Note from the Author: It has taken ages for me to get this story rewritten and on the road to completion, but here we are finally on track. Before my long hiatus since ' 05, Lives Crossed was one of my most popular fanfictions. After some careful consideration I have decided to pick up rewriting the story and moving forward with it. I hope to see some of old fans and reviewers come back and continue to give me their feed back as well as some new faces. I love to read your feed back! I also have high hopes that everyone will enjoy the rewrite. If anyone has any questions, concerns, or comments, there are several ways to contact me; e.g., review this story, send me (the author) a PM through this site, email me at jadedsupergirl(at)hotmail(dot)com, check my livejournal at kaede_marie(dot)livejournal(dot)com, or on aim at kaede083.

Also, I know this is a pretty short chapter/prologue but honestly I just wanted to see people's reaction to the rewrite before I really dive in to the whole project. Besides, it is only a prologue it's supposed to be short.

Warnings: (chapter specific) Alternate Universe, Character death

Pretty Soldier Sailor Moon belongs to Naoko Takeuchi

New Mobile Report Gundam W belongs to Masashi Ikeda, Sunrise Studios, TV Asahi & Bandai Entertainment. Illustration by Kōichi Tokita.

I own nothing!

LIVES CROSSED: SAGA ONE

By Miaka Sukunami aka Kaede Marie

PROLOGUE

Time Unknown – Gates of Time and Space

Setsuna:

The Gates of Time are as silent as a tomb save for the clack of my heeled boots against the solid ground underneath me. The noise is unbelievably piercing in the quiet, echoing in a very unnerving way, but you know after living this way for so many centuries it just doesn't really seem to faze me anymore. Things are no different from the day before or any other day for that matter. The days just sort of flow into each other, becoming weeks, months, and years without any real distinction. I couldn't possibly tell you what day of the week it is.

This place is under my charge. I am the guardian of the Gates of Time and Space. It is my duty to stand guard here for all eternity. It is a job that is all encompassing, and one that I take very seriously. I do not take breaks. I do not take any time off. After all, there is no stopping the flow of time just to take a vacation. There is no corporeal 'Father Time' that I could tender my resignation to if I wished. There is no feasible way to tell a God that you want to quit your day job. It just isn't done. I take the weight of this task upon my shoulders and lead a rather...lonely existence. Yeah, eternity can be a very long time.

There is not much to look at here; just a whole lot of mist and not much else. The lack of stimulation and human contact would be enough to drive any normal person insane. I am quite sane though, thank you very much. What I am not, however, is normal. Aside from being guardian of the gates, I am a Sailor Soldier and I have a gift. Some would call this gift, magic, while others would call it a curse. I am not sure if either term is appropriate.

With the use of my staff, the Garnet Rod, I have the ability to manipulate time. It is not an ability that I use often, of course, because it is a double edged sword. Messing with the grand scheme of things is generally a big no-no. I'm not entirely comfortable tampering with the way things are meant to be. I do not like abusing my power. The slightest intervention by me, or anyone else could prove to be disastrous and I do not take those kinds of chances lightly. I simply keep an eye on things and I suppose that is enough.

It has been a long time...long enough that one could fall into a false sense of security. As the years passed in relative peace I was beginning to think that the guardians of the Earth could lay down their weapons once and for all. I should have guessed the passing years had only been a gift, a brief respite. I was foolhardy and unprepared when I saw the moment in time that would bring the horrific destruction Crystal Tokyo. It is forbidden to meddle in the lives of the mortals. There is only so much I can do within my power without breaking the taboo of time.

This was beyond my control. I was not even sure if there was anything I could do; but I had to try, even if it meant pushing passed my limitations and dealing with the consequences later. There was too much at stake. I left the Gates of Time without permission for the first time in over a century and sought out the rest of the outer sailor scouts...

