Again, I'm not making any money and I don't own Sailor Moon... so no lawsuit, please... NOTE: Due to the fact that I suck, it is easy to tell which parts I wrote and which parts the Dark Angel wrote, as my work hangs way over the edge of the page... CANime presents SAGA'S BEGINNING Chapter II: Love and War "Your Majesty, the forces are ready for inspection." "Yes, yes...." Hiite entered the courtyard to find that his force was ready; they snapped to attention as he came to walk up and down the columns of soldiers that had been given the honor of being specially hand-picked by him. All twenty-five were present, but there wasn't a single spellcaster among them. Martian men were traditionally forbidden to use magic, since it was the only way the fiery tempered Martian woman could control their equally fiery counterparts. Every knight wore a full suit of reddish platemail and most carried the traditional weapon of Martian warriors... the Flamebrand, a mildly enchanted two-handed sword given to every knight by his lady-love (almost always a mage, and if not, usually a priestess of the God Rerkus/Reorx or Evelia) on their wedding night. The unmarried knights carried a regular mithril double-handed sword. Hiite gazed at the Flamebrands with a bit of jealousy; he was amongst those without a Flamebrand, and that was an embarrassment considering that more than half of his force had them (and were younger than he)...the only way to cheer himself up was to assure himself than once Minako realized that she loved him, she'd make him something truly special.... "Fall in!" all knights stood a little straighter. "Men! Our mission is simple. Enter Eisho Garrison, subdue all opposition and take my bride. Our intelligence states that she is guarded by a bunch of pansy mages. They shall be no problem." Hiite knew that this was a lie, but there was no reason to worry the troops. That was part of the reason why he had gathered twenty-five of them; Eisho was sure to be a difficult (and hopefully glorious) battle for them. "Remember men... This is probably the most important engagement we shall ever fight. FOR MARS!" "FOR MARS!" his men echoed, hefting their swords high into the air. "Oh, I'm so proud!" a mocking voice spoke from behind. "My dear brother's finally growing up!" "Shut up, Rei," Hiite muttered as his sister joined him with a smirk, "and I'll have you know that I'm older than you." "In a physical sense; mentally, you're a vegetable and you know it." she folded her arms smugly over her chest. "Evelia and Rerkus go with you....you'll need all the help of the gods that you can get!" ****** Saytica watched with a strange, warm feeling in her heart as Kuragari trained little Hotaru in the archaic skills. The little girl seemed so happy being taught (and was incredibly ecstatic at that moment; she was learning how to cast a life-restoring spell)....but what Saytica noticed most was that Kuragari looked happy to be training her. He didn't seem to note her presence; probably half out of the fact that she was peeking out from behind the wall at them in Eisho's High Tower. Finally, she gathered up the courage. Stepping out from her little hiding place, she cleared her throat. Both took notice. A strange light entered Kuragari's eyes for a moment, and he turned to Hotaru, murmuring something in the ear. With a nod and a smile, the girl ran off (but not without cheerily greeting Saytica a hello and goodbye). The bladesinger made a silent gesture for Saytica to join him, and she did so as he turned to the horizon. Silence took hold around them, but for once it was a silence that was comfortable. "...I haven't seen you in a while." Kuragari was the first to speak. "I've been busy..." "Sou des {I see}." For a moment, Saytica was lost for words. What did she want to tell him? Everything? "...I couldn't help but...notice that you're always so....happy...when you're around Hotaru. You love her company, don't you?" A ghost of a smile appeared fleetingly on Kuragari's thin lips. "She and I have alot in common. Strange, yes, but I feel it's my duty to train her...hopefully my training is not in vain." "You hardly ever smile for anyone else." /I wish you'd smile for me..../ "I have no other smile to give out except for those to children. It's so easy," he continued quietly, "to remain broken. To stay hurt than to be hurt again....so painfully easy." "I wouldn't hurt you again," Saytica whispered, turning to face him with calm, truthful violet eyes. Startled, he turned to her, unable to say