A/N: It's been a while, I should never have left as the saying goes; there are many ways to describe the words of the moment and yet I will make this brief. I missed writing this fic, though I had been dealing with loads of crap over the summer and now have the time while I'm back at college. Nice and strange isn't that? Well not to worry, I'll make it all worth the wait to those who read this fic. I'm coming back with a vengeance this chapter; I'll more than make it worth the time to read. That's a promise and so without any word, here comes the new work.

(End A/N)

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Chapter 9: Frustrations of a Princess, Part II

Usagi's training wasn't taking a break; in fact she seemed to be a little too focused on trying to make sure she'd be able to impress her cousin than anything else. Usagi's focus at her school work became flawless, a new kind of focus that had her grades regularly remarking high now, rivaling Keba's own general grade of studying and work. Her mother was impressed by this sudden change in her daughter's school career. The young blond was up most mornings studying before a test and was up without having to be awakened by Keba, mother, or father.

But in turn she'd also been going out as Sailor Moon more often than not, whenever she was not studying or doing homework, she was fighting the Dark Kingdom fiercely, with a new determination to prove something to not only herself, but also to Keba as well. She could not let the matter rest; those words from still two weeks ago had hurt more than he knew. She wanted to prove him wrong…even though she knew he never meant to insult her, she wanted him to know that she only wanted to be at his side; as they were more commonly this days as much a brother and sister, as her brother Shingo was a brother to her.

She was not a weak link to anyone as was her most potent point to prove, all of this focus was worrying Luna on another manner.

"Usagi-san, stop for a minute to rest…you've been training so hard, I never thought that I'd say that, you haven't taken enough time to rest at all. Your sleep, while it's not wearing you away yet, I know you've needed to sleep more and yet you've been neglecting it." Luna was trying to address the matter as best as she could.

But she simply pet Luna on the head and looked at her sweet eyes, those eyes full of concern and smiled at her.

"Oh Luna…I know…but I can't stop now, I've just started getting so good, I can control my Tiara I found with my powers, I can make this work so well. Keba will let me stay by his side and we can fight the Dark Kingdom together." She seemed to be so focused on just that.

Luna sighed and looked at Usagi's condition feeling a little helpless as this seemed to be something very much against her, she couldn't hardly believe that she couldn't bring Usagi back to well…her old fashioned self, she was so focused on trying to impress his her cousin; who also shared Luna's worries about Usagi's lack of sleep.

While as a whole, Usagi had found and awakened Sailor Venus finally, she had her guardians and she had her soul finally so complete with the company that now surrounded her; those that were her friends, her compatriots in battle. She felt that she had become more of a leader for them and wanted to make it something that would be so true. It was all that she was trying to become more of a fight for herself; she was not just a cry baby.

"Moon Prism Power, Make Up!" she knew it now by having honed her skills whenever danger was around, she knew that there was a dark power nearby.

Her transformation was being monitored by Jadeite, who was trying to see what could be done about this new menace. It wasn't just the Moon Princess that they had to worry about, but it appeared that this Banshou group was causing an overall problem for his soldiers and the Dark Kingdom; he wasn't going to let this happen, his Queen would only give him one more chance that was all he needed to know, he would not fail her again.

As she engaged the new monster, Usagi performed several moves of hers that were seen at one time or another, but never on such a regular occasion. She struck with conviction to her duties as a Princess and a guardian to the Earth; she had a duty and she was going to make this count.

"Sailor Moon Kick!" she yelled as she kicked the monster in the back, shooting it forward to the ground before she leapt into the air and took hold of her tiara.

"Moon Tiara Action!" she immediately followed her kick attack with the deciding factor, which as the disc struck the monster had turned it into ashes before returning to her hands and leaving her with a feeling of accomplishment.

She had done it again and managed to defeat another monster without any help, she was getting better at this and that was the main point for her, since she hoped that Keba would consider her good enough soon.

Though she felt that she wasn't alone and felt a kind of presence nearby her, and while not exactly upon her, it was with strength that made her quiver inside; not a kind of feeling that she wanted to feel after just winning one of her few battles solo.

"So…you are Sailor Moon, I can see why my soldiers have such a problem dealing with you, but no matter; as I will end this now and today, for you face me…and you have no chance of defeating me with such a weak attack." Jadeite's smirk cast arrogantly over his face as he brushed those blond locks from his view.

