Stuff at bottom. Thanks! -Lianne (liannesentar@hotmail.com) http://Lianne_Sentar.tripod.com *Blue Planet, White Moon* Part 4 Rated PG, for romance and violence and general content, although, again, some of the concepts may go over younger readers' heads Considering it was summer, and the celebrations were intended to be honoring the annual summer festivals of Earth, the party that evening was held outside. Serenity had never enjoyed an outdoor party of that magnitude before in her kingdom, and she happily soaked up the sights of Earthen torches and moon pearl lamps lighting up the lively nighttime festivities. There had been a reception indoors first, of course. No celebration could begin without first a speech from her mother and a speech from the Earth king and queen, and formal introductions of both Serenity, Endymion, and their respective guardians. Serenity had hardly been able to sit still during the formalities, and her eyes had continuously swung over to Endymion. She secretly thanked God he had had that accident at lunch; his outfit had been changed from the navy silk to a striking, loose-fitting uniform of black with a white blouse beneath it. Against his midnight hair and ocean eyes, the black and white made him look good enough to.... well, to put it simply, Serenity's insides were happily warm and she knew she'd be having excellent dreams that night. So at last she, the prince, and the guardians were released, and Serenity found herself standing beside Endymion in their group of ten and looking out at the evening festival. She could hear Jupiter murmur something behind her. "We'll see you later." Nephlite suddenly touched Endymion's shoulder once, then he and Jupiter separated from the group and began to walk away. Endymion scowled. "Good *God* Nephlite. How come you two never stick around?" He beckoned with his head. "C'mon. Play with us for once." The blank expression on Nephlite's face provoked the same thought in each teenager's mind: Nephlite never "played." Jupiter stuck her tongue out soberly at the grinning Venus. "Have a good time," the brunette said. "We'll see you later." Nobody could really think of anything else to say as Nephlite and Jupiter disappeared into the darkness. Malachite smiled at his prince. "Leave them be." Serenity licked her lips. She had to admit, she was curious about Jupiter and stone-faced Nephlite. Why were they never around? Her thought never got any further as Zoycite suddenly laughed. "Fencing tournaments!" he exclaimed, pointing to a gathering of a few dozen young men. "Hey, we should be able to totally win that with Endymion here!" Serenity noticed Endymion glance at her, then quickly avert his eyes and color slightly. "Shut up," he muttered. "I'm horrible at traditional fencing." "You're the prince; I'm sure they'd let you do battle sword fighting if you wanted." He grabbed the prince's wrist. "C'mon, you verses Malachite and Jedite versus me. Whoever wins gets ..." He raised his eyebrows and glanced at Mercury. "A kiss from his lady of choice." Mercury bolted. Zoycite flew after her, managing to grab her arm and drag her back after a few meters while shouting, "On the cheek! I meant a kiss on the cheek!" Serenity could feel her face get hot. Zoycite was a lot wilder than she had ever guessed while watching him at formalities. Kissing.... she looked up at Endymion, and their eyes met. Kissing. "Don't start, you two." Venus suddenly pulled Serenity back a step while Mars rested a hand on Endymion's high shoulder. "Ignore Zoycite. He always asks for things he can't get." Endymion made a face at Mars. "What? You don't think we took him *seriously*, do you?" The way he said it was almost believable, except for the fact that his hands trembled ever so slightly. Mars glared at him. He shut up. "Scandals aside, I think Zoycite has a good idea." Malachite raised his eyebrows slightly at Serenity. "Endymion's skills at the sword are getting more and more remarkable. Do you think you'd like a demonstration?" Endymion, slashing with a sword, his blade and eyes lit up by torchlight? Juices flooded Serenity's senses. Hormones pulled her lips tight in a grin and made her eyes go just the slightest bit glassy. "L-love one," she mumbled stupidly. Mercury was still screeching and fighting Zoycite nearby. Venus calmly went to the struggling pair, pulled them apart, and ruffled Zoycite's hair into his eyes. She had to reach up to do so. "You're on, Romeo." She jerked a thumb at the fencing ring. "See if you can beat Jedite first, then we talk prize." Zoycite's face lit up the instant Mercury's paled. The blue princess was about to retort, but Venus clapped a hand over her mouth. "And don't think you're getting any kind of a kiss," Venus added, giving Zoycite a look. "You should know better." Zoycite