Chapter Three
The Millennium Ball
Night had fallen on the Moon Kingdom, and the Earth hung in the sky, an immense blue and green orb, casting a celestial light over the Moon Palace. Inside the palace's great hall, however, it was as bright as day, and filled to the brim with happy, chattering guests. At last, the night of the Millennium Ball had arrived, and subjects from all over the solar system flooded the room for the celebration.
Apart from the others, Nephrite stood in the shadows and watched. Ami was standing with Kunzite, somewhat away from the other Senshi, and the two of them were talking and laughing. Watching her, Nephrite felt an icy hand clamp over his heart. Ignoring it, he decided that if he could get Ami away from Kunzite, he would talk to her as Serenity had suggested.
His chance arose when Endymion, standing several feet away from Serenity, beckoned to Kunzite. Bowing to Ami, Kunzite took his leave of her and joined the Earth Prince. It's now or never, Nephrite thought anxiously. Swallowing hard, he approached Ami. "Excuse me, miss?" he began.
Ami turned to face him. "Nephrite!" she cried in surprise.
Nephrite bowed deeply, avoiding eye contact with her. "I wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day. I was abrupt and rude, unnecessarily." There. He had said it. He still wasn't really sure why he had said it, but it was done.
"It's all right," Ami replied warmly. Nephrite looked up in surprise to see her smiling brightly down at him. "We're all still trying to adjust to this new situation," she continued, "So I can't exactly blame you for being a little tense."
Nephrite's jaw dropped, and he straightened up. "You mean to say...you forgive me? Just like that?"
"Of course!" Ami answered. "That's the most important rule of friendship, isn't it?" She grinned. "We all make mistakes, but if we didn't forgive each other, all we'd wind up with would be a bunch of angry people."
Nephrite stared at her. She says it so easily, like it's nothing, he thought in awe. So many people would have held it against me for the rest of my life, but not her... A strange feeling began to grow inside his stomach, a feeling of...admiration? And something Nephrite was unfamiliar with. A small voice inside him spoke up, reminding him of the treachery of the Moon people, but he silenced it. How could he distrust her, after she showed him such honesty and forgiveness? Clearly, the legends that the Earth people had been taught about the Moon people were wrong...
Ami tilted her head to the side and looked at him. "Is something wrong?" she asked.
"Huh? Oh, no, not at all," Nephrite replied hastily, his mind feeling numb. He distantly heard the sound of music, and noticed couples spinning across the floor. "Would you like to dance?" he asked before he realized what he was saying.
"Of course!" Ami replied. "But I have to help Serenity with the opening ceremony first. As soon as that's finished, though, I'll save the first dance for you."
Nephrite smiled and nodded, feeling a bit overwhelmed. What's come over me? He wondered.
Still smiling, Ami turned and headed to the front of the ballroom where Serenity and the other three Senshi were standing. Inside, she was glowing. I can't believe it! she thought. He apologized to me, of his own free will! And he asked me to dance! She could feel her cheeks growing warm. What's the matter with me, anyway? Why do I care so much? She thought again of his deep blue eyes, however, and felt herself blush even more. I wonder if Kunzite said anything to him, she thought. If he did, I shall have to thank him!
Serenity looked at Ami's happy expression and congratulated herself internally. Her little talk with Nephrite had paid off, and now both he and Ami looked so happy! I knew that the Earth and the Moon people could resolve their differences, she thought. I just know that Endymion and I getting married will be the best thing for everyone!
The music faded out, and all eyes in the ballroom turned to the front, where Serenity was stepping up to a podium. "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and thank you all for attending tonight. This celebration marks one thousand years of the Moon Kingdom's rule. One thousand years of galactic peace: the Silver Millennium."
The audience applauded; all, that is, except for Zoisite, who stood with his arms crossed. He glanced over at Nephrite, who was politely clapping. This can't be possible, he thought with dismay. These enchantresses have even spun their spell on Nephrite?
"And, of course, we owe a great deal of these accomplishments to the Sailor Senshi, who have always protected us so bravely," Serenity continued. She gestured to the girls on either side of her, each wearing a long white ballgown. "Princess Minako, of Venus; Princess Makoto, of Jupiter; Princess Rei, of Mars; and Princess Ami, of Mercury..."
