Hey, all.  This is my first posting to FFML...  *hides*  So I'm a wee bit 
nervous.  C&C welcome!  Oh, and this fic is rated PG13 just to be safe!

Lovies,
Lunar Dragon

AN: Hey, all!  Just another little ficcie by little ol’ Lunar Dragon. 
 This is a Silver Millennium fic which, for me, is a new thing.  I have 
been told...that this fic might make some hard-core SM writers freak 
with the little ‘liberties’ I took with what we know about the Silver 
Millennium.  I am *fully* aware of this, so if you email me (please 
do!) try not to freak about the details too much.  Trust me, I have 
heard it all by now.  This little girl has been hanging around in my 
comp and in my head for ... hmmm, wow...  a YEAR.  OH!  Bad author, 
bad!  This fic started out a year ago after I discovered freedom from a 
relationship and I was happy.  Somehow, I abandoned this fic when I met 
the one man to ever make me feel so much of everything.  And now...I'm 
slowly moving on.  I found this fic on my comp and realized I should go 
back to it.  So, here it is.  So I guess you could say this fic has 
some meaning to me in that it revolved around some very important 
things in my life.

Dedication:  So saying this fic is important to me... :P  I just *have* 
to dedicate it to some lovely people.  To Zelga (The Drunken Bunny), 
thank you for being you.  Your witty (and sometimes not so witty) humor 
brought smiles to my face when I needed it most.  And thank you for 
going through this fic with me and tearing it apart, piece by piece.  
To Sera (aka Zelsie), thank you for being a beta of this part of the 
fic.  I appreciate all the help you gave.  Thanks, chica.  I know how 
busy you are.  (Check out her stories people!  She's good.  Under 
Megami Hoshi at ASMR, or you can just visit my site :P.)  To Alexis 
Winn, thanks for being Cheesy with me!  Great minds, huh?  Also a big 
thanks for reading this and helping find some grammar errors.  Even if 
you went bonkers from the little messing I did with the Silver 
Millennium.  To Joshua, thanks for being my friend.  For caring about 
me throughout it all.  I haven't known you long, but you know I love 
you, right?  You are the perfect guy, you realize.  Gorgeous, Tall, and 
incredibly romantic.  What more could a woman want?  Too bad *she* 
didn't know what she had.  To Max, thank you for loving me even after 
we ended.  You supported my dreams and you helped make me the person I 
am today.  Sherm, even though you drive me insane sometimes with your 
dense mind, I love ya, you know.  You are a wonderful friend, even if 
we weren't always so.  Rog, thanks, dude.  You always tell me the truth 
and are one of the few people I can be myself around.  Billy, my dear, 
dear Billy.  You are the strangest person.  Thank you for being there 
these past 8 years (even if you were gone for four, we still kept in 
contact at least)!  To JR, thank you for the brief taste of heaven.  
You taught me what love was.  However painful life has been since, I 
will forever thank you for loving me.  You made me a better writer.  I 
love you, now and always.

Now, that I have made one of the LONGEST dedications I have seen...  
Onward:

Disclaimer: Sailor Moon so does not belong to me.  Unfortunately.  I 
do own Endymion and Mamoru, though.  Okay, Okay I don't  *Sigh*  Can't 
blame a girl for trying, can you?

By Lunar Dragon (Or, Idol-Goddess in ASMR...  *Sigh*  Someone already 
took my name on that archive.  Ah, well, c'est la vie, ne?)
Email:  Lunardrg@aol.com
Websites:  http://www.seaofselenity.com  ,  http://www.stormpages.com/sofba/

