Okay, so first of all, I'll tell a little background for this story. I'm
*assuming* most of you know what's going on. Although, I am mixing anime and
manga. ::internally winces:: That's usually a bad thing, if you don't know
how to do it right. In the anime, the Starseeds came out of the person's
head or chest in a golden blossom, much like this story. But in the manga,
there is no flower. Only *Sailor Crystals*. They're basically the same as
Starseeds, only more powerful, and they give their possessor the power to
become a Sailor Senshi. Don't get me wrong. There are starseeds, like in the 
anime. The two are similar, but Sailor Crystals have more power. 

Anyways, if you have any corrections, email 'em to me when I get my address 
up. Arigato minna-san!

*Guardians of the Underworld*
Part 5

Rated PG for one swear and situations.
*****************************************************************************

The angry blonde woman was looming over Serenity menacingly. After all, she
had just seen her boyfriend trying to kiss *another woman*. That looked like
she was taking part in some sort of ceremony..from the looks of her cloak.
But that didn't matter to her right now. Serenity was scared stiff and had
her blue eyes clashing with an almost identical pair. But the orange light
interrupted the feud.

They both looked away, shutting their eyes tightly. The necklace gleaming
seemed to be emitted some sort of energy as well. Ripples in the air made
their long hair whip in the wind. But when it all died down, Serenity,
Minako and Higashi were all wondering what had just happened.

With his green eyes piercing, the man looked like he had seen the paranormal.
He slowly backed away, almost tripping over his own feet.

"You...you're a WITCH!" he cried out, with his finger pointing to her
forehead. "You're not from here! Get away!"

The girl with the silver hair trembled. Her fragile knees were wobbling,
bearly supporting her weight. But before anyone could accuse her of anymore,
she ran. As fast as she could. Although she didn't know where she was going,
it didn't matter to her as long as she escaped from the hateful yells.

"I'm not.." she repeated as a tear slipped down her face. "I'm not.."

****************************************

Minako stilled as she saw the girl flee. She didn't feel threatened by her,
or frightened in the least. That light...that light felt almost comforting.

She carefully thought about it, never moving from her spot on the dirt path.
It was strange, why did she feel such a connection with a person she had
never even met?

"Minako-chan.." Higashi called to her and took her hand in his. "Daijoubu?"

She regained her senses and pulled herself away from his grasp. Her gaze
grew colder as she looked him in his cowardly face. "You're the one who
should get away!" she yelled. "She didn't do *anything*, did she?!"

His mouth was wide open, he seemed stunned, but he knew himself it was the
truth. When he was going to answer, she cut him off. Her hands were balled
up into fists.

"I've had it with you! You're always going after other women!" she turned
away, as tears welled up in her vision. She let them over come her. "Just
like everyone else.." she whimpered.

In her mind, she could clearly remember all of her past loves. But they had
all left her. Every time she would ask through tears, "Am I not good enough?"
or, "Is that other girl really so much better?" But again, every time she
knew their answer. They all tried to let her down gently, not wanting to see
a pretty girl cry. But she always did despite them. Rocking herself to sleep
those hard nights, trying to forget her heart break. But none broke her
heart as much as her her 3rd boyfriend, Saitou.

He was a rough one, that man. Constantly getting into fights. But she had
truly loved him. His shoulder length hair, his sparkling eyes...but he was
meant for someone else. He had told her later that he had been in love with
an older woman for years, even before he had met her. When that other woman
finally came back to Munashii, Saitou immediately broke it off with Minako.

But she just held her head high and walked away from it all. She would get
used to the feeling of being worthless..

Higashi's voice tore her thoughts out of her woeful past. He tried to wipe
a tear from her soft cheek, but she once again pulled harshly away. Fire was
in her eyes. "You never loved me did you?!" she screamed. "You just used me
until you could get someone prettier! Like her!" Minako looked in the
direction the silver haired girl had gone.

"You know that's not true, baby.." he smiled.

