YAY! EPILOGUE! YAY!

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"Come on, Rini!" Serena cried up the stairs again. "Darien's waiting!"

"I'm coming!" Rini cried back. "Just give me a few more seconds."
The last few days had been hectic for everyone. Despite her complaints, Serena had been ordered to spend that day in bed, and the next few days "resting". The girls all knew that Serena would be fine after that one day, but her mother had insisted. Serena only went along with it because it meant that she could go a few more days without school. Tomorrow she would have to go back though; Serena thought that it was rather convenient that she wouldn't have to go back to school until Rini had left. Today though, Serena and Darien were talking Rini to her school to pick up all her things, then they got to enjoy the going-away party that the girls were throwing for Rini. However, because Rini was leaving the school, she could only come and pick everything up during lunch; they didn't want to disturb the class. And if Rini didn't hurry, they weren't going to make it.

"Rini," Serena cried again. "I'll give you until the count of three to get down here. One…two…two and a half…two and three quarters…" Rini footsteps were heard coming down the stairs before Serena reached three.

"See." She said, as she put on her shoes. "I told you it would only take me a few more seconds."
Serena just rolled her eyes and opened the door. She and Rini walked calmly down the front path and climbed into Darien's car. "What took you so long anyway?" Serena asked Rini, as the car moved along the road.

"I was looking for something." Rini said, looking out the window. The ride to her school was short, and they could have easily walked there, but what was the fun in that.

"What were you looking for?" Serena asked.

"Something I wanted to give to Melly. So she won't forget me."

"Rini, she won't forget you. You're one of her best friends." Darien said, as they pulled into the school's parking lot.

Lunch had already begun when they arrived at the school. That was lucky, since now they wouldn't have to wait for everyone to leave the classroom before they went in. Rini seemed disappointed, but calmly walked to her locker and took out her backpack. Serena took out a small box she had brought with them and emptied the rest of Rini's locker into it. Darien stood next to her as the watched Rini take the things out of her desk and shove them into her backpack, except for her textbooks which were stacked on her desk. Serena bit her lip as she noticed the tear rolling down Rini's face.

"Rini?" A voice said by the door. Rini looked up and gasped.

"Melissa!" she cried. Running towards the girl standing at the doorway. "Oh Melissa, I was afraid I wouldn't see you before I had to go! I missed you…I going to miss you so much!" Rini and Melissa hugged for a moment before breaking apart.

"Are you really going home?" Melissa asked, a solitary tear falling down her cheek. Rini nodded, looking at the floor. "No! Why won't your parents let you stay? You're happy here! And you're okay now! You need to train! You can't go! They can't make you!"

"I have to." Rini said quietly, she raised her head to look at Melissa. "Mom and Dad miss me, a lot. And I miss them too. And…I need to be at home. They need me."

"I know." Melissa said, as she and Rini walked towards her desk.

"I want you to have this." Rini said, holding out a friendship bracelet. "It's so you don't forget me. And," Rini folded down her sock "I have a matching one. The only reason that it isn't on my arm is because my Mom would make me take it off for important events. Now I'll never have to take it off; the long dress I wear will cover it."

"Wow." Melissa said, admiring the bracelet. "It's beautiful. Did you make it yourself?"
Rini nodded. "My aunt taught me. Ummm, I have to go now."

Melissa sighed. "I know. Friends forever?"

"Friends forever and ever."

*****

"Alright, we have the balloons, food, cake, video. Now, what are we missing?" Michelle asked, as she patrolled the Tsukino living room.

"Rini." Mina said, as she tied six balloons together.

"And the presents." Hotaru said, catching the balloons as they slipped from Mina's hand.

"Don't worry," Lita said, bringing in a tray of snacks. "Serena, Darien, and Rini should be back soon, and the presents are on the stairs. Could someone please bring them in?"

"I'll get them." Hotaru said, jumping up.

