Choices

By: ShadowQueenGalactica


Disclaimer: I do not own anything affiliated with Sailor Moon. I do not own the rights to any of the songs related to Sailor Moon.

Author's Notes: This is one of my older stories, going through and trying to fix all the cringy typos. I'm also going to be adding some scenes that I thought the original was seriously lacking. Hope you guys enjoy the revised version of Choices.

Revised: 4/6/2021

**Not many changes to this chapter, some small adjustments/additions, happy reading to those who are following this story.


Review Replies:

JSanyaz: Thank you so much for your review. Yes, I had so much fun writing the previous chapter before and more fun adding a few additions to it. Not many changes to this chapter, hope you enjoy re-reading it. Thanks for your support/reviews! :)


:: Chapter 4: A New Threat::

(The Following Morning)

Waking to the sun's rays shining into the bedroom, Kikyo smiled when seeing the blonde lying next to her still sleeping. "Usa-chan." She happily stated, excited to see the young woman was in the bed with her. Happily taking notice of the black tail on the woman's costume, she smiled as she began to roughly tug at the tail, happily giggling when watching Usagi respond to the tugs, as she began to stir from her slumber.

"Kikyo-chan, please go back to sleep." Usagi grumbled in her sleep, groggily reaching for a pillow. Peeking an eye open, she moaned out at the throbbing pain in her head as her gaze met the sunlight. "How did I get home?" She muttered, sighing out in frustration at the toddler's persistent tugs against her tail. Wincing as the toddler roughly removed the headband from her head, she tiredly rolled onto her side, smiling when seeing Kikyo was wearing her cat ears.

"Kitty cat!" Kikyo happily squealed, clapping her hands. "Meow!"

"Are you a kitty cat?" Usagi tiredly asked, watching the toddler remove the ears and hand them back to her. "Thank you, Kikyo-chan." She smiled, tiredly raising and resting the cat ears onto her nightstand. "I'm up now, are you ready for breakfast?" She tiredly asked, watching the toddler clap her hands as she excitedly squealed.

"Eat!" Kikyo happily squealed, not taking notice of the blonde's cringe to her high pitch squeal.

"Shh…" Usagi shushed the girl in a soothing tone while resting her hand atop of the child's head. "Your Usa has a bad headache this morning." She explained to the child, smiling when the toddler tilted her head at her words. Slowly getting out of bed, she felt another groan escape her lips from the persistent throbbing feeling in her head. "What happened last night?" She mumbled, groggily rubbing her face. Lowering her hands when hearing her door open, she watched Yaten quietly step into the bedroom.

"Sorry, I was going to get her before she woke you." Yaten apologized, then smirked at his friend's haggard appearance before speaking. "You look awful, Usagi-chan." He teased, seeing her tiredly smile at his remark.

"I feel awful." Usagi responded with a mutter, looking down when feeling Kikyo climb into her lap. "I have such a pounding headache right now." She sighed, glaring in the direction of the windows where the bright light made the headache worse.

"Eat!" Kikyo impatiently demanded, then took notice of the sequins on Usagi's costume shining under the reflection of the light. "Pretty." She awed, touching the shiny sequins on the bust of the costume.

"Yes, it is pretty, Kikyo-chan." Usagi said, tiredly sighing while lifting the child into her arms. "Let's get you some breakfast." She said, smiling as the toddler continued to look at the shining sequins.

"You should probably rest a little longer, Usagi-chan." Yaten worriedly suggested, seeing how exhausted his friend looked. "I'll make Kikyo-sama some breakfast and make sure she's fed, I'll try my best to keep her quiet so you and Taiki-san can rest." He said, watching the blonde abruptly look at him with surprise.

"Taiki-chan is here?" Usagi asked in shock. "When did he get here?"

"Wow, you really were wasted last night." Yaten stated with disbelief, chuckling in amusement at the blonde's shocked expression. "You and Haruka-chan brought Taiki-chan home last night, after, I'm only assuming, Haruka-chan picked you up from the party." He explained, watching the blonde look down with a look of deep thought. "Get some rest, I'm sure Haruka-chan be here soon to check in on you. She was worried about you last night when she left." He said as he lifted Kikyo into his arms as he walked towards the door.

Watching Yaten carry Kikyo out of the room, Usagi tiredly smiled seeing the toddler reaching out for her. "I'll play later, I promise sweetie." She said, trying to reassure the toddler.

"Usa-chan!" Kikyo cried out, reaching for the blonde. "No, Ten-chan! Down!"

"Shh.." Yaten shushed, trying to calm the irate toddler as she began to cry and throw a tantrum. "Your Usa-chan needs some more rest." He tried to explain, as he attempted to pull the bedroom door shut with the wriggling toddler. Hearing the door click shut, he sighed out in frustration as Kikyo began to have one of her temper tantrums as she threw her head back screaming and crying at the top of her lungs.

"Kikyo-sama." Yaten fussed, shocked at how irate the toddler had become in a matter of moments.

Unable to react fast enough, he hissed out in pain as the small Princess grabbed a handful of his hair, roughly jerked down on his hair as she screamed at the top of her lungs in her anger. "Ow!" He cried out, struggling to pry the toddler's tight grip from his hair. "Let go, that hurts!" He hissed in pain.

"Usa-chan!" Kikyo demanded, pointing to the bedroom, preparing to tug on the handful of hair once again. Turning her head as the bedroom door opened, she quickly released her hold on her Guardian's hair and smiled reaching out for the blonde who exited the bedroom. "My, Usa-chan!" She happily squealed, reaching her small arms out to the blonde to be held.

"Come on, sweetie." Usagi tiredly murmured, taking the toddler into her arms. "Let's go sit down." She stated, not having the energy to do anything else as she silently walked to the couch and sat. Feeling the toddler crawl into her lap, she smiled wrapping an arm around the toddler to steady her and prevent her from falling. "Where's your bunny?" She asked, scanning the room.

"It's here, Usagi-chan." Yaten stated, lifting the toy from the floor before walking to where his Princess was making herself comfortable in Usagi's lap. "Here's your bunny, Kikyo-sama." He said, watching the toddler happily take the toy and hug it against her. "What do you want for breakfast?" He asked, watching the toddler smile and point towards the kitchen.

"Cakes!" Kikyo happily stated.

"You want pancakes again?" Usagi asked, watching the toddler clap her hands.

"Cakes!" Kikyo happily repeated, clapping her small hands in delight.

"Alright, I will get them started." Yaten chuckled, then frowned, noticing Usagi beginning to raise from the couch. "You stay seated, Usagi-chan. You need to take it easy today." He instructed, chuckling as he walked to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. "I can handle making breakfast this morning."

"At least let me-" Usagi tried to argue, turning her head at the sound of a knock on the door. "I've got it." She said, gently setting Kikyo out of her lap before standing and making her way to the door. "I'll be back Kikyo-chan." She assured the toddler as she left the room. Glancing in the kitchen as she passed the entryway, she noticed Yaten was focused on gathering supplies as he prepared breakfast.


"Do you think she's even awake? You came home late this morning." Michiru worriedly stated, watching Haruka tiredly smile before shaking her head in response.

"I don't know." Haruka tiredly stated, trying to stifle a yawn before she spoke. "I'm just curious about how much Neko-chan actually remembers from last night." She tiredly replied, hearing the door begin to unlock.

Watching the door open, Michiru looked in surprise at the costume their Princess was still wearing. "Did we wake you, Usagi-chan?" She worriedly asked, surprised by their friend's disheveled and haggard experience. 'She looks terrible.' She thought, snapping from her thoughts as her Princess spoke.

"No, Kikyo-chan woke me." Usagi tiredly responded, motioning her friends to come in as she spoke. "Come on in, make yourself comfortable." She said as she watched her two friends quietly walk past her to enter the apartment.

"How are you feeling, Neko-chan?" Haruka asked, noticing with amusement their Princess was suffering through the side effects of her poor choices from the night before. 'I knew she was going to be miserable this morning.' She thought with mirth. 'Perhaps she'll think before she does something so foolish again.' She thought, glancing into the kitchen as they walked down the small hallway to the living room. Taking notice of Yaten in the kitchen cooking, she looked around for the missing Starlight as they walked through the apartment to the living room.

