Title: Rose Pierced Destiny
By:  Aris
E-mail:  SilverCryst@hotmail.com
Type:  Silver Millenium
Rating:  Very emotional, but pretty harmless, I'd say.


Hey, minna!  This is my first fan fic attempted, so, um, yeah.
Prince Endymion and Princess Serenity?s first meeting. . .

I say this once, for my fic, Rose Pierced Destiny, that I do not own
Sailor Moon.  If I did, I would be in Hawaii, surrounded by ten or
twelve guys who look like Mamoru-sama., serving me hand and
foot.  

You don't need to sue me; I'd rather you not, though it would really be
quite pointless . . . .

  Enjoy Chapter One of the three in this.  Yes, only a trilogy, just three
chapters!  Thanks for reading!  (or, at least you gallant attempt to do
so) :)  Ja ne, Aris


PS:  THIS PART is
considerably longer than
anything else, please
don't get discouraged.  I
just had to put a lot in it,
gomen!




Rose Pierced Destiny: 1


  Mamoru gazed out, the vision of the looming night disturbed only by
the crystal palace, jutting into the sky.  It was beautiful, he admitted.
The last time he had seen it was. . . .five years before.  The memory of
it was nothing compared to its beautiful reality, the starlight glinting
off of its tips of light.
  And yet, this sight brought nothing but foreboding towards him.
After endless cajoling from his parents, he had finally consented to
going to one of the infamous, reveled Moon balls.  He had been invited
countless times, but eventually it became only a cordiality, since he
never attended.
  He didn't really want to be there, his planet was so far away, set in
the sky as a orb of swirling color.  As he gazed at the Moon, as the
Moon gazed at him, only the Earth loomed before him, capturing
much of the view of space.
  A famous, beautiful view.  One that many came to see, walking along
the starlit gardens, awing at the Moon's brilliant archeology and
blooming gardens, which had many plants from all over the Universe
tended by the princess herself.
  The princess.  Mamoru mused the title in his head, remembering all
that had been told to him of her.  The kind of girl dreamed about,
striking with impossible beauty and grace, holding heir to the throne
of the Universe, Silver Crystal, and all significant power that 
existed. . . . .
  A young woman, now, rumored to be a goddess for her exquisite,
breathtaking eyes and form.  But all of that, all of that his fellow
Princes would talk languidly into the night, forbidden thoughts
running through their heads without the slightest trace of guilt.
Mamoru wasn't among them, though.
  Smiling wanly, his dark eyes saddened.  All the royalty of the
Universe saw but three feet in front of them.  They worried about what
party they would attend. . . .what they would wear. . . .who would be
there, who they would marry, daydreaming of stolen kisses and ruling
after their parents receded from the throne.
  But he had more than that to worry about. . . .and nothing close to as
trivial as theirs.  He had been charged with the protection of the Earth
for all eternity, his very soul linked to it's core.  The Golden Crystal, a
mysterious stone, was part of him, lending him strange powers he
could neither control nor explain.
  The well-being of every human on his planet depended on him, the
balance of the solar system and future to his race lie before him.  The
responsibility tied him down with unbelievable pain.
  His parent's hadn't wanted it for him either, but the gift had been
born with him.  And with the rareness of it, he had been granted a life
of its protector.  He couldn't choose whom to marry, for Destiny had
already chosen.  Every move he made was controlled, tied down,
depended upon.
  Mamoru glanced at the castle once more, bitterness invading his
eyes.  There was nothing he could allow himself to do but live.  It was
important that his soul remain rogue, that he make no close friends,
that he be tied down to no one than whom Destiny had selected.
  The responsibility was suffocating him.  The emptiness of his
existence was maddening his mind, creating turmoil and rebellion that
could destroy his own planet.
   What was the point, anyway?  Mamoru glanced at the palace, crystal
shimmering with the guests within.  Dancing, laughing, flirting, doing
everything intended, while he watched from outside, shuttered
mercilessly from their world.  Love, friendship, hope, dreams, his very
spirit was a danger to his own intricate fate.
  So much rested on his shoulders.
  He continued to stare at it, something hurting in his gaze, until his
shifted it upon the dark, twisting gardens that welcomed him with
silence and tranquility.  After a moment's hesitation, Mamoru turned
off of the stone pathway, weaving though the gardens aimlessly,
searching for a place to think.
  Mamoru found himself stop before a red rose bush. . . . .  A flower
