If the Future May Fade

A/N: I'm just really into changing up the stories I've written. I just want to entertain my readers and hopefully these edits help me in doing so!

Anyway, I hope all of you like this!

. . .

They take me by surprise just as I'm trying to make my way back to my room. Ami had kept me after our history lesson to remind me how important history is-actual history, not the history of the late twentieth century as I keep asking for information on. It's not a secret I love hearing stories about my parents before they were royalty. But apparently my senshi had complained once again about my romanticism with the past. Just once I wish they would let me have fun with myself.

"You do remember about your training with Luna and Dinah, right Small Lady?" Cere asks as she leads the group in jumping in my past. "I don't want either of them on my ass because you decided to look at your photo albums from when you were in the past. Again."

When I don't say anything she narrows her eyes. "You were nine, can't you give it up?" Of course she's going to hang that over me. But she doesn't understand how different things used to be. How fun things used to be when Usagi and Mamoru didn't have to worry about the welfare of the universe.

"I'll be at my lesson, mother."

The rest of the girls chortle as they hear my pained joke. "Do you want me to tell your mother about your being a pain?" Cere doesn't take any of my jokes, though. As the leader of my senshi, my body double just as Venus, she takes liberties in making sure my life is miserable. Unlike Minako, however, she doesn't actually hold any of ability to carry her threats through.

I shake my head quickly before clasping my hands behind my back. "Of course no, Cere! I'm just teasing!" My syrup sweet voice sickens me but I will go to any extent to make sure I get my way. I don't need the senshi watching my every move when I put my plans into action.

Tonight I leave. Even if just for a little while.

Cere nods and looks to the other girls. "Just behave, please, princess," she pleads before turning away, her dress swinging behind her in tufts of chiffon. The girls follow suit and wave at me with sweet smiles as they walk away.

Waving my fingers at them, I offer my biggest smile at them. I watch as their figures disappear down the hallway before sticking my tongue out. Do this, do that. Go to training, princess! You want to make up for the failure you've been for the past nine hundred years when you weren't aging!

Except Usagi-Sorry, I mean Neo Queen Serenity never had any training. And her senshi let her get away with it! They even let me get away with it as long as nobody complains! They like me a lot better than my own senshi.

Of course they hang on each and every one of my words but that's what they've been trained to do: adore me. They're the friends I always wished for when I was small. The only one that I appreciate the company of is Hotaru, but I seldom have the opportunity to see her. My mom always has her going out on missions with her outers.

I wonder when I'll ever meet my own outer senshi.

Not that I want to meet them soon. The rumor is that I only get to meet them when I'm in grave danger and I don't necessarily want that amount of risk in my life. All I want is fun and light hearted growing up and falling in love.

Just like mamma had when she was my age.

"Did the girls remind you of you-"

Speak of the devil. Not that my mom is a devil. But still. I offer her a smile and nod. "About my training tomorrow? Of course! I'll be there!" Even though my plans include leaving her for the time being I admit I'll miss her. She's gone through hell and back to keep me safe and it means the world to me. But things haven't been much of the same since the Black Moon Clan attacking.

We don't talk about that often.

I still miss Usagi though. She was far more open with me about her feelings. Like now I can see my mom hesitating as she looks at me. And just as quickly as I see it she shakes it off and ruffles my bangs with a smile. "You're growing up to be such a beautiful girl. I can't believe my eyes sometimes."

"Thank you, mama."

"Be a good girl, okay? I have an advisory meeting that I have to go to tonight. And I don't know how long it might take." Her cheeks gain a light dusting of pink. "I may or may not be late already."

My smile broadens into one actually genuine and I make a shoo-ing motion with my hands. "Then go on!" Somethings never change and I'm glad her habitual tardiness never escaped her queenly persona. I let out a laugh as she flushes a brighter pink before turning away and walking away with a sense of urgency I get to see practically every other day.

"Good night, Small Lady!"

My smile drops.

I miss being called Chibiusa.

I make it back to my room without being interrupted any more and close the door behind me with a silent finality. It's time to get down to business. It's crunch time, after all. Crossing my room I grab the bunny bag with the drawstrings and pull it open. About three days of clothes lay there innocently along with my bunny coin purse Mamo-chan bought me once upon a time ago when mama still called him that. I'm ready.

My eyes drift to my nightstand where my pink and gold brooch lay as a reminder. It has the Pink Crystal embedded in its center and is only supposed to be used in my training and emergencies. It's the key to my power as a senshi.

Not that I need it much anymore this day.

I only hesitate for a minute before shoving it in my bag and cinching it shut. That should do it. I look around the pink and white room I've lived it was decided that I should remain in the future. It's a room fit for a princess. Hopefully this trip will remind the others that I am more than just my mother's daughter.

And maybe for once I will be regarded with a respect that isn't a one-sided smile meant for a princess. I may be "Small Lady" but I am also Usagi, though I prefer Chibiusa much better. I am a soldier who never gets to fight. Princess is the least of my concerns. Which is why I have to do this. Going to the past is not a trip for fun, but more of a sabbatical to reclaim my sense of self. To figure out who I am beyond the heir to the throne.

Grabbing the little gold key Pluto gave me, I take a deep breath. I've been planning this for several months now and it's not the time to back out. I know how to do this, Pluto has trained me to travel for years. This is simply second nature.

I close my eyes and thrust the key into the air. "Oh, Guardian of Time. Chronos! Lead my passage through time and space and keep me safe!" A soft golden light envelops me and in my mind I know everything is going to be okay.

. . .

A/N: Hope these changes are at least somewhat better than what I had!

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