1.1 --- /dev/null	Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 1970 +0000
     1.2 +++ b/old/stories/cunpnk3.txt	Fri Feb 19 20:53:12 2010 -0500
     1.3 @@ -0,0 +1,1357 @@
     1.4 +Author's Notes: ^_^
     1.5 +
     1.6 +	There's nothing much to say here, really.  Trust me, you're going
     1.7 +to start hating me around the middle of this part...  But keep going
     1.8 +until the end! ^_^
     1.9 +
    1.10 +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    1.11 +Chibiusa no PYUA na kokoro
    1.12 +(Chibiusa's Pure Heart)
    1.13 +Part 3
    1.14 +By Andrea Doolan <andrea.doolan@utoronto.ca>
    1.15 +"Sailormoon no ichiban daifan"
    1.16 +~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    1.17 +
    1.18 +~*~*~*~*~
    1.19 +
    1.20 +	The large, ornately decorated doors to the main Sailor Senshi
    1.21 +conference room shut with a bang.  This particular room of the palace
    1.22 +was situated on one of the top levels of the grand structure.  It
    1.23 +boasted a marble conference table, which seated 20 comfortably, and all
    1.24 +the architectural and design earmarks that made the Crystal Palace so
    1.25 +famous.  It was an eclectic atmosphere combining ancient Greek and
    1.26 +traditional Japanese designs.
    1.27 +
    1.28 +	Sailormars, the person who shut the doors, was the last of the
    1.29 +Senior Sailor Senshi to be gathered in the room.  With their hectic
    1.30 +schedules, it was unusual to see all of them together, but this was a
    1.31 +special occasion.
    1.32 +
    1.33 +	As Mars took her seat, Neo Queen Serenity spoke.  "Minna, thank
    1.34 +you for coming here on such short notice.  I apologise for the formal
    1.35 +atmosphere, because what will be said here today isn't meant for a
    1.36 +formal occasion.  We're all friends here; friends sharing some great
    1.37 +news.  I'll now pass things over to my daughter and Sailorsaturn."
    1.38 +
    1.39 +	As the Queen sat back down, she passed Small Lady, and gave her a
    1.40 +small squeeze on her shoulder.  It was enough for a smile to creep
    1.41 +across the younger woman's face.  It was getting easier, she thought.
    1.42 +This would be the third time telling people, and it definitely felt
    1.43 +easier.  Of course, maybe it was just because they were telling the
    1.44 +parents before, and now it was just friends.
    1.45 +
    1.46 +	Small Lady and Saturn stood up at the head of the table.  All eyes
    1.47 +were focused on them.  Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter looked at them
    1.48 +inquisitively.  Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto looked at them with love and
    1.49 +support.  They were really only there for comfort and encouragement.
    1.50 +The Queen and King looked at them with smiles on their faces.  Serenity
    1.51 +nodded her head for them to start.
    1.52 +
    1.53 +	"Arigatou, minna.  Some of you know what we're about to say, and
    1.54 +some of you don't.  Before we start, we just want to say what good
    1.55 +friends you've all been to us.  We cherish you all dearly."  Small Lady
    1.56 +stopped and smiled at them.
    1.57 +
    1.58 +	Saturn took Small Lady's hand, and continued.  "Something special
    1.59 +has happened in our lives, and we think it's only fair to share it with
    1.60 +all of you.  Small Lady and I have fallen in love.  We care for each
    1.61 +other deeply.  We...we want to spend the rest of our lives together.  We
    1.62 +want to be together forever."
    1.63 +
    1.64 +	Small Lady jumped in.  "We know this may come as a shock to some
    1.65 +of you.  I know it certainly did for us."  She laughed a little at this.
    1.66 +"But we both hope you'll give us your blessing.  It really means a lot
    1.67 +to us.  We've already discussed this with our parents, and they've been
    1.68 +very supportive.  But no pressure, of course."  She gave them a little
    1.69 +wink.
    1.70 +
    1.71 +	There was silence for several moments, but then Sailorjupiter was
    1.72 +the first to speak.  "So, you left us until last, did you?  Seems kind
    1.73 +of unfair to me."  She stuck her tongue out a little to show she was
    1.74 +kidding.  "Small Lady, Saturn, personally I think this is great.  I wish
    1.75 +you all the best in the future."  She had a very sincere smile on her
    1.76 +face.
    1.77 +
    1.78 +	"I knew it!" cried Venus.  "My predictions of love are never
    1.79 +wrong!"  The rest of the group facefaulted.  "Hehe, the goddess of love
    1.80 +and beauty, the reincarnation of Aphrodite herself gives you her full
    1.81 +blessing!  You two make a cute couple."  She flashed them a "V" sign.
    1.82 +
    1.83 +	"I always said we didn't need boys to have fun."
    1.84 +
    1.85 +	"Mars, are you feeling playful?"
    1.86 +
    1.87 +	"We'll have to save it until later, Venus."
    1.88 +
    1.89 +	"Ohhh..."
    1.90 +
    1.91 +	"Anyway, the point I was trying to make was you two go really well
    1.92 +together.  I can feel it from your spirits, it's coming through very
    1.93 +strongly.  I think you two were made for each other."
    1.94 +
    1.95 +	Small Lady and Saturn blushed a little at this.
    1.96 +
    1.97 +	Sailormercury was sitting quietly at the end of the table.  She
    1.98 +was just waiting patiently for her turn to speak.  "I still find it hard
    1.99 +to believe in a red string of destiny, but after seeing so many real
   1.100 +life examples, I think I'll have to rewrite the laws of physics.  You
   1.101 +two are a shinning example of proof that it does exist.  Omedetou ne."
   1.102 +She gave a caring smile to them.
   1.103 +
   1.104 +	"Minna..." said Small Lady, tears forming in her eyes.
   1.105 +
   1.106 +	"Arigatou," said Saturn while she gave her lover a quick hug.
   1.107 +
   1.108 +	Everyone got up from their seats and proceeded to give Small Lady
   1.109 +and Saturn hugs and words of congratulation.  Indeed, it was a joyous
   1.110 +occasion.  Saturn and Small Lady were so glad everyone had been very
   1.111 +accepting of their relationship; it really meant a lot to them.  They
   1.112 +weren't really worried, though.  They had both known everyone for so
   1.113 +long, and they were such close friends.  But now, deep in their hearts,
   1.114 +there still laid a seed of worry.  It was because of the upcoming
   1.115 +announcement to the kingdom which would follow in a few days.  In some
   1.116 +respects, it was terrifying to them, but in others they wanted to share
   1.117 +the good news with all the people of the kingdom.  They knew they might
   1.118 +not get the same reception that the Senshi had given them.  They
   1.119 +accepted that fact, but any way they could, they were going to get
   1.120 +through it.  Together.
   1.121 +
   1.122 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.123 +
   1.124 +	"Mina-san, please be aware that an official announcement from
   1.125 +Crystal Palace will take place at 13:00 today, Japan Standard Time.
   1.126 +Please try to avoid crowding the streets around the palace, as public
   1.127 +safety in always a concern.  The official Crystal Tokyo network, Terebi
   1.128 +Takeuchi, will be covering events, as will most of the other major
   1.129 +networks and satellite feeds to the planets.  Arigatou gozaimasu."
   1.130 +
   1.131 +	That was the official press release the palace had given at 9
   1.132 +o'clock that Wednesday morning.  It had thrown every single news agency
   1.133 +in the solar system into mass confusion.  If it was an announcement from
   1.134 +the palace, it was big news.  Everyone was rushing trying to get an
   1.135 +early scoop, but none of their sources seemed to know anything, and the
   1.136 +palace was being very tight-lipped.  Really, the only thing they could do 
   1.137 +was wait and see.  That didn't stop the rumours, though.
   1.138 +
   1.139 +	"I heard the king and queen were getting a divorce!"
   1.140 +
   1.141 +	"What?  Are you crazy?  After being together for so long?  It's
   1.142 +much more serious.  I heard Nemesis was making a comeback."
   1.143 +
   1.144 +	"Another war?  That would be awful..."
   1.145 +
   1.146 +	"But if it was a war, wouldn't a state of emergency be declared or
   1.147 +something?"
   1.148 +
   1.149 +	"Only if the fighting had already broken out.  They could just be
   1.150 +in negotiations."
   1.151 +
   1.152 +	"No, no, you're all wrong!  I hear Diana-sama is getting married!"
   1.153 +
   1.154 +	"To that prince from Mau?  I thought she hated him."
   1.155 +
   1.156 +	"Maybe Luna-sama is pregnant again."
   1.157 +
   1.158 +	"Could be...  Hey, what if one of the Senshi were pregnant!"
   1.159 +
   1.160 +	"Um, that would be kind of hard, wouldn't it?  Considering who
   1.161 +their partners are...  And those that don't have partners don't seem to be
   1.162 +attached to anyone."
   1.163 +
   1.164 +	"Oh, right."
   1.165 +
   1.166 +	It went on like this for the four hours between the press release
   1.167 +and the announcement.  It seemed anybody and everybody had a theory as
   1.168 +to what the palace was about to announce.  Though no one could have
   1.169 +guessed what was actually happening.
   1.170 +
   1.171 +	12:56 JST
   1.172 +
   1.173 +	"How are you doing?"
   1.174 +
   1.175 +	"Okay.  How about you?"
   1.176 +
   1.177 +	"I'm a nervous wreck."
   1.178 +
   1.179 +	"To tell you the truth, I am, too."
   1.180 +
   1.181 +	Two lovers embraced and shared a long kiss.
   1.182 +
   1.183 +	"Better?"
