Hi minna-san! ^-^ Well, we’ve finally finished our newest story. ^^ This 

 takes

 place a while after ‘Sudden Glimpse’. This deals with who several of the

 Senshi have fallen in love with. The plot takes a lot of jumps, but it was 

 fun to

 write and we really hope you enjoy it. ^-^ This was the first story that 

 we’ve

 written with Gabi (psychokittensenshi), the newest member of the Amazoness

 Quartet.  She’s a great author and she’s a great addition to the Quartet. 

 ^-^

 Hopefully you’ll all be seeing a lot more stories from the four of us soon.

 Well, if you have anytime after reading the story, we’d love to hear from 

 you.

 ^^ You can reach us at: amazonessduo@hotmail.com

 Actually, we could use your help, too. For a while now we’ve been using 

 lover’s

 nicknames that both Hotaru & ChibiUsa use for each other like Taru-chan for

 Hotaru and Odango-chan for ChibiUsa. We really liked Taru-chan, but its been

 used so much lately by just about everybody besides ChibiUsa in fanfics 

 lately

 (including by Mamoru in a Hotaru and Mamoru fic-_-). So we’re going to keep

 using it, but its lost its meaning as a lover’s nickname for ChibiUsa to 

 call her.

 We need your help to come up with a new lover’s nickname for Hotaru. If you

 can think of anything, please e-mail us. ^^ Thank you, everyone. ^-^

 

 

 Revelations

 

 By The Amazoness Quartet

 

 

 

 

 	Minako, Ami, Usagi, Rei, and Makoto walked along as soon as

 classes had finished. The four girls talked happily, glad that it was 

 finally

 the weekend, a chance for them to relax. A crowd of students passed

 by them, blocking the car that had just pulled up from their view.

 The door to the car opened and a woman stepped out, scanning the sea

 of students in an attempt to locate a specific girl. "Minako!" she

 yelled, finally spotting her. "Minako, over here!"

 	Minako slowed when she heard a voice calling her name. The

 other four girls stopped as well when they heard. Minako looked

 around, trying to find the person calling her name. She saw the lady

 standing by a car, waving her over. Minako froze when she realized

 the woman was here to pick her up. "I'll see the rest of you later,"

 she said quickly. "We'll talk this weekend. I've gotta get going."

 Minako waved and hurried to the car.

 	"Isn't that Natsuna?" Makoto asked.

 	"Yep," Usagi answered. "She's Minako's girlfriend." She giggled

 as she watched Minako get into the car with the older woman. "Couldn't

 Minako have started going out with her back when we had Haruna for a

 teacher? Natsuna is Haruna's little sister, so maybe I could have gotten

 through her class easier."

 	"I don't think Minako going out with her sister would have made

 any difference in how hard Haruna was on you," Ami commented.

 	"Probably not," Makoto agreed. "I still can't believe she's going

 out with a twenty-eight year old woman."

 	"Why, you jealous?" Rei asked teasingly.

 	Makoto laughed. "No. Why would I be? I've got Ami."

 	Ami blushed when Makoto mentioned her.

 	Rei just sighed darkly. "Yeah, that's true."

 	"Rei, are you okay?" Usagi asked her.

 	"I'm fine. I'm tired, though. I should be getting back to the shrine.

 I'll see you all tomorrow."

 	"Bye, Rei!" Usagi said as Rei began walking home.

 

 	Minako rolled down the window to get some air as the car pulled

 away.

 	"So how was your day?" Natsuna asked.

 	"Pretty good," Minako answered. "It was long, though."

 	Natsuna laughed. "You would probably think that since its Friday and

 all. You just couldn't wait to get out of there."

 	Minako smiled at her. "Yeah, pretty much. How was yours?"

 	"Not bad," Natsuna replied. "Nothing as exciting as in the life of

 Sailor V."

 	"I'm not Sailor V anymore, remember?" Minako corrected her.

 	"I know. But you made a much better Sailor V than Sailor Venus,"

 Natsuna said. Minako giggled. Natsuna still had Sailor V memorabilia around

 their shared apartment. It still surprised Minako when she saw them. She'd

 tried to get Natsuna to take them down, but the older woman wouldn't listen 

 to

 her.

 	"Do you have any work you had to take home?" Minako asked.

 	"Nope. I left Wakagi to handle the rest of it. I didn't want any

 distractions once we got home." Natsuna winked seductively at Minako.

 	Minako felt her blood boiling when she felt Natsuna's hand rest on

 her thigh. She'd never thought that the other woman could do this to her.

 She'd just thought that the police chief was strange back when she was 

 Sailor

 V. "How could you have put up with me for so long? Ever since I was 

 thirteen,

 when I first became Sailor V."

 	"Patience," Natsuna said. "A lot of patience. It was really hard to

 get you to take me seriously about being in love with you. But in the end, 

 it

 looks like my patience paid off."

 	"I love you, Natsuna," Minako said happily.

 	"I love you, too." Natsuna leaned in and kissed her.

 

 	Usagi, Ami, and Makoto walked together, talking about the day's

 events.

 	"Are you and Mamoru going out tonight?" Makoto asked Usagi.

 	"No. He's busy tonight studying with Motoki. What about you two?

 Are you and Ami-chan going out tonight?" Usagi asked mischievously,

 knowing how nervous Ami was about the whole thing.

 	Ami blushed a deep crimson and Makoto tried to answer. "Umm...

 Well, kinda.." Ami only nodded.

 	Usagi laughed. "You guys are so cute together."

 	"Thanks, Usagi-chan," Ami managed.

 	"We should probably get going," Makoto said after checking her

 watch.

 	"Yeah. We'll talk to you later, Usagi-chan," Ami said.

 	The three girls said their goodbyes before heading off.

 

 	When Rei got back home to the Hikawa Jinga she headed straight back

 to her room and changed into her Miko robes. She was depressed about things

 lately. It seemed like everyone had been finding love. Everyone except her. 

 Her

 love life was in shambles. Yuuchiro had finally left several months ago, 

 tired of

 waiting for her.

 	Rei sat down in front of the Sacred Flame. She tried to relax before

 meditating. She wanted to see if she could find out if she'd ever find love.

 She started to drift off, her mind floating in a sea of images. After what

 seemed like an eternity, things started to coalesce.

 	But it had to be wrong. She was seeing the Silver Millennium. She

 wanted to see the future, not the past. Jaedite? Was that it? Could that

 be why she was seeing the past? No, she knew it wasn't him. There had to be

 someone else.

 	Then she saw her. She was standing in the shadows on a balcony, the

 earth hanging in the sky. Suddenly the figure turned around towards Rei. She

 gasped. It was Princess Serenity. Rei knew she had some unresolved feelings

 for Usagi, but she knew that anything between them was impossible. Usagi

 already had the prince she was destined to be with.

 	Memories came flooding back to Rei as the images from the Silver

 Millennium surrounded her. Serenity's four Inner Senshi had had Endymion's

 four generals as boyfriends at the time. But Rei and another of the Inner

 Senshi had longed for Serenity. 'Who was the other one in love with

 Serenity?' Rei asked herself. Her memories of the Silver Millennium still

 weren't complete so she had difficulty recalling who it was. 'Minako?

 That's right. We both fought over Serenity, even though neither of us

 ever worked up the courage to tell her how we felt. Minako was going

 through a lot back then. She was torn about how she felt about Serenity

 and her feelings for Kunzite. And that's exactly why I thought that I

 should have been with Usagi. Minako told me she loved both of them. I

 liked Jaedite and all, but it wasn't the same as how I felt for Serenity.

 Neither of us stood a chance against Endymion, though. He had destiny

 on his side. At least Minako seems to have gotten over it. She has

 Natsuna now. I still cling on. I’m friends with Usagi’s daughter, yet I 

 still cling

 on. I can't find love because I can't bring myself to let go of her.'

