GWA01E

**START**

**Award of the scholarship.**

Tokyo, capital of Japan, on a sunny evening, in the central Minato neighborhood of the Roppongi Hills, on a high floor of an apartment block. The four Malinde sisters, the ex-Ayakashi, who worked for the defeated Black Moon of Nemesis, planet number ten in the Solar System, have lived there for some time. After being defeated by the warriors and transformed into normal people, they opened a cosmetics and beauty shop, initially a small stall called "Beauty Quartete", from which, supported by their knowledge in the field and their hard work, they managed to prosper. After a short time, they decided to acquire the prestigious Otafukuya store, taking advantage of the fact that the owners made liquidation at the end of the business. Meanwhile, the two little girls became interested in studying the teaching career, managing to pass the first two courses, compressed in a few months, with excellent grades. Encouraged by their older sisters, their warrior friends and their own desires, they applied for a scholarship to complete their last year abroad. They wanted to perfect their techniques in pedagogy and languages. Since they had studied English in the specialty, they decided to go to a British or US university. After a few months, Cooan, the younger sister, tall and slender, with long curly dark hair and beautiful violet eyes, came down to collect the mail and discovered among the letters a stamped with the letterhead of the Ministry of Education. She opened it with great impatience and after reading it her eyes widened and she smiled. Without being able to contain her enthusiasm she began to jump in the portal before the astonished look of a neighbor who went up and down there.

-Ah, we got it, what a joy! I must go upstairs to tell the others!

She was so turned on that she didn't even remember to use the elevator. She trotted up the stairs like a breath. She nearly collided with two individuals who must have been talking. One of them, a very tall young man with long brown hair, smiled at her sympathetically watching her with amusement and the other guy, dark and with a goatee, also outlined a slight smile when she excused herself for her impetus.

-Excuse me! - She asked them as she passed between them. -

After that race she came panting. She opened the door to the apartment and let it slam shut. Meanwhile, she barely recovered from the effort and gasping for air, she was still able to enter screaming and jumping with joy, cross the hall and rush into the room.

-Girls, we made it. Bertie, Kalie, Petz, come see this!

Petz, the oldest of the four sisters, tall, with dark green hair in a bun and matching eyes, was making a house of cards to kill the languid boredom that seized her at that time of the afternoon. She laboriously she had just placed the last letter of hers on top of it when the screams of her newcomer startled her and made her throw the entire construction away. She got up in a fury and screamed at her sister.

-What is all the fuss about, Cooan? Do you know how many hours I have spent to build this castle? -She chided her visibly upset in one of her characteristic outbursts of temper. -

Karaberasu, the second oldest, came out of her bedroom attracted by the commotion. She wore a beauty mask made from sliced pickles; her brown hair tied back by an elegant red bow. Her inquisitive honey eyes scanned the scene. Amused, she approached the enraged Petz and said mockingly.

-Don't be so mad. She must have gotten us a prize in one of those silly contests Cooan writes to. Maybe she's coming to tell us we've won an all-expenses-paid trip to a spa.

-You're wrong, - she answered, showing her tongue out at her sisters to unveil. - Much better than that, girls, you are not going to believe it ... do you remember the letter that Bertie and I sent requesting a scholarship? She probed them eagerly for an affirmative answer. -

- Yes, so what? ...- they both answered in unison. -

-Well, it turns out that the answer has arrived, and they have granted it to us! - Cooan exclaimed overjoyed as she showed her letter by waving it in her right hand and pointing at it with her other hand. - I'll read it to you. - She stated hastily to continue breathing a little more deeply. - "Dear ladies, having received your application and in view of your brilliant academic record in your first two years of daigaku, also given the extension of scholarships this year and  considering the recent agreement signed between the Ministry of Education and numerous foreign universities, etc, etc ... (The excited girl recited, skipping the rest of the formalities to get to the point). We are pleased to inform you that our scholarship fund has granted you the objective of your request. of tuition and material in the university of the country that you select from those adhered to the agreement. For this purpose, you must appear within ten business days after receiving this letter in our ministry, bringing your academic records to obtain the respective accrediting permits. Congratulating you, the Japanese Minister of Education, Monbukagakusho, says goodbye to you "

That left her sisters perplexed for a few seconds, soon they looked at each other and smiled, relaxing their expressions.

-That is great, girls! I already knew you would get it! - Karaberasu exclaimed also euphoric. -

- I must tell Bertie! She will be overjoyed. - Cooan replied in the same way. -

- Well, you'll have to wait. She is not here; she went to visit Ami and has not returned yet. - Petz reported very happy too but showing off a greater domain. -

Cooan nodded, although she was eager to tell her sister. That was her dream come true! It seemed incredible, after those two years living like normal women, after everything they had been through. Now those memories came to her mind like a kaleidoscope of emotions and images. Her own fight against Sailor Mars, her terrible love disappointment. The despair that washed over her then when she realized that her superior simply considered her an instrument. She was about to sacrifice her own life for a cause as sterile as it was wrong. Then, when she felt more cornered and desperate of her, the warrior of fire took pity on her and saved her. Rei gave her encouragement and courage to face a new life. And she accepted the challenge. After her redemption, when Sailor Moon purified her with the energy of the Silver Crystal, she started from scratch. She stopped using her name from Nemesis, Kermesite, and adapted her version of the country of her adoption. Rei helped her settle in, even offered to spend a few days with her. The other girls immediately surrounded her accepting her immediately as one of them. It was then when for the first time she knew what friendship and companionship were. Still, she missed her sisters. Thank heaven, a few days later Bertierite, as Bertie was called in the Black Moon, appeared trying to fulfill a mission. In that chess tower she faced Ami and was about to defeat and kill the other warriors. But she then was abandoned by her older sisters. Cooan knew what it was like to feel disowned and alone. She was able to convince Bertie that the world could be a wonderful place and, instead of betting on her useless sacrifice, her sister trusted her and allowed herself to be purified. Afterwards the two were more united than ever. They even managed to persuade Karaberasu and Petz to join them after also getting them out of that wrong way of approaching things.

-It cost us to achieve it, but it was worth it. - The girl thought. - The four of us united are an unstoppable force. For the bad, but, above all, for the good.

          She remembered once, at the Hikawa Shrine. A few months after her two older sisters were purified. Cooan, as she was now called, had gone to visit her friend Rei. It was a day in the middle of April. She found her tending to some people at the stall.

-Yes, with this amulet, you will be able to better focus her energy to be able to better face any challenge. - She assured a young client. -

- Are you sure? - That young woman who should not be more than fifteen years old, asked. -

-Totally. - Rei smiled, adding. - But above all, you must have faith in yourself.

And Cooan nodded approvingly. That was totally true. She waited a bit until that girl had left after thanking the priestess and greeted her warmly.

-Hello Rei-Chan!

-Hi, Cooan-chan.- Rei replied returning the courtesy. - How are you here? Did you come looking for clients?

-No, I was coming to look for a good friend. She is a girl with long brown hair, powerful violet eyes, and a very charismatic personality. Have you not seen her?

