Serenades of the Desert Rose
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, any characters, or basically anything for that matter. Life is depressing.
AN: I was bored when I thought this up, but I hope it's relatively interesting, LOL.
Chapter One: Tears of Lone Star
The winds off the desert were icy cold as they swept past the young blonde woman who stared into the horizon. Her deep blue eyes searched for something, constant and unwavering in their quest.
"Darien..." she whispered to the night. The name danced on the chill breeze, disappearing into the desert. "My love." She added, drops of tears splashing on her hands as she ducked her head.
Her long white sleeping gown blew gently in the wind as she gazed through the thick night.
"It won't be long." She finally spoke.
The day began early, as they always did. Princess Mina of Venus stood and stretched as she awoke. She turned to her mirror, picking up a brush and seeing to her long blonde hair. She quickly tied it back with a crystalline white ribbon. Her bangs played around her ocean eyes as she turned and dressed in a silvery white gown.
Dawn was still new as she slipped from her room and began down the cold marble hallway. Nothing could be heard of servants or guards this early. It was one of the few free times to be had, between her duties as a guardian and her duties as princess of her world and delegate to Earth. She took a deep breath and ventured out into the Northern courtyard.
The day promised to be a full one. Beyond her normal training lessons to improve her abilities as the leader of the guardian senshi, she had to meet with her most trusted friend and advisor, Artemis, and plan to attend tonight's commemoration ball. But for now, she decided, she would enjoy the cool misty morning until her duties kicked in.
She found a stone bench that wasn't too wet and sat down. Tall rose bushes stood around her, filling the air with the sweet scent of flowers. The wind was gentle and warm, promising a hot day ahead.
Tucked into a fold of her gown was something valuable. She slid her hand to that pocket and fingered the smooth, faceted surfaces. She dare not draw it out. The beauty of the topaz was astounding. It's inner fire would glow and brought tears to any Venusians from sheer love of it.
The Royal Topaz of the planet Venus was safe with her. She would never allow any to touch its sacred surface.
"Mina? Are you out here?" called a thin, feminine voice around the wall of roses. Mina stood, withdrawing her hand.
"Yes. Over here, Rei." She answered. A moment later the high priestess appeared. The two exchanged knowing smiles as they met eyes.
"Morning meal is being served. Are you coming?" Rei asked. Mina nodded and followed her friend towards the manor. They exchanged light conversation until the gleam in Rei's eye was too much for Mina to stand.
"Alright, friend, there's more than your telling me." Mina finally spoke, stopping her step and giving Rei a mischievous smile.
"You're right, Mina." Rei began, her smile full of hidden excitement. "He finally proposed." She spoke.
"Lord Chad proposed?!" Mina exclaimed. Rei held her hand up to keep Mina from yelling anymore. The princess of Venus quickly hugged her friend. "Have you told the others?" she finally managed to ask, keeping her voice low.
"No. I'm not sure I have the right to say yes." Rei spoke. Mina quieted, eyes concerned.
"Why wouldn't you? Lita and Ami are already happily married." The Venusian pointed out. Rei suddenly found a deep interest in her red robes, trying to fix a small wrinkle in them.
"I'm more than just a guardian and a future ruler... I'm the high priestess of fire, too. I doubt the temples would allow me to marry." She answered, voice low. Mina smiled sadly.
"It'll work out, Rei. I promise it will." She told the priestess. "If you love him, anything is possible."
Rei looked up at her friend. Mina was said to be the most beautiful woman in the galaxy, the goddess of love and beauty. It was true. Her face seemed perfect, her smile warm and loving. It was sad that she was the only of the inner senshi to have no steady boyfriend. Maybe beauty was a curse.
"Thank you, Mina." She answered. Rei took a moment to clear her head before they entered the dining hall.
In perfect unison four women jumped into the air and flipped forward. Two flew farther than the others, charging red and orange energy blasts respectively and hitting the target in tandem.
"Good job, Venus, Mars." Came a voice from the sidelines accompanied by amused clapping. Venus stood, glancing to see the girl they all protected there: Princess Serenity with her temporary escort by her side.
"Princess." Venus spoke, crossing her left arm to touch her heart and bowing slightly. Serenity quieted slightly, but smiled politely.
"Serenity, what are you doing here?" Mars spoke up, taking a step towards her. Serenity was cut off by her escort, a young man with sandy blonde hair.
"She wanted to watch you train. I thought she should observe, if it's alright with you." the man, Lord Andrew, spoke. He playfully turned his eyes towards the senshi who wore her family's color of green. She blushed at him.
"Of course, Andrew. It won't bother us." Jupiter spoke up, catching Venus' eyes to confirm her guess. "You two are welcome to watch."
"Thank you." Serenity chimed, eyes wide and innocent.
