Once Upon a Moon

This isn’t my first fic about this couple in particular, however, it is the first time I have really and truly delved into this area. It has no real plot, other than to have Rei and Jaedite end up in bed together, pure and simple. I will probably extend to the other senshi and their respective generals later on. For now, I\'m focusing on these two.Anyway, I hope you enjoy.

I don’t own Sailor Moon or any of the characters within. Please don’t sue me. I am merely a poor bartender with way too much time on her hands. ^_^

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Rei lay awake in her bed. She contemplated getting up but rolled over onto her side instead. Inside her head, thoughts of Jaedite rolled around. She had known him only a few days, but she didn’t care anymore. He had to be the most frustrating man she had ever met, but fascinating as well. Challenges had always intrigued her, and the blonde general of Earth was definitely intriguing.

A slight smile touched her lips as she remembered the way he had held her last night. After dinner, at the ball, he had held her lightly but firmly, and a constant laugh had been on his luscious lips. He had made her laugh and feel giddy, two things that was not common for her. Sarcasm had always been her nature, and though she met his remarks with her own, Jaedite had lightened her mood since his arrival.

Rei sighed and finally threw back the covers, exposing her nearly nude body. She slept in her underwear, the heat being unbearable on Mars and the sleeping habit having stuck after coming to the moon. She caught her reflection in the mirror across the room and paused, gazing at herself. Her long, black hair hung just past her small waist, just above her long shapely legs. Her purple eyes flashed at the reflection and she made her way to the bathroom to shower. Jaedite would be in the garden with everyone else, and she needed to make sure she had his attention.

After dressing herself in a rich purple cotton dress with a velvet trim, Rei made her way to gardens. Her dress was long and fairly simple, hung by two straps on her shoulders and revealing her neck and pale back. Up ahead, a man with dark hair, darker than her own, entered the hall. She recognized him as the visiting prince.

“Prince Endymion?” She called.

The man paused and turned a smile lighting up his handsome face as he waited patiently for her to catch up to him. She caught his deep blue eyes sweep her appearance, and a small wave of satisfaction coursed through her. “Good morning, Princess Rei.....Or is it afternoon?” He greeted.

A laugh left her mouth. “Considering I have only awakened a short time ago, I would not be surprised to find it afternoon already.” They began walking.

“You share the same habits as your princess I believe. I have heard she has not yet emerged from her chambers.”

Rei made a mental note at the mention of Serenity. The innocent blonde princess had made her first sexual admissions to Rei last night and knew her friend would revel in the possible return of interest. “And who knows when she will. I suppose only the grumbling of her stomach will motivate her to awaken from her slumber.”

A deep, throaty laugh came from Endymion and Rei glanced at him through the corner of her eye. He was quite handsome, though Rei knew of Serenity’s feelings as well as her own intentions towards Jaedite. Still, she did find him attractive, though no more than for a short roll in the sheets if anything. Briefly she entertained a fantasy of bedding the prince, knowing it could never happen.

“Milady? Lady Rei?” Rei turned to him fully now at the sound of her name. Endymion was watching her with a look of confusion and a touch of worry in his eyes.

“I’m sorry. You were saying?”

The prince shook his head. “I was merely wondering aloud when the princess would join us. Maybe we could picnic by the river tomorrow, the three of us.”

“Perhaps.” She replied absently.

Wrapped in her own thoughts again, she missed the sly look he cast at her before continuing. “Or maybe we could make it for four. Invite Lord Jaedite to accompany us.”

Rei started at the mention of his name. She looked at the dark haired prince by her side, trying to read his mind, and failing. “Are you implying something?”
She demanded.

A slight smile touched his mouth. “Only, maybe you would enjoy his company.”

Rei would enjoy more than that though she didn\'t say so. She watched the prince a moment longer before stating carefully “I hardly know him.”

“All the more reason why he should come.”

“Hmmm.” She murmured. “Maybe he wouldn’t want my company.”

