Dark storm clouds rolled in from the distance as Lena stood on the edge of the shore. Gentle waves rolled over her feet, soaking the hem of her dress. From where she stood she could see the spiraled turret of Triton Castle just over the cliffs that overlooked the ocean.

Wind blew angrily against her and she felt a slight spray of the sea. The storm is here, she thought, turning back to the castle. A figure was running towards her, cloak billowing in the wind. She was too far to make out who it was, but thought she heard her name being called. Just before the figure came into focus, a bolt of lightning crashed between them, knocking her back against the sand.

Lena sat up, heart racing. A dream, she thought, running a hand through her hair. Despite the coolness of her bedroom, she felt damp with sweat.

"Just a dream," she whispered. In the moonlight coming through her window she could see Elliott standing on the bed next to her, her stare almost expectant. "What?" she asked the cat. With a owlish blink, Elliott jumped off the bed and began licking her paw.

Lena pushed the covers back and went to the bathroom to splash water on her face. As she patted her face dry she picked up her phone to check the time. It was nearly 5 am. She heaved a sigh of frustration and leaned her head back.

"I guess there's no point in trying to go back to sleep," she muttered, remembering she was meeting her parents for an early breakfast. Elliott trotted out of the room, Lena following close behind. After fixing the impatient cat her breakfast, she began the coffee pot, inhaling the coffee's delicious smell as it began brewing.

Deciding to go for a morning swim, Lena changed into her swimsuit and took her coffee with her to her private pool. A private pool. This place is ridiculous, she thought, rolling her eyes. Still… it is nice.

She set her cup of coffee on a small table and opened a cupboard to pull out a towel. A gentle splash caught her attention and she spun around to see a figure moving through the water. Leaning her head to the side, she slowly walked towards the turquoise pool, squatting next to the edge. An aqua haired head popped up, grinning widely.

"I'll have you know this is trespassing," Lena said sternly, fighting to keep an impassive face.

"It's not trespassing when you hold the deed to the property," Michiru said sweetly. She splashed a bit of water at Lena, who stuck her tongue out in response. With an elegant backstroke, Michiru pushed away from the pool wall, treading gently in the water. Lena sat on the edge of the pool, her legs dangling in the water.

"Tell me what's wrong, Leenie."

Lena's lips pressed to one side as she considered telling her cousin about the dream. It wasn't as if she didn't have memories of her previous life, but this dream was out of nowhere. She recognized the beach, the castle that hovered on its delicate spindle, but that particular scene was unfamiliar.

"Well, if you're not going to talk," Michiru said, suddenly closer than she had been. She grabbed Lena's arm and yanked. Lena fell into the pool with a splash, crying out in surprise when she bobbed back up.


"She'll be here soon, dear," Colm said with a small chuckle, patting his wife's hand. She gave him a hard glare before glancing at her watch again. He had counted seven watch glances, four deep sighs, and two muttered curses.

"That girl," Aneko muttered. She poured herself a second cup of tea, glancing up when the door swung open. Lena leaned against the door frame breathing hard. Aneko frowned at her daughter's appearance; her damp hair twisted into a messy bun, several wrinkles on her skirt, face flushed without an ounce of makeup.

"Sorry, sorry," Lena said, breathless. "I lost track of the time."

"Not to worry!" her father said, standing to give his daughter a hug.

"Lena, did you run through the building to get here?" Aneko said when Colm pulled away. Lena's eyes widened and she twisted a piece of her hair, looking in every direction except that of her mother.

"Um…"

"How many times…" Aneko pinched the bridge of her nose. Colm chuckled and shook his head.

"Why don't we eat?" he said, ushering Aneko and Lena to the breakfast cart. As Lena began adding food to her plate, her eyes slowly shifted to where the large mahogany desk sat on the far side of the office. Her office.

Bookshelves lined the walls, filled with leather tomes that Lena knew she would never read. She wasn't sure if anyone had actually read them. On the wall behind the desk hung the Neptune crest, with its gold planet symbol and waves. The seating area, where the breakfast cart sat, was simple but elegant. Large gilt framed portraits hung on the wall - one of Michiru, one of her parents, one of the queen and king - with an empty spot left for the portrait that would be commissioned of her. She frowned at that thought.

