Chapter 5

Tales of the Past

After Kaden and I finished our meal, we talked for some time. I couldn't help but notice how attractive he actually was, particularly his brown eyes. He seemed to have a bad habit of running his hands through his hair. When he would notice me staring, I would look away blushing.

"It's so beautiful here in Crystal Tokyo," he said, lying on the ground with his hands behind his head. "It's been pretty great here on Earth since your father discovered a way to cultivate the two of the other planets, Mars is really starting to develop, from what my father tells me, and once we found a way to get them clouds off of Venus, it was only a matter of time before we went there."

"According to Ami, Venus and Mars used to be lush and green and had many animals not found here on Earth. Although there is no written record on such claims, she was alive a few millennia ago, as was some of the other sailor solders," I told him. "I think that it was the power given to Mina and Rei that they were even able to inhabit the planets. At the fall of the silver millennium, from what I was told by Hotaru, many of the other solar system planets fell with it. Also a lot of it had to do with the Sailor Crystals lack of use for their respective planet. I wish I could find it somewhere in history books, I know that Ami would put it in books if she felt that it was relevant for Earth to know."

"Maybe Ami hasn't found a good time to be able to do so, she is pretty busy for a doctor," Kaden said, sounding amused, "though, I must admit that she is a rather brilliant doctor."

I smiled. "Ami is a great doctor and a fantastic teacher," I agreed.

"My father wants me to go to one of them and help. Father says that King Endymion is looking for leaders to go to these planets to build them up." he told me. "I wouldn't know the first thing about what to do when I land there. In all honesty, I'm hoping for other things to happen before being sent off to an unfamiliar planet."

"I would love to visit and see their progress. I'm even hearing talk from of the moon being inhabited again. It hasn't had many people walk its surface since the days of Queen Selene's rule, not including the people of NASA. My mother told me that the queen had wanted nothing more than her happiness, and so my mom remained here. I would love to go there and help rebuild what was lost there, though the palace stands again, the other things that resided around there did not," I told him.

"So, Neo-Queen Serenity really is from the moon then," he asked in wonder.

I nodded. "Yep, and father was a prince from Earth."

"How did your mother and father meet then? Was it like an arranged marriage like they used to do in the times of the kings and queens of old?" Kaden inquired.

"No. Actually, according to mother, they were forbidden to socialize, though no one really recalls why." I explained. "Though rules are seldom there for no reason."

"So then how could they have met if such relationships were forbidden," he prodded, confused.

"I tell you their tale the way I understand it from their versions and a bit from the sailor guardians," I said with a sigh. "It's somewhat of a sad tale too."

I looked up at the sky and closed my eyes, trying to picture it as if I had been there, like I used to do when mother and father would tell me the story. "Father told me that he had heard rumors of the Moon Kingdom as a boy and that the older he got, it became more hushed and that people were forbidden to ever go," I told him, jumping into the story. "They happened to meet one day when his father, and the king at the current time, had told him to secure the tower that lead to the Moon Kingdom, and he found the princess, my mom, there looking around timidly. He said although she looked human enough, he could tell right away that something was different about her. He had asked her where she was from, and said that all she told him was her name; Serenity. After some persuasion, he learned more about her, and that his suspicions were correct; she was a princess from the Moon Kingdom."

"Endymion could have turned her in to his father, and the king could have had Serenity killed for trespassing," Kaden observed.

"Yes," I agreed nodding, "and my father said he had considered it, but he did not feel any threat from her. So he firmly told her to go back to her home, leave Earth, and not to look back. Serenity promised that she would do as he had asked."

"But she didn't?" Kaden asked, sounding mystified.

"She couldn't stay away," I replied. "For a while Serenity kept her word. Though there had been many times she considered going back, as if something drew her there, she remembered the prince's warning. (She was already falling in love with the natural nature that Earth seemed to have that the moon did not possess.) A few weeks went by and my father was sure that the young woman had heeded his advice and stayed away. Then one day, several weeks later, he saw her again but she had been caught lurking around by someone else. It was one of his four generals, as well as general leader; Kunzite."

