Kiyoshi Tomoe- First Born
March 14th
After several years of the Chibi Senshi's visiting and returning to their future, Hotaru Tomoe finds herself in an obsession with having a child. Many things are changing in Tokyo. The building on the Palace is almost complete. Haruka and Michiru are ready to start their family. And Setsuna, who has been dating the same guy since the Chibi Senshi left, is finally getting engaged. The birth of the Princess takes place, and Hotaru finds herself in an unlikely predicament-pregnant and unmarried. Follow the journey of a single young mother, the birth of a Princess, and engagements and many more to come.
Chapter One- Hotaru Tomoe
Hotaru's mind was far from what the professor was rambling on about. Though, she guessed she should be paying some attention she had no desire to. Her mind was on other things. Six years ago, when she was only nineteen, nine beautiful children had entered into her life and changed it forever. One specifically took over her heart, and though she wouldn't admit it to her parents, she was constantly thinking about Chou and the day she'd finally get to cradle that infant in her arms and hold her close to her. She thumbed through all the pictures she had taken of her during her stay. She was a very happy child, scared at times, but very happy. That made Hotaru relieved, as she had not had a happy childhood while growi
ng up. With the loss of her mother, and then her father turning against her-even though it was not entirely his fault- he had still made the choice.
Hotaru sighed, she still talked to her father. They had luncheons together often, but things would never be the same between the two of them. He w7as her own flesh and blood and was meant to protect her. He had failed in that aspect.
"Miss Tomoe are you with us?" the professor asked agitatedly.
Hotaru snapped out of her thoughts, "I- uhm," she bowed her head in defeat. "No, I'm sorry."
"Well, please pay attention. You're going to be operating on someone someday and it'd be best advised if you knew what you were doing." he pointed out.
Hotaru looked at him with a bored expression plastered on her face 'Wasn't that what Ami's nine hour long hands on sessions were about?' She had yet to be accepted into the program that Ami had started on the newly built gorgeous Palace, but she still had a few classes to finish up this semester before she could begin hands on training. The class droned on and when it was finally over Hotaru made a beeline for the door. She just had to get out. She hit some guy on her way out, yelling over her shoulder that she was sorry, she continued to walk at a fast pace.
Today was a very exciting day. It was just two months before Neo-Queen Serenity would give birth to Small Lady Serenity and today was the baby shower. Even though it saddened her that for the first eight years of the Princess' life that she wouldn't know they were best friends, she was still excited about the birth. She had promised that she would come and help out whenever it was needed, as she'd need plenty of practice when Chou came into her life. She was determined to be a good mother.
Hotaru rushed out of the college doors and toward her Violet convertible. Haruka had bought it for her for her 23rd birthday. She loved the way the wind whipped in her face, blowing her medium length black hair around. Every once in a while the sunlight would hit one of the purple highlights in her hair.
She cranked up her convertible and smashed on the gas pedal. She had learned her driving from Haruka, though sometimes she was a little bit rougher on her car then Haruka was, especially when excitement was in the air. She quickly drove over to the Manor and parked the car next to the baby blue convertible. She opened the door and tried to get out, but found herself strapped in her seat.
Setsuna, who was watering the flowers at the time, laughed. "A little excited about something, are we?"
Hotaru unbuckled her seatbelt and ran up to Setsuna. "Today's Serenity's baby shower!"
Setsuna chuckled, "I know."
"And we've had five or something years of pure freedom!" Hotaru pumped both of her fist up into the air.
"Now, don't got jinxing that." Setsuna teased playfully.
Hotaru gave her mom a look that said killjoy. "Where's Haruka-Papa and Michiru-Mama?"
"Haruka's at the garage for a few hours and Michiru is prepping something for tonight's baby shower." Setsuna explained.
Hotaru nodded and went straight for the door. Upon opening it Oberon darted outside. Even though he was five-years-older now he still had the energy of a puppy. Hotaru found Michiru in the living room piecing together a beautiful necklace full of seashells. Next to her sat a blanket she had designed with Setsuna, it had a beautiful picture of the ocean waves.
"Chibiusa's going to love it." Hotaru said, catching Michiru's attention for the first time. She had been so intent on the necklace that she hadn't noticed her daughter walk in.
"Oh Hotaru, I didn't see you. Did Oberon go outside?" Michiru asked.
"Yes ma'am," Hotaru replied. "So, when are you and Haruka going to talk to Ami about your plans." She wiggled her eyebrows up and down causing Michiru to laugh.
"You sure are in a happy mood today," Michiru said. "Guess all this baby stuff's going you going."
