Hi all! Thanks for your interest in my work. This is the first
fanfic that I've written that I've ever shared with the public. No
flames, please, but constructive criticism is very welcome (as is
praise *heh*) Normal disclaimers apply, I certainly do not own Sailor
Moon! I would also like to note that I'm a huge Gen/Sen fan, so
there's gonna be a lot of that (all characters will make an appearance
tho, this story doesn't really focus any one person)
Alright, on to it!
*************************
One window was all that mattered in the solemn and colorless
world. From it, a pleading green glow painted itself upon the callous
snow which would offer no comfort, nor way of escape for her. Darkness cast
blue phantoms against the pale ice, but darker shadows lurked in the
alleyways and in the hearts of the men that slide through them like
serpents. She slumped against the window ledge, blotting out
the green light and shaking in sorrow as she gazed
upon this new world, and could find no good in it. Each night, these events
repeated; a sick dream that would not leave the miserable figure to rest.
And yet, she held on, waiting and always watching for a
sign...
One night, from below her gilded cage, the shadow in
the window stared in silence at the perfect white snow.
There was a young tow-headed girl stumbling across the road
with a determined expression on her flushed face. She shook fiercely
in the frosty wind, and clutched a shoddy coat against her thin frame
as she made her way through a forgotten street under her window.
And then as if by magic, a dark angel appeared before her. The two
looked at each other for a moment that made time stand still for
all three players. The girl finally broke free of the young man's
spell, and rushed past him as though she had been wounded
by his gaze. As the tow-headed child hurriedly vanished in
the whirling snowflakes, the figure raised up and smiled at
the glowing yoke in the sky.
Then perhaps there is hope...
***********************************************************
"General, I am angry with you."
"A pleasure to see you again, Senator," he replied smoothly,
removing his hat with a sweepingly romantic gesture and gliding into
a seat before me
I drummed my fingernails impatiently against the cool marble
of my desk, carefully scrutinizing which words I would
use next.
"You make it very difficult for us to try and maintain peace,
General Jadeite," I remarked icily. My eyes remained downcast,
watching my fingers, a carefully bored expression playing on my face.
"Since both armies have already mobilized and are simply awaiting the
declaration of war, it makes it near impossible for we diplomats to
come to any sort of peace treaty."
"Senator, we cannot just back down now," he insisted. "In the
event of an enemy attack, our strategy would be revealed, and our
borders exposed."
"I am not claiming to be an optimist, Genera-"
"I never accused you of being an optimist, Rei," he retorted
with dangerous eyes. I looked up, finally and closed my mouth for
possibly the first time in my entire life. He was infuriating.
He continued after a moment, keeping his gaze locked carefully
with my own, as if making sure I followed every word he said. "You
must understand...at this point, war is inevitable."
"I still believe that we could realistically achieve peace...
that is, if you would have the nerve to actually trust someone's word
and take a chance on--"
"This is war!" he chuckled. "I am not so much a fool that I
would trust my enemy, Senator. Backing down now would be losing the
war, not achieving peace."
"I will not give up," I replied with my famous frosty stubbornness.
"And I will not move my army," he said rising from his seat.
An odd panic laced my gut at seeing him pat his hat upon his head.
He turned to me one last time, bowed his head, and tossed a
lopsided smile in my direction. He then swiftly turned on one heel
and left the room, not waiting for the argument that both of us knew
that I would supply.
Something warm began to flood my body, starting at the tips
of my toes and stretching nearly to my lips where I fiercely
shoved it down and returned to less pleasant matters.
************************************************************
I took a breath before opening the door and striding in like I
owned the place. She glanced up at me from her desk and her paper work
but seemed uninterested in what she saw and immediately looked back
down and continued. I couldn't help but smile. She was the only girl
I could ever remember who didn't look at me with hearts in her eyes.
It was refreshing and frustrating. From the moment I had first met
her, she had become my challenge. While as I admired her
indifference to me, I was determined to make her just like all of
the other girls. I was determined to make that girl swoon when she
saw me.