Nephrite's heart stopped at this, and he heard Serenity's voice no more. A princess? he thought in shock. She's a princess? His knees felt weak, and he staggered out of the ballroom onto the adjacent balcony, holding the railing for support. Nephrite had made a terrible miscalculation–he had assumed that the Senshi were like the Shitennou: not of royal blood, but rather simple vassals. While they were of noble blood, they were on an entirely different level than the Senshi. And I spoke to her so informally, so disrespectfully...so ignorantly! Nephrite thought in disgust. Taking a deep breath, he looked at the Earth hovering in the night sky, as the reality of it all sank in. This was a mistake, he thought. I don't belong here. I should have known it from the start.
Back inside the ballroom, Serenity had finished her speech. When the applause had died down, the music started up once more, and couples resumed dancing. Ami stepped down from the platform at the head of the ballroom and looked around. "Where did Nephrite go?" she wondered aloud. She had seen him in the crowd during the speech, but he had since vanished. Glancing around, Ami caught sight of Jadeite, whom she pulled aside.
"Ah, Nephrite?" Jadeite repeated. "He went out on the balcony. He looked sick."
Ami furrowed her brows in concern. "Sick?" Jadeite shrugged, and Ami frowned. Thanking Jadeite, she turned and pushed through the curtains separating the balcony from the rest of the ballroom. There, she found Nephrite leaning against the railing, staring off into space. "Nephrite, are you all right?" she asked, her voice laden with concern. Nephrite visibly jumped, and turned to face her. Ami stepped forward. "Jadeite said you looked ill, so I got worried."
Nephrite stared at her for a moment, and then bowed. "Your Highness. I'm sorry to have concerned you. I..." He stopped mid-sentence. Ami was bent over, her hands on her knees, looking up into his face.
"What's the matter with you?" she inquired, placing her hands on his shoulders and forcing him to straighten up. "Why did you call me 'Your Highness'? You were fine just five minutes ago, but now..."
"I'm sorry," he stammered, flustered by her boldness. He looked away in embarrassment. "I didn't realize..."
"Realize what?" Ami prodded.
"That you were a princess."
Ami stared at him a moment, then burst out laughing. "Is that all?" she asked between giggles. Nephrite turned his head to face her, confused by her mirth. "That's just a title!" Ami continued. "I'm just as subservient to Serenity as you are to Endymion. So none of this 'Your Highness'! We're equals." She smiled at Nephrite.
Nephrite felt unconvinced, but melted under her smile. What is it about her? She's so...intriguing.
"So, are you going to dance with me?" Ami asked him.
He caved in and smiled back. "Yes, I am," he said boldly, pushing away from the railing and taking her arm. Together, they strode back into the bright ballroom.
The orchestra was playing a lovely waltz, and Nephrite turned to Ami and extended his hand to her. She took it, and he took her into his arms to begin the dance. The result was electrifying. Just this limited contact with her seemed to set his senses on fire. What is coming over me? he thought anxiously, hoping that the flush spreading across his face wasn't visible as he led her across the dance floor.
Little did he realize that Ami was feeling much the same. She looked up at his expressionless face, his deep blue eyes. He's so tall...and attractive, she thought, a blush of her own tinging her cheeks pink. But there's more to him than that. He seems lonely... I want to know more about him.
"You dance well," she said aloud with a smile.
Nephrite looked down at her and felt his face involuntarily turn a deeper shade of red. "Oh? Well, we have a lot of these sorts of things on the Earth, so I've had a chance to practice."
Ami laughed a little. Nephrite looked at her inquisitively, and she shook her head. "It's funny. The Earth and the Moon Kingdoms have despised each other for so long, but we have so much in common, even down to the dances."
Her words struck Nephrite. Why did the Earthlings hate the Moon People? It seemed a strange thing, almost unfathomable now that he was here. These people seemed to be nothing like what he had been told. Could it be he had been told wrong?
That was it, he realized. Earthlings hated the Moon People because they'd been told to. Because that's how they'd lived all their lives, and because they saw no reason to think otherwise. The thought deeply disturbed Nephrite, and he started to feel his temper swelling. Had he been lied to his entire life? He looked down at Ami once more. The supposed treachery of the Moon People–he saw none of that in her, only kindness and honesty. If he had never come here, would he have continued to believe lies about people like her his entire life? Would he have died, never knowing the truth?
"So," Ami began, not noticing that Nephrite had begun to tense with fury at his own thoughts, "What sorts of things do you like to do in your free time?"
Nephrite's building rage dissipated instantly at the abrupt change of subject. "In my free time?" He thought a moment. "Various things..."