that had always attracted him, and let his mind wander.  He smiled,
bitter sweetly, and wondered for a long time, lost in the painful
confusion of his thoughts.  Simply standing there, he wasn't sure how
long it had been, all he did was gaze at the roses, letting the night pass
him by.
  He didn't even notice her until she reached a hand before him to
pluck a rose.
  Snapping to automatic attention, he regained himself.  "I'm sorry,"
he murmured, turning to her.  "Excuse me, Lady. . . . ."
  The woman before him smiled.  "No need."
  He sought a better view of her from the dark, surprised.  "How do
you--"  But he stopped suddenly, staring.  The girl before him gazed
up, her eyes holding unshuttered astonishment, the blue as fragile as
crystal. . . . .deep as if they seemed to hold the Universe itself within,
solar systems, stars, planets and galaxies spinning within, the blue
shimmering as heart stopping diamonds.  Her long, silver hair
cascaded around her in rivulets of endless silver, her face as pale as
the moonlight brimming beneath her skin.  He could not turn, only
gaze wordlessly, her slender form trembling beneath the silver gown,
eyes locked with his own.
  Wistful. . . .strangely sad.  So pale and innocent, the utter contrast to
the blood red rose she held.  Her gentle, silvery hair held a delicate
tiara of crystal, and a long flowing gown of white billowed about her
in the frosty wind.  He wanted to reach out and cup the stardust
glittering within her beautiful, incredible eyes, to touch the fair, pale
skin.
  She looked at him, a mixture of admiration and surprised, the
sculptured curves of her neck rising sharply as she stared into his eyes.
  So gentle, so tender, the compassion brimming within her, a flow of
never ending silver just waiting to be released, to be cradled.  The
yearning to hold her in his arms, to press her softness against him
struck immediately, and refused to leave.
  Mamoru tore his eyes up to the stars, still awed by the glimmering
beauty she held both within her and out, at the emotions he saw so
honestly in her eyes.  After a moment, she cleared her throat.
  "Which one is yours?"
  She referred to the planets above them, distant and blending with the
stars.
  Smiling slightly, Mamoru glanced to the Earth's glow, and pointed.
"That one."
  "Oh."  Her eyes widened.  "You're Prince Endymion, then!"
  "Call me Mamoru."  He interrupted, on impulse.
  She turned her dark, heavy, snowcoated lashes upon him.  "I will."
A smile crossed her gentle lips, a sparkle reappearing in her sad eyes.
"You can call me Usagi."
  Usagi. . . .he didn't know a princess by that name.  But still
determined to get her identity, he asked,  "Which is yours?"
  "Mine. . . . .is not visible."
  "Then why are you out there, I should think you'd be back in the
palace."
  The princess blushed.  "Mother would consider me an absolute
manner failure.  She says I spend too much time out here anyway, star
gazing, but it's the only way I can clear my head. . . ."
  "Yes, it's very serene."
  "That party was getting to my head."  She sighed, open and direct.
She pressed the rose fondly to her lips, stroking it gently across them.
"I love Earth.  Isn't it beautiful?  Tell me how it is there."  She
switched her gaze upon his swirling planet.  "To be heir to such a
planet."  Usagi's smile curved further in her blissful dream.
  "Earth is beautiful."
  "I knew that!"  She erupted in laughter.  "I really didn't think you'd
be as much of a recluse as they say you are.  But now, I know you're a
terminal introvert."
  Her lovely gaze settled on him once more.  Mamoru was about ready
to hit himself for the strange, consistent impulses he was getting.
"Thank you."
  She tilted her graceful head in a calculating way, her silver hair
spilling over her creamy shoulder.  Usagi cocked a brow, discerning
him quietly.
  "What do you want to know about Earth?"
  "You don't seem very happy."  This decision came from nowhere
, and her glanced over at her, at once kicking himself for looking at
the beautiful princess again.  "You should be happy, you have Earth,
and that is something to cherish in this universe."
  He would have replied spitefully to this, but he didn't.  Mamoru retained 
his ever-present mask with silence, the best weapon he had.
For he could neither use the sword or dagger towards this intruder
that had come from the middle of nowhere, peering into his deepest
secrets, but could only use coldness.  Silence.
  "Tell me. . . . ."  Usagi said, smiling distantly,  "about how the moon
looks down there."
  Why did she ask this question?  Why that one?
  But she turned her eyes upon him, expectantly waiting.
  Like an orb, hanging in a sky of velvet, a glowing hope upon a world
of darkness, beautiful, tranquil, his one and only refuge from the
