Hello everyone. Here is my first attempt at writing fanfiction. I'm not sure how good it is (or how bad) but I am counting on the reviews to help improve my writing. I don't care if they're flames or the highest praise, just want some feedback so don't fell shy. I rated it T for now. Some chapters might be M but am still working on that. If any readers has ideas on where this story should go, I am open to suggestions. Again, first time writing anything so just want to get better.

With that said, enjoy the first chapter of Spider.

The day had faded and all that remained were sparse rays of the sun filtering through the clouds. Merchants were packing up their carts as well as farmers that had traveled the long journey to the city to sell their goods. To the uninformed watcher, this city seemed like any other city. Nobles, upper class, merchants, beggars, street rats; every social class was present… However, it didn't feel like a normal city. The loan traveler standing by the road overlooking the town could feel it in the air. As he watched the merchants and farmers either walk home or start their journey back to their village he could see that none were really smiling a pure smile. It was all a charade. They smiled because they were supposed to smile, the laughed because it was expected of them, they went on with their lives because that is what everybody did these days, went on with their lives and nothing more. There was no joy involved just the act of surviving

Sighing to himself the tall blonde man slowly walked down the road to reach the gates before they closed for the night. People turned to stare at him. He felt their curious eyes on him. They had never seen somebody with blond hair and blue eyes before. Their people were of a darker variety. Their hair and eyes were most of the time black with slight variances here and there. To his relief they did not ask any questions and yet he would have somehow preferred questions to this mistrust. Nobody asked questions because of the fear that stopped them. They did not ask any questions because it was better to mind your own business and not think about others.

'What did I think? Did I think it was going to be different in the capital when the whole kingdom is in the same state? I should have known better.'

His thoughts were bitter and he couldn't help a feeling of hopelessness come over him. Everywhere he looked, he could see the ravages the Great War had done on the spirit of these people. This land had been among the richest and prosperous, yet all those riches were for naught. They had lost against the Evil that ruled them all.

Aria had had the reputation of being the Dream City. Dreams came true here. Any individual no matter their social standing would have a chance to succeed here and make his or her dreams come true. He had hoped that part of that old magic had survived but that was clearly not the case.

Sighing, he made his way to the guard that stopped him to ask for his papers.

"What is your business here in Aria?" the guard asked gruffly. "We do not take kindly to many strangers here in this time and age. State your purpose."

"I am a mere traveler looking for work. Nothing more, nothing less." The tall blond man stated with no hint of him being intimidated by the guard in front him.

"What kind of work are you looking?" The guard pointed at his poor appearance "This city hasn't much to offer for baggers or thieves."

"I am no beggar or thief, just a soldier that has hit hard times and that wish to make it better." Looking the guard straight the eyes, the man did not flinch at the harsh words addressed to him. He had been used to these kinds of remarks. The times were hard except for the select few and he had not been able to find permanent employment for some time now. The old reputation of the city and the opportunities that it had once offered had pulled him there. He had never expected the situation to be like this.

The guard looked at him again, noticing the broad shoulders of a man that had wheeled a sword for some time now. He saw the strong built and a few scares on his arms proving that he had had some experience in his stated profession.

"You are a mercenary?" he asked with slight interest in his eyes.

"Yes I am. I understand that this city still harbors a good deal of wealthy families. I had hoped to find employment there. Everybody needs one more guard in this time."

The guard understood his meaning. In a month all the wealthy families would be traveling to Ramoth to swear their allegiance again to the enemy that had now become their ruler. Once a year, the families bowed to the Emperor and swore to support him in any way possible.

The guard looked at the man's papers again and wrote down his signature authorizing him to enter the city.

"I give you three days to find employment. If by then you are still without work you will be forced to leave or else be executed for defying the orders of one of the Empire's representatives. Is that clear?"

Keeping his calm and not showing his shame at being addresses as if being a common thief, the tall man bowed. "Thank you for your kindness. I shall not forget it."

With that he took his papers back and made his way into the city. He slowly made his way to the poorer section of the city where he knew that cheap taverns could be found. It was too late to make the rounds. The various families would still be there in the morning and he could feel his body slowly shutting down. He had walked a long distance to get here and most of the journey had been done without any kind of nourishment. It was time to rest.

Soon after entering the Poor Quarter as it was called he found a tavern that would soot his purposes perfectly. The Great Hound was not much to look at and the name didn't promise much but it was inexpensive and would have to do. As he entered the tavern, he was hit by the smell of smoke and opium. The inn keeper sloshed his way to him.

"What d'ya want, lad?"

Anger started to build up in him and there seemed to be a moment where he was almost ready to throw his fist at the inn keeper's face. He had traveled for a month, to find that not only Aria's spirit as a town had been destroyed but that the people living here were not much better. The guard had almost turned him away and would probably have killed him if he had tried to resist. All he wanted was some kind of bed and food. He did not want to be shouted at and patronized by the inn keeper of The Great Hound! He quickly got himself under control and smiled a polite smile to the fat man standing in front of him.

"I wish a room and a meal for the night, sir. Do you have any spare rooms?" His slight loss of control that had appeared in the darkening of his blue eyes had gone unnoticed by the inn keeper.

"D'ya got enough to pay for it, lad?" Looking skeptical at his supposedly new customer, he barred the passage to his inn until he saw financial proof.

Through clenched teeth, the man took out his pouch and showed a couple of coins.

The inn keeper clearly surprised at this man having any kind of money took the coins quickly enough and asked "Aright, I guess that's good enough for two nights but what should I call ya good sir?" the sarcasm clear in his voice. The tall man chose to ignore it as he had done with all of the inn keeper's other insults and answered "Jed."

"A family name with that?"

"No, just Jed."

"Alright Just Jed, your room is the second one up the stairs to your left and the days meal will be brought up ta ya. But I want to make it clear that I want no trouble from ya. The Great Hound is a respectable establishment."

Jed just nodded and walked pass him to his room. He hoped that he would find a position soon and leave this place. But at least as promised this inn was one of the cheapest he had ever spent the night in. To his luck, he still had a bit of money left.

With that said he entered his grimy room and tried to make himself as comfortably as possible. He had a long day tomorrow.

Forgot the disclaimer so here it goes. I do not own Sailor Moon, nope not me.

So sad ;;