Return To The Past: Mamoru's Journey
Chapter 12 – A Look into the Future (Part 1)
Author's Notes:
******************************************************
"Come on, Endymion-kun. Are you going to loss to your younger brother?" Sixteen-year-old Prince David taunted his older eighteen-year-old brother. "You fight like a girl!!"
"At least I do not look like one." Prince Endymion brought his sword down roughly against his brother's sword.
"You should talk, Mama's Boy."
Endymion glared at David. It was true he shared a close relationship with his mother – unlike him and David. They always spent half their time together at each other's throats. Of course, it was ALWAYS his brother's fault. (Author's Notes: ^_^)
Endymion jumped back from the fight much to his brother's pleasure. David grinned devilishly. He had Endymion on the run now. Drawing his sword back, he prepared to strike.
Endymion inwardly smirked though his expression remained neutral. In his cockiness, David had left himself wide open for an attack. Swinging the sword suddenly upward, he knocked David's sword from his hands. David blinked in surprise. Using his right foot, Endymion tripped his brother's feet out from underneath him.
David grunted as he hit the ground and looked up to see his elder brother's sword pointed in his face – yet again. This time it was Endymion's turn to smirk. "Looks like you just lost to a 'Mama's Boy.' You should do less talking and more fighting." David gritted his teeth starting to push himself back up onto his feet.
Endymion grinned. Using his sword, he forced his brother back down. David's eyes flashed angrily. "Endymion no baka. Let me up!!"
"Not until you say it."
"Forget it."
"Say it."
"NO WAY!!"
"We can stand here all day." Endymion smirked. "Or, LAY here in your case."
"Endymion, no baka!!" David cursed him. Endymion brought the sword close up to his brother's throat. David groaned. "Oh, fine." He murmured something under his breath.
"Excuse me? I could not quite hear you."
" I said. You are stronger."
"And?"
"And smarter."
"And?"
David glared. "You are enjoying this, are you not?"
Endymion laughed. "Do you have to ask?" Resheathing the sword, he offered his brother a hand.
"I have no need for your charity. Endymion no baka!" David quickly got to his feet going to pick up the sword he had lost. Endymion laughed again. "Terrance, come over here. I need an opponent."
Leaning up against the training area wall, Prince Terrance raised his eyebrows curiously. "Is that all I am?" The fourteen-year-old questioned with an innocent smile that didn't quite fit his age.
"Come on, Otooto-chan. I will go easy on you."
Terrance pretended to be uncertain. "If you say so, Onii-sama." Terrance stood up. Coming to face his brother, he drew his sword. "But if you are lying to me, I may have to tell Ayah on you." He grinned.
Endymion pretended to be afraid. "No, not Ayah. I had better watch myself." Redrawing his sword from its sheath, he stood ready to fight with his youngest brother.
David rolled his eyes. "What does Mother keep her around for?"
"To spy on us – what else?" Endymion replied with a sigh.
"Oh, that is right. How could I forget?"
"Come on, Terrance. You start." Terrance nodded. Cursing his brow in concentration, he brought his sword down against Endymion's. Endymion fought much easier against Terrance than he had with David. He practiced his technique pushing his younger brother back a couple of steps.
Terrance crinkled his nose in annoyance. "You do not have to go that easy, Onii-sama. I am not going to break."
Endymion smirked. "You are sure?"
"Endymion! Yes, I am sure." Endymion gladly upped the pace a little. David watched from the side leaning back against the training area wall.
Endymion and Terrance spared together for about six minutes before they were interrupted by Nephrite entering the area. "Princes, should you not be stopping soon? Serenity and her court will be arriving from the White Moon Kingdom today. Your father will want you to be ready to greet them."
"I do not see why we have to greet her." David groaned. "She is what – ten, eleven?" Endymion nodded his agreement.
"Actually, David, Endymion she is 14 now."
"Ten. Fourteen. What is the difference?"
"Hey. I am fourteen." Terrance replied defensively.
