Title:  Melting The Ice - Chapter 1

Written By:  Aquamarine Angel

E-mail Address:  aquamarineangel@sailormoon.com

Rated:  G

Hello, again everyone!  This story just came to me one day so I just
wrote it down.  I don't know if it's any good, so if you would mail
me and tell me what you think I would be terribly greatful.  Anyway,
on to the story.  (All disclaimers, naturally, apply.)
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	The ball room in the royal Earth palace was bustling with 
activity.  Florists were arranging flowers, while servants, cooks, 
and dozens of other people were putting up tables on one side of the 
room, music stand and chairs were being set up in a corner opposite 
the throne.  The throne itself was being polished until it shined.

	In a shadowy corner of the large room, just below the grand 
staircase, a young man stood.  He was very handsome with fair skin 
and soft features.  His eyes were light blue and filled with 
intelligence.  He had long, sandy-blond hair that he pulled back with 
a blue string.  The young man was wearing a black royal guard 
uniform, with blue trimming.  Black leather  boots were on his feet.  
His expression was troubled.  There was something tugging at the back 
of his mind.  A warning?

	What was his subconscious trying to tell him?  No matter how 
hard he tried he just couldn't figure out what was wrong.  The prince 
was all right, and he knew he wasn't forgetting anything.  He wished 
he could get a grip on what was wrong.

	"Lord Zoicite?  Is that you?" a voice asked behind him.  He 
turned around, startled from his thoughts.

	When he saw his brown haired, green eyed friend, Nephfrite, 
he immediatly took notice of the fact that yet again his friend had 
found him when no one else could.  Nephfrite was most definatly 
physic.

	"Oh, it's just you," Zoicite murmured.  He turned back 
around.  Nephrite then silently walked up beside him.

	"Just me?" Nephfrite repeated.  He was completly insulted.

	"Sorry.  I didn't mean it like that.  I'm just a little 
preoccupied today," Zoicite explained.

	"Don't tell me...you have that 'strange feeling' as well," 
Nephfrite stated.

	"The feeling that something either good or bad is going to 
happen?  Oh, yeah!  It's driving me crazy.  Are you implying that you 
have the feeling too?" Zoicite asked.

	"Yes, I have it as well.  I've been ignoring it.  You should, 
too.  After all we'll find out if it's good or bad soon enough, I'm 
sure.  Now we had better hurry up and get to the stables to meet the 
prince.  We don't want to be late for the welcoming ceromonies when 
the royal family of Mercury arrives," Nephlite pointed out.

	"That would positivly be most tragic.  The ice princess, as 
they call her, would certainly freeze us for tardiness," Zoicite 
laughed.

	"I'm sure they don't call her the ice princess for 
nothing.......Hey, Zoicite, I have a bet for you," Nephfrite said 
slyly as they made their way towards the stables.

	"Bet?  What kind of bet?" Zoicite asked, with interest.  He 
could never resist a good bet.

	"I bet you that you can't melt the ice princess' heart within 
the next two weeks of her stay.  How about it?" Nephfrite said with a 
grin.

	"What's in it for me?" Zoicite asked.

	"I'll be your humble servant to order around for three full 
months if you win and you'll be mine if I win.  Deal?" Nephfrite 
explained and held out his hand.  Zoicite placed his hand in 
Nephfrite's.

	"Deal," Zoicite replied.  They then shook hands.  The bet was 
on.

	The two royal gaurds then continued on towards the stables.  
Both were convinced that themselves would win.  In the excitment of 
the challenge they had also forgotten about the feeling that tugged 
at the back of their minds.

			END OF CHAPTER 1
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So do you like it so far?  Mail me if you do!  I'm despert!