DAYBREAK

Episode 22

Kurai awoke from her dream in a cold sweat. She was breathing heavily, thinking about how these sorts of dreams had tormented her for so long. She touched her cheek and felt that it was all wet. Have I been crying again, she asked herself. She looked over to her left and found Usagi sleeping peacefully. Thank God, she thought. Kurai suddenly felt someone next to her and glanced to her right. There stood Chibiusa, with a worried expression on her face.

"Kurai, what's wrong? You've been crying."

"Nothing, Chibiusa, nothing. It was just a bad dream. Now, what are you doing out of bed?" Chibiusa crawled into Kurai's lap and hugged her.

"I was going to get a drink of water when I heard you in here. I thought Usagi was doing something to you." Kurai giggled at this remark.

"No, I'm alright."

"What was the dream about?" Kurai could see Chibiusa wasn't about to let this go without a proper answer.

"I was just dreaming about Crystal Tokyo, that's all."

"Was I in it?"

"Of course. Crystal Tokyo wouldn't be the same without you, Chibiusa." The little girl grinned at this and hugged her aunt even more.

"But then why were you crying, Kurai?"

"Because…it was foretelling of things to come."

"What things?"

"Having to let my friends go stop an evil force and knowing the outcome."

"Do you mean right before Mommy was frozen?" Chibiusa gazed up at Kurai, who looked away.

"How did you know, Chibiusa?"

"Because I remember how you had the same dreams right before it happened."

"You remember that?"

"Yes. And then the dreams came true and you saved me."

"That I did." Kurai's eyes were becoming misty again and Chibiusa noticed right away.

"But now everything's alright."

"You're right, Chibiusa. It was something I'd rather not have gone through, but everything worked out for the best in the end. Thank you." Kurai kissed Chibiusa's forehead and hugged her. "Now, get back to bed. After all, you have school tomorrow." Chibiusa made a face, and Kurai grinned. She got out of bed and took Chibiusa back to her room, where she tucked the little girl in. "Good night."

"Good night." Rini slowly closed her eyes and Kurai stepped out of the room and closed the door. She checked up on Usagi, who was sleeping peacefully and tiptoed down the stairs. She walked into the living room and took out some sort of key thing.

"Pluto?" Kurai whispered. "Pluto, are you there? If you are, please answer." An image appeared on the top of the key and Kurai smiled.

"Hello, Princess."

"Good evening, Pluto. But must you call me Princess?"

"Just in case someone's watching, yes. Now, how are things going?"

"Very well. I just had another dream of the future, though. That's why I contacted you…"

"You will have to get used to them sometime, Princess. They will be a part of you life forever."

"I know. I just still get very emotional over the ominous ones…"

"Are you safe, though?"

"Yes, I'm safe and sound, even after withstanding that attack."

"Yes, you were very brave to defend Uranus like that. But, I guess it was expected considering the fact that…"

"I'm sure she would have done the same for me."

"Of course. You are now with Serenity, are you not?"

"Yes. I've brainwashed her family and am now living with her."

"How's Small Lady?"

"Just fine. Serenity and her family are doing a great job raising her."

"I should hope so, considering Serenity is her mother." Kurai couldn't help but smirk at Pluto's wry remark.

"You have a point."

"Have you met Endymion yet?"

"No, but I suspect I'll see him tomorrow…that is, today." Kurai yawned, thinking about how late it was.

"Princess, shouldn't you be in bed?"

"You're right. I'm sorry…grandma." Kurai's characteristic sly smile appeared on her face. Pluto frowned, but it was quickly replaced by a grin.

"You should talk, Princess. If I recall correctly, you're almost as old as me."

"Key word in that sentence is "almost". And anyway, I didn't raise you, Pluto. If my memory serves me correctly, you were the one to raise me. Wouldn't that mean that you're older than me, then?"

"I knew I should have never let you get that book on logic." Kurai smiled at her victory.

"Don't feel bad, Pluto. You look very good for your age."

"As do you, Princess."

"Thank you, Pluto. Now, getting back to the task at hand…"

"I don't believe there is anymore that you can tell me. Perhaps we should cal it a night?"

"Alright. I should be getting back to bed anyway. Good night, Pluto."

"Good night, Princess." With that, the image on top of the key disappeared and Kurai put it back into her pocket. She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes.

"Princess? For now, there is no more Princess Apollo…just Kurai." Kurai got out of the chair, walked up the stairs, crawled into bed, and shut her eyes for a few more hours' sleep.