Chapter Four
The Princess of Mercury stood in front of the large screen that seemed to be her only connection with the other senshi while they parted their separate ways. Before her were all the other senshi, mostly fighting at the moment.
"Come on you guys! You are suppose to be having fun while on your trip home! Please settle down, all right?" asked Ami with pleading eyes. She looked from the corner of her eyes to see Minako filing her fingernails while Makoto was almost asleep. All of the other senshi looked up at their friend, shocked.
"So, Ami, what do you want to talk about?" asked the Goddess of Love while she continued filing her nails. Ami looked at Makoto who just continued to fall asleep once again.
"Makoto, why is it you seem so sad?" she asked. All eyes where on the girl who was falling asleep. She opened her eyes to look at them once again and let out a sigh.
"You really want to know, don't you?" she asked. They all nodded and waited for her to continue. " Last night at the ball, I found out something horrible that you couldn't believe---"
"Nephlite loves you?" asked Minako with a large grin on her face as she started eating a piece of cake. Everyone glared at her all of a sudden and growled to silence her.
"I was speaking with High Commander Preston Price when he told me something that changed the way I thought, and acted. Kenneth wasn't really my father at all. My mother had married him but, he was gone away for war and she got lonely. You can tell what happened from there, can't you?" Everyone looked at her with a blank expression. "She SLEPT with PRESTON!! HE IS MY FATHER!!!"
"WHAT!?!" asked Serenity. She was completely shocked at the words she heard. Rei and Minako quickly got defensive as they looked at their friend.
"He better not hurt you Makoto! I will not stand for it! Just remember to stand-up for yourself and don't take any crap from men," growled Rei. Minako thought for a moment.
"Aren't they getting married?" Makoto let out a sigh and laid back down.
"Don't remind me. I'm going to take a nap. I arrive at Jupiter early morning. Good-night." Her screen went blank.
"Poor Mako-chan. She has to find out all these things in one week, huh?" asked Rei with a growl.
~*~Venus~*~
Everyone on Venus was rushing around, getting in lines, standing straight while the three people stood awaiting the arrival of the princess. They watched as the ship docked in the bay at am in the morning. The princess should be awake by this time. Haily smiled as she watched the door open. Her hand touched her husbands while she looked at his short blonde hair and ocean blue eyes. It was surprising that her husband was aright after the death of his brother, Kenneth.
For a moment, no one exited the ship. Then out emerged a figure simply dressed in silky yellow nightgown. The robe hung loosely around the figure while a tired yawn escaped her mouth. She stretched her arms over her head while her back popped in one move. Slowly she moved toward Queen Haily and King Eric. Her puffy golden slippers that seemed to sparkle slid across the floor. Her hand took her silky blonde hair and pulled it back into a ponytail.
"Good morning Mother, Father. I did not know that we had arrived so soon," she said with a yawn to follow. King Eric picked his daughter up into his arms where she laid her head on his shoulder, slowly falling back to sleep. Eric hugged his daughter while Haily smiled.
"When she awakes, we will tell her the news and why this young man is---" Minako's head popped up as she turned to her mother, hitting her father in the face with her long hair.
"News? Do tell mother!" Eric sat Minako down on the floor where she turned to look at the young man standing there. His hair was the darkest blonde she had ever seen, looking as if the sun had never shined on it before while his eyes looked as dark as his hair, a deep dark yellow. A smirk moved over his face while he winked at the young princess.
"Minako, this is Prince Anubis of Earth. He is your fiancee!" Haily's smile was large over her face as she looked at her daughter but it soon faded away within seconds.
"What?! You promised me that I could marry any man that I love without you trying to push suitors or engaging me without permission! Could you not tell that I have already found the man I love mother? I will not marry Prince Cale of Earth! If you try to force me I will disappear and never come back!" Eric placed a hand on Minako's shoulder only to have her push it off with great force.
"Minako, this is for the best of us along for the best of our kingdom. Prince Anubis is a good man but daughter, do tell us whom you were planning to marry," he asked. She looked up at General Kunzite whom stood not far away. With a simple quick reflex she ran towards him and wrapped her arms around him, not wanting to ever let go. She buried her face in his chest while his arms wrapped around her. Haily clutched her fist.
