Author's Note: Postings will become irregular because of a lack of motivation(not you people, you're great) It's just that the stresses of senior year are getting to me and this takes up valuable time that I can't spare on certain days. Sorry!

            I had truly wished she'd come to try and explain further why she did what she did, but Saturn is a stubborn planet. It tore my heart when she actually arrived in the throne room, glaive in hand. At my request the ceremony was private, and only the other Scouts and myself were present. Of course, the Juraian princess, Tsunami, had managed to get in somehow, but I didn't tell her to leave. Ayeka is as much one of her people as she is one of mine. Who knows, maybe more so.

            As Sailor Saturn knelt before me, it took all my will to keep from weeping. Never had I thought I'd have to carry out the sentence. "Are you prepared, Sailor Saturn?"

            Saturn nodded. Then there was a light blue glow around her and her head shot up to stare at Tsunami, who was also glowing. Serenity frowned, the other Scouts looked ready to strike if Tsunami was helping Saturn escape. Then the glow faded and Saturn blinked. Tsunami's pink eyes filled with tears. "You're carrying an undue burden, allow me, daughter," Tsunami said. She walked over and reached out.

            Her hand didn't stop at Ayeka's back, but went through it. Serenity backed up a step at the high-pitched scream that was released from Ayeka's mouth. It was like the scream of death, eerie and chilling. Then the young woman fell onto her hands and knees. Tsunami straightened and held a glowing crystal in her hand. Serenity and the Scouts stared, because it was exactly like the ginzuishou.

            "This isn't your crystal, it's the Jurai Light Jewel, an heirloom that can only reside in members of our royal family as the true ginzuishou can be in yours," Tsunami explained. Saturn trembled as she got to her feet.

            "It's gone, the pain is gone…" Sailor Saturn said in wonder. She brought a hand to her chest and the Scouts noticed that the silver starburst of old was replaced by the purple heart. Just then the doors slammed open and Kamidake ran in.

            "AYEKA!" he shouted. Most of the Scouts thought he was angry about something, but Serenity and Tsunami grinned and turned to Sailor Saturn, who still looked rather flushed. Kamidake ran over to her and grabbed her by the shoulders.

            Before he could say anything, Ayeka slumped forward in a feint and the red-hared knight had to catch her. Queen Serenity rested a hand on his shoulder and said with a smile, "Why don't you take her to her room? She's had a rough past few weeks."

            Tsunami waved a hand, producing a green stone chest. It opened and her set the jewel in it. Closing it, she held it out to Queen Serenity. "Please make sure she gets this when she wakes up."

            "You take it," croaked a voice. They turned to see Sailor Saturn's eyes were cracked open as she lay in Kamidake's arms. She attempted a smile and said, "I still have problems with this Saturn power, and adding the Jurai Light Jewel to the mix just makes my head…spin…" Her eyes drifted shut and Kamidake turned to leave the room.

            She felt exhausted. Ayeka made herself wake up and found her eyes were gazing up at the ceiling of her bedroom. "Where—" she broke off into a coughing fit. Jeez, her throat was dry!

            "Here, drink all of it," said a calming voice. Ayeka didn't even have to look up to know it was her mother. A glass was raised to Ayeka's lips and a hand supported her head.

            Licking her lips, Ayeka said, "That was refreshing. Water never tasted so good."

            Setsuna smiled. "That's not much of a surprise, since it's the water of life from Jurai. Tsunami insisted that I give you some."

            Ayeka started to sit up, but her arms wouldn't support her. "Mom, what happened? One minute I'm about to be put out of my misery, the next Tsunami has her hand in my chest—

            "Ayeka, rest now. You're too tired to talk aloud! I'll make sure you get all the answers you need when you wake up." Her smile wasn't reassuring, because Pluto had her own definition for everything.

            The next time Ayeka awoke, she didn't feel nearly as dry, and she couldn't identify who it was who was sitting nearby because her eyes refused to focus. She blinked a few times and squinted. Finally, the world came into focus. "Kamidake?"

            The young knight spun around in his chair and smiled a relieved smile. "You're awake. Lady Setsuna took the Jurai Light Jewel home with her once she was sure you were Okay." There was something different about him, something she couldn't quite put her finger on…

            "What on Earth happened to your face?!" she exclaimed. He smiled a little uncomfortably and looked away.

            "Well, Tsunami insisted on releasing me from my duties as her guardian, so like your markings, they went away when she did." Then his face became grim and he said, "You didn't have to hit me."

