Note: Alright this is the side story that I mentioned at the end of Memories. As such this is a Yuri fic. That's right y-u-r-i so if that's not your thing hit the back button right now. Also you should be aware that since this is the back-story to Memories, this fic features the pairing from that work. So once again if that's not your thing hit the back button.
This is going to be a long one. Right now I see it in at least three parts and those will be lengthy, at least compared to my usual stuff. I want to play around with a few ideas as well as delve into the romance between these characters in their past lives. The first part will set the scene, it won't go too heavily into the romance bit or not till the end at least.
Kay, one more thing and this endless authors note will come to a close. This is my twisted version of the silver millenium. As such it will not wholly fit into either the anime or manga time lines. I took what I liked from each along with some creative editing and made my own world. So purists be gone. You will not like this, I assure you, if you're overly anal about timelines and such. (This is my happening baby and it freaks me out!) Call it an alternate universe; call it a devastating work of mind numbing brilliance, call it crap, whatever, just remember that you have been thoroughly warned!
Sacrifices
By: thecoconutcyclone
Queen Serenity paced across her chambers. She knew what was coming, having such a deep connection with her Senshi, she knew the truth the instant they had fallen. However, the situation wasn't wholly real to her until she heard the news from the mouth of another. Until then she could fool herself and pretend that her friends were still among the living.
Her heart sank as she heard the door to her chambers being opened. "Your majesty?" A weak voice asked.
With a sigh Serenity bowed to fate. "I'm in here Luna. What word from the battle?"
"We've won the day majesty, but…" The guardian cat let out a sigh of her own. "Many were injured; Neptune is in the worst shape. We lost several of the guard, and three Senshi."
Serenity nodded. "Jupiter, Uranus, and Earth. I know Luna, I've known since it happened. I felt them slip away…" The Queen choked back a sob. Now was not the time. She could grieve for her friends later; the future of the kingdom was what was important now.
"Were the bodies recovered?"
"Yes, Venus arranged for them to be brought back to the palace."
"Good, have them prepared for a state burial, full honors. Have the families been notified?"
"Not yet."
"Very well then, I'll take care of that. I think they deserve to hear it from me." Serenity shook her head. "Jupiter and Uranus will have to begin their training sooner than expected."
"The poor princesses to have lost their mothers. Jupiter being the most unfortunate of the two, having already lost her father…" Luna bowed her head, "And what will we do about Earth? With no female air, it seems the line of the Earth Senshi has died along with its guardian."
"Yes, it appears that my daughter will have to make due with only three personal guardians in her court."
"Is that wise majesty? Couldn't we re-assign one of the outer soldiers to palace duty?'
"Perhaps, if there is a need for additional security in the future, but I will not disrupt the girls' lives any further this day. Two of them have lost their mothers, Pluto just recently assumed her duties and elder Neptune is injured. No, the outer soldiers will remain as they are for now." Serenity smiled sadly at her friend and advisor. "Come, we have work to do."
***
Eleven Years Later
Electricity flowed through her fingertips. The hunt was going at a slower pace than usual. If she had had things her way, she would have lobed a few blasts at the creature and then asked the questions. Yet Neptune felt that they needed to discern the creature's target first, and since the aqua mirror was withholding the information from it's current master they had to do things this way. Now all she could do is watch and wait for the creature to reveal it's intentions.
Somehow the blasted thing had managed to slip on to the planet. Usually they were discovered by the mages before they even entered the atmosphere, but recently these creatures were becoming harder to detect by conventional means. The only reason why they had discovered this one so easily was that the Senshi were already on Saturn for a diplomatic mission. Or at least that was what the official reports would say. In reality, the soldiers of the outer system, well most of them that is, had been sent to the planet to check on its security. It appeared that it wasn't good enough. The creature had been able to infiltrate the planet's atmosphere far too easily. Tensions between the Moon Kingdom and those that wished for its downfall were heating up, with more of these creatures appearing with each attack. The young soldier growled at the thought of anyone who wished ruin upon her kingdom and it's sovereign.
Her train of thought was abruptly derailed as she noticed that the creature had stopped. A quick glance at her surroundings immediately revealed to the Senshi the creature's target. She was standing a few yards from the shrine of Saturn, the sleeping Senshi, who had been laid to rest not long after assuming her powers to wait for a time when she was needed. It looked as if the creature wanted to give the Soldier of Death and Rebirth an early wake up call. She couldn't help but shake her head at the thought. Didn't the fools know that Saturn could only be awakened by the Senshi themselves? "These people never do their homework."
