Tension of the Past
Part 11

*~*~*~*

The next day...

*~*~*~*

Minako stared at herself in the mirror, slowly swaying back and forth, watching with criticism the way her dress flowed. Layers and layers of yellow satin and silk flowing in fluttering waves, and still it didn't look right. A beautiful dress, the most beautiful she had ever seen, even Rei had been wowed, but it just didn't look good on her.

What was up with these ugly thoughts all of a sudden? Why did she feel so terrible? The resolution to cheer up hadn't worked at all so far, and training with Makoto and Rei had only given her a temporary positive effect.

She had glowed when she walked out of the bathing room, soaking the sweat from her skin with Rei, Makoto, Hotaru, and Seiya. With the pride of winning four battles in a row (but losing five... one didn't count though. She knew she had gone way over her head when she challenged a very fresh Seiya to a duel. But it gave her some consolation that Star Fighter left the hall in just as bad shape as Venus), there was a little bounce in her step, and each time she stared up at the sky she had to fight back laughing at the setting sun.

But now? Now those nasty little thoughts were plaguing her mind, and she knew not to listen to them, but for some reason, she just let a small portion of her ears open to their words... she had to wonder, had to listen to those voices to get the entire picture. Yes she looked beautiful to some... but to others, how would they see her? How would Yaten see her?

She flushed just at the thought of her... Minako still had to get to used to the fact that this was the first time she had ever fallen in love with a woman. There wasn't anything wrong with it... but it was still different. Somehow, watching Haruka and Michiru together, Minako had always known she needed that deep of a love, be it with a man or a woman... she just wanted that much of a connection. Remembering those words she had said, "It's shocking that Three Lights are girls! It's like my love has disappeared!" brought shame to her heart. If love was love, why did it have to come in specific forms? Doesn't one love the soul?

Somebody knocked on the door, and Minako spun around, biting her lip. Was it her?

"Minako-san?" called Seiya's voice.

Puzzled, Minako walked to the door, and opened it slightly, making sure her gown was hidden from view.

"Hey, Seiya-chan," she said. Seiya rose an eyebrow. "Need anything before the ball starts? It's about to begin..."

"Yeah, um..." she made a quick look down the halls, and then said, "Actually, I need you."

"Seiya!" she mock gasped. "You rat! You have a girlfriend!"

"You know what I mean!" she flushed a bright red, and Minako waved it off.

"Really, now?" Minako smiled with glee and then opened the door wide. "Sooo... what can Minako-sama do for a gorgeous gal like you?"

*~*~*~*

Kakyuu looked out of the balcony doors, up at the sky, watching with the corner of her eyes the setting sun, thinking how it had been so long since she and her people, had seen such a sky. Dark, dark blue fading into pink as it touched the horizon, the huge moon encircling the world with her arms...

She could hear Yaten's soft breathing in the background, as her protector slept quietly in a chair, catching up on the rest she had missed before the celebration would start. Yaten had stayed by her side all day and all night, except for bringing meals and telling the royal family and their friends Kakyuu wasn't feeling well.

Kakyuu knew Taiki didn't believe it, but she had refused to give her guardian an audience, telling the woman to enjoy her time with her family and celebrate... assuring her the queen of Kinmoku would join the ball later that night...

But what disturbed her the most was the image of Yaten screaming in the arms of Sailor Venus. A woman so full of unwanted love, dying to have her affections returned... but what neither Venus nor Yaten realized, was that was the first time Yaten had ever readily embraced a person... ever.

Yaten... you poor, poor girl... it's heartbreaking to know something you have to figure out for yourself.

The woman stirred from her sleep and opened her eyes to her queen. Kakyuu turned and smiled, her ball gown shimmering in the glowing light. "Did you sleep well?"

"Y-yes, thank you..."

"Yaten, I've been thinking about Seiya... and I think... I've been holding this doubt in my heart for such a long time about her affections to Sailor Moon... it was a chance to really see how she felt... and I think that it's time for me to-"

A loud boom interrupted her, both women caught themselves preparing for the worst, and mentally reprimanded themselves. Yaten walked over to her queen, and Kakyuu swung open the doors to the balcony, and they walked outside, staring up at the fading sky, the city jutting out like knives against the pink clouds, and watched the fireworks display begin.

