Alliances- Chapter 2                 Diamond Rouge
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	The ball was overly extravagant, Minako thought as 
she respectfully approached the thrones of the Queen and 
Princess. She had entered through the side door to avoid 
spectacle, the one opposite the balcony and directly next 
to the 10 steps that let up to the royalty's thrones. The Queen 
looked like her normal self, she noticed, outfitted in the elegant 
gown she often wore when taking care of Royal Affairs. 
Minako laughed bitterly to herself. That's all this is, she 
thought, a simple matter of business. She resisted the urge to 
scream. She reached the top of the marble stairs and stood 
next to the Princess, noticing that the young woman looked 
downright sad. She tried to uphold her regal composure, but 
Minako noticed a slight slump to her small frame, her normally 
cheery blue eyes clouded with thought. Minako realized that 
she must be nearly matching the sad Princess's bleak 
expression. The Golden Alliance was hardest on the two of 
them, since both of their successors had never married. She 
touched Princess Serenity's hand lightly and the girl looked up 
slowly, some of the sadness leaving her face when she saw it 
was Minako. Minako forced a smile for her little Princess, for 
there was nothing she hated more than to see her in pain. She 
began to speak, but was cut off by her.
	"Don't pretend you're happy, Mina-chan," she said 
sorrowfully. "Neither of us are okay with this."
	Minako let her smile fade.
	"You're right, Sere, I'm not okay with it. I hate it," 
she said, feeling the resentment begin to boil up in her a 
bit. She tried to suppress it before it became too noticeable. 
The Princess sighed and looked down, noticing the cuts on 
Minako's hand, which was still placed lightly on the younger 
girl's wrist.
	"Did you do this to yourself?" she asked.
	"No, not really…I got angry, and it happened," 
Minako 
replied, hoping the Princess wouldn't press her further about 
it. Apparently the Princess wasn't in the mood to, for she 
simply sighed again and patted Minako's hand gently. Minako 
was about to speak when she was interrupted by Queen 
Serenity.
	"Venus," she called to her. Minako squeezed the 
Princess's wrist lovingly before walking to the Queen, seated 
at the other throne.
	"Yes, your majesty," she said obediently.
	"Mars, Mercury, and Jupiter are all here already. 
Why were you late?" the Queen said sternly.
	"I apologize, your majesty, I had an injury right 
before I left that I needed to tend to," she said, bowing her 
head respectfully, hoping the Queen wouldn't see through her. 
She wasn't in the mood to defend herself tonight.
	"Very well," she said, "Go and enjoy yourself. The 
Earth Prince and his generals will be here momentarily."
	"Yes, your majesty."
Minako turned descended the steps as gracefully as a queen, 
her head held high but mouth kept in a taut line. Many people 
looked up from where they were standing or sitting around the 
room, and some even stopped dancing to see the golden 
beauty descend down the red carpeted strip that ran down the 
center of the white marble stairs. Minako ignored the attention 
and looked intently into the crowd for a woman she knew 
would be in red, a woman with jet black hair. She needed to 
talk to her, to vent before she went insane. She found her in 
the back of the room, standing alone, watching the dance floor 
lazily. As Minako had suspected, she was wearing red, a dress 
that Serenity must have chosen for her, too…it fit her perfectly 
and looked positively stunning. Hers was a dark scarlet satin, 
boned for shape on the thinly strapped bodice and continuing 
down the sleek line of her thighs, before flaring out 
dramatically at the knee. The woman's black hair 
complimented it perfectly, making the red stand out in the soft 
light.
	"Rei," Minako called out to the young woman as she 
approached, getting her attention.
	"Minako!" the raven haired woman called back, 
walking up to meet her. 
	They greeted with a brief hug, and Rei pulled 
Minako back, holding her by her arms.
	"I can feel something isn't right," Rei said. She 
paused, looking at Minako's expressionless face.
	"You aren't happy about this, Minako, are you? You 
can't be. I'm not thrilled about it myself, and I don't have 
tradition and pride lingering over my head."