David looked from his brother back to Nephrite. "See? My point exactly."
"Hey!!" Terrance glared at David and moved into fighting stance with his sword.
David watched him with an amused look. "You really think you can beat me?"
"Are you afraid of being beat by a fourteen-year-old?" David smirked. Readying his sword, he came in fiercely. Terrance tightened his grip on the sword. They fought for another couple of minutes and David began to loss himself in the heat of the battle.
Terrance grew tired long before David did. He breathed heavily trying to keep up with his brother's moves. Endymion and Nephrite exchanged a worried look as Terrance's breathed sharper and shallower. "David – Onii- san wait." Terrance requested, but David didn't seem to hear him. "Onii- san."
Nephrite walked over clamping a strong hand on David's shoulder (and almost getting hit with the sword). David glared at him annoyed. "He asked you to stop." Nephrite replied. David's look changed from annoyed to questioning as he turned to see what had made Terrance want to stop.
Terrance continued to breath shallowly. Dropping the sword, he sat down on the ground. Endymion went quickly to his side. "Terrance, are you alright?" Terrance's breathing was becoming labored and he was becoming red in the face. "What is wrong?"
"I – can not – breath." Terrance chocked out gasping for breath. (Author's Note: I am no doctor, so this may not be completely accurate, but think along the lines of an asthma attack.) He began to grow nervous and took in quick uselessly shallow breaths. The more nervous he became the faster and more useless his shallow breathing was.
David and Nephrite just waited unsure of how they could help. Terrance's problem was extremely rare in those days. In fact, the few who had it usually died long before ever reaching their teenage years. Prince Endymion looked from his brother to the two useless men standing by. It was HIS responsibility to take charge. "Nephrite, go get help." He ordered. "David, go talk to Father – NOW."
"Yes, Highness." Nephrite bowed quickly and left. David simply ran off towards the castle without another word.
Endymion was then able to turn his full attention to his younger brother who was struggling to breath. "Terrance, calm down." Endymion told him. Terrance gave him a look as if to say 'easy for you to say.' "Slow down. Breath in deep. Freaking out is only going to make it worse." Reluctantly, Terrance did as he was told, but still couldn't get enough air to his lungs.
Endymion took a deep breath shutting his eyes. Placing his hand over his younger brother's chest, he concentrated his healing powers to help his brother. After a minute or two, Terrance found he was able to gradually get more air in with each breath. His breathing was deep and slow pulling in as much air as he could in one breath.
Endymion sighed with relief watching over his brother until King Sol, the older Prince Terrance, and the four generals arrived to help. "Is he alright?" Prince Terrance inquired of his nephew.
"Hai, Uncle Terrance. Good thing I was here with him this time when it happened."
"Endymion, that healing power of yours is a life-saver." Sol replied with a sigh. Between them, the king and his brother helped Terrance to his feet. "Angel boy, you are going to make me old before my time."
Terrance leaned against his father grinning at the nickname. "Gomen, Papa."
"You are alright now?"
"Hai. Onii-sama helped me again." Terrance grinned fondly at his older brother.
"No problem, Terry-chan."
King Sol took another deep breath. "Come on, Angel Boy. Let us get you inside to rest. Endymion, you should be preparing for Serenity's arrival."
"Father." Endymion argued. "I need to stay with Terry. He needs me more than baka Serenity does."
"I do not want to hear it, Endymion. Your brother will be fine, and this visit is important if we are to form a treaty with the Silver Alliance."
"Then, why did you not join their alliance twelve years ago when it was offered to you?"
Sol watched his son hardly. "Because, Endymion. I plan to have the Silver Alliance as an ally. I do not wish to have Queen Serenity ruling over me. Your position is just as high as Princess Serenity's and it is going to stay that way. And I do not want to hear another word about it. Go on inside and get ready – NOW."
"After you." Endymion smiled. Sol rolled his eyes. Sol's brother hide a smirk. Really, that boy could be so stubborn sometimes.
