rlm@0: Author's Notes: ^_^ rlm@0: rlm@0: There's nothing much to say here, really. Trust me, you're going rlm@0: to start hating me around the middle of this part... But keep going rlm@0: until the end! ^_^ rlm@0: rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ rlm@0: Chibiusa no PYUA na kokoro rlm@0: (Chibiusa's Pure Heart) rlm@0: Part 3 rlm@0: By Andrea Doolan rlm@0: "Sailormoon no ichiban daifan" rlm@0: ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: The large, ornately decorated doors to the main Sailor Senshi rlm@0: conference room shut with a bang. This particular room of the palace rlm@0: was situated on one of the top levels of the grand structure. It rlm@0: boasted a marble conference table, which seated 20 comfortably, and all rlm@0: the architectural and design earmarks that made the Crystal Palace so rlm@0: famous. It was an eclectic atmosphere combining ancient Greek and rlm@0: traditional Japanese designs. rlm@0: rlm@0: Sailormars, the person who shut the doors, was the last of the rlm@0: Senior Sailor Senshi to be gathered in the room. With their hectic rlm@0: schedules, it was unusual to see all of them together, but this was a rlm@0: special occasion. rlm@0: rlm@0: As Mars took her seat, Neo Queen Serenity spoke. "Minna, thank rlm@0: you for coming here on such short notice. I apologise for the formal rlm@0: atmosphere, because what will be said here today isn't meant for a rlm@0: formal occasion. We're all friends here; friends sharing some great rlm@0: news. I'll now pass things over to my daughter and Sailorsaturn." rlm@0: rlm@0: As the Queen sat back down, she passed Small Lady, and gave her a rlm@0: small squeeze on her shoulder. It was enough for a smile to creep rlm@0: across the younger woman's face. It was getting easier, she thought. rlm@0: This would be the third time telling people, and it definitely felt rlm@0: easier. Of course, maybe it was just because they were telling the rlm@0: parents before, and now it was just friends. rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady and Saturn stood up at the head of the table. All eyes rlm@0: were focused on them. Mercury, Mars, Venus, and Jupiter looked at them rlm@0: inquisitively. Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto looked at them with love and rlm@0: support. They were really only there for comfort and encouragement. rlm@0: The Queen and King looked at them with smiles on their faces. Serenity rlm@0: nodded her head for them to start. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Arigatou, minna. Some of you know what we're about to say, and rlm@0: some of you don't. Before we start, we just want to say what good rlm@0: friends you've all been to us. We cherish you all dearly." Small Lady rlm@0: stopped and smiled at them. rlm@0: rlm@0: Saturn took Small Lady's hand, and continued. "Something special rlm@0: has happened in our lives, and we think it's only fair to share it with rlm@0: all of you. Small Lady and I have fallen in love. We care for each rlm@0: other deeply. We...we want to spend the rest of our lives together. We rlm@0: want to be together forever." rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady jumped in. "We know this may come as a shock to some rlm@0: of you. I know it certainly did for us." She laughed a little at this. rlm@0: "But we both hope you'll give us your blessing. It really means a lot rlm@0: to us. We've already discussed this with our parents, and they've been rlm@0: very supportive. But no pressure, of course." She gave them a little rlm@0: wink. rlm@0: rlm@0: There was silence for several moments, but then Sailorjupiter was rlm@0: the first to speak. "So, you left us until last, did you? Seems kind rlm@0: of unfair to me." She stuck her tongue out a little to show she was rlm@0: kidding. "Small Lady, Saturn, personally I think this is great. I wish rlm@0: you all the best in the future." She had a very sincere smile on her rlm@0: face. rlm@0: rlm@0: "I knew it!" cried Venus. "My predictions of love are never rlm@0: wrong!" The rest of the group facefaulted. "Hehe, the goddess of love rlm@0: and beauty, the reincarnation of Aphrodite herself gives you her full rlm@0: blessing! You two make a cute couple." She flashed them a "V" sign. rlm@0: rlm@0: "I always said we didn't need boys to have fun." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Mars, are you feeling playful?" rlm@0: rlm@0: "We'll have to save it until later, Venus." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Ohhh..." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Anyway, the point I was trying to make was you two go really well rlm@0: together. I can feel it from your spirits, it's coming through very rlm@0: strongly. I think you two were made for each other." rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady and Saturn blushed a little at this. rlm@0: rlm@0: Sailormercury was sitting quietly at the end of the table. She rlm@0: was just waiting patiently for her turn to speak. "I still find it hard rlm@0: to believe in a red string of destiny, but after seeing so many real rlm@0: life examples, I think I'll have to rewrite the laws of physics. You rlm@0: two are a shinning example of proof that it does exist. Omedetou ne." rlm@0: She gave a caring smile to them. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Minna..." said Small Lady, tears forming in her eyes. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Arigatou," said Saturn while she gave her lover a quick hug. rlm@0: rlm@0: Everyone got up from their seats and proceeded to give Small Lady rlm@0: and Saturn hugs and words of congratulation. Indeed, it was a joyous rlm@0: occasion. Saturn and Small Lady were so glad everyone had been very rlm@0: accepting of their relationship; it really meant a lot to them. They rlm@0: weren't really worried, though. They had both known everyone for so rlm@0: long, and they were such close friends. But now, deep in their hearts, rlm@0: there still laid a seed of worry. It was because of the upcoming rlm@0: announcement to the kingdom which would follow in a few days. In some rlm@0: respects, it was terrifying to them, but in others they wanted to share rlm@0: the good news with all the people of the kingdom. They knew they might rlm@0: not get the same reception that the Senshi had given them. They rlm@0: accepted that fact, but any way they could, they were going to get rlm@0: through it. Together. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: "Mina-san, please be aware that an official announcement from rlm@0: Crystal Palace will take place at 13:00 today, Japan Standard Time. rlm@0: Please try to avoid crowding the streets around the palace, as public rlm@0: safety in always a concern. The official Crystal Tokyo network, Terebi rlm@0: Takeuchi, will be covering events, as will most of the other major rlm@0: networks and satellite feeds to the planets. Arigatou gozaimasu." rlm@0: rlm@0: That was the official press release the palace had given at 9 rlm@0: o'clock that Wednesday morning. It had thrown every single news agency rlm@0: in the solar system into mass confusion. If it was an announcement from rlm@0: the palace, it was big news. Everyone was rushing trying to get an rlm@0: early scoop, but none of their sources seemed to know anything, and the rlm@0: palace was being very tight-lipped. Really, the only thing they could do rlm@0: was wait and see. That didn't stop the rumours, though. rlm@0: rlm@0: "I heard the king and queen were getting a divorce!" rlm@0: rlm@0: "What? Are you crazy? After being together for so long? It's rlm@0: much more serious. I heard Nemesis was making a comeback." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Another war? That would be awful..." rlm@0: rlm@0: "But if it was a war, wouldn't a state of emergency be declared or rlm@0: something?" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Only if the fighting had already broken out. They could just be rlm@0: in negotiations." rlm@0: rlm@0: "No, no, you're all wrong! I hear Diana-sama is getting married!" rlm@0: rlm@0: "To that prince from Mau? I thought she hated him." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Maybe Luna-sama is pregnant again." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Could be... Hey, what if one of the Senshi were pregnant!" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Um, that would be kind of hard, wouldn't it? Considering who rlm@0: their partners are... And those that don't have partners don't seem to be rlm@0: attached to anyone." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Oh, right." rlm@0: rlm@0: It went on like this for the four hours between the press release rlm@0: and the announcement. It seemed anybody and everybody had a theory as rlm@0: to what the palace was about to announce. Though no one could have rlm@0: guessed what was actually happening. rlm@0: rlm@0: 12:56 JST rlm@0: rlm@0: "How are you doing?" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Okay. How about you?" rlm@0: rlm@0: "I'm a nervous wreck." rlm@0: rlm@0: "To tell you the truth, I am, too." rlm@0: rlm@0: Two lovers embraced and shared a long kiss. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Better?" