A.N. – This is story number four of the Sailor Moon P saga, and the first of the stories set in the Moon Kingdom.
Disclaimer: I do not own Bishoujo Senshi Sailor Moon; however I do own Estrella, Alexia Risolto/Sailor Charon/Princess Charon and the rest of the Royal Family of the Outer Moon.
Memoirs of a Kitten
1: The Mysterious Outer Moon Princess: Charon Comes to Stay.
Prologue: A Letter From the Outer Moon
Estrella stretched out on the porch and stifled a yawn; the autumn sun made her feel drowzy, but she was determined she wasn't going to fall asleep - not yet.
"Are you sure we shouldn't go to her house? Surely she'll want to unpack and ensure everything is well at home before meeting us." Amy remarked. Rei shook her head as she placed the jug of lemonade on the table.
"She said that her parents were going to drop her off here at six, and since there's only five minutes to that time it's not really worth going anywhere!" She answered. The Scouts, along with Luna, Artemis, Darien and, of course, Estrella were assembled at the Hino Shrine, awaiting the return of Alexia, who had gone back to Kyoto for a week with her parents to attend a wedding as well as to visit old friends. It couldn't've come at a better time for the girl, who just three weeks before had been involved in a fight for her life against her arch nemesis, Lucilius. They all knew how much she needed to take a break so that she could come to terms with the everything that had happened, including the departure of her fiancé and the terrible news that Lucilius was still alive…
Estrella couldn't help but smile. Although it had only been seven days she had missed Alexia on every one of them. Since the day she had first told the girl that she was Sailor Charon Estrella had hated being away from her, even for just a few minutes. After all, Alexia was more than just a charge to her, she was the best friend she would ever have.
Her ears picked up suddenly as she heard the distant sound of a car door closing and her heart skipped a beat as she heard footsteps coming closer to the Shrine.
"She's here!" The kitten announced, leaping to her feet excitedly.
"Are you sure?" Mina inquired as the girls followed Estrella's lead and stood up.
"Hello?" Alexia's voice sounded as she reached the top of the steps. "Hi!" She greeted them all happily as soon as she appeared.
"Hi! How are you?" Serena was the first to rush forward and grab their friend's hands. "How was Kyoto? Was the wedding beautiful?"
"Woah! I don't know which question to answer first!" Alexia grinned, sitting down.
"How about 'how are you'?" Rei smiled, pouring her a drink.
"I'm fine, thanks. I had such a great time in Kyoto…" Estrella was looking at the girl, her green eyes bright with joy, as she walked over and nuzzled her cheek against the girl's bare ankles. "'Strella!" Alexia exclaimed, picking her up and hugging her tightly. "Here you are! I'm so glad to see you!"
"I'm glad to see you too," Estrella purred. "I missed you so much!"
"I missed you too, 'Strella. I wish we could've smuggled you along with us." Alexia told her, then looked at Amy. "I hope she wasn't any trouble for you, Aims."
"None at all," the blue-haired girl smiled. "We had a wonderful time together, didn't we?"
"Yes, I learnt some fascinating things!" Estrella snuggled up closer to the girl.
"So, tell us about the wedding!" Lita spoke up, her eyes eager for information.
"Yeah! Was the bride's dress totally breath-taking?" Mina added, her voice urging her on.
"Well, now you mention it…" Alexia began to relate her tale, her voice light and cheerful. Estrella, in Alexia's lap, once again closed her eyes and sighed contentedly, allowing Alexia's voice to lull her to sleep. She found her mind wasn't on the conversation, but was drifting back to the time of the Moon Kingdom…
x x x x x
Several centuries before - The Moon Kingdom.
The war had begun on the day of Estrella's birth.
A month had now passed since then, a month of bitterness and hostility between the planets Pluto and Palazea of the Xera Galaxy and a month of anxiety on Queen Serenity's behalf.
The gentle and peace-loving queen had been placed in the middle of the fracas, both sides pleading for her alliance. She had flatly refused on numerous occasions to get involved, saying it was between them alone. However it was getting more difficult by the day, with other planets from both galaxies taking sides and pledging allegiances.
It was on that day, a month after the first assault and the birth of the feline adviser-to-be, that a new princess came to reside on the Moon.
Serenity, her daughter, Luna, Artemis and Estrella were sat in the gardens discussing the situation.
"Mother, do you believe the war will be over soon?" Princess Serena inquired.
"I wish I knew; however, I'm afraid the end is unforeseeable." She sighed in response.
"I hope Princess Pluto is safe and well." Luna spoke up. The princess had left her post at the Gates of Time to assist her home planet in the battle.
They had heard nothing from her since she'd left.
