Forum: Crystal Tokyo
Type: Advanced

Plot Summary: Despite their long lives in Crystal Tokyo, King Endymion ended up dying pretty young for his age, perhaps because he is of the Earth rather than the Moon, where people had always been long-lived. Even the Silver Crystal could only prolong his life so much, as it turned out. Although she was the queen of the world who had pulled many miracles seemingly from thin air, it seemed like this was one fate Neo Queen Serenity could not fight.

Endymion's loss hit her hard, and she found herself depending on Chibiusa and her senshi to support her during these darkest years. Serenity felt like she was Usagi again, small and alone and weak, and out of everyone, she leaned on Rei the most, because she had always felt that Rei was the strength she needed to go through the hardest things. Their close relationship grew ever closer over the years, and at some point it became more.

Neither really wanted to admit or pursue it, mostly because the death of Endymion still hung over them. How could they both betray him? The thought was simply impossible, and so for a long time they didn't acknowledge it. Usagi was horrified at the thought of moving on, of loving someone else that way, of replacing the love of her life. But Usagi was love, after all, and maybe she was never meant to be with just one person.

Maybe you could have more than one soul mate.

Details on any necessary information: This storyline will take place in Crystal Tokyo after Chibiusa's birth. Usagi and Rei will end up together eventually, but it will be rough getting there and getting everyone to accept that Usagi is kind of moving on. This roleplay is just to explore their relationship mainly and deals with everyone else's reactions to this new relationship.
Restrictions: Only for Neo Queen Serenity/Usagi and Sailor Mars/Rei, everyone else will be NPC-ed.
Source: N/A
OOC Thread: Skype

Characters:
Neo Queen Serenity/Usagi Tsukino - Sailor Neptune
Rei Hino/Sailor Mars - Artemis

Endymion is gone.

Serenity had repeated the words so much over the past 24 hours, it had lost all meaning. It felt like a dream now, like some kind of nonsense… which it was, really.

Because he could not be gone. Her soulmate, the love of her life… her other half.

Except she sat on their bed in their room right now. Alone.

Serenity hugged herself. She had not cried yet. She had not… felt anything yet, which was interesting given who she was. The girl who always felt too much. The girl who felt everything.

Maybe she was still in shock. Or in denial. Maybe part of her was still expecting to go to bed and wake up tomorrow morning with Endymion by her side like usual.

Night had fallen outside, and she felt utterly tired. She had expended a lot of energy forcing the Silver Crystal to do her bidding and prolong Endymion’s life, but even her immense power had its limits, it seemed. It had prolonged his life for hundreds of years after all, and now its borrowed time had ended.

But why hadn’t Serenity’s? Or the senshi’s for that matter? Not that she wanted any of them dead. She just wanted them all to… to expire at the same time.

Was that too much to ask?

They had taken his body away and left her alone her in this cold room, and Serenity did not quite know what to do. How was she supposed to continue on living? How was the world still turning?

The emptiness echoed within her, and she wondered how soundlessness could hurt so much.

Mars sat stone still in front of her flames. She had stopped meditating when she heard the news. Endymion was dead. Mars never imagined this day would come, but knew it made sense. He was of the Earth and Earthens were not supposed to live for hundreds of years.

Still Mars felt shocked by his passing and could only imagine the shock Serenity felt. She worried about her now Queen. Was she okay? Most likely not, but she would never show her true feelings in front of anyone. Mars knew that Serenity had probably still not accepted he was really gone, and this time he was not coming back.

Mars sat for a long moment, meditating on what to do next. She wanted to comfort Serenity, but also wanted to give her some space and some time to grieve.

Mars made up her mind, she put out the flames, and went to her room to change. She then walked down the palace halls until she reached Serenity’s room. She waited a moment before she knocked.

“Serenity, its Rei, is it alright if I come in?” She asked hoping, Serenity would be willing to see her.

She heard the knock on her door and turned toward it. She shouldn’t be alone right now—she knew that. And the thought of Rei being there comforted her. Maybe Rei could make things better. Maybe she could… Serenity wasn’t sure what exactly, but… fix it somehow. Rei was one of her fiercest protectors. Rei would be able to help, right?