Music wafted to their ears from the city, and they stared up at their planet beside the moon, Kinmoku littered with lights and tiny bursts of pale celebratory explosions. The planet was that close enough to see.

Suddenly, though, a sweet violin note blocked out any other noise, followed with the quiet and delicate key notes from a piano, and the aliens looked down to see Michiru and Haruka in the garden below them. A haunting voice echoed up to the balcony... such a familiar voice... full of pain, and remorse, and hope...

Seiya? No... Minako...

Yaten stared in shock as Minako stood between Neptune and Uranus, holding a yellow rose like a microphone, her eyes glistening with emotion as her voice rang out to Kakyuu...

"Dream on, now...
voice in my soul...
pain engulfs my heart...
my eyes are gently
holding you...
and in my gaze I see the stars..."

Yaten's ears pricked, and Kakyuu's eyes wandered down to the garden and stared at Seiya, her hand outstretched, as she appeared next to Minako, using a red rose as her microphone.

"Live on, now...
your eyes are deep with care...
I would fly into the sun...
If you would only grace me
With a smile..."

And despite herself, despite all her anger, and shock, Kakyuu's lips turned upward ever so slightly, and Seiya's heart beat faster than ever before... with renewed strength

"Can't you see? My faults have only shown
the way..."

"How truly now
love flows through my veins...
always reaching to my heart,
never leaving
me from my true self...
from you...

"I know I've done wrong... can you forgive me?"

"I never knew how much I loved you...
until the day I saw my dreams fly away..."

"All my hopes lie with you..."

"Peace inside my soul returns..."

"When stars reflect from your eyes..."

Seiya and Minako's voices reached a perfect pitch together, creating an unearthly voice...

"I... soar..."

The violin strings played out one slow and deep note, and after the bow left the strings, there was silence.

"Kakyuu," whispered Seiya. "I love you forever... only you."

Kakyuu turned away and ran into the room and out of sight without a word. Seiya hung her head in sorrow, and Minako watched in horror as the woman gently dropped the rose from her loose fingertips.

"Seiya..." gasped Minako, and her eyes turned to Michiru who's eyes were reaching to the balcony. Finding no contact with Neptune, the princess of Venus looked to Uranus, who gazed at her with remorse. Minako shook her head slightly, and Haruka's face softened, and the woman closed her eyes, her hands delicately closing the folder that held the sheet music.

Extremely disturbed, Minako looked up to the balcony, locking eyes with Yaten. She stood there, in her ball gown of blue silver, her expression unreadable, more of a scowl than anything else, and Venus' heart sank. She shrugged helplessly, turned her back away, and bent down, picking up the red rose.

"Seiya?"

The woman looked up, tears in her eyes, and Minako held out the rose. Seiya gingerly took it, thorns pricking her fingers, and she grasped tightly to the stem. A tear dropped onto a petal, and Seiya laughed mournfully.

"Well," she whispered. "We tried."

Minako only blinked, and Seiya held her hand.

"Thank you," Seiya continued. "For everything... I couldn't have done this without you."

The sky was completely black, and a brilliant fireworks display burst over the two.

Makoto, Rei, Ami, Taiki, Hotaru, Ichigo, and Taka appeared by the entrance.

"HEY YOU GUYS!!" shouted Makoto. "IT'S GOING TO START IN FIVE MINUTES!"

"Shall we go?" asked Neptune. Haruka nodded, and she stood up, walking to Seiya.

"Seiya... I'm sorry."

"No Haruka-san... no, don't be. Something like this was waiting to happen."

Haruka nodded, and went to join the group with her lover.

"Why don't you go with them?" asked Seiya.

"And you leave you alone?" Minako glanced back to the balcony. Yaten was gone. "Friends don't leave friends alone. Come on. She'll be there. You have to be strong, it's not the end of the world, right?"

"...Right..." Minako squeezed her hand, and they started to walk away when...

