All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or copied in any form by all means. Sailor Moon is a product of Bandai, Toei, and Naoko Takeuchi. All the other character and this story is property of Lady Jupiter and Co. You can take this fic and put it on your page, but please mail me and just tell me you did it. Just as long as I get the credit for my story and this story stays in tact. All other standard fanfic disclaimers apply. ************************************************ * Visit my homepage at: * * http://www.geocities.com/tokyo/temple/9286 * ************************************************ Thanks to: JillMako-you inspired me and showed me at least some people read my fics. Artemis&Luna-for posting my fics up and for their small comments. And reminding me when my mind isn't in the right place. JayDee Archer-for posting my fic. All the other fanfic authors who inspired me and the fanfic homepage creaters because without them, I would have never found the joy in fanfics. Flames, comments, questions and other things go to Lady Jupiter at Ladyjupiter@sailorjupiter.com Please put the fanfic name as the subject if you do actually mail me. I'm already confused as it is, you don't need to drive me even more off the cliff okay? FYI: FYI means For Your Information FYI: POV stands for Point Of Veiw, sometimes I use it to change perspectives. FYI: I know that I'm spelling Jedite as Jadeite and it's wrong, but I like it that way. Beside, it's my story. Serena...........Serena Tsukino Amy..............Ami Mizuno Raye.............Rei Hino Lita.............Makoto Kino Mina ............Minako Aino Darien (Prince Endymion)...........Mamoru Chiba I'll be using the NA version if that's okay... REVOLUTIONS OF THE MOON Part III "Where are we going?" Hera asked, walking alongside Lita. "This is the way to Rei's temple. We're having a Senshi meeting there today. I think it would be a good idea to introduce you there." Lita said, looking down at the cat. Hera had a bright green satin bow around her neck. Lita tied it on her this morning after she brushed her hair. "I still don't know why I have to wear this bow," Hera said, scratching it with her paw. "C'mon, Hera. You look cute with it on." Lita convinced her. "I don't need to look cute. I already am!" Hera said, sticking her head up in the air. "Oh puh-leeze!" Lita said and rolled her eyes. ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ ~~~ ~~~~ "I wonder where Lita is," Mina asked. "Yes, it's not like her to be late." Ami agreed. "Well, Serena's still not here yet." Rei said angrily. "I'm sure Luna is rushing her this very minute," Artemis assured them, "It's not like Luna to forget about a scout meeting." Rei held out the plate of muffins, "Better grab your share before Serena comes. We all know how she's like." "No, I'm not hungry." Ami said politely and stuck her nose into another book. "Ami! You're reading again! How could you do that?" Mina whined. "But I have to. I'm falling behind." "You? Yeah right, Ami." Rei said. "Really. I'm only 48 chapters ahead this semester." Ami told them. The other two scouts hung their head in exasperation. Suddenly, they heard a voice from outside. "Hey, anyone in there?" Lita called. "Yes, Lita. Come in." Rei answered. They watched the door slide open and Lita walk in with a well groomed siamese cat following beside her. "Is it okay if she stays?" Lita asked. "Sure. I didn't know you got a knew pet." Rei said. "Well, she's not exactly a pet..." Lita told them. Hera thought angrily. "Wow, she's such a pretty kitty," Mina said and reached over to pet her. Hera walked up to Mina's inviting hand and purred as Mina gave her some attention. "She's not that pretty! No need to give her so much attention. It's just going to spoil her." Artemis said jealously. Hera thought. She recognized this white cat as another Senshi advisor cat. He obviously had no idea who she was. She decided to have some fun first. Just as Lita wondered when Hera was going to talk, she heard Hera speak, "Why, Artemis. Are you jealous?" Artemis almost fell off of the table he was sitting on. Everyone but Lita had their mouths wide open and stared at the new cat. "What, you guys never saw a talking cat before?" Hera asked, wearing a smirk. "N-n-no," Ami stuttered, "But who are you?" "Hera. Advisor cat of Jupiter." Hera said and leaped onto the table Artemis was at. "Hera? Why does that sound so familiar?" Artemis asked himself softly. "Artemis, don't you remember me?" Hera asked looking innocently at him. She was not as big as Artemis or Luna, but she had large eyes that seemed too big for her head. "Hera? Why can't I remember anything?" Artemis shook his head. He was on the verge of discovering something, but he just couldn't remember it. "Looks like everyone