Author's Note: I know, I know. It's been over a year since I started this story and it still isn't finished. A lot of other stories have been started and finished since then, so I really have no excuses. Except to say that sometimes the inspiration isn't there, and other times it is. If you read any of my other stories, you are probably already aware that we moved from SC to Maine and have just gotten our own place and moved into it. Now that I have a working laptop and internet again I should be able to finish up some of my old stories. Keep in mind that there are a lot of them to finish, but I have actually written out an outline for this one all the way up to the Epilogue.
Also, you should thank my husband for a couple scenes in here, specifically the one with Bane, because he listens to the songs that inspire them. He's done it before, lol, but this particular one popped into my head over Diary of a Madman and Unforgiven III and I just started typing like a madwoman.

More than fifteen hours of researching, reading, and writing (and 13,000 words) went into this chapter... I really hope you like it!

Music Selections: You may see a few new ones... (or really old ones, lol)
Daughter of the Moon - Adriana Figueroa
Ozzy - Diary of a Madman
Metallica - Unforgiven III
Disturbed - A Reason to Fight
Jamie Lawson - I Wasn't Expecting That
Meghan Trainor - Like I'm Gonna Lose You
Ed Sheeran - Photograph
Gordon Lightfoot - Pony Man (1988 version)
Jim Croche - Bad, Bad, Leroy Brown
3 Doors Down - Kryptonite
Ruth B. - Lost Boy
Zara Larsson - Uncover
Imagine Dragons - Believer (As done by One Voice Children's Choir)
Pink - What About Us? (As done by One Voice Children's Choir)
Coldplay - A Sky Full of Stars
Bryan Adams - Heaven

What If
One Month
Alternate Timeline

October 26 (Friday)

***Shingo's POV***

Shingo was overtired, frustrated, and overwhelmed. He had been woken up in the middle of the night to fight a Youma, had lost an assignment that was due in school, and was trying desperately to find his left shoe, which had apparently walked off on it's own. With a heavy sigh of frustration he sat down on the entry floor, and covered his face with both hands, closing his tired eyes. It was hard enough being a teenager in middle school without being a superhero. He couldn't imagine what Usagi had gone through without their parents helping out.

Still, between training, Youma battles, and planning their trip into the Negaverse, Shingo was exhausted. To him it seemed as though that sort of thing should wait for the weekend. Lifting a sword might look easy on television, in those old movies he loved to watch, but in real life it was heavy and tiring. On top of everything else he had spent the morning he day before working on the project and had only gone to school in the afternoon, forgetting entirely about a test he had been supposed to take.

"We want to talk to you," Mamoru said, and Shingo turned, thinking someone was speaking to him. Instead, Kunzite and Mamoru were dragging the other guys, including Haruki and Jadeite who had already arrived from the shrine, into the living room. Shingo stood up, unsure if he would be included in the conversation, and Mamoru waved for him to sit on the couch. "You should probably hear this too," he said, "after all it won't be long until you and Hotaru are faced with similar choices."

Deciding to remain silent, and not pretend to be completely disgusted by the subject of girls (which was getting harder and harder to do), he listened attentively. The fact was that Hotaru was already very special to him and he would do anything he could to make her happy. He just didn't understand what that was yet. The other boys his age still thought girls were nothing but trouble, but seeing the way Mamoru treated his sister had fundamentally changed the way Shingo thought.

"What are you talking about?" asked Zoicite, yawning widely.

"Marriage," Kunzite answered bluntly. "You know I asked Mina, and now that she's pregnant it's more important than ever."

"Wait," Haruki put up his hand, "you didn't tell us she was pregnant."

Kunzite blushed. "Our son told us yesterday. Apparently we're having twin girls. And according to Yume we won't be stopping at seven kids."

"Seven?" asked Zoicite, looking faintly green.

"According to Asahi, that's how many we have as of the time he came back from the future."

"Seven," Zoicite murmured, shaking his head. "I can picture two, maybe three, but seven?"

Kunzite only laughed and slapped Mamoru on the back. "This one wants at least a dozen," he said, still laughing. The others joined him.

Shingo shook his head in wonder. This was not what he expected from the conversation. He wasn't even ready to think about kids, let alone how they were made. He wanted to stay young as long as he could, and he was sure Hotaru had to feel the same way.

"Back to the subject at hand," Mamoru said in a loud voice. The others turned to him and waited. "I want to know how all of you feel about marriage. Where do you stand, and what do you want?"

Haruki cleared his throat. "I want to marry Setsuna as soon as possible," he admitted. "With Yuzuki to think about already, and a daughter coming rather soon, I think it's important." He sighed. "I just have to find the courage to ask her."

"You think she would say no?" Kunzite asked skeptically.

Haruki shook his head. "Not really, but the fear is there."

"You should just do it," Jadeite said his voice soft. "I've been afraid too, but I think Rei might say yes if I actually ask her. We have Takeo, so I understand how you feel," he added.

Haruki nodded, but didn't answer.

"What about the rest of you?" Kunzite asked impatiently.

"What about us?" Zoicite asked.

"And what about me?" Haruka asked from the doorway. Shingo saw she looked a bit hurt and bit his lip. He hadn't thought about her either. "Don't you think I want to marry Michiru as much as the rest of you want to be with your soulmates?"

Mamoru sighed and went to her, patting her shoulder. "Sorry," he said in a low voice. "Honestly, I thought it might hurt to much, with the laws as they are now."

"True," Haruka said, "but I still want to make it official somehow. Maybe Grandfather Hino could help me."

"He probably would," Haruki said. "Come on in. We didn't mean to leave you out." The tall blonde went and sat next to him on the other long couch.

"So, what are you all thinking?" she asked. "It looks like Kunzite is scheming."

Kunzite coughed. "I wanted all of us to get married together," he admitted. "Sort of a joint wedding, like we had in our last lives."

Mamoru frowned. "You're forgetting, Usako and I are already married. I wish all of you had been there. More than I can express. I know Usagi also regrets not having the girls with us, but it's done now. And at the moment we have other troubles."

Kunzite snorted. "It's never too late to do it again," he said, "and weddings don't take that long. Maybe we could just have a quick one."

Shingo had heard enough by then to understand what Kunzite was trying to get at. He cleared his throat and spoke for the first time. "He's trying to say he wants to get married before we fight Metalia." The others all looked at him. "It makes sense to me. More people get married during times of war than other times. Besides, if I was old enough I would want a way to show Hotaru I meant forever too. Now, all of you just say yes so we can end this conversation and I can find my shoe, and my stupid homework."

The others laughed, but looks of understanding passed around the group. Heads nodded and thoughtful expressions stayed as Shingo got up to go to the kitchen. Maybe the shoe had been brought in there by one of the little kids.

Kenji and Ikuko were sitting at the table looking at something on a laptop when Shingo entered.

"Shin," his mother said, getting up. "You left your shoe in the fridge."

"I didn't put it there," he said, surprised.

Ikuko shook her head. "You might have if you were distracted enough."

Shrugging his shoulders, he hurried to retrieve the footwear. "Now if only I could find my homework," he muttered.

