First off, thanks to all those who wrote to Mizu and I
about CWA5. I'm sorry I haven't been able to reply to
any of you but the e-mails were all appreciated
(Mizu + WAFF = a very happy Patch).

In celebration of getting two midterms out of the way,
I present you all with the next chapter! *Smiles
happily* One more to go! Cram session here I come!

Mmmm, fruity gels are the best. You all should try
'em if you haven't already. Do enjoy the chapter
and tell me what you think.
Thank you Rei, for getting this back to me so
quickly.
Patch:-)(-:

Healer
Chapter 12
Author: Patch
E-mail: patchkhan1@hotmail.com
	kittiekat90@yahoo.com
Editor: Rei Kinneas aka *Kaitou Comma*
Rating: PG

Insert standard disclaimer here.


	"I am not happy about this."
	"Rei, that's the seventh time you've said that."
	"It's the truth," the black-haired Senshi said,
crossing her arms.
	"Rei! Just a day ago, you weren't complaining,
why now?" Makoto asked, exasperated.
	The four Senshi were standing on four circles
that were part of a transportation machine. The Palace
engineers were making a few last minute checks while
the Senshi waited for them to finish. But as the
minutes ticked by, they began to feel impatient,
especially Rei.
	"You know what it is, Makoto? Rei can't wait
to get to the Earth! That's right, this tantrum is all
a facade and she's actually quite happy that we'll
finally be able to see our Princess. But wait, it's
not just Serenity she wants to see, there's also a
special man waiting for her, Jae-oof!"
	Minako stumbled off the platform they were on
and would have fallen to a heap onto the ground, had
she not caught herself first. She whirled around, her
blond hair flying around her, her eyes blazing. "Rei!"
	The other girl stood smiling smugly but with a
warning glare in her own eyes. "Serves you right," was
all she said.
	"Ladies, if you are all ready, we are about to
begin the process."
	Minako quickly stepped back onto her circle
and the Senshi stood tall and straight. The Queen
stood
facing them, a smile on her face. However, her
expression was troubled but she had not disclosed
anything to them as to why.
	"Stay safe," she began, "I too, cannot wait to
see my daughter once more. I believe proper etiquette
will demand that you stay a night at the Earth Court
but it is your wish if you would like to do so. I do
hope you'll all return quickly. You know what the
situation there is."
	The Senshi nodded, understanding clearly.
Serenity could not afford to stay on Earth longer than
she already had. They had heard of the attacks at the
campsite she had been at and although they were
supposedly false alarms, they were a sign of what
was yet to come.
	The Queen closed her eyes and clutched
the pendant she wore around her neck. Through the
bond she and her daughter shared she could feel the
same emotions Serenity was experiencing. The
pain, the confusion, and the fear were all very
strong and she ached to hold her daughter in her
arms as she used to years ago. But the Princess had
grown into a young woman and she needed comfort
from a different source. Her mother was still there
for her but there was also Endymion now. Queen
Serenity could feel the happiness that rode over
the other emotions and she knew at those times that
the Prince was with her daughter. And even though
Serenity would be returning home soon, the Queen
knew that no matter what the distance, the two
could never be separated.
	She opened her eyes and gazed at each
Senshi in turn. "Protect her with your lives. And
please, take care of yourselves."
	"We shall."
	"The teleportation device is ready,"
one the engineers called out. "The Earth Palace is
standing by. Ready whenever you are."
	Each girl took a deep breath and then
three of them turned around so that they were all
facing each other. They held hands and closed
their eyes, calling up their planetary powers. The
machine worked in such a way that it would use
their own teleporting abilities to take them to the
Earth. If the Princess had been here, they would
not have even needed it because Serenity was
the final piece, and with the Crystal, they could
go anywhere. However, she wasn't with them so
the use of a machine was needed.
	"Mars Planet Power!"
	"Mercury Planet Power!"
	"Jupiter Planet Power!"
	"Venus Planet Power!"
	The air in the room changed direction
and began to spin around the four. It spun so fast
that it raised their hair and ruffled their clothing.
Queen Serenity took a step back lest she be
sucked in with them. The engineers worked
furiously at the controls, anxiously hoping that all
their hard work would be for naught. Electricity
encircled the four and in another second they had
disappeared in a flash of blinding light. All was
silent as everyone stared at where the Senshi had
stood moments before.
	As everyone cheered in success, the
Queen felt a deep sadness blanket her heart.
	"How long will it be before I see you
all again?" she whispered.

