Chibiusa had indeed single-handedly ditched an organ trafficking ring. The two brothers, their dead mother decaying in her bed for months, had snatched people from the street and sold their organs to various traders and illegal clinics, most of them in Asia.

The two brothers, the younger one had died in a fight against Tuxedo Mask, still a kitchen knife in his hands, had been excellent when it came to harvesting organs but had failed as criminals as they didn't even tried to cover their contacts and had all the information about their customers stored in a little note book.

Immediately Interpol and various local law enforcement agencies moved into action, at least where they could, as some of the buyers on the Chinese mainland weren't touchable.

The young Senshi had been a little shook but otherwise unharmed and after a medical check-up from Dr. Aino had retreated to her quarters along her parents.

Within a few hours Hotaru had also arrived at the Palace, along SunTzu in AICA, just as Helios.

The next morning the pink-haired heiress was pretty much back to herself, which also meant that the travel preparations for a special trip on the date of the birthday of Neo Queen and Princess could have been resumed.

One day later the members of the Royal Court, the family of the Neo Queen and the Royals themselves boarded the Royal Shuttle to Great Britain, the Galactic Senator and the Office of Diplomacy had taken care of a last minute state visit.

The Neo Queen and her daughter would spent their birthday near London, more specific at the Royal Ascot Horse Race, an invitation by the Queen herself.

Escorted to Heathrow by AICA and the Voyager the shuttle landed at sunny weather in Great Britain where an official reception with military honors was already waiting for them.

Unlike his two wingwomen SunTzu didn't join the reception but rather waited in AICA, together with her he kept an eye out for security.

The British prime minister himself welcomed the Royal Family and after almost twenty minutes a motorcade with the Prime Minister and the Royal Court was on the way to downtown London.

SunTzu had showed up just a few moments before the vehicles left and had boarded one of the last.

Just then he noticed that Setsuna was still missing and he began to wonder where she was.

Had he been to harsh to her? Was she back at the Door of Space and Time? Or had she stayed back and was working in the hospital?

Although he had made up his mind and had decided to stay and fight for the Galaxy, but the truth, especially her part in bringing him to this Universe, still bugged him. And the thought that she was ready to kill him if the need would arise, really hurted. Maybe it would have been right to search for the next possibility to have a conversation with her again but there was something in SunTzu which bridled against talking with Setsuna. He couldn't even explain why it was so different for him to forgive her, especially in relation to the other Senshi. SunTzu only knew that he felt betrayed by her, especially since they had gotten so close.

Sometimes he felt like he shouldn't have slept with her, because ever since then things had felt to go south.

SunTzu let out a long sigh in the back of the Range Rover, next to him sat Nava, the Close Quarter Specialist of Team 1, as him, dressed in an expansive suit, SunTzu had changed before he had gotten to the car.

"You alright, Captain?"

"Yeah… just didn't sleep well tonight."

Nava nodded acknowledgingly as the convoy made its way further towards London.

The Royal Court visited Buckingham Palace where the Royal Couple briefly met with the Queen and the Prince before they moved into their rooms at the nearby Ritz Hotel and took a small break before a state banquet took place in the early evening.

SunTzu was attending, wearing his Dress Uniform of the Taskforce but kept himself aside, along with Hotaru.

Haruka and Michiru, the former part of British Aristocracy, were seated close to the Neo Queen and SunTzu could make out Haruka's parents on a nearby table as well.

Not knowing if to his discomfort or relief SunTzu also noticed that Setsuna still was not attending and even Hotaru only had told him, that she was busy.

The Prince and King Endymion both held a speech, the bottom line of both speeches being that both kingdoms were willing to enhance their cooperation.

SunTzu and Hotaru both welcomed the speeches and had a small conversation on how long it would take until British Troops would augment Taskforce Sol as well, both acknowledging that the former augmentation of the US- and French Troops opened the door for the idea of other countries supporting the Shadow War directly.

But the conversation soon went over to Fondor and the US-Marines there and their unknown status.

After the official part SunTzu briefly accompanied Hotaru to the table where Haruka's parents were seated on and said his Hello's to the basic grandparents of his protege.

Haruka and Michiru also came and as SunTzu saw that the three Outers were having a good time he decided to retreat for the night.

Politely he excused himself with the members of the Court and the Royals and left for his hotel room.

Haruka was chatting with her father about the recent state of the Galaxy as SunTzu left and Michiru and Hotaru followed his exit.

"Did you notice? He always on the lookout."

"Setsuna. Did you tell him where she is, Taru-Chan?"

"No, I… I think it's another one of these things Setsuna-Mama has to tell him herself. I thought it would make things even more complicated."

Michiru nodded before she answered.

"It's a difficult situation for them, SunTzu's trust into Setsuna suffered immensely."

