Author's Note: You would not believe how difficult this chapter has been to write. There's a blend of things that has just been in my head, and it was sort of inspired by a little scene I threw into last chapter without ever having thought about it. I ended up thinking about it as I was falling asleep. And you know how those thoughts can be crazy in that 'my brain has shut off' sort of way. So, I hope you like what I've done. And yes... I know it's really weird.

Trigger Warning: Some thoughts about a possible assault. Later, unwanted touching and talk about an attempted assault (no details).

MUSIC SELECTIONS
Daughter of the Moon - Adriana Figueroa
All the Things She Said - t.A.T.u.

'What If?'
One Month
Alternate Story Line

October 20

***Haruka's POV***

Haruka knew it was a dream. It had to be.

Michiru was over her, but there was a difference. Somehow Michiru was male. And he was pressing into her, filling her body in a strange way, with the new appendage that had appeared between his legs. It hurt for a moment, and then it felt good, but different. As the kisses and cuddles intensified there was a strange sensation of liquid heat inside her where his penis pulsed. Then he pulled out and Haruka felt raw there, between her legs.

A moment later Michiru was no longer a male, and the appendage was gone, and she was kissing and hugging Haruka. Except now Haruka felt strange, there was something growing between her own legs and her breasts had disappeared and now he was no longer female.

He felt oddly powerful and strong, and driven to press himself into his Soul-Bonded and leave part of himself inside her. So he pushed the hardened penis into Michiru as had been done to Haruka only moments before. He felt something tear, and Michiru cried out. But then her arms and legs were wrapped around him, pulling him closer.

Her insides held him captive. And it felt heavenly to be so captured, muscles squeezing around him, holding him tight, and he felt the urge to move in and out rapidly. And then there was a pressure and a tingling in the sacks hanging under him as they tightened and tightened, and his mind went white as he released into Michiru.

And then the strange thing disappeared. And she was herself again, still sore from when Michiru had been inside her, and then they were cuddling together in a deeply comfortable state, both exhausted. She snuggled closer.

What a strange dream that had been.

***Michiru's POV***

She woke up feeling uncomfortable. Something cold and wet was coating the sheets under her left butt cheek and it was annoying her. She huffed and sat up. Then screamed. There was a mix of blood and semen on her own thighs, and those of her Soul-Bonded. She'd had a strange dream the night before about each of them being male... but this?

Haruka bolted upright and groaned, one hand clutching herself between the legs, the other holding her stomach. And Michuru realized her own stomach felt strange. When Haruka saw the blood and the semen she blinked rapidly then stared at Michiru.

"It wasn't a dream then?" she asked.

"You had it too?"

Michiru knew she sounded desperate. But the only other alternative was that someone had come into the apartment and... she had to check on Hotaru. She threw on her robe and raced out of the bedroom and into the girl's room. The younger girl was sleeping peacefully. She hadn't even been woken by their screams. Carefully she lifted the girls blankets to make sure nothing had been done to her.

Satisfied that the girl was okay and untouched she slowly made her way back to the bedroom. Haruka was staring at the bloody stains on the sheets, still holding her belly. Michiru moved closer, needing reassurance.

"What's going on?" Haruka asked.

"Hotaru's still sleeping. I don't think anyone has come in the apartment. I think... maybe... the dreams really happened." Michiru knew how insane that sounded, but there was no other explanation she could come up with.

Haruka frowned. "Why does my stomach hurt?"

"Are you having your period?"

"No, that was... It ended three days ago."

"I don't know what to tell you. Mine hurts too. It feels strange. Not necessary fully painful. More uncomfortable."

"Should we go to the hospital?" Haruka asked, sounding unsure.

Michiru shook her head. "Who would believe us? If they got blood samples it would be all over for us."

"Then Mamoru, or perhaps Ami could check us out," Haruka suggested.

"I want Usagi," Michiru whispered. "She will understand."

Haruka nodded. "Koneko and Mamoru then," she promised and picked up her communicator.

***Usagi's POV***

She thought perhaps she and Mamoru should just get used to having their sleep interrupted. It was the second morning running when they had been woken before the alarm, and once the baby arrived, she was sure it would be an every day occurrence.

