Music Selections
Daughter of the Moon - Adriana Figueroa
Black Hole Sun - Novela
Jar of Hearts - Christina Perri
Human - Christina Perri
How You Remind Me - Nickelback
Warrior - Beth Crowley
Million Years Ago - Adele
Where Do I Belong - Anastacia
Who You Are - Jessie J
Behind Blue Eyes - The Who
I am a Rock - Simon and Garfunkle

'What If?'
One Month
Alternate Story Line

***Usagi's POV***

The boat pulled up to the dock before the sun rose in the sky. She wrapped the mooring line around the piece on the dock. Mamoru did the same further down and her father slid the ramp down. Shingo raced off the boat and onto the dock, looking a bit green, but otherwise better than he had.

"Mamoru and I will be to the house soon, but I have to see Naru," Usagi said.

"We're going with you," Ikuko said. "I want to see her as well, and honestly I don't want to lose sight of either of you yet."

Usagi hugged her mother tightly, thankful that she wouldn't yet have to be parted.

"I'd like both of you to be seen first though. You're both malnourished, sunburned, and Usagi, you need a test done by a medical professional."

Haruki put an arm around Shingo. "I think I should take him home and then you all can call when you're finished, and I'll come and pick you up."

"I think that's a good idea." Usagi noticed her brother still looked a bit green. "I have those lemon candies on my nightstand. They always make me less nauseous," she added. Shingo nodded, still a little unsteady.

***Ikuko's POV***

Her phone rang before they left the dock. "Moshi moshi?" She clambered down a strange ramp as they headed toward the car.

"It's Doctor Mizuno. Ami told me what she and the others did and I'd like to offer my help. You don't want Usagi's blood tests getting into the wrong hands. Ami says their blood is different now."

"Can you see Mamoru-kun as well? He's the same." Ikuko asked.

There was a shocked silence. "Hie. I'll see them both. Third floor. Straight ahead from the elevators, all the way to the end on the left."

"We'll be there soon," Ikuko said. "Is that alright? We just got off the boat." She walked across the parking lot with the others, and Kenji looked over at her carefully.

"Absolutely. I'll clear a couple hours for them." Doctor Mizuno sounded upset. She could understand why. What Ami and the others had done was horrible.

"Thank you," Ikuko said.

"After what my daughter and the others did, it's the least I can do."

***Kenji's POV***

He stayed with Mamoru while Ikuko went in with Usagi. Because Mamoru lived on his own, but had a lawyer as a guardian, he had to call the man and let him know Mamoru was in the hospital. The man showed no real interest except to ask the hospital to fax the information to him. Kenji was livid was glad he'd thought to begun the paperwork to change the boy's guardianship.

The doctor had been in and out of the room several times, when she finally pulled up a stool and sat down. She held up a hand and asked them to wait just a moment, and a few seconds later Ikuko and Usagi entered the room. Usagi sat next to Mamoru on the exam table while Ikuko moved to the chair next to Kenji and took his hand. He squeezed her fingers, afraid he knew what was coming.

"First, I want to tell you Usagi has lost a bit too much weight. I'm not upping her dosage on her meds, but I am prescribing her some shakes to take twice a day until she gains at least ten pounds. I'm also putting both of them on vitamins they should take twice a day for ten days. After that Usagi needs to continue, but Mamoru can discontinue them."

"Okay," Kenji said, nodding his head. "Do you know what the kids used to drug them?"

"It's a drug called GHB. It would have been out of your system quickly, but the after effects probably lasted a while. You know about feelin nausea. From what I understand Ami actually gave you both doses that were too large, which is why you reacted so strongly. She thought her doses were smaller than normal." Doctor Mizuno shook her head irritably. "But it is no longer in their systems. It has a relatively short half-life."

"So it wont hurt us anymore?" Usagi asked, with a shiver.

"No. You're safe from any lingering effects of it."

The doctor sighed then, and Kenji knew what she was about to tell them. He wanted to cover his ears and rock back and forth like a child, but he had to stay strong for the kids. He held tighter to Ikuko's hand and noticed Mamoru's arm tighten supportively around Usagi.

"Unfortunately, your suspicions were correct." Doctor Mizuno looked at Usagi and she nodded. "You are pregnant. I'm sorry."

Usagi didn't cry or scream or flinch, but Kenji noticed her hands tightening into fists, and outside he saw a flash of lightening and heard a boom of thunder a few seconds later. Mamoru was barely controlling his temper, and he was sure Usagi was about ready to burst.

"Will the baby have any effects from the drug?" Usagi asked.

