Special Thanks: "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl for editing, good ideas and
                comments, and providing me with Sailor Moon stories to
                enjoy! Thanks Will!

Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi and all terms, names etc associated
            with the series are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi and Kodansha.
            The Guardians and everything pertaining to the Star Kingdoms are
            MINE!

                   Sailor Moon: Guardians of the Star
                                Epilogue

Usagi sat on her bed, looking depressed, as Luna jumped up next to her
and regarded her charge impatiently. <What is WRONG with this child?!>
"Usagi! This `gloom and doom' attitude has got to stop!" Luna demanded,
"Whatever is wrong can't be THAT bad! You stopped Morgoth AND saved your
families. So why are you acting this way?"

She looked down at Luna. "The Guardians are going home on Saturday," she
answered, subdued. Luna sighed with long suffering patience. "I KNOW
that, Usagi. While we WILL miss them, I STILL can't see why you'd think
it's the end of the world!"

"But Luna, that means Haeth's leaving too!" she cried, "I don't want her
to leave!" Luna understood. "Usagi, do you KNOW that she's leaving?"
"Well, no," Usagi answered slowly, "But her family and home are in the
Star Kingdoms!"

"Usagi," Luna said patiently, "Haeth is Kin Bonded to you AND deeply in
love with Galen. She has good reasons to stay. Why don't you ASK her if
she's staying or going?" Usagi stood up, a determined expression on her
face. "You're right, Luna!" She left the room and walked down the hall,
to her Kin Sister's room.

"Haeth?" she called as she knocked on the bedroom door. At her touch,
the door swung open. Usagi peeked into the room. Haeth was not there,
but the sight her eyes fell on, brought the tears streaming down. Open
suitcases lay on the bed, about half packed from the look of things.
<She really IS leaving!> she thought in despair. She ran from the room,
her hand over her mouth to hold in the anguished wail she felt rising
up.


Chibi-Usa walked in the front door. "Hello! Anyone home?" she called.
Ikuko peeked out the kitchen door. "Haeth and I are in the kitchen,
dear," she replied, "We're just putting away the leftovers."

<Usagi left leftovers?> "Is Usagi in there too?" Chibi-Usa asked. Ikuko
smiled. "Not likely, dear!" she laughed softly, "You know that Usagi and
work don't mix very well!" Chibi-Usa smiled back. "Well, I'll just go
upstairs and brighten her day!" A worried expression crossed Ikuko's
face, replacing the smile. "You do that, dear," she said subdued as she
ducked back into the kitchen.

Chibi-Usa frowned as she climbed the stairs. <Ikuko-mama looked worried
about something. I wonder.....> Her thoughts were interrupted by a
blonde haired streak, whipping past her and into Usagi's room, the door
closing with a SLAM!

As fast as she had gone by, Chibi-Usa still had seen the look of anguish
on Usagi's face. <Mama!> she thought as she hurried after. She reached
Usagi's room and entered, closing the door behind her. Usagi was sobbing
hysterically into her pillow, with Luna beside her demanding to know
what was wrong.

Chibi-Usa walked up to the bed, Usagi's desolate weeping bringing tears
to her eyes. "Mama!" she cried softly, "What's happened? Why are you
crying?!" Usagi tried to explain and despite the fact that her words
were distorted by the sobbing and the pillow, both Luna and Chibi-Usa
got the gist of what she had said. They exchanged looks of dismay.

"Haeth's leaving?" Chibi-Usa repeated in disbelief, "That's just not
possible!" Luna sighed. "She saw the suitcases," Luna pointed out, "Any
ideas on how to stop her?" Chibi-Usa brightened. "I was going to get
Usagi. The others wanted us at the shrine for some reason," she
explained, "My Kin Sister is there now. I'll go get her. SHE'LL talk
Haeth out of leaving!" Before Luna could even reply, Chibi-Usa was out
the door, and out of the house.

Luna pressed herself against her charge and started purring. She didn't
think it would do much good, but she was at a loss on what ELSE she
could do.


"Haeth?" Ikuko asked as she took the supper dishes from the table, "Do
YOU know what's bothering Usagi?" Haeth looked up in concern at her
question. "Something is bothering her? Are you sure?" Ikuko nodded. "Oh
yes! Ever since you all returned from the north, she's been moping
around like she's lost her best friend! Since you all came through the
fight okay, I just can't imagine what she's moping about!" Ikuko smiled
as she remembered the day everyone came back. The Senshi had survived
the most terrifying fight they had ever had, only to be almost killed by
the frantic affection of their families!

