The Mystic's Dream

by ringroad25

Silver Millennium. With nowhere left to run, the four inner senshi meet on the Moon. Traitors, conspiracies and forbidden relationships disrupt their lives so terribly that even Queen Beryl no longer feels like a threat. Dystopian setting. Yuri. A/M, M/R

5. Once upon your dead body

Once upon your dead body

Morning came carrying with it a cold mist. The air was damp, silent lightning danced miles away, bolts of crackling green were followed by slithering thunder-rolls. The sun, feeble and barely breaking, was practically engulfed by clouds, grey clouds that floated across the low sky until conjoining into the enormous silver mountains surrounding the horizon. The rain still fell gently making an almost peaceful dripping and lulling tune. Usagi and Minako, nestled in the warmth of the large bed, fought a weak battle to gain control of the delicious blanket covering them. The soft rustling of the two girls did not wake Ami who, asleep in a chair and covered by a quilt, had not moved an inch for the entire chilly night.

"Thanks a lot Usagi..." Minako whispered irritated as she finally let go of the covers, her friend in the bed practically wrapping them all around herself. She blew into her hands, adding a long yawn, before squinting as her bare feet touched the freezing marble floor. The bold silence, slightly compromised by the weak rain outside, was appreciated by the girl as she slipped into her slip-shoes and quietly buried herself in one of Usagi's thick cloaks. A blue light coming from the slit between the drawn curtains told her two things; it was barely dawn and the awful weather had not changed. Depressed no one would be awake for a couple of hours, idle hands got the best of Minako as she took advantage of the silence.

Usagi's mumbling snores reassured the girl as she crept stealthily across the room. Reaching the door, Minako looked back at a sleeping Ami and felt a sudden tinge of pity for her. Though completely out of it, the blue haired girl had clearly fought hard to finally fall asleep in her uncomfortable chair. The blonde bit her lip, tempted to wake her up and offer the empty spot on the bed, but quickly decided she wouldn't compromise the valuable opening given to her. Wincing as she carefully opened the door and slipped out of the room, Minako sighed in relief seeing the corridor was completely deserted.

The long cloak she wore swept gracefully along the floor as the blonde quickly but as quietly as possible made her way over and under the lit sconces to Rei's room. Standing outside the great oak doors, Minako felt her heart flutter from excitement, her head felt hot as she entered the room. The darkness inside was distracting, only two very small candles flickered sadly at both ends, the curtains were drawn so tightly it was impossible to tell if it was daylight or night. Like in a dream, Minako wondered deeper in until she was standing, unsure and scared, next to one of the poorly lit candles. She could only make out a small figure sitting in a chair at the other side of the room. A strong and sour smell oozed from the furniture, muzzled snores came from the heaving body in the chair. Making a disgusted gesture from the stench and sound, Minako confirmed it was Maiestas sleeping soundly, his resting spot much more comfortable than Ami's.

The blonde, feeling relieved and determined again, took the candle next to her and proceeded to make her way to the four poster bed, it's curtains drawn. She quickly eyed over several objects on a dark nightstand; a washbasin filled with pink water, several metal instruments she had never seen and a small wooden arrow tied to a chewed up piece of leather string. She found the trinket curious but decided it was best if she didn't touch it. A tingling sensation flooded in Minako as she carefully grabbed the silk fabric and slowly pulled the curtains apart. The moment she became aware of Rei her gaze dismissed everything else.

The miko, still out cold and breathing calmly, looked terribly sad in Minako's opinion. She examined Rei's face against the orange light of her candle and felt the sudden urge to caress it. Instead, her eyes lingered curiously to the girl's bandaged arm. It made her feel hot and bothered yet it intensified her need to touch the sleeping princess. Pulling the curtains further apart to allow better inspection, Minako was lured dreamily closer to Rei. Her hand quivered as she tempted to brush the black hair from the miko's face. She took one impulsive step forward and stumbled on the pieces of armor she failed to notice; in one raucous, cracking racket, the cold and eerie stillness was shattered.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" came Maiestas's uneven voice as he made his way over to the bed, holding a sword clumsily, and found Minako cowering and frightened; not by the small man but by her own surprise. Looking over quickly to see Rei still asleep, he threw his weapon hastily on the ground and stalked over to the blonde princess.

"What are you doing here? Who has given you permission to enter? Well?" Maiestas demanded as he grabbed Minako tightly by the elbow, his sour stench whistling into her face. He ripped the candle from her and placed it threateningly between them, his eyes glowing a, evil red from the flame.

The blonde pulled away while diverting her head from the smell "I just wanted to meet another princess..." she answered innocently but with an air of importance, her answer reminding him who she was.

The man caught the subtle hint and laughed sarcastically "Oh! You wanted to meet a princess, like yourself, am I correct?" - he growled taking her arm again in a firm grip - "You are no longer on Venus and you will not do as you please. There are rules here and you will abide to them as seen fit! Had I the power I would..."

"What? What would you do? Kill me?" Minako challenged as she detached herself again from the man and slid against the wall, edging herself closer to the door. Her stride was disrupted as she bumped into a long cabinet, cornering her between the piece of furniture and man frowning through gritted teeth.

"I would lock you away and see to it you never meet another human soul again! You foolish women will be the down fall of this Kingdom! I wouldn't put it past you to be conspiring with the enemy! I won't allow it!" Maiestas screamed darkly and crazed, he seemed to no longer be speaking to Minako but to some strange force overhearing them.

It dawned on the blonde that the man was clearly a maniac. Fearing he would be capable of killing her, she felt around wherever she could looking for a weapon to attack him, eyes never leaving the man's earthly steps approaching her. In an instant, Maiestas was hit across the face from an unknown source, dropping the dim candle as he cried out and doubled over gripping his eyes. The room turned pitch black as Minako stood warily and completely paralyzed, too scared for her own sake to move. She could only hear the man's moans of pain and her own dragged out breathing.

"Please don't hurt me" she whispered feeling someone approach her. She stretched her hand out and felt a gentle breeze against her cold skin. Then, in a dramatic moment, the door was flung open and Rei was running out into the corridor. The light from outside flooded the room, Minako looked over at the empty bed and then down at Maiestas who was holding his eye, blood flowing down his cheek. The blonde, amazed and exhilarated, ran out and barely caught a glance of the miko turning the corner at the end of the hallway.

"Get out of the way!" - the man suddenly appeared and pushed Minako from the threshold - "The princess has escaped! The princess has escaped! Guards! Guards!" he screamed childishly, his voice bouncing off the walls of the corridor. Confused and holding his wounded eye, he made the quick and correct guess of running in the direction Rei had taken. The blonde laughed, though it really wasn't funny, at Maiestas's limping and old form scampering while he continued to cry out. He disappeared into the corner but his voice was still ringing out disreputably until it became impossible to decipher.

"Minako-chan! What happened? What are you doing over there? And in my good cloak!" Usagi appeared from her doorway looking startled; behind her, Ami was blinking furiously with a pale demeanor.

Minako, remembering how serious it was, tried to hide her smirk as she made her way towards the two dumbfounded girls "The Princess of Mars is awake, she just ran out" - she directed herself to the far end of the corridor, fighting off a grin - "She hit Maiestas across the face" she said finally releasing a small chuckle.

"Why did she attack him?" Ami asked, the pockets under her eyes stretching as she stared in awe. Her worried tone lost all significance as her usually perfect hair was in disarray and her gaze was comical under red eyes.

Realizing they would find out anyway, the Venusian bit her lip "Well...he got angry because...I was inside her room" she murmured uncomfortably, she lowered her head trying to avoid the piercing stares.

"What? You went into her room? Why would you do such a thing?" Usagi protested in an uncommon rage.

"I wanted to meet her! I wasn't doing anything wrong! He's the one who woke her with his horrible cries! I suppose she was just protecting me..." the girl retaliated and for a second smiled to herself.

"Well? What is she like?" Ami finally ventured to ask. She too felt no sympathy for Maiestas and, though she disapproved Minako's actions, she was anxious to witness the man's devastation.

"Oh! Um, she's very pretty" - Minako said before instantly turning red and jittery - "...I mean pretty like us, you know, she's a princess..." she laughed nervously and turned away distractedly.

Usagi gave her friend a confused look but quickly ignored her strange attitude "My mother is going to be furious. She won't say a thing to you but surely I'll be the one to blame..." she complained overly irritated. She remembered when Serenity made her promise to watch over her guardians and keep out of trouble, this would definitely earn her a harsh scolding.

The sound of metal clanking, several feet scraping against the floor and muffled fussing quieted the three girls as their attention was drawn to the far end of the corridor. Two stone faced guards appear holding a very angry looking Rei from each arm, they were practically dragging her along as she fought hard to break her soft bare feet against the marble floor. Behind them, holding his eye and sprinkled with blood, was Maiestas bemoaning from his pursued lips. For some unknown reason, the sight of the three princesses staring at her lit something in the miko making her burst with rage.

"Where is my sensei! He must be here with me!"

"Stop it girl! He no longer lives, don't embarrass yourself!" Maiestas wailed as he took his hand off of his eye, inspecting the blood on it, to reveal a long gash and blueish bruise. He looked over at Minako, who was delighted at his sorrow, and gave her a warning scowl. His frightful gaze fell as Artemis and Luna appeared behind the three girls, both looking very agitated.

"You are her guardian, not her mother. Such tones will not be permitted Maiestas" Serenity, as if materializing from the air, appeared, surprising everyone. She glided gently shoving the small man away and behind Rei, putting her hand tenderly on the girl's good shoulder. She motioned the guards to let go, which they did, and whispered something into the miko's ear. Whatever she said seemed to work since the girl relaxed and gave a little nod.

