If she had to describe the feeling, it wouldn't be falling - more like floating down as the haze lifted upon an unfolding scene within her memory. Rei drifted down until she quietly gazed upon a small clearing, several feet into the thick garden. She couldn't see her own physical body, almost having the sensation of holding a ghost like form at the moment. Taking a glimpse of her surroundings, she took in the luxurious white palace off in the distance but her gaze ripped from the glorious sight to the children below. Curiouser still, she noted two boys who couldn't be older than perhaps thirteen years of age. They were dressed differently than the children of her years, though she suspected easily that this scene had taken place many lifetimes ago. Both lunarian boys held wooden swords, practice swords no less. What really caught Rei's attention was the golden hair girl standing before them, fists held tightly at her side. If the Fire Senshi had to guess, she would place the golden one a few years younger, though she briefly wondered what memory this could be. She felt it before it happened, a tugging with in her before her feet hit the ground. Rei was nothing more than a spectator now, standing at the edge of the tree line hidden within the shadows.
She was sure that it would be Mars - for that was the only person she was connected to, yet opposite her, on the other side of the tree line stood a black hair girl also quietly watching the children. Her eyes mirrored that of bright amethyst, a sharp contrast to the jet back hair that was pulled into a ponytail. This girl - this child, was analyzing the situation before her. It was only when the golden haired girl was sharply struck in the ankle and fell did she revel herself, eyes narrowed.
Strutting forward confidently, the Martian Princess moved to stand between the two elder boys and the golden haired girl now on the ground. Dressed in a thin red tunic and a pair on slim black pants she eyed them with a smug superiority. Her black belt held no weapons, and her hands remained clasped lazily behind her back as she addressed the older children. "Oh my. You are so strong when preying upon someone weaker than you." She sneered in mock astonishment, pulling the reaction she wanted from the lead boy as he gritted his teeth. "Girls should learn their place before they get hurt. You should take a note from your friend over there." He laughed, the shorter one snickering behind him.
Calculating violet eyes chanced a glance behind her though she sensed movement at the twelve o'clock position, assuming he took the opening to strike her as she had predicted he would. Easily the Princess of Flames stepped to her side, moving the leg he was aiming for out of harms way. With a flash of reflex, her elbow crashed sharply down upon his forearm after he overreached, effectively disarming him while he cried out. Having kept a small portion of attention on the other lingering boy, Reiko Mars swiftly accepted the deposited training sword and threw the heel of it into the remaining boys stomach with the force of her weight behind her just as he'd lifted his sword high above his head to land a crashing blow that would never begin. "Perhaps you should learn your place like the cowards you are." She stated all too calmly, though a mocking grin tugged at the corner of her lips. Having recovered from her strike, the taller of the two swung his fist out in rage, yet the raven simply side stepped each swing. Where he had size and strength to his advantage, Princess Reiko was being trained by the fiercest General in all the planetary armies. She moved too quickly for him, though she was small in stature, she was by far more nimble.
Growing bored of the interaction, she patiently awaited an opening before shoving her knee as hard as she could into his stomach and doubling him over much like his friend who now thought it wise to remain on the sideline this time. Unbeknownst to her, clear blue eyes watched in amazement until both boys scurried away fearfully. A pinkish tint colored the blondes cheeks when her hero, for lack of better term, turned those violet eyes upon her. She silently cursed the Venusian traditions that dictated sword play for males. "T-thank you." She stammered out in a unusual display of self-consciousness. "Don't you know how to defend yourself?" the Martian asked as if it was the most common question in the world. A huff left the young Venusian just as she was about to respond before an calm voice broke between the two girls.
"Princesses! We have been looking all over for you two." A black haired women approached bearing the Lunar Royal Crest robes. "Come, it is time for you to be delivered back to your parents. Their meeting has been adjourned."
With a rushing sensation filling her body, Rei blinked several times to clear the fog that had befallen upon her once again. That familiar floating sensation slowly took hold as she again found herself drifting back to gaze upon what she would later conclude as another of Mars memories.
