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author rlm
date Fri, 19 Feb 2010 06:24:59 -0500
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rlm@0 1 Author's Notes: ^_^
rlm@0 2
rlm@0 3 There's nothing much to say here, really. Trust me, you're going
rlm@0 4 to start hating me around the middle of this part... But keep going
rlm@0 5 until the end! ^_^
rlm@0 6
rlm@0 7 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0 8 Chibiusa no PYUA na kokoro
rlm@0 9 (Chibiusa's Pure Heart)
rlm@0 10 Part 3
rlm@0 11 By Andrea Doolan <andrea.doolan@utoronto.ca>
rlm@0 12 "Sailormoon no ichiban daifan"
rlm@0 13 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
rlm@0 14
rlm@0 15 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 16
rlm@0 17 The large, ornately decorated doors to the main Sailor Senshi
rlm@0 18 conference room shut with a bang. This particular room of the palace
rlm@0 19 was situated on one of the top levels of the grand structure. It
rlm@0 20 boasted a marble conference table, which seated 20 comfortably, and all
rlm@0 21 the architectural and design earmarks that made the Crystal Palace so
rlm@0 22 famous. It was an eclectic atmosphere combining ancient Greek and
rlm@0 23 traditional Japanese designs.
rlm@0 24
rlm@0 25 Sailormars, the person who shut the doors, was the last of the
rlm@0 26 Senior Sailor Senshi to be gathered in the room. With their hectic
rlm@0 27 schedules, it was unusual to see all of them together, but this was a
rlm@0 28 special occasion.
rlm@0 29
rlm@0 30 As Mars took her seat, Neo Queen Serenity spoke. "Minna, thank
rlm@0 31 you for coming here on such short notice. I apologise for the formal
rlm@0 32 atmosphere, because what will be said here today isn't meant for a
rlm@0 33 formal occasion. We're all friends here; friends sharing some great
rlm@0 34 news. I'll now pass things over to my daughter and Sailorsaturn."
rlm@0 35
rlm@0 36 As the Queen sat back down, she passed Small Lady, and gave her a
rlm@0 37 small squeeze on her shoulder. It was enough for a smile to creep
rlm@0 38 across the younger woman's face. It was getting easier, she thought.
rlm@0 39 This would be the third time telling people, and it definitely felt
rlm@0 40 easier. Of course, maybe it was just because they were telling the
rlm@0 41 parents before, and now it was just friends.
rlm@0 42
rlm@0 43 Small Lady and Saturn stood up at the head of the table. All eyes
rlm@0 44 were focused on them. Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter looked at them
rlm@0 45 inquisitively. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto looked at them with love and
rlm@0 46 support. They were really only there for comfort and encouragement.
rlm@0 47 The Queen and King looked at them with smiles on their faces. Serenity
rlm@0 48 nodded her head for them to start.
rlm@0 49
rlm@0 50 "Arigatou, minna. Some of you know what we're about to say, and
rlm@0 51 some of you don't. Before we start, we just want to say what good
rlm@0 52 friends you've all been to us. We cherish you all dearly." Small Lady
rlm@0 53 stopped and smiled at them.
rlm@0 54
rlm@0 55 Saturn took Small Lady's hand, and continued. "Something special
rlm@0 56 has happened in our lives, and we think it's only fair to share it with
rlm@0 57 all of you. Small Lady and I have fallen in love. We care for each
rlm@0 58 other deeply. We...we want to spend the rest of our lives together. We
rlm@0 59 want to be together forever."
rlm@0 60
rlm@0 61 Small Lady jumped in. "We know this may come as a shock to some
rlm@0 62 of you. I know it certainly did for us." She laughed a little at this.
rlm@0 63 "But we both hope you'll give us your blessing. It really means a lot
rlm@0 64 to us. We've already discussed this with our parents, and they've been
rlm@0 65 very supportive. But no pressure, of course." She gave them a little
rlm@0 66 wink.
rlm@0 67
rlm@0 68 There was silence for several moments, but then Sailorjupiter was
rlm@0 69 the first to speak. "So, you left us until last, did you? Seems kind
rlm@0 70 of unfair to me." She stuck her tongue out a little to show she was
rlm@0 71 kidding. "Small Lady, Saturn, personally I think this is great. I wish
rlm@0 72 you all the best in the future." She had a very sincere smile on her
rlm@0 73 face.
rlm@0 74
rlm@0 75 "I knew it!" cried Venus. "My predictions of love are never
rlm@0 76 wrong!" The rest of the group facefaulted. "Hehe, the goddess of love
rlm@0 77 and beauty, the reincarnation of Aphrodite herself gives you her full
rlm@0 78 blessing! You two make a cute couple." She flashed them a "V" sign.
rlm@0 79
rlm@0 80 "I always said we didn't need boys to have fun."
rlm@0 81
rlm@0 82 "Mars, are you feeling playful?"
rlm@0 83
rlm@0 84 "We'll have to save it until later, Venus."
rlm@0 85
rlm@0 86 "Ohhh..."
rlm@0 87
rlm@0 88 "Anyway, the point I was trying to make was you two go really well
rlm@0 89 together. I can feel it from your spirits, it's coming through very
rlm@0 90 strongly. I think you two were made for each other."
rlm@0 91
rlm@0 92 Small Lady and Saturn blushed a little at this.
rlm@0 93
rlm@0 94 Sailormercury was sitting quietly at the end of the table. She
rlm@0 95 was just waiting patiently for her turn to speak. "I still find it hard
rlm@0 96 to believe in a red string of destiny, but after seeing so many real
rlm@0 97 life examples, I think I'll have to rewrite the laws of physics. You
rlm@0 98 two are a shinning example of proof that it does exist. Omedetou ne."
rlm@0 99 She gave a caring smile to them.
rlm@0 100
rlm@0 101 "Minna..." said Small Lady, tears forming in her eyes.
rlm@0 102
rlm@0 103 "Arigatou," said Saturn while she gave her lover a quick hug.
rlm@0 104
rlm@0 105 Everyone got up from their seats and proceeded to give Small Lady
rlm@0 106 and Saturn hugs and words of congratulation. Indeed, it was a joyous
rlm@0 107 occasion. Saturn and Small Lady were so glad everyone had been very
rlm@0 108 accepting of their relationship; it really meant a lot to them. They
rlm@0 109 weren't really worried, though. They had both known everyone for so
rlm@0 110 long, and they were such close friends. But now, deep in their hearts,
rlm@0 111 there still laid a seed of worry. It was because of the upcoming
rlm@0 112 announcement to the kingdom which would follow in a few days. In some
rlm@0 113 respects, it was terrifying to them, but in others they wanted to share
rlm@0 114 the good news with all the people of the kingdom. They knew they might
rlm@0 115 not get the same reception that the Senshi had given them. They
rlm@0 116 accepted that fact, but any way they could, they were going to get
rlm@0 117 through it. Together.
rlm@0 118
rlm@0 119 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 120
rlm@0 121 "Mina-san, please be aware that an official announcement from
rlm@0 122 Crystal Palace will take place at 13:00 today, Japan Standard Time.
rlm@0 123 Please try to avoid crowding the streets around the palace, as public
rlm@0 124 safety in always a concern. The official Crystal Tokyo network, Terebi
rlm@0 125 Takeuchi, will be covering events, as will most of the other major
rlm@0 126 networks and satellite feeds to the planets. Arigatou gozaimasu."
rlm@0 127
rlm@0 128 That was the official press release the palace had given at 9
rlm@0 129 o'clock that Wednesday morning. It had thrown every single news agency
rlm@0 130 in the solar system into mass confusion. If it was an announcement from
rlm@0 131 the palace, it was big news. Everyone was rushing trying to get an
rlm@0 132 early scoop, but none of their sources seemed to know anything, and the
rlm@0 133 palace was being very tight-lipped. Really, the only thing they could do
rlm@0 134 was wait and see. That didn't stop the rumours, though.
rlm@0 135
rlm@0 136 "I heard the king and queen were getting a divorce!"
rlm@0 137
rlm@0 138 "What? Are you crazy? After being together for so long? It's
rlm@0 139 much more serious. I heard Nemesis was making a comeback."
rlm@0 140
rlm@0 141 "Another war? That would be awful..."
rlm@0 142
rlm@0 143 "But if it was a war, wouldn't a state of emergency be declared or
rlm@0 144 something?"
rlm@0 145
rlm@0 146 "Only if the fighting had already broken out. They could just be
rlm@0 147 in negotiations."
rlm@0 148
rlm@0 149 "No, no, you're all wrong! I hear Diana-sama is getting married!"
rlm@0 150
rlm@0 151 "To that prince from Mau? I thought she hated him."
rlm@0 152
rlm@0 153 "Maybe Luna-sama is pregnant again."
rlm@0 154
rlm@0 155 "Could be... Hey, what if one of the Senshi were pregnant!"
rlm@0 156
rlm@0 157 "Um, that would be kind of hard, wouldn't it? Considering who
rlm@0 158 their partners are... And those that don't have partners don't seem to be
rlm@0 159 attached to anyone."
rlm@0 160
rlm@0 161 "Oh, right."
rlm@0 162
rlm@0 163 It went on like this for the four hours between the press release
rlm@0 164 and the announcement. It seemed anybody and everybody had a theory as
rlm@0 165 to what the palace was about to announce. Though no one could have
rlm@0 166 guessed what was actually happening.
rlm@0 167
rlm@0 168 12:56 JST
rlm@0 169
rlm@0 170 "How are you doing?"
rlm@0 171
rlm@0 172 "Okay. How about you?"
rlm@0 173
rlm@0 174 "I'm a nervous wreck."
rlm@0 175
rlm@0 176 "To tell you the truth, I am, too."
rlm@0 177
rlm@0 178 Two lovers embraced and shared a long kiss.
rlm@0 179
rlm@0 180 "Better?"
rlm@0 181
rlm@0 182 "Hai."