Rei smiled appreciatively for those words. Although she was perplexed when she handed him a box.

-What is this? - She asked somewhat puzzled. -

-A gift for you. - Cooan smiled. -

-But my birthday is not today. - Rei could smile affably, to inform her friend. - There are still two days left ...

-It's not a birthday present. It is one that reflects my feelings. Please open it!

And the priestess obeyed by unwrapping the package to find a beautiful little bottle of cologne. It seemed to be of fairly good quality judging by the exquisite, frosted design on that little reddish bottle. Rei looked at her flushed and could barely say.

-I… Well… I thank you very much, Cooan… but I'm not… I don't want to offend you, it's that… women are not my cup of tea...

Now it was Cooan who blushed and immediately laughed, shaking her head to clarify.

-It's not about that, you silly! I love you very much, really. But not that way.

-Sure! What was I thinking about? - Rei laughed now at her embarrassed contrivance, putting a hand to her neck. -

And with the laughter extinguished and the facial colors lowered, Cooan took the floor more seriously, with a tone tinged with affection to declare.

-It is a small token of my gratitude and my friendship. You deserve much more and when we earn more money in the business I ...

Although her friend did not allow her to continue, Rei smiled shaking her head, to say.

-We are friends, that's the only thing that matters. You don't have to buy me gifts. Although from time to time that does not displease anyone. - Rei clarified not without good humor to add. - Come on, let's go to my room, I'll make some tea and talk.

Her partner gladly accepted. So, the two friends chatted for a while and then turned on the radio. They listened to a few gossips shows and then curiously a song caught Cooan's eye. It was from a foreign music group.

***I don't want my freedom,***

***there is no reason to live with a broken heart.***

***This is a complicated situation I only have myself to blame***

***It is a simple fact in life,***

***it can happen to anyone.***

***You win,***

***you lose is an option that you must accept with love.***

***Oh yeah***

***I fell in love but now you tell me it's over and I'm breaking to pieces.***

***Yes, yes ...***

***it's a hard life,***

***being true lovers the two***

***love and live forever in the heart of the other.***

***It's a long and hard fight***

***to learn to take care of each other***

***trusting each other from the start,***

***when you're in love.***

***I try to fix the broken pieces,***

***I try to fight back the tears.***

***They say it's just a state of mind,***

***that happens to everyone.***

***How it hurts deep inside,***

***when your love failed you.***

***Life is difficult being your luck***

***Now I'm waiting for something to fall from the sky,***

***waiting for love.***

***It's a hard life,***

***being true lovers***

***the two love and live forever in the heart of the other.***

***It's a long and hard fight***

***to learn to take care of each other***

***trusting each other from the start,***

***when you're in love.***

***It's a hard life, being true lovers the two love and live forever***

***in the heart of the other.***

***It's a long and hard fight***

***to learn to take care of each other***

***trusting each other from the start,***

***when you're in love.***

-It's beautiful. - Cooan muttered, with the assent of her interlocutor. - And sad at the same time. My mother ... she listened to songs like these. - She could remember with a whisper.

- Yes, when she was alone ... wasn´t she? - Her friend was surprised. -

She nodded, as the music continued ...

***Yes, yes…***

***it is a hard life.***

***In a world that's full of pain***

***There are people who are looking for love whatever.***

***It's a long hard fight***

***but I'll always live for tomorrow***

***I'll look back and say I did it for love***

***Yes, I did it for love for love***

***oh, ooooh I did it for love.***

**(Queen. It is a Hard Life. Credit to author)**

And with the last chords of a piano that produced goosebumps on Cooan and made her cry, she was able to comment to Rei with tears in her eyes.

-This song sums up the beginning of this new life very well for me. And maybe for my sisters too.

-Sorry, I'm not very fluent in English. I barely understood some single sentences. - Rei apologized. -

Although Cooan had gotten it right. She immediately told her the cause of it.

-In Nemesis a variant of English was spoken as well as Japanese and, both Bertie and I have been studying that language a lot lately.

-Really? That's fine. - The priestess agreed approvingly. -

-Yes, well. It is that we have enrolled in the university at a distance. - She told Rei. - I encouraged my sister and we are studying teaching.

-Wow! It's a great idea! - Her friend exclaimed. –

-That's why this song describes me so well. You were right when you told me that I had myself. Cooan told her and excitedly she added. -The song says that life is hard, and it is very difficult to overcome having your heart broken. But you were there for me when she was alone and broken. Even then being my enemy. You gave me strength to carry on. To be a better person than I had ever been.

         A similarly touched Rei placed a hand on her friend's and whispered.

-Your goodness was always there, waiting to emerge. And your strength too. The same as those of your sisters. And I have no doubt that together you are capable of great things. You are already showing it.

-Thank you very much. - She sighed, being able to say. - I wish that one day, I could find someone like the one described in that song, capable of loving and giving love, even at the risk of having his heart broken!"

-Sure, you will. - Rei smiled cheerfully. - You deserve it ...

- Thank you. - Cooan replied although now trying to remove iron from that moment, she declared. - But I have many goals in life that I want to fulfill before. - First get ahead with my sisters. After passing the courses.

-I have no doubt of that either. - The priestess affirmed, to sentence. -And I attest to your ability to adapt and work. You are fighters and you will achieve any goal you set for yourself.

Cooan was nodding now, in the living room, along with her older sisters, coming back from those memories. That's how it went. That challenge of starting a totally new life in a world and time that were not theirs required them to give the best of themselves. Together they started the business, together they had carried it out. Their friends sometimes visited them, although they were always very busy. After a few months they hardly saw them. Other things happened, sometimes chaos seemed to take over everything and there were moments when they, like the rest of the population, were affected by strange events that they hardly remembered later. Possibly new enemies. But luckily, everything seemed to be going well now. And meanwhile, she and Beruche began to study. Now, after so much work, the reward was coming.

-I hope it won't take long for her to come back home. - Cooan declared with a sigh. - So, she will see that there is always hope.

She had not finished uttering the phrase when the sound of the door closing softly was heard. It was Bertie, the third in age, returning deep in thought of her and muttering slightly annoyed.

- Oh, Jesus! This time I almost beat her, I should pay more attention to her movements. She always does the same to me. She lets me be overconfident and think I have her and she takes me by surprise. If I had moved that bishop earlier. And I must remember to castle.

She came out of her concentration when she saw her sisters visibly pleased with her. She waved at them to smile as well.

- Hello girls, I'm back.

Her sister Cooan lunged towards her taking her hands as she pressed her nervously.

-Bertie ... Bertie! ... read this, quickly!

       She urged her, releasing her to hand her the already wrinkled and smoothed missive. With an astonished expression and looking stunned at the rest of her sisters with her indigo blue eyes and seeing their smiling faces, Beruche smoothed the letter once more and read it. She could barely even whisper.

