AN: This is by far, my favorite. I think. Because I also love the Star Gazing one. :)

Billet-doux: a love letter or note (billets-doux: the plural)

Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon. :'(

Theme: # 2

Billets-Doux

Past

While the rest of the palace slept, Princess Serenity sat at her desk. She was taught not to slouch, but she was certainly doing so. And though she knew no one was awake, she thought it would be good to be cautious. Serenity set her pen down, sighing. She twirled a lock of her hair around her finger. She was engaged to the prince of Earth, Endymion. She had agreed once, long ago, when she loved him. But that was just it; she didn't love him. She never did. She was just too afraid to admit that she loved another woman. And now she was stuck with him. Serenity sighed once again and stood to retrieve an envelope, leaving the letter open to view.

My Dearest Starlight,

The wedding is already three weeks away and I find myself wanting to run away; run to you. Fighter, I miss you and I am sorry you had to find out about the engagement that way. I truly am sorry, Fighter. I wish you did not run off. I am lonelier than before I met you. Please return to me. I feel that the longer I go without seeing your face; hearing your voice, your laugh that I cannot go on much longer. I need you here. I cannot get through the day without a piece of my heart breaking off.

Fighter, please return to me. You are the only reason I wake every day.

Love,

Your Odango

Serenity returned, folding the letter and sliding it into the envelope. She'd give it to Luna to deliver it in the morning.(1)

The reply didn't return until Serenity's wedding day. After inviting Fighter, she had expected for her to come, so she put the ceremony off until she showed up. But the letter was all that came back, not her love.

Odango,

I apologize for hurting you. But I cannot see you with another. So, I hope you understand when I do not appear at your wedding. I am sorry.

Fighter

Serenity's tears fell onto her dress as she reread the letter. And then, the palace shook.(2)

Present

Usagi squealed, hugging an envelope close to her chest as she flung herself onto her bed. His reply had taken forever and for a while, she thought he had disappeared like Mamoru. The giddy blond ripped open the envelope and quickly opened the folded letter.

Odango,

Repairs are going great here. Most of the town is already back in business. Healer and Maker are fine, too. I think they're too afraid to admit they miss Earth. And a certain blond and blue haired girl.

As for me, I'm not too sure. I do miss Earth, miss you. But only half of me (except for missing you; my whole body aches). And I'm confused. Kakyuu has chosen me to be her lover. She asked me to marry her and I don't know if I should refuse or accept. I do love her, but nothing more than as my princess.

I love you, Odango. And I don't think that'll ever change.

Seiya

Usagi frowned and sighed as she reread the last two paragraphs for the fifth time. She felt a pinging in her heart. She got up and sat at her desk. She read the letter again, wincing as her heart pounded against her chest in pain. As much as she wished to tell Seiya no, to come back to her and marry her, she couldn't. The future depended on her; Chibi-Usa depended on her. So, with a shaky hand and silent tears, wrote her reply.

Seiya,

I love you, too. More than you will ever know. And I want to say no, but I know that wouldn't be fair. To you or me. Marry her, Seiya. Marry her and be happy, for me. Maybe one day, in another life or so, we can be together.

I love you,

Your Odango

Future (10 years)(3)

As the palace slept, Neo Queen Serenity sat at her desk in her study. She smiled reading a letter in her hands for about the hundredth time that day. She retrieved a piece of paper from one of the desk drawers and a pen from another. Her eyes flickered towards the door, making sure no one was to step through. She chuckled softly, remembering the nights she used to do the same thing on the moon. She turned her attention back to the paper.

My Starlight,

I truly wish I could see your face again. How long has it been again; ten years? That is too long. How are you, dear starlight? How are Kakyuu and the baby?

I am happy, but I find myself jealous of her. She was able to marry you. She was able to kiss, hold, and touch you. She was able to carry your child. I do not like it, love, not one bit. But I understand that I have to put up with it, just for your beautiful smile. That is worth anything.

I was just thinking; that no matter past, present, or future, we have always been reduced to keeping our love a secret. I am sorry for being a coward and not changing that. I am sorry for being afraid. Truly, I do not think I can put up with it any longer. I need you. Not Endymion or Small Lady.

I am sorry. I let my emotion get a hold of me again. But I wanted you to know, so I did not rewrite this. My love, my starlight, I love you with all my heart. No matter how many decades pass, no matter if we are separated by death. It is always you in my heart.

Love forever,

Your Odango

Queen Serenity smiled as she kissed the letter and slipped it into its envelope. She kissed the envelope as well before turning out the lamp and heading to bed.

A month later, Fighter's reply returned. Serenity smiled as she read the short letter. Her heart thudded against her chest as a small necklace slipped out of the envelope and landed with a soft thud on the desk. It was a silver locket, shaped like a star. Engraved in the middle of the star was a crescent moon. Queen Serenity blushed as she opened the locket. On one side was a picture of her and Seiya, from the time when they went on their date ten years ago. On the other, the words, 'So we'll always be together even if we are light years away' were engraved. She cradled it against her chest and turning her attention back to the letter to reread it.

Odango,

All is well and all will be well. There is no need to be jealous. You know my heart resides with you and only you. There is no need to apologize, either. I completely understand your situation. After all, it is him that is with you.

I can promise you, Odango, one day we will be together. I will fight for it. I mean, my name is not Fighter for anything. I love you, Odango Serenity. That will never change no matter what lifetime we live in.

Your Starlight

PS. I hope you enjoy your necklace, love.

Serenity kissed both the letter and necklace before placing them in the desk and slipping away to go bed.

(1) Luna is the only one who knows about Usagi/Serenity's and Seiya/Fighter's love for each other. Therefore, she is their messenger.

(2) Indicating that Beryl was attacking. I know that that didn't actually happen, but I needed to tweak the main storyline to fit this drabble.

(3) After the Starlights and Kakyuu returned to their planet, they visited Earth a few times. In those ten years, Usagi and Seiya did not keep contact. She was too busy becoming Neo Queen Serenity, setting up Crystal Tokyo, and having Small Lady. Fighter was too busy reconstructing her planet, marrying Kakyuu, and raising a child.

Hope that explains things if they're too confusing. :)