Author's Note: We're getting pretty close to the end of this story. Three more chapters and a brief epilogue before the next story starts. As I said, I'm breaking the Black Moon Clan arc into two parts, and the next one is going to be released around Easter... I might start a bit early so you don't have to wait too long though.

So, tell me what you think of this series so far.


Devotion: A Valentine's Story
Holiday Series: Book Three
Chapter Seven


***Takeo's POV***

Kaneko Takeo was frightened of many things. Mostly he was afraid of being alone. It was a big and scary world, with monsters that came after him, and parents who didn't exist, and now everything had changed. His heart beat wildly as he stared into the face of Rei, who said she would take him and protect him.

He had been surprised when the boy and girl showed up, but something had felt very right when the older pair came. Somehow he felt as though he had known them his entire life. It was impossible, but true. He felt more comfortable with them than with the shrine maidens he had known since he was three.

"Shingo, Hotaru, will you please go let Mamoru and Usagi know what is happening? I want to give the little one a few minutes to say goodbye and gather his things," Rei said, and she moved him slightly so that he was resting on her hip. It felt like the most natural thing in the world to simply rest his head on her shoulder, though he had never been very comfortable with cuddling and affection before.

"The twins are going to be so excited," the boy, Shingo, said. Then he had taken the hand of the girl and the two of them disappeared with a bright flash.

"Wow," Takeo muttered.

Cho, the last miko who had stayed, waved an arm and Rei and the teenage boy followed her. Takeo simply held on. It felt nice to be held and comforted. He realized he had wrapped a long strand of inky black hair around his hand over and over. It was silky and soft, and he liked the feeling of it touching his skin. His eyes closed, and he rested as Rei swayed back and forth while she walked. It was a comforting feeling, and he wanted nothing more than to sleep.

Then they were inside then Jinja and Cho told him to go and gather his things. He didn't want to leave Rei, but Jadeite took his hand and walked with him. Feeling more confident, he led the older teen to his room and began packing what he had into the little back pack he had used for so long. He didn't have much. Two changes of clothing and a couple books he didn't yet know how to read.

Jadeite smiled at him and told him he would soon have friends to play with. That made Takeo frown. The other kids in the village stayed away from him and he worried these new children would too.

"Don't worry Takeo. The twins are different. They have abilities too, though they haven't used them yet, as far as we know. And they're around your age we think."

"You don't know?" Takeo asked, confused.

"Well, they've come to visit from the future." Jadeite grinned at him. "It's rather confusing."

"From the future?" Takeo asked.

Jadeite only nodded, then picked him up. "There are a whole bunch of us who are a bit different than everyone else. So believe me when I say we understand."

Takeo laid his head on Jadeite's shoulder. The young man took the back pack and walked back to Cho and Rei. Takeo let himself drift a little, comfortable and finally feeling safe.


***Usagi's POV***

Chibi-Mamo struggled through writing his name in English, a frown marring his features and his little tongue out and held between his teeth as he concentrated. It was adorable. Usagi thought if she wasn't trying so hard to concentrate herself, she might break down laughing.

Chibi-Usa, beside him, was being a little doll, her eyes wide as she watched carefully, cheering him on with each movement of the pencil over the paper. It was adorable. The love between the twins was clear to anyone who saw them. Chibi-Usa seemed to have the ability to make Chibi-Mamo smile and laugh, while Chibi-Mamo helped calm her when she was nervous or afraid.

The meeting room was rather quiet, and she was grateful. Getting the kids focused on their work often meant keeping them away from others. Almost as soon as she had the thought Shingo appeared with Hotaru in a bright flash.

"Usagi!" he nearly shouted. "We're about to have a new arrival."

Usagi turned, startled, and stared at her brother. "What's happening? Was someone attacked? I didn't hear a message on the communicator."

"Um. No one here was attacked, as far as I know," Hotaru interjected. "But we sort of felt… called… somewhere, and we knew Rei had to go, so she's with Takeo now. Jadeite is with her. She isn't alone."