rlm@0 183
rlm@0 184 They walked hand in hand to the doors which led out to the
rlm@0 185 balcony. It was from there that they would make their announcement, and
rlm@0 186 the world would know the truth.
rlm@0 187
rlm@0 188 "Small Lady?"
rlm@0 189
rlm@0 190 The pink haired woman stopped and looked to her side. She saw
rlm@0 191 Diana and the Sailor Quartet standing there. After she had told the
rlm@0 192 Inner Senshi, her and Saturn talked to Luna, Artemis, Diana, and the
rlm@0 193 Quartet privately. After all, Diana was her closest friend next to
rlm@0 194 Saturn, and the Quartet were her personal protectors. They had all
rlm@0 195 taken the news with similar reactions to the Senior Senshi.
rlm@0 196 Sailorpallas said she knew all along, but Sailorjuno reminded her she
rlm@0 197 thought Saturn was falling for the king of Mermaid. Everyone laughed at
rlm@0 198 that, including Pallas herself.
rlm@0 199
rlm@0 200 "Diana-tachi!"
rlm@0 201
rlm@0 202 "We're coming out with you."
rlm@0 203
rlm@0 204 "You don't have to..."
rlm@0 205
rlm@0 206 "We're your friends! You're going to get all the support you
rlm@0 207 can!"
rlm@0 208
rlm@0 209 "Princess, we are your protectors. It's our duty and wish to help
rlm@0 210 you," said Sailorceres with a smile.
rlm@0 211
rlm@0 212 "Arigatou," said Saturn. "It means a lot to us."
rlm@0 213
rlm@0 214 "Jikan da," said the King. "The crowds are even larger than I
rlm@0 215 expected."
rlm@0 216
rlm@0 217 The doors to the balcony opened, and the crowd roared. Out
rlm@0 218 stepped Princess Serenity, looking regal as ever, holding hands with the
rlm@0 219 Princess of Saturn, who looked equally gorgeous in her purple gown.
rlm@0 220 They walked to the front of the balcony and waved at the spectators.
rlm@0 221 Directly behind them stood the princess' personal guard and Diana. Off
rlm@0 222 to the side the Senior Sailor Senshi stood, all of whom were wearing
rlm@0 223 their royal gowns. The king and queen stood in the doorway, watching
rlm@0 224 how everything progressed.
rlm@0 225
rlm@0 226 Saturn held Small Lady's hand a little tighter, and whispered
rlm@0 227 something to her which was incomprehensible to everyone else.
rlm@0 228
rlm@0 229 A few minutes later, after the announcement had been made, the crowd
rlm@0 230 cheered even louder, if that was possible.
rlm@0 231
rlm@0 232 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 233
rlm@0 234 The next few days were spent sorting through the public's reaction
rlm@0 235 to the announcement. Generally, it had been very positive, with the
rlm@0 236 palace receiving millions of cards, flowers, and gifts all meant to
rlm@0 237 congratulate the happy couple. Small Lady and Saturn had been fairly
rlm@0 238 surprised at the outpouring of support they had received. Headlines
rlm@0 239 like, "A Match Made in Heaven," "A Happy Day for the Kingdom of
rlm@0 240 Serenity," and "Light and Dark United by the Bonds of Love" boosted
rlm@0 241 their confidence even more. Though, while looking at the last one,
rlm@0 242 Saturn wondered why people always forgot she was the Senshi of death
rlm@0 243 *and* rebirth. Oh well, it made for a good headline at any rate.
rlm@0 244
rlm@0 245 While most reactions had been positive, there had been some
rlm@0 246 negative ones as well. The religious right, even though their hold on
rlm@0 247 society had greatly decreased over the centuries, could still be very
rlm@0 248 vocal. They posted their opinions over the information network linking
rlm@0 249 the entire solar system, and wrote to news organisations. But their
rlm@0 250 reaction was expected; they had been saying the same things for years about
rlm@0 251 other prominent same-sex couples. No one paid much attention to them
rlm@0 252 anymore, including the level-headed religious organisations.
rlm@0 253
rlm@0 254 The main cause for concern in the palace's eyes were several
rlm@0 255 editorials written for the news agencies' publications. While accepting
rlm@0 256 of the relationship, and pointing out how happy everyone was for them,
rlm@0 257 there was one common thread through them all. How would the line of the
rlm@0 258 moon kingdom continue? Through all of science's advances, it was still
rlm@0 259 impossible for two women to conceive. That left several options:
rlm@0 260 adoption - which wouldn't work, because they obviously needed someone
rlm@0 261 with royal blood; artificial insemination - which lead to the question,
rlm@0 262 who would donate the sperm?; and cloning - which meant their baby would
rlm@0 263 have the same genes as the princess, which really wouldn't be a bad
rlm@0 264 thing, except that in order for humanity as a whole and the royal
rlm@0 265 family specifically to advance, there had to be a mixing of the gene
rlm@0 266 pool. It was certainly a valid point to bring up, one Small Lady and
rlm@0 267 Saturn hadn't thought through completely.
rlm@0 268
rlm@0 269 Some, more opinionated people, jumped on the chance, and called it
rlm@0 270 the end of the Moon Kingdom. Others were less extreme in their views,
rlm@0 271 but voiced concern about the inability to have a child. Gay couples
rlm@0 272 around the kingdom fought back, and pointed to their own families to
rlm@0 273 prove the princess and Saturn could bear children, even if Saturn's
rlm@0 274 genes weren't included. It wouldn't mean she would love the child any
rlm@0 275 less. It was good that same sex couples composed about 50% of the
rlm@0 276 population. Small Lady and Saturn needed all the support they could get
rlm@0 277 on this issue.
rlm@0 278
rlm@0 279 The child-bearing issue, and the news of the partnership was hot
rlm@0 280 news over the next month. The press knew its boundaries, but still was
rlm@0 281 able to get pictures of the couple together at every opportunity.
rlm@0 282 Saturn and Small Lady played along very well. They didn't feel as if
rlm@0 283 the press was hounding them, plus they knew what good public relations
rlm@0 284 could mean for them. However, like all hot news, the fervour eventually
rlm@0 285 died down, and the couple was bumped down to monthly updates on the
rlm@0 286 news.
rlm@0 287
rlm@0 288 Small Lady felt overjoyed with the amount of love and support her
rlm@0 289 subjects had given her. Their opinions and happiness really did mean a
rlm@0 290 great deal to her. She was a bit saddened with some of the objections
rlm@0 291 they had received, but it was expected, and with Saturn at her side they
rlm@0 292 were able to deal with it. Saturn...she had been such a pillar of love
rlm@0 293 for the pink haired woman. Even when things looked a bit rocky, she was
rlm@0 294 right there by her side. Small Lady brought her hands to her heart, and
rlm@0 295 sighed. She was the luckiest person alive.
rlm@0 296
rlm@0 297 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 298
rlm@0 299 The next five years seemed to pass quickly for everyone. They
rlm@0 300 were glorious years. The Moon Kingdom was at it's strongest, and
rlm@0 301 flourished under new treaties made with other kingdoms in other parts of
rlm@0 302 the galaxy. The physical destruction from the Black Moon attack had
rlm@0 303 been gone for decades. The emotional toll for the population who had
rlm@0 304 lost so many lives, was recovering, and moving on. They were certain
rlm@0 305 that nothing similar would ever happen again.
rlm@0 306
rlm@0 307 For Small Lady's part, she grew into a lovely woman of 915 years,
rlm@0 308 who still had the appearance of a 22-year-old. Since her 910th birthday
rlm@0 309 she had been given ever increasing responsibilities by her mother.
rlm@0 310 Rumour had it Serenity was going to pass the throne down to her daughter
rlm@0 311 soon. When that was going to happen, no one was sure, but the people
rlm@0 312 knew it would be soon.
rlm@0 313
rlm@0 314 At her side through all this stood Sailorsaturn. It was a very
rlm@0 315 happy time for the couple. Even when they had to be apart because of
rlm@0 316 official responsibilities, they were still together in spirit. The time
rlm@0 317 that they did have together was precious, and they used every second of
rlm@0 318 it to the fullest. They gave each other strength, and received lots of
rlm@0 319 love. They were truly two halves to one whole.
rlm@0 320
rlm@0 321 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 322
rlm@0 323 It was another beautiful day in Crystal Tokyo. The sun cascaded
rlm@0 324 off the crystal buildings, forming tiny rainbows all around town. The
rlm@0 325 sky was as blue as Sailormercury's fuku and the moon's outline could
rlm@0 326 faintly be seen in the skies above. Everyone seemed just a little
rlm@0 327 happier today.
rlm@0 328
rlm@0 329 Unfortunately, things weren't like this for Small Lady. She was
rlm@0 330 in her worst mood in months, and was feeling very depressed. All
rlm@0 331 morning she moped around the palace trying to keep herself occupied.
rlm@0 332 The truth was, she only had one thing on her mind. Saturn. The Senshi
rlm@0 333 of Death and Rebirth was on another diplomatic mission. This time it
rlm@0 334 was to Kinmokusei to work out trade relations. Saturn would be gone for
rlm@0 335 six months, which was the longest they had ever spent apart after
rlm@0 336 becoming a couple. But it just couldn't be avoided; they both knew
rlm@0 337 that.
rlm@0 338
rlm@0 339 So, Small Lady continued to mope around the palace looking for
rlm@0 340 anything interesting to do. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw
rlm@0 341 Sailorpluto walking towards Serenity's chambers.
rlm@0 342
rlm@0 343 "Puu!"
rlm@0 344
rlm@0 345 "Ah, Small Lady," said Pluto has she turned around to see the pink
rlm@0 346 haired woman bound up behind her.
rlm@0 347
rlm@0 348 "Are you going to talk to mama?"
rlm@0 349
rlm@0 350 "Hai. We still have some things to discuss about today's royal
rlm@0 351 guest."
rlm@0 352
rlm@0 353 "Royal guest?" Small Lady looked at her in a questioning way.