   1.184 +
   1.185 +	"Hai."
   1.186 +
   1.187 +	They walked hand in hand to the doors which led out to the
   1.188 +balcony.  It was from there that they would make their announcement, and
   1.189 +the world would know the truth.
   1.190 +
   1.191 +	"Small Lady?"
   1.192 +
   1.193 +	The pink haired woman stopped and looked to her side.  She saw
   1.194 +Diana and the Sailor Quartet standing there.  After she had told the
   1.195 +Inner Senshi, her and Saturn talked to Luna, Artemis, Diana, and the
   1.196 +Quartet privately.  After all, Diana was her closest friend next to
   1.197 +Saturn, and the Quartet were her personal protectors.  They had all
   1.198 +taken the news with similar reactions to the Senior Senshi.
   1.199 +Sailorpallas said she knew all along, but Sailorjuno reminded her she
   1.200 +thought Saturn was falling for the king of Mermaid.  Everyone laughed at
   1.201 +that, including Pallas herself.
   1.202 +
   1.203 +	"Diana-tachi!"
   1.204 +
   1.205 +	"We're coming out with you."
   1.206 +
   1.207 +	"You don't have to..."
   1.208 +
   1.209 +	"We're your friends!  You're going to get all the support you
   1.210 +can!"
   1.211 +
   1.212 +	"Princess, we are your protectors.  It's our duty and wish to help
   1.213 +you," said Sailorceres with a smile.
   1.214 +
   1.215 +	"Arigatou," said Saturn.  "It means a lot to us."
   1.216 +
   1.217 +	"Jikan da," said the King.  "The crowds are even larger than I
   1.218 +expected."
   1.219 +
   1.220 +	The doors to the balcony opened, and the crowd roared.  Out
   1.221 +stepped Princess Serenity, looking regal as ever, holding hands with the
   1.222 +Princess of Saturn, who looked equally gorgeous in her purple gown.
   1.223 +They walked to the front of the balcony and waved at the spectators.
   1.224 +Directly behind them stood the princess' personal guard and Diana.  Off
   1.225 +to the side the Senior Sailor Senshi stood, all of whom were wearing
   1.226 +their royal gowns.  The king and queen stood in the doorway, watching
   1.227 +how everything progressed.
   1.228 +
   1.229 +	Saturn held Small Lady's hand a little tighter, and whispered
   1.230 +something to her which was incomprehensible to everyone else.
   1.231 +
   1.232 +	A few minutes later, after the announcement had been made, the crowd 
   1.233 +cheered even louder, if that was possible.
   1.234 +
   1.235 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.236 +
   1.237 +	The next few days were spent sorting through the public's reaction
   1.238 +to the announcement.  Generally, it had been very positive, with the
   1.239 +palace receiving millions of cards, flowers, and gifts all meant to
   1.240 +congratulate the happy couple.  Small Lady and Saturn had been fairly
   1.241 +surprised at the outpouring of support they had received.  Headlines
   1.242 +like, "A Match Made in Heaven,"  "A Happy Day for the Kingdom of
   1.243 +Serenity," and "Light and Dark United by the Bonds of Love" boosted
   1.244 +their confidence even more.  Though, while looking at the last one,
   1.245 +Saturn wondered why people always forgot she was the Senshi of death
   1.246 +*and* rebirth.  Oh well, it made for a good headline at any rate.
   1.247 +
   1.248 +	While most reactions had been positive, there had been some
   1.249 +negative ones as well.  The religious right, even though their hold on
   1.250 +society had greatly decreased over the centuries, could still be very
   1.251 +vocal.  They posted their opinions over the information network linking
   1.252 +the entire solar system, and wrote to news organisations.  But their 
   1.253 +reaction was expected; they had been saying the same things for years about 
   1.254 +other prominent same-sex couples.  No one paid much attention to them
   1.255 +anymore, including the level-headed religious organisations.
   1.256 +
   1.257 +	The main cause for concern in the palace's eyes were several
   1.258 +editorials written for the news agencies' publications.  While accepting
   1.259 +of the relationship, and pointing out how happy everyone was for them,
   1.260 +there was one common thread through them all.  How would the line of the
   1.261 +moon kingdom continue?  Through all of science's advances, it was still
   1.262 +impossible for two women to conceive.  That left several options:
   1.263 +adoption - which wouldn't work, because they obviously needed someone
   1.264 +with royal blood; artificial insemination - which lead to the question,
   1.265 +who would donate the sperm?; and cloning - which meant their baby would
   1.266 +have the same genes as the princess, which really wouldn't be a bad
   1.267 +thing, except that in order for humanity as a whole and the royal
   1.268 +family specifically to advance, there had to be a mixing of the gene
   1.269 +pool.  It was certainly a valid point to bring up, one Small Lady and
   1.270 +Saturn hadn't thought through completely.
   1.271 +
   1.272 +	Some, more opinionated people, jumped on the chance, and called it
   1.273 +the end of the Moon Kingdom.  Others were less extreme in their views,
   1.274 +but voiced concern about the inability to have a child.  Gay couples
   1.275 +around the kingdom fought back, and pointed to their own families to
   1.276 +prove the princess and Saturn could bear children, even if Saturn's
   1.277 +genes weren't included.  It wouldn't mean she would love the child any
   1.278 +less.  It was good that same sex couples composed about 50% of the
   1.279 +population.  Small Lady and Saturn needed all the support they could get
   1.280 +on this issue.
   1.281 +
   1.282 +	The child-bearing issue, and the news of the partnership was hot
   1.283 +news over the next month.  The press knew its boundaries, but still was
   1.284 +able to get pictures of the couple together at every opportunity.
   1.285 +Saturn and Small Lady played along very well.  They didn't feel as if
   1.286 +the press was hounding them, plus they knew what good public relations
   1.287 +could mean for them.  However, like all hot news, the fervour eventually
   1.288 +died down, and the couple was bumped down to monthly updates on the
   1.289 +news.
   1.290 +
   1.291 +	Small Lady felt overjoyed with the amount of love and support her
   1.292 +subjects had given her.  Their opinions and happiness really did mean a
   1.293 +great deal to her.  She was a bit saddened with some of the objections
   1.294 +they had received, but it was expected, and with Saturn at her side they
   1.295 +were able to deal with it.  Saturn...she had been such a pillar of love
   1.296 +for the pink haired woman.  Even when things looked a bit rocky, she was
   1.297 +right there by her side.  Small Lady brought her hands to her heart, and
   1.298 +sighed.  She was the luckiest person alive.
   1.299 +
   1.300 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.301 +
   1.302 +	The next five years seemed to pass quickly for everyone.  They
   1.303 +were glorious years.  The Moon Kingdom was at it's strongest, and
   1.304 +flourished under new treaties made with other kingdoms in other parts of
   1.305 +the galaxy.  The physical destruction from the Black Moon attack had
   1.306 +been gone for decades.  The emotional toll for the population who had
   1.307 +lost so many lives, was recovering, and moving on.  They were certain
   1.308 +that nothing similar would ever happen again.
   1.309 +
   1.310 +	For Small Lady's part, she grew into a lovely woman of 915 years,
   1.311 +who still had the appearance of a 22-year-old.  Since her 910th birthday
   1.312 +she had been given ever increasing responsibilities by her mother.
   1.313 +Rumour had it Serenity was going to pass the throne down to her daughter
   1.314 +soon.  When that was going to happen, no one was sure, but the people
   1.315 +knew it would be soon.
   1.316 +
   1.317 +	 At her side through all this stood Sailorsaturn.  It was a very
   1.318 +happy time for the couple.  Even when they had to be apart because of
   1.319 +official responsibilities, they were still together in spirit.  The time
   1.320 +that they did have together was precious, and they used every second of
   1.321 +it to the fullest.  They gave each other strength, and received lots of
   1.322 +love.  They were truly two halves to one whole.
   1.323 +
   1.324 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.325 +
   1.326 +	It was another beautiful day in Crystal Tokyo.  The sun cascaded
   1.327 +off the crystal buildings, forming tiny rainbows all around town.  The
   1.328 +sky was as blue as Sailormercury's fuku and the moon's outline could
   1.329 +faintly be seen in the skies above.  Everyone seemed just a little
   1.330 +happier today.
   1.331 +
   1.332 +	Unfortunately, things weren't like this for Small Lady.  She was
   1.333 +in her worst mood in months, and was feeling very depressed.  All
   1.334 +morning she moped around the palace trying to keep herself occupied.
   1.335 +The truth was, she only had one thing on her mind.  Saturn.  The Senshi
   1.336 +of Death and Rebirth was on another diplomatic mission.  This time it
   1.337 +was to Kinmokusei to work out trade relations.  Saturn would be gone for
   1.338 +six months, which was the longest they had ever spent apart after
   1.339 +becoming a couple.  But it just couldn't be avoided; they both knew
   1.340 +that.
   1.341 +
   1.342 +	So, Small Lady continued to mope around the palace looking for
   1.343 +anything interesting to do.  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw
   1.344 +Sailorpluto walking towards Serenity's chambers.
   1.345 +
   1.346 +	"Puu!"
   1.347 +
   1.348 +	"Ah, Small Lady," said Pluto has she turned around to see the pink
   1.349 +haired woman bound up behind her.
   1.350 +
   1.351 +	"Are you going to talk to mama?"
   1.352 +
   1.353 +	"Hai.  We still have some things to discuss about today's royal
   1.354 +guest."
   1.355 +
   1.356 +	"Royal guest?"  Small Lady looked at her in a questioning way.
