AN: Sooooo I feel atrocious for taking so long to update this story. I hit a bad streak of writer's block. I have a lot planned out for this story, but getting to certain plot points is proving to be difficult. I think I've cracked the code though and I should be able to update sooner rather than later if I get things in my life scheduled properly so I can set time aside to write more. Since you guys are so fantastic I just wanted to take a second to respond to your reviews before I start the chapter.
Jedi Caro: I'm glad you just jumped into the story and you like it :)
CCC: Thanks for the advice dude. I was forcing it a bit and the next chapters still might be a bit forced, but I'm trying to take my time with it. I just hate leaving people hanging :)
Waffle282: Thanks for the pm. I'm not at all concerned about the anonymous reviewers. If they want to spend their time reading something they hate who am I to stop them? lol But I appreciate the nice message of encouragement and I will in no way abandon this story. Reviewers like you keep me going :) In response to your review there are a bunch of plot twists already planned out, it's just a matter of getting from point A to point B. I wish I could elaborate more, but no one likes spoilers. All I can say is Lucy's role is complicated :)
kahlua milk: I adore the fact that you would think I would change the script for you, but alas I will not. Does this mean you're breaking up with me? We're really done? It's really over? haha
Thunderall: Your reviews are always one of my favorites to read :) Rei and Mina don't really have their shit together in any sense in this story lol
hotkillerz: But they're so easy to fuck with D: lol
And last but not least I would like to have a moment of silence for all of the anonymous reviewers. Your childish remarks will be missed by all and I hope you have the courage to write your own story on here some day. With that being said here's chapter 9. While you're reading I'll probably be starting on chapter 10. I hope you all enjoy it :)
Chapter 9
Venus sighed, her heels clicking on the marble floor of the grand palace with every step she took. She dared not glance behind her where Jupiter, Mercury, and Mars followed in tow like ducklings. The Martian hadn't so much as spoken a word to her the last couple of days. Her heart ached when she looked to meet those dark eyes, but was only met with the frown she had grown accustomed to on the side of her face. Trying to push those thoughts out of her head the blonde pushed open the doors to the ballroom where all important meetings were held, walking in with her head held high, going to stand in front of the Queen sitting on her throne with Luna and Artemis at her side. Mars went to stand by her side with Jupiter next to her and Mercury next to the brunette. The feeling of having the Martian being so close, but being unable to touch her and talk to her was enough to drive the Venusian to the brink of insanity.
"Do you know why I've brought you here?" The Queen spoke with an air of authority.
"No your majesty." Venus stepped forward, speaking for the group.
"That attack that occurred has . . .troubled me. I've never seen a species like it. Have you been able to identify their origins?"
"No your majesty." Mercury stepped forward. "All of my tests have come back inconclusive. I've been searching through the archives to see if I can find any trace of these things, but I have yet to find anything of use."
"I see." The Queen looked down, her brow furrowed in thought. "Martian." She looked back up over to Mars. "I've yet to hear what happened from your point of view. Do you know anything that can be of use?"
"I've never seen anything like it either your majesty." Rei stepped forward next to Minako, ignoring the intense blue eyes begging for her attention. "I was out patrolling when I saw the Captain being attacked by five of those things. They were stronger than any Jovian I've met, their skin was hard and black like armor, and they didn't use any weapons. Instead they used their claws that were sharper than any sword forged by any Martian. After we killed off a group of them the much larger one came along, it must have been five times the size of the others. We were hardly a match for it, but we somehow made it out alive." Rei shifted her eyes over to the blonde to see her biting her lower lip in thought.
"Did they say what they wanted?" The Queen let her worry slip through her usually calm demeanor.
"No your majesty. The only thing one of them said was 'he'll find you.'" The Martian's brow furrowed, the words of the monster still troubling her.
"Who is he?"
"I . . . I don't know your majesty." Mars looked down in shame, before moving her eyes back up slowly to meet the Queen's concerned blue eyes.
"It would have been nice if you had left one alive to interrogate." The Queen sighed. "But I suppose it couldn't be helped. Do you think there will be more?"
"I don't know your majesty. It could have just been an isolated incident or . . ." Mars looked off to the side.
"Or what?" The Queen leaned forward in her chair.
"They could have been scouts." Amethyst eyes connected with the concerned blue of royalty.
"What are you saying?"
