Miaka Hey everyone! This is the second part to my lovely story. I know this is all sappy and everything, but that's what's so fun about it. But, to all those of you who hate sappy things, I will get to the good parts. Thanks to every one who wrote me, even you who sent flames, I adore e-mail! I love that 'You have Mail!' and I always feel like crying when it tells me 'Sorry, you have no new mail' It is so sad. So keep the mail coming, don't care whta you have to say, flames, worries, anything at all, and I will ALWAYS respond, unless you are down right mean, then I might stay quite. Thanks to Alicia Blade, Chichiri, Sailor Venus(Tif), Sailor Saturn(Fifi), Shell Presto, and all thsoe others who have written me. THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!! I don't own Sailor Moon. There are some lovely disclaimers in a lot of other fanfics so I say ditto to all of them. "A White Rose, A Red Rose" - Chapter 2 "Mamochan! What do you think that you are saying?! You, a better sword fighter than me! HA!" At the age of five, Usagi still radiated joy an innocence, though now she also had a certain understanding to her air that went beyond her age. "Usa, I know EXACTLY what I am saying. I am a better sword fighter, archer, horseback rider, you name it," Mamoru replied calmly, but with a slight undertone of mischief. Usagi heard it. "Momochan, you have never even seen me fence, in fact you have never even seen me at all!" Usagi said giggling. "Well, that is true, but what of it? We both know that I am better than you." Mamoru could feel her happiness swelling as she continued to giggle, but after he said that she burst out laughing. "You, a better fighter?! Well Mamochan, I challenge you. If we ever meet we shall see which one of us will be the one to win. But then again healing is ever so much more fun than fighting!" Even laughing at him she maintained a sense of innocence and purity and for it people still looked at her as a white rose, and Mamoru still looked at her as the gentle one he had met over a year ago. Over that year the bond between the two had grown. Sensing each other and knowing what the other was feeling was like second nature. They talked to each other daily and never went a minute without teasing each other. The young prince was overjoyed to have her as a friend, and the young princess seemed to think it natural that they should share the bond. But even with all the talking and laughing that they did together, neither of them had told anyone else about the other. All Mamoru's parents could figure was that all of a sudden their son became some one who loved life and would laugh at anything. And Usagi's family, well, she laughed and was bubblily anyhow so they saw no change at all. "Mamochan, your tenth birthday is tomorrow," Usagi suddenly reminded him, still giggling happily. The last time his birthday had come around he had not told her until the day of, and she had been furious, not seriously, but furious none the less. He heard no end of it for days. - Flash Back- "Mamochan, how could you do this to me?!" Usagi cried, wailing "You know that birthday's are important to me, and you should know that I would want to know BEFORE your birthday when it was, now I shall never be able to trust you again. You never tell me anything!" She had tried desperately to keep up her act of the victim, but when his response was to answer with a crestfallen, "Usagi, please forgive me, I do not like my birthday, so I did not want to bother you with it. Please forgive me." He had sounded so sad that she dropped her act and immediately began to tell him that it was all right and she forgave him. Neither could ever refuse the other anything. -End of Flash Back- Now his birthday was approaching again and she had not forgotten. "You are going to be ten, are you not excited. I can not wait until I am ten! That is when I get to start writing my age with two digits instead of one, it will look so great!" Mamoru never ceased to wonder at how much pleasure Usagi pulled out of little things, but then when she was happy, so was he. "Usa, you know that I do not like my birthday, and on top of that my mother is planning some sort of party to celebrate and is having lots of guests over. I do not like large gatherings, and I do not like the look of this one," Mamoru ended on a sigh "But the four guests that are your age will be coming, and they might be a lot of fun to have around. After all you should get to know them as they will be living with you," Usagi practically chirped the last news "How did you know that they are coming, I never told you," Mamoru asked quickly, already knowing the answer. "You didn't? I was sure you just said it, oops, I must have looked into your thoughts again. I did not do it on purpose, I know that we promised each other never to pry into each others thought without permission, it is the last privacy we have left after all." Usagi giggled again. As the bond between them increased they had found it easier and easier to talk to each other, but they could never hide anything from the other anymore either. They could look into each other's thoughts, emotions, and feeling like they were their own. True they did not always completely understand what they saw there, but they could see it nonetheless. So they had promised each other never to pry into each others thought without permission. "Mamochan, if you really have a bad time at your party, feel free to talk to me, I always love to hear from you. Besides, you will