"Rei brought it. You left it at the Jinja after training the other day," his father said, pointing to a pile of papers on the table. "You're getting almost as bad as Usagi was in the beginning," he added. "It's too much stress for a teenager."

Shingo laughed. "If you think I'm stressed you should go in the next room," he said grabbing the papers. "All those guys too scared to propose, Mamoru wishing his friends could have been at his wedding, and poor Michiru unable to be legally married. Very stressful in there." He shook his head again and went back out, not noticing the sharp looks his parents gave him. He had to find his bag so he could put the homework in it before he left. Hotaru would probably be wondering where he had gone.

She was sitting at his desk when he got to his room, looking through his notes for a history test that was coming up. She hadn't covered the subject in her old school yet, so he was ahead. Fortunately she was ahead in language classes and English wasn't his best subject. As he entered, she held up his missing bag, "Found it behind the bathroom door," she said softly.

"Found my assignment," he told her happily. Then he looked down at his hands. Where had his shoe gone?

***Kenji's POV***

"Saichirou-san, it's me Kenji. I need a favor."

He heard his old friend sigh. "Let me guess, another mysterious wedding where I can't ask any questions."

"Not necessarily," Kenji said. "I think it's time you had a few of those answers, but not on the phone."

"Where are you now?"

"At my office."

"Take lunch at eleven and I can meet you at the coffee shop," the judge said.

"Consider it done."

After he had hung up the phone, Kenji ran his hands over his face and let out a sigh. He didn't want to do it, but the kids might need help someday. Thinking through the possibilities he dialed another number. Kobayashi Akio was another old friend, and the family lawyer besides. Maybe he should hear what was going on as well.

"Moshi," Kobayashi said in a rushed voice.

"Can you meet me and Kei for lunch at eleven?"

"Usual place?"

"Yes."

"I'll be there."

They spoke for another moment, but Kenji's mind was already working five steps ahead. He texted the judge to let him know Akio would be there as well, and began putting together the paperwork he would need. He would have to tell his friends everything, but he trusted them with his life, and his family's.

***Mamoru's POV***

Mamoru made it to the classroom several minutes early in spite of saying goodbye to Usagi several times. He forced himself to think about anything but that. The last thing he needed was to blush to his roots in front of his classmates. He and Usagi were only spending half a day at school so they could be at the construction site for the afternoon. Surprisingly so many volunteers had joined the project that everyone was able to work in shifts and construction crews had worked through the night.

He needed to speak to Osaka-sensei in the morning when other students wouldn't overhear. When he looked around she was at the back of the classroom sorting through papers. He made his way to her and bowed slightly as he approached. "Sensei, I was wondering if you had a moment," he started.

She looked up and smiled. "Of course I do. "What's going on?"

"I'm assuming Haruna-sensei has told you about going away this weekend," he started, checking to make sure no one could hear them.

"Of course," she said softly.

"Well, Usagi remembered something last night. You were involved in several attacks as well, weren't you." The teacher nodded and Mamoru continued. "We were hoping you would be willing to go with her this weekend. You would be completely safe, but you would be gone for a while."

Her brows crinkled in confusion. "You want me to go to that place and learn too?"

"Hie. Usagi has a sense about people, and she thinks you might have an ability too, which means it would be best to keep you safe. Plus, you may want to learn what you can do, if you don't already know."

She smiled. "Did you know I was a miko in my youth?" At his shaken head, she continued. "I've always had the ability to sense the presence of those others couldn't see. My mother said I was talking to spirits."

"Oh." Mamoru wasn't sure what to make of it, but the ability sounded frightening to him. He wouldn't want to talk to spirits. But maybe it was the kami. No one knew everything they could do. "Are you willing to go?"

"She said it would be for the weekend here, but nearly a month there, is that right?"

"Yes Sensei."

"Okay. I will go. When and where should I go?"

"The Hikawah Jinja at eight tomorrow morning."

"I'll be there. Now you'd better get to your seat. Most of the others are here."

Mamoru turned to see she was right. While they had been talking, the other students had filed in and taken their seats. Only Motoki was with him today, as his parents hadn't wanted him to miss too much school. He hurried over and sat down with a heavy sigh.

"Everything alright?" Motoki asked, frowning.

"Great actually. I'm just tired. I keep feeling like I am going to forget something important."

"I know exactly what you mean," Motoki said. He sighed. "This morning I had to talk Unazuki out of going to the site without me. I was about to drag her here when she suddenly saw reason. If she didn't agree it was a choice of being dragged here or having Paden keep an eye on her." He shook his head. "Sometimes it sucks being an empath."

Mamoru's head snapped around as he made sure no one was close enough to hear. "Be careful where and when you say that," he cautioned. "But what do you mean?"

"I can sense emotions, right?" Motoki said. When Mamoru nodded he continued. "Imagine what it was like to sense lust every time one of those construction workers looked at my baby sister."

"Ah. But why Paden? Why not Kenji, or Kunzite? You know them better."

"Because he is falling in love with her, at least I think he is, and when he looks at her he feels protective."

"Soulmates," Mamoru said. "That's how I always felt about Usagi. I would choose him to watch out for her too then."

"Exactly."

Osaka-sensei tapped the board. "Everyone turn to page two-forty-three."

Mamoru turned his attention to the lesson. There was plenty of time for discussion when he wasn't trying to catch up on missing school work, keep up with current classes, help a bunch of homeless people, find a new place to live, and save the world from an evil being bent on enslaving or destroying the population.

***Usagi's POV***

After saying goodbye to Mamoru, Usagi hurried into her class and sat next to Naru. The redhead was busy writing in her notebook and Usagi wondered what she was doing. Then she remembered the homework. She had finished it already, during her lunch the day before, and wasn't worried about handing it in. With Mamoru to help her she was sure she had done a good job. Keeping quiet so Naru could finish, she glanced around the room. Haruna-sensei wasn't there yet, which was unusual.

Umino and Yukio were playing some sort of card game, she wasn't sure which. With the other girls at the construction site, there was no one to talk to. It was rare to have a moment to do nothing and she leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. So much had happened over the past month that she'd hardly had a chance to breathe, let alone process it all. She felt like a completely different person than she had been in September, and that was a different person than she had been before she rescued Luna from those boys all those months before.

What a strange route her life had taken. Had anyone asked her only a year before what she thought she would do when she grew up, Usagi might have said she wanted to be a manga author, a teacher, or a nurse. Now, she wondered if she would even have the chance to grow up. Yume's predictions seemed to indicate she would, but it seemed unlikely that her life would follow the course she had once imagined. She would be lucky if she could finish high school, let alone get into college or art school.

Resting her hand on her flat belly, Usagi wondered what her daughter would be like, and what sort of life she could give her. Certainly she wanted to defeat the dark forces against them before her baby was born, but then what?

She was pulled out of her thoughts by a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Usagi-chan, can you come out into the hall with me?" Haruna-sensei asked, her voice pitched low so none of the others heard.

Usagi nodded and sat up, hurrying to follow her teacher out of the room. When she got there she was surprised to see two people in the hallway. The girl had lightly tanned skin and thick brown hair tied in a braid over her shoulder. There was a bruise on her neck. The other was a boy with skin the color of dark chocolate and startling grey eyes. He had a gash just in front of his ear that looked as though it had only been healing for a few days.

