This is a story that has been 4+ years in the making. I Hope readers enjoy it as much as I have had typing it. If you have any questions, comments, or ideas please let me know. ^_^ Criticism is very much welcomed, as I always looking for room to improve my writing. PS. I do NOT own Sailor Moon… T.T However I do have some of my own characters

** Added Notes**

For those who have already read this, I have added some details, and I few character dialogues. some tweaks and corrections. and to my friends who doesn't really know Sailor Moon, but is reading it, I hope I gave you a good visual for the characters as you read along. (You know who you are and please feel free to contact me) To everyone, reviews are nice and I would really appreciate them, but are not necessary. any way... on to chap one! Yay!

Chapter 1

A New Beginning

I am so glad to be home and I have finally become a genuine guardian, just like my mother before me. All has been peaceful for the past two years and some months; almost too peaceful. I almost wondered when Chaos would show its ugly face and what would be his/her goal this time. Sometimes I even wondered if Dad felt the same way I did, Mom on the other hand, did not seem to care much for the thought, and she would tell me that when the time came, I would know what to do.

Looking at the bright-eyed young lady in the mirror, I couldn't help but smile at the young girl that watched me as I stared at her. She looked much older than she did a few years ago. Her face was more angled than a child's pudgy face; her beautiful strange pink cotton candy color like hair in egg shaped buns and trailing pig tails was long and flowing like my mother's long platinum-blond hair, only it was down to the waist and not almost trailing the ground. The only thing that seemed to remain was the red eyes. I wish they were the blue color that was much like my parents, I hated that my eyes looked like they could belong to those of an evil person.

Either why that girl, the one I had known for so long, was no longer there. In the two years since I had come back, I had grown up from a small child to a full sized teenager, almost like Hotaru's awakening into Saturn back in the past. Instead she, the little Chibi-Usa had been replaced with a body of a teenager; me, Lady Serenity Usagi. I had been a little girl for more years than I had cared to count, and I had wanted to be a lady for so long, and here I was staring at my long awaited body. It didn't matter though, because the one that I wished to see, and the one that had often visited my dreams when I was younger, wasn't here; Helios.

Helios, the priest of Elysion, is the guardian of dreams as well as the keeper of my Father's lost Golden Kingdom. He had promised me that he would come back. I have been waiting for that day and still am and will continue to wait, if I can. I am his little Maiden, even though I'm not so little anymore.

"USAGI!" Called a voice. I cringed, recognizing Rei's voice, and she sounded furious. (Her shrine was only down the hall from me, and nearly six doors away, but her voice sure could carry far.)

I winced. "That day isn't today," I muttered with a sigh.

"I'm coming!" I called back, thinking, 'Most likely another day of meditation and proper manners and another day of much scolding.'

Each one of Momma's Guardians was currently teaching me different things to help me when I take my mom's place as queen; they didn't before, only since I have become a true guardian of Earth. Rei has been trying to teaching me etiquette and meditation. Something, it seems, I'm incapable of doing, just like my mother's past self, and much to Rei's irritation. Mina has been preparing me for what it means to be a leader, especially when I am put under pressure. I somehow seem to excel at this, I think I took after my father, he is one of the best leaders there are. Mako is my trainer, and also makes me do survival skills as well as combat and techniques; my Guardians join me during her lessons. Ami teaches Math, Science, and Languages; such boring subjects. Setsuna is my History teacher, with Momma's permission and a lot of persuading on my behalf. Part of me wanted her as my teacher because she knows more of the past than anyone else that I know of, as well as knowing more than most history teachers would know. She is very careful not to reveal too much about the future, particularly mine and my families.

In my era though, Michiru, Haruka, and Hotaru each live on their own planets and only visit occasionally for a few weeks at a time, mostly for meetings and important events. Hotaru visits maybe once a year, unless otherwise summoned, as she prefers to live in solitude, and is often more serious than the Hotaru I know from the past. I'm also not as close to Hotaru in my time as I am in the past. I often miss the girls of the past, the senshi in my time aren't the same as the ones in the past; I guess most of it had to do with all their responsibilities they have in this era.

It was morning though and it was time to get to my studies and training. I still have yet to get dressed and was still in my fuzzy PJ's, my favorite ones that are dark blue with pink moons and hearts all over them. They were a gift from Usagi of the past; she said they were one of her favorites.