anything. "I wouldn't," Saytica continued, surprised at her own words. "I've never do such a terrible thing. Please believe me...I speak the truth." Kuragari's smile became a little sad. "Perhaps you wouldn't...and yet, perhaps you would." Silence again. Somehow though, after such words, it made both feel a little closer to each other than they ever had been before. ****** "CRESCENT BEAM!" The attack worked perfectly. Noctrolyte smiled at Minako, who blushed with pride. "Good work....keep it up, and you'll learn everything you need to know in no time." "Thanks, Tenshi....but really, I couldn't have done it without you..." "Think nothing of the such. You had the power; you just needed to train it." "A power that will be of use to you," a third voice added. Noctrolyte saw through the corner of his eye that Kuragari was leaning against the wall behind them. Minako smiled at the bladesinger. "Thanks, Hikaru-san....I'll try my best!" she turned to Noctrolyte. "Excuse me...I'll just be practicing on my own now since the two of you look like you need to talk." with a cheery goodbye wave, she ran off. Noctrolyte watched her go with proud eyes. "She's a beautiful girl...." "And she's a princess." "I know." Noctrolyte sighed. "Minako-chan and I have already spoken about that, but still...I can't help but worry...what of Sakura? What of everything else?" "Do you love her?" "Perhaps I do." "Then that's all that matters." ". . . .I agree. And what of you, Hikaru? Did you speak to my sister?" "I have....we have gotten closer, I believe. Much to my dismay." "Why?" Again, through the corner of his eye, Noctrolyte watched a sad smile cross Kuragari's lips. "She is of a wholly different world than I am....I'd only tarnish her light with my darkness. Being alone forever wasn't possible after all," Kuragari said in a more bittersweet tone. "I know that she could heal me, but I also know that others are more deserving of her love than I am." "No one is more deserving of her love than you are, Hikaru." The bladesinger wordlessly gazed at him. "You know that's the truth...why else would I have you talk to her with every chance you should get? There is no one else that I see in the whole of the Silver Empire which could possibly deserve even a third of her love...but you...you deserve it all. You need her," he added softly, "just as much as she needs you." ". . . ." painfully, Kuragari braced himself against the wall. "How strange," he remarked in a painful whisper, "I feel as if my heart's being torn apart." and he shimmered out of sight. Noctrolyte closed his eyes after his friend was gone. "You can't deny what you feel for much longer, Hikaru. You and I both know that." ***** The royal palace on the Moon was a hive of activity; couriers ran up and down the halls of the palace dispensing war news and battle reports. Sensei Unmeino sat in the cold empty throne room of the Palace and listened to the reports with sadness; Mars was lost. The rebellious forces had taken the entire planet... every settlement. The conquest had been expected; the rebels had both the nobility and the young royalty on their side... the King and Queen had been imprisoned by their own children. It was expected but it still hurt. Unmeino watched as the red disk of Mars was symbolically torn from all the banners that hung throughout the palace. /Which is next? What planet will be the next to fall?/ Sensei Unmeino's self doubt was interrupted by a courier; a skinny noble maiden of around 19; the silver brooch which held her brown hair in place stated to all she was in the earliest training stages of a knight. She cleared her throat noisily. "Hai?" The Sensei asked as politely as he could. "Arch-General Godamus has arrived. He wishes an audience..." Sensei Unmeino smiled. "Hai... hai... he may have his wish. Send him in." The girl bowed and smiled prettily before leaving. Unmeino couldn't help but smile; Yuke was a very nice girl. He was glad she had escaped her usual duties as a hand-maiden to his daughter in law to become a courier; she needed to do slightly more active work then spying on his son. The sensei frowned at that last thought; Sakura was a VERY suspicious woman; she certainly wasn't helping his son's attitude... he was beginning to doubt his judgment in choosing her... The herald's overly loud voice interrupted the old soldier's musings. "ARCH-GENERAL GODMAUS, COMMANDER OF ALL THE MOON KINGDOM`S FORCES!" The double silver doors to the throne room opened slowly, two knights pushing either door (they were