 	Suddenly, everything changed. Rei tried to make out where she was

 as she waited for the images to clarify. After a few moments, she realized

 that this had to be Crystal Tokyo. She'd only been there once before, when

 they'd gone to the future to help ChibiUsa save her parents. Rei saw a

 lavishly decorated bedroom, most likely the Queen's room. She could see

 Usagi dressed in her royal gown as Neo Queen Serenity. She was laughing

 happily. Rei sighed. She was so beautiful. Someone else was there with

 Serenity. The two were talking about something Rei couldn't make out.

 She tried to tell who the other person was, but the details weren't clear

 enough yet. The image slowly became clearer and Rei could finally tell

 that the other person sitting with Serenity was her. 'What's going on?'

 Rei thought. Serenity leaned towards Rei's future self and the two

 kissed passionately. Rei couldn't believe what she was seeing. 'But how?'

 Rei asked, trying desperately to come up with an answer as the images

 dissolved around her.

 	Rei sat in shock as she came out of her meditative trance. What

 she'd seen had been her dream come true, but she knew it couldn't happen.

 Was it just wishful thinking on her part or did she actually end up with

 Usagi? Rei tried to meditate on an answer, but after what she'd seen, she

 couldn't calm herself enough to try. She sighed heavily and decided to

 give up for the time being. She resolved to try again later, hopefully

 with better results.

 

 	Hotaru was sitting on a decorative stone throne set atop some

 large steps. ChibiMoon was at the bottom of the steps, unconscious on an

 altar. Energy snaked out from Hotaru, forming a hand at the end. It

 headed out towards ChibiMoon and slammed down on her chest. The younger

 girl let out a scream of pain as she was dragged back to consciousness.

 	"Hotaru-chan... I'm glad to see you..." ChibiMoon managed before

 passing out again, her Heart Crystal pulled from her body. Hotaru felt

 a surge of terror run through her as the pink haired girl lay deathly

 still.

 	ChibiMoon's Heart Crystal flew up to where Hotaru was sitting.

 After swallowing it, she changed completely into Mistress 9. The

 Senshi looked on, unable to stop her as Sailormoon talked futilely with

 Professor Tomoe.

 	'Even when I was Mistress 9, I couldn't stop thinking about

 ChibiUsa. Whatever part of me was still there was so worried about what

 had happened to her. Its so life-like. I've had this dream before. And I've 

 talked

 to ChibiUsa about it a couple times, too. She always tells me that it wasn't 

 my

 fault, that it wasn't me who did those awful things, like killing Kaolinite 

 and

 hurting my Odango-chan. It always hurts as it all comes back to me, 

 everything

 I did as Mistress 9, and I cry. And ChibiUsa holds me, trying to stop the

 pain I feel. But she's not here tonight. I have to deal with the dream

 on my own. I know it was just that, a dream, but what happened was real.

 I lie here for a while, uncertain of what to do. I want to hear her

 voice. I want tor hear her tell me everything's all right. I want her

 to hold me. I think about calling her, but she's probably asleep now.

 She’s spending the night at Momoko’s house.  I could call anyway,

 even if it does wake her up, but I'm uncertain. I feel so nervous and 

 scared,

 alone in the dark. I don't know what to do. I know I can't get back to 

 sleep. I

 never can after I have that dream.' Hotaru sat up in bed, hugging her knees 

 to

 her chest. After a couple minutes, she stood up and headed for the door of 

 her

 room. 'I want to see her,' she thought.

 

 	Setsuna put down the book she was reading when she heard the

 front door open. She looked out her window to see Hotaru hurrying off

 to find ChibiUsa. "I hope she's okay," Setsuna said aloud. 'No

 one could be happier than I am that Hotaru and ChibiUsa are in love.

 I raised Hotaru like a daughter with Michiru and Haruka. I feel like

 Hotaru's my own daughter, and in an odd way, I feel the same way about

 Small Lady. I got to watch her grow up in the future. She came to the Time

 Palace so often, even though she wasn't supposed to. She came to

 me with her problems when she needed help. And I actually helped raise

 Hotaru. I guess the main difference is that one of them calls me mama

 and the other doesn't. I'm glad they have each other. They both mean

 so much to me.'

 	'I do admit that being around Haruka and Michiru and a love

 stricken Hotaru does get a bit depressing sometimes. Its just hard to

 see people so in love like that and to not have anyone of my own to

 love. And everyone I have fallen for winds up destined to be with

 someone else.' Setsuna sighed. 'First Endymion and then Michiru. I

 practically grew up with Michiru and Haruka back in the Silver

 Millenium. Michiru was my best friend since we were young. It took

 a while for me to realize I loved her. I was so down after Endymion

 got with Princess Serenity, but she helped me get through it. I

 felt differently towards her after that. I wanted to tell her, but

 Haruka was too fast for me. Before I could do anything, she was

 already with Haruka. Why does destiny always pass me over?' Setsuna

 picked up her book again and tried to stop thinking about it. 'I

 shouldn't lose any sleep over it, I guess.' She looked out the

 window again. 'Wherever you are, be careful, Hotaru.'

 

 	Yaten walked hesitantly out of her room in a shimmering light

 blue dress. It accentuated her soft curves perfectly, fitting the

 short girl almost like a second skin. Her hair was up in a high pony

 tail that trailed down to the small of her back.

 	Taiki looked up from the book she was reading and arched an

 eyebrow. "That's... interesting," Taiki said, struggling for the right

 words. She hadn't seen Yaten in a dress since they'd all been back on

 Kinmoku, before they'd come to earth disguised as the Three Lights.

 	Seiya looked over at Yaten from where she was sitting after

 she heard Taiki. It had been so quiet for a while that the sudden

 noise had startled her. She stared in shock for a few seconds at

 Yaten. "Why are you wearing that?"

 	"I'm going out," Yaten said defensively. They had been

 dressing up as guys for so long that it seemed odd to be in a dress

 again. Yaten felt herself relaxing as she got used to it. Kakyuu had

 asked her to wear a dress a couple of nights ago when they'd decided

 to go out for the night. It had seemed an odd request at first. Kakyuu

 had grown up with Yaten as a girl. Kakyuu found it strange to have her

 Starlights pretending to be men. Yaten felt more comfortable dressing

 in women's clothes anyway, so they went shopping later that day.

 Yaten was nervous about what Seiya and Taiki would think, though she

 kept telling herself it didn't matter. They were like sisters to her,

 so she still felt anxiety wash over her as they continued to stare at

 her.

 	"But why are you going out in that?" Seiya asked.

 	"Because she looks pretty in it." The Three Lights all turned

 as the heard their princess, Kakyuu. She was wearing a low cut black

 and red dress. Her red hair was done up in elegant braids. She smiled

 happily as she walked up beside Yaten.

 	"You can't go dressed like that," Seiya said as she turned back

 towards Yaten.

 	"Why can't I? I am a girl." Yaten could tell Seiya was getting

 frustrated. She knew that Seiya was in love with Kayuu as well. To

 some extent all three of them loved her. But in the end, she'd fallen

 in love with Yaten. Seiya was still a little jealous about that even

 though she wanted Kakyuu and her surrogate sister to be happy.

 	"It was your idea to masquerade as men in the first place,"

 Seiya argued.

 	"Well, it was a stupid idea. We've found Kakyuu. There's

 no reason to keep pretending anymore. And besides, I don't like pretending

 to be a man," Yaten told Seiya.

 	Kakyuu giggled. "If you two don't mind, Yaten and I have dinner

 reservations." She waved to Taiki and Seiya as she grabbed Yaten's hand

 and started walking to the door with her. "We'll see you later!" she said.

 	Seiya sat down as the door closed behind the two. "What do you

 think, Taiki?"

 	Taiki pulled her book back up in front of her. "Yaten did have

 a point. There really isn't a reason for us to go around like this anymore.

 Besides for the fans. They all think the Three Lights are men, so it would

 be a shock to find out we aren't."

 	Seiya sighed. "You too, Taiki?"

 	Taiki just smiled slightly as she went back to her book.

 

 *********

         Momoko sat with her legs crossed, Diana next to her with her head on 

 her

 lap letting Momoko's hands pass through her cute double odangos and soft 

 hair.

