"Unjust Seduction :: Love and It's Thorns"
1 By: Kon Gyousano
***************************************************************************
Metalia paced back and forth. She didn't know whether or not Beryl knew what that weapon was worth. She knew, it was nearly irreplaceable. Two had been made in the entire galaxy, and she didn't intend for her tutor to go waving it around like a trophy on a shelf. She needed to pay her master a visit. Making her final decision, she closed her eyes and transported to the castle of the sun. This almost deserted planet had become inhabited years after it had burst into a supernova.
Few people had survived the blast, and only one remained millions of years later. Glancing around, she saw that she was in the ruins of the Sol Palace, a castle occupied by only one person at the time. One of royal blood, queen to this isolated star. Pandemonium, second sister to Chaos himself. Metalia knelt on the ground she was on, feeling her master's presence.
"Why have you come?" An icy voice void of any human emotions asked her the most simple of questions, and yet she was at a loss for words to answer it. She let her pale pink tongue slide over her already dry lips, and looked up to face her creator.
A tall woman with cold black expressionless eyes, pitch-black hair that fell down to her feet freely in controlled waves, and white, almost sickly pale skin stood before her face impassive.
She had on her senshi fuku, she was after all the only one in the universe who could truly say she had been born on the sun and therefore had the right to the once-planets sailor senshi title. Pandemonium didn't stand in front of her, Sailor Sun did.
Wide black bat-like wings were folded behind her, with blood-red veins running through them. A black choker was strung around her small neck, a three layered black, purple, and burgundy skirt connected to a white shirt hidden only by a large black bow with a small black circular broach, and poison green collar with two stripes. Two large puffy icy green sleeves clung to smaller transparent hoops on her shoulders. Short gloves trimmed with more acid green were squeezed neatly onto her lower arms.
In a voice filled with half concealed fear as to what her fate would be for interrupting whatever the queen had been doing she managed to spit out five words. "A…g-gun has b-been found." She let a sadistic grin come to her deathly pale lips. She had said it, now the final judgment was up to Sailor Sun. Her ruler looked down at her, face not showing any kind of pain, annoyance, or happiness. Maybe it was the firm line her lips were, or maybe it was the swirling vortex her eyes were…
"Yes, I am aware of that. You have forgotten that I am the original creator of the guns. I will not be needing it, so you may do as you please with the carrier of it." Her deep voice was on the verge of sardonic, but it just didn't quite make it out of the indifferent personality she had adopted. If Metalia could have smiled, she would. But, since she couldn't, she settled for the next best thing, she smirked.
"Yes master." Her voice dripped with venom, but Sailor Sun didn't care, or didn't show it at least. She curtsied; in her fully materialized state she was able to fulfill such a task. She looked up to see the still nonchalant face of her queen, and vanished in eddies of black mist.
"You may come out K-san. She's gone." Sailor Sun turned towards the shadowed hallway corners, eyes still endless voids.
"If it's the same to you, I'd rather not risk it. What if Nepherenia decided she wanted to visit you with her recent plans? What would I do then?" The blacked-haired senshi tried to become angry, but her emotional block wouldn't allow her to feel anything. Pain came with feelings, and she wasn't willing to risk losing this war she had planned for centuries.
"I would very much wish to look upon the face of my dear friend and faithful servant." The queen of the sun glared into the shadowy depths penetrating them with her look of uncaring.
"Okay, but only to see me, then back to moping around the corners of this dreary wreck of a place. Remind me why you stay here?" Her bell-like voice signaled she wasn't as uncaring as Sailor Sun. A figure stepped out of the shadows, with one faint click of heels hitting the floor just enough so that half her face was shown.
Long silky reddish-brown hair pooled out around the hips of a tall young woman. Eyes to shame a sapphire flickered joyously at seeing the sailor senshi. Her long gold eyelashes blinked obviously trying to adjust to the bright light of the star she was on at the moment.
Normal creamy peach skin was almost entirely concealed under her garments, but her face showed she had it. Scars were clearly seen around various parts of her face, and Sailor Sun couldn't help but wonder if there were more like those on the rest of her equal. A royal gown of a princess covered most of her figure, but stiff boots and thick long gloves, both white and trimmed in black were the only contradiction other then her small silver crown
"I live here, to rule over this planets solar energy. Without me here, the sun would just collapse and expand for all of eternity. Only those who have the bloodline of a Sol can live through touching that kind of heat now. The sun protects us." She stared up at the crystal-eyed soldier.
