Love Tales of the Past --- Part 2 By Jessica AKA Chibi-Moon Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and all the characters belong to Toei Animation, Kodansha, Naoko Takeuchi and anyone else who I didn't mention. Send all coments, suggestions, and flames to chibi-usa@geocities.com Note: This is very unlike my fanfic about Serenity and Endymion. This is about realizing love at the last minute. Enjoy. It gets rather emotional. VERY unlike our Ami-chan. Love Tales of the Past Part 2 Thin Ice The shy princess of Mercury quietly walked among the fields of the Moon. She was here as an advisor to the princess. As she walked down the path that led to the river, she realized that she just almost envied the Moon Princess. She had guys drooling over her, and she had everything. Sighing to herself, Princess Mercury walked to a nearby tree. Princess Mercury closed her eyes and tried to concentrate on the upcoming events. Princess Serenity had made the decision of marrying the Prince of Earth. The wedding was arranged to be held in a few months. A branch snapped and Mercury whirrled around to find a handsome man, about her age, standing, watching her. "I'm sorry, did I frighten you?" he said. "N-No." Mercury stuttered. "Hi, I'm Kawatani Toshikazu," he said. "Princess Mercury," Mercury curtsied. "COOL! You're a princess?!" Toshikazu exclaimed. "I have to go," Mercury said, getting up. "But we just met!" Toshikazu said. "I have duties," Mercury said, beginning to walk away. "What duties?!" Tokshikazu asked. "I have to get to the palace, bye" Mercury said, running towards the palace. ----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+---------+ That night, Princess Mercury sits in her room, wondering if she would ever see the young Kawatani Toshikazu again. She sighed and wondered why she had run off like that. Was she scared? Embarrassed? Or was she just nervous? Wondering, she drifted off to sleep. ----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+---------+ Princess Mercury was once again sitting by the river, beneath a tree when Toshikazu steps behind her, making her jump. "You scared me!" Mercury said. "Gomen nasai," he replied. "Who are you?" Mercury asked. "Kawatani To-" Toshikazu began. "NO! I meant ABOUT you!" Mercury said. "I'm the first child of my brother and sisters. I have one brother, Norio and two sisters, Kazuko and Kazumi. I help my dad at his job and I usually come here during my lunch break. I live about half a mile from here and I think you're very pretty," Toshikazu said, making Mercury blush. "Uh.. thank you," Mercury said. "And how about you?" Toshikazu said. "Well, I'm the princess of Mercury and I'm an attendant and advisor to the Moon Princess. I am an only child. I am here visiting until the marriage of Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion, and then I shall return to the planet Mercury, where my mother awaits me." Mercury said. "Do you have a name?" Toshikazu asked suspiciously. "Yes. I'm not allowed to reveal it for security purposes," Mercury said. "Ahh.. I see." Toshikazu said. "Mercury-chan!" a voice called in the distance. "I'm sorry, Toshi-san, but I have to go," Mercury said. "You will be back tomorrow, won't you?" he asked. "Of course," Mercury said, walking away. ----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+---------+ That night, the five princesses sat down to dinner. The queen was out making arrangements for the wedding and Endymion and his mother had already left for Earth, making wedding arrangements as well. "Mercury-chan, what's wrong?" Jupiter asked. "Yeah, you're a bit quiet, more quiet than usual," Venus observed. "I'm fine. I'm just a bit tired," Mercury responded. "I know what's wrong," Venus suddenly said. "How?" Mars asked. "I'm the goddess of love," Venus claimed. "So you saying Princess Mercury is in love?" Serenity asked quizzically. "Yep," Venus said. All eyes go to Mercury. "OF COURSE NOT!!" Mercury bursted. "Gomen Mercury-san," Venus said. "It's okay," Mercury said, "but I did make a friend." "When? We have been busy all week!" Serenity said. "Yesterday, after lunch. I met him by the river," Mercury said. "HIM?" Venus said. "He's JUST a friend. Nothing more," Mercury said. "Right..." Venus said. "Seriously!" Mercury stated. "Let's leave Mercury alone," Serenity said, giggling. "Thank you, Serenity," Mercury said. ----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+---------+ That afternoon, after lunch, Princess Mercury walked towards the river. But instead of walking to the tree in which she usually sits, she changed her course and walked to the Lunar Gardens. Sitting in the garden, she wondered why she decided to come here. After wandering around the garden for a few minutes, she walked to the river again. Sitting down at the tree, she took out her planner. Hoping to write down her wedding tasks, she noticed that she had forgotten a pen. Putting the planner away, she looked at the flowing river. "What are you looking at?" came Toshikazu's voice. "Toshi-san!" Mercury said. "Hi," Toshikazu said. "So, how are you?" Mercury asked. "Never been better. I actually came to ask you something." Toshikazu said. "And what may that be?" Mercury asked. "If you're doing anything tonight," Toshikazu said. "Well.. I don't know," Mercury said, surprised. "Would you join me for a walk after dinner?" Toshikazu asked. "I will consider it," Mercury said. "Meet me here at 8. If you're not here by 8:15, I'll leave," he said. "Okay," Mercury said. "Mercury-chan!" Serenity's voice called. "I have to go," Mercury said, walking towards the palace. ----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+---------+ "If there's nothing much to do tonight, I will be taking a walk by the river in a few minutes," Mercury announced. "With your friend?" Venus asked suspiciously. "It's none of your business," Mercury said, getting up. "Okay, I was just wondering," Venus said innocently. "I'll be back in about half-an-hour," Mercury said, leaving. "Bye!" the four princesses chorused. After Mercury