Author's Note: This is my first Sailor Moon story ever! I hope I do as well on this as I am with my Harry Potter stories. Please remember to review and be specific. Thanks.

Star-Crossed Lovers-Chapter One

It was one of the most beautiful winter days that the planet of Venus had ever experienced. It seemed the entire planet was enveloped in lovely white snow, more snow that it had ever had before.

Five-year-old Princess Mina, the planet's little joy, loved the snow more than anyone else. After today's lessons with her eighteen-year-old governess Sophia, Mina gladly ran from her study room and attacked the snow. She made a family of snow people: a mother, a father, and a daughter; and had even tried to make a snowball as big as the palace she lived in.

"I want it to be big so that it'll stay forever and ever!" Mina told Sophia as the little girl, her blonde hair covered in snowflakes, tried to pick up as much snow off the ground as she could.

The young brunette chuckled, her hands kept firmly inside her coat pockets. Snow never had agreed with them. She didn't understand how the little princess could have her own hands, so tiny and frail as they were, touch the snow so much without having them fall off, or at least having them get a very bad case of frostbite.

"I think that if you made it that big," Sophia joked, shaking white flakes out of her long hair with a quaver of her head. She imagined she looked like a dog doing so, but she did not want to remove her hands from her pockets. "The whole planet would get flooded with water."

She was trying to keep a happy persona in front of the little girl, but in truth, this was the worst day of her life. Snow was just not her thing. When she had been younger, she had had the habit of hiding in doors all day until the snow had finally melted.

"Like with Noah?" Mina asked, her blue eyes looking excitedly up at her governess, as if the child actually wanted there to be a flood.

Or maybe she just likes the idea of riding in an ark, Sophia thought, letting out another chuckle. She could picture Mina standing on the very top of the ark, giving orders to the whole world, telling them to save every last one of the animals. All of them were so dear to her. If she could, Mina would have dived into the ocean to save a dying dolphin.

"Yes, like with Noah," Sophia smiled. She had been teaching Mina how to read and write using stories from the Bible at the King and Queen's request.

A cool wave of air suddenly made Sophia tremble. "I think it's almost time to go inside," she told the little girl. She did not see how Mina could simply continue to play in this weather without one shudder of her shoulders, without one chatter of her little teeth.

"Your parents probably would like to hear about your day," she said, and it was the truth, not just an excuse to go inside. Well, maybe it was mostly an excuse, but Mina's parents were always eager to hear of what their daughter had done and learned each day. Besides, Sophia could see the child's hands growing rather red, as were her cheeks and nose. Anymore time out here today, and she probably would have become frostbitten.

Mina frowned, obviously considering whether or not to give Sophia a retort. But, after about a minute, she must have decided against it, because she dropped the snow from her hands and grabbed hold of Sophia's arm, leading the woman inside. Sophia winced as the freezing wetness from the snow that had been in Mina's tiny hands soaked through her black frock.

Mina skipped in delight over to the large, hand carved wooden doors of the Venusian palace. It had seven marble towers, each holding seven elegant rooms. Sophia resided in the tower to the North, where she had never been more comfortable in her entire life. Growing up, she had lived in the village six miles east of the palace in a little cottage with her parents and three younger brothers, all of whom still lived there.

She opened the large doors and allowed Mina to step inside. The blissful feeling of warmth seemed to encircle Sophia's body as she crossed the threshold. She smiled in delight.

"Daddy! Mommy!" little Mina called, her voice echoing off the walls of the large foyer, into the dining room and up the stairs.

But, it was not a vain calling. In a matter of seconds, King Joshua came walking gracefully down the stairs. He was a handsome middle-aged man with an athletic build, reddish-brown that was cut shoulder-length like that of his daughter, and a goatee and small moustache.

"Mina!" He responded to his daughter happily, holding his arms out as he reached the bottom of the long staircase so that the little girl could jump into them, as was her custom.

She did so, planting a loud kiss on father's high cheekbone. She waited no time to rant.

"Guess what I did today, Daddy? I built a family of snowmen! One is you, one is Mommy, and the little girl is me!" She smiled happily.