"Now you have seen me. Is there any reason I am here?" her voice was dripping with sarcasm, and the senshi knew it. She flipped her long hair over her shoulders stubbornly and stepped back into the darkness the walls cast over the room. Being on the sun, the shadows were extremely intensified.
"I had you come here to tell you a soul gun has been found, Metalia is arranging an army, even if she won't tell me. And, Nepherenia has found some followers she's taken the dream mirrors of. They are now under her full control." She looked up impassively at the taller girl.
Accepting the news slowly the russet-haired girl smiled into the darkness, and with a click of her fingers vanished into the blackness surrounding her. The only remaining trace she had ever been there was the faint whispered words "Thank you and Farwell until next we meet…"
***************************************************************************
Amber stood sipping her glass of bittersweet wine, trying to keep a smile on her face. Seeing Serenity with her fiancé just…made her want to kick something. She knew that Serenity loved Endymion, and she knew that she loved Phillip. Her sister's denial to have anything to do with such a charming, handsome…no, she cut herself off. It wasn't right. Serenity was going to marry the man of her own dreams and she was going to be forced to marry the man of her big sister's dreams. This had to be some form of cosmic joke.
She took another sip of the red wine and grimaced. It started out sugary like a juice, and then it took on a sour more harsh taste. She compared her life to the drink, both were sweet at first, and then took a turn for the worst. But, somehow, she managed to keep a meek smile on her face through both. She had been taught manners of a princess, for she was one even if she wasn't the crown princess of the kingdom.
Her mother's voice rang through her mind. 'Never sit down at the table until I have, never make noise with your silverware; it will be set for you, always finish an offered drink, always excuse yourself and curtsy when leaving at a ball, never clink your silverware when stirring tea, never put used silverware on the table, never slurp cocoa or soup, never play with your hair during a meal, and only speak when spoken to.' At the time she hadn't understood why there were so many rules just for eating dinner and leaving the room, but she soon learned that if one rule was broken your reputation as one of royal blood went down tenfold.
Kindness and charity would gain back your current standings and sympathy would be smiled at. Through her life so far she had learned three important things. Always follow protocol and be nice to everyone, even your enemies.
Two, never cry or show any sign you were unhappy in front of the public eyes. That was a sure way to destroy everything you had worked your entire life to achieve.
And last, never question your superiors. It would lead to unkind rumors and bad opinions among your home kingdom's subjects.
She let out an exasperated sigh. There was no way of letting anyone know how unhappy she was unless she told her mother or an equal. Then it hit her like a huge brick slamming her brain back into place, as if it had been off- center her entire life.
Princess Serenity.
That one name was of the person she could tell everything to! She could spill her feelings to her sister, because she and her were on equal ground until Serenity took up her birthright and became queen. She let a ghost of a real smile creep onto her lips as she poured the remnants of the now bland drink into her mouth and swallowed in one gulp. She carefully set her glass cup down and stood, excusing herself and nodding her head far enough down that everyone would know she was leaving.
As soon as she reached the door, she nearly slammed it behind her and ran down the hall, running straight into a daydreaming sister. "Serenity!" she panted. "I'm so sorry! I was looking for you and I ran right into you! Please forgive me?!" She breathed a sigh of relief, as her frail sister got up unharmed. She had always been the clumsy one of the family, tripping and crashing into everything and everywhere. It was so ironic that Serenity would get the grace and the title. But, then again, she had the hair, and if anything should happen to her sister she would get the title, but she didn't want to think about things like that.
"Of course I forgive you. I cannot ever be made at you, it is too mean- spirited." The blond smiled cheerfully holding out a hand to help her sister up.
"I wanted to talk to you…" She took a deep steadying breath. "I can't stand all these rules and stuff. I have got to find a way out of it. PLEASE, if there were a way for me to escape this life, even for a little while, would you tell me? You're older then me, and I haven't the faintest idea of anything that would fill my pleas." She looked towards the ceiling; it was easier to stop the tears that were forming in here eyes.
"Dear sister, I know a way. But, you will not be able to tell mother about this. She'll eat me alive if she heard I was doing this." Serenity looked down at her small lavender-haired sister.
"Please tell me! I need to get out of here!" Serenity didn't need her gift of feeling people's strong emotions through looking in their eyes, but she had to look. Agony, desperation, and sorrow filled her sisters eyes.