She walked slowly to the door and opened it. Seeing her friend standing there was almost enough to make her restrain break. But she was terrified that if she started crying, she would never stop. How could she ever stop? How could things ever be okay again?

“R… Rei-chan…” she choked out, staring pleadingly at her friend, begging her to tell her this wasn’t real. Needing her to just… do something. Something that would make the pain go away. “I… I don’t know what to do… how could he be gone? He isn’t really gone, right? There must be a way, right? I don’t…” she sobbed, then threw herself into her friend’s arms, needing desperately to be embraced and comforted and be told that everything would still be alright, somehow.

Rei wrapped her arms around Serenity, she felt a sting in her heart. She wanted to tell her Queen, her friend that Endymion was not really gone. She wanted this to all be some nightmare and wake up and everything would be okay. This was not a nightmare, this was reality. As painful as it was to say, Rei spoke, “Yes….he is gone.” Rei could not think of anything to say, she was a t a loss for words, but she knew she wanted to be honest and real with Serenity.

Rei could have lied and said Endymion was not gone, but she did not want to give Serenity false hope, that would only crush her more. She rubbed the Queen’s back as she walked into the room, closing the door with a soft kick.

“I don’t know what happened, “ Rei said, she felt like maybe she had failed the Queen, maybe if she had meditated more, she could have seen a sign that this was coming. Endymion had shown no signs he was ill, and Rei knew if he were, he would not tell anyone. He was never one to burden Serenity with his troubles.

Rei wish she knew what to say, but there were really no words, it wasn’t like she could say, it’s going to be okay. 
Serenity had just lost her soul mate, the other half of her heart was gone and he was never coming back. Rei knew she had to be strong for the Queen who was trying to figure out what she should do next.

Rei walked Serenity to the bed and sat her down. “Hold on just a second, I will be right back.” Rei walked into the royal bathroom and filled a cup with water and grabbed a washcloth and wet it with some cold water.

She returned to the Queen’s side and sat next to her offering her the glass of water. She rubbed Serenity’s back, hoping to help ease the anguish the Queen was feeling. Rei then grabbed the wash cloth and wiped Serenity’s face, hoping the washcloth would help to cool Serenity’s flushed face.

Rei took Serenity in her arms once more and spoke softly, “ As much as it hurts me to say this, it is true, Endymion is gone, but we will never forget him and I will stay with you as long as you need me to and will help you in any way I can to get through this.” Rei knew that wasn’t what she wanted to say, but she struggled to find words that could bring Serenity any comfort just hours after she learned that Endymion was truly gone and he would not be coming back.

It hurt to hear the words—it felt like the pain was fresh all over again. Serenity hugged her friend tighter, closing her eyes and choked back her sob. She shook her head vigorously, still in denial. But deep down she knew that if she wanted to hear a lie, she would not have asked Rei to do it for her. Rei had never been the one to lie, not when it would only give her false hope.

They moved further into the room, the door closed once more, and Serenity tried her best to stand upright even if her legs felt weak. Already she felt like one half of a whole. Endymion was always there to support her. Yes, she was the powerful one, but she found she could not access that power easily without him by her side.

She sat down on the bed as Rei guided her to it, relieved that she didn’t have to stand anymore. For a moment she was terrified when Rei left her, the emptiness still threatening to swallow her, but thankfully she didn’t leave for long. Serenity couldn’t believe how pathetic she’d gotten—how afraid she suddenly was of being alone. Endymion’s death couldn’t help but make her wonder if the others would leave too. What if Rei was next? Then Ami, then Mako, Minako…

What if everyone died and she was the only one left? What then?

She gulped the offered glass of water with trembling hands, afraid and devastated and shaken. The feeling of coolness on her skin from the washcloth helped a little, but her mind was still troubled.

She looked up at one of her closest friends and thought about what she really wanted right now, and wondered if it was too embarrassing to ask. But her heart hurt too much—and she didn’t know if she could make it through the night.