"No. if you choose to keep the child, it should be perfectly healthy." The doctor frowned and looked over to Ikuko and Kenji. "There are circumstances involved that would allow you to make a different choice." The words were quiet but he could see the pain in Usagi's face as she listened.

Kenji didn't know what the right choice was. Having a child would change her life forever, but ending the life might well destroy her. His little Moon Rabbit lived up to her name in every possible way. She would die to help a complete stranger. She would do anything to protect her unborn child, he was sure. He saw the determination in her eyes and nodded in understanding. She relaxed a fraction and nodded back.

Mamoru had not been idle. His arm had tightened around Usagi, his other hand coming up to cover her still concave belly. He would protect their child as well. Kenji was proud of both of them, but he wished the two would have an easier time of it. What was coming for them would be difficult and painful, and it was very likely that part or all of the story would be revealed.

He met Ikuko's eyes and she simply nodded. He already knew she would support the teens whatever they decided. It was her nature. That left only himself, and he would do what was best for his family, which he had to admit had grown to include Mamoru in a very short time. Since he'd heard the messages his esteem for the boy had risen by leaps and bounds. He had agreed to let him marry his daughter, and that was not something he took lightly.

"We don't want to discuss that option," Kenji said aloud. All of their silent communication had taken a very short time. "Usagi and Mamoru plan to keep the child."

She handed them a card. "This is my number. If it's something for one of you or any other Senshi, you call me. Anyways, don't go to the ER unless there's no choice." She paused. "I know my daughter is sorry, but I won't make apologies for her. She needs to do that herself. I will make my own. I thought I'd raised her better than this."

"I don't think it's anything you did," Usagi said with a frown. She shook her head, as though unsure what she was trying to say. "The whole thing seems off."

Mamoru was nodding emphatically. Kenji had felt the same way, but he didn't understand it.

***Naru's POV***

"Osaka Naru!" said a familiar voice, and a blonde bundle of energy bolted into the room, wagging a finger. Naru noticed the sadness in her friend's face, the dark circles under her eyes, and the way she and the others who followed her held themselves, as though they were burdened with a great pain. She was browned and sunburned as though she'd been spending far too many hours outdoors.

"Usagi!" Naru reached up her arms and was engulfed in a tight hug.

"I can't turn my back for a minute," Usagi whispered in her ear. "I almost lost you."

"I was so worried!" Naru said. "About you I mean. I knew the art school thing was crap. When you didn't show up at that first battle I knew!"

Usagi pulled back slightly and met her eyes. Naru raised her eyebrow. "You knew my name at your first fight," she reminded her friend, who grinned sheepishly.

"I'm so sorry I wasn't here to protect you," Usagi whispered.

Naru frowned. "I'm pretty sure it wasn't yours or Mamoru's fault. Based on the way the girls and Motoki reacted when I asked them about you..." she trailed off when Mamoru and Usagi both growled. She'd never really seen Usagi angry. Irritated perhaps, annoyed certainly, but never angry. Her eyes flashed and a frown crossed her features.

"So to let you know, Umino was just released and he will be in her in just a minute," Kenji said, interrupting the painful moment. "According to the doctor these two saw this morning, you're being released soon as well. They just want to check you over one more time."

"It's okay daddy, Naru can know. She's my best friend."

"I know Bunny, but lets wait until we're in a place with fewer ears." Kenji said. Naru knew he was a reporter, and was probably trying to protect his daughter's identity.

"How long have you been back?" Naru asked quietly.

"Um?" Usagi checked her watch, "three and a half hours."

"Wow! You're fast!"

"You're my best friend. And according to my parents you called nearly every day." Usagi hugged her again. "I'm so glad you're okay."

"Me too. I thought that was it for me," Naru couldn't help the shudder.

"I hear they couldn't keep Umino away from you the whole time he's been awake." Mamoru grinned. "Kept sneaking into your room to check on you."

"He loves me," Naru said simply, just as Umino walked in the door.

"Do you know they make you leave this place in a wheelchair?" he asked irritably. "I had to come all the way back up afterwards because they wouldn't listen. Hey Mamoru-san, Usagi-chan," he added, and hugged Usagi quickly before taking Naru's hand. "We're glad you're back. The city needs you. And we missed you," he said, looking around them carefully as though someone would hide under the bed to listen to their conversation.

A doctor came in the room then, and gave them all a smile. He checked Naru over, not speaking much, and only said she could leave as soon as her mother signed the discharge papers. Her mother came running in a moment later, a coffee cup in hand.