extremely heavy.) In the doorway stood a man of medium height wearing a full body suit of strangely designed red-tinted armor. The man's long black hair fell nearly to his waist and his long drooping mustache fell to nearly the same length. Stone cold gray eyes gleamed dully in the center of this savage face. A long cloak of finest red cloth hung from the man's wide shoulder guards and he held a horned helmet under one arm. This imposing figure of the first and greatest Genocide Knight of Jupiter walked forward across the throne room and knelt before the throne once before his superior, then rose and saluted smartly. The cold gray eyes showed an anger though... "Godamus..." Sensei Unmeino whispered slowly. The bow always unnerved him; Godamus was his superior by birth; younger brother to the Queen of Jupiter and uncle to Tenoroshi and Makoto. The man's savage fighting style prevented him from becoming a true Crescent Knight; he was judged to be too unstable. Instead of quitting the man founded his own group of fighters; Genocide Knights. The savage members of this brotherhood were thought to worship Samuel the Lord of Sin and possibly even Bane the Bloody himself; they were tolerated only because of their incredible fighting prowess; a single Genocide Knight had been known to destroy entire armies of mortals. Serenity had attempted to cool the raging fires of jealousy in Godamus at his inferior by birth's promotion to Sensei of the Crescent knights and Chamberlain of the kingdom by granting the unstable man the post of Arch-General of the Moon Kingdom; a decision Unmeino had always felt was a mistake. "Sensei..." Godamus muttered, then swiped his long hair out of his eyes. "I have come to report on the situation on Mars." "Yes... a terrible loss to the Empire." "Loss? Bah! The Martian army consists mainly of weak minded PIGS forever controlled by their lovers and wives... no match for my men. I suggest a decisive strike on Aries city could and would crush their rebellious spirit." Godamus smiled at the thought of killing; it was his favorite thing. "Hai..." Sensei had been thinking something of along the same lines; at a time like this it was important to keep the sense of the unity in the Silver Empire together. He wouldn't have worded it quite like that however... "Excellent. I shall prepare the troops immediately." Godamus saluted and turned on his heels. "Godamus." "Hai?" "Don't kill too many Martians... they are still our people." "Whatever you say." Godamus swiftly left the throne room. As soon as he was out sight of the palace guards he pulled a diamond amulet from beneath his breastplate and traced the rune embossed in it's crystalline surface. Black and red energy swirled around him as he teleported to Earth to report to his masters. Soon he and his Apocalypse knights would be on Mars to serve the forces of Earth and Mars... and Sensei Unmeino would be completely unaware. As soon as the Genocide knights arrived on Mars they would slaughter the force of Crescent knights sent with them... and he would send a fake Crescent knight back to the Moon to tell of the complete destruction of the entire force. ***** Rei packed her spell components and devices into the bottomless pockets of her red gown/robe; the pockets had been enchanted with a charm which uses Order magic to create an extradimensional space within her robe; the space kept expanding forever no matter how many objects she carried. Rei smiled to herself as she shoved a 6' tall staff into her pocket; being an Omni-mage was a wonderful thing. Soon she would face Noctrolyte in combat... she had to win. She had to win and prove to him she was stronger... then maybe he'd beg her to teach him her powers... beg her... and she'd demand payment. Rei's evil smile widened at the thought of the imagined payment. She didn't notice her brother at the doorway. "Soon you will be MINE Noctrolyte... mine forever." Rei hugged herself and laughed evilly. The two ravens she kept in her quarters cackled along with her. Phobos and Deimos were her first spell familiars; she had never needed any others. "Am I interrupting your conversation with your birds?" Hiite said. Rei froze, blood rushing to her face. Hiite strutted into the room, grinning a grin just as evil as his sisters. "Perhaps you're dreaming of Noctrolyte... shoving his staff into your pocket? I'm sure it'd be oh so deep and hard..." Rei glared at her brother fiercely and slapped him before he could continue. "Don't be so crude brother DEAR... I simply want to