"Luckily, and much to Prince Endymion's relief, his general didn't notice that she was not from Earth. Instead he was demanding why she was lingering around a forbidden place. Thinking quickly, Dad went to him and told Kunzite that she was new to the palace, that she was a visiting princess from another country, and that he would escort her from there. Kunzite seemed to believe him, and as Endymion led Serenity away he scolded her. He said she had looked away from him when she quietly replied, 'It's just that it's so beautiful here, also I had to see you again and I thought we could be friends.'"

"Quick thinking on Endymion's behalf," Kaden said with a small chuckle, "Wonder what would have happened had Kunzite discovered that Serenity was the moon princess."

"Not sure," I told him, trying to think about it. "If he had discovered before my father found them, they probably would have not had the chance to fall in love."

"Seems like the wayward princess was already falling for the Earth prince," Kaden countered.

I grinned. "So she was. My dad seemed to think about it when he finally gave in, and decided to show her around, making her promise that she would not say a word to anyone they walked into, that he would do the talking, so that she would not reveal too much. He showed her many things and told her much about the life that grew among the land; about the trees, plants, animals, and people that lived among the golden palace. Of all the things he showed Serenity, roses are what she seemed to admire the most."

"They are rather beautiful, and abundant," Kaden remarked, "I now understand why there are so many roses in your mother's garden."

I nodded but continued with the tale. "Serenity went to take one, not knowing that there were nasty prickly thorns on them, then jerked her hand back in pain. He took her hand and made sure that she didn't have any thorns lingering in her hand, before taking one of the roses off the bush, stripping it of its thorns and giving it to her."

"Ouch," Kaden said wincing, as if feeing it too.

"'Roses are beautiful to look at, beyond the thorns,' he told her, 'Beautiful, but with a nasty prick if not handled properly, but they need to be nurtured, and taken care of. If the bush is not taken care of, the roses will not be as beautiful, colorful, or even lack many buds.' She smiled at him and thanked him for the beautiful flower. Endymion's heart seemed to do a flip with the way she smiled at him, and she seemed to grow on him at that same moment."

"After his tour, he led her back to the tower for her to go home, upon arriving there she asked if they could meet again and if he would show her around more. The Earth prince reluctantly agreed, not being able to bring himself to tell her no. Serenity gave him a quick hug and quickly left."

"They met several more times, growing closer and closer with each visit. Sometimes Endymion would visit her. He mostly only visited during the Moon Kingdoms monthly balls. Until one day Sailor Venus noticed the princess sneaking around the forbidden castle wing called the Earth Tower. Venus didn't want to alert anyone, so she just followed Serenity, who was oblivious to being followed by her leader guardian. With a sinking heart, the blonde haired senshi watched Serenity walk into the portal that led to Earth."

"I can only imagine what Venus felt then," Kaden commented, "Not knowing that her princess could be caught, tortured, hurt, and possibly even killed."

"And that is just how she felt," I told him, "and with those thoughts, she followed after Serenity, into an unknown place. When she got there she came face to face with Kunzite, Endymion's general. Right away Kunzite placed the pieces together of Endymion's princess from another country and knew that the new intruder was from the moon, partially because Venus dressed unlike any from Earth that he knew."

"Venus explained that she was there to get her princess and take her back and she would ensure that Serenity never came back. Thankfully Kunzite led Venus to where the prince had taken her. Shocked, Serenity demanded her guardian how she knew Serenity would be there. Venus told her that she had followed her and that it was time to go back"

"My mom left with Venus, glancing back at Endymion as she did so. Kunzite scolded his prince when they had left their view. 'How could you continually let that girl come here, knowing that you were putting her into danger? Your father could have had her executed.' All my father could reply to that was a simple, 'I love her'. Kunzite couldn't say anything more to that response."