Apparently, Mina's smile was contagious, because Sophia began smiling, too. She just adored Mina's cute voice and how she chattered about each and everything she saw.

"That's wonderful." Her father's face looked just as delighted as Sophia's. He picked his daughter up as easily as if she were a feather and held her close. "Did you learn anything new today?"

It was a question any father who was paying for his child to learn would ask.

"Yes," the little girl said, holding onto her father's neck, "I read about Jesus and the Wise Men because Sophia said today was the day they came to see Him and gave Him His birthday presents."

It probably wasn't the exact day, but the sixth of January, as far as Sophia knew, had always been known as the Epiphany, the last official day of the Christmas season and celebrated to many as the day on which the Wise Men brought gifts to their Savior.

Before the King could respond, Mina had already started her rant again. "And I painted this picture of us and I spelled my name! Where's Mommy?" She asked the last part suddenly, just realizing that her mother was nowhere to be seen.

Joshua sighed. "She went to the Moon. To Earth's Moon," he said quietly, his eyes flickering over to where Sophia stood. "She had to…take care of something…."

A feeling of guilt as strong as a lightening bolt shock ran through Sophia's body as she remembered. She had forgotten to say her prayers for the Moon family, to ask God to aid them in their difficult time; and the Moon family, of course, included Queen Marianna and King Joshua, as well as Mina.

"Can we go to the Moon, too, Daddy?" Mina asked, not noticing the sad look in her father's eyes at all.

"I'll be going soon," he replied. "You won't though, you're too young."

Yes, Sophia and her parents would certainly be going to pay their respects, too. It was their duty to the most powerful family in the Solar System.

+*+*+

Marianna could hear the snow crunch underneath her feet as she stepped out of the carriage that had brought her from Venus to the Moon.

"Welcome to the Moon, Your Majesty," the driver announced politely as the Queen stepped out.

"Thank you, sir." Marianna hung her head low. She had no intention of smiling, nor did she look at the driver. Her long blonde hair was draped over her shoulders in no particular manner. She had not been in the mood to style it.

She walked, her cloak wrapped tightly about her as the wind blew. It was a soft blow, but a chill still ran over her. But, perhaps, the chill she felt did not come from the wind.

The Earth was brightly shining, the blue oceans standing out more than they ever had before, but Marianna did not notice. She looked straight ahead of her as she walked slowly toward the doors of the white Moon Palace, the grandest, most elegant palace in the Galaxy, her childhood home….

As her graceful hand reached the beautiful front doors, the tears came. Marianna could not believe this was happening. Her hands began to shake, her stomach cramped. Dizziness overwhelmed her. She didn't know if she would be able to stand on her feet much longer. She knocked clumsily, but quickly and loudly enough for the servant girl to answer.

Barbara was a tall, lanky girl of fourteen with green hair tied in a bun and bright green eyes. Her dress was black, so appropriate for the occasion.

"Hello, Your Majesty." She curtsied politely, a sad smile forming on her lips.

"H-hello, Barbara…." Marianna held her eyes tightly closed and took a deep breath, hoping that these techniques would pull her back together. When the Venusian Queen finally opened her eyes, feeling no better than she had before, Barbara had her hand stretched out to take Marianna's own.

"Come along, Madam. I'll help you."

Marianna took the offered hand, and was soon walking arm-in-arm with Barbara for support. The gracious teenager led Venus's Queen down the long hallway toward the main staircase. The hall was full of marble statues, paintings, and ornaments, much of which had been put into place by Marianna's own parents. Gently, Marianna grabbed the long handrail as she walked slowly up the stairs. This was the worst day of her life. It was even worse than the day her parents had died.

When they reached the top of the stairs, Barbara put her arm around Marianna's waist, having noticed that the Queen was growing even more faint. She took the liberty of resting her head on Barbara's shoulder as they walked. She could not believe this was happening. It had to be a dream….