cloak of oncoming darkness that swept over his soul.  A teardrop from
the heavens, a window into a world beyond his own.
  As a child, it was something he had always wanted, always reached
for, but failed to touch.  Thus it had become his solidity, the beautiful
maiden of the sky.  His guardian angel.  His friend.
  "How does it look. . . .?"  Usagi asked, her eyes risen towards the
colors of Earth, seeping upon the tiny place with it's mysterious light.
But he knew its secrets.  He was a part of it.  A muscle jerked in his
jaw as he felt anger searing through his skin, intertwined with the love
he had for it.  Frustrated, he simply stared at it, emotions twisting in
his eyes.
  How he hated it, for killing him, for taking his soul as it's slave.
  But how he loved it, it's beauty, goodness and wonders, and the
people that lived upon it.
  He tried to muster a reply to her question, to which she held on with
stoic tenacity.
  "Beautiful."  He whispered, emotions tumbling through his voice.
  Sympathy rose in her eyes.  Sympathy, he hated.  But there was
commiseration there too, understanding, and Usagi had seemingly
seen right through him.  Determined to discourage her with
lightheartedness, he offered a smile.
"You seem to have a lot on your mind."
  He gazed down at her, amused.  "I do, but it's obvious that you do as
well."
  Usagi didn't unveil her thoughts.  "It would be unfair, then, to ask
what troubles you if I'm unwilling to share my own."
  "Would you like to know, little princess?"
  Usagi grinned, then stood in front of him.  "I'm not that little!"  She
stood before him, then rose to the tip of her toes as if a dancer might
do.  But she lost her balance, and fell forward into him, laughing as
she did.  "Maybe it's true, then. . . ."  But Usagi stopped, suddenly, and
he noticed how close they were, so that her breath tickled his face in
it's light warmth.  They froze for a moment, suddenly gazing at each
other once more with a strange intensity. . . . he felt something within
him begin to ache as he stared at her. . . .
  Mamoru pulled away with such suddenness she looked hurt.  To
make up for this, he murmured.  "No, maybe not so little after all."
  Usagi laughed at this, and he wondered momentarily at how easily
she did so, and how it made his heart beat faster.  Silencing this, he
smiled back.  "No, Usagi, I think the real reason you're not in the
castle is because you simply can't dance."
  "That's silly.  Any princess can!"
  "Fine, you can fool them, but you can't fool me!"
  Giving a cry of indignation, Usagi glared playfully.  "Well then, I
should just have to prove how very wrong you are, Mamoru."  A smile
played across her starlit features, the sadness in her eyes pushed away
in the happiness of the moment.  He could only marvel at the light
heartedness she managed, the way her innocent features lit up at the
slightest thing.
  He was completely enraptured of her, unable to think of anything
else.  "Prove it, then."  He agreed, his midnight blue eyes with laughter
within, for the first time in months, maybe longer.
  Usagi did not hesitate to stand before him and whisper as if a secret
between the two in a room full of people.  "Ask me to dance."
  Mamoru could do nothing but comply, outstretching his arm to her
slender figure.  "Would you do me the pleasure. . . .?"
  Fluttering her snowcoated lashes, Usagi, the mysterious princess,
gazed up at him shyly.  "You compliment me, Prince of Earth.  I
would love it."  Placing her hand lightly upon his, Mamoru led her to
the imaginary dance floor, a clearing in the emerald trees.  She put her
hand upon his shoulder pressing the red rose she still had against him,
and the another intertwined with his hand, the small delicate fingers
fitting perfectly with his.  Mamoru put his hand around her waist.  A
tremor ran through her body as he pulled her close, leading her in a
dance to music only they would hear.  At first he set a fast pace, much
to her delight, as she followed his footsteps.  Usagi's echoing chimes
rung in his ears as he spun her out, silver hair falling around her in a
sheer rain of moonlight.
  It was as if they belonged together, fitting into each other's arms like
puzzle pieces, each made for the other.  The way her soft frame pushed
against his hard, chiseled chest and her long dress swept around her as
a cloud of floating stardust, giving her inhuman qualities of beauty.
  In the magic of the moment, he pulled her close to him, dancing only
to the song his own heart told him, star light drenching her, giving
her the aura of a goddess as she danced.  Usagi wasn't laughing
anymore, but she was so close to him, her body so delicate and strong
in it's own way, it was all he could do to remember that they would
have to part.
  Usagi's feathery touch was lighting a fire within him, something
