*Disclaimer: Hi hi, minna-chan. Kii here. CP would
say hi, demo the men in white coats kinda have her
all tied up ^^; As most of you know, we attempted
an unsucessful coup on Takeuchi Naoko. So, right
now, we don't own Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon.
::whispers:: Demo, we're trying again soon, so
once we do succeed, these annoying disclaimers
will go away =)
CP:  YOU CAN'T TAKE HIM AWAY FROM MEEEE!!
MAMO-CHAN IS MINEE!!  LET GO OF MEEE!!!
Kii: ::shakes head:: Gomen minna...CP really hates
her 'treatments.' Once we're victorious, we'll
notify you. Demo, until then, enjoy the fic =)

Shifting sand upon the desert grounds
Upraising heart upon my heart
I'll search for you, my love
A thousand years, a thousand more
Until I find you once more

Desert Mirage
Chapter 1
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

	His thoughts flittered in and out of his
consciousness, never staying in one place. Drunken
men milled around him as the sweet melody of the
song danced around the room. Soft bells twinkled
from the wristbands of the belly dancer, captivating
him. Her eyes were beautiful orbs of innocence that
could even cause a saint to lust after her.
	And he was no saint.
	Eventually, the melodious music began to
slow, her body following its lead. As the last beat
faded away, she struck her pose, her eyelids
carefully hiding her beautiful eyes from Endymion's
scorching stare.
	So enraptured was he that he did not even
notice that the number had ended. Reality crashed
back to his notice when the men around the building
jumped up and began to hoot and clap in appreciation
for the mysterious dancer.
	Shrugging away the man who had encouraged him
to watch the show, Endymion stood up, his gaze never
leaving the dancer. She had left the stage and was
now walking away from her adoring audience. Moving
quickly, Endymion made to follow her.

	Sighing, Serenity shook her head in disgust.
She felt this way every time she had to perform. She
abhorred the life she had to live, the occupation
she had. Entertaining men by provoking their sexual
desires with her sensual body was not something that
one would tend to be proud of. At least the pay was
good; the money would soon earn her freedom. Four
more years...she only had to do this despicable job
for four more years. And then she could finally
settle down, away from the men she scorned. Away
from the life she had been forced into.
	'The life that my father sold me into,'
she thought. Scattered memories resurfaced:
her mother's gentle smile, a loving caress, and
a soft embrace. But Serenity's mother had soon
faded into nothing, dearth capturing her before
Serenity had reached her fifth year. And then,
her memories were filled with nothing but images
of her father's cold, indifferent eyes, boring...
	She shuddered as the memories became
overwhelming.
	Sobbing, crying...
	"Don't leave me papa..."
	An icy glare, then a push toward a stranger.
	"Her mother was fair, she'll be the same..."
	The voice was empty, completely emotionless.
	"Papa? Please don't leave..."
	The nomad raised his eyebrow was the father
did not even react to the child's pain-filled pleas.
Silver curls bounced around her as she tried to reach
for her father's hand. But the man merely shook her
hand away, as if it were an object of disgust. Eyes
of silver blue watched in sorrow as the figure
disappeared into the dunes.
	And just like that, her father sold her for
a few sacks of grain. Not once did he look back at
his daughter, not even to say a farewell.
	Spite gnawed at her heart in remembrance of
the cruel world. The taunts, the scoldings...she
had been treated as if she was nothing.
	Whipping the veil from her face, she turned
around and found herself face to face with a dark
haired man.
	Surprised, she stared at him, wondering why
he had been following her. He took a step closer to
her, his eyes peering into her own. Without a single
warning, he crushed his lips against hers, making
her mind reel in shock.

	He followed her around as she roamed about.
'Funny how she does not even notice her second
shadow,' he thought. Her movements seemed to grow
angrier by the second, her soft voice muttering
quite colorfully.
	Suddenly, she yanked her veil off and spun
around to meet him.
	She stared at him in shock and surprise. He
could not help but notice the sheer beauty of her
lips. They were soft rose petals in the peak of
bloom. 'They probably taste like honey...' He
groaned inwardly at the thought.
	How he wanted to have a taste...how he
longed to feel them again his own...
	'Why not?' the voice in his mind asked. He
could not help but find logic to its question. Why
not kiss her?
	And so he did, sweeping her into his arms
and placing his lips against her own. A gasp of
shock escaped her lips as he pulled her towards him,
but any further protest was silenced by his kiss.
	His lips teased her, tasted her, and took
her into a world of bliss...
	Her lips were sweeter than honey and softer
than rose petals...
	He wanted to drown within the ecstasy so he
continued to kiss her, madly and deeply.
	Human necessities finally caught up to him,
making him pull away, gasping for air. She glared at
the man who had just mauled her, her chest heaving
in an attempt to regain her breath.
	"How dare you!!" she growled, slapping him
roughly on his cheek. "Don't you ever touch me
again!!" Then, she spun on her heel and stormed away,
his gaze never leaving her irritated figure.
	Raising a hand to his stinging cheek, his
eyes darkened for a moment before filling with...
curiosity?
	Indeed, he was curious, curious about the
girl that had dared to reject him. 'Think again,
my sweet...I shall touch you again.'
	He walked away, a strange smile upon his
face.
	'And I'll make you beg for it.'