She looked away, trying to appear ignorant of the innuendo, her heart beginning to beat madly against her chest.

“Lady Rei, there is only one way to find out.”

“And what is that my prince?”

They had paused at the door leading to the courtyard and ultimately to the green gardens. “Ask him.”

She cocked her head and gazed at him thoughtfully. “Maybe he’ll say the same thing Princess Serenity will say.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “Do you think so?” His own blue eyes met hers.

“You’ll just have to ask.” She turned to open the door when he grabbed her hand lightly.

“Thank you milady.”

She groaned. “Please, if you and I are going to be cohorts for each other, we must be rid of all these formal tittles. They drive me crazy.”

Endymion laughed. “Agreed.” The exited the palace. “I do know that my friend finds you to be an enigma. There are several rumors regarding you whispered among the place and as far as he’s concerned, they appear to be true, and yet not.”

Rei allowed the comment to sink in. As comforting as it felt, it did not mean Jaedite wanted her. Many people of the court did not speak fondly of Rei, though they might not have anything negative to speak of either. Her temped bed become infamous through out the Moon Kingdom, and Rei couldn’t dispute her temperament any more than the color of her hair. However, the blonde general had born witness to her quick temper and he had continued to seek out her presence.

She caught a tinkle of laughter on the breeze, which ran through her hair. She searched her brain for a tidbit to tell of Serenity. “My own friend, as innocent as she may seem, is not as naive as she appears. She has found you to be rather.... captivating.” Both lapsed into their thoughts and they rounded the final curve, bringing the other generals and senshi into view.

Makoto, Nephrite, and Zoicite all stood near one of the small trees, deep in conversation; only Nephrite glanced up at their arrival and waved briefly before returning his attention to something Makoto was saying. Kunzite and Ami sat at the well, discussing something, both rising and coming to greet them. “Look who I found wondering the halls.” Endymion told them after their hellos.

“Glad you decided to stir before lunch.” Ami told the dark haired girl.

“Glad to hear you haven’t eaten without me.” Rei returned dryly.

Ami smiled and excused herself, joining whatever the three by the tree had begun to talk about now. Rei turned to the third pairing. Jaedite sat with Minako on one of the benches. She said something, and both of them laughed heartily. A shot of jealousy coursed through her. Determined to break them up, Rei took a step towards them.

“I wouldn’t.” Endymion grabbed her arm. She turned to him, anger flashing briefly, then fading. “It’s a ploy.” Kunzite had meandered over to the pair, breaking up whatever connection the two had established. Minako looked up at the head general, her eyes warming slightly. Jaedite turned and caught sight of Rei standing next to Endymion, the prince’s hand still on her arm.

The Martian sighed and stepped back towards him. “I don’t know what came over me.” She muttered. Endymion smiled at her empathetically and glanced up to see Jaedite frowning slightly. Minako and Kunzite had begun talking and Jaedite rose and approached them, his eyes slightly shadowed by a frown.

“Good day, milady.” He took her hands and kissed it watching her over her knuckles. She watched him expectantly. “I take it you slept well?”

“Not as well as I would have hoped. The bed is far too big for me. I spent the whole night tossing and turning.” She replied, purposefully hiding her comment and yet alluding to it nonetheless.

A slight smile touched the corner of his mouth and Rei struggled to keep her gaze from straying to his lips. “Perhaps you need a dog to share your bed.” He suggested lightly.

“Perhaps.” She murmured.

“Good afternoon, everyone!” A clear voice rang out, and Rei felt the change in Endymion at the sound of Serenity’s approach. Everyone in the clearing turned to greet her arrival, Endymion being the first one to seize her attention, kneeling as he kissed her hand. Serenity blushed furiously and her sky blue eyes met Rei’s as she drew her attention on the group. “Lunch is ready. We’ll dine out on the terrace.”