 She was enjoying the motions and attention. She loved being so close to

 Momoko, and being able to relax into her . Diana place her hand on Momoko's

 cheek, grabbing her attention. Momoko smiled and leaned into a kiss. Then 

 she

 heard a knock at the door and was ripped from the pleasure. She looked up to

 her mother.

         "Yes?" she asked nervously.

         "Honey, ChibiUsa is here to spend the night," she looked to the tiny 

 gray

 kitten on her daughters lap. "Well Diana sure has been spending quite a lot 

 of

 time here hasn't she?" The kitten meowed and rubbed up against Momoko's

 stomach. ChibiUsa appeared at the door and smiled.

         "Konnichiwa Momo-chan" she walked inside and plopped her baggage on

 the bed. Momoko's mother walked out and Diana returned to human form, and

 her place next  to Momoko. ChibiUsa smiled.

         "Well it seems you two have grown closer doesn't it?" she asked. 

 "Makes

 me wish I'd asked Hotaru to come with me."

         "Why didn't you ChibiUsa-chan?" Momoko asked. ChibiUsa just smiled

 and shrugged her shoulders.  Just then there was a knock at Momoko's window

 and Momoko went to answer it quickly.

         "Hotaru!" Momoko said. The tired raven-haired girl looking at her 

 not

 answering. She turned to ChibiUsa, still trying to catch her breath.

         "I need to speak with you, odango," she said desperately.

 *************

         Makoto walked a little ways into the kitchen seeing Ami at the table 

 with

 her books sprawled around her. Makoto walked a little further and pulled Ami

 into her arms planting a gentle kiss on her mouth. Ami voiced a slight groan 

 of

 surprise. Makoto just smiled internally, reaching deeper into the kiss. Ami

 turned and let Makoto grab her into a warm embrace.

         "I'm so happy to have you with me, Ami-chan," Makoto said kissing 

 Ami

 again and pulling her into the next room.

         "But I have to study Mako-chan." Ami began to protest.

         "This won't take long Ami-chan trust me." Ami was going to protest 

 but

 felt Makoto's long fingers unbuttoning the white professional shirt she had 

 on.

 Makoto pulled it away with expert hands and reaching behind to unclasp the

 bra strap. When she had the offending clothing away from her she knew Ami

 wouldn't protest any longer. Makoto kissed her again and pulled off her 

 shirt

 and skirt as well leaving them on the floor next to her. She laid Ami on the

 couch and placed Ami's hands on her breasts, sighing at the cooling affect 

 they

 had on her warm skin. Ami smiled and wiggled out of the pants and undies she

 had left on and felt the warmth of her lover's own naked body pulling her 

 into a

 sitting up stance. Holding the body as close to her as possible, and feeling 

 her

 lover's body tense at the anticipation.

 

 ************

         "Natsuna..." Minako sighed feeling her lover holding her from behind 

 in

 the warn bath water. The soapy water seeped into every pore. Natusna smiled

 and cupped Minako's breasts, her fingers running over the entire delicate

 surface. She whispered a sweet comment and made Minako relax even more.

 Minako in turn ran her finger across the inner thighs of her lover,

 teasing her slightly. Natsuna knew it would come in it's own time. The wait

 was all the thrill, wondering what new feeling that her lover would drench 

 out

 of her this time. Minako turned facing Natusna and placing her fingers in

 between Natsuna's legs.

         "I love you," Minako said  kissing Natsuna deeply pushing her back 

 into

 the bath until Natusna was totally relaxed against the cold tile behind her. 

 She

 smiled and knew....this was it. Natusna was all that she wanted.

 

 **************

 	Rei walked down the street to the apartment Usagi and Mamoru

 shared knocking on the door. She waited for an answer. When Usagi showed

 up sooner than she’d expected, felt flustered. She shifted slightly and

 was for once without a quick sarcastic remark.

 	"Usagi-chan, may I come in?" she asked. Usagi smiled and moved so

 that Rei could enter.

 "Rei-chan it's so nice that you could come," Usagi said loudly and then

 drew closer so that she could speak to Rei privately. "Rei there's something 

 that

 I have to tell you..." But before Usagi could finish a male presence entered 

 the

 room.

               "Rei, so nice to see you again," Mamoru's voice stabbed into 

 Rei's

 mind. She grew angry and then clamed. She couldn’t show up destiny, Mamoru

 always got his princess. She could never have Usagi. And with that she left 

 to

 the door and the cold. Usagi ran after her.

               "Rei-chan wait! You don't have to leave!"  she said trying to 

 stop her

 friend.

               "Yes, I do. Usagi-chan, I have to go."

               "But why? It's just Mamoru and me."

               "Usagi you dot understand. It's because of Mamoru."

               "But...why?"

               "You won't understand. Just forget it."

               "No. what's wrong, Rei-chan. Why is it Mamoru's fault?" Usagi 

 asked.

 ‘             ‘Because I love you,’ Rei thought. ‘Because I can't stand him 

 being

 able to hold you and I can't...' Rei stopped herself and spun on her heel. 

 Getting

 ready to leave.

 	"Rei-chan, why can't you tell me what's wrong?" Usagi asked

 worriedly.

 	"Would you come in, Rei?" Mamoru asked, worried as well. "I could

 make some tea."

 	Rei sighed. This was all so hard for her to deal with. Why had she

 even come here in the first place? What had she hoped to accomplish? "No.

 Thank you, anyway. I should go."

 	"Rei, its pretty late. Maybe you should stay," Usagi said. She didn't

 know what was wrong, but she didn't want Rei to leave now. She wanted to

 know what was going on.

 

 ***********

 

 	Makoto rolled over to get a better look at the smaller girl lying next to

 her. She smiled to herself as she ran her fingers through Ami's short blue 

 hair.

 She gently kissed the other girls soft lips. She checked to make sure Ami 

 was

 asleep before quietly getting out of bed. She brought the sheet up higher to

 cover Ami. The other girl let out a small sound, startling Makoto in the 

 dark

 room. Ami shifted around a bit before settling down and clutching the sheets

 closer to her. Makoto relaxed as she watched the other girl doze peacefully.

 	Makoto silently walked out of the room. She padded across the cold

 floor. One of Ami's books lying open on the counter. She tried to read some 

 of

 it but she quickly decided to leave that to Ami. She slipped a peace of 

 paper

 between the pages before closing the book, knowing Ami would probably try to

 pick up where she left off in it later the next day.

 She’d once wondered how Ami could have fallen in love with her. She

 knew the blue haired genius was many times over more intelligent than she

 was. Makoto had thought she’d want someone who shared her passion for

 knowledge. She’d brought it up with Ami, but the other girl had quickly

 dismissed her lover’s worries. It didn’t matter to her. She’d said she 

 couldn’t

 really explain it. It was one of the few times Makoto had been able to catch

 Ami without an answer. Finally Ami had said that some things didn’t need an

 explanation. Love was one of those things. She loved Makoto. She may not be

 able to explain it, but she knew in her heart that she did. Makoto hadn’t 

 given

 it a second thought afterwards. The blue haired genius was everything to 

 her.

 	Makoto walked through the dimly lit kitchen, briefly searching around

 for the light switch. She winced as the light turned on. She blinked several

 times to get her vision to adjust before walking over to the refrigerator. 

 The

 brunette shivered from the cold air on her bare skin after opening it. She 

 smiled

 when she saw one of Ami’s sandwiches wrapped up. ‘That girl needs to let me

 make her lunch more often,’ she thought to herself.

 “Mako-chan?” a sleepy voice said from behind her. She turned

 around to see Ami standing with the sheet wrapped around her delicate frame.

 “I’m sorry, Ami-chan. Did I wake you?” Makoto asked.

 	“I saw the light turn on out here and I noticed you weren’t in bed,”

 Ami explained.  “What are you doing up?”

 	Makoto smiled warmly and brought Ami into a loving embrace.  “I

 was just thinking.”

 	Ami tilted her head to one side curiously. “What about?” She looked

 deeply into Makoto’s dark green eyes, quickly losing herself in them, almost 

 as

 if she were still dreaming.

 	“You,” Makoto said softly. Everything felt right with the world while

 holding Ami in her arms.