Embracing Destiny
Prologue

    The small dinner group turned their heads toward the large 
marble door as it opened.  An angelic young woman walked in the now 
silent room.  Her silver hair was pulled up into two buns atop her head 
and from them long tresses fell until they just brushed the marble 
tiles.  Her slender, graceful frame was covered in a pure white, 
floor-length gown that shimmered as she walked.  Short, silk sleeves 
barely covered her creamy shoulders.  She wore a small lunar pearl 
bracelet around her delicate right wrist, petite silvery pearls placed 
upon her earlobes, and a simple heart-shaped silver locket lay upon her 
graceful neck.  The few pieces of jewelry she adorned did nothing to 
distract from her beauty.  Nothing stood out about her more than the 
golden birthmark, the shape of a crescent moon, centered on her 
forehead.  The birthmark showed her to be a member of the Lunar Royal 
family.  Her breathtakingly beautiful cerulean eyes held a vast 
intelligence, a serene outlook, and something else deeply hidden as she 
gazed around the room.
    She took in the small group quickly.  Four young women, who 
appeared to be the same age as the young princess, sat around the large 
rectangular table.  Each woman wore the same short skirted outfit, 
called a fuku, although they differed in color.  Sailor Mercury, in 
blue, sat at the far end of the long table.  Her short blue hair 
perfectly framed her face.  The aqua blue eyes of the Senshi of water 
and ice met her own as Mercury looked up shyly and smiled in welcome.  
Often called the genius behind the Sailor Senshi, her intelligence was 
unrivaled.
    To Mercury's right sat Sailor Mars, dressed in a red version of 
the uniform.  Her midnight black hair reached down to the middle of her 
well-shaped thighs and shown with violet highlights.  Her violet eyes 
held the young princess’ blue ones for an instant.  The princess 
quickly broke the contact.  The Senshi of Fires gaze was too piercing 
for comfort.  She was known as the spiritualist of the Senshi with the 
innate ability of telepathy.
    To Mars’ right sat a lovely amazon with dark brown hair.  She 
had it pulled back into a long pony tail that reached just past her 
shoulder blades.  Her piercing emerald eyes were alive with spirit and 
strength.  Wearing a deep green Sailor fuku, Sailor Jupiter was every 
bit the warrior.  She nodded politely to the princess.
    On the far side of the marble table, her gaze found Sailor 
Venus.  The Senshi of Love wore an orange Sailor outfit.  Her long 
blond hair fell to the back of her knees and was held by a large orange 
clip.  She is the leader of the Sailor Senshi and although she took 
little else seriously, she was an excellent one.  
    Looking towards the head of the table, her eyes found a regal 
woman with the same silver hair as her own.  It was also arranged the 
same and pooled upon the floor beside her chair.  She wore a 
silver-white gown very similar to the her own, only sleeveless.  The 
older woman's eyes were a light shade of blue.  Upon her forehead sat 
the golden crescent moon birthmark.  She was Queen Serenity of the Moon 
Kingdom, ruler of the Silver Millennium, and the young woman's mother.
    Looking upon the floor to her mother's left she saw two cats 
sitting regally upon their haunches.  One white and one black, Artemis 
and Luna, respectfully, and each had a golden crescent moon centered 
upon their foreheads, marking them as the Queen's most trusted 
advisors.
    Returning her gaze to her mother, the young princess inclined 
her head respectfully.  “I apologize for being late, Mother,” the 
princess said in her sweet melodic voice.  “I was detained by a minor 
matter.”
    The Queen smiled proudly for an instant.  "My daughter, it is 
quite all right.  Please, sit down.  Let us dismiss the formality for 
tonight.  I know you tire of it so, Serenity," the Queen said.
    “Thank you, Mother,” Serenity said, smiling faintly.  Her 
relief was apparent.
    Queen Serenity frowned slightly at her daughter, before 
smiling.  "Finish your meal.  Afterwards, I have some news."
    The Senshi looked surprised, but complied.  Serenity, however, 
picked at her food.  One hand was absently playing with one of the 
locks of her hair, a habit that she displayed when she was upset.  
‘Why, Mother?’  The young woman thought resentfully.  She had already 
been informed earlier this evening what the ‘news’ was and she not 
happy about it.  ‘I have enough responsibilities as a princess.’  
Sighing silently she looked towards her mother, waiting to hear the 
news that would seal her fate.  The Senshi had already finished their 
meals.
    Standing up, the Queen prepared to address the small group.  
“Senshi, daughter, I have good news,” she declared in what Serenity 
thought of as ‘the Queen Voice.’  “My daughter, Princess Serenity, will 
hereby hold the office of Royal Ambassador to the Planets.  She will be 
sent to the various planets to cement our alliances and to forge new 
ones.  She will make sure the laws of the Silver Millennium are being 
enforced.  She is to be Our representative.  All of the Inner Senshi:  
Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus will accompany her, as will Luna and 
Artemis.
    “It implies great faith that I let my only daughter and heir 
journey to foreign courts, but that is not why I am doing this.”  She 
paused, turning her attention to her visibly upset daughter.  “I'm 
doing this because you will someday be Queen, and my mother also put me 
in the same position.  It helped train me to rule better, Serenity.  I 
did not want to do it anymore than you do, but in the end I was 
grateful.  As you will be, my dearest daughter.”  The Queen looked her 
daughter in the eyes, blue on blue.  She showed that she new exactly 
how the young princess felt, which did make Serenity feel better.  