"I love General Kunzite of Earth..." Eric touched Haily's shoulder only to have her growl. She motioned for the guards to pull them apart along with placing him back on the ship.
"You are going to marry Prince Anubis whether you like of night! No daughter of mine would disobey her own mother along with make a fool out of herself in front of everyone! You are to marry a prince no matter what you think! If you even think of leaving, I will be sure to send a report to Queen Serenity and have General Kunzite be-headed!" With that said, the queen left leaving both men standing there. Minako watched as Kunzite was pulled away.
"Kun!" The guards held Minako back as she reached out to him. He managed to push the guards off himself and straighten his uniform. She watched him wink along with smile.
"Miko..." Tears filled her blue eyes while she watched him turn his back and walk onto the ship only giving her a ray of hope from his smile. She jerked her arms away from the guards and stood there, watching the ship leave...
~*~Mercury~*~
Ami smiled as she finally was able to get off the ship. She had missed reading new books in the library even though they were almost the same as the other books she had already read. A cool breeze blew across the planet while Queen Julieann stood waiting for her. A smile took over her face while her daughter walked toward her. Next to her stood a young man with a smile on his face.
"Ami, General Zosite, I am happy to see you both here. Please, do come in for a while since I have some exciting news," said Julieann. Zosite smiled.
"I am sorry Queen Julieann but I cannot stay for long. I must get back to protect my prince, Endyiom from any type of danger that could arise." Julieann smiled.
"I would like to inform you General Zosite that there is going to be a wedding held on Mercury for the joining of Prince Cale and Princess Ami. I do hope that you can attend along with Prince Endyiom and fellow generals." Ami looked at her mother confused.
"Mother, why was I not told about this arrangement? My entire schedule is to be changed from the plans that I made on the trip to Mercury. I would have to read at least four books a day to get caught up to my usual reading standards," said Ami. Julieann shook her head.
"Do not worry Ami. You will have plenty of time plus I would like you to get to know Prince Cale before the both of you are married. Tea is set up in the garden this evening since I knew you would be arriving around this time." Zosite bowed.
"I must part. It was nice meeting you Queen Julieann, Prince Cale." With that, Zosite turned on his heel and started back toward the ship. Ami stood and watched him walk away.
Oh Zosite, I believe that I am falling in love you even though you might not know it. Perhaps this feeling is just temporary. For now, we should become great friends since I will have a husband in a matter of time before this month is over, she thought silently. A hand touched her shoulder while she turned to look into the deepest blue eyes she had ever seen. The breeze rustled his short dark blue hair.
"Please join me for tea Princess Ami," smiled Cale extending an arm. She smiled gently at him and place her hand on her forehead.
"I believe I am feeling a bit light-headed from the trip. Perhaps I will lay down for a while and gather myself. Perhaps some other time we may have tea together," she smiled.
"Then may I escort you to your room?" he questioned. She nodded and took his extended arm as he lead her into the large palace...
~*~Mars~*~
Rei smacked Jedite with a loud growl to follow. She walked out the door in a hurry to see her mother and father awaiting her presence with a man standing beside them. Her fingers touched her temples while something flashed through her mind. She shook it off know that she would have to consult with the sacred fire later on tonight to find out what that short vision meant.
"Rei, I am happy that you are home," smiled Erika. Her fingers ran though her husbands brownish-blonde hair along with looking into his brown eyes for a moment. Rei smiled and ran to her mother, giving her a hug along with her father, her eyes burning.
"I am happy to be home as well mother. At least I am off that ship instead of being trapped with that perverted pig!" She glared in General Jedite's direction only for him to bow.
"Queen Erika, King Chad. It is wonderful to meet you. I see that your daughter gets her beauty from her mother," he smiled. Rei snorted and rolled her eyes.
"Thank-you General Jedite. I would like you to attend a wedding if you are able to of course. It will be the marriage between Prince Zeus and my daughter, Princess Rei---"
"What?!" screeched Rei while she glared at her mother and father, looking from one to the other. Erika glared and nodded.
