Title: Silent Destiny
by Poppy
Email: alone_at_midnight@hotmail.com
site: devoted.to/starlights fly.to/paintedstar
Rating: pg-13
Warning: Um....sadly neither the starlights nor kakyuu are mine.... *weeps* and I didn't make them
up. Sad huh? They belong to a wonderful woman who came up with the idea for the anime Pretty
Solider Sailormoon. *bows* Naoko-sama. So....don't go stupid and think I actually wrote the
series. k? I just happen to be borrowing a few people from the show....I promise I won't hurt
them and I'll put them back when I get through playing with them. *smiles* and please do
excuse any horrible spelling on my part.
*~
It was such a beautiful night. A light rain had fallen upon the kingdom as it slept
peacefully, misting softly and adding a dull background to those who were curled up asleep in
their beds. The dark clouds shielded the twinkling stars from view yet only occasionally
would they part, giving view to the illuminate stars that peeked out from behind dark clouds,
casting small shadows upon the ground. Leaving them dancing, twirling in the mist of rain as the
night drew on, wrapping all in it's deep embrace and bringing with it dreams...those dreams that
those would have. Yet sometimes it is the sweetest of dreams that bring nightmares.
She should have been in bed by then....and she knew that, but her mind was unwilling
and she was often was in favor of her mind over her body. And even though her lean body was pained
from lack of sleep, her mind was very much so awake. Her deep lavender eyes focused solely upon
the open book held in her lap. Thin sheets draped over her legs as she sat, leaning up against
the broad head board of her bed. The large room still, except for the flicking light
of the lamp placed upon her night stand. The light casting small shadows upon the pages of her
book and the wall, twisting shadows that laughed. Many a nights found her awake well past the
time when most others had already found peace within their own world of dreams. Their sweet
other existence within the walls of their imagination, but dreams were just mindless jumbled
thoughts to her and she had never felt a need to be drawn into such fancies. Her only drive was
that of her own mind. Finding things to help her grow, explore and reach out further into the
universe around her....and beyond that. And then there was her....their princess. She was her
only purpose for breathing.
Maker pushed the glasses up her nose slightly, frowning at the text as she glanced over
it. Her attention seeming dulled tonight as she tried once more to read over the page and retain
what had been said....but failed. Maybe it was a slight mental block for her or maybe it was
because of the odd hour she was propped up in her bed, reading yet another book on philosophy by
some ancient philosopher. Philosophy should only be taken in consideration when one is fully
awake and can fully understand. But then again, maybe being so out of your mind would open up
many doors you would have never seen if you would have been fully aroused. This was intriguing
to Maker....but also distracting to her once again, the text blurring on the page.
Letting out a soft sigh, she closed her book silently. Fleeting thoughts, broken visions
dancing across her mind's eye. "Princess...." she mumbled almost mindlessly, her eyes widening
slightly, "She's awake...."
Setting the book upon the night stand, the tall girl slipped out of her warm bed fetching
a thin, dark lavender robe to tie about her as she walked out the door to her room. Her bare
feet made soft, dull thumps against the palace floors as she silently made her way down the
darkened corridor. She had no idea why her princess was awake at such an hour...nor did she
know how exactly she knew. All three of the starlights had been blessed, so it seemed, to be
able to sense their princess in one way or another. To feel her gentle shine as she walked into a
room, to sense her beautiful presence outside in the garden, or just to simply feel
the faint traces of her laughter and the warm glow of her smile. Maker had never really
dwelt upon the why, for she really thought that the why would never really have an exact
answer. And Neither Fighter nor Healer cared to ask either, only happy for their small gift.
Overjoyed when their princess would turn her deep gaze upon one of them during her royal meetings.
Those beautiful orbs glowing softly at her friends, enchanting them all. Indeed....they were
all enchanted by her. Although Fighter was more outspoken about her deep attraction to their
princess, while Healer....everything was told in her eyes. Almost, if not ever louder, than
anything Fighter would say or do. And as for her....that was irrelevant. She was Sailor Star
Maker, senshi to the imperial princess of Kinmoku-sei, kakyuu. And that, was that.
Her long brown hair was hung in a loose pony tail and gently fluttered along behind her as she
made her way down the hallway towards kakyuu's elaborate wooden door and she paused before
the door. She had no clue of what help she could be, but she was worried for her princess.
The lack of the young princess' sleep had not been overlooked by her, nor by the other two
starlights. Each new day, their beautiful princess came to the morning meeting looking more
pale and more distraught than she had the passing day. Fighter had questioned Kakyuu about it,
yet the subject had been brushed off with a simple smile and their princess would go on about her
business. And Healer worried....almost to the point of losing herself often. Her emerald green
eyes following their princess around, searching for an answer, searching for a way...anyway to
help their princess. But nothing had come to her...and she had continued to worry.
Taking a small breath, Maker raised her hand to knock upon Kakyuu's door. Deeply pondering and
not knowing how she could help, but only knowing that she had to try. Brushing back a few stray
stands of her hair behind her ear, she frowned slightly hoping nothing was overbearing their
princess.
The silence that followed bothered her greatly, for she knew that their princess was
awake. This bother shortly grew within her as she lightly knocked again, knowing her princess
was awake within. It wasn't like Kakyuu-hime to ignore someone or at least not let them know
that she was busy. But still no sound was heard from within and Maker's frown deepened, causing
small wrinkles upon her forehead. "Kakyuu princess?" Her deep voice seemed to echo down the empty
hallway, her hand resting upon the cold metal of the doorknob, wondering faintly in the back
of her mind if something indeed was very wrong.
Pushed, by that panicked thought, she slowly opened the door to Kakyuu-hime's room,
her deep eyes shadowed with worry as they glanced about the dark room. Barely, was she able to
make out a figure sitting upon the window seat their back to the door. Long blood red hair
falling in gentle waves over their back. Kakyuu-hime. "Princess.." Maker ventured, moving a few
steps more into the overshadowed room. A few candles casting lonely shadows upon the pale walls,
and other than their trembling, nothing else in the room seemed to possess any movement.
