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Chapter 6


	She sat sadly at her vanity as she brushed her long, silky, golden 
hair. She looked at the reflection as she stared deep into those same blue 
eyes she'd seen a million times before. She sighed as she put the brush 
down and truly stared at her image. Her black dress hugged her grown figure. 
The diamonds sewn on her dress shimmered from the light of the chandelier. 

	"Tonight's the night," she exhaled deeply. With a couple of swift 
movements, her hair was neatly tied up into a French twist. She stared for 
a second, and decided to take out the hair do. "This isn't me..." she 
whispered to herself. Her hair slowly crept back to it's place. Then, she 
took some of her hair and twisted it into a bun. She curled the ends of the 
hair hanging down and stared at her reflection. "This HAS to be me from 
now on," she said as a tear slowly crept down her cheek. 

	She recalled how she was yesterday, dressed in common clothes, 
messing around without a care in the world. But now, she's fifteen. She 
must shred the carelessness of a child and adapt to the strict etiquette 
of the world. It's amazing how much a person can change in a day. She 
noticed that her mascara had been messed up from the tears that brimmed 
her eyes. She sighed in frustration and went through her bags again, 
searching for her cosmetics. When she found it, she quickly fixed the flaw. 

	Now she's ready to face the world. The cosmetics served as a mask 
from the rest of the world. It must hide her weaknesses from now on. That's 
always been the significance of the unnatural coloring to her. 

	Her heart almost skipped a beat when a knock came from one of the 
side doors. She turned her head and faced the door where the sound came from. 
Surprised as she was, she got up slowly and walked towards the door. That 
door hasn't been knocked on for the whole time she's been on Earth. She 
breathed a deep breathe and straightened out her dress. She swung the door 
open and came face to face with the man she'd expected. 

	He's dressed fully in his Earth general uniform. Everything was 
perfect. For the first time in days, she truly looked at him and realized 
how much both of them had grown overnight. Her heart seemed to skip a beat 
as she stared at him. He seemed to have looked at her differently at first. 
Was the mask concealing her well?

	He stared with awe for a second almost with confusion. He blinked 
once before realizing it was the one he'd been waiting for. She'd grown so 
much. She noticed he was hesitant at addressing her. Didn't he recognize her? 
"Princess Minako," he said softly as he began his bow. 

	Quickly, Minako threw out her arms and stopped him. "Kunzite, please. 
I probably won't see you in a while. Enough with the formalities." Her voice 
broke as she once again came to the reality that she'll be leaving her long 
time home the next day.

	"Yes, I-I realized that. That's why I came to see you," he said 
softly, avoiding her gaze purposely. He didn't want to make this any harder 
than it already is. Although neither of them had realized it, their constant 
quarrel and bickering slowly brought them close together. "Well, I-" 'Just 
say it, Kunzite,' he silently pushed himself. He wanted to tell her 
everything he felt, the butterflies in his stomach everytime she's within 
his sight, the lump of tension in his throat everytime he responded to her 
sweet voice, the wings he felt beneath his feet when he walked near her, 
the rushing of the blood with every slight touch, the dizziness in his head 
from looking deeply into her eyes, and the breath taken away by her every 
movement. He shook off the feeling and realized how ridiculous he must 
sound. "I just wanted to wish you good luck with your... your new life," 
he said, the last part softer, almost painful.

	"Yes, thank you," she replied softly, disappointed, but trying hard 
not to show it. An odd silence followed, neither knew what to say.

	"I understand that you'll be the leader of the sailor senshi?" he 
said, trying to make conversation. He could feel his eyes softening it's 
stone glare into a warm gaze. 

	Minako silently nodded, afraid that if she said anything, her voice 
would break. Goodbyes have never been too easy for her. She's lost everyone 
she'd ever loved, now this...

	"Well, no leader should be without an excellent weapon," he said as 
he pulled something from behind his back. He handed the item in his hand to 
her and she couldn't get her eyes off of it. She gasped at the sight of it 
and the touch of the cold metal.

	She looked from the golden handled sword to him. "But you made this-"

	"For you," he finished for her, even though that wasn't exactly 
what she'd been implying. "I knew this day would come so, I made this for 
you. I heard that the Moon Kingdom is a peaceful place, you probably can't 
find a decent sword if you searched the whole planet."