 Ami giggled. “No, I’m serious.”

 The taller girl gestured to the apartment. “It used to be so lonely. I’m

 really glad you’re here.”

 	Ami smiled up at Makoto and put her hand on the brunette’s cheek.

 “So am I.” She brought her lips up to Makoto’s in a soft kiss. “Come on back 

 to

 bed, Mako-chan. Its lonely there, too.”

 	Makoto laughed. “Okay, Ami-chan.” She kissed the blue haired girl

 again. She took Ami’s hand and let the other girl lead her back to their 

 room.

 

 *******

 

 	“Taru, are you okay?”  ChibiUsa asked worriedly. Her reached out

 through the open window to grab the other girls hand. Hotaru had a haunted

 look in her eyes. ChibiUsa’s heart ached as she looked into those frightened

 violet eyes.

 	Hotaru started to relax as she felt ChibiUsa’s warm hand against her

 own. Seeing the pink haired girl looking back at her soothed Hotaru. She

 looked down, feeling foolish. Her pale cheeks flushed red. “I just needed to 

 see

 you,” she said quietly.

 ChibiUsa lips formed a bright smile. It meant so much to her to hear

 the other girl came all this way to see her. Her expression became concerned

 when she realized Hotaru was worried about something. She blinked with

 realization. “Oh, Taru. It’s okay. I’m here,” the future princess said. She

 wanted to hold the other girl, to go to her, but she was stopped by the wall

 between them. She could only reach the other girl through the open window.

 	“Hotaru,” Momoko said besides the dark haired girl, startling her.

 	Hotaru clutched ChibiUsa’s hand tightly after hearing the other girl.

 She slowly turned around. “Momo-chan, you scared me.”

 	“Sorry about that. I talked to my mom. She said you can spend the

 night, too. I just told her you can’t be away from ChibiUsa for too long of 

 a

 time.” Momoko laughed. “Come on in.”.

 

 A short time later, Momoko lay asleep in Diana’s arms on her bed.

 ChibiUsa and Hotaru held each other under the blankets on Momoko’s floor.

 Hotaru stared up at the ceiling, trying not to think. The darkness 

 surrounded

 them, but that didn’t bother her. Not with ChibiUsa beside her. Hotaru felt

 ChibiUsa gently stroking her hair. She held the other girl closer, not 

 wanting to

 be apart again.

 “Hotaru?” ChibiUsa whispered to her dark haired lover. “Why did you

 have to come see me so urgently?” She smiled and kissed Hotaru lightly. “I 

 am

 glad you’re here.”

 “Thanks. I am too.” Hotaru snuggled closer to the other girl, trying to

 forget the horrible dream. “I…” She began hesitantly. “I had that dream

 again.”

 “Oh, Hotaru, I’m so sorry.” ChibiUsa wished there was some way she

 could stop Hotaru from having it, but it was a recurring nightmare for her. 

 The

 dark haired girl was still tormented by visions from her past.

 Hotaru felt foolish. Running to ChibiUsa because of a dream. ‘But

 then, isn’t that what being in love with her means? Being able to go to her 

 for

 comfort? Being able to tell her what frightens me the most? Knowing that no

 matter how childish it is, or how foolish, I can always go to her?’ “When I

 woke up, I was afraid, but it got worse when I realized you weren’t there.

 Everything just started crashing down. I had to see you. I felt that if you 

 were

 there, it would all seem okay.” Hotaru closed her eyes tightly. The dream 

 was

 still vivid in her mind. Tears started to well up in Hotaru’s eyes as the 

 dream

 came back to her.

 ChibiUsa gently wiped Hotaru’s tears away with her fingertips. “Its

 not your fault. You can’t blame yourself for any of that. It was Mistress 9, 

 not

 you.”

 “But I was there for everything that happened. It was my body,”

 Hotaru blinked several more tears away.

 “It may have been, but it still wasn’t you. In the end, you managed to

 stop her.”

 Hotaru sniffled and tried to speak, but ChibiUsa silenced her with a

 soft kiss.

 “You felt like its your fault because you couldn’t stop her before she

 caused so much pain. There was nothing you could do. When I woke up after I

 got my Heart Crystal back, you’d been changed into a baby from using your

 powers to stop Pharaoh 90. I felt horrible because I couldn’t stop it. I 

 felt that I

 should have known, that I should have said something when I saw you that 

 last

 time. It took me a long time, but I realized there are some things we can’t

 change. No matter how wrong it is, or how it seems we should have.” ChibiUsa

 held the shuddering dark haired girl tightly against her. Her hand lightly

 rubbed Hotaru’s back through the cloth of her nightgown. “That’s all in the

 past now. We have everything to look forward to. You and me. Both of us.

 Forever.” She felt Hotaru’s warm tears on her shoulder. The other girl’s 

 sobs

 slowly started to lessen. “Its alright, Taru-chan. I’m here.” She held the 

 dark

 haired girl protectively, wanting to keep away anymore of those horrible

 dreams.

 “I.. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t let it get to me… like this,” Hotaru said

 between sobs.

 “Don’t be sorry. I’m really glad you came. I missed you,” ChibiUsa

 smiled. “And don’t worry about the dreams. That’s all they are. And you can

 always come find me when you wake up. I’m just sorry I wasn’t there this

 time.”

 “Thanks, Odango-chan,” Hotaru said softly.

 “You mean everything to me, Taru. Don’t let those dreams hurt you.

 They don’t mean anything as long as we have each other.”  ChibiUsa felt like

 she should say more, but she didn’t have to. Her crimson eyes met with

 Hotaru’s violet ones. Their lips met in the dark room, conveying more to 

 each

 other than words could have.

 “I love you,” Hotaru whispered to the pink haired girl.

 “I love you, too,” ChibiUsa whispered back. She kissed Hotaru once

 again before laying her head back on a pillow. “Goodnight, Hotaru.”

 “I don’t think I’ll go to sleep just yet. Could you stay up for a little bit

 so we could talk?” Hotaru asked.

 “Sure,” ChibiUsa agreed. She felt Hotaru’s hand on her own.

 “Thanks,” Hotaru said gratefully. She knew ChibiUsa would probably

 fall asleep soon, but she didn’t mind. She felt safe now that she was with 

 the

 one she loved.

 

 ******

 

 Minako awoke with a start at the constant knocking she was hearing

 in her dreams. At first she'd tried to not listen and stay in the warmth. 

 But the

 constant rapping in her mind made her jolt awake from the annoyance. She

 turned all along the bed searching for the source, and found it in Rei. The 

 raven

 haired beauty was at the window trying desperately to get Minako's 

 attention.

 She walked all along the edge of the window calling, her voice barely 

 reaching

 Minako's ears. Minako grabbed the robe beside her and tied a tight knot into

 the middle. She motioned for her friend to walk to the door and she'd allow 

 her

 inside.

 	"Mina-chan," Rei rasped and hugged her friend into a tight embrace.

 "Oh, Mina-chan I'm so tired. I really need someone to talk to please!"

   "Calm down, Rei-chan," Minako whispered in a soothing voice. "It'll

 be okay. Tell me what's wrong."

 Rei let out several gasps of air trying to calm her nerves enough to tell

 Minako what was wrong but couldn’t. "Mina-chan I'm really scared...I miss

 you and the others." she began. "I miss us being a team, and I miss spending

 more time together  like we used to. Most of all I miss Usagi. Our princess

 doesn't need us anymore and I feel useless. She...everyone is in love and 

 I'm set

 so far away you have forgotten me."

         "Rei! " Minako whispered in a harsh voice. "I have never

 forgotten you and neither has our princess. She needs us more then ever, and

 with ChibiUsa on the way and the new responsibilities coming up the senshi

 are....”

 "That's just it. I don't think I can handle seeing Usagi and Mamoru

 together so happy everyday. I just can't Minako! I love her!" Rei clasped 

 her

 hands around her mouth and gasped. She wasn't supposed to say that, not to

 Minako!

 Minako just smiled. "We all love her."

 "Not like I do Mina-chan. Not like I do."

 “ I know,” Minako said simply.

