When I awoke in the morning, I discovered Seito had already gone and so were my tears. My fingers brushed across a strange texture as I stretched my sleepy muscles. Looking down, I saw a folded up note on the pillow where Seito slept.

I'm so sorry that I had to leave in such a hurry this morning. I overslept (and so did you) and had to hurry for training. My training is almost complete so hurrying off early in the mornings won't be a worry as much. Have a lovely day and I shall see you during dinner.

Love,

Seito

Grabbing my brooch from the drawer of my nightstand, I placed it in my nightgown as I dressed with a smile embracing my face, and I hurried down the hall to my parent's office where I found my mother reading her reports. Or something dealing with business.

"Momma?"

"Hm?" She asked looking up, "Akari, why aren't you dressed? Your hair looks a mess."

"I know… It's just that my clothes don't fit."

Her eyebrows scrunched together, making her look angry with me but I know that she was just wondering what to do. "We'll just have to make more, I suppose. I'll call Tantra and have her do that," she huffed.

"Is everything okay, Momma? You seem stressed."

"Everything's fine. It's just everyone is freaking out because we've found Sailor Cosmos."

"Or Sailor Cosmos found everyone else."

"You know, you could always transform."

"There is absolutely no way I am walking around in my senshi outfit when no one's yet comfortable with the idea that I'm a senshi."

"How are they supposed to warm up to it if you don't continuously wear your gear?"

"Because I feel like I'm showing it off… Can't I just wear a T-shirt and shorts or something comfortable and not princess-like?"

"Absolutely not, Akari. The others train and walk around in their senshi uniforms; I think you should be able to do the same."

"But, Mom, it's awkward."

"It won't be awkward, Akari. It'll be okay. I want you to start your training sessions immediately so when we face Kurain once more, you'll be able to defend yourself."

"I understand; I will start today since everyone else will be having their excise regimen today. See you later on today?"

"Of course. I will check on your progress in a few hours."

I bowed and left her room to venture off to my room. Lifting the brooch out of my pocket, I examined the tiny yet powerful item. It glistened beautifully even without light bouncing off of its surface. It was remarkable how this object could transform me into the legendary Sailor Cosmos. I knew I wasn't ready for what obstacles were to come as a senshi, but with enough practice, I was sure that I would be successful.

But what would my friends think about me training with me? Would they laugh if I messed up? Would they lend me a hand if I fell? What were they going to think when they saw me for the first time as Sailor Cosmos? Would their reaction find them speechless or would they be ecstatic to have them as their teammate?

I didn't even know what to call out for my transformation. It just happened when I reached for my crystal. I tried shaking it, kissing it, and even carefully tossing it in the air. Frustrated, I unconsciously raised the infuriating item against my chest and I was surrounded by a captivating light. The unfamiliar outfit wrapped itself around my slender body and the oddly comfortable high-heeled shoes adorned my small feet.

"Really…? That's all it took?! No wonder no words come to me when I handle this thing!"

A frustrated sigh escaped my lips as I exited my room to meander to the training rooms. My friends were most likely in their usual training spot where the room was filled with absolutely nothing and had padding for floors. Finding ways to bring down enemies were especially easy in this room and the outers, probably Uranus, were having their fun teaching the new inners fighting techniques. Like how Uranus taught me years ago.

My anxious heart sped much faster as I reached the door leading to the spacious room. Grabbing the door handle, I yanked it open. My suspicions were correct as I spotted them on the other side of the room, jostling and laughing. The outer senshi were nowhere to be found, which could possibly not be beneficiary to my favor since they were the ones who trained my ability to combat. My friends knew not of my abilities in my previous life.

My steps were stiff as I tried to keep my balance on the unstable ground. As my friends caught sight of me, their eyes widened and their mouths gaped open. It was amusing and terrifying at the same time.

"Akari…so it is true? We all thought it was a rumor," Maia spoke first as I finally made my way to them.

"Yes, it is true," I replied.

"There is no way, Akari. You're too… weak. I'm not trying to be harsh, only truthful," Aubrey admitted.

"I'm going to have to agree with Aubrey. We like having the job of protecting you. When we were told that you were Sailor Cosmos, my heart dropped because you would be stronger than us. Sure, we wanted you as a senshi like us, but not as Cosmos," Iris commented.

"Now, you'll be the one to protect us," Aubrey said.

"Being the weakest one of the group, it made me feel strong to know that I could keep you safe. It made me feel so powerful that I had the power to make you less vulnerable," Maia also spoke.

My heart felt as if it were about to crack. This was not the way I wanted our meeting to turn out. For years, we've dreamt of fighting alongside each other, defending the earth… and now they don't want me? I looked at Phoebe, who hadn't said a word this whole entire time, and I was surprised at what I saw. The senshi of Venus was practically beaming with joy.

