Forbidden Hearts	
	Part 3/?
	By Elisabeth James
	ejames000@ameritech.net

	Here it is!  Chapter 3!  YAHOO!!  Seven whole pages for
your enjoyment!  Just remember to Write Write Write!!!  

	Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is not mine :)  But this fic is along
with the characters of Raina and Adonis :)

	Best read while listening to Rhythm Emotion: Pure
Version.  One of the best songs from Gundam Wing :)  it’s
beautiful, I wrote this chapter to this song, it’s incredibly
inspirational :)

	

	Under the dull glow of earth the moon seemed harsh and
uninviting.  It’s beauty seemed to disappear only to reveal the
darkness that lay underneath.  A society that was on the brink of
destruction, a war that threatened to take the lives of everyone who
dwelled on the tiny floating orb.  During the day, there were things
to mask the underlying trouble, but like all facades, it would
crumble in the absence of light.

	How fitting it was that Queen Serenity could not sleep
while her subjects could not either.  Loud explosions rocked the
stone castle, she could hear the guards yelling across the
courtyards.  Soon everything would crumble, nothing could save
her kingdom now.  The marriage that had been planned so
carefully was almost useless, the only bearing it could have on the
situation now was to lessen the pressure between the two sides.
	A loud rapping at her chamber door startled the queen from
her jilted thoughts.  Without even so much as a warning the
captain of her royal guard burst through the door.  He quickly knelt
in front of the queen he had sworn to protect.
	“Your majesty.” he said while looking down at his feet.
“The Terrans have broken through our outer defenses.  They are
slowly pushing our forces back toward the castle.  I can not do
anything to stop them unless I have your permission to retaliate.” 
	Queen Serenity slowly closed her eyes for a second and
turned back to the window.  She watched the small group of
explosions crop up along the outer rim of the castle grounds.  Her
men were falling out there, innocent people were dying as she
stood there pondering what should have been an easy decision to
make.  
	“How many are dead?” she asked gravely, unsure of her
own voice.  She had a family to think about, daughters that had
their whole lives ahead of them.  Did she want to bring war into
their lives so younger?
	“At least 150 your majesty, perhaps more.  The Terrans are
not letting up.” the captain said from his position on the floor.
	She turned back to the man who would lead her troops into
battle.  “I give the order to fight back.  No more than is nessessary
though, I only want them pushed out of the castle grounds.  I will
not have a full fledged war break out tonight if I can keep it from
happening.”
	“Of course your majesty, I will give the order.” he rushed
from the room leaving Serenity once again alone with her
thoughts.
	“May God have mercy on our souls tonight.” she whispered
quietly to herself as another battle cry could be hear as more
soldiers rushed into the conflict.