-Is ... this is ... Is it what I think it is? ... Her younger sister nodded with a smile. The girl then let her joy overflow. She and Cooan started jumping hand in hand and yelling joyously. Even Bertie's graceful braid of albino-pale blue hair was unraveled by the jumps she made with her sister. Spreading her hair over the girl's shoulders and windowsill. Her older sisters were watching them smiling as well. It was certainly not easy for Beruche to express her emotions so openly. She was quite a reserved girl. And that was about the only thing that hadn't changed in her after her redemption. Bertie was thinking about it. She always was shy and with a tendency to introspection. She was the most thoughtful of her sisters and the one who least liked expressing her feelings, but it didn't mean she didn't have them. The only one with whom she was somewhat more open was with Cooan, and that because she was the youngest and with whom she had shared the most time and experiences. The others, being older, had always inspired her more respect. She had never trusted her former boss, Rubeus. And as for the rest of her superiors, they were simply far above her to enter any kind of relationship except that of obedience to their orders. So, when Cooan left them, she was the one who felt it the most. At first, she wanted to go immediately to fulfill the mission of canceling one of the point crystals, but she also longed to understand why her sister had been able to betray them like that. And the truth is that she was about to succeed in her endeavor. She discovered Sailor Mercury's secret identity that she was none other than Ami Mizuno. The one who would later be her opponent in that chess final. When she finished the game and she revealed who she was, trapping the other warriors in a bubble, she was sure that she had obtained the triumph and annihilated her then hated enemies. But Ami's words of her begging her to only kill her instead of her companions surprised her. Her older sisters then appeared at her side to claim victory as well. At first that bothered her, but they were her family after all. What was horrible for her, driving her almost to the point of going mad, was that when her plans were thwarted, both Calaveras, (Karaberasu´ name then) and Petz, abandoned her to her fate. At that moment all of her was clouded for her, she wanted to disappear taking her enemies ahead, at least that way she would be remembered. However, that was when Cooan showed up and managed to convince her not to. She assured her that she was not alone, that there were people who cared about her. At first, sunk and bitter as she was, she did not want to believe her, but finally her younger sister, who did not hesitate to risk her own life to get to her, persuaded her. Seeing how she is, being she already a simple human, she risked so much to save her, it moved her. Her heart could then thaw, and she wanted to believe the words Cooan said to her. When she finally nodded, stopping her attack, Sailor Moon purified her. That was the most wonderful feeling she had ever experienced. She bathed in that warm glow she felt that she was released from a great burden and that hope was nesting in her soul. Later she, along with Cooan, she settled in a modest rented apartment. She went to work in the same store as her sister and made a great friendship with the girls she had been willing to kill. She was amazed at the affection and support the sailors gave her. And above all, she discovered her great affinity with Ami. The now great friend of hers. After that, her sister and she managed to get the other two out of the dark side. That was a wonderful thing and they all worked together and worked hard to have a happy life. She then she would start studying with Cooan who also convinced her of that. Now, after her skepticism, this wonderful news reached them. Bertie never believed they were going to be selected. Instead Cooan always told her that she should not lose the hope. She had to admit that her little sister was right. She was jumping with her letting be carried away by her euphoria ...

-We did it, it's fantastic! - They both chanted loudly. -

- Girls, this must be celebrated. What if we didn't open today? -Karaberasu immediately proposed that she was never too busy to work. As she winked at them with a knowing smile. -

- Not so fast! - Petz cut her sharply to argue - I'm sorry to be the killjoy, but today is Saturday afternoon and good business is done. You know that we still have a lot of venues to pay for, we will celebrate it tomorrow. -

The others had no alternative but to agree with a resigned chorus of yes.

- I'm going to call Ami; she will be very happy. Also, I must thank her for how much she has helped me study. - Beruche added as she went to the phone. -

- I'll tell Rei, so she can call the others, we can meet to celebrate. - Cooan proposed very excited. -

-Very well. Petz affirmed approvingly, though she adamantly reminded them of how she used to whenever it came to work. - But do not take long, you will explain everything in detail tomorrow. We must go to open on time.

The girls nodded and after a few short calls in which they only told their friends that they wanted to see them the next day to tell them something important they headed to the store. It was time to open, and the clients would be arriving soon. They already had many that were habitual, they had earned a deserved prestige there. The place was soon crowded, and they could only chat taking advantage of a break in the brief moments when no people entered.

-I'm so happy and so nervous, - Beruche smiled, illuminating her face. -It was so difficult to grant us the scholarship! Look, there were at least forty candidates fighting for six places.

- We've been very lucky, it's true. -  Cooan admitted, qualifying that. - But we also study hard, if we hadn't gotten good grades, we would never have gotten it.

-And what are you going to do, girls? - Karaberasu asked them. -Where do you want to go?

-We don't know yet. - Bertie said - but we'll decide. -

-Well, don't fall asleep. - Petz advised them with her classic warning. - These things must be solved quickly.

-I really want to see the girls! - Bertie said with a smiled, and adding with a little bit of sadness - They hardly come to visit us, not even for the store.

They all remembered how their friends helped them. When they opened Otafukuya they offered to work the previous days to bring and place the genre and to advertise. Led by an energetic Usagi who was literally shouting the benefits of the business. Truth be told, the sisters couldn't help but blush at her when they heard Usa-Chan cupping her hands and screaming in her typical style.

-Come on, ladies! Come to know Otafukuya, the best cosmetics store. Here all women can be beautiful!

And Rei, how it could not be otherwise, responded, screaming too.

-It's true, if even you look almost decent when the sisters put their makeup on your face ...

To which Usagi stopped for a moment in her propaganda work and she suspiciously faced her gaze to that of her partner to reply not without some indignation.

-Ey! What did you mean by that, huh? ...

-Nothing. nothing. - Her friend smiled maliciously to declare. - That no matter how good the creams are, they cannot work miracles either.

Although now it was Usagi who smiled perfidiously to say with a surprising, good attitude as she approached a small stall with merchandise they had on the street.

-Yes, maybe you're right, my dearest Rei ... and since you talk about how good they are ...

And taking her interlocutor completely off-guard, she smeared her face with the contents of a bottle. The other girl had to spit several times to get some of that cream off while she listened in the background to the laughter of her attacker ... Although that certainly did not help to calm Rei´s irritation ... even more so when hearing her declare between giggles.

-I think I've managed to fix your face… This has been a free trial!

But Usagi had to stop laughing and run, since Rei was already chasing her, rolling up one of her arms and raising a threatening fist as she yelled at her.

-When I catch you, you will see what it is like to really have your face fixed ... instead of creams you will need surgery!

That got out of hand more than necessary, the sisters were watching that scene in amazement, as were the people who passed by. Fortunately, the other sailors got in the way. Makoto for the part of her held the furious Rei and Minako tried to soften the thing by affirming.

-Girls, that's okay! ... you know the saying, two don't quarrel with one if they want.

-Two do not quarrel if one does not want to. - Ami corrected resignedly as she sheltered behind her a frightened Usagi. -

-I'm not going to quarrel with her, I'm just going to kill her!  - Rei exclaimed shaking her fist. -

-Well… it wasn't that bad. – Usagi responded, reminding her with reproachful tones. - After all, you have started, as usual ...

