Here we are guys.
XXXXIIIIIXIIIIIXIIIII
There was a coldness settling around Pluto, like a chilly breeze that crept over her flesh. Garnet eyes focused on a pool of water that shimmered just above her head. The surface of the water was tilted downwards, but no drop trickled to the mist covered floor below. Stepping closer, she peered at it scrutiny. The water rippled and another cool chill settled over her. A curious sensation, but as she stared at the small puddle of hanging water, she finally understood the message, "It's almost time for their growth spurts." Setsuna announced, glancing away from the small pool, looking into a large mirror that stood before her, showing her the sleeping forms of the Senshi and the young babies.
"We knew their growth spurts would come soon." The misty form of the long dead Queen urged, "The demons will break free to chase them. I have no doubt that as they grow; the evil will draw closer and closer. The princes and princesses will be tested in the coming times."
Setsuna nodded, already foreseeing the complications arising. She was happy that her brother was back, alive. She, unlike the others, had never forgotten the princes and had full memory of their past lives. Her constant contact in the dark misty realm of time never allowing her the opportunity to forget the past and all that had been lost. She had held her silence even as the desire to speak had burned deep within her. She still wanted to inform the girls, to smooth the path ahead, but knew she couldn't. Even she could not foretell what the consequences of every action held. One day though, hopefully soon, she could speak about her brother and the others.
"I will be asked to explain." Setsuna warned the dead Queen, turning to view the misty ghost form that stood behind her.
"No," The misted form denied, "you must stay out of this. The girls' memories must finish awakening. The boys will do what they need to do to win them over once more."
"But the girls are different in this life time," Setsuna argued quietly, "They never grew up with these men. The boys have changed as well living in that war bitten dimension. I do not doubt that with their memories reawakened they will have the home advantage, but you forget that the love shared between the guys and girls weren't as easy as that of Usagi and Mamoru. They had their duties. The girls' hands were practically almost promised to the Earth generals to seal an alliance. They knew their duty and would have set themselves to it, to marry the very men whom had betrayed them in the end. You have no idea that the decision, if it was carried out, would have caused dissent amongst your ranks." Queen Serenity's ghostly formed flinched at the reminder. She had known of her soldiers' loves. She had watched the group grow and had practically picked out the bonds she saw forming. Earth's desire for a stronger alliance had broken her heart. They not only would have her daughter, but the Senshi as well. Her soul had nearly shriveled up as she talked of the possibilities, negotiated the alliances. Nothing concrete had been planned, but her Senshi had already known and had set themselves to their duties, despite the fact that another held their hearts.
"They will work it out." The Queen assured absently as she began to recall other memories where her soldiers had often sacrificed themselves further because she had demanded it. "My scouts have protected my crown and family for as long as I can remember. You all gave up and sacrificed your lives, caring out a duty that not many would have put up with. The men understood, fighting alongside you all." The mist sighed, "It was my fault the boys weren't reborn in this world and time, or any of the other life times before this. My fault you don't have your lover, had to live without knowing him once more." The Queen smiled, hearing Setsuna's surprised grunt at the reminder, "Do not deny it old friend. I let my daughter have her happiness. I forgot about the rest of you. You all died, fought old lovers, and remain outcast from the rest of society simply because of my inattentiveness. Half of my scouts are living on their own because their parents are dead or refuse to acknowledge their children. Usagi had always lived in a loving home with a mother and father. The rest of you? You were all alone, practically unwanted and unloved by those who should have cared. I think I made it that way because I wanted my scouts to protect my daughter and not be close to anyone else." She chuckled sadly, "Hotaru's father was possessed and implanted the demon Mistress Nine in her." Then looked to the Senshi of Time and Space, "I will make it right. I will correct my mistake. I will not let you all live alone, wondering why you never found the one, the other part of your soul." The Queen's sad reassurance echoed in the dark open space of the Time void, a silent vow that resounded but was fragile.
Setsuna stood there, letting the long gone memory have her moment, have her epiphany. There was so much she had wanted to ask Serenity, so many things. She had wanted to know why Mars or Venus lived in a household without love. Why did Jupiter always have to lose people she loved so young to end up alone when she was older? Why did Mercury have a cracked family, nearly neglected if it wasn't for the small touches of caring her mother showed her? Why were Haruka and Michiru orphans, relying only on each other and no one else? Why was it always that Saturn lived as a sickly child, to be reawakened and be made a monster in the eyes of others as she ended and began the world anew?
