Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon.
A/N: This is the first story in my Sailor Moon series. It was originally published a few years ago but after many rereads I've decided to repost it with all of the edits and minor changes I've added since then. I hope everyone enjoys the second edition and feel free to let me know what you think!
A/N 2: Like all of my stories, the main romantic pairings will be between two women. If that is not something you enjoy reading, please feel free to check out other great stories on this site. Otherwise, get ready for some Rei/Minako and Ami/Makoto action with a few hints of Haruka/Michiru to spice things up! :)
Chapter 1: Meeting
-Serenity-
Princess Serenity sat up straight and folded her hands neatly in her lap, trying to match her mother's regal composure. Inside, however, she was bursting with excitement.
The Council of Planets had met the week before. Serenity hadn't been allowed to attend, but she'd been told that the seers of Mars had seen an omen. In three years a threat would come that would put the entire Silver Empire at risk, particularly the royal family of the Moon. After several months of negotiations and meetings, it had been decided that one princess from each planet would be sent to the moon to become the princess's royal guard.
Ever since hearing this, the princess herself had been giddy with excitement. My own personal guard! All week she'd been daydreaming about what they would be like. She really didn't have any friends her own age. She always had her mother, of course, and Setsuna, who was like a second mother most of the time. Luna and Artemis were alright in a bossy sort of way. But these girls were all around fourteen years old, just like her! And today she would finally get to meet them! They were being introduced now at the dinner and later they would become better acquainted during the ball being held in their honor. She'd been to many balls before, but never one with so many people from other planets!
A hand touched her shoulder and she looked up to her left to see Setsuna smiling in a way that was both indulgent and warning. "I understand you're excited, Princess, but try to remember your lessons. Royalty does not bounce at the dinner table or shred napkins."
Serenity flushed as she placed the napkin pieces into Setsuna's outstretched hand. She hadn't even realized what her hands had been doing. She started to apologize but Setsuna patted her shoulder affectionately and gestured for her to be quiet as the doors of the main hall opened. She straightened in her seat again and tried to contain herself as trumpets sounded.
"Presenting, Michiru, Princess of Neptune!"
A striking girl in a long flowing blue gown entered. She had waves of beautiful aqua hair and seemed to float down the stairs. She approached the table and inclined her head to them before stopping behind a chair a few seats down from them. Serenity craned her neck for a better look but snapped her attention back to the doors as the trumpets sounded again.
"Presenting, Haruka, Princess of Uranus!"
The next to emerge had short blonde hair and wore a black suit. There was a hint of green at the collar and a sea green sash tied around her waist. She strode confidently up and bowed deeply to the queen. Serenity blushed slightly when the princess bowed to her too before standing behind a chair next to Neptune. Princess? She looked more like a prince… A handsome prince, she added as she felt her face getting hot again. She shook herself mentally as the next was announced.
"Presenting, Ami, Princess of Mercury!"
This one was shorter than the other two, with short, turquoise blue hair. Her gown was baby blue and nearly reached the floor. The cut was more conservative than the Lunar style and the half jacket was buttoned neatly to her throat. Serenity wondered if she was warm in so many layers. The young girl glanced around briefly before coming slowly into the hall. She curtsied to the queen and princess, stopping briefly to look at Serenity. Then she took a place on the other side of Neptune.
"Presenting, Makoto, Princess of Jupiter!"
There was a low murmur among the people gathered in the hall. The people of Jupiter were rarely involved in matters of state, so very few had seen a Jovian at a formal occasion like this. The girl was tall, her head was nearly level with the guards she passed as she walked into the hall. She wore a short dress made of some soft green material that Serenity didn't recognize. It was belted by a thick strip of brown leather and her hair was pulled back with a thinner one. The overall effect was a bit rustic but not unpleasant. She bowed to the queen and princess before standing stiffly next to Mercury, who watched her warily.
"Presenting, Minako, Princess of Venus!"
Another murmur passed through the crowd, but this one was of excitement. Venus was a prosperous planet and their people were rumored to be the most beautiful in the empire. Sure enough, the young princess was gorgeous. She wore a plain white dress with thin gauzy yellow scarves draped expertly over her shoulders and around her waist. Sandals laced up her calves in the same canvas white as the dress. A translucent orange scarf was tied into her long blonde hair. She curtsied and flashed a dazzling smile at Serenity, who grinned back, then took her place beside Jupiter.
There was a distant scuffling outside the doors and moments later a harried looking servant came rushing up to their table. He was clearly distressed and trying hard not to show it as he leaned toward Setsuna and started whispering fervently. Setsuna rose demurely as the servant scurried off. "One moment, if you please." She swept up the stairs and out of the hall.
