The Last Four:

Part Two: The Introductions

" The Senshi and my daughter I'm sure will be glad to show you around the palace," the Queen said smoothly to Azurite and the four generals. " You are dismissed."

The generals bowed and left the throne room followed by the outer senshi and the princess. " I don't think we were properly introduced," Corundum said stepping up to Hotaru. Hotaru blushed as he looked at her with his blue eyes sparkling with mischief. He was around 6'3 with broad shoulders and muscular frame that showed strength if not bulkiness and with his light brown hair and baby blue eyes was quite handsome. " I'm Corundum," he said taking her hand and kissing it.

" We call him Cor or just plain Dum," Maganite said stepping forward brushing his white hair out of his light green eyes.

" For my twin brother you come up with the corniest jokes," Corundum said rolling his eyes.

" You don't look like twins," Hotaru said looking at the two. Maganite was slightly taller but had the same build as Corundum. Other then that they didn't look anything alike.

" That's because they are faternal," Rubellite said as he stepped forward, bowed slightly to Michiru and Hotaru, and then turned to Haruka. " My name is Rubellite and I was wandering if you would do me the pleasure of showing me around the palace," he said extending his arm so Haruka could take it. What choice do I have? Haruka thought as she took his arm. If I turn him down it'll be rude. Not that she really cared about being rude and if I go I'll miss sparring practice. Oh well maybe he can show me a few tricks he is a high general of Earth. She smiled as thought of him on his back with her foot on his chest and him admitting defeat. A strange tingling shot up her spine at the thought and a half smile appeared on her face.

" I was wandering the same thing of you Princess Michiru," Cassortie said stepping up to her and smiling with one of his megawatt smiles. Michiru nodded her head shyly and took the arm he offered her.

" It's the smile gets em' every time," Corundum said leaning over and whispering into Hotaru's ear just loud enough so Michiru could hear and blush slightly.

She giggled and said, " What about you? Who's going to show you around?"

" Well I was kind of hoping you would beautiful princess," he said. She laughed and took his arm. Corundum's heart stood still. Her laugh was like a thousand chiming bells. At that moment he fell hopelessly and totally in love.

" Hey, wait up! Who's going to show me around," Maganite yelled running after Hotaru and Maganite.

" Well princess," Azurite said turning to Serenity, " I guess that leaves you and me. You really must excuse my general's behavior. They are all idiots but they are well trained soldiers and the prince insists we keep them on."

" You must not be so hard on them. I like them," Serenity said trying not to let her contempt show.

" Forgive me Princess. I did not mean to offend you," Azurite said trying to twist his face into a semblance of a smile. It had been a long time since he had smiled but first impressions counted and he had to make a good one if she would ever accept his proposal for marriage. Serenity smiled weakly and took his arm.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Earth: Castle of the Royal Family

" You will go to Earth and you will propose marriage to the Moon Princess. Our planet needs this alliance if we are to fight off what's coming," a man with snapping green eyes and ebony hair stated. A few streaks of grey streaked his hair and a simple gold circlet circled his head. His eyes softned for a moment as he stared down at his son's bowed head but then hardened once more.

Endymion looked up at his father his cobalt eyes blazing. He couldn't believe he shared blood with this man! He was so cold. " What does mother have to say about this?" he snarled.

" Leave your mother out of this! This hasn't anything to do with my feelings toward her or you. This is purely a mater of state. It is your job as heir to marry and secure an heir."

" Don't you think I know that! But how can you force me into a marriage with a girl I don't even know let alone love? You don't even know that she will accept!"

" This matter is settled," the King roared and watched sadly as his son walked out of the door.

" How'd he take it?" a voice said from the doorway.

The King looked up to see his wife standing in the doorway. Her c obalt eyes were sad and her rich curly brown hair fell down to her hips. She walked into the room and lifted the hem of her sapphire blue dress to climb the steps to the dias.

" Not well. I think Eleaina my love that it would help if you talked to him a bit," the King said.

" Dorien this is a big step for him. It will take time. You remember how hard it was when we married. We hardly knew each other," the Queen said.

" This is different."

" Why?" the Queen shot back.

" Because I�don't know," the King said finally at a loss for words.

" I'll go talk to him," the Queen said giving her husbands hand a squeeze and leaving.

Endymion sought his mother. She would make this right. She always understood. She was the only person he knew his father would listen too. She was also the kindest and most generous person he had ever known. The servants at the castle were completely devoted to her and the people of Earth had fallen in love with her the moment she was introduced to them as their Queen twenty-five years ago. " Mother," he said catching site of her up ahead. He ran to catch up with her.