"Could you ever forgive me Puu?" A strangle sob, the Queen's eyes pleading with the oldest Senshi. Her form was hunched over, two ghostly limbs held before her as if she was a beggar asking for coin. That face, so much like Usagi's, was so forlorn and filled with regret.
"No." Pluto answered, watching as the Queen nodded sadly to her blunt answer, "Not until they all find their happy ending." Setsuna turned away, not seeing the hopeful look the ghost sent her. She may not have always cared for Serenity's choices when it came to the senshi, but she was her Queen and friend, she couldn't hate her.
"Thank you, Pluto."
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In the quiet of the little white house with blue shutters and a blue wooden door, Artemis stared at his charge and what she was interacting with, "Where did it come from?"
The three sat in her room, Minako and the baby on the bed and Artemis sitting on a window sill. Minako rolled her eyes as she changed the baby boy's diaper, feeling like she was quickly becoming a pro at this. She grinned down at the baby now that he was changed; her fingers tickled across his stomach and enticed a small smile out of the baby. His little fingers gripped at the pale orange comforter on her full sized bed. She had it perfectly made as she sat him atop it, in the middle of the bed so he wouldn't have the easiest of opportunities to fall off.
The baby was quiet all throughout the night and this morning, barely uttering a peep. She might not have awoken if she hadn't felt like something or someone was playing with her hair. Minako woke up, rolling over and saw two little eyes staring at her, his little fist wrapped around strands of her flaxen hair, tugging. Artemis had discovered her talking to the little guy this morning, asking him about possible hair fetishes. That had been around eleven this morning, now a full two hours after eating, showering and packing, they were once more in her room as she finished dressing the baby in a pale blue onsie and white socks.
"I found him in the bathroom yesterday. How's Luna?" Minako abruptly changed the subject, pulling out a pacifier and putting it in the baby's mouth. It sucked on the rubber material greedily. Artemis was absent when she had found the little guy. No doubt it was a surprise for him. She knew she should discuss it over with him, but what could be said? The switch to Luna, though, was not far off base since she knew he spent most of his time with the darker cat. Please, she didn't need to be the Goddess of Love to use her powers to find that those two were so meant to be together.
"That is not important," Artemis disputed his cheeks red as he stomped down one white paw.
"Ok then Artemis, so then how is Luna?" Minako smirked as silence followed. No, the tactic wasn't subtle, nor could it be called a tactic. She poked the baby's bellybutton, winking down at the little guy as she purposefully ignored Artemis and the look. He was glaring daggers in the back of her head. She could feel it.
"You know that wasn't what I meant!" Artemis shook his head, growling out the sentence. She's just trying to get under my fur, he mentally grumbled. He watched as Minako pulled out a bottle, picking up the baby.
"Look Artemis," Minako spun around with the baby in her arms, holding a bottle to his lips, "we called Puu and she wants us to take care of them." Artemis raised a brow skeptically, "I know it sounds weird," Minako allowed, "but I have no other alternative."
"A shelter?" The white cat groused, staring pointedly at the baby that was hungrily taking what the bottle offered.
"No." Minako looked at him weirdly, "The baby ended up in my bathtub." She stressed the last word, "No one leaves a baby there. They leave them on front steps. Plus," She went on, standing up and moving out of the room. She made a small walk down the five foot hallway and down the curved staircase to end up in the combined kitchenette and living room area. The blonde easily slid into a seat at the little round wooden table, next to the stair, with the baby in her lap, "all the girls found babies which means something is up." She gave Artemis a sharp look, trying to impart the importance of the information. Artemis had been her partner since she was twelve, they could easily communicate the important subjects. This time was no different.
He had to admit it was incredibly suspicious and did put a damper on his idea of putting the kid in the care of someone else. Minako had said Pluto wanted them to take care of the kids too. Artemis, though loyal to his companion, didn't think that was all there was to it. Setsuna always knew more than he or Luna when it came to the strange happenings that went on in the girls lives. He trusted Minako, but Minako must have been having her own doubts about all this otherwise they might never had called Pluto at all. He shook his head. Maybe he was being paranoid, but five babies show up out of nowhere in the vicinity of where five Senshi lived. And Pluto said, 'just wait and see,' there was more to the story. What could he say though? From the bags that Minako had at the end of her bed this morning, to the bag of baby stuff in the hallway, looked like Minako was going somewhere and he doubted she would go alone.