Serenity glanced at her mother who smiled but said nothing. Instead she studied the faces of her new guards. She was glad the table had been set up like this, so all of them were facing her. She desperately hoped they were friendly, that they would like her. They all stood stiffly at attention behind their chairs still. She jumped slightly when the trumpets startled her out of her thoughts. Setsuna had returned.
"Presenting, Rei, Princess of Mars!"
She strode in and stopped at the top of the stairs, surveying the crowd. Serenity gasped audibly. She had never been near a Martian before, she'd always been told that they were dangerous. Seeing this girl, she could believe it. She wore tall plated boots, black pants and a matching sleeveless shirt. Over this she wore a chain mail shirt and gauntlets on her wrists. At her waist was a thick black belt and a sword and knife hung at her hips. Serenity stared in alarm. The delay made sense now, since weapons were not allowed in the great hall. Setsuna must have decided to make an exception.
The girl strode to the table and stopped stiffly, inclining her head to the queen. Seeing her up close, Serenity caught her breath. She was stunning. Her raven hair was thick and glossy, with two thin braids tied with beads at her temple. Her skin was flawless with high cheekbones and amethyst eyes that seemed to burn a hole through her. Serenity caught Venus shooting the girl a disdainful look as she took the place beside her.
Then the queen stood up. "I would like to welcome all of you to the kingdom of the Moon, our palace is your home and we will offer every comfort we have. I would like to thank all of you and your respective planets for coming together in this time of need. I raise my glass to continued peace and prosperity in this great empire."
-Rei-
Dinner was a slightly awkward affair for Rei. This was her first time away from Mars and the whole ordeal was overwhelming. When she'd gone to enter the great hall, the servants had demanded that she leave her weapons outside with a guard. Asking someone to disarm was considered one of the highest insults on Mars. The woman next to the Queen had intervened before the confrontation turned violent. At least they let me keep them in the end, she reminded herself. One hand drifted to brush the hilt of her knife; the cool metal was comforting in the loud stuffy room.
She focused on her plate, mechanically devouring the strange food. It was all too light and fluffy, even the meat was sweetened and too tender.
She listened to the conversations across the table, trying to pick out the voices and match them to faces without looking up.
"If I'd known how sexy the girls on Neptune are I would have visited by now."
"Please, no one there would give you the time of day with a line like that." A giggle belied the words however. These were the farthest away, Rei decided, Neptune and Uranus.
"Fascinating. I've read about the cities there but I've never been able to pinpoint the reasoning for that type of construction."
"Predators stay on the ground mostly, but it's also because it rains so much there that the ground isn't stable enough for building."
"That makes sense. What about the socioeconomic structure? I've heard…" Rei tuned them out. People on Mercury were known to be thinkers more than fighters, an idea that irked any self-respecting Martian.
"Princess, try to remember that you are royalty and one of noble upbringing does not stuff one's face with all the food within reach."
"Sorry, Sets'na I's jus sooo good!" came the muffled reply. Rei smirked at her plate. Guarding this girl should prove to be interesting.
"Don't you speak?" a disdainful voice on her right demanded. Rei waited to see who the one from Venus was talking to. She'd noticed the somewhat hostile look the blonde had given her when she'd walked up. Suddenly her hand flew to the hilt of her knife as someone poked her in the shoulder. "Hello? Don't tell me you're deaf and mute because that might complicate things."
Rei turned to the Venusian girl, forcing herself to release her knife and placing her hand on the table instead. "What?" she said in a low growl.
"You do speak." The blonde said with a tight smile. "That's a relief."
"What do you want?" Rei demanded, trying to keep her tone civil.
It seemed to fail however, since the blonde huffed and turned away from her. "Forget it, I was just trying to be friendly."
Rei watched her for a moment in irritation. What had just happened? How is assaulting someone while they're eating a friendly gesture? She grunted and turned back to her plate. The Moon Kingdom was definitely going to take some getting used to.
-Serenity-
After dinner, the six princesses were led through the castle by one of the servants. Serenity watched them go sadly. She'd barely gotten a chance to talk to them, due to all the formalities. Her mother stood and kissed her on the forehead before silently departing the hall. Serenity looked at Setsuna, waiting for a cue of what to do.
After a long moment, Setsuna turned to her with a smile. "I'll be taking the princesses of Neptune and Uranus into my service to train as guards and generals for your mother. The other four will be your private guard. I think it would be alright if you wanted to go get them settled in their new quarters. Those will be in the same wing as your room. In an hour you'll all be summoned for the ball."