My presence on the mortal plane was met with a fair amount of shock. I wasn't surprised. In fact, I expected their reaction. Haruka and Michiru could never have imagined that I would be dropping in for a visit... not that this trip should really constitute as a visit anyway. It's sufficed to say that they were both quite alarmed when I appeared on their doorstep. I didn't have any time for pleasantries so I bulled forward without giving them any time to recover.

"I need to speak with all three of you and I do not have much time," I said, and they immediately gave ground for me to walk past them into the large manor house they shared. I was not going to have this conversation out on the front porch. They followed me inside without question.

"And Hotaru?" I prompted once we had moved into the living room.

"She's upstairs. I'll go get her." Michiru offered, already on her way toward the stairs. I nodded without comment and she disappeared up the stairs.

That left Haruka and I alone together. Haruka tends to fidget when she is anxious. She is not aware of this fact nor is it something she does consciously. She just cannot seem to be still for more than a few seconds. I am well aware of the fact that my presence makes her anxious. Well, to be fair, it isn't exactly my company that fuels her agitation. It is probably the fact that I have never been the bearer of good news and she expects that today will be no different. On top of that, I think my cryptic nature annoys her. She let out a breath in exasperation, and ran a hand through her short, windswept blond hair before shoving both hands into the pockets of her slacks. I pretended not to notice anything while my own tan hands smoothed out the skirt I was wearing. I'm not entirely fond of wearing civilian clothes. It makes me uncomfortable.

We didn't have to wait long. Hotaru's petite form came down the stairs ahead of Michiru. I'm surprised at her child like appearance, though I know I shouldn't be. This is not the first time nor will it be the last that the Sailor Scout of Death and Rebirth, and I will come across each other. It is her youth and innocuous temperament that catches me off guard every time. For one that wields such a destructive power, she is surprisingly docile...and small.

"Hello, Miss Setsuna." she greeted me serenely.

"Hello, Little one." I replied, inclining my head respectfully.

Michiru herded her over to the couch and they both sat. Haruka migrated over to them automatically and sat on Hotaru's left; perched on the arm of the couch with her arms crossed over her chest. Hotaru sat between them looking down at her hands, dark hair falling over her face like curtains. She has always been a shy one.

"What is this about?" Haruka cut in, ever the impatient one; now that they were all present she would not waste any time mincing words.

I sighed, "Small Lady's birthday is in a few days time."

Haruka's anxiety morphed into something akin to anger and her expression turned incredulous. I waited for the outburst of her temper this time.

"Her birthday," she parroted, her voice deadly even, "you came to remind us about the princess' birthday? What, did they forget to send a memo?"

"Haruka!" Michiru exclaimed looking aghast at her partner's outburst.

"No, I would not leave the gates unguarded for something so trivial," I explained, having to reign in my own patience as I spoke. "I've seen something."

Haruka's mouth moved to speak again and I glared at her, "I cannot tell you."

I gave no room for argument and she subsided, closing her mouth and pressing her lips together in a frown. Michiru was beginning to look worried.

"I would like—" I continued, certain that I would not be interrupted again, "for the three of you to monitor things in Crystal Tokyo. Keep an eye on Small Lady for me. I have...faith that when the time comes you will know what to do."

Hotaru raised her head and I met her eyes for a brief instant then she blinked. A quick inclination of her head told me that she understood my meaning. Haruka and Michiru exchanged a glance, speaking volumes between themselves without words. I chose to ignore the exchange and made to leave.

"I don't understand." Haruka said, her tone more subdued, "why not tell the guardians? Why us?"

I turned around to regard the blond. "I cannot tell you," I repeated, "I have already said too much."

Haruka growled in frustration, but the woman's anger petered out the moment Michiru placed a restraining hand on her shoulder.

"We will watch over things at the palace," She assured me.

I nodded once. "Good luck."

Post note from the Author –

There have been a few edits (though very small and probably will go unnoticed in the prologue) Let me know what you all think also if you think I should continue with this story. I love comments and constructive criticism!