"Jupiter…"a voice hissed in her ear. "Shut up and pay attention." Her companion, a tall blonde, growled and then pointed over towards the rear of the shrine. "Once I'm there I'll draw my sword. When you see it flash, strike."
"One monster on flambé coming up Uranus," she replied. The blonde smirked at the comment and then darted into the shadows.
Jupiter powered up her attack as she watched Uranus creep into position. From the corner of her eye she saw a blur of aqua land on a near by rooftop. It looked like Neptune realized Uranus' plan without having to be told as usual. Those two were annoying that way. She shook her head; she needed to focus now. She allowed the flow of electricity to strengthen. Neptune flashed her talisman once she was in position.
The energy in her hand was taking shape now that it was almost time to strike. The creature stood before the shrine gathering energy for it's own attack, completely oblivious the danger that was about to befall it. Then she saw the flash of Uranus' sword and for a moment the entire universe condensed into the palm of her hand. Then just as quickly the moment passed and she hurled her attack at the creature.
The ball of electricity hit it square in the back, stunning it. As the creature bellowed in pain, a golden blur charged forward and cut it in half before it could muster up a defense. The creature fell to the ground with barely a whimper.
Uranus re-sheathed her sword. "That was relatively easy," She sighed, and then pulled her right arm towards her body. Jupiter quickly joined her in front of the shrine.
"Told ya this one wouldn't be too difficult to manage." She poked at the carcass with her boot. "Is it just me or are these things getting uglier?"
"Not that I've ever found them attractive, but I believe you're right Jupiter." Neptune chimed as she made her way towards the pair. Her brow furrowed as she noticed that Uranus was clutching her right arm to her chest. "Uranus are you hurt?"
"The damn thing must have caught my arm on the way down…it's nothing."
Neptune glided over to her and began to examine the wound. "This is going to require stitches." She reached up and caressed the taller woman's cheek. "You need to be more careful, you would not want anything to happen to that pretty face of yours. The entire female population of Uranus would be devastated if their favorite monarch's good looks were marred."
Uranus laughed, and then smiled down at her shorter companion. "You know there's only one woman whose feelings mean anything to me."
Neptune mock pouted. "Who is this mystery woman? Does this mean that I do not have a chance?" Uranus simply shook her head and pulled Neptune closer with her good arm.
At this point, Jupiter, who had been standing idly by while her two companions practiced their old routine, decided to make a hasty exit. "I'll see you two back at the palace." The duo, too involved with one another for a proper reply, barely nodded in response.
Jupiter, deciding to forgo the crowded streets between her position and Saturn's royal palace, leapt on to a nearby rooftop. She glanced back towards her companions. De-transformed, the Princesses of Neptune and Uranus began to make their own way home. She couldn't help but sigh as she watched her friends. While she was happy that they had found one another, Jupiter couldn't help but be jealous of their bond. She lingered on the rooftop for a few moments more and then set off towards the palace.
When she arrived, she quickly de-transformed and went to her rooms. She didn't even bother to turn on the lights as she breezed through the sitting room and into the bedroom. As per custom, Castle Titan, like the royal palace of each planet, contained quarters for each Senshi, based on the design of those of the Imperial Palace on the Moon. While Jupiter always found the rooms beautiful, she never really felt at home when she was away from her adopted home on Uranus. After her mother passed away, leaving her an orphan, the King of Uranus took her in and raised her alongside his own daughter. A distant relative took care of things on Jupiter for her. As far as the planet's government went, she was little more than a figurehead, but she didn't mind. Jupiter saw herself more as a warrior than royalty, and she had had a happy childhood on Uranus.
She brushed a strand of auburn hair from her face and flopped down on the room's massive bed. "I think a nap is in order before dinner."
"Don't tell me that the fight today wore you out." A voice called from the shadows.
"You'd think that the Guardian of Time would know better than to show up late for a battle," She replied, not moving from her position on the bed. She smiled as she heard soft footsteps making their way across the room. She glanced up just in time to see Sailor Pluto emerge from the shadows. Pluto, like Uranus and Neptune, had been one of Jupiter's closest friends, for as long as she could remember. The older woman had become a Senshi before any of them, and Jupiter had a great deal of respect for her. However, she still enjoyed teasing the stoic Senshi whenever an opportunity to do so presented itself.
"I had other duties to attend to that kept me off planet, besides I didn't feel that I was needed." Pluto answered, walking over towards the bed.
"Excuses, excuses. Well, if you didn't think you would be needed, then why are you here now?"
