Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ Shitennou ❯ Alliances ( Chapter 7 )

AN: Becx and Elena thanks for the encouraging and helpful words!! Becx, great advice on Serenity. I hope you like what I've done with her in this chapter. Elena -- I went back and changed the spellings. Thanks for noticing! Please spread the word on this story. :)

I do not own the characters or stories of Naoko Takeuchi. They are hers. I'm just borrowing them for a story.

Chapter 6: Alliances

"Hey my love do you believe that we might last a thousand years
Or more if not for this,
our flesh and blood
It ties you and me right up
Tie me down
Celebrate we will
Because life is short but sweet for certain."

-- Dave Matthews Band, Two Step

"Satellite in my eyes
Like a diamond in the sky, how I wonder."

-- Dave Matthews Band, Satellite

The ball, it was decided by Serenity, was to be held as soon as possible. If there was one thing the Lunarians could do - it was throw a party. In no time at all, invitations were sent out and elaborate decorations were put up. It seemed to be the cure this planet needed. People were distracted from the evil that had plagued the planet. (The entity smiled (if it indeed could show that emotion...) the time was growing very close and the energy that brought it here would be ripe). The senshi were also excited. Something had changed since the Generals had arrived on the Moon. The air seemed to have an electric current.

As soon as Serenity stepped foot on the Moon, the senshi de-transformed. This fact was much to the embarrassment of all the girls. Ami, who was with Zoisite at the time, couldn't look at him the rest of the day without blushing. Zoisite held onto the image of his dear angel tightly in his head. Rei, tramping around the Palace, took it in stride. Jadeite took one look at this fiery girl who had stolen his heart, tripped, and fell flat on his face. Nephrite did not fair much better with Mako. She was all muscle and curves and there was only so much a grown man could do. Mako had got him good with her frying pan. Mina had found herself in the same situation in the transport room cursing the fact that Kunzite got yet another look at her. When is it my turn to look at him?

The night of the ball arrived. The senshi and their Princess were getting ready together in Serenity's quarters. As the Queen was still missing, Serenity had decided it best to leave her throne empty. They knew she was somewhere on the Moon, because the satellite was whole and still shone brilliantly. Wherever she was, she was still their Queen. Tonight was a night to forget...responsibility, duty and act like the teenage girls that they were.

The girls dressed as befitting as the Princesses they were - long flowing dresses in the finest fabrics. Serenity looked regal in her head to toe white and silver creation. A change had come over the once flighty Princess since arriving back on the Moon. Her time on the Earth had given her a chance to view herself and her planet from a distance. Endymion had provided a much-needed distraction, but Serenity knew she could not hide behind her mother's skirts any longer. This was her planet after all! Serenity smiled to herself at the announcement she would be making later in the evening...the girls had no idea at all. Like her, the past weeks events had shaken them, and all were reconsidering what was truly important in their lives. Time was precious, how precious they had no idea. Coming out of her thoughts, Serenity asked Mina, "So, how do feel about revealing you're royalty tonight to the Generals?"

All of the girls had been more than a little nervous when they donned their beautiful planetary tiaras. Venus, trying to be discretionary, had told her senshi to keep the fact that they were of royal lineage a secret from the Generals. Tonight, with the Alliance formalized,she felt that their trust had been gained, and that it was time they knew. However, judging Kunzite's reaction to her previous hidden identity...this was not exactly something to look forward to. Mina ignored the thought as she applied the finishing touches to her dress.

Meanwhile...in the East Wing of the Palace.

The Generals showed a surprising attention to the one mirror that was in their room. They had dressed for the evening, not in their strict, well-cut uniforms, but rather in crisp, black tuxedos, as this was the custom of the Moon.

"I feel like a penguin," said Jadeite.

"I think you all look fine," said Endymion, who had been wearing tuxedos for quite some time, "I trust things have been going fine on the Moon in my absence?"

The three Generals that had remained on the Moon shared a look. Jadeite spoke for them, "My lord?"

"Yes?"

"Is it true that we are only allowed to marry women of royal families?"

"Well yes. As high commanders in the Terran army, you need to marry women that can provide you with not only property, but also a dowry. You've known that your whole lives. Why do ask?" queried Endymion.

"No reason," said Nephrite looking at Zoisite and Jadeite, "We have a duty." Kunzite knew what they were getting at. He felt it too. The Prince was lucky; he had already found his Princess. Kunzite had found his, only she wasn't interested and she was a warrior not a Princess. No one ever said being a General was easy...