rlm@0 354
rlm@0 355 "Did you forget already? We have a very prestigious guest coming
rlm@0 356 today all the was from Elysion."
rlm@0 357
rlm@0 358 "Gomen, I guess I forgot." Small Lady smiled.
rlm@0 359
rlm@0 360 Pluto coughed. "I think you've had other things on your mind."
rlm@0 361 She gave her friend a wink.
rlm@0 362
rlm@0 363 Small Lady blushed. "Have you noticed, too? My mind hasn't been
rlm@0 364 where it should be lately. It's just...hard. I know I'll see Saturn
rlm@0 365 again, but waiting seems like an eternity."
rlm@0 366
rlm@0 367 Pluto put her hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "Don't forget
rlm@0 368 that we're all here for you, Small Lady. You know you can come talk to
rlm@0 369 me whenever you want. It will be just like old times."
rlm@0 370
rlm@0 371 "Arigatou, Puu." The princess hugged the taller woman. Pluto was
rlm@0 372 almost like a second mother to her.
rlm@0 373
rlm@0 374 "Just don't forget about our guest. We will be meeting him at
rlm@0 375 15:00 in the throne room."
rlm@0 376
rlm@0 377 "I won't forget. Mata ne, Puu!" Small Lady smiled and ran off.
rlm@0 378 It was really great to have such good friends. Her spirits were
rlm@0 379 definitely lifted now.
rlm@0 380
rlm@0 381 Elysion, she thought. Where have I heard that name before? It
rlm@0 382 seems so familiar... I'll have to remember to look it up before I meet
rlm@0 383 our guest. It's always good manners to know something of a guest's
rlm@0 384 country.
rlm@0 385
rlm@0 386 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 387
rlm@0 388 14:54
rlm@0 389
rlm@0 390 I'm late. I'm late. I'm late. It was the only thing Small Lady
rlm@0 391 could think of as she ran down the hallway to the throne room. Oh kami,
rlm@0 392 how did I let this happen? How is it that I have all the time in the
rlm@0 393 world, and then suddenly it's gone! This is no way for the future queen
rlm@0 394 to act. Oh, what will mama say! It is incredibly rude to show up late
rlm@0 395 to greet a guest. Maybe I can still make it...
rlm@0 396
rlm@0 397 14:58
rlm@0 398
rlm@0 399 Small Lady rounded a corner, but slowed down just before she got
rlm@0 400 to the doors of the throne room. She walked in calmly, almost as if she
rlm@0 401 hadn't been running at all. She got several stern looks from the
rlm@0 402 Quartet and one from her mother as she took her place beside her, but
rlm@0 403 other than that, no one seemed to notice. It looked like she got there
rlm@0 404 just in time.
rlm@0 405
rlm@0 406 A loud voice rang out. "Now presenting our highly esteemed guest
rlm@0 407 of honour...."
rlm@0 408
rlm@0 409 Ah! I completely forgot to look up Elysion, thought Small Lady.
rlm@0 410
rlm@0 411 "...We are most glad he was able to take time from his busy
rlm@0 412 schedule to meet with us..."
rlm@0 413
rlm@0 414 But it sounds so familiar... Elysion, Elysion, where have I heard
rlm@0 415 that before?
rlm@0 416
rlm@0 417 "...His absence on Earth has been centuries, but his protection of
rlm@0 418 everyone's dreams has never been overlooked..."
rlm@0 419
rlm@0 420 Dreams? Elysion? It's right on the tip of my tongue. Oh my god,
rlm@0 421 it's...
rlm@0 422
rlm@0 423 "...The High Priest of Elysion, Elios-sama."
rlm@0 424
rlm@0 425 Elios...
rlm@0 426
rlm@0 427 Clapping could be heard all around the throne room as a man
rlm@0 428 dressed almost entirely in white stepped into the room. He had soft,
rlm@0 429 wavy white hair which flowed over the red jewel on his forehead. He
rlm@0 430 walked forward and kneeled in front of Neo Queen Serenity.
rlm@0 431
rlm@0 432 "My Queen, it is so good to see you again. And the King also. I
rlm@0 433 trust you have both been well?"
rlm@0 434
rlm@0 435 "Yes, thank you, Elios." Serenity bowed politely to him. "We are
rlm@0 436 so glad you could make it. It's really been too long." She gave him a
rlm@0 437 warm smile.
rlm@0 438
rlm@0 439 Elios smiled back, and then looked over to the Queen's right where
rlm@0 440 a woman with pink hair stood. Her eyes seemed to be displaying shock
rlm@0 441 and happiness at the same time.
rlm@0 442
rlm@0 443 "Chiisana otome yo." He looked at her again. "Iya, you're not
rlm@0 444 chiisana anymore. Just a beautiful otome." The image of the girl he
rlm@0 445 saw now overlapped the image he saw in his dreams so many years ago.
rlm@0 446
rlm@0 447 "Elios..." Small Lady was a little more than shocked. She never
rlm@0 448 dreamed she'd be meeting him here today.
rlm@0 449
rlm@0 450 "Otome, I sense your dream has changed, but you still carry the
rlm@0 451 most beautiful dream."
rlm@0 452
rlm@0 453 The princess blushed. "Arigatou." She bowed to him in greeting.
rlm@0 454
rlm@0 455 He then turned and proceeded to greet everyone there. The Senshi
rlm@0 456 who were present were excited to meet him again after all the time that
rlm@0 457 had passed. Those times seemed like a lifetime away. And indeed they
rlm@0 458 were.
rlm@0 459
rlm@0 460 Small Lady continued to watch the events like she was in a dream
rlm@0 461 state. She didn't know what to make of this situation. Here was
rlm@0 462 someone who she had once had feelings for, even if she was in the body
rlm@0 463 of an eleven-year-old at the time. It had been less than 15 years since
rlm@0 464 she had last seen him, but for Elios it must have been centuries.
rlm@0 465 Though she wasn't exactly sure how time passed in Elysion. She thought
rlm@0 466 it amazing that he remembered her after all these years as if they had
rlm@0 467 parted yesterday. At that moment, she wished Saturn was with her more
rlm@0 468 than ever. She felt like holding her hand for support.
rlm@0 469
rlm@0 470 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 471
rlm@0 472 After the festivities that followed the official welcoming were
rlm@0 473 over, the excitement had died down somewhat. Now just some of the Senshi
rlm@0 474 were left to talk to Elios privately about old times. Small Lady had
rlm@0 475 been very proper during the festivities, and filled her role as princess
rlm@0 476 to a T. But now she just felt exhausted, and wanted some quiet time to
rlm@0 477 herself. She had barely talked to Elios at all. Was she trying to
rlm@0 478 avoid him on purpose? She didn't really know. It was such a strange
rlm@0 479 feeling for her to see him like this now. All she knew was a walk
rlm@0 480 through the palace gardens would do her good.
rlm@0 481
rlm@0 482 She began by passing by some pink rose bushes. She stopped to
rlm@0 483 admire their beauty and scent. She held one gently in her hand and
rlm@0 484 lifted it to her nose. The fragrant aroma filled her senses and
rlm@0 485 alleviated a lot of the stress she was feeling, both from Saturn being
rlm@0 486 away and Elios' arrival. She was away in a world all her own now, so
rlm@0 487 much so that she didn't notice a form approaching her. She was so
rlm@0 488 startled when she heard a sound from behind that she forgot what she was
rlm@0 489 doing and accidentally pricked herself on one of the rose's thorns.
rlm@0 490
rlm@0 491 "Gomen," said the figure as it stepped into the light. "I didn't
rlm@0 492 mean to startle you."
rlm@0 493
rlm@0 494 "Oh, Elios. I didn't hear you come up." Small Lady said with a
rlm@0 495 smile.
rlm@0 496
rlm@0 497 "You're injured," he said while pointing to her hand.
rlm@0 498
rlm@0 499 "This? It's nothing. Just a little scratch."
rlm@0 500
rlm@0 501 Then he did something very unexpected. He brought her hand up to
rlm@0 502 his mouth and kissed what little blood there was away. The princess was
rlm@0 503 shocked, and pulled her hand away.
rlm@0 504
rlm@0 505 "I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?" asked Elios.
rlm@0 506
rlm@0 507 Small Lady looked ashamed. "No, I'm the one who should apologise.
rlm@0 508 I've done nothing but avoid you since you got here. I guess I thought
rlm@0 509 if I didn't see you, then I wouldn't have to deal with the past. The
rlm@0 510 truth is, I have something important to tell you."
rlm@0 511
rlm@0 512 "Well, why don't we sit down over there on that bench? I have a
rlm@0 513 feeling we'll be here for awhile."
rlm@0 514
rlm@0 515 Small Lady nodded her head in agreement, and followed him to the
rlm@0 516 bench.
rlm@0 517
rlm@0 518 She began with a sigh. "All those years ago, I'm not sure what it
rlm@0 519 was we shared. Was it just a childhood infatuation, or something more?
rlm@0 520 I remember thinking about you for a very long time after you left. I
rlm@0 521 promised myself that I would see you again someday, though I had no idea
rlm@0 522 it would be like this." Elios just sat patiently listening. She
rlm@0 523 continued, "After a while, my memory of you started to fade, and my
rlm@0 524 feelings, however childish, were pushed to the back of my mind. In
rlm@0 525 time, I developed feelings for another person. In fact, I fell deeply
rlm@0 526 in love with them. So deeply in love that I have a great pain on my
rlm@0 527 heart every time we're apart even for a little while. Elios, I fell in
rlm@0 528 love with Sailorsaturn."
rlm@0 529
rlm@0 530 She looked at him waiting for his reaction. She felt like this
rlm@0 531 was harder than telling the entire kingdom. Somehow she still hadn't
rlm@0 532 gotten over that part of her life.
rlm@0 533
rlm@0 534 He waited several moments, and then spoke with a smile. "Did you
rlm@0 535 think I didn't know?"