"Forgive me your highness but the gir...princess has struck me terribly. I'm ill tempered with her at the moment..." Maiestas said politely as he branded his lame eye as evidence.

"I'll speak with her about it shortly, we have many things to discuss" the Queen said nudging Rei to follow her into the royal chamber. The man tried to follow but was stopped by the woman's hand signaling him to leave. With that and a small click of a door, everyone was left outside to determine in their own minds what was going on.

"Oh no..." Ami's uneasy voice rang only for her two friends to hear. A distracting shuffling of feet and vexing huffing was heard as Saeko approached them from behind and made herself known. Maiestas stumbled over towards her, ignoring the guards as he pushed himself between them.

"What? What is it? Who's infernal cries were those?" the Queen demanded looking at her daughter and offhandedly giving the other two girls her attention. Ami was strangely surprised her mother hadn't shown up earlier and suddenly felt a pang of increased worry.

"Lady! Lady! Please! Allow me to explain!" Maiestas reached them and instantly doubled over lost for breath, two lonely drops of blood fell under him.

"Heavens! What happened to you? Get up and explain!" Saeko said dismissing the man's pain.

"She...!" - Maiestas hissed, a devil between his eyebrows as he pointed with a shaking hand at Minako - "She has caused all of this! The Venusian Princess entered the Martian Princess's chamber unaccompanied and uninvited!" he declared violently.

"Is this true? Did you do such a thing?" the Queen roared as she towered over the scared blonde. Ami made a small move towards her mother, her arm symbolically stretched out in protection of her friend though they all knew she would never actually touch the older woman.

"Princesses should not be seen together behind closed doors! Are you certain?" she added dismissing her daughter's weak attempt.

"I would not lie to you Lady, this hideous brat deems herself above your orders! I demand she be punished!" the man bellowed, a growing red clot formed in his eye making him seem harsher and much more wicked.

"Such talk is uncalled for! As her guardian I demand respect and kindness towards my princess! Only Queen Serenity has value over any kind of punishment, do not forget who you are!" Artemis threatened as he stepped over to Maiestas and made his much greater height and power evident.

"Gentleman, please! I'm sorry but he is right. Only the Queen of this Kingdom may hand out the young girl's discipline. Her fate no longer rests in her mother or father, leave it be Maiestas. I shall talk to Serenity about this later on" - though acting in her defense, Saeko gave Minako a stern look - "I promise this will not go unpunished" she added bitterly. Taking her daughter by the shoulders tightly, she turned "Ami-chan will explain this neutrally..." she sneered confident the blue haired girl would not lie to her.

"This is no way for a Queen to act! Have you no dignity?" Maiestas dared to holler at the retrieving women.

"Excuse me?" Saeko said halting and turning towards her aggressor.

The small man, biting his lip until it bled, took a long breath "The King, our King, would never allow such humiliation! We have lowered ourselves to being servants of the Moon! He, oh yes your husband, would have died before bowing to another!" he yelled in such rage that the clot in his eye invaded the remaining white orb.

"How dare you! You forget who you are!" the Queen aggressed, puffing out her chest, but it was clear the damage was done.

"I am loyal to the King of Mercury, the planet and people you abandoned for this...chaotic, lawless rock you claim a Kingdom!" - Maiestas took a bold step towards her, he looked up and grinned evilly - "I am also...as you and Serenity have appointed me, guardian to the Princess of Mars. The poor girl needs discipline...as you have so well put it. I do apologize for my brashness, please, forgive me...highness..." he hissed slyly before turning and limping away. He smiled triumphantly as there was no protest from anyone behind him. The silence followed the old man until he disappeared into the corner.

"Oh, that man! We'll have to keep an eye on him" - Artemis said to Luna who nodded mechanically, too shocked to do anything else - "Come on Mina-chan" he said pulling his princess away but not before giving Saeko an accusing glare. The woman simply stared in a daze, gripping the front of her robe as if choking someone, her steady and tense frame poisoned the atmosphere.

"Let's go Usagi-chan..." Luna whispered gently as he pulled the girl away and to her room, leaving Ami alone with her paralyzed mother.

The moment was terrifying for the princess as she looked up to find the Queen shedding silent tears, lost in agonizing thought. She approached her mother and gave her a small squeeze on the arm. The woman looked down, her gaze lost and indifferent, and sighed.

"Perhaps it was a mistake to leave Mercury" Saeko wondered, pink and moist with tears, before gliding away in a ghostly fashion along the hallway, her shadow growing and shrinking along the lit sconces. She passed Maiestas, who had appeared with a gauze over his eye and was standing importantly outside of Serenity's room; he ignored his Queen as did she.

A blaze of fire burnt Ami's tightened chest. She could feel her throat dry and soar as her fingers coiled strongly into her palms, nails sinking deeply into skin. She looked at the man, touching his damaged face lightly, as he ignored her completely. Trembling and feeling hot tears form in her eyes, she launched herself in a powerful run towards him. Maiestas took the time to notice her as she approached and giggled making her slow down.

"Return to your room foolish girl, there's nothing you can or will do"

"I know you're up to something and I won't allow you to harm anyone. You've already earned suspicious eyes from everyone who matters here. Whatever you're planning, you won't get away with it. I promise" Ami said earnestly though stuttering and shaking from fear and anger. Sadly, her tired eyes and hectic hair made the pronouncement seem far from serious.

"Go clean up before someone sees you like this" Maiestas said calmly. Almost as if he knew, Serenity and a much more tranquil Rei stepped out of the royal chamber.

"I hope you enjoy your stay Rei-chan. Ah! Ami-chan! I'm glad you're here. This is Rei-chan, Princess of Mars" - the smiling Queen said presenting the shy miko to the stunned genius - "Would you mind showing her around? Perhaps she'd like to meet Usagi and Minako. Go on, they're surely waiting for you" she said gently encouraging both girls to meet.

Ami nodded and gave the black haired girl a weak smile which was barely returned. They both left, awkwardly and feeling displeased, one lagging behind the other. Maiestas began to follow but was stopped by Serenity's stern grip on his shoulder.

"Your Highness, I am her guardian. I dare say she needs me..." he said in a pleading voice.

"You'll be with her when you are called for. Go tend to that eye of yours, it looks nasty" the Queen said respectfully but with a hint of resentment.

Ami, feeling nervous and embarrassed, tried to comb down her hair which only made it worse. She felt a cold shrill along her spine as Rei, head down and hesitating with each stride, walked behind her. She didn't want to talk until they were in the presence of Usagi and Minako but silence was tearing into her nerves.

"Are you alright?" the blue haired girl asked feeling stupid, she slowed her pace until the miko was next to her. It seemed the girl was almost scared to look at her.

"Yes, thank you" Rei responded as she looked up and avoided Ami's eyes. Her sight wondered to her blue hair and down to her forehead. Then, with the reflexes of a cat, she quickly looked down at the cloth around the genius's scarred hand.

Ami was fast to shield her wound with her sleeve "I'm glad. I'm from Mercury. Minako-chan is from Venus and Usagi-chan is from...well...here" she said inwardly cursing her terrible social skills. She received a slight nod and suspicious glance from the newcomer. Smiling in relief, they reached Usagi's room and she quickly let her in.

Rei, seeing two pairs of eyes staring straight at her, took a step back but stumbled against Ami who urged her in. She looked at the blonde with the red bow and immediately felt her head cold in sweat. She tried doubling back but was again met with an obstructing body. The girl with beautiful golden hair gave her a friendly smile and stood to make her more welcome.

Usagi, pouting at the lack of attention, also stood "Hello! I'm Usagi-chan, Princess of the Moon" she declared proudly. She grinned cheaply and bowed.

The miko, unable to recognize the girl, flinched as she turned to look at Ami for comfort or approval. Images crossed her mind like lightning bolts; the blue haired girl screaming, the light, her burnt hand. Her vision was unraveling like strands of glimmering long hair. He grabbed Ami's hand and yanked the cloth away, revealing a scarring wound.

"You burnt this...on water? Boiling water? From..." - Rei looked down in thought, her eyes zigzagging - brown containers? Metal containers?" she demanded urgently looking up at the frightened girl.

Ami, mouth wide open and petrified, nodded before looking at Usagi and Minako for help. The miko looked up at her determined and, without hesitation or appreciation for her discomfort, touched the blue haired girl's quivering and hot forehead. The pig tailed princess yelped maliciously from behind them.

"You've seen it too, the symbol" - Rei said amazed as she continued to inspect the area - "Queen Serenity told me I was the only one but it appeared to you too" she said sounding strangely relieved. Ami face fell as her cherished secret seeped away from her, the remains washing over her two friends she dared not look at.

---

The Jovian ship, too bulky and heavy to properly steer, penetrated the Moon's vacuuming atmosphere with a terrible wavering. The rain immediately soaked the crew aboard it, puddles shuffling from one side to other, as the vessel careened itself towards low ground. Under grey clouds lit by feeble bolts of the lightning, the ship hovered uneasily over vast valleys filled with the whistling of pine trees swaying against the air and rain.

The young black haired maiden kept her head down, her hand still tightly holding Makoto's, as the cold specks of water pricked her face powerfully. "Come on! Land!" came her shrill voice which was practically lost against the wind's mighty billowing.

"Where? I don't know where we are!" the angry captain, hauling the wheel against the violent air, screamed as he took a quick glance towards the girl.

"Anywhere!" the girl hollered back. She bowed her head, if possible, further down as the ropes holding the sails ripped off and began swinging destructively against anything they met. The vessel plummeted forward, passing through the branches of full trees and hitting roughly their trunks, until it landed turbulently on a small lake surrounded by the forest they crashed through. The ship twirled in circles, threatening to tilt over, before rocking intensely on the lame body of water. A crackling of green thunder and stretched out whine from the wind followed the loud collapse as it's passengers lifted their heads warily, the rain pounding on them to stay down.