“Rei-chan, will you… Will you stay with me tonight here? I can’t—” her breath hitched, and she took a deep, shuddering breath. “I don’t think I can sleep here alone tonight. It feels too empty without him.”

Seeing Serenity is so much pain caused Rei’s heart to ache. Serenity was normally cheerful and happy, but now, Rei could tell how fragile her friend and Queen was without Endymion. She sat down next to Serenity and wrapped an arm around her as Serenity drank the water. Rei noticed Serenity’s trembling hands and took a brief moment to remove her gloves. She slowly rubbed Serenity’s back. Rei wanted to offer comfort in any way she could.

Rei didn’t even have to think before responding to Serenity’s question.

“Of course I will stay with you Serenity. I could not leave you alone right now. Whatever you need me to do, just ask and I will do it for you,” she said as she pulled Serenity closer to her, resting Serenity’s head against her shoulder. Rei ran her fingers through Serenity’s hair.

”I believe Setsuna is keeping watch of Small Lady, if you want, I can check with her and see if Small Lady is alright for the night.” Rei kept herself occupied trying to soothe Serenity. It was the only thing keeping Rei strong.


The pain Serenity felt transferred to Rei and she wished that she could take Serenity’s pain away, bring Endymion back and make Serenity feel whole again.

What she wanted was to have as many people around her as possible, have one of those sleepovers that she never had with her friends anymore and just the knowledge that everyone was there. She needed to fill the emptiness Endymion had left behind. The comfort that no one else was leaving her.

And yet right now the thought of so many people around her trying to comfort her in their own ways suffocated her. No, maybe that was not what she needed. Maybe she didn’t need all of them at once.

Maybe for tonight just Rei would be enough.

“Oh god, Small Lady, I didn’t even—” Serenity felt horrified as she realized she hadn’t thought of her daughter in her grief. Her daughter, who had also lost her father. Small Lady was suffering just like her, feeling everything she was feeling. Serenity should have been there for her, should have been strong for her, and yet the thought of facing her daughter’s grief threatened to break her apart.

She could not be with Small Lady right now.

“I should—I should be there for her. I’m her mother, I’m the one who should comfort her, but I… I can’t,” she shook her head, just the thought of it, of seeing her own grief mirrored in her daughter’s eyes made her nauseous. “I can’t be strong for her, I will break… I’m still no good Usagi after all, Rei-chan, why is this happening? I’m no queen… without him I’m nothing.” She buried her face in her friend’s embrace, so ashamed of herself, of this charade she’d been playing—the role she did not deserve.

Rei felt her heartstrings ripping with each word Serenity said. She hadn’t wanted to make her feel worse, only to reassure her that her daughter was being taken care of in this time of grief.

“How can you say that?” Rei asked as she wrapped her arms around Serenity and rubbed her back. “You are the strongest person I know. I know right now you feel at a loss of what to do, like you will not ever be able to move on, but you need time to grieve. We are all here for you and can help you in whatever way you need us to.”

Rei laid Serenity down next to her, but still held her friend in her arms. “Serenity, everything ….” She paused trying to think of what to say, there were no words that could ease the pain that Endymion’s death had torn into Serenity’s heart, but Rei waned to provide Serenity a glimmer of hope, she wanted her friend to continue to believe in herself. Even though Endymion was not physically there with her, he would still always be in her heart and he would not want to see her so sad and broken.


“let’s just get some sleep okay, Small Lady is safe and you need to rest, tomorrow is a new day and we can figure it out together,” she said softly with reassurance. Rei turned out the light as she hoped Serenity would be able to get some sleep tonight.

“I don’t feel strong at all, Rei-chan. I feel like—like the Usagi I was when Luna first found me. The useless, clumsy, and crybaby one… All I can do now is cry. I can’t fix it… I can’t bring him back, and I can’t give Small Lady her father back… What good is the Silver Crystal then?”

