Title: "My Dear Princess" Author: Sharon E-mail: sharon_meiou@hotmail.com ----------------------------------- AN: '...' Means direct thoughts, and "..." Means speech, of course. Japanese names are used. Sailor Moon - Usagi; Mercury - Ami; Venus - Minako; Mars - Rei; Jupiter - Makoto; Saturn - Hotaru; Uranus - Haruka; Neptune - Michiru; Pluto - Setsuna; Chibi Moon - ChibiUsa; Tuxedo Mask/Tuxedo Kamen - Mamoru. Disclaimer: Sailor Moon is copyright of Naoko Takeuchi/ Kodansha, TOEI Animation. This is my first fan fiction and no, that doesn't mean it's bad. Read on: ===================================================================== Haruka enjoyed the moment. She watched Michiru bringing her cup of coffee to her soft pink lips with the most graceful movement. She saw Michiru's eyes flicker as their eyes met. Minako was telling something, but Haruka stopped listening after the discussion of the reason ChibiUsa came this time was finished. It appeared that Sailor Pluto allowed her to come. The girl appeared one day beside Setsuna with the huge grin on her face. After the long hugs the happy chat began. There were lots of questions and among them the one that worried everyone, "Why did the future Pluto sent you back in time?" Her pretty smiling face became serious at once, "Puu taught me not to tell about the future..." That was all. The little girl was so happy to see all of them again that she was eager to do anything. Haruka sent her to the C. B. to tell that she is not coming. Of course it wasn't the only reason why she was happy to see the girl; she missed her very much too. There was a knock on the door and Michiru went to open it. "Setsuna!" Haruka heard her happy voice. Despite the reputation of their friend - she visited them only when great need/trouble came - Michiru was always happy to see Pluto. Setsuna was the wisest of the Sailor senshi. Why wouldn't she be after living so many centuries? She wasn't reincarnated like all the others. She kept her watch over the Time Gate. Sometimes Haruka thought that it wasn't fear to Setsuna. She must feel so lonely. But, even if she did, she never showed it. She was always absolutely calm and also cold, except for some special moments when she allowed herself to feel life. Sometimes when she comforted somebody it seemed like she just knew what words to use in this situation. There was compassion in her words and voice but for the last few month Haruka began to understand that Setsuna could easily fake emotions. Not that Setsuna didn't feel anything; it just never showed on her face. As Setsuna came in the room she was greeted by the warm hug from Hotaru. "Why did you came here? Is there trouble?" Michiru asked. Setsuna seemed a little bit irritated when she replied, "Does it have to be a trouble for me to visit you?" "No! Of course not. I didn't mean it that way." "Don't worry I know what you meant. I came to see ChibiUsa. Where is she?" "Oh, I've sent her to tell my teacher in "C. B." that I'm not going to come for I'm not felling well. She was very eager to help, so..." "You what?" she was abruptly cut off by Setsuna. "What do you mean?" asked Haruka not understanding why Setsuna was suddenly worried. "Did you just say you've sent ChibiUsa to the "C. B.?" Setsuna was staring at Haruka with her dark-red eyes. "Yes. Why not?" Setsuna blinked and seemed to be confused somehow. "Do you mean that ChibiUsa is now in the C. B.?" "Yeah. I've sent her about 15 minutes ago." Suddenly Haruka noticed that Setsuna became paler than usual - much paler, in fact. "Is there something wrong?" asked Michiru, who was surprised by Setsuna's strange behavior. Strange in an odd way that is, the woman was always enigmatic. "No, there isn't...but there will be...Oh God..." Without saying another word she dashed out of the apartment. "Strange..." said Haruka and noticed that Michiru has done the same. ***** Sailor Pluto ran frantically by the streets. She didn't notice anything around her. She didn't see the angry looks of those whom she pushed away or admiring looks of those who were stunned by her beauty. She didn't notice the pain when she suddenly fell, got up catching the breath, and started to run again. A sudden though occurred to her. Why was she running? Setsuna stopped so abruptly someone - she didn't notice who - slammed in her back. She must be losing it. Setsuna turned around the corner to an empty street. Quickly transforming she brandished the Time Key and stepped through the created portal. Thousands of images were flowing before her eyes: ChibiUsa with the knife near her throat, ChibiUsa crying out for help, ChibiUsa screaming from pain, ChibiUsa - dying. "Please! God...Anybody...Please!" was all she whispered