	Minako's eyes fell at that, and she shook her head 
sadly. Rei pulled her into a close hug. Minako broke the hug, 
light blue eyes gazing deeply into dark violet ones. She wanted 
to fume, to let all her anger and frustration fly right there 
in the middle of the ballroom. She couldn't of course, and she 
and Rei knew that.
	"Lets go out on the balcony," Rei said, "You can say 
what you want to out there."
	They walked quickly towards the grand balcony on 
the left side of the room, a courtyard-style setting that 
overlooked the Moon Palace's reflecting pond. They stopped a 
waiter and grabbed two glasses of champagne on their way 
out. Once there, they walked to the far end, leaning on the 
railing and setting their glasses down. 
	-Ouch!-, Minako thought as her corset dug into her 
ribs, cutting off her air supply even more. She was starting to 
regret lacing it so tightly, for it was already making her a bit 
lightheaded. She traded the uncomfortable position for leaning 
her back against the railing, easing the pressure on her 
already overworked lungs. Rei looked at her with concern, 
asking gently, "So what is it?"
	"Oh, Rei, it's this whole thing. Nobody seems to 
understand what this is like for me. On top of that, no one even 
wants to understand!"
	"Tell me," Rei pressed, "How do you feel?"
	Minako took a long sip of her champagne, downing 
it in one sip. She reached for Rei's glass, and she gave it to 
her.
	"I feel horrible, like I'm letting down my ancestors, 
like I'm letting down my planet…" she proceeded, trailing off as 
two other women their age walked up to them. One was tall, 
with curly auburn hair that reached just past the bottom of her 
shoulder blades. It was partly secured back in an emerald-
studded barrette, but a few wispy locks shaded the girl's face. 
Her green eyes sparkled warmly, accented and complimented 
by the dark green on her dress. The dress was beautiful, made 
of dark green satin. It was cut with an empire waist with small 
cap sleeves. The skirt, which flowed loosely against the tall 
woman's curvy frame, was covered by a green shimmering 
chiffon overlay.
	"Makoto," Rei greeted her with a smile. Minako 
smiled at her, too, only slightly miffed that she had been 
interrupted. She hadn't really felt like getting into detail with Rei 
anyway; she still needed time to think things through with 
herself. 
	"Hey Ami," Minako welcomed the other girl, a girl of 
much smaller size, standing about five inches below Makoto. 
She, too, looked beautiful, with a blue silk dress that trailed the 
floor. It had a modest neckline, accented by a string of pearls, 
and a slit in the skirt that went to her knee. Pearls in her ears 
and short blue hair tied the look together, creating an elegant, 
glamorous line. She smiled and said hello in return.
	"So how's it going?" Makoto asked. "We brought you 
some champagne."
	Minako sat Rei's now empty, confiscated glass 
down on the wide marble railing and took the glass that was 
offered to her from Makoto. She didn't care about getting tipsy; 
she was so depressed she figured it would make her act more 
like her normal self. Rei gave her a sideways glance as she 
began to sip from her new glass, but Minako ignored it. 
	"We're alright," Rei responded to Makoto. "How are 
you two?"
	"We're okay, I guess," Makoto said.
	"We aren't terribly excited about this, though," Ami 
added.
	"I hate it," Minako mused to the group. They all 
grimaced slightly, knowing how difficult it must be for her.
	"I mean," she continued, "Can't you just see them 
now? The prince: arrogant, self-centered, rude…I hate the 
thought of Sere with someone like that. And these generals…I 
can just imagine them. Aging, balding military men, surely 
loving the prospect of having their own little 19 year old 
princess to call his own. You know how Earth men are, they're 
so possessive of their wives."
	The other three girls agreed, obviously disturbed by 
the thought that what Minako said was probably true. They all 
took a long sip of their champagne, their uneasiness 
heightened by the visual Minako had given them. 
Unfortunately, though, they didn't have a chance to talk more, 
for Queen Serenity's voice suddenly sliced through their 
thoughts.
