Okay, Chapter two is a bit longer than chapter one, sorry about the strange anomaly. ~Saki
As with the previous disclaimer, I don't own Sailor Moon I really wish I did though……
Chapter two
Mischief
~By Saki Midnight
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A golden-silver haired teen stood before a mirror, drying her hair with a towel. As she looked into the reflection, she saw four other girls doing similar things. The only difference was, they were using magic to do it. One of them, with a petite face and jet-black long hair, was standing with her hand inches away from her hair, and steam was rising from the straight locks. She was smiling and chattering to a small girl. The small girl also held her hands up, but hers were resting on her bluish hair, and a mist wrapped around them. She shifted her position to see a tall brunette, off to one side, squeezing excess water from her own curls with a vine, and nodding over to a shorter blonde, who explained something whilst letting a beam of light shower down onto her head, effectively drying it. The young teenager listened absently to the conversation between the four.
"Minako," The raven girl was laughing. "I've not had that much fun in a while."
"Nor I." The small girl put in. "It makes a change from reading a book."
There was a strangely formal air between them all. The reason for it was that none of the children had ever met before today, save having one on one visits to the golden-silver haired girl's planet. Which meant that they all knew her, but did not know one another.
"I think that Artemis had a fair shock." Minako giggled, tying a red bow into her hair.
"Won't we be in trouble?" The brunette asked worriedly.
At this, the teen at the mirror glanced up.
"Well, yes, but, don't worry, I'll say it was my idea." She said calmly, knowing what trouble she would be in. "Then none of you shall be punished."
"But, Serenity. You will."
"And?" She responded to the statement flippantly. "I can handle it Mako-chan." She looked the brunette square in the eye. "Don't think I'm a coward."
"Makoto's right." Minako said coolly. "If you get into trouble, we all do. And I know that Rei will agree with me." She winked at the black haired girl, who sat down at that moment, and stretched, catlike.
"I do, completely. It wouldn't be fair if we didn't."
"I'm afraid, Serenity, that I'm with your friends on this one." The blue haired girl said quietly. "It wouldn't be right, and we're not cowards either."
"Ami!" Serenity cried indignantly. But by now, they had all united against her. She sighed exasperatedly and flopped onto her bed. "Oh well, I guess the only thing to do is to wait for them to come and punish us."
"Well, let's have some fun while we're waiting!" Minako shouted, and grabbed the nearest cushion, whacking Makoto over the head with it. "Pillow Fight!"
Each girl snatched a pillow up and they began to furiously whack one another, squealing and laughing. They ran around the room at top speed, avoiding and trying to hit each other. Makoto had the hardest hits, her pillow splitting after a few beatings. The others went sprawling as she tapped them, and soon feathers were flying. Ami danced under most of the attacks launched at herself, being lithe and quick, whilst Rei would quietly sneak up behind people, before giving them a firm thump on the back of the head. Minako used her ability to dodge and attack, getting a good few hits in. But Serenity had no training or speed, or tactics, and so, ended up under a mountain of pillows and covered in feathers. It was likewise for her bedroom. The squeals of delight came to an abrupt halt when she heard a voice at the door.
"What is going on in here!"
Serenity stood and faced the queen of the moon, before executing an almost perfect curtsey and rising, staring innocently into her face.
"I am sorry mother; we got a bit…carried away." She said looking down at her feet. She glanced up and her eyes widened. Serenity tossed away all royal formality and flung herself at the Solar Prince.
"Solandre! What are you doing here?" she demanded, throwing her arms around him. He picked her up, letting her wrap her little legs around his waist.
"Hello, little cousin!" He laughed. "I'm here to take part in the Alliance summit." He set her down.
"You!" She gasped incredulously, "You're taking part in the summit?"
"Yes, Your mother felt it was important that the Sun was recognised as part of the Alliance." He plucked a feather from her hair. "What have you been doing, Serena?"
She flushed red at the nickname and looked towards her friends, who were in turn, staring fearfully at their parents.
