Title: Love For All Time	Part 12

Author: Jade Hunter

A.N: Once again, mostly flashbacks, but there will be a battle.

Disclaimer: The Senshi and Ranma do not belong to me in any way, and I
                  am not making money from this in any way.  Light, Earth, Love,
                  Fire, Thunder, Fog, Death, Wind, Water, Time, and Shadow do
	    belong to me, however, and so does the Elemental Knight and
                  his vast powers.

"talkng"
**thoughts**
<<telepathy>>
_emphasis_
////memories////

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////flashback////

	The Inner Senshi whirled to face the intruder who was clapping.  They
relaxed when they saw that their Princess was the one who was clapping, standing
at the doorway with five _very_ handsome men, who were all slack-jawed.

	"Serenity-hime," they chorused, and bowed down in respect.

	"Rise, my friends," she smiled.  "And greet our guests."

	They rose, and immediatly slid into rank, Mina first, Raye second, Lita
third, and Amy last.

	Serenity turned to the Earth men and announced, "These four are my
sworn companions, my court, and my guard.  Princess Mina of the planet Venus,
also known as the Sailor Venus, first in command of my guard.  Princess Raye
of the planet Mars, second in command of my guard as Sailor Mars.  Princess
Lita from Jupiter, third in command as the Sailor Soldier of Jupiter.  Princess Amy
of Mercury, Sailor Mercury, fourth in command of my guard."

	When their name was announced, the girls stepped dipped their heads,
not in the right attire for curtseying.  They looked at Serenity for the names and
ranks of the Earth men.

	She grinned and pointed to the black-haired man, "This is Endymon, the
Prince of Earth."

	Endymon bowed, a bit confused, and introduced his guard, "My guard, 
First General Kunzite, Second General Jadeite, Third General Nephrite, and Fourth
 General Zoisite."

	The men from Earth did not know what to make of these four women who
were just fighting with a skill that most _men_ would be hard pressed to match.  Also,
they were princesses, and yet not like any of the Earth princesses.  These women
were sweaty, dirty, dressed in men's clothes, and had they hairs tied carelessly
back into ponytails.  They didn't show any worry about their appearance, or their
nails, or their hairs.

	Truth be told, it was refreshing.

	They bowed also, smiling cordially.  The women returned the polite smile
with a one of their own, looking pleasant.  They looked back at the Princess who
was watching them with a small frown.

	"Is there something else you need, Serenity-hime?" Mina asked.

	She pouted for a second before answering, "Yes.  I want to know why all
of a sudden you're training more harder than ever."

	The Senshi exchanged wide-eyed glances, and Lita gaped, "Serenity-sama
did not tell you?"

	"No, Mother didn't tell me, and tell me what?" Serenity demanded.

	"Ah, nothing," Amy said quickly.

	"Amy," Serenity warned.  "Tell me!"

	"Tell you what?" Raye questioned, painting a curious look on her face.

	"What Mother won't tell me!" Serenity scowled.  "Why you all are training
harder than ever before!"

	"We can't tell you," shrugged Mina.

	"Why?" the Princess wondered.

	"Because - " Lita was about to say more when Raye stepped on her foot
none too gently.

	"BECAUSE there's nothing to tell," Raye smiled through gritted teeth.  She
turned to Lita and added, "RIGHT?"

	Lita flashed a pain-filled smile and nodded weakly, "Right."

	Raye smiled again, more widely, and nodded, "See?  Nothing to tell.
Nothing at all.  Absolutely nothing."

	"Nothing," agreed Amy.

	"Nothing," repeated Mina forcefully for good measure.

	Serenity narrowed her eyes at them.

	The Senshi smiled innocently back.

////end flashback////

	"Those Nega-scum were his guards?" Minako asked, pointing at 
Mamoru.

	"Ah, no," Ryuujin frowned.  "Remember the last battle?  Clones."

	"Oh, right," Minako calmed down, frowning.  "But that doesn't make
it easier to accept.

	"If you think that's hard, wait till you see what's coming," Setsuna
muttered.

	"What do you mean?" asked Rei, who was closest to the Time Senshi.

	Setsuna sucked in her breath and glanced at Ryuujin anxiously before
answering, "You'll see what I mean soon enough."

	"When the time is right," Ryuujin shrugged.

*****

	"When the time is right," began Shadow, her whispy black hair floating
around her head.  "We will strike."

	"And thisss Elemennntaaal Knnightt?" asked a Phantom, kneeling with
it's brothers.

	Shadow glared at it and bit out, "I destroyed my former Master once, I
shall do it again.  I am much more powerful than before."

	"Yesss, Missstressss," the Phantom lowered it's head.

	"And Slave," Shadow sniffed, lifting up a gloved hand to point at the
Phantom.  The Phantom looked up, just in time to be incinerated by the black
mist, "Never question _me_."

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To be continued in Part 13.

~~~~~Jade Hunter~~~~~