Usagi nodded, waiting for further explanation.

Shingo hurried over and sat down. "I got the feeling someone needed us. We ended up in this tiny little village. I don't think I even caught the name of it. There was a Youma. An actual Youma, attacking this little boy. Apparently this has happened several times before. Either that or the boy just feels called to fight them, though he doesn't know how. Well, he was facing it, with a sword, but didn't seem to know how to use it. When Hotaru and I arrived and attacked he picked it up right away."

"And then we called Rei and Jadeite," Hotaru interjected.

"Well, the boy was living at a jinja, but they are closing it down, and only one miko was left, but she had to leave too. And we felt like we had to get Rei and Jadeite. They showed up and there was just a feeling of rightness. And they're going to be bringing him soon. Rei said to come and let you know."

:: Mamoru, I think perhaps Rei and Jadeite just adopted a child. :: Usagi's shock bled through her mental voice, she was sure.

:: What's happening? ::

Usagi quickly relayed everything she had been told.

:: On my way now, :: Mamoru said, and she heard the sound of his footsteps on the stairs. He had hardly stepped into the room before Chibi-Usa threw herself into his arms. Usagi groaned. It was going to be impossible to get the kids to finish their work with the prospect of another child exciting them.

"You two pick up your books for now and put them away. You can do extra work tomorrow instead." Usagi grinned at the happy yells the kids gave.


***Mamoru's POV***

He and Usagi waited with the twins for Rei and Jadeite to arrive. He'd asked the others to give them space, unsure what sort of mood the boy would be in. It was a big transition from a small village Jinja to a large house full of people with powers most wouldn't understand.

Rei sent warning that they were about to arrive, and then there was a brief flash as the pair appeared with the little boy on Jadeite's shoulder. Chibi-Usa jumped up and down excitedly the moment she saw him and hurried to grab his hand and introduce herself before Mamoru could stop her.

Jadeite knelt, Takeo on his knee, and held on to him. Mamoru could tell the little one was taking comfort from being held close. Rei had automatically rested a hand on the boy's shoulder, and it was obvious that he was feeling safe with them already.

"Hi!" his future daughter said brightly. "I'm Chibi-Usa, and I'm going to be your friend. And that's my brother Chibi-Mamo." She pointed to where her purple-haired twin stood, leaning against Usagi, looking a bit nervous. The two boys locked eyes, and both seemed to relax almost at once.

Takeo nodded and stood, letting Chibi-Usa pull him away from Jadeite. Mamoru smiled. She was so much like Usagi. No one could really be shy around her. And Takeo apparently found a kindred spirit in Chibi-Mamo. It was rather sweet seeing the three children huddle together. Within moments the girl had both boys laughing.

"Makoto went to get Grandfather," Usagi told Rei. "He's in the kitchen with her now. He thought he would give the kids a minute to work their magic," she added, smiling at the little boy who was staring wide-eyed at the pink-haired girl. "Did you notice he looks a bit like Jed?" she asked.

Rei started and turned to gaze at her soulmate, then back to the boy. "He does..." she said, looking back and forth between the two. "I think there is more to his story than even he knows."

Usagi was nodding. Mamoru felt it too. There was something special about the boy.

Haruki knocked on the door. "Hey," he said, entering the room. "I feel drawn to the little one…" he stared at Takeo for a minute and then looked at Usagi, who was nodding. "Shingo said he felt it too."

"Yeah. I think we have something in common with him," Usagi said, biting her lower lip. Mamoru knew it had something to do with the sun and the moon, but not exactly what.

The children were all giggling together over something and Mamoru couldn't help smiling and pulling his little wife into his arms as he watched. It still shocked him that they were married, but he was grateful for it. They could spend so much more time together, and he felt better going to sleep when she was safe in his arms. He hadn't forgotten the danger she was in.

