Disclaimer: This is my first story. So I'm kinda nervous. I don't own anything of Naoko Takeuchi so don't sue me. The title needs work but there it is.

I like all the senshi/shitennou pairings especially Rei and Jadiete. Therefore, this story will try to bring in all of them with a focus on my favorite couple.

Notre Epoque: Our Time

Rising

The day was warm and bright as the touch of gentle sunlight upon the elegance of the fair kingdom. Two attendants, dressed in slender garments of red and purple, began to swiftly walk through the corridors of the great palace as the household began to scuttle about the hallways in attendance of the new fine day. Both had stopped before a cherry wood door. One of the attendants gently tapped upon the great wooden door. "Princess, are you awake?" They, however, received no reply. "She's probably still asleep," replied one. "She must have stayed all night with the great fire again, "said the other, anxiously. Both entered into the large room.

The room was elegantly furnished with beautiful cherry wood chairs surrounding a small table placed in one section of the room for intimate visitors. Across the room stood a smooth elegant piano with polished ivory keys and sheets of music were neatly stood on the stand. High windows draped with long burgundy curtains led the way to the outside. On the other side of the room, an ivory door stood which led to the bedroom.

The princess was standing on the balcony outside her bedroom. Leaning over the railing, she looked across the magnificent kingdom. The sunlight illuminated upon the splendid scene. She could hear the gentle whispering of the wind and fiery phoenixes call in the distant. Her raven hair swayed gently with the breeze, grazing her silky skin. Her dark amethyst eyes, full of meaning and tenderness, surveyed the impressive sight. A gentle smile brushed her red lips as she thought that it was going to be a wonderful day.

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The day was grand and the kingdom seemed glorious in the streams of outspread light. Princess Reina smiled to herself. She had visited the kingdoms of the other planets on numerous occasions especially the Moon Kingdom. Yet, she still preferred the sights of the red planet, Mars, than any other. She had no doubt that the others had felt the same about their own homes. There was only one kingdom in which had never been ventured and that was the blue planet, Terra. She had seen it on numerous occasions from the Moon. The glowing sphere hung in the sky above the Moon Kingdom. Reina believed it to be a beautiful sight and was slightly curious about the inhabitants. Princess Serena had recently talked about a young prince who was to rule the small planet one day and under his command were four generals. Queen Serenity had spoken of possible diplomatic treaties between the earth and moon but that issue was to be settled later. Perhaps it would not be long before she would see the small planet.

Princess Reina heard a rustling noise behind her and saw Phobos and Demos enter the room. She smiled at their concerned faces. "No, I didn't tend the fire late last night," she quickly answered their expressions.

"Should we go over your schedule for today, Your Highness?" Phobos announced casually unfazed by her mistress's abrupt response.

"Very well." Flicking the folds of her ebony hair, she proceeded into the dressing room to change.

Demos began while looking at the papers in her hand, "Today, you will begin with breakfast in your room. Then you are going out to greet the subjects of the Mars Kingdom. Afterwards, your father wishes for you to come greet the newly initiated knights of Mars." A slight groan emerged from the dressing room. Phobos and Demos exchanged looks and shook their heads.

Phobos continued, "Then you will be taking lunch with your father in the dining room. Your journey to the Moon Kingdom will commence afterwards. Queen Serenity wishes to remind all the princesses that there will be a discussion about the treaties with Terra."

"Yes, I almost forgot about that," sighed the princess coming out of the dressing room in a slender lavender dress. "Politics are always such a bore," she exclaimed.

"ALMOST FORGOT!?!?!" screeched Phobos and Demos.

"Reina-hime, as the royal representative of Mars and sworn protector of Serena-hime, how could you possible forget your responsibilities? It is your duty, Your Highness," replied Phobos earnestly.

Princess Reina gave an annoyed sigh. Yes, my duty. She understood the full meaning of duty. It was not that she did not understand her role. She was a princess and had to uphold the pride of Mars. She had accepted this. She was also one of the chosen protectors of the young moon princess, Princess Serena. Groan. Princess Reina was often annoyed by the young princess's mannerisms. Serena-hime was clumsy at times and sometimes very silly. Yet, Princess Reina looked at young Serena as a little sister who had a kind heart. The fiery-eyed princess would give her life to protect the moon princess. She, however, did not like the political proceedings in which she had to undergo. They were tedious and time consuming but she knew that her insight was as important as all the other princesses. She could not refuse. Then Princess Reina left the room followed by Phobos and Demos.

