Author's Notes: ^_^

 

 	There's nothing much to say here, really.  Trust me, you're going

 to start hating me around the middle of this part...  But keep going

 until the end! ^_^

 

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 Chibiusa no PYUA na kokoro

 (Chibiusa's Pure Heart)

 Part 3

 By Andrea Doolan <andrea.doolan@utoronto.ca>

 "Sailormoon no ichiban daifan"

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	The large, ornately decorated doors to the main Sailor Senshi

 conference room shut with a bang.  This particular room of the palace

 was situated on one of the top levels of the grand structure.  It

 boasted a marble conference table, which seated 20 comfortably, and all

 the architectural and design earmarks that made the Crystal Palace so

 famous.  It was an eclectic atmosphere combining ancient Greek and

 traditional Japanese designs.

 

 	Sailormars, the person who shut the doors, was the last of the

 Senior Sailor Senshi to be gathered in the room.  With their hectic

 schedules, it was unusual to see all of them together, but this was a

 special occasion.

 

 	As Mars took her seat, Neo Queen Serenity spoke.  "Minna, thank

 you for coming here on such short notice.  I apologise for the formal

 atmosphere, because what will be said here today isn't meant for a

 formal occasion.  We're all friends here; friends sharing some great

 news.  I'll now pass things over to my daughter and Sailorsaturn."

 

 	As the Queen sat back down, she passed Small Lady, and gave her a

 small squeeze on her shoulder.  It was enough for a smile to creep

 across the younger woman's face.  It was getting easier, she thought.

 This would be the third time telling people, and it definitely felt

 easier.  Of course, maybe it was just because they were telling the

 parents before, and now it was just friends.

 

 	Small Lady and Saturn stood up at the head of the table.  All eyes

 were focused on them.  Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter looked at them

 inquisitively.  Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto looked at them with love and

 support.  They were really only there for comfort and encouragement.

 The Queen and King looked at them with smiles on their faces.  Serenity

 nodded her head for them to start.

 

 	"Arigatou, minna.  Some of you know what we're about to say, and

 some of you don't.  Before we start, we just want to say what good

 friends you've all been to us.  We cherish you all dearly."  Small Lady

 stopped and smiled at them.

 

 	Saturn took Small Lady's hand, and continued.  "Something special

 has happened in our lives, and we think it's only fair to share it with

 all of you.  Small Lady and I have fallen in love.  We care for each

 other deeply.  We...we want to spend the rest of our lives together.  We

 want to be together forever."

 

 	Small Lady jumped in.  "We know this may come as a shock to some

 of you.  I know it certainly did for us."  She laughed a little at this.

 "But we both hope you'll give us your blessing.  It really means a lot

 to us.  We've already discussed this with our parents, and they've been

 very supportive.  But no pressure, of course."  She gave them a little

 wink.

 

 	There was silence for several moments, but then Sailorjupiter was

 the first to speak.  "So, you left us until last, did you?  Seems kind

 of unfair to me."  She stuck her tongue out a little to show she was

 kidding.  "Small Lady, Saturn, personally I think this is great.  I wish

 you all the best in the future."  She had a very sincere smile on her

 face.

 

 	"I knew it!" cried Venus.  "My predictions of love are never

 wrong!"  The rest of the group facefaulted.  "Hehe, the goddess of love

 and beauty, the reincarnation of Aphrodite herself gives you her full

 blessing!  You two make a cute couple."  She flashed them a "V" sign.

 

 	"I always said we didn't need boys to have fun."

 

 	"Mars, are you feeling playful?"

 

 	"We'll have to save it until later, Venus."

 

 	"Ohhh..."

 

 	"Anyway, the point I was trying to make was you two go really well

 together.  I can feel it from your spirits, it's coming through very

 strongly.  I think you two were made for each other."

 

 	Small Lady and Saturn blushed a little at this.

 

 	Sailormercury was sitting quietly at the end of the table.  She

 was just waiting patiently for her turn to speak.  "I still find it hard

 to believe in a red string of destiny, but after seeing so many real

 life examples, I think I'll have to rewrite the laws of physics.  You

 two are a shinning example of proof that it does exist.  Omedetou ne."

 She gave a caring smile to them.

 

 	"Minna..." said Small Lady, tears forming in her eyes.

 

 	"Arigatou," said Saturn while she gave her lover a quick hug.

 

 	Everyone got up from their seats and proceeded to give Small Lady

 and Saturn hugs and words of congratulation.  Indeed, it was a joyous

 occasion.  Saturn and Small Lady were so glad everyone had been very

 accepting of their relationship; it really meant a lot to them.  They

 weren't really worried, though.  They had both known everyone for so

 long, and they were such close friends.  But now, deep in their hearts,

 there still laid a seed of worry.  It was because of the upcoming

 announcement to the kingdom which would follow in a few days.  In some

 respects, it was terrifying to them, but in others they wanted to share

 the good news with all the people of the kingdom.  They knew they might

 not get the same reception that the Senshi had given them.  They

 accepted that fact, but any way they could, they were going to get

 through it.  Together.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	"Mina-san, please be aware that an official announcement from

 Crystal Palace will take place at 13:00 today, Japan Standard Time.

 Please try to avoid crowding the streets around the palace, as public

 safety in always a concern.  The official Crystal Tokyo network, Terebi

 Takeuchi, will be covering events, as will most of the other major

 networks and satellite feeds to the planets.  Arigatou gozaimasu."

 

 	That was the official press release the palace had given at 9

 o'clock that Wednesday morning.  It had thrown every single news agency

 in the solar system into mass confusion.  If it was an announcement from

 the palace, it was big news.  Everyone was rushing trying to get an

 early scoop, but none of their sources seemed to know anything, and the

 palace was being very tight-lipped.  Really, the only thing they could do 

 was wait and see.  That didn't stop the rumours, though.

 

 	"I heard the king and queen were getting a divorce!"

 

 	"What?  Are you crazy?  After being together for so long?  It's

 much more serious.  I heard Nemesis was making a comeback."

 

 	"Another war?  That would be awful..."

 

 	"But if it was a war, wouldn't a state of emergency be declared or

 something?"

 

 	"Only if the fighting had already broken out.  They could just be

 in negotiations."

 

 	"No, no, you're all wrong!  I hear Diana-sama is getting married!"

 

 	"To that prince from Mau?  I thought she hated him."

 

 	"Maybe Luna-sama is pregnant again."

 

 	"Could be...  Hey, what if one of the Senshi were pregnant!"

 

 	"Um, that would be kind of hard, wouldn't it?  Considering who

 their partners are...  And those that don't have partners don't seem to be

 attached to anyone."

 

 	"Oh, right."

 

 	It went on like this for the four hours between the press release

 and the announcement.  It seemed anybody and everybody had a theory as

 to what the palace was about to announce.  Though no one could have

 guessed what was actually happening.

 

 	12:56 JST

 

 	"How are you doing?"

 

 	"Okay.  How about you?"

 

 	"I'm a nervous wreck."

 

 	"To tell you the truth, I am, too."

 

 	Two lovers embraced and shared a long kiss.

 

 	"Better?"

 

 	"Hai."

 

 	They walked hand in hand to the doors which led out to the

 balcony.  It was from there that they would make their announcement, and

 the world would know the truth.

 

 	"Small Lady?"