"So what are you guys doing?" He questioned on the girls plans (they just had to have a plan). Minako and Makoto had nothing to worry about seeing as they lived on their own, not needing to worry about anyone other than the neighbors. The other three had parents or, in Rei's case, a parental figure to worry about. There was no way they could get away with it. Hotaru did have Haruka and Michiru, but they were away and Hotaru would need help with the child in her care.
"We're all meeting at the temple. I was thinking about going away for a few weeks and figure out what we can do. You know that beach house my folks bought but never go to?" Artemis nodded in affirmative, "I was thinking we'd go there, like a mini-vacation."
"That's a good idea Minako." Artemis beamed, happy that the girls have some form of a game plan. A gurgling had Artemis glancing at the baby and froze. The little guy was looking right at him. Where have I seen eyes that shade before? Artemis blinked, swishing his tail. Everything else faded into the background, those dark emerald orbs…in the face of a somberly chiseled face. A memory just out of his grasp, resurfacing. Where did those eyes belong? The information teased at the cat guardian's braid. The baby closed his eyes and the image faded, forgotten. Artemis shook himself, feeling as if he was dizzy and drunk for a moment, get a grip old man.
"We better head over." Blue eyes glanced to the bright yellow clock that hung over the small sink. Minako stood, patting the baby's back as she moved to the entryway, just across and through the living room area. "You coming?" She called, bending at the waist to load a few bags onto her shoulder and arm.
"Will Usagi and Mamoru be there?" He asked, though they both knew he was really asking about Luna being there.
"No, they have a date." She grinned, opening the door, "I believe she will be playing chaperone. Wanna join her?" Artemis jumped down from his place at the table and walked out, "See ya!" Minako waved as he took off. She shook her head and took a glimpse at the baby. He was staring up at her, waving his arms as she set him in a baby carrier. She picked him up, looping one arm through the handle as she carried out her luggage and the baby's stuff. She locked the blue door before heading down the walkway and towards her red beat up, 1998 Toyota Highlander.
"Love is complicated buddy," She remarked, unlocking the doors to her car and strapping him in a car seat, "but when you find that special someone you do what you can for them. Protect, love them and be that shoulder to cry on." She tapped him on the nose, laughing when he caught her hand and began to suck on her ring finger, "That's not the romance I was talking about, but keep working on that technique." Minako grinned, disengaging her hand, shutting the door and getting into the driver side. She revved up the engine, pulling into the street.
From the backseat, using the little mirror in the toy connected to his seat, the baby gave a half smile at the blonde's image. Don't worry. We'll have plenty of time to practice later.
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The temple looked calm this sunny morning, sitting high on the hill and overlooking the street. The dark wood and ancient styled roof looking regal to many a passerby. The cherry blossoms, that surrounded the temple, swayed with the gentle breeze that cooled the warm day. There were no visitors this day, which was good for those inside one of the main living areas and out of the way of the main tourist oriented area. In the back part of the temple, the young miko's room was being filled with her friends and bags in preparation to leave. Rei shook her head as she watched the other four girls pile in with baby gear and bags in tow, most of her bedroom already covered with luggage. For the sake of not getting killed or blamed for kidnapping someone's child the five girls, and to be joined by Usagi and Mamoru, were going to Minako's family beach house. She had already told her grandpa that she was going away for the weekend with friends and he was okay with that. He was happy that she even had friends since she never got along with other people easily, though it was better at the nearby University she attended.
Hotaru had called and told Michiru and Haruka that she was going with the Inners to a beach house for some fun. The younger girl had felt it best to leave her parents out of it until they found out what was going on. This trip was important for Michiru-mama's career, so they left the two Outers out of the secret. They had allowed her to go, but, Haruka had given them a list of what would happen to them if she found out Hotaru had gotten hurt, was drinking, smoking or seeing a guy. Michiru had quickly snatched the phone away and told them to ignore her lover and to just have fun.
Ami was an adult, but still lived at home with her mother as she attended one of the nearby universities like Rei. Though she was old enough, Ami had wanted to inform her mother of the summer trip out to the beach house. Her mother had been more than supportive. She had just been happy to see her daughter get out and hanging with her nice friends. She didn't want Ami to stay home all alone while she was stuck at the hospital.
Makoto was in the kitchen, making sandwiches for the road and leaving the others to watch her own charge until she returned. They all waited for Minako to get there. Rei was currently watching both babies, rolling around on the ground. She sat on her bed, legs crossed as she played with a pen and pad of paper in her lap. She smiled, observing the babies talk as if they were in a deep conversation. The looked like they were frowning as cute noises came out of their mouths, lying on their bellies.