Yet still, the young princess did not answer her guardian, causing Maker to bite her
bottom lip. Worry creased her brow as she slowly made her away across the room, the sweet smell
of olive flowers encircling her, drawing her deep into the essence of her princess.
"Maker..."
The guardian paused, her eyes glancing over at her princess, the soft voice causing
warm chill bumps to rise upon her skin, a very faint smile of relief washing over her lips.
"Princess...I..."
"When do dreams become reality?" The girl's voice trembled ever so slightly, but just enough
for Maker to catch.
"N...nani?" Her eyes widened with confusion at such a question. She could tell that
something was bothering her beloved princess deeply, it was more than clear to the unempath
girl. How long had Kakyuu-hime been awake, thinking such odd things? What had caused her to
ponder such things in the first place? She wanted to take the worry out of Kakyuu's tender
voice. To be able to hear her beautiful melodic laughter once more and to feel the warmth
of her smile upon her.
"I...." Maker saw kakyuu's hands trembling slightly in the young princess' lap. It
worried her so. "It is nothing but ramblings of a weary soul." Kakyuu granted, yet Maker thought
otherwise.
"Princess..." Yet, the senshi stopped herself. It was not her place as a guardian or
as a friend to Kakyuu-hime to press the princess into sharing information. She knew that when
the time was right, things would be told....maybe. "You need your sleep."
"Hai." Kakyuu faintly smiled, the beauty reflected palely in the window pane.
Standing up with one graceful movement, Kakyuu turned upon Maker and turned her gaze
upwards, a deep impassioned crimson upon a cool shielded lavender. Clashing, yet molding.
And Maker looked away.
Looking away from her guardian, she swept past her. The soft scent of the precious olive
flower following her gently, almost a veil of fragrance upon her and Maker faintly wondered
if her princess' skin smelled of the wonderful blossoms. Maker's gaze looking up once more
to follow the princess as she walked over to her large canopy bed, dark red curtains pulled
back to the four tall wooden posts. "Maker...." Her soft voice once again stirred her soul,
sweetness it was.
"Hai princess?"
Slipping back under the thin covers, she asked, "Will you stay with me until I fall
asleep?"
The request was so simple, so innocent, and yet almost given in fright, it pained Maker
to see her so upset. "Hai, of course."
And she stayed beside her bed, looking upon her as she closed her tender eyes and fell
asleep, and even for a while after, watching her as she slept peacefully. And when Maker
was fully convinced that her princess was at peace, she quietly returned to her room, remaining
awake the rest of the night to ponder what Kakyuu-hime had asked.
*~
"See him!" Healer hissed, wrinkling her nose up.
Warm sunlight streamed in from the tall stained glass windows, casting the room in
light reds, blues and yellows. Many delegates were chatting amongst themselves awaiting
presence with the princess over their many 'pressing' issues of that particular day. Which
most would be rejected quickly to only be taken back by their representatives and rewritten
just enough to bring back up once more. What a bother most of these delegates were, dressed
splendidly enough so one would be able to tell with just a simple glance, just exactly how
important they were....to themselves....
The large room was bustling with many an activity today. Many new faces rushing from
here to there, smoothing out the last details of their ideas. And set in the back of the room,
where the floor rose up into several steps and a large platform, a beautifully crafted throne set.
Although it was vastly plain, it was still beautiful.
"Hmm.." Fighter arched one of her eyebrows, only slightly interested in what gossip her
friend had to revel now.
Smoothing her hand over the long leather glove of her fuku, Maker looked herself in
the direction that Healer had suggested. Instantly she spotted a tall, dashing looking man who
seemed to know exactly what he wanted in life and exactly why he should get it. One of the many
stuffy delegates who thought they were more important that life itself. No one was worth that...
except her.
"That's the Duke of Mahkuse." Healer continued, a slight look of disgust upon her
pretty face, wrinkling her forehead up and sweeping her light silver bangs from her face.
"Hmm...is that so?" Fighter faked interest horribly, "Is he one of your suitors or
something?" She questioned of the shorter starlight.
"Argh, baka!" Healer's ice cold gaze snapped over to glance at Seiya's deep blue one.
"He's not MY suitor....he's been trying to be Kakyuu-hime's suitor!" She huffed lightly.
"Oh." Fighter's interest was sparked as all three of them returned their gaze to the man. All
three immediately able to point out more than a dozen things wrong with him and note all his
shortcomings to their princess.
"Kami-sama," Healer frowned, crossing her arms over her chest, "Look how horrible he
dresses."
"And he seems to be quite a flirt." Fighter noted as they continued to watch him
silently, the man unknowing, "I'd have to kill him if he ever hurt her."
"Hmm.." Maker narrowed her eyes, her gaze growing cold and unfriendly as she too sized
up the unworthy man, "Most likely he only wants her power. He would eat her up and leave her
alone."
Healer's eyes narrowed angrily, "If he even tries to get..." But her words were quickly
silenced and a bright smile, one that only one person could produce from the starlight, spread
across her lips as she whispered happily, "princess."
The other two senshi looked up, awaiting for the door to open in the back and their
princess to appear. Their wait was short lived as almost instantly, the door opened and the
beautiful flower of their princess gracefully walked through, the room growing silent as she
set herself upon her throne. Maker felt herself brighten as she noticed the tender gaze of
their princess sweeping over the room and then resting upon them, giving them a beautiful smile
before starting the morning meetings. No sign of the weariness and the worry from the night
before was shown upon her face, but nestled deep within the shadows of her eyes....
*~
Warm. It was just the middle of the summer, a light summer. The sun had been kind to
Kinmoku-sei, not to smoldering, but just enough that with a light breeze it felt like a warm
tropical paradise.
"Maa...maa!" Healer's long, slender fingers trailed through her long silvery hair,
tucking small pieces behind her ear, "It's to hot out here."