 

 	The pink haired woman stopped and looked to her side.  She saw

 Diana and the Sailor Quartet standing there.  After she had told the

 Inner Senshi, her and Saturn talked to Luna, Artemis, Diana, and the

 Quartet privately.  After all, Diana was her closest friend next to

 Saturn, and the Quartet were her personal protectors.  They had all

 taken the news with similar reactions to the Senior Senshi.

 Sailorpallas said she knew all along, but Sailorjuno reminded her she

 thought Saturn was falling for the king of Mermaid.  Everyone laughed at

 that, including Pallas herself.

 

 	"Diana-tachi!"

 

 	"We're coming out with you."

 

 	"You don't have to..."

 

 	"We're your friends!  You're going to get all the support you

 can!"

 

 	"Princess, we are your protectors.  It's our duty and wish to help

 you," said Sailorceres with a smile.

 

 	"Arigatou," said Saturn.  "It means a lot to us."

 

 	"Jikan da," said the King.  "The crowds are even larger than I

 expected."

 

 	The doors to the balcony opened, and the crowd roared.  Out

 stepped Princess Serenity, looking regal as ever, holding hands with the

 Princess of Saturn, who looked equally gorgeous in her purple gown.

 They walked to the front of the balcony and waved at the spectators.

 Directly behind them stood the princess' personal guard and Diana.  Off

 to the side the Senior Sailor Senshi stood, all of whom were wearing

 their royal gowns.  The king and queen stood in the doorway, watching

 how everything progressed.

 

 	Saturn held Small Lady's hand a little tighter, and whispered

 something to her which was incomprehensible to everyone else.

 

 	A few minutes later, after the announcement had been made, the crowd 

 cheered even louder, if that was possible.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	The next few days were spent sorting through the public's reaction

 to the announcement.  Generally, it had been very positive, with the

 palace receiving millions of cards, flowers, and gifts all meant to

 congratulate the happy couple.  Small Lady and Saturn had been fairly

 surprised at the outpouring of support they had received.  Headlines

 like, "A Match Made in Heaven,"  "A Happy Day for the Kingdom of

 Serenity," and "Light and Dark United by the Bonds of Love" boosted

 their confidence even more.  Though, while looking at the last one,

 Saturn wondered why people always forgot she was the Senshi of death

 *and* rebirth.  Oh well, it made for a good headline at any rate.

 

 	While most reactions had been positive, there had been some

 negative ones as well.  The religious right, even though their hold on

 society had greatly decreased over the centuries, could still be very

 vocal.  They posted their opinions over the information network linking

 the entire solar system, and wrote to news organisations.  But their 

 reaction was expected; they had been saying the same things for years about 

 other prominent same-sex couples.  No one paid much attention to them

 anymore, including the level-headed religious organisations.

 

 	The main cause for concern in the palace's eyes were several

 editorials written for the news agencies' publications.  While accepting

 of the relationship, and pointing out how happy everyone was for them,

 there was one common thread through them all.  How would the line of the

 moon kingdom continue?  Through all of science's advances, it was still

 impossible for two women to conceive.  That left several options:

 adoption - which wouldn't work, because they obviously needed someone

 with royal blood; artificial insemination - which lead to the question,

 who would donate the sperm?; and cloning - which meant their baby would

 have the same genes as the princess, which really wouldn't be a bad

 thing, except that in order for humanity as a whole and the royal

 family specifically to advance, there had to be a mixing of the gene

 pool.  It was certainly a valid point to bring up, one Small Lady and

 Saturn hadn't thought through completely.

 

 	Some, more opinionated people, jumped on the chance, and called it

 the end of the Moon Kingdom.  Others were less extreme in their views,

 but voiced concern about the inability to have a child.  Gay couples

 around the kingdom fought back, and pointed to their own families to

 prove the princess and Saturn could bear children, even if Saturn's

 genes weren't included.  It wouldn't mean she would love the child any

 less.  It was good that same sex couples composed about 50% of the

 population.  Small Lady and Saturn needed all the support they could get

 on this issue.

 

 	The child-bearing issue, and the news of the partnership was hot

 news over the next month.  The press knew its boundaries, but still was

 able to get pictures of the couple together at every opportunity.

 Saturn and Small Lady played along very well.  They didn't feel as if

 the press was hounding them, plus they knew what good public relations

 could mean for them.  However, like all hot news, the fervour eventually

 died down, and the couple was bumped down to monthly updates on the

 news.

 

 	Small Lady felt overjoyed with the amount of love and support her

 subjects had given her.  Their opinions and happiness really did mean a

 great deal to her.  She was a bit saddened with some of the objections

 they had received, but it was expected, and with Saturn at her side they

 were able to deal with it.  Saturn...she had been such a pillar of love

 for the pink haired woman.  Even when things looked a bit rocky, she was

 right there by her side.  Small Lady brought her hands to her heart, and

 sighed.  She was the luckiest person alive.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	The next five years seemed to pass quickly for everyone.  They

 were glorious years.  The Moon Kingdom was at it's strongest, and

 flourished under new treaties made with other kingdoms in other parts of

 the galaxy.  The physical destruction from the Black Moon attack had

 been gone for decades.  The emotional toll for the population who had

 lost so many lives, was recovering, and moving on.  They were certain

 that nothing similar would ever happen again.

 

 	For Small Lady's part, she grew into a lovely woman of 915 years,

 who still had the appearance of a 22-year-old.  Since her 910th birthday

 she had been given ever increasing responsibilities by her mother.

 Rumour had it Serenity was going to pass the throne down to her daughter

 soon.  When that was going to happen, no one was sure, but the people

 knew it would be soon.

 

 	 At her side through all this stood Sailorsaturn.  It was a very

 happy time for the couple.  Even when they had to be apart because of

 official responsibilities, they were still together in spirit.  The time

 that they did have together was precious, and they used every second of

 it to the fullest.  They gave each other strength, and received lots of

 love.  They were truly two halves to one whole.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	It was another beautiful day in Crystal Tokyo.  The sun cascaded

 off the crystal buildings, forming tiny rainbows all around town.  The

 sky was as blue as Sailormercury's fuku and the moon's outline could

 faintly be seen in the skies above.  Everyone seemed just a little

 happier today.

 

 	Unfortunately, things weren't like this for Small Lady.  She was

 in her worst mood in months, and was feeling very depressed.  All

 morning she moped around the palace trying to keep herself occupied.

 The truth was, she only had one thing on her mind.  Saturn.  The Senshi

 of Death and Rebirth was on another diplomatic mission.  This time it

 was to Kinmokusei to work out trade relations.  Saturn would be gone for

 six months, which was the longest they had ever spent apart after

 becoming a couple.  But it just couldn't be avoided; they both knew

 that.

 

 	So, Small Lady continued to mope around the palace looking for

 anything interesting to do.  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw

 Sailorpluto walking towards Serenity's chambers.

 

 	"Puu!"

 

 	"Ah, Small Lady," said Pluto has she turned around to see the pink

 haired woman bound up behind her.

 

 	"Are you going to talk to mama?"

 

 	"Hai.  We still have some things to discuss about today's royal

 guest."

 

 	"Royal guest?"  Small Lady looked at her in a questioning way.

 

 	"Did you forget already?  We have a very prestigious guest coming

 today all the was from Elysion."

