-1A/N: I haven't updated this story in a ridiculously long time, but upon receiving a few more reviews in my inbox (and remembering how much fun writing fanfiction actually is) I've decided to try and finish the story. It's my Senior year in high school and I'm extremely busy, so this serves as a stress reliever! You all might wanna read the other chapters as a refresher though. Haha.

Act V: Slaves To Destiny

A woman's scorn is something to be feared

But what she decides to do with it is even worse.

Usagi could not help but giggle at her daughter's determination to catch the allusive butterfly she had spotted in the garden.

'Mama, it keeps floating away!' Chibi-Usa looked at her mother with a confused face, close to tears.

Seeing her daughter's frustration, the Queen stood up and stretched out her hand. As if the Queen had called it herself, the butterfly settled softly on Usagi's hand. Chibi-Usa's eyes could not have gotten any bigger.

'See, my daughter. If you want something that is not yours, you must not take it aggressively. If it was truly meant to be yours, it will come to you.'

------

Setsuna's eyes adjusted to the sunlight as she rose from the floor. The pain in her hands was almost unbearable. Her head throbbing with pain, Setsuna glanced down at the dried blood on her hands.

Last nite.

The throbbing Setsuna's head became more intense as she remembered. The note. Mamoru gone. Her rage. The broken glass.

Miyo.

I'll get Mamoru back. No matter what I have to do. No matter what.

I'll never be lonely again.

Setsuna stormed out of the house.

------

"Miharo, could you put Chibi-Usa to bed, please?"

Chibi-Usa had tired herself out trying to catch that butterfly. Never understanding her Mother's words of wisdom, Chibi-Usa chased the insect around for hours, until her little body gave out. Usagi had let her sleep peaceful for awhile in the garden, but it was getting dark and she needed to be put to bed. Miharo gently collected the little princess from the tall grass, and carried her into the Palace. He returned a few minutes later, quietly seating himself next the Queen.

"So much for denstiny huh, Miharo?" The bitter laugh Miharo had become accustomed to these past few days was heard once again. "Yanno? I'm all out of tears Miharo. I'll raise Chibi-Usa alone." The Queen forced a faint smile. "Besides, we always have you, my loyal guard. Ah, how little princess loves you."

Miharo found himself wishing that last remark had been a little different. Sometimes, it was hard to not over-step boundaries as a guard, as a friend even. The Queen had just become so much more beautiful over the years. He watched as she playfully flung herself backwards into the grass.

"Miiiiiiiiharo! Lay here next me and count the stars!"

Miharo could not help but laugh as the Queen actually attempted to count. He lay down in the grass next to her, trying to count too.

"6..7..8.." It was endless.

Usagi abruptly stopped counting, rolling over to her side to face Miharo. Tears ran down her face.

"What will the people of Crystal Tokyo think? What will I tell Chibi-Usa, the Senshi, everyone? How can I rule the whole world with no king?"

Miharo did not know what to do, how to comfort the crying Usagi.

"I help you.."

Her tears continued to flow, endless like her pain.

Knowing he shouldn't, Miharo took the Queen in his arms. A gasp escaped her, showing Usagi's evident shock.

"Miharo.." He did not have to say a word. The Queen suddenly realized how Miharo felt, and how he must've kept it inside of himself all these years. Usagi let Miharo kiss her forehead, convincing herself it was just a friendly gesture of comfort.

When his kisses reached her lips, Usagi continued to tell herself the same.

-------

Setsuna ignored the stares as she ran through the city as Sailor Pluto. Despite being stripped of her duties, Setsuna could still somehow transform in her Senshi state. As much as people had heard about her, most had never actually seen the legendary Pluto herself.

She was on a mission.

That twit does not deserve to be Queen. Setsuna thought as she ran, pushing people out her way. A little girl sat crying on the sidewalk, her knee bruised from the hard shove Setsuna gave her as she passed.

All these years, I've put up with that annoying brat. Why did destiny ordain her? Incompetent crybaby. Usagi always came to me for advice; she never knew how to do things on her own. Ha, Queen of Crystal Tokyo, my ass. If she had been doing things right, Mamoru would not have left her for me. Crystal Tokyo...Mamoru, deserves better.