**********
After a long trip through space, Queen Serenity, her daughter, and her daughter's court arrived on Earth. Sailor Venus bounced excitedly. "We are here, Sere-chan! Can you believe it?" Fourteen-year-old Princess Serenity smiled turning to look out the window as they came closer and closer to the blue and white planet.
"Calm down, Venus." Mars replied annoyed. "It is just another planet."
"Party pooper." Venus mumbled.
"I hear Terran guys are supposed to be really cute." Jupiter offered with a grin.
"Hai! Hai!" Venus agreed.
"We are here, girls." Queen Serenity told them coming into the room. Princess Serenity smiled walking over to hug her mother. Queen Serenity returned the gesture smiling proudly at her daughter. "Come on. We are due to meet with Sol and his family in about 10 minutes."
"Coming, Majesty." The girls chorused. Stepping out of the ship in front of the Royal Castle of the Golden Kingdom, the group was met by King Sol's four generals: Kunzite, Zoycite, Nephrite, and Jadeite. "Welcome to the Golden Kingdom." Kunzite responded with a bow. The 3 other men followed suit. "King Sol and Queen Terra are awaiting your arrival is the Throne Room."
Queen Serenity smiled gently nodding. "Of course. Thank you, Kunzite."
"Please, come this way."
**********
Entering the Throne Room behind her mother and King Sol's four generals, Princess Serenity looked curiously around the room. "This place is not nearly as huge as it seemed when I was eight." She thought. Curiously, she focused her attention on the people at the front of the room. She recognized the King and Queen of Earth and the tall Prince with deep midnight-blue eyes had to be her friend Endy. "He sure has changed a lot. The slightly shorter dark haired, ice blue eyed boy beside him had to be his brother. What was his name again? "I could have sworn he had two brothers. Oh, well. I suppose not."
Slightly behind Princess Serenity, her 4 inner Senshi guardian looked around the room with morbid curiosity. When the princess was young, she stayed close to her mother and therefore had no need for personal guards of her own. Now that she was older, her guards joined her on their first ever trip to Earth. Needless to say, they were all VERY excited.
"This place is huge." Mercury thought. She could harder wait to pull out her mini-data computer and begin studying the planet.
Sailor Mars had her eyes fixed on the young men at the front of the room – namely Prince Endymion's younger brother. His hair was pitch black like his father and brother and his eyes fixed straight ahead were ice crystal blue. Prince Endymion might be above her station, but his brother – his brother was fair game.
Beside Mars, Jupiter and Venus exchanged looks. Venus fought the urge to giggle. They had not been here but a moment and Mars already had the hots for one of the Terrian Princes.
At the front of the room, Kunzite and the generals bowed before their king and Queen. "Your majesties, Queen Selenity – sama and those of the Silver Alliance have come."
"We lead them here as ordered, majesties."
Queen Terra nodded silently. "Yes, we can see that, Nephrite. Thank you."
"You may stand aside." King Sol informed his generals who obediently moved to stand to the left of the royalty.
"Welcome, Selenity." Queen Terra greeted her.
"Terra." Queen Selenity returned the greeting with a smile. "I am sure you remember my daughter, Princess Serenity?" Serenity curtseyed as was customary to show respect for someone of a higher rank. (Terra is Queen. Serenity is a princess.)
"Of course. Goodness, you have grown into a beautiful lady! Not hiding behind your mother this time I see." Princess Serenity blushed deeply averting her eyes. "And who are the other girls? Children of the court I presume?"
"Yes, actually." Selenity continued. "These are the Sailor Senshi - Serenity's guardians. Do not be shy girls." Selenity pointed to Venus. "Sailor Venus or Princess Minako is the leader of the Senshi and also my niece. The other girls are Sailor Mars or Princess Renee, Sailor Jupiter or Princess Makoto, and Sailor Mercury or Princess Ann Marie." The girls each curtseyed in turn.