"You are getting married to Prince Zeus of Earth no matter what you say! I have paid a lot of money to have you finally settle down and I will not put it to waste because of you saying so. Today you will be trying on dresses and start to plan things yourself." Rei hissed as a red aura rose around her while she clutched her fist.
"I am NOT going to marry a pig-headed prince from earth no matter how nice he may seem or how handsome he looks! I am going to choose MY husband if I EVER want one. Which is most likely NOT going to happen! I have things to do so don't bother me," growled Rei and then stormed past everyone. Erika glared in her direction.
"Do not worry Prince Zeus. She will be marrying you no matter if she likes it or not!" She moved past the man with deep red hair and dark red eyes. He nodded and then followed behind King Chad. Jedite shrugged and then walked back toward the ship with yawn.
"I'm going back to bed..."
~*~Jupiter~*~
Makoto tied her knee-high black boots and stood-up, finishing her outfit. It was at least am in the morning while she dressed for some sort of occasion. She walked over to the mirror and took a look at her uniform. A dark green pair of pants fitted her every curve while her matching jacket did the exact same thing, showing off every inch of her body. She pulled her auburn curls back into a bun, making sure it was tightly in place.
She exited her room and walked down winding hallways until she reached the room she was looking for. Her eyes looked at the buttons while she fingers decided to do the work. She changed the course for earth instead of Jupiter, knowing that she would not make it home. A smile came over she rose lips and a sigh of relief escaped her. She turned at the new presence that entered the room, looking over the person standing in front of her of.
"What are you doing?" asked the tired voice. His starry blue eyes looked at the screen with confusion. Dark grey-blue uniform was wrinkled from falling asleep in it while his over jacket was unbuttoned, showing his tanned muscular chest in the soft glow. Chocolate brown waves were messy from a the night before.
"Nothing that concerns you general." His eye brows scrunched at her cold, bitter words that slid off her tongue smoothly. Nephlite noticed her apparel along with the loaded ammo that was stocked up nicely encase a battle would start in space.
"Everything concerns me princess. Set that course back for Jupiter or else I will do it myself. I am not going to risk my life at your hands." She simply folded her arms over her chest and stood there.
"I am not going to Jupiter no matter what you say general. I refuse to be surrounded by orders, plans, nor High Commander Preston Price," answered Makoto. Nephlite walked over to the controls and started typing away, stopping the ship from moving along with locking all access with a password she would never guess.
"Tell me your reasons over breakfast," he muttered and then walked out of the room. She rolled her eyes and started walked towards the kitchen knowing that there was still some cake that was left for the two of them. That was usually their breakfast but if she was in a cooking mood, they usually would have something better then that or frozen. Nephlite grabbed the food along with started the coffee and sat down, passing her a slice.
"What is it that is troubling you? You have not acted this cold the entire trip." She breathed finally and leaned back into the chair.
"I refuse to be married to some snobbish prince that my parents picked out for me. No matter what I will run away and never return. I would rather get out of this situation by leaving now than later. That way no confrontations will be made."
"I see. Marrying you off at such a young age. Most royalty do that. Prince Endyiom is to marry Princess Serenity of course at this age. Most princesses will not marry but only for love. I can tell you are one of those as well." She stayed silent.
If only you know what I was thinking then you would know what type of person I am Nephlite. You would know who I am starting to fall in love with...
"I would rather live with someone I love rather then sleep in the same bed with a stranger, having them touch me, and try to hold me. I cannot do something like that." He looked at her dull emerald eyes and let out a sigh.
"I am sorry princess but I cannot house you on earth. You must face your challenges and work this situation out with your parents. We are to head to Jupiter." She watched him leave and let out a long sigh.
I believe I will only be staying in my palace for a couple hours until I may sneak away and never return refuse to marry someone High Commander Preston Price picked out for me. He is completely insane...
Queen Maria watched as the ship slowly came down. Next to her stood Preston Price with his arm around her shoulders gently. She smiled at the new member that stood with them. It was a prince dressed in a black outfit that showed it nice build. His black hair was cut below his ear, a thin black line of hair outlined his chin along with a thin square of black around his mouth. Dark brown eyes looked at the door opening with a grin over his face.
