Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon.

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Usagi grumbled as she rubbed hard onto the table with her rag. This table, she was certain, hated her. Despite how many times she tried to buffer it and polish it up it refused to become clean-there was numerous spots dotting it and they all refused to be wiped away.

She sighed and sat back from the table wiping the sweat off her brow with the back of her hand. Ami, who happened to be behind scrubbing the walls, looked over at her.

"Something wrong, Usagi?" she asked. Usagi looked back and gave a little laugh.

"I'm fine-it's just that this table doesn't want to come clean, it's got spots everywhere."

Ami bent a little to the side so she could see around the blonde and to the table. When she did see a bead of sweat ran from her temple to her jaw. "Ah...Usagi?"

"Yes?"

"That table always has spots-that extra varnish that got dripped on it."

Usagi's face fell. "It's what!"

"It's there for sentimental reasons-besides it's usually got a vase of flowers to distract from the spots." Ami smiled a little as the blonde hung her head and sighed. "Usagi, do you...want to do me a favor?"

Usagi perked up and looked up at her. "Sure."

"Good." She reached into her shirt and pulled out an envelope and handed it to Usagi. "Go take this down to the stable master, Ryou Urawa, and give this to him."

"Why? Is he your boyfriend?" she chuckled slyly. Ami turned a bright red but quickly shook her head no.

"N-no, Urawa's family and mine are old friends. I was going to give it to him at lunch b-but you can take to him now!" Ami explained while taking her shoulders and forciblly steering her down the hall. "The stables are down in the southward courtyard so you can't miss them! Don't get lost, Usagi!" she turned and quickly marched back to work once again.

Usagi tapped the envelope against her chin as she walked down the long hall. "I wonder if Zoisite knows about this Urawa-it'd be nice to something to tease him about." It was true-he was always teasing her and Ami when he met up with them to see if they had any information or not. Not to mention he was constantly flirting-she'd never seen him flirt with any other girl like he teased Ami. Now she had something to tease him about.

She marched down the corridors and out into a courtyard. Ami had been right about not missing them-they were very large and took up a very large part of the courtyard. She gulped at seeing the building, took a deep breath and began to march towards the building. She was so intent that she didn't even hear the loud hoof beats and shouts coming from around her.

"Miss! MISS!"

She blinked and looked about. Suddenly, she caught sight of a horse thundering towards her in full charge. She was rooted to the spot in fear. "Uh-oh-!" she muttered in shock.

The horse was barreling down on her as she looked up with fearful eyes.

Then she felt something barrel into her side sending her sprawling to the side as the horse thundered by. "Oww!" she winced and she sat up.

"You okay, miss?"

She rubbed her head a little. "Yeah-bumped my head in the fall." Suddenly she realized that she could hear yells and catcalls.

"Hey, hey! Nice save, Mamoru!"

"Fast moves there, buddy!"

She blinked and looked to her side. Next to her, in dark robes sat a figure. The figure reached for it's hood and pulled it back-two dancing blue eyes and winning smile loomed out at her from his handsome face. She could see wisps of black hair from underneath a white headdress that Rider's wore deep into the desert.

"Can you stand up now or do you need help?" he asked.

She stood up quickly and teetered around a bit. "I'm fine-just a little shaky." He reached out and took a hold of her arms before she toppled face first into the dirt. "Thank you."

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Minako was truly, honest to Brahma, homesick. She missed her freedom, her friends, and her beautiful mother who always doted on her. She missed the green valley of her homeland. Most of all, she was missing her freedom.

Back home, it was normal to never wear veils unless in serious occasions. She used to laze about the big pool in her courtyard soaking up the sun.

But know she was locked away in the jewel studded jalis, constricted to heavy veils, and only had the foolish tarts of the little wives of the Skeit to talk to. And they weren't even that nice. Even though she wasn't married to the Skeit they were hostile towards her. They had given harsh looks and avoided sitting with like she was a plague.

It's was really very irritating. She was a social girl by all means and to be so rudely ignored stung a little. And when they did talk they were cruel and vicious. One in particular seemed to be the ringleader.

Emerald. She wavy hair and long legs which put her a "step up" above the rest and was annonying fantastic at control the others. She seemed to have a special vindictive streak in her.

But even with the worst times there's always a silver lining-if you know where to look.

Emerald had quickly introduced herself as a upper class woman-Minako nearly snorted but since that was unladylike she settled for raising a brow at the obnoxious woman. Any fool knew that the little wives were concubines with ...unsavory backgrounds at times-usually of poor stature. It was half the reason why they were called little wives.

So, she had had to sit and listen as Emerald plowed on at length about her prestiage, heritage...and somewhere in the middle Minako began to tune her out.

Well, that was until Emerald made a rather snide comment to her.

"But then again-what's the bastard daughter of a whore to know of such prestiage?" she had nearly hissed.

Minako's mouth nearly dropped open. Anger boiled inside her; all of her life Minako had done her best to get along with everyone and she hated violence ...but truth be told she wanted reach out and slug the cruel woman in her pretty face.

