Author's Note: I have a surprise for those who read my author's notes. From Saturday May 19, 2021 until Wednesday May 19th 2021, you will be able to get a free copy of my book (Sailor Silver Ladybug Presents: Original Tales: Consequences Series) as a thank you. This book is filled with the originals I wrote before using some of my stories for Sailor Moon. The book is especially for all of you who read my stories, review my stories, and encourage myself and other fanfiction writers to keep writing. Now, these are M rated stories, so they are for adults only, but I guess a lot of you who read my T rated stories are over 18, so I thought I would post it here, just in case.
Reader's Note: Remember that the chapters are going to go back and forth between Mamoru and Usagi and Minako and Kunzite.
I have never seen a name for either of Minako's parents. However, in my stories, I've made her mother fully Japanese, and her father half English. I don't know why. That's just how it came out. So, for my stories, her mother is Atsuko and her father is Oscar, who is half Japanese, half English. In my stories I also tend to have them overwhelmed by a Youma in the beginning of the first season, but not in this particular story. (Because On Her Own was almost entirely from Usagi's perspective, I was able to mess with the story-line a little here.) Please tell me what you think, as this is the first time I've given them names.
Musical Selection: NF; Can you Hold Me?
On Their Own
On Her Own: Book Two
Chapter Five
Blazing Sun
Minako & Kunzite
***Minako***
Minako relaxed against Kunzite the moment the new students disappeared. She was glad they were gone. Something about them seemed… off. Wrong. She had noticed it more and more throughout the day. Those weren't just transfer students. There was something seriously wrong about them.
::Don't worry,:: Kunzite's voice was gentle and soothing through their mental connection. He ran his hand up and down her arm, pulling her slightly closer. ::Artemis will figure it out.::
Minako nodded to him. She'd watched Kunzite send the message using his communicator, but she hadn't spoken to the feline herself. Biting her lip and thinking of Usagi, Minako nodded to her Soul-Bonded and focused her attention back on Naru, who was shifting her weight from hip to hip as she stared at the exit where the new students had disappeared.
"Something is wrong," she muttered, her voice barely audible over the noises of excited teenagers finished with school for the day.
"It is," Umino agreed. "We need back up. Now."
"What do you mean?" Kunzite asked, his stance changing as he stood taller and began looking in all directions.
Before Umino could answer a scream rang out over the lawn where they were standing. "Vampire!" It looked almost female, with purple-tinged skin and a green shorts jumpsuit. It had blue hair sticking up from it's head, looking almost like dandelion fluff. The voice was cracked and harsh, and the monster instantly screamed a second time. "Vampire!" it shouted, before moving straight towards Mina and the others.
"Oh Kami," Naru breathed, backing up step by step. "We could really use some help," she added, her voice shaking.
"Run!" Minako screamed, grabbing Naru by the hand. She tugged the red-head after her, toward the school itself. "Hide behind the building! You too Umino!"
"What about you?" Naru asked, her grip on Mina's arm so tight it hurt. "You can't transform," she hissed.
"It's after me," Minako explained. "Until Usagi gets back, I am your protector, and you will listen to me. Now run. Umino!"
Umino, understanding what she wanted, grabbed Naru by the shoulders and started tugging her behind the building as quickly as he could. Minako turned back to see the monster gaining on her. It looked similar to the Youma they had been fighting for months.
"Mina!" Kunzite shouted, throwing himself bodily on the monster and holding it by the neck with one arm. The creature didn't even slow. It's gaze was focused on Minako, and it showed no interest in anything but her. With so many witnesses around, there was no way to transform. There was nothing she could do to stop the creature from attacking her.
"Let go!" a quiet voice ordered. Minako looked up to see Sun Knight and Sailor Pluto standing on the roof of the school.
Kunzite, who must have heard, let go instantly, at the same time Minako threw herself to the side, hitting the ground hard.
"Solar Flare!" Sun Knight screamed.
"Dead Scream," Sailor Pluto whispered.
Both attacks hit their mark, one right after the other. There was a moment of silence as the monster blazed like a torch, and then it seemed to disappear inside a bubble before floating to the earth as dust. Minako stared. All around the school yard, students were popping up from behind trees and bushes, or standing up and dusting themselves off, having dodged the creature.