"That same day Venus told the other sailor senshi about Serenity's 'adventure' and made the other three promise not to tell Queen Serenity, and that they needed to handle it themselves. Venus could tell that their princess had fallen for the prince of Earth, but did not want Serenity getting hurt because of their separate duties, Venus knew that they would get hurt in the end, especially when each would inherit their respective gems; the Silver Crystal and the Golden Crystal."

"What Princess Serenity and her four guardians were unaware of was that Queen Serenity did in fact know of her daughter's journeys to Earth. Eleanor, leader of Serenity's Guardians, had seen the princess sneak to the Earth tower and transport herself to Earth. The queen had been very dismayed, but had told Eleanor fate was taking it course and that there was nothing more to do, and asked her to have the other senior guardians to keep an eye and ear out for her and tell her the enfolding of events."

"Queen Serenity did nothing to stop her daughter?" Kaden asked, astounded.

"No, and from what Luna told me, Queen Serenity knew what all transpired up until the events of the attack on the Moon Kingdom, and during that time frame she was nearly powerless to do anything about it. Also Aithne, had been warning Queen Serenity of her fire readings for some time."

"That had to have been hard to know what was going to happen and knowing that there was nothing that could be done about it," Kaden said, "I'm sure that must have hurt more than anything. I would have felt like I had been betrayed for my daughter to go to Earth despite many warnings about her going."

"I can only imagine what my grandmother went through," I agreed. "Anyway, Mom's guardians kept a closer eye on her after Venus had told the other three about Serenity going to Earth. Unfortunately, that did not deter the princess from sneaking away to see him, so what was she to do? She would make distractions for her guardians so that they didn't follow her, sometimes she even feigned sickness. I remember mom telling me one time she ate something that purposely made her sick so that she could stay in her room, and then sneak away from her window, but regretted it later because she didn't get to stay long because then she was too sick to even have a true visit."

Kaden laughed. "What a smart idea at the time, dumb in the long run though."

"Venus would always catch her in the act afterwards, and usually sent one of the other three after her, mostly Venus would go get her. Many times Serenity claimed that Venus didn't know what love was. Kunzite had even said that it must be hard to have a too curious princess, for which Endymion scolded him for such a remark. All the times that the guardians went to get their princess, Venus noticed that they too had been falling for the prince's guards as well."

"Wait… Mina, Ami, Rei, and Mako all had fallen for the guards of Prince Endymion," Kaden interrupted confused. "Why would they scold Serenity if they were going to do it too?"

"I have never asked, but they never went sneaking off like Serenity did," I replied. "I'm told that they never fully got to divulge further into a relationship. Beryl made sure of that."

"How so?"

I frowned sadly. "I'm getting to that part," I told him. "It was coming upon the time for the arrival of spring and it was time for festivities and fun. Endymion was seeing to the festivities, his father had left him in charge. Endymion was out doing his rounds making sure everything was coming together, when a young red haired girl of nearly eighteen went up to the young prince. Her name was Beryl. She was beautiful, and my father was kind as she spoke to him, she made it clear that she was interested in him, but my father, being in love with my mother made no motion of sharing feelings in return. As one of the palace maids for Endymion's mother, she knew her way around the palace. She was even in good graces with the queen and the queen made sure that she was well taught and proper. Unbeknownst to my father, Beryl was also friends with many who worked within its walls, and knew of his love for the princess, and many times she swore that she would exact revenge on the moon princess, for stealing the heart of who she thought was her prince."

"Her chance came when the sun had odd activities going on and awakened an evil force known as 'Queen Metalia.' She promised Beryl power in exchange for getting the Silver Crystal. Slowly, Beryl spread lies about the Moon Kingdom, she talked the queen into convincing the king the Moon Kingdom was jealous of what they had and that the Moon Kingdom would destroy the Earth Kingdom if they did nothing to stop them. She had Kunzite convince the other three generals the same thing. My father alone seemed impervious to her lies and tried to tell his generals otherwise, but it was too late, they had fallen for her lies and Endymion left Earth to warn my mother of the coming war."