She had felt so frustrated at her failure she’d nearly crushed the crystal had it not been her own life force. But then again, maybe that was for the better. If she were gone, she could be with Endymion again. They’d both be reincarnated once more and start all over again. Maybe their time was up in this life after all.

As she curled up in bed in the dark with Rei beside her, Serenity thought about the last time she’d lost Endymion. She had died pretty soon after that and wasn’t forced to live with this grief. She and him were meant to be together always, both in life and in death, right?

“Rei-chan… Maybe I should be with him. Maybe both of our star seeds need to go back to the Cauldron at the same time like before so we can be reborn together again. If I stayed… what if he gets reborn to a different life next time?” Her fear of this being the last time she could ever be with him overwhelmed her, and she tried to divert it into the plan that she was making. That was right—maybe she had the answer all along. She just needed to join him and they would find a new life together just like back in the Silver Millennium. They had done it once, surely they could do it again.

Rei listened as Serenity spoke. Her tears tore into Rei’s heart. She cradled Serenity’s head in the crook of her neck.

“Serenity it is okay if you are not strong right now, you can cry, it’s natural, you just lost someone you care for deeply. Let me, let us all be strong for you. We are all here for you,” Rei said as she gave Serenity a back rub to try and sooth her.

Rei continued to listen as Serenity spoke. She was shocked, but at the same time could understand why Serenity was saying what she as saying. In her mind, she wanted to slap Serenity out of her senses. Sure it was an unbearable grief to lose the person you love, but Serenity had to think of Small Lady, what would she do without both her parents. Losing her father was hard enough, but to lose her mother, it would be a tragedy she thought Small Lady would not survive from.


Rei wasn’t sure what to say, if she brought up Small Lady it may make Serenity feel worse, but if she didn’t, Serenity might try to find a way to be with Endymion.


Rei paused before speaking. 

“Serenity I know you are hurting and you want to be with Endymion, but just think for a moment,” she said softly as she met her friend’s gaze. “You have Small Lady, you have something, someone to live for. She is the one who will follow in your footsteps. We can keep Endymion’s memory alive. He would want that. You know he would want you to be strong, if not for you than for your daughter.”


Rei was not trying to be mean, she spoke calmly, in a soothing way to help Serenity take a moment and think about how she wanted to continue living, even though Endymion was no longer a part of that lifetime.

Serenity knew her friend was right. Small Lady still needed her, especially now that she’d just lost her father. She couldn’t possibly deprive her of a mother, too. What kind of selfish person would that make her?

But that was what she was; selfish. She wanted all her people around her, always. She couldn’t stand losing anyone. Always afraid of being left behind.

“I’m sorry. I… I know you’re right,” she snuggled further into her friend’s arms. Her rock. Now that Endymion was gone, she would have to depend on someone else. And Rei had always been there. From the start, she was someone who kept her strong. Back when she was still clumsy, crybaby Usagi, Rei was the one who made her better, who pushed her, who reminded her of everything she could be. Of how much strength she had.

She had always wanted to be as brave and strong as Rei.

“I just really need you right now. To teach me to be brave and strong again, like you used to all those years ago when we met for the first time. I’m always weak, but you made me strong, Rei-chan. You always have.”

In the darkness, Serenity could almost pretend that the warm body next to hers was Endymion’s. She could pretend that he wasn’t really gone, that everything was alright and tomorrow things would go back to normal. She had someone who loved her, who cared about her, and as long as she had that everything would be okay. Exhaustion finally overtook her, and with the comfort and protection of her best friend’s embrace, Serenity eventually succumbed to slumber.

When morning came, at first she didn’t remember. She could hear the birds chirping outside and felt the warmth of the sun on her cheek. She even smiled as she felt her arm still slung over someone’s body beside her just like it always was.

But when she opened her eyes, the illusion broke.

It was not Endymion beside her, but Rei. And while her friend’s face had always, always offered strength and comfort to her all these years, for the first time in her life Serenity felt like crying at the sight of it.

Because it was not Endymion.

