Hello! I'll make this a.n. short... PLEASE email me and tell me what you think of my story. Critiques, compliments, suggestions, questions, anything would be fine. Just drop me a line! My inbox is getting really! lonely!! ^_~ Usual disclaimers: Sailor Moon and all its characters and likeliness belongs to Naoko Takeuchi, Kodansha/Toei. English translation is made possible by DiC and now Cloverway/Bandai (?). My email address: ml_eclipse@hotmail.com << >> = thoughts [ ] = author's note Rated: PG Please enjoy! ============================================================================ >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> A Shepherd's Kiss <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< ========================= << By Cosmos >> ================================== Chapter 6: Strangers of Grace She could hear voices sounding somewhere near her, but her muddled mind could not distinguish any words from the buzzing sound invading her ears. Her brows furrowed in confusion as she struggled to open her eyes to view a world that would astonish her if she could just see it, but all she could see were shades of gray and white flowing like ripples across a lake's surface. Patches of blinding white light and puddles of shadow wove in and out among each other like the images of a kaleidoscope. The chaotic movement of colors and darkness confused her mind even further, and fear began to rise within her. She struggled to sit up but her hands and legs felt heavy as if something or someone was restraining them. Where could she possibly be? But most importantly, how did she get here, wherever this here is? A slight throbbing in the back of her head made her recall the night before when three strangers invaded their cell…but that was all she could remember…three dark shadows then nothing. Yet the pain in the back of her head was evidence that she must have been struck from behind and knocked unconscious. <> She suddenly thought, <> A sudden feeling of anger erupted within her, anger at those who inflicted this new pain on her and anger at herself for once again being helpless to protect the ones she loved. <> she thought, <> She hated this. She hated feeling so utterly helpless. Clenching her hands into a tight fist, she strained harder to see her enemies, but her effort only made her dizzy and drained of energy. With each painstaking effort to regain control of her body, she grew weaker and weaker. <> she thought wearily, <> While Serenity hovered over the borderline of conscious and subconscious, her captors continued with their discussion. "When shall he return?" an irritated voice asked. "How in the world should I know?" another snapped back. "After sunset, don't you guys remember?" a third voice entered the conversation. "Right." "When did he say that?" the fiery voice demanded. "Right after the decision was made to rescue her," the third replied patiently. "How come I didn't hear that?" "Well, if you had stopped yelling at him, you would have," the third voice replied, impatience surfacing in the tone. "Well he deserved it!" The second voice snapped again, "I still think this is a ridiculous and dangerous idea. We don't even know who this girl is, not even her name, let alone trust her enough to risk our own necks to rescue her." "I agree with her," the first voice spoke again. "This was a very dangerous venture. It was extremely careless of him to make such a rash decision." "Oh?" the third voice said cockily, "And how would you know that he didn't possibly ponder it at length ahead of time?" "Well, if he did then he would not have us rescue her. Besides, she is of no importance to our plans. She would only be a burden, if nothing else. Plus, we now have a little child to care for. Do you believe a kid can go romping around with *us*?" "Really…and back there was better?" "At least she might be safer. Hey, I know he is your brother, but that does not justify his careless action. You know how dangerous our lives are, constantly running and hiding like a bunch of fugitives. Hunted day and night by those greedy fools only after the reward without the slightest idea of who their real enemies are. Do you think the kid would last very long if we were caught in a surprise attack like the one Aurora-81 encountered?" "Please don't mention that battle," the second voice whispered grievously. "All right, all right," the third voice gave in, "you made your point, but they are here now and we cannot return them. You should have made your objections when it was valid." "I did, but he wouldn't listen!" the first cried out angrily. "I know," the third voice said with a tired sigh. "Why would he want to save her so much?" the second asked quietly drawing the other two's attention. "Who knows what goes around in that head of his," the first replied. They converse well into twilight when the last rays of the setting sun submerged beneath the distant horizon. A chorus of insects and frogs from a nearby pond interrupted them. They quickly realized that it was time to rendezvous at the Timeless Oak, their main meeting place. Serenity could sense herself being lifted and carried for an incredible distance. Although she could feel and hear all that was going on around