	She cursed at the day, at her fate. Who
did that man think he was? How dare he treat her
in such a manner!! She was not some common doxy
that would whore for him!! Entering the privacy of
her tent, she ripped off her hairpiece and flung
it along with her veil onto the ground.
	She still could not believe that man! How
could he had...URGH! She cursed at him fluently,
wishing that he would rot in hell.
	'You should be used to this! The show you
put on causes them to behave in such a manner,'
her inner thoughts chided.
	She wanted to slap them silly for being
right. Still...that did not make it alright for
that man to kiss the daylights out of her. She
was a person, not an object to fulfill a man's
lust.
	"Pitiful, Serenity you are pitiful," she
scolded herself. "Pitiful for even thinking that
you'll be anything but that..." She rubbed her
temples, hating the fact that she was right.
	She couldn't help but admit that the man
who had stolen a kiss from her was strikingly
handsome. 'Yet also incredibly rude!' She amended,
as she exited the tent, the cool night air soothing
her flushed cheeks. How she loved the nighttime
when the moon shone softly down upon the desert...
it made her feel complete.
	"Sere!!" a deep elderly voice called.
Turning toward the sound, Serenity stared at the
man, wondering what he would want with her? She
had completed the show already, what else could
he demand?
	"Is there something wrong?" she asked, her
brow furrowing in confusion.
	The old man began to walk back to the tent,
Serenity following him as per his unspoken command.
"Nothing is wrong, Sere. I have just sold you to a
man and he wants to take you home immediately."
	Serenity instantly stopped in her tracks.
"You did WHAT?!?!" Livid, she glared at the old man
who had merely turned toward her at her outburst
and glared. She knew that she should not question
his commands but finding out that she had been sold,
again, had surprised her too much.

	From his cover of darkness, Endymion smiled.
His little nomad was quite a fiery spirit. The way
her slim shoulders quivered with barely suppressed
rage when she heard that she had been sold, her cheeks
blooming into color?her reaction only heightened his
desire for her.

	The old man did not move, despite Serenity's
obvious anger. "Do not question me, child. As I said,
you have been sold for a handsome sum to a young man
and he wishes to take his new property home as soon as
possible. I agreed and now you are to pack up your
belongings and leave with him."
	Gritting her teeth, Serenity nodded, unable
to protest at her unfair destiny. After all, the man's
word was law to her, ever since she had been a child.
Storming back into the tent, she began to pack her
meager belongings.

	As she seethed in anger, the strap of her
costume slipped off her creamy shoulder. Desire hummed
in his veins as his eyes caressed her silky skin. His
fingers itched to touch her. He almost reached out, but
stopped himself just in time. Soon, soon he would touch
her skin, her hair?but not until he taught her a few
things first.
	She exited the tent again, her small bundle
clutched in one hand. Looking at the old man, she
said, "I am ready to leave."
	Nodding, the man gave Serenity an appreciative
glance. "This man has paid a rather high price for you.
I suggest that you keep him happy, if you want to
survive."
	Serenity's eyes hardened at the man's obvious
meaning. "I no longer listen to you. I do not belong to
you any longer. I belong to no one."
	"I beg to differ," stated a voice as a figure
began to emerge from the shadows near the tent.
Recognition flashed in Serenity's eyes as the figure
revealed itself to be the young man who had accosted
her earlier. Endymion smirked as Serenity's eyes began
to spark with indignation. "You now belong to me."

Author Notes:

CP: Thanks sooo much for the wonderful email sent to us!
(eyes widen) I never was so happy!!  (giggles) Anyways,
I do hope you guys like this chapter!  And thanks sooo
much to kana for all her help and support!

Kii: ::silent:: Darn, she took the words right outta my
mouth! =) Keep the email coming, minna =)