A lone warrior whom no one has ever seen, assigned to guard the doorway of space and time for all eternity. Sailor Pluto.
She had been alone for so long, never speaking to anyone or having any contact with others. Not even Queen Serenity, during the era of the Silver Millennium. Sometimes she hated being who she was, living as if forced to endure solitary confinement, residing by the doorway of time and space she was to guard for all of her life. If only she could have some company…
Setsuna, or Sailor Pluto, stood at her gate, hers eyes closed in thought, her fingers tracing the pattern of her time key. Sighing to herself, she opened her eyes again and stared up at the purple black blankness above her.
Should she go? Was it even possible she not go? She had accepted the invitation with good grace, but now she was unsure. After living alone for so long, with no contact with anybody, it would be difficult for someone like her to face such a large crowd. She sighed again and turned to the time door. She had to leave now if she was going to go. She bowed her head in resignation and walked through the door. Perhaps it was time for her to meet people, to make new acquaintances.
She soon found herself outside the barriers of the Crystal Palace. Tentatively, she walked in, and entered the Palace as quietly as she could, not wishing to attract any unwanted attention. Looking around the room, she could see the inner Senshi standing together with their respective Shittenou, introducing themselves to guests. Sailor Uranus and Neptune stood together not far from them.
She then saw the Neo Queen and King standing towards the back of the room. Neo Queen Serenity had a small infant cradled in her arms and the young couple smiled lovingly at one another as she reached up and wrapped a small fist around the king's finger.
Beside them stood Luna and Artemis, watching their King and Queen adoringly. As Setsuna watched them, Luna noticed her and whispered something to Serenity. Serenity smiled widely and handing her baby to her husband, gathered her skirts and walked over, much to Setsuna's horror. She silently thought of a way to escape without looking rude or obvious.
She was brought out of her reverie by the Queen's voice.
"I'm so glad you came Sailor Pluto," the Neo Queen was saying to her, "We hoped very much that you could be here for Small Lady." She gestured to her husband, her guardians and his. Setsuna smiled weakly. She could hear her name on people's lips as she stood there with the Queen.
'No one has ever seen her…'
'Must be very lonely…'
'Such a shame…'
Apparently, the Queen had heard as well, for she took Setsuna's arm gently and led her towards where her friends and family were. They all acknowledged her warmly as she approached them nervously. She nodded back and in curiosity, looked in the direction of the now sleeping princess. Serenity took her back from Endymion and placed her in Setsuna's arm, much to her surprise and horror. She held her stiffly for a moment before finally relaxing her arms.
The princess yawned sleepily and opened her eyes, blinking up at the unfamiliar woman. For a second, Setsuna was worried she would cry, but to her relief, the infant smiled brightly up at her and clutched at the ribbon on her chest. The adults around them all smiled in delight, and the Queen moved over towards her. "This, Small Lady, is Sailor Pluto," she said gently to her daughter. Small Lady looked at her mother blankly for a moment and then looked back up at Setsuna."Puuu," she murmured, her big pink eyes gazing up at the woman holding her.
Neo Queen Serenity tried not to giggle at her young princess. "Looks like Serenity has a new friend," she smiled.
Friend…
Setsuna smiled happily down at the child in her arms. She traced the crescent moon on her forehead absentmindedly.
"Small Lady," she whispered.
She had a feeling she wouldn't be so alone anymore.