"SEIYA!" Hearing her name, she spun around, staring as Kakyuu ran down the corridor, and onto the path to the garden as fast as she could. Seiya stumbled towards her queen, opening her arms, and she pummeled into her, their arms enfolding, tightly, and fast, linking in a hold that would never end. "I love you... oh, I'm so sorry. Please, I should never have doubted you. I know you were just angry at Uranus-sama, but I've always had the thought that you were still in love with-"

"Sh... I know, I know. It's okay... I'm not... I'm not... I'm sorry."

Minako smiled brilliantly. This was all her doing. Hah! She hadn't lost the touch! The goddess of love would forever dwell in her! She folded her hands together, sighed sweetly, and started to turn when she saw the shadowed figure of Yaten behind a pillar, watching the couple. Minako quietly walked to the woman, standing beside her.

"That was a very good thing you did," Yaten murmured. Minako smiled, and Yaten turned to her. "I'm serious. I could never have done something like that."

"Are you kidding me? Of course you could."

Yaten shook her head. "I was surprised when I heard you... you could have been great, you know that?"

Minako nodded, locked eyes with Yaten, and smiled devilishly. "But I already am."

She handed Yaten her yellow rose, and only gave the woman a moment to stare at it with wonder before grabbing her wrist and running down the path to catch up with the group.

"Hurry up, you two!" she called. "We're all waiting for you!"

Seiya loosened her hold on Kakyuu and touched the queen's lips with her fingers. Kakyuu laughed, and they walked down the path, through the garden, to the swell of voices coming from the hall.

"Luna! You're... you're human!"

"Do I look alright?" A small laughter echoed through the halls.

"Hey now, Yaten-chan! Quit staring. On special occasions the change into their true form. Right, Diana?"

"Right, Minako-sama!"

"I... I can't help it..."

"Excuse me... you're staring at my wife."

"S-sorry!"

There, in front of the doors, stood Serenity, Endymion, and Small Lady, each smiling serenely with understanding and knowledge. Every person in the hallway bowed deeply, and then moved into line. Serenity and Endymion first, then Kakyuu and Seiya, Chibi-Usa and the human Diana, Luna and Artemis, Makoto and Taka, Uranus and Neptune, Ami and Taiki, Minako and Ichigo, Hotaru and Yaten, and last... all alone... was Rei.

Scowling at all the seeming couples, she shifted her hair back, fixed her crimson red dress, and tried to look dignified as the other conversed among each other.

"Left out?" a warm voice asked her. Everybody turned, and Chibi-Usa squealed in delight.

"Puu! You came!"

Pluto bowed to the royal Earth family and Kakyuu, her long near black green dress sliding across the floor in shining waves with every move, and took her place next to Rei. Serenity beamed in satisfaction with having all her loved ones together at the same time, and trumpets sounded in the ballroom, the huge doors swung open, and the small group walked through into the huge area, the guests bowing as low as they could, and a huge screams of joy sounded through the walls from the city.

The royal family took their places on the thrones, Kakyuu sitting next to Serenity. The soldiers and human-cat family stood on either side of the thrones, while Taka and Ichigo faded into the crowd together. They were smiling widely though, glad to at least be a part of their private lives... and clapped as much as the audience did.

Serenity turned her head to Ami, who nodded, and lifting a thin control and pressing a button, a large holographic screen appeared in front of the royals and their guardians. The screen was sliced in two, the top half revealing a huge crowd in the public park area of the Crystal Gardens. The bottom screen showed another crowd in the vast courtyard of the Kinmoku palace, and by the cheers from both parties, they could see the senshi as well.

"Hello, my people," spoke Serenity, and moved her eyes to the bottom screen. "And welcome citizens of New Kinmoku. I am Neo Queen Serenity of Earth. I wish to share with all of you a most joyous occasion. We are celebrating the first alliance between each of our worlds..."

Serenity smiled and stopped as both crowds burst into clapping and whistling... New Kinmoku less rowdy than Earth.

"I have known the protectors of Kinmoku for a very long time, they have personally aided Earth during a time a crisis. But we are not allied now to bond together during a time of war, but have met to learn and share two incredible cultures. People of Kinmoku, I hope with all my heart that some of you find Earth a place worthy of a home..."

Serenity turned to Kakyuu, who nodded her head, turning to the screen. Gasps omitted from the crowd from Earth, while roars upbrupted from Kinmoku. Kakyuu smiled serenly as her heart burst with joy.

