Truth about Years Past

Seven years have passed. Steven Kramer is now one of the hottest stars on the Billboard. He and the Star Lights are doing a Tour together across the USA. About midway through the tour, is a stop once more in Chicago.

While resting at the Hilton there, Steven has picked up once again on the Crystal of Hope and Love. This time with the Star Lights; Taiki, Yaten and Kakyuu; help, Steven promises to find Usagi.

While waiting near the elevator for a lift to the Penthouse Suites, the group meets up with an old friend. Chad Baker, the guy who used to work around the Cherry Hill temple.

"Chad, what are you doing here in Chicago?" Yaten asks, as everyone greats each other. "We thought you would still be in Japan chasing after Rei." They all laugh, Chad just smiles.

"Rei and the rest of the inner scouts moved here to America about 10yrs ago. I have been trying to find them every since." Chad answers as the doors open.

"Rei is going by 'Anderson' now, and lives in an apartment complex with the other scouts." Steven says as the doors close once more. Chad looks up at him.

"How do you know of the scouts? I have never met you before." Chad chats as the other Star Lights smile.

"Oh, but you have." Steven smiles as he drops his magic to reveal Seiya. "Have you seen Usagi recently? I have not been able to feel her since I arrived here nearly 8 years ago."

Chad stars in amazement then just laughs softly. "She said you were back. But I did not believe her. She knows you're looking for her," Chad frowns. "Though, I think you will be shocked at what has happened to the princess since you last seen her."

Seiya confused, returns to being Steven. "You speak in riddles Chad. What do you know of Usagi? Where is she?"

Chad exits the elevator on the same floor as them, and walks in the opposite direction. "Follow me and drop your magic. Serenity will be sleeping now and her guards will not know you in the form." Seiya does as he is bid, as he follows along with the Star Lights to Chad's penthouse.

Using a keyless entry, Chad enters the home. Beautiful music is playing and both piano and violin.

Taiki stops suddenly. "I know that music, Haruka and Michiru who are playing." He looks around for them. On a couch before the TV is a young woman, with short purple hair and deep purple eyes, watching them as they enter, Leaning against the couch and holding her lover are the Scouts of Water and Wind.

Standing, Hotura smiles, as do the other two in the room. Seiya watches, seeing in the elder women's eyes pain and self loafing. Kakyuu walks forward and hugs the women as friends. The 3 Star Lights hang back, not knowing what to expect.

Haruka walks up to Seiya and bows formally to him. "I am sorry for my mistakes and the hurting I have caused both you and my Neko-chan." Tear have filled her eyes, as Seiya offers his hand.

"Tell me what has happened since we left, 'til now, and all if forgiven." Seiya answers. Haruka nods, as the tears make rivers down her cheeks.

Haruka tells what she knows

"Not long after you left, Mamuro left to America again to continue his college career. It was happy and good for the first year and starting into the second. That's when the letters stopped coming. So for almost 6 months, Usagi did not tell any of us that there was no communication."

"It was when we four turned up on her door one day that we figured out something was terribly wrong. She had grown thinner and was as white as sheet." Michiru adds quietly.

"When asked how Mamoru was all Neko-chan said was he was fine. I noticed that the promise ring was gone. I questioned her about where it could be. She broke down then, and allowed us to read the letters. With in them I and Michiru were able to notice, with his writing that he was pulling away from our princess for some reason." Haruka sighs.

"We decided at that time, we needed to take a little trip to the States. I was all for teleporting over here and pounding the little asshole. Though, Michiru and Usagi talked me out of it. So, we saved the money, and waited until school was out. We arrived in New York City, in July. We started searching for the Earth prince the way most people do. No luck. It was not long after that, Neko-chan wanted to use the crystal to track him down. Since he was no long at School, we all agreed. One night, about a week later Usagi says she is going out to a movie to relax. Later that night she comes back beaten and bruised. Someone had beaten her so bad, that we thought we might loose her. However, thanks to Hotura she was saved. Though it was nearly three days before Usagi was well enough to tell us what had happened." Haruka turns her face, which is red with rage away and walks towards the fireplace.

Michiru knowing how hard it is for her lover continues the tale.

"We found out from Usagi, that she had found Mamoru a week earlier and was off to meet him at the movies. There, she seen he was wearing a wedding band. He had married another woman. Mamoru had also by then fathered a daughter named Jade. The child, though, was a spitting image of Chibi-Usa. It proved why the girl never got along with Usagi. They were no relation. Usagi was alone, so Mamoru thought to rid his life of the destiny. He beat her with a steel pipe and tried to rape her. A good friend we had made in the City noticed what was happening and chased Mamoru away and brought her home to us."

Hotura take over for her adopted parents now.

"We decided to stay in the US, for it would not be shame brought on to Usagi's family then. I called the inner scouts to ask them to join us. All arrived safe and moved into a condo complex just south of New York City. We went on with out lives as if nothing really had happened. Telling them only that Mamoru had moved away and had married another, we thought we could leave Usagi in their caring hands. How wrong we were…" Hotura has tears running down her face.

Chad clears his throat softly.

"This is the part that is sketchy. We know for sure that they moved to Chicago not long after Ami's Cousin died of cancer. She had left her an apartment complex and such to rent out the rooms for money. All the scouts were there, until Lita moved out on her own to start her own business. Ami also moved out to be closer to the Hospital she worked at." Chad looks around, as his guests have taken seats around the room.

"About 3 years ago, I happen to be in China Town in San Francisco. There, I happened to be looking for something. I am ashamed to say, I was looking for a side of "meat". I entered a "house" and talked to the Madam. I asked her for a long haired, innocent blue eyes and sweet girl to "spend" some time with. The Madam took me upstairs to a room, where a girl dressed in a long white dress stood. Her hair yes was long though brown. I went over and talked to her for awhile. I had paid enough for the night or longer." Chad sighs. "Yes, I did have sex with the girl that night, and many times after. It was when she called me by my given Japanese name that I stopped short one night. She touched a locket hanging around her neck and her hair, that was brown, turned to a golden blonde. A few minutes passed, needless to say I was in shock. There stood a good friend. I hugged her and apologized profusely to her many times. Usagi smiled and told me some more of what had happened. About, now it would be 7 years ago, she was living with the scouts. A man had come to her door and said that she had won a day a local spa. He kidnapped her and well, her life as a "Lady of the Night" began. I have not had sex with her since that night."

"It took me nearly 4 more years to buy her contract from the Madam. It seemed as if Usagi was only on loan to her. My offer was finally accepted and Usagi has been traveling with me ever since. About 2 years ago, Hotura, Haruka, Michiru and Setsuna showed up on my door. Who was I to refuse them to see their princess? Since then we have been a merry band, who travels and protects the princess from all who have hurt her. Also, we shield her magically for the others can't find us."