A/N: Thanks to everyone who read the story. I appreciate all of you who added the story to their favorites list and all the reviewers. Pleas review to let me know how you like it. I accept constructive criticism and suggestions.

The Departure

(and a few surprises)

Time passed by slowly toying with the royals of both Earth and the moon. The princesses filled the minutes and hours with talking and laughter, reminiscing about the past and laughing so hard until tears filled their eyes. The moon palace shook with laughter during these last few days.

"Do you remember," Mina spoke through her laughter "When Serenity and Rei got into that huge fight in the kitchens. Serenity was so furious she started throwing eggs at Rei and Rei started throwing flour, and when the cook saw them she became so furious that she marched them through the palace the long way to Queen Selen."

All five girls started laughing again.

"Yes, mother was so tickled she couldn't even punish us!" Serenity added. At the wonderful memory of her mother Serenity's eyes glassed over and she lost herself in thought.

"Ladies, I think I will retire for the night. I didn't realize how exhausted I am."

"Yes us too." Rei spoke up for the girls not wanting any of them to question Serenity too much.

"Good night," Serenity called as she gracefully exited the room. She walked down the corridors slowly until she reached her own chambers. When she arrived she found that Molly had recently drawn her bath. Thankful to her ever faithful lady Serenity took her clothes off and slipped into the lavender and vanilla scented water. She sank low into the tub, relaxing and indulging in the warm aromas around her. Serenity sat there thinking about how things were between her mother and her. "I don't know how it came to be like this." No longer allowing herself the luxuries she wanted so badly, Serenity stood up, wrapped her self in a soft robe, and began to dry herself. She then slipped into her favorite cream colored silk night dress and stood beside her enormous four poster bed debating between sleep and her diary. She finally allowed sleep to overcome her mind. She laid herself between the soft sheets and dreamed of times long before the animosity arose between the royal mother and daughter. The night passed slowly, and with day break Serena rose from her bed.

"Molly will not be here for hours and I cannot sleep." Serenity thought. Still sensing her desire to write out her feelings, Serenity walked over to her dresser. She opened the drawer near the top, and pressed a tiny metal button revealing a secret compartment. Thebottom in the drawer popped open and a small silver book engraved with Serenity's initials appeared. This book contained Serenity's most cherished and intimate thoughts. Every dream which graced her mind during the nights was recorded in its thin pages.

January 18, 1542

Somehow I know my destiny is not quiet. Unwilling to compromise in my pursuit of true love, I set my sights on the prince of Earth, but what if I obey my mother's wishes just this one time? What if everything turns out wonderfully? I know mother truly wants my peace and happiness. Maybe if I let go and trust her wise ways I will truly find love, she did. She found a love that reaches through time and space, a love that was unbreakable. I will seek my mother out and make amends. God only knows how long it may be until I see her again, and I do not want to leave with these hard feelings between us.

Serenity

Serenity placed her diary and pen into the last awaiting travel trunk. "Please forgive me mother." She thought. The young princess stood and briskly exited her room wishing to seek out her mother. When she came to the familiar doors she stopped short. She faintly heard small sobs coming from the rooms. Deciding against knocking, Serenity slowly opened the door to see her mother sitting on the floor by her bed surrounded by pictures of Serenity. She was also clinging tightly to Usagi, Serenity's stuffed bunny from her childhood. The young princess rushed over to her mother and held embraced her tightly.

"Oh, Mother I am so sorry."

"No." Selen sobbed. "I should have given you something a while back. This will help you understand." The queen reached under her bed, opened a small crystal box and removed a worn book.

"Serenity, this is my diary from when your father and I first met and our courtship began."

"Mother, I can't"

"You must dear. You will understand after you have read it."

The young princess took the book from her mother and held it close to her heart.

"Mother, whom will I court?"

"Serenity the decisions are final and you know I cannot reveal it yet. You must learn to love him and he must learn to love you in return. I can tell you this however, the princes of Earth know whom they are betrothed to, but not what you look like.

