Hey there minna-san!  I know it took me long enough to get this out, but I had it written and then I didn’t like it so I had to re-write it.  So it took a while, but it is finally here!!  I would like to give a huge THANKS to V-chan (Tif), Usagi-chan (Tuxgirl), Miaka, Kunzite, Natasha, Minako, and Greg!!  They have been SO supportive and they give me GREAT comments (well, most of them) and I am really grateful to them for that!!  Anyways, on with the story! 
Disclaimers: Gosh, ya know what?  I do not own Sailor Moon or any of the related characters.  (*sniffle*)  I know it must be a terrible shock to you all.  However, I did create Princess Aurora, so please do not take her.  She is mine.  You can use the name, just not with the same personality, okay?  Thanks! 
Sunset by Chichiri 
Chapter 3 - Traitors 

Mamoru awoke suddenly and looked around the dark room, trying to figure out what had woken him up.  He got up, sensing that something was wrong, he could feel a pain in his heart.  It only took him a moment to figure out that the pain was Usagi’s.  He walked over to the window and opened it to let in some air and as soon as he did, a red rose came floating in on a gentle breeze.  Mamoru caught the rose and the pain in his heart strengthened.  It was the red rose he had given to Usagi for winning their race and he could feel her presence lingering on the silky red petals.  He brought the rose closer to his face and noticed that there were tear drops on the petals. 
     “...please take this rose to Mamo-chan.”  Usagi’s voice carried softly and broken on the wind. “I’m doing... for you Mamo-chan.  I will save Terra for you... giving up my own happiness and freedom.  ...Mamo-chan!” 
     Mamoru looked out the window, wondering where Usagi was and wishing he could be with her to comfort her.  He wanted to hold her and tell her that everything would be okay.  ‘But will everything be okay?’ he thought.  ‘The Negaverse will invade soon and Terra will be destroyed.  No matter what I must try to warn the Princess tomorrow.’  Then he glanced down at the tear-stained rose he held in his hand.  He tried to reach out to her mentally, but something held him back.  He kept trying, but to no avail.  There was definitely something in the way.  He sat down beside the window miserably.  After a while the pain in his heart gradually lessened. 

Usagi had fallen asleep at last. 

There was a soft knock on Usagi’s door and then Aurora entered.  She found Usagi curled up on the floor, clutching the white rose tightly in her hands.  A square of sunlight from the window framed her tear-stained face.  Her breathing was peaceful while she slept, but there remained a troubled expression on her face.  A gentle breeze stirred her hair and she slowly awoke. 
     “Ohayo gozaimasu Usagi-chan,” Aurora said. 
     “Ohayo Aurora-chan,” Usagi yawned.  She glanced at the rose in her hand and began to cry again. 
     “Usagi-chan, what is wrong?” Aurora asked concerned.  “Mother only told me that you needed time alone, and I must say that she looked rather troubled as well.  Please tell me what is troubling you so.” 
     Usagi took a few deep breaths and replied, “I have agreed to be married to a prince from the Negaverse.  Yesterday, Mother learned that I was right, she learned of the Negaverse’s plans for attack and that they had already taken over Terra.  The Negaverse has agreed to call off the attack if I would marry one of their princes.  Mother did not ask me to do it, she only came to tell me that the Silver Millennium was coming to an end.  But I could not let that happen and so I agreed.  I did it for my people, I could not bear to lead them into war again after 25 years of peace.  And I did it for Mamo-chan because this will save Terra, his home, and make him happy.” 
     “But Usagi-chan,” Aurora said.  “You’re giving up your own happiness for others to be happy.  You are such a wonderful Princess, but I can’t bear to see you give up your own happiness, please don’t do this.” 
     “Aurora-chan, do not worry for me,” Usagi reassured her.  “I will be happy if my people and Mamo-chan are happy.” 
     “But they cannot be happy without you,” Aurora pointed out. 
     “And I cannot be happy if I am with them in a war,” Usagi said sadly.  She stood up.  “Now, I must return to Naru’s house like I promised Mamo-chan I would.” 
     “Oh, Usagi, I forgot, Mother wishes to speak with you before you go out,” Aurora said. 
     “She had better not try to dissuade me again, I have made my decision,” Usagi said firmly as she walked out of her room.  She hurried to the throne room to look for her mother, but she was not there.  A guard told her that she had gone to the library.  So Usagi made her way through the maze of hallways in the palace to the library.  “Ohayo gozaimasu Mother,” Usagi greeted Queen Serenity upon entering the library. 
     “Ohayo gozaimasu Serenity,” Queen Serenity said. 
     “I will not be dissuaded, I have made my decision,” Usagi said coldly. 
     “I wish you would not speak as though you have passed judgment upon yourself, you deserve no such punishment,” Queen Serenity said softly.  “I did not wish to try to dissuade you again.  I know that you have a will of iron and you will not relent once you have made your decision.”  She paused trying to blink back tears at her daughter’s decision.  She did not wish her daughter to see her shed tears when she herself shed none. 
     “I am sorry.  Then why did you call me?” Usagi asked, puzzled. 
     “A man called for you at the palace today,” Queen Serenity explained.  “He said that he must speak with you, but I said that you were unwell.  He did not leave a name, but said he would call back tomorrow.  Have you any idea who it could be?” 
     “No, none,” Usagi replied.  “We shall find out tomorrow, I suppose.” 
     “Yes,” Queen Serenity said.  “We shall see.” 
     “May I go now?” Usagi asked. 
     “Yes, you may go.”  Queen Serenity turned back to the books on the shelf in front of her.  Usagi turned and left. 