"This so awesome! We can finally be a team, now!" Phoebe exclaimed, her eyes full of excitement, almost oblivious to the fact that everyone was feeling the exact opposite.

"Phoebe, I appreciate your compassion, but I can't join until I've finished all of my training."

"But you're Cosmos; you practically have all the magic you could possibly wish for. You don't need strength," she countered.

"I would like to be where I was in my previous life. Strength-wise. Also, I don't know how to control my contained powers yet. I don't even know what they are. Nobody does."

"But we have an idea," a voice behind sounded. I turned around to see Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune standing behind me. Uranus smiled and continued, "Your mother has appointed us to train you, if that is alright."

A smile spread across my lips as I learned that my old friends would once again be my mentors. "Of course, that is alright. Why wouldn't it be?"

They all smiled warmly and Saturn extended her arm towards me, "Come on. We want to show you something."

I reached out my own hand and grabbed hold of hers. Her gloved hand was smooth and cool to my ungloved hand, which was relaxing and comforting. It reminded me of the staff I was to carry in case of dangerous emergencies. And to show enemies that I do hold remarkable power.

I didn't look back to my friends to see what expressions their faces held for I was afraid of how they would look at me.

"So, where are we going?" I asked as soon as we stepped outside of the room and the door was closed behind us.

"To see a person who could better explain this whole situation than anyone else," Neptune replied, gingerly wrapping her arm around mine.

"You mean the Cosmos situation or training?"

"Both, but this person will probably speak with you more about you being Cosmos than training," Uranus spoke, who was beside Neptune.

We wound a corner and at the end of an open breezeway, a grand, majestic door stood. I had never seen this door before and from the looks of it, the door didn't lead to anything since the wall wasn't continuing behind it. The outer senshi could sense my perplexity, and they smiled gently.

"We will not follow you, but we will wait for you here. There is no need to fret, you have met this person before," Neptune said, unwinding her arm from mine as Saturn unlaced her hand with my bare hand.

"I trust you, but I am still nervous as to who this is. Could I at least have a hint?" I questioned as I was staring nervously at the overwhelming height of this elaborate entrance.

"Time is of the essence; there is no time for silly questionnaires," Uranus replied, nudging me closer towards the door.

"Fine, fine. I'll see you three when this is over," I voiced as I grabbed hold of the handle and pulled hard.

Walking past the door, I half expected my face to plant itself into a wall of some sort, but I entered into a vast area where I could see nothing but fog. I had been here before. Fifteen years ago, before my birth as Akari Serenity.

"Akari, I am glad to see you again," a very familiar voice spoke next to me.

Shifting my direction, I saw Sailor Pluto only ten feet away from me. "Sailor Pluto! I am glad to see you as well!"

"I see you have awakened and found you purpose in this life," she replied warmly, walking closer to me.

"Yes, I was told that you could explain why I am the one to be Cosmos?"

"You were told this after they stole you away, I presume?"

"They didn't take me hostage; they were more polite than that," I said, smiling in amusement.

The older senshi chuckled, "Well, let us start our conversation of Sailor Cosmos. Sailor Cosmos is the past, present, and future. She can be anywhere, reincarnated at any time; we just don't know. Cosmos is an ambiguous being that not even I can explain. Even though, the outer senshi said I could explain Cosmos better, my abilities are only by a small amount. While your sister was destined to become Sailor Moon, you were reborn to be Sailor Cosmos. Chaos was sent away, but there are more evil forces to be reckoned with. There will always be evil forces that Sailor Cosmos will be eventually be reborn for," Pluto explained in a soothing voice.

"But I haven't been training like everyone else. I don't have the strength that my friends have gained through years of exercise. Sure, I remember what Uranus taught me, but I haven't rehearsed my skills and I definitely haven't had the time to do so."

"It takes time to be where you were; your friends should understand that. You're not going to miraculously be great at something you've haven't done in this lifetime. With strenuous practice, comes great success."

"So I just show them that I can do everything that I was able to by working my hardest? This is easier said than done, Sailor Pluto."

"I understand, but you've done it before."

"I started out young, like, before I was a teenager…Not when I'm nineteen or however old I look."

She rested a gentle hand on my shoulder, "I believe in you, we all do. They just don't know what to think of you being a senshi like them. It's confusing, but they'll warm up to the idea. They'll warm up to you being Cosmos and they'll be more likely to help."

"It hurts to know that they liked me better when I was defenseless and naïve."

"It was easier for them to protect you. Now they feel as if they can't do their job."

"But if we worked as team, it would be easier for us to protect each other."

"Then tell them that. They'll understand if you actually go up to them and speak."

Sighing, I gave her a thank you for giving me so much advice. As I was walking away to go back inside the castle, I felt her hand on my shoulder once again. I turned around only to be blessed with a hug from Sailor Pluto, who rarely shows any emotion.

Thank you for reading! Please review! :)