Chapter Text
6 months later.
“I’m really proud of you.” Rei said as she sat down next to Ami. “Makoto too. She would be here but wanted to make sure everything was ready at home. She’s going to meet us outside. Do you feel ready?”
Ami smiled tentatively. Six months had wrought a remarkable change in her, while she still reminded Rei uncomfortably of an injured bird there was a brightness in her that hadn’t been there before.
“I think so.” She said, “More than that I need to try. My mother isn’t happy about it, but I think she understands.”
“I think.” Rei said. “That it’s time for Mizuno Ami to do what is best for her and no one else.”
“I think I want to try.” Ami said as she bent forward to sign another form. “How much discharge paperwork can there possibly be?”
Rei laughed. “We could just break you out like last time.”
She was rewarded with another smile. “I think once was enough.” She set the pen down. “And besides, that’s it.”
“Great.” Rei said, lifting Ami’s small duffle bag over her shoulder. “Let’s go.”
She had to admit that the treatment center Ami’s mother had found was a far more pleasant place than the hospital of the infamous breakout, but she was still happy to leave and even happier to see Makoto waiting for them in the sunshine.
Makoto pulled Ami into a hug. “How are you?”
“Good.” Ami said. “I’m happy to see you.”
“What would you like to do?” Rei asked. “Are you tired? Would you like to go back to Mako’s place?”
“It’s such a nice day.” Ami said. “Why don’t we go for a walk.”
“Sounds good to me.” Makoto said. “Lead the way.”
They wandered down an unfamiliar residential street to a small park.
“Do you think this peace will last forever?” Ami said.
“I don’t know.” Rei answered truthfully. “But I don’t think so”.
“No matter what happens we’ll stay together.” Makoto said. “We won’t abandon the world the princess loved.”
“And we will see Minako and the princess again.” Rei said. “I can sense it.”
“I feel that too.” Ami said. “I don’t know how I know it but I do.”
Together they watched the sky.
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Haruka stepped into the house and hung up her coat. “I’m home Michiru!”
“I’m glad!” Michiru called back. “Now come rescue me!”
“Haruka-papa!” Usagi laughed as she threw her arms around Haruka’s legs. “Will you play with me now?”
“Let me get cleaned up first.” Haruka said.
“But I want to play now!” The small princess pouted. “And then we need to find Venus.”
Haruka froze. “What?”
“Venus.” Usagi said as though it was the most obvious thing in the world. “She wished me back but I wished her back too.” She looked down. “But I don’t know where to find her.”
Haruka knelt down to smooth Usagi’s blonde hair away from her face. “Don’t worry Usagi-chan.” She said with a glance to Michiru. “We’ll find her.”
“Okay!” Usagi said. “Now will you play with me?”
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Michiru closed the door to Usagi’s bedroom gently and crossed the hall to join Haruka in their room. She sat down on the bed and leaned into her lover’s embrace.
“I saw the girls today.” Haruka said. “Mercury looks better.”
“Good.” Michiru said. “And you still don’t think we should tell them about the princess?”
“No” Haruka shook her head. “They still need to heal. But I am shocked how much the princess is remembering.” She sighed. “I don’t think this peace will last forever.”
“And what she said about Venus.” Michiru said. “Do you think it's really true? We haven’t seen Artemis since he and Luna brought Usagi here.”
“I won’t pretend to understand the mysteries of the crystal.” Haruka said. “All we can do is trust her.”
“Okay.” Michiru said. “And I trust you.”
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In another place a small girl watched the sky and dreamed of a silver paradise.