Disclaimer:I didn't create Sailor Moon, pooh, but Naoko Takeuchi did.  
What's more some really big companies own rights,not me, please don't 
sue!  I *did* create some of the minor characters and feel free to use 
them in your own fan fics if they strike your fancy, just mention me 
in the disclaimer somewhere.  Author Notes as always at the end.  They 
contain my ramblings, pleas for emails, thanks, and brief glances of 
the weeks to come.  Email me at inspiredthoughts@hotmail.com !!				



			Chapter Two


	Sailor Mars and Luna entered the white building adjacent to 
the palace.  The other senshi were already there, all of them chatting 
and warming up.  The generals were also there, on the other side of 
the large room that served as a place for the practice of the soldiers 
serving in the army and the senshi.  Racks held weapons along the 
walls along with armor and other necessities for war.  Rei was proud 
to note that all of the things were dusted, clean, and looked used 
and worn .  The Moon Kingdom was powerful enough to take Earth but the 
Queen preferred peace.  Locker rooms for changing, along with showers, 
were also located in rooms that branched off from this main one and a 
gym was connected to the weapons room by a covered walkway.  
	Her violet eyes scanned the room from under lowered lashes.  
She strolled forward, greeting the scouts as they waved.  They were 
quieter, more serious than their normal sparkling selves.  Rei's eyes 
flickered over to the generals.  They were partially out of their gray 
uniforms.  Instead they wore their gray slacks with boots and white, 
sleeveless undershirts.  Rei heard snickering and proudly raised her 
head as she glared at their averted gazes.  She didn't hear the 
comments that greeted her arrival but she could guess at them.  
	She looked down at her vibrantly red high heels.  Why on Mars 
did her planet's spirit choose high heels for her uniform?  If she 
heard one more crack...Shaking her head she chuckled.  Lita sided up to 
her.
	"What's so funny Mars?"  Rei giggled a bit more before meeting 
Lita's twinkling green eyes.
	"Wanna trade shoes?" she whispered.  Lita laughed as she shook 
her head.  
	"You kidding?  I can't walk in those things let alone fight!"  
Rei giggled some more.  Ami and Mina walked over to them, a 
questioning look in their eyes.
	"Mars wants to trade shoes!" Lita said fiercely, chuckling all 
the while.  Rei blushed as Ami and Mina both cracked grins.
	"Its just that I get so sick of people making fun of my high 
heels..."  Mina looked at her, a wicked gleam in her eye.  
	"Since when did it matter to you what other people say?"  Rei 
threw her violet hair over one shoulder as she tried to hide her 
startlement.  "Perhaps someone," at this Mina wiggled her eyebrows 
suggestively and looked pointedly at the generals, "has had an effect 
on our Fire Princess, humm."  Mina elbowed Rei as the other scouts 
laughed some more.  
	"No one has had any effect on me," she hissed furiously and 
tried to keep even more color from rising to her cheeks.  Mina clapped 
her hands together happily.  
	"Wait till Serenity hears!" she crowed triumphantly.  Rei 
gasped.  
	"You wouldn't dare?  Mi...I mean Venus please!  Anything but 
that."  Mina looked at her speculatively.
	"Promise you'll tell us all the juicy details..."  Mina began.  
	"There's nothing to tell, honest."  Mina grinned mischievously, 
looking much more like her princess self than her warrior persona.
	"Oh Serenity..." she singed in a loud voice that Rei was sure 
carried all the way to Pluto.
	"Oh all right!" Rei hissed again.  "I'll tell you guys later,"
'not that there's anything to tell but to make them be quiet...' 
"just keep it from Ser-chan okay?  If she hears a word of it I'll never 
hear the end of it!"  The rest of the girls laughed good-naturedly.
	"By the way Venus, where is Artemis?"  Mina laughed.
	"He's home with mother trying to tame Marcus into a good little 
crown prince, its not working well."
	"Of course not," Rei quipped.  "He's *your* brother after all!"  
Luna walked up to them, tail lashing in irritation.  
	"Are you guys finished chatting?  We're trying to make a good 
impression here..."  The four of them guiltily blushed.  
	"Sorry Moon Eyes," Rei murmured.  Luna snorted but smiled.
	"No you're not but its time to get started."  Mina looked 
around, puzzled.
	"But there's no one here but them, us, Prince Endymion and 
you."  Luna sighed, exasperated.  
	"No matter how often Princess and Queen Serenity have seen you 
guys battle it is considered improper for them to publically come to a 
match."  Lita raised an eyebrow.  
	"Bet Ser-chan was furious about that one..."  Lita murmured.  
Luna's yellow gaze rolled to the ceiling in answer.  Biting down more 
laughter they turned and got ready to meet the generals.  Luna sighed.
	"Behave," she whispered fiercely. 

