Hi! Here is the next chapter. Before we start our happy reading, I wanted to address a point a reader made about the content of the story.

Question: If the scouts have prior memories about their battles and their battles are on Earth, how do they not remember Tuxedo Mask, and why does Serenity act like she has never seen birds before or that she is fascinated by the beauty of Earth?

Answer: Remember that ALL of their memories are messed with and up to now we know that it to do with something between Serenity and the Silver Crystal. I don't really want to explain here why Serenity or the scouts don't remember Earth or Tuxedo Mask because as the story progresses you will learn the truth about their memories, both past and present. Just know that yes, they don't remember Tuxedo Mask, that can be deduced, and yes, they remember their battles, but Tuxedo Mask was not in them. I hope this satisfies for now.

Chapter 4

Lita lightly smiled knowingly as she looked at Rei walking away from the sandy-haired general. He had said something to piss her off. She would have to inquire about that later when she caught her friend alone. Her thoughts were a welcome distraction from what she was currently feeling. Next to her was the brunette general with long wavy hair. His brown eyes were currently looking ahead as he guided her to where they would eat. Lita was out of her element because she felt, sweet Odin, diminutive next to this general. Lita was usually the tall one whose presence was sensed and seen when she entered a room. Aside from the Queen, Lita was the one who was used to being noticed. Her strength was tangible as it came from her in waves. Her physique was flawless and lightly muscled in her abdomen and appendages. Her stance, gaze, and adornments spoke of a proud warrior and royal. Next to this man however, she was just another meager woman. General Nephrite had not said more than one sentence to her telling her where they would eat. Lita was also a woman of few words. She understood being strong and silent. What she did not understand was being small, insecure…and intimidated.

She fidgeted with the first layer of her green Jovian dress. The dress dipped towards her navel in the front. There were three layers to her dress that went from short to long diagonally starting on the left. The sleeves of her dress were thin as they had vines going down her arms with gold arm bands in the middle. The back was tied in a corset fashion. Her boots were also laced up and a deep green color. Her wavy brown hair was simply down with a small green gem sparking in the middle of her forehead with the gold chain ending somewhere in her hair. This was the Jovian symbol of royalty as a princess. She did not yet wear a crown until she was queen. Over my father's dead body of course, she thought with spite.

Nephrite was simply walking quietly next the Jovian princess. His outer persona was calm, quiet, disciplined. Inside he was at war. When the princesses had arrived yesterday, they were in their combat attire. Now the strong warrior was in her customary princess garb. She had looked so regal and goddess-like in her native dress. Nephrite was a true warrior. He had studied different types of combat styles, all of which require mental and physical discipline. He practiced that through every aspect of life. Yet this woman to his right was making him unhinged just by walking next to him. He was taller than the rest of his friends. Only Endymion came close to his height. The princess next to him was taller than the rest of her court as well, but next to him she looked of normal stature. Judging by her fidgeting with her dress, this was new to her. He knew that the people of the large Jupiter planet were also tall and built for fighting. The men were all tall and warrior like. The women were strong as well meant for breeding more warriors.

A small breeze could be felt through the open windows of the hallways. Nephrite closed his eyes briefly as the floral smell of the Amazon princess reached his nostrils. He mentally shook his head and opened his eyes. He thought to his other two friends. They had each taken a princess their own route. Perhaps he could do the same? It was known that the Jovians were known for the flora on their planet. Earth held some diversity in flora, but not as much as Jupiter. Still though the warrior princess might appreciate something that reminded her of her home.

Without her permission, Nephrite took Lita's elbow and led her through a different door. Lita would have protested, but did not have the chance as she felt soft Earth give way underneath her heel. Her high stiletto heel that caused her to trip over her shoes. Nephrite sensed her unbalance and turned to catch her. Lita ended up putting both her arms on his chest as he pulled her to him. She looked up and held his gaze. Her green eyes blinked a couple of times as she saw the one place where his austere persona could not cover; his open brown eyes. Lita did not move as she decided to open up her empathic senses to get a better glimpse of the Earth general's emotions.

Lita did not open her senses very much when she was hit with the strongest emotion of want and inner war. Where was this coming from? She concentrated briefly trying to not give herself away to deduce what the general wanted. Lita gasped she realized what kind of want he was feeling. He was lusting. After who though? She could only assume they were the only two here, so that meant…A man wanted the man-like, warrior-built, strong, but silent princess of Jupiter. He wanted her. Like any normal man wanted a woman. Lita let her brows lift lightly with surprise at the discovery. She did not want to break the moment with the general. She had to keep her face clear…if she could.