It wasn't even five in the morning when they received a panicked call from Haruka on the communicator. "Usagi-chan, could you and Mamoru please come see us? Just you two. No one else. Please?"

"We'll be there in five minutes or less." Usagi promised as she and Mamoru climbed out of bed and raced to put on something decent. She typed out a message for her mother, in case she checked in on them, letting her know everything was fine and that they would be back in a little while.

They clasped hands and teleported into Haruka's living room. Michiru and Haruka were both wearing only robes and looked a bit wild and unsure. Both seemed a bit afraid as well.

"We need help," Michiru said, without preamble, and Usagi could see they were both uncomfortable.

She moved closer to them and gave them each a hug. Both girls leaned on her, and Usagi could feel their tension and slight fear. She settled them down on the couch and sat on the little table right in front of them.

Mamoru moved closer, but kept a slight distance, as though unsure whether they wanted to talk to him too. Michiru waved him over and he sat next to Usagi, wrapping an arm around her back. She noticed Haruka had done the same to Michiru.

"First, tell us what happened. I know you completed your Bond last night. The music was beautiful. Congratulations. But what has you so panicked now?" Usagi kept her voice light and calm, hoping to reassure them both.

Michiru blushed and Haruka frowned.

"Something happened last night," Haruka said finally, running her fingers through her short hair. "We both thought we were dreaming, and who knows, we still might have been. But there's some evidence that says we weren't. But it could be something else entirely, and I just don't..." she trailed off, staring into space.

Usagi could see from the tension what the worry was. She knew it instantly, her own memories still fresh in her mind. She rested a hand on each of them, gently touching their knees in support.

"First, tell me the dream." She ordered.

Michiru coughed. "When it started I was a guy. With the equipment. And I wanted to be in her. And then I was me again and she was a guy and it felt good I guess, but strange and different, and slightly painful."

Haruka was nodding wildly. Usagi noticed she kept moving her hand as though she wanted to grab between her legs. Or other times when she was clutching at her belly. She remembered that first morning on the beach all too well. It had hurt, almost burned inside.

"And you said there was some evidence..." Mamoru said softly. Both girls nodded and Usagi watched as he rose and went to Haruka's bedroom. He was very quiet when he came back a moment later.

"Are you both in pain?" Usagi asked.

"Yes," whispered Haruka. "It's not just down there," she added. "We both have a strange feeling in our stomach as well."

Usagi thought carefully over everything, then turned to Mamoru. "Mamo-chan, would you be willing to heal them and sort of peek in their bellies?"

He nodded. "If that's what they want, then yes."

She turned to the girls. Both nodded. Mamoru put a hand on Michiru first. The beautiful golden sparks of healing flowed out of his hand and into the top of her head. Usagi thought it was smart of him not to touch anywhere else with how unsure both teens were feeling. He moved a moment later and did the same to Haruka. Then he sat, frowning.

"There's no indication left of being turned male for either of you. No lasting effects to your own bodies because of it. But it wasn't a dream. I think someone messed with your biology for a little while. Not just turning you male, but also messing with your cycles as well."

Michiru was frowning. "In what way?"

"You two have only known each other for a short time," Mamoru said. "Usagi and the girls always have the same cycle."

"They do?" Haruka asked.

"Yes," Mamoru said. Usagi blushed and wondered how he'd known. He grinned. "It's not hard to figure out because Ami only eats chocolate then, Rei gets a bit clingy, you get more temperamental and spoil for an argument, and Minako cries. For four days. Every month."

"Wow," Usagi breathed. She didn't know they were that obvious.

"Anyways, it took a while for you to sync like that. If the girls have only known each other a couple weeks it stands to reason their cycles were not synced like yours. So why is it that they both ovulated at what appears to be the exact same time, right when they had that dream?"

"Heart Wish?" Usagi asked, with sudden inspiration.

"Heart Wish," he confirmed. "Which means, it's quite likely that one or possibly both of you is going to become pregnant."

