Starlight Xmas

December… the white fluffy snow covered the ground as a young blond skipped down the street. The smile on her face seemed genuine and to look at her you would never guess what was going on in her life. She hummed half-heartedly as she rounded a corner. "Oomph!" the girl and the person she had just ran in to both fell over.

"Well… well… I'm not used to seeing you that often… I mean you've been doing a lot lately so you haven't been at school…" she trailed of, Seiya just smiled again.

"Finally the crew got us out of work for the next two weeks, so I have all this time before Christmas and then some time after." Usagi responded with a weak smile. "Wha? You won't be happy to see me? I'll be in school for the rest of this week."

The blue-haired girl pulled her scarf up around her face to block out the chill air, "Now let's see…" she murmured, "who do I have left?" She took out a list from her pocket and looked it over, "Only Usagi-chan and Haruka-san."

Enthusiastic screams came from down the street and Ami turned to where the noise was. "Hey Ami-chan!" Makoto called while running towards her.

Suddenly a boy sprinted by them, almost making them fall over, "Hey!" Makoto yelled, "Don't you know it's rude to knock someone down and then not help them?"

'Hey, hey! Ami-chan's got her eyes on a guy…' Makoto thought with a giggle. "Over there, Ami-chan. He just ducked into an alley, come on!"

Taiki leaned against the cool building wall and panted, getting mobbed by fanatic girls everywhere you went was just a pain. At first he thought he heard a familiar voice call his name but brushed it off as he heard more footsteps running after him.

He stiffened and looked to where two figures were coming towards him. He was about to say something when he realized who they were. He hardened even more, "What is it?"

Makoto looked him straight in the eye, "Don't talk as if you own the whole world! Sheesh, all we want to do is talk and you just close off from us."

"We don't need your help. Seiya was hurt because of Tsukino Usagi… Sailor Moon, none of us wish to correspond with any of you now."

Minako and Rei strolled happily through the park on their way to Crown's after many hours of shopping. "Did you get your shopping finished, Rei-chan?" Minako asked happily.

"Yep!" Minako smiled and then turned bubbly as she began her next sentence, "I even got some things for the Lights! Yaten will be so grateful that-"

Yaten stood in front of them with his hands on his hips and staring intently at Minako. "Well? Continue… I'm very interested."

"But…" Minako whispered softly, "I really like him Rei-chan, how can he just walk away?" Rei just looked down, not letting Minako see her sad eyes.

"In the kitchen, dear!" was the reply. Usagi walked into the kitchen to find her mother by the stove making soup for dinner. Usagi sauntered up to the counter and grabbed two cookies, one for her and one for Chibi-Chibi. "Oh Usa…" her mother scolded, "not before dinner! But what am I saying.. that's never stopped you before!"

Ikuko got a sad look on her face and went into the dining room, motioning Usagi to follow her. They sat down next to each other as Ikuko started, "Usagi, hun, your father and I are going to be in France for Christmas. I just found out today…"

Usagi sniffed, "I guess I can't stop you… have fun, okay? When do you leave?" she tried to get her mind off of the idea that she'd not be with her family for the holidays.

"Hai…" Usagi sighed. It was lunch the next day at school and she finally told her friends about her family not being there for Christmas.

Yaten raised an eyebrow in question. The chatter began to become less focused so Seiya turned back, "What was that about, Seiya?"

Yaten crossed his arms and looked away, the other boys didn't see the look of regret and sadness. Taiki also turned away so the others didn't see the look of thoughtfulness and longing.

Seiya stood up and walked away, he couldn't stand that all interactions between themselves and the senshi of Earth had stopped. "This is stupid…" he whispered.

Usagi hummed softly to the tune of her star locket, she'd found it the other day and had been playing the music since her parents left two days before. She was on her way to go shopping for party supplies and Chibi-Chibi was jumping happily next to her.

'Mamo-chan… it's the holidays. Aren't you on break? Won't you come back to visit?' her humming stopped and she frowned, she hadn't heard from him once in the four months that he'd been gone. "Mamo-chan…" she whispered.

Luna sat on the couch with Chibi-Chibi while watching Usagi string up red and green streamers along doorframes. "So who's coming?" The black cat asked.