	"They have left the Moon, they should
be here any minute now. Prepare to receive them."
	The King, Queen, Endymion, Serenity
and the Generals all waited in suspense. After a
moment, the air around the transporter crackled
with energy and everyone could see the shadowy
figures of four females. Serenity gasped with
surprise and delight, the ache of wanting to see
her friends growing stronger.
	The Senshi finally materialized and
Serenity took a step to go towards them. But a
hand grabbed her wrist and she looked back to
see Endymion.
	"Wait, not just yet. You'll be thrown
back if you touch that ball of energy."
	She nodded and looked back at the
transporter, tamping down her impatience.
Endymion still held her wrist so she slowly pulled
her hand upwards, out of his grasp so that he now
held her hand.  She felt him stiffen behind her but
did not dare look back and instead focused on
what was happening in front of her. But when she
felt his hand squeeze hers, tears formed at her
eyes and she could not help but look back. But he
had turned his head sideways and was speaking
quietly to Jaedite. She sneaked a quick look to
their hands and did not believe she could feel
any happier.
	"All clear!" someone yelled and the
Senshi dropped their hands and turned to face
their audience. No one spoke for a moment and
then the King cleared his throat and looked at
the engineers.
	"Thank you for a job well done. You
may leave us," he said. They did so and finally
Serenity could not wait any longer.
	She rushed forward at the same time
the girls noticed her and took a step forward.
She met them halfway and rushed into Minako's
open arms.
	"Princess!" they all cried as they
gathered around her. Serenity took turns hugging
each of them as fiercely as she had Minako.
She couldn't stop the tears as they fell down her
cheeks and knew that they too were having
trouble containing their own, although they did
a much better job of it than she.
	Finally, the Queen stepped forward,
with a big smile and sniffing slightly also.
"Welcome to Earth," she said. "It is our pleasure
to have you here. I've heard so many things
about you all from Serenity."
	"When did Mother hear so much from
Serenity?" Endymion questioned quietly.
	"At dinner last night. You came in
late, if you'll remember," Zoicite replied. "The
Princess told us all about the Senshi and how
they were all so close."
	"Oh." Endymion stayed silent then
and watched as introductions were made. When
his mother gestured to him, he bowed and
looked up to see four pairs of eyes looking at
him with undisguised interest. He shifted
slightly and sighed a breath of relief when the
Queen moved onto the Generals.
	"Why don't you all have lunch on the
terrace that overlooks the garden?" the King
suggested.
	"A wonderful idea, dear. I'll have
the servants set up for later. I'm sure the
Princess and her Guard would like some time
 alone right now. I'll show you all to your
rooms."
	"Your Highness, I'm afraid we can't
stay long," Minako said before the Queen could
say anything else. But the older woman was
not to be deterred.
	"Nonsense! This is your first time to
this planet, and we would all like to get to
know you better. The Terrans, I'm afraid, have
many suspicions against people from the other
planets and I do belive something should be
done about it, don't you agree, Terrance?"
	"I do," the King replied, nodding. "I
think now is a good time to better our already
present relations with the planets, especially
during a time when to have reliable allies
ensures victory. Your staying would give us a
good chance to learn more about our neighbors."
	The Senshi looked at each other,
unsure of what to do.
	"They're very stubborn," Serenity
murmured quietly to her friends. The other
four smiled and nodded at Augusta.
	"We'd be glad to stay for a little
while," Rei said finally and the Queen nodded
happily. The women left, talking amongst
themselves and leaving the men behind.
	They were quiet for a moment until
the King slapped Kunzite on the back suddenly.
"Let me tell you all about the merits of settling
down," he said jovially.

