Hello! Hope everyone's doing well and good ^_^
This next chapter's a bit on the shortie side but
eh, *shrugs* I couldn't find a better place to end it.
Enjoy reading!
Patch:-)(-:
PS: I have a site! Yes, I actually have a site
and I owe it all to Eternal Angel, my
wonderfulicious amiga. She's done a great job
and the site's name is Lavender and you can
check it out at this addy:
http://www.geocities.com/patch_kana/
Thank you CP!
Now on with the ficcie!

Healer
Chapter 4
Author: Patch
E-mail: patchkhan1@hotmail.com
	kittiekat90@yahoo.com
Editor: Rei Kinneas
Rated: PG

Insert Standard Disclaimer Here.

	"Please tell your husband that he
musn't strain himself by working the plow. I
have given you the necessary creams you
must rub on his back but in order for him to
become well he must rest."
	"Aye, I'll make sure of that. My
Frederic won't be getting up anytime soon. I'll
make sure he stays on his back. That lump of
lard will stay down if it's the last thing I see to.
Thank you Healer, my husband and I are both
grateful to you."
	The Healer nodded and turned around,
leaving the stifling heat of the cottage. Stepping
out, she took a deep breath and walked to
Juniper, whom she had tied nearby. It felt so
good to step out into the cool air because at times
her cape and hood became smothering.  She usually
didn't mind it very much but with cases like these...
Climbing onto the animal, she began muttering to
herself about villagers using her services
unnecessarily.
	The horse had taken but a few paces
into the forest when four other riders joined her.
Right on schedule, she thought wryly.
	"I don't think we heard that last bit,
did you call someone an idiot?" The three other
Senshi giggled at Rei's comment.
	Snapping the reins, Serenity urged the
horse to go at a faster walk then what it was
doing right now. "I wish they wouldn't call me
for such minor things! He stretched a muscle,
anyone can deal with that! Do they expect me to
use my healing powers so that they have
something to tell everyone? I must remember to
ask Naru if she can ask these people what their
ailments are before she sends for me and if
they're minor then maybe she can go in my
stead."
	"Are you tired of all of this, Serenity?"
Ami asked quietly.
	The Princess took a moment before
answering. "You would think that, wouldn't you?
Surprisingly, no, I'm not tired at all. The truth is, I
love meeting these people, seeing how they live
and interact. Their lives are so different from our
own, even their language is not the same. It's
fascinating."
	"You don't get tired of being awaken
in the middle of the night for this sort of thing?"
Makoto yawned, covering her mouth delicately
with her hand. "I, for one, am losing sorely
needed sleep over these expeditions."
	"And what do you do all day Makoto?
Chop a few vegetables, stir some soup and then
fight with us?" Minako asked teasingly.
	"At least it's more productive than
what you do, Minako, entertaining those men
who have feathers for brains."
	The girl gasped in outrage as the
others laughed lightly. Serenity kept her comments
to herself, enjoying the banter that was a nightly
ritual for them. So different from before, she
thought, when they would ride home in an
awkward silence, each sighing a breath of relief
when they were all safe within the Palace walls.
	They passed Naru's cottage and
Serenity alighted from Juniper, patting her sides
as she gave the reins to Rei. "I'll only be a few
moments and then we can all enjoy the rest of the
night sleeping."
	She left them outside and walked up
to the door, knocked, and then pushed it as she
usually did. A lively fire was crackling away in
the fireplace and the smells of a delicious stew
wafted to her nose. Personally, if Serenity had
her way, she would live like this, in a cottage
that would seem cramped and crowded to many,
but comfortable and homey to her.
	"Naru?" She called out her old friend's
name. There was something unfamiliar in the air,
something that Serenity could not quite put her
finger on. But she did not have time to think of
that as Naru came through the doorway that led to
her bedroom. "There you are! I thought I had
come upon an empty cottage, something that
would be most strange for this time of night!"
Serenity exclaimed, drawing back the hood and
untying the ties of the cape with nimble fingers.
	"Serenity, Dear, how did it go?" Naru
asked, a strained smile gracing her face, one that
the Princess did not notice.
	In response Serenity sighed noisily
and stopped bothering with the ties. "I think
Frederic and his wife expected me *heal* Frederic,
and I do believe they were most disappointed
when I did not give them a nice show. Really,
Naru, as much as I love my people, these
little ailments can be fixed quite easily. I do
need my sleep!"
	"Well, we'll see what we can do about
that," the middle-aged woman replied, tucking
back a few strands of her hair nervously. She turned
around and fidgeted with something on the table
behind her. Serenity finally realized something
was most definitely out of place and went around
the table so that she could face Naru directly.
Placing her hands on the table she looked at the
woman who was avoiding her gaze.
	"Naru, what's wrong? Something happened,
didn't it? What is it? Do I have to go back into
the village tonight? I don't mind, the girls might,
but truly I don't so you can tell me if-"
	"That's not it, Princess."
	At that Serenity drew back. Naru had
not used her title in a *very* long time and she
used it only if she thought or knew there were
others around... Gasping, Serenity whirled around
to face the doorway that Naru had come out of and
nearly stumbled backwards at the sight of two tall
men now standing there.
	"Naru, quick! Get out of here!" Serenity
made a move to run but before she could even take
a step forward, the two men were at her side, each
holding onto her elbows. And before she could
scream, one of them had clasped his hand over her
mouth. Struggling, her training, along with pure
panic, kicked in and she gathered her powers together
as Rei had taught her so that she could blow her
two attackers off of her.
	"Serenity, stop it." The firm command
from Naru completely unbalanced her and in
confusion and fear she looked at the woman in
front of her. "You must go with these men. They will
protect you, fear them not. They are in desperate
need of you, so please go with them peacefully. Do
you promise not to scream for help?"
	Serenity nodded and the hand that
covered her mouth fell away. This was unbelievable,
she thought. It could not be happening. One of her
dearest friends was in a plot to... to kidnap her?!
"Why?" she asked. "I can't just leave, you know
that! Naru, tell me what's going on!" She glared at
the man on her left who held her arm. "Let go of me,
you brute! You have no right to treat me this way!
Do you know who I am?"
	The man looked uncomfortable at the
question, but did not answer. Serenity turned back
to Naru, tears of frustration brimming at her eyes.
	"Naru, why won't you tell me anything?"
	The other woman ignored her question
and nodded her head at the two men. They took a
step back, taking the Princess with them. Serenity
became desperate, fear clogging her throat. "Naru,
I can't go! Stop them! Please!" One of the men took
out a device and began typing quickly on it. A faint
glow surrounded the three and Serenity lost all reason.
Struggling, she screamed once before a hand again
came down over her mouth and then she was gone,
along with the two men, having disappeared in a
cloud of mist.
	The door banged open and the four
Senshi came rushing in. Ami spotted Naru first
and ran over to her. Falling to her knees besides
the now collapsed woman, she shook her.
	"What happened?" she yelled. "Where
is the Princess?"
	Naru covered her face and cried softly.
Ami shook her once more, her panic rising with
every second that passed. The other three quickly
searched the small cottage and came up empty
handed. Ami looked at their faces, confirming the
worst and turned back to Naru. "You have to tell
us where Serenity is, please!"
	Makoto stepped in and took the
woman by her shoulders, slightly raising her.
	"Tell us, dammit! We'll have you thrown
into the worst dungeon possible if you don't speak!"
	"They're gone," she whispered in response.
"They're gone and may the gods of the Moon protect
her... and forgive me."

*^*End*^*
And forgive me for making this so short! ^_^
Adios!
Patch:-)(-: