprised, then he didn't care
 and returned the kiss.
        Rei wasn't in the joking mood, otherwise she would've bugged the two 
who had just met that day. Then the guards stepped forward. Kunzite went to 
Mina, Jadeite to Rei, Zoicite to Ami, and Nephrite to Lita. The couples 
embraced.
        Then Zoicite tapped Endymion's shoulder, "Sire, we must go before your
 mother and father find us still here."
        Endymion nodded, Serenity watched him go as tears flowed down her 
cheeks, " *'Endymion, you are my first love... my only love... even if we're
 reborn in another life, we'll find each other... and then... we'll fall in 
love again...'* I promise to see you again, I must!" She whispered it, but he
 heard.
        As soon as her prince was out of site, Serenity fell to the floor and 
cried, "Endymion! Endymion! I wish we could be together! I promise, I vow to
 fix this! I will!"
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Note: that thing in the 2nd ta last paragraph between *__* is from the SM 
manga volume 3. (It's from act 12, Reincarnation)
How'd y'all like it? Okay, so it wasn't all that funny. But I hafta build up
 ta the big 'ol battle with Metallia and Beryl. Incase ya didn't know, I'm 
basing this story (as much as possible) on the Silver Millennium explained in
 the manga. Yay! I finally found the spelling for it! (I'm an awful speller).
 E-mail me please! Later!
-Clare~chan   *.~