Definition of Terms (for those who doesn't know yet)

Centaur – These are a class of icy planetoids (or asteroids) in the solar system. They are dark in color, because their icy surfaces have darkened after long exposure to solar radiation and the solar wind.

Onengai­ – Please!

CHAPTER 4: CENTAURS OF THE SKY

"At last I've found them!" a deep voice called out. "Master Chiron, the celestial powers of the solar system; I've found it at last!"

A tall figure stood from his throne as he went to his prophet's side. His eyes are dark as the dim of a starless night. His hair has the same midnight aura. "So, earth it is?"

"Heh… who would have thought that they will be on that part of the solar system?" a soft voice mumbled.

Three new figures appeared from the darkest part of the room. Their features are as dark as the first two: one with eyes of sinister brown, others with ominous blue and portentous violet. The only light coming from them are the once from their teeth as they smile in triumph.

"I've been waiting forever." said the other.

"Calm down Pholus, Nessus. The Celestial Princesses will be ours in no time. We won't just be watching from afar. We will hold them in our arms, rule by their side. People from all over the Solar System, the galaxy-- no. The entire universe will recognize the centaurs of the sky."

Laughter filled the room. Five bewildering lights are glowing at the solar system replica in front of them. Each represents the princesses of the inner planets and the moon.

"What about the moon princess?" asked the oracle Chariklo. "If we hurt her, getting the princesses hearts will be impossible. But to let her live would mean to never rule the system."

Suddenly the golden light outshone the others. Its light is too stunning for them to take. It's blinding. They hid their eyes behind their cape for cover.

"That light…" the indigo-eyed man nervously uttered. His fearful eyes settled on their leader. "Chiron?"

Chiron's eyes glowed dangerously. His hands swayed in the air and a column of the castle rumbled down. "Someone dared to touch my Princess!" he bellowed. "He is DEAD."

"I can't believe you!" Mina screeched. "You are supposed to be my friends!"

Makoto pulled her down while Usagi and the others tried to suppress their giggle. The boys on the other hand keep on elbowing the all red and irritated Kunzite.

"You're talking behind my back… in front of my face!" she continued to spill her anger while she takes off her ribbon, readying to swim.

Nephrite whistled. "Of course we will talk about it!" he snickered. "We've all been waiting for this for a long time. You've been so slooooooooooooooow--"

Another burst of laughter came about. Minako finally gave up. She just chose to stagger her way, pushing Nephrite and Jadeite so that she could sit beside her silver-haired guy. Kunzite just smiled as she lower herself. His eyes glittering as his hands assisted her beside.

"Smooth moves!" hissed Jadeite. Rei gave him a blow at the ribs with a you-will-regret-it-if-you-continue-teasing look.

"But that is really too fast for someone whose too slow like you two!" mumbled Rei. "And you chose my birthday to hook up!" she said between a giggle and a bite of her barbeque.

It's been a long time since they have gathered together. The sun is too high and yet it spared them the painful heat Because of their many stories, they did not even realized 2 of their companions sneaking out, riding the boat and getting far away on the sea.

"We've found you at last!" a seriously deep female voice came from their backs.

A brown haired girl stood in there. Beside her is her better half of sea-green hair and eyes surpassing a little from her shoulder. The taller one wears shorts and loose blue beach shirt while the other is in a red salsa vintage 70's style sundress which only looked refreshing on her.

Usagi looked at Mamoru only to turn away quickly, remembering how he kept a cold treatment on her since that day of graduation. Then, she gave a wide smile for her friends whom she had not seen in a while and asks them to sit within the group.

Makoto lend some foods to the couple, "Where's Hotaru-chan?"

"She's with her father. Dr. Tomoe requested that they go out of the country for a while since he was always busy in the hospital. Well… Haruka and I thought that it would be better if we let them have some bonding on their own. Besides, we had some serious information from Setsuna…" Michiru's voice suddenly became serious.

All of them stopped from their sniggering. Mamoru glanced at Usagi. He feels that whatever it is that urge Haruka and Michiru to find them cannot be all too good, especially with this serious aura they are emitting.

Not another threat to the world I hope. He thought.

"Actually," Michiru started but she did not continue until Haruka nodded in agreement. "We have received some information from Setsuna that something has been strange in the outer space for the past weeks. We tried to look at it on our own and we realized that there is an enormous amount of power that tries to make its way on earth."

"What do you mean? Another enemy? But I'm very sure that when Galaxia was defeated, the peace treaty within the planets and the remainder of the universe have been settled." asked Rei.