defeat him. That is ALL." "I see... `Soon you will be mine'?" "Hai... mine metaphorically of course." "Whatever you say." Hiite laughed and left the room. Rei clenched her fists in anger. "Damn him... he got the last word." Rei continued her packing... she had to bring a lot of arcane devices if she had any hope of defeating Noctrolyte. ***** "How's it going, Jed?" "Mmm?" Jadeite turned from his work to see Gentrilyte walking up to him. "Oh..hi, Tenoroshi-san." Gentrilyte grinned in return as the mage returned to his work. Jadeite was constructing and reinforcing the magical defenses of Eisho Garrison through the orders of Noctrolyte. Gentrilyte had to admit that his fellow knight was a very good mage, if not still in training, and was a big help to Noctrolyte, Saytica and Kuragari when the three of them were busy. At the moment, he was setting magical traps that would spring if any Martian or Earthen should step in it. "Is Nephrite-san taking care of the outer defense?" "Yep...he and Zoisite have been working on it for the whole morning. Quartzite's been moping around, Michiru and Haruka are tending to Hotaru-hime, Kuragari's nowhere in sight, the chief's with Minako, I haven't been able to find Saytica and Hotaru and Kunzite's somewhere around the place." Gentrilyte shrugged. "You're basically the only one that's in the castle that I've seen without company." "What about Makoto-san?" "My sister?" Gentrilyte snorted. "I'd rather die than hang out with a brat like her!" Jadeite looked puzzled. "I don't know...Noctrolyte-sama always said that she was a nice girl..." "Suuure." Gentrilyte leaned against a pillar, watching Jadeite set the traps and craft more. The cadet took his job rather seriously.....that was a good thing. The Silver Empire needed serious soldiers like him....but Gentrilyte had to admit that Jadeite was more than often flustered and absent-minded; this was one of the few times that he had seen Jadeite truly concentrating on something. "The world's changing," Gentrilyte muttered. "First Noctrolyte gets down with the princess Minako, and then Jadeite's concentrating. Who knows what will happen next?" ****** Kuragari's little band on the battlements overlooking the jungle of Venus. It was most out of the fact that they felt it was their duty to guard the place and serve as external defense. "Quiet day, huh?" Keristillax remarked with a stretch and a yawn. He would have liked to travel those jungles, being alone (since it was the only good substitute for a forest, and he being a ranger), but had a better thing to do than travel through the wilderness; he had to guard the princess like the rest of his friends. "I had expected as much," Higure sighed, putting her hands on her slender hips. She was bored; Keris found her utterly cute when she was bored. "When you have nothing to test your blade on, it tends to get a little tiresome after a while." "You always seem to prefer your blade to your claws, Higure-san," Callaran commented, looking curious. "Why so?" "It's more convenient to be in human form when the place is cramped." "That we all have to agree on," Magius agreed as he read a small entry in one of his magic tomes. Mitsuko was conducting a small test on the barrier surrounding Eisho. It seemed to hold out well....Jadeite had done a good job at reinforcing what Noctrolyte, Kuragari and Saytica had left him to care for. "I think we won't have much of anything to test our weapons or our magic on for a while. minnasan...I sense nothing threatening approaching the castle." "Is that good or bad?" it was a fairly foolish question, but Higure asked it anyways. "Good because it gives us an easier time protecting the princesses, bad because we don't get any excitement." Keris sighed yet one more time. "How's guard duty?" Kuragari shimmered into sight behind his kinsmen, and they turned to greet him respectfully. They were not his brothers or sisters in blood, but as dragons they all shared common racial name. "Going fine and relatively boring....we were wondering if you'd like to join us for sky patrol." as Mitsuko spoke, she teleported to a point in mid-air and became a silver-green dragon. She floated serenely above the ground, waiting for Kuragari's reply. Keris joined her, becoming a white-gold dragon, with Higure, her scales shimmering red and gold, close behind. Magius, becoming a dragon of azure and silver scales, and Callaran, becoming a dragon of silver and red scales, also joined the group. "We've got nothing better to do than take sky patrol