There were splutters from the couch and Usagi could understand. This was not the best time for something like this to happen. They had only just taken on the role of caring for Hotaru. They had battles to face, a war they had to fight. But... Usagi herself was pregnant. She knew sometimes you had to go into battles even then. She just prayed that her friends would both be alright.

"How?" Haruka asked when she was finally able to speak again.

"I'm thinking that you both made a wish. And apparently someone in Elysion decided to grant it immediately instead of letting it wait."

"But..." Michiru stared at Haruka. "I didn't think it would actually happen," she said finally. "This is all so strange."

Usagi smiled at them both. "You've met talking cats from the planet Mou. Strange is sort of our playground."

Mamoru put one hand up. "There is an option if you decide you don't want this, but I can't guarantee it will work, nor can I promise you will be given this chance again."

Usagi nodded. "It's called Plan B, or in some places the morning after pill. Neither of us will say anything to anyone. The choice is yours and you don't need anyone pressuring you. We will not judge whatever you choose."

"Okay," Michuru said, then added. "I guess the two of us should talk about it then."

Mamoru stood again and helped Usagi up. "You have 48 hours to take it," he warned.

Usagi bent to hug each of them. "If you need us to talk, or just to sit with you, we will be here the minute you ask."

"Thanks Koneko," Haruka said, with the first hint of a smile she'd seen all morning.

Michuru nodded emphatically. "Arigato," she whispered, a smile on her own face now too.

A moment later she and Mamoru were back in their bedroom. She turned to look at him and he just hugged her close. She rested her head on his shoulder for a long minute.

"You were wonderful with them," he said, pride evident in his voice.

"So were you," she whispered, and tilted her head up for a kiss.

He had been right that day on the island. When he'd told her someday her own experience could be used to help someone else. She was glad she had been there for them.

***Ami's POV***

Ami knew that as she had become accustomed to her Senshi abilities, her body chemistry had also been slightly altered until she had Mercurian DNA. The other girls had similar changes occurring. But for Ami it meant that she was becoming more and more aware. Her brain thirsted for knowledge like other people thirsted for water. And she was aware that she was intelligent. She had no real limit to how much knowledge she could gain. That was her thing. Intelligence.

Her intelligence wasn't only the type found in books. No, she was also learning wisdom, creative thinking, and had grasped the basics of emotional intelligence. That last part was mostly thanks to her interaction with Usagi and the other girls, she had to admit. S

o now, when she was faced with the possibility of sealing the Soul-Bond, it wasn't only her body that was involved in the decision. It was her head, and her heart as well. Though her body was begging her to hurry the hell up.

She found herself staring at Zoicite. He had long, curly blonde hair with red-gold highlights, and incredibly blue eyes. He was tall, lithe, and gently muscled. In other words, handsome as sin. She knew she had a difficult decision to make, and wanted to be absolutely sure she made the right choice.

He went to the table and sat, picking up a book on astrophysics, and sat silently, reading. Her mouth watered. Her hands began to sweat, her fingers to tingle. Heat raced into her belly, and moisture pooled between her legs.

It was as though her body knew him already. That was frustrating. Since he had reappeared in her life, all she could think about was him, hugging her, kissing her, being buried deeply inside of her.

She'd been having dreams about Zoicite almost since she'd received her transformation pen. Now that he was so close, sitting right in front of her she wanted to jump him. Unfortunately they were in school, in the library, on their lunch break.

She realized she'd been standing there, staring, for several long minutes. And so did Zoicite. He was completely aware of her. She could tell by the way his body had suddenly stiffened, his nostrils had flared, as if catching her scent, and his eyes had widened and darkened with arousal. He looked up from his book and her eyes caught his.

Was she ready for this? She didn't know. It meant accepting something wonderful, but she wasn't sure how to reorganize her brain.

Her legs shook more than they did before a test. She lowered herself into a chair beside his at the end of the table, and stared down at the hands she'd clasped in her lap. She could feel his eyes on her now. Her whole body was reacting to him. She swallowed hard and lifted her head to meet his eyes. He was gorgeous.

But it was more than the looks he was blessed with. It was more than her automatic response to him. He was the other half of her soul, and already she was finding new reasons to love him. Her heart settled. Yes. She knew she was ready. She had to wait until she could be alone with him, but she knew she was ready.