Nephrite's hands were in two places that held the Jovian princess close to him; one was at her upper arm the other was around her slim waist. Her floral smell was all around him. He held her steady gaze; her green eyes pulling him in. His inner war to say something to her was growing. His facial expression never gave an indication of the storm brewing within him. Nephrite took this opportunity to absorb her delicate features as he knew he would never have the chance again. Her face was indeed feminine and delicate considering her silent strength. Her skin was even, smooth, and olive. Her eyes were the truest green he had ever seen. Her little mouth had the prettiest of lips. They were pink, plump, and looked absolutely kissable. They were lightly parted as her brows lifted with revelation of something.

Nephrite's hand on her upper arm trailed down until it reached her hand. Subconsciously the hand around her waist gripped her tighter. The skin he felt as his other trailed down arms was rose petal soft. How could she be this alluring when she was clearly a warrior? He saw her close her eyes as she trailed his hand down. Lita let a little shaky breath out as the man tortured her with his touch. Lita looked at his eyes once more. They became dark as his inner war was pouring out through them. He wanted her.

Nephrite felt himself nearing his face to hers. The grip on her waist was tighter. He hesitated as he saw uncertainty flash the princess' green eyes. He should not be this forward. Something about this felt right though. Her, here in his arms, looking at him with want felt right and carnal. As sure as the sun was a star, this woman at some point in time had been his. Only his. Lita knew now what Nephrite wanted to do with her. However as much as she wanted him to go through with his action, she couldn't help a memory from coming to her mind.

"You're seventeen now are you?" King Torquil said uninterestedly.

"Yes father. I know its now time to-"

"To what? Introduce you to court?" the king said cutting of the timid voice with a sarcastic laugh. Lita winced at her father's tone.

The king looked leisurely over at his daughter. "Perhaps I should introduce you. If I am lucky a male suitor from somewhere will come and fetch you."

Lita closed her eyes as she felt the hurt of her father's words wash over her. Like their innate power, his words held the sting of a bolt.

"Fetch me father?" Lita questioned with a hard voice. She would always try her damndest to never show raw emotion in front of her father. Stoicism and cold detachment were best when dealing with the man that gave her life. Some things however, got the best of her at times.

"Why yes," King Torquil said turning incredulous eyes on his daughter. "What? Do you think you will find a husband on your own wiles? Lita," the king said with a cluck of his tongue, "What man would want a woman that could fight better than cook? If I am lucky, all I will have to offer is a simple dowry."

The king got closer to his daughter, "Perhaps once you are gone I can impregnate some wench with a male son. Though a bastard, I would prefer him on the throne instead of a legitimate spawn , who spends her time thinking she is a man."

Lita let the shocked expression take over her face; let the emotional slap hit her. Her defenses having been down, she could feel her father's emotions. She could feel the truth to his last words. He indeed was ashamed of her. To him, she was no daughter. There were no paternal feelings there. Nothing.

Lita let her poker-face fall as she shook her head. She took one last look at Nephrite as she tore herself from his embrace. She turned on her heel and left the general as if there were lighting on her rear. Nephrite stood there letting no feeling show on his face. Inside though, he felt not rejection, but curiosity. The princess had left afraid. Had he done that? Nephrite shook his head and sighed.

He would find out.

She couldn't wait for these next couple of days to pass. Quickly. The garb of the Terran people bothered her. It was so restrictive and tight! How was she to move around and do her chores when she was so suppressed? In her musings, Mina failed to notice the white-haired man walking in her direction. Consequently, her shoulder collided with the shoulder of the man walking past her.

"Umf," came a deep voice. Mina looked up about to apologize when she saw it was the King's high general.

"Forgive me," was all Mina said as she began to walk away from the offended man.

"Not accepted," Kunzite said. Mina stopped and took a deep breath. Stupid Earth men, she thought as she turned. She finally saw the man behind her in detail. He was tall, tan, grey-eyed, and handsome. His hair fell on his shoulders as well as his eyes. His uniform did nothing to hide his broad chest.

"Well that sounds like your problem now doesn't it?" she asked. She was genuinely put off by his answer. Who did this terrestrial think he was?

