Yucie’s First Love

“You take a deep breath,
and you walk through the doors.
It’s the morning of your very first day.
You say hi to your friends you ain’t seen in a while,
and try to stay out of everybody’s way.
It’s your freshman year,
and your gonna be here
for the next four years in this town,
hoping one of those senior boys
will wink and you and say,
‘Y’know, I haven’t seen you around before.’
‘Cause when you’re fifteen,
and somebody tells you they love you,
you’re gonna believe them.
And when you’re fifteen,
feelin’ like there’s nothing to figure out.
Well, count to ten,
take it in.
This is life before you know who you’re gonna be.
Fifteen.”

The sun overhead seemed to almost waver as Yucie lifted a hand to shield her eyes. There was a bright smile on her face as she lowered her hand and made her way over to the girls. Years had passed since their days of ransacking the Crystal Palace with their pretend adventures. Things had drawn the group to move on and grow up past those childhood games. Yucie couldn’t remember the last time they’d all actually been together in one place. It was disheartening, but she hoped to see her friends again very soon. Yucie, Selene, Chibiusa, and Shizuku were preparing to leave for Alania, where they would attend lessons in deportment, politics, and a few others things that would be needed when they became leaders of society.
“It’s hard to believe that we’re going to see Alasse again,” Selene pointed out as she adjusted her skirt.
Yucie nodded. A war in the Luster System between the planets of the Guardians’ Alliance and the rebel planets who refused to sign the treaty had called Alasse away three years ago and the girls hadn’t seen her since. All that the girls knew was that the thirteen-year-old princess had fought valiantly for the safety of her kingdom, and to prevent the war from spreading as far as the Solar System.
With the recent peace, Alasse’s mother, Queen Ashleyannas, had re-opened her finishing school for young princesses. Yucie’s mother had attended the school when Alasse’s grandmother had been teaching. The stories of grand balls and large parties had always intrigued Yucie, and she couldn’t wait for her turn, but the war had forced her to wait a few years. Now at the age of fifteen, Yucie was far from the naïve little girl she had been so many years ago.
“I wonder how she’s doing,” Chibiusa mused.
“I’m sure she’s fine,” Yucie said dismissively. She didn’t like to talk about how far apart they all were. Alasse was her cousin. The thought of Alasse fighting in a war at eleven years old terrified her.
The ship that would transport them to Alania made its descent and landed carefully in front of them. After Chibiusa had made her way onto the ship, Yucie helped Selene and Shizuku in. Finally, she stepped inside, and a squeal-like laugh escaped her lips. “Marissa!” she cried and rushed over to the girl. Marissa had to brace herself against the back of her seat as Yucie nearly flung herself at the blonde girl. Marissa laughed wholeheartedly and hugged the dark-haired princess tightly.
“Hello, Yucie,” Marissa laughed.
“Princess Yucie, may I ask you to please take your seat and buckle up?” asked a young woman in the front of the ship. She was sitting in the co-pilot seat and Yucie had to stare in surprise at the young woman. She had never seen her before, but she couldn’t shake the beauty of the woman.
“Who…who are you?” Shizuku blurted out, unable to hide the awe in her voice.
“Queen Samantha!” Chibiusa cried and rushed over, hugging the winged woman.
Samantha laughed, her wings fluttering slightly, but settling behind her as she returned the girl’s hug. “Hello, dear Princess. How have you been?” Samantha asked.
“I’ve been well…are you to be helping instruct us?” Chibiusa asked.
“Oh, no, dearling. I’m escorting my daughter,” Samantha explained and motioned over to the young, pigtailed blonde by one of the windows.
“Chibiusa? Who is this?” Yucie asked.
“This is Queen Samantha Firewolf of the planet Droon,” Chibiusa explained. She explained how Droon had been conquered by Samantha’s husband, who had forced Samantha and her daughter from the castle. He had turned the planet into a barren wasteland…but with the help of Queen Serenity, Samantha gained her planet back, and peace reigned over the thriving kingdom.
Yucie listened to the story, and then let her gaze move over to the pigtailed blonde, who sat quietly in the corner. She moved over and sat down next to her. “Hiya! I’m Yucie,” she said with a bright smile. The blonde looked away from the window and bowed respectfully.
“Diana, she replied shyly.
Yucie began to ask Diana questions about her life, her family, and her planet, wanting to learn as much as she could about the girl.

Yucie was awoken by the ship jerking. Those soft eyes looked around. She only realized that they’d landed when the door opened and a bright light filled the ship. Yucie had to cover her eyes for a moment. The intensity of the light was unbelievable, and she was glad that she’d packed her sunglasses. Diana smiled softly and stood.
“You’ll get used to the light,” she explained and followed her mother off of the ship. Yucie made sure Selene was off safely, then exited with Chibiusa and Marissa. Shizuku was the last to exit the ship. She lined up with the four other girls, and let her eyes linger on the large buildings that glowed in the light.
“You’ll be staying at the Amber Palace,” Samantha explained. “I’ll escort you to your rooms where you can get some sleep. In the morning, you’ll report to the throne room, where you’ll meet with Queen Ashleyannas,” Samantha stated.
“Are you not staying, mother?” Diana asked softly.
“No, dearheart. I must return and see to things at home. Your aunt cannot handle everything with the baby on the way,” she stated. Diana nodded disheartedly.
“Don’t worry, Diana! We’ll be here with you!” Yucie said happily.
Diana nodded and the group followed into the large doors of the palace. She had been here before…a few years ago when her cousin, Aislin, had begun her lessons, but she saw the awe in the eyes of the other girls. The marble floors were covered by Alanian-made rugs. Portraits of past rulers, knights, and nobles lined the walls…alongside the masterpieces of artists whose names were unknown to the young girls.
Samantha led them through the halls and up stairs to a single door. Samantha opened it to reveal a large common room that connected seven bedrooms. Samantha bid the girls goodnight, and took the time to say goodbye to Diana. The girls claimed their rooms and readied themselves for bed…and the next morning.

