Chapter Two
Pride and Prejudice
"I simply can't believe this," Sailor Venus said, bursting through the doors of the Senshi's private meeting room. "How could the Princess allow those…those…men to come here?"
"But they seem nice," Sailor Mercury put in, closing the doors after Sailors Jupiter and Mars entered.
"'Nice'?" Sailor Venus repeated. "Mercury, whether they're 'nice' or not is irrelevant. For centuries, the Earth has stood as an enemy to our alliance. The Princess bringing those Earth men here can only mean trouble."
"Princess Serenity doesn't seem to think so," Sailor Jupiter countered thoughtfully. "We've always been able to trust the Princess' judgment before…"
"That may be so," Venus said, folding her arms and looking down. "But I want the four of us to be on our guards constantly. There is nothing more important than protecting the Princess."
The other Senshi nodded their agreement, and Venus dismissed them. Sailor Mars, however, lingered behind. "Minako," she said after a moment, turning to face Sailor Venus. "Are you positive that the Earthlings bring trouble?"
"Absolutely," Venus emphasized. "Their presence could bring disaster to the entire Alliance."
"But the Princess has such faith that Earth can peacefully enter the union through her marriage to Endymion…"
Venus stared hard at Mars, her expression stony. "Rei, what did you sense from them?" she asked.
Sailor Mars thought back on their meeting. She had strong spiritual powers, and possessed the ability to read the auras of others, a gift that was unique to her people of her homeworld. "I sensed no animosity from Endymion whatsoever, nor from the leader of his companions, Kunzite. Jadeite seemed absolutely ecstatic to be here. But the other two…"
"Yes, the other two," Venus repeated. "Zoisite and Nephrite. I don't trust them, not one bit."
"True, they don't seem to be overly pleased with this entire state of affairs," Mars said. "Not that we feel too differently, but they seemed hostile towards us, which is definitely not a good thing." She paused and thought. "However…the Princess told us to show them around and make them feel comfortable. What should we do about that?"
"By all means, we should obey the Princess' orders," Venus said. She smiled slightly. "But let's not make them feel too comfortable."
"So, my friend," Endymion said as he walked alongside Kunzite the following morning. "What do you think of the Moon Kingdom so far?"
Kunzite smiled. "Well, Master, I have only been here one day, so I cannot say anything for sure." He thought back on Sailor Mercury. "But what I've seen of it is beautiful."
Endymion chuckled. "I'm glad you think so."
A flash of light on the other side of a nearby hill caught Kunzite's attention. "What was that?" he asked, pointing.
"Ah, I think Serenity said that she was watching the Senshi's training session over there," Endymion remarked.
"That should be interesting," Kunzite said.
"Let's go join them then," Endymion suggested. They began to walk in the direction that they had seen the light in. "Too bad Zoisite isn't around," Endymion added. "I'm sure he'd enjoy this sort of thing."
As they reached the top of the hill, however, they saw that Zoisite was already there, standing behind Serenity, his arms folded and his cape billowing in the wind. Serenity was grinning and clapping, but Zoisite did not look overly impressed.
When Endymion and Kunzite drew closer, they could hear Serenity's excited giggle. "Great job, Makoto!" she cried, clapping her hands. "Whose turn is it, now?"
"Mine," Endymion said, covering her eyes with his hands.
"Oh, Endymion!" Serenity cried, turning to face him and wriggling out of his grasp, a wide smile on her face. "And Kunzite! What a pleasant surprise." She gestured to Zoisite, who had snapped to attention upon noticing his Master and his commanding officer arrive. "Zoisite has been watching us for several minutes now, but he hasn't told us what he thinks yet."
Zoisite smiled mildly. "Words cannot adequately express my opinion, Princess," he said.
Sailor Venus' eyebrow quirked at this. She turned to Serenity. "Majesty, since the Prince is here, perhaps we should all show him our skill."
Serenity nodded enthusiastically. "That sounds good, Minako!" she bubbled. She turned to Endymion. "They all have amazing talent; I'm jealous."