Rei had stayed awake as long as she could. She wanted to keep an eye on her friend and ensure Serenity was safe, but sometime after Serenity had fallen asleep, Rei to found herself deep in her own dream world. She had dreams filled with sadness. She carried her grief in her dreams. She would never shed a tear in front of Serenity, she had to be strong for her. In her dreams Rei could cry freely, for the loss of Endymion and the rock that Serenity had lost. She could cry for her friend and bear the pain for her, it would all be better in Rei's mind if she could take this pain that Serenity was feeling away.

She awoke some time later. She sensed something was wrong. As she took in the scene, she didn't notice any threats; however, she did get a strange vibe from Serenity. She wasn't sure what it was and she didn't want to ask just yet.  She sat up and stretched. Her back to Serenity, she spoke softly.

"I am going to go check on Small Lady and take a quick shower? Are you okay if I leave for a minute? I can have someone come stay with you for a bit if you like..." she trailed off as she rose to walk to the door, while awaiting Serenity's response.

She didn't want to leave her friend, but she also sensed that maybe Serenity needed a moment to herself, to gather her thoughts, to scream, to cry. Whatever Serenity wanted or needed to do, Rei wanted to allow her friend the freedom to deal with the emotions she was feeling this morning.

“Yeah, of course,” Serenity replied, her voice a little hoarse still. “Of course you can leave me alone for five minutes, Rei-chan, it’s okay,” she attempted to smile, to call back the old silly Usagi rather than the grieving queen, trying to make light of the situation by remembering old times.

She looked away, not offering anything more, and waited for Rei to leave. The room already felt so much emptier without him. She didn’t know how she was supposed to ever be okay with sleeping here alone, no matter how much time had passed. With a jolt, she realized that this room had always belonged to the both of them. They had moved in here after they got married… and now it was just hers.

It was simply incomprehensible that he no longer existed in this world.

Rei instantly felt bad for telling Serenity she was leaving. She felt terrible for making Serenity feeling worse, but she had sensed Serenity needed space, for just a bit. Had she been wrong?

Before Rei left she turned to speak to Serenity. "Serenity you won't be alone. I will ask Minako to come sit with you while I am away."

Rei pulled out her communicator and asked Minako to come stay with Serenity. Once Minako arrived, Rei left quietly and made her way to her room so she could shower.

It was there in her shower, that she allowed herself to grieve. Rei hated seeing Serenity in so much pain, hated seeing how empty she was without Endymion. Rei knew Serenity was being strong, but she was entitled to feel the way she was. It was Rei who needed to stay strong for her queen. She had to support her through this troubling time in any way she was needed. 

Rei exited the shower, wiping away any remnants of tears. She dried her hair, got dressed. She stopped at the temple for a quick meditation and prayer before she made a round in the kitchen. She picked up some tea and pastries, hoping Serenity would want to eat something.

Rei made her way back to Serenity's room. She knocked before entering the room. She nodded to Minako thanking her for staying with Serenity while she was away.

Rei sat back down on the bed next to Serenity. "I brought some tea and pastries for you, if you would like them of course, if not I will just set them aside for when you would like them." Reid's voice was soft and reassuring to her queen. Rei waited patiently to hear what Serenity would say.

Minako provided a different kind of comfort for her. While Rei was her strength, Minako was the one who always managed to make her smile. Minako knew her every thought and feeling—her other half. Each of her people meant something special to her, and that just made the gaping hole that Endymion left that much more unbearable, because Serenity knew no one would ever be able to fill it in the exact same way again.

Still, Minako’s presence was comforting, and even a bit uplifting, and that got her through her morning routines. Like so long ago, when Endymion was Mamoru and he was first taken from her, Minako brushed her hair in that comforting way that was unique to her and helped Serenity try out new styles, though ultimately she returned to what was familiar. It seemed wrong to change how she looked now that Endymion wasn’t here anymore.

Rei eventually returned, and the revolving door of senshi continued, making sure she was never alone, never left on her own with her dark thoughts and the pit of depression.

She glanced at the offerings, her stomach rolling at the sight of food, which was definitely the opposite reaction of what she usually had. That was how she knew everything was wrong and would never be right again. When the sight of sugar—her most favorite thing in the world—almost made her sick.