"Is this the Moon?" the maid asked as she arranged Makoto and placed a soaking quilt over her. She looked over the edge of the ship only to find a very green and very vast forest leading into a valley surrounded by white caped mountains, it felt strangely familiar.

"It sure is" said the captain with boredom. He sat down under the protection of a broken sail and lit his pipe, the brownish smoke suspended over his face as he too surveyed the area, his demeanor was frighteningly calm. The four soldiers traveling with them also sat down, they lazily began stripping their armor off and throwing it into small piles; they popped the corks off bottles with their teeth and were not gentle as they drank. As if waiting to be magically summoned or found, they sat apathetically poisoning themselves while staring uninterested at the roaring sky.

The defeated maid felt tears burn her eyes, she would never have the strength or will to demand proper attention from the brute soldiers. Deciding, with no real other choice, her life would depend on Makoto's, she carefully lowered the dying girl off of the board and with a loud thump onto the puddled wooden floor of the ship. Taking the hem of the brunette's uniform she dragged her long body across and past the soldiers who, smirking and laughing, watched her haul the dead weight, red in the face from the effort.

"Hey, girl! She's dead you know? Best dump her overboard before we leave" one of the men said as he got up and treaded clumsily towards her. He snorted and grabbed her shoulder lustfully, shaking the bottle in his other hand in offering.

"Leave? We can't leave! What about the princess? Where will we go?" the maid asked childishly, her naive eyes wondering stupidly over to the other men.

"Ceres, of coarse! Don't forget to take her armor before you dump her, it might be worth a few coins!" the captain bawled before taking a long gulp of his drink.

"Or a few ladies!" the soldier leaning over the young girl shrieked as he grabbed her black hair. The other men cheered and laughed hoarsely as they stamped their feet like animals. The man, grabbing the maid's chin in his hand, licked his lips hungrily as he forced her towards him. Like the flick of a candle, his eyes turned into shimmering black orbs, a dreadful dark energy rose from beneath his eyelids until it began consuming his entire grinning face.

She screamed feeling his hot and acid breath burning her lips as he pressed himself on her.

"You have not been authorized to land here! Show your weapons and withdraw from the ship slowly!" came a man's harsh and dominating voice from bellow. The Jovian soldier released the girl roughly and followed the noise. He doubled back as he saw six white and silver armored guards on horses, they presented their swords as they galloped around the edge of the water. The green clad man looked over at his fellow soldiers expectantly, he received only frightened shrugs.

"Now now, we'll be leaving once the rain clears. Leave us be and there'll be no bother" the captain said, his voice slipping from drink as he peered down smiling at the guards. He laughed and waved his hand dismissively at their serious glares.

The maid quickly launched herself to the board of the ship, almost falling over "No! We have the Princess of Jupiter on board! She's terribly wounded, please take her with the Queen!" she begged before being yanked away by one of the men behind her.

"You have trespassed on the Moon Kingdom and therefore we hold the right to inspect this ship. Release all weapons and reveal yourselves, we will be boarding!" one the Moon guards, his helmet much more pronounced than the others, instructed fiercely as he jumped off of his horse, followed by his men.

"And how do plan on doing that?" the captain snickered as he teased the soldiers standing sternly on land. With a fast fizz and precise thump, an arrow flew past his face and firmly pinned itself on the mast of the vessel, a thick rope attached to it. The Jovians panicked, making moves to detach the arrow, but were instantly struck with stillness as several archers appeared from the trees holding their bows reading to attack.

The leader of the small cavalry calmly waved for his men to climb the rope onto the ship. Like well trained soldiers that they were, they were quick to heave themselves on and surround the cowering men on board, leaving the maid and Makoto alone.

"All of you, to one side, one side, come on!" - the leader, finally boarding, said as he waved his sword at the Jovians who huddled together at the front of the ship - "Is this her? Hm...she doesn't look like a princess. Why did you land here? The Mare Serenitatis is where royalty embarks. Well?" he asked suspiciously as he examined Makoto with an air of disgust.

The maid, ignorant and shy, shook her head "I...I don't know. We weren't suppose to come" she stuttered pathetically.

"Surely you weren't. I would have been notified of your arrival, this isn't convenient. Have you any evidence that the girl is in fact who you say she is?" the soldier demanded as he cleaned blood from his hands against the rim of his silver cloak, the stain making him frown.

The young black haired girl gave a little squeal before frantically shoving her hand down Makoto's front and pulling out a sparkling green gem hanging from a golden necklace. Hands shaking, she presented the apparently precious heirloom with a small smile of confidence. Truthfully, the piece of jewelry was far from spectacular and showed no sign of importance to anyone, even Makoto seemed to disregard it as it was dented and poorly kept.

The soldier took the item and surveyed it quickly before chucking it back "This proves nothing, it's a piece of cheap jewelry! Seeing as their is no further evidence, you are all to stay on the ship until I receive further instructions for your arrest" he said getting up and striding away.

Choking on her tears, the maid threw herself on the man and held him "Please! I swear on my life this is the Princess! Have mercy, please! She'll die if you don't take her to Queen! She's all we have left!" the girl cried dramatically as she clung onto his cloak, her dirtied hands clawing into the soaking fabric. He was suddenly reminded of a beggar pleading for a single loaf of bread to feed her family or perhaps a coin to buy her next drink. Crucial seconds passed as his mind juggled between the truth and a lie, the sky above grew fiercer with thunder, the girl bellow him quivered, her eyes insanely desperate.

"All right, we'll head for the Palace, immediately. That said, you are all prisoners until further knowledge. For your sake, she'd better be a princess. Unwelcome guests will be treated as enemies and suffer a deadly fate as such" the leader warned before pulling his cloak away from the overwhelmed maid. He gave a circling wave leading his men to tie the half broken sails. They took the captain, flailing and protesting, and tied his hands behind his back laying him on his belly. As they proceeded to do the same to the soldiers, one of them backed away and broke his bottle, menacing anyone who came near.

"I won't! I won't be a prisoner of the Moon! You hear? I'll die before betraying my Kingdom! Back off!" the Jovian soldier, clearly drunk and crazed, yelled as he swayed the broken glass container threateningly. In an instant, an arrow pierced into his forehead sending him overboard and splashing into the lake; a halo of blood surrounded his head as the floating dead body drifted sadly into the murky waters.

"A warning and lesson, we have eyes everywhere" - the leader said with a smirk as he paraded importantly around the ship - "Take the wounded girl down to the cabin...hold on. Why wasn't she there in the first place? Have you no decency, princess or not?" he dared the maid who was tied up and shaking her head apologetically. He rolled his eyes and shrugged, continuing his pedantic strides along the ship.

With much more delicacy and care, Makoto was secured in the royal cabin. Her demeanor was painfully sad; her skin had turned a sickening white only complimented by a tinge of blue covering her cracked lips and surrounding her shrunken eyes. Veins no longer throbbed as they served only to decorate the paleness of her cold body. The wound, being the only thing about her with life, continued to spit slow droplets of blood against the drenched cloth over it. Had it not been for Makoto's weak rising chest and irregular wheezing, she would have been tightly wrapped and taken as dead weight into the storage room.

"She'll make it, were not far" the leader said confidently to his soldiers, referring himself to the broken down ship and not the girl dying under him. The vessel shook a little before hovering into the cloudy sky, rain pouring so brutally it slowed it down, nevertheless they took off and soared unevenly over valleys and forests. The men tugged on the ropes accordingly too pick up speed while their captain wheeled them around the mountains and straight towards the Mare. The sea seemed dreary and mournful, it's once shimmering blue had turned grey and dirty. The Palace also painted depressing, the lights inside gave it little life and even less vivacity like it once had.

"Take it down slowly, away from the Martian ships" the leader and captain instructed as he pulled down and tried landing as far from the red vessels as possible. His men released the ropes gently as the ship lost altitude and glided firmly on the water. With surprising softness they landed and floated evenly towards the shore where several white and silver uniformed men awaited them cautiously.

"It's alright! They are prisoners! We apprehended them on one of the craters!" the leader said showing himself proudly to the men on land. They were thrown ropes to pull the ship until it was lodged securely on the shore. One by one, the Jovians were carried out and filled along the wall of the Palace. Makoto was taken out and carefully carried first as the soldiers and prisoners treaded towards the gates. The Martians, still camping out in their ships, protested and hollered seeing the green armored men allowed into the Palace, they failed to notice their condition or status.

"Take the wounded girl to the living quarters, I'll let you know what to do with her. The rest, take them to the storm-cellar, make sure they're guarded" the captain instructed as they entered the imperial garden. Instead of moving forward, the caravan of soldiers and prisoners made their way along a curving inner wall which surrounded the Palace. They passed the main building until it shrunk down to two floors and ultimately to one. Like a pyramid, the structure ended with one long room belonging to the kitchens and scullery and next to it, detached and randomly placed, were the stables and the maids housing.

The Jovian soldiers and pitiful maid were hauled away towards the other side of the stables where they were taken down into a dark cellar hidden under leaves and dirt. Makoto, a corpse to the naked eye, was taken into the servants living quarters and placed on one of the beds in the common room. The girls living there were absolutely offended by the blood, dirt and filth contaminating their usually spotless home. The cowered around the brunette, too scared to approach the princess.

"Who is she? You can't just leave her here!" one of the maids, much older than the rest, muffled a complaint to one of the soldiers responsible for bringing in such a mess.

He shrugged "Captain's orders. You ladies keep her right, she might be a princess" he said slyly before chuckling and taking his leave.

"I don't care who she might or might not be! Look at this place! They treat us like hodgepodge and still we can't even have a decent place to sleep!" the older woman claimed raising her arms up in anger.