Sailor Venus smiled and curtsied slightly, then gestured to four posts standing quite some distance away. Atop the posts were strange blue apple-like fruits, which she indicated to the spectators that they should watch. Stepping up to the other Senshi, she said, "Ready?"
The Senshi stood poised, and, moving as one in a single fluid motion, they pointed at the posts, brightly colored beams of light shooting from their fingertips. In an instant, all four of the blue fruits toppled from the posts, neatly sliced in half.
"That's incredible!" Endymion exclaimed after a moment. "Such precision! How did you learn to do that?"
"As chosen Senshi, we were born with these powers," Sailor Jupiter explained, smiling proudly. "We've been training all our lives to learn to use them properly."
Sailor Venus frowned internally, not sure if she approved of that information being divulged. Before she could ponder it further, however, Zoisite interrupted.
"Yes, that's all very nice," he said. "If your enemy is fruit."
"Excuse me?" Venus spoke up before anyone could intervene.
"I'm simply saying, if that's your strongest attack…"
Something about his words inflamed Venus. His cocky attitude truly grated on her. "This training session was about precision attacks," she spat. "If you want strength…" She quickly removed the chain of heavy amber-colored beads from around her waist and flung one end of it in the direction of the posts. Glowing brightly, the chain extended and wrapped itself around the end of one of the poles. As Venus swiftly tugged, the heavy wooden post dislodged itself from the ground, revealing almost two feet of muddy wood that had been driven into the ground.
"Bravo, Minako!" Serenity cried, clapping her hands once more. "You moved that heavy thing with one arm! I had no idea you were so strong."
"Yes, yes, you'll be well protected against apples and logs," Zoisite said snidely, staring straight at Venus, as if no one else was around. "But against enemies that actually move, I think the Shitennou's training sessions are more functional." Zoisite turned to Kunzite, who was standing beside Endymion and looking at Sailor Mercury. "Kunzite, if you would?"
"Here?" Kunzite asked in surprise, his attention momentarily diverted from the blue warrior.
"Just to give the Senshi a taste of our skill," Zoisite added.
Kunzite blushed lightly in embarrassment. "Very well," he said, drawing his long, straight sword. Zoisite, in turn, pulled out a shorter, curved sword. In an instant, the two of them were engaged, lunging and parrying, stabbing and deflecting, their long capes swirling around them, as if the whole thing were a well-choreographed dance. The Senshi watched in awe, and Endymion swelled with pride. "They're so good," Serenity whispered to him, astonishment noticeable in her voice. The only one who didn't seem pleased by this exhibition was Sailor Venus. She watched the display with her arms crossed, and a scowl on her face that only grew deeper.
"That's enough!" Endymion said after a moment, stopping Zoisite and Kunzite. He clapped his hand on Zoisite's shoulder. "I think you've proven your point, my friend."
Zoisite, placing his hand on his chest, bowed. "As you wish, Master." He straightened, and, sending one last dagger look in Venus' direction, said, "I shall take my leave of you." With that, he turned and departed, his cloak billowing in the wind as he strode.
Glaring after him, Venus said to the other Senshi, "I think that's enough training for today."
Mars smiled and approached her friend. "He showed you," she whispered with a soft giggle.
"That man's arrogance is unrivaled," Venus replied coldly. She held up her amber chain and added, "I wanted to hit him with this, not the post." Mars laughed aloud, and the two started on their way, followed closely by the others. They had only walked a few steps, however, when Kunzite detained Mercury.
"Your powers are quite extraordinary, Sailor Mercury," he said to her.
Mercury smiled back brightly. "Thank you!" she replied. "But please…" She waved her right hand over a gauntlet on her left arm, and in a flash of bright light, a different girl stood before him. Her hair was no longer short and blue, but long and black, partially pulled up. She wore a knee-length white dress instead of her Senshi uniform, but her bright smile remained unchanged. "Call me Ami," she finished.
