THE CHILDREN OF CRYSTAL TOKYO
The beautiful blue ball shimmered brilliantly as the light of the sun struck it's surface. The gorgeous jewel that hung amongst the stars and stood proud. This exquisite land of life. This ethereal utopia.
This beautiful home.
Earth.
------------
Within the city, it was still early. But even now, there were many awake, preparing for the day. Such was the case in a little neighborhood home.
"KASU! Hurry up! Your breakfast is getting cold!"
"HAI! I'll be down in a minute!" The blue eyed girl studied her reflection in the mirror as she rushed to finish putting her hair in place. She tugged at the blouse of her school uniform and straightenned the bow at her chest. When she was satisfied with her appearance, she snagged the handle of her schoolbag as she ran past it, yanking it from the dresser and with her out the bedroom door. She rushed down the short staircase and sharply turned the corner into the dining area where the rest of her family already sat.
Her father looked up from the table as she entered. "Ah... Ohayo, Kasumi." "Ohayo, Papa." She sat at the end of the table and looked to her siblings as she greeted them. "Ohayo, Yasuo. Ohayo, Nami."
Her brother smiled to her warmly as he slid her plate of breakfast to her. "Ohayo, Kasu. What took so long? I was beginning to think you were going to skip breakfast this morning." He chuckled lightly, swishing the bangs of his sapphire hair away from his bright brown eyes."Gomen ne", she said with a flush of embarassment. "I couldn't find my hairband at first. I spent most of the morning looking for it." Her eyes glanced upward, motioning to the rose red hairband that adorned her sky blue hair.
The sea-blue eyes of her older sister glanced over at Kasumi briefly before returning to her breakfast. "I don't see why you always have to wear THAT one, Kasu", she said flatly. "It's so shabby. If you lose it, you can always buy another one." Kasumi gave a look of disapproval. "Iie! I couldn't just replace it! It's special! Lucky! Remember? It's the one Mama gave me after I passed my choir audition." "Oh, that's right", Yasuo interjected. "When you got picked for that spot in the quartet, right?"
Kasumi nodded proudly, but Nami just scoffed and twirled a finger around the strands of bleached white that hung among the rest of of her chestnut brown hair. "Oh come on, Kasumi... That was two years ago. You're relying on superstition." Nami's response was Kasumi's tongue stuck out in her direction.
"So, Yasuo", their father changed the subject. "What will you be up to today? You're art club teacher tells us you're work has been improving substantially." "Hai, Oto-san" , Yasuo smiled proudly. "I've been working very hard. I'm hoping my next painting will make it into the city art contest, but I'm still not sure." "I've seen your work, Yasuo. And it's nothing to scoff at. You have a tremendous gift. Your mother and I are very, very proud of your work. You should be just as proud." Yasuo smiled brightly at his father's words. "Arigato, Oto-san."
"However", his father's tone dropped slightly. "You also need to pay attention to your academics. Shino-san tells me your grades are slowly starting to slip." Yasuo's response to his father's words was his gaze dropping to the table.
Nami shot a sly grin in Yasuo's direction. "Well maybe they wouldn't be if he'd pay more attention to his studies and spend less time trying to impress Natsuko." This time, Yasuo's response was a pair of flushed cheeks as he almost spilled some of his food onto his uniform. He gave Nami a look of embarassment and annoyance and she said nothing more, but simply smiled at him in a mocking way that made him grunt in frustration.
"Now now...", their father stood, picking up his plate from the table. "That'll be enough of that. All of you finish eating and get going. You've been cutting it too close with getting to school on time. So no more arguments." He walked into the kitchen with his plate, leaving the three teens to themselves.
They went about finishing their food quietly and then took their own dishes into the kitchen and handed them to their father. Kasumi kissed her father on the cheek before she said goodbye along with her brother and sister. He smiled warmly at his youngest child as she left out the door behind her siblings.
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The morning sun shone down upon the great Hikawa Shrine. Morning dew still dripped from the leaves of the surrounding trees as the birds, one by one, took flight from their nests. Calm and peaceful. It was a scene of pure serenity.
It didn't last long.
