Chapter 4

Ami's hands wrung as she walked up the steps of the Hikawa Shrine. Things had changed so much in the past week. Running into Aina and Setsuna seemed to have been a stroke of fate. But how could she tell her friends, especially Usagi? The text message that Luna had sent out was not going to help matters either. Ami knew the minute she read it how angry they would be.

As she slid open the door to the room, the other Inners and Usagi tended to congregate in her concerns were solidified. Minako's voice was so shrill that it made Ami think of claws scraping a chalkboard. "What gives HER the right to call for MANDATORY training?! I AM THE LEADER OF THE INNER SENSHI!"

Rei and Makoto nodded in agreement, and Usagi sat there flipping through the same old magazine that she'd been obsessing over since Mamoru dumped her. It was an out-of-date pop culture magazine that had come out during the time of Galaxia. Suddenly the other three Inner Senshi looked at Ami. She knew they expected her to say something. Ami sighed, "That is true Minako, but when was the last time that we trained? Perhaps this isn't a bad idea?" Her voice almost quivered with nervousness.

Rei rolled her eyes and Makoto crossed her arms. As Makoto walked closer, Ami knew that she had not said what they wanted to hear. Makoto leaned towards her, "Koi, you aren't siding with that usurper are you?" Ami was taken aback by Makoto's bluntness. She'd never called Ami that in front of the others.

Ami swallowed and laughed brittly, "I am just trying to be logical Mako-chan." Makoto eyed her speculatively as they walked over to join the others. Tomorrow was going to be brutal, and it was not the training that made Ami believe that.

...Meanwhile...

Summer classes started in a few weeks, and Mamoru couldn't wait. He hoped they would distract him from thinking about what had happened with Usagi. She'd tried to call him a few times since he had broken up with her and left sobbing voicemails each time. Mamoru did feel bad missing graduation for Usagi and the others, but he wasn't ready to face her. He assumed that eventually, he would have to forgive her. They had a destiny to fulfill. And he couldn't bear the thought of losing ChibiUsa. Still, what she did cut him to the bone.

Today he sat in the park, enjoying the late spring flowers. Mamoru enjoyed watching the flowers bloom and shine. It made him miss Elysium. Visiting the heart of the Earth had brought him so much joy. Why couldn't they return to simpler times? Elysium always gave him a sense of peace. Mamoru had not felt peace since the defeat of Galaxia.

He had tried to embrace the lack of conflict. He had thrown himself into his studies, even though he hadn't been able to study abroad as he wished. Usagi freaked out about the idea of it when things settled. Of course, he'd caved. He knew that much had been on him. Mamoru was glad he was here when she lost her parents though, even if he watched it eat away the essence of the woman he loved. For a long time, he'd been patient. He waited for her to come back to him. But it never happened. Then when Shingo was selected as a young scholar to study in the UK, Mamoru worried how Usagi would take it. Surprisingly, she acted as if she didn't care.

Shaking his head, Mamoru attempted to shake this train of thought from his mind. He got to his feet with the intent of heading home when he caught sight of Michiru walking. Did she know how Usagi felt about her beloved partner?

Anger boiled in the ordinarily calm Prince of Earth. He began stalking towards the Senshi of the Deep Sea, but then he stopped. He felt frozen as he looked at Michiru's companion for the day. She was petite, but her posture better than most anyone he knew. Her movements were just as graceful as Michiru. And then there was the hair! The style was the same as Usagi's, but the coloring was different. It flowed from chestnut brown to emerald green.

He was about to turn around when Michiru made eye contact with him and waved him over. Now he was stuck. He wanted to flee but knew he could not. Mamoru allowed his feet to shuffle him towards the pair and he smiled tightly at Michiru, "Good morning Michiru-san." The girl's eyes sparkled a golden brown as well. Mamoru felt like an idiot, but he couldn't look away.

Michiru looked between them with a smirk and cleared her throat, "Good morning Mamoru-san. This is Aina Tsukino. She is... well, a distant cousin of Usagi's. Aina-chan, this is Chiba, Mamoru." Mamoru felt something in his heart tug at him when he heard Tsukino. He knew a frown streaked his face, but he attempted to banish it. Something about this girl felt oddly familiar, and he knew he needed to find out more. The Outers had stopped socializing with the Inners and then to see Michiru with someone who resembled Usagi yet felt so different. He didn't know what to make of it, and he wanted more information. He was drawn from his thoughts by the sound of Michiru speaking again, "Aina-chan, I will be back soon. I think I will go get us some ice cream." Without giving her companion the opportunity walked away, whispering to Mamoru as she did, "Do not worry prince, I know all about it." With that cryptic statement, Michiru was gone.

Michiru left Mamoru standing with the unusual girl, feeling awkward. He looked down at his hands and forced one forward, "Good morning, Tsukino-san, nice to meet you."

She was staring at his hand. Why was she staring at his hand? Finally, she blinked and bowed to him, "Good morning Chiba-san. Please call me Aina." Her demeanor was so different than Usagi's that it made Mamoru wonder how the two could be related.

Then he noticed the brooch that she wore on her chest, and his eyes widened. Attempting to recover himself, Mamoru took a deep breath and a step closer, "Who are you?" His eyes glued to her brooch, those passing them mumbling about the perversion of young men.

Aina touched her brooch and sighed, "I am Princess Aina, twin sister of Serenity and treasure of the Golden Kingdom. I should go. I am staying at the Tsukino home if you would like to discuss this further, Endymion."

She stepped away and glided in the direction that Michiru had gone. Mamoru was left speechless. Twin sister? Treasure of the Golden Kingdom? What was she talking about? Mamoru decided that it was time to consult the spirits of the Shitenou again.

...At home...

Luna stood in front of the mirror with her mouth screwed into such an odd expression that she almost wanted to laugh at herself. Things were still in such upheaval that this could not be happening now. Besides, it was too soon. This was not the path fate laid out for them so long ago. That did make Luna laugh aloud. She should know better than to rely on the old roadmap for her life at this point. Still, Luna did not feel ready for what was to come. And how would she tell Artemis and the others? How would she tell Aina or even Usagi? Luna still cared about Usagi; she had watched over her for so long. Even if she knew that Usagi was no longer the moon princess, that did not mean that she didn't matter to Luna. Part of what made all of this so difficult was that she had come to see Usagi much like a daughter. But she also knew that Usagi could only see the world through self-centered eyes anymore. This would not garner the happiness that Luna would like to see. That much she knew. That much she was sure of. Just then Luna heard Artemis call her for lunch. Her eyes darted to the counter before the guardian of the Silver Millennium headed downstairs,