	"The gardens here are spectacular.
I can feel just how alive they are," Makoto
said, standing at the terrace railing. She
quickly turned to Serenity. "Not that the
Moon gardens aren't amazing themselves, but..."
	"I understand, Makoto. The nature
of the Moon is beautiful yet cold. Here, the
plants and flowers reach out to you, grab you
and embrace you in their fragrance." Serenity
took a sip of her drink before continuing. "I
never knew flowers could smell so lovely.
The plants and herbs I've worked with have
always smelled... spicy!"
	The other girls giggled quietly.
The five of them were relaxing out on the
terrace that overlooked the gardens. A slight
breeze blew in the air and it was not overly
warm. A pleasant day all in all.
	"Serenity, I do believe that we
should leave this place as soon as possible."
	Serenity stared in surprise at Ami's
comment but the other girls showed no
expression. She felt a tingle of dread travel
down her spine as she waited for Ami to say
more. The other girl stared a moment at her
glass before explaining.
	"As of right now, you are in danger.
From what you told us about your experiences
at camp, it is highly likely that even now Beryl
is out there, looking for you."
	"Oh Ami, but the Palace is safe and
well guarded. There is no possible way Beryl
could come here," Serenity replied.
	"I agree, the architecture of this
place is highly admirable, but Serenity, there is
another reason why I think we should return
quickly."
	"What is it?
	"Your heart, Serenity," Minako
answered, leaning forward. "You've talked a
lot about Endymion and it is hard not to
realize that you do like him very much."
	"However, you do have
responsibilities," Rei said, joining the
conversation. "You are the only heir to the Moon
Kingdom and soon you will be its leader.
Endymion would become a distraction and
besides, the majority of the people on this Earth
do not trust us very much. Anything between you
two cannot work out at such a delicate time."
	Whatever advice Serenity had
expected from her close friends did not even
come close to what they were telling her now.
Feeling disheartened, she looked at each of the
girls and realized that they all felt Endymion
was not the one for her. But she felt differently.
	"I love him," she whispered fiercely,
"and I have loved him for a very long time. You
all cannot tell me that there can be nothing
between us because there already is!"
	The Senshi looked startled at this
admission and looked at one another.
	"Does he love you?"
	Serenity did not know how to answer
Makoto's question. "I... I don't know," she
began hesitantly. "But he has kissed me so many
times," she added quickly. "And I could feel
something behind those kisses, I know I could!"
	"Oh Serenity," Minako said sadly,
"kisses are just kisses. No matter who gives
them and who receives them, they are all the
same. I've received so many, you of all people
know that but none was different than the last.
How do you know that another woman Endymion
kissed didn't feel the same way as you?"
	"No," the Princess whispered brokenly.
Yesterday's memory of the enclosed rose garden
came up and images of the large furs entered
unbidden into her mind. "No," she said more
strongly. She looked at all of them. "His kisses
were special... Endymion is special. He's not like
any other man I've met, he's different."
	"Serenity," Rei began patiently, "we're
trying to save you from some hurt. Why won't you
listen to us?"
	She opened her mouth to answer but
at that moment they heard heavy footsteps and
quieted down. Kunzite and Nephrite walked
onto the terrace and nodded at the women.
	"Have a seat, Kunzite, Nephrite,"
Serenity said, motioning to the empty chairs. She
was more than grateful for the interruption.
"Where are the others?"
	"They'll be along shortly, Princess,"
Nephrite replied. "Our food should also arrive
soon."
	The group sat in silence until they
heard more footsteps, and this time the other
three men joined them. The sound of the chairs
grating over the marble was the only noise being
made as the three sat down and settled in. And
after they had seated, no one still said anything.
	"I do sense a degree of hostility in the
air," Kunzite finally said, sitting back.
	"How can you expect us all to be
amicable at our first meeting?" Minako asked.
	"You kidnapped our Princess."
	The men sat up at this accusation and
Jaedite spoke defensively. "Your Queen allowed
us to take her. She had no objections!"
	"That was only after you took her by
force!" Rei shot back. "You first forced her
to come with you and then you came back to us,
begging our forgiveness for taking Serenity."
	"I do not recall begging for forgiveness,"
Nephrite spoke quietly. "We only stated what our
reasons were for taking the Princess. We had to
inform you of the truth."
	"We needed Serenity," Zoicite said,
"she was our last hope in saving Endymion.
Surely you can all understand that."
	"We can," Makoto answered, "but we
can't understand your reasons for kidnapping her.
You had no right to do so."
	"It was an emergency," Kunzite replied
sharply. "A day later and Endymion would not have
survived."
	"She saved my life," Endymion spoke
up quietly. "I am grateful to her."
	Serenity who had looked on in distress
at the arguing group, swiftly turned her gaze to
Endymion. He stared back at her with an expression
that said nothing and then looked at the Senshi.
	"Serenity and her so called 'kidnappers'
are friends now. There is no need for you all to be
so unfriendly towards us."
	"Friends don't keep friends at war torn
campsites!" Rei said hotly.
	"It was her choice to stay!" Zoicite yelled
causing the other men to look at the normally calm
General. "She wanted to stay with us and help the
injured. She was not our captive!"
	"It is true. We would have respected the
Princess' wishes if she had wanted to leave."
	"Would you have?" Makoto challenged.
	Suddenly Serenity stood up, pushing back
her chair. Everyone's attention turned to her and she
looked down at the glass table. "I wish you all
would not fight," she said quietly. "I had hoped we
could all become friends, but I am coming to see
that I was wrong to even think such a thing. You talk
about me as if I am not here." She lifted her chin
proudly and looked at all of them. "I am Healer and
I am Princess Serenity. I am not forced into anything
nor do I make random choices. I simply take what
life gives me and I work with it. I wish you all would
understand that."
	And with that said, she left the terrace,
leaving the group in embarrassed silence. The sound
of another chair being pushed back was heard and
everyone looked up to see Endymion getting up and
leaving also.
	"He will go after her," Minako mumbled
as she got up also.
	"Leave them be," Kunzite ordered.
	The Senshi of Love looked down
incredulously at the General. "How dare you! I will
do no such thing. Serenity does not need him. He
will only be a danger to her, nothing else."
	"Are you implying that the Prince is a
threat?" Zoicite asked.
	"More than that," Ami replied. "He is
simply not the one for her."
	"You do not know that."
	"I ask that you leave them, Lady Minako,"
Kunzite said. "You may not know your Princess as
much as you say you do."
	Minako opened her mouth to retort but
sat down instead, glaring at the Generals all the
while.

