Author's notes: ^_^

 

         Most of the important stuff can be found in part one, so I won't

 bore you with it here again.  This is where the fanfic starts to earn

 it's R rating, just as a reminder.  This is also where you'll start to

 understand why a certain plot point may or may not be a part of the

 actual manga. :)

 

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

 Chibiusa no PYUA na kokoro

 (Chibiusa's Pure Heart)

 Part 2

 By Andrea Doolan <ajhd@king.igs.net>

 "Sailormoon no ichiban daifan"

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

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

         A scream rang out in the halls of Crystal Palace.  This was in

 stark contrast to the blue skies and singing birds outside the building.

 For a few seconds there seemed to be silence all around, and the sun

 seemed to shine just a little bit brighter.  Then the cheers could be

 heard all around the planet, or the solar system for that matter.  The

 date was June 30.  2001.

 

         A child was born.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

         A solemn dark figure stood at the door where the celebrations

 were taking place.  The girl's features betrayed her overall appearance,

 though, as she had a rather large smile on her face.  A single tear

 trickled down her cheek in both sorrow and happiness.

 

         "Sayounara, Chibiusa-chan."

 

         A gloved hand reached out and touched her on the shoulder.  It

 belonged to a blond haired women.  Beside her stood a women in a green

 fuku.

 

         "It's time."

 

         Without another word, Saturn stepped back from the door and

 followed her parents down the corridor.  They had already said their

 goodbyes to the other Senshi, but had stayed behind just long enough to

 see the miracle occur.

 

         Saturn didn't think it fair that she, Uranus, and Neptune had to

 leave Crystal Tokyo and Earth, but she knew exactly the reason why. 

 During the time Small Lady was growing up, all 901 years worth, she

 hadn't seen a single one of them.  Only when she travelled to the past

 for the second time did she meet these Senshi.  Pluto had explained the

 timeline to Saturn very well, so she understood perfectly, but it still

 almost felt as if she was losing a piece of her heart.

 

         Uranus had also explained it to her in terms of duty.  They were

 the Senshi of the outer planets, and their mission was to protect

 Crystal Tokyo and Earth from threats outside the solar system.

 

         Still, leaving the only home you had ever known and your newly

 born best friend was a little too much for a seventeen-year-old to

 handle.  The tears starting streaming down her face without her control.

 

         Neptune looked back at the Senshi that quite possibly held the

 most power of any of them, besides the Queen herself.  She sighed

 inwardly, and held her only daughter in an embrace.  For a moment she

 thought about using a name they had abandoned a few years before, but

 thought better of it.  She spoke in a slightly forceful voice, but not

 one without compassion.  "Saturn."

 

         The black haired Senshi looked at Neptune with her purple eyes

 full of sorrow.  She blinked, and almost magically they appeared full of

 duty and honour.  "Hai, I know."  She broke off the embrace reluctantly,

 and continued with her parents down the long corridor.

 

         At the end was a fairly large chamber decorated as if it held a

 special purpose.  Pluto was waiting for them there, Garnet Rod in

 hand.  The three just looked at her and nodded knowingly.  The goddess

 of time nodded back, but took special care to smile at the purple clad

 Senshi.  Without a word, Neptune, Uranus, and Saturn vanished from Earth

 for the better part of the millennium.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

         It wasn't as if Titan was a lonely place.  Far from it.  She got

 frequent visits from Uranus and Neptune, and she visited them frequently

 as well.  If it wasn't a visit in person, they were always talking over

 the monitors at least once a day.  And about once a month, one or two

 Senshi from Earth would come visit them (without the princess'

 knowledge, of course) to see how they were doing.  Sometimes the Queen

 herself would come.  One could tell Serenity felt more than a little

 guilty for sending them out there, but Titan's Senshi stood proud and

 was always pleasant.  This made the Queen feel better, after all, which

 was important.

 

         It certainly didn't seem lonely, anyway.  But for Saturn she

 always had the thought of a certain pink haired girl in the back of her

 mind.  Her duty came first, but the memory of her dear friend could

 still sometimes bring tears to her eyes.  Even after all these years. 

 Though when this happened she always reminded herself of a pact they had

 made when she was only twelve years old.  She laughed sometimes when she

 thought about it.  It was a little childish, but somehow the knowledge

 of it filled her heart with strength, and let her carry on.

 

         Saturn walked over to the largest monitor in Titan's observation

 room.  She touched a control pad, and an image of the planet Saturn

 appeared before her.  Kirei, she thought.  The swirling pieces of cosmic

 dust and ice converging in a ring-like structure around the planet was

 truly a sight to see.  Sometimes she could just watch this for hours on

 end, letting her mind flow into the planet's energies.  Sometimes she

 tried to replicate the effect using a technique similar to when she

 would simulate the big bang as a child.  It always had a calming effect

 on her.

 

         "I wonder what she's doing now..." she said aloud

 absentmindedly.  She shook her head and tried to get the thought out of

 her mind.  Thinking about it always made her depressed.  How many more

 years would it be? she thought.  A few hundred more, she reminded

 herself.  She sighed.  Being depressed was getting her no where.  She

 still had lots of great friends whom she saw often, and loving parents.

 Plus she was a Senshi.  A Senshi of death, she joked to herself, but a

 Senshi of rebirth as well.  Really, she was quite content right now. 

 And one day she would get to return to that blue-green sphere.  To that

 cheerful girl who brought so much joy into her life.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

         A faint pink beam of light shone briefly on a hill overlooking

 Crystal Tokyo, and then flickered out as silently as it had come. 

 Standing there in its place was a girl in a blue and white sei-fuku

 [school uniform].  The bright sun flickered off the royal buildings,

 just as it always had.  The girl smiled briefly in appreciation.  She

 then looked forward, and her smile grew even wider.  She saw her

 parents, of course, and Mars, Jupiter, Mercury, and Venus.  Pluto was

 standing beside them as well.  As good as it was to see those people,

 something else caught her eye right away.

 

         "Masaka...  Hotaru-chan!  Hotaru-chaaaan!!"  For a moment she

 just stood there in disbelief, but then started running as fast as she

 could.  She ran into the slightly taller Senshi and hugged her closely.

 Then she drew back and looked into her eyes.  They seemed to be smiling

 at her.  "Hota-" she cut herself off, blushing slightly.  "Gomen,

 Sailorsaturn.  Doushite?"