She already knew where the girls were staying, having spent hours watching the servants preparing the rooms. Serenity jumped up, remembered to give a hasty curtsy, and sprinted up the stairs and out the hall. Once she was alone, she stopped. What was she expected to do now? She glanced toward the doors of the hall, but decided against going back. This was probably a test for her as much as anyone else. Trying to recover a regal air, she continued walking at a brisk but respectable pace.
She hadn't gone far, however, when she tripped on something soft. Her wail as she fell mingled with a blood curdling yowl. Blushing furiously, she looked down to see a disgruntled white cat wearing a silver collar and flicking his bushy tail at her. A black cat with a matching collar appeared next to him, stifling a laugh.
"Good evening, Princess," the black cat inclined her head and glanced at her white counterpart. He flicked his ears irritably and didn't answer except to curl his injured tail around his paws.
"Good evening, Luna," Serenity stumbled to her feet and curtsied. "Good evening Artemis, I'm so sorry! I didn't see you!"
"That's alright, Serenity," he said with a long suffering sigh. "We were actually looking for you."
Serenity gave them a questioning look. "We're on our way to review you're new guards and we thought you'd like to join us," Luna clarified. "I'm sure you're looking forward to meeting them in less formal circumstances."
"Yes! Yes, please!" she squealed, making both cats flinch. "They're staying in my hall aren't they?"
"Yes, Princess," Artemis said with a chuckle, his injured tail forgotten. "Please, allow us to escort you."
-Minako-
Minako sat on an overstuffed couch with one leg crossed over the other, jiggling her foot impatiently. They'd been directed to what the servant said was a common room, before he'd taken Neptune and Uranus and left them to their own devices. Try as she might to stay regal and composed, the other three were getting on her nerves. The room was lavishly furnished, with plenty of room for them all to sit quietly until their audience with the Princess. However, the other three seemed to insist on making nuisances of themselves.
Mercury had wandered to a large bookshelf and was browsing through some old text she'd found, noisily turning a page every few minutes. Jupiter was leaning against the wall, gazing out the window and drumming her fingers softly on the sill. Mars was slowly pacing back and forth on the opposite side of the room from her. Her shoes didn't seem to make a sound, but every now and then the Martian's gaze would linger on her, and it was driving her insane.
"Would you stop staring at me?!" she finally shouted. The other three jumped at the sound.
Mars stared at her with narrowed eyes. "Are you talking to me?"
Minako couldn't tell if the other girl was being deliberately dense or trying to goad her. Either way it was infuriating. She leapt to her feet, tossing her blonde hair over her shoulder. "Of course! And we're supposed to be waiting for the princess, can't you all find something quiet to do? You're driving me insane!"
"Clearly…" Jupiter muttered and she heard Mars snort in agreement.
Her hands balled into fists as she glared at them each in turn. Jupiter shook her head and turned back to the window, but Mars was still watching her.
The dark haired girl took a few deliberate steps toward her. "Does my presence bother you?" she growled.
"Yes! I mean, no," Minako felt her face flush. "I just wish you would stop watching me like… like…"
Mars raised her eyebrows in confusion then frowned. "I think you're just a little paranoid and self-absorbed. There's nothing to look at in here besides the three of you, so don't flatter yourself."
Minako opened her mouth for an angry retort but Jupiter talked over her. "Take it easy Mars, she probably just had a long day."
Minako huffed. She didn't need the tall rustic sticking up for her!
"We all had a long day," Mars shot back, "She's the one who's cracking up over there, I wasn't doing anything. Stay out of it."
The Jovian straightened and pushed away from the wall, coming slowly toward them. "It seems like you're the one with the attitude problem…"
"Is that so?" Mars drew herself up and advanced on the other girl.
This is getting ridiculous. Minako walked between the two girls and tried to use her most diplomatic tone. "Now girls, I think we all just need to calm down and try to relax-"
A derisive snort interrupted her. "Yes?" she demanded of Mercury, who was watching them with disdain.
She sighed and shut the book in her lap with a sharp snap. "You're the one who was all worked up in the first place, now you're telling them to calm down?"
"I am calm!" Mars snapped at her.
"Don't roll your eyes at me!" Jupiter's voice was rising as well.
"Now look what you did," Minako accused the Mercurian haughtily.
"Me!?" the blue haired girl stood up as well. "You're the one that started all of this!"
"I don't start fights but I'll finish this one!" Jupiter threatened.
"Like Hell!" Mars snarled. Before anyone could react, she swung up a gloved fist, connecting with Jupiter's jaw.
