A.N.: GASP! HOLY CRAP, SHE LIVES! No, for real though, I'm sorry to everyone who reads my story. I know that I haven't updated in AGES, but military life keeps you kind of busy. Plus I had NO idea how to advance with this story. As it is, I think this chapter is crap. And I'm sorry for not giving y'all my 100 best, but I had a major case of writers block. This chapter isn't even as long as I would have like. I promise that I'll have the next chapter out as soon as I can. Again, I'm sorry…

Disclaimer: I don't own either animes. If I did, I'd be Japanese and rich.

Chapter 4: Doushite?

A slight groan elicited from her lips as her hand flew to her head. What the hell happened? Oh yeah…. She had a strange dream that Luna had suddenly came back from the dead in the form of a plain cat, found her, and then showed herself with the return of the moon that she created. A small laugh slipped from her.

"Cosmos no baka… that's impossible. Luna died with the Senshi, and they are never coming back." (an: baka- idiot; fool, senshi- warriors)

There was a clearing of a throat and Cosmos turned her silvery eyes to a small figure seated beside her on the floor. A small figure of a cat. A cat with maroon eyes. A cat with maroon eyes and a brilliant golden crescent on her forehead.

"Really, Usagi-chan, I never thought you'd resort to talking to yourself. And honestly, what in the Cosmos were you thinking when you called me Selene? Has it really been so long that you can't even recognize your old guardian?" (an: chan- a term of affection, basically anyway.)

A talking cat with maroon eyes, a golden crescent and a thick British accent. And who called her by a very old… much forgotten name. She blanched as several memories assaulted her once again. Usagi… she had long ago released that name once she had taken her post as Cosmos. As if suddenly something clicked inside her head her silvery eyes opened wide and her mouth dropped open, a small squeak the only sound coming from her. Well, that was before she suddenly launched herself at the cat.

"LUNA! OH GODDESS! I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD… LIKE, PERMENATLY DEAD!"

She snatched the cat up in her hands, whirling around happily and bringing the small animal to her chest, tears slowly forming in her eyes. It had been a while since she had felt such a rush of emotions, and she allowed herself the slight indulgence of allowing them to consume her as a sob shook her small frame. She was completely oblivious to the other two occupants of the room who were completely shell-shocked. What was going on here? Trunks decided to voice his thoughts.

"Um… sorry to interrupt and all, but do you mind telling us what's going on… uh… Usagi?"

She froze at the sound of her old name coming from his lips, her eyes narrowing slightly. The black ball of fur in her hands seemed slightly surprised by her sudden change of mood.

"Do not call me that. Usagi is no longer who I am. I gave up that name the day I became what I am now."

Still, that didn't stop the small crystal tears from spilling from her eyes; dancing their way down her cheeks she cuddled the cat again before turning to the other two and proudly presenting the small animal to them. Luna's legs dangled in the air and she felt a small bit of her dignity flood from her. It seemed as if some things never really changed. Though a small bit of happiness filled her at the thought. So her charge hadn't completely changed.

"Trunks, Bulma, I'd like you to meet a very old and trusted friend of mine, Luna."

The cat gave a slight huff and stuck her nose in the air.

"I am not that old, Usagi-chan."

Cosmos shivered at the sound of her mortal name once again and her eyes closed, trying to hide the flash of pain that crossed them. But the two other occupants in the room had seen it. Once again sympathy for the woman filled him. But her response to the remark surprised the still silent people.

"You may not be, Luna, but I am. Several thousand years have passed since the… the… ahem… attack."

Her throat clenched slightly. It had been ages since she had actually even thought of the deaths of her loved ones. Why now were things coming back to haunt her? Why when she so desperately needed to remain strong to fight this new threat? Bulma had slightly snapped out of her stupor and her voice was hoarse when she spoke, stating the sentiments of the three others exactly.

"S-several… th-th-thousand YEARS!"

Cosmos sighed and set the cat down, closing her eyes. When she straightened and opened them once again her eyes reflected her age perfectly. They were weary and filled with too much pain. And an infinite amount of wisdom. The wisdom of someone who had seen too much and experienced too much. She felt so ancient. Her eyes closed again and when she opened them her mask was once again carefully in place.

"I do not wish to discuss it. A lot has happened since your… death, Luna. Please, let's leave it at that."

The cat stared numbly at Cosmos, sadness in her eyes. The silver-haired woman shifted before mumbling about fresh air and disappearing out the door. Luna sighed and shook her small head. What had happened to the fun, carefree, life loving girl that she had once known? Had things really changed that much? Trunks came and picked her up, placing her on the counter. His eyes burned into hers, obviously demanding answers.

"Who are you? How can you talk? How do you know Cosmos? Why do you call her Usagi? What-"

"Woah, slow down child. I can only answer so many questions at one time. I am Luna, Usagi's guardian when she was in training to take the throne. After she had become Queen I became one of her advisors. I can talk because I come from the planet Mau. All cats from the planet Mau can talk. I call her Usagi because that was her name when I knew her, before she assumed the throne and became Neo Queen Serenity. Obviously she is no longer fond of that name, and I'm pretty sure that she will be even less fond of Serenity."

"Serenity? Wait, why does she have two names?"

The cat gave a great sigh and looked from mother, who was currently making herself comfortable in a chair, to son, who was still staring her down in the most uncomfortable way. She heaved another sigh and laid down on the counter, making herself comfortable.

