Usagi landed in the New York international airport, only to be whisked off again.  As she came down the ramp, her name came over the PA system.

?Could Usagi Tsukino please come to the main desk.  I repeat, can Usagi Tsukino please report to the front desk.  Her presence is required immediately.? 
Usagi made her way to the front desk, only to find Setsuna waiting for her. Setsuna walked up to her as she came into sight.  

?Well,?  Setsuna said, ? There you are.  Did you have a nice flight? Good Im glad.?  

	You know, Setsuna-san, why do you even bother to ask if you already know? You are a one person conversation.?  Usagi said smiling.  Setsuna just laughed and started walking toward the baggage claim. 

?Come on, Usagi-chan, lets get your stuff and get out of here.  I took a day off just for you, so lets make it good.?

	Setsuna parked her forest green jaguar in its space, then lead Usagi to the apartment, carrying on of Usagi?s bags.  As they entered the building, they headed straight for the elevator, and Setsuna pressed the penthouse button.  A few minutes later, the doors opened to reveal a front door with a number pad instead of a lock.  Punching in a number, the door opened and the two people stepped inside, allowing the elevator to shut behind them.  

?Well, here it is.?  Setsuna said, motioning towards the spacious penthouse.  The spacious livingroom gave way to bay windows that offered a lovely view of the New York skyline, and lit the room with afternoon sunlight.  The room itself was done in tasteful shades of green, blended with a cream carpet.  In all, Usagi found the whole place quite overwhelming in its luxuriousness.  

	?Wow, Setsuna-san, this place is beyond nice!?  Usagi said, still gazing around.

?Well, I suppose owning the leading fashion and design company does have its perks.?  Setsuna said lightly as she walked towards the kitchen.  ?Hey, Usagi - chan, do you want something to drink??

	?Can I have some grape soda, please??  Usagi said, and Setsuna leaned her head out of the kitchen, nodding yes.  A few minutes later, Setsuna came back carrying two glasses, one filled with grape soda, for Usagi, and the other a double strong iced green tea, for herself.  

?So, Usagi-chan, tell me, what has happened to you? I know what has gone on, but you look lost.?

	?What do you mean, Setsuna-san??  

?I mean that you look as if you lost a part of yourself, or something just as valuable.?

	 Thats because I have lost something very important to me.  The other half of me has been stolen away.?

?You mean Mamoru?  He?s the cause of this??

	?How did you.......wait, never mind I already know.  He?s the one factor no one counted on, Setsuna.  When I met him, my destiny changed, my purpose altered.  He has become my will to fight, because I must fight to get him back.?  Usagi said, looking to Setsuna for a reaction.  She found none.  Setsuna took a sip of her tea, and then look out the large window next to her.

?And now, Usagi, you come for my crystal??

	?Yes, Setsuna.  I need it in order to fight my mother.  I know....?

?No!! You don?t know!  That crystal is my only chance for a normal life.  Without it, I have to go back, I have to become eternally imprisoned, never allowed to speak, always alone.  Is that what you think I want?  To be shut away, fated to a life of watching, never doing??  Setsuna said, crying softly as she yelled.  

	?No, Setsuna, I do not want that for you or anyone.  I am sorry to have asked something so great of you.  I will make due without your crystal.  Forgive me.?  Usagi said softly as she stood up.  Stepping slightly away from the couch, Usagi bowed deeply to Setsuna, and left for her room.  

?Im sorry, Usagi-chan.?  Setsuna whispered as a lone tear trailed down her cheek.
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?You do know that you are being rather selfish, don?t you??  Setsuna turned, startled by the voice behind her.  Hotaru stood still and calm as she waited for Setsuna to compose herself.  ?I realize what it would mean for you to give up your crystal, but would you really put yourself before everyone else?  Usagi is fighting for us all, and you would fate her to death!?

	Hotaru, I......I can?t go back!  Over a thousand years I stood watch in that accursed place, and less than a year away from it, I?m asked to go back!  Chronos gave me my freedom for as long as I possessed the garnet crystal, to give it to Usagi would mean that I must again carry the burden of duty, not something I seek eagerly.?  

	?If Usagi dies, we all do, even you.?

?Better to die free, than live in dutiful slavery for eternally.?  Hotaru shook her head sadly.

	?Well, then I leave you to your choice.  Usagi seeks me in the Shi plane, I must go.?  Hotaru said, then faded from view with a turn.
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	Usagi faced a dim hallway, with mirrors for doors.

