Lady Robin Hood

By Kuroi Koneko

AN - Thank you everyone for your reviews on my story so far!! I truly LOVE getting your responses. In fact, for every review I read I get even more inspiration and determination to write another chapter, so all of you are the reason why these are coming out so quickly!!

As I was looking over the chapters I realized just how quickly the story is moving! I hadn't intentionally planned it that way, but oh well. Things are going good so far and that's all I really care about. Well, that and having people like (and REVIEW) my stories. =)

As always, thanx to Kiwi, The Firefaery, Yumi-chan (thanx so much for the info on Miracle Girls!!), JLSCORPIO78, starfury3000, Lil'DevilBabe, Mei, and Cosmic Sailor Sun for reviewing. Am I keeping all of you on your toes?? I hope so.

Special Thanks to: Yumi-chan for reviewing my poetry. Thank you!!

Special Note to all readers - I must say I'm slightly disappointed. I have so many reviews for this story (YEAH! bounces off the walls in joy and adrenaline rush) but I only have one review for both From Forgotten Legends and Chasing the Moon (which is another Sailor Moon story). Even though the CTM review was enthusiastic and the FFL one was sweet . . . only one?? I swear I'm going to weep!! Either that or I'll just stop posting chapters for this story until I get a few more reviews for my other stories. Honestly people, they really are good!! The FFL prologue drags you into the story, and CTM has some . . . different . . . views on things. So please please please please review them, or at least read them? puppy dog eyes Please?

Well, anyway, I said that I would have a happier chapter (I think I did anyway) so this will be it. There will be more notes at the end of the chapter so please read them!


Chapter Four

"So, my dear friend, has a young golden blonde haired beauty captured your exclusive attention this eve," the young Jadeite cooed slyly, "or are you just replaying the scenes from the archery contest again?" he finished in a slightly mocking and sarcastic tone. When he received no response he rolled his eyes and shoulders heavenward before settling down in a plush chair near the fireplace.

"Ahh, but Jed, you forget that there were two golden blondes. And what of the raven haired woman you were so obviously ogling?" Nephrite remarked in a slightly smug and superior tone. He gave a proud smirk as he saw his friend turn cherry red.

"And what of you, Neph? That brunette seemed to have caught your eye more than once in memory," Jadeite bit back caustically. He was only slightly peeved at having been caught staring at the beautiful raven. She had a fire in her eyes. Oh what a spirit she must have!

Now it was Nephrite's turn to blush at having been caught. He had no reply to Jadeite's remark and instead turned back to his contemplation of the heavens.

"Ah, but there appeared to be a young woman among all the lot that caught your eyes, my friends," Darien said softly. His gaze was still focused on the fire before him although Jed's earlier comment had been accurate. He didn't know what is was but that elusive blonde with the unique hairstyle constantly occupied his thoughts now. He listened with only half an indifferent ear to his companions' chatter about the women they had met at the fair. It appeared that with only one meeting all the men had become infatuated already. My, my, how quickly the heart does work. Though what good will it do any of us since we return to Locksbury early tomorrow morn. Oh if we only didn't have to return so quickly to London would that we stay here to pursue these delightful feelings!

The four men stopped their bickering at the sound of Darien's quiet sigh. They looked at each other and then at their closest friend. They knew that something must be bothering him to sigh like that.

"You know, Darien, we could stay another day or two. It won't matter that much to the bankers, they know we're bound to be a while anyway," Kunzite mentioned casually. He leaned against the doorframe and examined the night outside through the lightly frosted window directly opposite him.

"He's right you know. I wouldn't mind staying here a few more days myself. It's peaceful, and we could all use a little revitalizing. The atmosphere here would be excellent (AN - boy they don't know what they'd be getting in to! Oops! Too much info give away . . . . ) and it would give us time to plan our actions for the meeting in London," Zoisyte stated thoughtfully. He seated himself in the chair opposite from Darien's and stared thoughtfully into the fire as well.

"And it wouldn't hurt to see those lovely ladies again either," Jadeite remarked jokingly. All he got were glares from the other three men and a whack on the head from Nephrite who was nearest him and felt it his duty to do such an act.

They all waited in silence for what seemed like an eternity before Darien spoke. "Do you all concur with this wish to stay in Nottingham for a few days longer?" he asked quietly. The others didn't hesitate for a second before agreeing with a much enthusiastic,

"YES!"

And so it was decided that the men, who had originally planned to stay only a single night in the little town of Nottingham, ended up staying the good part of a fortnight. And with that decision came more consequenting actions than they could have imagined.