"General, I am angry with you," she said quietly. I loved her
voice. It was the deepest and most seductive sound that had ever
touched my ears. There was a hidden sing-song tone in it, but for
the most part she sounded as though she were trying to melt every man
she spoke with.
"A pleasure to see you again, Senator," I smiled lopsidedly and
removed my hat, inviting myself to a seat.
She began to tap her fingernails against the marble and pursed
her lips together. I had come to the conclusion that she reminded me
of some sort of cat--exotic and different. I was slightly disappointed to mostly just see
a passionate anger reflected in her gaze. Our entire conversation went along like
that. It was all very cold and practical. I just allowed my mind to shut off,
and my mouth to go through the normal motions.
"You must understand...at this point, war is inevitable," I
continued slowly. I could see the fires slowly cooling in her eyes,
and she leaned back a little in her chair, returning to her aloof calm. I
hated to see her that way...calm and dull, the perfect diplomat.
"I still believe that we could realistically achieve peace...
that is, if you would have the nerve to actually trust someone's word
and take a chance on--"
I refused to let her finish, again. It was a constant struggle
for power and superiority between the two of us. Thus far she had
managed to beat me at my own game, but she would not win me over on the
battlefield.
"This is war!" I laughed at her for all of her naive hopes and
dreams of peace, and for my temporary victory over her. This was
something about her life that I could finally control... "I am not so
much a fool that I would trust my enemy, Senator. Backing down now
would be losing the war, not achieving peace."
"I will not give up," she reassured me.
"And I will not move my army," I said, rising, somewhat satisfied with
the emotions that I had caused to arise in her today. I grasped my
hat and slid it onto my head.
I walked for the door, feeling that my goal was drawing closer.
My mind shot a quick suggestion in my direction, and before I knew
what I was doing, I found myself bowing flirtatiously to her. I
smoothly rose and turned away, not waiting to see her expression or
hear the spicy retort I could sense coming. I stepped outside the
door and beamed at a passing maid. Her cheeks flushed pink and she
hid all but her eyes behind a large stack of clothing that she carried.
I sighed and longed for more.
*******************************************************
My uncle was not the type of man who simply walked up to
receive you. His swagger was that of a cat: pompous, overly
self-assured, arrogant as all hell, and intimidating. Each step he
took was fluid and beautiful as his coat glided over his finely
chiseled body. I saw him long before he ever saw me, and watched him
maneuver his way through the throng of bodies. I couldn't fathom how
this man's genes could be present in my own body. While as in a single
step he held intense mystery and power; I remained dull and pale.
I watched as an old pile of wrinkles tapped his shoulder and
pointed in my direction. My uncle turned and searched awhile for me,
while I still made no effort to be seen. After a moment he finally
saw me, smiled and waved, and then began to push his way in my
direction.
Uncle Artemis was six years my senior, but looked as though
he could easily be ten years younger. Due to his partial Venusian and
Lunarian backgrounds (from his mother's side) he maintained a striking mane
of long white hair that floated down his back like water. His cadet-
blue eyes reflected more gray than anything else, and the color alone
reeked of callousness. They were a startling contradiction to the
rest of his boyish features that reflected his sometimes immature
personality and easy smile.
"Hullo Zoicite!" he bellowed. He placed a large and firm hand
on my shoulder and squeezed it warmly.
"Evening Artemis," I nodded.
"I'm glad you could make it, I haven't seen you in months.
Have you heard from your brother at all?"
"No...not since I left Arendiare. I'm sure he's around
somewhere being...solemn and mysterious."
"I wouldn't doubt it," Artemis chuckled. He smiled and glanced
over my shoulder for a moment. Artemis was a popular fellow and he
wasn't terribly good about devoting his attention to one person. His
smile grew at something behind me.
"And you?" I cleared my throat, snapping him back into our
conversation. "How have you been?"
