Time of Corruption (again) by DarkPluto4 E-mail addy: DarkPluto4@aol.com Chapter of Title and Chapter # appear below On with the fanfic now: Rating: PG-13 Chapter 2 - The Ball Author's Note: Read the 1st chapter, or you'll be lost. The next morning, Setsuna woke up and groaned. Dragging herself out of bed, she forced herself up. Brushing her teeth and washing her face quickly, she began the long task of brushing her floor length hair. In a foul mood, Setsuna impatiently tried to untangle all the snarls and knots. An hour passed before she could finally could stand and begin the long day's wait, diligently watching the Gates. Sulking, she didn't notice someone arriving. "Good morning, Setsuna," said the voice. She froze. Her heart beat faster, and she felt a peculiar feeling rumbling in her stomach. Attempting to remain composed and poised, she spoke as calmly as possible, "Good morning, King Endymion, my Lord." He smiled at her. That adorable smile! She could have melted on the spot. "Serenity was planning a ball tonight. She would like for you to attend, if you don't mind leaving the Gates," he told her. If she only knew how much I hated being here, Setsuna thought. Aloud, she replied "Why, of course. Anything to please the Queen." Even if it means standing and watching these pathetic Gates for all Eternity and wasting away here alone, thought Setsuna bitterly. "Very well. Serenity and I shall be expecting you tonight then. Good-bye, Setsuna," King Endymion waved and disappeared. Setsuna sighed, missing him but strangely glad the ordeal was over. At least there was ONE thing to look forward to. It was approaching night. She dawned on her favorite emerald dress. A shimmering green silk strapped dress, it showed off her white, creamy, delicate neck and arms. The dress fell to the grounded with slits on both sides. She placed on her beautiful emerald necklace with matching bracelets and rings. She slipped into her green high heels matching her dress and set out for the palace. Arriving there, she slowly walked into the ballroom. The carpet was golden velvet, and she was lost alone in the huge crowd. She stared around her. She recognized no one. 'What could you expect?' she thought to herself, 'I'm isolated from and hardly ever get to socialize.' She received a many stares. It was unpleasant - it made her feel self-conscious and nervous. Several young men flashed flirtatious smiles upon the mysterious, yet beautiful dark figure whom they have never seen. She rolled her eyes and walked on, praying that she'd meet a friend. "SETSUNA-CHAN!!" shouted a thankfully familiar voice. She turned to see Hotaru dressed in violet. "Why, Hotaru-chan! There you are! Darling, you look wonderful!" Hotaru smiled shyly. "You do, too. Come this way. The rest of the Sailors are waiting for you, too." The pale and seemingly weak young woman pulled Setsuna along. She saw the group of Sailors gathered. "Setsuna! Welcome! We're so glad you made it! How have you been doing?" Enthusiastic greetings streamed out. She just stood and smiled, greeting them all. Carefully, she observed their dresses, for clothing had always fascinated her. Ami was dressed very simply in a long sleeved navy blue dress with a crew neck. It fell to her knees. A thin silver necklace was the only jewelry she wore. Minako had donned a gold silk dress. It was sleeveless and had a V-neck. It feel a few inches above her knees. She had a star locket and a gold chain bracelet with gold shoes to match and a few rings. Rei had on a strappy black dress falling down to her feet, covered by black high heels. The dress had a slit in the back. She had a ruby necklace, a silver bracelet, and her beloved ruby ring. Makoto had on a white dress with puffy sleeves falling to her knees. It was embroidered with lace. She had a pearl necklace and matching bracelet. However, her ring was decorated with a stone of jade. Hotaru's dress was immediately recognizable to Setsuna. She had designed it and made it especially for Hotaru. She still remembered the overjoyed reaction she received upon giving it to the young, mature woman. She had shrieked with pure joy and run into the arms of Setsuna and embraced her tightly and planted a huge kiss upon her cheek. The mirth had nearly brought tears into Setsuna's often steely eyes to see the somber Hotaru show such happiness. It was a simple satin dress in violet with three-quarter length sleeves and a small V-neck with embroidery along the neck. It feel down to Hotaru's ankles, but one slit on the side went up to her knees. Hotaru proudly wore an amethyst necklace and bracelet with a silver ring and violet shoes with a little bit of heels. "I trip and fall in heels that are too high, and they weary me out far too quickly," She had explained once. Haruka was dressed in her usual black and white tuxedo and wore no jewelry, as always except the think gold chain with a locket containing a picture of Michiru. Michiru had give her the picture several years ago, and Setsuna couldn't recall a single day in which Haruka did not wear it. Michiru was indeed elegant. Showing up a sleeveless, sky blue dress with a low v-neck that revealed her elegant and perfect figure, the dress fell a few inches short of her knee. She had beautiful sheer bow in the back whose ribbons feel nearly to the floor. Aquamarine necklaces and bracelets covered her slender neck and slim arms. And a single turquoise ring adorned one of her fingers. She observed the Sailors. Mars was talking animately with Mercury, and Jupiter was giggling with Venus. Michiru was resting in Haruka's arms as they tenderly talked. As usual, they seemed oblivious to the rest of the world. Setsuna realized Hotaru was standing next to her. "How are you enjoying the ball, Hotaru?" Setsuna politely asked. "I'm looking for Chibi-Usa," replied Hotaru. Setsuna thought, 'All the Sailors are always paired up, expect for me. The Inners always pair up together, Michiru and Haruka are never separated, Hotaru always finds Chibi-Usa, and Queen Serenity has?King Endymion. I'm always the odd one out. Not surprising