lost their memory except me." Hera commented. "You mean you remember what went on in the Silver Millenium and everything else?" Rei asked, finally finding her voice. "Let's see. You must be Sailor Mars, right?" Hera asked, jumping infront of her and studying her. "Yes, how did you know?" Rei asked. "I told you. I remember from the Silver Millenium." Hera repeated. She walked up to Ami, then made another guess, "Sailor Mercury, right?" "Yes," Hera looked over her shoulder at Mina, "So that makes you Sailor Venus. Am I right?" "Right." "Hera, can you tell us what we don't remember from the Silver Millenium?" Artemis asked. Hera drew a frown on her face, "Before they sent me to Earth, they made me promise something. I promised that if the senshi don't remember their past, that it must be for a good reason. I promised not to reveal the past to them, and to let them slowly recall themselves. So you see, I couldn't tell you even if I wanted to. It's not my job." "Then whose job is it? Here we are, walking around with our heads half empty. There's a big hole where there's suppose to be memories." Rei exclaimed. "Like I said, it's not my job. I made a promise and I'm going to keep it." Hera said determinedly. "But why are you here then, if not to remind us of the past?" Ami asked. "I'm here, advisor of Jupiter to advise Sailor Jupiter. Isn't it obvious. When they gave me this job, the summary was basically to go wherever Sailor Jupiter went." "So what took you so long?" Mina asked. Hera sighed, "Time travel paired up with the great distance planet Jupiter is from Earth. Don't you think it would take a long time for me to get here?" "True," Ami nodded. "So you're the only one who actually remembers everything, but you won't tell us. Great. Just great." Artemis muttered. "Sorry. I don't make the rules," Hera shrugged, "Where's Luna anyway?" "She's with Serena probably. Serena's always late." Rei said. "Serena?" Hera said quizically. "Sailor Moon," Mina explained. "Sailor Moon?!" Hera exclaimed, her tail sticking straight up in the air. "Yes, Sailor Moon. What's so surprising?" Mina asked. "No, nothing." Hera said, sitting back down. She thought, but kept it to herself. There was something particularily strange with the way most of them were acting. For one, Sailor Jupiter was not acting like she did in the Silver Millenium, like she remembered. It was unnoticable to most, but for those who knew Jupiter closely, it was still detectable. Then, there was Sailor Venus. Hera couldn't name it, but there was something different about her also. Sailor Mars seemed to have her short temper still, but there was no telling what was different or hidden about her. Hera's mind reminded her at that time. Hera hoped that the change in personality didn't interfere with their duties as a Senshi. Maybe a personality clashing in their mind and their natural instincts. Sailor Jupiter had the most detectable personality change, second only to Sailor Moon. Was it the same Sailor Moon they were talking about that Hera remembered? It seemed that they were talking about a fully different person. Not the Moon Princess of the Moon Kingdom. Despite the cooking abilities, everything else about Sailor Jupiter, AKA Lita seemed to be a different being. Hera never remembered Sailor Jupiter as such an outgoing person. Not exactly sociable, but willing to put her opinion in even if no one asked for it. She seemed totally self reliant with all the self esteem she needed, perhaps enough for two people. Hera thought quizzically. Hera wondered if Nephryte, who was about the only other person who would notice the difference in personality, would know anything about this. The door slid open and a black cat stepped in. Hera recognized that cat immediately, but wondered if the cat recognized her. Following the cat was a blonde petite girl carrying a bookbag. Hera's hairs stood straight up when she realized who that was. It was like looking at a living ghost. She thought that the Senshi had trapped and destroyed her long ago. "Serena! You ditz! You're late again!" Rei yelled the second Serena stepped in the door. "But...but..." Serena stuttered, sitting down. "But nothing! You'll probably be late to your own funeral!" Rei screamed at the top of her lungs. "Rei! It's no big deal." Serena tried to reason. "No big deal? What do you mean! I can count on my fingers on one hand how many times in your whole life you were actually early!" Rei said angrily, crossing her arms. "But.." Serena sobbed and broke down crying. Hera thought unbelieveably. This was the Moon Princess? The evil and hard Moon Princess that use to be so powerful? It couldn't be. This girl was a whiny crying little baby. This couldn't be the one who almost destroyed the whole universe, could it? "Lita, is that