Hidden Identities:

Chapter 2:

It had been the most trying two months of their lives; Serenity was seen wandering the halls of the palace in her black crinoline gowns. Although she was doing her duties most of the dignitaries who stopped by were coming to give the queen their condolences for the loss of her child. There were only a few people in the entire universe who knew that the royal baby had not died but had been secreted away in order to save her life.

The Queen's Senshi were among those few. In public they showed their support for the royal family by taking on extra duties and comforting the queen. However, behind closed doors they comforted Serenity with words of encouragement and patience, for the queen would see her child again soon.

In an effort to help perk up Serenity, the friends sent Mariana to have an image taken of the child for the queen to gaze upon in the child's absence. This would hopefully prove to the child's mother that she was alive and hale. The results however were not what they expected; their dear friend became inconsolable in her grief.

Upon seeing her absent child Serenity broke down and fled to her private chambers. Ensconced in her rooms she refused the company of her maids, aides and her best friends. For almost three days nobody saw or heard from their monarch.

Gaea, whom had planned on going back to Earth, cancelled her trip home to be available should her Queen need her. Gaea's own two children were safe at home with their father. Thusly, she was comfortable in this knowledge to stay on the Moon for a bit longer.

On the fourth morning of her confinement, the Moon Queen exited her rooms. What should have been a relief for all who saw her was in fact a shock that would linger in many minds for quite some time. The young queen was pale and drawn; she looked as though she were withering away right in front of everyone's eyes. No longer did she glide along the corridors as she had previously, now she dragged her feet with her head hung low.

Slowly she made her way to the Royal Gardens where she spent most of her time while heavy with her lost babe. The palace staff and dignitaries ached for their queen; clearly the queen had one too many losses in the last year. As soon as their monarch had vacated her rooms, the Senshi were sent for.

Serenity was devastated at the loss of her child. She knew that it was ridiculous to be so affected when her child was not dead, but being cared for not far away from her. This knowledge did not help her stop her tears. After crying for the last three days she was tired and unwell. Her duties were calling to her and she knew that she would have to recover soon, even if only minimally.

Finding herself at Lake Tranquility, without another soul in sight, the queen gave voice to her pain. From her knees she cried out to the heavens. "Mother, why did this happen? Why must I go through such trials? I had just lost the love of my life and now I have lost my only reminder of him! I don't understand what I have done to anger the gods. I don't… I don't…" Her words trailed away into silence, occasionally punctuated with a sob and hiccup.

Her friends found her crumpled form on the shore of the lake; Serenity's black mourning dress a dark stain on the pristine white sands. Quickly the queens surrounded her.

Mariana was the first to speak, "Serenity, we are so sorry that this is so difficult for you. We are sorry for bringing you more pain with Serena's image. We only thought to bring you comfort."

Kneeling next to Mariana was Lorane who beseeched her queen for forgiveness. "We were wrong to assume that by seeing how well she was doing that it might ease your aching heart."

Serenity sniffled and looked up at her friends' faces, all of which were showing guilt and pain. She felt additionally awful for making them feel responsible for her sorrows.

"No my friends, it did make me feel better to see her safe and…" Serenity had to take a quivering breath before she could continue, "You must understand though, I am missing out on her growing. You are all mothers but none of you had to miss the first few months of their lives. I am missing out on bonding with my child now. I still feel like a mother, my body still showing the signs of carrying her. I only had her for a few days and I miss her terribly. I am very sorry for worrying you all and I don't want you to ever blame yourselves for my grief. I know that I will see her again and that knowledge does give my heart some hope."

After Serenity was quiet, indicating the end of her speech, Gaea spoke up, "Sere, we have all agreed that in a few months' time we shall call upon Molana to bring Serena to the palace once more. You must remember that you will not be able to call her your daughter. You will have to call her by another name and be prepared to see her leave again in a few years to begin her training as Reiana's Lady in Waiting."

The queen's head was still bowed but her eyes were on Gaea's. She understood all of this but it would be so much easier having her daughter near, even if she had to remain at an emotional distance. "I understand my friend; I will endeavor to remain as separate from her as possible."

In the following months the kingdom witnessed their queen return to her duties. Although still in mourning the queen showed a marked difference in her demeanor. No longer was she pale and wane, in spite of her mourning colors she was the picture of health. Seeing their poor, grief-stricken queen make her recovery inspired new hope in the kingdom's inhabitants. It soon became business as usual at the Moon Palace.

The seasons changed and it was the day that Princess Serenity was to be brought back to her mother and home. However, it was not the babe named Serenity that crossed the boundary of the forest, held tightly in the old woman's embrace, but a small orphaned babe by the name of Usagi.

The name had been chosen by the queen herself; remembering that when she was but a child her own mother had called her "Bunny" she borrowed the tongue of her dear friend, Gaea's family home and translated the nickname. She also hoped that the name would perhaps help her daughter fit in better once she relocated to Earth for her training.

It was a typical fall day when the old woman from the woods came up the road on her aged mare with a small bundle in her arms. The guards at the gates watched the woman pull her horse to a stop. This was no ordinary woman, everyone nearby could feel the magical aura surrounding her and the guards were quick to stop her.