" Mother I have to talk with you."

" I know Endy. I've already talked to your father."

" Then you know what he want's me to do."

" Yes."

" Then you've convinced him no to make me do this." Endymion saw his mother lower her gaze slightly. " You do agree with him don't you. You think I should marry a girl I don't even know."

" Oh Endy I only want the best for you and I have a good feeling about this girl."

" You haven't even met her!"

" No, but there can't be any harm in meeting her can there?"

Endymion sighed he never had been able to deny his mother anything.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

A week flew by for the four generals ant the outer senshi and then a week and a half. The Prince would be coming tomorrow and the inner senshi were coming home today. For Serenity the time could not of gone more slowly. She was ever in the presence of Azurite and had even taken to running the other way when she heard his voice. It wasn't that he wasn't very nice to her it was just something about him that made her fell cold all over she thought as she looked out her window at the Sea of Serenity. " Sere!" That was what her closet friends called her and she was glad to here name being called because that meant that Minako, Ami, Rei, and Makoto were home. Finally she wouldn't have to spend anymore time with Awful Azurite. " Sere! Where are you?

" I'm in here," Serenity called getting up from the window seat and rushing to the door to let her friend in. She opened the door to see the blonde Minako standing there. " Aahhhhh!" They both squealed as they hugged each other. Minako grabbed Serenity's hand and rushed over to the window seat. She plopped down and pulled Serenity down with her.

" Okay girl tell me all the latest gossip and make it juicy. There is nothing happening on Venus and I thought I would die of boredom," Minako said eyes eager for every piece of information. <> " Well you heard the prince of Earth's coming for a visit with four of his eight generals right," Serenity said excitement getting the better of her.

" Yeah and he sent the other four of his generals and his high general to announce his coming right?" Minako said.

" You will never believe this Mina the four generals fell for the outers and the outers fell for the fort generals and now they're all walking around like lovesick puppies."

" Really? I never thought those four would fall for anyone. They're always so serious except maybe for Hotaru. Are the generals cute?" Minako or Mina asked.

" You better believe it but there are only three outers because Setsuna isn't here and there are four generals so pour Maganite, that's his name is out in the cold," Serenity gushed, " Oh and there's the really awful high general. His names Azurite and he's always following me around. I don't even like him but he acts like he's my boyfriend. Then.." Serenity was cut off by the sound of the door opening. A tall auburn haired girl with emerald green eyes stepped through.

" Makoto," Serenity and Minako cried as they ran to hug the girl.

" I heard gossip so I thought I'd come in and hear all the news," Makoto said. The three girls threw some pillows on the floor and plopped down dresses and all being together again making them feel twelve years old.

Serenity and Minako started to tell her all about the generals and outers when two girls one with long black hair and violet eyes and one short blue hair and blue eyes came in. " Ami! Rei!" Serenity, Minako, and Makoto cried jumping up to meet their friends. After they had all settled on the floor Serenity told them all about the generals and the outers, Azurite, and the princes upcoming visit.

" And," Serenity finished, "the night the Prince comes theirs going to be a gigantic ball. There's going to be one when he leaves too. Mothers going all out out too."

The girls looked up as Luna Queen Serenity's head advisor walked in. " It's good to have you home girls," she said smiling. " I'm sure Serenity has filled you in on all you need and don't need to know about our visitors. You all are expected to be at the introducing of the prince tomorrow. Don't be late," Luna said looking straight at Serenity as she said the last statement.

" It's not always my fault that I'm late all the time," Serenity whined.

" Stop whining Sere," Rei snapped.

" Rei why are you always so mean to me," Serenity sniffed as the waterworks started.

" You're a princess. Act like one," Rei snapped.

" Ah leave her alone Rei. You just got back and you're already fighting." Minako said. As a reply to this Rei crossed her arms and pretended to be staring out the window. Serenity wiped the tears from her eyes and smiled happily at Minako. She stuck out her tongue at Rei and changed the subject to all the glorious food that would be at the ball the next night. Rei had to bite her tongue to keep from telling Serenity that all she ever did was eat or talk about food.

" I know what you're thinking Rei," Serenity said suprising Rei out of thought. " You're thinking that all I ever do is think about food. Well you're wrong sometimes I think about boys," Serenity said smiling happily. They all burst out laughing.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The next day all the senshi gathered in the throne room. The Queen sat on her throne with Luna and Artemis standing right behind her. The Inner Senshi were on the right side and the Outers were standing on the left side. Princess Serenity was sitting on a smaller version of the throne right beside her mother. The doors opened and Prince Endymion was announced.

