Chapter One
Anticipation

It was a breezy spring afternoon on the Kingdom of Earth. The sun shone cheerfully upon a gleaming palace, and the scent of flowers drifted through the air. On the surface, it seemed a peaceful day. Within the palace, however, turmoil was brewing.

"Master, I beseech of you, reconsider this," a thin young man with silver hair and pale blue eyes was saying. He was Zoisite, second-in-command of the Shitennou: the four closest companions of Endymion, Prince of the Earth. He and the Prince were having a heated discussion in the midst of Zoisite's private study. "Your frivolous notions could spell doom for this entire world!"

Endymion chuckled. "Don't you think you're overreacting just a bit?" he commented. "It's just a party."

Zoisite sighed. "Master, it's not just a party," he corrected, his voice heavy with meaning. "It's a celebration of the one thousandth anniversary of the Moon Kingdom, our most hated enemies! You attending this event could cause an upheaval amongst the populace!"

"I don't see why that would be so," Endymion countered. "Why shouldn't the people be happy? My marriage to Serenity will put an end to a cold war that's lasted centuries. The people should celebrate, not revolt!"

Zoisite shook his head. "It isn't that simple, Master. You are a friend of change; you see things differently than others. Generations of people on this world have been born, raised, lived out their lives believing that the Moon Kingdom is evil, untrustworthy. If you suddenly expect them to change their lifestyles simply because you wish them to, trouble could arise."

"You're being paranoid, Zoisite," Endymion said.

"Am I, Master?" Zoisite sighed heavily. "Would you change your opinion if I were to tell you that I, too, am wary of these Moon People?"

"I guessed that much," Endymion said with a grin. "I'm sure that you'll get over that once you've gotten to know them like I've gotten to know Serenity."

"I doubt I'll want to know them that well, Master."

Endymion laughed. "You'll see, Zoisite. Besides, the other Shitennou don't share your apprehension."

"Nephrite does," Zoisite replied.

"Nephrite is unnaturally stubborn," Endymion softly said, his expression darkening momentarily. "It worries me." He looked up. "But Kunzite is very supportive of the notion, as is Jadeite. You will be, too, once you've spent a few days in the Moon Kingdom."

"Very well, Master," Zoisite reluctantly agreed. Endymion smiled at him, and, turning, strode from the room. Frowning, Zoisite seated himself at his prized piano and began absentmindedly playing a soft melody.

Will it be up to me, then, to make sure that things do not get out of hand here on Earth? The Master has lost sight of everything save the Moon Princess. The desires of the people will become skewed to him.

He began playing louder and faster as his thoughts continued. Kunzite's loyalty to the Master is ever unrelenting…but his heart is far too big for its own good. His ability to see goodness in others could lead to his own undoing, as well as Master Endymion's. As for Jadeite—he is still too young and optimistic…

The music built upon itself, reaching a crescendo. Nephrite worries me as he worries the Master. It's not so much his stubbornness as it is his foul temper. The slightest thing sends him into a rage. I'll have to keep an eye on him to ensure he stays out of trouble when we're in the Moon Kingdom.

The music died, and Zoisite lifted his hands from the piano keys. I hope Master Endymion knows what he's gotten himself into. It will be up to me to keep a level head in order to deal with any trouble that may arise from his headstrong behavior.

Flourishing his cape, Zoisite rose from the piano and strode out of the room.

"I still don't see why we all have to go," Nephrite complained. The tallest of the four Shitennou, although the second youngest, he had flaming red hair and icy blue eyes. He was currently striding across a field to meet Endymion, along with Kunzite, the eldest and leader of the Shitennou.

"Nephrite, it's our honor and duty to protect the Master under all circumstances," Kunzite reprimanded. "Even if it means that we must do something we do not wish to."

Inside, Nephrite snarled at Kunzite's chastisement. He was always going on about honor and duty, and Nephrite was growing weary of his speeches. Aloud, however, Nephrite merely muttered a grudging acknowledgment; he wasn't in the mood for an argument. Nephrite had only the highest respect for the Master, as did all the Shitennou; this was why he was so deeply shocked by Endymion's reckless behavior in dealing with the Moon Kingdom. Nephrite could hardly believe his Master's blind trust of these aliens. All the people of the Earth had been warned since birth of the threat of the Moon People. They were a barbaric race, who desired to make the Earth part of their empire, to control the Earthlings as they did the rest of the universe. For centuries, it had been the responsibility of the royal family to protect the Earth from the threat of the Moon Kingdom, yet Endymion was simply surrendering to them without a fight.

It's that Moon Vixen's fault, Nephrite thought bitterly. He is so besotted with her that he isn't thinking clearly. He frowned. Her beauty must be great to have enchanted the Master so. Or else her spells are extremely potent.

Endymion was waiting for them in the middle of a field, with Zoisite and Jadeite at his side. "Master, how exactly are we going to get to the Moon?" Jadeite, the youngest of the Shitennou, was asking.

"Ah, Serenity is going to use the power of the Crystal to teleport us," Endymion answered casually.

"The Crystal?"

"The Mystical Silver Crystal," Endymion explained. "It's what gives the Moon Kingdom its power."