"I wanted you to meet both of my new students Usagi," Haruna-sensei said. "This is Veronica Hartman and De'Shaun Allen. The family names are last with Americans," she explained. "I think you might be able to teach them a few things I can't." The emphasis on her words left no questions in Usagi's mind what she meant.

Startled, Usagi looked up and met her Sensei's eyes. "Like us?" she asked.

Haruna nodded. "I can sense the need. They hadn't met each other until they were in the office waiting this morning, but it's the same in both of them. I bet if I brought Naru out here she could tell you more."

"She's finishing her paper," Usagi admitted. "Is it okay if we're a couple minutes late to class?"

"Of course. Thank you Usagi." She turned to the other students. "I think this is the person you both need. Please tell her what's wrong."

Neither teen said a word, but Usagi could almost feel a longing from them. They all watched Haruna-sensei enter the classroom and close the door. Usagi nodded to a set of chairs in an alcove by a large picture window. "Come sit with me." It took a moment for them to follow her, but she was patient. She had been through this before and they hadn't.

When all three of them were sitting in the chairs, she looked them over again. Both had other cuts and bruises that were less visible. She sighed. ::Mamo-chan:: she called out mentally.

::Usako? Are you alright?:: Mamoru's voice in her head sounded worried.

::I'm fine, but there are a couple new students who need healing. Can you get out of class for a moment?::

::Give me two minutes. I'll be right there.::

When she looked back up both teens were staring at her. She sighed. This was not the most auspicious beginning. She wished she had as much pep as before the ordeal on the island, but she couldn't change what had happened. "My name is Chiba Usagi," she started, but was interrupted.

"I know," the boy said. "I saw you on the news."

The girl nodded. "I did too. You're the one helping the homeless."

Usagi sighed. "Yes, we are doing that," she explained. "But that's not why Haruna-sensei came and got me."

"Usa?" Mamoru's voice came from down the hall and Usagi turned to see him rushing toward them.

"Mamo, here they are." She paused. ::I think it's worse than I can see. The boy, De'Shaun, is holding himself like he has a broken rib.::

Mamoru winced at that. He sat next to her and smiled at the other teens. "I'm Chiba Mamoru. I understand both of you are hurt?"

Ronnie looked at him askance, sitting further back in her seat, but De'Shaun leaned forward slightly, as though unable to help himself, and stared at Usagi, then Mamoru, and back. "You told him?" he asked curiously.

"I did. Do you mind if he heals you?" Usagi asked.

De'Shaun nodded. "If he can heal me then the teacher was right. You're the ones I was looking for."

Mamoru reached out and touched a hand to De'Shaun's shoulder. Usagi checked up and down the hall and mentally gave him the all-clear, thankful the high school wasn't filled with surveillance cameras. A soft golden glow encompassed Mamoru's hand and De'Shaun gave a sigh and slumped a bit in his seat. "Arigato," he said softly, grinning now.

"Would you let me heal you too?" Mamoru asked, looking at the girl. "It's alright if you want to wait until you know me better, but I can't be gone from class too long."

Veronica seemed to be battling with herself. She looked to Usagi, then at De'Shaun and finally nodded and reached out one of her hands. On the palm was a bright, shiny burn, looking a few days old and incredibly painful. Usagi barely held back a gasp at the sight of it. That wasn't caused by a Youma. It looked like a brand. "Ronnie," the girl said. "My name is Ronnie, and I would be grateful if you healed me."

Mamoru only nodded and gently touched his fingers to her palm. The golden glow lasted longer than it had with De'Shaun and Usagi wondered what the extent of her injuries was, and who besides the Youma had hurt her. When it was finished Mamoru stood and bowed to the new students, then turned and gave Usagi a quick kiss.

"I love you," he said, looking emotional. "Stay safe," he added, then hurried down the hallway even faster than he had arrived.

Turning back to the others, Usagi sat back in her chair and gave them a welcoming smile. "That was my husband," she said happily. "If you haven't yet figured it out, he's also Tuxedo Kamen."

"Then you're..." Ronnie cut herself off, hand over her mouth. "Oh wow! You really are. I can see it now. Why couldn't I before? How did you become, you know who? Who are the others?"

Usagi giggled. It was like she was looking at a completely different girl. "I am. And it all started when I saved my cat Luna. I promise I will tell you all about it either during lunch or after school. But first I want to know if you're safe."

"No," Ronnie said immediately. Her brows drew together and she let out a soft sigh. "About six months ago I was attacked by a Youma. I don't really know what happened. It got impaled by a sign, but there was no wind. I eventually forgot about it because I was in a very bad relationship. I finally broke up with him about six weeks ago, and I've pretty much kept out of sight since then. My ex found me again two days ago, so I had to run, and then I was attacked by a monster. I was saved by... well, by the other Senshi. The Youma thing said someone named Beryl wanted me, so I knew I had to hide. I just didn't know where. My parents are still out of the country, but they helped me change schools and their friends, who are keeping an eye on me, brought me to their house, but my ex knows where they live, so I can't stay there long."

"Your ex is one problem I'm not sure how to help with," Usagi said apologetically. "Maybe Kobayashi-san could help. He's our lawyer. I'll call my dad at lunch and see what he can do. As for the Youma, we can hide you with something called a glamour." She paused, thinking about it. "Maybe we can make one to hide you from the guy too. I've never really thought about it before." Tapping her chin, she closed her eyes as Luna had taught her and focused on what she wanted. She saw how it might be done if she and Mamoru worked together. "We can at least try."

Ronnie had tears at the corner of her eyes and blinked rapidly to knock them away. "Thank you," she said, so softly Usagi almost didn't hear. "That's... thank you." Usagi took her hand and squeezed it gently. No words really needed to be said.

When the moment had passed she looked to De'Shaun. He was sitting quietly, looking like he wanted to run and find whoever had hurt Ronnie. When Usagi focused on him, he sighed. "My parents are Marines and stationed in Okinawa. It was there I was first attacked. I was on my way home from school when a monster came at me." He glanced up and down the hall before continuing. "Somehow a light pole fell on it and I started running and didn't look back. A few weeks later I was in the park with my brothers and sister. Well a monster showed up again. Not the same one. We were under the monkey bars and they just closed right up and kept us hidden until it went away." He sniffled. "I realized it was after me, and I knew my family could get hurt, so I left. I went to Kyoto first, but they found me, and then again in Kofu. So I came here looking for the Senshi. I thought they could help. I haven't even spoken to my family for two months."

Usagi's mind was reeling. Both of them had survived multiple attacks. She thought through their stories. It seemed like the common theme was metal. A light pole, a set of monkey bars, and a street sign. Thinking quickly, she pulled a coin out of her pocket and handed it to De'Shaun. "Turn that into a ball," she said, royal power behind her words.

De'Shaun held the coin in the palm of his hand and curled his fingers over it. He stared at his closed fist for a long second before opening it to show a perfect tiny sphere in the center. His eyes widened and Usagi held back a chuckle. She plucked the ball out of his hand and gave it to Ronnie.

