The Saga of the Shadow
Chapter Two
A week later after that crucial test, I was sitting outside the hut with Ayaera one evening after dinner, gazing up at the clear night sky. It had been a particularly hard day of training and I had not only learned to use a short bow, I also learned just how quick and sneaky my sensei could be. Although I must admit she is an excellent teacher.
We had been walking through the woods when she suddenly disappeared. After looking around for a moment, I shrugged my shoulder and kept going. A moment later Ayaera suddenly reappeared next to me again; scaring the life out of me. The glare I gave her, only caused her to laugh. Seeing that I was about to yell at her, Ayaera quickly explained that she was showing me the art of using the shadows as a means of either hiding myself from my quarry or slipping away undetected. This skill was necessary if I was to be successful in a battle or espionage.
After an hour so of copying her actions, Ayaera declared that I showed great promise with additional practice. Gazing up at the sky, she noticed that the sun was reaching the horizon, and declared the lesson over for the day.
A shooting star went by in the darkening sky as I gingerly rubbed my shoulder, taking another bite of my evening meal. The first shot I had taken with the cross bow had rammed the butt of the weapon into my shoulder. Something I hadn't been ready for.
"Still sore?" Ayaera asked, noticing my action.
"Yeah. You could have warned me of short bow's kick back." I replied, a little grumpily.
"I'll put some ointment, on that shoulder." Ayaera replied ignoring her pupil's sulky remark. I need to attend to some important matters tomorrow on the moon tomorrow, and will be gone for the day. You can spend the day as you wish.
The next morning, I woke up to a warm breakfast. Ayaera must have just left for her meeting and other things she had to do on the moon. For some reason, she didn't tell me. Shrugging my shoulders, I sat down and ate the meal before it cooled down After cleaning up the dishes, I headed out the door, planning the rest of my day. It would make sense to train for a bit. My training was coming to an end soon, and I wanted to make sure I would graduate with flying colors.
On the Moon Kingdom:
A few minutes later, after leaving Ceres, Ayaera re-appeared in the teleporter room of the moon palace. After a moment, the young woman looked up to find a young girl by the door. She knew the young girl from a level one training session she had been the sensei for.
Good morning Anci-chan. How are you this morning?" Ayaera asked gently. She couldn't help but see the sadness in the girl's eyes, even though she smiled brightly.
"I am fine Honoka-sama." Anci answered and bowed respectfully.
"Then why the sadness I see in your eyes? Or is Mars bothering you again?" the now known Honoka asked.
Anci only nodded her head in reply, fearing the fire senshi's wrath if Mars found out that she had told one of the guardian cats or an adult.
"You do not have to worry about Mars. She will not be wise to our conversation, and you did not tell me. I know all the senshi well, and the little pyro will be punished-once again. Now, I'm sure you are here to take me to the queen. How about we be on our way before her majesty wonders where we got to." Honoka replied with a gently smile.
"Hai Honoka-sama." Anci answered and opened the door, allowing Honoka to exit the room first.
As Queen Serenity closed the political document she had been read in her sitting room, she heard familiar laughter outside the door and waited patiently for. Anci to knock. She stood up as the door opened and stepped forward as her guests entered.
"Honoka, it is good to see you again, thank you Anci." the queen replied gently.
"Hai your majesty." Anci answered and bowed again before stepping out the door and closing it..
"It is is good to see you again Honoka. How are you fairing? And you're young charge? queen Serenity inquired, coming forward to greet her friend and trainer.
"I am well and Morgan is doing very well in her training; once she got over her initial doubt." Honoka answered.
"What do you mean?" queen Serenity asked, wondering for a moment if she had made the right choice for her daughter and herself.
"She was rather doubtful and hesitant when I mentioned why she was in training and what her position is to be." Honoka. replied.
"That is understandable. You must remember, the life she had in her family's palace was not a happy and nurturing one. I saw great potential in her and it would have been lost, had she stayed in that awful situation." queen Serenity reminded her friend.
.
"That's true. You did her a favor by getting her out of there. She has proven to me that she will be a fine warrior and protector for the moon kingdom. She just needs the confidence and experience." Honoka replied.
"Anci seems rather anxious. Has she told you why?" the queen asked.
"Only through a nod. Sailor Mars is bullying her once again, and I feel a suitable punishment is due. Either that or suspend her from the team for a while." Honoka replied , irritatedly. If there was one thing she hated, it was bullies, and Mars still hadn't learned from past punishments. A few minutes later, Luna and princess Serenity came through the door.
