Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon, but a girl can dream can't she?
Chapter Two:
After getting the prince to a healer and making sure the generals were alright, the prince and his parents welcomed their young guest. They were sitting in a parlor with the king and queen sitting on the couch opposite Helios. Endymion sat in a comfy chair by the couches.
"So, Prince Helios, what brings you here?" asked Endymion's mother. The young boy looked grave, something that was normally unnatural for children of his age. However, the expression was one the boy wore often.
"I'm afraid you are right to ask, Majesty." he replied solemnly. "Elysian is not as beautiful as it once was. Many black roses cover my temple gardens."
This made Endymion's father raise an eyebrow and the queen looked puzzled. Only Endymion looked thoughtful. He had spent the most time caring for the gardens of Elysian and Terra. Helios mentally smiled grimly. Normally the king should have known, but he was never much of a gardener.
"Black roses? Aren't they supposed to be there?" asked the king. It was true; the fabled gardens of Elysian were known well, especially for the wide variety of roses. In fact, they had one portion with only roses. Black, pink, red, yellow, and white.
"Yes, but never so many as to cover the entire gardens." Endymion whispered quietly. "They must be kept to a minimum. They only grow well if darkness is near." The elder's expression became unreadable at his son's words. The queen was still puzzled, but she hid it well.
"I'm afraid so. Danger approaches the beautiful land. My prayers seem to work, but I am just informing you of the possibility." Helios spoke in his usual tone, so the king and queen relaxed. Endymion, however, did not. He knew Helios well and that the young prince would not come to his parents if it was only a small danger, but he kept quiet and decided to ask his friend later.
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Meanwhile, Usagi sewed as Chibi Chibi napped and Chibiusa ran errands for Makoto. She kept pricking her finger and wincing in pain. She really hated doing such tedious work, but it had to be done. Not for the first time did she wonder what life would be like as a noble lady. They probably didn't have to sew or go out to eat or even take care of two little girls. No, they were rich. She wasn't, and that was that. As soon as Usagi finished her blanket that she had been patching up, she put it down on the table and gently woke Chibi Chibi. Chibiusa came in the door as soon as the young girl was up and they all headed out to walk in the afternoon sunshine.
They walked through crowed streets, open fields and past plenty of shops. By the time they came to the bridge that crossed the Blue River, they had walked five miles. Tired, the girls stopped to rest in the shade of a large tree. They had done plenty of work in the late morning and early afternoon, so now in the later part of the day, nearly sunset, they enjoyed the clean air and the babbling water. In the distance, though, something upset the quiet. The sound of horse hooves and voices that got clearer as they neared.
"...can't beat me even if you tried!" This was a young voice and distinctly male.
"Hey that was an accident and all Jadeite's fault!" Cried another that was also male, but it sounded older. Suddenly figures showed up by the river. Jumping to her feet, Usagi ordered the other two to climb the tree and hide with her. Not having to be told twice, the two children raced up with Usagi at their tails.
Peeking out, the girls saw six young men, one only a boy, on horses. They stopped at the water, allowing their horses to drink and dismounting them to rest. The one with wavy brown hair went over to the boy and clapped him on the shoulder.
"How's that for slow?" he asked as the boy grinned.
"I still beat you, but then again, I am one of the best horsemen." He replied, unaware of the two brownish eyes watching him.
He was the oddest boy Chibiusa had ever seen! Light blue hair eyes like her own and very pale skin. This boy seemed too fragile and weak, but the way he rode up on his horse was magnificent. She shifted slightly to get a better look.
One of the men saw a slight movement in a tree (Chibiusa!) and shaded his blue eyes as he looked up. Usagi's cornflower blues clashed with his midnight eyes. Unable to look away on both parts made the other men, those who weren't getting into an argument about the earlier subject (Zoisite and Kunzite), noticed their friend was staring at a tree.