Suddenly, there was a knock on my door, and Cere, the leader of my guardians, stepped in. "Princess Serenity, Miss Hino is requesting your audience."

It wasn't long after my return to the twentieth century that I found my guardians, the Amazonas Quartet. My Mom had declared me a proper guardian of Earth and then we searched for them. They had been hard to find, although two of them came to us in surprising ways, but in the end we were able to find all four of them. Upon finding them, my mother and Luna gave them their transformation pens and then they had pledged their life to protect me. I have been so happy to have Cere, June, Palla, and Visa be here with me, and they are also my good friends; just like Momma's guardians are to her.

"I'll be there shortly; I still have yet to dress."

Giving me a nod, she went back out the door, closing it softly behind her.

Sighing, I went to my closet, to pick out what I was going to wear for the day. My closet was rather big and spacious, almost as big as my light pink room, even has its own mirror. I had many outfits, for all kinds of occasions. My most common ones are my princess gowns that I mainly wear for my studies, except my lessons with Sailor Jupiter, then I transform into Sailor Moon. (I asked that everyone took off the Chibi in my name when I was declared a proper guardian, as my mother was no longer Sailor Moon in this era, there is no need for me to be called Chibi.)

While picking out my outfit, a simple frilly baby pink dress that came down to my ankles, my mind once again went back to Helios. I blushed when I thought about his kiss. I had barley known him at the time, yet… I felt a connection especially when his amber eyes had met mine. I somehow knew I could trust him and I didn't feel like he was an enemy either.

I finished getting dressed, and left for Mars's lesson. I had the feeling that she'd be pretty furious with me for taking so long. Her personality is much like her powers; hot headed and short tempered, especially when I'm late to my studies.

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#

When I arrived at the palace shrine, Rei looked agitated and was slightly furious; a scary look for the raven haired woman, sometimes I could see her eyes almost look like they go from violet to red when she would get mad.

Rei, the Solider of Flame and Passion, also Sailor Mars, is the most mature of my Mom's inner guardians, but also the most prone to anger. She was most often seen in her priestess attire, which was mostly white and red. In the past, her and my mother didn't get along sometimes, mostly because of the difference between my mom and Rei. Mom was a scatterbrain most of the time when she was younger and often got on Rei's nerves because of the way Rei was able to keep calm unless angered. She has a high disdain for guys, a trait that was well embedded into her at a young age, not that my parents will tell me why. As keeper of the shrine in my family's palace, her job was doing rituals and other things. With the unique ability to see futuristic events, she often did fire readings well into the later hours of the night. It was because of this that she would often leave the palace for a few days, to go to a forest to be in solitude. Also because of her abilities, most people avoided her, she told me that it used to bother her and often made her feel alone; until she met my mother.

"Could you be any later?" The senshi of fire demanded. I couldn't help but flinch at the harshness of her voice. "Just like your meatball head of a mother. She was always late, even though it was due to detention a majority of the time."

"I'm sorry, Rei, I… got a little distracted this morning…" I trailed off. I didn't want people to know about my infatuation on the white haired priest who had kissed me, least of all her.

"Well, now is the time for your studies," she retorted sternly, "there is no time for distractions in your princess lessons."

"Now," she poured some tea, she was already setting in front of a small low lying table, "what are you to remember when eating with guest?"

I sat down in front of my glass of tea, sat up as straight as I possibly could as I recited one of her speeches. "I must always keep my full attention on the people around me. If I am addressed, I am to respond politely in a civil manner."

"Correct. It is essential that you do, for the people you are with, especially with other royals, could threaten if they find you rude and feel insulted," Rei explained.

"What am I to do if I am being threatened and being accused of something already, even though I didn't say anything that could be considered threatening?"

"In such cases, it is best to calmly disagree with them, but most importantly, always maintain your composure," she answered, pouring herself some tea. "If they rile you up you may wind up doing, or saying, something you may regret later."

"And as queen, what would be the best course of action," I pressed.

"That would be your decision. Your mother, mostly your father, will have them escorted out of the room. Or simply send them away. Serenity is an over emotional being. How she puts up with it is beyond me."

I nodded in agreement. "My mother is a bit soft hearted, where my father is stern. Yet they complete each other."

"Yes, their relationship is defiantly something of a baffling matter," she said trailing off.