 

 	"Gomen, I guess I forgot."  Small Lady smiled.

 

 	Pluto coughed.  "I think you've had other things on your mind."

 She gave her friend a wink.

 

 	Small Lady blushed.  "Have you noticed, too?  My mind hasn't been

 where it should be lately.  It's just...hard.  I know I'll see Saturn

 again, but waiting seems like an eternity."

 

 	Pluto put her hand on the younger woman's shoulder.  "Don't forget

 that we're all here for you, Small Lady.  You know you can come talk to

 me whenever you want.  It will be just like old times."

 

 	"Arigatou, Puu."  The princess hugged the taller woman.  Pluto was

 almost like a second mother to her.

 

 	"Just don't forget about our guest.  We will be meeting him at

 15:00 in the throne room."

 

 	"I won't forget.  Mata ne, Puu!"  Small Lady smiled and ran off.

 It was really great to have such good friends.  Her spirits were

 definitely lifted now.

 

 	Elysion, she thought.  Where have I heard that name before?  It

 seems so familiar...  I'll have to remember to look it up before I meet

 our guest.  It's always good manners to know something of a guest's

 country.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 14:54

 

 	I'm late.  I'm late.  I'm late.  It was the only thing Small Lady

 could think of as she ran down the hallway to the throne room.  Oh kami,

 how did I let this happen?  How is it that I have all the time in the

 world, and then suddenly it's gone!  This is no way for the future queen

 to act.  Oh, what will mama say!  It is incredibly rude to show up late

 to greet a guest.  Maybe I can still make it...

 

 14:58

 

 	Small Lady rounded a corner, but slowed down just before she got

 to the doors of the throne room.  She walked in calmly, almost as if she

 hadn't been running at all.  She got several stern looks from the

 Quartet and one from her mother as she took her place beside her, but

 other than that, no one seemed to notice.  It looked like she got there

 just in time.

 

 	A loud voice rang out.  "Now presenting our highly esteemed guest

 of honour...."

 

 	Ah!  I completely forgot to look up Elysion, thought Small Lady.

 

 	"...We are most glad he was able to take time from his busy

 schedule to meet with us..."

 

 	But it sounds so familiar...  Elysion, Elysion, where have I heard

 that before?

 

 	"...His absence on Earth has been centuries, but his protection of

 everyone's dreams has never been overlooked..."

 

 	Dreams?  Elysion?  It's right on the tip of my tongue.  Oh my god,

 it's...

 

 	"...The High Priest of Elysion, Elios-sama."

 

 	Elios...

 

 	Clapping could be heard all around the throne room as a man

 dressed almost entirely in white stepped into the room.  He had soft,

 wavy white hair which flowed over the red jewel on his forehead.  He

 walked forward and kneeled in front of Neo Queen Serenity.

 

 	"My Queen, it is so good to see you again.  And the King also.  I

 trust you have both been well?"

 

 	"Yes, thank you, Elios."  Serenity bowed politely to him.  "We are

 so glad you could make it.  It's really been too long."  She gave him a

 warm smile.

 

 	Elios smiled back, and then looked over to the Queen's right where

 a woman with pink hair stood.  Her eyes seemed to be displaying shock

 and happiness at the same time.

 

 	"Chiisana otome yo."  He looked at her again.  "Iya, you're not

 chiisana anymore.  Just a beautiful otome."  The image of the girl he

 saw now overlapped the image he saw in his dreams so many years ago.

 

 	"Elios..."  Small Lady was a little more than shocked.  She never

 dreamed she'd be meeting him here today.

 

 	"Otome, I sense your dream has changed, but you still carry the

 most beautiful dream."

 

 	The princess blushed.  "Arigatou."  She bowed to him in greeting.

 

 	He then turned and proceeded to greet everyone there.  The Senshi

 who were present were excited to meet him again after all the time that

 had passed.  Those times seemed like a lifetime away.  And indeed they

 were.

 

 	Small Lady continued to watch the events like she was in a dream

 state.  She didn't know what to make of this situation.  Here was

 someone who she had once had feelings for, even if she was in the body

 of an eleven-year-old at the time.  It had been less than 15 years since

 she had last seen him, but for Elios it must have been centuries.

 Though she wasn't exactly sure how time passed in Elysion.  She thought

 it amazing that he remembered her after all these years as if they had

 parted yesterday.  At that moment, she wished Saturn was with her more

 than ever.  She felt like holding her hand for support.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	After the festivities that followed the official welcoming were

 over, the excitement had died down somewhat.  Now just some of the Senshi

 were left to talk to Elios privately about old times.  Small Lady had

 been very proper during the festivities, and filled her role as princess

 to a T.  But now she just felt exhausted, and wanted some quiet time to

 herself.  She had barely talked to Elios at all.  Was she trying to

 avoid him on purpose?  She didn't really know.  It was such a strange

 feeling for her to see him like this now.  All she knew was a walk

 through the palace gardens would do her good.

 

 	She began by passing by some pink rose bushes.  She stopped to

 admire their beauty and scent.  She held one gently in her hand and

 lifted it to her nose.  The fragrant aroma filled her senses and

 alleviated a lot of the stress she was feeling, both from Saturn being

 away and Elios' arrival.  She was away in a world all her own now, so

 much so that she didn't notice a form approaching her.  She was so

 startled when she heard a sound from behind that she forgot what she was

 doing and accidentally pricked herself on one of the rose's thorns.

 

 	"Gomen," said the figure as it stepped into the light.  "I didn't

 mean to startle you."

 

 	"Oh, Elios.  I didn't hear you come up." Small Lady said with a

 smile.

 

 	"You're injured," he said while pointing to her hand.

 

 	"This?  It's nothing.  Just a little scratch."

 

 	Then he did something very unexpected.  He brought her hand up to

 his mouth and kissed what little blood there was away.  The princess was

 shocked, and pulled her hand away.

 

 	"I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?" asked Elios.

 

 	Small Lady looked ashamed.  "No, I'm the one who should apologise.

 I've done nothing but avoid you since you got here.  I guess I thought

 if I didn't see you, then I wouldn't have to deal with the past.  The

 truth is, I have something important to tell you."

 

 	"Well, why don't we sit down over there on that bench?  I have a

 feeling we'll be here for awhile."

 

 	Small Lady nodded her head in agreement, and followed him to the

 bench.

 

 	She began with a sigh.  "All those years ago, I'm not sure what it

 was we shared.  Was it just a childhood infatuation, or something more?

 I remember thinking about you for a very long time after you left.  I

 promised myself that I would see you again someday, though I had no idea

 it would be like this."  Elios just sat patiently listening.  She

 continued, "After a while, my memory of you started to fade, and my

 feelings, however childish, were pushed to the back of my mind.  In

 time, I developed feelings for another person.  In fact, I fell deeply

 in love with them.  So deeply in love that I have a great pain on my

 heart every time we're apart even for a little while.  Elios, I fell in

 love with Sailorsaturn."

 

 	She looked at him waiting for his reaction.  She felt like this

 was harder than telling the entire kingdom.  Somehow she still hadn't

 gotten over that part of her life.

 

 	He waited several moments, and then spoke with a smile.  "Did you

 think I didn't know?"

 

 	Small Lady practically facefaulted.  "Nani?"