?Hello, Usagi-san.?  Said a voice behind her.

	? I was wondering when you would get here, Hotaru.?

?Lets just say that I was slightly delayed on business.  So, Usagi, why is it that you came to see me??

	? I think you already know the answer to that, Hotaru.  I came for your crystal.?  Usagi said, eyes focused on Hotaru?s slight figure.  Hotaru, although smaller than Usagi, stood as an impressive figure in the dim hallway.  Dressed in a full length violet silk dragonfly kimono, complete with a black obi, she appeared to have stepped out of the meiji era.  Her hair, lengthened to her mid-back, fell straight down , and blended with her clothing.  ?Listen, Hotaru, I need that crystal of yours badly, but I might just let you keep it.  Setsuna has already refused me, and there is no hope for me without it.  I......?  as she began to continue, Hotaru cut her off with a wave of her hand.  

?Enough, Usagi please.  I have already discussed the matter with Setsuna, and have left her with a choice.  She will decide within the night, and you will have your answer in the morning.  For now, I leave you with this.?  Hotaru said, producing her amethyst crystal.  ?Take it Usagi.  Its yours by right of destiny.?  Hotaru said, placing it in Usagi?s hand.  Usagi looked down at her hand as Hotaru closed it around the crystal, and then up at Hotaru, allowing a small smile to grace her face.  

	?Arigato, Hotaru-san.  This means alot to me.?  Usagi said, then surprised Hotaru by hugging her.

?Usagi, OK.......OK....don?t you think you should be getting back?  It?s almost morning.?

	?What?!? Usagi exclaimed, letting go of Hotaru.  ?I gotta go!  Thank you Hotaru!?  And with a bow and a wave, Usagi walked through the doorway to the plane of the living.
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	Usagi snapped back with a start, and looked down at her closed hand.  ~ I wonder if I still have it. ~  She thought to herself as she slowly opened her hand.  In the palm of her hand were two things, the amethyst crystal and a folded note.  Placing the crystal in her lap, she unfolded the note.

Dutiful beauty
angels fall from the moon
never touching sacred Earth
Endymion?s light guide them always

Secrets forever kept
silence breeds death
unity is the way of life
missing hearts never die

Just as she finished the last line, her alarm clock went off, signaling that it was indeed morning, and Setsuna would be up in a little while.  ~ I should get ready to face the day.  Even without Setsuna?s crystal, I need to leave today. ~  Usagi thought to herself as she got up and stretched.  She went to her suitcase and grabbed a navy blue spagetti strap tank top and a pair of bright black jeans.  Setting them on the bed, she grabbed her brush, and headed for her bathroom to shower and fix her hair.  She set her brush down on the sink and reached into a side cabinet for some shampoo.

	?Ah-ha!  I knew she had to have kept some of this here for me.?  Usagi said, pulling out a bottle of rose and cherry blossom scented shampoo.  ~ I never knew how she got this stuff, because no one has ever heard of it.  Sure does smell good though. ~  Usagi thought to herself as she undressed and stepped into the shower, turning it on.
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	Half an hour later, she emerged from the bathroom with a towel wrapped around her body, and began to brush her hair free of tangles.  She slipped into her clothesand used the towel to absorb the excess moisture in her hair, then hung it back in the bathroom.  She went back to where she had placed the note and the crystal on the bed, and picked them both up, placing the note in her pocket, and taking the crystal with her into the livingroom.  Setsuna was sitting on a stool in the kitchen, sipping her morning cup of green tea.  

?Good morning, Usagi.?  Setsuna said without looking up. 

	?Good morning, Setsuna.  did you sleep well??  Usagi said, reaching for the hot cocoa Setsuna had placed on the counter for her.  

?Not really, Usagi.  Hotaru came to me last night, and made me realize a few things.  One being that the fate of the world comes over my desire to stay here.  I have spent the entire night contemplating what my actions might bring about, and have reached a desision.?  Setsuan said whild she reached into her pocket, producing a small box.  She placed it on the counter and slid it towards Usagi.  ?Its yours, Usagi.  I was foolish to put my desires before the rest of the world.?

	?Setsuna.........?

?No, Usagi, just take it.  I was destined to be guardian, just as you were destined to save the world.  This crystal is yours by right.?  Setsuna said, beginning to cry softly.  Usagi picked up the box, opening it to reveal the perfectly round garnet crystal.