rlm@0 536
rlm@0 537 Small Lady practically facefaulted. "Nani?"
rlm@0 538
rlm@0 539 "Otome, I am the protector of everyone's dreams. Your one dream
rlm@0 540 for the past few years has been to spend the rest of your life with
rlm@0 541 Sailorsaturn. I realise that. I have special memories of the times we
rlm@0 542 spent together many years ago, but I am happy just to see you live out
rlm@0 543 your beautiful dream. I wish you all the luck in the world."
rlm@0 544
rlm@0 545 The princess was shocked. "You knew all along? Then I was
rlm@0 546 worrying for nothing? I feel a little silly now." She looked at him.
rlm@0 547 "Thank you, Elios. Thank you for understanding."
rlm@0 548
rlm@0 549 He smiled at her, and the two proceeded to talk long into the
rlm@0 550 night.
rlm@0 551
rlm@0 552 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 553
rlm@0 554 Somewhere, deep in the blackness of space, far away from Earth's
rlm@0 555 solar system, a scream of terror rang out. And then Silence.
rlm@0 556
rlm@0 557 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 558
rlm@0 559 Chinmoku.
rlm@0 560
rlm@0 561 Small Lady woke up with a start. Sweat was pouring down her face.
rlm@0 562 "Yume...ka?" Chinmoku. She was breathing hard. Gasping for air.
rlm@0 563 Chinmoku. She grasped at a pain in her chest. Her eyes flung open in
rlm@0 564 realisation. "Sa..Sa..turn. SATURN!!!!!!!!!!"
rlm@0 565
rlm@0 566 Chinmoku.
rlm@0 567
rlm@0 568 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 569
rlm@0 570 This rainy morning in Crystal Tokyo was greeted with a group of
rlm@0 571 solemn, tear streaked faces. They had all woken up very early in the
rlm@0 572 morning hours.
rlm@0 573
rlm@0 574 "Ja...then it's true?" asked Sailormars.
rlm@0 575
rlm@0 576 "The report from Kinmokusei doesn't look good," responded Mercury.
rlm@0 577 "Apparently there was a very sudden violent storm. The lightening
rlm@0 578 caused severe damage to a large part of Kakyuu-hime's palace, then an
rlm@0 579 explosion, and then..." She pressed a few more buttons on the pad she
rlm@0 580 was holding. "Saturn was in that part of the palace. Her Silence Wall
rlm@0 581 held up for a long time, and saved hundreds of lives. She could have
rlm@0 582 saved herself as well, but a few people were helplessly trapped, and I
rlm@0 583 guess she just wasn't going to leave them there. The storm got more
rlm@0 584 violent, and it became impossible for her to continue. The casualty
rlm@0 585 report lists five dead, including Sailorsaturn." Mercury couldn't
rlm@0 586 continue reading after that. She was sobbing too hard.
rlm@0 587
rlm@0 588 After a period of silence, someone spoke. "Uso da. Uso da yo!!
rlm@0 589 Saturn can't be dead! She can't be! I can't believe we're not doing
rlm@0 590 anything. We have to help her! She's not dead! She's not!" Small
rlm@0 591 Lady was red with anger. Her night-gown was wet with tears.
rlm@0 592
rlm@0 593 "Small Lady," Neo Queen Serenity put her hand on her child's
rlm@0 594 shoulder. "There's nothing more we can do. Her Sailor Crystal is gone.
rlm@0 595 I can no longer feel her at all. I'm so sorry, Small Lady. I'm sorry."
rlm@0 596 She went to hug her grown-up daughter, but was pushed away.
rlm@0 597
rlm@0 598 "I don't believe you! Use the maboroshi no ginzuishou! Bring her
rlm@0 599 back to life! Mama...mama...you can do it! You can save her! Save her
rlm@0 600 like you've saved all of us before! SAVE HER!!!"
rlm@0 601
rlm@0 602 This time Uranus spoke with anger. "Don't you understand?! She
rlm@0 603 can't!! Saturn ga... Saturn ga... Saturn is dead! Stop acting like
rlm@0 604 you're still that small child, and grow up! Stop being so selfish!
rlm@0 605 Don't you think we'd be doing something if we could? Don't you think
rlm@0 606 *I'd* go to Kinmokusei right now if it would mean anything? SHE'S
rlm@0 607 GONE!! She's...gone." Uranus' emotions got the better of her, and she
rlm@0 608 surrendered to the tears. Neptune softly stroked her lover's hair as
rlm@0 609 her own tears fell into it.
rlm@0 610
rlm@0 611 Small Lady was on the floor shaking slightly. Her legs were too
rlm@0 612 weak to hold her weight. Through her river of tears, a small voice
rlm@0 613 could be heard. "Iya da. Iya da yo. Minna ga...kirai da. Daikirai."
rlm@0 614
rlm@0 615 [translation of last line: "No. No. Everyone...I hate you. I really
rlm@0 616 hate you."]
rlm@0 617
rlm@0 618 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 619
rlm@0 620 There wasn't much happiness in Crystal Tokyo after the news was
rlm@0 621 released. It was known that Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto went to their
rlm@0 622 beach house to live for an undisclosed amount of time. The Inner Senshi
rlm@0 623 were generally unavailable to do anything outside their normal duties,
rlm@0 624 and even then a lot had been delegated to other staff members. Neo
rlm@0 625 Queen Serenity tried to put on a brave face for her people, but it was
rlm@0 626 well known the pain she felt. She could never hide it completely. She
rlm@0 627 was a strong woman, though, and never failed to please her public. The
rlm@0 628 princess was another story. She had taken the news hard. Everyone knew
rlm@0 629 that. She hadn't been seen for months, and it was generally thought
rlm@0 630 that she spent her days locked in her room. Though it's to be expected
rlm@0 631 when one loses half their soul.
rlm@0 632
rlm@0 633 It was indeed a bleak time. Not only the Senshi suffered, but
rlm@0 634 the public as well. They had lost one of their most admired protectors,
rlm@0 635 and the mourning was well shown throughout the solar system. Purple
rlm@0 636 flowers and ribbons adorned the streets for quite some time, and there
rlm@0 637 was also a shrine around the large statue of Sailorsaturn that was
rlm@0 638 erected for the memorial. It wasn't clear how long it would take to
rlm@0 639 mend these deep wounds. Or if they ever would be.
rlm@0 640
rlm@0 641 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 642
rlm@0 643 <<jingle jingle>> <<hop>> <<jingle jingle>>
rlm@0 644
rlm@0 645 "Small Lady. Small Lady! Me wo samashite. Small Lady!"
rlm@0 646
rlm@0 647 "Uhh? Dare?" Small Lady slowly opened her eyes and looked beside
rlm@0 648 her on her bed. "Ara, Diana. What are you doing here?"
rlm@0 649
rlm@0 650 "Small Lady, it's been seven weeks. You're going to have to come
rlm@0 651 out of your room at some point."
rlm@0 652
rlm@0 653 "Why? What's the point of anything anymore? Do I have a reason
rlm@0 654 to live? Should I even go on at all? Do I exist for a purpose? Or
rlm@0 655 should I just...end it?"
rlm@0 656
rlm@0 657 "Small Lady! Don't talk like that!" The poor grey cat was
rlm@0 658 starting to tear up. "Don't you realise we all love you? Please, don't
rlm@0 659 shut yourself off from us. We want to help you. We..."
rlm@0 660
rlm@0 661 "Mou ii yo." She rolled over and faced the wall. "You don't have
rlm@0 662 to feel sorry for me. Just leave me alone and I'll be happy."
rlm@0 663
rlm@0 664 By this time the tears were coming down Diana's face at a constant
rlm@0 665 rate. "Chikushou! Why won't you let us help you? We're all your
rlm@0 666 friends, right? I thought we were close friends. Perhaps I was
rlm@0 667 wrong..." The cat got up and started to leave.
rlm@0 668
rlm@0 669 "Wait. Diana, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Please,
rlm@0 670 don't go. I'm tired. I'm tired of crying. I'm tired of having this
rlm@0 671 pain in my heart. I'm tired of living. I don't think that feeling will
rlm@0 672 ever go away. I don't know if you can help."
rlm@0 673
rlm@0 674 "Small Lady, I won't pretend to know how you're feeling. I've
rlm@0 675 never lost someone close to me like you have. I can only imagine what
rlm@0 676 it might feel like. Demo, we've been friends since the day you were
rlm@0 677 born. I'd like to think that I know you quite well. I do think I can
rlm@0 678 help. I'm not saying that I'll make the pain go away, but maybe I can
rlm@0 679 help you focus on some of the good things in your life. Please, let me
rlm@0 680 help you."
rlm@0 681
rlm@0 682 "Diana," Small Lady brought her friend into a hug. "Arigatou. I
rlm@0 683 don't know if I can face going outside yet, but I won't shut you out
rlm@0 684 anymore. You're my very dear friend, and it's been good of you to put
rlm@0 685 up with me for these past weeks. I'm sorry, it wasn't fair of me."
rlm@0 686
rlm@0 687 "That's okay. I hope you don't mind, but I brought some more
rlm@0 688 friends along."
rlm@0 689
rlm@0 690 Her bedroom door opened revealing four women in sailor suits.
rlm@0 691 Sailorvesta, Juno, Ceres, and Pallas walked in slowly.
rlm@0 692
rlm@0 693 "Minna!"
rlm@0 694
rlm@0 695 "Princess," said Ceres, "I hope you know that we're here for you,
rlm@0 696 too. We really want to help."
rlm@0 697
rlm@0 698 "Sailorpallas doesn't like to see you cry," said Pallas, in
rlm@0 699 typical third person speech.
rlm@0 700
rlm@0 701 "Our whole existence revolves around protecting you. Lately I
rlm@0 702 don't think we've been doing a very good job," said Juno with her head
rlm@0 703 down.