"I'm here on the Queen's behalf. I shouldn't have to say more than that."
Jupiter nodded, "Anything that I can help you with?"
"Yes, actually. You can tell me where Uranus is."
"She was injured in the fight so she and Neptune had to take their time returning to the palace…"
"Injured? How badly?" Pluto began to pace the room. "I did not see this coming… We need Uranus in top form in order to ensure the mission's success."
Jupiter rose and walked over towards her pacing companion. It wasn't everyday that one would see Sailor Pluto in such a state. "Maybe you should tell me about this mission."
Pluto nodded. "Queen Serenity has increased diplomatic relations between the Earth and the Moon. She's trying to heal the damage that was caused when the last Earth Senshi passed away while in service to her majesty. However, tensions between the Moon and Earth are growing, and there are other factions in the universe that would like to see the downfall of both kingdoms. The Queen believes that these factions will strike soon."
"That's nothing new. Many wish to see our kingdom fall."
"True, however, the Queen believes that the threat is more serious now than ever. And she also believes that in order to start a war between the two kingdoms the enemy will strike at the very heart of each. For the Earth that would mean an attack on the young Prince Endymon, and for the moon…"
Jupiter clenched her fist, "the Princess…"
"Exactly. While the three Inner Senshi are fully capable of performing their duty, the Queen feels that extra measures should be taken in order to assure the Princess' safety. Uranus was to accompany me back to the Moon where she would assume the guise of a member of the imperial guard. Since the Outer Senshi have not been seen on the Moon in years, the Queen felt that Uranus could accomplish this without fear of being recognized. So disguised, she could observe the Princess undetected and step in and aid the Inner Senshi in her defense if needed. "
"But that could take months, years even. She and Neptune hardly see each other as is…to put her on the Moon, the separation would crush them both."
Pluto sighed. "I know that, but sacrifices have to be made. It's pointless to discuss this any way since she is injured. The mission will have to be scrapped."
Jupiter walked over towards the bedroom's massive window, which overlooked the palace gardens. She knew that Uranus' injuries weren't that severe. Taking in account a Senshi's accelerated healing abilities; Uranus' arm would be fine by the time she reached the Moon. But how would her spirit fare so far from Neptune? And how would Neptune feel with her partner on the Moon? It was with only the best interests of the women that Jupiter considered sisters in her heart that the young Senshi did what she did next.
"Who said that you had to use Uranus?"
***
Two Months Later
"Venus love me chain!" Sailor Venus cried as she sent a powered down version of her attack towards the new Captain of the Imperial Guard. The young woman had only assumed the position of Captain a little over a month ago, however she fought better than any other guardsman that Venus had ever seen. There was something about the situation that just didn't feel right to the leader of the Inner Senshi. The old captain had been a fine warrior, whom had never once let the kingdom down in battle. Why was he replaced so suddenly? And who was this woman to replace him? Venus knew little of the woman's background other than she had come from one of the outer planets, which did not do much to diminish her lack of trust in the new captain. The people of the inner and outer regions of the solar system hardly ever mixed, and it was an unspoken custom that one did not trust someone from outside their region of the kingdom. Could this woman be a threat to the Princess?
Venus shook her head and focused her attention back on her opponent. She sent another volley of chains at her. The Captain easily rolled clear of the attack. Venus grimaced; there was something about the woman that she simply didn't trust. She was far too good to be an ordinary member of the guard. "Hey, I thought you said no magic." The Captain cried while dodging the chains.
"I lied. Do you think the enemy will honor such bargains?"
"No, I suppose not."
Venus sighed and relaxed her stance. "I think that's enough for today Captain. I have a meeting with the Queen soon…" She wrinkled her nose, "and I'd rather not smell like this when I go."
The Captain smiled. She gave a brief salute and then left the training grounds. She quickly made her way through the palace grounds towards her own meeting place. For the past month she and Pluto had met in a forgotten section of the palace gardens at the same time every evening. Today, however, due to her training session with Venus, she was late.
When she finally arrived she noticed that Pluto appeared quite angry. Though most people wouldn't be able to tell. Pluto was rather stoic by nature, yet the Captain had come to know the Guardian of Time quite well in these past two months, and she could tell that she was very angry about something. Pluto's back was to her when she stepped into the small clearing that they used as a meeting place. "Don't tell me you're angry because I'm late, it was Venus' fault. I swear that woman has it out for me…"
Pluto turned and focused an icy glare on her. "No Jupiter I'm not angry because you're late, I just arrived myself."