All ten of them began to pick their way back towards the palace. Serenity blushed again when Endymion offered his arm and Rei turned, surprised when she heard the soft invite at her side. “May I escort you to lunch?” Jaedite asked, his blonde hair falling over his forehead.

Anxiety pumped through her veins and she resisted the urge to brush his hair out of his face. Not trusting her voice she merely nodded and took the arm he held out for her. Together they made their way behind the rest of the group, Rei entirely conscious of the man on her arm the entire time.

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Jaedite ate his food, not really tasting it, trying not to think of the woman at his side. He could smell her, the scent filling his nostrils. He breathed it in as though he was breathing the fresh, clean air after a storm. He was crazy about her, now he was sure. He wanted to taste her skin and run his hands through her rich dark hair. When she had arrived with Endymion, he thought he would explode. But after seeing his friend’s reaction to the arrival of Princess Serenity, he had relaxed. Endymion had told him of his intentions towards the moon princess. He did not need to worry about Rei. But still, the bond emanating between the two bothered him. It was a fragile bond and Jaedite could not quite place why he was uncomfortable with it.

“How are you enjoying it?” A low musical voice interrupted his train of thought.

He turned slowly, finding a pair of dark violet eyes peering at him under long lashes. He swallowed thickly. “Everything is delicious.” He told her, his voice steady. Gods, she drove him crazy.

A small smile broke out on her full, red lips. “I’m glad to hear that.” She returned to her own plate.

Jaedite turned to his own plate, cursing himself for his lack of wit. He thought again of the insinuating comment she had made earlier about her bed and wondered again if it was a veiled invite. An extremely veiled invite if it was. Cautious, yet stated. Something he would say when testing the waters and suddenly, his gaze turned to Endymion.

The prince sat across from the princess, his charm up on high. A definite change from the previous night when the prince had moaned of how much the princess hated him. He had lusted after her the entire ball, even after he had managed the courage to ask her to dance. But only when he was confident, did he act the way he was acting now.

Princess Serenity giggled at whatever he said and Jaedite wondered what had changed the prince’s demeanor. Endymion and Rei had arrived together that afternoon. Had they spoken to each other? And if so, was that the meaning of the slight connection that now existed? He bac back, pushing his plate away.

Rei glanced at him startled. “Is everything alright milord?” She asked.

Jaedite smiled at her. “Everything will be fine when you stop calling me lord.”

She nodded. “Well, what will be will be. Only if you deter from calling my milady, and all will be well.”

She was leaning against the armrest, proped up on an elbow. He sat up, leaning into her so their two faces were only inches apart. She didn’t flinch or bawayaway, only turning her face to see him better. Jaedite decided to play his own card, make his own insinuations, gauge her reaction before making his move. “I was thinking.” She raised an eyebrow. “A dog really wouldn’t take up all that much space.”

A touch of surprise flashed across her features before she responded. “Do you have any other suggestions?”

“You might try and find someone else to sleep in the bed with you. He or she would take up quite a bit of space.”

She didn’t reply immediately and Jaedite tried not to appear anxious for the answer. “Well, if you find someone who needs a new place to sleep, either for similar reasons or different,” she paused and licked her lips. “Tell them to come tonight and we’ll see what arrangements can be made.”

Ami stood up then. “It is time for our studies. Gentlemen, I believe Lord Kunzite wanted to work with you out on the field today.”

Jaedite turned back to Rei to see her rising. She paused, turned back to him, and smiled. “I shall see you later, Jaedite.”

“And I shall see you, Rei.” He let her name roll off his tongue, delighting in the way it tasted on his lips.

She left and he watched her leave. “So I take it you scored. Or you will.” Endymion clapped a hand on his shoulder. Jaedite shot him a dirty look.

“What did you say to her?” He demanded.

“Hey, I only told her you thought she was intriguing, nothing more.”

Jaedite stared at him. “And what did she tell you?”

Endymion smiled, thinking. “She told me that I might possibly be able to hold an angel in my arms.”