There was sadness in Michiru's eyes as she watched SunTzu vanish into the door leading out of the room.

The next day came, a very special day for the Royals as it was the 30th Birthday of her Majesty, Neo Queen Serenity II. as well as the 18th birthday of the Princess of Crystal Tokyo, Serenity III.

To the surprise of the Court hundreds of people had gathered outside of the Hotel and waited for the two birthday girls, waiting with flags of Crystal Tokyo in their hands and chanting Serenity.

Metropolitan Police had to step up manpower around the Ritz and Neo Queen, Princess and the King had to appear on the balcony of the famous Hotel and wave to the crowd and give a small thank you speech to thank the chanting crowd.

Shortly after breakfast a convoy, escorted by Police motorbikes in the front and with a Rolls Royce transporting the Royal Couple, the Princess and her boyfriend left for the Ascot Race Course, at the gates of the London Metropolitan Area and nearby Windsor Castle.

SunTzu was sitting in one of the SUVs in the back of the convoy, mood not really better at all.

Still no sign of Setsuna was sure by now that she wouldn't come at all.

Which also meant, that if she would have wanted to talk to him about everything she would have come. The realization stung more than SunTzu wished, even in his state of being displeased with Setsuna.

The only time he had smiled today was when he had met the Neo Queen and the Princess and had congratulated them to their birthdays.

Unfortunately both were busy with getting ready and studying the protocol for the Royal Ascot which was presented to them by Luna.

Usagi had noticed that SunTzu was keeping to himself and had spent most of his time in solitude and had been on the brink of trying to talk with him, but in the end had refrained from it as she didn't want to push him. It was a lot to swallow for him and he needed time.

The convoy arrived at Ascot Racecourse and immediately the Court was lead into a spacey and luxurious box with a great view to the track.

SunTzu, dressed in dress uniform and not in tails like for example the King and Yuichiro were, joined Team 1 and the Royal Guards with keeping overwatch and checking the security measures first hand.

SunTzu had his second smile of the day when he noticed the ridiculous large hat of Minako.

While all the other Senshi, including Haruka had opted for more conventional dresses and headgear, hats for women were more or less mandatory at the Royal Ascot, Minako's orange-colored dress was at the limit of what was not frowned up to be shown and her hat, in the same color of the dress was at least twice the size of her hat.

For the part time pop idol it did work though, as the photographers at the scene almost took as much shots of her as of the Royal Couple who were there as part of their state visit.

Although the attending Senshi tried SunTzu stayed either in the back or was patrolling most of the time, except for a toast, he drank orange juice, to the Queen and the Princess.

He wasn't worried about security or had any premonitions but he felt he needed to be alone and he also wasn't much interested in the Horse Race as well, he hadn't much affinity to horses anyways. If he needed to go somewhere he had AICA, who at this moment actually was flying high over Ascot and keeping an electronic eye out.

SunTzu wouldn't have mind to have spent the day in the cockpit. Not that he didn't want to celebrate the Royal's, his friends', birthdays but he just wasn't in a celebratory mood and he didn't want to bring anyone down.

After the toast and telling Usagi that he was just a bit tense because of security reasons when she told him to enjoy himself more he excused himself and told he would make another patrol round.

SunTzu hadn't left the box for five minutes when nearby Minako and Michiru were waiting in the women's restrooms.

Not even a minute after they had entered the room a small portal opened and Sailor Pluto stepped outside.

The other two, non-transformed Senshi smiled as greeting and while Minako pulled out her disguise pen from her bra, Michiru presented a small jewelry box.

Setsuna seemed to be in a hurry, as she also just smiled and then immediately took the disguise pen.

A few seconds and a chant later, Setsuna was dressed fitting for the Royal Ascot as well, although also not such a big head than Minako ,and then took the box from Michiru, opening it.

Inside were two ear rings, the color of Setsuna, and Chibiusa's, eyes.

"Thank you so much, you two." Setsuna closed the box and then hugged both of the women. "Did she say something?"

"She will be so happy to see you." Minako replied and Michiru nodded in approval.

Setsuna smiled again and then took a glance at Minako's hat.

"This hat is simply marvelous, Mina-Chan."

Chibiusa was feeling a bit tipsy already from the glass of champagne she was drinking from while watching the race in the middle between Hotaru and Helios.

Her birthday so far had been wonderful, that the people of London would gather just to see her and her mother had been such a great surprise.

Not to speak of the trip and the gifts and the presence of all her loved ones here as well. Well all but one of them, as Setsuna was somewhere in the place between Time and Space.

Chibiusa grimaced for a millisecond thinking about her good friend and co-maternal figure, having her here would have made this birthday perfect.

Silently Setsuna, accompanied by the other two women as well as Haruka who had been waiting outside the restroom, entered the box.