"He was once again too late, for they had already begun their invasion on the Moon Kingdom, as Beryl had spies among them already. He sought out my mother, who was running from Zoisite, another of my father's guards. Father stopped him and told him to stop, that the Queen, Selene, and her court had done nothing wrong, but he was struck down by Beryl who had gotten in front of her attack intended for Princess Serenity. At that same moment, Venus and the other guardians attacked her and killed her. Serenity, in the grief of losing her beloved, took her own life…"

"Wow, just like that," Kaden said quietly.

I nodded. "The Queen's guardians and my mother's fought with everything they had, but were slowly losing due to the mass numbers that Earth had. Queen Serenity and Luna had been in the Chamber of Prayer within the castle, Eleanor had asked her to stay there so that she and the Silver Crystal could be safe. The queen didn't stay long, she felt the power of her senshi waning and knew it was a matter of time before she needed the crystal's power. Death was all around her when she walked out of the palace and the sight that greeted her first was her only daughter picking up Endymion's fallen sword and take her own life. Knowing it was going to happen and seeing it had always been two different things. Using what power she had, she sealed everyone away and sent everyone into a far distant future, in hopes that there would be a happier time for Serenity and the princess's beloved, and for everyone there. After it was done she told Artemis and Luna to find them one day and watch over them, and then guide them if, and when, they are needed, then with her final strength she too sent them into the future."

"So they found each other again, as fate would have it," I told him in conclusion, "Through some bazar events, it turned out that Queen Selene gave Beryl and Metalia another chance as well, in which Sailor Moon had no choice in taking their lives once and for all. I wouldn't have been so, had Beryl left Metalia where she was locked away."

"That is a sad tale, but with a happy ending, eventually," Kaden remarked. "What about Kunzite and the other three?"

"I'm not entirely sure, Mina never talks about it, and changes the subject when it gets brought up. I can assume that they too were reborn and I think they were also once again put under the control of Metalia and Beryl, and probably met their fate the same way once again. At least that's my guess, and from the bits and pieces mom and dad has told me."

"To have ones love taken from you once, and then have another chance and then have them taken again," he gave me a quick sideways look, "I would hate to have that happen to me."

"I don't want that happening to me again," I said before I could stop myself.

He gave me a quizzical look. "Again? You mean you have had some you loved taken?"

Sighing, I looked at my hands, not wanting to look at him. "I really don't want to talk about it nor do I like to talk about it… but you have been told about my trip to the past, I assume?" he nodded and I continued. "During that time and during my training, or most of what I could call training, I met Helios."

"The guardian of Dreams from Elysion? I thought he was a thing of legend, or only mentioned in folk lore."

"Yes, but he is very much real. Ami has them in books as such so that he will not be sought after. As for me, he came to me in the form of Pegasus, although I later found out that he had only been trapped in his friend Pegasus. Normally he would never seek help from the people he didn't really know, but he was drawn to me. He was seeking aid on finding my father's Golden Crystal. Originally Helios assumed it had been me that he was searching for, when it turned out that it had been my mother Sailor Moon that he was really looking for, and she was the one who had helped my dad find it within him."

"During that time he and I grew close, and at one point he tried to protect my father from being attacked and in turn it nearly took his life… luckily I was able to revive him with my Pink Moon Crystal. For what little powers Helios had he did very well."

"He must have been very brave then," Kaden commented.

"He certainly had courage." I agreed.

Kaden suddenly stood and stretched, then offered his hand to me with a smile. "Enough story telling for the day. Care to take a walk with me?"

"Sure," he helped me up to my feet.

He led me to the inner courtyard, holding my hand as we walked, it was strangely calming. He continued to tell me about his palace back at home and about his family, and how he wished that he had some siblings. It was somewhat nice to hear him talk.

"You have been very quiet," he told me after a while. "Most women are the talkative ones."

"I have been told that it is impolite to not let anyone else talk," I replied, "Besides, I'm enjoying your tales."