"I will tell you on one condition. You have to return when I do." Serenity looked at her sister's joyous tears and knew she had done the right thing.
"I agree! Whatever it is to escape my title and duties as a princess I'll do it! And I'll come back with you as well." Amber smiled her first real smile in weeks.
The crystal blue eyed princess of the moon gave a meek smile at her sister's somewhat childish behavior. "We're running away. Pack only your favorite outfits, anything you can't live without, and don't tell anyone. Bring nothing else. We're leaving tonight." She gave a feeble giggle or excitement. "Meet me tonight in my room on my balcony. The senshi of the inner planets know, but don't inform Luna or Artemis, they'll tell my mother for sure. Especially Luna, she can't keep one secret to herself." The young blond embraced her sister, and curtsied at her, so as she would know that protocol still stood as long as they were in the palace.
Wiping the glistening tears of bliss from her face, the bright lighting making her rosy cheeks shine with anticipation. "Tonight," she breathed. "When the ball's over, I will meet you. Maybe before it ends. Those things go on forever." She remembered her mother's fondness for parties and groaned mentally. "Before it ends," she decided and firmly stated her final plan.
***************************************************************************
Zoisite pulled his hair into a careless ponytail, letting a few loose strands fall over into his handsome face. He smirked at himself in the mirror. Truly, there were far too many mirrors in this palace, but it was to his advantage. He flipped the freshly showered hair over his shoulder and practiced his seductive smile. He just had to get her to notice him instead of distracting him with more chess…it was his turn speaking of.
He turned back to the board in front of him and smiled. She had fallen right into his trap. He pondered for a moment, torture her with two fatal decisions, or just go for the checkmate? He took the lazy way out, wanting to end this game and moved his bishop forward to the right.
Mercury stared awed at the chessboard. Had she been so distracted with him that she had made a reckless move? One conclusion popped into her mind. Yes.
She examined her position; vaguely aware her opponent was muttering a very smug "Checkmate." She saw that her knight could block it, at the expense of her queen. A dull pawn could throw him off for one turn, but not long enough for a strategy to start to form and save her king. Sacrificing her queen was the only way to win. She sighed. Her own bishop was closing ranks with the general's king, but she didn't want to make the same mistake twice and ignore her king. She picked up the dull fake wood of her playing piece and stepped the knight forward and over.
Zoisite was caught off guard to say the least. He face faltered for a moment, almost falling out of his chair. He gripped the table trying to steady him, and after counting to ten in Greek, he looked up to the table. Seeing that Mercury had just sacrificed her knight to him, and thinking her king was only moves away, he took her knight with his queen. His one mistake was raising his hand off that piece.
Mercury, being the calm educated person she was, did not grab her queen and take his queen instantly. She let a small secretive smirk cross her face, and then slowly reached for her queen. She knocked his piece over very pristinely and continued her play towards the black king.
Zoisite, realizing his mistake all to fast, smacked himself on the head. How could he have though that she would NOT set a trap for him? He had set her up by messing with his hair so that she wouldn't see he was sneaking his bishop closer and closer to her white king. Mercury's coy smile was driving him insane as well. He finally saw a way for him to not lose. He moved his bishop to take one of her pawns.
Mercury looked down in wonder and muttered. "Stale," before getting up and bowing to Zoisite. "Thank you for a commendable game of chess." She said lightly, straightening up as Zoisite stood.
Zoisite bowed before his opponent. "Good game waterlily." He grinned openly when she flushed bright red. He took her hand, getting an electric jolt from it. He smiled sheepishly, he liked her very much, but he wasn't sure if she like him as a friend for all those years spent together, or as something more. He kissed her hand, never letting his eyes move from hers. Her blush was steadily increasing to a dark crimson. He let go of the delicate hand and threw some light berries on the ground.
With a small 'thap', Mercury watched Zoisite vanish into the blinding light of the open fruit. She bent down to pick up the shell as the light died away and noticed the ripe insides. Stuffing it in her pocket, she headed to her room to dress for the oncoming ball and pack for her escape that night. The princess had tried to lie to the inner senshi about her never wanting to leave, and they had noticed it. Mercury had then hooked her up to her scanner, and checked her pulse when she told them she had never wanted to run from her title and duties. Her heartbeat had increased, and her perspiration level had sky rocketed as she told them in a shaky voice full of uncertainty, 'no?' Mercury had shown the others and they had demanded to know when she was leaving. She had allowed them to accompany her, but she had made them all swear not to tell anyone, even Luna and the Queen.
