Pieces ~ Chapter 2 ~ Ami by Cerulean Blue pg Konnichiwa Minna-chan! Gomen nasai for the long wait for this chapter! I am really a busy 8th grader. We are having too many tests and projects to count, so gomen again, but I couldn't help it. Thanks to the people who emailed me I haven't forgotten you! Namely Patches, Keely and Malee. I really appreciate your kind comments and encouragement. Please email me! I thrive on email! If you liked it, this is the only way I know people actually read it. Input is good, and suggestions are welcome! Come on people, just take a minute of your time and email me. Pretty please with sugar on top! Constructive criticism is fine. Thanks! Sorry, this story will probably not be too fast to develop. I might put in the outer senshi if I feel really ambitious. Let's see, Endymion and the Generals might not show for up a little while, so, gomen again. Ummmm, Yeah, I'd just like to thank everyone who takes the time to read this little 'fic of mine, even if it isn't that good. God bless you! On with the story. Keely, my epal, whre are you? Cerulean Blue "Plead my cause, Oh Lord, With those who strive with me; Fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, And stand up for my help. Also draw out the spear, And stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, 'I am your salvation.'" Psalm 35:1-3 Japanese terms I might use: Hai- yes Iie- no Konnichiwa- Hello Ja Ne- Goodbye (slang) Arigato- Thank You Gomen or Gomen Nasai- sorry + nasai very formal Dajoubu Ka?- Are you alright? Hime- Princess Owari- The End -sama- on the end of a name signifies great respect -chan- on the end of a name means dear Name: Nick names: Queen Selenity of the Moon Sele-chan, Selene, Lena-chan, Elen Serenity's mother King Solaris of the Moon Aris, Aris-chan, Sol Serenity's father Princess Serenity of the Moon Sere-chan, Serena, Ren, Rena, Serin, Bunny, Usagi, Rabbit Princess Rei of Mars Rei-chan, pyro Serenity's future guardian Princess Minako of Venus Mina, Mina-chan, Minako-chan, Miko Serenity's future guardian Princess Ami of Mercury Ames, Ami-chan Serenity's future guardian Princess Makoto of Jupiter Mako-chan, Mako, Makoto-chan Serenity's future guardian King Aries of Mars Aries-chan Rei's father Queen Demeter Of Mars Deme-chan, Demeter-chan Rei's mother King Eros of Venus Eros-chan Minako's father Queen Aphrodite of Venus Aphrodite-chan, Dite-chan Minako's mother King Apollo of Mercury Paul, Paul-chan, Apollo-chan Ami's father Queen Athene of Mercury Athene-chan Ami's mother King Zues of Jupiter Zues-chan Makoto's father Queen Persephanie of Jupiter Sephanie-chan,Persephanie-chan, Makoto's mother Sephanie ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ Chapter Two~ Ami <3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3 About the same time as Selenity's and Solaris' blessed event came about, all the inner planets were celebrating births of their own. All the royal families each were given the precious gift of an infant girl, a Princess on each respective planet. *^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^ ~Mercury, Royal Birthing Chamber~ "AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!" A high, blood curdling scream was heard through the royal delivery chamber. The noise made Apollo, the king of Mercury, tremble. As if he wasn't worried about his wife, Athene, the Queen of Mercury. Her scream pushed him off the edge. He was at the brink of insanity. He had to be with her, protect her, hold her, and shield her from the pain. He couldn't take it anymore. He didn't care that the doctor had specifically told him to keep out so that he could do his work without interruption. The anticipation was too great, his need to see her and support her too overwhelming. He was going in. To heck with the doctors orders!!! Another wail came muffled through the thick walls and just strengthened his resolve. Another scream, and Athene yelled his name, very loudly. I'm coming Athene, I'm coming! Without another thought besides getting to his beloved, he sped quickly to the heavy oak door from the spot where he had been pacing just a moment before. Seeing that no one was outside except a brawny nurse with her back turned to him, he tried to sneak in without being noticed. He stealthily crept to the door and turned the brass knob. Unfortunately, the knob squeaked as it turned, thus alarming the large nurse. The nurse had strict orders to keep the father- to-be out of the delivery room. As soon as she saw Apollo, she grabbed for him, but he was too fast for her. As she tried to capture him, he dashed through the door with the speed of the wind. The nurse clutched at thin air and then the nurse performed a stunning nose dive towards the floor. After the brief amusement at the display of the hefty nurse kissing the floor, Apollo continued unhindered into the delivery room. Athene once again screamed bloody murder, causing everyone in the general vicinity to cringe and recoil from whatever they were doing. Apollo plunged into the war zone, covering his ears from the racket, and struggled to his