"Where's Taiki-san?" Michiru curiously asked, noticing Haruka was looking for the missing Starlight as well.

"He's still sleeping, I think." Usagi tiredly responded, as she roughly sat down on the couch. Feeling Kikyo snuggle up against her, she smiled as she glanced over at the child. "Yaten-chan is making your breakfast." She assured the child, resting her hand atop of the child's head.

"Go take a shower, Neko-chan, it will help." Haruka urged, glancing over at the small Kinmoku Princess who was snuggled next to Usagi. "We can watch her while you take your shower, we need to discuss some things." She said, watching Usagi silently nod her head.

"I don't remember much about last night, if that's what you want to discuss." Usagi admitted before turning her attention to Kikyo once more. "I'll be back Kikyo-chan, can you show Michiru-chan and Haruka-chan your bunny?" She asked, looking down at Kikyo who was nervously looking at her Guardians. "They won't hurt you, they're my friends." She assured the child, gently kissing the top of the toddler's head before she stood. "I'll be back sweetie, I promise." She said, as she stood and walked towards the bathroom

"Are you two staying for breakfast?" Yaten asked, stepping from the kitchen as he looked at Michiru then to Haruka for a response. "Well?" He impatiently asked, watching the couple exchange a look before Michiru spoke.

"Yes, we will be here." Michiru said, answering for her and Haruka. "Thank you, Yaten-san.

"You want to help me cook, Kikyo-sama?" Yaten asked, holding up a rubber spatula and empty bowl for his Princess to see. Smiling as the toddler happily rushed off the couch, he chuckled as he set the items on the floor for his Princess to play with. 'I'm so glad Usagi-chan shared this tip.' He thought with amusement, watching the toddler sit on the floor near the kitchen table, as she placed the rubber spatula into the empty bowl, stirring for a moment, then proudly held the bowl up to him.

"Keep stirring." Yaten encouraged, watching the toddler begin to stir once more. "You're doing a great job." He chuckled, knowing the toddler would keep herself busy with the task long enough for him to finish breakfast.


Emerging from the hall, Usagi softly exhaled smiling at how much more alert and refreshed she felt from the shower. Noticing Kikyo wasn't in the living room, she walked towards the kitchen and smiled when seeing the small toddler sitting on the floor stirring in a bowl. "Where did Haruka-chan and Michiru-chan go?" She asked, glancing around for her two missing friends.

"They're on the balcony." Yaten responded, motioning with a nod of his head as he continued to prepare breakfast. "Do you feel better?"

"Yes, a little better." Usagi said, watching her friend motion to a glass of water and a bottle of pain reliever on the counter. "That will help." He said with a smile. "Haruka-san demanded that you take them." He explained with a chuckle.

"Well, I guess I better not get myself into any more trouble than." Usagi wryly stated, lifting the bottle and depositing two pills into her hand. Placing the pills in her mouth, she took a sip of the water, hoping the pills would help the persistent throbbing in her head. "Wish me luck." She sighed, resting the glass down and walking towards the balcony.

"Good luck." Yaten responded with a chuckle, glancing at his friend as she slid the balcony door open then paused to turn and look at him once more as she thought of something.

"Yaten-chan, will you tell Taiki-chan his clothes are in a bag in the hall closet? It's the one with the purple shirt." Usagi requested before sliding the balcony door open more, silently stepping out onto the balcony where Haruka and Michiru were waiting.

"Alright, I will let him know, thanks Usagi-chan." Yaten responded, watching the blonde smile and nod before she quietly stepped out onto the balcony. Feeling the cool breeze blow into the apartment, he frowned watching Michiru give him a cold look before sliding the balcony door shut. 'Damn.' He thought with dismay. 'I wanted to know what they were going to talk about.'


"What do you remember from last night Neko-chan?" Haruka curiously asked, leaning against the balcony railing her gaze forward looking out at the city as she patiently waited for her Princess to answer. Not getting a response, she turned to face their Princess, leaning her back against the railing, while crossing her arms across her chest. "Neko-chan, what do you remember?" She repeated, this time with more force, irritation laced in her question.

"Not very much." Usagi admitted, blushing as she tried to sort through the hazy events from the night before. "I remember dancing with Yumiko-chan, then Yukio-san took me to play that drinking game. I remember how much of a challenge it was, I was determined to win a round." She said, gently laughing at the memory. "After that, everything started jumbling together, I don't know how much I actually had to drink." She admitted, blushing more in embarrassment. "I just wanted to prove to them that I could let loose and have some fun, that's all."

"Usagi-chan." Michiru softly stated, sighing in frustration at her friend's naiveness and trust in those that were at the party. "You're lucky someone-" She said, growing quiet as Haruka sternly shook her head at her.

"What else?" Haruka demanded, watching Usagi tearfully look up at her.

"I remember that I kissed Yumiko-chan, when we were leaving the party. I was the one who made the first move." Usagi guiltily admitted, looking down as more tears streaked her cheeks. "I don't know why I kissed him, I just- it just happened." She said, unsure of her reasons for the kiss she shared with Yumiko.

"Do you remember me pulling him off of you?" Haruka asked, watching her Princess shaking her head as she looked away in embarrassment.

"No, but I remember how you tackled me down to the ground when I was running from you." Usagi said, grimacing at her poor choice to run. "I'm sorry about that Haruka-chan, I hope I didn't say or do anything hurtful."

"You didn't Usagi-chan." Haruka said gently laughing. "You were very honest with me though, something you haven't been in a while." She said, watching Usagi tearfully look up at her.

"What did I say?" Usagi worriedly asked.

"It doesn't matter, what matters is that you promised me you will stay away from Yumiko-san unless it pertains to your studies." Haruka insisted, sternly looking at her Princess. "What you two did last night, it's going to cause some major problems if you don't distance yourselves now. We have enough problems right now with this new enemy."

"We just kissed though." Usagi argued, not wanting to be parted from the only friend who listened to her problems. "Please, Haruka-chan, it was a mistake. It wouldn't have happened if we hadn't been drinking." She pleaded, looking down in defeat as Haruka sternly shook her head denying her pleas.

"No, Neko-chan, it was leading up to more than just kissing." Haruka bluntly responded, watching their Princess blush a deep red.

"I'm such a fool." Usagi groaned, burying her face in her hands from the immense amount of embarrassment she was experiencing. Shakily exhaling as she fought back her tears, she jumped when feeling something hit the window of the balcony door. Quickly turning, she tearfully laughed seeing Kikyo pressed up against the glass, hitting the window with the rubber spatula held tightly in her hand.

"Usa-chan!" The muffled voice called out from the other side of the window. "Hold!"

"I'm almost done talking, Kikyo-chan." Usagi stated, brushing a few stray tears from her cheeks while kneeling and looking at the small Kinmoku Princess through the window. Smiling as the toddler pressed her face against the window, she scrunched her nose in disgust as the toddler slid her tongue along the window then giggled. "Hey! Don't lick the window, that's gross!" She fussed at the child, smiling as Yaten quickly chased the toddler away from the balcony door.

"She seems like a handful, Usagi-chan." Michiru observed, laughing at the toddler's antics. "How have you done this by yourself when Rei-chan or Yumiko-san wasn't helping?"

"She's normally not like this." Usagi stated as she stood and turned to look at her friend. "Since Yaten-chan arrived, I've seen a different side of her." She explained, smiling at the thought of the Kinmoku Princess waking her this morning. "She wanted me this morning instead of Yaten-chan." She said with a small laugh. "When he took her out of my room, she ended up having this massive tantrum. She was pulling his hair when I got to her, I've never seen her act out like that before."

"You need to start distancing yourself from her, it will make it easier for the both of you when they leave." Michiru advised, noticing tears immediately shine in her friend's eyes. "You're going to have to let her go when it's time. She cannot stay here on Earth, this isn't her home, they don't belong here Usagi-chan."

"I'm going to miss her." Usagi tearfully stated, tears streaking her cheeks. "She's lost so much, I don't know what they'll do or where they will take her once Seiya-chan arrives." She softly stated, leaning against the balcony railing as she looked down at the busy streets below. "I-"

"It will not be our concern." Haruka interrupted, touching her friend's shoulder. "You know this fight is not ours, we cannot keep endangering you and ourselves for them."