you're new pet?" Luna asked over Serena's high pitched crying. "Well, not exactly." Lita said slowly, exchanging a look with Artemis. "I'm as much of a pet as you are, Luna." Hera stated, turning to look at the black cat that looked like it was about to fall off it's feet. "Wha-what? Another talking cat?" Luna sputtered. "Yes, it's another talking cat. And I'm sure there's plenty more where that came from." Rei mumbled. "Who are you?" Luna asked, walking around and speculating the slender cat. "Oh great, you can't remember me either, can you? Here I am, the forgotten cat." Hera said and hung her head sadly. "I'm, so sorry. But I just don't have a memory with you in it." Luna tried to apologize, afraid that the other cat would cry. But to her surprise, the other cat's head snapped up and she was smiling, "Fooled ya, didn't I?" "Uh....Yes." Luna said, not sure what really to say. "I'm Hera, advisor cat to Princess Jupiter." Hera said cheerfully. This time, everyone but the just spoken cat snapped their head up and stared at her. Even Serena had stopped crying and was watching Hera in earnest. Ami, who had her nose in her book looked up and let go of the book to let it fall to the floor. She took her reading glasses off unconscioulsy and put them onto the floor also. "What did you just say?" Lita asked slowly. "What's the big deal? I'm advisor to Princess Jupiter. Didn't I mention that before?" Hera asked. Why was everyone making such a big deal? Then it struck her. They didn't know that Lita, Sailor Jupiter, was also Princess Jupiter. Hera thought. "Sailor Jupiter? Lita? She's....she's..." Serena started to stutter. Hera nodded, "You guys didn't know? She's the Princess of Planet Jupiter." "I am?" Lita asked. "Yes. I thought you knew that." Hera stated. "So that means that the other Senshi are princesses of their own planets too?" Lita asked again. "Yes. It's kind of obvious." Hera said as if it was as plain as the nose on their faces. "Why didn't we think of it before?" Luna asked softly to Artemis, "It IS truly obvious." Hera's feline ears pricked up as she heart this, "So, you guys are letting the obvious just pass you by?" "I guess. We didn't know that Sailor Moon was the Moon Princess either, until the Silver Crystal was found." Artemis said. "The Silver Crystal," Hera nodded. "You know about that?" Serena asked the new cat. "Ofcourse I do," Hera snapped at her. She found Serena's voice slightly irritable. "Hey, don't have to get cranky about it." Serena said, offended. "You have no idea how cranky I can get," Hera mumbled to herself. ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~ "So what do you think? Weird isn't it?" Serena asked after she explained everything that happened at the meeting to Darien. "Yes, very. Think of it, another talking cat. If this doesn't work out, we can just put the three cats on TV and earn a ton of money." Darien kidded. "You're lucky Luna isn't here to hear that," Serena said, expecting Luna to pop up from one of the low bushes and start yelling. "Luna won't take that personal, would she?" "Are you kidding? She'll rip your shirt to shreds if she hears you say that!" Serena laughed. Darien chuckled and pulled Serena closer to him. They leaned back on the park bench and snuggled in the cool weather. "We don't get to be alone too often," Darien sighed. "Yeah, next thing you know, something's going to pop out and we'll have to go fight again." Serena agreed. "Yup, then it's Tuxeedo Mask to the rescue." Darien said softly. Serena pulled back from Darien and had a funny look on her face. She started in a nasty tone, "Tuxeedo Mask to the rescue? Please! It's obvious that you wait until all the danger is gone, after *I* fight off most of the youma, THEN you come and claim to rescue me from the clutches of death? Who do you think you're kidding?" Darien gasped, he was shocked at the tone Serena was using. It wasn't like her at all to criticize like that. "What did you say?" Darien asked, can't believing that Serena had just said what he thought she said. Maybe he had heard wrong. "You know what I said. Don't deny that you hide in the bushes until the danger is gone!" Serena said, grinning evily. "Serena, you know that's not the way it is!" Darien protested. "And what's with this Meatball-Head thing anyway? Is there something wrong with my hair?" Serena asked, glaring at him. "But you like that nickname. I thought you liked it?" "Oh god, what planet are YOU from? How would you like to be named after an Italian meal? What, do you want me to call you speghetti head or something?" Serena rolled her eyes. "Are you feeling okay, Serena?" Darien asked, putting a hand on her forehead to check for a fever. Maybe she was hallucinatting or something. "Darien?" Serena asked in her usual sweet