It was a glorious day on the moon, and it was just in season for all the flowers to be out in their millions of different coloured pretty pastel shades and for the wind to gently guide them in their dance.
On such a pretty day like this, you'd wonder to yourself how anyone could be so gloomy right now.
But Princess Minako and Princess Serenity could easily prove you wrong.
You could have to spend the day inside learning which was completely boring and so hard to do when it looked so nice outside.
The two of them sat at their desk with their heads in their hands sighing at the exact same time. But you could expect that from best friends who'd be brought up together.
Even Princess Makoto and Princess Rei looked slightly down, but Makoto was busy doodling to herself and quietly humming to avoid being heard by their teacher and given a punishment, and Rei lent her head on one arm and stared out of the window.
The only girl in the classroom who seemed to be enjoying herself was Ami, who was sitting right in front of their teacher and answering the questions for everyone. Usually Luna would snap at the others to answer too but it was such a pretty day outside that she too was rather bored and wished to hurry up the lesson. So as soon as the clock stroked 1, Luna practically sang them out of the room, and all but Ami where happy to run out into the stone corridor and leave their books behind.
Luna sighed when Ami took her time to stand up and grab her books to take with her. As soon as the young girl had left the room to run down to the gardens to catch up with the other princesses, Luna went to the Palace Kitchens for her lunch to get a little peace and quiet before their chaotic afternoon begain.
---
"I know crown you, Queen Serenity!" The pretty little 8 year old Minako boomed out to the field, and placed a carefully-made daisy chain on Princess Serenity's head. Princess Serenity grinned, while Makoto clapped and Rei fumed.
"When's my coronation?" Rei demanded and Minako chuckled.
"Silly you! Your queen isn't dead yet" Minako bluntly put and Rei crossed her arms, and gave Minako evils.
The young girls all burst out laughing at Rei, falling on the floor and rolling among the pretty flowers while Rei ignored them and looked up at the sky.
Ami sat a little away from the others, lying on their typical red-and-white picnic lunch rug, with an untouched wooden basket beside her. She was kicking her legs softly as she read her book on maths that Artemis had leant her. She was knowledgeable beyond her years he thought, and was catching up nicely with Michiru and Haruka who were two years older than the other princesses. So much to say that he was considering moving her into their classes too.
Serenity suddenly sat up from rolling on the grass with tears in her eyes, and noticed Rei had moved to open the picnic basket, as the sweet smell of her favourite sugar fruits started to fill the air. Dangerous move Hino.
"OI!" the young blonde started to dive towards Rei, who sniffed her nose up once more, away from Usagi.
"Not a way for a Queen to behave" Rei said then stuck out her tongue.
"HEY!" Serenity whined and then sat down on the blanket next to Rei, sticking her tongue out too. Makoto sweat dropped as Minako and her made their way to join them.
"She's right you know," Minako said while standing up to dig through the picnic basket, "Luna wouldn't approve!"
"PRINCESSES?" a voice called out to the field which saved all the girls from re-acting to Minako's statement.
"Yes?" the quiet one spoke up, closing her book and standing up to clean her dress before whom-ever called them saw them.
Suddenly their favourite maid Gen made her way over the field, holding up her skirts as she ran. All expect Serenity -who was too busy enjoying her sugared fruit to look up and pay attention – instantly stood up knowing this could be something important. Princess Rei kicked Serenity back into reality who angrily looked up about to complain until she noticed the now-out-of-breath Gen standing there.
Gen had to be in her 40's, and had frizzy dark brown hair that was escaping in thick groups out of her white cap. She was quite a big woman, cuddly and usually soft spoken. But today her pale skin was blotched red and she bent down to try and catch breath. Suddenly her warm brown eyes looked up at the little princesses though she didn't smile her usual smile that reassured them she'd come to sneak them lollipops and sugar mice, no, this time she un-usually looked serious.
"Your- Mother- And- Queen – Wishes- To-See- You" she said heavily, and reached down to help the young girls clean away their mess.
"I wonder what the queen would need to see us about" Rei wondered aloud as they all got off the rug, and Serenity shrugged. Her mother usually called her to all sorts of "important" meetings but Serenity rarely paid attention.
"It must be something serious though" Makoto observed, and everyone nodded.
"Must be important too, or she wouldn't have disrupted your lunch my ladies" Gen said as she tucked the Picnic rug under her armpit and held up the wooden basket.
The young girls all ran ahead, Serenity at the back trying to catch up with the others.
"HEY WAIT UP GUYS!" Serenity whined as Rei looked back to call out, "Hurry up you great Buta!"
Serenity started to whine, "YOUR SO CRUEL REI!"
Gen laughed to herself as she walked behind them in the large field. She hoped that when they were older, they wouldn't lose their cute charms.
---
"Mother?" Serenity called into the large dining room as she shyly opened the door.
Her friends all crowded around behind her, each with the same anxious and curious face Princess Serenity was currently wearing.
The large stone door slowly opened, and the girls looked ahead to see Queen Serenity standing behind a chair with her hands gently placed on the top of the chair. The Queen gently smiled at the girls, encouraging them to come in.
