1. Disclaimers: Don't own Sailor Moon, never have never will.
2. This is PG. Maybe even G.
3. This chapter takes place in the past...
4. I apologize that I keep spelling poor Zoicyte's name differently. I just keep forgetting how to write it down. Ignore that!
5. Email comments to me at alinasan@yahoo.com...I'd love to know what you readers think!

"You look wonderful" Serena gushed as she admired Princess Jupiter's long green satin dress. Two rows of diamond bordered buttons ran down the center, The neckline mimicked a vest, sweeping upwards in wide lapels, that suggested a more masculine style but at the waist the dress swept out a little with feminine grace. Her arms were bare, and at her wrist dangled two thin bracelets. The dress used Lita's height to advantage, making her seem sophisticated and mature. Mina rather delightedly twisted Lita's hair into a sort of french twist rather than her ever present ponytail.

They were all gathered in Serena's suites, to dress for the ball. Jupiter had agreed to meet Neflite in the gardens, outside her room. Her nervousness showed in her constant searching for reassurance.."Do you think it's weird that I asked him to escort me? None of you are being escorted!"

"That's not exactly true, " Rei said calmly. She was admiring herself in the mirror, turning in her crimson printed silk gown. It was more form fitting than Jupiter's dress, being of a clingier fabric, but that fit with the daring mood Rei was in. Though modestly covering her upper body, with short capped sleeves leaving her arms bare, the two wide slits and tight fit stopped the dress from being considered conservative. "Warrior Jaedite is to be my escort this evening..."She smiled, as she worked a pale flower into her long dark hair. She toyed with her mass of inky silk hair, contemplating put it up. He hadn't exactly asked her, but she knew he would be waiting for her...she'd just bump into him.

"You can keep more secrets than a venusian turtle!" Mina declared, as she smoothed the folds of her own light gold/orange dress. It was cut almost identically to Princess Serena's flowing white gown-- a frothy confection of chiffon folds and layers sweeping outwards over yards of underskirts that shaped the bell like fall of the skirt. The two dresses were saved from appearing childish by the mature off the shoulder cut of the top of the dress. Still, they were definitely more modest than what Rei or Lita were wearing.

Mina started coming her own abundant golden tresses, as Serena's hair was long ago smoothed into her traditional buns and ponytails. Serena's hair was so long, that even Mina really couldn't do anything else with it. At least, not if they wanted it to last the whole night, or avoid making Serena uncomfortable.

Ami folded her book, her hand fingering her short wavy blue hair. Her own dress,a deep sapphire blue, had long sleeves and a high neck on the jacket, but underneath was a halter dress. The two together looked sedate, and sophisticated. But she felt not quite as dressed up as the others.

"Ami.."Mina said, "Let me at your hair girl!" Brush in hand she pounced on Ami, and when she was finished had managed to make Ami's short hair into a dramatic upsweep which gracefully enhanced her outfit. She unbuttoned and removed the jacket, pinned on a stunning necklace of delicately crescent shaped sapphires, and smiled at Ami. "Leave that jacket behind, because you won't need it!" She said.

"I believe its about time...wish me luck" Lita said as she left the room.

"Excuse me as well." Rei said as she glided out.

"Bye...well, girls, I hope the rest of us find someone to dance with! But if not! Never fear...I'll dance with you!" Mina giggled. ..as the trio exited and headed towards the main ball room.

"I would be quite honored " Serena responded with a laugh..."In fact, I may just claim your first dance!"

"That is if that Lord Darien would let you!" Mina teased back as Serena blushed....

"Oh please...he's just rude. He's always making fun of my hair! I don't like him at all. No....I think Lita's got the cutest one!" Ami just followed the two silently. She had her own ideas about the cutest one--her thoughts stole to the man in the library that afternoon.

Jupiter paused, by the doors that led from the gardens into the Grand Ballroom. He wasn't here yet...What if he didn't come? Before she could even react a voice called her name, and she turned around, to stare into Neflite's dark grey eyes.

"Oh, hello!" she said.

"The light of earth becomes you, My Princess." He said. She blushed. "In it your eyes are brighter than the stars." He continued smoothly, his voice was deep and sincere... .he took her hand. "I know there is not another as lucky as I tonight...for there could only be one woman like you."

She smiled, a little uncomfortable with the intense flattery. "Do you like skating? " She asked. He smiled and nodded. "Good, because I'm not much of a dancer...but maybe I can pretend I'm on ice."

"It will be smoother---as long as I'm with you" He smiled.

They began to talk as they entered the ball room, and gracefully began to waltz.

"You've surprised me from the moment we met...I've long since learned to read many people, but for some reason you seem hidden." He said, his voice slightly amused..

