sm_monthly Aug 20 theme
Continuing directly from A Case of Mistaken Identity
Title: The Other Girl's Life
Author: purplekitte
Theme: Family--Estrangement
Genre: Drama
Version: Anime
Rating: PG-13
“Sister! Have those barbarians mistreated you more than they already harmed you? You’re safe now; I’ll get them back.”
“They’ve treated me very well, Brother,” Hokuto said to Princes Arienes. “Not all barbarians are the same barbarian.”
Evidentially she was someone who would contradict the prince of Mars, because he didn’t seem surprised at her standing up to him.
Kunzite, behind her, pretended they were speaking a language he didn’t understand. She had actually found him quite interesting on their carriage ride to the capitol, though she could only say so much as to not arouse suspicion.
“Your rooms are being made up in the embassy as we speak.”
“Perhaps Her Highness would like to spar with some of the royal guard until it is ready.”
“That would be a splendid idea. Show the Earthlings, Sister.”
Wait, what? How do I get out of this? she thought frantically as she went away with Kunzite.
“He calms down so much.”
“Hm?”
“Oh, His Highness becomes much more agreeable in the presence of someone who can kic--who can defeat him in combat and regularly does.”
I can? Sheep take it.
“I had hoped to spar with you, but there has not been an opportunity.”
Kunzite? That’s even worse!
The practice courts were near where their carriage had stopped. Kunzite wasted no time finding an empty one and drawing his sword slowly.
I’m tired? That’s stupid. He thinks I can fight with live steel. He’s thinking I’m good again. One sword or two? Hokuto considered the crossed swords on her back. Not that it will make any difference. She took out both, not sure how it wouldn’t be an advantage.
Kunzite bowed to her and she bowed back, before he lunged at her suddenly. She darted out of the way more instinctively than consciously. He chopped sideways and she ducked so it only scrapped bluntly over the top of her head and flailed wildly at his legs. He sidestepped it easily, but one of her swords happened to collide with his next pass.
Oof, she almost groaned at the clash of steel ringing up her arm. Her hand jerked with the shockwave through her body and she saw a blond man with red-trimmed pants identical to the ones she was wearing. She started and tripped. She dropped the sword locked with the other, sending both to the ground. She fell on her knees at his feet, her remaining sword hand spinning wildly, landing with the sword point at his throat.
For a moment, Kunzite looked aghast. Then he started to laugh. “Oh well done, Your Highness. I knew you were good and I was being too cautious. And you really threw me off guard with the raw beginner act. I should have remembered the old adage of just how dangerous and unpredictable a completely untrained fighter can be. Thank you, Your Highness.”
When she withdrew her sword and stood and looked over his shoulder, the man who had been there had already disappeared.
* * *
Wanting nothing more than a hot shower, bath, Hokuto was dissatisfied with the hustle and bustle of the Martian embassy. Maybe it was always that way.
“Oh she’s here!” cried a servants, though she wasn’t sure quite at whom.
Kunzite left her at the door, more respectfully than gallantly. She didn’t need to ask before servants bustled her inside. They brought her not to her brother, but to an older woman in too many skirts and makeup and a crown.
“Princess Sailor Mars,” Hokuto was announced.
She considered. Then she decided to go out on quite a limb. “Lady Mother.”
“Oh don’t be so distant, Enara,” the woman was bawling theatrically. “Just because I never get to see you because you’re always in that awful place and you almost died in this horrible place!”
Enara. My name. My name. She decided to stay with Morino Hokuto until she was entirely sure she really was the princess. I usually live in the Lunar Kingdom. That’s why I’m not usually at home. I must be some kind of ambassador.
“I miss you too, Mother.” Weren’t Martian women supposed to be militaristic and strong, like her? “I just am needed other places right now. I still love home. I’ll get you some tissues--handkerchiefs--a servant to get you handkerchiefs.” She leapt around the corner faster than she had when Kunzite had been swinging at sword at her.
Arienes was there. “Uhh, I would have warned you Mother was here, but she only just arrived, unannounced.” He looked rather sheepish.
Hokuto suspected he was thinking the same things as her. She dragged him back in with her. Maybe they could both step in to the conversation often enough to save each other.
(a/n: I have been wanting to write that fight scene for a while now, I wish I was good enough at such scenes to have it been longer. And I just felt like channeling Treesa Ashkevron for the mother.)