	"But you've worked so hard, and... and this is yours, I can't 
possibly-" she said as she began to hand it back to him. But he shoved it 
back at her.

	"No, I made this for you. You must accept it. And I have my own, 
see?" he took out another of the same sword, except with a silver handle 
and Kunzite stones rather than Topaz.

	"Thank you," she said softly, knowing that once his mind's made 
up, no one can change it. "This means more to me than you think."

	"How much does it mean to you?" he asked softly. For once in his 
life, he was curious.

	"You made this with your heart a-and love. It's a part of you. 
I'll always keep me by my side, and you'll always be with me. I've got 
a piece of your heart, now you should get a piece of mine." She said 
softly. She took out a silver locket from her jewelry box and handed it 
to him. 

	He slowly held the delicate metal in his hand by the chain. He 
was just about to open it when she stopped him. "Open it after I leave 
tomorrow, please. And plus, you need a key, which I'll give you when I 
feel the time is right."

	He nodded. "I'll treasure it always," he said. For a minute, 
they looked each other in the eye. "Well, I should get going now. Have 
fun at the party." He said as he closed the door.

	"Yea..." she whispered softly at her long gone visitor. She 
looked in the mirror and almost didn't recognize her own reflection. 
Her mask had served her well, but is this what she really want? To 
have to hide herself from the world? Tears came again and she quickly 
wiped them away before they once again mess up her mascara. "Listen 
to yourself," she said to her reflection, choking on her own tears. 
"This isn't me," she whispered as she shook her head and rushed into 
the bathroom. She quickly and frantically turned on the faucet and 
splashed her face with the cold water. She looked up again to see her 
reflection. Replacing the elegant lady earlier, there was a young girl. 
Her face wet and red and her the ends of her hair moist. "This, this 
is me."

	After quickly adjusting her hair, changing her outfit, and drying 
her face, she's once again the natural girl she's always been. Her pale 
pink skin seemed even paler with her sleeveless, cream-colored gown. 
It went down to the floor, tight at the waist but loose from there 
down. Her golden hair partly covered her exposed back. Her matching 
silk gloves fit perfectly. On her head was a silver tiara with an oval 
shaped, smooth rose quartz in the middle with two silver swans on the 
side, each facing the quartz. On the top and bottom are thin silver 
bands, adding the final elegant touch to the accessory. "Now this, 
this is me."

*After the Party* (AN: no, I'm not going to describe the party because 
not much happens)

	After hours of strangers coming up to her, telling her how 
grown up she was and how beautiful she looked, she was happy to find 
comfort in her own room. She'd changed out of her dress as soon as 
she walked in the door. She breathed out a sigh, remembering that 
she had to leave her home tomorrow. "How can I leave all this 
behind?" She asked no one in particular.

	She decided to clear her head and go for a walk. It's one in the 
morning, she assumed that no one would be up at this hour, so once again, 
she sneaked out of her room. Her thin dress hugged her chest but from her 
waist down, it just hung loose. It's the exact replica of the dress she'd 
worn the second night she'd spent there, the first time she snuck out of 
her room at night. The same length, about half a foot above her knees. She 
grabbed her keys this time, remembering the embarrassing event seven years 
ago. 

	She walked down the lonely hallway quietly, hoping she wouldn't 
wake anyone up. She crept to the courtyard, hoping that no one's there, 
but she saw someone sitting on the rock, back facing towards her. She 
began to creep back when the voice called out to her. "You don't have 
to leave, Minako." 

	She crept onto the rock next to him. "What are you thinking 
about, Nephrite?" 

	"How things were before you came, and how things will be after 
you leave..." he said softly. She hugged him and he placed a hand on 
her arm. "Promise me one thing, Minako, as a friend."

	"Anything," she said, tears brimming her own eyes.

	"Promise you won't forget me," he said softly.

	"You'll always have a place in my heart. I promise. I heard 
that the stars shine just as bright on the moon. And every night when 
I look up at the stars, I'll think of you."

	"Well, I have something that might help you a little," he said 
as he took out a small box, wrapped in shiny wrapping paper.

	"You didn't have to-" she gasped when she saw what had been hidden. 
She took out the medium sized jar that contained shimmers shifting. 

	"I captured a couple of star stones and put them in the jar. 
It's almost like star-gazing if you look into it in a dark room," he said 
as he smiled at her expression. She was entranced by the gift's beauty.