"I can't accept that." Usagi argued, tearfully looking up at her Guardian with despair. "I keep thinking, what if the roles were reversed. What if it were Crystal Tokyo that was attacked and Chibiusa was put in the same position as Kikyo-chan." She said as tears streaked her cheeks. "What if-"

"We would never allow that to happen." Haruka angrily interrupted her friend. "Do you really think we would-"

"We know it happens!" Usagi shouted, tears streaking her cheeks. "Where are you when the Dark Moon Clan attacks Crystal Tokyo?" She challenged back, then clamped her hand over her mouth shocked at her own outburst.

Seeing a mixture of hurt and anger in her friend's gaze, Usagi immediately lowered her head in shame, silently standing as she lowered her hand from her mouth. "I'm sorry, that was-" She apologized, abruptly growing silent as Haruka sternly grabbed her by the shoulders, forcing her to look at her.

"We will never allow it to happen." Haruka sternly repeated. "We know about that now, the future can always change. We will be ready when the time comes." She angrily responded, her jaw clenching for a moment. "Do not ever question our loyalty to you again, Usagi-chan." She warned her friend. "We would all fight to the end before we allow anyone to take you from us."

"I'm sorry." Usagi softly stated, tearfully looking up at her Guardian.

"Let's go inside." Michiru insisted, resting her hand against Haruka's arm. Watching Haruka release her tight hold on their friend's shoulder, she watched a few stray tears slip down Usagi's cheeks as she turned and quietly entered the apartment once more.


Smiling as Kikyo continued to sneak food from her plate, Usagi glanced at her friends who were sitting around the table in uncomfortable, tense silence. Softly sighing from the thick tension in the room as everyone ate in silence, she tried to think of something that would help ease the tension amongst the group. 'Come on, there has to be something I can say to help ease this tension.' She thought, with a frown not knowing what to say to break the unbearable tension. Lost in her thoughts, she soon snapped from them as Michiru spoke.

"How much longer until Seiya-san arrives?" Michiru curiously asked, looking at the two to see Taiki and Yaten exchange looks before Taiki spoke.

"I wasn't too far ahead of him, so it should be a matter of days." Taiki politely responded, watching Michiru nod her head and glance towards Haruka before she spoke once more. "We'll allow him a few days to rest, then you three should leave. You're endangering this planet and Usagi-chan by being here." She coldly stated, glancing over at the clatter of Usagi's fork hitting the table as Usagi looked at them in disbelief.

"You know they have nowhere else to go, Michiru-chan." Usagi insisted, looking at her Guardian in frustration. "At least allow-"

"They cannot be here, Neko-chan. They will need to go somewhere else, far enough from our Solar System where there will be no more disturbances." Haruka sternly interrupted her friend.

"This isn't fair, they-" Usagi argued before she was interrupted by Yaten.

"It's fine, Usagi-chan, really." Yaten insisted, cutting into the conversation. "We'll figure out somewhere else to take the Princess into hiding."

"No, she's safe here." Usagi stubbornly argued, looking at her friend in frustration for easily giving into Haruka and Michiru's demands.

"Usagi-chan we have already discussed this, it's been decided that-" Michiru explained, growing silent as their Princess suddenly stood knocking her chair back from the force.

"No." Usagi stubbornly argued, shaking her head as she looked at her two friends with anger. "You two have already decided, you know my feelings on this matter." She corrected her friend, tears shining in her eyes. "I won't make them leave, they can stay as long as they need to." She snapped, before angrily turning and leaving the room.

Hearing the sound of her friend's bedroom door slamming shut moments later, Haruka sighed as she stood and walked to the counter, setting her plate atop of the counter before looking at the two young men. "You know this is the best solution, figure out somewhere else to-"

"No." Yaten interrupted the blonde, turning in his seat and smugly looking at the blonde. "You heard what Usagi-chan said. Correct me if I'm wrong, but she's the Princess, so her decisions outrank yours, Guardian." He said, watching Haruka angrily glare at him in response to his comment.

"Let's go." Haruka calmly stated, her hands clenching in her anger.

"Don't be foolish." Michiru kindly stated as she stood and carried her plate to the counter. "She may be our Princess, but we keep guard of the outer system." She calmly explained. "It's our duty to protect our Princess from any outside threats."

"Well, it's a good thing we're here to help with those threats." Yaten smugly responded, wincing as Taiki jabbed his elbow into his side to silence him. Watching the two glare at him in response, he plastered a friendly smile on his face as he watched the two leave. "It was good seeing you two, you should stop by more often." He jabbed, chuckling as soon as the two Guardians silently left the apartment.

"Yaten-chan, have you lost your mind?" Taiki scolded as soon as the door shut. "You're going to make things worse for Usagi-chan."

"Usagi-chan can handle those two." Yaten responded with a dismissive wave of his hand. "You saw how she just stood up to them, I didn't think she had it in her." He said with a proud smile.


(Two Days Later)

Nervously walking towards the practice field, Yumiko smiled as he quietly stood and watched Usagi toss a ball up into the air, then swing her bat in time to strike it. Setting his bag next to hers, he knelt down retrieving his bat from the bag before walking to where she stood. "You've been avoiding me." He teased, stepping beside his friend.

"I could say the same." Usagi responded, keeping her gaze focused on her task as she tossed another ball into the air then swung the bat. "You've been avoiding my calls." She said, glancing over briefly to see him blush at the statement.

"I- I'm sorry about my behavior. I don't know what got into me, you know I would never-" Yumiko nervously apologized but was swiftly interrupted by Usagi.

"We both made some bad choices that night and the alcohol didn't help the situation." Usagi interrupted her friend as she kept her gaze forward. "I don't really remember much from that night, so let's just pretend it didn't happen and pick up where we were before this mess." She pleaded, lowering her bat and looking over at her friend.

"That would be great." Yumiko sighed out in relief before chuckling. "I'm sorry again, Usagi-chan." He apologized, watching her smile up at him.

"Me too." Usagi said, watching him toss a ball into the air then swiftly swing the bat. "Mine went further." She smugly boasted, smiling as he raised his brow accepting her challenge. Watching him toss another ball into the air, she smiled as he struck the ball sending it hurtling across the field.

"You were saying?" Yumiko playfully boasted back, watching his friend smile at his words.

"Since you've joined me, you can help me gather all these baseballs back up." Usagi said, lifting the extra bucket and holding it for him.

"I just got here, do I have to?" Yumiko pouted, dropping his bat to the ground before accepting the empty bucket from his friend.

"Yes, and I appreciate you helping me." Usagi responded, playfully winking at her friend.

"Let's make a wager." Yumiko suggested looking out at the scattered baseballs across the field.

"What kind of wager?" Usagi asked, her brow perking up with interest.

"Winner picks out lunch." Yumiko suggested, watching his friend smile at his suggestion. "Loser clears the entire field on the next round."

"You just don't want to help clean, just admit it." Usagi jabbed, watching her friend give her a crooked grin and chuckle in response. "Alright, I'll accept your wager." She said, looking out at the field with determination. "I'm going to enjoy sitting back and watching you clean up the next round." She smirked.

"No my friend, it will be me who is sitting back and relaxing." Yumiko commented with an amused chuckle.

"We'll see about that!" Usagi called out as she quickly sprinted forwards onto the field with a laugh.

"Hey! That's not fair!" Yumiko shouted in surprise, as he quickly hurried out onto the field to start gathering the baseballs.

"Got to be faster!" Usagi laughed as she scurried to gather as many baseballs as she could find. 'I can't let him win!' She thought with amusement, giggling at how childish they were being in the moment.


Watching the two terrans from above the practice field, the Warrior smirked as dark energy crackled around her hands. Turning her focus on the young woman, a malicious smile spread across her lips as she watched her target proceed to gather the discarded baseballs across the field, oblivious of her presence.

'You will tell me where that child is.' She angrily thought, looking down at the young woman who had eluded her before at her previous attempt. 'You'll regret running from me, I'm going to enjoy watching you beg.' She angrily thought, her hands tightly clenched at her sides.