"A small mishap with one or two of my cushions. The stitching on them had seen better days." She said, with truth. The young prince smiled.
"Are you going to introduce me?" He asked softly.
"Oh, I beg pardon cousin. Meet my friends. Princess Minako of Venus, daughter of Enika and Devotion." She gestured to Minako who, at this, swept a curtsey, her blonde tresses falling forward as she did so. "Princess Makoto, daughter of Swift and Tomaki of Jupiter." Makoto managed to accomplish a short bob that could have been interpreted as a mimic of Minako. "Princess Ami, from Mercury, Alyssia and Lucid's young child." Ami stepped forward, executing a graceful but quick dip, her skirts brushing the floor. "and Princess Rei, daughter to Verve and Ariane, of Mars." Serenity watched as Rei faultlessly curtseyed deeply, but as she did so, the girl gazed straight into the Sun prince's face, showing no fear of him.
"Ladies," Solandre said seriously, with a small nod.
"Well, Verve, I think that it is good the girls are getting along." Selenity said. "They seem to have all made friends." She turned to her daughter. "Serenity, as my daughter and an ambassador to our planet, I feel that you have done well in forming friendships with these children." Her look became stern. "However, I want you to clean up this mess. I would be very unbecoming if one of my friends in housekeeping had to bear the shame of cleaning up your deliberate mess." She straightened up. "I don't expect to let anyone see it in this state."
"Yes, mama." Serenity replied clearly. "I will make sure that I tidy up my mess."
Her mother smiled.
"Good. Exactly how I want my daughter to behave. Having fun, but prepared to work after it." She smiled. "You now have my permission to ask your friends if they would like to help you."
Serenity's eyes lit up, knowing that if her mother hadn't said so, she would have had to send her friends away, and sorted out the mess by herself.
"Thank you mother." She spun to face her friends. "Would you mind keeping me company while I tidy up?" she phrased the sentence so that they weren't obliged to do any work, merely asked for their presence.
"I want to help!" Minako cried, dashing to her friend's side. "I like feathers!"
"I'll give you a hand too, you'll need it." Makoto said critically, eyeing the white covered room.
"I'm helping too." Ami agreed. "We all made the mess; we should all clean it up."
"There must be a million feathers in here." Rei stooped to pick up a few as she said this.
They began to tear around the room, seizing feathers and stuffing them back into the empty cotton cases. The adults exited, talking amongst themselves. Finally Solandre stepped outside, with a wink, and closed the heavy door firmly.
Serenity flopped down onto the floor with a sigh, sending a cloud of feathers into the air.
"This is hopeless. How am I going to find every single feather?" She called, looking around despondently.
"Easy." Makoto replied. "With a little bit of magic." She held her hands up to the sky. "Flower Storm!" She bellowed, and a wind whipped through the room, sending the feathers spiralling into the air. Minako made a net out of her stars and hearts, whilst Ami and Rei shot stray feathers into it with blasts of water and heated air. Soon every single feather lay in the glowing golden net.
"Oh, thank you!" Serenity threw her arms around all of them. "That could have taken hours."
A knock sounded at the door. Ami, Makoto, Minako and Rei immediately positioned themselves in front of the net, obscuring it from view, as Serenity opened the door. She stood stock still for a few seconds, before pulling a crimson eyed young woman, with green highlighted black hair, into a tight embrace. She was around seventeen, and quite a bit taller that everyone except Makoto.
"Setsuna!"
"Young princess. Well met." She returned the hug. "Serena, your mother requests you change for dinner. Princesses." She nodded gravely to them.
"Sets, guess who I met this morning?" Serenity chattered excitedly.
"Who?"
"Prince Solandre!" She squeaked. Setsuna's eyes widened.
"Really? What was his business here?"
"He's joining in at the summit meeting." Serenity answered.
"That's interesting…" Setsuna trailed off. "Anyway, make haste, dinner begins soon, and your mama will be upset if you're late."