	"Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, Venus, come to the  throne 
now. They're here," she communicated telepathically to them.
	Minako drank the rest of her champagne quickly 
before setting the glass down. The girls all looked at one 
another anxiously.
	"This is it, let's go," Makoto said, her expression 
changing to something Minako had only seen before she 
squared off in an important fight. She called it her game face. 
The other three girls put on expressions to match, and 
fallowed Makoto as she walked back in the ballroom.
They scaled the steps and proceeded up to stand by Princess 
Serenity and the Queen. Venus took her place to the left of the 
Queen, a signification of her position as leader. Rei, Makoto, 
and Ami took their place to the right of the princess, lined up 
respectively in order of rank. They all stood strongly, hands 
behind their back, chests and heads held high. It was a 
stunning sight for the ball's guests to see, the four stern-
looking, yet beautiful young women outfitted splendidly, 
surrounding the elegant Queen and her radiant daughter. 
The music stopped, the couples stopped dancing, and all 
conversation ceased as the attention turned to the Queen and 
her Royal Guard. And then, the large, ornate double doors in 
the back of the ballroom opened, allowing a couple to enter the 
room. The man was dressed in a gray dress shirt and pants, 
his long silvery white hair hanging freely down his back. The 
woman next to him had equally long black, curly hair, and a 
yellow and black dress. They moved silently along the strip of 
red carpet up to the foot of the throne and bowed to the 
Queen.
	"Artemis, Luna," she acknowledged them both, and 
they stood up.
	"Your Majesty," Artemis began, as Luna turned and 
walked back down the red carpeted strip to the doors, "We 
present to you the Earth Prince Endymion, escorted by his 
personal guard."
	Luna led the five men out, walking beside a tall man 
with short black hair and a long, sweeping black cape. Gold 
and silver accented his black uniform, and a silver sword 
swung in its hilt at his side. He walked with a graceful gait, his 
head raised nobly, a proud expression on the face of a man 
that couldn't be more than 23. The four men that proceeded 
directly behind him were each matching in his good looks, 
appearing to be only or two years older than him at the most. 
They wore dark gray uniforms, each accented by a different 
trim. 
	-Well, Minako thought, they certainly aren't as old as 
I thought they would be.- They stopped a few feet from the 
base of the throne, prompted by Luna, and bowed deeply to 
the Queen. She rose and descended the steps along the strip 
of red carpet. She met the Prince at the bottom, who 
acknowledged her with a bow and a kiss on the hand.
	"Your Majesty," he said. His voice was rich and 
friendly, but somehow superficial, most likely due to mutual 
distaste in the whole agreement, Minako thought. He stood 
back up and smiled at the Queen. She gave a warm smile 
in return.
	"Prince Endymion," she addressed him in a nicer 
manner then she had ever addressed Minako, "I welcome you 
to the Moon. May it be a comfortable home to you for the next 
two weeks."
	"I thank you for your graciousness, and my father 
sends his regards. He is caught up in political affairs, and 
regrets that he will be unable to meet with you before the 
Golden Alliance takes place."
	-What wonderful protocol,- Minako thought, mocking 
the conversation in her head as she halfway listened to the "by 
the book" conversation taking place between the Earth Prince 
and the Queen of the Moon. -Perhaps that will be our entire 
relationships with these men, strict protocol.- Her mind 
wandered, as it often did when she was trying to shut out 
something unpleasant, and she almost smiled when she 
began imagining a strictly protocol marriage. It got even harder 
to do when she tried to imagine strictly protocol sex. 
	"I'm so happy to hear that, Prince Endymion," the 
Queen commented in response to something the Earth Prince 
had said. "Now, I would like to introduce you to my daughter 
and her royal guard."
	The smile snapped off of Minako's face when she 
heard those words. That was their cue. Princess Serenity rose 
from her throne and proceeded to stand at the right of her 
mother, the taller, yet very similar looking Queen. Minako 
proceeded down next, standing at the Queen's left. Rei, 
Makoto, and Ami proceeded into place so that they were 
arranged exactly as they had been less than a minute ago 
beside the thrones.