A loud crash was heard as a young ebony haired man barrelled clumsily through one of the temple's doors, breaking it to pieces and falling crumpled on the stone of the courtyard. A loud and angered voice followed.
"TETSUO!! YOU BAKA!!"
A chocolate haired young man of the same age stormed out the door after his brother and stood over him as he lay in a heap on ground, both wearing the same style grey colored school uniform. "NOW look what you did! Now Oto-sama has to fix ANOTHER door!" The one on the ground groaned as he rolled on his back and pushed himself to a sitting position. He folded his legs and rubbed his head in pain as his brother continued to chastise him. "I swear! How a clumsy baka like you can be my brother is beyond comprehension!"
"Oh come on, Tetsuya", the black haired brother groaned apologetically. "You know it was an accident. Lighten up, will you?" "That's easy for YOU to say!" Tetsuya spat back. "YOU'RE not the one that has to tell Oka-sama why we keep losing money on repairs! Oto-sama is!"
Tetsuo stood and dusted himself off with an apologetic look as a man in temple robes rushed up to them. "Tetsuya! Tetsuo! What happened??" The reply was Tetsuya's finger pointing to what remained of the door his brother had previously ploughed through. The man looked at Tetsuo with an exasperated sigh. "Again?" Tetsuo's violet eyes were downcast. "Gomen nasai, Oto-san. It was an accident."
"It's ALWAYS an accident", Tetsuya said under his breath, his own violet eyes rolling in annoyance. "Hey now.. It's alright", their father spoke in a sympathetic yet slightly nervous tone. "It can be fixed." "I'm really sorry, Oto-san. I was in a hurry getting ready for school." Tetsuya sighed. "Maybe if you got up ON TIME you wouldn't HAVE to rush", he said in a harsh tone. "I hate having to risk myself being late all the time just to get YOU out of bed every morning."
"Speaking of which", their father interrupted. "You better get going. Or you WILL be late." "AIEE!!" Tetsuo yelped as he turned on his heel and bolted towards the temple stairs. He screeched to a halt at the sound of his father and brother shouting his name at the top of their lungs. When he looked back at them, he saw them both pointing to his schoolbag, which still lay on the ground. "Oh. Right."
Their father handed Tetsuo his schoolbag as he walked back up to them. "Now hurry, you two. And don't worry about the door, Tetsuo. Just TRY to be more careful, okay?" Tetsuo nodded and he and his brother hurried down the long temple steps and out of sight. Their father folded his arms over his chest, closing his eyes and hanging his head as he let out another sigh. He lifted his head and looked up into the sky. "Oh, those two......"
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"Mamaaaa!"
The red haired girl squealed in annoyance as her mother tugged at the girl's school uniform. She pulled at the hem of the skirt as well as the blouse, making sure there was nary even a thread out of place. Her mother wanted everything to be perfect. Absolutely perfect.
"Mamaaaa!" she wailed again. "Stoooop! Por favor?" Her mother looked up at her with a harsh expression. "No! You need to look presentable. I won't have you simply rushing out there looking plain." The girl grumbled. "But Mamaaaa... Why do I have to wear this? It's so... so ridiculous! And it's uncomfortable!" "I am sorry, niña, but the schools here have uniforms and different rules." The girl squealed again. "But it itches! And it makes me feel like I'm in a
circus!" "Well, that is just the way it is." The woman worked to smooth her daughter's hair so that no hairs were sticking out of place.
"Mamaaaa!" The girl wailed again. "That's enough. I look fine!" "Calm down, niña. I won't have you going into your first day at your new school looking like a ragged poor child! You are better than that!" The girl stopped her wailing and looked back at her mother in an expression of confusion. Her mother had never been so adamant over detail before. "Que, Mama?"
Her mother stood and looked into her daughter's eyes with a look the girl had seen from her only once before. She saw a deep concern there... a great worry and fear. Her mother's expression reached deep into the girl's heart... and she felt what her mother was feeling as she spoke to her.
"My little niña", she began. "I want you to listen to me carefully. You have been given a great opportunity here. I want you to go out there and show everyone the wonderful person you are. No matter what anyone tells you, you are a beautiful and intelligent person. Don't you dare let anyone convince you otherwise." The young red head looked at her mother in awkward shock as she replied. "S... Si, Mama."