I looked up from my tea to look at Rei, wondering why she stopped talking, only to notice my mother standing in the door way. I was a bit surprised to see her standing there. She didn't usually come to my lessons. I automatically thought something could be wrong, but not seeing any signs of emergency on her face, I didn't ask.

Since before my birth, Neo Queen Serenity, my mother, had the look of a twenty or so year old. My mother was of average height for a woman. Her cerulean blue eyes often got the attention of young men, who often turned their heads in her general direction, only to be captivated by her beautiful youthfulness. It only heightened her beauty with her usual gown that she wore, which was a pearl white like color and was, somehow, held up by her chest. She had two golden like beaded embroidery encircled around her; one at the waist and the other just below her chest. The upper chest had many golden circular rings designs on it. On her back she had a huge white bow that looked similar to that of a white butterfly on a large scale. The dress was so long that it covered up her feet. On her arms she wore some kind of white poufy pad like armlets. She was slender, despite being infamous in the eating of many sweet treats, and over the years her bright sun colored hair had turned into a silvery platinum blonde-like color. Time had also turned the Usagi of the past, into a more focused and majestic state of attitude, and her demeanor into the queen of the now. However, time had yet to change her caring, loving and forgiving nature. One could tell that she was royal, not only by her golden crown on her head, but also the crescent moon on her forehead that shone silver like in the moon light.

"Ah Usagi," Rei said with a smile; a name only Mom's closest friends would occasionally call her when gathered informally, "How nice of you to stop by on such a busy schedule, how can we be of help to you?"

"I only came to join you two. How long has it been since I last had tea with you, Rei?"

My body felt as if it had been frozen on the spot and my mouth felt dry. Lately I felt as if I never knew what to talk about when my mother was around. I was also afraid that I may say the wrong thing and would disappoint her. It was easier to talk to my Papa.

"Hello Mom," I said a politely as I could, then winced inwardly when I realized how stiff I sounded.

Mother looked at me with her round sapphire-like colored eyes, and smiled at me as she took a seat just beside Rei. "Hello there, my sweet Lady Serenity," she said back as she took a sip of her tea, "My guardians tell me that you are excelling at your studies as of late."

I felt pleased by her praise; it wasn't often that I got complimented by my mother. I didn't know how to reply. I could only smile politely.

"In saying that," Mom went on, "your father and I have been discussing about the three of us going on vacation next month. The guardians would come too, of course. It's been some time since we have went anywhere together, also our birthdays are coming up, we thought we could celebrate that too, while we're on our trip."

I was rather thrilled by the thought. It wasn't often that I got out of the palace. Also I am getting bored with my lessons. Diana, my grey friend cat, was getting restless too, having already finished her studies in her duties already, especially with her mother, Luna, teaching her. Cere had been asking for some time for her and the rest of the Quartet to go on a trip and see the world beyond the palace walls as well.

"It would be so much fun," I replied getting up on my knees in excitement. "Where would we go? When exactly would we go?"

"Princess," Rei interrupted, "we are still currently in the middle of your princess studies. Mind your table manners."

I looked down at the table in embarrassment. "Sorry, I didn't realize that I had been rude," I said as clearly as I could, slowly setting back down.

Mom gave a quite giggle, something I usually only hear when she and Dad are talking quietly to each other. "Lady Serenity is fine, Rei," turning back to me she added. "We plan on going to various parts of the world, and maybe to a special place where your father and I got married, and were also crowned King and Queen."

I thought for a moment, trying to recall if anyone had mentioned where they had gotten married. I remember Setsuna telling me that they had the palace under construction just before they got married, and moved in just a week after the palace was finished. I assumed that they married within the palace shrine, and that Rei married them, as she was the keeper of the shrine. "Where did you get married at, Mom?"

"You'll see," she replied mysteriously, giving me a wink and a smile at Rei. Then mom stood to leave, "I must be leaving, I have a dreadful meeting that I must prepare for." She turned back to me just as she got to the door. "Be sure to dress your best tonight, Lady Serenity. We will be having guest tonight that will be joining us for the week. Also, it is very important that you use your very best manners too, for you are now a true Lady and also a Princess and this will be an important week for you. Also you can take some time away from your studies for the duration of their visit, after your lesson with Rei is over."

I nodded. "I will do my best and try to make you and Dad proud," I vowed.

