Crusaders

By Kanshisha Tenshi

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. The characters are property of Takeuchi Naoko and whoever else can lay legal claim on them.

~Aino Minako~

            My name is Aino Minako. I am sixteen years old, blonde and beautiful. I am an only child living with my parents. I was the first senshi, the original. I was a senshi long before Usagi, Rei, Makoto and Ami. I am the warrior of love, Sailor Venus, also known as the famous Sailor V.

            But that has no meaning to me anymore. I am lonely now, sad and desperate. I have no boyfriend, and ever since being reborn after dying at the hands of the evil Galaxia, I have been virtually alone. I haven't been able to find any of my friends. It's like they were all scattered around the world, never to return to Tokyo, Japan. I can never forgive that witch for separating us. We had all been so happy together!

            Was having a normal life too much to ask for?

            Is having someone to share that normal life with too much to ask for?

            Maybe they weren't reborn, like I was. It's been years since the incident. I have all my memories of my last life, but not the same family, and not the same friends.

            I'm so alone. I don't even have a brother or sister to argue with.

            Sixteen years of emptiness is too much for me. I'd end it all if I could, but I have duties, obligations. Senshi can't kill themselves.

            But I can't even find Artemis! What am I supposed to do?

            ...I know what I have to do. I have to grin and bear my pain. I have to live, survive, for the sake of my friends--for the sake of the world. I am Sailor V, a champion of love and life.

And I will live. It is my duty. Until I can find my friends, I am alone in my fights and troubles. I will fight evil to the bitter end (which is frequent). I will keep the world safe until Neo Queen Serenity and King Endymion rise up and begin their everlasting reign.

Once they take over I can relax and revel in the glory of my former lives. For I am a warrior of love. I have fought many battles and bear many scars.

I am Sailor Venus!

And I am a Crusader.