Disclaimer: I don't own SM, darn, but some really great poeple do, 
Naoko Takeuchi and some others, so pleeze don't sue me!  Most of the 
minor characters are my creations...if you want to use them in your 
own stories feel free just mention me in the disclaimer somewhere and 
don't copy my story!  Anyways enjoy and send mail to 
inspiredthoughts@hotmail.com 

Chapter 2

	Zoicite straightened his billowing cape and looked at himself 
in the mirror.  With a frown he pulled his flowing blonde hair back 
and tucked the strands behind his ears.  Haughty green eyes set in a 
strong triangular face stared back at him from the image on the glass.  
A dark gray uniform was cut to fit his athletic form.  An aristocratic 
eyebrow arched in wry humor at his arrogant thoughts.
	"Admiring your-self in the mirror again?" a cold voice called 
from the doorway of his room.  He threw his hair over a broad shoulder 
and grinned at Kunzite.  
	"Of course," he said in a matter of fact voice.  "There are 
going to be beautiful ladies there.  Must make a good impression."  
Kunzite sighed and ran a hand through thick white hair.
	"Always the ladies man aren't you Zoicite?" he asked.  Zoicite 
shot his best friend a vicious look.
 	"As much of one as you aren't oh loner leader.  Have you ever 
come home from a party the next morning?"  Kunzite winced at the low 
blow and chuckled darkly.
	"Touchy, touchy," he said laughing.  "You are quite moody 
tonight and trust me I do know enough of the ladies to know that that 
kind of mood will turn them off much more than splint ends.  Now we 
have to hurry or we'll be late.  Better watch it around End.  He's 
moodier than you are tonight.  Not entirely thrilled with the idea of 
getting married and meeting his bride tonight.  You know...all that 
kind of stuff."  Zoicite chuckled with Kunzite and joined him in 
the hallway.
	"Come, let's go comfort our Prince, or at least make sure we 
have a good bottle of wine for when we get back tonight, or in my 
case, the next morning."  Kunzite shook his head helplessly once more 
and together they made their way to the reception room where they 
would leave and be presented.  
	The small room smelled slightly of perfume, almost as if other 
people, probably women, only minutes ago had occupied it.  Zoicite 
glanced to the clock, ten after eight.  He and Kunzite were the last 
to arrive.  Jadeite was seated on a heavily cushioned chair, so 
overstuffed that his slim wiry form seemed to disappear in the blue 
fabric.  Nephrite was leaning up against the wall; a smirk plastered 
to his face as Endymion paced worriedly back and forth across the room.  
Kunzite cleared his throat to announce their arrival.  
	"You're five minutes late Kunzite," End snapped as he 
continued to wear a trail in the carpeting of the room.  
	"Sorry my Prince.  It shall not happen again."
	"Make sure that it doesn't."  There was a heavy silence for 
several moments before Zoicite couldn't bite back his laughter.  End 
whipped around to glare causing his General to laugh even more.  
Finally Endymion threw up his hands in defeat and the others joined in 
with Zoicite's merriment.  Even Kunzite cracked one of his rare half 
smiles.  A page hesitantly knocked on the door.  End nodded to 
Nephrite who opened it.
	The boy bowed low.  "My lords, they are ready to present you 
to the Moon People."  Endymion still had enough control to nod regally 
but gulped audibly as the door closed.  Zoicite felt bad for his 
charge, barely a man full grown at nineteen years of age.  Jadeite 
wasn't much older at twenty and Zoicite had just turned twenty-two.  
Nephrite was twenty-three and Kunzite was twenty-five.  Silence 
finally descending they got up and marched down the grand hallway to 
the ballroom.
	A servant opened the huge door and the sounds of light music 
danced through the air.  It stopped and they all heard the clear voice 
of the announcer.  "Presenting to you, the people of the Moon, Prince 
Endymion of Earth."  End walked forward, proud and royal.  The rest of 
the Generals were called in after him by order of rank.  Kunzite 
followed their Prince, then Nephrite, then he Zoicite, then Jadeite.  
	Zoicite looked down at the People of the Moon as he 
entered the grand ballroom.  Couples stood, clasped in each other's 
arms as they regarded the Earth People curiously.  Glitter seemed to 
dust everything and he got the feeling of peace and tranquillity from 
them.  They approached the dais where Queen and Princess Serenity sat, 
their court surrounding them.  
	Keeping to their line they knelt down in respect for their 
highnesses.  Queen Serenity, a beautiful woman with silver hair, 
smiled gently at them.  "Welcome to my kingdom," she said in a 
soothing voice.  "You are all my most honored guests as long as you 
stay here.  Anything at all that you need just let it be known and if 
it is in my power to grant, it shall be yours."
	She turned to her daughter.  "May I present to you my 
daughter, and heir to the throne, Princess Serenity.  And the 
Princesses of her court whom are here for training, Princess Mars, 
Princess Venus, Princess Jupiter, and Princess Mercury."
	Zoicite's green eyes flickered over the beautiful woman but 
his breath stilled when he came to Mercury.  Like a blue Angel of Ice 
she stole his heart.  He swallowed, suddenly nervous, to be in the 
presence of such beauty.  He daringly looked up and for the briefest 
of seconds caught her sapphire gaze.
	A gentle blush spread charmingly across her cheeks and she 
looked away.  He found himself smiling in response, like a schoolboy, 
he scolded himself mentally.  Settling his face into a frozen mask he 
rose along with the rest of the Generals and Prince Endymion.  As 
they walked down the floor to begin mingling he sent a back-wards 
glance to Princess Mercury.