"Ami-chan, Rei-chan, Mako-chan, Minako-chan, Rei's bringing Yuuichirou-san, I think Mako mentioned Shinozaki… and if Urawa-san is here in time he'll come… um…"

Usagi paused and looked at her hands, "Well… right now… I'm… oh Luna, I don't know! I feel so mad, yet I can't stay mad at them! It's frustrating but I'm afraid that they'll bring up the Starlights and then everything will be ruined!"

Usagi didn't respond, in truth she wanted them to be there- they probably didn't know much about Christmas anyhow… but she wasn't so stupid as to think that they'd actually come. She responded quietly after a few minutes, "Hai…" with that she turned back to continue decorating.

"But Luna!" Usagi whirled around and sat next to her cat, "They don't want to talk to me! I'm to blame for what happened to Seiya!"

The black cat scowled, "It was nothing of the sort! Stop thinking like that. Seiya-san did that on his own free will, you held no power over it." Usagi stayed quiet, "Something else is bothering you…."

"No! Nothing," she stood up quickly and walked away muttering something about more streamers. Luna stared after her mistress with sadness in her eyes.

Being the day before the Christmas party, all the girls were wrapping presents like mad. Artemis watched in amusement as a piece of tape got stuck to Minako's hand, she let out a frustrated sigh, "Arg! How does this keep happening to me?" she demanded.

The white cat brought up a paw to hide his laughing face. "Artemis…" Minako growled. The phone rang then and Minako continued to head for Artemis until,

"Um… yeah. Listen," on the other end Yaten played nervously with a pen while looking around to see if anyone was coming into the room, "I was just wondering what you were doing tomorrow."

"Um… well.. you see, Usagi's family is out of town so all of us are heading to her house for a party tomorrow…" she ended glumly.

"Oh." Yaten still wasn't sure what to make of Usagi, but he was trying to not see her as the enemy or a friend. Just look at her for who she was, it was hard though with everything going on.

Quickly Minako racked her brain for ideas, suddenly she grinned, "Hey Yaten-kun! Do you want to go to the party too? I know Yuuichirou-san and Shinozaki-san will be there… oh yeah, Urawa-san too- just don't tell Ami that!"

Yaten looked at the phone, looked like Minako was back into her normal mood. Smiling he replied, "Sure… now, who's going to be there?"

Ami sighed, there were three more things to be wrapped and she was out of bags and wrapping paper. "Guess I just have to go out… oh great…" she muttered.

She bundled up and grabbed her wallet before heading outdoors. Surprisingly when she reached the gift store it wasn't packed as she had suspected. Busy, yes, but not overwhelming. The blue-haired girl headed to the back row and looked through the wrapping paper. Finally she settled on a roll with colorful presents printed over it. "This will have to do I guess…" she held the roll to her as she started towards the cash register.

She almost tripped on a little girl who rushed by her which caused Ami to drop her wrapping paper. Before she was able to pick it up another hand reached it. She froze for a moment and then looked into the person's eyes, "I believe this is yours, Ami-chan."

Ami was speechless for a moment before gaining her voice, "Arigatou Taiki-san…" she took the wrapping paper that he offered her and both stood. For a moment there was silence until Ami started again, "I thought you didn't wish to talk to us…"

Taiki looked away for a moment, "It's more of a personal matter right now… and really… it's just that…" he trailed off and clenched his fist "When Seiya got hurt we were mad… it wasn't right that Sailor Moon couldn't protect herself."

Ami rested a hand on his arm, Taiki turned back to her, slightly surprised, "Taiki-san, Tsukino Usagi may be klutzy, ditzy, whiny, and um… shall we say `quite often clueless'? But she has the best of hearts, she stands by her friends… and she sees the good in people. In fact we have four very good friends, the four sisters from Nemesis, they used to fight against us. Now they lead normal lives. All because of Usagi and her faith… she's a good friend, very powerful too- when needed." Ami smiled slightly, warming Taiki's heart a little.