Usagi walked to Naru’s house slowly, trying to gather the courage to smile when she saw Mamoru.  She walked up to the door, but turned away as fresh tears filled her eyes.  She stood outside, trying to regain control of her emotions, but to no avail.  She walked painfully away from the house, her tears blinding her vision so that she did not see the black clouds swiftly covering the Sun’s golden light.  She curled up in the roots of her tree and cried as the rain began to pour around her. 

Mamoru had seen Usagi walk past his window with tears in her eyes.  The pain in his heart had returned.  After waiting a while for her to return, he gave up and got up to go get her just as the rain began to fall.  He grabbed a blanket off the bed and walked out into the pouring rain.  He found Usagi at her tree, where he had thought he would find her.  Her body was shaking with tears and she looked rather like she wanted to be alone, and also looking like the rabbit Mamoru had named her after.  He turned to go and leave her alone, but stopped at the first crash of thunder.  He turned back to Usagi and wrapped the blanket around her.  Then he lifted her into his arms and began to carry her back to Naru’s house.  Usagi opened her eyes and looked up at Mamoru’s face.  He was attempting to keep the pain he felt from showing in his face, but Usagi noticed it almost immediately. 
     “Mamo-chan, put me down,” Usagi said, although she liked the warm feeling of his strong arms wrapped around her.  “You’re still hurt.” 
     “I’m okay,” Mamoru protested.  “I’ll be fine.” 
     “Please put me down,” Usagi pleaded, and reluctantly he did.  But he still kept an arm around her shoulders and Usagi had her arm around his shoulders as well.  They walked back through the rain and thunder in silence.  They soon arrived at Naru’s house where they were warmly greeted by Naru who had been worried to find the house empty on coming back from some errands. 
     Usagi and Mamoru changed into dry clothes and gratefully accepted warm blankets from Naru.  Naru left momentarily and returned with three steaming mugs of hot chocolate.  Once she was sure that Usagi and Mamoru were comfortable, Naru sat down with them. 
     There was silence for a while before Mamoru asked, “Usagi, why were you crying?” 
     Usagi saw concern in both Mamoru’s and Naru’s eyes and she replied quietly, “I am engaged to be married.” 
     “What?” Naru cried.  Mamoru was silent. 
     “I am engaged to be married,” Usagi repeated, staring into her mug.  “I have agreed to it, I was not forced, but it will not be a marriage for love.  I agreed to it because it will make the people I love happy, and I will do anything to make them happy.”  Usagi dared a quick glance at Mamoru and thought she detected a look of sadness in his eyes, but she quickly dismissed the notion.  Silence prevailed on the room once more, broken only by the slap of the rain on the window and the occasional rumble of thunder. 