He turned so that he and I faced the same way and leaned in
closer to me, again putting his large hand on my shoulder. He turned
me to face the direction in which he had been looking and then pointed
out at the crowd.
"There she is," he whispered excitedly. "My own little pocket
goddess, isn't she enchanting?"
Without my glasses I wasn't really able to see anything but
a huge clump of moving and breathing flesh ahead of us. I squinted
searching for this "pocket goddess" but came up short and shrugged.
"You didn't answer--"
"Oh come on, Zoicite, you simply must met her...she's the
finest bit of fluff I've ever encountered." He gripped my shoulder
and steered me around through legions of pleasantly drunk and scarcely
clad men and women.
From the moment I first saw her, I knew that I immediately did
not care for her. She was standing in a large crowd of people who were
fawning over her and a smiling blonde. They all roared with laughter
and swayed with drunken pleasure as the blonde's eyebrows raised
suggestively. I could see the blue pixie glow red.
The red color that flushed over her milky cheeks and breasts
matched the startling red of her dress. It was short, fringed, and
sparkled majestically in the moonlight. Her hair bobbed around her
ears in soft azure waves with little red rhinestones and feathers
twisting their way in the curls. Everything about her screamed out
her rebellion against the traditional and fundamentalist ways of the
world that I wrapped around myself like a security blanket.
These new women that were polluting society seemed to
materialize out of nowhere. As far as I was concerned, they were a
black smudge on the once iridescent white of the upper class. They were
loose and drunken party girls who were no better than common whores.
I was not surprised that Artemis would be fond of such a disgraceful
creature.
Artemis again grasped my shoulder and nudged me forward a bit,
until I felt that I may drown in a rather full and particularly robust
woman's cleavage. I grunted in protest.
"Zoicite, allow me to introduce you to my "pocket goddess",
Minako Angeneuf," Artemis announced, with pride rumbling through his
voice. I was shocked when I managed to glance up to see that it was
the blonde that he was introducing me to. She smiled down at me warmly
as I tried to straighten myself from where I had nose-dived into the
large woman's dress. I immediately rethought my first reaction to
these young women. There was something indescribably wonderful about
this golden child. Just looking upon her glowing face made me feel
strangely warm inside. My faith was restored in Artemis's judgment.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady," I attempted as I finally
found my voice.
"So you're Art's little nephew. Not so little anymore, I see,"
she smiled brilliantly at Artemis and I could see him literally melt
under her sunshine gaze. "It is wonderful to finally meet you," she
touched my hand with a gentle sincerity that gave me the feeling that
I was the only man she had ever placed her feather-light fingers on.
I took in a shaky breath.
"And this little nymph is Ami Misu," Artemis broke in. I
decided that because I had been so pleasantly mistaken about this
golden vision, perhaps I should also rethink my initial judgments
about the odd blue-haired girl in red.
I turned my head away from Minako, feeling as though I had lost
the sun for the rest of my life. The surprising sorrow that filled
my stomach upon loosing her image, however, was quickly replaced by
something new. While Minako may have been my day, I had just met the
night.
Her short black curls circled her sweet milky countenance. She
reminded me of a dark version of the angels that soared throughout the
stain glass windows of Terran churches. She was beautiful, serene,
and utterly tragic.
"Its a pleasure to meet you," I said slowly, watching her quick
blue orbs study me. She came back from her survey to meet my eyes with
a soft frown upon her painted lips.
"Indeed it is," she replied with a liquid-smooth nod.
"Minako and Ami are very powerful young ladies," Artemis went
on, reminding me of his presence.
"Oh Artemis," Minako protested, pushing his shoulder playfully.
His smile grew and he nodded in my direction, but kept his
eyes on Minako.
"They are the inner senshi of the Lunarian Kingdom, guardians
to the Princess, herself." The crowd began to press tightly against
me, each person still trying to talk to the two sirens.