 

 	"Otome, I am the protector of everyone's dreams.  Your one dream

 for the past few years has been to spend the rest of your life with

 Sailorsaturn.  I realise that.  I have special memories of the times we

 spent together many years ago, but I am happy just to see you live out

 your beautiful dream.  I wish you all the luck in the world."

 

 	The princess was shocked.  "You knew all along?  Then I was

 worrying for nothing?  I feel a little silly now."  She looked at him.

 "Thank you, Elios.  Thank you for understanding."

 

 	He smiled at her, and the two proceeded to talk long into the

 night.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	Somewhere, deep in the blackness of space, far away from Earth's

 solar system, a scream of terror rang out.  And then Silence.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 Chinmoku.

 

 	Small Lady woke up with a start.  Sweat was pouring down her face.

 "Yume...ka?"  Chinmoku.  She was breathing hard.  Gasping for air.

 Chinmoku.  She grasped at a pain in her chest.  Her eyes flung open in

 realisation.  "Sa..Sa..turn.  SATURN!!!!!!!!!!"

 

 Chinmoku.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	This rainy morning in Crystal Tokyo was greeted with a group of

 solemn, tear streaked faces.  They had all woken up very early in the

 morning hours.

 

 	"Ja...then it's true?" asked Sailormars.

 

 	"The report from Kinmokusei doesn't look good," responded Mercury.

 "Apparently there was a very sudden violent storm.  The lightening

 caused severe damage to a large part of Kakyuu-hime's palace, then an

 explosion, and then..."  She pressed a few more buttons on the pad she

 was holding.  "Saturn was in that part of the palace.  Her Silence Wall

 held up for a long time, and saved hundreds of lives.  She could have

 saved herself as well, but a few people were helplessly trapped, and I

 guess she just wasn't going to leave them there.  The storm got more

 violent, and it became impossible for her to continue.  The casualty

 report lists five dead, including Sailorsaturn."  Mercury couldn't

 continue reading after that.  She was sobbing too hard.

 

 	After a period of silence, someone spoke.  "Uso da.  Uso da yo!!

 Saturn can't be dead!  She can't be!  I can't believe we're not doing

 anything.  We have to help her!  She's not dead!  She's not!"  Small

 Lady was red with anger.  Her night-gown was wet with tears.

 

 	"Small Lady," Neo Queen Serenity put her hand on her child's

 shoulder.  "There's nothing more we can do.  Her Sailor Crystal is gone.

 I can no longer feel her at all.  I'm so sorry, Small Lady.  I'm sorry."

 She went to hug her grown-up daughter, but was pushed away.

 

 	"I don't believe you!  Use the maboroshi no ginzuishou!  Bring her

 back to life!  Mama...mama...you can do it!  You can save her!  Save her

 like you've saved all of us before!  SAVE HER!!!"

 

 	This time Uranus spoke with anger.  "Don't you understand?!  She

 can't!!  Saturn ga...  Saturn ga...  Saturn is dead!  Stop acting like

 you're still that small child, and grow up!  Stop being so selfish!

 Don't you think we'd be doing something if we could?  Don't you think

 *I'd* go to Kinmokusei right now if it would mean anything?  SHE'S

 GONE!!  She's...gone."  Uranus' emotions got the better of her, and she

 surrendered to the tears.  Neptune softly stroked her lover's hair as

 her own tears fell into it.

 

 	Small Lady was on the floor shaking slightly.  Her legs were too

 weak to hold her weight.  Through her river of tears, a small voice

 could be heard.  "Iya da.  Iya da yo.  Minna ga...kirai da.  Daikirai."

 

 [translation of last line:  "No.  No.  Everyone...I hate you.  I really 

 hate you."]

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	There wasn't much happiness in Crystal Tokyo after the news was

 released.  It was known that Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto went to their

 beach house to live for an undisclosed amount of time.  The Inner Senshi

 were generally unavailable to do anything outside their normal duties,

 and even then a lot had been delegated to other staff members.  Neo

 Queen Serenity tried to put on a brave face for her people, but it was

 well known the pain she felt.  She could never hide it completely.  She

 was a strong woman, though, and never failed to please her public.  The

 princess was another story.  She had taken the news hard.  Everyone knew

 that.  She hadn't been seen for months, and it was generally thought

 that she spent her days locked in her room.  Though it's to be expected

 when one loses half their soul.

 

 	It was indeed a bleak time.  Not only the Senshi suffered, but

 the public as well.  They had lost one of their most admired protectors,

 and the mourning was well shown throughout the solar system.  Purple

 flowers and ribbons adorned the streets for quite some time, and there

 was also a shrine around the large statue of Sailorsaturn that was

 erected for the memorial.  It wasn't clear how long it would take to

 mend these deep wounds.  Or if they ever would be.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	<<jingle jingle>>  <<hop>>  <<jingle jingle>>

 

 	"Small Lady.  Small Lady!  Me wo samashite.  Small Lady!"

 

 	"Uhh?  Dare?"  Small Lady slowly opened her eyes and looked beside

 her on her bed.  "Ara, Diana.  What are you doing here?"

 

 	"Small Lady, it's been seven weeks.  You're going to have to come

 out of your room at some point."

 

 	"Why?  What's the point of anything anymore?  Do I have a reason

 to live?  Should I even go on at all?  Do I exist for a purpose?  Or

 should I just...end it?"

 

 	"Small Lady!  Don't talk like that!"  The poor grey cat was

 starting to tear up.  "Don't you realise we all love you?  Please, don't

 shut yourself off from us.  We want to help you.   We..."

 

 	"Mou ii yo."  She rolled over and faced the wall.  "You don't have

 to feel sorry for me.  Just leave me alone and I'll be happy."

 

 	By this time the tears were coming down Diana's face at a constant

 rate.  "Chikushou!  Why won't you let us help you?  We're all your

 friends, right?  I thought we were close friends.  Perhaps I was

 wrong..."  The cat got up and started to leave.

 

 	"Wait.  Diana, I'm sorry.  I didn't mean to hurt you.  Please,

 don't go.  I'm tired.  I'm tired of crying.  I'm tired of having this

 pain in my heart.  I'm tired of living.  I don't think that feeling will

 ever go away.  I don't know if you can help."

 

 	"Small Lady, I won't pretend to know how you're feeling.  I've

 never lost someone close to me like you have.  I can only imagine what

 it might feel like.  Demo, we've been friends since the day you were

 born.  I'd like to think that I know you quite well.  I do think I can

 help.  I'm not saying that I'll make the pain go away, but maybe I can

 help you focus on some of the good things in your life.  Please, let me

 help you."

 

 	"Diana," Small Lady brought her friend into a hug.  "Arigatou.  I

 don't know if I can face going outside yet, but I won't shut you out

 anymore.  You're my very dear friend, and it's been good of you to put

 up with me for these past weeks.  I'm sorry, it wasn't fair of me."

 

 	"That's okay.  I hope you don't mind, but I brought some more

 friends along."

 

 	Her bedroom door opened revealing four women in sailor suits.

 Sailorvesta, Juno, Ceres, and Pallas walked in slowly.

 

 	"Minna!"

 

 	"Princess," said Ceres, "I hope you know that we're here for you,

 too.  We really want to help."

 

 	"Sailorpallas doesn't like to see you cry," said Pallas, in

 typical third person speech.

 

 	"Our whole existence revolves around protecting you.  Lately I

 don't think we've been doing a very good job," said Juno with her head

 down.

