Chapter 2

Movement doesn't escape my eye, especially when it comes from the Princess' room. Mercury and Mars have already retired for the night though I doubt that either of them is sleeping. The glimpse of fire trickles through the cracks of Rei's window while a lamp still illuminates Mercury's quarters. They're so close to the Princess that I'm surprised they don't hear her door open and close. I make my way down the narrow hall and stick to the shadows of each column. Princess Serenity wanders down into the garden in nothing more than her nightgown. I watch her from the balcony. She kneels on all fours as if searching for something. I sigh and jump down.

"Princess, it is late. You shouldn't be wandering the grounds without someone accompanying you."

She freezes. "Oh… yes. You're right Jupiter."

I motion towards the palace. "I'll escort you to your room." I can see the protests through her eyes. She continuously glances over her shoulder towards the fountain. Perhaps I'll check on this later. My swords reflect the moonlight perfectly, could she have just came out for a stroll? No, that doesn't sound like the Princess.

"Please don't wander off again. You'll make my duty harder than it needs to be."

I turn to leave when the Princess grabs my hand. "Makoto."

"What is it Princess?"

"Could we talk a little?"

I nod. "If that is what you wish."

She sits down on her bed and motions for me to do the same. Her hesitation piques my curiosity. "Does love really exist?"

The question surprises me. "Uh… Princess, perhaps this is a conversation to be had with Venus. Her people know the most on the subject. I'm a soldier."

"Still, do you not think it exists?"

I shrug. "I suppose it could but I'm not so adept with such things."

She sighs. "I just thought… well you're the oldest of us… and you have Shino…"

I smile. "Shino and I aren't lovers if that's what you think."

Her eyes widen. "You're not?"

I laugh. "In truth, we were once… but not anymore. He's too much of a brother to me."

"So you have loved?"

"Princess I'm confused at this sudden questioning."

She nods. "I know for a fact that neither Ami nor Rei have experienced love and Minako… she speaks of it as if it's a game. What is it like Mako? Please tell me."

I pause. "Have you fallen in love, Princess?"

She doesn't answer right away. Her eyes drop to the ground. "I… don't know. Please don't tell anyone. Mother wouldn't approve."

I sigh. "It is your life, it is not my place to intervene in matters such as this unless absolutely necessary."

"You're so calm."

"Truth is Princess, love hasn't been kind to me nor do I think it ever will. It is only a sign of weakness and a Jovian cannot show weakness; least of all on the fields of battle." She looks away. "You said the Queen wouldn't approve. Is he promised to another?"

She shakes her head. "No nothing like that, he's just not… from here."

"So are you seeking approval?"

"It is the law that my mother choose my husband as with every other royal family in the Silver Alliance."

I shrug. "Not every family. My father never took note of title when someone was courting his daughter. He said that the choice was ultimately mine and that even if he expressed his extreme displeasure I'd probably find a way to be with him anyway."

"And did you?"

I sigh. "That's enough digging Princess. It's late. Please stay in your room until morning. I don't want to have to go fetch you again."

She nods as I walk towards the door. "Mako?" I turn. "Thank you."

I smile and step out into the hall, making sure to close the door behind me. With only a few steps into the hallway, I find myself looking back to the Princess' door. It's strange that she would ask me those questions. Regardless the night is still young. I lean back against the wall and stare out at the gardens. What was she looking for?

"Remember men, keep your heads up! That split second you take your eyes off your opponent could be your last." Swords fly all around me as the Moon's royal army practices their morning drills. I've been training them since I had accepted my duties on the moon. They are nothing compared to the Jovian army, but I do the best I can.

"Princess Jupiter, may we rest? We've been going non-stop since sunrise."

I smile. "Fatigue is part of training and thus part of battle. We carry on until noon."

"Come on Jupiter, let the boys rest a little."

I look over my shoulder and see Mars leaning against a column. "When you're fighting there is no time to rest."

She nods. "Then how about a spectacle then? I'm sure that you and I could demonstrate why fatigue is so dangerous."

"Rei, are you challenging me?"

"Maybe."

The men suddenly don't look so tired. I can see the curiosity written all over their faces. Who am I to back down from a challenge? "Alright, men, let's clear the area. Mars and I are going to need some space."

