Chapter Eleven
Universe and Jupiter Clash
Princess Mercury rose quickly to her feet as her eyes widened in delight. She had been sitting on the floor of the balcony waiting for Universe as she looked up at the starry heavens and her attention been suddenly captured by a movement in the sky.
A streak of sparkling light shooting between the stars, lighting up the dark sky with its brilliant glow of a thousand burning stars.
A shooting star.
"So pretty...!" Mercury exclaimed joyfully as the star passed overhead and lit up the sky in a heavenly aura.
Then without warning something was cupped over her eyes plunging her world into darkness. Somebody had covered her eyes with their hands.
Mercury gasped.
This person leaned over Mercury's shoulder and whispered into her ear so quietly that nobody else who may have been on the balcony would have heard her voice. "Guess who."
"Universe?" Mercury stammered as her heart beat a little quicker.
"Tsk, no fair! You peeked." Universe scolded as she leaned further and kissed Mercury's forehead.
As Universe removed her hands and stepped back Mercury turned around so that she was facing her.
Universe had her mane of hair tied in a piece of blue ribbon so that the purple river seemed to sprout from the back of her head. How unusual... Mercury had never seen Universe with a ribbon in her hair - She had never added an accessory to her clothing before so Mercury was quite surprised to see the ribbon tying Universe's hair in a ponytail.
Universe realised that it was the ribbon that had caught Mercury's fascination and she laughed affectionately.
Startled Mercury looked back at her face as a little pink crept into her cheeks.
"Like it?" Universe asked brightly giving the ponytail a toss and flipping over her shoulder to rest on her collarbone.
"It looks nice." Mercury smiled. "Where did you get it?"
"I asked Katarina to find me one and she was happy to help." Universe said as they walked over to the edge of the balcony and put their arms folded upon the stone ridge. "Did I keep you waiting too long Mercury?"
"Not really." Mercury reassured her with a shrug of her shoulders as she looked back up into the eternal night hoping for another glimpse of the shooting star. "So why did you ask me to come here Universe?"
"Does there have to be a reason? Couldn't I have just called you because I wanted to spend a little time with you?" Universe retorted with a little laugh.
Mercury gave a little wriggle. "I suppose." she murmured as she began to count the stars.
Although it was a little overwhelming Mercury had to admit that she quite liked the special attention Universe gave her. As they had come here to be alone with each other so many times this balcony had become their 'special place'.
"But actually there is something." Universe declared taking her hands from the ridge. "I've got something for you Mercury."
"For me?" Mercury looked at her in surprise.
"Yeah."
"Oh you shouldn't have. I..."
"Never mind that." Universe grinned as she dipped into her pocket. "Hold out your hand Mercury!"
Mercury gave in and held out her hand with palm facing upward.
"No, other way up." Universe corrected her.
Mercury stared at her, perplexed.
"Just do it." Universe told her. "Honest, you'll understand in a minute."
Obediently Mercury turned her hand over so that the back of her hand faced up this time.
"Now close your eyes." Universe instructed her.
"What?" Mercury was becoming more and more baffled.
"Don't ask questions. You really ought to trust me more you know."
"I'm sorry."
"S'all right."
Slowly Mercury closed her eyes and it was dark again. As she waited she felt Universe take her out held hand in her own and draw it up. Something warm and pleasant pressed against the skin of Mercury's hand and sent a warmth through her that was nothing to do with embarrassment.
Universe had kissed her hand. Mercury was so surprised and mildly shocked that she didn't open her eyes. Her hand, still tingling was turned over by the other hand and something soft was placed in her delicate palm.
"You can open your eyes now Mercury." Universe whispered into her ear.
Mercury opened her eyes sharply. She was startled since she hadn't realised how close Universe had been to her.
The first thing that she saw was the small blue rose that rested in her hand. The petals were light blue matching her dress. Her favourite colour. Mercury's gazed wandered up to Universe's face.
Universe had been hanging on carefully waiting for Mercury's reaction. "I took a seedling from the Royal Garden and grew it especially for you Mercury." she told her softly. "It's just for you. Don't you like it?"
"It's...lovely. Beautiful." Mercury breathed in a trembly voice. "Wait a minute...you mean to say...you spent days caring for the seedling and nurturing it...for me?"
Universe smiled and nodded - her eyes sparkled warmly.
"Oh Universe...!!!" Mercury gave a squeal of joy and lunged herself at the other Princess enveloping her in a tight hug. "Thank you! Thank you!" she cried, squeezing Universe tightly. "This is the best present I've ever had! I will keep it forever."
Universe gave a laugh and her voice was pure with happiness as she let Mercury hug her - She felt that she wasn't the only one who had given a gift.
Enjoying every precious second of it she soaked in the warmth of the Mercurian Princess's arms.
At last Mercury released her and studied the rose. "Where should I keep it?" she wondered aloud.
"Here let me!" Universe offered - she carefully took the rose from Mercury's hand and reaching out she very gently took a few strands of Mercury's blue hair between finger and thumb.
With the greatest care she wrapped the stem of the rose and the locks of hair together and then tucked the flower behind Mercury's ear.
Universe stood back as Mercury felt the rose just behind her ear. "All done! It looks great!" she smiled.
Mercury beamed as she stroked the delicate petals. "Universe?" she began suddenly.
"Yes?"
"When you kissed me a moment ago...what did you mean?"
Mercury's eyes were honest and truthful as she looked at Universe's face.
Universe cleared her throat - She had surprised herself when she had done that. "That was just as important as the rose Mercury." she said shyly. "See in some places when people want to make promises they kiss the hand of the person they're making the promise to."
"Promise?" Mercury repeated.
"Yeah. I made you a promise when I kissed your hand Mercury." she nodded.
"What was it?"
Universe just laughed affectionately. "One day I'll tell you." she told her simply as she patted Mercury's cheek.
"What?!!" Mercury exclaimed. "Oh please tell me! Please..."
"One day." Universe repeated. "Don't worry about it now Mercury. Please?"
Mercury sighed and let it go.
"Well what do we have here?" a voice demanded roughly startling both of them and causing them to look at the doorway.
Jupiter stood there staring at both of them and there was an unpleasant expression on her face. A strange mixture of disliking and jealousy.
Jupiter had noticed how much time Mercury had been spending with Universe recently and she felt a deep and bitter resentment that the Mercurian should so like the girl she herself disliked so much.
"Jupiter..." Mercury stammered not knowing what she should say.
"What are you doing hanging around with HER?" Jupiter snapped. "She can't do you any good."
Universe's eyes narrowed and darkened. Dammit... "You...DARE come here!!!!!!" she hissed like a cat.
Jupiter gave her a scornful look and then looked back at Mercury - she had heard Mercury's shriek and had come to see what had happened...and she had found her with Universe. "Come on." she snapped.
Mercury stood where she was. "No." She said quietly. "Universe is my friend Jupiter and you just have to accept it. I don't know why you always treat her so badly but you can't expect me to stay away from her just to please you. I'm staying here."
Jupiter glared at her in amazed anger and disbelief - she had not actually expected the normally submissive and quiet Mercury to stand firm like this. Just another bad thing that had rubbed off on her from hanging around with Universe she told herself angrily. Deep down though Jupiter realised that actually she was really angry because Mercury liked the girl she disliked so much.
"That's right!" Universe snapped stepping forward as her eyes burned angrily. "She can be friends with whoever the hell she wants! Who do you think you are coming here and interrupting us?"
"And you're so well known for your polished manners and charming elegance aren't you?" Jupiter scoffed at her.
"Like I give a damn about what a stuck-up heifer like you thinks about me anyway!" Universe snapped.
Jupiter laughed mockingly. "You see? You can't even take a little crack without resorting to your foul mouth! And let me tell you I'm not the only one who thinks it either. Luna..."
"Luna can drop dead for all I care!" Universe interrupted crushingly. "And what's more you can as well! You've made yourself completely obnoxious to me ever since I've been here..."
"Well nobody's forcing you to stay." Jupiter retorted meaningfully.
Universe narrowed her eyes and now the look in them was unpleasantly close to hatred that Mercury was quite frightened as she looked into them.
This was like a horrible dream to the blue haired Princess...
"Oh you'd like that wouldn't you? Well forget it. I'm going nowhere." Universe said in a voice that was so quiet it sent a shiver down Mercury's spine. "Get the hell out of here Jupiter."
Jupiter narrowed her eyes back. "Why not try and make me?" she said coldly.
"Get out of here." Universe repeated. "NOW."
The danger signs were all there... Mercury realized. The narrowed eyes... The cold relentless stare... The tensed muscles in her arms... The nearly silent whisper...
Mercury was dreadfully frightened as Universe glowered at Jupiter so intensely.
"That's all you can do? Threaten me?" Jupiter said with a derisive laugh. "What's the matter Universe? Finally found someone you can't intimidate? Met your match at last have you?"
Universe made no response but inside she laughed harshly. Jupiter had no idea who she was facing. Universe had almost all of her years in this world struggling to survive and although Jupiter was strong she was willing to bet that she hadn't seen a quarter of the action she had.
But Jupiter should not have pushed her luck.
Mercury could see the anger gathering in Universe's eyes like black storm clouds at the shore of a rocky cove at midnight. Jupiter assumed that Universe's silence was because she had struck a nerve and so she pushed what she thought was her advantage.
"You think that you're so tough! You think you're strong because you used to hack up scared little lizards and mice? Well guess what Universe!" Jupiter spat as she leaned closer. "You don't scare me and do you know why? Because you're nothing but a coward and if you don't like that what are you gonna do about it?"
WHACK!!!!
Jupiter staggered back as she clutched the side of her face with her hand and she slammed back heavily against the wall cracking her head against the stone as she fell.
For several minutes Jupiter could hardly think as she lay back and rubbed her cheek in stunned shock. She could hardly believe what had just happened. Jupiter hadn't seen it coming. Universe had punched her! Actually punched her! Not a slap but a blow!
Jupiter could hardly think clearly such was her shock...but it soon passed and then her rage ignited within her like a match dropped into the middle of a pile of dry sticks.
With a snarl of furious anger she clenched her hand against her cheek as she raised her other hand, pulled it back, rolled her fingers into a tight ball and took a swing at Universe.
Universe had hardly thought at all when she had punched Jupiter. It had been impossible for her to let her get away with her taunts because if she had done nothing then Jupiter would have been right. Universe would have felt like a coward and that couldn't ever happen. As Jupiter threw the punch at her head Universe quickly ducked with a cool and grace and the fist passed harmlessly over her head.