as she appeared before the opened door with the bright title "C. B." above it. She ran upstairs letting out the sigh of relief not seeing anything. When she entered the room she had to lean on the wall to prevent herself from falling - she felt so weak, suddenly. She gathered herself and went to ChibiUsa who was lying unmoving on the floor. She was still warm. "No, wake up!" she took ChibiUsa in her arms. Then, after a moment, Setsuna straightened. The little girl wasn't moving, nor did Setsuna find the pulse. The woman felt her eyes blur but she did not allow herself to cry. "ChibiUsa wouldn't want me cry now, would she? What can tears do now? Nothing. She would wanted me to be strong now." Setsuna muttered. She could save her, she knew. The rules didn't allow it but what did rules mean now. She would... "No," she began speaking again, although her voice was failing her, "There is nothing much to cry about. Just another death...I've seen thousands die over centuries...Nothing...to cry over...Pluto from the future approved this trip...everything will work out fine...oh... my friend..." Setsuna felt herself shaking all over and worst of all she couldn't stop it. If anybody could have seen her right now, they wouldn't have recognized the calm, insensitive Sailor Pluto. Half-human cry escaped her lips as she put her face on ChibiUsa's unmoving chest. 'Dead! Dead! Dead!' over and over again, that word shook her mind. ***** "Something really bad happened." said Rei to the group. "What?" Ami asked. "I don't know, but I have a weird feeling." "I'm not sure, but I think I feel it to." said Usagi thoughtfully. After Setsuna stormed out of Michiru's apartment they were worried and decided to call Usagi and Mamoru. Now everybody, except ChibiUsa and Setsuna, was there. "Could something have happened to ChibiUsa?" asked Minako "Setsuna looked real weird when Haruka mentioned that she sent ChibiUsa to the "C. B." She was afraid that something could have happened. I think she knew something, perhaps possible future... and I guess it scared her a lot." "I don't know what it is, but I have a feeling that we'll soon find out." said Mamoru. As if an answer to his words they've heard a knock in the door. Everybody jumped up but Minako said, "Everybody, calm down! I'll open the door." and she did so in the complete silence. Everybody else watched her and their hearts throbbed a little faster. When Minako opened the door, all the others could see was Setsuna's colorless face. "Setsuna! Wha..." Minako's voice trailed off as she looked down at what Setsuna carried in her arms. Weakened, she leaned against the wall allowing everybody else to see. There was a loud gasp and a cry from the group. For some long seconds nobody could move or speak; then they heard Setsuna's faint voice. "She is dead!" and a little more weak "I d...couldn't save her." Usagi shook the stillness off as she ran to the ChibiUsa. As she was taking the girl in her own arms and she felt that Setsuna's arms were as cold as ChibiUsa's. Everyone else appeared to come back to reality also. It wasn't a pleasant one, because only now they finally began to understand the meaning of Setsuna's words. ChibiUsa was dead. Their princess' daughter was dead. Their friend was dead. When this thought came to their minds nobody could prevent themselves from crying. Usagi felt very weak, so weak and helpless that she could hardly stand on her feet and had to lean on the Mamoru's chest. Then, abruptly, she let go of him and hugged ChibiUsa's body, pressing it to her heart. Haruka and Michiru hugged each other as if for support against the new enemy. Makoto had to sit down and from the corner of her eyes saw Rei do the same. The priestess was only half listening and watching everything that was going on around her. She had to think. "This could not be happening...not to us...not to her...oh, not to Usagi...Would somebody just tweak me somewhere and I'll wake up...I'll surely weak up on my bed and we'll laugh about my fears. Oh, somebody, please, pinch me, I can't stand this nightmare...' Minako had nowhere to sit, so she just slid to the ground holding her hand over her mouth. Mamoru, also crying, silently wrapped his arms around Usagi who still held their daughter in her arms. Setsuna was the only one, who didn't show the sign of weakness, except from her paleness. She had her time to restore her self-control. She was strong. She had to be strong now. Silently she watched people around her. Weak. Crying. Pained expression on their faces. She could have but did not protect them from this pain - this was all she could think about. Then that horrifying word "Dead" - as if reality kicking in - occupied her mind again, blocking