voice again. "Yes, Serena?" Darien answered softly, not sure what was to come next. "I'm sorry for what I said. I don't know what came over me. It just came out. I had totally no control of it!" Serena started to sob. Darien hugged Serena closer, "Shh...it's okay Serena. Don't worry about it." "I'm so sorry, Darien! Did I hurt you?" Serena sobbed into his shirt. "No, it's okay." Darien assured her, even though he didn't think it was. There was something diffinitely wrong with one of them. "Darien?" "Yes, Serena?" "Call me Meatball-head again," Serena pleaded. "Okay, Meatball-head." Darien said softly into her hair. Serena pulled back once again, with that evil look on her face, "Don't you dare call me that again!" She threatened. "But-....you just told me to..." Darien said, astonished at this personality change. "If I told you to jump off a bridge, would you do it?" Serena asked, smirking. "What's wrong with you Serena?!" Darien demanded, standing up, trying to figure it out. "I'm sorry Darien," Serena's voice changed again, "I don't know why I keep doing that. The words just come out of my mouth. I didn't mean it. Really." Darien turned to her and looked at her quizically, "Is this some sort of sick joke, Serena?" "No! Darien, you have to believe me. I just don't know what's happening!" Serena said sincerely. "Are you sure?" Darien looked into her eyes and knew it was true. She really was sorry. Then suddenly, it was like the inner part of her eyes changed colors. Her eyes turned dark and she was smirking again. "Get lost, Darien. I'm outta here!" Serena laughed sinisterly and skipped off to another direction. Darien slapped himself hard on the head to make sure he wasn't dreaming or anything. No, it hurt. But he didn't know what was wrong with Serena. "Maybe she has PMS," Darien mumbled. He watched after her, changing from a skip to a run. He shook his head. He decided to check up on her in a couple of hours and see if she was okay. That meant risking his head by going to her house. It was in plain sight that her father wanted to chop his head off for dating his daughter. Hera walked up and down the hall, looking for something to do. She never realized Earth could be so boring. She didn't know what to do. On Jupiter, there was always too much to do for a whole day. "You're bored aren't you?" Lita stuck her head out her door and looked at Hera. "Very," Hera said and sprawled out in the middle of the hallway. "Why don't you go downstairs and watch people pass by," Lita suggested. She was cleaning her room and didn't think Hera could be of much help. "Please, I'm not any ordinary cat that goes around and chases anything that moves. Don't insult my intellegiance." Hera said, but took Lita's advice and went downstairs. "Don't get run over or trip anyone," Lita said as Hera walked out. Lita thought, Hera jumped off the stair case and landed gracefully on her paws on the first floor. She walked stealthily under the shade of an overgrown house plant and stretched out under it. Lazily, she kept her eyes half open and watched the feets pass by. One pair of shoes stopped right infront of her and stood there. Hera wondered if she should yell or not, just incase the shoes came too close and kicked her. Suddenly, the large leaf of the plant was lifted away, releasing the afternoon sunlight into her eyes. Hera squinted to see who it was. Suddenly, a pair of hands swooped her up dumped her on a nearby table. "You're Lita's little cat aren't you?" The man asked, petting the cat behind it's ears. Hera thought. She stared up at this tall man and purred. "So Hera, Lita let you out to play?" Jadeite asked, getting up to leave. Hera decided to follow him and find out how much they really knew about the past. She leapt down from the table and walked alongside Jadeite. "No, stay here, Hera. We don't want Lita to worry where you are, would we?" Jadeite asked in a tone that most people use to talking to little kids. Hera thought and rolled her eyes. She followed Jadeite up to the third floor where his apartment was at. Jadeite stopped to look for his keys. He noticed that Hera was still at his feet. "Hera, go home. C'mon kitty, go home. Go to Lita." Jadeite cooed. Hera rubbed herself against his leg and purred, trying to convince him to let her in. She purred louder. Finally, Jadeite gave in and picked the small cat up in his arms, "You better not shed or else I'm going to personally throw you out the window. Not to mention what Nephryte would do." Hera meowed as a reply. Jadeite laughed and petted her, "Just between you and me, but Nephryte is totally fallen for your owner. Yes, he can't stop talking about Lita this and Lita that." He opened the door and let the cat jump off onto the plush carpet. "Where'd you get the cat?" Nephryte's