Chapter Text
A is for Answers
She landed with a thud, first her feet, then her knees, and then her hands hitting the soil before she launched herself forward, fumbling as her balance fought with the stronger gravity of the planet. She stumbled, but continued, racing as she finally gained control, running full-out towards the castle. A rush of energy sparking through the air told her that they had followed; she pushed harder, striving towards the gates. She had to know.
“Princess! Come back!” Venus pleaded, her voice strong as she accumulated to the surface world.
“No!” she yelled, her toes pushing her forward as she finally reached the stone passageway. She threw her hand out to catch a column and propelled herself down the hallway that ran perpendicular to their garden; out of the corner of her eye she saw Jupiter racing parallel to her, meaning to cut her off at the next opening, so she caught a doorknob, twisted, and spun inside, her feet tripping in the process but she made it through, able to close the door after her. She was in a tea-room; Endymion’s rooms were still above and east of her, so she kept running. Her feet stained the soft carpet beneath her with grass and mud, but… her brows tightened and her heart hurt; what if it were true? But it couldn’t be! No! She raced forward, faster than the rumors could spread, faster than the doubt could move.
Careening around corners she startled sleepy guards into following her, but with Venus and the others behind there was no way the guards would catch her. She stumbled up the stairs and down the hall, then finally found his rooms. She pulled the door open and dashed inside, then to his bedroom door. This would be locked, so she hit the door flat-palmed, “Endymion!” she called, “Endymion! Endymion!” her cries getting louder and louder; she couldn’t tell if he was moving behind the door – she couldn’t be quiet long enough to listen. They could be here any minute –
“Princess Serenity?” a breathless Kunzite gasped curiously, his sword drawn and ready as he entered the room; he lowered the blade, but she had no time to give to him. She continued to call for Endymion, yelling now. Behind her the room started to fill – Kunzite was joined by equally confused Nephrite, calculating Zoisite, and suspicious Jadeite. And then the senshi were at the door; a confrontation started –
“Princess!” - Mercury
“Let us through!” Jupiter shoved into Nephrite, who barely held his ground.
“What’s going on here?” Kunzite demanded.
“Move aside!” Venus replied, equally demanding.
“What is going on?!” Zoisite seconded; the shitennou were on guard now.
“She said Move aside!” Mars repeated.
- but finally her palms moved farther as the door flew open. She threw herself at him, her hands hitting his bare chest as she stared up into his eyes, looking for truth or lies in the blue depths she loved so much.
“Serenity, what - ?” he started, but there was no time for niceties!
“Do you intend to invade the Moon?” she interjected, her voice calm despite the mad beating of her heart, the flames and ice water coursing through her veins.
He looked honestly confused. “No,” he answered, but she pressed him further.
“Are you planning to extend Earth’s boundaries to encompass the Moon?”
“No,” he replied, his voice strengthening as the line of his brow furrowed in something akin to betrayal.
“Is Earth going to start a war?!”
“No!” he rebutted, his eyes concerned as she felt his hands take her shoulders, suspicion growing in his body language, “Serenity, what is going on?!”