any other thought from reaching her. She gathered all of the willpower she had left and tried to concentrate on others. Her eyes traveled from face to face: all - terrified, all - horror stricken. All her fault. She saw Minako siting on the floor. Setsuna bent down and tried to get her up but Minako, abruptly, fiercely shook her shoulders, getting rid of Setsuna's arms. The woman gazed at her bewildered. "Get your hands of me!" Minako cried madly "You have her blood on them." Nobody could say what Minako meant by that, for Setsuna did have ChibiUsa's blood all over her hands and dress. Setsuna backed away from her, frightened expression showing on her face for a second. Minako got up fast and proceeded: "You are the Guardian of Time! You pledged your loyalty to the three generations of rulers of the Moon. You are supposed to protect the royal family, not endanger them. You knew all along what was going to happen or did you not?" Somewhere inside Setsuna desperately wanted to tell them that it wasn't true - she didn't know that ChibiUsa would die, for it wasn't supposed to happen - but she didn't. She knew that everyone expected her to say "No" but she couldn't. Even her little knowledge was enough to blame her. She allowed this to happen. Setsuna bent her head. Minako did not dare to say more, but everybody knew what was meant. The words "YOU ARE GUILTY!" though unspoken, floated in the air, so everyone of them understood it when Setsuna with the voice that had nothing alive in it said: "I know." and stood silent. Nobody wanted to stay in the room. Maybe they just wanted to be alone for a while or perhaps they simply wanted to be as far away from her as they possibly could. She didn't know. Mamoru and Usagi went away first, hugging each other and their daughter. Makoto and Ami went near Minako, who broke into sobs, and were the second to leave, comforting her. They all exited silently passing near Setsuna. Hotaru, going along with Haruka and Michiru, gave one last glance at the covered with blood, pale as death itself woman standing still in the middle of the room. Than the girl left too. Setsuna understood them. They had no one else to blame. They've lost their friend, their daughter - what else could she expect? She threw the thought out of her aching head. Now that she was done with this duty, now that she was alone she can get some work done, maybe even go to the time Gate and look what is going on in the future. At least she was alone. "Not again!" her mind screamed. She bent her head and let out a long suppressed cry. She wasn't aware of Rei, who was half-dreaming all this time, walking towards her. She felt so fuzzy all of a sudden. She never felt so or at least it was so long ago that she couldn't remember. Guilt. Pain. That was all that was left to her now - she thought. She fell down to her knees, half-conscious she recognized Rei's face bent over to her, saying something. Then there was black emptiness. Nightmares. ****** "Can I speak with Usagi please? It's Rei." "Go on, it's me." replied Usagi quietly. "I want you to come to me with Mamoru, and bring ChibiUsa." said Rei, she knew the only word she was going to hear. "Why?" "I don't think I can explain this over the phone, so, please, come to my temple. Will you?" "Yes." Rei knew her best friend well, so she could tell that in Usagi's voice some kind of hope appeared. ****** They came. Mamoru was holding ChibiUsa's body as they sat on the sofa. 'They both look much paler than usual.' Rei thought 'It's not surprising though.' "Have you heard anything from Ami, Makoto or Minako?" Usagi questioned. "No. I've tried to reach them but it appears they went somewhere together. As for Haruka, Michiru and Hotaru they are nowhere to be found too. At least they are all in groups. That should prevent them from doing anything stupid." answered Rei. "What about Setsuna?" Mamoru suddenly asked. "She is here." Rei calmly replied. "What do you mean here? What is she doing here?" demanded Usagi surprised but not upset. "I mean, that after finding her best friend dead and her other friends blaming her for it, she had no willpower left to go anywhere." she saw their checks turning from pale to red, and back, so she continued, "She fainted right there in that room and I had a hard time bringing her here," she said and thought at the same moment, 'The best thing it kept me thinking about other stuff, rather than...' her thought was interrupted by Usagi, "Fainted?" Usagi inhaled incredulously, "Pluto doesn't faint." 