happily bowed to restrained Mercury. "Can't blame me for trying," he said with a grin. Mercury bit Venus' hand and spat, "I can and I will," before kicking Zoycite fiercely in the shin. The general jumped, hissing and grabbing his injury. "L-love you, too," he muttered from between gritted teeth. ************** Suiting up took a good ten minutes, considering the padded armor necessary for the duels didn't slide easily over the Earthian boys' formal attire. Once the equipment was on, though, Endymion found a practice sword of a weight that suited him beautifully, and he took a few practice swings. His heart started to beat a little quicker. "Don't look too eager there," came Malachite's voice. The prince turned to see the older general, behind him, fixing a wrist guard. Malachite gave his thin, gentle smile. "You don't want to look desperate." Endymion angrily fought down the blush he felt rising. "Quit it," he snapped, turning back around and practicing a quick stab. "I'm *not* eager." "You keep looking at her." Endymion could feel his heart drop. After glancing quickly at the princess who stood outside the two fencing circles, he moved close to Malachite and whispered, "Can you tell?" Malachite shrugged. "I myself've noticed about four hundred glances in the past five minutes, but maybe I'm more perceptive than most." Endymion groaned. "I probably look like an idiot," he complained. Malachite picked a practice sword and tested its weight. "No," he said simply, returning the sword and choosing another. "You look like you're in love." Love. Endymion could feel something warm, and tight, circling his heart and squeezing. He blinked water from his eyes and muttered quickly, "We haven't known each other a year." "I didn't say you *were* in love, I just said you looked like it." Endymion jabbed the air again, more fiercely. "She's too young. And so am I." "Not for long." Endymion swung furiously. "Curse it, Malachite, I don't even know what I-" "Hey. Easy." Malachite's gloved fingers curled around Endymion's sword hand. He gently lowered the prince's trembling weapon. "No one's saying anything right now. We're just glad you and the princess are enjoying each other's company, that's all." Endymion snorted and turned away. He was shaking. "'We're?'" he repeated. "You know who I'm talking about." The prince rubbed the back of his head angrily. "Man," he muttered. "You and the guys can't *ever* let me grow up on my own, can you?" As if in response, Malachite leaned over and, to Endymion's surprise, kissed the young prince on the forehead. Endymion quickly pushed him away and looked around in furious embarrassment. "Malachite!" he hissed, turning red. "Not in public!" Malachite only gave his thin, gentle smile. "I learned how to comb your hair before I could comb my own," he said quietly. "We swore our lives over to you because we love you." Endymion didn't turn to him, though he had to swallow to keep down his blush and the stinging that started up at the back of his eyes. His first memory came back to float in the foreground of his mind: the bath. A woman's hands on his fat, slippery baby body, pulling him gently from the water. Tiny white hands helping, curling over Endymion's baby fingers. Malachite's young lips on Endymion's soft, baby cheek. He found his mind recalling that memory a lot. "I know," he mumbled, not really sure what to say. He swallowed again. "I know that." A moment later, Malachite patted Endymion's shoulder and walked by. He smiled and lifted his sword. "Come on," he said gesturing to the two rings. "It's time to fight." ************** Zoycite grinned wickedly and brought his hilt even with his thighs. "C'mon," he drawled. "Bring it on." Jedite narrowed his eyes and carefully took a stance. He kept glares with Zoycite a moment, then rushed forward. Zoycite's sword met his with a loud *CLANG* as the two pushed up against each other. The few other fencing participants who watched the match murmured approvingly. Jedite bit his teeth together and pushed his strength into the sword lock. His blade began to tremble. "Don't pit your strength against mine," Zoycite murmured. "You know you'll lose that way." With a great heave, Zoycite pushed Jedite off him, then rushed in. Jedite quickly brought up his sword to block the attack and spun out of the way, readying his blade once more. The sound of swords clanking in the ring beside them was clearly audible. Endymion and Malachite, superior in swordsmanship, were going at it much more vehemently. With every clanging came many calls of encouragement from the crowd, and even the occasional shriek from the moon princess. The mob around Endymion and Malachite's fight grew larger by the moment. Zoycite glanced at the half-dozen viewers around his and Jedite's circle, then smiled dryly. "We