-Well, now I want to finish what I started. -Her interlocutor replied showing her anger on her face. -

-Really. It is enough. We are putting the sisters in a bind instead of helping them. - Makoto declared in a hurry that despite her great physical strength she was having a hard time trying to contain her bellicose companion, Rei. -

Things finally settled down. At least for a while. The one that took Mars to tip a bottle of cologne over Usagi's head. The scene was repeated, now changing roles. Although that, shocking as it seemed, came in handy for them. There were some women come up to them, lured by the commotion, thinking that the creams and perfumes were so good that the girls were fighting to try them. In the end they were all so stunned by that that even the two antagonists put their dispute on hold. The result was a success, and the business began to launch. The brand-new owners laughed now when they remembered it ... also sorry to see their great friends so little ...

- I think they had to face another threat - Cooan said - but Rei didn't want to tell me much about it ...

-It's natural, we are just ordinary women now, we can't get into those things, - Petz added consistently to sentence. - And I'm glad it's so. We have a very intense life to live. And also, very busy. - She riveted wrapping a package with some creams. -

-On the one hand I would like to help them, -Karaberasu intervened, turning her tone now with sadness. -I can't stop thinking that I wish we had our powers when Sapphire ...

- Kalie - Cooan interrupted her, with a worried tone - don't talk about that! ...

-Don't worry. - Petz intervened with a weak smile and soft tone. - That happened a long time ago, I'm over it.

- Well, you must go out with some handsome and interesting man. -Karaberasu advised her, cheering her voice with the intention of doing the same with her sister. - As we have all done.

- Okay. Almost all. - Cooan smiled looking askance at Bertie that she opposed when she realized it. -

- I haven't seen any of them interesting enough yet. - Our little sisters are going to have to make custom men! -Karaberasu exclaimed jokingly –

-Yes, apparently none of them are handsome enough for them! - Cooan laughed in turn joining the joke. -

- Well, you haven't lavished yourself much either. - Petz said addressing the latter with a certain touch. -

- At least I've met some. - She replied, however, she sighed more seriously now. - Although it is true that, for now, I have not found my ideal boy. I don't want to rush.

The others agreed in solidarity. They all remembered the occasional outing with their friends. They introduced them to several classmates from the high school they were going to. However, they were too immature boys. In addition, none of them still felt strongly about directing their lives on the path of love. Not until they were more fully integrated, and some other scars were completely closed. Especially in the case of Cooan who, after her tremendous disappointment, she still feared to be wrong again. With Beruche the issue was somewhat more complicated. She needed someone who could measure up to her in terms of her great intelligence, who would fulfill her on a personal level and be able to fascinate her, and of course, she considered her studies and the future more important to her. For Karaberasu it was more fun than romantic interest and she had indeed flirted with the occasional man, but none of them really interested her. And Petz, well, she treasured her brief moments with Sapphire, the young brother of the sovereign of her world. Although she did not want to admit it, that still hurt. So, she was ready to reply.

- During this last year we have worked so much that we have not been able to maintain any stable relationship, but it will come to us, at least I am not in a hurry.

- At least I move, Minako and I have ever gone to shops, to karaoke and I have accompanied her to some audition test. The truth is, we are very successful with men. - Karaberasu smiled. - Why don't you cheer up one day, Petz, and come with us? She casually proposed to her older sister. -

- I have already told you that I don't like those places too much. - She answered without much interest. -

- But you don't hate men anymore, do you? - Cooan asked shyly. -

-No, of course not, silly, - she replied, putting a hand on the right shoulder of her little sister, and adding more relaxed - I don´t hate men, although some are obnoxious.

The girls celebrated the comment with laughter, of course that was true! But she had to focus again. The break was over and new customers entered demanding numerous products. They were delighted, the sale that afternoon was promised very substantial. They continued work without being able to chat anymore. They were good saleswomen; they knew how to make any woman feel more beautiful and even more self-confident. That was their catchphrase when they started at their little post. "You can become beautiful too." And of course, they set an example with their beauty. However, they also had to know how to create the interest of their clientele. Although each had her own style to achieve it. Cooan was always very friendly, and she was willing to help potential buyers. With her charm and her solicitous way of attending, she pleased the public very much. Beruche was not that friendly, but still nice. But she did, that she was very convincing when it came to giving arguments of all kinds, scientific and aesthetic, of this or that cream could go better with the pH of the skin of each woman. Karaberasu almost assaulted her clients with overwhelming enthusiasm and infected them with that optimism that she displayed with her lip. She immediately enveloped anyone with her way of being. And Petz was very confident in her assertions, kind but firm. She was perhaps the most serious of the four, but for that reason she conveyed total confidence and solvency. It could be said that she combining her talents was hard to beat in her business. Although that had the consequence that the full was almost assured and that meant they had to work hard all day. Thus, after a hectic and profitable Saturday, the long-awaited Sunday arrived. On their day off, they took the opportunity to see their friends. At least two of them. In a central restaurant in the city, the four sisters were gathered with Rei Hino, the civil name of Sailor Mars, a girl with long black hair and eyes that shone with purple pupils of a mysterious and inquisitive air, and Ami Mizuno also known for the girls as Sailor Mercury, with a sweeter and more fragile appearance than her partner, navy blue hair, and eyes in tune with her hair, which reflected great intelligence and serenity.

- You do not know how happy I am for you girls. You deserve it! - Ami sentenced as she finished a plate of spaghetti. -

Rei nodded as she devoured a plate of tempura, declaring full of confidence and assurance.

-It is true, you have worked very hard, and I am sure you will be magnificent teachers. - She then turned to Cooan with a knowing smile. - Do you see how you have a bright future ahead?

- Thank you very much – the girl replied, smiling too. - Rei, you were right, we owe it all to you.

The girl remembered once more how that girl, whom she now knew by her real name, but that at that time she was, her enemy Sailor Mars, had saved her from her previous life and above all of herself. In those days Cooan served the Dark Moon family and was only concerned with fulfilling her mission and obsessed with her love for Rubeus, that evil leader of her clan. It was as if invisible chains had surrounded her, binding her to that wicked life of hers. But thanks to the warriors she was able to break them. When she remembered remembering that feeling of emptiness and disappointment that assailed her when she believed she had lost everything and how, even though she was injured, she stood between her and her death, she could not stop looking at that girl with great affection and gratitude. After her, the other sailors helped her to gradually convince the rest of her sisters. Even later, when she could occasionally see Rei, she both chatted a lot about the projects they had. As soon as she found out, Sailor Mars was one of those who most encouraged her to be a teacher. Seeing that she had great appreciation for Chibiusa and that she got on well with her, as well as with her other little friends. Sometimes at the Hikawa Shrine where her friend was a priestess, Cooan had improvised classes with the Small Lady and some of the girl's friends. Rei observed her very carefully and commented that teaching the children would be a good way to rebuild her life to help others, step by step. Cooan agreed to it. She still had in mind a day when her nostalgia for her home world overwhelmed her, speaking in the sanctuary she confessed to her.