"Why you-you!" she couldn't think of a foul enough curse to fling at the woman. "You-daughter of a pig!"

There was a collective gasp, even Emerald looked shocked-being called a child of a pig was a serious insult. The other little wives turned to Emerald to see what she would do.

"You-you filthy brat of-"

That's when that silver lining thing finally kicked in.

"Enough, Emerald." snapped a voice behind her. "Or I toss you in the pig pen where you belong apparently." The voice was scathing and Minako watched as Emerald began to quake.

"Ahh-ahh, yes, Lady Haruka!"

Minako peered around the shaking Emerald to see three women standing tall and strong before her-a handsome looking blonde in navy trousers and a yellow blouse, a wavy haired beauty in a green tunic and long stringed sandals, and an exotic looking woman in a black blouse, trousers, and wrapping around the trousers she wore a long cloth that made for a skirt.

"Go!" snapped the blonde-Haruka, from the sound of her voice-to the women who scattered like leaves to the wind. The wavy haired woman walked up to her.

"Are you quite alright, Lady Aphrodite?"

"Fine-fine! Umm, call me Minako."

"You handled Emerald rather nice, Minako-she'll be sulking for a week." snickered Haruka. "Ah, we forgot to introduce ourselves-I'm Haruka."

"I'm Michiru." supplied the young woman next Minako as she patted her hand gently. Minako liked her instantly she reminded her of her doting mother back home.

"And I'm Setsuna." murmured the last woman. The exotic looking woman looked severe until a small gentle smile appeared on her lips and Minako liked her smile too.

"So, then, you're the Lady Minako that's got the harem all in a twist, eh?"

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"So, then, your name's Usagi, right?" asked Mamoru. Both Usagi and Mamoru sat of the top beam of the horse pen next to the stable. After saving Usagi's life from the wild horse he had set her up there and told her to stay put while he helped the others catch the loose animal. Afterward, he come back and handed her a bowl of fruits and sat with her.

Usagi swallowed a bite of her orange quick and nodded. "Yup, and you're Mamoru."

"Yep. So, then, are you a maid up here in the palace or do you just make trips out to stables to get mowed down by untamed horses every now and then?"

She huffed and shot a orange peel at him-he ducked and it sailed out into the courtyard to his side. "I'm a MAID, thank you very much!"

"Alright, alright! Calm down; no need to toss stuff at me..."

"Good." she took another bite of her orange.

"Besides you're wasting valuable food!"

She choked and swung wildly at his head; she missed by a mile and he laughed at her. She found herself like his laugh.

Okay! Slow down now-we just met this guy! she thought to herself. She took a deep breath and then stuck her tongue out at him.

He laughed and shook his head at her. He chuckled and jumped off the beam-she was sorry to see him go. He turned to her and reached for her. "C'mon-time to get down."

She sighed and placed the bowl to her side and reached out for him. He picked her up, set her down, snagged the fruit bowl from the top and then turned back to her.

"Well, I must be going, Usagi." he said. She frowned but nodded.

"Thanks ...for saving me." she murmured. She turned quickly and ran back to the palace. She ran all the way to the women servant's quarters, intent on sleeping. When she finally reached her bed she realized something.

"Wai! I forgot to deliver the letter!"

On August 20th, 2005, this story hit 1000-now, five days later it's at 2000! XD I love you guys! Since we aren't supposed to answer reviews apparently in our stories...I'm going to be in trouble...bah, I'm already in trouble so why stop now?

Megan Consoer-Chapter's up and ready!

Chester91-Not exactly what you asked for but hereeeeeeeeeeeeeee's Mamo-chan!

Serenathy-...I sense what we have here is a break down of communication. XD This ISN'T based on the European system of a monarchy-it is very very VERY loosely based on the Indian royal court. They had large harems. Minako actually prays to Hindu gods. Zojoten and Yu Huang are actually from Buddhism and I believe Asian mythology. Her dress isn't skanky-it's based on real, old style-but the too thin veil was the really big no-no. Minako? A spy? Nah-I got bigger, more romantic plans for her.

Lady of Masbolle-Thank you and CONGRATS! You've guessed right! This does have arabic flavor to it doesn't it? X3 You made my day.

Friends1004-XD Well, I'm glad you like it so much! Finally we hit a turning point in the story.

Sapphire Midnight-Did you think that my Endymion is willing to sit still in banishment? X3 Well, Mamoru and Usagi met and now I got the outers in here as well! XD Yay! I can't wait to write M and K meeting face to face-I got that part planned out. Can'twaitcan'twaitcan'twait!

OKAY, PEOPLE, LISTEN UP! Chapters might take a little longer now that I have most of the main characters up-the plot's FINALLY going to get ready move so-honest to god I doubt know how long this story is going to be but I gotta really set myself down and plan it out. The ending and some crucial parts are already planned but I still got stuff to work out. Bah, later you guys! I work faster with reviews! XD