Planet Bound: Venus
by Marj
Author's Notes: You made it this far? I'm surprised!! *^^*
Actually, what I'd like to say is, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
The supposedly first book is done. I don't remember exactly when was I
able to finish this story, but I do know that I was still in high
school then . . . Anyway, I hoped you liked the first Sailormoon
fanfic I had ever made as much as some people out there did (you guys
know who you are).
Please e-mail your comments and constructive criticisms at
. Thanks!
Disclaimers: The characters of Bishoujo Senshi Sailormoon were created
by Naoko Takeuchi-san, its copyright owned by Toei Animation, Kodansha,
Nakayoshi, Sterling Animation Inc., and many other companies scattered
throughout the world. Meaning, I cannot claim the characters as my
own, and am mearly borrowing them. The character Ayukawa
Himeru and all the characters not found in the manga are mine. So
please don't sue, as I don't earn anything from this other than the
satisfaction of making a story.
Epilogue: What it had meant
"Who are you?" Artemis asked.
The man who was carrying Minako slowly started to turn around.
This time, Artemis didn't wake up.
And what he saw amazed him.
The figure of the man who was turning around suddenly changed to that
of a woman, and although Artemis could not see her face, she carried a
small child in her arms.
An infant girl with blond hair and blue eyes, and the sign of Venus
blazing on her forehead . . .
*****
Artemis couldn't return to the Ainos'. Seeing the house where Minako
had once lived brought memories of her, and he would be filled with
pain and grief. Right after the funeral, Artemis met with the
remaining Inner Senshi and asked one of them to take care of him.
Usagi had been the first to volunteer. But the others turned her down
immediately. She had been very upset at first, until Luna had
explained to her that Usagi and Minako looked enough alike to pass as
twins. Artemis was trying to bear with his pain, and as of now, seeing
Usagi wouldn't be of much help to him.
It was finally agreed that Artemis should stay with Rei. She had
already offered to house Artemis weeks before Minako had died, and
since she was now the new leader of the Senshi, Artemis had become her
guardian cat. It had seemed only right for her and Artemis to be
together.
It wasn't as though Artemis wouldn't have any memories of Minako at the
Hikawa Shrine. Since Minako was Rei's friend, and the shrine was the
place where they all had usually gathered together, her demise had left
a considerable empty spot in the sacred place. During his stay at the
shrine, Artemis kept expecting her to come and pick him up, babbling an
excuse as to why she was so late.
It wasn't long before he noticed that Rei had temporarily removed all
the pictures displayed in her room that contained the Inner Senshi . .
. when they were still complete. Artemis appreciated Rei's concern,
but he also realized that Rei had done it for herself, too. He wasn't
the only one in the shrine who was trying to ease his or her pain.
Artemis stayed with Rei until October 22 came.
Minako was supposed to be seventeen on that date.
The day gained yet another significance to the Ainos, for Kimiko gave
birth on the same date to her second baby girl, who had the same blond
hair and blue eyes of her first child.
The Ainos believed with all their heart that their oldest had been
given a second chance at life. So they renamed the child Aino Minako.
Rei and Artemis finally understood the entirety of Artemis's dream.
A few days later, Artemis decided to return to the Ainos' residence.
He had hesitated at first, but Rei encouraged him.
"Do you mind?" Artemis had asked.
"Mind what?"
"My . . . returning home?"
Rei smiled when she heard Artemis mentioning "home." She shook her
head. "I don't mind, Artemis. It's been more than two weeks."
Artemis sat on her lap. "Are you sure? No hard feelings?"
The raven-haired girl stroked his thick white fur. "Of course not. I
can take care of myself. Besides, Minako-chan needs you more than I
do." She kissed his forehead tenderly. "Go home, Artemis. A home is
where you keep and recall memories, whether good or bad, and there's no
other place like it. It's where you belong."
When he heard Rei's words, he remembered Minako and her decision to
return home when they were on Venus. He was sure that she had felt the
same way. "Home . . ." Artemis whispered. He looked at his companion.
"Thank you, Rei."
The next day, Rei brought Artemis back to the Ainos, where he was
warmly accepted. Michio and Kimiko knew that the cat meant much to
their first child, and they wanted to cherish and care for what she had
left behind as much as possible. "She would have wanted it this way,"
they had said.
That night, as Artemis watched the infant in the cradle, he smiled.
Her life was starting all over again. He was sure that the child was
her - even though she was only an infant, her Senshi aura was strong.
Artemis wanted to be there beside her at all times, to protect her in
her hour of need so the pain and suffering that she had experienced
during her second life could be prevented from happening again.
He curled up beside the cradle, and fell into a long, dreamless sleep.
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