rlm@0 704
rlm@0 705 Sailorvesta was the last to speak. "Turn us away if you want to,
rlm@0 706 but I just wanted to be sure that you knew we were here for you. Seeing
rlm@0 707 you suffer alone isn't fair. It's not just our "job" to help you, it's
rlm@0 708 our beautiful dream."
rlm@0 709
rlm@0 710 "Minna..." Small Lady felt the tears glide down her face again.
rlm@0 711 "You're all my dear friends. I didn't mean to hurt anyone else. It was
rlm@0 712 the farthest thing from my mind. But it appears I did anyway. Oh, I
rlm@0 713 wish you wouldn't worry about me. You all care for me too much." Then
rlm@0 714 she smiled. A smile? How long had it been since she used those
rlm@0 715 muscles? It felt...nice.
rlm@0 716
rlm@0 717 With everyone in tears, there was a big group hug.
rlm@0 718
rlm@0 719 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 720
rlm@0 721 A woman brought her hand in front of her eyes to shield them from
rlm@0 722 the midday sun. Her pupils were adjusting slowly, as she hadn't seen
rlm@0 723 natural light in over two months. Sounds started to become apparent to
rlm@0 724 her. Birds chirping. People talking. Transports gilding by. It was
rlm@0 725 almost like experiencing everything for the first time. She sighed.
rlm@0 726 Maybe life wasn't so bad after all.
rlm@0 727
rlm@0 728 She began to walk away from the palace and into one of the many
rlm@0 729 parks in Crystal Tokyo. She looked around at all the children, friends,
rlm@0 730 and couples eating and playing. Everyone looked so happy. She
rlm@0 731 flashbacked to a time she used to come to this very park with her
rlm@0 732 parents to have lunch. Those were fun times.
rlm@0 733
rlm@0 734 She continued walking until she came to an open clearing. There
rlm@0 735 weren't very many people in this part of the park, but it seemed like a
rlm@0 736 lot of people must have visited everyday for there were large amounts of
rlm@0 737 flower bouquets everywhere. Then the woman realised where she was. She
rlm@0 738 opened her eyes wide to the warm sunlight and looked up at a tall stone
rlm@0 739 statue. The figure had shoulder length hair and was carrying a long
rlm@0 740 staff with a sharp blade on the end. This was the first time Small
rlm@0 741 Lady had been to the park since the memorial service. It was a little
rlm@0 742 bit of a shock.
rlm@0 743
rlm@0 744 She went to the base of the statue and read the inscription on the
rlm@0 745 plaque. "From the star of silence, being protected by the planet
rlm@0 746 Saturn, the Senshi of death and rebirth, Sailorsaturn. She was loved
rlm@0 747 and will be remembered by all."
rlm@0 748
rlm@0 749 She studied the face of the frozen statue. It was serious and
rlm@0 750 determined, but there was also a kind and gentle quality. It was as if
rlm@0 751 the eyes of the statue were looking straight into Small Lady's heart.
rlm@0 752 It wasn't a scary experience; it made Small Lady feel warm inside. Was
rlm@0 753 this Saturn giving her strength? Strength to move on with her life? Or
rlm@0 754 had she simply been cooped up in her room too long and was beginning to
rlm@0 755 imagine things? It didn't matter to Small Lady. This was the first
rlm@0 756 time she had felt this good since Saturn had left for Kinmokusei.
rlm@0 757
rlm@0 758 "Saturn.... Watashi no taisetsu na hito. You've left me all
rlm@0 759 alone. You promised we'd be together forever and now I have quite a
rlm@0 760 number of years ahead of me. Years I thought I'd be spending by your
rlm@0 761 side. Oh, I wish I could hold you right now. I wish I could feel the
rlm@0 762 softness of your touch, the gentleness of your kiss, the sweetness of
rlm@0 763 your voice. I've longed for that feeling. I miss you so much. So very
rlm@0 764 much. Please, I don't want you to think that I blame you. There were
rlm@0 765 times I did in the blackness of my room, but I've done quite a bit of
rlm@0 766 thinking and growing in the last little while. What you did was
rlm@0 767 incredible. To tell you the truth, I would have done the exact same
rlm@0 768 thing, which would have left you all alone. It was the right choice.
rlm@0 769 It's just..." A drop of wetness splashed on the plaque. "Tears? I
rlm@0 770 thought I was done crying. I didn't think I had any tears left. I'm
rlm@0 771 sorry, I told myself I wasn't going to cry anymore, but I can't help it.
rlm@0 772 It's just there's a giant hole in my heart and I don't know what to do.
rlm@0 773 I love you. I will always love you." More tears splashed on the
rlm@0 774 plaque.
rlm@0 775
rlm@0 776 There was a gentle breeze, and someone laid a hand on her
rlm@0 777 shoulder. "Otome..."
rlm@0 778
rlm@0 779 Small Lady turned around quickly in surprise. "Elios?" A look of
rlm@0 780 confusion crossed her face.
rlm@0 781
rlm@0 782 "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. I just wanted to make
rlm@0 783 sure you were all right. I'll leave you now." He bowed and started to
rlm@0 784 walk away.
rlm@0 785
rlm@0 786 "Matte! It's okay. You weren't disturbing me. What are you
rlm@0 787 still doing here, anyway? I would have thought you had long since
rlm@0 788 left."
rlm@0 789
rlm@0 790 He shook his head. "It seems my visit coincided at a very
rlm@0 791 inopportune time. I thought I could be of some help counselling the
rlm@0 792 population, and Her Majesty granted me a longer stay." He laughed.
rlm@0 793 "Actually, she said I didn't need to ask and was welcome anytime. Plus
rlm@0 794 I wanted to make sure you were okay. You gave us all quite a scare, and
rlm@0 795 I was worried."
rlm@0 796
rlm@0 797 "Arigatou, but I'm okay now. I'm sorry to have troubled you."
rlm@0 798
rlm@0 799 "Try not to shut us out, Otome. We just want to help you. None
rlm@0 800 of us want to rush you or force you to do anything, but we're still
rlm@0 801 concerned."
rlm@0 802
rlm@0 803 "I know, with the help of Diana-tachi I was able to finally get
rlm@0 804 out of bed. If it weren't for such caring friends, I don't think I'd be
rlm@0 805 standing here right now." She smiled at him.
rlm@0 806
rlm@0 807 "Then let me ask you something. You can turn me down if you want
rlm@0 808 to, but I think you need to experience some happiness, if only for a
rlm@0 809 day. The last time you were in Elysion it wasn't exactly the best of
rlm@0 810 times. It's so beautiful there now, and I'd like to show you
rlm@0 811 everything. I can get my dear friend Pegasus to give us a tour.
rlm@0 812 Please, let me try to cheer you up."
rlm@0 813
rlm@0 814 She thought for a while. She thought about her blackened room and
rlm@0 815 how lonely it had been without the brightness of the lamps. She thought
rlm@0 816 about how nice the sun had felt when she went out today. She thought
rlm@0 817 about not letting the hole in her heart consume her. Then she made up
rlm@0 818 her mind. "Okay. What time shall we meet at?"
rlm@0 819
rlm@0 820 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 821
rlm@0 822 The wind blew around Small Lady's casual floral print sun dress as
rlm@0 823 she waited near a fountain just outside the Crystal Palace. She could
rlm@0 824 hear the strong wind rustle through the trees as she watched a flock of
rlm@0 825 birds in formation high above her. The wind had picked up quite a bit
rlm@0 826 this day, but it was still sunny and warm.
rlm@0 827
rlm@0 828 The thing that had probably changed the most about Small Lady over
rlm@0 829 that last two months would probably be her face. No longer were there
rlm@0 830 dark circles around her eyes, evidence of sleepless nights and constant
rlm@0 831 crying. She had also regained the pinkish colour in her cheeks. For a
rlm@0 832 while she almost looked like someone had sucked all the energy from her
rlm@0 833 body. She was slowly regaining her strength, and just looking at her
rlm@0 834 face proved that.
rlm@0 835
rlm@0 836 Suddenly there was a bright flash in the sky, and a magnificent
rlm@0 837 winged horse came flying down, a man with white hair on his back. Small
rlm@0 838 Lady could only gasp at the beauty of the scene as leaves and flower
rlm@0 839 petals swirled around the horse and rider. The man held his hand out to
rlm@0 840 help her climb on. Once she was safely on the back of the steed, the
rlm@0 841 horse rose with a great flapping of his wings, and disappeared just as
rlm@0 842 quickly as he came.
rlm@0 843
rlm@0 844 Small Lady had closed her eyes in fright, but slowly began to open
rlm@0 845 them. She looked in shock as the scenery around her had completely
rlm@0 846 changed, revealing a mystical world full of great forests, lakes, and
rlm@0 847 many animals. She could just make out a palace of sorts coming into
rlm@0 848 view over the horizon. As she got closer, she marveled at its Greek
rlm@0 849 style architecture, which consisted of a good many arches, stairways,
rlm@0 850 and pillars that formed a perfectly cylindrical structure. She also
rlm@0 851 noticed that it was in the middle of a lake, with no apparent ways of
rlm@0 852 getting to it, short of flying or teleporting.
rlm@0 853
rlm@0 854 Two figures with long flowing white hair done up in odango style
rlm@0 855 smiled and waved at her. She waved back and smiled brightly at them.
rlm@0 856 Her memories were really starting to come back to her now. She
rlm@0 857 remembered this place. It was once the Kingdom of which her Father was
rlm@0 858 the Prince. He still was, really, but he trusted Elios to take care of
rlm@0 859 things while he helped rule the Kingdom of the Moon.
rlm@0 860
rlm@0 861 "Mind if we go down for a bit?" her companion asked.
rlm@0 862
rlm@0 863 Small Lady suddenly realised she hadn't talked this whole time.
rlm@0 864 She was just taken in by the beauty of it all. "No, not all."