now." "I think I'll pass....but if there is anything wrong, alert the garrison immediately." "Willdo!" with triumphant cries, the group of hybrid dragons winged away, flying some distance away and beginning to gracefully circle Eisho and it's surroundings which was considered as the garrison's territory. Kuragari watched his kinsmen with a strange longing. He wished that he could join them, but he had other duties. Swiftly, he turned away from the scene and with a swirl of his cloak, he walked away from the battlements. ***** The rose garden was quickly becoming Noctrolyte and Minako's favorite place; it was Minako's favorite part of the palace and Noc was learning to like it) Noctrolyte was still training Minako. Minako eventually decided they needed to take a break. "Hai... I suppose I've been overworking you." Noctrolyte smiled slightly. Minako smiled too. "Not at all... I just want to talk awhile..." Minako sat on a nearby marble bench and beckoned Noctrolyte to sit beside her. He did so. "Okay... I'm not really that great a talker though... you may have noticed." Minako giggled. "I did... and I don't care. I still envy you." "Eh? Envy?" Noctrolyte looked dumb-founded. "Whatever for?" Minako sighed. "I've spent my whole life in palaces under careful guard... I've never had a chance for a life. You... you're free. You get to go around... fighting... seeing things... it must be great... I wish I could join you." Noctrolyte shook his head. "No... don't envy me. I'm not free; I go where I'm told... fight when I'm told. My whole life has been spent in war; fighting, killing... it was my reason for living." "Was?" "Yes... was. I have spent my whole life in training; no time for fun or love or... anything... I don't even love my wife." Noctrolyte looked at his feet. "I used to think love was fake; just a primitive emotional response to a basic biological need. I... I don't believe that anymore. We're both prisoners Minako... you a prisoner of your rank, I a prisoner of my duty. I... I had seen you before Minako... led about the palace by your guards. I saw you... you were beautiful even then... though still a child..." Noctrolyte shook his head again. "What am I saying... you are still a child." "Ne... not really..." Minako whispered. "Hai... you are right... not a child... you're a woman. A young woman... but a woman. When I saw you at the ball... I loved you then. Instantly. I just knew... I was in love." Minako sighed. "I loved you then too Noc... more then anything." They kissed then; a kiss that would probably have lasted longer if not for the fact that Kuragari interrupted them. He cleared his throat loudly. Noctrolyte quickly ended the kiss and shuffled two feet away from Minako. "Konnichiwa Hikar... Kuragari." Noctrolyte said rapidly, almost uttering the dragons true name in his haste. Minako blushed furiously. Kuragari smiled. "Don't worry Noctrolyte-san... you'll find no judgment in me. I support your relationship with Minako-hime." Kuragari nodded at the princess when he said her name. "It... seems to make you happy." Minako took Kuragari's words to heart and shuffled up close to Noc, wrapping her arms around him and resting her head on his chest. Noctrolyte paled, but did not move away. He spoke as he absently began to play with Minako's hair. "Hai... I suppose you wouldn't care." Kuragari was still smiling. "Noone does... except Quartzite... and noone cares what he thinks." "Minako... can I speak to Kuragari for a moment? Alone?" Noctrolyte pulled away from Minako slightly. Minako nodded. "Hai... business?" "In a way." Noctrolyte said simply, kissed the young princess softly and stood up. He moved to a more distant area of the garden, Kuragari shrugged, bowed at the princess and followed his teacher. When they were alone Noctrolyte asked a question. "Kuragari... How do you feel about my sister. Honestly." "I... feel strange. It's... not a bad feeling. It's... pleasant and odd at the same time." Kuragari shrugged. "It's new to me..." Noctrolyte smiled at his student. "It's new to me as well... It's love young dragon." Kuragari looked at him, shocked. "Ne..." "Hai. It is love; you love her and she loves you. I can see it now... now that I know what love is." Kuragari looked inside himself... and realized there was much wisdom in Noc's words. "Hai... I suppose you are right Noctrolyte-sensei. It is love... forbidden love." "Forbidden? Why?" Noctrolyte asked curiously. Kuragari glared at Noc bitterly. "You know... she's a noble, I'm a dragon." "So? Who's going