He cleared his mind as Grandfather Hino came into the room and began talking to Rei and Jadeite. The couple nodded several times and Mamoru wondered what they were talking about.

"Takeo," Chibi-Usa said, her voice high pitched and happy. "Come on. You have to come see your new grandpa. She tugged on his arm and pulled him towards Grandfather Hino. "We like our grandpa. He's over there," she added, pointing to where Kenji stood in the doorway.

Grandfather Hino knelt in front of the boy and they stared at one another for a long second before the older man opened his arms and the boy fell into them. "Hello little one," the man said, holding him tight. Mamoru smiled, watching the scene unfold. He felt the family bond forming as Rei and Jadeite surrounded the pair.

Kenji walked to him and Usagi. "I think he's theirs," he said, frowning. "It's like they were meant for him, if that makes any sense."

Usagi was nodding and Mamoru could only agree. "They're family now."


***Usagi's POV***

Sailor Moon spun on her heel and threw her tiara. The droid fell to the ground, shattering into dust. These new creatures were nothing like what they had faced before. Nearly mindless, they were a distraction. They all knew it was a way to draw out Sailor Jupiter or Sailor Venus. Both were prepared.

She nodded to the girls and ran off, Tuxedo Kamen on her heels. The girls would do what needed to be done, she knew. It didn't stop the worry. She kept her ear open for the communicator, but nothing happened. No messages came through. She couldn't stop wondering what would happen.

Either Petz or Calaveras could attack at any time. They didn't want innocent people caught in the crossfire again, but they couldn't be sure when the girls would attack.

Upon reaching a clear alley, Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen entered it and with a flash found themselves in the meeting room. She released her henshin there instead of where she could be seen. She waited several long minutes before her friends both returned.

"I think she took the bait," Makoto said. "She followed me."

"I didn't see the fourth sister," Minako said. "I think the girls are right. She's saving me for last and wants me to be off balance."


***Makoto's POV***

Makoto stared at Nephrite, her heart pounding. He was incredible. His swords swung in wide arcs as he practiced, and she couldn't seem to manage the same grace with her own. It didn't seem right that he had so much skill and she had almost none with the swords. He was insistent however that she learn the blades as it was something no one would expect her to know. He'd become overprotective and slightly overbearing with her in the past few days.

If she was honest with herself, she didn't particularly mind it. She didn't need to show her independence. She'd been on her own so long that it was obvious she could care for herself. What she needed was to be loved and cared for. Since Usagi had come into her life, that had been a new theme. She'd only ever really had one friend before Usagi, and that was Asanuma. She hadn't seen him in a long time, however.

Nephrite put his swords away and pulled Makoto into his arms. She rested her head on his shoulder. He was sweaty, but she didn't care. He was holding her, and that was all that mattered. She sighed and leaned on him.

"What are you thinking about so seriously," he asked, kissing her forehead.

"That I don't want to be independent anymore," she answered honestly. "I've been there, done that. I don't need to prove I can do everything on my own."

Nephrite picked her up, making her giggle. "Good. Because I would rather have you with me than off on your own. I don't want to be independent either. I know I can't manage without you."

She stared up at him, feeling the truth in his words. She felt it in her own spirit. They were better together. She reached out and touched his face. "I love you Neph," she told him.

"I love you Mako," he said, and pulled her even closer for a kiss. Her hands dug into his hair and she couldn't help getting lost in him. She wanted to do more, to form their Soul-Bond, but both of them knew they needed more time. They weren't ready, but they were close.

"I'm a bit worried about the plan," Makoto admitted. She snuggled her head on his shoulder. "You know I'm not exactly a good actress," she added.

"You don't have to be. That's the beauty of it. You can look nervous. It's the whole point." Nephrite said. "I think this is our best shot."

Makoto could only nod. The plan would start the following day. She knew she would be watched. She knew she would be followed. She was almost certain she would be attacked.