Mamoru left Naru’s house the next day, despite Usagi’s and Naru’s protests.  So Usagi returned to the palace with saddened spirits, even more so than before.  The ball was only a week away, so Usagi was too busy to see any visitors.  Mamoru tried to speak with the Princess and the Queen, but only royalty were allowed through this week.  The week passed all too quickly and miserably for both Usagi and Mamoru.  Each day brought Usagi closer to losing her freedom and happiness, and each day brought Mamoru more concern over the attack the Negaverse had planned.  The other princesses of Usagi’s and Aurora’s courts arrived, and Usagi found it harder than ever to keep a smile on her face.  It had been arranged that the day before the ball, Usagi would be taken into the Negaverse to meet her future husband.  She would then come back with him for the ball. 

The day before the ball, Usagi awoke to a faint rumble of thunder.  She looked outside and saw that it was once again pouring rain.  She got up and walked quietly over to the window, tears slipping down her cheeks.  ‘The sky is crying with me, today we are both sad, but tomorrow I will be happy, at least on the outside, for my people,’ she thought sadly. 
     Usagi got dressed and walked through the rain to the village, hoping that she would be able to see Mamoru one last time.  Less than halfway there, she saw Naru running toward her.  Naru wore a troubled expression on her face and Usagi had a sinking feeling that something was terribly wrong. 
     “Usagi!  They took Mamoru away!” Naru shouted. 
     “What!  What happened?” Usagi demanded. 
     “They took Mamoru to jail!” Naru explained.  “I heard it in town this morning.  They said that Mamoru is a Terran and that he is a traitor to the Silver Millennium!  More than that, he’s the Terran Prince!  And he probably came here to spy on us!  It’s a pity, he seemed so nice.  But they all seem nice at first don’t they?  Even psychopathic killers can seem nice, so I guess we’re lucky, huh?” 
     “I’ll see you later!  Thank you Naru-chan!” Usagi shouted over her shoulder as she ran away. 
     “Usagi?” Naru asked.  “What are you doing?” 
     Usagi didn’t hear her as she ran back to the palace.  Usagi arrived back at the palace thoroughly soaked.  In her room she changed to a royal dress with half a thought, then concentrated on changing her hair from a braid to royal hairstyle of two balls on either side of her head from which flowed the rest of her hair, almost reaching the floor.  She grabbed a rain-proof cloak and put it on, hiding her dress and hair.  Usagi then started to go out the door and almost ran into Aurora. 
     “Where are you going Usagi-chan?” Aurora asked. 
     “I have to go free Mamoru,” Usagi said hurriedly.  “He’s been arrested as a traitor to the Silver Millennium.  He’s the Terran Prince.” 
     “What?” Aurora asked. 
     “Never mind, I’ll explain later.  I haven’t got time right now.”  With that, Usagi began running down the hall, leaving Aurora standing puzzled outside her door. 