	"Serenity!"
	She stopped and whirled around, her
dress flying around her ankles, her hair wrapping
around her body.
	"Endymion!"
	He reached her and stopped less than
a foot in front of her. They stood in the quiet
hallway looking at each other, each unsure of
what to say.
	 "Why have you followed me?" she
asked, trying to make sense of her jumbled thoughts.
	"I have to make you understand
something. I know back there you felt as though you
were being taken granted for the person you are and
have become. I just hope you know that I am
grateful to you not only for saving my life but for
also being in my life... our lives. I know we have
had our disagreements but I think all friends go
through them."
	"Friends?" she whispered. Serenity
took a step back and then came forward again.
Friends? She supposed it was a good start and she
now knew that Endymion at least held her in some
positive regard. However time was running out!
She did not think the Senshi would even want to
stay here the night. She truly believed that they
would come around the corner very soon and
demand to leave right away. And then where
would she be?
	How long would it be before she
would be able to see him again? They would
part as just 'friends' and she knew that she did
not just want to be his friend. She loved him for
Moon's sakes! Loved him as a woman loved a
man... at least that was what she thought of it as.
And if she left now, her feelings unsaid and
unknown to him, what would she see the next
time she met him? Would he have found someone
else? Another Eloise?
	Or would he be involved in something
deeper, something more serious? Would he be in
the sort of relationship she wanted with him right
now? Would she be able to bear that? No, her
heart *and* mind replied. She was certain that to
see Endymion love another woman would
certainly throw her backwards into despair. Oh
goddess! How she hated feeling like this! Her
friends had not been a help at all. They had been
the exact opposite of what she had needed.
	"Princess, what's wrong?"
	She shook out of her reverie and
realized that his hands now held her arms. She
looked at them and then looked up into his
face.
	"Endymion..."
	She moved out of his hold as her arms
slowly slid around his waist. She stepped up to
him and rested her cheek against the metal of his
breastplate. He stiffened and his hands came up to
her shoulders as though to push her away. But
when she began to speak, his hands cupped the
smooth skin instead.
	"I wanted someone to love," she began
quietly. It was now or never, she thought. Silently
she prayed for the best to come out of this. "I
wanted someone who would love me back," she
continued. "I had been looking long for that someone
until one night I saw you, or rather, an image of you.