"Yes, Sets." The young princess replied, nodding. She shut the door and leant against it. "Right, let's get rid of this, and get down to the dining hall."
They had put the feathers back into the pillow cases, and then left them outside the seamstress' quarters, with a friendly note telling her that she was welcome to them, if she could make a use of them. If not, to send them to be recycled, or destroyed. They dressed quickly, and headed down to the hall.
When they stepped into the room, they were assaulted by noise and smell. The huge chamber was filled with people from all walks of life, sitting, talking, and sharing food. Serenity's mother sat with her friends behind a table at one end, slightly elevated above the rest of the crowd. People hurried back and forth from the table. Serenity led the way through the table. While she was on her course, she picked up a platter from the side, and signalled for the others to do the same. She wove through the throng, stopping at intervals to chat with people, and offer some of the contents of her plate.
"Molly!" She shouted over the noise. A young redheaded girl turned around.
"Serena, how are you." She hugged her friend around the waist.
"This is Molliana." She said to the girls. "Molliana, this is Ami, Rei, Makoto and Minako."
Molliana stared. Then she came to herself and swooped downwards.
"Well met, princesses. Are you well?" She watched as they nodded in turn. Just then, Melvin came up, and proceeded to ask Molliana to join his family at a table. The two drifted away, and Serenity moved again.
They reached the table, and the girls were surprised to see royalty seated among farmers, fishers, tailors, shopkeepers. Serenity explained that it was customary for the queen to sit with her subjects, and that everyone should take a turn to serve food, including the queen and princess. Serenity circled the table, offering her titbits, before taking a seat between her mother and Solandre. Rei sat next to her mother and Ami, and Makoto and Minako sat together, to the left of Lady Luna and the right of Makoto's father. Serenity surveyed all of the heads at the table and jumped in shock as she noticed some of the other people at the table.
"Serena!" Kara, queen of Uranus smiled over to her.
"Aunt Kara, Uncle Skill! How are you?"
"We're fine. 'Ruka was sick on the way," This provoked a blush from their daughter. "But as soon as we touched down, she skipped off, right as rain."
Serenity laughed appreciatively.
"Hello 'Taru, I missed you!" she declared happily. The woman she addressed smiled back.
"I missed you too." She said. She tapped a teenager with aqua tinged curly hair beside her.
"Yes, Hotaru…." She turned, and gasped when she saw Serenity.
"Little Serena! You've grown."
"Hello Michiru, it's nice to see you too." She giggled. Setsuna caught her eye and smiled, it was nice to be reunited.
The celebration went without a hitch. By the end of the night Serenity was back to calling the Sun prince Andrew, her childhood nickname for him, and the various rulers her aunties and uncles. Excepting Sol. It would be rude, as she did not know him well enough. Soon she was dropping asleep in her chair. Her mother nudged her awake a few times. Eventually Andrew scooped her up in his arms and set off through the hall at a fast stride. Artemis carried a sleeping Minako, and Makoto had Ami upon her back, her small friend weighing next to nothing, Rei would not suffer to be carried, and stumbled after them. Andrew shouldered open his cousin's door, and stepped inside. A light breeze fluttered the muslin curtains separating her room from her balcony. He pulled the covers back one-handed, and gently set her down. Serenity curled into a tight ball, and Andrew tucked the covers around her small form. He kissed her forehead, and left.
The next morning, the girls were called away from their lessons with Luna, to the huge conference room.
"Yes mama?" Serenity poked her head around the door.
"Come in, my darling. We have some important news for you all."
They all entered slowly, and stood in a line before their parents, and parents' allies. Selenity steepled her fingertips and looked at the five children before her.
"Now, we have a choice." She began. "It affects all of us." She glanced around at every one. "Minako, Makoto, Rei, Ami, I will offer something to you." She smiled. "My daughter seems to be very taken with you four young ladies, and enjoys your company greatly. She doesn't usually get to opportunity to make friends with children her own age." She took a breath. "Would you four girls, like to stay on at the palace, to keep my young one company and out of mischief? Be aware of what this includes. You will still have studies to complete, rules to follow, and manners to learn. We aim to make sure that you will be treated as your parents would treat yourselves." There was a short silence after this speech. Within minutes, though, Ami spoke up.
