Hey, ya'll! It's part three! [smiles and takes a bow] Well, I know it's sad so far, but it'll get better... Eventually.

[grins evilly] Now here's the big question- will Usagi die? What is she dying of? Maybe you'll know in this part... then again, maybe not. Well, here it is! Ta-dah!

Disclaimer- I don't own Sailor Moon. Naoko Takeuchi and Pioneer do, so don't sue me! (the plot's all mine, though!)

Part three-

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Usagi awoke later that day to the many preparations that had to be done. Hurriedly, she dressed and left to an inner room of Crystal Tokyo's palace, one of her favorites.

"Hey, girlfriend." Haruka and Michiru were the only Senshi to stay in Crystal Tokyo and live with the Queen. They were seated at a table intricately carved from mahogany wood, drinking the morning's tea.

Serenity nodded a greeting before grabbing a chair and sitting herself.

"Are you sure you're up to this?" asked Amara. She and Michelle exchanged a glance, waiting for Usagi's reply.

"Of course. It will be great to see all the Senshi again." Michiru frowned, not in the least convinced.

"Usagi," she said, "we've known you since high school. Is there something you're not telling us?"

Both she and Haruka had noticed that Serena had been acting differently lately, completely unlike her usual lively self. She was aloof and restless, withdrawn and moody, and it worried the two Senshi.

Serena averted her eyes from those of her friends', and turned her gaze to a smudge of dirt on the recently cleaned floor.

"Usako?" Michiru asked kindly, and laid her arm on her distraught friend's, gently probing for information.

"It's nothing," said Usagi quietly, but still refusing to meet their gaze with her own.

Violently, Haruka stood up and swore so badly that Michiru flushed and Usagi's ivory cheeks turned slightly pink. In her sudden anger, the chair she had sat in had flipped over and tea had spilled across the table. With a sigh, Michiru patiently wiped the liquid from the wood and righted the chair.

"Does it have to do with that bastard Mamoru and his Mars whore?" Haruka was highly protective of Usagi, and anything that caused her queen the slightest pain was a great insult and cause of anger to the Uranus Senshi.

"Haruka!" Michelle chided, watching Serena tremble and the color that Amara's vehemence had aroused fade quickly from her skin.

"I'm sorry, Usako." Amara softened, regarding the queen with the warmth one would have for a younger sister.

"I just can't believe he could do this to you."

Serena bit her lip with anxiety and discomfort, and stirred her tea under Michiru's concerned gaze.

"Did Raye have any decency? She was one of Usagi's best friends, and a Senshi too. Friends aren't supposed to run around with their friends' husbands..."

"Haruka..." Michiru warned.

Usagi looked up, her blue eyes determined and firm as she brushed a strand of golden hair off her shoulder.

"What's done is done. If he truly loves her, and she him, then I wish them the best of luck and happiness. I won't stand in the way of love."

Michiru and Haruka shared a glance, surprised by Serena's strength and resolve. Amara would have liked to continue, but the tone of Usagi's voice made it quite clear that the conversation was finished.

"Where's Rini?" asked Serenity briskly.

Michiru sighed, knowing that their opportunity for information was over.

"Last time I checked, she was outside," she said resignedly. Serena nodded and left the room, shoes clicking on the polished floor.

With Usagi gone, Haruka stood and walked to the window, where she watched Chibiusa as the small girl played on the grass.

"Something's wrong, Haruka, and I don't think it's about Mamoru." Michiru said, her eyes following the path Serena had taken.

"I think you're right, Michiru, and I wish I knew what it was."

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There ya have it, peeps! Part three is done and over. What do you think now, with Amara and Michelle suspicious? Well, if you have any ideas, e-mail me at lisametcalfe@hotmail.com Thanks, and bye ya'll!

Lady Pluto