'No, no. Pluto doesn't do such things.' "Don't forget - ChibiUsa means a lot to her. Apparently, even more than I thought." she finished quietly. "She should be asleep now." "Can you bring me to her room?" whispered Usagi. "Come on." As Usagi entered the room her gaze fell on the bed and she had to suppress all her feelings when she saw Setsuna. Even with her tan skin, the woman was pale. The only sign of life was her breast moving slightly from breathing. She couldn't keep herself from shaking when she looked into Setsuna's eyes. It wasn't the eyes of the woman, but of the thousands years old Guardian of Time. Emptiness and coldness in them stroked Usagi as much as pain she saw in there. For a second she wondered how two of those feelings could be placed together. Usagi made a few shy steps towards the bed. Setsuna wasn't crying but the pillow and her checks were still wet. Usagi held out an arm and gently touched Setsuna's shoulder. The woman didn't flinch not did she seem to notice. Silent, Usagi sit down on the bed and started drying Setsuna's face with her handicraft. "Don't you blame yourself," she said in the most gentle voice. "It wasn't your fault. How could you think that? You were always ChibiUsa's friend. Everybody knows that... Minako just wasn't herself yesterday. She didn't understand what she was talking about. I'm sure that if she thought about it she would never have said such a lie. No one blames you." Usagi saw something flicker in Setsuna's eyes when the woman asked, "You don't blame me?" 'Of course she wouldn't. Her pureness would not allow her to blame her deadliest enemy.' "I never had, and never will blame an innocent person." "Thank you." Setsuna breathed her lips curling up a little bit against her will as her princess hugged her. Usagi sat by her side, rocking her gently until she fell asleep. Afterwards Usagi quietly walked out of the room closing the door. As she went downstairs she saw that Mamoru and Rei 'and ChibiUsa!' she thought, were joined by the other senshi. Michiru was saying that she hoped Rei doesn't mind them coming. "Of course not. I was trying to reach you." and as she saw Usagi she added. "How is she?" "She is asleep now." Usagi replied sadly. "I'm afraid," she continued as she made her way towards Mamoru. "I've never seen her like this. She was always really poised, always in control of her emotions. I've never even `thought` I'll see Pluto like this." "Pluto? She is here?" "Yes," Rei answered before Usagi could, "This is partly what I wanted to talk about. Yesterday, all of you were unfair to her." she made a gesture for everybody to let her finish, "The fact that she doesn't show her feelings doesn't mean she doesn't have a heart." She knew they agreed with so she continued, "Millennia of living taught her how to hid it well; still you should have seen her face when you all got out of the room. She looked like you stabbed her... and you spoke of her as being insensitive and cold. I just want to ask: How could you?" Rei glared at their red faces. "I tried to assure her that no one blamed her. Do you know what she told me when I brought her here? She said she is guilty because she was in charge of maintaining Small Lady's safety in this time." Rei stopped to take a breath and then continued. Nobody stopped her - everybody sat still. "So than she told me that she did knew that there was going to be a robber in the "C. B." yesterday. Only, she said, it was Haruka who had to go. And when I, stupidly, thought that she wouldn't have cared if Haruka was dead, she said that she wasn't supposed to die. The robber was supposed to think that Haruka reminded him of his beloved one," Despite the situation Rei smiled a little, "and leave her alive tide up on the floor. She was supposed to be found the next day, unharmed, only the time line has changed the moment ChibiUsa took Haruka's place." 'And I don't want to think why' Rei saw the effect these words had on her friends, but she didn't finish. "This is why she didn't deny that she knew what was going to happen. She blames herself for not looking after the Small Lady. It was a shock for her when she found her lying on the floor... I'm sure, that it took her a lot of willpower to face you afterwards, even as she thought she'd find at least some compassion. And what did she find?" by this time tears began to build up in Rei's eyes. The silence fell for a long while - everybody was speechless. Then, not totally unexpectedly, Minako whispered, "I'm sorry." They all were. Suddenly everybody's heart jumped, for they heard the weak voice upstairs saying, "Rei! Where are you? I feel better now. I think I can go..." They all looked up and saw Setsuna's pale face. She saw them too now, haunted expression in her red, now from crying, eyes. She turned at first, as if to run, come back to the room, hid away from their blaming stares but then gathered some strength