***Chibi-Mamo's POV***

He peeked his head around the corner and looked at the pan sitting on the counter. Chibi-Usa insisted she would die if she didn't get a treat. He sighed. Being a brother was hard sometimes. You had to take care of your sister, even if she didn't always make sense. They'd had lunch only half a clock before, and she was already hungry again.

Takeo and Chibi-Usa followed him into the kitchen. He made his way to the refrigerator and the snacks he knew were inside. He tugged at the door and found the little drawer that held their fruits and snacks. But as he went to pull it open he heard a crash and his sister screamed.

Spinning around he saw Chibi-Usa clutching at her hand, tears streaming down her face. "Usa!" he shouted and hurried to her. "Usa!" he grabbed her hand and tried to get her to the sink. When he was burneded that was what his mommy did. Put his hand in the cold, but he couldn't get his sister to reach. He couldn't pick her up.

Feeling helpless, Chibi-Mamo started to cry, holding her hand just below the big red burn. Then he heard his sister gasp and looked down. His tears had fallen on her palm and they let out sparkles of color before sinking into her skin. And then she started to heal. It was like what his daddy could do!

"Do you feel better?" he asked, just as Grandma-Ikuko came into the kitchen. The burn was disappearing, but it wasn't fast like when daddy healed. Chibi-Usa sniffled and nodded. He kept hold of her wrist, staring in wonder at the sparkles that were sinking into her skin.

"What happened?" Grandma asked.

"Chibi-Usa touched the pan, and it burned her," Takeo said, his voice filled with awe. "But then Chibi-Mamo healed her."

Grandma-Ikuko came over and hugged both of them and he started to feel a little better. He didn't want his sister to cry and be hurt. "I was going to get the fruit from our drawer," he said. "She was hungry."

"It was an accident. They happen. I'm just glad you were able to heal her. It looks like it would have been a nasty burn. I just pulled that out of the oven." She turned a stern glance toward Chibi-Usa. "There's a reason I said not to touch they tray," she added.

Chibi-Usa blushed, but she still had tears on her cheeks and grandma hugged her. "I'm sorry," she whimpered.

Grandma-Ikuko smiled. "I've always thought experience was the best teacher," she said. "You are just like Usagi," she added with a grin. "You should have seen her when she got burned doing the exact same thing you just tried to do. Screamed so loud two neighbors ran to the house."

"Wow!" Takeo whispered and Chibi-Mamo nodded his head. That was a loud scream.

"Well, I think you've found your first power Chibi-Mamo," grandma said, hugging him too. "You can heal."


***Author's POV***

"Are you sure you want to go alone?" she asked, and her sister looked at her in shock. She'd never heard her sister suggest going against orders before.

"I know where she will be," her sister reminded her. "I know her powers. And more, I know she will be alone."

She'd been watching carefully for a week since her sisters had disappeared. She wasn't about to make the same mistakes. It was important to get the girls alone, and not try to rush in without looking.

"Be careful," she urged, and she nodded, hugging her.

"I will. See you soon," she added and then closed her eyes and transported herself.


***Kunzite's POV***

"I want this one," Kunzite said, pointing at the ring he had chosen.

Naru bounced on her toes beside him, waiting impatiently for her mother to grab the keys. "It's perfect for Mina, but aren't you going just a bit too quickly?" she asked.

Kunzite gave her a look, not sure exactly what she was getting at. Kenji's words ran though his head again and he shuddered. It wasn't like he was planning to ask her today. He just knew it had to happen soon. Otherwise he might go mad. She was his other half and he needed her.

"I think it's perfect too," he said finally. "I just don't think I can put it off anymore," he muttered.


***Nephrite's POV***

As much as Nephrite understood and believed in the plan, he had decided that there was no way his soulmate would truly be alone. He hid in the shadows of the alley across from the dojo, watching out for her. Usagi and Mamoru had understood, and she had handed him the transformation pen without a word. He was grateful. He was much less conspicuous looking like a child.

