Hey everyone! Sparky here! Just to let you all know, I'm writing under my friends name because my mother believes it is safer. So, just to let you know, so you don't get confused, the Gundam Wings are gonna be Kitten's stories, and the Sailor Moon/Lord of the Rings (which I'll post after I'm done with this one) are gonna be mine, Sparky's. Now, to answer to my reviews, which, by the way, thank you ever so much! Anyway:
Lara1786: thank you so much for the nice words! They mean a lot. And yes, Serenity will be in this one, but only a minor part.
Pyro*Chic: I'm honored that you would review my story! I've read the three you've posted and I love them! Especially the one with the gypsies! Keep on posting more on that story! Again, this is my friends, Kitten's, name, she filled it all out. I don't know why she doesn't accept anonymous reviews. He he he, and I love that idea about Lady Kristen being Endymion's sister, that is something I will consider. Thank you.
SilverSalvation: thank you, as well, for the kind words. I appreciate them. And I will add more author's notes if you guys like them.
Geminidragon: he he he, you're gonna even be more mad at this chapter's ending, it's gonna be a total cliffhanger! Thank you for reviewing! ^_^ By the way, I love your Romy story! Keep on writing, I'm a big fan of that couple! And, if I weren't busy with this story, would write one of my own!
Elena Chamerlain: Thanks for pointing out about my errors glares at Kitten, my editor, and whacks her on the head I guess I'll just have to buckle down on her won't I? And I agree about adding a love interest for a sister, should I add one. I would also much rather write about the senshi/shitennou.
Ocianne: Thank you for the compliments. I have an idea, I'm glad you brought it up. Should I a) end the story like the original manga, killing everyone off or b)should I end it with everyone alive? I would love feedback from everybody and will again mention this at the end of the story. And, again, I shall whack my darling editor over the head.
just a pinay: Thank you for the kind review, my first ever. I've read one of your stories, and reviewed, you need to finish it! Thank you very much for reviewing!
Okay, we're ready for the story now! Just to let you know, I probably won't be able to post until the 16th or 17th, because I have a student from Germany here at my house. Not to mention how much homework I have! Are all A.P. teachers this mean and sadistic! Assigning me three, count 'em three! essay's to write! Grrrrrr. So, yeah, I'm kinda swamped, but don't worry, I will finish this story! Read on!
Chapter Two
PG-13
A young woman, no more than eighteen or nineteen, sat curled up in a ball in the deep of the forest. Her silvery hair was spread around her slim body like a curtain, and her knees were pulled up to her chest. Sobs wracked the slender form as she sat there in tatters, the sunlight shining through the trees upon her in comfort and warmth.
Why had this happened to her? She had done nothing, recently... Was this some joke the girls were playing on her? How cruel of them, if it was. But somehow, the small Princess could not believe that her guardians could do such a thing.
She remembered clearly what had happened. One minute, she was sitting at her vanity, the next, rough hands had grabbed her from behind and dragged her unwilling body into a large bag. After that, her mind went blank, obviously having received a blow to silence her. Serenity remembered sitting up in total darkness, alone and afraid. Somehow, but the grace of some benevolent being, she had escaped, but to where she did not know. Never before had she seen such a place as she was in now.
Thoughts raced through her brain at one hundred miles a minute, trying to figure out where she was and how she was to leave, and a million other things.
Serenity slowly rose her face, red and puffy from crying too much, to the sky, whispering, "Mother, what has happened?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rei sat impatiently as Minako explained their story, edited, of course, to the cocky young Prince and his guards. What silly mortal men. Did Minako really think they could help? When even the four of them, very powerful women, were not able to protect their Princess? Not to mention the fact that the one with short blond hair and blue eyes kept giving her the most disrespectful look she had ever been privvy to.
Rolling her violet eyes, Rei changed positions on the ground, trying to get comfortable on the foreign land. Quite impossible, really, but it was worth a shot. She rubbed her temples slowly, willing the headache that pounded against them a slow, tortuous death by antibiotics. She was sore, tired, and hungry. And dangit! She wanted a bath! Of course little Serenity would have to go and get herself kidnapped!