He watched the proud Senshi step forward and gaze at him with a look that defied what he'd heard in the past. This girl was bold, that look spoke of her confidence and her determination, and what about what he'd heard from some of his soldiers that had been vanquished, such words spoken about her weakness and how the appearance of that annoying Tuxedo Kamen and a second warrior of the moon he'd been told. It was in that situation that she grew bolder or stronger he'd heard.

She didn't answer with words and instead seemed to be focusing her energies towards something else, she was trying to think…she was no Mercury, but she could think for herself and this was what she was doing, focusing hard as she prepared to dash.

'I can…I can feel this dark power from him, he isn't just boasting…I think I can beat him, but not like this.' When had she become so strategic? She wasn't even sure of that she could stop him without any real focus and she knew that she couldn't hesitate any, she couldn't afford it.

There was only a sneer on his face since she made no actions; he made the first move with a big smirk that was growing on the fact that she had nothing to offer towards this battle.

"Time to end this little girl." He raised his hand and fired a blast of dark energy her way, there the swirling orb aimed to end this quickly.

She leapt back into the air and managed to avoid the shot of darkness and for a moment she had him.

"Moon Tiara…Action!" she launched her aimed shot from the air, the angle was a bit off but she was sure the spread of the tiara would strike him.

For the moment it seemed that it would work, Jadeite was visibly stunned by the display and for a moment he feared that disc of radiating light. However as it neared him, he met it with an elevated palm and a barrier of radiating darkness that immediately clashed with the aura around the tiara, this was not going to stop him now or here, not when his Queen needed him to gain the darkness, she charged him with this duty and he would not fail!

This little girl would not stop him, he immediately raised the energy and blew the tiara away from his body without another moment's thought, his will to force this girl into her place, to claim the energy that his Queen was after; in order to seal the fate of these senshi he would take that power from these pathetic humans.

"Weakness is not to be tolerated!" he snarled at her, expanding the aura and forcing it to hammer her form, shooting her backwards in the air as he stood and pointed at her. "Your weakness will be your undoing; you cannot hope to win alone." His laugh followed until a blade cut along his side violently.

All Jadeite could do was remain in awe from the blow that sent him sprawling onto the ground with a wound that he had once expected.

Before Usagi hit the ground she found herself in the arms of someone she had yet to identify, she was held with a tenderness that made her blush; was it her beloved Tuxedo Kamen?

"She's not alone moron, that's what got you sliced just now, your own stupidity." The voice belonged to Keba, who was transformed and on scene, he hadn't known what was going on until he arrived on scene some moments ago.

He wanted to say something, but couldn't, instead he just held the bladed tonfa in hand and glare at the downed Jadeite. Before leaping into the air and disappearing from the naked eye, using a Kinji movement technique in order to leave unseen with Usagi unharmed; he couldn't help but feel guilty for the words that lead her down this path.

At first she said nothing when she noticed who it was, she was thankful yes…her eyes even reflected that so, she looked at him softly and then hugged him closer, burying her face in his shoulders as the tears began to fall, she wanted to tell him so much, including what she was feeling, but there was enough going on right now.

"Usagi, I wanted you to know how truly sorry I am for what I said before. I didn't mean for it to come out that way, honestly I…I don't want you to think that I ever considered you someone holding me back, I mean I should address this how I meant it." He hugged her back and sat her down on the edge of the roof that they were currently on.

She looked at him, waiting to hear what he was trying to tell her, so heartfelt a sorry made her feel a little silly for taking things as far as she did, since she hadn't expected him to take it so hard.

"I wanted to be with you, in combat and out of it really, but…I guess I worried that I might be distracting you from your new duties as the leader of the Senshi, we both have roles alongside each other Usagi, I love you and only want to see your growth as a leader is unhindered by me; I promise you that's all I ever meant." He got it off his chest finally.

He hadn't even taken the time to see her reaction at first, he just shut his eyes and sighed in a manner of relief, he felt vindicated by telling the thing eating at him over such a long period of time, a whole week of not being able to clarify why he even mentioned that that night last week.

She was smiling at him and looking a little relieved herself, though still she knew she had to tell him her side of the story as well, after all there was no need to be mad over something so small right?

"Keba, I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for this too, I mean…I-I let it get out of hand, making you think I was so mad." She looked down as she felt just as guilty as he probably did; she had a hand in making him worry and she knew it.

Her gaze went to her cousin's face and she couldn't help but hug him tightly and while doing so also took a deep breath, it was time to tell him everything that had been on her mind since last week. Though he thought he was the cause of it, in honesty he had only stirred the thoughts and the rest was really her doing.

