*All the characters do not belong to me*

Chapter 1

"Usagi!"

The young princess stops abruptly when she heard her name called. She recognise the voice though, and she had been dreading it since last week. Usagi decided to pretend that she did not heard her and continue walking down the street. The comic shop is just around the corner and if she could make it, maybe she could avoid talking to her. Usagi break into a run and slip into the shop. Catching her breath, she look around the shop. Unsurprisingly, there are many people there. It had always been very popular with her classmates when this comic shop had opened just last week. The celebration was very grand and the first 100 customers gets a 50% discount off the actual price. Usagi was one of the 100 and she bought a stack of comics home. She now regretted it.

"U—SAA—GIII!"

At the same time, Usagi felt a tap on her shoulder from behind. Sweating nervously now, she put on her sweetest smile and turn to face her friend, Rei.

"Rei..what a coincidence. Are you here for the comic as well? Oh, there is a new stock over there and I heard they have some fabulous title. Let's go!" Usagi tried to change the stoning atmosphere of her friend and started to walk towards the 'New Arrival' shelves. However, Rei seem to know Usagi too well to be distracted. She pull her out of the shop and speak to her sternly.

"Usagi! There is no use avoiding me anymore. I would not forget it no matter how long it is" Rei glared at Usagi.

Usagi flinch and smile sheepishly at Rei. "Rei, I am not avoiding you. I mean, why would I avoid you? Hehehe.." Usagi patted her friend shoulder.

"Yes you are. This whole week you were not at our regular study hours and not once you had come whining to us over your 'misfortune'. Now, spit it all out. Have you use all our money to buy those comic books? The money we all shared to buy a present for Saiko sensei?"

Sweats fall profusely down Usagi's forehead. She slumped her shoulder and not meeting Rei's eyes, she nodded slowly. Rei sigh and shake her head. "What should we do with you? Saiko sensei is going to leave tomorrow and you promise us you would be responsible, only then we agreed to give you the important task of buying the present." Rei seem to be in the point of bursting with impatient. Usagi seem to sense it and once Rei look behind her at a child shouting for his toy, she take the opportunity to slip away quietly. When Rei turn her attention back to Usagi, she is already safely on her way back home.

"Usagi, Rei had been calling you for millions of times. What had you done this time?" Luna asked when Usagi walked into her room. "It had already nearly 6 months after the last battle with Galaxia and you had not settle back yet? The finals are coming soon and you should study hard. It is your future and how can you catch up with Mamoru if you still act childishly?" Luna continue nagging.

Usagi stare absentmindedly at the sky through her window. The last battle with Galaxia had ended. She had restored peace to the world and her friends. Everything is back to normal. Mamoru are now back from his studies abroad and working in the Tokyo University as a researcher. She is proud of her lover. Now, all she had to do is to finish high school in another two years and she would be free to marry him. He had promised. Usagi smiled sweetly at the memories of him.

"Are you listening to me at all?"

Usagi was brought back to the reality when Luna jumped on her shoulder shouting into her ears. "Yes, yes. Of course I heard you."

"Then you should not just sit there dreaming. Get started on your homework. Geez.."

Usagi stands up and walk towards her bed and drop onto it. Luna stared at her princess and sigh. Usagi would never act like a princess. All she does is laze around all day, eating all kinds of sweets and watching the TV and her comics. Since peace had been restored, Luna thought that Usagi had grown more matured. Afterall, her battle with Galaxia was tough and she performed marvelously, just as a princess, the future Queen would do. However, now, looking at Usagi, sleeping on her bed, Luna sigh and hope she would realize her responsibility soon.

~Usagi's dream~

Where am I? I could not see anything. It is so dark here. Help me.. Is there anyone? Can anyone take me away from this darkness?

"WAHAHAHAHAHA" (Evil laugh)

"My dear princess. There is no one here besides me. No one is here to bring you away from my darkness. Slowly, very slowly, you would feel at home in this darkness. Don't you feel so comfortable?"

Feel at home? This is my home? Is this where I should be? Do I belong to this place? Who are you?

"Yes, dear princess. This is your home. It is where you are born therefore, you belong to this darkness. This darkness exist because you exist. I am the soul of the darkness you are now in, which means, you are inside of me, dear."

I am inside of you? This darkness belongs to me?

~End of dream~

The sounds of the rain outside woke Usagi. She opened her eyes and stare at the white ceiling above her. She seems to be dreaming, but, she forgot what it is.

*Well? How do you like it? It is the beginning of a long story of the life after Usagi and friends defeated Galaxia. Stay tune, there is a hint of new enemy. I am trying to keep to the original storyline and keeping each character as similar as possible. Please review. Thank you!*