She searched her mind for something to talk about so she didn't drag him into a corner and have her way with him. Her eyes fell on his book and she latched onto the topic as though it was a life preserver thrown into a raging sea.

"Astrophysics is an interesting subject," she said quietly. "Have you learned anything about the Angular Momentum Deficit?"

"I've only begun reading, but I did see a mention of that I believe," he answered, "I believe it's used to study the long-term stability of planetary systems. There was a mention of curious activity within the Alpha Centauri solar system. Mamoru is reading this and I was curious."

Sighing happily Ami was pulled into the discussion of planetary activity and the curious information about the changes to several of the planets, which appeared to be dying.

***Haruka's POV***

Michiru was staring out the window, looking over Tokyo as though perhaps the view alone could answer all her questions. She watched her Soul-Bonded carefully. In her heart, Haruka knew what Michiru would decide. Their decisions would be identical. Not that they thought or acted the same very often. They were vastly different in many things. But in this, she felt, they both wanted the same thing.

She didn't speak though. She wasn't going to put any undue pressure on Michiru. Her lover had to come to the decision on her own. It had to be made from the heart and the head. They had a duty. It was true. To the Princess and the Prince. To the people of Tokyo and the world. To each other and their future.

While they had never expected to be faced with this issue, the decision was easy. At least for Haruka it had been. She'd decided in less than a minute after Usagi and Mamoru had left that morning. It was as simple as breathing to her. Because if she had even the slightest chance of carrying a child that was both hers and Michiru's, she was going to take it.

If she found herself pregnant she would be thrilled. Beyond belief. Knowing it was Michiru and not some unknown man or monster that had been with her the night before made everything clear in her mind. Because those babies she had seen in her fantasy were a real possibility now. She could just imagine having a little one of their own running around.

She adored Hotaru. She would be her Haruka-papa forever and care for her and raise her as a daughter. But she also wanted more children. She grinned at the thought of one day having so many she got confused on their names. She'd seen Ikuko-mama do that a few times when she was hollering at the guys over the past few nights.

She could imagine being that way herself. And Michiru.

Her Soul-Bonded turned. Their eyes locked and both knew the decision had been made in the other's heart. Now they simply had to express it.

"I don't want to take the pill," Michiru said quietly.

"Me either," Haruka told her.

"Then maybe we should let Mamoru-san and Usagi-chan know our decision." Michiru smiled. "They'll be happy for us, but will also want to plan for a time when we can't fight."

"Good thinking. As soon as we pick Hotaru up we can go and talk to them. You know Ikuko-mama wants us over for dinner again."

Michiru let out a giggle. "I swear that woman is happier than a pig in mud with all of us underfoot. How she stays sane I will never know."

Haruka was dazed by the analogy. She'd never heard Michiru talk like that before. She really enjoyed the giggling though. She smiled and they moved together. "Lets go get Hotaru then. I bet you Shingo beats us there."

Michiru smiled. "We can also let them know we're transferring schools. I think Mamoru will be pleased. You're already overprotective of Usagi and having us there can only add to her protection for next year."

"The little one needs to be protected," Haruka said simply. "Koneko can be too kind for her own good."

***Kunzite's POV***

Father Byrne had not returned to the church. His little Minako was frantic with worry. She didn't know the priest personally, but she was partly Catholic, and the man meant something to her because of it. Her father was British, and Catholic, while her mother was Japanese, and followed Shinto. That was an interesting combination. She herself had attended church, but had not made a decision what she truly believed.

Kunzite could understand. When he was in the orphanage, it had been run by nuns. But if he had to choose for himself, he thought perhaps Shinto or Buddhism was closer to his own belief system. While the nuns had been kind, his had not been the happiest childhood. He thought being one with nature was more important than anything.

But Minako was very conflicted and confused. Her actions weighed heavily on her. His own did the same with him. He understood her better than he had in their former lives. He thought, perhaps they were driven by the same needs. True they had to protect their prince and princess, and the people under their care, but they both had heavy hearts, weighted with the knowledge of what they had done, and the drive to atone, though they had already been forgiven.