"Is anyone injured?" Sun Knight asked, his voice somehow deeper in henshin.
"No," Umino said, tugging Naru out from behind the building. "We're all okay, thanks to you."
"Thank you," Minako added, catching his eye for a moment. He nodded to her, took Sailor Pluto by the hand, and disappeared.
Immediately turning to Kunzite, Minako threw herself in his arms. "What was that thing?" she asked aloud. ::We have to get to the command center, quick,:: she said mentally.
Unfortunately, Kunzite didn't get a second to respond. Within moments, the school was overrun by police and reporters. When they discovered Minako had been the one the creature went for, the reporters began asking more and more questions. Who were these new enemies? Why did they go for her? Was it because her friend was missing? Was there going to be another attack on her? Did she have some sort of energy the creature wanted?
"Should you allow someone who has been attacked to return to school?" A female reporter asked the principal, who had just come outside with several of the teachers. Minako saw Haruna-sensei and smiled at her. The teachers moved down the steps in force and surrounded the small group of students, edging the reporters away.
"Might want to get out of here," the principal said softly as soon as he was close. "I'll call your house later tonight," he added. "As soon as I figure out these reporters. Go on."
Naru was nearly knocked over by one of the reporters, so Minako grabbed her hand, and Umino's and started tugging them away, towards the Crown. She didn't want the reporters following them back home, but she also didn't want them in the arcade. She wasn't entirely sure what to do.
"Over here!" Motoki stood at the alley and waved a hand to Minako. She quickly tugged on Naru and Umino and pulled them along in her wake as she headed for the blond. "Thank the Kami you're alright," he added, pulling her, Naru, and Umino into a quick hug before clasping hands with Kunzite. "When Haruki and Setsuna said you were in danger I nearly lost it."
"We're alright," Minako soothed.
"Where did the monster come from?" Motoki asked as he led them through the alley and in the back door.
Unazuki was waiting for them, looking as though she was on the verge of tears. Minako hurried to hug her, then pulled back and looked in her bright green eyes. She really was nearly in tears, that much was obvious, but Minako couldn't guess why.
"I need to tell you something," she breathed.
"What is it?"
"Come with me," Unazuki urged, tugging her into the hallway, where she led Minako into the ladies room. "I need to tell you something, but I don't want everyone to know yet."
"What?" Minako asked, worried there was something really wrong. She would keep her word, but if Una needed protection it might mean she pulled a few all-nighters. "I won't tell until you give me permission," she said, then paused and added, "unless keeping the information puts you in serious danger."
Unazuki nodded. "Something has been happening to me," she said softly. "It started months and months ago, when Usagi became Sailor Moon. Every once in a while I would think someone was talking to me, but they didn't say anything out loud. It took a while to realize I was reading people's thoughts. I try not to hear, but sometimes it seems like they're shouting. I really don't like invading someone's privacy, and I know if people find out they'll be uncomfortable around me." She bit her lip in a move so reminiscent of Usagi that Minako was compelled to hug her.
"I won't tell anyone," Minako said, "but why are you coming to me now?"
"That reporter. The one that made Shingo mad this morning? He's planning on breaking into your house tonight."
"What?" Minako nearly screamed the word, then calmed herself and took a deep breath. "Okay," she panted. "Okay. Well, we can just make sure he gets caught."
"Maybe let him see something first," Unazuki suggested. "Let him get something he thinks is juicy so that he stops looking deeper."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't know. Let him see Usagi's mother and father or something, then catch him in the act."
Minako considered the idea. She didn't want to use Ikuko or Kenji as bait. They had enough to deal with. But, she had to admit the idea had merit. She would have to ask Kenji first, see what they both thought about it, and go from there.
"Thanks Una." Minako gave her another hug. "Now, how do we tell the others you found out."
Unazuki bit her lip again. She tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling for a long moment. "Well, I chased him out of here earlier, after he knocked down a little girl when Motoki got here. I can just say I overheard him muttering to himself as he walked away."
"Good idea," Minako agreed. "Let's get back to the others before they ask too many questions."
