A Wish
Chapter Three
Sticks and Stones
Usagi was tired, frustrated, a little sad, and for some reason her cheek hurt. She blinked her eyes open, unsure what was causing her pain. It was then that she noticed the noise, the tiny sound of rushing air. 'Oh, yeah. The oxygen mask.' It had been digging into her cheek as she was sleeping on her side.
She looked over and saw Mamoru, his eyes already open, staring at her, wearing a determined expression. She blinked again. He really was the most handsome guy she had ever seen.
"Hi," she said, speaking up enough to be heard over the whoosh of oxygen.
"Hello," he said and moved to kiss her forehead.
Usagi slipped the mask off her face and leaned in for a real kiss. She smiled when Mamoru put one hand behind her neck and pulled her closer. His kiss was gentle, but desperate. She lay there, enjoying the feel of her soulmate kissing her and when he lifted his head she smiled at him.
She knew she'd worried him, and was frustrated with herself for that, but she didn't know what else she could have done. The babies had needed her to be strong for them. Everyone had needed her to be strong, and she couldn't regret her decision.
The babies weren't in the room, though they could hardly be called babies anymore. Physically they were around four years old, and mentally, perhaps a little older. Their development was rapid, but Doctor Mizuno had checked all of them over the night before, and said all were healthy enough, though Zo could stand to eat more.
Usagi felt a pinch as she went to realign her oxygen mask. She looked down, remembering the IV in her arm. She was being given fluids and nutrients through it as well as a medication she didn't much understand. Mamoru checked the bag that was hanging over their heads and made a note to change it soon.
"How are the boys?" Usagi asked.
"They're okay. Right now I'm more worried about you. Do you need to go to the bathroom?"
Usagi nodded and he stood and lifted her from the bed, carrying her to the bathroom. She blushed as he helped her a bit with her clothing and grabbed a new pad for her. She didn't like that she was still bleeding, but it was natural according to Doctor Mizuno. She was just glad Mamoru avoided staring at her. She knew she looked awful.
She wasn't supposed to be up and around much, though when she finished Mamoru brought her into the living room where he placed her in a recliner. It was far too quiet in the apartment. She looked around, but aside from the two of them, there was no one. Not even Luna and Artemis remained.
"Where did they go?" she asked, growing upset.
"They went to the shrine to run and play for a little bit. We didn't want them at the park because they're growing so quickly. You slept so long, and Doctor Mizuno wanted us to keep you inactive, so I said I'd stay behind with you. Don't worry, Minako will record everything."
He went out to the kitchen and Usagi sniffled as soon as she was alone. She'd wanted to go with them. She wanted to be with them as much as she could. It was bad enough they wouldn't have her name, bad enough they were growing so fast. Now she was missing out on part of their childhood too.
Mamoru came back into the room with a platter of food for her. She glared at it. Most of it was healthy junk. Hard boiled eggs, walnuts and avocado, and all sorts of other things she didn't really want to eat. She looked up at Mamoru and frowned.
"If you eat it, I'll carry you to the car and drive you over," he promised.
Usagi started eating rapidly. She didn't bother to savor the food. She wasn't such a fan of health foods. Mamoru produced a chocolate shake from his subspace pocket. She grinned and sucked some down after every bite. While she ate Mamoru changed out her IV bags. She glared at the end of the needle taped to her arm, wishing there was a way she could do without. She was feeling a bit better though. She thanked Mamoru.
He went back out and she saw him stuffing the portable oxygen tank into his subspace pocket. He also added two more sets of IV bags and a few bags of snacks. She smiled at him and finished her shake. He picked her up and carried her easily to the car.
Once she was settled inside he put an oxygen hose over her ears and into her nose. She could talk that way while still getting extra oxygen, and she preferred it. They settled in and Mamoru turned the key in the ignition.
"How did the others get there if they didn't take your car?" she asked.
"Motoki came and got them," he confessed.
"Motoki? Does he know?" Usagi was worried.
"Yeah. He's the one who told me I was Tuxedo Kamen actually. I forgot I hadn't told you that."
"We only had two dates before..." Usagi couldn't finish the sentence. She didn't want to talk, or think about, the time when he had been taken. It had hurt her too much.
"Anyways, I guess he sort of attacked Minako for information yesterday and she said you were sick. Right after you fell asleep he called. He wanted to see you when he came by this morning, but I was worried you'd get woken up, and Doctor Mizuno said you needed to rest."
Mamoru turned a blinker on and then turned onto the street with the shine. "I sent them a message letting them know were coming so they'll have everything set up for you when we get there. No walking around or climbing. You have an abnormal heart beat."
"Is that bad?" Usagi was confused. She thought she was just too thin.
"Yes. And until we get some weight on you and your heart and lungs are working better, there wont be any battles or training or lifting or..."