"I don't hide things. I can't." She said.

"Yes, you are the most forthright woman I've ever met and yet, I find the stars tell me little of what you hold for me." Her eyes shone, though a little mockingly.

"The stars?" She asked "You keep talking about the stars..."

"Fool"he cursed to himself. She gave him a puzzled glance. He smiled "I was referring to myself, to think I'd ever prefer to look at stars rather than your eyes... but still, I have trained in astrology...it reveals the lines of destiny to me."

"And what does it tell of our destiny?" She asked, curious. Her voice was slightly breathless with excitement.

"That it hides from me--I know not why. I'm just glad destiny did not hide you from me forever!" He dipped her into a low curtsey at the end of the dance. She didn't feel like her feet ever touched the ground.

"Destiny wouldn't be so cruel" she said, laughing.

Ami watched the couples spin (most gracefully, but, others wildly) on the floor. She smoothed her dress and desperately wished to be elsewhere ...but she couldn't. All of the other inner guard of the princess were here. As well as most of the kingdom. Everyone wanted to celebrate--always, everyone was celebrating in the Moon Kingdom. The guards come with the "Inner Senshi" and they party. The guards leave--So they Party. She wondered that Queen Serenity didn't lose her sanity with it all... maybe that was why Serena was so flighty....Well, maybe it wouldn't be so bad, she thought her eyes catching a glimpse of the interplay between Rei and Jaedite, as he brought her a glass of Moon "Light" (A special champagne type drink, as sweet as moondrops, as light as well, moon light).

Rei simply shook her head, and he brought her something else. She smiled while his back was turned to her bidding...She caught Ami's eye and winked.

Lita seemed to have eyes for no one but Neflite...they never seemed to stop dancing.

The wild pair of dancers she'd noticed came into view--Mina and the Princess? True to her promise, Mina had bowed low, and swept the Princess away for the first dance. They hadn't stopped either.

Two of the usually absent Outer Scouts were at the ball. Ami had barely met them--they were older, their focus was different. They kept to themselves generally. Perhaps following the lead of Mina, the golden haired one, with the boyish haircut, turned to the Sea-Green woman, and asked for her hand to dance. The woman's laughter merged in with the sounds of the music, and the two took the floor.

Ami noticed there wasn't a particular shortage of men in the room --with the departing guards present, if anything there were more. Still, she thought...she didn't want to be here. What if someone asked her to dance? What if no one did?

"Well, how about a mask?" tossed out Zoiscite. He appeared edgy and eager to get to the dance-- he kept asking if Darien was satisfied with his disguise.

"No...this has to be good. A mask? Wouldn't that call more attention to me? Besides, I heard a rumor that my "betrothed" Beryl, may be here. She'd recognize me for sure."

"Ah, good ol' Beryl. I know how you feel about her. Still, you know, if you two hadn't been pledged since your birth, I would not be part of your guard."

"Yes, and so too, Malachite, Jaedite and Neflite,..It's funny how my highest, and closest guards aren't from my kingdom originally!"

Malachite, who'd been staring at the two fussing over their attire raised an eyebrow at that. "Our kingdom has rich traditions, and much magic. That's why all four of us defeated everyone else in the trials to be your inner guardians. The Mineral Kingdom traditions produce fierce warriors--"

"Our people may be better warriors, but your people are better rulers. If picky dressers...Are you done yet?" Zoicite said, tapping his foot.

The prince looked at his friend, "I'm not entirely sure that's fair to say. Beryl didn't have training to rule. Beryl's mother died, and the place was in Chaos. Beryl was too young for all that power, if you ask me. I sympathize with her--even if I don't want to marry her. And I certainly don't want her to see me tonight"

"My prince, at the rate you're getting dressed, no one will see you--no one will be left at the ball." Malachite observed dryly. "Put a mask on and be done with it."

"Well, then let's all wear masks." The prince offered.

"Unless it's a royal command, My Prince, I will have to decline." Malachite returned.

Zoicite snickered at that. "What and hide those handsome features--would be a crime!"

Malachite's look revealed that only Zoicite could get away with a comment like that...and that even then the youngest general may have crossed the line.

"Let's go then. And that *is* a Royal Command" The prince shook out his cloak, and his two guards flanked behind him as they headed to the Grand Ball Room.

"Princess Mina, You are an excellent dancer" The Moon Princess laughed, as Mina dipped her into a low, if turbulent and unstable, curtsey-- "I feel quite graceful."

"Dancing originated on my planet." her friend said solemnly.

"Really?"

"Well, probably not--but I'd like to think it did!" She giggled, as they completed another figure of the dance. "So see anyone you'd want to dance with tonight? I haven't seen that Lord Darien."

