The Moon

Serenity sulked for a week after they had gotten home because her mother had restricted her to her rooms for quite a while. Minako was not punished, as she had tried everything in her power to get the Princess home and been hurt in the process, but was reprimanded lightly for not catching onto the Princess' intentions before it all started.

It was bleak out, clouds dark and pregnant with rain as Minako wandered through the garden. No one else was out, and she blessed the impending rain for her solitude. Her thoughts wandered to Kunzite, though she tried to push the images of him away. It hurt more than she thought it would.
Minako sighed, a gnawing in her chest giving way to aching gloom.
"Sit, Princess Venus," a light, musical voice suggested, and Minako swung around in surprise to see Princess Mercury on one of the benches. Pausing for a moment, Minako complied. "What brings you out on this dreary, wet day?"
Minako suddenly understood why Ami was outside – her element was water. But it did nothing to slow the pounding in her breast. "Being melancholic," she replied aimlessly.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Ami was making something out of the damp, drooping violets, her slim white hands working diligently. Minako was struck by jealousy – Ami was an intelligent, beautiful woman. Her skin was porcelain white, her eyes as calm and blue as the ocean, hair thick, silken, and figure a slender symphony of delicate curves. She could have any man she wanted, and keep him. But she had never wanted men.
Truthfully, neither had Minako . . . before. They had all been happy as soldiers and had forsaken normal things – like love or families – for their duties. Minako wasn't afraid that her new feelings would interfere with her job, but it was a bit of a distraction. She chuckled. Having Kunzite with her would be a bigger distraction.
Ami gave her a curious sapphire glance, but Minako shook her head and hugged the smaller woman.
"I'm okay. Thank you for caring, though, Ami-chan."
Ami smiled and returned the hug, bemused as she watched her friend walk away. "Any time, Mina," she murmured, and continued to manipulate her wilted violets.

Serenity, in the meantime, was throwing a fit. "You didn't tell me that!" she yelled at her mother, crying.

"It was supposed to be a surprise, Serenity," the woman returned, "but you just had to put yourself in danger to see him, so now you won't see him."
Serenity turned and threw herself on the bed and sobbed. "You . . . [sniffle] . . . didn't tell me . . . [sob] . . . that he was [sniff] . . . coming here! [wail]"
"Well he is," her mother stood, immovable, "and because you broke the rules, you won't be able to see him during his visit."
"Then I'll just run away again!"
"You try and I'll put the senshi on you day and night! And not just Venus and them, I'm talking Uranus and Neptune!" her mother threatened.
Serenity glared and swiped at her nose, then faltered and turned away. Tears began to slowly course down her cheeks.
Her mother sighed and softened – she couldn't stay mad for long. "If you're good for the next two days, I'll let you see him for the rest of his visit."
"Really?!" Serenity brightened. Her mother nodded and she threw herself at the tall woman. "Oh, thank you, mom! I love you!"
"Yes, well," her mother smiled and stroked Serenity's hair. "I have work to do. Just make sure you stay in here no matter what, okay?"
"Okay mom," Serenity hugged her one last time and threw herself onto the bed as the door closed behind her mother. Endymion, here! She sighed, happy, not realizing that he and his guards were already unpacking their things in the guest wing.