Title:  The Fire From Within Chapter 2
Author : Blue Ice
E-mail: Blue_IceSM@hotmail.com
Rated: G





Hi guys!! Thanks for coming back. I hope you're still enjoying my 
fanfics. I have a few things to say. This won't take long.

First of all I'd like to especially thank Rini Shields for her 
continual support and wonderful compliments. You're so awesome!!!! 
And also Princess Makoto for her sweet message. I can't never stop 
saying how much I appreciate it!! You guys are the best. Read their 
stories when you have the chance. They're awesome!!!!

The second thing is that two new stories are coming out after this. 
(I know I told you Rini that I was going to post them at the same 
time, but I changed my mind at the last moment. I'm really sorry that 
you'll have to wait another week or so for Hold Me and the other one 
I have no idea what to title. ^-^ Please forgive me.)

Well I guess that's it. I can't think of anything else to say so I'll 
just shut up and write the story. 

	
	
	"Ok, she was right here a minute ago. Where did she go off 
to?" Mina asked. "Maybe someone had really thought she was the 
princess and asked her to dance." Serenity chimed in. "I think we 
should split up and try to find her." Lita suggested and walked into 
the crowd. "If none of us can find her in fifteen minutes, then lets 
all meet back here." Mina said as she squeezed herself through the 
party goers. "Right." Serenity and Ami agreed and went their separate 
ways. 

Fifteen minutes later....

	"I'm getting worried guys." Mina said and jumped up to get a 
better look of the ballroom. "Anna is no where to be found." Lita 
added and paced around the table. "Why did Rei have to sneak off to 
who knows where at a time like this!" she plopped down on her chair 
and took a drink of her wine. "I'm just worried about Anna's well
-being. What if she gets caught and had to be put in jail. What if 
she gets into serious trouble and get blamed for something that was 
really our fault! Oh I can't imagine such a horrible consequence of 
our careless actions." Ami gasped. 
	"Ami. Get a hold of yourself. It's really not that bad. We'll 
just have to find her quickly and keep her from being recognized." 
Lita shook her shoulders. "Now where is Serenity?" she asked and 
looked at Mina.
	"Don't tell me she ran off too. We need her right now!" Mina 
sighed. "You know guys." Ami smiled. "There's only one place she 
would want to be other than in Endymion's arms." "The dessert table." 
the girls giggled and ran to find Serenity.
	The girls reached the dessert table to see Serenity piling 
chocolate cake and cookies onto her already full plate of other 
treats. "Serenity! What are you doing?! We were supposed to be 
looking for Anna!" Mina hollered and put her hands on her hips. 
"Sorry guys, but they were so yummy!" Serenity smiled.
	"Come on." Lita said and dragged Serenity to their table. 
"So what's our plan now. The ball isn't going to be over for another 
2 hours." Mina informed as they put their heads together. "Well, I 
suggest that we keep a close lookout for her, just incase." Serenity 
whispered.
	"Just incase of what?" came a deep voice from behind the 
girls. Turning slowly to look at the new arrival, Serenity gasped. 
"Endymion! You finally came!" Serenity launched herself into his 
awaiting embrace. "We just arrived a moment ago. Did you miss me my 
love?" he asked as his strong arms came around to hold his beloved. 
"More than anything." she replied honestly. "I've been missing your 
smile, your warmth, your kisses."  Serenity giggled as Endymion 
whispered sweet things into her ear. 
	Standing on her toes slightly, Serenity tilted her head as 
Endymion lowered his. Just when their lips barely touch...."uh hum."
Someone coughed. Turning around slightly, Endymion chuckled at the 
lost moment. "I almost forgot." he says and steps to his left.
	"Ladies, I want you to meet my generals. This is General 
Malachite. He is my second in command of weapons." he gestured. 
Malachite stepped up and bowed respectfully. He had silvery blue hair 
and very stunning gray eyes. "It is such an honor to meet your 
highnesses." he says sincerely and smiles. "Likewise." Mina curtsied 
as Malachite brought her hand to his lips. 
	Mina blushed crimson as she was mesmerized by his well-built 
body under his gray uniform and the certain way he carried himself. 
"May I have this dance princess." he asked and takes her hand in his. 
"Why I'd love to Malachite." Mina accepts the invitation and the two 
walked slowly onto the dance floor. "That's so sweet." Serenity 
sighed.  
	Endymion chuckled. "And this is my first in command general 
who's in charge of the extensive training here on Mars for two 
months, General Jedite." he says as Jedite bows to the shocked 
princesses.
	"You!" they said in unison. "Forgive me your highnesses, 
for I did not recognize you earlier." he sincerely apologized. "Oh, 
well you're forgiven. Endymion lets dance." Serenity tugged on his 
arm. "How could I deny my love's wish." he smiles and turns to 
Jedite. "Jedite, I want you and Malachite up early tomorrow morning. 
I will be returning to earth for a short period, and I want 
everything in order." Endymion commanded. "Yes Endymion, I will be 
sure to take care of everything." he bows as Serenity dragged 
Endymion to the dance floor.
	"Are you really leaving tomorrow?" Serenity asked as she laid 
her head on his chest. "I'm afraid I have to. The ambassadors from 
Mercury are arriving in the afternoon and I must be there for a 
meeting." "But I'll miss you too much." Serenity pouted. Endymion 
chuckled slightly at her adorable expression. "As soon as everything 
is taken cared of. I will asked your mother for your hand in 
marriage." Serenity gasped. "Really, oh Endymion I love you so 
much!!" Serenity wrapped her arms around her true love. "I love you 
too my sweet." he says and sways them to the music.