"Well then, we mustn't follow in their steps" a younger, kinder maid said as she placed a blanket over Makoto and dabbed her face with water from a washbasin.

---

"I can't believe you lied! Why wouldn't you tell me you've seen the symbol? Isn't so terrible to be my guardian?" Usagi reproached with a very hurt tone. She looked at Ami who was sitting, head bowed and fingers tapping her knees nervously, and began to shed very exaggerated tears.

"Oh, I don't she acted like that. Perhaps she was waiting to tell us at the right moment" Minako soothed her crying friend before looking at Ami expectantly.

"I don't know why I didn't tell you, I wasn't completely sure I had seen it" the blue haired girl whispered and unconsciously, in a very odd moment, gave Rei a scornful glare. She felt her eyes pierce so heavily that it took her a small yelp and intense blush to hide behind an innocent smile.

The miko, after revealing her small vision and receiving scared looks from the other girls, retreated into a far corner of the room and stood watching with boredom but a little confusion the bickering. She caught Ami's harsh look and ignored it, preferring to ogle discreetly at the blonde with the red ribbon; she dared not speak of her vision concerning her, especially after witnessing her princess's rash reaction.

"Well, I still feel sore towards you Ami-chan. It's not fair to keep such things from us" Usagi pouted prissily as she raised her chin importantly, secretly craving more attention.

The blue haired girl gave a little shrug, knowingly ignoring her and deciding to wait until the brat realized she would not get her way. It was much more pressing to go over what the miko had told her and most importantly whether she should tell her mother or Serenity. Feeling an unfamiliar awkwardness and despising it, Minako smiled at Rei and encourage her to sit with them. Seeing the girl wouldn't budge, she decided to help her open up.

"Are those your powers? Seeing the future?" the blonde kindly asked.

"It's not a power, it's a gift which requires many years to develop and heighten. I wouldn't hold any of you privy to it, it's a Martian blessing" Rei answered very coldly and with an air of spite. Her remark and especially her tone caught Usagi and Ami's attention very quickly.

"Oh. Well yes, I suppose all planets have their own...advantages. How did you hurt your arm?" Minako continued to act friendly despite not having the gesture returned.

The miko grabbed her wounded limb and grunted "It's not important. Are all of you so impertinent? I believe we should only speak of matters concerning our duty, don't you think Princess of Mercury?" Rei said directing herself to a startled Ami; it seemed she believed the Mercurian would be the only one taking anything seriously.

"You're very odd. Is everyone on Mars so uptight?" Usagi asked sounding stupid when in fact she knew perfectly well this would infuriate the miko who she considered very rude and condescending. Her commentary was received with a very inflamed glare towards her from Rei.

"She's only joking" - Minako said chuckling nervously and feeling her forehead on fire - "Is Mars very different from here?" she was fast to ask before further confrontation.

"Yes" Rei responded flatly before leaving her spot in the corner and walking calmly across the room, ignoring the other's surprised eyes, until she reached the threshold to the balcony. She hesitated seeing the rain slightly entering the covered platform. Deciding it was better than being inside with the strange and silly girls she went out and leaned over the banister, drops of water striking cold against her face. She stared down at the gates where her three ships were stagnant on the sea, her soldiers were sorrowfully sheltered in the uncomfortable and much too small vessels. Her angered and insulted apprehension helped her to completely miss the foreign ship settled stilly a mile across the shore. She shook her head in disbelief, ready to fight off the white and silver guards treating her people so badly, but remembered what Queen Serenity had said to her.

"I'm so sorry, Usagi-chan is usually a very kind and respectful person" - Minako said walking out into the balcony and giving a small whimper from the rain sprinkling her - "Of coarse, you weren't so forthcoming yourself" she added giggling and, much to her displeasure from the cold, leaned over next to the miko.

"What's going on down there?" Rei asked ignoring the apology or "joke".

The blonde, bewildered but happy the girl was opening up, looked down and spotted the green and gold ship "Oh! You're right! That's new! Perhaps another princess has arrived!" she cried excitedly causing the girl beside her to jump.

"No, not that! Why are my soldiers being kept out of the Palace? Who do they think we are? Thieves? I will have a word with Queen Serenity about this, it's absurd" Rei muttered a very agitated complaint.

Minako looked down at the Martian ships and then back at the miko "Yes, I suppose it's wrong...you should speak with the Queen" - she said not completely sure what was going on or what she was supposed to say - "Are they your friends?" she asked and immediately cursed after hearing herself.

"Where are the Venusian soldiers? Have they been banned as well?" Rei continued to neglect the girl's questions.

The blonde, mouthing a silent 'wow' in disbelief, shrugged with a smile "I...don't know, I haven't seen them since I arrived. I'm sure they're around here somewhere. Do you think that other ship belongs to a princess?" she said giving one last attempt at a two sided conversation.

"You should demand to know their whereabouts! These are men who live to protect you! They shouldn't be treated so poorly. My father would have had a fit, he treasures a soldiers loyalty"

"That's very fine of your father...where is..." - Minako stopped before finishing her question. Realizing she preferred to not continue the conversation, she quickly steered her attention - "Usagi-chan! Ami-chan! There's a new ship at the gates! One I've never seen before!" she cried into the room before returning to Rei who was giving her an annoyed look.

"Really? Where?" Usagi was quick to jump outside and peer out. Spotting the vacant vessel, she cheered.

Ami ran next to her friend and smiled triumphantly "That is a Jovian ship! I was perfectly right!" - she announced proudly - "It's looks abandoned though" .

"Jovian ship?" - Rei asked finally implanting herself into the group - "I thought Jupiter was an outer planet? What would one of their ships be doing on the Moon?" she inquired, just as perplexed as the other three princesses.

---

The soldier, leader and captain responsible for the capture of unwanted Jovians, entered the Palace and calmly made his way across the Great Hall. A proud and boastful man, he fitted his soaking uniform as properly as possible. He felt greatly fortunate to have come across the opportunity to speak with the Queen, a privilege he had enjoyed only once and many years ago. Carrying a lank piece of green armor, the man's fantastic thoughts of recognition and grandeur were shattered against a sudden and very real realization. What if the girl, clad in Jovian armor, truly was a princess? If so, would her death stain his far-reaching hands? Worse, would it deem him his own death? His heart turned over, skipped: every nerve in him turned to cold stone.

One hand on the railing of the enormous stairway was enough to swing him forth. The soldier darted pressingly between each step, sometimes jumping two or three, as his heavy armor clanked noisily with each arduous move. His last step rang strenuously as he followed the startled stares of guards leading to the royal chambers. Though never having entered or seen it, his guess was easy enough to make; he spotted a heavily guarded door, larger and much more exquisitely carved than the others aligning the long corridor. Heat and fear for his life allowed him to charge into the double doors, despite the tardy reaction and protests from the men outside.

Inside, his eyes wondering with desire and amazement of such treasures and beauty, were Queen Serenity and Queen Saeko sitting calmly drinking tea over a carved table. They eyed the heaving man suspiciously and expectantly as he tried to catch himself.

"Pardon...my intrusion," he choked as the air barely filled his fleeting lungs, the man straightened himself as much as possible in hopes of salvaging a hint of properness. "A Jovian ship was found in one of the craters, past the Crisium mountains. Three guards, a captain and maid have been apprehended and are being held in the Palace grounds. I dare-say more cautious measures would have been taken but...it seems, they claim, the Princess of Jupiter is with them" the soldier explained stiffly, too intimidated to move or meet his master's eye. His hand holding the green piece of iron quivered.

Serenity quickly stood from her velvet chair, rocking it from her sudden and harsh reaction. "The Princess of Jupiter? She is here?," she said rather aggressively as she stole a glance through the window next to her. Sure enough, the deserted ship still sat gloomily against the waves. Her attention diverted thoughtfully to the thunder still clapping in the clouds. Saeko, feinting interest, also followed her movements.

"So they claim. The girl, the Jovian girl, has been taken to the servants sleeping quarters to be cared for" he lied though sounding confident she would be alright.

"Cared for? In what way do you mean?" the standing Queen's voice grew fiercer.

"The girl, she was found injured. I thought it convenient to be tended to by the maids, until her identity was properly determined by you your highness" the soldier stuttered, tossing the responsibility like a burning piece of coal.

"Is there any evidence?" Serenity asked sternly, her face beginning tense in rage.

The man quickly stumbled over towards them, at arms length he handed the piece of Jovian armor and sturdily retreated to his spot by the door. The Queen examined the item, twisting and turning it before handing it over to Saeko.

"This is definitely a Jovian artifact. What are we suppose to infer with this?" the Mercurian Queen asked the jittering man with defiance.

"It was found on the girl's person" he answered shyly.

"What motive did you have to believe she could be the princess? Is this the only sign you could find? Your decision to bring these brutes into the Palace was based on this?" Saeko asked slyly, a small smile tinging her mouth at the sight of the terrified soldier.

"Well no, you see, the girl, the maid, was very adamant about the matter. She presented a piece of jewelry claiming it was proof but I took no attention to it. I saw no threat and preferred to leave the matter in your hands your highness" the man said avoiding the treacherous woman still sitting in her chair.

"It was a gem, am I correct? Green, perhaps?" Serenity's usually calm demeanor turned into a gruesome site as she glided over to the terrified soldier. "May the sky save you if that girl is dead or dies! Fetch her at once!" she screamed disturbingly loud. The man saluted blunderingly before tearing out of the room, leaving the doors slightly ajar. The Queen stormed over and slammed it shut. "This is an outrage! Those foolish soldiers! I do hope that girl is alright, they have no qualms when it comes to non royal beings" she said turning her fury slowly into worry.