burning that he never knew he had.  The strange princess had
bewitched him with the most powerful of magic, and he felt at her
mercy.
  An angel, he swore, gazing at her lifted face, the sky reflecting in her
eyes, lips in a gentle pout.  Mamoru suddenly reached down, touching
her cheek with his hand, tracing the delicate jawline and the
vulnerable slope of her neck.  Usagi let out a sigh, her eyes glazed over
by a strange emotion, shining so beautifully through her features it was
like a torch in the night.
  Just the two of them, a breath away, so fervently captured by one
another. . . .  Before he knew it, Usagi's dark, heavy lashes had shut
against her creamy face, lips upraised and awaiting the climax of the
moment, a kiss to seal their silent pledge of passion that had taken
them both.  Irrefutable, but more than he could ever desire.  Something 
about Usagi, whoever she really was, made his senses reel
and all reason fly from him, leaving a beautiful serenity inside of him,
disturbed only by the torrent of fire for her within his soul.
  A spasm of pain caught him, and he whispered to her, making
Usagi's eyes fly open in pained confusion.
  "I. . . .I. . .can't."
  The shock of his words shone in her eyes, stinging.  But Mamoru
touched her face, furious stabs inside his chest arising as he dropped it.
  "Usagi. . . .do you know what pains me?  Burdens me?"
  Her tear clouded eyes gazed up, glittering with unshed moisture.
  "I. . .must abide by Destiny.  I'm guardian to Earth. . . .I protect it,
and by doing that, the Moon, along with the balance of the Universe.  I
can't love anyone, I can't do this to you, too much is at stake.  My soul
is linked with the Earth, Usagi.  I am it's keeper, and can do nothing
but serve it and the innocents that reside on it.  It has the princess I
shall marry selected, falling in love would only hurt you, and. . . . I
can't allow that."
  "Mamoru. . . ."  Usagi whispered, stepping back.  "We barely know
each other, I'm sure it was just the night, and the stars. . . ."
  He nodded, but they both knew it had been more without, something
deep within them had been triggered to burn for one another.
  Mamoru closed his eyes in the indescribable pain, and turned, setting
himself in determination to leave her before more of his soul was
consumed.  As he began to walk away, he heard her voice.
  "I'll tell you why I'm sad."
  He stopped.
  "I'm scared, Mamoru."
  He turned to her in confusion, but the look in her eyes made his heart
stop.
  "There is an enemy to my planet, and there've been threats of
assassination, particularly of me. The person. . . . .or thing that has
been sending his minions is no one to take lightly.  I feel it,
everywhere I go, eyes at my back, whispering warnings into my ears,
the darkness invading my planet and watching me, waiting for the
perfect moment when my guardians are away.  They watch me
carefully, but there are always moments when I'm alone and I feel. . .
.I know, I sense. . . .the evil and the violence. . . .blood lust.  For me."
Usagi began to cry, her chest racked with sudden sobs.  Usagi almost
collapsed on the stone bench beside the rose bush, but Mamoru caught
her.  "I'm just. . . .so. . . afraid."
  Mamoru cradled her as she sobbed, pushing herself into his frame.
He supported her wonderful warmth in the excuse of condolence,
treasuring the precious moment of their embrace.  Then he felt words
rise in him, comforting ones, those of promise, conviction and
protection.  "Right now is all that matters."  The whisper stilled her,
and she gazed up to listen.  "And right now, you're with me, and I'll
protect you.  There's no need to fear this moment."
  "Oh, Mamo-chan. . ."  Usagi wept, returning to bury himself within
him, and he swept up her silver frame beneath his cape of midnight,
shielding her from the world.  Usagi clung to him, her face resting on
him, feeling the heartbeats inside him, basking in the heat of the
raging fires within.
  And for that moment, only that moment, he let the world slip away.
Then he just held her, drinking in her memory like air.  Mamoru's
eyes suddenly darkened.  She had come to far inside him. . . . .  He
closed his eyes, trying to force out all thoughts of her, though they
were to numerous to count.
  Mamoru let out a deep breath, listening to the gentle whisper of the
wind--
  There was no wind.  Then what was rustling the branches. . . .?  Mamoru 
turned, looking around quickly, staring directly into the
hedges where the noises had arose.
  An excrescence dwelled within the shaded darkness of night, glaring
at him with two slits of boiling crimson, ready to destroy, to pounce, to
kill.  The second froze within him.  What was it?  What, or who, was
it after?  As he saw it's muscles tense, his eyes widened in sudden
realization.
  Of course.
  The princess.