Usagi stepped out of the pouring rain and into the dungeons.  After a quick inquiry, she made her way among the maze of cells to the one where Mamoru was being held.  She had a firm look of determination on her face.  Mamoru looked up at the sound of footsteps and was surprised to see Usagi. 
     “Usagi?” Mamoru asked when he saw her.  “I promise you that I am not a traitor to the Silver Millennium.  I’m sorry that I lied to you about who I am, but I swear to you that I only came here to ask for help from the Princess--” 
     “I don’t care about your title, I care about who you are inside,” Usagi interrupted him.  “That doesn’t change because you are a Prince.  I have been lying to you as well.  You came to ask for the Princess’s help and you got it.”  Ignoring Mamoru’s confused look, she turned and called the guard. 
     “Yes, miss?” the guard asked. 
     “Release this man,” she said simply without turning around. 
     “I can’t do that, miss,” the guard said.  “This man is a traitor to the Silver Millennium.” 
     “This man is not a traitor and I demand that you release him on behalf of Princess Serenity.”  She still did not turn around. 
     “I can only release him on direct orders from the Princess or Queen,” the guard explained. 
     “Then as Princess Serenity, I command you to release him.”  Usagi turned and removed her cloak, revealing her royal dress and hairstyle. 
     “I’m sorry, Your Majesty.  I didn’t recognize you,” the guard stuttered with a bow. 
     “That’s quite all right,” Usagi reassured the guard.  “Just release him.” 
     “Yes, Your Majesty.”  The guard bowed again and let Mamoru out.  Mamoru had a look of utter shock on his face and he could not stop staring at Usagi. 
     “What are you staring at?  Haven’t you ever seen a princess before?” Usagi said with a gentle laugh in her voice.  “Come on, let’s go.” 
     Mamoru followed Usagi silently into the rain.  Finally he was able to speak, “Usagi?  You’re the Princess?  But...” 
     “You caught me in a bad mood,” Usagi explained.  “I’ve had an awful feeling lately that something horrible is going to happen soon and the feeling had gotten stronger that day.  When I saw you again, I didn’t want you to know that I was the Princess.  As soon as you said that you came here to ask for my help, I felt awful.  When you said you were going back to your home, I wanted to go with you.  My thoughts were crying out to you, begging you to tell me where you were going, and to my surprise my thoughts were answered.  So I followed you to Terra.  Princess Aurora came with me.  I had known for a while that something was wrong on Terra because there was a black glow around Terra and the beautiful colors seemed duller.  Aurora and I entered the castle in the capital and we overheard Beryl’s plans of attack so we knew she had taken over Terra.  We got caught on our way out, but we got away.  As we were running away I heard you call for help through my thoughts, so we went back and saved you.  And then there was nothing I could do, even though I’m the Princess, because no one believed me.  So I told my court members to be on their guard.  And then Queen Serenity came to my room to tell me that the Negaverse was going to attack.  She said they would maintain peace if I agreed to be married to one of the princes of the Negaverse.  Queen Serenity did not ask me to do that, she only told me that the Silver Millennium was over.  But I could not let that happen, so I agreed to marry a prince from the Negaverse.  I did it for you, for Terra, for my people, and for the Silver Millennium.” 
     “You did all that?  And you’re giving away your own happiness?  Why?” Mamoru asked. 
     “Because...”  Usagi turned away and blushed slightly. 
     Mamoru reached out and gently turned Usagi’s face back toward his.  “Why?” he asked again gently. 
     Usagi stared into his stormy midnight blue eyes and melted.  “Because...  I love you Mamo-chan.  Aishiteru,” she whispered, her voice barely audible through the sounds of the pouring rain.  She looked away from his enchanting eyes.  And then he kissed her.  She was startled, but then she kissed him back.  He pulled away and whispered, “Aishiteru Usa-chan.”  He leaned forward to kiss her again, but Usagi pulled back, remembering her betrothal.  And then she ran away through the rain.  When he started to follow her, she tried a teleportation spell, but didn’t concentrate hard enough and found herself in the library instead of back at the palace.  She sighed and remembered when she had met Mamoru there, a small smile gracing her lips.  Then she gathered herself together and went back out into the pouring rain and ran back to the palace. 

“Would you care to explain now?” Aurora asked when Usagi got back to her room.  “Where have you been?” 
     “All right.  Naru told me that Mamoru had been taken to jail,” Usagi explained.  “He was charged as being a traitor to the Silver Millennium because he is a Terran, well, more than that, he is the Terran Prince.  But I know his heart and I know he is not a traitor.  He came here to ask for my help as Princess, but I betrayed while I was in a bad mood, and he was afraid to see me again.  I know he is not a traitor to the Silver Millennium, so I went to the dungeons and set him free by order of the Princess.  So now he knows who I really am... and he loves me.”  Usagi’s face was full of sadness when she finished. 
     “Usagi-chan,” Aurora said.  “We’ll find a way to make things work.  I don’t want to lose you to the Negaverse.” 
     “You won’t lose me,” Usagi said.  “We can still talk through our mental link.  And I’ll always be with you in spirit.” 
     “I still don’t think you should do this,” Aurora protested.  “I don’t trust the Negaverse.  I still have a bad feeling that something really awful is going to happen.” 
     “You’re probably just nervous for me,” Usagi reassured her.  She didn’t tell Aurora that she still had a bad feeling too.” 
     “Serenity,” Queen Serenity said softly as she entered her daughter’s room.  “The guards are here to take you to the Negaverse.  You don’t have to go, we can fight a war.  I don’t want to lose you to the Negaverse.” 
     “I’ve already told you that I will not be dissuaded,” Usagi said firmly.  “I will keep peace in the Silver Millennium for as long as possible.” 
     “Very well then,” Queen Serenity said sadly.  “Come, the guards are waiting.” 
     Queen Serenity led Usagi and Aurora to the Grand Hall where four guards from the Negaverse waited.  They were Beryl’s Four Generals.  Usagi smiled bravely, then said, “Goodbye.  I shall see you tomorrow at the ball.”  Queen Serenity and Aurora whispered their goodbyes, then the Generals teleported Usagi away. 