   1.357 +
   1.358 +	"Did you forget already?  We have a very prestigious guest coming
   1.359 +today all the was from Elysion."
   1.360 +
   1.361 +	"Gomen, I guess I forgot."  Small Lady smiled.
   1.362 +
   1.363 +	Pluto coughed.  "I think you've had other things on your mind."
   1.364 +She gave her friend a wink.
   1.365 +
   1.366 +	Small Lady blushed.  "Have you noticed, too?  My mind hasn't been
   1.367 +where it should be lately.  It's just...hard.  I know I'll see Saturn
   1.368 +again, but waiting seems like an eternity."
   1.369 +
   1.370 +	Pluto put her hand on the younger woman's shoulder.  "Don't forget
   1.371 +that we're all here for you, Small Lady.  You know you can come talk to
   1.372 +me whenever you want.  It will be just like old times."
   1.373 +
   1.374 +	"Arigatou, Puu."  The princess hugged the taller woman.  Pluto was
   1.375 +almost like a second mother to her.
   1.376 +
   1.377 +	"Just don't forget about our guest.  We will be meeting him at
   1.378 +15:00 in the throne room."
   1.379 +
   1.380 +	"I won't forget.  Mata ne, Puu!"  Small Lady smiled and ran off.
   1.381 +It was really great to have such good friends.  Her spirits were
   1.382 +definitely lifted now.
   1.383 +
   1.384 +	Elysion, she thought.  Where have I heard that name before?  It
   1.385 +seems so familiar...  I'll have to remember to look it up before I meet
   1.386 +our guest.  It's always good manners to know something of a guest's
   1.387 +country.
   1.388 +
   1.389 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.390 +
   1.391 +14:54
   1.392 +
   1.393 +	I'm late.  I'm late.  I'm late.  It was the only thing Small Lady
   1.394 +could think of as she ran down the hallway to the throne room.  Oh kami,
   1.395 +how did I let this happen?  How is it that I have all the time in the
   1.396 +world, and then suddenly it's gone!  This is no way for the future queen
   1.397 +to act.  Oh, what will mama say!  It is incredibly rude to show up late
   1.398 +to greet a guest.  Maybe I can still make it...
   1.399 +
   1.400 +14:58
   1.401 +
   1.402 +	Small Lady rounded a corner, but slowed down just before she got
   1.403 +to the doors of the throne room.  She walked in calmly, almost as if she
   1.404 +hadn't been running at all.  She got several stern looks from the
   1.405 +Quartet and one from her mother as she took her place beside her, but
   1.406 +other than that, no one seemed to notice.  It looked like she got there
   1.407 +just in time.
   1.408 +
   1.409 +	A loud voice rang out.  "Now presenting our highly esteemed guest
   1.410 +of honour...."
   1.411 +
   1.412 +	Ah!  I completely forgot to look up Elysion, thought Small Lady.
   1.413 +
   1.414 +	"...We are most glad he was able to take time from his busy
   1.415 +schedule to meet with us..."
   1.416 +
   1.417 +	But it sounds so familiar...  Elysion, Elysion, where have I heard
   1.418 +that before?
   1.419 +
   1.420 +	"...His absence on Earth has been centuries, but his protection of
   1.421 +everyone's dreams has never been overlooked..."
   1.422 +
   1.423 +	Dreams?  Elysion?  It's right on the tip of my tongue.  Oh my god,
   1.424 +it's...
   1.425 +
   1.426 +	"...The High Priest of Elysion, Elios-sama."
   1.427 +
   1.428 +	Elios...
   1.429 +
   1.430 +	Clapping could be heard all around the throne room as a man
   1.431 +dressed almost entirely in white stepped into the room.  He had soft,
   1.432 +wavy white hair which flowed over the red jewel on his forehead.  He
   1.433 +walked forward and kneeled in front of Neo Queen Serenity.
   1.434 +
   1.435 +	"My Queen, it is so good to see you again.  And the King also.  I
   1.436 +trust you have both been well?"
   1.437 +
   1.438 +	"Yes, thank you, Elios."  Serenity bowed politely to him.  "We are
   1.439 +so glad you could make it.  It's really been too long."  She gave him a
   1.440 +warm smile.
   1.441 +
   1.442 +	Elios smiled back, and then looked over to the Queen's right where
   1.443 +a woman with pink hair stood.  Her eyes seemed to be displaying shock
   1.444 +and happiness at the same time.
   1.445 +
   1.446 +	"Chiisana otome yo."  He looked at her again.  "Iya, you're not
   1.447 +chiisana anymore.  Just a beautiful otome."  The image of the girl he
   1.448 +saw now overlapped the image he saw in his dreams so many years ago.
   1.449 +
   1.450 +	"Elios..."  Small Lady was a little more than shocked.  She never
   1.451 +dreamed she'd be meeting him here today.
   1.452 +
   1.453 +	"Otome, I sense your dream has changed, but you still carry the
   1.454 +most beautiful dream."
   1.455 +
   1.456 +	The princess blushed.  "Arigatou."  She bowed to him in greeting.
   1.457 +
   1.458 +	He then turned and proceeded to greet everyone there.  The Senshi
   1.459 +who were present were excited to meet him again after all the time that
   1.460 +had passed.  Those times seemed like a lifetime away.  And indeed they
   1.461 +were.
   1.462 +
   1.463 +	Small Lady continued to watch the events like she was in a dream
   1.464 +state.  She didn't know what to make of this situation.  Here was
   1.465 +someone who she had once had feelings for, even if she was in the body
   1.466 +of an eleven-year-old at the time.  It had been less than 15 years since
   1.467 +she had last seen him, but for Elios it must have been centuries.
   1.468 +Though she wasn't exactly sure how time passed in Elysion.  She thought
   1.469 +it amazing that he remembered her after all these years as if they had
   1.470 +parted yesterday.  At that moment, she wished Saturn was with her more
   1.471 +than ever.  She felt like holding her hand for support.
   1.472 +
   1.473 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.474 +
   1.475 +	After the festivities that followed the official welcoming were
   1.476 +over, the excitement had died down somewhat.  Now just some of the Senshi
   1.477 +were left to talk to Elios privately about old times.  Small Lady had
   1.478 +been very proper during the festivities, and filled her role as princess
   1.479 +to a T.  But now she just felt exhausted, and wanted some quiet time to
   1.480 +herself.  She had barely talked to Elios at all.  Was she trying to
   1.481 +avoid him on purpose?  She didn't really know.  It was such a strange
   1.482 +feeling for her to see him like this now.  All she knew was a walk
   1.483 +through the palace gardens would do her good.
   1.484 +
   1.485 +	She began by passing by some pink rose bushes.  She stopped to
   1.486 +admire their beauty and scent.  She held one gently in her hand and
   1.487 +lifted it to her nose.  The fragrant aroma filled her senses and
   1.488 +alleviated a lot of the stress she was feeling, both from Saturn being
   1.489 +away and Elios' arrival.  She was away in a world all her own now, so
   1.490 +much so that she didn't notice a form approaching her.  She was so
   1.491 +startled when she heard a sound from behind that she forgot what she was
   1.492 +doing and accidentally pricked herself on one of the rose's thorns.
   1.493 +
   1.494 +	"Gomen," said the figure as it stepped into the light.  "I didn't
   1.495 +mean to startle you."
   1.496 +
   1.497 +	"Oh, Elios.  I didn't hear you come up." Small Lady said with a
   1.498 +smile.
   1.499 +
   1.500 +	"You're injured," he said while pointing to her hand.
   1.501 +
   1.502 +	"This?  It's nothing.  Just a little scratch."
   1.503 +
   1.504 +	Then he did something very unexpected.  He brought her hand up to
   1.505 +his mouth and kissed what little blood there was away.  The princess was
   1.506 +shocked, and pulled her hand away.
   1.507 +
   1.508 +	"I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?" asked Elios.
   1.509 +
   1.510 +	Small Lady looked ashamed.  "No, I'm the one who should apologise.
   1.511 +I've done nothing but avoid you since you got here.  I guess I thought
   1.512 +if I didn't see you, then I wouldn't have to deal with the past.  The
   1.513 +truth is, I have something important to tell you."
   1.514 +
   1.515 +	"Well, why don't we sit down over there on that bench?  I have a
   1.516 +feeling we'll be here for awhile."
   1.517 +
   1.518 +	Small Lady nodded her head in agreement, and followed him to the
   1.519 +bench.
   1.520 +
   1.521 +	She began with a sigh.  "All those years ago, I'm not sure what it
   1.522 +was we shared.  Was it just a childhood infatuation, or something more?
   1.523 +I remember thinking about you for a very long time after you left.  I
   1.524 +promised myself that I would see you again someday, though I had no idea
   1.525 +it would be like this."  Elios just sat patiently listening.  She
   1.526 +continued, "After a while, my memory of you started to fade, and my
   1.527 +feelings, however childish, were pushed to the back of my mind.  In
   1.528 +time, I developed feelings for another person.  In fact, I fell deeply
   1.529 +in love with them.  So deeply in love that I have a great pain on my
   1.530 +heart every time we're apart even for a little while.  Elios, I fell in
   1.531 +love with Sailorsaturn."
   1.532 +
   1.533 +	She looked at him waiting for his reaction.  She felt like this
   1.534 +was harder than telling the entire kingdom.  Somehow she still hadn't
   1.535 +gotten over that part of her life.
   1.536 +
   1.537 +	He waited several moments, and then spoke with a smile.  "Did you
   1.538 +think I didn't know?"
   1.539 +
   1.540 +	Small Lady practically facefaulted.  "Nani?"