"Bien." Her mother walked over to the girl's father and took the schoolbag from him, then walked back and handed it to her. "Now. Remember what I told you." The girl took a breath and exhaled slowly. "Si, Mama. No Spanish unless I'm at home. Stay in public places and watch out for troublemakers." Her mother smiled and hugged her daughter. "No matter what happens, niña... Hold your head up proudly. And remember that you are you. You are who YOU choose yourself to be. And nobody can take that away from you." The girl hugged her mother back tightly. "Si, Mama. I won't forget. Te amo." Her mother released her and she hugged her father. "Te amo, Papa."
A knock came to the door and the father answered. "The taxi is here", the man at the door announced. The girl nervously clutched her schoolbag in her hand as she walked towards the door. She walked down the walkway to the hovercar in slow steps. As she reached the car, she looked back once again at her parents. She saw their faces alight with pride and hope. But she also knew the fear that lay beneathe those smiling masks. She faked her own smile back at them before she climbed into the car. The couple held eachother close as they watched the hovercar drive off with their only child inside. Both could feel the tenseness in the other, as well as the fear, worry, and sadness they both shared for their child.
The woman shivered against her husband. "Do you think she'll be alright, Cobal?" He held her close, trying to ease her fear, as well as his own. "Try not to worry, Vana. Our little niña is not so little anymore. She is strong. I am sure she will be fine."
------------
The early daylight struck the surface of the towering spires of the Crystal Palace. The great rays of the sun bounced brillaintly off of the sides of the palace into several different streams of gorgeous color. The palace itself was like a massive jewel, sparkling brilliantly and proudly within the heart of the city.
The hurried clacking of shoes and the wafting of a pair of long pink pigtails were all anyone could catch as a familiar young lady rushed through the castle halls.
"WHAAA!! I'M LATE!", she wailed as she ran. "I can't believe I'm late!" A familiar grey haired cat was running behind her at a matched speed.
"What happened? I thought that you were in the process of getting ready when I awoke you the first time!" "I was really tired, Diana!" She cried as she kept dashing through the halls. "Mama and Papa's party really wore me out last night! It's not my fault!" "Perhaps not", Diana answered, continuing to run by her mistress's side. "But if the Queen finds out that you were late, you know what will happen!"
She looked at her feline companion. "That's why we're not going to tell-" Her sentence was cut short as she felt herself slam against something hard. She fell back on her rear end as her schoolbag went spiraling over the smooth marble flooring. "Aaahhh...!" she groaned and propped her self up, rubbing her backside.
"Oh my! Are you alright, Chibi-Usa?"
She looked up as she heard a familiar voice to see an even more familiar face and familiar green and pink fuku. "JUPITER-SAN!"
The tall brunette bent down to her and offered a hand to help her up. She took it and got to her feet, dusting herself off. "What's going on?" Jupiter asked. "Shouldn't you be at the academy by now?" She bit her bottom lip nervously. "I know... I... I had trouble getting up this morning. I was trying to hurry out when I... ran into you. Gomen." Jupiter chuckled lightly. "It's alright. I guess your birthday party was a bit overexerting last night." "Please don't tell Mama", she pleaded. "You know that if she hears I'm late, she'll ground me from leaving the castle for a week! Pleeeease?" The green eyed senshi smiled in understanding. "Don't you worry. I'll call the school and take care of it. Alright?" She winked to her. The princess hugged the tall senshi in appreciation. "Arigato, Mako-chan! Domo Arigato!"
Jupiter smiled warmly. "No problem. Now you just hurry and get to school before Serenity DOES find out." "Hai! Hai!" She quickly went and picked up her schoolbag from the floor and began dashing through the halls once again, followed by Diana.
Jupiter giggled as she watched the princess run off. Then she turned and walked off to take care of her own business. "After I call the school first, of course", she chuckled to herself.
