Disclaimer: Naoko Takeuchi owns. I follow up on the idea.

Dedication: Even though the entire project is dedicated to my dream cast of Sera Myu, this particular chapter is dedicated to Asami Yuhka and Ono Hikari with the words: "Just Love, Wasurerarenai" (just love, can't forget it) which is the one song they have both sung solo.

Summary (this chapter): The Princess of Kaiosei is leaving... and doing that she's also leaving something behind.

Act One

Scene 1

In another place, in another time – but times are changing…

(In a large room with glass doors that lead to a balcony. Outside the sky is dark green, a light blue planet visible in the distance and a smaller pearl-like one blinking from behind it like a star. Everything inside is orderly, except for the bed which is covered with clothing; a hand mirror, a violin and a piece of parchment lying on top of the pile. Slowly folding the clothes, one after another, Neptune in her princess gown is quietly sitting on the edge of the bed with a chest next to her.)

Princess Neptune: (packs a pair of long gloves away in the trunk, her hands coming to a rest in her lap as she raises her eyes to look out at the sky) "Maa, Tenosei is setting… I hadn't realised it was that late…"

(The door bangs open, Sailor Nereid stepping into the room, out of breath. Bending over, she clutches her side with one hand, the other holding a long, thin flute made of heliodor. Neptune's only reaction to her entry is a small smile of recognition.)

Princess Neptune: (grabs a long, elegant skirt and folds it to pack away with the rest) "In a hurry, Sailor Nereid?"

Nereid: (takes a deep breath, raising her head to look at Neptune with a serious, bordering on desperate, expression) "I was told that Queen Serenity has called for you… that you are leaving…"

Princess Neptune: (gets to her feet, turning to face Nereid, smile disappearing) "Rumours travel fast in the palace, I take it." (sighs) "Well, your informant was correct. The Queen has indeed asked me to come to the Moon Kingdom." (regretfully) "At once."

Nereid: (steps forward, but is stopped by a look from Neptune) "Demo… Princess… you haven't finished your training…"

Princess Neptune: (interrupts dismissingly) "I will finish my training with the other Senshi. After all, I'm not the only one the Queen has to draw upon." (walks to the double doors, leaning against the wall and watching the unending sea stretching out before her) "As far as I've been told, Tenosei's princess will be there as well."

Nereid: (shakes her head, irritated, her fingers tightening around the flute in her hand) "That's not the point… Neptune, what… how…" (stops herself from babbling, enquiring directly) "Will you be back?"

Princess Neptune: (closes her eyes, pressing her palms against the material of her dress to stop her hands from shaking before beckoning Nereid up next to her) "I probably won't. Living in Triton Castle is part of my function as a Senshi."

(They stand close together, their shoulders touching, but both keep staring straight ahead without exchanging looks.)

Nereid: "Neptune… I…" (pauses once more) "What about us?"

(Neptune doesn't answer, but instead moves to the bed where she starts neatly folding the rest of the clothes, only letting the Mirror and the violin remain on the bed sheets, tucking the letter away underneath her silver tiara.)

Nereid: (follows, makes as if to put her hand on Neptune's shoulder) "Kappa…"

Princess Neptune: (squares her shoulders even though her lips quiver and form a pale smile at the sound of the nickname) "We both knew this day would come, Nereid." (Nereid's fingers stop inches away from contact) "It has been my destiny from the day I was born…"

Nereid: (raises her voice irritably and lets her hand fall) "When have you ever cared about destiny?!"

Princess Neptune: (spins around, giving Nereid a fierce glare through narrowed eyes) "This is not necessarily about me… It's is about my duty as Sailor Neptune." (coldly) "I had thought that you, if any, could understand that, Sailor Nereid."

Nereid: (lets go of the flute which clatters to the floor as she takes both Neptune's hands in her own, leaning in, whispering urgently) "Your planet needs you, Princess. I need you – more so than the royal family of the Moon. Doesn't she have enough Senshi already!?" (looks down, speaking tentatively) "I… we… only have you…"

Princess Neptune: (returns Nereid's grasp, eyes softening into a fond look as Nereid raises her gaze) "Kaiosei is not left to her own devices, now, is she?" (gentle laughter, though the words are sombre and somewhat sad) "She has you as well…"

Song: Words of Goodbye

Princess Neptune:

By the voice of the ocean,

By the tide that gave us name, we are called.

(reaches up to push back a lock of light bluish hair that has torn itself loose from Nereid's braid, smiling and letting her fingertips linger a second longer than necessary against Nereid's neck)

Because our ancient fate is

To choose the direction of the sea currents,

We follow, unyieldingly.

(Neptune steps back, away from Nereid to crouch down and pick up the crystal-green flute on the floor, gently holding it out to her.)

Princess Neptune: "So, onegai shimasu, Nereid… protect her when I'm away…"

Nereid: (bites her lower lip for a moment, looking conflicted and on the verge of protesting, then bows to Neptune tensely, her lips pressed into a thin line, and takes the flute) "Hai, Princess… I understand."

(As Nereid heads for the door, Neptune sits back down on the bed, taking the Deep Aqua Mirror and gazing into it with a resigned look on her face. Pressing the door handle down, however, Nereid glances back over her shoulder.)

Nereid: "I will wait for you, Neptune… I promise."

Princess Neptune: (looks Nereid up and down, then catches her eyes) "I never make promises I might have to break, Nereid… you shouldn't either."

Nereid: (fists both her hands, turning around fully) "I want to wait for you… because some day you will be free to do what you want, ne?"

Princess Neptune: (looks away) "I don't know, Nereid… Maybe…"

Nereid: (nods) "At that time, I'll be here… Princess." (inclines her head in respect before leaving, closing the door quietly after herself)

(Chuckling without amusement, the sound growing thick in her throat, Neptune finally stores the Mirror safely away in the coffer along with all her other belongings. Stubbornly she forces herself to calm down, exhaling slowly until her breath is under control.)

Princess Neptune: (comments acquiescently) "No one can serve two masters, isn't that how the saying goes?" (continues in a concerned voice, knowingly) "Don't wait for me, Nereid… you might end up very disappointed…" (a murmur) "… and I'm not sure I could bear that."

(Neptune makes her way across the room to the balcony, opening the doors and letting in the chill night breeze that cools the faint traces of tears on her cheeks as she follows the movements of the many Neptunian moons in the sky with her gaze without really seeing them.)