He held a manga, but he wasn't reading it. Instead, his eyes were locked on the lithe form of his love, and his body was ready to move given the slightest provocation. He had been watching for three days now, and he felt something was about to happen. His communicator was open, ready for him to call for help at a moment's notice.

He didn't see anyone meeting the description of Calaveras however, and his watch continued.

Makoto was getting ready to leave the dojo. She was talking to the sensei, a young woman with long green hair pulled into an elegant up do and bun. Nephrite watched as the rest of the students filed out of the dojo and sighed, hoping Makoto would hurry. He hated having her in danger and wanted it over.


***Makoto's POV***

Sensei Prizma seemed to be in a strange mood. She'd urged the other students out and asked Makoto to wait just a moment to ask for her help on a weekend class. She met the other woman's eyes. They were dark green, almost the same color as her hair. She was a pretty woman, and smart. She was also quite adept at martial arts.

Makoto had been trying to hide her own skills, but it seemed Prizma had seen through that and was now asking her to cover a class she had to miss. She nodded her acceptance and bowed respectfully. "I can do that sensei," she said, and turned to leave.

Something inside her gave warning. She didn't know what led her to duck, but if she hadn't she might have been killed with the black lighting that stuck at her. She pulled her henshin wand as she rolled across the floor, but she was hit by another blast before she could transform.

Darkness took her.


***Nephrite's POV***

Something told Nephrite to move as the students left the building. Makoto was still talking to the sensei, but something seemed wrong. He called for Usagi and Mamoru and began to run, not letting his disguise go until he had transformed. He saw the sensei change and strike out at Makoto and let out a scream of rage as he felt a new power overwhelming him. Heat rose in his chest and he released a dragon of lightning at the woman, who wasn't Calaveras, but Petz.

He couldn't figure out why it was a different sister, until he saw the black lighting. Obviously the girls had miscalculated. They had forgotten there was a reason each of them was sent after a specific target.

She dodged the attack, but by then he was inside and standing between her and the only woman he could ever love. Makoto was groaning, an electric burn covering her skin. Rage filled him, but he tamped it down, trying to think clearly as he sent out another attack, and another.


***Petz's POV***

Petz laughed as she faced off against the angry East Knight. She had him off balance because his love was hurt. Soon she would take the girl. She was thrilled with the trick she had pulled. No one had guessed it was her because they thought she would be going after Venus. She shook her head. Her sisters should have remembered what her powers were, and who they matched.

"You are all pathetic," she told the young man. "And once I turn Jupiter, she will tell you the same right before she kills you," she added, smiling.

"You won't touch her," East Knight said, backing up a step as he stood protectively in front of her target.

Petz shook her head. That was the wrong move. She launched another streak of black lightning at him, hitting him in the chest.

Then pain bloomed in Petz' own chest and she staggered back, surprised. She stared in shock. He had been hiding something from her sight. Jupiter was standing in front of her now, transformed, and Petz noticed that since her last transformation her fuku had changed. Petz blinked, confused, and wondered what had happened.

"Don't touch my man," the Senshi yelled, and her hands flew out. "Jupiter Thunder Dragon!"

Petz dodged, but the attack still hit her shoulder and she was knocked to the ground.


***Makoto's POV***

Something inside Jupiter had changed when she'd seen Petz strike East Knight. He was her love. Her life. Her everything. She'd felt the transformation take her as she clutched at the pen, and knew automatically that it was different.

When Tuxedo Kamen had healed her, he'd also given her energy, and as she struck out at Petz she could feel it in her attack.

"Sailor Moon, now!" Jupiter yelled, and watched as her friend, who had been standing behind Petz, lifted the Moon Wand.

"Moon Healing Escalation!" she screamed, and the silvery light covered the young woman. Jupiter turned to see Tuxedo Kamen was already healing East Knight as he had done for her the moment Petz was distracted.

