Chapter 4

Raye finally found him on standing on the west balcony, watching the stars. “Sailor Earth--I mean, Luke--can I talk to you for a minute?” she asked, trying not to sound too eager.

“Certainly, dear friend,” he replied, gently taking her hands. “What can I do for you?” The feeling of his hands on hers effectively silenced Raye. “Are you all right, Raye?” he asked, growing concerned. Raye quickly shook her head and smiled weakly.

“Am I interrupting something?” Serena asked as she stepped onto the balcony.

Raye nearly fainted at the thought of Serena seeing her like this. “No, I was just leaving. Bye!” With a quick wave, Raye turned and ran back into the palace, nearly tripping over Luna in the process. “Sorry, Luna!” she shouted. Luna hissed at the retreating girl angrily.

Luke smiled and gently picked the cat up, stroking her black fur. “There, there, Luna. I’m sure she didn’t do it on purpose.”

Serena reached over and tweaked Luna’s nose. “Luna’s a tough cat. If she can survive a showdown with Beryl, she can survive Raye’s clumsiness.”

There was silence for a moment as Serena watched him. Finally, his gaze lifted to her face, a curious look in his eyes. “Did you not wish to speak to me, dear sister?”

Serena smiled and shook her head. “Not really. I just like being near you. It makes me feel safer somehow.”

Luke nodded and handed Luna to her. “Yes, I think I understand. But doesn’t Darien give you the same feeling?”

Serena’s eyes grew as big as dinner plates. “Oh my gosh! I never even told Darien we were coming here! He’s probably worried sick!”

Luke chuckled and led her back into the palace. “I’m sure he’ll understand. It’s not every day your long-lost brother risks his neck to restore his place in the Moon Kingdom’s history. I certainly didn’t mean for all of the Scouts to get dragged back here. That’s part of the reason I came here alone.”

“All the same, we should return soon,” Luna said suddenly. “The Negaverse doesn’t rest, and I’m sure Tuxedo Mask hasn’t had the easiest time defending Earth alone.”

“Just a moment, Luna,” Luke told her. “Mother wanted to speak to us both before we returned to Earth.”

“I certainly did,” Queen Serenity said as she entered the room. She stopped a few feet away from them, a warm smile spreading across her face. “It does my heart good to see my children together again. Why, I still remember the days when you used to follow Luke around the palace in your little diapers, Serena.”

“Mother!” Serena shouted, her face turning red.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, dear sister,” Luke said as he kissed her cheek, “it’s one of my fondest memories of you.”

Serena didn’t know whether to smack him or hug him. “Thanks...I think.”

“I believe everything is in order now, my dear,” Father Chronos said with a smile.

Pluto shook her head. “No, Father. What about Sailor Earth? What will become of him?”

Chronos cocked his head thoughtfully. “I suppose he will return to Earth. He is the planet’s sworn guardian. I imagine he would also wish to stay with Sailor Moon and Hotaru. Does that bother you?”

“As a matter of fact, it does, Father,” Pluto said with a wistful sigh. “I still love him. I thought he felt the same about me, but maybe I was wrong. Didn’t you see how easily he gave up my gift?”

Chronos leaned forward and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I gave him a difficult decision to make, daughter. I’m sure he appreciated your gift, but the people of Earth mean to much to him, and you couldn’t possibly put a price on a man’s family.”

“I suppose you’re right, Father,” Pluto admitted. “But we used to be so close. If he’d just say something to let me know he still cared, it would be different.”

“So you were the one Mina was talking about?” Raye asked as she walked into the chamber. “You’re the one that was in love with Luke?”

Pluto nodded and wiped her eyes. “I suppose he’s found someone else now. Perhaps Sailor Venus?”

“What do you mean, ‘Perhaps Sailor Venus?’?! Aren’t I good enough for him?! I’m just as pretty as she is!” Chronos and Pluto stared at Raye in silence.

“I-I’m sorry, Raye,” Pluto finally stammered. “I didn’t mean anything by it.” Unable to stop her tears any longer, Pluto turned away from her. Raye stormed out of the chamber, muttering as she went.

“So, what do you think of your new niece?” Serena asked.

Luke only smiled and kissed the sleeping child in his arms. “She’s perfect, dear sister. I’m just glad she’s finally found someone to take care of her. The Outer Scouts and I tried, but it was a real mother that she truly needed.”

“Well, I can’t take all the credit,” Serena said. “If it wasn’t for you four, Hotaru never would’ve made it this far.”

“Ready to go?” Luna asked as she and the Sailor Scouts walked in. “We have been gone nearly four Earth days now.”

“Are you coming with us, Luke?” Serena asked.

“Of course, dear sister,” he replied with a smile. “We have a lot of catching up to do.”

The End!

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