"Come on then, let's do our duty," said Kunzite.

The girls nervously made their way to the ball. Each had something different on her minds; Serenity was worried for her mother, Mina frowned, concerned that the evil would try and attack and disrupt the festivities, Ami wondered why she couldn't figure out exactly where the Queen was, Mako questioned what falling in love again would do to her often broken heart, and Rei was bothered by the nagging sense of evil that lurked around the Palace. The girls put these feelings aside and put on their pleasant, party faces as they had been taught to do from an early age. They waited to be announced.

"Don't people know who we are already?" Mako said as she rolled her eyes.

"Not everyone," said Mina softly.

"I think that Zoisite had already deduced that I was not telling him everything. He's very perceptive," sighed Ami.

From outside, the announced called, "From the planet of water, Princess Mercury."

Mercury gracefully walked out, curtsied to the empty throne, and walked down the grand staircase. She locked eyes with Zoisite and for some reason, he grinned like a maniac She's royal!!

"From the largest planet in the Silver Alliance, Princess Jupiter."

Jupiter strode out, curtsied and followed Ami. She scanned the crowd, there he was! Nephrite's long hair and height stuck out. He looked dashing in his tuxedo as he flashed her a sexy smile.

"From the planet of fire, Princess Mars."

Mars said a small protection prayer for Serenity, walked out, curtsied and walked down the stairs as if she was born to do it. Jadeite was waiting for her at the bottom of the stairs with a very confused look on his face. My firebird is a Princess?

"From the planet of love, Princess Venus."

Venus put on her Princess face and walked out, not bothering to look for Kunzite, because she already knew what his reaction would be.

"Her royal highness, Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom."

The people at the ball began clapping and cheering. Serenity walked out and waved, "Please everyone, enjoy yourselves this evening. Tonight, we celebrate the new alliance with the Terrans from Earth. Please make them feel welcome, they are our guests."

With that, the orchestra struck up a lively tune and people began dancing. Zoisite, not knowing when he would ever have the courage again, asked Ami, "Would you care to dance?"

Ami, looked up and smiled shyly, "I would love to!"

Zoisite took her into his arms and waltzed her onto the dance floor. Mina smiled as she saw the couple. Ami deserved someone like this. And as a General, she saw no reason why such a match couldn't be made permanent. Mina's eyes scanned the room, there was Mako feeding Nephrite one of the delicious concoctions she had made earlier that evening. Is it just me or is he spending a little too much time licking her fingers clean? The Jovian Princess appeared to be having a wonderful time, fingers dirty or no. And where was Rei? Cutting in on Jadeite who had been dancing with a busty redhead. Jadeite leaned and whispered something in Rei's ear, she blushed ad if she had been struck with one of her own burning mandalas. I wonder what sweet nothings he's telling her...Tonight was a success...almost.

Mina's cerulean eyes were unconsciously drawn to a tall silver haired man across the room. He was speaking with the Prince. Why did I have to call him a co-worker?! Mina looked away for a moment and sneaking another look in the General's direction saw that he was no longer by the Prince's side. Mina was further distracted by a very familiar song...

"May I have this dance, Princess?"

How did he get them to play this? Already knowing who would be behind her, Mina collected herself and spun around to face him. I forgot how handsome he was...

I forgot how good she smells...

The dance floor was clearing. The Lunarians were not exactly sure what type of music this was.

"I guess someone has to show them how it's done, General." Venus strode off, skirts whispering, Kunzite had no choice but to follow. The dance floor remained cleared as they began the tango. The senshi and Princess looked on amused...where had the Venusian picked up this new skill? And why was she dancing so close to Kunzite?

"Quit trying to lead!"

"I am not."

It was hard to deny the attraction that was building as they danced. There were too many memories associated with this dance. Kunzite had to put a stop to his feelings.

"When were you going to tell me you were a Princess? Or were you saving that little gem with some other secret you've been keeping from me?" he asked sarcastically.

"When I felt I could trust you...which I don't, but the other senshi were desperate to tell your Generals, so I went along with it."

"So you don't trust me?"

"I could ask the same of you. But we both know what the answer to that question would be!"

The end of the song cut off their conversation and Kunzite dipped Mina aggressively. The guests all applauded their dance. Mina couldn't get off of the floor fast enough. This was the last straw! She went in the direction of her room, determined to get out of this silly gown and into something she could actually protect her Princess in.

AN: It's not roses and stars forever...you know how the legend goes.