Crystal Flaws - Part 05 Crystal Ties

“Bye!” the Asteroid Senshi called out and waved as Serenity and Elios boarded the Venusian Planet Transport.

Terrance stood next to Hotaru and watched them board. He sighed. “Whew! I’m glad they’re finally married. Maybe things will settle down around the Palace now.”

The four Pegasus brothers were still wound up by all the festivities and they didn’t want the fun to end so soon. Taking the lead, Jabbath looked at his brothers and said, “You know, I don’t want to go back to Elysion right away. How about we stick around a while longer?”

Castor smiled and agreed, “Sure, but what should we do? I think I’ve had enough of Crystal Tokyo for now.” The brothers all nodded their heads.

The Asteroid Senshi were standing near by and heard the brothers. Vesta offered, “There’s more to our Earth than just the city.”

Volans quietly asked, “What else is there to do?”

The girls laughed then started taking turns listing places. “There’s the beach, the mountains, rivers, deserts, oceans, islands, lots of things!”

The brothers looked at each other. Always eager to explore, Pollux said, “Those all sound interesting. Would you be willing to show us those places?”

The girls laughed again and Ceres responded, “Well, not all in one day! But sure, we’ll show you around. Where would you like to go first?”

Castor answered, “We don’t know. Which of those places do you like to visit most?”

All four girls looked at each other then said together, “The beach!”

Jabbath responded, “Okay, the beach it is then.”

Vesta, thinking of the practical requirements for a trip, said, “When we get back to the Palace, we’ll need to arrange for a transport to get us there.”

The brothers looked at each other, clearly confused. Jabbath asked, “Why do you need to do that?”

Laughing, Juno replied, “How else are we going to get there? Fly?”

The brothers all nodded their heads yes.

Vesta smacked herself on the head. “What a dummy I am! I forgot you could fly! You don’t have to though. I mean, we can’t fly, so we’d need to ride.”

Castor asked, “Do you mind having to ride with us?”

Hastily Vesta added, “No. I, We don’t mind. Actually, we’d love to ride, but you don’t mind giving us rides?”

The brothers shook their heads no then Pollux said, “There is one thing. In Pegasus form we can’t talk out loud. We communicate telepathically. Will that bother you?”

The girls shook their heads no and they all smiled. Secretly, each of them had wished they could fly with a Pegasus.

Terrance and Hotaru walked over to the group. Terrance asked, “Are you all ready to head back?”

Jabbath answered, “The girls have agreed to show us the beach. We’re going to go there instead.”

Terrance was surprised. He wondered, [Is there trouble they could get into at a beach?] He decided it was unlikely, and anyway, they’d have the Senshi with them.

Ceres asked, “Would you two like to come along?”

Hotaru and Terrance looked at each other. Terrance said, “Not this time thank you. We’ll return the transport to the Palace.

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Terrance and Hotaru waved good-bye to the group then left in the Palace Transport. They listened to music as they rode in silence. Hotaru stole a glance at Terrance and his expression showed he was deep in thought. She turned to look at the passing scenery and Terrance spoke, “I know age is an irrelevant issue anymore. But for some reason I feel like I’m much older than the Asteroid Senshi and the Pegasus brothers. I wonder why. Do you sometimes feel that way too?”

Hotaru smiled, thought a moment then answered, “Yes, there are some people I feel like that with. It really has nothing to do with physical age. I think it has more to do with experiential age. The Asteroid Senshi and the Pegasus brothers haven’t had as much life experience as you or I. Their perspective in life and how they behave reflects this inexperience. On the other hand, I often feel much younger than the Planet Senshi, even though I’m one of them.”

“Yes,” Terrance agreed, “I think you’re right. Physically, I’m only two years younger than my father because of his reincarnation. In spite of that, he is still my father.” Terrance laughed. “It’s strange to try to figure this out.”

Without glancing at Hotaru, Terrance asked, “So, what are we going to do when we get back? I don’t know about you, but I didn’t get much sleep last night. Reading a book after dinner then going to sleep sounds good to me right now.” Terrance thought about what he just said and laughed. “I really do sound old, don’t I?”

Laughing too, Hotaru said, “The Asteroid Senshi kept me up last night, so I feel the same way you do.”

They pulled into the Palace garage. As they got out of the transport Terrance looked at the time. He said, “We have just enough time to change before dinner.”

It was a little strange to only have the King, the Queen, Terrance and Hotaru at the dinner table. All of them were worn out from the wedding. The King and Queen tried to keep up a brave front and not show how difficult Serenity’s leaving was for them. Even though they attempted some polite conversation, it was obvious the King and Queen were forcing themselves to be social for Terrance and Hotaru’s sake.

Soon after eating the King and Queen excused themselves from the table.

Hotaru felt sympathy for Serenity’s parents as she watched them leave the room. “I think it just hit them that Serenity is really gone,” she observed.