"I'll help." Mina said, letting go of the balloons, unfortunately, she hadn't finished trying them all together, and they all floated separately up to the ceiling. Luckily, Amara walked into the room at that moment, and she managed to grab the balloon ribbons and tie them together. Then she attached them to the wall, and proceeded to finish tying up the balloons.

"Sammy, keep your fingers away from that cake!" Ikuko cried from the kitchen.

"I'd better get in there." Lita said, running towards the kitchen.

"They're here." Amy said, coming into the living room. "I just saw Darien's car pull up."

"Okay." Raye said, putting on a C.D. "Everyone, get ready."

Kenji, Ikuko, Sammy, and Lita came into the room, and Hotaru and Mina put the last of the presents on the table. They could here Serena and Rini talking outside the front door.

As soon as the door opened, the girls set off the confetti cones. Rini laughed as the confetti landed on her. Kenji picked her up and carried her towards the living room.

"Wow!" Rini said, admiring the room. "This looks so cool. And the food looks yummy!"

They laughed, and everyone moved towards the food table to have some of Lita's goodies. Lita disappeared into the kitchen to finish decorating the cake. After almost twenty minutes, Sammy lowered the lights, and Mina ushered everyone towards the TV.

"Alright," Mina said, as everyone found a seat. Rini was in the middle of the couch, with Ikuko on one side and Kenji on the other. Lita was sitting on one arm, and Sammy sat on the other. Amy, Raye, Hotaru, Michelle, Amara, and Darien sat on the floor, and Serena was sitting on Darien's lap. Kenji growled a complaint at that, but Mina's talking interrupted him. "this is my going-away gift to Rini. I know everyone will love it. Enjoy!" Mina pressed the play button and ran to her seat on the floor.

The video started off with Rini smiling and waving at the camera. She then turned around and ran to where Kelly and Melly were with their bikes. Rini hopped on hers, and the scene changed to show them riding down the street, practicing small stunts, like no hands and standing on the seat. Their laughter was loud. Then the scene changed to show all of them at the beach. Serena blushed; she had been wearing a rather skimpy swimsuit, one that she doubted her father even knew she had. Sure enough, Ikuko had put her hand over Kenji's mouth, and kept it their until he calmed down. The TV showed them all splashing around in the water. Kenji's face became redder as he watched Darien pick Serena up and jump of the wooden pier. Serena playfully splashed water on him, then Darien kissed her. They all laughed as Mina, Rini, and Raye dumped a bucket of water on the two while they kissed. The scene changed again to show Lita, Raye, Serena, Mina, Hotaru and Rini at a sleepover at Raye's. Amy was there to, but she was behind the camcorder. The girls where all gossiping, and eating popcorn. Then Rini hit Serena on the head with a pillow, and a full-fledged pillow fight began. Amy then appeared on the screen and joined the fight after putting the video recorder on its stand. The video continued on for twenty more minutes, showing them shopping, a picnic, when they went roller blading, a training session, and just hanging out. They were all smiling and laughing by the time the movie ended, even Kenji managed to chuckle.

"Okay everyone," Mina said, turning on the lights and rewinding the tape. Lita walked towards the kitchen. "It's time for cake and presents!" there were cheers as Lita brought out the cake. They all complemented Lita when they saw the cake. It was in the shape of a bunny head, with one ear turned over. It even had a pink ribbon, with "Bon Voyage Rini" written on it with blue frosting.

"Yum!" Rini said as Lita cut her a piece. "And you made chocolate! Thanks Lita!"

"Your welcome, Rini." Lita said, as she proceeded to cut everyone else a piece. Serena's mouth was watering as Lita gave her her piece. After everyone finished second piece, and in Serena and Rini's case their third, they brought out the presents.

"Alright," Ikuko said, talking a present out of the pile "this is from your grandfather, Sammy, and I." She handed it to Rini, who immediately began tearing off the wrapping paper.

"Wow." Rini said, almost in a whisper. It was a carousel music box, in pastel colors and golden accents. It really was beautiful, and very well made.

"You mentioned once that you love horses, and I know that you love the merry-go-round at caravels." Ikuko said. "And when I saw this, I thought that it would be perfect."