"Oh mamma, I want to hold Chou for the first time." Hotaru said.
Michiru smiled, "Don't get ahead of yourself now. You're still just a child."
Hotaru looked at Michiru-mama, "I am not. I'm twenty-one, two, three, four... Twenty-Four years old. I want a baby!" she used her fingers to count her age.
Michiru looked at her daughter with a slightly amused face, "What about a boy first?"
Hotaru sighed, "There's no one out there for me."
"No one out there for you? There's a great deal of people out there for you, sweetie." Michiru pointed out. "Just choose one."
Hotaru wrinkled up her face in disgust. How was she supposed to find one single person to fall in love with when none of them sparked her interests? What if she finally did choose someone and they didn't like her back?
"What did you get the Princess for the baby shower?" Michiru asked, deciding it was best to change the topic. She could see the wheels of anxiety churning inside of her daughter's eyes.
"It's a lamp." Hotaru begin. Michiru smiled. "But not just any lamp. I got it custom made with bunnies."
"I'm sure she'll love it. Both the Queen and when the Princess is old enough to admire it." Michiru responded. "Do you have any homework you need to work on before we head over there?"
Hotaru sighed, "Yeah, but it can wait. I've got the whole weekend."
Michiru nodded. Hotaru wandered away from the living room and into the Music Room. She stretched out her fingers and looked at the beautiful oak piano. This was her favorite instrument to play. She sat down almost unable to contain her excitement. She breathed in deeply, opened the door to the keys and touched the piano's keys. She pressed down on one of the keys, and smiled. Closing her eyes and placing each finger on individual keys she begin playing.
Michiru could hear her playing and smiled. Hotaru had come a long way from that shy, timid little girl. Sure, strangers made her uneasy and she wasn't bringing home a friend every weekend or going out with friends, but she was able to enjoy herself around her family and the Senshi. She didn't keep to herself like she had in the past when Michiru had brought her to see the other Senshi. She had matured in her own way.
Michiru remembered when they had started practicing on the Piano. Hotaru couldn't play the Violin worth anything. She was horrible with it, but she wanted to be musically talented. Finally, they had started practicing on the Piano. At first, Hotaru couldn't glide her fingers along the keys, but determination had been instilled inside of her and she continued to practice until she finally one day got it.
Michiru had always told her that practice and determination would always persevere in the end. When Hotaru had finally got the hang of the Piano she couldn't stop. It was like an addiction to her and over the years she had become a talented Pianist. Unfortunately, very few knew of her talent throughout her school years because she was embarrassed to perform in front of others. Michiru decided it would be best to not force her out of her comfort zone in fear of damaging her psyche.
She got up and found herself in the music room watching Hotaru play. The child really got into it. Setsuna walked in the front door and could hear the beautiful music she was playing. It was always so inspiring. She joined Michiru in listening. When Hotaru finished her piece Setsuna and Michiru clapped.
Hotaru turned around blushing. The attention often made her face turn red. Setsuna went and sat down next to Hotaru on the bench. "Ready?" she asked. Michiru picked up her favorite violin and nodded. Hotaru smiled. She absolutely adored her parents. She hoped she would be as good of a parent as they were. Although, they hadn't been such good parents when their future ones had shown up five years ago, but they got through their fears and saw that their children were miracles in the end.
Hours of musical fun had passed them by and when it was finally time to go Hotaru ran up to her room and grabbed her gift for Chibiusa. She was ecstatic and couldn't wait till the birth of the little one. She quickly changed into her lavender dress and slipped into a pair of dress shoes. She ran down the stairs and almost toppled over Haruka.
"Whoa, whoa slow down." Haruka said. "The baby is still inside of Neo-Queen Serenity. She's not going anywhere."
"I know Haruka-papa. I'm just so excited!" She squealed in delight and rushed out the door.
Michiru walked up to Haruka, "She's ready to have her own child."
"She found a boy, finally?" Haruka asked.
Michiru laughed, "No."
They all rode in one car together. Hotaru and Setsuna sat in the back of the convertible and the two lovebirds in the front seat. Hotaru's foot kept tapping the bottom of the floorboard. Setsuna shook her head. She wondered if this would be how Hotaru would react to every baby shower and event where there was a mentioning of a baby. She could barely contain her excitement when Neo-Queen Serenity had invited them to dinner to announce that she would finally be having ChibiUsa.
They checked in with the Palace Guards and then were directed to the Palace parking garage. From their they walked to the Party Hall. Hotaru tried to imagine all the children running around here. She couldn't wait.
