The Force That Binds

By Lady Comet

Author's note: This story will be in three parts; and it exists because, honestly, of how lesbianic the Sailor Senshi are. As such, this story contains a lot of femslash pairings – Haruka/Michiru, Ami/Makoto, Rei/Minako, Vesta/Juno, Seiya/Kakyuu, and most importantly, Chibiusa/Hotaru. Its also going to be slightly alternate-universe, as a) the Sailor Quartet are not related at all here (I'm not sure if they are in the anime or manga, but I figured I should cover my bases), and b) I'll be incorporating aspects of manga canon as well as anime canon. Most references will be to the manga continuity, however. And if that sounds good, please read on, and review to tell me what you think. Thanks very much and enjoy!


Part 1 – She Thinks

Well, shit, Usa thought. I am in love with her.

It was a mild summer in Crystal Tokyo, and the woman once known as Chibiusa hadn't left the thirtieth century in years. The last time was just to visit her mother's younger self and friends for a week, and interestingly, she ended up bringing Hotaru back with her. Honestly, she should have expected that – among all the older Senshi, Hotaru was the only one absent as she grew up. No one ever seemed to mention the fact that she was missing, either; and when they both returned to the future, Neo-Queen Serenity seemed to expect both their arrivals. They finished growing up together – Chibiusa learning her duties as heir to the throne, Hotaru readjusting to life with three mothers who were much older now and had missed her for hundreds of years. And despite having different roles and continuing to be busy with very different things, they never stopped being close. Or caring for one another. Or starting to care for one another more and more.

Usa flopped back down on her bed, sick of pacing the room in thought. Her pointed buns pressed uncomfortably into her skull, but she ignored the feeling.

"Well, now what do I do?"

She heard laughter outside, and got up again, crossing the wide room to look out her window. Two of her guardians – Juno and Vesta – were walking together in the garden below. She couldn't hear their words, but as she watched, the two women stopped on the path. Vesta drew closer to Juno; then, looking around quickly to see if anyone was watching, she wrapped her arms around the shorter woman and kissed her deeply.

Usa gasped and stepped away from the glass. Saying this was unexpected would be a lie – Vesta had always been very physical with Juno, hanging off of her, putting her arm around her or a hand on her shoulder, or standing closer to her than her other companions. But it was ironic that she should see them together like that right after realizing her own feelings for a female friend.

Come to think of it, she thought, returning to her bed, there seem to be a lot of relationships between the Sailor Senshi.....Juno and Vesta, Aunt Haruka and Aunt Michiru, Aunt Rei and Aunt Minako, Aunt Ami and Aunt Makoto. Huh. And Star Fighter had a thing for my mother once, didn't she? And Princess Kakyuu, if I remember the stories correctly. She sat down, tapping her toes impatiently on the floor. I wonder why that is.....

Feeling bolder than her younger self, and fixating on this possibility as a distraction from her own problems, Usa stood up and hurried out the door.


"No, Small Lady," Diana said, a puzzled look on her feline face. "I can't think of any reason why that would be. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, I was just curious," she said, lying through the blush on her face. "It seems a lot of my family is made of up women in love with each other."

Diana nodded, still thinking. "Well, perhaps my mother would know. Or the Queen?"

Usa held up her hands in defense. "No no, I don't want to bother my mother with this. But.....yes, let's go ask Luna."

Diana nodded, jumping off of her ottoman, and led her Princess down the hallway. She had also grown up, appearing now as an adult cat, or sometimes a grown woman. Her time was spent studying with her own mother, learning how to best advise her queen-to-be. Despite this, she remained one of Usa's closest friends, and the princess hoped that would never change.

They found Luna in the castle's massive library, curled up around a musty tome. Diana hopped skillfully onto the table and nuzzled the older cat's side. She woke, and stretched, trying to shake off her tiredness quickly.

"Mother, Small Lady has a question for you," Diana said with enthusiasm.

At this Luna sat up and bowed her head at Usa. "Of course. What can I help you with, your highness?"

Usa sat down across from them on the nearest padded stool, watching with amusement as Diana struggled to close the large book. "I was wondering if there was a reason that a lot of the Sailor Senshi seem to pair up," she explained. "You know, like Uranus and Neptune, Mars and Venus, Mercury and Jupiter?"

Luna nodded again. "Well, I recall that the Queen Serenity of old mentioned to me once – back in the Silver Millennium, when Uranus and Neptune appeared to be growing close – that there has been a pattern of such relationships. No one ever mentioned why, though, and the Queen herself didn't explain."

"Oh," Usa replied, trying not to sound disappointed. "I see."

"Why do you ask, Small Lady?" the cat wondered, turning to help her daughter close the book she had been reading.

The princess shook her head quickly, causing her rose-colored tresses to swirl around her face and shoulders. "Its nothing," she insisted. "I was just thinking, that's all."

"Hmm," Luna replied, and hopped off the table. She looked back up at Diana, who peered down at her over the edge, and then back at the lady she served. "Well, your highness, if you don't mind, its time for another of Diana's lessons. I wish you luck in your search."

Diana sighed, annoyed, and Usa stifled a chuckle. She nodded her thanks at them both as they left her alone in the room.

Not knowing what else to do, Usa remained in the library, looking absentmindedly through many books that probably didn't have any helpful information. Though the place was quite comprehensive – holding a copy of almost every book ever published on Earth – there was little here about the old Moon Kingdom or Sailor Senshi lore. She didn't want to admit it, but if Luna didn't know, these books surely wouldn't either.

After a few hours she gave up, wandering out onto the library's balcony. She had sent away the servant who came to summon her for dinner, bidding them to tell her parents she would eat later in her own quarters. She was surprised to find that it was already sunset, the moon already rising in the sky amidst the fading warm colors. She leaned on the balcony and watched the celestial body of her ancestors, and her birthright, as her thoughts continued circulating around her mind. If there was a pattern of this kind of love, as Luna had suggested, there had to be a reason.

She realized, then, that if she truly wanted answers, she was going to have to look elsewhere. Still gazing at the moon, she resolved to leave that night.