******

  How'd I do?  Alright, I hope you're enjoying it, and if you have any
inclination at all, read the next chapter.  After all, there are only three.
. . .  Can't be THAT bad. . . .

E-mail me, please!  I could really use some pointers or encouragement. (Even 
hate mail is acknowledgement)

CloudySkies09@hotmail.com <mailto:CloudySkies09@hotmail.com>





Rose Pierced Destiny:  2



  Mamoru grabbed her by the waist and whispered in her ear.  "You
have to run, Usagi.  There's something behind you, don't look back,
don't worry about me.  Get to the crystal palace and send for your
guardians to help me, or someone else.  But first and foremost, Usagi,
you have to get to safety.  I'll hold him off."  Usagi froze in his arms,
terror stricken.  "Do it!"  He whispered urgently.  "Just run!"  She
broke away from him, and fled, still clutching the scarlet rose as if it
were her life.
  Mamoru turned to the tall, twisting hedge, and saw the slits of red
narrow further with enragement as its prey escaped.  Turning the
burning hate upon Mamoru, he caught a glint of metal, and
automatically drew his sword.
  With a sleek, fast flicker of shadow, the creature emerged,  revealing
itself to be cloaked in a cover of darkness, the only thing visible it's
blood shot eyes, void of pupils, only gleaming maliciously with the
violent charge it had been given.  It turned to the object of interruption, 
and drew a twisted, gruesome blade, already tainted with
blood from of thousand others.  Mamoru could almost hear their
screams, staring into the glittering eyes and upon the ruthless sword.
  Mamoru readied himself, the shadow assassin traced down his blade,
leaving a line of crimson in the untouched sky.  It lurched towards
him, brandishing the weapon and bringing it down upon Mamoru's
own.  Metal clashed against metal, sparks flew into the air, stinging as
they touched raw skin.
  He blocked the high, swift arch, nearly doubling with the unexpected
strength of his opponent.  Pushing on an onslaught of quick blows, the
creature always returned them with double his strength.
  The heat of the battle began to inflame his limbs, sending searing
pain up his arms from the fierce collisions of burning steel.  His enemy
was the best he had ever faced, the strength, precision, cold hearted
ruthlessness driving in it's blood as it attacked.
  The fight raged on, Mamoru growing wearied.  He blocked the swift,
elegant thrusts only when his life was nearly taken, pain shooting up
his arms as he did so.  But something charged him on, kept the
repetitive clashing from consuming his body, something silver,
flickering in the back of his mind.  The shadow brought its blade into
a shimmering thrust, sending vibrations into the air, its course
interrupted only by Mamoru's sword.
  Each eyes locked together, and something glittered beneath the
crimson fire, a realization that its opponent was sufficient and skilled,
and provided more of a problem than it had expected.
  Mamoru reflected it's own gaze of determined hate, albeit the shrewd
treachery dancing within the shadow.  And yet, a small smile crossed
his face, with the knowledge that Usagi had plenty of time to reach the
palace, and she was safe within it.  Perhaps now he could get away, for
it wasn't he that it was after.  And help would arrive momentarily, all
he had to do was hold out.
  His eyes flashed over the assassins veiled form, and began to muse as
they stared at each other, privately considering their next move.
Whoever had chose the shadowed monster had wanted the perfect
killer, and had got one.  At least Usagi was safe. . .
  Why did he get that feeling in his chest when he thought of her?  A
princess he didn't know, couldn't know, shouldn't know, but had
become so enthralled in her very presence that. . . . .
  A laughter echoed in his ears, like chimes ringing.  Again, he
became aware of the passion that had been awoken within him.  He
cared for her, it could even be said he loved her.  But love was deep, love 
was rarely in existence, much less to a complete stranger.  And
yet his yearning for her was steady warmth, perhaps for the feel of her
embedded in his chest, but also for her safety and happiness.  Mamoru
was so confused, unaware of the linked they were destined to share. . . .  
Unaware he had met the missing piece to his soul.
  There wasn't time to ponder, he had to face the threat here and now.
  Returning his full attention to the assassin--
  Gone.
  Swerving around, he looked desperately for it, until a glimmer of
silver caught his eyes and her turned to the bench beside the rose bush
where she was strewn, staring in frozen horror.  Usagi was rooted to
the spot, too afraid to even acknowledge his presence.  "Usagi!"  He
cried, a surge of uncontrollable fear overwhelming him.  He had
finally found some one who understood him, who had found her way
into the deepest secrets of his heart.  Some one he didn't want to lose. .
. .  But there she was, afraid to move or speak, her gaze blank with
unscreened terror.
  "I'll protect you."
  He had promised.  The assassin would take her life, and he had