"Lost her best friend..." Haeth repeated. She looked up sharply. "Maybe
she thinks I'm returning to the Star Kingdoms next week with the other
Guardians!" Ikuko looked at her blankly. She had forgotten that Haeth
was not from their universe. In fact, she had even forgotten that Haeth
was not even human, but a legendary creature of great power. All she
knew was that she loved this alien child like a second daughter. As the
thought of Heath leaving them entered her mind, she was suddenly as sad
as Usagi appeared to be lately. She would miss this child dreadfully.
"Aren't you?" she asked softly, "It IS your home, you know."

Haeth smiled slightly. "Home is where the heart is!" she answered,
quoting an Earth saying that she liked. Ikuko looked at her hopefully.
"Does that mean that you'll stay?" she asked quietly. Haeth nodded
slowly. "My life is HERE now," she explained, "I'm Kin Bonded to Usagi
which makes her my sister, and Pair Bonded to Galen which makes him my
Lifemate. My dad can visit me here whenever he wants since I'm not old
enough yet to use THAT power. My sister, Sarenath, is the Eldana of my
people and will replace Father when he goes into the void, may that be
centuries away! I'm not needed there but I AM needed here."

Ikuko stopped Haeth's speech with a hug. She didn't need to give up this
daughter after all. "Now, I think you better let Usagi know," Ikuko
suggested as she released her, "Chibi-Usa won't have had much luck
cheering her up, if THAT is what she was worrying about!" Haeth smiled
and kissed her `mother' before turning and running up the stairs as if
her feet were winged.

Haeth paused as she was about to knock on Usagi's door. She listened
intently, and the sound of muted weeping was clearly audible to her
sharp hearing. She opened the door silently and stepped into the room
closing the door behind her. Usagi was lying on her bed, her face buried
in her pillow. Her shoulders shook with sobs. Luna lay next to her,
purring sympathetically. At Haeth's entrance, Luna looked up at her, her
eyes filled with a plea that Haeth had no trouble understanding.

Haeth moved to the bed and sat next to her weeping Kin Sister. She had
barely a second to brace herself as Usagi flung herself into her arms.
"I...I'm s..self..fish and r..rotten b..but I d..don't want you to
g..go!" Usagi sobbed hysterically. Haeth brushed Usagi's bangs from her
hot forehead. Usagi was so distraught that her Moon Crescent sigil was
visible and glowing in response to her emotional state.

"Silly Child!" Haeth remonstrated gently, "You are neither selfish nor
rotten for wishing that I remain here! I, on the other hand, WOULD be
selfish and rotten if I chose to leave!"

Usagi looked up, her tear-filled eyes full of hope. "Y..you...you're not
l..leaving?" she stammered, desperately wanting to believe what Haeth
seemed to be implying.

"Of COURSE not!" Haeth snorted, "I'm your SISTER, and the Commander of
your Kin Guard is my LIFEMATE! Two VERY good reasons to stay."

Luna watched gratefully as Haeth helped her sister to dry her tears.
"I'm glad you're staying, No...I mean Haeth," Luna corrected herself
hurriedly at Haeth's glare.

"Haeth," Usagi said hesitantly, "I was looking for you so I could ask if
you were leaving or not. I saw the suitcases on your bed!"

"Oh dear DEAR Kin Sister!" Haeth cried, throwing her arms around Usagi,
"I'm so VERY sorry I caused you pain!" She pulled back and regarded her
Kin Sister, eyes filled with sorrow over the grief she had inadvertently
caused. "Galen and I are Pair Bonded and we'll get married soon." she
explained, "And when I get married, I'll be moving out. That's why I was
packing most of my stuff."

"So, you're Pair Bonded. When IS the wedding date?" Usagi asked eagerly,
after she and Haeth had erased all signs of her weeping bout.

At her sister's eager question, Haeth suddenly looked uneasy. Standing
up, she walked to Usagi's dresser and stood there seemingly
contemplating her reflection, her back turned to her now worried Kin
Sister.