"I suggest you make yourself comfortable, boy. Usagi was, at one point in her lifetimes, yes, lifetimes, Princess Serenity the Second, heir to the third throne of the Silver Millennium of the White Moon. She was a descendant of the Goddess Selene, her granddaughter for that matter. The moon was an ancient kingdom, though there were few rulers of it. Lunarians had very long life spans. I shall skip all the details, but basically the Kingdom was attacked on the night of her engagement ball and the Kingdom suffered greatly. The Silver Alliance was destroyed. Upon seeing the death of her daughter and entire Kingdom the Queen sent her daughter and her court and fiancé to the future to be reborn. Serenity was reborn as Tsukino Usagi. Thus the two names."

Trunks swallowed and blinked a couple of times before shaking his head.

"So… she went through the pain of seeing all of her loved ones die twice?"

"Sadly, no. Usa-chan has seen her loved ones die multiple times. And she has felt responsible for each one."

"No wonder the poor dear was so cold. She's been through more than I could ever even imagine…"

Bulma stood and walked out of the room as she spoke, more thoughts filling her head. The poor dear.

Cosmos sat on the boulder from earlier, drawing her knees to her chest. Her slender arms wrapped around them and she rested her chin on the top of them. Luna was alive. She had been reborn. Had she been wrong? Could the others still be alive? She squeezed her eyes shut, a single tear leaking from beneath her closed lids. She was being foolish. Of course they weren't alive. Her fingertips brushed against the warm spot on her forehead. Her nine-pointed star. If they were alive she would no longer be Cosmos. Why now, after so long, did her advisor decide to appear? She had a mission to complete. She didn't have time to waste on whimsical thinking. She had Universes to protect. She buried her face in her knees, her long hair cloaking around her. She shook with repressed sobs. It wasn't fair. Damn the Higher Powers. A hand gently laid on her shoulder.

"Cosmos?"

She shivered and turned to face him, her eyes sparkling in the bright light of the newly created moon. Trunks felt his breath catch as a halo of light surrounded her slender body. This girl amazed him to no end. She was beautiful, graceful, brilliant… and deadly. Her power was almost over whelming. To think one could create and quite possibly destroy entire planets all with a simple thought. He cleared his throat.

"We leave for the future in about a weeks time. You are coming, right?"

She stared at him before giving a slight nod and turning away. He hesitated, reaching out for her, before dropping his hand and turning away. She most likely wanted to be alone. He passed the black cat as it slipped past him in the doorway as he walked toward his room. Today had been exhausting. The black cat leapt up on the rock beside her princess, settling down and staring at the moon.

"Usagi… what.. What has happened to you?"

The silvery-haired girl turned to the cat and gave a heavy sigh.

"A lot, Luna. Too much, to be exact. Luna, how are you alive?"

"I-I'm not sure, Usa-chan. For awhile I was stuck, floating in between time, before someone appeared before me and said I was needed again. Next thing I new I awoke here, searching for you."

"I-is Artimise still alive? Any of the other girls? M-Mamo-chan?"

Luna hesitated before looking at her Princess. The girl had changed so much. Luna could see that her duties had worn down on her. Changed her. The cat felt an immense sorrow and loss over this. Usagi had truly assumed the identity of Cosmos, Queen of the Stars. Cold. Calculating. Deadly.

"I don't know, Usa… er.. Cosmos. The last I saw of them was in the Galaxy Cauldron."

Cosmos felt elated. If it were true… if they were truly in the Cauldron, then they could be reborn. Their lives could be rebuilt and they could finally be happy. A broken sob tore from her body and Luna blanched.

"Cosmos… I don't think that they could ever leave there. Without their star seeds… they would simply be broken shells. Living only half lives."

It was gone. The fleeting light that had slipped into her eyes. Instantly the cat felt regret and utter guilt. Cosmos scooped her up and buried her face into the black fur. Luna's paws gently rested on the girl's shoulders. 'Oh Usagi…'

"Doushite? Doushite, Luna? What did I do to deserve this? Why am I always left alone?" (an: doushite- why?)

Luna swallowed the lump in her throat and cursed the fates for the destiny this girl was given. Usagi had done nothing to deserve this life. As far as she was concerned, anyway.

3

Fait sighed as she stared at the scene, hastily trying to wipe away her tears. The cat was right. The girl had done nothing to deserve such a thing. Yet still, the Gods demanded a hero, and Usagi had been the Chosen One since her birth as Serenity. Tyme gently laid a hand on her sisters shoulder. Destanee gave a slight cough to cover her own sob and turned away from the pool of water. They were the three sisters. They controlled all living beings, standing aside, cold, silent, and apart. So why did they feel as if they had failed the small demi-goddess that was their prime assignment? Cosmos was more tied to the three than all others. Destined to become far greater than that of Zeus himself. She was to lead the revolution. All other tasks before her were menial, simply placed there to lead her to her future role. But Destanee was sure that Cosmos had been chosen incorrectly. She turned to the other two, all of their faces stained with tears.

"I think that we have made a grave mistake…"

AN: OOOOO… scintillating… haha, sorry, it's my new word. Anyway, hope y'all liked it. Review if you wish, it'd be greatly appreciated. Oh, and I guess she's gonna be with Trunks. Oh, and should I bring the Senshi back, yes or no? And yeah, that includes Mamoru, though he won't be with her.