Usagi looked up at her friends. She felt ridiculous with the tube shoved down her throat, but the doctor insisted she keep it in a few more days. There was a quiet knock on the door. Usagi nodded to Mamoru, who opened it to reveal Aurora.

Rei glared at her, but said nothing. Ami realized that Usagi and Aurora should speak alone. “Let’s go,” she said, heading for the door.

Minako followed while Makoto grabbed Rei by the arm and dragged her out of the room. Mamoru gave Usagi a peck on the cheek then left as well.

Aurora knelt down on the floor. “Sumimasen, Princess!” she cried. A few minutes later, she felt a tap on her head.

Usagi handed her a note. “’Get up off the floor, I can’t see you, silly!”’

“Demo…” Usagi gave her a look. “Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?”

Usagi began to scribble more onto the pad of paper. “’Of course I forgive you. You were only trying to protect me, I know that. Things happen for a reason. Besides, I’m all right. This tube makes it seem a lot worse than it is.”

Aurora nodded. “It does. But, are you certain, Princess?”

“’I am. However, you are allowed to call me Usagi.”

She bowed, giggling. “Arigatou, Usagi-chan.”

***********

Rei paced back and forth. “This isn’t right! Aurora should not be allowed to see Usagi! If she can’t keep her personal feelings out of the fight, then she has no right to be in it at all!”

“I didn’t see you trying to save Usagi-chan.”

“What was that, Mako-chan?” Rei growled, balling up her fists. “I don’t recall you trying to save her either!”

Minako stood in between them. “Calm down, both of you! Aurora-chan and Haruka-san were the only ones, but they were the closest! We can’t change what happened. What’s important is that Usagi-chan is going to be all right.”

“She’s right, minna. Usagi’s alive, we shouldn’t dwell on the past.”

Makoto nodded. “I think we should have a welcome home party for her. But first, maybe we should attempt to have Aurora-chan and Haruka-san talk things out. We don’t want them to upset Usagi-chan.”

“Sounds like a plan,” Minako replied. “Let’s go see Michiru-san!”

***********

Haruka sat on the couch, brooding. Michiru looked at her and side. “I really wish you would stop acting like a child, Haruka. You both tried to save her. It’s too late to change what happened. Usagi won’t be upset with either of you. And for her sake, you need to sort things out with Aurora-chan.”

“I’ll sort things out with her all right,” she muttered, standing up.

Michiru took her hands. “Please stop this! It’s gone far enough. If you don’t want to be friends with Aurora-chan, that’s fine, just don’t upset everyone else because of it!”

***********

Usagi smiled. The doctor had finally removed the tube from her throat. It was a bit sore, but he said that was to be expected. She happily lay on the bed thinking of the wonderful food she could eat when she was released from the hospital. She was so lost in thought that she didn’t hear someone knock on the door.

“Ne, Odango.”

“Haruka-san!” Usagi said. “Come in! I’ve been wondering when you were going to visit me!”

“Gomen, but I’ve been doing some thinking.”

Usagi nodded. “About Aurora-chan, ne?” At Haruka’s nod, Usagi continued. “It’s understandable that you feel the way you do. You both did your job, you protected me. I know it may not seem like it, but you did. I don’t love you any less because of what happened. In fact, I love you more.”

“Princess, you forgive me?” Haruka asked.

“Of course I do. What about Aurora-chan? Can you forgive her?”

Haruka looked at the floor. “I don’t know. She wanted to take Michiru away from me.”

“Iie, Haruka-san. It’s true that she’s in love with Michiru-san, but she never wanted to take her away from you. She wanted to know if the feelings of love would be returned. She was owed that much. Aurora-chan understands now that she can’t be with Michiru-san.”

Haruka smiled warmly at her princess. “You have definitely grown into your Mother.”