have to give me a full description of the party anyhow, so why not during the party?" Usagi laughed as she said it. "Usa, I really appreciate your offer and I will most likely take it up. You are the greatest friend I have." Mamoru knew she was beaming "Uh, Mamochan, I just remembered that I have lessons to go to, so I have to split, see you latter." "Oh, yea, I have lessons as well, so have fun." The only response he got was a snort and then a giggle. @--<--<-- Molly entered the Princess's bedroom to find her giggling. She did not even try to find out what she was laughing about as she had tried once before and the Princess had gone on and on about some person saying this funny thing, and being totally unintelligible, maybe because she was laughing while she gave her explanation. Whatever it was, the Princess seemed to laugh at every thing and always seemed to be happy, true she had her moments, but overall she was a very happy child. "Princess Serenity, your lessons await you." Molly said with a curtsey Serenity sighed, 'Oh how I do hate being called Princess Serenity' "Molly, I have my sword lessons today, do I not?" "You highness knows that ever day she has her lesson." It was the truth, when Usagi had found out that Mamoru was taking sword lessons, she absolutely insisted that she be allowed to take them as well. It had been the same for all his lessons. If he took them then she had to as well. It was the same for him, well almost, he had decided that he would not go so far as to learn how to sew and cook. The greatest shock she had given the palace was when, shortly after the sword lessons began, she began to refuse to wear a dress. It put her at a disadvantage she had said; although no one knew what she was talking about, no one argued. Now she only wore dresses when she absolutely had to, and she always had a short sword at her waist. "Well, Molly, the master said he wasn't feeling well yesterday, so I gave him some medicine and told him to stay home today if he felt even the slightest illness; I would not want him to aggravate his health." Saying that, the Princess stood and followed Molly out of the room, actually, chased her out of the room as both began to run soon after they started on their way. @--<--<-- Mamoru stood next to his mother and father and watched the party going on. He really had no interest in what was happening, after all, who really wanted to dance and laugh with a bunch of giggly girls anyhow? The guard was late so he had no obligations at present. If Usagi was here he would have danced with her, but as she was not so he settled for talking with her instead. They had already talked about his day and had now moved on to hers. " . . . And then mother told me that Minachan would be coming back to stay for a whole month! And her mothers is coming to, so I get to see my aunt! I have not seen Minachan for almost a whole year and I really miss her; I miss my other friends to; but Minachan is my special cousin. We understands each other and we have a blood link. So I am really happy to have her coming back . . . " Knowing that Mamoru was really bored anyhow and would much rather listen to her rattle on than watch the party she went on. After a while Mamoru stopped her, "Usa, the four have arrived and I have to greet them, so I will talk to you latter. Really glad that Minachan is coming to visit, I know how happy you always are to see her." Usagi laughed. She knew he was sincere; only Mamoru knew how happy it truly made her to see her only cousin. "Talk to you latter then, have a great time! These four will become good friends, I just know it!" Mamoru sighed as the announcer stepped up to his platform near the door. "The four royal guards of Prince Endymion!" A cheer went up from the people present in the room. "Lord Kunzite, leader of the guard." A tall serious looking young man entered the room. White hair flowed down his back and his green eyes flashed with understanding and courage as he looked about, but Mamoru knew well that he was afraid of what was happening, for over the years he had discovered that he had a talent for reading peoples' minds, though no one seemed to be able to read his back and it was never to the extent that he shared with Usagi, but he could pick up their thoughts nonetheless. When Kunzite came near he bowed low to the Prince. "Lord Jedite, second in command!" came the next call. The Prince immediately liked the boy that walked in. His wild blonde hair and light blue eyes read of excitement and a certain will to take risk. Mamoru could feel the boy reaching out with his mind to him to see what type of man he was to serve, the Prince answered back with his own mind at which the boy smiled. Already the two were friends. Jedite smiled widely as he bowed. "Lord Nephrite, third in command!" The young man who walked in startled the Prince. He had deep flashing brown eyes that told the viewer that he could cause a storm if need be, and an incredible amount of strength was stored there. Curly auburn hair cascaded down his back. Somehow the Prince felt safe in his presence though he noticed others in the room grow uneasy, it felt like a storm was approaching. Nephrite also bowed. (Have you noticed that they all bow when they come near, I wonder if the fourth will bow too.) "Lord Zoycite, fourth in command!" the final call resounded. A shy young man with long blonde hair walked in. When the man glanced up the Prince saw eyes that were true to his name, for they were the colour of rare