Chapter 14

The Senshi were incredibly uncomfortable in their new surroundings. It had been some time since they had arrived, yet everything was uninviting and uncomfortable. "The surroundings are nothing like our home," Talor said as she and Sailor Daichi sat in the gardens. "Is there nowhere we can go that is similar to our world?"

"There is only Earth," Daichi said. "However, Earth is forbidden to everyone now. There have been uprisings and unstable conditions on Earth. It was forbidden to all but royals before, but now it is completely off-limits to even the royals."

"What of the other kingdoms?" Talor asked. "Could we visit them?"

"You are in no condition to be visiting the other kingdoms," Daichi said. "I am sure I could arrange it for the others, but you are hardly in any condition to be wandering around." Talor rolled her eyes and leaned back on the bench. Daichi had been sitting forward, as though in deep thought.

"Where did Kinha and Minjira disappear to?" Talor asked. "I haven't seen them around in a long while."

"They have settled down on Suisei," Daichi said. "They've adopted the orphans, as well."

"Have they, now?" Talor asked. "Are they coupling?"

"The term in 'marrying' here, but yes," Daichi said. "This whole ordeal has changed everyone."

"What have they named the children?" Talor asked excitedly in oblivion to what Daichi had said. She shot forward to lean in to Daichi.

"They have named the boy 'Aster' and the baby girl 'Mikato,'" Daichi said. She straightened up and then stood. "You may come out of hiding, princess," Daichi said. Talor looked around in confusion, but then saw a blue-haired girl poking her head out from behind a pillar.

"Hello Lady Kione," she said with a smile. "I was wondering if we could play chess, if you still remember how." Daichi smiled at her and nodded. The princess excitedly jumped out from her hiding place with a box clutched in her arms.

Daichi looked back at Talor and said, "Talor, this is Princess Mercury of Suisei," she said. She then looked to the princess. "Princess Mercury, this is Talor. If she were transformed she would be Sailor Talor."

The two situated themselves on the bench and set up the board. Talor sat on the grass to the side. "I'm a Sailor Senshi, too, now," Mercury said. "I've taken over my mother's place as the guardian Senshi of our planet. Mae-Makyuri is a Senshi, too. She is Sailor Makyuri in the Sandor System."

"I assume Princess Binasu is with her," Daichi said. Mercury nodded.

"Marusu is also a Senshi in the system," the princess said. "Scarlet went with her, though she is not a Senshi."

"I see," Daichi said. "What of Princess Yoake?"

"She is Sailor Dawn in Suta," Mercury said. "Also, Nereid married. She and her husband shall live here until Triton marries and has an heir. Of course, that depends on whether or not he marries. He is incredibly stubborn. He apparently fell in love with someone long ago, but no one knows who the lucky girl is." Daichi nodded her head as she finished placing her pieces. "You have been here for some time. How did you not learn of these things earlier?"

"I never asked," she said. "You move first."

"I must ask something else," Mercury said as she let the first subject drop. "Why have you always chosen the black pieces? Please do not say it is because I am royalty and should have the first move."

"Then I shall not say," Daichi said with a smile.

Mercury sighed and shook her head. "I hope you shall give me a challenge," she said as she moved. "I have not had any decent competition since Mae-Makyuri left."

Daichi had been true to her word and had managed to find ways for the Senshi, sans Talor, and their families to visit the other kingdoms. The rulers all permitted the Senshi to settle where they wished. Of course, certain rulers made unspoken promises to not allow Daichi to settle on their planet. In fact, Helene had taken Daichi aside and outright told her to never come back to Dosei. Leda, Caliban, and Charon made similar rules. This was obviously kept quiet of everyone else.

The survivors of Tal proceeded to settle where they were most comfortable. Sou and her parents settled on Kasei. Vandir and his parents also went. He was, however, now called by his rightful name of "Courtues." Sou kept herself busy with either Courtues or in training Princess Mars in being a Senshi of fire.

Gosha was immediately welcomed on Dosei, where she developed a formidable alliance with Princess Saturn. The princess aged peculiarly and so seemed to be only a bit older than Gosha. Helene was delighted to have Gosha around. She was also delighted with the occasional visit from Elementus, who had settled on the Moon under the watchful eyes of Princess Serenity.

Inkou had found a home on Kinsei and a rivalry with Princess Venus that existed in and out of Senshi uniform. The cause was due to the fact that the two girls looked uncannily alike. Inkou also formed a bond with Lord Bruta de Mau. Lord Bruta was a black cat, of the same planet as Lady Luna and Lord Artemis, with bright orange eyes. While being very gentlemanly, Bruta was also a joker who enjoyed fun. He and happy-go-lucky Inkou were a perfect match.

Taika had taken a silent and somber journey to Meiousei, where she remained in almost-seclusion. She continually stared out into the stars, lamenting the loss of her one love. Her seclusion hadn't been complete, as she had found a friend in Lady Balina de Mau, the sister of Lord Artemis de Mau on the Moon. Balina would be Taika's only company for a long while.

Asa didn't need any time to contemplate her choices. Kaiousei was the kingdom she knew she would love. She was a third source of training for Princess Neptune, who had become the Senshi of Kaiousei. The princess' main training came from Queen Charon, and her secondary training came from Nereid. Asa came to learn that Nereid had been personally trained by Daichi, who was Lady Kione at the time.

Talor eventually came to settle on Mokusei, where her military background as a leader and a fighter fit in with the society of warriors. Talor even came to befriend Princess Ganymede, though differences of opinion caused Talor to clash with the younger princess-turned-Senshi, Jupiter.

As for Daichi, she wandered around the kingdoms where she was welcome. She spent no long periods of time anywhere, and she never left her uniform. It wasn't until Princess Serenity's debutante ball that Daichi would leave her uniform. She would come to call the night "the third trial."