Sakura's Song By Sailor Serenity

Chapter 2

     Queen Minako and Neo-Queen Serenity were in the main room of the palace, talking about Princess Sakura's Royal Birthday Ball that was to be held in the Saturn Palace. Princesses Melina and Rini were in Rini's room talking about what to get Princess Sakura. Melina was getting Sakura a neckalce with a charm in the shape of the Saturn sign. Rini had no idea what she should get Sakura.
    "Queen Rei annd Crown Princess Kayla came to the North Wing yesterday, Kayla didn't know what to get Sakura either, don't worry, I'm sure you'll both think of something good." Princess Melina said. The North Wing was where the Royalty of Venus lived. The center of the palace was where Serenity, Endymion, and Rini lived. The Royalty of Mars lived in the East Wing of the Crystal Tokyo Palace.
    In the Saturn Palace, Princess Sakura sat in the Grand Ballroom, which was soon to be decorated for her birthday. Sakura tried to look excited and happy, but she couldn't fool her mother.
    "Something's bothering you, Sakura. Please tell me what's wrong." Queen Hotaru sat next to the princess. She smoothed Sakura's hair away from her face.
    "It's just that I don't think we should bother putting on a ball."
    "Why not, Princess? It's the Royal Tradition for a princess or prince to have a royal ball for their thirteenth birthday. It will be fun."
    "Yes Mother, I know. I guess I'm just nervous, that's all." Sakura looked up at her mother, and smiled, trying not to look fake. Queen Hotaru smiled back. "Are you sure nothing else is wrong?"
    "I'm okay. Don't worry." Sakura said.
    "Come, Sakura. Why don't we pick out your dress for the ball?"
    "Okay." Hotaru and Sakura went up the staircase to pick out the perfect dress.
~~~~~~~
    Rini opened a drawer and took out a box. She opened it and took out a flute. It was the flute Peruru had given to her. She never played it, it was too special to her. She held it, hoping it would somehow give her inspiration for a gift idea. She was still trying to figure out what the best gift for the Princess of Saturn for her birthday when suddenly, a song came to her. She put away the flute and went down to the main room and to the grand piano. She began to play the song. When she'd finished, she realized she'd never heard that song before.
    "Where did that come from?" Rini wondered.
    "It was beatuiful, Rini. Did Queen Michiru teach it to you?" Neo-King Edymion came into the room. He sat on the piano bench next to her. Sometimes when Queen Michiru would visit with her daughter, Princess Melody and her son Prince Christopher from the Neptune Palace, she would teach Rini to play piano. Rini only knew a few songs, but she never even heard Queen Michiru play that song.
    "No, I-I don't remember where I heard the song before. I like it though. It's really beautiful, and it makes me feel happy." Rini said.
    "Well, I think it's very beautiful, too. You played it well. I just came to tell you that tomorrow we will have visitors for dinner."
    "Who's coming?"
    "The Royalty of Mars and Mercury."
    "It sounds wonderful. I can't wait. Maybe Princess Kayla and Princess Amanda can help me come up with a good idea for a gift for the Saturn Princess Sakura." Endymion smiled and kissed Rini on the top of her head. "I'm sure you'll come up with a great gift idea." He left the room and went upstairs.
    After Rini said goodnight to her parents, she got out of bed and sat out on the balcony, trying to think of where the song came from.
    "I must have heard it somewhere," Rini thought. Another strange thought came to her. She never played perfectly on the piano before. Only this one song she never heard in her life. Rini frowned in frustration. She went back inside and flopped down on her bed. Eventually she fell asleep.
    Rini could hear flute music being played. She turned in all directions, hoping to find it's source. No such luck. Then she realized it was the same song she played on
the piano. Then, she could hear a voice calling her name.
    Suddenly, Rini was back in her room. The maid, Mrs. Moore had come into the room to wake Rini up. Rini sat up and looked at her clock.
    "8:30? I was supposed to be up over an hour ago!"
    "Hurry, Rini, you still need to eat breakfast. Today, we have a lot to do." Mrs. Moore left the room.
    "Oh great." Rini ran over to her closet and slid the door open. She pulled a blue dress with a red bow on the front out, along with her favorite white shoes. When she was ready, she hurried downstairs and to the table.
~~~~~~~
    Queen Hotaru sat in the Grand Ballroom while it was being decorated. Sakura was up in her room. Hotaru watched as the maids and servants hung streamers in Sakura's favorite colors, lavender and light pink. Queen Makoto had offered to make the birthday cake, since she loved baking. Princess Leah was going to help her. Queen Hotaru said she didn't have to, but Makoto insisted.
    The Saturn King walked into the room. "Is something wrong, Hotaru?"
    "I'm worried about Sakura. She's up in her room right now. She seems sad and upset about something, but I don't know what. She won't say."
    "She's probably just nervous about the ball, and her thirteenth birthday. Don't worry, I'm sure it will be okay."
    "You're right." Queen Hotaru turned back to the ballroom to check on it's progress. "Queen Makoto is making the birthday cake. She said she'll have it delivered tomorrow morning."
    "Okay. Well, make sure Sakura doesn't see the ballroom until the day of the party. That way, we can surprise her."
    "Yes, of course. I'm sure she will love it." Queen Hotaru didn't feel as sure as she tried to sound.
~~~~~~~
    Rini was lying on her bed, still thinking about the mysterious song. The moonlight was shining in through the balcony. Even though it was her bedtime, she was still
awake, thinking. Suddenly, she heard a knock at the doors leading to the balcony. She turned and looked. No one was there. She got up, went to the doors, and
opened them. A strong wind blew against her. Rini squinted, trying to see through the fog that was coming in. The wind became so strong she shielded her face with
her arms. Suddenly, the wind stopped. A shadowed figure appeared and flew down to the balcony.
    "Who are you? What are you doing here?" Rini called out. Suddenly, the figure came in clear. She recognized him immediately.

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