Chapter 4: Missing The Party

The screen on Luna P flickered with a notification to accept a hologram. Chibiusa quickly sat Luna P on her desk and accepted the request. Before her showed the image of her best friend Hotaru. Her soft and beautiful smile was upon her face. She was in an elegant gown that contoured her body but flowed out past her knees, obviously picked out by Neptune, it was in shades of purple and black lace. She's allowed her hair to grow more no longer sporting her famous bob but black locks landing just past her shoulders with some side swept bangs framing her slender pale face. The moment she saw Hotaru she remebered tonight to be the full moon spring equinox ball. Feeling her heart sink with sadness she was not there to attend she kept a smile on her face to keep Hotaru from becoming saddened for her.

"Oh Hotaru you look absolutely beautiful!" Chibiusa exclaimed trying to keep her voice from cracking.

"Chibiusa I'm so very happy to see you! You look well! I wanted to do a hologram because I have two very special people who want to talk to you and thought they would like to see them if even a projection!" Hotaru said in a very cheerful tone.

Chibiusa's eyes widened when she heard what Hotaru had said. She knew who it was.

"My beautiful little princess! How much we miss you! Especially on this night of all nights!"

"My darling daughter it feels like an eternity! You're growing up so fast and I'm not there to see it! Why did you have to go? Why aren't you here with mommy? Ooooooh Endymion look at her! Send me there! PLUTO! Gimme a key damn it!

There before her was her strong statuesque father trying to keep together a falling apart mother. Her mother would often become that of Usagi from her past life very quickly when it came to matters of her heart. Still goofy and kinda clumsy at times but only where she knew it wouldn't be in front of her royal subjects. They have all gone through so much together she didn't feel a need for the senshi or herself to act as if they haven't known each other for so long. In times it was just them it was as if nothing ever changed, that's was always Chibiusa's favorite times.

"Mama! Papa! How much I miss you all! My heart yearns to be with you too!" Chibiusa said fighting tears.

Rolling his eyes and placing Serenity back on her own two feet he kissed the forehead of his pouty queen and continued his conversation with his daughter.

"I know very much how you feel Chibiusa. Just know we love you very much and I'm proud of the decision you have made. Your grades are fantastic and your relationship with your friends are heartwarming. I enjoy getting your video logs every week. As you know we are having the ball tonight. We all wish you could be here. We will be toasting you tonight no doubt about that. Everyone back home holds you close while you're gone and everyone knows how much this ball is your favorite. It's just not the same with out you my love." Endymion said with so much love in his voice.

"Chibiusa, I too am very proud of what you're accomplishing. You make me so happy to be your mother. I know you are doing well. Your father is right, we all wish you could be here tonight and I know you want to be here but what your doing now is giving you an opportunity others can't get. You'll soon be home with me my darling daughter! Soon!" Serenity tried to fight back tears but inevitably failed.

After more conversations with her mother and father she was soon back to one on one with her best friend.

"If you'd like I can set up a monitor for you so you can witness the ball? Would that be something you'd like?"

"Oh that would be wonderful actually! I'd love to see home and hear the music. Is Michiru going to play?"

"Of course! I'll be sure to let her know your watching and listening!"

Chibiusa watched all the people in such beautiful attire arriving and mingling. Music bellowed through the ballroom striking people to dance, laugh, and smile. Soon her mother and father would make their entrance. Her anticipation grew knowing it would happen soon.

Chibiusa laid back on her bed listening to the music. She closed her eyes and imagined herself there in her royal gown, dancing playfully with Hotaru and Diana. Seeing Ami, Rei, Makoto and Minako spinning gracefully with papa's generals. Michiru and Haruka gazing lovingly at each other from across the room as they normally do. Artemis and Luna scolding Pallas and Juno for eating so much food and drinking so much wine. Ceres and Vesta welcoming royal subjects in with beautiful smiles.

Chibiusa's day dreaming was cut off by the abrupt silence and then the sound of Tibetan singing bowls and chimes. She quickly sprang up and put her focus fully on the monitor before her.

"There they are." She sighed dreamily.

Lights dimmed in the ballroom as Rei used her power to bring a warm ember around the King and Queen. Ami released bubbles that softly fell onto everyone in attendance. Makoto swirled rose petals around her majesties and Minako poured down rays of soft yellow light everywhere. Once the embers and soft light faded Neo Queen Serenity filled the darkness with such a brilliant light.

"Throughout the darkness we can always find a light. I will always protect you my loyal subject, but not alone. By working together we shine the brightest in the galaxy. With love we can prevail. It's not what you need to do for me but what I need to do for you. On this full moon we celebrate love, unity, and fresh beginnings." Neo Queen Serenity said firmly yet so loving.

"You are what we are proud of. Crystal Tokyo would not be what it is without you. We open our home to you on this joyous night. Also please open your hearts to your Princess, Small Lady Serenity who is not here with us tonight but will soon return to us ready to take the throne when the time is right. Enjoy this night, enjoy your lives, enjoy each other. Long live Crystal Tokyo!" King Endymion said raising his scepter into the air.

Neo Queen Serenity raised her scepter to her husbands, a brilliant white and pink shining light burst like a fire work bringing the lights back up in the ballroom and cheers erupted from the crowd as the ball commenced.

Chibiusa's eyes filled with tears then began to stream uncontrollably down her face. It wasn't just about missing the party. She missed her family.