*Sighs* I hate reading, I hate writing, I hate
thinking! All philosophically of course. DARNIT! Why
can't we just let things be????
@_@
Chapter 10 anyone?
Enjoy!
Patch:-)(-:

Healer
Chapter 10
Author: Patch
Editor: Rei Kinneas *aka* Kaitou Comma
            (currently in the midst of finding her
            theme music)
E-mail: patchkhan1@hotmail.com
Rated: PG

Insert standard disclaimer here.

	Serenity looked straight ahead as she walked.
Her eyes focused on nothing, she was too angry to even

bother with her surroundings. She only stared at the
man's back, wishing her gaze could burn a hole into
it.
	He had come upon her suddenly out by the
perimeter and literally yanked her to her feet. He had
then
proceeded to give her a full tongue lashing on how
careless she had been and how much danger she had put
her life in by being out there. She had let Endymion's

little speech go in one ear and out the other but then
he
had stopped and ordered that she follow him back to
the tent.
	She would have refused outright had it not
been for the guards who were staring at them and
reluctantly and angrily she had walked behind him. She

didn't understand his harshness towards her. She had
done nothing wrong, her life was not so much into the
danger as he had described. Surely he had been
exaggerating.
	They reached the tent and he stepped aside
to her walk in before him. As soon as he had dropped
the flap, Serenity whirled around to give him her own
tongue lashing. He fully deserved it. But she had only
opened her mouth when he spoke first.
	"You are going home."
	Her mouth did open, but not to speak. It had
fallen open out of shock. She stared at him
incredulously, hardly believing her ears.
	"What do you mean?"
	"I have asked Kunzite to contact your Mother.
The Senshi will arrive at the Earth Palace where the
Generals and I will escort you. From there you will
return to the Moon."
   	She took a step backwards, shaking her head.
"You cannot mean it! It's only been a few days, I'm
not
even sure that you're fully well!"
	"I am. I know how I feel and I know that I
am completely healthy."
	"But Zoicite and Kunzite-"
	"They are just fine too," he interrupted. "The
Crystal was true to its word. It healed them and made
them whole once more." He watched her as she sat
down onto his cot and bowed her head. He stared down
at her, and did not say anything until he heard a
small
sniff. His hard expression fell away and he walked up
to her and then kneeled down, taking hold of the hands

in her lap.
	"Come, Serenity, you know that your time
here would be short, did you not? You probably
wished it so. You should be ecstatic to leave this
place."
	She shook her head before answering. "No,
I will miss this place," she said quietly.
	"You cannot expect me to believe that!"
	She raised her face to look at him directly
and he inhaled sharply at what he saw there. Tears
swam in her eyes and she looked... shattered. But
why? This campsite had been a nightmare for her.
She had survived the stench of death, an encounter
with the Mistress of Evil herself, and survived two
explosions. Could she truly have felt some sort of
attachment to this place? It just did not seem
possible.
	He heard the shout of one of his Generals,
Zoicite, and his eyes narrowed. Or was the Princess
attached to *someone*? But he could not continue the
thought when she suddenly launched herself at him.
	Endymion grabbed at her and fell
backwards into a sitting position. He held Serenity
close to him and looked down at her golden hair.
Twice, he thought wryly. Twice in one day he had
been pushed backwards by a woman.
	He felt her breath against his neck and
contained the instinctive urge to shiver. Her lips
were so close to his skin, he could almost feel their
silky softness!
	"I can't leave you, Endymion."
	He stopped breathing as his heart
skipped a few beats. He had to have heard her
whispered words incorrectly. She could not have
said what she had just uttered. The implications
from that one sentence were too much for him to
delve into. He was caught unaware and completely
unprepared! Could he be her attachment? It
confounded him and made him tremble. But she did
not belong here, he told himself. She just could not
belong here.
	That was why anything between them
was impossible.
	He put two fingers under her chin and
lifted her face to his. Her tears had stopped but her
eyes were still wet and filled with uncertainty. He
averted his gaze and lowered them to her lips. She
now held the lower lip between her teeth, worrying
it and once again he could not resist. Bending his
head, he saw her close her eyes before he captured
that bottom lip with his own and bruise it with his
own two lips. He then tilted his head to cover her
mouth fully and lost himself in her sweetness.
	She returned the pressure in kind and
went so far as to push herself up against him just so
that she could be closer to his warmth. Princesses
do not act in such a way, the logical part of her
mind scolded but she didn't care. Endymion made
her... forget herself; he made her forget who she
was and what she was. All that mattered in moments
like these, was that she was a young woman he found
desirable. At least, that's what she thought. Why else
would his lips be pressed against hers, molding
them and teasing them with his tongue? They wouldn't
be doing this if there weren't some sort of attraction
between the two. Just the idea caused her heart to
grow wings that began to flutter uncontrollably. Did
she have a chance...?
	Serenity's train of thinking stopped when
she willingly went along with him as he reclined to
lean against her own cot. Her hand traveled upwards
to rest against his cheek as the other lay against his
chest. His hand found itself at the back of her neck
where he gently massaged the sensitive area as his
other hand traveled all over her body causing her to
shiver.
	Each savored the moment, forgetting the
world around them. How could either of them think
of anything else, when their entire beings were
focused on their intimate actions? If only they didn't

