Chapter 1

   Usagi was deliriously happy. The same could not be said for Mamoru. He had 
accompanied his wife from one shopping mall to another and was VERY tired. The
other senshis had tactfully nudged Usagi to him and vamoosed away. Now all he 
wanted was to sit somewhere and rest.

   Finally they reached the park. Mamoru immediately groaned. There were many pairs
of lovers walking hand in hand with each other and he knew where the conversation 
would lead when Usagi saw this. Sighing exasperatedly, he settled himself into a 
bench and tried to focus his attention elsewhere as Usagi chattered on about the 
wonderful couples and how good life was.

   A faint tinkling caught his attention and he grinned. Turning to Usagi, he said:
"Usako, let me get an ice cream for you." Without waiting for her reply, he quickly
strode towards the ice cream man at the far end of the park. At least he would get
a few seconds of peace and quite. 

   "Sir, you dropped this." A girlish voice stopped him in his tracks. He turned 
round and saw a smiling red hair girl holding out a small object in her hand. He 
frowned slightly as she dropped it into his palm. It was a medallion with a hollow 
space in the middle. He raised his head to object but stared instead into a pair of 
red eyes. Wordlessly, he stuffed the medallion into his pocket.

   "For your information, my name is Mika."  The girl murmured as she glided past 
him. He stood dreamily for a few seconds before snapping out of his reverie. When 
he turned round, Mika was gone. 

   Usagi was humming to herself as Mamoru walk off. 

   "You seem very happy, I take it you were married recently." A melodious voice 
beside her made her jump. Usagi recovered her composure and nodded happily to the 
dark hair stranger. 

   "Of course, we both had gone through many difficulties and now we're married. 
Married! Oh I'm so happy!" Usagi chattered on as the dark hair girl smiled 
tolerantly at her. A flicker of sadness passed over her face as she watched the 
blond princess in front of her.

     "Difficulties and happiness. What a simple combination."

     "Pardon?" Usagi turned to her new friend. 

     "Nothing, I'm Adelaide Amour. Nice to meet you"

     "Nice to meet you too, my name's Usagi Tsukino." Usagi grasped Adelaide's 
outstretched hand. A sudden current passed through their handshake and Usagi gasped,
as her head felt like it was about to burst. 

     "We will meet again, Princess Serenity." Usagi struggled to keep her eyes open 
but they were so heavy.  A sudden shake brought her back to reality.

     "Usako? Are you alright?" Mamoru's worried face was looking down at her.

     "I'm fine, I just met..I mean I..." Usagi shook her head. What was the matter with
her? For a moment she thought she had been speaking to some one else. Smiling, she 
glanced back adoringly at Mamoru. "Nothing, love, my ice-cream is already melting."

     When she took the ice cream from her husband's hand, she did not see a faint 
silver insignia glowing faintly on her palm before fading into nothingness.