				*	*

	Jadeite watched from under his long blonde bangs as he tied 
his boots and Sailor Mars walked in.  Starting at the top he worked 
his way slowly down.  God those uniforms were incredible.  And those 
heels made her long legs seem even longer.  Seeing her glance their 
way he averted his eyes until she turned to her friends.  Freed from 
her intense, oddly beautiful violet gaze, he let himself study her 
well muscled back and strong legs.  He whistled under his breath.  He 
would bet money that many a man underestimated that woman.  He would 
bet even more that those men lost any battles they fought with her.  
	Nephrite clapped a friendly hand on his shoulder.  Meeting his 
friend's gaze the brown haired man nodded towards Zoicite and Kunzite 
who were chuckling. 
	"They're making fun of her shoes," he said with a smile.  
Jadeite shook his head before running a hand through his wild curls.  
Damn, he needed another hair cut.
	"I bet you a silver piece they end up eating those shoes."  
Nephrite laughed, blue eyes dancing.
	"You forget my friend that I read the stars."  Jadeite cocked 
his head.
	"And what do the stars say?"  Nephrite's gaze grew distracted 
as he stared off at some unseen point.
	"They say we'll find true love here, on the Moon.  And they 
say we'll find the greatest adversaries that we have ever know.  And 
in them we'll find the truest friends we'll ever have."  Jadeite 
stood, startled.  He had known Nephrite forever and the stars didn't 
lie, at least not to him.
	"And you believe that these Sailor Scouts are these 
adversaries?"  Nephrite shrugged, muscles rippling across his chest.  
	"Perhaps, who else could they be?"
	"And our true loves?  I find it hard to believe that so much 
could be found here, on this small rock called Moon."  Nephrite 
chuckled again.
	"There was a reason why I asked Princess Jupiter to dance last 
night."  Jadeite gasped and rocked back on his heels.  He had danced 
with Princess Mars.  Kunzite, though reluctantly, had danced with 
Princess Venus and Zoicite had, at least according to a very blushing 
him(an oddity in itself for the arrogant Zoicite), gotten on a first 
name basis with Princess Mercury also known as Ami.  He wondered what 
Mars's name was...something beautiful but full of spirit.  He wished 
she could have been here today.  He hated formal things, he felt so 
out of place, and he wanted her to see not just him at his weakest but 
also his strongest and there was no other place he was more at home 
than in battle.  Jadeite frowned.
	"How could princesses be our true loves?  We cannot marry 
them, we're not princes."  Nephrite smiled sadly.
	"The stars said we'd find true love here, they never said we'd 
be happy."  Jadeite bristled.
	"That hardly seems fair!"  Nephrite only chuckled again as he 
stretched.
	"I don't remember saying the stars were fair either.  We live 
our lives young Jadeite.  In them we know pain, woe, and perhaps a 
little happiness.  If that joy comes with pain than so be it, after 
all there's always a price to pay."  Jadeite grumbled darkly but found 
himself smiling again at the thought of Princess Mars.  She was so 
proud, unbowed by the pressures put on her.  He had searched the 
galaxy for a women like her, one who wouldn't cry at a jest, and who 
could give as good as she got.  If only she was a warrior then he 
would have known for sure!  God she was beautiful.  The whole time he 
had been with her he had kept his eyes glued to her, as if afraid the 
lovely vision before him would vanish.  He would have been as daring 
as Zoicite but he had sensed that she wasn't as nearly attracted to 
him as he was to her so he hadn't dared to even so much as peck her on 
one porcelin cheek.  
	Endymion and the cat advisor Luna called the match to order.  
Luna stepped forward, every line of her body dignified and 
diplomatic.  "Are all the warriors ready to begin?"  She looked to 
Sailor Venus, leader of the Sailor Scouts, who nodded calmly, then to 
Kunzite, their own leader, who also nodded slightly, all laughter gone 
from his face as he prepared for battle.  Luna smiled.
	"Very well then we'll go over the rules now.  We will pick 
names from a hat to decide the four matches.  The winner of each match 
will battle with the other winners until one is left.  
	There are to be no powers used.  Wooden, blunted practice 
'blades' and 'knives' will be allowed.  Physical contact can also be 
used as a weapon.  Prince Endymion will be acting as our referee.  
When he sees a hit that would, under real battle circumstances, be 
considered a 'kill' or a 'crippling action' then the match will be 
over.
	We are expecting no broken bones or real injuries.  This is a 
friendly show of arms only and is designed to show each other some 
different styles of fighting and techniques that you may not be aware 
of.  Please remember that this is to remain a 'friendly' match at all 
times.  Any questions?"  Jadeite dared a glance for Mars.  From the 
side she almost looked like her Princess... 'Wishful thinking Jadeite,' 
he thought to himself.  Jadeite inwardly groaned as he saw Zoicite's 
gaze glitter and mouth smirk.  'Oh God no, he's going to say something 
smart...'
	"Does new technique include wearing high heels?" he piqued.  
Jadeite sighed and Sailor Mars grew red with embarrassment and anger.  
'He always has to say something...'  Kunzite reprimanded his general 
but Jadeite noticed the small curl to his own leader's mouth.  
'They're both going to end up eating their words...I know it!  I don't 
believe Sailor Mars is the kind of woman to forgive those kind of 
comments lightly...'

