Six Years Later…

"Come on Sere! Whenever you attack your left side is left open!" A twelve-year-old Serenity crossed her arms in front of her face as her best friend, Rae, attempted to plant her shin against her chest. When they stood they immediately fell into fighting stance. Just as they were about to charge at one another Haruka, their trainer, clapped her hands to signal a halt. Turning to face the tall, sandy haired tomboy they frowned. Haruka never interrupted a sparring session. When they turned to look at her they straightened and got down on one knee out of respect.

"Rise children." The three adolescents stood. Ami, usually the most silent of the royal children, was the first to speak.

"To what do we owe the honor of this visit your Highness?" Queen Selenity smiled.

"I am here to inform you that our guests have arrived." She stepped aside to reveal Endymion and Duo. Rae blushed deeply when she saw Endymion, as Ami did for Duo. Serenity rolled her eyes and threw down her katana.

"Serenity, where are you going?" Turning to Haruka she placed an emotionless mask on her face, as she had learned to do long ago.

"We're done." The finality in her voice confused Haruka. The only times Serenity used that tone of voice were when she was really mad or sad. Before she could question the young princess she had stormed off.

Serenity walked briskly to her room. The mere sight of the two princes made her blood boil. Nearly a year ago, when Rae had met Endymion, he had turned on her. He had become a practical joker, even more so than Duo, teasing and constantly making fun of her. She and Duo hadn't spoken since that day he'd insulted her father and there was no need in her eyes to start. The only reason they came to the Moon as of late was to make their mother happy, that and to see the senshi.

Serenity had grown taller over the years and appeared to be nearly fourteen when she was only eleven. Her hair now trailed two feet behind her, the silvery, silken mass still in the traditional style. Much of her baby fat was still in her face and around her middle, much to her dismay. No matter how hard she worked it simply wouldn't go away. The outer senshi and her mother often told her it would go away as she got older yet she still had a hard time believing it. The royal mark of the Moon had fully appeared on her seventh birthday and shone brightly between her parted bangs. Storming into her room Serenity threw herself onto her bed as she grabbed one of her over stuffed pillows and screamed as loud as she could into it. It wasn't as if anyone could hear her and it was a great way to rid herself of her anger without acting improper.

"Now, is that truly necessary behavior?" Scowling, Serenity turned to face her intruder.

"Who told you that you could come in here?"

"Your mother." Smugly Haruka smirked, shutting the door behind her before pulling up a chair next to Serenity's bed. "What's bugging you Koneko-chan?" Serenity sighed, turning her back to her trainer and confidant.

"Nothing." Getting up the young Queen sat on the edge of the bed next to her Princess. Running her fingers through her hair she smirked once more, a personal trademark of her own.

"Spill." Haruka was only eighteen years old and had been Queen of Uranus since the age of ten. She was the strongest of the outer senshi as well as the trustworthiest. Her boyish looks fooled many until they beheld the mark of Uranus upon her forehead. That wasn't to say she wasn't beautiful; she had suitors lined outside the palace gates nearly every day. Turning onto her back, Serenity looked up into the bright aqua eyes of her protector.

"I just can't stand them anymore. Whenever Endymion and Duo are around they're completely different people. I suddenly become two years old again and they do everything they can to humiliate me. So I stay in here. That way they can't get to me." Haruka slowly nodded her head.

"How about this. Why don't you come with me to visit Princess Minako and Prince Quatre? I think it will do you some good to see your cousins, especially since the younger has been ill as of late." Serenity's eyes widened as she immediately sat up straight.

"Really? You'll really let me see them? Haruka's grin widened. With a big smile Serenity embraced Haruka. "You're the best Ruka-chan!" Jumping up she ran to get an outfit.

"Wear something light. It's quite warm over there." When she pulled out a pair of shorts and a tank top Haruka nodded. "Perfect. Meet me in my room when you're ready."

"Okay!" As soon as Haruka shut the door she changed into the jean shorts, pink tank top and put on a pair of white flip-flops. Taking the streamers of her hair she released them and instead put it up into a ponytail. It wound up being so heavy that she put the holder at the base of her neck so her head wouldn't be dragging her head down. She then ruffled her bangs so that her birthmark was hidden from view. Standing before her mirror she flashed the peace symbol and stuck out her tongue like Sailor Venus often did when she was in a silly mood.

"That's much better." Opening her door she stepped just past her personal guard and searched the hall to see if anyone was out. Putting a finger to her lips she sternly looked at the two soldiers guarding her room. They simply smiled and winked at her. Giggling, Serenity dashed down the hall to Haruka's room. Haruka often stayed on the moon to help train the senshi and therefore was granted her own personal chambers. Knocking twice on her door she paused a moment before entering.

"Ready Ruka-chan?" Smiling she gazed at her mentor. She wore a black tank top with a white dress shirt over it. The ends of the white shirt were tied into a knot over her stomach which was exposed just enough to show off her bellybutton. Her jeans hugged her perfect form and allowed the tips of her white and blue running sneaked to be seen. On her ears was a pair of star shaped earrings with a matching necklace. To top off the outfit she wore clear lip-gloss being as how she wasn't one for make-up to begin with. Serenity thought she looked amazing, simple as the outfit was.

"Let's get going!" Taking Serenity's hand Haruka flashed another famous smile. Closing her eyes she transported them to the main hall on the planet Venus. Serenity didn't hesitate before running off to find her cousins. Putting her hands in her pockets Haruka smiled nostalgically after her energetic Princess.

"I see she's having trouble with the others." Pausing, Haruka watched until Serenity's tiny form was gone from view.

"Yes. I thought it would be a nice change for her to come and see her closest friends. The Princes' of Earth seem to be treating her quite horribly and are rubbing off on Rae and Ami." A tall woman stepped out of the shadows to stand next to her. Her glittering orange gown and sun blonde hair shone with radiance all their own, competing with her emerald eyes and the diamonds dangling from her ear lobes. Bowing low Haruka kissed her golden hand.

"I'm glad you took me up on my offer. Minako misses Serenity so very much, especially these past few days. Being sick has made her very upset since she can't continue with her training. How are things back home?" Running a hand through her wind blown hair Haruka continued to walk with her to the throne room.

"Hectic. I barely have time to train the senshi before running home to attend to meetings. But then I can take moments like these and be thankful I am who I am. I get to vacation for two weeks in the Moon Kingdom while doing what I love to do; teaching martial arts." Queen Aphrodite smiled.

"I'm glad things are going better for you than they were before. At least the battles have ceased." A sad smile graced the windswept face.

"That's true."