"My dear people and great civilians of Earth, I am Queen Kakyuu of New Kinmoku. It is my deep honor to be here tonight, and join in this celebration. As my people know, it has been a very long time since our planet has resided in an area of such wondrous features. We have gained permission from Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion to lock our orbit with Earth next to Luna for the remainder of either planets' lives."

There was silence from each crowd, but Kakyuu dared not waver.

"I feel as if we are finally ready to trust in our futures. A long, long time ago, a great disaster struck our home and Kinmoku was destroyed, our family, lovers, and friends were killed by a universal enemy, and the last battle of that foe was held on Earth, where the great soldiers of this planet who are standing with me vanquished the evil that plagued us. I can think of no greater honor than to be in that safety and enclosure of strength. I hope all of you will understand our similarities along with our differences. I am not human, that is true, but my people and I have so much we can share, just as you have so much to teach us as well. I hope all of you find it in your hearts to accept us, and make us a part of Earth, just as I hope my people will make the citizens of Earth a part of New Kinmoku."

There was all silence, and not one could hear a pin drop... a russle of clothing and then...

Both audiences watched as an extremely well dressed man walked into view, standing tall with his back to them, his brown shoulder length hair loosely tied back with a dark green velvet ribbon, and he dropped to one knee, his head bowing low to the ground. A young boy then moved into the screen with the walk of a man, his blue hair smoothed back, standing next to the bowing man, but bowed from his waist as low as possible, a strong hand loosely fisted resting behind his back. A boy of noble birth...

But suddenly he turned his angle slightly, to the queen of Kinmoku, and formed a peace sign with the index and middle finger pressed together, touching the tips of those fingers to his forehead, and bowed his head.

A collected gasped rushed to the ears of the royal family from the Kinmoku court. That boy... that boy had just given the highest form of Kinmoku honor... placing the peace of his mind into the hands of the Kingdom.

Kinmoku screamed in celebration, a collective and infectious cheer that carried its way to the ears of Earth and was joined.

Smaller screens appeared as other areas in the two planets united in the cry, New York City, Los Angeles, Hong Kong, New Amsterdam, Paris, Rome, Timbuktu, Makkah, Mexico City, Sydney, Baghdad, Madrid, Athens, St. Petersburg, Cairo, Honolulu, and so many more layers upon layers of cities from Kinmoku and Earth alike had heard and seen all.

Kakyuu and Serenity exhaled quietly in relief.

Finally, when all had settled down, Endymion spoke.

"Greetings all! I am King Endymion. Within the next few months, there will be passageways and shuttles from Earth to Kinmoku in every major city to begin our cultural exchange and alliance of worlds in every way possible. May we celebrate this occasion for years to come. Peace be with you all, and have a wonderful night!"

The senshi and royals bowed to the people, and the screens faded away with the cheers. The noise of voices could still be heard from a distance, and the orchestra began their music. Couples in the members of the palace party glided their way to the dance floor, but the key players in this night stayed in their places for a while before beginning to meld with the crowd... and in that time...

"Taka," The sweet and serene voice reached the clone's ears, and the man moved to Queen Serenity, and bowed again. "That was a very brave thing to do, and I thank you with all my heart for it."

Taka smiled, and bowed again, murmuring a thank you in the process.

"I think all of us had misunderstood you, didn't even give you a chance to try to, and I hope you come to forgive us."

"I already have, your majesty."

"We would be honored if you would stay with us as a guest of honor for a while."

"Ami-sama had said that as well," Taka answered. "But I think it would be best for me to leave as soon as possible."

"Wh-why?" Taka turned, and Ichigo moved to his side. "You've always stayed here."

"I don't think this is the best time to discuss this," murmured Taka, eyeing the line of soldiers, but Ichigo shook his head.

"You can't just leave like that."

"I'm afraid that I can."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Ichigo," hissed Ami, and the boy hung his head. "Be respectful to this man."

"I want you to stay," whispered Ichigo to the clone.

Taka blinked, and looked to Taiki and Ami. The two women looked curious at his reaction, and slightly shocked by Ichigo's words, but gave him nothing to go on. Taka sighed, and looked to the boy, and smiled.