   1.541 +
   1.542 +	"Otome, I am the protector of everyone's dreams.  Your one dream
   1.543 +for the past few years has been to spend the rest of your life with
   1.544 +Sailorsaturn.  I realise that.  I have special memories of the times we
   1.545 +spent together many years ago, but I am happy just to see you live out
   1.546 +your beautiful dream.  I wish you all the luck in the world."
   1.547 +
   1.548 +	The princess was shocked.  "You knew all along?  Then I was
   1.549 +worrying for nothing?  I feel a little silly now."  She looked at him.
   1.550 +"Thank you, Elios.  Thank you for understanding."
   1.551 +
   1.552 +	He smiled at her, and the two proceeded to talk long into the
   1.553 +night.
   1.554 +
   1.555 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.556 +
   1.557 +	Somewhere, deep in the blackness of space, far away from Earth's
   1.558 +solar system, a scream of terror rang out.  And then Silence.
   1.559 +
   1.560 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.561 +
   1.562 +Chinmoku.
   1.563 +
   1.564 +	Small Lady woke up with a start.  Sweat was pouring down her face.
   1.565 +"Yume...ka?"  Chinmoku.  She was breathing hard.  Gasping for air.
   1.566 +Chinmoku.  She grasped at a pain in her chest.  Her eyes flung open in
   1.567 +realisation.  "Sa..Sa..turn.  SATURN!!!!!!!!!!"
   1.568 +
   1.569 +Chinmoku.
   1.570 +
   1.571 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.572 +
   1.573 +	This rainy morning in Crystal Tokyo was greeted with a group of
   1.574 +solemn, tear streaked faces.  They had all woken up very early in the
   1.575 +morning hours.
   1.576 +
   1.577 +	"Ja...then it's true?" asked Sailormars.
   1.578 +
   1.579 +	"The report from Kinmokusei doesn't look good," responded Mercury.
   1.580 +"Apparently there was a very sudden violent storm.  The lightening
   1.581 +caused severe damage to a large part of Kakyuu-hime's palace, then an
   1.582 +explosion, and then..."  She pressed a few more buttons on the pad she
   1.583 +was holding.  "Saturn was in that part of the palace.  Her Silence Wall
   1.584 +held up for a long time, and saved hundreds of lives.  She could have
   1.585 +saved herself as well, but a few people were helplessly trapped, and I
   1.586 +guess she just wasn't going to leave them there.  The storm got more
   1.587 +violent, and it became impossible for her to continue.  The casualty
   1.588 +report lists five dead, including Sailorsaturn."  Mercury couldn't
   1.589 +continue reading after that.  She was sobbing too hard.
   1.590 +
   1.591 +	After a period of silence, someone spoke.  "Uso da.  Uso da yo!!
   1.592 +Saturn can't be dead!  She can't be!  I can't believe we're not doing
   1.593 +anything.  We have to help her!  She's not dead!  She's not!"  Small
   1.594 +Lady was red with anger.  Her night-gown was wet with tears.
   1.595 +
   1.596 +	"Small Lady," Neo Queen Serenity put her hand on her child's
   1.597 +shoulder.  "There's nothing more we can do.  Her Sailor Crystal is gone.
   1.598 +I can no longer feel her at all.  I'm so sorry, Small Lady.  I'm sorry."
   1.599 +She went to hug her grown-up daughter, but was pushed away.
   1.600 +
   1.601 +	"I don't believe you!  Use the maboroshi no ginzuishou!  Bring her
   1.602 +back to life!  Mama...mama...you can do it!  You can save her!  Save her
   1.603 +like you've saved all of us before!  SAVE HER!!!"
   1.604 +
   1.605 +	This time Uranus spoke with anger.  "Don't you understand?!  She
   1.606 +can't!!  Saturn ga...  Saturn ga...  Saturn is dead!  Stop acting like
   1.607 +you're still that small child, and grow up!  Stop being so selfish!
   1.608 +Don't you think we'd be doing something if we could?  Don't you think
   1.609 +*I'd* go to Kinmokusei right now if it would mean anything?  SHE'S
   1.610 +GONE!!  She's...gone."  Uranus' emotions got the better of her, and she
   1.611 +surrendered to the tears.  Neptune softly stroked her lover's hair as
   1.612 +her own tears fell into it.
   1.613 +
   1.614 +	Small Lady was on the floor shaking slightly.  Her legs were too
   1.615 +weak to hold her weight.  Through her river of tears, a small voice
   1.616 +could be heard.  "Iya da.  Iya da yo.  Minna ga...kirai da.  Daikirai."
   1.617 +
   1.618 +[translation of last line:  "No.  No.  Everyone...I hate you.  I really 
   1.619 +hate you."]
   1.620 +
   1.621 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.622 +
   1.623 +	There wasn't much happiness in Crystal Tokyo after the news was
   1.624 +released.  It was known that Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto went to their
   1.625 +beach house to live for an undisclosed amount of time.  The Inner Senshi
   1.626 +were generally unavailable to do anything outside their normal duties,
   1.627 +and even then a lot had been delegated to other staff members.  Neo
   1.628 +Queen Serenity tried to put on a brave face for her people, but it was
   1.629 +well known the pain she felt.  She could never hide it completely.  She
   1.630 +was a strong woman, though, and never failed to please her public.  The
   1.631 +princess was another story.  She had taken the news hard.  Everyone knew
   1.632 +that.  She hadn't been seen for months, and it was generally thought
   1.633 +that she spent her days locked in her room.  Though it's to be expected
   1.634 +when one loses half their soul.
   1.635 +
   1.636 +	It was indeed a bleak time.  Not only the Senshi suffered, but
   1.637 +the public as well.  They had lost one of their most admired protectors,
   1.638 +and the mourning was well shown throughout the solar system.  Purple
   1.639 +flowers and ribbons adorned the streets for quite some time, and there
   1.640 +was also a shrine around the large statue of Sailorsaturn that was
   1.641 +erected for the memorial.  It wasn't clear how long it would take to
   1.642 +mend these deep wounds.  Or if they ever would be.
   1.643 +
   1.644 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.645 +
   1.646 +	<<jingle jingle>>  <<hop>>  <<jingle jingle>>
   1.647 +
   1.648 +	"Small Lady.  Small Lady!  Me wo samashite.  Small Lady!"
   1.649 +
   1.650 +	"Uhh?  Dare?"  Small Lady slowly opened her eyes and looked beside
   1.651 +her on her bed.  "Ara, Diana.  What are you doing here?"
   1.652 +
   1.653 +	"Small Lady, it's been seven weeks.  You're going to have to come
   1.654 +out of your room at some point."
   1.655 +
   1.656 +	"Why?  What's the point of anything anymore?  Do I have a reason
   1.657 +to live?  Should I even go on at all?  Do I exist for a purpose?  Or
   1.658 +should I just...end it?"
   1.659 +
   1.660 +	"Small Lady!  Don't talk like that!"  The poor grey cat was
   1.661 +starting to tear up.  "Don't you realise we all love you?  Please, don't
   1.662 +shut yourself off from us.  We want to help you.   We..."
   1.663 +
   1.664 +	"Mou ii yo."  She rolled over and faced the wall.  "You don't have
   1.665 +to feel sorry for me.  Just leave me alone and I'll be happy."
   1.666 +
   1.667 +	By this time the tears were coming down Diana's face at a constant
   1.668 +rate.  "Chikushou!  Why won't you let us help you?  We're all your
   1.669 +friends, right?  I thought we were close friends.  Perhaps I was
   1.670 +wrong..."  The cat got up and started to leave.
   1.671 +
   1.672 +	"Wait.  Diana, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to hurt you.  Please,
   1.673 +don't go.  I'm tired.  I'm tired of crying.  I'm tired of having this
   1.674 +pain in my heart.  I'm tired of living.  I don't think that feeling will
   1.675 +ever go away.  I don't know if you can help."
   1.676 +
   1.677 +	"Small Lady, I won't pretend to know how you're feeling.  I've
   1.678 +never lost someone close to me like you have.  I can only imagine what
   1.679 +it might feel like.  Demo, we've been friends since the day you were
   1.680 +born.  I'd like to think that I know you quite well.  I do think I can
   1.681 +help.  I'm not saying that I'll make the pain go away, but maybe I can
   1.682 +help you focus on some of the good things in your life.  Please, let me
   1.683 +help you."
   1.684 +
   1.685 +	"Diana," Small Lady brought her friend into a hug.  "Arigatou.  I
   1.686 +don't know if I can face going outside yet, but I won't shut you out
   1.687 +anymore.  You're my very dear friend, and it's been good of you to put
   1.688 +up with me for these past weeks.  I'm sorry, it wasn't fair of me."
   1.689 +
   1.690 +	"That's okay.  I hope you don't mind, but I brought some more
   1.691 +friends along."
   1.692 +
   1.693 +	Her bedroom door opened revealing four women in sailor suits.
   1.694 +Sailorvesta, Juno, Ceres, and Pallas walked in slowly.
   1.695 +
   1.696 +	"Minna!"
   1.697 +
   1.698 +	"Princess," said Ceres, "I hope you know that we're here for you,
   1.699 +too.  We really want to help."
   1.700 +
   1.701 +	"Sailorpallas doesn't like to see you cry," said Pallas, in
   1.702 +typical third person speech.
   1.703 +
   1.704 +	"Our whole existence revolves around protecting you.  Lately I
   1.705 +don't think we've been doing a very good job," said Juno with her head
   1.706 +down.