"When an army plans to invade they send scouts to test the planet's strengths and to find their weaknesses, but they can only get that information if their scouts return. As far as we know we killed them all. When the scouts don't return it usually means the army will not invade, but that doesn't mean we're in the clear. It just means that they would attack other planets first so their ranks could grow along with their strength."
"Should we be preparing for war?" The Queen bit her lower lip nervously.
"I'm sorry, but I don't know your majesty. Like I said, it could have been an isolated incident or it could have been scouts. Their purpose for being here was unclear, but I think we should be prepared either way."
"I agree. We'll hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. I'm calling in the delegates from each of your planets, we will hold a meeting and discuss what our plan of action is. In the meantime I'm appointing you second in command to Venus, we will have you properly anointed when the delegates arrive. I want you to double all of your training and patrols."
"Yes your majesty." Mars bowed, stepping back in place behind Venus.
"You're all free to leave. I need to get in contact with the other planets immediately." The Queen stood and the group started to file out of the room. "Oh and Mars? Venus?" The group stopped in their steps, turning their attention back to their Queen. "Thank you for your act of bravery. This palace still stands because the two of you."
"I would like to accept your thanks, but I'm afraid Mars is the one who deserves the praise." Venus looked down, blushing when she felt those dark eyes her. "I would have surely fallen had it not been for her."
"That's absurd." The group looked to Mars, the Queen raised her eyebrow at her outburst. "I couldn't have possibly taken those things on alone."
"Well thank you either way." The Queen smiled.
"No thanks is necessary. I was just doing my duty." Mars bowed to the Queen before making her exit along with a very stunned Venus. The Martian had been nothing but icy to her the last couple of days only to praise her in front of their Queen.
Minako walked slowly behind the group, deep in thought as they made their way down the hall. Whenever she thought she had the Martian figured out, taking her for cold and distant she would do something kind and thoughtful. When Mars went to head to her chambers for some rest the blonde seemed to snap out of her daze. "Hey Mars . . ." Mars stopped in her doorway, looking over her shoulder at the Venusian that plagued her thoughts and her very being as Mercury and Jupiter went along their way. The blonde was quiet for a moment as if having an internal battle. Mars sighed, turning her attention back to her room, but stopped once again when she felt two arms wrap around her waist from behind and Venus' perfect body pressed against her back in a tight embrace. "Thank you." Venus whispered with her cheek pressed against the miko's back, closing her eyes tightly, waiting for the Martian to react coldly.
Once again the Martian surprised her by gently placing her hands over her own wrapped around her waist, patting them lightly before slowly stepping forward and pulling away. "You're welcome." Mars said softly before closing the door behind her, leaving a hopeful Venus in her wake.
-End Flashback-
Minako woke up with a sigh, lying in bed for an extra twenty minutes, thinking on the events that had occurred within the last couple of months. Thinking about Rei had become a daily routine that she couldn't break. She had flashbacks every day since their 'incident' and was cursed with memories of the past and present. The blonde rolled over onto her side, gazing out the window. 'Why did I have to be so stupid? Could she have really moved on just like that? And what the Hell is up with that Lucy girl? There's something . . . off about her.'
"Penny for your thoughts?" Artemis jumped onto the bed, breaking Minako from her thoughts.
"I'm just thinking . . ." She sighed.
"About?" The white feline moved to sit in front of his charge's face.
"Rei . . ."
"Oh." Artemis nodded, looking off to the side.
"Do you think . . . she has really moved on from me? Is there really no hope?" Minako bit her lower lip, holding back her tears.
"As your mentor I don't think that you two should have ever gotten involved with each other in that way to begin with. It's unprofessional and not good for the team." He started sternly.
"I know." Minako rolled her eyes, lying on her back again. "Forget I said anything."
"But as your friend . . ." He continued, walking onto her chest and sitting down, looking into her blue eyes. "I don't think she has gotten over you at all. She told you she loves you and I think she has loved you for a long time and I don't mean in just this life. She loved you then too."
"What?" Minako sat up, looking at her mentor in shock.
"I shouldn't say this, but . . . I don't think you should give up. She still loves you." Artemis sighed.
"How could you possibly know that?" Minako sat up, looking pleadingly at her feline friend. "And what about Lucy?"
"Lucy?" The cat tilted his head to the side, obviously perplexed.
"Rei's new girlfriend." The blonde plopped back down, glaring up at the ceiling.