Mercury sighed, brushing an exceptionally long strand of hair out of her eyes. Sometimes Princess Serenity could be so foolish. Running off with Prince Endymion to wherever he deemed safe without anyone with you was NOT her idea of a bright idea.
***************************************************************************
Mars grinned triumphantly as she ran the comb through her hair. She didn't know where the idea had come from, but she had the perfect revenge against Jadeite. His royal standings would drop, as would hers, but it was a sacrifice she was willing to make. She knew it was the only possible way to get an even score with her rival and lover.
She smiled and pulled her hair into a high bun on top of her head, letting the loose ends trail down a little, before looping them back up again with small clips. He would pay, it wouldn't harm him enough for permanent damage…hopefully.
She glanced at her small bag of cloths and belongs. She still had to think of a name to use when she ran away. She couldn't exactly say, 'Hi, I'm Sailor Mars!' She knew that her fans would swamp her, and her enemies would try to kill her while she was away from the castle. Along with the face all the girls would be in an immense punishment for running away without returning, and the everlasting punishment of having her upper arm branded…she shuddered at the thought. But that only happened if they were caught before returning.
Turning her mind back to her revenge, she looked over at the transformation pen sitting almost innocently on her desk. Almost. She reached over and picked up the wand, spinning it through her fingers a few times, and examining it. It truly was a pretty thing. It had intricate patters running along it, and the symbol of mars burned red inside a small arrow trapped in a red sphere. It glittered with an invisible fire in the light of the chandelier in her room. The small pale lavender wings that sprung off the small crystal orb spread out and held an unearthly aura of power in them. Mars thought of names she likes, and names that described her, and the perfect name came to her.
Hino Kasei
Of course she could have to combine the hi no into Hino, but none the less, it resembled her very much. She would have to change it a bit though…making sure that nobody knew who she really was. 'fire of mars' was just a little bit too much of a giveaway. Maybe take part of mars off…yes. Hino Rei. It still meant the same thing to her, and nobody would ever figure she would have changed her name much. So, from thus on, she would refer to herself as Rei…
1 By: Kon Gyousano
***************************************************************************
Metalia paced back and forth. She didn't know whether or not Beryl knew what that weapon was worth. She knew, it was nearly irreplaceable. Two had been made in the entire galaxy, and she didn't intend for her tutor to go waving it around like a trophy on a shelf. She needed to pay her master a visit. Making her final decision, she closed her eyes and transported to the castle of the sun. This almost deserted planet had become inhabited years after it had burst into a supernova.
Few people had survived the blast, and only one remained millions of years later. Glancing around, she saw that she was in the ruins of the Sol Palace, a castle occupied by only one person at the time. One of royal blood, queen to this isolated star. Pandemonium, second sister to Chaos himself. Metalia knelt on the ground she was on, feeling her master's presence.
"Why have you come?" An icy voice void of any human emotions asked her the most simple of questions, and yet she was at a loss for words to answer it. She let her pale pink tongue slide over her already dry lips, and looked up to face her creator.
A tall woman with cold black expressionless eyes, pitch-black hair that fell down to her feet freely in controlled waves, and white, almost sickly pale skin stood before her face impassive.
She had on her senshi fuku, she was after all the only one in the universe who could truly say she had been born on the sun and therefore had the right to the once-planets sailor senshi title. Pandemonium didn't stand in front of her, Sailor Sun did.
Wide black bat-like wings were folded behind her, with blood-red veins running through them. A black choker was strung around her small neck, a three layered black, purple, and burgundy skirt connected to a white shirt hidden only by a large black bow with a small black circular broach, and poison green collar with two stripes. Two large puffy icy green sleeves clung to smaller transparent hoops on her shoulders. Short gloves trimmed with more acid green were squeezed neatly onto her lower arms.
In a voice filled with half concealed fear as to what her fate would be for interrupting whatever the queen had been doing she managed to spit out five words. "A…g-gun has b-been found." She let a sadistic grin come to her deathly pale lips. She had said it, now the final judgment was up to Sailor Sun. Her ruler looked down at her, face not showing any kind of pain, annoyance, or happiness. Maybe it was the firm line her lips were, or maybe it was the swirling vortex her eyes were…
"Yes, I am aware of that. You have forgotten that I am the original creator of the guns. I will not be needing it, so you may do as you please with the carrier of it." Her deep voice was on the verge of sardonic, but it just didn't quite make it out of the indifferent personality she had adopted. If Metalia could have smiled, she would. But, since she couldn't, she settled for the next best thing, she smirked.
