Edited 2/1/10
I haven't posted in quite some time, I know, but this fic was written a while ago. I just never brought myself to type it up and post it. It's a Rei/Hiiro as usual, set in the time of Crystal Tokyo when the other senshi have set out to re-establish their own kingdoms. The planetary law stating in the crystal alliance that power would change every thirteen years on the next rulers birthday. The planetary sisters would gather at the next capital, a month before the meeting of the Planetary alliance to have their best knights' train and to spend a week together.
It's been just shy of 15 years since Crystal Tokyo was established and Mars is the next planet in the line of succession.
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Prove Me Wrong
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"Do you not have training to do?"
"The training is for my men."
In one of the many comfortable rooms of the Martian palace, the Martian Princess leans on the sill of one of many windows over-looking the orchard where the guest knights train diligently. Two others occupy the room along with her, the Princess of Mercury and the Captain of the Guard of the crystal palace. Their dream of Crystal Tokyo had been achieved and then each senshi set out to reestablish their own kingdoms except for the moon. They chose for the moon to remain barren in memory of the Silver Dynasty.
Mars being one of the greatest training grounds in all of the solar system, the five elite knights of King Endymion where sent as both a chance to train and to have a break. No enemies are expected for quite some time to disrupt their peace.
The Martian Princess leans her back against the windows edge and looks to the stoic knight who stands in the center of the room. The blue haired princess of Mercury lounges by the fire place, engrossed in a book on Martian logic.
"Why are you here, Sir Knight?" The Raven-haired Princess asks.
"By order of King Endymion, we are here to train." He drawls with very little emotion or contour to his face.
"No!" She stands from the wall and walks towards him, stopping but a few feet in front of him. "Why are you here, in my presence?"
His eyes drown into hers, both holding no expression on their faces. "What man would willingly leave the company of two beautiful Princesses?"
Light sounds of shouting emanate from the courtyard and the Mercurian Princess leaves her comfortable seat to gaze out the window to watch the men train and the other members of the Royal court who have gathered to watch. The knight and Martian Princess continue to stare each other down. Both too strong willed to let the other win, even at a simple staring contest.
"All you men are the same. No regard for what a woman thinks. Chauvinistic." She firmly states, crossing her arms. The Mercurian Princess looks their direction as they argue.
"So we are." He reasons. His left hand comfortable propped on the hilt of his sword. "But I believe Princess Rei, that your opinion is biased. Based solely on a fraction of the population."
She scoffs lightly and turns her back on him. "It's a fair stereotype. A man has yet to prove to me otherwise. Even my palace guards lack the etiquette to look at a woman and not judge her solely for her appearance."
"In your presence, have I let my eyes wander Princess Rei?" He questions in his unemotional baritone. "All I can recall to have seen is your stunning violet eyes, the way your raven bangs fall over your brow and frame your beautiful face."
The noise from outside increases, drawing both their attention. Distinct shouts and words being exchanged echo from the ground, twenty feet below. On the front lawn, a few of the training knights are involved in a brawl with the gathered Princesses watching. Swords clash against one another and the thud of the blade striking armor. Rei looks over her shoulder momentarily before facing forward once more.
"There are other Princesses for you to watch over in this palace." She offers.
"But none as elegant as you." He bows, though she doesn't see.
"Sir Hiiro, your men need your guidance." Princess Ami interrupts, wearily watching the intensifying brawl in the courtyard.
Walking forward to the window, he passes Rei on the right and not making eye contact with her, he allows the sheath of his sword to gently brush across her leg in passing. He stands in the open window, judging the distance to the ground. With one hand on the window sill, he glances at the Princess beside him.
"I will see you both at the banquet then." He bids his farewell before stepping onto the sill and bounding out the window located precariously on the second floor of the palace.
Rei stands in the window with Ami, watching as he lands below and draws his sword, charging into the fight between his men. Making quick work to knock each to the ground, restoring minimal order among the ranks. Both Princesses watch from the window as he skillfully wields his sword. The princesses gathered outside applauding his abilities all the while, unaware of any previous conversation.
"He's a gruff man." Rei comments dryly. "No ounce of character."
