Usagi didn't know where she was going. She just knew she had to run this way and turn here and she did it without asking questions. The fact that she was running down the street with tears in her eyes caused a few people to look, but everyone pretty much took care of themselves and didn't bother to see if Usagi was okay.
"Watch it, young lady!" a woman yelled as Usagi nearly plowed into her. She was the fifth person today and if Usagi hadn't cared about the first four, she definitely wasn't going to care about this one.
She passed an apartment building, completely ignoring the girl calling her name from its front steps. And even in the middle of a crying fit, Usagi still managed to trip over her own two feet. "Great. It's bleeding," she commented about her nose.
A hand touched her shoulder and a tissue appeared in front of her face. "Use this to pinch your nose and tilt you head forward," a voice told her.
Usagi had no idea who was helping her, but she did as she was told.
"Here. Let me take you to my apartment."

Usagi stared at her skinned left knee. "This rag has some hydrogen peroxide on it. It may sting," warned her host, who waited a few seconds for a response, then put the rag on the wound.
Usagi didn't even flinch. "This life sucks," she muttered.
"I don't get it, Usagi-san. This morning you were such a happy girl and now. . ."
"How do. . .?" Usagi finally looked a look at the girl. "Candra-chan?"
"You ran by here. I called your name. . .Why does your life suck?"
"I just pissed off all my friends. I . . .I thought this girl was my sister and one thing led to another and before long, I called them all bitches." Usagi started to cry again.
Candra really wished she could find out what happened, but didn't push it. She just hugged Usagi until she calmed down, then asked, "Well, how many people are involved in this fight?"
"Um, there's Minako and Ami. . .seven."
"Seven?!? Uh, well, I'm sure they all aren't 'pissed'. I'm sure there were a few who would accept an apology now."
"Maybe." Usagi's mind started drift. . .

"I'm sure that Endymion and you will make up." Cynthia stroked her sister's head as it was buried in her lap.
Serenity shook her head. "No. He is mad. He. . .sniff he will never forgive me and get other girl."
Cynthia just kept stroking Serenity's head. "If the Prince was really mad at you, he would have said a lot worse. Every relationship has its ups and downs. You two are made for each other. Your love will last forever."
Serenity lifted her head. "Do you really think so?" Cynthia nodded. "I know so."

"May I. . .?" stared Usagi.
". . .use the phone? Sure," Candra finished.
Usagi was taken aback. "How did you do that?" she asked.
Candra shrugged. "It's a gift."
After phone calls to Hotaru and Michiru, Ami, Minako, and a failed attempt to Mako (who wasn't home), Usagi plopped onto Candra's couch. "You want something to drink?" Candra asked.
Usagi shook her head. "No, thank you."
"Do you mind if I have a Sprite, then?" Candra didn't like to eat or drink in front of her guests unless they said it was okay.
Usagi shrugged. "Sure, if tell me more about yourself."
Candra smiled and stood up. "Fair enough. I'm 16 and a Cancer. . ."
"Blood type?"
"Huh?" Candra had never been asked that before. "Uh, O, I think." She returned to the couch with her drink. "Track and softball are my sports. I love to read and I can play several instruments."
"You're a musician? What do you play?"
"Flute, Piccolo, Clarinet, and Oboe. Use to play the violin, but I found it too boring." Candra took a sip of her drink before adding, "I also like to sing."
Usagi moved a little bit closer to Candra. "So why did you move here? Did your mom or dad get a new job?"
Candra dropped her can. "Candra-chan?" asked Usagi. "Are you okay?"
"Uh, yeah." Candra quickly went to the kitchen and brought back some paper towels. Usagi reached for one. "Here. Let me help."
Candra pulled the towels out of reach. "I'll get it; it's my mess and it's in my place. I'll get it! Don't worry. . ."
Usagi put her hand on Candra's. "What happened?"
Candra dropped her head. "My dad was very abusive and one night he just beat my mother to death."
Usagi gasped. "Kami-sama. . ."
"My brothers and I were placed into an orphanage and when my oldest brother was 18, he adopted all of us." Candra looked at her guest with tear stained eyes. "I know how you feel, Usagi-san; I also have a sister I'm looking for. When I started to look, my brothers felt like I was trying to find someone to replace them. But then they understood and now are helping me find her."
Candra started playing with her hands as she continued. "We've been everywhere: Germany, France, England, China, but she was no where to be found. I believe she's here in Japan, but I'm not sure I'll find her. It's been ten years and nothing." A tear slid down her cheek.
Usagi put her hand on Candra's shoulder. "I'll help."
"Thanks. . . . Oh my gosh! We were talking about your problem and then we started talking about mine! Gomen ne!"
"No. It's okay. Maybe the way your brothers felt is the way my friends feel." Usagi smiled. "Wouldn't it be cool if we were really looking for each other?"
Candra smiled through her tears. "I would like that, Usagi-san. We just met today, but I would be so happy to find out that you are my sister."