and faced them. They saw she felt faint as she put one hand on the wall and held on to it. None of them ever thought that something could break what seemed to be made of iron - Setsuna's will. Then again, they didn't know her without the poker face. Rei ran upstairs; catching her just in time as the woman started to lose her grasp over the wall. As the two walked down, everybody backed away giving them their path. Rei helped Setsuna to sit down and sat near her, still holding her hand over the woman's shoulder. Everybody was incapable of speech when Sailor Pluto said with the tired voice, "I'm sorry. I couldn't help." She wanted to say something else but then decided otherwise. "Why bother clearing up myself," she thought in dismay "if they don't trust me. That is a disbelief in their eyes right now." As they sat there, silent, Minako finally gathered enough courage to look into Setsuna's ageless eyes. She stood up, came closet and whimpered, "Please forgive me for saying...thinking that you were...guilty in ChibiUsa's death." She paused several times but each time the look on other's faces made her go on. Setsuna's lips went awry almost unnoticeably at the girl's name but it was just a second and as she answered her usual calm mask-face was at place. "I have nothing to forgive. I gave you enough reason for that thought." "I am not going to be around for a while..." she continued. "Pluto. Is there a chance that you can use your powers to save ChibiUsa." "I am forbidden to do that." was her only answer as she disappeared behind the door. Ami wondered if it was "Yes" or "No". Everybody looked at Rei not knowing what to do. The priestess stood up and pacing back and forth said, "The other part of why I called you here is that I think that there is still hope to..." she couldn't bring herself to saying the words "restore ChibiUsa from the dead". Even in her mind they sounded to final, unbelievable, fatal. Everybody understood her silence. Usagi looked up at her, "I can use the Silver Crystal..." "No, you can not. You can not endanger yourself, I will not allow you to risk it." Rei said coming from heated to a much calmer voice, "ChibiUsa is your daughter, but she is from the future, she isn't even born yet and with risking your life you are risking her...existence... In any case I think there is another way." She had a feeling of dread come all over her as Usagi looked at her with the eyes full of the most trusting hope, pleading to continue. If she would tell her now that there is a way, Usagi would believe without a question, without a doubt. What if she will be lying? "I `think` Setsuna knows some other way. She never told me, though. " 'Of course.' she remarked to herself, "I'm going to do a fire reading now. Maybe the Great Fire will land me the knowledge. You can leave ChibiUsa here," she said rather stating the fact than asking if they wanted to. Usagi was reluctant but the hope that was lit up in her heart by Rei's words made here yield. ****** Rei was doing the fire reading. It was hard to concentrate for her thoughts flew away to ChibiUsa, to what Usagi was feeling. She was losing her attention over the fire at the thought about her friends. When after many unsuccessful attempts she reached the result she wanted the image that was before her eyes left her with confused feeling. ChibiUsa - alive - was crying over Pluto's limp body. Rei had a brainstorm inside her head for a few long minutes. Then she finally stood up from her knees and walked over to the table taking a piece of paper and a pen. She wrote a few sentences, put the list in the envelope and hurriedly went out of the temple. As she ran by the street she pushed the envelope under Usagi's door and was gone. She knew she could have stopped and said it personally, but the questions would take much time to answer and she was running out of time both figuratively and literally. She pulled out a little golden key - everybody forget about it as it hung on ChibiUsa's neck - and cried out, "Crystal Key take me to the Time Gate!" The eerie pink mist swirled around her and in a second she was no longer on the side-street but in some shadowy place. The Time Gate. The figure stepped into the light. "Who goes...? ... Oh, it's you, Rei." Pluto motioned to the girl to come closer; "I've been expecting you." 