-Look, Rei. When we went to serve the Diamond Prince, we were very little girls, imagine that I am the youngest. I still remember how we said goodbye to my parents, especially my mother.

- It had to be very hard for you. I understand you because I also see my father very little. - Her friend replied not without regret. -

-It's just ... - She could whisper the girl trying to control a sob without succeeding. -The saddest thing for me is that I remember my mother's voice, even the touch of her when she caressed me, but I don't remember her face! Although I try, I can't remember it, it's as if I only heard her voice inside me! But I can't see my mother's face. -

-Oh Cooan, I'm sorry! She could say this with visible pity hugging her friend when she saw that the girl could not help shedding tears. - I know what that is. My mother died when I was very little and sometimes, I must struggle to remember what she was like. Although I remember the same things as you, the smell of her hair, the touch of her and her voice so sweet of her. - She confessed now she with a tinge of nostalgia. -

-Did your mother die? - Her interlocutor was surprised, giving her a stunned look. - I'm so sorry ...

-Yes, as I have already told you, my father is a politician, and we hardly see each other. I was raised by my grandfather Kondo. He instilled in me a love for Shinto.

-We are even more alike than I thought. - Cooan stated that she added admiringly. - At least in that. Now I understand why you are so strong in all aspects.

The priestess looked at her with sympathy, outlining a kind smile to say.

-You are strong too. That is why you must have faith. You have come a long way and surely the best is yet to come. I am convinced, one day you will remember your mom face.

Her interlocutor was able to smile beyond her tears. Now her thoughts returned to the moment she was in, and she entered the conversation by asking.

- By the way, what about the other girls? Couldn't they come? -She wanted to know something disappointed. -I would have liked to see them so much.

The rest of the sisters nodded in support of that comment.

- Well, you see, ... they are busy, - Rei could respond hurriedly, who outlined a stupid smile on her face as a suspicious drop of sweat beaded her forehead. -

-Is there any problem? - Beruche inquired with concern. - Do you have been to face a new threat?

- None of that, calm down! - Ami said while laughing nonchalantly as she spoke. - I'll explain it to you, you'll see. Usagi, Makoto, Minako, Mamoru along with Luna and Artemis, are very busy organizing my surprise birthday party.

-Whaaaat? ...- they all exclaimed at the same time looking at her friend with wide eyes. Her friend Rei asked her stunned. -

- Ami ... how do you know that? We are on September the third, there is still a week left. It's a surprise. -Rei revealed that she shrugged her shoulders lowering her head with resignation and sighing disappointed - or at least it was going to be ...

-You should see how badly Usagi keeps a secret, I heard her tell it loudly to Yuuichirou in the Sanctuary. - She replied without being able to stop laughing. - Do you remember, Bertie?

          Beruche smiled in turn, she remembered! It was at the end of August, one of those days that she had been with Ami. The two of them used to play a game of chess or study together. The good thing about both is that their tastes were very consistent and their intellectual abilities as well. If anyone was able to help Beruche with some university subjects like psychology or English, it was Ami. And if anyone could in turn support the sailor in her efforts to prepare well for her medical career, it was Bertie, who also liked science. That day they were reviewing some psychology notes at the Hikawa shrine because it used to be a very quiet place. There was a very spacious room that Rei let them use, with a couple of chairs and a large table. The truth is that a scream brought them out of their concentration. They both heard Usagi who had just arrived and called that nice boy, Yuuichirou, who worked there.

-Hey, don't you forget, huh? - Ami's birthday party is on September 10th. We will try to have the decorations ready. We will do it here, in the large room of the Sanctuary. You will see how we are going to surprised her!

-Okay Usagi, don't worry. - He replied with another yell since his interlocutor was already leaving, glad to have reminded him. -

The two girls looked at each other in astonishment, although after a few seconds they began to laugh. This Usagi would never change! Bertie remembered that funny. If there was one person with whom she had developed as much complicity as with Cooan, it was her friend, Ami. They get along so well that even her own sisters came to think something that, of course, was not certain ... the truth is that connecting the dots, they had never seen her flirt with boys, neither in Nemesis nor on Earth. Petz, of course, had that failed affair, which ended so tragically, with Sapphire. Karaberasu did not deprive of noticing every handsome man who crossed her path and flirted with several boasting about it, and Cooan was still hurt, although she did not want to admit it many times, after her disappointment with Rubeus. But what about her? Didn't men interest her? She recalled one day that she, arriving at the apartment that she shared with her sisters, she greeted as usual.

-Hi girls. I'm back. Although the other three looked at each other strangely, Bertie noticed and asked them. -Something wrong?

-You came from seeing Ami, right? - Cooan asked shyly. -

- Yes, of course ... Has something happened? - She insisted that she was beginning to worry when she saw those expressions on the faces of her sisters. -

-No, don't worry, nothing's wrong. - Kalie hastened to point out, who, however, added with a certain tone of discomfort. - You see Bertie, it's not for nothing, but. Don't you and Ami spend a lot of time together?

-I don't understand, - the questioned woman replied, asking in turn. - Why do you say that? We are friends.

It was Petz who, to her younger sister's astonishment, put both hands on her shoulders and said in a rather soft and gentle voice.

-Look Bertie, whatever happens we will love you all the same, you are our sister. You can tell us.

-Tell you? - Beruche was surprised to add, visibly puzzled. - Tell you what?

And after a few moments in which none of her sisters seemed to want to talk about her, it was Cooan who dared to ask her with a tremulous voice and obvious prevention.

-You and Ami? ... do you understand me? ... you two ... well ...

It took Bertie only a few seconds to realize where those insinuations were going. She widened her eyes and exclaimed.

-You won't think that Ami and me! ...

-No, we don't think anything. - Kalie finished raising the palms of both hands as if they were holding her. -

-Yes, well, I mean, that's perfectly respectable, everyone has their tastes. - Petz added conciliatory in turn. -

-Girls. - Bertie could tell that she was starting to blush at times. - I assure you that it is nothing of that which you are imagining. We are friends, nothing more ... I don't like women. Well ... I don't like them, like that ...

-So, you and her, no? ... - Cooan inquired shaking her head. -

There was an awkward silence, and finally Bertie broke it with a sigh.

-Listen, I know I'm not too sociable. That I don't open to people a lot. Although that has nothing to do with it. I like men, but now I have other priorities. And you know that I have a hard time trusting other. I only have you and our warrior friends. And with Ami it's something special, but not in that sense. - She hastened to clarify. - We understand each other very well, we have many similar tastes and hopes, that's all.

-Sure! I have already told you… - Karaberasu exclaimed now with a more casual tone. -

-On, really? - Petz scolded her to reveal. - Before she arrived you were commenting that you were going to take her around to see if she was flirting at once with a boy ...

-Well, that proves that I was firmly convinced that our little sister shares our preferences. - The questioned interrupted her as if nothing had happened. -

-And you added, so she would forget those inclinations ...- Her sister Petz completed her accusingly. -

-Oh really? Did I also say that? I do not remember. How clueless I am! - Kalie shook her head, while she smiled somewhat stupidly putting a hand to the neck of her. -

-Well, stop it! - Cooan asked them that she felt stiff and was red thinking about her poor sister. -

But to everyone's surprise Bertie laughed that singsong laugh of hers when something really amused her. And she could affirm.