	“Damn!” Princess Serenity swore softly under her breath as
the paintbrush slipped from her hand and landed with a plop on the
wooden balcony floor.  Her hands shook with terror as she reached
down to pick it up.  She thought painting would calm her down
instead sitting on that balcony watching the explosive shells shoot
up into the air lighting up the night sky like celebratory fireworks
only made her more jittery.
	Far off screams carried through the still night air.  Tears
welled up in her eyes.  If only she couldn’t hear them die.  Those
were fathers, brothers, cousins and friends out there trying to
protect the land they loved and the people they loved.  Instead
those fearful families would receive letters soon after tonight
telling them that someone they loved wasn’t coming home.
	Serenity dropped the paintbrush carefully onto the easel
and walked into her bedroom shutting the tall glass doors
gracefully behind her.  The castle still vibrated with the explosions
that rippled through the ground, there was no escaping the fear. 
Sudden horrible memories of when her own father died shot into
her brain.
	The heartwrenching experience of losing someone she
loved so dearly took it’s toll on Serenity.  Even more so on her
mother.  With the death of her beloved husband Queen Serenity
seemed to die as well.  She stayed in mourning for months after the
assassination took place, nothing could bring her out if it.  Even
after everything seemed to return to normal the queen was very
much changed.  The love and warmth she once had for her
daughters had faded considerably.  While she remained a fair and
just ruler to all of her subjects, many could never see the pain or
anguish she had to face in ruling a kingdom and raising her two
daughters with no one by her side.
	Serenity was only 14 when it happened, more than old
enough to remember the screams of terror from the crowd as the
bullet shot from out of nowhere.  People were rushing everywhere,
everything exploded into chaos, rapidly spinning out of control. 
The king was dead before his body could even hit the ground
behind the podium.
	Life had never been the same since he died.
	Serenity had not been the same since he died.
	She stayed near the doors and rested her warm forehead on
the cool glass.  She felt more helpless than she ever had before. 
She had no control over anything anymore, not even her own heart.
	She longed for Endymion at that moment.  She wanted him
to hold her, and tell her that everything would be better by
morning.  It would all be a dream, a horrible dream that would end
at daybreak as the sun filled the sky with its warm rays.  That no
one would be dead in those green fields that remained proud at the
bottom of the Lunar mountains.  That their peaceful world would
not be tainted by the blood of its citizens.
	She started to cry then, unable to control her tears as they
slid down her face in silent protest to the battle raging outside her
window and inside her heart.
	For this was not a dream, it was reality, cold hard truth. 
People were dying as she stood there, there was nothing she could
do to change that.  They would pay the ultimate price so that she
may live another day inside of her castle unconcerned about what
was swirling around her.  
	She couldn’t take it anymore, her room was too confining. 
A feeling of suffocation settled uneasily over her, she had to get
out of here.  Even if it meant stepping foot outside and into the
growing turmoil.  With as much courage as she could muster she
ran from her room and down the hall.  Her footfalls echoed
throughout the large corridor, but there was no one to hear them,
all the guards were protecting the queen right now.  She burst
outside and into the garden.  The cold air hit her full force causing
her to stop abruptly, she didn’t even know what she was doing
anymore.
	The air smelled strongly of gunpowder and a thick black
smoke had taken its place surrounding the castle.  The entire battle
line was engulfed in flames, screams could be heard as the soldiers
fought on before their fragile lives gave out on them.
	Serenity brought a trembling hand to her mouth, panic
gripped every part of her body.  She fell to her knees on the
cobblestone walkway before her and she made no effort to get up. 
Her body just quit, unwilling to do anything at all.
	“Why...” she whispered quietly into the air, the question
hung there like the smoke did, unanswered, taunting her.
	She shivered slightly and hugged herself to try and keep
warm.  She was clothed only in a thin gauzy nightshift and it
offered little protection from the elements.  But the discomfort felt
good, she reveled in it, enjoying the feeling as it traveled through
her body.  It was nothing compared to the agony that racked the
bodies of those who fought for her.
	“Serenity?” a voice sounded surprised behind her.  She
only shook her head, “Go away.” her voice was flat and her blue
eyes remained transfixed on the scene playing out in front of her,
“I just want to be alone right now.”  Boots clicked softly against
the stone pathway and a warm body knelt down next to her.
	“Serenity, please come inside it’s freezing out here.”
Endymion didn’t know how he knew she was out here, or why she
was out here.  But her pain resonated through his body, it was
scary and exhilarating at the same time.  He had never felt
something so strong at all during his 19 year old life, her very core
called out to him on some level, he had no choice but to answer it.
	“Go away Endymion, I don’t want to go back inside.” she
told him fiercely.  She felt his warm hand reaching for hers but she
only shrugged him off, “Look at them.  They are giving up
everything to protect this castle.” she whispered vehemently,
“They will never see their children again, or kiss their wives. 
Their lives will end tonight in this cold night air, their last breaths
will shudder from their lungs and then nothingness will follow. 
All this pain and suffering to keep my home and family safe for
another night.  So we can sleep safely in our beds while their loved
ones mourn in theirs.  It’s enough to make a person sick.” her
petite body shook with anger and her eyes blazed.  “I would gladly
give my life if it meant one less person would die this evening.  I
am not a princess worth protecting.”
	Endymion remained silent, studying her face, “Serenity
these men knew when they took their jobs there was a chance they
might die.  They promised their lives to your mother and to you
and your sister.  They are fighting for a cause they believe in, to
them death is a noble honor.”
	“I just wish I didn’t feel so guilty.” she told him softly.  His
arm wrapped warmly around her and her body unconsciously
moved closer to him reaching for his warmth.  She closed her eyes
and listened to the underlying rumbling of the flames as they
destroyed the beautiful green basins of Serenity’s youth.
	“You have no reason to feel guilty Serenity, nor should
your sister or mother.  These people started this war all by
themselves, your mother tried to halt it before it was too late.  War
is an evil thing, given the right conditions it will consume the
hatred of both sides and grow.  It is like a living breathing thing. 
Please come back inside, I would not want to see you fall ill.” she
nodded in agreement.  He slowly rose to his feet and helped
Serenity to hers.
	“Thank you Endy.” she stared up at his blue eyes and
smiled.  They said words without speaking with that look.  Both
knew exactly what the other was feeling, nothing more needed to
be spoken.  He lead her slowly into the corridor and out of the
struggle taking over her world.