"I would like very much to stay, Queen Selenity. I feel that there is much to learn here, and I love Serenity's company." She coloured slightly as she said this.
"Well, that's settled Sel. Ami wants to stay." Lucid said. "Will you behave as expected and obey instructions that are given by Lady Luna and Lord Artemis? It also goes without saying of Selenity's authority. I expect nothing less than your full respect and attention where it will be due.
"Of course father." She bobbed a curtsey as the others stared at such a formal exchange between the two family members.
"Can I stay too?" Minako suddenly piped up.
"The same goes for you, Mina." Devotion started to say sternly. "We expect…"
"Yes father, I know. Don't worry, Artemis will make sure I don't get into any trouble."
Makoto just needed to look pleadingly at her parents. Nothing said.
"Makoto, be good!" Swift warned. She nodded, and that was it.
Rei hugged her father tightly.
"Papi, I love you, but I feel that this is where I should be." He squeezed her tighter, then let go.
"So, you're all staying. Good." Selenity clapped her hands together. "That leaves one more thing. Your parents will be returning home tonight." She gazed at them all. "Alyce, Enika, Ane, Tomi? You all agree?" the four women nodded. "Lu, Devon, Verve, Swift. Do you accept these terms?" slowly, the four men also nodded. "Okay, it has been arranged. The girls will become Senshi."
Serenity looked from one blank face to another.
"Senshi, a soldier." Ami whispered fervently. "We're to become Serenity's guard!"
The girls sat in a chamber on the first floor, one of the rooms off the wing that they now shared with Serenity. This was their recreational room, and they were in the midst of planning designs for bedrooms and such.
"A guard." Serenity said thoughtfully, leaning back. "Why should mother think that I need a guard?"
"I'm not sure." Minako replied, puzzled. "I remember when Tranquillity offered himself for guard duty-"
"You never told me that you had a brother!" Serenity exclaimed, and the others sat up and took notice.
"You never asked." Minako shot back delicately, careful not to arouse her friend's temper. "Anyway, he said he would like to help, and so my parents discussed it and off he went." She smiled. "He still writes me, and tells me how well he is, and all about his friends."
"My brother decided that he wanted to be a guard too." Makoto voiced. "He told me he wanted to make something of himself. Sometimes he sends me a plant, or a new recipe to try. Some of them are really interesting…" She drifted off into a wistful fantasy of kitchens and cookery.
"Nathan took me aside one day, and mentioned that he knew, without being told, that he was going to be a soldier. He said it came to him, in a vision, and he knew who he was supposed to protect. The very next day he boarded a transport and went to fulfil his destiny." She shrugged. "Every now and again, we communicate telepathically, to catch up."
"It was a strange experience for me," Ami began, her legs waving in the air behind her as she lay on her stomach. "To witness my elder sibling, requesting one day to leave our planet. He took my parents aside and discussed some private information with them. A week later his bags were packed and he kissed me goodbye. I never found out the reason he went, or where for that matter. Every now and again though, I would find a typed message on my desk, telling me a joke or a riddle. I would solve it, give it to my postmaster, and he would see that it returned to its source. I know it's him."
Serenity sighed, remembering Kevin's equally abrupt departure to seek pastures new. The difference was she knew where her brother had gone. Earth.
Serenity witnessed a tearful farewell when all of the adults departed for their home planets. One by one, they each kissed their child goodbye, and hugged the queen. Before they boarded though, a private ceremony was held by Selenity.
"As you know, your parents have accepted a request from me to have you girls as my daughter's personal guard." She gazed gravely across the silent group. "I have decided to present you with your henshin wands now, so that your family may bear witness to the new aspect of your lives that you are about to take on."