"Oh, with all these people around I can hardly focus," Minako
murmured lowly. "Could we move to a more intimate location?"
I could have sworn when she said 'intimate' the world stopped
for a moment and all I could do was stare stupidly into her captivating
eyes. Before I realized it I was being guided (again by Artemis's
large hand on my shoulder) down the hallway of a home of proportions
that I could have never even fantasized about.
He was an attractive man. That was the first thing that hit
my mind as I saw Artemis guiding him in my direction. And then icy
rush of fear flooded my system as I realized that this man was about to
be in front of me, possibly conversing with me. I hated my cowardess
but I was, indeed, frightened enough of the wispy-haired and dreamy-
eyed lad to sprint off to the buffet table and curse myself for
allowing Minako to dress me so outrageously this evening.
It was his beauty that led me to not trust him. From many
years of observation I had learned that men of good-looks were
scoundrels with nothing more on their mind than a shallow romp under
the covers and a quick and easily forgotten good bye. And tonight
could not be a worse night for me to encounter such a devil. Not when
I, too, looked the part of the fiery temptress. I was literally short
of breath when he appeared in front of me, but his head was quickly
(and hopefully accidentally) shoved down into the swooping neckline of
a large tipsy woman. When I saw his face again it was flushed with
embarrassment. More than being handsome, I decided that he was the most
utterly beautiful creature I had ever seen. And that meant that he
was also the most dangerous.
His eyes were locked with Minako's, as I had seen many glazed
eyes before. He looked upon her as any other young warm-blooded man
would look upon the "goddess of love", but at the same time I felt
their constant attraction to my friend was growing tiresome. I had
never cared for any of her young suitors' attentions, for I had an
amazing and wonderful man in my own life, but there was something
about this occasion that just proved to annoy me slightly.
I really didn't listen to any of the conversation, but
continued to study Minako and this man's interaction, wondering what
magic she possessed that bewitched men so. Suddenly, his eyes were
upon me. I blinked in shock as his eyes found my own, but I quickly
looked away, not even daring to give this rascal the satisfaction of
knowing that I thought he was quite pleasing to look upon. Instead
I looked down at his shoes before again meeting his eyes with a decided
frown upon my face. Beautiful or not, he was a dangerous man and I
was already taken, anyway.
"Its a pleasure to meet you," he had said before I had looked
down at his shoes. It seemed like it had been at least an hour before
I selected my very delicate response, "Indeed it is," followed by a
convincing nod.
I hated that I did not have the talent of reading people's
faces, as Minako or Artemis could. It made me more hesitant to trust
anyone, and less sure of exactly what people were feeling. I could
see that this young man was looking at me with a poorly-shielded
expression glowing in his eyes, but for the life of me I could not
even to begin to guess what it was.
Artemis was continuing to brag about the two of us to
continually impress his young friend, and I would float in and out of
the conversation, my own thoughts mingling with his words. I watched
with half-interest when Minako playfully pushed Artemis, and then
leaned into him. His hand reached out to capture her, only for her to
move just in time, never to have even known about his attempt to reach
her. It was a shame to have so many men love her, but to never feel
in such a manner towards them. Perhaps this new face to our circle of
friends would finally weave its way into her heart. Artemis would
hate himself for having ever introduced the pair, even if he has a
wife of his own, who he probably did not truly deserve.
I heard Minako say "intimate" and I could practically hear
every young man's head whip around. The next thing I knew I
was being guided down a long hallway covered in painting and
murals that glittered like rhinestones. I was practically shaking
as the handsome young man fell quietly in line next to me. I
could feel my skin shift to the color of Minako's silly red dress.
Tonight would certainly be memorable.
*************************************
End Chapter 1
I wanna go ahead and warn you, although this is set in a silver
mil. like time, its not exactly the by-the-book story. Also, I'm not
getting different PLANETS involved. Think of everything as
different regions and countries.
Please leave comments in the box!!!!
