Chapter 2

"Announcing Princess Mars Rei" The voice of the herald shook the ballroom causing a temporary stillness as hundreds of curious eyes turned toward the grand staircase entrance for a glimpse of the elusive Princess of Mars. A hush fell over the room as patrons unconsciously shuffled closer for a better view of the thick doors atop the stairs.

The royal family of Mars was notorious for only appearing at public functions only occasionally, so it was a rare treat to see a Martian of the royal family in all their finery and formality. Until now no one outside of the Mars had seen the youngest princess at any public function, and even those who had seen her were mainly the people who trained her. Mars Rei was an enigma.

All of the nobles knew the official story was that the youngest princess of Mars had manifested the planet's gift early and had gone to train with Martian Priestesses thus her apparent absence from all court gatherings but that didn't stop the rumors. It was whispered that the Martian royal family had locked the young girl away due to the uncontrollability of her gift. Other's said that the youngest princess was deformed and so hidden away. And one outlandish rumor stated that there was no Princess Rei it was all a hoax.

So it was no surprise that all those attending the ball held their collective breath as Rei tentatively stepped out onto the platform. The ebony haired Princess blinked in astonishment at the sheer number of people which seemed to push even closer to glimpse her. Hundreds of pairs of eyes greeted the flabbergasted princess however her shocked face quickly closed down into a mask of cool detachment. Like a splash of cold water Rei was reminded of her station, and nervousness was never allowed to be shown.

'I'm a Princess of Mars, Avatar of Fire, trained at one of the legendary hidden villages of Mars, I am Mars Rei and I don't become nervous at the sight of a bunch of gawking, staring strangers.'

With her chin up at a defiant angle, shoulders set squarely, and a small frown on her face Rei began to descend the stairs one at a time concentrating on just standing upright in her fancy heels. Only then as she descended, back straight, her black dress swishing elegantly around her, that the crowd shook itself from its self imposed stupor with a soft murmur of conversation filling the room once more.

Rei was bored. Two hours had passed along with a multitude of nobles and aristocrats eager for a glimpse of the elusive Princess Rei of Mars. The raven haired Martian had never enjoyed politics, court affairs, or general gossip for that matter and it seems as if gossip and intrigue were the only topics the nobles cared to discuss. Not for the first time that night did the Princess look longingly toward the balcony away from the incessant buzzing and into the quiet night air. A sudden wave of homesickness washed over Rei if she were still on Mars she would be just coming in from training and settling down to meditate but instead she was here on the moon. The current noble she was politely nodding to was from Jupiter, his name already forgotten to the bored princess his face only one of many.

"Excuse me" a soft voice interrupted causing both Rei and the rotund noble she was standing with to pause.

Standing politely to the side was a slender girl about Rei's age with short blue hair and dressed in a flowing white dress. 'Obviously from Mercury with the blue hair and pale skin' thought the raven haired princess. Rei's eyes sharpened on the seemingly demure Mercurian before her, this woman had power. The blue haired Mercurian's aura flowed around her as fluidly as quiet stream. Rei was intrigued.

Next to the softly smiling blue haired girl was a young girl of about 10 or 11, shyly fidgeting with her long blonde hair as she peered at Rei expectedly. 'This little one must be from Venus' the Martian concluded. Once again the ebony haired princess's violet eyes sharpened taking in the young child noticing the hidden frailty the slightly sunken eyes, and the slight slump to the girl's shoulders. Rei didn't need to see the blonde haired child's flickering aura to know this girl was ill.

"I hope you don't mind, myself and Princess Ayako of Venus have been anxious to talk with the Princess of Mars" The blue haired girl said to the now blushing noble. With a deep bow the portly man exchanged parting pleasantries before disappearing into the throng of people.

"Ayako figured you needed some relief from these droll politicians and their wagging tongues" Rei turned sharply to the smiling blue haired girl her surprise barely concealed as she studied the person before her. The Mercurian had nearly perfected the Martian accent, the rougher language only slightly awkward coming from the demure looking girl.

"You speak my language well for a foreigner" Rei replied, tilting her head slightly in respect.