	"Well it was nice meeting you, but we must get going." Lita 
said quickly and dragged Ami away from the general. "Wait." Jedite 
grasped Ami's wrist. "Where is your other friend?" Jedite asked. 
"Friend.....uh what other friend?" Ami tried to act natural. "I'm 
referring to the fiery young woman who gave me quite a backache this 
morning at the training grounds. The one with long black hair?" 
	"Oh um, we don't know her really. She left this afternoon." 
Lita stuttered. "Please Princess Ami, I must find her." Ami looked 
into his sparkling green eyes and realized that he already has deep 
feelings for Rei, even if they just met. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid 
the only name I can give you is Rei." Ami smiled and took her wrist
out from his grasp.
	"Then where can I find her. Where does she live?" he asked 
if a little desperately. Ever since their meeting this morning, 
Jedite hasn't stopped thinking about her. She was beautiful, strong, fiery...everything he wanted in a woman. 
	"That I can't tell you. I'm sorry." Ami said guiltily. She 
really hated lying but she did not want to bring something up when 
Rei clearly said that she wasn't ever going to be interested in him. 
"Good night, General Jedite. See you at breakfast in the morning." 
Lita waved and Ami slightly curtsied. Then they left into the crowd.
	"Do you think we did the right thing?" Lita asked as they 
talked on the balcony. "I honestly don't know." "Did you see the way 
he asked for her. He has truly fallen for her." Lita smiled. "Yes, 
it was undeniable. But it's no use telling Rei because she is 
forbidden to marry anyone but a Prince. She'll be heart broken if 
she ever did fall in love with him too. It would be completely 
hopeless." Ami shook her head.
	"Why do you think Mars has all these strict rules about who 
the princesses should marry? I mean what kind of law is this? We 
don't even have that on Jupiter....well not that I know of anyway." 
Lita wondered. "It's part of their tradition. It just can't be 
broken." Ami replied and sat down on a stone bench. "I hope Rei's 
safe wherever she is right now."

