Disclaimer: I think I'm getting worse at these as time goes on...I think someone needs to write a web page on how to write disclaimers, funny ones... I mean sometimes I'm original but I always have to fight the urge to copy past weeks...LOL Oh yeah, the disclaimer, duh... I don't own SailorMoon, yeah to the creator Naoko Takeuchi and respective owners, please don't sue me cause I don't have money... Now if you'd like to give me some..hehe

Chapter Two

Lita was woken up from a deep dreamless slumber with the all too familiar sound of shattered glass and tortured screams. She snapped awake, fear pounding at her temples as she clutched the sheets to her still clothed form, intent on listening for more sounds.She shivered as she heard deep, gutteral, men's voices and a frightened woman's piercing the air of the two-storied house. More tears filled her eyes but she banished them quickly. She had to get out. With practiced ease of one who has made too many quick escapes she dashed lightly to her feet, grabbed the bag containing the necklaces, threw her cloak over herself and slipped out into the hall.

Lita scanned for soldiers and tensed as she heard their heavy boots ringing out on the stone corridor. She looked and almost fainted with relief with the sight of an open window, linen curtains fluttering in the cold night's breeze. She ran to it and started to climb out onto the narrow ledge but paused, torn.

Oh by Jupiter, she had lost so much. How could she leave Mina here; to capture, to pain, to death? But how could she not? On her rested the hopes and dreams of an entire captive universe. Their freedom gave others the strength to go on. Their open defiance of the Earthen Overlords inspired others to take up the fight for freedom. Duty came first; it always had and always would.

"I'll see you in the place of light," she whispered feverently. "Should we fail then we'll join the others there." Decision made she climbed out onto the ledge. Lita looked down and blanched. Jupiter, she was high up.

"Hay, you there, stop!" Without pausing to look back Lita took a deep breath and jumped. She bit her lip but couldn't help crying out as she landed on her ankle hard, twisting it terribly.

"Stop!" The deep voice struck a cord within her and almost against her will Lita looked back. A strong man stood shillhouted in the window, shadow dark against the brightness of the hall but she would know him anywhere from Rose's descriptions. Piercing emerald clashed with flaming cerulean.

"You can't run forever!" the voice of her dead best friend's life mate bellowed. Lita's gaze narrowed.

"I don't have to," she called back, moved to answer the man she hated with more passion than she had thought she could muster though she had never met him until today. "Just until you die." She saw him start and saw his lips move to reply when more shouts sounding close to her made her realize his talk had only been a tactic to delay her until his men could find her.

"You won't get me that easy you scum," she said furiously to herself and without another word turned and limped away into the overgrown garden, letting her green cloak camoflauge her.

Nephrite stared at the swiftly retreating back of the woman his soul mate had called sister. He had never seen her in person but Rose's stunning pictures were enough to easily let him identify her. But not even Rose's considerable talent had been able to capture those haughty green eyes, eyes that challenged him, that defied him and everything he stood for.

Bernum came clambering up the stairs, breathing hard, a woman in tow. The lovely blonde hung limp in his massive arms, head dangling in a way to suggest that she had been knocked unconscious. Blood came from several cuts and slashes on her white, elegant arms, and a blue bruise was rapidly spreading across her delicate face. And even though she wasn't awake she gave off an aura of complete power.

"Princess Venus," he asked, though it was more of a statement. Bernum nodded her burly head and opened a palm to reveal a dangling gold necklace with the symbol of Venus glinting dully on it.

"Yes sir. She pit up a fight, the wildcat, two of my men have to get stitches." Nephrite raised one slender eyebrow in query.

"And what weapon could that mere wisp of a woman wield?" Bernum shook his head and snorted.

"This wisp of a woman had a butcher knife and knew damned well how to use it." Nephrite chuckled softly before allowing his gaze to be drawn back to the window and the gardens beyond.

"And the other?" Bernum dared to prompt.

"Gone," he answered absently. "For now at least but if this one is a wildcat Princess Jupiter is nothing less than a hellcat."

"Should we send the men out?" Nephrite nodded.

"Yes. I want her alive if possible..." Bernum started.

"But Beryl said..." Nephrite leveled his man with a cold stare.

"Beryl is a vengeful fanatic. We listen to her, but we are held accountable to no man save Emperor Sol. I want her alive like this one." He looked down at Princess Mina.

"Take her to the Healers and put her in chains." Bernum nodded.

"Aye Lord but..." his aid licked his lips, nervously, "but don't we want Beryl to put her in stasis?" Nephrite growled.

"Beryl was given the others to be kept alive. This woman is reasonably healthy and is in no risk of immediate death. The people will be cowed all the quicker if they can hear their beloved princess's passionate pleads for mercy. She is of more use to us and the Emperor awake. I trust you have no more questions?" Bernum stuttered and backed away, the princess still in his arms.

"None sir, none at all."