Mercury looked on in speechless dismay...
Universe laughed mockingly at Jupiter as the tall girl flailed unsteadily since she had not expected her punch to miss. "Not that time! Try again eh?"
Jupiter's face became an even deeper shade of furious red as she reacted to the taunt and lunged at the purple haired girl taking another swing at her. However Universe had been watching her movements carefully and to Jupiter's chagrin she smoothly lowered her head and the punch missed her.
"So close!" Universe teased. "Care to try your luck again?"
"SHUT...YOUR...MOUTH!!!" Jupiter roared beside herself with anger.
Mercury was terrified as Jupiter lunged for Universe again. "Please stop! Don't!" she pleaded as she clasped her hands so tightly that they turned white.
But Jupiter's rage was so intense that it drove Mercury's voice away from her ears and Universe was so focused on the struggle that she didn't notice her...
Universe decided that it was time for her to strike - with the swiftness of a serpent in the dark she slid down, avoiding Jupiter's next punch by an inch and darted forward beneath her arm...
Jupiter gave a gasp as somehow Universe's hands found their way around her throat! Universe squeezed as Jupiter shoved at her and then struck her in the face. Universe grunted but she took it and held her grip firm.
Mercury's eyes were filled with tears as she watched and sobbed quietly - she couldn't bear to watch them hurting each other like this and she closed her eyes desperately trying to block it out.
Jupiter was still unable to break Universe's grip and she realised all too clearly that the Star Raiders had not made her their leader for nothing. She punched Universe in the face again and yet the girl still took it without flinching and did not let go of her throat.
"Hey what are you two doing?!!" Charon shrieked. "Stop it!"
Charon had heard the raised voices and then Mercury shrieking and had come to see what had been happening. "You're going to kill each other! Stop it!" Charon cried grabbing Universe's arms and trying to drag her away from Jupiter to no avail.
"STOOOOOP IIIIIIIT!!!!!!!!"
Jupiter, Universe and Charon stopped completely still as if they had been frozen.
Jupiter ceased to grapple with the fingers around her throat, Universe stopped crushing Jupiter's windpipe and Charon who had been trying to separate two came to a halt.
Mercury was breathing deeply and shakily as she gazed at all of them intently. The blue haired Princess's hands were shaking as she pressed them to her chest to keep them still. Mercury's entire body trembled as tears were streaming down her face.
Seeing her like this brought Jupiter and Universe back to their senses.
Letting go of Jupiter's throat Universe went quickly back to Mercury - seeing what she had reduced the Mercurian to filled her with shame and made her feel so horrible that she felt like cutting her own throat. Only a few minutes ago Mercury had been so happy and radiant and now because of her she was crying.
Universe hated herself for that...how could she make Mercury cry? "Mercury!" she whispered. "Oh Mercury! I'm sorry! I'm so terribly sorry!"
Mercury closed her eyes, unable to say anything. Universe watched as the sparkling tears trickled out from beneath the eyelids of the Mercurian as she sobbed silently and she felt sick to her stomach.
"Come on." Universe told her simply as she took Mercury's hands in her own. "Come with me. I'll take you away from here..."
Just before they walked through the doorway into the corridor beyond Universe gave Jupiter a sideways glance from the corner of her eye as she passed the brown-haired girl. 'I'll see you in hell.' The hot words trembled at her lips and she'd have felt better for at least a couple of minute if she'd said them…but she didn't.
Somehow she felt that her own feelings weren't as important as Mercury's right now and so without a final parting-shot she led her friend away from the balcony leaving Jupiter feeling ashamed and angry as Charon gazed at her in a subdued way, feeling distraught at having just watched two of her friends hurting each other…
~*~*~
Katarina watched surprised as Universe led Mercury into the courtyard. Universe had her arm around Mercury's waist and held both of the blue haired Princess's hands clasped together in her own. Mercury had her eyes closed and her face was stained with tears as Universe towed her over to the fountain.
"What's wrong with her?" Katarina exclaimed as she jumped up to her feet.
"Nothing. She's alright." Universe replied as she sat Mercury down on the edge of the fountain.
The servant girl noticed that Universe's face was flushed and that she now had a dark bruise on her right cheek. That had not been there when Universe had come to her an hour ago and asked her if she could find a ribbon for her. Katarina had giggled and slyly asked if there was a certain someone who Universe wanted to make a good impression on. Much to Katarina's amazement the purple haired Princess had not told her to mind her own business but instead she had laughed and replied "Something like that."
"You've been fighting!" Katarina exclaimed as her eyes widened.
"Kat! Could you kind of go and get something for her face?" Universe snapped loudly.
Katarina took the hint and immediately she scurried off to fetch a towel.
Alone with Mercury Universe dropped down by her side at the edge of the water. "Mercury..." she whispered reaching over and stroking the blue haired girls forehead.
"Universe..." Mercury whispered opening her eyes again and turning to look at her.
"Are you okay?" Universe asked her gently.
"I...I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
"I can't help it. Mercury...I'm so sorry."
"I know you are." Mercury sighed. "It wasn't your fault. Jupiter shouldn't have said all of that to you."
"But it WAS my fault!" Universe exclaimed. "I should have controlled myself for your sake. But I let go anyway. I let her get to me." she shook her head miserably. "Why do you put up with me?"
"You know why." Mercury replied simply. "Don't feel bad Universe. It's okay. Really it is."
"I promise you Mercury I won't ever do it again." Universe said sincerely glad, that she was forgiven.
"You won't?" Mercury's gaze dropped to the ground as she seemed to think about something.
"I give you my word."
"Then will you do something else for me as well?" Mercury asked suddenly.
"Anything. I'd do anything for you!"
"Then make it up with Jupiter." the Mercurian said quietly as she looked back into her eyes.
"What?!!" Universe was disbelieving, quite taken by storm at this and spluttered, "But she...I...!!!"
After what had happened trying to patch it up with Jupiter was unthinkable!
"Please!" Mercury pleaded. "She's a good person although you haven't had a chance to see it yet. Please Universe promise me that you'll do it."
Universe's sigh said more than words ever could. It was against the grain but if Mercury wanted her to do it then she had no choice.
"Okay." Universe replied as she took Mercury's hand in her own and kissed it just as she had done earlier, then laid it down on the girl's lap with her other hand and leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I promise."
There were footsteps and Universe looked up to see that Katarina had returned with a towel to clean Mercury's face.
"Oh. You." Universe said actually pleased to see her right now.
"Is she all right?" Katarina asked concerned.
"Yeah. Look could you do something for me?"
"Of course." Katarina was always ready to do things for Universe out of gratitude for the purple-haired princess for not telling Queen Serenity about what she had said about her daughter when they had first met.
"Could you stay with her while I go somewhere? There's something I have to do."
~*~*~
"Hey there."
"What..." Jupiter leapt to her feet as she heard that unwelcome voice greeting her. The tall Princess whirled around glaring to see Universe standing a short way off looking at her with an uncertain look in her eyes.
There was on an awkward expression on Universe's face as she stood there, as if she wanted to say something but had no idea how to get on with it.
However Jupiter was in no mood to notice this. "YOU...!!!" she snarled as he furious temper which had been crackling for the past hour flared up at once at the sight of Universe - Jupiter could still feel the burning of her cheek and her muscles tensed as she narrowed her eyes. "What do you want here?!! If you want to have another go you don't have to ask me twice!!" she spat viciously.
Universe felt her heart sink as she stared - she hadn't had a lot of hope that this would go well but to please Mercury she had really hoped that it would. "I haven't come looking for a fight Jupiter." she said evenly.
"Then what do you want?" Jupiter growled.
Universe took a deep breath as she prepared to do what went totally against her grain. "I've come here to tell you I'm sorry." she said quickly.
There was a long silence as Jupiter stared at her completely taken aback. After the fight she had stormed off in a savage temper leaving Charon on the balcony. Her temper had not been improved by the knowledge that the others thought that she had been in the wrong. Her bitterness had been so deep that she had been ready to fly off the handle if anyone had said a single word to her out of place and knowing this everyone she had come across had stayed tactfully out of her way.
Seeing Universe again so soon after the fight she had nearly lashed out at her but instead she was baffled...
"What?" Jupiter felt her anger fade and vanish on spot as she stared uncomprehendingly at the other girl. "What are you up to?" she demanded suspiciously.
Universe looked at her and then did her best. "We can't fight over Mercury's affection like she's some kind of prize…she deserves better than to have to put up with that."
"That's easily taken care of…just stay away from her." Jupiter retorted grimly. "The only thing she deserves better than is having to put up with YOU Universe."
Universe gave a heavy sigh - she had known that Jupiter was going to be hard work. "Listen to me Jupiter." she began calmly. "I know that I've been trying to keep everyone away at arms length since I came here. I know that. But it was only because I was afraid that if anyone of you got to know me then you wouldn't want to be around me. But things are different now. I know now that I was wrong to act the way I did and I'm really sorry that I treated you and the others so badly." Universe's voice was sincere as she spoke. "I wish that it hadn't happened and I'd really like to be your friend Jupiter. We'd all like that."
As she spoke Universe offered Jupiter her hand.
Jupiter gazed at her, the wind completely taken out of her sails - Her bitter wrath had gone as she had listened to all of this.
Jupiter's eyes slowly softened. After all what had Universe ever really done to her other than react to her in the only way she could have done in the circumstances?
Universe's words had touched Jupiter's heart and in that moment she felt an urge to accept her hand and let go of what had happened between them. But then she felt the burning of the side of her face again and her eyes narrowed.
No. Too little too late, she thought angrily.
"You honestly expect me to believe all that?" Jupiter snapped as she slapped Universe's hand away with her own.
Universe actually winced as if she had been struck by a blow and she stared at Jupiter in sheer disbelief - she opened her mouth but no words came out. There was a look of hurt in her eyes.
Jupiter was glowering at her once more as she floundered in vain for something to say. "Do you really expect me to believe you after the way you've been acting?" she snapped. "Well forget it! Do you think you can fool me just like you have everyone else? I don't think so!"
Universe's hurt expression passed and her face set. So this was it. She had come here and humbled herself to do something she had never done in her life - apologise to somebody - and this was what she had received in return. "What do you mean Jupiter?" she asked in a low voice.
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yeah." Universe nodded. "Go right ahead."
"Well since you asked me, here you go." Jupiter's eyes were accusing as she stared at the purple haired princess. "To be honest I wish you'd never come here. Queen Serenity thinks that there's good somewhere in you. She's not often wrong but in this case she is. You were never one of us Universe. You're a killer."