voice came out of the kitchen. "Don't you recognize it? It's Lita's." Jadeite called into the kitchen. "Are you kidnapping it? Or should I sat catnapping it?" Nephryte laughed at his horrible pun. Jadeite threw the socks he just took off at Nephryte, "Please! I've heard better jokes from a tomato." Nephryte threw the socks back, "Don't throw your socks at me!" "Are you making lunch?" Jadeite asked, putting the socks into the dirty laundry hamper. "Yup. Want some?" "What are you making?" "Lunch," Nephryte answered. "Duh! But what are you making for lunch?" Jadeite rolled his eyes. "Lunch," Nephryte said again. "AHHH! Never mind. I'll make it myself." Jadeite sighed and looked at Hera. "You want anything?" "Talking to a cat?" Nephryte asked, bringing a platter full of finger-sandwhiches. Jadeite reached for one, but Nephryte brought his hand down and slapped him. "Ouch. Why'd you hit me for?" Jadeite asked, rubbing his hand. "These are for Lita!" Nephryte said, rearranging the sandwhiches. "Oh?" Jadeite asked, arching an eyebrow, "Making sandwhiches to earn her heart?" Nephryte rolled his eyes exageratingly, "Please! This is just to repay her for dinner." "You're going to bring it to her right now?" "Yes," Nephryte headed for the door. "But how do you know she's home right now?" "She has to be home. I never saw her leave after she came in." Nephryte answered. "Spying on her?" Hera watched the two exchange words. "Am not!" Nephryte said, denying anything. Jadeite shook his head in disbelief and laughed, "Nephryte, I do believe you are totally head over heels." Nephryte ignored that comment and turned to look at Hera, "You want to come, Hera? C'mon. I'll take you home." Hera followed Nephryte out the door. "Wow, you are a very trained cat!" Nephryte exclaimed. He walked up the stairs, carefully balancing the platter of sandwiches. He found Lita's apartment and rung the intercom. At first, there was no answer, but finally a response was heard, "Yes, who is it?" Lita asked in a sing-song voice. "It's me, Nephryte. I have your cat with me too." After a few seconds, the door opened and revealed Lita standing there with a duster in her hands and a blue bandana holding her hair (which was tied in it's usual pony tail) back. She was wearing a dark blue plaid shirt and cut-off shorts. Nephryte thought to himself. "Hi! What are you doing here?" Lita asked, letting both him and the cat in. "I just wanted to repay you for dinner. Here, I made us some lunch." Nephryte showed her the platter of sandwiches. Lita beamed, "Wow it looks good. I wish my apartment looked as good. You kind of caught me in a messy moment. Hope you don't mind that it's messy in here." Nephryte looked around her apartment. He didn't find anything particularily messy in the apartment. "Messy? You should see what we did with our apartment." he laughed. "Let's see if I can find somewhere we can eat." Lita looked around. Most of the table tops were scattered with bits of paper, envelopes from bills and other letters. The kitchen counter was covered with old newspapers and magazines heading for the recycling bin. "Looks like the only place to eat is out on the balcony. Do you mind standing?" "Ofcourse not," Nephryte said. He followed her out to a plant filled balcony. It was obvious she had a thing for greenery. Lita balanced the plate on the thick railing of the balcony and cleared some of the pots of small ferns and plants to the other side. "Feel free to start first. I have to go wash my hands." Lita said and went to the bathroom. Nephryte looked over the balcony and could see the park in the distance. She had a better view because her apartment was on the fourth floor. Nephryte's apartment faced west, which was a whole different landscape. Mostly skyscrapers and other stuff. But here, he could see the lake in the park, and just a peak of the rolling hills. "Sorry to keep you waiting," Lita said and stood beside him. She looked at the neat little finger sized sandwiches and smiled, "They're so small and cute. They look delicious." "Dig in," Nephryte said and took one of the sandwiches off the platter. Lita took one and stuffed the whole thing in her mouth. It took her all about ten seconds to swallow that and reach for another. "Wow, you sure have an appetite today," Nephryte commented. He wasn't even done with his first sandwhich. Lita swallowed what she had left in her mouth and gave him a dimpled smile, "Yeah, I'm starving." Nephryte returned her smile with his own charming one. He took another sandwich and bit into it. Lost in his own memories of the past, he didn't see Lita look at him curiously... ...."Please don't be shy. Help yourselves to the many platters of food and feel free to look around the royal grounds." King Jupiter's voice said with full