Hi everyone! I'm sorry this seems to be the last story to get updated all the time, but it's a little harder to do this one because COL232 and I have to coordinate on it. But here's the update and I promise it won't take as long anymore especially because it's summer and Sailor X and ASNQW are pretty much done so I only have to worry about this one.

Anyway, two things. First of all, if you noticed that any of the old author notes look different for some reason, that's because I did a little grammar fix on all the previous chapters and I was looking for awkward places where there should have been breaks so that I could put in breaks. For some reason, doesn't like when you put dashes in between sections and it gets rid of them. I think I want to do that with all my stories actually.

Second is that this chapter's a little shorter. But COL232 and I wanted to upload something since it's been a while. Next chapter will be juicy, I promise!

And now I'll close with the same thing as always. Read, review, and enjoy! Please tell COL232 what you think also, and I'll see you soon with another update! Love ya~!

~SXS

Arthur and Alfred had been inseparable since the moment the younger nation had asked for a dance. The two had found that recently their relationship had been much stronger, which they chalked up to no longer physically representing their countries. They happily swayed just enjoying the feeling of being together.

Towards the end of the ball, Alfred happened to see Serenity dancing with Gilbert. They were actually quite graceful together, but he could tell there was a tension between them.

"Poor Serenity," Arthur murmured into his shoulder as if reading his thoughts.

"So you noticed too?"

"It is somewhat obvious. Let's go sit for a moment." The Brit led his lover off the floor to one of the tables. A waiter came over to see if they would like anything. Alfred ordered a burger and Arthur asked for a scone.

"I think its natural," mused Alfred when the waiter left. "Think about it: she's attracted to Gilbert over there, but knowing how she was hurt by mask dude she won't want to follow her past out of fear of being hurt."

Arthur smiled, pleased to see his beloved finally 'reading the atmosphere'. The waiter returned with their food. Alfred took a large bit out of his hamburger and licked his lips in delight while Arthur took a dainty nibble on his scone, wiping his mouth with a napkin.

"You know what? She needs a break. A vacation! Even royal people take breaks, right?" Alfred's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm.

"Perhaps. But it might be hard. Who would take care of things while she was gone?"

"I dunno. Her 'Sailor scouts' or whatever they are?"

"Sailor soldiers."

"Yeah, them!"

"Well, you would have to talk her into it, but I think that might actually work." Here the Brit glanced in her direction. "She is so young to be ruling the world all be herself. It must be very stressful."

"The hero will make sure she's happy again! Don't you worry!" And even though his mouth was full of burger at the time, Arthur couldn't help but think he was adorable.

"Where will you take her, Al?" he asked.

"Well I was thinking we could start close by, in Europe or Asia, then head over to my place."

"I would have thought that you would want to take her to your house first," Arthur said.

"I have 50 states! I want to make sure I find the best places to go before I take her there," Alfred replied.

"That's true." Arthur took Alfred's hand and interlocked their fingers. "Who would have thought that you could be so smart after all?"

"Hey!" Alfred said with mock hurt. Then he pulled Arthur's hand up to his lips and kissed it. "Well, maybe you're rubbing off on me." He pulled the older man up and they returned to the dance floor.

.:~TMTGT~:.

Serenity and Gilbert were dancing for about a minute when Gilbert cleared his throat.

"So, uh...I saw you dancing with some guy before. Long hair, blue eyes," he said.

"Oh. You must mean Seiya. Yeah, he's a very good friend of mine," she replied nervously.

"Ah...Well you must be since I saw you, um, kiss." The great Gilbert had been reduced to this by a girl? He couldn't believe himself.

"W-well, he asked me if he could court me and...I said yes. I'm really sorry, Gilbert-kun. I know we do have history but...I'm just kind of scared, you know?" Serenity couldn't help but confess, thinking that it would help clear the air.

"Oh. Yeah, yeah I'm fine, you don't have to apologize!" He gave the best cocky grin he could fake. "I'm awesome either way and I'll be ok."

"Um, ok?" Serenity wasn't sure whether to be glad or insulted.

Gilbert noticed her look and immediately his expression changed. "Uh, but you should know." He took one of her hands in his. "I would never, ever want to hurt you, I would never betray you, and I would never treat you like the way he did. I would always be good to you, for the rest of eternity. You can count on me." Here he kissed her hand like a gentleman.

Serenity could only look at him with tears filling her eyes. "Gilbert...I'm sorry."

She gently pulled her hand away and walked off the floor and out of the ballroom, leaving Gilbert alone once again.

.:~TMTGT~:.