Terrance nodded his head. He thought, [I’m glad Hotaru is here. I’d be feeling pretty alone right now otherwise. I don’t think we realized until now how much Serenity’s exuberance filled our lives.]

“I’m going to relax in the library and read a book for a while,” Terrance said as he stood. He offered, “Would you like to join me?”

Hotaru nodded her head yes and they walked to the library together. They took a while to pick out their books as they looked over what was there. They debated the merits of different genres and authors. Terrance teased Hotaru when she picked out a romance novel and she teased him back when she saw he picked a science fiction story.

Finally they each settled down on a couch with pillows under their heads. Hotaru’s couch was against a wall and Terrance’s was perpendicular to hers. They began to read, but the book Terrance picked didn’t keep his attention well. He subtly glanced over the top of his book, and for a few moments, watched Hotaru as she read. He quickly went back to his book when she looked up.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Pegasus brothers and the Asteroid Senshi left the transport station and walked to a quiet area down the road. The Pegasuses transformed then knelt for the Senshi to mount. The girls found it a bit tricky to get comfortably and securely settled because they were still in their satin bridesmaid’s dresses. Fortunately, the skirts were full enough so they didn’t have to ride sidesaddle.

The brothers took off and at first the girls weren’t quite sure what to do with their hands without reins to hold. They climbed higher into the sky and the Senshi looked down at the Earth in wonder. The wind in their faces was exhilarating and they laughed with excitement.

The brothers could see the girls were enjoying the ride. Castor asked, [Which way to the beach?]. All four girls startled when they heard his voice in their heads. They giggled at the unusualness of it.

Vesta answered out loud. “Fly East and when you see the ocean meeting the land, we’ll tell you where to go.”

Soon they saw the beach and Vesta directed them to land where there was a wide beach and relatively few people.

The girls dismounted, removed their heels then made the Pegasuses face the ocean. Each girl took a turn standing behind the other three girls as she somewhat modestly removed her stockings.

The guys transformed and continued to look all around them. They heard the ocean’s waves roar as they crashed against the shore. The Pegasus brothers sniffed and enjoyed the strong scent of salty mist in the air.

Looking at the guys, Pallas suggested, “It would probably be easier to walk in the sand if you took your shoes and socks off and rolled your pant legs up some.” The brothers complied with Pallas’ suggestion and found the sand to be cool and somewhat damp and squishy under their feet. They had never seen anyplace like the beach before and the brothers decided they liked its clean, brisk, open sparseness.

The four girls ran to the water’s edge and dipped their feet in the receding pools of water. A small wave came toward them and they lifted their skirts to their knees to keep them dry.

The brothers joined them. “It’s cold!” Volans and Pollux exclaimed together as a small wave rippled over their feet.

The Senshi were about to warn the brothers about bigger waves that can sneak up quickly, when the girls saw one heading straight for them. Each girl grabbed a brother and quickly pulled him back as the wave crashed at their feet. The brothers looked surprised and the girls laughed.

“Watch out, they sometimes try to get you!” Pallas exclaimed.

Vesta noticed the sun was setting. She said, “It’ll be dark in a little while. How about we build a fire? I thought I saw a farmers market just inland of here. We can buy some food and have a barbeque.”

Vesta asked Volans to go with her to find the farmers market. The rest of the group gathered driftwood and dug a shallow pit. By the time the two of them returned with food, the pit was ready.

Ceres took the food from Vesta and asked, “Would you please do the honors?”

Vesta nodded her head and began her transformation. Sailor Vesta drew out her ribbon and stated, “Sparkling Ribbon Scintillate!” She snapped the glowing ribbon like a whip and a bright flame broke off the end. It dropped into the barbeque pit and the wood quickly caught. They now had a nice fire for cooking on. Vesta transformed back.

Volans appreciatively stood by the fire. “That’s a very useful talent you have!” he observed.

Vesta blushed and said, “Thank you.”

They cooked the food on long green twigs. As they ate together, they companionably joked and teased each other.

When Ceres finished eating, she stood up. “I’m going to pick some shells before the sun is completely down. I won’t be gone long.”

Finishing the last bite of his dinner, Castor asked, “Can I come too?”

Ceres said, “Sure.”

Castor stood to go and his brother couldn’t resist teasing him, “Don’t get lost you two!” Pollux and Volans laughed at Jabath’s comment. Castor shot an annoyed look their way as he turned to go which only made his brothers laugh harder.

Vesta, Pallas and Juno each reached out and smacked a brother on the head. Juno chided, “Be nice! Now, help us clean up.”

The brothers groaned and Volans complained, “How come Castor gets out of helping?” The three Senshi just ignored his question and put the guys to work.