"Haeth, what's wrong?" Usagi asked gently, "Is there something wrong
between you and Galen?" Haeth turned slowly to face her. "No, it's not
us," she clarified, "I...um...I kind of have a favor to...uh...ask you."

<She's AFRAID!> Usagi thought in surprise. She stood and walked over to
her nervous sister and took both Haeth's hands in her own. "Ask, dear
Sister," she said softly, "You know I will refuse you nothing, except
for Mamo-chan." She grinned impishly. "And I KNOW you'd never ask for
HIM."

"Well, for Pair Bonded Lifemates, it's not exactly a wedding," Haeth
explained hurriedly, before she lost her nerve, "It's more of an
affirmation ceremony since the couple is ALREADY bonded. And, well, I'd
like YOU to officiate!"

"Me? ME?!" Usagi gasped as her eyes widened, "You want ME to do the
ceremony?!" Haeth nodded jerkily. "Galen said that your mother, Queen
Serenity, did the ceremony during the Silver Millennium."

Usagi actually recalled the two times she had seen her mother perform
the Pair Bonding ceremony. "I remember," she whispered hoarsely,
"But....."

"PLEASE, Sister!" Haeth begged, almost in tears. Usagi rushed into her
sister's arms and embraced her tightly. "You KNOW I'll do it!" She
laughed shakily. "I even remember the words... but, are YOU sure?"

Haeth nodded against her sister's shoulder. "I'm sure," she whispered,
"Being bound to Galen by, not only my Princess, but my sister as well,
would give me great joy," she sniffled.

Usagi sighed. <I'm going to have butterflies in my tummy until the
ceremony.  Hmmm, speaking of which....> She held Haeth at arm's length.
"When IS the ceremony to be held, and where?"

"On Saturday at Hikawa Shrine," Haeth answered. Usagi looked thoughtful.
"That gives us only three days to prepare," she pointed out, "Do you
have a wedding gown yet?"

Haeth shook her head. "Then I think that's the FIRST thing we need to
do." Usagi advised, "It usually can take a while to get the RIGHT one,
so we might as well head over to the Mall."

As the two girls moved down the stairs and into the living room, there
was a knock on the door. Mrs. Tsukino smiled at them and walked into the
hall to answer the door. Usagi heard the sound of unknown voices and her
mother's reply. Haeth, however, stiffened in shock. "Haeth dear," Mrs.
Tsukino called as she led their visitors into the room, "You have some
visitors to see you."

Haeth took one look at the silver bearded man entering with Usagi's
mother and gasped. "PAPA!" she cried joyfully as she rushed into his
open arms.  Askalon embraced his daughter tightly and smiled at Usagi.
"You would be my daughter's Kin Sister."

Another person entered the room, a tall slim woman with long silver
hair. She bore a striking resemblance to Haeth and carried a small dog
in her arms. "Sarenath!" Haeth gasped. Reaching out an arm, she hugged
her older sister and kissed her on the cheek. "What are you and Papa
DOING here?" she asked incredulously.

Askalon laughed at Haeth's breathless question. "You didn't seriously
think we wouldn't be here for the Pair Bonding ceremony, did you?"
Sarenath asked reproachfully. The dog in her arms crooned softly and
everyone except Haeth's sister and father looked at it in surprise. "I
never heard a dog make a sound like THAT before," Usagi said in
surprise.

Sarenath laughed. "I'd be surprised if you had," she replied, amused,
"This is a disguise." She waved a hand over the dog and the image
wavered and vanished. In her arms, rested a tiny Dragonkin no more than
four feet long. The tiny head lifted as she looked at Haeth and crooned
again. "Sherriath!" Haeth gasped. She placed a trembling hand on her
baby sister's head. "All my family is here!" Haeth murmured, "I can't
ask for anything more."

Sherriath looked past Haeth at Usagi. Her mind detected the Kin Bond at
once. Too young to know exactly what it was, she stretched her foreclaws
out towards Usagi and crooned urgently. "Precocious, isn't she?"
Sarenath remarked as she handed Sherriath over to an enchanted Usagi.
Usagi took the hatchling and, seated herself, crooning to her as she
rocked back and forth. Mrs. Tsukino moved over to her daughter. "Oh!
She's adorable!"