She made sure that she covered the course of all last week, how each day that she took up training and studying harder over this whole period; reforming herself for her own sake really. She told him of her frustrations and how she remembered those thoughts, the same nights ending with his death and how much it affected her so hard. She worked on her skills with Luna overseeing and on her own whenever Luna hadn't been around. She focused so hard and was even neglecting sleep so that she had more time for it.

The two of them spent about the next hour clearing things up and even talking about some plans that made it all sound easier and how perhaps they'd be able to train together; Keba told her how the Banshou did not like his involvement with her life, the way that they believed he had already changed the way of things. Usagi was just as compassionate as she'd ever been but more focused and he knew that she was so in touch with her heart and knew what she wanted most of all.

"That's not fair you know Keba? I mean the way that they want to act; they really want to get mad just because you and I are working together more? Hmm, I'll have to show them that I understand that I am the Princess, it seems that they need a reminder of who they are as well." She was sure that it was also because Keba was trying to be democratic about the discussions; she was almost too sure that he was being too loose about decisions that he was one to be making.

She took Keba's hand and helped him up while she looked at his face with a sweet smile, helping her cousin rise while she looked at his face and embraced him again. And there in the moonlight there was a sudden focus on the moonlight upon the two of them, for the moment that Keba felt Usagi rest her head on his shoulder; he just rubbed her back and held her close.

Unknown to the two cousins was the power of the bond they shared and the reflection of it showing in the soft moonlight shining of the two, for a moment the royal crest appeared upon the two reborn silver millennium royal family; vaguely reminiscent of a past that was far behind them and only in memories that the two of them now shared.

The night ended without much more in words, as once Keba got them both home, they gave the excuse of studying late at the library and then retreated to bed as another day was now done.

--The new day-

As the next morning came Keba found the sun seemed to shine that much brighter today as he looked outward as the beautiful sky before him, all he could do was enjoy the warmth that was present; opening his eyes and looking up at the sun as if something from the light had jumped right into his heart. The day felt strange already, but he wasn't sure what it meant yet.

"Usagi! Keba! Breakfast is ready!" his aunt Ikuko's melodic voice called to them both from downstairs, he got out of bed and stretched his body lightly, doing some light movements to loosen up his body before heading to the bathroom to awaken himself and prepare for the day.

After a short time preparing for school, Keba was downstairs and surprisingly Usagi emerged a short time after he did and greeted her cousin with a tight hug before she moved into the kitchen; in a very good mood and somewhat bouncy to the surprise of her mother and father.

Ikuko smiled at her daughter's happiness as she seemed to be reflecting more of what was her daughter's normal happy-go-lucky attitude about things.

"It's so nice to see that you and Usagi aren't quarreling anymore Keba, honestly I was hoping that whatever it was you two might move past it; you two are honestly so close I was hoping this might be forgotten in time." She was just stating of course what was on her mind.

Usagi smiled at her mother's words and then hugged Keba once more before she looked at her father and then her brother Shingo with a little happy sigh coming from her. No words on the matter, instead just a nice change of the original attitude and a change that showed Usagi feeling better about things as they came to pass, it was a question about how she would react at some times.

There was never a steady way to be sure that Usagi would remain in a good mood as these passed or so the word went on the subject. Breakfast went over pretty smoothly with Usagi eating every bit of her food and then looking at the time and grabbing her bag before moving to door and waiting for Keba to get up.

"Good bye Mom! Good Bye Dad! Love you both, me and Keba have to go or we'll be late!" she called out as Keba was rising from his chair and gave his aunt Ikuko a kiss on the cheek and there a light hug to his Uncle before moving off beside Usagi's side and taking her hand; it was indeed well reflective of the past for them both, to see that they were both in a good mood.

Keba was glad that Usagi seemed to be exploding in happiness on some level, she was really reacting more to the warmth of the day and seemed so happy, the way she was skipping and even maintaining her balance while she led him to school.

He let her take him since she seemed to be so adamant about keeping him by her side today, even as Naru came to meet up with them, she made sure that Keba stayed with them and maintained a good pace; he was amused by this to a degree.

Well this was the way that he remembered things in the dreams he had, Serenity was always leading Tsume off somewhere and they'd go hand in hand, almost as if truly brother and sister it was a very nice feeling to embrace. That was just the best thing about spending time with Usagi, it was most certainly when she was in this good mood just like this; however he did have to admit to being curious enough to ask one thing and that was what brought this radiant mood on?

Though Usagi had yet to say anything all that was sure was that she was seeing better days since Keba had explained away what he'd meant the last week and she got off what was so heavy a burden on her chest. It just felt good not to be quarreling with him over something so small and menial.

