I do not own Sailor Moon.

Chapter 37: Accepting Responsibility.

Usagi sat on the throne next to her mother. Both of them were sitting above the room acting the epitome of elegance. The table before them draped in the finest of silk, four pens of royalty sat before them, as well as four princesses standing in the colors of their respective planets, the traditional garb for the event donned, each different but no less exquisite.

"You have all grown into fine young women." The Queen of the Moon addressed carefully, unsure if she and the others should have willingly agreed to this. "It is time you take the responsibility placed before you as the heirs of your planets." True, they had not been married off, but they simply couldn't wait any longer. Usagi needed her warriors to protect her. "You must become the Sailor Senshi that you were destined to be."

Minako stood slightly ahead of the other three inner Senshi. Her clothing was a sister dress that matched Usagi's perfectly, the only difference was the off white creamy color hers took on in contrast to the completely white one Usagi wore. The sword of Venus passed down from generation to generation was a thin, but long blade that rested at her side. Light and easy to use by that of a woman, unlike Rei's thick, heavy blade, Minako's was lighter and far more delicate.

"Aino Minako, you are the second woman to bear that name among the royalty of your home planet. Like your mother and I, you and Usagi share an inseparable bond of sisterhood through your planetary alignment. She is that of the Moon, part of Earth, and thus, the guiding light to further the way. You are that of Venus, and thus the guiding spirit of emotion. You're task among the Senshi is to unify and protect what would be broken shattered fragments otherwise. Do you understand you're preordained mission?"

"Yes." Minako answered, her eyes focused to Usagi. "To protect and serve only bears half on the weight of my job. Mark my words for all to hear. I will guide and lead the Senshi into any battle and uphold that which we have founded over years of hardship. Furthermore, I will act as that of a sister to Usagi, bearing the weight that she, herself, finds unable to handle. A truly peaceful galaxy will remain our future goal and intended final outcome."

Rei remained kneeling down, as was expected of her people. Usagi was a princess, and Rei was too, however the Martian knew her place. Usagi was the one she would protect and serve. Her armor was that of the finest and strongest her planet had. With her sword at her side, bow and arrows at her back, her daggers sequestered into their hidden spots, she was the one of protection, and dressed accordingly. Long black tresses of hair were held back with the thinnest of ties, matching her hair color as best as possible, two thick strands were left to frame her face, her bangs freshly trimmed above her eyebrows.

"Hino Rei, of your planet you are the only one able to lead your people. You are the only child, raised by your father, able to bear the title capable to lead those of your planet. Furthermore, your planet does not allow a child to be adopted into the role of a ruler. Surely you are one who must face the cold stare of disapproval among your people since you hold Minako as the woman that you intend to wed. Can you face down the repercussions of such questionable action?"

"I Rei of Mars fully accept my task to protect and serve Usagi. My job is second in command. It is the first time the planet of Mars has lost the role of combat leader, however perhaps this will pave the way into a new enlightenment for my people. Some changes should be made, and I feel as if this could be the omen long awaited to correct the wrongful accusations placed among my homeland. While it is true that Usagi remains my first priority, Minako is a part of my family now, and as such I think I need not explain my reasons for action within my personal affairs. If anything, I think that this relationship will only serve me to do my job better as second under Minako's command."

"Be that as it may, you may provide difficulty in the long run if you allow your feelings to control your actions." The Queen answered turning to her daughter. "Usagi, these people before you, regardless of ties you may have had, will become your Senshi. As a result, you must accept their burdens as your own. Rei's planet may be placed into turmoil because of her actions; this could have long lasting issues on the entire galaxy. Do you approve of what Rei spoke of, or do you disapprove of her reasoning. As the future Queen you have a very real say in this union."

"I for one find this to be an atrocious idea." Luna, the little black cat sat in Usagi's lap looking rather agitated. "We already lost many great Senshi in the past due to romantic relationships." Luna looked to Usagi. "I cannot agree, and as an adviser to the Moon Kingdom, I must object completely towards any claim the Martian may make."

Rei and Minako bristled. They hadn't expected this particular issue to have been brought up. Usagi merely smiled, petting Luna as she spoke. "While it is true that our Kingdom has a rather dark history, I can't punish Rei and Minako for actions that they were not accountable for. In regards to Mars, that is, by and large, Rei's responsibility. I will not confirm or deny what I feel about it because I will not have my own words used against me later. Right now, the decision remains in their hands, I will not step in the way of them, or the possible outcome we may face as a result."

"Fair enough." The Queen nodded.

Ami flanked Minako's side, standing only slightly behind her. Her clothing was of her normal dress of ice that seemed to drape her body in a cool chill. Guns at her side, bullet pouches holding many types of rounds and a medic backpack, she was by and large the most fragile looking on the team, but perhaps also the most deadly. Unlike Rei who looked like a valiant knight, or Minako who looked like a simple princess would, Ami looked like a person easy to shatter. That is, if you could get close enough to do so.

