Disclaimer: Once again, I own nothing, I know nothing, I am nothing. Those
who do are the cool ones. So far, no one's issued me a court order yet. =)
Chapter One: A Reunion
Princess Raye, as well as the other Princesses from the inner planets of the
Solar Kingdom, sat in the study room of the Moon's castle. Although intended
for their studies, the room was decorated with large windows and comfortable
couches, which Princess Serena, Raye, Lita and Mina draped themselves tiredly
on, while listening to Princess Amy's tutoring session.
Raye's mathematics book lay on her lap and she strained to understand the
theorems Amy was giving them. It was not as though Raye did not care for her
studies, she was simply restless from the long day of learning. She also
noticed the bored expressions on her fellow classmates faces.
Lost in her thoughts, Raye almost did not hear Amy's dismissal of studies for
the day.
"All right!" Lita announced happily as she stood up.
Amy raised an eyebrow at Lita's remark. Lita caught the gesture and quickly
corrected herself. "I-uh, meant, uh- All right! What a very exciting lesson
today!"
Amy rolled her eyes, but laughed at the same time. "Actually, I'm relieved to
have a break too," she informed everybody.
"Well," said Mina. "Now that our mind has finished working out, it's time to
give our bodies a work out." Everyone groaned at the mention of their daily
training.
"Must you so soon?" Princess Serena asked, a detectable note of disappointment
in her voice. She got lonely when her guards, also her friends, had to go off
and train all the time. " i was hoping we could talk for at least a little
while."
"What would you like to talk about?" Amy asked.
"How about the Generals that are arriving from Earth today, as well as the
Prince of Earth," Lita eagerly said. "I hear they are all quite handsome."
"And charming as well," said Amy from behind a book, as usual. Everyone
looked at her wide-eyed, for rarely did the book-smart Mercurial talk in such
a way about men.
"And how would you know, Princess Mercury?" Serena teased.
"Why, from conversations with the Lady Mars, of course," Amy said, casting a
glance at Raye.
Up until that point, Raye's part in the conversation had been mute. She
silently cursed Amy under breath from bringing up her name.
"What do you know about them?" Lita asked. "Have you met them already?"
Raye shook her head. "No, well, not all of them." She noticed all of the
eager faces, waiting to hear what she had to say. "Only the second in command
General. We were friends when we were younger. But we haven't seen each
other in years."
"But they do write letters to each other," added Amy. Raye glared at what she
once thought was a confidante.
"Oh, I see," smirked Lita.
"It's not what you think," Raye quickly explained. "He and I are only
friends."
"Wait," Serena interrupted. "Was he the friend who gave you the necklace that
you continue to wear everyday?" Serena gestured to the delicate chain and
half-star charm that hung around Raye's neck.
Raye raised an eyebrow at them. "Yeah? So? It was simply a parting gift."
"Oh," the rest of them said in unison, with sly grins on their faces.
"Oh, you ladies and your thoughts," she sighed exasperatedly. She stood up and
at a simple thought, her simple dress transformed into her scout uniform after
a slight flash of red glimmer. "I thought we were supposed to train now,"
Raye said, trying to change the subject. "Well, Venus?" Raye addressed the
scout's commander.
Mina grinned at her, but agreed. "Yes, Mars is right." As quickly as Mars
had, Mina became Venus in her orange light just as quickly. Amy and Lita both
became Mercury and Jupiter in blue and green lights in the same amount of time.
Venus leaned over and gave Serena a quick hug. "We'll se you later." Her
eyes flickered towards Mars again. "And then we shall finish our conversation
with Mars then."
Mars rolled her eyes and left the room in annoyance. After a short round of
giggling, the rest of the scouts followed to the training area outside.
*****
The four generals sat in the courtyard, patiently awaiting their Prince. It
was almost time for their trip to the Moon.
"So, Malachite," Nephlyte conversed. "Have you ever met the Princess or her
court?"
"No, why?"
"I hear they are quite lovely." He glanced at Jadeite. "Are you ready to
charm them and the rest of the Moon ladies?"
Jadeite gave them a devilish grin. "Always." At the simple mention of the
word, he remembered the necklace he had given Raye. I then struck him that
he was to finally going to see her again after so many years.
"Of course," Nephlyte continued, "It might be difficult if Jadeite’s friend
has already told her friends of what a heart breaker Jadeite is here."
"Ah, yes," Malachite said. "The Princess of Mars. What exactly did you tell
her in your last letter. Not of the last broken heart I hope. Your reputation
might have been ruined before it started on the Moon."