Smiling slightly, she let her mother know she understood.  Understood 
that this was needed and she will do her best.
    Turning from her daughter, she continued.  “Now, for the first 
time in history the Outers will work with the Inners.  Pluto has ‘told’ 
me that they must be involved, including Saturn and herself.”  The 
Senshi and Serenity gasped in surprise.  “Yes, it appears that this is 
the time for monumental changes,” the Queen said with a slight frown.
    ‘Or it means disaster approaches,’ the younger Serenity 
thought.
    “The previous Outer Senshi will once again take up their posts 
so that the Outers can be free to join the Inners in this endeavor.  
Now *all* the Senshi will be with you, Serenity, as guards and as 
advisors.
    “Luna and Artemis will be there mostly because most other 
courts don't really comprehend that they can and do speak.  And quite 
forcefully at that.  Much might be said in their hearing, that would 
never be said in the presence of the Senshi.  They are to inform you if 
anything of note comes up.  They are also going to be there to help you 
keep you Senshi in training.  Mercury, you will help with keeping names 
and faces straight as well as important information concerning those 
people which you will relay to my daughter.  You must also act as 
scholar should the need arise.  Mars, you will keep an eye out for 
deception and evil with your ability to read auras and intent.  You 
*must* immediately inform my daughter.  In her training to be Queen, 
nothing must be kept from her.  *Nothing*.  You will also be the 
spiritual expert.”  Smiling suddenly, she turned toward the other 
Senshi present.
    “Jupiter, you will be her visual bodyguard.  That is your chief 
job.  The second is to be her friend and offer any moral support or 
advice that you can.  Venus, you are the leader of the inner Senshi.   
You understand people and their motivations and you will relay this 
information to Serenity.  You are also to make sure my daughter and the 
rest of the Senshi take days off to have fun and enjoy each planet.  
One more thing.  Serenity is ultimately the leader.  You will obey her 
in *all* matters.  Do you all understand?”
    “Yes, Queen Serenity,” the Senshi answered simultaneously.
    “Now for the Outers,” the Queen began.  “They already know 
their roles but you do not.  Uranus will help with the actual visual 
bodyguard part since she has always been one of the most protective of 
my daughter.  She will coordinate security.  She is the leaders of the 
Outers.  Neptune will help Serenity with grace and the correct protocol 
for the other courts and will also help her dress accordingly.  She 
will offer advice and information on the arts should it be needed.”  
Looking around the room, she paused.
    “Pluto, who insisted on being present, will be letting bits of 
wisdom out if she deems it important enough.  She is older than even I 
can imagine and knows some about the future, but remember time is not 
set.  She is not omniscient.  Lastly, Saturn will use her sense of 
death and her knowledge of healing in anyway possible.  Understood?”
    Nods from all the Senshi and her daughter reassured her that 
they were listening.  “The Outers have agreed that you are in charge of 
this and they have reassured me that they will obey you in all matters. 
 Now, Serenity, you will meet with the Royal families of each planet 
and attend court.  You will renew treaties and form new ones.  Use your 
judgment and intuition.  If you feel uneasy about something, do not 
sign it.  Remember, this is a learning experience for you.  So go out 
into the planet and their cities.  Learn.  But remember to have fun 
sometimes too.”  Frowning, the Queen sighed.
    “Now, by orders of Pluto, against all tradition, and with many 
protests from me, my daughter is to be trained during her post.  As the 
Senshi of the Moon.”  Exclamations of surprise and dismay filled the 
large room and after raising a hand to instill silence, the Queen went 
on.  “I know this is highly unusual and I do not like it any more than 
you do, but Pluto insisted.  Tomorrow my daughter will be given her 
transformation tool.  She is to be the leader of the Senshi, Inners and 
Outers and fight along side them...but ultimately be protected also.  
The fact that there will be a Senshi of the Moon is to be kept highly 
confidential.”  The Queen looked around the room, making eye contact 
with each of the Senshi and her daughter.
    “You all love and respect my daughter deeply.  My senshi and I 
never had that bond with each other.  I know you will protect her well 
should the need arise.  For now, rest.  Tomorrow I will announce the 
appointment of my daughter and the Outers will arrive.  The day after 
you will depart to Mercury.  Goodnight.”
    Filing out of the private dining area, Serenity and her Senshi 
stopped outside the large marble door.  Mercury put her hand on 
Serenity's shoulder comfortingly.  “I'm sorry, Princess,” Serenity 
winced slightly at the title.  “You know that this will be a good 
learning experience for you.  You'll be Queen one day.”  And with those 
words, Mercury left to her chambers.
    Venus took Serenity in her arms for a quick hug and then 
released her.  “Don't worry, Princess, it'll be fun when you get used 
to it.  Think of the men!”  She exclaimed missing Serenity's sadness at 
those words.  Venus left then, a dreamy look on her face.
    Jupiter took a hand in hers.  “Princess, I know how you feel, 
but you'll enjoy it.  You really will.”  With a quick hug, she also 
left.
    Mars silently watched her princess.  “Princess?”  She asked 
hesitantly.
    “Yes, Mars?”  Serenity answered in her soft voice.
    “I don't know what is bothering you lately, but try to give 
this a chance.”  And with that she was gone.  Leaving Serenity to make 
her way to her rooms, alone.