Kunzite took in the usual wear of the maid staff. It did not fit the princess at all. What was she doing in this attire?

"No, not just my own, my Lady. You see the words are there, but the sincerity is not."

"I was merely admitting to my lack of awareness. Sincerity…is not needed."

Kunzite quirked a brow. "As royalty, I know you were taught proper etiquette. Your lack of candor strikes me as odd. Refreshing, but odd."

Mina crossed her hands over her chest. She tried to keep her face indifferent, but it was Jupiter who was more skilled at that. "I am not here for you to assess my etiquette. I apologize again, and good day," she said tightly.

"I had a very different perception of Venusian women," Kunzite said with light question in his voice, "It's peculiar to find you do not fit the stereotype."

Mina knew that he was merely baiting her, but this particular topic was a sore nerve to her.

"I am well aware of the usual perception of the women on my planet," Mina said looking Kunzite over as if losing interest, "Thank you for affirming that your way of thinking is as sheep-like as others."

"Should I not think this way? I have seen proof of how your people usually act, but have not been offered the counter evidence. How can you hold me in blame?" Kunzite postulated.

Mina felt her temper getting the better of her. "You, like countless others, merely focus on how my people are so comfortable showing physical love. You take no time to notice the details. That is very typical Earth-man trait."

Kunzite noted the small twitch of the corner of the mouth. Her tell when she is angry. Kunzite could read from her posture and tone of voice that this particular subject was a hot spot with the princess. He could goat her on and read her responses further. Figuring people out was a gift for Kunzite. People had very typical responses most of the time and thus were predictable.

"If you're offering to help me notice the details I would be much obliged," Kunzite said stepping closer and locking a challenging gaze on the blond princess, "I am a very apt student."

"You are a waste of breath and effort," Mina said fiercely, "Keep away from me, both physically and verbally if you wish to remain useful as a man."

Kunzite noted her rigidity and decided not to push the conversation further. A tumble in the sheets would have been nice, but….

"You and your court will be leaving in 2 days' time. I believe your request can be honored," Kunzite said tensely. His gentlemanly demeanor was tasking to keep around this infernal woman.

Mina smirked. "My Queen will be leaving. My court and I will be staying. As high general, I hope to find your discipline is unwavering," Venus said with light mock.

Kunzite clenched his jaw and steeled his eyes. "I am aware of how much stamina is favored among your women, Princess," Kunzite said with purpose, "During your stay, if you want, you may personally find out that I am indeed…unwavering," he finished with challenge in his words.

Venus schooled her features and regarded the general before turning on her heel the opposite way. Kunzite let a victorious smirk grace his lips. The look before she left said it all:

Challenge accepted.

As the day progressed, neither the queen nor the princesses noticed how time has passed with their respective companies. Or lack thereof with Mars, Jupiter, and Venus. The sun was beginning to set on the day that; for two of the five women, the day was rather pleasant. Rei walked towards her door. While she was on Earth might as well enjoy the sunset. As she was about to close her door, when a sight caused her to take cover in her room again. She left the door open so as to peek around the corner.

Just a few doors down was Ami on the arm of the long-haired general known as Zoicite. They had stopped in front of the door to Ami's room. Rei looked at her friend more closely. The bluenette had a tender smile on her lips. Her eyes had a sparkle in them that Mars had never seen. The usually quiet and soft-spoken princess looked…happy. Blissful even. Rei concentrated to see if she could hear their current conversation.

"Fascinating. Bodies of water exist on the poles of your planet, but it snows in the middle?" Zoicite asked intrigued.

Ami chuckled at the honest curiosity of the general. "Yes. Since the other side is much too close to the sun, the dark side of Mercury is cold. However, it is warmer at the poles where ice can melt," she said prideful.

They had already stopped in front of her room, but Zoicite was purposefully stalling. He did not want to leave this woman's side. He had learned quite a bit from her this afternoon, but he could keep conversing all night with her. He sighed as he knew he could not. He had tried to read the woman next to him all day. She mostly seemed to be curious, intrigued by his planet, and happy with the gaining of new knowledge. When it came to how she might perceive him… She was a closed book. Zoicite knew that as an intellectual and woman of Mercury, knowledge was her passion. He had met few Mercurian people in his time, but they had all been logical, and robotic to an extent. It seems that when it came to matters of emotions, they were inexpert.

