Disclaimers- Sailor Moon belongs to Takeuchi Naoko-san, and not me at all! Also, to Toei animation, and though I hate to admit, the English version to Clover Wave and Dic. However, the original characters featured belong entirely to me, and the plot line is mine as well! If I catch any "thieves", you�ll have to face my wrath!

In this chapter:
Bino Kodomo
Heiwano Kokoro
Kaiou Michiru
Maria
Meiou Setsuna
Mystery Man #1
Serenity-kisaki
Yamabikono Shizuka

"Welcome, minnasan!" Serenity-kisaki warmly greeted from the stage of the grand ballroom. People were packed into it to see the queen make her announcements and to officially open the ball. "I am very glad that you could all attend. I hope you have enjoyed your accommodations as well! Now, I would like to hand the stage over to my daughter, Usagi, and her fiancé, Mamoru, to begin the ball!"

Usagi-hime and Mamoru-ouji made their way to the center of the stage. Serenity explained coolly, "On the piano, for the opening song, is the lovely Michiru-hime, Princess of Neptune." A beautiful slow song began to play, and Usagi and Mamoru danced gracefully to it. Shizuka wondered why this had to open the ball� but Kokoro was nearly drooling from daydreams of having a prince and being that important. Kodomo watched along with Setsuna, both holding her dignity high and patiently awaiting the close of the song.

When it was over, which seemed like a dreamy eternity, Serenity-kisaki took the stage once more. "Our guest of honor will be arriving tomorrow evening, for anyone who was wondering. Now, we have the diva of the Moon Kingdom herself to sing for the ball. Please, welcome Maria!" There was a great cheer from the audience, but the three young students of Pluto didn�t know who this diva was. It was a girl of their age, as they could tell when she appeared on the stage by Serenity. She had lavender eyes that glanced around the room, and wavy carrot-orange hair that tickled her shoulders when she walked.

The Princess Neptune stood up, holding a violin. Serenity bowed and dismissed herself. Michiru began to play, and Maria began to sing. Her voice was extraordinary, and Kodomo was soon lost in the song. It lasted for ages, at least to the girls and their sensei, and it wasn�t really a bad thing. Maria�s singing voice seemed to come to her as naturally as the cooing of a gentle dove. She sung of love and hope, filling the air with a sense of romance.

Serenity walked back onto the stage shortly, once the song was over, and shook hands with the diva, which smiled graciously. Turning to the audience, the queen was proud to continue speaking. "Our entertainment for tonight will be this lovely duo! Michiru-hime will play the violin, piano, and harp, while our very own Maria will sing and dance for your enjoyment. The ball is now open!"

There was a great applause from the crowd, and Kokoro was so giddy she could barely stand it. Tonight would be her night. She wanted to meet the mystery man so badly that she immediately began scanning the room for him.

Kodomo watched her curiously. "What is it, Koko-chan?" Shizuka stood by the duo as well once the next song began to play and more people began to dance. Setsuna bowed, and took her leave, but all this time Kokoro didn�t respond, as she wasn�t aware she was being addressed.

But Kodomo wasn�t about to give up her cause. "Kokoro!" At her stern call, Kokoro turned around and blushed. "What are you doing?" Kodomo asked in an inquisitive manner.

"Ano� I met this young man in the maze," the redhead began, blushing a little more. "�Well, kinda� He said he would meet me here. I want to see him!"

Shizuka sighed. "Alright. Well you have fun hunting your man. I�m going to speak with some dignitaries and get aquatinted. Have fun." The dark princess slid away from them and sunk into the crowd.

Kokoro�s other accomplice smiled. "Alright, I�ll stay with you, Koko-chan!" She took her friend�s wrist and led her to the back of the room where it was less crowded. Their hearts danced on edge with excitement, hoping they would meet this man.

Suddenly, as if Kokoro�s will had summoned him, the handsome stranger began towards them from the other side of the room, accompanied by two other young men. He was in his same attire, but he seemed much more attractive to the swooning Kokoro now that she could see him in full. Kodomo-hime saw her friend�s blush, and knew it was him. She smiled and shook her head a little, waiting for the encounter.