"I'll think about it," he said. "How about that? But I've never seen the world."

"Neither have I," answered Ichigo. "How would you like to be stuck in the same place for nine hundred years?"

The prince flushed as several loud coughs came from the senshi. Serenity stifled a giggle, and Artemis and Endymion looked to each other, silent words passing between them.

"Well, then," said Endymion. "On my next trip, we'll have two new companions."

"It would be an honor to have you join us," said Artemis. "It's aggravating to be silent for a whole month at a time. The king rarely talks unless it's about our work."

Endymion laughed, and nodded with amusement. "How true. It's difficult to speak of anything else when Artemis and I already know everything about each other."

Ichigo and Taka bowed lowly, each of their hearts filled with excitement. A compromise that fulfilled their hearts' wishes even more than they had imagined.

"I for one, want to actually do something tonight other than stand around and look pretty," said Makoto, walking from the line and to her escort. "Let's dance."

"D-dance?" Taka stuttered. "I have no idea how!"

"Pfft. I'll teach you, it's fun! Come on!" And Taka was whisked away onto the dance floor. Michiru and Haruka bowed to their king and queen, and joined in the party. The small group dispersed in their separate ways, careful to stay close enough to the queen, her husband and her child as the guests greeted the royal families.

*~*~*~*
"Finally come to talk to me?"

"Artemis! Of course!"

"Well, it's about time!" The tall man smirked, his eyes closing lazily in only a way one from Maw could, and Minako sighed, irresistible to the cat man's charms. "Do you have anything you'd like to say to me?"

"...Yes."

"And that is?"

"... I'm sorry for not greeting you when you returned. I should have... and I regret not doing it."

"Good."

"That's not any way to treat a friend!"

"Really now!"

"Okay, okay. I get the point."

"Good. Glad something's finally gotten to your head."

"Well, I was feeling a lot better until you started hounding me."

Artemis patted her hand. "It's only because I love you."

"Pshaw."

"..."

"...?"

"...!"

"Fine, fine... I... I love you too, Artemis."

"Was that so hard?"

"Yes! Especially saying that to you!"

"Me? Why? We're two peas in a pod."

*~*~*~*

"So...?"

"It's very lovely," said Ami, touching the fabric of Taiki's dress. "Purple suits you."

"Do you really not mind?"

"We've talked about this. Nine hundred years is a long time. We've had some time to get used to the fact that humans are very open creatures. Love is love. I'll admit, when I first found out you were really a woman that time ago... I was terrified what everybody would think. They've gotten used to it, though... just like we've gotten used to Haruka and Michiru. It's been a while since then."

"We still need heirs to the sailor crystals."

"Do we really?" said Ami, and moved her eyes to their son as he stood with Hotaru and Chibi-Usa, talking animatedly. She smiled. "I'm sure you're right."

"And...?"

"Well, I've... Haruka and Michiru's anniversary is coming up next month."

"Yes...?"

"I've... created a..."

"A..." Taiki laughed as Ami blushed. "Still embarrassed by talking about it?"

Ami mock scowled at her, and mustered up as much courage as she could...

"I've created..." Ami looked around frantically before, cupping her hands and whispered into her lover's ear. Taiki's eyes widened considerably.

"Ami," she gasped. Ami blushed at the look of amazement on her lover's face.

"I did. All I need is the DNA of Haruka, and an egg of Michiru's... the only problem is the child will always be a girl. But even better to pass down the line. Boys are wonderful too, though."

"Yes, they are..."

*~*~*~*

"Yaten..."

"Seiya."

"Are... are you still angry at me?"

"What do you think?"

"I don't know."

"I'm not anymore." Yaten sighed, and looked out at the party. Seiya exhaled in relief, and Yaten poked her in the shoulder. "But if you ever do anything like that again, I will personally kill you. You have no idea what kind of pain Kakyuu-sama was in."

"Actually," said Seiya, watching her queen with amazement. "I do. I thought I lost her again, Yaten. I really did. My heart..." She pressed a hand against her heart. "I think I know how she felt."

Yaten nodded, and Seiya followed her gaze to a young blonde.

"Minako's changed a lot," Seiya mused.

"She has," Yaten answered. "She looks happy now, doesn't she?"