Drawing in a deep breath, she summoned the power she would need for her attack. 'Let's see if that pest comes to your rescue now.' She wickedly thought, thinking of the Guardian who had interfered in her plans. "Times up." She sneered, extending her hand out and releasing an onslaught of orbs onto the unsuspecting couple. Wickedly laughed when hearing their shocked cries, she watched with amusement as they were both violently thrown back in opposite directions.


"I think that's the last of them." Usagi said, glancing across the field for any stray baseballs they may have missed. Glancing down at her bucket, she giggled at how full hers was compared to Yumiko's. "I don't think we need to count." She smugly boasted, watching her friend scowl at her remark.

"Go ahead, rub it in." Yumiko muttered, smiling in amusement as he looked across the field to see if they missed any stray baseballs. "Do you want to meet again tomorrow, Usagi-chan? We can use the pitching machine." He asked, smiling when his friend nodded her head.

"Sure, what time do you want to-" Usagi responded, suddenly growing rigid as her senses screamed out to her as she sensed the oncoming attack. "Look out!" She shouted too late, screaming out in shock and pain as an orb exploded near her, hurling her back away from the sheer force of the explosion.

Painfully turning onto her side, Usagi felt tears shine in her eyes when she noticed Yumiko was lying unconscious a distance away from her. "Yumiko-chan!" She worriedly shouted. 'Please be alright.' She desperately thought, knowing she would never forgive herself if anything happened to her friend. Ignoring her body's painful protests as she forced herself to her feet, she felt a groan soon escape her lips, doubling over at a sharp pain in her ribs. 'I think I broke something.' She miserably thought, unable to ignore the fiery pain as she drew in each breath.

Pushing past the pain, she knew she had to get her friend off the field and to safety as she ran to where he lay. "Yumiko-chan, wake up." She pleaded, carefully turning him onto his back. Seeing blood running down his face, she gasped as tears began to streak her cheeks. 'This is my fault, he's hurt because of me.' She thought as she buried her face against his chest. "Wake up." She tearfully pleaded. "I don't have the strength to carry you, please wake up."

Jumping at the sound of a wicked laugh echoing above her, Usagi raised her gaze seeing the same woman from before hovering above her with a smug smile. 'You're going to pay for hurting my friend.' She angrily thought, reaching for her brooch. 'No!' She thought with a sudden panic at the realization that she'd left the brooch in her car where it was still pinned to her school bag. 'Dammit! I can't defend myself now.' She angrily thought with herself, clenching her fists at her sides as she glared at the woman hovering above her. "What do you want?" She demanded, wrapping her arm around her chest, in hopes of easing the throbbing pain.

"What do I want?" The woman smirked, tapping her finger against her chin as she wickedly chuckled, turning her cold gaze towards the blonde. "I believe I asked you to tell me where the Princess was, and do you remember what you told me?" The Warrior smugly sneered, teleporting in front of the terran.

Smiling with amusement as the young woman took a nervous step back, the Warrior wickedly laughed before she continued to taunt the blonde. "Do you remember?" She repeated, watching the blonde silently shake her head. "Pity, I guess I will have to remind you then." She jeered, wickedly smiling before blasting the blonde back with an invisible force of energy. Laughing at the young woman's pain-filled screams as she was roughly thrown back, the Warrior smiled in amusement before she called out to the terran. "I will take great pleasure in making you tell me what I need to know!" She sneered, watching the young woman shakily stand once more, determination in her gaze.

"I'm not telling you anything!" Usagi shouted, steadying herself before she collapsed onto her knees. "I won't let you take her! I will protect that child until I draw my last breath!" She swore, then tensed as a masculine voice sounded from behind her. 'Damn!' She thought, her body tensing more at the arrival of a second enemy.

"Sitha-san, stop playing with the terran." A deep masculine voice commanded, annoyance laced in his deep voice.

Cautiously turning her head at the new voice, Usagi saw a man standing behind her, looking at her with a cold, stoic look. He stood tall, his toned and muscular body visibly noticeable through the uniform he wore. His face was rigid and emotionless, as he turned his cold gaze briefly towards the other woman as she addressed him.

"Rend-san, I do not need any interference." Sitha angrily spat, glaring at her comrade in irritation.

"Get what you need Sitha-san, then dispose of her. Quit wasting our time with this little game of yours, I know how much you like to toy with your prey." Rend commanded, then glanced around the empty field. "Be cautious, the Sailor Guardians of this planet will soon interfere."

"Then leave, so I can get what I need." Sitha angrily spat, turning her head and watching in annoyance as the blonde swiftly started running. 'You think you can run from me again?' She thought, a wicked smile spreading across her lips.

Nervously standing between two Warriors who were busy arguing over her, Usagi cautiously glanced to where her friend was lying and gasped noticing Yumiko was no longer lying on the ground. 'Where is he?' She thought with panic, cautiously glancing around. 'He couldn't have gone far, he's hurt.' She worriedly thought, knowing she had to find her injured friend. Taking the small opportunity, she swiftly took off running to look for her missing friend.

"Are you going to stop her?" Rend boredly asked, watching with annoyance as the terran took off in the middle of their conversation. Watching Sitha wickedly smile, he smiled in amusement knowing what she was planning to do as she raised her hand releasing a beam of energy.

'I have to find Yumiko-chan!' Usagi desperately thought, ignoring her burning lungs as she forced herself to push past her injuries as she rushed down the empty path of the university. Screaming out in pain when feeling something strike her from behind, she felt herself stumble and collapse onto the concrete path.

Feeling an explosion of pain in her shoulder, Usagi felt a moan of pain escape her lips as she grabbed onto her throbbing shoulder, gasping in shock when feeling the warmth of her blood drenching her hand. Nervously bringing her gaze down, she looked in horror at the gaping hole in her shoulder. 'I need help.' She desperately thought, tightly closing her eyes as tears streaked her cheeks unaware of the second attack hurtling towards her. Screaming out in pain as she was encompassed by a mass of dark energy, she felt the pain suddenly cease as she was encompassed in the warmth of her power, before everything went dark.

Laughing at the terrans screams as she was consumed by her second attack, Sitha gasped in shock watching as a warm golden energy overpowered her attack before encompassing the terran. Noticing a crescent moon insignia appear on the young woman's forehead, Sitha screamed out in pain as the warm energy suddenly expelled from the insignia forcing Sitha to retreat. "No!" She angrily shouted, quickly retreating from the pure energy.

"Sitha-san! We'll finish this another time!" Rend commanded, seeing how enraged his comrade was as she tried to resist the warm energy that consumed them. "Retreat!"

"You wretched woman! I'll kill you the next time we meet!" Sitha angrily swore, before she and Rend quickly retreated.


Watching from the safety of the shadows, a figure watched with shock as the golden energy vanished as quickly as it had appeared as the blonde grew limp against the ground. Cautiously walking forwards, the mysterious figure stood tall wearing silver armor, a seven-pointed star in the center of the breastplate, a white cape flowing behind him with each quickened step.

"Usagi-chan." The figure spoke, worry laced in his voice as tears shone in his eyes at the sight of the serious injury she'd sustained. 'Please.' He desperately thought, as he knelt down to check for a pulse. 'Please be alright, you can't die on me.' Sighing in relief at the sign of life, he gently turned her onto her back and gasped seeing the crescent moon insignia still shining brightly on her forehead. Watching the insignia beginning to fade from her forehead, he sadly smiled knowing his search was finally over. "I finally found you, your grace." He gasped, tears shining in his eyes. Gently lifting the unconscious woman into his arms, he held her protectively against him as he swiftly teleported them to safety.


(Later that Evening)

"I'm worried, Taiki-chan." Yaten muttered, looking out at the setting sun from the balcony door. "She should have been back by now, she's never returned from her classes this late." He said, turning and looking at Taiki who was holding Kikyo.

"Perhaps she's just-" Taiki said, then grew quiet watching Yaten quickly grabbing his jacket from the back of the kitchen chair. "Where are you going, Yaten-chan? We need to stay in hiding, we can't be going out there, it's not safe for us."

"I don't care, I'm going to go find her, and make sure she's alright." Yaten snapped, while stubbornly shaking his head. "I can't shake this bad feeling. She would look for us, you know she would." He urged, hearing his brother softly sigh before silently nodding his head in agreement.

"Please be careful." Taiki pleaded, knowing better than to argue with his brother when had his mind set on something.