Out came Makoto wearing her usual battle uniform that had been cleaned thanks to the Earthian Kingdom. She gave no smile to her mother nor Preston. Instead, she waited for General Nephlite to join by her side and turned to him with no emotion on her face. She extended her hand to him for him to take it awkwardly, gently shaking it.
"Thank-you for the escort to Jupiter General Nephlite. I hope that you have a safe trip back to earth along with safe passage to the moon." He bowed and brought her hands up to his lips gently kissing the knuckles.
"Thank-you Princess Kino. I will be sure to have Prince Endyiom invite you to the ball we will being having in the honor of his marriage to Princess Serenity within two weeks. Do take care of yourself in that time and do not get into any trouble that I myself would not do." He winked only to receive a blush and made it back to the ship that had just finished being unpacked. She watched it leave only to have a hand touch her shoulder.
"It would have pleased Maria if you would have worn a dress for the meeting of Prince Aries of Earth. Perhaps you might wear one for the ball tonight?" he asked. She pushed his hand off her shoulder and started to walk away when he took her wrist.
"Is there something bothering you? Is it because Maria and I are getting married Makoto? Have you changed your mind about the acceptance?" he questioned. She pulled her wrist away with must force.
"I thought you were better then the enemies I have fought in battle but you are worse then them. You shattered by hopes, my dreams Preston and I will never forgive you. I do not care that you are marrying that cheating whore! As long as I live I will never consider you King nor my father. Kenneth did a damn better job then you ever will. Do not expect me to be here in the morning. I am not going to get married to some worthless prince that you no less picked out. If it means giving up the crown to Jupiter, I will do so."
Preston watched her leave without giving Maria one look. The queen looked at her daughter walk towards the training room knowing that there was no chance in getting her out of there. Instead, Prince Aries followed her while fingering his sword by his side, knowing that he would have a chance to fight against the princess. He walked over to Maria and pulled her into his arms only for her to pull back with that fire in her eyes, just like her daughters.
"You told her the truth Preston! I did not want her to know what happened to us before but now you have ruined your chances with her and I will not fix it. I need time to think. Perhaps I might have made a mistake in deciding to marry you after all. I should have talked to her and thought about it with her before I answered you." With that she walked away in the same manner leaving him alone...
Aries watched her move across the course with great skill and speed, thrusting the sword hard across the air while she managed to dodge the obstacles that stood in her path. Makoto carefully jumped over the moving figure with a forward flip. Her sword swung, slicing the head off. Reality seemed to take place while fake blood squirted. Anger was over her face while she sliced the arms, legs, and finally stood over the figure. With one move, she thrust the sword into its chest.
She snapped her fingers, watching it all disappear only to be a plain room with punching bags, a large mat, and figures of people with different colored paint. She threw the sword hard and turned not watching it plunge into the punching bag. Her fingers moved over the jacket buttons, undoing each one slowly until she pulled it off revealing her white tank-top. She turned to his smirking face and started walking toward him.
"What are you doing here?" she asked coldly. He watched her place her jacket on the rail without even looking at him while. He walked toward her with a smirk over his lips and leaned on the rail next to her where she sat.
"I have a proposition for you princess. Perhaps we might be able to make a little deal, just the two of us with a little sword fighting match for skill?" he asked. He watched her slowly turned to him with a raised eye brow.
"Depends on what you want and what is at stake." He looked at her lips that seemed to taught him while he looked at her beauty.
"I want you. It is as simple as that. If I win, I marry you without any complaints along with announce this at the ball tonight. You will treat me with respect along with not see General Nephlite again nor contact him." A fire burned in her eyes as she glared at him.
"Do not dare to tempt me Prince Aries. Too much is at stake with this beat. What do I get if I beat you at this duel?" she questioned. A smirk curved over her lips, making her almost shutter.
"I will leave, persuade your parents to let you find a suitable husband yourself without their help and you will be able to find one within a month. You will never have to see nor speak with me ever again as long as you may live." Temptation took the best of her as she looked at him.
