Chapter 5: The Daughter of Love

“And you’re sure you have plenty to do, Angeline?” Mina asked her daughter.

“Yes, Mom,” Angie replied, mildly annoyed by the parental protectiveness. “I’ll find Cami and challenged her to an archery contest.”

“That’s not entirely fair, Angie,” Michael said. Mina nodded in agreement.

“I just want to see if Cami’s been practicing, Dad,” Angie explained. “We’ll hit the pool later. I’m sure.”

Michael sighed, shaking his head. “Well, if Cami doesn’t protest, I can’t see any harm. Besides your mother and I are late for the conference.”

“We’ll see you soon, Angie,” Mina said, hugging her daughter. “Just be careful with those arrows. They’re pretty sharp.”

“I promise.”

“Come on, Mina,” Michael said, urging her into the palace. “Stay out of trouble, Angie.”

Nodding, Angie waved as her parents enter the Crystal Palace. “I’ll stay out of trouble by staying away from trouble,” she muttered. “So far, so good. No twins in sight.”

She traveled up the familiar winding stairways and through the well-known halls. Angie always felt at home in the Crystal Palace, surrounded by the beauty of Crystal Tokyo. She quickly arrived in the guest wing, pausing to study the series of doors on each wall.

Making a decision, she went toward the door to the corner room that Cami preferred. Angie knocked before entering the room. Sunlight streamed into the room from the large windows, creating a warm, peaceful atmosphere. Yet, there was no sign of Cami.

“Where could she have gone?” Angie mused, slowly circling the room. By the bed she found a spare fletch of an arrow. Cami’s quiver and bow were no where in sight.

“So that’s where she went.” Placing the fletch on Cami’s desk, Angie left the room. Scurrying down the hall, she quickly returned to her room. She knew her quiver and bow would be in the closet.

* * * * *

Steady, pull, release. The whiz of the arrow as it sliced through the air hummed in Cami’s ears as she watched the arrow hit the target. She went to retrieve the arrow.

“Bull’s eye. That’s pretty impressive,” a voice called as Cami returned with the arrow.

Cami smiled as she watched the golden-haired heir of Venus approached the range. “I’ve been practicing some,” Cami replied. “But not as good as you, yet.”

“Well, we’ll see, if you’re up to a small contest,” Angie said, notching an arrow. “Game?”

Cami shrugged. “Sure, why not? Only if you’re up at a few laps in the pool afterwards.”

Angie grinned. “Let’s see how bad you lose first.”

“Don’t be too sure of yourself, Angeline,” Cami retorted, notching one of her arrows. “First or second?”

“First,” Angie replied, taking aim. “Someone needs to show you how its done.” She released the arrow, making a dead center bull’s eye.

“Want to give up now?”

Cami shook her head, taking careful aim. “Not yet.” There was a pause. The arrow flew to the target, implanting right next to Angie’s first arrow. “This may prove interesting.”

* * * * *

Angie forced herself to climb out of the pool. Once safely seated and wrapped in a towel, she watched Cami emerged from the pool.

“We’re too old for this,” Angie panted, irked to see Cami so normal after the race.

“Tired, are we?”

“Just remind me never to challenge you in the water,” Angie said, leaning further in the chair. “You’re like a fish.”

“Well, you’re Robin Hood, when it comes to archery,” Cami commented, plopping in a chair beside her friend. “You’re right. We have got to quit these silly games.”

“I wonder what the conference is about, don’t you?”

Cami nodded, drying her hair. “Even my parents don’t know. Everything is so mysterious.”

“I wonder if it’s about Leda,” Angie mused.

“What do you mean?”

Angie laughed. “Come on, Cami. You haven’t noticed the way Paul follows her everywhere. And the way he looks at her when he thinks no one is noticing.”

Cami blushed. “Guess I haven’t.”

“Well, it could be anything. Maybe we are to become Sailor Scouts are selves.”

Cami laughed. “Why would the king and queen call a conference to do that? Why would they ever do that?”

Angie shrugged. “I don’t know. But it would sooo cool, if it did.”

“Yeah, it would,” Cami conceded. “But it’s just wishful thinking, Angie.”