(ooooh, also, can anyone figure out what war this is sorta modeled
after????)
fanfic that I've written that I've ever shared with the public. No
flames, please, but constructive criticism is very welcome (as is
praise *heh*) Normal disclaimers apply, I certainly do not own Sailor
Moon! I would also like to note that I'm a huge Gen/Sen fan, so
there's gonna be a lot of that (all characters will make an appearance
tho, this story doesn't really focus any one person)
Alright, on to it!
*************************
One window was all that mattered in the solemn and colorless
world. From it, a pleading green glow painted itself upon the callous
snow which would offer no comfort, nor way of escape for her. Darkness cast
blue phantoms against the pale ice, but darker shadows lurked in the
alleyways and in the hearts of the men that slide through them like
serpents. She slumped against the window ledge, blotting out
the green light and shaking in sorrow as she gazed
upon this new world, and could find no good in it. Each night, these events
repeated; a sick dream that would not leave the miserable figure to rest.
And yet, she held on, waiting and always watching for a
sign...
One night, from below her gilded cage, the shadow in
the window stared in silence at the perfect white snow.
There was a young tow-headed girl stumbling across the road
with a determined expression on her flushed face. She shook fiercely
in the frosty wind, and clutched a shoddy coat against her thin frame
as she made her way through a forgotten street under her window.
And then as if by magic, a dark angel appeared before her. The two
looked at each other for a moment that made time stand still for
all three players. The girl finally broke free of the young man's
spell, and rushed past him as though she had been wounded
by his gaze. As the tow-headed child hurriedly vanished in
the whirling snowflakes, the figure raised up and smiled at
the glowing yoke in the sky.
Then perhaps there is hope...
***********************************************************
"General, I am angry with you."
"A pleasure to see you again, Senator," he replied smoothly,
removing his hat with a sweepingly romantic gesture and gliding into
a seat before me
I drummed my fingernails impatiently against the cool marble
of my desk, carefully scrutinizing which words I would
use next.
"You make it very difficult for us to try and maintain peace,
General Jadeite," I remarked icily. My eyes remained downcast,
watching my fingers, a carefully bored expression playing on my face.
"Since both armies have already mobilized and are simply awaiting the
declaration of war, it makes it near impossible for we diplomats to
come to any sort of peace treaty."
"Senator, we cannot just back down now," he insisted. "In the
event of an enemy attack, our strategy would be revealed, and our
borders exposed."
"I am not claiming to be an optimist, Genera-"
"I never accused you of being an optimist, Rei," he retorted
with dangerous eyes. I looked up, finally and closed my mouth for
possibly the first time in my entire life. He was infuriating.
He continued after a moment, keeping his gaze locked carefully
with my own, as if making sure I followed every word he said. "You
must understand...at this point, war is inevitable."
"I still believe that we could realistically achieve peace...
that is, if you would have the nerve to actually trust someone's word
and take a chance on--"
"This is war!" he chuckled. "I am not so much a fool that I
would trust my enemy, Senator. Backing down now would be losing the
war, not achieving peace."
"I will not give up," I replied with my famous frosty stubbornness.
"And I will not move my army," he said rising from his seat.
An odd panic laced my gut at seeing him pat his hat upon his head.
He turned to me one last time, bowed his head, and tossed a
lopsided smile in my direction. He then swiftly turned on one heel
and left the room, not waiting for the argument that both of us knew
that I would supply.
Something warm began to flood my body, starting at the tips
of my toes and stretching nearly to my lips where I fiercely
shoved it down and returned to less pleasant matters.
************************************************************
I took a breath before opening the door and striding in like I
owned the place. She glanced up at me from her desk and her paper work
but seemed uninterested in what she saw and immediately looked back
down and continued. I couldn't help but smile. She was the only girl
I could ever remember who didn't look at me with hearts in her eyes.
It was refreshing and frustrating. From the moment I had first met
her, she had become my challenge. While as I admired her
indifference to me, I was determined to make her just like all of
the other girls. I was determined to make that girl swoon when she
saw me.