"One more thing?" Unazuki sounded hesitant.
"What is it?" Minako was worried by her tone.
"I don't want to share a secret that isn't mine. I know how hard all of this can be to deal with, even without other people knowing. But I do want to say... please watch Naru. She is struggling with something and might need someone to talk to."
Minako nodded her head. "Alright. I'll watch out for her. Which reminds me. Artemis came up with sensors that track Negaverse energy. Now that the monsters are back we need to figure out if they read the same way. I want you to wear one with a panic button. That way, if something does happen, a Youma will set it off, or you can set it off manually and we will come find you."
"Arigato," Una murmured, ducking her head. "That does make me feel a bit better."
"I'm glad," Minako said, then opened the bathroom door to find Umino standing with his back against it, arms folded across his chest, glaring at the young reporter from that morning.
"This one," he said in a deceptively soft tone, "is going to be a problem. Naru sent me to follow you, just in case," he added, "when she saw this one creeping into the hallway."
"I'm glad she did," Unazuki said, her eyes glittering as she glared at the reporter. "You are banned from the arcade," she said. "There are mostly children here, and they cannot consent to an interview without the permission of their parents. Get out." She shook her head, muttering about men listening at the door to the girl's bathroom.
Minako wondered, if Una could read minds, could she sense them approaching too? How had she not noticed Umino so close to them? Or had she noticed, perhaps picking up on Umino's fears. Maybe that was what the warning was about. She wasn't sure, but it wasn't the right time to think about it. It had been a long and stressful day, and she was missing her best friend.
"As a paying customer I have every right..." the reporter trailed off at Unazuki's look of malice.
"You will get out of the arcade now," she said, her voice hardly above a whisper. "You will leave these kids alone, and you will not come back in here. Get out, before I call the police."
"You can't kick me out!" he said, sounding far less sure than his words implied.
"I can, and I have. Now get out before I call my brother."
"No need," Motoki said, opening the door to the break room. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Kunzite and Nephrite, a glaring Makoto standing only a few feet away, pounding one fist into the other hand. "I think he wants to leave before he creates a problem."
"I'll be back," the young man said, then took off down the hallway.
"That was awesome," giggled Naru from the break room. "We should do that to all the reporters."
"We don't want them all mad at us," Motoki interjected. "Remember, we have nothing to hide. That guy is just being really annoying." He gave them all a level look. "Luna sent me a message asking you to get to the house. She said you could use the tunnel."
Minako grinned. The tunnel had appeared inside the command center within days of purchasing the other property. It gave them a secret path to the Crown, which might help keep their secret safe. Thankfully, even if someone were to look right at a person entering the command center, they would immediately forget. It was something to do with the Silver Crystal, but Minako hadn't understood half of what Artemis explained.
"Are we ready?" she asked.
"Ready," Naru said, squaring her shoulders. "Let's go."
***Kunzite***
"We have some very distressing news," Artemis said the moment they entered the command center. Kunzite turned to look at the cat, who seemed more stressed than he had been in a long time. With the attack they had just endured, Kunzite figured he had more than enough to deal with.
Luna, who was sitting at one of the terminals pressing buttons on a specialized keyboard, let out a low moan. "Very bad," she murmured. "This is very, very bad."
"What's bad?" Kunzite asked, reaching over to run his hand along Luna's spine. She relaxed under the touch, and turned to look at him. "The Princess of Japan is missing. One of those vortices appeared in the palace garden and took her."
Shock filled Kunzite and he stared at Luna, uncomprehending, for several long seconds before he could think of a response. He had never really considered the Emperor, or his family. They were just part of Tokyo. A part that gave calm security and helpful advice when the nation was in trouble. He didn't know much about the princess at all.
"When?" he finally managed to choke out.
"At almost the same moment you were being attacked," Artemis answered, pulling up a new screen. "Look at this spike of energy, then here, you see the drop? Every flower in the palace died when she was taken. And there's more."
"What?" Minako asked, stepping closer to her feline guardian. "Please tell me someone else isn't missing too," she asked softly.
"No, but four more vortices appeared, all in different countries," Artemis answered. "None missing, but that is because of the nature of the energy stolen."
