Neo-Queen Serenity was holding a hushed conversation with her husband and true love, King Endymion, outside a bedroom door. "But she is so young!" Serenity was pleading softly, "Still just a child."
Endymion stroked her cheek gently, "We were as young when we did the same thing. And she has more training than you or I ever had."
Serenity shook her head sadly. "She is still my baby."
"And mine too," Endymion whispered, "But she is also a princess of the moon, and a senshi as well. She must test herself against danger, and uphold her rightful duty of protecting others."
"I know. I know. Can't we at least speak to her? It seems so cruel to send her with out even a good bye."
Endymion drew her close. "You know as well as I she will remember nothing, for a time at least. But if it soothes your heart- go my dear." He kissed her on the forhead, and drew back, to give her time alone with their young daughter.
Serenity crossed the room to the bed of the sleeping girl. Sitting gingerly on the bed side, she couldn't bring herself to wake the child. "Little Serenity, Chibi-usa my sweet. I love you more than life itself. I would not send you if their was not great need." She bent, and kissed her daughter. She is becoming a young woman before my eyes, she thought, gazing at my daughter. Oh, my little one, take care. Save the Earth and Moon I love. But come home safe to me.
When she rose, Endymion was standing in the doorway. He took her hand commfortingly. "She shall not be alone. Many will watch over her for us."
"Yes. She will be taken care of, my Queen." A tall woman with long, wavy purple hair stood in the hallway. Close behind her stood her pale-haired husband.
"Luna, Artemis," Serenity said softly, regaining her composure. I must thank you again. To ask this of you-"
"It is her duty," Artemis broke in firmly, "And she would not have it any other way." He looked fondly at the pale purple cat that Luna cradled in her arms. "She looks much as you did, dear," he whispered comfortingly in Luna's ear.
Luna smiled, though her eyes glistened. "Yes. Our little Diana. With your permission, majesty?"
Endymion nodded, and Luna entered the sleeping Princess's chamber. Bending, she nestled her cat-daughter next to the young lady. Stroking the crescent moon emblem on her daughter's brow, she kissed her once, then left, shoulders set.
When she re-entered the hallway Serenity was speaking worriedly with Endymion. "I would just feel better if we new more about the cause of the disruptions. And with Setsuna missing it could be anyone... or anything. There are so many things different than our time."
Endymion kissed her softly. "We shall pray for the best. Fate and friends guard our daughter."
Luna took Serenity's hand, and the two women, each strengthened by the other, went away. Endymion lingered in the doorway. "Stay true to yourself, my daughter. Be strong and brave, like the queen you will become."
~*~*~
O N E : A Beginning (again?)
"Chibi-usa! Wake up! You're going to be LATE!"
Rubbing her eyes, Bunny climbed out of bed, groping about for her clothes.
"CHIBI-USA!!"
"That's a baby name!" she cried sourly as she tugged on her socks and school uniform.
"Young lady you get down here right now before you're tardy again!"
Rolling her eyes, she hurried in the main room. "Great! Breakfast!" she cheered, "I'm starved!"
"Chibi-usa," her Mom worried, "Aren't you going to be late?"
"Aw, Mom, there's always time for food. Especially yours! YUM!"
Mom beamed at her. "Well eat up, you can't learn on an empty stomach."
"Chibi-usa can't learn at all!" Sammy teased, as he strolled through the kitchen, snatching a bread roll off her plate.
"I can too!"
"Suuuure..." Sammy grinned.
"I'm doing better than Usagi!" she shrilled.
'Um, Usa? You ARE Usagi." Sammy peered at her, then rapped on her head. "Yep. Hollow."
"Sammy!" Chib-usa pushed him away, and Mom shook her head.
"Now, children... Sammy you go ahead to school. NOW."
He looked about to protest, but wasn't stupid enough to challenge that tone of voice.
Bent over her food again, Chibi-uas hastily gulped large mouthfuls. Why on Earth'd I say that? she wondered, feeling almost dizzy. I must be going loony from too much homework.
Releasing the thought, she quickly returned to her breakfast, and all too soon, she was racing along the path to her school, on the brink of being late.
Momo, one of her long-standing school friends, met her at the door, brimming with excitement. "You don't have to worry about being tardy, Chibi-usa, the teacher's not here yet!"
Chibi-usa took a deep breath. "Great. Dad'd absolutely kill me if I was late one more time. So what's up, Peaches? You sound really excited."
Momo grinned, bobbing her head. "I am! There's this new girl- I think her name is C-something. Cary. Something like that." Momo brushed aside the lack of details. "Anyways, she's totally cool! I hear her parents are a famous trapeze duo that work in the circus!"