With the two Tsukinos concentrating on Sherriath, the three Dragonkin
moved aside to catch up on things. "She detected the Kin Bond, didn't
she?" Haeth asked. Sarenath nodded. "She's getting quite good at
detecting bonds," her father explained, "I think she'll be an even more
powerful Soul Healer than you are. That's disquieting." Haeth looked
startled. "Think, Daughter!" he urged gently, "Soul Healers and Empaths
are RARE. They're usually born only when there will be a need for them.
Do you really want to know about something that needs a Soul Healer of
greater power than yours?" Haeth shuddered as she remembered everything
they had gone through. "Not hardly!" she said firmly as she studied her
little sister worriedly.

The front door opened and closed with a loud BANG, and two people ran
into the living room, out of breath. "Now, why the need for such a rush,
Little Sister?" the dark skinned girl panted. Askalon and Sarenath
smiled at Chibi-Usa, having met the enchanting child at the shrine. They
turned to the other girl and the smiles dropped from their faces.

"DARK KINDRED!!" Askalon bellowed in fury as Sarenath bared her teeth in
a vicious snarl. Noir recoiled at the infuriated reaction from the two
Dragonkin. "Papa! Sister! NO!" Haeth cried in futile protest as the two
Dragonkin began to stalk poor Noir, who backed away fearfully, carefully
keeping Chibi-Usa behind her.

<<She's protecting the child!>> Askalon sent to his eldest. <<From
US?!>> she returned aghast, <<That's NOT the sort of thing a Dark
Kindred would do!>> Sarenath turned her Sight on Noir and gasped.
Askalon hesitated at the incredulous reaction from Sarenath. It was
enough as intervention came from a TOTALLY unexpected source.

Sherriath launched herself from Usagi's lap with a scream of protest.
She half-flew half-walked to where Noir cowered in front of her Kin
Sister. She butted an imperious head against Noir's leg, an unmistakable
demand to be picked up. When Noir hesitantly obliged, Askalon was
further shocked by the delicate fluting trill from Sherriath. Sarenath
was less surprised by her baby sister's intricate vocalization, based on
what her Sight had shown her.

"She may be Dark Kindred, Father, but she's not at all evil," Sarenath
remarked, "Her aura is as blue as ours, and Sherriath's reaction only
confirms it." Haeth let out a pent up breath. "That's what I was TRYING
to TELL you!" she said reproachfully.

Askalon turned an apologetic smile on his middle hatchling, and turned
to face an uncertain Noir. He approached her and placed a hand on her
shoulder. At his touch, she trembled, despite Sherriath's reassuring
croon. "My profound apologies, Hatchling," he said softly, "That was
inexcusable. My only defense is that instinct is sometimes HARD to
overcome. I ask your forgiveness."

"I forgive you, Eldar," she answered with a hesitant smile. She looked
down at the hatchling in her arms. "How....?" He understood her unspoken
question. "That precocious youngster is a Soul Healer and she sensed
that you weren't evil," he explained, "By the Gods! If she can sense
that at HER age, she'll likely be the most powerful Soul Healer EVER
hatched!"

Noir smiled and turned to her fascinated Kin Sister. "Shall we return to
the shrine?" she asked, "I don't know why you insisted we come here, but
whatever the problem was, I think it's solved." Chibi-Usa looked at
Usagi and saw no trace of the grief that she had seen before. "I think
you're right, Noir."

Noir took Chibi-Usa by the hand and they left, followed by good-byes
from two very repentant Dragonkin. Sherriath walked imperiously across
the room, back to Usagi, who picked up the demanding little princess,
with a laugh.

"I feel horrid about frightening the Hatchling as we did, Father,"
Sarenath said shamefaced, "I wish we could do something to make amends!"

"Well, that's for later," Askalon stated firmly and turned to face
Haeth, "For now, a gift from the Elven Queen for you." He reached up and
plucked a box from thin air. He handed it to a mystified Haeth. With
trembling hands, she opened the box and lifted out a white gown. "Oh!"
she breathed in awe. The material was as fine as silk and rainbow colors
reflected softly from the gossamer like threads. "The Spell Weavers of
Tarandar worked mightily on that gift for you, my daughter," he said
with a gentle smile, "I trust I can tell them you were pleased?"

"`Pleased' doesn't begin to describe how I feel, Papa," Haeth whispered.
The three Kin turned as a cry of wonder came from across the room. Usagi
and her mother were staring at the dress Haeth was holding, in wonder.
On Usagi's lap, Sherriath gave a smug chirrup. "Oh child!" Mrs. Tsukino
said softly, "Come with me upstairs. I'll help you try it on." Sarenath
joined them. The three of them went upstairs to Haeth's room.