Then she left the shrine, her white dress trailing behind her in a gentle wave. I sat there staring at the door for a bit, thinking and wishing that I was as beautiful as her. Daddy always tells me that I'm looking more and more like her every day. In my opinion, the only thing we seem to share is the craving of sweets and the odango, pig tails hair style.

"Usagi, please, pay attention!"

Rei's sharp voice brought my mind crashing back down to Earth, and quickly looked back at Rei in embarrassment at my distraction. "Sorry," I muttered.

We went back to my studies, but by then my mind wasn't entirely focused into it. Instead I wondered when the guests would arrive and who they would be. This week now seemed to be promising.

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*

After my lesson with Rei was over for the day, I went to the palace gardens, hoping to clear my mind before my Mom's visitors were to arrive. The garden was my favorite place near the whole palace. It was a place of peace and tranquility, nothing could compare. The air was always so fresh, the grass was always so green and the flowers hardly ever seem to wilt.

Mako, the Senshi of Protection, also Sailor Jupiter, is the caretaker of the gardens. Taller than any of the inner guardians, she was usually kind and understanding, it was hard to get her mad, unlike Rei, but it was easy to hurt her pride in being known as strong. She mostly kept her chocolate colored hair up in a single ponytail with two big green beads attached to the ponytail holder. If you needed to talk to someone she would be the best for advice, her emerald green eyes looking at you intently at whatever you needed to say. Other than Haruka, Mako is also one of Momma's strongest guardians. She is so strong that she could throw a full grown average sized man if she wanted to. She is also a great cook, and Momma also let her be the head chef of the palace. It was as if her dream had come true. Sadly she never married, even though it was also one of her dreams and goals in life.

The garden had a main path that led from the palace to its center; from there it had five paths. Each one of the paths led to their centers, and each had their own benches. Each of the five paths was also assorted with flowers of all colors to each of the four inner senshi and my mom, with corresponding planetary symbols on the stone in the center of their garden, and the whole garden itself was surrounded by a thick green hedge for privacy. This garden was only for the royal family and the guardians. Mako had made another, slightly smaller, garden in similar fashion, other than the green hedge, for others to enjoy.

I wondered into my mother's garden made for her, "The Garden of Serenity", as the sailor senshi called it, and sat on the large white bench that lay beneath a tree that hung over the path of the entrance of the full of her garden. The tree, a Jane Magnolia, had been planted in honor of my birth. It had bloomed pretty pink-white flowers every spring since I was nearly five years old.

I plucked one of the ivory colored roses that had been planted near the tree. Just as I was closing my eyes to take a sniff at the rose, I heard a male voice call, "Looks like the princess knows how to take time to stop and smell the roses."

Looking up to see who the owner of the voice, I dropped the rose I had been holding, a little startled. When I recognized who it was, I scowled.

"Awe, Princess Serenity, is that any way to greet guest?" He chided.

It was one of the few prince's left on Earth, and from England, As well as one of the biggest pains I have ever had to deal with; Kaden.

"So," he continued, when I didn't speak. "I can see that you have finally…" Kaden paused, searching for a word, as he looked me over, including, I noticed, my chest, "filled out." A smirk quirked on his lips, his dark brown eyes showed hunger as he said this.

Kaden was rather attractive. Something most girls sought after; tall, lean, a nice angular face, and broad shoulders, even sandy blonde hair to go with the overall look, but he lacked character. He needed respect, was usually bossy, and was well known for his aggressiveness. Even though he wasn't much older than I, but he, like most kids I had grown up with, had reached his maturity years before I had. He bullied me to no end after he had grown up.

"Why are you here Kaden," I finally asked, finding my voice, not bothering to hide my obvious lack of enthusiasm.

Kaden smiled, and took ahold of my long pink hair, which I had just simply put up into a single ponytail today. "Her Majesty, Queen Serenity, invited my family tonight for dinner. Actually we will be staying here for a week. I was informed, by my father, that King Endymion has business with him, although I wasn't told what it was," he responded proceeding to take my hair to his nose and taking in it scent. "Smells like lavender with a tinge of honey," Kaden whispered, his eyes closed.

I snatched my hair back from him. "I believe that is mine," I said hotly.

Kaden was acting weird, last time we got together he had yanked my hair and said, 'Grow up shorty. Runts aren't permitted in my kingdom.' This guy standing in front of me was completely different than the one I had remembered last seeing nearly two-three years ago. I felt I should know why he was acting different, but my mind couldn't seem to grasp the solution.