Ceres and Castor looked down at the shells in the sand as they walked along the beach. They found a few interesting ones then continued walking together. The moon had risen low over the water and a silvery reflected trail shimmered over the waves.

Ceres looked back and said, “We walked farther than I expected to.”

Castor, who was enjoying the peace away from his brothers, asked, “Do you want to sit a bit before we head back?”

“Yes, that would be nice,” Ceres responded.

They walked to a dune and sat down on it next to each other. Ceres shivered a little in the cool evening breeze.

Castor noted, “That dress is very pretty, but it doesn’t offer much protection from the cold air.”

Ceres nodded in agreement and was about to say she was okay, when Castor put his arms around her and pulled her close to him. Ceres thought, [Forget being okay, this is nice!]

Leaning her head against his chest, Ceres whispered, “Thank you. I feel much warmer.”

They sat quietly together watching the waves. Ceres’ late night, busy day and the droning sound of the ocean quietly snuck up on her. She fell asleep in Castor’s comfortably warm embrace.

Castor realized she had fallen asleep. He looked down at her peaceful expression and an unexpectedly strong feeling of protectiveness welled up inside of him. He leaned his cheek against her hair as he looked out over the water. Castor thought, [I think I’m starting to understand what Elios sees in all this. It’s nice to have someone to protect and care for, and it’s nice to have someone who will care for and protect you too. Someone who is just and only for you.]

Castor hated to wake her. He wanted to stay sitting there forever, but he knew the others would soon start to worry and come looking for them. “Ceres?” he quietly said in her ear.

Ceres felt wonderfully warm and content. She heard a soft low voice call her and she looked up.

Looking into her sleepy eyes, Castor suddenly knew. Somehow, in one full day he had lost his heart to this beautiful woman in his arms. Castor lowered his head as he pulled her closer to him. Their lips met and he thought to himself, [I’ve never tasted anything sweeter than this!]

When Ceres had looked up into Castor’s eyes she was drawn into their gentle brown gaze. She realized he was going to kiss her and she knew she wanted him to. His lips tentatively touched hers and Ceres reached up behind his neck to pull him closer and deepen their kiss. Castor’s arms tightened around her as he crushed her up against his broad chest.

Slowly they broke their kiss. Castor hugged her to him and she could hear his heart racing as he took in deep breaths against her hair. “Ceres,” he quietly said as they continued to hug, “Would it be okay if I came to visit you and we go out together?” He whispered, “I really want to be with you. You’re very special to me.”

Dating had never gone well for Ceres or any of the Asteroid Senshi. Most of the available guys were in the Crystal Tokyo Elite Military and it seemed like there were only two types of men there. There were the ones that didn’t believe the Senshi were really very powerful. Dates with them usually ended with the guy\'s crude attempt to take advantage of the Senshi then thinly veiled put-downs when she rebuffed him. The other men had a clear understanding of the Senshi’s abilities and it scared the wits out of them. Very few actually got up enough nerve to ask a Senshi out. When one did, he would sit there stiffly and worry he was going to do or say something that would get him killed. Needless to say, the girls didn’t go on very many second dates.

Ceres nervously reminded herself that Castor was a Pegasus, not a soldier. Looking up, she shyly answered, “I would like that very much.”

A smile filled Castor’s face and lit up his eyes. His obvious joy made Ceres’ heart do a little flip in her chest. He said, “Great! Would Wednesday around four be okay? My work ends early that day. We could go out for dinner. I don’t really know what else is good to do on the Earth for a date. Do you have any suggestions?”

She smiled, flattered by his enthusiasm, as she assured him, “Dinner for a first date is fine. I’ll be looking forward to it.”

Castor didn’t want to let go of Ceres. What he really wanted to do was kiss her again. He firmly reminded himself they needed to get back. Reluctantly, he moved to stand and pulled Ceres up too. “We should go back before the others come after us,” he said.

Ceres nodded and shivered as she missed his warmth. Castor again put his arm around her and tucked her in close to his side. He lifted her chin then kissed her nose as he said, “I’m not going to let you be cold.”

They walked arm in arm back to the camp. Three Senshi and three Pegasus brothers raised their eyebrows when they saw Castor and Ceres walk up. Castor defensively answered the unspoken question, “She’s cold. Aren’t you girls cold too without jackets?”

Juno dryly answered, “Maybe a little, but not unbearably so considering it is the end of July.”

Blushing, Ceres knew the other girls thought her and Castor’s excuse was flimsy.

The others had finished cleaning up after the barbeque and everyone was ready to head back. The brothers transformed and the eight of them again took to the air.

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Usagi heard the commotion when the Pegasus brothers and the Senshi had returned to the Palace. She sighed as she turned her head and looked at her husband. [At least one of us is sleeping,] she thought. Serenity’s leaving had been harder on both of them than they had expected. Usagi thought about it and realized it hadn’t fully hit them that Serenity was really gone until they had seen her empty seat at the dinner table. Yes, she would be coming back to live in the Palace until the babies were born, but it wouldn’t be the same. Her daughter’s first priority would be Elios, as it should be. Usagi and Mamoru couldn’t take it for granted anymore that Serenity was a part of their day-to-day lives.