    Entering her rooms silently and made her way to the balcony.  
Shivering at the cool night breeze, Princess Serenity of the Moon 
Kingdom, heir to the Silver Millennium throne, looked over the faint 
moonscape.  The lights twinkled in the distance indicating the city of 
Haven.  Sighing, Serenity looked up at the Earth.  It was beautiful, as 
always.  Sighing again, she turned away and opened the small 
heart-shaped locket that lay around her neck.  It was empty.  It was a 
lunar tradition that lockets were very secret and special.  In them 
went a momento of the person's true love or if they haven't yet met 
their true love, a hope or a wish was placed within on something that 
represented that hope.  Only, this young woman, a princess, had no true 
love.  No love at all.  No hope or wish was placed within her locket 
for she had no hope.
    Serenity slid to the floor of the balcony, tears filling her 
heartbreakingly sad eyes.  She felt the void within her soul.  She felt 
that void even within the company of all her dearest friends and her 
mother.  She felt alone.  Especially when they called her ‘Princess.’  
She hated that.  She had long tried to get them to call her by name, 
yet they never would.  Not once had any of them called her ‘Serenity.’ 
 It made the loneliness that much more painful.
    Her body, her mind, her soul cried out for someone.  For who 
she wasn't sure.  But it cried out for the void to be filled just the 
same.  ‘Why am I the only one that feels this way?  Why do only I have 
to feel this pain?’
    She began to weep silently.  Her body shook with the force of 
her tears.  ‘Why am I the only one?!’  She cried out silently.  She, 
the serene Moon Princess of legend, was terrified of being alone to 
feel this pain forever.  All her life she has had this heartbreaking 
loneliness and pain.  Since the moment of her birth she has felt it and 
her soul cried.  She remembered the only time she has ever asked about 
it.  She was ten years old...

    “Do you feel it?” the young Serenity asked quietly.  The 
Senshi looked at her, confusion evident in their eyes.
    “Feel what, Princess?”  The younger Mars asked, bewildered.  
Serenity winced at the title but continued.
    “You know.  The pain?” she asked.  The senshi exchanged 
confused looks before looking back at her.
    “Princess, are you injured?  What pain?”  Mercury inquired, 
concerned.
    “No, I'm not injured.  I'm talking about the pain in my heart, 
right here,” the young princess said putting a small hand to the middle 
of her chest.  “Don't you feel it?”  The Senshi grew even more 
bewildered.
    “What pain in your heart, Princess?”  Venus asked for the rest 
of them.  Serenity then knew she truly was the only one who felt that 
pain, loneliness and sorrow.

    From that moment, eleven years ago, she grew increasingly 
air-headed and ditzy.  Trying to hide the pain and loneliness from her 
court and from her mother.  She started building the barriers around 
herself then.  She had felt so alone and afraid.  By seventeen, she 
realized that all she did was annoy her protectors and disappoint her 
mother.  She shaped up to behave like she was truly meant to behave, 
like a princess.
    Serenity pulled herself together and headed towards her bed.  
Peeling off the revolting sign of her station, she collapsed atop her 
bed, asleep before her head hit the pillow.