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Hai." rlm@0: rlm@0: They walked hand in hand to the doors which led out to the rlm@0: balcony. It was from there that they would make their announcement, and rlm@0: the world would know the truth. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Small Lady?" rlm@0: rlm@0: The pink haired woman stopped and looked to her side. She saw rlm@0: Diana and the Sailor Quartet standing there. After she had told the rlm@0: Inner Senshi, her and Saturn talked to Luna, Artemis, Diana, and the rlm@0: Quartet privately. After all, Diana was her closest friend next to rlm@0: Saturn, and the Quartet were her personal protectors. They had all rlm@0: taken the news with similar reactions to the Senior Senshi. rlm@0: Sailorpallas said she knew all along, but Sailorjuno reminded her she rlm@0: thought Saturn was falling for the king of Mermaid. Everyone laughed at rlm@0: that, including Pallas herself. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Diana-tachi!" rlm@0: rlm@0: "We're coming out with you." rlm@0: rlm@0: "You don't have to..." rlm@0: rlm@0: "We're your friends! You're going to get all the support you rlm@0: can!" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Princess, we are your protectors. It's our duty and wish to help rlm@0: you," said Sailorceres with a smile. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Arigatou," said Saturn. "It means a lot to us." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Jikan da," said the King. "The crowds are even larger than I rlm@0: expected." rlm@0: rlm@0: The doors to the balcony opened, and the crowd roared. Out rlm@0: stepped Princess Serenity, looking regal as ever, holding hands with the rlm@0: Princess of Saturn, who looked equally gorgeous in her purple gown. rlm@0: They walked to the front of the balcony and waved at the spectators. rlm@0: Directly behind them stood the princess' personal guard and Diana. Off rlm@0: to the side the Senior Sailor Senshi stood, all of whom were wearing rlm@0: their royal gowns. The king and queen stood in the doorway, watching rlm@0: how everything progressed. rlm@0: rlm@0: Saturn held Small Lady's hand a little tighter, and whispered rlm@0: something to her which was incomprehensible to everyone else. rlm@0: rlm@0: A few minutes later, after the announcement had been made, the crowd rlm@0: cheered even louder, if that was possible. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: The next few days were spent sorting through the public's reaction rlm@0: to the announcement. Generally, it had been very positive, with the rlm@0: palace receiving millions of cards, flowers, and gifts all meant to rlm@0: congratulate the happy couple. Small Lady and Saturn had been fairly rlm@0: surprised at the outpouring of support they had received. Headlines rlm@0: like, "A Match Made in Heaven," "A Happy Day for the Kingdom of rlm@0: Serenity," and "Light and Dark United by the Bonds of Love" boosted rlm@0: their confidence even more. Though, while looking at the last one, rlm@0: Saturn wondered why people always forgot she was the Senshi of death rlm@0: *and* rebirth. Oh well, it made for a good headline at any rate. rlm@0: rlm@0: While most reactions had been positive, there had been some rlm@0: negative ones as well. The religious right, even though their hold on rlm@0: society had greatly decreased over the centuries, could still be very rlm@0: vocal. They posted their opinions over the information network linking rlm@0: the entire solar system, and wrote to news organisations. But their rlm@0: reaction was expected; they had been saying the same things for years about rlm@0: other prominent same-sex couples. No one paid much attention to them rlm@0: anymore, including the level-headed religious organisations. rlm@0: rlm@0: The main cause for concern in the palace's eyes were several rlm@0: editorials written for the news agencies' publications. While accepting rlm@0: of the relationship, and pointing out how happy everyone was for them, rlm@0: there was one common thread through them all. How would the line of the rlm@0: moon kingdom continue? Through all of science's advances, it was still rlm@0: impossible for two women to conceive. That left several options: rlm@0: adoption - which wouldn't work, because they obviously needed someone rlm@0: with royal blood; artificial insemination - which lead to the question, rlm@0: who would donate the sperm?; and cloning - which meant their baby would rlm@0: have the same genes as the princess, which really wouldn't be a bad rlm@0: thing, except that in order for humanity as a whole and the royal rlm@0: family specifically to advance, there had to be a mixing of the gene rlm@0: pool. It was certainly a valid point to bring up, one Small Lady and rlm@0: Saturn hadn't thought through completely. rlm@0: rlm@0: Some, more opinionated people, jumped on the chance, and called it rlm@0: the end of the Moon Kingdom. Others were less extreme in their views, rlm@0: but voiced concern about the inability to have a child. Gay couples rlm@0: around the kingdom fought back, and pointed to their own families to rlm@0: prove the princess and Saturn could bear children, even if Saturn's rlm@0: genes weren't included. It wouldn't mean she would love the child any rlm@0: less. It was good that same sex couples composed about 50% of the rlm@0: population. Small Lady and Saturn needed all the support they could get rlm@0: on this issue. rlm@0: rlm@0: The child-bearing issue, and the news of the partnership was hot rlm@0: news over the next month. The press knew its boundaries, but still was rlm@0: able to get pictures of the couple together at every opportunity. rlm@0: Saturn and Small Lady played along very well. They didn't feel as if rlm@0: the press was hounding them, plus they knew what good public relations rlm@0: could mean for them. However, like all hot news, the fervour eventually rlm@0: died down, and the couple was bumped down to monthly updates on the rlm@0: news. rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady felt overjoyed with the amount of love and support her rlm@0: subjects had given her. Their opinions and happiness really did mean a rlm@0: great deal to her. She was a bit saddened with some of the objections rlm@0: they had received, but it was expected, and with Saturn at her side they rlm@0: were able to deal with it. Saturn...she had been such a pillar of love rlm@0: for the pink haired woman. Even when things looked a bit rocky, she was rlm@0: right there by her side. Small Lady brought her hands to her heart, and rlm@0: sighed. She was the luckiest person alive. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: The next five years seemed to pass quickly for everyone. They rlm@0: were glorious years. The Moon Kingdom was at it's strongest, and rlm@0: flourished under new treaties made with other kingdoms in other parts of rlm@0: the galaxy. The physical destruction from the Black Moon attack had rlm@0: been gone for decades. The emotional toll for the population who had rlm@0: lost so many lives, was recovering, and moving on. They were certain rlm@0: that nothing similar would ever happen again. rlm@0: rlm@0: For Small Lady's part, she grew into a lovely woman of 915 years, rlm@0: who still had the appearance of a 22-year-old. Since her 910th birthday rlm@0: she had been given ever increasing responsibilities by her mother. rlm@0: Rumour had it Serenity was going to pass the throne down to her daughter rlm@0: soon. When that was going to happen, no one was sure, but the people rlm@0: knew it would be soon. rlm@0: rlm@0: At her side through all this stood Sailorsaturn. It was a very rlm@0: happy time for the couple. Even when they had to be apart because of rlm@0: official responsibilities, they were still together in spirit. The time rlm@0: that they did have together was precious, and they used every second of rlm@0: it to the fullest. They gave each other strength, and received lots of rlm@0: love. They were truly two halves to one whole. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: It was another beautiful day in Crystal Tokyo. The sun cascaded rlm@0: off the crystal buildings, forming tiny rainbows all around town. The rlm@0: sky was as blue as Sailormercury's fuku and the moon's outline could rlm@0: faintly be seen in the skies above. Everyone seemed just a little rlm@0: happier today. rlm@0: rlm@0: Unfortunately, things weren't like this for Small Lady. She was rlm@0: in her worst mood in months, and was feeling very depressed. All rlm@0: morning she moped around the palace trying to keep herself occupied. rlm@0: The truth was, she only had one thing on her mind. Saturn. The Senshi rlm@0: of Death and Rebirth was on another diplomatic mission. This time it rlm@0: was to Kinmokusei to work out trade relations. Saturn would be gone for rlm@0: six months, which was the longest they had ever spent apart after rlm@0: becoming a couple. But it just couldn't be avoided; they both knew rlm@0: that. rlm@0: rlm@0: So, Small Lady continued to mope around the palace looking for rlm@0: anything interesting to do. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw rlm@0: Sailorpluto walking towards Serenity's chambers. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Puu!" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Ah, Small Lady," said Pluto has she turned around to see the pink rlm@0: haired woman bound up behind her. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Are you going to talk to mama?" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Hai. We still have some things to discuss about today's royal rlm@0: guest." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Royal guest?" Small Lady looked at her in a questioning way. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Did you forget already? We have a very prestigious guest coming rlm@0: today all the was from Elysion." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Gomen, I guess I forgot." Small Lady smiled. rlm@0: rlm@0: Pluto coughed. "I think you've had other things on your mind." rlm@0: She gave her friend a wink. rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady blushed. "Have you noticed, too? My mind hasn't been rlm@0: where it should be lately. It's just...hard. I know I'll see Saturn rlm@0: again, but waiting seems like an eternity." rlm@0: rlm@0: Pluto put her hand on the younger woman's shoulder. "Don't forget rlm@0: that we're all here for you, Small Lady. You know you can come talk to rlm@0: me whenever you want. It will be just like old times." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Arigatou, Puu." The princess hugged the taller woman. Pluto was rlm@0: almost like a second mother to her. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Just don't forget about our guest. We will be meeting him at rlm@0: 15:00 in the throne room." rlm@0: rlm@0: "I won't forget. Mata ne, Puu!" Small Lady smiled and ran off. rlm@0: It was really great to have such good friends. Her spirits were rlm@0: definitely lifted now. rlm@0: rlm@0: Elysion, she thought. Where have I heard that name before? It rlm@0: seems so familiar... I'll have to remember to look it up before I meet rlm@0: our guest. It's always good manners to know something of a guest's rlm@0: country. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: 14:54 rlm@0: rlm@0: I'm late. I'm late. I'm late. It was the only thing Small Lady rlm@0: could think of as she ran down the hallway to the throne room. Oh kami, rlm@0: how did I let this happen? How is it that I have all the time in the rlm@0: world, and then suddenly it's gone! This is no way for the future queen rlm@0: to act. Oh, what will mama say! It is incredibly rude to show up late rlm@0: to greet a guest. Maybe I can still make it... rlm@0: rlm@0: 14:58 rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady rounded a corner, but slowed down just before she got rlm@0: to the doors of the throne room. She walked in calmly, almost as if she rlm@0: hadn't been running at all. She got several stern looks from the rlm@0: Quartet and one from her mother as she took her place beside her, but rlm@0: other than that, no one seemed to notice. It looked like she got there rlm@0: just in time. rlm@0: rlm@0: A loud voice rang out. "Now presenting our highly esteemed guest rlm@0: of honour...." rlm@0: rlm@0: Ah! I completely forgot to look up Elysion, thought Small Lady. rlm@0: rlm@0: "...We are most glad he was able to take time from his busy rlm@0: schedule to meet with us..." rlm@0: rlm@0: But it sounds so familiar... Elysion, Elysion, where have I heard rlm@0: that before? rlm@0: rlm@0: "...His absence on Earth has been centuries, but his protection of rlm@0: everyone's dreams has never been overlooked..." rlm@0: rlm@0: Dreams? Elysion? It's right on the tip of my tongue. Oh my god, rlm@0: it's... rlm@0: rlm@0: "...The High Priest of Elysion, Elios-sama." rlm@0: rlm@0: Elios... rlm@0: rlm@0: Clapping could be heard all around the throne room as a man rlm@0: dressed almost entirely in white stepped into the room. He had soft, rlm@0: wavy white hair which flowed over the red jewel on his forehead. He rlm@0: walked forward and kneeled in front of Neo Queen Serenity. rlm@0: rlm@0: "My Queen, it is so good to see you again. And the King also. I rlm@0: trust you have both been well?" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Yes, thank you, Elios." Serenity bowed politely to him. "We are rlm@0: so glad you could make it. It's really been too long." She gave him a rlm@0: warm smile. rlm@0: rlm@0: Elios smiled back, and then looked over to the Queen's right where rlm@0: a woman with pink hair stood. Her eyes seemed to be displaying shock rlm@0: and happiness at the same time. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Chiisana otome yo." He looked at her again. "Iya, you're not rlm@0: chiisana anymore. Just a beautiful otome." The image of the girl he rlm@0: saw now overlapped the image he saw in his dreams so many years ago. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Elios..." Small Lady was a little more than shocked. She never rlm@0: dreamed she'd be meeting him here today. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Otome, I sense your dream has changed, but you still carry the rlm@0: most beautiful dream." rlm@0: rlm@0: The princess blushed. "Arigatou." She bowed to him in greeting. rlm@0: rlm@0: He then turned and proceeded to greet everyone there. The Senshi rlm@0: who were present were excited to meet him again after all the time that rlm@0: had passed. Those times seemed like a lifetime away. And indeed they rlm@0: were. rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady continued to watch the events like she was in a dream rlm@0: state. She didn't know what to make of this situation. Here was rlm@0: someone who she had once had feelings for, even if she was in the body rlm@0: of an eleven-year-old at the time. It had been less than 15 years since rlm@0: she had last seen him, but for Elios it must have been centuries. rlm@0: Though she wasn't exactly sure how time passed in Elysion. She thought rlm@0: it amazing that he remembered her after all these years as if they had rlm@0: parted yesterday. At that moment, she wished Saturn was with her more rlm@0: than ever. She felt like holding her hand for support. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: After the festivities that followed the official welcoming were rlm@0: over, the excitement had died down somewhat. Now just some of the Senshi rlm@0: were left to talk to Elios privately about old times. Small Lady had rlm@0: been very proper during the festivities, and filled her role as princess rlm@0: to a T. But now she just felt exhausted, and wanted some quiet time to rlm@0: herself. She had barely talked to Elios at all. Was she trying to rlm@0: avoid him on purpose? She didn't really know. It was such a strange rlm@0: feeling for her to see him like this now. All she knew was a walk rlm@0: through the palace gardens would do her good. rlm@0: rlm@0: She began by passing by some pink rose bushes. She stopped to rlm@0: admire their beauty and scent. She held one gently in her hand and rlm@0: lifted it to her nose. The fragrant aroma filled her senses and rlm@0: alleviated a lot of the stress she was feeling, both from Saturn being rlm@0: away and Elios' arrival. She was away in a world all her own now, so rlm@0: much so that she didn't notice a form approaching her. She was so rlm@0: startled when she heard a sound from behind that she forgot what she was rlm@0: doing and accidentally pricked herself on one of the rose's thorns. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Gomen," said the figure as it stepped into the light. "I didn't rlm@0: mean to startle you." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Oh, Elios. I didn't hear you come up." Small Lady said with a rlm@0: smile. rlm@0: rlm@0: "You're injured," he said while pointing to her hand. rlm@0: rlm@0: "This? It's nothing. Just a little scratch." rlm@0: rlm@0: Then he did something very unexpected. He brought her hand up to rlm@0: his mouth and kissed what little blood there was away. The princess was rlm@0: shocked, and pulled her hand away. rlm@0: rlm@0: "I'm sorry, did I do something wrong?" asked Elios. rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady looked ashamed. "No, I'm the one who should apologise. rlm@0: I've done nothing but avoid you since you got here. I guess I thought rlm@0: if I didn't see you, then I wouldn't have to deal with the past. The rlm@0: truth is, I have something important to tell you." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Well, why don't we sit down over there on that bench? I have a rlm@0: feeling we'll be here for awhile." rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady nodded her head in agreement, and followed him to the rlm@0: bench. rlm@0: rlm@0: She began with a sigh. "All those years ago, I'm not sure what it rlm@0: was we shared. Was it just a childhood infatuation, or something more? rlm@0: I remember thinking about you for a very long time after you left. I rlm@0: promised myself that I would see you again someday, though I had no idea rlm@0: it would be like this." Elios just sat patiently listening. She rlm@0: continued, "After a while, my memory of you started to fade, and my rlm@0: feelings, however childish, were pushed to the back of my mind. In rlm@0: time, I developed feelings for another person. In fact, I fell deeply rlm@0: in love with them. So deeply in love that I have a great pain on my rlm@0: heart every time we're apart even for a little while. Elios, I fell in rlm@0: love with Sailorsaturn." rlm@0: rlm@0: She looked at him waiting for his reaction. She felt like this rlm@0: was harder than telling the entire kingdom. Somehow she still hadn't rlm@0: gotten over that part of her life. rlm@0: rlm@0: He waited several moments, and then spoke with a smile. "Did you rlm@0: think I didn't know?" rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady practically facefaulted. "Nani?" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Otome, I am the protector of everyone's dreams. Your one dream rlm@0: for the past few years has been to spend the rest of your life with rlm@0: Sailorsaturn. I realise that. I have special memories of the times we rlm@0: spent together many years ago, but I am happy just to see you live out rlm@0: your beautiful dream. I wish you all the luck in the world." rlm@0: rlm@0: The princess was shocked. "You knew all along? Then I was rlm@0: worrying for nothing? I feel a little silly now." She looked at him. rlm@0: "Thank you, Elios. Thank you for understanding." rlm@0: rlm@0: He smiled at her, and the two proceeded to talk long into the rlm@0: night. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: Somewhere, deep in the blackness of space, far away from Earth's rlm@0: solar system, a scream of terror rang out. And then Silence. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: Chinmoku. rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady woke up with a start. Sweat was pouring down her face. rlm@0: "Yume...ka?" Chinmoku. She was breathing hard. Gasping for air. rlm@0: Chinmoku. She grasped at a pain in her chest. Her eyes flung open in rlm@0: realisation. "Sa..Sa..turn. SATURN!!!!!!!!!!" rlm@0: rlm@0: Chinmoku. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: This rainy morning in Crystal Tokyo was greeted with a group of rlm@0: solemn, tear streaked faces. They had all woken up very early in the rlm@0: morning hours. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Ja...then it's true?" asked Sailormars. rlm@0: rlm@0: "The report from Kinmokusei doesn't look good," responded Mercury. rlm@0: "Apparently there was a very sudden violent storm. The lightening rlm@0: caused severe damage to a large part of Kakyuu-hime's palace, then an rlm@0: explosion, and then..." She pressed a few more buttons on the pad she rlm@0: was holding. "Saturn was in that part of the palace. Her Silence Wall rlm@0: held up for a long time, and saved hundreds of lives. She could have rlm@0: saved herself as well, but a few people were helplessly trapped, and I rlm@0: guess she just wasn't going to leave them there. The storm got more rlm@0: violent, and it became impossible for her to continue. The casualty rlm@0: report lists five dead, including Sailorsaturn." Mercury couldn't rlm@0: continue reading after that. She was sobbing too hard. rlm@0: rlm@0: After a period of silence, someone spoke. "Uso da. Uso da yo!! rlm@0: Saturn can't be dead! She can't be! I can't believe we're not doing rlm@0: anything. We have to help her! She's not dead! She's not!" Small rlm@0: Lady was red with anger. Her night-gown was wet with tears. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Small Lady," Neo Queen Serenity put her hand on her child's rlm@0: shoulder. "There's nothing more we can do. Her Sailor Crystal is gone. rlm@0: I can no longer feel her at all. I'm so sorry, Small Lady. I'm sorry." rlm@0: She went to hug her grown-up daughter, but was pushed away. rlm@0: rlm@0: "I don't believe you! Use the maboroshi no ginzuishou! Bring her rlm@0: back to life! Mama...mama...you can do it! You can save her! Save her rlm@0: like you've saved all of us before! SAVE HER!!!" rlm@0: rlm@0: This time Uranus spoke with anger. "Don't you understand?! She rlm@0: can't!! Saturn ga... Saturn ga... Saturn is dead! Stop acting like rlm@0: you're still that small child, and grow up! Stop being so selfish! rlm@0: Don't you think we'd be doing something if we could? Don't you think rlm@0: *I'd* go to Kinmokusei right now if it would mean anything? SHE'S rlm@0: GONE!! She's...gone." Uranus' emotions got the better of her, and she rlm@0: surrendered to the tears. Neptune softly stroked her lover's hair as rlm@0: her own tears fell into it. rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady was on the floor shaking slightly. Her legs were too rlm@0: weak to hold her weight. Through her river of tears, a small voice rlm@0: could be heard. "Iya da. Iya da yo. Minna ga...kirai da. Daikirai." rlm@0: rlm@0: [translation of last line: "No. No. Everyone...I hate you. I really rlm@0: hate you."] rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: There wasn't much happiness in Crystal Tokyo after the news was rlm@0: released. It was known that Uranus, Neptune, and Pluto went to their rlm@0: beach house to live for an undisclosed amount of time. The Inner Senshi rlm@0: were generally unavailable to do anything outside their normal duties, rlm@0: and even then a lot had been delegated to other staff members. Neo rlm@0: Queen Serenity tried to put on a brave face for her people, but it was rlm@0: well known the pain she felt. She could never hide it completely. She rlm@0: was a strong woman, though, and never failed to please her public. The rlm@0: princess was another story. She had taken the news hard. Everyone knew rlm@0: that. She hadn't been seen for months, and it was generally thought rlm@0: that she spent her days locked in her room. Though it's to be expected rlm@0: when one loses half their soul. rlm@0: rlm@0: It was indeed a bleak time. Not only the Senshi suffered, but rlm@0: the public as well. They had lost one of their most admired protectors, rlm@0: and the mourning was well shown throughout the solar system. Purple rlm@0: flowers and ribbons adorned the streets for quite some time, and there rlm@0: was also a shrine around the large statue of Sailorsaturn that was rlm@0: erected for the memorial. It wasn't clear how long it would take to rlm@0: mend these deep wounds. Or if they ever would be. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: <> <> <> rlm@0: rlm@0: "Small Lady. Small Lady! Me wo samashite. Small Lady!" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Uhh? Dare?" Small Lady slowly opened her eyes and looked beside rlm@0: her on her bed. "Ara, Diana. What are you doing here?" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Small Lady, it's been seven weeks. You're going to have to come rlm@0: out of your room at some point." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Why? What's the point of anything anymore? Do I have a reason rlm@0: to live? Should I even go on at all? Do I exist for a purpose? Or rlm@0: should I just...end it?" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Small Lady! Don't talk like that!" The poor grey cat was rlm@0: starting to tear up. "Don't you realise we all love you? Please, don't rlm@0: shut yourself off from us. We want to help you. We..." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Mou ii yo." She rolled over and faced the wall. "You don't have rlm@0: to feel sorry for me. Just leave me alone and I'll be happy." rlm@0: rlm@0: By this time the tears were coming down Diana's face at a constant rlm@0: rate. "Chikushou! Why won't you let us help you? We're all your rlm@0: friends, right? I thought we were close friends. Perhaps I was rlm@0: wrong..." The cat got up and started to leave. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Wait. Diana, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you. Please, rlm@0: don't go. I'm tired. I'm tired of crying. I'm tired of having this rlm@0: pain in my heart. I'm tired of living. I don't think that feeling will rlm@0: ever go away. I don't know if you can help." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Small Lady, I won't pretend to know how you're feeling. I've rlm@0: never lost someone close to me like you have. I can only imagine what rlm@0: it might feel like. Demo, we've been friends since the day you were rlm@0: born. I'd like to think that I know you quite well. I do think I can rlm@0: help. I'm not saying that I'll make the pain go away, but maybe I can rlm@0: help you focus on some of the good things in your life. Please, let me rlm@0: help you." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Diana," Small Lady brought her friend into a hug. "Arigatou. I rlm@0: don't know if I can face going outside yet, but I won't shut you out rlm@0: anymore. You're my very dear friend, and it's been good of you to put rlm@0: up with me for these past weeks. I'm sorry, it wasn't fair of me." rlm@0: rlm@0: "That's okay. I hope you don't mind, but I brought some more rlm@0: friends along." rlm@0: rlm@0: Her bedroom door opened revealing four women in sailor suits. rlm@0: Sailorvesta, Juno, Ceres, and Pallas walked in slowly. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Minna!" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Princess," said Ceres, "I hope you know that we're here for you, rlm@0: too. We really want to help." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Sailorpallas doesn't like to see you cry," said Pallas, in rlm@0: typical third person speech. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Our whole existence revolves around protecting you. Lately I rlm@0: don't think we've been doing a very good job," said Juno with her head rlm@0: down. rlm@0: rlm@0: Sailorvesta was the last to speak. "Turn us away if you want to, rlm@0: but I just wanted to be sure that you knew we were here for you. Seeing rlm@0: you suffer alone isn't fair. It's not just our "job" to help you, it's rlm@0: our beautiful dream." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Minna..." Small Lady felt the tears glide down her face again. rlm@0: "You're all my dear friends. I didn't mean to hurt anyone else. It was rlm@0: the farthest thing from my mind. But it appears I did anyway. Oh, I rlm@0: wish you wouldn't worry about me. You all care for me too much." Then rlm@0: she smiled. A smile? How long had it been since she used those rlm@0: muscles? It felt...nice. rlm@0: rlm@0: With everyone in tears, there was a big group hug. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: A woman brought her hand in front of her eyes to shield them from rlm@0: the midday sun. Her pupils were adjusting slowly, as she hadn't seen rlm@0: natural light in over two months. Sounds started to become apparent to rlm@0: her. Birds chirping. People talking. Transports gilding by. It was rlm@0: almost like experiencing everything for the first time. She sighed. rlm@0: Maybe life wasn't so bad after all. rlm@0: rlm@0: She began to walk away from the palace and into one of the many rlm@0: parks in Crystal Tokyo. She looked around at all the children, friends, rlm@0: and couples eating and playing. Everyone looked so happy. She rlm@0: flashbacked to a time she used to come to this very park with her rlm@0: parents to have lunch. Those were fun times. rlm@0: rlm@0: She continued walking until she came to an open clearing. There rlm@0: weren't very many people in this part of the park, but it seemed like a rlm@0: lot of people must have visited everyday for there were large amounts of rlm@0: flower bouquets everywhere. Then the woman realised where she was. She rlm@0: opened her eyes wide to the warm sunlight and looked up at a tall stone rlm@0: statue. The figure had shoulder length hair and was carrying a long rlm@0: staff with a sharp blade on the end. This was the first time Small rlm@0: Lady had been to the park since the memorial service. It was a little rlm@0: bit of a shock. rlm@0: rlm@0: She went to the base of the statue and read the inscription on the rlm@0: plaque. "From the star of silence, being protected by the planet rlm@0: Saturn, the Senshi of death and rebirth, Sailorsaturn. She was loved rlm@0: and will be remembered by all." rlm@0: rlm@0: She studied the face of the frozen statue. It was serious and rlm@0: determined, but there was also a kind and gentle quality. It was as if rlm@0: the eyes of the statue were looking straight into Small Lady's heart. rlm@0: It wasn't a scary experience; it made Small Lady feel warm inside. Was rlm@0: this Saturn giving her strength? Strength to move on with her life? Or rlm@0: had she simply been cooped up in her room too long and was beginning to rlm@0: imagine things? It didn't matter to Small Lady. This was the first rlm@0: time she had felt this good since Saturn had left for Kinmokusei. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Saturn.... Watashi no taisetsu na hito. You've left me all rlm@0: alone. You promised we'd be together forever and now I have quite a rlm@0: number of years ahead of me. Years I thought I'd be spending by your rlm@0: side. Oh, I wish I could hold you right now. I wish I could feel the rlm@0: softness of your touch, the gentleness of your kiss, the sweetness of rlm@0: your voice. I've longed for that feeling. I miss you so much. So very rlm@0: much. Please, I don't want you to think that I blame you. There were rlm@0: times I did in the blackness of my room, but I've done quite a bit of rlm@0: thinking and growing in the last little while. What you did was rlm@0: incredible. To tell you the truth, I would have done the exact same rlm@0: thing, which would have left you all alone. It was the right choice. rlm@0: It's just..." A drop of wetness splashed on the plaque. "Tears? I rlm@0: thought I was done crying. I didn't think I had any tears left. I'm rlm@0: sorry, I told myself I wasn't going to cry anymore, but I can't help it. rlm@0: It's just there's a giant hole in my heart and I don't know what to do. rlm@0: I love you. I will always love you." More tears splashed on the rlm@0: plaque. rlm@0: rlm@0: There was a gentle breeze, and someone laid a hand on her rlm@0: shoulder. "Otome..." rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady turned around quickly in surprise. "Elios?" A look of rlm@0: confusion crossed her face. rlm@0: rlm@0: "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to disturb you. I just wanted to make rlm@0: sure you were all right. I'll leave you now." He bowed and started to rlm@0: walk away. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Matte! It's okay. You weren't disturbing me. What are you rlm@0: still doing here, anyway? I would have thought you had long since rlm@0: left." rlm@0: rlm@0: He shook his head. "It seems my visit coincided at a very rlm@0: inopportune time. I thought I could be of some help counselling the rlm@0: population, and Her Majesty granted me a longer stay." He laughed. rlm@0: "Actually, she said I didn't need to ask and was welcome anytime. Plus rlm@0: I wanted to make sure you were okay. You gave us all quite a scare, and rlm@0: I was worried." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Arigatou, but I'm okay now. I'm sorry to have troubled you." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Try not to shut us out, Otome. We just want to help you. None rlm@0: of us want to rush you or force you to do anything, but we're still rlm@0: concerned." rlm@0: rlm@0: "I know, with the help of Diana-tachi I was able to finally get rlm@0: out of bed. If it weren't for such caring friends, I don't think I'd be rlm@0: standing here right now." She smiled at him. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Then let me ask you something. You can turn me down if you want rlm@0: to, but I think you need to experience some happiness, if only for a rlm@0: day. The last time you were in Elysion it wasn't exactly the best of rlm@0: times. It's so beautiful there now, and I'd like to show you rlm@0: everything. I can get my dear friend Pegasus to give us a tour. rlm@0: Please, let me try to cheer you up." rlm@0: rlm@0: She thought for a while. She thought about her blackened room and rlm@0: how lonely it had been without the brightness of the lamps. She thought rlm@0: about how nice the sun had felt when she went out today. She thought rlm@0: about not letting the hole in her heart consume her. Then she made up rlm@0: her mind. "Okay. What time shall we meet at?" rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: The wind blew around Small Lady's casual floral print sun dress as rlm@0: she waited near a fountain just outside the Crystal Palace. She could rlm@0: hear the strong wind rustle through the trees as she watched a flock of rlm@0: birds in formation high above her. The wind had picked up quite a bit rlm@0: this day, but it was still sunny and warm. rlm@0: rlm@0: The thing that had probably changed the most about Small Lady over rlm@0: that last two months would probably be her face. No longer were there rlm@0: dark circles around her eyes, evidence of sleepless nights and constant rlm@0: crying. She had also regained the pinkish colour in her cheeks. For a rlm@0: while she almost looked like someone had sucked all the energy from her rlm@0: body. She was slowly regaining her strength, and just looking at her rlm@0: face proved that. rlm@0: rlm@0: Suddenly there was a bright flash in the sky, and a magnificent rlm@0: winged horse came flying down, a man with white hair on his back. Small rlm@0: Lady could only gasp at the beauty of the scene as leaves and flower rlm@0: petals swirled around the horse and rider. The man held his hand out to rlm@0: help her climb on. Once she was safely on the back of the steed, the rlm@0: horse rose with a great flapping of his wings, and disappeared just as rlm@0: quickly as he came. rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady had closed her eyes in fright, but slowly began to open rlm@0: them. She looked in shock as the scenery around her had completely rlm@0: changed, revealing a mystical world full of great forests, lakes, and rlm@0: many animals. She could just make out a palace of sorts coming into rlm@0: view over the horizon. As she got closer, she marveled at its Greek rlm@0: style architecture, which consisted of a good many arches, stairways, rlm@0: and pillars that formed a perfectly cylindrical structure. She also rlm@0: noticed that it was in the middle of a lake, with no apparent ways of rlm@0: getting to it, short of flying or teleporting. rlm@0: rlm@0: Two figures with long flowing white hair done up in odango style rlm@0: smiled and waved at her. She waved back and smiled brightly at them. rlm@0: Her memories were really starting to come back to her now. She rlm@0: remembered this place. It was once the Kingdom of which her Father was rlm@0: the Prince. He still was, really, but he trusted Elios to take care of rlm@0: things while he helped rule the Kingdom of the Moon. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Mind if we go down for a bit?" her companion asked. rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady suddenly realised she hadn't talked this whole time. rlm@0: She was just taken in by the beauty of it all. "No, not all." rlm@0: rlm@0: Pegasus circled the palatial structure once before coming in for a rlm@0: landing. As Small Lady got off, she was greeted by the two miko. They rlm@0: bowed to her and Elios, and she politely bowed in return. She looked rlm@0: around her and became aware of many blossoming pink roses. Their scent rlm@0: was very sweet, yet subtle at the same time. rlm@0: rlm@0: "It's so nice to see you again," she said to the miko. rlm@0: "Everything is bright and beautiful, and everyone seems so happy here." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Well," said one of the miko, "this is the place where beautiful rlm@0: dreams come true. It's only natural that the beauty of the place rlm@0: reflects the beauty of the dreams." rlm@0: rlm@0: "And we have you to thank for that," said Elios. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Me? But it was Neo Queen Serenity and King Endymion who sealed rlm@0: off the power of Neherenia." She looked at her shoes. "I don't think I rlm@0: did much." rlm@0: rlm@0: "On the contrary! It was your beautiful dream that lead me to you rlm@0: in the first place. Without that, everything would still be as it was rlm@0: after the Dead Moon Circus destroyed everything." rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady shuddered as she remembered how dark and full of rlm@0: destruction this place had once been. "It's so good to know that rlm@0: nothing like that will ever happen again. I swear it, as future Queen." rlm@0: rlm@0: Elios smiled at her, and began to show her around the palace. All rlm@0: through the day Small Lady was laughing and smiling, and actually rlm@0: enjoying her time there. She made good friends with the two miko, and rlm@0: promised to come back and see them again. After a long and tiring day, rlm@0: Small Lady returned to the palace happy and content. She had good rlm@0: dreams that night. The first good dreams she had had in two months. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: The next year passed quickly for everyone. Small Lady was dragged rlm@0: slowly but surely out of her protective shell by her friends and family. rlm@0: They were all healing, too, so it was hard, but no one had taken the rlm@0: news of Saturn's death worse than Small Lady. Everyone was such a great rlm@0: help to her, but she had one person in particular to thank for going rlm@0: above and beyond the call of duty. Especially considering he hadn't rlm@0: even known her for very long. Elios was such a great friend to her. He rlm@0: really let her enjoy life again, and made a point of always trying to rlm@0: get her to laugh or smile. He wanted her to feel happy, and like a rlm@0: whole person again. Small Lady had responded well to his encouragement, rlm@0: and after a few months, resumed her regular duties as Princess of the rlm@0: Moon. rlm@0: rlm@0: She owed a great debt to Elios, and really considered him a true rlm@0: friend. The hole in her heart was still there. She knew it would rlm@0: always be there no matter what, but the severe pain and constant rlm@0: loneliness she had felt before were greatly reduced. She enjoyed his rlm@0: company and spent a lot of time with him, including having him go with rlm@0: her to official royal functions. She had also spent her vacation in rlm@0: Elysion this year, and came back from that feeling better than ever. rlm@0: Yes, Small Lady was building her life back up, and although she would rlm@0: never completely be healed, it was Elios who she had to thank for a rlm@0: large part of it. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: A pink haired women stared out a window, and looked at the many rlm@0: evening lights shinning down on Crystal Tokyo harbour. Everything was rlm@0: so calm and peaceful and beautiful. The scene held her gaze until a rlm@0: voice brought her out of her reverie. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Otome... Otome..." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Huh?" Suddenly she snapped back into reality, and realised where rlm@0: she was. They had gone to one of the fancier restaurants in Crystal rlm@0: Tokyo that evening. The room was decorated in a 17th century France rlm@0: design, with gold chandeliers hanging from high ceilings, ornate rlm@0: carvings in the walls, many hanging tapestries, and blazing fireplaces rlm@0: around the room. The restaurant was pretty full tonight, and many rlm@0: couples were dancing to one of Mozart's symphonies being played by the rlm@0: orchestra. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Are you all right? You looked a little dazed there for a few rlm@0: moments." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Hai," she said smiling. "I was just admiring the beauty of this rlm@0: city. I really love it here." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Well, we haven't gone anywhere really nice in a while, so I rlm@0: thought it would be good to come here tonight." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Shitsurei shimasu," said the waiter as he cleared their dinner rlm@0: plates. "Will you be having desert this evening?" rlm@0: rlm@0: A joyous gleam came into Small Lady's eyes as she ordered for both rlm@0: her and Elios. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Would you like to dance for a while? I think this is one of your rlm@0: favourites." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Sure," replied Small Lady as she got up and took his offered rlm@0: hand. rlm@0: rlm@0: The two friends danced gracefully for the rest of the song. Some rlm@0: of the other couples stared in awe as their Princess glided past them. rlm@0: For most of them, this was the first time seeing her in person. Small rlm@0: Lady realised her mother's genius in sending her to the past for her rlm@0: formidable years. At least now she didn't have an inflated ego from all rlm@0: this extra attention. rlm@0: rlm@0: After the song ended, the pair sat back down at their table. rlm@0: Their deserts had arrived while they were dancing, and Small Lady didn't rlm@0: want to waste any time. She began quickly, but daintily, eating her rlm@0: tiramisu. Elios just sat and smiled as he watched her eat. rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady smiled happily as she finished off the last bite of her rlm@0: desert and took a sip of wine. She looked across the table, and rlm@0: realised she was being watched. A blush formed across her cheeks. rlm@0: "Nani?" she asked hesitantly. rlm@0: rlm@0: Elios shook his head. "Nandemonai." Several moments of silence rlm@0: passed between the two. "Jitsuwa... There was something I wanted to rlm@0: talk to you about." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Okay, you know I'm always here to listen." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Otome," said Elios looking her sincerely in the eyes, "you have rlm@0: the most beautiful spirit of anyone I've ever met. Truly, you fill me rlm@0: with happiness every time I meet you. Our time together over this past rlm@0: year has been truly wonderful. I hope I've always been there when you rlm@0: needed me to be. You have a right to know that....I've fallen in love rlm@0: with you." Visible signs of shock could be seen in Small Lady's eyes. rlm@0: "I don't want this to ever end, so I would be honoured if you would take rlm@0: my hand in marriage." At that he produced a box from his pocket, and rlm@0: handed it to Small Lady. rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady stared at the box for several seconds before opening rlm@0: it. Slowly she lifted the lid up, and revealed a single, brilliantly rlm@0: cut diamond in a setting on top of a gold ring. "Oh, Elios, I..." rlm@0: rlm@0: rlm@0: "Please, you don't have to give me your answer now. I can just rlm@0: imagine the million emotions that must be going through you right now. rlm@0: I just want to let you know that I didn't plan this all along. But it rlm@0: just came to the point several months ago where I couldn't ignore my rlm@0: feelings any longer. I love you and want to make you my wife. I don't rlm@0: want you to feel pressured at all. I want you to make a decision true rlm@0: to your heart, and I'm prepared to wait however long that takes. rlm@0: Please, just think about it." Elios smiled at her one last time, and rlm@0: then left Small Lady alone at the table. A single tear slowly fell down rlm@0: her face and onto the tablecloth. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady paced nervously as she waited for them to arrive. She rlm@0: was waiting in one of her private chambers off from her room. She rlm@0: especially liked this one to read in. Most of the decor was pure white, rlm@0: with a few arrangements of flowers from the royal garden. It was a cozy rlm@0: room, but big enough to fit a dozen people conformably. rlm@0: rlm@0: The door opened, and in stepped her closest friends. The Sailor rlm@0: Quartet, followed by Diana in human form, Sailorpluto, and her parents. rlm@0: It was the day after the proposal, and she needed advice. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Small Lady?" asked Diana. "What's wrong? You look as if rlm@0: something terrible has just happened." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Well, I didn't get much sleep last night," she explained. rlm@0: "Something *did* happen yesterday. That's why I've called all of you rlm@0: here. Please, sit down. I've made tea." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Small Lady," said her mother sensing something different about rlm@0: her daughter, "what's the matter? You know we'll all help you with any rlm@0: problem you have." rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady began to cry. "Elios...yesterday at dinner...he...he rlm@0: asked me to marry him." rlm@0: rlm@0: Looks of shock were displayed around the room. Sailorceres looked rlm@0: crestfallen. rlm@0: rlm@0: "And how did you respond?" asked Diana carefully. rlm@0: rlm@0: "I haven't yet. He told me to think about it. Minna, doushiyou?" rlm@0: She ran up to Sailorpluto. "What should I tell him? You have to tell rlm@0: me, please?" She buried herself into Pluto's lap. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Small Lady," said Pluto as she stroked her hair, "we can't tell rlm@0: you what the right answer is. Only you know that." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Demo, demo, I don't know what to say," she said between sniffles. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Do you love him?" asked her father. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Love? I never even thought about it before with Elios. I've rlm@0: always enjoyed his company, and I'm very grateful to him for helping me rlm@0: get my life back together. But do I love him? Not in the same way that rlm@0: I love Saturn." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Do you feel like you would betray Saturn if you said yes?" asked rlm@0: Diana. rlm@0: rlm@0: That stopped Small Lady almost cold. That was the key to rlm@0: everything, she realised. That was why she was so upset in the first rlm@0: place. She didn't want to betray Saturn's trust. She didn't want to rlm@0: just throw away the love they shared. "How can I betray Saturn like rlm@0: this?" she asked with her tear-streaked face. "I can't! I just can't!" rlm@0: rlm@0: "Gomen, Small Lady," said Sailorvesta, "but wouldn't Sailorsaturn rlm@0: want you to be happy? I know she loved you so much that she cared about rlm@0: your happiness above all else. A life with Elios, depending on how you rlm@0: truly feel about him, could bring you much happiness. Living the rest rlm@0: of your life alone simply because of guilt could lead you into rlm@0: depression again." rlm@0: rlm@0: "We're not going to push you either way," said the Queen. "We rlm@0: want you to make the decision that's right for you. If you feel rlm@0: strongly that Saturn wouldn't approve of the relationship, then you have rlm@0: every right to say no. But if you come to the conclusion that you do rlm@0: love Elios, and think you would be happy sharing your life with him, rlm@0: then we would equally support you if you said yes. I've been told that rlm@0: you never feel the same type of love twice, so it's probably natural rlm@0: that you feel differently about Elios than you did about Saturn." rlm@0: rlm@0: Small Lady stood up and nodded. "Arigatou, minna. You've all rlm@0: given me a lot to think about. Now I know that no one can make this rlm@0: decision for me. I have to do that for myself. It may take some soul rlm@0: searching, but I'm sure I can make the right decision." rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: "Yoshi!" said Small Lady as she finished packing a picnic lunch rlm@0: for herself. She loved how cute the bentou boxes looked tied up in rlm@0: handkerchiefs. As she left the palace, she said, "itte kimasu" to no rlm@0: one in particular, and made her way to a near-by park. rlm@0: rlm@0: It was a bit overcastted in Crystal Tokyo this day, but there were rlm@0: still plenty of people out and about having fun. Small Lady followed rlm@0: the now familiar path to a certain part of the park. When she got rlm@0: there, she was relieved to find that no one else was around. She went rlm@0: over to the base of the statue, and polished up the plaque. She rlm@0: breathed in a deep breath. This wasn't going to be easy. rlm@0: rlm@0: "So, you probably already know why I'm here." She appeared to be rlm@0: talking to herself, but she was really talking to the statue. Or rlm@0: rather, the spirit she believed resided in the statue. "I've come here rlm@0: to think out some confusing emotions. I love you. I always will love rlm@0: you. Nothing will *ever* change that. You're my taisetsu na hito. I rlm@0: don't want to betray you. That's my biggest fear. If I thought you rlm@0: would be against this, I would say no to Elios right this second. But rlm@0: I'm not sure you would be. I do remember that conversation we had rlm@0: several years ago. I think it ended in me getting very upset, and rlm@0: saying that neither of us would ever die, and that we'd be together rlm@0: forever. Shows how wrong I was, eh? I remember you telling me to be rlm@0: happy no matter what. And I've done a lot of thinking, and I think I rlm@0: can be happy with Elios. He was such a great friend to me after you rlm@0: died, and we became very close. Though I must admit that romantic rlm@0: thoughts about him never even popped into my mind until he proposed. I rlm@0: guess it was at that point where I realised that I really did care for rlm@0: him. Kami, that thought scared me out of my skin. After all, how could rlm@0: I care about anyone but you? In my long hours of thinking, I've come to rlm@0: the conclusion that I do love him, but in a very different way than I rlm@0: love you. He will never overshadow you in my heart. So, I guess I've rlm@0: made my decision. It was a very difficult one, but I think I've looked rlm@0: at all the issues and done what my heart has told me. Above all else, I rlm@0: hope I've done what you would have wanted me to do. Aishiteru eien ni." rlm@0: rlm@0: At those last words, Small Lady picked up her finished bentou rlm@0: boxes, and headed back to the palace. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: Elios stared out his window at the rain pelting down this dreary rlm@0: night. He ran a hand through his while hair and sighed. It had been a rlm@0: week since he had proposed to Small Lady. What her answer would be, he rlm@0: really wasn't quite sure. He knew they had grown close over the past rlm@0: year, but he could never quite tell what she was thinking. He hoped he rlm@0: hadn't ruined their friendship by proposing. But as the days dragged rlm@0: on, it seemed to him like he did just that, because he hadn't seen Small rlm@0: Lady at all since that night. He knew he must be patient, but this rlm@0: waiting was killing him. rlm@0: rlm@0: A soft knock at the door sounded. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Hai!" he said, getting up in the process. He walked over to the rlm@0: door, and said a silent prayer that it would be who he hoped. He opened rlm@0: the door. rlm@0: rlm@0: It was. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Yes." rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: The wedding was one of the most extravagant events the Kingdom had rlm@0: seen in a few hundred years. People from all over the kingdom came to rlm@0: the event as well as some citizens of allied kingdoms. Billions of rlm@0: people lined up along the streets of Crystal Tokyo hoping to catch a rlm@0: glimpse of the happy couple, while billions more watched at home. The rlm@0: day was declared a kingdom wide holiday. After all, getting to work was rlm@0: quite impossible, and no one was going to do any business that day rlm@0: anyway. rlm@0: rlm@0: Flowers were absolutely everywhere. Pictures of the couple rlm@0: adorned billboards, video screens, newspapers, and countless other rlm@0: places. It got so bad that one couldn't turn around without seeing at rlm@0: least one picture of the couple. Of course, it was like this at every rlm@0: royal wedding. rlm@0: rlm@0: The ceremony was grand, and was performed by Neo Queen Serenity rlm@0: herself. It was held inside, but in one of the palace's large gardens. rlm@0: Aspects of a traditional Shintou wedding were still there, but wedding rlm@0: ceremonies had evolved from religion over the century, and were quite rlm@0: secular in nature. rlm@0: rlm@0: The bride wore a stunning white dress trimmed in lace and lilacs. rlm@0: It was off the shoulder and had a long veil and train. Her hair was out rlm@0: of its usual odango, and was allowed to hang long. It was done in rlm@0: flowing waves with lilacs interlaced in certain places to match her rlm@0: dress. rlm@0: rlm@0: The groom had on a dark blue tuxedo with tails. His vest and bow rlm@0: tie were both black. In his lapel