"Yes..."

Minako laughed loudly, her slender shoulders shaking, her hold tightening on Diana, and despite herself, Yaten's frown reversed itself as Luna walked over to Artemis, wrapping her arms around her husband's waist. Minako moved to Luna's side, and Diana scooted in between the two women, snuggling close in the folds of fabric. Minako and Luna looked to each other, and grinned.

The little girl sometimes felt threatened by the relationship between Venus and her father, Yaten could tell. Diana would spend nights wondering what had happened between Artemis and Minako in the past, or if there was anything between them now. But at times like these, doubts were pushed back, when the truth revealed itself. Minako was a part of their family, even if she couldn't change into a cat. She usually always felt safe around the leader of the guardians at times in doubt, an aunt, a cousin, a relative that always cared and was always there.

There was something between that family that could not be penetrated. A selectivity, a connection between the souls. Minako and Artemis shared the same soul. Just as Serenity and Luna did. Just as Small Lady and Diana. Yaten could feel it, and wondered how that was possible to have so many different types of relatives and families. Lovers, friends, soul mates, kindred spirits, physical relations, spiritual relations, stranger's care, universal love... it had never made sense to her thinking about it, but watching these people of Earth, how they interacted, holding nearly nothing back in touch and feelings... it shed a veil to the unknown.

It was not a romantic relationship between any of them, but a spiritual bond. A bond of elastic that stretched out far or came in close, but never broke, never shattered.

Minako smiled, and her eyes met with Yaten's. Her vision filtered to a yellow, to a green, and to a mix... such a strange light, and Minako... her body illuminated outshining the light of even Serenity. Yaten's throat closed, and they looked at each other, just staring, as if time had stilled...

Venus... Venus... where are you, child?

The light of the princess of Venus reached out to Yaten for a moment, but recoiled at the strange voice, rushing to the still night, and fled the room in fear and confusion.

Venus...

Yaten blinked, and the light returned to normal, the hum of conversation entered her ears, and Minako was no longer looking at her, her light had faded, and somehow her face was ashen.

"There's something, though..." gasped Yaten. "Something there, that's not right."

"What are you talking about?" asked Seiya, but she squinted her eyes. Something had definitely changed.

There you are! I couldn't find you... my dear heart.

"No..." she whispered.

"Yaten? Yaten, what's wrong?"

Come to me... yes... that's right. I've always wanted you, no one but you. Venus, my dear one, you have been my life...I have waited for so long...

Yaten closed her eyes, her head pounding, confusion racing to her mind. That voice... such a familiar voice...

"I need some air," Yaten said quickly and raced the balcony of the ball room, moving to a dark corner, gasping for air.

There was danger... something completely off was about to happen.

Yaten caught her breath, and straightened her spine, looking behind her at all the happiness of her friends and family... and Minako. She would be damned if she ever let anybody hurt that woman.

Hushed voices interrupted her thoughts, and Yaten turned to face the gardens, watching with suspicion at two shadowed figures racing down the path.

*~*~*~*

"Ichigo-kun!" laughed Hotaru as he grasped her hand, urging her to move faster. Her face was flushed with the speed, and Ichigo's heart beat rapidly when her delicate fingers wrapped tightly around his hand. "Slow down! I need to catch my breath!"

"We haven't got much time," said Ichigo. "It'll be gone before too long."

Finally, after moving into the maze, rushing through twists and turns, he stopped. Hotaru hunched over, catching her breath, her hands flitting to her throat.

"Are... are you okay?" Ichigo moved to her side, putting a hand on her back.

"I'm fine, I'm fine," she breathed. "I keep on forgetting the breathing techniques Haruka-papa taught me about running."

Right now she was forgetting to breathe to begin with, as she felt the slow, light massage Ichigo was giving her. Hotaru stood up, stiffening slightly, and turned to him. His eyes were so intense, so unreadable, that she knew something was wrong.

But before she could speak, he reached over to a bush, and parted the branches, revealing a door.

"It's in here."

"A secret...?"

"It won't be for long... I'll explain." Hotaru hesitated though, and Ichigo shook his head. "Please, you don't have to be afraid."

"I'm not... just a little... insecure."