Zoycite. Endymion could feel intelligence radiating from the man, but also an incredible lack of confidence. He also approached and bowed to the Prince. (He did! He bowed! Is that not amazing, bet you didn't see that one coming!) The King stepped forward. "Welcome, guards, you have been chosen from among thousands to be the royal guards and protectors of the Crown Prince Endymion. You will obey him and serve him above all else, even the King. His command is your law, and his safety is your prerogative. Not only will you protect him physically but mentally and spiritually as well. Although you muct each protect him in all areas, each has a specific area as well. Step forward my son." Prince Endymion stepped forward out of the shadows. The guards saw a young man with black hair, darker than ebony and deep blue eyes like the sea after a storm. He was tall for his age and a bit gawky but had all the promise of growing into a strong and handsome young man. Something about him called to all the guards and told them that her was a man worthy of being ruler. They all liked him instantly. "All kneel." Came the Kings command. Everyone in the room was immediately on their knees. "Kunzite, you have been chosen to be the leader of my sons guard, so it is your right to be the first to pledge. Step forward and kneel before your Prince." Kunzite obeyed and kneeled at the Prince's feet with head bowed. "Lord Kunzite, son of Malachite, you have been chosen to be the captain of the guard and to protect the Prince at all costs. His life is your life, his safety yours. Protect him at all costs. You area of concern is honour. If your liege loses his honour, then you have failed and your life is forfeit. Do you accept the oath and bond?" Kunzite's answer was affirmative. "Then let the bond be placed." Endymion placed two fingers on Kunzites forehead and recited the spell of the bond. His parents had told him how it was supposed to work, but somehow he doubted that it would. But as soon as the words left the Prince's mouth both Kunzite and the Prince felt a shock. Energy built up quickly and then flashed, the sign that the bond was in place. "The bond has been placed!" The King proclaimed. "Lord Kunzite is now forever in the service of Prince Endymion as captain of the guard and defender of honour. Kunzite you may step down." Kunzite stood and walked to the Prince's side. The other three guards were called one by one in order of rank and the same procedure was performed with each of them the only difference being that while Kunzite was defender of honour; Jedite had passion; Nephrite had strength; and Zoycite intelligence. All were responsible for his life and well being. "Behold Prince Endymion and his Royal Guard!" the King pronounced. A cheer ran through the crowd. "Now let the festivities resume." As all the people turned back to dancing and laughing the Prince turned to the guards, smiled and asked, "How about we split?" Four heads nodded in affirmation and five young men sneaked out the side door. The Queen smiled to her husband. "Looks like the five of them will become friends in no time. It is about time our Endymion had someone to really talk to other than himself." "Quite so my dear." was the only response as the King stood and led the Queen out to the dance floor. @--<--<-- Outside the guards laughed as they watched their prince pull off his armor leaving, on only black training pants and a black shirt and, of course, his sword. "Always hated that cumbersome stuff. " was the only explanation the Prince offered. After he was finished Mamoru stood and looked at his guards. "So . . . um . . . well . . . I am not that good at introductions." The prince stated lamely. "That much is apparent" Jedite responded. The other three guards laughed as the Prince reddened, but laughed himself. Kunzite was the first to stop and quickly corrected his mistake. "Gentlemen, this is the Crown Prince Endymion we speak of. We are not to be disrespectful." He reprimand his fellows and himself. "Oh, please do not use that title, I hate that title, it is so long and makes me sound pompous and stuffy." the Prince said quickly. "What then, shall we address you as?" Nephrite asked "You can call me Ma . . .Endymion. Just plain old Endymion." the Prince was about to give Usagi's name for himself, but for some reason he chose not to. It was her special name for him so only she would use it. "Well, I don't know about you all, but Endymion is just a little long for me. I will use just plain old Endy, that is if it is all right with his liege?" Nephrite said casually. "Endy is fine," Mamoru put in quickly as he could see that Kunzite was about to give another lecture. "Do you all have nicknames that you prefer to go by?" "You can go for Jade," Jedite replied. "Neph is great for me," Nephrite put in. "As the Prince is going by a nickname it would be degrading to go by anything more, so you may call me Kunz," Kunzite put in. Everyone else sighed. (sweatdrop moment) "So what shall we call you by Zoycite?" everyone asked. Zoycite reddened a little and spoke the first words that he had spoken all night. "Zoi will be fine," came the quite reply. "Now, Endy, if you do not mind I would like to know exactly what the bond is that we have agreed to," Jade said. He felt quite comfortable with the Prince and treated him as he would an old friend. "The bond," Endymion started, "is something that has been done in the earth kingdom for centuries. No one has ever really known what it is except for