"Mizuno Ami, bearer of knowledge, you are third in command, and, respectively, the tactical expert in all Senshi related matters. You're tasks are placed on a path before you, and although it is not an easy climb, I expect you'll do as your mother, facing all who oppose you, leading the way of advancement that will bathe our galaxy's future into bright and prosperous world."

"You have my word." The simple replay from the shy voice spoke volumes. "I will protect Usagi and follow the fate placed before me."

Finally Makoto, in her normal leathers and furs standing at Ami's side. Her head bowed, just like Rei, she was the final of the inner Senshi. She carried no sword, however the long spear on her back, while primitive, proved how well she did with the use of polearms. Her gloves were heavily enforced, spikes at her knuckles, and spurs embedded at her heals. Hand to hand fighting was a specialty among her people. Cuffs tied around her elbows sported more spikes, her knees protected by some sort of shell.

"The last of the Senshi, and fourth in command, I feel badly that the final outcome has happened this way, Kino Makoto. Your people are strong fighters, and one job given to you throughout each generation is to protect that of Mercury. Your parents have laid for you a legacy to be proud of, but sadly, I feel as if you have not moved on to accept the realities of your situation. Serve Usagi with your life; offer Ami your servitude as a planetary protector, and rebuild that which you have lost. It is time the planet of Jupiter stood proudly once more."

"I will do just that." Makoto nodded, but kept her eyes to the ground. "Jupiter will stand tall again soon. I will protect Usagi and Ami with my life. I guarantee that I will do my best to ensure that Jupiter will become the planet of honor that it once was." Her speech, like Ami's was short and to the point, but held a great level of power behind her words.

"This is satisfactory." The Queen nodded her approval. "Before you are the pens of each respective planet, the innate abilities you already possess grant you enough power to call forth the deities that will ensure you're strong enough for the times that will be sure to come. The job of a Senshi is not a task one would call easy, but it is one that is imperative for continued tranquility and opulence for you, and of your planets. By accepting these trinkets you free your parents, guardians, and planetary council members from any further leadership that my keep them shackled too their throne."

Each pen glowed with colored aura that signified a planet, and the power behind it. Each Senshi took their pen and without celebration, without anguish, and without lament, walked freely from the throne room. The conditions for why they had been given such power left them baffled, but they felt unable to question the reason behind a hidden blessing. Still, with the gifts of the planets bestowed to the new generation, the old had no further reason to stay. They left that night, without words of warning, and without a goodbye too their children.

"You will be missed. Be sure to travel safe, I'd rather know you made the trip on a positive ending even if the eventual outcome is the same." The Queen of the Moon smiled as she embraced the last two who had not yet departed into the night. "Don't worry about the girls; I'll be sure to look after them as if they were my own." Not that she hadn't already been doing that anyway but, it seemed a good thing to say regardless.

"I'm not worried about Rei." Jed shook his head. "I raised her to be strong. She is a powerful Martian and will lead her people well, although I still can't say I agree with that boy of hers becoming an heir." His scowl made the blonds next to him smirk and he huff in annoyance. "Minako's turned her soft. Who ever heard of a Martian boy outside of bloodline becoming an heir…what a preposterous idea."

"Minako will be fine by Rei's side." The Queen of Venus nodded. "I have feeling they will be alright, you mark my words on that."
"Are you really staying behind?" Jed paused as he looked sadly at the Queen of the Moon. "We would wait for you if you wished."
"I will stay with Usagi. I am needed here with her. Without Setsuna around, someone needs to guide her." She shook her head softly.
"Luna and Artemis could do the job rather well." The Venusian Queen smiled. "We should go together. It's only fitting."

"I will stay." She looked to her fellow parents, Senshi who had long served her. The remaining survivors didn't need to stay any longer. "Please, go…I will join you soon enough. You need not protect me anymore, as of this moment on; you hold no more allegiance to me, or my family. Long life must come to an end, and it is time you sought yours…these girls will need somebody, and I will stay until I am assured that Usagi will no longer need me."

Jed and Minako nodded, leaving the realm they knew so well. The power of being Senshi, gave them all a level of long lasting life, including Jed, who although not born as a Senshi, had been gifted long life from his home planet of Mars. Now there was no reason to stay, and that night, they went off to the forsaken planet of Saturn, where their lives were taken within an instant. Without the powers to protect them, there was nothing to stop them from hearing the call of death, embracing the silent cloak of a past unforgotten.

"Goodbye my friends, I hope that I too, will see you in the afterlife shortly." The Queen whispered out into the air. She was the last one left now, and she could help but admit, it did seem kind of lonely.

TBC~

One more chapter until arc 2. Please leave a review.