"It's the last night." Queen Kakyuu said with a sigh, "My how time flies."

"Indeed." Seiya commented though she was keeping her eye on her wife for a while. Like always, her Odango attracted people quiet easily even in spite of her..well not so pristine reputation. She wonders how long it would be before people woul d turn on her once again.

She didn't want to think about it so she turns her attention towards the other two Starlights. Yaten was chatting almost amiably with Michiru and Minako about the cosmetics and fashions of Earth comparing them to those on Kinmoku. Meanwhile Taiki was in a deep conversation with Setsuna, Ami and Rei about something she couldn't quite hear.

"Are you still leaving early, Seiya?"

She nods, "Yes, at the most..appropriate time. Usagi is missing Lyra something terrible."

"I see." Kakyuu said, "Do be safe. "

"Of course, my queen. If you will excuse me?" Seiya bows slightly before leaving Kakyuu's side.

Serenity had finished talking to a few of her old friends when she felt the warm arms of her lover wrap around her, "Seiya?" She turns slightly and smiles, "That time already?"

"Hm. Would be best when no one is paying attention." Seiya answered.

Her heart sank just a little, even though she knew it was best to leave before there was more trouble. After all, she had a feeling that no one wanted to speak to her that were part of the royal court. However...

"Just let me say good bye first. I..I don't want this to end like before." She told her.

Kissing her cheek, Seiya lets her go, "I'll wait for you at the port with our things."

"Thank you." Serenity watched her lover disappear into the crowd before she went to speak with her friends. Hoping that maybe...maybe they would forgive her.

It was odd to her, really it was when she had gone to say goodbye to her closest friends, they had been sad to see her go but actually wished her well. It was enough that she got misty-eyed again. Though, saying goodbye to the three Outer senshi was hard enough.

Haruka was still smarting over the conversation from a few weeks ago, but the tall wheat blonde haired woman had drawn the shorter girl into a hug as her way of saying she had forgiven her, even if she didn't like it much.

Serenity had been grateful for it and turned to Setsuna. She wasn't sure what to tell the woman. Her daughter looked up to this person and she was glad for it but..

"Will you tell..would you tell her I said goodbye?" She glances down a bit, " I don't think I would have the will to stay if..."

"You should tell her." Setsuna said but sighs softly, "However, I'll try to get Small Lady to understand. "

Serenity wrung her hands a little in worry before clasping them and looking down, "Does she hate me, Pluto? Does she hate me for what I've done?"

"I do not think she hates you, Usagi." It was almost a pause before the tall woman spoke her name almost as if she was not use to it, " However, I think in time she will at least come to accept it."

"I'm sorry, everyone for putting this on you and leaving so quickly again." She bows deeply, "I'm..I'm really sorry."

There was silence between the women before Minako came forward and settles her hands on the other blonde's shoulders then tipping her chin up so she could look at them. Minako smiles softly, "Then, as atonement, be happy, Usagi-chan. Be happy and and we'll be happy for you."

Or try to be., Haruka added silently. It was not as simple as the other blonde made it out to be, however trying.. yes they could do it.

"Thank you, Venus... Minako-chan." The former queen gave a watery smile and wipes her eyes, "I must go."

With a nod, Minako lets her go and the pigtailed woman left the ballroom. She sighs softly and looks around the ballroom as the others began drifting away. She frowns seeing Artemis with the two girls and a young teenage boy- Small Lady, Diana and Helios- but she didn't see the one she was really looking for.

"Wonder where Mamoru-san went to?" She mutters to herself before spying Taiki and Yaten and went over to talk to them.

She sighs softly closing the bag before leaving the room and heading down the crystal hallway to leave. She knew, really, that Seiya had most of the bags together but she wanted to carry one thing by herself first.

With her cape in place and a nearly empty hall in front of her, she walks silently down the hallway trying to ignore all the paintings and decorations that were there. It was..painful to look at those peaceful still faces with their serene and almost happy expressions.

