Part IV—Peace Once More
The entire group let out a collective sigh as Kamui took a breath and then turned to close this side of the tear. Everyone knew that they could not just leave the world drifting in that fashion with no one to protect it. Who knew what would happen if it was left without a Silver Moon Crystal and without anyone to use it?
That thought crossed through everyone's mind, but it was only Serenity who finally made the decision. She approached Kamui and gave him the Silver Crystal. He lifted an eyebrow at her in question.
"The choice we are making is to give you the Silver Moon Crystal. There is only one of you Kamui, but there is a Moon Crystal in every alternate world I'm sure. There must be something you can do with the power of the Crystal to protect that world. I do not have enough power to do that, but perhaps you do."
Kamui's eyes narrowed. "So you are suggesting I keep the Crystal and I deal with the problem of the other world."
Serenity shook her head and smiled. "I do not mean to put the entire responsibility on your shoulders. But in truth the only one here who can come up with a good idea is you. I have no clue what to do. The only thing I can think of, if there is another Moon Kingdom descendant, that he or she becomes the Guardian of the Crystal for that world. But is there one in that world that exists that does not exist in this one? Do you see why I suggest you decide? Only you can determine who is fit enough to be the Guardian of the Moon Crystal." Serenity placed the Crystal in his hand and clasped his hand around it. She smiled at him and took a step back into Darien's arms as she saw Kamui give a small wave and turn to leave. He slowly began to fade away, his cloak and hair blending with the night, his eyes like brilliant stars.
"I want you to know that you will always have a place here, and that you are always welcome!"
Kamui gave a small nod and everyone else gave him small farewells until there nothing but a glimmer of him left. It was then that he heard Queen Serenity's voice call out to him suddenly.
"Come again soon, Kamui-chan! And thank you!"
Kamui blinked and turned, but it was too late. The Queen of the Earth and Moon had vanished into the darkness. He sighed. He would return…just to find out why she had called him that…and why it had struck him full of déjà vu. He shook his head as another reason to his mind loomed before his inner sight. He shook the vision of Sailor Pluto from his mind and turned his gaze to the world he had just left behind. Now, who would be able to handle the power of the Silver Moon Crystal and be its Guardian as well as the world's guardian? Hmmm…
The group hovered about the area for a few moments longer before they all began to make their way back to the Palace. Serena-chan, Elios, Peruru, and Skylar were rushing to greet them with exuberant hugs. Only Setsuna and Hotaru seemed to stay behind, thinking. Setsuna's mind was full of the man they called the Kamui. She sighed as she wondered if he would return and what would happen when he did. She trembled as a draft of cold air brushed up her spine and against her flesh. For some reason she had wanted to get close to the cold, distant Daioshin Kamui, but now she, Meiou Setsuna, could be eons apart from him and there was nothing she could do about it.
She sighed and then motioned for Hotaru to follow her back to the palace. Hotaru nodded and smiled, but stared off into the distance. She was wondering if the man she had rescued had managed to escape or if he had been killed in the collapse of the palace. She sighed and shook her head. It really was nothing she could do or nothing she should worry about, but she could not seem to help herself. She had only managed to see his eyes in the darkness and notice the shape of his body and his height. He had been tall, perhaps the same height as King Darien or an inch taller, and had been muscular, yet lean. The seasoned body of a warrior. She remembered how he had dodged the attack, but now she realized he was really going for his weapons. Come to think of it, she hadn't even seen those in the light quite well. She shrugged and sighed shaking her head. It really didn't matter anymore.
Hotaru turned to the Palace with a smile as the lights of celebration turned on and shone throughout the city. Even though it didn't matter, she would never forget the color of those eyes. The dull golden-beige that shone even in the darkness.
She walked back to the palace following Setsuna. Little did she realize that a man had come through the portal as well and that he now leaned on a huge stone as he gazed down at the palace and the woman who was walking toward it. A golden eyebrow arched as the man moved some of his hair out of his face. He shrugged and turned away, walking off into the distance alone.
* * *
The engagement party for Elios and Serena-chan was
wonderful. They even included Peruru
and Skylar as recipients for the engagement party as well. Michiru had laughed. Instead of a double wedding, they had had a
double engagement! The young couples
were glowing with excitement and embarrassment. But they were all having a blast.
Serenity and Darien were happy for the young ones and were watching Setsuna like a hawk. Everyone had noticed the sparks flying between her and the Kamui whenever they managed to get close to each other. Serenity wondered if he really would ever return. But for now everyone was enjoying the festivities and the stories of their recent adventures adding more gossip to the streets of Crystal Tokyo.
Everything was as it should be.