Chibiusa’s Decision 2

Chibiusa’s Decision

The Crystal Palace shimmered in its immaculate white—a glowing image of hope for anyone who looked in its direction. The towers rose into the night, the soft light of the crystal walls casting gentle reflections across the courtyard and the surrounding gardens. In the midst of this symbol of safety stood Chibiusa in her old childhood room in the middle tower.

The young woman (18 years old) leaned against the large balcony door, her forehead lightly pressed against the cool glass. Her long pink hair fell in thick, silky strands over her shoulders and back, a few loose strands framing her face. Outside, night lay over Neo-Tokyo, and in the distance the illuminated part of the city glowed—where the barricades stood. Bright searchlights cut through the darkness; containers and posts formed a blue line on the maps she had seen during the briefing. She knew that somewhere out there her missing friends were—Ami, Minako, perhaps even Setsuna. Maybe they were still alive. Maybe they needed help.

But her mother had forbidden it. “You stay here, Chibiusa. Here you are safe.”

Chibiusa hated it. She was no longer a child. She was 18, studying, living in a student dormitory, and had her own life. The Sailor Chibi Moon uniform lay draped over the chair beside the bed, and the dark circles under her eyes showed how little she had slept in the past hours. She looked down into the courtyard. Several soldiers in the typical white uniforms of the palace moved with purpose. They boarded vehicles, loaded weapons, and checked equipment. The smell of diesel and metal rose even up to here. She should be there. She should be helping them. She had the power for it—after all, she too was a Sailor Senshi.

The silence of the room was broken.

“Princess.”

The voice was calm but firm. Chibiusa did not turn around immediately. She knew who it was.

The man stepped closer. He was in his early fifties, tall and broad-shouldered, the body of a man who had spent his entire life in service. His short, graying hair was cut military-short, his sharp features marked by years of vigilance. Fine lines around the eyes and at the corners of his mouth revealed both sternness and a certain, almost paternal seriousness. The crystal-white uniform fit perfectly on his well-trained body, the palace crest gleaming on his chest. He was responsible for her protection—a man with a wife and two children, a good soul who clearly regarded her as part of his family and was prepared to defend her with his life.

“I know what you’re thinking,” he said quietly but firmly. “And you also know that I cannot allow it. Your mother has expressly forbidden it. The quarantine zone is too dangerous. We have already suffered too many losses.”

Chibiusa slowly turned to face him. Her pink hair fell over one shoulder with the movement. “I know,” she answered, her voice calmer than she felt. “But I’m going anyway. Early this morning. No matter what Mom says. Ami and Minako are out there. Maybe Setsuna too. I can’t just sit here and wait while they…”

She broke off and bit her lower lip.

The man sighed quietly. His shoulders sank for a moment before he straightened again. His gaze was serious, but not unkind. “I’ve watched you grow up, Princess. I know you’re no longer a little girl. But my orders are clear: Your safety comes before everything else. If you go, then only under my supervision.”

He paused briefly and studied her carefully.

“Okay,” he finally said with resignation. “I will accompany you. Because I know you’ll go anyway the moment I turn my back. But we will only go as far as the barricades. We will not enter the quarantine zone. Not a single step further. That is my condition.”

Chibiusa wanted to protest. The words were already on her tongue—*that’s not enough, I have to go in, I have to find them*. But she quickly realized that going to the barricades was already the furthest concession she could get from him at the moment. He would not allow more. And if he accompanied her, she at least had a chance to get closer.

She nodded slowly.

“Agreed.”

The man stepped to the balcony door, looked briefly out into the night, toward the glowing searchlights in the distance. Then he turned back to her.

“Then let’s pack. And we don’t say a word about this until we’re outside.”

Chibiusa took a deep breath. The cool night air streamed through the gap in the balcony door, smelling of rain and distant danger. Her long pink hair fluttered lightly in the wind. Somewhere out there were Ami and Minako. And Setsuna.

She would find them.

Or die trying.

The night was young.

And Chibiusa was determined.

Forever.