"What, were you meeting with the Queen or something?"
"No, there was a disturbance around one of the moons of Neptune and my assistance was required."
Jupiter paled at the statement. "Uranus, Neptune, are they alright?"
Pluto nodded. "They're fine. Remarkably well in fact, especially Uranus." Jupiter gulped, it appeared that Pluto had discovered her deception. "You lied to me about her condition. You deliberately mislead not only me but the Queen as well. What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking of my friends. Do you realize how much they would have suffered if Uranus had come here instead of me? Do you even care?"
Pluto's eyes seemed to flare with rage. "Of course I care."
"Then try to understand my actions, or at least the motives behind them. All I wished to do was protect both my friends and my Princess."
Pluto sighed. "I realize that," She walked over and placed a hand on Jupiter's shoulder. "But can you understand the need for honesty between us? If we can not trust one another then we can not properly protect the Princess. And you can't protect everyone, no matter how strong you are, or how much you want to. While I admire the fact that you wish to shield others from harm, you must realize that some sacrifices must be made for the good of us all."
Jupiter nodded. She did feel bad for lying to Pluto. She looked down at her feet, unable to meet Pluto's eyes any longer. While she believed that she had done the right thing in coming to the Moon in Uranus' stead, she was ashamed of having to lie to get there.
"Look Pluto I…" She began. However, by the time she began to speak, Pluto was already gone. For a long time afterwards she remained in the garden, considering what Pluto had said. Finally, she decided that the next time she saw Pluto that she would apologize for her deceit, but not for coming here. Hopefully, Pluto would accept at least that much.
When Jupiter started back across the palace grounds towards her quarters, it was well in to the evening. Knowing that she would need some time to unwind before she could rest, she decided to sneak off to the kitchens to participate in one of her favorite pastimes, cooking. While most royalty wouldn't know a whisk from a potato peeler, Jupiter was quite the cook. She had spent a great deal of her childhood watching the royal chefs prepare their various masterpieces for state occasions. Later in her life, she found that the simple act of preparing a meal could soothe her after the worst of battles. It was a rare indulgence that she savored whenever she possibly could.
As she crept in to the palace's main kitchen, she was struck with its size. While the kitchen in her own home was far larger than most, this place was huge. Not to mention spotless. It was clear that the people here took pride in their workplace. Row after row of highly polished metal doors shined in the dim light, leading to pantries and freezers full of food. She ran her hand across one of the countertops, reveling in the feel of the cool metal on her skin. Yes, this was just the thing to help her unwind.
Once she had acquainted herself with the general layout of the kitchen, and had gathered some ingredients, Jupiter settled down to work. Before long the air was filled with the sweet aroma of fresh pastries. After a while she had become so involved in her cooking, that she failed to notice when a blonde head poked it's way in to the room.
"I thought I smelled something baking!" A voice called out triumphantly.
Jupiter looked up from her mixing bowl just in time to see an odangoed girl of about thirteen enter the kitchen. Even though she had never met the girl in person, Jupiter knew her identity instantly. "Your majesty," she replied trying her best to bow while still keeping a firm hold on the mixing bowl. "I'm terribly sorry if I have disturbed you."
The Princess waved the comment off. "You didn't disturb me at all. I couldn't sleep. I smelled your cooking, but then I thought that it was way too late for the chefs to be working. I wondered who could be making something this late that smelled so delicious, so I decided to investigate…and here I am."
Jupiter couldn't help but smile at the Princess' bubbly reply. "Would you like to try one of these?" She asked holding out a tray of pastries.
"Really?"
Jupiter nodded. "Of course, have as many as you like." With that the Princess practically flew across the kitchen to the counter where Jupiter and the pastries were.
After inhaling a few of the smaller ones the Princess mumbled, "These are terrific. You know I've never met a guardsmen who could cook before."
"Does it surprise you that much Highness?"
The Princess glanced sheepishly at Jupiter and picked up another treat. "Well, it's just that I thought that all the guard had time to do other than fight, is well, train to fight. It's all I've ever known them to do. I guess I never thought about them doing anything else. A soldier fights and that's it. "
"Let me assure you majesty, that while a soldier's main job is indeed to fight, and to kill if necessary, they are also people like everyone else. Take your Senshi for example, I understand that in her downtime Mars is a poet, Mercury a scholar, and Venus enjoys the theatre when she's not hounding the guard. They are each soldiers but they are each their own person apart from their duty as well, just like your guardsmen."
The Princess smiled. "I hadn't thought of things that way."
