Zoisite yawned, and rubbed his eyes, while hearing the sound of the birds singing. Looking through the window of his room, he saw that it was a sunny day, and that a sky as blue as he had never seen it graced his eyes. He stood up from bed, and walked to the window. His room was in the third floor of the palace, and gave him a wide view of the palace gardens, the training ground (just below his window) and beyond. The sound of fighting picked his attention, and looking at the battlefield, saw that Endymion and Jadeite were sparring. Funny, he thought, who could believer that this man now fights like a veteran warrior, when just a year ago he knew as much of self-defense as this wall?

He saw Endymion point his sword towards Jed's chest, the General barely avoiding the hit. But, this motion left his side unprotected, and their prince, taking the opportunity, turned his hand around, and pricked the blond in the ribs. Grinning, he said: "Touché, Jed. I see you have been very lazy the last couple of weeks."

Jadeite smiled, and said: "Weeelll, it depends on how you put it. You could say that I have being doing nothing, and was wasting my time, but I would say that I was doing an intensive mental training, that required no physical effort."

Prince Endymion giggled, and replied: "I would rather say that you are just bored. Now what, I know what your problem is."

Jadeite looked at him, and asked: "That I'm such a wonderful warrior that my skills overcome the rest of the earth's population, so that's why I get bored, and you are giving me a higher rank."

Zoisite wasn't surprised by this demonstration of egocentrism, because Jadeite's self-esteem was well known to him and to the prince.

Endymion had to suppress the urge of laughing, and answered, in the most serious tone he could manage to spoke in: "No. I was just going to say that you need a woman's company."

Jadeite's eyes popped open, as the observation sunk in, and looked at his prince with a big question mark all over his face. Endymion grinned, and said: "Well, since you are getting too old to quarrel with me, you could just settle down and have a family."

All the Earth court knew that Jadeite's biggest pride was his age. He was the younger of the generals, edging his twenties, and always was calling the other ones "old rugs", "ancient bones" or anything like that. And everyone also knew that the best way to piss him off was messing with his age. A white aura appeared around Jadeite's body, and his eyes flickered with anger, as he slowly raised a clenched fist, and moved towards Endymion.

Oops, thought the Prince, I think I went too far this time. He raised his hands in front of him, and tried to calm his friend. "Come on, Jed," he said, "you know it was just a joke."

But the general didn't seem to hear him. He muttered: "How dare you, little... baby, junior, kid, spore... call me old." (By the way, Endymion is only 18 in here, making him the youngest of the five). The Prince shrugged, and seen that his friend was about to explode, dashed away to security. However, Jadeite followed him, yelling at the top of his lungs: "Get back here Endymion, I'm not done with you!"

Zoisite sighed, and wondered to himself: When are those two going to get serious? They act like kids all the time. He walked to the inside again, got dressed and left the room, to wander around the palace.

He was in the main hall, when suddenly, a black tornado spun him around, and when he recovered, saw Endymion, hiding behind his back, while he said: "Zoi, you are strong and brave, right? Hide me, please!"

Seconds later, a furious Jadeite stormed into the room, eyes white with anger, and his teeth clenched in fury. Zoisite heard him mutter: "Where is he. I'm going to kill that little brat." Only then he saw his orange-haired friend, and looking behind him, saw a pair of blue eyes and some black hair. "So there you are, junior. This time I'm going to get you." He moved towards the two friends, while Endymion tried to disappear behind Zoisite.

Zoi moved one hand to his friend's shoulder, and said: "Come on Jed. You know Endymion was just trying to... uhm... test you." The blond just stared at him blankly, and replied: "Zoi, move out of the way or I'll have to hurt you too." Looking at Endymion, who was near a breakdown, Zoisite insisted: "He was trying to be funny. Besides, I need to talk you about the party. I need some advice on what to wear and that stuff."

Almost immediately, the white aura surrounding the General disappeared, and said: "Ok. Let's go. But..." he continued as he heard Endymion's sigh of relief, "I'll deal with you later." Zoisite put one hand over Jadeite's shoulder, and slowly but firmly, moved him to the next room. Looking back at his prince, Zoisite moved his lips, forming: "You owe me one." The prince of Earth sighed again, and washed away the sweat in his forehead. I almost had it this time, he thought.

"Prince Endymion," said a deep and harmonious voice.

Endymion almost literally jumped out of his skin, and without turning around, said: "Kun, how many times do I have to tell you, do not scare me like that."

The white haired general just shrugged, and replied: "With this time, about three hundred eighty seven times, your Highness."

The boy turned around, and said: "Please Kun, just Endymion. Forget that royal stuff."

Kunzite bowed, and answered: "As you wish... Prince Endymion." The young black haired boy sighed in desperation, and said: "You are impossible. What is it that you wanted to tell me?"

Kunzite said: "You need to practice your fighting skills, so we are now going to the battle ground, and we will stay there until you can touch me with the sword."

Endymion answered: "You sound just like my mom. Endymion, darling, go to your room and study until you know all the elements in the Periodic Table," he joked, mimicking his mother's voice.

Kunzite looked at him with a sparkle in his eyes, and said: "Then, what is Mg?"

The prince looked at him blankly, and asked: "Hmm... uhmm, I think it's... copper."

Kunzite grinned, and answered: "You obviously need more studying. You should hang out more with Zoi. If you fight well enough today, I may not tell the Queen about this... ahem... mistake. Now, come on, copper boy." Then, they headed to the gardens, preparing themselves to the fight to come...