The training continued, the same as it did every time. Serenity was amazed at the level of skill her guardians had reached. She only wished for the same abilities. She glanced down at her hands, clasped in her lap. Perfect and delicately white. No scars, lines, or wrinkles. Just like the rest of her. She was kept safe, wrapped in velvets and silks. Like you would a glass figurine.
As everyone walked out of the training yard, Venus stayed behind. She had some private training to see too. In a wave of her hand a sword appeared there. The blade was transparent, made of a holy crystal. It was lighter than any other sword of it's size, the hilt shaped to fit her hand alone. She was the leader of the inner senshi, and thus the sword's mistress.
Her training routine began, strengthening her arms and fine tuning her coordination. Her hair flew around her, making her seem even more mystical than usual. The blade gave off a shining silver light, but Venus wasn't sure that just anyone could see it. Her eyes were focused on nothing and everything, seeking out danger, and ignoring destraction.
Little did she know who watched her.
She moved with the grace of a dancer. "Or warrior." he added to himself as he watched the breathtaking young woman far below. His perch brought him the perfect seat to view her with no one seeing, including her.
Her beauty was evident, even from his distance. Her body was lithe, but not bulky in any way. Her trim figure seemed well suited to her. Her golden hair gleamed in the midday sunlight as it spun around her. She seemed to be a goddess.
The man finally managed to turn his gaze away from her. "She's captivating." he mumbled, returning his hood to his head. Strands of his white hair fell out of it, but a deft movement replaced them.
"Good bye, unknown one. I feel we shall meet again." he spoke, turning and walking across the roof with silent steps.
"Artemis." Mina spoke, eyes transfixed out of the window of her personal meeting room. Behind her sat the man in question.
"Yes, princess?" he asked, glancing up at her. Her figure was tucked into a chair, long legs drawn to her chest and chin rested on her knees. Her long hair was now untamed as it rolled over her shoulders.
"The desert... it's so beautiful..." she whispered. Artemis stood and joined her side. His hand gently touched her shoulder, snapping her from her trance.
"It is a demanding mistress." he added, blue eyes meeting hers. She nodded slightly, her cheeks turning pink.
"I'm sorry. I was distracted." she spoke, trying to cover her immature actions.
"It's of no consequence, Princess." he spoke, smiling warmly at her. She nodded.
Something inside of her couldn't leave the desert beyond the manor go. Something was going to happen, and it was going to change the way her world worked.
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, any characters, or basically anything for that matter. Life is depressing.
AN: I was bored when I thought this up, but I hope it's relatively interesting, LOL.
Chapter One: Tears of Lone Star
The winds off the desert were icy cold as they swept past the young blonde woman who stared into the horizon. Her deep blue eyes searched for something, constant and unwavering in their quest.
"Darien..." she whispered to the night. The name danced on the chill breeze, disappearing into the desert. "My love." She added, drops of tears splashing on her hands as she ducked her head.
Her long white sleeping gown blew gently in the wind as she gazed through the thick night.
"It won't be long." She finally spoke.
The day began early, as they always did. Princess Mina of Venus stood and stretched as she awoke. She turned to her mirror, picking up a brush and seeing to her long blonde hair. She quickly tied it back with a crystalline white ribbon. Her bangs played around her ocean eyes as she turned and dressed in a silvery white gown.
Dawn was still new as she slipped from her room and began down the cold marble hallway. Nothing could be heard of servants or guards this early. It was one of the few free times to be had, between her duties as a guardian and her duties as princess of her world and delegate to Earth. She took a deep breath and ventured out into the Northern courtyard.
The day promised to be a full one. Beyond her normal training lessons to improve her abilities as the leader of the guardian senshi, she had to meet with her most trusted friend and advisor, Artemis, and plan to attend tonight's commemoration ball. But for now, she decided, she would enjoy the cool misty morning until her duties kicked in.
She found a stone bench that wasn't too wet and sat down. Tall rose bushes stood around her, filling the air with the sweet scent of flowers. The wind was gentle and warm, promising a hot day ahead.
Tucked into a fold of her gown was something valuable. She slid her hand to that pocket and fingered the smooth, faceted surfaces. She dare not draw it out. The beauty of the topaz was astounding. It's inner fire would glow and brought tears to any Venusians from sheer love of it.
The Royal Topaz of the planet Venus was safe with her. She would never allow any to touch its sacred surface.
"Mina? Are you out here?" called a thin, feminine voice around the wall of roses. Mina stood, withdrawing her hand.
"Yes. Over here, Rei." She answered. A moment later the high priestess appeared. The two exchanged knowing smiles as they met eyes.
"Morning meal is being served. Are you coming?" Rei asked. Mina nodded and followed her friend towards the manor. They exchanged light conversation until the gleam in Rei's eye was too much for Mina to stand.