“I’ll take just the tea for now,” she decided, bringing the warm cup to her lips.

The liquid was much easier to digest and the warmth comforted her.

“It’s at times like these that I really wish I weren’t the queen. How am I meant to think about funeral arrangements or making statements to the public about how the king has passed away? There will be questions… and so much to deal with… and I just can’t right now.”

Rei was glad that Serenity had at least gone for the tea. She hoped her friend would have eaten something, but knew that Serenity would take the food when she was ready.

Rei sat next to Serenity and placed a hand on her knee. She knew this was all too much for her to handle, and she was trying to think of a way to help comfort Serenity, but she knew her words were minimal to heal the pain Serenity felt.

"Serenity you do not have to rush all of this, I know it is a lot to take in, but don't feel like you have to decide everything today. I know the public is worried, and maybe we could help you find a way to tell them. It could be something small such as having a small camera crew, so you don't have all those questions, or maybe we can ask someone to..." Rei trailed off realizing she wasn't helping the situation.

She was so used to having a strategy ready, having an answer, but she didn't have the answers and it was killing her inside to see Serenity in so much pain and not being able to help her friend feel better. 

Rei pulled Serenity in a one armed embrace, careful so the queen did not spill her tea.

"I'm sorry Serenity, I don't have the answers for you right now, but we will figure it out. We can take it slow..."

“What would I ever do without you, Rei-chan?” she whispered as she leaned her head on Rei’s shoulder, welcoming the embrace. “What would I do without all of you?”

She was a queen and she had people who needed to be governed. She had a child she still had to raise, and people who loved her. She knew she had to go on somehow no matter how painful this was.

But just for the next few days, she really wanted to just cry and be heartbroken and weak because she needed to mourn for the one man who had been with her since their past, their present, and this future. A man she would hopefully get to meet again in the next life.

“Promise me you’ll always be here and that you won’t go before I do,” she added, knowing it was a promise Rei couldn’t really keep. How many times had Rei died for her? Too many to count. She probably still would someday. Or she’d simply die first whatever the cause. Serenity could not bear the thought. If losing one of her people hurt this much, she wasn’t looking forward to more.

Rei wrapped Serenity in an embrace. She was glad she could be there for Serenity during this heartbreaking time.

When Serenity asked Rei to promise she would not go before the queen, Rei wanted to promise, but she knew it would be a lie. In the future, if another evil force attacked, Rei would surely die so Serenity wouldn't have to.

The more she thought about it though, the more she wanted to uphold the promise. She knew it would tear Serenity to pieces if she had to lose someone else she loved. Serenity had a big heart and she loved those close to her with her entire being, Rei didn't know what the future held, but for now she would try her best to make this promise to her queen.

"Serenity I will do everything in my power to stay with you as long as I can. " 

Rei said as she gave Serenity's shoulders a reassuring squeeze. 

"Now, what would you like to do today, I promise I will not allow anyone to pester you with questions. You will have time to prepare for what is coming. I know it will be hard, but lets do something you enjoy today."

Rei wasn't trying to pressure Serenity to get over Endymion, but giving her an opportunity to have a mental break for what was coming in the next days, weeks, months, and much more. There would be many questions, many people offering to comfort Serenity. Many tears would be shed and Rei just wanted Serenity to know that while it may be painfully difficult, Serenity can be the strong queen everyone knows she is. 

Rei wanted just for a moment, for Serenity to forget she was queen, that she was a mom, a widow...and let her remember the days when she was just Usagi and Rei was just Rei, a time much simpler than now.

“Thank you,” she whispered with a smile as her friend obliged, even if they both knew it was a promise impossible to keep. Still, hearing the words was comforting somehow.

She tried to think how to answer Rei’s question. It had been so long since she could do whatever she liked without having to worry about government business or official things. She tried to remember the things she enjoyed in the past; video games, manga, food… All of it seemed so distant and trivial now. Could she even enjoy those silly things anymore, knowing that half her heart was gone and that there was an empty hole inside her?