The taller girl's eyes widened in shock for a moment before narrowing to slits. She charged the Martian, knocking Mercury off her feet. Minako tried to intervene but her foot got entangled with Mercury's legs and she fell down on the heap. The battle raged so loud that none of them heard the door open.
-Serenity-
Serenity was rehearsing in her head what she should say to her new soldiers. My soldiers, she thought excitedly! They all seemed so strong and proud in the hall, I just hope they like me! Ahead of her, Artemis pushed open the door to the common room to announce her.
"Presenting, Serenity, Princess of- gak! What's going on!?" he shouted and rushed into the room with Luna on his heels.
Confused, Serenity followed them in and was met with a very unexpected sight. All four princesses were in a pile in the middle of the floor. They also appeared to be comically frozen in the act of beating each other senseless. They looked so shocked, Serenity had to stifle a giggle. This was a side of the serious warriors she hadn't expected to see.
"Stop this at once!" Luna commanded. "You are supposed to be royalty! What kind of example are you setting?"
They disentangled themselves quickly with a good deal of muttering and glaring before spacing themselves far apart from each other. They dusted off and straightened their clothes, looking shamefaced.
"Ahem!" Artemis waited until there was silence before speaking. "May I present Serenity, Princess of the Moon. Serenity, these are your new… elite guards."
She looked at them, trying to smile, but none of them would meet her eye. She sighed to herself. This wasn't the first meeting she'd been hoping for.
"This is Luna and I'm Artemis. We'll be training you in all aspects of guarding the princess." Artemis twitched his tail in irritation as he turned toward the door. "If you'll all follow me I can show you your rooms."
They shuffled obediently past Serenity into the hallway. Last of all was the Princess of Mars. Serenity gasped and caught her arm to stop her. The other girl immediately snapped to attention, staring firmly past her. "I'm sorry you had to see that your Highness, it won't happen again."
Serenity couldn't help but smile at how serious this girl was. "It's alright, it's not that. Just, you're bleeding." She fished a small white handkerchief from her pocket and reached to press it to the corner of Mars' mouth.
The dark haired girl reddened and stepped back as her amethyst eyes met Serenity's for a moment. She held the handkerchief out and the other girl slowly took it from her with a confused look. "Are you alright?" She tried to catch her eye again but the girl simply dabbed at the blood and stared at the stained handkerchief before nodding. "You can keep it," Serenity offered, "I have more."
Mars looked at her again, something unreadable flashing across her eyes. "Thank you, your Highness," she said quietly before following the others. Serenity smiled and made her way to the hall after them.
-Ami-
Ami stood in the center of her new bedroom and examined it critically. Like the rest of the palace, it was done in white marble and light tones. A large tapestry embroidered with the symbol of Mercury hung above the generous hearth. Across from that, was a lavish bed with a dark blue cover and a ridiculous amount of pillows. The servants had already unpacked her things and she walked over to her bookshelf, absently running her fingers along the spines of a row of books. I'll have to rearrange them some time tomorrow, she thought absently. She would much rather do it tonight, but she was expected to attend the ball soon.
She sighed softly when there was a light knock on the door. She crossed the room and pushed the door open, only to find no one there. "Princess Mercury?"
She jumped slightly at the greeting that floated up from her feet. Looking down, she found the black cat that had lectured them earlier. "Is it time to go?" she guessed. The cat nodded and wordlessly disappeared. Taking a deep breath, she stepped out into the hall.
Directly across from her was a door decorated with the symbol of Venus. As she studied the design, the door swung open and she stepped back sharply. Princess Venus stepped out and cerulean eyes raked over her. Ami felt herself blush lightly at the appraising look. She cleared her throat significantly.
"I see you decided not to change," she said with a sniff.
"Neither did you," Ami pointed out.
"I didn't need to," Venus said disdainfully, tossing her hair over her shoulder and pointedly turning away.
Ami rolled her eyes and decided not to comment. The blonde had already caused her enough trouble for an evening. The two doors beside them opened simultaneously. The crest of Jupiter was etched on the one nearest them and Princess Mars was standing in the other doorway with her arms crossed. The other door was slammed shut as Princess Jupiter stepped around it and glowered down at the shorter girl.
They were saved from another confrontation as a door past the two girls was flung open. "I'm ready," a singsong voice called. Mars and Jupiter immediately straightened a moment before Princess Serenity skipped up to them grinning. Her face fell slightly when her eyes fell on Mars. "Aren't you going to wear a dress?"
