WAI! Two chapters at once. So can I go off and
disappear for a month again? Ehehe... maybe not.
Enjoy reading!

Healer
Chapter 21
Author: Patch
E-mail: patchkhan1@hotmail.com
	kittiekat90@yahoo.com
Rated: PG

Insert standard disclaimer here.

	"Hush, Princess. Nothing to fear."
	Serenity immediately stilled, recognizing the
voice. Quickly rage filled her and she bit down on the
hand over her mouth. Endymion yelped and released her
so that she could spin around to look at him.
	"You! What are you doing here?" she hissed
angrily.
	"Getting bitten, apparently," the Prince
retorted, rubbing the injured area.
	"You scared me! And it was an act of self-
defense!"
	"After you knew who I was!"
	"All the more reason," Serenity snapped.
	Endymion stared at her and then chuckled. "I
deserved that."
	Serenity felt all her anger drain away. That male
laughter had affected her strangely and she found
herself wanting to hear more. She suddenly felt very
confused.
	"Well, it certainly looks like the danger has
passed," Makoto said, coming into the area where the
two were standing. "I was prepared for some action."
	"We could still get some if those two continue to
yell at each other."
	"We weren't yelling," Serenity protested. She
immediately clapped a hand over her mouth when she
heard how loud her voice had been.
	"Why don't we all go back to the Palace?" Kunzite
suggested.
	"You all can go, however I still must see to the
villagers who have asked for my help."
	"Fine," Endymion answered, looking at the Senshi and
his General. "You all can go back and I'll accompany
Serenity as she goes around the villages."
	Serenity opened her mouth to argue but Minako
spoke before she could. "We trust you, Endymion, to
protect her with your life."
	"You can be rest assured, I will allow no harm to
come to her."
	"Then it's set. We'll take our leave then and see you
later."
	And before Serenity could even say anything, the
Senshi had gathered their horses together and were
riding off into the woods. She opened her mouth once
more and unleashed her frustration on the only person
with her.
	"Who do you think you are? This is not Earth and you
do not rule here! And you certainly do not make my
decisions for me."
	"I didn't hear you protesting anything."
	"I never got a chance to!"
	"Careful, the villagers might hear you."
	Serenity clenched and unclenched her fists. She
counted to ten, very slowly. She walked over to
Juniper and fed her a few sugar cubes she had carried
with her. Finally she was ready to speak in a calm
voice. "I hope you have a horse. Otherwise you'll have
to walk then. Juniper can't carry the both of us."
	"Actually, I don't. Kunzite and I teleported to
Naru's cottage just as Nephrite and Jaedite had done
in the past. After Naru informed us of where you'd be,
we just walked." Endymion strode up to the horse,
stroked its side and then patted its flank. "She's a
strong girl. She'll be able to carry our weight." And
with that said, in one graceful move,
he was up on top of the horse and holding out his hand
to her.
	Serenity was feeling quite slow tonight. How were
things happening around her so quickly? She thought
that she had gotten enough rest in the past week.
Apparently, it had been too much rest.
	She took hold of his hand and let him pull her up. He
put her in front of him, her back right up against his
chest, too close for her comfort. They set off in the
direction Serenity pointed to and allowed the horse to
walk at a slow pace.
	"This just isn't right," she mumbled under her
breath.
	"But it feels so right," Endymion whispered into her
ear. She froze at his words, unable to come up with a
sharp reply. But how could she argue when what he said
was true? His arms had come around her waist to hold
the reins and if it had been another time, she would
have gripped those arms and brought them closer around
her. She felt safe and warm even though she didn't
want to.
	To go that way would mean to risk losing her
heart all over again. She had to remain strong and
indifferent.
	"How much further is the next stop?"
	She started and clutched his hands instinctively.
"Not too far. The woman's name is Dame Agnes and she
has joint problems. I only have to give her an herbal
ointment that will ease her pain, answer any questions
she may have and then we can be on our way to the next
house."
	"You really enjoying doing this."
	It was an observation not a question and she
nodded. "I do. It just gives me a sense of
satisfaction to help my people and take care of them.
They rely on Healer and I do the best I can."
	"My people would love to have a person like
you. The healers we have always assign the same sort
of solution to different problems. They are not
efficient in my opinion and could probably care even
less about the people they help. You are the type of
healer Earth needs."
	Serenity didn't answer. She didn't even want to
interpret what he had said. Fortunately, she didn't
have to because they had arrived at Dame Agnes' house.
Endymion got off first and then helped her down. His
hands gripped her waist as he pulled her down but once
she was on the ground, he didn't let go of her.
	"Have you ever taken off your hood?" he asked
curiously.
	"Never. I am intelligent enough to understand
that to do so would put me at risk. You can trust no
one, even in the safest of villages. Besides, the
people would feel uncomfortable if they knew that