Title: The Other Girl's Life
Author: purplekitte
Theme: Family--Estrangement
Genre: Drama
Version: Anime
Rating: PG-13
“Sister! Have those barbarians mistreated you more than they already harmed you? You’re safe now; I’ll get them back.”
“They’ve treated me very well, Brother,” Hokuto said to Princes Arienes. “Not all barbarians are the same barbarian.”
Evidentially she was someone who would contradict the prince of Mars, because he didn’t seem surprised at her standing up to him.
Kunzite, behind her, pretended they were speaking a language he didn’t understand. She had actually found him quite interesting on their carriage ride to the capitol, though she could only say so much as to not arouse suspicion.
“Your rooms are being made up in the embassy as we speak.”
“Perhaps Her Highness would like to spar with some of the royal guard until it is ready.”
“That would be a splendid idea. Show the Earthlings, Sister.”
Wait, what? How do I get out of this? she thought frantically as she went away with Kunzite.
“He calms down so much.”
“Hm?”
“Oh, His Highness becomes much more agreeable in the presence of someone who can kic--who can defeat him in combat and regularly does.”
I can? Sheep take it.
“I had hoped to spar with you, but there has not been an opportunity.”
Kunzite? That’s even worse!
The practice courts were near where their carriage had stopped. Kunzite wasted no time finding an empty one and drawing his sword slowly.
I’m tired? That’s stupid. He thinks I can fight with live steel. He’s thinking I’m good again. One sword or two? Hokuto considered the crossed swords on her back. Not that it will make any difference. She took out both, not sure how it wouldn’t be an advantage.
Kunzite bowed to her and she bowed back, before he lunged at her suddenly. She darted out of the way more instinctively than consciously. He chopped sideways and she ducked so it only scrapped bluntly over the top of her head and flailed wildly at his legs. He sidestepped it easily, but one of her swords happened to collide with his next pass.
Oof, she almost groaned at the clash of steel ringing up her arm. Her hand jerked with the shockwave through her body and she saw a blond man with red-trimmed pants identical to the ones she was wearing. She started and tripped. She dropped the sword locked with the other, sending both to the ground. She fell on her knees at his feet, her remaining sword hand spinning wildly, landing with the sword point at his throat.
For a moment, Kunzite looked aghast. Then he started to laugh. “Oh well done, Your Highness. I knew you were good and I was being too cautious. And you really threw me off guard with the raw beginner act. I should have remembered the old adage of just how dangerous and unpredictable a completely untrained fighter can be. Thank you, Your Highness.”
When she withdrew her sword and stood and looked over his shoulder, the man who had been there had already disappeared.
* * *
Wanting nothing more than a hot shower, bath, Hokuto was dissatisfied with the hustle and bustle of the Martian embassy. Maybe it was always that way.
“Oh she’s here!” cried a servants, though she wasn’t sure quite at whom.
Kunzite left her at the door, more respectfully than gallantly. She didn’t need to ask before servants bustled her inside. They brought her not to her brother, but to an older woman in too many skirts and makeup and a crown.
“Princess Sailor Mars,” Hokuto was announced.
She considered. Then she decided to go out on quite a limb. “Lady Mother.”
“Oh don’t be so distant, Enara,” the woman was bawling theatrically. “Just because I never get to see you because you’re always in that awful place and you almost died in this horrible place!”
Enara. My name. My name. She decided to stay with Morino Hokuto until she was entirely sure she really was the princess. I usually live in the Lunar Kingdom. That’s why I’m not usually at home. I must be some kind of ambassador.
“I miss you too, Mother.” Weren’t Martian women supposed to be militaristic and strong, like her? “I just am needed other places right now. I still love home. I’ll get you some tissues--handkerchiefs--a servant to get you handkerchiefs.” She leapt around the corner faster than she had when Kunzite had been swinging at sword at her.
Arienes was there. “Uhh, I would have warned you Mother was here, but she only just arrived, unannounced.” He looked rather sheepish.
Hokuto suspected he was thinking the same things as her. She dragged him back in with her. Maybe they could both step in to the conversation often enough to save each other.
(a/n: I have been wanting to write that fight scene for a while now, I wish I was good enough at such scenes to have it been longer. And I just felt like channeling Treesa Ashkevron for the mother.)