'Doesn't she know that this phrase is a bit overused.' Rei wondered. "I saw a vision in the Great Fire." she stated. The other woman didn't say anything in response, so she added, "I figured it out." "...You see I read about this theory before. It is too dangerous." Sailor Pluto glanced at her and away. "I know. I appreciate your concern. Really do. I do not have much of a choice, however. There has been an unexpected tear in Time. I don't know what caused it but apparently the only result it cased is Small Lady's death. Now, as the guardian of Time I look over events so that they will work out the way they should...the best way. Sometimes I have to decide on an important issue; in this case Small Lady's life is one. She has yet a destiny to fulfil. I, on the other hand, am less important. I've already taken care of the main events in history. My death won't disturb the flow of the time half as much as hers would." "Yes, all these reasons are good, but..." Rei was interrupted by another point from Pluto. "Don't you think I would simply like to help? I would." "I can not tell you not to do this. I am asking you to think it over. As much as I wish ChibiUsa was all right I do not think you not trusting us with this group decision is going to be a right solution for the problem. I am not speaking you out of this but simply asking you to trust us enough as to consult us." Pluto looked at her indecision showing slightly on her face. Oh, why wouldn't they just leave her? It took her some time to bring herself to this. Maybe, just maybe, she won't have to do it. She wanted badly what Rei offered - hope. No longer able to resist she nodded slightly. "You are right." she murmured. "Will you come with me?" "No, I won't." Pluto signed. They will not be able to get in here... "Uh...don't forget to give me back the Crystal Key." 'It has served its purpose in getting you in here already. Luck? Never counted myself lucky one, still such a coincidence...or did I allowed myself forget about it on purpose? I should think of this sometime... if I will have time.' ****** Meanwhile... "Does she has to be late even when she arranges the meeting?" Haruka said irritated. "I don't...I think she is coming..." "Not even half an hour late!" Haruka continued sarcastically. "Hey guys! Sorry I'm late." Usagi was going to say something in her excuse but the glance at Haruka made her understand that an apology won't be good enough and if she wanted to get something done she'd better get right to the point. 'When did I started to think logically?' she remarked to herself mentally while giving a small piece of paper to Ami. "See. This is a note from Rei. Just read by yourself. The note passed around to everybody: "Usagi, This is very important. (More important than meal, if you understand my meaning)" Usagi blushed as, one by one, girls and Mamoru chuckled reading this part. "Please call everybody and tell them to come to Hikawa Shrine. Fast! I'll be there as soon as I can. Meanwhile, would Ami find information on the Theory of Trading Souls or Energy (I'm not sure about the name) See ya. Rei." "Ami?" Their eyes were at the girl with blue hair. "I'm...uh...not sure. I think... I think it's about the theory of trading one's life energy for another. Kind of like when the Negaverse tried to steel the energy to restore itself. It is quite dangerous though...for the one who is giving the energy. Still it is a fair chance for ChibiUsa." "I knew there was something we can do." Usagi smiled hopefully. They continued to wait for Rei. ****** Rei was running out of words, "What about ChibiUsa when she'll wake up? Where is she going to find her friend?" she saw Setsuna couldn't answer, so she added, "And who will send her in the past during the Black Moon attack? And who will guard Time Gate?" "I'm aware of all these problems, you really don't have to remind me." 'And I took care of them also.' "At least you should try and discuss it with all of the Sailor senshi. Don't you trust us enough to even tell us? Don't you trust the Princess?" Setsuna looked in the mist. She was shocked, how much she wanted to be rid of this duty. But...She remembered all the times the girl visited her, when she was so lonely. If that was the only way to save Small Lady that was what she was going to do. She remembered her own words through the Luna Ball: "The sailor senshi...they will help you." "Let's go. You should be a politic." She turned to chuckling Rei and opened the portal. They appeared from the pink mist at Hikawa Shrine. The others were waiting for them. "Does everyone know what this is all about? " Setsuna asked. They nodded. "You understand, of course, that princess' life is more important then mine..." she was interrupted by Usagi. "Everyone's life is important to me. Equally! I can help with the Silver Crystal." Usagi said, "It has lots of energy and together we will have more chances..." "No." She said simply, "I won't let you endanger your life because of my mistakes. You can still die from using the Crystal." "I can." Usagi said simply, "But she is my daughter and I want to help. No." she