rlm@0 865
rlm@0 866 Pegasus circled the palatial structure once before coming in for a
rlm@0 867 landing. As Small Lady got off, she was greeted by the two miko. They
rlm@0 868 bowed to her and Elios, and she politely bowed in return. She looked
rlm@0 869 around her and became aware of many blossoming pink roses. Their scent
rlm@0 870 was very sweet, yet subtle at the same time.
rlm@0 871
rlm@0 872 "It's so nice to see you again," she said to the miko.
rlm@0 873 "Everything is bright and beautiful, and everyone seems so happy here."
rlm@0 874
rlm@0 875 "Well," said one of the miko, "this is the place where beautiful
rlm@0 876 dreams come true. It's only natural that the beauty of the place
rlm@0 877 reflects the beauty of the dreams."
rlm@0 878
rlm@0 879 "And we have you to thank for that," said Elios.
rlm@0 880
rlm@0 881 "Me? But it was Neo Queen Serenity and King Endymion who sealed
rlm@0 882 off the power of Neherenia." She looked at her shoes. "I don't think I
rlm@0 883 did much."
rlm@0 884
rlm@0 885 "On the contrary! It was your beautiful dream that lead me to you
rlm@0 886 in the first place. Without that, everything would still be as it was
rlm@0 887 after the Dead Moon Circus destroyed everything."
rlm@0 888
rlm@0 889 Small Lady shuddered as she remembered how dark and full of
rlm@0 890 destruction this place had once been. "It's so good to know that
rlm@0 891 nothing like that will ever happen again. I swear it, as future Queen."
rlm@0 892
rlm@0 893 Elios smiled at her, and began to show her around the palace. All
rlm@0 894 through the day Small Lady was laughing and smiling, and actually
rlm@0 895 enjoying her time there. She made good friends with the two miko, and
rlm@0 896 promised to come back and see them again. After a long and tiring day,
rlm@0 897 Small Lady returned to the palace happy and content. She had good
rlm@0 898 dreams that night. The first good dreams she had had in two months.
rlm@0 899
rlm@0 900 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 901
rlm@0 902 The next year passed quickly for everyone. Small Lady was dragged
rlm@0 903 slowly but surely out of her protective shell by her friends and family.
rlm@0 904 They were all healing, too, so it was hard, but no one had taken the
rlm@0 905 news of Saturn's death worse than Small Lady. Everyone was such a great
rlm@0 906 help to her, but she had one person in particular to thank for going
rlm@0 907 above and beyond the call of duty. Especially considering he hadn't
rlm@0 908 even known her for very long. Elios was such a great friend to her. He
rlm@0 909 really let her enjoy life again, and made a point of always trying to
rlm@0 910 get her to laugh or smile. He wanted her to feel happy, and like a
rlm@0 911 whole person again. Small Lady had responded well to his encouragement,
rlm@0 912 and after a few months, resumed her regular duties as Princess of the
rlm@0 913 Moon.
rlm@0 914
rlm@0 915 She owed a great debt to Elios, and really considered him a true
rlm@0 916 friend. The hole in her heart was still there. She knew it would
rlm@0 917 always be there no matter what, but the severe pain and constant
rlm@0 918 loneliness she had felt before were greatly reduced. She enjoyed his
rlm@0 919 company and spent a lot of time with him, including having him go with
rlm@0 920 her to official royal functions. She had also spent her vacation in
rlm@0 921 Elysion this year, and came back from that feeling better than ever.
rlm@0 922 Yes, Small Lady was building her life back up, and although she would
rlm@0 923 never completely be healed, it was Elios who she had to thank for a
rlm@0 924 large part of it.
rlm@0 925
rlm@0 926 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 927
rlm@0 928 A pink haired women stared out a window, and looked at the many
rlm@0 929 evening lights shinning down on Crystal Tokyo harbour. Everything was
rlm@0 930 so calm and peaceful and beautiful. The scene held her gaze until a
rlm@0 931 voice brought her out of her reverie.
rlm@0 932
rlm@0 933 "Otome... Otome..."
rlm@0 934
rlm@0 935 "Huh?" Suddenly she snapped back into reality, and realised where
rlm@0 936 she was. They had gone to one of the fancier restaurants in Crystal
rlm@0 937 Tokyo that evening. The room was decorated in a 17th century France
rlm@0 938 design, with gold chandeliers hanging from high ceilings, ornate
rlm@0 939 carvings in the walls, many hanging tapestries, and blazing fireplaces
rlm@0 940 around the room. The restaurant was pretty full tonight, and many
rlm@0 941 couples were dancing to one of Mozart's symphonies being played by the
rlm@0 942 orchestra.
rlm@0 943
rlm@0 944 "Are you all right? You looked a little dazed there for a few
rlm@0 945 moments."
rlm@0 946
rlm@0 947 "Hai," she said smiling. "I was just admiring the beauty of this
rlm@0 948 city. I really love it here."
rlm@0 949
rlm@0 950 "Well, we haven't gone anywhere really nice in a while, so I
rlm@0 951 thought it would be good to come here tonight."
rlm@0 952
rlm@0 953 "Shitsurei shimasu," said the waiter as he cleared their dinner
rlm@0 954 plates. "Will you be having desert this evening?"
rlm@0 955
rlm@0 956 A joyous gleam came into Small Lady's eyes as she ordered for both
rlm@0 957 her and Elios.
rlm@0 958
rlm@0 959 "Would you like to dance for a while? I think this is one of your
rlm@0 960 favourites."
rlm@0 961
rlm@0 962 "Sure," replied Small Lady as she got up and took his offered
rlm@0 963 hand.
rlm@0 964
rlm@0 965 The two friends danced gracefully for the rest of the song. Some
rlm@0 966 of the other couples stared in awe as their Princess glided past them.
rlm@0 967 For most of them, this was the first time seeing her in person. Small
rlm@0 968 Lady realised her mother's genius in sending her to the past for her
rlm@0 969 formidable years. At least now she didn't have an inflated ego from all
rlm@0 970 this extra attention.
rlm@0 971
rlm@0 972 After the song ended, the pair sat back down at their table.
rlm@0 973 Their deserts had arrived while they were dancing, and Small Lady didn't
rlm@0 974 want to waste any time. She began quickly, but daintily, eating her
rlm@0 975 tiramisu. Elios just sat and smiled as he watched her eat.
rlm@0 976
rlm@0 977 Small Lady smiled happily as she finished off the last bite of her
rlm@0 978 desert and took a sip of wine. She looked across the table, and
rlm@0 979 realised she was being watched. A blush formed across her cheeks.
rlm@0 980 "Nani?" she asked hesitantly.
rlm@0 981
rlm@0 982 Elios shook his head. "Nandemonai." Several moments of silence
rlm@0 983 passed between the two. "Jitsuwa... There was something I wanted to
rlm@0 984 talk to you about."
rlm@0 985
rlm@0 986 "Okay, you know I'm always here to listen."
rlm@0 987
rlm@0 988 "Otome," said Elios looking her sincerely in the eyes, "you have
rlm@0 989 the most beautiful spirit of anyone I've ever met. Truly, you fill me
rlm@0 990 with happiness every time I meet you. Our time together over this past
rlm@0 991 year has been truly wonderful. I hope I've always been there when you
rlm@0 992 needed me to be. You have a right to know that....I've fallen in love
rlm@0 993 with you." Visible signs of shock could be seen in Small Lady's eyes.
rlm@0 994 "I don't want this to ever end, so I would be honoured if you would take
rlm@0 995 my hand in marriage." At that he produced a box from his pocket, and
rlm@0 996 handed it to Small Lady.
rlm@0 997
rlm@0 998 Small Lady stared at the box for several seconds before opening
rlm@0 999 it. Slowly she lifted the lid up, and revealed a single, brilliantly
rlm@0 1000 cut diamond in a setting on top of a gold ring. "Oh, Elios, I..."
rlm@0 1001
rlm@0 1002
rlm@0 1003 "Please, you don't have to give me your answer now. I can just
rlm@0 1004 imagine the million emotions that must be going through you right now.
rlm@0 1005 I just want to let you know that I didn't plan this all along. But it
rlm@0 1006 just came to the point several months ago where I couldn't ignore my
rlm@0 1007 feelings any longer. I love you and want to make you my wife. I don't
rlm@0 1008 want you to feel pressured at all. I want you to make a decision true
rlm@0 1009 to your heart, and I'm prepared to wait however long that takes.
rlm@0 1010 Please, just think about it." Elios smiled at her one last time, and
rlm@0 1011 then left Small Lady alone at the table. A single tear slowly fell down
rlm@0 1012 her face and onto the tablecloth.
rlm@0 1013
rlm@0 1014 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 1015
rlm@0 1016 Small Lady paced nervously as she waited for them to arrive. She
rlm@0 1017 was waiting in one of her private chambers off from her room. She
rlm@0 1018 especially liked this one to read in. Most of the decor was pure white,
rlm@0 1019 with a few arrangements of flowers from the royal garden. It was a cozy
rlm@0 1020 room, but big enough to fit a dozen people conformably.
rlm@0 1021
rlm@0 1022 The door opened, and in stepped her closest friends. The Sailor
rlm@0 1023 Quartet, followed by Diana in human form, Sailorpluto, and her parents.
rlm@0 1024 It was the day after the proposal, and she needed advice.
rlm@0 1025
rlm@0 1026 "Small Lady?" asked Diana. "What's wrong? You look as if
rlm@0 1027 something terrible has just happened."
rlm@0 1028
rlm@0 1029 "Well, I didn't get much sleep last night," she explained.
rlm@0 1030 "Something *did* happen yesterday. That's why I've called all of you
rlm@0 1031 here. Please, sit down. I've made tea."
rlm@0 1032
rlm@0 1033 "Small Lady," said her mother sensing something different about
rlm@0 1034 her daughter, "what's the matter? You know we'll all help you with any
rlm@0 1035 problem you have."
rlm@0 1036
rlm@0 1037 Small Lady began to cry. "Elios...yesterday at dinner...he...he
rlm@0 1038 asked me to marry him."
