A/N: Just thought I'd write this tidbit to clear up any questions that you might have in Chapter 37 about Asuka coming back to Japan from America. Well, please read and review! Thanks!

-x-

"Mommy . . . Mother . . ?"

"What is it, Asuka?" a blonde woman wondered with a smile one night over dinner.

"I've come to ask you for permission," the pre-teen whispered.

"What is it? If it's something you want to do, we'll support it," the sandy blonde stated. Asuka looked down at her finished plate,

"I want to study abroad."

-x-

"So . . . tomorrow's the day, huh Haruka?" a soft voice whispered in the darkness. The other figure on the bed shifted position and pulled the smaller woman close to her,

"I guess so."

-x-

"Why do you want to study abroad, honey? You'll be able to do that when you get out of high school," Serena questioned. The petite girl looked up with eyes blazing,

"I want to perfect my English and I don't want to wait six years to do that."

"Are you sure you won't regret it?" Haruka wondered.

"Nope, I've already made my decision," Asuka stated firmly. Haruka sighed and looked over at her lover,

"Serena?"

" . . . I'm sorry. I need more time . . ." Serena stood up from the table and left the dining area.

-x-

"You'd think Asuka should be the one nervous, so why do I have butterflies in my stomach?" Serena chuckled wryly.

"A natural response between mother and daughter. Don't worry, Asuka will be fine on her own. I have a cousin where she's going to school so she'll help her fit in. If you want, we can keep tabs on her and if anything goes wrong, we'll send her back immediately, all right?"

"Okay . . ."

-x-

"Mom?"

"When do you plan on leaving, Asuka?" Serena gazed out of the window and at the beautiful full moon adorning the night sky.

"A week before the new semester," Asuka answered.

"Are you sure this is what you want to do?" Serena asked.

"Mom, I'm sure," Asuka chuckled. The moon princess turned away from the window and flung herself towards her daughter, hugging her tight; never letting go.

"I never thought I'd have to let you go so soon. You're already growing up so fast," Serena sobbed.

"Mom . . . If you're going to continue crying, I'm going to cry too . . ." Asuka stated, hugging Serena back.

-x-

"This is it . . ." Asuka stated as she heard her boarding flight echo from the speakers.

"You sure you got everything? Nothing's missing?"

"Mom!" Asuka chuckled, "for the twentieth time! Yes!"

Serena sniffed, "I was just checking."

Asuka smiled, "The way I see it, it looks like you're trying to make me miss my flight."

"Go ahead, honey. Be safe!" Haruka pushed the girl forward. Asuka nodded and waved goodbye before heading to her designated gate number.

"I miss her," Serena cried. Haruka laughed, enveloping the blonde in a hug,

"But she just left."

"I know."

I know . . .