Askalon joined Usagi and seated himself on the couch. "When we came
through the gate, your friends and the Guardians were gathered at the
shrine," he explained, "They told us of the battle at the Pole, and of
Morgoth's defeat. Princess, our people are in your debt." Usagi looked
uncomfortable. "Sir..." she started. "Just Askalon will do, Hatchling."
he interrupted. "Askalon then," she said with a slight smile, "We owe
YOU the debt. Without our Guardian friends, we would have lost....big
time!"

"Maybe so, maybe no," he responded, "Still, that creature is gone and
maybe now, we can have some peace." He suddenly remembered something.
"Oh yes," he recalled, "General Lierianna wanted me to let you know that
she has gone to the Moon to take command of the Elven contingent there."
Usagi looked worried at that. "Will they accept her?" she asked, "She IS
a Dark Elf you know." Askalon nodded in reassurance. "They will because
she is YOUR general. You rule, or will rule, THIS kingdom. The Elves who
came, will remain here with the Dragonkin of the Moon Kingdom. They
acknowledge you as their Queen." "But...." She stopped as she caught a
movement on the stairs. Turning to look, her jaw dropped and her eyes
widened in shock. At her reaction, Askalon turned to look. Despite
knowing what he would see, his reaction was identical to Usagi's.

Haeth flowed down the stairs, a vision in gossamer silk. Her white gown
was floor length. The dress was three tiered. Every time the light
struck it, rainbow colors flowed across the material. A silver belt went
around her waist. On the front, the Dragonkin symbol was displayed,
carved from ruby. Behind it, was not the familiar eight pointed star of
the Star Kingdoms, but the Crescent Moon in solid gold, signifying her
change of alliance. A long flowing veil fell from her head, held back
from her face by a delicate silver tiara. Mrs. Tsukino and Sarenath
followed, huge grins on their faces at the reaction of the two, below.

"Oh, Haeth!" Usagi cried softly, tears coming to her eyes, "Galen won't
be able to take his eyes off you!" Sherriath crooned with pride from
Usagi's lap. Askalon rose up and walked to his middle child. Taking her
face in his hands, he kissed her forehead. "My child..." He choked up.
Clearing his throat, he tried again, "My Child...You look like your
mother! I'm so proud of you....." Haeth hugged her father fiercely.

Saturday.....

"Where IS she?!" Rei cried as she paced back and forth in agitation,
"The wedding is only a couple of hours from now! Most of the Guardians
and Dragonkin guests are already here!" Ami looked up calmly from where
she was sitting. "Your grandfather can keep them entertained," she
pointed out, "I doubt that they've seen a Shinto shrine before. The tour
he's giving them should keep them occupied." The other Senshi nodded.
"We DO have two hours, you know," Arilith remarked from where she was
seated next to Hotaru, "She's not actually needed until then."

She was drawn to the fiery dark haired Senshi. Tentatively, she reached
out with her powers. Rei felt herself calm down at Arilith's words.
"She SHOULD practice though," she said calmly. She was surprised at her
calmness. A moment ago, she had been ready to spit acid at Usagi's
absence. Sensing something, she turned just in time to see a slight
figure duck out of the room. <Azeroth!> she thought, <Did she calm me
down?> For some reason, she felt drawn to the tiny Dragonkin empath.
She seemed so lonely. Rei KNEW how THAT felt. Before she had met Usagi
that is. At that, she smiled.


"Well, I think that does it, Galen-san," Mamoru remarked as he finished
with his friend's sword belt. He stepped back and gave Galen's armor a
close look. "Perfect!" Galen wore the dress uniform of the Kin Guard.
Chainmail shirt and leggings and calve length boots. A sky blue tabard
with gold trim over the chainmail. On the front was emblazon in silver,
the symbol of the Dragonkin with the crescent moon behind it, in gold.
He held a dragon helm in one arm. Flared wings on each side of it,
topped by a silver Dragonkin with folded wings. Galen sighed. "I hope
Haeth likes it," he said doubtfully.

