I don't own Sailor Moon. Though I've lately bought a Mixx Issue of it ^.^

A/N: the original version was much longer, but… Well, there's a reason I'm posting this version x.x that other version $ucked.

Life after Senshi-hood

A new Dawn

It was a beautiful spring day. However, it did not lift the Senshi of Love's mood. How long has it been now? 15 years? Yes, that's the time she's been alone. The time she had had to try and heal. The time she spent without the Senshi of war.

'Ironic, isn't it? The Senshi of love fell in love with the Senshi of war. Irony at its best.'

To a side viewer, it would appear that the woman once known as Aino Minako was looking over the city she helped rebuild. But in reality, she was gazing at a single spot in the courtyard. There was still a phoenix shaped burn mark where her once friend, and wished for lover ended her life the same way she lived them. With a dazzling flame and pashion.

"I'm worried, Mercury."

The brown haired Senshi of protection said in a low voice.

"I know you are, Jupiter. But maybe she's just not ready to move on…"

The gloved fist slammed against the wall, causing the shorter Senshi to jump in surprise.

"Darn it, Mercury! It's been 15 years now! With all due respect…"

"With all due respect, Jupiter, I'd like to think that if something happened to me you'd mourn me even longer than that!"

Jupiter bit her lip, then embraced Mercury with an apologetic smile.

"I'm sorry. It's just… it hurts me to see her like that, Mercury. She's our friend…"

"And as such, we have to respect her decision. Look, she eats regularly. She does her job, I hate to say it, but maybe even better than before! So she became a sort of loner. We never said anything about it to Pluto or Saturn."

"They had each other, Uranus, Neptune and Small Lady. Venus…"

"Is dealing with it in her own way. I'm sure that when the time is right, she'll open up to us."

Jupiter nodded reluctantly, and sighed.

"Excuse me…"

Both Senshi turned around to the soft voice of the maid and their eyes widened.

"I'm looking for Sailor Venus, have you, seen, her… Are you all right?"

The maid asked at the surprised looks on the faces of the two Sailors.

"Oh, never mind, there she is. Good day, my ladies."

The maid walked past them, her long brown hair waving behind her.

"I think you should check my eyesight, Mercury."
"I think I'll check mine first."

"My lady Venus?"

"Hm?"

Venus turned her expressionless face towards the maid, granting her pretty much the same reaction Mercury and Jupiter had.

"My lady, are you all right?"

Venus was barely able to nod her head.

"Wha, what is it?"

The maid gracefully presented Venus with a file folder and bowed.

"Her majesty wishes for you to review this and give her your opinion. She said it was quite urgent."

She said, and looked outside the window at the gate. Venus followed her gaze and managed a smile.

"Someone's waiting for you?"

The maid was caught by surprise, but nodded politely.

"What's your name, sweetheart?"

Venus asked softly, her smile becoming somewhat realer.

"Huh? Oh, Kamada Usagi, my lady."

Venus's eyes narrowed and her smile got a naughty quality to it.

"Usagi. That's a nice name. And… Kamada?"

"Hai."

"I'm sorry, you're in a hurry. You're excused."

"Thank you, my lady."

With a final bow, the maid was about to leave.

"Oh, and one last thing, Usagi."

"My lady?"

Venus's eyes scouted the area outside the gate before she spoke.

"Tell your mother I said hi."

Usagi nodded slowly and rushed off. Soon Venus saw her running past the courtyard and meet with a woman. They discussed about something for a while, then the older woman's eyes widened and almost automatically searched the windows of the castle. Until they landed on the first floor window where Venus had been.

The tension was almost too much for Venus to bear, when a soft chuckle rang through her head.

'Let's have tea together, Mina-Chan.'

Venus's smile turned into a grin.

'Let's, Rei-Chan. And then you could tell me all about your lovely husband and children.'

Mother and daughter leaving the courtyard, Venus could hardly contain herself. To others appearing mad, Venus had began to laugh off 15 long years of pain.

From the side, Mercury and Jupiter blinked, looked at each other, blinked, then grinned themselves.

"Let's skip that sight check."

"Let's."

Three relieved laughters rang through the castle's halls, echoing in Neo Queen's Serenity's smile.

For it is a Phoenix's fate to rise again from the ashes.

And all was well.