"I know...but I don't want to dance with him anyway." She protested quickly,but she still sighed. Her eyes were drinking in the sights and sounds--it was the first ball she'd been old enough to attend. She sighed...and she was happy she had her friends here.

"I think he's really cute....and nice, I have no idea what you have against him." Mina said. She looked around, her heart falling a little as yet again she didn't see the face she unconsciously searched for. "Well, men don't always like these things as much as we do. Well most of us. Let's see if Ami will switch with one of us now. I need a break, even if you don't."

Then she looked up, and her eyes sparkled brighter. She saw the man she'd searched for all evening. Her body stopped dancing, in her amazement and that caused Serena to stop short.

The Princess stared straight up her eyes locking on a man dressed in a black "tuxedo" (though that term had not yet been invented), with a mask covering his face. The two dropped their hands, the crowd moving into part them She couldn't see his eyes, but she felt as if he were staring at her...."Who is that guy?" She thought....

"Now he's gorgeous"

Zoicite left his two friends as they surveyed the landscape of the ball. Zoicite zoomed off on his own mission. He'd spied her instantly from the balcony entrance, and he flew (almost) down the stairs. Against the silvery white of the castle wall, her blue hair and dress were a beacon to lead him through the seas of dancing figures. Not caring that he was rudely cutting in front of people, he sped straight towards her. He noted that appropriately enough, she was nearest the library entrance. She somehow hadn't noticed him wrecking havoc on the dance floor--her eyes were trained on the library door, as if she were mentally willing herself inside.

"Is this dance taken?" Zoicite said, appearing in front of her.

"What" She was so startled she spilled the glass of punch she was hiding behind. She hadn't taken a sip all night-- she'd only pretended to do so she had an excuse. As a result the cup was full

"Oh no!" She flushed, wondering why she was suddenly so clumsy. That wasn't like her..."I...I'd better get some Fresyaria, it will stop this from staining....I think there's a plant somewhere..."

"I noticed one in the library. Come, I'll help you look." He smiled, and offered her his elbow. "I'll have you dancing spotlessly in no time."

A shy smile appeared on her face. "I guess this is just as well...I...don't dance."

He shot her a mock horrified look. "That needs more remedy than your dress! I'll show you how."

"NO"The word came out more forcefully than she desired, so she quickly lowered her voice. "The planet Mercury doesn't really stress arts like dancing...I'd only embarrass myself in front of all these people..."

"We can hear the music in the library... It'll be like our own private ball." He said, gently opening the doors to the hall.

Malachite noticed Zoicite leading Mercury's princess away. "Well, he seems to found something to occupy him. No wonder he was so eager to get here."

"Oh no...Beryl is here." The Prince groaned..."I have to avoid her..."

"Don't you always?" intoned Malachite dryly..."Well, you're on your own there, my prince...I protect you from villains, but not your future wife. That is entirely beyond my duty-- and powers" He laughed at his own joke.

"Don't say that-I didn't ask to be betrothed to her...I don't even like her. I was a baby, and she was 5...just forget it...hey, where are you going?"

"If you'll excuse me, but I think my fellow guardians had the right idea. I'm going to ask someone to dance.. .we are at a ball."

"Don't tell me that you of all people let your heart get captured!" The Prince complained.

"My heart? You ought to let it happen to you once!" said his general, as he headed down and disappeared into the crowd.

"Yeah, but when I'm doomed to marry Beryl, what's the point? " The prince moaned..Noticing that Beryl's glance was focused on the upper balconies, he too hurried down the stairs in an attempt to get himself out of sight.

"I had heard Moon Kingdom Balls were exquisite..and this is ....nice, but I suppose people exaggerate. " Beryl said, looking down her nose at the fine orderb she was picking at.

"I am glad you could manage to attend Beryl" Queen Serenity said, "Our Kingdoms really should be better aligned."

"Ahhh Yes....now that I have regained control I can assure you the Mineral Kingdom has much to offer."

Luna's fur bristled. She was hiding under the throne. "Regained control" right under her iron thumb... I do not approve of her methods...you've heard the rumors--we don't need to trade with her!" She thought to Queen Serenity.

Queen Sernity magically thought at her advisor "Now Now Luna. Diplomacy requires one to keep the waters calm. I do not agree with her methods either, but Beryl is the ruler of a powerful kingdom. We need to treat her as such." "The Moon Kingdom is quite sufficient at present, I was thinking more of a cultural exchange..."

"Like these" She spat her drink into the silver chalice "Parties? That doesn't interest me" Her laugh grated and and Luna felt the urge to scratch her nails down the wall to drown out the sound.

"No...but as it happens, I do have one question. Why was my fiancé, Prince Endymion of Earth not invited?"