"Ah, you are very proper, Princess Lady Serenity," Kaden said with a small smile. "Perhaps even more so than most others. Many women and children know not of the very meaning."

I giggled at that. "Are you complimenting me Prince Kaden?"

He stepped in front of me and took both of my hands in his, kissing one as he did so. "If her Highness feels it is so, then yes."

"Then I thank you my dear prince, it pleases me to hear such meaningful pleasantries," I continued, playing his little game.

"Then perhaps I should comment her highness more often," he said, grinning, then added, "maybe then, Lady Serenity will allow me to win her heart."

"Kaden, you know I already-"

He quickly leaned in, putting a finger to my lips as he did so, "Princess, I don't expect you to fall right into my arms at my whim, as much as I would love that. I have much to earn from you before I can just claim you as mine. I have been mean, rude, and rotten to you."

"Kaden…" I didn't know what else to say. I felt in my heart confusion as I stared back at him. My heart was light, but yet I couldn't seem to place the feeling in my heart that I felt. I didn't think it was love, more like a broken piece of me that wasn't listening to the fact that Helios is the one I love. Kaden and I were close friends when we were little, and grew apart as he continued to age without me.

He continued walking, pulling me alongside him, and continued talking. "In any event, I will be leaving in a few days, mother and father are thinking of crowing me soon, a coronation of sorts, only I will be as acting king when my father goes away on trips and such. Not really a king though. Also," he stole a glance at me, "they have been asking when I will be trying to settle down and have a family, and I think they just really want me to have kids. I don't see the rush to be honest. When we live such long lives that is."

"I think my mom feels the same," I said with a laugh, "She keeps making hints though."

"Doesn't everyone want grandkids though?"

I thought for a moment. "Eventually I guess, though there are some that choose to never have kids."

"Do you want children," he asked me quietly.

"After I find the right man to be with," I answered with certainty. "I want someone to love me like my dad and mom love each other, despite the many faults my mom has. I want to be looked at with the kind of love that I see when they look at each other and know that they are never alone in any argument. I want to argue too, but to still love each other even then. I'm not sure if there is real love like that anymore in this world. I may be wrong but surly one can hope right."

"Never know," he said, "there may be and then there may not be."

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After a while, Kaden led me back to my chambers, not letting me go as we walked. It felt like talking to an old friend I hadn't seen in years. It was weird to be talking to him after so many years of regret and resentment towards him. I wish that it had always been like this as he got older. My body hadn't aged but I know that my mind and spirit had aged, a mature soul trapped in a child's body. Even when I had my very much childish moments.

"I enjoyed the afternoon with you Lady Serenity," he said when we reached the door to my bed chambers. "It feels like old times, back when we were kids."

"I did to," I replied back with a smile, actually meaning it too. "Maybe we can do it again someday in the near future. I would love to rekindle our lost friendship."

"Perhaps be even more?" he inquired, stepping closer.

I stepped back not realizing that I was already next to the door of my room, and my back pressed against the door. "I can't give an answer to that," I said looking away from him.

He touched the choker that he had given me yesterday, his hands gentle. "Still just as beautiful, it compliments you," he said with a murmurer, his eyes never leaving mine, even though I wasn't looking into his. "You can have anyone you want, you know. I have seen the way men look at you now that you have grown into a beautiful lady. Most don't know the true lady underneath the beauty. Your heart is just as beautiful as your face Lady Serenity."

"Kaden, I-" I started, looking at him once again, but he cut me off placing a finger to my lips.

"Princess Lady Serenity," he was serious again and I couldn't read his expression. "I wish that I could take back the many years of torment that I made you endure. It's my fault that you even had put up with all the hurtful things I did to you, as well as other people. I would very much like to make it up to you."

"Just having your friendship again is good," I told him, as I removed his finger, starting to feel like I couldn't breathe, he was staring to get a little too close and his gaze felt very intense, but I couldn't understand my feelings, I felt confused and lost. 'What about Helios,' my mind told me, 'you have to keep your heart guarded at all times, Helios is the one you want to be with.' But the more I thought about it, the more I was starting to become unsure of my feelings. Between Helios and Kaden, I had more history with Kaden than I did Helios, more bad memories than good memories.