 

 	Sailorvesta was the last to speak.  "Turn us away if you want to,

 but I just wanted to be sure that you knew we were here for you.  Seeing

 you suffer alone isn't fair.  It's not just our "job" to help you, it's

 our beautiful dream."

 

 	"Minna..."  Small Lady felt the tears glide down her face again.

 "You're all my dear friends.  I didn't mean to hurt anyone else.  It was

 the farthest thing from my mind.  But it appears I did anyway.  Oh, I

 wish you wouldn't worry about me.  You all care for me too much."  Then

 she smiled.  A smile?  How long had it been since she used those

 muscles?  It felt...nice.

 

 	With everyone in tears, there was a big group hug.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	A woman brought her hand in front of her eyes to shield them from

 the midday sun.  Her pupils were adjusting slowly, as she hadn't seen

 natural light in over two months.  Sounds started to become apparent to

 her.  Birds chirping.  People talking.  Transports gilding by.  It was

 almost like experiencing everything for the first time.  She sighed.

 Maybe life wasn't so bad after all.

 

 	She began to walk away from the palace and into one of the many

 parks in Crystal Tokyo.  She looked around at all the children, friends,

 and couples eating and playing.  Everyone looked so happy.  She

 flashbacked to a time she used to come to this very park with her

 parents to have lunch.  Those were fun times.

 

 	She continued walking until she came to an open clearing.  There

 weren't very many people in this part of the park, but it seemed like a

 lot of people must have visited everyday for there were large amounts of

 flower bouquets everywhere.  Then the woman realised where she was.  She

 opened her eyes wide to the warm sunlight and looked up at a tall stone

 statue.  The figure had shoulder length hair and was carrying a long

 staff with a sharp blade on the end.  This was the first time Small

 Lady had been to the park since the memorial service.  It was a little

 bit of a shock.

 

 	She went to the base of the statue and read the inscription on the

 plaque.  "From the star of silence, being protected by the planet

 Saturn, the Senshi of death and rebirth, Sailorsaturn.  She was loved

 and will be remembered by all."

 

 	She studied the face of the frozen statue.  It was serious and

 determined, but there was also a kind and gentle quality.  It was as if

 the eyes of the statue were looking straight into Small Lady's heart.

 It wasn't a scary experience; it made Small Lady feel warm inside.  Was

 this Saturn giving her strength?  Strength to move on with her life?  Or

 had she simply been cooped up in her room too long and was beginning to

 imagine things?  It didn't matter to Small Lady.  This was the first

 time she had felt this good since Saturn had left for Kinmokusei.

 

 	"Saturn....  Watashi no taisetsu na hito.  You've left me all

 alone.  You promised we'd be together forever and now I have quite a

 number of years ahead of me.  Years I thought I'd be spending by your

 side.  Oh, I wish I could hold you right now.  I wish I could feel the

 softness of your touch, the gentleness of your kiss, the sweetness of

 your voice.  I've longed for that feeling.  I miss you so much.  So very

 much.  Please, I don't want you to think that I blame you.  There were

 times I did in the blackness of my room, but I've done quite a bit of

 thinking and growing in the last little while.  What you did was

 incredible.  To tell you the truth, I would have done the exact same

 thing, which would have left you all alone.  It was the right choice.

 It's just..."  A drop of wetness splashed on the plaque.  "Tears?  I

 thought I was done crying.  I didn't think I had any tears left.  I'm

 sorry, I told myself I wasn't going to cry anymore, but I can't help it.

 It's just there's a giant hole in my heart and I don't know what to do.

 I love you.  I will always love you."  More tears splashed on the

 plaque.

 

 	There was a gentle breeze, and someone laid a hand on her

 shoulder.  "Otome..."

 

 	Small Lady turned around quickly in surprise.  "Elios?"  A look of

 confusion crossed her face.

 

 	"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you.  I just wanted to make

 sure you were all right.  I'll leave you now."  He bowed and started to

 walk away.

 

 	"Matte!  It's okay.  You weren't disturbing me.  What are you

 still doing here, anyway?  I would have thought you had long since

 left."

 

 	He shook his head.  "It seems my visit coincided at a very

 inopportune time.  I thought I could be of some help counselling the

 population, and Her Majesty granted me a longer stay."  He laughed.

 "Actually, she said I didn't need to ask and was welcome anytime.  Plus

 I wanted to make sure you were okay.  You gave us all quite a scare, and

 I was worried."

 

 	"Arigatou, but I'm okay now.  I'm sorry to have troubled you."

 

 	"Try not to shut us out, Otome.  We just want to help you.  None

 of us want to rush you or force you to do anything, but we're still

 concerned."

 

 	"I know, with the help of Diana-tachi I was able to finally get

 out of bed.  If it weren't for such caring friends, I don't think I'd be

 standing here right now."  She smiled at him.

 

 	"Then let me ask you something.  You can turn me down if you want

 to, but I think you need to experience some happiness, if only for a

 day.  The last time you were in Elysion it wasn't exactly the best of

 times.  It's so beautiful there now, and I'd like to show you

 everything.  I can get my dear friend Pegasus to give us a tour.

 Please, let me try to cheer you up."

 

 	She thought for a while.  She thought about her blackened room and

 how lonely it had been without the brightness of the lamps.  She thought

 about how nice the sun had felt when she went out today.  She thought

 about not letting the hole in her heart consume her.  Then she made up

 her mind.  "Okay.  What time shall we meet at?"

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	The wind blew around Small Lady's casual floral print sun dress as

 she waited near a fountain just outside the Crystal Palace.  She could

 hear the strong wind rustle through the trees as she watched a flock of

 birds in formation high above her.  The wind had picked up quite a bit

 this day, but it was still sunny and warm.

 

 	The thing that had probably changed the most about Small Lady over

 that last two months would probably be her face.  No longer were there

 dark circles around her eyes, evidence of sleepless nights and constant

 crying.  She had also regained the pinkish colour in her cheeks.  For a

 while she almost looked like someone had sucked all the energy from her

 body.  She was slowly regaining her strength, and just looking at her

 face proved that.

 

 	Suddenly there was a bright flash in the sky, and a magnificent

 winged horse came flying down, a man with white hair on his back.  Small

 Lady could only gasp at the beauty of the scene as leaves and flower

 petals swirled around the horse and rider.  The man held his hand out to

 help her climb on.  Once she was safely on the back of the steed, the

 horse rose with a great flapping of his wings, and disappeared just as

 quickly as he came.

 

 	Small Lady had closed her eyes in fright, but slowly began to open

 them.  She looked in shock as the scenery around her had completely

 changed, revealing a mystical world full of great forests, lakes, and

 many animals.  She could just make out a palace of sorts coming into

 view over the horizon.  As she got closer, she marveled at its Greek

 style architecture, which consisted of a good many arches, stairways,

 and pillars that formed a perfectly cylindrical structure.  She also

 noticed that it was in the middle of a lake, with no apparent ways of

 getting to it, short of flying or teleporting.

 

 	Two figures with long flowing white hair done up in odango style

 smiled and waved at her.  She waved back and smiled brightly at them. 

 Her memories were really starting to come back to her now.  She

 remembered this place.  It was once the Kingdom of which her Father was

 the Prince.  He still was, really, but he trusted Elios to take care of

 things while he helped rule the Kingdom of the Moon.