The Daughter of Love “And you’re sure you have plenty to do, Angeline?” Mina asked her daughter. “Yes, Mom,” Angie replied, mildly annoyed by the parental protectiveness. “I’ll find Cami and challenged her to an archery contest.” “That’s not entirely fair, Angie,” Michael said. Mina nodded in agreement. “I just want to see if Cami’s been practicing, Dad,” Angie explained. “We’ll hit the pool later. I’m sure.” Michael sighed, shaking his head. “Well, if Cami doesn’t protest, I can’t see any harm. Besides your mother and I are late for the conference.” “We’ll see you soon, Angie,” Mina said, hugging her daughter. “Just be careful with those arrows. They’re pretty sharp.” “I promise.” “Come on, Mina,” Michael said, urging her into the palace. “Stay out of trouble, Angie.” Nodding, Angie waved as her parents enter the Crystal Palace. “I’ll stay out of trouble by staying away from trouble,” she muttered. “So far, so good. No twins in sight.” She traveled up the familiar winding stairways and through the well-known halls. Angie always felt at home in the Crystal Palace, surrounded by the beauty of Crystal Tokyo. She quickly arrived in the guest wing, pausing to study the series of doors on each wall. Making a decision, she went toward the door to the corner room that Cami preferred. Angie knocked before entering the room. Sunlight streamed into the room from the large windows, creating a warm, peaceful atmosphere. Yet, there was no sign of Cami. “Where could she have gone?” Angie mused, slowly circling the room. By the bed she found a spare fletch of an arrow. Cami’s quiver and bow were no where in sight. “So that’s where she went.” Placing the fletch on Cami’s desk, Angie left the room. Scurrying down the hall, she quickly returned to her room. She knew her quiver and bow would be in the closet. * * * * * Steady, pull, release. The whiz of the arrow as it sliced through the air hummed in Cami’s ears as she watched the arrow hit the target. She went to retrieve the arrow. “Bull’s eye. That’s pretty impressive,” a voice called as Cami returned with the arrow. Cami smiled as she watched the golden-haired heir of Venus approached the range. “I’ve been practicing some,” Cami replied. “But not as good as you, yet.” “Well, we’ll see, if you’re up to a small contest,” Angie said, notching an arrow. “Game?” Cami shrugged. “Sure, why not? Only if you’re up at a few laps in the pool afterwards.” Angie grinned. “Let’s see how bad you lose first.” “Don’t be too sure of yourself, Angeline,” Cami retorted, notching one of her arrows. “First or second?” “First,” Angie replied, taking aim. “Someone needs to show you how its done.” She released the arrow, making a dead center bull’s eye. “Want to give up now?” Cami shook her head, taking careful aim. “Not yet.” There was a pause. The arrow flew to the target, implanting right next to Angie’s first arrow. “This may prove interesting.” * * * * * Angie forced herself to climb out of the pool. Once safely seated and wrapped in a towel, she watched Cami emerged from the pool. “We’re too old for this,” Angie panted, irked to see Cami so normal after the race. “Tired, are we?” “Just remind me never to challenge you in the water,” Angie said, leaning further in the chair. “You’re like a fish.” “Well, you’re Robin Hood, when it comes to archery,” Cami commented, plopping in a chair beside her friend. “You’re right. We have got to quit these silly games.” “I wonder what the conference is about, don’t you?” Cami nodded, drying her hair. “Even my parents don’t know. Everything is so mysterious.” “I wonder if it’s about Leda,” Angie mused. “What do you mean?” Angie laughed. “Come on, Cami. You haven’t noticed the way Paul follows her everywhere. And the way he looks at her when he thinks no one is noticing.” Cami blushed. “Guess I haven’t.” “Well, it could be anything. Maybe we are to become Sailor Scouts are selves.” Cami laughed. “Why would the king and queen call a conference to do that? Why would they ever do that?” Angie shrugged. “I don’t know. But it would sooo cool, if it did.” “Yeah, it would,” Cami conceded. “But it’s just wishful thinking, Angie.”


Chapter 6: The Twins of Fire Jupiter's Gone