Ami chuckles at her fellow Princess. "You're too harsh. He offered you a compliment and you threw it back at him."
"He's a man." She scoffs, tossing her hair back. "His idea of respect is any woman on her back beneath him."
"I don't truly believe that." Answers Ami, as she turns from the window, moving to retrieve her book. "Endymion trained them all to be proper, I doubt he had any puerile thoughts regarding you."
Rei continues to watch out the window as Hiiro spars with the other knights. "If you believe that, you're as dense as Selenity and as driven as Minako."
"Rei, will your opinion of men ever be swayed?" Rei turns back at Ami's question. "Tonight at dinner it will just be the knights and our planetary sisters. Talk to him, he might have something interesting to say." Ami suggests as she chooses to not sit and instead leaves the room.
Rei looks out the window once more as the knights' fall into order before the commander. "What could that man offer to change my mind?" She steps away from the window, just as Hiiro looks up from reprimanding his troops to the now empty window.
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Later that evening in the dinning hall, the guests of the Martian state gather. The Princesses of the sister planets, not including the Earth, Endymion's Knights and other choice guards that accompanied the Princesses on their journey. The large open hall is decorated with draperies in the Martian colors as soft music is played and on the far wall, the doors to the balcony are open, allowing for the light of Phobos and Deimos to pour in. A long table is set up in the center of the room for when dinner is to be served and several servants walk among the guests, carrying trays, some with glasses of wine and others with hor'duerves.
All the guests wander about the room, chatting in small groups, dressed in proper attire. The knights in their polished armors, reserved for such events, each with colors representing their ranks. While the Princesses are dressed in gowns of their respective styles and colors, some more comfortably then others.
Standing beside a large statue of the God of War, Hiiro leans against the wall while sipping from his goblet of wine. His shiny black armor helping him to hide amongst the shadows. But even his attempts at seclusion aren't perfect as Rei approaches him, dressed in a deep red dress with a high Chinese style collar and cut away sleeves that start at her mid bicep and run tight down her arms to her wrists where the sleeve's fan out. Her long hair hangs loose down her back and she carries her own glass of wine in her hands.
She stops at his side but he fails to glance her direction, taking a long drink from his cup instead.
"Your men are enjoying themselves yet you continue to prude in the shadows." She comments over her own glass of burgundy wine.
He grunts at her comment and drinks once again.
"Tell me knight." She continues, leaning against the wall as well. "Why do you prude?"
He holds the goblet at his lips, contemplating the question before deciding to answer. "I'm different from them. Just as you are different from your planetary sisters." He then drains the last of his glass and grabs a fresh one from a passing servant.
"Different. So I'm like you? What makes me different Sir Hiiro? You said earlier that I was more elegant. How so?" She asks with her own unique firmness in her voice. Minako runs past them, dragging one of the other knights along with her.
Hiiro follows the passing Princess with his eyes before answering. "You behave more like a Princess should."
Ami walks up beside them as Rei leans closer to his shoulder. "Is that the only reason?" She purrs in a sugary-sweet voice as Ami comes to a stop on his other side so that he's trapped between them.
"Hn." He grunts absently, shifting his weight to one foot. "The others have the regal image of a Princess but their behaviors are lacking." He drinks again from his glass, in the corner of his eye he catches as Rei takes a smaller sip of her own.
"Sir Yuy." Ami joins in, placing both hands on his upper arm. "Do explain what you mean."
"Yes, let's start with Minako." Conjoles Rei.
"Princess Minako." He shifts his glass into his right hand, resting his left on the hilt of his sword. "Is far to brazen. It's not proper for a woman of her class to reveal her body in such a way and openly confess her feeling's towards men."
"And Makoto?" Ami chides.
"The planet of Jupiter has forced its citizens to be more physical. Resulting in their fair Princess to have more of a tomboyish appeal, preferring to run and sweat." He returns in a low monotone.
"Did I hear Jupiter mentioned?" Makoto and Minako join the group in conversation.
"Queen Selenity?" Rei continues on the list.