She laughed bitterly into his face. "Do I really? Or is that what you want
me to believe?"

"Mina.."

"No. I'm not taking anymore of this. Good-bye, Higashi. Go get the prettier
girl. Forever."

She then walked away with her golden head held high. Her periwinkle dress
billowed in the wind. And she, for once, promised herself she won't cry a
single tear more for him.

********************************************

The Prince Endymion sat on his bed, his head resting in his hands. He too,
had felt that Serenity was on his planet. Although he didn't mention it to
his parents, or Helios, his mind had racked with a horrible power. Not
wanting to relive the agony, even if it had lasted only a second, he stared
at his shaking hands. They were blistered from sword practices, and bruised
from combat. But he remembered once how he had held her tiny hands in his
own. It was the one moment that he felt complete. And for that one powerful
second, he had felt it again.

Striding over to his balcony, he looked up into the sky. Even in the early
day, the Morning Moon was still visible. It's surface was scarred with
craters, and it's land no longer held the vibrant life that it did so long
ago. The dark haired prince then vowed that he would find the missing Moon
Princess. And hold her hands in his once more..

*********************************************

The King of Earth was pacing across the throne room. He was slamming his
fist into his other palm, and his wife shuddered. Gaia was shaking her head
in denial.

The door opened and Helios stepped in. His face was flushed but he went
over to the Queen and smiled. "I got through to him. Endymion is back in the
palace."

She let out a deep sigh. "Thank goodness. I thought I would never see him
again..Helios..."

"But King," he faced his ruler, "We still have the matter of Princess
Serenity on our hands. If she is powerful, she could help us. We could use
her to our advantage..only if we could get through to the Prince.."

He abruptly stopped. His cape flapped behind him and he crossed his arms in
front of his toned chest. "We're getting rid of her. I don't give a damn
what Endymion wants. He shouldn't even care about that wench," he spat.

Queen Gaia gave a sympathetic look towards her husband. Her voice pleaded
with him. "But we SHOULD care! He's our son! You *know* what happened when
the fortune teller came on his birth!"

He scoffed. Helios looked down and whispered what the King would not come to
admit. "She said that he would fall in love with a Lunarian..that he would
one day give up his Kingdom..and his life for her.."

"I REFUSE to believe it!" The King's voice boomed. "My son will NOT do such
a thing! Not if I can help it! And to prevent it, she must be killed!"

The queen looked down and cried. The water from her face dripped down onto
her dress, showing up in tiny wet spots. She pitied her family. Her small
voice murmured, "Endymion.."

*******************************************

Serenity collapsed crying in a small space between two buildings. Her face
was buried into the silkily material that was draped on her legs and knees.
The crystalline tears kept falling, one by one, as she kept on repeating,
"I'm not from this place...I'm not.."

She held out the key that Pluto had given her. It was gold, and had a tiny
pink jewel in it's handle. As she cried the gem got brighter. She soon heard
a voice in her mind. It chided ever so silently.. "Cheer up, Princess. Tears
have never suited your beautiful face.."

Sailor Pluto had always said those words to her. Serenity cried often. Minor
things upset her, how she could never seem to be agile enough to carry out
self defense moves, or how she couldn't kick high. The training had brought
her to a new level of consciousness in the Fourth Dimension, but now..

But now, she didn't think it would apply. When Higashi approached her, she
didn't try to hit him away, or fight back. She became shy and reserved. Not
at all like the fighter she was brought up to be. At that moment, she
couldn't think of all the skills, her memory had fogged over. This made her
shameful. What would Pluto think of her now? Crying behind some building..

********************************************

The day quickly passed, and soon, Minako was walking home. She had wondered
aimlessly about the entire day, and was growing tired. She would have
completely walked past an alley, if she didn't see the faintest of silver
lights...

Cautiously, she looked into the dark space. She could see a concealed figure,
hunched over. But once again, she didn't feel frightened. She didn't need
courage to go over there, like she was now doing.