She had gone through the proceedings of the day with the etiquette in which was expected of the Princess of Mars. She had gone out and greeted many of the people of Mars. Afterwards, she had returned to the palace to greet the new knights. Her cold and extremely formal manner of greeting the knights, however, set many of the knights in an uncomfortable state. The king of Mars gave an exasperated sigh and dismissed the company of dispirited knights. He would not continually tolerate his daughter's misdirected behavior. She should know better.

How could she, the Princess of Mars, act in such an unacceptable manner? All the princesses of the other kingdoms had gentle daughters. Well, excluding some of the princesses of the outer solar system. Princess Amelia of Mercury was a wondrous beauty. Although often shy and quiet, she was gentle and intellectually charming. Princess Minako of Venus was also a dazzling girl whose cheerful smile and joyous laughter touched the hearts of everyone. Princess Makoto of Jupiter, although extremely tall and strong for a girl, was a radiant girl whose sweet manners always put everyone around her at ease. Finally, there was the Princess Serena, the daughter of Queen Serenity, a kind and sweet girl. Although silly at times, she was marvelous. She could put a smile on anyone's face. Perhaps her manners were due to lacking the presence of her mother. Reiya. "Rei, you're behavior was unacceptable," stated the king after all the knights had gone.

She turned to her father with no remorse, "I apologize, my liege."

Her curt answer infuriated the king further. "Why are you like this?"

Without hesitation she replied, "I don't trust them."

"Who?"

"Men."

"Why, in the name of Mars, would you…"

"I just don't." She folded her arms across her chest. The king's blood was boiling and raised a hand to smooth over the vein pulsating in his left temple. She was most certainly her father's daughter. Her arrogance and stubbornness contrasted greatly to the gentleness of her mother. She was a bold phoenix that would burn anyone who would dare approach. Many suitors were driven away by her loftiness.

She looked at her father then and saw the fiery in his maroon eyes. She, however, was beyond caring now. Too many years have passed since that fateful day. The rift had between them had grown ever since…

"Rei! I expect our next meeting that you will conduct yourself in the manner that befits a princess and a sense of propriety!" the king barked with a cold glare.

She returned the glare but tighten the lips that wanted to return words with a vengeance. She merely curtsied and asked him if he wished anything further. She heard a sigh from him and as she looked up the king had come down from the throne and walked towards her. The fiery in his eyes had dissipated and a strange calm had surrounded him as he looked into her eyes. "Reina…" he whispered and raised his hand as if to touch her face. She could do nothing but stare. This was unlike for her father who was so usual cold and hard.

"Oto-san…" she whispered.

His hand was no more than an inch away from her cheek when the sound of her voice had seemingly broken the spell cast upon him. He pulled his hand away and brought it to his mouth. Clearing his voice, "Come, we must eat so you can ready for your journey." With those words, he left the room.

She stood watching his retreating form. Her heart was calling out for him to face and talk to her but her mind was resolute of showing no sign of weakness or need. Father…why? Her hands were clenched to her sides and the tears that threatened to pour were no longer there. Too many years had been given to tears when she was younger. If she learned anything from her father in all her nineteen years, it was that tears would never change anything and that there was no point in wishing for something we cannot have.

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She turned to a window and looked at towards the sun. Her departure was fast approaching and she was being hurried by Phobos and Demos to the ship. Before entering the carriage, Rei happened to look up and see her father looking down on her from the balcony. There was no trace of sadness or relief. He remained expressionless. She use to wave but not anymore and she gathered her skirts to enter the carriage.

The carriage rode peacefully as Rei looked at the passing scene. The redness of the Martian desert was apparent in the blazing sun. On the ship, Phobos and Demos were waiting. "All preparations have been made as you requested. Please return safely, your Highness." She was touched by their loyalty and concern towards her welfare. Both Phobos and Demos have been with her as long as she could remember. They were her most loyal friends and she knew that they would give their lives for her sake.

"Demos…Phobos…Thank you. They both smiled at her. She turned and began to climb the ramp up the ship. However, she suddenly halted, "…T…T…Take care of my father while I'm away," and without hesitation entered the ship.

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Hopefully not a bad start…but flames are welcome. It's the beginning…hopefully not the end. I didn't want Rei to entirely despise her father for my own reasons. I have an idea of how the story will go but I'm always open to comments.