            Ayeka's eyes snapped to life, ready to fight. "You weren't going to let me pass without at least trying to stop me, I just cut right to the chase."

            He got up and snorted. "Back to your old self," he muttered and he left. Ayeka sat back and put an arm over her eyes.

            "Not awake five minutes and you've already sent Kamidake running. I swear I could almost see the storm clouds around his head," Princess Serenity said as she came in. Ayeka lowered her arm.

            "Why am I not in crystal?"

            Princess Serenity sighed and sat down the chair Kamidake had vacated. "You're wanted here, people need you around, even if it's just to snap at. You wouldn't want my life to be boring would you? Besides, we're all glad you're awake."

            Ayeka snorted. "Everyone except the other Scouts, Kamidake, and those members of the public who aren't totally out of it."

            The pink-hared princess frowned. "Nonsense! I'd say the Scouts have been absolutely petrified that you'll never wake up, despite Tsunami's warning that you'd sleep for a while. And Kamidake was the most anxious of us all. You know, he only ever left your side to eat and sleep? That's why Tsunami told him to stay."

            Ayeka glared murderously at the ceiling. "He couldn't possibly care that much, or he at least has a funny way of showing it." She turned her head on the pillow and looked at her friend. "Am I going to be Okay? I can't see the future anymore."

            Serenity blinked. "I'd assume you'll be fine. As for your Pluto power…it's probably attached itself to the Jurai Light Jewel." Ayeka could accept this and started to sit up. Serenity held out a hand and Ayeka lay back down. "You aren't getting up yet, first Mercury is coming in to take a look at you."

            It took a good two weeks for Ayeka to get out of her room, and even then only with assistance. Her reservoir of energy had been released when Tsunami removed the Jurai Light Jewel, and now she was adjusting to living without the feeling of a pressure on her chest. It had caused her more physical discomfort than she'd ever been fully aware of, and only now noticed with its absence.

            Usually her 'nurse' was one of the other Scouts, but one particular afternoon no one was around to help her. So Ayeka helped herself. Without other forces to distract her, Ayeka had been able to fully grasp her powers as Saturn. Reaching out a hand, her cane floated over from the wall. It was black wood and hard as metal. She gripped it in her hands and used a bit of power to get out of the chair and to her feet. The long, dramatic black gown and intense facial expression were at odds with her bent over appearance. Slowly but steadily, Ayeka went across the room and opened the door.

            It felt good to be out and about on her own. Ayeka suddenly felt stronger than she had in days, and found she could walk almost normally. She went to the garden outside to enjoy some sunshine and took a deep breath. The air out here was lovely, fresher than even the air inside the palace which seemed to carry its own sense of power.

            "Lady Saturn?" said a nervous voice. Ayeka turned, somewhat surprised anyone would call her that. People tended to wish to forget. It was a young guard.

            "Yes?"

            He cleared his throat. "Her Majesty is looking for you." Ayeka sighed, her brief moment of freedom was over.

            "Where is she?"

            The guard pointed up. "The north tower." Ayeka turned quickly so he wouldn't see her wince. That was where her hideout was, where no one supposedly ever went. As to not look too weak, she used power to hold herself upright until she had gotten to the bottom of the stairs for the tower. She had to sit and catch her breath. Finally, she started to float herself up the last flight of stairs.

            Queen Serenity was sitting on the couch, left by the balcony window on Ayeka's last visit. She turned and stood to smile sadly at Ayeka. "Lady Saturn, I was hoping to have a long chat with you."

            Ayeka hobbled over and asked, "What about?"

            The queen sat and patted the couch beside her. "About the birds and bees…"

            Can we say that conversation was probably somewhat awkward for Ayeka? Oh yes. Not only did the queen confront her on her feelings about Kamidake, but about how he felt for her, and what the issues with the relationship could be. It was probably the kind of thing the mother tells the daughter right before the wedding. But this wasn't just any bride and groom, this was Lady Saturn and Kamidake, knights of Jurai. As the afternoon wore on, Ayeka found it easier to admit that she did like Kamidake, maybe even love him, but Serenity stressed that she was sure Kamidake felt the same.

            The conversation ended when Serenity had just stepped out the door. Ayeka had stared out the windows and said to herself, "That doesn't mean either of us has the guts to admit anything." Of coarse, the queen heard. And of course, the queen had a plan.