**************************************************************************************
Well there ya go. First chapter and introduction of the main cast. Be sure to mail me
if ya have any feedback.
silvermaidenh@yahoo.com
The beautiful blue ball shimmered brilliantly as the light of the sun struck it's surface. The gorgeous jewel that hung amongst the stars and stood proud. This exquisite land of life. This ethereal utopia.
This beautiful home.
Earth.
------------
Within the city, it was still early. But even now, there were many awake, preparing for the day. Such was the case in a little neighborhood home.
"KASU! Hurry up! Your breakfast is getting cold!"
"HAI! I'll be down in a minute!" The blue eyed girl studied her reflection in the mirror as she rushed to finish putting her hair in place. She tugged at the blouse of her school uniform and straightenned the bow at her chest. When she was satisfied with her appearance, she snagged the handle of her schoolbag as she ran past it, yanking it from the dresser and with her out the bedroom door. She rushed down the short staircase and sharply turned the corner into the dining area where the rest of her family already sat.
Her father looked up from the table as she entered. "Ah... Ohayo, Kasumi." "Ohayo, Papa." She sat at the end of the table and looked to her siblings as she greeted them. "Ohayo, Yasuo. Ohayo, Nami."
Her brother smiled to her warmly as he slid her plate of breakfast to her. "Ohayo, Kasu. What took so long? I was beginning to think you were going to skip breakfast this morning." He chuckled lightly, swishing the bangs of his sapphire hair away from his bright brown eyes."Gomen ne", she said with a flush of embarassment. "I couldn't find my hairband at first. I spent most of the morning looking for it." Her eyes glanced upward, motioning to the rose red hairband that adorned her sky blue hair.
The sea-blue eyes of her older sister glanced over at Kasumi briefly before returning to her breakfast. "I don't see why you always have to wear THAT one, Kasu", she said flatly. "It's so shabby. If you lose it, you can always buy another one." Kasumi gave a look of disapproval. "Iie! I couldn't just replace it! It's special! Lucky! Remember? It's the one Mama gave me after I passed my choir audition." "Oh, that's right", Yasuo interjected. "When you got picked for that spot in the quartet, right?"
Kasumi nodded proudly, but Nami just scoffed and twirled a finger around the strands of bleached white that hung among the rest of of her chestnut brown hair. "Oh come on, Kasumi... That was two years ago. You're relying on superstition." Nami's response was Kasumi's tongue stuck out in her direction.
"So, Yasuo", their father changed the subject. "What will you be up to today? You're art club teacher tells us you're work has been improving substantially." "Hai, Oto-san" , Yasuo smiled proudly. "I've been working very hard. I'm hoping my next painting will make it into the city art contest, but I'm still not sure." "I've seen your work, Yasuo. And it's nothing to scoff at. You have a tremendous gift. Your mother and I are very, very proud of your work. You should be just as proud." Yasuo smiled brightly at his father's words. "Arigato, Oto-san."
"However", his father's tone dropped slightly. "You also need to pay attention to your academics. Shino-san tells me your grades are slowly starting to slip." Yasuo's response to his father's words was his gaze dropping to the table.
Nami shot a sly grin in Yasuo's direction. "Well maybe they wouldn't be if he'd pay more attention to his studies and spend less time trying to impress Natsuko." This time, Yasuo's response was a pair of flushed cheeks as he almost spilled some of his food onto his uniform. He gave Nami a look of embarassment and annoyance and she said nothing more, but simply smiled at him in a mocking way that made him grunt in frustration.
"Now now...", their father stood, picking up his plate from the table. "That'll be enough of that. All of you finish eating and get going. You've been cutting it too close with getting to school on time. So no more arguments." He walked into the kitchen with his plate, leaving the three teens to themselves.
They went about finishing their food quietly and then took their own dishes into the kitchen and handed them to their father. Kasumi kissed her father on the cheek before she said goodbye along with her brother and sister. He smiled warmly at his youngest child as she left out the door behind her siblings.
------------
The morning sun shone down upon the great Hikawa Shrine. Morning dew still dripped from the leaves of the surrounding trees as the birds, one by one, took flight from their nests. Calm and peaceful. It was a scene of pure serenity.
It didn't last long.