Maker glanced sideways over at her friend who was seated next to her on the cool concrete
bench. Lush bushes blooming with exotic flowers flourished around them in the garden. Narrowing
her eyes slightly, her deep voice sounded lazy and slow in the warm air, "I think you complain
to much."
"I really think I don't care what you think." Was the curt reply, the shorter starlight
wrinkling up her nose and dusting a flower petal off of the crumpled light blue cotton dress
she had chosen to wear that afternoon. A few small strands of her hair trembled against her
bare, pale shoulders that were very slowly starting to turn a light pink under the sun's
attention.
"Hm."
Maker's attention went back to further on in the garden where their princess was
seated beneath a tree. Her long transparent skirts spread out over her legs as she held a book
in her lap, long strands of silkly crimson hair spilled over her shoulders as she read. She
made such an enchanting site. Kakyuu-hime always enjoyed her quiet afternoons after all the
meetings had been dwelt with and all the possible suitors scared away by the three starlights.
She could then come out to the garden and under the security of the tall shade tree, she would
lose herself for a short while. Forgetting all her troubles and worries...yet...she seemed even
distracted from that much today.
It worried Maker to see her princess look up from the book all to often, her eyes
unfocused as she would stare off into the gardens, so dark and full of worry. She wanted to go
to her and....and....somehow be able to comfort her in any way possible. It was even more
unnerving that in her vast wisdom, she couldn't think of one single thing to do to help her
dear princess. 'It's because that gets in the way....'
"What does she think she's doing?" Healer's harsh tone brought Maker back to the
current time and she noticed that Fighter was venturing through the gardens, towards the tree
where Kakyuu-hime was resting.
"Not sure." Maker mumbled as Fighter knelt beside their princess, her long coal black
hair tumbling over one shoulder and swaying gently in the light breeze.
Kakyuu's unfocused gaze broke as she looked up towards Fighter, the warmth and brightness
returning as she smiled and her soft, precious looking lips moved as she mouthed a few words to
her senshi. Fighter returned with a few words and moved slightly, sitting down beside the
young princess and smoothing her hands out along her long navy blue dress.
"It's not fair." Healer mumbled, her hands clenched slightly in her lap as her golden
flecked eyes gazed at the pair enviously, "She can always make Her laugh."
Maker frowned slightly herself as she watched Kakyuu's eyes sparkle with silent
happiness, her head tilted back just slightly as her musical laughter floated across the garden
to their ears. Did it matter who made her laugh as long as she could hear that wondrous sound?
Or see the stars twinkling happily once more in her eyes? "So do you though."
"Ano..." Healer paused a moment, tilting her head to the side and placing a delicate
finger upon her bottom lip, "The way she looks at Fighter though...her eyes are so...bright...and
she feels bright when she's around her."
"Demo," Maker started to point out, "Kakyuu-hime looks at you the same way."
"Hmp." The smaller starlight crossed her arms over her chest, still not able to shake
the jealous feeling that had been bestowed upon her, "Demo....she just seems so much happier
when she's around Fighter. Fighter always knows what to say to cheer her up...and you...she
always talks to you about her problems."
"Healer," Maker arched an eyebrow, almost finding her friend's odd and almost unnoticed
lack of confidence humorous, "The princess loves your company just as much. If I'm not
mistaken, it is you whom she spends most of the day with, ne? Besides..." She paused just
slightly, a pang of her own jealousy washing over her, "Out of the three of us, you are the one
who is closer connected to the princess. You can actually feel what she is feeling Healer.
How could anyone ever be able to know her better?"
Healer sighed softly, unclentching her hands as she watched a couple of olive blossoms
fall slowly to the ground next to her feet and she nodded slowly, "Hai, I suppose that is true,
ne?"
Maker didn't respond, knowing that Healer already knew the answer to that trivial question.
Her deep lavender gaze turning back to the princess and Fighter, their voices low and mingling
in the summer breeze. Small hints of their whispers carried over and through the winding garden.
"What's it like." She mumbled, one strand of her long brown hair had fallen from it's restraint
and was trembling down across her face, "To feel her soul?"
Healer grew quite somber beside her, almost as if pondering and drawing herself to the
princess' soul that very moment. Almost as if trying to seek for the words that could capture
what it was like, what it looked like, and what it felt like. And words failed to even come
close. "I..." Healer's voice trembled slightly, faltering and fading away.
Maker understood the words unspoken though and was even more reminded of her place in
this life and of her destiny.
*~
'The speed of the particle at any moment in time is found by taking the absolute value
of the instantaneous velocity. The intervals of time when the velocity is positive are the
intervals of time when the particle is moving in a positive direction.'
The hour drew late once more, night settling upon the planet, holding everyone close
in it's chilled embrace. Offering a nice change in weather from the warm sun kissed afternoon.
Shadows flickered and danced across the room and over the pale white washed pages of the math
book that had been set open upon the tall wooden desk. Leaning over the book, Maker's wide
eyes had been glancing over the words, only half really observing what they had to say, her
eyes starting to ache from lack of rest. Sighing softly, she propped her head against her
hand and flipped the page, only halfway caring that she hadn't even finished reading the
page before.
She could feel that the princess wasn't sleeping well again. It was like a strong pulse
in the back of her mind and it haunted her. Yet there was nothing to be done, except wait. And
maybe it was the waiting that was killing her. To not know what tortured the very soul you cared
so deeply for. To not understand what nightmares lurked in the corners of their minds not
only at night, but in the daylight as well and have no idea how to help. Wanting to help, yet
not knowing how was one of the worst feelings in the world.
"Kami-sama..." She uttered distraught, clenching her fists on top of the book, "There
has to be..."
And then she heard it....just faintly. The soft padding of feet against the floor
outside her door. Curious, she rose silently from her seat and moved over to the door, opening
it just enough to see out into the dimly lit hallway. She was just in time to catch a
slight glimpse of long, crimson red tresses trembling in the shadows as the figure disappeared
around the corner in the hallway. "Princess..." She whispered and without taking time to grab her
robe, she slipped out into the hallway, following in the footsteps of the young girl.