Minako said that was what the church offered. Atonement. Penance. Absolution. Kunzite looked around him carefully. This was the first time, though they'd been three times before, that he really took a look around. He could smell candles, wood oil, and incense. Stained glass windows spread brilliant shades of lights across the floors. There was a quiet peaceful air around the place.

But Father Byrne was not here, and Kunzite was sure he would not return. At least, not without their help. It was his belief that the Negaverse had the man. They had some sort of foreknowledge and had come to get him before they could save him.

There was another dark general. One they had never seen. No one had ever seen. A female from what he had heard, though even the Youma didn't mention her. It was said she was more deadly dangerous than any other dark general. That she created the deadliest Youma. That she had no ounce of light in her heart.

It was rumored that she had created one Youma who had a stone in his forehead. He could never die, only be transported to another timeline when he was defeated. And it was said that he could create Youma by the dozen, every color of the spectrum. He could make portals and trap people. He could effect time. Moving backwards and forwards in short hops along the time he was in. If it was true that he existed.

He wrapped an arm around Minako's waist and led her back outside. He wished he could convince her to stop returning to the church. The search was fruitless, he was sure, and every time they returned she seemed to become more withdrawn. He teleported them to her house. She was alone there. Her parents had returned to England. That upset him. They should be with her. But she shrugged and explained they didn't care as much for her as they did for her money. That made him angry.

Minako didn't let go of him when they arrived. She wrapped both arms tightly around him and clung tightly. It was obvious to him that she didn't want to be left alone. He wondered if he should invite her over for dinner. In the Tsukino house everything was a bit wild and chaotic, but in such a good way.

She moved and grabbed one of his hands, leading him towards her bedroom. He dug in his heels and stopped her.

"Are you certain you want this Minako?" he asked quietly.

She nodded. That didn't seem enough. She must have some memory of how he was about certain things, especially when it came to lovemaking. He hadn't changed, he was sure. He still felt the same drive to possess her completely. He needed to be in charge of that aspect. She had enjoyed it, being submissive to him, in their past life, but they were both younger than they had been, and she was as much a virgin as he was again.

"Minako, I don't think I've changed any when it comes to my need for you," he warned.

She nodded again. He sighed.

"I need your words Minako. I need you to tell me it's what you want. Once this happens there is no going back."

"I want you," she whispered. "I need you."

"And you understand what it means?" he asked.

"Yes," she said, her head bowed slightly to hide the blush that spread over her face. "I like it," she added in a voice so low he could hardly hear her.

She must be remembering some of their times in their past life. While he wasn't into real pain for either of them, just a few love bites or the occasional slap on her rear, but he had the need to be in control, and at times had carried her off when she'd least expected it, and had even tied her down to have his way with her. She had enjoyed that. Often, when she had wanted something she would try to get sneaky by saying she wanted the opposite. But she would blush, like she was now, which had always given her away.

Instantly he was hard for her, ready to take her again and again. He planned to make sure she enjoyed this though, and thought of the best way to do that. He picked her up then, not gently like spun glass, but like a powerful warrior who could and would fight him if he did something to displease him. Because even though he was in control, she had the power.

He tossed her over his shoulder and ran with her to her bedroom, feeling like he had conquered the world with her acceptance of him. He would make sure she never regretted it. He playfully tossed her onto her bed before he went to the door and closed it, locking it before he turned back to her.

He moved quickly back to the bed and began stripping her of her uniform. He wanted to see every inch of his soulmate. Wanted to touch and tease her. Wanted to make her whimper his name in need. He smiled and bent to kiss her. Reaching up, he untied her hair ribbon so he could run his fingers through the long silky strands.

"You are so beautiful," he murmured and bent to take her nipple in his mouth. She moaned for him, driving him to touch and tease and explore her body. Every inch of her was his.

"Kun..." she groaned. Her hips lifted as though begging for his touch in her most sensitive of places. But he wasn't done with the rest of her. Silky smooth skin. Soft but muscular thighs, a firm bottom perfectly rounded, a gentle curve to her belly. He wanted to hold her tight and never let her go.