"I'm sorry Beryl..but an old legend foretold that he would be the cause of great unhappiness in my Kingdom, and particularly for my daughter. I cannot risk that--and so I do not permit him to come here. I even forbid her to travel there--it was not intended as a sleight against you."

"Your little girl? My Endymion would not hurt a little girl!" She laughed... "You are too superstitious, really. "

"I don't like to tempt fate." The Queen said simply.

"Fate doesn't scare me!! " Beryl said heatedly, as she let out a sick laugh. "My kingdom was left to rot--and no other kingdom helped because of some "curse", save that of Earth of course,--I worked, and gained magic and power to restore control-- and everyone said it was doomed...but look at it now. We are prosperous...and powerful."

Gracefully the Queen raised a hand "Beryl, everyone is in awe of what you've accomplished"

(Yeah, thought Luna, that's because we're frightened of you..poor Prince of Earth, now he's the one that's doomed with that engagement.....")

.Let us just enjoy the ball"

"Wait--I thought I saw Endymion.....no couldn't have been." She stood up, following with her hand, the figure she thought she knew so well.

"What?" said the Queen. Only Luna noticed the hint of emotion stirring the majestic calm for the first time.

"My fiancé...some boy reminded me of him, but he was dancing with your daughter...at least I thought that little girl must be yours--she shared your odd hairstyle. I can't see them now" She sat down, smoothing the lines of her black skin tight dress. Her hand absently pushed back the red flame of her hair, as her bored expression settled back in place.

"Quick, dance with me." The masked man grabbed Serena's hand. "Huh?" She said, her head whipping around. Her eyes locked into a pair of eyes as intensely blue as the planet that hovered over her home. This was the very man who'd set her in a daze a few minutes ago, causing her to lose track of her friends.

"I hope you're not as slow at dancing." He said gliding her to the doors that led to the garden.

"As slow as ..., What are you doing??" She said, stopping, bringing them to a halt.

"Oh no...she's seen me...let's go." He said, grabbing her hand, and all but running into the garden..."That was quick..."

Serena was puzzled by this odd behavior. "Hey, you can't just run off with me me--I'm the Moon Princess...my guards will ..." She paused...she wasn't exactly in danger...yet....she was sort of enjoying this strange young man.

"You're not in danger..." He stopped as they neared a fountain. "I am." He slumped down, drained.

"Why?" She said. He looked so worried. "Can I help?" She sat beside him, staring up at him "You look so familiar..."

He laughed...and she started to as well, till she realized it was not a happy laugh but the laugh of a desperate man.

"What could be so bad?" Her annoyance at his behavior melted with the sympathy she felt at seeing his plight.

"Ber--I can't tell you. You wouldn't understand." He said ...he looked up at the roses, and absently, twirled one in his hand.

"I might. And I can't help you if you don't tell me." She said...

"All right...I'm Prince Endymion of Earth, I'm forbidden to be here, and my fiancé Beryl is inside, and I can't let her see me!"

"No really, what's wrong?" She said, eyebrows lowering in concentration.

"Dumpling head, I just told you!"

"That can't be true, because Rei would have told me, she's his cousin, so I know your' ly--.. Wait I know you. ..you're..." She snatched at the mask. "Darien! What kind of joke are you pulling"

"Oh no...that's Beryl...I need to do something" His hand touched hers as he pulled the mask back.

"Wait..." she said, all too aware of the feeling of the pressure of his palm against hers..."I'll hide us..." she closed her eyes, and a brilliant white light shone around them, bringing the rose bushes down as a screen.

Beryl,stalked into the garden...They could hear her scratchy voice muttering "I could have sworn I saw him...oh well..." She frowned and sneered out loud "So these are the famed moon gardens? " She snorted "like weeds in my backyard!"

She left.

"How did you.." He turned to stare at Serena... She giggled. "I'm the Moon Princess remember--my magic is strongest here, and her's is at is' weakest. I simply cast a sort of "no body's here" spell, and she didn't even think to check for it!"

"That was pretty clever of you. I didn't realize you had a brain under those dumplings..." He reached for the Mask again, breaking the contact between their hands.

"They are not dumplings--" She said...pulling it away. "Oh...and You're welcome."

"Oh, yeah, thanks." He said absentmindedly.

"For a Prince your manners need work." She said, standing up, haughtily.

"How's this?" he said, delicately taking her hand, and kissing it, as he knelt before her..

She blushed. "Uh...yeah, that'll do." He stared up at her ,and she stared down at him...he couldn't pull away-- he felt as if some force tied him to this slip of a girl.

"Serena?" He said...reaching up one hand towards her face. She felt herself sinking towards him.

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