Sweet Nocturne

Disclaimer: Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi.

Chapter 9: Lessons


The door whipped open, nearly hitting Diana on the other side. "Easy there!" She took a look at the distraught princess, raised a light brow, and smiled. "I'm sorry, did I disturb something?"

"YES!" Rini pointed out the window. "The sky is half light. This is a most ungodly hour to wake." Not to mention to interrupt her encounter with Elios.

"Well," Diana frowned and planted fists on her hips. "I'm not one to cower from your royal tantrums. So stop that. It's very unbecoming."

Rini caught herself and blushed ashamedly. "I'm sorry, Di. I was just—I get cranky in the morning."

"You and half the nobles in this palace," she replied. "Now I'm sorry if you'd rather be stuck in your dreams right now—" Rini flinched; she had not told Diana about the recent assault, "—but Lita and Mina are waiting for you in the arena to start your training, and your mother told me to—"

"My what?" she interrupted. "My training? My training?"

"Gods! Did you not hear me? Your mother finally agreed to it."

The princess, now out of her rut, squealed and hugged Diana happily as she hurried back inside to change. Diana stood staring at the door, shaking her head. "Princesses and mornings do not go together."


In the arena...

Sailor Chibimoon, all grown up and not quite giving off the threatening image of lady warrior in bright pink, groaned loudly in dismay. She's still got her moves, but she had gotten a little rusty. She stared at the ground beside her cheek, remembering how she flown there via Supreme Thunder Dragon, courtesy of Sailor Jupiter. Okay, she thought, maybe more than a little rusty.

"Up, Chibimoon!" Sailor Jupiter boomed on the other side of the grounds. "At this rate, you were electrocuted and burned to a smoking crisp ten seconds ago! We've gotta fix your rebound time! Get UP!"

The princess let out a string of mental curses and finally got on her feet. "If you call me names like you do with the other trainees maybe I'll get up quicker!" she shouted.

"I will not do such a thing, you little primped up, jelly-legged neophyte!"

Sailor Chibimoon ducked as a surge of hot thunderbolt singed the standing strands of hair on her head, followed by a deep chuckle from a long-haired man by the observers' area. "I'm afraid that's the worst you'll get from her, princess," he said.

Chibimoon gave Nephrite a tiny smile as she leaped out of the way of another thunderbolt. "It's okay, Jupiter! Don't you hold back now!" she called sarcastically over the loud crackles of the older woman's magic.

She then noticed that Amy, Zoisite, and the queen joined Nephrite and Mina, as Sailor Venus, at the sidelines to watch. Feeling her mother's gaze on her, she decided to up the ante and find a spot to attack the thunder senshi; she's been doing defense all her life, and even if she's just a little bit more powerful than before, now would be as good a time as any to start on the offense.

The firing and the dodging went on for a few more minutes until Chibimoon, midair in a high leap, twisted her body and forcefully threw a ball of pink magic at the taller senshi, which she dodged, only to look up and find a second one heading straight for her feet, which she also successfully avoided. Muscles screaming, Chibimoon threw her pride away and decided on an attack she hadn't used in years.

The thunder senshi looked up to see a chain of offensively pink hearts ramming straight at her head, hitting her hard enough in a series of successive concrete magic.

The princess paused to catch her breath on the other side, cheeks red from embarrassment of using such a… dainty-looking spell. To add to her horror, Sailor Jupiter started laughing as the pink hearts continued pelting her. "Chibi—," she breathed, "Chibimoon! Make it stop! It—it tickles!"

Chibimoon stood quickly. "It what?" Oh gods, strike me down now.

"You heard me!" she shouted, still laughing like a madwoman, "Make it stop!"

Chibimoon hurriedly waved a hand to stop the flow of magic and ran over to Sailor Jupiter, who was recovering from her laughing fit, wiping tears from her eyes. She looked up at the princess, whose face burned with humiliation.

"You have just broken my self-esteem in a way no fat thighs, peer intimidation, or legendary mothers to live up to would," Chibimoon mumbled dismally.

Next thing she knew, she was in the air, and then facedown once again on the ground.

"Lesson four," Jupiter swung her long, outstretched leg under her and stood up in a graceful movement, as if pushed by an invisible force. "Never let your guard down."

"Lesson five," Sailor Venus was on her side, rolling her onto her back, "Never help the attacker out, even if she is your trainer." She smiled at Rini's un-ladylike grunt.

"And lesson six," she felt Amy's gentle hand on her forehead, spreading a pleasant cooling sensation throughout her body. "Do not be ashamed to use all manners of your power; magic is a force to be reckoned with, no matter how big or small—"

"Or cute and pretty-looking," Zoisite added, referring to the insanely bright pink hearts that was her attack.