"So it is," Kaden replied smoothly. "You know Lady Serenity," Kaden went on, "you look very… attractive today." He took my hand in his, and brought it to his lips and gave it a gentle kiss. 'Had his hands always been this warm?' I thought, trying to hide the surprise from reaching my features.

I wasn't sure if I was flattered or surprised, either way, I kept my guard up, expecting anything from him. All the mean things he had ever said or done were still very fresh in my mind. I wasn't about to forget about them either.

Kaden let go of my hand, and offered his arm. "Come with me, Lady Serenity. My mother wishes to see you. She has been wondering how you have been since you left to go on your grand adventure. Queen Serenity has been telling us that you have grown up remarkably well since a year and a half ago."

Reluctantly I took his arm, but tried not to stand too close to him. We started walking to the palace, letting him lead me. He continued to talk but I wasn't really listening. "I too have been wondering. I thought you had left because of all the torture you had to endure, being a kid for over nine-hundred years and all. But when we heard news of what had actually happened to Crystal Tokyo, mother was quiet shocked. Father wanted to send his guards here to assist your kingdom in your time of need, only to find all contacts had been cut off, and a barrier had been surrounding the outer reaches of the city. As your closest friends, we feel the need to help if we can, whenever we can. We don't have powers like your family seems to possess but we can hold our own admirably."

Just as we entered the palace, I noticed a couple of hired girls, both looking about twenty to twenty-five years old, although it was hard to tell real ages, since people don't age like they used to. They were both whispering to each other and giggling at us. No doubt in my mind, they thought Kaden and I were couple. The thought of this oaf being my boyfriend disgusted me. I would rather have a skunk as my boyfriend than Kaden, or I would take Helios if I could…

Kaden continued to walk me to the guest dining room. It was one of the three dining rooms we have. The guest one was the second biggest of the three. Mom and Dad usually had their spots on the end setting next to each other, the guests, usually if they are couples, sat on the other end. I usually sat near mom or dad. Mako, who was often transformed into Sailor Jupiter, would stand near mom, usually just behind her, making sure that she was safe. Mercury and Venus would watch the castle; Venus on the outside and Mercury from the control center using security cameras that she and Dad had installed, during the earlier days of Crystal Tokyo. Rei usually stayed in the shrine. Sometimes my guardians would join them, and help them out, sometimes they joined me, but always one stayed near me; Cere and Mina made sure of that.

The table was already being set up by the palace staff. Mom was already there, talking to Kaden's mother. They seemed to be in deep conversation, but as they noticed us approaching them, it was as if they had not been talking at all.

My mother smiled at me then stood. "Ah, Lady Serenity and Prince Kaden, just the two we wanted to see," she said pleasantly. "It pleases me that you could join us, Kaden. I trust that you had a safe journey?"

Kaden took his arm from around mine and bowed. "Yes indeed I did, your Majesty. I thank you for inviting me and my family to see the lovely Lady Serenity."

Pleased by what he said, mother responded by saying, "My daughter has grown much since you had last seen her. I hope you two can be better acquainted now that you both are on equal… standing terms, so to speak."

I was starting to feel there was more to this conversation than I seemed to understand; they seemed to be talking about me. It didn't help that Kaden's mother was looking at me as if I was a person of great interest. It was a little unnerving.

Finally Kaden's mother stood. Claire was not pretty in the least, and paled in comparison to my mother. Where Queen Serenity is was tall and slender; Claire was a bit shorter than most average sized women, and a bit weighty, not to say that she was overweight. She has short shoulder length burnet hair as well as dark brown eyes to go with it. It looked as if she had stopped aging around mid-age. Even though I do not like her son, I respect her. She is older than my mother by twenty or thirty years.

"Your mother has told me so many wonderful things about you, since your visit to the past to help this present. I must say that I am rather impressed. King and Queen Chiba must be very proud of your courage, Lady Serenity." Her voice was cracked with age.

"Thank you, Your Grace."

Prince Kaden pulled out a chair for me; automatically I sat, just because I was always constantly being reminded by Rei; 'Always be lady-like to your guest, even if they aren't hospitable to you.' He then had a seat beside me, after his mother took her seat. It was a bit unusual for Kaden to set next to me, but I made no comment in the matter. At that same moment, my father and Kaden's father entered the room. Dad looked tired and stressed; I became concerned.