"I'm sorry I'm late. The doctor met me and said the nurse will bring in the papers in a minute. That new girl didn't show up this morning. I'm worried about another attack." She sighed and hugged Naru then Usagi and Ikuko. "It's so good to see you back Usagi. We were all so worried."

"Hi!" Usagi said as she held on tight. "I missed you."

"We missed you too sweetheart. Umino, you're coming home with Naru and me. Usagi, Mamoru would you be able to come over for a while later? Right now I want to get Naru home and make her and Umino both take another nap."

"Absolutely. Um, it might be sometime after dinner, if that's okay. We have some things we have to take care of." Usagi frowned.

"Usagi-chan, you know you're welcome anytime." Naru laughed at her mother's indignant expression. "It's like you're my own baby and Naru is Ikuko and Kenji's. Practically sisters since the day you met. Now, you go take care of what you need to, and stay safe!"

Naru smiled as Usagi came in for another hug, then hugged Ikuko as well. "I love you!" she called out as they left.

"I love you too!" Usagi yelled back, and giggled.

***Luna's POV***

She couldn't stop pacing as she waited for Usagi and Mamoru to return. It had been a long night and morning, and though both of them had slept on the boat, she knew they were probably exhausted. It was already past noon, and she knew something was going on. Artemis had spent the morning at Central Command, but had already returned.

Shingo looked a little better after a nap, and was now sitting up and playing a racing game. He'd refused to touch his Sailor V game, saying the girl had betrayed his sister and he didn't want anything to do with her. Haruki had spent time with him before he'd gone to pick the others up, but both had been quiet. She completely understood.

Luna sighed. It had been a long morning. She wandered from the living area into the kitchen and wondered if she could prevail upon Shingo to open a can of tuna for her and Artemis.

The front door opened and in trooped the rest of the family, including Mamoru. Kenji was in mid-sentence and Luna stayed quiet for a moment to listen.

"... glad you decided to let me be your guardian. I just don't like that lawyer. He didn't even care you were in the hospital." Kenji sighed and Ikuko made a sound a bit like an angry cat.

"Well, he's just a lawyer." Mamoru defended.

"Exactly. I'm family."

"I do think he should move in with us even before they get married. Later on they'll need someone to help while they're off saving the world." Ikuko sighed.

"Mama," Usagi said, and wrapped her arms around her mother. "Thank you!"

"It's just a lot to handle, and I know how hard it was for me even as an adult and no hero work."

"She has a point," Kenji said. "I think it would be better for both of you. We can turn the study into a nursery and..."

"Nursery?" Luna couldn't help herself. She knew what that meant. "It's true then? What you thought?"

Usagi nodded. "I'm sorry Luna."

"This isn't your fault Usagi, or yours Mamoru." She stared at the two teens. "I think if that's the case, your parents are right. It would be better to be here so you can get help if you have to rush off."

"Usagi's pregnant?" Shingo asked. Usagi knelt beside him and nodded. His jaw clenched for a moment. He looked at his mother. "Is it safe for her to be pregnant?"

Ikuko nodded. "She isn't too young, if that's what you mean."

Shingo hugged his sister, but he still looked angry. Mamoru moved forward and put a hand on his shoulder. "It's okay to be mad," he said. "We are."

As though a dam had burst Shingo started screaming. "It's not fair! What have either of you ever done to deserve this?" His fists clenched and he picked up a Sailor V game, which had been lying on the coffee table and snapped it in half, then broke it again and again until it was in tiny fragments. Luna felt for the boy. She wished she could throw a huge temper tantrum and scream and throw things.

When Shingo was calm again he simply ducked and picked up his mess. Haruki bent to help him.

"I'm angry too," he admitted. "What happened to them was wrong and unfair."

"Usagi-chan?" Artemis sounded very calm and Luna wondered what was on his mind. "Are you ready to tell your family what you decided to do?"

"Could you tell them Artemis? I just want to sit for a minute."

"Of course. Sorry. I should have realized you just got home."

Everyone sat and Luna moved up next to Artemis on the small table. He sat very still and Luna wondered what he had in mind. When everyone was settled he held up a paw.

"We think the girls and Motoki need to be held accountable for their actions. Since they cannot be brought to justice through the courts, there were a few things we talked about. First, Usagi plans to strip the girls of their powers for a short time. It wont take them away forever, but they will have to earn them back. As for Motoki, it is clear that he knew Mamoru's identity before he put him on that boat, and therefore bears the responsibility for some at least, of what has happened in your absence."

Artemis sighed. "I think in order to earn back your trust, he needs to truly understand what he has done. They all do. So, with no powers to aid them, I would like you to add them all to the volunteer lists. They will help repair damage, work at the booths created to raise money for the victims of the recent attacks, and volunteer at least a few hours per week in the hospitals."

