"Ok Usagi-chan, blow out the candles!"  Minako cried happily.

Usagi pursed her lips, "I have to think of a wish first!"

Rei rolled her eyes, "You've got 18 candles on there Usagi-baka!  If you don't hurry up and blow them out the whole cake's going to be covered in wax!"

      Usagi stuck her tongue out playfully at the other girl and closed her eyes, 'I wish for an end to all the battles, and happiness for all my friends,' she told herself silently, took in a deep breath, and blew out all the candles on her birthday cake.  Usagi had only been back home for two days, but it was almost as if she had never left.

      When Setsuna had sacrificed her life everything had returned to the way it had once been.  Goku had returned home, Mamono's trace on the world had vanished, and all the people who had known of Usagi's disappearance were left with a vague patch in their memories.  They felt they knew instinctively they had spent some time with Usagi, but could never remember in detail.  None of the senshi wanted to be happy though.  Setsuna was gone, there was no way to bring her back to life and so they all felt the gaping whole where her presence once was.  For now though, with so many people present for Usagi's party they pretended, though for once it was a little easier.  After all, a girl only turned 18 once.

      All the senshi were present, even the three remaining outers, though they were mostly silent in the corner of Usagi's yard they had selected for themselves.  Silia was chatting with Kiji.  The brunette hadn't changed since her experience but was a little closer to Silia if anything.  The seemingly young senshi had dragged the shy girl along and she seemed to be enjoying herself.

      Usagi opened all her presents with undisguised enthusiasm, thanking everyone individually with her personal blend of energy and happiness.

*

      Later that evening only the senshi remained.  The attitude was less joyful than earlier in the day, now that they only people they had to pretend with were Usagi's parents.  The stars were hard to see due to the lights of the city, but a few were still visible.  The moon shone from just about Usagi's house and soft lamps lit the yard so that the girls could see.  Usagi was curled up happily in Mamoru's arms, and he clearly had no intention of letting her go.

      Rei, Ami, Minako, Silia and Hotaru were playing a board game of some kind at the picnic table, and from the groans and declarations it seemed as if Rei was winning.  Luna and Artemis, who were much relieved by the way things had calmed down, where curled up together on one of the lawn chairs, idly watching the arm-wrestling match Haruka and Makoto were engaged in.  The game was cut short however, as Michiru re-entered the yard from the house carrying a small cherry wood box.

      Haruka let go of Makoto's hand as the artistically talented woman cleared her throat delicately.  The girls at the table paused their board game as Michiru sat down beside Usagi and Mamoru.  The couple disentangled themselves from one another as Michiru handed the box to Usagi.

      "We found it when we got back."  Michiru told the tiny blond princess sadly.  "There was a note with it from Setsuna, it belongs to you."  Whether or not the note had contained anything else, Michiru didn't say.

      Usagi nodded slowly, her big blue eyes shining with new moisture.  She tried desperately not to cry and managed to hold the tears back for the moment.  The box was exquisitely carved and fixed together but held no real ornamentation.

      Usagi opened the lid with a shaky hand and felt a renegade tear trickle down her cheek as she pulled out a single piece of paper she found inside.  There were several other inside as well, each with the name of one of the senshi inside.  She passed each around, once even went to Luna and Artemis.  Everyone got one and started reading them, some without any hesitation, others with trepidation.

      Usagi opened hers slowly and read over its message several times.  Then she folded it back up again, placed in inside the box and closed the lid.  She looked up at the few stars in the sky as the others read their own letters.

      'We'll never forget you Setsuna.  No matter what happens I will be strong, I promise.'

******

Ami,

      Never let that mind of yours slow down, but don't forget to have some fun with the girls.  They are your friends after all.

Rei,

      Keep up the good work with Usagi, but be careful, sometime in the near future she may take an insult or two seriously.  Always keep your fire burning.

Dear Minako,

      Keep your spirit bright Minako.  Your leadership and friendship will both be needed in the future so don't ever quit.

Makoto,

      Stay out of trouble, but don't ever stop being yourself.  And try not to fight too much with Haruka.

Dear Silia,

      Never doubt yourself or who you are.  There is a reason for your being a senshi, even if you can't see it yet.  And stay close to Kiji, she's just an ordinary girl, but she could just a good friend.

Haruka,

      Try to stay out of trouble, don't be so quick to jump on strangers; they're not all bad.

Dear Michiru,

      Enjoy this time of rest to express yourself like you've always wanted to, but always keep an eye on your talisman.

Hotaru,

      Stay strong my little firefly, and try to enjoy life as a child for once.

Luna and Artemis,

      You've always done such great jobs, even when the odds were against you.  Don't every give up, no matter how great the problem.

Mamoru,

      Take good care of Usagi.  Never doubt her love, and never let her doubt yours.  She needs you more than anyone else.  I don't have the heart to tell her, but there may be danger ahead, keep her safe.

Usagi,

      I'm proud of you Usagi, don't you ever forget that.

      Meiou Setsuna

.........  The End

(For now)

That's the end of this series.  I hoped you enjoyed it!