"General, I am angry with you," she said quietly. I loved her
voice. It was the deepest and most seductive sound that had ever
touched my ears. There was a hidden sing-song tone in it, but for
the most part she sounded as though she were trying to melt every man
she spoke with.
"A pleasure to see you again, Senator," I smiled lopsidedly and
removed my hat, inviting myself to a seat.
She began to tap her fingernails against the marble and pursed
her lips together. I had come to the conclusion that she reminded me
of some sort of cat--exotic and different. I was slightly disappointed to mostly just see
a passionate anger reflected in her gaze. Our entire conversation went along like
that. It was all very cold and practical. I just allowed my mind to shut off,
and my mouth to go through the normal motions.
"You must understand...at this point, war is inevitable," I
continued slowly. I could see the fires slowly cooling in her eyes,
and she leaned back a little in her chair, returning to her aloof calm. I
hated to see her that way...calm and dull, the perfect diplomat.
"I still believe that we could realistically achieve peace...
that is, if you would have the nerve to actually trust someone's word
and take a chance on--"
I refused to let her finish, again. It was a constant struggle
for power and superiority between the two of us. Thus far she had
managed to beat me at my own game, but she would not win me over on the
battlefield.
"This is war!" I laughed at her for all of her naive hopes and
dreams of peace, and for my temporary victory over her. This was
something about her life that I could finally control... "I am not so
much a fool that I would trust my enemy, Senator. Backing down now
would be losing the war, not achieving peace."
"I will not give up," she reassured me.
"And I will not move my army," I said, rising, somewhat satisfied with
the emotions that I had caused to arise in her today. I grasped my
hat and slid it onto my head.
I walked for the door, feeling that my goal was drawing closer.
My mind shot a quick suggestion in my direction, and before I knew
what I was doing, I found myself bowing flirtatiously to her. I
smoothly rose and turned away, not waiting to see her expression or
hear the spicy retort I could sense coming. I stepped outside the
door and beamed at a passing maid. Her cheeks flushed pink and she
hid all but her eyes behind a large stack of clothing that she carried.
I sighed and longed for more.
*******************************************************
My uncle was not the type of man who simply walked up to
receive you. His swagger was that of a cat: pompous, overly
self-assured, arrogant as all hell, and intimidating. Each step he
took was fluid and beautiful as his coat glided over his finely
chiseled body. I saw him long before he ever saw me, and watched him
maneuver his way through the throng of bodies. I couldn't fathom how
this man's genes could be present in my own body. While as in a single
step he held intense mystery and power; I remained dull and pale.
I watched as an old pile of wrinkles tapped his shoulder and
pointed in my direction. My uncle turned and searched awhile for me,
while I still made no effort to be seen. After a moment he finally
saw me, smiled and waved, and then began to push his way in my
direction.
Uncle Artemis was six years my senior, but looked as though
he could easily be ten years younger. Due to his partial Venusian and
Lunarian backgrounds (from his mother's side) he maintained a striking mane
of long white hair that floated down his back like water. His cadet-
blue eyes reflected more gray than anything else, and the color alone
reeked of callousness. They were a startling contradiction to the
rest of his boyish features that reflected his sometimes immature
personality and easy smile.
"Hullo Zoicite!" he bellowed. He placed a large and firm hand
on my shoulder and squeezed it warmly.
"Evening Artemis," I nodded.
"I'm glad you could make it, I haven't seen you in months.
Have you heard from your brother at all?"
"No...not since I left Arendiare. I'm sure he's around
somewhere being...solemn and mysterious."
"I wouldn't doubt it," Artemis chuckled. He smiled and glanced
over my shoulder for a moment. Artemis was a popular fellow and he
wasn't terribly good about devoting his attention to one person. His
smile grew at something behind me.
"And you?" I cleared my throat, snapping him back into our
conversation. "How have you been?"