for one isolated as I am,' added Setsuna bitterly. Suddenly, Chibi-Usa was running to Hotaru, wearing her favorite ivory dress with the three-quarter length sleeves and the skirt falling to the floor. There was a slit in the back. The two hugged and started chatting happily, never ceasing to stop, despite that Hotaru was older than Chibi-Usa. Setsuna stepped away, not wishing to be in the way. She found an empty seat and sat down. Dances were better than standing alone by the Gates of Time, but she still felt as alone as ever. The Sailors WERE her friends, but they always seemed to be paired up. And she was so often away guarding the Gates that she never felt she BELONGED with them, especially when they paired up. Suddenly, she realized Michiru, Haruka, Chibi-Usa, and Hotaru had come near her and sat down next to her. "Looking kinda lonely there," commented Haruka. Setsuna smiled. "We couldn't let you stay here alone. You so rarely get out from the Gates that you have to enjoy the time you get away from them," said Michiru. Setsuna was startled by the accuracy of the statement. Most Sailors thought she ENJOYED her job. Hotaru moved next to her, and Setsuna draped a shoulder lovingly across her shoulders. She had once dreamed of being a mother to someone as wonderful as Hotaru or charming - though less bratty and whiney - like Chibi-Usa. But no possible father ever came on the scene. "Mom's very pleased you made it. She was afraid that you wouldn't want to leave the Gates," Chibi-Usa informed her. Setsuna almost snickered. Like she would be so attached to those Gates which had been the source of her misery all those years. The power they gave her was enjoyable, but the listless days of ceaseless and dull guarding were hardly enviable. Aloud, she said "Why, of course, I could hardly turn down a favor that Her Highness Neo-Queen Serenity asked me of!" Trumpets intruded the conversation. The room fell silent. A single man walked forth and announced "Her Royal Majesty, Queen over the Moon and the Sol Solar System, Her Highness Neo-Queen Serenity and her family, the Lord of the Sol Solar System, King Endymion, and Princess Serena!" Setsuna realized that Chibi-Usa had disappeared, obviously to return back with her family to not be caught mingling with the visitors before they were properly introduced. The royal people proceeded to the thrones and smiled at the crowd gathered in the room. Setsuna looked at them, her emotions jumbling inside her. Neo-Queen Serenity stood there, as calm and graceful as ever in her milky-white royal gown. Beside her, King Endymion was as handsome as he ever was. And Chibi-Usa happily stood near her father. The family seemed so happy, so cheerful, so full of love. And she stood there, isolated, separated from the world and the universe, and the one man she loved. And it was Neo Queen Serenity and her mother's fault. Setsuna knew it was unfair to blame them. It was a job that had been passed on to her. It was an honor. It was DESTINY - HER destiny which she had to obey. But?it was an honor she no longer wanted and a destiny she wished to break free of. WHY must she follow her destiny? They say it was for the best future, but might a better future be just as pleasant as the present one? Would not a future of joy for herself serve just as well? She knew it was selfish to want her OWN best future, but the present one was becoming rapidly insufferable. Her own life was becoming a trap, a cage in which she was confined and could not break from. "I would like to thank all of you for coming. I would enjoy presenting to you the Honorable Sailors who have so courageous protected our kingdom in the far past and present," announced Neo Queen Serenity proudly announced. Ami, Minako, Rei, Makoto, Hotaru, Hakura, Michiru, and she herself found themselves walking up to the platform and curtsying to the crowd, except for Hakura who insisted upon bowing. Quickly, they all stepped down. The music began and the lights dimmed. Setsuna found a safe spot to sit down and silently spend the night in. She watched the Queen nudge the King, and they began dancing. She watched them look at each other and the love revealed in their eyes and movements. It was agony?it was torture. But it was one she had endured for centuries. But the pain it caused had never decreased. "Would you like to dance?" a young man had shyly approached her. Without a word, she stood up and accepted his hand. She watched as all the other sailors had found partners. Haruka and Michiru, of course, always danced together. Many other men had approached Michiru, much to Haruka's jealousy. However, Michiru always declined and explained she was engaged already to another, pointing at Haruka. Many found this shocking, having remembered Haruka up on stage with the other Sailors and went away confused. Michiru found this very amusing. The dance was over, and Setsuna prepared to sit down and brood once again. But promptly, another young man came and asked her to dance. Sighing, she danced again. She soon discovered that she would have no time for sitting and brooding. She was forever being asked to dance! The night was slipping away quickly, and the last dance was announced before the ball would close. She had a partner, once again. The dance was slow and sweet. She almost would have been lost in the beautiful dance had she not been observing the royal couple. The two leaned closer and closer until they began kissing. Somehow, this was too much for Setsuna. She looked away. The tears were forced to remain unshed - a task that might have been difficult were it not for the centuries of practice, but the anguish inside her grew, tearing at her heart. She mechanically finished the dance, fetched her coat, and promptly when towards home. Laying in bed that night, her pillow received her hot rain of tears as she cried and cried. Wiping her tears off, she stared out her window toward the direction of the palace and sighed, just staring?and feeling as alone and miserable as ever. Author's Note: There. Longer. And read on?the real action is starting.