 

 	"Mind if we go down for a bit?" her companion asked.

 

 	Small Lady suddenly realised she hadn't talked this whole time. 

 She was just taken in by the beauty of it all.  "No, not all."

 

 	Pegasus circled the palatial structure once before coming in for a

 landing.  As Small Lady got off, she was greeted by the two miko.  They

 bowed to her and Elios, and she politely bowed in return.  She looked

 around her and became aware of many blossoming pink roses.  Their scent

 was very sweet, yet subtle at the same time.

 

 	"It's so nice to see you again," she said to the miko. 

 "Everything is bright and beautiful, and everyone seems so happy here."

 

 	"Well," said one of the miko, "this is the place where beautiful

 dreams come true.  It's only natural that the beauty of the place

 reflects the beauty of the dreams."

 

 	"And we have you to thank for that," said Elios.

 

 	"Me?  But it was Neo Queen Serenity and King Endymion who sealed

 off the power of Neherenia."  She looked at her shoes.  "I don't think I

 did much."

 

 	"On the contrary!  It was your beautiful dream that lead me to you

 in the first place.  Without that, everything would still be as it was

 after the Dead Moon Circus destroyed everything."

 

 	Small Lady shuddered as she remembered how dark and full of

 destruction this place had once been.  "It's so good to know that

 nothing like that will ever happen again.  I swear it, as future Queen."

 

 	Elios smiled at her, and began to show her around the palace.  All

 through the day Small Lady was laughing and smiling, and actually

 enjoying her time there.  She made good friends with the two miko, and

 promised to come back and see them again.  After a long and tiring day,

 Small Lady returned to the palace happy and content.  She had good

 dreams that night.  The first good dreams she had had in two months.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	The next year passed quickly for everyone.  Small Lady was dragged

 slowly but surely out of her protective shell by her friends and family. 

 They were all healing, too, so it was hard, but no one had taken the

 news of Saturn's death worse than Small Lady.  Everyone was such a great

 help to her, but she had one person in particular to thank for going

 above and beyond the call of duty.  Especially considering he hadn't

 even known her for very long.  Elios was such a great friend to her.  He

 really let her enjoy life again, and made a point of always trying to

 get her to laugh or smile.  He wanted her to feel happy, and like a

 whole person again.  Small Lady had responded well to his encouragement,

 and after a few months, resumed her regular duties as Princess of the

 Moon.

 

 	She owed a great debt to Elios, and really considered him a true

 friend.  The hole in her heart was still there.  She knew it would

 always be there no matter what, but the severe pain and constant

 loneliness she had felt before were greatly reduced.  She enjoyed his

 company and spent a lot of time with him, including having him go with

 her to official royal functions.  She had also spent her vacation in

 Elysion this year, and came back from that feeling better than ever. 

 Yes, Small Lady was building her life back up, and although she would

 never completely be healed, it was Elios who she had to thank for a

 large part of it.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	A pink haired women stared out a window, and looked at the many

 evening lights shinning down on Crystal Tokyo harbour.  Everything was

 so calm and peaceful and beautiful.  The scene held her gaze until a

 voice brought her out of her reverie.

 

 	"Otome...  Otome..."

 

 	"Huh?"  Suddenly she snapped back into reality, and realised where

 she was.  They had gone to one of the fancier restaurants in Crystal

 Tokyo that evening.  The room was decorated in a 17th century France

 design, with gold chandeliers hanging from high ceilings, ornate

 carvings in the walls, many hanging tapestries, and blazing fireplaces

 around the room.  The restaurant was pretty full tonight, and many

 couples were dancing to one of Mozart's symphonies being played by the

 orchestra.

 

 	"Are you all right?  You looked a little dazed there for a few

 moments."

 

 	"Hai," she said smiling.  "I was just admiring the beauty of this

 city.  I really love it here."

 

 	"Well, we haven't gone anywhere really nice in a while, so I

 thought it would be good to come here tonight."

 

 	"Shitsurei shimasu," said the waiter as he cleared their dinner

 plates.  "Will you be having desert this evening?"

 

 	A joyous gleam came into Small Lady's eyes as she ordered for both

 her and Elios.

 

 	"Would you like to dance for a while?  I think this is one of your

 favourites."

 

 	"Sure," replied Small Lady as she got up and took his offered

 hand.

 

 	The two friends danced gracefully for the rest of the song.  Some

 of the other couples stared in awe as their Princess glided past them. 

 For most of them, this was the first time seeing her in person.  Small

 Lady realised her mother's genius in sending her to the past for her

 formidable years.  At least now she didn't have an inflated ego from all

 this extra attention.

 

 	After the song ended, the pair sat back down at their table. 

 Their deserts had arrived while they were dancing, and Small Lady didn't

 want to waste any time.  She began quickly, but daintily, eating her

 tiramisu.  Elios just sat and smiled as he watched her eat.

 

 	Small Lady smiled happily as she finished off the last bite of her

 desert and took a sip of wine.  She looked across the table, and

 realised she was being watched.  A blush formed across her cheeks. 

 "Nani?" she asked hesitantly.

 

 	Elios shook his head.  "Nandemonai."  Several moments of silence

 passed between the two.  "Jitsuwa...  There was something I wanted to

 talk to you about."

 

 	"Okay, you know I'm always here to listen."

 

 	"Otome," said Elios looking her sincerely in the eyes, "you have

 the most beautiful spirit of anyone I've ever met.  Truly, you fill me

 with happiness every time I meet you.  Our time together over this past

 year has been truly wonderful.  I hope I've always been there when you

 needed me to be.  You have a right to know that....I've fallen in love

 with you."  Visible signs of shock could be seen in Small Lady's eyes. 

 "I don't want this to ever end, so I would be honoured if you would take

 my hand in marriage."  At that he produced a box from his pocket, and

 handed it to Small Lady.

 

 	Small Lady stared at the box for several seconds before opening

 it.  Slowly she lifted the lid up, and revealed a single, brilliantly

 cut diamond in a setting on top of a gold ring.  "Oh, Elios, I..."

 

 

 	"Please, you don't have to give me your answer now.  I can just

 imagine the million emotions that must be going through you right now. 

 I just want to let you know that I didn't plan this all along.  But it

 just came to the point several months ago where I couldn't ignore my

 feelings any longer.  I love you and want to make you my wife.  I don't

 want you to feel pressured at all.  I want you to make a decision true

 to your heart, and I'm prepared to wait however long that takes. 

 Please, just think about it."  Elios smiled at her one last time, and

 then left Small Lady alone at the table.  A single tear slowly fell down

 her face and onto the tablecloth.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	Small Lady paced nervously as she waited for them to arrive.  She

 was waiting in one of her private chambers off from her room.  She

 especially liked this one to read in.  Most of the decor was pure white,

 with a few arrangements of flowers from the royal garden.  It was a cozy

 room, but big enough to fit a dozen people conformably.

 

 	The door opened, and in stepped her closest friends.  The Sailor

 Quartet, followed by Diana in human form, Sailorpluto, and her parents. 

 It was the day after the proposal, and she needed advice.

 

 	"Small Lady?" asked Diana.  "What's wrong?  You look as if

 something terrible has just happened."

 

 	"Well, I didn't get much sleep last night," she explained. 