"When did this happen?"
"When she left for a couple of weeks I guess. It was love at first sight." Minako said the last sentence in a sarcastically sweet tone, hugging her pillow to her chest. The blonde redirected her glare at the cat when she heard him laughing to himself. "What's so damn funny?"
"There's only one thing that can rival a Martian's temper." Artemis smiled, jumping down from the bed.
"And what's that?" The senshi of love sat back up, staring at her feline friend as he paused in the doorway, looking over his shoulder with a small smile.
"A Venusian's jealousy. Don't let it cloud your judgement Minako. This Lucy girl sounds like a speed bump. She loves you." And with that the white cat disappeared from the blonde's sight.
Minako sat for a moment, thinking on what her friend told her when her phone buzzed. A small smile formed on her face when she saw the topic of their discussion had been the one to text her simply saying 'Meet me at my place in an hour.'
'Can't wait :)' Was what the blonde hastily texted back before falling back down onto her bed with a dreamy sigh. "She loves me huh?"
-Flashback-
The four girls stood at attention at the landing port, patiently waiting for the arrival of each of the planet's delegates. Blue eyes kept shifting over to the raven haired girl, wishing to hear the Martian speak. She had yet to say much of anything to the senshi of love since their encounter and it was starting to drive the blonde mad. Every part of her wanted to grab the girl by the shoulders and shake her, demanding she talk, but she knew it would be of no use. Martian's were the most stubborn species known in the galaxy . . . next to Venusians. The Martian's silence was not the only thing troubling her though. This would be one of the few times both their planet's delegates and people had been on the same planet, let alone the same kingdom. She did not know who would step out of line first; the Martians or her own kind or if nothing would happen at all. Before she could think too much on the subject a space shuttle appeared in the distance, sending their capes flying in the wind, each girl's cape bearing the color of the home planet.
The first ship bore the mark of Mercury, it was no surprise to any of them that they arrived first. As the door opened the delegates smiled at the sight of Mercury, stepping out and embracing the small girl, shaking the rest of the girls' hands after. Mercury opened her mouth to ask a question, but Venus was quick to cut her off with a smile. "You guys go and catch up. We'll stand here and wait for the others."
"Thank you." Mercury smiled, walking off with her friends.
The next to arrive were the Jovians, all of them came pouring out immediately, joyously embracing Makoto, shaking hands with Mars and Venus soon after."We're going to the training grounds to get reacquainted. Be sure to come by when the Martians arrive so we can have proper contest." Jupiter grinned over at her raven haired friend.
"I wouldn't call it much of a contest." A small smirk formed on the Martian's face causing the group to laugh.
"We shall see about that." One of the delegates laughed, patting Makoto on the back as they took off.
"It's nice to see you guys getting along." Venus smiled over at Mars. The miko only nodded in acknowledgement, her frown setting again, awaiting her planet's arrival. "Do you think my planet will receive the same courtesy?"
"It's hard to tell what will happen." Mars said softly and before the conversation could continue a shuttle bearing the mark of Mars slowly descended. The door hissed open and ten men piled out. All of them were decked out head to toe in full body armor colored crimson red and black, bearing the mark of their home planet. They all had the same look Rei bore and kept their composure except for two of them who smiled upon seeing the raven haired girl.
"What type of armor is that?" Phobos laughed, walking over to his friend.
"A skirt, a shirt, a cape? What will that protect you from?" Deimos teased, circling his friend.
"They're adamant I wear this." Mars sighed, already growing irritated with the pair.
"Ah, we're just giving you a hard time." Phobos smiled, embracing Mars. "It's been too long."
"And who is this?" One of the delegates looked over at Venus with clear distaste.
"She is the commander of our guard." Rei stood up straighter, ignoring the way Venus shifted her eyes away from the group.
"A Venusian?" One of the others laughed. "This must be a joke!"
"It is not." Mars snapped, looking dangerously at the others.
"And how did she get that title?" One of them laughed. "By-"
"The Jovians are waiting at the training grounds. I don't want to keep them waiting." Mars interrupted again, seeing how uncomfortable Venus was becoming. "Unless you want them to think we are bowing out from their challenge."
"Never!" Phobos and Deimos chimed in together, trying to break the tension. The other delegates sent Venus one more distasteful look before begrudgingly heading away while Mars hung back.