Ayako the young princess of Venus shyly stepped forward, "Amy likes languages, she tries to teach me but I'm not very good." The little blonde said as she glanced up at her companion.

Rei smirked as Amy chuckled patting the smaller girl's shoulder affectionately before turning to Rei with a formal bow which she returned, "I am Mizuno Ami, Princess of Mercury".

"You gave your true name" Rei trailed off questioningly.

Amy blushed slightly but met the dark haired princess squarely, "I understand that on Mars giving your true name shows a measure of trust, I hope you take mine since we will be training together."

The two princesses stood in silence gazing at each other quietly, violet eyes studying blue ones intensely before finally looking away.

"Hino Rei"

The smile that bloomed on Amy and Ayako's face startled the normally reserved Martian Princess; Rei was not used to such open friendliness that she had to look away.

After a small eternity of stillness the blue haired princess coughed and excused herself to the refreshments leaving Rei and Ayako together. The younger girl was first to speak smiling brightly up at the bewildered Martian.

"Amy is really nice you should give her a chance." The young princess said, her large crystal blue eyes imploring.

'This child has an old soul' Rei thought incredulously to herself, outwardly she smiled down at the girl assuring the younger princess she would do just as Ayako had asked.

"Why don't we go to the balcony" the stuffy ball room was becoming too much for Rei and with barely a backward glance she stiffly made her way to the open doors that lead outside.

Once outside the Martian immediately felt better, the night air was crisp and refreshing, and in the distance a familiar cawing echoed through the quiet palace grounds. Breathing a sigh of relief Rei turned finding the smaller princess leaning against the rail a look of pure joy on her young face.

"You don't get out much because of your illness?" Ayako turned so sharply that Rei was afraid she had spoken too bluntly haven just met the girl. But after a moment of stillness the younger blonde sighed heavily.

"No."

Rei frowned, silently berating herself for her insensitivity when suddenly a flutter of wings announced that they were not alone. With an almost instinctive motion the dark haired girl held out her right arm and two large raven's landed. One raven not content to remain perched there walked up to Rei's shoulder and shook out its feathers contently the other hoped from the ebony haired girl's outstretched arm onto the rail near the blonde girl.

"Phobos seems curious about you" Rei explained as the bird edged closer to the other princess blinking its intelligent eyes at the girl curiously. Phobos continued to edge closer to the shocked Venusian as if approaching a frightened animal until finally the girl stuck a tentative hand the Raven, petting it gently.

"These are your pets?" the younger girl asked

Rei smirked mischievously and reached up toward Deimos on her shoulder caressing the birds feather's gently.

"If I tried to call them that" she started a rare smile shining on the usually reserved Martian's face, "They would surely attack me in my sleep. No Phobos and Deimos are my companions."

"So they are from Mars?" the younger girl asked her attention focused on Phobos which was leaning into the girl's hand as she scratched the bird's neck.

But before Rei could answer the sound of clicking heels announced that someone had arrived, with a glance upward Rei knew that their guest was the older Princess of Venus the long blonde hair and cerulean eyes just the beginning of the two sister's similarities. Ayako had noticed the added presence also and smiled brightly at the girl who shot a disapproving glare at the younger sister.

"Ayako, you shouldn't wander off from me" the older sister demanded. Eyes the deepest color of blue locked with violet sending shocks down the spine of both girls but neither willing to be the first to break contact. Finally unable to take the intensity of the blonde girl's gaze violet eyes shifted downward meeting another set of curious clearer blue eyes; suddenly even this balcony was stifling. She had to get out, now.

Rei shifted uncomfortably on her feet, before mumbling out an excuse about being tired then quickly escaping the blue eyes that had seemed to just peer into her soul.

TBC

Thank you everyone for reading and reviewing, it means so much to me. I know this update took a while, and may seem a bit rushed in places. It sort of is, I just got done writing a monster 25 page paper and have several more to do. But all the academic writing was getting to me so I took a break- I hope you enjoy. As always questions, comments, rants and raves are welcome . I will try to respond to everyone however this time I only have time for one, I NEED SLEEP. Next time I promise

Arisela - I hope I continue to please. I love authors that write in a way where I can visualize things myself also.