CHAPTER 11

     The direct sunlight jarred Mika from her dreams. She grumbled and muffled her face into the soft pillow. Mika smiled dreamily to herself. She felt comfortable as a cat in the soft bed with the guy's hand linked to hers.
     The guy....GUY!!!!
     Mika snapped her eyes opened! She was lying in a large white bed with a dark hair...man. His hand intertwine with hers and one of her legs was inched between his. Mika gulped, still unable to believe her eyes, the guy was Mamoru! Of ALL PEOPLE!
     Fortunately, Mika managed to bite back her surprised exclaimation, Mamoru remain obliviously sleeping. After a few seconds of indecision, Mika slowly pried her hand from Mamoru's grasp and slowly got up. How in the world did she get into this predicament?
     Oh, now she remembered. Mamoru had nearly fallen asleep after crying his heart out and she had half drag, half carried him to his bedroom. Then, she spent the next few minutes nodding of by his bedside. And....
     AAaaaargghhh!
     Mika ran out to the living room and dropped onto the sofa. She covered her face with her hands. This was horrible, what would Adelaide say? She was practically sleeping with the poor guy! Unable to stand it anymore, Mika finally ran out of the Chiba residense.

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     Adelaide watch the taxi zoom off with a brighter Usagi in it. She had been nearly inconsolable last night and it had taken Adelaide a few hours to get her calm again.
     Adelaide sighed and remembered Usagi's timid look when she mentioned Chibiusa. The poor girl probably was afraid she wouldn't believe that Chibiusa was Usagi's daughter. Adelaide hadn't said much but listened patiently to her.
     Of course, as Usagi slowly grew confident, she finally leaked out the secret that she was Sailormoon. Soon she voiced her fears and despair to Adelaide. Adelaide had felt a similar pang of loss when Usagi started crying. She herself had been nearly inconsolable when Zakros was...
     Zakros, her one true love, to think that they were nearly to be married when the destruction began. Adelaide closed her eyes, not only Zakros, but also her Elites. All of those dear to her were dead. All except Mika.
     'Where in the world did that silly girl go anyway?' thought Adelaide irritably. 'She hadn't returned home last night. But then, neither did Usagi. Surely Mamoru didn't insist that she stay back?! I only hope they didn't do anything silly.'
     Suddenly Adelaide gave a relieved smile. Mika was had finally appeared, the girl was panting when she reached Adelaide. Surprisingly, she flunged herself into Adelaide's arms.
     "Wha..what happened?"
     "Delly, you're not gonna believe this."
     "I told you not to call me that! What am I suppose to believe?"
     "I...um..slept with Mamoru..."
     "....huh?"
     "I said I slept with him!"
     "You got to be joking."
     "I'm not! I woke up today in his bed!"
     "Did you...um...did that thing?"
     "NO!!!"
     "Then that's hardly called sleeping with him, you just...well... shared his bed?" finished Adelaide lamely. They both stared at each other for a while then burst out laughing.
     "No matter how we twist it, the words seem to imply something else...hahaha."
     "Indeed. Let's go in, you must be hungry by now. I've cooked up some pancakes. Usagi liked them."
     "OK." Both turned and headed up the stairs.

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     Hotaru sadly stared out the window. Poor Chibiusa. Death had not come easy for her. For a moment, a faint flicker of dispassion flew pass her face. She could almost become her former self again....almost....
     "That is not your destiny, child." said Setsuna, appearing at the doorway.
     "Yes, Setsuna-mama. I understand. But...if our next battle continues in this senseless destruction, then I will have to create another destruction, wouldn't I?"
     "I hope this has nothing to do with Small Lady." Setsuna gave Hotaru a hug before leaving the room.
     Hotaru sighed and got up. Grieving would not do. Princess...no...Neo Queen Serenity still needed their protection. Chibiusa was of the future....
     Suddenly, she gasped. She was standing before the mirror and hadn't noticed another Saturn watching her. Wryly, her old self gave a solemn smile.
     "Young Saturn." said her shadow in greeting.
     "Ahh. Why?" a simple question yet thousands were hammering at Hotaru's mind.
     "Once I returned to awaken you; now I come to bid you goodbye. You are no longer the Sailor Saturn of old. My existence has changed. And so will yours soon. But then that may also not mean much."
     "You and I are one. What do you mean?"
     "We are joined. You made the decision and began the first step of your new destiny, like the others. But beware, Rae and you will feel the darkness soon...."
     "Darkness?! Wait! What..!" Hotaru was left staring back at her own reflection. Her adult shadow had gone...forever. A sudden horrid premonition swept through her soul.
     "Rae!" Hotaru ran out of her room.


Chapter 12

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