authority. Nephryte looked around the room, looking for that special person. His eyes wandered off the many other young ladies attending the royal ball that night. He had eyes only for one. "Are you looking for Princess Jupiter?" Prince Endymion asked with a knowing tone. "Ofcourse not. But if I so happen to *bump* into her, then it's not entirely my fault." Nephryte said innocently. Prince Endymion chuckled, "Remember, General Nephryte. This trip was not so you could have a rendevous with Lady Jupiter. It is strictly for military reasons." "Strictly?" Nephryte rolled that word around his mouth. "Surely you mean that those trips to the Moon Kingdom were of business and of no pleasure?" Prince Endymion colored a little. Nephryte had caught him in his own trap. He shrugged, then sighed, "I don't know how I let you talk to me like that, Nephryte. After all, I AM of higher rank than you are." General Nephryte rolled his eyes, "Hah! I scoff in the face of rank. Rank has no meaning unless it is earned, not born to." In rolling his eyes, he caught glimpse of a familiar shadow outside of the ballroom. "I see where your eyes are following to. Go on, go talk to her. Just don't let them catch you doing anything undignified." Prince Endymion warned. "Are you prohibiting me from undignified things, or are you telling me not to get caught?" Nephryte asked cunningly. "Both. I'll meet you back in the teleport room when this is over." Prince Endymion told him. "Aye-aye, captain." Nephryte joked and half saluted him. He turned and followed his eyes to the shadow just outside of the doorway. He picked up his pace as he saw the shadow quicken it's long graceful strides. Although her strides were long, giving definition to her long legs beneath the silk gown, they were no comparison to General Nephryte's longer and quicker steps. In no time, Nephryte was only ten feet behind her, walking in stealthy steps as if catching prey. He cleared his throat softly, hoping not to scare her. Princess Jupiter gasped when she heard someone not too far behind her. She turned around after her shock and looked to see who would be out of the ball when it was obviously at it's peak. "I'm sorry to scare you," Nephryte apologized softly to her. He didn't mean to shock that innocent face into a face of momentary fear. "Oh, General Nephryte. I didn't know you were here. I'm happy to see you." Jupiter said politely. "It's a pleasure to see you, Princess." Nephryte answered, walking slowly with her through the dark corridors of the castle. "Please, just call me Jupiter. No need to be formal around here. No one is here to judge your ettiquette." "As you wish," Nephryte replied. "General Nephryte, why aren't you with the other in the ball?" Jupiter asked. Usually, she was the only one roaming the halls. "As you said, no need to be formal. Just call me Nephryte. And why aren't you in the ball?" He countered. Jupiter sighed an almost undetectable sigh, "When you see one ball, you've seen a million. In my opinion, it's much nicer out here where you can see the Earthlight." "The Earthlight. Something that you can never see on Earth. Please Jupiter, can you show me the Earthlight? I would be ever so grateful." Nephryte asked, hoping she would say yes. "Ofcourse. I'd be honored," Jupiter replied and turned down a hall. She started talking softly to herself, "It should be on the west this time of year. And since it's the fifth week of this month, it would be very distinct in the sky." "The FIFTH week?" Nephryte asked in a suprised tone. "Oh yes. You see, Jupiter revolves around the sun at a much slower rate because of it's size. We actually have twenty-four five hour months here." Jupiter exclaimed. She wouldn't exactly call Jupiter slow, but she would call Earth fast. "I guess I would never get use to it here if it weren't for you to explain things here." Nephryte complemented her. In his mind, he complemented her bright green eyes that seemed to reflect the lights. Jupiter blushed slightly at that and smiled. She walked toward a flight of marble steps. "Where are we going?" Nephryte asked after her. "To the farthest west balcony. We can get a splendid view from there." Jupiter answered him. She walked up the shiny black marble steps, listening to her heels clicking and the clicks echoing through the hall. She could hear the firm and authoritive steps of Nephryte following behind her. She picked up the long train that was dragging and slowing her down and walked faster. Nephryte kept his eyes on where he was stepping. It would be embarassing if he tripped on the steps. It would be even more embarassing if he tripped on her train and brought her down with him. On the second floor, Jupiter looked around. It was deserted and foggy. She waited for Nephryte. When he got off