put up her hand as Setsuna was going to interrupt. She stood up and with all the royal grace she never thought she had continued, "There is no arguing about it. Whatever you'll say it won't change my mind." Setsuna glared at her, the look of dismay coming over her face. She turned away. "Don't you understand that I HAVE to help?" Usagi asked. "I do. I'm just thinking what am I going to do with myself if anything happen to you." Setsuna answered grimly and added more loudly in ordering tone, "Fine. You've got it. Transform everyone." In a second Sailor Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune and Pluto stood on their places. Tuxedo Mask stood beside Usagi. "Do you mind if we'll do it in here?" Pluto asked turning to Mars. "No, grandpa and Yuuichiro aren't going to come until late evening." Rei answered. "Okay, than. Wait here." She walked up the stairs and came back holding ChibiUsa. After gently putting the girl down, Pluto brandished the Time Key and said to all of them, "This will be a hard experience. Especially for you, my princess. You should all stay here and help Serenity at least with moral support." She swung the Garnet Orb and a ball of light was created before them. "Here you'll see moments from Usagi's life. Some maybe happy and some sad. You are going to see and remember all the feelings. Do you understand?" They nodded silently. Pluto looked at them once more with her calm garnet eyes, "Are you sure?" "Yes." Sailor Moon answered. She turned to Mamoru and whispered, "I love you." And heard the same in response. They held each other close for a moment and then gently kissed. Usagi hugged every one of them and came close to Sailor Pluto. She pulled out Silver crystal and immediately transformed into Neo-Queen Serenity. Pluto held out her Time key and whispered, "Begin." Both of them concentrated on extracting energy for ChibiUsa. The pink light began to glow around Pluto's weapon and the bright white one exploded from Silver crystal. Images filled the shining Orb before them. Pictures of Usagi as a baby, after a few minutes her growing up. They saw Sailor Moon battling the monster for the first time, then with Sailor Mercury, Mars, Jupiter and Venus, Tuxedo Mask always appearing at the right moment. All important event were shown. They couldn't exactly remember it all but the final battle with Queen Beryl, with Wise Man, Pharaoh 90 and so many more were remarkably clear. They saw images of Usagi and Mamoru kissing and than Mamoru saying, "I don't love you." Rei saw Prince Endymion close his eyes at the sight of Usagi merely falling to her knees sobbing. Then reunion. After a few more minutes the screen became dim. Suddenly Pluto moved in front of the orb shielding it from their view. "You've seen all you had to." Her voice was sharper then the one they were used to. "What is it showing now." "My life." She answered simply aware of the effect it had on them. Suddenly she felt a warm hand on her shoulder. "Show me please." Neo-Queen asked. "No." "We deserve to know. You watched all of us in different moments of our life. I need to see it." Her voice was gentle but there was royal nobility in it. "Show us please." Reluctantly Pluto stepped away. The image on the screen was of the man taking a barely ten-years-old-looking child through the portal. The image changed to the one of little Sailor Pluto crying alone in the misty place. They recognized it as a Time Gate. Then Pluto with the look of complete terror on her face watching the destruction of the Moon Kingdom from the Time Gate. They saw one by one their past incarnations falling dead. Pluto teleported to the Moon after former Queen Serenity used the Silver Crystal. She laid herself down on the surface of the Moon and stayed that way with the closed eyes. Serenity turned to Pluto and was going to say something but the look on senshi face stopped her. "I expect no comments from you." Came an icy voice. They continued to watch the flashbacks. For a long time there weren't much change: only a lonely figure standing in the mist. Suddenly Sailor Pluto moved in between them and the shining orb of transferring energy. She clearly wasn't going to show them that particular part of her life. Something about her determinedly griped lips told them not to press it. For quiet some time they starred at her back. Then just as silently she stepped back. There was no image in the orb and it shined brighter then ever. Only then did Serenity understand that she felt tired and weaker then before. She gave a great deal of energy to the orb, as did Pluto. She whispered for the other senshi to help. They responded by coming closer and touching her hands. The stream of energy leading to the flaming