				*	*

	Rei stalked up to Prince Endymion who held out a black velvet 
top hat with small bits of paper in it.  He murmured a small apology 
to her as she drew and she froze him with an icy glare.  Mina at least 
had the decency to control them.  If she had dared make a smart aleck 
remark like that she would have been doing penance for a month when 
Queen Serenity heard about it.
	'Let it be Zoicite of Kunzite...Please Mars let it be one of 
them... I can take Zoicite, perhaps Kunzite even.'  Letting her 
fingers hesitate over the small bits of paper with all four generals 
names on them she felt her mind focus and pull her fingers towards one 
of the pieces.  Without hesitation now she met Zoicite's arrogant 
green eyes and smiled.  
	Pulling the paper out without looking she unfolded it and 
showed it to him before looking herself.  His mouth slackened in 
surprise as his name started boldly at him.  Rei smirked, dropped the 
paper to the ground, threw her dark tresses proudly over one shoulder, 
and stalked back to where the rest of the scouts waited.
	Rei watched Zoicite intently as Ami walked up to draw.  He 
glanced at the blue warrior of water but looked away, his jaw 
tightening.  Ami hesitantly drew out Kunzite's name.  Rei watched on 
as Ami's face froze and her gaze darted towards the powerful general 
who was calmly observing the drawing.  
	'Come on Ami... don't let him intimidate you...  We've trained 
you better than that girl.  I've trained you better than that!'  With 
a deep breath Ami drew back her shoulders and smiled at Prince 
Endymion before walking back to them.  She went to Rei's side and Rei 
immediately noticed the tension that made her body as taunt as a 
strung bow.
	"Calm down girl," she whispered soothingly.  "You can do this, 
we've been practicing.  You're much, much better at physical combat 
than you were six months ago.  There's nothing to worry about, on both 
fronts..."  At this the downcast Ami looked up quizzically.
	"Zoicite didn't so much as check you out as you went up there."  
Ami blushed scarlet, glared, but finally answered.
	"And that's a good thing?"  
	"He doesn't know you're Sailor Mercury.  If he didn't check 
her out then I believe he may leave his eyes only for you."  Ami 
blushed furiously as Rei blustered on.
	"Not that he isn't conceited, pompous, and at times I believe 
a jerk.  He's way too good and he knows it.  When I take him down a 
couple of notches we'll watch how he reacts.  That will tell more than 
anything."  Ami's head shot up as she watched Rei with surprised eyes.
	"Then you don't think he's bad?"
	"He's not Hawrek.  I can read people Mercury, you know that, 
and I believe deep inside he's much like you, smart, sweet, kind, and 
loyal to those he holds dear.  Its only strangers that he gives his 
cold shoulder too and he opened up to you last night.  That's a good 
sign I believe."
	"What if he was lying, if it was all an act?"  Rei snorted.
	"Unlikely my friend.  You know when people are lying to you.  
You knew when Hawrek was lying but refused to notice."  Ami bristled 
but finally relaxed.  "You're really gone on him, aren't you?" Rei 
asked.  Ami sighed as she let her gaze move to the man almost without 
knowing it.
	"I don't know," she answered, hesitantly.  "Its almost like I 
can't help it, I don't want to be but then it just seems to click."  
Rei shook her head.
	"Click or not you had better promise me you'll go slow and be 
careful, you hear?  Kissing the first time you guys meet..."  Rei 
clucked her tongue disapprovingly and Ami giggled.
	"You guys are always telling me to be impulsive so I was but 
we'll go slower."
	"You'd better or I'll go smack him upside his pretty little 
head."  Ami laughed some more, eyes dancing.
	"Then one last question oh mighty one to pose for the fire."  
Rei quirked an eyebrow.  
	"How come you assume you can take him down a few notches?"  
Rei's purple eyes widened in shock as she stared at her friend who 
simply laughed softly at her indignation.
	Lita drew Jadeite's name next but he remained so still that 
she couldn't glean anything from him at all.  This left Nephrite and 
Mina to battle.  Since she had drawn first they would have the first 
match.  The scouts and generals lined the sides of the 'battleground' 
which consisted of a box painted on the floor showing the boundaries 
allowed.  
	Rei stepped forward and nodded nay for any weapons.  Zoicite 
stepped forward and nodded his head also.  Both of their faces set in 