"I could say the same for Jovians. What in the world is she doing here? Jupiter has long given us it's back. Now they need the Moon's help! How timely!" Saeko laughed angrily.

"She is still a guardian to my daughter, as is yours. I, in good time, will owe her everything despite the decision of the Jovian King and Queen. Still," - Serenity accepted the pouring rain and lighting outside - "we knew Jupiter was falling. I wouldn't have imagined she'd be sent here. I always thought, in time of need, the outer planets would protect them. These pacts always seem to dwindle when times are desperate. Nevertheless, Makoto-chan is no longer tied to the laws of her planet. I pray she takes this lightly, as Rei-chan has" she said somberly.

"We must take precaution with this girl, guardian or not, Jovians are not to be trusted. Oh yes Serenity, I will be wary. Against my own reason I have allowed my daughter to freely join the other princesses but I will not be so open with the Jovian. Ami-chan may one day be a guardian but she is still my daughter and I intend to protect her" Saeko said defiantly.

Serenity, rubbing the temples of her head, tiredly sat down in her previous chair "I will no longer continue this argument with you. For years I have dealt with your pious and absurd reasoning and not once have I called you on it. You fled when all was well, slicing a cold knife into our friendship, for which I never resented you or denied you a friendly smile on those few occasions when we met again. I know you carry a heavy burden, just as heavy as your intolerance, and I am empathetic, kind and understanding. But please, for mercy's sake! Allow what must be to be!" she demanded desperately, her weary eyes piercing the woman sitting in front of her.

Saeko, gaping with a shocked expression, stood and walked slowly away. The words ringing in her ears like alarming bells, she softly opened the double doors of the room "Maiestas! You are needed in here!" she cried standing at the threshold, her back turned to her old friend, too paralyzed to look at her. Unknown moments from Serenity behind her were nerve wrecking making her inch further into the corridor. She felt a wave of relief wash over her as the small and old man shuffled out from the corner of the stairway and towards her. The Mercurian Queen stepped back and allowed him to enter. Humbly, Maiestas entered and bowed to the distressed Queen sitting in the room.

"We believe the Princess of Jupiter has arrived. She is currently being transferred to one of the rooms, please supervise her ingress. We have been informed she is wounded, I trust you will care for her immediately" Saeko instructed, still standing by the opened doors.

"More importantly, have us know when she is here. We will tend to her personally" Serenity added, her grave tone directed at her fellow Queen.

"Of coarse. If I may, perhaps it would be more suited I tend to the Martian Princess? We have not yet acquainted ourselves properly" Maiestas said with remorse.

"Is it your passionate interest to disobey me? I will send you with Rei-chan when I see fit! Be of use and go do as I have said!" Serenity bellowed, clearly her patience with man had collapsed. She waved him away dangerously, threatening to get up as she did so.

"Of coarse, of coarse! Excuse me!" the pathetic man whimpered as he let himself out. Once he was safely unnoticed, he cursed. Fists clenched and shoulders trembling with rage, he promised such treatment would not go unpunished. Taking his leave, Maiestas hurried down the flight of stairs to the Great Hall and awaited the Jovian Princess, secretly wishing she had already perished. Mumbling to himself as he stood, a sudden conniving thought lit in his mind. Perhaps the arrival of a new princess, dead or alive, was exactly what he needed.

---

"I'm perfectly sure we should stay here for now, until we're needed" Usagi, downcast and stiff, said as she symbolically took a strict seat on one of her cushioned chairs. She received confused stares, at least from Minako and Ami who knew very well she was far from disciplined.

"I don't understand why we have to be locked in here. We're needed, we have to be" Rei said randomly; she leaned against the window still looking out at the chaotic sky.

As usual, Minako did not understand: Rei always seemed to be speaking to someone else. Still, the blonde acknowledged her "I'm sure we'll begin our training soon, maybe when we've all seen the symbol, " she said this sadly, her own still absent. "If the fourth and last princess has arrived, I'm positive we'll be of use" she added cheerfully. The miko continued to ignore her, too lost in thought to see the blue eyes begging her for attention.

"We aren't forbidden to leave this room. I think we should go out, into the hallway, at least until she arrives. If we're not wanted, we'll return" Ami suggested rather desperately.

"No. We'll have more trouble as it is" Usagi said flatly.

"Then we must speak with the guardians. Luna? Artemis? Don't you think they might be more lenient?" the blue haired girl pressed. Her usually shy and quiet persona began seeping away with the absence of her overbearing mother. Locked in that room she felt freer than ever before.

An explosion of cries and thundering of shrieks made the girls flinch and yelp. They could hear, quite clearly and heart gripping, the raging protests of Serenity pound against the walls of the corridor. Her shouts worked in a furious ugly way, making the woman seem almost deranged and blazed in a fire of wrath. Like moths to a flame the four girls, even a curious Rei, dove to the door and pressed their ears against it.

"Look at the state of her! How dare you, you, you inhuman monster! Princess or not she is a person! Look at me when I speak! Have you no shame? No heart? You best pray she lives! You no longer belong in the Palace, stay far away from this place! Get out of my sight! OUT! OUT!" Serenity's powerful voice burst with rage. A scattering of feet, mumbling of loud voices and the slamming of a door were followed, then complete silence.

"Ugh!" - Minako detached her head from the door and slid against it - "That was scary. I wonder what happened" she commented provocatively. Her curious nature longed to investigate the occurrence.

"I do think we should be informed. Your mother, the Queen, was very serious about keeping us fully notified. As she has very well put, we are not children anymore" Rei, blossoming like a small flower, commented comfortably.

"You're right Rei-chan" - the Venusian princess said happily hearing the miko participate - "I'm fairly certain we have the right, as guardians, to know what's happening" she announced courageously.

"Then let's go see, I don't hear anyone outside" Ami piped in, her ear still glued to the carved door.

"No, no, NO! Did you not hear my mother? I've never seen her like this! We mustn't leave! She'll have my head for it!" Usagi protested over dramatically. Scattering away on all fours she made her way to the cushioned chair and sat there importantly but terrified.

Feeling guilty but ignoring her princess's demands, Ami carefully slid the door open; behind her, Minako and Rei backed away, also fearful of the Queen's sudden mood. Poking her head out, the blue haired girl looked both ways and found the long and dimly lit corridor empty. Her heart hammering against her ribs and pounding in her ears, she stepped out. Standing cautiously, awaiting for anyone to stop her, she lingered slowly along the wall, the lit sconces widening and shrinking her shadow. Behind her, the blonde and black haired girl's watched her every move, their heads floating out of the threshold of Usagi's room. With cat like steps Ami continued her path until a frightening image stopped her; a long and shimmering trail of blood glowed under the candle light from the end of the corridor down into a room just a few feet in front of her. She looked back and tried to beckon the girls towards the discovery. The eerie stillness and mystery was broken by the sudden collapse of painful cries issuing from the blood splattered room.

Jumping and yelping, Ami cowered away as the horrible moans and screams escalated to a level she had never experienced. Behind her, she could feel her two friends also retreat fretfully into safety. The impact of Serenity's previous shouts was quickly long forgotten as the overwhelming cries made the stomach ache. The blue haired girl stayed still as the noise attacked her with fear but further curiosity. Her heart stopped for a second when Minako, Rei and even a very anxious Usagi approached her from behind, luckily her shriek was drowned out by the agonizing wails coming from the forbidden room. She put a finger to her lips and led them towards the commotion.

"No, I'm not going" Usagi groaned at the sight of the blood painting the floor. She doubled back, her hand over her mouth in disgust, and return to her spot by the door of her room.

The girl's tantrum went unnoticed as the three girls, with horrified faces, fitted themselves next to the door where the screams roared out from. Knowingly, they weren't surprised when a soldier and two maids, both holding crimson stained sheets, ran out and hurriedly left the scene, leaving the door, swinging drastically, fully open. The cries intensified which made the three princesses hesitate and slightly cower away. Still, with effort and inner strength she never knew she had, Ami looked inside.

Her vision was met first by her mother's back facing her, the older woman hunched over an unknown patient on the bed from who the awful cries came from. The amount of blood made her sick but she continued to gaze. Maiestas and a man she did not recognize were grabbing the wailing person down from both sides of the bed, both looked beaten and strained. With a mannish grunt, Saeko pulled back and branded a long and blood soaked piece of wood over her head. The screams reached their peek until they gradually toned down to heavy breaths and undecipherable moans. Her mother, heaving her own tired breaths, lowered her arm and dumped the crimson stick to floor before bending over and returning to her work. Maiestas was fast to join her Queen as they both huddled over the patient, blood filled cloths thrown over their shoulders and quickly replaced.

Ami, dazed and destroyed by such as scene, slowly ran her vision, blurry and stinging, over to Serenity who was standing in the far corner of the room. The Queen was looking at her, sad or angered she couldn't tell. The blue haired girl shrank and frowned in embarrassment but did not move, her eyes locked with the older woman's. The moment was queer and off putting but like a standing statue, Serenity returned to her unmoving pose, arms crossed and eyes staring lifelessly at the girl in the bed. The blue haired girl felt a strange grope in her heart, a small fist squeezing the pumping organ tenderly but pleadingly; her throat felt hard and dry, the weakening moment too hard to handle as she felt her palms mechanically sustain her fragile body against the cold marble floor. Growth and strength came from experience, something Ami had barely explored in her sixteen years of life. Her mother's earlier tears and Serenity's troubled state made her feel completely alone, the unknown world to heavy to carry.

"What is it? Is it the Jovian Princess? Ami-chan?" Minako whispered as she poked her friend softly on the back. She tried looking over her but found it impossible to see without being discreet. Sighing defeatedly, she slouched back down and shrugged at Rei who gave her a curious look, one she had been giving her since they first met.

