*Disclaimer: People of the world, hear this!  RS (hi hi!) and I have
officially conquered Takeuchi Naoko and now own Bishoujo Senshi
Sailor Moon!!  All must bow down to us!!!  Hahahaha!  We own Sailor
Moon!!!!  Whooohooooo!!! Ack!!!  The men in white shirts, they are
after us!  Jealous!  I swear they are!! evil ... evil ... hmmm ... I
wonder why they locked us in that room?  It was comfy and all, I do
love the pillows that they have....and the jackets...(sighs) bliss....

Humidity, the desert sands.
Swirling about, he called out for her ?
But there was nothing.
Just jaded memories of a beautiful mirage ?

Desert Mirage
Prologue
By: Eternal Angel and The Rose Society
Rating: R
Email: usako9@hotmail.com
       etrlslrmn@aol.com
http://www.geocities.com/cherii_blossoms
http://www.geocities.com/the_rose_society

*High Noon*

	The sun beat down upon the desert sands mercilessly. But even
the intense heat could not dull the sounds of mirth that floated in
through his window. Sitting upon his cushioned seat, he was completely
mystified with the world. Why should it possess happiness for everyone
but him? Yet he did not mind it much; he had too many things to do, let
alone fall for a hideous emotion that would surely be his ruin. Love
and happiness, they were not for him. Sighing, he looked back down at
the papers piled high in front of him.
	He had a kingdom to rule. He was Endymion, sultan to thousands.
This was no time to drift off, he scolded.
	He went back to reading and signing the papers.

*Sundown*

	Running a tan hand through his dark locks, Endymion let out
another sigh. He was extremely restless today. More so than usual. He
had even stop conducting matters of state so that he might find some
respite from his inner demons. But he could find no peace within the
walls of his palace. His mind constantly wandered beyond the walls,
as if his mind knew what he needed and that something could only be
found outside of the palace. Something was going to happen soon...
	Frustrated, he plopped himself on his bed, pillows spread all
around him. Endymion breathed in deeply, the smell of incense doing
little to calm his nerves. Closing his eyes, Endymion turned his face
toward the covers. Silk brushed against his cheek, the softness of it
making him long...for what?
	He turned toward the ceiling, deep in thought. Beyond his
palace walls, the faint sounds of city life beckoned to him,
whispering seductively in the background.
	He wanted to be where there were people...where there was life.
	He got out of bed and dressed hurriedly.

	It was late; in the horizon, a blood orange sun was slowly
setting. Although it was still warm, the soft breeze danced in the
stifling air, comforting those who still were walking the streets.
City life simmered and continued to bustle along.
	Garbed in white, Endymion walked slowly, his eyes gazing at
the beautiful sunset, watching as the sun slowly made its exit for
the moon.
	Suddenly, a hand grabbed his arm. Immediately alarmed, he
reached quickly for his scimitar. As soon as he touched the blade's
handle, the hand released him.
	"You don't need to get hostile with me. I mean you no harm. I
just wanted to tell you that there is a show today," an old man said,
his eyes wide with mirth.
	Endymion blinked, no comprehending the old man's meaning.
"A show?"
	The old man chuckled. "You never heard about these shows? Boy,
you're in for a treat! Tonight, there is a beautiful gypsy. She's the
one who is going to dance tonight," the old man said as he put an arm
around Endymion's shoulders. "Come on boy, let's go enjoy the show!"
With that, Endymion found himself being dragged along, wondering why
he allowed the old man to treat him so discourteously. He was the
Sultan, for goodness sakes! No one dared touched him! But he allowed
himself to be dragged into the seclusion of the building and sat
mechanically on the pillow that the old man pointed at. The old man
grinned as he sat next to Endymion.
	"Who does these dances?"
	The old man looked surprised. "You really haven't heard?! These
shows are famous!" Endymion shook his head. Of course he didn't know,
he hardly ever stepped outside the palace walls.
	Laughing heartily, the old man slapped Endymion's back good
naturedly. "Nomads that pass by. They are always coming and going,
pausing long enough to earn some money for supplies before they
disappear back into the desert," the old man explained. He opened his
mouth to say more but quickly stilled when a man appeared in front of
the crowd.
	Instantly the crowd stopped their chatter. The man smiled at
the customers and then began to speak. "Friends, welcome to our
humble show. Prepare yourselves to be dazzled by the beauty of the
Arabian desert..." His voice trailed off as he exited the stage. At
his cue, music began to play, filling the building with its haunting
melody. Slowly a figure emerged from the shadows.
	Thin blue material molded itself to the woman's curves,
protecting her flesh from sight but not diminishing her beauty from
those that saw her. Wispy silver hair framed a face covered by a blue
veil. Only her deep blue eyes were visible, glowing with sweetness.
Slowly stepping into the faint light of the torches, she began to move
with the music, guiding it, caressing it...
	Her body was sensual, her movements alluring. Her arms moved
like serpents through the air, spellbinding her audience. With each
note, her hips swayed as she moved across the stage.
	She spun, she teased, she danced...
	Endymion continued to watch her, captivated. Her every movement
was etched into his memory, every detail of her appearance forever
seared into his mind's eye. And then, for a brief moment, her blue
eyes met his.
	An warmth hit him, shocking him with its intensity. What was
this sensation?
	Then, she looked elsewhere and disappointed filled him. As he
continued to watch her enchant the crowd, he knew of only one thing.
	He wanted her.