Zoicite scrutinized the tiny princess before him. He was a man that valued knowledge above anything else. This tiny woman was that in corporeal form. That itself was a turn on. Add to it that she was so innocent and unexposed to the world of the opposite sex. He was truly her first in everything. She was untouched. He tightened his jaw to curve his growing imagination. If he let his rules and structure go, he knew that he would be having this woman against the wall with her body pressed against him and lips melding hotly.

"It is time I let you enjoy the rest of your evening," he said as he took her small pale hand in his, "But I hope that we can perhaps continue our conversation at a later time." He leaned forward and gave her hand a kiss.

Ami shivered at the contact of his warm lips against her skin. He kept her eyes in an intense gaze as he stood back up. Zoicite had become aware of the fine veil of coolness coming from the blue princess' hand. He took a step back, and with her hand still in his, smiled at her flirtatiously.

"Until later... Ami."

With that Zoicite walked away leaving the blushing princess looking after him longingly. Ami brought her hand to her chest and sighed contently. She turned to her room and closed the door behind her.

Rei watched as the door close. She had had a goofy, dreamy look on her face. Ami was having her first crush! Rei had never seen Mercury interact with another man the way she did today. King Calder would freeze the male's manhood if they dared direct a word to his little girl. She needs this though. Rei frowned as these thoughts struck a familiar cord.

"Stupid blonde know-it-all," she muttered with annoyance.

"Ah so you are thinking about me," a husky voice said behind her. Rei jumped as the voice she heard penetrated her mind.

"Yes, but did you hear what I said? There were no words of flattery there," Rei remarked haughtily, "Though for you, I am sure these words are a reprieve from the usual adjectives used to describe you."

"Yes, yes I am the embodiment of all the uncouth," he said flippantly, "What I am interested in is hearing why I am a know it all," he ended with a grin.

Rei straightened out her ruby Martian dress and regarded the sly general warily. For the sake of her Queen she had to be civil. She would be the better person. She would-

"I apologize," Jadeite said walking closer to Rei. Mars, not having been paying attention, took an unconscious step backward.

"For what?" she said truly puzzled. Had she missed an important piece of conversation?

"For having shown you a side of our people that is not customary," the blonde general said earnestly.

Instead of being impressed, Mars seethed internally. This son-of-a…No. She said she would be the better person. No matter who began being civil. Rei looked downward, tucking her hair behind her ear.

"No apology needed. I did not start the conversation cordially before now did I?" Rei said looking up. "I basically implied your promiscuity."

Jadeite chuckled. "That pales in comparison to wondering about your prowess between the sheets."

Rei blushed, but nodded. "To answer your first question, I meant you were right about my friend and general Zoicite."

Jadeite smiled. "Zoicite is a quiet man. Cool, calm, and collected. Always in check of his emotions. Very schooled in that area, though not as much as Nephrite. When he is truly enraptured by something he can be very perseverant. Almost on the verge of obsessed." Jadeite's eyes flickered to the door down the hall that held Zoicite's attention. "I believe your friend has ensnared mine."

"Ami is quite the devoted scholar. Mercury's reputation can go without mention. But she is naïve on matters of the opposite sex. Her father, King Calder, never introduced Ami to court to keep her from frivolous distractions," Rei stated. A shadow of a smile crept up on her face. "King Calder is wise, but he could never keep Ami from truly doing what she wants. She is like the water; always changing and flowing."

Jadeite listened to Mars speak of her friend. Through the monologue, he found he could answer his own question from their first encounter. The princess of Mars was indeed passionate. The fierce loyalty that caressed her words as she spoke of her friend was proof enough. Jadeite knew then that he wanted that. It should be him that she spoke of with such fervent gusto. The passion that shown through her eyes should be for him. It belonged to him. Jadeite shocked Mars and himself, by taking her hand and bending forwards to kiss it.

"Excuse me for startling and imposing my presence on you. Though brief, I enjoyed not starting off on the wrong foot. Until later my Lady," Jadeite said dropping her hand gently and walking away. Rei looked at the general's retreated figure. Unknown to her, small flames erupted on the palm of the hand the blond general had kissed.

Very seldom did the Princess of Mars ever read a person wrong.

I hope this was good. I will try to update as soon as I can. Hopefully weekly! Let me know if you guys have any questions, want to point things out, suggestions for story line, or critiquing on their relationship development. Some might seem quick. Please bear with me on that.

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed. Let me know if you did! :)

Marina