2. Princess

Flaming red buttresses supported the magnificent Martian palace. The gold and red paint glistening on the walls flared to life as they mingled into one glorified color. The golden doors up ahead separated the Martian King from him, Jadeite guessed that much.

If the corridors were this magnificent, the throne room should surpass all grandness, Jadeite also concluded.

"His Lord, the General Jadeite of Earth," announced the trumpeter by the door. This signaled the guards on the other side to pull open the doors.

The doors slowly opened to stand agape, leading into the darkened chamber. Magically, the lights on either side of the mahogany aisle lit up one by one, casting a red glow within the chamber.

On the other end of the room sat a grave, majestic man in his throne. He embellished maroon robes with a golden sash around his tight waist.

"Welcome, General," the king spoke in a low, grinding voice. "We have been expecting you and hope that no inconveniences have deterred you from your passage," The King of Mars slowly raised his black glittering eyes to settle on the general.

Jadeite immediately fell on one knee and bowed his head in respect. He had been prepared to make his speech, yet it seemed now, his heart was stuck in his throat for he found it difficult to speak.

"Rise, General," commanded the king.

Jadeite rose, hand to the hilt of his sword. The two henchmen beside him glanced warily about, unaccustomed to the lights. Jadeite nodded in their direction to insure their departure. As if taking flight, the two hurried away, leaving their liege alone with the dark king.

Jadeite had no idea that the king and he were, in fact, not alone when his guards left them. To justify this, a soft, but distinct feminine voice reached Jadeite's ears. "It is a shame that one so young has to grow up in a world of war and hate." The Queen lit up beside the King. She too embellished maroon robes that opened in the front, revealing a white garment. Her smile was ardent with sympathy and worry, while her violet eyes were tearing. All the while, she noticed his hand holding his sword reflexively. It was tragic that he found comfort in stroking a sword.

"How far you have come for something we cannot promise…" The queen sighed and raised a slender hand to her eyes.

Jadeite silently stared at the lovely queen settled on the left side of the king. Her maroon robes glittered as she shifted forward to look at Jadeite more closely. "How is the royal family of your planet?" She asked.

Jadeite swallowed, ridding the parchedness from his throat. "Well… For now…"

"I would think otherwise!" the king suddenly roared as he snapped his head back. "the third world is a shambles. Only negativity proliferates there." He pounded the arm of his throne, indignantly. The queen tried to console the king by stroking his furious arm.

"Please, Your Majesties! I have come here to plead for aid," Jadeite fell to his knees once more as he spoke up. "Opposition on earth is much too powerful a force for us to fight alone. As we speak many are dying."

"My army is not for them," the king replied gloomily. "It is too late for that world."

"It is never too late! We can unite to save what's left! There are also rewards offered. You may squander what we win, but please join us in this battle for the greater good." Jadeite's voice drifted to a murmur as his bruised knee dug deeper into the hard floor. His sweaty hands took a tighter hold on the hilt of his belted sword. "I have lost many I care about to this fight. I do not want anymore innocents to die."

"All you say is very moving, General. However my army is not for Earth to expend. I have placed full loyalty on the Silver Alliance and am only doing what is best for the planets that still have hope. In the name of the Silver Alliance and the all powerful Queen Serenity, I have pledged everything to peace."

"They will set their eyes on this planet after they get a hold of my world," Jadeite argued, trembling with edginess, "There would be no chance for peace, then. Not for your world or any other."

"We can at least try to hold our ground," the queen said softly. "We can try by saving what we have for the final battle."

Jadeite raised his confused eyes to the queen.

She continued to speak, "Understand, Jadeite, that sometimes we must make sacrifices to save others."

"That is heartless."

"Listen to my mother," a familiar voice spoke through the shadows. "Do not defy my mother's prophecy. The final battle is nearer than ever, Jadeite. It is best that we stay neutral for the time being."

Jadeite recognized the voice and imagined the face that it belonged to. His heart soared at the soothing, melodic voice as his head automatically went up and down in acceptance. Finally the king and queen could smile.

The King serenely looked through the shadows that were intangible to the red lights. "Princess, join us please. It seems you have a way of moving this young man."

Jadeite's heart stopped as he watched with bated breath the Princess of Mars emerge from the shadows behind her parents.

"You made it, General." Princess Mars grinned at him, showing off her radiant teeth between her glossy, red lips. Jadeite wondered in awe if the beautiful princess was in actuality congratulating him for finding her. Perhaps she was.

"Princess, why don't you show the good general to his room? I'm sure he's fatigued from his prolonged journey here." The queen beamed in her motherly fashion. "When you go to bed tonight make sure you stay warm, General." Finishing her last sentence, the Queen laced her arm around her husband's as they both stood synchronously.

"Ha!" The king laughed outwardly. "Enjoy your stay here, General Jadeite. There are only a limited number of times for us to enjoy the best things before we die. Only a limited number of times!" The king chuckled merrily, and exited the throne room through the shadows with his queen.

"They can forget about the war when they find their sense of humor," Princess Mars explained in a distant voice when she noticed the bewildered look of the distraught general. She walked up to him slowly. "Come with me," she said, as she walked right past him. Her flaming dress came to life as she moved.

As they walked down the hall together, Jadeite studied her from the back. He merely watched how her ebony hair with their purple highlights fell past her waist. For a moment his eyes rested at the tips of her hair, where her derriere protruded slightly under the silky, red folds of her gown.

While Jadeite stared with smug delight in his face, the princess turned abruptly to him. Twisting around the waist, she curiously looked at the general. Adjusting his foolish eyes, his sight trailed down from their previous visual vicinity to where her dress fanned out in ripples of ruby glory. "You know, when a man gets stabbed in the eye, he does not die from the knife, but he does die from what he sees inside his head." All politeness burned away from her intense voice.

"Yes, Princess. Men are very evil. You cannot trust them"

Mars did not show any sign that she heard him by continuing down the corridor. As they made their journey through the palace Jadeite discovered a battle inside his soul. The turmoil inside consumed him with so much ferocity; he scarcely knew what was going on. He was overjoyed to see the princess again, but he was also angry because she lied to him. She could have told him who she was when they first met and yet she did not.

His inner battle ceased momentarily when both he and she halted by the door to his room.

"You are not a man," she said looking directly at him and waiting for his reaction. After ten seconds of no response from him, she lifted her foot for the first step away from him.

For a short time, Jadeite was stunned by the words falling from those glossy lips. Even before the words came he ended the battle. His joy and anger merged. Failing to contain it he grabbed her loose hand and pushed open the door to his room. He pulled her inside and pressed her against the wall. Jadeite was already kissing her with fervor that even the Princess misread from her prescience. He lifted his face from hers briefly to look at her face. Gradually her eyes opened to reveal her violet stare to him. It was burning with passion.

"Your parents predicted this. I'm surprised you didn't." The smirk on his face rekindled the anger inside her. However, he stomped down the flame, making her completely forget her indignity by engulfing her in another heated embrace.

The door closed and locked itself.

Author's Notes

cocobear: What do you think of Jed? Does he seem like a dumbass?

Hey, hey everyone. Did I do a good job with Jadeite? Did I do a good job with the princess? I would like to know from your reviews. Bunches of Thanks all.

Stay tuned for

Chapter 3: Sailor Mars

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Chapter 4: Rei Hino