A/N: Ha! I finally got to write this chapter! This is one of the chapter's I've been planning since the beginning. Ok, just to let you know, you better get your tissues, cause there will be serious water-works in this chapter. Speech like this ~….~ is lunarian, just like in The School of Cosmos, which by the way, I have already gotten ideas for the sequel. Oh yeah, go me. Don't expect it too soon though, 'cause I want to finish this fic, and get at least two more chapters in my new one. Enjoy your read!

Joined By One Man

The Battle of Death

The day was pleasant. A crisp breeze pushed puffy clouds past a blazing sun.

Today was a good day for Touya. Today, he was meeting Yukito for lunch and, although it would probably cost a small fortune, it would make for a great afternoon.

True, ever since Touya had found out that his best friend and love interest was really a guardian to Sakura, he had been a little nervous, but that was to be expected. How many other people could say that another person was watching through their boyfriend's eyes? The fact made him a little self-conscious sometimes.

The thing Touya did to make up for that was simple: remember that Yukito and Yue were two different people.

"Toya!" called an all too familiar voice. Touya turned to see Yukito rushing towards him.

"Konnichiwa Yuki!" replied Touya. "Ready for lunch?" (A/N: need he even ask?)

"Hai," smiled Yukito. "Sorry I'm late! Yue was out late last night and by the time I got home, I couldn't get to sleep, so I'm a little tired today."

Touya frowned. "What was he doing?"

"Uh, I-I don't really know," stuttered Yukito, blushing. I don't think it would be wise to tell Touya. I don't want him to get angry.

Touya looked suspicious, but let it go. "Come on, let's go eat."

"Okay!"

Hand in hand, the two walked to the outdoor patio where they would be dinning. After placing their orders (Yukito's significantly larger), the two began talking. Had Touya still had his magic, he would have felt the evil, but seeing as he had given it away, he did not. One, however, did and Yukito's eyes flashed to an icy blue for a second.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Usagi's laughter abruptly silenced. The outers looked at her strangely. Her senses tingled, telling her the evil was growing stronger. Jumping up, she said in a deadly voice, "It's time."

Michiru gasped, Hotaru shut her eyes tightly and balled her hands into fists, Setsuna gave a sad smile and nodded, while Haruka glared, jumped up and said in a stern voice, "I will not let you go alone! No scratch that! I won't let you go, period! Let the planets' armies take care of it! They should defend their own kingdoms, like the Lunarians did!"

"You know they can't do it," said Usagi softly. "And even if they could, they wouldn't listen to you, even if you are the princess of Uranus, and they think I'm dead, not to mention the fact that I wouldn't be able to face them."

"She's right Haruka," agreed Setsuna sadly. "She must do this alone."

(A/N: Ok, if there are young readers (12 and under) skip Haruka's speech. I couldn't find a non-swear word that gave the same affect)

"Bull shit!" exclaimed Haruka angrily. "I'm not about to let my princess die at the hands of that bitch and her shitty little minions!"

"Do you have that little faith in me?!" demanded Usagi. "I can beat her! In case you've forgotten, I'm Sailor Cosmos! And if that isn't enough, I was the daughter of the most powerful sorcerer on earth, AND I am the heir to the Ginzuishou! Call me crazy, but I think I have a fair chance!"

"Haruka," said Michiru, putting a hand on her lover's arm, "you must believe in her. If you don't, then all is lost."

Usagi walked forward and took Haruka's hands in her own. "Trust in me Haruka. I can do this." Tears started to streamed down her face.

"I do," said Haruka, a single tear rolling down her cheek. "I always have, and always will." (A/N: Aww! Kawaii! ^^)

"Thank you," smiled Usagi in return. "I shall not be leaving just yet." Her eyes trailed to the door. "I have someone I must say good-bye to."

"Is it Yue?" wondered Hotaru innocently.

Looking nervously at Haruka, Usagi nodded. "I have to bid him farewell before I leave. I don't want him to feel betrayed the way I did."

Much to everyone's surprise, Haruka's face broke out into a grin. "Go get him koneko!" she said and winked.

A light blush appearing on her cheeks, Usagi nodded and walked towards the door. "See you all later! Don't go thinking up any plans, 'cause I'll know about them! Ja!"

The crisp breeze made Usagi's seemingly blonde hair dance. Closing her eyes she focused her energy on searching for Yue. This took a great deal more magic than usual (which still wasn't a lot at least by her standards) because Yukito was in possession of the body.