to complain? Who's her protector? Me." Kuragari blinked. He hadn't thought of that. "Oh..." "I don't care... In fact I encourage this `forbidden love'. It's what you need... and what she needs as well. As long as you treat her well... I don't care." Noctrolyte smiled, then waved Kuragari away. "What... where do you want me to go." "Go to my sister. Tell her how you feel. NOW. That's an order." Noctrolyte's smile widened. He knew Kuragari and Saytica were right for eachother... he wanted to see his hunch played out. "Hai... I will." Kuragari walked away, then turned towards Noctrolyte. "Noctrolyte-sensei." "Hai?" "Thank-you..." "Think nothing of it." Kuragari bowed and walked away. Noctrolyte remembered when he had found Kuragari and his band. It had been on Earth... 12 years ago. During the last war with the homeworld... A minor war, fought simply to retake Rhodes island (which was and is the Silver Empire's only outpost on Earth.). Kuragari had been fighting for the other side at first... until the Prince of Earth betrayed him... ***** "Anything?" Noctrolyte whispered as Gentrilyte and the other soldiers watched the horizon. "Nothing, chief...nothing at all." The small regiment of Noc's troops were all hidden in the forest, watching the sacked stronghold intently. That was their last target, and it would mark a victory against Earth's forces once again. "They're heavily guarded, the bastards," Kunzite growled, eyes narrowing in hatred. "We're going to have to make this battle count." Heavily guarded was an understatement. A group of hybrid dragons with a venerable silver dragon circled around the area, lead by a single silver-black one. These dragons were one of the few that the group had ever seen, but they knew well that all dragons--whether good, evil, chaos or hybrid--were dangerous ones. They were hiding in the forest to avoid being seen by the great leviathans. Noctrolyte conjured invisible magic eyes and sent them to watch the area closely. Nothing happened for hours on end. And then, the magic watched as the dragons landed and reverted to human form as the prince of earth, Mamoru, walked out of the castle with an honor guard to greet them. Using more magic, Noctrolyte tuned his group into the conversation between the leader of the hybrids and the fifteen-year-old prince. "Have you lousy dragons found anything yet?" Mamoru asked, sounding bored. The leader of the dragons (a young one, surprisingly, but clearly older than Mamoru) seemed unfazed by the insult. "Nothing, my liege. But a band of injured Silver Empire soldiers is in our custody. Should we take them for ransom?" "Naw....just kill them." Though the leader was again unfazed, his companions looked shocked at how casually Mamoru had dismissed the matter. "My liege... though they are our enemies, they don't deserve to die. It would be better for the army if we take them as prisoners for ransom..." "Like I care what you think, Kuragari! I SAID just kill them!" ". . . ." Kuragari's eyes narrowed. "I don't think that is necessary, *prince* Mamoru..." he spoke 'prince' like it was a curse. "We will take them for ransom." "You can't go against my orders!! You're just a dragon!!" Mamoru hollered as Kuragari turned away. The dragon stopped, but did not turn. "On the contrary, Mamoru....I already *have* gone against you. And if you'll excuse me....my group and I have a patrol to carry out." With that, the group reverted back into dragons and launched into the sky. The soldiers around Mamoru took custody of the prisoners. "Hey! I order you to kill them!" "With all due respect, your majesty...Kuragari's right. And your father, the king, told us to avoid killing injured groups of soldiers, even if they are the enemy." with that, the honor guard led the prisoners away and into the castle. Mamoru was fuming, but Noctrolyte could barely hear what he muttered under his breath. "I'll get you, dragon...I'll get you..." The rest of the watch was uneventful. But just as Noctrolyte and his group were about to settle down for the night, they heard distant voices. After quieting his soldiers, Noctrolyte headed off by himself to investigate, putting Kunzite in charge. He followed the noises in absolute silence, and the vague murmurs became a conversation. "That bastard!" a voice cried. "He shot all of us down....." "Now is not a time for anger," another voice spoke. "All of you are injured, and I don't want to leave you for the Silver Empire forces prowling around the area." "Y...Yugiri-sama..." the third voice was one