Immediately as she thought this, she blushed in shame. It wasn't Sere's fault that some witch had taken her. And it was not nice to think in such a way of their kind, sweet Princess. Rei felt her emotions chocking her, remembering the awful fight she and Serenity had had before the kidnapping, and feeling like an uncouth barbarian, not so different to the Earthens...
"So," Prince Endymion said, snapping Rei out of her reverie, "Why was this friend of yours taken?"
Minako had concocted the story as they made their way over Earth's inhospitable surface that they would say that Serenity was a high-to-do woman (not totally a lie) and that she had been taken for ransom. Rei frowned at him.
"Were you not listening? She was taken for ransom," Rei muttered.
The one who had been giving her the looks, Jadeite, if she remembered correctly, shot a glare in her direction, "Be quiet, woman. Do not speak until spoken to."
Rei stared at him in shock, as did the other girls, not quite believing their ears. The Prince and his three other General's snickered, and Jadeite smiled smugly. Slowly, Rei shook her head, trying to keep her anger down, though it roared in her like an incensed demon.
"Did I just hear you correctly? Did you just call me 'woman'?" She said softly, and her friends slowly backed away, knowing that she was very close to turning the arrogant man before her to ashes. Again, that smug, 'holier-than-thou' smile returned.
"You are merely a woman. I have every right to call you as I please."
Minako, fortunately for Jadeite's sake, knew that Rei was about to pounce him, and stepped in quickly. "General, I would advise you to cease your silly talk of male domination. Where we come from, female's are held in higher respect than males are, for we are more powerful."
Nephrite laughed outright, "Really? And where do you come from? Mars?"
Rei paced a very false smile on her lips, still held back by Minako, thinking, 'You have no idea'.
Zoisite shook his head, "It is impossible for you to come from a land where the female population is more dominant. Prince Endymion and his family own all of Earth, and there is no land where what you say is true. Besides, females are of the weaker sex."
Angered, shy, sweet little Ami said, "My Lords, where are your guards? Surely men in such position as yourselves would have guards."
This caught them off guard, and Kunzite said slowly, "We are the Prince's guards, madam?"
"Oh really? Aren't you afraid of getting hurt?" Ami sneered, "Where we live, none would be foolish enough as to have male guards unless they have a death wish. I only thought that maybe you had left your females at home. But I see I am mistaken. You're just stupid. You do have a death wish."
The girls laughed loudly and Ami's smile was sickeningly sweet, "Oh, General's? Did I offend you? I must not be trying hard enough. I was trying to make you leave."
Minako glanced sharply at her, then spoke in the Lunar language, knowing that Endymion and his men would not understand, "Athena, we need these men. Especially the Prince. He is the only one that can help us. We must not anger them."
Ami returned her sharp glare, ignoring the confused looks of the General's and Prince as the silky language left her lips, "But they annoy me, Aphrodite. They know not what is true for they are not exposed to the Silver Alliance. Must you scold me? When I most likely saved the blond from a good burning?"
Rei blushed at the mention of what she was preparing to do to General Jadeite, and placed her arms quickly behind her back.
Makoto smiled evilly, speaking for the first time, "Lighten up, Minako. We can find Serenity without their help. It would just be more convenient if they helped us."
Minako conceded, nodding and rolling her eyes in exasperation. They always could out-talk her if they tried. She turned to face the five men before her, amusement lighting up her blue eyes at their bewildered expressions. She had almost forgotten that they didn't know the girls' natural language.
"I am the Prince of the entire Earth, and never before have I heard that language. Where are you from?" Endymion said.
Makoto shook her head, "As Minako said, we are from near and we are from far. That is all you need to know."
Nephrite shook his head, "That is not an acceptable answer."
The Amazon laughed softly, shaking her head and saying, "I do not much care if you find my answer acceptable or not. You are not my regent, I do not, and will not obey you."
At this point, Zoisite stepped in, "We may not be, but Endymion is."