Mamoru snorted as he checked his own armor. "Haeth thinks you walk on
water!" he shot back, "I doubt she'd notice if you showed up in rags!"
Galen laughed at the picture THAT conjured up in his mind. Still
laughing, they stepped out of the room to join the others.

Everyone looked up as Mamoru and Galen entered the room. Arilith pursed
her lips in a silent whistle. "VERY nice, Galen!" she smiled, "Haeth
will be impressed I'm sure!" Galen flushed at her appreciative stare.

"That's assuming our Odango Atama ever gets here!" Rei snorted, feeling
her internal temperature rising again, "I swear that girl would be late
for her own funeral!"

"I'm not THAT bad, Rei-chan!" an indignant voice came from behind them.
Everyone turned to see Usagi, or rather, Princess Serenity, standing in
the doorway, hands on hips, glaring at her bad tempered friend.

At sight of her, all the Dragonkin present in the room scrambled to
their feet and bowed deeply towards their Princess. "Oh stop that!"
Usagi cried in embarrassment, "I want friends, not servants!" Arilon
looked at Ami and they both shrugged. "Sorry, My Princess, but it's a
reflex," Arilon explained, unperturbed.

"Usagi," Galen broke in, "Is Haeth with you?" Usagi smiled and her
crescent moon glowed. "She's in the car with my folks and her family,
Galen-san." He made as if to go past her when she stopped him with a
hand against his armored chest. "And just WHERE do you think YOU'RE
going?" she demanded, as Mamoru grinned at her tone. Galen, however,
could think only of his intended. "Why, to see Haeth of course!" he
replied, surprised. "Oh no you DON'T!" she retorted, "You don't see the
bride until she walks down the aisle on her father's arm!" His mouth
turned down in disappointment. "But...!" "But nothing!" she interrupted,
"You have less than an hour before you see her! I'm not going to let you
ruin it for her because you're impatient."

Galen gave in. Haeth's happiness was more important to him than anything
else. "Very well, Your Highness," he conceded with a deep bow. He
grinned knowing that she would hate the formality. When her eyes
narrowed, he took Mamoru's arm. "C'mon, my friend," he said hurriedly,
"Let's wait in the shrine." Mamoru took a quick look at his Princess and
smothered a grin. "Wise decision," he murmured as he followed Galen out
of the room.

As the others all followed them out of the room, Rei walked over to
where Usagi was standing glaring after Galen. "Usagi," she whispered,
"Are you nervous about the ceremony?" Usagi glanced at Rei and looked
down.  "Petrified," she admitted, "I've never done this before. I want
it to be right for Haeth, but you KNOW how often I can screw things up."

"Would you feel better if I stood up there with you?" Rei asked
tentatively. Usagi looked sharply at her friend, but saw only concern in
her violet eyes. "I would," she said softly, "Askalon will be with me as
the Star Kingdoms representative. You can stand on my other side as the
Moon Kingdom's envoy. I can't be, because I'm doing the ceremony. Mamoru
will stand with Galen, and Noir is standing with Haeth."

Grandpa Hino peeked in just as Haeth came in the other door with her
family and Usagi's. "It's time, children," he advised. Usagi nodded and
Grandpa Hino led them out while Haeth and her father waited for their
cue.

Her family took the seats saved for them with the rest of the Senshi's
families, while Grandpa Hino led Usagi and Rei to the front of the
Shrine. When they reached the front, Usagi turned to face everyone, Rei
at her right.

Ivee, sitting with the other Guardians, caught Usagi's eye and winked.
Usagi giggled in spite of herself. She found herself relaxing. Despite
the fact that there were many strangers here, there were also many
friends. Usagi looked at the back, where Askalon was looking in. She
gave a slight nod and turned to watch Galen as Haeth came in on her
father's arm.

Everyone gasped at sight of the bride, and Galen's reaction was
everything Usagi had hoped for. His eyes bugged out, his jaw dropped and
he swallowed, hard. She smothered a laugh as Haeth was transferred from
her father's arm to Galen's. Askalon moved up to take his place at
Usagi's left, while Mamoru and Noir moved up to stand at the groom's
right and the bride's left respectively.

"My friends," Usagi began, "I bid welcome to those of the Star Kingdoms
and those of my people who are here today." She took a deep breath to
settle her nerves. "We are here to witness the affirmation of the Pair
Bond between these two beloved Dragonkin. The Commander of my Kin Guard
and my friend, Galen, and my beloved, Kin Sister and a Princess in her
own right, Haeth."