 "Something *did* happen yesterday.  That's why I've called all of you

 here.  Please, sit down.  I've made tea."

 

 	"Small Lady," said her mother sensing something different about

 her daughter, "what's the matter?  You know we'll all help you with any

 problem you have."

 

 	Small Lady began to cry.  "Elios...yesterday at dinner...he...he

 asked me to marry him."

 

 	Looks of shock were displayed around the room.  Sailorceres looked

 crestfallen.

 

 	"And how did you respond?" asked Diana carefully.

 

 	"I haven't yet.  He told me to think about it.  Minna, doushiyou?" 

 She ran up to Sailorpluto.  "What should I tell him?  You have to tell

 me, please?"  She buried herself into Pluto's lap.

 

 	"Small Lady," said Pluto as she stroked her hair, "we can't tell

 you what the right answer is.  Only you know that."

 

 	"Demo, demo, I don't know what to say," she said between sniffles.

 

 	"Do you love him?" asked her father.

 

 	"Love?  I never even thought about it before with Elios.  I've

 always enjoyed his company, and I'm very grateful to him for helping me

 get my life back together.  But do I love him?  Not in the same way that

 I love Saturn."

 

 	"Do you feel like you would betray Saturn if you said yes?" asked

 Diana.

 

 	That stopped Small Lady almost cold.  That was the key to

 everything, she realised.  That was why she was so upset in the first

 place.  She didn't want to betray Saturn's trust.  She didn't want to

 just throw away the love they shared.  "How can I betray Saturn like

 this?" she asked with her tear-streaked face.  "I can't!  I just can't!"

 

 	"Gomen, Small Lady," said Sailorvesta, "but wouldn't Sailorsaturn

 want you to be happy?  I know she loved you so much that she cared about

 your happiness above all else.  A life with Elios, depending on how you

 truly feel about him, could bring you much happiness.  Living the rest

 of your life alone simply because of guilt could lead you into

 depression again."

 

 	"We're not going to push you either way," said the Queen.  "We

 want you to make the decision that's right for you.  If you feel

 strongly that Saturn wouldn't approve of the relationship, then you have

 every right to say no.  But if you come to the conclusion that you do

 love Elios, and think you would be happy sharing your life with him,

 then we would equally support you if you said yes.  I've been told that

 you never feel the same type of love twice, so it's probably natural

 that you feel differently about Elios than you did about Saturn."

 

 	Small Lady stood up and nodded.  "Arigatou, minna.  You've all

 given me a lot to think about.  Now I know that no one can make this

 decision for me.  I have to do that for myself.  It may take some soul

 searching, but I'm sure I can make the right decision."

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	"Yoshi!" said Small Lady as she finished packing a picnic lunch

 for herself.  She loved how cute the bentou boxes looked tied up in

 handkerchiefs.  As she left the palace, she said, "itte kimasu" to no

 one in particular, and made her way to a near-by park.

 

 	It was a bit overcastted in Crystal Tokyo this day, but there were

 still plenty of people out and about having fun.  Small Lady followed

 the now familiar path to a certain part of the park.  When she got

 there, she was relieved to find that no one else was around.  She went

 over to the base of the statue, and polished up the plaque.  She

 breathed in a deep breath.  This wasn't going to be easy.

 

 	"So, you probably already know why I'm here."  She appeared to be

 talking to herself, but she was really talking to the statue.  Or

 rather, the spirit she believed resided in the statue.  "I've come here

 to think out some confusing emotions.  I love you.  I always will love

 you.  Nothing will *ever* change that.  You're my taisetsu na hito.  I

 don't want to betray you.  That's my biggest fear.  If I thought you

 would be against this, I would say no to Elios right this second.  But

 I'm not sure you would be.  I do remember that conversation we had

 several years ago.  I think it ended in me getting very upset, and

 saying that neither of us would ever die, and that we'd be together

 forever.  Shows how wrong I was, eh?  I remember you telling me to be

 happy no matter what.  And I've done a lot of thinking, and I think I

 can be happy with Elios.  He was such a great friend to me after you

 died, and we became very close.  Though I must admit that romantic

 thoughts about him never even popped into my mind until he proposed.  I

 guess it was at that point where I realised that I really did care for

 him.  Kami, that thought scared me out of my skin.  After all, how could

 I care about anyone but you?  In my long hours of thinking, I've come to

 the conclusion that I do love him, but in a very different way than I

 love you.  He will never overshadow you in my heart.  So, I guess I've

 made my decision.  It was a very difficult one, but I think I've looked

 at all the issues and done what my heart has told me.  Above all else, I

 hope I've done what you would have wanted me to do.  Aishiteru eien ni."

 

 	At those last words, Small Lady picked up her finished bentou

 boxes, and headed back to the palace.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	Elios stared out his window at the rain pelting down this dreary

 night.  He ran a hand through his while hair and sighed.  It had been a

 week since he had proposed to Small Lady.  What her answer would be, he

 really wasn't quite sure.  He knew they had grown close over the past

 year, but he could never quite tell what she was thinking.  He hoped he

 hadn't ruined their friendship by proposing.  But as the days dragged

 on, it seemed to him like he did just that, because he hadn't seen Small

 Lady at all since that night.  He knew he must be patient, but this

 waiting was killing him.

 

 	A soft knock at the door sounded.

 

 	"Hai!" he said, getting up in the process.  He walked over to the

 door, and said a silent prayer that it would be who he hoped.  He opened

 the door.

 

 	It was.

 

 	"Yes."

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	The wedding was one of the most extravagant events the Kingdom had

 seen in a few hundred years.  People from all over the kingdom came to

 the event as well as some citizens of allied kingdoms.  Billions of

 people lined up along the streets of Crystal Tokyo hoping to catch a

 glimpse of the happy couple, while billions more watched at home.  The

 day was declared a kingdom wide holiday.  After all, getting to work was

 quite impossible, and no one was going to do any business that day

 anyway.

 

 	Flowers were absolutely everywhere.  Pictures of the couple

 adorned billboards, video screens, newspapers, and countless other

 places.  It got so bad that one couldn't turn around without seeing at

 least one picture of the couple.  Of course, it was like this at every

 royal wedding.

 

 	The ceremony was grand, and was performed by Neo Queen Serenity

 herself.  It was held inside, but in one of the palace's large gardens. 

 Aspects of a traditional Shintou wedding were still there, but wedding

 ceremonies had evolved from religion over the century, and were quite

 secular in nature.

 

 	The bride wore a stunning white dress trimmed in lace and lilacs. 

 It was off the shoulder and had a long veil and train.  Her hair was out

 of its usual odango, and was allowed to hang long.  It was done in

 flowing waves with lilacs interlaced in certain places to match her

 dress.

 

 	The groom had on a dark blue tuxedo with tails.  His vest and bow

 tie were both black.  In his lapel there was a single pink rose.

 

 	The maid of honour and the bride's maids had on matching light

 blue dresses.  They were strapless flowing gowns that were also

 accentuated with lilacs.  Diana, in her human form, looked stunning as

 the maid of honour, and the Quartet looked equally good as her bride's

 maids.

 

 	The other Senshi wore their formal gowns to the occasion, and

 stood just off to the side.  Behind them in rows of chairs sat one

 hundred invited guests.  So, in a way, this was a very private ceremony,

 while at the same time being a very public one.	Small Lady and Elios

 wrote their own vows, which also gave the ceremony a very personal

 touch.