Usagi cut him off. "I get it!"
She was frustrated. As much as she loved the boys and was happy she'd saved them, the Silver Crystal had done things in such a strange way. Now she was stuck being carried around like an invalid, and treated like one.
Mamoru parked and lifted her out of the car. The trip up the stairs didn't seem to bother him in the slightest. She hid her jealousy as best she could and just reminded herself that only a week before she would have done just about anything to feel his arms around her one more time.
As soon as they reached the top of the steps there was a shout from four little boys. "Mommy!" They were rushed by the little ones and Mamoru had to kneel down so they could hug and kiss her. They had grown and changed since she'd seen them last, only the night before. Their faces were thinning out and their little bodies were growing sturdier. She wanted to weep because it seemed like she had missed so much. Instead she plastered on a huge smile for them and hugged them all.
Mamoru constantly checked on Usagi. He couldn't bear to have her out of his sight, and though he knew she was growing impatient with their hovering, he wasn't about to stop. They'd been at the shrine less than an hour, and he could tell she was already tired. She lay in a beach chair that had arm rests on it. He didn't know who had brought it, but he was thankful.
Zo had curled up with her and refused to leave her side, though his brothers were now tumbling and playing in the grass. Makoto was teaching them some abbreviated martial arts. She claimed it would teach them discipline, but so far all he'd seen was a bunch of new ways for them to terrorize each other. He grinned as Nephrite picked up a stick and began defeating invisible foes.
He sat down on the ground next to Usagi's chair and handed her a packet of walnuts. She struggled to open it with Zo in her lap, and handed it back. Once it was open and she was munching all the boys rushed over for 'some some.' Usagi laughed and gave them each a piece. Kun seemed to like them, and Zo didn't seem to mind them but Jed and Nephrite made faces and spat the pieces out.
Mamoru laughed and handed them each a peanut butter sandwich instead. Physically they were over four years old in only a couple days, and though it still worried him, Doctor Mizuno said that the Crystal had done something to help them as they aged. They were healthy, incredibly so. Their bodies seemed to have all the immunities Usagi did, antibodies for any childhood illnesses she'd gone through. He was thankful. Getting chicken pox as an adult could be dangerous.
He looked over at his beautiful, tiny, blonde soulmate and frowned. She had tears in her eyes again. She'd been sad off and on since the day before, and he didn't understand. He wanted to though. He needed to know what she was thinking so he could help her.
Ami came and took Zo and the others ran off as soon as the food was gone. So he reached over and plucked Usagi out of the chair and into his lap.
"What's wrong Usako?" he asked, pressing his cheek on the crown of her head.
There was a sniffle and then she shook her head. "I'm being silly."
"How are you being silly? Tell me what it is. Maybe I can fix it."
Usagi sniffled again and cuddled closer. "My feelings are hurt."
"Why?" Mamoru wasn't sure what he'd done wrong, but he would do anything to make her feel better.
"Because the babies don't have my name," she sniffled again.
"Oh," Mamoru grinned. He could understand why she was upset. Instead of speaking though, he pulled something out of his subspace pocket. He lifted his head from hers and turned her to look at him. "Usako, there's a good reason for that." He smiled. "I asked Ami to give them my name because..." he held up a ring in front of her. "Usako, you are absolutely everything to me. I'd be lost without you. I love you so much, and I want you with me, all the time. Please say you'll marry me."
Usagi's cerulean blue eyes widened and she stared at him, her mouth slightly open. She slowly nodded her head, and a whispered, "yes," escaped her lips. He bent and kissed her, a little more passionately than was probably safe for her at the moment. He could feel her heart racing and backed away slightly. She looked up at him, a blush staining her cheeks.
"Your father already gave his permission." Mamoru was proud of that.
"How?" Usagi looked poleaxed. "He's not... known for being nice to boys."
"I had a little help. From Luna and Artemis." He smiled. "We sort of... convinced him."
"Oh." Usagi smiled at him as he slipped the ring on her finger. "Um, when?"
"As soon as I can get you to the courthouse safely," Mamoru grinned.
Usagi couldn't help but laugh at that. She hugged him, and when he wrapped his arms around her she felt safe and warm and very loved. She could understand why they'd gone with his last name now. She smiled. He wanted to marry her. How was that for a speed dating record. Two dates, some time being evil, four babies, and then boom... engagement.
Motoki strode up the steps and back onto the temple grounds. He'd been gone a couple hours, running errands for his parents, who were due to return from America in a few days. They would only be home a week before leaving again. They now had three restaurants in the other country, and he was worried they meant to move all of them there permanently. He was almost an adult, but Unazuki wasn't and he didn't want her to be transplanted to another country. Unless it was what she really wanted. He doubted that of course.