She looked towards the Mercurian royalty. "Queen Alyssia, King Lucid, bring before me your daughter, Princess Ami of Mercury." Serenity watched as they stepped forward, Ami silent and trembling slightly in front of them. "Princess Ami, I invoke this wand with your life force, your strengths and weaknesses, the power of ice and water. Do you accept it, and will you strive to do your best, to protect and advise?"
"I do, My Queen." Ami replied, her voice barely above a whisper. Selenity placed the wand in her hands. "When the time comes, call out to it, and it will respond." Ami stepped back with her parents. Lucid hugged his daughter and kissed her forehead. Selenity looked toward Minako
"Queen Enika, King Devotion, bring before me your daughter, Princess Minako of Venus." Serenity smiled when Minako stepped forward, her parents behind her. She was quiet, but excitement sparkled in her eyes. "Princess Minako, I invoke this wand with your life force, your strengths and weaknesses, the power of love and unity. Do you accept it, and will you strive to do your best, to protect and support?"
"I do, My Queen." Minako replied boldly. Selenity placed the wand into her outstretched palms. "When the time comes, call out to it, and it will respond." Minako and her parents turned and went back to their place in the line, smiling triumphantly. Selenity turned to the rulers of the red planet next.
"Queen Ariane, King Verve, bring before me your daughter, Princess Rei of Mars." Serenity watched as they stepped forward. Rei, cool and collected, marched forward between them. "Princess Rei, I invoke this wand with your life force, your strengths and weaknesses, the power of fire and mind. Do you accept it, and will you strive to do your best, to protect and guide?"
"I do, My Queen." Rei replied, in a clear, crisp voice. Selenity placed the wand in her hands. "Very well. When the time comes, call out to it, and it will respond." They moved away, and Ariane hugged her daughter to herself, tears standing out in her eyes. Serenity smiled joyfully as the last person was called.
"Queen Tomaki, King Swift, bring before me your daughter, Princess Makoto of Jupiter." Makoto walked forward, head held high, her parents slightly behind and to either side of her, her father's hand resting on her shoulder. "Princess Makoto, I invoke this wand with your life force, your strengths and weaknesses, the power of earth and lightning. Do you accept it, and will you strive to do your best, to protect and befriend?"
"I do, My Queen." Makoto replied seriously. Selenity placed the wand in her hands. "When the time comes, call out to it, and it will respond." The last child stepped back into line, her eyes shining, and Selenity looked up. "Girls, Senshi, your lessons in this new area will begin in the next week or so. Be sure to follow you trainers' instructions and keep your identities secret." The girls nodded at this. "Okay." Selenity took a breath. "Alyce." She clasped hands with the other woman and kissed her cheek. "As always, I will miss your company. Return home safe. Lu, Look after yourself, burning the candle at both ends doesn't suit you." She wiped Enika's hair back from her face. "You really need to cut this." She said. "Oh Eni, I hope your journey goes well." She nodded solemnly to her husband. "Devon, be good."
"I'm always good Sel!" He protested, but she had moved on already. Before she could speak though, someone interrupted.
"Sel! Don't you dare. If you do, I'll…"
"Ane, shut up, what are you afraid of?" Verve said sharply, as he kissed Selenity.
"I'm not…"
"Oh, Ane, come here." Selenity opened her arms and embraced her friend, just as Ariane began to cry. "I'll miss you something rotten, and you know it. Give my regards to your father for me."
"Goodbye Sel! Look after Rei for me." She folded into Verve's waiting arms, and Selenity turned to the Jupiterian couple.
"Let me have a look at you Swift." She stepped back and took in the whole of his appearance. "You have grown!" She cried. "Looks like the air on Tomi's planet is doing you good."
"It's not just the air." Tomaki said, winking.
"Oh." Selenity said with a conspirital tone. "I can't wait till you visit again, Tomi. I'll miss our little cookery sessions."
"You mean, I cook, you eat?" Tomaki asked. Selenity just laughed. Swift crouched down and gave Makoto a hug and a kiss.
"Remember, be good, and I hope you and Serenity become close." He whispered.