 

         The other just kept looking at her, happiness filling every pore

 in her body.  She choked back some tears.  "Okaerinasai."

 

         By this time everyone had evidence of strong emotions on their

 features.  Chibiusa glanced beside Saturn at another welcome sight. 

 "Uranus!  Neptune!"  She could barely hold back her shock.

 

         "Yo, Chibi-chan," said the blond playfully.

 

         "It's been too long," said the Senshi of the sea.

 

         Chibiusa felt like she was in a dream state.  Was she really

 home?  Had the future been changed somehow?  She looked over at Pluto

 who just had a smile on her face.  This was all very confusing for her.

 Finally she let go of Saturn, and walked over to her parents.  She bowed

 respectfully.  "Princess Usagi Small Lady Serenity and Diana reporting

 home from the 20th century.  If it pleases the court, we would like to

 return and live again in the 30th century."

 

         Neo Queen Serenity just smiled.  How proud she was of her

 daughter.  She had certainly come a long way over the last few years,

 and was on her way to becoming a wonderful Lady and future Queen.  "It

 does please the court.  Welcome home."

 

         Chibiusa flung herself into her mother's arms and was then

 greeted by everyone in turn.  She wanted answers, of course, but right

 now it was just good to be home.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~ (from now on, I won't refer to her as Chibiusa)

 

         "So, all those years...  You were alone?"  Small Lady was still

 in shock and was trying to sort out some confusing feelings.  She just

 couldn't believe that all this time Uranus, Neptune, and Saturn had

 been alive.  She wasn't sure what had happened to them, but she knew she

 had never seen them.  She thought they must have died somehow, but

 nobody would tell her.  Now she understood why.

 

         Saturn laughed a little bit.  "No, I was far from alone.  Uranus

 and Neptune were there and the rest of the Senshi came to visit. 

 Besides, orbiting Saturn in Titan Castle was a wonderful experience.  I

 had forgotten what it was like to be so near my namesake.  At first it

 was overpowering.  From my previous life, before I was reincarnated for

 the first time, back in the Silver Millennium, I had very faint memories

 of it.  And even then I hadn't awakened, so I was in a dream-like state.

 It took a little getting used to being away from Earth and everyone

 here, but it was fine in the end.  Now it's a very dear place in my

 heart."

 

         Small Lady's eyes looked as if they were going to shed tears,

 but they were held back as best as they could.  Right now it was just

 her and Saturn on a grassy hill overlooking the ocean.  There had been a

 very big celebration when Small Lady returned, and everything was

 explained to her.  It was still that same night, but it was very late. 

 Her and Saturn had decided to take a walk and talk a bit.  "But you did

 all this just for me, and to protect Earth?  I would have been so

 scared."

 

         "You're exactly the same as I remember you, Small Lady.  Which

 isn't surprising, as you just saw me less than twenty four hours ago." 

 Saturn tried to comfort her as best as she could.  "Yes, we did it for

 you and to protect the kingdom.  *Any* Senshi would have done the same

 thing.  I'm not going to pretend that I didn't miss Earth...that I

 didn't miss you, because I did."  It was Saturn's turn to hold back her

 tears.  "But everyone's love filled me, and made me strong.  There's

 something else, too.  I remembered the pact we made...to always be

 friends.  It kept me going.  Whenever I remembered I would see you

 again, it made me happy."

 

         Both women lost control and tears started coming down their

 cheeks.  They hugged each other tightly; a hug that told of the 909

 years they had spent apart.

 

         "I can't believe you remembered," said Small Lady between sobs.

 

         "Of course I did, baka," she joked back.

 

         "So, even after all this time, we're still best friends?"

 

         "Mochiron!  Zutto zutto!  Eien ni."

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

         The years passed in Crystal Tokyo as they always did.  The

 unpleasantness brought about by Sailorgalaxia in the 20th century was

 far behind them.  Crystal Tokyo thrived again as the seat of power for

 the solar system.  Neo Queen Serenity brought back the greatness that

 was once the Silver Millennium.  The Earth, now free from evil, was

 united and stood like a glistening Christmas ball in the blackness of

 space.  The other planets were now thriving, too.  The great cities that

 were held inside the planets' castles started to revive and were

 prosperous once again.  A princess was coming into her full glory and

 beauty, and now had the appearance of an eighteen-year-old.  She was

 actually 910.

 

         And two friends were enjoying life together.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

         "Small Lady, hayaku!"

 

         "Hai!  Ikimashou ne!"

 

         For the moment, these two girls weren't an heir to the royal

 throne and a Senshi who could destroy the universe with one swipe of her

 Glaive.  They were two friends going on a little trip together.

 

         "You sure you know how to drive this thing?"

 

         "Well, Uranus taught me, so I shouldn't be too bad."

 

         The transport started off with a jolt.  It left a slightly

 startled expression on the younger girl's face, but it was quickly

 replaced by a smile.  They were taking a long needed vacation.  The two

 had hardly seen each other for the past couple of months with the many

 diplomatic missions both had to go on.  Now was their time to relax.  As

 evidence, both were wearing casual clothing.  Sometimes it felt good to

 get out of the sailor fuku and princess gowns they were always wearing.

 

         Though even in her lose fitting pants and pullover top Princess

 Serenity looked regal and glowing.  She had really turned into quite the

 lady.  The tresses that flowed from her two odango had grown down to her

 knees, and were now missing the "poofy" look they once had.  Indeed,

 from the shoulders up she looked like a certain Black Lady the 20th

 century Senshi had fought all those years ago.  Not that the princess

 remembered any of that.  She had also grown quite a bit over the past

 couple of years.  She now stood at 155 centimetres, just a hair less

 than Saturn.  Her body was, of course, proportionately built, just like

 her mother's.

 

         For Saturn's part, she hadn't aged in the past 905 years.  Well,

 not on the outside at least.  She still had her purple-black hair cut

 just above her shoulders, but her deep purple eyes told the whole story,

 and let people know her true age.  She had stopped her growth spurt at

 the age of 22, growing into a lovely woman.  I guess that's something we

 have in common, thought Saturn.  We both grew up in a rather odd way. 

 Today she was wearing a pair of khaki shorts, sandals, and a t-shirt. 

 Very normal, indeed.

 

         It was Sunday, and the pair made their way to the Northeast of

 Crystal Tokyo, about 120 kilometres from the centre of the city.  The

 transport they were in was a sleek new model, and was designed for

 speeds of 200 km/h for normal travel.  It could go much faster, if need

 be.  It also had a very good shock system, which made the trip through

 the air especially smooth.