	?The garnet crystal, finally, the last one I need.  Setsuna.......?  Usagi?s voice trailed off as she looked up, only to find Setsuna gone.

?Usagi-san, over here.?  Usagi turned towards the voice, only to find a mirror.  Setsuna stood in the middle of it, looking very different.  Her long, midnight green hair now fell down her back in soft waves, swaying gently in a non-existant breeze.  Her eyes glowed with a magenta fire, and her skin had paled considerably.  Her t-shirt and jeans had been traded in for an ornate deep red kimono with a midnight green obi holding the sides together.

	?Setsuna-san!?

?This is what I really look like, Usagi.  I am the keeper of fate and time, and must look appropriate.  If you were in your rightful place, you would look like this.?  Setsuna said as her image was replaced with that of Usagi?s true form.  An image of beauty filled the mirror surface.  Pale, moonspun hair weaved into impossible knots flowed down behind the slender figure.  Fair skin set with rose lips and saphire eyes shone with a fierce determination.  She wore a white kimono with the pattern of moons and cherry blossoms on it, with a black obi holding it together.  Usagi made as if to touch the image as Setsuna reappeared.  She had and expression of peace on her face, but her eyes belied it.  

?Usagi, the time of battle is drawing near.  You only have three days left.  That will give you just enough time to get to Brazil and back.?

	?I know, Im leaving today.  I only wish that this wasn?t happening.  Why can?t my mother leave me in peace??  Usagi said, shrugging almost indifferently.  

?I know, Usagi, but you have no choice.  You must make the best of what fate has already allowed you, and not despair.  I took the liberty of making the apartment yours, so afterwards you have somewhere new to live.?

	?Thank you Setsuna-san.  Both your gifts mean alot to me.?  Usagi said, smiling at the mirror.

?Oh, one more thing, Usagi.  That poem that Hotaru gave to you......?

	?Yeah??

?Carve it into the wall at Selene?s temple.  She will appreciate it.?  Setsuna said.  ?It is time for me to go, Usagi-san.  I wish you well.?  Setsuna said at last, as the mirror faded to normal.

	?Good bye, Setsuna-san.  And thank you.?  Usagi said, before turning away to gather her things and call a taxi.
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	A day and a half later, Usagi landed once again at the Brazilian international airport.  After claiming her baggage and securing the car she had on hold, she set off into the Amazon, and to the Temple of Selene.  It took a little over two hours to arrive at her destination, but as she neared the ruins, she broke into a brisk run.  
	She reached the stone slab in no time and took out the pouch that held the crystals.  As she gazed at the slab, she noticed that now there were only three slots around the edge, and one in the very center.  She placed the amethist, citramarine, and garnet crystals in their appropriate spots, then placed the strange silver crystal in the middle.  All at once the crystals began to glow brightly, the light blinding, and then it was gone.  When Usagi looked again, she found that the silver crystal had grown slightly larger, and was now glowing with a pulsing light.  She reached over and picked it up, feeling the crystal flow through her body, revitalizing her.  Holding it skyward, she offered a thanks to Selene and her aunt Serenity.

	?Goddess Selene, beloved Serenity, I owe you my gratitude, and give it freely.?  Usagi said, not expecting a reply, but much to her surprize, she got one.

?My dear,?  Serenity said, ?Never fear your mother.  You now go to battle with our blessing.  Fight well and make us proud, like you always have.?

?Daughter of the moon,? Selene said, ?You, who are pure of heart, go now and reclaim your love.  Go with our love and our strength.?

	?Thank you both.  May I not dissapoint you.?  Usagi said, turning to go inside of the ruins.  She made her way through to the wall that had been written on so long ago, and transformed.  Using one of her unnaturaly sharp nails, she carved the poem that Hotaru had left with her into the wall, signing it with both her name and Hotaru?s.

	?Farewell.?  Usagi said, and headed back to the car.  Once there, she headed back to the airport.  

~Daughter........Are you ready?  I know I am.~  A taunting voice said in Usagi?s head as she drove.

	~Yes, Mother.  I am ready and willing to defeat you once and for all.~

~ Well, well. eager to die aren?t we?  Well then, come to me in Tokyo if you dare.~  And with that, she was gone.  Usagi arrived at the airport and booked a flight to Tokyo that took off 15 minutes from then.
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