sworn to protect her, and he never, ever went back on his word.
  Suddenly, her crystal eyes locked upon something behind him, as if
captured in a silent nightmare, she stared with glazed eyes.  Usagi
curled up her legs and let out a sorrowful, terrified gasp.  For one
breathless second, she looked at him, straight into his eyes, her
beautiful, starlit drenched features etched with pain, shining eyes in
indescribable sorrow.  Then she closed them, just as the shadow
jumped.
  He saw it fly towards her, blade poised to enter her gentle, vulnerable
throat, to silence her.
  Forever.
  Mamoru felt his heart twist and burn in agony.  He couldn't let it
happen. . . .he couldn't.
  "I will protect you."
  Mamoru ran as hard as he could, thinking only of her, only of her
smell, her tears, her soft breath and eyes of love and comfort, her
crystal tears and gift of hope
  Hope, love, love, faith, everything genuine, everything pure, shining
within her like a candle in a world of echoing darkness.  He had to
protect the flickering fire, he had to preserve her shimmering face.  He
dived, extending his hands to wrap around her his midnight blue cape.  
Mamoru felt her desperate body and pulled her into him,
relishing the instant of their union in his own blood.  Clinging to her,
he just in time to feel the most excruciating pain sear into his back,
into him.  He heard her scream, but it was all surreal, her ethereal
light brilliant, tears washing over his pain.
  He felt himself slipping as a numbing blackness began to consume
his consciousness, his back throbbed in a faint, dreamlike way.  A
quietness filled his mind.  But he couldn't succumb, he couldn't let go.
Mamoru flinched as the sword was pulled from him in rage.
  His midnight blue cape was now a shuddering, unreal shade of red,
matching the color of the rose she held clutched in her shaking hand.
He wouldn't let her be crushed, let her be next.
  A wish then, a will began to take over him.  The golden light within
him grew as the longing for his desire intensified.  No longer a
captive, but a free soul, believing in what he had never believed in.
Her silver light, her silver hair, the silver shadows of the moon.  He
believed in the angel that dwelt there, he believed in miracles and life,
and more than that, he believed in love.
  Faith. . .hope. . .love.
  Usagi.  The laugh filled his world, eyes of the universe peering up at
him, loving him in their gentle rays.  If he couldn't tell her. . .he would
show her.  Prove that he would protect her.
  How ironic, it was.
  Mamoru.
  Protector.
  Then, he swore, to any presence that might have known, to the moon
and the stars, his planet, to the grass and the sweet wind that filled the
whispering trees.  He swore his oath to all that existed, all that would
and had been.
  Never, would he doubt love again.  Never, would he give it up.
  Mamoru grabbed the blood red rose that had dwelt in her beautiful
hands and raised it painfully.
  "Mars. . . Fire IGNITE!"
  "Mercury. . . .Bubbles BLAST!"
  "Jupiter. . . .Thunder CRASH!"
  "Venus Crescent Beam. . . .SMASH!"
  A beam of electric blue, orange, red and green burst from the night
and hit the monster.  A rain of power erupted upon it, in the form of a
rainbow of light.  Like a dagger, it embedded itself within the shadow,
only flickering away when the wound had been inflicted.
  It screamed in pain, the slits of fiery furnace haunted by raw, ageless
fury.  It looked at Mamoru in intense hatred, and raised its shining
sword to kill him, unwilling to die alone.  Its final act, he realized.
  Mamoru raised the blood red rose, feeling a hidden power break
loose within him, raging gold consuming him in a flood of torrenting
power.  It drenched the rose he held, giving him a rush of golden
adrenaline, lighting the night with sparks too bright to see.  With his
last thread of strength, he thrust the rose into its heart.  Mamoru saw it
stare at him in shock.  The shadowy beast pulled away, stumbling, and
let out one terrible, blood searing cry, and burst into rays of light
flying from him, and disappearing. . .  .  Yet he still felt his eyes upon
him, until he dropped his hand and slumped into Usagi's arms, who
was sobbing uncontrollably.
  "Mamoru!  Please don't go."  She cried.  "Don't go, please, Mamoru."
  He opened his eyes to see her blurry eyes fill with tears and spill over
on him.
  "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I should have run. . .  ."
  He reached up to brush away her tears, and she caught his hand,
clutching it to her cheek as she wept.  "Oh Mamoru. . . ."
  Watching her, the smallest light of hope and release caught him, her
safety now assured, he relaxed his hand.  "No!"  She sobbed.  "Don't
go!  Please, please. . . . don't leave me."
  He looked into her stricken, loving eyes and whispered so softly that
only she could hear,  "I won't."  This he murmured, feeling his world
and sight become misty gray.  "Usagi. . . .don't worry. . . .I won't."  He
drifted out of consciousness.
  But he didn't leave her.
  Because Mamoru's oath was as sure as the wind.