"Many times it takes the assistance of another to help us see our world from a different perspective." A new voice added. Jupiter nearly dropped her mixing bowl once she recognized the voice's owner. She struggled to quickly regain her composure as the Queen herself entered the kitchen.
With unparalleled grace, the Queen made her way to the counter. Jupiter began a shaky bow, however the Queen waved her off. "No need for formality tonight Captain." The Queen turned towards her daughter; "You should be in bed."
The Princess looked down at the counter. "I know, but everything smelt so delicious that I just couldn't resist…"
Serenity couldn't help but laugh at her daughter's spirit. "It's alright," she leaned over and whispered. "In fact the aroma of the Captain's cooking is what drew me here as well." She reached out and carefully selected a pastry from the tray. She examined it for a moment before taking a small bite. The Princess meanwhile shoved yet another pastry into her mouth whole.
The Queen raised an elegant eyebrow at the sight of her daughter wolfing down the desert, but decided to let the girl have her fun for a while longer. "These are quite good Captain. You'll have to give my chefs the recipe."
"Yes majesty." Jupiter stuttered, still in shock from being this close to the Queen.
After a short time the Queen turned to her daughter. "Serenity, you should be getting to bed now. The ambassadors from the allied planets are arriving tomorrow and you will have a long day ahead of you once morning comes."
"But Mother those people are so boring. Why do I have to meet with them anyway?"
"Because one day you will rule them. Now go."
The young princess sighed and then turned to Jupiter. "Goodnight Captain, thank you for the pastries."
Jupiter smiled. "You are quite welcome Highness."
After the Princess was gone the Queen rose and closed the kitchen door. "Jupiter, it is good to have you here," she said, finally being able to speak freely. "I'll admit that I was less than pleased with the circumstances surrounding your presence in court, however I believe things will work out for the best. You seem to be quite capable of performing your assigned duties."
"Thank you Majesty."
"Now then, will you grant me a small request Jupiter?"
"Of course majesty." Jupiter replied with a fervent nod of her head.
The Queen smiled at her Senshi's enthusiasm. "Will you tell me of Neptune and Uranus? I have not seen them in so long. I receive reports on their well being from Pluto, but I'd like to know a bit more about them personally."
Jupiter told the Queen all that she could about Uranus and Neptune. Some of it came as quite a surprise to the Queen, yet all was taken to heart as treasured information. Then the pair began to discuss all manner of topics, from pastry recipes to the state of politics on the Earth. After some time the Queen rose yet again. "Thank you Jupiter, it is not often that I allow myself the time to simply sit and talk with a friend."
"A friend Majesty?"
"Yes child, the Senshi are my soldiers, but you girls are also very important to me." She patted Jupiter on the shoulder. "Now, I must retire. Like my daughter, I too have a long day ahead of me, and I need to rest."
***
Jupiter sighed and brushed an imaginary wrinkle from the sleeve of her uniform coat. She stood in a corner of the grand ballroom watching the colorfully dressed crowd as they whirled across the marble floor. She would be infinitely grateful to the gods when this ball came to a close. She had always hated these things back home and the parties there were not even half the scale of this event. "At least I'm not giving a tour," Jupiter sighed. She was bored, she was tired, and she wished with every fiber of her being for this hellish week to come to a close.
The week since her fight with Pluto had passed by in a blur of official functions. She had yet to see Pluto and thus had not been able to apologize to her for the fight. Things were so hectic around the palace that Jupiter had had to forgo her daily meetings with Pluto so that she could properly orchestrate palace security. With so many outsiders on the grounds, the Queen did not wish to take any chances. On top of the fact that she still felt guilty over her fight with Pluto, Jupiter had barely gotten a moment's rest in the past few days. Jupiter was required to attend every meeting, and cater to every whim of the visiting bureaucrats, which meant everything from tours of the palace grounds to listening to their insipid lectures about how they felt the kingdom should be properly run. Needless to say, she was not disappointed in the least when she was told that the planetary delegates would be leaving in the morning. Maybe then I can talk to Pluto…
She was pulled from her thoughts as a delicate hand was placed on her shoulder. She turned to face the Princess of Mercury. "Sorry to disturb you Captain, but there is someone who wishes to speak with you." Jupiter nodded and followed the shorter woman across the crowded room. Eventually Mercury led her to a small corner of the room where several delegates had gathered.
Jupiter sighed. It appeared that she was going to have to give yet another snobbish courtier a tour of the grounds. Mercury turned to her. "Wait here a moment Captain and I'll get the Ambassador for you."
