AN: This completes the first 'Book' so to speak. Shall be uploading the second 'Book' soon. Everything Is Complete up to the 'third'. There is no 'changing' of the plots.

Sailor Moon DMR: Dead Moon's Reign

Epilogue

It was a celebration, one that had been in the making for a while. Their daughter- their eldest child- was turning thirteen years old today. Elation had worried over the caterers and such and even made a fuss about Saori's dress, all in an effort to distract herself from something. The nervousness that ate at her stomach for right now. She really wanted nothing more but to drag Mamoru in there and tell him.

She shook her head a bit amused. That man, even though she had to accept it. Accept the infidelity on his part even though she had never done such a thing.

But he was true to his word that was for sure. When their first born came-a complete surprise to both of them at the time she had been projected to being born in May- he had come running flushed and hurriedly dressed.

Later she had learned he had been with …her but when he heard she had gone into labor he had came as quickly as he could. It did nudge something in her that felt warm at the thought. Of course her cynical self said it was because this would be his first child and given his history obviously he would want this child and want to see it for himself.

Elation had tried hard over the years to ignore this cynicism. To try and enjoy this makeshift life she created for herself.

So it was little wonder that when the party was in full swing she was standing off to the side with Chouko and Yuki chatting about nothing important when Haruki came over to ask her for a dance.
He had been her friend for years. Actually all of those that had been part of the Paranormal club that year had stayed in contact with each other and visited her as much as they could.

Only Yuki still worked for Sarita in this case, much to Chouko's displeasure. Then again the two were, as Elation had suspected years ago, in love with each other enough to get over a few minor things.
Still she had turned to Haruki and nods before allowing herself to be drawn to the dancefloor.

"Still dance as well as ever, Kestral." Haruki said to her before spinning her around causing the black and red dress to flare out around her legs then pulls her back in time with the steps.

Elation smiles a bit, "You know my name. At least you could do is call me Elation, baka."

"I dunno." He smirks, "I always liked the ring of 'Kestral'."

She shook her head as they spun around the dancefloor with the other party goers. "You don't seem to have changed at all, Haruki." She told him, "How's the family?"

"Oh they're doing well." Haruki told her faintly amused, "Haruto's off on some wild thing now. Something about a find from the old kingdom's time."

"Well that's exciting." Elation commented and slowed her steps to the time of the music, "Beats looking at proposals and whining from the officials. I tell you, I would've rather have been a normal person."

"You were never normal, Kestral." There was something different about Haruki's eyes. Something that made Elation's heart give pause and notice but she looks away. "Like what Shun said, you were special."

"Did he tell you that?" She felt mildly disturbed remembering the words of the long dead club-mate that had really started this all.

Haruki only nods before letting her go since the dance was over. "Lets go. I…I've been meaning to tell you something."

She knew she shouldn't however as she glances over at Endymion..Mamoru who was looking out the window at the moment she turns her head and nods to him. It wasn't like she would be missed for a few moments.

The two walked down the quiet hallway since most people were in the main ballroom with the birthday girl and the twins. In a way, Elation couldn't believe she had done this. Or rather she had people to help her. It made her feel strange. That's the word she had for it. Embarrassed, confident, humble and a few other words that could all be described as strange. It was odd to feel so much in one wasn't it?

Still she looks at Haruki, he had aged a bit but she could still see the same teenage boy with enthusiasm for ghosts, karaoke and breaking into old houses. She found herself chuckling at that. Gods were they really so old now? Things seemed so far away. All those things they used to do as teenagers. And Maya…

She breathes out slowly. Maya, her little sister that would've been at least twenty-something years old now wouldn't she? Elation closes her eyes picturing the little girl that changed everything. What she would give to see her once more…

"Kestral?" Haruki pauses looking worriedly at her. "Something the matter?"

"No, " she said and looks at him, "I was..just thinking." She breathes a bit. "What's the matter Haruki?"

He smiles at her, a small one at that but leans in and kisses her gently on the lips leaving her somewhat shocked. "I wanted to tell you, I'm sorry."

"Sorry?" She was puzzled but her lips tingled a bit. Same kind of tingle that she had known when Mamoru kisses her unexpectedly at times. "For what?"

"Because I never got the courage to ask you out." He told her, "That we never had a chance together."

She only nods a bit, "We were young. We thought things could last forever, didn't we?" She turns slightly, "I'm sorry too. I never acted on those things because.. I thought they would distract me."

"They would've and this present would've been different." He agreed but rests his hands on her shoulders, "I know he's cheating on you, Kestral. Why? Why do you endure that?"

She glances at him and just smiles, "Because this is my penance too. If meeting her gives him a measure of happiness even if he'll never…" She shook her head, "Then it's fine. It's what I deserve after all." Turning away from him she looks out of the window that over looked the city. "For all this, I believe love is the sacrifice I made for it. Not a fair trade, I know but…for my sister and those people it was worth it."

"What about you?" He swallows a bit, "Have you abandoned it?"

She only looks at his reflection, "I think, Haruki, that this time I'll just have to miss out. There's always a next time." She smiles looking at him and touches his cheek, "Even for us."

That's when she heard it. Some one had sounded the alarm. She jerks away from him and whirls towards where they had come from. It could mean only one thing. The Sol Senshi had broken their contract.

As she races down the hallway she only stops dead in her tracks seeing a little girl in the middle of the elegant hallway. She was wearing a green turtleneck shirt underneath a pink winter coat with a dark blue skirt and green stockings that ended in red rubber boots. On top of her head was a panda hat and she looked pale with her lips turning blue.

Elation's heart nearly stopped at the sight of her. She almost fell to her knees as a well of emotions bubbled up from her center and the stinging of tears threatens to fall from her eyes.

"Ma..Maya…" She gasps softly.

The girl only looks at her with sightless eyes and turns her head in the direction of the screams.

"Kestral? What are you doing?" Haruki was catching up behind her, "The ballroom! I heard they're heading there."

That snaps her out of her trance as she looks towards him. That's right, her children! "Saori..the twins.." She looks back to where she had seen Maya standing only to find it empty.

As she races ahead to the ballroom where her children were, knowing her own soldiers and senshi had gone to hold off the Sol Senshi, she couldn't help but wonder- what did this mean?

In the end, it didn't matter. She had to protect her children.

War, she thought somewhat bitterly, has a way of coming back, doesn't it?