-Poor Ami! -If she ever finds out what you were thinking of us, how embarrassed she would be! ...

And her sisters said nothing, rather they looked elsewhere with evident blush. Now recalling that Beruche smiled. Although she soon turned that expression off when she watched as Rei, she turned red at times and crumpled one of the restaurant's napkins, twisting it with both hands as if she were dealing with a certain neck. The girl seemed to give off sparks of fire from her normally deep violet pupil eyes.

-I'm going to kill Usagi when I put my hand on her! - She threatened she visibly irritated. -We have been planning it for weeks and she must screw it up! ...

-Excuse her. - Ami asked condescendingly with a drop of sweat on her head as she pleaded for her absent friend. -You know how she is; she doesn't do it with bad intentions. But don't worry Rei, on behalf of the others I don't know anything. - She riveted with a giggle. -

-This Usagi, she is so stupid that you can never plan anything if she is near. She always must screw it up! What was she thinking when she said it out loud? She must be stupid! – Rei added, still angry at her absent friend. -

All the others sighed, and a bead of sweat appeared on her lowered heads at the nape of her neck.

- Yeah, we already know her - They all chanted at the same time. -

- Well, changing the subject. - Rei intervened again giving a long sigh of resignation - When will you go to the offices to get those certificates? I hope you can at least come to the party.

- Yes, do not worry. - Cooan replied trying to cheer up her friend, hastening to add. -We wouldn't miss it for nothing.

- Although we have ten days, - Beruche answered - we were also planning to go tomorrow, we don't want to delay it too long ...

-Yes, we have a lot to prepare for the trip, wherever we go. - Cooan added. -

-Who was going to say something like this? - Our little sisters are going to fly away from us. - Petz wailed without knowing clearly if she was joking or seriously. -

- It's not the end of the world. - Ami encouraged her asserting convinced. -And you will be in touch.

- It seems like yesterday when we started to live a new life in this world, and you see! - Bertie put in. - How fast these two years have passed!

The girls agreed and kept reminiscing and talking about the old days, telling each other about their adventures for hours. At last, Ami and Rei announced that they should leave now, during the talk Luna had called on the communicator advising them of an emergency. Rei confessed to them that it was something related to Ami's surprise party. Petz said that they too had to get up early the next day because they had to work and Bertie and Cooan, of course, had to come for the papers. They said goodbye staying for another occasion, if possible, at that party, this time all together. Back at home the younger sisters made plans, chose clothes and other occupations typical of such a long trip. They were going to be away from home for a year. At night, tired but happy, they went to sleep. Karaberasu and Petz were left alone in the living room chatting.

- I'm proud of them, - Kalie declared - they have adapted very well to this new life. Don't you think so?

-It's true-confirmed her older sister as she sat on the sofa, removing a couple of cushions - Thanks to them and the warriors you and I are here too. I trust a lot in both, and I know that they will go very well wherever they go. Their efforts and their way of seeing things have been an inspiration to me. They have managed to infect me with their optimism to face life.

Karaberasu nodded approvingly adding.

-Me too and I think they will know how to take advantage of this opportunity Wow! -She could not suppress a yawn when finishing the sentence and she added. - I would like to continue the conversation but I am very tired, I go to bed, I must get up early tomorrow.

- Yes, I won't take too long to go to bed, we have a long day ahead of us. There is too much to do. - Petz agreed, getting up from the sofa and repositioning the cushions after meticulously smoothing the surface where she had sat. -

Karaberasu said good night to her and went to her room. The girl prepared to put on her nightgown and lie down to face the new day. Of course, after so many incidents, she felt happy. She had her sisters and some good friends. In her case it had never been considered that her life before had been so wrong until she saw her younger sisters to escape. At that moment she remembered feeling angrier and more disappointed with them, because that endangered her own career in the service of her clan, than sad for the loss of her. When Petz volunteered the mission to return with the renegades alive or to eliminate them alongside the warriors, she was practically forced to accompany her. She was so ashamed now that she herself told her older sister to put an end to the ones she then considered traitors. But fortunately, she was able to open her eyes in time. Petz herself had been corrupted by the power of that staff that Rubeus had given her and tried to kill them all. Including herself who was supposed to be on her side! After that she was in a state of shock, but what struck her the most of all was seeing that the warriors came to the rescue of Bertie and Cooan and that Sailor Moon took an interest in her. She thus could realize the meaning of love and friendship. She then collaborated with her new allies to save Petz. Afterwards, they all joined forces to try to eliminate the threat of that void hole. That damn trap of that bastard Rubeus. The truth is that Karaberasu knew him quite well. More than she will ever tell her sisters.

-I still remember the fight I had with her when Petz surprised me with that bastard. - How stupid I behaved then! - She sighed regretfully. -

And it is that she very at the beginning she fooled with the handsome commander of hers and they even got to date a couple of times, at least until she discovered that he only considered her a trophy. Later, despite following her orders, she showed no interest in fulfilling the tasks that he entrusted to her. She whenever could go with Petz. At that time her poor sister Cooan was under the spell of that scoundrel, and to Kalie's disgrace, neither she even bothered to try to warn her little sister. Later, when they were finally free and began their new lives, she removed the name Calaverite and changed it. It was a symbol of that new beginning. However, if she was honest with herself, she sometimes missed the comfort of thirtieth century life in Nemesis and the powers of it. The good thing is that her extroverted and partying character was maintained. Sometimes she even dragged her younger sisters, not so much her older sister. Kalie knew that Petz had a thorn in her heart, and even though they argued many times, the two were very similar in age and shared experiences and loved each other very much. That didn't mean that she loved the other two sisters of hers less, of course she does. Regarding the sailors, she now only kept them feelings of gratitude towards them. Above all, she had a particular affinity for Minako, who, like her, loved revelry, gaining attention, and the world of fame. She remembered the occasional conversation she had with the young Sailor Venus. One day when they had left the shops, the two of them were walking through the streets of Tokyo and seeing shop windows.

-This dress is ideal to combine with my bow and matching shoes. - Kalie told her friend -

-Yes. - Minako agreed, nodding enthusiastically. - And there I see a jacket that is cute.

-Hasn't Artemis come with you? - Kalie wanted to know, changing the subject. -

-He doesn't like to go shopping. He says I exhaust him by going from one shop window to another. - The sailor smiled. -

-Men are always the same - Karaberasu replied, affirming with amusement - Even if they are cats! But then they like to see us attractive and for that we must dress with elegance.

-It is true. What can we do, right? - Minako sighed adding jovially. - Being pretty is not a sin. -

-Oh! I must confess that sometimes I feel sorry for the poor guys who try to flirt with us. - Her friend commented -

The two of them stopped to take a seat inside a cafeteria. They could at least have a drink and then resume their walk. Minako meanwhile answered her earlier statement of hers.