Princess Serenity then did something her mother did not expect. She called her by the name she had used up until the day she informed Serenity of her betrothal.

"But Mamma…"

"Oh, my Serena." She used the pet name her dear husband gave to her daughter. "I am sorry but this is how it must be," said the queen to her loving daughter.

"Now my dear Serena, let us get you dressed. I know a lady in waiting that will be very upset if she finds her charge missing in her night dress."

The two laughed and quietly exited the queen's chambers.

While walking, Artemis, the queen's high advisor approached the two royals. He swept a deep, respectful bow to his superiors before speaking.

"My queen, the captain of your ship bid me inform you a storm approaches and the ship must sail within the hour or the young princesses will not arrive on time."

"No!" Selen gasped "We still have one more day together!"

"I am sorry my lady, but for their safety and the alliance, they must depart. The ships are being finished and the luggage loaded as we speak."

"So be it then. We must finalize the princess' packing and make her ready for travel."

Artemis swept the same deep bow and left to inform the other dignitaries of the news.

"Mamma, I will make you proud. Forgive my behavior." Serena whispered through her tears.

Selen raised her daughters head until their eyes met and said, "You have made me proud from the day you were born. You must always remember to let your heart lead you and never let your head get in the way." With that she kissed her daughter's forehead.

"Now, We must ready your things."

One hour later all five royal families approached the landing docks. The docks were no longer festive and warm. They were now dark and depressing. Only the banners left hanging above the crescent moon floor reminded the royal families of their previous celebrations. Slowly, the royal families approached the floor. Mother and daughter stood facing each other on their designated places.

"Today," Queen Selen began "the five young girls standing before us become women. They are the future rulers of our alliance. Our daughters leave us this day to become wives, and soon after mothers. Our deepest wishes are for you to find true love and live happily, but your betrothals are set in order to fulfill a peaceful alliance with our neighbors. Now the transfer of power begins, but in time, you must learn to love your suitor in order to reach your power's full potential"

The five reigning queens lifted their arms and summoned their planet's crystal. Each princess received their crystals from their mothers, but Princess Serenity however, received something much different. Queen Selen took her daughter's hands and spoke very quietly. Suddenly a bright white light surrounded the two. When the transfer was complete, a small crescent moon glowed in both Serenity and Selen's forehead.

"You are now at the start of your coming reign." Queen Laurana began giving the very same speech her own mother had given to her and her fellow queens so many years ago. The familiar sign of Jupiter began to glow on her forehead.

"Your journey is just beginning, what is your right will come with time," added Queen Rista, her sign beginning to glow as well.

"Love and peace are for you to attain," followed Queen Marista, Venus' sign now appearing.

"When you join your heart to another's, the powers that we bestow upon you will begin their rapid ascent," Queen Arabella stated as she closed her eyes and let Mercury's powers materialize on her forehead.

"Go, take your leave daughters of the Silver Alliance. Follow your hearts and the truth shall always be revealed." With one final surge of light, the five princesses received their right of passage. Each mother gave her daughter a final embrace, and the five girls, each dressed in simple silk dresses representing the color of their planet, walked both the longest and the shortest walk of their young lives.

Upon entering, the princesses noticed this particular ship was unlike any other they had ever been on. The floors were beautiful marble, with iridescent veins that changed color with the light. Pictures of planet Earth adorned the walls. The princess' noticed that each particular painting seemed to draw them individually. The mountain ranges near the Southern regions of Earth captivated Lita, while the deserts of the Western region were more to Princess Rei's liking. Princess Mina found a painting of the rainforest and immediately decided that this was her favorite. Princess Ami found a picture of snow covered mountains with hot springs forming a small steam particularly to her liking. Princess Serenity, however, could not choose a setting from these beautiful pictures any more than she could choose a favorite star from the sky. She was walking along the row of paintings studying each one very closely, when the Capitan of the ship approached her. He was tall and handsome in a particular way. His hair was long and white, the purest white ever seen. His eyes were scary though. They were black, a drowning sea of emptiness.