Usagi sighed again as she tried to carefully settle into a more comfortable position without waking Mamoru. Closing her eyes, mental images came to her of Serenity growing up. She smiled as she recalled how she and Chibi-Usa, the name Serenity had used in the distant past, had fought and how they had teased each other. They had been more like sisters then and Usagi cherished those memories. So much had happened when she had been raising Small Lady that Usagi felt she had barely enough time to train Serenity to be a Princess, and almost had no time to be her mother. It seemed to Usagi as if all those years had gone by so quickly. However, in spite of what she considered her mistakes as a mother, her Small Lady had become a wise and just Princess and even more importantly, a good and kind person. Usagi was very proud of her daughter and she felt as if they had come full circle. Serenity was now a married woman and would soon be a mother herself. Usagi may have felt like she missed many things as a mother, but with the realm finally settled she was looking forward to being a very doting grandmother. She also hoped that with her and Serenity now being on a more common ground, that they would develop a relationship similar to what they’d had in the distant past.

Looking at the clock, Usagi saw that it was midnight. She decided she might as well get up. Putting on her robe and bunny slippers, she decided to go get a book from the library. Maybe reading would help her fall asleep.

The door to the library silently slid shut behind Usagi and she turned to the shelves to see what looked good. As she scanned the titles, she turned the corner and came upon a very interesting and adorable sight. Both Hotaru and Terrance had fallen asleep while they were reading. Terrance’s book was on the floor by his couch where it had fallen. Hotaru’s book had slid off of her stomach and rested against her side.

Usagi hadn’t ever seen Terrance while he was sleeping and it struck her how very little boyish he looked at rest, and how very much he looked like Mamoru. The only thing Terrance had inherited from Beryl was the mahogany highlights in his hair.

Usagi felt a secret pang in her heart as she again wished that Terrance was her son by birth. He had shown himself to be everything she would have wanted in a son and she cared for him a great deal. She again wondered what Terrance\'s childhood had been like in the Dark Kingdom. It amazed Usagi that even though he had been raised by the generals in that evil place, he had become a good, decent man.

The fact remained though that he wasn’t hers. He treated her with kindness and respect, but they weren’t as close as she wished they were. Terrance seemed to have a cautious reserve around all women, including his stepmother. Usagi could understand that Terrance\'s caution probably had a lot to do with his mother. She had gotten the impression that Beryl hadn’t been kind to even her own son.

Usagi’s feelings were mixed about Beryl’s part in all this. A part of her burned with anger at the thought of Beryl being so cruel to her own child, and yet another part of Usagi was grateful Beryl had given birth to Terrance and allowed him to live. She also had to admit that there was another part of her that was still jealous of Beryl. Beryl had the privilege of having Mamoru’s son and she hadn’t even cared. Usagi would have been ecstatic to be able to have had that honor.

Even though she knew all that was true, Usagi reminded herself that she and Mamoru had Terrance now and that that was what really mattered. Usagi had hope that as time went on Terrance would get to know her better and eventually things would change between them.

Usagi thought about these things as she quietly walked out of the library and down the hall to the Palace linen closet by the kitchen. She picked out two blankets and headed back to the library. It comforted her to realize that their home really wasn’t empty yet. They did still have Terrance.

Usagi picked up Terrance’s book, put it on the table then tenderly covered him with a blanket. However, she resisted the urge to kiss his forehead, as she would have for Serenity. She was concerned the unfamiliar action might startle him awake. With a silent sigh, she turned to Hotaru.

Carefully, Usagi lifted Hotaru’s book and put it on the end table. As she gently placed the second blanket over Hotaru Usagi wondered, [Could Hotaru be the woman to dissolve Terrance’s reserve? Could he find happiness and love with her?] Usagi stood back. She watched them a few moments as she seriously hoped so. She knew Terrance was too old for a mother, but a wife could be just what he needed.

Usagi turned off the lights and headed back to her room. The idea of getting a book to read was completely forgotten.

Continued...


Thank you for reading my story. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did like my story, or if you have any (kind and gently worded) suggestions/comments about my story, please let me know. I truly appreciate feedback. You can email me at ndeblock@att.net .

This story was edited and enhanced by the great mind and imagination of Sophia Prester. Her help and ideas have been of great value to me! Thank you Sophia! ^_^

Sophia Prester is also the author or a *wonderful* continuing Sailor Moon epic called “Empire of the Sun”. Her story is very intricate and absorbing and I highly recommend reading it! The most up to date version is on Fanfiction.net . ^_^

Bye, Luna Hope