	"Wow. This is beautiful." Rei gasped as she explore the 
unknown cave. The entrance of the cave was quite small. Rei had to 
duck her head as she walked in. But the inside was a magnificent 
sight to see. Long cone shaped Rhine stone deposits hung from the 
ceiling of the cave that cast a luminous green glow on everything. 
	Walking a little bit farther in, there was a little stream 
that wasn't too deep. Taking off her shoes and rolling up her pants, 
Rei stepped into the cold water. "Ohh, it's freezing." Rei gasped 
and lifts her foot from the water. Suddenly, she heard something in 
the distance. And it was beckoning her to follow.
	Not being able to resist the temptation, Rei ignore the ice 
cold water and slowly made her way to another entrance of the cave. 
There was a bluish light that was starting become more visible as 
she got closer to the end of the stream. Below her feet were sand? 
"That's odd. There shouldn't be any sands except on the beach." Rei 
wondered.
	Suddenly the floor sunk as Rei felt into the water. She had 
to swim under a low area. Keeping her head above water, Rei walked on 
tiptoes to her destination. What stood before her was truly a wonder.
Billions of tiny crystals were glittering brightly on the walls of 
the cave. Willow branches hang loosely from the ceiling. Rei walked 
out of the water and stood transfixed by the beauty of nature.  
"Surely no one has ever been in here." she whispers to herself. 
	That something she heard was still a little farther. It 
sounded like falling water, could it be? "Oh" Rei gasped and covered 
her mouth. There was this huge, magnificent waterfall just outside 
of the cave. It's water was crystal clear and blue. Steam rose from 
below the fall and made everything look like morning dew. Sitting 
down on a dry rock, Rei took in a deep breath. "What could be better 
than this." 
	Wind blew into the cave and made all sorts of awesome sounds 
that Rei has never heard before. It was like a flute that played a 
hollow, but clearly defined sound of notes. As Rei closed her eyes 
and listened to the music it played, she felt free all of a sudden. 
Never has she ever wanted to just run away from home and live in this 
magical cave. But truth be told, she was the princess. Her people 
needed her. The kingdom would be hers someday and she couldn't 
possibly run away from her responsibility. 
	"Being royalty really sucks." Rei murmured. This was going to 
be her secret place. No one can ever find out, not even the other 
princesses. "This is my sanctuary." Rei whispered as her voice was 
reflected by the walls and echoed as she spoke. "I'll be back." she 
looks back one more time and slowly makes her way to the entrance. 