have to part...
	"Your Highness!"
	In a second, Serenity had moved away
from Endymion, leaving his embrace and blushing
furiously. She looked towards the entrance and
nearly scowled. Odin stood there, a look of surprise
and shock crossing his face before the deep frown
set in once again. Unconsciously, Serenity fingered
her cloak, realizing this was the first time he'd seen

her with her hood down. She looked at Endymion,
who had now crossed his arms and was waiting for
Odin to speak. He did not move from his position
nor did he show any outward reaction to the person
who had interrupted them.
	"What is it Odin?"
	"General Kunzite sent me to you. The
transporter is ready."
	Serenity's heart plummeted as her breath
caught in her throat. No! She didn't want to go
home, not now! A panicked expression crossed her
face as she looked at Endymion who was now
standing and dusting off his pants as he got up.
	He straightened slowly and nodded at
the Lieutenant. "We'll be there in just a moment."
	Odin shot a look at Serenity that could
only be deciphered as triumphant and she felt the
blood rush to her head, making her dizzy. The other
man left the tent and she got up, taking a step
towards Endymion.
	"Endymion, please..." Don't make me go,
she thought, finishing the sentence in her mind.
	He turned his head towards her and took
her hand in his.
	"The Senshi will be waiting for you."

	She hated him. If looks could kill, he
would have been lying six feet under in a cold, hard
grave. She stood behind him, the four Generals
forming a human wall around her. Zoicite stood on
her left, Kunzite on her right, Jaedite and Nephrite
behind her. They all faced forward, including her
and she had the biggest urge to push them all away
so that she could breath. But that would be unlady-
like, so she constrained herself from doing such a
thing.
	But more than angry, she was hurt and
aching with anguish. She loved him! She couldn't
deny it any more than she could deny that she was
a Princess. The feelings were just too strong and
poignant to be a simple infatuation. Looking at his
strong back and his raven black hair, she wished
there was some way she could get it across to him
just how much she cared for the Prince. But there
was nothing short of saying 'I love you' and she
knew that it was too soon for that. She was still so
nsure of how he felt towards her and if she did
utter those three words at the wrong time, then all
would be lost.
	I love you, Endymion. Why won't you
let me in?
	She heard someone yell "All clear!"
but did not really pay attention. She was lost in
her thoughts, wondering how she would find a
way to stay on Earth for just a bit longer. Was
there a way she could talk to her mother, maybe
tell her about Endymion? The Queen would
understand, Serenity was sure of it.
	The mist began to rise around them,
crackling with little bolts of electricity.
	And then, once she had confided to
her mother, what would she do next? What
would be her next move? She could speak to
Endymion. She would tell him everything. She
was willing to expose her soul to him and tell
him just how much he meant to her. But she
knew one couldn't force another to love and if
Endymion held no feelings for her then what
would she do?
	The surrounding area turned dark
until it was pitch black as they teleported.
	She would never stop loving him;
that much she was sure of. She would return
home if that was what it came to. Maybe she
would marry someone else some day but her
heart would always belong to him. Always.
	The mist began to dissipate and they
arrived at the Earth Palace.
	But why was she thinking so far
into the future? The present was here and now
and this was the time to take action.
	"My parents are waiting for us."
	She looked up at Endymion's murmur
and saw that he was waiting for her, his arm
held out so that she could take it. She did so and
they walked down a series of hallways in silence
before they finally reached the throne room.
	Serenity held her breath as two
attendants opened the doors. She would be seeing
the Senshi, her guardians and best friends after
leaving them so abruptly. She had not been gone
long but she was worried. She hoped they did not
feel responsible for her kidnapping.
	The group walked into the vast room
and Serenity only saw a man and a woman