Hiiro hesitates, not wanting to comment on the Queen that he holds loyalty to. "A fair Queen indeed, but perhaps to trusting and naive but with his highness, they govern justly."
"Brave to comment on the Queen." Makoto laughs melodically, swirling her own glass of wine.
"What of Michiru and Haruka?" Minako asks.
"Their behavior towards one another leaves question in the minds of many a statesman." He lowers his voice before taking another drink of wine.
"Oh, Setsuna?" Ami asks, just as Setsuna approaches their group with two goblets of wine. She offers one to Rei in place of her empty glass and then nods for Ami to join her. The two take leave towards the balcony.
Rei turns to face Hiiro sipping her fresh glass of wine. She's about to continue probing him when one of his knights approaches the group. He comments about Hiiro hogging the Princesses and then leaves with Minako and Makoto both clinging to his arms. The two are then left alone. "Setsuna?" She insists.
"The guardian of time." He continues, careful with his words. "Out of reach of any mortal mind."
"So you would fancy the senshi of Pluto?" She teases.
He glares her direction and she smiles in return. "No and if any man were foolish enough too, it couldn't be kept secret from her." His frown deepens as he watches across the banquet hall to where one of his men sits lazily at the table, an arm inappropriately lain across the shoulders of one of the Princesses. "Tell me Princess." He continues after lessening the contents of his glass. "Why are you a Princess and not a Queen?"
She leans back against the wall, her shoulder barely brushing his upper arm. "You must have a man to be Queen for, by Martian and Alliance law and unless there's a man who can sway my mind, a Princess is what I intend to be." She dips her finger into her wine, swirling the liquid in slow counterclockwise ripples. "And what of Hotaru, you've said nothing of her yet."
"She's young." He turns his eyes away from the scene across the room and pushes off the wall, turning to face Rei. "Easily influenced."
She steps forward, decreasing the space between them. Their eyes remaining locked between one another. "So you don't like your conquests young?" Removing her finger from the wine, she licks the liquid away, noticing how his eyes fail to waiver. "Tell me Knight, what do you look for in a woman?"
"Beautiful eyes to reflect a strong will." He drinks again from his glass, watching as Rei does the same. A few minutes pass in silence until a passing waiter offers them each a fresh glass.
"That's at least your fourth glass and I thought you didn't want to have fun." She laughs lightly with a poke at his expense, drawing only a shrug from him in response. "By your definition Sir Yuy, do I have beautiful eyes?"
"I've seen no other eyes that could compare to yours." He graciously compliments over his fresh glass of wine.
"So if I had the body of an ogre, you wouldn't care because I have beautiful eyes?" She starts her interrogation anew.
"Such beasts do not exist Princess but if it were true, I'd see only your eyes." He leans against the wall once more, the affects of the alcohol and the close proximity of the Princess both wearing at him dearly.
"The hair of Medusa?" She challenges.
"Then your eyes would be the last thing I see before I am sentenced to a life of stone."
"You've already got the personality." She mumbles into her glass before taking a deep drink of her own. Her eyes dilated just barely with the alcohol invading her system. "Prove me wrong Hiiro. Prove that my theory is misguided."
"You're acting peculiar Princess. Far more brazen then your normal self." His monotone voice sharpens, his eyes no longer meeting hers.
"Are you accusing me of flirting?" Her voice laced in innocence.
"No." His voice doesn't drop its firmness. "I accuse you of having an ulterior motive."
She huffs at his comment and turns her back to him at the same time noticing Makoto walking out on to the balcony and Ami walking back towards them.
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The stars in the sky shine over the palace and both Phobos and Deimos are full. The air is warm and thick with the exotic fragrance of Casablanca's. A mild breeze blows across the balcony, stirring the curtains and causing the lighter trees to sway. The Princesses of both Mercury and Pluto stand on the balcony, away from the noise.
"You've placed Casablanca's all over the palace." Ami confirms, narrowing her eyes in false confusion before chuckling at a joke between the two.
"It's not all I've done." Setsuna returns with a mysterious hint in her voice and glint in her eyes.
Ami giggles at the look on her mentors face at the same time rolling her eyes and Setsuna just smiles as she hands her glass to Ami and walks to the rail of the terrace. Ami also turns to leave.