One Month Later. . .
"Haruka-papa! Haruka-papa!"
Haruka scooped up Hotaru. "Hotaru! How was school today?"
"School was okay, and so was waiting for you after that helped me," Hotaru replied.
"Oh?" asked Haruka.
"While I was waiting for you to get me, these guys wanted beat me up. But that girl chased them away." Hotaru pointed to the girl as she walked away. "And she wanted me to tell you that a Star wants a rematch. Tomorrow, ten o'clock at the track. Do you know what that means?" asked Hotaru.
Haruka looked over just in time to see Candra run across the street and out of view. "Yeah, I know."

FLASHBACK

Candra set up her block, then herself.
"Ready, set, go!" Candra yelled and took off.
After she crossed the finish line, she quickly pushed a button on her watch. When she caught her breath, she looked at her time. "28.9 seconds? I'll have to do better if I'm going to do the 200 meter."
"Maybe you just need some competition," called out a figure in the shadows.
"Huh? Who are you?" asked Candra.
The person stepped into the light. "Tenou Haruka."
"Hey! You're that track star that moved here from Japan!"
"You seemed to know a lot about her," said Michiru as she came up from behind.
"Ja. I try to keep up with the latest track stars," said Candra.
Haruka blushed, something she rarely does. "I'm not that good."
"Well, then, I challenge you," Candra replied.
Michiru raised her right arm above her head and placed her left arm straight in front of her. "Ready!"
Haruka and Candra got ready.
"Set!" Michiru raised her left arm. "Go!"
Both girls were out like a shot. But Haruka pulled away and easily won by 50 meters.
When Candra crossed the finish line, she started gasping for air. Haruka didn't hear much air getting in, though. "Are you okay?"
Candra shook her head no. "Pack," she said, pointing to the bleachers.
Haruka followed her finger and saw what Candra was pointing to. "Michiru! Get her backpack!" Michiru raced over to retrieve it as Haruka helped Candra to the ground. "Deep breaths," Haruka instructed.
"Here." Michiru dispalyed the backpack and Candra pointed to a compartment. Michiru opened it and pulled out an inhaler. "This it?"
Candra snatched it up and stuck it in her mouth.
"Guess so," Michiru answered herself.
After Candra was done, Michiru asked, "So what is your name?"
"Candra Estelle. What's yours?"
"Kaiou Michiru. It is a pleasure to meet you.
Haruka's expresstion darkened. "We have to get going now." Haurka and Michiru stood and headed towards the exit. Haruka stopped, turned and grinned. "You have potential, kid. I'll race you again."
Candra's face lit up. "Really?! Arigato!" she squeeled.

END OF FLASHBACK

"Where is she?" asked Michiru with concern.
"Think she chickened out?" Haruka asked slyly.
"Haruka!" Michiru playfully hit her on the shoulder.
"I'm here! I'm here!" Candra ran into the stadium, waving her right arm in the air. "Oneesan! Haruka-chan!" She gave each a hug. "It has been so long!"
"I know. You have grown so much," Michiru commented.
"Oneesan! You sound like a mother!" said Candra.
"That's my job!" she said jokingly.
A hand landed on Candra's shoulder. "Are you ready?" asked Haruka.
Candra nodded.