Chibimoon scowled at the adults. Nephrite smiled helpfully at her and held a large hand out, which she took gratefully as he hefted her effortlessly to her feet.

Neo-Queen Serenity entered her view, with an odd expression on her face. The pink senshi sighed. "And what's lesson number seven, mother?"

Serenity touched the crescent moon symbol on her forehead and closed her eyes for a brief moment. She then laid a fist out in front of her, uncurling her fingers to show a familiar brooch. She beckoned Chibimoon to take it, which the younger woman did with shaking hands. The significance of such a casual action did not escape her as she turned searching crimson eyes up to her mother's calm azure ones.

"Lesson seven," she said evenly, "never compare your worth to your mother's." She fixed her with a stern yet gentle glare. "For you are her match and equal in skill and talent."

She gripped her shoulders hard, looking at her daughter's hands clasping the brooch tightly. "Keep up your lessons, Sailor Moon."


Back in Rini's chambers... "You don't think she gave it to me because I'm weak?"

Diana sighed for what seemed like the hundredth time. "No, she most certainly did not. You're not weak, Rini. Of all things, she might have given it to you because you've proven that you're able to do more than what your Chibimoon persona would permit you."

Rini let this sink into her mind as she gazed at the heart-shaped brooch that she would now use to transform into Super Sailor Moon. Her mother kept the all-powerful persona of Eternal Sailor Moon behind all appearances. Eternal Sailor Moon is more known as an old, well-known legend throughout Crystal Tokyo than as the formidable senshi her mother can transform into; she explained before that she would only appear in the most dire of situations that threatened to destroy all that she, Endymion, and their friends had worked hard to achieve.

She felt a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Listen," Diana's light voice carried over the silence that had stretched between them as Rini ran a finger over the grooves and patterns of the brooch. "Your mother has faith in you. That counts for nothing unless you have faith in yourself as well."

Overcome with emotion, Rini placed a hand over her friend's and squeezed in gratitude. No words were needed; they understood. "Cheer up, Small Lady," Diana gave her a friendly hug, "You can do more than you know." And with that, she turned to leave the candle-lit room and the sulking royal.

Rini turned around and flopped ungracefully into bed, body aching in places she hadn't used in a while, feeling utterly drained from the physical training, the magic lessons, and the most boring lecture on battle tactics and famous wars fought on the galactic scale.

Still, she wouldn't have it any other way. Her last conscious thoughts were that of attacking a dodging Sailor Jupiter deftly with all kinds of magical and physical attacks. She promptly feel into a deep, restful sleep as the doors to her chamber opened.

"Rini?" Serenity peeked inside and smiled at the sight of her daughter, who was asleep on the covers, her silk robes still wrapped around her body and her legs half-dangling off the bed. She walked over quietly and undid her daughter's hair from the messy bun she liked to tie it into after bathing, gathering the long lengths to one side of her shoulders. She fixed her position on the bed and gathered the Pegasus blanket from the sofa as she pulled her daughter's robes off, not questioning the blue bunny-printed pajamas she wore underneath. Such a far call from the smooth slips and night rails she had taken a liking to recently.

As soon as Rini was tucked in nicely and warmly, Serenity noticed she still held on to the Crisis Moon Compact she had given her this afternoon. She tried to tug it out of her hands, but to no avail. Smiling, she cupped one of her cheeks and gently kissed her forehead. She knew and felt, deep inside her bones, that Rini would be an exceptional Sailor Moon and would do her and the rest of the kingdom proud.

Serenity was about to leave when she heard Rini sigh deeply in her sleep. She turned to see a smile on Rini's face, which was now slightly flushed. Serenity, overcome with deep, instinctive worry only a mother is capable of feeling, wondered for the thousandth time that month just what it was her daughter was keeping from her.

Her brows furrowed slightly as the jewel in her tiara gave a faint throb of power. She walked over to her daughter and noticed that the brooch gave off a dull pink light. Knowing it wouldn't harm her since she had the royal moon blood in her veins, she reached out a hand to touch it and was momentarily blinded by a vision that disappeared as quickly as it came.

She staggered on her feet as the brooch emitted a few sparks of pink magic. It seemed to be laughing at her; Serenity felt that its powers would only grant her that much insight into her daughter's mind… for now.

She stared at her daughter thoughtfully for a few more moments before glancing around the room. Then she touched a finger to her lips and blew sharply as all the candles went out and immersed the room in moonlight.

She closed the door with a soft click and leaned against it with a sigh. "Sweet dreams, indeed," she murmured to the empty hallway. In a flurry of skirts, the queen walked away calmly and used her senses to search for her husband.