Universe winced again. In her minds eye she saw all over again Vaura's limp and lifeless body lying in the waving grass.
No! She whispered the denial silently in her mind and her voice was desperate.
"I don't know why the Queen thinks that you're a good person. You only saved her life on Min because you enjoy all the killing! You're a Star Raider. Why try to pretend that you're anything else?" Jupiter continued unaware of the pain she was causing Universe. "All you've ever been is a cold-blooded fighter and don't you try to tell me any differently."
No! Universe repeated the word silently, desperately struggling to remain sane in the face of Jupiter's words and her inner voice was agonized and hopeless.
"Do you really think that Jupiter?" she asked quietly.
"You can bet your life that I do! In fact I don't only think it but I know that it's the truth!" the Princess of Jupiter gave a scornful laugh as a new taunt flitted through her mind. "Oh I'm sorry! 'Universe'? Is that even your real name? I'd be amazed! Come to think of it do you actually have a name at all?"
NOOOOOO!!!!!! Universe's whole mind wailed trying to deny Jupiter's accusation.
Her entire body screamed with the need to lash out at her again but her hands stayed where they were. As she considered striking Jupiter again she saw Mercury's eyes sparkling with tears.
Universe had meant what she had said to Mercury in the courtyard and she intended to keep that promise even if it meant letting Jupiter get away with saying anything she wanted about her. Her desperation to please Mercury made it impossible for her to fight Jupiter again.
"Nothing to say?" Jupiter asked sarcastically.
Universe just gave her a look. This time there was something in her eyes that Jupiter had never seen before.
It alarmed her.
"Nothing." Universe said coldly. "You must have a twisted mind to think like that Jupiter. You'll never get an offer of friendship from me again. But I'll tell you something else. I was lying to you when I said that I wanted us to be friends. The only reason I even came here was because Mercury asked me to. She's way more beautiful inside than you'll ever be and I'd slit my throat if she told me to. That's how excellent she's been to me while you've been giving me the evil eye Jupiter! Would she have even looked at me if I were anything like what you just described me as?"
Jupiter's mouth had fallen open - nobody had ever talked like this to her before.
"Mercury's weak." Jupiter blustered as she tried to stand her ground. "I bet that you push her around like a bully and make her do whatever you want!"
"I think…" Universe replied in an icily cold voice as she looked back at her with contempt written all over her face. "…that there's way more to Mercury than you realise and that maybe one day when she's been pushed too far her kind nature'll snap and she'll surprise the hell out of all of you."
Jupiter was breath-taken by this and found herself floundering for a reply to the purple-haired girls cutting retort.
"Don't even bother to answer that Jupiter! I've said everything that I needed to say to you. Now I'm going back to Mercury and I'm going to have to disappoint her by telling her it's useless." Universe's voice was bitter. "All she wants is for us all to be friends but because you've got to keep up your 'heartless bitch' image at any cost it'll never happen. But you'll get your wish though. I'll never come anywhere near you again and all I ask is that you do the same for me. Stay away from me after this Jupiter."
With that she turned her back on Jupiter and walked away never once looking back.
Left alone again Jupiter could only stare after her and think about all that she had said...
Was Universe right? Had she really been as cold and cruel as she had described? Was it really her fault that Mercury had been reduced to tears a short while ago?
For the first time in her life Jupiter felt utterly ashamed of herself...
~*~*~
There a bitter taste in her mouth as she stormed out into the courtyard fuming…it was acrid but not quite like acid.
It was the bitter taste of failure.
Universe's face was dark, grim and rigid as she stalked through the archway - she had known that it would be useless to attempt making peace with Jupiter but she'd really hoped that it would work. Not for her own sake since as far as she herself was concerned she was glad that Jupiter had refused to make it up with her although she still fumed at herself for apologising to her.
It was the knowledge that she had not been able to keep her promise to Mercury that stung her. For what must have been the hundredth time that night Universe cursed Jupiter with all her heart. Because of her unforgiving nature Universe had, had to let her friend down...what was she going to tell Mercury?
Universe gave a weary sigh as she braced herself and walked back around the corner and arrived in the area she had left Mercury - but as she arrived she realised that Mercury was no longer in the courtyard.
Instead Katarina sat on her own at the edge of the fountain where Mercury had been sitting the last time Universe had been here. The servant girl looked up as Universe walked straight up to her.
"Where'd she go?" Universe asked abruptly, cutting straight to the point.
"Princess Mercury said that she was feeling woozy and asked me to tell you that she was going to bed." Katarina reported. "She also asked to tell you that she will see you in the morning."
Universe's heart sank - all she wanted to do was get this over with as quickly as possible but now she was going to have to stew about it until the next day.
Before she knew it though a strong urge filled her with a desire that she just couldn't resist. "Hey Katarina…where's Mercury's bedroom?" she asked suddenly.
Katarina blinked at her, surprised by the question. "Why ever do you want to know that?" she asked.
"I wanna go there." Universe elaborated briefly. "Where is it?"
"But why?" Katarina persisted. "Princess Mercury is sure to be asleep by now after the state she was in earlier."
"Yeah I know." Universe smiled bleakly. "It's been a pretty intense night for us both."
"What exactly happened?" the servant girl decided to risk asking.
To her astonishment Universe did not respond by furiously snarling at her to mind her own business. "Well I'll give you a hint…" Universe began as she turned away. "…a few things have been put in their proper perspective tonight. Last chance…where is Mercury's room?"
"Up the stairs in the main hall, then five doors along to the right. You will find her bedroom at the top of a flight of stairs. But why…"
"KAT!!" Universe exclaimed exasperated at last. "Does there need to be a reason for EVERYTHING?!! Why can't I just want to go to Mercury's bedroom in the middle of the night on a mad impulse? Go on live a little! Surprise yourself!"
Without even bothering to wait for a reply Universe strode off in the direction of the large pair of wooden doors on the other side of the courtyard. Following Katarina's directions she headed up the stairway and walked along the corridor.
Eventually she found herself at the top of another slight of stairs standing in front of a crème-white door - and here she hesitated just as her hand came to a stop just as she was about to knock...what was she doing here?
All she'd wanted to do was come to Mercury's room but now that she stood right outside she wondered why she'd wanted to come here so badly.
Mercury would definitely be asleep by now…
Universe decided that she wouldn't go into the bedroom but before she knew it her hand was on the door-handle and she slowly turned it around. She wanted to see what Mercury's room looked like…
Universe made herself a very stern promise that she wouldn't go into the room - she would look inside and then close the door and go away again. Universe carefully pushed the door open so that it would not creak and peered into the room beyond. The first thing she realised was that the colour blue was very prominent in Mercury's room.
Everything from the walls right down to the carpet and the covers of the bed was a shade of blue and the effect was very curious and soothing.
Universe's attention was very quickly drawn towards the bed. The blanket was made of silk and was light blue - the graceful colour of a summer morning sky. Her eyes slowly travelled up the blanket and on the pillows she saw the back of someone's head.
The blue-haired person in the bed was sleeping on her side.
Universe was captivated…Mercury had probably fallen asleep moments after she had lain her head on the pillow after slipping beneath the blankets. Universe noticed that her dress was folded over a chair and she found herself wondering what Mercury's nightgown was liked…she was sure that it was violet-blue and silky.
Herself she slept naked but then she digressed.
Mercury's sleep was deep and contented. Universe couldn't blame her, it had been a long night and far too much had happened.
The purple-haired girl was fascinated as she watched the blankets slowly rising and then sinking again as Mercury breathed contentedly.
Universe wished that she could go over to the bed and look at her face, she wondered what the blue-haired princess was dreaming about and she became fascinated by this compelling question.
Whatever it is you're sure sleeping happily, Universe thought as she gazed at the sleeping girl, I wish I had dreams like yours…
Suddenly she felt a fierce desire to walk right into the room, wake Mercury up and tell her the truth that only she in the entire universe knew…tell Mercury that she loved her.
But her feet remained firmly planted on the floor outside the door. It would be selfish of her, she told herself, to interrupt Mercury's dreams just to tell her something that could wait until morning.
Universe told herself that she could tell her any time she wanted - both of them had all the time in the world…
But not yet. Universe gave a wistful sigh as she wondered how she would tell her best friend that she was in love with her.
Not yet…
Universe turned her eyes to look at the sleeping princess one last time before she left. Good night Mercury, she thought lovingly as she cupped her hand to her lips and blew her friend a kiss before she carefully and gently closed the door and set off for the top of the stairway and a good nights sleep of her own.
~*~*~
The morning after…
As Mercury closed her eyes and soaked in the cool and crisp air as she allowed herself a sigh of pleasure. The lake was calm and clear that day and she felt herself give a shiver of anticipation.
To get here she always had to walk quite a long way into the depths of the palace gardens but the tantalisingly cool and refreshing cool air made the time spent squeezing through hedges well worth the trouble.
The deep pool of crystal clear water was a secret within the gardens known only to Queen Serenity and herself who the ruler of the Moon Kingdom had decided to share the knowledge of this wonderful place with. She had done so precisely three days after the Mercurian had first arrived and become a part of her Royal Court - even though she had become friends with the Moon Princess almost immediately she had been a fish out of water in every sense of the phrase.
Queen Serenity's keen and knowing eyes had seen that she had missed the cool depths of the ocean of her homeworld and had felt guilt for having caused the girl such discomfort by taking her away from it - in order to make up for it in some small way she had gifted her with the secret of the beautiful pool which had made the Princess just a little more at home while she lived in the Moon Kingdom.
Mercury smiled nostalgically as she remembered the first sight of the beautiful and calm surface of the crystalline water and the joy that she had felt in that single moment - it had been then that she had truly stopped feeling homesick and started to feel happy even though she had left Mercury.
The crystal clear water looked just as extremely tempting as always as it glistened in the light of the stars. Mercury cast a wary glance around the area - she didn't know why she bothered since she was the only person who ever visited the pool these days but still, the thought of a servant wandering along accidentally made her blush to the tips of her ears - and after seeing nobody nearby she undid the hooks at the back of her dress and slipped out of it, draping it over a round stone nearby, taking off her slippers and leaving them at the foot of the stone.
The Mercurian proceeded to step carefully into the lake up to her ankles. The initial shock made her shiver but after that it felt fantastic. The redness that had filled Mercury's cheeks faded away as she walked further and further deeper into the water enjoying every thrill and tingle the ice-cold water sent through her body.
Just like her home planet - Mercury.
Closing her eyes she sighed blissfully as she neared the middle of the lake. Her mind was so calm and peaceful that she barely noticed when a pair of arms wrapped around her chest from behind her and something began to rub softly and gently against her neck. She could hear someone breathing softly behind her.