Serenity heart skipped a beat as the most handsome man she had ever seen in her whole life stepped through the doors. He was tall around 6'4 with broad shoulders and a strong frame. His ebony hair hung right above his sapphire blue eyes. Serenity couldn't take her eyes off him.

Endymion walked through the wide doors intent only on getting all this formal stuff over with. He stared straight ahead at the Queen. " Your Eminence," he said bowing on one knee. " I'm overjoyed to be in the Moon Kingdom even if it is for diplomatic meetings." This is so lame he thought to himself. I hate going through all this formality. "Your Majesty may I present my generals Kunzite, Nephrite, Jadeite, and Zoicite. You have already become aquatinted with my other generals."

" Yes and know I would like to present the Senshi my daughters protectors." Endymion had to keep from yawning as she started to announce names. He knew three of his generals had already fallen for three of these girls he just didn't know which ones they were. The Queen moved on to a group she called the Inner Senshi. He watched the senshi step forward. They were beautiful but he had seen his fair share of women in his nineteen years. He wondered what his generals were thinking.

She's gorgeous. She has a fire in her eyes. Jadeite thought to himself. What was her name again Rachel. No that wasn't it Rei that was it. The princess of Mars. I bet she has a temper to match that dress he thought looking at her bright red dress. He had know idea how right he was.

Kunzite stifled a yawn as the Queen called out the names of the Senshi. That was until she stepped forward. He'd heard about her. The Princess of the Planet of Love. She was supposedly one of the most beautiful women in the millenium. He didn't doubt it. She was a vision in a light orange dress with long blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She looks rather cheerful he thought as she stepped back smiling. He had to meet her.

Maybe she'll bring a little sunshine into his life Nephrite thought as he looked at Kunzite was gazing at the Princess of Venus like he'd never seen a women before. He was happy for his friend. Maybe he has actually found someone he wouldn't get bored with. Not that that would ever happen. Kunzite and the prince had broken a lot of women's hearts. That was when her saw her. He had never really seen her before except in the visions the stars gave him. But there she was the woman of his dreams. The emerald green eyes the auburn hair. She was the same height same everything. Who would of thought that the woman that had been in his dreams for the past year would be the Princess of Jupiter.

Zoicite was enjoying himself. The genius in him loved comparing the manners and customs of royal houses. He had to admit it could get a little boring at times but all in all it was extremely interesting. He looked around at his friends. All of them seemed to be staring at something or someone except the prince who looked extremely bored. " The Princess Ami of Mercury," the Queen said. Zoicite looked up. She's beautiful he thought studying her every feature. The dark blue hair, the sapphire eyes, the pale pink lips, and the slightly rosy cheeks were all perfect. It was true she didn't shine with energy or radiate fire like the Princess' of Mars or Venus but she was gorgeous in her own special way. Like a delicate flower he thought. Then he slapped himself mentally for being so corny.

As Jadeite gazed longingly Rei fumed silently. How dare he look at me like that she thought. He is kind of hot though.

Minako smiled as he felt Kunzite's gaze on her. She wondered what his name was. I think it starts with a K. Kory maybe. Oh well she would figure that out later. Right now she just smiled.

Makoto looked straight at Nephrite and he looked straight at her. He looks like my old boyfriend. No he's way cuter then my old boyfriend she thought.

Ami blushed and looked down as she caught Zoicite staring at her. She cautiously looked up and he smiled at her. She quickly looked back down as her heart started to pound. What was this warm gooey feeling that was making her knees fell weak. I wonder if I'm sick?

The prince kept the polite smile plastered on his face as the queen finished announcing the Senshi. " Now I would like to introduce my daughter," she said gesturing to her side. So this is it. I'm finally get to see the girl my father wants me to marry. And your mother too a little voice said in the back of his head. Endymion caught his breathe as the most beautiful creature he had ever seen in his life stood up. Her blonde hair streamed out behind her in golden rivers. She had crystal blue eyes that sparkled with life. Her porcelain skin was perfect. All he wanted to do was hold her. Keep her safe forever. Whoah were did that come from he had just seen her and he already wanted to protect her from everything that would dare harm her? What was she doing to him?

What was he doing to her Serenity thought? Her stomach turned to mush as she stared into his endless cobalt eyes. She felt weak and dizzy and her heart was in her throat. It was the most wonderful feeling in the world.

Azurite glowered. What the hell did the prince think he was doing staring at her like that and her staring back? She was his. Not Endymion's. He was going to have her if it killed him� or her.