"Alright, friend, there's more than your telling me." Mina finally spoke, stopping her step and giving Rei a mischievous smile.
"You're right, Mina." Rei began, her smile full of hidden excitement. "He finally proposed." She spoke.
"Lord Chad proposed?!" Mina exclaimed. Rei held her hand up to keep Mina from yelling anymore. The princess of Venus quickly hugged her friend. "Have you told the others?" she finally managed to ask, keeping her voice low.
"No. I'm not sure I have the right to say yes." Rei spoke. Mina quieted, eyes concerned.
"Why wouldn't you? Lita and Ami are already happily married." The Venusian pointed out. Rei suddenly found a deep interest in her red robes, trying to fix a small wrinkle in them.
"I'm more than just a guardian and a future ruler... I'm the high priestess of fire, too. I doubt the temples would allow me to marry." She answered, voice low. Mina smiled sadly.
"It'll work out, Rei. I promise it will." She told the priestess. "If you love him, anything is possible."
Rei looked up at her friend. Mina was said to be the most beautiful woman in the galaxy, the goddess of love and beauty. It was true. Her face seemed perfect, her smile warm and loving. It was sad that she was the only of the inner senshi to have no steady boyfriend. Maybe beauty was a curse.
"Thank you, Mina." She answered. Rei took a moment to clear her head before they entered the dining hall.
In perfect unison four women jumped into the air and flipped forward. Two flew farther than the others, charging red and orange energy blasts respectively and hitting the target in tandem.
"Good job, Venus, Mars." Came a voice from the sidelines accompanied by amused clapping. Venus stood, glancing to see the girl they all protected there: Princess Serenity with her temporary escort by her side.
"Princess." Venus spoke, crossing her left arm to touch her heart and bowing slightly. Serenity quieted slightly, but smiled politely.
"Serenity, what are you doing here?" Mars spoke up, taking a step towards her. Serenity was cut off by her escort, a young man with sandy blonde hair.
"She wanted to watch you train. I thought she should observe, if it's alright with you." the man, Lord Andrew, spoke. He playfully turned his eyes towards the senshi who wore her family's color of green. She blushed at him.
"Of course, Andrew. It won't bother us." Jupiter spoke up, catching Venus' eyes to confirm her guess. "You two are welcome to watch."
"Thank you." Serenity chimed, eyes wide and innocent.
The training continued, the same as it did every time. Serenity was amazed at the level of skill her guardians had reached. She only wished for the same abilities. She glanced down at her hands, clasped in her lap. Perfect and delicately white. No scars, lines, or wrinkles. Just like the rest of her. She was kept safe, wrapped in velvets and silks. Like you would a glass figurine.
As everyone walked out of the training yard, Venus stayed behind. She had some private training to see too. In a wave of her hand a sword appeared there. The blade was transparent, made of a holy crystal. It was lighter than any other sword of it's size, the hilt shaped to fit her hand alone. She was the leader of the inner senshi, and thus the sword's mistress.
Her training routine began, strengthening her arms and fine tuning her coordination. Her hair flew around her, making her seem even more mystical than usual. The blade gave off a shining silver light, but Venus wasn't sure that just anyone could see it. Her eyes were focused on nothing and everything, seeking out danger, and ignoring destraction.
Little did she know who watched her.
She moved with the grace of a dancer. "Or warrior." he added to himself as he watched the breathtaking young woman far below. His perch brought him the perfect seat to view her with no one seeing, including her.
Her beauty was evident, even from his distance. Her body was lithe, but not bulky in any way. Her trim figure seemed well suited to her. Her golden hair gleamed in the midday sunlight as it spun around her. She seemed to be a goddess.
The man finally managed to turn his gaze away from her. "She's captivating." he mumbled, returning his hood to his head. Strands of his white hair fell out of it, but a deft movement replaced them.
"Good bye, unknown one. I feel we shall meet again." he spoke, turning and walking across the roof with silent steps.
"Artemis." Mina spoke, eyes transfixed out of the window of her personal meeting room. Behind her sat the man in question.
"Yes, princess?" he asked, glancing up at her. Her figure was tucked into a chair, long legs drawn to her chest and chin rested on her knees. Her long hair was now untamed as it rolled over her shoulders.
"The desert... it's so beautiful..." she whispered. Artemis stood and joined her side. His hand gently touched her shoulder, snapping her from her trance.
"It is a demanding mistress." he added, blue eyes meeting hers. She nodded slightly, her cheeks turning pink.
"I'm sorry. I was distracted." she spoke, trying to cover her immature actions.
"It's of no consequence, Princess." he spoke, smiling warmly at her. She nodded.
Something inside of her couldn't leave the desert beyond the manor go. Something was going to happen, and it was going to change the way her world worked.