"If you plan to take Usagi anywhere you have to know one thing: she must
snack frequently." This statement came from Ami. It was the day after the ball and Alfred had just proposed his idea about taking a vacation to the Sailor senshi.

"Well, that's not a problem for me. I love eating!" Alfred grinned.

"Why exactly must she eat so often?" Arthur asked.

"It has to do with her Lunar heritage," Ami replied. "Lunar people need a
higher calorie count then most humans. I am glad to see that you are so
fond of her Alfred-san. I heard that you were almost ready to declare independence again."

"Well, I was just being kind of rash. I'm glad I didn't completely run off because then I would have missed out on this wonderful place."

Ami smiled and nodded. "May I make a suggestion? Perhaps while she is touring other lands you should allow her to spend time with the person who knows the place best?"

"Yes, I was thinking the same thing. Lord only knows how easily Alfred will get the two of them lost in Siberia or someplace like that."

"Iggy! That's not very nice." Alfred pouted at his lover.

"But it's true and you know it."

Ami giggled at the squabbling pair. "You two are quite well suited for each other." This caused the nations to blush. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to embarrass you. Also, Alfred-san, I have been meaning to ask you something. Would you like to hold a position the government?"

"M-me? Why?"

"Well, actually, both of you. There will be many people trying to take advantage of Usagi-chan by lying to her. She's very trusting, you see. And while you are no longer a nation, you still have a connection to your people. I believe that since you are all very trustworthy people that each former nation should be head of their people and so they are able to pass minor laws, bringing major things to Usagi-chan if need be, and so that we know no one is trying to use poor Usagi-chan for their own gain."

"Wow, Miss Ami. I would be honored," Arthur said.

"So would I!" Alfred agreed.

"Wonderful! I'll be sure to let Usagi-chan know as soon as possible. And I'll tell her about your vacation idea when I do." Ami looked as if she were going to go right away and talk to her, but Haruka stood up before she could.

"Now hang on a second, Blue. You really think it's safe to let koneko-chan go traveling around the world alone with just these weird nation guys?"

"Haruka, come on now. They're not dangerous," Michiru said. "You'll have to excuse her. Haruka isn't very fond of men she doesn't know well."

"Ah, it's ok! Don't you worry about a thing, Haruhi-" ("That's Haruka!") "-I'm a hero and I never will let anything happen to Queen Serenity!"

"No way. I refuse to let her go alone. I'm going too!" Haruka crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Alfred and Arthur.

"Well, of course she wouldn't be going without at least some of us!" Minako said, trying to clear the tension. "I'm definitely going too! Not just because I want to shop all over the world or anything ahahaha!" The blonde waved a hand in front of her face as she laughed.

"Speaking of shopping," Makoto added, "it's a good thing that Setsuna-chan went tot the Moon Treasury and got all of Usagi-chan's fortune. At least now she'll have plenty of spending money."

"And she'll just be going as Usagi, right?" Rei asked and Alfred nodded.

"Yeah. She needs to forget about the fact that she's a queen for a little while. Get her mind on fun things!" Minako grinned, liking the idea of her friend having a well-deserved break.

Michiru curled a sea foam green lock gently around her finger. "I think our queen should start in China. Visit the capital city, see the markets, taste the food, and buy some clothes."

"All the while meeting the common people who will work to help her," Ami agreed. "And while we're on this trip I'll set up the offices for her new commanders of the countries."

"So it's settled then," Minako said. "Haruka-san, Ami-chan, and I are definitely going. Alfred-san and Arthur-san since it was their idea. Anyone else?"

"I want to go!" Hotaru said, raising her hand like a school girl.

"Hotaru-chan, I think a trip around the world like this is a little bit dangerous for a girl your age," Michiru said.

"Oh, please Michiru-mama, please?" She looked into her eyes with large purple ones, doing her best puppy-dog beg.

"I...I...Well, Haruka will be there..."

"Oh thank you! Thank you so much!" Hotaru hugged her around the legs and giggled in excitement.

"Alright. So we have two Inners and two Outers then. And two nations and then we'll have another nation depending on where we are. Oh, and I'm sure Seiya-kun will want to come too. Maybe Yaten-kun will come! And Taiki-san for you Ami-chan."

The blue-haired girl blushed at thought of the tallest Starlight. "Minako-chan, please..."

"Aww, you don't have to be embarrassed Ami-chan! Anyway, I'm going to go tell Usagi-chan right now! She'll be so excited! Minako away!" With that, Minako sprinted out of the room and left the rest to discuss more details of the upcoming trip.