	"My daughter, Princess Serenity VII," Queen 
Serenity announced, and her daughter dropped to one knee in 
an elegant curtsy. She rose and said softly, "I am pleased to 
make your acquaintance."
	The Queen smiled at her daughter's uncharacteristic 
display of grace. It was Minako's turn next.
	"Princess of Venus and highest ranking of my and 
my daughter's royal guard, Lady Minako," the Queen said.
Minako kept her eyes lowered as she, too, dropped to one 
knee like Serenity had. She rose, finally letting her eyes raise 
to the Prince and his generals. She kept her voice cold as she 
repeated what Serenity had said. 
	"I am pleased to make your acquaintance."
The Queen followed suit with each of the young women, each 
repeating the actions of the former two in the emotionless, 
grave voices that reflected exactly what they felt about the 
whole situation. Then the Queen started on some long spiel 
about the position of the guard and whatnot, and Minako 
glanced over to Artemis, who was standing beside the silver 
haired general to the Prince's right. He looked back at her and 
forced a smile.
	-I hate this, Artemis,- she flashed telepathically to 
the older man's mind, the taut line of her mouth unwavering. 
Minako had a special telepathic link to Artemis, since he had 
been her personal guardian since she was brought from the 
seas of Venus and sent to the Moon. He took the place of the 
parental figures she lacked.
	-I know, dear,- he said back tenderly. 
	-Which one am I betrothed to?-
	-You will be paired off by rank.-
	-So probably the one next to you, then, right?-
Artemis and Minako both glanced to the man to the left of 
Artemis. He was young, like the rest of them, with silver hair 
like Artemis's, only not quite as long. The trim on his uniform 
was plain black, but he was the only one other than the prince 
wearing a cape. It, too, trailed the floor, but rather than 
dramatic black, his was the same gray that was on his uniform. 
It was fastened to his shoulders by a heavy silver brooch, 
accented by a grayish pink stone. He must have noticed 
Minako's studious stare, and he glanced over at her. His eyes 
were a deep bluish gray, she noticed before snapping her 
head back over to Artemis.
	-I don't like all the gray on this guy, it seems so 
boring.- Minako said to Artemis.
	-Eh, don't judge a book by its cover. And by the way, 
its not all gray. His hair is silver, like mine. Silver is not gray,- 
Artemis said with a small laugh, reiterating a point that he had 
tried to make to a very young Minako who, when learning 
her colors, refused to refer to his hair as silver.
	-Silver hair isn't native to Earth,- he continued.
	-No, that is interesting, but…I still don't like this.-
	Minako sighed silently.
	-Give him a chance, honey. I don't like seeing you 
married off to a stranger, either, but I would much prefer 
knowing that you were making the best of it.- 
	-I'll try, Artemis, for you. But I won't like it.-
	Artemis smiled at her, and she smiled weakly back.
	-That's my girl. And by the way, quit punching 
mirrors. Its really not good for your hands.-
	Minako looked at him in astonishment, about to 
question how he knew that, when Prince Endymion's voice 
interrupted her link with Artemis.
	"And now, Your Majesty, I request the honor of 
introducing to you my personal guard and highest ranking 
generals."
	"By all means, proceed," the stately Queen replied.
	"To my right, Minor Prince of the North, General of 
the Armies of the North, Captain of the Royal Guard, and my 
personal advisor, General Kunzite."
	The general, the man in gray and black whom 
Minako had just studied, bowed low to the Queen and 
Princess.
	"Your Majesties," he said sternly. Minako liked the 
sound of his voice. It was fairly mid-range, like the Prince's, but 
it had a hint of something familiar to it. It was rich, almost like 
honey, a quality she had been told she possessed. She had 
never heard it on anyone until now, and it was pleasant.
	-He sounds Venusian,- Artemis noted thoughtfully to 
Minako.