wife, fighting off the doctor and two nurses in the process. They grabbed him, but his superior stregnth was more than a match for theirs. When he finally reached Athene, she was screaming at the doctors to let him go. Apollo clasped her hand and covered her face with kisses and told her how he was so worried about her, and how happy he was. In response, she squeezed his hand as another contraction came on. The doctor and nurses were pleading with him to get out, but Apollo adamantly refused like a determined child. They finally permitted him to stay for the birth, on the condition that he keep out of their way. Besides, his presence silenced some of Athene's screams of agony and provided a break for their ringing ears. Once Athene latched onto Apollo's hand, she balled up her fists and squeezed with all her might. Apollo was sure his hand would fall off, it felt like it was being crushed by a one ton boulder. Such a relief it was when the contraction was over and she released his burning hand, he nearly purred with satisfaction. After the relief came the anticipation of hours more of this. She was only at five centimeters and the contractions were far apart. But, if they were this bad now, how bad would they be at, say, 10 centimeters??? Oh great, he thought, what have I gotten myself into now? 5 hours later... If Apollo's hand was bad at 5 centimeters when he broke in, it was dying now. The agonizing slow pain of having his hand pinched, squeezed and nearly twisted off was wearing on his nerves. He was even more of a nervous wreck than he was before the birth started. His free hand was at his mouth, where he was biting his fingernails like a type writer, waiting for his baby. She was only at 8 centimeters. This was heck... An Hour Later... Ahhh, the blessed moments when my hand is released from Athene's death grip, Apollo thought wistfully. They are now few and far between. Athene was now at 10 centimeters and caked with sweat. Her once beautiful, luxurious blue tresses were now matted and stuck to her skin and she was flecked with perspiration. Her skin had long ago gotten pale, even more so than her natural peach complexion. Apollo had knots in his stomach and his nerves grew even more on edge, if that were possible. He was determined to stay brave for Athene, never mind the fact that he was about to faint... Another Hour, Still at 10 Centimeters... "AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!!! APPPPOOOOLLLLLLOOOOOO!!!! Why did I ever let YYYYOOUUU DDDDOOOO this to MMMMMEEEEE????" Athene screamed, livid with rage and pain. "Now, honey, please calm down! Dajoubu ka? You're killing my hand! OOOOWWW!!!" "Come on you highness! The baby's crowning! The head's almost out! Push!" "When this is over APOLLO SSEEEEE IIIFFF I DON'T KILL YOU!!!" "The ba-baby, it's coming o-out?" Apollo stammered. "I should think that's very obvious your highness. If you took a look!" the nurse snapped. Thud. When Apollo didn't respond the nurse looked around for him. She walked around to the other side of the bed, the spot that Apollo had occupied just a moment before. The sight that welcomed her was Apollo sprawled on the ground with the grace of a beached whale. She chuckled at the sight before her... so, he didn't have the stamina to keep it up! She had guessed as much. She smirked. The other nurse owed her 20 bucks. After the birth~ When Apollo finally revived, he realized with great disspointment that he hadmissed the birth of his daughter. As he walked into the room that Athene was in, he was greeted with his wife, looking clean and fresh, with their new infant. He was overwhemled at the sight. "Apollo-chan, love, don't you think she's perfect?" Athene murmured as she stared loingly at her newborn baby, her precious child, as Apollo came in. It still had not fully registered in her mind that their legnthy wait was over, and she was actually holdng their long-awaited child in her arms. "Hai, Athene, she is perfection itself." Apollo was not lying. As he gazed at her, he did sincerly believe that their beloved daughter was by far the fairest babe he ever laid eyes on. He silently stalked over to the bed, where his wife and baby were resting. He stared at each for long increments, memorizing each detail of both of them as if they would slip away. "If you and I agree she is perfect, than she should have a name befitting that status. Do you agree, Paul-chan?" questioned Athene as she smoothed her baby's hair behind her perfect, tiny ears. "Oh, definitely. She shall have a name that suit her perfection." Apollo said lovingly. "What about an A name, like both of us? Maybe Ami?" suggested Athene. "Athene-chan, I believe that is the name for her. She looks like an Ami, and it fits her. " "Then Ami shall be her name," finalized Athene. "'Tis a good solid name for our beautiful angel," stated Apollo. "Hhhhmmm, Ami," said Athene as she tested the name on her tongue. It came off nicely and she loved it already. Ami, the perfect name for the perfect little cherub, as Athene was sure she would be. Already she began making plans and