Slowly, almost ponderously, the blue-haired princess opened her eyes and ever so slowly turned her gaze to one side to glimpse the other person in the lake with her.
Universe met her gaze almost casually as she necked with her.
Mercury hardly noticed that Universe had removed her own dress. "Universe..." she murmured, her embarrassment over nakedness unnoticed in her shocked frame of mind.
"Shh." Universe whispered into her ear as quietly as a fleeting evening wind. "Don't say anything."
It was strange but in Universe's arms Mercury felt so relaxed...
"How…how did you find this place?"
Universe didn't answer straight away, instead she held the Mercurian in calm and thoughtful silence - then she smiled warmly and whispered into her ear, "I didn't."
"Then…?"
"…I found YOU."
Mercury felt a tingling in her body that was not because of the water which they were standing up to their waists in.
"How long have you been here?" Mercury managed after a lengthy pause.
Universe rubbed her neck against the Mercurians before replying. "Long enough to see you." she responded before going back to necking with Mercury.
"What are you doing?" Mercury asked in a voice that was extremely relaxed and low - she felt strangely happy as Universe's skin caressed her own.
It felt sort of...nice. Mercury lay back in Universe's arms as her eyelids drooped and she relaxed.
"Do you really need to know right now?" Universe whispered into her ear softly.
"Yes." Mercury murmured in a voice that sounded as though she were dreaming.
The blue-haired girl was wondering about something - she felt sure that there was something amiss about Universe. Other than the fact that she was naked of course…
"You'll understand soon." Universe told her as she moved her neck slowly up and down once more.
"Mmm?" Mercury murmured, lulled by the warmth of the other girl - She decided just to enjoy the moment and worry about it later.
~*~*~
"Sorry…"
"I suppose that I really should not have hoped that she might allow herself to listen to you so soon after your fight. But in time maybe…"
"Ha! Yeah right…"
"…IN TIME I feel sure that she will allow bygones to be bygones for the sake of her friends. Just as I told you last night Universe, Jupiter isn't the ogre that you think she is…she's one of the nicest people I know and that is saying a great deal considering that I live in the most wonderful Kingdom in the universe."
"Oh Mercury?"
"Yes?"
"If I were to kill Jupiter would you be prepared to swear that I was with you all night?"
"Mmm? What did you say?"
"Erm…I said 'would you like some milk'?"
"Shouldn't we get dressed now?" Mercury inquired as she and Universe walked out of the lake and padded over to a nearby log, wearing nothing but their skins.
Universe made a grimace as she dropped down beside Mercury on the log, her wet hair clinging to her back like a purple fishtail. "Nah!" she replied as she crossed her leg over the other. "I can't stand putting on dry clothes over wet skin."
"But I'm cold." Mercury shivered.
"Oh my heart bleeds!" Universe said indicating her own wet skin with a wave of her hand but her voice was good-natured since she was glad that Mercury wasn't as bitterly disappointed by the news of her failure to make up with Jupiter as she'd been fearing.
"Can't you do something about a fire?" Mecury asked suddenly.
Universe realized what she meant immediately and a strange almost hesitant look appeared on her face.
Mercury understood. "It's okay Universe. You're with us now. You don't have to hide your power anymore." she reassured her - Queen Serenity had once mentioned to her during a conversation in which Mercury had casually wondered about Universe's power, that Universe had attempted to keep her powers secret from the other Star Raiders in fear that she would be thrown out of the group if they discovered.
Mercury could not imagine what it was like to live in such fear and she could not understand how Universe had been able to live with it.
"...okay." Universe sighed as almost absently pointed at a bunch of dry twigs that lay gathered together on the earth a little way off. She closed her eyes and focused her inner energies. "Hell Fire." she muttered quietly, not wanting to overdo it.
A tiny crackling spark danced from the tip of her finger and drifted over to land on the twigs. As soon as it touched the dry wood the spark burst into flames and turned the twigs into a merrily blazing medium sized fire.
Mercury shivered in relief at the new heat. She had watched Universe lighting the fire in fascination. "That was impressive!" she complimented. "You can also use ice and lightning- based powers cant you?"
Universe gave a nod. "Yep. And keep this under your hat but I think that I might be able to use psychic abilities like telepathy as well. I didn't actually get to thinking about the possibility that I could though until I heard Charon speaking to Mars through her mind a few days ago."
Mercury looked up at her quickly. "You and Charon must have much in common then." she noted with a peculiar catch in her voice.
"A little I guess." Universe remarked as she swapped the positions of her legs so that the one she had folded over the other was the one that was on top. "But I think that I have more of an affinity with you Mercury."
Mercury looked stunned. "We do?" she stammered.
"Sure. Take yourself for example." Universe turned to fix Mercury with her smoldering eyes seeming to burn with brown fire in the light of the flames as she spoke. "You're the most quiet person that I've ever met. You know enough to fill whole books. But instead of saying all of that you concentrate on being kind and a good friend and that's the reason everything you say is so sweet."
Mercury felt her cheeks go pink but actually she was pleased that Universe had said this of her. "You're right." she remarked. "And you Universe...you say a lot but don't mean so much as your words. You're simple but only in that you're uncomplicated and that's what makes you so special. You only say what you're feeling and that's why you're so special."
"Exactly!" Universe beamed. "You've got it Mercury!"
"But I still don't understand." Mercury was puzzled. "Why does that give us affinity?"
Universe swapped the positions of her leg again - Mercury realised that whenever she did this, her own eyes followed the movement of her legs. She wondered why that was...
"It doesn't. The bond we share is that we both like each other despite the fact that we're a hell of a lot different." Universe explained.
It was perfectly true. Mercury had to admit that it was perfectly true.
"Universe…there's something that I would like to ask you." she suddenly asked a little timidly yet her eyes were now intent as she gazed at the other Princess's face as if she wanted to catch her reaction to the question that now hovered at the very brink of her tongue. "Will you be honest with me if I do?"
"Sure." Universe nodded feeling surprised by the suddenly earnest look on her younger friends face. "Ask away…I'll let you know anything that I can tell you. But hey I gotta warn ya…I don't know all that much really Mercury."
Mercury smiled for a moment as she felt honoured and then her expression became all seriousness. "Have you ever wondered whether there is anybody like yourself in all the world or whether you were just different from absolutely everybody else who knows you?"
Universe started - she was sure that there had been another strange catching in Mercury's voice as she'd said that and faced with the questions he floundered. "Well…" she stammered, "I did run into this girl who was just like me when the Raiders and I spent the night at an inn on Mars about a year ago."
Mercury gazed at her as she waited for details. "Yes?" she prompted the suddenly quiet Universe interestedly. "You were saying that she was similar to you."
"No Mercury…I was saying that she was just like me in every little detail." Universe explained softly as she averted her eyes and blushed at the memory although the glow of the fire hid this. "Ya see…I knew because she was naked."
Mercury gave a startled jump and her face flamed - not just because of what Universe had said because it had suddenly reminded her of their presents states which she had somehow managed to slip from her mind. "Wh-what?!!" she spluttered disbelievingly. "Why? Who was she?"
Universe grinned ruefully and told her. "Me." She admitted and as Mercury gawped she added, "I was standing drunk in front of a full-length mirror in the bedroom of the woman who owned the inn… man she didn't take crap from ANY the guys." she whistled as she remembered her.
Mercury stared at her as if she'd just witnessed the skies falling down on a wretched land and then her indignation conquered her shock. "UNIVERSE!" she exclaimed huffing as her annoyance conquered her flabbergasted surprise. "I'm trying to ask you a serious question!"
Universe laughed sheepishly. "Ha, ha…yeah, you're right! Sorry!"
Mercury stared at her friend who was so unspeakably unusual and then sighed defeatedly. "Oh never mind…"
Universe laughed quietly but she actually felt kind of guilty - Mercury had tried to get her to open up and she had refused to let her in. She felt bad for resisting her friends attempt to help her but she was also relieved that Mercury had given up because there were just certain parts about herself that she just didn't want to deal with…even with her beloved Mercury.
Mercury was quiet for a long while - she was thinking about things, about herself and her friend. Universe is right…we are different from each other. She thought as she watched the purple-haired girl. But it's strange…I feel so close to her. When I look into her eyes I feel like I've met somebody who's just like me…not on the outside or in personality but deep down inside. "I'm tired." she murmured as she realised that her eyelids were drooping.
She was almost mesmerised by the warmth of the fire and she and Universe were now both completely dry. "Sleep then." Universe told her. "Lay your head in my lap."
Unquestioningly Mercury lay back on the log, resting her head in Universe's lap. Now that she was looking up at Universe the blue-haired girls eyes widened. "That's it!" she remarked in mild surprise as she finally put her finger on what had been bothering her about her friend when she'd first seen her that morning.
"What is?"
"Your eye! It isn't bruised any longer!" Mercury said wonderingly.
It was true - the dark blue area around Universe's eye which Jupiter had struck the day before no longer looked discoloured.
Universe laughed. "Oh yes it is!" she replied ruefully as she reached up to her face and touched it with a wince.
"But…"
"It's make-up Mercury." Universe explained. "I had Katarina put it on me so that no-one will know about yesterday…well apart from Jupiter, Charon, Katarina, you and me…and since the're Charon's best friends, probably Mars and Venus as well soon anyway."
Mercury stared at her in amazed silence for a moment and the purple-haired girl growled angrily. "Well I don't want Queen Serenity to know that I've been fighting now do I?" she protested. "I'd never hear the end of it!"
Mercury suddenly giggled. "You know Universe…I've never seen you wearing make-up before today." She remarked. "You're just about the only girl I know who would use make-up for the first time in her life to hide the fact that she'd been fighting!"
Universe just sighed and said nothing.
A short while later Mercury felt her eyelids slowly drooping closed and this time they did not open again.
"Universe?" the Mercurian murmured just before she drifted into sleep.
"Yeah sweetie?"
"I'm glad you came to us. I truly am."
Mercury was silent as she slid away into a dream. Universe smiled and it was a deep shame that Mercury had not remained awake for a moment longer for in the light of the fire and wearing nothing but her skin the purple-haired princess was utterly beautiful.
"Not half as glad as me." Universe replied as she bent to kiss the peacefully sleeping princess on the forehead.
It was night when Mercury woke to see Universe smiling down at her. They then got dressed and after Universe had extinguished the fire with her power of ice they set off for the Palace, a little closer to each other.