In Rini's dream...

"Your mother knows," Elios said calmly.

"My mother knows what?" asked Rini, blinking up at him.

They were in her room again, and she was sitting up on her bed as he paced calmly in front of her. Catching her eyes, he stopped and smiled ruefully. "Your mother knows that you have a nightly visitor," he explained.

"But how?" Rini was surprised to find her voice strangely unperturbed, "I haven't told anyone but Diana, and I trust her with my life."

"You underestimate the perceptiveness—and shrewdness—of the power in your family."

She frowned. "What do you mean?"

He pointed at the brooch that sat neglected by her side. "By giving you this more powerful brooch, the queen has intensified her connection to you."

Rini's eyes widened in realization, "You mean she—"

"Do not worry, princess," Elios's eyes twinkled. "She can't read your mind, but the crystal in the brooch and the crystal in her crown are one and the same; the powers in it work together to bring you both in harmony." He paused for a moment, as if thinking about something, and said, "She was in your room just a moment ago. The crystals must have responded to one another as I entered your dreams, and she found out."

Rini could only sit and listen in silence. Her mouth was set in a tight line, her calm exterior betraying the emotions that flared again inside of her. "She tricked me," she whispered. "Does she think I'm so weak that I'll need more protection from her?"

Elios was kneeling in front of her in a flash. "Princess, you misunderstand my words," his deep voice was as calm as always as he gathered her hands in his and squeezed reassuringly. "Your mother must have had no knowledge of this. The silver crystal carries a deep and ancient magic and has been passed down from generation to generation—this is one of its most rudimentary forms of power that is easily overlooked in favor of its more awesome properties. I'm sure your mother was not aware of this when she gave you the brooch." He glanced at the jeweled brooch, not daring to touch it. Instead, he took one of Rini's hands and pressed it onto the powerful item, feeling the rush of power it gave out in response to the princess' touch.

Rini felt a pleasant, warm feeling traveling up her arm. Is it from the brooch, or from Elios? She shook her head and willed her thoughts to clear despite the guardian's close proximity. She looked at her lap and kept her gaze steady, fully aware of Elios still holding on to both of her hands. "Okay. I believe you."

He gave her a warm smile, "I am glad." With that, he let go and sat beside her, close enough to let their legs touch. Rini leaned in as he wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulders.

"Any news from the intruders?" she asked, eyes closed as his hand warmed one of her arms, running it up and down lethargically.

He sighed over her head. "None yet, I'm afraid. When I arrive here in person I shall be able to work with Lady Amy and the rest to find out more about the matter. I can only do so much in the Elysian Fields."

"Speaking of which," Rini straightened and looked at him, "When are you planning to come here? As real as these dreams feel, in the end I have to wake up with the realization that it was just that—a dream."

Elios had to smile at the irritated scowl on her face. "Soon. Very soon."

"Ugh," she sniffed, "Soon is never soon enough."

"You should learn that patience is indeed a virtue," he rebuked lightly, "Gods know your mother learned the long way."

"I get it from her after all," she said almost proudly, "And enough with learning; I've had enough lessons today. I look like a bruised banana. If I knew what a bruised banana felt like, I'd probably feel like one too."

He chuckled. "Which explains these—" he gestured to her pajamas, "—rather tantalizing garments?"

Her cheeks reddened automatically, "Oh please, don't tell me you would only look at me twice if I wore those scandalous rails. To tell you the truth, those aren't nearly as comfy as these." If he likes me only because I wear those godsforsaken things, he'll have another thing coming.

"You misunderstand again, princess," he said, shaking his head with a mock sadness, eyes warming to a deeper shade of amber. Rini realized she had never seen this side of him before—this easygoing, almost disarming personality. "You are as much a beauty to behold in blue bunny-patterned pajamas as you are in a transparent, lacy slip." As if to affirm this, he cupped her cheek and pressed his lips to hers, kissing her as sweetly as he had done any other time.

Rini melted into his arms and enjoyed his touch as she slid her arms around his neck and held him closer. The kiss deepened and became more passionate as the moments went by, and Rini only realized he had pinned her on the bed as they paused to catch their breath. Elios positioned himself carefully so as not to put too much pressure on her, afraid of aggravating her injuries.

Elios smiled over her, his face flushed with an air of desire. "I can heal your bruises, if you want," he offered softly. "I am a priest of some sort, after all."

Rini's blush came back in full force. How subtle! Of course she would have to be bare to reveal her various battle scars to him.

At her expression, Elios laughed and braced more of his weight on his arms, not wanting Rini to think the wrong thing. "I am serious, princess. That wasn't a badly disguised double entendre; I wouldn't think of being so forward with you."