"Flatten it," she said, again using a hint of royal command.

Ronnie pushed her palms together, the ball in the center of them, and when she opened her hands again the piece of metal was a disk larger then the coin had been, though thinner. It was perfectly flat and circular, as though made by a machine, just as the ball had been perfect in form. Usagi nodded to herself and took the disk.

"You belong with us," she said. "De'Shaun, if you need somewhere safe, I don't mind, but I insist you call your parents and let them know where you are. They must be worried sick. Ronnie, call your parents and tell them you have somewhere safe to go. If you need my father to meet their friends, I'm sure he can do that. Meanwhile we need a lawyer to see about getting a protection order, though I hear it's really hard to get one. Hopefully Mamo-chan and I can glamour you specifically so that he can't find you, or any of his friends."

"Just like that? You'll help us?" De'Shaun asked.

"Yes," Usagi said simply.

"What about our powers?" Ronnie asked in a whisper.

"You're the only ones with that particular power, I think. I've seen Rei make fire so hot it melted an arcade token once, but she works with fire, not metal, so it was probably a fluke. It just looked like a blob. Since your powers are similar, you can help each other. And we can train you to protect yourselves."

"What if we don't want to fight monsters?" De'Shaun asked.

Usagi frowned. "You could always run away from them, but I think sometimes you will be forced to turn and fight. They won't stop just because you know what you can do. Defending yourself is important."

He shook his head. "I mean, what if we don't want to run out and find monsters to fight."

Usagi snorted. "I wouldn't force you to do it," she explained. "It's always your choice. I never really thought about it. When Luna found me I was pretty much alone. I met Tuxedo Kamen but we weren't really together, you know. And Minako had to be on her own after Artemis found her. I don't think either of us had much choice. Maybe, who knows. But the girls all seemed to want to join. I always felt like I was strange because I wanted to run and hide."

De'Shaun smiled. "In that case, I'd like to join you, if you'll have me." Looking at him with a raised eyebrow, Usagi caught his smirk. "If you're smart enough to want to stay away, then I trust you," he explained.

"I'm in too," Ronnie said.

"Good. We can talk later. Right now though, we have to get to class."

***Kobayashi Akio's POV***

"A lawyer, a judge, and a reporter walk into a bar," Saichirou Kei said, grinning as Kenji and Akio both sat across from him in the café where they had eaten lunch together since their college days. Often, in that time, Ikuko would have been with them, as well as Kei's wife, Nozomi. The place hadn't changed much in all that time. There were still booths along one wall and small circular tables, like the one where they sat, next to the large windows. The patrons were similar too, mostly college students or those who worked in the nearby towers.

Akio smirked and rolled his eyes at the very old joke. "Kenji is an editor now, remember? And besides, this is a café, not a bar." He shook his head and made a tutting sound. Their friend had a long history of corny jokes, most of which no one understood.

"We've come a long way since I made that joke," Kei defended. "I had just become a judge and you had just won that major settlement. Kenji here," he slapped their friend on the back, "and Ikuko just found out they were having little Usagi. Time sure flies," he added.

"It does," Akio agreed. He looked over at Kenji, who was fiddling with his glasses, a sure sign that he was nervous. "Is everything alright?" he asked. "The project seems to be coming along nicely. You even went to work this morning."

Kenji nodded slowly and leaned back in his chair, looking at the ceiling for a moment. He was silent, his leg bouncing under the table as silverware clanked and dishes clattered around the room. The hum of other conversations made his words, when he finally spoke, almost hid his words. "We've been friends a long time," he said softly. Akio had to strain to hear him. "A long time."

"What's wrong?" Kei asked, blunt as always. Being a judge suited him. He liked to have all the facts before making a decision, and had a clear idea of what was right and what was wrong.

"What would you do if you knew who Sailor Moon was?" Kenji asked.

Akio blinked. Stared. Blinked again. Realization hit like a freight train. No wonder Kenji knew the Senshi, since one was his daughter. How had it happened? How did the little girl who used to make him give her horsey rides end up defending the world against monsters? He opened his mouth, but no sound emerged.

Kei coughed. "We would both make sure she didn't tell anyone else," he said, looking around them suspiciously. Apparently he had figured it out too. "This isn't the best place for a conversation like this," he added.

"No place is," Kenji said. "I would have invited you to my house, but there are so many teenagers underfoot that we wouldn't hear ourselves think, let alone get anything done.

"Who else knows?" Akio asked, worried.

"Her teacher and the parents of the other girls, as well as a couple friends who have some similar abilities. She's actually kept the secret very well. If I hadn't overheard her and Luna talking..." he trailed off as a waitress came toward the table. They all placed their orders and lapsed into silence while they waited for her to return.

The ringing of Kenji's phone startled Akio. Kenji pulled it out and glanced at the screen. "I have to take this," he said, and answered it. "Usagi, are you alright?" He was silent for a long moment as he listened. "Of course they can," he said, and then, "I'm with him now." After a short pause said, "hold on," and passed the phone to Akio.

"Usagi-chan!" Akio said, still worried for her safety.

"Kobayashi-san," Usagi said, her voice low. "I can't talk long. I only have a few minutes left for lunch. I was wondering how much you know about protection orders."

He frowned. "That's not really my area of law," he explained. "I know the basics though. Why? Is someone bothering you?"

"No," Usagi said. "I met a girl today. Her name is Veronica Hartman. She has an ex-boyfriend who has been stalking her. He hurt her, Uncle Akio." The lapse into her childhood name for him made his heart melt. Even after learning she was Sailor Moon, Usagi was still the little girl he had always known.

"I'm with your dad and Judge Saichirou now," he said. "We can figure it out together."

"Tell Uncle Kei I said hello," Usagi said. "And thank you."

"Anytime. I'll be by tonight to talk to you about it."

"Okay, see you then."

He hung up the phone and handed it back to Kenji, raising his eyebrows. Before he could say anything to either of the others the waitress returned with their drinks and sandwiches. She placed them on the table with a flirtatious smile. Kei and Kenji didn't even notice, but they were both married. Akio noticed, but wasn't interested in someone so much younger than himself, even if she was incredibly beautiful.

As lonely as he was, he had never found the right woman. No one who could match his stubbornness, or deal with his bachelor ways. He wished he could meet the right woman, but he was losing hope. It seemed sometimes that he was destined to be forever alone. His longest relationship had only lasted two years, and that had been shortly after college. Now he was firmly entrenched in his life and worried it was too late to find a woman who would be his partner in everything.

Turning his attention back to the others, Akio told Kei what had been said. He knew his friend would run with it and probably by the end of the day it would be taken care of. He was a serious man when someone was in trouble, and because it was a teenager he would work quickly.

"Looks like you have your hands full," Kei said to Kenji.

"Since I have two more teens coming to stay with me tonight, I guess I do. Akio, did you get a chance to look over the paperwork for the old YMCA property?"

"Yes, and you'll be getting it for a very good bargain. It's been on the market for a while, but no one could think of a use for the place. What you want to do is perfect. It will need to be rezoned, but that can be done pretty easily."