Universe and Jupiter Clash
Princess Mercury rose quickly to her feet as her eyes widened in delight. She had been sitting on the floor of the balcony waiting for Universe as she looked up at the starry heavens and her attention been suddenly captured by a movement in the sky.
A streak of sparkling light shooting between the stars, lighting up the dark sky with its brilliant glow of a thousand burning stars.
A shooting star.
"So pretty...!" Mercury exclaimed joyfully as the star passed overhead and lit up the sky in a heavenly aura.
Then without warning something was cupped over her eyes plunging her world into darkness. Somebody had covered her eyes with their hands.
Mercury gasped.
This person leaned over Mercury's shoulder and whispered into her ear so quietly that nobody else who may have been on the balcony would have heard her voice. "Guess who."
"Universe?" Mercury stammered as her heart beat a little quicker.
"Tsk, no fair! You peeked." Universe scolded as she leaned further and kissed Mercury's forehead.
As Universe removed her hands and stepped back Mercury turned around so that she was facing her.
Universe had her mane of hair tied in a piece of blue ribbon so that the purple river seemed to sprout from the back of her head. How unusual... Mercury had never seen Universe with a ribbon in her hair - She had never added an accessory to her clothing before so Mercury was quite surprised to see the ribbon tying Universe's hair in a ponytail.
Universe realised that it was the ribbon that had caught Mercury's fascination and she laughed affectionately.
Startled Mercury looked back at her face as a little pink crept into her cheeks.
"Like it?" Universe asked brightly giving the ponytail a toss and flipping over her shoulder to rest on her collarbone.
"It looks nice." Mercury smiled. "Where did you get it?"
"I asked Katarina to find me one and she was happy to help." Universe said as they walked over to the edge of the balcony and put their arms folded upon the stone ridge. "Did I keep you waiting too long Mercury?"
"Not really." Mercury reassured her with a shrug of her shoulders as she looked back up into the eternal night hoping for another glimpse of the shooting star. "So why did you ask me to come here Universe?"
"Does there have to be a reason? Couldn't I have just called you because I wanted to spend a little time with you?" Universe retorted with a little laugh.
Mercury gave a little wriggle. "I suppose." she murmured as she began to count the stars.
Although it was a little overwhelming Mercury had to admit that she quite liked the special attention Universe gave her. As they had come here to be alone with each other so many times this balcony had become their 'special place'.
"But actually there is something." Universe declared taking her hands from the ridge. "I've got something for you Mercury."
"For me?" Mercury looked at her in surprise.
"Yeah."
"Oh you shouldn't have. I..."
"Never mind that." Universe grinned as she dipped into her pocket. "Hold out your hand Mercury!"
Mercury gave in and held out her hand with palm facing upward.
"No, other way up." Universe corrected her.
Mercury stared at her, perplexed.
"Just do it." Universe told her. "Honest, you'll understand in a minute."
Obediently Mercury turned her hand over so that the back of her hand faced up this time.
"Now close your eyes." Universe instructed her.
"What?" Mercury was becoming more and more baffled.
"Don't ask questions. You really ought to trust me more you know."
"I'm sorry."
"S'all right."
Slowly Mercury closed her eyes and it was dark again. As she waited she felt Universe take her out held hand in her own and draw it up. Something warm and pleasant pressed against the skin of Mercury's hand and sent a warmth through her that was nothing to do with embarrassment.
Universe had kissed her hand. Mercury was so surprised and mildly shocked that she didn't open her eyes. Her hand, still tingling was turned over by the other hand and something soft was placed in her delicate palm.
"You can open your eyes now Mercury." Universe whispered into her ear.
Mercury opened her eyes sharply. She was startled since she hadn't realised how close Universe had been to her.
The first thing that she saw was the small blue rose that rested in her hand. The petals were light blue matching her dress. Her favourite colour. Mercury's gazed wandered up to Universe's face.
Universe had been hanging on carefully waiting for Mercury's reaction. "I took a seedling from the Royal Garden and grew it especially for you Mercury." she told her softly. "It's just for you. Don't you like it?"
"It's...lovely. Beautiful." Mercury breathed in a trembly voice. "Wait a minute...you mean to say...you spent days caring for the seedling and nurturing it...for me?"
Universe smiled and nodded - her eyes sparkled warmly.
"Oh Universe...!!!" Mercury gave a squeal of joy and lunged herself at the other Princess enveloping her in a tight hug. "Thank you! Thank you!" she cried, squeezing Universe tightly. "This is the best present I've ever had! I will keep it forever."
Universe gave a laugh and her voice was pure with happiness as she let Mercury hug her - She felt that she wasn't the only one who had given a gift.
Enjoying every precious second of it she soaked in the warmth of the Mercurian Princess's arms.
At last Mercury released her and studied the rose. "Where should I keep it?" she wondered aloud.
"Here let me!" Universe offered - she carefully took the rose from Mercury's hand and reaching out she very gently took a few strands of Mercury's blue hair between finger and thumb.
With the greatest care she wrapped the stem of the rose and the locks of hair together and then tucked the flower behind Mercury's ear.
Universe stood back as Mercury felt the rose just behind her ear. "All done! It looks great!" she smiled.
Mercury beamed as she stroked the delicate petals. "Universe?" she began suddenly.
"Yes?"
"When you kissed me a moment ago...what did you mean?"
Mercury's eyes were honest and truthful as she looked at Universe's face.
Universe cleared her throat - She had surprised herself when she had done that. "That was just as important as the rose Mercury." she said shyly. "See in some places when people want to make promises they kiss the hand of the person they're making the promise to."
"Promise?" Mercury repeated.
"Yeah. I made you a promise when I kissed your hand Mercury." she nodded.
"What was it?"
Universe just laughed affectionately. "One day I'll tell you." she told her simply as she patted Mercury's cheek.
"What?!!" Mercury exclaimed. "Oh please tell me! Please..."
"One day." Universe repeated. "Don't worry about it now Mercury. Please?"
Mercury sighed and let it go.
"Well what do we have here?" a voice demanded roughly startling both of them and causing them to look at the doorway.
Jupiter stood there staring at both of them and there was an unpleasant expression on her face. A strange mixture of disliking and jealousy.
Jupiter had noticed how much time Mercury had been spending with Universe recently and she felt a deep and bitter resentment that the Mercurian should so like the girl she herself disliked so much.
"Jupiter..." Mercury stammered not knowing what she should say.
"What are you doing hanging around with HER?" Jupiter snapped. "She can't do you any good."
Universe's eyes narrowed and darkened. Dammit... "You...DARE come here!!!!!!" she hissed like a cat.
Jupiter gave her a scornful look and then looked back at Mercury - she had heard Mercury's shriek and had come to see what had happened...and she had found her with Universe. "Come on." she snapped.
Mercury stood where she was. "No." She said quietly. "Universe is my friend Jupiter and you just have to accept it. I don't know why you always treat her so badly but you can't expect me to stay away from her just to please you. I'm staying here."
Jupiter glared at her in amazed anger and disbelief - she had not actually expected the normally submissive and quiet Mercury to stand firm like this. Just another bad thing that had rubbed off on her from hanging around with Universe she told herself angrily. Deep down though Jupiter realised that actually she was really angry because Mercury liked the girl she disliked so much.
"That's right!" Universe snapped stepping forward as her eyes burned angrily. "She can be friends with whoever the hell she wants! Who do you think you are coming here and interrupting us?"
"And you're so well known for your polished manners and charming elegance aren't you?" Jupiter scoffed at her.
"Like I give a damn about what a stuck-up heifer like you thinks about me anyway!" Universe snapped.
Jupiter laughed mockingly. "You see? You can't even take a little crack without resorting to your foul mouth! And let me tell you I'm not the only one who thinks it either. Luna..."
"Luna can drop dead for all I care!" Universe interrupted crushingly. "And what's more you can as well! You've made yourself completely obnoxious to me ever since I've been here..."
"Well nobody's forcing you to stay." Jupiter retorted meaningfully.
Universe narrowed her eyes and now the look in them was unpleasantly close to hatred that Mercury was quite frightened as she looked into them.
This was like a horrible dream to the blue haired Princess...
"Oh you'd like that wouldn't you? Well forget it. I'm going nowhere." Universe said in a voice that was so quiet it sent a shiver down Mercury's spine. "Get the hell out of here Jupiter."
Jupiter narrowed her eyes back. "Why not try and make me?" she said coldly.
"Get out of here." Universe repeated. "NOW."
The danger signs were all there... Mercury realized. The narrowed eyes... The cold relentless stare... The tensed muscles in her arms... The nearly silent whisper...
Mercury was dreadfully frightened as Universe glowered at Jupiter so intensely.
"That's all you can do? Threaten me?" Jupiter said with a derisive laugh. "What's the matter Universe? Finally found someone you can't intimidate? Met your match at last have you?"
Universe made no response but inside she laughed harshly. Jupiter had no idea who she was facing. Universe had almost all of her years in this world struggling to survive and although Jupiter was strong she was willing to bet that she hadn't seen a quarter of the action she had.
But Jupiter should not have pushed her luck.
Mercury could see the anger gathering in Universe's eyes like black storm clouds at the shore of a rocky cove at midnight. Jupiter assumed that Universe's silence was because she had struck a nerve and so she pushed what she thought was her advantage.
"You think that you're so tough! You think you're strong because you used to hack up scared little lizards and mice? Well guess what Universe!" Jupiter spat as she leaned closer. "You don't scare me and do you know why? Because you're nothing but a coward and if you don't like that what are you gonna do about it?"
WHACK!!!!
Jupiter staggered back as she clutched the side of her face with her hand and she slammed back heavily against the wall cracking her head against the stone as she fell.
For several minutes Jupiter could hardly think as she lay back and rubbed her cheek in stunned shock. She could hardly believe what had just happened. Jupiter hadn't seen it coming. Universe had punched her! Actually punched her! Not a slap but a blow!
Jupiter could hardly think clearly such was her shock...but it soon passed and then her rage ignited within her like a match dropped into the middle of a pile of dry sticks.
With a snarl of furious anger she clenched her hand against her cheek as she raised her other hand, pulled it back, rolled her fingers into a tight ball and took a swing at Universe.
Universe had hardly thought at all when she had punched Jupiter. It had been impossible for her to let her get away with her taunts because if she had done nothing then Jupiter would have been right. Universe would have felt like a coward and that couldn't ever happen. As Jupiter threw the punch at her head Universe quickly ducked with a cool and grace and the fist passed harmlessly over her head.
Mercury looked on in speechless dismay...