"Did you enjoy yourself last night?" Colm asked when they were seated. Aneko glared at him; he ignored her.

Lena nearly choked on the bite of eggs she had just taken. "You mean up until the attack on the castle? Yes, it was lovely."

Colm guffawed loudly while Aneko rolled her eyes. "That was absolutely awful. I was shocked that someone would be so brazen as to attack like that! And what's worse, the queen seemed to be the target!"

"Yes, it was very scary. Thankfully no one was hurt," Lena said softly.

"Thankfully. Shall we move to more pleasant topics?" Colm suggested. Lena nodded, taking a sip of her juice. "We would like to host a luncheon to formally introduce you to the Neptune court. It will be very relaxed, just a simple meet and greet."

"That would be…" Lena paused. The burning sensation she had felt at the coronation pricked behind her forehead. She put her fingers to the spot, rubbing it gently. Her father raised his eyebrows expectantly. "Sorry," she said, dropping her hand quickly. "That would be great. I'd enjoy meeting everyone."

"Wonderful!" Colm said, jotting something in an open notebook sitting on the armrest. "Now, your mother and I have set up several meetings for you, mostly with the heads of the Council. Also with our ambassador and our court representative. Starting next week you'll have weekly advisory meetings with us and bi-weekly meetings with the Council head. Following that you'll have… is everything okay, Lena?"

Lena stopped rubbing her forehead, the burning sensation having grown into a throbbing headache. She set her plate on the coffee table and pushed up from the sofa.

"Yes, sorry," she said, pouring a glass of water from the breakfast cart. She closed her eyes and took a sip.

"I know it's a lot," Colm started. She waved a hand at him as she continued sipping her water.

"It isn't that. I've just got a headache," she explained lightly, returning to her seat. "It seems like it's just a lot of meetings."

Colm chuckled. "Essentially, yes."

"And here I was thinking it was going to be mostly shaking hands and kissing babies," she joked. Aneko frowned in her direction.

"Why would you kiss babies?" she asked. Lena closed her eyes and gave a slight shake of her head.

"I believe she was making a joke, dear," Colm said, patting Aneko's hand.

"Well," Aneko said, looking pointedly at Lena. "Jokes are fine and good, but at least make sure they're funny. No one wants a princess who makes terrible jokes."

"Noted." Lena fought an eyeroll and took another sip of water.

"Speaking of babies," Aneko started. With a groan, Lena slumped in her seat. "Sit up straight, Lena. Goodness! As I was saying, I was told that you were seen leaving with the Duke of Callisto after the commotion last night. Is that correct?"

"It was a bit more than a commotion, Mother," Lena muttered. Straightening, she stared pointedly at her mother. "And yes, I did leave with him."

"Really, Lena," her mother scoffed. "When I told you the ball would be a nice place to meet young men I didn't mean you should go off with one you just met."

"I didn't just go off with him!" Lena exclaimed.

"Aneko," Colm muttered at the same time, leaning back in his own chair.

"And we didn't just meet last night," Lena added carefully. Aneko raised an eyebrow. "Through a very odd coincidental turn of events, I actually met him about a month ago. In America."

"Ah, so that's where he's been hiding," Colm chuckled. Aneko's face slowly changed from a look of frustration to one akin to fear. Lena drew her brows together in confusion.

"Why wouldn't you tell us you met him there?" Aneko screeched.

"I didn't know who he was! He was just Hale, my next door neighbor. I didn't find out he was a duke of Jupiter until just last night!" Lena exclaimed with a frown.

"Then why didn't you-" Aneko was cut off as Colm cleared his throat loudly. With a sharp puff of breath Aneko remained silent.

"I don't know why you're-" Another loud throat clearing from Colm silenced Lena. She leaned back in her chair, ignoring her mother's scowl over her posture.