   1.707 +
   1.708 +	Sailorvesta was the last to speak.  "Turn us away if you want to,
   1.709 +but I just wanted to be sure that you knew we were here for you.  Seeing
   1.710 +you suffer alone isn't fair.  It's not just our "job" to help you, it's
   1.711 +our beautiful dream."
   1.712 +
   1.713 +	"Minna..."  Small Lady felt the tears glide down her face again.
   1.714 +"You're all my dear friends.  I didn't mean to hurt anyone else.  It was
   1.715 +the farthest thing from my mind.  But it appears I did anyway.  Oh, I
   1.716 +wish you wouldn't worry about me.  You all care for me too much."  Then
   1.717 +she smiled.  A smile?  How long had it been since she used those
   1.718 +muscles?  It felt...nice.
   1.719 +
   1.720 +	With everyone in tears, there was a big group hug.
   1.721 +
   1.722 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.723 +
   1.724 +	A woman brought her hand in front of her eyes to shield them from
   1.725 +the midday sun.  Her pupils were adjusting slowly, as she hadn't seen
   1.726 +natural light in over two months.  Sounds started to become apparent to
   1.727 +her.  Birds chirping.  People talking.  Transports gilding by.  It was
   1.728 +almost like experiencing everything for the first time.  She sighed.
   1.729 +Maybe life wasn't so bad after all.
   1.730 +
   1.731 +	She began to walk away from the palace and into one of the many
   1.732 +parks in Crystal Tokyo.  She looked around at all the children, friends,
   1.733 +and couples eating and playing.  Everyone looked so happy.  She
   1.734 +flashbacked to a time she used to come to this very park with her
   1.735 +parents to have lunch.  Those were fun times.
   1.736 +
   1.737 +	She continued walking until she came to an open clearing.  There
   1.738 +weren't very many people in this part of the park, but it seemed like a
   1.739 +lot of people must have visited everyday for there were large amounts of
   1.740 +flower bouquets everywhere.  Then the woman realised where she was.  She
   1.741 +opened her eyes wide to the warm sunlight and looked up at a tall stone
   1.742 +statue.  The figure had shoulder length hair and was carrying a long
   1.743 +staff with a sharp blade on the end.  This was the first time Small
   1.744 +Lady had been to the park since the memorial service.  It was a little
   1.745 +bit of a shock.
   1.746 +
   1.747 +	She went to the base of the statue and read the inscription on the
   1.748 +plaque.  "From the star of silence, being protected by the planet
   1.749 +Saturn, the Senshi of death and rebirth, Sailorsaturn.  She was loved
   1.750 +and will be remembered by all."
   1.751 +
   1.752 +	She studied the face of the frozen statue.  It was serious and
   1.753 +determined, but there was also a kind and gentle quality.  It was as if
   1.754 +the eyes of the statue were looking straight into Small Lady's heart.
   1.755 +It wasn't a scary experience; it made Small Lady feel warm inside.  Was
   1.756 +this Saturn giving her strength?  Strength to move on with her life?  Or
   1.757 +had she simply been cooped up in her room too long and was beginning to
   1.758 +imagine things?  It didn't matter to Small Lady.  This was the first
   1.759 +time she had felt this good since Saturn had left for Kinmokusei.
   1.760 +
   1.761 +	"Saturn....  Watashi no taisetsu na hito.  You've left me all
   1.762 +alone.  You promised we'd be together forever and now I have quite a
   1.763 +number of years ahead of me.  Years I thought I'd be spending by your
   1.764 +side.  Oh, I wish I could hold you right now.  I wish I could feel the
   1.765 +softness of your touch, the gentleness of your kiss, the sweetness of
   1.766 +your voice.  I've longed for that feeling.  I miss you so much.  So very
   1.767 +much.  Please, I don't want you to think that I blame you.  There were
   1.768 +times I did in the blackness of my room, but I've done quite a bit of
   1.769 +thinking and growing in the last little while.  What you did was
   1.770 +incredible.  To tell you the truth, I would have done the exact same
   1.771 +thing, which would have left you all alone.  It was the right choice.
   1.772 +It's just..."  A drop of wetness splashed on the plaque.  "Tears?  I
   1.773 +thought I was done crying.  I didn't think I had any tears left.  I'm
   1.774 +sorry, I told myself I wasn't going to cry anymore, but I can't help it.
   1.775 +It's just there's a giant hole in my heart and I don't know what to do.
   1.776 +I love you.  I will always love you."  More tears splashed on the
   1.777 +plaque.
   1.778 +
   1.779 +	There was a gentle breeze, and someone laid a hand on her
   1.780 +shoulder.  "Otome..."
   1.781 +
   1.782 +	Small Lady turned around quickly in surprise.  "Elios?"  A look of
   1.783 +confusion crossed her face.
   1.784 +
   1.785 +	"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you.  I just wanted to make
   1.786 +sure you were all right.  I'll leave you now."  He bowed and started to
   1.787 +walk away.
   1.788 +
   1.789 +	"Matte!  It's okay.  You weren't disturbing me.  What are you
   1.790 +still doing here, anyway?  I would have thought you had long since
   1.791 +left."
   1.792 +
   1.793 +	He shook his head.  "It seems my visit coincided at a very
   1.794 +inopportune time.  I thought I could be of some help counselling the
   1.795 +population, and Her Majesty granted me a longer stay."  He laughed.
   1.796 +"Actually, she said I didn't need to ask and was welcome anytime.  Plus
   1.797 +I wanted to make sure you were okay.  You gave us all quite a scare, and
   1.798 +I was worried."
   1.799 +
   1.800 +	"Arigatou, but I'm okay now.  I'm sorry to have troubled you."
   1.801 +
   1.802 +	"Try not to shut us out, Otome.  We just want to help you.  None
   1.803 +of us want to rush you or force you to do anything, but we're still
   1.804 +concerned."
   1.805 +
   1.806 +	"I know, with the help of Diana-tachi I was able to finally get
   1.807 +out of bed.  If it weren't for such caring friends, I don't think I'd be
   1.808 +standing here right now."  She smiled at him.
   1.809 +
   1.810 +	"Then let me ask you something.  You can turn me down if you want
   1.811 +to, but I think you need to experience some happiness, if only for a
   1.812 +day.  The last time you were in Elysion it wasn't exactly the best of
   1.813 +times.  It's so beautiful there now, and I'd like to show you
   1.814 +everything.  I can get my dear friend Pegasus to give us a tour.
   1.815 +Please, let me try to cheer you up."
   1.816 +
   1.817 +	She thought for a while.  She thought about her blackened room and
   1.818 +how lonely it had been without the brightness of the lamps.  She thought
   1.819 +about how nice the sun had felt when she went out today.  She thought
   1.820 +about not letting the hole in her heart consume her.  Then she made up
   1.821 +her mind.  "Okay.  What time shall we meet at?"
   1.822 +
   1.823 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.824 +
   1.825 +	The wind blew around Small Lady's casual floral print sun dress as
   1.826 +she waited near a fountain just outside the Crystal Palace.  She could
   1.827 +hear the strong wind rustle through the trees as she watched a flock of
   1.828 +birds in formation high above her.  The wind had picked up quite a bit
   1.829 +this day, but it was still sunny and warm.
   1.830 +
   1.831 +	The thing that had probably changed the most about Small Lady over
   1.832 +that last two months would probably be her face.  No longer were there
   1.833 +dark circles around her eyes, evidence of sleepless nights and constant
   1.834 +crying.  She had also regained the pinkish colour in her cheeks.  For a
   1.835 +while she almost looked like someone had sucked all the energy from her
   1.836 +body.  She was slowly regaining her strength, and just looking at her
   1.837 +face proved that.
   1.838 +
   1.839 +	Suddenly there was a bright flash in the sky, and a magnificent
   1.840 +winged horse came flying down, a man with white hair on his back.  Small
   1.841 +Lady could only gasp at the beauty of the scene as leaves and flower
   1.842 +petals swirled around the horse and rider.  The man held his hand out to
   1.843 +help her climb on.  Once she was safely on the back of the steed, the
   1.844 +horse rose with a great flapping of his wings, and disappeared just as
   1.845 +quickly as he came.
   1.846 +
   1.847 +	Small Lady had closed her eyes in fright, but slowly began to open
   1.848 +them.  She looked in shock as the scenery around her had completely
   1.849 +changed, revealing a mystical world full of great forests, lakes, and
   1.850 +many animals.  She could just make out a palace of sorts coming into
   1.851 +view over the horizon.  As she got closer, she marveled at its Greek
   1.852 +style architecture, which consisted of a good many arches, stairways,
   1.853 +and pillars that formed a perfectly cylindrical structure.  She also
   1.854 +noticed that it was in the middle of a lake, with no apparent ways of
   1.855 +getting to it, short of flying or teleporting.
   1.856 +
   1.857 +	Two figures with long flowing white hair done up in odango style
   1.858 +smiled and waved at her.  She waved back and smiled brightly at them. 
   1.859 +Her memories were really starting to come back to her now.  She
   1.860 +remembered this place.  It was once the Kingdom of which her Father was
   1.861 +the Prince.  He still was, really, but he trusted Elios to take care of
   1.862 +things while he helped rule the Kingdom of the Moon.
   1.863 +
   1.864 +	"Mind if we go down for a bit?" her companion asked.
   1.865 +
   1.866 +	Small Lady suddenly realised she hadn't talked this whole time. 
   1.867 +She was just taken in by the beauty of it all.  "No, not all."
   1.868 +
   1.869 +	Pegasus circled the palatial structure once before coming in for a
   1.870 +landing.  As Small Lady got off, she was greeted by the two miko.  They
   1.871 +bowed to her and Elios, and she politely bowed in return.  She looked
   1.872 +around her and became aware of many blossoming pink roses.  Their scent
   1.873 +was very sweet, yet subtle at the same time.
