A/N: I only just considered Reinako a few months ago, actually. Since then, they've become my OTP. I swear, I don't even know how it happened—I can't remember what sparked my initial interest. But... BAM! There it was one day. Rei and Minako. And then I started re-watching PGSM, and, well, that sealed the deal right there. Anyway, this is just to get my Reinako things going in preparation for Haato Wa Mangekyou, my mega-long fic that is taking forever to write. Some of the scenes here might show up there, since this is Silver Millenium-based and HWM is current(ish?) Not really sure, yet. This should be able to stand alone, though, just like HWM. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon. Naoko Takeuchi does.

Trials

A cloaked woman sighed as the harsh heat of the sun beat down on her back. She was just outside the Mars Castle's gates-and the guards high above her on the walls refused to let her in.

"State your name and business, and perhaps the King will consider an audience with you."

"I'm not here for an audience with the King—I already told you. I'm here to speak with the Princess of Flames."

"There is no such Princess here."

The blond narrowed her eyes. No Princess like that... What a blatant lie. Maybe officially there isn't one, but surely the guards have heard rumors… "If that is the case, I would speak with the Princess of Mars."

"Listen," said one of the guards, and from the decorations on his armor, the blond assumed he was of a higher rank. "I'll be upfront with you, Lady. We cannot grant you an audience with the King or the Princess. If you state your name and business, we can, however, relay the information to his consultants. They will pass on the information to the King."

"I came to speak with the Princess. Is it not customary to allow guests entry into the Royal Palace, regardless of their origins? If you're worried about my intentions, the protection of Her Majesty, the Queen, should prevent any malicious intent of succeeding. And I give you my word that I am not here to harm anyone."

"Even so, I am afraid we cannot help you if you won't reveal anything about yourself."

The blond crossed her arms, sighing. Well, Serenity, I did as you asked—the fact that they won't let commoners inside the castle confirms your suspicions. Now it's time to get to business.

"Very well, then," the blond said, and she reached into her pocket and withdrew a small letter, sealed with the crest of the Moon. "I believe this should suffice to grant me passage into the castle." She tossed the letter up, and with a small push of magic to guide its path, it flew into the surprised guard's hands.

The guard stared at it for several seconds until he realized what it was that he was looking at. The Queen's Crest was not to be denied. "M-my pardons, my Lady," he said. He gestured to his fellow guards. "Raise the gate!"

A few minutes later, after the guard had returned the letter with many apologies, the blond walked into the great hall. A nice castle, she thought, admiring the tall walls and the shades of red that adorned the stone. Tapestries woven in crimson and gold gracefully lined the walls, and she couldn't deny their beauty. But it's nothing like home. She sighed. She would never be going back home; or, at least, to her old home. She now resided permanently on the Moon. The only reason she wasn't on the Moon right now was because of this mission.

The blond wasted no time upon entering the castle, and she walked straight to the audience hall, where she knew the court was gathered with the King and Princess.

"Excuse me, my Lady, but you can't go in there!" cried a herald. She sighed, then waved the letter in his face, much like she had done to the guard outside. His eyes widened upon seeing the crest.

"I won't be long," she stated, and then she pulled open the door and interrupted a session.

She ignored the stunned gazes of the court as nobles watched her; her eyes were locked on the dais at the far end of the chamber. Two thrones were perched regally atop the dais; both were filled. The King was a bearded man with a hard gaze. But the blond didn't care about him—no, it was his daughter, seated next to him in an elegant gown, upon which her gaze rested. Cloaked as the blond was, however, none could see her eyes hidden beneath her cowl.

She approached the foot of the dais and bowed slightly. "Your Majesty," she said curtly.

"What is the meaning of this? You will kneel before His Highness!" cried a noble.

The blond ignored him and pulled down the hood that had been obstructing her face. She noticed that the Princess' eyes widened, almost as if in recognition. So she knows me? It's been years—I thought she would have forgotten.

"I would speak with the Princess," she said, looking at the King. He narrowed his eyes.

"Who are you?" He asked, obviously irritated that his court session had been interrupted by a stranger.