 

 	It was rumoured that the honeymoon was going to be on the

 continent of Europe, but some people said it might be Australia, India,

 or even the moon.  The palace wanted to keep the location a secret to

 let the couple have a little time to themselves.

 

 	The wedding presents the couple had received had been plentiful. 

 >From cards and drawings sent in by the kingdom's populace to very

 personalised gifts given to them by the Senshi.  The biggest surprise,

 though, had to be the gift the Queen and King gave their daughter and 

 new husband.  Before the ceremony was completed, the Queen proclaimed

 that she had one more announcement to make the wedding complete.  She

 passed down the title of Queen of the Moon Kingdom to her daughter, and

 officially crowned her Queen Usagi Small Lady Serenity, Neo Queen

 Serenity II.

 

 	Neo Queen Serenity, looking regal as ever, said to her daughter,

 "You have demonstrated unconditionally that you are ready to receive

 such a burden.  You are full of love, life, compassion, understanding,

 and trust.  You will make a wonderful queen.  I'm so proud of you, my

 daughter."

 

 	"Arigatou, mama," said the younger woman as tears of joy shed from

 her eyes as she wrapped her arms around her mother.  Her youth was now

 officially over.  Not only was she married, but she was the leader of

 her people, ruler of her kingdom, and the most powerful person in the

 galaxy.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 (Small Lady will now be referred to as Serenity.)

 

 	The next year was a very interesting one.  Not only did Serenity

 have to adapt to married life, but she also had to adapt to ruling a

 kingdom.  She had watched her mother do it for centuries, of course, and

 she had been skilfully schooled on the subject, but she had also hit her

 share of rough spots.  She often sought reassurance from the Quartet,

 Pluto, or her husband.  She didn't want to bother her mother and father, 

 now in retirement, with such things.  Although, to her amazement,

 everything seemed to be going just fine.  Trade was up with neighbouring

 kingdoms, and she had even negotiated an agreement of allegiance with

 the Torag people, a kingdom notorious for rejecting any sort of ties

 with the Moon Kingdom.

 

 	Yes, things seemed to be going quite well for her.  Except for

 that day in early September when she got unbelievably ill and had to

 stay in for most of the day.  The royal team of doctors, headed by

 Sailormercury, examined her and told her the good news.  She was

 pregnant.

 

 	Joy absolutely filled the kingdom at this news.  After all, it had

 been nearly 918 years since the last successor to the Moon Kingdom was

 born.  Serenity was excited, but very apprehensive at the same time. 

 What did she know about raising children?  The thought crossed her mind

 to send her daughter (she knew it was going to be a daughter; it had to

 be a daughter) back to the past to be raised by her formal self or even

 farther into the past to have it raised by Tsukino Usagi, but that

 thought was brief, and she knew it would be impossible.  Well, she

 thought, all new mothers must think the same thing.  I'm just lucky to

 have such a supportive group of people around me to help out.

 

 	Nine months later on June 30, 2919 a scream rang out in the halls

 of Crystal Palace.  Another miracle had occurred.  A chubby miracle

 weighing 3.2 kg, with pinkish skin, and silver hair.

 

 	Princess Usagi Hotaru Serenity was born.  No one minded that

 Hotaru, and ancient and almost forgotten name, was used as one of the

 Princess' middle names.  It was seen as a dedication to one of the

 kingdom's most powerful and valiant warriors.  Serenity was content. 

 Now the memory wouldn't die away.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	"Mezame yo!  Your time is now.  Hametsu to tanjou no Senshi!"

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	A figure slowly started to open her eyes.  She realised she was

 lying down in a patch of grass and that it was night-time around her. 

 The stars twinkled around her and the moon shone ever so brightly in the

 sky.  She blinked a few times, stood up, and started walking in the

 general direction she thought would lead her where she wanted to go.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	It had only been a week since Serenity gave birth to Princess

 Usagi.  She was *not* used to these midnight feedings yet.  The amount

 of sleep she had lost had been astounding.  Elios was great, but he

 couldn't get up all the time.

 

 	"There there, Usagi-chan," she said soothingly.  She began to sing

 softly.  "GOMEN ne sunao ja nakute, yume no naka nara ieru, shikou kairu

 wa SHOOTO sunzen, ima sugu aitai yo..."  The baby stopped her soft

 crying and went back to her restful slumber.  "Yokkata na.  Yoshi

 yoshi."  She laid her daughter back into her crib.  She turned around to

 go back to the near-by bed when she sensed something wasn't right.

 

 	The overwhelming feeling brought her down the corridor adjoining

 her room, through the palace's many hallways, and out of the palace

 completely and into the cool night air.  She sensed someone was close.

 Someone familiar.

 

 	"Dare yo!" she almost demanded.

 

 	A figure stepped out from behind some bushes with a very weary

 look on her face.  She was faintly glowing purple.

 

 	"Small Lady..."

 

 	Serenity brought a hand to her mouth and went white as a ghost. 

 "Uso.  Saturn..."

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 How's that for an evil cliff-hanger, eh? ^_-  Part 4 ni tsuzuku!

 

 	Wow, so, um, this was a long time coming.  Sorry about that.  I

 started writing it in August (of '98) and continued to write bits and

 pieces throughout the year.  Today, though, I gathered up my resolve and

 attacked the rest of it.  I wrote about 1/3 today in about seven hours.

 

 	Some of you are going to wonder, so I might as well say it right

 now.  Yes, in Mars & Venus and Jupiter & Mercury are lovers.  Takeuchi-

 sensei actually gives a lot more evidence for these pairings than she

 does for Chibiusa and Hotaru, and I like them, so I included them. ^_^

 

 	Some more of you might be thinking, "why did she go to all that

 trouble to put Hotaru and Chibiusa together and then have Chibiusa marry

 Elios anyway?!?"  Well, you'd have a point, but this was the way I had

 pictured the story, so this is the way I wrote it.  And I may not like

 this fact anymore than you do, but a story has to have conflict, right?

 ^_^;;

 

 	Oh, just a note about Neo Queen Serenity handing down the throne

 to Princess Serenity.  She didn't do this just because the princess was

 getting married.  I, as a feminist, find that prospect abhorrent.  She

 did it at the wedding because it was convenient, and also because she

 thought it would make a good wedding gift.  She would have handed down

 the throne regardless of whether the princess got married.

 

 	Well, I hope you liked this chapter of the fanfic.  You may have

 started to hate me as soon as I killed off Saturn (gya, that sounds

 really bad...), but I hope the story remained interesting.  All I have

 to say is that you'll probably like the next and final chapter a whole

 lot better.  Yakusoku yo!

 

 	Special thanks to the Amazoness Duo (er, Quartet?) for keeping me

 motivated while writing this.  I know you disagree with certain plot

 points, but I hope you liked the story anyway. ^^;;  For good Hotaru and

 Chibiusa fanfiction, check them out at A Sailor Moon Romance (sure,

 they're lemons, but they're happy lemons ^^). ^_^

 

 	Contact information: andrea.doolan@utoronto.ca

 

 	Music I was listening to while writing this: a whole bunch of

 stuff.  For the last seven hours, though, I've been listening to Shoujo

 Kakumei Utena OST 2.

 

 Completed:  June 25, 1999.