"Ikuko's going over there with Ami's mother this afternoon. I'm sure they'll have it mapped out and designed by the time they get done." Kenji grinned. "Ikuko can turn anything into something beautiful."

"I haven't met Ami's mother yet," Kei said. "What's she like?"

"She's a doctor, and a good woman. After what the kids did to Usagi and Mamoru she called us and told us to come right in. She takes care of all of them off the books, just in case. She's divorced, but does her best to keep Ami's father in her life. And she truly cares about everyone she meets. Her daughter, the other kids, patients, and complete strangers."

"It's probably a good idea to keep their injuries off the record," Akio said, thinking out loud. "Wouldn't want anyone to see too many and get the wrong idea."

"Not only that, apparently their blood is changing. Slowly, but it's happening." Kenji looked worried as he spoke and he could see why. Usagi wasn't even his daughter and he was terrified for her. What Kenji and Ikuko were going through was probably overwhelming. He vowed he would try to help them as much as he could. "It helps that Mamoru can heal, but with the girls pregnant..." he trailed off.

"Who else is pregnant?" Akio asked, stunned.

"That I know of? Setsuna, Haruki's soulmate, and Minako, who is apparently going to have twin girls. I also have my suspicions about Rei, the one who took on little Takeo."

Akio knew most of them, having been to the project site several times in the last few days, and was amazed that so many who were so young were in that situation. He wondered if there was a touch of fate about it, and if so, would the others also discover pregnancies?

"We don't have much time," Kei said, bringing his attention back. "I'll take care of the protection order for the Hartman girl. That's easily done. Is there anything else we can do to help?"

"We need another wedding," Kenji said. "Actually, several, all at once, and as soon as possible."

***Ikuko's POV***

"This place is massive," Saeko said, looking up inside the massive entranceway. There were stairs to either side of it, leading to the upper floors, and an elevator to one side, next to the entrance into the open space where kids had once played video games and talked with like-minded friends.

"It has good energy," Ikuko replied, happy to feel such a welcoming atmosphere. "The place needs a bit of work, but nothing major, and we can do it as we go."

"Kenji really wants to move in right away?" Saeko asked.

"Hie." She turned and looked at the double doors they had come through only moments before. "With so many kids underfoot, we need the space. And Usagi sent me a message. Two more are coming, who have nowhere else to go."

Saeko shook her head in understanding. "I can see why he wants to hurry. Let's go this way," she added, pointing down a long hallway that started just behind one of the staircases. If there's an infirmary, I'm sure it would be down here."

The two women made their way slowly, peering into rooms they passed. It seemed like this had once been an administrative wing. There were tiny offices and two small bathrooms lining the hall. Finally, near the end, there was a door that said clinic. Saeko opened it and Ikuko followed her inside. To her mind it didn't look like much. None of the equipment remained behind. There was a broken chair sitting in one corner. the cupboards and drawers had been left open and empty. The walls were an ugly eggshell white with several stains in dark patches that she thought might be blood.

"It isn't much," she said finally.

Saeko shook her head. "I think you aren't giving this place enough credit. There's room in here to take care of someone in an emergency, then she waved her hand and walked back out into the hall. "Two or three of these old offices can be turned into patient rooms. That way, if a few of the girls go into labor at once, I can be near all of them. And with Ami to help me, I think we should do well. Though I might ask you to learn a bit of nursing, at least for the deliveries."

Ikuko was surprised. She hadn't seen all of that, but after Saeko explained she could visualize what the place could become. The idea had merit, and it would be safer to treat injuries in a place that wasn't crawling with medical staff who would love to discover some new disease or new blood type to get recognition. A thought struck her. "Perhaps all of us should take some basic first aid classes. If any of the kids seem to have an aptitude for it, we can push them to learn more."

"That's a good idea. Ami said Mamoru has some interest in becoming a doctor too. Wouldn't that be amazing. Two of our kids, doctors."

Ikuko couldn't help but laugh at her grouping all the kids together as theirs. She knew Hino-san had a similar view of the teens as well. They had a rather large responsibility, being very few adults to run herd on such a large crowd of kids. "I think we have an assortment," she said finally. "Shingo might well become a rocket scientist or inventor. Kunzite seems to have a flair for teaching the young ones, and Nephrite may just open a dojo."

Saeko smiled at her. "Well, we have to do what we can to keep them in school then. I've seen some of Usagi's artwork. Do you think she could have a career as a manga artist?"

"You should read some of her stories. They're wonderful. All about fairies and elves and all sorts of magical creatures from around the world. And she's gotten better since she became Sailor Moon. There's more to her tales now. Not just romance, but quests that have deep meaning. I think kids could benefit from them." Ikuko couldn't help the hint of pride in her daughter. Not only was she a superhero, she had a good heart. She looked into one of the offices. Again it was eggshell white. "We have to do something about these rooms. The girls are going to want color."

"That can be done. Lets go look at the rest of this place. I hear they had some sort of camp here sometimes and all sorts of afterschool activities."

Saeko led the way back down the hall as she spoke. The two women went through into the large recreation room they had glimpsed earlier. It branched out into hallways on either side, and there were two small rooms leading off of it. One could be turned into a library, she thought, and another into an office space. They hurried down the hallway that led outside. On either side were two double doors and it fronted a street. Ikuko looked at them carefully.

"This looks like it could be turned into that dojo," she said looking into the one on the far right.

"This one could be turned into a little boutique," Saeko said, glancing into the one next to it. "A pity none of the girl seem to be into that sort of thing."

Ikuko only nodded. She was picturing the guys teaching a class of youngsters about martial arts. She thought it was the perfect idea. She could almost see them teaching their own children one day. Shaking her head, she turned back to Saeko and both of them hurried back inside. They found a large industrial kitchen and a massive dining room, an actual library, with some of the shelves still bolted to the walls, several classrooms, and large bathrooms, one for boys and one for girls with two stalls each. When they followed the other long hallway they found two small apartments.

"There must have been staff members who lived here full time," Saeko said, looking over the small kitchen in one of them. "I know some of them came from America."

They made it to the second floor, which had another large recreational area, two large bathrooms, and several rooms that had once held half a dozen bunk beds each. Those could be turned into training areas and places for meetings. On the third floor they found dorm-like bedrooms, large enough for several people each. Each one of those could be turned into individual bedrooms. They had their own bathrooms, as well as closets, and built-in-shelves on the walls. When Ikuko counted she realized there were twelve of those rooms. The fourth floor was identical. Even if every teen had their own room, there would still be enough for all of them.

"He's right," she said aloud.

"Hmm?" Saeko asked, coming out of a small storage room.

"Kenji was right," she explained. "This place is perfect."

"It is. Count me in."

Ikuko smiled at her friend. While they hadn't known each other long, she knew the other woman had similar feelings about the children, and that formed a bond nothing could break.

***Bane's POV***

Bane stared into the mirror over the bathroom sink, his jaw clenched as he looked into his own eyes. Fear, sadness, anger, and utter devastation still filled him. He didn't know who he was anymore. He felt like he was seeing a stranger. Healed, he could see who he had once been, but he wasn't sure that was him anymore. Days had passed. The others said he would feel better soon. Kunzite had talked to him repeatedly, encouraging him to get involved in things he had once enjoyed. He had tried, but found there was no passion for old things.