rlm@0 1039
rlm@0 1040 Looks of shock were displayed around the room. Sailorceres looked
rlm@0 1041 crestfallen.
rlm@0 1042
rlm@0 1043 "And how did you respond?" asked Diana carefully.
rlm@0 1044
rlm@0 1045 "I haven't yet. He told me to think about it. Minna, doushiyou?"
rlm@0 1046 She ran up to Sailorpluto. "What should I tell him? You have to tell
rlm@0 1047 me, please?" She buried herself into Pluto's lap.
rlm@0 1048
rlm@0 1049 "Small Lady," said Pluto as she stroked her hair, "we can't tell
rlm@0 1050 you what the right answer is. Only you know that."
rlm@0 1051
rlm@0 1052 "Demo, demo, I don't know what to say," she said between sniffles.
rlm@0 1053
rlm@0 1054 "Do you love him?" asked her father.
rlm@0 1055
rlm@0 1056 "Love? I never even thought about it before with Elios. I've
rlm@0 1057 always enjoyed his company, and I'm very grateful to him for helping me
rlm@0 1058 get my life back together. But do I love him? Not in the same way that
rlm@0 1059 I love Saturn."
rlm@0 1060
rlm@0 1061 "Do you feel like you would betray Saturn if you said yes?" asked
rlm@0 1062 Diana.
rlm@0 1063
rlm@0 1064 That stopped Small Lady almost cold. That was the key to
rlm@0 1065 everything, she realised. That was why she was so upset in the first
rlm@0 1066 place. She didn't want to betray Saturn's trust. She didn't want to
rlm@0 1067 just throw away the love they shared. "How can I betray Saturn like
rlm@0 1068 this?" she asked with her tear-streaked face. "I can't! I just can't!"
rlm@0 1069
rlm@0 1070 "Gomen, Small Lady," said Sailorvesta, "but wouldn't Sailorsaturn
rlm@0 1071 want you to be happy? I know she loved you so much that she cared about
rlm@0 1072 your happiness above all else. A life with Elios, depending on how you
rlm@0 1073 truly feel about him, could bring you much happiness. Living the rest
rlm@0 1074 of your life alone simply because of guilt could lead you into
rlm@0 1075 depression again."
rlm@0 1076
rlm@0 1077 "We're not going to push you either way," said the Queen. "We
rlm@0 1078 want you to make the decision that's right for you. If you feel
rlm@0 1079 strongly that Saturn wouldn't approve of the relationship, then you have
rlm@0 1080 every right to say no. But if you come to the conclusion that you do
rlm@0 1081 love Elios, and think you would be happy sharing your life with him,
rlm@0 1082 then we would equally support you if you said yes. I've been told that
rlm@0 1083 you never feel the same type of love twice, so it's probably natural
rlm@0 1084 that you feel differently about Elios than you did about Saturn."
rlm@0 1085
rlm@0 1086 Small Lady stood up and nodded. "Arigatou, minna. You've all
rlm@0 1087 given me a lot to think about. Now I know that no one can make this
rlm@0 1088 decision for me. I have to do that for myself. It may take some soul
rlm@0 1089 searching, but I'm sure I can make the right decision."
rlm@0 1090
rlm@0 1091 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 1092
rlm@0 1093 "Yoshi!" said Small Lady as she finished packing a picnic lunch
rlm@0 1094 for herself. She loved how cute the bentou boxes looked tied up in
rlm@0 1095 handkerchiefs. As she left the palace, she said, "itte kimasu" to no
rlm@0 1096 one in particular, and made her way to a near-by park.
rlm@0 1097
rlm@0 1098 It was a bit overcastted in Crystal Tokyo this day, but there were
rlm@0 1099 still plenty of people out and about having fun. Small Lady followed
rlm@0 1100 the now familiar path to a certain part of the park. When she got
rlm@0 1101 there, she was relieved to find that no one else was around. She went
rlm@0 1102 over to the base of the statue, and polished up the plaque. She
rlm@0 1103 breathed in a deep breath. This wasn't going to be easy.
rlm@0 1104
rlm@0 1105 "So, you probably already know why I'm here." She appeared to be
rlm@0 1106 talking to herself, but she was really talking to the statue. Or
rlm@0 1107 rather, the spirit she believed resided in the statue. "I've come here
rlm@0 1108 to think out some confusing emotions. I love you. I always will love
rlm@0 1109 you. Nothing will *ever* change that. You're my taisetsu na hito. I
rlm@0 1110 don't want to betray you. That's my biggest fear. If I thought you
rlm@0 1111 would be against this, I would say no to Elios right this second. But
rlm@0 1112 I'm not sure you would be. I do remember that conversation we had
rlm@0 1113 several years ago. I think it ended in me getting very upset, and
rlm@0 1114 saying that neither of us would ever die, and that we'd be together
rlm@0 1115 forever. Shows how wrong I was, eh? I remember you telling me to be
rlm@0 1116 happy no matter what. And I've done a lot of thinking, and I think I
rlm@0 1117 can be happy with Elios. He was such a great friend to me after you
rlm@0 1118 died, and we became very close. Though I must admit that romantic
rlm@0 1119 thoughts about him never even popped into my mind until he proposed. I
rlm@0 1120 guess it was at that point where I realised that I really did care for
rlm@0 1121 him. Kami, that thought scared me out of my skin. After all, how could
rlm@0 1122 I care about anyone but you? In my long hours of thinking, I've come to
rlm@0 1123 the conclusion that I do love him, but in a very different way than I
rlm@0 1124 love you. He will never overshadow you in my heart. So, I guess I've
rlm@0 1125 made my decision. It was a very difficult one, but I think I've looked
rlm@0 1126 at all the issues and done what my heart has told me. Above all else, I
rlm@0 1127 hope I've done what you would have wanted me to do. Aishiteru eien ni."
rlm@0 1128
rlm@0 1129 At those last words, Small Lady picked up her finished bentou
rlm@0 1130 boxes, and headed back to the palace.
rlm@0 1131
rlm@0 1132 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 1133
rlm@0 1134 Elios stared out his window at the rain pelting down this dreary
rlm@0 1135 night. He ran a hand through his while hair and sighed. It had been a
rlm@0 1136 week since he had proposed to Small Lady. What her answer would be, he
rlm@0 1137 really wasn't quite sure. He knew they had grown close over the past
rlm@0 1138 year, but he could never quite tell what she was thinking. He hoped he
rlm@0 1139 hadn't ruined their friendship by proposing. But as the days dragged
rlm@0 1140 on, it seemed to him like he did just that, because he hadn't seen Small
rlm@0 1141 Lady at all since that night. He knew he must be patient, but this
rlm@0 1142 waiting was killing him.
rlm@0 1143
rlm@0 1144 A soft knock at the door sounded.
rlm@0 1145
rlm@0 1146 "Hai!" he said, getting up in the process. He walked over to the
rlm@0 1147 door, and said a silent prayer that it would be who he hoped. He opened
rlm@0 1148 the door.
rlm@0 1149
rlm@0 1150 It was.
rlm@0 1151
rlm@0 1152 "Yes."
rlm@0 1153
rlm@0 1154 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 1155
rlm@0 1156 The wedding was one of the most extravagant events the Kingdom had
rlm@0 1157 seen in a few hundred years. People from all over the kingdom came to
rlm@0 1158 the event as well as some citizens of allied kingdoms. Billions of
rlm@0 1159 people lined up along the streets of Crystal Tokyo hoping to catch a
rlm@0 1160 glimpse of the happy couple, while billions more watched at home. The
rlm@0 1161 day was declared a kingdom wide holiday. After all, getting to work was
rlm@0 1162 quite impossible, and no one was going to do any business that day
rlm@0 1163 anyway.
rlm@0 1164
rlm@0 1165 Flowers were absolutely everywhere. Pictures of the couple
rlm@0 1166 adorned billboards, video screens, newspapers, and countless other
rlm@0 1167 places. It got so bad that one couldn't turn around without seeing at
rlm@0 1168 least one picture of the couple. Of course, it was like this at every
rlm@0 1169 royal wedding.
rlm@0 1170
rlm@0 1171 The ceremony was grand, and was performed by Neo Queen Serenity
rlm@0 1172 herself. It was held inside, but in one of the palace's large gardens.
rlm@0 1173 Aspects of a traditional Shintou wedding were still there, but wedding
rlm@0 1174 ceremonies had evolved from religion over the century, and were quite
rlm@0 1175 secular in nature.
rlm@0 1176
rlm@0 1177 The bride wore a stunning white dress trimmed in lace and lilacs.
rlm@0 1178 It was off the shoulder and had a long veil and train. Her hair was out
rlm@0 1179 of its usual odango, and was allowed to hang long. It was done in
rlm@0 1180 flowing waves with lilacs interlaced in certain places to match her
rlm@0 1181 dress.
rlm@0 1182
rlm@0 1183 The groom had on a dark blue tuxedo with tails. His vest and bow
rlm@0 1184 tie were both black. In his lapel there was a single pink rose.
rlm@0 1185
rlm@0 1186 The maid of honour and the bride's maids had on matching light
rlm@0 1187 blue dresses. They were strapless flowing gowns that were also
rlm@0 1188 accentuated with lilacs. Diana, in her human form, looked stunning as
rlm@0 1189 the maid of honour, and the Quartet looked equally good as her bride's
rlm@0 1190 maids.
rlm@0 1191
rlm@0 1192 The other Senshi wore their formal gowns to the occasion, and
rlm@0 1193 stood just off to the side. Behind them in rows of chairs sat one
rlm@0 1194 hundred invited guests. So, in a way, this was a very private ceremony,
rlm@0 1195 while at the same time being a very public one. Small Lady and Elios
rlm@0 1196 wrote their own vows, which also gave the ceremony a very personal
rlm@0 1197 touch.