don't have much of an audience," he said. "Let me just beat you so we can watch Endymion fight." Jedite scowled indignantly. "Stop treating me like a kid." "It makes no difference how old you are. You're just not as good as I am." Jedite gritted his teeth and rushed forward. Zoycite easily blocked the attack and once again shoved up against the blond in a sword lock. He pushed a little harder, causing Jedite to bend his knees and shake a bit. "I think I know why you're so stiff today," Zoycite whispered. His emerald irises snapped to the audience, then back to Jedite. He smiled. "She's watching you pretty intensely, isn't she?" Jedite scowled. "Shut up." "She's a very pretty girl. But, y'know, how much older?" Jedite snarled and gripped his hilt harder. "I said shut *up*." Zoycite snickered wickedly. "Maybe her eyes aren't on your attack form, if you know what I'm saying." Jedite cursed and heaved his body forward against the lock. Zoycite jammed his feet apart to keep himself from falling, then shoved himself against Jedite. The smaller general stumbled backwards and fell hard on his rear end. He scrambled to his feet as Zoycite smiled. "Loosen up." Jedite blinked and turned. Mars, standing not far behind him, shook her head. "Loosen up," she repeated. "Your moves are too rigid." Zoycite grinned at her and saluted with his blade. "Unfortunately," he called, "I don't know if *you* saying that is going to-" "Shut UP!" Jedite furiously charged his older opponent, and Zoycite barely got his sword up in time to block it. He raised his eyebrows as his blade trembled against Jedite's lock. "Wow." He whistled. "You're pretty strong when you hate me." Jedite's soft features were twisted with anger. "Don't you DARE say anything to her," he hissed. "Quit trying to embarrass me!" "Look, Jed, I think it's cute-" "I told you to shut up!" Jedite shoved, and Zoycite lost his balance and fell. He barely rolled out of the way of Jedite's cleave. "Hey!" Zoycite snatched his sword and jumped to his feet. He fumbled to regain a good grip. "You're not trying to *kill* me, Jedite!" "Jedite." Jedite swallowed and ignored Mars' call. His hands, on his hilt, began to shake. "Jedite." Zoycite wiped a touch of sweat from his cheek and gestured with his head. "The lady's calling you," he said. "Jedite, look at me." Jedite swallowed. Slowly, he turned his head. Mars' dark, shimmering eyes met his own. She took a stance, an invisible sword in her grip. "Your hands are sliding apart on the hilt," she told him. "And bend your knees a little more." Her gaze was unreadable. "You can win if you relax." By Endymion and Malachite's ring, Mercury, still in Venus' grip, nodded at Jedite encouragingly. "Knock him flat," she called. Zoycite sucked his teeth in disappointment. "Man," he muttered. "Ladies day for Jedite." Jedite turned back to Zoycite. He took a breath, slid his sweaty palms apart a touch, and visibly loosened his muscles. He bent slightly at the knee. Zoycite raised his blade. "Last charge," he called, then rushed forward. The glittering point of his sword aimed for Jedite's padded chest. Jedite slammed his blade against Zoycite's. The young blond grunted and jerked his sword in a fierce downward circle. Zoycite's hilt was pulled from his hold; his sword fell with a loud *CLUNK* in the dirt. Jedite raised his sword tip to Zoycite's thin throat. "Kill," Jedite murmured. The audience, which had gained a few people, and Mercury, clearly relieved, clapped. Mars, however, simply folded her hands over her thighs and didn't change her expression or her gaze. "Good," she said. Zoycite smirked. He glanced at Mars, glanced at the slightly-trembling, heavily-breathing, and a touch pale Jedite, and made a kissy face. "Prize time, little boy," he whispered. He raised his hands and curled his fingers, like paws. "Mrowr." Jedite turned paler and scowled. "Stop it," he ordered, without lowering his blade. ************** Serenity could actually hear her heart pounding. She knew it was just a practice duel - there was no danger for either participant, with their dull swords and thick padding - but she'd never seen an Earthian sword fight before, so Endymion's and Malachite's duel was, to her, downright frightening. Their moves were fast as lightning. Malachite's blade suddenly clanged loudly against Endymion's, and Serenity made a tiny shriek and covered her mouth. She tried to stop shaking as Malachite's irises snapped over to her for a brief instant and a small smile pulled at his lips. Venus chuckled and touched her princess' shoulder. "Calm down," she whispered. "It's just for play." Serenity blushed and mentally kicked herself. She knew she looked like a baby. "Sorry," she mumbled. "It's just ... exciting, I guess." Malachite's blade slid around Endymion's and slapped