Remaining silent, King Sol studied the girls hard not even bothering to hide his disapproval. Honestly, if those dresses were any shorter – could they actually even call them dresses? The girls shifted uncomfortably under his stare. Queen Selenity glared at him. "They are not dresses. They are skirts." She snapped causing him to pull his gaze off the girls and back at her.
"They are preposterous." He replied with a frown.
"They are only preposterous if your boys are not mature enough to handle it. In which case, not only can my girls protect themselves, but it is a good thing I brought them along to protect my daughter." Selenity bit back. "Should we be worried, Sol?"
Sol glared. "My boys were raised properly. Thank you very much." He returned. 'If you want your girls to run around half-naked, that is your business.' He thought fighting the urge to say so. He and Selenity had never quite gotten along, but this treaty was more important than childhood rivalries.
"Well, then. I suppose it will not be a problem then. Shall we continue?"
"Of course." Sol replied through gritted teeth. How was it that woman always managed to get under his skin? He swore he would never understand her.
Queen Terra placed her hand comfortingly on her husbands shoulder helping him to relax. "I am sure you remember our heir, Endymion?" Selenity nodded coolly turning her full attention to him (and away from his father).
Endymion tensed a bit unnoticeably, except to Queen Selenity who had her full attention on him and his mother who knew him better than anyone else. Stepping forward, he bowed. "Queen Selenity – sama" He acknowledged simply. 'I wish this were over already. I must check on Terrance.'
'How can he be so calm?' Princess Serenity thought. "Of course, there is David, our second-born." David bowed coolly keeping a cool, almost uninterested, look.
Queen Selenity looked from one boy to the other curiously, to the empty spot beside them, and then back to Terra and Sol. "I could have sworn you had a little girl."
'She is no girl. She is a mischievous little hellion.' David thought.
"We do, of course." Sol replied.
"She is out with her Uncle and cousin for the day." Terra added as way of explanation. (Author's Note: Notice how I haven't used her name yet? ^_^) "She desired to go and her presence was truly unnecessary for such an informal matter."
"Of course."
'We are NEVER going to get out of here.' Prince Endymion inwardly groaned. "Father, should we not introduce your Generals and the Knights. I am sure the Senshi have not met them yet."
"Ah, yes. Thank you, Endymion." Inwardly, he too was getting bored with the much-too-long ceremony. King Sol turned back to look at Queen Selenity. He motioned to the four men to his left. "You have already met my top generals and body guards. Kunzite is my head general as well as Nephrite, Zoycite, and Jadeite." The four men bowed. "You should be plenty safe with them keeping watch over the rest of our guards, knights, and soldiers."
"I am sure we will." Queen Selenity gave Jadeite a sharp look. Jadeite blushed pulling his eyes away from Mars' legs. (Author's Note: hehe – I simply couldn't resist.)
"Kunzite, the generals may return to their duties." King Sol told him simply. Kunzite, Zoycite, and Nephrite left greatfully. Jadeite, on the other hand, reluctantly left after stealing just one last look at the Senshi in their mini-skirts. Sol sighed. Jadeite would never change.
"Well." Terra replied with a sigh. "I am glad that is over. I am sure you will want to get settled in before we address any political matters."
"Endymion," King Sol spoke to his eldest son. "I am sure you will not mind showing Queen Selenity and the court to the guest quarters?"
Endymion turned to face his father. "Gomen nasi, Father, but there was a certain matter I had hoped to address before the White Moon arrived here on Earth. Begging your pardon, perhaps David could take my place this once?"
Sol didn't even have to think to know what it was Endymion wished to address. He breathed in deep. "It is alright this time, Endymion. You may leave."
"Thank you, Father."
Turning, he left the Throne Room quickly without another room. He simply had to check on his younger brother.
**********
Author's Notes: Hey! Sorry this took so long to get out. I wanted to write more before I published it, but this will have to do. Hope you enjoyed it. As always, READ AND REVIEW!!! And the next chapter will be out very soon.