"Can we all just drop this, please? It is giving me a headache, and frankly, if we don't want to tell you more about us, we have that right. I hereby invoke the right of Silence," Ami said, remembering an old Earthen custom where those who wish to remain unknown and in safety could invoke Silence and be protected.
Jadeite frowned, "That is not commonly used anymore."
"Be that as it may, it is still available, and therefore I will use it. As shall my friends. Now, will you help us or not?"
Endymion considered while the General's waited in silence. It was ultimately his decision whether or not they would help the four women before them.
Eventually, he nodded, saying, "Yes, I shall help you. On the condition, however, that, when we find this missing friend of yours, you shall tell us who you are and where you are from."
The girls looked to Minako for confirmation, and the blond, after giving this new idea consideration, nodded demurely, "All right, Prince, we accept your offer and give thanks for your help."
He acknowledged her with a nod of his own. "You are welcome. Now, come, if we are to begin to search for your friend, we must take you to the palace."
Rei turned to Minako after the five men had walked away to their horses to begin to pack up. Using the Martian sign language used by assassins and military officers for secrecy, she spoke to the Venusian.
/I do not trust them. We can find Serenity on our own. They are men, Human at that! What can they do that we can not?\
Minako responded, /Hush, Enyalios, do not overly worry yourself. True, they are Human men, but remember, they know the lay of the land much better than we ever will. I remember studying when I was younger that maybe a thousand years ago, the Human's did have magic, tied in someway with this planet, but lost it over the course of the centuries. Who knows, maybe it lies dormant within them. Anything and anybody can help right now, Rei. Do not let your prejudices overrule your common sense and loyalty to the Princess, for she is the only thing we can worry about now.\
Rei sulked, muttering, "I still do not like them."
Jadeite, who had been walking towards them, heard her, and said, "What? Do we smell or something?"
Extremely annoyed, Rei rounded on him, her eyes blazing once more, "You arrogant, overbearing imbecile! Would you just shut up! We don't need, nor want, to hear your voice."
He sneered at her, "Ooh, do I detect a man-hater? Hath no one loved thy beautiful person?"
"I would rather hear my dog bark at a crow than hear a man profess he loves me," Rei snarled. AN: he he, if anyone has read or seen 'Much Ado About Nothing', you should recognize the line. This is what Beatrice says to Benedict.
The collected group rolled their eyes. This was going to be a long journey.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
During the course of their journey, several more squabbles occured. The primary one being what mode of transportation the women would be using, seeing as the men only had five horses. However, being as chivalrous as they were, they offered the ladies the horses.
"What? Do you think we are too weak to walk?" Rei snapped irritably, just looking for a fight.
Jadeite rolled his eyes, "What is with your macho-woman attitude? We were just offering to help."
"Please, gentlemen, I believe what my comrade was trying to insinuate is that just because we are women does not necessarily mean we are weaker. The four of us each have probably done more walking than the five of you combined. We do not need your offer, as gentlemanly as it was. However, I do appreciate the thought," Ami said softly as she came up to stand by her angered friend.
Endymion nodded, "While the answer is acceptable, I seriously doubt that four women such as yourselves have been able to walk as much as we have. After all, we are soldiers, and men."
Makoto's eyes flared, "Do you never cease to place your foot into your mouth? Where I come from, saying something so sexist would earn you a good whipping. Prince or not. Please desist from making such inflammatory comments."
Nephrite gave her a mock bow in answer to her scolding of his Prince, "My lady, we are but humble men, and you use such big words. Care to clarify?"
"If you wish, General. Shut the hell up! We came for help, not smart ass remarks. We can and will do just fine without your help if you continue behaving in such a manner. Really, and to think you call yourselves royalty! Do you treat all women this way? Or are we just special?"
The brunette General leered at her, "You're just special."
"Enough." Zoisite said firmly, drawing everyone's abrupt attention, "If we can't play nicely, then we should not play at all. Prince, General's, we are acting like uncouth sailors who haven't seen women in eight months. Ladies, you are being purposefully vague, not something any of the five of us enjoy. If you wish us to stop our teasing, which is most likely a form of trying to find out where you originate from, then give us more answers. Until then, all of us will maintain our silence."