"If we can please get back to official business," Colm said, his voice more serious than normal. He turned in his chair to face Lena. She straightened under the stern gaze of her father. Although he rarely was stern with her, when he was she immediately paid attention. "There is the matter of your security that we must discuss."

"My security?" Lena asked. She glanced at her mother, who chose that moment to focus intently on her breakfast.

Colm nodded sharply. "After the events of last night at your coronation ball, the Sailor Soldiers met with Neo Queen Serenity. The attack wasn't on just any building, but royal grounds, specifically aimed at the queen and her Guardian Soldiers. There has been some speculation - and this must not leave this room - that the recent attacks have not been random, but rather targeted at the Guardian Soldiers; last night's attack solidified that speculation. They have decided on a course of action, but your safety was brought up during their meeting. As Princess Neptune you are now equal to the other planetary princesses. Unlike them, however, you have no way of protecting yourself since Michiru remains Sailor Neptune."

"I told her there was a reason Sailor Guardians were the princesses," Lena muttered, her lips pressing tightly together. "What does this mean for me?"

"What it means is that until there is some clarity on the situation and we discover who is behind these attacks, one of the Sailor Soldiers will be with you at all times."


"There she is," Makoto announced as a dark car stopped beside the park entrance. She elbowed Hale in the side, winking at him. "Ready to go greet your princess?"

Hale rolled his eyes and pushed up from the wooden bench. "Shut up, Makoto," he said, grinning at his cousin.

"You two were so cute last night, with all your flirting," Minako said.

"Flirting?" Hale asked, incredulous. "We were fighting."

"Well that's no way to win the girl," Minako scolded, wagging her finger at him. He gently pushed it away, making her laugh.

Lena walked across the grass towards the three, smiling as she saw Hale's arms cross over his chest and turn away from Minako and Makoto. "Hi, everyone," she said when she reached the three. The lectures ceased, and bright smiles turned on her.

"I'm glad you made it!" Makoto said.

"Sorry I'm so late," Lena said as she pulled away from Minako's hug. She gave Hale a hesitant smile. He winked at her, which caused her to roll her eyes and her smile to widen. "It's been a busy morning of having a meeting to discuss the meeting schedule of all my meetings."

"The meetings can be a little…" Minako trailed off, contemplating the right word.

"Cumbersome? Repetitive? Mind-numbingly boring?" Makoto offered.

"Intense," Minako said with a small smile. "Each court is different, but they all seem to share the same neediness. Except for Pluto. I think Setsuna just tells them 'no.'"

"That or her famous 'I can't leave the Space-Time Door' excuse," Makoto added, rolling her eyes.

"But yes," Minako continued, shooting Makoto a dark look. "Everyone in each of our courts needs something and they all want you to meet with them to discuss what they need and they all insist that their issue is more pressing than anything else imaginable."

"And that is why I've stayed out of politics for this long," Hale said pointedly. Makoto turned to him, hands on her hips, lips pursed.

"You only have a year left, Hale," she said, all levity gone. His face slid into a frown. "I won't allow you to avoid your duty much longer."

"Makoto-" Hale was cut off by the sounds of screams from across the park. Makoto cursed under her breath. Lena saw her and Minako share a look before they both took off in a run.

"Jupiter Crystal Power!"

"Venus Crystal Power!"

With a flash of green and orange lights, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus appeared, never breaking stride as they transformed. A low whirring noise came towards where she and Hale stood.

"Look out!" Hale yelled, throwing himself at Lena. They tumbled to the ground, dirt exploding mere feet from where Makoto and Minako stood. Lena scurried back, staring at the place where the explosion hit. A second whirring noise came as Hale pulled her to him, covering her with his body. This time the explosion hit several yards from them.

Lena cried out as a pounding pain started behind her forehead, similar to the burning from earlier, but much worse. Her sight started going fuzzy as she grasped her head.

"Lena? Lena, look at me!" she heard Hale say. He appeared in her vision, but was very blurry. Lena's eyes began to roll back as her lids closed, darkness taking over.