	-Is that what it is? I thought I heard something 
interesting in it.-
	-It's interesting, alright. Venusians have never been 
allowed to settle on Earth, and they haven't been able to even 
vacation there for 20 years…makes me wonder.-
	"…General Jadeite…" she heard the Prince say as a 
man with short blonde hair and blue eyes bowed. She didn't 
pay much attention to their petty titles, she was really only 
concerned with names. Impressive ranks meant nothing to her, 
it didn't change her perception of the arrangement at all.
	-So that is Rei's betrothed?-
	-Yes.-
	The prince continued on, introducing a man with 
long mahogany hair as General Nephrite. His reddish brown 
eyes matched the trim on his uniform. He was the tallest of the 
four.
	-Makoto's?-
	-Looks like it. At least he's taller than her.-
	-That's surprising, but fortunate, I guess.-
	The last man introduced was General Zoicite, a man 
about as tall as Jadeite with long wavy blonde hair secured 
back in a loose ponytail. He had deep set green eyes and a 
thoughtful look on his face.
	-And this is Ami's.-
	-Right.-
	-I guess that finishes it off, then. Can I leave now?-
Artemis laughed. 
	–No, dear, now you get to look like your interested in 
learning all about their rank. After that, you get to spend time 
with your new fiancé. Remember, the Queen wants you to 
dance.-
	-Joy.- She said sarcastically. 
	-Just make the best of it, darling. It's unavoidable, so 
you may as well not fight it.-
	-Not fight it,- she thought privately. She was going to 
fight this. She had to.
	-I'll try, Artemis,- she lied.
	-Promise me.-
	-Ugh…I promise.-
	-That's my little goddess.-
	Minako groaned.

	After the formal introductions, the ball continued in a 
normal fashion. The Generals and the Senshi stood facing 
each other for a few awkward moments after the Queen 
returned to sit in her throne, before chatting quietly among 
their familiars. Minako moved to where Rei was, but the two 
were too dumbfounded to speak. 
	"We're being paired off by rank," Minako said finally. 
She pulled Ami, Makoto, and the Princess to her and repeated 
what she had just said. They sighed sadly. Suddenly, Minako 
was made aware of how tightly she was bound into her dress, 
as her breathing got shorter and shorter. Oh, how she wished 
she hadn't tied her corset so tight. It really was making her 
very lightheaded.
	"I'm- I'm going out on the balcony. I need some air," 
she said softly.
	"Do you want us to join you?" Makoto asked.
	"No, I'll be fine. I think the Queen wants us all to 
dance with them, anyway, remember? I'll just be a minute."
	Ami looked at her questioningly. "Are you feeling 
alright?"
	"I'm just a little lightheaded, that's all. It's too stuffy in 
here, I'll be fine in a minute."
	"Alright, then," Rei said finally. "Come on girls, lets 
go meet our fiancés."
	"I'm going to talk to my mother," Princess Serenity 
said, "I'll be there in a minute."
	"Okay," Rei said, "Lets go then."
The three women headed timidly over to where the generals 
and Prince were standing. They noticed their presence and 
stopped talking. There was an awkward silence as each side 
tried to think of what to say, but finally, General Jadeite spoke.
	"Lady Rei," he said, clearing his throat, "May I have 
this dance?"
	Everyone let out the breath they had unconsciously 
been holding.
	"Yes, General Jadeite, thank you," Rei said, and 
proceeded out to the dance floor with him.
	The rest of the Generals followed suit, leaving the 
Prince and Kunzite alone. 
	"So where's your Senshi?" the Prince asked.
	"I'm not sure," Kunzite answered grimly. "How rude 
of her to leave."
	The Prince scoffed in agreement. 
	"I think you should ask the Princess to dance, sir," 
he said.
	"I'm not leaving you until you have your Lady 
Venus."	
	"Very well then, help me search."
	It only took them a moment, for the balcony wasn't 
far off and Minako was the only one wearing a gold dress that 
stunning. She was standing on the edge, holding the railing 
with one hand and her abdomen with the other. A light breeze 
ruffled the satin on her dress and the curls that laid on her 
head. She looked either sad or sick, Kunzite couldn't tell.
