A sharp bit of glass poked into her side bringing Usagi back to rational thought. Tears had dried to her face long ago and been refreshed by new ones. She could still feel a drop hanging from her chin and it burned on her flesh for she couldn't summon the energy to remove the last testimony to the rage of emotions flowing inside her. She still sat hunched down in the phone booth after having thrown herself in here to get away.

What a laugh. How do you get away from something that's in your mind, heart and blood? How do you run from something when all you want to do is embrace it? Easy. Go somewhere that thing isn't. Really easy.

Usagi was shocked with herself before she realized that it wasn't just her mind speaking. It was that of Princess Serenity not that they really were different but when she thought as Princess Serenity everything became clearer. She knew more, understood more and it scared her. Just this once she was to sad to be scared and so she embraced the more magnificent side of herself.
Run, to where? She asked the silence in her mind and sat waiting for the answer. Her thoughts where thick and slow but eventually the crystal clear thoughts of Serenity came to her and pushed back the sadness. Run to America Usagi. You know how. I'll be here to help you.

America? What's in America? She asked but she knew before the crystal voice answered her. Does it matter? No of course it didn't matter if there was something in America or not. As long as what haunted her here wasn't there. Swiftly memories of class the day before filled her mind and she knew exactly what Serenity meant. The exchange program. There were always young students being sent to America in order to gain a better knowledge of the world. They had to pass a test collect the money and off they went.
Usagi's parents had already saved up the money that was to send her there, and go to college. They'd saved it before they knew what a horrible student she would become, but the money was still there. With Serenity's help she could pass the test for Serenity knew everything Usagi had ever known and everything she hadn't paid attention to was lodged somewhere in the recesses of her mind. Serenity's presence told her this and Usagi knew it to be true.

What about Luna? The scouts? This Usagi asked herself knowing what Serenity would say to that. She was their princess it was her destiny to stay with them and lead them, but they didn't want the leadership. Just the other day Rei had told her that Minako would have made a much better leader, so what if she gave it to them? It would have to be done just as she left so they wouldn't know what was happening till she was gone.

Luna and Chibi-Usa, now there was a problem. Or it was till Usagi remembered that Luna had said they was staying at Ami's until she grew up. That had happened and Luna had missed it. Blinking back her tears Usagi stood up looking around the phone booth then at the buildings outside. She remembered with acute clarity why she'd thrown herself in here to cry, the harsh words the love of her life had uttered tossing her away like used Kleenex. Well fine. If that was all she was then the Kleenex would leave.
She opened the door and with only a brief look at his apartment building she began a dash for school hoping she could catch up with Miss H before she left for the day. Her mad dash was much more graceful than normal and not once did she come close to tripping into anything. With a determined look on her face she reached her Junior High School rushing inside. She hadn't missed the Sensei. Luck had made it so that some other poor fool had double detention and the woman was beside herself with boredom. Usagi's appearance after school hours startled her but her question was even more bizarre.

"Are you sure Usagi? It's a very difficult test even Ami-chan had second thoughts about taking it." Usagi was resolute and in order to humor her she was given the test. Usagi sat in the back of the classroom pencil in hand looking at the mass of words and calculations before her. For a second panic rose in her throat.

No Usagi. Read me the questions. We will answer them together. Serenity told her. It wasn't all that hard and before she knew it she was answering the questions with Serenity the two selves using the hard work of the test to merge into one. Although still a separate thought structure, their knowledge was as one. Usagi remembered to thank Serenity at the close of the test for her help. There was only a bemused chuckle as a reply.

Her parents knew before she reached home, Usagi had made it there in record time since she didn't stop at the arcade but for a moment to look through the closed glass doors. Her friends were inside, the almost made a step to go to them but the words Rei had uttered in anger the night before filled her mind.

"It's no wonder Tuxedo Kamen doesn't want you anymore as much as a klutz and a moron as you are. Jeez Usagi grow up already." Rei's eyes seemed to spark with anger as she gingerly touched a wound on her leg. Makato had nodded and not even Ami had stuck up for her. Usagi had had wounds of her own, but no one noticed, or cared. She'd turned to limp off and head for home. Yet again she turned and headed for home no limp in evidence.