 

         "What's our ETA?" asked Small Lady.

 

         "A little over half an hour," replied her friend.

 

         "I can hardly wait!  I haven't been to your beach house in so

 long!"

 

         The older girl laughed.  The mini palace the Outer Senshi

 shared was situated on the shores on the Pacific Ocean.  The appearance

 of the outside of the building had all the earmarks of the modern

 buildings in Crystal Tokyo.  It's fundamental element was crystal, with

 some stone and glass thrown in just the right places for good measure. 

 It's sleek angles shimmered in the sun as it made it's arc across the

 sky.  The inside, however, was remarkably different.  It's most

 prominent architectural style was from the Victorian times in England. 

 Though one could also make out some 20th century designs and some modern

 ones as well.  They all blended together to form an elegant structure

 that most designers cited as a wonderful example of architecture from

 any time.  Even though this was a mini palace, with the building and

 grounds covering about 50 hectares of land, the Senshi still refered to

 it as the "beach house."  For the obvious reason that it was on the

 beach.

 

         "Ne, will Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto be there, too?" asked the 

 younger girl farther into their trip.

 

         "Ee.  Uranus and Neptune will be there for sure, and I think

 Pluto's going to try and stop by, too."

 

         "Good, I've hardly seen any of them lately."  Small Lady sighed. 

 "It seems like our lives are just getting more and more hectic."

 

         The other girl smiled.  "That's why we're taking this vacation. 

 Sometimes it's good just to sit back and watch the world go by.  Kami

 knows the Senshi deserve it."

 

         "Yeah, even though it's just for a week, it's better than

 nothing."

 

         The computer in the transport beeped slightly and then said,

 "Incoming message for Princess Serenity.  Sailorvesta from Crystal

 Palace is on com channel 5."

 

         With a little laugh Small Lady pressed the button that would

 receive the call and put Vesta on the view screen. "Hai, moshi moshi. 

 Small Lady desu."

 

         "Konnichiwa, Small Lady," said the red haired girl in a sailor

 fuku.  "I know you just left, but we just got a request from the colony

 of Africa for you to visit there late next month."

 

         Small Lady looked slightly annoyed.  "This couldn't have waited

 until I got back?"

 

         "Gomen, they asked for a reply right away.  Besides, the Prime

 Minister there is a friend of mine, and I owed him a favour..."

 

         "Okay, okay.  I see where this one is going."  Vesta looked

 slightly embarrassed.  "Of course I'll go.  Hmm, I really like Africa in

 the fall.  But, Vesta, no more calls, please.  Not unless it's really

 important."

 

         "Hai, wakateru.  Enjoy your trip!"  With that the communication

 ended and the screen went black.

 

         "Honestly, I still think the Quartet needs more training." said

 Small Lady.

 

         "Maybe you could send them back to the past," kidded Saturn. 

 Both girls started to laugh at the idea.

 

         "Ah!  Mite!" said the princess excitedly.  The transport slowed,

 and came to a stop in a garage of sorts beside the beach house.  "Sugoi! 

 It's just like I remember it."  Both girls got their luggage from the

 transport and walked to the front doors of the "house."

 

         "Tadaima!" said Saturn as she walked into the front hall.

 

         "Okaeri." came a voice from one of the rooms off the main hall.

 

         "Ohayou," came the greeting from Small Lady.

 

         A head popped out from one of the doorways.  "Ara, Small Lady. 

 Ohayou.  Saturn told us you'd be coming."  Neptune looked elegant as

 always in a flower print sundress.

 

         "I'm going to take her upstairs," said Saturn with a smile. 

 "We'll be back down for lunch."  The two girls took the staircase up to

 Saturn's bedroom and got their luggage settled.  Really, there were many

 free rooms that Small Lady could have used, but both wanted to spend 

 their vacation together.  The bed was more than large enough to fit two 

 people, and they liked to tell stories and play games before they fell

 asleep.  Someone might have mistaken them for actual teenagers, if they

 didn't know better.

 

         "It's such a pretty room," said Small Lady.  "You've still got

 all your lamps."  The room was done in purple colourings.  The walls

 were a very light purple, while her curtains and bedspread were much

 darker.  Most of the furniture in the room including her desk and

 dressers were white.  It made for a very interesting effect with the

 lamps turned on at night.

 

         "Yeah, every now and then I'll even pick up a new one, if I like

 it."  She smiled at the younger girl.

 

         Small Lady walked towards her and held her hand.  Let's make

 this a vacation to remember.  With so much going on, we have to make our

 time together count!"

 

         The other girl agreed.  They had to make the most of their

 friendship when they had the chance.  This was going to be one of the

 best weeks of their lives!

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

         The sun shone brightly on a Wednesday afternoon in August.  It

 was about 35 degrees C, which made the warm Pacific waters even more

 inviting.  The calmness of the waves washing ashore and the gentle sea

 breeze was only interrupted by the happy cries of two friends having a

 good time.

 

         "I'm going to get there first!" cried the pink haired girl.

 

         "Oh no you're not!  I'm a better runner than you, and you know

 it!" exclaimed her black haired companion.

 

         There was a temporary splash as both girls reached the water at

 the same time, and then began laughing.  Their adventurous attitude was

 accompanied by a brief, if not large, water fight.  Afterwards, the two

 just stood in the water happily, but out of breath.

 

         "I would have beat you if I still had Neptune's mirror," said

 the princess slyly.

 

         "Ha!  She's my mama, she would do anything to protect me,"

 replied the other with a defiant expression on her face.  The charade

 didn't last long, though.  Both girls immediately broke out laughing

 again.  They started to swim normally in the water, both under and on

 top.  It really had a calming effect, and was a place anyone would feel

 at peace.  No wonder Neptune loves it so much, they both thought.

 

         An hour or so later they both reluctantly started to emerge from

 the water.  Both were pretty tired, but it was a great swim, and it

 relaxed a lot of the built-up tension in their muscles due to Senshi

 duties.

 

         Saturn was a few steps behind Small Lady, and was almost out of

 the water.  Unfortunately, she tripped on a rock she didn't see,

 crashing into Small Lady, and sending them both to the sandy ground. 

 The scene was a pretty big mass of tangled limbs.  Saturn ended up

 straddling Small Lady's torso, with her arms on either side of her head. 

 She managed to stop herself a few centimetres before she flattened the

 girl.