Chapter 12 – A Look into the Future (Part 1)
Author's Notes:
******************************************************
"Come on, Endymion-kun. Are you going to loss to your younger brother?" Sixteen-year-old Prince David taunted his older eighteen-year-old brother. "You fight like a girl!!"
"At least I do not look like one." Prince Endymion brought his sword down roughly against his brother's sword.
"You should talk, Mama's Boy."
Endymion glared at David. It was true he shared a close relationship with his mother – unlike him and David. They always spent half their time together at each other's throats. Of course, it was ALWAYS his brother's fault. (Author's Notes: ^_^)
Endymion jumped back from the fight much to his brother's pleasure. David grinned devilishly. He had Endymion on the run now. Drawing his sword back, he prepared to strike.
Endymion inwardly smirked though his expression remained neutral. In his cockiness, David had left himself wide open for an attack. Swinging the sword suddenly upward, he knocked David's sword from his hands. David blinked in surprise. Using his right foot, Endymion tripped his brother's feet out from underneath him.
David grunted as he hit the ground and looked up to see his elder brother's sword pointed in his face – yet again. This time it was Endymion's turn to smirk. "Looks like you just lost to a 'Mama's Boy.' You should do less talking and more fighting." David gritted his teeth starting to push himself back up onto his feet.
Endymion grinned. Using his sword, he forced his brother back down. David's eyes flashed angrily. "Endymion no baka. Let me up!!"
"Not until you say it."
"Forget it."
"Say it."
"NO WAY!!"
"We can stand here all day." Endymion smirked. "Or, LAY here in your case."
"Endymion, no baka!!" David cursed him. Endymion brought the sword close up to his brother's throat. David groaned. "Oh, fine." He murmured something under his breath.
"Excuse me? I could not quite hear you."
" I said. You are stronger."
"And?"
"And smarter."
"And?"
David glared. "You are enjoying this, are you not?"
Endymion laughed. "Do you have to ask?" Resheathing the sword, he offered his brother a hand.
"I have no need for your charity. Endymion no baka!" David quickly got to his feet going to pick up the sword he had lost. Endymion laughed again. "Terrance, come over here. I need an opponent."
Leaning up against the training area wall, Prince Terrance raised his eyebrows curiously. "Is that all I am?" The fourteen-year-old questioned with an innocent smile that didn't quite fit his age.
"Come on, Otooto-chan. I will go easy on you."
Terrance pretended to be uncertain. "If you say so, Onii-sama." Terrance stood up. Coming to face his brother, he drew his sword. "But if you are lying to me, I may have to tell Ayah on you." He grinned.
Endymion pretended to be afraid. "No, not Ayah. I had better watch myself." Redrawing his sword from its sheath, he stood ready to fight with his youngest brother.
David rolled his eyes. "What does Mother keep her around for?"
"To spy on us – what else?" Endymion replied with a sigh.
"Oh, that is right. How could I forget?"
"Come on, Terrance. You start." Terrance nodded. Cursing his brow in concentration, he brought his sword down against Endymion's. Endymion fought much easier against Terrance than he had with David. He practiced his technique pushing his younger brother back a couple of steps.
Terrance crinkled his nose in annoyance. "You do not have to go that easy, Onii-sama. I am not going to break."
Endymion smirked. "You are sure?"
"Endymion! Yes, I am sure." Endymion gladly upped the pace a little. David watched from the side leaning back against the training area wall.
Endymion and Terrance spared together for about six minutes before they were interrupted by Nephrite entering the area. "Princes, should you not be stopping soon? Serenity and her court will be arriving from the White Moon Kingdom today. Your father will want you to be ready to greet them."
"I do not see why we have to greet her." David groaned. "She is what – ten, eleven?" Endymion nodded his agreement.
"Actually, David, Endymion she is 14 now."
"Ten. Fourteen. What is the difference?"
"Hey. I am fourteen." Terrance replied defensively.