Universe laughed mockingly at Jupiter as the tall girl flailed unsteadily since she had not expected her punch to miss. "Not that time! Try again eh?"
Jupiter's face became an even deeper shade of furious red as she reacted to the taunt and lunged at the purple haired girl taking another swing at her. However Universe had been watching her movements carefully and to Jupiter's chagrin she smoothly lowered her head and the punch missed her.
"So close!" Universe teased. "Care to try your luck again?"
"SHUT...YOUR...MOUTH!!!" Jupiter roared beside herself with anger.
Mercury was terrified as Jupiter lunged for Universe again. "Please stop! Don't!" she pleaded as she clasped her hands so tightly that they turned white.
But Jupiter's rage was so intense that it drove Mercury's voice away from her ears and Universe was so focused on the struggle that she didn't notice her...
Universe decided that it was time for her to strike - with the swiftness of a serpent in the dark she slid down, avoiding Jupiter's next punch by an inch and darted forward beneath her arm...
Jupiter gave a gasp as somehow Universe's hands found their way around her throat! Universe squeezed as Jupiter shoved at her and then struck her in the face. Universe grunted but she took it and held her grip firm.
Mercury's eyes were filled with tears as she watched and sobbed quietly - she couldn't bear to watch them hurting each other like this and she closed her eyes desperately trying to block it out.
Jupiter was still unable to break Universe's grip and she realised all too clearly that the Star Raiders had not made her their leader for nothing. She punched Universe in the face again and yet the girl still took it without flinching and did not let go of her throat.
"Hey what are you two doing?!!" Charon shrieked. "Stop it!"
Charon had heard the raised voices and then Mercury shrieking and had come to see what had been happening. "You're going to kill each other! Stop it!" Charon cried grabbing Universe's arms and trying to drag her away from Jupiter to no avail.
"STOOOOOP IIIIIIIT!!!!!!!!"
Jupiter, Universe and Charon stopped completely still as if they had been frozen.
Jupiter ceased to grapple with the fingers around her throat, Universe stopped crushing Jupiter's windpipe and Charon who had been trying to separate two came to a halt.
Mercury was breathing deeply and shakily as she gazed at all of them intently. The blue haired Princess's hands were shaking as she pressed them to her chest to keep them still. Mercury's entire body trembled as tears were streaming down her face.
Seeing her like this brought Jupiter and Universe back to their senses.
Letting go of Jupiter's throat Universe went quickly back to Mercury - seeing what she had reduced the Mercurian to filled her with shame and made her feel so horrible that she felt like cutting her own throat. Only a few minutes ago Mercury had been so happy and radiant and now because of her she was crying.
Universe hated herself for that...how could she make Mercury cry? "Mercury!" she whispered. "Oh Mercury! I'm sorry! I'm so terribly sorry!"
Mercury closed her eyes, unable to say anything. Universe watched as the sparkling tears trickled out from beneath the eyelids of the Mercurian as she sobbed silently and she felt sick to her stomach.
"Come on." Universe told her simply as she took Mercury's hands in her own. "Come with me. I'll take you away from here..."
Just before they walked through the doorway into the corridor beyond Universe gave Jupiter a sideways glance from the corner of her eye as she passed the brown-haired girl. 'I'll see you in hell.' The hot words trembled at her lips and she'd have felt better for at least a couple of minute if she'd said them…but she didn't.
Somehow she felt that her own feelings weren't as important as Mercury's right now and so without a final parting-shot she led her friend away from the balcony leaving Jupiter feeling ashamed and angry as Charon gazed at her in a subdued way, feeling distraught at having just watched two of her friends hurting each other…
~*~*~
Katarina watched surprised as Universe led Mercury into the courtyard. Universe had her arm around Mercury's waist and held both of the blue haired Princess's hands clasped together in her own. Mercury had her eyes closed and her face was stained with tears as Universe towed her over to the fountain.
"What's wrong with her?" Katarina exclaimed as she jumped up to her feet.
"Nothing. She's alright." Universe replied as she sat Mercury down on the edge of the fountain.
The servant girl noticed that Universe's face was flushed and that she now had a dark bruise on her right cheek. That had not been there when Universe had come to her an hour ago and asked her if she could find a ribbon for her. Katarina had giggled and slyly asked if there was a certain someone who Universe wanted to make a good impression on. Much to Katarina's amazement the purple haired Princess had not told her to mind her own business but instead she had laughed and replied "Something like that."
"You've been fighting!" Katarina exclaimed as her eyes widened.
"Kat! Could you kind of go and get something for her face?" Universe snapped loudly.
Katarina took the hint and immediately she scurried off to fetch a towel.
Alone with Mercury Universe dropped down by her side at the edge of the water. "Mercury..." she whispered reaching over and stroking the blue haired girls forehead.
"Universe..." Mercury whispered opening her eyes again and turning to look at her.
"Are you okay?" Universe asked her gently.
"I...I'm fine. Don't worry about me."
"I can't help it. Mercury...I'm so sorry."
"I know you are." Mercury sighed. "It wasn't your fault. Jupiter shouldn't have said all of that to you."
"But it WAS my fault!" Universe exclaimed. "I should have controlled myself for your sake. But I let go anyway. I let her get to me." she shook her head miserably. "Why do you put up with me?"
"You know why." Mercury replied simply. "Don't feel bad Universe. It's okay. Really it is."
"I promise you Mercury I won't ever do it again." Universe said sincerely glad, that she was forgiven.
"You won't?" Mercury's gaze dropped to the ground as she seemed to think about something.
"I give you my word."
"Then will you do something else for me as well?" Mercury asked suddenly.
"Anything. I'd do anything for you!"
"Then make it up with Jupiter." the Mercurian said quietly as she looked back into her eyes.
"What?!!" Universe was disbelieving, quite taken by storm at this and spluttered, "But she...I...!!!"
After what had happened trying to patch it up with Jupiter was unthinkable!
"Please!" Mercury pleaded. "She's a good person although you haven't had a chance to see it yet. Please Universe promise me that you'll do it."
Universe's sigh said more than words ever could. It was against the grain but if Mercury wanted her to do it then she had no choice.
"Okay." Universe replied as she took Mercury's hand in her own and kissed it just as she had done earlier, then laid it down on the girl's lap with her other hand and leaned over and kissed her forehead. "I promise."
There were footsteps and Universe looked up to see that Katarina had returned with a towel to clean Mercury's face.
"Oh. You." Universe said actually pleased to see her right now.
"Is she all right?" Katarina asked concerned.
"Yeah. Look could you do something for me?"
"Of course." Katarina was always ready to do things for Universe out of gratitude for the purple-haired princess for not telling Queen Serenity about what she had said about her daughter when they had first met.
"Could you stay with her while I go somewhere? There's something I have to do."
~*~*~
"Hey there."
"What..." Jupiter leapt to her feet as she heard that unwelcome voice greeting her. The tall Princess whirled around glaring to see Universe standing a short way off looking at her with an uncertain look in her eyes.
There was on an awkward expression on Universe's face as she stood there, as if she wanted to say something but had no idea how to get on with it.
However Jupiter was in no mood to notice this. "YOU...!!!" she snarled as he furious temper which had been crackling for the past hour flared up at once at the sight of Universe - Jupiter could still feel the burning of her cheek and her muscles tensed as she narrowed her eyes. "What do you want here?!! If you want to have another go you don't have to ask me twice!!" she spat viciously.
Universe felt her heart sink as she stared - she hadn't had a lot of hope that this would go well but to please Mercury she had really hoped that it would. "I haven't come looking for a fight Jupiter." she said evenly.
"Then what do you want?" Jupiter growled.
Universe took a deep breath as she prepared to do what went totally against her grain. "I've come here to tell you I'm sorry." she said quickly.
There was a long silence as Jupiter stared at her completely taken aback. After the fight she had stormed off in a savage temper leaving Charon on the balcony. Her temper had not been improved by the knowledge that the others thought that she had been in the wrong. Her bitterness had been so deep that she had been ready to fly off the handle if anyone had said a single word to her out of place and knowing this everyone she had come across had stayed tactfully out of her way.
Seeing Universe again so soon after the fight she had nearly lashed out at her but instead she was baffled...
"What?" Jupiter felt her anger fade and vanish on spot as she stared uncomprehendingly at the other girl. "What are you up to?" she demanded suspiciously.
Universe looked at her and then did her best. "We can't fight over Mercury's affection like she's some kind of prize…she deserves better than to have to put up with that."
"That's easily taken care of…just stay away from her." Jupiter retorted grimly. "The only thing she deserves better than is having to put up with YOU Universe."
Universe gave a heavy sigh - she had known that Jupiter was going to be hard work. "Listen to me Jupiter." she began calmly. "I know that I've been trying to keep everyone away at arms length since I came here. I know that. But it was only because I was afraid that if anyone of you got to know me then you wouldn't want to be around me. But things are different now. I know now that I was wrong to act the way I did and I'm really sorry that I treated you and the others so badly." Universe's voice was sincere as she spoke. "I wish that it hadn't happened and I'd really like to be your friend Jupiter. We'd all like that."
As she spoke Universe offered Jupiter her hand.
Jupiter gazed at her, the wind completely taken out of her sails - Her bitter wrath had gone as she had listened to all of this.
Jupiter's eyes slowly softened. After all what had Universe ever really done to her other than react to her in the only way she could have done in the circumstances?
Universe's words had touched Jupiter's heart and in that moment she felt an urge to accept her hand and let go of what had happened between them. But then she felt the burning of the side of her face again and her eyes narrowed.
No. Too little too late, she thought angrily.
"You honestly expect me to believe all that?" Jupiter snapped as she slapped Universe's hand away with her own.
Universe actually winced as if she had been struck by a blow and she stared at Jupiter in sheer disbelief - she opened her mouth but no words came out. There was a look of hurt in her eyes.
Jupiter was glowering at her once more as she floundered in vain for something to say. "Do you really expect me to believe you after the way you've been acting?" she snapped. "Well forget it! Do you think you can fool me just like you have everyone else? I don't think so!"
Universe's hurt expression passed and her face set. So this was it. She had come here and humbled herself to do something she had never done in her life - apologise to somebody - and this was what she had received in return. "What do you mean Jupiter?" she asked in a low voice.
"Do you really want to know?"
"Yeah." Universe nodded. "Go right ahead."
"Well since you asked me, here you go." Jupiter's eyes were accusing as she stared at the purple haired princess. "To be honest I wish you'd never come here. Queen Serenity thinks that there's good somewhere in you. She's not often wrong but in this case she is. You were never one of us Universe. You're a killer."