I didn't need the confusion, mother had always told me that the pink moon crystal relied on my heart, if I faltered, so too would the crystal. 'Whenever I feel lonely,' she had once told me, 'I remember my friends, and they give me strength when I no longer feel that I have any, their friendship gives me courage to stand up and makes my heart confident to do what I must.'

"I won't give up," he finally said after a few moments, backing away from me, his eyes looing their previous intensity. "Until there is a said engagement, I will continue to pursue your heart."

"Why do you insist," I asked. "I made it clear that I was not interested."

"Do you really want to know why," he inquired, gently moving a strand of loose hair away from my eyes.

I nodded. "I mean, just a few years go you were so cruel, mean, and rude to me. I could have told my parents many times and you would have never been able to visit me again. My parents have that power. And many times I was tempted to do so."

Kaden pulled me into a hug. "Because, right this moment, I can feel the way your heart is beating erratically in your chest as I embrace you, I can feel the warmth in your cheeks when you blush. I can also see the confusion in your heart by the way you look at me," he whispered.

I was so shocked by the truth of his words like I tried pulling away, but his firm hold kept me in place. How did he know I how I felt, what was in my heart and what my body was currently doing? Was I this readable? My father has always told me that my mother wore her heart on her sleeve, was I the same?

"It's not for you to decide my feelings, Kaden," I told him sternly. "My feelings are that of my own I don't need you to tell me how I should or should not feel."

"No need to get defensive," he said with a laugh, letting go of me. "I am merely stating a fact that is clearly visible."

"I have to go change," I informed him, "the day is growing later, and I must prepare for evening dinner, or else my guardians may come looking for me."

He chuckled. "Trying to change the subject? Very well, but don't think I'm letting this conversation go."

"I just… I need time to think things over," I admitted, "I am just now experiencing things that I haven't had the chance to experience before. You may have had the chance to grow, and learn what feelings are what. I mean you have, long before I have, been an adult, and by far longer than I have. I need time to sort out my feelings."

"Just tell me one thing before you go," he paused, as if thinking about his question carefully. Then he took my hands. "As we talk and spend time together here, do you still picture me as my younger self and picture a mean boy? Or do you see me as I am now, a fully grown man, who loves you?"

I looked down. "I don't know about the loving me part, but I see both the mean boy and the man as one and the same," he seemed to flinch at my answer, but I continued is if I hadn't noticed, "If I had to make my decision about you now, the answer would be no."

"I see," he whispered, dropping my hands. Kaden turned and walked away without another word. I felt a little sorry for him, but he was too late in trying to capture my heart. If he had wanted a relationship he shouldn't have been so cruel when I was little.

As I went to my room to change, I thought things over. Perhaps it was my fault. Perhaps I still pictured a little me, feeling that my love for Helios was nothing more than a silly little girlish crush. He had been the first boy to ever show me kindness, and respect, the first to treat me like someone special, and not see me as a little annoying pest. I looked in my mirror, 'How do you see me now, Helios,' I wondered. 'Am I still you maiden? Do you still see me as a little girl, or as the woman I am now?'

A knock on my door brought me out of my thoughts, and I looked up sighing. "Who is it," I called.

"Daughter, I thought I would have a little chat with you before dinner," the voice called back.

I hurried to my door to let in my dad. "Father, it's rare for you to visit my room as of late."

He gave a small chuckle as he sat down on a chair next to my dresser where my large mirror sat. He cleared his throat. "I try to avoid your room lately because you are a fully grown lady, and it really isn't proper for me to come in often," he gave me a firm look, "and that goes for any other guy too, especially if he respects you. I don't mind though as long as it isn't for an extended period of time and as long as your door is open."

I laughed at him. "Don't worry I won't be getting knocked up anytime soon dad. I'm not some sluttly teenager. I have self-respect for myself."