Haruka waggled. "I'm afraid it is not from the outside. We sensed its power somewhere between the Jupiter and Neptune. But it's not all dark power. I am not sure however what their aim is."

"They are probably just like Seiya and the others seeking for help," recommended Usagi. Her mind refuses to believe that their so called PEACE will be at sake even before she and Mamoru makes up.

Haruka and Michiru looked at each other, "Probably" the former said. "But we can't be so sure. Whatever that'll risk the system, the earth and our princess we can't just let surpass."

Mina held Haruka's hand in hers. "Don't worry. I'd rather die a thousand deaths than to let our princess get hurt." Her smile gave an assurance to the leader of the outer senshis.

"We will investigate about it and then we promise that we'll get in contact with you as soon as we find out." Jadeite suggested.

Haruka threw him a scary look. "Because of the situation, I will not say that I don't need your help." She stopped a little only to change her tone into a deadly one. "But don't ever let me hear that anyone of you five…" she looked at Mamoru straight in the eyes, "Yes, all of you! Don't you ever let me see or hear that you hurt any of the solar system princesses… or else I'll make sure you suffer an insufferable dea--" warm hands held her arms.

"Hmmm… calm down Ruka. You're scaring them. We need guys to preserve the system and have heirs you know…." She batted her eyelashes to persuade the brown headed girl who obviously felt the different atmosphere between Usagi and Mamoru the moment she stepped in.

The guys stiffened. They are scary beyond belief. They thought and hoped that these two will leave soon.

Ami looked at the deep blue sea… they have been rowing away the shore, or at least Zoi is, for about 30 minutes now. The others have been busy teasing Mina and Kunzite. She is genuinely happy for the two of course but all she really wanted was some peace and quite…. She gazed up at the blonde man in front… and some intimacy if only this guy would notice her and treat her the way she longed for.

Zoi pushed some of his loose hair back and set his eyes from the sea to the nymph ahead. His searching for words, after all, he's the one who insisted to come with her in the first place. He noticed her uneasiness and the sadness in her eyes. It's always like this whenever she's with him. He can feel it. He can sense it.

I'm so selfish to push myself to her even if I know she's always unhappy whenever I'm around. He scolded himself.

As Ami have lifted her head, their eyes have met: Blue against Green. No one wants to turn away. Both wants to stand and cradle the other. She can't stand it. She stood and looked down on the man she had learned to love for so long. She gathered all the courage she gained throughout her life, knowing that what she'll do may cause her either lifelong happiness or eternal embarrassment.

"If you catch me," she said in a low but clear voice. "I'm yours." Then without a second thought, she dived on the deep blue sea. Her mind full of hope that he'll follow because if he don't, she does not know what she'll do.

Probably lock myself in my room and cry for a week. She stated the possibility.

Zoisite has lost his princess in sight. Her words kept ringing in his ear. His heart loudly beats like the footsteps of a horse.

Is it for real? He asked himself.

Again, he looked at the boat and saw no one with him. He was so sure he was just rowing the boat with Ami just about 10 seconds ago… It only means one thing.

It's real! He stood up. I'm not dreaming! Thank God! He jumped into the water and swam as fast as he can. I'm going to catch her. Even if it is the last thing I do!

Ami looked above. The sun is still shining so brightly. She's a good swimmer. Her capabilities match that of the sea princess Neptune but the pressure of the water is too intense and she bet she forgot to breathe in a lot of air before diving because she lost it all when she uttered those embarrassing words.

There's no sign of him. Ami's tears joined that of the salty sea water. How could I be such a fool?

Suddenly, two strong arms grabbed her waist. A powerful body is now clinging into hers as it pulled her upward. She raised her head a little to see the most beautiful face that she's been dreaming of touching, the lips that she's hoped to kiss.

'You've caught me' she talked to him using telepathy. The new power she learned she had when she came of age.

Zoisite looked at her, his body kept swimming upwards. He heard her from his mind. He's been waiting for this: to be this close… or even closer. He stopped his strokes, not minding even if their still about 15 feet from the top. He lowered his head and closed his eyes and savors the wonderful taste of her lips.

Ami cannot believe what's happening. Everything seems so hazy. It's so hazy yet as real as she feels his lips on hers. She raised her arms on his neck, pulling him closer to her. They stayed like that for so long, about a minute or so. It's not forceful nor obliging, it's just a soft kiss full of passion.

