Author's Note: (1/28/20) Look for the Prologue and First Chapter of the second installment Battleground Earth, which should be released within an hour of this epilogue!
If you haven't already re-read the story, you may want to before moving on to the second book. A lot was changed in the past two days as I prepared this next book. Please review and tell me what you think. You may not know it, but all of us are extremely motivated by reviews.

Kidnapping Sailor Moon
Epilogue
Breathing Room

***Usagi***

"Chiba Usagi!" Haruna-sensei called as Usagi raced into the classroom. "You're late again! Go stand in the hall!"

Usagi slumped and turned away, her hair drooping as she trudged back through the door and leaned against the wall next to it. It wasn't fair. How could she be to blame for stupid Youma still showing up out of nowhere? It wasn't like they hadn't tried to find them all. They were just scattered, most of them still hiding.

The other girls had unfortunately been in class already as the sensation of sliminess had reached her. She'd been so close to making it on time too. Her only consolation this morning was that if she had detention, Mamo-chan probably would too, as they'd raced into the school together. At least they were good in a fight and hadn't needed the others.

It had been almost two weeks since Metalia's destruction. And that time had been spent preparing a new place where they could all live, packing, taking care of paperwork for name changes and so many other things that she could hardly keep it straight. And shopping. Lots, and lots, and lots of shopping. Usagi thought if she never saw the inside of another store she would be happy.

Mamoru wasn't fond of shopping either. Thankfully they had Minako in their life. Between her and Michiru most of the furniture, bedding, and other household items had been purchased and were set to be delivered within a few days. There was still so much that needed to be done however, and Usagi wasn't looking forward to most of it.

::Did you get yelled at too?:: Mamoru asked through the bond.

::Hai. It's so unfair. I have to stand in the hall.::

She heard the distinct sound of his mental laughter. ::Don't they realize that just makes you miss more time in class?::

Usagi thought about it. She'd never really considered that before. And considering this was her third time in four years having Haruna-sensei as a teacher, it should have occurred to her long before. ::You're right,:: she said, feeling much happier now.

Mamoru chuckled in her mind. ::You are so silly Usako,:: he said, his tone full of love. ::Uh, oh. I think I have a test. See you at lunch.::

::Bye Mamo-chan," Usagi said, just as she caught a glimpse of red hair at the door.

Haruna held up a test paper for her to look at. Usagi's eyes widened as she saw the red-circled number at the top of the page. The teacher was grinning. "I knew you could do it Usagi-chan."

Usagi blushed. "Arigato Sensei," she said, accepting the paper.

"No detention, just this once. I know you girls have been going crazy with the move, and this shows me you're still trying."

Looking down at the 100 on the paper in her hands, Usagi bowed her head. She had passed a test with a perfect score! She'd actually had time to study since they had a little breathing room. She just wanted it to last as long as possible.

***Setsuna***

Surrounded by their friends and family, Setsuna and Haruki stood in front of Judge Saichirou. She was nervous and wasn't even sure she would be able to speak when the time came, but the feeling of Haruki's broad hand wrapped around her own gave her strength.

When the judge asked Haruki to repeat the words of the vow, he smiled. His voice was clear and his eyes bright as he stared down at her.

"Watakushi wa kono josei to kekkonshi
(This woman, I marry)
Fufu to narou to shite imasu
Watakushi wa kenkouna tokimo
Soudenai tokimo
(No matter what the health situation is)
Kono hito o aishi
(I will love this person)
Kono hito o uyamai
(Respect this person)
Kono hito o nagusame
(Console this person)
Kono hito o tasuke
(Help this person)
Watakushi no inochi no kagiri
(Until death)
Kataku sessou o mamoru koto o
(Protecting fidelity)
Chikai masu."
(I swear.)

Setsuna swallowed heavily, moved by the emotion on Haruki's face. She knew there were tears on her cheeks, but she didn't care. He had promised her that she would never be alone again, and that mattered. That mattered very much.

Judge Saichirou turned to Setsuna. "Repeat after me," he said kindly.

"Watakushi wa kono dansei to kekkonshi...
(This man, I marry)
Fufu to narou to shite imasu
Watakushi wa kenkouna tokimo
Soudenai tokimo
(No matter what the health situation is)
Kono hito o aishi
(I will love this person)
Kono hito o uyamai
(Respect this person)
Kono hito o nagusame
(Console this person)
Kono hito o tasuke
(Help this person)
Watakushi no inochi no kagiri
(Until death)
Kataku sessou o mamoru koto o
(Protecting fidelity)
Chikai masu."
(I swear.)

When she'd finished stumbling through the vows, Haruki took the ring from Mamoru and she took the one from Usagi. They slid them onto each other's hands, and then Haruki was kissing her and it felt like she was flying. The world faded and Setsuna clung to the man she had loved in two lifetimes, knowing he would keep his promise. She would never be alone again.

Deep in the outer reaches of the solar system something moved towards the earth with great speed. No one knew it was there, or what it held. If Sailor Moon and the others had known they would have been training harder than they ever had before. But there wasn't time now, it was almost there.