"I can't and I won't do it. That is my final word. You must appreciate the severity of this!" Saeko's voice suddenly rang in the room. She turned towards Serenity, her gown red and tattered, with a begging stare. Her hands, crimson as roses, were stretched out pleadingly and defeated towards the statue like woman.

Serenity walked silently towards the door. She gave Ami, who was down on all fours, a sad look before abruptly slamming the door shut in her face. The two girls behind her crawled quickly away and back to where Usagi was shaking her head angrily by the threshold of her door.

---

Saeko moved away from Makoto's twisting and moaning form, allowing Maiestas to begin bandaging the wound; her nakedness did not seem to phase him in the slightest. She proceeded to wash her hands idly in the washbasin: purposely taking her to time to avoid confrontation with the woman standing patiently but angrily behind her. Shaking her head and drying her hands, the Queen finally turned to meet her friend's fiery eyes.

"I'm sorry Serenity, I won't do it" she said sounding distant, almost indifferent to the situation. Despite her tone, her decision did not come out of malice but something more like fear and cowardice.

"You cannot possibly be this vindictive, this cruel!" Serenity argued filled with hurt. Maiestas peered over his shoulder to look at her.

"Cruel? You are cruel asking me to do this. Please, do not make me feel as evil as you see me. I have done my part and obviously it is not enough, I'm sorry the girl will die but spare yourself from wrongfully blaming me." Saeko responded calmly and, with enough sensibility, a hint of sorrow.

"The Silver Crystal can save her"

"It can also kill her, you said so yourself. It works as a poison and if the girl has not presented the symbol than using it will bring her a death I wish for no one to ever experience. The law prohibits me to continue and it would personally go beyond my moral beliefs, I'm sorry" the Mercurian Queen said with a soft sigh and gentle shrug.

"You! You and your silly laws and morals! I have the authority to allow it, I am ordering you, asking you even begging you to proceed!" Serenity urged, time draining as quickly as the small tinge of life from Makoto's face.

"You know that is untrue. I can and will only use the crystal if an appropriate Jovian permits it. I'm surprised you would allow such a powerful and beautiful gift that is the crystal to be used in vain"

Serenity, desperate and searching, turned to Maiestas who was vacillating over the ill girl, eyes and ears sharp as he pretended not to notice the Queen's persistent gaze. "Well, will you proceed?" she asked the lingering man.

"I'm sorry your highness, I could not possibly break such rigid laws. My punishment would be far greater than my Queen's and I cherish her decision to detain any further action. I'm terribly sorry for the girl and to you" he answered respectfully, feinting grief and sincere regret. Had there been any reason to keep her alive, as part of his plans in the near future, he would not be hesitant to save the girl. Seeing there was none, no compassion fluttered his heart.

"Your lack of mercy appalls me, it sickens me. I will not forget this. I say this threateningly to you Maiestas and heartbroken to you Saeko" Serenity growled as she fought hard to keep angered tears from falling. She gave Makoto one last look, a sad yet thoughtful one, before gliding away and out of the cold room; the man and Queen followed her careful to keep a proper amount of space between them. The corridor was suddenly filled with the scattering of feet; both Queen's ignored Minako, Ami and Rei scattering away from where they had just left, all three girls hid behind the safety of Usagi's room, their heads poking out and watching the two older woman leave. Maiestas, squinting his eyes evilly as his mouth turned into a wicked grin, made his way slowly and calmly towards the girls: his mouth twitched a little as he approached, they were not scared of him and it was humiliating.

Minako, seeing the man was their only threat, straightened her shoulders and stepped out to meet him defiantly. The two other girls did the same leaving Usagi dangling nervously at the threshold. "We demand to know what's going on" the blonde, just slightly towering over the man said condescendingly.

Maiestas smiled at them, his teeth gritting at the tightness of his grin "Your guest has died, unfortunately. It seems not even her guardian powers could stop death's callous grip" he sneered slyly.

"She? A princess? The Jovian Princess?" Ami asked hurriedly but knowing the answer already.

"That is neither here nor there. She's dead. It's a pity but there is no way she could have escaped it, no one can, not even princesses. Forget the matter and return to whatever little girls are capable of doing" he said mockingly, a glint of threat escaping his eyes.

Minako made a move but was stopped by Ami's gentle hand on her shoulder. The blue haired girl shook her head and led her back into the room. Just as they were passing the doorway, Rei was pulled back.

"Princess, you come with me to your room. We haven't been properly introduced and as your guardian I deem it urgent at the moment" Maiestas demanded as he pulled on Rei's forearm and forced her away.

"No! She doesn't have to do anything you say! Come on!" Minako was quick to grab the miko's other arm and practically swing her away from the old man; his age and strength a deterrent, they successfully fled him, slamming the door in his face and quickly locking it. Loud banging on the door was followed as well as the twisting and turning of the knob.

"Let me in! I demand it! Let me in! I am her rightful guardian! Let me in!" Maiestas voice roared as he continued beating the strong door in vain. After a few more comical minutes of the man's persistent cries and bangs, he stopped and all was silent again in the corridor.

"Thank you" Rei said kindly to the blonde as they stepped further into the room.

"It's alright" Minako answered, a warm blush stinging her cheeks. She imagined that Rei smiled at her. Not an ordinary smile that is obvious, more like the corner of her mouth gave a cynical crook.

"I don't believe it. She couldn't be dead" Ami's voice was hollow and dry.

"Then why would he say she is? They all left the room, alone. And all that blood!, I won't bear it" Usagi said sounding upset. Her lack of experience and sensitive personality made it hard for her to keep a steady head. She tried hard to fight the unsettling images flowing in her head, the screams ringing in her ears, her heart tightening; the feeling invading her down to her stomach.

"Is she was dying, they could have used the Silver..." the blue haired girl stopped, she was doubtful how many of the princesses knew of the crystal. Most importantly, if they should know. "Maiestas is an evil man, I wouldn't put it past him to frighten us for the sheer fun of it" she said quickly presenting the man as an interesting topic.

"I agree with you but why would he lie so boldly? If the princess isn't dead, wouldn't he be in trouble for telling us that she is? I wouldn't mind informing Serenity of his wickedness and he knows that very well. He couldn't possibly be that thick" Minako suggested pointedly.

"I don't know. Something doesn't quite fit. I feel her death would have been known to us by now. Serenity is very serious about such things, or so I believe. Usagi-chan?" Ami asked her friend who was sitting on her bed hugging a pillow.

"I don't know! I've never known anyone who has died! Please, let's speak of something else. That poor girl dying is making me feel ill and bothered! I feel for her so..." Usagi whispered downhearted.

"Why? You didn't even know her" Rei said abruptly. She eyed the pig tailed girl strangely, as if her reaction was somehow exaggerated or perhaps false.

Sensing a fight abounding, Minako steered the conversation "I just think it's hard to deal with death for the first time. It's scary, especially when it's someone your own age. Anyway, if that was the Jovian Princess then that makes all four guardians. I wonder what happens next?" she said announcing what everyone was thinking.

"Maybe we'll finally be let out of these rooms!" the miko cried exasperated.

"The weather doesn't help..." Ami said thoughtfully looking out into the grey landscape.

"You know Rei-chan, just because they say we can't leave doesn't mean...we can't" Minako said mischievously as she poked her black haired friend on the side. Rei rolled her eyes but gave her, with difficulty, a warm smile.

A shy rap at the door interrupted a sudden complaint from the blonde sitting on the bed. "Usagi-chan," came Luna's saddened voice, "I'm coming in...".

"She'll probably have us moved to the west wing, just to say we're actually doing something" Usagi said pestered by the presence of her guardian.

"You're not going anywhere. At least, not now" Luna retaliated as she softly closed the door behind her. She gave the other three princesses a light bow which was incorrectly returned.

"Well? What is it Luna? You look terribly worried" the pig tailed blonde pointed out, she slightly shifted from her sitting position until she was on all fours.

"I have to ask you all to leave me and Usagi-chan alone. We have matters to discuss" the small woman said cautiously.

"Oh! They don't have to go!" Usagi pouted.

"That is not for you to decide. Please, leave," Luna demanded sternly, "Perhaps you could acquaint Rei-chan with your own quarters", she added sounding much friendlier.

Not too affected by the order, Minako and Rei filed out into the hallway where the blonde was quick to invite the miko into her room for tea and cakes; they hadn't had a bite to eat since the day before. As Ami followed them, a considerable distance away, she was stopped by Luna gently grabbing her arm. Checking that Usagi was solemnly distracted by her locket and that Minako was excitedly tugging her new friend away, the black haired woman gave Ami a hinting glare.

"Maybe it would be best for you to stay out in the corridor, in case you are needed" Luna whispered, her gaze begging to be understood.

The blue haired girl, confused but precarious, mumbled under breath "Why? Is there something I'm supposed to do?" she asked, anxious for a sign.

"Stay out here, a little while. You may be needed" Luna continued to say, as if she struggled to keep a deliciously important secret. Her grip on the younger girl tightened, stressing the seriousness and urgency of her words.

"Ami-chan! Are you coming? Rei-chan has offered her room! She'll show us her armor! Come on then!" Minako hollered from the other side, she waved her hand while Rei, who stood overwhelmed beside her, smiled crookedly.

Ami looked at Luna and gave her a small, indistinguishable nod "No, you two go ahead. I'll meet you in Rei-chan's room a little later. Please save me some cake" she answered earnestly, her ability to sustain herself without wavering was surprising.

Minako and Rei shrugged, not too interested in whatever their fellow princess was up to. Coming from Ami, they didn't fathom it to be very exciting or important. Their voices, much more from the blonde than anything else, trailed off along the hallway and into the Martian princess's room where they could still be slightly heard. Luna, sensing Usagi's confused stares, edged the blue haired girl out before closing the door leaving her alone in the deserted aisle.