Michiru, Haruka and Minako stopped a few meters behind the younger birthday girl while Setsuna made eye contact with Usagi and greeted her with a small bow before she motioned with her head towards Chibiusa which made Usagi nod with a warm smile.

Even after the bad news and things that had happened lately Setsuna could find some joy on this day and she was smiling when she walked up to Chibiusa and stopped right behind her.

"So, which horse is winning?"

"PUU!" Chibiusa swung around and only Hotaru's fast reflexes grabbing Chibiusa's champagne flute prevented everyone nearby from being stained with the bubbly liquid.

"Happy Birthday, my dear Small Lady." Setsuna said and both hugged each other dearly.

After several moments they broke the hug and while both smiled at each other, as was every onlooker from the heartwarming scene, Setsuna produced her gift.

SunTzu almost had spent half an hour on patrol and although he had thought a small walk would empty his mind, it didn't do much to relax him.

He stepped back into the huge and luxurious viewing box, right next to the ones of the Royal Family of United Kingdom, enthroning the rostrum.

Immediately he acknowledged her. She was having a chat with the Neo Queen, the King and Luna and Chibiusa, who seemed to have changed something in her appearance since he had left the room somehow, Helios and Hotaru were next to her.

Mamoru was the first one to notice him and he looked up to SunTzu, which sparked the attention of the other people and they turned towards SunTzu.

Both Setsuna and SunTzu had the look of surprise on their faces when their gazes met but while SunTzu froze in place Setsuna turned back to the Royals and excused herself for a moment.

As always her beauty stood out, even in a room of some of the most beautiful women in the Galaxy and the dress and the fashionable hat, both in the color of her eyes complimented her natural elegancy.

Setsuna had walked up to SunTzu and although her first steps had been swift the closer she came the more slower her steps had gotten.

"Hello."

"Hi."

"Care if we talk for a moment?"

SunTzu motioned to the door behind him. "How about a little walk?"

Setsuna answered with pressed together lips and a nod.

For a few minutes, until they had left the building, both had walked next to each other in silence, with her not really sure how to start the conversation and him not really knowing what to say, to at least not completely come over as a total ass while not making it seem he wasn't disappointed anymore.

Finally it was Setsuna who began to speak.

"Thousands of years ago, Queen Serenity knew the Silver Millennium was about to fall. She willingly let it fall. She rather wanted peace on Earth and between the people of the Moon and the Earth than just saving the Kingdom of the Moon. Her sacrifice paved the way for this solar system to become what it is today."

SunTzu didn't answer and hadn't looked at Setsuna once.

"What I'm trying to tell you with this is that sometimes it needs the largest sacrifices to save the future."

"I made my peace with being having brought here, Setsuna. And I'm willing to give all that I have to protect this Galaxy."

SunTzu replied, still not looking at her.

Setsuna stopped, the two Guardians were at the back of the building and had arrived at the VIP parking lots, not many people were there except some securities and a few members of the valet.

"There is something else I have to tell you."

SunTzu stopped as well and after a moment turned around to her.

"Let me guess, it's something else that's going to hurt my feelings."

Setsuna twitched, she knew he was still angry with her but his objectivity only now showed her that he hadn't forgiven her in the slightest.

"Depends on your feelings. After the Herald of Chaos and his forces have been defeated you cannot stay in the Universe as it would make the timeline unstable. I for myself am hurted by this fact."

SunTzu's gaze pierced through her for a moment before he turned his head away into the clouds, hoping she wouldn't see the pain in them.

He shook his head after a moment and then lowered his gaze again. He shouldn't have fallen in love in this Galaxy, ever and yet here he was, his heart breaking that there was no chance that this goddess next to him never would be his for eternity.

"She's an immortal and I'm a regular human anyways…" It slipped out of his mouth, barely audible.

"Excuse me, what was that?"

"N…nothing. Listen, I… I need a moment for myself." SunTzu brought up his watch to his mouth and pressed a button on the timepiece.

"AICA, pick me up."

"Affirmative."

From his voice alone the AI could sense something was off with him and she refrained from any snarky comments this time.

"What are you doing?"

In the sky AICA's engine already became audible.

"I said I need a moment. And there's not a bigger safe space for me than the cockpit of my starfighter."

"SunTzu, we are at the Royal Ascot, can you imagine the scene that this will cause?"

"Blame my big ego for it then. And if someone wants to punish me for this, no matter If it's Royalty, Admirality, the Foreign Office or the Head of Court, tell them maybe we can put everything into one session, so we can save time, I'm here to fight a war after all. And not make lasting relationships."

SunTzu walked a few meters and within seconds AICA swooped down in front of him, surprising all the other people on the parking lot.

With a deadpan Setsuna watched SunTzu enter AICA's cockpit and then immediately lifting up.

And she began to seriously ask herself how two people that loved each other like they did could run away so easy and frequently from each other.