				*	*

	Ami walked around the huge floor of the ballroom, greeting 
people and chatting shyly, self consciously scanning the room for a 
certain yellow haired General from Earth.  Zoicite, yes that was his 
name she thought.  The Princess of Ice pondered her strange attraction 
to the man.  She hadn't even spoken a word to him, just that look, and 
she had felt herself redden.
	Rubbing her arms Ami scolded herself.  She thought she had 
learned her lesson already, after Hawrek.  Not watching where she was 
going she bumped into the back of a tall, blonde man.  Her heart 
lurched, Zoicite?  No, not Zoicite but a man she wished to see even 
more than a chance met man from Earth.
	"Haja!" she cried.  The man turned and laughed delightedly as 
he saw her.
	"My little Ami-chan!  How are you sweetling?  Its been too 
long!"  He picked up the much smaller Princess in a huge, crushing, 
bear hug and swung her around.  Those who knew their history smiled 
and went back to their conversations but other watched with wide, 
staring eyes to see Princess Mercury, nicknamed the Ice Princess, 
displaying such open affection for anyone, let alone a man!  
	He set her down, a huge grin playing across his handsome 
features.  "My have you grown my little Ami-chan."  She blushed 
furiously as he tweaked her nose.  "In more ways than one."  She 
frowned severely and batted his large hand away.  He grabbed hers' 
though and kissed them with a teasing smile.
	"Don't be sour Ami-chan, the wrinkles mar your sweet face."  
Ami continued to glower at him before laughing quietly and earning 
another wide eared grin from Haja, Prince of Uranus and Haruka's older 
brother.  "That's better.  Does my heart proud to see my little cousin 
so happy and grown up."  
	Ami blushed again.  "How are the rest of the Terrible Five," 
she asked in reference to the rather accurate nickname given to him 
and his brothers.  Haja chortled.
	"Fine, just fine Ami.  Haskanra has discovered puppy love.  
Apparently the lovely Mira has caught his boyish fancy."  Ami giggled 
at the dramatic and expressive tone he used.
	"Of course with their older sisters being so close its no 
wonder..."
	A throat cleared behind them, interrupting their chit 
chatting, and Haja draped an arm over her fragile shoulders to turn 
them around to the questioning eyes of Zoicite.  Ami felt herself 
blushing furiously at the thought that Zoicite had seen her acting so 
openly.
	"Ami-chan, I believe you've met General Zoicite, haven't you?  
We were just talking when you bumped into me."  The Earth General 
bowed deeply, never taking his jaded eyes from Ami's exquisite face. 
	"Not personally," he said in a rich low voice.  Ami shyly 
offered her hand and he took it, brushing his warm lips against them 
in a courtly kiss.  Those intense eyes studied her as he held her 
hands a moment long than nesscecary.  Without looking up she felt 
Haja stiffen slightly.  His voice though was neutral when he spoke.
	"I've known our young Mercurian Princess since before she was 
born.  I used to bounce her on my knee when she was little.  Guess 
that says how old I am," he said wryly.  Ami looked up and grinned at 
him.  Suddenly she heard Mina calling her.  Haja smiled down at her 
and kissed her forehead in a brotherly fashion as he noticed her 
trying to discreetly slip away to see what her friend wanted.  "Take 
care my little Ami-chan.  Remember that we'll always be there when you 
need us."  He let go of her and stepped away.  Remembering her manners 
Ami nodded once regally towards Zoicite.
	"It was a pleasure meeting you General Zoicite of Earth.  I 
hope your stay on the Moon is enjoyable."  She curtsied and he bowed 
low to her again.
	"No Princess Mercury, the pleasure is all mine and," he added, 
his voice softly husky, "This trip has already proved to be most...
enjoyable."  Ami's blue eyes widened and she knew her already rosy 
cheeks deepened to a blinding red.  Luckily Mina's shouts were 
growing in volume, giving her the reason to escape.