Getting his location, Usagi started walking. She pulled her jean jacket closer around he. She looked at the beauty around her, the beauty of earth.

How ironic it was that all she wanted during her childhood was to be on earth, and now she had a chance to stay forever, but all she wanted was to back home. Yes, the moon was a home the earth would never be.

Rounding the corner, her heart lifted as she saw the familiar silver hair of Tsukishiro Yukito. When she saw the person next to him however, her heart dropped. Kinomoto Touya.

She hadn't talked to Sakura-chan's onii-chan very much during her stay in Tomoeda, but that didn't mean she hadn't heard things. Apparently, Touya was very protective of his best friend. When girls approached Yukito, Touya was always there to tell them to go away, not that Yukito minded. There was even a rumor that the two were a couple, but the two men neither denied nor confirmed anything.

What happens if they're together? wondered the tsuki no hime, biting her bottom lip nervously. What should I do? What happens if they want to be alone? She sighed. Now what? After contemplating it for a few moments, she decided to throw caution to the wind.

She walked nervously up to the table where Yukito and Touya were sitting. They didn't notice her so she cleared her throat. Both heads turned towards her. Touya frowned while Yukito smiled. "Er, konnichiwa Tsukishiro-san, Kinomoto-san."

"Konnichiwa Tsukino-san," smiled Yukito.

"Tsukino," nodded Touya, still fowning. "Is there something you want?" he asked coldly upon seeing the pink flush on his Yuki's cheeks.

Ignoring the tone, Usagi turned to Yukito. "If it's not too much trouble, could Tsukishiro-san take a walk with me?" Yukito looked at her questioningly. I need to talk to Yue... drifted through his head.

Yukito was about to agree when Touya interrupted. "Sorry, we were planning on doing something this afternoon. Yukito doesn't know because I made the reservations as a surprise. We have to go now if we're going to make it."

Holding back the tears that threatened to fall, Usagi choked out, "W-well, that's okay. ~I'm leaving now Yue. Got to save the solar system. Ashiteru.~" Tears rolled down her cheeks as she turned and ran from the scene.

Yukito's eyes turned ice blue and he turned towards Touya. Right away, Touya could tell that it was no longer his friend Yukito, it was Yue.

"What was that for?" growled Yue through Yukito's mouth. (A/N: Is it just me, or would Yue be really scary growling? ^_^')

Touya swallowed loudly, then getting back his nerve, he said, "I thought she was some girl trying to ask Yuki out, but I guess I was wrong, ne?"

Yue was not amused. "This was perhaps the last time I may see her alive you bakaryou!" (A/N: Eeep! Yue's mad)

"What do you mean?" asked a shocked Touya.

Yue/Yukito closed his eyes in what was obviously pain. "She fights for the solar system today. She fights for life on all the planets. Today she fights the evil that destroyed her kingdom." Yue/Yukito opened his eyes and Touya saw unshed tears glistening his eyes.

"You love her, don't you?" asked Touya, his voice barely above a whisper.

"More than you could ever know," confirmed Yue. "I will return the body to Yukito." Ice blue eyes faded to a soft brown. Yukito looked around. "What happened?"

"Nothing, but I think you better follow Tsukino," said Touya, smiling sadly.

~*~*~*~*~*~

She ran.

She didn't know where she was going.

How could life be so unfair?

She didn't even know if Yue had heard her good-bye.

She kept running, and then…

She tripped.

"Itai! Why did the old Serenity have to come out now?" she cried. A horrible battle was upon her, and she had just lost the chance to say good-bye to the only man she'd ever loved, so why was the klutzy princess coming out now?!

"Usagi-chan? Are you alright?" The distressed princess looked up to see Sakura coming out of the trees. Emerald eyes shone with concern.

Shakily lifting herself off the ground, she smiled weakly at the young girl, though tears were still falling. "Iie, I'm not, but it doesn't matter anymore. I have a duty and if I die while doing it, so be it! At least with my sacrifice, my kingdom will be safe."

Sakura gasped. "What are you talking about Usagi-chan? What's going on?"

"I'm going to fight," replied Usagi, getting to her feet. "I'm going to have to kill Metallia and Beryl. It's really too bad I haven't found the last key. It would be so much easier with the Ginzuishou."