David looked from his brother back to Nephrite. "See? My point exactly."
"Hey!!" Terrance glared at David and moved into fighting stance with his sword.
David watched him with an amused look. "You really think you can beat me?"
"Are you afraid of being beat by a fourteen-year-old?" David smirked. Readying his sword, he came in fiercely. Terrance tightened his grip on the sword. They fought for another couple of minutes and David began to loss himself in the heat of the battle.
Terrance grew tired long before David did. He breathed heavily trying to keep up with his brother's moves. Endymion and Nephrite exchanged a worried look as Terrance's breathed sharper and shallower. "David – Onii- san wait." Terrance requested, but David didn't seem to hear him. "Onii- san."
Nephrite walked over clamping a strong hand on David's shoulder (and almost getting hit with the sword). David glared at him annoyed. "He asked you to stop." Nephrite replied. David's look changed from annoyed to questioning as he turned to see what had made Terrance want to stop.
Terrance continued to breath shallowly. Dropping the sword, he sat down on the ground. Endymion went quickly to his side. "Terrance, are you alright?" Terrance's breathing was becoming labored and he was becoming red in the face. "What is wrong?"
"I – can not – breath." Terrance chocked out gasping for breath. (Author's Note: I am no doctor, so this may not be completely accurate, but think along the lines of an asthma attack.) He began to grow nervous and took in quick uselessly shallow breaths. The more nervous he became the faster and more useless his shallow breathing was.
David and Nephrite just waited unsure of how they could help. Terrance's problem was extremely rare in those days. In fact, the few who had it usually died long before ever reaching their teenage years. Prince Endymion looked from his brother to the two useless men standing by. It was HIS responsibility to take charge. "Nephrite, go get help." He ordered. "David, go talk to Father – NOW."
"Yes, Highness." Nephrite bowed quickly and left. David simply ran off towards the castle without another word.
Endymion was then able to turn his full attention to his younger brother who was struggling to breath. "Terrance, calm down." Endymion told him. Terrance gave him a look as if to say 'easy for you to say.' "Slow down. Breath in deep. Freaking out is only going to make it worse." Reluctantly, Terrance did as he was told, but still couldn't get enough air to his lungs.
Endymion took a deep breath shutting his eyes. Placing his hand over his younger brother's chest, he concentrated his healing powers to help his brother. After a minute or two, Terrance found he was able to gradually get more air in with each breath. His breathing was deep and slow pulling in as much air as he could in one breath.
Endymion sighed with relief watching over his brother until King Sol, the older Prince Terrance, and the four generals arrived to help. "Is he alright?" Prince Terrance inquired of his nephew.
"Hai, Uncle Terrance. Good thing I was here with him this time when it happened."
"Endymion, that healing power of yours is a life-saver." Sol replied with a sigh. Between them, the king and his brother helped Terrance to his feet. "Angel boy, you are going to make me old before my time."
Terrance leaned against his father grinning at the nickname. "Gomen, Papa."
"You are alright now?"
"Hai. Onii-sama helped me again." Terrance grinned fondly at his older brother.
"No problem, Terry-chan."
King Sol took another deep breath. "Come on, Angel Boy. Let us get you inside to rest. Endymion, you should be preparing for Serenity's arrival."
"Father." Endymion argued. "I need to stay with Terry. He needs me more than baka Serenity does."
"I do not want to hear it, Endymion. Your brother will be fine, and this visit is important if we are to form a treaty with the Silver Alliance."
"Then, why did you not join their alliance twelve years ago when it was offered to you?"
Sol watched his son hardly. "Because, Endymion. I plan to have the Silver Alliance as an ally. I do not wish to have Queen Serenity ruling over me. Your position is just as high as Princess Serenity's and it is going to stay that way. And I do not want to hear another word about it. Go on inside and get ready – NOW."
"After you." Endymion smiled. Sol rolled his eyes. Sol's brother hide a smirk. Really, that boy could be so stubborn sometimes.