Jadeite snickered, "Like that's possible with Sparky over here!"
Smoke practically poured from Rei's ears, and she said through clenched teeth as she stalked over to the mounted General, "That is so it!"
With a very rough shove, Rei had him off his horse in ten seconds flat, taking another two to mount the beautiful stallion. Jadeite sputtered from the ground, covered in mud, into which Rei had pushed him. Rei looked down at him haughtily, raising her pert nose in disdain.
Jadeite sprung to the air, ready to reclaim his horse, but Rei, whose reflexes were much quicker, spurred the horse on with a delicate, "Hyyah!"
The other's sweat-dropped as they watched Rei riding off into the distance, Jadeite in tow, screaming rather crude sayings. Zoisite sighed and shook his head in resignation.
"I give it three, maybe four days, before she kills him," Makoto said thoughtfully.
"Really, I was thinking five, six at the latest," Ami replied, just as philosophically said.
The other men looked at them in astonishment, and Kunzite said, "You don't really believe she will do something to harm him."
Minako sighed and rubbed her temples, "If it were a certain time of the month, possibly, or if he caught her in a bad mood, most definitely. Rei has a powerful temper. She is one of those people who love strongly, yet hate passionately, and never forgets a grudge." But then she laughed lightly, "However, I don't think you should worry about her. She should be fine now that she has control of the situation."
Endymion shook his head, "Oh, dear, we are dealing with two-year olds in twenty-years old body."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It took them nearly three hours to get back to the palace, and Rei felt like she was about to fall off her horse (well, Jadeite's horse, really...)
She looked around her in semi-awe at the Earthen palace. It was not nearly as significant as any of the palace's on any of the other planets, but for such a uncivilized culture, it was amazing. It's walls were made of golden crystal that seemed to reach on for miles, however, the building itself was simply made.
"What a quaint little castle! And so advanced for such a young culture!" Ami said softly as she rode up next to Rei. The men had finally convinced them into taking them.
Nodding absently and rubbing her sore neck, Rei quickly scanned for any evil presence. HER presence. What she found was rather disturbing, but not enough so she would worry the others with it. But, still, it was odd, and Rei knew she would have to be constantly on the alert for...well, for whatever was out there. Mainly, HER.
Makoto and Minako came around to Ami and Rei, waiting for them to dismount. When the two girls did, they all silently swore that they would forever be together and that no secrets would be revealed before their time. With a nod, they made their way over to the Prince and his Generals.
Endymion looked up as they approached, "My father and mother would like to meet you. I'm sure they would also be willing to help. Will you see them?"
Minako nodded, "Yes, we will. When?"
"Now, if you like," Endymion said, and beckoned for them to follow him, his General's closing in on their rear.
"Oooh, your in trouble," Jadeite whispered into Rei's ear, receiving a hard bap on the nose for his efforts. With an indignant cry, he stalked back to walk with Kunzite.
When they reached the throne room, they were again impressed by its simple elegance. Nothing near to as beautiful as on any of the other planet's, it was beautiful in its own simple way. At the other end of the room, two royal looking figures sat regally on the thrones. Rei supposed them to be the King and Queen.
Upon reaching the two monarchs, all four girls bowed respectively, Minako slightly in front of them, seeing as how she was the spokesperson. The King and Queen nodded to them, but they remained kneeling, as was the custom on the Moon.
"Welcome to our palace, young ladies. I hear you've had quite an adventure," the Queen said kindly, slightly confused as to why they were still kneeling.
"Yes, your majesty, we have. And we must say that your son, the Prince, and his General's have all ready been a help to us. We are most eager to find our Lady."
"And who might this lady be?" The King asked.
However, he wasn't able to receive the answer to his question, for a slivery, sensual voice floated to them, "My, my, my, what a great surprise this is! How honored I feel to have all FOUR of the Princesses leave their hidey hole to come to this pathetic little marble. I didn't realize I was so important!"