She found herself in a different palace, this one holding a darker color scheme yet remained just as elegant. Smooth grey tilt covered the floor as she walked silently down the corridor with what would appear be an older Princess Mars. Long black hair swayed behind a black cloak that attached to the sleek metal covering her shoulders. It shined darkly in the light, clean of any scuffs or scratches. The deep red armor showed a black MARS insignia on the breastplate. A red hilted long sword hung from her left hip, as Reiko was right handed. And a small knife tucked to the back of her belt on the left for emergencies if disarmed thought it was unlikely to happen. Annoyance painted the pale face of this older version while throwing open the doors to the Martian throne room. With all eyes turning to her, she took careful note of her father sitting at the throne. A burly man, hair just as black as hers yet his eyes were a piercing green. Before him stood five of Mars best soldiers, sons of nobility and regarded Generals, knelt before the Venusian King and Queen. To the side of them stood their daughter, and as Mars made her way down the row of nobles who bowed to her she quietly stilled her mind.
The two planets had come to an agreement, solidifying the solar system to link every planet to another. Venus and Mars were the last to form allies. It would be a wedding, to the Venusian Princess. She had grown so much since Reiko last saw, years ago if her memory serve correctly. No more the frightened girl she remembered, but into the beautiful nobility of her planet. They'd shared the occasional glances within the small interactions on the Moon. Each royal family visited the moon every so often, yet neither family knew of the secret meetings between the two - at least not yet. Standing in front of her father, she bowed respectfully before turning on her heels and offering the same respects to the golden haired family. Shifting her eyes away from the blue ones that plagued her dreams, the raven turned to her father silently and fixed him with a determined gaze.
"I will fight in the conclave." she stated indifferently, allowing no weaknesses when addressing the King of Mars. At her words, the five men kneeling near her shifted nervously. Traditions on Mars were vastly different than to that of most planets. They settled things in blood. Each man having vowed to fight for the golden haired beauty, but the Princess of Flames reputation proceeded her. She was renowned as the Goddess of War for a reason. Easily climbing the ranks of the Martian army, she was second in command at nineteen. Only to a man she respected dearly, her general and mentor. Swiftly the long sword at her side was draw from its home, while she turned - not waiting for an answer. She moved silently until standing before the women she knew belonged with her. Kneeling in front of the Goddess of Beauty, or so she was named by many others, the raven haired solider took a calming breath before looking into cerulean eyes that were wide with surprise.
"I fear no other, and would fight all of these men at once. I vow that my sword will bring me back to you." Minako felt as if she couldn't breath the moment the object of her longing affection entered the room. She couldn't help but admire the way her Martian had taken complete demand of the room, yet in a strong and regal way. Once she realized that the women before her was pledging herself to a fight to the death, her crystal eyes widened in fear more than surprise. Turning her eyes up to the King after Reiko finished speaking, she awaited with baited breath for the King's reply. Gender was no issue to either planet, but would he allow his only sole heir into surely an off-scale battle. Hardened green eyes narrowed at his daughters words, she couldn't be serious and he silently grit his teeth as she made her oath known. Stubborn child of his, knowledgeable as she was even her skill had a limit. But then again she knew he would not publicly decline her challenge,he could not let her shame their planet by keeping her from this now. "It is settled, so long as the King and Queen will have you." the Martian King's baritone voice rang out through the Throne room, hushed whispers spreading like wild fire through the nobles around.
Venus Minako took the soft nod of her mother as an answer of acceptance before she stepped forward, tying a silk orange ribbon to the hilt of Reiko's red sword as she had been instructed to do to all who accepted, though now her empathy powers could feel the shift in the five men beside her woman. Where uncertainty and nervousness used to lie, now waves of arrogance rolled off. That was when Minako's heart sank slightly. All in the room knew the Martian Princess was the biggest threat, but five on one tipped the scales in their favor. That fright she felt deep within her soul quilled itself as violet met cerulean, the passion burning behind those eye she'd stared into a handful of time giving the young Princess reassurance.
Golden strands flowed behind her as the Princess of Venus paced the sizable room she'd been granted for the stay on Mars, a range of emotions swirling in her eyes. She couldn't sleep, not when tomorrow was so closely near. Minako moved to stop in front of the large floor to ceiling window, taking a glance up at the moon which eliminated her in a eternal glow. Dressed in a loose white sleeping gown, the golden haired girl may have been preoccupied within her thoughts but not so much so to be taken off guard. Without thinking she turned, grabbing onto a wrist and tugging the intruder forward she spun to slam their back into the window as she rested her elbow against their throat - ready to crush it until her eyes widened. "Reiko!" she all but yelled, a disapproving frown gracing soft lips before she dropped her arm. "You shouldn't sneak up on a lady like that."