	Day broke not a moment too soon over the mountains
revealing the horrible scene that lay before everyone in the moon
castle.  Hundreds of soldiers lay dead in the fields, a cool breeze
slowly turning the heat off of the battle.  People roamed the fields
collecting the bodies for both sides to prepare them for a proper
burial, tears from the eyes of friends and family watered the
scoarched soil.  The victory had of course gone to the Lunatarians
and the Queen’s guard.  They managed to hold the Terrans at bay
during the night, keeping the castle and it’s inhabitants safe from
harm.  But what price was paid so that the royal family could see
that sunrise?

	“Mother, I am getting worried about Serenity and
Endymion’s close relationship.  They are spending a lot of time
together lately, have you noticed it?” Raina walked down the long
corridor with her mother towards the conference room.  Queen
Serenity had managed to get the leader of the Terran rebel force to
come to the castle to discuss demands to halt the war.  This was
the last opportunity that the queen would have to save her kingdom
from the clutches of combat.
	Serenity’s lips became a thin line, frustration toward her
daughter and the growing conflict was evident on her face, “I
know Raina, many of the maids and guards have informed me that
Endymion has paid visits to Serenity’s room on more than one
occasion.  I would like to terminate the relationship where it is
right now.  I still think the marriage of you and Endymion might
lighten up the tension between us and the Terrans.  It might make a
compromise easier to achieve.” Raina nodded.  “We can not have
Serenity getting too close to your future husband.”
	“I could not agree with you more mother.” they entered the
conference room and the large oak doors slammed behind them.
	
	Last night’s event were still fresh in everyone’s minds. 
Anyone who lived in the castle was scared to death of what was on
the horizon.  Serenity knew her mother was in a meeting at that
very moment trying to find some way to stop this whole thing from
growing, it was the last chance.  Serenity just wanted to let
everything go, in the back of her mind thoughts ran rampant and
guilt still remained dragging her soul down.  She had once again
turned to painting and Endymion to quiet the ache.  She only
wanted to be 16 again, carefree without any worries.  This was the
closest she would ever get again for a long time. 