"It's..you! You're that girl!" Minako exclaimed as she recognized Serenity.

She looked up through watery eyes and her slightly pink lips were in a frown.
She took the blonde woman's hand when she offered it, and stood up.

"What are you doing here?" she questioned. "Don't you have some place to stay
tonight?"

"No.." Serenity whispered. Her fingers were still playing with the key in
her grasp. At her height, she felt as if she were being looked down upon by
a being of a higher power. Or perhaps the scornful eye of Sailor Pluto..

"Then come stay with me and my family! I'm sure they won't mind at all.."
Minako said cheerfully, leading her new acquaintance out of the alley.

"Truly..?" Serenity said unsure of what to do.

"Of course!" Minako smiled.

********************************************

Minako sat in front of a mirror, brushing her long hair. She had taken the
crimson bow out of the back, and it was lying on her her vanity top. She had
lent the mysterious girl one of her nightgowns. It had fit all right,
although, as the girl had said laughing, it was a little too big. The waist
especially. But after that, she had quieted down.

"So..What's your name?" Minako asked, flipping her hair over to brush the
other side. "What do people call you?"

"Serenity.." she whispered.

"What an elegant name! Mine's not that nice, though.. Mine's Aino Minako,"
she grinned, and looked Serenity in the eyes.

The princess just touched her necklaces, running her finger tips over their
smooth surfaces. "It fits you perfectly..You're so beautiful.." she seemed
distracted.

"Not as beautiful as you, my dear. Guys are always leaving me for girls like
you. But I'm not jealous!" she laughed. "I'll just have to find true love
some other day!"

Serenity looked at the woman's wall and saw a painting of her and what
seemed like her friends and family. Her mother was a person with red hair,
and her father's, black like the night. Her friends were all laughing and
smiling, but none more than Minako herself. She was dressed for that picture
in an elaborate dress, of lace and satin. Her friends were all dressed in
their finest gowns as well. "You're very popular, aren't you?" Serenity said
with a hint of depression.

"That depends..with the girls? That will be my friends? Only a few.." she
followed her gaze to the painting. "Those are the only ones that will talk
to me..all of the rest think I'm rude. I don't get it really..I'm always
nice to them! But I think it's because of the guys. I have a different
boyfriend every month.." Minako chattered on.

Her eyes widened when she saw the pendants that were around Serenity's neck.
"Would you like to take those off for the night?"

Just as she was reaching for them, the same one erupted in an orange light.
Her hand backed away. "What happened? It always does that when I'm around!"

Serenity held it close and then rethought that and gave it to Minako. "Tell
me, are you originally from here?"

The blonde girl didn't hesitate at her answer. While she undid the small
clasp, she talked. "Yes. I've always lived in Munashii, with my Mother and
Father.." When the pendant hung around her neck, it seemed to glow. It
illuminated the surrounding darkness. "Why?"

"I'm not so sure about that.." Serenity said confidently. "Did you ever ask
your parents? I mean, they have dark hair, and you...You have blonde hair
like the Sun Goddess!"

Her eyes narrowed. "What are you saying?"

"Those aren't your real parents, Mina-san! I know it!" her silver hair spun
around as she yelled.

Minako rose from her seat, and stalked over to Serenity. "Who are you to
come into my home and question my parentage? You would've been out on the
street if I hadn't come along!"

"Gomen ne, but I wasn't trying to insult you or your family. I was just
simply stating the obvious," Her voice held the slightest amount of
arrogance. "I'm just happy that I found you.." Serenity's tone softened a
bit.

"What do you mean?!" Minako shouted. "Tell me what you mean, right now!"

But she ignored the question. "Have you ever wished of being royalty?"

The blonde rolled her eyes and realized this fight was pointless. "Actually,
yes. I've always wanted to live in a castle..be the daughter of a Queen..."

Serenity became easy-going when the woman gave up her anger. She danced
around the small bedroom, holding onto her borrowed nightgown. Her eyes
closed and she said in a quiet voice. "It's not so great."

