Part 22: Leadership Takes

It was as though night and day had become one. Venus sat at a long table with the other princess- now known to be senshi and as many advisors as could be spared.

Mercury with heavy eyes and tangled hair, closed the tall windows of the boardroom where her companions had gathered, shutting out the last deathly gong of the city bell tower. The sun was setting on the white city once again just like the last time they had gathered in this room for a political purpose. That was a little over a year ago. Se felt so different since then but her opinion on the tone of the bells had not changed- they still sounded morbid.

Also, the last time they gathered they spoke on the same subject- Earth. Mercury reminisced as she sat down at the long glass table, if only she hadn't stood up for ignoring the issue and letting Earth work itself out. She had been the one to present the facts on the raids going on within Earth but had just as easily brushed them off. If she hadn't then perhaps her planet would not have been gripped under the heavy hand of the Earth troops. She wouldn't have to try to wash away the image of the faces of small children begging for her help with the echoes of their parents demise wafted through the alleyway where she found them. The screams and confusion still pounding in her head, she slumped in her seat as the meeting began.

The queen at the head, her princess to the side. All looked to her as she stood to commence the last gathering of the Inter-Planet Alliance.

"A grave miscalculation of the part of the Earth has been made. A rebel collection of men and women have sent forth and ultimatum against our alliance."

The room remained silent. This is was surprise.

"We are here to discuss what to do about our relationship with Earth and your plans to protect the alliance."

"What do they want with us anyway?" Makoto asked placing her hand on Ami's back.

"Many things were listed in their demands including the dethroning of the Princess Serenity.

"They don't have the power to do what they're proposing. If it's really a rag-tag rebel group then we should be able to handle it."

"Just look at the damage to Mercury they caused before retreating. Even if this band held enough power to threaten us, and as you know, it is not our policy to let this kind of evil linger."

"What about our foreign allies?" Mars suggested.

"I do not feel this is an issue we should get the outer planets involved in. This is something within our borders and therefore within our jurisdiction."

"I suppose we don't mean to destroy them, just stop them." Sighed Phobos.

"Exactly." Came Luna.

Ami's delicate chin lifted up slightly from her chest as she said, "What about the Earth?"

The room was quiet for half a second before the Queen answered. It was enough of a pause to make plain the tension of mentioning them as allies.

"Excellent point, Princess Mercury. What about the Royalty of Earth coming to our aide? They have claimed they have nothing to do with this."

"Well this is clearly not their government doing all this, why should we hold them accountable?" Jupiter sounded.

Artimis at Minako's side glared, "Because this is their people. They should have had a better watch and control over them."

"That sounds like a good reason to let them help us!" Mercury's advisor's voice raised for her princess did not like to shout.

"We shouldn't get them involved if we can help it." Mars was always against asking for help.

"They were entering into our alliance soon anyway. Why not now?" Jupiter raised in anger.

"We cannot risk the princess to their decision making. She is too important. And our trust has lead too many to an early grave." Venus looked unapologetically at the Princess of the Moon as she said it. "But I an see your point. We can't not trust them now when it comes to her safety. That duty belongs to the senshi- the protectors of the princess. If she is part of the rebels deal, then she is our main concern."

The Queen, who had been standing in silence for what seemed like an hour lifted a hand to interrupt anyone else who might have something to say. "For that very reason I propose a shift in judgment from myself- to Venus."

The room, after a brief shocked silence, made such a great and sudden noise of disagreement that she had to lift both great white hands and raise her deep mighty voice to calm them down.

"She is your leader and you will do as she says. You're the guardian senshi that protect the princess." The room settled uneasily back into their chairs but plenty of disgruntled looks were still directed at both the Queen and the Yellow Princess who sat stunned in her chair.

"I have been warned by the Gods that I am not to interfere with this scared bond. This war is about the princess. And there is no one more qualified in this universe to care for our dear princess-" Her brilliant white eyes turned to Venus. "-the way you can. So Princess Venus, I recommend we place the choice that is to be made with you. As the Leader of the Senshi, we will follow as you say." She took a breath and a look of confidence and finality came over her lovely face. "Therefore, if this council approves I now declare; Her choices will be my choices. Her success will be my victory and therefore, I hold her folly as my mistake. If any of you disagree with this decision, then let the wrath of the great God's fall upon your head."

The Queen then did something rare, she sat down and turned literarily every power she possessed to Venus's feet. Of course, before now there had never been a need.

Venus stared wide-eyed at the pearly queen who now looked respectfully expectant. Soon, all the eyes in the room turned to her. Some with smiles, some with frowns, and still others with mixed emotions.

While she could understand half of these feelings, she knew that if she were going to take charge, as the queen had suggested, this rickety allegiance would never do. If they didn't trust her by now it was too late for them all. As unsure of herself as she felt at that moment, she decided within herself that if these few people did, she would make them see it. Especially in light of the fact it was obvious the Queen was going to sit for as long as it took for her lead.

"I want to hear more. More suggestions and advice. Tell me about the way these people fight Mercury, Jupiter, and Mars. I want to know what you think we should do. Then, I'll decide on a proper course of action. Is it agreed?"