	"Thank you, Nephrite. I'll miss you so much," she said as she gave 
him a hug. He returned the hug and they sat back.

	"Now the moon will always shine brighter," he stared up at the circle 
of light that lit up the dark sky.

	"Why?" she asked, also staring at the moon now.

	"Because my brightest star will be there," he said as he turned 
to face her with a smile. She looked back at him with the same extraordinary 
smile. "Now, you better get back to bed, you have a long day ahead of you 
tomorrow."

	She slipped off the rock and began wandering again. She came across 
the library and noticed that the lights were on. Staring inside, she saw a 
man with long, dirty blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail. She walked in 
quietly and snuck up behind him. She placed her hands on his shoulders and 
he practically jumped out of his chair. "Minako!" he said as he recovered 
from shock and turned to see him.

	"That's me! What are you so concentrated on?" she said with bright, 
wide eyes as she looked over his shoulder, her arms still around his neck. 
He's like an older brother to her, and no matter how far away she is, 
that'll never change. She rested her head on his shoulder as he pointed 
out the pictures and captions underneath them.

	"It's a scrapbook type thing. I know you guys haven't noticed but 
I've been keeping track of practically everything we did. See? Here's the 
time when you were eight and we practically blew up the kitchen, trying to 
help Endymion with the mother's day cake." He said as he pointed to a 
picture where they were all covered in soot. Minako covered her mouth and 
laughed. He turned the page and they came face to face with the memories 
that had been long buried in their hearts. 

	"Oh my goodness, Zoi, this is extraordinary!" she said, teary eyed 
as they reflected on those memories together. 

	"I thought you'd like it, that's why..." he said as he took out 
another thick book from his bag. "I made you one too." She gasped as she 
flipped through the pages of her new book, one that she know she'd go through 
over and over again.

	"Thank you soooo much!!!" She squealed. 

	"You're welcome," he said with a soft smile. "I'm going to miss 
you, Minako. The palace is going to be so much quieter."

	"Awww, I'll miss you too. I'm sure we'll see each other again some 
day. I promise..."

	"Well, you must get some rest for tomorrow's long trip." He said as 
he stood up from his chair and she let go. She began to walk down the 
hallway again, feeling as lonely as ever. As she passed the training room, 
she heard the sound of swords and decided to peek in.

	"Wow, I never knew you liked training that much, Endymion. I'll take 
over, Orion. You can get some rest like normal people," she said as she took 
the fencing sword from the guard who graciously walked back towards the 
guard's sleeping chambers.

	"You're going to fence me in a short sleeping gown?" he said with 
raised eyebrows.

	"Hey, you just worry about keeping up," she said as she began to 
strike. "So, why are you practicing so late at night? You're usual not 
that interested in fencing." 

	"Just to take out some stress. What are you doing here? You know, 
you won't be able to walk around in the middle of the night in the moon 
palace. After all, you ARE a princess," he said as he tried to keep up 
with defense as her attacks kept coming.

	"Big deal. Trust me, by my second year there, they'll realize 
that I don't exactly act like royalty. Touche!" she said as she knocked 
him over with one final swing. He fell backwards on his back and she 
placed the sword on his throat. 

	"All right! I get the point!" he said as he got up. "I'm gonna 
miss u, kiddo."

	"Hey, watch it. This kiddo can kick your butt." She said as she 
glared at him. Then she softened up. "I'll miss you too," she said as 
she gave him a hug. "Hey, I'll keep my eye out for some beautiful girl 
who'd put up with you."

	"That'd be great. You can find a crazy guy who'd take you as a 
wife while you're at it." She playfully punched him in the arm and stuck 
her tongue out at him. "But seriously, when are you gonna choose a guy out 
of the flock of men who are gravel at your feet?"

	"You know, I like a little challenge. I'm going to try to get a 
guy that won't chase me around. After all, how else can you prove your 
real strength? I'm just joking. I just have to wait for Mr. Right. When 
he comes along, I'll know. And I promise, I'll tell you as soon as I find 
out who he is," she said as she stared at him. "And you have to tell me 
too. And plus, your parents have been complaining about you finding someone 
for ages now."

	"I know. I get migraines just thinking about it. I want to find 
someone special. But it's not that easy... You of all people should know."