"I will see that their attitudes are adjusted immediately. I apologize for-"
"You don't need to apologize for them." Venus looked over at the raven haired girl, blue eyes locking with amethyst. "Thanks for standing up for me. I didn't want to say anything to make things worse."
Mars just nodded in understanding, slowly heading over to the training grounds when she saw the Venusian shuttle descending. The second the doors opened blonde hair came running in her direction. "Minako!"
"Olithia?" Minako slowly detached herself from the girl hugging her in a tight embrace. "What are you doing here?"
"I couldn't miss out on an opportunity to see a long lost friend!" The other blonde smiled, pulling away from her friend. "Minako what in the world are you wearing?"
"Olithia this isn't a social gathering. We brought everyone here to talk about troubling news . . ." Venus sighed. "And please call me Venus here. I'm the commander and need to act professionally."
"When did you get so serious?" She laughed, hooking arms with Venus.
"I'm sorry about her." Adonis sighed, stepping up to Venus. "She kept insisting that she needed to come with. It's good to see you again." He flashed the most charming smile he could muster at Venus and it took everything in her not to flinch away when he left a chaste kiss on her cheek. There was a time where she would have swooned and melted at his charms, but she had long forgotten her ex-lover since she met Mars.
"Would you guys like a tour of the grounds?" She discretely took a step away from him, trying to redirect his attention.
"I would adore a tour!" Olithia jumped in, leading the way with Venus.
'It's going to be a long day.' Venus sighed to herself.
While Venus gave a tour of the palace the Martians walked in awkward silence towards the training grounds, occasionally taking note of their surroundings as Mars did when she first arrived.
"It's about time you guys showed up!" Jupiter yelled joyously when the group arrived. "We were afraid you guys had backed out."
"You wish." Mars grinned, picking up a wooden sword. "Now who would like a taste of dirt first?"
While the Martians and Jovians sparred Venus showed her friends the gardens, the ballroom, everything except the training grounds in hopes of giving the two groups enough time to spar and perhaps be gone by the time she got there. Unfortunately for her that was not the case.
"And these are the training grounds." The blonde led the group to the balcony overlooking the grounds and the people sparring in them.
"Of course the savages are fighting." Adonis rolled his eyes literally and figuratively looking down on the Martians.
"They are most definitely not savages." Venus glared over at Adonis, causing a blush to form on his cheeks.
"Wow! Look at those muscles!" Olithia swooned, leaning over the balcony to get a better look at the Martians. "Oooh and look at that one!" Minako followed Olithia's gaze only to see it settled on HER Martian. "Who is she?"
"That's Mars. She's second in command." Venus stood up a little straighter, watching Olithia out of the corner of her eye, feeling an unfamiliar bubbling in her stomach at how she looked at Mars with such wonder.
"She's so gorgeous. You would think she's part Venusian." Olithia smiled over at Venus, but quickly snapped her attention back to Mars skillfully dodging the Jovian's attacks. "Look how she moves so swiftly and with such vigor. I wonder if she would have the same enthusiasm in the bedroom." The blonde smiled wickedly to herself, licking her lips. "You know I've heard some things about Martians." She looked over at Venus with a devious look in her eyes.
"Oh?" The love senshi raised an eyebrow.
"I heard the only thing that rivals a Martian's thirst for blood is their thirst for . . . you know." Olithia grinned. "Is that true?"
"I wouldn't know." Venus replied dryly, watching Mars laughing with the Jovian as they sparred. In that moment Mars turned around and amethyst eyes met with blue for the briefest of seconds. The blonde couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia as she watched her crush fight from above as if they had been in similar roles before.
"You mean you haven't done anything with her?" Olithia's eyes widened and her devious smile returned.
"No." Venus looked away from Mars, off to the side, deep in thought.
"So she's fair game?" Olithia's smile got impossibly bigger.
"What?" Venus snapped her head back in her friend's direction.
"You girls and your games." Adonis shook his head laughing, placing his hand on the small of Venus' back.
