Thanks go to Sakura Girl, April, MK, Susan, Rosegrl and JadieForgive Me 2a/?By Meredith Bronwen Mallory Endymion carried his sleeping daughter back into the palace, his mindracing. Dia's earlier confession had shaken him to the core, and there wasstill much on his mind. Earlier he had been recalling the incident fromDia's childhood, which had been many years ago, and though traumatic, hadbeen summarily forgotten. The passage of years had lulled Endymion into afalse sense of security. He had not been prepared for had what happened theprevious day. FOUR incidents, in one day, and all of them pointing to acertain conclusion Endymion was very afraid of. Laying his eldest daughter beside his sleeping wife and second child,Endymion pulled the covers up around them and turned away, taking a seat inhis favorite chair and attempting to sort everything out in his mind. He hadnot breathed a word of this to Serenity. He didn't want to say anythinguntil he was absolutely sure.... Earlier that morning, he had been in the observatory, studying the recentlydiscovered tenth planet of Nemesis Both he and Serenity knew, that withChibi-Usa's fifth birthday, the events leading up to the Black Moon attackon Crystal Tokyo would speed up dramatically. Thus, the King had thought itbest to prepare himself and know as much as possible about his enemies homeplanet. His dearest Serenity was doing her best to negotiate and divert thewar, though they both knew it to be in vain. In fact, the emissaries fromthe Black Moon were supposed to arrive tonight for a diplomatic reception. Some time during Endymion's long hours of staring into the telescope, Diaand Chibi-Usa had run into the Observatory, chattering on about this, thatand some such nonsense. The King had been happy to have his daughters keephim company, and listened amiably to their chatter as he continued to takehis readings. Eventually, Chibi-Usa, who always had to be on the move, gotbored of sitting around and talking, so, Luna P trailing behind her, thelittle girl had scampered off to find Jupiter's son. Dia remained theresilently, watching her father work. Eventually though, she spoke. "Papa," she asked, "What are you doing?" Endymion turned from his work tolook his little girl in the eye, "I'm studying a planet," he explained, "I'mtrying to figure it out." "What's wrong with it?" Dia asked. "Huh?" "The planet, what's wrong with it?" The King was startled. He and Serenityhad been very careful to keep their conversations about the Black Moon FARaway from their children. How did Dia know there was something wrong withNemesis? "We're not really sure, pumpkin," he responded gently. Dia nodded, eyesfaraway and thoughtful. "Can I look at it? Please?" she asked. Figuring that it couldn't do muchharm to let her look at it, Endymion had lifted her up to the lens andallowed Dia a first had view of the planet. A small gasp escaped Dia's lips,and her posture became rigged. Fearful, Endymion had started to lift herdown, but she wouldn't let him. Instead she stared into the lens, unmoving,barely breathing. "Kami-sama," she said, her voice distant, "That's it... that's home."Endymion was shocked to say the least. "Wha? Sweetpie, your home is here, in Crystal Tokyo," he said gently. "No, not *now*," Dia sounded disgusted, "It was home back *before*. Iremember it. It's cold there, really cold, and it's always raining ash.There aren't many flowers, and they only have one kind there. The sky isbrown and the ground is black. There isn't any grass or stuff like that,just rock. That's where she died." The King's mind was reeling. How couldDia, a seven year old, know the specifics of what Nemesis was like? Ofcourse, everything she said was true... and that scared him. 'She died?',who was Dia talking about? "Who died?" he asked, half fearing the answer. "The girl I was in love with before I loved the one that was a Queen," Diasaid matter-of-factly. "Why would you love a girl?" was the first thing that popped out ofEndymion's mouth, though he didn't mean for it to sound so prejudiced.Everyone accepted the fact that Haruka and Michiru were a couple, even thechildren recognized it, but it was another thing entirely for him to hearsomething like that out of his daughter. "Not *now*," Dia repeated, "back *before*. Back when I was a boy." Severalminutes passed in silence. The King's world had been completely rocked. Butthen he felt Dia's body relax, and a giggle echoed in the large room. "You can put me down now, Papa," Dia said impishly. Still reeling, themonarch had complied, watching mutely as Dia hugged his leg and scamperedoff, calling out something about going to the gardens. It was severalminutes before the King managed to regain his composure, but he stillcouldn't figure it out. He questioned Dia about it later at lunch, even going so far as to take herout on a picnic with just the two of them, in hopes that she would open upto him. But the girl wanted no part of it, and went on chattering about thenew flowers she'd planted. More than willing to pass it off as a fluke,Endymion had let it go, merely taking the time to enjoy his eldestdaughter's company. But the day was not over yet, and neither where the strange incidents.Since Chibi-Usa had felt left out about not being able to go on the picnicwith Dia and Endymion, Serenity had taken their youngest daughter out for aspecial treat. The Senshi were all out training, and the other children hadyet to finish their lessons. This left one very bored Dia wandering thehalls aimlessly, looking for something to do. Eventually, she made her wayinto her father's study. At that moment, Endymion was studying the profileof Prince Demando of the Black Moon, sizing up his advisary, who would be atthe reception that night. Dia had come in, pouting because she had no one toplay with, and stood looking over her father's shoulder.  