Weeks passed after the affair with Roshi, and the girls and kittens sincerely appreciated themselves and each other. "Gaining our second stripe should mean more potency to our current attacks. Plus, we pulled off a three-way combo in our last adventure. As a bonus, the Dark Kingdom Senshi discovered their version of Sailor Planet Attack!"

Sitting on her mattress with Asteroid beside her, Crystal read aloud her written experiences to her companions. She recalled that even when Sailor Moon elevated to her Cosmic Heart Compact, her Senshi remained in their Super forms longer.

"Well, Neo-Queen Serenity did say we need to grow as people, not just Senshi," Gracie added as she sipped her drink.

"How are we supposed to grow as people when all we know is how to fight?! We never genuinely got the opportunity to go out as normal girls! Like eating at a restaurant, going shopping, getting in trouble...you know, fun stuff!" Christen complained miserably.

"Christen does bring up a valid argument." Trisha pointed out while stroking Quartz.

"Why don't we do that now, then? Let's find out who we are as people. No pendants, no transforming, no attacks, no battles." Ariel convinced the girls to give their pendants a break.

"We should do the same," Rose told her siblings as she figured it would help the girls remember to stay normal.

At first, spending time with their parents was nice, sharing whatever interests the girls remembered having before they became Senshi. Of course, they had outgrown the more childish enjoyments. Alan and Minako took Gracie to Azabu Ramen for lunch as she liked the food there, which mirrored Earth's. Venus's daughter ordered water, steamed rice, ramen with seafood broth, curry, and Yaki gyōza or fried dumplings as is at most Japanese restaurants. Also, as is with places like this, lunch is a sit quickly, eat and go about your day event.

"Ugh, I'm full..." Gracie did leave a little food on her plate as that is considered respectful; it is like saying, "That [food] was so good, I couldn't finish it all."

"Hopefully, you are still up for going shopping?" Her blonde mother giggled.

"Always!" Gracie chirped, an excited glow lighting up her green eyes.

Alan did not fancy carrying all the girl's extra bags, but he loved them and did it without complaint. Showing off new outfits to her friends was probably still Gracie's favorite thing, as she had planned ones for herself and the others! Sadly, for some reason, she could not finish her story about Jamie/Reaper. She groaned and bonked her head against the computer desk in aggravation.

"That is no place to take a nap." Unmistakably, Christen's voice.

"I'm not taking a nap, though I could use one. I can't think of how to continue my story." Gracie admitted, peeking up at the dark girl through her curtain of red hair.

"Maybe the story is less important now than it used to be, and your joys lay in other activities." Christen fixed a couple of new bobby pins Gracie had bought for her into her full, thick locks.

Christen did not do much with her hair other than keep it clean. "What have you been up to?" Gracie thought she might as well ask.

Christen had a look of contempt across her face, "Practicing writing and reading ancient Japanese."

"Any fun?" Gracie knew from the look on Christen's face that it was the farthest thing on her mind as fun.

"I'd rather crack my hands with a Nutcracker just to see if I can still feel my fingers!" Christen massaged her sore and numb digits.

"Maybe you can ask Crystal to use her water to help?" Gracie suggested.

"She's probably busy."

"And I'm not?"

"I walked by and saw you on your own."

Grumbling in annoyance, Gracie stormed outside. Looking around, the loving girl had forgotten how much time and effort she had put into growing patches of beautiful flowers or delicious fruits and veggies. She remembered why she styled the garden this way.

"My king, may I present my gift to you..." Young Gracie threw open the doors to the garden for the man's birthday, "A mini version of Elysion's garden, so you'll never have to feel homesick again!"

"Gracie, this is...Thank you so much!" Endymion was almost brought to tears as he strolled through the idyllic area.

Neo-Queen Serenity had been touched too by how Gracie had planned to make this for her husband, though everyone was allowed to enjoy it.

"Gracie!" Gracie did not quite recognize the light, soft, chipper voice this time.

Looking up, the redhead was shocked to see Ariel waving happily to her! Ariel, who took her job as a Senshi so aggressively, loved gardening, which took time and patience! Gracie waved back and chatted with her friend and her parents.

"What are you doing out here?" Gracie asked.

"Just tending to the plants to make a healthy snack. Want to join us?" Ariel offered.

"Sure." Gracie sat and tried all kinds of mouthwatering concoctions.

"You outdid yourself here, Gracie. It's wonderful." Makoto complimented the girl's creative genius.

"Thank you for saying such a kind thing, Mrs. Kino." Gracie blushed with pride.

"You are truly talented in all this." Kent gestured to the magnificence around them.

"Thanks, but the others helped. I mean, they deserve credit too." Gracie tried to remind herself to give others their due and not soak up all the glory for herself.

"You stood around and told us how to sculpt what our king would have wanted." Ariel gave Gracie a sly smile.

"That doesn't make me feel proud," Gracie growled.

"Hey! Ariel told me you are having trouble with your story. Why don't you take some pictures of the beauty out here, and maybe that will give some inspiration?" Makoto said to defuse the situation.

"That's a great idea! Thanks again, Mrs. Kino!" Gracie took out her phone and started dashing around, snapping photos.

Without knowing it, photography replaced Gracie's love of landscaping. Despite the green-eyed girl not getting hit by any inspiration, reading dark fantasy romance helped relax her mind. When discussing that with her friends, she often jokes about its flaws. Wanting to keep her spirits up, the girls played video games. In a way, Gracie was nervous when it came to Christen's turn to pick a game as she snuck M-rated games to them now and then, and some gave Gracie nightmares.

They had a hunch their parents knew Christen was doing this, but against the monsters they faced, was an M-rated game any worse? The beautiful girl could not wait to sleep as she felt for the first time in a long while. It was a fun-filled day as she did not need to transform.