She waited, slowly inching herself along the lit torches on the walls, for a sign or anything. Ami looked back and forth, between the multiple oak doors aligning the corridor, towards the lunette window crackling with thunder at the it's end and then back to the entrance hall where Serenity's chamber stood. Minako's wails buzzed against the silence only temporarily shattered by the rolling of thunder. Feeling stupid and hungry, Ami sat against the wall and wondered, her eyes darting from one side to another until they finally fixed themselves on the door with the red trail leading to it. Her heart stopped before proceeding with painful pounding , the sensation making her feel dizzy from discomfort. She finally understood Usagi's displeasure from thinking of the dead girl in the room. Her terrible screams still lingered in her mind.

The passing of a shadow quickly awakened the blue haired girl from her thoughts. She looked to find a maid carrying a tin bucket, water splashing as she walked, an armful of ragged towels and an old brown brush, it's bristles worn down. The girl curtsied to the sitting princess before getting down on all fours to clean the blood from the floor. Ami watched her with boredom and a pang of guilt; within minutes of strenuous brushing, the maid was already filthy and sweating. Nevertheless, her diligent work was noticed as the red stain came off and she worked tirelessly to wash from the door and backwards towards the entrance hallway. It made Ami wonder when the body would be removed from the room, curiosity and longing claiming her as she got up and approached the girl. It was clear both princess and servant felt equally uncomfortable, the latter quickened her pace. Despite the tension, the blue haired girl stood, taking the appearance of another human being as a sign.

Half way through the maid's assignment, which turned out to be very tedious to watch, another girl appeared. She walked humming to herself, an array of spotless white blankets tucked in her arms, and saluted her colleague on the floor as she passed. Ami took a step back, absurdly frightened by the confident looking woman as she approached her.

"Oh! Pardon me Lady" the maid said, quickly curtsying before shutting herself in the forbidden room with such calmness it made the blue haired girl flinch. The girl seemed cheerful and positive, how could she possibly enter such an eerie room? Had the body already been taken out without her knowing?

Ami's mind tried hard to find the irrational rational. She leaned against the door, seeing the scrubbing maid already disappearing into the entrance hall's corner, light stains still unevenly painted the marble floor. Relieved she had been left alone and ignoring the sloppy job from the now absent maid, she pressed her body against the carved oak, trying to hear what was going on beyond the thick wood of the door; Minako's loud voice buzzing behind her made it hard to concentrate. Long minutes, maybe even hours passed, she didn't know, as her chest thumped painstakingly against the barrier.

With a fast click, the door suddenly opened. Ami yelped and jumped back, the woman in front of her did the same, spilling liquid from the container in her hand. With one hand over her heart and heaving from fright, the blue haired girl looked at the maid in shock who also appreciated the sudden scare and surprise. Taking initiative, the servant girl took a step forward before closing the door behind her.

"I'm terribly sorry for frightening you Lady, is there something I can do for you?" she asked humbly but with a hint of annoyance. She carried an abundance of blood stained sheets, all crumpled into one arm from where she also held a washbasin filled with pink water, it's edges tinged with a crimson red.

Ami, collecting herself quickly, surveyed the girl intently. Always overtly shy around the help, she decided to fix her eyes on the items the maid held. Shoulder's squared and posture slightly shrinking, she smiled and shook her head. "No, thank you. I wonder though...", she said before the girl could take her leave, "what were you doing in there?" she mumbled feeling ridiculously bold for asking.

"Changing the Princess's sheets lady, I dare-say it was absolutely necessary" the servant replied casually lifting her arm filled with dirty linen. The question seemed absurd.

"The Princess? She's alive? There is a live princess in there?" Ami asked intensely, her gaze almost piercing through the door.

"I wouldn't see the point in changing the sheets if she wasn't. Mind you, she is in a terrible state but nevertheless the princess breathes. Oh! Perhaps I have said too much...forgive my intrusion" the girl said giving the blue haired girl an ugly stare, as if she was to blame for her big mouth. She curtsied, spilling the tainted water again, before scurrying away along the corridor and disappearing.

Caught again in silence and loneliness, Ami made a move to enter the room she ached to be in. Another shadow passed, one much smaller, from the corner where the maids had appeared and disappeared from. She turned to meet small blue eyes staring back at her. Artemis, in cat form, lingered under a lit sconce giving the princess a knowing look. Before she could sadly surrender and even begin returning to her quarters, the feline gave her an approving nod before continuing his path and vanishing into the darkness. Alone again, with no reason to stop or hesitate, Ami launched herself into the room, quickly closing her eyes as she turned her back towards whatever was inside, holding the closed door in fear.

She opened her eyes, blinking furiously as nothing happened. She registered dim candle light behind her as she stared at the oak carving in front of her. A constant wheezing followed by occasional moans filled the dark and cold room; the sounds made her throat sting in fear as she tempted to leave as though nothing had happened. Seeing no other comfort, Ami choked "He..hello?" she mumbled pleadingly. A low groan was her only answer. With a long and determined sigh, she finally turned to meet the ghost inside.

A small candle next to the bed led they way. The curtains were open, slowly revealing a young girl, her age, twisting and turning as she approached. Her movements were feeble, almost sad but the pain was there. With much more confidence and ease, seeing how frail and sorrowful the girl looked, Ami stood over Makoto with a deep compassion eating away at her heart. She wasn't dead, no, but it was certain she would be soon. Her pale skin and clenched jaw gave the blue haired girl a chill through her spine, she swallowed hard feeling her throat burn.

Ami felt miserable, the heart-rending moment filled her with disappear she never knew before. A tear escaped from her eye. She laughed desperately at herself, remembering what Rei had said to Usagi earlier: 'You don't even know her'. She was right, she didn't know her. So why did she feel so sad? Still, she wavered a moment before taking a careful seat on the bed, her hands playing with the motion of further contact.

"It's cold" Ami whispered, hoping her voice would soothe them both. She took the blanket on the bed and covered Makoto's bandaged upper body, making sure the fabric concealed all nakedness up to her chin. The brunette, slightly aware of her surroundings, moaned a little, her tightly closed eyes relaxing just a bit. The blue haired, like an unstoppable reflex, placed her hand softly on Makoto's frigid cheek, giving the dying girl a tinge of color from the warm touch.

"She will not make it through the night" Serenity's somber voice announced itself as the woman came out through the darkness of the room. Ami jumped, detaching her hand in an abrupt movement before getting up, her startled expression met the Queen's shimmering face against the candle light. The kind woman motioned her to sit back down; which Ami did as she wiped her tear stained face filled with embarrassment.

"I suppose I owe you an explanation" Serenity said as she glided over to the bed and took a seat next to the reserved girl.

"No, no! I'm sorry! I shouldn't be here!" Ami wailed, her cries much too exaggerated. But then again, she knew little of breaking rules or even free will. She tried to get up and present herself accordingly to the older woman, knowing her mother would disapprove, but was stopped by a hand on her shoulder leading her back down.

"I was hoping you would be here, I'm glad you are. Destiny has a way of...leading us where we should be...", Serenity gave the girl a small, knowing wink, "I'm just relieved you had the courage to come in. No matter how clear the road is, it's always hard to make the decision to take it or not. I'm glad you did" she said gently.

"I don't understand..." Ami whispered feeling overwhelmed.

The Queen smiled, closing her eyes encouragingly "Don't worry about that now. It's best I introduce you to Makoto-chan, Princess of Jupiter. I'm sure you've deduced that already" she said giving her a sly grin.

"What happened to her?"

"I'm sure you've also figured out the change in weather. I prayed it wasn't so but when the thunderstorm came it was undeniable Jupiter was being invaded, falling like your own planet suffered. We have precious time so I will not bore you with old grudges and disagreements from the past. What I can say is, I did not expect Makoto-chan to join us on the Moon. She arrived this very morning on a ship, found far beyond the mountains, accompanied by three soldiers, a captain and a maiden. I cannot be precise with details, since I do not have them, but it seems, as far as I can guess which isn't much, that Makoto-chan here was caught in Jupiter's determining battle" Serenity explained rather rapidly but with as much clarity as possible.

"Was she forced to fight? Her powers, are they awakened?" Ami asked breathlessly.

"Please, as I have said, we have precious time. I promise to speak honestly and accurately to you all in good time. For now, listen carefully. For whatever reason, Makoto-chan joined the battle; a spear, poisoned by the dark forces, struck her, nearly piercing her heart. I do not know how but she is here, as you see her, a guardian to Usagi-chan as well as you are"

"Will she die?"

Serenity's face turned dark as she nodded.

"You can use the Silver Crystal, no? Like with Rei-chan? It can prevent death, no?" Ami said, a hopeful smile spreading along her face.

"Yes, the Silver Crystal is her only chance. Unfortunately your mother will not use it nor will Maiestas. Their reasons are understandable but..., and please don't take offense to what I am about to say, they are also cowardly, selfish perhaps. I haven't the heart to force them to do anything against their beliefs, no matter how painful it may be" Serenity said softly, her eyes pleading for understanding.

"What about you? Couldn't you use it?" Ami said more as a question than a suggestion. She found it hard to believe the Queen of the Moon, holder of the crystal, could not use it's powers on such an occasion. More startling was the fact that her mother and that horrid man Maiestas held Makoto's life in their quivering, small hands.

The Queen got up and paced slowly in front of the girl "Sometimes, with very subtle and harsh ways, destiny forces itself onto us with no form of escape. We are born into a life we did not choose but must live. I have been blessed with the life of a Queen, though it is often a frightening and heavy duty but it is what I must do. You, like your mother and Maiestas, were born Mercurians, healers, and that is what you must do. The Crystal understands this, respects this and punishes those who use it's power to forge a destiny that does not belong to them. I cannot use the crystal to save Makoto-chan" she finished her strange and barely informative speech, looking at Ami with an expectant glare.