"I'm sure she will be, she's strong." Artemis reassured her. Meanwhile Estrella was staring at the stars above them, awed at how bright they shone and just how many there were. She didn't really have any idea what was happening, she just knew it wasn't good. She had heard the word 'war' every day of her brief life, and understood it must be something very terrible because when the people around her said it their eyes weren't bright, their mouths didn't turn up and their voices were quiet and made her feel sad and scared. She looked at Queen Serenity's pale and anxious face, which she was very accustomed to seeing. She had hardly seen the queen smile, but the few times she had Estrella had been amazed by how beautiful she was. She wished the war, whatever it was, would just go away so that she could watch Serenity smile all the time.
"Your Majesty, this letter has just arrived for you." A male voice suddenly announced, interrupting the kitten's star gazing session. A man, one of Serenity's courtiers, was stood next to the queen. In his hand was a small white envelope, which he handed to the woman. The first thing she did was look at the wax crest, sealing the envelope shut.
"The symbol of Charon." She murmured, her expression unreadable; she then looked up at the man. "Any more news?" The courtier looked grave.
"Yes, Your Majesty. Palazea have attacked Pluto again, and Neptune have sent out troops." Serenity sighed wearily
"Very well. Many thanks, you may leave." As he walked away she glanced down at the envelope again. "Why does this letter make me feel nervous?" She asked herself out loud, turning it over and over in her hands. Estrella knew that Charon was the moon of Pluto, she'd heard various stories of it; one of her favourites that Princess Venus often told was the tale of the Princess Charon - the Outer Moon Princess. She was a legend, spoken of for many years - said to be more graceful than one hundred swans, with dark hair and in contrast eyes of the palest blue. However everyone, especially anyone close to Serenity, as she and Queen Chara of Charon had been the best of friends since childhood, knew that the King and Queen of Charon had just one child - a son named Prince Char, after his father; and so it was just a fairytale.
"Perhaps they're finally joining the fight and are asking us to help in some way?" Serena suggested.
"I cannot believe that." Luna spoke up immediately, her voice rather sharp.
Charon was an extremely peaceful place, Chara and her husband hated war and had been reported to be against the strife between Pluto and Palazea, refusing, just like Serenity, to be any part of it.
"Well if it is, it's a waste of time." Serenity said rather harshly. "They know very well that I won't get involved." Her voice softened as she continued: "I hope it is just a letter from Chara, I haven't heard from her for such a long time." She carefully opened the envelope and read the note within. Her daughter and advisers watched curiously as her eyes narrowed slightly. "My, my…I am not sure how to react…" she murmured, her voice serious but at the same time surprised.
"What say, Maj'stee?" Estrella squeaked as she jumped rather thoughtlessly onto the table.
"Estrella!" Luna reprimanded the kitten. Serenity, ignoring Estrella's over-excited behaviour, cleared her throat and read out loud:
"'Dearest Serenity,
Please excuse me for not delivering this personally, but it is far too dangerous with the ensuing war around us.
I am writing to ask a favour of you. You have been like a sister to me for a long time now and I am sure you will help myself and my husband. We have been keeping a secret from the galaxy, in fact, the universe, for quite a while now and I am truly sorry that I have not been able to tell you sooner. The secret is that the legend of the Outer Moon Princess is true. We have a daughter, a little older than your own. She is our pride and joy and very precious to us, as I know doubtlessly I can have no more children. We never let her out of our sight and her brother Char usually protects her but due to the war he has agreed to go and fight for Pluto. It is becoming more and more problematic for us and so our kingdom must now become involved, even though it is against both mine and my husband's wishes. Therefore we fear we cannot look after her the way we usually do. We fear for her safety and so the favour we ask is - would it be possible for us to send her to stay in the Moon Kingdom, away from the evils of the war? We know you would care for her as if she were your own and trust you greatly.
Please send us a rapid response, for we do not have much time left.
With all my love and best wishes,
Chara.'"
"They have a daughter?!" Artemis exclaimed.
"I knew they had a son, but I thought Princess Charon was just a legend!" Luna murmured in wonder.
"What do you intend to do, mother?" Princess Serena inquired anxiously. Serenity folded the letter and placed it back in its envelope.
"It seems rather hypocritical as I said I wouldn't get involved - but there's only one thing I can do. Chara is my best friend, and although I must admit I am rather hurt that she felt she could not divulge her secret to me before now I cannot bear to even think of refusing their request and allowing that poor child see the war." She stood up. "I will send word immediately for them to send her to us as soon as possible." She turned to her daughter. "Would you inform the other princesses of the news?"
"Yes, mother." She also got to her feet. "Come, Luna and Artemis." The cats nodded and followed her.
"New princess?" Estrella looked up at Serenity with her innocent green eyes. Serenity picked her up from the table and smiled fondly at her, causing the kitten's little heart to skip a beat as she saw the glow, even more beautiful and breath-taking than the stars she'd been watching earlier, in the queen's eyes.
"Yes, little one, a new princess."