They move faster than they had all morning. Mars looks in my eyes with pure determination. She does this every once in a while, though I can't complain, I love a challenge. A circle of fire rises from the ground surrounding us in a small arena. Thunder crackles over our heads. The storm starts now.

She jumps to the side and pulls the bow off her shoulder as I reach back and draw both my swords. The arrows fly like rain. I charge the swords and strike each of the down while advancing. Mars isn't good at hand to hand combat. She enjoys attacking from a far. I playfully tag the back of her armor and kick her to the ground.

"That one would have been painful if we were fighting for -"

An arrow blazes past my face, cutting my cheek. I touch the blood with the tip of my finger. She smiles as my wound heals. "Pay attention Jupiter, I'm sure I can inflict wounds that even you can't heal from."

The lightning flows through my fists now. "Alright fine, I'm going to stop holding back."

More arrows fly towards me. I swat them away like insects. She lunges, what is she doing? That's when I see it, the small dagger clenched between her fingers. I stagger back and kick the weapon out of her hand. She doesn't stop. I spin on my heel and hit her knees with the broad side of my blades. Mars falls on her back and I don't waste any time. My sword, sizzling with energy, rests mere inches from her neck.

"Stop this at once!"

Mars is disappointed. She was moments away from a counter. In her other hand rests the tip from one of her arrows. Had this continued I know she would have struck with it. The fire circle disperses revealing both Mercury and Venus. I withdraw my blade and stand back, leaving Mars enough room to stand.

"What were you two doing?"

Mars shrugs. "Come on Mercury, we're just having a little fun."

Venus shakes her head. "Fun? You call this fun?"

I nod. "It's about the only fun I've ever known."

Mercury sighs. "Come on, we're late for court. Queen Serenity is not in the best mood this morning."

I turn to the men. "Alright, looks like we're done for today. Start your rounds and go about your duties."

They all reply in unison, much to Venus' disapproval. "They're not like soldiers from the Jovian army, you shouldn't treat them as such."

I sheath my weapons. "Would you not agree that we should be ready for anything?" She doesn't reply. "Then let me train them to the best of my ability."

The four of us walk back in silence. Mercury was right, the Queen isn't in the best of moods. That much was evident by her displeasure in our entrance. The Princess sits next to her mother with her fingers intertwined together and her gaze solely on the floor. She has something else on her mind today.

"How are the preparations for the party?"

Luna clears her throat. "As far as I know the invitations have been sent and all the decorations have been organized. We will be ready for guests the day before."

The Queen nods. "And Jupiter, are the men ready?"

"Your soldiers are as ready as they will be. Nothing should get by them."

"Good then there is one last thing I ask from my daughter's court."

The Princess finally looks up. "There is?"

The Queen smiles. "The Outer guardians will be in attendance. I need someone to go and get them for this evening's meetings. Mercury, Mars if you two would see to it that their rooms are prepared." Both guardians bow. "And Venus if you would be so kind as to go to the time gate and bring Pluto back here."

She nods. "Of course."

I clench my fists and look away. I know exactly what the Queen is going to ask of me.

"And Jupiter, if you would please visit Saturn and ensure she is still in slumber. After which you can return with both Uranus and Neptune."

I close my eyes and bite my tongue. My reply comes in the form of a nod. With all that settled there's nothing more to discuss. Court is adjourned and there's nothing else to say. The others go straight to their duties but I find myself standing in front of the teleportation pad with no intention of setting the coordinates.

"Mako are you alright?"

I don't look back. The Princess stands in the edge of the room with nothing but worry on her face. "I'm fine Princess."

"You don't seem like it."

"Things are not always as they seem."

She sighs. "Could I come with you?"

I shake my head. "Saturn is not the most hospitable of planets and neither are Uranus and Neptune."

"Then why are you going?"

"Because it was asked of my Queen. Don't worry, I'll return with the others before night fall. In the mean time please try not to wander off."

I quit my stalling and program Saturn's coordinates. The light flashes for an instant as I step on. There it is again, that strange feeling; my molecules breaking down and travelling with energy. Just like that I'm gone. I wonder if the Princess has left the room yet. The next image I see is of hooded figures waiting to greet me. I bow out of respect and step towards them.

"I'm here to check on Saturn."