She remembered when each and every one had been painted. When they had moved several things that had been discovered in the ruins of both kingdoms and brought there. The way her friends had laughed with her when she made a close save of a vase- only to fall back herself and collide into Rei. Or when...when she and..

So lost in thought she barely realized where she was heading until she stopped before the closed elaborate looking door. She could feel it, humming behind the door. The Powerful crystal that she had chosen to leave behind. No, she thought to herself turning away from the prayer room, I had to leave behind. For Chibiusa's sake.

Though,she thought looking at it and pressing her hand to it, "Will you accept me even if I am no longer pure as I used to be?"

Her voice was twinged with sadness at the thought of this, "Crystal...please..keep them safe."

"Leaving without saying goodbye again, Usagi?"

The voice was like ice water being dumped on her. She froze, in shock at having not noticed him. Uncomfortably, she remembered he had then uncanny ability to appear just about wherever she was whenever he liked without a sound. She swallows slightly and breathes out. It was just.. Mamoru...Endymion.

Though what occurred weeks ago still made her flush and something tug at her heart for a bit as she turns to face him. "Endymion-sama." She says and bows slightly, "I didn't know you were there."

He raises a brow, "I wonder how long will you keep this act going on, Usagi." He was surprised, actually, to see her there near the prayer room where the crystal was kept. His first thought when saw her there was slightly uncharitable as he thought she was going to reclaim the holy stone for herself before she left again.

However, his fears were wrong and he counted it as luck.

"If you mean by-" She began.

"No, I don't and you know it." He said abruptly moving away from the wall, "As I said again, leaving without a word of goodbye again? Not even a note?" He felt surprisingly calm. The anger towards her was there of course, but overall there was nothing. Was this acceptance? He wasn't sure about it however he kept his icy dark blue eyes on her. She was so near, and he knew his body- no even his soul- ached ever so slightly to just be closer to her. Just...

"I hope you weren't thinking of taking that as well." He said, almost thoughtlessly. He wanted to stuff those emotions away. They were such traitorous things that lead him to this.

The look on her face showed him that she was hurt by his thoughtless words-or maybe they hit a kernel of truth?

"Of course not!" She said looking at him as if he had grown a second head. "How could you think of me to do something so...so.."

"I don't know, Usagi." He drawled as he took another step towards her, "Before six months ago- no a year ago, I wouldn't have imagined you betraying my trust in you. Or you breaking our child's heart. Yet here you are doing it again."

"I'm not that selfish to endanger the lives of others!" she objected.

He cants his head slightly to the left, "Perhaps not, but you're willing enough to damage lives just as easily."

"You don't know how long I've agonized over that decision!" She counters.

"Perhaps not long at all." He adds softly. "Not long enough."

Frustration shown in the blonde's tears, " I had. I thought about it long and hard. I tried and then I became so sick-"

"That you told no one of it." His eyes stayed on her trying to be unmoved by her tears. It was hard for him to resist pulling her in his arms and soothing away those worries. Instead he drew on his own outrage at what she had done. It was her fault that she fell into such a situation. Hers alone. "That you never even mentioned your doubts long before our daughter was born. That you didn't mention it before the Black Moon Attack. You never once, in all those days and years afterwords, thought to mention or confide in anyone these feelings you had until it was too late."

"Mamo-chan I-"

"You nothing, Usagi." He had to end this. Had to. "You want to know what the irony is, Usagi?"

Silent tears slipped down her cheeks as she listened. In essence of it all, he was right. He was absolutely right and she had no one to blame for it but herself. She had plenty of time to tell anyone-everyone- what was happening and what she felt. But she never did. She never considered it that way and now...

He faced her, hands at his side, though one hand clench as if trying to force his self-control to be there. In the end the feelings came back and he wanted nothing more then to curse her, yell at her and shake her all at once. Yet, the king of earth did neither of those and only spoke the truth to her.