rlm@0 1198
rlm@0 1199 It was rumoured that the honeymoon was going to be on the
rlm@0 1200 continent of Europe, but some people said it might be Australia, India,
rlm@0 1201 or even the moon. The palace wanted to keep the location a secret to
rlm@0 1202 let the couple have a little time to themselves.
rlm@0 1203
rlm@0 1204 The wedding presents the couple had received had been plentiful.
rlm@0 1205 >From cards and drawings sent in by the kingdom's populace to very
rlm@0 1206 personalised gifts given to them by the Senshi. The biggest surprise,
rlm@0 1207 though, had to be the gift the Queen and King gave their daughter and
rlm@0 1208 new husband. Before the ceremony was completed, the Queen proclaimed
rlm@0 1209 that she had one more announcement to make the wedding complete. She
rlm@0 1210 passed down the title of Queen of the Moon Kingdom to her daughter, and
rlm@0 1211 officially crowned her Queen Usagi Small Lady Serenity, Neo Queen
rlm@0 1212 Serenity II.
rlm@0 1213
rlm@0 1214 Neo Queen Serenity, looking regal as ever, said to her daughter,
rlm@0 1215 "You have demonstrated unconditionally that you are ready to receive
rlm@0 1216 such a burden. You are full of love, life, compassion, understanding,
rlm@0 1217 and trust. You will make a wonderful queen. I'm so proud of you, my
rlm@0 1218 daughter."
rlm@0 1219
rlm@0 1220 "Arigatou, mama," said the younger woman as tears of joy shed from
rlm@0 1221 her eyes as she wrapped her arms around her mother. Her youth was now
rlm@0 1222 officially over. Not only was she married, but she was the leader of
rlm@0 1223 her people, ruler of her kingdom, and the most powerful person in the
rlm@0 1224 galaxy.
rlm@0 1225
rlm@0 1226 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 1227
rlm@0 1228 (Small Lady will now be referred to as Serenity.)
rlm@0 1229
rlm@0 1230 The next year was a very interesting one. Not only did Serenity
rlm@0 1231 have to adapt to married life, but she also had to adapt to ruling a
rlm@0 1232 kingdom. She had watched her mother do it for centuries, of course, and
rlm@0 1233 she had been skilfully schooled on the subject, but she had also hit her
rlm@0 1234 share of rough spots. She often sought reassurance from the Quartet,
rlm@0 1235 Pluto, or her husband. She didn't want to bother her mother and father,
rlm@0 1236 now in retirement, with such things. Although, to her amazement,
rlm@0 1237 everything seemed to be going just fine. Trade was up with neighbouring
rlm@0 1238 kingdoms, and she had even negotiated an agreement of allegiance with
rlm@0 1239 the Torag people, a kingdom notorious for rejecting any sort of ties
rlm@0 1240 with the Moon Kingdom.
rlm@0 1241
rlm@0 1242 Yes, things seemed to be going quite well for her. Except for
rlm@0 1243 that day in early September when she got unbelievably ill and had to
rlm@0 1244 stay in for most of the day. The royal team of doctors, headed by
rlm@0 1245 Sailormercury, examined her and told her the good news. She was
rlm@0 1246 pregnant.
rlm@0 1247
rlm@0 1248 Joy absolutely filled the kingdom at this news. After all, it had
rlm@0 1249 been nearly 918 years since the last successor to the Moon Kingdom was
rlm@0 1250 born. Serenity was excited, but very apprehensive at the same time.
rlm@0 1251 What did she know about raising children? The thought crossed her mind
rlm@0 1252 to send her daughter (she knew it was going to be a daughter; it had to
rlm@0 1253 be a daughter) back to the past to be raised by her formal self or even
rlm@0 1254 farther into the past to have it raised by Tsukino Usagi, but that
rlm@0 1255 thought was brief, and she knew it would be impossible. Well, she
rlm@0 1256 thought, all new mothers must think the same thing. I'm just lucky to
rlm@0 1257 have such a supportive group of people around me to help out.
rlm@0 1258
rlm@0 1259 Nine months later on June 30, 2919 a scream rang out in the halls
rlm@0 1260 of Crystal Palace. Another miracle had occurred. A chubby miracle
rlm@0 1261 weighing 3.2 kg, with pinkish skin, and silver hair.
rlm@0 1262
rlm@0 1263 Princess Usagi Hotaru Serenity was born. No one minded that
rlm@0 1264 Hotaru, and ancient and almost forgotten name, was used as one of the
rlm@0 1265 Princess' middle names. It was seen as a dedication to one of the
rlm@0 1266 kingdom's most powerful and valiant warriors. Serenity was content.
rlm@0 1267 Now the memory wouldn't die away.
rlm@0 1268
rlm@0 1269 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 1270
rlm@0 1271 "Mezame yo! Your time is now. Hametsu to tanjou no Senshi!"
rlm@0 1272
rlm@0 1273 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 1274
rlm@0 1275 A figure slowly started to open her eyes. She realised she was
rlm@0 1276 lying down in a patch of grass and that it was night-time around her.
rlm@0 1277 The stars twinkled around her and the moon shone ever so brightly in the
rlm@0 1278 sky. She blinked a few times, stood up, and started walking in the
rlm@0 1279 general direction she thought would lead her where she wanted to go.
rlm@0 1280
rlm@0 1281 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 1282
rlm@0 1283 It had only been a week since Serenity gave birth to Princess
rlm@0 1284 Usagi. She was *not* used to these midnight feedings yet. The amount
rlm@0 1285 of sleep she had lost had been astounding. Elios was great, but he
rlm@0 1286 couldn't get up all the time.
rlm@0 1287
rlm@0 1288 "There there, Usagi-chan," she said soothingly. She began to sing
rlm@0 1289 softly. "GOMEN ne sunao ja nakute, yume no naka nara ieru, shikou kairu
rlm@0 1290 wa SHOOTO sunzen, ima sugu aitai yo..." The baby stopped her soft
rlm@0 1291 crying and went back to her restful slumber. "Yokkata na. Yoshi
rlm@0 1292 yoshi." She laid her daughter back into her crib. She turned around to
rlm@0 1293 go back to the near-by bed when she sensed something wasn't right.
rlm@0 1294
rlm@0 1295 The overwhelming feeling brought her down the corridor adjoining
rlm@0 1296 her room, through the palace's many hallways, and out of the palace
rlm@0 1297 completely and into the cool night air. She sensed someone was close.
rlm@0 1298 Someone familiar.
rlm@0 1299
rlm@0 1300 "Dare yo!" she almost demanded.
rlm@0 1301
rlm@0 1302 A figure stepped out from behind some bushes with a very weary
rlm@0 1303 look on her face. She was faintly glowing purple.
rlm@0 1304
rlm@0 1305 "Small Lady..."
rlm@0 1306
rlm@0 1307 Serenity brought a hand to her mouth and went white as a ghost.
rlm@0 1308 "Uso. Saturn..."
rlm@0 1309
rlm@0 1310 ~*~*~*~*~
rlm@0 1311
rlm@0 1312 How's that for an evil cliff-hanger, eh? ^_- Part 4 ni tsuzuku!
rlm@0 1313
rlm@0 1314 Wow, so, um, this was a long time coming. Sorry about that. I
rlm@0 1315 started writing it in August (of '98) and continued to write bits and
rlm@0 1316 pieces throughout the year. Today, though, I gathered up my resolve and
rlm@0 1317 attacked the rest of it. I wrote about 1/3 today in about seven hours.
rlm@0 1318
rlm@0 1319 Some of you are going to wonder, so I might as well say it right
rlm@0 1320 now. Yes, in Mars & Venus and Jupiter & Mercury are lovers. Takeuchi-
rlm@0 1321 sensei actually gives a lot more evidence for these pairings than she
rlm@0 1322 does for Chibiusa and Hotaru, and I like them, so I included them. ^_^
rlm@0 1323
rlm@0 1324 Some more of you might be thinking, "why did she go to all that
rlm@0 1325 trouble to put Hotaru and Chibiusa together and then have Chibiusa marry
rlm@0 1326 Elios anyway?!?" Well, you'd have a point, but this was the way I had
rlm@0 1327 pictured the story, so this is the way I wrote it. And I may not like
rlm@0 1328 this fact anymore than you do, but a story has to have conflict, right?
rlm@0 1329 ^_^;;
rlm@0 1330
rlm@0 1331 Oh, just a note about Neo Queen Serenity handing down the throne
rlm@0 1332 to Princess Serenity. She didn't do this just because the princess was
rlm@0 1333 getting married. I, as a feminist, find that prospect abhorrent. She
rlm@0 1334 did it at the wedding because it was convenient, and also because she
rlm@0 1335 thought it would make a good wedding gift. She would have handed down
rlm@0 1336 the throne regardless of whether the princess got married.
rlm@0 1337
rlm@0 1338 Well, I hope you liked this chapter of the fanfic. You may have
rlm@0 1339 started to hate me as soon as I killed off Saturn (gya, that sounds
rlm@0 1340 really bad...), but I hope the story remained interesting. All I have
rlm@0 1341 to say is that you'll probably like the next and final chapter a whole
rlm@0 1342 lot better. Yakusoku yo!
rlm@0 1343
rlm@0 1344 Special thanks to the Amazoness Duo (er, Quartet?) for keeping me
rlm@0 1345 motivated while writing this. I know you disagree with certain plot
rlm@0 1346 points, but I hope you liked the story anyway. ^^;; For good Hotaru and
rlm@0 1347 Chibiusa fanfiction, check them out at A Sailor Moon Romance (sure,
rlm@0 1348 they're lemons, but they're happy lemons ^^). ^_^
rlm@0 1349
rlm@0 1350 Contact information: andrea.doolan@utoronto.ca
rlm@0 1351
rlm@0 1352 Music I was listening to while writing this: a whole bunch of
rlm@0 1353 stuff. For the last seven hours, though, I've been listening to Shoujo
rlm@0 1354 Kakumei Utena OST 2.
rlm@0 1355
rlm@0 1356 Completed: June 25, 1999.
rlm@0 1357