Kunzite stared in shock for a moment, his mouth partially open, but he quickly shook himself out of it. He laughed. "All right then, Ami."
She laughed as well. "I forgot to tell you about our transformations," she said. "We transform in order to fully enhance our powers. This is how I look most of the time."
Kunzite nodded, his face growing warm. Endymion watched the two for a moment, and smiled. "I know, Kunzite," he said. "Why don't you have Ami show you around the kingdom?"
Kunzite felt his embarrassment growing. Please, Master, he thought, but turned to Ami nonetheless. "Would you mind?" he asked her.
She grinned. "Not at all!" she said. "I'd be glad to!"
The two walked off, leaving Serenity and Endymion watching. "Kunzite seems to be getting along splendidly here," Serenity observed.
"I knew he would," Endymion agreed. "I'm sorry about Zoisite's behavior, though."
"Don't be," Serenity chided. "Minako was doing it, too. They just all need to get adjusted. Some will be easier than others, like Kunzite and Ami. But don't worry, Endymion. It will all work out just fine." She smiled up at him, and Endymion immediately felt his heart grow lighter.
The following afternoon found the four Senshi carrying wicker baskets into the vast orchards of the Moon Kingdom, each wearing a lightweight sundress to match her special color, and sunbonnets trimmed with matching ribbons. Talking amongst themselves, they plucked the blue apple-like fruits, which ripened twice a year—in the spring and the fall.
"Prince Endymion has hardly left the Princess' side these past three days," Rei commented, tossing a handful of fruit gently into a nearby basket.
"They certainly are fond of each other," Makoto said, gathering the fruits in her light green skirt.
"I'm happy for her," Ami said, absentmindedly taking a bite out of one of the fruits. "They all seem like lovely gentlemen."
"Minako would disagree with you there," Rei teased with a laugh.
Minako, who had been silent the entire time, looked up. "I don't trust any of them," she said coldly. "Not a single one."
The other girls laughed. "Is it that you distrust them, or are you just put out by Zoisite showing you up yesterday?" Rei asked, trying to stifle a giggle. Minako frowned, but chose to ignore Rei's comment.
When they'd finished laughing, Makoto spoke up. "But, in all honesty, what is with him? He has a seriously bad attitude."
"The others seem nice," Ami said. "I'm sure he'll come around."
"The others indeed," Makoto repeated, quirking an eyebrow. "Especially that Kunzite. He and you were together all day yesterday, Ami."
Ami blushed and looked down. "I was just showing him around," she shyly explained. "He's very nice, and we want to make our guests feel comfortable, right?"
"Don't make him feel too comfortable, Ami," Rei said. "Or else the Princess and Endymion will be having a double wedding!" She and Makoto erupted into uncontrollable laughter.
"It's not like that at all!" Ami protested, but she couldn't be heard over the sounds of the other two's hysterical giggles.
Minako gritted her teeth. "That's enough!" she snapped. "And I don't want to hear any more talk of weddings!"
Rei and Makoto quickly brought their laughter to a halt. Gasping for breath and rubbing a tear of mirth from her eye, Makoto said, "Yes, ma'am."
They finished clearing the fruit from the nearby trees, and picked up their baskets to begin moving to a new grove. It was then that Rei, thinking out loud, said, "What about that fourth one, Nephrite? He's been rather quiet, hasn't he? I haven't seen him around."
"I don't think he's very social," Ami said. "Kunzite says he didn't really want to come here."
Well, he's not wanted here, anyway, Minako thought wryly.
The four young women rounded a corner and stopped in their tracks. "Speak of the devil," Makoto said under her breath. Seated at the base of a tree at the far end of the orchard, with his back up against the tree's trunk, was Nephrite. His head was down, and there was no one else nearby to be seen. Ami watched him, and felt a twang of sympathy. She was naturally a shy person herself, and she could feel a certain familiarity in the loneliness of his figure.
Ami smiled a little, her heart going out to him. "I feel bad for him," she said. "All alone like that."
"It's not our fault if he's antisocial," Makoto said.