"Hello Haruka," King Endymion extended his hand to shake her's. Haruka grasped his hand firmly. "It's a pleasure seeing you all here."
"As it is a pleasure seeing you." Haruka smiled.
Hotaru looked at the King wearily. Chibiusa had told her that King Endymion was no longer present in her time. She had not told her the details of it just that King Endymion had gone missing and it was due to an enemy. When Hotaru had try to pry more information out of Chibiusa all that she said was she was too young to remember the force that had pried her papa away and she made Hotaru promise that she would not tell a soul. She sighed, she had yet to tell anyone anything, but somedays she wished she could.
After King Endymion shook Michiru and Setsuna's hand he turned to her and extended his hand. Hotaru did not take it though. Instead she bowed, "Gomen sir." She walked around him and found a very pregnant Queen sitting down. She was encircled by her friends.
"What was that about?" Haruka asked.
King Endymion shrugged. "I haven't a clue." His heart tightened. He knew that Chibiusa and Hotaru were good friends in the past. He wondered what Chibiusa had told the young girl in the past time. He knew from Chibiusa that something would go wrong he just didn't know when or what, but he wished he could prepare for it. He knew by some of the things the kids had accidentally slipped up on that it was something to do with him and his absence.
"Oh, Hotaru it's good to see you!" Rei said and opened her arms up. The girl leaned down and braced the raven haired woman. "How are you doing in school?"
"Pretty good." Hotaru said sitting down in the circle.
Neo-Queen Serenity rubbed her belly, "I'll be so happy when she's finally here."
"Can't wait till mine is here." Minako said. She had started dating someone three months ago. They were taking every very slow, as Minako was still afraid of getting hurt. "What about you Rei?"
"That little flame?" Rei asked thinking back to Inari. "Some days I wanted to rip my hair out."
Makoto laughed, "I'm sure we'll all have days like that. Try having a child who doesn't sleep during the night and is hyper in the morning."
"Maybe she has ADHD," Ami suggested.
"Not-uh, my kid will never be put on medication." Makoto said right then and there.
"Not even if it meant sleeping at night?" Rei teased.
Makoto hesitated. Sleeping would be good, but no she would not risk it, she shook her head, "Nariko will be a perfectly happy hyper non-sleeping child."
"What about you Ami?" Hotaru asked bringing the attention on her. She would be the only one, as far as everyone knew, that would be giving birth to twin boys. "Are you ready for pregnancy?"
"I-Uhm, think not," Ami said blushing. "Twins. Really? Who was thinking that I could handle twins?"
Each of them laughed. Ami continued blushing. Setsuna, Haruka, Michiru, and King Endymion finally joined the lot. Neo-Queen Serenity smiled. This was exactly how she had wanted to spend her baby shower. As time went on it was finally time to open the presents. Neo-Queen Serenity adored the shell necklace and matching bracelet from Michiru. When she saw the blanket that Michiru and Setsuna designed she fell instantly in love with it.
"Its...so..beautiful."
"It's for Chibiusa." Rei teased.
Neo-Queen Serenity acted as if she was gong to put it behind her back, "What she doesn't know won't hurt her."
Rei rolled her eyes. Neo-Queen Serenity folded up the blanket and placed it back in the bag. "Thank you Michiru and Setsuna."
Neo-Queen Serenity went to open up Setsuna's gift, but as soon as she opened the bag the present flew out. "What in the world?"
"Luna-P." Makoto gasped.
Luna-P floated above Neo-Queen Serenity's head. She looked down in the bag and saw a much, much smaller Luna-P head. She took it out and looked at Setsuna with a puzzled expression.
"Baby monitoring device. Of course, as Small Lady ages Luna-P will follow her around and you will eventually put the baby monitor away. There is one more thing in the bag." Setsuna motioned for her to look.
Neo-Queen Serenity took out a watch that was shaped like the Luna-P ball and monitor. She looked to Setsuna waiting for her explanation, as did everyone else. "As she gets in her terrible two stages it will alert you when she's in trouble or had done something bad."
"It's a floating babysitter!" Neo-Queen Serenity gasped and took the Luna-P ball into her hand. "I love this device already."
"That's so neat! Can I have one Setsuna-mama?" Hotaru asked. Everyone else was begging for one as well. Setsuna couldn't help but chuckle at them before she gave her reply, "I'll see what I can do."
Neo-Queen Serenity grabbed the next present. She pulled out outfit after outfit, finally she came to something hard and square. She tried to pull it out, but she was feeling slightly exhausted. King Endymion went to her aid and pulled out a cooking set.
"Makoto." They both said in unison with huge smiles on their face.