"Aren't I always careful?" Yaten asked, smugly looking at his brother as he pulled the door open. Turning his gaze forward, he yelped out in surprise seeing Michiru and Haruka standing in the hall outside the doorway. Noticing Michiru had her arm still out reaching up to knock, he grunted as Haruka angrily pushed her way past him. "You could have just asked for me to move." He snapped, glaring at the inconsiderate blonde.

"Where is she?" Haruka angrily demanded, turning to look at the silver-haired man. "She's been avoiding my calls all afternoon."

"She's not here." Taiki calmly responded, noticing Michiru and Haruka abruptly looking at him in shock.

"What do you mean she's not here?" Haruka growled in anger. "She is supposed to tell us where she goes if she's not going to be home."

"She said she was going to practice for a bit at the University." Yaten explained, his stomach nervously twisting in worry as the couple exchanged worried glances. "She hasn't been home all day, I was fixing to go out and look for her."

"Could something have happened? Why didn't she use her communicator?" Michiru worriedly asked, resting her arm against Haruka's as she spoke.

"You said she went to the practice field at the University?" Haruka confirmed, watching Yaten silently nod his head.

"Yes, she was supposed to be at the university." Yaten responded, watching the group quickly make their exit from the apartment. "Wait, let me go with you and help you look for Usagi-chan." He requested, watching Haruka immediately deny his request with a stern shake of her head.

"No, it's too much of a risk to the child." Haruka said, looking over at the toddler who was being held by Taiki. "Here." She said reaching into her pocket and removing her communicator. Handing Yaten her communicator, she motioned to a small red button. "If Neko-chan comes home after we leave, press this button." She instructed while motioning to the red button. "I want to know the moment she comes home."

"She shouldn't have been alone after what happened at the Activity Complex." Michiru softly stated, exhaling out in frustration as Haruka nodded in silent agreement. "She knows she's not supposed to be alone right now, not after-"

"What happened?" Yaten worriedly interrupted the woman. "Is Usagi-chan in danger too?"

"The enemy attacked her shortly before your arrival, Yaten-san." Michiru calmly spoke, turning her accusing gaze towards the toddler. "They somehow know Usagi-chan has been protecting her. That's why we want you to leave the planet, this child is endangering our Princess."

"We have nowhere else safe to take Kikyo-sama." Taiki urged. "Usagi-chan said we could-"

"The child has to leave the apartment." Haruka sneered, interrupting the brunette as she glared at the two. "As soon as we find Usagi-chan, you three may stay with us or at the temple with Rei-chan. You cannot have this child near Usagi-chan any longer, she's a risk to our Princess."

"Usagi-chan is so strong-willed, she won't listen to reason when she has her mind set on something. Please if not for us, then do this for her, we need you to stay away from our Princess." Michiru implored, watching Yaten and Taiki exchange brief looks with one another before Yaten spoke.

"I didn't know the enemy was aware of Usagi-chan keeping Kikyo-sama." Yaten earnestly stated, raising his tormented gaze back up to look at Haruka. "If I did, I would have accompanied her to her practice." He sincerely stated, softly sighing at the thought of hurting both their princess and their friend when they separated them from one another.

"We will discuss the living arrangements while you're searching for Usagi-chan. When she comes home, I will notify her of our decision." Taiki calmly spoke, watching Haruka nod her head at his statement.

"Thank you." Haruka stated, softly sighing before silently turning and walking towards the door once more. "Contact Setsuna-chan, let her and Hotaru-chan know what's going on." She instructed Michiru as they swiftly left the apartment.

Shutting the door as they left, Yaten softly exhaled looking down at the small communicator in his hand. "This isn't like her, Taiki-chan." He softly stated, looking up to see his brother silently nod in agreement. "What if something bad happened?"

"Don't think like that." Taiki sternly stated, shifting Kikyo onto his hip. "She's probably just lost track of time." He stated, trying to reassure his worried brother. Feeling Kikyo begin to squirm in his hold, he gently set the toddler out of his arms watching her run to the balcony door. Noticing her happily pointing to the window, he walked over to where she stood and looked out with her. "What is it, Kikyo-sama?" He curiously asked, while cautiously looking out the window.

"Sei-chan!" Kikyo happily exclaimed, pointing at the window. "Sei-chan! Yay!" She squealed, clapping her small hands together as she hopped up and down in delight.

"Kikyo-sama is right, it's Seiya-chan." Taiki said, spotting the streak of light shooting across the evening sky. 'Why did it have to be today?' He worriedly thought, knowing Usagi's sudden disappearance was not going to go well with his brother.

"What are we going to tell Seiya-chan?" Yaten worriedly asked, stepping beside his brother to look at the familiar streak of light in relief, glad to see Sailor Star Fighter had arrived safely.

"I don't know, Yaten-chan, but we are going to have to try to keep him here." Taiki worriedly stated, softly exhaling as he held his hand out. "Let me have the communicator, go find him and bring him here." He instructed, watching his brother nod before handing over the communicator. "If you find Usagi-chan let me know and I will notify the others. Do you have your communicator?"

"Yes." Yaten stated, patting his jacket pocket to ensure the headset was in his jacket.

:: Beep:: Beep:: Beep:: Beep::

Looking down at the small communicator as it began to beep in his hand, Taiki looked up at his brother to see him urge him forward to answer the device.

"They must have found her." Yaten stated with relief, taking the communicator. Pressing the red button, he watched Michiru appear on the small screen. "Michiru-san, did you find Usagi-chan?"


"No." Michiru answered as she glanced over, watching as Haruka tried to keep her gaze on the road and follow the streak of light. Turning her attention back to the small screen, she could see the worry still in Yaten's gaze as she continued to speak.

"It seems Seiya-san has arrived, we're going to go get him and bring him to the apartment before we start our search." Michiru explained, irritated they were having to postpone their search for their Princess to chaperone the arriving Starlight. "Setsuna-chan and Hotaru-chan are already on their way to the University to see if Usagi-chan is still at the field practicing. We'll bring Seiya to the apartment, as soon as we find him." She instructed, abruptly ending the communication before Yaten could say anything else.

"Dammit." Haruka angrily cursed as soon as Michiru lowered the communicator. "We don't have time for this, we should be searching for Neko-chan."

"Where is she going?" Michiru asked, trying to figure out the trajectory Sailor Star Fighter was traveling. "Is she going to the amusement park?" She gasped.

"That's where I'm checking first." Haruka said, noticing the streak of energy had vanished. "If Seiya-san isn't there, we'll continue to search in the surrounding area." She suggested as she increased her speed not wanting to waste any more time.


Walking past the bleachers of the practice field Setsuna abruptly stopped, covering her mouth in shock as she looked around the damaged baseball field. Unnerved by the extensive damage to the field, she had an uneasy feeling settling over her, knowing the enemy was responsible for the damage to the field. "Something bad has happened here." She grimly stated, looking over at Hotaru who pointed towards two bags.

"Yumiko-san must have been with her." Hotaru stated, motioning to the two bags lying on the ground.

"What was she doing with him?" Setsuna spat, anger shining in her eyes as she scanned the area for any sign of their friend or the missing young man. "She's been told to stay away from him?" She snapped in irritation.

"Where's Yumiko-san?" Hotaru asked, glancing up at Setsuna with concern. "Could the enemy have captured him, and used him to lure Usagi out?" She worriedly asked.

"Let's look around, they could be hiding or lying somewhere injured." Setsuna instructed as they went their separate ways to scout the surrounding area. "Call me on the communicator if you find her."

"I will." Hotaru confirmed as she went the opposite direction Setsuna had taken. 'Please.' She desperately thought. 'Please let our Princess be safe.'


Gracefully landing in a parking lot, Sailor Star Fighter glanced around, smiling in nostalgia when seeing the amusement park. 'Perhaps I can talk Odango into going back here.' She thought, smiling at the memory of their date three years ago when she had been posing as the idol Kou Seiya to search for their missing Princess. Instead, he had found another Princess and fell irrevocably in love with the charismatic blonde who had found a way into Seiya's life during their search. Focusing on the energy of her transformation, Sailor Star Fighter felt her exhaustion catch up as her outfit faded revealing the Kinmoku armor he had been wearing on Kinmoku.