He turned so that he and I faced the same way and leaned in
closer to me, again putting his large hand on my shoulder. He turned
me to face the direction in which he had been looking and then pointed
out at the crowd.
"There she is," he whispered excitedly. "My own little pocket
goddess, isn't she enchanting?"
Without my glasses I wasn't really able to see anything but
a huge clump of moving and breathing flesh ahead of us. I squinted
searching for this "pocket goddess" but came up short and shrugged.
"You didn't answer--"
"Oh come on, Zoicite, you simply must met her...she's the
finest bit of fluff I've ever encountered." He gripped my shoulder
and steered me around through legions of pleasantly drunk and scarcely
clad men and women.
From the moment I first saw her, I knew that I immediately did
not care for her. She was standing in a large crowd of people who were
fawning over her and a smiling blonde. They all roared with laughter
and swayed with drunken pleasure as the blonde's eyebrows raised
suggestively. I could see the blue pixie glow red.
The red color that flushed over her milky cheeks and breasts
matched the startling red of her dress. It was short, fringed, and
sparkled majestically in the moonlight. Her hair bobbed around her
ears in soft azure waves with little red rhinestones and feathers
twisting their way in the curls. Everything about her screamed out
her rebellion against the traditional and fundamentalist ways of the
world that I wrapped around myself like a security blanket.
These new women that were polluting society seemed to
materialize out of nowhere. As far as I was concerned, they were a
black smudge on the once iridescent white of the upper class. They were
loose and drunken party girls who were no better than common whores.
I was not surprised that Artemis would be fond of such a disgraceful
creature.
Artemis again grasped my shoulder and nudged me forward a bit,
until I felt that I may drown in a rather full and particularly robust
woman's cleavage. I grunted in protest.
"Zoicite, allow me to introduce you to my "pocket goddess",
Minako Angeneuf," Artemis announced, with pride rumbling through his
voice. I was shocked when I managed to glance up to see that it was
the blonde that he was introducing me to. She smiled down at me warmly
as I tried to straighten myself from where I had nose-dived into the
large woman's dress. I immediately rethought my first reaction to
these young women. There was something indescribably wonderful about
this golden child. Just looking upon her glowing face made me feel
strangely warm inside. My faith was restored in Artemis's judgment.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady," I attempted as I finally
found my voice.
"So you're Art's little nephew. Not so little anymore, I see,"
she smiled brilliantly at Artemis and I could see him literally melt
under her sunshine gaze. "It is wonderful to finally meet you," she
touched my hand with a gentle sincerity that gave me the feeling that
I was the only man she had ever placed her feather-light fingers on.
I took in a shaky breath.
"And this little nymph is Ami Misu," Artemis broke in. I
decided that because I had been so pleasantly mistaken about this
golden vision, perhaps I should also rethink my initial judgments
about the odd blue-haired girl in red.
I turned my head away from Minako, feeling as though I had lost
the sun for the rest of my life. The surprising sorrow that filled
my stomach upon loosing her image, however, was quickly replaced by
something new. While Minako may have been my day, I had just met the
night.
Her short black curls circled her sweet milky countenance. She
reminded me of a dark version of the angels that soared throughout the
stain glass windows of Terran churches. She was beautiful, serene,
and utterly tragic.
"Its a pleasure to meet you," I said slowly, watching her quick
blue orbs study me. She came back from her survey to meet my eyes with
a soft frown upon her painted lips.
"Indeed it is," she replied with a liquid-smooth nod.
"Minako and Ami are very powerful young ladies," Artemis went
on, reminding me of his presence.
"Oh Artemis," Minako protested, pushing his shoulder playfully.
His smile grew and he nodded in my direction, but kept his
eyes on Minako.
"They are the inner senshi of the Lunarian Kingdom, guardians
to the Princess, herself." The crowd began to press tightly against
me, each person still trying to talk to the two sirens.
"Oh, with all these people around I can hardly focus," Minako
murmured lowly. "Could we move to a more intimate location?"
