Chapter Two

Boredom had fallen upon Usagi. Sometimes she had a task to complete but at the moment she was rather free. Not that it disappointed her. She enjoyed a break every once in a while. No, that was not what bothered her. It was the fact that her queen had shunned her from many things.

No longer was she involved in strategy meetings or celebrations—not that there has been one since the prisoners arrived but she might as well conclude that her queen would block her from attending. Late at night, she would patrol and guard the castle, but now she had to stay in her room.

Queen Beryl distrusted her. Ever since that afternoon she had allowed herself to believe in what Venus had said. The Princess of the Moon was alive, and she would return to kill her queen. Those were the words of what the leader had stated. Feeble lies but it was enough to rattle her queen's composure.

Queen Beryl had then questioned Usagi about her loyalty again. When her answers did not satisfy her, she had probed her mind with tools. When her screams was not enough, she dug her nails into her skin, waiting for a retaliation.

Or so Usagi believed that was what she waited for.

She felt lost, confused, even betrayed. Her queen saw her as an enemy, and Usagi had a hard time unraveling the reason. She thought while she walked. Outside the castle, in the courtyard, she stepped on the fallen leaves, crunching under her heel. The maid, in white-and-yellow clothing, moved the broom to the right, pushing the leaves toward the hedges. The maid stopped for a moment, bowed her head toward Usagi and then continued when she was three feet ahead.

Usagi looked toward the garden.

The sun brightened the green scenery; red, purple and yellow flowers bloomed under the sunlight. The water glistened in the basin of the fountain. A pigeon fluttered down from the tree, pecking around the basin for a treat. The air smelled crisp and clean, no doubt from the autumn breeze.

The shifting of armor screeched the air. The serenity that Usagi felt disappeared. She kept her attention forward but glanced when Jupiter flipped through the air, cursing loudly at the men. Her neat ponytail slopped down her back; a few tendrils of her brown hair slipped from its band and rested against her ears.

Her battle uniform, which consisted of a wavy skirt and white blouse, been replaced with a long flair skirt and floral corset. Her wand of transformation was no longer in her possession. Although, even without it, she proved that she can still pack a strong punch.

The slip-on shoes she wore slid against the dirt, ruining the golden color. She blocked a punch, one of the bracelets snapping free from her wrist. The guard pushed her back. She almost lost her footing but quickly perfected her stance as the four men surrounded her.

To think her queen would allow their enemy to roam through the castle... Perhaps, it was another plan of hers. Usagi could no longer understand her queen's motives.

Usagi looked ahead and took a step but stopped.

One of the men flew past her vision, crashing into the brick wall. Another landed in the hedges, legs barely visible. The third man shouted, no doubt swinging his spear, wanting to smack the woman on her hip. Instead she heard the man grunt, catching her curiosity when she noticed the man fall on his knees, clutching his bloody nose.

Jupiter landed gracefully on her feet. Her fists were up in a second, ready to take down the last guard standing. But the guard pulled out a dark gem and shined it above his head. Dark tendrils emerged from the ground, wrapping around the woman's legs. It sapped her of her strength. Falling down on one knee, she could hardly breathe.

It was his moment to strike. He approached slowly, cautious of the woman in front of him. With determination, he held the spear above her head. He sought for her death.

Usagi could have walked away and pretend she saw nothing but anger held her back. The man had sapped Jupiter of her strength to win; it was a cheap trick, one that she was not fond of. Anger pulsed through her veins, pushing her to stand between Jupiter and the guard.

The guard stopped in surprise; his eyes showing his disbelief.

It was then she realized she had protected the enemy.

"Lady Usagi!" He lowered his weapon.

She could almost hear his disapproval behind his rigid stance. He gripped the spear tightly. Even her own men did not trust her.

"I'll take care of her," she said.

Hesitation screamed from his defensive posture. But slowly he eased away, bowing his head in respect and left the garden with the injured men behind him. The maid that swept the halls had left during the battle. Most likely she would tell the others of what she saw.

Heavy breathing filled the silent air. This was her opportunity. With her back given to the enemy, Jupiter could easily attack her. But she kneeled on the ground, hands spread apart, catching her breath.

Usagi dare not look back. She looked at her hands, labeling them as the hands of a betrayer. Clenching them, she had no choice but to turn to her enemy.

Jupiter lifted her head, looking directly into her eyes. She showed no fear—but Usagi noticed her clenched fists, amused that she still held some strength in her.

With a soft smile, she bent over and offered her hand.

They were both surprised. She for offering her enemy her hand; the other surprised that her hand laid out in front of her. It was too late to curl her fingers into her palm. The enemy had gradually rested her hand against her own.

Pulling her up, Usagi released her hand but Jupiter held tightly to her wrist. It was unnerving to have the enemy close and feel their palm against her skin. Frustration began to cloud her mind. With one look at her enemy, she opened her mouth to threaten her but her frustration disappeared when she took in the soft glow of her eye.

Then the corner of her lip rose and revealed a pretty smile.

"Thank you, Lady Usagi."

Jupiter then let her go and left from her sight.

Usagi never felt so confused.

What exactly was Jupiter thanking her for? Was it because she defended her? Was that why she felt grateful?

She did not want to think about it and pushed forward. But a red rose caught her eye followed by a golden locket hidden somewhat in the soil of the earth. She kneeled on the ground, spreading the dirt to a side, revealing a golden heart locket.

Usagi sat on her knees, confused on what laid in the palm of her hand. It felt familiar to her. Strange, considering she never seen it before. Rising on her feet, she felt a presence nearby.

She turned her head to a side.

Near the hedges, Mercury stood, devoid of emotion. She simply stared, unmoving, waiting patiently for…

…Usagi did not know what she was waiting for.

Before she spoke, Mercury had begun to leave.

Notes: Thank you for reading and reviewing. I'm glad that you are enjoying this, and I'm glad that I received advice about my writing. Any advice toward my writing is truly appreciated.