there was a single pink rose. rlm@0: rlm@0: The maid of honour and the bride's maids had on matching light rlm@0: blue dresses. They were strapless flowing gowns that were also rlm@0: accentuated with lilacs. Diana, in her human form, looked stunning as rlm@0: the maid of honour, and the Quartet looked equally good as her bride's rlm@0: maids. rlm@0: rlm@0: The other Senshi wore their formal gowns to the occasion, and rlm@0: stood just off to the side. Behind them in rows of chairs sat one rlm@0: hundred invited guests. So, in a way, this was a very private ceremony, rlm@0: while at the same time being a very public one. Small Lady and Elios rlm@0: wrote their own vows, which also gave the ceremony a very personal rlm@0: touch. rlm@0: rlm@0: It was rumoured that the honeymoon was going to be on the rlm@0: continent of Europe, but some people said it might be Australia, India, rlm@0: or even the moon. The palace wanted to keep the location a secret to rlm@0: let the couple have a little time to themselves. rlm@0: rlm@0: The wedding presents the couple had received had been plentiful. rlm@0: >From cards and drawings sent in by the kingdom's populace to very rlm@0: personalised gifts given to them by the Senshi. The biggest surprise, rlm@0: though, had to be the gift the Queen and King gave their daughter and rlm@0: new husband. Before the ceremony was completed, the Queen proclaimed rlm@0: that she had one more announcement to make the wedding complete. She rlm@0: passed down the title of Queen of the Moon Kingdom to her daughter, and rlm@0: officially crowned her Queen Usagi Small Lady Serenity, Neo Queen rlm@0: Serenity II. rlm@0: rlm@0: Neo Queen Serenity, looking regal as ever, said to her daughter, rlm@0: "You have demonstrated unconditionally that you are ready to receive rlm@0: such a burden. You are full of love, life, compassion, understanding, rlm@0: and trust. You will make a wonderful queen. I'm so proud of you, my rlm@0: daughter." rlm@0: rlm@0: "Arigatou, mama," said the younger woman as tears of joy shed from rlm@0: her eyes as she wrapped her arms around her mother. Her youth was now rlm@0: officially over. Not only was she married, but she was the leader of rlm@0: her people, ruler of her kingdom, and the most powerful person in the rlm@0: galaxy. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: (Small Lady will now be referred to as Serenity.) rlm@0: rlm@0: The next year was a very interesting one. Not only did Serenity rlm@0: have to adapt to married life, but she also had to adapt to ruling a rlm@0: kingdom. She had watched her mother do it for centuries, of course, and rlm@0: she had been skilfully schooled on the subject, but she had also hit her rlm@0: share of rough spots. She often sought reassurance from the Quartet, rlm@0: Pluto, or her husband. She didn't want to bother her mother and father, rlm@0: now in retirement, with such things. Although, to her amazement, rlm@0: everything seemed to be going just fine. Trade was up with neighbouring rlm@0: kingdoms, and she had even negotiated an agreement of allegiance with rlm@0: the Torag people, a kingdom notorious for rejecting any sort of ties rlm@0: with the Moon Kingdom. rlm@0: rlm@0: Yes, things seemed to be going quite well for her. Except for rlm@0: that day in early September when she got unbelievably ill and had to rlm@0: stay in for most of the day. The royal team of doctors, headed by rlm@0: Sailormercury, examined her and told her the good news. She was rlm@0: pregnant. rlm@0: rlm@0: Joy absolutely filled the kingdom at this news. After all, it had rlm@0: been nearly 918 years since the last successor to the Moon Kingdom was rlm@0: born. Serenity was excited, but very apprehensive at the same time. rlm@0: What did she know about raising children? The thought crossed her mind rlm@0: to send her daughter (she knew it was going to be a daughter; it had to rlm@0: be a daughter) back to the past to be raised by her formal self or even rlm@0: farther into the past to have it raised by Tsukino Usagi, but that rlm@0: thought was brief, and she knew it would be impossible. Well, she rlm@0: thought, all new mothers must think the same thing. I'm just lucky to rlm@0: have such a supportive group of people around me to help out. rlm@0: rlm@0: Nine months later on June 30, 2919 a scream rang out in the halls rlm@0: of Crystal Palace. Another miracle had occurred. A chubby miracle rlm@0: weighing 3.2 kg, with pinkish skin, and silver hair. rlm@0: rlm@0: Princess Usagi Hotaru Serenity was born. No one minded that rlm@0: Hotaru, and ancient and almost forgotten name, was used as one of the rlm@0: Princess' middle names. It was seen as a dedication to one of the rlm@0: kingdom's most powerful and valiant warriors. Serenity was content. rlm@0: Now the memory wouldn't die away. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: "Mezame yo! Your time is now. Hametsu to tanjou no Senshi!" rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: A figure slowly started to open her eyes. She realised she was rlm@0: lying down in a patch of grass and that it was night-time around her. rlm@0: The stars twinkled around her and the moon shone ever so brightly in the rlm@0: sky. She blinked a few times, stood up, and started walking in the rlm@0: general direction she thought would lead her where she wanted to go. rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: It had only been a week since Serenity gave birth to Princess rlm@0: Usagi. She was *not* used to these midnight feedings yet. The amount rlm@0: of sleep she had lost had been astounding. Elios was great, but he rlm@0: couldn't get up all the time. rlm@0: rlm@0: "There there, Usagi-chan," she said soothingly. She began to sing rlm@0: softly. "GOMEN ne sunao ja nakute, yume no naka nara ieru, shikou kairu rlm@0: wa SHOOTO sunzen, ima sugu aitai yo..." The baby stopped her soft rlm@0: crying and went back to her restful slumber. "Yokkata na. Yoshi rlm@0: yoshi." She laid her daughter back into her crib. She turned around to rlm@0: go back to the near-by bed when she sensed something wasn't right. rlm@0: rlm@0: The overwhelming feeling brought her down the corridor adjoining rlm@0: her room, through the palace's many hallways, and out of the palace rlm@0: completely and into the cool night air. She sensed someone was close. rlm@0: Someone familiar. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Dare yo!" she almost demanded. rlm@0: rlm@0: A figure stepped out from behind some bushes with a very weary rlm@0: look on her face. She was faintly glowing purple. rlm@0: rlm@0: "Small Lady..." rlm@0: rlm@0: Serenity brought a hand to her mouth and went white as a ghost. rlm@0: "Uso. Saturn..." rlm@0: rlm@0: ~*~*~*~*~ rlm@0: rlm@0: How's that for an evil cliff-hanger, eh? ^_- Part 4 ni tsuzuku! rlm@0: rlm@0: Wow, so, um, this was a long time coming. Sorry about that. I rlm@0: started writing it in August (of '98) and continued to write bits and rlm@0: pieces throughout the year. Today, though, I gathered up my resolve and rlm@0: attacked the rest of it. I wrote about 1/3 today in about seven hours. rlm@0: rlm@0: Some of you are going to wonder, so I might as well say it right rlm@0: now. Yes, in Mars & Venus and Jupiter & Mercury are lovers. Takeuchi- rlm@0: sensei actually gives a lot more evidence for these pairings than she rlm@0: does for Chibiusa and Hotaru, and I like them, so I included them. ^_^ rlm@0: rlm@0: Some more of you might be thinking, "why did she go to all that rlm@0: trouble to put Hotaru and Chibiusa together and then have Chibiusa marry rlm@0: Elios anyway?!?" Well, you'd have a point, but this was the way I had rlm@0: pictured the story, so this is the way I wrote it. And I may not like rlm@0: this fact anymore than you do, but a story has to have conflict, right? rlm@0: ^_^;; rlm@0: rlm@0: Oh, just a note about Neo Queen Serenity handing down the throne rlm@0: to Princess Serenity. She didn't do this just because the princess was rlm@0: getting married. I, as a feminist, find that prospect abhorrent. She rlm@0: did it at the wedding because it was convenient, and also because she rlm@0: thought it would make a good wedding gift. She would have handed down rlm@0: the throne regardless of whether the princess got married. rlm@0: rlm@0: Well, I hope you liked this chapter of the fanfic. You may have rlm@0: started to hate me as soon as I killed off Saturn (gya, that sounds rlm@0: really bad...), but I hope the story remained interesting. All I have rlm@0: to say is that you'll probably like the next and final chapter a whole rlm@0: lot better. Yakusoku yo! rlm@0: rlm@0: Special thanks to the Amazoness Duo (er, Quartet?) for keeping me rlm@0: motivated while writing this. I know you disagree with certain plot rlm@0: points, but I hope you liked the story anyway. ^^;; For good Hotaru and rlm@0: Chibiusa fanfiction, check them out at A Sailor Moon Romance (sure, rlm@0: they're lemons, but they're happy lemons ^^). ^_^ rlm@0: rlm@0: Contact information: andrea.doolan@utoronto.ca rlm@0: rlm@0: Music I was listening to while writing this: a whole bunch of rlm@0: stuff. For the last seven hours, though, I've been listening to Shoujo rlm@0: Kakumei Utena OST 2. rlm@0: rlm@0: Completed: June 25, 1999. rlm@0: