After the defeat of Kaolinite, the woman was never seen again. The Sailor Scouts took turns searching known areas for her and came up with nothing. Neither she or the Androids bothered to show face around the city.

It was too early to call it a win, however as Luna was quick to remind them. Professor Tomoe was presumably still at large, hearts were still being stolen. This mysterious 'she' Kaolinite mentioned had yet to appear.

And there was a whole lot of explaining Sailor V had to do.

"Sailor V is Minako?" Usagi had said on once Sailor V revealed her identity. They were all holed up at Capsule Corp, looking after each other's injuries.

Minako smirked. "The one and only, of course."

Makoto crossed her arms tentatively, her lips pursed. "Now it makes sense. You ran off from Kame House to go be a superhero—"

Minako posed with one arm outstretched into the air. "The bestest."

"— you left your mother. You left Launch." Makoto's brows were set in a line. Her eyes were upset and accusing. Minako shrank back.

"I did what I had to," Minako said flatly.

"You left me alone with her," Makoto continued.

"I—"

"Girls please, let's just all try and get along!" Luna hopped up onto the table the Sailor Scouts and Trunks had gathered around. "It might not have been the easiest choice, but we all know what we must do. That includes Minako."

"Luna's right." A second cat hopped up, flanking Luna's side. The two appeared familiar with one another, purring and nuzzling each other.

Usagi was very pleased to see another cute animal. Her eyes had stars in them as she peered at the white cat. "Who's this?"

"This is Artemis," Minako explained, gesturing towards him. "He's been by my side just like how Luna has been by yours."

Artemis dipped his head. "And now that you girls— and guy— are all together, Mina can now be Sailor Venus."

Trunks' eyes flickered between the young women that surrounded him. His sisters, Rei and Ami were sitting hunched together on one side of him while Usagi leaned her weight onto the table on the other side of him. Minako and Makoto sat across, eyeing each other. Other than Artemis, he really was the only guy. Neat. "So what does that mean now? What do we do?" Trunks asked. "Kaolinite and the Androids are gone."

"We rest," Artemis replied. "You all deserve it. You're going to need to save your energy for the upcoming battles."

"Artemis and I will try and find out what we can about Professor Tomoe," Luna added.

Ami stood up from the table. "I've got to go help mom," she said suddenly. She didn't wait long for a response before she was off.

"I guess this gives me time to go see my own mother," Minako looked at Makoto. "You coming?"

The brunette paused and then nodded. Launch would want to know how the two girls were fairing, even if Makoto was gone for a less amount of time. The two get up and start heading their way out.

Usagi glanced at Rei. "Hey—"

"I'm gonna go meditate." Rei waved her farewells, leaving Usagi and Trunks alone with the cats who had their head bent towards each other in conversation.

Trunks sat up a bit, resting his elbows on the table. "So, um... Usako," he said, creating a bridge with his hands to rest his chin on. "Do you want to spend your free time with me?"

Usagi turned a curious ear. Something was different about this request. Normally Trunks wouldn't be so weird about it. They've hung out plenty of times. "To train?" She asked.

"No."

"Recon?"

Trunks swallowed. "No."

Usagi was stumped. "Then... To what?"

His hands tensed. "Just, hang out," he responded.

Usagi narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing Trunks with her gaze. It was enough to make his cheeks flush. "You know I never got to thank you for saving my life, quite literally," Trunks continued. He angled his eyes down towards the table. "For the short time I was dead, I don't remember much, but I do remember seeing an angel. A golden haired angel in a white dress."

Usagi slowly sat up.

"That angel was you, Usako." Trunks worked up the courage to look at her. "I remember thinking how beautiful that angel was, how it wouldn't be so bad to die if she was waiting for me. But... You were waiting for me to come back. The next think I knew, I see you crying over me."

Usagi's lip quivered. "Trunks..."

He didn't let her finish. "It made me realize that— that I love you, Usako." Trunks now had his hands outstretched to hold Usagi's hands in his. "So when I ask to hang out, I really mean on a date."

Her face was flushed. "Oh... Mom is going to kill me."

Trunks couldn't help but smirk. "I'll take that as a yes?"

"Yes!" Usagi jumped up to her feet and bounced, still holding onto Trunks' hand. "Let's go, let's go, let's go!"

Trunks rose up, laughing to himself. "But you don't even know where we're going yet."

Usagi stopped her bouncing and beamed. "It doesn't matter where we go. long as I'm with you, because I love you, Trunks."

Trunks felt that tug in his chest again at her words.

She loved him.

"Before I even got there, I sensed that you were in danger," Usagi explained. "I don't know how of why, but I only could tell that you were in danger. I couldn't lose you too." Her eyes were downcast as she thought about Gohan again. Not only that, but she never got to meet her father Goku either. "It made me realize how much more important you are to me."

Trunks slipped a hand under Usagi's chin, prompting her to look at him. "You're not losing me."

Usagi smiled and it brightened his whole world.

Oh how he loved her.