***Well, here is chapter 7. Just so everyone is clear, this takes place during Sailor Moon R, the bold italics means thoughts, and Sailor Moon is not mine, only Sailor Star. Please don't take her and or part of her with out permission first, okay? And don't forget to check out my site, there's something new there almost every week! Well, hope you like this chapter, let me know by reviewing, please!? =)***

Evening Star

With the Coming of the Dawn

Chapter 7

The sun shone with unspeakable brilliance as the Soldier of the Stars slowly turned around. Sailor Moon gasped in awe at the beautiful woman before her. Eyes of the purest silver spoke to her of love, respect and undeniable strength. Sailor Moon watched in silence as she slowly approached, such was the air of grace and maturity emanating from the mysterious Soldier. It wasn't until Sailor Star stood only a few feet away that Sailor Moon, or any of the other Scouts, found their voices. The New Sailor was tall, as tall as Jupiter Sailor Moon figured, and as physically imposing, though she possessed an unmistakable elegance. Looking up into her eyes, Sailor Moon asked in hushed tones, "Who are you?" Sailor Star smiled softly, and cocking her head slightly to the side, replied in equally hushed tones, "A friend."

After she spoke, Star couldn't suppress the full, warm smile that spread across her lips. She felt such an exhilarated thrill rush through her veins. Finally! She was meeting the Soldiers of the Moon, whose lives she had observed from a far for so long.

She beheld the young Moon Princess, and knew unquestionably why the Scouts were willing to sacrifice their lives for her, despite her faults; such was the purity and innocence that shone out from the depths of her eyes. Somehow, looking into those bright blue eyes, Aurora knew her days of being alone were numbered.

Looking from Sailor Moon to the other Soldiers standing before her, Sailor Star was met by cold questioning stares. Not that she blamed them. To those Soldiers, Star knew, she posed a threat to the precious treasure the Universe itself had chosen them to protect. But they were young - two years younger than herself. Star knew they had yet to gain the experience to know that just because something is unknown, that does not make it is a threat. Hoping to put their suspicious at ease, Sailor Star started to speak, only to be silenced before she could begin by a questioned posed by the Soldier of Ice and Wisdom, Sailor Mercury.

"Where do you come from? Your power signature is unlike anything I've ever seen before." Inquisitive blue eyes confidently held Sailor Star's gaze, quietly demanding an answer.

For a moment there was silence. Sailor Star cautiously considered her options. Knowing she had to handle this carefully, she wondered if she should deny the young Ice Guardian an answer. Suddenly, a perfectly neutral response came to mind.

Her smile held a glimmer of mischievous pride as Star spoke, "I'm from Canada."

Mercury blatantly stared at Sailor Star as if she had two heads, her answer obviously throwing the young Soldier off. Mars, however, was not impressed.

"If you think your evasiveness is going far to ease our suspicions, you're wrong," Mars' violet eyes flashed challengingly.

Star held her gaze for a moment. The Scouts watched as the softness drained from the new Soldier's face, and where once was kindness, there now was a coolness. Her eyes no longer shone with a benevolent light, but grew dull and serious. The transformation was so subtle, yet so complete, it was if another being stood before them. Thinking back to the battle, Sailor Moon realized that this was the Soldier that had been capable of killing that poor creature, not the one that had spoken so kindly to her only moments before.

"I can assure you, Sailor Mars, my evasiveness has a purpose."

Caught off guard for only a moment by the fact that this stranger knew her name, Mars only glared through her pain, "What purpose?"

"The creature you fought against was sent, not by any enemy of yours, but by mine; an enemy who is malicious and vindictive. I remain silent to keep your Princess safe." Sailor Star nodded towards Sailor Moon solemnly.

Sailor Moon's eyes went wide. "How did you know that?!"

Quietly, Star responded, "I know much of you, Moon Princess, and of the Silver Millennium. But as I told you before, I am a friend - your ally. You have nothing to fear; I will disclose my knowledge to no one."

For a few moments, the Scouts were silent, pensive, waiting to see the reaction of their Princess and what her decision would be. Thoughtful for a moment, Sailor Moon walked to stand in front of Star. Looking into her eyes, she nodded. "I believe you."

Star nodded her thanks, but remained silent to allow Sailor Moon to continue.

"But why is it that, knowing as much about us as you do, you refuse to tell us about yourself? You ask us to trust you, but do you trust us?"

Cocking an eyebrow at the young Princess's words of wisdom, Star answered her.

"I fight a battle, young Princess, a grave battle against an enemy the likes of which you've never faced - and hopefully never will. I've greatly angered this enemy, who now will stop at nothing to destroy me. If I were to be found associating myself with you, this enemy may use you as a means to get to me. Your life, and the lives of your Guardians would be at risk. This enemy would seek you out to destroy you, and would attack when you were at your most venerable – alone, and not transformed."

Pausing for a moment, as if to gather her thoughts, her face grave and somber, Sailor Star continued.

"I revealed myself to you tonight because you were facing a battle that was not yours to fight. That creature had been sent for me, and I could not, with a clear conscience, leave you to fight it alone - for I am a Guardian of Royalty. But I am not of the Moon, young Princess. I am not a Guardian of yours. I have a different purpose for being here, and I must see it through."

At that, Sailor Moon made a move to object, but Sailor Star stopped her with an upheld hand.

"But that does not mean this meeting will be our last." Star looked into the eyes of each of the Scouts, her somber gaze lingering on Sailor Mars.

"I told you, I am your ally; whether you choose to believe it or not. And if you ever have need of me Sailor Moon," Star addressed the Princess personally, "you have but to look to the stars and call my name. I will hear you and I will come."

Looking back to the Scouts, Star finished, "I will help to protect your Princess if you let me."

Moved by the sincerity in her words, Mercury opened her mouth to speak, only to close it again when she heard the far off whinny of a horse. Realizing she wasn't the only one to hear it, as the other four around her turned to look behind them, Mercury's eyes went wide at the sight she beheld. There, flying through the air and the sunlight of the early morning hours, was a horse.

Paying no heed to the marveling spectacle of a flying horse, Sailor Star called out quietly to Sailor Mars.

"I could heal you if you'd like, Sailor Mars," Star asked, her voice now soft and kind.

"Huh?" Mars' head whipped about to stare at the new Sailor with wide, disbelieving and untrusting eyes.

"I could heal your wounds - I have the power to do that - if you want."

"No," Mars said quickly, but after, replied softly, "No thank you."

"Fair enough," Star smiled, nodding her head ever so slightly. She then turned her eyes to the heavens.

Firewalker, you're making quite the spectacle of yourself, Aurora laughed slightly, these girls here seem like they're about to faint from disbelief!

Aurora more felt than heard the soft rumble that was Firewalker's laugh. She watched as he, running on the wind, began making a slow descent. Knowing what he was about to attempt, Star looked quickly to the Sailor Scouts.

"Farewell Sailors! Until we meet again!"

Firewalker swooped down low, and while still in flight, drew close enough for Sailor Star to hoist herself up onto his back.

As quickly as she had appeared, Sailor Star was gone, the retreating form of her and her horse lost in the brightening light of the morning sun; leaving five females warrior all the more in awe of this new Sailor of the Stars