Chapter 2: Unsettling
….20th Century Tokyo…
*Haruka*
She caught sight of that…. woman again. That female racer destroying barriers and records across Japan, including her own. The Sky King ground her teeth as the woman made her way toward her, pissing all over Haruka's territory as she did. The blonde schooled her face into a cold but neutral expression. The ginger haired driver smiled at her, "So… You're the famous Haruka Tenoh?" She extended her hand to Haruka.
Haruka let her hand hang there until the woman dropped it. She sighed, "Yes, I am Haruka Tenoh. You must be Asuka Nikko."
She watched a smart ass expression streak the other racer's face as she thought. Finally, the words slipped from her lips, "Please forgive my bluntness, but why in the name of Selene would you live half of your life as a man just to gain stature? I find it demeaning to women everywhere."
The Sky King was so incensed that she couldn't help the response that burst from her like a gush of wind, " Not everyone uses their bodies to get what they want!" She stalked off and slammed the door of her personal dressing room. Being one of few female drivers had its perks. She leaned against the door while her blood boiled. It took a while for reason to return… But when it did Haruka was left with an entirely new bad feeling and a new set of questions about the mysterious Asuka Nikko…. Why had she mentioned the Goddess Selene? A shiver ran down the golden haired Senshi's spine.
...Silver Millennium…
*Serenity*
Princess Serenity sighed as she looked up at the beauty of the Earth from her balcony. She missed her beloved Endymion so much that every cell in her body ached. From within her room she heard Mars and Jupiter chattering on and on about their concern over Venus' visit to the Sun Kingdom. She had heard all of the talk… if you could call it that… of the unusual people of the Sun Kingdom.
Suddenly she had a thud on her shoulder and she smiled a half-smile at her wise guardian cat. Luna gave her a knowing look, "My sweet princess, I implore you to remain focused on your duties."
With another sigh, the princess replied, "Yes, of course Luna. I am… simply thinking about Venus." Serenity fiddled with a strand of her long golden hair in the hopes that Luna would believe her.
Luckily for her, it appeared that she did. Soon Luna nodded, "Yes, that is such troubling business…. Her parents sending her off to those… people."
The look of disgust on Luna's face saddened Serenity's heart. What right did people have to judge others? She believed in the good that lived in the hearts of all people. She set Luna down and went into her room, declaring that she was going to take a bath. While Mars and Jupiter gave her strange looks, no one seemed to question her though.
Soon she found herself soaking in warm water filled with sweet smelling bath salts. As she soaked she thought…. The more she thought the more an idea took shape. The more that idea took shape they more Serenity frowned. She knew how the others would react to her idea and she wondered if she were strong enough to fight them.
*Venus*
Waking up in the suite given to her by the royal family of the Sun, Venus rolled over and put a fluffy pillow over her head as she cursed herself for forgetting to close the curtains so the brightness of the sun might stay away. She knew she had been spending too much time in the White Moon Kingdom when she was no longer accustomed to the intensity of the sun like it was here. It wasn't much different on Venus. A short while later she managed to drag herself from the comfort of the bed and began readying herself for the day. She was scheduled to dine with the king and Princess Asuka for lunch and Prince Haruko and Asuka for dinner. She was also set to contact her parents after her luncheon. Venus was truly in the debt of the Sun Princess for having agreed to accompany her to dinner in particular. The prince was a known womanizer and she did not trust him in the least.
She may carry the nickname of the "Goddess of Love and Beauty" from her home world, at the same time that did not mean that Venus would sleep with just anyone. Her heart was spoken for, even if it was a silent vow of a forbidden romance. A sigh slipped from her lips as she looked at her reflection and muttered, "Oh Kunzite…. I miss you so."
Not long after she had adorned one of her many golden gowns she walked to the princess' quarters and knocked. Her brow furrowed when no answer came. Venus knocked one more time. Just as she was about to return to her own suite, the door opened. When Venus stepped in she was entirely bewildered. There was something wrong. Venus knew they had been up late, but by the look on Asuka's face one would think that the princess had not slept at all.
Even more unusual was the dress that the Sun Princess wore. In contrast to the dipping copper gown that she had been wearing the day before, Asuka wore a high collared wine colored gown with long gauzy sleeves. It was nearly unheard of for one to wear long sleeves among the Solarians.
Just as Venus was about to ask her about it another blonde scantily clad young girl entered quietly and greeted them, "Good afternoon my ladies. His highness King Apollo is waiting for you in the dining hall."
Asuka nodded and responded, "Thank you. We will be on our way now." She walked over and linked her arm with Venus' before the Senshi of Love could speak. She started pulling Venus toward the door and motioned toward the corner of the room, "Please take care of that mess."
Venus tried to look back and noticed a pile of yellow fabric that was tinged with something darker… perhaps a shade of red. What was going on here? What had happened between the time she left last night and now?
Unfortunately, there was not much time to make conversation as they were met by guards almost immediately upon departing from Asuka's quarters. Venus got the distinct impression that their escorts, as it were, were there to watch the princess as much as look after her. Something in Venus found this unsettling.
When they reached the dining room Venus' light blue eyes fell on the bronze skinned and golden haired king of the Sun Kingdom. He looked every bit the brute he had the reputation of being His hair was long and a little wild, a full beard and hard copper eyes, muscles for miles all over him. Sitting beside him was a woman who bore a striking resemblance to Asuka. Venus assumed it to be her mother. It was one of the customs among the Solarians that others liked to look down upon. Solarian men most often took multiple consorts and did not believe in marriage in the traditional sense.
Venus was shaken from her thoughts when the king spoke, "Welcome princess of Venus. I'm glad to see that my daughter continues to be a gracious companion to the daughter of our neighbors." As he spoke a young girl set the table before them. What Venus saw when the girl finished made her bite her tongue so hard she could taste her own blood. King Apollo reached over as the girl turned to leave and grabbed her ass… right in front of his mate and daughter! She had to remind herself that monogamy was not the norm here.
Obviously she hadn't masked her feelings well enough because his highness looked directly at her as he grabbed the girl's wrist, "Does my behavior trouble you Princess Venus? Or perhaps you wanted to touch her yourself? You may if you like."
Asuka groaned and stepped forward, "Please… Father… I do not think Lady Venus shares your predilection for such public displays." Venus was relieved until she saw the Sun King's expression.
He stood and gave Asuka a hard stare before turning his attention to Venus, "Please excuse us Lady Venus, I need to have a word with my insolent daughter." He pointed to a door that was tucked into the door so that it was almost invisible. Asuka did not say anything. She gave Venus an apologetic look and walked to the door, her eyes glued to the floor. Right behind her was the king. The two disappeared and Venus found herself more worried for the princess than she had before.
Looking at the king's consort did not bring Venus her beauty, the consort wore an empty expression that made her look like no more than an exquisite doll.
