-1Daughter of Thunder: Chapter One

Leda Kino walked into the Royal Gardens The sun was just beginning to set over the mountains, making the Crystal Palace glow a faint pinkish color reflecting the last of the sun's rays. She walked towards the center; passing the rich foliage the were planted by her mother's own hands. The plants seemed to sway towards her as her steps led her passed them.

Finally she reached a fountain in the middle. The sound of trickling water seemed to send a wave of calmness over her. She let her eyes close and her mind to calm. Leda was about to ask for the forbidden. But she needed it to settle her torn spirit. This decision had not come lightly. Tears flowed once more down her face as she heard Adia's voice flow through the deep recesses of her mind.

"You know the Laws, Leda." the Martian Princess's voice echoed. "I know you think you need it. But You could undo everything. Just for something as selfish as this."

Leda responded with the venomous tone she had acquired over the past few months that always seemed to make the blood freeze in her friend's veins, "Chibi-Usa did it all the time. No one ever chided her about it. And her mother just fell asleep for a week! My mother is dead, Adia! Nothing I can do can bring her back!" Her pale faced was flushed with emotion in this response.

Adia's violet ash eyes washed over with sympathy for her friend, "Le, I can't imagine the pain you feel. But asking for this is against everything. And Chibi-Usa's destiny was involved with her going back. We were too young to remember the attack of the Dark Moon. But-"

"But nothing! You never saw your mother slowly fading into nothing. Your mother is still able to hold you at night. Your mother still can teach you the things that a mother should! I'm asking for it because I'm never going to get that chance unless I do this." Adia narrowed her eyes at the taller princess. Her dark locks fluttered in the wind.

"She'll never do it and you know it. You are wasting her time. And if you think that I'm going to feel sorry for you, I won't. Just go lock yourself up and get over this, because I'm tired of your stupid mood swings!" With that the Princess of Mars marched out her violet skirts swirling around ankles.

Leda's emerald eyes snapped open when she heard the steps approach her. The tall figure of the ageless woman before her stood in a Sailor Fuku of burgundy and Dark Green. Her dark green hair glowed softly in the setting sun.

"Princess Leda, you requested me?" Sailor Pluto bowed her head. Leda stood up and smoothed out her gown.

"Yes, Puu. I wanted to ask you something." Her hands were trembling. Pluto put her hand on Leda's shoulder and gestured to the bench to sit down. Leda obeyed the silent command and they both took a seat on the bench.

"Princess. I know what you want to ask, and I'm afraid I cannot let you go back to the Past." Leda's heart seemed to freeze and send the same freezing down her spine. Tears pricked her eyes. This wasn't supposed to happen. Pluto gazed at the young Jovian princess and sighed.

"I have broken that rule too many times. Listen to me please before you send out another temper tantrum. The risk is too great for you to go see your mother back when she was a soldier. I know the pain you feel. Mako-chan was a friend to me, but if I send you back the time stream could send us all into a different future than what already is." She caught Leda's eyes which were smoldering with frustration.

After a moment of silence they sat in the oncoming darkness as the sun disappeared. Finally Leda covered her face and her frame was racked with sobs of a little girl who was lost in the world.

"Princess," The Guardian of Time set a gloved hand onto her shoulder. In response the green clad princess wrapped her arms around Pluto and continued to cry until her tears turned to hiccups, "I may have something that isn't want you wanted but it will help you understand what your mother truly believed."

Leda's bright green eyes were swollen from the sudden emotion as Pluto reached into the folds of her skirts into the inter-dimensional pocket. She withdrew a medium sized leather bound book with the word 'Journal' in cursive letters printed on the front.

"What is this, Pluto?" Leda said taking it in her hands.

Pluto smiled and put a hand on her shoulder once more, "Mako-chan's life through her eyes. The life even Her Highness Serenity knew nothing of." The brunette Princess stared and brushed the lettering with her fingertips.

"But I thought Mama shared everything with the others. Especially Neo-Queen Serenity." Pluto shook her head. "If Serenity knew what your mother had gone through it probably would've torn her to pieces. I'm surprised it never tore Makoto apart. But that is why she was the Senshi of Strength." Pluto stood up and smoothed her fuku. Leda stared that the book then back at Pluto.

"You are much like her Leda. I'm sure you'll come to realize. Even now I still see Jupiter's fighting spirit alive in you." A small rueful smiled took place on Pluto's solemn face, "I must return. Please understand your mother knew what she was doing."

"But whe-" Leda started to say but the Ancient Senshi had already disappeared. Leaving her with the sound of the night insects as the fireflies danced around the trickling fountain. Leda stared for a moment hearing whispering lullabies of the evening before standing up and stowing the book safely in her arms and walking back to the Palace.

The Princess of Jupiter sat on the edge of her bed. She had her long hair cascading over her left shoulder. A silver brush running it's course through the silky locks. It shined an amber golden color in the light from her lamp. The Journal laid in front of her.

She slowly braided her hair the way her mother used to when she was much younger. Weaving the locks in and out of each other , her mother's scent came drifting back from her haunted memories. Her mother running the brush through her hair humming softly as she carefully crafted her daughter's hair into the desired style.

She fell back to reality as she reached the ends of her hair. Leda picked up the ribbon and tied it to the end tossing it unceremoniously behind her. The book was light but the significance of it weighed it down in Leda's pale hands.

'Well are you going to read it? Or just let it sit there collecting dust?' her mind chided. The leather creaked as she pulled the top cover open. A pictured was pasted on the inside of the cover. It was a bit faded but the young face of Makoto Kino stood out. A bright blue dragonfly was perched on her chestnut bangs as her eyes crossed focusing on the dragonfly puzzled. A net was in her hand suggesting the dragonfly had outsmarted her in her attempt to catch it.

Leda giggled to herself at seeing her mother in such an unladylike situation. She wore a t-shirt with sunflowers on it so different from the royal gowns she wore when Leda was younger. Below the picture was handwriting she couldn't place. It read 'Our little Dragonfly. May you find all your dreams within these pages when you have filled them. Love Mum and Dad.'

For the first time Leda heard of her grandparents. And the mystery of where they were now tugged at her. Most of the parents of the Kings and Queens hadn't survived the thousand years of sleep. After the War that had devastated the planet, many were too weak despite the Silver Crystal's healing power. They were only alive in the stories heard from the generation before. The Queens honored those lost on a wall in the Garden to the west. But Leda never remember her grandparents' name being there.

"Well Leda no way to find out but to read." She spoke to herself and began to turn the page.

End Chapter One

Authors notes: PLEASE REVIEW THIS. I'M ON MY KNEES HERE PEOPLE!