standing in the middle of the room. There were
guards all around but she did not see the four
familiar faces that were so dear to her. She did
not know whether to sigh a breath of relief or
disappointment at their absence.
	"Endymion!" the woman cried,
coming forward, her arms outstretched. "It is so
good to see you, I've been so worried. When we
heard about the attack, I had half a mind to come
over to you by myself."
	Endymion and Serenity met the woman
half way and Endymion detached himself from
her so that he could hug the woman whom
Serenity presumed was the Queen.
	"Mother, there was no need to worry."
	"I can't help it, you are my son and
only child after all," the Queen replied, moving
back.
	The King came forward and clapped
his son on the back. "Your mother has driven me
mad with her incessant worrying. I was
concerned but I knew you would pull through. The
Generals were there with you," he said nodding
at the four men. "However, your mother was a
different matter altogether! Every hour of the day
she inquired about you from someone. Pity the
man who did not have an answer for her."
	"Terrance!"
	The King winced but shot the others a
small grin. Serenity looked on at the scene with
envy. Endymion was extremely lucky to have both
of his parents. She did not even have a single
memory of her father and she avoided speaking
about him with her mother. The Queen would
always fall into a state of sadness and Serenity
would regret even bringing the subject up.
	"And who is this, Dear?"
	She was now the focus of everyone's
attention and Serenity bent her head slightly
feeling everyone's gaze on her. She had left with
her hood and cape covering her and had yet to
take it off.
	"Mother, Father, may I present to you,
Healer."
	"Ah!" the King exclaimed. "The
person to whom we owe much to. Where are you
from, Healer? We did not receive many details
 about you."
	Serenity slowly pushed back her hood
as Endymion spoke.
	"Healer is from the Moon. She is
otherwise known as Princess Serenity, Heir to the
Moon Kingdom."
	The Queen gasped and the King's eyes
widened. Absolute silence fell upon the room and
Serenity felt a pang of uneasiness hit her. What did
they think of her? A princess, not just any, but one
who was heir to the most powerful kingdom in the
solar system, who immersed herself in the arts of
healing; it did give one slight pause.
	"Unbelievable," King Terrance muttered.
	"It is!" replied the Queen. "And we
hadn't even realized the connection. We thought it a
bit odd that the Senshi, royal guard of the Moon
Princess, were coming to escort a mere healer back
to the moon but we didn't think much of it. How it
all makes sense now!"
	Serenity smiled slightly. "It is an honor
to meet you, Your Highnesses," she said, falling
into a graceful curtsy. "I'm sorry that I wasn't given
the chance to see you when I first arrived and the
Prince has neglected to tell me much about you in
the time we've known each other."
	The Queen beamed, for what reason
Serenity did not know, and took the Princess by the
arm. "Well, men never remember to talk about such
things. Like father like son, as they say."
Endymion acknowledged the teasing barb with a
mock bow. "Father, Mother, the identity of the
Princess cannot be known. Her life is already in
serious danger and as far as everyone here know,
she is Healer, a medicine woman from the Moon."
The royal couple nodded in understanding and
then the Queen turned to Serenity. "Your Senshi
haven't arrived yet. They're having a few problems
with the transporter and that will give us plenty of
time to get to know each other. To start off, you may
call me Augusta. There is no need for us to be
formal, you are a special guest of ours, one who
saved my son's life..."
	And the Queen went on and on. Serenity
looked back at Endymion who was currently
talking with his father and the Generals. But as if
he knew she was looking at him, he lifted his head
and met her gaze. An unspoken message passed
between the two and Serenity looked away
quickly, disturbed by what she had seen in his
eyes.
	She wasn't sure how she should have
interpreted it but she was sure she had seen some
sense of longing. For her? She dismissed the
thought as quickly as it had come. He didn't even
want her. She shook her head and continued to
listen to the Queen.