   1.874 +
   1.875 +	"It's so nice to see you again," she said to the miko. 
   1.876 +"Everything is bright and beautiful, and everyone seems so happy here."
   1.877 +
   1.878 +	"Well," said one of the miko, "this is the place where beautiful
   1.879 +dreams come true.  It's only natural that the beauty of the place
   1.880 +reflects the beauty of the dreams."
   1.881 +
   1.882 +	"And we have you to thank for that," said Elios.
   1.883 +
   1.884 +	"Me?  But it was Neo Queen Serenity and King Endymion who sealed
   1.885 +off the power of Neherenia."  She looked at her shoes.  "I don't think I
   1.886 +did much."
   1.887 +
   1.888 +	"On the contrary!  It was your beautiful dream that lead me to you
   1.889 +in the first place.  Without that, everything would still be as it was
   1.890 +after the Dead Moon Circus destroyed everything."
   1.891 +
   1.892 +	Small Lady shuddered as she remembered how dark and full of
   1.893 +destruction this place had once been.  "It's so good to know that
   1.894 +nothing like that will ever happen again.  I swear it, as future Queen."
   1.895 +
   1.896 +	Elios smiled at her, and began to show her around the palace.  All
   1.897 +through the day Small Lady was laughing and smiling, and actually
   1.898 +enjoying her time there.  She made good friends with the two miko, and
   1.899 +promised to come back and see them again.  After a long and tiring day,
   1.900 +Small Lady returned to the palace happy and content.  She had good
   1.901 +dreams that night.  The first good dreams she had had in two months.
   1.902 +
   1.903 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.904 +
   1.905 +	The next year passed quickly for everyone.  Small Lady was dragged
   1.906 +slowly but surely out of her protective shell by her friends and family. 
   1.907 +They were all healing, too, so it was hard, but no one had taken the
   1.908 +news of Saturn's death worse than Small Lady.  Everyone was such a great
   1.909 +help to her, but she had one person in particular to thank for going
   1.910 +above and beyond the call of duty.  Especially considering he hadn't
   1.911 +even known her for very long.  Elios was such a great friend to her.  He
   1.912 +really let her enjoy life again, and made a point of always trying to
   1.913 +get her to laugh or smile.  He wanted her to feel happy, and like a
   1.914 +whole person again.  Small Lady had responded well to his encouragement,
   1.915 +and after a few months, resumed her regular duties as Princess of the
   1.916 +Moon.
   1.917 +
   1.918 +	She owed a great debt to Elios, and really considered him a true
   1.919 +friend.  The hole in her heart was still there.  She knew it would
   1.920 +always be there no matter what, but the severe pain and constant
   1.921 +loneliness she had felt before were greatly reduced.  She enjoyed his
   1.922 +company and spent a lot of time with him, including having him go with
   1.923 +her to official royal functions.  She had also spent her vacation in
   1.924 +Elysion this year, and came back from that feeling better than ever. 
   1.925 +Yes, Small Lady was building her life back up, and although she would
   1.926 +never completely be healed, it was Elios who she had to thank for a
   1.927 +large part of it.
   1.928 +
   1.929 +~*~*~*~*~
   1.930 +
   1.931 +	A pink haired women stared out a window, and looked at the many
   1.932 +evening lights shinning down on Crystal Tokyo harbour.  Everything was
   1.933 +so calm and peaceful and beautiful.  The scene held her gaze until a
   1.934 +voice brought her out of her reverie.
   1.935 +
   1.936 +	"Otome...  Otome..."
   1.937 +
   1.938 +	"Huh?"  Suddenly she snapped back into reality, and realised where
   1.939 +she was.  They had gone to one of the fancier restaurants in Crystal
   1.940 +Tokyo that evening.  The room was decorated in a 17th century France
   1.941 +design, with gold chandeliers hanging from high ceilings, ornate
   1.942 +carvings in the walls, many hanging tapestries, and blazing fireplaces
   1.943 +around the room.  The restaurant was pretty full tonight, and many
   1.944 +couples were dancing to one of Mozart's symphonies being played by the
   1.945 +orchestra.
   1.946 +
   1.947 +	"Are you all right?  You looked a little dazed there for a few
   1.948 +moments."
   1.949 +
   1.950 +	"Hai," she said smiling.  "I was just admiring the beauty of this
   1.951 +city.  I really love it here."
   1.952 +
   1.953 +	"Well, we haven't gone anywhere really nice in a while, so I
   1.954 +thought it would be good to come here tonight."
   1.955 +
   1.956 +	"Shitsurei shimasu," said the waiter as he cleared their dinner
   1.957 +plates.  "Will you be having desert this evening?"
   1.958 +
   1.959 +	A joyous gleam came into Small Lady's eyes as she ordered for both
   1.960 +her and Elios.
   1.961 +
   1.962 +	"Would you like to dance for a while?  I think this is one of your
   1.963 +favourites."
   1.964 +
   1.965 +	"Sure," replied Small Lady as she got up and took his offered
   1.966 +hand.
   1.967 +
   1.968 +	The two friends danced gracefully for the rest of the song.  Some
   1.969 +of the other couples stared in awe as their Princess glided past them. 
   1.970 +For most of them, this was the first time seeing her in person.  Small
   1.971 +Lady realised her mother's genius in sending her to the past for her
   1.972 +formidable years.  At least now she didn't have an inflated ego from all
   1.973 +this extra attention.
   1.974 +
   1.975 +	After the song ended, the pair sat back down at their table. 
   1.976 +Their deserts had arrived while they were dancing, and Small Lady didn't
   1.977 +want to waste any time.  She began quickly, but daintily, eating her
   1.978 +tiramisu.  Elios just sat and smiled as he watched her eat.
   1.979 +
   1.980 +	Small Lady smiled happily as she finished off the last bite of her
   1.981 +desert and took a sip of wine.  She looked across the table, and
   1.982 +realised she was being watched.  A blush formed across her cheeks. 
   1.983 +"Nani?" she asked hesitantly.
   1.984 +
   1.985 +	Elios shook his head.  "Nandemonai."  Several moments of silence
   1.986 +passed between the two.  "Jitsuwa...  There was something I wanted to
   1.987 +talk to you about."
   1.988 +
   1.989 +	"Okay, you know I'm always here to listen."
   1.990 +
   1.991 +	"Otome," said Elios looking her sincerely in the eyes, "you have
   1.992 +the most beautiful spirit of anyone I've ever met.  Truly, you fill me
   1.993 +with happiness every time I meet you.  Our time together over this past
   1.994 +year has been truly wonderful.  I hope I've always been there when you
   1.995 +needed me to be.  You have a right to know that....I've fallen in love
   1.996 +with you."  Visible signs of shock could be seen in Small Lady's eyes. 
   1.997 +"I don't want this to ever end, so I would be honoured if you would take
   1.998 +my hand in marriage."  At that he produced a box from his pocket, and
   1.999 +handed it to Small Lady.
  1.1000 +
  1.1001 +	Small Lady stared at the box for several seconds before opening
  1.1002 +it.  Slowly she lifted the lid up, and revealed a single, brilliantly
  1.1003 +cut diamond in a setting on top of a gold ring.  "Oh, Elios, I..."
  1.1004 +
  1.1005 +
  1.1006 +	"Please, you don't have to give me your answer now.  I can just
  1.1007 +imagine the million emotions that must be going through you right now. 
  1.1008 +I just want to let you know that I didn't plan this all along.  But it
  1.1009 +just came to the point several months ago where I couldn't ignore my
  1.1010 +feelings any longer.  I love you and want to make you my wife.  I don't
  1.1011 +want you to feel pressured at all.  I want you to make a decision true
  1.1012 +to your heart, and I'm prepared to wait however long that takes. 
  1.1013 +Please, just think about it."  Elios smiled at her one last time, and
  1.1014 +then left Small Lady alone at the table.  A single tear slowly fell down
  1.1015 +her face and onto the tablecloth.
  1.1016 +
  1.1017 +~*~*~*~*~
  1.1018 +
  1.1019 +	Small Lady paced nervously as she waited for them to arrive.  She
  1.1020 +was waiting in one of her private chambers off from her room.  She
  1.1021 +especially liked this one to read in.  Most of the decor was pure white,
  1.1022 +with a few arrangements of flowers from the royal garden.  It was a cozy
  1.1023 +room, but big enough to fit a dozen people conformably.
  1.1024 +
  1.1025 +	The door opened, and in stepped her closest friends.  The Sailor
  1.1026 +Quartet, followed by Diana in human form, Sailorpluto, and her parents. 
  1.1027 +It was the day after the proposal, and she needed advice.
  1.1028 +
  1.1029 +	"Small Lady?" asked Diana.  "What's wrong?  You look as if
  1.1030 +something terrible has just happened."
  1.1031 +
  1.1032 +	"Well, I didn't get much sleep last night," she explained. 
  1.1033 +"Something *did* happen yesterday.  That's why I've called all of you
  1.1034 +here.  Please, sit down.  I've made tea."
  1.1035 +
  1.1036 +	"Small Lady," said her mother sensing something different about
  1.1037 +her daughter, "what's the matter?  You know we'll all help you with any
  1.1038 +problem you have."
  1.1039 +
  1.1040 +	Small Lady began to cry.  "Elios...yesterday at dinner...he...he
  1.1041 +asked me to marry him."
  1.1042 +
  1.1043 +	Looks of shock were displayed around the room.  Sailorceres looked
  1.1044 +crestfallen.