				*	*

	Zoicite watched the retreating form of Princess Mercury whom 
he also knew now as Ami appreciatively.  He silently rolled the name 
around in his mind and smiled.  It was so simple, so elegant, so her.  
He looked up to see Prince Uranus, whom he also knew now as Haja, 
studying him with cold blue eyes. 
	"She is quite a young woman," Zoicite stated slowly to try to 
break the icy quiet that had descended between them.
	"Yes," Prince Haja replied, "she is.  My grandmother was a 
Mercurian Princess so our planets are very close.  I call her my 
little cousin though I, along with the rest of my brothers and Haruka, 
think of her as our little sister.  We protect her without question 
and General Zoicite," At this Zoicite met his stony gaze, "while I 
believe you an honorable man I have already tried to heal her broken 
heart once and I'll gladly kill the next man that makes me 
do it again."   With that the Prince of Uranus bowed slightly and 
stalked off, leaving Zoicite pondering what he said.  
	Jadeite popped up behind him.  "Hay Zoi, you gotta come see 
this!"  With a frown Zoicite allowed himself to be dragged towards one 
of the many exits of the ballroom.  They stopped by the doorway and 
Zoicite was surprised to see the other Generals there, and in front of 
them the four inner princesses, including one very beautiful Princess 
Mercury.  He stared, transfixed, at the gentle curve of her neck, the 
clean lines of her back, the few wispy strands of blue that had 
escaped from the pearl pins that held the rest up.  He was startled 
when Jadeite tugged harshly on his sleeve and crowed triumphantly in 
his ear.  "Look at those two!"  Zoicite's attention was momentarily 
torn away from the Beautiful Blue Angel to the balcony, which they 
were crowding, on the edge of.  The music, still to be softly heard, 
added mystical beauty to the night.  Flowers of every hue climbed the 
walls of the balcony and in the flooding silvery moonlight two forms 
danced in each other's arms.
	"Its End and Princess Serenity," Jadeite whispered excitedly.  
"Looks like they hit it off!"  The song ended and the beautiful ballet 
stopped.  Serenity hesitantly plucked the red rose from her hair and 
gave it to Prince Endymion.  A few whispered words were spoken and 
the small group of eight edged closer to try to hear what was being 
said but to no avail.  They held their breath as one as Prince 
Endymion knelt on one heroic knee and brought Serenity's hands to 
his lips.  They stayed that way for a long while, a moment frozen in 
the river of time, until an unbalanced Princess Jupiter went flying.
	The mood was broken as a blushing Princess Jupiter sat 
sprawled out on the floor, her cheeks vermilion, with three giggling 
Princesses behind her.  Princess Serenity sighed in exasperation at 
her court and Endymion frowned severely at his Generals when he spied 
them trying to slink away towards the main room.  Zoicite and his 
fellows braced themselves for a barge of angry words when a high 
pitched laugh rang out.  The five men looked over to where Princess 
Serenity was giggling helplessly with her friends.  
	The Generals relaxed as Endymion did and Zoicite bit back a 
grin at the startled look on his Prince's face as his soon to be 
fiancee howled with her friends.  He looked confused...very, very 
confused.  Zoicite met Jadeite's amused gaze and they snickered.  
