Planet Bound: Venus
     by Marj

Note:
	okaa-san - mother

Yes!  A definition!  Now I feel that the chapter is complete!

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 of the . . . umm . . . 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.



Chapter Nineteen:  Cassandra

Minako woke up, startled, sitting on her bed.  "Kunzite . . ." she 
whispered.  Then, she hugged herself and cried softly on her knees.

Artemis was wide-awake and was staring at her.   he thought.  He cuddled up beside her.  
"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I . . . I still can't believe . . . I mean . . . Kunzite and me . . ."

"What your mother said was true, Minako-chan.  But . . . that sort of 
betrayal wasn't expected.  Though the Earth’s people and the Moon 
Kingdom’s people were forbidden to mingle with each other, they were on 
good terms before the coming of Metallia."

"He did not betray me, Artemis.  He was being manipulated," Minako said 
quietly.  "He still loved me."  She scratched Artemis's ears.  "I still 
can't believe I fell in love with Kunzite . . . and I was so willing to 
kill him when we first saw each other in my new life on Earth . . . why 
didn't I remember then, Artemis?  That I loved the man that I hated so 
much?"

"You used to love him, Minako.  Your sense of responsibility overcame 
your senses during the final battle with him."

Minako was silent for a while.  "How did I survive, Artemis?  From what 
I dreamt, I must have been injured badly . . ."

Artemis raised his head so that Minako could scratch him on his chin.  
"The other warriors were able to notice differences and figured out 
what was happening - particularly Mars.  She already felt the presence 
of the darkness around even before the generals entered the room.  
After meeting with Jadeite, she rushed back to the war room, where she 
saw Jupiter.  Jupiter had heard the door lock earlier, being the last 
one out.  She kicked the door open the minute Kunzite disappeared . . . 
they were still able to save your life."

Minako noticed that her cat's eyes were sad.  "What's the matter, 
Artemis?  You look sad . . . do you miss Luna?"

Artemis scowled.  "No.  It's just that . . ."  He sighed.  "You were my 
responsibility, even back then.  It's just . . . to think you almost 
died without me around . . . I've never forgiven myself for that."

"Oh, Artemis," Minako said, fondling him gently in her arms.  "It 
wasn't your fault."

"I know this sounds a bit too sentimental, but I've grown so fond of 
you, Minako-chan.  And now that you have this disease . . . I . . . I 
don't want to lose you.  Please stay here on Venus.  Don't go back."

Minako shook her head slowly.  "If I were in your place, I wouldn't 
want to lose you, either.  But this isn't where I belong now.  I belong 
on Earth, and I shall go back to Earth.  Besides, I have my pledge to 
protect Usagi as a Sailor Senshi until I die . . . everybody runs on a 
clock.  When it's your time, it's just your time."  She poked Artemis's 
nose.  "Besides, you're being selfish if you think that way."

"What about your mother, the duke, and the duchess?  Are you going to 
disobey their wishes?"

"I don't know.  They really want me to stay, don't they?"

"Your mother loves you terribly.  She doesn't want you to disappear 
from her life again."

"Hey, she told me to choose!  I'll just have to tell her . . ." She 
looked away.  "One of these days."

Artemis laid his head on Minako's lap.  "You don't want to disappoint 
her, huh?"

"What did you expect?  She is still my okaa-san."

"What did Ares say?"

"I haven't told him about my decision yet."

Artemis stared at Minako.  "Why?"

Minako sighed.  "It's obvious, Artemis.  That guy likes me.  I mean, he 
kisses my hand, he blushes whenever I'm there, he follows me around 
almost everywhere and he looked practically ecstatic when our 
engagement was announced.  I'll have to let him down gently.  I don't 
want him to think I don't want to marry him because I don't like him."

"Do you like him?"

"As a friend, I guess.  I still don't approve of that youma he sent."

The young princess laid back beneath the covers of her bed.  "I'm going 
to miss this place."

Artemis snuggled next to her pillow.  He didn't know whether he was 
relieved or disappointed.  "I'm going to miss you."

She watched Artemis close his eyes and sleep, feeling his gentle breath 
on her cheek.  "I won't leave you, Artemis.  I promise . . . I'll 
always be beside you . . ." she said, barely above a whisper.  Then, 
she went back to sleep.

*****

The morning sunlight seeped through the huge windows of Minako's room.  
She gently opened her eyes.  Two servants were waiting for her near her 
door.

"Good morning, Princess.  Did you have a good sleep last night?" one of 
them asked.

Minako thought.  

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