Well, there we go folks! Sorry it took so long, but I've been super busy. Again, as I asked a few of the reviewers, should I a) end the story traditionally, with all of them dying or b) end it my own way. And should you have answered a, should I have a sequel? I just want to know so I can start setting everything up. Thanxs! Review! Sparky.
Lara1786: thank you so much for the nice words! They mean a lot. And yes, Serenity will be in this one, but only a minor part.
Pyro*Chic: I'm honored that you would review my story! I've read the three you've posted and I love them! Especially the one with the gypsies! Keep on posting more on that story! Again, this is my friends, Kitten's, name, she filled it all out. I don't know why she doesn't accept anonymous reviews. He he he, and I love that idea about Lady Kristen being Endymion's sister, that is something I will consider. Thank you.
SilverSalvation: thank you, as well, for the kind words. I appreciate them. And I will add more author's notes if you guys like them.
Geminidragon: he he he, you're gonna even be more mad at this chapter's ending, it's gonna be a total cliffhanger! Thank you for reviewing! ^_^ By the way, I love your Romy story! Keep on writing, I'm a big fan of that couple! And, if I weren't busy with this story, would write one of my own!
Elena Chamerlain: Thanks for pointing out about my errors glares at Kitten, my editor, and whacks her on the head I guess I'll just have to buckle down on her won't I? And I agree about adding a love interest for a sister, should I add one. I would also much rather write about the senshi/shitennou.
Ocianne: Thank you for the compliments. I have an idea, I'm glad you brought it up. Should I a) end the story like the original manga, killing everyone off or b)should I end it with everyone alive? I would love feedback from everybody and will again mention this at the end of the story. And, again, I shall whack my darling editor over the head.
just a pinay: Thank you for the kind review, my first ever. I've read one of your stories, and reviewed, you need to finish it! Thank you very much for reviewing!
Okay, we're ready for the story now! Just to let you know, I probably won't be able to post until the 16th or 17th, because I have a student from Germany here at my house. Not to mention how much homework I have! Are all A.P. teachers this mean and sadistic! Assigning me three, count 'em three! essay's to write! Grrrrrr. So, yeah, I'm kinda swamped, but don't worry, I will finish this story! Read on!
Chapter Two
PG-13
A young woman, no more than eighteen or nineteen, sat curled up in a ball in the deep of the forest. Her silvery hair was spread around her slim body like a curtain, and her knees were pulled up to her chest. Sobs wracked the slender form as she sat there in tatters, the sunlight shining through the trees upon her in comfort and warmth.
Why had this happened to her? She had done nothing, recently... Was this some joke the girls were playing on her? How cruel of them, if it was. But somehow, the small Princess could not believe that her guardians could do such a thing.
She remembered clearly what had happened. One minute, she was sitting at her vanity, the next, rough hands had grabbed her from behind and dragged her unwilling body into a large bag. After that, her mind went blank, obviously having received a blow to silence her. Serenity remembered sitting up in total darkness, alone and afraid. Somehow, but the grace of some benevolent being, she had escaped, but to where she did not know. Never before had she seen such a place as she was in now.
Thoughts raced through her brain at one hundred miles a minute, trying to figure out where she was and how she was to leave, and a million other things.
Serenity slowly rose her face, red and puffy from crying too much, to the sky, whispering, "Mother, what has happened?"
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
Rei sat impatiently as Minako explained their story, edited, of course, to the cocky young Prince and his guards. What silly mortal men. Did Minako really think they could help? When even the four of them, very powerful women, were not able to protect their Princess? Not to mention the fact that the one with short blond hair and blue eyes kept giving her the most disrespectful look she had ever been privvy to.
Rolling her violet eyes, Rei changed positions on the ground, trying to get comfortable on the foreign land. Quite impossible, really, but it was worth a shot. She rubbed her temples slowly, willing the headache that pounded against them a slow, tortuous death by antibiotics. She was sore, tired, and hungry. And dangit! She wanted a bath! Of course little Serenity would have to go and get herself kidnapped!