Endymion had beenstartled when he saw his daughter's image reflected by the veiwscreen, forit overlapped almost seamlessly with that of Prince Demando. "What are you doing?" Dia asked innocently. "I'm studying up for the reception tonight, pumpkin," Endymion responded. "He did bad things," Dia said solemnly The King turned around to look athis daughter, who was staring fixedly at the image of Demando on the screen,something unreadable in her eyes. She raised her hand to her forehead,touching the delicate crescent moon that rested there. How could shepossibly know who Demando was? "What makes you think that, Dia?" he asked, almost wishing he hadn't. "I know. I was there. He did real bad things." Dia insisted stubbornly,"But if he did real bad things, why did she tell him it would be all rightand he could be happy again like Beruche and Petz and all them? And if hedid real bad things, why did she hold his hand? Maybe, maybe she just has areally big heart and can forgive anyone. Of course she has a big heart,she's Sailor Moon..." Dia turned away, walking towards the door and mumblingto herself in a far-off, strange voice that did NOT belong to Endymion'slittle girl. The King stared after her, slack jawed. There was no way shecould know about the Four Sisters, or their healings. The bedtime stories hehad told to Dia and Chibi-Usa were harmless tales of Sailor Moon's firstbattles against Queen Metalia. and the Negaverse, not anything that wouldaffect the children directly! Endymion turned back to the screen, his soulstaking inside his body. His eyes met with the image of Demando, known asthe White Prince. White hair, pale skin, violet eyes. Looking away from thescreen, his gaze caught on a picture of Serenity and Dia, taken a few yearsbefore Chibi-Usa was born. The King gazed at the image of his eldestdaughter. The White Princess, with white hair, pale skin, violet eyes. Hefelt as though he might be ill as he slammed his fist on the desk. IT COULDNOT *BE*! "Muffin?" Serenity's voice asked from the threshold, "Is something thematter?" A great sense of relief flooded through Endymion at the sound ofhis wife's soothing voice. But that relief turned to alarm when he facedher. She stood in the doorway, Chibi-Usa's hand clasped in her left, and Diasituated comfortably in her arms. The little princess had her arms looselytied about her mother's neck, her head resting contentedly on Serenity'sshoulder. It was from this perch that the girl eyed Endymion with an air ofvictory and threat. The King knew in an instant that it was not hisdaughter's gaze he met. The *thing* in Dia's body smiled at him sweetly, andthen the moment was gone, and it was his daughter who rested wearily againsthe mother, energy spent. "Endymion?" Serenity asked worriedly. He shook his head to clear it. "I'm sorry, Odango, I was just... thinking about something," he said, "Sotell me, what can I do for you three lovely ladies?" Chibi-Usa and Diagiggled while Serenity merely flashed her husband a flirting smile. "Isn't it about time for us to get ready?" the Queen asked, "The receptionstarts in an hour." Endymion sighed, ah, yes the reception. Serenity gavehim a knowing smile, resting her head on his shoulder as he wrapped apossessive arm around her waist. They walked down the hall together, Diastill in Serenity's arms and Chibi-Usa trailing behind. Endymion had afeeling this would be a very LONG night.----------The Negotiations were loosing their appeal Serenity and Endymion sat at the head of the table, four Senshi on eitherside, facing the Royal Family of the Black Moon, and the Four Sisters. TheInners did their best to be polite, but only the four sisters seemed evenhalf way receptive. The Outers obviously had no patience what so ever, evenPluto, but they did their best to conceal it. Demando sat in the middle ofhis party, staring lustfully at Serenity during pauses in conversation andmaking NO attempt to hide it. Endymion shot him SEVERAL warning glances, butthey were ignored. Esmerude clutched her red fan, pea green with jealousy asshe watched Demando watch Serenity. Rubues made no attempt to hide the facthe despised everyone of them, and Saffir looked on indifferently. The Foursisters glanced apologetically at the Inner Senshi. The Neo-Queen grew paleand silence fell once more. Saturn excused herself.The Negotiations were not going well. Demando stated his requirements for the treaty, and it was obvious even heknew they were ridiculous. Serenity made every attempt to compromise, butnone of them would have it. Demando continued to devour Serenity with hisgaze. Esmerude looked as though she was barely restraining herself fromhitting something, most likely the Neo-Queen. Rubeus and Uranus held astarring contest over a bowl of soup, and Saffir yawned rudely. The FourSisters sweatdropped. The Inner Senshi glanced amongst themselves worriedlyas the color fled from Serenity's face. The Neo-Queen began to look pale,and Endymion held her hand under the table. This did not go unnoticed by theWhite Prince, who looked as though he was barely restraining himself fromblasting something, most likely the King. Silence ensued as Pluto excusedherself.The Negotiations were going down hill fast. Endymion and Demando shot each other looks of hatred as the Neo-Queen kepta death grip on her husband's hand. Under the table, Saffir's hand wasphysically restraining Esmerude from attacking Serenity with her fan, allthe while looking very bored. Uranus held Neptune's hand in an attempt tocalm herself as she and Rubues continued their silent war. The Inner Senshisweat dropped while the Four Sisters glanced worriedly from monarch tomonarch.The Negotiations were becoming a nightmare. Demando undressed the Neo-Queen with his eyes. If the White Prince did thatONE more time, Endymion swore to himself, he was going take him outside andlet him have it. Serenity was as white as the dress she wore. Venus and Marsglared at Demando angrily as they glanced between him and their Queen.Mercury inquired at least three times if Serenity was feeling all right.Jupiter pushed her food around her plate as she mumbled curses under herbreath, hand clutching a napkin that was scrunched up beyond recognition.Cooan and Calaveras raised their eyes to the heavens, pleading. Beruchelooked at the Neo-Queen in concern, her gaze shifting between the monarchand Prince Demando. Petz put her elbow on the table and rubbed her temples.Neptune excused herself and all but drug Uranus from the room. For her part,the Senshi of wind looked ready to pounce on Rubues and strangle him.Esmerude threw her fan down and stormed from the room, quickly followed bySaffir, and then Petz.The Negotiations were a disaster.