"I KNEW YOU COULD DO IT USAGI!" Her mother's frantic shout stopped Usagi in her tracks as she walked in the front door. She remembered to plaster a fake smile on her face just in time as her mother practically flew at her.

"This is GREAT Usagi. Why didn't you ever try this before?" She seemed to be mixed between being proud of her daughter and upset at the same time. Usagi tried to focus on the proud part.

"I'm sorry mama, but they started the program again and this time it's for three years and I really wanted to go. It's a great chance to see another country." Usagi told her voice a plastic copy of her normal cheerful one. She had to gasp for breath when her mother hugged her almost lifeless.

"I knew all it would take is for you to find something you wanted to do. This is great. Wait till your father gets home. We'll buy you a new wardrobe and some new luggage. The plane leaves in two days." She jumped for joy, just as Usagi should have been doing. But Usagi just watched her mother as though she had two heads.

Well it was the right choice Serenity. She spoke to herself watching her mother dance about the room. Of course it was Usagi. Everything will turn out right. The crystal voice told her and Usagi nodded faintly her feet taking her up the stairs and into her room. Usagi's old suitcase was already on the bed waiting for her clothes. Usagi slid out of her school clothes and into some lose sweat pants and a tight black shirt she rarely wore. This way she could see all of her belongings and find what to pack.

"Miss H said to bring only clothes, books and a few personal items. What do I take?" She asked out loud as she surveyed a lifetimes worth of junk she had acquired. Take nothing, leave nothing behind. Was Serenity's response. Not helpful. Usagi said sardonically, but in a way it made a little sense. She took her favorite clothes off their hangers along with her under things, socks, shoes, her diary and a couple of notebooks that had her favorite doodles in them. That done there were three things on the bed left. Her moon broach, the communicator, and her Luna Pen.

Surely one of the other girls could use the extra communicator, but the broach she would have to take. It was dangerous to whoever would find it or try to use it. The Luna pen could be useful where she was going. With a quick thought she hid all in her subspace pocket before zipping up her suitcase and placing it by the door. She could wear her school uniform shopping to morrow and wear something new for her trip.

"Usagi, DINNER!" Her mother's voice thundered down the hall startling her into movement. She went down to dinner to endure more compliments from her parents and very uncomplimentary comments from her brother.

That night she stare up at the moon thoughts tumbling through her head. She felt so different now, not quite the carefree girl she had been all her life nor the down trodden sad person she had been as she sat in that telephone booth this afternoon. No she wasn't the same but she couldn't in good conscience chalk it up to the Princess either because although she was part of it, it wasn't that entirely either. It does you no good to fret about it. Her inner self told her and Usagi knew she was right. Sleep Usagi. And she did.

She had three new pink suitcases brimming with clothes and other thing her mother had insisted on buying for her daughter. They each stood lined up by the door with her old one waiting the car trip that would take them to the airport at five am tomorrow morning. Usagi had her clothes for the next day laying out on the floor and she was now standing above them surveying the new look.

She had received a packet from Miss. H this morning that said she was going to New York and so she had shopped accordingly buying none of her usual shorts and skirts, but pants that were full and baggy. Someone had once told her that if you look bigger than you really are you had less chance of getting attacked. That maybe so, but Usagi wrinkled her nose at the sight. With a deep sigh she turned away to find her mother just standing in the door tears in her eyes.

"Mama?" She asked softly not wanting to startle the woman. Ikuko lifted her face so she could search Usagi's eyes with her own.

"Oh Usagi, I am so proud of you, but I'm going to miss you so much." Her mother whispered before throwing herself in Usagi's arms. Tears filled Her and they cried together. It was then, pressed close to her mother that she discovered something no one else knew.

"You know mama, you should turn this room into a nursery when I'm gone." Usagi whispered delighted to see the shocked look in Ikuko's eyes. A slow smile slid across her mothers face.

"How did you know?" She asked looking at the room assessing it's attributes. Usagi wanted to laugh at the earnestness on her mothers face.