Hotaru ducked through the branches and opened the door, Ichigo's hand brushing across her head. She stopped, staring as a fountain's stray spray misted the flowers, the moonlight reflecting off the droplets like ice cold stars. Hotaru's breath caught, and Ichigo stood beside her.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" he asked. Hotaru could only stare. "I know how much you like the flowers, and well... they seem to grow so much better here."

"What... what is this?"

"Makoto-san accidentally tapped into an underground crystal stream. You were visiting Aunt Michiru and Haruka, otherwise you would have been here. The only people around though were Aunt Serenity, Aunt Makoto, Mom and me when it happened. We were going to close it up, but Mom saw the immediate change in wilting flowers... when the water sprayed onto them, they became young again..."

The dark petals seemed to throb with the life that was flowing through their veins.

"They haven't died in over six months. We turned the tap into a small fountain, and blocked it off to examine it later. I made a promise to never come here... but I have been anyway..."

"But... but why?" Ichigo looked into her eyes, and smiled faintly.

"It's here, the element I need, but I needed something else with me for it to happen."

"For what...?"

"I'm going to grow up here," he murmured, and like a light, he began to glow a pale blue, the mist circling around him, soaking into him, and he walked towards her slowly, hesitantly.

Hotaru only stared as his arms circled around her, gently pulling her to him, and she felt with detached fascination as his grip on her became stronger, safer. To keep her eyes on his face, Hotaru had to look higher, when before he was slightly shorter than her, now Ichigo was half a head taller. His shoulders broadened, and his jacket stretched, the sleeves becoming shorter and tighter.

Long dark blue hair brushed against his back, and his shoulders were broad, but very feminine at the same time. He wasn't handsome... he was beautiful, as only a son with two mothers could be. Dark and long eyelashes masking intense purple eyes, long and thick hair curling slightly, a long and graceful neck.

"I realize now," Ichigo murmured, his voice low and resonant. "I've needed to face my fears, and let go of all my attachments before truly growing. The truth about my father, my insecurities of growing up... and my feelings for you."

Her eyes fluttered from his jaw bone. Ichigo came closer and took her hands in his.

"Even if you don't love me back, I can live with that. But my love is real, has always been real. Even when I was a boy, I knew that I was the only one who could change myself. I needed you, though... I needed you to be here to see this. How I really am. This was me, trapped in that body."

She stared at him for a while, and stared at his incredible eyes hesitantly. "I'm shocked, Ichigo... This is going to take some getting used to."

Ichigo laughed. "Tell me about it." His face darkened slightly, though. "I'll give you some time."

"Thank you," she gratefully, and they walked out of the secret garden and walked down the path. As they walked, she helped him out of his jacket, unfortunately ripping it a little. "Do you have another tuxedo? Isn't this uncomfortable?"

Ichigo grimaced. "You have NO idea."

Hotaru blushed but giggled hysterically. "Will King Endymion mind if we borrowed one of his suits?"

"I hope to God he doesn't!" And stealthily they ran to the king's closet, laughing and jumping with every small sound.

And as they rushed out of the room to Ichigo's with a swiped tuxedo, they could not have imagined that their relationship would strengthen to a place they never could imagine. Neither of them would know whether it would be romantic love or intense adoration. Ichigo's feelings for her would change into something much calmer, warmer... and less panicked, while Hotaru's for him would be almost blind admiration and affection. He was the son of two women, who's heart and mind were as understanding as that of a girl's. He was the best friend any girl could have... and they would both hope, that one day, their friendship could change into something more. But only time would tell.

*~*~*~*

End Part 11

*~*~*~*

Note: The sappy, waffy, and corny song Minako and Seiya sing was written by yours truly. If you're out of your mind and would like to use this song for some reason, by all means, use it. BUT that means it's MINE. Mine mine mine mine mine. So ask me first. Cause it's still mine.

Also, I have something to say about the pairing of everybody. A lot (and I mean A LOT) are same sex relationships, obviously. I really don't think that there would be that many for the cast of Sailor Moon. And I do agree with something that Jennifer Wand wrote about fan fiction that deals with this issue. Mostly, they are:

1. Completely and utterly opposed to it, hate it hate it hate it. Nuh-uh, don't even get near me.
2. Yeah! Woohoo! It's great and awesome! I'm all for it!