Walking back through the curtains, she grabs a second goblet and then continues back to where Rei and Hiiro stand. Passing Makoto on the way.
Walking out onto the balcony, Makoto is just in time as Setsuna opens a portal to the gates of time. "Leaving so soon? You only just arrived Setsuna." She comments softly and the guardian of time glances back.
"You must be mistaken Mako." Setsuna jests. "I was never here." She grins before disappearing through the portal.
Makoto just smiles as she glances up at the moons when another of the knights approaches behind her. "Princess Makoto, may I ask who it is you speak with?" He asks in a gentle and intrigued voice.
"Just the wind." She answers with an absent tone in her voice.
"And does the wind choose to answer?" He continues.
"Only on a good night." She sighs.
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Makoto disappears onto the balcony as Ami approaches Hiiro and Rei. Hiiro now standing with his back to the wall and Rei turned away from him. Once Ami grows near enough, Rei faces towards her and she hands each of them one of the goblets she is carrying.
"Am I interrupting?" Ami questions.
"Of course not." Rei insists, straightening her back. "Sir Knight was just enlightening me on his opinion of women."
"And quite the inappropriate conversation before a Princess." He mumbles, staring down into his newest glass of wine. Was this his fifth or sixth?
Rei glances at him forcibly sipping her wine. "What of Ami and I? You've failed to mention either of us. What faults do we hold?"
"It's not my place to judge one's faults for I see none." He raises his head, his posture stiffening.
"But did you not point out the faults of the other Princesses?" Rei torts, neither noticing as Ami strolls away once more.
"Not faults, merely what would lessen any kind of attraction" He drinks from his glass, hoping for some solace from the alcohol.
"Are you implying that you're attracted to me?" She teasingly queries, sauntering closer to him, her eyes watching the fine details for any sign of emotion.
He stands straighter and facing Rei. "You perceive too much Princess."
"Then Knight." She inches closer to him, placing a hand on the chest plate of his armor. "What do you think when you look at me?"
"Of you, what I respect and admire." His husky voice, low in the mix of the sounds in the room.
"Is it indeed what you admire?" Her body just barely brushing against his. Or what you desire of me?" She sips her wine, holding it near her lips as she leans her head against his chest.
He looks down at her face, her bangs hiding her eyes as he grasps her free hand with his. He places a gentle kiss to the inside of her wrist before letting her hand go.
"Tell me Hiiro, what is this intoxicating scent?" She whispers softly and glances up at his face, her hair still obscuring much of her eyes.
"What scent is that Princess?" His warm breath ruffles her hair as he brushes some of her bangs behind her ear; his fingers trace the arch of her jaw to her chin. He looks into her eyes, both their eyes slightly dilated, and he takes another sip of his wine.
"It's sweet and lingering but musky just the same." Her voice is a hushed whisper as her eyes take on a softened glow.
"I believe Princess." His voice stutters as he notes their lips only inches apart. "That it's in the wine."
Drowning into the depths of his Prussian blues, she sips her drink with out leaving his eyes. "Sir Hiiro, is there nothing that makes you blush?" She notes their closeness and the calm features of his face.
"Indeed...but it's far too vulgar for the ears of the fairer sex." He whispers against her lips, never truly making contact with the rose colored flesh.
The noise is a clitter and clatter, just above a soft mummer as is expected upon the serving of the meal. The sounds having almost a musical tone, combined of glasses and dishes and silverware. The music in the backdrop and the conversations among members of the company. The Princesses and the Knights seated in accordance to their comfort and the ones they wish to talk to.
The meal was served with many choices as a feast for all the guests. Different exotic foods and wines to choose from. Taking the empty seat beside the Mercurian Princess, Hotaru sits quietly, waiting for Ami to acknowledge her.
"Ami-san." She whispers lightly. "I haven't been able to speak with Rei since I arrived. I was hoping to talk with her at least once before I have to leave."
"I'm sure Rei can't wait to talk with you." Ami insures, offering a friendly smile.