**********
After a long trip through space, Queen Serenity, her daughter, and her daughter's court arrived on Earth. Sailor Venus bounced excitedly. "We are here, Sere-chan! Can you believe it?" Fourteen-year-old Princess Serenity smiled turning to look out the window as they came closer and closer to the blue and white planet.
"Calm down, Venus." Mars replied annoyed. "It is just another planet."
"Party pooper." Venus mumbled.
"I hear Terran guys are supposed to be really cute." Jupiter offered with a grin.
"Hai! Hai!" Venus agreed.
"We are here, girls." Queen Serenity told them coming into the room. Princess Serenity smiled walking over to hug her mother. Queen Serenity returned the gesture smiling proudly at her daughter. "Come on. We are due to meet with Sol and his family in about 10 minutes."
"Coming, Majesty." The girls chorused. Stepping out of the ship in front of the Royal Castle of the Golden Kingdom, the group was met by King Sol's four generals: Kunzite, Zoycite, Nephrite, and Jadeite. "Welcome to the Golden Kingdom." Kunzite responded with a bow. The 3 other men followed suit. "King Sol and Queen Terra are awaiting your arrival is the Throne Room."
Queen Serenity smiled gently nodding. "Of course. Thank you, Kunzite."
"Please, come this way."
**********
Entering the Throne Room behind her mother and King Sol's four generals, Princess Serenity looked curiously around the room. "This place is not nearly as huge as it seemed when I was eight." She thought. Curiously, she focused her attention on the people at the front of the room. She recognized the King and Queen of Earth and the tall Prince with deep midnight-blue eyes had to be her friend Endy. "He sure has changed a lot. The slightly shorter dark haired, ice blue eyed boy beside him had to be his brother. What was his name again? "I could have sworn he had two brothers. Oh, well. I suppose not."
Slightly behind Princess Serenity, her 4 inner Senshi guardian looked around the room with morbid curiosity. When the princess was young, she stayed close to her mother and therefore had no need for personal guards of her own. Now that she was older, her guards joined her on their first ever trip to Earth. Needless to say, they were all VERY excited.
"This place is huge." Mercury thought. She could harder wait to pull out her mini-data computer and begin studying the planet.
Sailor Mars had her eyes fixed on the young men at the front of the room – namely Prince Endymion's younger brother. His hair was pitch black like his father and brother and his eyes fixed straight ahead were ice crystal blue. Prince Endymion might be above her station, but his brother – his brother was fair game.
Beside Mars, Jupiter and Venus exchanged looks. Venus fought the urge to giggle. They had not been here but a moment and Mars already had the hots for one of the Terrian Princes.
At the front of the room, Kunzite and the generals bowed before their king and Queen. "Your majesties, Queen Selenity – sama and those of the Silver Alliance have come."
"We lead them here as ordered, majesties."
Queen Terra nodded silently. "Yes, we can see that, Nephrite. Thank you."
"You may stand aside." King Sol informed his generals who obediently moved to stand to the left of the royalty.
"Welcome, Selenity." Queen Terra greeted her.
"Terra." Queen Selenity returned the greeting with a smile. "I am sure you remember my daughter, Princess Serenity?" Serenity curtseyed as was customary to show respect for someone of a higher rank. (Terra is Queen. Serenity is a princess.)
"Of course. Goodness, you have grown into a beautiful lady! Not hiding behind your mother this time I see." Princess Serenity blushed deeply averting her eyes. "And who are the other girls? Children of the court I presume?"
"Yes, actually." Selenity continued. "These are the Sailor Senshi - Serenity's guardians. Do not be shy girls." Selenity pointed to Venus. "Sailor Venus or Princess Minako is the leader of the Senshi and also my niece. The other girls are Sailor Mars or Princess Renee, Sailor Jupiter or Princess Makoto, and Sailor Mercury or Princess Ann Marie." The girls each curtseyed in turn.
