Rated G A Pretty Soldier Sailormoon epic of love, deceit and inner suffering by Dave Archer of Merteuil868@hotmail.com ??? A Quick Introduction And Spiffy Note To The Readers Hey, all! If one can't tell, this is my very first Sailormoon fan-fic! But no, this isn't my first outing as a writer. I've scribed many things before this and I am told I am an extremely talented and promising writer! *blushes* But? naturally? I refuse to blow my own horn. Anyway, I naturally chose Sailorpluto as the main character because? just admit it? Pu kicks ass! I love the character because of the mystery in which she is surrounded, and the tragedy her character is hinted to have endured. I am not one of those Pluto fans who wishes one saw more of her throughout the run of Sailormoon, only because it is the limited air time she gets that attracts me to the character (that is at least one reason) and that also adds to the mystery she so solely devotes herself to. One may ask if I like Pluto merchandise and the answer is simply ?Hell ya!? But I have none. Generous donations (or even just a good deal on something) are of course excepted! *hint, hint* Enough of my bantering, though, and down to the basics. Continuum: Manga Time: Into the Silver Millennium Without further ado? ?RED EYES, UNHEARD CRIES and ETERNAL LIES? ??? Act 1: Meioh Setsuna sat lazily at her vanity table one early August morn. Her deep red eyes gazed into the mirror in front of her, reflecting the image of her own self. It had been a late night, the previous. She had taken to spoiling Small Lady, even though Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion had nearly forbade her to. Alas, Setsuna could not give up pampering the young one, but what was motivating her was kept only between two people? including herself. A bell rang out, jarring Setsuna from her hazy nirvana. She blinked for some time, then stood up, throwing a navy blue bath robe over her black night gown. As she walked from her bed room, she ran a brush through her dark green hair, trying to make herself look at least half-way presentable. She made it to the foyer and peered through the peep hole. ?Haruka? Michiru?? Setsuna asked blankly, directing the question to no one. She pushed herself away from the door and unlatched it, opening it to her two, long-time friends. ?Setsuna?? Michiru began, standing still, looking over her friend. Haruka set her foot forward, starting to walk into Setsuna's flat, but Michiru stopped her. ?Did we come at a bad time?? ?No, not at all,? Setsuna began, talking in her soft, velvety voice, ?Come in, I will put some tea on.? The two entered the flat and sat on the black plush couch which was against the wall which divided the sitting room from the kitchen. Setsuna clambered about, pulling out a tea kettle and setting it on the stove. ?Do you need any help?? Michiru called. ?No,? Setsuna answered, filling the kettle with water, ?I can manage.? Set walked from the kitchen and crossed to her room. ?I will only be a minute.? She closed the door. ?Setsuna is usually well awake by now,? Michiru said to Haruka, concerned for Setsuna. ?I saw her out last night on a moonlight picnic with Small Lady last night. She must have gotten in late and slept in,? Haruka gestured to Michiru, patting her hand. Setsuna emerged from her room, wearing a lilac colored skirt suit. It was no longer commonplace for the senshi to wear their fukus everywhere they went? only to the formal occasions. ?How is the Small Lady?? Haruka asked casually as Setsuna walked to the kitchen. ?As well as can be expected,? Setsuan answered, pouring tea into three different cups and setting them on a tray. She carried them out and set the tray on the coffee table before the two visitors. ?Thank you,? Michiru smiled, lifting a cup from the tray and gently touching it to her lips. Haruka did the same. Setsuna took the remaining cup and walked over the the white swivel chair that sat opposite the couch. ?Have you come for any reason inparticular?? Setsuna asked, sipping slowly at her tea. ?Well?? Haruka hesitated. She seemed irked by something or other. ?Well?? Setsuna repeated. ?We went to visit the king and queen last night,? Michiru said hastily. ?There's nothing wrong with that,? Setsuna stated. ?We were there, and Serenity asked Michiru to check on the Small Lady,? Haruka said. ?And?? Setsuna asked. Her voice began to be overtaken by fear. ?I was about to go in?? Michiru began, ?But I heard you talking. So I opened the door just a little bit so I could listen. It was wrong of me, but I did it anyway.? Setsuna's expression became a worried one and she shivered slightly. ?What did you hear?? ?You were whispering to Usagi as she slept? you said ?I hope the queen continues to be a good mother to you? The mother I could never be, no matter how much I hated to part with you,?? Michiru said, her voice quavered. Setsuna's face paled. ?Setsuna? What does this mean?? Haruka asked softly. ?That, I cannot tell you,? Setsuna said gravely. ?But?? Michiru began. She was cut off by Setsuna. ?I must ask you to leave. If you will,? Setsuna said in an even graver tone. She gestured to the door. ?Of course?? Michiru trailed off, walking to the door and opening it. ?If you ever need to talk,? Haruka said, ?We're here.? They left. Setsuna stood, and continued to stand for some while, her face stern. She tried to stop it, but her chin quivered, eyes watered, and knees buckled. A loud sob was emitted from her tiny mouth, and she ran to her room, shedding tears and sobbing loudly. What she had feared had come true? someone, and in this case two someones, got a lead. A lead that they might follow?