"You'll find that Nephrite is a regular jack-of-all-trades," a deep voice interrupted. The pair turned to see Kunzite standing beside them. "May I cut in?"
Nephrite's temper briefly flared at the interruption, but he restrained it and released Ami from his grip. Trust Kunzite to pick the worst possible time to show up, he thought bitterly, trying to stifle the feeling of deep disappointment that churned inside him.
Ami caught his elbow as he started to turn. "I'll meet you on the balcony after this dance, and we can continue our conversation, okay?" she whispered.
Nephrite raised an eyebrow and nodded, feeling his spirits lift as he walked away.
Kunzite placed one hand on Ami's waist, and took her hand in his other. "I see that the two of you are speaking now," he commented, casting a little glance at Nephrite's retreating form.
"Oh, yes, and Kunzite–I wanted to thank you for that," Ami enthused. "I don't know what you said to him..."
"As much as I'd like to take credit for this, I didn't say anything to him," Kunzite replied. "Endymion scolded him for insulting you, but approaching you was a decision he made on his own." As the music picked up, he gave Ami a quick twirl, and continued, "I frankly can't believe that he did. He's so stubborn; he never admits that he's wrong, and usually just gets belligerent about it and just makes matters worse."
"Is that so?" Ami murmured, surprise evident in her voice. But he apologized to me...She turned her head to glance at Nephrite, who was leaning against the far wall beside the curtained entrance to the balcony. He's more mysterious than I had first imagined.
Kunzite twirled Ami once more, marveling on her poise as she danced. She was so graceful, beautiful, and kind that it seemed almost impossible that she should even exist. No other woman in the galaxy, Kunzite decided, could even hold a candle to Ami. He silently wondered if all girls from Mercury were like her, or if she was as truly unique as he suspected. The 'flower of the court,' they call her, he thought. And justly so.
Ami's thoughts, however, were still turned towards Nephrite. She found herself simply going through the motions of the dance, her mind deep in contemplation. If he were truly as Kunzite had said, then why had he apologized to her? Oh, why do I keep thinking of him? she thought in frustration. I'm being rude to Kunzite... But she remembered the way her skin had felt electrified when Nephrite had touched her, and found that she was having trouble tearing her mind away from it. The very memory made her blush. Ami had only known Nephrite for a few brief days; yet she was finding that the more she thought about him, the more intense the need to understand him, to get to know him better was becoming. But why? No other man had–
"Ami?" Kunzite's voice interrupted her thoughts. She looked up and he smiled. "What are you thinking about that's making you frown like that?"
Ami laughed embarrassedly. "Oh, sorry, it's nothing." She thought for a moment, and then added, "Kunzite...tell me more about Nephrite."
"Him?" Kunzite raised his eyebrows. "Well, let's see. He's easily the most antisocial of the four of us. He doesn't speak often, but when he does, he's very showy about it. I think he doesn't really consider what he says before it comes out of his mouth; he's just so eager for someone to pay attention to him that he just says whatever's on his mind, which can lead to...complications."
Meaning that he's insecure, Ami decided. She knew the feeling. While her own insecurities weren't strong enough to turn her words belligerent, she knew well enough how easily they could become so on the tongue of someone whose deepest desire was to be accepted. Her heart reached out to Nephrite once more.
"He doesn't speak much to me, at any rate," Kunzite was continuing. "He seems to get along with Jadeite the best. He's the second youngest of us, a few years my junior. I think he's about a year older than you," he added, and instantly regretted it. I make myself sound ancient, he thought in annoyance. My tongue winds itself in knots around her.
"I see," Ami said thoughtfully. She smiled back up at Kunzite, deciding to change the subject. She did not wish to discomfort her friend by talking only of Nephrite all night. "So, what do you think of the Millennium Ball?"
"I am highly impressed," Kunzite answered. "The decorations that you and your friends made are particularly nice."
Ami giggled, remembering how Kunzite had so gallantly offered to help the Senshi braid ribbons for the ball, not realizing that he had done so with the singular intent of spending more time with a certain Mercurian princess. "You helped too, Kunzite! Don't give us all the credit!"
"Come now, I count myself among your friends! I could never forget the intense labor I spent on that challenging task. I count it among my greatest accomplishments." Kunzite laughed harder, considering how foolish he must have looked to passersby. "And I never could braid the ribbons half as well as you girls."
"Well, obviously–we've had more experience than you," Ami said between giggles. "Unless you've been practicing on your own hair and haven't told me!" Kunzite's laughter, which had all but died out, returned with full strength at that.
