Title: Coming of Age
Author: Ree
Theme: Saturn (Adolescents)
Genre: General
Version: Anime/Manga - pre storyline
Rating: G

Hotaru and all her friends and enemies are originally from the mind of Takeuchi Naoko. Any character she didn't create must fall to me.

Coming of Age

Brushing the dust off her skirt, Saturn's princess stood looking at the villa nestled high on the side of the mountain. A breeze ruffled her short dark hair.
'Well I'm here. But I still don't know what they want me for.'

The message was delivered last week. It had come four months after it happened. She knew she would never forget that day. She brushed her fingers across her forehead.

"Princess Nix, it's time." Lady Hemera poked her head into the room.

The princess of Saturn turned and smiled at her favorite aunt. "Coming!!" She spun around one last time in front of her mirror just to see her new dress flare around her legs. Smiling, she scampered out the door.

Lady Hemera watched as Nix tripped down the hallway towards the ballroom. 'I can't believe that she is already fourteen. She is on the verge of being a woman.' Smiling, she trailed behind. As Hemera entered the ballroom, she heard her brother's welcoming speech.

Nix picked up a drink off a nearby tray and turned to survey the room. The party was going smoothly. Glancing about, she took in all the lovely dresses, and the cute guys that were sprinkled about the large room. It took her just a moment to realize that some of the people she was admiring were actually reflections in the mirrors that had been strategically placed around the room. She settled down into a seat tucked partially behind a plant, and took a sip of her drink. 'My feet are tired. I wonder when they are going serve supper. I'm hungry.'

As Nix turned her hopeful gaze towards the server's entrance, she saw her father signaling for her to come over to the dais. Discreetly stretching her legs for a moment, Nix rose and started crossing the room. Halfway there her forehead started burning, and a violet light blinded her. She felt her mind go blank for a moment, but when she could think again, she started rubbing her forehead. Blinking her eyes, she tried to focus on the room around her. When it did, she noticed that everyone was backing away from her, their eyes wide, and fear written on their faces. Then, just as the uncertainty was setting in, Nix felt a comforting hand in the center of her back. Glancing to her left, she saw Lady Hemera looking down at her, with a gentle smile on her face. It was that smile that gave her the courage to look at her father. King Thanatos was trying to keep the uncertainty off his face.

Lady Hemera lifted her smiling face and looked at the King. "Your majesty, the light has shone. Princess Nix is truly coming of age."

Thanatos followed her lead. "Yes. The light of Saturn has shone for all to see. Princess Nix is the true heir to the throne of Saturn. Let us finish this night's celebration, and tomorrow she shall begin her training."

The party had continued, but Nix noticed that most of her friends stayed at a distance.

Nix dropped her hand from her forehead. She still had to learn why she was here. Holding back her sigh, she continued her climb to the villa.