AN: I'm not sure how I like this ending (it's nothing spectacular), but - really it's just an introduction into Cupid and Psyche (with a little hint of closure for the other story lines). I hope that fits all the fairy tales into a circular pattern. Anyway, thank you very much to those who have stuck with me so far. (Especially Champion of Justice, Persian, Raye85, Valkyrie Celes and ShadowGlen who gave me very good advice and shared their honest oppinions. Thank you for encouraging me!)
Starlight
Epilogue
"Happy Birthday Mina!!!"
"What did you wish for?"
"Usagi, you know if I tell you it won't come true."
The blond laughed and jostled Makoto in the ribs as she bent to slice the cake.
"Watch it, hairball!" she exclaimed affectionately, "Hey, Mamoru-kun, you better come over here and restrain the bunny or there won't be any cake left for anyone else."
Mamoru chuckled and ruffled Usagi's head as she pouted.
"Come on, Usako," he said, "let Mina have the first piece, it is her birthday, after all."
"Twenty-one!!!" Mina yelled, jumping in the air.
Rei dodged a flying piece of cake and shot Mina a harried look.
"Do you mind?" she asked, "I'd like to eat the cake, not wear it."
"Oh, you're just mad because you're so old."
"For your information -" Rei began.
"I'm the oldest," Mamoru cut in, "so let's not argue."
The girls subsided and ate their cake without too much mayhem. Mamoru smiled as he watched them, reflecting on how odd it was that he now had not only a fiance, but also four sisters to go with her.
Matching set.
He smirked. But he was more than grateful – he was amazed. For a man who had grown up virtually alone, to be accepted so willingly and sincerely into a family (for that was how he saw them all – his first real taste of family) - this remained one of the most indelible pleasures he'd ever known. He never wanted to be without a single one of them.
"What are you thinking about, Mamo-chan?"
He stared down at his pretty Usako, her blue eyes gazing up at him in frank curiosity. He truly couldn't believe his good fortune on days like these.
"Nothing," he smiled, and accepted the offered plate of cake.
"Chocolate?" he asked, after a mouthful.
"Mako-chan made it especially for today – she's been backed up in her shop because of the orders she's been getting in lately, so we all helped out a bit."
"Delicious," he gulped. It only worried him slightly that Usako had had a hand in making what he was now eating. Only slightly.
"Hey, whatever happened to that cousin of yours?" Mako asked Usagi.
"The one you had a crush on?" Mina asked, slyly, "Although I can't understand why. Men with white hair - ugh!"
"That's my cousin, Adamas – he's Artemis' brother."
"Does he have a girlfriend?"
Usagi shrugged.
"He mentioned someone in his last phone call to mom," she answered, "but he didn't say who she was. For some reason he's being very mysterious about it."
Mako shook her head sadly.
"It figures," she pronounced, "all the guys I like are usually off limits anyway."
"Maybe you should change your tastes," Rei suggested, daintily devouring a bite.
"Says the vestal virgin," Mako snorted, "come on, you know you drool over guys like that as much as the rest of us."
Rei sniffed, but colored very slightly.
"Chiba-san, when are you planning on choosing your field?" a quiet voice asked.
"I've chosen pediatrics, actually," he answered, "and please, we've had this discussion, Ami; call me 'Mamoru'."
Ami blushed.
"I-I'm sorry," she grinned, "I'll try to remember."
"It's ok," he sighed, smiling at her fondly.
Some things never change.
"Are you almost through with school?" he asked.
Ami nodded.
"Yes, this is my last real semester. Soon I'll be interning at Tokyo University – I hope to be admitted into the diagnostics department."
"You really are a wonder," he shook his head, "you're three years younger than I am, and almost four years ahead of me in school."
Ami blushed scarlet.
"W-well, I – my mother has connections – and the undergrad exemptions," she stammered.
"Don't be so modest," Rei called, "you should be proud of all your hard work."
Ami smiled shyly.
"I am, but I'm more excited than proud."
"I'd be scared to death," Usagi declared.
"I'd die if I had to stick a needle into someone's arm."
"Then it's a good thing you don't have to," Mako joked.
"How's that manga coming?" Mina jumped in, "Last I heard you were sending it off."
Usagi's face became jubilant.
"I did!" she squealed, "And it's going to be published!"
All the girls let out congratulatory sounds and exclamations.
"Did you stick to the idea of the moon princess and the prince?" Mako asked.
"Yeah, but I added in some more characters and a really nasty villain."
"Can I see it some time?" Rei requested.
"I've got the copy here with me," Usagi replied, jumping up to grab her bag.
She clamored back to the group and shoved a stained copy into Rei's lap.
"Wow, this is really beautiful," the dark haired girl commented, "I didn't know you could draw like this."