"What do you mean?" Kunzite asked, picking up on some of the cats' anxiety. He wasn't sure what to expect.
"They went after active volcanoes," Luna said. "Making two of them erupt," she added. "One of them is no longer active," she added. "There is just nothing left. The scientists are on their way in to look now."
"What can we do?" Makoto asked, breaking her silence for the first time. She and Nephrite had followed them from the school, and had been silent shadows ever since.
"I don't know," Luna said softly. "I do know the Emperor is distraught and has asked to speak to Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen," she added. "I was hoping you two would be willing to talk to him."
"Hie," Kunzite announced. It was his duty to protect his prince, and the people of the planet. He could do no less than exactly what Mamoru would do in this instance. Offer help and comfort. It wasn't much, but it was all he had to give. "We can head over there now," he said.
"Thank you. We'll meet you back at the house," Luna answered.
Kunzite watched Minako pick up the two cats and give them a hug. She whispered something to Luna, and kissed Artemis right on the crescent mark on his forehead. "Don't worry," she added, giving the V for victory sign. "We can handle this."
"I know you can," Artemis said softly. Luna nodded her head in agreement.
Kunzite let his henshin flow over him, then pulled out the disk to help him change his appearance to look like Tuxedo Kamen. Even as he changed, he watched Minako's transformation with awe. She was so beautiful, graceful, and poised in those moments. Then she changed her own appearance, taking on the visage of Sailor Moon, before turning to meet his gaze.
"Are you ready?" she asked, her voice low.
"Hie. Let's go."
He took Minako's hands in his own, closed his eyes, and thought about the entrance to the Emperor's palace in Tokyo. The dark airlessness of teleportation hit him, though he didn't pay much attention to it anymore. Soon enough he was back in bright sunlight, staring at the outer wall of the palace.
"That was fast," a young woman said, looking up from her post. "The Emperor asked me to guide you. Please follow me?"
"Hie," Minako said softly. Kunzite felt her slip her hand into his own and wished their task was already done. He could feel her sorrow and worry through the bond and wished he could make everything better.
"What exactly happened," Kunzite asked as the woman led them through the courtyard.
"I'm not entirely sure anyone knows," the woman said softly. "We never go into the garden when the Princess is meditating with the Jade Dragon."
"Jade Dragon?" Minako asked.
"The Emperor will explain," the young woman said. "This way."
They followed her through the massive courtyard, which was surrounded by a high stone wall. It almost seemed like a park, rather than the seat of the country. The palace soared over walls made from river stone, at least, that was what it appeared to be. High curved roofs with intricate carvings topped the Imperial Palace, and there were signs that it was well lived-in.
"Come in here," the woman said, bending to go under a half-raised gate. "This is the way to his daughter's rooms. The Emperor and his wife are very distraught."
They followed quietly until they were led into a room with hard wood floors, tall white walls covered in tapestries and murals, and ornate shelves full of books and pretty items that appeared to come from all over the world. The emperor was sitting in a low chair, which looked to have been carved from a tree as one solid piece, with no visible joints. His wife knelt at his feet, her head on his lap, weeping.
Kunzite took a deep breath and thought about his next words carefully. He wanted to give the Emperor hope without giving away too much. The young woman who had guided them backed out of the room, bowing low repeatedly as she went, and closed the thick door behind her. There was no sound as she disappeared.
Turning back to the worried parents, Kunzite was about to speak when Minako stepped forward. He was shocked to see her release the image of Sailor Moon and kneel next to the weeping mother. "Hi," she said softly, reaching up to put her hand on the woman's shoulder.
"You are not Sailor Moon," the emperor said. His voice sounded nothing like Kunzite remembered from the television. It sounded gravelly and hoarse. Like he too had been crying, but had too much pride to let anyone see.
"I'm not," Minako said, peering up at him in her Sailor fuku, the skirt of which was bright orange. "Actually, I am Sailor Venus, leader of her guard and the Inner Senshi. Sailor Moon is not here."
"Where is she?" he asked, looking as though he might jump up from his chair and shake her for the answers. Kunzite stepped forward, ready to protect his soulmate, but the Emperor made no other move, simply watching the Senshi with unblinking eyes.