"Men, I think we have company." she the one with blonde hair in a ponytail. That broke up the argument and the 'moment' Usagi was having with the dark haired stranger.
"Please come down from there and tell us why you're spying on us." said the man with white hair. Glaring at Chibiusa who shrugged, Usagi led the girels down the tree.
"Begging your pardons, sirs." said Usagi when they were all down. "But we we weren't spying." She curtsied and the younger girls copied to the men's surprise. "You work for the palace, right? You're wearing uniforms." She told them as Chibiusa and Chibi Chibi hid behind her skirts. The men exchanged a look. Only the four generals wore the uniforms; the two other wore ordinary noble's clothing.
"Yes, ma'am, we do." This was the man who asked them to come down. He stepped in front of the group.
"Then, may I be so bold, Generals, as to ask why you and his Highness have come here and the young Master is?" This obviously shocked them. How did she know who they were?
A muffled voice came from behind her skirts, "Usagi-mama, the boy's a prince, too. I've just never seen 'im 'round 'ere afore." A pink-haired head popped out from behind and a second copied it. The older girl glared at the children.
"I thought I taught you how to speak, young lady." She scolded. While that was happening, the men only watched them, not noticing the small girl walk up to the younger prince, until he felt a tug at his pant-leg. Looking down, he saw another pink head, but this time it looked redder.
"Chibi prince?" she asked, staring at her with big blue eyes. He looked startled for a moment, and then his face went calm. The young girl who had spoken came out, and curtsied.
"Meanin' no disrespect, nobility, but that's the look of a prince. Same for his Highness." She answered their unasked question. The men relaxed slightly as the youngest girl ran back over to the others.
"You are indeed correct." This was the man who had first spotted them. "I am Prince Endymion, and our visiting prince is Helios. This does not, however, explain you knew they were generals."
The eldest tensed; she was resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "Highness, they have badges on their uniforms. Who else but the greatest would wear gold?" There was a hint of irritation, but no more. The generals and Helios hid grins at this because few would think of such a comment. Suddenly, the generals took notice of the dark sky that surrounded them; it was pitch black.
The other two men's attention was fixed on the girls who addressed them with not too much respect and a bit of annoyance when necessary. They, or really the oldest, acted as if she had been raised with court manners.
"Forgive us, ladies, but it is already nightfall and the others will worry." Kunzite, the responsible one, said. The generals had mounted and now the princes mounted and they left. They girls trugged home, thinking about the eventful outing.
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Later that night, when Chibi Chibi was asleep, Chibiusa and Usagi wrote in their diaries.
Chibiusa's:
Dear Diary,
Tonight was fun. Usagi-mama/chan took Chichi (Chibi Chibi) and me ta the riverbridge. I saw the weirdest boy there. He looked real weak'n stuff, but 'e was real good with his horse. His eyes were like mine an' he was surprised by Usagi-mamachan an' my known' 'bout prince types. The boy's name was Helios. Weird, huh? Usagi-mamachan made me be all polite, but still scolded me when I talked like our neighbors. She says it itn't proper, but here I can write how I want. I hope I see Helios again one day. I'd like to be friends. I think Usagi-mamachan wants to see the other prince again.
Night,
Usa
Usagi's:
Dear Diary,
This was a very odd day. I took Chibiusa-chan and Chibi Chibi-chan to the Blue River. We met some men from the palace. The four top Generals and two princes. The men were startled that we knew who they were, but it was so obvious that anyone could tell. I think Chibiusa-chan wants to befriend the younger prince, but she shouldn't tangle with nobility, especialy not royalty, although the elder prince was stunning... It isn't right. I told Chibiusa-chan not to speak as our neighbors do, not to the upperclassmen. They also seemed shocked by my speech; few people outside court know such things. Even I do not know where I learned such things.
Goodnight,
Usagi
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A/N: No I did not spell Chibiusa's speech wrong. She is speaking and writing the way a commoner would. Tell me if you like and thanks to my two reviewers.