She had me worried for a moment with all the questions about Nephrite, he thought as they resumed their dance. But I suppose she was just curious.
When the dance at last ended, Ami curtsied and took her leave of her friend, heading out onto the balcony where Nephrite was waiting for her. She blinked, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. Nephrite watched her for a moment, her figure silhouetted by the light from the ballroom, her long dark hair cascading over her shoulders. Such beauty, so beloved by so many–Kunzite, his superior, included–and yet she was choosing to reach out to him. The thought simultaneously flattered and confused him.
"Did you enjoy your dance?" he asked her, turning and leaning against the railing.
Ami joined him. "Yes," she said. "Kunzite is a very kind man."
Nephrite bit his tongue and kept his thoughts on that matter to himself. They stood in silence for a moment, and Nephrite turned his attention back to the object he had been studying while waiting for Ami on the balcony–the Earth. "I had no idea that's what it looked like from here," he commented.
Ami looked over at him and smiled. "What do you think of it?"
Nephrite considered for a moment, feeling his face grow hot under her gaze. "It's huge," he admitted. "It makes me feel very...small." Ami said nothing, but continued to smile at him. He went on after a moment, "It's so easy to get wrapped up in your own affairs, but then something like this makes you realize how small you really are in the grand scheme of things." He was surprised at the words coming out of his own mouth, but there they were. He looked down.
Ami turned her eyes away from him and towards the object of his scrutiny. It's as I suspected, she thought. It's not that he's antisocial, he's just...unsure. She felt very close to him at that moment. "Do you want to see my planet?" she asked him suddenly.
Nephrite looked at her. "Your planet?" he repeated.
"Yes, the world I came from. Mercury." She glanced around for an instant and pointed.
Nephrite looked in the direction she indicated, and his gaze fell on what looked like a tiny blue star. "I see," he said. So she's not actually from the Moon. She's a stranger here, in a sense...like I am.
"Even though my world is the closest to the sun, it's actually not very hot there at all. The power of the Silver Crystal keeps the climate in check," Ami explained. "The whole planet is nearly covered with water, and everything is blue, as far as you can see." Her voice had taken a pained tone to it, and she was avoiding his eyes now, giving her full attention to smoothing her skirt. "I haven't seen my home in years," Ami continued, her voice now barely audible. "It takes all my strength to hold onto the memories I have of it. Sometimes I wonder if all my memories are really just fantasies."
Nephrite straightened and turned to completely face her. He suddenly had a strong desire to touch her, to drive away her sadness and pain, but he restrained himself. "Can't you go home for just a little bit?" he asked her.
Ami looked up at him and smiled halfheartedly, her eyes shining with tears. "It's my duty to protect the Princess at all costs," she said. "Even if that means I cannot do things that I want to. If I were to leave her, I would be forsaking my duties as a Senshi."
Nephrite nodded. Her words resounded with him. "I understand. Our duties as Shitennou are very much the same."
Ami smiled and brushed a lone tear away from her face. "I've told you about Mercury," she said. "Will you tell me about Earth?"
Nephrite looked once more at the massive blue and green orb in the sky. "It's very diverse. There are mountains and forests, oceans and deserts." He paused; that description didn't feel right. "We don't have a crystal, but...other than that, it's actually not very different from here, to tell you the truth. Although, from the way the Moon and Earth Kingdoms fight, you'd think it would be as different as night and day."
Ami nodded. "Yes, but...honestly, I always suspected that the differences were only superficial." Nephrite looked at her in surprise as she continued, "It's been my experience that usually, the only differences between people are perceptions."
Perceptions, huh? Nephrite thought, looking at the Earth. Easily created, but not easily changed. He looked over at Ami, whose wide eyes reflected the heavenly light of the Earth. Yet, somehow, she...
Nephrite never finished the thought, deciding instead to relax, for once, and enjoy the view.
Back inside the ballroom, Zoisite was standing with his back against the wall, his arms folded and his eyes cast downward. The room was filled with merriment and celebration, but he never let his guard down, even for an instant. Now that the other three Shitennou had clearly abandoned their senses completely, it was obvious that only Zoisite could protect the Master from these Moon People's treachery.
"Zoisite." He lifted his head to see Endymion standing in front of him. "You haven't danced once this entire evening," Endymion observed. "Even Nephrite eventually gave in and shared a dance with Princess Ami."