A planet away you were, yet I knew you were that
one person I could and would willingly commit
myself to. For so long I wanted..." she hesitated and
 then went on. "I wanted someone who would hold
me, when the tears in my eyes could not be held
back anymore. I wanted to hold that same person
when the time was rough and the future looked
bleak. I wanted someone to whom I could tell my
deepest secrets, my fears and dreams.
	"I met my Guardians, the Senshi, my best
friends but I could let them in only so much. I wanted
a person whom I could entrust my *soul* with," she
finished hoarsely, the ache in her voice all too
clear.
	She took a deep breath and slowly rubbed
her cheek across his armor until she could look up
into his face, into his eyes that now gazed into hers
with a calm that was almost unnerving.
	 "Will you... will you be that person for
me?" she whispered, her voice cracking slightly. A
few tears clung to the rims of her eyes but she did
not
take the time to wipe them away. The intensity of the
silent moment was too much, even for such a simple
task.
	"Will you?" she asked again, her heart
now beating almost painfully against her ribcage.
She felt his hands tighten in their grip on her
shoulders for just a bit and then they relaxed.
	"No," he said finally and that one word
had the effect of taking a step backward off a cliff
and then falling... falling... forever...
	For a second, she couldn't believe it.
The sudden shock numbed her senses and Serenity
could only stare at him in disbelief, her body
frozen. And then he violently pulled her back to
reality as he spoke again.
	"No, I cannot be that person. I... am sorry."
	Her arms slowly removed themselves
from their position and the back of her left hand
rose to her mouth as she took a step back. His hands
fell from her shoulders to hang at his sides limply
as she continued to move away from him. The few
tears from before became many as they fell from
her eyes, trailing down her face, framing it with
wetness.
	Her breathing became ragged and
forced as she continued to back away from him,
slowly beginning to shake her head. He
continued to stare at her and she prayed what she
saw in his eyes was resignation. If there were no
emotion she would have simply died but even so...
his rejection... painful was not a word that could
encompass the emotions warring within her.
	"I loved you..." she said finally, leaning
forward slightly, unconsciously imploring him to
understand. "I do love you, I can't stop and now...
Will you at least tell me why?"
	He remained silent and she felt like
slapping herself. Why had she even thought he
could feel something for her? Why had she even
bothered? Why? Finally she could take no more.
All of this... everything she had been through... had
been for nothing. Nothing at all!
	"I'm sorry Princess. For reasons beyond
both of our comprehension, I just cannot. I hope
you'll understand."
	"But I don't understand," she cried.
When he said nothing in reply, she held back a
sob. If this was how it would be, then so be it.
She was a fool from the beginning and she should
have listened to her friends. Straightening,
Serenity hurriedly wiped the tears and looked at
him with steely eyes.
	"I never want to see your face again. I
never want to think about you again! I highly
doubt you will ever visit the Moon, but by the
powers of Selene, if I even so much as *feel*
your presence... you will regret it."
	He continued to stand there and she
wanted to run to him, scream and beat her fists
against his chest. Anything to get a reaction out
of him! But no, he was ever the calm and noble
Prince. He probably couldn't end his nefarious
ways with French women and the like. Then
she would not hold herself back. Why had she
ever?
	Taking in a shaky breath, she turned
around and walked away, the edges of her dress
swishing against the marble floors. As she walked
away from him, she prayed fervently that he would
call her back but with each step that furthered the
distance between them, she knew it would not
happen. She bit her lip and closed her eyes, as
the tears began seeping from beneath her lids.
Shuddering sobs shook her shoulders and she
brought a hand up to cover her mouth. How was
she to move on?
	She reached her room and stepped
inside, leaning against the door after she had
closed it. She slid against the hard wood and brought
up her knees when she hit the floor. Resting her
head against them, she cried, not understanding
the world at all.
	"Poor pretty Princess."
	She gasped at the voice and had hardly
lifted her head when she felt the cold steel of a
blade slip inside her flesh. Her eyes widened as
she saw a shadowy figure and then spots appeared
before her eyes as her hand tried to reach for the
blade. But the blackness reached her first and she
fell sideways as her body impacted with the soft
carpet that made no sound.

*^*End*^*
Aaah, Laz, I know I did say something but I didn't
say *how* it would happen. *Smiles evilly*
Everyone else like? *Hears crickets* Maybe I
should come back later?
Patch:-)(-:

Lavender
http://www.geocities.com/patch_kana/