Flying...

In…out. In…out.

With each ebb and flow of the tide, her chest rose and fell, peace settling into her heart. She opened her entire being to the ocean and skies above. Gulls called out, perhaps telling each other where the catch-of-the-day was; perhaps sizing her up for a good meal. The time had come, she decided.

In…out.

Her eyes snapped open to see the stars tapping a rhythm across the sky, an almost percussive effect taking over her heart. Now was the time to test herself. How far could she really go with this new power?

She jumped up from her current position in the sand, nearly part of the tide, and ran along the shore-line. With each step, the pearl-white sand blew behind her, letting her know she was ready…

The princess picked up speed, heading for what she knew was a cliff. She was flying…tonight. No more doubts; no more fears; no more "Princess Usagi Small Lady Serenity." All she wanted tonight was to be floating, carefree along the edge of the atmosphere. She was going to be completely free from obligation, composure, everything, even if it was only for a few hours.

Here it comes…Just a few more feet! 1…2…3…4…She planted her foot, and without thinking, leapt onto the back of the wind that had blown her odangos out of her hair. She flipped, turned, and aimed towards one destination – the Heavens.

She soared towards the dancing colors that had become the sky above. Clouds opened, leading the way to an endless adventure. She purposely dove into each cloud as they turned and glowed different colors from the sun.

Diamonds surrounded her as she dove through one cloud after another, warning her of an impending storm. Part of her cared – the part that wanted to enjoy her vacation at the beach. The rest of her, though? Flew through the cloud, allowing the droplets to attach themselves to her pink hued curls, wrapping them into a style all their own.

They laced her dress as she turned spirals and swam through the cotton, giving her a shimmer as she approached the awaiting heavens.

She stopped when she reached her zenith and just gazed across the skies. Stardust lined her vision from one end of her galaxy to the other. How she wished she could see them up close!

What was it her mother had said? If you listen carefully, you can still hear the music of the Old Moon Kingdom? Closing her eyes again, she heard the percussion of the stars supporting the harmonious accompaniments of strings. Within moments, an undercurrent of voices – or perhaps the melody of spinning glasses – joined in.

Reaching in front of her, she pretended to be conducting the orchestra which lay before her as the winds jumped on the melody, adding the final voice of harmony.

She held out her arms as though embracing a partner, and twirled in the space between earth's atmosphere and the endless vacuum of space. The cosmos danced around her, complimenting her every move. Like a silent partner, the winds swirled around her, twirling her around and dancing her across the face of the moon.

Until she stopped and just admired the absolute beauty of the cosmos: Shooting stars; Nebulae; Clusters; the Moon…She stared in awe, an overwhelming sense of peace taking hold of her being. Taking one last final bow to her endless partner, thanking the kingdom, she began her descent back towards the earth and whatever obligations she had of the day.

The golden orb was surfacing as she touched down on the edge of the cliff she had taken off from only hours before and ran back towards the beach house.

Standing on the beach facing the rising ruler of the day was her mother, staring out into the unpredictable majesty. She turned when she heard footsteps in the sand, relief washing over her as she embraced her daughter.

"Where have you been?" she asked, tears lacing her words. "I've been worried sick! I thought you'd drowned!"

Small Lady only smiled and held her mother a bit closer. She couldn't explain where she'd been, for there really wasn't any way to explain it. How would you tell your mother you went flying?

Precious moments passed between mother and daughter as they turned sideways, both now watching the sun rising on the horizon. "Someday, Mama," she whispered to her elder, "I'll show you…"

***

Author's Note: It really has been quite some time since I've written any kind of fanfiction. I used to, but for a different TV Show. However, I've had some ideas going around in my head about this particular Anime/Manga that have since formed since I re-discovered it, so I've picked up writing fanfiction again :) Hope you guys enjoyed it!

Something, personally, I hate is the disclaimers at the beginning. It really upsets the flow of the story itself, ya know? Okay, so here it goes:

I do not own Sailor Moon.

I do not own Sailor Moon.

If you are confused, refer to #'s 1 and 2.

Next order of business: This was written while listening to a song called "A Night to Remember" by Yanni (check the profile – I said I was a musician). This is just a picture that went through my head while listening to it, and I had to get it down on paper. Again, I hope you all enjoyed it! Let me know what you thought! I am quite out of practice on the fanfiction front, so...keep that in mind.