"Yes master." Her voice dripped with venom, but Sailor Sun didn't care, or didn't show it at least. She curtsied; in her fully materialized state she was able to fulfill such a task. She looked up to see the still nonchalant face of her queen, and vanished in eddies of black mist.
"You may come out K-san. She's gone." Sailor Sun turned towards the shadowed hallway corners, eyes still endless voids.
"If it's the same to you, I'd rather not risk it. What if Nepherenia decided she wanted to visit you with her recent plans? What would I do then?" The blacked-haired senshi tried to become angry, but her emotional block wouldn't allow her to feel anything. Pain came with feelings, and she wasn't willing to risk losing this war she had planned for centuries.
"I would very much wish to look upon the face of my dear friend and faithful servant." The queen of the sun glared into the shadowy depths penetrating them with her look of uncaring.
"Okay, but only to see me, then back to moping around the corners of this dreary wreck of a place. Remind me why you stay here?" Her bell-like voice signaled she wasn't as uncaring as Sailor Sun. A figure stepped out of the shadows, with one faint click of heels hitting the floor just enough so that half her face was shown.
Long silky reddish-brown hair pooled out around the hips of a tall young woman. Eyes to shame a sapphire flickered joyously at seeing the sailor senshi. Her long gold eyelashes blinked obviously trying to adjust to the bright light of the star she was on at the moment.
Normal creamy peach skin was almost entirely concealed under her garments, but her face showed she had it. Scars were clearly seen around various parts of her face, and Sailor Sun couldn't help but wonder if there were more like those on the rest of her equal. A royal gown of a princess covered most of her figure, but stiff boots and thick long gloves, both white and trimmed in black were the only contradiction other then her small silver crown
"I live here, to rule over this planets solar energy. Without me here, the sun would just collapse and expand for all of eternity. Only those who have the bloodline of a Sol can live through touching that kind of heat now. The sun protects us." She stared up at the crystal-eyed soldier.
"Now you have seen me. Is there any reason I am here?" her voice was dripping with sarcasm, and the senshi knew it. She flipped her long hair over her shoulders stubbornly and stepped back into the darkness the walls cast over the room. Being on the sun, the shadows were extremely intensified.
"I had you come here to tell you a soul gun has been found, Metalia is arranging an army, even if she won't tell me. And, Nepherenia has found some followers she's taken the dream mirrors of. They are now under her full control." She looked up impassively at the taller girl.
Accepting the news slowly the russet-haired girl smiled into the darkness, and with a click of her fingers vanished into the blackness surrounding her. The only remaining trace she had ever been there was the faint whispered words "Thank you and Farwell until next we meet…"
***************************************************************************
Amber stood sipping her glass of bittersweet wine, trying to keep a smile on her face. Seeing Serenity with her fiancé just…made her want to kick something. She knew that Serenity loved Endymion, and she knew that she loved Phillip. Her sister's denial to have anything to do with such a charming, handsome…no, she cut herself off. It wasn't right. Serenity was going to marry the man of her own dreams and she was going to be forced to marry the man of her big sister's dreams. This had to be some form of cosmic joke.
She took another sip of the red wine and grimaced. It started out sugary like a juice, and then it took on a sour more harsh taste. She compared her life to the drink, both were sweet at first, and then took a turn for the worst. But, somehow, she managed to keep a meek smile on her face through both. She had been taught manners of a princess, for she was one even if she wasn't the crown princess of the kingdom.
Her mother's voice rang through her mind. 'Never sit down at the table until I have, never make noise with your silverware; it will be set for you, always finish an offered drink, always excuse yourself and curtsy when leaving at a ball, never clink your silverware when stirring tea, never put used silverware on the table, never slurp cocoa or soup, never play with your hair during a meal, and only speak when spoken to.' At the time she hadn't understood why there were so many rules just for eating dinner and leaving the room, but she soon learned that if one rule was broken your reputation as one of royal blood went down tenfold.
Kindness and charity would gain back your current standings and sympathy would be smiled at. Through her life so far she had learned three important things. Always follow protocol and be nice to everyone, even your enemies.