	"Well, that was easy enough. I'm off then," Kunzite 
said. "I still despise this entire idea, you know, no matter how 
beautiful these women are."
	"As do I, Kunz. It bites, really," the Prince said, 
letting his slang slip out in the formal setting. Kunzite looked at 
him sternly, but then smiled.
	"And they are definitely beautiful," he commented. 
"Later, Princey."
	"Have fun," the prince replied, and the two began to 
head toward their respective princesses.
	Venus leaned over the railing of the balcony, gazing 
at the Sea of Serenity below. The ocean breeze calmed her 
senses and aided her reeling head, but not very much. One 
hand, gripped the marble railing tightly as she fought to 
maintain her balance.
	"Lady Venus, are you okay?"
	The voice behind her startled her out of her mind, 
and it was all it took for her to lose her balance and begin to 
fall. Immediately she found herself being pulled up by strong 
arms. They remained on her waist after she was righted again. 
Once her vision cleared, she saw who had caught her.
	"Lord Kunzite," she said wearily, remembering her 
promise to Artemis. "How do you…"
	But before she could finish her weak greeting, she 
almost fell again. He righted her one more time, and before 
she could get her voice back, he had helped her sit on the 
nearest bench. She was silent for a minute while she 
collected herself again, his concerned eyes never leaving her. 
	-You don't seem at all like you did in there,- she 
thought absently. -You certainly are good looking, too.-
	Finally she could speak.
	"I- my- thank you…I tied my dress too tightly, I 
believe," she breathed.
	Kunzite smiled at the dreaminess in her tone.
	"Probably, Lady Minako. Women on Earth do it all 
the time, I know. Just relax, I won't let you fall again."
	"How kind of you, General," she chimed, still not 
feeling quite right. Sitting down was helping, though.
	"Call me Kunzite. General makes me sound like I'm 
middle aged."
	"And how old are you?"
	"I'm only 22."
	"My goodness, that's young," she commented, 
coming to her senses slowly but surely, "Venusian blood must 
breed leadership and power in this side of the solar system."
	"Pardon me?"
	"Venusian blood, why, you are Venusian aren't you? 
Your hair…oh, you could be Lunarian, too, with that hair. Or 
Venusian, but you sound Venusian to me. And Lunarian don't 
have your eyes…" she went on, only faintly aware that she 
was rambling. Kunzite stopped her.
	"Yes, Lady Minako, I am partially Venusian. Half, to 
be exact," he said, quieting her.
	She thought for a moment, senses becoming 
clearer. The conversation was helping, too.
	"Well, travel from Venus to Earth has been forbidden 
for 20 years, though, but- Ah! I see. You're 22. That makes 
sense, now, doesn't it?" She smiled at her own senselessness.
	"Finally," he said, "A smile. Are you feeling better?"
	"Much, thank you," she replied.
	Kunzite laughed to himself. "And to think, I thought 
you were just being rude by leaving me, when in fact you were 
about to pass out."
	Minako laughed, too. "I'm sure the Queen was as 
upset as you were. She probably is still upset, actually."
	"Why would she be upset?"
	"She expected us to be ladies and wait for our 
gentlemen," she laughed, "To dance with, I don't know, its just 
something she wanted us to do."
	"Well, dancing isn't reserved to a ballroom, I don't 
think. If she wants you to dance, can we not dance on the 
balcony? Besides, I think you're still in need of fresh air," he 
said with a smile, standing and offering his hand.
	-Protocol,- she thought as she looked down at his 
offered hand. –This doesn't seem like protocol at all…-
	"I suppose we could dance here," she replied, taking 
his hand and allowing herself to be helped to her feet. Still a bit 
unsteady, he stabled her by wrapping a protective arm around 
her waist, taking her hand in his other hand. He leaned his 
head close to hers and said softly, "We'll go slow. No need for 
you to pass out on me."