The hallways were eeriely silent at that time of night and empty as well, most of
the guards had retired for the evening while the rest were outside tending to their duties. The
only distinct sound was that of the light footsteps the young princess made as she crept further
down the hallway, holding a small candle in her delicate looking hand. Her long hair fell in
waves over her back, only letting it stray from it's usual graceful hairstyle during the night.
If Kakyuu-hime had known that Maker was silently and curiously following her down the corridors
of the palace, she gave no clue that she knew....or maybe she just didn't mind.
Maker felt horrible in a way, trying to keep her footsteps silent on the cool marble
flooring as she slowly followed after her princess. In a way, she had no right to be following
Kakyuu-hime in the middle of the night just because she was worried, but then again....that gave
her every right. That and the fact that legally the princess was not supposed to go anywhere
without one or all of the starlights there with her, but that rule was more an invisible rule
that had been broken all to many unhealthy times. Yet, although Maker felt no threat towards
kakyuu's physical well being, she felt a strong threat to their dear princess' emotional and
stable well being. She hated to see her like this. Why not tell them what worried her so that
they could all share the burden and not just her? Yet that was like Kakyuu-hime. Always ready
to take the burden all to herself just to spare any amount of pain or worrying from the starlights.
Little did she know that by doing that, it only made them worry more.
Her curious gaze followed the princess as she disapeared through a tall arched doorway and
into another room. Padding silently down the hallway, Maker paused as she reached the door
and gazed inside. She watched, almost pained in a way and yet also relieved, as their delicate
princess knelt to her knees in front of a wide alter draped with deep red velvet. Her hands
fluttered up to brush long curling hair behind her shoulders, the candle placed carefully upon
the alter. Her pale white hands were then folded neatly in her lap and she bowed her head, lips
trembling, "Exalted one, your mercy upon my people has been wondrous and I thank you for your
blessings and tenderness towards them..." Her voice spoke on lightly, almost a gentle whisper as
she prayed to their exalted one.
"You know...." A voice spoke up in the shadows from behind Maker, causing the tall
starlight to jump slightly, tensing up and glancing over as a slender figure stepped forth,
"I feel almost jealous of him....if it is a him..."
"Oh..." Maker's nerves relaxed as she arched an eyebrow at Healer, the shorter girl
clearly having been awake sometime as her emerald green eyes sparkled with life. Healer's
long slender arms were wrapped around herself in an attempt to stay warm in her thin, cottony,
green nightgown. Her long silvery hair that was usually kept tied so neat in a ponytail
at the nape of her neck was down and let loose, framing her impish body as almost a silver
halo.
"Hai," she breathed, her gaze turning from Maker to inside the chapel, towards the
true angel who shone more brightly than any before or ever to come.
"Exalted one please take mercy upon our planet. Protect us...." The whispered prayer
was almost like a sad song to their ears and caused Healer to frown even deeper.
"He is truly the only one who knows what she is going through." She supplied the
reasoning for her latest development in jealousy.
Maker found it silly, but thought it better not to point that out to her friend and
simply watched painfully as Kakyuu's shoulders started to tremble just ever so slightly. "It's
been two weeks Healer."
Healer sobered up quickly, all thoughts going directly their princess as she sighed
softly, "Hai it has...and this makes the third time this week she's been at the chapel this late
to pray."
Giving her a questioning look, Maker asked, "And you've been up?"
Almost looking offended Healer wrinkled her nose up, tearing her gaze away from the
princess to look back at Maker, "Hai, of course baka! Do you think I would really be able to
sleep when she is awake?!"
Shrugging, Maker looked back into the room thoughts drifting slowly once more, "Fighter
can."
"Don't even compare me to her...." Healer huffed quietly and she too, returned her
attention to their princess.
Moments of worried silence passed between the two as the princess' voice had become to
soft to make out any words now. Her shoulders ceasing their trembles momentarily.
"Something very bad is troubling her..." Healer mumbled beside her in the dark,
"something...."
A soft sob escaped the trembling lips of their troubled princess and the tiny sound drove
painfully deep into both the senshi's hearts. Maker's eyes narrowed slightly as she held back
her own tears of hopelessness, taking a small step forward into the chapel before making herself
stop, 'What am I doing? I...I can't do this! She's....the princess. And these feelings are more
than what just a mere guardian....'
Her jumbled thoughts were caught off guard as Kakyuu uttered another tiny sob, her
pale, trembling hands covering her face as her shoulders trembled slightly. Not hesistating,
Healer quickly brushed by Maker, impassioned with all her soul by the simple tiny sounds
coming from their princess....their life. And so Maker watched silently from the shadows, as
Healer knelt down beside the princess, placing an equally pale hand against their princess' fair
skin. And Kakyuu slowly lifted a tear streaked face, her cheeks kissed a soft pink from the
emotion and the tears staining her face to gaze up into an equally pained face. Tears matching
hers were held within Healer's soften gaze. They truly did look like two angels crying over a
lost soul. And Maker watched as the two angels came together. The silver haired angel wrapping
her arms around the princess, pulling her close in a loving embrace, almost as if trying to
shield her from any pain that was embarked upon her. And she watched as Kakyuu fell into her
embrace, resting her head against Healer's shoulder and cried freely, not trying to hide behind
her usual mask of clam and restraint.
Reaching up a hand, Maker tried to wipe away her own tears vainly. And while Healer
may not remember who she was in this world, Maker was once more reminded where she stood with
her own beautiful crimson haired angel. And just how helpless she was to her when she needed
the most comfort. First to Fighter....and now to Healer. And turning away, she wondered silently
how she had lost her princess two times in one day.