had gone out of earshot, the princesses began to giggle. "I say we follow her," Venus said. "Let's see Mercury's "friend"," Mars said. "If you don't mind.. we'll be busy as well tonight," Venus said. "Be careful," Serenity said. They quietly slipped out of the palace, just in time to see Princess Mercury walking towards the river. "Do you see anyone yet?" Mars asked. "Yeah, there. By the tree," Venus pointed. "Toshi-san!" Mercury greeted. "It's a beautiful evening," Toshikazu said. "The perfect weather," Mercury stated. "Come one, I want to show you this place I discovered," Toshikazu said. "Where are they going?" Mars asked. "I think they're going to the Lunar Gardens." Venus said. "No, they're not. They're passing the entrance," Mars pointed out. "I think they're going to the waterfall," Venus said. "Hurry up, Venus! You're too slow!" Mars said. "It's this dress. It's tripping me," Venus complained. "Bear with it," Mars sighed. "Look at this cave I found," Toshikazu said. "I've never noticed it before," Mercury admitted. "I come here a lot, when I want to be alone," Toshikazu said. "When I want to be alone, I go to the Lunar Gardens," Mercury said. "But it's to the royal family and her subjects only. Those who want to go in have to pay a fee," Toshikazu said. "Have you ever been there?" Mercury asked. "Yeah, it's so cool and exotic!" Toshikazu said. "Oh, he's so cute!" Venus said. "SHUSH!" Mars chided. "Oops," Venus blushed. ----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+---------+ "I really enjoyed the evening, Toshi-san," Mercury said. "Me too," Toshikazu said. "But I'm afraid I have to go," Mercury said. "My dad's waiting for me too," Toshikazu said. "I'll see you around," Mercury said. "Maybe tomorrow," Toshikazu said, leaning down to kiss Mercury. "Yeah," Mercury says as their lips meet. "LOOK!" Venus pointed. "Mercury, of all people," Mars admitted. "Good night, Toshi-san," Mercury said, leaving the cave. "Good night, Princess Mercury," Toshikazu said walking out as well. Mercury darts between the trees and heads back to the palace, not noticing the two princesses hiding behind the bushes. "I think we should go," Venus suggested. "Yeah.. come on," Mars said, tugging Venus along. ----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+---------+ "Do you know how to skate?" Toshikazu asked. "Ice skate?" Mercury said. "Yeah! A mini skating arena opened about a quarter of a mile from here. It's so cool. The absolute best is that the ice isn't artifical. It's actually frozen water. It was built on a reservoir or something. They have some weird device to keep the water frozen ever night and by morning, when the arena opens, it's thick enough to be skated on. They close for lunch because they have to "freshen" the ice," Toshikkazu said. "I-I don't know," Mercury said. "Don't know how to skate?" Toshikazu asked. "I don't like ice too much. My father died because of it." Mercury said. "The only way to overcome your fear is to face it." Toshikazu said. "Okay. I'll go with you. How about tonight?" Mercury asked. "Sure!" Toshikazu said. ----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+---------+ That night, after convincing to the others that she was going to the skating arena to just have some fun, Mercury left to go meet Toshikazu. "Are you sure I'm going to enjoy this?" Mercury asked as they went inside. "I promise," Toshikazu said, "We're going to have the time of our lives." But neither knew that some promises are meant to be broken. ----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+---------+ Toshikazu was an excellent skater, as was Mercury. They skated and talked. Both knew what was happening. They were falling in love. At nine o'clock, Mercury and Toshikazu went to get a drink at the refreshments section. As the arena began to empty out, Mercury took her skates off and drank her lemonade. "Now, who might this perdy lady be?" someone said. Mercury whirled around to see a 6-foot, muscular guy staring at her. "I-I.." Mercury stammered. "Come with me," he said. He grabbed Mercury by the arm as Toshikazu came back with his drink. "Hey! Put her down!" Toshikazu said. "That's no way to talk to me, shrimp," he said. The big guy, whose name is Eichi, pushed Toshikazu, challenging him. Toshikazu, in return spilled his drink on Eichi, maing him very mad. Eichi picked Toshikzu up and threw him into the ice rink. There was no one there because it was late. Mercury, scared, yet anxious, went to see the fight. Eichi lept into the ice rink and kicked the bruised Toshikazu. Eichi picked Toshikazu up and threw him into the closed off side of the rink. Only Mercury was left standing by the rink, watching. As he began to walk away from that closed off area, he heard a crack beneath him. He turned around and a sign caught his eye: BEWARE: THIN ICE. The ice had cracked and opened up. ----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+----------+---------+ As the ice swallowed Eichi, the ice under Toshikazu began to crack as well. Mercury ran into the ice rink. Unable to get into the Thin Ice area, Mercury called Toshikazu's name from across the picketed fence. "Toshi-san!!" Mercury called reapeatedly. Mercury looked at the bleeding body and began to sob. "Don't cry, Mercury-chan," Toshikazu murmured. "Toshi-san!" Mercury said relieved. C R A CK! The ice beneath Toshikazu cracked, and Toshikazu began to fall into the cold water. But instead of allowing himself to sink, Toshikazu grabbed to the ice and tried to get out. "I'll help you, Toshi-san," Mercury said. "NO! I don't want you to be dragged down with me," Toshikazu said. "But you'll die!" Mercury sobbed. "I'll die from frostbite and from my wounds anyway," Toshikazu said. "The wounds aren't fatal! Don't lie to me!" Mercury screamed. As Toshikazu felt himself lose his grip, he got ready to accept his fate. "Mercury-chan?" Toshikazu said. "Yes?" Mercury sobbed. "I love you," Toshikazu said, slipping into the water. "NO!! NO!!" Mercury screamed, "Don't leave me! I love you too! TOSHI-SAN!!"