The next morning at breakfast in the dining hall, "Oh no! You've got to be kidding me!" Minako raised her voice. "Mother, Father surely we can go out to ride in the meadows alone?" Minako asked hotly. "Holding his laughter in from his quick tempered daughter, "Yes Minako we are assigning the new Knights to you three in hopes that they keep you three out of harms way and out of trouble," he eyed the three girls. "Oh father! We never had to have chaperons before, why now?" Serenity asked.
"Well the very first reason is safety, though you don't look it now you are the crowned princesses of Earth, and secondly the Captain of the Knights asked me specifically to assign their new recruits with something a bit challenging, and so what better practice then to assign them my daughters!" He laughed with amusement in his eyes.
"Well run along your three, your father and I must attend the throne," the queen said as she retrieved her husband. "Yes mother," all the girls replied dryly as they headed for the doors in low spirits.
Minako was practically burning with anger, "Father and mother are just doing this to spite me!" Hearing the three princesses coming out of the castle, Taiki, Seiya and Yaten went to their charges. Minako felt like crying…"Why me!" She groaned loudly as she saw the cocky knight walk towards her. "Good evening screeching princess, I am assigned to be your guard," he said with humor. "God save me!" He sighed as he escorted Minako to the stables.
As she headed for the stables Minako's anger dimmed as she thought about riding her steed in the silver meadows. 'At least I get to ride the horses in peace,' she thought as she went to pick her horse. Choosing a dark brown mare horse, she waited for her sisters, as she ignored her knight who was doing the same.
As Ami came into view she was on a white mare with gentle eyes as Taiki followed behind with his horse, and behind them Serenity chose a brown mare with white markings on its head followed by Seiya on his horse.
"Alright already, shall we be on our way then?" Asked Yaten impatiently as he rode ahead to guide the way. "Yaten be patient, the ladies are probably new with horseback riding," Taiki said matter factly as he turned to his charge to see her grinning?
"Let's go Minako! Serenity!" As the three girls galloped away from their charge as their laughter filled the air in joy. This impression of the princesses left a new sense of respect towards the girls. "Well lets go guys!" Seiya said and galloped after his charge. Taiki not believing the quiet princess Ami control her steed with much ease impressed him. "Come on Taiki we'll lose them this way!" Yaten said annoyed and sped past Taiki, but soon was followed by a still shocked Taiki hot on his trails.
"Minako, don't you think this is too much for the new knights on their first day?" Serenity asked as she slowed her steed to a gallop. "No way Sere! They are not going to imprison me with their speed and their company especially my baby sitter!" She laughed in the wind like a wild thing, as her golden hair floated in the wind.
"But really I can't believe that knight Taiki thought that we couldn't ride," Ami giggled.
"I still can't believe that our parents could be so spiteful!" Minako stated with a glare at the silver headed knight fast approaching along with Seiya. When the boys halted to a stop Seiya turned to them, "Honestly! Where did you learn to ride like that?" Smiling at his shocked face the girls turned to Ami, where Ami blushed as she cleared her voice. "Well father knew that I loved horse back riding so he allowed his captain to teach me how to ride, and when I learned how to ride, I taught the others." She said in a quiet voice. "Wow Princess Mizuno you are very talented in riding!" Seiya exclaimed as he looked to Yaten and Taiki for approval. Yaten just shook his head and Taiki was just staring at Ami.
Feeling his gaze looking through herself, Ami looked away and joined Serenity and Minako in the farther meadows. Taiki just stood there with his mouth hanging open in a daze as he stared after her. Smirking at his brother's actions, "Ohh Taiki! What was that all about huh? Are you fancying the lovely princess Mizuno?" Seiya hooted as he got a faint blush from Taiki. "Don't be stupid Seiya I was just amazed at her riding skills," he straightened as he continued watching the blue haired rider with keen interest. "Yeah right Taiki and you're just staring at her for protection purposes am I right?" Seiya slyly asked. Coughing a bit at his question he continued to ignore him and kept watch of the others.
Seiya also was surprised at the blue haired princess's skills as a rider, but he was more interested in the odango haired princess who laughed lightly sending his heart pounding faster and her smiles leaving a light blush to trail along his cheeks. Taking a quick look at Seiya, "Hey Seiya why the sudden change of color?" he asked mockingly as he continued to goad his brothers till they were both red in the face; that is until, "At least I'm not the one that constantly likes getting into tongue lashes with princess Aino cause he's in love with her!" Seiya smarted back as Taiki sat in agreement with a grin. "Hmph! I don't love that brat of a princess, I just like pissing her off to get a good laugh!" Yaten pouted as his eyes stared at the golden haired princess on her steed. "Its not like that at all…" he mumbled to himself as he continued to watch the three girls.
After their long ride in the meadows the three princesses with their knights started heading back. On their way one of the steeds whinnied sharply as it turned and fled in the opposite direction, with its rider. "Ami! Serenity and Minako screamed as they watched their sister try desperately to try calming the horse. Hearing the sudden screams, the knights turned around to find one rider missing. Looking around the area they saw the runaway horse and its rider galloping at an amazing speed in the opposite direction. Without a word Taiki chased after the runaway horse at break neck speed while the others silently watched, praying that he'd get there. Closing in on the horse and the princess Taiki raced ahead of the horse and grabbing the reins of the horse steadied the horse to a stop. "Ami who was scared out of her wits held on to Taiki for dear life as he comforted the startled princess.
When the two horses came back to the others Ami was held in Taiki's arms as her horse was lead by Taiki. With a cry of relief Minako and Serenity galloped over to Ami as they thanked Taiki for saving Ami's life. Ami still embarassed that she was in his embrace quietly thanked him and rode with serenity to the castle.
"Hey nice save man!" Seiya praised as he clapped his hand on Taiki's shoulder, while Yaten also looking relieved congratulated him for his rescue. Taiki after smiling at his brothers in thanks stared off towards the blue haired princess with relief.