"You have my word." He shook her head, sealing the deal while his tongue moved over his lips. His mind was turning slowly while he knew what he was up to. This was going to be a fight neither of them would ever forget if their life depended on it...
~*~Venus~*~
Princess Minako felt a hand on her shoulder, making her turn to the young man that had managed to sneak up on the crying girl. She wiped her tears away and looked at the man she was to be married to instead of her lover, Kunzite. Anubis took a seat beside her with a small smile on his face only to have her look away from him, not wanting to know anything about him. He breathed out a sigh trying to get into a mood that would suit her.
"We could make a deal about the matters at hand Princess Minako if you would like. But of course you would have to agree on the terms if you are willing to risk it." She turned to him sharply while her dull blue eyes looked at him, wanting him to tell her more.
"I am ready Prince Anubis. Do tell me about what you have in mind. I will risk anything and everything to be with Kunzite and I believe that you know that by now." He smiled at her response along with leaned back in his seat.
"As you know, the ball is tonight. Which ever of us has the longest waiting list and most danced with at the end of the night, they win. If I win, I get you as my wife along with you not having contact with General Kunzite until death do we part. If you win, I leave, persuade your parents to let you marry General Kunzite, and never come back into your life. Do we have a deal?" he asked. A smirk moved over her lips as she looked at him with more hope on her face.
"I give you my word Prince Anubis. Best of luck to you," she smiled and then walked away from him, wanting to get ready for the ball...
~*~Mercury~*~
Ami looked at the three large piles of books that were on the table in front of her while she decided to catch up on her reading as much as possible before the ball tonight. While she was gone at the Moon Palace, she didn't have enough time to get the new books that were to be delivered to her kingdom library. A sigh left her while she pushed up her glasses. She ignored the figure walking into the room and continued by turning the page quickly.
"Princess Ami, may I please speak with you?" asked Prince Cale as he walked in. She gestured for him to simply sit down as she continued to read. He gently took her book away, making her looked up at him.
"Yes Prince Cale?" she asked.
"I know that you are not happy about the situation at hand by your actions. You have seemed to be avoiding me at every cost whether it is speaking to someone all of a sudden, going into another room, or trying to read. I have decided to make a deal with you." Her eyes widened as she looked up at him.
"Deal? What sort of deal?" she questioned with a raised brow. He smiled and looked deep into her aqua blue eyes, wanting to look at them all night.
"This deal is only between the two of us. We are to have a match in skills along with knowledge. Both of us are to come up with a devised plan on the construction of a palace with great defense, and perfect structure for your parents once you are married. They will be the judges and both plans will be given by an unknown person. If I win, I get you as my wife, your loyalty, respect, along with you having no contact to General Zosite. If you win, I leave your palace and make sure you have the choice to marry someone you would like." She looked at him slowly and then nodded.
"You have a deal."
~*~Mars~*~
Rei looked around the temple trying to figure out about her visions but nothing seemed to come. It was as if the sacred fire had stopped talking to her for fear of something happening. She let out a long deep sigh and turned at the sound of someone walking toward her. Prince Zeus was coming in her direction with a stern look on his face. He bowed in front of her with a smirk playing across his lips.
"What do you want?" she growled. The grin grew wider as he watched her walk away and looked at the charms that were written carefully in her language.
"I would like to make a deal with your Princess Rei. I believe that you will be quite interested in the terms along with the challenge itself." She turned to him, her eyes burning.
"Speak." She watched him carefully, making sure that his eyes would not leave hers.
"I challenge you to making as many sacred charms tonight along with blessing all of them from the sacred fire. Whomever has the most and is done by the eighth hour. If I win, I have you as my wife along with your love, care, and respect along with you having no communications with General Jedite. If you win, I will leave along with have your parents change their mind by letting you marry whom ever you choose." A smile spread across her lips.
"You have a deal Prince Zeus. Start packing your things."
AN: Sorry it took me so long to get it out but I hope you like it! Now that I have Christmas Break out, I have enough time to write, write, write! Have a great day! R/R!