"Jadeite wouldn't do that," remarked Zoicite. "His chance with the girls is
too important." Everyone, except Jadeite laughed. Even though these men had
become friends over the years, they were beginning to annoy him with their
incessant teasing about his old friend, Raye.
"Oh, look, Darrien is finally here. Time to teleport."
*****
Queen Serenity sat in her library and read. Her daughter, Princess Serena,
sat beside her, also reading. The door creaked open and Artemis padded in.
"Queen Serenity?"
She looked up from her book. "Yes?"
"Prince Darrien and his Generals are to arrive shortly," he stated.
Serenity nodded. "Come, Serena, we must greet our guests." Serena eagerly
followed her mother into the throne room, but remembered that Princesses had
to walk gracefully. Shortly after they entered the room, the five men
materialized before them. They all bowed politely at the Queen and the
Princess and they curtsied before them. Serena looked up from her curtsy
and looked over the gentlemen. They were all, as Lita had told her, very
handsome, but the dark-haired one, obviously the Prince, judging his different
attire, caught Serena's attention. She locked eyes with him before quickly
looking away, blushing.
The Prince stepped forward. "I am Prince Darrien, and these are my Generals,
Malachite, Jadeite, Nephlyte and Zoicite." They all nodded at the mention of
their names.
"I am Queen Serenity and this is my daughter, Princess Serena." Serena
stepped forward slightly and curtsied once again. Queen Serenity continued.
"Serena's court and guard will be in to meet you later. They are currently
doing their daily training outside. I will send Artemis to retrieve you when
they are done and ready to meet you. Until then, you are free to roam around
the castle. Your quarters are ready for you also. Feel free to make
yourselves at home." They all bowed and politely left the room to journey
through the magnificent Moon Castle. Serena continued to watch the Prince
as he left with his generals, and he the same to her.
Once they were out of earshot, they began a healthy conversation.
"Where shall we journey to?" Zoicite asked. "I hear they have a very
exquisite library here."
"Only you would wish to read books while in this huge building," joked
Jadeite.
"Well where do you suppose we go?" Nephlyte questioned his companion.
Jadeite shrugged. "Perhaps watch the Princesses' guards train?" he suggested.
"What do you think, my Prince?" When there was no response, they all looked
behind them to see the Prince and Princess Serena talking with each other as
they walked in a different direction.
"Well, fancy that," Malachite remarked.
"Do you think it is wise for the Prince to charm the young Princess,
Malachite?" asked Zoicite. "His habit of breaking hearts is worse than
Jadeite’s." Jadeite glared at Zoicite for his taunting remark.
"What the Prince decides to do is his own business," stated Nephlyte. "We
can advise him later. Right now I would like to agree with Jadeite. Let's
watch the ladies train."
*****
All four Scouts stood in a line facing four targets. Venus was the first to
shoot, her crescent beam hitting the target on the mark. Mercury went next,
and her icicles also hit the mark. Jupiter followed and her thunder bolt
which followed suit with the first two. Mars shot her flame last but missed
the target by a good two inches, which was good for civilian standards, but
not for one of the Scouts who had been training since childhood.
"Mars!" Venus scolded her. "That is the third time today. I know you are a
much more excellent marksman." Mars groaned inward at her scolding.
"Perhaps the reunion with her 'friend' is breaking her concentration," said
Lita.
"Will all of you please quit with that," Mars complained. "It's just been an
off day concerning my marksmanship."
"It's also been an off day in your sparring," Venus continued with her
scolding.
"You're just mad because you are also having an off day."
Venus's face turned a hot red. "I am not." Jupiter and Mercury both shook
their heads in anticipation. Venus and Mars were beginning one of their
arguments, which led to a match between them, which always ended up to be a
draw since they both became so tired.
As predicted, the two warriors began to circle each other. It was not as
though they were not good friends, it seemed that Mars' short temper and
Venus' pride always seemed to want to kill each other.
"This is your fault, you know," Mercury said as Mars and Venus began to fight.
"And how is that?" Jupiter asked, increduloused.
"YOU had to start teasing her about Jadeite again."
"Well, I seem to recall you were the one who mentioned him to us earlier
today."
Mercury simply rolled her eyes and then watched the two in front of them who
were still fighting. "So want to place any bets?" she asked.
"Mars came in pretty close last time, before they both collapsed from
exhaustion that is."