Jaedite snorted. “You make me sick.”

Endymion laughed. “Well, that’s what she is......my angel. And I want to make her mine, and then make her my wife.”

Jaedite shook her head. “Only you would want to take a woman to bed before marriage.”

“And what of you?” Nephrite asked coming up. “Didn’t exactly sound to me as though you proposed marriage before receiving an invite to Rei’s bed.”

Jaedite blushed as the brown haired man and Endymion exchanged an amused glance. “I didn’t realize you had spared a moment from Makoto to listen in on my conversation.”

Now Nephrite blushed. “Makoto is a very talkative person.”

“Makoto is also the only woman to hold your attention for more than five minutes.” Endymion pointed out.

Nephrite glared at him. “Whose side are you on? Besides, you were fawning all over the princess. Doesn’t mean I can’t fawn too.”

Jaedite sighed. “Look. We have three beautiful women whom we......are enamored by.” Jaedite stammered over his words. He didn’t want anyone else to know how he truly felt. “Let’s leave it at that.”

Endymion shrugged, as did Nephrite. They continued on their way.

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Due to number of guests visiting the moon, dinner had become a buffet, rather than having to deal with placement of the noblemen and women in attendance. It reminded Rei vaguely of a wedding reception she had been to once several years earlier. The tables were small and a dance floor, where a ten-piece band played, lay in the middle of the vast hall. Rei stared at her half eaten plate of pie. Her hunger had abated her and she glanced at Ami across from her.

The short princess of Mercury had eaten even less than Rei had. Though their studies had been a blur that day, Ami had been unusually lenient on them, allowing them to converge on Makoto when she brought up Nephrite. Now Rei studied the blue haired girl. She was absently playing with her food, casting glances past Rei and to a table beyond them.

Rei turned, scanning the crowd. She saw no one that might hold interest for Ami. A few random nobles and some women that Rei thought were false and silly. Then her eyes caught sight of a mop of dark hair next to a light blonde and her eyes rested on the table of Endymion and his generals. Only Endymion, next to Zoicite and Kunzite sat there. Rei cocked her head. Kunzite had been spotted with Minako earlier, though Mina had claimed they were only talking strategies and other stuff. That left Zoicite.

She studied the man with long blonde hair. Rei knew he had spoken with Ami on several occasions but the thought that those conversations could have been more serious struck Rei with surprise. Ami, who had spent the last six years wrapped up in her books and studies, was actually interested in a guy! Rei smiled to herself at the thought. Then Jaedite sat down at the table.

Rei felt her heart begin to thump harder at the sight of him. She took in his dark blonde hair, the way the curls fell over his ears and the one lock, which constantly fell across his forehead, his rich blue eyes, and his finely chiseled features. Suddenly he looked up at their table, and she whirled around praying he didn’t catch her staring.

“Hey Serin.” Rei turned to the moon princess at her side.

“What?” Serenity asked in between her mouthfuls of her fourth piece of cake.

“Check and see if any of our visitors from Earth are looking over here.”

Serenity looked at her. “Why me? What if Endymion sees me looking at him? I don’t want him to think I’m desperate!”

Rei rolled her eyes. “Endymion’s not even there.” She lied.

“Oh. You just want me to see if Jaedite is checking you out.”

Rei blushed. “So?”

Serenity shrugged and turned around slowly. She whirled around quickly, her cheeks flaming. “Endymion is there now and he wasn’t looking.” She whined. Rei sighed inwardly. “Jaedite wasn’t either. He wasn’t there anymore.” She stated before returning to her cake. She thought better of it and finally pushed it away.

Rei didn’t notice. “What?” She whirled and stood, her eyes quickly roving the table. Sure enough, the young man had left. Rei shook her head, rose, and began to make her way though the crowd. Her head had begun to pound and she had lost sight of him. She groaned silently to herself as she continued to search for him and failing. She began to head out. It wasn’t late, but not early either. She wanted to go to her room and go to sleep early. Then she began to wonder about Jaedite.