They appeared in a stone throne room.  Usagi instantly recognized the throne room of the castle on Terra.  Her eyes fell on Beryl, seated on the throne with a black crystal ball floating in front of her.  “Welcome,” Beryl said icily.  “I am now your Queen and you must bow to me.” 
     “I will never bow to you,” Usagi said coldly, summoning all the courage she had.  “To bow to you would mean that I have no objections to your evil ways and that can never be.  I am here on your command to keep the peace of my Universe and to protect my people.  Do what you wish, but I will not bow to you.  If you kill me, you know that you will have the strength of two Universes fighting against you and you will not win.  For you, there are two choices: kill me and let your Negaverse be destroyed, or let me live and keep the peaceful ways of the Silver Millennium in your systems.  Whatever you choose, I will never bow to you.” 
     Beryl stared at Usagi, completely shocked.  “How dare you speak to your Queen in such a rude and impertinent manner?” she screeched. 
     “You are not my Queen,” Usagi interrupted her calmly. 
     “You are on your way to the Negaverse, and if you wish to arrive safely, then I suggest you take back what you have said and bow to me,” Beryl warned. 
     “I refuse to take back what I have said for I have spoken the truth, and I still refuse to bow to you,” Usagi retorted. 
     “Then you will die for your people?” Beryl inquired menacingly. 
     “I would gladly die for my people if it meant destroying you and your Nega-warriors,” Usagi said coolly. 
     “So be it,” Beryl began.  A guard that stood beside her cleared his throat.  “Yes?” Beryl snapped. 
     “King Lethe wishes to have his bride in one piece and alive,” the guard said.  “He has promised to keep her out of your way until she has learned better ways.” 
     “Until she has learned better ways?” Beryl sneered.  “I give her one month to change her mind and I wish you to bid Lethe good luck from me.  If she has not changed her mind in one month, she dies.” 
     “Very well,” the guard said with a nod. 
     “Take her away out of my sight now!” Beryl demanded. 
     “I refuse to be discussed of as though I am someone’s property!”  Usagi’s temper flared.  “And if you were to give me a millennium to ‘learn better ways and change my mind’ I would never do so!” 
     “This is your last warning!” Beryl screamed.  She reached a hand out and touched the crystal ball that floated in front of her.  It glowed red, then shot a black knife of power at Usagi.  With her hands tied and feet hobbled, Usagi could not move.  The knife sliced her left arm just above the elbow.  She bit her lip and did not even flinch at the searing pain in her arm.  She continued her cold, level stare at Beryl. 
     “Take her away this instant before I change my mind and kill her!” Beryl shouted. 
     “Yes, at once,” the guard said hastily.  He ran to Usagi’s side and freed her feet so that she could walk.  She followed him reluctantly out of the room.  Once they were down the hall a ways, the guard whispered to Usagi, “Do not resist, I am a friend.  My name is Aeolus.  I will take you to Charon where King Lethe awaits your arrival.”  Usagi looked at him surprised and could see in his eyes that he spoke the truth. 

They appeared in front of the castle on Charon.  Aeolus escorted her to the throne room.  The King rose and said, “Thank you, Aeolus, you may leave us.”  Aeolus turned and left Usagi alone with the King.  He approached her and Usagi watched him warily. 
     “Welcome Princess Serenity,” he said with a deep bow.  “My name is Lethe, I am the King of Charon.  First, I would like you to know that I have neither the desire not the intention of marrying you.  Second, I would like to form an alliance with you.” 
@-->-->--- 
That’s it for chapter 3!!  Did you like the little surprise ending?  Did you like the defiance and courage Usagi showed to Beryl?  Let me know please!  I would love to hear from you!  My e-mail address is runnerup2001@netscape.net!  Thank you once again to all my wonderful friends and to all seven of you who e-mail me!  I really appreciate it!!  Ja ne! 
~Chichiri 
@-->-->---