Ami was sitting on the ground next to Hotaru, their backs against the wall just opposite of Rei. The two girls were talking, watching as their own little guys rolled around together. If Rei hadn't known better she would have thought that the dark haired baby was trying to get to the other baby. His bottom lip puckered out, reaching as he rolled toward the other baby. The other baby would just roll away, giggling and laughing.
"Hey guys," Minako greeted, opening the door, "sorry I'm late." She apologized as she moved further in the room (not much since the room was mostly made up of her desk and bed, with the bed taking up most of the space), setting the stuff and the baby seat down. She quickly let her bundle of joy out, setting him down with the other babies, the dark haired one and the overly giggling baby. The blonde leader plopped down beside him, picking him up and settling him in her lap after he had crawled to her, slapping at her legs for attention. Rei giggled, seeing the baby smile at his new position, "Artemis was interrogating me about silent one here." Minako huffed, bouncing her legs to the smiling baby's delight.
"Silent one?" Hotaru raised a brow curious, her dark violet orbs glancing from her own charge to the one in Minako's lap.
"This guy never cried." Minako boasted, "The only time was yesterday. He was quiet throughout the night and this morning. I changed him and fed him and not a whimper," Minako shook her head, shrugging her shoulders. She knew that wasn't typical for babies, but she had no complaints on it.
"Funny," Ami mused loudly, "mine didn't utter a peep either. He giggles, gurgles and does the baby talk, but no sign of tears in sight."
"What didn't utter a peep?" Makoto questioned, just now walking in on the conversation, wheeling in two very large coolers. She maneuvered the two red boxes just outside the doorway, so the room wouldn't feel even more crowded. The brunette, finished with placing the coolers in the hallway, easily slid in the room and took a seat on Rei's bed, just opposite of her. Her baby pushed on his hands and knees, scooting his body closer to her. His blonde curls shining from the sunlight that peeking through one of the windows above Rei's bed.
"Why do we need two?" Hotaru asked, straying from the topic at hand, eyes widening in disbelief. The other four smirked, believing that Hotaru had forgotten a certain someone's eating habits.
"Usagi." They said at the same time, making the five laugh.
"Back to what we were talking about..." Makoto trailed off peering at Ami, waiting for the blue haired girl to continue with what she had said before. She was propped back as she complied with her baby's wishes, setting him on her stomach and just letting him rest there. She patted his back, rubbing her hand over the cool cotton of the white t-shirt he wore with his diaper.
"Minako said her baby was ultra-quiet. No crying since yesterday. Neither did mine." Ami supplied at last, wiggling her sock covered toes as the dark haired baby seem to give up on trying to get to the other baby and grabbed at her digits. She moved her foot further when the baby opened his mouth and tried to place it over her toes.
"Nor mine." Rei shook her head, frowning as she scrutinized the giggling babies before her. The one with the dark brown curls and light blue eyes, her designated baby, was at her feet. He tugged at her socks. She leaned down and checked to make sure his black shorts and blue t-shirt was straightened before setting him in her lap.
"Mine just giggles." Hotaru chuckled, leaning forward and poking the purple onsie clothed baby. It giggled at her poke, waving and arm and catching her finger in a little fist.
"Well, mine giggled to but other than that," Makoto scratched at the base of her ponytail, keeping a hand around the baby on her torso, "no crying."
"That is odd." Ami muttered, "The probability of all of us getting a baby that doesn't cry, much less for food or dirty diapers, is pretty unheard of." She tapped her chin, "This merely adds that this situation is off and poses just more questions."
"Maybe we're lucky?" Minako shrugged, "I don't think I could handle anymore crying." She admitted, chuckling sheepishly. The girls laughed. While waiting for Usagi and Mamoru to make their appearance, they talked and joked until the door slid open, revealing the royal couple.
"Hey guys." Mamoru greeted with a smile. One arm twined with Usagi's and the other hand buried in his pocket. He carried no luggage, but it was more than likely in his car, along with Usagi's.
"Hi!" The girls called out collectively as the two moved further into the room.
"So we ready for this little trip?" Usagi asked, uncurling herself from her boyfriend. She sat at Rei's desk, quickly snatching at cookies that were on a tray. The other girls, though, had stood. Grabbing bags, some of the girls had already left through the parted doors, and gradually came back to pick the last of the stuff. Mamoru helped by carrying the larger bags.