-Yes, being the representation of love and beauty is sometimes a heavy burden. And for a future idol, as I aspire to be, it is a great responsibility.

-Are you still with your castings? - Karaberasu asked her. -

-Well, between exam and exam I present myself to some castings. - Minako confessed, encouraging her.- You could come with me. They are always looking for beautiful girls with personality.

-I don't know if that will be my thing. - Kalie objected. - Now I'm happy in my work. Oddly enough that I said that.

-Well, it seems natural to me. You have a wonderful shop and very good clients. - Her friend praised her. -

-Thank you, the truth is that I have changed a lot in my way of seeing things. - Karaberasu admitted with a more serious and even thoughtful tone. - Life cannot always be a competition to see who attracts the most attention or triumphs from anyone way.

- Now that you no longer have that evil influence within you, you can realize it. - Minako affirmed. -

- Deep down I think I always knew. Even then. - Kalie sighed, pleading with a kind of guilt. - But I was very selfish and inconsiderate of anything that wasn't my own interest.

-We can all change and improve. - Her interlocutor declared. - And you have. You must be very proud of it.

-Every day that passes, seeing my sisters be happy, I am too, yes. And I am proud. I even think of my parents and my grandparents. That they were true pioneers in Nemesis. They taught us that it was hard and constant work that made us progress. But we forgot, somehow, we lost our way. - She sighed with a mixture of nostalgia and regret. -

-Now you have got it back. - Her friend encouraged her, who in a jovial way, took up her previous proposal. - And if I introduced you to them, they would surely choose us.

-Yes, it would be fun if you had an old enemy as an artistic couple! - Karaberasu laughed. -

-Don't believe it, it already happened to me. Even she went further than I did in the test. Poor Mimette, she didn't have much luck! -Her friend said. -

-Who? - Karaberasu inquired without understanding. -

-Nothing, nothing! Minako laughed hastily, waving one of her hands. - I mean if they chose us, can you imagine?  We would have to reject men in pairs.

And they both laughed in a knowing way. Then they changed the subject to chat about makeup. There Kalie gave her some good advice. In truth, those afternoons shopping and chatting about trends and the occasional gossip were very refreshing. The truth is, Kalie couldn't talk too much about it with her sisters. Petz was almost always thinking about work, Bertie and Cooan about their studies. At least she also had Minako and the others to exchange confidences. When they got down to it, warriors could be to be feared. They gossiped so much that not even Kalie was sometimes able to follow them. Despite everything, she loved spending time with them and enjoyed their friendship. But maybe, if she felt that someone was not as happy as they could be it was precisely her older sister. She wished Petz could cheer her up! And even more so now that the little ones seemed to direct their lives in a different direction and separate from them ...

       Meanwhile Petz was still sitting on the couch, thoughtful. She still remembered those last two years after her fight against the sailors. After her defeat they realized that they were only being used by their commander Rubeus. She became an instrument of the perfidious plans of that bastard in the service of the Black Moon.

-But I was much worse than him. - She reproved herself bitterly. - Kalie, Bertie and Cooan weren't of his own blood, after all.

       She became so blinded by her ambition that she even tried to kill her own sisters! That staff was such an intoxicating source of power that she even nullified her own fraternal sentiments in favor of that unhealthy ambition to promote. She felt very guilty when she remembered that, but, fortunately they were able to defeat her, and above all convince her of her path was not the right one. And it was the two little girls, whom she had cared for since they arrived at the court of Nemesis, who opened her eyes with the help of Sailor Moon and the others. Since then, Petz vowed to always help her sisters to be happy and achieve whatever they set their mind to. She felt indebted to them and firmly believed that this was a great opportunity to give them both her love and support. They were going far away, to another continent, and they would not see each other for quite some time. But she would make sure, as she had been doing ever since, that things went smoothly here, taking care of the store and the house with her sister Karaberasu.

-This Kalie has always been a rogue, but a very smart one. - She smiled now. -

It was certainly fortunate that her sister kept some of the gems they brought from Nemesis, they were able to sell them and get enough to buy the house in such an expensive neighborhood and start paying for Otafukuya. Now they had to work very hard to get ahead and continue to prosper as before. It could be said that in that respect they had had no problems. Those years had treated them well, giving them material well-being and above all friendship, with the sailors and especially among themselves. The truth is that they lived well and were happy that way, although deep down Petz envied them all a bit. To the little ones for their joy and the enormous ease with which they were able to detach from the old memories of her and to Kalie because of the innate vigor and optimism that she possessed. Karaberasu's open nature, coupled with her great faith in her own possibilities, which had made her adapt wonderfully to her new life, without any emotional burden. It was Petz who, being the elder, kept more memories of her planet and her birth time. But above all, and despite always denying it before her sisters, she kept the last moments that she spent with Sapphire nailed in her heart. She held him so close and so far at the same time! What if he could have returned? How many times did she dream that that magnificent boy would enter the door and into her life again? If they had returned, they would surely have started a life together, finally together! But that could no longer be. She sometimes thought that she at least she was not alone in that situation, her sister Cooan also suffered for Rubeus, but that was a huge disappointment. That bastard made use of her just as he used Karaberasu before. However, the oldest of the rest of her sisters did not fall in love with him, it was simply an adventure without more meaning. Cooan, on the other hand, was sweet and sensitive under that evil appearance that she had built around her, too young and inexperienced for the ruthless world that surrounded her, and she was very vulnerable to the manipulations of that cynic. Anyway, the best thing that could happen to her was for Rei to free her from that suffering of her and help her to start over together with the other warriors. Just as Ami did with Beruche, the third of her sisters, always so introverted and quiet and at the same time nice and shy when she could be reached, with a great heart that she tried in vain to hide even in the Black Moon. She was the only one of them who took pity on Cooan when she defected from her. -Those two have always been very close. - Petz mused. -

- My case has been different. They can afford to dream again of falling in love with someone. But not me. I had you by my side and we both knew we loved each other. You never cheated on me Sapphire, you were just blind, just like me. At least you only cared about Diamond, which I was unable to do for my sisters then, when I was bitter and possessed by that lust for power. But we could be free, and we took off the blindfold in time. Although fate was very cruel and took you from my side when I thought I finally had you. - Those thoughts hurt deep in her heart every time she let them flow. She remembered with a mixture of regret and nostalgia when they were walking towards the shelter, in full attack and she saw him. The city was becoming more and more deserted. Cooan sighed looking around to affirm. -

-Have you seen? Apparently, things have gotten very serious. There is hardly anyone on the streets anymore. -

-Yes, the best thing is to hurry to enter the shelter. - Karaberasu agreed. -

Petz nodded carelessly when something caught her attention, a familiar figure dragging his feet and leaning against the corner of the street opposite. She thought she recognized ...

-Sapphire! - She could say between astonished and incredulous. -

The others did not appear to have seen him, but her sister suddenly ran across the street. Taken by surprise they called her in vain, finally they all went after Petz. When they reached her, she was on her knees holding the head of a man who appeared to be injured. To everyone's shock they recognized Sapphire, the younger brother of Prince Diamond. He was unconscious.