"I noticed," Zoisite said bitterly.
Endymion sighed and looked around, his eyes falling on Sailor Venus, who was talking to Serenity a few feet away. "Why don't you dance with Princess Minako?" he suggested.
Zoisite crinkled his nose. "I'd rather not, Master," he said. I'd like to dance with her even less than I'd like to dance with any of the other vixens here, he thought sourly, remembering how Sailor Venus had shown off during the training incident a few days prior.
"I just don't understand what's wrong with you," Endymion was saying. "I can't believe Nephrite caved before you did..."
He was interrupted by Serenity, who approached with Minako in tow. Seeing them coming, Zoisite quickly raised his mental defenses, feeling the eyes of the scowling young woman trained on him.
"Endymion, I'm trying to get Minako to sing for us, but she won't," Serenity said, her pout audible in her voice.
Endymion lifted his brow in surprise. "I didn't know that Princess Minako was gifted at singing," he remarked. He turned to Minako. "I'd be honored if you would give us a performance."
Serenity nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, she's quite talented musically!"
"That's quite a coincidence, because Zoisite is also quite gifted that way," Endymion said, gesturing to his vassal. "Particularly with the piano."
"You flatter me, Master," Zoisite said blandly.
Minako bristled at the comparison. "Well, he may be considered good by Earth standards, but would he hold up on the Moon?" she asked snidely.
So that's how she wants to play it? Zoisite thought in annoyance. "If you doubt my skills, then perhaps I should give you an example of my talents right now," he challenged.
"On the contrary," Minako snapped back. "I shall give my performance as Princess Serenity has requested, and I'm sure that you'll find that it will be much better than anything you've ever heard on Earth."
Zoisite opened his mouth to reply, but was cut off by Serenity. "Minako, Zoisite, wait a moment!" she cried. "I have a better idea. Zoisite, you can play, and Minako can sing! And then we can decide who's best."
Zoisite and Minako continued to stare at each other coldly for a moment; then, Zoisite replied, never taking his eyes from Minako's face: "Very well. I accept this challenge."
"It wasn't exactly a challenge," Serenity began, but Minako interrupted, stating that she, too, would participate.
Serenity smiled, and gestured for the orchestra to cease its playing. "Everyone," she announced, "Princess Minako and Lord Zoisite are going to perform for us!"
The audience murmured a bit as Zoisite followed Minako to the orchestral area. The orchestra's pianist rose from the grand piano, and Zoisite, flourishing his cape, took his seat there. Minako handed him a sheet of music. "We don't have any Earth music, of course," she explained curtly. "But if you're as skilled a musician as you claim, then you should have no trouble reading this."
"No trouble at all," Zoisite replied acidly. They held each other's gaze a moment more, then Minako abruptly turned to face the audience and Zoisite began the introduction to the Lunarian ballad. Minako had deliberately chosen a difficult piece, but Zoisite played it flawlessly.
He's a cool one, Minako thought bitterly, his unabashed, icy stare etched into her memory. But I'll show him. Inhaling deeply, she began to sing.
Serenity told no lie, Zoisite thought, frowning. Her voice is truly breathtaking. He furrowed his brow and pushed that out of his mind, focusing on his playing.
Curse him, Minako scowled internally as she sang. He plays without fault, even though it's a piece of music he's never even heard before. He really is a skilled musician. She resolved to ignore it, and simply willed herself to sing better than she ever had before.
Serenity stood beside Endymion in the crowd, her hands clasped in front of her as she watched the two perform. Beautiful! she thought, enraptured. Simply beautiful! I've never heard Minako sing so well. And Endymion was right about Zoisite, too–he plays better than anyone I've ever known! She sighed, and smiled up at the Earth Prince, leaning her head against his shoulder. Endymion, smiling back at her, wrapped his arm around her waist. If only Minako would let go of her prejudice against the Earth Kingdom, Serenity thought blissfully. She and Zoisite would make a great pair.
Minako held the last haunting note of the ballad, and the audience erupted with applause. Serenity rushed forward. "Minako, Zoisite, that was incredible!" she cried.
"Well, your highness?" Minako inquired abruptly.
"Well?" Serenity repeated.
"Who was better?" Zoisite elaborated.
"Oh, that." Serenity had rather hoped that once they had actually performed together, they would forget about the competition. "You were both good," she said, "but I think you go best together. So, you both win!"