Would he take what she had implied earlier seriously? Or let it go. Part of Rei hoped he was being just as coy as she had been. However, another part of her hoped he hadn’t been kidding and would show up at her door later. She could only wonder as she left the hall, never feeling the blue eyes watching her leave.

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Jaedite had been trying to work up the nerve to ask Rei to dance. Last night he had been able but but for some reason, his confidence had left him. Plus, Rei had made no move to come talk to him. And then when he had gone to catch her eye, she had turned away! Frustrated, Jaedite had stepped outside. After a few moments, his resolve solid again, he had reentered the hall, only to discover Rei walking out the door. Jaedite sighed and Kunzite joined him at his side.

“I take you are enjoying yourself?”

Jaedite looked at the head general. Kunzite’s usually cold grey eyes, seemed brighter and his demeanor held almost joviality Jaedite had never before seen. Not since their early days of training. Jaedite had often wondered if the man had forgotten to smile. “I’ve been having a good time.”

Kunzite looked at him. “Better if you shared the bed of the Lady of Mars?”

Jaedite felt a blush creep up his neck. “Bedding her is not my goal while we are here.”

“Maybe not a goal, but perhaps an added bonus.”

“I’m sure you have a similar wish to bed the Lady of Venus. You two have become awfully cozy lately.” Jaedite shot at him, hoping to draw blood.

Kunzite snickered. “Perhaps. But at least I have admitted my affection for the woman.”

Jaedite studied him, his anger melting away. “So there is something going on between you and Lady Minako.”

Kunzite sighe tou touch of sadness touching his features. “No, I have not completely given myself to her, and I belitherthere is a painful memory preventing her from giving herself to me. But bedding her is not my achievement. I merely want to bask in her company.”

Jaedite shook his head. “You amaze me, Kunzite.” The white-haired general raised an eyebrow. “You come across as being an extremely cold and harsh man. Yet in a single trip to the moon, a single woman has managed to melt some of your walls. Never before, have I seen you like this.”

“A woman can do many strange things to a man. Some of them are good.” Kunzite smiled. “Go to her. She would be a fool not to want to share your bed.” Kunzite turned and picked his way through the crowd to where Minako stood.

Jaedite watched them. His heart ached for the company of Rei. Out of the nearest door, he made his exit and took his time returning to his room. He laid down, not changing, and thought of the raven beauty that had capd hid his heart.

Rumors of the Martian princess’s temper were known far and wide. Jaedite had even witnessed it during his first day and had been apprehensive to approach her later. She had been fighting with Minako about something and then had turned her wrath on the princess. Princess Serenity, not giving into her tears, had stood up to the enraged Rei. Further angered, the senshi of fire had whirled and stalked off, scaring any servant who crossed her path. Jaedite and theeralerals had all witnessed the encounter from a balcony overlooking the training grounds.

Later, Jaedite had come upon her sitting on the lip of one of the fountains. Appearing to be deep in thought, he had meant to pass her by. But she had sensed him and called him over. They had begun conversing and a debate had ensued. Afterwards, Jaedite had realized the Lady Rei was jun exn extremely passionate young woman and had approached her the next afternoon to continue their conversation. A repore had developed and the last four days had made them friends.

But now, Jaedite wanted to be lovers. He sighed and thoughts of her earlier comment floated through his mind. The sexual innuendo was there, that much was obvious. However, the seriousness of the comment remained unclear. If she had been serious, she waited for him in the darkness of her bedroom. Yet, if she had been kidding, he could show up and awaken her, therefore evokinr anr anger.

Frustrated, Jaedite got up and paced. Should he go? Or shouldn’t he. He checked the time. Most everyone would be retired by now if not yet asleep. He continued to pace.

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This chapter merely sets the stage. The next chapter is where things will really start to get exciting. Please let me know what you think!