Author's Note: This story coincides with "The Rose Earrings", so you'll see some similarities in the plot...at least, somewhat. And just because I have posted this does not mean that I am giving up on the other. I just needed to write this one down as well--it had been swimming around in my head for months. I will update the two regularly!

The disclaimer: I don't won Sailor Moon or any of the characters.

A Friend's Betrothal

Talking with her friend, Makoto, had brought back memories for Rei. She felt for her friend – she had been through the confusion and the wonder. She had thankfully come out of it all with a wonderful man. Ah Jadeite, she thought. Still no one knows about our whole story…

Rei was 16 and visiting her friend Usagi at the Moon Kingdom. Usagi had been pledged to Prince Endymion for almost a year, although this was only their third time really spending time together. Usagi had begged her friend to come and help her while he was visiting. She was so much younger than the Prince, and so shy. Rei grudgingly agree to come, but refused to let Usagi hide behind her the whole trip. The girl has got to grow a backbone! They're betrothed for God's sake! She needs to get to know him before they get married. Otherwise, her wedding night is going to be a real shocker! Rei grinned wickedly. She didn't wish her friend harm…she just wished that Usagi would grow some maturity. Sometimes, it scared Rei to death to think of Usagi ruling the entire Moon Kingdom.

"Rei!" Usagi stomped her foot. "Are you even paying attention to me!"

"Of course, Usagi. You were once again going on about how hot Prince Endymion is…"

"Really?" Prince Endymion appeared with a grin. "Do tell."

Usagi looked like she wanted to go through the floor. She blushed bright red and stuttered out a hello. Rei just stood and grinned.

"Um… Endymion, I was just telling Rei about your visit." Rei couldn't keep from snorting.

"Ay, yes, I gathered that," Endymion said with a smile. "And I was just telling Jadeite here how much he would love the palace." Endymion summoned his friend from behind him.

Rei's eyes nearly popped out of her head. This guy was gorgeous! Lean and powerfully built, he looked like he had just stepped out of a teen heart-throb magazine. This trip just got all the more interesting…

"Rei!" Usagi socked her in the arm. "Thanks for nothing!" She was pouting on her bed, glaring at her friend.

"Usagi, it's not my fault!" Rei said laughing. "I had no idea they were right behind us."

"Oh my God, I want to die," Usagi whined. "Not only did Endymion hear, but his friend too!"

"Relax Usagi. They'll probably forget about it by tonight."

"Really?" Usagi looked hopeful.

"Sure. By then you'll do something even more embarrassing and they'll talk about that instead!"

"That's not funny!" Usagi chucked a pillow at her friend.

"But seriously Usagi, you've got to get control of yourself. Your guys are going to be married in 2 years. And it's going to be a really boring marriage if you can't even talk to the guy."

Usagi groaned. "I know. I just get all tongue tied whenever I see him. And then I turn into this ditzy blonde…" Rei's eyebrow shot up. "…Okay, even more of a ditzy blonde…and I end up embarrassing myself. Oh Rei, what am I going to do?"

"Well, you're going to have to break the ice and talk to him at some point."

Usagi sighed. "I know."

"So let's arrange something. To him, it will look spontaneous, but you'll have something planned so you won't be so nervous. That way you can talk in private and get to know each other."

"…I guess I could do that." Usagi started to smile.

"Okay, so…take him for a walk in the garden after dinner. No one will be there at that time, and just in case I'll run interference for you."

"Oh Rei, you're the best!" Her friend hugged her. "Now, what am I going to wear?…"

Their plan worked beautifully. Dinner went on without a hitch. Usagi seemed to be in complete control…or was so distracted freaking out about the walk in the garden that she completely forgot to be a klutz. Rei smiled into her water glass. Go for it! She silently encouraged her friend.

As dinner concluded, Jadeite excused himself from the table. Taking her cue, Rei said goodnight to the two. As she was leaving the room, she saw Prince Endymion stand up to leave as well.

"Uh, Prince Endymion? Would you take a walk with me?" Silently Rei cheered, smiling as the two left.

Rei hadn't seriously thought that anyone would bother the two in the garden, so it was a few minutes before she headed that way to check on their progress. As she reached the door of the castle, she ran into Jadeite.

"Oh. Hi," she greeted him with a smile.

"Hi," he grinned. "Have you seen Prince Endymion?"

"Yes, but I wouldn't recommend chasing after him at this moment." She paused. "He and Usagi are in the garden," she added in a conspiratorial whisper.

"Ah, young love. I was just wondering when he would get around to getting her alone. I wonder if she'll actually talk to him."

"Hey now, Usagi's just been a little…flustered. Give her a break."

"I didn't mean anything by it. I just was wondering when those two would have an actual conversation, seeing as he's going to be married to her. Might be nice to see if she actually can talk."

"Okay, wise guy. You don't know anything about Usagi, so don't judge her. Who's to say that Prince Endymion is good enough for her!"

"I wasn't trying to turn this into a popularity contest. But now that we're on the topic, from what I've observed, how is she going to be a Queen if she can't speak more than few words at a time?"

"Well, what the hell does a Prince from Earth belong doing marrying the future Queen of the Moon Kingdom? Is he so hard up that no one on Earth would have him?"

"And what about your Princess? She's only 16 and they've already got her engaged! Is it because they know that no one else would ever marry her? Gonna be hard to rule such a large kingdom if you don't speak to anyone. Besides, I don't think she could run it on her own without it falling apart at her ears! She's just marrying him as an interpreter!"

"Now listen here Buster! The princess is most definitely not alone. The senshi would always be here to help her – married or not. She doesn't need a wedding ring to make her a ruler! And only a chauvinist pig like you would think that she'd need a man to rule a kingdom!"

"Then why be engaged so early?"

"Maybe because your Prince is just that greedy! This is the Moon Kingdom after all! Usagi stands to inherit a lot!"

"Or maybe because your Princess is just that incompetent!"

The two were glaring at each other from opposite sides of the doorway as the couple in question walked in. Any other time Rei would have been amused at their appearance. Usagi had smudges of dirt on her face and her hair was messed up. And Prince Enydmion's shirt wasn't completely tucked in anymore. Both of them had swollen lips. As it was, their appearance seemed only to infuriate Rei.

Endymion took a step between the two adversaries. "Uh…guys? What's going on?"

"Nothing. Just stay out of the Treasury Room Your Highness," Rei snorted as she stomped out of the room.

Jadeite called after her. "Just as long as she stays out of the throne room!" He stomped off in the opposite direction.

Usagi and Endymion stood shocked in the hallway, having no idea what was going on.

Ta da! More to follow. :)