their Princess was actually a healer. They wouldn't be
as open with me as they are now."
	She walked away from him and then turned
around. "You must stay here. Your presence would only
raise questions and that is the last thing we need."
	He would have protested but she had already
walked up to the door. And when he would have taken a
step forward to stop her, she had already disappeared
into the house. Frowning, he walked back to the horse,
and stayed with it, waiting for Serenity.
	Thankfully, he didn't have to stand there for too
long, because it was only a short while later, that
the door opened and she appeared, speaking to the
woman whom he presumed was Dame Agnes, in hushed
tones. The woman was thanking her profusely and
Serenity was gradually inching away from her. Finally
the old woman went back in and Endymion climbed onto
Juniper and walked her forward.
	"Where to next?" he asked as he helped her up.
	"The next house isn't too far, just continue down
this path and we should see it."
	She was right but even it had been far, they
would have had no trouble finding it. There was a
crowd of villagers out front, their torches lighting
the whole area up in an orange-ish glow.
	"What's going on? Why are all these people
here?"
	They had stopped just short of the clearing.
Shadowed by the trees, the two sat there on Juniper,
taking in the scene.
	"They are expecting a miracle," Serenity replied,
getting down without the aid of Endymion.
	"What do you mean?" he asked sharply.
	She sighed in response and looked up at him. "I must
use the Crystal. There is a child, and he's very sick.
With cases like these, where the patient is near
death, I use the Crystal and because the people don't
understand its power, they see it as a miracle that I
can heal the person. Therefore, they usually come in
droves to see the mysterious white light that heals
the ill."
	"You are not using the Crystal.You aren't strong
enough to do so!" Endymion's voice was sharp and it
immediately brought forth a reaction from Serenity.
	"You have no right to tell me what to do!"
	"Think of yourself! You still have not recovered
fully from your own illness."
	"I am just fine! If it gives you any added comfort,
sometimes I do not even have to use the Crystal. If
that is the case this time, then you have no reason to
worry."
	"Do I have your word?"
	She looked at him for a moment, before turning
away. "You have nothing," she called out. And just
like at Dame Agnes' house, before he could stop her,
she had walked out into the clearing and he could do
nothing but watch in frustration.
	He watched as the crowd of people parted
and felt perspiration break out on his skin. Any one
of them could easily attack her. Had it ever occurred
to her that Beryl knew her identity and could quickly
summon her minions to kill her once they knew where
she was?
	Of course she knew, but she would never pay
heed to that. Her people were important to her and
that
strength and courage Endymion admired and respected.
However, that still didn't erase the fear he felt for
her safety. She was so important to him, he was still
realizing the depth of love he had for her. It was
never ending, continuous and steady.
	And he had to prove it all to her. He had
thought that he wouldn't be able to. He had truly
thought that night when he had put her to bed would be
the last time he would ever be able to touch her. He
had been prepared to let her go only because she truly
seemed to wish it. He would finally obey her requests.
But then on the day that she was to leave, as she was
about to leave, Kunzite had whispered six words.
	"Your story is not over yet."
	There had been a world of meaning in those
few words and he had repeated those same words to
Serenity along with a few more of his own.
	"You are mine and no one else's as I am yours
and no one else's."
	He had stepped back and watched her blush
becomingly, her eyes widening with confusion and
understanding all at the same time. She was his. As he
was hers. It was meant to be. He knew she had seen
that. Why was she denying it now after she herself had
shown it to him?
	A bright glow startled him and he looked
towards the house. His lips settled in a grim line. He
hadn't even realized how much time had passed until
that light had hit his eyes. And now it was slowly
dimming. If only he could be there with her. She was
probably feeling some sort of exhaustion. Would she be
alright? What if she collapsed from the drain of too
much energy?
	Just as he was about to come forward, the
door opened and a tired looking man stepped out. He
looked around at the faces of the people and then
smiled. A resounding cheer broke out and the people
surged forward to enter the small house. As men and
women went in, a figure cloaked in black slipped out,
unnoticed by anyone.
	Endymion urged the horse forward into a trot
and rode out to meet Serenity halfway. He leaned
sideways as she held out her arms. He caught her just
as her legs gave way underneath her and lifted her up
in front of him. Turning the horse around they rode
back up the path and towards the palace.
	"Thank you," she whispered, her head nestling
into his chest. "I think I was about to fall."
	"You would have," he said angrily. "You're a
fool!"
	"But a very good one," she replied sleepily.
"Their boy is a healthy ten year old once more. He
will run about and play… and smile… and laugh… He will

