Day 5: February 5

It was the beginning of the week again. Mars was back on duty. She began her inspection on every door to the Crystal Palace located in Crystal Tokyo. Though Venus was incharge of all the military tactics and battle strategies, the blonde senshi chose Mars to be her second-in-command to assist in building up the armies. Her duties also included internal security.

Apparently, she was slacking in one of two departments she was managing. Though the gift of whole-leaf teas and the tea set were appreciated gifts, that told her one of three things.

1) This man who was giving gifts to her had a high ranking access to even come CLOSE to her living areas... never the less to have the knowledge of where she resided.

2) Her admirer listened in to her conversation two days ago at lunch, and she didn't notice any suspicious activity though he stealthy remained somewhere unnoticed.

3) He was a good guesser.

She silently cursed.

She must have become slack in her duties with this time of peace. Though these were innocent enough acts with good intentions, she couldn't accept how easily he was able to pass off gifts to her or find out what her greatest enjoyments and past times were!

After giving a surprise inspection with the men and women at the gate, Mars found no breaches in security. Everything was tightly secured. She then went to the network room and intelligence division, Mercury's forte and assigned duties. Perhaps Ami could give her useful information that could give some light to recent stalker-ish activities. It was the intelligence division, that when she made her appearance, Sailor Mercury gave a nod to Mars.

"We've been expecting you Mars."

The raven-locked senshi stood beside her comrade as she turned to the surveillance feeds on the screens and random computer codes that crossed the screens.

"I need some information," spoke the fiery woman.

The one as cool as ice smirked, "Searching for a particular someone?"

"Do you know who it is?" asked Mars point blank.

Mercury nodded her head, "I do have that information, yes, but my orders have been to keep this information and this man anonymous for the time being."

The woman with amethyst eyes almost hissed but kept herself from doing so. She glared at her teammate. "Mercury! We are on the same level as is Venus and Jupiter in the area of intelligence and security. Surely you can share this information with me."

"I cannot."

"Why?"

Mercury gave a small smile. Her blue orbs looked into her friend's eyes squarely. "Because... I have been given order from our Queen and King to keep an oath of silence."

That was news.

Well, crap.

Looked like she was going to need to make an appointment to see Neo Queen Serenity to settle this matter soon.

"However," started the senshi of wisdom and intelligence, "what you didn't hear from me is you caught the eye of someone who was recently promoted to position as a high ranking officer." Mercury paused before a smile curled on her lip. "What you didn't also hear from me is he's a highly respected individual with highest clearance."

Mars locked that information into her brain and nodded her head, "What else did I not hear from you?"

Mercury called one of her officers to pull up a particular screen showing live footage from right outside the entrance to her personal chambers. Mars gasped barely receiving the final glimpses of a white uniform and a hat covered head. He definitely was a very, very high ranking commander with a slim build and gloved hands. At her door was a small white package waiting for her to open. "Back it up! I want to see him when he walked to my door," she began to shout to the subordinate.

The man waited turning to his commanding officer for the word. Mercury shook her head no. "Officer, return to your duties. Additional footage will not be highlighted at this time. Especially since..." the woman with blue eyes and blue senshi fuku turned to her long-time friend, "...this conversation never happened."

And even though Mars left the intelligence division of the palace more frustrated and pissed off, she at least had something to reflect on.

This mystery man was someone safe in the palace. Her security measures for break-ins would not work on this matter. Her King and Queen silenced the lips of the highest Intelligence Officer, AKA Sailor Mercury, from speaking about this mystery man. Though Ami was usually very tight-lipped, perhaps their leader, Venus wouldn't be such a stick in the mud. Though Venus had been called out of the kingdom for the day thanks to official business, perhaps Mars could approach Venus in a surprise visit when she returned. Perhaps this mystery man might be there too.

Her legs made long strides towards her room, heels clicking on the ground emphasizing how much she was on a mission to see what was in the latest package.

She looked around rapidly to check and see if anyone was around watch. To her luck, she saw no one. Giving a disgruntled growl, she looked down and picked up the small package. She opened the lid to the box and pulled out the note.

My Dearest Mars,

Like an oyster, I understand how

You protect yourself from others unknown.

Yet, my desire for you is like

A piece of sand entering an oysters mouth.

Overtime I hope and dream that this sand,

This love I have for you,

Will become something beautiful like a Pearl.

I Love You,

Your Secret Admirer

Her gloved hand was shaking. Her eyes slowly looked down to the box. Her eyes widened in shock and awe. She placed the note under the box she held, and she pulled out a perfectly white pearl bracelet. She quickly placed the bracelet and the note back in the box closing it up.

Mars used her biometrics to enter her room before closing up the locks and security in place and making her way to her bed. She sat on the bed and looked at the box in her hands. She closed her eyes forcing back tears. Memories of the brief security footage crossed her mindd. Who was this person? And why was he giving her all these gifts?

No one knew that she deeply appreciated gifts. Kaidou would gift her with small trinkets a lifetime ago. Jadeite would shower her with gifts two lifetimes ago.

She released a frustrated shout before lying back on her bed.

What was this man doing to her?! And why was he screwing with her mind?!