Remaining silent, King Sol studied the girls hard not even bothering to hide his disapproval. Honestly, if those dresses were any shorter – could they actually even call them dresses? The girls shifted uncomfortably under his stare. Queen Selenity glared at him. "They are not dresses. They are skirts." She snapped causing him to pull his gaze off the girls and back at her.
"They are preposterous." He replied with a frown.
"They are only preposterous if your boys are not mature enough to handle it. In which case, not only can my girls protect themselves, but it is a good thing I brought them along to protect my daughter." Selenity bit back. "Should we be worried, Sol?"
Sol glared. "My boys were raised properly. Thank you very much." He returned. 'If you want your girls to run around half-naked, that is your business.' He thought fighting the urge to say so. He and Selenity had never quite gotten along, but this treaty was more important than childhood rivalries.
"Well, then. I suppose it will not be a problem then. Shall we continue?"
"Of course." Sol replied through gritted teeth. How was it that woman always managed to get under his skin? He swore he would never understand her.
Queen Terra placed her hand comfortingly on her husbands shoulder helping him to relax. "I am sure you remember our heir, Endymion?" Selenity nodded coolly turning her full attention to him (and away from his father).
Endymion tensed a bit unnoticeably, except to Queen Selenity who had her full attention on him and his mother who knew him better than anyone else. Stepping forward, he bowed. "Queen Selenity – sama" He acknowledged simply. 'I wish this were over already. I must check on Terrance.'
'How can he be so calm?' Princess Serenity thought. "Of course, there is David, our second-born." David bowed coolly keeping a cool, almost uninterested, look.
Queen Selenity looked from one boy to the other curiously, to the empty spot beside them, and then back to Terra and Sol. "I could have sworn you had a little girl."
'She is no girl. She is a mischievous little hellion.' David thought.
"We do, of course." Sol replied.
"She is out with her Uncle and cousin for the day." Terra added as way of explanation. (Author's Note: Notice how I haven't used her name yet? ^_^) "She desired to go and her presence was truly unnecessary for such an informal matter."
"Of course."
'We are NEVER going to get out of here.' Prince Endymion inwardly groaned. "Father, should we not introduce your Generals and the Knights. I am sure the Senshi have not met them yet."
"Ah, yes. Thank you, Endymion." Inwardly, he too was getting bored with the much-too-long ceremony. King Sol turned back to look at Queen Selenity. He motioned to the four men to his left. "You have already met my top generals and body guards. Kunzite is my head general as well as Nephrite, Zoycite, and Jadeite." The four men bowed. "You should be plenty safe with them keeping watch over the rest of our guards, knights, and soldiers."
"I am sure we will." Queen Selenity gave Jadeite a sharp look. Jadeite blushed pulling his eyes away from Mars' legs. (Author's Note: hehe – I simply couldn't resist.)
"Kunzite, the generals may return to their duties." King Sol told him simply. Kunzite, Zoycite, and Nephrite left greatfully. Jadeite, on the other hand, reluctantly left after stealing just one last look at the Senshi in their mini-skirts. Sol sighed. Jadeite would never change.
"Well." Terra replied with a sigh. "I am glad that is over. I am sure you will want to get settled in before we address any political matters."
"Endymion," King Sol spoke to his eldest son. "I am sure you will not mind showing Queen Selenity and the court to the guest quarters?"
Endymion turned to face his father. "Gomen nasi, Father, but there was a certain matter I had hoped to address before the White Moon arrived here on Earth. Begging your pardon, perhaps David could take my place this once?"
Sol didn't even have to think to know what it was Endymion wished to address. He breathed in deep. "It is alright this time, Endymion. You may leave."
"Thank you, Father."
Turning, he left the Throne Room quickly without another room. He simply had to check on his younger brother.
**********
Author's Notes: Hey! Sorry this took so long to get out. I wanted to write more before I published it, but this will have to do. Hope you enjoyed it. As always, READ AND REVIEW!!! And the next chapter will be out very soon.