The largest guard held a hand up to halt the trespasser, "State your reasons for entering the Palace, Grandmother."

Molana knew that she would be questioned before even entering the Palace and had rehearsed her speech well. "I am Molana, the old nurse of Queen Serenity herself. I have come to ask her aide. I found this child in the wood and have sensed a gift from Our Lady Selene in her. I am too old to care for one so young and would ask that the Queen find a place for this special child."

Upon finishing, the old woman reached into her cloak and flashed a silver medallion depicting the Queen's emblem. The guards immediately withdrew and allowed her entrance. Two guards were spared to accompany the Queen's Guest up to the palace directly.

"My Queen, your old nurse has arrived to ask your help placing an orphan child in a promising position. She has arrived with your medallion and the child in question. Should I allow her entrance?" The Queen's aide spoke quietly from her side to deliver the news that she had been waiting for. It took all of her years of training to not show her excitement at the announcement, for she had been waiting for this day for 6 months.

"Yes, allow her entrance. I wish to see what she has brought me today."

The large doors to the throne room swung open and Serenity recognized the old woman entering as her childhood nurse. It had been several years since Serenity had laid eyes upon Molana; the last having been just after her wedding to Sol. Time had not been kind to her old mentor, her form was hunched and frail looking, and her hair completely white. It was a great change from the tall and elegant woman that she had been before with lightly salted brown hair. The queen suddenly felt guilty for having foisted her infant daughter on this woman, she had never thought that it would be a great task for her old nurse. Serenity made up her mind then and there that Molana would be rewarded handsomely in whatever means she requested.

Serenity was shaken from her revelation by Molana's still strong voice, "My Queen, it has been a long time since these old eyes have touched upon your beautiful face. I wish to give my condolences for your losses. If I were younger and more able I would have come to take care of my old charge. However, these old bones hinder my travels."

Waving a nonchalant hand, to show that there were no hard feelings she replied, "It is understandable Molana, I appreciate your condolences. I do hope that this journey was not too much for you. You know that if you ever need aide, you need only send a missive and help will come to you, rather than you to it."

"I know but this was far more important to take care of quickly Your Majesty. This child, I found her in the woods about 3 months past. She was abandoned, left to the wolves. As soon as I took her in I felt a power in her. I believe that Our Lady has bestowed on her a gift. However, I am too old to care for one so young and am without the knowledge to teach her to use such gifts. I have come to ask my Queen to find a place for this small child where she may learn the necessary knowledge and flourish."

With a nod Serenity said, "Let me see the babe Molana. I must see what I can sense in her. If she does have the Gift, I will ensure to find a place for her."

Her old nurse brought forth her bundle and passed her burden onto the queen. A tiny fist burst forth from the warm wool cloth in which her child was hidden. It had been so long since she had held her own little Serena and the queen had to ensure that she remained outwardly unemotional. It was a hard task when all she wanted to do was cuddle her daughter and weep. Serenity had forgotten how much power her small baby had radiated. It would take training on the child's part to hide the extent of her abilities, but until then Serenity would help the abilities remain hidden, to an extent.

All the while that the queen was 'inspecting' and reading the infant her court was standing by watching. Many were thinking how difficult this task must be for the young queen, so soon after losing her own child. Her advisors were uncomfortable with the queen handling the child, not wanting her to become attached to the orphaned babe.

Coming out of her reverie, the queen looked out at her court, seeming to search for someone. Before her eyes settled on her query, the queen addressed everyone, "I do feel a gift from Our Lady Selene in this little one. She has power in her that can serve her kingdom well. A child with such a gift must be nurtured and taught how to control her gift. I know where to place her when the time is right." Turning back to the old woman, the queen inquired, "By what name have you been calling her?"

"I bestowed her with the name of Usagi, my lady," was the soft reply.

"It is a wonderful name, Molana; one that will be well received on her future home. At the age of four she shall be taken to Earth to be trained as a Lady in Waiting to the daughter of my dear friend, Queen Gaea. The Princess Reiana could well use a trained and gifted confidant and aide. Queen Gaea, will you accept the responsibility for this little one and her training when the time comes and she is of age?"

The Queen of Earth stepped forward from the crowd and inclined her head, "As always My Queen, I would gladly take on this task. My daughter will be glad to have a friend of a similar age with such a gift. Thank you. I shall make sure to return for her in due time."

Serenity smiled upon her friend and turned her gaze again towards the crowd. "Thank you for your loyalty my friend. In the meantime, she will be brought up here in the castle as a ward of the kingdom. She will be the responsibility of my aide, Mistress Luna." Turning her gaze to another woman in the crowd she continued, "Will you and your husband, Artemis take charge of this child while she stays here at the palace? I foresee great things coming from this child."

A middle aged woman with salt and pepper hair stepped forward to accept the baby. "I am most honored Your Majesty. I will care for the babe as if she is mine."

As Luna carried the child away to care for her needs Serenity wanted to cheer and cry, for her daughter was home again although not in her arms. Luna would be a wonderful surrogate mother to Serena as she was never blessed with her own children.