A loud crash was heard as a young ebony haired man barrelled clumsily through one of the temple's doors, breaking it to pieces and falling crumpled on the stone of the courtyard. A loud and angered voice followed.
"TETSUO!! YOU BAKA!!"
A chocolate haired young man of the same age stormed out the door after his brother and stood over him as he lay in a heap on ground, both wearing the same style grey colored school uniform. "NOW look what you did! Now Oto-sama has to fix ANOTHER door!" The one on the ground groaned as he rolled on his back and pushed himself to a sitting position. He folded his legs and rubbed his head in pain as his brother continued to chastise him. "I swear! How a clumsy baka like you can be my brother is beyond comprehension!"
"Oh come on, Tetsuya", the black haired brother groaned apologetically. "You know it was an accident. Lighten up, will you?" "That's easy for YOU to say!" Tetsuya spat back. "YOU'RE not the one that has to tell Oka-sama why we keep losing money on repairs! Oto-sama is!"
Tetsuo stood and dusted himself off with an apologetic look as a man in temple robes rushed up to them. "Tetsuya! Tetsuo! What happened??" The reply was Tetsuya's finger pointing to what remained of the door his brother had previously ploughed through. The man looked at Tetsuo with an exasperated sigh. "Again?" Tetsuo's violet eyes were downcast. "Gomen nasai, Oto-san. It was an accident."
"It's ALWAYS an accident", Tetsuya said under his breath, his own violet eyes rolling in annoyance. "Hey now.. It's alright", their father spoke in a sympathetic yet slightly nervous tone. "It can be fixed." "I'm really sorry, Oto-san. I was in a hurry getting ready for school." Tetsuya sighed. "Maybe if you got up ON TIME you wouldn't HAVE to rush", he said in a harsh tone. "I hate having to risk myself being late all the time just to get YOU out of bed every morning."
"Speaking of which", their father interrupted. "You better get going. Or you WILL be late." "AIEE!!" Tetsuo yelped as he turned on his heel and bolted towards the temple stairs. He screeched to a halt at the sound of his father and brother shouting his name at the top of their lungs. When he looked back at them, he saw them both pointing to his schoolbag, which still lay on the ground. "Oh. Right."
Their father handed Tetsuo his schoolbag as he walked back up to them. "Now hurry, you two. And don't worry about the door, Tetsuo. Just TRY to be more careful, okay?" Tetsuo nodded and he and his brother hurried down the long temple steps and out of sight. Their father folded his arms over his chest, closing his eyes and hanging his head as he let out another sigh. He lifted his head and looked up into the sky. "Oh, those two......"
-------------
"Mamaaaa!"
The red haired girl squealed in annoyance as her mother tugged at the girl's school uniform. She pulled at the hem of the skirt as well as the blouse, making sure there was nary even a thread out of place. Her mother wanted everything to be perfect. Absolutely perfect.
"Mamaaaa!" she wailed again. "Stoooop! Por favor?" Her mother looked up at her with a harsh expression. "No! You need to look presentable. I won't have you simply rushing out there looking plain." The girl grumbled. "But Mamaaaa... Why do I have to wear this? It's so... so ridiculous! And it's uncomfortable!" "I am sorry, niña, but the schools here have uniforms and different rules." The girl squealed again. "But it itches! And it makes me feel like I'm in a
circus!" "Well, that is just the way it is." The woman worked to smooth her daughter's hair so that no hairs were sticking out of place.
"Mamaaaa!" The girl wailed again. "That's enough. I look fine!" "Calm down, niña. I won't have you going into your first day at your new school looking like a ragged poor child! You are better than that!" The girl stopped her wailing and looked back at her mother in an expression of confusion. Her mother had never been so adamant over detail before. "Que, Mama?"
Her mother stood and looked into her daughter's eyes with a look the girl had seen from her only once before. She saw a deep concern there... a great worry and fear. Her mother's expression reached deep into the girl's heart... and she felt what her mother was feeling as she spoke to her.
"My little niña", she began. "I want you to listen to me carefully. You have been given a great opportunity here. I want you to go out there and show everyone the wonderful person you are. No matter what anyone tells you, you are a beautiful and intelligent person. Don't you dare let anyone convince you otherwise." The young red head looked at her mother in awkward shock as she replied. "S... Si, Mama."