Everyone nodded and seemed to be lifted in spirit by her words. Once they remembered her place among the senshi and their solemn vows taken at the birth of this new millennium, they felt better. The most important advocates were her friends, and she knew she had their allegiance. They would do as she asked.

After many hours of discussion, arguments, and concerns, the entire party broke and went to bed. Words of comfort were exchanged in replacement of good night and many of these directed at Venus who would announce the plan the next morning. Many did not sleep that night but the castle seemed quieter then it had been in ages. No extra meetings were held and the five noble princesses did not dare to disturb the other. Instead, their thoughts lingered on their loved ones and what the morning would bring to change their precious relationships. Fitful dreams filled the heads of all once the stress levels overtook them.

But the door to the long boardroom hung open.

In that same room, Venus sat in the Queen's chair at the head of the table. In front of her, far beyond the tall windows, the distant dark town clock echoed the third-hour gong of the morning. The room was offensively cold and empty but for the girl in a long nightdress staring out into oblivion.

Her body was pond-still as she sat, one hand draped carefully on the glass table in front of her. Her cat came from behind her. Before he dared speak he admired her golden hair draped cape-like over the back of her chair crowned with a red bow of justice.

"You are…in love?" It wasn't really a question. It was more of a matter of fact.

She nodded. He assumed it was too hard to say out loud.

"Advise me." Her lips barley moved.

"I already have. I gave you my opinion yesterday while everyone was around and I stand by what I said. We must take action and-"

"That's not what I meant. Tell me what to do. How should I feel? Tell me to stop my heart beating so fast and hard. Tell me that I'm a sinner and should be punished. That I should let go of him all together. That I'm being silly and have a duty at hand. Tell me that this is wrong."

He was silent. He had to turn away while she spoke because the pained expression on her face was too hard to bear for long.

"I can't."

"You can't or you won't. Anything you say- I'll do Artimis. But you have to say it. Tell me not to love him and I'll try." She gave him a look of deepest pleading. "I promise I'll try."

He had to return her look. For a moment he could remember when she was a child. Her hair fell the same way around her pale skin. Her eyes still wide and full of an old wisdom. Her nose was rounder and her chin was less set in place then. But there she was. Still the beautiful goddess of Love and Beauty. This girl looking at him now was not a child. There were more lines of worry upon her brow, between her eyes and at her mouth. Her eyes were ready to cry but there were no threatening tears. The woman was pleading for a way out of this agony. And for once, in the time she asked him for it, he could not give.

After all this time, she now surrendered all she was to his opinion and he knew she told the truth when she said she would try. But he couldn't tell her anything anymore.

After a long silence she stood up and walked out leaving Artimis behind.

TO BE CONTINUED:

We only have about 5 more chapter and then we've hit the end! I've never stopped working on this story and I doubt I ever will The following are personal thanks to those who reviewed me. (When I first published this REPLY was not an option. So I've just kept up the tradition. Please excuse me Thank goodness for the Jump Drive huh? It kept me alive for quite sometime in college. I don't know If I could do a part II justice. Like I keep telling everyone, I am a terrible writer, I think it would just be more obvious if I tried to write in the present. ; oh dear…As for changing this, I think it's necessity. I love over 50 of my readers after the glance at the first chapter. Obviously I've got something wrong. I won't change the real flow of the story or what happens, just the WAY I write it out. Give it a fresh perspective. Ah! And I love your recent works! You are just the BEST!!!! You know how when you are looking for something well made you go to someone who knows how to fav, and you my dear, not only fav well, but you also write like a queen. Someday I'l meet you and I'll have no idea it's you. It will be a funny day. But I'll like you either way- I'm sure. :glomp: Love-u!

Lady Aphadriel-order of the kai: Ah! Thank you dear! I hope you keep reading with me! I need all the help I can get…

Angry Girl: :smooch: don't worry! Everything will turn out as it should! I can't believe you're still with me! XD Yup yup, I'm going to go back and re-write the thing when I'm done. The real question is, do I take down this whole story and replace it bit by bit or just re-adjust the chapters as we go and keep this original one up? Hmmm…Oh you funny girl you! I just adore your writing so of course, your opinion means a lot to me. Thanks babe!!

drm20341: No, sweet thang, as much as I would like to, I have not yrt gone back and changed any of the chapters. But my writing style has changed dramatically, If you notice. You know, you were really the reason I put up this new chapter- you reminded me that I still have at least a FEW people who read my stuff. ; I'm so embarrassed! fell in love with it? O.o; I'm…I'm so flattered! Really I…well…how do I say this? I really appreciated the things you said. I get frustrated with my poor skills and bad errors and all. It's…just nice to hear again. :glomp: love love. I hope you'll finish this story out with me!

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alright yall

Chapter question:

Doyou like Kunzite with his Manga and Anime Length hair?

Oh geez. I'm sorry this took so long. I still am writing though and I hope to hear back from at least 3 people:cross your fingers!:

Please R &R so I don't feel like a little lost ship at sea. Ok?

All my (graduated!) love love,

Vbabe1