Hello, as with the previous disclaimer…(Winces as gun is held to head)….I don't own Sailor Moon, Naoko-OW! (Looks sheepish and scared.) The rights are owned by Miss Takeuchi and DIC.
Chapter four
The Hidden Door
~By Saki Midnight
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The girls were sat in their recreational room, a few days after they had wished farewell to their families. A few things had been imported to make it look more personal. There was a soft blue floor rug from Mercury, a few chairs and a low table, made of Jupiter's finest timber, a wall tapestry from Mars, intricate and mesmerising, and huge floor cushions from Venus. Serenity was lay on one of these, picking pieces off one of Makoto's culinary delights, a cupcake. They were talking quietly about the events over the last few days. Solandre had stayed on, and seemed intent on courting Setsuna. The girls found it strange to see the two princesses Haruka and Michiru courting each other, but as Serenity and everyone else didn't take the slightest notice, they got used to seeing the two girls sharing stolen kisses in the palace and its grounds. Serenity had also become a Senshi in secret, but only her mother, the other Senshi and Lady Luna and Lord Artemis knew of this. Others would not be so comfortable with the princess becoming Senshi. Part of this reason was also that Minako could also operate as a decoy moon princess, effectively diverting the focus of a battle. The girls had by now formed a good bond with one another and had been close since their first training session. There was a bit of a shock when Selenity had announced that their trainers were none other than their tutors, Artemis and Luna.
They were all exhausted, with an exception to Minako-who was always full of bouncy energy- from their latest session. As Serenity had been appointed after the training had begun, she was working hard to catch up, and felt completely drained of energy. Presently the young blonde jumped to her feet.
"I'm tired of being inside, let's go for a walk!" She said, pacing towards the doors. The others got up also, eager for some fresh air. They were still in their Senshi forms, except for Serenity, who just didn't have the energy to stay in that form yet. They left the palace through a side door.
"I don't want to walk through the gardens!" Rei complained.
"Why ever not?" Ami asked her fellow Senshi in complete wonderment.
"We always wander the gardens. Let's go somewhere different." Minako suggested.
"I know!" Serenity's eyes lit up.
"Uh oh." Makoto voice was laced with uncertainty. "I see where this conversation is going. Now Serena-"
"Oh Mako-chan!" Serenity scoffed at the use of her pet name, which the four teens had quickly adapted to using. "We're not ten. Or are you scared?" She taunted.
"Of course not." Makoto amended, with scorn. "What do you suggest?"
"The forest." Serenity said simply, triumphantly. "There is a door in the south wall, hidden under some ivy. I found it a few years with Solandre, when were playing, but we didn't dare go in just the two of us."
"Well, I'm up for it." Rei declared, seizing the challenge as usual.
"If Rei's going, I'm going." Makoto stated flatly, refusing to be outdone.
"Well, we've got a proper little expedition going here, don't you think." Minako's eyes glittered, showing that she was definitely included. "I'm in."
Serenity turned to Ami.
"Well, I'm not staying behind!" Ami announced, looking at them all. "You go, we all go. You know that's how it always is."
They set off to explore the south wall. It wasn't long before Ami cried out to them.
"I think I've found it!" She exclaimed, as they drew near. She shook her blue fringe out of her eyes and pulled on something, her arms up to her elbows buried in the green clad ivy wall. "It's stuck!" She cried in dismay. Makoto stepped up beside her and thrust her own arms in beside Ami's. They both tugged, and the door came open slowly. They stared at it for a few minutes, before Serenity slipped through the gap.
"Come on!" she called back to the others. One by one they followed her through the gate. Rei, who was last, carefully pulled the heavy door to, and artfully arranged the ivy so it once again looked inconspicuous. They wandered through the woods slowly. Serenity skipped through the trees happily, looking very much like a small child. Rei stepped daintily over the grass, careful to watch where she was going. Minako danced across the ground singing happily. Ami strolled slowly beside her, gazing about, and Makoto drifted somewhere nearby, touching the tree bark, stooping to caress the plants, completely in her element. They lost track of time, and wandered deep into the forest.
Serenity skipped joyously around, savouring the air, and listening to the wildlife. She was glad her friends had agreed to accompany her on her little excursion. They were enjoying themselves too. Ami was fascinated by the nature, and stopped to study a group of animals more than once. Rei felt very peaceful, and stopped to sit and rest. Minako found a small stream, and squealed in delight, splashing about energetically. Makoto was taken by a bunch of pretty flowers, and went onto her knees to pick a few, and made a crown for Serenity, thinking that the lovely white flowers would make her look wonderful. She also found a bunch of pink flowers, and made one for herself. She smiled as she adorned her head with the finished product, glowing. She also had an orange one, a red one, and a forget-me-not blue crown, for each of the others. She stood up to see where the group was, but found nothing in the trees around her. She was lost. The others slowly came out of their dazes and realised the same thing