^^^^^^^^^&

Mamoru means protector for all of you who didn't know that.
Thanks, just one more part to go before you send tremendous loads of 
feedback, ne?
-Aris


Rose Pierced Destiny:  (conclusion) 3





  Mamoru woke up, lying on a clean, soft bed.  His first awareness was
of a particularly stinging pain in his chest, which seemed to render
him helpless.  Heaving out a groan, he attempted to prop himself up in
the unfamiliar place, and try to figure out what the loud buzzing in his
head was from.  He felt a slight prick as he tried this, and glanced
down.  His hand was resting upon a red rose.
  It flooded back to him, and he smiled slightly, gazing at it's crimson
beauty and the reminder it proved.
  Where was she?
  He shifted painfully, trying to find Usagi.  A smile crept its way on
his face as he heard her moan slightly, torrent of silver hair flowing
upon his bed, face in her slender arms, fast asleep on his covers.
Usagi's body was curled beneath her on the floor, and she rested
peacefully, undisturbed.
  It was the first time he had seen her in clear light, and she was even
more beautiful than he remembered.  But there was something familiar
about the two tails of silver hair cascading from the elegant knots that
made Mamoru think back to where he had heard that particular
description.
  Oh.
  Before him was the princess of the universe, Serenity, resting
tranquilly beside his bed, obviously fallen asleep waiting for him.  His
head swam at this discovery, that he, Mamoru had saved her, and
seemed to have fallen in love. . . .
  She curled her lovely lips in her pleasant dream, whispering a sigh
through them, making his heart catch in his throat.  Almost
accustomed to the way she made him feel, Mamoru considered this
silently.  His love for her could hurt them both, as the Earth and
Moon.  But all logic was pressed out by the knowledge that they were
right together, that the way he cherished her was always meant to be. . . .
  Usagi stirred as he gently touched her cheek, eyes slowly opening,
but shooting awake as she saw him staring at her.  "Mamoru, you're
awake!"  Her open stare dissolved into tears, where she curled herself
up, and cried into her silver gown.  "I'm so sorry, it's all my fault. . . .
."
  "Nothing's your fault, Usagi."
  The gentle tone of his voice made her look up.  She gazed into his
eyes, her emotions a storm of confusion, concern, relief, sadness. . .
.and possibly. . . .  "Mamoru. . ."  She looked helplessly upon him.  "It
IS my fault!"
  "No, I should've been--"
  "You aren't at fault at all!"  She cried unhappily, her lower lip
trembling.  "You almost died, died for a complete stranger--"
  "I've known you forever, Serenity."
  Usagi stopped.  Her crystal eyes lay upon him, filling with tears once
more, but she said nothing, only gazed with reverence, fear,
confusion, and a dim flame of hope.
  "In my dreams."  He murmured hoarsely, his eyes brimming with
what he had hidden from everything else.  "In my future."  The angel
of life had finally come to him, bringing him indescribable feelings
that he cherished and consumed, ever eager for her presence.  Usagi
was gazing at him, unable to speak, unable to reply, his words hanging
in the air between them like another world.
  "I'm sorry--"  But he broke off, clutching himself in silent pain.
  Usagi flew up, over to him, resting tender hands on his bandages at
his chest and closing her eyes.  The gentle, healing power of the Silver
Crystal seemed to sooth its burn.  She glanced at him apologetically.
"I know my mother might be able to heal you completely, but all I can
do is make it feel better.  I'm not very accustomed to the power."  Glancing 
over at him, she looked curiously.  "How did you know who I
was?"
  "The beautiful odangos."  He smiled.  "Moon traditions, very unique.
I failed to notice last night, but I figured it out before you woke up."
  "I suppose it was a bit of a give away."  She smiled up shyly, her
heavy lashes shielding her emotions.  "I'm in debted to you,
Endymion."
  "What happened to Mamoru?"
  Usagi sighed.  "I'm indebted to the prince of Earth."
  "But I saved you."
  She looked confused momentarily, gazing up at him uncertainly.
"My mother will grant you anything, Mamoru, all you have to do is
ask it."
  "But she can't give what I want."
  Somehow, their faces had become very, very close, and Usagi tilted
her head toward him, only an inch away from contact.  The situation
had captured them both, staring into each others eyes with silent
wonder and enraptured locks.  Their lips became closer, and he caught
her gentle jaw with his hand, leaning her up so that her eyes fluttered
closed and she raised her face expectantly.  He felt her warm breath on
him, and could resist no longer, barely brushing her soft lips when?
  "Helloooo!"  A Sailor Scout dressed in green popped her head in.
"Hey, is he awa--"  Seeing the intimate situation, she stopped red, as
three other scouts clamored in for the view.  Seeing this, they began to
giggle and blush.  Mamoru pulled away reluctantly, Usagi turned
extraordinarily scarlet and stared at the scouts.
  The one in red glared over at Mamoru, summing him up in a long