Usagi blushed with pleasure.
"Although, she looks a little like you," Rei pointed out, wryly.
"Oh, just the hair style!"
Mako craned her neck to peer at the manga, and the other girls joined her.
"Hey, that looks like...Rei," Mako said, pointing to one of the characters.
Usagi shifted uncomfortably.
"Well, I did draw some of it from real life," she admitted.
"And that looks like Ami, and there's Mamoru – and that's definitely Mina," Mako continued, jabbing at the page.
Rei and Ami's faces were very red at this point.
"I don't want to be in a stupid manga so that people I don't know can look at me!" Rei exclaimed.
"Oh, Usagi," Ami squeaked, "I -I really, I don't think that I'd – can you change it?"
"No, I can't change it!" Usagi shouted.
"I don't know why you're complaining," Mina noted, "I think it's wonderful. We're going to be so popular – can't you just see it? First everyone will fall in love with Usa's manga, and then they'll make an anime out of it and then a live action version, and then a stage show!"
Everyone was staring at her in horror.
"And then!" she finished, "We can all audition!!"
"I love it!" she ended, embracing Usagi.
"Wow, we could be idols," Mako murmured, "I could meet famous people..."
"Earth to crazy girls, I don't want to be famous!" Rei growled.
"Me neither!" Ami chimed in.
Mamoru tried desperately to think of a way to stop the coming squabble.
"Uh – hey, Mina!" he called, "Why don't we go to your favorite club tonight? Drinks on me."
"Really!?" she gasped.
"Yeah," Mamoru agreed weakly.
"Let's go!" Mina shouted, jumping up and grabbing her bag.
"Uh, I have to get back and look in on the shrine," Rei acknowledged, "I left the new guy in charge and I don't really think he can handle more than an hour's worth of responsibility."
"I'm afraid I have to study," Ami put in, "my last big test is just around the corner."
Mina's face was falling with each excuse.
"And I've got to get back to the shop and close up," Mako added.
Mina was close to wilting.
"Usagi, Mamo-chan, will it just be us?"
Usagi threw Mamoru a very pointed look.
"Uh, on second thought, I'll call you later tonight," he hedged, "I mean, Usa and I were going to -"
"It's alright," Mina sighed, "go – go, you young fools."
Mamoru found it hard to keep a straight face, but he decided to be grateful that Mina had let him off the hook so easily.
"Please, don't get in to any trouble," Rei warned as she hugged Mina.
"Yes, mother," the blond replied.
"See you later!" Mako called, and Ami waved as they both walked out the door together.
"Stay out of trouble," they chimed.
"Happy Birthday, Mina-chan," Usagi said as she embraced her friend.
"I hope," she whispered, "that you get what you wished for."
Mina smiled.
"Well, I don't think Mamoru's going to dump you any time soon, so I may have to wait."
Usagi jerked back, her eyes wide.
"You wished for my boyfriend!?"
"Why not?" Mina teased, "I just want the best."
Usagi eyed her suspiciously and turned with the same look to Mamoru. He merely rolled his eyes.
"Let's go, before your face gets stuck that way," he remarked and guided her toward the door.
"Don't get into trouble, Mina!" she cried as she and Mamoru exited.
"What is it with you guys? You'd think all I ever do is -"
Mina sighed.
"Huh," Usagi shut her phone as she and Mamoru made their way back to her apartment.
"What is it?" he asked, his arm casually draped around her.
"Mom just called," she explained, "she wanted to know if Shingo was visiting with me."
"Doesn't she know where he is?"
"I guess he's with his friends and forgot to tell her." But her face betrayed her worry.
"Would you like me to...talk to him?" Mamoru suggested lightly.
Usagi's face lit up.
"How do you do that?" she asked.
"Do what?"
She only smiled as they walked on.
"He's probably just feeling a little teenage rebellion," Mamoru continued, "most boys do around that age."
"Did you?"
Mamoru coughed.
"Uh – the normal amount."
"What did you do?" she demanded.
He shrugged, looking awkward.
"Oh, nothing much – I was pretty boring, actually. And no parents or foster parents – so there was no one to rebel against, except the teachers – and I actually liked school."
Usagi shook her head in bafflement at this confession.
"How boring Mamo-chan is," she reflected sadly.
"Hey," he protested, "I'm reliable, responsible. Something you seem to lack appreciation for."
She snorted.
"And you'd better get used to it." He added.
"I can be responsible when I want to be."
"I know you can."
"And the first responsible thing I'm going to do is find Mina a boyfriend."
He looked at her in surprise.
"That way we can be sure her birthday wish doesn't come true the wrong way."
He chuckled.
Well that's all she wrote. For now, anyway. Thanks again.