Michiru raised her right arm above her head and placed her left arm straight in front of her. "Ready!"
Haruka and Candra got ready.
"Set!" Michiru raised her left arm. "Go!"
Both girls were off like a shot. Haruka started to pull away, but Candra was right at her heels. Dang. She's improved, thought Haruka. But Haruka still beat her, this time by only three steps.
Candra fell to the ground, gasping for breath. "Get her inhaler!" yelled Haruka.
Michiru, quickly rumaged through Candra's backpack, found it and threw it to Haruka. "Here!" Haruka caught and handed it to Candra.
"Thank you." Candra stood up. "But don't you think this is the end, Buster." She smiled. "Well, I gotta go home."
"Let us take you out for ice cream," Michiru offered.
Candra smiled. "Sure."

"Hey look! It's those two Homos!"
The three girls turned around. "Huh? Who?" asked Candra.
The two boys snickered. The taller one with black hair said, "Well duh! It's soooooo obvious!"
Candra smirked. "Well then, you two must be 'Homos' yourselves."
"Huh? What are talking about?" asked the brown haired one.
"Well, in order to know something, you have to be an expert on it, ne?" asked Candra.
"Yeah. . ." they replied slowly.
"And in order to be an expert on something, you have to it, right?"
They looked at each other and shrugged. "I guess so," said one.
"Then that must mean the both of you are Homos'," Candra concluded with a smirk.
"NANI?!?!?!?!" Both boys looked at each other, then shook their heads in disgust. "No way!" They took off like a shot.
"You knew?" asked Haruka.
"Well, ya. But I kept it to myself. And anyway, this is the way I see it: The true definition of the word Gay' is 'happy'. So that makes gays and lesbians the happiest people on the planet."
Haruka and Michiru gave each other a shocked look.
"Now, how about that ice cream?" asked Candra.

"Hey, look. It's Setsuna," said Haruka as they walked into the ice cream parlor.
"Hey, Setsuna! We would like you to meet an old friend of ours. This is Estelle Candra," said Michiru.
"Pleasure to meet you, Setsuna-san." Candra bowed.
"As am I, Candra-san."
That was the last thing Candra said the rest of the afternoon. All she could think about was losing the race. I'm such a loser. She saw the other girls laughing and having fun; the only thing she did was eat her cookie dough ice cream.
After that, Haruka, Michiru, and Candra went to the park. They found a bench and sat down. (Picture if you will, the scene in the S movie where Usagi is talking to Mamoru about Luna.) "The sun looks so beautiful when it's setting, don't you think, Oneesan? Oneesan? Huh?" Candra looked over and saw her friends gazing into each other's eyes. She placed her head on Haruka's shoulder; she felt safe and loved. . . until she saw the other girls staring at her.
"Whoops!" Candra quickly took her head off and laughed nervously. Haruka and Michiru returned to staring at each other, causing Candra to feel like the third wheel on a bicycle; superfluous. "I'm going to go home now. I have a . . .uh. . .biology test tomorrow. I'll catch you later. Ja ne!" Candra ran off a little ways, then turned around. The girls hadn't even noticed she had left. They kissed and it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.
Fighting back tears, Candra ran home.

"Will I ever find love?" Candra stared at the moon through her bedroom window. "No. I wouldn't. What am I thinking? Those girls, Usagi-san and the rest, are just using me for homework, maybe worse. Why am I kidding myself? No cares for me. Everyone has someone else except for me and I can't stand it any longer. I have to end it all. Tomorrow. The pain has to stop!"
Candra dried the tears, then slipped into bed. "I wonder if I was this way on the moon," she whispered before falling asleep.

Sniffing, Candra climbed up the tree. She sat on a high branch and looked over the city.
Well, this is it. Some would say what I'm about to do stupid. But right now, it's the only way out. I can't take it pressure of school and looking for the Princess and not knowing who to talk it to. And everyone uses me! I am tried of being a doormat! I'm sick of being made fun of! No one loves me and no one cares! They couldn't understand how I feel! And they won't miss me!
Candra looked up. "But Lord, I feel I'm making a mistake. Please send me a sign."
She looked at the ground a few seconds longer, then started to push off. The pain has to stop. Now.

Chapter Four: A Friendship with Candra. StarMoon and Grety appear Again.