"Eh?" Minako sighed in disappointment, and jerked her head to look at Zoisite. He folded his arms and gazed icily back at her. "I suppose it's a draw then," he said.
"I suppose so."
Zoisite exhaled, looking down at his silver boots. "You sang very well," he said quietly.
Minako's eyes widened in surprise at this unexpected compliment. She felt her pulse lurch forward, although why she could not fathom. "Thank you," she said uncertainly. "Your playing was quite good as well."
Zoisite looked back up, his eyes locking with Minako's. He held her gaze for a moment, stepping closer, and Minako reflexively drew in her breath at his proximity. Looking deeply into her eyes, Zoisite said, "But don't expect any more compliments from me." With that, he curtly turned and strode away.
Minako's jaw dropped, and she stared after him, riveted in place. "I take back what I said about you playing the piano well!" she snapped, but he either didn't hear or chose to ignore her. Curse him! she thought, overwhelmed with rage. Her heart was still pounding hard in her chest, and she cursed herself as well, for letting him get to her. Furiously, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the ballroom.
"Minako!" Serenity called after her. She sighed. "I thought it had worked, too," she said disappointedly.
"Just give them time," Endymion said from behind her. Serenity turned to face him as he added, "They'll come around. I'm sure of it."
At last, the Millennium Ball had come to an end, and the guests began to leave. Rei looked around the half-empty ballroom. Minako had stormed out just after her performance with Zoisite and had not returned; but someone else was missing as well.
"Makoto," Rei said, tapping the taller woman on the shoulder. Makoto, who had been conversing with Jadeite and Kunzite, turned. "Have you seen Ami?" Rei asked.
"I haven't seen her for a few hours," Makoto replied. "I think she went out on the balcony."
"I haven't seen Nephrite, either," Jadeite chimed in. "He was looking kind of sick earlier."
Rei nodded. "I'll check on the balcony," she said. Kunzite watched her go quizzically, but said nothing and returned to his conversation with Makoto and Jadeite.
Rei pushed though the curtains onto the balcony, blinking from the sudden change from light to dark. Vaguely, she saw two figures who were standing close together by the railing leap apart and turn to face her. "Ami, are you here?" Rei asked, squinting into the darkness.
"Oh, yes, Rei, I'm right here," Ami's voice said; Rei blinked once more and her form came into focus. Standing beside her was the tallest Shitennou, the red-haired Nephrite. Rei quirked her head to the side curiously. What are those two doing out here alone together?
"Rei, what's the matter?" Ami asked after a moment.
"Ah, sorry, it's nothing," Rei replied. "The ball is ending, and we were just wondering where you had disappeared to."
"The ball is over already?" Nephrite asked in surprise. He glanced at Ami. "I'd better go find my Master." Ami nodded, and, smiling briefly at her, Nephrite strode past Rei into the ballroom. I can't believe I lost track of time like that, he chided himself. And I also can't believe that I almost... He swallowed hard, remembering the long moment of silence just before Rei had come out onto the balcony; his hands on Ami's shoulders, her face so close that all he had needed to do was lean over slightly to touch his lips to hers...
I almost kissed her, Nephrite thought in a panic. If that girl hadn't come out when she did, I know I would have done it. He wondered anxiously if Rei had seen them, but then decided that she couldn't have, as her eyes had not yet adjusted to the light. But still... What's come over me?
Ami watched him go, an odd expression on her face. Rei looked confusedly from Ami to Nephrite, who was striding across the ballroom to his comrades. "Ami, what's going on?" she asked.
"Hmm? Oh, nothing," Ami replied hastily. "Nephrite and I were just out here talking, that's all. I didn't realize how late it had gotten."
"Oh?" Rei said, surprise evident in her voice. "What did you talk about?"
"Well, I told him about Mercury and the Moon, and he told me about Earth. You know. Various things."
Rei smiled and shook her head. That's just like Ami, she thought. But I'm glad that man apologized to her.
Ami smiled. Of course, I didn't tell her about the last part. She smiled at the secret memory of his touch, gentle hands on her shoulders. Even though he was wearing gloves, she had been able to feel his warmth on her skin. His eyes had looked straight into hers, and for a moment, she had thought for sure that he was going to kiss her. That memory is for me alone, she decided, her heart feeling light.
"I'd say the ball was a success," Rei said, turning to walk back inside.
"Yes," Ami agreed. "Princess Serenity must be thrilled." And with that, the two Senshi returned to the ballroom, leaving the darkness and the gossamer glow of the Earth behind.