	“If you don’t sit still, I can’t paint you!” Serenity exclaimed
pushing Endymion back down into his chair.  The two could not
keep from cracking up and Serenity could not stay focused on the
task at hand.  Which at the moment just happened to be painting a
portrait of the handsome earth prince.
	“It is impossible to sit still and remained focused while I
am distracted by your beautiful face.”  his eyes sparkled with a
mischievous gleam.  He leaned forward and propped his head up
on his hand and placed his elbow on his knee.  He peeked his head
around the side of the canvas to see how the painting was coming
along, “I must say Sere, your talent seems to improve everyday.”
the nickname felt natural at this point in their relationship. 
Serenity only blushed at the endearment and playfully pushed
Endymion’s head back so he couldn’t see her work in progress.
	“You are not supposed to look until I am finished.”  she
told him sternly, “It ruins it if you look too soon.”
	He arched an eyebrow at her, questioning her knowledge of
such things.  She shook a finger at him and picked up a paintbrush
from her supplies and dipped it lightly in the black paint on her
palate.  The portrait was half completed, his basic face shape was
done and his piercing blue eyes.  She was working on shaping his
fine ebony hair.  Her eyes flashed between his face and her canvas. 
He was still smiling at her, it was making it much harder to work
with him grinning at her like that.
	“Are you sure I can’t look Sere?” she narrowed her eyes at
him and shook her head.  He again moved closer to her, his eyes
focusing on her lips.  The soft pink flesh gleamed enticingly at him
and slowly formed into a smile revealing her white teeth.
	“You sir, need to stop moving or I will never finish.  If I do
not finish then you can never look.” she went to push him back
once more but his hand caught hers in midair.  He ran his smooth
fingers over hers, tracing the gentle curve of her hand, before
clasping it in his.
	<Oh Gods, he is going to kiss me!> the thought shot
through her mind like a bullet and then it was gone.  Her thoughts
entered complete bliss as his lips approached hers.  She was no
longer thinking, her body had taken over and she had no
complaints.  She closed her eyes and felt his body heat
approaching her.  She wasn’t going to stop him this time, this was
all she ever wanted.  Just one kiss...
	“SERENITY!” a voice bellowed from the hallway, it was
her mother.  Serenity’s eyes shot open and widened in fear.  She
pulled away from Endymion and raced toward the chamber doors. 
She motioned with hurried actions to him to shut the curtains so
the queen wouldn’t see him.  Endymion quickly obliged, and stood
overlooking the gardens.  He knew this wasn’t good.  He heard
Serenity slowly open the chamber door and he held his breath. 
	Serenity opened the door and stepped swiftly out into the
hall where her mother stood with Raina.  She couldn’t help the
surprised look that crossed briefly over her face before she finally
managed to speak.
	“Mother I thought that you had a meeting right now with
the Terran rebel leader?” Serenity looked at her sister, what was
Raina up to now?  The almost smug look on Raina’s face was
enough to cause feelings of suspicions rise in Serenity
	“It finished earlier than expected.  He refused to
compromise, the kingdom is almost certain for conflict now. Last
night was only the beginning.” The queen sounded mournful, her
voice was grave and her skin seemed paler than it ever had been
before.  “There was something I needed to speak to you about
though.” Serenity nodded and the queen turned to Raina, “Raina,
could you please excuse Serenity and I for a few moments.  We
need to speak alone in her chambers.” 
	“Yes mother.” Raina walked slowly down the hall, she was
hoping to hear the conversation about to take place.  It was quite
obvious that her sister would be heartbroken before the end of that
little chat.  Queen Serenity stepped slowly into the room, following
her daughter.
	The tall doors slammed shut, the dead sound echoed down
the hall.  It was the sound of everything ending, dreams shattering
like a broken pane of glass.  Raina could only smile, reveling the
true evil that resided within her wicked heart.   

	~ To be continued ~

	Sorry I had to end it here, or it would have been another
three pages *sweatdrops*  this piece is turning out to be one of the
longest things I have ever written :)  Well I’m already working on
part four, hopefully it won’t take me as long as it did this time. 
Until then!

	Special thanks to: SB, Kelly, Adrianne, Rinoa, and
Meredith (who needs to finish WoH fast before everyone at
SMRFF goes insane, we are watching you Meredith...)

Liz-chan