"Bien." Her mother walked over to the girl's father and took the schoolbag from him, then walked back and handed it to her. "Now. Remember what I told you." The girl took a breath and exhaled slowly. "Si, Mama. No Spanish unless I'm at home. Stay in public places and watch out for troublemakers." Her mother smiled and hugged her daughter. "No matter what happens, niña... Hold your head up proudly. And remember that you are you. You are who YOU choose yourself to be. And nobody can take that away from you." The girl hugged her mother back tightly. "Si, Mama. I won't forget. Te amo." Her mother released her and she hugged her father. "Te amo, Papa."
A knock came to the door and the father answered. "The taxi is here", the man at the door announced. The girl nervously clutched her schoolbag in her hand as she walked towards the door. She walked down the walkway to the hovercar in slow steps. As she reached the car, she looked back once again at her parents. She saw their faces alight with pride and hope. But she also knew the fear that lay beneathe those smiling masks. She faked her own smile back at them before she climbed into the car. The couple held eachother close as they watched the hovercar drive off with their only child inside. Both could feel the tenseness in the other, as well as the fear, worry, and sadness they both shared for their child.
The woman shivered against her husband. "Do you think she'll be alright, Cobal?" He held her close, trying to ease her fear, as well as his own. "Try not to worry, Vana. Our little niña is not so little anymore. She is strong. I am sure she will be fine."
------------
The early daylight struck the surface of the towering spires of the Crystal Palace. The great rays of the sun bounced brillaintly off of the sides of the palace into several different streams of gorgeous color. The palace itself was like a massive jewel, sparkling brilliantly and proudly within the heart of the city.
The hurried clacking of shoes and the wafting of a pair of long pink pigtails were all anyone could catch as a familiar young lady rushed through the castle halls.
"WHAAA!! I'M LATE!", she wailed as she ran. "I can't believe I'm late!" A familiar grey haired cat was running behind her at a matched speed.
"What happened? I thought that you were in the process of getting ready when I awoke you the first time!" "I was really tired, Diana!" She cried as she kept dashing through the halls. "Mama and Papa's party really wore me out last night! It's not my fault!" "Perhaps not", Diana answered, continuing to run by her mistress's side. "But if the Queen finds out that you were late, you know what will happen!"
She looked at her feline companion. "That's why we're not going to tell-" Her sentence was cut short as she felt herself slam against something hard. She fell back on her rear end as her schoolbag went spiraling over the smooth marble flooring. "Aaahhh...!" she groaned and propped her self up, rubbing her backside.
"Oh my! Are you alright, Chibi-Usa?"
She looked up as she heard a familiar voice to see an even more familiar face and familiar green and pink fuku. "JUPITER-SAN!"
The tall brunette bent down to her and offered a hand to help her up. She took it and got to her feet, dusting herself off. "What's going on?" Jupiter asked. "Shouldn't you be at the academy by now?" She bit her bottom lip nervously. "I know... I... I had trouble getting up this morning. I was trying to hurry out when I... ran into you. Gomen." Jupiter chuckled lightly. "It's alright. I guess your birthday party was a bit overexerting last night." "Please don't tell Mama", she pleaded. "You know that if she hears I'm late, she'll ground me from leaving the castle for a week! Pleeeease?" The green eyed senshi smiled in understanding. "Don't you worry. I'll call the school and take care of it. Alright?" She winked to her. The princess hugged the tall senshi in appreciation. "Arigato, Mako-chan! Domo Arigato!"
Jupiter smiled warmly. "No problem. Now you just hurry and get to school before Serenity DOES find out." "Hai! Hai!" She quickly went and picked up her schoolbag from the floor and began dashing through the halls once again, followed by Diana.
Jupiter giggled as she watched the princess run off. Then she turned and walked off to take care of her own business. "After I call the school first, of course", she chuckled to herself.
**************************************************************************************
Well there ya go. First chapter and introduction of the main cast. Be sure to mail me
if ya have any feedback.
silvermaidenh@yahoo.com