The years went by too quickly for the queen. She saw her daughter quite frequently around the palace, always followed by a governess or Luna, usually causing mischief. Usagi was a little ball of energy who kept all of her caretakers on their toes. The little girl was always sneaking off from her naps to play in the palace gardens and run down the halls.

She often ran into the beautiful Queen Serenity, who was always very kind to her. The queen was usually surrounded by lots of people and they were always taking, some were not always nice, but the lovely queen always stopped to talk to her and usually gave her a treat. Sometimes, if she had time, Queen Serenity would go play with her in the gardens, pointing out all the different kinds of flora and fauna.

One day when she was playing with the other palace wards, Usagi realized that she did not address Luna and Artemis as her mother and father like the other children did. Confused, the young Usagi had asked Luna why she didn't called them by their given names. Luna had responded by pulling her into her lap to explain that although she loved her like she was her own daughter, that her own parents had not been able to keep her and so had passed her care onto the palace. Knowing how much Luna had wanted a babe of her own, the queen had blessed her and Artemis with the care of Usagi until she would be sent to Earth to live and train.

Usagi understood that she was different from the other children; she could make things happen if she just closed her eyes and wished it. Like one day she wanted to be in the palace gardens so badly when she was supposed to be coloring in the playroom and suddenly, she was in the gardens! She had been yelled at by Luna and her governess for running off, but when she tried to explain they didn't believe her and she got a swift spanking and was sent to her room without her snack.

After that Usagi never tried to explain her mistakes away. She also tried very hard to not wish for anything, but for a little girl this was almost impossible, so young Usagi was forever in trouble.

Usagi's powers were not realized by anyone until a couple of months before her fourth birthday.

It was a lovely day and the children were going to the lake for a treat. All the palace children had been herded together along with several maids and governesses. A few of the children's parents had also come along for the excursion. Even Queen Lorane had decided to join the outing with her own 8-year old daughter, Lita.

Several blankets were laid out and snacks unpacked from the baskets. The adults were preoccupied with their own amusements, talking and eating, while keeping a careful eye on the children.

A lively game of tag had started amongst the majority of the kids, but a few were still scattered in little pockets around the blankets. From her spot on one of them, Usagi watched her friends run around giggling, getting grass stains and mussing their hair. Usagi loved a good game of tag, it was one of the few times that she was allowed to get dirty and mess up her dresses. Today, however, she was entranced by the beautiful lake.

As she watched the pretty blue pool reflect the sun's rays, she noticed movement in the water. Slowly, making sure that neither Luna nor any of the other adults were paying her attention, she made her way towards it. There was a dock that led further onto the lake, and since nobody had said anything to her about not leaving the picnic Usagi made her way down the wooden planks.

Coming to the end of the pier, Usagi saw a flash of tiny little iridescent silver fish swimming around. Wanting to get a closer look, she sat on her haunches, her little slippered toes just peeking off the old dock and reached out her hand towards the flickering silver bodies.

Lorane was talking to Mariana when she saw movement from the corner of her eye. Knowing that the little silver haired child was Usagi had her whipping her head around to see what she was up to now.

Everyone knew what a handful the child was, that she had a penchant for getting into trouble. She watched the girl crouch down at the end of the pier, her arm outstretched towards the water and suddenly the little girl's figure fell forward into the water, disappearing from view.

With a cry the child fell into the water with a splash and Lorane was running towards the water to pluck her out. When the queen reached the end of the pier she was prepared to pull the child from the frigid waters. However, to her astonishment she saw that Usagi was sitting on top of the water, giggling as she was surrounded by silver fish all nibbling at her legs and fingers.

Lorane was speechless as she watched the child, never before had she seen someone defy the laws of nature like this. The girl's powers were in danger of being noticed. Quickly, the queen reached out for the little girl and hauled her up onto the warm wood again.

"Usagi, you must be careful! You can hurt yourself and you know better than to wander off without anyone accompanying you." The child looked up at her with her big crystalline blue eyes as she lightly admonished her. With a sigh she continued, "If you wanted to come onto the water you should have asked an elder. Now take my hand and we shall take you back to the others."

Knowing that she was not getting a full punishment, Usagi swallowed her tears and took the queen's proffered hand and accompanied her back to the group on the shore. The incident was promptly forgotten by the little girl when she finally joined the game of tag.

Queen Lorane knew the incident was minor but that it could have been much worse. She would have to discuss it with her queen, and swiftly. "Mariana, would you please watch over Lita for me, I have remembered that I just speak with the queen about something. Oh, and ensure that none of the children go wandering off."

"Of course, My Lady, I will make sure that she comes back to the palace with the others if you do not return to collect her. And I will keep a close eye on all of the children."

Certain that her unspoken message was understood, Lorane swooped down to kiss her daughter's head, told her to behave and headed back to the palace and throne room.

Alright, so chapter 2 is done! It took a little longer than I had planned but I split part of it off for chapter 3, so hopefully that will be out a little quicker. Feedback has been great! I'm so glad that so many of y'all are enjoying the story… as well as all of my other ones! I'm going to try and focus on this one here to make some more progress. Thank s again, I always appreciate your feedback and comments!

-Lara1786