  1.1045 +
  1.1046 +	"And how did you respond?" asked Diana carefully.
  1.1047 +
  1.1048 +	"I haven't yet.  He told me to think about it.  Minna, doushiyou?" 
  1.1049 +She ran up to Sailorpluto.  "What should I tell him?  You have to tell
  1.1050 +me, please?"  She buried herself into Pluto's lap.
  1.1051 +
  1.1052 +	"Small Lady," said Pluto as she stroked her hair, "we can't tell
  1.1053 +you what the right answer is.  Only you know that."
  1.1054 +
  1.1055 +	"Demo, demo, I don't know what to say," she said between sniffles.
  1.1056 +
  1.1057 +	"Do you love him?" asked her father.
  1.1058 +
  1.1059 +	"Love?  I never even thought about it before with Elios.  I've
  1.1060 +always enjoyed his company, and I'm very grateful to him for helping me
  1.1061 +get my life back together.  But do I love him?  Not in the same way that
  1.1062 +I love Saturn."
  1.1063 +
  1.1064 +	"Do you feel like you would betray Saturn if you said yes?" asked
  1.1065 +Diana.
  1.1066 +
  1.1067 +	That stopped Small Lady almost cold.  That was the key to
  1.1068 +everything, she realised.  That was why she was so upset in the first
  1.1069 +place.  She didn't want to betray Saturn's trust.  She didn't want to
  1.1070 +just throw away the love they shared.  "How can I betray Saturn like
  1.1071 +this?" she asked with her tear-streaked face.  "I can't!  I just can't!"
  1.1072 +
  1.1073 +	"Gomen, Small Lady," said Sailorvesta, "but wouldn't Sailorsaturn
  1.1074 +want you to be happy?  I know she loved you so much that she cared about
  1.1075 +your happiness above all else.  A life with Elios, depending on how you
  1.1076 +truly feel about him, could bring you much happiness.  Living the rest
  1.1077 +of your life alone simply because of guilt could lead you into
  1.1078 +depression again."
  1.1079 +
  1.1080 +	"We're not going to push you either way," said the Queen.  "We
  1.1081 +want you to make the decision that's right for you.  If you feel
  1.1082 +strongly that Saturn wouldn't approve of the relationship, then you have
  1.1083 +every right to say no.  But if you come to the conclusion that you do
  1.1084 +love Elios, and think you would be happy sharing your life with him,
  1.1085 +then we would equally support you if you said yes.  I've been told that
  1.1086 +you never feel the same type of love twice, so it's probably natural
  1.1087 +that you feel differently about Elios than you did about Saturn."
  1.1088 +
  1.1089 +	Small Lady stood up and nodded.  "Arigatou, minna.  You've all
  1.1090 +given me a lot to think about.  Now I know that no one can make this
  1.1091 +decision for me.  I have to do that for myself.  It may take some soul
  1.1092 +searching, but I'm sure I can make the right decision."
  1.1093 +
  1.1094 +~*~*~*~*~
  1.1095 +
  1.1096 +	"Yoshi!" said Small Lady as she finished packing a picnic lunch
  1.1097 +for herself.  She loved how cute the bentou boxes looked tied up in
  1.1098 +handkerchiefs.  As she left the palace, she said, "itte kimasu" to no
  1.1099 +one in particular, and made her way to a near-by park.
  1.1100 +
  1.1101 +	It was a bit overcastted in Crystal Tokyo this day, but there were
  1.1102 +still plenty of people out and about having fun.  Small Lady followed
  1.1103 +the now familiar path to a certain part of the park.  When she got
  1.1104 +there, she was relieved to find that no one else was around.  She went
  1.1105 +over to the base of the statue, and polished up the plaque.  She
  1.1106 +breathed in a deep breath.  This wasn't going to be easy.
  1.1107 +
  1.1108 +	"So, you probably already know why I'm here."  She appeared to be
  1.1109 +talking to herself, but she was really talking to the statue.  Or
  1.1110 +rather, the spirit she believed resided in the statue.  "I've come here
  1.1111 +to think out some confusing emotions.  I love you.  I always will love
  1.1112 +you.  Nothing will *ever* change that.  You're my taisetsu na hito.  I
  1.1113 +don't want to betray you.  That's my biggest fear.  If I thought you
  1.1114 +would be against this, I would say no to Elios right this second.  But
  1.1115 +I'm not sure you would be.  I do remember that conversation we had
  1.1116 +several years ago.  I think it ended in me getting very upset, and
  1.1117 +saying that neither of us would ever die, and that we'd be together
  1.1118 +forever.  Shows how wrong I was, eh?  I remember you telling me to be
  1.1119 +happy no matter what.  And I've done a lot of thinking, and I think I
  1.1120 +can be happy with Elios.  He was such a great friend to me after you
  1.1121 +died, and we became very close.  Though I must admit that romantic
  1.1122 +thoughts about him never even popped into my mind until he proposed.  I
  1.1123 +guess it was at that point where I realised that I really did care for
  1.1124 +him.  Kami, that thought scared me out of my skin.  After all, how could
  1.1125 +I care about anyone but you?  In my long hours of thinking, I've come to
  1.1126 +the conclusion that I do love him, but in a very different way than I
  1.1127 +love you.  He will never overshadow you in my heart.  So, I guess I've
  1.1128 +made my decision.  It was a very difficult one, but I think I've looked
  1.1129 +at all the issues and done what my heart has told me.  Above all else, I
  1.1130 +hope I've done what you would have wanted me to do.  Aishiteru eien ni."
  1.1131 +
  1.1132 +	At those last words, Small Lady picked up her finished bentou
  1.1133 +boxes, and headed back to the palace.
  1.1134 +
  1.1135 +~*~*~*~*~
  1.1136 +
  1.1137 +	Elios stared out his window at the rain pelting down this dreary
  1.1138 +night.  He ran a hand through his while hair and sighed.  It had been a
  1.1139 +week since he had proposed to Small Lady.  What her answer would be, he
  1.1140 +really wasn't quite sure.  He knew they had grown close over the past
  1.1141 +year, but he could never quite tell what she was thinking.  He hoped he
  1.1142 +hadn't ruined their friendship by proposing.  But as the days dragged
  1.1143 +on, it seemed to him like he did just that, because he hadn't seen Small
  1.1144 +Lady at all since that night.  He knew he must be patient, but this
  1.1145 +waiting was killing him.
  1.1146 +
  1.1147 +	A soft knock at the door sounded.
  1.1148 +
  1.1149 +	"Hai!" he said, getting up in the process.  He walked over to the
  1.1150 +door, and said a silent prayer that it would be who he hoped.  He opened
  1.1151 +the door.
  1.1152 +
  1.1153 +	It was.
  1.1154 +
  1.1155 +	"Yes."
  1.1156 +
  1.1157 +~*~*~*~*~
  1.1158 +
  1.1159 +	The wedding was one of the most extravagant events the Kingdom had
  1.1160 +seen in a few hundred years.  People from all over the kingdom came to
  1.1161 +the event as well as some citizens of allied kingdoms.  Billions of
  1.1162 +people lined up along the streets of Crystal Tokyo hoping to catch a
  1.1163 +glimpse of the happy couple, while billions more watched at home.  The
  1.1164 +day was declared a kingdom wide holiday.  After all, getting to work was
  1.1165 +quite impossible, and no one was going to do any business that day
  1.1166 +anyway.
  1.1167 +
  1.1168 +	Flowers were absolutely everywhere.  Pictures of the couple
  1.1169 +adorned billboards, video screens, newspapers, and countless other
  1.1170 +places.  It got so bad that one couldn't turn around without seeing at
  1.1171 +least one picture of the couple.  Of course, it was like this at every
  1.1172 +royal wedding.
  1.1173 +
  1.1174 +	The ceremony was grand, and was performed by Neo Queen Serenity
  1.1175 +herself.  It was held inside, but in one of the palace's large gardens. 
  1.1176 +Aspects of a traditional Shintou wedding were still there, but wedding
  1.1177 +ceremonies had evolved from religion over the century, and were quite
  1.1178 +secular in nature.
  1.1179 +
  1.1180 +	The bride wore a stunning white dress trimmed in lace and lilacs. 
  1.1181 +It was off the shoulder and had a long veil and train.  Her hair was out
  1.1182 +of its usual odango, and was allowed to hang long.  It was done in
  1.1183 +flowing waves with lilacs interlaced in certain places to match her
  1.1184 +dress.
  1.1185 +
  1.1186 +	The groom had on a dark blue tuxedo with tails.  His vest and bow
  1.1187 +tie were both black.  In his lapel there was a single pink rose.
  1.1188 +
  1.1189 +	The maid of honour and the bride's maids had on matching light
  1.1190 +blue dresses.  They were strapless flowing gowns that were also
  1.1191 +accentuated with lilacs.  Diana, in her human form, looked stunning as
  1.1192 +the maid of honour, and the Quartet looked equally good as her bride's
  1.1193 +maids.
  1.1194 +
  1.1195 +	The other Senshi wore their formal gowns to the occasion, and
  1.1196 +stood just off to the side.  Behind them in rows of chairs sat one
  1.1197 +hundred invited guests.  So, in a way, this was a very private ceremony,
  1.1198 +while at the same time being a very public one.	Small Lady and Elios
  1.1199 +wrote their own vows, which also gave the ceremony a very personal
  1.1200 +touch.
  1.1201 +
  1.1202 +	It was rumoured that the honeymoon was going to be on the
  1.1203 +continent of Europe, but some people said it might be Australia, India,
  1.1204 +or even the moon.  The palace wanted to keep the location a secret to
  1.1205 +let the couple have a little time to themselves.