Walking towards the parking lots exit, Seiya smiled as he made his way towards the city. 'I wonder if Odango has already married?' He glumly thought, knowing a lot must have changed in her life since the last time he saw her. Summoning his headset, he decided to contact his brothers and find out if they were still staying with the blonde. "Perhaps she would give me a ride." He thought aloud, looking forward to seeing her reaction when they were reunited.

Turning at the sound of an approaching car, Seiya frowned when watching a familiar sports car make its way towards him, soon slowing and stopping beside him. Watching the passenger window lower, he was surprised to see Michiru and Haruka in the sports car. "Michiru-san."

"Get in Seiya-san." Michiru sternly instructed, smirking at his baffled response. "Unless you rather walk, whichever you prefer."

"I'll take the ride." Seiya quickly responded, not wasting any time to get into the car. Closing the door, he felt Haruka quickly speed forward. "What's the rush?" He snapped, looking at the blonde in annoyance as he placed his seatbelt on.

"We were in the middle of something important." Haruka angrily retorted, glaring up at the young man in the rearview mirror. "We don't have time to be escorting you around the city."

"Is the Princess still staying with Odango?" Seiya worriedly asked, watching Michiru turn and look at him before she calmly spoke.

"Your Princess is safe, Seiya-san." Michiru assured the young man. "She's with your brothers right now, they've been staying with Usagi-chan for the time being." She stated, watching Seiya immediately relax more and sigh in relief as he smiled and nodded his head.

"I never expected the Queen to send Princess Kikyo-sama to this realm." Seiya said with a tearful chuckle. "Perhaps she did this in hopes the enemy would not-"

"The enemy knows Usagi-chan has the child." Michiru abruptly cut in, glaring at the dark-haired man. "We've eliminated the first one, he wasn't much of a challenge." She boasted, before frowning. "The second one has eluded us more than once though." She said, suspecting the newest enemy was responsible for their Princess's sudden disappearance.

"I'm sorry." Seiya immediately apologized, guilt in his voice. "If we had known Kikyo-sama was sent here, we would have been here much sooner. I hope Kikyo-sama hasn't been much trouble for Odango, she may be a Princess but she can be a little hellion." He said chuckling.

"From what we've seen, she's very calm with Usagi-chan." Michiru responded, watching Seiya abruptly look at her in surprise.

"Really?" Seiya asked in disbelief. "Are we talking about the same toddler?" He muttered, smiling at the thought of the rambunctious toddler.

"You three will be either staying with us or Rei-chan." Haruka informed Seiya, glancing in the rearview mirror to see his look of surprise. "Taiki-san and Yaten-san are supposed to be discussing which arrangements will best suit them." She explained, turning her gaze back towards the road once more. "Neko-chan has been getting herself into enough trouble on her own lately with him, she doesn't need any more distractions." She spat.

"Him?" Seiya abruptly asked, looking up at the blonde.

"A classmate from the University." Michiru said, smiling as she looked over at Haruka with amusement a mischievous smile spreading across her lips as she spoke. "Perhaps we're just having a repeat of Halloween." She teased, watching Haruka immediately glare over at her. Gently laughing at her partner's reaction, she gently touched Haruka's arm before speaking. "You know I'm only teasing." She said, resting her hand against Haruka's thigh giving her lover a gentle squeeze. Feeling Haruka tense, she smiled more hearing Haruka clear her throat, her cheeks turning a cute shade of pink before finding her voice once more.

"If she's with him again, I'm having her move in with us instead." Haruka retorted with a frustrated sigh. "I'm so tired of trying to keep up with her when she's with him. This has been utterly exhausting. I'll be glad when Mamoru-chan returns home, I don't see how he keeps up with her."

"She won't be acting out any longer, once he's back home." Michiru said with a gentle laugh. "I'm sure we will see a completely different person as soon as the Prince returns."

"I hope so." Haruka muttered. "She hasn't been herself for some time now."

Quietly listening to the two converse about Usagi, Seiya grew more curious wondering what exactly Usagi was doing to cause so much trouble for the two Outer Guardians. 'I wonder if she has feelings for this classmate of hers?' He worriedly thought, knowing his feelings for Usagi were just as strong as the day he left to return to Kinmoku. 'I hope I'm not too late.'


Walking along the path Hotaru softly exhaled as she reached the end of her path with no leads to her Princess. "Where is she?" She worriedly thought, lowering her gaze to the ground as she turned. Feeling her stomach drop and nervously twist, she shook her head as tears began to streak her cheeks when she spotted blood splatter on the sidewalk. "Setsuna-chan!" She shouted, turning to watch the guardian of time swiftly turn and run to where she was standing and awaiting her at the opposite end of the path.

Pushing herself to run as fast as she could, Setsuna felt her stomach anxiously twist seeing how distraught Hotaru had become in a matter of moments. "What is it, Hotaru-chan?" She demanded, gently grabbing the teen by the arm once reaching her. "Hotaru-chan, talk to me." She urged, watching tears streaking the girl's cheeks, her gaze focused on the ground.

Following her gaze, Setsuna gasped, covering her mouth in her shock when seeing a large amount of blood in the grass near the blood splatter on the sidewalk. "No." She tearfully stated, feeling her stomach twist with fear. "She- she has to be alright." She stammered for a moment, fumbling to retrieve her communicator.

"What if the enemy has her?" Hotaru worriedly asked, tears streaking her cheeks at the thought of their friend being injured while in the enemy's hold. "We have to find her, we have to-"

"We'll find her." Setsuna sternly interrupted the hysterical teen. "If we need to, we'll summon the Inner's to return home." She assured the teen, knowing their Princess would not be happy with them interfering with the Inner Guardian's studies abroad.

"What about the Prince?" Hotaru worriedly asked, knowing he had entrusted them to keep their Princess safe while he was abroad for his studies. "What are we going to tell him?"

"We will keep this to ourselves for now." Setsuna instructed the teen, watching Hotaru hesitantly nod her head in agreement. "We don't know for sure if the enemy has her, Usagi-chan could still be out there hurt. If she was with Yumiko-san, he may have taken her to the hospital."

"What if this isn't her blood, what if it belongs to Yumiko-san?" Hotaru asked.

"No, Usagi-chan would have contacted us." Setsuna said, fearing the worst for their Princess. 'We've failed her, she's out there hurt and needing our help.' She worriedly thought, looking down at the communicator in her hand. 'Perhaps we should have gone to get Seiya-san.' She worriedly thought. 'Haruka-chan is not going to take this news well.'


"I know you're worried, but will you please stop pacing." Taiki stated as he paused his reading to look up at his brother in irritation. "I'm trying to read the Princess a story and I cannot keep her focused with your insistent pacing." He snapped.

"I'm so sorry to impose on your reading, I'm worried about our friend." Yaten snapped, glaring at his brother. "You saw for yourself what this enemy is capable of." He worriedly stated, tears shining in his eyes at the thought of his fallen Queen and King. "She told me that she faced them, but she didn't tell me they were after her too." He guiltily stated. "I should have-"

"You didn't know." Taiki urged, softly sighing as he rested the book next to him. "This guy she went to the party with, there's a good chance she could be with him." He said, trying to ease his brother's worries. "We know Haruka-san doesn't approve of him, so she could be him to get back at those two." He said with an amused smile.

"I could actually see Usagi-chan doing something like that." Yaten admitted with a chuckle. "You haven't met him yet, have you?" He curiously asked, watching his brother shake his head.

"No, what is he like?" Taiki responded, raising his brow with curiosity.

"I don't trust him, there's something about him. I feel like I know him, and I know it's not possible." Yaten responded with a frustrated sigh.

"Perhaps we met him during one of their campaigns as idols." Taiki suggested, watching Yaten think for a moment before shrugging and shaking his head.

"I don't know, perhaps." Yaten responded as he ran a hand through his hair to brush back his loose bangs from his face. "I don't-"

::Knock Knock::

"I'll get it." Yaten stated, making a quick dash to the door knowing it was either Usagi or Seiya that would be standing on the opposite side of the door. Opening the door, Yaten felt a smile spread across his lips as he tearfully looked at his brother. "Seiya-san." He sighed in relief, happily embracing his brother. "Are you alright?" He worriedly asked.