 Rei stared at Minako for a moment. “What do you mean?”

 “I know how you feel about her. Who do you think you confided in

 back in the Silver Millenium?” Minako winked at the raven haired girl.

 “Besides, its not like its hard to notice.”

 Rei was shocked. “You know? Is it that obvious?”

 Minako laughed. “Probably not. I hadn’t really noticed until I started

 remembering a few things from the past. Everything fell into place after 

 seeing

 you around her a couple days later.”

 Rei stared at her feet. She hadn’t planned on anyone finding out how

 she felt about their princess, but now she knew that Minako had already 

 found

 out. What did she think of her now?

 “Its alright, Rei. I’m you’re friend. So are the others. None of us would

 mind. Mamoru might, though.” Minako smiled, trying to help Rei feel better.

 “But what would Usagi think?”

               “I don’t know. You’d have to ask her.” Minako said quietly. 

 She

 needed to talk to Rei, but at the same time she didn’t want to wake Natsuna 

 by

 being too loud.

               “What can I do? She’s already in love with Mamoru. She marries 

 him

 in the future and has a daughter with him. If I did manage to tell her how I 

 felt

 and she felt the same, then I could damage so much in the future. ChibiUsa

 wouldn’t even exist. Who knows what else might happen.” Rei sighed deeply.

 The whole thing felt so futile. She wanted to tell Usagi, but she couldn’t 

 let

 herself endanger the future. She was a Sailor Senshi, after all.

               “I’m sorry, Rei. I want to tell you how this can work out, but 

 I don’t

 know. I wish I did. I just want everything to work out for you in the end, 

 but I

 don’t know what to do about it,” Minako said sadly. She wanted to help. She

 was the Senshi of Love. She felt like she needed to do something to help her

 friend.

 “I want to tell her, but I don’t want to hurt her. Its probably better if I

 don’t say anything,” Rei said sullenly.

 “Don’t think like that. Think positively. If you’re ever going to have a

 chance you can’t give up now,” Minako said with a determined gleam in her

 eyes.

 “You’re right, I guess. But I still don’t know what I can do.” Rei

 looked up and smiled at her friend. “Thanks, Minako-chan. I feel a little 

 better

 now.”

 “Anytime, Rei-chan.”

 “I should be going for now.” Rei hugged Minako again and walked out

 the door. Minako waved to her as the raven haired girl started walking home.

 Minako waited until Rei was out of sight before slowly closing the

 door. She felt so helpless. She hated that feeling. She walked through the 

 dark

 hallway towards the room she shared with Natsuna. She smiled as she walked

 past Artemis, curled up and asleep on the floor. She’d always gone to him 

 for

 advice. Now Rei had gone to her, but she was afraid she hadn’t been of much

 help.

 Minako paused at the doorway to their room. Rei had seemed so empty

 lately. She was usually so full of life, but seeing everyone else with their 

 lovers

 really got to her. Minako missed the old Rei and now there was a chance to 

 fix

 things for Rei, but what could she do about it?

 Minako’s head was spinning as she tried to think of what, if anything,

 she should do. She sighed before walking into the bedroom. She needed sleep.

 And right now, she really wanted to be with the one she loved. She crawled 

 into

 bed next to the other woman, her soft, reddish brown hair hanging past her

 shoulders. She smiled as Natsuna continued sleeping. Minako pulled the

 blanket up and around her, snuggling close to Natsuna. She slowly started to

 drift off to sleep.

 

 *   *   *

 THE NEXT DAY

 	Setsuna picked up her small basket, trying to balance the weight of the

 tremendous amount of groceries and her addition to her chocolate stash.

 Turning around too fast, three rather large oranges dropped out of her 

 basket.

 ‘I knew I should have gotten a cart,’ she thought.

 	She bent down and picked up two of the offending oranges, but her

 little sandaled foot knocked the third off balance, and it began to roll 

 away.

 “Damn,” she exclaimed under her breath.

 	Walking at a fast pace, she caught up with the rolling orange, only to

 have it roll underneath a display case for some cereal boxes at the end of 

 an

 aisle.  Setting down her basket very carefully, she got on her knees and 

 looked

 under the display case.

 	“There you are you little…” She exclaimed, reaching for the orange.

 	“Setsuna?”  A hand came to rest on her shoulder, making her leap

 up…and slam her head on the bottom of the display table.  Holding her head

 and whimpering words of anger and embarrassment, she looked up into the

 eyes of her offender.

 	The first thing she saw, actually, was the nice shoes on small feet.

 Eyes travelling up slowly, she took in the tight fitting jeans, stylish and 

 trendy.

 Her red eyes traveled up the shapely legs to the small, flat stomach, and up 

 to

 the small breasts.  Her eyes came to rest on the dark ponytail, which came 

 to

 rest just below her right breast.  Curiosity and familiarity making her eyes

 travel still farther, they halted to a stop at the dark blue eyes of her 

 offender.

 She sank into this deep shade of blue, and began to smile.  “Seiya!”  

 Leaping

 up from her kneeling position and forgetting about her injured head, she 

 threw

 her long arms around the taller woman’s neck, laughing slightly.

 	Seiya, a little surprised about Setsuna’s attitude, was stunned.

 Setsuna, showing emotion?  A lot had changed since she had left Tokyo.  But

 the dark green hair brushed against her nose, smelling of forest green and

 something else she couldn’t put her finger on.  Closing her beautiful dark 

 blue

 eyes, she wrapped her arms around the green-haired woman’s waist, leaning

 her head to rest on Setsuna’s shoulder.  “Setsuna…” The word was let out in 

 a

 whisper, almost too quiet for Seiya to hear herself.  Sudden feelings of 

 heat

 laced with desire invaded her mind, and it was covered in a clear 

 transparent

 shell.  Sudden memories, or maybe visions, she didn’t know, entered her

 mind…of two women, one with long black hair and one with long dark green

 hair standing on a balcony in dresses rimmed with gold, kissing and holding

 each other, trapped in an embrace similar to this one.  The heads turned, 

 and a

 hazy Seiya kissed her green-haired goddess, bending her head down and

 sweeping her feet off the balcony.

 	Setsuna’s heart pounded in her ears.  Why did Seiya say her name like

 that?!  That wasn’t expected.  She didn’t think Seiya held affections for 

 anyone

 but her princess.  Why were Seiya’s arms so warm?  Linked around her waist

 and pulling her so close?  What was she doing here in a supermarket, anyway?

 And why was her breath so warm against her cheek like that?  Sudden

 memories of Seiya in Crystal Tokyo, looking as fine as could be in a long

 flowing gown of blue and yellow stars, calling out to her.  It had only been

 once, the two had embraced and kissed, but she hadn’t seen Seiya after that.

 She should have thought about it more, should have noticed Seiya more,

 because then maybe she could figure out her own feelings.

 	Realizing where she was and what she’d felt, and thought, and

 suddenly embarrassed by it, Seiya pulled away slightly.  Setsuna held on for

 another moment, reveling in the warmth of a body beside her, near her, and

 with her.  But the feeling suddenly cleared from her passion hazy mind, and

 she registered Seiya holding her waist at arm’s length.  Unlinking her arms

 from around Seiya’s neck, she realized how awful she must look…jumping up

 like that after slamming her head into a table.  Oh, real smooth Setsuna!  

 Her

 mind shouted at her.

 	Red eyes hardened.  Her internal defenses were locked again.  No

 more embarrassment.  Not again.  In the back of her mind, something ached.  

 It

 knew, more then Setsuna herself, that such rejection would harm her heart to

 the core.

 	“I’m so glad to see you, Seiya.  What brings you back to Tokyo?”  A

 forced smile crossed her red lips, not reaching her eyes at all.  Seiya 

 cursed

 herself in her mind for being so stupid.

 	“Oh…um…well, I…decided to come back for a visit.”  She smiled,

 forced as well.  She didn’t want to reveal her true intentions just yet.  

 She was

 planning to come to Tokyo, and stay.  She didn’t want to watch her princess

 and sister fall deeply in love.  An aching heart would never heal like that. 