Lita gasped through pain as she stumbled yet again. Her heart thudding she fell to the cold wet grass and crawled under one huge rosebush. Its thorns ripped at her and her clothing and she bit her lip bloody to keep from crying out. She sniffled and curled into a ball as she tried to wipe away the tears that just kept coming. She stilled at the sound of men and tensed as they tramped by, their lanterns and torches casting a sickly red glow against the soothing darkness of night. The symbol of Jupiter pulsed hotly on her face and she hastened to cover it, her heart quickening as power poured through her tired body.

She hugged herself as excitement filled her. Jupiter hadn't granted her power since... since Serena had died. And in that single instant, that terrible instant that had taken so many loved ones away from her, the comforting presence of her planet's spirit had left her and the other senshi. They had faced what was left of the world defenseless, open to attack, vulnerable. And it had appeared as if they would die that way, at the Earthen Empire's hands. As if they would die as the senshi who failed themselves and all the people who relied on them.

Each generation had its own princesses, women born to protect and serve the people they ruled. Lita's mother had given her charge to her early for Melody, Queen of Jupiter, had died when Lita was four. Lita was raised among adults, in the court her father, heartbroken, no longer wished to rule, with only Rose as a constant companion. Then, seven years ago, when the Earthen Empire was first being checked by neighbors nervous of its bloodthirsty goals, the would be senshi and princesses were sent to the Moon, to train and form the traditional bonds of friendship. And Rose was sent to make a diplomatic match with a high ranking Earthen General.

By all rights it should have been Serena sent to Earth, for the Moon Princess traditionally was the leader of the senshi, but it was too late. Four years before their deaths Serena and Endymion had met and married. Endymion had been branded a traitor and had escaped to the Moon. But after the Moon Jupiter ranked as the most important planet of the alliance that formed the Moon Kingdom. She should have married the man named Nephrite but no senshi married against her will and Lita, barely seventeen at the time of the proposed chance for peace, refused to consider such a bargain. Rose's family though was desperate for power and prestiege and after much deliberation with the diplomats of the Earthen Empire an agreement was made.

It had calmed Lita during those two years to read the long letters Rose wrote to her, filled with first tentative friendship and then love for the man she was sent to marry. For two years Rose had that much happiness and Lita as well as she worked on the Moon and became one with the other scouts.

She raked her hands through her tangled hair. Five years ago it had all changed though and there was no going back. And yet... Bruised fingers touched the burning symbol on her forehead. The senshi were gone but she remained. It was their goal, their duty, to protect, to save, to prevent death and encourage life. Didn't the Earthen Empire embody all that the senshi did not? For five years Lita and the other princesses had run, had been cut down, and though they represented defiance she had never before looked an Earthen general in the eye and spat at him.

Had Jupiter abandoned her or simply waited until she could find her focus again? Was this power approval? Emerald eyes glowed bright in the darkness. Lita always loved a fight, especially now, when all was at stake. With the risks so high she couldn't, wouldn't mess up. She would gain the justice her friend's deaths cried for and free the universe, or in the words of all great heroes and heroines, die trying.

Mina pursed her lips and looked away from the penetrating eyes of the man named Nephrite. She heard him move closer and stiffened, a scowl on her lovely features which turned to a grimace of pain as the bruises that touched her pale skin blue and black stretched painfully.

"Tell me." Mina ignored him and gazed out the barred window of her cell which overlooked a desolate earth. He grabbed one slender arm and she ripped away with surprising strength, fury blazing in her sapphire eyes. She paced away, her back to him as she resolutely stared at the wall, her chin high, body tensed like a tigress.

"I could, I should kill where you stand," the General hissed through clenched teeth. Mina only snorted.

"You think this is a game woman?" he snapped with acid as he went forward again to wrench the stubborn princess around to face him. Mina met his stern eyes as few had done before and turned away yet again, silent, cool, quiet in the face of guaranteed death.

"Will you make me torture you?" Those stunningly vibrant eyes found his again.

"You haven't stopped," she whispered. He stiffened at her words, her accusing eyes sending shock to his core. Sensing her advantage over him she suddenly advanced, silent wrath animating her face as a mask of fury as the golden chains that bound her delicate wrists jangled.

"You think the death of my friends, the loss of my country isn't torture?" Mina shoved manacled hands in his surprised face.

.
"You may bind me in gold General Nephrite," she hissed scathingly, "but these are still chains. Besides what would you have me tell you?"

"Where the remaining princess is," he answered quickly and was even more put out by her equally quick return volley.

"I don't know."

"You're lying," he said softly but even as he spoke the words he saw the falsity in them. They both knew, the princesses had been on the run for years and with a sinking feeling he realized that Alan and Ann were their last hope, their last shelter.

Princess Lita of Jupiter was on her own but that made her all the more dangerous. She was alone, and desperate. Mina's mouth curled into a bitter smile as she backed away.

"Aye Nephrite. You may have never met Lita before last night but you know her. You know her though Rose. There may only be one princess left but you'll need to be twice as smart and twice as fast if you ever wish to stand a hope of catching her."