"I'm fine." Seiya said, chuckling as he heard his Princess excitedly squeal out to him.

"Sei-chan!" Kikyo excitedly shouted, swiftly running to her Guardian. "Hold!" She happily demanded, holding her arms up to her Guardian.

"Kikyo-sama." Seiya tearfully stated, swiftly scooping the toddler in his arms as he tightly hugged the child. "I'm so glad you're safe." He tearfully stated, happy tears streaking his cheeks. "We've been searching everywhere for you." He said, tearfully smiling at the small Princess. Feeling the toddler gently touch his cheek, he cried out in surprise when she suddenly slapped him across the face, then happily giggled. "Ow." He muttered, rubbing his stinging cheek.

'That's what Usagi-chan was talking about.' Michiru thought, chuckling at the toddler's sudden aggression towards Seiya. "Has she returned?" She asked, watching Yaten silently shake his head.

"We should go." Haruka urged, motioning for Michiru to follow.

"Have you heard anything?" Yaten worriedly asked, watching Haruka stop briefly to silently shake her head at his question before silently continuing forwards once more.

Wondering why Haruka and Michiru were leaving in such a rush, Seiya watched Yaten step forward and quietly shut the door as the couple left. "Where's Odango?" He asked, wondering why the blonde wasn't there to greet him.

"She's missing." Taiki stated, watching Yaten immediately glare at him. "He needs to know, Yaten-san, there's no reason to lie" He stated in annoyance, watching Seiya look over at Yaten then back to him with worry as he spoke.

"What do you mean missing? What happened? Why didn't they tell me? I would have helped them search." Seiya demanded, not allowing any time for his brothers to respond to his questions. "I-"

"We don't know what happened. She left early this morning to go to the practice field at the University, she never came home." Yaten calmly responded a worried exhale escaping his lips. "I was going to go out to look for her, but Haruka-san wants us to remain here if she comes home."

"What do you mean by if?" Seiya snapped. "Why wouldn't Odango come back?"

"The enemy knows that Usagi-chan has Kikyo-sama." Taiki grimly answered, his brother abruptly looking at him in worry and shock. "We found out Usagi-chan had been attacked once already before Yaten-chan arrived, her Guardians are afraid the enemy could have attacked once again."

"We should be out there looking for her." Seiya urged, fists clenched. "Why are you both still here, one of you could have been out there helping s-"

"The Outer Guardians don't want us interfering in their search." Taiki interrupted his brother, sighing out in frustration at his brother's stubborn nature. "You're in no condition to go out looking for her anyway. You've traveled the farthest searching for Kikyo-sama. You should be getting some rest, Seiya-chan. We'll wake you as soon as she's home, I promise." He urged, hoping to convince their brother to get some rest.

"Taiki-chan is right, I don't understand how you're even still standing." Yaten responded, looking at his brother with concern. "I was exhausted by the time I reached the planet, I can't imagine how depleted your energy must be by now."

"I don't want to rest, knowing she's missing." Seiya argued, then sighed as Yaten rested his hand against his shoulder.

"I'll wake you as soon as they find her or as soon as she gets home." Yaten promised, seeing the hesitation in her brother's gaze. "It's not going to do you any good if you collapse from exhaustion when she gets back." He urged, smiling when he watched his brother reluctantly nod.

"Promise me you'll wake me as soon as they find her." Seiya pleaded, watching Taiki nod his head.

"As long as you promise you will try to get some rest." Taiki responded, watching his brother silently nod. "Yaten-chan is right, Usagi-chan doesn't need to be worrying about you too." He stated, watching Seiya smile at his words. "Go get some rest." He urged.

"I will." Seiya answered, softly sighing in defeat knowing his brothers were right. 'It must be the adrenaline.' He thought, knowing he had pushed himself more than he ever had when he reached the Inner Realm. Running his hand through his hair, he softly exhaled out in frustration, knowing he had been looking forward to being reunited with the blonde-haired goddess who still haunted his dreams and thoughts. 'Please be alright Odango.' He worriedly thought, before raising his gaze. "So where do I need to go to rest?"

"The spare bedroom is this way." Yaten answered, walking forwards and gently taking their small Princess from his brother's arms. "Come on, I'll show you." He said motioning his brother to follow him.

Watching Seiya hesitate for a brief moment before finally opening the bedroom door, Yaten frowned knowing his brother was just as worried as him. 'Please be alright Usagi-chan, please for his sake.' He worriedly thought, knowing his brother still had strong feelings for the blonde who had stolen his heart.


Leaning against the wall with a soft exhale, Michiru looked at the numbers as they descended down with each floor. "I'm worried about her, what if-"

"She's fine, she has to be." Haruka abruptly interrupted her partner, keeping her gaze on the numbers that would briefly illuminate with each floor they descended.

"I know she was angry with us about the decision to send them away." Michiru began drawing in a breath before softly exhaling. "She wouldn't refuse to contact us for help, would she?"

"No." Haruka stated, shaking her head. "Neko-chan may be stubborn, but she knows to ask for help." She insisted, not wanting to admit she had also considered the possibility. 'I've never seen her so angry with us.' She worriedly thought remembering the accusing and hurtful gaze their Princess gave them before her friend had retreated to her bedroom.

"Perhaps we should reconsider, she does seem happier since Yaten-san and Taiki-san arrived." Michiru carefully suggested, watching Haruka immediately tense. "She's smiling more and-"

"He is not staying under the same roof as her." Haruka nearly growled. "I don't trust that wolf to be alone with Neko-chan."

"Our Princess has handled him before, nothing has changed." Michiru giggled, amused at how much Haruka allowed Seiya to get the best of her. "Perhaps if we have Usagi-chan stay with us, then they can stay at her place until-"

:: Beep:: Beep:: Beep:: Beep::

Reaching for her communicator, Michiru felt her stomach nervously twist seeing the panic in Setsuna's gaze. "Set-chan." She gasped, shocked to see tears shining in her friends' eyes. "What is it?" She urged, watching Haruka immediately stand beside her.

"Something's happened." Setsuna grimly stated, watching Haruka appear briefly in the image next to Michiru.

"What is it?" Haruka demanded, her fists clenching in her worry.

"We found blood." Setsuna calmly spoke, trying to remain calm and collected.

"Where is she?" Haruka angrily demanded. "Did you find her?"

"We only found their bags, Usagi's car is still parked in the student parking." Setsuna calmly explained, then softly exhaled. "Her brooch was attached to her bag. I noticed it when I looked into the window of her car."

"What?!" Michiru and Haruka demanded.

"Damn her!" Haruka angrily cursed. "I told her, I told her to keep that damn thing on her at all times." She seethed, pacing the length of the small elevator.

"Wait, you said 'their' bags." Michiru stated, watching Setsuna silently nod her head in confirmation before she spoke.

"Yes, Yumiko-san was with her. His things were next to hers on the field." Setsuna explained, turning her head as she looked in the direction of the destroyed field. "The enemy is involved in this, the field is in ruins."

"We'll be there shortly." Michiru stated, glancing up to see they were almost to the lobby. "We'll find her, we have to." She stated, glancing over to see the anger and worry on Haruka's face. 'Please be safe, we can't lose you Usagi-chan.' She worriedly thought, not noticing the transmission end, the screen growing dark on the communicator.


Watching the blonde peacefully sleep, the warrior gently brushed his fingers against the deep scar that took the place of the gaping wound caused by the enemy's attack. Feeling her stir slightly under the gentle touches, he smiled watching her eyes flutter open, look up at him with surprise shining in her cerulean blue eyes. Hearing a startled gasp escape her lips, he watched her abruptly sit up, looking around in shock and distress. "It's alright, you're safe here. I won't let anything happen, I promise." He gently stated, trying to ease her fear.

"Where am I?" Usagi demanded, not recognizing her surroundings. Looking the man over with an accusing gaze, she noticed he was dressed in white armor, surprised to see worry in his gaze. 'Why does he seem familiar?' She thought, snapping from her thoughts when he spoke.

"You're safe I assure you." The man stated, taking a step forward.

"Stay away from me." Usagi warned, before taking notice of her missing shirt, leaving her only in her bra. Abruptly covering her exposed skin, she felt her cheeks grow bright red from embarrassment over her sudden predicament. "Who are you?" She demanded, tears shining in her eyes at the thought of her vulnerability while she'd been unconscious. "What did you do to me?"