	Running quietly through the field, Rei made it to the gate 
that surrounds the palace. Guards were everywhere inside and out. 
"Damn it." Rei thought as two guards switched positions. Sneaking up 
like a mouse behind one of them when they weren't paying as much 
attention, Rei knocked him out in the head. "Sorry." she whispers to 
the passed out guard and climbed over the tall gate.
	As soon as she was in the courtyard, Rei crawled on her knees 
and arms. Once in a while she had to duck behind a bush or climb on a 
tree to avoid patrolling soldiers. Finally she reached the palace. 
Rei looked up to the balcony where she spotted Lita and Ami sitting 
on a stone bench talking quietly. 
	"I've got to find a way to get up there." she mumbled and 
looked around her surrounding. "Ha, that's perfect." There was a 
huge hickory tree that was almost as tall as the second story 
balcony. Climbing up like a cat, Rei got a closer view of her two 
friends. They were still whispering about something and all of a 
sudden giggled. 'What could be so amusing.' Rei thought as she 
positioned herself to jump. 
	"Ya did you see Malachite and Mina? Ha, they sure hit off 
pretty well." Lita laughed. Their back was facing Rei, so they didn't 
see her sneaking up behind them. "They do make a good coup.....
mmmpphhphmm!" Ami was cut off by Rei's hand over their mouths. For 
a second they struggled to get free until Rei spoke up. 
	"Shhhhhh, it's me!" Rei whispered and shushed them. Releasing 
her hold slowly, the two turned around to face Rei. "Gees, for crying 
out loud, you almost gave me a heart attack!!" Lita said as she felt 
her heart beat. "Yes I might say as well." Ami took a deep breath. 
"Sorry guys. I didn't want you to scream or something." Rei smiled 
and leaned against the marble railing.
	"So how was your expedition?" Lita asked curiously. "There 
were no cave actually. It was just an excuse to run away." Rei said 
casually. She had to keep her promise not to tell anyone. "We lost 
Anna about an hour ago." Ami sighed. "She is no where to be found." 
"Oh great! Now what?" she asked and looked below her. "Hey isn't 
that her?" Rei pointed all of a sudden.
	"Where?" Lita and Ami rushed to look where Rei's was pointing. 
"Ha, it sure is. She looks just like you from the top." Lita grinned. 
"Lets go fetch our princess." she says and jumps off the balcony. 
"Lita!" Ami gasped in alarm. "Oh I'm taking the stairs." she says and 
turns to go back inside. "I'll wait right here." Rei suggested and 
sat down on the bench.
	Moments later, Lita, Ami, and a very tired looking Anna made 
their way towards Rei. "It's a good thing we found her, Anna was 
being asked to dance with everyone." Ami said relieved. "Well, I 
guess I'm popular among men." Rei grinned and stood up. 
	"Thank you Anna for helping us out. You can go change now." 
Lita said. "Oh ya, I'll make sure you get a promotion in the morning, 
alright?" Rei smiled. "Oh really? Thank you, thank you so much!" Anna 
curtsied. "Good night, your highnesses." "Good night Anna and thank 
you again." Ami replied. "It was no problem at all." Anna smiled and 
waved as she went to the servant quarters. 
	"Ok, we pulled it off. Next time you're going to do something 
like that again, I'm not going to be part of it." Lita sighed and sat 
down. "I'm tired, I think I'm going to bed early tonight." she yawned 
and stretched her arms. "Good night guys." "Good night Lita." "I 
think I'm going to bed early too. Wait up." Ami said and hugged Rei. 
"See you in the morning." "See ya." Rei waved and looked up to the 
stars. 
	"Rei dear?" someone said from behind her "Yes mother." Rei 
answered. "Oh my goodness, why aren't you wearing a dress? Since when 
did you change?" the queen gasped. "Mother, please calm down. I uh...
just checked on the horses. I thought I heard something." the queen 
looked relieved for a second. "Why don't you come inside with me. 
There's someone I want you to meet." she said carefully. "Who?" Rei 
asked suspiciously. 
	"Come dear. You'll see." the queen says and takes Rei's hand. 
As they made their way back inside the ballroom, the king was already
waiting with another young man. "Rei, I want you to meet Prince 
Helius. He has traveled far to seek your hand in marriage. I thought 
it was a fabulous idea!" the queen exclaimed. 
	"Princess Rei, you have blossomed into a beauty since my last 
visit." he says as he takes her hand in his. "Mother, this...this 
can't be!" Rei shook her head and stepped away in shock. "Rei, you 
were betrothed to him ever since birth." her father said in a serious 
tone.
	"Then why were you encouraging me to choose a suitor if I were 
already engaged?" Rei asked as her heart felt. "Because we wanted to 
give you a choice. If you had chosen one before your eighteenth 
birthday, then the engagement was off. Your birthday is in 10 days. And 
as the law says you must be married."
	"No, daddy, please tell me this is not so!" Rei asked as tears 
threatened to fall from her purple eyes. "Rei, you are the princess. 
It is time to take your rightful place and unite our kingdoms together. 
It's important that you understand." the king says softly. "What about 
me? Doesn't anyone ever care about my feelings?" Rei shouted loud 
enough for the guests to hear.
	"Please Rei think this over. Whether you agree or disagree, 
you will be wed to Prince Helius on the fourteenth of September." the 
queen walked to her throne and sat down. "I will not let my life be 
led by some law! It isn't fair! My spirits tells me to be free and to 
lead my own destiny! And I will not marry anyone unless I love him!" 
Rei screamed with rage and ran out of the ballroom making everyone 
gasp.
	"Rei." Serenity watched as she left. "You should go comfort 
her. She must feel devastated." Endymion whispered to Serenity. "I'll 
see you in a morning then?" Serenity asked as she looked into his 
eyes. "I won't leave without seeing you again." Endymion replies and 
lowered his head to kiss Serenity passionately. "Good night my love" 
"Good night."