Ikuko was nodding her head, and Kenji had a hand on his chin. Mamoru frowned, and Usagi was weeping silently.

"Without the others, how will they manage to destroy the Youma?" Kenji asked, frowning.

"We do plan to save the Shitennou," Mamoru said. "The dark generals used to be my men. My comrades. But before they were awoken, they were taken by Metallia and Beryl and twisted into something dark."

"We can also reach out to the Outers," Luna added.

"And you also have to remember," Artemis said, "that Usagi and Mamoru fought on their own for a long time before they found the others. Their powers have grown incredibly strong. The meteor showers, the moon, the storm at sea... all of that was them."

"Now that they're Soul-Bonded, their powers will continue to grow. They have access to their crystals now, which means they can learn to channel those powers." Artemis paced. "Do you think my plans are sound?" He looked at Kenji first, and the man nodded. Ikuko did as well.

Shingo stood and paced for a moment. "This might sound silly," he said, and paused, "but when Usagi and I were younger, sometimes we would say or do hurtful things. Mom and dad taught us to stop doing it by writing out how we would feel if that thing were said or done to us. It made us think about how the things we did affected one another. I know they aren't small, but the lesson is the same. Can that be added?"

Luna was surprised at his thoughtfulness. She liked the idea. Artemis nodded emphatically.

"Then I think it should work." Shingo sat again.

Artemis looked at her and Luna could only nod. He turned to Mamoru and Usagi then. The two stared at one another for a long moment before both nodded as well. Last he looked to Haruki who frowned.

"If I'm being completely honest here, I don't like the thought of them getting off so easily, but I understand why there can't be any real punishment. I do think that once they've gained their powers back, and possibly even before then they need to spend some long hours in training as well. They need to learn how to use joint attacks, and to plan out battle strategy, and all of them need to be as fit and ready as possible."

"How should we go about this?" Usagi asked. "I know how to strip their powers, but I mean, how should we handle it?"

"I say we call all of them here, and you can do it while Artemis and I talk to them," Luna said, and she didn't feel even the slightest guilt about the use of subterfuge.

"I'd rather be up front with them," Usagi said, and Mamoru nodded.

"They might put up a fight," Artemis argued.

"If they do, then they won't be welcome as Senshi any longer." Mamoru's voice brooked no argument, and Usagi nodded her head once, a firm and steely look in her eyes. Luna was proud of her.

"I think honesty is the smartest way here," Kenji said. "Take the high road."

"Perhaps you could make the call Artemis. Except for Motoki of course, I think perhaps Kenji-san should call him. Threaten him with the police if he doesn't show up." Mamoru said.

"Are you going to tell them about the pregnancy?" Shingo asked.

"Best get it out in one fell swoop," Usagi said in a determined and angry voice.

***Usagi's POV***

Usagi bit her lip to keep herself from screaming when Motoki walked in the door. The girls trailed in after them. She wondered if they'd all come together of if they'd simply waited outside so they could come in force. Perhaps they thought she wouldn't focus on them individually if they did. Mamoru's hand squeezed hers gently and she realized she was growling.

There were no open seats, so the five of them stood. None of them would meet her or Mamoru's gaze. That had to stop. They needed to face what they'd done. They needed to face who they had hurt.

Her father stood up from his seat and walked forward. She noticed Motoki flinch, and saw the remnants of a large bruise on his cheek. Apparently her father had hit him. She didn't approve of violence to solve problems, which she admitted seemed hilarious considering she had to fight the Negaverse several times per week. In this case however, she approved of the blow. That made her feel guilty.

"If this were any other circumstances... If my daughter and soon to be son were any other people I would press charges on all of you." Kenji stared at each of them, but they all looked at the floor.

"Look at him," Mamoru growled. Motoki's head whipped up and for a long moment he stared at his best friend, then focused on Kenji. The girls looked up as well, but Usagi could tell they were all looking over his shoulder. At her. She met each of their eyes for a brief second before she focused her attention on her father.

"Do you have anything to say for yourselves?" Kenji asked.

Apologies flooded out of them, but to Usagi's mind it was a bit late for that. She'd half expected them to be waiting at the docks, or failing that, here at her house to apologize. And they could have said they were sorry the minute they walked through the door. But they hadn't. Instead they'd had to be asked. Her father sat down after that, and Usagi wondered what the point had been. The apologies meant nothing if they had to be asked for, in her own mind at least.