"She's been talking with that one Knight all evening." Hotaru explains, a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Talk to her now." Ami suggests.
Hotaru looks up, a little more hopeful. "Where is she?"
Ami stops with her water glass halfway to her lips as she glances towards the head of the table where Rei generally sits. But the seat is empty with an untouched plate of food placed before it. Her eyes meticulously wander down the length of the table and back again as she searches for the Princess of Mars. She then glances to the spot where she stood with the Knight before but yet she can't find her. Hotaru watches as her eyes scroll across the room before returning to her.
"Maybe you should just wait until tomorrow." Ami confirms Hotaru's doubts.
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"You're not helping your case." She gasps sharply before he covers her mouth with his, his venomous lips numbing her own. His body lying over hers and the blankets tangled about them, she weaves her fingers in his hair as his hot mouth trails down the soft flesh of her neck. She brushes her lips against his ear. "This is Pluto's doing." She whispers, the warmth of her breath sending shivers through his body, she cries at the feel of his teeth grazing across her skin.
"Remind me to scold her later." He whispers huskily, brushing his lips against the underside of her chin and along the arch of her jaw and breathes against her ear, inhaling the scent of her hair. "What had you said was wrong with men?" He questions, drunken in her pheromones.
She breathes deeply as he places burning kisses down her throat and to the valley of her breast. "Everything." She murmurs softly. "You're dominating jerks who have no respect for women except." She moans as he moves against her and she in turn wraps her arms around his shoulders. "Except to have them tremble beneath you."
"And what's wrong with that?" He questions breathlessly, as he brushes his lips over hers, tracing her lower lip with his tongue and he stretches her arms over her head, lacing his fingers with hers.
"Hmm." She sighs as he buries his eyes against her neck and releases his hold on her arms. Turning her head to rest her cheek against his, she lets a small smile grace her lips as she runs her fingers in his hair. "I'll let you know when I remember." What she doesn't expect is when he chuckles lightly. She arches her back just barely, wrapping her legs around his waist.
"We have to find out what was in those drinks." He mumbles, his voice muffled against her neck.
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Burning bright, the sun reaches high in the sky and nearing noon. The sky is clear and the air warm as the knights have gathered on the front lawn again to train. Many wearing training pads but without a shirt. A few are mounted on horses, facing off with swords, while the rest spar on the ground, moving agilely to avoid being trampled.
A large terrace crops out onto the lawn, it's more of a patio, the floor risen a few feet above the ground. The Princesses gather here, some under the shade of umbrellas and others enjoying the warmth of the sun's rays, they've come to watch the knights on their last day of training before returning home. Haruka and Makoto study the techniques displayed by the knights while Minako is more concerned to which is more attractive.
Some of the Princesses are dressed in more comfortable dresses to enjoy the afternoon sun while other's prefer to wear their senshi fuku's. Many different conversations exist between them, ranging from techniques to music to general chattering. They also lounge or stand in their own little groups. Haruka, Makoto, and Minako stand near the unrailed terrace edge while Michiru and Ami sit beneath the Umbrella's. Hotaru, who had been standing alone, joins the two at the table, starting up a new conversation.
"Ami-san" She hesitates as a drink is set before her. "Has Rei not woken yet? Morning is nearly through."
"Don't worry, she'll be down soon." Ami answers knowingly. "I believe Setsuna went to get her."
"Setsuna-mama's here? Perhaps I'll go get Rei up as well." Hotaru begins to stand when Ami places a hand on her arm, preventing her from getting up.
Michiru and Ami both laugh lightly as Hotaru glances at them confused. "She'll be down soon." Ami reassures.
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Rolling over in bed, the sheet wrapped around her waist and the buttonless open front white shirt she wears, barely keeping her decent, Rei stares up at the ceiling through half lidded eyes. Her face a mix of sleeps fading hold on her senses and contentment with the way the light filters through the curtains of her open balcony. She moves her legs just barely, thinking to free them from their confines as she exhales a deep breath, both her arms stretched lazily above her head.
"You're leaving?...its nearing afternoon." She quietly asks, knowing that he's there.