"Anno, Usagi-chan?" asked Sakura shyly. "Do you think that maybe, I have the key? I mean, the rest of the people with keys were somehow connected with Clow Reed, and I have his old cards, so I was wondering…"

Usagi felt out with her power, trying to see if Sakura had any magic that wasn't her own. The only thing she could feel was moon magic, but she always felt that as it was the force that made her and the inners one.

"Sorry, no." Sakura's face fell. Usagi smiled sadly at her. "Thanks for trying though, it means a lot to me." That seemed to cheer Sakura up a bit.

"When are you leaving?" wondered Sakura.

Cerulean eyes turned towards the sky. Amazingly, the sky was getting dark at one-thirty in the afternoon. A wind came and blew her hair about. The blonde hair seemed to be blown out, being replaced by silver. Her eyes became even more blue. From the broach on her bosom, silver ribbons fluttered out and wrapped themselves tightly around her form.

Four figures jumped down from the trees and kneeled, two on each side of Sailor Cosmos, as a black portal opened up in front of the silver-haired woman.

"It is time for you to go Serenity," said Sailor Pluto, whom Sakura also recognized as Meioh-sensei.

"Go keep some evil butt!" said Sailor Uranus (AKA Ten'oh-sensei) enthusiastically.

"Be safe," said Sailor Neptune, also known to Sakura as Kaiou-sensei.

"Come back to us," whispered Sailor Saturn. "We believe in you."

"Thank you my friends," said Cosmos sadly. "I will win for you and the rest of the solar system." She peered around at them, and noticed Sakura had started to cry.

True, Sakura didn't know exactly whom Usagi-chan was fighting, but Usagi had said it herself, she might not come back. She might die. Then hearing the senshi telling her to go… that was too much. How could they send their own princess off to die? The auburn-haired fifth grader was so wrapped up in these thoughts that she was a bit surprised when she was embraced in a warm hug.

"Don't cry on my behalf Sakura-chan," whispered Sailor Cosmos. "And don't be angry with my senshi. They had to be convinced, especially Haruka." Cosmos looked pointedly at Sailor Uranus who grinned sheepishly.

"But, but you might die!" sobbed Sakura into Cosmos' shoulder.

"I do not fear death, but I do not wish to die just yet. My work is not yet finished." Her gaze moved to the moon. "I want my people back, my friends back, and my mother… but I don't have time for this, I must go now." Cosmos looked back at Sakura. "I hope to see you again, little card mistress."

Getting back up, Sailor Cosmos started to walk towards the portal. Good-bye Yue. I'm sorry I couldn't say it to your face. She closed her eyes and started into the portal.

"Serenity!" yelled a deep voice.

Whirling around, she saw Yue flying towards her. A smile crept onto her face. The Moon Guardian landed in front of her, and put his arms around her.

"I won't let you go," he said into her hair.

"I have to," she replied into his chest. "I don't want the same fate that befell my kingdom to happen to the rest of the solar system."

"But I just got you back!" said Yue gruffly. "I don't want to lose you again."

"You won't, I promise. I'll come back to you," whispered Sailor Cosmos. She pulled his face down to meet hers and kissed him passionately. Then, backing into the portal, she said, "Syaonara Yue. Ashiteru."

"Ashiteru, my tsuki no tenshi," whispered Yue as his love disappeared into the portal.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

The magic in the air was strong. The battle was in full throttle. With all this going on, it was very hard for Sakura to pay attention to her otou-san. He was saying stuff about a speech and an exhibit, but all her thoughts were concentrated on Sailor Cosmos, Serenity-hime, Usagi-chan or whatever you wanted to call her.

Sailor Cosmos' aura was strong; it was winning. There was a big flash of energy and Sakura gasped, causing Touya and Fujitaka to look at her strangely.

Both auras were gone. The evil, as well as the moon princess, were dead.

In Yukito's garden, a solitary figure with long, silver hair, ice blue eyes, and majestic swan wings fell to his knees in the moonlight.

"Serenity... no," he whispered. He looked up at the moon, tears flowing from his face and screamed, "NO!"

The cry echoed through the long, dark night.


A/N: T_T Omg! I can't believe I wrote that! Poor Serenity! Nevermind that, poor Yue! It's a good thing this isn't the last chapter, ne? I'll have it posted soon... maybe. (insert evil smirk here) J/K.