Chibi-usa gasped. "Wow! What's she doing here??"
"They say her parents want her to have a stable enviroment, so she's going to stay here for at least the whole school year!!"
"Double wow!"
Momo nodded happily. "I know!"
Chib-usa tugged her friend's arm. "No not that, silly!" She said in hushed exclamation, "Look at HIM!"
Momo turned to look at the man that walked past them into the school, and they both went starry-eyed.
"Isn't he a hunk? I hope he's the substitute..." Chibi-usa murmured dreamily. A minute later the words kicked in and galvanized them both into action.
"Augh! What if he IS the substitute? We're going to be tardy!!!"
They dashed inside towards their classroom door, flinging it open, just as the handsome young man was taking his seat at the teacher's desk.
They both froze, bowing apologetically, and throwing out a frenzy of apologies.
"We're sorry sir-"
"-we were waiting for the teacher-"
"-we didn't see you-"
"-honestly, we were here on time-"
"-we-"
He held up a hand to stop them, smiling warmly. "It's fine girls, take your seats."
Somewhat stunned, they both moved meekly to their desks. With some surprise, Chibi-usa noticed a pink-haired girl she didn't recognize standing at the front of the classroom. That must be her! she thought, forcing herself not to stare at the girl, who looked somewhat defiantly at the class.
The substitute cleared his throat, and silence fell, an excited tension hanging in the air. "Well ladies and gentleman, I am pleased to see you looking well today." He brushed back a long lock of dark hair.
He's so dreamy... Chibi-usa thought. He even called us ladies and gentlemen!
"My name is Professor Aquilo, and I'm glad to have a chance to work with such fine students." He looked over at the new girl. "I am sorry your teacher could not be here to greet you today, she fell unexpectedly ill. Class, meet Cereta Danterr. You come from India I believe?"
Cereta shrugged casually, "I've lived there, I've lived everywhere. But I was born here."
Aquilo nodded his head. "Lovely. Miss Cereta, would you take a seat next to..." he checked his roll, "...Miss Usagi?"
Chibi-usa suddenly blinked out of her trance, smiling as Cereta walked towards the empty seat beside her. "Hi!" she whispered.
Cereta nodded her head distractedly in a mere acknowledgement of her presence.
Ouch, Chibi-usa thought, somewhat sullenly. Throughout the lesson, the whole class was totally attentive to the substitute, as they never were for any other teacher. He treats us like adults, Chibi-usa thought, But he's not uptight at all... When the day finally flew by, she hurried through the bustle of people, to the door, hoping to catch Momo, or another friend, and rant about Professor Aquilo. As she was leaving, she noticed Cereta, still sitting at her desk. But a crowd of people was gradually forming around her, and Chibi-usa left without trying to speak to her.
Upon finding out none of her friends were still around and started towards home, bursting with excess information. Something furry brushed past her feet and she looked down at a light purple cat. "Awww!" she dropped to her knees, extending her hand. "What's your name little kitty?"
"Diana!"
Chibi-usa jumped back. "You talk! No," she reasoned, "You can't, your a cat. I'm just hearing things."
The young cat wrinkled her brow, causing the crescent moon symbol on her forehead to crease. "I forgot you wouldn't remember me, small lady."
"Remember you? I've never met you! I'd remember a talking cat," she said, aware of the strangeness of the situation. And yet... She could remember a time when a small pink-haired child played with a kitten like this cat would have been.... She touched her temple.
"What did you say your name was?"
"Diana," the cat reminded her patiently. "I'm here to help you remember things, Small Lady. Some things," she amended "I don't know everything myself.
"Remember what things?" Chibi-usa asked, curiosity aroused now that she had mostly gotten over the cat- Diana- talking.
Diana cocked her head to the side. "You are a moon princess, and it is your duty to protect love and justice. You were sent here from Crystal Tokyo in the 30th century for that purpose. But you don't have to worry abot that!" she said, seeing the confused look on Chibi-usa's face, "And I'll coach you through the whole Sailor Moon part."
"Wait- I'm supposed to fight people? Who's the bad guy?"
"A dark force has entered the Earth once again," Diana said grimly, "Already it eats away at the souls of people. But you can overcome that! You will defeat the enemy."
Chibi-usa looked uncertain. "I- I can?" she thought of her friends at school her Mom, Dad, and Sammy. If something threatened them... She nodded more sure of herself. "I will."
Diana grinned in a very uncatlike manner.