be… happy…"
	"Serenity?"
	He received no answer and looked down in
alarm. He checked her pulse and to his relief, found
that she was only sleeping.
	Wrapping one arm around tightly, he pushed
back the hood, kissed her lips and then pulled the
hood
back over her face.
	"You will be happy too."
*~*

	Serenity woke up the next morning feeling
refreshed and fully awake. She stretched underneath
her sheets, lifting her arms over her head. She smiled
as she remembered how happy the parents of that boy
had been when he had sat up and called for them. They
had been holding each other so tightly and at the
first sign of movement, they had both broken down in
tears. They had then kissed and rushed over to the
bed, taking their son into their arms.
	How her heart had ached at watching the
scene! You could have that, her mind had whispered to
her. And she could easily have it. So why was she
resisting so much? What was wrong with her? Was she
truly selfish to keep pushing Endymion away? And to be
selfish was to be ignorant, as her mother had told
her. Did she only care for what happened to her
feelings? And what was wrong with that? Her smile
faded and she got up, readying herself for breakfast.
	As Serenity walked downstairs to breakfast
any sort of cheerfulness she had been feeling when she
had first awakened had disappeared. Striding into the
breakfast room, she said her good mornings and sat
down to eat from a plate that had already been set for
her. She quickly began to eat, not saying anything
else.
	"You have quite an appetite in the morning."
	She paused, holding the fork midway to her
mouth before she resumed eating. "It is like this
always after I heal," she told Endymion, who sat
across from her. She wondered if he had asked where
she usually sat and then purposely sat near her.
	"What will you do today?" he asked after a
few moments.
	"Convince you to leave," she answered after
swallowing a bite of food. She heard gasps all around
and one, "Serenity!"
	She looked up and smiled innocently. "Oh,
good morning, Mother. I didn't see you come in."
	"I will see you after you have finished."
	"Of course," she murmured.
	It was only a short while later that Serenity
stood in the room where the Queen usually met with
advisors. There was a moment of silence between them
until Queen Serenity broke it.
	"Tell me again why you deny the love that
exists between you and Endymion."
	"Because it is hard for me to believe in it."
	"Do you believe in second chances?"
	"I don't know. It depends, I suppose."
	"Tell me, Serenity, what do you plan to do
in the future?"
	Serenity stared at her mother with confusion.
What did that question have to do with anything? She
was fully expecting to hear another lecture however
that last question had thrown her off. She chose her
words carefully as she answered.
	"I will continue to be Healer for as long as I
am able to. I will also accede to the throne and rule
this kingdom in a fair and just manner. I will also
protect it with all I have."
	"I see. And is there no room for love in the
future?"
	Serenity stiffened, having a good idea of
where this conversation would turn. "What are you
trying to say, Mother?" she asked quietly, patiently.
	"You know what I will say. I was hoping
you would come to the conclusion without me having to
put it into words."
	Serenity moved around the room and finally
stopped by the windows. The pale colors of the moon
shined under the sun's light. It was a dazzling sight
and it never failed to amaze her. She turned back to
the Queen. "Do you think that I will not be able to
rule properly if my life does not contain love?"
	"I do."
	Serenity laughed then, although she was
clearly surprised at her mother's answer. "Maybe I
will surprise you, then."
	"Maybe you will." The Queen walked towards
the door, preparing to leave. "But if I may say one
last thing? When you were born, the Fates deemed that
your heart be split in half. One half was filled
quickly. The love I had for you, that the Senshi had
for you, that your people had for you… it took care of
one half. But the other half had yet to be filled. You
may recall, all those times that you stared at
Endymion's picture. Do not wonder at how I know but
ask yourself, why did you feel an ache somewhere in
your being everytime you looked upon his face? Why did
your heart feel a strong pull everytime your eyes
caressed his features? I am telling you now, Serenity.
Only one person is allowed possession of that other
half of your heart, Serenity. Only one."
	Saying that, Queen Serenity left the room,
closing the door behind her quietly. Serenity stared
at the door, feeling the prick of tears. One tear did
escape and as it slid down her face, the door opened.
	She closed her eyes, in an effort to quell the
tears and when she opened them, Endymion stood inside,
looking at her with eyes that could enter her soul if
he so willed.
	"Tell me…" she began, "Tell me why you
turned me away that afternoon."
	He did not move from where he stood but he
did answer her. "You may not understand my reason but
you deserve to know. I was afraid of what you offered.