"Curry." She said waiting for her mother to look at her. She looked confused. "Papa used to always say that you hated the smell of curry when you were carrying Shingo and me. You haven't cooked it in weeks." Her mother heard her out then burst out laughing. She nodded while trying to get herself under control.

"That's true enough. Are you sure you wouldn't mind us using your room? I'll have it all put together by the time you get back." She promised eyes once again going over the room. Usagi shrugged.

"It's perfect mama, and by the time I get back I may just as well be able to live on my own so you can let the baby have this room." She grinned. "I hope it's a girl. Shingo would just be soooo mad." Ikuko rolled her eyes.

"He's going to miss you too Usagi, we all will." She hugged the girl once more before leaving to finish dinner. Usagi remained standing tears filling her eyes as she thought over all she was leaving behind and the possible repercussions of what she was doing. The cool presence of Serenity kept her from doing something rash.

I told you before that it will all work out Usagi, trust me. She whispered with a compassionate voice. But what if they can't fight without me, what if something happens while I'm gone. How could I live with that? Usagi asked crying out in her mind. Serenity was silent for a moment. They will be protected, they always have been and will be prepared for any fight as you must be. We have been given this time to prepare and learn. Learn.. Learn what? Usagi asked but got no reply. She supposed time would tell and she went down to dinner.

Late that night her communicator beeped rousing her from a fitful sleep. She quickly looked at her clock before answering. Two hours till she had to get up. Perfect.

"Moon here." She said Ami's face appearing in the little circle.

"Don't tell me that you didn't even know there was an attack Usagi. How could you not!" She said with anger. It was odd for Usagi to hear those words from someone who was rarely angry at anything.

"What do you mean, how could I know?" Usagi was confused till she saw a flicker of light on her wall. She scrabbled out of the bed covers and looked out the window. Orange and green lights filled the night sky in the park nearby. Usagi rolled her eyes and held the communicator up to her face. "I see ya, I'll be right there." She shut the thing off shoving it back into the pocket before grabbing her broach. She looked it for a long moment.

"Hopefully the last time I have to do this." She told herself before crying out the words for transformation. She waited patiently as the ribbons formed her fuku and just this once she didn't pose. Who would see her? Neatly she dove headfirst out the window landing very neatly on her feet and she took off at a run.

It was a run of the mill Yuma, nothing new, nothing unusual except this time Usagi didn't wait around for Tuxedo Kamen to come save her. This time she didn't run around like a headless chicken dodging ill aimed bolts of whatever. This time she took one look at it and blasted the thing with her scepter. It was done within moments. She had hoped to get out of there before the other girls dug into her, but Sailor Mars cut her off.

"We're practically outside your window Moon, what took you so long?!" The outrage in her voice was evident and Usagi broke into her pitiful wail of tears knowing that's what they expected. She made her usual comments but stopped abruptly when Mars muttered something under her breath. She asked for a repeat.

"If you can't stop acting like a baby you shouldn't be leader!" Sailor Mars yelled pissed that the girl hadn't heard her comment to begin with. Usagi, instead of wailing stood up strait and looked directly at Mars. This is it.

"Is that what you want? For someone else to be leader?" She asked them softly her words cooling hot tempers. The Senshi looked at each other then back at Rei. They seemed to be following her lead. "Rei?" Usagi asked de-transforming but with her Scepter still in her hand. The other girls stayed as they were watching the priestess of fire who slowly nodded. Usagi held out the scepter then dropped it at her feet with a horrible thunk.

"There. It's yours." Usagi told her but she didn't make a move. None of them did till finally Sailor Venus coughed. As one they turned around, away from Usagi and walked off. Usagi looked over her shoulder feeling the eyes of a certain tuxedoed hero and seeing his shadow she turned away to retrieve her scepter. Yet another thing she would have to take with her. She could feel Tuxedo Kamen move to leave but she spoke once more stopping him for an instant.

"Good-bye Mamoru. I will always love you." She told him softly striding off in the opposite direction of him and her home. She sat in the park for a while before returning to her bed where her mother found her moments later.