I could have sworn when she said 'intimate' the world stopped
for a moment and all I could do was stare stupidly into her captivating
eyes. Before I realized it I was being guided (again by Artemis's
large hand on my shoulder) down the hallway of a home of proportions
that I could have never even fantasized about.
He was an attractive man. That was the first thing that hit
my mind as I saw Artemis guiding him in my direction. And then icy
rush of fear flooded my system as I realized that this man was about to
be in front of me, possibly conversing with me. I hated my cowardess
but I was, indeed, frightened enough of the wispy-haired and dreamy-
eyed lad to sprint off to the buffet table and curse myself for
allowing Minako to dress me so outrageously this evening.
It was his beauty that led me to not trust him. From many
years of observation I had learned that men of good-looks were
scoundrels with nothing more on their mind than a shallow romp under
the covers and a quick and easily forgotten good bye. And tonight
could not be a worse night for me to encounter such a devil. Not when
I, too, looked the part of the fiery temptress. I was literally short
of breath when he appeared in front of me, but his head was quickly
(and hopefully accidentally) shoved down into the swooping neckline of
a large tipsy woman. When I saw his face again it was flushed with
embarrassment. More than being handsome, I decided that he was the most
utterly beautiful creature I had ever seen. And that meant that he
was also the most dangerous.
His eyes were locked with Minako's, as I had seen many glazed
eyes before. He looked upon her as any other young warm-blooded man
would look upon the "goddess of love", but at the same time I felt
their constant attraction to my friend was growing tiresome. I had
never cared for any of her young suitors' attentions, for I had an
amazing and wonderful man in my own life, but there was something
about this occasion that just proved to annoy me slightly.
I really didn't listen to any of the conversation, but
continued to study Minako and this man's interaction, wondering what
magic she possessed that bewitched men so. Suddenly, his eyes were
upon me. I blinked in shock as his eyes found my own, but I quickly
looked away, not even daring to give this rascal the satisfaction of
knowing that I thought he was quite pleasing to look upon. Instead
I looked down at his shoes before again meeting his eyes with a decided
frown upon my face. Beautiful or not, he was a dangerous man and I
was already taken, anyway.
"Its a pleasure to meet you," he had said before I had looked
down at his shoes. It seemed like it had been at least an hour before
I selected my very delicate response, "Indeed it is," followed by a
convincing nod.
I hated that I did not have the talent of reading people's
faces, as Minako or Artemis could. It made me more hesitant to trust
anyone, and less sure of exactly what people were feeling. I could
see that this young man was looking at me with a poorly-shielded
expression glowing in his eyes, but for the life of me I could not
even to begin to guess what it was.
Artemis was continuing to brag about the two of us to
continually impress his young friend, and I would float in and out of
the conversation, my own thoughts mingling with his words. I watched
with half-interest when Minako playfully pushed Artemis, and then
leaned into him. His hand reached out to capture her, only for her to
move just in time, never to have even known about his attempt to reach
her. It was a shame to have so many men love her, but to never feel
in such a manner towards them. Perhaps this new face to our circle of
friends would finally weave its way into her heart. Artemis would
hate himself for having ever introduced the pair, even if he has a
wife of his own, who he probably did not truly deserve.
I heard Minako say "intimate" and I could practically hear
every young man's head whip around. The next thing I knew I
was being guided down a long hallway covered in painting and
murals that glittered like rhinestones. I was practically shaking
as the handsome young man fell quietly in line next to me. I
could feel my skin shift to the color of Minako's silly red dress.
Tonight would certainly be memorable.
*************************************
End Chapter 1
I wanna go ahead and warn you, although this is set in a silver
mil. like time, its not exactly the by-the-book story. Also, I'm not
getting different PLANETS involved. Think of everything as
different regions and countries.
Please leave comments in the box!!!!
(ooooh, also, can anyone figure out what war this is sorta modeled
after????)