the King, Prince, and the guards. My fathers own guards went under the bond, except that they are responsible to him. You are under the bond, but responsible to me. The bond can only be placed if the one placing and the one receiving agree on it and once it is placed it can never be released. What the bond actually does is it ties us together, hence the name, the Bond. We can now speak to each other mentally with little concentration and we will know when each other are in danger, though the pull is strongest if I am in trouble. The most disturbing part of the whole bit is that if you betray me, the bond will begin to clamp down on your hearts and I am the only one who can release it. If I so choose I can cause it to clamp down on your heart quickly causing you a painless death, or slowly, even taking a few years making your death one of agony, or release it. If I do nothing at all the bond will kill you in one day. That means if you were every to kill me your own life would be forfeit. The bond almost has a life. It makes sure that you uphold my honour and integrity at all times and fulfill your vow, if you do not it will pain you until you fix things. If something happens to me that is not by your doing then nothing will happen unless it is something that can be fixed. Oh, and, you might not want to ever let me commit suicide as the legend of the bond says that if the bond placer takes his own life then the lives of the guard are forfeit." Endymion looked and felt uncomfortable as he said the whole thing. "Woa. That is one powerful thing that we have agreed to. But we will uphold it, well, we don't really have a choice in it, do we?" Jade laughed lightening the mood. "I don't know about you all, but I had a long journey today and am ready for bed. So if you will show me where my room is I would very much like to sleep." 'Thank you Jade.' the Prince responded inwardly. "Very well. I will now lead you to your rooms. They were designed especially for each of you to help make you feel more comfortable, but if anything is not, please tell me and I will have it changed." As the Prince spoke he lead them into the castle and up the stairs. Stopping in front of a sturdy wood door he stopped and said, "This is my room. To the left of it is Kunz's and next to his is Zoi's. To the right of my room is Jade's and next to his is Neph's. This is our hall. Only we, the King and Queen, and a few designated servants are allowed to enter here. Special permission has to be given otherwise. My parents are just a little paranoid and so they had a bunch of magic spells put all over the place to protect it. But on the bright side we can do whatever we want to this hall and to the rooms in it. Oh, and I think that my mother plans on using the rooms across the hall to put the girls she plans to hook us up with in. You see she loves to play matchmaker and is just waiting until I am old enough for her to start." All the guards laughed at this. They could easily understand what he meant for they had heard rumors that no servants stayed single in the palace for more than a year, if the Queen had anything to do with it, and surprisingly all the couples seemed to be happy. Some even rumored that the queen had a strain of Venusian blood in her. After the laughter subsided the guards were let into their rooms, which opened only to their own and the Princes touch, and went to bed. Upon entering his room Kunzite found it decorated with warm golds and yellows. It seemed to be filled with sunshine and it warmed his heart. Smiling, Kunzite wondered how the Prince had known that he would feel most comfortable in an atmosphere such as this. Jedite laughed out loud when he saw his room. It was decorated exactly as he would have designed it. Flames seemed to leap up the walls giving the impression of being in the middle of a gentle candle. He had a slight hunch that everything in this room was made to be resistant to fire and quickly tested his theory. Flames shot out of his hands and licked the walls. No smudges appeared. Impressed, Jade decided that he would like it here. Nephrite smiled. Never in his life had anyone ever seemed to understand his love of the night sky, and now he had his own room that reflected his love wonderfully. The ceiling in his room was made of glass, but with draperies that could be drawn over it if so desired. The walls themselves were a gentle green that reminded him of the forest. Star gazing equipment stood on the floor with a numerous amount of plants. Zoycite felt truly comfortable for the first time all night. His room was a dark shade of blue and rather cold, he made it colder. Closing his eyes icicles appeared out of the ceiling and the temperature dropped to freezing. Endymion smiled as he mentally checked on each of them. He had been right in his choices for their rooms, or actually, Usagi had been right. @--<--<-- End of Chapter 2 Well, I know that I went on and on with description, but it was fun. The next chapter will have a bit more of Serenity in it, for in this one I wanted to introduce Endymions guards a bit more. I know that this story is really sappy and you are probably bored stiff, but bear with me. As soon as I finish getting through all my interdictions we will begin to have some real fun, so bear with me, please! I bet you all already know exactly what is going to happen, huh? If you feel like e-mailing me feel free. I would LOVE to know what you guys think of the story. The address is nitehawk@silcom.com. Thanks again!