“I want to… be with my friends,” she said at last. “I don’t want to be alone anymore. I want to be surrounded by everyone’s smiling faces, and I want to eat cake that Mako-chan makes, and listen to Minako-chan’s funny stories, and Ami-chan’s interesting bits of trivia, and you yelling at everyone because they’re too loud,” she giggled.

“Maybe we can spend a day away from the palace? Do a picnic trip? And I want you all in casual clothing, too. Today we’re not the queen and her senshi… We are just Usagi, Ami, Rei, Mako, and Minako.”

Rei couldn't help but smile at the Queen's request. She knew that it wouldn't heal the pain Serenity felt if they all went on the picnic trip, but it would help to lift her spirits. Rei would do whatever it took to see Serenity happy. 

"Let me pass this along to everyone, I am just going to step out for a moment and then I will return."

Rei excused herself and stepped outside the queen's door. She sent a comm to Ami, Minako, and Makoto about the Queens wishes. Everyone was on board for her idea. Makoto just requested some time to prepare a cake.

Rei smiled as she stepped back into the queen's room and sat down next to Serenity.

"Everyone is on board, Makoto just needs some time to make the perfect cake, but say when you would like to go and we will go. Your wish is our command."

Rei couldn't help but smile, she knew this would be perfect for Serenity, to take a step back and just have a good time. She knew Endymion would want to see her smile.

Rei also was thinking of what would happen when they returned, she knew Serenity would have to start answering questions and dealing with reality. Rei would be there for Serenity in those moments, but for now she put them on the back burner of her mind.

Rei pulled Serenity into a side hug, as she whispered, "we will always be here for you in any way you need us Serenity. We have your back no matter what."

She waited as Rei arranged everything, her heart lifting with the hope of being surrounded by her friends just like in the old days. Of course no one could ever truly fill the hole that Endymion had left behind, but they would be a soothing balm for the wound. She suddenly longed for the simpler days when she was just Usagi, when she was still in high school and her biggest worry was not finishing her homework on time, not figuring out how to make the announcement that her husband, the king of Crystal Tokyo, had passed away, and arrange for his funeral as well as appear to her people in mourning.

Usagi did not feel like a queen at all today.

When Rei returned with the good news, she smiled. “Good. I want everyone to take the day off—I’m sure we have other staff that can monitor things and keep the palace safe.”

She smiled gratefully at her friend as she said once more that they were all there for her. “Rei-chan… I want to be Usagi again today.” She turned to her wardrobe and opened it, going to the very back, to the corner that hadn’t been touched in millennia. There, preserved in pristine condition was her old Juuban high school uniform. Serenity had saved it especially, because every time she thought about throwing it out, she recalled how happy she’d been that day when she first got to wear it. How she’d linked arms with her friends joyfully, now that they all went to the same school except for Rei.

“Do you think it still fits?”

She was so tired of being the queen. All she wanted was to be the girl again.

Rei walked back into the Queen's room. At Serenity's request, Rei smiled and nodded.

"I will need to pack some things in a moment." Rei said, a smile appearing on her face.

She knew that Crystal Tokyo would be just fine with the staff. They could handle anything that might arise while the girls were away for the day. Rei sent a comm to notify the girls to prepare for departure.

Rei couldn't help but chuckle at Serenity's comment. Deep down, she was still Usagi and if she wanted to wear her high school uniform, Rei would not object to it. 

When Serenity asked Rei if she thought the uniform would still fit, Rei thought for a moment.

"I don't know. You still have a love for eating, so its hard to say." Her voice was playful before she spoke again, 

"just kidding, why don't you try it on. I am sure it will fit perfectly just as it did all those years ago.

Rei waited for Serenity to come back in her uniform. As she waited, she too reflected on the past. Her worries were making the archery team and finding more time to meditate. Now she had to be Serenity's rock. She had always been there for Usagi when she needed her, but this was something different. Rei wanted to do everything in her power to ensure Serenity could find happiness again...now that Endymion was gone.