 

         There was silence as both girls just looked into each others

 eyes.  Their breathing was hard, and they could feel each others hot

 breath on their cheeks.  Several moments passed where no one moved at

 all.  The calming sound of waves on the shore could be heard again. 

 Then, ever so slightly, they both moved at the same time.  Their lips

 met in a kiss that was timid at first, but grew into something more

 passionate quickly.

 

         As if something snapped in both their brains, the kiss came to a

 crashing halt.  Saturn retreated off of the princess with a terrified

 expression on her face.  Small Lady's features almost matched hers, with

 her eyes displaying great shock.

 

         Small Lady was the first to speak.  "Sa..turn..."  But as soon

 as she started, Saturn was already up, and running towards the house,

 tears streaming down her face.  "SATURN!!!" yelled the princess after

 her, but she didn't look back.  "Saturn..." said the princess again as

 she started to cry.  She tried make any sense she could out of the

 situation.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

         Saturn reached her bedroom and shut the door with a slam.  Thank

 kami Uranus and Neptune weren't home, she thought.  She flung herself on

 the bed and started to sob.  A million confusing emotions were running

 through her head.  Not the least of which was the total rush she felt

 when Small Lady's lips touched her own.  Kami, kami, that had been so

 stupid, she scolded herself.  She tried to remember why she had done it,

 but she couldn't.  It was like a big blur in her mind.  The tears kept

 streaming down her face.  Had she really sacrificed all those years of

 friendship, all those years of waiting?  Small Lady was her first friend

 and her best friend.  She was someone who would be friends with her when

 no one else would.  No one was forcing the princess, she *wanted* to be

 friends with her.  That had been a first for Saturn, all those years

 ago.  Now Saturn thought she had thrown it all away, that her best

 friend in the world hated her and no longer wanted to be her friend.

 

         "Damn these lamps!" she screamed.  "Damn these lonely lamps!"

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

         Small Lady was really no better off.  She was still down at the

 beach.  She just couldn't find the energy to stand up.  She kept going

 over and over the events that had happened.  She still didn't understand

 any of it.  Besides the kiss itself, she was mostly terrified of

 Saturn's reaction.  She just ran away, she thought.  And that look she

 gave me...  Is she really disgusted with me?  It was all so confusing. 

 The worst part was she didn't know if they were still friends.  The

 thought of not being friends with Saturn chilled her to the bone.  She

 didn't know if she could live without her.  But what had the kiss meant? 

 Was is just a kiss?  Or was it something more...?  Small Lady tried to

 think about it, but it was like her brain turned to mush.  She just

 wasn't sure of anything anymore.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

         A sporty looking transport pulled into the garage of the beach

 house.  It's three occupants got out, and started taking in groceries.

 

         "With all this technology, you'd think they be able to sell ripe

 tomatoes, wouldn't you?" complained Neptune.

 

         Uranus just laughed.  "Maybe something else in here needs a

 little ripening, ne?"

 

         Neptune threw a sultry glance her way.  "Maybe you're right. 

 You can never tell until you feel the softness..."

 

         Pluto, being used to similar exchanges for centuries, virtually

 ignored them, and started to put away the groceries.  Young love, she

 thought absentmindedly.  Suddenly she realised Saturn and Small Lady

 weren't there to greet them.  "Saturn to Small Lady wa?" she asked the

 couple who were now in an embrace.

 

         "E?" asked a puzzled Neptune.  "Maybe they're still down by the

 beach.  Saturn mentioned something about going for a swim today.  Maybe

 you better call them, dinner will be ready in half an hour."

 

         Pluto nodded, and walked out the patio doors onto the deck.  She

 couldn't see anyone on the beach, so she decided to look through the

 house instead.  She heard some soft humming coming from one of the rooms

 down the hall, so she went to check it out.  There, sitting in a

 darkened room, she found Small Lady listening to some music with a head

 set.

 

         "Oh, hello, Puu," she said calmly.  "I didn't hear you guys get

 back."

 

         "Small Lady," asked Pluto cautiously, "is there something

 wrong?"

 

         "Hmm?  Oh no.  Nandemonai."  She just smiled.

 

         The older Senshi looked at her strangely, then decided just to

 tell her when dinner would be ready.  The princess said she'd be there

 on time.

 

         The Senshi of time had a similar experience when she found

 Saturn in her room.  She just sat there calmly on her bed reading a

 book, acting as if nothing was wrong.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

         Dinner was an interesting experience to say the least.  Both

 Small Lady and Saturn got there at the same time, but didn't seem to

 look at each other.  Their faces showed signs of considerable stress,

 and they bowed their heads while they ate.  The other three Senshi tried

 to strike up conversations with them the whole time, but the most either

 would give were one word replies.  The three, knowing something was

 wrong, could just look at each other and shrug.  If this kept up, they

 would have to do something, but right now it was best left alone.

 

         Small Lady stared down into her rice bowl and tried to imagine

 it as a snowy mountain in the winter, and skiing down it with the wind

 blowing through her hair.  It would be better than being here, she

 thought. God, anywhere would be better than here right now.  She...she

 won't even look at me.  She must hate me.  The sight of chopsticks in

 the bowl brought her back to reality again.  She just sighed.  Baka,

 baka, baka.  I'm such a baka.

 

         Atashi no baka, thought Saturn.  How could I just throw away

 years of friendship for a kiss?  It's funny how something as simple as a

 kiss can change one's life so drastically.  The memory kept tearing away

 at Saturn's heart.  The thought of losing Small Lady...  She just

 couldn't handle it.

 

         The dishes were beginning to get washed up.  "Don't forget your

 baths tonight, you two."  Sometimes Neptune forgot just how old they all

 were.  Saturn just nodded and headed up the stairs.  Small Lady's heart

 ached as she watched the other leave.  She waited until she was out of

 sight before she went up, too.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

         Saturn warmed the bath water, and settled in for a nice relaxing

 soak.  She hoped some of the worries of the day would somehow just wash

 away.  She was wrong.  Somehow her mind wouldn't let her think of

 anything else.