	Rei ran blindly down the hallway and into her room. "It isn't 
fair!" she cried hoarsely and collapsed onto her bed. "Tell me it 
isn't so. Please tell me!!" Feeling miserable and hurt, Rei beat 
against her pillow in agony. "Rei...can I come in?" Serenity asked 
softly on the other side of the door. When she only heard a soft 
whimper, she let herself in, knowing that Rei did not want to talk.
	"Oh Rei." Serenity sighed and pulled her best friend into a 
comforting hug. "I can't marry him Serenity. He's just one of them....
self-absorbed, arrogant, conceited jerks. It isn't fair!" "I know Rei, 
I know."
	"All my dreams, all of my hopes for the future just vanished. 
I wish I didn't have to be a princess. I'd rather die than to be 
married to that...to that prince." Rei poured her heart out as she 
sobbed. "Rei, listen to me. Don't just give up. I know you have a way 
too fiery soul to be controlled by some law. Stand up to what you 
believe. Don't yield to anything. Let you heart tell you the truth!" 
Serenity said passionately.
	"Do you remember when I was almost forced to marry Prince 
Diamond? I felt the same way. I felt betrayed that my own mother 
would put me through this agony. But deep inside my heart I knew he 
wasn't my true love. When Endymion came into my life, I knew he was 
the one. Fate brought us together to share something wonderful. Our 
love has united us even though things seemed hopeless at times. If 
you believe that this path isn't the right one for you, then don't 
take it. Be bold. Fate has something wonderful prepared for you. All 
you have to do is accept it." Serenity smiled as Rei lifted her head. 
	"What am I suppose to do?" Rei asked as she choked on a tear. 
"I don't have that much time. My mother is making me get married on 
the fourteenth. That's only ten days away." Rei looked down 
hopelessly. "I just want to marry for love. I want to love someone 
as you do Endymion. I want someone to hold me and tell me that he 
loves me in return. And not be forced into a dead end." Rei cried
once more.
	"Come on Rei, lets find the others and tell them the news. 
We'll think of something. No way are we going to let this settle 
without a fight!" Serenity declared and dragged Rei out the door. 
Sneaking down the hallway quietly, they found the princesses' 
quarters. Knocking on Ami' s door softly, Serenity poked her head 
in.
	"Serenity? Rei? Is something wrong?" Ami asked as she was 
just about to go to bed. "Yes, something terrible has happened. Rei 
is forced to be married soon!" Serenity said. "Wait. Let me go get 
Mina and Lita, they need to be here." Ami said as she went out of her 
room. Moments later, a sleepy Lita and a worried Mina rushed in after 
Ami.
	"That's horrible Rei. Don't worry. Something has to happen. I 
mean no way are you going to give up. I know you're a strong person 
Rei, and you'll show them who they're messing with." Lita said and 
pretended to punch someone. "Thanks guys. I...I'm glad I have friends 
like you." Rei said thankfully. 
	"It's getting late. Perhaps we should all get a good night's 
sleep. We'll have to face a greater problem tomorrow." Ami advised. 
"Good night Rei. See you in the morning." Mina said and gave her a 
hug. The rest of the girls said goodnight to each other and treaded 
back to their rooms. 

	All night long, Rei tossed and turned. No matter how many 
ideas she thought of, there was no where out of it. Looking at the 
clock on the far wall, the hands pointed to 3 A.M.. Too sad and heart 
broken to sleep any longer, Rei got out of bed. "I will not marry him. 
They'll have to kill me first." she vowed into the night.
	Some hours later, Rei finally fell asleep as she cried by her 
window. Things seemed so hopeless now, just like Serenity had said. 
Sunshine streamed into her room as the birds chirped happily outside. 
Rubbing her puffy red eyes tiredly, Rei got up from the floor and 
stretched. "Princess, Princess!! We must hurry. The queen is very 
upset that you're not down stairs yet!" Camellia, Rei's maid came 
rushing in.
	"No." Rei said with finality. "I'm taking my time. You can 
tell my mother that I do not wish to see anyone right now. When I am 
ready, I will present myself." "But your highness, my orders came 
directly from the queen. What will she say?" Camellia looked a bit 
nervous. "If she wants to make my life more miserable, then I might 
as well do the same." "Yes your highness." Camellia nodded her head 
and let herself out. 
	"I hate my life." Rei said bitterly. "No one is going to tell 
me what to do. No one." Suddenly there was a knock at the door. "Rei. 
Are you still asleep?" Serenity asked. "No I'm up. Come in." Serenity 
gently pushed the door open. "I hope you know that your mother is not 
in a good mood this morning. Maybe you should follow her orders. You 
don't want things to get uglier." 
	"How uglier can things get? I'm already in a hellhole. Not 
even death can make things worse." Rei sighed while slowly making her 
bed. "Come on at least come down stairs with me. Endymion has brought 
his generals with him. You should meet them." "Fine." Rei said giving 
up and stepped into her closet pulling out a regular cream colored 
dress. Serenity smiled and helped Rei with the gown. "Lets go." she 
said and walked out behind Serenity solemnly.
	