    Down upon the same Earth the princess had been looking at, a 
young man hurried towards his rooms.  His short black hair fell into 
his deep midnight blue eyes, unknowingly making himself look quite 
irresistible.  He wore black armor and a red lined cape.  A sword was 
strapped to his side, the cape flowing behind him.  Grunting, he 
quickened his pace as he was supposed to meet a long time friend outside 
of them.
    “Hey, Your Highness, about time,” a man of about 25 years said 
as the young prince rounded the corner.  His blond hair was cropped 
short and as always looked slightly disheveled.  He wore black armor 
similar to the young prince's upon his clearly muscular frame, a sword 
at his side.  Obviously a warrior, the young man was alert.  Yet his 
clear baby-blue eyes held a slight mischievous twinkle that never 
seemed to leave.
    “Jadeite, stop with the ‘Your Highness’ shit, okay?  I've had a 
long day,” the black-haired man said tiredly, running a hand through 
his thick hair in an attempt to move them out of his eyes.
    “Sorry, Prince Endymion but rules are rules,” Jadeite said 
stubbornly, only because he knew Endymion hated titles.  Jadeite loved 
to tease his prince and longtime friend.
    “Yeah, but if you don't knock it off, we aren't going riding 
tomorrow.  You wanted to get me away from the stresses of court for a 
day, and those stresses include calling me ‘Prince’ or ‘Your Highness’ 
or other such foolish and irritating titles.  Understand?”  Endymion 
threatened.
    “Okay, Endymion, have it your way.  On a different note, did 
you hear the news?”
    “What news?”
    “It seems that the Queen of the Moon has appointed her daughter 
as Ambassador to the Planets.  The Princess will come to Earth after 
her stay on Jupiter to form a treaty with your father, since we haven't 
really been getting along with the Moon lately.”  Jadeite frowned 
slightly, then continued.  “It seems that all the Senshi including the 
Outers will be accompanying her.  It is a mystery that one.  Even Pluto 
and Saturn will be with her.”
    “Really?  Hmmm, that is a very big surprise.  They don't leave 
their planets for any reason, especially Pluto with guarding the Time 
Gate.  Any idea what it means?”
    “No clue, Endymion, but I hear the princess is quite a looker. 
 Although my sources say that she is very reserved and quiet.  She 
doesn't seem to be like a normal princess.  Maybe she's shy?  That 
doesn't change her looks though.  They say she is quite beautiful,” 
Jadeite said with a slight smile.
    “Jadeite, knock it off.  Are you trying to get me interested?  
It isn't going to work.  There is more to a woman than just her looks, 
you know.  I have lots of women anyway, I don't need a flighty 
princess,” Endymion stated.
    “Yeah, but you need to get married someday, which means you 
need a princess.  And as for the woman you have, they are all common or 
minor nobles who you can woo into their beds.  And not very hard wooing 
I might add.  Just one look from you and the hardest woman cracks and 
begs ‘His Highness, Prince Endymion of Earth’ to sleep with her.  It's 
disgusting.”
    “Yeah, well, it fills the time.  I'm going to sleep now if we 
are to go riding tomorrow.”
    “Endymion, I worry about you.  You sleep with lots of women, 
but never have I seen you fall for one or even like her remotely other 
than the sex.  You can't seem to stand them and you break so many 
hearts with your callousness.  You need a wife.  You're a 25-year-old 
man and your father will press the issue soon.  You never are 
interested in any woman except their ‘assets’.  Have you ever been with 
the same woman more than twice, Endymion?  Have you ever felt anything 
towards them?  What made you so cold?”
    “I'm not cold, Jadeite.  Don't worry so much.  I'll find a 
princess I can stand as a wife someday.  Now I'm going to bed.  
Goodnight, my friend.”  Stepping towards the door, Endymion turned to 
look at his companion.  “Jadeite?  What is that princess’ name?  The 
Moon Princess, I mean.”
    “Her name?  It's Serenity, why?”
    “Nothing, just thought I should know the name of the visiting 
princess is all.  ‘Night.”  He entered his room and quietly made his 
way to his large balcony.  Putting his hands on the rail, he looked up 
at the full moon.  His dark midnight eyes reflected the moonlight as he 
stared unblinkingly at it.
    “Am I cold?”  Endymion whispered to the pale object that hung 
in the night sky, not really expecting an answer.  He sighed sadly, 
before turning and walking into his room, the balcony door closing 
behind him.


That's it for now!  Please, comments/criticism welcome, but be nice 
okay?  I'm a little sensitive about my writing.

And if you really enjoy romantic fanfiction about our favorite couple 
be sure to read Crystal Heart, Alicia Blade, Lady M. Harris, and a few 
others I can't think of right now.  They are all very wonderful!  All 
can be found at ASMR.  Until next time, Ja ne!

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