When he reached the top of the steps and caught sight of Usagi he almost fell over in shock and fear. She didn't look healthy. Not in the slightest. There was an IV attached to her arm. An oxygen hose was hooked into her nostrils, and she looked so thin it wouldn't have surprised him if she'd been starved for a month. Except he'd seen her a week before, and she'd looked fine and healthy.
He looked over at the four little boys running through the grass. Each of them seemed to stop and check on her every few minutes. Mamoru appeared to be attached to her at the hip, and the other girls constantly peered over at her. They were being subtle about it, but they were watching her carefully, almost more than they were watching the rambunctious children.
Motoki saw the sparkle of the ring Mamoru had picked out. He'd seen it earlier, but had to admit, it looked better on her hand. Though even her hand was too thin in his opinion. He hefted the tray he'd carried, and moved forward slowly. It was her favorite. The same order Minako had come for the night before. He wanted her healthy, and now that he saw her, he thought perhaps he should have brought more.
She sat up excitedly when she saw him and reached for a hug as Mamoru took the tray from him so he could bend down. "Motoki-onii-san!" Usagi squealed happily. "It's so good to see you!"
"It's good to see you too Usagi-chan. But I want to see more of you, so you'd better start eating." She giggled as he took the tray back from Mamoru and settled it in her lap.
"Thanks Toki." Mamoru smiled. "I know we're supposed to be feeding her healthier things, but she doesn't get enthusiastic about them like she does all that fatty American food." He stole a chili cheese fry. "I can understand why," he murmured. "This is good."
There was a surge of sound as the four little boys raced over. Each was given one fry, smothered in the chili and cheese. All of them seemed to approve of the snack. He watched Usagi interacting with them. It reminded him of the way his mother was with him and Unazuki. She loved them. She was their mother for all intents and purposes. Rapid growth aside, they were her babies.
"So three days for all these kiddos huh?" Motoki asked when the little ones had settled down.
Usagi nodded her head. "I don't really remember it though. I just remember wishing they could live again. I wanted them to have pure hearts. And then next thing I know... I'm in labor."
"You don't remember being pregnant?" Motoki was shocked. No one had told him that part.
Usagi shook her head. "Ami thinks I was sleeping. Inside a chrysalis."
"Like a cocoon? A butterfly cocoon?" Motoki asked.
Ami moved closer. "Something like it yes, but I think it was actually the Crystal, surrounding her."
"And that's the thing that helped her defeat the evil person?" Motoki clarified.
"Yes, though mostly it was her spirit and determination to protect the rest of us." Mamoru said. "I told you they had me for weeks, but they had the boys other selves for probably years. They died to save their soulmates," Mamoru nodded to the girls, "but even still, the Senshi and I all almost died anyways."
"Usagi saved us," Rei added, coming up behind the little blonde. "And then she disappeared." A shudder went through the group. "Mamoru stayed down there for three days. He had sort of jumped through the portal after her, but couldn't find her. We came back for a little while, but went every day to search. The third day we heard Mamoru shouting for us and Usagi screaming in pain."
"There was so much blood," Minako added, shivering. "It scared me."
The mood was interrupted when Nephrite decided to teach his brothers "blades," and handed out sticks to each of them. Motoki watched in fascination as what appeared to be a four year old boy worked through several forms with his brothers, correcting their movements.
Kunzite however, got distracted by a pile of pebbles and began setting them up, talking about his "battle pwan." Jadeite quickly lost interest and disappeared into a bush, and Rei went rushing after him. Jadeite reappeared, a few minutes later, laughing. Rei was nowhere to be seen, but Jadeite was wearing a hat made of twigs and leaves and immediately faded into a bush again. Then Zoicite pulled away and began to build a "bwidge," from large stones. Nephrite, alone now, began beating invisible "enmies" with his sword.
These were no ordinary children. Already they were showing intelligence and abilities far beyond their age, which from what he understood was only a couple days. He wondered how much of their past lives they were already remembering.
He turned and glanced over at Usagi. She was watching the children with a smile on her face and love in her eyes. But she was blinking heavily. He nodded to Mamoru, who noticed. The children were gathered together. Rei reappeared, laughing and carrying Jadeite over her head and he helped get the kids into his car. Some of the girls climbed in with him, the others with Mamoru and Usagi, and both cars drove away.
Updated Author's Note: I really hope people liked the way I resolved the issue with the boy's last names. Also, I want to make it clear that though I haven't said an age in the story, I just made this one so that they started a little older... perhaps around sixteen. Not really sure. It just sort of flowed.
Original Author's Note: I want to address a review I received from a guest. Hopefully you see this. The last name issue was a huge battle for me, and I'm going to be expressing the emotions she's going through over them not having the Tsukino name. But, as you will later see, there is a good reason for what I've done. I really hope you enjoy the story and what I plan to do with it.
*rubs hands together and looks around wildly for enough chocolate to get through the chapter*