The Queen and her chair, where head of a large stone table. It was a room the young girls were familiar with and was the honest of many of dinner parties. The room had three large stone tables in a U shape, and the most important guests would sit at the table opposite, and the less-important guests and nobles would either of the side tables according to their rank.
The girls slowly walked to the middle in a little V-shaped line, with the Moon Princess in the middle, looking up at their ruling Queen of this planet.
"Your majesty called for us?" Ami asked, and Queen Serenity nodded, now pulling out her chair to sit on it.
"You are all 8 are you not?" Queen Serenity smiled, and the little girl's eyes widened when they realised what this talk could be about. Maybe they could finally train to be scouts like Michiru, Haruka and Setsunna were!
The little girls nodded so quickly that Queen Serenity could not help but softly laugh at them.
"I think you know what this means don't you?"
The girls all looked at each other, and Ami spoke out politely, giving a bow as she did so.
"Does your majesty mean we can... can train to be sailor scouts?"
The queen laughed and clapped her hands together.
"My, you are clever! But not quite. You will begin once you are 9, however, there are a few last things you need to do before you start officially training" the queen smiled, and now Minako suddenly jolted to life and energetically bowed to the Queen.
"Do you mean we get to travel?"
The Queen laughed and yet again clapped in approval at the children.
"How did you clever little ones work that out, my sweets?"
"Haruka told us!" Minako beamed, standing up from her bow now.
"Well, that's what has to be done. You shall leave for a week to visit some other galaxies my dears. You need to learn how to deal with all sorts of people and their powers before you fully start to train"
The girls all excitedly looked at one another then bowed to their Queen.
"We shall not fail you mother!" Serenity cried out and saluted at her mother who giggled.
"I don't doubt you will my dear. Now hurry along, all go to your bed-chambers because your guardian and advisors Luna and Artemis will be waiting there to help you pack" Queen Serenity smiled, and the girls all quickly bowed the lowest they could go before skipping off out the door which quickly turned into a run.
"Oh they grow up so fast," she sighed to an empty room, "I wonder how the other mothers feel"
---
"Humph! When I'm queen, my daughter will learn to be a scout when she's younger! I shall not be a cruel mother!" Princess Serenity decided out loud.
"I won't! You have to be strong and brave to be a scout! What little 5 year old could do that?" Rei asked, and Serenity held her up.
"Just you watch Rei!" Serenity said.
Minako had already run ahead of the group to go to hers and Princess Rei's room. Knowing how Princess Minako could wrap Artemis around her little finger, Makoto sighed at the thought of packing. She hated it with a passion, packing to go to her home planet in the holidays, returning for her princess training at the Moon Kingdom... she loved when it came to packing to come to the moon kingdom, her loyal maid Chika would happily pack for her.
Ami was walking a little behind the trio reading her book. At the age of 3 she'd learnt the art of reading a book while walking from her advisor Tama at her own planet.
By the Time the Princesses had reached their rooms (Rei and Minako shared a room, Makoto and Ami), they all walked in to find their large suitcases opened on the bed.
Luna was waiting in Princess Serenity's bedroom, ready to help her pick out the dresses the princess wanted, and to advise and question the princess on what she felt she needed. It was vital they learnt what was well needed for business trips, and even down to how they dressed as it held a key image to how others would vision their Galaxy.
Makoto was right, Artemis packed for Minako. When Luna popped into Minako and Rei's room, she saw Artemis trying to balance 10 hangers of dresses while the young Princess sat wondering which dresses she would really need, and how many for that matter.
"What if... a man spills his wine on a dress? Why! Then I'd need to change. How many times will that happen now?" Minako thought aloud, and Artemis nearly choked as he dropped the dresses to the floor.
"Minako," he frowned at her not bothering to pick them up as the young girl stood gobsmacked at her pretty dresses, "while would men be spilling their wine on you?"
"Silly Artemis!" Minako replied bubbly back, "Handsome men will be spilling their drinks at the sight of Princess Minako!" Minako winked and held a peace sign at him with her fingers.
Rei chuckled as Luna stepped in to help her pack. Artemis shook his head in disbelief.
"Your 8!" he muttered, and Luna laughed.
"Let that be a lesson to you!" Luna joked, and placed her hands on Rei's shoulders.
"Now dear, what do you need help with?"
"Nothing, it's all sorted. I did it myself. I packed 2 books, papers and pens for writing letters to my mother, 5 dresses and 2 for parties or balls, my hairbrush, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, conditioner-"
"Sounds like your all sorted" Luna smiled, and patted the young girl on the head who nodded, and then went to zip up her suitcase.
Artemis was now picking up the gowns and turning to face the bored Princess Minako who was now spend out on the bed gazing at the ceiling.
"So, which ones shall I pack for you?"
"All of them Aretmis"
"WHAT?"
Luna chuckled as she quietly left their room.
---
"And how did you get on?" Luna asked as she stepped into Makoto and Ami's room. Ami was sitting at the end of her bed reading a different book, and Makoto was just closing their wardrobe.