Noctrolyte recognized; it was the leader of the group, Kuragari. "P...Please....j-just go. Someone n...needs to get help, and o-only you're c...capa...capable of doing that." "Hikaru, I can't leave you and your kinsmen. You've been gravely injured by Mamoru's 'pets'...." Noctrolyte cringed upon hearing about these so-called 'pets'...they were terrible, mutated creatures that could indeed take down dragons, no matter how powerful. "Go. T-that's an order." ". . . ." with a fluttering of wings, Noctrolyte was sure that this 'Yugiri' was gone. Noctrolyte entered the clearing after casting an invisibility spell around him. The group of hybrids had set up camp, and all but Kuragari were in dragon form. The other dragons didn't look too good; their wings were broken, and terrible wounds covered their bodies. But they didn't look as bad as Kuragari did.... The youth was leaning heavily against a huge stone, and blood pooled into the forest floor around him. He was clutching his chest, trying to staunch the bleeding, but to no avail. His shuddering breaths were apparent, and wounds were slashed cruelly all over him with the exception of his face, but even then a dripping gash was upon his cheek. His face was twisted in pain, and it was clear that he was in terrible agony. His eyes were hidden, for he bowed his head. The man would die if he didn't get help and soon, Noctrolyte realized. He then chose to reveal himself. The dragons surrounding Kuragari were alarmed, but all were instantly hostile. They prepared their breath weapons, but did not fire, watching warily as Noctrolyte walked right up to their leader and knelt in front of him, gently touching his shoulder. Even then, a hiss of pain went through Kuragari's gritted teeth, but he met Noc's gaze with pain-fogged, dark blue eyes and with a bitter smile. "...C..come to kill us, I s-suppose?" talking was clearly a huge effort; after those words, Kuragari slumped against the stone. "I may be part of the Silver Empire, but we don't kill injured people, enemy or not," Noctrolyte stated calmly. He inspected the man. "You know that you'll die if you don't accept my help." "I'd r...rather die than accept anything from you..." "Bold words, dragon. Extremely bold words." Noctrolyte also checked the man's power signature. He was clearly a potent spellcaster, and judging from his build, a bladesinger. "Kuragari-sama..." the other dragons were hesitant. "Don't do a..anything." They fell silent, but it was clear that they didn't like the situation. "What happened to you?" Noctrolyte asked out of curiousity. "B...bastard M..amoru ordered his pets to seek and destroy us....we were...l-lucky to get out of the mess alive..." he smiled again. "But it's not as if I'll make it anyways." "Not if I can help it." Noctrolyte came beside the man, shrugging his arms over his shoulders. "I'm taking you back to my base...surely my commanders would accept you into our forces if you were betrayed by your own army." "D-don't bother...." ". . . ." Noctrolyte did not respond, and ignored the dragon's startled gaze as he proceeded to carry him away with the other dragons following closely behind. ***** That had only been the start of a long-term friendship. Sensei had accepted the dragons easily, and had formed an alliance. What Mamoru had thought a useless part of his army was now a band of some of the best soldiers in the Silver Empire's forces. At first, Kuragari hadn't trusted Noctrolyte, but Yugiri had told him to do so, and out of his own accord, he had opened up and trained under Noctrolyte. He was and always would be one of Noc's best students, most favored comrades...and one of his greatest friends. ***** Kuragari immediately went looking for Saytica, deciding to follow his friend and teachers advice... it would probably feel good to vent his feelings. He prayed to all the gods that Saytica felt the same way about him as he did about her. He found the object of his affections looking at the sky from a balcony in the tower. "Saytica-san..." Kuragari whispered, suddenly at a loss for words. "Hai? What is it Kuragari?" Saytica turned towards him. Kuragari decided to approach the issue sideways. "I was wondering... how do you feel about your brother's relationship with Minako? I mean... are you for it or against it?" Saytica looked thoughtful. "My brother is a good man... he'd never play with her heart. The fact that they're close at all means he must really care about her... I'm the only one he's ever really shown any positive emotions