Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Crystal Tokyo

"But Rini," Rachel said while grabbing the Princess' arm, "Aren't you afraid, you'll get in trouble?"

Rini shook her head. "No Rachel. No guy in his right mind would tattle saying he got his ass kicked by a girl."

"You're right," a voice said. Rini turned and saw Amiko. The girl was a year older and was Ejiro's sister. She had dark black hair, in curls to her waist. Her bright green eyes stood out against her pale skin but she was a major jerk. Especially to Rini.

"I told for him. See, now I can say I saw it and my little brother's pride isn't hurt."

Rini was about to retort when the principal of the school came out,

"Serenity Tsukino."

Rini winced but walked back and stood before him. He was an older man, with a baldhead. He had a potbelly and wore blue suits everyday. But he was strict and never really believed that princesses deserved fair treatment.

"Young lady, I have heard of this fight. The boy's nose was broken. Give this note to your parents. And you are suspended for a week."

Rini exploded, "A week? Fights only call for three day suspension!"

"But you are a Princess. Princesses are sheltered and need to learn respect for the real world."

Rini was about to tell him what she thought of his theory as well as where he could shove it but Rachel grabbed her arms and said,

"Don't Rini. The King and Queen will be angry enough."

Rini growled but backed off and walked towards the palace.

"There goes my allowance this week."

* * *

"Rini? Why the long face?" Hotaru asked Rini as she came home. Although there was a major age difference in this time, the two still thought of one another as best friends. Rini looked up, her red eyes shining with tears. Hotaru pulled her to the main hall of palace and sat her down.

"Rini? What's the matter?"

"I…Annika's disappearance got to me Hotaru. It made me mad, tense, and jumpy. Then, I.."

"Rini," Hotaru knelt in front of her friend and Princess. "What happened?"

The pink haired girl told her. Hotaru sighed. "The King and Queen won't be happy, Rini."

The girl sighed also. "I know Hotaru. Where are Mom and Dad?"

"The kitchen. I think you best tell them."

Rini met eyes with her friend, "Come with me?"

Hotaru shook her head, "I can't. I have to help Madelyn with her homework."

Rini nodded and taking a deep breath walked into the kitchen.

* * *

"Hello, Darling." The queen greeted her daughter brightly. She had to keep her spirits up. She thought that Rini could help them when she got done with her homework. That would make her happy.

But Rini's face was long and miserable. She flopped down at the table, depressed. The queen set a cake slice in front of her but she only picked at it.

"Rini?" it was her father. "What's wrong?"

The princess looked up and saw both her parents concerned. She dug into her backpack and handed her mother the note. She hid her face when her mother's anger rose up.

"Serenity!" Rini dared to look up and saw her mother glaring at her and her father reading the note.

"I'm sorry, Momma."

The queen took a breath and stated, "Rini, you're supposed to set an example for the other kids. Getting into fights is not a good example. Daisy, Faith, and Gloria get into fights. You never have."

"I know, Mom. But…when Annika vanished that was one thing, then Gloria and now this…ow,"

The queen sat down by her daughter. "Rini, what did this Ejiro say that got you angry enough to break his nose?"

Slowly Rini told her what had happened.

The King sighed, "Rini, I know you love your mother but you can't just snap like that, you know."

The girl sighed, "I know Dad."

The two royals looked at each other. "Rini, will be taking away your TV for a week, understood?"

The girl nodded. She was glad she wasn't Daisy's age. If she were, it would have been a spanking.

"Momma? I'm suspended for a week. Can I at least help look for Annika and Gloria? Please?"

The king started to say no but the Neo-Queen Serenity smiled, "Of course, Darling."

She turned to her husband, "We need any help we can get."

He nodded and Rini leaned against her mother, saying,

"Annika, Gloria, where are you?"

Magellan Castle, Venus

"It's true, My Queen," may stated as she finished scanning Gloria. "She is your granddaughter, daughter of Princess Mina."

The queen felt the tears sting her eyes. She had lost her daughter and now she had her granddaughter. She turned to May.

"Prepare one of the finest suites for my grandchild. Make sure she has everything she needs." She turned to Gloria. "You're tired, my child. Go and get a warm bath. May will help you. Then perhaps we can talk."

Gloria's first thought was to protest but she did hurt, she was tired. And her body ached.

She rose from the ground and followed the servant upstairs. May lead her into an exquisite room, rich with silk, and fancy furniture, golden lampposts, a canopy bed with topaz stones and gold posts. Spun gold made up the covering and sheets.

May led her into an adjourning bathroom. The tub was filled with bubbles to the brim. May pointed out the towels and a gown she could don before she left her alone.

Gloria undressed and collapsed into the warm water. As worried and scared as she felt, the waters helped. It made the pain in her joints and body vanish. It eased her mind.

Gloria finally got out and put on the gown laid out for her. Gloria guessed it had been her mother's when she had been her age and living as the Princess of Venus. It was a golden orange gown that fell to the ground. It had translucent spaghetti straps.

Gloria walked back out into her room and saw Queen Alina sitting on the bed. For the first time, Gloria took note of the queen's features. It reminded her of Tiffany.

She had long brilliant red hair that fell in waves to her waist. Her eyes were deep blue and had dark black eyelashes. Her complexion was crystal clear and her lips a blood red. She had on her own nightgown, a dress of a dark orange that fell to the ground. Her outfit had no sleeves. She motioned for her granddaughter to sit by her. Gloria nodded and sat down by her grandmother.

"Why are you here, little one?"

"I…my best friend Annika, daughter of the Princess of Mars, was taken by the enemy. She told me the answers laid on Venus. They won't hurt Annika until they have me. But…I have to save her. I don't know what they'll do to her. But, not even Cosmic Moon was a match for Lady Phobia. I'm just a Chibi Scout. I don't have enough power."

She laid her head down in the Queen's lap and Alina started to slip her fingers through the girl's orange hair.

"Not true, little one. The force of this planet flows through your body, the powers of Venus is in your veins. You just need to draw it out."

"How can I do that, Grandma?"

"I'll help you little one. You can't give up."

"I know, but…Annika…"

"There's a way to find her as well, child. The computers on Mars have a tracer for those with the Mars aura. And Queen Renia will be more than happy to find her granddaughter."

Gloria nodded. "I'm gonna save her, I swear that on my scout honor."

Alina nodded. "I know you will, little one, I know you will."