  1.1206 +
  1.1207 +	The wedding presents the couple had received had been plentiful. 
  1.1208 +>From cards and drawings sent in by the kingdom's populace to very
  1.1209 +personalised gifts given to them by the Senshi.  The biggest surprise,
  1.1210 +though, had to be the gift the Queen and King gave their daughter and 
  1.1211 +new husband.  Before the ceremony was completed, the Queen proclaimed
  1.1212 +that she had one more announcement to make the wedding complete.  She
  1.1213 +passed down the title of Queen of the Moon Kingdom to her daughter, and
  1.1214 +officially crowned her Queen Usagi Small Lady Serenity, Neo Queen
  1.1215 +Serenity II.
  1.1216 +
  1.1217 +	Neo Queen Serenity, looking regal as ever, said to her daughter,
  1.1218 +"You have demonstrated unconditionally that you are ready to receive
  1.1219 +such a burden.  You are full of love, life, compassion, understanding,
  1.1220 +and trust.  You will make a wonderful queen.  I'm so proud of you, my
  1.1221 +daughter."
  1.1222 +
  1.1223 +	"Arigatou, mama," said the younger woman as tears of joy shed from
  1.1224 +her eyes as she wrapped her arms around her mother.  Her youth was now
  1.1225 +officially over.  Not only was she married, but she was the leader of
  1.1226 +her people, ruler of her kingdom, and the most powerful person in the
  1.1227 +galaxy.
  1.1228 +
  1.1229 +~*~*~*~*~
  1.1230 +
  1.1231 +(Small Lady will now be referred to as Serenity.)
  1.1232 +
  1.1233 +	The next year was a very interesting one.  Not only did Serenity
  1.1234 +have to adapt to married life, but she also had to adapt to ruling a
  1.1235 +kingdom.  She had watched her mother do it for centuries, of course, and
  1.1236 +she had been skilfully schooled on the subject, but she had also hit her
  1.1237 +share of rough spots.  She often sought reassurance from the Quartet,
  1.1238 +Pluto, or her husband.  She didn't want to bother her mother and father, 
  1.1239 +now in retirement, with such things.  Although, to her amazement,
  1.1240 +everything seemed to be going just fine.  Trade was up with neighbouring
  1.1241 +kingdoms, and she had even negotiated an agreement of allegiance with
  1.1242 +the Torag people, a kingdom notorious for rejecting any sort of ties
  1.1243 +with the Moon Kingdom.
  1.1244 +
  1.1245 +	Yes, things seemed to be going quite well for her.  Except for
  1.1246 +that day in early September when she got unbelievably ill and had to
  1.1247 +stay in for most of the day.  The royal team of doctors, headed by
  1.1248 +Sailormercury, examined her and told her the good news.  She was
  1.1249 +pregnant.
  1.1250 +
  1.1251 +	Joy absolutely filled the kingdom at this news.  After all, it had
  1.1252 +been nearly 918 years since the last successor to the Moon Kingdom was
  1.1253 +born.  Serenity was excited, but very apprehensive at the same time. 
  1.1254 +What did she know about raising children?  The thought crossed her mind
  1.1255 +to send her daughter (she knew it was going to be a daughter; it had to
  1.1256 +be a daughter) back to the past to be raised by her formal self or even
  1.1257 +farther into the past to have it raised by Tsukino Usagi, but that
  1.1258 +thought was brief, and she knew it would be impossible.  Well, she
  1.1259 +thought, all new mothers must think the same thing.  I'm just lucky to
  1.1260 +have such a supportive group of people around me to help out.
  1.1261 +
  1.1262 +	Nine months later on June 30, 2919 a scream rang out in the halls
  1.1263 +of Crystal Palace.  Another miracle had occurred.  A chubby miracle
  1.1264 +weighing 3.2 kg, with pinkish skin, and silver hair.
  1.1265 +
  1.1266 +	Princess Usagi Hotaru Serenity was born.  No one minded that
  1.1267 +Hotaru, and ancient and almost forgotten name, was used as one of the
  1.1268 +Princess' middle names.  It was seen as a dedication to one of the
  1.1269 +kingdom's most powerful and valiant warriors.  Serenity was content. 
  1.1270 +Now the memory wouldn't die away.
  1.1271 +
  1.1272 +~*~*~*~*~
  1.1273 +
  1.1274 +	"Mezame yo!  Your time is now.  Hametsu to tanjou no Senshi!"
  1.1275 +
  1.1276 +~*~*~*~*~
  1.1277 +
  1.1278 +	A figure slowly started to open her eyes.  She realised she was
  1.1279 +lying down in a patch of grass and that it was night-time around her. 
  1.1280 +The stars twinkled around her and the moon shone ever so brightly in the
  1.1281 +sky.  She blinked a few times, stood up, and started walking in the
  1.1282 +general direction she thought would lead her where she wanted to go.
  1.1283 +
  1.1284 +~*~*~*~*~
  1.1285 +
  1.1286 +	It had only been a week since Serenity gave birth to Princess
  1.1287 +Usagi.  She was *not* used to these midnight feedings yet.  The amount
  1.1288 +of sleep she had lost had been astounding.  Elios was great, but he
  1.1289 +couldn't get up all the time.
  1.1290 +
  1.1291 +	"There there, Usagi-chan," she said soothingly.  She began to sing
  1.1292 +softly.  "GOMEN ne sunao ja nakute, yume no naka nara ieru, shikou kairu
  1.1293 +wa SHOOTO sunzen, ima sugu aitai yo..."  The baby stopped her soft
  1.1294 +crying and went back to her restful slumber.  "Yokkata na.  Yoshi
  1.1295 +yoshi."  She laid her daughter back into her crib.  She turned around to
  1.1296 +go back to the near-by bed when she sensed something wasn't right.
  1.1297 +
  1.1298 +	The overwhelming feeling brought her down the corridor adjoining
  1.1299 +her room, through the palace's many hallways, and out of the palace
  1.1300 +completely and into the cool night air.  She sensed someone was close.
  1.1301 +Someone familiar.
  1.1302 +
  1.1303 +	"Dare yo!" she almost demanded.
  1.1304 +
  1.1305 +	A figure stepped out from behind some bushes with a very weary
  1.1306 +look on her face.  She was faintly glowing purple.
  1.1307 +
  1.1308 +	"Small Lady..."
  1.1309 +
  1.1310 +	Serenity brought a hand to her mouth and went white as a ghost. 
  1.1311 +"Uso.  Saturn..."
  1.1312 +
  1.1313 +~*~*~*~*~
  1.1314 +
  1.1315 +How's that for an evil cliff-hanger, eh? ^_-  Part 4 ni tsuzuku!
  1.1316 +
  1.1317 +	Wow, so, um, this was a long time coming.  Sorry about that.  I
  1.1318 +started writing it in August (of '98) and continued to write bits and
  1.1319 +pieces throughout the year.  Today, though, I gathered up my resolve and
  1.1320 +attacked the rest of it.  I wrote about 1/3 today in about seven hours.
  1.1321 +
  1.1322 +	Some of you are going to wonder, so I might as well say it right
  1.1323 +now.  Yes, in Mars & Venus and Jupiter & Mercury are lovers.  Takeuchi-
  1.1324 +sensei actually gives a lot more evidence for these pairings than she
  1.1325 +does for Chibiusa and Hotaru, and I like them, so I included them. ^_^
  1.1326 +
  1.1327 +	Some more of you might be thinking, "why did she go to all that
  1.1328 +trouble to put Hotaru and Chibiusa together and then have Chibiusa marry
  1.1329 +Elios anyway?!?"  Well, you'd have a point, but this was the way I had
  1.1330 +pictured the story, so this is the way I wrote it.  And I may not like
  1.1331 +this fact anymore than you do, but a story has to have conflict, right?
  1.1332 +^_^;;
  1.1333 +
  1.1334 +	Oh, just a note about Neo Queen Serenity handing down the throne
  1.1335 +to Princess Serenity.  She didn't do this just because the princess was
  1.1336 +getting married.  I, as a feminist, find that prospect abhorrent.  She
  1.1337 +did it at the wedding because it was convenient, and also because she
  1.1338 +thought it would make a good wedding gift.  She would have handed down
  1.1339 +the throne regardless of whether the princess got married.
  1.1340 +
  1.1341 +	Well, I hope you liked this chapter of the fanfic.  You may have
  1.1342 +started to hate me as soon as I killed off Saturn (gya, that sounds
  1.1343 +really bad...), but I hope the story remained interesting.  All I have
  1.1344 +to say is that you'll probably like the next and final chapter a whole
  1.1345 +lot better.  Yakusoku yo!
  1.1346 +
  1.1347 +	Special thanks to the Amazoness Duo (er, Quartet?) for keeping me
  1.1348 +motivated while writing this.  I know you disagree with certain plot
  1.1349 +points, but I hope you liked the story anyway. ^^;;  For good Hotaru and
  1.1350 +Chibiusa fanfiction, check them out at A Sailor Moon Romance (sure,
  1.1351 +they're lemons, but they're happy lemons ^^). ^_^
  1.1352 +
  1.1353 +	Contact information: andrea.doolan@utoronto.ca
  1.1354 +
  1.1355 +	Music I was listening to while writing this: a whole bunch of
  1.1356 +stuff.  For the last seven hours, though, I've been listening to Shoujo
  1.1357 +Kakumei Utena OST 2.
  1.1358 +
  1.1359 +Completed:  June 25, 1999.
  1.1360 +