"You're mine," he told her as he spread her thighs. "Your mind, your heart, your soul..." he moved between her legs and dipped his nose to smell her. "Your body," he finished. "All mine. Forever."

He watched the physical reaction to his words. Goosebumps erupted along her skin. Her nipples tightened, her eyes dilated, and her legs opened slightly, all unconscious reactions to his claiming her. But the best reaction was the sheen of wetness along her folds. He ran a finger down her center, stopping to lightly flick the little button that controlled her pleasure before he dipped into her crevasse to feel the tight wet heat of her virgin channel clutching at him.

He bent his head for a taste of her. Sweet and salty. The perfect combination. He could dine on her juices forever. He lapped at her for several long minutes, drawing out moans and pleas for more. Her hips began bucking under him so he wrapped his hands tightly around her thigh to hold her still. Instantly she released a new wave of wetness over his probing finger.

His mouth found the core of her pleasure and he suckled hard before lightly clamping down on her with his teeth. She screamed his name, her hips bucking wildly even in his grip. He laved the tip of her clit with his tongue. The trapped flesh stimulated her beyond reason and he built her up, torturing her slowly to the height of orgasm.

He didn't let go. Though he knew it would be pleasure bordering on pain and discomfort, he also knew she wanted it. She wanted him to hold her captive and send her over the peak again. Her whole body spasmed as the second orgasm washed over her like waves.

"Please Kun," she begged.

"Please what Mina?" he asked, lifting his head while he let his fingers search out the spongy flesh of her g-spot.

"I need you," she whimpered.

"You have me," he said, and bent his head to her again, biting a little more roughly than before. A new orgasm crashed on her like a breaking dam and she let out a piercing wail. His cock throbbed in response. He wanted to be inside her as badly as she wanted him there. But torturing them both was an incredible buildup.

"Kun!" she screamed. "I need you inside me."

He wiggled his finger and pulled his face up to grin at her. "I am inside you silly."

"Kun, please, please I need YOU!"

"Minako," he tsked. "What do you want me to do to you."

"Make me yours," she begged.

"How?" he asked, adding a second finger to his probing of her tight inner walls. "What do you want me to do to make you mine."

"Take me," she moaned, and he knew she was nearly there. She thrashed so wildly that his fingers were forced out of her. And then she said the words that drove him over the edge. "I want you to fill me up," she whimpered.

He moved with much less grace than he ever wanted to admit. He spread her legs further and pressed himself against her heat.

"Are you sure?" he asked one last time.

"Yes, Kun, Please..."

The drawn out wail of her begging for him stripped away his control until he was pressing into her, fast and deep, before he held still to let her grow accustomed to him. She let out the tiniest cry of pain at his invasion, and then her hips were moving under him and he pulled nearly out before thrusting home again. The light of their Soul-Bond was nearly blinding. The dome formed overhead protecting them from anything and everything.

He thrust deep as the music swelled over them. Full of raw passion and deep love, it rose and rose like the heat they shared. He was going to fill her. Every day and every night for the rest of their lives. And he was going to make sure she always knew just how much he wanted, needed, and loved her. He felt the warmth of the breeze on his skin. His thrusts were hard and deep and faster than he could have imagined. She let out little huffs every time he slammed inside, and little pleas for more when he pulled back.

And then she was falling apart once more. She convulsed around him, squeezing his girth tightly as her body went rigid in the heat of her orgasm. The way her walls sucked at him, pulling at him, milked him of his seed. He shouted in triumph as he buried himself deep and released gush after gush of his thick come inside her. The ribbons of the soul bond encircled them until they had wrapped again and again, tightening and drawing closer before disappearing into their skin, invisible to anyone but themselves.

Memory sunk into them both, the joys and sorrows of their former life. Words poured out of them. "I possess and am possessed. Forever mated and unified with you. I will protect and cherish, hold and succor until my dying breath."

***Mamoru's POV***

Mamoru grinned when he heard Usagi's devilish laughter. She was playing the newest Sailor V game, and he could tell by her laugh and her posture that she was doing well. Some things never changed. She often beat Shingo on the console at home, but this game had come out today, and it was her first time playing.