She beamed at her ability to pay attention in class, all of that 'weekly training' that she gave herself on focus and studying…well at least the focus was still in effect. She didn't know so much about the studying habits, maybe she'd retain some of it; at least if it meant Keba would help her with some of the studying, well then she'd enjoy that. Her biggest focus now was probably just testing how things were going between Makoto and Keba, since they had been dating about a week now, and he surely was showing no problems with her; aside from him being worried about her, Keba really hadn't said anything to her about how they were doing; though silly her…she hadn't even asked!

It wasn't all that bad since she'd be seeing them both at lunchtime, she knew they had P.E. together and this meant that she would be seeing them about the same time they were leaving and she was going in for her P.E., this just before they all ate lunch and that was when she'd find out. She decided that would be the perfect time to check out how they were doing.

--With Makoto—

In fact things had been doing so well between her and Keba she found herself to be steadily focused by this sheer fact alone, while school work never gave her problems since she went to Ami with any of the said problems on hand, she found things with Keba smoothed everything out for her. It was more the fact that he made her so happy…in this own strange way since she'd discovered him and started going out with him at least twice a week, it was easy to maintain a happy mood and thus everything just seemed to fly straight by, leaving her with nothing but a growing soft spot for him in her heart since then.

Even now as the P.E. class came to an end, she found herself looking forward to lunch, since she would see that adorable radiant face of his then, indeed he was a rare gift she found and he was almost intuitive sometimes at her emotions.

He wasn't overdoing anything at the moment, just making sure that he was doing what was expected of one student in P.E., some physical exertions, it was pretty good for the most part; he found the duties enjoyed and that life was currently all he hoped it to be; simple and actually quite fun. Though the real test he imagined would be at lunch time, could he balance time with Makoto, his life as a Banshou, school, time with Usagi: both as a senshi of the moon and a cousin? It was all quite…challenging, he found that it would be rough, but he rather enjoyed it all still.

Those were some of his very words that he mentioned, he was always thinking about others and how life would get along with things; even though the life of a senshi wasn't the easiest thing to cope with, Makoto found herself doing her best and never once backing down from the challenges.

"Finally an end to class." She found herself a bit eager to leave class and her thoughts with them as it was time for lunch and one of the few times that she enjoyed that were freedom of a kind, what she would be doing today? Showing Keba the lunch that she made for the two of them to share.

She had worked extra hard to keep the food during the week varying and found herself rewarded with his truth and usual gentle gaze that spoke volumes of how the food made him feel. She found a full range of emotions in them and his responses were always truthful; as he said before in a way she liked to think back to often.

'If lies had any true place in the word then they would not hurt so much when a person finds them untrue, and so with that point it shows no purpose to lie.' It was his reasoning for never lying and she admired it.

Being honest was good for the soul and something she herself followed as well, she would never hold back the truth; even if it were painful something that needed to be shared would.

She went off to dress back in her regular clothes; yes she could really grow to adore lunch more than she normally did. She found that it brightened up her day to know that Keba would be there along with her friends; finally a boy that did not feel intimidated by her, well at least in a bad way at least, he seemed to enjoy her company at any rate.

--At Lunch—

Usagi was where she found herself happiest now, a place where she could eat and freely enjoy a time where she wasn't going to get trouble for sleeping or just enjoying her time at being lazy. She could eat and enjoy the company of friends and family in this case, something she loved normally.

She already knew where they normally met outside, under the great tree that shaded them during times of spring and times before summer was starting. Even though it was starting to get a bit chillier, still a haven from the sun was not unwelcome and she was already first there under the tree; she often competed with everyone else to be there; well unknowingly did they all compete, she enjoyed the chance at the best spot before the large root of the tree.

"Ahh, Happy Noon eh Usagi?" Keba's voice sounded happy, as he came to join his fellow blond beneath the tree as he sat down and bowed his head in polite greeting, it was just observing manners; as that was something he often enjoyed doing.

"Keba-kun!" she answered in a ways he normally did, with a loving hug and a kind of happy sigh that only came within his company; there were people in her life that made her feel special, her family at home, her friends, her beloved Tuxedo Kamen, and then there was Keba…the only different kind of love she felt that seemed to have no depth.

She was never satisfied just seeing him once, was it because they were both reborn royalty of the Silver Millennium? She had not been able to touch the thought really, all she found is that she adored his company and feared for his safety, this was a connection that she had with close family; yes he was like the older brother who watched out for her so often.