A crystal? Nephrite considered. Perhaps it was not her beauty that seduced the master, but the magic of this Crystal.

"How will the Princess know when to transport us?" asked Jadeite enthusiastically.

Endymion laughed at Jadeite's excitement. Jadeite, a few years Endymion's junior, was to the Prince like a younger brother. "There's no way she can see us from the Moon…at least, I don't think there is," Endymion admitted. "She just told me the exact time and place to be at."

Jadeite smiled and nodded, trying to calm his nerves. He and the other four Earth men would be spending an entire month in the mysterious Moon Kingdom. He would finally be seeing the Princess that he had heard so much about, whom none but Endymion and Kunzite had met. They say she's come to Earth many times before in secret, he thought. I wonder if I've seen her before and didn't realize it! He thought back on the past several months, but he'd seen so many courtiers that he couldn't decide for sure who she might be. I wonder if Moon People look different than us, he wondered. Probably not, if the Princess was able to come here and not be noticed.

"I think it's almost time," Endymion said, interrupting Jadeite's thoughts.

"We'd best get into position," Kunzite instructed. The five men stood in a circle, with Zoisite and Kunzite on either side of Endymion, with Nephrite to Zoisite's left and Jadeite to Kunzite's right.

"Are you excited, Nephrite?" Jadeite asked.

Nephrite forced a little smile. "Excited isn't the word for it."

Zoisite cast a glance at Nephrite. As I thought, he's as opposed to this as I am. I can count on him to aid me in protecting the Master. He frowned, looking at Jadeite. He, on the other hand, is far too excited about this trip. He and Kunzite will undoubtedly be the easiest for the Moon People to bewitch. Kunzite is strong…but he is too easygoing when it comes to these matters.

While he pondered this, a flash of light shot from the Moon that was hovering in the sky above. It was so quick that none would see it unless they were looking for it; but on the ground, Endymion and the Shitennou suddenly became bathed in light, which became brighter and brighter until it was unbearable to look at—and then, they were gone.

Within a matter of seconds, the light died down again, and the five found themselves standing in a fragrant garden, filled with exquisite foliage. To their right stood a gazebo; behind it was a beautiful, deep blue lake, and beyond the lake loomed a magnificent palace.

"Welcome," a female voice behind them said, "To the Moon Kingdom."

The men turned to see a beautiful young woman with long, braided black hair. She wore a long white gown, and there was a golden crescent moon emblem on her forehead. She was flanked on either side by four stony-faced women, who were wearing short uniforms trimmed with red, blue, yellow, and green, respectively.

Endymion's face broke out in a smile. "Serenity," he said, stepping forward with his arms extended. "It's wonderful to see you."

She embraced him, smiling back. "Endymion, I have missed you greatly."

Endymion took her arm and turned to face the Shitennou. "These are my companions. You know Kunzite already."

Kunzite bowed, and Serenity warmly nodded. "I hope you've been well, Kunzite," she said.

"Quite, your highness," he replied. Zoisite's brow quirked at the Princess being addressed so respectfully by one of the Earth Prince's generals, but he remained silent.

"The others are Zoisite, Nephrite, and Jadeite," Endymion was continuing. They bowed, although Jadeite was the only one to do so enthusiastically.

Serenity nodded at each of them, and gestured to the women in uniform. "These are my closest friends and guardians, the Senshi. Sailor Venus," she said, gesturing to a blonde woman clad in yellow and navy blue— "Sailor Jupiter," indicating the tallest of the four women, who was standing to Venus' right, trimmed with green and pink— "Sailor Mars," turning to the dark haired woman in red— "And Sailor Mercury."

Kunzite felt his blood begin to run faster as he turned his eye upon the final Senshi. Her entire self emanated blue. Kunzite found himself captivated by her vibrant blue aura. Mercury, noticing his gaze, smiled shyly and looked away.

"I really hope you all enjoy the time you spend in our kingdom," Serenity was saying, smiling invitingly. "We've prepared a suite of rooms in the Palace in anticipation of your arrival. I hope that you'll find them to be comfortable."

"I'm sure that they're just fine," Endymion said warmly. Serenity slipped her hand once more into the crook of his elbow, and the two began to walk leisurely in the direction of the Palace, followed silently by the Shitennou and the Senshi.

Jadeite looked around in amazement. This place is incredible, he thought. But what's even more amazing is that it looks an awful lot like the Earth. He turned his head to look at the castle that was looming before them. Especially the Palace.

Zoisite trudged reluctantly along with the party. This place seems a bit too perfect to me, and so does that Princess. It is as I feared, he thought dismally. Princess Serenity's beauty is unrivaled. How will I convince the Master that this place is dangerous when we are surrounded by such loveliness?

Kunzite, however, seemed not to notice the Moon Princess' beauty, but rather was captivated by that of her blue-haired guardian, Sailor Mercury. He couldn't take his eyes off her, even for an instant. She moved with sheer dignity and grace; and she seemed to wear her heart on her sleeve, showing the universe the purity and innocence that resided beneath her shy exterior. He admired such honesty.

I'm only here to protect the Master, Kunzite reminded himself. Yet, he knew deep in his heart that if he were to see too much of this girl during his month in the Moon Kingdom, it could prove to be problematic to his mission…