She tossed the letter at him, aiding its flight with a touch of magic so that it landed gracefully in his lap. His eyes widened. "I am but a humble servant of the Queen," she said.

"I... see," he said upon noting the crest. His gaze flickered to his daughter beside him. She stood without his prompting her.

"Let us retire to a more private setting, my Lady," said the Princess stiffly. She walked down the stairs and led the blond out of the chamber, down a hall, and into a very small room with a single table and some chairs as its only furnishings. The Princess bolted the door behind them, the boot falling with a heavy and resounding clang. Their eyes met.

"Venus," said the Princess of Mars.

Venus allowed a small smile to touch her lips. "So you remember me, after all these years?"

"... Why are you here?"

"You know, we only met once, right? I'm impressed that you even remembered, much less recognized, me," Venus said, as though the Princess hadn't spoken. "And to think, it was under such upsetting circumstances, too. I thought that you would have been too distracted by your grief to really take notice of your surroundings."

Venus noted that the Princess' hands balled into fists, and she raised an eyebrow. "I'm sorry. I would have thought that fifteen years would have cooled such a painful loss. I should have known better. Forgive my rude remarks."

"Why are you here?" repeated the Princess. Direct and to-the-point. Blunt. Venus sighed; no need to beat around the bush, then.

"Official Moon Kingdom business, I'm afraid." Venus sighed. "You're the Crown Princess; I'm sure you don't need to ask why I'm here."

She was met with silence.

Venus spoke. "The Moon may have been turning a blind eye for years, but the recent discovery of Martian weapons on Terran soil can't be overlooked. It's a direct violation of the Treaties." Venus observed the Princess, gauging her reaction. The girl's stoic appearance would have fooled most, but Venus noticed the slight twitch of her eye.

"I've come to offer you a compromise, Princess of Mars. Princess of Flames." The Princess gasped.

"How—?"

"The Moon Kingdom has an extensive informant network. We've known about you for years, about your connection to the fire. The Moon has been watching you since your birth. From a distance, of course." Venus smiled. "Have you ever considered joining the Senshi, Princess of Flames?"

The Princess' blank expression shifted abruptly, and she glared at Venus. "And become slave to Princess Serenity? I think not."

Venus frowned at that. "You say that as though you have a choice." Her frown deepened. "Your Father has put us in a difficult position, Princess of Mars. If we actually held true to the Treaty, we would be forced to declare war upon you immediately—and the forces of Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter would rally behind the Moon. But none of us want that. Peace has lasted for over a millennium. Nobody wants that to change." She sighed. "I wish I could offer better terms, but, unfortunately, I've been tasked to offer you a choice between two alternatives: become a Senshi, or ensure the demise of your planet. These are the direct orders from the Queen. She'll overlook your planet's transgressions if you decide to become one of Princess Serenity's Senshi."

The Princess of Mars sank dejectedly into one of the chairs. Venus ignored the feeling of self-loathing writhing in her stomach upon the sight. "We must leave within the hour, Princess. I suggest you gather your most precious belongings, a few keepsakes, and whatever treasure you can carry; I'll have my servants help you pack. We must leave soon, or else your Father might realize my true intention and stop me."

"...You'd kidnap me and force me into this."

Venus sighed. "Yes. You understand why. And if there were a way I could change it, believe me, I would."

The Princess rose sharply and cast a glare in Venus' direction. She stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind her.

Venus sunk wearily into the chair across from where the Princess had been seated. Princess of Flames and Passion all right, she thought. If looks could kill...

Venus reached into her Subspace pocket and drew out a communicator. "Send in the servants to help her pack, will you, Artemis?"

"Sure thing," replied the Mauan from the other end.

A/N: Tah-Dah! Not much plot. And it's not particularly original, but I hope to make up for that later. We'll see. I haven't really been in this fandom for very long (maybe half a year/a year? I haven't really kept count) so I haven't read enough fics. ;_;

Also, if there are typos/awkward grammar things/syntax errors, please feel free to let me know! I'm always on the quest to improve my skills, so your feedback is greatly appreciated!