"I would've accepted Lyra and forgiven you for it if you had only.. only told us. Told me in the beginning after you cheated on me. If you had said something instead of backing out of it like a coward and running away- we could've dealt with this and tried to resolve it! " He would not shed a tear for this woman. He wouldn't. "Have I not proven to you and others what lengths I would go for you without you resorting to this kind of thing? How many times have we died for each other? How many times have I put myself in danger to save you? I went through hell and back for you, Usako. I would've gladly done it again if it meant to help you and spare you more pain."

She couldn't help but feel the sob rising out of her and escaping pass her lips. "I'm so sorry, Mamoru..." She whispers. "I'm so..so sorry..."

"If apologizing would heal hearts then there would be no pain in this world." He answered and turns, "Go. Run away like you always do. "

"Mamoru..." She took a step forward, but finally the woman turns as well. There was nothing, she realized, that she could do but leave and never return.

That last part of her realization made her chest tight and heart break. She realize she could never return to earth- at least not with him on Earth as well. He would know. He always knew when she appeared somewhere. Biting her lower lip she walks quickly down the crystal hallways of her former home.

It would be the last she would see of it.

Seeing Seiya, she smiles a little, though it was a sad sort of smile. "Lets go."

"Odango?" Seiya's worried blue eyes searched the other woman's face. "Are you alright?"

"...No." She said truthfully as she took her hand, "Lets just go home. I'm sure Lyra is missing us."

Seiya turns but frowns at her a little, "Did he-?"

"Of course not." Serenity said moving to follow her lover to the ship they had arrived in. "Mamoru has always been a gentleman." That last part was said softer then she had intended to. Like a memory of a warm feeling swept through her and she remembered the first time they had seen each other.

She shook her head and went with Seiya back home to Kinmoku.

He breathes out, his body shivers just a tad as the emotions finally receded for the moment making him more tired then he originally had been. Leaning against the wall he attempted to relax before he would return to the party downstairs.

Glancing at the clock, he had fifteen minutes to be there before midnight. Then, it would be a new year. A Year of possibilities and even more heartache. He thought to himself before standing up straight. A Year to heal what she had done.

Breathing out once more, he turns and walks down the hallway just as a sandy blonde haired man pokes his head around the corner.

"There you are!" Ittou said with a bit of a smile, "The ladies were worried about you and sent me to find you."

"Let me guess," Endymion said walking over to him with a smile, "Makoto gave you the puppy eyes and you caved like always?"

"You know it." the other man laughs walking with him. "So, where did you go? There are many ladies looking for a chance with you tonight."

He coughs and shook his head, "Ah, I don't think I'll look for that. I think I'll do well on my own tonight."

"Right, senpai, and I'm a bird." Ittou chuckles, "Suit yourself. You're the king and you can do what you like."

"That I am, " Endymion told him with a good natured smile, "Though I could just slip it to Makoto that you suggested-"

"Now now, your highness! Your eminence!" Ittou had somewhat of a desperate look on his face. "You don't have to do that!"

Endymion only chuckles as the man kept pleading with him not to let the senshi of lighting know about what he said. He was quite sure he would've been killed if that were the case.

"What's your New Year's Resolution?" The question was posed to a young girl being put to bed with her friend.

The pink haired girl tried in vain to stay up, but in the end her father and Artemis had their way and sent her and Diana to bed. Much to the children's distaste.

"Hmm.. I don't know." She said honestly. After all that had happened, she wasn't sure what to say or think to be honest. It all just left her confused with a pounding headache. "What about you, Diana?"

The gray-haired mauian ponders this for a while before nodding to herself, "I want to be a good adviser and friend."

"That's a very nice resolution, Lady Diana." Ruruna aid to her. Tonight she had offered to take her turn here and let Naruru spend some time with her family. " I know mine would be to find someone that loves me."

Usa nods agreeing, " I want that too." She thought about it, glancing at the clock for the time being as it was only a minute away from midnight. "I think.. I'll try to be a good queen. That's it! I want to be a good queen like my-.." She stops rethinking who she wanted to be like before she settled on something. "Like my Grandmother Queen Serenity!"