 Of

 course, the plan had backfired when Kakyuu had thought it a great idea to

 move back to Tokyo. Now her two sisters and her princess were right next 

 door

 from her. She’d been there visiting the night before when she’d seen Yaten

 ready for her date with Kakyuu.

 	Setsuna knew something was wrong.  Seiya didn’t lie.  Not ever.

 Unless something was seriously wrong.  “Oh, that’s nice.”  She bent down to

 pick up her basket.  “Do you have a place to stay?”

 	“Oh, yes, I rented a place just a few blocks from here.”  Seiya smiled

 again, trying to lighten the mood.  ‘Damnit,’ she thought, ‘what have I 

 done?

 Setsuna, please, don’t be angry…’

 	“That’s wonderful!  You should stop by to have dinner with us

 sometime.  Which I have to go back and make now, so…I’ll see you around…”

 A horrible moment of emotion made her voice crack, and she turned away

 quickly, rushing to the check-out stand.  She waited a few minutes, and 

 Seiya

 didn’t come for her.  A menacing voice in her mind asked her if that was a

 good or bad thing.  Leaning on the mechanical food belt, she sighed.

 “Always…” She breathed out.  Her red eyes shook suddenly, and she brought

 her hand up to cover them.

 	Suddenly, two warm arms wrapped around her waist.  Startled, she

 tried to turn around, but the arms held her in place.

 	Seiya leaned in, placing her head once again on Setsuna’s shoulder.

 Setsuna’s lovely back was against her chest now, full of warmth.  A mouth to

 an ear, she whispered, “Would it…be alright…if I ate dinner with you

 tonight?”

 	Setsuna breathed in deeply.  “I think that could be arranged…”

 *   *   *

 	“Come on, Haruka!  The water’s so warm!”  Michiru splashed about,

 waving her long arms around in the water.  Haruka, standing atop a near-by

 rock, beamed down at her lover in the quiet stream.

 	“I AM coming in!”  Jumping up in the air and tucking her knees

 under her chest gracefully, she slammed into the water, waves roaring in her

 ears.  She glanced up through the hazy stream water to see little white 

 bubbles

 surround her and waves roll over her little sea nymph.

 	A couple of seconds passed and Haruka shot out above the water, her

 head up toward the sun.  She struck such a graceful figure that Michiru 

 almost

 gasped, streaks of crimson lining her cheeks.  When Haruka looked at her, 

 she

 turned away, embarrassed.  “That wasn’t the kind of entry I had hoped for.”

 She stated, her voice dripping with sarcasm.  She looked over her shoulder

 slightly, her hair soaked with the stream water, creating an unearthly look

 about her.  Light green eyes pierced into blue ones, and then turned away, 

 half-

 teasing, half-serious.

 	“Michiru…” Haruka called, only to see her little sea nymph swim ever

 faster away from her.  “Hey, wait up!”  Awkwardly splashing after her, she

 called again.

 	Michiru turned only slightly, and began to laugh.  She saw Haruka

 struggling to catch up with her, knowing the taller girl was not much of a

 swimmer.  She began to slow down, half wanting her lover to catch up with

 her.  But the laughing was the main reason her shaking limbs could not keep

 up the fast pace she had used.

 	Breathless, Haruka finally reached her.  “You…need to…slow

 down…girl!”  She exclaimed, her small tongue reaching the edge of her mouth

 in exhaustion.

 	“Hmm, really?”  Michiru took this chance and wrapped her elegant

 arms around her lover’s neck and kissed her slow, hard, and wet.  Haruka was

 tall enough to stand on the bottom of the water, but Michiru was not, and 

 she

 wrapped her legs around Haruka’s waist.  Rubbing her hips slowly up and

 down over the taller girl’s mid-section, she let a moan escape through the 

 kiss.

 Pulling away slowly, she smiled seductively.  “Is it better slow?”

 	Haruka looked down at her nymph, eyes wide with desire and surprise.

 Finding her words that had been lost in the back of her throat, she 

 swallowed

 hard.  “It’s always good with you.”  She wrapped her arms tightly

 around Michiru’s waist and leaned in to kiss her again.

 

 ******

 

 Seiya looked in the mirror again and pulled her skirt down.  She

 glanced nervously at herself, wondering if she went a little overboard with 

 the

 make-up.

 	Being a Starlight for so long had her comfortable with being a man.

 She had always thought she looked better in women’s clothes, but to please 

 the

 millions of screaming women as fans, she continued to play the part.

 But now, that was changing.  Here she was, putting the finishing touches on

 herself before she would take Setsuna out to a nice fancy dinner.  Yaten had

 helped her pick out an outfit, but was it really appropriate?

 	Even Seiya had to admit she looked killer in it.  Short black skirts look

 good on almost anyone.  The slit up the right side, however, was what would

 knock ‘em out.  Her knee-high leather boots looked perfect with it, and the

 cream and black top she had on was perfect to complete the outfit.  But on 

 the

 first date?  And to a fancy restaurant?  Should she be dressed up in one of 

 those

 dresses that covered more of herself, like Michiru would always wear on big

 outings?

 	That wasn’t her style.

 	Seiya sighed and looked at the floor.  In her minds eye she could see a

 beautiful Setsuna walk before her in a lovely gown, give her one look, and 

 run

 back inside her house.  Seiya shook her head.  Setsuna wasn’t like that.  

 The

 sophisticated dark-skinned woman she had always known to be calm and

 collected would never do something like that.

 	Never.  That was a funny word.  Never.  She would have never

 thought about Setsuna as a potential lover.  Never.  But that didn’t mean it

 wouldn’t happen.  Not until that day, when she saw Setsuna in the Market,

 looking comfortable and sweet.  And when those long arms had come around

 her, and she had that forest green hair beneath her nose, her entire thought

 pattern changed.  No longer did she feel like she needed to hide from the 

 love

 of Yaten and their Princess, not anymore.  All she really felt like she 

 needed

 was to feel Setsuna’s waist beneath her hands, and their lips together, and 

 the

 moonlight streaming in the window, and…

 	Seiya looked back up at herself.

 Why not?

 

 *   *   *

 

 	Setsuna sighed as she looked in the mirror.

 	“You look beautiful, Setsuna-mama!”  Hotaru giggled.

 	“I love the skirt!”  ChibiUsa agreed, and turned to Hotaru.  “You and I

 should go out like this sometime.”

 	“You don’t have enough money to take me out!”  Hotaru laughed at

 the expression on her lover’s face.  “We will, Odango-chan.”

 	“Come on you two, you’re supposed to be helping me!”  Setsuna

 turned around, exasperated.  The entire night the two girls she had always

 thought of as daughters had been phasing in and out of attention to her.  

 “Are

 you really sure this is appropriate?”

 	“Oh come on!  You look good in it.  I know Seiya’ll like it!”  ChibiUsa

 giggled, blushing a little.

 	Setsuna sighed at her reflection.  She was wearing a velvet maroon

 skirt that went to her knees, maroon platform sandals (something Hotaru

 convinced her into wearing), and a black tanktop with a maroon flowered

 design.  ChibiUsa had done her make-up, with a little help from her mom.

 That had scared Setsuna at first, knowing that this was Usagi they were 

 talking

 about, but she was pleased with the results.  It seems that after years of 

 practice

 Usagi had finally got something down to an art.

 	Setsuna turned to the two giggling girls once again, and smiled.  They

 looked plenty confident that she was beautiful.  They were happy for her.

 Maybe they were smarter for being that way.

 	Seiya had always been someone Setsuna had admired, not only for her

 continuing courage, but for her love for everything around her.  The entire

 ordeal with Usagi had been a hard one for everyone, but Seiya had handled it

 rather well, accepting what the future would not change.  Setsuna herself 

 had to

 come to terms with what was destined too many times.  But when she had seen

 Seiya, she couldn’t help but be excited, even if they hadn’t been all that 

 close.