This was different from the original plan, but she though it had all worked out rather well. She staggered a bit, exhausted, as she made her way to East Knight and knelt at his side. "Are you alright?"

"Hie," he whispered. "I think so. Are you?"

"Yes. Thanks to you," she added, bending to kiss him. He sat up and pulled her into his arms.

"Petz!" screeched two girls and she turned to see Berthier and Koan rushing into the dojo. They flung themselves at their sister.

Sailor Moon slowed them down. "Careful. Remember how confused and off balance you felt for a little while after you were healed. She's probably wondering what is going on."

Jupiter smiled, watching as the two girls helped their sister stand and then hugged her. Both of them were weeping.

"We thought it would be Callie," Koan said, holding her sister upright.

"Don't worry," Tuxedo Kamen said, his voice soothing. "We will heal her soon. Who knows, she might even come to us," he said.

Jupiter was being clutched in East Knight's arms, and he wasn't letting go. Something told her he would be nearly as bad as Jadeite had been. One minute she was in the dojo, and then she found herself in the meeting room, still held a bit too tightly. She didn't say anything though. She just let him hold her, understanding instinctively that he needed to feel her in his arms to calm down.


***Author's POV***

Rubeus watched the fight from a distance, not willing to interfere this time. He wasn't stupid. He wouldn't get involved when he was obviously outnumbered. He didn't want to be hurt again either. He wondered what sob story he could give Calaveras to convince her that the fighters were evil and send her after them in spite of the losses. Of course, it might be her own need for revenge that made her attack them. He smiled and disappeared, appearing in the ship above the city a moment later.

Calaveras was not on the ship. She had been watching from the roof of a nearby building. She saw her sisters, all together, hugging, and wondered why they were not chained. She had seen no torture and wondered what Rubeus had been speaking of. She stared at them, longing to be together again, and noticed they didn't seem remotely afraid of the others. They were talking to them, smiling at them, and Koan even hugged Sailor Moon and Sailor Jupiter. She shook her head and transported herself to the ship, wondering what Rubeus would say had happened.

On another building stood a young man with dark hair and blue eyes. Saphir watched Sailor Moon, wondering how to find where she lived. Surely she would be more vulnerable if she was alone, trying to protect her worthless, powerless family. His mind conjured images of a shaking teenager in her bed. He wondered if he could follow her home. His intel only said she had lived in a little yellow house with balconies during her teen years. It wasn't much to go on.


***Chibi-Usa's POV***

"No!" she whined. "You're doing it wrong."

Chibi-Usa huffed a breath and turned her brother so that he was facing the room. She adjusted Takeo as well, making him stand properly.

"No, you have to say the words and tell us we're married," she ordered.

"But you aren't married," Chibi-Mamo argued.

"I know silly!" Chibi-Usa laughed. "This is make-believe. I'm going to marry my unicorn and Takeo is gonna marry…"

"Hush!" Chibi-Mamo said, covering her mouth. "Member what Puu said."

Chibi-Usa felt herself blushing. She wasn't supposed to tell people their future. Still, seeing Takeo herself, she understood why the boy was perfect for her sister. She rolled her eyes at her brother. "I wasn't gonna say," she fibbed.

"Okay," her brother caught her up in a hug. "Sides," he whispered, "the growned-ups are watching."

Chibi-Usa shrieked and turned to see her future parents and grandparents standing in the doorway. She pulled the dishtowel off her head and grinned at them. "Grandpa!" she squealed, running to the person she knew would pick her up and spin her.

She felt his big strong hands around her middle and it felt like she was flying. The room spun wildly, and she giggled happily, clutching tightly to the arms that held her. She loved her Grandpa!

When she was set back on her feet she turned and ran back to the pretend altar and continued playing with the boys. She had to be really careful with Takeo. He was still scared and worried he would lose the people he was coming to care for. She had helped him with his nightmares, but she wasn't sure how much good she was doing. She only knew that he needed help.