The Coming

The light-footed princess ran across the hall towards her mother, laughing merrily. Ebony hair flew in the air, and red eyes glittered with happiness. "Mama! I'm so glad you're home!"

"Setsuna-hime!" her panting maid cried out, running after her, "Please, your dress! Step lightly!"

The queen smiled, as her daughter rushed to give her a hug. Patting the princess, she looked her over. "My, my, Setsuna, how you've grown. And what year are you turning, dear child?"

"I'm turning 11, mama," the princess replied.

"Oh my! So it has been 3 years?" the queen asked, "That's a long time. Come, your father wants to see you as well. I don't think he'd be too happy if I kept you all to myself, now would he?"

Setsuna's eyes widened with surprise. "Papa's here, too? But, I'm not properly dressed! What will he think of me? I'm afraid he will frown at me, for not being such a lady. Can't we wait until I change into decent clothes?"

Her maid arrived, breathing heavily, "Setsuna-hime, you should not have ruined your dress like that."

"Nonsense, Ariella," the queen said, "She looks beautiful as she is. Come, sweet, your father hasn't seen you for more than 3 years. Why, I think he hasn't seen you ever since you were a baby."

The royal women entered the halls, and walked towards the throne, where a majestic man sat, red eyes blazing. He glanced at his wife and daughter. "Well, well, Atae, you've finally decided to bring Setsuna to me. Come here, daughter. Greet your father."

Setsuna looked to her mother for encouragement, and the queen gently pushed her daughter towards the king. The princess approached her father and cautiously put her arms around him. Red eyes analyzed the princess with care. After a moment's silence, the king looked up. "Has she been told of her destiny?"

"You promised that she mustn't know until she turned 16, Naraku, and I won't mention one bit of it," the queen frowned. "She must enjoy her life while she still could."

"Yes, I suppose you're right."

A faint smile played upon the woman's lips as she remembered her past life. Sighing, she looked at the night sky. Sleeplessness led her to the reveries of lost happiness long ago. Glancing back to the silent halls of the house, she wordlessly opened the door and walked out, making sure she didn't wake any of her friends. She headed to the cypress tree that grew in the back yard. It had always been her favorite spot, and she would be found standing there, alone and thinking. Now, Setsuna sat near it, letting the breeze gently caress her skin. She closed her eyes, and her sudden dreams of the past flooded her.

"Setsuna-hime!" Ariella cried out, angrily, "What did I tell you before? No playing until you master your lessons!"

The princess looked up at her, eyes pleading to let her go for once. "Oh, please, Ariella-sama. Just this once. The sun is so bright outside!"

Ariella gave a sigh of frustration. "Oh, alright. But remember that you must get ready for your celebration soon. It wouldn't be right to have your 14th birthday ruined."

"I understand, Ariella-sama," Setsuna nodded, grimly, "I'm going to be meeting new princesses from other places, aren't I?"

Her maid nodded absentmindedly. The queen entered the garden, looking for her daughter. "Setsuna! You are wanted by your father! After he speaks with you, I will have you dressed for tonight. Go on, your father is in his room."

Setsuna ran out of the garden, and headed to the king's chambers. She opened his door and stepped in. "Papa? You wanted to see me?"

"Yes, dear, please sit down," was the reply.

The princess obeyed, curious as to what her father wanted to speak to her about. After a few minutes, the king looked up at her. "You do understand that after tonight, you will have more responsibilities than you did not have when you were a year younger."

"Yes, Papa."

"You must be polite to the princesses you are meeting, and I encourage you to look over some business in the kingdom. Your mother said that it will be okay if you were given such a learning experience."

"Yes, Papa."

The king frowned. "I hope you aren't overwhelmed by this, are you?"

"No, Papa."

"Well, I wish you could talk to me besides muttering a yes or no answer."

"I'm sorry."

"I think your mother wants to have you dressed now, does she?"

"Oh, yes, but isn't it a bit too early to get ready for tonight's party? I mean, it's barely the end of the afternoon, and we have hours of free time…"

Naraku smiled. "Yes, it is a bit early. But I have heard that you'll be wearing a dress that you have made?"

Setsuna's eyes sparkled as her father spoke of her sewing. "Yes! Mother said that my dress was beautiful, and it would be fitting that I wear it for today. But, you haven't seen any of the things I've made, have you, Papa?"

"No, but would you like to show me?"

One by one, the princess handed over every piece of embroidery she has sewed during her free time, meanwhile explaining to her father that Ariella was strict on this kind of learning. A few hours later, Atae finally ushered her daughter into her dressing room so she could get ready.

"Princess Michiru from Neptune," the footman announced. "Accompanied by her mother, Kaiou Saien."

Setsuna looked in admiration at the beautiful 13-year-old as she glided down gracefully in a flowing blue gown. Her mother was just as elegant. After the royals of Neptune came Uranus, then Saturn. Already, Michiru and the princess of Uranus were conversing with each other. The youngest princess was from Saturn, and her name was Hotaru. She shyly approached Setsuna, pulling on her gown. "Um…princess, they say that you made your own dress. It's really beautiful."

"Really?" Setsuna looked at her dress. It was made of silk, and the colors were a mixture of blue and violet, intertwined together to blend in a pattern. Smiling, the princess looked at the little girl. "Maybe when we have time, I will show you how to make something like this."

Michiru and Haruka, the two princesses, also came closer to see what was happening between the two. The sea princess smiled warmly, while the other remained cautious. "You must be the princess of Pluto, Setsuna. It is a pleasure meeting you. Haruka, say hello."

"Hello, Setsuna-hime."

Setsuna smiled, and then something unexpected occurred. She saw a bright light, and then when she opened her eyes, she was at another place. In front of her were Michiru and Haruka, in their fuku. They were in trouble, and she was with them. The helicopter was hit, and they would all burn immediately if they didn't do anything. Quickly thinking, Setsuna raised her staff, and stopped time.

"What are you doing, Sailor Pluto?" Michiru asked.

"Hurry! You must get out! I have stopped time for a moment, so take this chance and both of you escape!" she replied.

Haruka looked worriedly, "What about you?!"

At this, the senshi smiled. "Do not worry, I will be okay. Please, go."

The blinding flash after that brought the young princess back into reality. Hotaru was looking at her with concern. "Are you okay, Setsuna-hime?"

"Yes, I just had a little bit of dizziness, that's all."

In the distance, Atae was watching. She turned to her husband. "She's beginning to show the signs of her power, Naraku. It's almost time."

The king gazed sadly at his beloved daughter. "I only wished that she would live her life as much as possible now, so that there is nothing left to regret in the future."

"But what can a 14-year-old experience?"

"That is up to her…"