*~
AN: Hopefully you're enjoying the story so far.....but don't get lost yet. That's just the
first part ^.^ lots more to come....
by Poppy
Email: alone_at_midnight@hotmail.com
site: devoted.to/starlights fly.to/paintedstar
Rating: pg-13
Warning: Um....sadly neither the starlights nor kakyuu are mine.... *weeps* and I didn't make them
up. Sad huh? They belong to a wonderful woman who came up with the idea for the anime Pretty
Solider Sailormoon. *bows* Naoko-sama. So....don't go stupid and think I actually wrote the
series. k? I just happen to be borrowing a few people from the show....I promise I won't hurt
them and I'll put them back when I get through playing with them. *smiles* and please do
excuse any horrible spelling on my part.
*~
It was such a beautiful night. A light rain had fallen upon the kingdom as it slept
peacefully, misting softly and adding a dull background to those who were curled up asleep in
their beds. The dark clouds shielded the twinkling stars from view yet only occasionally
would they part, giving view to the illuminate stars that peeked out from behind dark clouds,
casting small shadows upon the ground. Leaving them dancing, twirling in the mist of rain as the
night drew on, wrapping all in it's deep embrace and bringing with it dreams...those dreams that
those would have. Yet sometimes it is the sweetest of dreams that bring nightmares.
She should have been in bed by then....and she knew that, but her mind was unwilling
and she was often was in favor of her mind over her body. And even though her lean body was pained
from lack of sleep, her mind was very much so awake. Her deep lavender eyes focused solely upon
the open book held in her lap. Thin sheets draped over her legs as she sat, leaning up against
the broad head board of her bed. The large room still, except for the flicking light
of the lamp placed upon her night stand. The light casting small shadows upon the pages of her
book and the wall, twisting shadows that laughed. Many a nights found her awake well past the
time when most others had already found peace within their own world of dreams. Their sweet
other existence within the walls of their imagination, but dreams were just mindless jumbled
thoughts to her and she had never felt a need to be drawn into such fancies. Her only drive was
that of her own mind. Finding things to help her grow, explore and reach out further into the
universe around her....and beyond that. And then there was her....their princess. She was her
only purpose for breathing.
Maker pushed the glasses up her nose slightly, frowning at the text as she glanced over
it. Her attention seeming dulled tonight as she tried once more to read over the page and retain
what had been said....but failed. Maybe it was a slight mental block for her or maybe it was
because of the odd hour she was propped up in her bed, reading yet another book on philosophy by
some ancient philosopher. Philosophy should only be taken in consideration when one is fully
awake and can fully understand. But then again, maybe being so out of your mind would open up
many doors you would have never seen if you would have been fully aroused. This was intriguing
to Maker....but also distracting to her once again, the text blurring on the page.
Letting out a soft sigh, she closed her book silently. Fleeting thoughts, broken visions
dancing across her mind's eye. "Princess...." she mumbled almost mindlessly, her eyes widening
slightly, "She's awake...."
Setting the book upon the night stand, the tall girl slipped out of her warm bed fetching
a thin, dark lavender robe to tie about her as she walked out the door to her room. Her bare
feet made soft, dull thumps against the palace floors as she silently made her way down the
darkened corridor. She had no idea why her princess was awake at such an hour...nor did she
know how exactly she knew. All three of the starlights had been blessed, so it seemed, to be
able to sense their princess in one way or another. To feel her gentle shine as she walked into a
room, to sense her beautiful presence outside in the garden, or just to simply feel
the faint traces of her laughter and the warm glow of her smile. Maker had never really
dwelt upon the why, for she really thought that the why would never really have an exact
answer. And Neither Fighter nor Healer cared to ask either, only happy for their small gift.
Overjoyed when their princess would turn her deep gaze upon one of them during her royal meetings.
Those beautiful orbs glowing softly at her friends, enchanting them all. Indeed....they were
all enchanted by her. Although Fighter was more outspoken about her deep attraction to their
princess, while Healer....everything was told in her eyes. Almost, if not ever louder, than
anything Fighter would say or do. And as for her....that was irrelevant. She was Sailor Star
Maker, senshi to the imperial princess of Kinmoku-sei, kakyuu. And that, was that.
Her long brown hair was hung in a loose pony tail and gently fluttered along behind her as she
made her way down the hallway towards kakyuu's elaborate wooden door and she paused before
the door. She had no clue of what help she could be, but she was worried for her princess.
The lack of the young princess' sleep had not been overlooked by her, nor by the other two
starlights. Each new day, their beautiful princess came to the morning meeting looking more
pale and more distraught than she had the passing day. Fighter had questioned Kakyuu about it,
yet the subject had been brushed off with a simple smile and their princess would go on about her
business. And Healer worried....almost to the point of losing herself often. Her emerald green
eyes following their princess around, searching for an answer, searching for a way...anyway to
help their princess. But nothing had come to her...and she had continued to worry.
Taking a small breath, Maker raised her hand to knock upon Kakyuu's door. Deeply pondering and
not knowing how she could help, but only knowing that she had to try. Brushing back a few stray
stands of her hair behind her ear, she frowned slightly hoping nothing was overbearing their
princess.
The silence that followed bothered her greatly, for she knew that their princess was
awake. This bother shortly grew within her as she lightly knocked again, knowing her princess
was awake within. It wasn't like Kakyuu-hime to ignore someone or at least not let them know
that she was busy. But still no sound was heard from within and Maker's frown deepened, causing
small wrinkles upon her forehead. "Kakyuu princess?" Her deep voice seemed to echo down the empty
hallway, her hand resting upon the cold metal of the doorknob, wondering faintly in the back
of her mind if something indeed was very wrong.
Pushed, by that panicked thought, she slowly opened the door to Kakyuu-hime's room,
her deep eyes shadowed with worry as they glanced about the dark room. Barely, was she able to
make out a figure sitting upon the window seat their back to the door. Long blood red hair
falling in gentle waves over their back. Kakyuu-hime. "Princess.." Maker ventured, moving a few
steps more into the overshadowed room. A few candles casting lonely shadows upon the pale walls,
and other than their trembling, nothing else in the room seemed to possess any movement.