"My Lady, we are about to depart. The storm approaches and we can no longer delay. Please come with me to your seats. Once we are clear of the storm you will be shown to your rooms."

"Yes Capitan," Serenity answered. The five princesses followed the Capitan to their seats and awaited the coming thrust of power. Suddenly the ship began to shake and roar. Take off was rapidly approaching so Serena closed her eyes and whispered a small prayer for herself and the other princesses. Seconds later the power thrust came and they cleared the moon and the storm that threatened their departure.

"My ladies," the Capitan spoke finally. "Let me escort you to your rooms."

The five princesses stood silently and followed the Capitan to an even grander area of the ship.

"Ladies, this is your personal wing. The kitchens are in this room, and up the hall on the left, you have a ladies chamber with everything you will need to entertain yourselves. If you look directly to your right, these five rooms belong to each of you. Your rooms are marked by the sign of your planet.

"Thank you." Serena stated as each girl quietly entered their rooms.

Serena walked through her door and found a simple but elegant room. A large bed was tucked nicely away in the corner. The only difference between this bed, and her bed at home, were the three curtains that closed around it for privacy. She sat at a small table in the corner by her fire place. "I can't help but wonder what mamma meant by the princes did not know what each princess looked like… Oh my god!" Serenity jumped from her chair and rushed out of her room. She knocked frantically on Mina's door right beside hers.

"Mina, help me get the girls and go into the ladies' chamber!" Serena exclaimed.

"What? Why?" Mina questioned

"Just do it!" Serena ordered

Mina began running down the corridor knocking on doors and telling the girls what Serena said to do. Serena ran back into her room to retrieve the diary her mother gave her and dashed down the corridor to the ladies' room. Once the girls were joined together in the ladies' room, Serena looked out into the hall, making sure no one was listening, and locked the door.

"What is all this about?" Lita questioned irritably

"Well Lita, I have an idea. None of us are thrilled about being betrothed. Earlier today mother told me that we are not to know to whom we are betrothed, but the princes will know who we are. They know our names only."

"So what does that have to do with anything?" Rei stated impatiently

"Don't you see? The ball is in our court. We have the power to control our destinies. Only the Capitan of this ship has seen us board and he did not address us individually. We can switch places. Mina looks like my sister. She will wear my dresses, sleep in my rooms, and in all but truth be me."

"I don't think this is a productive idea Serena." Ami added trying to be logical.

"Wait, I do. It isn't fair they know us, but we don't know them." Mina commented.

"This will give us a chance to find true love. Whether it be with the man courting us or someone else. Come on girls, please!"

"Well… I guess we can try it for a day or so." Rei conceded.

"Yes!" both blondes replied.

"What do we do?" asked Lita.

"First, Mina and I will switch. Lita you will be Rei, Rei you will be Ami and Ami you will be Lita." Serena began.

"Oh I don't think so. I will be the control in this experiment." Ami informed the group.

"Well then Lita and Rei will switch." Serena confirmed

For the next six days the girls fashioned their plans. They decided on meeting places, agendas, and times. They then developed a secret language to describe how things were going, should they need to speak in the presence others. All in all the plans were hatching well. The only complication was love. What would happen if one girl fell in love with the prince destined for another? Finally on the sixth day, the Capitan came to the princesses' living quarters.

"Princesses, we are going to arrive in one hour. Pleas be ready upon arrival."

The princesses looked nervously at each other and departed into their rooms to dress appropriately for their new 'identities'. Exactly one hour later the landed. The Capitan came to the princesses one final time and coolly said, "it is time."

The five regal women slowly walked the corridors towards their destiny. Soon they stood before the exit of the ship.

"Ready Ladies." Serena said

The other four nodded in response. The large doors opened and light shielded the princesses one final time from the prying eyes of earth's royalty.