	"Rei! What took you so long. It isn't polite when we have 
guests, especially Prince Helius! You should know that by now!" the 
queen lectured angrily in front of the newly arrived generals. "Look 
who's talking." Rei mumbled under her breath. She did not see Jedite 
with his mouth wide open. 'She was the princess all along??' he 
thought with alarm. 'God I made a fool of myself.'
	"Please just sit down and have breakfast." the queen said 
calmly. "Rei, I would like for you to meet Prince Endymion' s 
generals. This is General Malachite, General Zoisite." she says as 
she goes down the table. "General Nephlite, and General Jedite." 
	"Jedite." Rei's head snaps up from looking at her lap. 
'What's he doing here?' "What's he doing here?" Rei asked angrily 
since she was already in a bad mood. "Rei! That's improper!" the king 
said and apologized to Jedite. "Oh I got used to it." Jedite replied 
sheepishly. "What?" the queen asked confusedly. "Never mind."
	Rei was seated directly across from Jedite. During the entire 
time in breakfast, Rei did not look up once as everyone carried on 
with their conversations. 'I've got to get out of here.' she thought 
as she took a drink of milk. 'I can escape pretty easily since all 
the guards are so lame.' she looked up finally as she caught Jedite's 
gaze. 'why is he looking at me like that.' she wondered.
	Jedite couldn't take his eyes off of the lovely vision in 
front of him. He already knew she had a stubborn personality. It just
made her even more attractive. 'Get a hold of yourself buddy. You'll 
never have a chance with her. She's a princess, and you're just a 
plain old general.' Jedite sighed at the thought. 'who am I fooling.'
	Suddenly their gaze locked and it seemed like for the longest 
time, neither could pull away. No one noticed this except for the 
princesses. They looked at each other with worry, but also happiness. 
'His eyes are so beautiful.' Rei thought as she stared into the 
endless greenness. Her lips parted slightly as if it was getting 
harder to breathe and her heart picked up its pace.
	Putting a shaky hand over her fast beating heart, Rei finally 
pulled her thoughts together. 'What was that?' she wondered and looked 
away. 'I can't be falling for him. He's conceited just like all men 
are.' Rei fought hard trying to push him to the back of her mind. But 
their was a little voice that kept on beckoning her just like the 
waterfall in the hidden cave. 
	It was getting hot in the room, as Rei pulled at her dress. 
She felt like fire was consuming her. 'What is this I'm feeling?' she 
thought with fright. 'It feels like the flames of a great roaring 
fire.' Closing her eye briefly, Rei suddenly saw a vision. It was so 
blurry, but it was something. It was something important, and it had 
pointed her towards her destiny. 
	Snapping her eyes open, Rei regained focus of her 
surroundings. She looked across the table and saw Jedite chatting 
with Endymion. 'Did anyone else feel that?' she wondered. Nobody 
seemed to sense that great spark of power like she did. 'How odd.' 
Not wanting to stay any longer, Rei suddenly stood up causing 
everyone's attention on her.
	"Excuse me. I.. I need some fresh air." she apologized and 
walked out of the dining room. "I am so sorry Prince Helius. I don't 
know what has gotten into her lately. I'm sure she's fine, really." 
the queen was starting to get worried. "It's alright, your majesty. 
I'm sure I'll get a chance to talk to her before the ceremony." he 
grinned. 'I'll have Rei for my wife.' he thought. 'She just hasn't 
realized my irresistible charms yet.'
	Jedite felt a great sense of loss as Rei left the room. 'What 
is going on?' he thought. Somehow he knew that this Prince Helius guy 
had something to do with Rei's sudden unhappiness. 'I have to find 
her.' he thought and stood up suddenly just like Rei did a moment ago. 
	Once again everyone focused on him. "Ah...pardon me, your 
majesties and highnesses. I believe I have some unfinished business 
to take care of. Excuse me." he bows slightly and walks off towards 
the direction Rei has taken. Endymion just stared questioningly, and 
looked beside him to see Serenity grinning like an elf. "Did I miss 
something?" he asked. "No my love. Everything is perfect." she smiled 
mischievously and puts her hand over his. Giving him a warm smile, 
she proceeded with breakfast.

