Disclaimer: I do not own the Sailor Moon series, I do not own the Sailor Moon characters, I don't own a lot of things...
Hitomi and Serena rushed down the narrowing hallway to her room. Hitomi moved slightly faster under the wispy weight of her uniform, but Serena desperately felt like she was dragging around a man on her back. When Hitomi finally could grasped the ruby red doorknob in her slender fingers, Serena literally breathed a sigh of relief, but was soon forced to suck it up as a gaggle of maids and nannies over swept her and literally swept her off her feet. Her clothes were removed and she was dunked into a tub of ice-cold water.
"Aieeeee!" she screeched out leaping out of the bathtub and tripping over the edge.
Her nanny came to her and lifted her off face and giving her a stern tap on the arm.
"Young lady, what have I told you? Princesses never raise their voice."
Serena looked at her arm to make sure she wasn't bruised. I'd have her head if I could, she thought, but my parents gave her permission to do that ever since I was three.
"The water is freezing! How do you expect me to clean in that?"
The nanny looked at her with such bewilderment, she looked as if a deer caught in headlights.
"Why Ms. Serena, the water wouldn't be cold if you moved along faster, and besides, its good for your circulation, it'll wake you up and you skin won't be so pale."
Did she call my skin pale? Serena looked at her nanny dumbfounded. No way in hell I'm getting back in that!
"Nanny Yanagi-sama, I refuse to get back in that water. I might get hypothermia." Serena uttered as calmly as she could.
Nanny Yanagi was losing obvious patience.
"Fine, have the maids run you a new bath, but trust me Lady Serena, I will not tolerate being behind schedule."
She shot a cold glare at Serena who was still awestruck at her cold behavior. Never had she experienced this before. Envious that's all, Serena realized. She doesn't get to go to the ball so she pissed.
"I'll replace your water miss." Whispered one of the maids in her ear.
"Thank you Hitomi. Arigatou."
Hitomi simply smiled and dunked her hand in the freezing water to let it out, replacing in with hot, steamy water. Serena glared at her nanny once more, wishing she could fire her, but her parents would never allow her to be by herself, not for one waking moment. Seconds later a light hand rested on her bare shoulder.
"Serena, your bath is ready."
Serena smiled at Hitomi. Such a sweet girl, Serena decided, she is surely the only one I can trust. Serena rested her palm on Hitomi's shoulder before whispering in her ear.
"Go to my closet and pick out a dress. You're going to be my escort to the ball."
Hitomi looked at her in disbelief.
"But surely that is a man's job! I can't do that, I won't fit in with all those rich people!"
"Tonight, we will change the rules and make you look as wealthy as the rest."
Serena realized this was probably suicide for them both, but the girl was so full of hope she didn't want to go without her.
Without another word Hitomi raced out of the bathroom, elegantly maneuvering her slim body between ten or so maids. She should be quite the graceful dancer, Serena laughed while dunking herself into the tub.
Drat, it got cold again.
Ten minutes later Serena's naked body was literally lifted out of the tub and slung on the bed. No need to be so rough, she thought as two women worked on her hair, and four worked on painting her fingers and toes. Serena sat looking across the room for Hitomi, and she spotted her carrying a dress towards her. She frowned. It was one of the worst one she had in her closet. It was a forest green and bunched up in all the wrong places. The pattern was simple sequins and lace. No way was she wearing that.
Serena rose to her feet, knocking over some of the women and quickly apologizing. She grabbed Hitomi and pulled her back into the closet. She was going to look elegant tonight; she was going to look like the princess. She was going to out due Serena is it was the last thing she did. And Serena knew exactly why she wanted this more than anything. She was sick of being the center of attention, sick of all the men staring at her, making all the women hate her and making her feel uncomfortable. No, Hitomi would help her split the jealousy tonight. After all, she was already a beautiful girl.
Then, hidden it a corner, a flash of red caught her eye. Serena grabbed it and let the fabric run through her fingers. Yes, she thought, this will do.
Hitomi stared at the dress, breathless. It was gorgeous, but she didn't want to take the spotlight from Serena. She was sure Serena must have liked the attention. But judging from the mischievous grin on Serena's face, she knew she was wearing that dress. The dress was rather revealing, with a low cut V-neck and high slits running up the sides. The dress was made of some type of red spandex to hug her features, and it was decorated in a floral pattern of red sequins. The sleeves were made of see-through red lace and ended in ruffles.
"A gorgeous dress for a gorgeous girl. Now come with me."