future dreams for their little miracle, their tiny Ami. In Athene's encircling arms, her baby, newly christened Ami, gurgled in response to her naming, as if she approved of it. Athene gazed on Ami in wonderment, as did Apollo. They had created her, this perfect little infant, dozing, cuddled in the blankets before them. Ami had unique blue hair, which was soft and silky and the hue of the ocean's fathomless depths. Sapphire blue eyes looked out of her petite face. Her eyes were like pools of water and the color of cornsilk flowers. Ami's delicate skin was a pale shade of peach, almost ivory, and shined with a youthful glow. Her lips were perfectly curved and were carnation pink in color. Overall, she was stunning, even at this stage of life. As her parents had said before, and came to the same conclusion again, she was perfect. Mercury~ Mercury was rejoicing at the birth of Princess Ami, daughter of their wise and gentle rulers, King Apollo and Queen Athene. A great commotion went throughout the court of Mercury to welcome the newest addition to the royal family. This was Apollo and Athene's first child, so the people hailed her as heir to the throne of Mercury. ~Royal Palace, Throne Room, Mercury~ The queen and king attended the celebration of the birth of their new daughter, Princess Ami in a regal ceremony to announce the good news. Members of court came forth to pay homage to the newborn princess, as well as royalty from distant planets who had hopes of an alliance with Mercury through a betrothal with their young princess. Ami received many gifts, an innumerable amount and most were of great value and very outlandish. Designed, no doubt, to catch the queen and king's favor. Athene and Apollo grew extremely annoyed with all the hints of an alliance from the other royalty. On the outside, however, they could not show their growing distaste and had to continue to be polite and act respectable, as a queen and king should. So, all through the ceremony, they had to put up with the not-so-discreet hints that they were receiving. When Apollo glanced at his wife, he realized she looked peaked and needed to rest. The after effects of birthing Ami had gotten to her, he decided. Concern for his wife, his love, flooded over every other emotion he was feeling, except with frustration of the other royal families. It heightened his annoyance even more, because he knew it was not helping Athene feel any better. Apollo decided to end the ceremony politely and quickly. His queen looked as if she was ready to drift to sleep, but he couldn't discern if it was from boredom, or fatigue. So, with all the good manners he could muster, he patiently told everyone that the queen needed to retire to her chambers, and that he and Princess Ami would accompany her. The announcement was greeted with some groans of disappointment from remaining royal families, but Apollo viewed the scene with glee. He was going to get rid of all those annoying ambassadors and families! As they descended down the stairs on the red velvet carpet beneath their feet, Athene and Apollo put on noble smiles and nodded curtly to their subjects. Once the tiring affair was behind them, they retired to their chamber exhausted. Athene started to feed Ami as soon as she sat down in a large, comfy armchair and giggled when Ami suckled quite ravenously. Apollo went through papers to pass the time until he went to sleep, but found his attention repeatedly drawn to Athene and Ami, and found it almost impossible to draw away from them. He kept watching the mother and daughter together and mused that motherhood suited Athene perfectly. He rustled his papers out of his way and crept up behind Athene and the armchair. He peered around the edge and contemplated what was the best way to surprise her. He decided on tickling, because she was extremely ticklish and squirmed and squealed whenever he did. He thoroughly enjoyed that. Time to move in... "AAAAPPPPPOOOOOOLLLLLLLOOOOO!!!" Athene squealed loudly. Then Athene started something between yelling and laughing, and Apollo found it intriguing to watch. "What Athene?" asked Apollo, faking innocence. "STOP! Ha, ha, Apollo, stop! Seriously, come ON!" Athene whined."The baby will be traumatized!" But baby Ami also started to chuckle at this point, and seemed to find her parent's antics hysterical. When Apollo finally removed his hands from Athene, both were breathless. Athene stared from her gorgeous husband, to their newborn babe, their sweet Ami, and was content. =)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=)=) Did you like it at all? I beg of you, if you liked my story at all, please email me. I'm going to tell you, the rest of the story will be just a mushy as the first 2 chapters. I will have more action, and hopefully it will get more interesting. I will try to get more chapters out soon. I have a month vacation starting this weekend. Yeah!!! I can do some serious writing, if anyone likes my story. *sigh* Please will you guys email me with your comments??? It really does help. Please!!! Thanks for listening to my whining.