 

         Small Lady stood in the toilet room just outside the shower/bath

 room.  She was ready for a bath, and was just wearing a robe.  She

 sighed.  Part of her wanted to run in and make up with Saturn right

 there.  The other half wanted to run as far away as possible.  She went

 over her options.  If this was all a big misunderstanding, she could go

 in and talk to Saturn about it and work things out.  On the other hand,

 if Saturn hated her she could be told to get out and go back to Crystal

 Tokyo.  Was the pain of not knowing worse than being rejected as a

 friend?  Small Lady didn't know, but she did know that she needed

 answers.  So far the night had been awful...  It couldn't really get

 much worse.  That's when she decided.  For better or for worse, at least

 they were going to talk about it.

 

         The door to the shower room slid open, and Small Lady stepped

 in.  Saturn was caught completely off guard, and instinctively lowered

 herself in the tub to hide her body.

 

         "We used to bathe together all the time.  Are you really that

 ashamed now?"  Small Lady chanced a smile.

 

         "Small Lady, I..."  Saturn trailed off.  She couldn't think of

 the words to say.

 

         "Look, Saturn...  We, we have to talk about this!  I can't go on

 if things are going to be like tonight.  It's killing me!  I couldn't

 stand it if you weren't my best friend!"  Both girls were sobbing.

 

         "Then...  You don't hate me?"  Saturn looked so timid.

 

         "Hate you?  Me?  I could never hate you!  You're my best

 friend!"  Small Lady walked up to her, and sat on the edge of the tub. 

 "I thought you hated *me*..."

 

         "No!  Never!"  Saturn looked away from the girl.  "I'm sorry for

 the way I acted.  I had no right to kiss you.  Then I was so afraid of

 what you were going to say, that I just ran away.  I was scared."

 

         "So that's why..."  Small Lady wiped away a few of her tears. 

 "I thought you were disgusted because I kissed you..."

 

         Saturn laughed.  It felt like the first laugh in a very long

 time.  "I guess there was a little misunderstanding between the both of

 us.  So...we're still friends?"

 

         "Always and forever, right?"  Small Lady smiled.  Something was

 still tearing at her mind.  "But I don't think we can just leave it at

 that.  Something...happened between us.  I think we need to figure out

 why."

 

         Saturn looked depressed again.  "I couldn't get passed it

 either.  The kiss, how did it make you feel?"

 

         The other girl blinked.  "Nani?"

 

         "How did it make you feel?  Inside?"

 

         Small Lady thought back to the moment her lips touched Saturn's.

 It was like someone had set a fire in her body.  Her head felt light,

 and all she knew was that she wanted to continue...  "I can't lie.  It

 felt good.  Very good.  But I don't want you to be scared away!  Just

 staying friends is good enough for me."

 

         Saturn looked at her, gratitude in her eyes.  "You'd do

 something like that for me...  The truth is, I enjoyed it. too.  I'm

 just not sure what that means.  Small Lady, why don't you come in?  The

 water's nice and warm."

 

         She hesitated a bit, but undid her robe, and then stepped into

 the tub.  She submerged herself until her breasts were covered by the

 soothing water.  "I don't know what it means, Saturn.  But I know I

 can't just ignore my feelings!  Whatever...whatever happens between us,

 I don't want our friendship to be affected.  I think that scares me more

 than anything else."

 

         "Atashi mo.  Today I've done a lot of thinking.  I don't think I

 realised how strong my feelings were towards you.  It scared me.  It

 scared me a lot."

 

         Small Lady moved over to her friend to comfort her.  "Don't be

 scared, Saturn.  We'll always have each other."  The princess leaned in

 closer and kissed the black haired girl.  She expected the other might

 back away, but she didn't.  Instead she returned the kiss with the same

 vigour.  When they broke the kiss no one ran away.  There were no broken

 hearts.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

         Later that night in Saturn's bed, both girls laid on their

 backs, and looked at the ceiling.  They were holding hands.

 

         "It's almost as if someone removed a cloud from my mind," said

 Small Lady.  "I think my feelings for you have been more than just

 friendship for some time.  I didn't realise it before, though.  It's

 like we were such good friends that our friendship grew into love."

 

         The other girl looked over in surprise.  "Love?"

 

         The princess blushed.  "Hai, love.  I love you, I really do. 

 With all my heart and soul."

 

         Saturn just gasped.  "I think it was the same for me.  Our

 friendship was just so strong that it sort of mutated into love.  Now

 that I see it, it all looks so clear."  Saturn looked Small Lady

 straight in the eye.  "I do love you.  More than I will ever be able to

 tell you."  Both girls smiled.  Saturn went on.  "I think...  I remember

 being on Titan and thinking of you sometimes.  Sometimes I would think

 of holding you, of being close with you.  But I buried the feelings so

 deep that I didn't recognise them.  Until now."

 

         Both girls got closer to one another so that they were almost in

 an embrace.

 

         "I don't ever want to let you go."

 

         "Me neither."

 

         They moved closer again, and touched lips for the third time. 

 Their hands travelled up and down each others bodies, exploring the new

 feelings they had.  They stopped for a moment and looked into the

 other's eyes.  The both smiled as they saw the love and caring in them. 

 They whispered "aishiteru" to each other, and went back to kissing and

 trying to remove their partner's clothes.

 

         A special night followed for both of them.  Special because of

 the fact it was the first time for both of them, and because they were

 glad to finally share how they felt with someone they loved more than

 life itself.  Not just their bodies, but their souls touched that night. 

 When their souls touched, they fused together as one, making the

 partners two beings of one whole.  Forever, they would always be united 

 as one.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

         Birds chirped, and the sun cast a ray of light over the land

 signalling the beginning of another day.  A body stirred slightly in a

 bed.  The figure's eyes slowly opened, and were greeted with a welcome

 sight.  She moved forward slowly, and kissed the other girl.  Her

 friend's eyes fluttered open, and a smile crept across her face.

 

 	"Ohayou, Saturn."

 

 	"Ohayou, Small Lady."

 

 	They both just laid unmoving for several minutes.  They couldn't

 take their eyes off of each other.  They would look up and down the

 other person's body, all the time breathing in their wonderful sent.  It

 was like a dream state, and neither one wanted to leave.

 

 	"I suppose we should get up, ne?" said the princess in a voice

 that told she really didn't want to.

 

 	"I suppose," the other replied.

 

 	Several more minutes passed where neither one moved.

 

 	"Although..." chanced Saturn, "we *are* on vacation..."

 

 	Small Lady's eyes lit up.  "Sou ne...  It's not like we have any

 official business we have to do..."  She leaned forward, and their lips

 met again in a passionate kiss.  "After all, we're here to have fun." 