Ami shook her head. "I think he may just be shy," she said, still looking at Nephrite. "I want to go cheer him up." She started to walk towards him.
"Ami, wait, I wouldn't," Minako started to say, but Ami continued nonetheless.
Nephrite was sitting in the shade of the large fruit tree, enjoying the solitude. Kunzite, Jadeite, and the Master could not stop praising the marvelous Moon Kingdom, and their enthusiasm was grating on his nerves. Zoisite, on the other hand, had been in a fearful temper since the previous afternoon, and his mood had only grown darker. Nephrite was grateful to get away, where he could relax in this deserted orchard. With no one around to remind him, he could almost forget that he was in this hateful place.
"Hi," a female voice said, startling Nephrite. He opened his eyes and looked up. A girl in a pale blue sundress, wearing sandals and a sunbonnet trimmed in blue ribbon, stood in front of him, smiling broadly. "Why are you sitting here all by yourself?" she asked.
Nephrite stared unabashedly at her for a few moments, then burst out, "Who are you?"
The girl giggled. "Oh, sorry." She squatted down to be on eye level with him, and tilted her bonnet back. "I'm Sailor Mercury."
He blinked. "You look different."
She smiled. "This is how I usually look," she said. "By the way, you can call me 'Ami'." She sat down, her legs curled to the side of herself. "So, why are you sitting alone?"
Nephrite blinked once more. Something about her open outgoingness bothered him, as did her smiling face and the sheer cotton of her dress. It made his heart pound faster, and he had to remind himself of the alluring power that these Moon vixens had. If the Master had fallen for their wiles, then he surely would stand no chance unless he kept his guard up at all times.
"Well, Ami," Nephrite said, a bitter tone in his voice. "I'm sitting here alone because I want to be alone."
Ami recoiled at his harsh words. "I'm just trying to be friendly! You're a guest in our kingdom!"
"Well, maybe I don't want to be," Nephrite snapped back.
Ami could feel tears welling up in her eyes, and she fought to keep them back. "Fine!" she exclaimed, quickly getting to her feet and running off, not wanting him to see her cry.
Nephrite watched her go, feeling a strange hollowness building in his chest. She was so beautiful, even when she was angry—she almost had a glow about her. It's a good thing I got rid of her when I did, he thought. If she had stayed any longer, she may have sunk her claws into me the way her Princess did to the Master. Although, he wondered if it was too late; the girl's presence had had a strong effect on him. It will subside, he told himself. But I have to get the Master out of here before we all succumb to these Moon women's charms.
"Here comes Ami," Minako said, looking up from her basket.
"She's crying!" Rei exclaimed, dropping her basket.
"Ami, what's wrong?" Makoto asked when Ami drew nearer.
"It's nothing," Ami replied, running right past them.
Makoto whirled on her heel. "Why, that…" she growled. "What did that man say to her?" she demanded. "I'll show him…"
"Makoto, no!" Minako exclaimed, grabbing the tall woman's arm. "As much as I'd love to…" She took a deep breath. "But we can't just have a brawl. It would break the Princess' heart."
Makoto drew in her breath. "I suppose you're right," she admitted. "But Endymion will hear of this."
"Oh, he will," Minako agreed. "I can assure you of that."
Ami ran until her side felt as though it would split, but she didn't care. She needed to get as far away as she could, to her special place. A secluded area of the Moon Kingdom, surrounded by immense weeping willows, and in the center of which lay a deep cerulean pond, dotted with stepping-stones. Here, amongst the beauty and peace of nature, Ami felt the most at home.
She settled on the soft grass beside the pond and, trailing her fingers in the cool water, at last opened up and cried. I need to pull myself together, she thought after a few moments. There's no reason his words should upset me so. Reflexively, however, the image of his wide, deep blue eyes, so full of loneliness resurfaced in her mind, and her heart ached. She had so longed to know him, to drive the loneliness from his eyes…but why? She didn't even know him!