With a sigh he closed his eyes, leaned forward, and rested the top of his head against the mirror. It was easier not to see the lies it told. If he didn't see, he wouldn't have to believe. His thick green hair blocked the cold of the silvered material, but he felt cold just the same. Something was rotten inside him. What else could have made him fall so easily to Beryl and Metalia?

Twenty years. Twenty damned years had passed since the last time he had seen his brother's face, since he had walked with his girlfriend, since he had seen the inside of a classroom. The time he had served the queen had been short, but to Bane that didn't matter. He had served. Rearing back he stared at his hands. Hands that had created Youma, borne a sword in battle against innocent people, and ultimately failed in his mission, getting him locked in the Eternal Slumber.

A snort sounded loud in the tiny room. Slumber. He hadn't been asleep. Aware the entire time, he'd been afraid millions of years had passed. Might as well have been. According to Ami his old girlfriend had been killed in a car accident only two years after Bane had disappeared, and his old school had burned to the ground. At least his brother had made something of himself. Married, a lawyer who helped find missing children, with two children of his own and another child adopted. He had become a man Bane could be proud of.

He turned away from the mirror and went to the door, barely holding himself back from slamming it against the wall as he walked through. He plastered on a fake smile as he left the store, hoping no one could see the evil he had done written on his face. Even healed, the memories would never go away. Usagi said he had a choice now. That he could go back to a normal life, or stay with them and take up the fight.

There was no such thing as a normal life. Not for him. No, for Bane, the only thing left was to destroy the evil that had tainted him, had stained his soul forever.

Crossing the street, for a moment Bane considered stopping, letting one of the speeding cars end his torment. There was too much fight in him. He couldn't let others suffer as he was. He thought about Agate, who was terrified for his sister, who had been taken much earlier than either of them had, at thirteen years old.

Was there anything left of the girl she had once been? Could she be saved? He wasn't sure. Being under the influence of evil had changed him fundamentally. Certainly she could never be happy on an Earth ruled by the Senshi, so what was there for her? Usagi intended to try, but Bane wasn't sure it would work.

He sighed as he reached the construction site. Overnight it had changed. Men were on the roof now, putting up the last of the shingles. An odd structure for Tokyo. He had met the contractor who had designed it. The entire project was based on something he had created while he was in school, with slight changes for the purposes it was now put to. He shook his head.

What had he done while that man was in college thinking of ways to help people? He had been staring through the icy exterior of his prison, wondering if someone would end his torture. He was no longer in that chamber, but he still felt like a prisoner in his own mind. Was there a reason to fight? Was there anything in him worth saving? He didn't know.

Agate approached as he entered the site, frowning. "You were gone a while," he said, his voice pitched to be heard over hammers and machinery.

Bane shrugged. "I was thinking."

With a sigh, Agate took his arm and pulled him to the side, out of the way, and led him toward a stone bench that had been placed under the largest tree Mamoru had created. "Sit," he ordered.

Looking up at him in surprise, Bane did as he was told. Agate hadn't given him an order since they woke, but something inside still looked to him as a leader. He shook his head as Agate took the place beside him, swinging one leg over the bench so he was straddling it. His eyes were wide, the red in them brighter than normal. His long hair was pulled back and tied, and a hardhat rested on his head. He took it off and put it behind him.

"Bane, I know you don't have an anchor. Nothing to hold you here."

"I-" Agate cut him off.

"Listen. Please." Agate waited until Bane nodded before he continued. "I know you probably hate me, and yourself." He shook his head. "I have anger towards my sister, even knowing she's being controlled by Metalia. And to be honest, I have no idea why Usagi and Mamoru thought I was worth saving. But they did save me, and you. That means we owe them something, even if they refuse to see it. We owe them enough to keep going until we find a reason to fight for ourselves."

"I don't think I'll ever find a reason."

"Bane," Agate shook his head in frustration. "I know there is someone out there for you. The other half of your soul. Maybe you can't see it, because you're too close to yourself. There is some girl out there. Maybe she's just like us, worried about what she's done. Or maybe she's like Usagi and the girls, with a heart of gold and a mind that could never be turned like ours were. You won't know until you find her." He nodded his head towards Paden, who was carrying a brand new toilet into the house, sweat dripping down the sides of his face, plastering his purple hair down until it looked more like a helmet than the hardhat he wore. "If Paden can find a soulmate, so can we. Already he lives more for her than himself. And until that day, how about you and I make a pact that we will do our best to never let anyone else suffer like we did."

Tears threatened to fall and Bane had to blink rapidly as he looked at Agate. Finally he nodded. The other man made to stand, but Bane put out a hand to stop him. "Wait."

Agate sat back down. "What is it?" he asked, looking worried.

"I don't hate you," he said. It was hard to express the things he had been thinking. He coughed. "I just don't know who I am anymore. Am I the kid I once was, or the dark general I became?"

Leaning forward, Agate surprised him with his answer. "None of those things. You are completely new. Both those people live inside you, and maybe they always will. Our experiences shape us, but they don't make us who we are. We do. The way I see it, you get to choose who you become now. It's like having a clean slate. No one here knows who you were, and that gives you a freedom a lot of people don't have after a bad experience. Think about who you respect the most. What is it about that person you respect? Do you want others to see those things in yourself?"

Bane bowed his head. There were several people he had come to respect since his waking. Kenji, who ran a massive family with love, honor, and respect. Mamoru who would sacrifice himself for any one of them. And Agate, who in spite of his own pain was working to help someone else instead of himself. Perhaps he wanted to be a bit like all three of them. He wanted others to look at him and think there was something good, something worthy inside him. For so long he had thought there was nothing in him worth saving. He had struggled, not because he couldn't forgive Agate, but because he couldn't forgive himself.

Decision made, he looked Agate in the eyes, man to man, and nodded. "I want to be respected. I want to bring honor to those that have saved me, and to my own family. If I ever get to see my brother again, I want him to be grateful I was saved, and to see a man he can trust with his children. And one day, maybe not yet, but one day, I want children of my own, and a wife who loves me for who I am, not who I was."

The smile on Agate's face at his words melted a bit of the ice around Bane's heart. It wouldn't be today, but someday he would be able to look in the mirror and like the man he saw.

***Unazuki's POV***
Trigger Warning
Unwelcome advances and intimidation

Furuhata Unazuki was an intelligent girl. At almost seventeen, and in high school, she had a clear idea of what she wanted to do with her life, continue the family business, and a heart that yearned to find someone that was her own. She worked in either the arcade or the family café several days a week and was determined to go to business school and make her parents proud.

As Motoki's little sister, she was aware of more than she let on, having overheard dozens of conversations through the last year that had solidified her knowledge of who the Sailor Guardians were, and what they meant to the people of Tokyo, Japan, and even the world. Letting others think her a little airheaded was a small price to pay to keep their secrets. She had taken her cues from Usagi, who had intentionally continued to wail at stupid things, and to be as clumsy as possible in front of others.