There on the edge of the bed where he sits, pulling on his once shined boots. His gray pants buckled at his waist but still lacking his shirt. His sword and armored chest plate still lie on the floor. His chocolate brown hair hanging in his eyes, he doesn't look up as the Princess's voice floats to his ears.
"I am a knight and have men to train." He answers calmly, checking that his boots are pulled all the way up.
"No." She interrupts in a soft voice, causing him to glance her way. "Stay here."
Standing from his seat, he steps closer to her and leans over her vibrant form. He presses a light kiss to her lips before looking her in the eyes. "But the Earth is my jurisdiction and we're to return there tomorrow."
She scowls slightly at his stubbornness. He had hardly trained the past week he was on the planet, finding it more entertaining to torment her instead. "I'm your jurisdiction." She declares firmly, her voice still lacking from sleep.
"If only." He whispers before brushing a minute kiss against her neck and then he sits back on the edge of the bed.
Sitting up slowly, avoiding the dizziness of sleeps drug, she frees her legs from the mess of covers. She sits for several moments, just watching him as he buffs away some scuffs in his boots. She pulls the shirt around her just enough to cover her chest, modesty pushing to keep herself unexposed, not that he didn't see everything the night before.
"Last night." She begins in a hushed voice. "That's the first time I've heard you laugh." He grunts absently at her observation. "Now I just want to know if you can smile or blush." She moves onto her knee's, moving closer to the knight.
"If I smile Princess, it will be reserved only for you. For me to blush, it's far too vulgar for your sensitive ears." He drawls in his monotone voice as he picks up his sword from the floor, setting it on the bed beside him.
"Even a word for word description of what we did last night?" She purrs seductively, inching closer to him until she's right beside him. Sitting back on her heals, her left knee against his back and her right knee brushes his thigh. She brushes her finger across his cheek, cupping his check in her hand and causing him to look up. Finding that they're nose to nose, mere inches between them. "Is a knight's sword not meant for vanquishing demons?" She whispers quietly, feeling his warm breath against her lips.
He leans closer to her, their lips nearly touching. "What demons do you have for me to slay?" He murmurs before capturing her lips with his, kissing her deeply, his fingers grasping her chin.
The connection between them is held for several moments before they pull apart from lack of air. They rest their foreheads against one another, not wishing to break the silence.
"Have you both finally decided to wake?" The voice of a third reaches them and Rei glances towards the door, just as Setsuna steps out of a portal, dressed in her sailor fuku. They both look to the senshi of time, lacking any expression on their faces. No surprise that she should stand before them.
"As it's no secret to you." Rei replies in eerie calmness.
"Are you complaining Senshi of Mars?" Setsuna teases, causing Rei to blush just barely and glance away. "I could open the time mirror and show you both exactly what I saw." Setsuna threatens, tempting both their modesties. Hiiro lowers his head just slightly and Rei looks back to the time senshi, attempting to hold a calm face.
"And what was it you put in our drinks last night?" Rei asks to change the subject. "I know you had part in this."
"Nothing really." She nonchalantly responds. "A simple mix we prepared to make you both...open your eyes."
"You knew I wouldn't suspect Ami and yourself." Rei dryly comments, leaning her head on Hiiro's shoulder.
"We got the spell from Minako and the plants were harvested from Jupiter." Setsuna goes on to explain.
"That's a dirty game for the Chief advisor to the Queen." Hiiro reprimands, his Prussian blue eyes meeting hers.
At the same time, she moves her staff to reopen the portal. "Ah, the Queen." She places a finger to her chin as if in thought. "I will speak with Endymion and Selenity." She turns her back on them to enter the portal. "It seems your services are needed here. You will not be returning to Earth. A briefing on your state shall be presented at the next meeting of the royal council." She then disappears once more.
Hesitating for a moment after Setsuna's departure, Hiiro stands from the bed again and latches his sword around his waist. The blade hanging off his left hip. Glancing across the articles on the floor, he turns back to Rei who has watched him the entire time. He steps towards her until his legs rest against the side of the bed. He lifts her chin to look him in the eyes as he strokes the material of the shirt she wears, his knuckles barely brushing her breast.