"Honoko-sempai, I didn't know you were back." the princess exclaimed and rushed to the trainer and embraced her in a tight hug. Suddenly realizing she shouldn't have done that, the young girl blushed as she backed up and curtseyed properly. "My apologies Honoko-sempai."
"And what are you apologizing for? I would be disappointed if you greeted me any other way. Besides, this is a private meeting, so one else needs to know." Honoko soothed, touching the princess' cheek fondly.
"Luna, where is the senshi of Mars?" Honoka asked.
"She is training with the others. They are nearly finished their session. Oh, don't tell me Mars has been bullying little Anci again!?" Luna moaned.
"Yes she has and I think it's about time she got a taste of her medicine. This has gone on long enough. I would like you to keep her on the grounds and take the other senshi off. I will deal with Mars myself." Honoko practically growled.
"I shall do so immediately!" Luna stated firmly as she turned to the door and disappeared down the hallway.
"Is anything else you wanted to talk to me about your majesty?" Honoka asked as she and the queen stood up.
"Yes there is but that can wait until you have dealt with Mars. The two of you come to the Common Room when you are finished. I wish to have a word or two with Mars myself.. Would you like to stay for a bit lunch?" Queen Serenity requested.
"That would be lovely. I will see you downstairs in about a half hour." Honoka replied and bowed to her queen.
Outside, the senshi were just stepping into the garden as Luna stepped through the garden doorway. The black cat talked briefly to her fellow feline guardian before turning to the very tired looking girls. They could see that Luna didn't look to pleased about something.
"Luna, what's the matter, did we do something wrong?" Sailor Venus asked tentatively.
"You have all done well in your training today, so you may head for your quarters and clean up. Mars, on the other hand, is to stay on the training grounds a bit longer." Luna commanded firmly.
"But why Luna. I worked hard today." Sailor Mars complained.
"Mars, you have obviously not learned that bullying others will not be tolerated here in the moon kingdom. Therefore, the orders are for you to train a while longer today. And I have a feeling it will not be pleasurable. Now go!" Luna nearly hissed. The other girls shook their heads and headed indoors as the fire senshi headed back to the training grounds.
"That little twerp, I told her to keep her mouth shut or else. She'll get it now!" Sailor Mars grumbled to herself as she walked back to the training grounds.
"Oh really Mars! Is that your sick way of getting respect out of others who are smaller and weaker than you are." a voice sounded out, all around the fire senshi.
"Who is that?! Show yourself, or I'll burn you for your insolence." Mars snarled, not realizing that the person had disguised their voice.
"Very well, pyro. I'm right here." Honoka answered as she appeared behind Mars, still disguising her voice. She slapped the young girl over the head and disappeared again.
"Stand still you damn jerk so I can hit you." Mars snarled. She hated to be fooled with like this.
"Very well. Here I am. Although you know very well not to touch your superior." Honoka replied as she reappeared in front of the fire senshi.
"Honoka sensei. I didn't realize it was you. Forgive me for my insolence." Mars replied respectfully, stepping back a few steps.
"I don't see why I should Mars. We have been over the subject of your habit of bullying, several times, and you still haven't learned. And no, little Anci didn't say anything to me. I figured it out. Now, you are to run around the perimeter of these grounds three times, at top speed, wearing this pack. I will be right with you in case you try to get out of this session. Now go." Honoka commanded.
Sailor Mars groaned as she put on the pack and started on her first lap around the track. She had respect for Honoka for her determination and caring nature, but the woman could be very strict at times. Twenty-five minutes later, Sailor Mars came to a staggering stop in front of Honoka.
"I am finished sensei. May I go to my quarters and freshen up for lunch." Sailor Mars panted.
"Not just yet I'm afraid. Her majesty wishes to speak to you herself." Honoka replied as she guided the young girl to the garden and in to the palace. They soon entered the Common Room and Mars stood in front of the queen, waiting for her to speak.
"Mars, what am I going to do with you. Your actions against others young and weaker than you have not stopped. Your training will increase for the next two months, and if I hear of any other infractions to the rules are your part, you will be suspended from the team for three months. Have I made myself clear Sailor Mars." the queen instructed sternly.
"Yes your majesty." the fire senshi replied, bowing her head. She suddenly realized that she had disgraced herself. If her parents heard about this, she would be in real trouble.
"Good. Clean up and come and join the rest of us for the afternoon meal, if you are not too tired." the queen instructed gently.
I finally got this chapter done; as poor as it may be. I just had an awful time thinking of what to put down. If you have any suggestions for the next chapter(s), I'd love to hear them. And sorry it took so long to get this chapter out.