"Mamoru, can you come help me for a second?" Unazuki had come over. "I can't figure this out and I have to wait the tables."

Mamoru followed her to another game system, where something was stuck in the coin slot. The tool box sat on the floor next to it and Mamoru crouched down to take a look.

"Go on, I'll try to fix it, but it might call for Motoki when he gets back," Mamoru warned.

His friend was volunteering again. This time he was working with one of the cleaning crews who were trying to repair the damage to the theater. Some of the stonework had been damaged and new stone was being brought in to replace it. Since Motoki had skill with a fixing things he had gone along to help.

No one had counted on someone trying to put an American quarter it looked like into the token slot on the machine. It had gotten stuck partway in. He grabbed the needle nose pliers and tried to pull it out. Several long minutes passed.

:: NO! :: he heard Usagi's scream in his mind. He didn't think she'd even meant to call out to him, but she had done so instinctively. He hit his head on the control panel as he went to stand, but didn't stop. As soon as he was upright he saw the problem. That creep Yodu had a tight grip on one of her arms and as Mamoru moved towards them he saw the other boy reach down and grab her breast.

As he got closer he saw Usagi reach for his hand and in one motion she had turned, pressing his weight up against herself, and flipped him over her shoulder so that Yodu flew several feet and landed on his back. He glared up at Mamoru's wife, panting and trying to speak.

Mamoru reached Usagi the moment he landed and stood in front of her. At the same time Makoto and Nephrite grabbed Yodu and started pulling him to the side door, not bothering to let him stand first. Mamoru turned and saw how pale Usagi had gotten. He picked her up as gently as he could and moved to the break room, hoping to get her somewhere she felt safe.

Her breathing was off, hitching in her chest. Her whole body was shaking, and she couldn't seem to speak. Mamoru was enraged. There was no other word for it. His wife was now in the midst of a panic attack, and if Nephrite and Makoto hadn't been there to take the other teenager outside, he might have lost it and murdered him.

"Breathe," he murmured. She still hadn't calmed. The few breaths she had managed were short gasps. Her heartrate was elevated, and her eyes were dilated in fear. "Usako, you're safe now. I've got you."

She stared up at him and tried again, but still couldn't manage a full breath. Both hands were held over her chest as though it hurt her. He didn't know what to do. His mind conjured the image of the first panic attack she'd suffered so he bent down and kissed her.

She took one long breath in as soon as his mouth touched hers. And then she exhaled and took another breath. How his kiss helped he couldn't understand, but it seemed to work. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, whispering words of comfort and love to her.

"It's okay Usako, it's okay."

Finally, after what seemed like a millennia, she looked up at him and he saw that she was back from wherever her mind had gone in her panic. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

He frowned. "Usako, that was not your fault."

"No," said a voice from the doorway. "It definitely wasn't." Mamoru looked up and saw Unazuki standing there. "He's already been banned. He shouldn't have come back in here. He tried to do... things... to me about four months ago and Motoki kicked him out. I didn't see him come in or I would have sent the cook out, or asked Mamoru to remove him."

Mamoru frowned. He remembered the aftermath of that incident. Unazuki not wanting to walk alone, or be alone in the Crown at all. It had taken days to get her back inside.

"I thought he'd gone off to work on a boat," he muttered.

"Got kicked off over a week ago," Makoto said, coming back in. One of the guys out there just told us. "He apparently got drunk and nearly got someone killed. Usagi, are you alright?"

Usagi only nodded. He could still see the fear on her face however. He wished he knew how to fix it. He could also read guilt on Makoto's face. He wanted to tell her she wasn't responsible for this, but she held up her hand as though she already knew what he was going to say.

"I think we should get her home," Nephrite said quietly. "I think the stake out is a bust for tonight. Una-chan, are you going to be alright or did you want one of us to take you home?"

"Motoki should be back in a couple minutes. I guess its as good a time as any to start speaking to him again. I think he's suffered enough." Unazuki frowned and looked over at Usagi. "I'm sorry about what he did."

