I don't own sailor moon.

The blonde shuddered as hot water ran down her back. She quickly changed the temperature of the water, attempting not to burn herself. It had been a solemn four years since she convinced her friend to run away with her. The now twenty six year old tried to get through her shower quickly. She chose not to look back on her old life. Soft hands ran through her own body, rubbing her growing belly.

Kunzite joined her in the shower, happy to see her. He rubbed her belly to say hello to their unborn child. She smiled at him, excited at the idea of their child. "You're beautiful," Kunzite kissed his wife.

They had tied the knot two years ago. The blonde couldn't believe it. She thought about how she wanted her child's life to be different. She would never let her child live her life. Mina secretly prayed for a boy. She never wanted to see a daughter get hurt. Kunzite wanted a girl, much to Mina's displeasure.

"I love you," She let out. The duo quickly showered and got dressed. She didn't want to be late. Darien would kill them if they were.

Darien spotted his best friend and wife before they saw him. He motioned for them to see him. Kunzite sported him first, the couple went over to take their seats.

"You're late," Darien mused.

Mina huffed, "I'm growing a human, I'm allowed to be late."

Kunzite chuckled. "Where is she?"

Darien couldn't stop the proud smile, he pointed down to the area they were seated above. Below stood countless students in caps and gowns. He looked for a small woman with extremely long hair. He spotted his girlfriend's blonde mop, showing their closest friends.

"She looks beautiful!" Mina swooned. Serena and her were basically family at this point. She referred to her as a younger sister.

"I can't believe she's graduating." Kunzite mentioned, crossing his legs. The blonde had decided to go to college and pursue nursing, inspired by him and Darien. The years flew by. He couldn't help but feel pride for her. Serena made something of herself.

Darien couldn't wipe the smile off his face even if he tried. "She's brilliant." He had allowed himself to fully fall in love with Serena. He wanted to marry her, he wanted everything with her. Serena wanted to make a name for herself first. She wanted to hold her own.

She didn't have any family left but her crazy mother. The blonde only had Darien and his friends.

The three watched as countless people crossed that stage waiting for Serena. She had taken Darien's last name legally, so she was one of the last people to be called. Once the former geisha crossed, the trio screamed in delight.

Afterwards, the two couples decided to go have celebratory dinner. "Congratulations," Mina hugged the blonde.

Serena's heart felt full. She was surrounded by everyone that mattered to her. "Thank you. I love you guys." She meant the words. She never thought an orphaned girl like her would make it. Even better, now she could work in the hospital with Darien. Serena Shields was officially a nurse.

As the toasts were finished and dinner was eaten the respective couples went their separate ways.

Darien watched as Serena fell asleep in his car. Driving off to their apartment he couldn't think about how lucky he was to have the twenty two year old in his life. Even though they had a bit of an age gap, she understood him. They simply worked. He hadn't thought about another woman since her.

Arriving to their apartment, he woke up his sleepy girlfriend. Per usual, she complained but obliged. He unlocked their door and led them inside.

Serena lazily threw off her gown and shoes. She was ready to go to bed. They had been drinking and celebrating all day. She stripped off the white sundress she wore, leaving her in just her underwear. Next, the blonde ran her fingers through her long hair. She pulled bobby-pins out.

Darien watched her, smiling. He felt lucky. He knew tonight would be important. The doctor stood in front of her wordlessly. He planted a soft kiss on her lips. "I love you Sere." He wrapped his arms around her.

"I love you too babe," Serena smiled lazily. She just wanted to get into bed. She was beyond exhausted. "What is it?" She giggled.

Darien grinned. He reached for his back pocket and pulled out a case. Serena's eyes lit up. Opening the box, he showcased a simple diamond ring. The band was silver. The diamond was cut round and huge. It was simple but classic.

Serena couldn't help but smile. "Marry me." He wasn't asking. He needed to marry her. He needed her in his life.

Serena kissed him with all her might. "I love you so much. Of course I'll marry you." She breathed out. Her smile was special.

The following day Serena decided to venture out. She still kept in touch with Luna. She wanted to share the news with her about her engagement. The two went off to lunch nearby Luna's shop.