In her rage, Setsuna had forgotten about her child, Miyo.

The baby lay in her crib, not moving.

-----

Usagi wrapped her arms around Miharo's neck, wanting him to hold her tightly. He obliged, pulling him close to her, kissing her again and again. Usagi wondering if she was challenging destiny itself by being with other man. The Queen had always fondly thought of Miharo, and even joked with Mamoru once that if he ever left her, "there's always Miharo."

Mamoru had laughed back then.

Usagi mind was not on Mamoru anymore. Miharo laid Usagi down in the grass and the Queen looked him in his eyes.

"Miharo, do you love me?"

Miharo stared at the Queen for a long time.

"Your Majesty!"

The other guard had found his way into the garden, looking very distraught about something. The Queen's face flushed red. Miharo helped Usagi off the ground as she regained and her regal composure and he brushed himself off.

"Yes, what is it?" The Queen's eyes regained their gray glow.

"Um, the Ki--Mr. Mamoru is here to see you." The guard shifted nervously.

Miharo's jaw tightened.

"Usagi, if you need me to take care of this-" The other guard seemed surprised by the informality, and almost scolded Miharo.

Usagi gave a big smile and kissed Miharo on the cheek.

"I'll handle this."

The Queen walked off toward the Palace. Miharo wanted to stop her, but knew this was something she had to -- wanted to -- to do. He watched as the Queen's figure disappeared. Everything was silent until a the other guard playfully punched Miharo in the shoulder.

"Man, what did you do with her!" The guard playfully nudged Miharo and winked.

Despite the seriousness of the situation, Miharo could not help but blush.

-----

Setsuna's legs were giving out, but she refused to give up. She was almost to the Palace.

I'll reclaim my Garnet Orb Staff too. How dare that conniving bitch take what is mine.

I'll get rid of the only obstacle between me and my love.

Setsuna ran faster.

------

"Back again I see. What are you some worthless beggar?"

"No Usa, I'm your husband."

Usagi laughed. "Oh not anymore. You're a cheating bastard. Don't expect to come back here to me, much less to my bed."

Mamoru set his suitcases down and made his way toward his estranged wife. Upon seeing Mamoru when she entered, the Queen purposely stood extremely far away from him. The physical distance seemed to represent their current relationship. She had no desire to be close to Mamoru anymore.

"I want Miharo." The Queen hoped that statement alone would stop Mamoru from coming any closer. Mamoru laughed, continuing to come closer.

"Miharo! Ah baby." Mamoru grabbed his wife pulling her close. Usagi looked away. Mamoru's voice softened.

"Usa. I miss you. It's over with Setsuna. Seriously. I've realized the error of my ways. I didn't think about you, about our baby. I realize it'll take to time to fix things, baby. But can we really fight destiny? We're meant to be together, Usa, you know that."

The Queen's eyes filled with tears.

------

"Damn man, I had no idea."

Miharo covered his face after explained his long hidden feelings for the Queen. The other guard patted Miharo on the back. "Hey cheer up. At least you know she feels somewhat the same. If I would not have come into the garde--"

The bushes rustled.

Both guards immediately went into alert mode, as they been trained to do.

A dark figure darted past them.

"It's Pluto!"

Both guards took off running toward the Palace.

------

Mamoru held his crying wife. "Don't cry Usa. Please. I'm so, so sorry."

The Queen could not seem to gather herself, sobbing.

"I've always been a slave to my destiny! I want what I want, damn it! I want to be happy!"

"That's why we'll work it out.."

"I want Mih--"

The doors of the Palace were flung open, both guards running full speed toward the Queen. Miharo grabbed Usagi, pushing her down onto the floor, covering her.

"DEAD SCREAM!"

Setsuna had arrived.

A/N: I feel so rusty at this. Haha. I suppose this chapter was just a lead up to the finale. Yes, Miharo is a character I just made up for the hell of it. LOL. What do you all think? Did I build up enough suspense? R&R!