"A lovely choice." Ruruna told her with a smile before taking her in. "Now, keep those promises in your heart and remember them throughout the year."

"Hm." Both girls nod a bit though their eyes were drowsy with sleep as it seemed to come over them. "Oyasumi..."

"Oyasumi." Ruruna turns off the lights but left the night-lite on for them as she left sighing softly.

She only prayed that next year would be calmer.

"10"

He was standing next to Kakyuu when the countdown began. Of course Minako was having her fun by requesting everyone kiss the person that was closest to her-which lead to Rei scowling at her and telling her not to give such a ridiculous command while she herself blushed for some reason.

"9!"

"So, Endymion-sama," Kakyuu said turning to look at him a little, "will you and the princess be visiting Kinmoku in the summer?"

"8!"

"Of course." He smiles back at her. "I hope the next time you come to Earth, that I will be able to show you around more."

"7!"

"I would love that." She replies and not for the first time, Endymion wonders about what those ruby-red eyes knew. Something wise and kind about it.

"6!"

Offhandedly he wonders about a few other things about her. Was she always so calm and collected?

"5!"

"Oh, look." She said looking over at a window as a zeppelin flew by, "What is that?"

"4!"

He smiles and walks her over to the window in a few short steps, "Watch."
The queen watches the window avidly as her two remaining guardians exchanged looks with each other.

"3!"

Artemis had only now noticed that the king was no where to be seen. He looks around, trying to hear over the chatter and countdown over looking many of the old and new faces of people he knew. Yet it was only then in the final seconds did he spot the pair.

"2!"

The tall emerald haired princess of Pluto looks on feeling something in her squeeze her heart tightly. Was she to lose him once more? She wasn't sure but then again did she have such a chance? She looks away at the last second scolding herself. At the same time as she had, the pale haired adviser only smiles to himself and looks away as well.

"1! Happy New Years!" The crowd cheers and and confetti fell from the ceiling with music playing greeting the new year.

Couples kissed while others made their wish for a bright and peaceful year. Hoping that the drama would end and that no evil would darken their bright futures.

And while that fireworks outside the glittering castle exploded decorating the sky in colorful lights and designs, one man who had the wait on the world glances at the ruby haired woman next to him and wonders if he could ever love again.

Ruruna Kobe: From the Manga Chibiusa's Picture Diary. She's a classmate of Hotaru and Chibiusa. She's also Sailor Channel- a joke senshi as it were with Naruru Osaka. Fanfic Wise: Since she never did get to meet Chibiusa, Ruruna's life was unremarkable until her family hit hard times after the Black Moon War thus leading her to a job at the palace as a maid for the princess with her long time friend Naruru.

Naruru Osaka : From Chibiusa's Picture Diary in the Manga. She's a classmate of Chibiusa and Hotaru's. She's also Sailor Gucci- a joke senshi in it with Ruruna. She's the younger sister of Naru Osaka. Fanfic Wise: She got the job working around the princess from her sister- who referred her to Usagi. She works in shifts with Ruruna. She also has a family herself- one child and a young husband.

(And if I haven't done him before..)

Ittou Asanuma: From the manga AND appeared in an episode of Stars. Manga wise- Ittou is strangely the THIRD person in the entire series that's a normal human to find out about the Sailor senshi via Makoto. He is Mamoru's underclassman schoolmate as he had attended Azabu's all boys school with him. Mamoru was the person to predict that Ittou would make it in. It was also the first time Ittou finds out that Mamoru is different from others. Later on, he caught Mamoru healing himself after getting hurt in a soccer game. This, along with Mamoru's strange activities with some girls convinced Ittou that they may be aliens. However after escorting Makoto home during a thunderstorm, he confronts her about it, but she says they're human and explains to him in general terms what it all means. In the Anime he doesn't get a cool storyline like that.
Fanfic wise: Mamoru takes Ittou on as a secretary of sorts. Aside from Motoki, Kotono, Naru and Umino, Ittou is one of the few that remembers them from their lives as civvies. He is also now currently dating Makoto.