Author's Note: I have already posted a majority of the stories I wrote for "smmonthy" in January. This file will only contain those which have not already been uploaded separately. If I may be forgiven, here is a list of the other stories I wrote for the Guardian Senshi month: Like Mother, Like Daughter, Wedding Day Rush, Dream Prince, Dinner Revelations, PGSMR: Encroaching Darkness, Blue, Romantic Literature, To Serve and Protect (to be replaced), Crescent Moon Power, Distraction, Chipped Glass, Snow Angels, Wild, Sayounara, Identity, Shipwrecked, Crystal Cats, Favors, Like Chocolate, and Beneath the Surface.

If the moderators decide that this note is too long, please let me know via e-mail and I will replace this chapter.

1/21/06

Title: Venus' Duty
Author: Raya
Theme: Guardian Senshi (optional theme: Alternate Reality)
Genre: Drama
Version: PGSM
Rating: PG

Disclaimer: All characters are owned by Takeuchi Naoko and Bandai Entertainment. I have merely converted them into dolls to play with for a while.

Venus' Duty

Sailor V stood in the shadows and watched with a frown as Sailor Moon screamed and ran over to Tuxedo Mask. The youma that they were fighting today had hit the masked man with such a strong power blast that he had been thrown several meters across the parking ramp and into a wall. As his body fell away, it left an imprint behind.

Her dark eyes flashed to Sailor Mercury and Sailor Jupiter. They had stopped for a moment to stare in shock, and then had turned hard eyes towards the youma. Only Sailor Mars had realized how vulnerable Sailor Moon had left herself, and had stepped up her attacks. Fortunately, it had been enough to distract the creature until Sailor Mercury and Sailor Jupiter had broken out of their stupor. Luna lay unconscious a short distance away.

"V... You've got to go help them," Artemis called quietly from beside her foot. He stared anxiously at the battling senshi and then up at his charge. Slowly, she shook her dark gold head. His eyes widened in shock.

"No... The princess must not put herself at risk," she replied as her gaze returned to Sailor Moon. The other blonde headed senshi was frantically shaking the fallen hero.

"V..."

She shook her head again. "No. We can't risk it." She drew back further into the shadows, still watching, unable to make herself leave even though she knew it was the right thing to do. "Look at her, Artemis," she said more softly. Her voice sounded as if she were despairing. "Any time he gets a scratch, she runs to him, heedless of what is going on around her. She's a child. She's still just an irresponsible, immature child." Her gloved hands clenched, and then she turned her eyes down to her adviser. "It would be better if she just..." She broke off, unable to say it.

Artemis drew back from her a little in shock. "If she what? Died? Is that what you want, V?" He shook his head in disbelief as her face tightened.

"Maybe it would be best," she whispered.

"And then what?" he asked sharply. "You keep the Silver Crystal? Your job is to deliver it to her, and then protect them both."

She shook her head as she watched Sailor Jupiter fly through the air, slam into a concrete pillar, and slip unconscious to the pavement. Sailor Mercury was hunched over, holding her stomach and gasping for air. Sailor Mars looked exhausted, but determined as she wobbled a little in her red high heels.

"They need you, V! They need Venus! They need their princess," Artemis urged frantically as the youma began to advance toward the inattentive Sailor Moon. The blonde senshi had stilled her frantic efforts and was simply kneeling there, crying. Clenching her jaw, Sailor V shook her head once more.

"Moon! Look out!" Sailor Mars screamed.

As the youma drew back its clawed hand to deliver the killing blow, Sailor Moon's head came up and a silver white light surrounded her. Her fuku faded away and was replaced by a long white, sleeveless dress. Her hair had changed as well, darkening to brown once more and shifting from pigtails to a partial bun. The revealed princess turned her head and looked up at the enemy with cold, dark eyes. Artemis, Sailor Mercury, and Sailor Mars shivered at the sight. Sailor V merely clenched her hands and jaw once again.

"I feel it..." the princess said softly. "The power... It is here." Her cold eyes focused on the youma. "You... You hurt him..." Her voice was as brittle as glass shards and just as sharp. Slowly she stood up.

Instinctively, the youma drew back its arm. The princess' eyes narrowed, and then a blinding light flashed out of her. Sailor Mars, Sailor Mercury, Artemis, and Sailor V all shielded their eyes.

Deep inside, Sailor V felt a responding tug and pulse of power. Quickly, she rammed her back into the concrete wall, clenched her eyes shut, and used both arms to clench frantically at her stomach. She slid down the wall until she was seated on the pavement, knees up in front of her, and drawn into as tight a ball as she could make herself. Finally, the power subsided, and she relaxed.

She cracked her eyes open once more and saw Sailor Moon collapse to her knees. The youma had been destroyed. Sailor Moon's face was both exhausted and confused as she looked around. She, Artemis, and Sailor V were the only senshi conscious although the latter two were still hidden from her sight. And then, Sailor Moon collapsed over onto her side. Her transformation fell away, and she became Usagi once more. Around her, Mamoru, Makoto, Rei, and Ami also lost their transformations.

Slowly, Sailor V forced her way to her feet, and then turned to look down at Artemis. "You would have me give the Silver Crystal to that?" she asked quietly as she bent down to pick him up. He was silent, still in shock at the amount of raw power the Princess had used. "My duty is not to protect her and the Crystal. It is to protect this world from her and the Crystal. Until she learns control... Until she matures... I cannot give it to her," she said as she slowly walked out of the parking ramp and into one of the attached buildings. "I cannot risk it falling into their hands either," she continued as she gently placed him on top of a pay phone. She lifted the receiver, and then deposited a small coin. "So, I must stay hidden, until she is ready," she concluded as she tapped out the local emergency number. Artemis was silent as she reported an apparent hit and run accident in the parking ramp.