The king from England seemed nearly as handsome as my father. I almost felt like I was seeing an older version of Kaden himself. The only difference was his green eyes and some wrinkles under his eyes, as well as some grey in his dark blonde hair. Unlike his son, he was kind and courteous, and was well known for his fairness in his rule.

"King Edwin," Queen Serenity exclaimed as they entered the room. "How good it is to see you again."

My father sat near his queen, giving her a quick kiss on her hand as he did so. I couldn't help but smile at they love they seemed to share, it almost made me feel jealous. I hoped that could be Helios and I someday. Edwin sat opposite of his wife. I stole a glance at Kaden to see if this was normal to him, seeing no concern on him I looked at Claire who had just addressed me.

"You know, Princess Serenity, I have been wondering, as have many others, why you haven't had any suitors come and court you," she said. "A woman of your stature needs to have a prince by her side."

My mom stared coughing over her drink. I blushed as Helios came to my mind. This was a subject that no one had brought up in nearly a hundred years, when I was still small, people wondered when I would grow and get wed. Mom and Dad kept telling people and assuring them as best as they could that I would grow up and take my duties when I was able, and that was the last I had heard about it, until just now. I wasn't even really ready to have this conversation, and her inquiry on topic completely caught me off guard.

I felt everyone's eyes on me as answered the unasked question. "I… well my father and mother have not talked about such things with me. Also I have only just recently grown. I also have my studies that I am busy with." I wanted to add, 'besides I already have someone my heart belongs to, and when he is ready to court me, I will be waiting,' but I didn't say that last part aloud. I looked at my dad with pleading eyes, silently asking for help on this topic. He gave the tiniest of nods as if understanding my predicament.

Dad cleared his throat, and I relaxed as eyes turned to him. "My wife and I have been talking about that. We have both decided that we will have a formal ball for her just before we leave for vacation next month. At that time she will be properly introduced to the court. We will not pressure her into anything, but it will be a good chance for people to get to see her."

My jaw about dropped. Three things went through my mind. One of them was shock that my mother and father had discussed my future, the second thought was excitement that our vacation was just next month, and the last thought was that they are giving me a choice to choose who I was to marry.

"Usagi, it is rude to stare like that," my mother gently scolded.

I looked down at my hands. "Sorry, Mom, I did not realize I was doing that."

Dad, as always, came to my rescue. "Shall we be eating this delicious meal that the cook has prepared for us?" he inquired.

"Yes lets," King Edwin agreed. Soon we were all in our individual conversations. The kings and queens talked amongst themselves. I was almost positive that I heard my name mentioned a few times by both parties. As I strained to hear, while trying to look like I was being obvious, Kaden broke through my concentration.

"So, Usagi," he drew out, suddenly serious, not looking at me mostly poking at his food, "do you want to be courted?"

I suppressed a shudder. "Not particularly. As I said a moment ago, I have only just recently become a lady, and I also have my education that I am currently busy with. Besides, marriage is the last thing on my to-do list."

"Oh," he said, sounding rather dejected. "I was hoping I stood a chance…" Kaden stared at his plate for some time while continued to eat. His brown eyes seemed distant. I almost felt bad for him, but honestly my heart belonged to someone else, and that someone has already promised me that we would see each other again. I promised myself that that I would be waiting for that moment.

After silence that seemed to stretch on forever, he spoke again. "When we finish eating, I want to show you something."

Looking at him, I couldn't refrain myself in asking, "What is it?"

"You'll see," Kaden replied, grinning, with a quick wink.

#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*#*

After dinner the six of us went our separate ways. Dad had things he still wanted to discuss with King Edwin. Mom told Queen Claire that she "absolutely had to see the gardens!" which just left Kaden and I to do whatever. I would usually visit Pluto after dinner for a couple hours before we get into my History lessons, but considering that we had company today I decided that I would go to see her later, even though my mom had told me that my lessons were canceled for the week.

Kaden led me down to the back of the palace to our courtyard. It was a wide and spacious. Several trees grew there as well as some flowers. There weren't as many plants in the courtyard as in the garden, but it still didn't take away from its beauty. Also a metal statue of Eternal Sailor Moon and her eternal guardians stood in the front of the courtyard. The statue looked just like her and her staff was held high as if she was about to use it. The inner four; Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Venus, were holding up their crystal stars as if giving their power to her. The outer four held up their weapons, or talismans, as they liked to call them. Pluto's Garnet Rod, Saturn's Silence Glaive, Uranus's Space Sword, and Neptune's Deep Aqua Mirror, like they did when Pharaoh 90 tried to take over in the past. My four guardians and I hope to have ours placed beside theirs one day.