Outside in the courtyard.....

	"God this sucks." Rei paced back and forth, trying to figure 
out the vision she saw earlier. "It's something big. I can feel it." 
she bit her inner cheek in concentration. Sitting on a stone bench, 
under a willow tree, Rei looked around her. Noble men and women were 
scurrying about with their business, and little children were 
chasing each other playing in the grass. Life seemed so much easier 
outside. 
	Rei sighed and leaned back against the tree. Closing her 
eyes, she took a deep breath. Suddenly a light gust of wind blew pass 
her and lifted her spirits like feathers. She heard something coming 
closer and closer behind her. Opening her eyes slowly, Rei got 
herself ready in a fighting position. Unexpectedly she jumped at the 
intruder and tackled him to the ground.  
	"Ahh!! Princess. It's only me!" Jedite held out his hand in 
defense underneath Rei. Giving him a look, Rei quickly got off of 
him. "Don't ever sneak up to me like that. You here!" Rei pointed 
right in his face. "Ok, ok. I'm sorry. You almost gave me a heart 
attack." he sighed in relief. "You deserved it." Rei bit back and 
plucked a small flower from the ground.
	"Why did you follow me out here?" Rei asked accusingly. 
"Please Princess Rei...I." Rei rolled her eyes. "Uh!! Don't call me 
princess!." "Wha...what?" Jedite asked a little confused. "But that 
is your title." "Title or no title I'm still the same person. Why is 
everyone getting on my nerves so much!" she yelled and climbed on 
the tree. "I'm sorry.....Rei. I was just worried." Rei stopped about 
halfway. "What did you say?" she asked and looked down at him. "I 
said I was just worried. You seemed distracted and I wanted to make 
sure you were feeling alright." he said sincerely.
	If anyone else had said that to her, Rei would have kicked 
him. But the way Jedite said it... it was different...almost sweet. 
"Please come down." Jedite chuckled and stood right below Rei. Tucking 
a piece of hair behind her ear, Rei contemplated. "Why don't you come 
up here." she challenged. "Up there?" Jedite asked and scratched the 
back of his head. "Are you afraid?" "No of course not." grabbing a 
branch, Jedite pulled himself up.
	"You're a very strong woman." Jedite said as he made his way 
up. "I've learned my lesson. From now on I'll treat you just like a 
fellow soldier." Rei swung her legs and let her slippers drop to the 
ground below. "That doesn't mean I don't like being treated like a 
lady." Rei replied. "Of course....You are a lady after all....<< Snap!
! >>......whoa...ah.....ahh....uh...." (THUD). A thin branch snapped, 
sending Jedite hitting different branches as he fell to the ground 
with a loud thud. 
	Rei covered her mouth and giggled. It was the first time 
she's laughed since the dreadful news of her engagement. "Uh, my 
butt." Jedite groaned and sat up painfully. Rei jumped down 
skillfully like a leopard and landed right beside Jedite. "Oh that 
must have hurt." she giggled and helped him to his feet. "Ya, like 
getting a backache yesterday wasn't enough." he chuckled slightly, 
but winced in pain as Rei accidentally touched his back.
	"Oh I'm sorry." Rei apologized and helped him to the bench. 
"I think you are in danger around me." Rei said and looked down. "I 
hope not." Jedite replied and looked at Rei's turned face. They both 
cracked up at their conversation. Suddenly Rei's face fell. 
"I think I might need a hip brace...are you alright?" Jedite asked 
as he saw Rei's face. "No, I can honestly say no." "What's wrong?" he 
asked as he took her hands in his.
	Rei looked into his eyes and wondered if she should tell him. 
"I'm not sure if I should say." she told him outright. "You can trust 
me." he replied and smiled. "I guess it wouldn't do any harm." Rei 
stood up and paced back and forth. "My mother is forcing me to get 
married. In fact I was betrothed to Prince Helius even before I was 
born." "oh" "My so called wedding is in ten days." Rei sighed 
exasperatedly. 
	"Everything I ever hoped for, and wanted just went down the 