his last step, she continued walking toward the west. "It's pretty foggy here," Nephryte commented. "Yes. The atmosphere her is very dense. It's foggy all year long. The nights aren't as dark as they're foggy." Jupiter answered. She could see the closed doors leading to one of the large balconies up ahead. At the closed doors, Princess Jupiter unhitched the locks and threw the doors open. The cold night air blew into her face, not to mention the fog rolling in. She tied back the billowing curtains with the silk straps and stepped aside for General Nephryte to walk through. "It's a wonder that we can actually see anything on a foggy night like this," Nephryte stated, looking up to the surprisingly clear skies. "Yes, most of the fog stays down low. We have fans that keep the fog out downstairs. If we didn't, everyone would be tripping on their own two feet. But if you look up in the sky, you'd be surprise at how clear it is." Jupiter walked to the starch white stucco railing and looked up. She felt Nephryte walk next to her and follow her gaze up to the Earth. It was about the size of a fist hanging against the dark violet sky. "Wow," Nephryte breathed, "It's beautiful. I've never seen it on a clear night like this before. The skies are such a brilliant color. On Earth, the night sky is the darkest blue, almost black." Jupiter nodded, "One time last year, I saw the most spectacular thing. I was here, looking up at the sky. I saw all four planets alligned against the sky. I saw the small speck that was Mercury behind the brilliant light of Venus, partially behind Earth, which was half hidden behind Mars. I'll never forget that sight. It was beautiful." "Oh, I remember that. We couldn't see it on Earth because of our thick atmosphere. It was too dark to see anything suggnificant. Yes, we call it a Quad-planetary ecclipse. If I had known that you had such a great veiw from here, I would have been here in a minute." Nephryte sighed. "Makes you feel like a speck, looking at something so spectacular like that," Jupiter said softly. "The universe is great. We are just merely molecules that form the building block of the universe." Nephryte quoted. Aside from being an astronomer, he loved looking at the sky. He loved thinking about each bit of the sky and thinking about what made it up. "It's good that you asked me when you did. If you had asked earlier or later, then this sight would not have been seen." Jupiter said. "What do you mean?" "In about a few minutes, the sky will turn too light to see anything too clearly. The fog will lift up and make it seem darker." Jupiter explained. Nephryte nodded slightly and kept his eyes up at the sky. For the next few minutes was the most spectacular conversions of colors. First, the sky slowly turned to a light violet, then into a blood red, then into a dark orange, and then finally to a peach color. The peach color could be described as the color of the sky at sunrise. The peach color got darker, into a dark cerulean by the rising of the fog and it got darker. "Beautiful," Nephryte said in a soft voice. Jupiter seemed to have snapped out of her momentary trance and turned to leave. She hadn't counted on Nephryte being right inback of her. She barely had enough time to stop herself from walking right into him. "I'm sorry," Jupiter apologized, "I'm not usually so clumsy." Nephryte caught her wrist in his white gloved hands and held them gently, "It's okay." He laced his fingers through hers. It was one of those few minutes when she actually lifted her usually shifting gaze up to his. Her delicate green eyes met his expressive eyes. This time, she let her gaze linger a while before lifting them off his and then looking around shyly. "Thank you sincerely from the bottom of my heart for showing me the beautiful Earthlight," Nephryte said in a low voice. "It...it was nothing," Jupiter stuttered soflty, feeling the rush of blood flow through her cheeks. She was sure he could hear her heart beating frantically. "Most of all, thank you for showing me that beauty doesn't exist only on Earth. After seeing you, I know that there are much more exquisite beings than Earthlings." Nephryte continued. Jupiter didn't know what to say. She was caught up once again in his deep and mellow eyes and his soothing voice. She could only blush a deeper red. "Don't be embarassed by your elegance, Jupiter. You have what the ladies on Earth would die for. You have your fair peaches and cream skin, your thick rich hair. Your height puts you already at an advantage. You have the innocence everyone would kill for in your bright expensive eyes. I don't think it's much, but you..." Nephryte took a deep breath for his next sentance, "You have my heart." She turned away from him, and looked out at the thick fog. When