"Usagi," Rei snapped her own arms full of baby items, "quit being a pig and help us load the stuff." She paused from going out the door. The babies were in their car seats, out of the way as people moved in and out for the loading of the items.
"Shut up Rei." Usagi groused, some cookie crumbles on her lips, "I will." She stood up, shoulders hunched as she glared at the retreating miko's back and picked up a bag and joined the train of carrying out bags. The chore didn't take long as there were plenty of people pitching in. Only a few people had their luggage actually packed since they were using only three cars. The coolers were loaded in Ami and Minako's trunks, as it was decided to bring their cars and Mamoru's.
"So who's riding with whom?" Mamoru asked quickly, once the group was outside. Rei and Usagi were still glaring at each other. He wanted to diffuse the situation. Their fighting could be amusing, but it would take a while to get on the road if they let them give in to temptation. Most of Mamoru's backseat was filled with some of the girls' luggage since Ami and Minako would have baby seats and coolers.
"Hotaru, Makoto and I will take my car." Minako volunteered, swinging a key around her finger. The baby carrier hooked over her other arm. The car was of a decent size to hold them all. Makoto would just hold her baby carrier in her lap.
"Guess I have Rei." Ami mockingly sighed painfully, leaning back against her silver 1999 Volkswagen Jetta.
"Hey!" Rei huffed, nudging Ami in the shoulder before the whole group laughed and began to load into the cars.
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"Gone?" A clenched fist slammed on a large obelisk table. Vibrations sounded out over the entire room at the impact. The walls were made of the same material as the table the slim, pale hand had just slammed on. The throne, the speaker of the question sat in, even seemed to have risen out of the floor.
"They have escaped mistress," A minion explained, looking up fearfully at the leader. It's wide red eyes, taking in the angry glare, the way those dark clawed fingers clenched, banging on the table once more. He winced as the sound echoed in the room again.
"No excuse!" A sharp reprimand, "How could you let them get away?"
"Y-you se-," The minion started, but he was thrown back by an invisible force. His back hitting into the large black doors with a loud thud.
"I don't care. Find them and get rid of them!" She barked, minions scurrying out of the room to do as she bid. She sat in her throne, glaring hatefully into a mirror that had appeared out of thin air. In the reflection of the mirror it was playing a scene over and over again of a time on the Moon Kingdom. How she hated them, hated that they had found happiness while she had not. How could beings, any beings be so sickening in their happiness? She didn't care for the answer, but she hated them for it. Why were they happy when she wasn't? Did she not have power? Riches? Minions that would do as her bidding willed? Was she happy? She paused in the middle of her mental hate and then grunted, "No."
She had helped Beryl destroy the Moon kingdom and its precious subjects so she could take away that happiness. They all died, one by one. The men, watching their lovers fall dead before them. She smirked as the mirror changed, their faces etched with pain and hate in their final hours.
She frowned as the scene changed to the Moon Queen and her Silver Crystal. The stupid broad was trying to send them all to the future to be, "Happy!" She spat, ignoring the fact that all of this had taken place hundreds of years ago. She pushed herself up from her throne, flinging across the room in her building rage. The mirror followed, still playing the images as if taunting her, yet the mirror played and moved to follow because she willed it.
But she had intervened. She stopped and cackled at the reminder. The Senshi and their precious princess and her prince were sent to the future but she, she grinned, sent the other five men to another dimension. Their humanity beaten and stripped out of them, living in a time of war. They couldn't grow up to love if they were deprived of it. Another cackle, deep and bone-chilling escaped from the lithe figure swathed in silver silk, wrapping around her form like scarves tied together.
She laughed coldly, feeling a sudden bubble of happiness fester in her. She would find them and bring them to her castle where she would torture them for the rest of eternity. No, she perked up, slinking back to her throne to sit in, a sudden idea taking hold. She would find their lost loves and let them torture them. She moaned from the pleasure of their imaginary pain. She would torture the men, making them see that their lovers didn't remember them, didn't even care for them. She'd brain wash the Senshi. Making them her personal entourage. Let's see how love fairs when the one you love laughs at your pain.
"Oh brilliant!" She cackled, echoing through the dark castle as her evil plan began to unfold in an addled mind.
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE
I did go back and revise this. Probably still some mistakes, but I'm overall proud of the fixing up I did.