Serena grabbed Hitomi's hand again and led her out to her bed where the maids were impatiently waiting. She sat Hitomi next her and the maids seemed obviously confused.
"I want her to look like me." Serena demanded watching the expressions of the maids change from anger to jealousy. "She going with me to the ball. Any problems?"
No one answered and Hitomi struggled to hide a smirk. Her first day and she had befriended the princess. Wait until her parents heard.
"If they say anything to you I hereby give you the power to punish them," whispered Serena to Hitomi, "or you can tell me and I can handle them."
Hitomi spent the whole time in bliss while Serena was desperately wishing she could get ready by herself. After having the hair fixed up nicely and their nails painted a perfect nude pink, they were swept into different rooms to dress. Serena had spied the dress Hitomi had picked out and was surprised. A midnight blue satin dress, the top a simple halter that hugged every curve justly, then loosening around the waist to tighten around her thighs again; it was gorgeous. The bottom had a rather large slit that went knee high and an elegant belt with oval sapphire separated the top and bottom. Classical but sophisticated, Serena loved the dress. Hitomi had great taste. She slipped her feet into navy blue heels and walked out into her bedroom and gasped. There stood Hitomi looking like a picture of perfection. The red dress stood out against her raven black hair and dark eyes. Both Serena and Hitomi's hair was placed into French rolls with two curls tumbling down the front, but Hitomi's curls were much shorter and only were midriff length. Serena grasped her hand in hers and the walked out. Time for the ball…
Serenity looked out of the sea of baronesses and lords as she searched for her daughter. There seemed to be no sign of her or the prince. How could both be so late? The king seemed to read his wife's mind.
"Don't worry. She's coming. She just has to make an entrance."
And just as he finished the crowd all seemed to inhale deeply and the king and queen looked out towards the doorway of the ballroom and smiled. In came their daughter, demanding attention from all with her sassy walk and sparkling smile. How important it was to keep an image as princess. But who was the girl on her arm?
The crowd parted and watched the two girls in awe as the walked down the carpet to Serena's parents. Men stared at Serena with the same yearning stare, but she could see some eyes flash on her friend. Serenity was obviously amused at Serena's new friend.
"Who is that girl? She fits right in but I've never met her." Questioned the king and Serenity smiled.
"No, that's Serena's dress. That girl is one of the new maids. I hired her this morning."
The king raised one eyebrow at his wife and smirked. So much like Serena to invite a maid to mingle with the rich. When Serena and Hitomi finally approached the thrones, Hitomi bowed deeply until Serena tugged her back up. She hated the whole bowing thing. Who was she to worship but common man like anyone else?
"Excuse me late entry mother and father, but I had more to think about." Serena smiled glancing over at Hitomi, who was growing red under the gaze of the king and queen.
"We see." Said the king still smirking, "and I hope she enjoys her time."
Serena, overcome with joy that Hitomi could join the festivities, she engulfed her father in a hug and he laughed. Realizing she was amongst a crowd she let go of her father and grabbed Hitomi's hand, and stood at the top of the stairs between her parents. The gathering of people became eerily quiet.
"Let the ball begin!" She cried and everyone cheered.
The music started up and everyone began to dance. Serena grabbed Hitomi's hand again and walked her down the stairs to mingle with guests. One of the barons stopped her.
"Ah, Princess Serena, please, introduce me to your friend. I have yet to make her acquaintance. Does she belong?"
Serena glared at him. What kind of question was that? Hitomi looked down at the floor, slightly embarrassed. This man was trying to shoot her down!
"I assure you Baron Mori-sama of the Western Side, I assure you that she puts you in your place. She is the king's right hand, Hitomi-sama, and an alluring assassin on Earth. She was sent with the prince to protect him and she deadly with a sword."
The Baron slinked back slightly. Serena leaned in and whispered, "And she has a bad temper so I suggest you don't look at her the wrong way."
The Baron glanced at Hitomi who was smirking at him and he scurried off into the crowd.
"Thanks." Hitomi whispered to Serena. Serena simply smiled at her.
"You know," Hitomi looked around, "these people are like vultures. Especially since the prince is late."
Serena nodded and grabbed Hitomi's hand for the millionth time that night.
"Where are we going?" she asked.
"To the buffet table. I'm starved!"
End of the chapter. The next chapter is Broken Alliance. I'll be sure to update soon. If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them for you, so feel free to ask. BTW, so you know, Mori means forest in Japanese and Yanagi means willow (one of my favorite types of trees, after cherry blossoms)