Jupiter turned back to him, she had a small smile on her face which didn't give him a clue as of what she was going to say. "General Nephryte," Jupiter said a small tease in her voice, "How can you be sure of that? I can count on one hand how many times we've met. I think you should take it back." Nephryte took her hands in his once again, "I can't take it back. I know I haven't known you for a long time, but I know when I'm in love-" "But-" "But nothing. I never believed in love at first sight. After I saw you for that first time, I knew anything was possible. Your innocence, your dignity and your charm attracted me to you. I don't take to people too easily. I don't give my love easily." "But surely, you don't know the half of me. You haven't the time to know me truly." Nephryte sighed, "Things like love cannot be measured in time. It is not for time to measure. It is measured by the feeling itself. And I feel love for you. It wouldn't matter I had known you longer. In two days, two months, or even two years, if you ask me, I will still say that I love you." Jupiter thought her heart would just explode out of her chest. She had read about this happening in novels, where the handsome young man lays his eyes on a fair princess and instantly falls in love. Jupiter thought. Most of the elite didn't pay attention to love. Most married for rank, then grew into love. As if he read her exact thoughts, Nephryte shook his head sadly. "How can I prove to you that I love you? I would love you all the same if you were a peasant. I'm not saying this to gain rank as you are thinking. Jupiter, I am completely in love with you." Nephryte admitted, not embarassed by his show of emotion. Jupiter just sighed, a small sigh that seemed to shatter her whole body. She couldn't believe what his words were doing to her. It was like she was drowning in an endless pool, with no one to help her up. "Princess Jupiter, please say something," Nephryte encouraged. He was afraid he drove her to a state of confusion. She shook her head, matching her gaze with his, "What do you want me to say? I myself don't know what I'm feeling right now. If you want me to say something, in this state, it will surely be a burst of emotion, and not of truth." "And you don't think that emotion is truth? What would you call truth? Would you call it ideas that your parents implanted in your head since your birth? Truth isn't about what they taught you. Truth is what you know, what you feel. Truth can change from day to day, it's like the ocean. What is truth today, might be lies tommorow. The truth is, if two people love each other, then nothing in the world should stop them. The truth is that people should not be wedded or even courted just for the sake of rank or saving face." Jupiter raised her hand, "Please General Nephryte, you are confusing me." "Is it me, or is it the thoughts in your head? If you let it out, I promise it will all be more clear." Jupiter shook her head once again. "Why are you shaking your head? I have bared my heart and my soul to you. Please, say something that will confirm that what I did was for the better." Nephryte pleaded, his eyes looking into hers, searching for something. "I...I-," Princess Jupiter opened her mouth to say something. Nephryte stared at he intently, hanging off of her every word. "...I...I really should be getting back to the ball," Princess Jupiter stuttered and backed away from him. She couldn't face all that pressure. She didn't have as much courage as the young general did. Nephryte let her go, watch her walk into the hall, her long train fluttering behind her. He watched her figure grow smaller and smaller with distance. He wasn't sure if his eyes were playing tricks on him, or if it was reality when she turned around and gave him a dazzling smile. "General Nephryte! I hope to see you again at the next ball!" Jupiter's voice called out to him. She turned and ran down the marble steps, her heels echoing to his ears. Grinning from ear to ear, he turned back at the sight of the sky. Nephyrte thought happily. He felt he could just jump off the balcony and float safely down to the first floor below... ********************************************************************* Sorry to leave you hanging in the middle of a dream sequence, but hey, that's the beauty of storytelling. You can leave your audience hanging, you can hold them in the palm of your hands. (Not sure if I can do that yet.) SAILOR MOON OTAKU'S OF THE WORLD, UNITE! "On behalf of Jupiter, I shall write to right wrongs and triumph over evil. With my friends, Sailor Venus, Mars, Mercury and Moon. We'll make the world a better place for all people!" -Lady Jupiter Ladyjupiter@sailorjupiter.com **********Copyright 1997 Lady Jupiter (All Rights Reserved)*************