I don't think there's any mystery why I wrote this story (the events of the
inspiration and the story background are quite different, but hopefully the
emotions are similar).  This is my first real attempt at a deeply emotional
fic, and any C&C would be greatly appreciated.  Also, I don't have a clue
how Japanese funerals are conducted, so I just made up the details there.

All characters copyright Naoko Takeuchi.

*       *       *       *       *

GOODBYE

I look down from the night sky, down at Hikawa Temple.  Any passerby would
see nothing unusual - the events within its grounds are hidden from
outsiders' eyes.  The reality is that lanterns light the path from the front
door, where a group of people stand silently, theye collective gazes, their
collective sorrows focused on my body.

Haruka and Michiru.

Setsuna.

Hotaru.

Makoto.

Minako.

Ami.

Rei is not in her senshi uniform, but her priest garb.  The fire senshi
stands behind where my head lies, with a torch in her hand, tears openly
flowing from her eyes even more than the others'.  Mamoru stands beside her,
with Luna in his arms. It is simply beyond my ability to convey to you the
grief I know he feels, from forever losing someone whom he has loved with
all his soul for a thousand years.  I don't know how he'll be able to
continue his life.

Shingo and Naru have been invited here as well, and of course been told my
secret.  Their tears are no less than those of the others.  I could likely
never have admitted this if I was alive, but I am as sorry for Shingo as I
am for Mamo-chan.  He blames himself for an event that he had no chance of
preventing, and tries to convince himself that I'm going to come back to
life like so many fictional superheroes.

I feel angry at myself for putting everyone through this.  I try to think of
something I could have done that would have made everything turn out all
right, just like all the other times.  But there was no alternative.
Realising this, I cry.

A firm hand touches my shoulder, and I hear a deep male voice.

"Sailor Moon, please don't cry. You did more good in your life than most
people ever dream could be possible."

My tears dry as I turn around to see the man who has spoken to me.

"Nephrite.  Thank you." I say, and turn my attention back to the funeral.
Rei has just set the torch to my funeral pyre, and the flames are about to
consume my mortal body. "But there is one more thing that I must do."

I concentrate, and the group's attention moves away from the funeral pyre,
turning to the full moon that shines in the centre of the sky.  In their
sight alone, a rabbit plays there, running across the surface.  Then, there
is a glow of power, and the group's tears are transformed.  A small silver
crystal floats in front of each of them.  Since I can't say it directly,
this is my way of saying "Please go on.  Continue to fight for my
nonexistent daughter's future.  It can still come true."

I sigh, and turn my back away from the Earth.  I can hear my mother calling me.