	"And here we have the royal gardens.
We are so proud of Henry, our gardener. He's
done a spectacular job of them as you will soon
see. I must show you our exquisite collection of
roses, they're like no other!"
	"Your Highness…"
	Serenity and Queen Augusta turned
around at the sound of the quiet voice. A young
maid stood there and she curtsied quickly when
they saw her. "King Terrance is looking for you.
He would like to remind you about the dinner
tonight with the European ambassadors."
	"Oh, of course! I had completely
forgotten!" The older woman turned and took
Serenity's hands in hers. "Please forgive me,
but I must go."
	Serenity smiled warmly, having
already liked this woman immensely. "It is
alright, Your-" at the Queen's look, she
corrected herself, "Augusta. I'll be fine here. I
guess I could do some exploring on my own."
	The Queen nodded. "Once again,
I'm sorry. If I see Endymion, I'll tell him to
come join you."
	Serenity began to protest but the
Queen was already walking away.
	She dropped the hand she had raised
and watched the woman go. When she had
entered the palace, Serenity sighed and turned
around, looking at the entrance to the garden. It
was closed off with big hedges that reached
quite high up and there was a single arched
trellis that she would have to go through to
enter the gardens. Vines had entwined
themselves around it and walked closer to it, she
saw tiny white flowers that had sprouted in
bunches all over. Taking a deep breath, she
walked through and felt as though she had
stepped into another world.
	There were bursts of color everywhere,
colors she had never thought to see in a flower.
And the flowers! She had never seen such a rich
display of Nature. The plants on the Moon could
only be described as subdued and delicate in
comparison to what lay before her. Here the plants
were full of life, healthy and strong.
	The sweet fragrance of the plants
drifted to her nose and she inhaled deeply,
closing her eyes. The only plants that actually
smelled were the herbs she used. That was it.
She had never realized flowers could even
smell so nice. She turned around slowly in a
circle, taking it all in. There were beds of
flowers all over and on one side there was
even a stone fountain from which water
trickled soothingly.
	And apparently this wasn't all of it. There
was another wall of hedges off to her other side
and another arched trellis she could walk
through. In an instant all past events, worries,
and frustrations melted away and a happy giggle
escaped her. It was like she was five again,
discovering the Palace gardens of the Moon for
the first time under the watchful eye of her
mother. The same excitement bubbled up and
with a bounce in her step she walked towards
the arched structure ready for a small adventure.
	After what had to have been hours
later, the tired Princess was ready to find her
way back. She realized it was only today that
they had left the campsite. But to her it seemed
like they had left days ago. Life over there
would definitely be one of the most memorable
times in her life. A time she would never be
able to push back in her mind. It was a time
that could never become a faint memory.
	Sighing, feeling the onset of the real
world tumbling in, Serenity began to head back
towards the Palace. She hoped no one had been
looking for her as she remembered too late that
she was a Princess and Princesses were not
supposed to just disappear like she had. Well,
that's too bad, she thought. She was a different
kind of Princess and besides, here she was
Healer and no one else.
	Walking beside another wall of
hedges, this one with no arched opening in site, she
attempted to recapture the happiness she had
been feeling just moments ago. But as she
continued to walk slowly, she found that she had
brought herself down too much to feel cheerful.
	But her attention was caught with
something else, when she noticed a fragrance
that separated itself from all the other smells of
the gardens. This one rose above all the others,
tantalizing her senses with its... freshness. It was
the only word she could think of. She stopped,
looking at the tall wall in front of her. Whatever
flower the smell was coming from, had to be on
the other side of this thing. She followed it for
quite a bit and then stopped, frustrated. She
couldn't find any opening that would lead her to
the other side. She turned around and leaned
against the shrubbery, letting her body sink into
the leaves and twigs.
	She closed her eyes and then opened
them just as quickly. She could have sworn she
had heard someone speaking. Looking around,
she saw no one and did not expect to see anyone.
The voice had not come from in front of her but
from behind her! Whirling around she did her
best to press her side up against the hedge
without poking herself too much. Her eyes
widened as she strained to hear. There wasn't
just one, but a few people talking in low
murmurs. Now she had to know what was on
the other side. She could just hear her mother
scolding her for her inquisitiveness but
Serenity just had to satisfy her curiosity now.
Besides, she told herself, she just wanted to
know what flower that lovely fragrance
belonged to.
	But how to do so was another matter.
She tilted her head back to peer at the top of the
hedges. There was no way she could jump high
enough to climb over. No one could! She rested
her left hand on the opposite shoulder and then
stilled. Of course! The Silver Crystal did have
its own sort of teleportation device. She knew
if it was combined with her Senshi's powers,
they could be taken anywhere, no matter how far.
But she only had to get to the other side of this
massive shrubbery and the Crystal alone would
be just right.
	Crossing her hands over her chest,
she closed her eyes and bent her head slightly to
concentrate. Sparkling particles arose around
her and in a flash of light she had disappeared.
Opening her eyes and lifting her head she let the
Crystal's power subside within her. And then
quickly wished she hadn't.
	"Princess!"
	Four exclamations of surprise greeted
her. And no, she had not transported herself back
to the Moon. The Crystal had worked quite well.
She had reached the other side of the hedges...
right into a part of the garden currently occupied
by four Generals and one shocked Prince.

*^*End*^*
Hmmm, I think we can figure out what kind of
flower Serenity was so curious about. ^.~ Tsk,
she shouldn't have been so inquisitive. But then
she wouldn't get to see Endymion again! And hey,
the more they get to see each other, the better!