A Lady's Love:
The Prologue
By: Minako Winner

Alright, I doubt anyone of you remembers me; as I have been out of the loop for…goodness, a few years now. But here I am, giving a few of my stories a facelift, and hopefully an ending also. Now if anyone out there does remember me, or the original and has comments or questions, feel free to email me. Anyways, on with Version 2!

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon or Gundam Wing

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"Well it's time-" Usagi's voice shook as she set her eyes on the ground. She just couldn't continue, after all this was not her idea of what future was supposed to be.

"Well is it ever time to…" Makoto drifted off, her green eyes glazing over with unshed tears.

"…To be put into a endless sleep." Minako finished for her. Her blue eyes dark, troubled as she stated what could be their truth, their future.

"Well, there is a chance that at some point the future with play out in our favors." Rei said softly, hope completely absent from her voice though.

"A slim chance." Was all Ami could bare before she closed her eyes, tears burning their way down her pale cheeks.

Silence fell over the group as they each drifted into their own thoughts. Their lives as they had known them were over, and they didn't even know if they would ever be woken to new ones. Setsuna felt for them as she watched them from the shadows of the mists. This was not an easy task she'd given them, and it wasn't one she had wanted to assign. "Are you ready?" Setsuna stepped closer.

"Pluto…" Usagi muttered, spinning to turn to the Keeper of Time, "Has if really come to this?" She whispered, her hand moving cover her mouth as she broke down, "This can't be our future, Mamo-chan died…of cancer…this…this isn't what we've seen!" Usagi gasped as the tears finally spilled down her cheeks, "We were there! He was alive…" She sobbed, voice cracking as she dropped to her knees.

Setsuna moved quickly, hands softly resting on her shoulders, "Usagi, dear, that was only a possibility, not a guarantee. But I wish it was, for you." She said as she gently moved her Princess, leaning her back as Usagi continued to sob, "Trust me, it will work out some day." Setsuna said raising her hand towards Usagi's forehead, the crescent moon appearing and quickly she touched the symbol. "Sweet dreams Princess." She whispered, laying Usagi down as she stood, the Blonde's eyes closing, tears still fresh on her cheeks as she was incased in a silver crystal.

Setsuna turned her back on Usagi, her eyes closing tightly as she fisted her hand, this hurt her as much as it did them. Taking a deep breath she finally opened her garnet orbs and looking towards the other Senshi, "I didn't mean for it to happen like this." Her voice shook as she took a deep breath, "Shall we…continue?" She asked softly.

Ami stepped foreword nodding, "Yes, Setsuna, please." She reached up, her hands swiping at the tears on her cheeks, "I'm ready." She closed her eyes as she bowed her head slightly, Setsuna approaching her. Smoothly Setsuna moved her hand to Ami's forehead and to the soft blue glow of her symbol appearing.

But Setsuna paused a moment, whispering just to her, "Ami, I know you rely on your brain more then anything, but make sure you pay attention to your heart too." And with that Ami's eyes closed, and she sagged back, as Setsuna removed her finger and shifted her arm behind Ami, softly laying her down. And as she stepped away Ami's petite frame was crystallized.

Setsuna moved slowly to Rei and reached for her hand gently, "Did you said your goodbye to your grandfather?"

Rei nodded slowly, clenching and unclenching her hands in front of herself before taking in a shuttering breath, "I did, and you promise you'll watch over him? You won't let him be lonely?"

Setsuna nodded, her hand moving towards the raven haired woman, "Never, and Hotaru will be there also, visiting and helping out…" She gently brushed Rei's bangs aside, the ruby symbol lighting up, "Now, don't let your temper blind you Rei." She said softly, as Rei opened her mouth to speak, but before the words came out, she sagged and her violet eyes fluttered closed as Setsuna swept her up swiftly, laying her down softly. The crystal that held Rei gleamed as if on fire as she lay deep in sleep.

Setsuna turned again, her head tilted down, the three scattered crystals behind her as she moved towards where Minako and Makoto embraced, tears in both women's eyes as they reluctantly released, "My turn, I suppose." Makoto said with as much fake cheer as she could muster, stepping forward, "Setsuna…I trust you, so even though I may not understand why this is needed, it must be."

Setsuna smiled weakly, "I'm glad I have your blessing then Makoto." She reached out, gently resting a hand on Makoto's shoulder, "And don't lose your strength, you are an amazing woman, and don't let anyone tell you differently."

Makoto nodded, sniffling but trying to hide it, "And you tell Haruka and Michiru that if they let the world go to hell I'm going to kick their asses when I wake up." Makoto smiled weakly, tears dipping out of her eyes, "Oh hell, I'm crying now, just hurry up Setsuna, see you soon, Minako."

Minako waved weakly, her head dropping, and tears falling from her cheek into the mists as Setsuna repeated the task with Makoto. And with a flash of a green light Makoto's crystal coffin joined the four others behind Setsuna. Setsuna glanced behind herself a moment, tears welling in the back of her eyes then looking to Minako, "I'm sorry you've had to watch all of this."

Minako took a deep breath before raising her chin to Setsuna; her face set hard, eyes staring straight at her, tears gone from sight. "We trust you. And so we know this was what needed to be done, as hard for us as it is." Minako took a deep breath, eyes not wavering, "But this time, the task you asked of us isn't just hard, it's painful for us…and yet you say it is most important?"

Setsuna moved across the distance quickly, looking down to the much younger blonde, "Oh Minako, how you have grown into such a leader…you speak up for friends when even they wouldn't for themselves." She sighed, closing her eyes, "You want an explanation, don't you…" Minako nodded slowly, her shoulders strong as Setsuna continued. "The reign of Neo-Queen Serenity will never come. The future has changed too much. And before you blame a certain something, there were many factors, some you know, some to come, and some you will never know. Minako, I need you to trust my judgment, I am not sending you five to your deaths. If I kept you here though, it would be your deaths, Tokyo has no need for the Senshi now, and Haruka, Michiru, Hotaru and myself will be here to look over the little things, so do not worry about them."

Setsuna took a deep breath, gently setting her palm on Minako's cheek, "Now, this is important, when you wake things will be very different. You will be first, I can promise you that. Look for the others, they should not be too hard to find and wake. You must know, your new destinies are being put into motion, do not fear them, but things will not be easy." And with that Setsuna touched the dead middle of Minako's pale forehead, the symbol of Venus glowing bright in gold as Minako drooped backwards, Setsuna quickly caught her, kneeling to lay her down. And smiling softly as she whispered; "Now sleep, for when you wake you will be royalty once more…" just before Minako's eyes slid closed.

Setsuna stood alone now in the Gates of Time, five crystal coffins around her as her clothing slowly melted into that of her Senshi's uniform. "Well girls, now to send you somewhere safe to wait this out." It seemed natural that with the simple grip of the air, Pluto's Staff of Time appeared. Her heavy eyes she turned from the scene. Her hands curled tightly on the staff before her, raising it in the air slightly before bringing it down; the movement sent the mists swirling and the echo of the staff rippling over the crystals before the just disappeared.

"Well sleep well Princesses."