"I love it." Rini said, talking it out of its box and holding it up. She let everyone see it before putting it back in its box.

"Now mine." Hotaru said, handing her a colorfully wrapped box.

"Cool." Rini said, as she unwrapped the present. It was a photo album, filled with pictures of the two of them, and comments on the pictures, as well as notes on where they were taken. "This is awesome. I love scrapbooks. Thanks Hotaru!"

"Here you go Rini." Mina said, giving her the videotape. It was now in a box with a picture of them on the top and a ribbon around it.

"Thanks Mina. It was really funny. Everybody in the palace will love it."

"Here, Rini." Raye said, handing her a red bag.

"Ohhh," Rini said, looking at framed branch "is this from the cherry branch at the temple?"

"Yes." Raye said. "I cut it off when the tree was in bloom, and pressed it so that it will last forever. I know that you used to hide in that tree, and you loved to climb it, so I figured that it would be perfect."

"I love it." Rini said, running her fingers across the glass.

"This," Amara said, handing Rini a flat package "is from Michelle and I."

Rini ripped off the wrapping paper to find an oil painting. "Wow! Michelle, did you paint this?"

Michelle nodded. "Amara took the picture; we knew it would mean something to you."

Rini nodded excitedly. It was an oil painting of her, Melissa, and Kelly on the swings. "This is very cool. Thank you."

"Now me." Lita said, taking a potted plant from behind her back. "These are forget-me-nots, they're one of my favorite flowers, and rather appropriate, don't you think?"

"They're so pretty." Rini said, turning the pot around. "Thank you."

"The card has the watering instructions." Lita said, stepping aside so Amy could come forward.

"Luna and Artemis helped me pick this out." Amy said, as the cats stepped forward. They had been giving their goodbye to Diana. Diana ran forward to sit next to Rini. "I know that your parents will be furious with all three of us, especially me. But, because we know that you are responsible enough, we're going to risk what will happen to us." With that, Amy produced a carrying cage.

"Ohhh, what is it?" Rini asked, jumping up. She opened the top of cage and lifted out a brown and white baby bunny with brown tipped ears and nose. "It's so cute! I love it! Thank you Amy! Thank you Luna! Thank you Artemis!"

"She's an English lop. The trip shouldn't be too long, so she'll be fine. I put some food and treats in your suitcase; you'll be able to get everything else in Crystal Tokyo. But you have to promise to take care of her."

"I will. I promise." Rini said, holding the bunny up so they could look in each other's eyes. "Now what should I name you?"

"Well, while you think of a good name, why don't you open our present?" Serena said as Darien handed Rini a small box.

Rini placed the bunny on the ground and took the box from Darien. She quickly took of the wrapping paper, which the bunny began to nibble on as soon as it hit the floor. She opened the velvet box to find a golden locket. She took it out of the box and held it up. It was in the shape of a heart, with a crescent moon with a rose centered behind it on the front, and an inscription on the back.

"For our Small Lady Rini," Rini read silently. "You'll always be in our hearts. Love Serena and Darien, Mommy and Daddy." She opened the clasp on the locket to find a picture of her, Serena, and Darien in one of the heart frames. The other was empty, so she could put in whatever picture she wanted.

Rini ran forward and enveloped both Serena and Darien in a hug. "Thank you." She said, loud enough so that only the three of them could hear her. "Thank you!" She said, loud enough that everyone else heard her.

"Well," Ikuko said, when the three broke apart "we should probably get everything packed up. You have to leave soon, Rini."

Rini nodded, and picked up the bunny. "Come on, Terra. We're going to go home. You'll get to see Crystal Tokyo."

"What'd you name her?" Mina asked curiously.

"Terra." Rini responded, putting Terra in her carrying case and facing Mina. "It's Latin for Earth, like Luna is for Moon. And since we already have a Luna, I thought we should have a Terra."

"I think it's a cute name." Hotaru said, putting some wrapping paper in the cage for Terra to nibble on and play with. "You're lucky."