 Now a wicked smile crossed her face, which made the other girl laugh.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	Small Lady and Saturn were late coming down for breakfast.  The

 others were worried because of the way the two had acted last night. 

 They weren't sure what was going on.  They were beginning to think they

 might never come.  Needless to say, they were shocked when the two girls

 came bounding down the stairs happily, while holding hands.

 

 	"Ohayou gozaimasu!" chimed Saturn.

 

 	"O- Ohayou," replied Neptune.  She had a look of confusion on her

 face.

 

 	"What's for breakfast?" asked Small Lady.  Then she saw the eggs

 and rice already laid out for them.  "Ah!  Arigatou.  Gomen, omatase." 

 She stuck her free hand behind her head to show her slight

 embarrassment.

 

 	The rest of breakfast went fairly normal for everyone.  Uranus was

 reading the paper, Pluto was sipping her coffee, and Neptune was reading

 a good book she had started last night.  Small Lady and Saturn happily

 talked away while consuming their meal.  The only strange thing was they

 never stopped holding hands the entire time.

 

 	Uranus threw a glance over to Neptune, who raised an eyebrow.  But

 neither said anything.  It was when the plates were being put away that

 Pluto finally spoke up.

 

 	"Saturn, Small Lady, can we talk to you for a minute?"

 

 	The two girls just looked at each other with puzzled expressions

 on their faces, and nodded.  The five made their way over to the living

 room, and sat down.  At first there was only silence.

 

 	Uranus was the first to speak.  "We're...concerned about you two. 

 Yesterday it seemed like you didn't want to have anything to do with one

 another, but today you're close again.  Even closer than before."

 

 	Neptune jumped in.  "Don't get us wrong, we don't want to invade

 your privacy.  If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have to. 

 You're both adults; you can handle you're own problems, but we just want

 to let you know we're here if you wanted to talk."

 

 	Pluto decided to add something.  "We love you both dearly.  We

 don't like seeing you hurt.  Sometimes it helps to talk to other

 people."  She smiled at them.

 

 	Small Lady looked at her friend, and smiled slightly.  Saturn

 smiled back and squeezed her hand reassuringly.  "There's really no

 sense in keeping it a secret.  I think we should tell them everything."

 

 	Saturn nodded.  "There shouldn't be secrets in a family.  I guess

 we should just get it out in the open first.  Small Lady and I are

 partners.  We're in love."  The two sat closer together, and held each

 other protectively.

 

 	The three glanced at one another, and blinked a couple of times. 

 There was no denying the shock they felt.  Then large smiles crept

 across their faces.

 

 	"We're glad for you," said Neptune.  "It's always wonderful to

 find someone you love."  She looked over at Uranus who was already

 looking at her.

 

 	Saturn and Small Lady let out a sigh of relief.  Well, the worst

 part was over.  "Arigatou," said Saturn.  "Your blessing means a lot to

 us."

 

 	"I knew it," said Uranus half jokingly.  "It's too bad all the

 pretty girls are already taken."  She winked at Small Lady, who had a

 very large blush across her cheeks.

 

 	"Uranus!" scolded Saturn.  They all laughed.  The family was back

 together.

 

 	"But," broke in Pluto, "that still doesn't explain the way you

 were acting yesterday.  Why were you both so depressed?"

 

 	Small Lady sighed.  It still brought pain to her heart to think

 about it.  "Up until yesterday, we weren't sure of how we felt. 

 Actually," she laughed a little, "we weren't even really aware of it."

 

 	Saturn jumped in, sensing her friend was having a hard time. 

 "There was a misunderstanding.  Our feelings were confused.  During

 dinner we weren't sure what to say to each other, and we were ashamed. 

 Both of us were afraid of losing a friend.  But," Saturn looked Small

 Lady in the eye, "we talked about it, and we managed to work it all out. 

 That's when we revealed how we truly felt."  She left out the details

 about the kiss, and the night that followed, but it was enough to make

 her parents understand.  Besides, they were probably filling in the

 details for themselves anyway.

 

 	"Are you going to tell the others?" asked Uranus.

 

 	"Hai," said Small Lady.  "Actually, we plan on discussing it with

 my parents first.  Mama's been bugging me to find a koibito for the last

 little while, so we'll see how that goes.  Then we'll tell the others."

 

 	"So," said Saturn, "before we have to go back on Saturday, we plan

 on enjoying the last few days.  No worries, no troubles.  Just a couple

 enjoying their time together."  They both smiled.  The next few days

 would be bliss.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	Later that day Saturn was alone in the kitchen trying to find

 something to snack on.  She didn't hear anyone come up behind her.

 

 	"Saturn," said a woman with long aqua hair.

 

 	"Ah, Neptune," said Saturn as she turned around.  "Doushitano?"

 

 	Neptune didn't say anything, but showed how she felt with her

 actions.  She hugged the younger girl and held her in her arms.

 

 	"Neptune?"

 

 	"Gomen," said the woman, still holding her.  "Saturn, I really

 want you to know how happy I am, how happy we all are about you and

 Small Lady.  And I want to let you know that we'll support you in any

 way."  She laughed a little.  "But why do I feel like I'm losing you?"

 

 	"Mama," Saturn said in almost a whisper.  "I'm 915 years old.  I

 think it's time you let go."

 

 	The other laughed.  "I suppose you're right.  But you'll always be

 my little girl.  I hoped you'd find someone to love and be loved by. 

 Now you have.  I hope you become very happy, musume."

 

 	"Arigatou, mama.  I love you."

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	Saturday morning rolled around far too quickly for the happy

 couple.  They wanted to stay at the beach house for all eternity,

 without having to face the real world, but they couldn't do it, and they

 knew it.  The morning was being spent packing up luggage and saying

 goodbye.  It could be months until they got to see these Senshi again. 

 It surprised them when Uranus offered to drive them back to Crystal

 Tokyo.  They accepted, of course, but they sensed a motive behind her

 asking.

 

 	Pretty soon they were on the road, or the sky, actually.  With

 Uranus driving it would probably take them twenty minutes to arrive at

 their destination.  Or it would, if she drove as fast as she usually

 did.  Today it seemed almost as if she was holding back.  Neither girl

 knew why, but they were just content to sit in the back seat holding

 hands.  They would get to Crystal Tokyo soon enough.

 

 	"I have a little story to tell you," said Uranus, which slightly

 surprised the girls.  "It goes back quite a ways, but I think it's

 important."