"Destiny? So, we don't have a choice in anything we do?" the blue haired girl said thoughtfully.

"Destiny leaves us with thousands of choices, our own to make. Your mother and Maiestas made the decision to leave Makoto-chan to die, out of fear and weakness. You, I believe feeling the same, made the decision to enter this room. There are things, as you will soon find out, that we are destined to do. The important thing is how we do them. Don't be frightened Ami-chan, trust your heart" Serenity's kind voice drifted unearthly behind the blue haired girl who considered Makoto.

She stared down at the brunette who, drenched in cold sweat and whimpering, was beginning to fade into death. The Queen's confusing yet strong words echoed in Ami's head: 'trust you heart?'. Her heart felt tight, pained, yearning to save the suffering girl in the bed. Her hand lingered against the sheets until it rested itself on Makoto's cold face again. "Couldn't I...I could! I could convince my mother to..." the blue haired girl announced as she turned to find the room empty, Serenity was gone. A small vial, glowing like the moonlight, was left on a carved table next to the door.

The moment was brutally honest. It took a Ami awhile to register. Her eyes followed the blinding light as she walked over to the bottle and grabbed it with the utmost delicacy, her hand felt instantly warm and soothed, the power of every beating heart and living breath condensed in that small container. Breathlessly she turned to look at Makoto who's life was escaping from her hands like water, a small puddle beginning to evaporate from her palm. A bolt of lightning crashed nearby, the pouring of rain soaked and rattled the unseen windows of the room; her mother's angered eyes invaded her thoughts, the evil Maiestas intruded as well.

"I won't..." Ami whispered to herself before running to the bed. Quickly and with shaking hands she pulled the covers off of Makoto. Too nervous and unsure of how to proceed, she tore the bandages off, sprinkling the brunette's body with pieces of white string. Seeing no reaction from the dying girl, Ami cursed for having wasted so much time with her thoughts. The wound, causing her to flinch and shriek, was completely black; dark veins grew from it already covering half of Makoto's upper body. The poison, the blue haired girl sensed as she tried touching it, felt burning and heavy.

Ami took a deep breath and opened the bottle shaking in her hand. It's glow was blinding, fearing it would compromise her vision as she slightly tilted it over the wound. She held her quivering body, steading her hand as she bent forward eyeing the liquid rock gently in the vial. She could feel Makoto's chest rise weakly under her face, making her lose focus for a second. Closing her eyes hopefully before fixing them on the bottle, she watched a single drop of shimmering liquid fall gently into the wound. Like extinguishing a flame, the blackened area seared with a bright silver glow, it's creeping veins flooding out from their host body.

With a choking wail Makoto awoke. Her cry was followed by an amazing reaction; a weave a green flames curled into a symbol on her forehead, turning into a flashing, glimmering light flooding the entire room. Ami was thrown off of the bed, covering her eyes as the revelation filled her with fear. She stood with difficulty, fighting off the mesmerizing green glow attacking her, and approached Makoto who was wailing and twisting. With apprehension but no apparent choice, she held the brunette down, barely able to resist the power coming from her. Her wandering hands roamed until they met hard bony cheeks; Ami took Makoto's face and gently cushioned it against her body, trying to muffle the cries coming from her.

"Please, be quiet...please..." the blue haired girl begged, fearful someone would come barging in and find her. The images of her mother and Maiestas quickly muddled her mind. She closed her eyes and prayed for silence again.

The green glow slowly shrank from under her, the girl nestled against her chest quieted down until only a soft breathing came from her. Ami opened her eyes and let go of Makoto who was passed out. She sighed in relief and placed the brunette back down onto her pillow, the soundless girl's demeanor had improved quicker than a day's rest. The blue haired girl stayed still, carefully listening for any movement from outside, none came. Grasping her loneliness will full force and happiness she stood and gave a little jump in triumph. She had managed to do something her mother, the Queen, had been to afraid to do. Sure, she could never tell a soul about it, but the personal gain filled her heart with joy.

The next hour was not so uplifting. Ami was left to clean up her mess; bandaging Makoto again resulted to be very tricky, the girl was much taller and muscular than herself, so trying to move her was almost impossible. She abandoned the attempt and relied on placing two gauze's on both sides of the wound which was no longer bleeding and looked very much improved. The girl's nakedness was also a problem. She searched the room but found none of her belonging's or anything that could remotely resemble an upper garment. As the frailty of the whole situation began to die down, Ami found it harder to control her blushes as she continued to search; the reality of her meeting this girl again made her feel anxious, she could never have a normal relationship with the brunette, her timid personality would never allow it.

Feeling a rush of emotions and unruly thoughts, Ami quickly decided to cover Makoto with the blanket, her eyes looking away from the sleeping girl as her hand gently grazed forbidden skin. The sudden sensation made her dizzy, adding on to her exhaustion. She realized she hadn't slept well, eaten or even had a decent bath in the entire day. Checking the tall girl was well enough to be left, Ami was ready to go. A gentle tug on her dress made her stop.

"Mother...? I'm sorry..." Makoto groaned, her arm hanging limply towards the startled blue haired girl, exposing herself again much to Ami's discomfort.

"No, no! I'm not your mother! I'll go get...", Ami hesitated and realized this girl knew no one, "...wait a little bit. I'll go get someone..." she said trying to sound comforting.

"Please stay..."

"I shouldn't...I'll go find someone" the Mercurian Princess assured before seeing Makoto had passed out again. She thought of Serenity but wondered what good she could do if the brunette was unconscious. She couldn't stay but...she couldn't go. The room felt so lonely and cold. And the girl, her strength much greater than her own, looked so...abandoned. She covered the tall girl, placing her limp arm back under the blankets and stood watching her.

It didn't make sense, it wasn't right and surely she had lost her mind when Ami rounded the bed and crawled in next to Makoto. At first she barely moved, feeling much too awkward and scared. Then, after long minutes passed, the soft breathing next to her felt calming. She relaxed and without realizing it was fast asleep.

---

If destiny was real, it certainly had a soft spot for Ami. Outside in the corridor, pacing angrily and lacking patience, was Maiestas. He frowned and clenched his fists as he heard Minako and Rei's voices from her room, the two seemed far from ready to come out. Obviously, with little tolerance or discretion, he had tried to enter which was received with cackling laughs from the two girls inside. He had heard Makoto's sudden scream but simply took it as one of her pained filled tantrums. The girl was going to die, what did he care?. He continued to linger until the clunking of armor swayed his attention to two soldiers carrying both green and gold trunks over their backs.

"Here! You! What have you got there?" the old man demanded as the two men lowered the luggage.

"They were on the Jovian ship. The Queen ordered them to be placed in the Jovian princess's chamber" one of the men informed.

"That's sounds right, doesn't it?" - Maiestas said mockingly - "Leave them here, I'll handle this. Go on! Go!" he ordered shooing the shrugging men away. Not too worried about the trunks, the soldiers walked away without further worry.

"Might as well keep myself busy..." the old man chuckled. With great effort, he managed to heave the trunks over to the small door next to Rei's. He entered, darkness blinding him as he tripped over his own belongings. He cursed, his anger doubling when through the adjoining door he continued to listen to Minako's idiotic rambling.

"Stupid girl, she'll get what's coming..." Maiestas growled as he bent down by his small bed and searched under the mattress. With surprising quickness he pulled his arm out and revealed a silver wrapped package, despite it's relatively large size one would never guessed it was there. Adjusting the wrinkles and bents on the box, he made his way over the desk in the room and lit a candle. He ripped a small card off of the gift, it read: 'For the kind and respectful Princess Serenity. May she reign peacefully for many years'. He crumbled the piece of paper before discarding it to the ground.

"I'll figure out something later..." Maiestas said to himself as he licked his quill, dosed it with ink and wrote on a new, less promising, piece of paper: "For the lovely and gentle Princess of Venus. May her beauty grace us for many years'. Smiling as he pasted the card onto the box with a little wax, he quickly took the package and left into the corridor. Seeing no one in sight, he opened, with much difficulty one of Makoto's trunks. Ignoring the clothes and junk inside, he squeezed everything deeper inside until the gift was fitted perfectly at the top. He then proceeded to haul the luggage, discreetly and as quietly as possible, into Minako's quarters where they were placed perfectly for the nosey girl to see and rummage.

He stepped out, much more relaxed and patient. In fact, he looked mad, hungry and excited. His wait would be wonderful, the moment that awful, deceitful Venusian opened her gift would be delicious, intriguing until her cries of pain confirmed his plan had worked. And with no one else to blame but the dead Jovian Princess.

---

AN:

I should have said in the beginning, it's a long chapter. Now, I don't like leaving very long author's notes because, well, nobody reads them. But for the sake of whatever I'm feeling I guess I will. I apologize if anyone seems out of character. I usually can't stand it when that happens but I guess everyone interprets each character the way they want to. Considering it's the Silver Millennium and they've just met and...it's a dystopian setting, I guess I just pegged them to act the way they do. Now, I don't think I'm way off but if anyone feels differently please let me know, helps to make a change in the next few chapters, it's still not too far gone to save. I decided to go back to writing a little more detailed, hence the very long chapter. Opinions on that are helpful too. Lastly, I was asked why Ami's mom is so mean. I always pictured her as being strict but there are many secrets in her past, as well as everyone else's which will be revealed as the story develops, they will explain certain attitudes for each character. I can't think of anything else, so, there you go! Please Read and certainly review! Consider this worth three chapters but don't worry, I will always have quick updates.