Yet still, the young princess did not answer her guardian, causing Maker to bite her
bottom lip. Worry creased her brow as she slowly made her away across the room, the sweet smell
of olive flowers encircling her, drawing her deep into the essence of her princess.
"Maker..."
The guardian paused, her eyes glancing over at her princess, the soft voice causing
warm chill bumps to rise upon her skin, a very faint smile of relief washing over her lips.
"Princess...I..."
"When do dreams become reality?" The girl's voice trembled ever so slightly, but just enough
for Maker to catch.
"N...nani?" Her eyes widened with confusion at such a question. She could tell that
something was bothering her beloved princess deeply, it was more than clear to the unempath
girl. How long had Kakyuu-hime been awake, thinking such odd things? What had caused her to
ponder such things in the first place? She wanted to take the worry out of Kakyuu's tender
voice. To be able to hear her beautiful melodic laughter once more and to feel the warmth
of her smile upon her.
"I...." Maker saw kakyuu's hands trembling slightly in the young princess' lap. It
worried her so. "It is nothing but ramblings of a weary soul." Kakyuu granted, yet Maker thought
otherwise.
"Princess..." Yet, the senshi stopped herself. It was not her place as a guardian or
as a friend to Kakyuu-hime to press the princess into sharing information. She knew that when
the time was right, things would be told....maybe. "You need your sleep."
"Hai." Kakyuu faintly smiled, the beauty reflected palely in the window pane.
Standing up with one graceful movement, Kakyuu turned upon Maker and turned her gaze
upwards, a deep impassioned crimson upon a cool shielded lavender. Clashing, yet molding.
And Maker looked away.
Looking away from her guardian, she swept past her. The soft scent of the precious olive
flower following her gently, almost a veil of fragrance upon her and Maker faintly wondered
if her princess' skin smelled of the wonderful blossoms. Maker's gaze looking up once more
to follow the princess as she walked over to her large canopy bed, dark red curtains pulled
back to the four tall wooden posts. "Maker...." Her soft voice once again stirred her soul,
sweetness it was.
"Hai princess?"
Slipping back under the thin covers, she asked, "Will you stay with me until I fall
asleep?"
The request was so simple, so innocent, and yet almost given in fright, it pained Maker
to see her so upset. "Hai, of course."
And she stayed beside her bed, looking upon her as she closed her tender eyes and fell
asleep, and even for a while after, watching her as she slept peacefully. And when Maker
was fully convinced that her princess was at peace, she quietly returned to her room, remaining
awake the rest of the night to ponder what Kakyuu-hime had asked.
*~
"See him!" Healer hissed, wrinkling her nose up.
Warm sunlight streamed in from the tall stained glass windows, casting the room in
light reds, blues and yellows. Many delegates were chatting amongst themselves awaiting
presence with the princess over their many 'pressing' issues of that particular day. Which
most would be rejected quickly to only be taken back by their representatives and rewritten
just enough to bring back up once more. What a bother most of these delegates were, dressed
splendidly enough so one would be able to tell with just a simple glance, just exactly how
important they were....to themselves....
The large room was bustling with many an activity today. Many new faces rushing from
here to there, smoothing out the last details of their ideas. And set in the back of the room,
where the floor rose up into several steps and a large platform, a beautifully crafted throne set.
Although it was vastly plain, it was still beautiful.
"Hmm.." Fighter arched one of her eyebrows, only slightly interested in what gossip her
friend had to revel now.
Smoothing her hand over the long leather glove of her fuku, Maker looked herself in
the direction that Healer had suggested. Instantly she spotted a tall, dashing looking man who
seemed to know exactly what he wanted in life and exactly why he should get it. One of the many
stuffy delegates who thought they were more important that life itself. No one was worth that...
except her.
"That's the Duke of Mahkuse." Healer continued, a slight look of disgust upon her
pretty face, wrinkling her forehead up and sweeping her light silver bangs from her face.
"Hmm...is that so?" Fighter faked interest horribly, "Is he one of your suitors or
something?" She questioned of the shorter starlight.
"Argh, baka!" Healer's ice cold gaze snapped over to glance at Seiya's deep blue one.
"He's not MY suitor....he's been trying to be Kakyuu-hime's suitor!" She huffed lightly.
"Oh." Fighter's interest was sparked as all three of them returned their gaze to the man. All
three immediately able to point out more than a dozen things wrong with him and note all his
shortcomings to their princess.
"Kami-sama," Healer frowned, crossing her arms over her chest, "Look how horrible he
dresses."
"And he seems to be quite a flirt." Fighter noted as they continued to watch him
silently, the man unknowing, "I'd have to kill him if he ever hurt her."
"Hmm.." Maker narrowed her eyes, her gaze growing cold and unfriendly as she too sized
up the unworthy man, "Most likely he only wants her power. He would eat her up and leave her
alone."
Healer's eyes narrowed angrily, "If he even tries to get..." But her words were quickly
silenced and a bright smile, one that only one person could produce from the starlight, spread
across her lips as she whispered happily, "princess."
The other two senshi looked up, awaiting for the door to open in the back and their
princess to appear. Their wait was short lived as almost instantly, the door opened and the
beautiful flower of their princess gracefully walked through, the room growing silent as she
set herself upon her throne. Maker felt herself brighten as she noticed the tender gaze of
their princess sweeping over the room and then resting upon them, giving them a beautiful smile
before starting the morning meetings. No sign of the weariness and the worry from the night
before was shown upon her face, but nestled deep within the shadows of her eyes....
*~
Warm. It was just the middle of the summer, a light summer. The sun had been kind to
Kinmoku-sei, not to smoldering, but just enough that with a light breeze it felt like a warm
tropical paradise.
"Maa...maa!" Healer's long, slender fingers trailed through her long silvery hair,
tucking small pieces behind her ear, "It's to hot out here."