It's in between, actually. They're kind of freaked out of it being with, calling it "ecchi!" when they learn of Michiru and Haruka's relationship, but they warm up to it after a while.

BUT this fan fic takes place 900 years into the future. A lot (and I mean A LOT) can happen in that time period. Who knows? Rei and Minako might have had that little fling those rumors put out there. Heck, the roman Mars and Venus DID have an affair, so who's to say that Naoko-sama won't go along the story based on the mythology...?

***

Yaten: Minako...

Minako: ... yes, sugar?

Yaten: Is there something you want to tell me?

Minako: ... W-what could that be?

Rei: Aheheheheh...

***

BUT if Yaten and Minako are going to have a relationship (Taiki and Ami, Seiya and Kakyuu), Minako needs to be open to same sex love. Yaten too...

***

Yaten: Hmph. As if I'm not open to anything

Minako: Well, in the manga you DID have NO interest in girls whatsoever. Besides Seiya, Taiki, and Kakyuu-hime.

Yaten: I already apologized for that!

Minako: Yeah, yeah... I'm sure you meant it, too...

Yaten: ...

Minako: ...

Yaten: *Turns to Sarah-chan* IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT THIS IS HAPPENING! I NEVER SHOULD HAVE AGREED TO DO THIS WITH YOU!

^^;;; Hey, hey, no need to get so angry! You'll ruin that lovely face of yours. Don't want to get any pre-mature wrinkles, now do we? *Motions to Minako frantically*

Minako: H-hey, come on, Ya-chan. I wasn't being serious! Don't let her get to you!

Yaten: She still gets under my skin!

Minako: Let's go get some caviar, okay? Some GOOD stuff.

Yaten: Well... alright... *leaves*

***

Phew... but! You all must be wondering (well, I was anyway)... do Ichigo and Hotaru really get together? I dunno. Personally, I've never really been too keen on original characters and fan characters getting together... so I'm leaving it open. ^^ I dunno, personally I think they'd make great friends... you know, the kind that are inseparable and always make the spouses nervous.

Also, the image of Ichigo as an adult in my mind... is oh my GAWD. I'm in love with him just thinking about it. What a major HOTTIE. EEEEK! Kind of makes me feel sorry for naming him "strawberry".

And aren't I a genius? These future things are so fun when you don't have to get technical. Crystal springs, HAH!! I am GOOD!

***

Yaten: *eating caviar ice cream* Is she vain or what?

Minako: *eating curry ice cream* Nah, just a hedonist. To be happy with your life, you have be happy with your health!

Ami: Um... Minako-chan... isn't it "you have to be happy with yourself"?

Taiki: I concur.

Minako: Yeah, yeah. Same thing.

Ami and Taiki: *sigh*

Yaten: Hey, what's with all these little cameos?

Haruka: Sarah-chan hates it if anybody's left out. That's why this fic turned into such a big story.

Minako: Haruka-san! What are you doing here?

Haruka: I thought now would be a great time to kick her ass for making me a heinous bitch in part 9, and in part 10, turning me into a groveling subservient little piece of-

Michiru: Haruka! The children!

*Brings in Hotaru, Chibi-Usa, and Diana*

Haruka:- ahem. Sorry... BUT WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD I EVER PLAY A SONG THAT HORRIBLE WITH SEIYA OF ALL PEOPLE!

Well... ^^;;; For part 9, I was feeling pretty "kick some major butt" like, so I figured you were there and Seiya was there... why not? And the song? I would have had you join in with Nagareboshi He... but can you really imagine playing a grand piano in place of that weird key board thing and having "Search for you love" in the background? I was thinking of Route Venus... but that was WAY to depressing. Kakyuu might have gotten the wrong idea.

Kakyuu: I take the white road... you take the blue road... ARE YOU ACTUALLY DUMPING ME?!!

Seiya: No no no no!!

But I wrote that song... it's terrible. I made sure it DIDN'T rhyme.

Chaos: If only she had written it while I still had the universe! I would have been victorious!

Galaxia: Don't even think about it!

Hey now! *Kicks everybody out* Bye all!