Two, never cry or show any sign you were unhappy in front of the public eyes. That was a sure way to destroy everything you had worked your entire life to achieve.
And last, never question your superiors. It would lead to unkind rumors and bad opinions among your home kingdom's subjects.
She let out an exasperated sigh. There was no way of letting anyone know how unhappy she was unless she told her mother or an equal. Then it hit her like a huge brick slamming her brain back into place, as if it had been off- center her entire life.
Princess Serenity.
That one name was of the person she could tell everything to! She could spill her feelings to her sister, because she and her were on equal ground until Serenity took up her birthright and became queen. She let a ghost of a real smile creep onto her lips as she poured the remnants of the now bland drink into her mouth and swallowed in one gulp. She carefully set her glass cup down and stood, excusing herself and nodding her head far enough down that everyone would know she was leaving.
As soon as she reached the door, she nearly slammed it behind her and ran down the hall, running straight into a daydreaming sister. "Serenity!" she panted. "I'm so sorry! I was looking for you and I ran right into you! Please forgive me?!" She breathed a sigh of relief, as her frail sister got up unharmed. She had always been the clumsy one of the family, tripping and crashing into everything and everywhere. It was so ironic that Serenity would get the grace and the title. But, then again, she had the hair, and if anything should happen to her sister she would get the title, but she didn't want to think about things like that.
"Of course I forgive you. I cannot ever be made at you, it is too mean- spirited." The blond smiled cheerfully holding out a hand to help her sister up.
"I wanted to talk to you…" She took a deep steadying breath. "I can't stand all these rules and stuff. I have got to find a way out of it. PLEASE, if there were a way for me to escape this life, even for a little while, would you tell me? You're older then me, and I haven't the faintest idea of anything that would fill my pleas." She looked towards the ceiling; it was easier to stop the tears that were forming in here eyes.
"Dear sister, I know a way. But, you will not be able to tell mother about this. She'll eat me alive if she heard I was doing this." Serenity looked down at her small lavender-haired sister.
"Please tell me! I need to get out of here!" Serenity didn't need her gift of feeling people's strong emotions through looking in their eyes, but she had to look. Agony, desperation, and sorrow filled her sisters eyes.
"I will tell you on one condition. You have to return when I do." Serenity looked at her sister's joyous tears and knew she had done the right thing.
"I agree! Whatever it is to escape my title and duties as a princess I'll do it! And I'll come back with you as well." Amber smiled her first real smile in weeks.
The crystal blue eyed princess of the moon gave a meek smile at her sister's somewhat childish behavior. "We're running away. Pack only your favorite outfits, anything you can't live without, and don't tell anyone. Bring nothing else. We're leaving tonight." She gave a feeble giggle or excitement. "Meet me tonight in my room on my balcony. The senshi of the inner planets know, but don't inform Luna or Artemis, they'll tell my mother for sure. Especially Luna, she can't keep one secret to herself." The young blond embraced her sister, and curtsied at her, so as she would know that protocol still stood as long as they were in the palace.
Wiping the glistening tears of bliss from her face, the bright lighting making her rosy cheeks shine with anticipation. "Tonight," she breathed. "When the ball's over, I will meet you. Maybe before it ends. Those things go on forever." She remembered her mother's fondness for parties and groaned mentally. "Before it ends," she decided and firmly stated her final plan.
***************************************************************************
Zoisite pulled his hair into a careless ponytail, letting a few loose strands fall over into his handsome face. He smirked at himself in the mirror. Truly, there were far too many mirrors in this palace, but it was to his advantage. He flipped the freshly showered hair over his shoulder and practiced his seductive smile. He just had to get her to notice him instead of distracting him with more chess…it was his turn speaking of.
He turned back to the board in front of him and smiled. She had fallen right into his trap. He pondered for a moment, torture her with two fatal decisions, or just go for the checkmate? He took the lazy way out, wanting to end this game and moved his bishop forward to the right.
Mercury stared awed at the chessboard. Had she been so distracted with him that she had made a reckless move? One conclusion popped into her mind. Yes.
She examined her position; vaguely aware her opponent was muttering a very smug "Checkmate." She saw that her knight could block it, at the expense of her queen. A dull pawn could throw him off for one turn, but not long enough for a strategy to start to form and save her king. Sacrificing her queen was the only way to win. She sighed. Her own bishop was closing ranks with the general's king, but she didn't want to make the same mistake twice and ignore her king. She picked up the dull fake wood of her playing piece and stepped the knight forward and over.