The blue-haired girl looked down, "Looks like that's all I'll get from you. Oh well." She paused before grinning, when she looked back up she put on an emotionless face, "So Taiki-san, you doing anything tomorrow?" he looked at her blankly with a surprised expression, eyebrows raised, "Good. Then go over to Usagi-chan's house. We're having a small get-together there, just the other girls, Shinozaki-san, and Yuuichirou-san. It'll be fun!"

Ami's smile spread, "Yes!" she whispered. "Oh… um…" she blushed under Taiki's gaze, "ask Yaten-kun and Seiya-san too, okay?" Taiki just nodded. "I should be on my way, see you tomorrow!" she called as she waved.

Seiya winked at Taiki before going over to throw his arm around Yaten's shoulders, "So… you and Minako-chan, eh? Tell us what's going on…" he smiled.

Yaten and Taiki glared at him then turned to each other and nodded. Putting on a sickly sweet smile, Yaten questioned, "And are you not happy to be seeing this… um… what's the pet name?"

Seiya turned red, "Hey! No fair ganging up!" The other two just laughed. Seiya glared at them before commenting, "You know… since this is a Christmas party, don't you think it'd be wise to bring presents?"

Usagi hummed happily as she finished arranging her presents under the tree. One started to slide out so she quickly picked it up to move it. Just as she was about to set it down she paused as she realized whose present it was, 'Seiya…why did I get presents for them if I most likely won't see them?' [AN: she does not know about the Three Lights going to the party.]

She sighed before walking into the kitchen, if anyone was there they'd probably chase her out but she didn't care. Usagi had decided to try a little arranging before the others arrived. Glancing at Makoto's list of food/ingredients, she looked through the cupboards to make sure that everything needed was there. *RING* Usagi jumped, startled by the sudden noise, before walking to the door.

Makoto smiled while carrying her bag of food into the kitchen, leaving Minako to bring all of the presents into the living room. Usagi giggled at her friend's efforts before giving a hand and taking half of the presents. "Arigatou Usagi-chan!"

Usagi smiled in reply before running back to the door, which once again had opened. "Ami-chan! Rei-chan!" she ushered them in and then noticed the other two guests, "Yuuichirou-san! Shinozaki-san!"

"Hey Usagi-chan! Is Mako-chan here yet?" Usagi grinned and pointed Shinozaki to the kitchen. He shook his head, "I should have guessed…"

"Well go into the living room, presents under the tree!" Usagi closed the door and herded the new arrivals into the living room before going back to the kitchen, "Mako-chan, you need anything?"

After mentally listing the choices, Usagi returned to the kitchen and began to pour up glasses of soda and water. The doorbell rang again and a smile played on Usagi's face as she expected it to be Urawa. 'Can't wait to see Ami's face!'

Usagi was confused at the conversation and picked up the tray of drinks. She walked out of the kitchen and was making sure she wouldn't trip on anything as she turned the corner. "Okay here's…" she stopped mid-sentence and held the tray with her mouth open. In front of her with her original company were Yaten, Taiki, and Seiya.

The clatter of a tray dropping and glasses breaking shook everyone from their thoughts. Usagi swore softly before kneeling down to clean up the mess, "Shimata… my mom's gonna kill me!"

Her hands shook nervously and she refused to meet any of the Three Lights' eyes. She heard Yaten ask, "Why didn't you guys tell her?"

Rei finally came over to help Usagi, she murmured, "Don't worry… they're not mad anymore. In fact I think Yaten-kun's taken an interest in Minako-chan. Same with Taiki-san and Ami-chan!"

"But…" Usagi started, she finished picking up pieces of glass to look in her friend's eyes, "you don't understand! I- I ended up calling…"

She said it loud enough that everyone heard, Seiya visibly cringed. "Oh dear…" Ami put a hand to her mouth, "This is not good."

Voices came from the hall, since the door was unlocked the outers had obviously let themselves in. Hotaru rushed into the room smiling happily, "Usagi-san, Haruka-papa and Michiru-mama need help with the presents!"

Rei finally spoke, "Er… I'll go help, Mako-chan how `bout you take care of the rest of this glass?" the brunette nodded and took the tray of broken cups from Usagi as she stood up.