They don't feel the water between or around them anymore. They don't even feel breathless. The curiosity of this phenomenon gave them reason to pull away only to find out that a huge bubble had surrounded them: like a protection, like a shield that separates them to the world.

"I love you." Zoisite whispered in her ear. "I've loved you for so long." He leaned his forehead on hers.

"So do I." she said as she kissed him once again.

The bubbles lifted them up and poked just about the time when they reach the top. Again they breathe some fresh air while looking at each others eye before bursting into a laugh.

"We're so pathetic you know…" she gasped for air and continued to laugh. "For taking it so long."

"Yeah I know." He nodded.

They made their way back to the boat, holding hands and still full of joy when a jet of dark blue light shoot their hands away from each other. The couple looked up in the sky to see a man of exquisiteness. His hair and eyes is of midnight blue. His cape and armor shows nobility but all of his features illustrate outrage. He threw another jet of light into Zoisite who flew in the ocean few meters away.

"Zoisite!" Ami exclaimed. She tried to swim to her love but another jet of light shot her way, not hurting her but shielding her away from where she wants to go.

"Don't hurt her!" shouts Zoi. Fear for his love and anger for this stranger filled his heart. "Who are you? What do you want!"

"You dare to touch a princess, you insolent Terran!" the newcomer bellowed as he charged another light into Zoi.

"No!" Ami cried, tears are now dripping from her eyes. "Stop it!"

The stranger stopped his attacked and looked at the Mercurian.

"I do not understand how you could shed a tear for this…"his voice stronger, deeper. "Human. I've watched you for thousand of years. I've been always at your courts. I've searched for you across the galaxy the moment I awoke yet you never showed me the same affection and devotion you've shown him"

"Who are you?" Ami screeched. She's confused yet she has one thing in mind right now. That is to punish those who do wrong… and doing this at her most beloved person, at their most romantic moment is something UNFORGIVABLE.

"I am your centaur, Pholus. I have come to take you as my queen and rule over Mercury." He said without hesitation or any form of preservation. He is sure of what he is saying and from the looks of it; he'll do anything to get what he wants.

Ami closed her eyes and called for her Sailor Crystal that she had learned to control after months of training. She could not wait for any moment to waste.

It may be a good chance to apply what I have learned. She started while holding the crystal in front of her chest. Mercury, my home planet, I'm calling for your power. Come to me and give your guidance to your princess.

A strong blue light came from the sky directing towards Ami who is now floating in the air, few meters from the water. The light enveloped her and as fast as lightning her features changed from a blue swimsuit into a light blue gown which straps are covered with gold and her neck is now enveloped of an inch wide blue choker.

"Mercury!" called Zoisite who also changed into his Terran armor. He flew out of the waters into the side of his princess. He drew out his sword and pointed it into Pholus. "Know your place. You've crossed the line!"

"Princess Mercury has showed her face to a low human!" Pholus roared. He eyes glued to Zoi as he prepare for another attack "you're not worthy of her at all!"

Princess Mercury had shielded Pholus attacked with a transparent wall and the jet of light he threw reflected back to him, hitting his right shoulder.

"You are the unworthy one, centaur!" Ami hollered. Her voice is no longer soft but full of authority. "If you do not leave at this instant, I'll assure your death!" Her tiara glowed bluer reflecting her seriousness.

"Pholus!" called a cold voice from nowhere. "Come back in here at once!"

"But Chiron, I now have her in my grasp." He said as he eyed Mercury with a distinct adoration. "I cannot just leave her behind."

"Patience is a virtue. Come back. The other princesses are heading your way, and it would mean your end." The thick voice disappears.

Pholus threw a last jet of light in defeat but Zoisite reflected it with his sword. "I'll come back my princess. We will have your heart, all of you, if that's the last thing we do." He jumped backwards and disappeared into the sky.

Zoisite instantly put back the sword in his hips and took Mercury in his arms. His hands wondered over her face, her neck down to her waist and back to her face.

"I'm glad you are fine." He kissed her in relief and embraced her once again. "I'll protect you with my life I promise."

AUTHOR'S NOTE:Here we go… another chapter… actually I find it really hard to explain the beauty of the princesses so just look up at their pictures on my homepage. I've got a bundle of their pictures in 2 of the albums in there…some of which I got from the Sailor Moon Art book and others in the anime and manga scraps.

I've always loved mythology and astronomy, so spare me this chance to indulge myself in it…

Thanks to all of those who've given their insights about this story…

Review! Review! Review! Onengai….