Universe winced again. In her minds eye she saw all over again Vaura's limp and lifeless body lying in the waving grass.
No! She whispered the denial silently in her mind and her voice was desperate.
"I don't know why the Queen thinks that you're a good person. You only saved her life on Min because you enjoy all the killing! You're a Star Raider. Why try to pretend that you're anything else?" Jupiter continued unaware of the pain she was causing Universe. "All you've ever been is a cold-blooded fighter and don't you try to tell me any differently."
No! Universe repeated the word silently, desperately struggling to remain sane in the face of Jupiter's words and her inner voice was agonized and hopeless.
"Do you really think that Jupiter?" she asked quietly.
"You can bet your life that I do! In fact I don't only think it but I know that it's the truth!" the Princess of Jupiter gave a scornful laugh as a new taunt flitted through her mind. "Oh I'm sorry! 'Universe'? Is that even your real name? I'd be amazed! Come to think of it do you actually have a name at all?"
NOOOOOO!!!!!! Universe's whole mind wailed trying to deny Jupiter's accusation.
Her entire body screamed with the need to lash out at her again but her hands stayed where they were. As she considered striking Jupiter again she saw Mercury's eyes sparkling with tears.
Universe had meant what she had said to Mercury in the courtyard and she intended to keep that promise even if it meant letting Jupiter get away with saying anything she wanted about her. Her desperation to please Mercury made it impossible for her to fight Jupiter again.
"Nothing to say?" Jupiter asked sarcastically.
Universe just gave her a look. This time there was something in her eyes that Jupiter had never seen before.
It alarmed her.
"Nothing." Universe said coldly. "You must have a twisted mind to think like that Jupiter. You'll never get an offer of friendship from me again. But I'll tell you something else. I was lying to you when I said that I wanted us to be friends. The only reason I even came here was because Mercury asked me to. She's way more beautiful inside than you'll ever be and I'd slit my throat if she told me to. That's how excellent she's been to me while you've been giving me the evil eye Jupiter! Would she have even looked at me if I were anything like what you just described me as?"
Jupiter's mouth had fallen open - nobody had ever talked like this to her before.
"Mercury's weak." Jupiter blustered as she tried to stand her ground. "I bet that you push her around like a bully and make her do whatever you want!"
"I think…" Universe replied in an icily cold voice as she looked back at her with contempt written all over her face. "…that there's way more to Mercury than you realise and that maybe one day when she's been pushed too far her kind nature'll snap and she'll surprise the hell out of all of you."
Jupiter was breath-taken by this and found herself floundering for a reply to the purple-haired girls cutting retort.
"Don't even bother to answer that Jupiter! I've said everything that I needed to say to you. Now I'm going back to Mercury and I'm going to have to disappoint her by telling her it's useless." Universe's voice was bitter. "All she wants is for us all to be friends but because you've got to keep up your 'heartless bitch' image at any cost it'll never happen. But you'll get your wish though. I'll never come anywhere near you again and all I ask is that you do the same for me. Stay away from me after this Jupiter."
With that she turned her back on Jupiter and walked away never once looking back.
Left alone again Jupiter could only stare after her and think about all that she had said...
Was Universe right? Had she really been as cold and cruel as she had described? Was it really her fault that Mercury had been reduced to tears a short while ago?
For the first time in her life Jupiter felt utterly ashamed of herself...
~*~*~
There a bitter taste in her mouth as she stormed out into the courtyard fuming…it was acrid but not quite like acid.
It was the bitter taste of failure.
Universe's face was dark, grim and rigid as she stalked through the archway - she had known that it would be useless to attempt making peace with Jupiter but she'd really hoped that it would work. Not for her own sake since as far as she herself was concerned she was glad that Jupiter had refused to make it up with her although she still fumed at herself for apologising to her.
It was the knowledge that she had not been able to keep her promise to Mercury that stung her. For what must have been the hundredth time that night Universe cursed Jupiter with all her heart. Because of her unforgiving nature Universe had, had to let her friend down...what was she going to tell Mercury?
Universe gave a weary sigh as she braced herself and walked back around the corner and arrived in the area she had left Mercury - but as she arrived she realised that Mercury was no longer in the courtyard.
Instead Katarina sat on her own at the edge of the fountain where Mercury had been sitting the last time Universe had been here. The servant girl looked up as Universe walked straight up to her.
"Where'd she go?" Universe asked abruptly, cutting straight to the point.
"Princess Mercury said that she was feeling woozy and asked me to tell you that she was going to bed." Katarina reported. "She also asked to tell you that she will see you in the morning."
Universe's heart sank - all she wanted to do was get this over with as quickly as possible but now she was going to have to stew about it until the next day.
Before she knew it though a strong urge filled her with a desire that she just couldn't resist. "Hey Katarina…where's Mercury's bedroom?" she asked suddenly.
Katarina blinked at her, surprised by the question. "Why ever do you want to know that?" she asked.
"I wanna go there." Universe elaborated briefly. "Where is it?"
"But why?" Katarina persisted. "Princess Mercury is sure to be asleep by now after the state she was in earlier."
"Yeah I know." Universe smiled bleakly. "It's been a pretty intense night for us both."
"What exactly happened?" the servant girl decided to risk asking.
To her astonishment Universe did not respond by furiously snarling at her to mind her own business. "Well I'll give you a hint…" Universe began as she turned away. "…a few things have been put in their proper perspective tonight. Last chance…where is Mercury's room?"
"Up the stairs in the main hall, then five doors along to the right. You will find her bedroom at the top of a flight of stairs. But why…"
"KAT!!" Universe exclaimed exasperated at last. "Does there need to be a reason for EVERYTHING?!! Why can't I just want to go to Mercury's bedroom in the middle of the night on a mad impulse? Go on live a little! Surprise yourself!"
Without even bothering to wait for a reply Universe strode off in the direction of the large pair of wooden doors on the other side of the courtyard. Following Katarina's directions she headed up the stairway and walked along the corridor.
Eventually she found herself at the top of another slight of stairs standing in front of a crème-white door - and here she hesitated just as her hand came to a stop just as she was about to knock...what was she doing here?
All she'd wanted to do was come to Mercury's room but now that she stood right outside she wondered why she'd wanted to come here so badly.
Mercury would definitely be asleep by now…
Universe decided that she wouldn't go into the bedroom but before she knew it her hand was on the door-handle and she slowly turned it around. She wanted to see what Mercury's room looked like…
Universe made herself a very stern promise that she wouldn't go into the room - she would look inside and then close the door and go away again. Universe carefully pushed the door open so that it would not creak and peered into the room beyond. The first thing she realised was that the colour blue was very prominent in Mercury's room.
Everything from the walls right down to the carpet and the covers of the bed was a shade of blue and the effect was very curious and soothing.
Universe's attention was very quickly drawn towards the bed. The blanket was made of silk and was light blue - the graceful colour of a summer morning sky. Her eyes slowly travelled up the blanket and on the pillows she saw the back of someone's head.
The blue-haired person in the bed was sleeping on her side.
Universe was captivated…Mercury had probably fallen asleep moments after she had lain her head on the pillow after slipping beneath the blankets. Universe noticed that her dress was folded over a chair and she found herself wondering what Mercury's nightgown was liked…she was sure that it was violet-blue and silky.
Herself she slept naked but then she digressed.
Mercury's sleep was deep and contented. Universe couldn't blame her, it had been a long night and far too much had happened.
The purple-haired girl was fascinated as she watched the blankets slowly rising and then sinking again as Mercury breathed contentedly.
Universe wished that she could go over to the bed and look at her face, she wondered what the blue-haired princess was dreaming about and she became fascinated by this compelling question.
Whatever it is you're sure sleeping happily, Universe thought as she gazed at the sleeping girl, I wish I had dreams like yours…
Suddenly she felt a fierce desire to walk right into the room, wake Mercury up and tell her the truth that only she in the entire universe knew…tell Mercury that she loved her.
But her feet remained firmly planted on the floor outside the door. It would be selfish of her, she told herself, to interrupt Mercury's dreams just to tell her something that could wait until morning.
Universe told herself that she could tell her any time she wanted - both of them had all the time in the world…
But not yet. Universe gave a wistful sigh as she wondered how she would tell her best friend that she was in love with her.
Not yet…
Universe turned her eyes to look at the sleeping princess one last time before she left. Good night Mercury, she thought lovingly as she cupped her hand to her lips and blew her friend a kiss before she carefully and gently closed the door and set off for the top of the stairway and a good nights sleep of her own.
~*~*~
The morning after…
As Mercury closed her eyes and soaked in the cool and crisp air as she allowed herself a sigh of pleasure. The lake was calm and clear that day and she felt herself give a shiver of anticipation.
To get here she always had to walk quite a long way into the depths of the palace gardens but the tantalisingly cool and refreshing cool air made the time spent squeezing through hedges well worth the trouble.
The deep pool of crystal clear water was a secret within the gardens known only to Queen Serenity and herself who the ruler of the Moon Kingdom had decided to share the knowledge of this wonderful place with. She had done so precisely three days after the Mercurian had first arrived and become a part of her Royal Court - even though she had become friends with the Moon Princess almost immediately she had been a fish out of water in every sense of the phrase.
Queen Serenity's keen and knowing eyes had seen that she had missed the cool depths of the ocean of her homeworld and had felt guilt for having caused the girl such discomfort by taking her away from it - in order to make up for it in some small way she had gifted her with the secret of the beautiful pool which had made the Princess just a little more at home while she lived in the Moon Kingdom.
Mercury smiled nostalgically as she remembered the first sight of the beautiful and calm surface of the crystalline water and the joy that she had felt in that single moment - it had been then that she had truly stopped feeling homesick and started to feel happy even though she had left Mercury.
The crystal clear water looked just as extremely tempting as always as it glistened in the light of the stars. Mercury cast a wary glance around the area - she didn't know why she bothered since she was the only person who ever visited the pool these days but still, the thought of a servant wandering along accidentally made her blush to the tips of her ears - and after seeing nobody nearby she undid the hooks at the back of her dress and slipped out of it, draping it over a round stone nearby, taking off her slippers and leaving them at the foot of the stone.
The Mercurian proceeded to step carefully into the lake up to her ankles. The initial shock made her shiver but after that it felt fantastic. The redness that had filled Mercury's cheeks faded away as she walked further and further deeper into the water enjoying every thrill and tingle the ice-cold water sent through her body.
Just like her home planet - Mercury.