the prince's padded sword wrist. Endymion shoved the older general back and cursed colorfully, shaking his numb wrist. Serenity paled. "Endymion certainly does have an interesting vocabulary," Venus commented. "I don't think I've heard that one before." Mercury shook her head and tried to get more comfortable in Venus' iron grip. "It's a good thing most of these bystanders aren't of the highest nobility," she said. "That bad cursing habit of his is going to get him in trouble someday. He's only making himself look bad." "Good point." Venus glanced at her princess. "Serenity, next time you spend some time with him, try to teach him to watch his mouth." Serenity swallowed and nodded shakily. Endymion's swears were a little scary, and she would welcome the chance to limit them. Another loud clang made her jump. This time Endymion was pushing against Malachite, and the sword lock looked dangerously even. Serenity could see Malachite's white teeth flash in a smile. The rather large crowd began shouting encouragement; most of the bystanders seemed in favor of the young prince, though Venus' cries for Malachite were loud enough to make him seem equally supported. Serenity pursed her lips as her heart thumped. She wasn't one to shout. Certainly, as a princess of a powerful kingdom she was taught the highest manners and strictly taught to obey them. For a princess to cheer at a sword fight seemed out of the question. But she still hoped. Princess Serenity, tiny white princess of the white moon, clasped her hands, held her breath, and cheered in her heart as loudly for her prince as she could. She hoped he could hear it. ************** "Come on, Endymion." Malachite pushed into the lock, his blade shaking. His ice blue eyes were calm, though lit with exertion. "Back away." Endymion gritted his teeth and forced his strength into his sword. Malachite was stronger than he, and both of them knew it; but every time he locked with Malachite he got a little stronger, and Endymion's desire to win was giving him just a touch more strength than usual. He wondered if he might actually overpower the tall nineteen-year-old. Malachite suddenly shoved Endymion off, and the prince stumbled. Malachite adjusted his sword grip and shook his head. "Not today," he murmured below the cries of the crowd. "No matter how you feel, you can't beat me by strength today." Endymion took a stance and shook sweaty bangs from his eyes. "I know," he answered just as quietly, though he breathed more heavily. "I know that." But he wished he didn't. He could hear Serenity's occasional cry, and it pulled on his heart and sent ever more hormones rushing through his body. She was so delicate. White, female, delicate. He wanted to win and impress her. He wanted her to light up and smile for him. God help him, he really wanted to *win*. Malachite raised his blade. He tightened his grip and charged at the prince; Endymion blocked, shoved Malachite's sword off, and jumped aside. He hardly got to blink before Malachite's sword swung upwards and scraped loudly against the prince's chest padding. The force of the slice knocked Endymion's balance off, and when Malachite suddenly rushed forward, the prince tripped as he jerked backwards. He fell to the dirt. The flat of Malachite's sword slapped against Endymion's hand and caused the prince to drop his blade. Malachite raised his sword tip to Endymion's throat, smiled sadly, and apologized with his eyes. "Kill," he said. Darkness flooded Endymion's senses. Overwhelming failure dragged his heart to his stomach as the cheers of the crowd erupted around the fencing ring. Venus was actually giving a two-fingered whistle, which he had a feeling she'd be reprimanded for later. Endymion barely let his eyes trail over the crowd to find the princess. She was standing not far behind him, her hands clasped, her smile encouraging but still obviously sympathetic. The words that her tiny lips mouthed looked something like, "You were brave." Endymion turned his head back forward, dropped his eyes to the ground, and cursed darkly. Malachite's sword flat touched his cheek. "Dear prince," the general said gently. "Watch your mouth." To be continued.... -Sorry it's short, and yes, the "prizes" concept will come up again next part. Remember kids - no kissing before you're married! ^_^ Part 5 will be up in two weeks, 11/18/01 (Sunday). Yes, this story will go somewhere at some point, as soon as I decide where it's going. Thanks for reading, and the wonderful feedback so far! People seem to be enjoying Jedite and Mars' relationship. Hmm. -Lianne (liannesentar@hotmail.com) http://Lianne_Sentar.tripod.com *Sailor Moon and all its characters copyright © Naoko Takeuchi/Kodansha Ltd./Toei Animation, Co., Ltd. This story part copyright © Lianne Sentar, November 2001.