Crystal Tokyo, five months later

The tranquil stillness of the night was pierced by the pained cry of a struggling phoenix. Jadeite's head jerked up every time his wife cried out, resolving to pacing as he had been kicked out of the room early on by an irate Rei who threatened to do the unspeakable to him.

"Don't look like that Jadeite, she'll be fine." King Endymion tried to assure the blonde haired general as he watched his guardian pace, "It's Rei we're talking about here." Jadeite didn't seem to hear his master's words as he glanced up again at the closed white doors to Rei's chambers.

"Why is it taking so long?" He muttered as his hands clasped anxiously behind his back.

"First babies take a while." Neo-Queen Serenity said gently, "It's natural Jadeite, take a deep breath and sit down."

"How can I sit down when my wife is in pain and I can't do a thing about it?!" Jadeite growled in frustration. Kunzite's gaze followed Jadeite as he watched his comrade pace back and forth.

"Walking like that will just give you a cramp, Jadeite. Rei will have no use of an incapacitated husband." He commented. Jadeite glared at the silver haired general.

"Shut up, you're not making it better!" He grumbled as he looked towards the doors again. It had already been three hours since Rei had woken him up in the middle of the night to announce the imminent arrival of their child, and the sounds of her continual straining did nothing to ease the tension in his body. He wanted nothing more than to take some of the pain away from her, but he was at a loss of what to do. The last time he tried to go back in the midwife had promptly kicked him back out with one glare from Rei, so that was out of the question.

It's alright, Rei's a warrior princess, she can do more than I could ever imagine, He told himself, But this is childbirth we're talking about here, not a war against an enemy! It was besides the point to mention that he had no clue what was going on, and was armed with nothing but the knowledge of what could possibly go wrong.

"Jadeite, you are the knight of patience and harmony, won't you exhibit some of those traits?" Nephrite asked from his place next to Mercury.

"I WILL when it's not my wife who's fighting!" Jadeite snapped, resuming his pacing, "Besides, haven't I been patient enough? It's been three hours!" A soft laugh from his companions was all he got in return, and Jadeite's blue eyes flickered to the closed doors once more.

Please be alright, my phoenix.

Rei

For once Rei wasn't appreciative of the element that she had treasured and represented for most of her life. Fire seemed to be spreading through her entire body, burning red hot until she could scarcely breathe. Is this what is going to bring me down after years of fighting demons? It was kind of ironic really, that the warrior guardian would be brought down by her own child. Fear washed over her, and her hands gripped the blankets under her tightly, her body soaked with sweat as she fought against another contraction.

"Highness, you must push!" The midwife urged her, "That's the only way to get your child out!" Her voice seemed far away as Rei laid there, her throat raw from lack of air, her lips tainted red with the stain of futile efforts to keep from crying out. The pain had become unbearable; how had Neo Queen Serenity done this?

Why am I so helpless? Nothing rational went through her head, and for the first time in a long time, fear had frozen her body still.

What if I end up like my mother? What if I…Jadeite's voice seemed to enter her head, cutting off her desperate thoughts.

It isn't like you to give up before you've even fought, He had chastised her, It's not like you.

As the thought went through her head, Rei's eyes snapped open.

No, I cannot allow myself to be this way. I am Sailor Mars, the princess of war and fire! If I lose this way now, I can't ever call myself a sailor guardian again! Besides…Her body relaxed and Rei let herself work to birth her child.

I still have my queen to protect!

At last, the loud cry of a newborn baby pierced the air, and Rei fell back onto the pillows, gasping for breath as she realized she was done. Before long she found a warm little body placed in her arms, and Rei felt her chest warm as she looked down at her daughter, her heir.

"Hello little one." She cooed softly, her touch soothing the wailing baby. Rei's eyes traveled over the baby in wonder, her gaze drawn to every inch of the child. It was strange; now that the child was born, she wondered how she could have ever doubted her role in the baby's life. Jadeite burst in as the baby's sobs died down, and immediately rushed to her side.

"Rei!" She looked up at him in exhaustion and smiled weakly.

"Hi love." Jadeite's hand trembled as he reached out and gently touched the newborn.

"She's beautiful Rei." The baby gurgled softly, opening her eyes to reveal a pair of striking blue sapphires. Rei's breath caught in her throat as she was captivated by her child all over again.

"What should we name her?" Her finger stroked the baby's downy cheek, and faint light caught Rei's eye as the symbol of Mars appeared briefly on the child's forehead. Rei thought for a moment before speaking.

"Mayumi." She looked down at her daughter as she spoke, "For the swift arrow that has pierced my chest to lodge there forever." Jadeite smiled and kissed Rei on the forehead.

"Rei and Mayumi. The two most precious women in my life."

Author's note: And here we have it! Rei and Jadeite's baby has been born! By the way, Mayumi means swift arrow in a reference to archery in Japanese, so I thought I'd match the baby's name with Rei's skills. Tell me what you think!