"That's a relief to hear." He cleared his throat. "Anyway, I just wanted to ask how you felt about Prince Kaden? Your mom and I have been noticing that you have been spending a bit of time with him since his arrival, so she thought I should ask you about it."

I went to my bed and sat down. I thought about it for a moment, trying to read Father's expression. He looked anxious to hear what I had to say. It was puzzling to see him so on edge. "He certainly seems to have changed, for whatever reason, I cannot say. However he seems to be nicer to me than some years ago. I can only hope that it isn't some facade that he is trying just to impress me. What makes you ask?"

He sighed. "Your mom has it in mind to invite Kaden and his mother with us along on our vacation. I told her that you may not like that considering that you two hardly ever got along when you two were younger, and yes I know about that," he added when he saw my expression, "but she seems to have this idea that you two may get closer during the time frame."

"Is that even wise?" I huffed. "This is a family outing for you, mom, and me. They aren't even family. Dad," I said, my tone serious, but polite, "my senshi and I have yet to tell you this but we think, well I mostly think, that there is something odd about Kaden and his family. I don't think mom thought much of it, but I was a bit suspicious about Claire wanting to make a replica of my crystal, and the interest that Kaden showed in the Golden Crystal when the topic was brought up. In fact if I remember correctly she was the one who brought it up. I thought that knowledge of the Golden Crystal was a secret."

His brows furled in confusion. "That certainly is something to ponder," he finally said. "I will be sure to bring that up to you mom."

Suddenly I had an Idea. "You know, it might not be a bad idea to have them come with us after all."

My dad laughed at the way I said it. "You sound like your mom, should we be concerned with this idea of yours?"

I scowled at him. "Very funny father," I told him rolling my eyes. "Think about it though, if most of our guardians are coming with us that means that the palace will be somewhat unprotected. With that in mind, if Kaden's family is up to something that would be the moment to attack, and they would know that we are leaving."

"I see," he said catching on, "So you think it might be wise to bring them with us so that they would not have that chance, or just to keep a closer eye on them. Good observation and strategy, Usagi."

"I aim to please," I told him jokingly. "Anyway, I feel something coming and while I am not yet aware of what it might be I will do my best to protect this world as mom once did. I will not let you or mom down."

"Your mom and I are very proud of you," he told me smiling. "We know you are prepared for any task. Your guardians are there to help you too, and I too will help you if need be."

I knew, but did not have to the heart to tell him, that he was in no shape to use his crystal. "There will be no need," I told him confidently. "I can do it, my friends and I all can."

"I know," Father told me, standing and giving me a kiss on my forehead. "Don't be late to dinner," he added starting to take his leave.

I jumped up off my bed, when a thought occurred to me. "Actually dad," I said as soon he got to the door, and he turned to me. "I wanted to ask if Kaden and I could go to a restaurant. I would like to get to know him better.., as friends. He might… open up to me better if it's just us."

I could tell that he was surprised by my request, yet a little pleased. "If that's what you want to do. Just make sure to go in your civilian clothes and try not to draw attention to yourself. If you need Cere and the others contact them on your cell phone."

"I will," I told him enthusiastically. I was pleased that he had agreed.

Dad left and closed my door behind him.

I hoped that things would go well.

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*Notes*

Queen Selene's Guardians: there are none mentioned, I figure that she did have four as Chibiusa and her daughter, Usagi/princess Serenity, did.

Next chapter I have a villain already in mind, and we will be seeing more of the girls soon. ;)

Still trying to think of attacks for the Quartet, and so far I have been stumped. :^/ any ideas would be greatly appreciated, my only idea is the older guardians allowing them to use their attacks until they discover their own, which sounds pretty stupid to me lol. as for Lady Serenity I'm thinking she can use her attack from her days as Chibi-moon but will have her own attack not too long after.

Oh! and regarding my descriptive aspect, I feel I need to describe things in better detail, it may just be me. Let me know if you guys think I need to improve that. Thanks ^_^

Anyways... please review. I always want to improve.