towards... and that was just brotherly love... not like with him and Minako. I'm happy if he's happy basically." "Yes... but becoming lovers at a time like this..." Saytica interrupted the dragon. "They're not lovers." Kuragari looked surprised. "Nani? I thought Tenoroshi caught them in bed together?" Saytica smiled teasingly. "Come now Kuragari... you're a grown man. Surely you must know there's more to being lovers then simply sleeping together... things have to be done." Saytica giggled slightly as Kuragari blushed. She looked very pretty when she laughed... Kuragari was distracted momentarily. "Ahem... yes. But..." "Noc-san told me this morning. They didn't actually... make love. They simply slept together." "Why?" Kuragari asked curiously. "I know not... apparently she asked him too... something about fear of Quartzite." Saytica shrugged. "Fear of Quartzite? My dear Saytica... I'm fairly sure that our young princess could defeat him!" Kuragari laughed. Saytica did as well. When they're laughter died down Kuragari suddenly said what had been on his mind. "I love you." "Nani?" Saytica took a step back in shock... she felt the same way... but she had not expected him to say it. Kuragari mistook her shock for disapproval. "I knew it... you do not feel the same way. I am sorry to have caused you such embarrassment." Kuragari turned to leave. Saytica grabbed his broad shoulders, spun him around swiftly and kissed him. Hard. This time it was Kuragari's turn to step back in shock. Saytica smiled at him, her smile even wider this time. "I feel the same way... I love you too Kura... Hikaru." Kuragari's true name slipped off her tongue easily... it was much more personal then his other name. It felt right. They kissed again... but they were interrupted. Tenoroshi ran by with a scrap of paper in his hand. He accidentally ran between the pair, breaking their embrace and bowling both over in the process. The young prince blushed slightly when he realized what he had done... "Gosh I'm sorry... there are a lot of couples around lately ne? I'm beginning to feel a little jealous... maybe I should find a lady-friend. Any of those dragon girls interested?" Tenoroshi no doubt would have continued had not Kuragari interrupted. "What is on that paper Gentrilyte-san?" Kuragari asked curiously. Tenoroshi stared at him for a moment, confused. "The one in your hand." Saytica offered helpfully. "Oh! This! It's a report for Noc. Have you seen him? It's important." Kuragari frowned. "You read it?" Tenoroshi looked at the paper, then sighed. "H... hai? Sort of?" "Well... since you already read it can you tell me what it says?" Kuragari was very curious about the contents of the paper. "Umm... perhaps I shouldn't." "Tell me." "Okay then." Tenoroshi's resistance broke down instantly. "Mars has fallen to the rebel forces. It has officially separated from the empire." Kuragari's eyes widened in shock. "Ne..." Saytica looked skyward. "Platnius and Mishakal preserve us..." Gentrilyte. "Don't worry... they put my uncle Godamus in charge of reclaiming it. He's a little crazy... but if he's on our side who cares ne?" Gentrilyte gave the couple one last glance, then ran off to find Noctrolyte. "We lost a world." Saytica mumbled weakly. Kuragari hugged her. "I know... it's never happened before." Saytica looked up at the man she love's face and frowned. "Why is it that love is so often born from the worst of times... that the greatest and most terrible war ever fought would spawn so many loves..." "It's the way of nature I suppose..." Kuragari mumbled. Then they kissed again. Closer and more tenderly, getting a feel for eachother as they did so. Quartzite watched the couple, then stumbled away, feeling sick. He couldn't believe a general of the Moon Kingdom like Noctrolyte would allow such a hideous travesty to take place... and with his own sister now doubt... but then again he was too busy shacking up with that little princess-slut of his. It was Quartzite's job... no... his patriotic DUTY to take out this unqualified general and his pathetic dragon lackey... even if he had to resort to underhanded methods to do so. Soon Quartzite would be in charge... and Noctrolyte and Kuragari would be dead. By his hand. Quartzite smiled evilly. Surely an uplifted orphan and a pathetic reptile were no match for a prince of the Silver Empire... he was just going about his attack the wrong way. Why should he face them openly... they didn't deserve to die like men. He would kill them through... some surreptitious means.