While Usagi was in her thoughts, the embrace finally came to pass, once she felt worlds better and emerged from her trance. There was little more to pass her mind, she was gazing at Keba's gentle eyes and she let herself smile; he was so mindful of others and less to himself, she found that an endearing trait of her sweet cousin, a shining example of a knight…much like her beloved Tuxedo Kamen.

"Keba-kun, there you are~" Makoto's cheery tone seemed to break the mood of thought for Usagi, while Keba greeted Makoto with a hug and a peck on the cheek.

She thought they were adorable really, even though Keba was the pursued in such a case, he was still being extra attentive and making sure that Mako-chan was enjoying herself; she was so lucky! Usagi couldn't help but feel envious that one of her best friends and allies in battle was so lucky so have someone as nice and gentle as her cousin. It was wonderful…maybe Tuxedo Kamen would treat to a happy time like this? If only she knew who he truly was, not just some midnight savior…the one who saved her from her first few scary times as Sailor Moon; he was as valiant as Keba, but in a totally different regard she found; her admiration for Keba was almost dead even as her wonder about the mysterious Tuxedo Kamen.

"Here you got Mako-chan." He said as he held out a small case in her direction, what was this?

A gift so soon, oh he was too precious! She was already giddy and wondered just what it was that he had for her, they'd only been going out a week and a half and he was being so thoughtful already? It was really sweet and she found that she really liked it.

Keba soon handed her a small case that he had opened for her and looked at her face for the surprise when she'd see that it was clearly a small necklace, a keepsake made of a glistening silver with a moonstone in the center of it. Such a thing was a gift he selected specifically for Makoto, he was sure that she would love it and to his guess he was right.

"Keba, its beautiful!" she grabbed him into a tight hug, still caught in the surprise of the moment while she held onto him for the minute, just still her mind a little shocked by just what kind of a gift that he gave her…oh why did he have to be so sweet?

She felt tears coming to her eyes and almost too quickly had they spread throughout her eyes and she rested her head on his shoulder while her eyes shut, they were only tears of happiness at such a sweet gesture; she never expected it.

"Oooh I'm jealous, that's so cute!" Usagi giggled at the scene and gave her cousin a soft rub on his back from Usagi, it was just that he was far too cute for his own good.

----In the Dark Kingdom--

"You've failed me for the last time Jadeite, perhaps I should get someone with more skill to take care of this annoyance." Queen Beryl said, less than impressed with his reasoning for why he not only lost but was wounded as well.

He looked at his queen and then decided that now it was time for him to tell her just how serious he was about his position here and just what that meant to him, he was going to stake everything on the line if she let him.

"If I may my Queen, if you give me one more chance not only will I earn you the energy to awaken Queen Metalia, but I will also capture this mysterious warrior who had stopped me from capturing this princess." He said as he bowed his head, in truth he wanted his revenge; no one ever harmed him in such a way, and now he wasn't about to start by letting this fool get away with it now.

At first she said nothing but the look on her face seemed describe her interest in this matter, was this the youth that her Queen had described in the past? The young man who dared to face off with the leader of the Dark Kingdom in some useless attempt to stay off her attack on the castle? She was indeed intrigued, but this then meant that he was one that was meant for her Queen to deal with as well and she would not have this.

"…Fine then Jadeite, you have one last chance to gather the energy and the second is to draw this fighter out and then…I will deal with him." She would be the one to put a quick end to this and not allow anyone to get in the way of the Dark Kingdom, after all…if this fighter could wound Jadeite and nearly destroy him with such an attack; then this was nothing to pass up on destroying as a power opposing them.

Queen Beryl had her plans and whether Jadeite succeeded or not did not really matter, if he got the energy she might spare him or not; but this fighter had to be stopped and she knew there was no way she could leave this to Jadeite or any other of the Shitennou to this.

As her memories came upon her, she smiled sadistically at the thought that came to mind, who was dashing enough to face off against her Queen and actually believe he stood a chance?

"Maybe…my Queen would like your capture, Prince Tsume…" she said it as she realized someone powerful to defeat Jadeite was no ordinary fighter or even a Senshi, nay…only one being as powerful as the Moon Princess herself or who ranked close; she knew it to be the Crown Warrior Prince himself.

(End Chapter)

Well I hope you enjoyed this chapter, more to come and soon!

Tell me what you think of the pairing I have in mind? Yay or nay? Any feedback would be awesome, I may let it interest the next chapter or even who you might prefer me to put together with Prince Tsume/Keba or even if you just have another pairing?

Till then adieu

-Quentix