"Ami?" a gentle voice asked. Ami looked up and saw Kunzite step through a part in the willow's drapery.
"Kunzite," she said, forcing a brave smile for her friend.
He knelt beside her. "What's wrong?" he asked, taking her hand and drawing her up into a sitting position.
Ami sniffled. "It's nothing," she said weakly.
Kunzite smiled and brushed a tear from her cheek. "You can't lie to me after all this time. After all, we've known each other for two days now."
Ami laughed at his joke. Feeling a bit better, she drew her knees into her chest. "To tell you the truth," she said, her voice barely audible, "I just had words with one of your companions, that's all."
Kunzite's face grew serious. "Which one?" he asked, sternness evident in his voice.
"Nephrite."
Kunzite frowned. I knew it would either be him or Zoisite, he thought grimly. "I'll talk to him about it," he said.
Ami's eyes widened. "No, Kunzite, please," she protested. "I don't want to cause any trouble!"
Kunzite smiled reassuringly. "You could never be the cause of trouble," he said. He helped her to her feet. "Now, dry your eyes, and put all thoughts of this affair out of your mind."
Ami sniffled and nodded. "Kunzite...thank you," she said, smiling. "You're a good friend to me."
Kunzite beamed at her words. Somehow, seeing her smile at him like that brought a wholeness to his soul.
"I just can't understand why you would do such a thing, Nephrite!" Endymion's voice rang out. "Serenity's court has been talking of nothing else but of how the Earth Prince's companion insulted the most beloved of the Sailor Senshi. What were you thinking?"
Nephrite stood partially bowing, his hand across his chest in a position of submission. Behind Endymion, the other three Shitennou watched, stony-faced. Even Jadeite, Nephrite's closest friend, could say nothing in his defense. "I'm sorry, Master," he said quietly, looking down at the floor,
Endymion sighed. "This is supposed to be a mission of peace, to unite the Earth and Moon Kingdoms. Yet all I heard today was, 'Nephrite made Sailor Mercury, the Flower of the Court, cry.' That most certainly won't be of any help to our cause!"
Nephrite remained silent. Kunzite frowned. While he disliked seeing his comrade reprimanded so, he could not forget the pain he had seen in Ami's eyes–the pain that Nephrite had put there.
Endymion relented a little, seeing Nephrite's chagrined expression. "Please, Nephrite...just try to use a little more tact in the future."
"Yes, Master," Nephrite replied, remaining bowed. Smiling slightly, Endymion turned and left the room, followed closely by Kunzite. Jadeite caught Nephrite's eye and gave him a sympathetic look, but Nephrite's expression told him that he'd rather be left alone. Jadeite, too, followed Endymion out of the room, but Zoisite remained.
"Nephrite," he began when the others were gone. "I can't say that I entirely disagree with what you did. I also distrust these Moon people. I think that, for the Master's own good, we should try to get him away from them as soon as possible." He paused. "However, for our own best interests, I think we had better be careful about whom we insult from now on." Nephrite said nothing, and continued to stare at the floor. Zoisite waited a moment, sighed, and then departed.
Endymion's words echoed in Nephrite's head, making him feel continually worse. "The Earth Prince's companion insulted the most beloved of the Sailor Senshi...Nephrite made Sailor Mercury, the 'Flower of the Court,' cry..."
Is she really that well loved by the people of the Moon? Nephrite wondered. He swallowed hard, remembering Ami's bright, open expression and her wide smile. Even more painful was the memory of her hurt expression, the tears welling up in her eyes when he had cut her down with his words.
Nephrite took in a ragged breath. I can't let my guard down, he reminded himself. These Moon people are just trying to deceive me. But his thoughts could not combat the growing feeling of remorse in the pit of his stomach. He could not help feeling as though he had made a terrible mistake. After all, how could someone who had looked at him with such open, honest eyes possibly be trying to deceive him? 'Flower of the Court,' she was called; the most beloved of the Sailor Senshi. Being so honored–wouldn't that mean that she was truly a good-hearted person, if her own kind admired her so? Or was it all just a trick?
