Here's the next installment! Thanks for your patience guys. I swear I'll try to get the next part out quickly. I'd like to thank my reviewers Randa-Chan, sangoscourage, Lyn Dulce, and Myosotis13. Enjoy!

My breath is ragged and my face pale as we approach the beautiful crystal palace. Awestruck silence falls over us as we ride through the city. I'm wearing a brown wig, so that we can pass through the city without being harassed.

The palace has always reminded me of an iceberg. Beautiful beyond compare, but at the same time cold and forbidding. It's funny actually. Visitors use many words to describe the palace, but "welcoming" is never one of them.

"Amazing," I hear Tamiko mutter in an uncharacteristically quiet tone. That's one of those words.

"Striking," Hiroshi agrees. There's another.

I nod, but can't bring myself to speak. It is taking all of my self-control to keep from bolting. What was I thinking coming back? I've never been able to confront them before. Why is that different now?

"Keiko-chan, are you okay?" I hear Hiroshi's concerned voice ask. He's noticed my silence. His hand grips mine and he squeezes it reassuringly. "You want to wait on this?"

I smile and return the squeeze. Confidence rushes through me as I look into his dark eyes, so full of love. Things are different now. When I left here I was so lonely and desperate. Now looking at Hiroshi and Tamiko, I know I'm not alone anymore. "No, as long as you guys are up to it I'd like to get this over with."

"How do we get in?" Tamiko asks. "Do we just knock on the front door?"

I shake my head. "I want to meet up with them on my terms, not theirs. I know a back way in." I urge Yumi forward with Hiroshi and Tamiko following on their horses. One of the more rarely used guest rooms has a spiral staircase down into the garden. When I was younger I taught myself to pick the lock so I could sneak out and explore the city. The freedom, the adventure, and the escape. It's one of the few things from my childhood I remember favorably.

It is the perfect time to sneak into the palace. The sun has set giving us the cover of darkness and it is also early enough that everyone will still be awake. After years of practice, picking the lock is child's play. I take a deep breath and open the door.

"What kind of security will they have on this side?' Hiroshi whispers in my ear.

"Very little," I answer in hushed tones, pulling off the wig. If we run into guards here, I want to be recognized. In this situation, that is the best protection possible. "It has always been assumed any threat would come from the outside."

"You worry to much, Hiroshi-kun," Tamiko says impatiently. "Let's go." She inside before either Hiroshi or I can act.

I jump in after her with Hiroshi following closely. With my luck, this will be the one time there are actually guards in this area. A sigh of relief escapes when I see that the room is empty except for us. I can see Hiroshi open his mouth to lecture his sister, but I cut him off. This is not the time or the place.

As I lead the way through the maze of hallways, a familiar voice cries for us to halt. Hiroshi steps protectively in front of me and Tamiko. I recognize the voice instantly.

"Hello Usagi-chan," I say loudly, turning to face my sister.

Because Hiroshi had reacted first, Usagi had singled him out as the most immediate threat so her attention had been focused on him. Now she looks at me and comes out of her fighting stance. She takes a step forward and mouths my name. Suddenly the shock is gone, replaced by joy as she rushes forward to hug me. I return the hug. I missed my sister. We may have grown apart in the past years, but she always tried to be there for me.

"Oh Keiko-chan I've been so worried," she gushes. She turns her attention to Hiroshi and Tamiko.

I go through introductions and exchange some small talk as I gather my courage. Finally I swallow hard and smile at my sister. Time to get this over with. I feel a wave of guilt knowing what I'm about to do will hurt Usagi as well. "Usagi-chan, where are Mother and Father? I really need to talk to them."

Usagi smiles. "Of course. Here I am babbling on and on...I'm just so happy to see you!" She hugs me again. "Come on Mom and Dad are this way." She leads us to the Great Hall. "Mom! Dad! Keiko's back!" she cries as we enter.

Both my parents freeze and look over at us. Mother's eyes light up and she rushes forward to hold me. Suddenly anger and disgust rush through me. Now she cares? Now she's going to play the worried mother? Where was she when I actually needed her? I step back and hiss loudly, "Don't touch me!"

Mother jerks back as though I physically struck her. "What do you mean, baby?" she whispers, her blue eyes reflect confusion and hurt. I don't care anymore. All the feelings I've kept bottled up rush from me.

"What do you mean, baby?" I mock. "Now you're going to act like a loving mother? You've never behaved like my mother. Why start now? A mother is someone who is there for you when you're hurt or scared. Someone you can trust. Someone who doesn't leave without so much as a goodbye!" Mother opens her mouth to protest, but I cut her off. I need to finish getting this off my chest, before I chicken out. "Before you go on telling me what a wonderful mother you are, what is my favorite food?" Mother looks at me blankly. "My favorite color? My favorite pastime? Anything?" My voice has risen with each sentence and I am now shouting. Usagi stands beside me in silent shock. Her face pales as she realizes I'm not back to stay.

Father finally speaks up. "Young lady! How dare you speak to your mother that way!"

"Are you feeling left out Endymion?" I ask.

"Keiko I am your father and you will refer to me with respect," he starts angrily.

"You can only call yourself my father if you can answer those questions. Can you answer even one of them?" The silence that greets my response gives me my answer. "I've said what I needed to say. Leave me be. I'm no longer your princess or for that matter your daughter." I turn to leave, tears falling down my face.

"Baby please don't do this," Mother cries out, grabbing my arm to keep me from leaving.

I yank my arm from her grasp and walk to Hiroshi and Tamiko who are waiting for me at door. I don't look back. There's nothing there I want to see.