Closing her eyes she sighed blissfully as she neared the middle of the lake. Her mind was so calm and peaceful that she barely noticed when a pair of arms wrapped around her chest from behind her and something began to rub softly and gently against her neck. She could hear someone breathing softly behind her.
Slowly, almost ponderously, the blue-haired princess opened her eyes and ever so slowly turned her gaze to one side to glimpse the other person in the lake with her.
Universe met her gaze almost casually as she necked with her.
Mercury hardly noticed that Universe had removed her own dress. "Universe..." she murmured, her embarrassment over nakedness unnoticed in her shocked frame of mind.
"Shh." Universe whispered into her ear as quietly as a fleeting evening wind. "Don't say anything."
It was strange but in Universe's arms Mercury felt so relaxed...
"How…how did you find this place?"
Universe didn't answer straight away, instead she held the Mercurian in calm and thoughtful silence - then she smiled warmly and whispered into her ear, "I didn't."
"Then…?"
"…I found YOU."
Mercury felt a tingling in her body that was not because of the water which they were standing up to their waists in.
"How long have you been here?" Mercury managed after a lengthy pause.
Universe rubbed her neck against the Mercurians before replying. "Long enough to see you." she responded before going back to necking with Mercury.
"What are you doing?" Mercury asked in a voice that was extremely relaxed and low - she felt strangely happy as Universe's skin caressed her own.
It felt sort of...nice. Mercury lay back in Universe's arms as her eyelids drooped and she relaxed.
"Do you really need to know right now?" Universe whispered into her ear softly.
"Yes." Mercury murmured in a voice that sounded as though she were dreaming.
The blue-haired girl was wondering about something - she felt sure that there was something amiss about Universe. Other than the fact that she was naked of course…
"You'll understand soon." Universe told her as she moved her neck slowly up and down once more.
"Mmm?" Mercury murmured, lulled by the warmth of the other girl - She decided just to enjoy the moment and worry about it later.
~*~*~
"Sorry…"
"I suppose that I really should not have hoped that she might allow herself to listen to you so soon after your fight. But in time maybe…"
"Ha! Yeah right…"
"…IN TIME I feel sure that she will allow bygones to be bygones for the sake of her friends. Just as I told you last night Universe, Jupiter isn't the ogre that you think she is…she's one of the nicest people I know and that is saying a great deal considering that I live in the most wonderful Kingdom in the universe."
"Oh Mercury?"
"Yes?"
"If I were to kill Jupiter would you be prepared to swear that I was with you all night?"
"Mmm? What did you say?"
"Erm…I said 'would you like some milk'?"
"Shouldn't we get dressed now?" Mercury inquired as she and Universe walked out of the lake and padded over to a nearby log, wearing nothing but their skins.
Universe made a grimace as she dropped down beside Mercury on the log, her wet hair clinging to her back like a purple fishtail. "Nah!" she replied as she crossed her leg over the other. "I can't stand putting on dry clothes over wet skin."
"But I'm cold." Mercury shivered.
"Oh my heart bleeds!" Universe said indicating her own wet skin with a wave of her hand but her voice was good-natured since she was glad that Mercury wasn't as bitterly disappointed by the news of her failure to make up with Jupiter as she'd been fearing.
"Can't you do something about a fire?" Mecury asked suddenly.
Universe realized what she meant immediately and a strange almost hesitant look appeared on her face.
Mercury understood. "It's okay Universe. You're with us now. You don't have to hide your power anymore." she reassured her - Queen Serenity had once mentioned to her during a conversation in which Mercury had casually wondered about Universe's power, that Universe had attempted to keep her powers secret from the other Star Raiders in fear that she would be thrown out of the group if they discovered.
Mercury could not imagine what it was like to live in such fear and she could not understand how Universe had been able to live with it.
"...okay." Universe sighed as almost absently pointed at a bunch of dry twigs that lay gathered together on the earth a little way off. She closed her eyes and focused her inner energies. "Hell Fire." she muttered quietly, not wanting to overdo it.
A tiny crackling spark danced from the tip of her finger and drifted over to land on the twigs. As soon as it touched the dry wood the spark burst into flames and turned the twigs into a merrily blazing medium sized fire.
Mercury shivered in relief at the new heat. She had watched Universe lighting the fire in fascination. "That was impressive!" she complimented. "You can also use ice and lightning- based powers cant you?"
Universe gave a nod. "Yep. And keep this under your hat but I think that I might be able to use psychic abilities like telepathy as well. I didn't actually get to thinking about the possibility that I could though until I heard Charon speaking to Mars through her mind a few days ago."
Mercury looked up at her quickly. "You and Charon must have much in common then." she noted with a peculiar catch in her voice.
"A little I guess." Universe remarked as she swapped the positions of her legs so that the one she had folded over the other was the one that was on top. "But I think that I have more of an affinity with you Mercury."
Mercury looked stunned. "We do?" she stammered.
"Sure. Take yourself for example." Universe turned to fix Mercury with her smoldering eyes seeming to burn with brown fire in the light of the flames as she spoke. "You're the most quiet person that I've ever met. You know enough to fill whole books. But instead of saying all of that you concentrate on being kind and a good friend and that's the reason everything you say is so sweet."
Mercury felt her cheeks go pink but actually she was pleased that Universe had said this of her. "You're right." she remarked. "And you Universe...you say a lot but don't mean so much as your words. You're simple but only in that you're uncomplicated and that's what makes you so special. You only say what you're feeling and that's why you're so special."
"Exactly!" Universe beamed. "You've got it Mercury!"
"But I still don't understand." Mercury was puzzled. "Why does that give us affinity?"
Universe swapped the positions of her leg again - Mercury realised that whenever she did this, her own eyes followed the movement of her legs. She wondered why that was...
"It doesn't. The bond we share is that we both like each other despite the fact that we're a hell of a lot different." Universe explained.
It was perfectly true. Mercury had to admit that it was perfectly true.
"Universe…there's something that I would like to ask you." she suddenly asked a little timidly yet her eyes were now intent as she gazed at the other Princess's face as if she wanted to catch her reaction to the question that now hovered at the very brink of her tongue. "Will you be honest with me if I do?"
"Sure." Universe nodded feeling surprised by the suddenly earnest look on her younger friends face. "Ask away…I'll let you know anything that I can tell you. But hey I gotta warn ya…I don't know all that much really Mercury."
Mercury smiled for a moment as she felt honoured and then her expression became all seriousness. "Have you ever wondered whether there is anybody like yourself in all the world or whether you were just different from absolutely everybody else who knows you?"
Universe started - she was sure that there had been another strange catching in Mercury's voice as she'd said that and faced with the questions he floundered. "Well…" she stammered, "I did run into this girl who was just like me when the Raiders and I spent the night at an inn on Mars about a year ago."
Mercury gazed at her as she waited for details. "Yes?" she prompted the suddenly quiet Universe interestedly. "You were saying that she was similar to you."
"No Mercury…I was saying that she was just like me in every little detail." Universe explained softly as she averted her eyes and blushed at the memory although the glow of the fire hid this. "Ya see…I knew because she was naked."
Mercury gave a startled jump and her face flamed - not just because of what Universe had said because it had suddenly reminded her of their presents states which she had somehow managed to slip from her mind. "Wh-what?!!" she spluttered disbelievingly. "Why? Who was she?"
Universe grinned ruefully and told her. "Me." She admitted and as Mercury gawped she added, "I was standing drunk in front of a full-length mirror in the bedroom of the woman who owned the inn… man she didn't take crap from ANY the guys." she whistled as she remembered her.
Mercury stared at her as if she'd just witnessed the skies falling down on a wretched land and then her indignation conquered her shock. "UNIVERSE!" she exclaimed huffing as her annoyance conquered her flabbergasted surprise. "I'm trying to ask you a serious question!"
Universe laughed sheepishly. "Ha, ha…yeah, you're right! Sorry!"
Mercury stared at her friend who was so unspeakably unusual and then sighed defeatedly. "Oh never mind…"
Universe laughed quietly but she actually felt kind of guilty - Mercury had tried to get her to open up and she had refused to let her in. She felt bad for resisting her friends attempt to help her but she was also relieved that Mercury had given up because there were just certain parts about herself that she just didn't want to deal with…even with her beloved Mercury.
Mercury was quiet for a long while - she was thinking about things, about herself and her friend. Universe is right…we are different from each other. She thought as she watched the purple-haired girl. But it's strange…I feel so close to her. When I look into her eyes I feel like I've met somebody who's just like me…not on the outside or in personality but deep down inside. "I'm tired." she murmured as she realised that her eyelids were drooping.
She was almost mesmerised by the warmth of the fire and she and Universe were now both completely dry. "Sleep then." Universe told her. "Lay your head in my lap."
Unquestioningly Mercury lay back on the log, resting her head in Universe's lap. Now that she was looking up at Universe the blue-haired girls eyes widened. "That's it!" she remarked in mild surprise as she finally put her finger on what had been bothering her about her friend when she'd first seen her that morning.
"What is?"
"Your eye! It isn't bruised any longer!" Mercury said wonderingly.
It was true - the dark blue area around Universe's eye which Jupiter had struck the day before no longer looked discoloured.
Universe laughed. "Oh yes it is!" she replied ruefully as she reached up to her face and touched it with a wince.
"But…"
"It's make-up Mercury." Universe explained. "I had Katarina put it on me so that no-one will know about yesterday…well apart from Jupiter, Charon, Katarina, you and me…and since the're Charon's best friends, probably Mars and Venus as well soon anyway."
Mercury stared at her in amazed silence for a moment and the purple-haired girl growled angrily. "Well I don't want Queen Serenity to know that I've been fighting now do I?" she protested. "I'd never hear the end of it!"
Mercury suddenly giggled. "You know Universe…I've never seen you wearing make-up before today." She remarked. "You're just about the only girl I know who would use make-up for the first time in her life to hide the fact that she'd been fighting!"
Universe just sighed and said nothing.
A short while later Mercury felt her eyelids slowly drooping closed and this time they did not open again.
"Universe?" the Mercurian murmured just before she drifted into sleep.
"Yeah sweetie?"
"I'm glad you came to us. I truly am."
Mercury was silent as she slid away into a dream. Universe smiled and it was a deep shame that Mercury had not remained awake for a moment longer for in the light of the fire and wearing nothing but her skin the purple-haired princess was utterly beautiful.
"Not half as glad as me." Universe replied as she bent to kiss the peacefully sleeping princess on the forehead.
It was night when Mercury woke to see Universe smiling down at her. They then got dressed and after Universe had extinguished the fire with her power of ice they set off for the Palace, a little closer to each other.