The thought was still puzzling Nephrite the next day. Alone, he wandered the halls of the Moon Palace, lost in thought. As he passed, servants and courtiers pointed. He noticed their stares, but chose to ignore them. Part of him felt belligerent; who were they to mock him? But, more strongly, he was becoming convinced of his own error, and the feeling was not pleasant.
He paused in the middle of a sunny breezeway, and, leaning against the railing, looked out over the palace grounds. He could see the four Senshi, who were all sitting on the grass doing something with ribbons. They laughed, and Nephrite noticed that Ami's laughter rang loudest and clearest of the four; when she was happy, her face shone with pure bliss.
Nephrite sighed heavily and hung his head. I don't even understand what's going on anymore, he thought with aggravation. Maybe...maybe I was wrong. Maybe she wasn't trying to deceive me, after all...
"It's not too late, you know," a female voice rang out from behind him. Nephrite turned with a start to see Princess Serenity. She smiled warmly. "To be friends with Ami, that is," she continued.
"Princess!" Nephrite exclaimed in shock.
"You'll find that Ami is very forgiving. She values friendship over anything, and always does her very best to make people happy." Serenity stepped forward to stand beside Nephrite, and looked out over her friends as they laughed. "I understand how hard this must be. We've all been raised to hate one another, and now that's supposed to change." She looked at Nephrite. "Endymion and I honestly believe that it can work, and that the Earth and Moon Kingdoms can live together in friendship. But we're going to have to work together to achieve it. That's what Ami was trying to do yesterday."
Nephrite looked down, considering Serenity's words. Is it really possible that the Earth and the Moon can forget their differences? he wondered. The Master thinks so... He remembered Ami's words as she stormed away. "I'm just trying to be friendly!" Nephrite flinched at the memory. I suppose I was too hard on her.
"Is there something on your mind?" Serenity asked, interrupting Nephrite's thoughts.
"No, I just..." Nephrite began hastily. "...I was just...wondering what the Senshi were doing."
Serenity smiled knowingly. "They're making decorations for the Millennium Ball," she said, turning to depart. "It's to be held in a few days' time. I hope you will consider joining the celebration. It would please both Endymion and I, as well as the others, to be sure. Good day." With that, Serenity continued on her way down the breezeway.
Nephrite watched her go, then turned his attention back to the Senshi. "Perhaps," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "Perhaps I was wrong about the Princess...among other things."
On Earth, the sun was going down, and a young woman with curly red-brown hair was making her way through the palace grounds, in search of anyone who could give her the information she required. She was clad in a long dress, with a black, off-the-shoulder bodice designed to enhance her already naturally gifted assets. The full, tan skirt swished as she walked in her cat-like gait.
On the path in front of her stood a soldier seemingly high in rank. Not as high up as the Shitennou, of course, the woman thought, but he would do.
"Excuse me!" the woman called out in an unnaturally sweet voice.
The soldier looked up and bowed upon seeing her approach. "Lady Beryl, it is an honor," he said.
"Good evening," Beryl intoned in her saccharine voice. "Pardon me for asking, but have you seen Prince Endymion about?"
"His majesty is away, my lady," the soldier replied.
Beryl furrowed her eyebrows. "Away?" she repeated. "He never told me that he was going away. Where did he go?"
"None but those closest to him know for sure, my lady," the soldier explained. "All that we were told was that he would be away and would be unable to be reached."
Beryl's face fell. "I see," she said, the sweetness disappearing slightly from her voice. "Did he say when he would be returning?"
"One month's time, my lady."
Beryl nodded. "Thank you," she said curtly, turning on her heel and striding away. I just don't understand, she thought sourly as she walked. I thought I had him right where I wanted him. She smirked. Oh, well. No matter. I shall simply resume where I left off when Endymion returns. Her smile grew. No other shall have Endymion. I am best suited for him–and all that comes with him. She struggled to contain her mirth. I shall be Queen of the Earth!