Finally, they reached the Master bedroom, the bedroom of the King and Queen, the very same room that Marianna's parents had occupied for so many years. More servants were gathered outside, crying, holding hands in prayer, anticipating the worst. Upon seeing the Queen of Venus approaching, they moved respectfully out of the way so that she could enter the room.

Barbara knocked on the door for her. Marianna's heart began to race violently. She closed her tear filled eyes tightly again. She wanted to scream, to beat her fists, to plead her case with God, to beg Him not to do this.

The door opened slowly, revealing a short balding man with glasses who bowed before her. By the looks of him, he had to have been the doctor….

"You may come in, Your Highness."

Marianna let go of her support that was Barbara, who patted her shoulder lightly, and stepped into the room, sniffling and trying to wipe the tears from her cheeks. But, it was no use. They would return in a flash.

The room was warm with the fire going and candles lit. There was same red sofa, the same cherry wood armoire, and the same large bed covered in gold sheets and quilt that her parents had owned.

On the bed, covered in the gold blanket was the Moon King, the most powerful man in the Galaxy, Marianna's elder brother, Julius. He had the same beautiful blond hair, although much shorter, as his sister, and the same radiant blue eyes. His face was as pale as the snow outside, except for the purplish-blue circles under his eyes and the blood that was draining from them, his ears, his nose, and his gums. He was nothing but skin and bone.

Beside him on his left lay his wife, Serenity. She was lying atop the blankets, dressed in a warm white nightdress. Her long lavender hair was worn down, instead of in its usual two ponytails with buns on top. Tears were flowing from her lovely eyes, her face red and her eyes puffy, as she stroked her husband's hair with her right hand and wiped the blood from his orifices with her left. As she lay on her side, her fourth month of pregnancy was clearly evident.

Taking a deep breath, Marianna walked toward the bed slowly. She glanced at Serenity, who smiled at her weakly, as if to comfort her and tell her it was all right to come forward.

Marianna didn't know why she felt so scared. Was it the horrific way her brother now looked? Or was it the truth of knowing that she would soon lose him? Finally, she made it to the edge of the bed and sat down, taking Julius' poor thin hand in her own.

"Julius…" she spoke softly, not knowing if he would be able to hear her.

His eyes flickered open. The blood had stopped flowing, but it was still there, clogged in his eyes.

"Marianna…?" His voice was very hoarse and low. He could not speak above a whisper. "I'm glad you came…." A small smile crept across his face at the sight of her. His teeth were stained from blood.

Marianna bent down to kiss his forehead. It was burning with fever. She watched as his eyes followed her and then turned to Serenity.

"Will you two promise me something?" He asked, his breathing harsh and raspy. It was obvious that his lungs were torn.

"Yes, my Lord." Serenity sat up straight with much more energy than Marianna expected she had. Marianna nodded.

"You must… take care of each other—" he started coughing violently, blood spewing from his mouth and onto the bed. Serenity wrapped her arms around him and kissed him, cooling his forehead with her tears. Finally, the coughing stopped and he was able to lie still again. The doctor had tried to help, but he had nothing else to give him.

"We promise," Marianna replied, holding onto her brother's hand firmer, as though to hold onto him would somehow prevent him from dying.

"And I'll be the best mother you've ever seen! I can promise you that." Serenity continued to cry as she spoke.

"I'm sorry, Serenity." Julius looked to his wife and put a trembling hand to her face. "I'm sorry I won't be here…to raise our child."

He was the one to cry now. Bloody tears cascaded from his eyes and down his cheek, which his wife wiped away. "I-if it happens… to be a son, I want you to him Samuel, after my father…. But…if it's a girl, name her…Serenity, because I her to carry on your name when she rules…as you will."

Serenity nodded, her own tears falling from her face and staining her gown.

Julius breathed another hard breath. "I hate to leave you with so much…responsibility to take care of on your own …I'm so sorry for everything…But, this is all God's will."

Marianna nodded her head, although the comment was not directed at her. She knew it was God's will. Everything that ever happened was. There was nothing any of them could do to change it.

She stayed by Julius' side until he died the next day.

End Note: That's chapter one! I really hope y'all liked it. Please remember to review.

Merci,

Amélie