Maker glanced sideways over at her friend who was seated next to her on the cool concrete
bench. Lush bushes blooming with exotic flowers flourished around them in the garden. Narrowing
her eyes slightly, her deep voice sounded lazy and slow in the warm air, "I think you complain
to much."
"I really think I don't care what you think." Was the curt reply, the shorter starlight
wrinkling up her nose and dusting a flower petal off of the crumpled light blue cotton dress
she had chosen to wear that afternoon. A few small strands of her hair trembled against her
bare, pale shoulders that were very slowly starting to turn a light pink under the sun's
attention.
"Hm."
Maker's attention went back to further on in the garden where their princess was
seated beneath a tree. Her long transparent skirts spread out over her legs as she held a book
in her lap, long strands of silkly crimson hair spilled over her shoulders as she read. She
made such an enchanting site. Kakyuu-hime always enjoyed her quiet afternoons after all the
meetings had been dwelt with and all the possible suitors scared away by the three starlights.
She could then come out to the garden and under the security of the tall shade tree, she would
lose herself for a short while. Forgetting all her troubles and worries...yet...she seemed even
distracted from that much today.
It worried Maker to see her princess look up from the book all to often, her eyes
unfocused as she would stare off into the gardens, so dark and full of worry. She wanted to go
to her and....and....somehow be able to comfort her in any way possible. It was even more
unnerving that in her vast wisdom, she couldn't think of one single thing to do to help her
dear princess. 'It's because that gets in the way....'
"What does she think she's doing?" Healer's harsh tone brought Maker back to the
current time and she noticed that Fighter was venturing through the gardens, towards the tree
where Kakyuu-hime was resting.
"Not sure." Maker mumbled as Fighter knelt beside their princess, her long coal black
hair tumbling over one shoulder and swaying gently in the light breeze.
Kakyuu's unfocused gaze broke as she looked up towards Fighter, the warmth and brightness
returning as she smiled and her soft, precious looking lips moved as she mouthed a few words to
her senshi. Fighter returned with a few words and moved slightly, sitting down beside the
young princess and smoothing her hands out along her long navy blue dress.
"It's not fair." Healer mumbled, her hands clenched slightly in her lap as her golden
flecked eyes gazed at the pair enviously, "She can always make Her laugh."
Maker frowned slightly herself as she watched Kakyuu's eyes sparkle with silent
happiness, her head tilted back just slightly as her musical laughter floated across the garden
to their ears. Did it matter who made her laugh as long as she could hear that wondrous sound?
Or see the stars twinkling happily once more in her eyes? "So do you though."
"Ano..." Healer paused a moment, tilting her head to the side and placing a delicate
finger upon her bottom lip, "The way she looks at Fighter though...her eyes are so...bright...and
she feels bright when she's around her."
"Demo," Maker started to point out, "Kakyuu-hime looks at you the same way."
"Hmp." The smaller starlight crossed her arms over her chest, still not able to shake
the jealous feeling that had been bestowed upon her, "Demo....she just seems so much happier
when she's around Fighter. Fighter always knows what to say to cheer her up...and you...she
always talks to you about her problems."
"Healer," Maker arched an eyebrow, almost finding her friend's odd and almost unnoticed
lack of confidence humorous, "The princess loves your company just as much. If I'm not
mistaken, it is you whom she spends most of the day with, ne? Besides..." She paused just
slightly, a pang of her own jealousy washing over her, "Out of the three of us, you are the one
who is closer connected to the princess. You can actually feel what she is feeling Healer.
How could anyone ever be able to know her better?"
Healer sighed softly, unclentching her hands as she watched a couple of olive blossoms
fall slowly to the ground next to her feet and she nodded slowly, "Hai, I suppose that is true,
ne?"
Maker didn't respond, knowing that Healer already knew the answer to that trivial question.
Her deep lavender gaze turning back to the princess and Fighter, their voices low and mingling
in the summer breeze. Small hints of their whispers carried over and through the winding garden.
"What's it like." She mumbled, one strand of her long brown hair had fallen from it's restraint
and was trembling down across her face, "To feel her soul?"
Healer grew quite somber beside her, almost as if pondering and drawing herself to the
princess' soul that very moment. Almost as if trying to seek for the words that could capture
what it was like, what it looked like, and what it felt like. And words failed to even come
close. "I..." Healer's voice trembled slightly, faltering and fading away.
Maker understood the words unspoken though and was even more reminded of her place in
this life and of her destiny.
*~
'The speed of the particle at any moment in time is found by taking the absolute value
of the instantaneous velocity. The intervals of time when the velocity is positive are the
intervals of time when the particle is moving in a positive direction.'
The hour drew late once more, night settling upon the planet, holding everyone close
in it's chilled embrace. Offering a nice change in weather from the warm sun kissed afternoon.
Shadows flickered and danced across the room and over the pale white washed pages of the math
book that had been set open upon the tall wooden desk. Leaning over the book, Maker's wide
eyes had been glancing over the words, only half really observing what they had to say, her
eyes starting to ache from lack of rest. Sighing softly, she propped her head against her
hand and flipped the page, only halfway caring that she hadn't even finished reading the
page before.
She could feel that the princess wasn't sleeping well again. It was like a strong pulse
in the back of her mind and it haunted her. Yet there was nothing to be done, except wait. And
maybe it was the waiting that was killing her. To not know what tortured the very soul you cared
so deeply for. To not understand what nightmares lurked in the corners of their minds not
only at night, but in the daylight as well and have no idea how to help. Wanting to help, yet
not knowing how was one of the worst feelings in the world.
"Kami-sama..." She uttered distraught, clenching her fists on top of the book, "There
has to be..."
And then she heard it....just faintly. The soft padding of feet against the floor
outside her door. Curious, she rose silently from her seat and moved over to the door, opening
it just enough to see out into the dimly lit hallway. She was just in time to catch a
slight glimpse of long, crimson red tresses trembling in the shadows as the figure disappeared
around the corner in the hallway. "Princess..." She whispered and without taking time to grab her
robe, she slipped out into the hallway, following in the footsteps of the young girl.