Soon we came to a place that I didn't even know that we had; stables. I had known that Mom and Dad had their own horses, but I wasn't aware of us having a place for them here at the palace. Usually they were brought to the palace doors. One would think that for me being over nine hundred years old I would know everything there is to know about my own home. I suppose that it came from my parents not letting me out of the palace without them, which it wasn't often that I was able to go out with them, as they were always so busy.

Mom's horse, Daybreak, a mare, was mostly white with a single brown spot on her hindquarters. Mom would usually request that Daybreak's mane be braided with golden beads and her tail to be cut so that it didn't drag when she would go riding.

Dad's horse, Midnight, a gelding, was the opposite and was black with a grey blaze on his head. Dad somehow always seems magnificent on Midnight. Dad visited him when he could and would ride him around Crystal Tokyo occasionally, sometimes he'd even ask me if I wanted to join him on Daybreak.

Both are well tempered and very gentle, especially with little children. They were bestowed longer lives than most creatures; they were even given marks of the moon just like Luna and Artemis. Although they couldn't talk like Luna and Artemis could, they seemed to have their own language.

They were grazing in their pasture when we came up to their fence. Daybreak gave a soft whiny while Midnight came up to me and started to sniff in my direction. When he found nothing, he went back to grazing, Daybreak followed suit.

"They are rather beautiful," Kaden remarked. "I'm surprised that you don't have a horse of your own."

"I did," I replied sadly. "Daybreak and Midnight had one foal. Mom named him Sunset, to go along with both of his parents' names. He was a little wild and wily. Not even a year old when he got out of his pen somehow and was hit by a truck. Killed both the driver and Sunset, and from what I was told, it happened pretty fast."

"Wow, so young for a horse, and to die like that," Kaden marveled.

"Yeah," I agreed. "After that, Father insisted that Midnight be gelded. Daybreak wasn't even allowed to breed with another horse either. I think that was Mom's way of making sure that Daybreak didn't go through it again, especially since she nearly starved herself from the loss of Sunset."

"Well…" Kaden said, after a long silence, "how about a new horse?"

Grinning, he took my hand and let me to one of the stalls that held a horse I hadn't seen before. She seemed to look as if she was a little wary.

"Her name is Freckles," he said. "She's mild mannered, but is a little distrustful of people. She is also a rescued horse, taken from her previous owners because of the abuse they did to her. Freckles is getting a lot better now, and progressing pretty well. She's almost three years old."

Freckles was white with brown spots on her face and hindquarters, with a brown front left leg and a brown right hind leg, and a black star on the forehead. I noticed a scar like shape across her left eye and on her muzzle.

Still holding my hand, Kaden led me into her stall. Immediately, Freckles backed up, her ears where flat as she pawed the ground. There wasn't fear in the horse's eyes, it looked more like defiance.

"The trick," he went on, finally letting go of my hand, "is to show her that you are not going to harm her, and you need to gain her trust. She knows me, but I still like to keep that trust established with her."

"Now what you do is show her your hands," Kaden instructed, doing the movements as he spoke, "Make sure that she can see your hands at all times, usually she will go still." As he said this, Freckles went still, as if she knew what he was saying, her ears suddenly pricked forward. "Lastly, I slowly come toward her, not moving my hands, so that she can always see me."

Watching Kaden, I felt like I was looking at a different person. I mostly watched as he coaxed her to him. Hesitantly Freckles came to him. Carefully he placed his hands on Freckles nose; she flinched at his touch, but didn't move away.

"There we go, girl, steady." Kaden murmured gently to Freckles and then turned to me. "Do you want to try?"

I noticed that Freckles had been eyeing me carefully with soulful hazel brown eyes the whole time, but before I could answer Kaden, she stepped toward me with no hesitation and started nudging at my hands. Surprised, I reached up to stroke her neck, and she closed her big brown eyes.

"Wow, I have never seen her do that before," he remarked, watching her with surprise and amazement written on his face.

"Pegasus was always like that," I whispered aloud, without realizing it.

"Who is Pegasus?" Kaden asked.