"Nani?" Minako whispered ever so quietly.

"But of course, I'm not a normal princess.." she turned to face her, her
feet slowly stopped dancing. "...and neither are you, Venus."

Minako just stared. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. If she didn't
trust this girl so much, she would lock her up in an asylum herself. But
she did trust her..

"You're the Daughter of Aphrodite..." she explained.

"But Aphrodite is the Goddess of Love," the blonde remained skeptical and
talked as though it she were having a conversation with a child.

"Ah, but she was also the Queen of Venus. And very good friends with my
Mother, I presume," she put her finger to her chin, as if in thought.

"Wait," Minako called out. Her arms were out to her side. "The planet Venus
never held life. You're lying!"

Serenity sighed. "They don't teach you much on Earth, ne? It did. As did all
of the planets. Venus was one of the most beautiful in the Galaxy."

The girl's blonde hair was starting to stick to her skin as her body began
to fever. Tears were coming out of the corners of her eyes, and the pendant
around her neck was getting steadily brighter..
"If you're a princess, than where did you come from?" she asked.

"The Moon Kingdom, my Mother was Queen Serenity," she said simply, smiling.

"But Serenity's *your* name," Minako furrowed her brows.

But the princess did nothing but chuckle lightly. "Yup. Nice tradition in my
family, isn't it?" She watched Minako's reaction carefully.

Minako sat down heavily on her bed. Her head was in her hands and the tears
were streaming down her cheeks, wetting her hands. The confusion in her mind
was taking control. "I don't believe it.."

She looked up and saw Serenity's comforting gaze, her arm was around her
shoulder. "You don't have to believe me, but I'd like you to try. For your
Kingdom, for your true family, and for me. Onegai, please remember."

Serenity placed her finger on Minako's forehead, and a ball of silver energy
appeared there. "You must awaken as the real you! So now, close your eyes."

She did as she was instructed, and hesitantly closed them. She saw the
silver light, even in her mind. But when she looked deep inside of it..she
could see more...

***********************************************

A laughing Princess, tripped over her orange sorbet coloured dress and fell
to the ground. The red bow in her hair was lopsided, and her face was
covered in dirt. But despite that, she was still grinning. Behind her, was a
tiny girl also with blonde hair, but much shorter. It was in a special
hairstyle that looked like odangos..

"Sere-chan!" she exclaimed as the girl fell too. They both laid back and
stared up into the blue sky in front of them.

"We're gonna be friends forever.."

************************************************

"Ami-chan!" the girl yelled. "Mako-chan, Rei-chan! C'mon!"

She ran ahead as the other 3 young heiresses tried to catch up. Their hair
bounced around their shoulders and their skirts flowed near their knees. The
sunlight was inviting to them, making the day more friendly inside the
palace grounds.

"Sere-chan! Hurry up!" she huffed. "I already asked you four times to come
along and play with us!

The girl hesitantly nodded and started running after them. "Hai, Minako!"

************************************************

Minako's glassy blue eyes opened with a start. The glowing sign of Venus was
on her forehead, where Serenity's finger had touched. The pendant's light
dimmed and she was left blinking back her tears.

"Sere-chan.." she whispered, "Is that you?"

"Minako-chan.."

"No..Princess Venus.." she smiled as she flew into her friend's waiting arms.
The two cried in each other's embrace as the morning sun touched the dawn.
The battle ahead of them would be that much more forgiving now..

************************************************

- Wow. Betcha couldn't see that coming. And about the pendants, hope this
isn't too "Escaflowne"-ish. But hey, a good idea is a good idea!

** Disclaimers = I don't own any of the characters in this fanfic. Most are
owned by Takeuchi Naoko, Toei, TV Asahi, Koudansha, and plenty others. Don't
sue. This fanfic is copyright MinaP Aino, September 2001. **

Ja-! MinaP http://www3.mb.sympatico.ca/~holig

10:37 PM 25/09/01