Down on the training grounds Mars made a quick jump and roll as the Jovian she was sparring with aimed to sweep her off of her feet with his Spear. She stood with her sword at the ready, but couldn't help feeling distracted by the eyes piercing her back. Her cheeks turned a slight shade of pink knowing that all of the attention was on her. She turned her head ever so slightly to see Venus standing incredibly close with the tall blonde man who seemed to have his hand on her lower back. Her blood immediately started boiling over with jealousy at how familiar he was being with her. When the Jovian stabbed forward aiming for her midsection Mars couldn't control herself as the green beast reared it's ugly head. She quickly spun out of the way, punching the middle of the Jovian's spear, effectively breaking it in two. He dropped his spear to punch her, but Mars was much too fast for him. Grabbing his fist mid air she turned and threw him on his back, pushing her knee into his chest to hold him in place as she lifted her fist to start pummeling him.
"Mercy, mercy. You win." The Jovian laughed, snapping Mars out of her rage. The raven haired girl smiled, standing up and offering her hand to help him up to his feet.
"Looks like the Venusian whores are back." One of the Martians grumbled, causing the miko's ears to perk.
"How did a Venusian become commander anyway?" Another one laughed. "How many dicks did she have to suck to get the title?"
"What did you say?" Mars turned sharply on her heal, slowly heading towards the man who spoke out of turn.
"I said..." He started, glaring defiantly at the fire senshi. "How did that Venusian whore become commander? How many dicks did she have to su-"
Before he could finish what he was saying Mars threw a fast right hook, hitting him square in the jaw, sending him stumbling back. As he was trying to regain his balance Mars was quick to tackle him to the ground, pinning his arms down with her knees, sitting on his chest as she started to punch him in the face over and over again. His face became more bloody and damaged by the second. When she went to grab her sword from her sheath Phobos and Deimos ran in, grabbing her by her arms and pulling her away before she could kill the man.
"You got him, he's down." Phobos whispered in her ear, trying to calm her temper. When they were sure she wouldn't decapitate the man lying on the ground they let her go.
"Listen up! Because I'm only going to say this once!" Rei had a murderous look in her eyes as they swept across her men, demanding their attention. "We are in the Lunarian Court. Venus Minako is supreme commander. If any one of you speaks ill of her or ANY Venusian for that matter I will have your head on a stick. Do you understand!?" The Martian's turned ghostly white at her tone, nodding dumbly that they understood, while others looked at their fallen friend from the corner of their eye. "Good. Now get that asshole to the infirmary before I change my mind and kill him." A couple of men were quick to grab their fallen comrade and scurried out of there before Mars changed her mind.
"Well that was drastic, but probably necessary." Jupiter walked up to Mars, putting her hand on her shoulder.
"Sorry about that . . ." Mars looked down at her bloody hand, her cheeks turning hot and pink, knowing Venus was witness to her savagery. "It was the only way to make them listen."
"I understand." Jupiter smiled. "You did what you had to do to get them to listen. We're all just impressed by how fast you had that guy on his back." She laughed, slapping her raven haired friend on the back.
"Yeah, you've gotten a lot stronger and faster since we parted." Phobos chimed in with a smile. "Pulling you off of him was not an easy task."
"I'm glad you punched him." Deimos stepped up to her side, nudging her in the ribs playfully. "That asshole was pissing me off the whole ride here."
The group kept talking and laughing as Venus and her friends looked down in astonishment. She had not heard what the man said to provoke Mars to attack him, but she was sure it had something to do with her and hearing what she told the men afterwards just confirmed her suspicions.
"Savages." Adonis rolled his eyes, trying to lead Venus away from the training grounds.
"That 'savage' just stood up for not only me, but you guys too." Venus took an angry step back, glaring at her ex-lover in disbelief.
"It was wonderful." Olithia sighed dreamily.
"Beating a man to a bloody pulp is wonderful?" Adonis laughed.
"I'd be careful what you say. She might hear you and kick your ass too." Olithia stuck her tongue out at the brooding man.
"I highly doubt that." He chuckled. "She attacked an unprepared man. Of course she won. A savage like her would stand no chance against a well trained noble."
"I've had just about enough of your ignorance." Venus finally snapped, glaring up at Adonis, lowering her voice to a dangerous tone as she stepped up slowly to the taller man. "If you so much as think the word savage again you will suffer a fate far worse than that mans."
"Is that a threat or a promise?" Adonis smiled, leaning in towards Venus.
"Test me and you'll find out." Venus sent one more glare in the blonde man's direction before sidestepping him, walking past him coldly, unaware of dark eyes watching her with great interest from below.
AN: Well there it is folks. I would love to hear your feedback and any ideas you might have. This writer's block is a bitch.