The kind old friar had left the two recently orphaned girls in the home of a trusted friend - Setsuna. When the old friar had given Setsuna the more abridged version of the recent events she immediately took the girls in and agreed to take care of them until safer arrangements could be made. After the friar left the three woman Setsuna led the two blondes down into the cellar where she revealed a hidden room as luxurious as any you would find in a palace.

At any other time the two girls would have gone ballistic over the riches of the room, but with their worlds shattered and irreparable they took no interest in their majestic surroundings. Noticing the girls' indifferent behavior Setsuna became even more concerned about the girls and decided to call for reinforcements. She sent out several messengers - with the warning to avoid being seen by anyone at all costs - to the homes of the other young women.

When all the others had heard of the events that had taken place while they were all happily laughing during the fair they immediately rushed over to Setsuna's home, thankful that her parents had taken a brief vacation and her 'nanny' slept like a rock. However, others in the town did not have such sleeping habits and they all had to be extremely cautious when traveling in the dead of night to Setsuna's.

The other six girls eventually made it to their destination with only a few false scares - mostly because of cats making noises during catfights and such. They all sat down in the hidden room with Serena, Mina, and Setsuna as Setsuna filled them in on the current events seeing how the two blondes were still in shock and denial. After hearing of the tragic tale of the now orphaned blondes, the six young women all vowed to watch after them and keep them away from Diamond and his men. Until Serena spoke.

"No," she whispered hoarsely. "No, I will not live the rest of my life in hiding. I will make Diamond pay for what he has done," her voice, growing stronger with each word, was filled with determination and a near hate tone.

"But Serena, where will you live, how will you live, what will you do?" Mina asked in concern. She had been slowly coming out of her shock, and at the sound of Serena's words she decided to voice her own thoughts. However, what Serena had said was vastly appealing to Mina at the moment, thoughts of watching Diamond die a slow and painful death in retribution to the crime against her parents dancing in her head.

"Papa-" Serena's voice broke at the word, and she took a few deep breaths to steady herself before continuing, " Papa taught me how to live in the woods. Everything. Hunting, hiding, sleeping arrangements, living arrangements, even how to survive the harsh seasons. I remember all of it, and I plan on making good use of that knowledge now. Besides, your homes would be the first places Diamond would go to look for me. I refuse to do anything that will put you or your families at risk because of me. I love you all far too dearly to put upon you the same fate as Mina and I have had laid upon us (AN - becoming orphans, for that lengthy and confusing statement =P ). But," Serena hesitated. She didn't want to impose upon her friends but she desperately needed some things first, and she was too scared to return to her home to get them. "I'll need some things first."

Setsuna was the first reply, her voice revealing her eagerness to help, "Anything Serena! Just name it."

"I agree."

"So do I."

"And I, too."

"Anything, Kitten, just name it."

All the women agreed that they'd get anything for Serena, all she need do was ask. Mina looked down at the floor before making her thoughts known.

"I wish to come with you," Mina's voice was so soft that Serena thought she imagined the comment. Her voice louder, Mina spoke again, "I wish to come."

Everyone but Serena stared at Mina in shock. Serena gave Mina a careful look before nodding her head in agreement.

"Very well. Your skills at living in the forest are nearly non-existent and rusty at best, but I could definitely use the companionship and your skills."

Now it was Serena's turn to be stared at in shock. Amy was the first to regain her voice and stated what all the others were thinking, but could not voice,

"Are you mad?"

Simple.

Serena and Mina contemplated the comment seriously, before looking at each other. Serena nodded her head, and at that signal Mina began to explain her - and Serena's - reasoning.

"No, we are not mad. At least not so far as we know," the two gave a little giggle, "And I would be of good use to Serena. If you have already forgotten, I happen to be in nearly the same predicament as Serena - we are both orphans, and are both wanted albeit for different reasons. With the exceptions of all of you, I have no ties her to keep me back. Although we - " Mina stressed the 'we' so the others would know that she WAS going, no matter what, "will be living in the forest, we do hope that all of us will remain close friends. There's - "

Mina was cut off as the seven other women lunged forward and swept the two blondes into a giant group hug. Their approval was given, and the bonds of friendship forged even tighter.

As the night progressed the nine females made plans about what the blondes would need in order to survive the coming winter.

Little did they know that they would be joining them.


And there I end my chapter! Only four pages this time. Sorry it's so short. I promise you a longer chapter (or two) in January.

Which reminds me. I won't be posting anymore chapters until after New Years as I won't be around ANY computers. sigh Oh well.

As always, don't forget to review!! And if I don't get at least ONE more review for my other two stories, NO MORE CHAPTERS WILL BE POSTED!! I know, not much of a threat really, but it's all I can do to you. Please, just leave a review for them. They're decent stories, really.

Well, until next time!