Dark brows drew together as the Martian looked down at herself. She was still wearing her black clothing and armor. Venus snorted derisively and Mars flicked a glare her way before returning her attention to the Princess. "What's wrong with what I'm wearing?" she demanded.
"Nothing," the Princess said quickly, offering a timid smile. "Are all of you ready?" They all nodded tersely and she grinned again. "Great, let's get going!"
"Princess, don't you think we should wait for your escorts?" Venus said in a slightly bored voice, examining her perfectly manicured nails. Ami glanced around the floor but didn't see either cat.
The Princess turned wide blue eyes on her. "You four are my escort, aren't you?" she asked innocently.
Mars immediately put a hand on the hilt of her sword and straightened again. Ami tore her eyes away from that slightly unsettling sight to see how the other two reacted. Venus raised an eyebrow, but didn't look away from her hand.
"I suppose so," Jupiter said uncertainly, taking a step toward the Princess. Mars tensed and Ami could see the warring emotions on the other girl's face. It's going to be a long night, she decided.
They reached the ballroom without further incident. The Princess had kept up a string of idle chatter to cover the stony silence of her four escorts. Outside the doors, the guards bowed low and a herald stepped forward to announce them. "Presenting Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, Heir to Queen Serenity, High Queen of the Silver Empire. She is escorted by the newly instated Elite Royal Guard, Princesses Minako, Ami, Makoto and Rei."
Ami frowned slightly as they were ushered in. They hadn't even mentioned which planets they were from. A huff beside her indicated that Venus had noticed as well and was less than pleased. She glanced over, but the other two seemed too intent on their destination to care.
They followed the Princess through the crowd to a long refreshment table. The moment they stopped, a Lunar courtier swept Venus onto the dance floor. So much for guarding the Princess, Ami thought wryly as she idly watched the blonde giggle and flirt as they disappeared into the crowd.
Mars crossed her arms in front of her chest and scowled out at the crowd. Jupiter was on her other side, restlessly shifting her feet as her eyes darted around the room. Princess Serenity moved to stand in front of them, smiling expectantly. "Do any of you want to dance?" she asked sweetly.
Ami nervously looked at her companions, praying that one of them would volunteer. She'd read about quite a few different types of dances, but had never had the chance to put theory into practice. "I'm not much of a dancer," Jupiter mumbled, opting to grab a glass of punch to occupy her attention.
Princess Serenity turned to Mars with a pleading expression. The scowl had disappeared, to be replaced by a look of abject horror. "I don't dance," she said as she tried to step back, only to meet the resistance of the table.
Ami was about to mentally curse her luck when the Princess's smile widened. "That's alright, I'll teach you," she said excitedly. Before the dark haired girl could protest, the blonde had caught her hand and literally dragged her out into the crowd.
Ami took a glass of punch from the table just to give her hands something to do. She'd never been to an event like this, the whole thing was impractical. She thought longingly of her disorganized book collection upstairs as she watched the swaying couples.
There was a brief glimpse of the Princess wincing as Mars stepped on her foot, before Ami's view was obscured by blonde hair and an orange scarf. A moment later her arm was jogged and she almost dropped her half full cup. "Excuse you," Venus said acidly as she reached past her.
Ami gave her a cold stare and chose not to respond. Jupiter, however, lacked her discretion. "Why are you so rude to everyone?" she demanded.
Venus looked genuinely surprised for a moment before she turned a haughty glare on the taller girl. "I'm not," she informed the Jovian in icy tones. "Certain people just aren't used to the level of sophistication in Venusian conversation."
Ami almost laughed at that. Sophistication? More like justification to be a bitch. Jupiter set her cup down hard enough for some of its contents to slosh onto the pristine tablecloth. "From what I've seen so far, you're just a spoiled brat with no manners."
An appreciative snort interrupted whatever snide comeback Venus was about to launch. Mars had just returned, apparently finding the Princess a more capable dance partner. "Who asked you?" Venus snapped, her attention instantly on the Martian.
With a heavy sigh, Ami took a step closer to them. "Perhaps this isn't the best place for this," she said softly. Both girls turned their furious glares on her and she had to force herself not to roll her eyes at their childish antics. "After all, we are all representing our planets tonight in front of the Lunar aristocracy." That point seemed to have the desired effect. Mars moved to Ami's other side, crossed her arms and resumed scowling. Venus schooled her features into what she seemed to think was regally aloof and sipped her punch quietly.
None of them spoke until a breathless Princess Serenity returned almost an hour later. "Are you having fun?" she asked brightly. They all forced smiles and carefully avoided looking at each other. Forget a long night, Ami thought tiredly, it's going to be a long lifetime if it's going to be around these three.