Ambassador… Jupiter felt a headache coming on. She turned towards a nearby window. Looking out into space, she wondered what Uranus and Neptune were doing at this moment. "Those two owe me for this," she grumbled.
"Captain, I'd like to introduce you to Setsuna Meioh, the Plutonian Ambassador." Mercury said upon returning. Jupiter turned to face Mercury and the ambassador, prepared to meet yet another pompous courtier. However, once she saw the ambassador her jaw dropped. There standing next to Mercury, looking like a goddess, was Pluto.
"It's a pleasure Captain." Pluto said extending her hand. It took Jupiter a moment to come to her senses, but she was eventually able to recover from her shock long enough to take Pluto's hand in her own and bring it to her lips.
"The pleasure is mine milady." Jupiter couldn't be sure, but she could almost swear that a slight blush crossed Pluto's face as she withdrew her hand. "I did not know that there would be delegates from the outer regions in attendance tonight."
"Oh, Ambassador Meioh is not here as part of the conference," Mercury answered. "She is one of the Queen's advisors. She drops by the palace from time to time."
Pluto nodded. "Yes, I just happened to be in the area, and the Queen thought it prudent for me to make an appearance tonight."
"I see." Jupiter replied. So Pluto does this sort of thing often. Why didn't she mention this other identity before? She took a moment to take a good look at Pluto. She wore a long black dress, which clung to her frame, and her long hair was piled, in a rather elaborate fashion, upon her head. This was the first time that Jupiter could remember ever seeing Pluto in her civilian form. The Senshi of Time certainly did look different out of uniform, quite lovely in fact. Jupiter shook her head. What am I thinking? She turned her attention back on the conversation Mercury and Pluto were having. The three made small talk for a time, until finally Pluto inclined her head towards the dance floor.
"Captain, I hope you will not find this request too forward of me, but would you care to dance?"
"It would be an honor." Jupiter turned to Pluto and offered her arm. The pair nodded to Mercury and then made their way across the ballroom. Once they had taken their places on the dance floor, Jupiter whispered. "What in the name of Serenity are you doing here?"
"Well, it would appear that I am dancing with you." Pluto replied with a laugh.
- "That's not what I meant and you know it."
- Pluto sighed. "I appear in the palace from time to time like this in order to speak with the Queen about matters concerning the gate."
- "Could you not do that as Sailor Pluto?"
- "I could, however the Queen feels that it would be too much of a temptation for our enemies to attack the Gates of Time if they knew that I was away from them. So I am never seen as Sailor Pluto within these walls, in fact the only time that Pluto is seen outside of her post is when she joins the other Outer soldiers in battle. Since I can not hide the fact that I am Plutonian, I assumed the guise of my planet's ambassador. Meioh is the family name of one of my planet's oldest noble houses."
- "Alright I accept that, however it still doesn't explain what you are doing here tonight."
- "I needed to speak with the Queen about her decision to send the Princess on a tour of the kingdom."
- Jupiter nodded. She herself had been informed of the Princess' impending journey just that morning. The Princess and her party were to leave for Venus the next day. "Do you sense that the Princess is in danger?"
- "I sensed some danger concerning the journey but I do not know if it will befall the Princess or another in the party."
- "I see. Well, do not worry. I will be accompanying the Princess and the Inner Senshi on the journey along with a select group of the Imperial Guard. Nothing will happen to our Princess I assure you."
- Pluto nodded, as a look that Jupiter couldn't quite place flashed through her crimson eyes. "Just promise me that you will be careful."
- "Are you trying to tell me something Pluto?"
- "Promise me."
- "You have my word…I will be on my guard during this journey."
- "Thank you, " Pluto sighed, relief evident in her voice. "Now, why don't we try and enjoy ourselves this evening."
- Jupiter nodded, but she still wondered at Pluto's words. Was something going to happen to the Princess on this journey? Pluto had seemed more concerned about Jupiter herself. Could it be that she was going to be the one in danger? Jupiter sighed as she and Pluto glided across the dance floor. It did not matter. Her mission was to protect the Princess and that is what she intended to do, cryptic warnings or not.
- Well, that's it for part one. Hopefully, I haven't put everyone to sleep with this tripe. As always thank you for your time.
- Remember thecoconutcyclone owns nothing but a few empty pizza boxes and an old copy of Paradise Lost. And apparently she hasn't been paying much attention to that, or she'd be able to tell the difference between quality work and the junk she tries to pass off as good. ;]