Your love. It didn't seem real, it was that perfect.
It was pure with no intentions attached to it other
than to love me. It was the first time I had ever been
offered such a gift that was untainted. I used the
excuse of Beryl and the danger she presented as a way
to justify my actions. I told myself that it was safer
that you not be near me. You would not be a target of
Beryl's hate that way. You would be safe. But it was
too late by then." He smiled wryly as he thought back
to what it had taken for him to look at the truth.
"With the help of Minako, I could no longer fool
myself into thinking that Beryl and her threats were
the only thing between us. It was I who also presented
some sort of block to our happiness. I had to get over
my inconsequential fears and grow up. And I did."
Endymion took a deep breath after he finished and
waited a moment before asking his own question.
	"Will you tell me why you turned me away
that night?"
	Serenity smiled as she answered, even as
more tears began to fall down her cheeks. "You will
probably wonder at my reason but you have a right to
know. I was afraid of what you offered. Your love. It
didn't seem real, it was that perfect. After being
rejected once I couldn't see how you could love me.
It seemed too good to be true and I was reluctant to
just grab what stood in front of me so greedily. I
used
the excuse that your love came out of responsibility
and pity for me. I told myself that I would be hurt
again if I let you into my heart. But I realized that
I was only hurting myself by closing you off. You
never gave up and I couldn't understand why you kept
on trying to win me back. I was just being very
selfish. I had to get over my silly fears and grow up.
So I did."
	She smiled when she finished and he
returned her smile fully. She slowly walked up to him,
her heart near bursting with joy. She felt as though a
huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She
felt like floating. Happiness was within her reach…
	The sound of urgent knocking interrupted
her thoughts and Endymion opened the door. Ami
stood there, her eyes dilated with fear, her face
pale.
	"Endymion, there's been an attack on Earth.
Specifically, the Palace. Jaedite, Nephrite, and… and
Zoicite have been taken as prisoners. No one else was
spared. You have to go back now."

*^*End*^*
Short. Very short.
But I think I finally have my juices back!
At least, I think so. I hope so…
*sees little monster running towards her, arms
outstretched*
ACK!! Evil thing!
Patch:-)(-:

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