Setsuna came through the door first carrying two bags full of presents, "Usagi-chan, where do you want…" she trailed off as she saw the Three Lights, "I didn't know you invited them."

Usagi stood and dug her toe into the carpet, "Er… I guess Ami-chan and Minako-chan did…" she squeaked. Setsuna looked to the blue-haired girl and the other blond and sighed.

Soon Haruka and Michiru came in with Rei helping carrying loose presents. All was silent for a few moments as Michiru, Setsuna, and Haruka glared at Seiya, Taiki and Yaten. Finally Haruka murmured menacingly, "I thought we told you to stay away…"

Rei looked nervously at Usagi then grabbed onto Shinozaki and Yuuichirou's arms, "C'mon you guys… let's go help Mako-chan…" the two boys looked at her in confusion but she continued to drag them into the kitchen.

Usagi took a stand and placed herself between the outers and Three Lights, "will you stop, please. This is a holiday to spend with friends, they are friends just as you are."

"You may consider them friends, but do they you?" Haruka asked as her eyes flashed. Usagi winced visibly as one of her fears was brought to the surface. She turned with glistening eyes and looked at the three boys in the room. Her eyes were clear and open, showing that she wanted to know the answer.

Yaten was last to answer, he simply nodded in reply. Usagi's eyes brimmed over in grateful tears, she ended up going up to each of them and hugging them briefly, "Good…" she whispered. Usagi laughed then, "I'm acting silly, gomen…"

Minako quickly made introductions for the Three Lights, Hotaru, and Setsuna. Soon the two boys returned with Makoto and Rei, all bringing in a tray of food and/or drinks.

Her four other close friends exchanged looks and a secret smile. Usagi said, "Not… quite. We have a surprise guest." She grinned.

"Who?" Ami asked suspiciously, not liking the look in her friends' eyes. No one answered her. "You're making me suspicious…" she muttered.

The others laughed. Soon everyone took a seat, either on the floor or on the furniture, and began to talk. Almost forty minutes after the main group arrived, another knock came on the door. Usagi got up quickly and opened the door. She greeted the person outside it happily. "Urawa-san! I'm so glad you made it!"

In the other room, Ami's glass slipped from her hand and her head shot up in surprise. "Ryo-san…?" She stood and moved to look in the doorway. Upon seeing the boy taking off his shoes, she cried, "Ryo-san! I had no idea you were in for the holidays!"

Makoto grinned, "Urawa Ryo, incredible genius used to traveling often. He was in Tokyo for a while back, but then he left." She shrugged. "He and Ami were fairly good friends. Usagi-chan found out he was in town and then invited him."

A pained moan came from the hallway and everyone in the living room was startled. Usagi's and Ami's voices were calling Ryo with worry but there was no response from him. Usagi ran into the room and met Rei's eyes, "Rei… I…" She shook her head. "The visions…"

"His visions! He's having one but it's hurting him… Rei-chan… I don't know what to do. It… has something to do with us… I'm…" her face crumpled.

They walked from the room and into the hallway to find Ryo clinging tightly to Ami's arms as she steadied him. His teeth were gritted as his body tensed, eyes shut tight. Finally it passed and he relaxed a bit. He let go of Ami's arm. "Gomen nasai, Ami-chan…" His face looked sorrowful as his eyes rests on Usagi. Quietly he told her, "Usagi-chan… there's… something of importance… the vision…" he trailed off.

"Let's talk in the kitchen," Rei suggested, leading the others to where Makoto was cooking. The brunette looked up in surprise to see them. "Urawa-san had a vision and we need to find out what it was about. I'm sure you don't mind us talking here."

"Good…" Ryo leaned on a strip of counter free of Makoto's cooking. He stared at his feet a while as he gained his breath. "I know who you are fighting, and I have seen your new allies. Mamoru-san…" he broke off for a second before continuing, "he left for college, right?" Usagi swallowed but nodded. "You haven't gotten any replies." The others gaped at her in shock but Usagi nodded again. "Usagi-chan, what I saw… the plane. The plane, it vanished - your enemies took it and claimed all the star seeds from the people on the it."