"Then I'll bet on Mars." Jupiter and Mercury turned around to see who had
spoken, suprised that they were being watched. Mars and Venus also heard
the strangers voice.
Mars gasped when she saw the four Generals, and recognized the blonde.
Venus took this opportunity to sweep kick Mars off her feet and landed hard on
her back. Venus snickered as a small "Ow," escaped from Mars lips. She sat
up slowly and rubbed her back bone.
"Darn, I lost the bet," said Jadeite smugly. Mars looked up and once again
saw her old friend standing there.
"Jadeite!" she shouted happily as she jumped up from the ground and ran into
his arms, giving him a humongous hug. "It's so good to see you again!" she
exclaimed happily.
"'Don't I know it," he replied, just as happy. They finally parted and took
a good look at each other. "You're quite beautiful," he told her. "All grown
up and everything."
"Well, it's been fifteen years," she replied.
"And how those fifteen years have been kind to you."
Had she had been just another girl, the remark would have made her blush, but
she simply smirked. "And they've finally made you taller than me." Jadeite
heard a slight snicker from one Zoicite.
"Well," Jadeite said to his old friend. "After fifteen years, I only have one
thing to say to you."
"And what is that?" she asked curiously.
He wacked her softly on the shoulder and shouted, "Tag! You're it!" And then
he turned on his heels and ran.
A shocked look fell on Mars' face, but was soon replaced with an amused grin.
"Oh no you don't!" she shouted after him. "I'm going to get you back!" She
raced after him, past the bystanders who had watched the entire scene trying
to not laugh.
"Well then," Venus said, suppressing a giggle. "I guess practice is over for
the day."
*****
Jadeite hid behind the tree, hoping to elude Mars. He was pretty sure he had
outrun her and would be safe for the time being. He had forgotten, that in
the letters, she had told him of her developing clairvoyance. She simply
stopped for a minute and concentrated until she sensed where he was. She
reached around the tree from HER hiding place and grabbed his hand, then
tossing him into the Great Silver Lake near them. But Jadeite was quick
enough to grab Mars wrist and pull her in the cool water with him. Their
fight ensued in the water until Mars once again held Jadeite’s head underwater
until he surrendered.
"Why do you always do that?" he said gasping for air.
"Because it works," she said smugly. He splashed a small amount of water at
her and their water fight continued once again until Mars forced both of them
to stop.
"Wait, wait," she said, giggling. "If Queen Serenity or even her advisors,
Luna and Artemis saw us, they would complain about propriety. I'm not four
anymore, you know. I doubt they would be lenient now that I'm not."
"Of course," he agreed. He helped her out of the water and offered his wet
arm. "Shall we journey back now, my Lady?"
She accepted his arm and allowed him to lead her back to the castle. "Of
course, my Lord."
*****
Hoping that no one would see her wet in her uniform, Mars snuck through the
castle to her quarters. Much to her dismay, as she turned the corner that
would finally lead to her room, she ran into all four of all of the other
princesses.
"Mars?" Princess Mina arched an eyebrow at Mars. "Why are you still in
uniform? And why are you drenched from head to toe?"
"I-uh, that is, um, I had an accident with one of the servants."
"Oh," said Princess Serena. "My, how interesting that Lord Jadeite told me
the same thing when I asked him why he was soaked." She grinned at the other
girls. "I think I'd better tell mother to hire more careful servants."
Mars grinned sheepishly. "Well then," Princess Amy told her. "You must hurry
and dry yourself off, the Queen has summoned us for a proper introduction with
the gentlemen from Earth."
"Oh, well, then, I'll be right out. Just give me a moment to change." Mars
slipped into her bedroom and quickly de-transformed from her Scout uniform.
After putting on a simple red dress that she had blindly pulled out of her
closet, she concentrated on her inner fire and dried herself off, a simple
trick her father had taught her. Hastily brushing out her now dry hair, she
took a short glance in the full-length mirror, and then gasped when she
noticed her necklace was missing.
"Oh no," she groaned. "Where can it be?" She began looking around her room,
hoping that she had dropped it somewhere in there.
"Are you done yet, Raye?" asked Princess Lita from outside. "We're in quite
of a hurry. Queen Serenity summoned us quite a while ago."
Princess Raye sighed. "Yes, I'm coming now." She just hoped that she could
find it later.
*****
"He didn't?!" Princess Raye asked, shocked.
"He did!" Jadeite told her. They both burst out laughing again for the
millionth time that night. They were in his quarters, discussing old times
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