Ashleyannas was no longer the teenager Yucie recognized from the pictures in her mother’s photo albums. Regal and serene, the Alanian Queen was dressed in a long gown of amber color. Around her waist was a cloth belt that hung down over the skirt, ending just above her ankles. Her long, brunette hair was pulled into the similar style that Yucie recognized from Anoamias. Yucie then noticed that someone was standing beside Ashleyannas’ thrown. She couldn’t believe how Alasse had changed. She wore her own dress of amber, but of a heavier material. Yucie recognized the style from the pictures of Alasse’s grandmother. She smiled and opened her mouth to call the girl’s name, but an elbow to her side stopped her. She winced and rubbed her side, letting her eyes dart to the girl beside her. Long brunette hair was held back by a singular bow. She wore a long yellow dress. Yucie smiled.
“Christine!” she said happily, but the taller girl hushed her. Yucie looked back toward the throne. Ashleyannas was standing in front of her now. Yucie gulped as she stared into her older cousin’s face. Ashleyannas’ stern gaze sent a chill down Yucie’s spine. She stood as straight as she could, only to watch Ashleyannas move down along the line of young girls.
“There are rules…that you girls must follow at all times,” Ashleyannas stated, an accent to her Japanese that made her words all the more powerful to Yucie.  “You will finish your homework, or privileges will be taken from you. You will not leave the palace unescorted, and you will be expected to do everything you are told. You are here to learn how to be proper Queens. First you will report to the palace tailor, who will take your measurements for your uniforms. Once you have your uniforms, you will change and report to the dining hall, where your schedules will be given to you,” she stated, then moved back to her throne. She nodded to the tall servant who was escorting the girls. The woman led them from the room and down the hall. Yucie stopped as she noticed a group of older girls walking over to Alasse. She looked back at her friends, then stepped away to go join them.
One of the girls stepped in front of her. She was dressed in the traditional Japanese-style school uniform in the color of red. The red uniforms, as her mother had told her, signified the girls who would be graduating and moving on to their royal duties, either as heirs to the throne, or advisors. This girl had short brown hair that reached her shoulders and curved into a point at the ends. Her eyes were a dark brown, and the black eyeliner and lipstick suggested that she had a love for the dark styles.
“Where do you think you’re going, freshman?” she asked coldly.
Yucie hesitated a moment, then looked over at Alasse. “I…was going to see my cousin,” she answered shyly.
“You? You’re the Princess’ cousin? HA! A shrimp like you?” the girl asked.
“That’s enough, Aislin,” said a mature voice that Yucie wasn’t used to hearing from her cousin’s lips. She looked over at Alasse and stared at her. Alasse moved over to Yucie and smiled softly. She leaned forward and whispered something in Japanese into Yucie’s ear. Yucie nodded, turned, and ran off to catch up with her friends.

“So what did she say?” Chibiusa asked as she sat down on the couch in their common room. She picked up a handful of pretzels and stuck one in her mouth.
“That she couldn’t speak to me while the other seniors were watching. It would get me picked on,” Yucie explained.
“I can understand that. From what I’ve heard, the seniors like to pick on the relatives of other seniors…and certain seniors can be vicious,” Marissa explained.
“That Aislin girl is such a big meanie!” Yucie cried and pouted.
“A-Aislin?” Diana asked. The rest of the group turned their gaze to Diana, who stood there, sporting the blue freshman uniform.
“You know her?” Shizuku asked.
“Yes. She’s my cousin,” Diana answered.
“We could tell the other seniors that Aislin’s cousin goes here,” Chibiusa said, a mischievous smirk painting her face.
“No, Chibiusa! That’ll get them to pick on Diana!” Selene cried.
“Aislin wouldn’t care if they pick on me…she doesn’t like me much,” Diana explained.
“Why’s that?” Marissa asked.
Before Diana could answer, the door opened and the girls turned their gaze to a violet-haired girl as she entered the room. Chibiusa immediately recognized her cousin, the youngest child of Princess Neeko Crestmoon. She stood and rushed over to her cousin, and then realized that her aunt, and her oldest cousin, Kage, were standing in the doorway.
Shizuku changed the subject to their lessons until Chibiusa returned to the group. Chibiusa sat back down and pulled the violet-haired girl down beside her. Chibiusa smiled and placed a comforting arm around her cousin. “Guys, this is Tenshi Crestmoon, my cousin,” she stated with a bright smile. Tenshi bowed her head, and when she lifted it, her bangs fell away to reveal the black crescent moon on her forehead. Yucie stared at the girl a moment. The war against the Black Moon ended long ago, and they had recently learned that Demando had been distantly related to Princess Neeko. There was still some animosity between the humans and the Black Moon, and she visibly saw how uncomfortable the symbol made Selene.
A knock on the door drew Yucie from her thoughts. She stood and watched the door open. In stepped Alasse and two young boys. The first Yucie had only met once before. A young man with long black hair streaked with red. His pale skin and sharp eyes reminded Yucie of Alasse’s father, the vampire Dante. The second boy was a young man of Alanian birth. Yuie wasn't sure who he was, only that his clothes placed him under the status of squire. She let her eyes linger over his features and Yucie felt a blush paint her dark cheeks. “H…Hello…” she greeted shyly.

To be Continued…