Usagi stared numbly at him before backing away. Her mouth wouldn't force the words out and she suddenly screamed, "No! You're wrong! No!" She ran from the kitchen and through the living room where everyone had stood up to see what was wrong. She pushed through everyone until Haruka grabbed a good hold of her arms. "No! Tell him he's wrong!" she screamed, pounding on Haruka's chest and letting tears trail from her eyes. "He's wrong…" she whispered, losing strength.

"Usagi…" Rei made her way to the blonde, tears were trailing down her cheeks too. She removed the girl from Haruka's embrace and took her into her own. As both cried, she asked, "Why didn't you ever say he never contacted you? Usagi-chan…"

"I thought it was fine… he was busy," she sobbed, clutching Rei's shirt. "But… he was supposed to be back… for Christmas! Rei-chan, it's not right… Urawa-san's wrong!"

Makoto, Ami, and Ryo walked very slowly into the room and most eyes looked at them for questioning. Makoto said softly but firmly, "Shinozaki-kun, Yuuichirou-kun, please leave now. There are matters we must discuss without you." The two boys noted the underlying demand and regretfully left. Rei promised to be back at the temple that day and spend some time with Yuuichirou.

A chill went through the Earth senshi as Michiru lifted her beautifully crafted, mirror talisman. She watched its depths for a sign of Mamoru but was having a hard time seeming through the clouded surface. "It is fogged, not meant to be seen."

"Stop it!" Rei snapped. The Three Lights and Haruka turned to her in surprise. Angry and crying, Rei gripped her hands and bowed her head. "Don't you understand we all need to be in this together?! Urawa-san, please… explain the vision."

Ryo sat on the floor with his face covered by his hands. Ami knelt behind him to help give some support. "I have the ability to see the future or important events… I know who all of you are, I want to clear that up now. While I was coming here I kept seeing an explosion then a diamond-shaped object - a starseed. It was golden with power I hadn't seen before. It wasn't until I was here that I… I saw the whole thing." He stopped and took a deep breath. "The plane… it was taken. A golden senshi took the starseeds, she had to fight Tuxedo Kamen. But…"

Setsuna was up in an instant, her eyes huge. "Masaka!" she shouted. "There is no way that could happen! Endymion-sama…" she trailed off, denying what Ryo had said. "It's not possible! It just can't be!"

Hotaru knelt on the floor, her eyes blank and slightly glowing lavender. An unseen wind whipped about her, moving her clothes and hair as he mouth opened. "… Four left, last fighters for earth… the golden senshi…" There was a long pause as everyone watched on in shock. Hotaru's body suddenly began to change, her arms and legs growing out leaner and longer as her body developed. Her hair continued to fly about her face as she began to speak again. "Golden earth prince's star falls from the night, the moon is darkening…" Just as quickly as it had started up, the wind was gone and Hotaru passed out on the floor.

Silence continued to fill the room and the Three Lights had a sickening feeling in their stomach after hearing Hotaru. Usagi stumbled into a stand and ran from the room, still crying. "Usagi-chan!" Setsuna shouted. The older woman ran after but Usagi had already slipped out the front door and was running. "Damnit!" she suddenly cried. Setsuna, not one to usually lose her calm, was frozen in place for a few moments. "PLUTO PLANET POWER, MAKE UP!" The mists cleared from her body as her garnet orb floated before her. "Gates of Time, show me what has been disrupted." The orb glowed and images filled her eyes only. "That is enough."

Sailor Pluto stared at them with an unnerving gaze. "Crystal Tokyo is in ruins, the Neo-King isn't there, Small Lady does not exist."

The senshi of time whispered, "I cannot see. But we must protect our Princess now. If she lives there's still a chance for Endymion-sama…" Her eyes flew open, "Henshin-yo! Now!"

"What's going on?!" Yaten demanded as the senshi stood about the room. Hotaru was laid on the couch under the guard of Luna and Artemis.

Sailor Venus turned to him with huge, scared eyes, "Our future is being destroyed and changed! Our Princess is without her Prince - Mamoru-san… he's…"

"He's Endymion-sama; the Prince of Earth… his power comes from a golden crystal," Mercury continued as she check Hotaru over, "the enemy has taken his starseed. He's…" She couldn't finish and just shook her head.