look.  "Oh great.  Usagi hooks one, once again.  Endymion, Prince of
Earth, both a recluse and apparently extremely good looking.  How
come you always have to grab the good ones?"  She glared reverently
at the still redder Usagi.
  The girls, who had been staring at him in admiration, seemed to
wake up.  "Um, sorry, Usagi, we didn't realize that you were, um,
busy. . ."
  The one in orange giggled.  "Got yourself a real man this time,
Usagi."
  Usagi now looked like she would burst, now the color of a brilliant
tomato.  "You guys!"  She hissed.  "He saved my life, at least you
could be polite!"
  They all turned very serious, obviously affectionate towards their
princess and charge.  "Yes, we owe you a lot, Prince Endymion."  One
of the Sailor Scouts murmured.
  "As you've heard, you can have any reward the queen can bestow on
you.  She should be here to see you on calling.  But for some reason
wouldn't come down with us, and warned us to knock. . . ."
  Jupiter blushed.  "I didn't take her seriously.  Sorry."
  "We wouldn't have made it in time, Prince Endymion.  You've saved
the heir of the Moon."
  Mamoru smiled.  "No.  I saved Usagi."
  They began to ponder this as Venus began to jump around,
murmuring about true love between excited, knowing giggles.  Upon
listening to this, the other scouts began to 'ohh' and nodd their heads
in unified agreement.
  Venus, who had obviously inherited the skills of love from her
planet, began  to giggle once more, staring at their entwined hands.
"And you doubted me."  She murmured, gleefully staring.  "So, what
do you want, Endymion?"
  He cocked a brow.  "I would like some peace and quiet."
  They stopped to consider this.  "With, or without us?"
  Mercury groaned, and Jupiter began to push them out of the door.
  "Oh, right."  Mars nodded.  "Come on, Usagi."
  But she grinned at them.  "I can be quiet."
  "Ohhh."  The acknowledgment echoed from them.  "THAT kind of
peace and quiet."  Scooting them out, the door finally shut as the
scouts disappeared from the door.  However, there was some scuffling
as Venus poked her head in once more and winked, grinning, before
she was dragged back out again.
  They heard them all the way down the hall, until the distance shut
out their voices.
  "Well."  Mamoru murmured.  "That was interesting."
  She blushed.  "Sorry."  A weak smile appeared on her face, and as
did one on his, and suddenly, they were laughing together until the
pain in Mamoru's chest made him silence himself by pure will power.
  The two smiled at each other, surrendering all pretenses of
sophistication.  Mamoru reached out his hand, stroking her soft cheek.
  He looked into her eyes, and she weakened.  "Usagi, come here."
  Complying, Usagi sat beside him, gazing up in anticipation.  "So,
about this destiny."  She asked softly.  "What does it mean?"
  "That I belong to you."  He said, gazing at her with a longing desire
that took her breath away.  "And you belong to me."
  "Really?"
  He nodded.
  "Then, what--"  He silenced her with a long, sweet kiss.  It began
with her surprise, then was replaced by the intensity of her own
response, melding them together in the fiery trail they blazed, his lips
pressing down on her own with the love he had acquired over hours
that shadowed everything in all the years of his life.
  Their souls combined, surrendering entirely to each other, submitting
to the loss of reason and to the whim of passion.  His spine tingled as
she branded his mind with her sweet taste, the silvery essence washing
over him.  It seared, flew, and lifted him above reality in a heavenly
europa of moonlit glory.  And they, illuminated by impossible love,
were locked together, exploding and swelling with emotions that
overpowered every doubt, all pain.
  So this, this was how love felt.  Letting go of her slightly, she
touched his face, wonder in her beautiful, crystal eyes.
  "So this is how Earth is."  Usagi murmured, mesmerizing him with
her tender touch.
  He  brought her in once more, leaving her heartbeat to pulse like the
countless stars, and whispered gently to her, making her tremble
within his arms.  "There's one thing I could never dream, Usagi."
  "What's that?"  She breathed.
  "I never knew. . . . .destiny could be,"  He gazed into her beautiful
blue eyes, which were swimming with the love she held for him and
the wonder of the love he held for her,  "this wonderfully sweet."
  He raised her head again and her embrace met him, and as his lips
touched hers, a wonderful, dizzying sensation slipped over him.  Love.
Then he was lost in her arms. . . . .


^^^^^^^^
That's it, the end.  Whether you sigh with relief or not, please give me
some feed back.  I really hope you liked it, my first fic (which I've been
constantly perfecting for what seems like eternity).

I hope you like 'Rose Pierced Destiny' and if you have anything to say,
I would appreciate it so much!  I'd love to start on another fic, but
please tell me how I'm doing.
      CloudySkies09@hotmail.com <mailto:CloudySkies09@hotmail.com>

  Much love to you all who sat through this,
      Gomen if you didn't like it!
             Ja ne, Aris