orb became significantly bigger. Serenity looked at Pluto. The woman was tired too. Perhaps even more then she herself. She felt sorry for her. The worst punishment Usagi could think of was to watch her dear friends get killed, to be alone. Sailor Pluto was alone for centuries. If only she could free her from her duty. But that was impossible. There had to be a Guardian of Time. Awful things could happen if the Gate would be left unguarded. The only thing she could think of she could do for Pluto was bring Pluto's friend back. What a coincidence that it happened to be her daughter. She had to succeed, she knew. Once again she used her power to save and heal. The orange orb before them expanded to double its size. The watched it as the room was becoming brighter and brighter, until everything around them was consumed in the blinding light. Everyone closed their eyes. They didn't know if Pluto was still using her Garnet Orb but the warm feeling that surrounded each one of their hearts told them that their Queen was using the Crystal. They always got that feeling from her. Hope, care, promise of happiness. As soon as the light got dimmer Neo-Queen Serenity opened her eyes. For a few tormenting moments she could see nothing, but then her vision came back to her. She saw ChibiUsa on the bed in her Princess Serenity's form. The warm wave of indescribable feelings washed over Usagi's heart - the girl's eyes were open. "Mommy!" ChibiUsa cried out as she tried to jump off the bed. She was still too weak. "Mommy! Daddy! What happened?" Her voice was barely heard under the cries of joy. She was immediately hugged from all sides, tightly yet leaving the space to breathe. She found the name in her mind: they were hugging her like a treasure, a flower, taking care not to hurt any petals. She hugged them back with less care for their proper breathing though. Suddenly she felt that something was amiss. "Puu?" her voice was immediately concerned. Her friend wasn't near her. "Puu!" this time - an order. She glanced over the backs of the people hugging her. They were surprised when she twisted out of their embrace and ran past them. Everybody turned around to see ChibiUsa kneeling besides Sailor Pluto. The woman was lying on the bare floor breathing sharply. She has given away so much energy that her feet refused to hold her. Mercury scanned her immediately. "She is fine. Just out of energy, exhausted. I'm afraid we'll have to carry her...somehow...to bed." Mercury stated. Neo-Queen Serenity looked at King Endymion. He nodded. As if on a sign everyone detransformed. Pluto followed their example. Mamoru had to catch Usagi as she swayed. Gently he lifted her and carried her off to the coach. "I'll be a second." He returned to the other senshi. Apparently Setsuna lost her consciousness as soon as she powered down. He bent lifted her up and asked turning to Rei, "Where do I take her." The priestess motioned him with the hand. "Here." She said running up the stairs. Mamoru climbed up followed by ChibiUsa. The others stayed near Usagi. Soon Mamoru and Rei came back too. "Everyone needs to get some rest." Makoto said. Nobody argued. ****** A happy howl "Puu!" came from up stairs. "Setsuna must be awake. I'll go check her out." Rei said. "I'm with you." there was a chorus. They looked at each other and shrugged. Everyone entered the room Setsuna was in. The woman was sitting on the bed in the embrace of ChibiUsa. "You should lay down, you know." Ami said. Setsuna's motion of head clearly showed "No." "You should, Puu. Please... For me..." Setsuna looked in dismay on the girl. She certainly has to learn to refuse to her. Obediently she lay down. "Now, I know whom to ask if I'll need something from Setsuna." Haruka joked giving a meaningful glance to both of them. "Try that and see what I'll do with you." Setsuna threatened teasingly. Haruka made a scared face and succeeded in lightening up the mood. Everybody was smiling. Still pretty soon Setsuna's lips were no longer slightly curled up. More of an opposite. Worried of what could be the reason they tried to think of something to ask besides the usual: "Are you okay?" ChibiUsa had no such problems. "Are you okay, Puu?" Setsuna looked at her. Oh, my dear... "Oh, yes. Everything is just perfect, my princess." For a second ChibiUsa was making a hurt face at the use of the formal title, but her face became a wide grin as Setsuna enveloped her with arms and whispered. "Everything is just perfect, my dear princess...darling." ----------------------------------(The End)---------------------------- Please e-mail me your opinion. All comments and constructive criticism are welcome. Sharon. sharon_meiou@hotmail.com ~February 1999.~