Immediately as she thought this, she blushed in shame. It wasn't Sere's fault that some witch had taken her. And it was not nice to think in such a way of their kind, sweet Princess. Rei felt her emotions chocking her, remembering the awful fight she and Serenity had had before the kidnapping, and feeling like an uncouth barbarian, not so different to the Earthens...
"So," Prince Endymion said, snapping Rei out of her reverie, "Why was this friend of yours taken?"
Minako had concocted the story as they made their way over Earth's inhospitable surface that they would say that Serenity was a high-to-do woman (not totally a lie) and that she had been taken for ransom. Rei frowned at him.
"Were you not listening? She was taken for ransom," Rei muttered.
The one who had been giving her the looks, Jadeite, if she remembered correctly, shot a glare in her direction, "Be quiet, woman. Do not speak until spoken to."
Rei stared at him in shock, as did the other girls, not quite believing their ears. The Prince and his three other General's snickered, and Jadeite smiled smugly. Slowly, Rei shook her head, trying to keep her anger down, though it roared in her like an incensed demon.
"Did I just hear you correctly? Did you just call me 'woman'?" She said softly, and her friends slowly backed away, knowing that she was very close to turning the arrogant man before her to ashes. Again, that smug, 'holier-than-thou' smile returned.
"You are merely a woman. I have every right to call you as I please."
Minako, fortunately for Jadeite's sake, knew that Rei was about to pounce him, and stepped in quickly. "General, I would advise you to cease your silly talk of male domination. Where we come from, female's are held in higher respect than males are, for we are more powerful."
Nephrite laughed outright, "Really? And where do you come from? Mars?"
Rei paced a very false smile on her lips, still held back by Minako, thinking, 'You have no idea'.
Zoisite shook his head, "It is impossible for you to come from a land where the female population is more dominant. Prince Endymion and his family own all of Earth, and there is no land where what you say is true. Besides, females are of the weaker sex."
Angered, shy, sweet little Ami said, "My Lords, where are your guards? Surely men in such position as yourselves would have guards."
This caught them off guard, and Kunzite said slowly, "We are the Prince's guards, madam?"
"Oh really? Aren't you afraid of getting hurt?" Ami sneered, "Where we live, none would be foolish enough as to have male guards unless they have a death wish. I only thought that maybe you had left your females at home. But I see I am mistaken. You're just stupid. You do have a death wish."
The girls laughed loudly and Ami's smile was sickeningly sweet, "Oh, General's? Did I offend you? I must not be trying hard enough. I was trying to make you leave."
Minako glanced sharply at her, then spoke in the Lunar language, knowing that Endymion and his men would not understand, "Athena, we need these men. Especially the Prince. He is the only one that can help us. We must not anger them."
Ami returned her sharp glare, ignoring the confused looks of the General's and Prince as the silky language left her lips, "But they annoy me, Aphrodite. They know not what is true for they are not exposed to the Silver Alliance. Must you scold me? When I most likely saved the blond from a good burning?"
Rei blushed at the mention of what she was preparing to do to General Jadeite, and placed her arms quickly behind her back.
Makoto smiled evilly, speaking for the first time, "Lighten up, Minako. We can find Serenity without their help. It would just be more convenient if they helped us."
Minako conceded, nodding and rolling her eyes in exasperation. They always could out-talk her if they tried. She turned to face the five men before her, amusement lighting up her blue eyes at their bewildered expressions. She had almost forgotten that they didn't know the girls' natural language.
"I am the Prince of the entire Earth, and never before have I heard that language. Where are you from?" Endymion said.
Makoto shook her head, "As Minako said, we are from near and we are from far. That is all you need to know."
Nephrite shook his head, "That is not an acceptable answer."
The Amazon laughed softly, shaking her head and saying, "I do not much care if you find my answer acceptable or not. You are not my regent, I do not, and will not obey you."
At this point, Zoisite stepped in, "We may not be, but Endymion is."
"Can we all just drop this, please? It is giving me a headache, and frankly, if we don't want to tell you more about us, we have that right. I hereby invoke the right of Silence," Ami said, remembering an old Earthen custom where those who wish to remain unknown and in safety could invoke Silence and be protected.
Jadeite frowned, "That is not commonly used anymore."
"Be that as it may, it is still available, and therefore I will use it. As shall my friends. Now, will you help us or not?"
Endymion considered while the General's waited in silence. It was ultimately his decision whether or not they would help the four women before them.
Eventually, he nodded, saying, "Yes, I shall help you. On the condition, however, that, when we find this missing friend of yours, you shall tell us who you are and where you are from."
The girls looked to Minako for confirmation, and the blond, after giving this new idea consideration, nodded demurely, "All right, Prince, we accept your offer and give thanks for your help."
He acknowledged her with a nod of his own. "You are welcome. Now, come, if we are to begin to search for your friend, we must take you to the palace."
Rei turned to Minako after the five men had walked away to their horses to begin to pack up. Using the Martian sign language used by assassins and military officers for secrecy, she spoke to the Venusian.
/I do not trust them. We can find Serenity on our own. They are men, Human at that! What can they do that we can not?\
Minako responded, /Hush, Enyalios, do not overly worry yourself. True, they are Human men, but remember, they know the lay of the land much better than we ever will. I remember studying when I was younger that maybe a thousand years ago, the Human's did have magic, tied in someway with this planet, but lost it over the course of the centuries. Who knows, maybe it lies dormant within them. Anything and anybody can help right now, Rei. Do not let your prejudices overrule your common sense and loyalty to the Princess, for she is the only thing we can worry about now.\
Rei sulked, muttering, "I still do not like them."
Jadeite, who had been walking towards them, heard her, and said, "What? Do we smell or something?"
Extremely annoyed, Rei rounded on him, her eyes blazing once more, "You arrogant, overbearing imbecile! Would you just shut up! We don't need, nor want, to hear your voice."
He sneered at her, "Ooh, do I detect a man-hater? Hath no one loved thy beautiful person?"
"I would rather hear my dog bark at a crow than hear a man profess he loves me," Rei snarled. AN: he he, if anyone has read or seen 'Much Ado About Nothing', you should recognize the line. This is what Beatrice says to Benedict.
The collected group rolled their eyes. This was going to be a long journey.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
During the course of their journey, several more squabbles occured. The primary one being what mode of transportation the women would be using, seeing as the men only had five horses. However, being as chivalrous as they were, they offered the ladies the horses.
"What? Do you think we are too weak to walk?" Rei snapped irritably, just looking for a fight.
Jadeite rolled his eyes, "What is with your macho-woman attitude? We were just offering to help."
"Please, gentlemen, I believe what my comrade was trying to insinuate is that just because we are women does not necessarily mean we are weaker. The four of us each have probably done more walking than the five of you combined. We do not need your offer, as gentlemanly as it was. However, I do appreciate the thought," Ami said softly as she came up to stand by her angered friend.
Endymion nodded, "While the answer is acceptable, I seriously doubt that four women such as yourselves have been able to walk as much as we have. After all, we are soldiers, and men."
Makoto's eyes flared, "Do you never cease to place your foot into your mouth? Where I come from, saying something so sexist would earn you a good whipping. Prince or not. Please desist from making such inflammatory comments."
Nephrite gave her a mock bow in answer to her scolding of his Prince, "My lady, we are but humble men, and you use such big words. Care to clarify?"
"If you wish, General. Shut the hell up! We came for help, not smart ass remarks. We can and will do just fine without your help if you continue behaving in such a manner. Really, and to think you call yourselves royalty! Do you treat all women this way? Or are we just special?"
The brunette General leered at her, "You're just special."
"Enough." Zoisite said firmly, drawing everyone's abrupt attention, "If we can't play nicely, then we should not play at all. Prince, General's, we are acting like uncouth sailors who haven't seen women in eight months. Ladies, you are being purposefully vague, not something any of the five of us enjoy. If you wish us to stop our teasing, which is most likely a form of trying to find out where you originate from, then give us more answers. Until then, all of us will maintain our silence."
Jadeite snickered, "Like that's possible with Sparky over here!"
Smoke practically poured from Rei's ears, and she said through clenched teeth as she stalked over to the mounted General, "That is so it!"
With a very rough shove, Rei had him off his horse in ten seconds flat, taking another two to mount the beautiful stallion. Jadeite sputtered from the ground, covered in mud, into which Rei had pushed him. Rei looked down at him haughtily, raising her pert nose in disdain.
Jadeite sprung to the air, ready to reclaim his horse, but Rei, whose reflexes were much quicker, spurred the horse on with a delicate, "Hyyah!"
The other's sweat-dropped as they watched Rei riding off into the distance, Jadeite in tow, screaming rather crude sayings. Zoisite sighed and shook his head in resignation.
"I give it three, maybe four days, before she kills him," Makoto said thoughtfully.
"Really, I was thinking five, six at the latest," Ami replied, just as philosophically said.
The other men looked at them in astonishment, and Kunzite said, "You don't really believe she will do something to harm him."
Minako sighed and rubbed her temples, "If it were a certain time of the month, possibly, or if he caught her in a bad mood, most definitely. Rei has a powerful temper. She is one of those people who love strongly, yet hate passionately, and never forgets a grudge." But then she laughed lightly, "However, I don't think you should worry about her. She should be fine now that she has control of the situation."
Endymion shook his head, "Oh, dear, we are dealing with two-year olds in twenty-years old body."
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
It took them nearly three hours to get back to the palace, and Rei felt like she was about to fall off her horse (well, Jadeite's horse, really...)
She looked around her in semi-awe at the Earthen palace. It was not nearly as significant as any of the palace's on any of the other planets, but for such a uncivilized culture, it was amazing. It's walls were made of golden crystal that seemed to reach on for miles, however, the building itself was simply made.
"What a quaint little castle! And so advanced for such a young culture!" Ami said softly as she rode up next to Rei. The men had finally convinced them into taking them.
Nodding absently and rubbing her sore neck, Rei quickly scanned for any evil presence. HER presence. What she found was rather disturbing, but not enough so she would worry the others with it. But, still, it was odd, and Rei knew she would have to be constantly on the alert for...well, for whatever was out there. Mainly, HER.
Makoto and Minako came around to Ami and Rei, waiting for them to dismount. When the two girls did, they all silently swore that they would forever be together and that no secrets would be revealed before their time. With a nod, they made their way over to the Prince and his Generals.
Endymion looked up as they approached, "My father and mother would like to meet you. I'm sure they would also be willing to help. Will you see them?"
Minako nodded, "Yes, we will. When?"
"Now, if you like," Endymion said, and beckoned for them to follow him, his General's closing in on their rear.
"Oooh, your in trouble," Jadeite whispered into Rei's ear, receiving a hard bap on the nose for his efforts. With an indignant cry, he stalked back to walk with Kunzite.
When they reached the throne room, they were again impressed by its simple elegance. Nothing near to as beautiful as on any of the other planet's, it was beautiful in its own simple way. At the other end of the room, two royal looking figures sat regally on the thrones. Rei supposed them to be the King and Queen.
Upon reaching the two monarchs, all four girls bowed respectively, Minako slightly in front of them, seeing as how she was the spokesperson. The King and Queen nodded to them, but they remained kneeling, as was the custom on the Moon.
"Welcome to our palace, young ladies. I hear you've had quite an adventure," the Queen said kindly, slightly confused as to why they were still kneeling.
"Yes, your majesty, we have. And we must say that your son, the Prince, and his General's have all ready been a help to us. We are most eager to find our Lady."
"And who might this lady be?" The King asked.
However, he wasn't able to receive the answer to his question, for a slivery, sensual voice floated to them, "My, my, my, what a great surprise this is! How honored I feel to have all FOUR of the Princesses leave their hidey hole to come to this pathetic little marble. I didn't realize I was so important!"
Well, there we go folks! Sorry it took so long, but I've been super busy. Again, as I asked a few of the reviewers, should I a) end the story traditionally, with all of them dying or b) end it my own way. And should you have answered a, should I have a sequel? I just want to know so I can start setting everything up. Thanxs! Review! Sparky.