her, somehow she could not awaken from this strange drugged-like state. Perhaps they did give her something to keep her sedated like this. As much as she tried, she could not surface from the subconscious. Thump. Thump. The sounds of footstep against the hard ground reached her ears, then nothing. She could sense a change in the atmosphere around her as her captors placed her down on the ground once again. <> Serenity questioned. <> She could hear the voices converse again but this time in a low whisper as if they were waiting for an expected arrival. A short time later, Serenity realized she was listening to another voice, one of which she did not notice earlier. There are now four, not three, voices speaking. Whomever these people were waiting for, the person has finally arrived. "So how did it go?" she heard someone asked. "Did they suspect anything?" another added. "Not a thing," the fourth voice replied confidently. "I delivered my cargo and they simply allowed me to go. They had no reason to suspect me, anyway, since they found her gone before my arrival. There was nothing that would have led them to believe I had anything in her disappearance. When in fact I had everything to do with it," a sly grin made its way to the lips of this stranger. "It was a simple procedure." "Yeah, too simple if you ask me," a fiery voice said. "Oh, stop worrying," came the replied. "Everything went according to plan. No one suspected a thing." "So how did Snafu take to the disappearance of her best worker, brother?" "Like any cat when she lost her favorite prey, sis," he replied with a deep laughter, "You should have seen her. She looked like she was about to explode with anger." "That's all right," another voice said, "the day when I want to see her would be the day I die, because the sight of her ugly face would cause my death." They laughed amongst themselves with a feeling of ease resting in the atmosphere. Suddenly, Serenity heard the new stranger ask about her, "So how is our 'maiden-in-distress'?" "Distressed no longer," someone replied, "until she awakens that is." She could hear him sigh in concern. "I guess we should get going," he replied with a serious tone, "The sun has already set and late night travel is not even to be considered." "What about the kid?" "I didn't take her into consideration when I made this plan. You three are heading straight for camp?" "Yeah, the Eastern post is holding quite well. Setsuna has that covered. And Ami just finished checking the Western Post. Everything is alright there as well." "So we're taking a break and heading home." "Then you three take the child with you." "What?!" someone asked in surprise, "Are you kidding me? Us? Take the kid?" "Look, you three can travel a lot faster than I can and, between the three of you, I think the child would be very well protected. Besides, the sooner she gets to camp the safer she would be." "Alright," someone mumbled. "Come on kid, you're coming with the babysitters." "But," a small voice spoke up, "what about Serenity?" <> Serenity thought. She could recognize that innocent voice anywhere. <> "Don't worry kid," an older voice said with reassurance, "You'll see your friend again. She'll just be coming later." "Come here child," he said softly, "what is your name?" "Hotaru," she replied in a small frightened voice. "Well, Hotaru," he said using the same calm voice one uses with a young child, "don't worry, all right? Serenity is going to be taken very well care off, and she will be reuniting with you at Camp soon." His deep soothing voice calmed Hotaru, and the look of sincerity in his eyes brought her to soon trust him. Giving a small nod, she asked him, "Will you take care of her?" The unexpected question greatly surprised him. For a moment, he didn't respond still shocked by the openness of the question. <> he thought amusingly as he gazed into her deep violet eyes full of innocence. "If it would make you feel any better, I will personally see to her care," he replied with a handsome smile. "Thank you Mister," Hotaru replied as she wrapped her arms around his neck in a hug. "Yeah, and he'll see to more than that," one of his comrade remarked sarcastically. The other two laughed. Giving the commentator a threatening glance, he returned his gaze to Hotaru and said, "Please Hotaru, my name is Endymion." <> Serenity's mind immediately recognized the name. <> "Thank you Endymion!" she chirped happily. "Your very welcome," he replied with a laugh at the sudden emotional change in the child. "What are *their* names?" Hotaru asked pointing to his three companions. "That you would just have to ask them," he replied. "Hey kid, it's time to go," the tallest soldier called to her. "All right, can I give Serenity a hug first?" Seeing that permission was given, she skipped toward Serenity's slumbering form and hugged her tight while whispering words of endearment to her friend. "Take care, Serenity," she whispered. "I'll see you again soon; and don't you worry about these people. I think that we can trust them. I'll be missing you until you are with me once more. I'll see you again, Serenity." Deep beneath the waves of subconscious, Serenity could hear Hotaru's young voice whispering to her. Although