"Nothing, I-" The warrior quickly stammered, blushing at her implied accusation. "I had to remove your shirt to properly heal your injury." He explained, motioning to her shoulder. "I have the ability to heal, you were gravely injured so I brought you here to heal your wound and allow you to rest." He calmly explained. Watching her ease at the explanation, he smiled as she looked down at her shoulder, her fingers brushing across the dark scar.

"Thank you." Usagi tearfully stated, looking up at him as stray tears streaked her cheeks. "You didn't have to help me, but you did, why?"

"I am sworn to protect the Guardian of the Cosmos, the keeper, and defender of all realms. I cannot do that if she gets herself killed, now can I?" The man smugly asked, watching in amusement as the blonde scowled at his response.

"Where am I exactly?" Usagi demanded, looking around her surroundings with unease.

"You're safe I assure you. You're in another dimension, this was the only way I could assure our safety so I could tend to your injury." The Warrior explained as he knelt beside her. "I only wish to speak with you privately, then I will safely return you to the baseball field or wherever you desire."

"What do you want to speak to me about?" Usagi cautiously asked, watching the Warrior look up at her with familiar eyes. "Why do I feel like I know you?" She curiously asked, watching him smile in amusement, chuckling before he stood towering over her once again.

Walking to where her shirt lay in a crumpled heap, he knelt down lifting the shirt before tossing it towards the blonde. Smiling when she easily caught the shirt with one hand, he turned his back to her to allow her to dress once more. "My name is Apollo, I'm from the Celestial realm. I've been searching for our lost Guardian for over a year now. We need her now more than ever, our realm is at risk of falling to this new threat." He grimly stated, pausing for a moment before he continued to speak. "This is the same threat that destroyed Kinmoku." He calmly explained, turning after a few moments to see the blonde had placed her blood-stained shirt back on. "I have suspected you were the Guardian l was searching for, for some time now, Usagi-chan. I was having to wait for confirmation before I could reveal myself to you."

"You've been watching me?" Usagi demanded, angering when he smiled and chuckled at her accusation.

"You really don't see who I am, do you?" Apollo asked in amusement, his smile broadening when watching her silently shake her head.

"No." Usagi softly stated, watching the man close his eyes and focus on his energy, his armor vanishing revealing Yumiko to stand in the place of Apollo. "You're- you're one of them." She accused, clumsily standing and taking a nervous step back from him.

"I'm not one of them." Yumiko angrily snapped at the accusation, before teleporting in front of his friend. "I've already explained who I am, I'm a warrior of the Celestial Realm, one of your appointed Guardians, Princess Serenity-sama." He swore, gently taking her hand into his and brushing his thumb against the back of her hand. "I was sent to bring you home to the Celestial Realm, your rightful place is in the Cosmos. Your light shines so brightly, my friend, no evil will withstand such purity."

"My home is on Earth now." Usagi argued, tears shining in her eyes. "I- I'm already a Sailor Guardian to the Earth." She explained, a stray tear streaking her cheek as she looked up at her friend. "I'm engaged to Prince Endymion-sama, we- we're going to become the future rulers of Earth, King Endymion and Neo-Queen Serenity of Crystal Tokyo."

"Is that what you really want Usagi-chan?" Yumiko asked, watching his friend tearfully look up at him. "You have another choice, you can leave this behind and start another future. You can take Kikyo-chan and her Guardians with you and offer the child a new life, you can protect and nurture her to ensure she becomes the Queen she is meant to become." He urged, frowning when his friend shook her head.

"No, I- I can't." Usagi responded, tears streaking her cheeks. "I have my duties here. My Guardians have sacrificed so much to ensure my future happens. I can't destroy what they have sacrificed for me, they would never forgive me."

"Yes you can, this is your choice, your life. It's not theirs to choose for you." Yumiko argued, as he gently cupped her chin into his hand. Tilting her chin up, he gently brushed away her tears with his thumb as he looked into her tear-filled eyes. "You and your betrothed have been apart for so long, you've become unfamiliar with one another. You said it yourself, you have forced conversations anytime you speak with him. Do you truly want this, my friend?" He asked, watching a soft sob escaped her lips. "It's alright." He assured her, pulling her into his embrace as she bitterly began to sob in his arms. "It's going to alright my friend." He gently stated, holding her tightly against him as she let out all the hurt and pain she had kept to herself for the past year.

"I'm sorry." Usagi apologized, as she pulled back from her friend's embrace. Wiping the tears from her cheeks, she shakily exhaled before looking up at her friend with worry. "You were bleeding earlier, are you alright?" She worriedly asked, reaching up and brushing back the hair from his face to see a small fresh scar.

"I'm fine." Yumiko stated, resting his hand atop of hers, chuckling before he spoke. "As I said, I have the ability to heal, so my injuries heal after a short time." He explained, lowering her hand from hers when he noticed her blush. "This is yours." He stated, taking her hand and gently placing a brooch into her hand.

"Yumiko-chan." Usagi gasped, looking down at the ornate brooch with awe. "I-"

"You do not have to give me an answer now, but I will need to know soon." Yumiko interrupted, smiling at his friend. "This brooch is yours, my friend, you're the only one who has the ability to summon its power." He explained, watching her look down at the brooch in awe. "If you decide that you want to accept this power, I will show you what you will need to do to harness its power." He explained, closing her hand around the brooch before he released her hand. "You can embrace this power and become the most powerful Guardian the Cosmos has known. You will be the defender to those who no longer have Guardians protecting them. You, my friend, will be able to help the realms finally live in peace, you will become Sailor Cosmos."

"Sailor Cosmos." Usagi softly stated, opening her hand to curiously look down at the ornate brooch once more. "What about my Guardians?" She tearfully asked. "What will happen to my friends if I leave?"

"They will remain on Earth to ensure this realm stays safe." Yumiko responded with a smile. "They will finally be free of their duties and live normal lives. You will still be able to freely move amongst the realms. You can see them anytime you wish." He assured his friend, smiling as Usagi gently brushed her fingers against the seven-pointed star resting in the center of the brooch. "Think about it my friend, this is a high honor to be bestowed such a power." He urged, resting his hand against her shoulder as their gazes met. "Please, Usagi-chan. I implore you, do not tell your Guardians about me or the brooch. This decision needs to be yours and yours alone. This is your future, your decision, and no one else's to make for you." He pleaded, watching her silently nod her head.

"I won't tell them about you or the brooch." Usagi promised, placing the ornate brooch into her pocket. "How long have I been here?" She asked, watching Yumiko smile at her question.

"Not long, it's probably later into the night, possibly early morning by now." Yumiko responded with a shrug, jumping at her sudden outburst.

"Morning!? They're going to kill me!" Usagi shrieked, eyes wide in shock. "I need you to take me back home." She pleaded. "No one knows I'm here, my friends are probably freaking out since I never came home."

"You need to rest from your injury." Yumiko insisted, frowning when Usagi stubbornly shook her head.

"No, I'll have to rest at home." Usagi insisted, watching Yumiko nod his head before chuckling.

"Alright." Yumiko calmly responded, gently wrapping his arm around her waist. Pulling her closer against him, he smiled as she blushed at how close they were. "Where do you want me to take you?"

"My apartment, please." Usagi requested, looking up to see her friend nod his head. Watching his clothing meld to the white armor once more, she looked at the ornate sigil in the center of his breastplate. "This looks like the brooch you gave me." She said running her hand along the sigil.

"It's the royal family's crest that I serve, the seven-pointed star. Where your power will originate if you should accept this honor to become our champion, our protector." Apollo explained, placing his hand over hers. "I am sworn to protect you Usagi-chan, if you should ever need me, just call out to me and I will be there." He promised, watching his friend tearfully nod her head.

"Thank you, Yumi- I mean, Apollo-chan." Usagi said, correcting herself. Feeling the warmth of his energy spread around them, she closed her eyes allowing him to pull her closer against him as they teleported from where they stood.

To Be Continued...

Revised: 4/6/2021


Thanks so much for reading, sorry for this chapter not being as long as the previous chapter. Thanks again to those who follow/favorite/review. Your support means so much!

-ShadowQueenGalactica