"Perfectly thank you. I think we've got everything-" Makoto went through her list and Luna nodded.
"And why is Chocolate needed?" Luna asked.
"For Princess Serenity... should anything happen and she get hungry" Makoto replied as if she were talking about the fact she liked two sugars in her tea and lots of milk. Luna laughed a nodded.
"Wonderful, you're thinking ahead for your princess... and what about you Ami?"
Ami peered out of her book and smiled, listing the items she was taking.
"How many books?" frowned Luna and Ami sweetly smiled back.
"10. Oh but don't worry Luna! I shall only read them on the journey there and in my room when we are waiting" Ami smiled and Luna nodded.
"Well you are wise girls" Luna went to leave the room again. When she was standing in the corridor, she yelled out to the 3 open doors down the long room, "I SHALL BE BACK IN AN HOUR, NO LESSONS THIS AFTERNOON!"
"YES!" Princess Serenity shouted from her room, and waited until Luna had left the corridor to run to her friend's rooms.
---
Queen Serenity smiled up at Luna.
"Well, you've taught them well, whilst all keeping their individual quirkiness. You can tell them they are to go to bed early, and wake at 5 am to be ready to leave"
"Yes your majesty"
---
Kohana was a beautiful doll given to Minako by her father, King of the Planet Venus, Ai. It was her third birthday present and the doll looked how Minako one day pictured herself looking.
Kohana had long golden hair that reminded Minako of the sun in the morning when it was mixed Yellow and Orange which created the perfect golden glow on everything around it. She wore a white brides dress with yellow roses on it, and yellow heels, which – if you lifted the puffy white dress- you could just see little plastic bows on them. Kohana often waltzed with Minako when Minako secretly missed her home, and her family, but didn't want anyone to know. Minako would sing her songs good-night, and wake up her up in the morning.
Kohana always wore her bridal dress. And this particular night, Rei was curious to know why.
After an afternoon of playing and acting out Rei's coronation, the girls all ate supper wishing that morning would come sooner. No-body played in the bath for fear of taking too long, and all jumped into their coloured fluffy towels as soon as the maids said they were clean enough. They all choose the shortest story to be read to them by the queen, and all ran off to the beds as fast as they can. They tucked themselves into bed before the Queen or Luna or Artemis got a chance too.
As soon as Artemis had kissed them both good-nights, Minako and Rei didn't talk as they usually did. Neither was asleep, and Rei's thoughts somehow got on to the debate between Artemis and Minako earlier that night; on whether Minako was allowed to take Kohana.
"Why do you care for her so much?" Rei asked, and Minako sniffed.
"Who?" the young girl whispered from her side of the room.
"Kohana" Rei turned in her bed to face Minako at the left side of the room.
"Well my daddy gave her to me"
Rei didn't reply. Both knew perfectly well what this meant. Her father was always too busy with politics she never got to spend much time with him. She valued it so much, and wondered if they were just nobles – and she didn't have to go to princess school – whether they'd be closer. That's why she was such a strong, independent young girl she told herself, and not a cry baby like Serenity.
Rei silently got out of bed and walked over to Minako's bed. Minako moved to the wall, and opened her covers so Rei could climb in.
"I wish my daddy gave me presents" Rei whispered. Minako instantly hugged her friend.
"It's okay Rei, he still loves you, you know!" Minako smiled and Rei nodded.
"What do you think this new Galaxy we're going to will be like?"
"I'm not sure. I hope their some handsome princes our age!" Minako giggled and Rei shook her head.
"But you won't see them again!"
"you never know Rei," Minako winked and giggled, "Artemis told me if you wish upon a rock, anything could happen"
"It's star, Minako, if you wish upon a star" Rei replied and Minako giggled.
"Maybe if we wish upon a star we can see our daddies again soon!" Minako gasped at her own brilliance and Rei nodded.
"You know, if you look after her, you can borrow Kohana sometimes" Minako said, and Rei widened her eyes. She was never allowed to play with Kohana! Hell, Minako would throw a strop if anyone dared look at Kohana.
"Really?" Rei asked, and Minako nodded.
"And you can sleep in my bed if you want tonight"
"It's okay," Rei knew what a pain Minako was to share a bed with. The first time they'd slept head-to-toe, she'd been kicked out of the bed in the middle of the night by a sleep-kicking Minako, and 2 years later when Rei dared tried again, Minako hogged the covers and it was a really cold couple of hours for Rei.
"I'll let you have the space" Rei politely smiled and Minako seemed to shrug. The two little girls hugged each other good-night, and Rei crept back to her bed while Minako got all snug again.
"You know what would be cool?" Minako randomly said after a little while.
"What?" Rei curiously asked.
"If Luna and Artemis were cats"
"Minako..."
"Yes?"
"You're so weird sometimes"
---
Name Meanings.
Gen – Spring
Chika – Near
Tama – Whole, Perfect.
Kohana – Little Flower
Ai - Love
Hope that helps clear up, and that you guys understand the story. If not, I shall explain and clear up confusion in the next chapter once the question approaches ! :D
Thanks for your time guys, means alot to me! :D