	Minako felt his breath dance on her ear as they 
began moving in time with the music that seeped gently from 
indoors. She allowed herself to be led, feeling the warmth of 
his body and hand where they contacted one another. She still 
felt a bit delirious from the champagne and lack of oxygen, but 
a new delirium seeped into her head. A new sense of security 
washed over her body, reaffirmed by the supporting arm laced 
around her waist. A tingling also seeped in, beginning in the 
laces where they touched and traveling straight to her head, 
making her lightheaded again. For a moment, there was 
nothing else, no Queen Serenity, no Golden Alliance, no duty, 
rank, or tradition, as she moved slowly, as he had promised, to 
the now waning music. She had no idea how much time had 
passed when the music finally ended. To her, it could have 
been a year, or it could have been 30 seconds…it all felt the 
same being held in his arms.
	The break in the contact brought her back to reality. 
The rush of cool air that flowed between them when he pulled 
her away was enough to straighten her mind again, sobering 
her immediately. She looked up at the man she had just 
danced with and pushed the tingling sensation that still 
remained away. She remembered her promise to Artemis, 
though, and avoided seeming too rude. He looked down to her 
with a smile, and she smiled back…suddenly, she became lost 
again, swimming in a sea of blue-gray. She couldn't pull her 
gaze away from his, his eyes holding more depth than she had 
ever seen.
	"Thank you for the dance, Kunzite," she said softly. 
She couldn't think beyond his eyes and his touch…it was 
unreal.
	"Thank you, Minako," he replied, pulling her right 
hand to his lips, placing a light, feathery kiss on it. Her mind 
rushed again, the feeling leaving the extremities of her body. 
He held her hand a bit longer running his own hand over hers. 
He stopped on her newly formed scar and turned her palm to 
face him. Minako wasn't aware of what he was doing; her mind 
was off in space, thinking of whether it was really possible to 
not wash one's hand ever again.
	"What's this from?" he asked her, tracing the long 
line with his index finger.
	"Hmm?" she asked, coming out of her thoughts 
again.
	"This scar. It looks, well, bad, to say the least."
	Suddenly, Minako lost the ability to speak. The 
scar…she studied it, too, the red, slightly jagged line that cut 
across her white, silken palm like a fault line. Tradition, anger, 
pride, anguish; emotions came rushing back at her, engulfing 
her unwillingly as she stared down at her palm, which was 
resting in his hand. HIS hand. The man she would marry. 
Marry. The word hadn't been in a Venus Senshi's vocabulary 
until now. Until her…she pulled her hand away from his 
quickly, stepping back to where she could look at him again. 
His eyes, they looked confused and hurt, and blue…oh, they 
were so blue, she thought. 
	-No!- She screamed in her head. –I can't look in his 
eyes.-
	"Minako, are you-" Kunzite started, but Minako cut 
him off.
	"I have to go! I…I need- I just have to! Goodnight!" 
she said with more desperation than she had hoped for. She 
had just danced with the enemy, the man that she was 
supposed to marry, supposed to abandon a thousand year old 
tradition for, and she had liked it. She had let herself get 
caught up in a pretty face and a charming voice, and she was 
quickly becoming enraged with herself. Tears welled up in her 
eyes and she ran off the balcony, through the ballroom, and 
out the side door. Kunzite stood in the same spot, mouth 
gaping open in amazement at what had just happened.
	"I was actually enjoying myself…how did this 
happen?" he said.

	Minako ran through the ballroom in a flash, tears 
beginning to stream down her face. She didn't care if Serenity 
saw her, and it was pretty much stupid to think that she hadn't. 
Repercussions didn't matter right then. She was so confused 
and so angry, at herself and at the night's events. She hated 
this Alliance, she hated the Earth and it's bullheadedness, and 
she hated Kunzite for making her forget that she hated 
everything. 
	-I'm sorry, Artemis,- she flashed to her Guardian as 
she ran out of the ballroom. She made her way back to her 
chambers in an instant, pressing her hand on the insignia on 
the door. It scanned her palm and opened the door, letting her 
in, where she promptly threw herself on her large bed, 
weeping uncontrollably.