 And when she had heard her name being whispered into the wind like that, the

 way Haruka whispered Michiru’s name, the way ChibiUsa whispered Hotaru’s

 name…it made her feel like she was flying.  The realization that someone

 could fall in love with her was almost overwhelming.  And now that she was

 finally involved with someone, she couldn’t help but feel nervous.  It was 

 all

 too much of an emotional rollercoaster, but she couldn’t help being the 

 first in

 line for the dangerous ride.

 	“Come on, Setsuna, Seiya’ll be here any minute!”  She heard Haruka’s

 call from down the hallway.

 	“I’m almost finished.”  Setsuna called back, and reached for the make-

 up on the table beside her.  Picking up the eyeliner, she placed two small 

 wings

 off the edges of her eyelashes, and stood back.  “Perfect.”

 

 *   *   *

 

 	Seiya took a deep breath.  She slowly raised her hand to the doorbell,

 and then stopped.  She was shaking.  How odd.  She had never started to 

 shake

 out of nervousness before, even when she had stage-fright.  Maybe that was

 because she had always had her sisters for support.

 	They couldn’t help her now.

 	Seiya took another deep breath and released it slowly.  She pressed the

 little lit up button, and then dropped her hand to the side and waited.

 	She heard some noise inside, mostly Haruka’s voice yelling.  She

 smiled. Good ol’ Haruka.

 	The doorknob turned, and she felt her heart rise in her chest.  The

 door flung open, and there stood Haruka in the doorway.  Her gaze traveled

 over Seiya, who stood her ground, and then back up to her eyes.  With a grin

 and a nod of approval, she let out the breath she had been holding.

 	“Come mere you!”  Haruka reached out and pulled Seiya close.  The

 two women were about the same height, Seiya just a little bit taller now due 

 to

 her boots.  They pulled out of the friendly embrace and smiled at each 

 other.

 “It’s been too long.”

 	Seiya grinned.  “It sure has.”

 	“HAR-UUUKA!”  Came a voice from inside, and the two women

 turned.

 	“You better come in before Michiru has a baby or something.”  Haruka

 laughed, and pulled Seiya inside the house.  “Come on, Setsuna’s just 

 finishing

 up.”  Seiya remembered the house from awhile ago, when they were just

 moving in, and now looked it over with interest.  Walking around toward the

 living room, she saw book-cases full of books.  She smiled.  Michiru loved 

 the

 arts, almost as bad as Mizuno Ami.

 	“SEIYA!”  Michiru ran towards her friend and jumped into her arms.

 Seiya, on the other hand, was almost knocked over, and stumbled slightly 

 from

 the awkwardness of her platform boots.

 	“Hey…Michiru…” She ground out, trying to get a few breaths in

 through the squeezing she was forced into.  She glanced at Haruka for help, 

 but

 the blonde woman was just laughing hysterically.  “How’s it…going?”

 	“SEIYA!  You’ve been gone for so long!”  The aqua head looked up at

 her, and the same color eyes stared into hers.  “Why didn’t you visit?”  The

 tone was almost angry.

 	“I’m sorry…” Seiya’s explanation was halted as she heard footsteps.

 Michiru fell out of her arms and walked over to Haruka, and the two women

 held hands and smiled like proud parents or friends.  Seiya’s heart started 

 to

 pound with anticipation.  She held her breath for the second time today and…

 	“Hey Seiya!”  Hotaru walked into the room, and everyone sighed.

 Hotaru looked a little angry.  “What?”

 	“Nothing.”  Seiya smiled and held her arms open.  Hotaru ran into

 them and hugged Seiya’s waist.

 	“You’ve been gone for such a long time!”

 	“I know, I know.”

 	“SSSSEEEEEEEEIIIIIIIIIIYYYYYYYAAAAAA!!!!”  ChibiUsa’s

 squeal rang throughout the room, and Seiya winced.  A pink whir of hair

 suddenly ran into the room and knocked both Seiya and Hotaru over.  “THERE

 YOU ARE!”  She hugged Seiya fiercely, who was trying desperately to not let

 her skirt ride up too high.

 	“Hey ChibiUsa, how are you?”  She smiled once she got up.

 	“Hey you guys…” A soft voice came from across the room.  Seiya

 looked up to see Setsuna standing in the room’s entryway.  Seiya felt the 

 heat

 rising to her cheeks as she took in Setsuna.  The color was perfect on her, 

 and

 long green hair flowed over her shoulders and down to her waist.

 	Seiya found her voice again, and spoke.  “Hi.”

 	“Hi.”  Setsuna smiled, happy with the effect she had on Seiya, but

 almost ashamed with the effect Seiya had on her.  Those long creamy legs had

 her own knees shaking and knocking against each other.  “Should we get

 going?”

 	“Sure.”  Seiya walked the distance toward Setsuna, jut barely aware of

 the other women staring intently at them.  They walked out of the door

 together, hand in hand.

 

 *   *   *

 

 	Setsuna set down her glass of water, the ice rattling together as her

 hand shook.  She swallowed hard.  She hoped Seiya hadn’t noticed.

 	How could she not notice every little tiny thing she was doing?  Those

 dark blue eyes stared at her through half closed lids and never wavered from

 her.  At least, they hadn’t so far.  And she knew, because her own eyes 

 couldn’t

 take themselves of the mighty fine woman before her.

 	Seiya seemed so together.  Like nothing was making her nervous in

 the least.  Of course, she must have women lining up to just see her.  Being 

 one

 of the Lights and all.  In fact, now that she thought of it…Seiya probably 

 dated

 all the time.  Was that what she was?  Just another date?  Maybe another one

 night stand?  Would Seiya forget about her once tonight was done?

 	Setsuna tried to swallow the rising panic in her throat.  Her voice of

 reason came through the horrible questions.  ‘Just ask her’, it said.  ‘Ask 

 her if

 she really wants a real relationship.  Ask her what’s going to happen 

 tomorrow.

 What have you got to lose?’

 	But she knew what she had to lose already.

 

 *   *   *

 

 	Seiya watched Setsuna set down her water glass with grace and

 elegance.  Funny how wonderful traits like these could come out of a little

 motion like that.

 	Seiya tried not to let her knees rattle together any louder.  It was all

 she could do to keep them from knocking the table over.  Setsuna seemed to 

 be

 just fine.  She looked content, just nibbling on the fancy French dinner set

 before her.  Seiya wasn’t hungry all of a sudden.  At least, not for food.

 	Setsuna suddenly went tense.  Seiya felt herself become the same, and

 tried to relax.  Setsuna’s dark red eyes stared up at her, full of 

 questions.  Seiya

 looked at her likewise.

 	Setsuna cleared her throat.  “Um…Seiya…would it be alright if

 I…asked you something…”

 	“Sure.”  Seiya replied automatically and with a smile.  “Anything

 you’d like.”

 	“Um…do you…date often?”  Setsuna’s eyes suddenly went fuzzy, and

 Seiya had the impression that she was going to lose that remarkable control.

 	“No, actually, I don’t.  I’ve stayed away from it because you can’t

 really meet a lot of people if you’re a superstar.”  She smiled weakly.  

 “That’s

 one of the many problems with it.”

 	“So you…don’t have any other…” Setsuna’s eyes darted down to the

 floor.

 	Seiya was quiet for a long time.  When she did speak, the tone was

 mixed with emotions neither woman could place.  “No, Setsuna.  I don’t have

 anyone else.”  Setsuna looked up at her, all her emotions settling down with 

 the

 reassurance.

 	“Mademoiselles?”  The server stood over them, holding up a big tray.

 “Would you two lovebirds like some desert?”

 

 *   *   *

 

 	Usagi walked into the restaurant, holding onto Mamoru’s arm.  The

 server smiled at them both and led them to a table by the window they had

 become accustomed to.

 	Mamoru pulled out Usagi’s chair, then briskly went to his own.  Usagi

 sat down, feeling a little bewildered.  Why hadn’t he touched her?  He 

 always

 did.  Every time he would pull out her chair he would brush her long hair 

 away

 from her neck and kiss her on the cheek.  Every time.  What was so different

 about now?

 	Mamoru didn’t look at her, even as they ordered.  After a long silence

 among the table, Usagi got restless.  “Is there something wrong, Mamo-chan?”

