The world was quiet. Soft sighs and heavy hearts huddled reverently from their spectator positions respectfully looking on to the funeral service commemorating the Queen whom they had all came to trust and adore. Golden locks and piercing blue eyes were the features of the departed Queen that would always remain in the minds of her people alongside her generous heart and flawless kindness. The genuine nature of her care and tenderness had touched numbers insurmountable for claim and for this the people mourned. The world had been so peaceful ever since she first appeared to them. Silent tears were shed as the crystal white casket was lowered carefully into its final resting place.

What would they do now? How could they hope to continue on without her? Flocks of white doves were released from their cages, the fluttering of their angelic wings rendering the foreboding aura of sorrow into a submission of finality. Neo-Queen Serenity had passed. She was truly gone. Stillness was all that could be seen, the men and women dressed in black unable to move themselves from this grave. Eight subtle figures stood at the front of the crowd, each ones head lowered. Their distinctive symbols marred the jewels of the rings that belonged to the court of Crystal Tokyo, the court of Neo-Queen Serenity. With rising uncertainty, they watched as the casket disappeared beneath mounds of dirt. The world would be looking for new leadership and at the forefront they would be responsible for the answers. The indigo hues of Venus' tower glanced anxiously towards her peers who all hung morose in their stance. Great Venus, she thought to herself. Please help me.

Apart from the burial site, a woman stood, her blonde hair billowing with the wind. Her eyes were focused on the scene, her hands subconsciously clenched with anxiety. Things had happened so unexpectedly and when she received word of Neo-Queen Serenity's death she could hardly believe it was true. Guilt-ridden and anxious, she found herself watching the funeral half hoping that the news was false. Unfortunately, it did not appear so.

Her body tensed as she felt the presence of a newcomer beside her.

"You shouldn't be here," the newcomer said. The blue hues of the blonde woman scanned her new companion and nodded.

"Neither should you," she replied. A sigh escaped from the lips of the amethyst-eyed priestess as she silently agreed.

"I couldn't keep myself away," she admitted. The blonde woman gave a weak smile before again returning her attention to the funeral.

"None of us could."

As if on cue, two more women appeared beside them, each observing the event. Troubling thoughts plagued each of them, their minds constantly riddled with questions of whether or not their past actions were wise. What they had done was kept tightly under lock and key, the only ones knowing the full details of their choices being they themselves and six others.

"It was so strange," the blue-haired spectator remarked. "She was so young and healthy, her death seem to come out of no where."

They all gulped, sweat beads forming across their brows.

"They say she died of natural causes," the blonde spoke.

"They may be lying," said the raven-haired priestess.

"It is possible she kept her ailment a secret as to not burden the public with concern…" the blonde spoke, still not wanting to accept that the Queen's passing may have been due to something other than what was published.

"Possible," the blue-haired woman acknowledged. "But unlikely. We chose carefully, their health was essential in the process. I examined her myself and could find nothing. Do you really think she could hide it that well?"

A groan was heard, eyes of three women settling on the tallest who leant uneasy on the shading tree.

"Mako-chan?" the raven-haired woman spoke. "Are you alright?"

"I'm sorry," the brunette hastily apologized, frivolously waving her hand to excuse her action. "Its just that I can't help but automatically assume that the cause of death was…" she drifted off, unable to find a word to embody what she was trying to say. She shook her head. "Never mind."

Awkward silence ensued, their thoughts now refocusing on their past.

"Do you think we did the right thing?" The blue-haired doctor quivered as she asked. An undeniable sense of blame was felt as she pondered her own question.

"Of course," the raven-haired priestess responded. The group was not convinced however, as they stood now sinking into a lower pit of insecurity.

"You don't think we were being too selfish when we decided?" Makoto's emerald orbs darkened with pain as she vocalized her opinion. The steady beating in her chest ached as she awaited someone's response.

"No," the blonde interceded decisively. "I think it was necessary."

Further inquiries were disbanded as the appearing leader resonated with an aura of command. The three around her nodded resolutely, before peering at the conclusion of the ceremony.

"We should go now," the blonde spoke. "Its not good for us to be seen together." Her blue eyes were tinged with pain as she turned to the three women she had grown so attached to in the past. It hurt that she was not able to see them as often as she would like and even now when they were together, she couldn't help but feel remorse because they would have to part ways and pretend like they had never known each other.

Her body had taken control, as her mind scolded her incessantly for her submission. She gripped tightly around the three astonished women who slowly but surely returned her hug. These were her friends, some of the few that she had left and she couldn't withhold the urge to hug them at least once before they again disappeared.

"You guys take care of yourselves." She could feel tears threatening to fall but forced herself to remain dry eyed.

"You too, Minako-chan."

Smiles were exchanged as they walked their separate ways. Pangs of regret pierced through each of them. For a decision that had supposedly been so right, they sure felt terrible about it.

"Milliardo?" A voice rang. "Are you alright?"

The platinum strands of the man shifted as he turned to face his sister's concerned navy eyes. "Serenity's remaining court members have asked that we meet with them to discuss the Queen's passing."

Relena nodded expectantly. She had figured this would happen since the Queen had no heirs and no order was in place to dictate who would be next to take the throne. The Sanq Kingdom had ruled peacefully alongside Crystal Tokyo for six years and though the Peacecrafts themselves were content with Neo-Queen Serenity's rule, they still were troubled by the fact that they knew very little about her origins or even the structure of her court.

"Are we attending, then?"

Milliardo bobbed his head. "Yes." A moment of silence followed before he again spoke up. "Inform the pilots, won't you?" He said. "I want to get the most out of this and it would be helpful to have them there." He turned back towards the window and stared mindlessly. "This is a daunting time," he murmured. "Peace may not last much longer…"

My apologies…

Another story…=(

I'm sorry…

But, it would be nice if you reviewed =) I'm kind of in a funk now, my other stories are receiving much of my undivided attention but when I go to write unfortunately nothing much comes out so I'm moving at a snail's pace…hopefully it'll come faster soon!

Anyways, thanks for reading!

JPandS