she struggled to reply, no words escaped her lips. She could sense the child's warm body wrapped around her cold one comforting her. She wanted to scream out to Hotaru not to go and leave her, but again something restrained her from doing so. Instead a single tear escaped from beneath her closed lids to be wiped away by small delicate fingers. Hotaru saw the tear and smiled. "You will be all right." Endymion stood protectively over the slumbering form of Serenity while he watched the silhouettes of his four companions recede into the shadows of night. Once they disappeared his gaze fell down to the beautiful young woman sleeping at his feet. Her incredibly long silver hair surrounded her from all sides like sea foams. The light of the new moon caused the silver strands to glitter like jewels against the dark blades of grass. For a moment, her beauty took his breath away; and he stood mesmerized by the enchantment she unknowingly was casting on him even in her sleep. But it was more than beauty that he admired in her. Her strong-spirited nature with a mind so independent of other's sway that truly captured his attention. He quickly noticed the rapid movements of her eyes beneath her soft pale lids. His deep blue eyes widened in surprise. <> he wondered. <> For a moment, Endymion stood watching Serenity struggle against the enchantment withholding her from full consciousness. The whole time she was placed under the spell, she continued to oppose it. He watched with great admiration realizing that she would never cease her fight against the strange power that was holding her prisoner. Unknowingly, her strength and spirit gradually drew him to her. "Well, I guess it is time to wake Sleeping Beauty," he whispered. Holding his hand close to her face, he concentrated his powers. His hands gradually glowed with an eerie blue light as his powers gathered to the tips of his fingers. A ring of red light glowed around Serenity's closed eyes, reacting to his powers. Gently, slowly, he let his fingertips run across her eyelids, one-by-one, caressing her soft skin. Serenity could sense his powers hovering over her like a soft breeze teasing her eyelids awaken. She could feel his gentle touch over her eyes. His skin felt so soft like a rose's petal. A strange stir of emotions erupted from deep within her causing a great mixture of confusion that created fear in her. She didn't understand any of this. What was he doing? What was she feeling? Her sudden distress caused an unknown surge of power to erupt from deep within her soul to clash against the foreign power and his. A thunderous sound crashed in the air around them as the enchantment suddenly ceased and disappeared. Endymion jumped back slightly startled by the incredible power he felt erupted from her when he touched her. > he thought, <> Her eyes immediately flew open as the heaviness lifted from them. A cascade of glittering stars drifted down to meet her gaze. For a moment, she felt bewildered by the strange picture painted before her. A great dome of darkness spanned across her view with beautiful white specks of stars planted in the structure like small pebbles on a beach. For a moment she did not stir from her position as the peculiarity of this land held her in its spell. Its strange dark beauty was something she had never encountered on the moon. There was always a familiar brightness on the moon due to the ground reflecting sunlight back into the atmosphere, so she could never see the impressive picture of a truly midnight sky. But here, the entire place was dark, darker than night. Save for the stars glittering above her, she could not make out any other light. He watched her in silence. Her bright blue eyes focused somewhere in space as she gazed in awe at the new world around her. He noticed a strange brightness glow in her eyes as she analyzed her new surrounding like a newborn child opening her eyes for the first time. Her attention was held so deeply that he believed she did not notice his presence. Remaining still while one's stomach was jumbled in a knot was not an easy thing to do; and he soon noticed his legs aching with stiffness by his position. He moved slightly to ease the soreness hoping that he would not break her reverie, but he soon realized that she was as keen as a hawk. The slightest motion, the smallest sound, caught her attention no matter how hard he tried to remain quiet. Hearing the soft rustle of grass close to her left caused her to jump to her feet from a lying position as quick as lightning. Her incredibly fast reaction startled him. She snapped her attention to the dark silhouette crouching below her, but his face was hidden in shadows. "Who are you?" she asked as her mind temporarily blanked out by fear. He slowly stood up and stepped closer to her bringing his face within visibility. She let out a gasp of surprise. "You?!" she breathed and a surge of unexpected emotions invaded her soul. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> [Well, now you know one of the three strangers...can you guess the remaining two? ^_^ Chapter seven coming next week! "Intrigue" ...hmmm...sounds interesting ^_~] =========================================== Copyright (c) 2000, Cosmos.