Gold mixed with black as Mars allowed herself to be turned, slightly impressed with the goddesses quick movements, though a cocky grin met Venus's scolding. "You've improved much since our last meeting." she deflected, remembering the years ago before Minako outright demanded to be taught to defend herself, preferring not to wait for someone to do it for her. She would train for years, determined not to be that fragile little girl she used to be and had, with much effort, become on of the best soldiers within the Venusian Army - much to her parents dismay. "Careful my love, I'm as good as you. If not better." Venus stated with a flirtatious wink as a board grin escaped her from mask of disapproval before her mood shifted again. She rested a hand on the light red tunic similar to the one Mars wore the first time Venus laid eyes on her, a finger trailing along the Martian insignia, concerned blue eyes following her own movements. "I'm nervous for you."
The statement, meant to withhold her emotions fell from her lips in a hushed whisper instead. Venus watched as both her hands were scooped up by strong pale ones, before chancing a glance up to the woman of her dreams. A small gasp left her lips at the intensity that shined from bright violet eyes. Perhaps it was the moons doing, basking them both in its unearthly glow, yet she silently thanked the gods above and hoped she could freeze this moment within her memories forever. "There is nothing...and no one that will keep me from you." Mars practically snarled just as she dropped the goddesses hands, moving to cup her face so she could relay all of her passion and certainty into a single kiss which to her joy was reciprocated just as much.
The tranquil image of these two planetary lovers began to dissolve, fading into a black abyss as Rei Hino again felt herself transporting between memories, landing back within a brightly white palace. This time she knew the place, it was the Lunar Palace. Within the Throne room stood four of the inner planetary Princesses that she could easily recognize now.. Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Mars. They were all deathly quiet, all but one wearing matching white armor, outlined in the various planetary colors. Blue for Mercury, a deep green for Jupiter, sparkling gold outlined the shining amour covering Venus. But Mars metal encasing was a jet black, as dark as her hair while the Moon insignia was embedded in a gold casing, flecks of deep red littering the night color. Her face though, made many pause for concern.
A scowl, deeper than usual adorned her sharp features, hand resting lightly on the hilt fo her sword, a tattered orange ribbon still tied to it, while she stared what only could be daggers into the floor in front of her. Queen Serenity along with the moon princess who usually was quite talkative remained at her mothers side while her guards were dismissed, a highly unpleased expression focused on her usually soft features. "That isn't fair mother. How am I supposed to accept their sacrifice of life dedication and be the source that steals their happiness as well?" she asked pensively. "I won't allow this. I will refuse this altogether. I-I'll run away. Whatever I have to do to change your mind."
Outside of the Princesses argument that surely escalated to new heights with the Queen, her newly appointed guards were having their own conversation, rather heatedly. At least two were, the others had chosen to give the lovers a fair bit of privacy but mainly to escaped unscathed. "You can't just walk away from this, Mars!" Her voice rang out within the corridors, stopping the Fire Senshi in her tracks. Gripping her right hand tightly, she felt the small circular metal piece that had been placed there only moments ago. "You can just promise what you promised me a years ago, and what...give up on it now?" Venus meant for the full statement to come out with much more attitude, yet she couldn't help whispering the last bit.
Mars stood with her back to the Goddess of Love and Beauty, and oh a goddess she was. Mar couldn't seem to make herself turn as she slipped the black glove back over her left hand already feeling the missing piece. "We can't have this anymore. What. Don't. You. Understand." her response came from through gritted teeth before whirling around, a vast storm of emotions swirling in amethyst eyes. "I've sworn my life to the Princess, my duty, my first priority is to her." She jabbed her finger in the direction they had walked from the throne room. "Gods forbid something happen and I had to make a choice, I-" her voice cracked slightly before Mars shut her mouth altogether, a stinging sensation traveling up her nose before she turns on her heels and walked away, too afraid to let any words out for fear she would fall apart in front of the girl that was her betrothed. The Princess of Mars did not fall apart in front of anyone. Her black cloak whipped the air behind her as she ran a shaking hand through black locks, having ended her engagement to the Venusian.