But Unazuki had a secret of her own. One she wasn't ready to share, even with her brother. She didn't even let herself think about it most of the time. Working in the café one afternoon, she had begun to get a massive headache. Too many people had been talking at once, and it was driving her to distraction. For hours she didn't notice that though she could hear their voices, their mouths weren't moving. It had shocked her when she finally realized she was hearing their thoughts. That had been shortly after Usagi became Sailor Moon.

Now, months later, she had gotten very good at blocking the mental voices of others, but she wondered if that was always the right choice. Had she been listening, she might have saved Mamoru and Usagi from what happened. Shaking her head as she cleared a table, Unazuki reminded herself of everything that had come of that. So many people saved from the Negaverse was worth the price they paid. And Usagi was happy now, most of the time.

Being at the café was different than working the arcade. There tended to be more college students and fewer younger people. They served ice cream, which drew the teenagers in, but the younger kids enjoyed playing the games at the arcade, which also served ice cream. The café had a tendency to attract study groups however, which meant she was often busier in the afternoons too.

Humming under her breath, she put the bucket of dirty dishes on the counter next to the massive dish washer and nodded to Aymara, an exchange student who worked for them three days a week mostly washing dishes, though as her Japanese and English both got better she was beginning to wait tables when it was slow. "I'm going to take my break before it gets busy again," she told her and headed for the bathroom.

Looking in the mirror warned her that she needed to fix her hair. Several strands had come loose. Working at the Fruit Parlor Crowne, she had to look respectable. It was only on the other side of the block from the Game Center. She blushed, thinking about why she wanted to look good. She was hoping for a glimpse of Paden this afternoon. She knew he planned to stop at the Game Center to see her brother. Giggling, she pulled lip gloss from her pocket and applied it.

Paden pulled at her, in a way she had never felt before. His Japanese was atrocious, making it easier to speak to him in English. He had a strange accent though, and sometimes said words she didn't understand. And he called her Lass, a lot. The way he spoke made her belly feel shivery and his eyes were like twilight pools, a sort of purple-blue that she could sink right into and be happily lost forever.

"Get a hold of yourself girl," she said, frustrated. She wanted him to think she was smart and pretty, not a drooling idiot. Perhaps she could offer to help him with his Japanese and maybe ask his help with English. It would give them an excuse to spend time together. She knew he was like the others and had powers, and that something very bad had happened to him, but she had refused to give in to temptation and read his mind.

"Alright, Una," she said, "You have to be calm." She wasn't even sure she would see him. It was stupid to get herself all worked up.

After taking care of her needs and washing her hands, Unazuki left the bathroom, and bit back a scream. Yodu, a creep who was most definitely banned from both the parlor and game center, was standing in the hallway in front of her, arms crossed over his chest. He had tried to grab her once before, and the horror of that moment still hadn't left her. Now here he was again, his eyes hard as he visibly gloated over catching her unaware.

"You need to get out," she said, hating that her voice caught.

"No," he said, "I'm happy where I am. Well, maybe I might like to get a little closer." As he spoke he stepped forward, blocking her into the corner. Now she couldn't even escape back into the bathroom.

"Get away from me," she said, her voice shaking and body trembling with fear. "Leave me alone."

"I don't want to," he said, grabbing her by the upper arm. "I've been waiting a long time for this." Time seemed to slow down as his face moved closer to hers. Instinctively she raised her hands, curled into claws, to scratch at his face. Anything to keep him from kissing her. He caught her by the wrists before she could get to him, and pressed her arms against the wall behind her. Lifting her knee, she hit him as hard as she could.

He let out a hoarse cry when she made contact, leaning over slightly as he dealt with the pain. When he raised his eyes to hers again they glittered with malice. "I was just going to steal a kiss," he said, "but now I think I'll show you what happens to girls who think they can escape."

He leaned forward, his eyes hard, and his lips had nearly touched hers when he was suddenly lifted and thrown. Unazuki panted as she looked at her rescuer. Paden's beautiful twilight eyes were full of remorse as he looked at her. "I'm sorry I couldna get her faster Lass," he said softly. Then, as he looked at Yodu, his face changed. His look turned into an icy glare as he stared down at the boy who had nearly stolen her first kiss. He knelt beside him on the floor and said something Unazuki couldn't hear, even straining to listen.

Yodu's face paled and he nodded once, slowly, before looking back at her. "I'm sorry," he said, panting. "I won't bother you again."

"Or any of the others," Paden added quietly.

"Or them," Yodu nodded rapidly, then scrambled away on all fours. As soon as he reached the end of the hallway he got up and took off running. Unazuki sagged in relief the moment he was gone.

"Are you well?" Paden had moved closer, one hand outstretched as though he wasn't sure she wanted to be touched. She reached out and grabbed his hand, then moved into him and buried her face in his chest, letting the terror wash away as his arms came around her. She only nodded her head, unable to choke out the words around her sudden sobs. She had been afraid, terribly afraid, of what Yodu would do to her. Paden rubbed her back and spoke in a soothing tone, but his words were neither English or Japanese. She couldn't understand them, but she understood his comforting tone and the way he was acting. She knew he would keep her safe, and at the moment, that was all she needed.

"Is she alright?" Motoki asked from the end of the hallway.

"Aye," Paden said, his voice soft, "I reached her in time. Told the bastard what I would do to him if he touched her again."

"Good," Motoki said, anger filling his voice. "That guy is a menace."

Unazuki relaxed against Paden, feeling safe and loved. Her brother was near and the boy who made her crazy and happy all at once was holding her tight. She let herself cry for a few more moments, then swiped at the tears, promising herself she would never let him scare her again. When she looked up, Paden was staring down at her, and she could tell he was worried.

She glanced at her brother, who was standing at the end of the all like a guard. He smiled when he saw her looking. "You okay?" he asked.

"Hie," she said, then switched to English. "yes. I was really scared, but I'm alright now."

Motoki nodded. "You have the rest of the day off. As soon as Paden went tearing out of the arcade I knew something was wrong. I told dad you were in trouble. He's out there," he nodded towards the main room of the café. "He's putting up a sign about that creep so the new guy knows who to look for."

"Thank you Toki."

"Any time. I love you. I think I would lose my mind if anything happened to you. I've got to go get Reika now, but I'll be back in a few hours. Maybe Paden can walk you home, or you can go to Usagi's house."

"Usagi's if you don't mind," she answered, knowing being around the other girls would be better than sitting alone in her room and brooding. She moved away from Paden and gave her brother a quick hug. "Tell Reika I said hi and we need to go shopping, okay?"

Laughing, Motoki nodded. "Of course." Then he was gone.

Unazuki turned back to Paden. "Let me tell my father where I'm going and then we can leave."

A few minutes later they were walking down the sidewalk, neither saying a word. As they passed in front of the park, Unazuki stopped. "Want to sit for a moment?" she asked.

He only shrugged, then led the way to the edge of a fountain, where they both sat, looking down into the water. "Are you sure you're alright lass?" Paden asked. "You've been awfully quiet."

Blushing, and not meeting his gaze, Unazuki hesitated, then spoke. "He was trying to kiss me, and said he would do worse because I kicked him." She shivered, and suddenly he was pulling his jacket around her. She wasn't cold, but the jacket was a comfort, so she fisted the material in her hands and clung to it. "That would have been my first kiss. This wasn't the first time he came after me. Last time I was afraid to even leave the house. Now I'm not so afraid, but I guess it really upsets me. I feel a little ashamed. Why does he keep coming after me?"