~ Silver Millennium ~

The air outside was cooler. Inside the crowded ballroom it had been hard to breathe. Lena leaned against the balcony railing, overlooking Io Castle's colorful grounds. Behind her a traditional Jupiterian waltz began to play. She closed her eyes, wishing she could be anywhere but here.

"There you are," she heard a deep voice say.

Her spine straightened at the sound of his voice. Without turning, she replied, "I needed a break."

A cool breeze whipped at her hair, making her dress flutter. She looked up at the star-filled sky, searching for the tiny blue dot she knew would bring her comfort. A burst of lightning shot across the sky, startling a gasp from her. She scowled and spun on her heel, glaring at the man who stood before her.

Lena's eyes fluttered open. Her brow furrowed in confusion as Ami stared down at her from above.

"She's coming around," Ami said, moving out of Lena's sight. Lena felt a hand take hers and turned her head towards it. Her head felt heavier than it ever had, the movement causing near-blinding pain.

"Ow," she croaked, closing her eyes tightly. She felt a hand run over her forehead, her hair. It felt comforting.

"Shh," she heard a voice say. "Don't move, little dove."

She opened her eyes. "Haruka?" The tall blonde was standing next to her, her arm reached out as she continued stroking Lena's hair. Michiru stood next to Haruka. It was she who had taken her hand. "What happened?"

"You passed out in the park," Michiru explained, casting a glance at someone on the other side of Lena.

"Little dove," Haruka said, grinning down at her. "You've got Michiru's looks. You probably don't have to resort to such drastic measures to get a boy to bring you home."

"What the hell are you talking about?" Lena said, groaning against the pain. She saw Michiru fighting a smile, but quickly sobering when Lena pulled her hand away to cover her head.

"No more teasing please, Haruka," Ami chided, gently nudging the other woman out of the way. "Lena, do you remember what happened?"

"I was at the park. There was screaming. Jupiter and Venus went to it, then there were explosions. Hale…" she trailed off, sitting up abruptly. The movement made her cry out in pain. Ami gently grabbed Lena's shoulders and pushed her back down onto the bed. Lena slowly took in where she was. She was in her room. "How did I get here?"

"Hale brought you home. He said you had some kind of shock from the blast and passed out in his arms," Makoto said from the other side of the bed.

"It was quite romantic," Minako added, winking at Lena.

"Minako, really," Ami muttered. She pulled a stethoscope from around her neck and listened to Lena's chest. "Everything appears to be okay. Heart rate is normal, breathing is good. You don't have a fever. We could do some blood work once you're feeling better. I can get you some medicine for your head."

"Yes please," Lena said. "Where's Hale?"

"He stayed for a while, but had to leave. Wouldn't say where he was going, but he told me to call him when you woke up," Makoto answered. Lena nodded slightly, trying to not cause more pain.

"Do you have any idea what exactly happened in the park?" Haruka asked her and Minako.

"There was screaming from across the park and we saw people running away. Makoto and I transformed and ran towards it. When we arrived there were a few people on the ground, thankfully still alive. We couldn't find the cause of the situation though. That's when we heard the explosions," Minako explained. Lena was surprised at how business-like the normally bubbly woman became.

"We think whoever was causing the initial panic must have used the explosions as a distraction," Makoto added.

"I don't think so," Lena whispered. She closed her eyes, trying to remember what had happened at the park.

"Lena?" Michiru prompted.

"The first explosion… it hit right in the spot where you two were standing. The second one wasn't close to Hale and me; it was closer to where you transformed. I think the panic was the distraction in order to cover whoever shot..." Lena trailed off as a wave of nausea surged through her.

"They were aiming at us?" Makoto asked slowly.

"They're not very good shots, are they?" Minako grumbled, crossing her arms over her chest.

Lena closed her eyes as the others continued discussing the park, speculating different possible means of attacking. Hale had saved her. Again. Or rather he had attempted to save her, throwing himself over her, protecting her during danger.

It's such a familiar feeling, she thought. Him saving me feels so natural.


AN: Whoa... things are heating up! Attacks left and right, people in danger! What's going to become of our heroes?! :)

Thanks for reading!