"I will need my shirt Princess." He gently speaks, his eyes not wavering from hers.
"Smile for me Knight, I know you blushed just a moment ago." She asks, entranced in his eyes.
"The permanent frown he's so known for wearing doesn't waiver from his face as he takes no margin to consider his answer. "No." He answers attempting to lose the common harshness in his voice.
"But you would take the only article of clothing keeping a lady decent?" Her voice lowers as she drops her eyes from his.
"Princess..." He begins before she harshly cuts him off.
"Don't use that title unless you mean it." She commands harshly, turning her back to him and dropping the shirt from her shoulders.
"I promise to return." He offers and she scoffs in response. Leaning forward, he brushes her hair from her shoulder and presses a kiss to the nape of her neck. "But I am a Knight, and for now, I must train." He then steps back with his shirt and armor and leaves the room.
As the door begins to shut, she turns back, hoping to catch him before he's gone. "Hiiro." She calls his name but the door has already closed.
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The Princesses all look up as another horse comes loping into the training field with a rider aboard. The horse is a tall and powerful filly with a coat of rich raven-black. Saddle and bridal of the same shade.
Hiiro is mounted atop the spirited horse, his black armor and boots shinning under the sun. His horse prances about as he draws his sword and charges into his troops. Some knights are dismounted and others are trampled on the ground as he faces off with the stronger members of his team.
Back on the terrace, the senshi watch intrigued at this change in the training, at the same time Rei walks out to join the group, dressed in a light beige, cotton dress, sleeveless with a wide collar that hangs around her shoulders.
She steps behind the other senshi who have gathered at the edge of the patio. The others turn to greet her.
"Rei!" Hotaru squeals, running up to hug her. Rei wraps an arm around the eight year old Princess of Saturn as her eyes look out to the field where the Knights do battle. Her face lacking of expression.
She walks to the edge, standing between Ami and Minako. Her eyes locate Hiiro as he breaks free of the group and rides around the back of the fray, sword raised.
"Knights!" She cups her hands around her mouth, calling for the knights to gather.
Her voice carries quickly and each of the men stops in their tracks, each turning the direction it had come from. One by one, they each sheath their swords and move to present themselves before the Princesses. Five riders abreast and twelve men on the ground. Hiiro is at the center of the pack. They come to a stop, ten paces from the raised patio; all formed in a straight line, six foot soldiers to each side.
Hiiro glances over each of the Princesses before his eyes rest back on Rei. His horse takes several strides forward and stops, pawing at the ground.
"Knight." Rei's voice is calm. "What is your mounts name?" She questions, her eyes not leaving his. Each of the other Princesses eye the spirited horse, swishing its tail and pawing at the ground.
He nudges her forward, approaching closer for the others to observe the horse. She flanks partly left, allowing for a limited view of her side. "She has yet to tell me, your highness, what she wishes to be called." His demeanor remains cool.
"And does an animal have the ability to choose their own name?" One of the other Princesses asks.
"An animal?" Hiiro questions. "Just yesterday, was Princess Rei not comparing me to a pig? A pig is an animal as well so what right do I have to choose her a name?" He honestly asks.
"Perhaps you should name her in honor of the most beautiful woman in the Crystal Alliance." Ami suggests.
"But Princess." Hiiro objects. "That name is reserved solely for the most beautiful and no one else." He nudges his horse on and she turns away. His back to the Princesses, he directs his horse back to the center of the ranks.
"Hiiro." He halts as he hears Rei's voice call him but he doesn't turn around. "You still have to prove me wrong." She tells him.
Barely turning in his saddle, he looks over his right shoulder to where she stands. "So I do." He replies softly before turning forward and kicking his horse into a run.
Fin
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Alright, that's the end for now, but don't worry, I'm not mean enough to leave you there!
Yes, I have one more chapter and possibly another if you get so demanding.
Aren't I sweet?
Ah well, let me know what you think
'Tunks
-AN 2/1/10 : I an nearly done with a new installment to this series called "Change My Mind", that will be posted as a fourth chapter. I found it fitting to correct the original chapters though to improve my previous errors.
