Zodiacs in the Waves ~ Zodiac AU

2 - Lies and Lies

Taurus sat at his desk as he stares outside his window. He knew Libra was visiting Sagittarius. Someone in the group (they like to call themselves "The Zodiacs" because they believed they got their names from the constellations) would always sneak out to go visit someone else. Last time Taurus snuck out, he went to see Aries.

If they ever got caught hanging out with the enemies, they would be punished.

The door to has room slammed open, causing him to jump.

"Taurus! Where is your brother?" His mom asked. Taurus mentally sighed. She must've been too busy to notice that Libra was gone for a few days.

"I don't know, he's not in his room?" he lies. Venus frowns and shakes her head.

"I checked everywhere! The castle and the courtyard," she sighed. "Where could he be?"

Taurus shrugs.

"Maybe they took him," Venus growls. "Probably going to hold him for ransom."

Taurus blinks at his mom. He never heard her growl before. He plays with the fish scale on his desk while Venus kept ranting about how much she hated the other rulers in the seas. Taurus droned out her voice and stopped paying attention.

"And then she stole my sea turtle!" Venus angrily exclaims.

"That's great, mom."

She gasped loudly. "What are you talking about? That sea turtle was my companion for the longest time! I cried for days when I lost him."

"Sorry."

Venus sniffed. "It's okay, you didn't know."

"I didn't," Taurus agreed, still not caring about what was going on. He never understood why the kingdoms quarreled with each other. That's why The Zodiacs were great friends. All twelve of them hated the constant war, and they wanted a break from it all.

"Well, I have to get going to take care of some business," Venus started. "Please take care."

Taurus nods. Once his mother exits the room, he lets out a breath of relief. It's hard lying, but he has to do it to protect his friends.

He was bored but decided to go to the market. There's always something good there! Taurus scribbles a quick note that explains where he is. He figured that his mom wouldn't appreciate him interrupting her "business".

~•~

Taurus was almost at the market before he bumped into someone.

"I'm so sor-"

"Taurus!" He looked up to see Aries. She was covering her hair with a hood, so she couldn't be easily recognized. "Follow me."

He obliged, knowing that Aries would've forcefully dragged him with her if he said no. Taurus followed her into an alley near the market.

"Aries, why are you here?"

"I'm going to host a sleepover with The Zodiacs, you in?"

"Aren't the parents going to notice their children are missing? They'll rage even more because they're going to think the other kingdoms kidnapped them," Taurus noted.

"I know. What kind of mermaid would I be if I didn't take any risks?" Aries asked him. He rolled his eyes.

"You're just going to encourage the war," Taurus added. Aries nodded with a frown on her face.

"I get it, but it's been a while since the whole group got to hang out with each other! Think of al the things we can do!" she exclaims. The other sighs, but he agreed.

"I'm going around the world to tell them. Are you going to come with me?"

"I guess." Aries raised her hands in triumph.

"When we gather everyone, we're going to stay near the surfaces of the Caribbean."

"Why my home sea?" Taurus whined. "That just makes it even more risky."

"Because, it's not freezing cold on the surface like some other places, and Queen Venus would never think to check the coasts first," Aries explained.

"Fine, I guess it makes sense," Taurus grumbled. It was true, his mother would never check the coasts first.

"See, I know how to plan things out," Aries beams. She grabs his hand before saying, "We're leaving now."

~•~

Gemini stared blankly at her food. She couldn't eat after what she witnessed earlier that day.

"Gemini, quit playing with your food and eat it," Mercury said. She looked up at him and pushed the plate away.

"I'm not hungry." Gemini could feel Virgo staring at her from the other side of the table. Mercury sighed.

"Eve! Can you clean that up please?" A young servant rushed over to the table. She grabbed the plate but accidentally hit Gemini when doing so.

"Oh, I am so sorry, Princess," Eve apologized. Gemini smiled.

"No need to worry." Eve nodded and scrambled back to the kitchen. Mercury sighed.

"Gem, you can't be like that to servants," he said.

"I'm not going to treat them like slaves!" she argued. "They shouldn't have to worry about being punished if they accidentally touch me!"

Gemini grimaced at what happened earlier. Her father was in a snappy mood today, so he showed no mercy. The family sat in silence, and Gemini looked at the table. She looked up when she heard a metal clinging against a plate.

"Father, I'm done," Virgo announced politely. They exchanged quick glances, and Virgo nodded as if she knew what Gemini was thinking right now.

"Pierre! Plates!" Mercury demanded, setting down his fork and spoon as well. Gemini sighed before scooting her chair ur and leaving the table. She could hear Virgo doing the same.

Once the siblings left the room, Virgo turned to Gemini. "I'm sorry he made you go through that."

Gemini teared up. "T-they were just poor kids who didn't know any better! I-I would've g-given them the things they took if they needed it so much," she cried. Gemini felt a pair of arms wrap her in a hug.

"I know..."

"H-he made me.." Gemini shudders at the thought. She wish it didn't happen, and that her father was in a better mood today. She hated herself for doing it.

"I know, you'll be okay," Virgo tried to reassure. Gemini looked up, her eyes filled up with tears, and her face red from keeping them in.

"I-I know I'll be, but what about everyone else?"

Another chapter done, whoooo! I'm glad you like it so far :)

QUICK RECAP: Taurus didn't care about what his mother had to say. He went to the market, and Aries magically appeared to take him on an adventure. Gemini is scarred for life and is mad at her father while Virgo is trying to comfort her sister!