drain. How pathetic is it to marry someone I just met. It just isn't 
fair." Rei sat down beside Jedite. "That's terrible." Jedite said 
softly. They sat in silence for some time just thinking. "I would 
only live my life with this responsibility and a loveless marriage." 
Rei said as she turned to face Jedite.
	"Rei..." he says tenderly and takes her hand to his lips. 
"Jedite, tell me my life doesn't just end there." Rei whispered and 
unconsciously moves closer to Jedite. "With you, life is an adventure. 
Your destiny is controlled by your own heart." Jedite whispered softly 
and put her hand over her chest. "Just follow your instincts and 
everything will turn out alright." Wiping a single tear that escaped 
her beautiful violet eyes, Jedite gently pushed her towards him.
	Rei closed her eyes as their nose barely touched. 'What's this 
I'm feeling? Could it be love?' she thought as Jedite' s lips came 
over hers with a soft, light kiss. They both opened their eyes at the 
sudden awareness of their intimate position. "I...I'm sorry." Jedite 
apologized. "No...don't be." Rei replied and wrapped her arms around 
his shoulders. 
	Not being able to resist anymore, Jedite passionately kissed 
Rei's luscious red lips. Electricity shot through Rei's veins as she 
was kissed for the first time. It was such a wonderful, unexplainable 
feeling. Rei ran her fingers through Jedite' s silky blonde hair as 
he held her possessively by her waist. Finally Jedite stopped in 
need of air as they just stared into each other's eyes.
	Rei breathed heavily, not believing that everything had just 
happened. "Jedite? I....I" Rei stuttered and closed her eyes 
remembering the incredible feeling. "Tell me it isn't so?" Rei asked 
shakily. "What isn't?" Jedite lowered his lips over hers. "Tell me 
I'm dreaming and this is just an imagination." Jedite smiled and 
tenderly touched her cheek. "Open you eyes Rei. This isn't a dream." 
Taking Rei gently into his arms, he held her tightly within his 
embrace.  
	"Rei! Jedite? Where are you two?" Rei and Jedite sighed at 
the lost moment and let go of each other regretfully. "Oh there you 
are." Serenity ran up to them. "Are you alright Rei?" she asked and 
looked down at a slightly blushing Jedite. "Yes...yes I'm ok. We were 
just talking that's all." Rei replied quickly. Serenity smiled. "Are
you sure? Do you need anything?" Rei shook her head. 'ya just some 
privacy.'
	"No I'll be fine." she said as Endymion grabbed Serenity from 
behind. "I'm leaving in ten minutes. We don't have much time together 
to say goodbye." Serenity looked up to Endymion with a sad puppy dog 
expression. "I'm going to miss you so much." she said as she wrapped 
her arms around his shoulders. "I'm going to miss you too my love." 
he replied and kissed Serenity passionately. 
	"Uh....no offense guys, but get a room!" Rei laughed. "Sorry." 
Serenity blushed as Endymion held her by the waist. "Rei, I'll see you 
at lunch ok. Ami and Lita are going to wait for us by the gazebo....
whoa.!" she giggled as Endymion picked her up and carried her on his 
shoulder. "Bye guys!" Serenity waved as they disappeared into the 
palace.
	"I think we better head inside before they send a squad out 
for us." Jedite chuckled and pulled Rei up from the bench. Picking up 
her slippers, Rei straighten up her dress. "I uh...I shouldn't do 
this." Rei sighed sadly. "It wouldn't be fair to us...we're only going 
to end up heartbroken. Maybe we should just forget about everything." 
"But Rei." turning around to face Jedite, Rei stood on tiptoes and 
pecked him in the cheek. "I must go." she whispered and ran inside.




Hi!!! I finally finished chapter 2. I had these really great ideas for 
the ending and I was having trouble leading the events there. But I 
tried my best. I don't have any plots or anything for this story. Just 
making it up as I write. Anyway, thanks for reading and sending me all 
of your wonderful comments. If you haven't yet, better start writing! 
Just kidding! But if you do feel like writing me than e-mail me at Blue_IceSM@hotmail.com. See ya! ^_~