Paden placed gentle fingers under her chin and tilted her face up so he could look her in the eyes. "It's not you who should be ashamed. You've a beautiful face and figure. Unfortunately, that's all one like him can see. He doesn't see into your heart. Doesna know of your kind spirit, or the longing to make your parents proud, or the light you bring to those you meet. The way you can look at one like me and give a smile. You need not be afraid lass, or ashamed."

Tears sprang to her eyes at his words. Without need to think or second guess, she knew this man was hers. Not for a day, or a week, or a year. He was hers forever. She leaned forward, and placed a chaste kiss on his lips. It changed quickly into something more heated, and she wanted to keep the kiss going forever, forsaking breath and anything else, but she pulled away, blushing madly, and looked at him.

The look of shock faded from his face, to be replaced with a smile that was brighter than the sun. "Lass, if you feel half for me what I do for you, I think this is the start of something wonderful."

Unazuki giggled. "Of course it does. I always said I would only give my first kiss to someone I loved."

Paden pulled her into a tight hug then, his arms a warm embrace she never wanted to leave, and kissed the top of her head. "I love you too," he said, and she felt a tear fall into her hair.

***Kenji's POV***

Kenji felt hot under the light of the camera that was already pointing at him. He stood in front of the multi-family home and shelter waiting, a little anxiously, for the interview to begin. He had been interviewed before, but normally it was him doing the interviewing and there were no cameras involved. Shifting his feet slightly, he looked at the news van that was parked just in front of the property. The same man who owned it also owned the paper that he worked for. That made him feel a little better. He knew his boss cared about the truth, but also about the people.

Suddenly the camera-man pointed and the woman in front of him began to speak. "I am Rin Yuna, on site talking to Tsukino Kenji, who has charge of the massive project to help those made homeless by Youma attacks here in Tokyo. Tsukino-san, I understand you were originally given one week to complete this project, but that it should be done by the end of the evening. Is that true?"

Kenji smiled, feeling almost as shy as he had the first time he'd been interviewed. "It's true that we are ahead of schedule," he said, trying not to speak too fast. "The outpouring of help from every part of Japan has been incredible, but here in Tokyo we had an incredible abundance of aid. Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, and so many others. Those in the building and engineering trades were on site several times to check over the work and make sure it was safe, and to make copies of the blueprints our contractor came up with."

"Why is that?" Yuna asked, sounding surprised.

Rubbing the back of his neck, Kenji pointed to the nearly completed structure behind him. "There are plans to build at least nine more similar structures here in Tokyo. We've also heard from government leaders in Kyoto and Kofu where attacks have also happened. They would like to build homes like this one." Coughing and blushing slightly, he reached back and pulled Usagi and Mamoru forward. "My daughter and son in law would like to say something to everyone, if you don't mind?" He looked questioningly at Yuna.

"Of course." Yuna grinned, "Your father has a lot of wonderful things to say about you Usagi-san."

Usagi blushed, but spoke in a calm tone. "We wanted to say thank you to everyone. When we started this project we honestly didn't think we could get it done in the space of a week. Then people started pitching in. Last night people worked around the clock and as we speak the final touches are being added to the property. You have all helped so much and we can't thank you enough. Arigato."

Mamoru nodded before he began speaking, as though agreeing to something she hadn't said aloud, but was thinking. "We also wanted to remind those who were not able to participate, but who wanted to help, that since there are several more properties like this one that need to be built there is a website that has been created where you can donate or volunteer. The work and school programs should be up and running by the end of next week as well and anyone affected by Youma is automatically approved. Also, anyone who is now homeless, or whose children are currently in middle school and facing the choice of whether to continue their education or join the work force."

Yuna cleared her throat before she began to speak again and Kenji thought she might be holding back tears. "On behalf of all of us here at the station, and all of Japan really, I wanted to thank all of you for opening our eyes to this," she said. "All of us want to help in some way if we can. My friend Aoto and his partner lost almost everything in the first wave of Youma attacks. I was able to take them in until they got back on their feet, but so many in Tokyo don't have friends or family with the space, or the money to help. Arigato."

The interview continued for a few more moments, but Kenji found himself giving answers without really having to think about them. His mind was focused instead on his own plans to move his family. He wondered if his house might be used by another family who was having difficulties like the people who would be moving into the new shelter. Maybe a large family who needed space. When the bright light of the camera turned off he heaved a sigh of relief.

"I wanted to thank you again for letting me interview you," Yuna said softly. "It truly was an honor."

Kenji smiled. "The honor was ours. You are rather famous in Tokyo. Aoto. Is it the same Aoto who has been on the morning show with you for several years?" he asked.

Yuna grinned. "Yes. He, Mayu and I will be given another show soon, this one on Sunday evenings. I'm very excited about it."

"That's amazing," Usagi said excitedly. "What sort of show is it?"

"I can't tell you yet," Yuna answered, "but make sure you watch. I think you'll all enjoy it."

The cameraman said something into her ear that Kenji couldn't hear and she turned to speak to him in whispers. "I have to go now," she said. "There was a fire this afternoon and we're going to be interviewing the first responders."

"Was anybody hurt?" Usagi asked.

Yuna shook her head. "No. That's the amazing thing. It was an apartment building with four floors of apartments and yet not a single person was injured. I could almost believe Sailor Mercury was there," she added with a laugh. "Good night!" she gave a final wave as she climbed into the van. They all waved back to her as the cameraman climbed in and started the engine.

"Well she wasn't there," Kenji muttered.

"No, she wasn't," Usagi agreed. "I wish we could help in situations like those."

"Usagi, you can't take on all the problems of the world," Kenji said, worried that she would blame herself any time anyone ever got hurt. "You have your own battles to fight. There is a reason for firemen and police and paramedics. Don't take on any more than you already have."

Usagi nodded, but he had been her father for a very long time and knew she was still troubled. "Baby bunny," he said, using the nickname from her childhood, "You are only one person. Who knows, someday you might rule the world, but for right now you are a sixteen year-old girl who already has far too much on her shoulders. Every time you fight those Youma, you're saving lives. Let that be enough."

"Okay daddy," Usagi said, kissing his cheek. "Love you."

"I love you too."

Usagi skipped off towards the other girls, who were getting curtains put onto little metal rods, but Mamoru didn't immediately follow. He let out a small sigh and turned to Kenji, who was waiting patiently. "You're right," he said after a long moment. "She does want to take on the world and fix every problem. It's one of the things I love most about her. But now," he shook his head, "she's also worried about making the world a better place for Tentomushi and the children who come after her. I just want her to be happy."

Kenji slapped his shoulder. "Welcome to marriage," he said with a laugh. "Her problems become your problems, and yours become hers. You'll find that you start to think about what she wants before what you want, and to fight for her causes as if they were your own. You'll even start to think a bit alike eventually."

Mamoru snorted. "Her causes are already mine, but it will be a very long wait if you want to see me give up homework for videogames."