-Girls help me, we must take him home. - Petz asked them. -

-But we must go to the shelter. - Beruche objected. -

-Please! - She begged leaving them stunned, that was something they had never seen her do. Especially when she added with a visible expression of suffering and fear in her voice. - He'll die if we leave him here. I beg you, help me!

Then without thinking twice Beruche nodded, both she and Karaberasu and Cooan prepared to try to transport Sapphire along with Petz. He was heavy but between the four of them they managed to lift it and passing the boy's arms around the shoulders of the two older girls, taking him to their house. Fortunately, they weren't far away and Cooan and Bertie took over when they got tired. They were able to get him on the elevator without problems. They came in with him piggybacked into the apartment and finally they put him in her older sister's bedroom. Together they treated his wounds in the best way they could and put him to bed.

-We can't do more for now. - Bertie sighed. -

-Let him sleep and see how he wakes up. - Cooan suggested. -

The girls did so. Petz prepared something to eat while Karaberasu told her with palpable unease.

-What can we do? He doesn't look good.

-He just needs to rest. - Her older sister stated bluntly. -

-But. What will happen when he wakes up? - Bertie asked with visible fear on her face, unable to avoid expressing her fears aloud. - Perhaps he has come to punish us for having betrayed Prince Diamond.

-Yes. We must be just deserters to him. He doesn't know the reason why what we've done it. - Cooan added, also visibly worried. -

-Do not worry. I'll talk to him and explain everything. Sapphire was always understanding and kind. He'll understand. - Petz reassured them. -

Her interlocutors looked at each other stunned, at least the little ones. Since when had Petz stopped hating men? She had never spoken well of any of them. So, Petz watched them showing a weak smile, realizing that, and understanding them. Sure. What could they know about her intimate life?

-I'm going to see how he is. - Petz commented to them in a gentle and soft tone, while putting a plate of soup and some bread on a tray. -

The girl entered the room. It just seemed that he had woken up after perhaps having a nightmare. Soon he realized that he was in a bed. But his surprise was manifest upon seeing her.

- Have you already woken up? - The girl wanted to know in a soft voice, showing the concern on her face. - How are you?

-Petzite! - He could exclaim in a still weak voice as soon as she recognized her. - Where am I?

-In my bedroom, - her interlocutor whispered, leaving the tray on a small table and bringing a chair to sit next to her.-

Sapphire could then add, as if he were trying to remember it clearly.

You have been living on Earth since you betrayed us.

-Yes, - she admitted. - And I am ready to be punished, but I ask you to forgive my sisters, please! The girl begged him, letting some of her veiled anguish show through, while she took one of her hands to her chest. - Punish me only. I am the oldest and the responsible.

-Do not worry. - He smiled without care to that to affirm. - I have not come to act as executor. - But tell me. - He wanted to know now with obvious curiosity - How have you been able to survive here?

-I have my sisters, and they have me. We take care of each other. The truth is that we have discovered that this world is wonderful. Perhaps life here compared to Nemesis and its facilities is much more difficult. But we have realized how much love and trust are worth. It is just as everything was in our world when it was still free from the influence of evil.

Her interlocutor listened attentively to the story told by that woman who seemed totally changed and he said it with obvious admiration.

-You are so different. You look like another woman. And I must tell you that I really like this change of yours. - He flattered as Petz brought him the tray with the soup, which Sapphire thanked her. -

-Thank you, - the girl smiled widely, blushing even to add. - It was Sailor Moon and some friends who taught us that you can live fully and love. Surrender to others and trust, without fear and without hatred.

-Then we have been wrong from the beginning. - The boy muttered bitterly adding with obvious fear. - It's just as I feared. That damn Wiseman filled our minds with lies and desires for revenge and maybe it's too late. I must do something and fast!

Seeing Petz's worried face, Sapphire told her what had happened, riveting next.

-I must see my brother and tell him what's going on. He is in danger!

-You are the same as always. - She wailed. - You only think of Prince Diamond.

-I must get up and go. - The boy could reply. -

And he struggled trying to do it but falling prey to weakness. He tried again to get up, this time successfully. But when he was about to stumble again Petz held him by hugging him.

-No! You must stay in bed; you are very weak! - She managed to say with growing alarm. -

-I must warn Diamond ... - he repeated obsessively. -

-No! - Petz squealed through tears, which stunned Sapphire, more when she added tearfully. - If you go to see him you can die, and I would not bear that something happened to you. If you lose your life, now that I have seen you again ...

-Listen to me. Please. - He asked affectionately, really moved by the feelings of that girl. -

It was a strange sensation. She noticed it immediately. In the eyes of that young man, he could see and perceive the concern and affection that Petz showed him. It had been a long time since he must have felt anything like that. Sapphire gently took her by her shoulders and he said in a kind voice full of affection.

- I must do it. If you knew that your sisters were in grave danger and that something terrible was threatening their safety, you would also try to help them, wouldn´t you?

The sorry girl had no choice but to nod as her tears fell profusely, rolling down her cheeks. Sapphire straightened up adding feeling and sweetness.

-Diamond is my only and dear brother. I wouldn't forgive myself if something happened to him. You understand, right?

Petz tried to say something, but he laid a finger on her lips to add promise.

-And when I've talked to him. I will come back here again. I'll leave you my jacket until I get back

He pointed to a wall where his navy-blue jacket hung on a hanger, and she could only lend him a shirt that the boy put on to leave the room. The girl came out on the terrace to pray, pleading for the safety of that boy whom she loved so much. For a moment she cursed herself. So long she had been dreaming of that opportunity and when she had had it, she was not able to tell him. Although then she understood. She hadn't done it with words. He knew it. That's why he looked at her in that special way, full of a glow of love and sweetness with which he responded to those feelings of hers. That expression of his would be imprinted on her forever. Then, after a harrowing hour, tragic news came. But Petz already knew, she realized that when a terrible throb almost took her breath away as the hanger where she held Sapphire's jacket snapped, letting it fall to the ground. The girl hugged that garment that in a few seconds disappeared from her hands. She then knew that she had lost him. Despite Sailor Moon and the others, responding to Cooan's call for help, tried to protect him. When all the fighting happened and her warrior friends fortunately won, Usagi herself, accompanied by the rest, went to see them, and asked for their forgiveness. All with dejected faces and full of regret. But she didn't blame them for anything. Quite the opposite. She even tried to show her friends and her own sisters that she was okay. She determined to start her new life and completely forget the past. But no matter how much she pretended, she was always accompanied by that melancholy. Those bittersweet memories and the regret of her not being able to mend her life before and above all, not having been able to save him.

-If only we had opened our hearts before, my love ...

She whispered full of regret. All those feelings hurt a lot. But she told herself that she had to continue without fainting. That was a luxury that, being the oldest, she could not afford.

-I promised mom. And I will fulfill it. - She swore to herself. - I will take care of you and be strong. There is no room for bitterness or discouragement. This is a new life ...

So, she struggled to lock them behind a mental hatch and focused only on the hectic, hard day they would have the next day.

**START**

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