"I know it's a little early, but I wanted to get her first cooking set for her." Makoto smiled.
"I think I'm starting to realize where she picked up on some of her traits in the past times." Neo-Queen Serenity smiled.
Neo-Queen Serenity grabbed a dark blue bag with stars on it. She lifted it up into her lap and started digging through it. She pulled out several washable diapers, a cute sleeper with bunnies on it, and then a bunch of books. A lot of them were stories about bunnies as the main character. Neo-Queen Serenity looked up at Ami with a huge smile.
"I love it. I'll read one to her every night." Neo-Queen Serenity said. She placed everything back in the bag. "Though, I am glad to not see a medical book in there. I was a bit worried."
Laughter erupted again. Neo-Queen Serenity went to grab another bag, but found it was out of her reach. "I'll get them for you sweetie. You just relax." King Endymion said and handed her another bag. It was yellow and decked out in lace.
She pulled out some of the most puffy, laced up dresses she had ever seen. "I made them myself." Minako gleamed. "I know it's not something she'll always carry with her, but I wanted to make her beautiful! All the little boys of the Palace will adore her."
Rei rolled her eyes, "You start them soo young, Minako. Your child's going to come out of the womb already married."
"Thank you Minako. They're beautiful." Neo-Queen Serenity replied.
King Endymion handed her another bag. It was lighter than the other's. She looked into it and saw a single pair of shoes-running shoes. "Thank you, Haruka." she was smiling to herself. Running shoes, how adorable.
Haruka shrugged, "I didn't know what to get her."
"She'll be running around in these when the time comes." Neo-Queen Serenity said. She held the tiny shoes in her hands. They were so adorable and tiny. She wished Chibiusa would stay small forever.
A small jewelry box was handed to Neo-Queen Serenity by her husband. She peered inside it to find two rings. One had the moon engraved inside of it and the other one had a flame. There was a bracelet as well, which had each planet tacked onside of it.
"They're beautiful." Neo-Queen Serenity said looking up at her best friend. "I can't wait till she's big enough to wear them."
"You're very welcome." Rei said.
The last bag stood alone. King Endymion was gentle when picking it up. They unwrapped the gift together. There is was. Hotaru's gift. Neo-Queen Serenity looked up at the young girl. She had been Chibiusa's best friend in the past. She wondered how the girl felt during this awkward time. Watching her best friend come in to the world, but having no recollection of ever having a best friend and now they were 24 years apart instead of a few.
"She is going to adore this." Neo-Queen Serenity said. She herself had already fallen in love with the lamp. She adored how it reminded her of Hotaru and Chibiusa at the same time. It was perfect and someday Chibiusa would understand their friendship and the lamp would have a whole new meaning to her.
Neo-Queen Serenity sat the lamp down and sat back into the chair. "Oh, there is one more thing." King Endymion said. He pulled out a jewelry box from his pocket. Neo-Queen Serenity sat up and looked at him confused.
"I didn't get her anything." Neo-Queen Serenity said.
"Oh, I'm sure the two of you together will break my bank account." King Endymion laughed. He handed the box to his wife and watched as she opened it. She gasped when she saw that it was a star locket, but it was much smaller than hers. She opened it up and a light beamed out of it, but no picture yet. Neo-Queen Serenity shut her eyes listening intently to the beautiful tune. Everyone else slowly shut their eyes. It was so comforting and peaceful.
Hotaru's stomach turned instantly-peace. Peace was something she wished would remain forever, but she knew it wouldn't and she knew something bad would happen eventually, but she was unaware to when this time would actually begin.
After the gift opening dinner was served. "Mama and Papa... When are you going to talk to Ami and the Queen about you know what?" Hotaru hissed.
"Darling, Neo-Queen Serenity is very pregnant at the moment. We will discuss it later." Michiru replied.
"But I'm ready for a brother or sister." she scowled.
Ami laughed as she overheard the conversation, "After the birth of the Princess I'm sure we can make arrangements to discuss the possibility of Michiru carrying a baby."
This seemed to relieve Hotaru. "Okay." She sat back in her chair. Unfortunately, this opened a new topic was opened up and it was centered around Hotaru and her schooling. Ami was offering study help for Hotaru to pass the test, and Haruka quickly agreed to her needing it. Hotaru sat in the middle of the conversation, as they talked around her, making decisions for her, as if she wasn't present in the room.
Setsuna could see the irritation in Hotaru's eyes, but did nothing to help her out. She would eventually have to stick up for herself. Setsuna picked up her glass of water and smiled. Things would be changing soon. She smiled.