"Good!" Rini almost squeaked, feeling relief flood her insides. Making out and touching and cuddling were good enough; she wasn't sure if she could go the next step… she couldn't even trust herself to behave if she were to allow him to overtake her with this love-fazed fog that she seemed to go through whenever he was around. It wouldn't matter if this were a dream or not; wouldn't it be more meaningful if they were to do it in real life?

"Come," he straightened and helped Rini sit up and started unbuttoning her top, either ignoring or unaware of the bright blush on her cheeks. She covered her face with her hands. Gods, I have got to stop blushing so much around him. I'm not a little schoolgirl!

Her thoughts stopped short as she felt a warm, rough hand touch a tender bruise on her side; Elios's gaze was fixed and deep in concentration as she felt a cooling sensation not unlike Amy's spread around the area, making her relax and feel almost light-headed as the dull pains from her bruise slowly but surely ebbed into nothingness. Elios repeated this with each and every purple spot on her body, treating her as gently and tenderly as a baby. At one time, though, she felt him run his powerful hand down her hips to her ankles, checking for any injuries, then she felt it run back up again, and then back down, this time more slowly and, undeniably, in a much more sensual manner. She visibly shivered and looked around at him, and he gave her a sly smile in response. "I just want to be sure I don't miss anything," he said.

She huffed and looked away to a point in the wall. "You're lucky you aren't anyone else."

"I like to take advantage of my standing with you," he commented, kissing the back of her ear, and then resumed his ministrations on her bruises.

When the last of them cleared away from his powers, he handed her pajamas back to her and smiled as she made a face and turned away from him, clad in her decent underwear, to dress.

She let him help her button up her top again, however.

"Elios," she whispered as he finished buttoning up, "I'm glad you're with me. And I'm glad you treat me the way you do… you realize I'm as grown up as everyone else here is."

He said nothing, but his amber eyes explained it all. He had her in his arms in a blink and kissed her fiercely, catching her by surprise as her arms automatically went to dig into his soft hair. They tumbled onto the bed once more as his lips traveled past her face to leave a hot trail down her neck and collarbone, leaving her breathless.

They carried on until Rini felt that familiar tingling that told her she was about to wake up. Elios had stopped, feeling it as well, and was brushing a few strands of light pink hair way from her face as she looked at him determinedly.

"So I'll see you soon?" she searched his face for further assurance.

"I promise," he said, banishing her doubts once more. "In the meantime, do well in your training. You'll be an excellent Sailor Moon. Your mother thinks so."

Rini smiled before he leaned down to kiss her again, and then she opened her eyes to the dawn light slowly filtering through her windows. She touched her lips, warm and swollen, and she gave an experimental stretch—her body did not ache as much as it did last night.

She jumped up and stripped in front of her mirror to see her skin as spotless as the day she was born. The bruises that were on her sides and legs yesterday had vanished completely, and she grinned widely.

Bring on the lessons, she thought excitedly, I'm more than ready.

Diana barged through her bathroom door as Rini sunk herself into her warm bath. "Morning, sunshine!" she greeted happily. Her smile turned into a look of confusion as Rini gave an enthusiastic reply. "Yesterday, you wanted to snap my head off for waking you up, and now…" she threw her hands up in mock frustration, "You know what? I won't even ask. I just wanted to inform you that Mina's gonna be warming up with you today, and Lita will follow later on. Nephrite wasn't in his chambers, so we don't have to ask why she'll be getting up late." She paused with a smile until Rini stopped giggling.

"She's going to be so distracted!" the princess exclaimed. "I might actually have a chance of hitting her today."

"I don't want to bet on that," Diana said, laughing as the girl glared at her, "And one more thing—your mother and father left just a while ago for business, but when she comes back in a week's time, she wants to talk to you. She didn't tell me about what, though."

Rini hid the dread of having to meet her mother and fill her in on everything that had been happening to her. She's quite sure she wouldn't disapprove of Elios, but she'd rather not tell her anything just in case… he was coming here soon anyway. "Alright, thanks, Di. I'll finish up and grab breakfast in a minute."

"Okay." Diana turned to leave, and then whipped back to face the princess. "Is that a hickey?"


AN: Alright... This chapter materialized onto the computer quickly enough, so I'm worried that this might be out of tune with the rest of the story; please tell me if it is, any form of criticism is welcome. And the ending... yeah it's important to know that the things that happen to Rini in her dreams carry on to affect her in real life; that includes bruises from assaults to love bites. ;) The training is important too; I've been wanting to give Rini some backbone for a while now, so it was fun to write about.