 

 	Saturn winced slightly.  She knew what was coming.  She didn't

 know all that much about Uranus or Neptune before they became her

 parents, except the little bits they told her.  She knew for a fact that

 it was very painful for both of them, so she never pressed the issue. 

 She was a little scared, so she squeezed Small Lady's hand.  The other

 looked at her slightly confused, but smiled at the same time.

 

 	"It's about Neptune and I...when we were young."  She seemed to

 pause for a bit.  "When I first laid eyes on her, I couldn't believe

 how beautiful she was.  She was like a shimmering angel trying to pull

 me out of the darkness of my existence.  I had been having dreams about

 her and the mission for some time.  So while I was overjoyed at meeting

 her in real life, I pushed her away, because I was afraid of the

 mission, and all I would have to give up.  But she wouldn't give up. 

 She always has been persistent."  She stopped and laughed.  "Actually

 she told me she had been following my F1 career long before she knew

 about the mission.  She would always watch from a distance...

 

 	"Anyway, I eventually gave into her.  I couldn't help myself, I

 had fallen in love.  For the next little while we were very concerned

 about the mission.  It meant saving the world from the silence, so we

 had to stay focused.  But at the same time...  At the same time we grew

 closer as a couple.  I began to wonder how I ever lived my life without

 this woman.  Before any of this had happened I had already left home. 

 Being at home was just too painful.  After I left I vowed to make *my*

 family life a happy one."  Uranus winked at Saturn, who smiled.  "But

 Neptune was still living at home.  She was distant from her parents,

 they really didn't seem that interested in her, and I think they fought

 a lot.

 

 	"Something happened that I'll regret for the rest of my life.  Her

 parents were on vacation.  I think it was Hawaii or some such place. 

 So, Neptune invited me over.  It was a very special night.  We ate by

 candle light, and played a lovely duet afterwards.  It was almost

 magical.  I should have went home right then, but I didn't.  Her scent

 intoxicated me, and drew me in.  I couldn't leave her arms."  Uranus

 coughed a bit, sensing the blushes on the other girls' cheeks.  "To make

 a long story short, her parents came home unexpectedly that night.  They

 were none too pleased when they found me sharing a bed with their

 daughter...  They said some horrible things to Neptune, to us both. 

 Needless to say we left that night and never looked back, thereby

 severing our family contacts forever."

 

 	Uranus looked back at the couple, they had slightly pained

 expressions on their faces.  "Gomen, I didn't tell you that story to

 scare you.  Far from it.  Small Lady, you're mother is a very caring

 woman, you have nothing to worry about.  But you have to be prepared for

 the reaction of the masses.  You're Princess Serenity, heir to the

 throne of the Moon Kingdom, wielder of the most power force in the

 galaxy.  You have to expect some sort of negative reaction to your

 decision."

 

 	"Uranus, this is Crystal Tokyo.  We're in an age of peace and

 love.  People's opinion's have changed over the past 900 some years."

 said the princess in a calm voice.

 

 	The blond woman tried to smile.  How naive she is, she thought. 

 "That's true.  You'll have an easier time than Neptune and I ever had,

 but you have to expect some resistance.  Some of the fringe religious

 groups are still around, and they can get quite opinionated."

 

 	By this time Small Lady was slightly angry.  "So what do you want

 me to do, Uranus?  Just give Saturn up?  I can't do that!  I'm not going

 to bow to any sort of public pressure!"

 

 	"No, no, please don't get me wrong, princess.  You know how I feel

 about your partnership.  If anything I'll be the first to protect you if

 any controversy comes of your announcement."  She sighed.  How could she

 make the younger girl understand?  "I just don't want this to be a shock

 for you.  I want you to stand strong if any resistance does come up."

 

 	Saturn had been sitting quietly for some time, but now spoke up. 

 "Uranus," she said in a loving voice, "believe me, we appreciate your

 concern.  We understand what you're trying to say.  But Small Lady and I

 have a force stronger than any resistance we might come up against.  We

 have love.  If we stand together, no harm will come, ne?"

 

 	"Sou," said Small Lady.  "All we need is each other.  It might be

 a little selfish view, but it's true.  We'll be together, and that's all

 that matters."

 

 	Uranus smiled.  "Yokata na.  Forgive me, I just wanted to make

 sure that you were ready.  Now there's no doubt that you are."

 

 	The transport picked up speed, and zoomed along to Crystal Palace,

 which was just starting to appear in the distance.

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 	"Serenity-sama," said a servant, "you have visitors."

 

 	"Thank you, Naomi-san.  Please show them in."

 

 	Neo Queen Serenity sat in one of her private chambers overlooking

 a spectacular view of Crystal Tokyo.  Of course, any room in the palace

 had a spectacular view since it was situated in the centre of the city.

 This particular room, however, was facing the south, which held a

 dazzling view of the Tokyo Tower.  After all these years it was still

 standing.  King Endymion was in the adjoining room attending to some

 paper work.  Serenity herself was just about to start work on answering

 the many communiques she had received over the past day.

 

 	The door to the room opened slowly, and in stepped Small Lady in

 her full princess gown and Sailorsaturn in her star fuku, Silence Glaive

 in hand.  Both women bowed respectfully, which slightly surprised the

 older woman who wasn't used to such formal treatment by her daughter and

 close friends.

 

 	"Small Lady, Sailorsaturn.  Please come in and have a seat."

 

 	"Mama, we're sorry to disturb you, but we would like to talk to

 you about something important.  I'd like papa to come in, too."  The two

 sat down on the couch and held hands.

 

 	"Small Lady, I'm never too busy for you," she said with a smile. 

 She called to the other room.  "Endymion, Small Lady and Saturn are

 back.  They'd like to talk to us."

 

 	A man in a lavender tuxedo entered the room with a smile on his

 face.  "Okaerinasai.  My, don't we look formal today?"  He gave a little

 wink.

 

 	"I hope you both enjoyed your vacation, ne?" asked the queen.

 

 	The two couldn't help but smile.  "Hai, it was the best week of

 our lives, Serenity," spoke Saturn.

 

 	"Now, what would you like to talk to us about?"

 

 	Saturn squeezed Small Lady's hand.  It was a bit harder than

 telling Uranus-tachi, but they couldn't back down now.  Small Lady

 squeezed back, and had a look of confidence on her face.

 

 	"Mama, while I was on vacation...I fell in love."  Saturn beamed. 

 So far, so good.