"Alright, are your suitcases all packed up?" Amara asked Rini. She nodded. "Okay, then I'll go get them."

"I'll help." Lita said, walking up the stairs behind Amara.

"We should get the rest of this stuff packed up." Michelle said, picking up a few of the presents that Rini had gotten.

"Can you help me put on the locket, Serena?" Rini asked, holding her locket out to Serena, who accepted it and fastened it around Rini's neck.

The next twenty minutes went by in a blur. They got everything packed up in Rini's suitcases, and some thing in her backpack. The plant and Terra's cage were kept out, since those would have to be carried. Everything was then put into Darien's car, and they all drove down to the pier. Darien, Serena, Rini, and Hotaru were in Darien's car, Amara, Michelle, Lita, Mina, and Raye were in Amara's car, and everyone else was in the Tsukino's car. The ride to the dock was fairly short, and Pluto was already waiting for them when they got there.

"Puu!" Rini cried, running towards Sailor Pluto. "Look what Serena and Darien gave me! Isn't it pretty! And wait until you see what Amy and Luna and Artemis gave me!"

"Hello, Small Lady." Pluto said, giving her a small hug. "Well, aren't we considerably happier then the last time I saw you. Your parents are waiting for you, so we had better get going."

"Pluto!" Serena cried, running towards her. "Oh, we've missed you. You have to stay in this time for a while, deal?"

"I'll be coming for a while soon, alright?" She responded.

"Pluto," Darien said, coming towards the group. Pluto noticed that everyone else was already standing there, and they had pilled Rini's luggage near them. "You're going to have to carry Terra."

"Terra?" Pluto said, taking the carrying case Darien was holding.

"She's my bunny." Rini said, putting on her backpack and picking up her forget-me-not plant. "Amy, Luna and Artemis gave her to me."

Pluto stared at Amy and the cats for a moment, hardly able to believe that they would do this. "well, you'd better say goodbye to everyone." Pluto said to Rini, snapping out of her daze. Rini nodded and moved towards the group, hugging each person as they said goodbye.

"Good luck Rini." Mina said. "I know everyone will be proud of how good your fighting skills have become."

"Thanks for training me."

"Try not to turn out *too* much like your Mom. You don't need two Serena's around the palace."

"I'll try not to Raye."

"Take good care of Terra, and try to keep her from chewing up anything important."

"I'll do my best, Amy. And thank you for giving her to me."

"Don't work to hard. You've got plenty of time to learn everything you need to know. Take some time and go guy-hunting every once in a while."

"I won't work too hard Lita, I promise."

"Keep painting, you have a real talent. I loved that painting you did of Crystal Tokyo."

"Thanks Michelle. You're teaching me, so I know I'll get better."

"Try not to be too much of a terror."

"I'm not a terror, Amara. Well, not all the time."

"I'll miss you. You're my very best friend."

"You're my best friend too, Hotaru. Don't forget me."

"Make sure all those pranks I taught you don't go to waste."

"I won't, Sammy. And I'll make sure that Mommy knows who taught them to me."

"Stay the same, Rini. You are so much like your Mother was."

"I will, Grandpa. I'll miss you tons."

"Oh, my little Princess. Do what your parent's tell you too, alright?"

"I'll try to, Grandma. Don't forget about me."

Rini stood in front of Serena and Darien for a few seconds, before they joined in a three-way hug.

"We'll see you in a few minutes." Serena said, not caring that a tear had slipped down her check.

"I know. I'll try to get Mommy and Daddy to let me come back once more."

"I'm sure that we'll let you." Darien said, as the hug broke apart. Rini smiled at the group, and then ran to stand with Pluto, and now Diana, since she had finished saying goodbye to Luna and Artemis. Rini waved goodbye, and in a flash of pink light they were gone.

"So," Serena said, breaking the silence. "I can't believe that you guys actually got her a bunny!" Everyone laughed, and started walking back towards their cars.

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The End ^.^ Thank you to all those who took the time to read this fic ^.^. I'll try to get the next one in this fic out soon^.^