Kunzite cast a warning look in their direction.  Zoicite looked to see 
Nephrite's reaction but the usual aloof and proud General seemed 
transfixed by Princess Jupiter.  In fact most of the Generals seemed 
interested in the Princesses.  He caught Endymion's gaze who grinned 
wolfishly with a knowing twinkle in his dark gaze.
	"Perhaps we should go get to know each other better?  What do 
you say Princess Serenity?  Perhaps our friends can manage to take 
themselves elsewhere?"  Endymion cocked his head and grinned like a 
schoolboy when the Moon Princess regally rose, wiped the tears from 
her eyes, and took his offered hand; though she did giggle a bit as 
they twirled away.  
	The eight stared at each other for a long moment but Nephrite 
stepped confidently forward when another song began inside in the 
ballroom to offer his hand to Princess Jupiter.  Her green eyes 
widened and he smiled charmingly.  She took his hand and he led the 
dazed Princess Jupiter off to a night of dancing.  
	"Show off," Jadeite whispered to Zoicite with a hint of 
jealously.  Nephrite's much sought attention was rarely caught but 
when it was he could charm the socks off any woman in the galaxy.  
Not that he couldn't also, he thought with a proud grin; it was just 
more of a normal occurrence.  
	It was Jadeite's turn to be surprised when a slightly red Mars 
strode over and asked in a velvety voice if General Jadeite would 
grant her this dance.  Zoicite chuckled as Jadeite gulped, shot his 
friend an incredulous look, and took Princess Mars's offered hand as 
she led him away.  
	That left Zoicite, Kunzite, Princess Venus, and Princess 
Mercury.  Kunzite shot him a pleading look as a glowing Princess Venus 
tried desperately to make eye contact with his friend and crossed her 
arms across her chest, quite plainly awaiting him to ask her to 
dance.  Zoicite though was not in the mood to rescue Kunzite from 
social interactment tonight but instead focused his attention on a 
shy Princess Mercury who was busy studying her nails.  Kunzite shot 
Zoicite a withering glance before plastering a smile on his face and 
asking Princess Venus for the next dance. She smiled a bit but grabbed 
his arm and all but dragged him inside leaving them alone, which 
suited Zoicite perfectly well.
	"Gentle Princess would you do me the honor of allowing me this 
next dance?"  Ami met his gaze bravely enough but faltered and looked 
away.  Zoicite felt a flush spread through his cheeks.  He usually 
charmed people, not scared them. Footsteps rang out in the courtyard as  
Haja strode up to them.
	"Ami," he asked and offered his arm, "I believe as your 
cousin I am allowed your first dance." The Mercurian Princess gulped a 
bit but took Haja's arm, giving Zoicite an apologetic but all together 
relieved look, before swirling off.  Zoicite stared confusedly after 
them, not entirely sure what just happened.  Princess Mercury had just 
said no, to HIM!

That's all for this week friends.  The last chapter of Ami:First Kiss 
comes out next week(hopefully).  A little more romance in that one, 
then on to Rei:First Love...Anyway comments questions, etc please send 
to me!  LOL...Have a good week everyone, thanx for reading.  PS: I know 
I promised longer but I've been swamped! *ducks to avoid flying 
missles* I'll try harder next time...really, I will!