	"Yea, I know. My parents still mention it in their letters. You know, 
it's funny. They say that I can go home anytime because the invasion is over, 
yet I didn't want to leave here. But now I have to leave here. I'll miss you," 
she said as she leaned her head down on his shoulder as she hugged the book and 
the box containing the jewels of the sky close to her chest.

	"Me too. Well, here. This is just a little something to say goodbye," 
he said as he took out a small, golden silk pouch and handed it to her.

	She smiled at him for a little and then looked down and opened the 
pouch. From it, she took out a small ring with a diamond in the center of it. 
As soon as she put it on, it seemed to have fit immediately, as if it was 
designed for her. "There is something special about this, I know there is. I 
just, can't seem to figure it out yet."

	"It's the ring of love. Remember that time when we were twelve and we 
went out to see who can find the most beautiful jewel and we all found this one 
at the same time? Well, I kept it until now and a sorcerer told me that this 
stone has magic, the magic of love. I engraved the stone onto the golden ring 
and had the most powerful sorcerer on Earth put a spell on it. When you're 
around love, the ring glows red. When you're around friendship, your ring glows 
orange. The only thing is you can't sense how people feel about you or how you 
feel about other people. It's just for you to see the relations between two 
different people. The glow can only be seen by the one wearing it. Take good 
care of it, Minako," he finished. He sighed as he looked down, still regretting 
having to let her go. He'd been afraid that their friendship would disappear as 
the distance grows.

	"Thank you so much," she whispered as she threw her arms around his 
neck and rested her head on his shoulder. Like so many times, he wrapped his 
arms around her waist as she sobbed on his shoulder. "I'm going to miss all 
of you so much..." her voice reduced to a whimper. The reality of leaving 
home had suddenly hit her right in the face. "You're all like brothers to 
me..."

	"I know," he whispered as he patted her head, trying to soothe her 
as her shoulders continued to shake and tears wet his shoulder. "You're 
like a sister to us too. You're... the baby of the family." They stayed like 
that for a while, waiting for Minako to cry out her tears. Then, Endymion 
took her shaking shoulders away so he could see her face. Slowly, he wiped 
away her tears. "Now, no one likes a crying princess. Go to your room and 
get some rest. If they think that you look too horrible and sends you back, 
you'll be in big trouble, missy." 

	"Why does everyone keep telling me to get some rest?!" she said 
loudly, cracking a wide smile on her tear-stained face. She wiped away any 
trace of sadness from her face and gave him one last hug. "All right. 
Promise to visit me, okay?" He nodded as she began to walk away. He just 
stared as she walked down the hall.

	She began to head back to her room as she skipped and spinned along 
the familiar halls of the Palace. When she approached the doors, she put 
her key into the large lock. She froze and looked to her right, at the 
large doors that led to another memory. She stared for a minute, and 
with her hands trembling, she took out the key from the lock without 
turning it. She slipped it into the pouch that contained the ring and 
slowly walked over to those large doors. Her hands still shaking, she 
raised it up to eye level and wondered if she should knock.

	After several attempts of trying and mentally pulling back her hand, 
she got up the courage and knocked once against the painted wood, loud and 
clear. 'There's not turning back now. Take deep breaths,' she thought 
with her head down. Just then, the door flung open and there stood the 
strong, tall frame with silver hair and clear, silver, and sleepy eyes. 
His black flannel pajamas had thin dark red striped running down. The 
first few buttons were loose and revealed part of his muscular chest. 
She was quite taken back by the casual look. He's usually so formal.

	He was a little dazed himself, but snapped when he realized what 
she was wearing. The thin, white dress barely did anything to cover the 
curves thrown at him. Her bare legs appeared paler under the moonlight 
and her hair shined a shimmering gold. She blushed when she felt his 
gaze examining her and he looked down, realizing the tension between the 
two of them. It's the feeling again. "Yes, Princess?"

	"Um, I forgot my key again. Can I please use your door?" she asked 
quietly, still slightly embarrassed. She couldn't bear to look into his eyes 
and melt into them again. No, she can't get connected to him now, not when 
she has to leave tomorrow morning. He nodded and moved aside, allowing her 
to walk past him. Her swift moments bewitched him and captured his heart

	She approached the door and touched the handle. She gripped it 
tightly as she hesitated in opening the door, the door that will make her 
turn her back on him forever...