The hallways were eeriely silent at that time of night and empty as well, most of
the guards had retired for the evening while the rest were outside tending to their duties. The
only distinct sound was that of the light footsteps the young princess made as she crept further
down the hallway, holding a small candle in her delicate looking hand. Her long hair fell in
waves over her back, only letting it stray from it's usual graceful hairstyle during the night.
If Kakyuu-hime had known that Maker was silently and curiously following her down the corridors
of the palace, she gave no clue that she knew....or maybe she just didn't mind.
Maker felt horrible in a way, trying to keep her footsteps silent on the cool marble
flooring as she slowly followed after her princess. In a way, she had no right to be following
Kakyuu-hime in the middle of the night just because she was worried, but then again....that gave
her every right. That and the fact that legally the princess was not supposed to go anywhere
without one or all of the starlights there with her, but that rule was more an invisible rule
that had been broken all to many unhealthy times. Yet, although Maker felt no threat towards
kakyuu's physical well being, she felt a strong threat to their dear princess' emotional and
stable well being. She hated to see her like this. Why not tell them what worried her so that
they could all share the burden and not just her? Yet that was like Kakyuu-hime. Always ready
to take the burden all to herself just to spare any amount of pain or worrying from the starlights.
Little did she know that by doing that, it only made them worry more.
Her curious gaze followed the princess as she disapeared through a tall arched doorway and
into another room. Padding silently down the hallway, Maker paused as she reached the door
and gazed inside. She watched, almost pained in a way and yet also relieved, as their delicate
princess knelt to her knees in front of a wide alter draped with deep red velvet. Her hands
fluttered up to brush long curling hair behind her shoulders, the candle placed carefully upon
the alter. Her pale white hands were then folded neatly in her lap and she bowed her head, lips
trembling, "Exalted one, your mercy upon my people has been wondrous and I thank you for your
blessings and tenderness towards them..." Her voice spoke on lightly, almost a gentle whisper as
she prayed to their exalted one.
"You know...." A voice spoke up in the shadows from behind Maker, causing the tall
starlight to jump slightly, tensing up and glancing over as a slender figure stepped forth,
"I feel almost jealous of him....if it is a him..."
"Oh..." Maker's nerves relaxed as she arched an eyebrow at Healer, the shorter girl
clearly having been awake sometime as her emerald green eyes sparkled with life. Healer's
long slender arms were wrapped around herself in an attempt to stay warm in her thin, cottony,
green nightgown. Her long silvery hair that was usually kept tied so neat in a ponytail
at the nape of her neck was down and let loose, framing her impish body as almost a silver
halo.
"Hai," she breathed, her gaze turning from Maker to inside the chapel, towards the
true angel who shone more brightly than any before or ever to come.
"Exalted one please take mercy upon our planet. Protect us...." The whispered prayer
was almost like a sad song to their ears and caused Healer to frown even deeper.
"He is truly the only one who knows what she is going through." She supplied the
reasoning for her latest development in jealousy.
Maker found it silly, but thought it better not to point that out to her friend and
simply watched painfully as Kakyuu's shoulders started to tremble just ever so slightly. "It's
been two weeks Healer."
Healer sobered up quickly, all thoughts going directly their princess as she sighed
softly, "Hai it has...and this makes the third time this week she's been at the chapel this late
to pray."
Giving her a questioning look, Maker asked, "And you've been up?"
Almost looking offended Healer wrinkled her nose up, tearing her gaze away from the
princess to look back at Maker, "Hai, of course baka! Do you think I would really be able to
sleep when she is awake?!"
Shrugging, Maker looked back into the room thoughts drifting slowly once more, "Fighter
can."
"Don't even compare me to her...." Healer huffed quietly and she too, returned her
attention to their princess.
Moments of worried silence passed between the two as the princess' voice had become to
soft to make out any words now. Her shoulders ceasing their trembles momentarily.
"Something very bad is troubling her..." Healer mumbled beside her in the dark,
"something...."
A soft sob escaped the trembling lips of their troubled princess and the tiny sound drove
painfully deep into both the senshi's hearts. Maker's eyes narrowed slightly as she held back
her own tears of hopelessness, taking a small step forward into the chapel before making herself
stop, 'What am I doing? I...I can't do this! She's....the princess. And these feelings are more
than what just a mere guardian....'
Her jumbled thoughts were caught off guard as Kakyuu uttered another tiny sob, her
pale, trembling hands covering her face as her shoulders trembled slightly. Not hesistating,
Healer quickly brushed by Maker, impassioned with all her soul by the simple tiny sounds
coming from their princess....their life. And so Maker watched silently from the shadows, as
Healer knelt down beside the princess, placing an equally pale hand against their princess' fair
skin. And Kakyuu slowly lifted a tear streaked face, her cheeks kissed a soft pink from the
emotion and the tears staining her face to gaze up into an equally pained face. Tears matching
hers were held within Healer's soften gaze. They truly did look like two angels crying over a
lost soul. And Maker watched as the two angels came together. The silver haired angel wrapping
her arms around the princess, pulling her close in a loving embrace, almost as if trying to
shield her from any pain that was embarked upon her. And she watched as Kakyuu fell into her
embrace, resting her head against Healer's shoulder and cried freely, not trying to hide behind
her usual mask of clam and restraint.
Reaching up a hand, Maker tried to wipe away her own tears vainly. And while Healer
may not remember who she was in this world, Maker was once more reminded where she stood with
her own beautiful crimson haired angel. And just how helpless she was to her when she needed
the most comfort. First to Fighter....and now to Healer. And turning away, she wondered silently
how she had lost her princess two times in one day.
*~
AN: Hopefully you're enjoying the story so far.....but don't get lost yet. That's just the
first part ^.^ lots more to come....