Mamoru leaned forward and stared at all of them. Usagi watched silently. She wasn't ready to speak yet. There was too much at stake. Mamoru's eyes were harder than she'd ever seen them. But his voice was soft, gentle almost, when he finally spoke.

"A lot has happened in two weeks," he said. "I'm sure all of you have things you regret doing." All five heads nodded. "Apologies mean nothing unfortunately. If you want to be in our lives again, you'll have to earn back our trust."

Finally Usagi knew what she needed to say. "How am I supposed to trust my Senshi in a battle? How am I supposed to let you guard my back after this?" Usagi shook her head. "I should have been here, fighting with you. But I wasn't. You are SENSHI!"

Rei fidgeted and Usagi turned her gaze on the priestess. She stared at the ground for a long time, and when she looked up, there were tear streaks on her face. "I don't want to be a Senshi anymore," she whispered.

Usagi was more angry than she thought possible at those words. She stood and walked forward. "You don't get to walk away," she told her firmly. "Do you think I wanted to keep doing this after the first time someone died? I had no choice! If I didn't do it, who would? Perhaps it's a good thing I plan to strip you all of your powers."

"What!?" Minako shouted. "Usagi no! You can't be out there fighting alone!"

"I won't be. And your powers will return. When you're ready for them. Until then Mamoru and Haruki will help me. We also plan to rescue the Shitennou and wake the Outer Senshi."

"Are you replacing us?" Minako asked in a small voice.

"No. As I said, your powers will return. But not until you're ready. Not until you understand what you've done." Usagi frowned.

"There's more," Artemis said from his position on the table. "All of you will be volunteering, without powers of course, to help the victims of the recent attacks. You will help fix the damage done at the preschool and the amphitheater, and you will help earn money for the victim's medical treatment as well as volunteering at the hospitals."

"And you need to know what it would feel like if it happened to you," Luna added, with a nod to Shingo. "So each of you will write out how you would feel if someone had done to you what you did to Usagi and Mamoru."

"As for you girls," Usagi added, "even before your powers return, I want you in extra training with Luna and Artemis."

"Are you going to train with us?" Makoto asked, sounding devastated.

Usagi shook her head. "Not yet. I have other things I have to do. And at the moment I am very angry, and very hurt, and my entire life has been changed." She couldn't continue after that, but Mamoru held her close.

It was Ikuko who stood, and her mother was visibly furious. "Actually, it's not just Usagi's life you've changed. It's Mamoru's too."

"And the whole family," Haruki added. He'd been so silent she wondered what he was thinking. She looked at him and he gave her a tight smile.

The five conspirators stood silently, waiting.

"Usagi is pregnant," Mamoru said finally.

Motoki went white and Usagi worried he might faint. Ami fell to her knees. Makoto bit her knuckle. Rei clenched her fists. Minako gasped and covered her mouth with both hands.

Usagi's mother was normally a sweet and gentle woman, but looking at her now, Usagi could see a warrior under the soft exterior. She took a step closer to the group. "None of you have any real idea what you've done. What Usagi and Mamoru faced was a form of rape. The drugs you gave them made them horribly sick. You stranded my daughter without her medication. She almost died from a jellyfish sting. Mamoru went through hell trying to save her before he figured out how to heal her with his powers. They were isolated and alone. Usagi has lost a lot of weight and will be forced to go through so much more."

She paused and looked back and Mamoru and her, where they still sat, and gave them a small smile. "Do you have any idea what it's like to be pregnant at sixteen? Do you know what people are going to be saying about both of them? Do you know what you put all of us through? What we will be going though while Usagi is pregnant? The worry that we have no choice but to let our daughter go out there and fight Youma while she's carrying our grandchild? Do you know what it's going to be like to have a child to raise? A baby that will be completely dependent on them?"

The girls were sobbing. Motoki was swaying on his feet, looking a bit green. Ami was rocking back and forth now, shaking. Makoto looked as though she wanted to strike herself with her own lighting. Rei was clenching and unclenching her hands and twice her fingertips sent sparks out, almost catching her skirt on fire. Minako just stared, looking as though she'd forgotten how to breathe.

Author's Note: Someone sent me a message asking why I tend to have Usagi underweight at the beginning of pregnancy... the answer is experience. When I was first pregnant with my son, I was drastically underweight. To the point where I had to drink special shakes and be given IV's with added nutrients. I ended up taking children's chewable vitamins several times a day instead of normal prenatal vitamins. I was also sixteen at the time, which adds another element. As a writer, I put a little bit of myself into every story. I think we all do to one extent or another. How we might think or react to something, elements of our lives or history. So this is one way I tend to bring myself into the story. I really hope people don't mind.