They chose a small place where neither one would be disrupted. "How is Artemis?" Serena questioned the kimono maker. She took a sip of her water, looking into the mature set of eyes in front of her.

"He wants refinance the house and get a new car." Luna complained. She didn't like change very much but she allowed her husband to handle their finances. They were a very traditional couple.

Serena understood why Luna was irritated. A lot of the time her husband did things without consulting her. He wasn't a bad man or selfish. He was just clueless at times.

The woman caught up on what seemed like forever until Serena showed Luna her engagement ring. The older woman was ecstatic for her.

"It's beautiful! He did a great job." She gasped.

Truthfully, Serena didn't care about the ring. She was just happy that she had a man worth being with. She was lucky. Darien supported her. He gave her space. He allowed her to grow into her own woman and loved her for it. She was genuinely happy.

"I can't wait," she admitted. She was already a Shields. But she wanted to be Mrs. Shields. She knew it would make him happy. At this point, she'd do anything to make him happy.

"Are you having a wedding?" Luna questioned.

"Well Darien's parents are dead. I have no family. We wouldn't have many people to invite. But he wants to see me in a dress."

"Invite your friends." Luna advised her. "Keep it small, make it romantic."

Serena agreed. "I guess that's all we can do." In that moment fate hit her like a truck. She looked out the restaurant window to see a beautiful face, familiar yet unaware of her presence. Serena's eyes widened. "Luna I have to go." Slamming money on their table, the blond ran out to the street.

She tried to catch up to the girl. She knew those eyes. Serena ran up to the beautiful geisha. Her hair was raven and placed up with numerous decorations in it. The red kimono shun in the sun, making her glow. Her white skin and ruby lips were effortlessly yet perfectly painted. Purple eyes froze in realization.

"Serena?" She breathed out. The geisha almost lost her grace and composure.

"Hotaru." Serena smiled. There stood a grown up seventeen year old. Hotaru was as beautiful as ever. She was a classical beauty just like Ray was. "You look beautiful."

The young girl embraced her. It was uncharacteristic for a geisha, but the young girl didn't care. "I thought you were dead. I thought something horrible happened to you. What about Mina?" She asked. Her eyes watered at the woman she once called sister.

Serena felt her own eyes water. "I am okay. Mina is fine. How are you? My god, you're so big now."

The two women walked together, talking about their lives. Hotaru was now fully trained and working off her debts. She explained how she finished her training and began working alone a year or so ago.

"Mina's pregnant? That's so great." Hotaru was joyed with the news. The geisha paused in her tracks. "What happened that night? You two disappeared and no one could find you. We were worried." Her eyes shifted down. Hotaru couldn't find it in her heart to be angry that the blondes escaped. She just felt relieved. She made up stories in her head to solve the mysterious disappearances. Mama would tell her they were either dead or prostituting themselves.

"We snuck out that night. We left with men. And you know we couldn't go back or tell the girls what happened. We were scared. So we just moved on. Mina got married. I went back to school. I'm gonna marry that man. He saved me in every way..." she explained.

Hotaru couldn't help the jealous pang. They were lucky.

"What happened to Ray? Lita? Amy?" Serena had to ask. She always wondered. But it was too painful to think of them. It was too hard for her to miss them. She didn't want to look back. Plus Mama would hurt them if they had tried to go back. Serena felt guilty for surviving it. Her and Mina were saved.

The violet eyed geisha looked down, not wanting to be the one to tell her. "Ray is still with me. She helped train me... she is at a job right now. Lita got kicked out for being too old. I never heard from her again. Amy... well she got kicked out too."

"What happened to Amy?" Serena became worried.

"What failed geishas do." Hotaru murmured. "The rumor is she's still in the area, works in a brothel."

"Do you know how to find Amy and Lita?"

Hotaru shook her head. She didn't want to find them. She couldn't bare it. "I think Ray does." Ray usually knew everything.

Serena felt a pit in her stomach. She needed to know Amy and Lita were alive. "Tell her to meet me here tomorrow."