“Rei-chan, you’re still a meanie,” Serenity pouted as her friend teased her about her eating habits. Without thinking, the queen of Crystal Tokyo stuck out her tongue, just like she used to do all those centuries ago.

Then she disappeared into her dressing room to try the uniform. It felt strange to be taking off the royal dress that she was so accustomed to and donning such a simple attire again. It seemed, though, despite the millennia of time that had passed, her body had not changed much, as she slipped easily into the uniform as if it were a second skin. She didn’t look into the mirror until she finished putting it on, and when she finally did, her breath hitched.

The girl staring back at her was young, naïve, and so ordinary. A girl who might have saved the world a couple times, but certainly not a queen. She reveled in that feeling of ordinariness and hugged herself, trying to remember Endymion as when he was just Mamoru, that annoying guy who sometimes teased her but whom she fell completely in love with in time.

She stepped out of the dressing room to see Rei again, and grinned shyly as she showed off the new look. “It feels so weird, but also nice,” she admitted. “Rei-chan, do you think I could be Usagi again just for today? I’ve missed… I’ve missed being called by that name.”

Rei smiled when Serenity walked out. She felt as if she were standing in the past. She felt as if it were really Usagi from all those years ago standing in front of her.

When Serenity asked Rei if she could call her Usagi, Rei smiled as she spoke.

"Of course, Usagi-chan. I will do anything to make sure this day is perfect for you." Rei smiled as she spoke. She paused before speaking again. "I am going to go change real quick and pack my bag. Would you like to come with me or would you like to wait here.?" Rei asked, wanting to give Usagi the chance to decide.

Rei was going to be happy to change out of her senshi uniform. She didn't mind wearing it. In fact she would proudly wear her fuku for her queen, but today she was not Sailor Mars, she was Rei. Today though she would make sure everyone enjoyed themselves and that Usagi truly felt like Usagi, the very girl who believed in Rei so many centuries ago.

ooc:

She grinned when she heard her old name again from her friend’s lips. It sounded so comforting, like eating her favorite ice cream.

“Of course I’m coming, I need to help you pick the cutest outfit,” she declared as she started putting things into her own purse. This felt nice; a break from her royal duties. The duty that she had never once had to carry alone without her other half. Perhaps she needed this day, a day to stop feeling all the burden she’d felt since she rose to the throne of Crystal Tokyo.

Once she finished gathering her things, she linked her arm through Rei’s, feeling her heart lighter already. “Come on, let’s see what your closet looks like. I don’t even remember any of your casual clothes anymore.”

Rei smiled as Serenity linked arms with her. The two walked to Rei's room. She flipped on a switch. 

"Make yourself at home. Let's go see what we have to work with. It's been so long since I have worn anything casual. I hope I still have something." Rei said seriously. She was trying to tease Serenity and make her think she didn't have anything.

Rei knew once she found the clothes, Serenity would likely make her try on each outfit, and Rei would. She would do anything to see her friend smile. As Rei dug through her closet, she stumbled upon something she had forgotten about until she saw it. She pulled out a dress she had worn at a festival when she was in middle school. She remembered how hard she worked, and how happy she was when Usagi and the others came to support her.

"Do you remember this one Usagi?" Rei turned around with the outfit.

She was genuinely concerned when Rei said she might not have anything casual to wear, but then brightened at the thought that they could go on a shopping trip before the picnic.

She walked around her friend’s room as they entered, examining various objects, trying to find traces of the old Rei that still remained among the official documents and items that signified her work as Sailor Mars. What had happened to Rei’s old manga stash, she wondered.

When Rei spoke, Usagi turned to see what she’d unearthed, and for a moment she could only feel faint familiarity while her brain scrambled to remember and place the outfit.

“Oh! Is it the one from where you wrote your own song and sang it in front of everyone? That was really awesome!” she clapped, the memory bringing happy feelings to the forefront of her mind. She wished Rei, like the others, had not abandoned some of her old pastime, like song-writing. It would be so cool if she and Minako could collaborate and become an idol duo or something.