Zoisite was caught off guard to say the least. He face faltered for a moment, almost falling out of his chair. He gripped the table trying to steady him, and after counting to ten in Greek, he looked up to the table. Seeing that Mercury had just sacrificed her knight to him, and thinking her king was only moves away, he took her knight with his queen. His one mistake was raising his hand off that piece.
Mercury, being the calm educated person she was, did not grab her queen and take his queen instantly. She let a small secretive smirk cross her face, and then slowly reached for her queen. She knocked his piece over very pristinely and continued her play towards the black king.
Zoisite, realizing his mistake all to fast, smacked himself on the head. How could he have though that she would NOT set a trap for him? He had set her up by messing with his hair so that she wouldn't see he was sneaking his bishop closer and closer to her white king. Mercury's coy smile was driving him insane as well. He finally saw a way for him to not lose. He moved his bishop to take one of her pawns.
Mercury looked down in wonder and muttered. "Stale," before getting up and bowing to Zoisite. "Thank you for a commendable game of chess." She said lightly, straightening up as Zoisite stood.
Zoisite bowed before his opponent. "Good game waterlily." He grinned openly when she flushed bright red. He took her hand, getting an electric jolt from it. He smiled sheepishly, he liked her very much, but he wasn't sure if she like him as a friend for all those years spent together, or as something more. He kissed her hand, never letting his eyes move from hers. Her blush was steadily increasing to a dark crimson. He let go of the delicate hand and threw some light berries on the ground.
With a small 'thap', Mercury watched Zoisite vanish into the blinding light of the open fruit. She bent down to pick up the shell as the light died away and noticed the ripe insides. Stuffing it in her pocket, she headed to her room to dress for the oncoming ball and pack for her escape that night. The princess had tried to lie to the inner senshi about her never wanting to leave, and they had noticed it. Mercury had then hooked her up to her scanner, and checked her pulse when she told them she had never wanted to run from her title and duties. Her heartbeat had increased, and her perspiration level had sky rocketed as she told them in a shaky voice full of uncertainty, 'no?' Mercury had shown the others and they had demanded to know when she was leaving. She had allowed them to accompany her, but she had made them all swear not to tell anyone, even Luna and the Queen.
Mercury sighed, brushing an exceptionally long strand of hair out of her eyes. Sometimes Princess Serenity could be so foolish. Running off with Prince Endymion to wherever he deemed safe without anyone with you was NOT her idea of a bright idea.
***************************************************************************
Mars grinned triumphantly as she ran the comb through her hair. She didn't know where the idea had come from, but she had the perfect revenge against Jadeite. His royal standings would drop, as would hers, but it was a sacrifice she was willing to make. She knew it was the only possible way to get an even score with her rival and lover.
She smiled and pulled her hair into a high bun on top of her head, letting the loose ends trail down a little, before looping them back up again with small clips. He would pay, it wouldn't harm him enough for permanent damage…hopefully.
She glanced at her small bag of cloths and belongs. She still had to think of a name to use when she ran away. She couldn't exactly say, 'Hi, I'm Sailor Mars!' She knew that her fans would swamp her, and her enemies would try to kill her while she was away from the castle. Along with the face all the girls would be in an immense punishment for running away without returning, and the everlasting punishment of having her upper arm branded…she shuddered at the thought. But that only happened if they were caught before returning.
Turning her mind back to her revenge, she looked over at the transformation pen sitting almost innocently on her desk. Almost. She reached over and picked up the wand, spinning it through her fingers a few times, and examining it. It truly was a pretty thing. It had intricate patters running along it, and the symbol of mars burned red inside a small arrow trapped in a red sphere. It glittered with an invisible fire in the light of the chandelier in her room. The small pale lavender wings that sprung off the small crystal orb spread out and held an unearthly aura of power in them. Mars thought of names she likes, and names that described her, and the perfect name came to her.
Hino Kasei
Of course she could have to combine the hi no into Hino, but none the less, it resembled her very much. She would have to change it a bit though…making sure that nobody knew who she really was. 'fire of mars' was just a little bit too much of a giveaway. Maybe take part of mars off…yes. Hino Rei. It still meant the same thing to her, and nobody would ever figure she would have changed her name much. So, from thus on, she would refer to herself as Rei…