 

 	Happiness and shock seemed to express themselves on the king and

 queen at the same time.  "That's wonderful, Small Lady," said the queen. 

 "Who's the lucky person?"

 

 	"She's right here.  Mama, I fell in love with Sailorsaturn."

 

 	"Queen, King, before you say anything," spoke Saturn with clear

 devotion in her eyes, "please listen to what I have to say.  I love your

 daughter.  I lover her dearly.  As you know, we've been friends for a

 long time.  Long ago we swore we'd never be apart.  Over time, and

 partly without our knowledge, that devotion and friendship turned into

 love.  It's a deep love and we cherish it dearly.  Please, you have to

 see that we're taking this very seriously."  Saturn was looking the

 queen straight in the eye, trying to look as sincere as possible.

 

 	"Saturn," said the queen softly, "daijoubu yo.  I know you would

 not make an announcement like this without thinking it through

 thoroughly.  I can see how deeply you care for one another."

 

 	Small Lady and Saturn didn't quite know what to think at this

 point.  Was that a blessing, or was there going to be a "but" to this

 statement.  Waiting was killing them.

 

 	The queen surprised them slightly by getting up from her chair and

 walking over to them.  She surprised them even more when she began to

 give them both a big hug.  "Omedetou ne!  I'm so happy for you both!"

 

 	"So, you're okay with it?" asked Small Lady hesitantly.

 

 	"Okay with it?  I'm overjoyed!  We both want to see you happy

 with someone, and now it's come true.  We're glad you could find love in

 such a close friend."  The queen looked like she was glowing.

 

 	"Small Lady, Saturn, Serenity and I wish you all the best.  We

 love you both." spoke the king with clear emotion in his voice.

 

 	"Papa, mama," said the princess with tears in her eyes. 

 "Arigatou."  She held Saturn in an embrace and hugged her tightly.

 

 	"Do you plan to tell the others?" asked Serenity, while wiping the

 tears from her face.

 

 	"Hai.  Uranus-tachi already know, and we'll tell the other Senshi

 whenever we can get them all together.  And...I know I'll have to make

 an announcement to the world soon.  It'll just get leaked to the press

 anyway.  I'm prepared, mama.  We both are.  But we're also both strong

 enough to get through any hard times.  Love conquers all, ne?"

 

 	"Sou ne," spoke her mother.  "Love is everything."

 

 ~*~*~*~*~

 

 To be continued in part 3. ^_^;

 

 	Well, that was a whole lot longer than part 1, eh?  Parts 3 and 4

 may not be as long.  I don't really know. ^_^;

 

 Okay, there will be fairly long author's comments this time.  Yay! :P

 

 	Chibiusa and Hotaru as a couple.  Some of you may be thinking, "Is

 this girl out of her mind?"  But it interested me, and I thought it

 would make a good fanfic. :)  There's only circumstantial evidence to

 support it in the manga, but those few pictures were enough to peek my

 interest.  Stay tuned for the next two parts, though.  They may just

 surprise you (ooh, plot twist! :P).

 

 	It took all my will power not to call Saturn "Hotaru" and Small

 Lady "Chibiusa."  Or to use Haruka, Michiru, and Setsuna's names, for

 that matter.  Never in the manga do we see them using their human names

 in Crystal Tokyo, so it's fairly safe to assume that they never do. 

 And, of course, we *know* Chibiusa was a 20th century invention and that

 everyone in the future calls her Small Lady.  Still, it was hard.  I had

 to hit backspace more than a few times, lemme tell ya. ^_-

 

 	Now a note about all the ages and dates I threw at you.  Some of

 them may not seem to make sense, so I'll go over them in detail. 

 Remember, this is canon as per the manga. :)

 

 * June 30 2001 - this should be when Usagi turns 22, if we assume she

 turned 17 in June 1996 (this is when the fifth series manga came out,

 and Usagi was in second year high school (Grade 11) at the time).  The

 second series manga establishes she rises to power and gives birth to

 Chibiusa when she turns 22 (since Usagi and Chibiusa share the same

 birthday, this seems to be the only plausible date).  Plus it makes

 sense since 2001 is the first *real* year of the new millennium.

 

 * Hotaru at twelve-years-old - I meant in appearance.  She'd actually be

 about a year old at this point (since the reincarnation).

 

 * Small Lady at 910-years-old looking 18 - If we assume she turns 904 in

 1996 (she turned 902 in '94 in an enikki), and since she looked 12 in

 '96, we can assume, if she continues to age normally, that she'll look

 18 when she turns 910.  In the 30th century, the year would be 2911

 (2001 plus 910).

 

 * Saturn not ageing for 905 years and stopping her growth at age 22 - We

 know Usagi stopped ageing at 22, so it's probably the same for the

 others.  By 22 I mean the appearance of age 22.  Saturn would have

 actually been 11-years-old, and the year would be 2006.  Subtract 2006

 from 2911 and you get 905 years.

 

 * Saturn at 916-years-old - 2911 subtract 1995 (when she was

 reincarnated) equals 916.

 

 If there are any other dates that I missed, they should all fit this

 timeline in a similar fashion.

 

 	If any details don't make sense, like who Sailorvesta is, or what

 Titan Castle is, you'll have to read the manga to understand fully.  It

 doesn't make much sense to go into a long explanation here. :)

 

 	Yes, I know I based Uranus' speech on anime events, but nothing is

 mentioned about it in the manga, so I took a little artistic license. ;) 

 And I think I kept it general enough that it probably fits the manga

 anyway. :)

 

 	Okay, feedback time. ;)  If you have any questions or comments,

 just email me at ajhd@king.igs.net.  And if you don't, but liked the fic

 anyway, arigatou.  I know I never email people even when I like their

 fanfics. ^_^;;  Well, that's not true.  I did email Tim Nolan once. ^_^;

 

 	Extra special thanks to Jay Dee Archer (aka Jupiter Knight) for

 proof reading my fanfic for me!  Arigatou gozaimashita!  Go see Jupiter 

 Knight's fanfic archive, he has lots of great stories. ^_^

 

 http://www.dragonfire.net/~JupiterKnight/

 

 	Music I was listening to when I wrote this: Disc 1 & 2 from the

 Memorial Music Box (first season BGM).  Actually, by pure coincidence,

 I was listening to the same BGM that played during the end of ep 88 when

 I was writing the 'Chibiusa returns home' scene.  Any similarities can

 be blamed on that. :P

 

 Completed: Aug 20th 1998.