"Nothing…" I replied, blushing; thinking of Pegasus reminded me of Helios.

"She usually doesn't mind getting her saddle and bridle on after she has accepted you, but when I do it, I like to let her examine them first."

Freckles had been standing near me since she had come to me, and was content as I rubbed her neck. It was strange that she had taken to me without really knowing me or without doing what Kaden had.

While I was giving her attention, Kaden was able to get her gear on. She was still the whole time he was doing so. I had never seen a horse stand so still as she did, or be as content with standing in the same spot for more than a few minutes.

When he finished, Kaden turned back to me. "Do you need help up?"

Suddenly I was feeling very shy, and I felt myself blushing, as I replied, "Would you mind? It is a little difficult to get up without standing on something, especially in this dress."

Smiling, he picked me up gently by the waist, and heaved me up on the mare. It startled me to see how strong he was. As I positioned myself on the saddle, I noticed a man bringing out Midnight, who was already suited up in his gear. It had been awhile since I had ridden on a horse, and I hoped that Freckles couldn't sense my uncertainty. As I finally found my composure, Kaden was already on Father's horse, watching me with an expression I couldn't read.

"So where do you wish to go, my fair Maiden?" Kaden asked.

'Only Helios is allowed to call me that,' I wanted to snap back, but instead I choked back those words and replied as pleasantly as I could. "Anywhere is fine with me; perhaps we can take a ride through the quiet courtyard? I am not really allowed to leave the palace grounds without my mother or father with me, and I need to dress as a civilian too."

"The courtyard it is," Kaden agreed. He gave Midnight a light tap on his side to urge him forward into a slow trot. Freckles followed after them, as if knowing that we were supposed to follow.

"My father and I used to go riding together," he started as the horses trotted side by side. "It was his way of having father and son time. I haven't been out riding on a horse in nearly ten years, at least in a leisure ride, I sill train them though, mostly difficult ones. Most of the people that my father has hired to train horses tell me that I'm a talented horseman. I tell them it's just something I like to do. Anyway, Freckles is one of horses I have helped trained. I think she has been the most difficult one to get to gain her trust, and there have been some pretty difficult horses."

"Is it hard to train them," I asked, trying to carry conversation.

"Sometimes," he replied. "Horses are a lot like people; they have lots of personality, and something that works for one horse may not work for another."

I liked that thought, people do have many personalities. "What is your favorite part of the rehabilitation process," I inquired, genuinely curious.

"Knowing that I am able to help," he said with no hesitation. "If not for Blaze, my first horse, I wouldn't have found what I was meant to do. He was always there for me even when I had no one." Kaden sighed. I could see the sadness in his dark brown eyes. "They seem to listen, I mean they can't talk back to us, but it feels good to get the negative feeling off one's chest."

I nodded in agreement. "It is lonely when there is no one to talk to. Diana, my grey cat, if you remember her, is like that for me, my go to person. She has always been willing to listen to me," I laughed as I added, "even to my nonsense."

"Almost sounds as if we have something in common, Lady Serenity." He commented, sighing yet again. "You know, I think I need to do something that I should have done some time ago."

I was amazed by his sudden seriousness. Kaden was quite as he steered Midnight to one of the courtyard's rather large rounded fountains. He hopped off of my father's horse and tied Midnight and Freckles to a tree a few feet away from the flowing water, with ropes that he had brought with us; each rope being at least four to five yards long to allow them to graze.

Kaden came over to me and offered his hand; Being the lady that I am constantly reminded to be, especially when a guy is being chivalrous to me, I took his hand let him help me down. As I slid off of Freckles' back, my foot caught on one of the foot holds of the saddle, causing me to nearly fall. Luckily, Kaden was strong, and was able to catch me without us both falling. Almost like one of those classic cheesy moments only seen in movies.

He and I blushed, as he asked me in a gentle voice. "Are you ok?"

I couldn't help but notice his arms around me, and that his face was so near mine; lips mere centimeters away. Kaden was looking at me with such intensity, that it made my blush deepen to a near crimson, and my cheeks felt warm. I couldn't speak so I only nodded.

"I'm sorry for all the mean things I did," Kaden, said his eyes never leaving mine. "It was because I wasn't sure how to tell you my feelings. It wasn't helpful that I grew up before you did; it wasn't right for an adult to get with a child, even though we are so close in age."

Before I could reply back his face came nearer to mine.