She looked at Galen, who smiled at her, then at Haeth, whose return
smile was blinding in its joy. "A Pair Bond born in desperate times. A
Pair Bond means love, it means commitment, AND it means
contin....con..." Askalon leaned over as she stumbled over the
unfamiliar word. "Continuity," he supplied in a whisper. "Thanks," she
muttered loud enough for everyone to hear, "They really should shoot
people for making words like that." Everyone laughed at THAT statement.

"A Pair Bond means CONTINUITY," she continued unabashed, "Galen, do you
acknowledge the Bond along with the love and commitment it entails?"
Galen nodded firmly. "I do, Your Highness!" he affirmed. She turned to
Haeth and her eyes softened with love and joy for her sister. "Haeth, do
YOU acknowledge the Bond, along with the love and commitment it
entails?" "I do, Kin Sister," she responded in a shaky whisper.

"Then do I confirm this Bond in front of these witnesses," Usagi stated
firmly, "And I declare before this company that these two are
Lifemated." She grinned impishly and added her favorite wedding line to
conclude the ceremony. "Galen-san, you may kiss your bride!"

Galen cast a startled look at his Princess and then answered her grin
with his own. "As you command, Your Highness," he answered eagerly.
Turning to his Lifemate, he took her veil and gently lifted it over her
head. Haeth's heart was in her eyes as they stared wordlessly at each
other. Taking her face gently in his hands, he bent down until his lips
met hers. He was quite serious about it and her head was spinning when
Galen ended the kiss and grinned at her reaction. As they turned to face
the guests, there was a moment of silence, then the cheering and
clapping began.

Later, in the Gate Glade.....

"But Haeth! You said you were staying!" Usagi cried. Haeth turned to her
sister and smiled in reassurance as the Guardians filed one by one, back
through the gate to the Star Kingdoms. "We are, Kin Sister," she
soothed, "Galen wants to see my old homeland, so we're taking our
honeymoon in the Star Kingdoms. We'll be back in about two weeks." Usagi
sighed in relief. She hugged her Kin Sister fiercely, and then Galen.
She watched them as they disappeared through the gate with a wave. Lynn
and Greywolf approached her. "I'll miss you, Aisy-chan!" Usagi said
sadly. Lynn looked at her in surprise. "Why?" she queried, "You can
visit us whenever you wish!"

Usagi turned to meet surprised looks from the other Senshi. She turned
back to Lynn. "How?" she asked simply. "You are Guardian Senshi now,"
Lynn explained, "Saying `Sailor Teleport Alare' will take you to the
Guardian Star in the Star Chamber." She hugged and kissed each of the
Senshi before she and Greywolf, the last to leave, moved through the
Gate. "Wait! Aisy-chan!" Usagi cried as the gate began to close, "How do
we get back HOME from Alare?!" She heard a ghostly chuckle come through
the gate as it closed. "How else?" Lynn's voice answered faintly, "Say
`There's no place like home'..."



END OF "GUARDIANS OF THE STAR"

Author's notes:

Well, it was a long journey, and despite repeated interruptions from
Real Life as well as bouts with writer's block, it's done, FINALLY. I'd
like to thank all those who sent comments and suggestions to improve the
story. Those who were curious about my universe, will get that curiosity
satisfied. `Sailor Moon: Beyond the Reach' was the prequel to GotS, and
now that GotS is complete, I can concentrate on rewriting it since I've
had MANY requests for it. This story did NOT follow the original series
continuity for obvious reasons. For those who had a problem with that,
I'm sorry. For those who liked it anyway, my thanks. I had a fun time,
heard from people in many countries, and learned that my family is just
as impatient as the rest of you were when it comes to a good story. :)
Many thanks, and, we're gonna do it again!

Thanks for services above and beyond the call of duty:

Will Wolfshohl
Doug Helm
Ruthann Sharp
Kathie Soto
Danielle Vanstane
Danielle Ashby
Kristina Dhuy
Jendra
Andrew Hujsak
Jennifer Henry

And if I managed to miss anyone, let me know since everyone who helped,
deserves my sincere thanks. ^_-


Yours, Greywolf Starkiller aka Eric den Biesen greywolf@eagle.ca
http://www.eagle.ca/~greywolf/