Makoto's face went white for a second, but Usagi didn't even glance at her. She'd already been forgiven. To Usagi that meant it was over.

"It's already over Una-chan."

"Hey, Motoki's here," Nephrite said from the doorway.

"What the hell is going on?" came the angry voice of his best friend. "Cook is freaking out. What happened?"

"Yodu," Mamoru told him. "Grabbed Usagi. She threw him over her shoulder and Neph and Makoto dragged his ass out of here. But I'm thinking you may want to post his picture or something."

***Ikuko's POV***

It was a madhouse. The kitchen was teeming with food, the living room with people. The sound of chattering voices was almost overwhelming. Kenji had the fire pit going in the backyard. She had several things cooking on the stove, and desert baking in the oven.

Ikuko had never been happier.

She had more than a dozen kids to mother, the majority of whom were either orphans or had poor relationships with their parents. She had become Ikuko-mama to all of them. While their histories saddened her, she was overjoyed to have them all running through her house.

Usagi came into the kitchen, looking pale and shaky, and she stopped everything to hug her tightly. Mamoru had already sent a message letting her know what had happened. She was a bit concerned about the safety of any girls around that boy, but right now her focus was on her daughter. This wasn't the first panic attack she'd had after all, and the idea of more of them frightened Ikuko.

"You okay baby bunny?" she asked.

Usagi nodded. "Yeah. It scared about a year off my life, but I handled him."

"Mamoru said you threw him over your shoulder," Ikuko said, proud that her daughter could handle herself.

"He taught me that actually. On the island."

"Smart thing to teach a girl," Ikuko murmured.

"So, I was hoping you could have a bit of a talk with Haruka and Michiru when dinner is done. They both want your advice on something." Usagi said, grinning now.

Ikuko couldn't keep the grin off her face. "Off course." She really was happier mothering them all. She'd wanted an even dozen, but complications delivering Shingo had shelved that dream. She'd changed it to several dozen grandbabies, but now her house was full of teenaged voices, all of them happier than they'd been before they came. And that made her feel as though her purpose was fulfilled.

***Zoicite's POV***

Ami dragged him into her room and closed the door behind him. "I'm ready," she said, her tone firm.

"Are you sure?" Zoicite couldn't help but ask.

Ami nodded. "Yes. Are you ready or do you need time?"

Zoicite didn't have to think about it. He didn't need any time. He knew that he would do anything to be her Soul-Bonded again. They had a second chance and this time he was going to protect her. He moved towards her and she met him halfway, her kiss full of passion and wildness.

His arms went around her, holding her tightly to him, showing her his need for her. His passion. His love. She tore at his shirt, pulling the fabric over his head. He ripped hers in half. She purred at him and shoved him down onto her bed, before she attacked his buckle and the zipper on his pants. She tugged and pulled and yanked until they were off.

He reached out and grabbed her around the waist, pulling her onto the bed and covering her with his body. Her skirt disappeared, fragments of cloth on the floor. A moment later her bra was a mangled scrap and her panties were gone... somewhere. He wasn't sure anything remained of them.

And then she was rolling over so that she was on him, straddling his hips and rubbing her wet heat against him, preparing them both, He rolled her back and spread her open, taking her in one hard thrust, the way she wanted. In spite of the slight pain he knew she felt she was already thrusting against him as the dome of their bond closed over them. The light in silver and gold and light blue, beautiful and clear.

Music soared over them as he thrust deep and ground into her. A warm breeze teased their skin as she rolled him over and lifted before sheathing him again. He groaned, she moaned. The music grew more and more passionate and wild as the ribbons surrounded them.

Their bodies were coated with sweat as they moved together and apart. Each fighting for dominance before accepting submission to the other. They were one, they were whole, they were complete together. Her tight heat enveloped him and he groaned as he felt himself swell, ready to release inside her. And then they were flying away together as they each yelled for the other, their throats becoming raw as their orgasm took them to heights neither had known before. Memories filled them, reminding them of the love they had shared and the times they had been everything to each other. They spoke as one. "I possess and am possessed. Forever mated and unified with you. I will protect and cherish, hold and succor until my dying breath."