a cool impassive battle masks they bowed to the judges, Luna and 
Endymion, and then to each other.  Luna's voice rang out across the 
quiet room.
	"Let match one begin!"
	Rei and Zoicite warily circled each other.  Rei saw him tense, 
his muscles bulge for a brief second before he sprang towards her, and 
dived opposite the way his green eyes flickered.  They flew by each 
other, a hair's breath away, and Rei shot out a gloved fist.  He 
ducked the blow but it glanced off his shoulder and he went into a 
roll to regain his balance.   
	Now without any warning at all he dove for her and began to 
try to pummel her with his own fists.  She blocked each attack with 
her arms until at last she caught both fists inches from her face with 
her hands.  They stared at each other, nose to nose, and Zoicite 
smirked and began to bring up his knee to ram her in the stomach.  
With that she instinctively flipped back and grinned to herself as she 
felt her pointed toes connect with his chin.  
	He muttered a startled oath and when she finished her flip she 
met his respectful gaze as he rubbed his chin ruefully.  He bowed low 
to her, and pounced.  They exchanged light blows, matching each other 
in their abilities, until they were both sweating from the effort.  
	Finally Rei saw an opening and kicked, karate style.  She let 
her foot pause a breadth away from Zoicite's neck, her heel pressing 
into his skin, before looking at Prince Endymion.  He nodded once and 
Rei dropped her foot.  Had it been a real battle and had she gone 
through with her full force it could have easily broken his neck, and 
more importantly they all knew it.  
	She pulled back her mane in a tight ponytail, hot from the 
fight, and met Zoicite's amused eyes.  He strolled over to her and 
offered a hand.  Rei eyed him warily before finally shaking his 
outstretched hand.
	"You fight good," he said, in way she knew of an apology.  She 
snorted and felt her spirits lighten as she grinned inwardly to 
herself.  He had done much better than she had expected.  No shows of 
anger at a mere woman beating him.  No pleas for a rematch or cries 
for revenge.  He had lost and accepted it.  Perhaps Ami was right...  
Perhaps the man wasn't half bad but he still bore watching.
	"You don't do so bad yourself.  I'll even be nice and let you 
borrow my high heels any time you want to train."  His green gaze 
widened and Rei smirked before Endymion stepped forward and declared 
her the winner and the start of the next match.
	Rei backed away off of the court and to the other girls.  Ami 
walked forward confidently enough but Rei didn't miss the slight 
trembling of her graceful limbs as Kunzite walked proudly forward.  
'Come on Ami,' she though biting one lip worried.  'Earn all their 
respect, you can do it my friend.'  
	Lita handed her a cool towel and she nodded absently in 
thanks, her eyes glued to the blue warrior of ice.  'Please let her do 
this...Please let Zoicite see and be able to accept when she tells him, 
*if* she tells him, that she isn't just a princess but a proud warrior 
who is his equal in all things!  And Jadeite, that man, drat him.  Will 
he show his true colors today?  Will I really get to see what kind of 
man he truly is?'

Author's Notes:Hiya people.  Hope your Y2K was okay.  Email and let me 
know...*impish grin*  I love email in case you haven't noticed LOL.  
Here's this week's episode.  Got next week's written, need to edit
(not fun cause I hate grammar by the way), and its a mini 
cliffhanger.  Ain't I bad?  Neway email me bout this week's episode or 
my writing in general.  What was decent, what can I improve on, was 
this week's better or worse than last, etc.  Oh and if you're really 
bored you might wanna check out my fanart.  Email, email, email...
*crawls on floor begging* Please?!  Thanks to the people who did email 
me before I got this sent in to Lady Mars who does this neat site 
where I don't have to mess with anything but email since I am html 
imapired, don't ask or if you do email me *eg*.  

People who took time from their busy schedules to email me this week:
ithinya, MCRK, MN, Sailor Tears, Spring Angel16

You're my new best friends!hehe  Oh and the shoes thing, sorry ya'll 
but that drives me crazy.  I mean really, what woman *wants* to fight 
evil in high heels?  I mean pay me enough yeah but otherwise forget it!
Oh and sorry bout Aretmis peoples, I kinda forgot when I stuck Luna in 
the first chapter, hehe.  Don't worry he'll show up soon enough.