Lita breathed deeply as she stared into the old cracked mirror, a considered luxury. She touched her soft burnette hair before slowly reaching up and unbinding it from its customary pony-tail. A peasant woman, owner of the small cottage she was temporarily staying in, stood behind her, gray eyes wide.

"Are you sure mistress?" Lita closed her eyes tightly and nodded.

"Please," she whispered, "do it quick." The woman nodded and Lita closed her eyes tightly, her hands balled into fists as she bit her lip. There was a wisp of sound and then a release of weight.

"Its done," the older woman said softly, her voice awed.

Slowly Lita opened her eyes. One hand flew to cover her mouth as she stared at the stranger in the mirror as her waves of copper tresses lay at her feet. Her short hair, no longer pulled straight with the weight of the rest of it, curled into large loose ringlets that bobbed around her head, forming a burnished halo. Hesitantly she tugged at one lock as she fought back tears.

The other woman shook her head. "It's no good mistress," she whispered. "You look different but you're still... You're still too proud. You shine like a star that calls to the rest of humanity." Lita grimaced and nodded before sighing. She collected herself for a moment and then changed.

The image of a strong woman, tall, vibrant, strong vanished. The woman herself was still there but she was softer, more demure, eyes wide with a kind of frightened quietness, like a mouse, quivering, on the edge of flight, yet not fearful enough to be noticed. The peasant gaped as Lita's look of distaste grew.

"I learned this in court," she murmured as she moved back to the mirror and turned from side to side. "When mother died father fell into despair. He ruled through his councilors but those rats couldn't agree on anything, except that every man was for himself. The only way I survived was by making sure I wasn't seen very often. After all I was only a child and a princess would have been a great tool they could have used to further themselves. Rose came when I was eight but even then she was younger than I... She was my friend but she couldn't protect me." Her hands went to stroke the earrings she wore.

"When I turned thirteen father finally decided to start living again and I could stop trying to survive and just be myself. Maybe that's why... Maybe that's why I've been able to survive longer than the others... I've had practice hiding who and what I am."Drawn from her reflections Lita looked up and managed a small smile for the woman who was sheltering her. "Thank you again Tess. I shouldn't ask you to put yourself and family in danger... I promise I'll be gone soon..." The woman named Tess abruptly got over her awe and shuffled up to hug Lita, her manner more like an anxious mother hen.

"Its nothing mistress," she said firmly enough to leave no doubt in Lita's mind of her sincerity. "My mother lived on Jupiter all her life. I was raised there and we both watched you grow. Then when I married Frank and we moved to Mercury we both fell in love with Princess Ami as well. When we heard what had happened... When they told us she had died..." Lita tensed as her mouth set in a grim line.

"I'll believe she's dead when I hold her necklace in my hands,until then she and Rei are still alive to me." Tess frowned.

"What necklace?" Lita entangled herself from the motherly embrace and went to the small bed where she had left her sack, in easy grabbing distance. She opened it so that Tess could see the golden necklaces that lay there.

"Queen Serenity gave these to us the day before they left for the Earth to start peace negotiations. It was on the return voyage that the sky carriage crashed..." Lita held up two of the three necklaces, Uranus and Saturn's, fused as one. "This was in the wreckage. Ami and Rei, we don't know. Neptune, Michiru, she died trying to escape with us, may the planets bless her soul. Mina," tears pooled in fathomless eyes, "Mina was with me until a month ago. Somehow they found out where we were hiding.... I can only pray that, that she doesn't suffer." Tess nodded gravely.

"And Pluto? Has her planet been captured?" Lita shook her head.

"Even Earth will steer clear of Pluto, at least for now... Setsuna cannot help us... She has duties that she cannot be freed from, even if it means our deaths... All the other planets are conquered though... at least in theory. There's no where left to hide where I can walk without being followed and having to wonder if there are spies, if I'm being stalked." Tess frowned.

"They're looking for a princess mistress so you shall have to become the opposite. How about Lena, my orphaned niece from Jupiter... You've come here to work until you can get on your own two feet." Lita's eyes sparkled at the suggestion and she bit her lip.

"But I couldn't," she whispered, "I can't ask you to put your family in even more danger..." Tess shushed her.

"Nonsense. For you, for you mistress we would die." Overcome Lita, Lena, embraced the kind hearted older woman.

"Enough," she said in a husky voice, "enough. I should be the one calling you mistress now, yes? And I can't, I won't stay forever... I've made promises to myself and to my people that I won't break. Earth won't rule forever and may the planets help me I mean to be the cause of their fall." Tess smiled through proud tears.

"You will be mistress, Lena, you will be."

Author's Notes: I've actually been playing with this idea for awhile. I dunno how long this story will be but I like to keep two or three stories going at once so if I get bored with one I can go work on another and hopefully have *something* done by the end of the week...LOL Email, ppppllllleeeaaasseee, and let me know whatcha thought! inspiredthoughts@hotmail.com Oh and check out my new, not quite done web page, http://www.geocities.com/keitree