 He didn’t respond.  “You seem angry.  Did I do something to upset you?”  

 Still

 no response.  “Did I step on your foot again?  I’m sorry I…I know I’m 

 clumsy,

 but I didn’t know it upset you this much…”

 	“It’s not that, Usako.”  Mamoru still didn’t look at her.  “Nothing’s

 wrong with me.”

 	“What do you mean?”  Usagi became worried.

 	“I know your secret, Usako.  I know why you don’t see me that often

 anymore.  I know why you find so much time for your friends all the time…for

 her.”

 	Usagi felt anger rise up in her cheeks.  “What the hell are you talking

 about?”

 	“You know what I’m talking about.”  Two angry black beads that were

 his eyes stared into hers.  “I know who you’re in love with.”

 

 *   *   *

 

 	“Hey, isn’t that Usagi-san and Mamoru-san?”  Seiya pointed to a table

 by the window.  Setsuna looked over to the couple and smiled.

 	“It sure is.  I didn’t know they were going out tonight.  I wouldn’t

 have asked Usagi for help if I knew she had to get ready.”

 	“You asked her for help?”

 	“Yeah, with my make-up.”  Setsuna blushed slightly, the little crimson

 streaks clashing with her dark skin.  “I’m not exactly a DiVinci with it.  

 I’m

 more like Piccasso.”

 	Seiya laughed.  “Hey, I know how it is.  Luckily they make you wear

 make-up in music videos and stuff like that, so I wore it the entire time.”

 	Setsuna’s red eyes grew wide.  “Really?  That’s actually really cool.”

 She paused for a second, as if contemplating what she was going to say next.

 “Tell me more about being a music star.”

 

 *   *   *

 

 	“Mamoru…you think I’m in love with…” Usagi’s eyes filled with

 tears.

 	“I don’t think, Usako, I know.  You love her, more then you do me,

 obviously.”  Mamoru rolled his eyes.  “Quit with the goodie-two-shoe thing.  

 I

 know you love her.”

 	“I…I love you, Mamo-chan.  I always have.  I always will.  If you

 don’t believe me, look to the future to tell you!  We’ll be together, you 

 and I,

 and ChibiUsa will be born.  If you don’t believe that, what else can you 

 believe

 in?”

 	“The past?”  Mamoru’s voice almost dripped with sarcasm.  “Sure,

 like the past is any proof.  The past is what it is, the past.  No longer 

 here.

 Your precious little world revolves around her, Usagi, and that’s what’s 

 really

 going on.  I don’t know how I didn’t notice before.  You always running to 

 her

 when you had a problem.  I was so blind…”

 	“You were a selfish asshole, that’s what you were.”  Usagi’s voice was

 full of something that resembled hatred as the crystal tears streamed down 

 her

 cheeks.  “The only problem I ever had in my life was you.  You took away

 everything I had, you and your promises of love ever-lasting.  You pretended 

 to

 trust me.  You say I love someone else.  Fuck you.”  Usagi stood up and 

 raised

 her voice.  “Fuck you, Mamoru.  You don’t disserve to be in my company.”

 And with that, the tiny woman turned on her heel and quickly walked out of 

 the

 restaurant, hearing claps and cheers behind her.

 

 *   *   *

 

 	Setsuna stood up, worried.  “She doesn’t have a way home…”

 	“Come on, we can still catch her.”  Seiya threw down a hundred and

 grabbed Setsuna’s hand.  They ran, somewhat awkwardly, toward the door, and

 outside into the cold air of night.

 	“Oh!”  Setsuna exclaimed as the air hit her skin.  Seiya pulled her

 closer and wrapped her coat halfway around her.  Setsuna felt herself blush.

 	“USAGI!!”  Seiya yelled, and Setsuna did the same.  Finally they saw

 the girl turn around, and ran towards her.  “Usagi, what’s wrong?  Do you 

 need

 a lift?”

 	The girl took a few shuddering breaths before finally speaking.

 “No…it’s nothing.  I…I need to take a walk.  But thank you for…asking.”  She

 spun around and began to run, leaving the two women a little perplexed.

 	“Seiya…it’s really cold out here…” Setsuna shuddered.

 	“You’re right.”  Seiya finally took her gaze away from the retreating

 blonde and back to the woman in her arms.  “Come on, let’s go to the car.”

 

 *   *   *

 

 	Setsuna marveled at the rooms in Seiya’s apartment.  Little gasps

 would escape that long throat and those red lips, leaving Seiya anxious to 

 touch

 them.  To feel them beneath her fingertips.

 	“Oh Seiya, your flat is beautiful!”  Setsuna spun halfway around to

 look at her.  “I love it!”

 	“Thank you.”  Seiya smiled.  “How do you like your coffee?”

 	“Black, one spoon of sugar.”

 	“Figures…” She muttered under her breath.

 	“What?”

 	“Nothing…” Seiya smiled again and began to pour the liquid into two

 cups.  Once she was done, she picked them both up and went into the living

 room.

 	She almost dropped them.

 	There was Setsuna, draped across her dark blue leather couch, looking

 absolutely delicious.  She hadn’t heard Seiya, and moved around a little bit 

 on

 the couch to get comfortable.  The maroon skirt inched higher up her thighs,

 and Seiya had to force herself to keep standing.

 	She walked briskly over to the table and set down the drinks.  Setsuna

 only had a small amount of time to look up before Seiya’s arm came around 

 her

 and their mouths clashed.

 

 *   *   *

 

 	Usagi liked the feeling of the cool air go through her hair.  Her white

 dress didn’t cover up much.  But, somehow, the cold was refreshing tonight.  

 A

 little strange perhaps, yes, but still refreshing.

 	Usagi knew where she was going.  She knew what she had to do.

 Maybe that was what she had needed to do all along.  Every little fight and

 every little emotion she had with him seemed to be swept away so easily now.

 She knew what she wanted.

 	She ran up the cement steps, her little white shoes making small

 clicking noises.  She heard noise already coming from the structure in front 

 of

 her, and saw a tall figure in the shadow of the bamboo door.  She ran 

 towards

 it, stumbling where the stones jutted out from the walkway.

 	The figure must have heard her, and opened the bamboo door.

 “Hello?”  She called.

 	Usagi fell into her arms, crying and sobbing.  “REI!”

 

 *   *   *

 

 Crystal Tokyo

 30th century

 Tsukino-Hino Usagi walked along the marbled floors of Tokyo’s Crystal

 Palace, her heels clicking onto the scratchable material easily. She reached 

 near

 her hand and felt the small promise ring on her wedding finger. The tiny

 diamond that had been her gift from Mamoru. She smiled kindly at the

 memory, not everything she had remembered from her past lover that was so

 terrible. She knew that they had loved each other at the time. It was 

 something

 that their souls needed to play out. Something that had to be finished in 

 it’s

 own course. She heard the playing in Small Lady’s bedroom, and knew that her

 father had come to see the small child. She was, however no longer a child.

 Small Lady. Ten to this day to be precise, and a growing lovely women at 

 that.

 She had been a child conceived in love and devotion, and a child that would

 one day become Queen of the Crystal Tokyo. But, in the end the one that 

 Usagi

 had loved the most had been Rei. No one understood that more then the senshi

 of her court, no one more so than her daughter who would one day also fall 

 in

 love with a woman when she went back into the past. Of course, Small Lady

 didn’t know that yet. There were some secrets the mother still had to keep 

 from

 her daughter.

 	Chiba Mamoru had later married, too. He ruled over Elysion as well as

 any of the senshi or even Usagi herself. He was still king of the Earth, 

 just as

 Usagi was Queen, and his right to rule over his kingdom of Elysion was only

 natural. Usagi never failed to allow his input and decisions to her Queendom 

 to

 not be recognized.  She walked in her bedroom and felt the warmth of her 

 lover

 next to her and smiled slyly.

 	“Usagi-chan?” Rei’s tiny voice mumbled in her awakened sleep.

 	“Yes?” Usagi asked. She felt Rei’s creamy arms wrap around her

 silken clothed breasts, and cooed.

 	“I love you.”

 	“I love you, too.”

 The End.