"She was taken in the first series of vortices," Minako answered, her voice low. "Which means, I believe she is either with your daughter, or will find her soon. If anyone can make it back, it is Sailor Moon."
Kunzite stared at Minako in horror, then let the guise of Tuxedo Kamen fall away as well. 'In for a penny,' he thought fatalistically. If they couldn't trust the emperor with their secret, there was nothing they could do about it now. They would have to deal with the fall out eventually, but at the moment, he was beginning to believe Minako had the right idea. They needed their ruler strong, though technically he wasn't in charge of the country as he would have been a hundred years before.
"Tuxedo Kamen was also taken," Kunzite admitted.
"And you are a former dark general," the Emperor said softly. "You I recognize. I watched the Moon Senshi heal you on the news."
Kunzite nodded his head. "I was once under the spell of the dark queen Metalia. Sailor Moon made it impossible for me to be turned evil again, and helped me heal from what happened. Wherever they are, I'm sure they will protect your daughter."
"There is something you must know," the Emperor said softly. "There is a reason I was chosen as Emperor, and a reason those in my family have always been in the heights of power. We are the protectors of Japan, a task given to us in a different time, when the Earth was ruled by a single family, who healed the planet and kept it strong." He took a deep breath and stared down at Minako, whose eyes were shimmering.
"My family is the only one able to protect, and contain, the Jade Dragon."
"I've never heard of it," Minako said, looking confused.
Kunzite however, knew what the man was referring to. Looking into his face, he did not recognize him, but thought his family must be the descendants of High King Endymion's brother, who was the holder of the Jade Dragon during their former life. The Jade Dragon was a powerful magical artifact with a mind of it's own. Unless its keeper was constantly aware of it, the Jade Dragon could act without orders, and had on occasion made a bad situation worse. It was as strong, in it's own way, as any of the Crystals carried by the Senshi and Shitennou, and was meant as a last line of defense for the earth.
"She carries it?" Kunzite asked.
"Hai," the Emperor's wife spoke. "It called to her many years ago." She sniffled, but was obviously trying to pull herself together. "Without the Jade Dragon, the Earth is vulnerable to attack, Japan even more so. It has been the protector of Japan for many generations." A soft sigh followed her words. "It is not without flaw."
"I know what you speak of," Kunzite said, thinking back to Daedalus and the powerful magical object, which had often taken from his very life force to protect King Endymion. Daedalus had been the perfect caretaker, more concerned with his brother's safety than his own, but even he had struggled with the magical object. "It is not to be entirely trusted."
The Emperor nodded. "This is true, though with each generation, our family has become more able to control it's power. Then, when Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen appeared, the Dragon seemed to truly awaken, looking to our daughter for answers. Why was she not protecting the new King? When would she go to protect the King? It seems insistent that Tuxedo Kamen is the king of the world." He went silent for a long moment before turning blazing eyes back to Kunzite. "Is he truly the son of my ancestor?"
"Hie," Kunzite said, gulping. "Though, he does not want to be king."
The Emperor's wife laughed. He wished he knew her name, but was hesitant to ask. It might be improper. "He may not have a choice," the woman said softly. "Sailor Moon hails from the Moon Kingdom. The Silver Millennium. I think," she looked at Minako," it is possible we are quite related, as my own family also came from the moon."
"Maybe," Minako said, looking distracted. "I just hope they don't have to take up that mantle for a very long time." She shook her head sadly. "Being rulers sucks," she added in a muttered voice.
"Do you all remember?" the Emperor asked.
"Some more than others," Minako confirmed. "Kunzite and I were the first to remember. I am curious how you know so much about us," she added.
The empress, or maybe consort, Kunzite wondered if that was the right thing to call her, laughed. "It is quite easy to keep track when you are friends with an Oracle," she said gently. "The Earth Oracle has been brought to the Imperial Palace as soon as he or she was found in every generation. That is how we know so much of our past, our present, and our future." Her voice had a hidden note of sadness and Kunzite got the distinct impression she was hiding far more than she revealed.
"If Tuxedo Kamen and Sailor Moon are with the Princess, you know she will come home safely," Minako reminded them. "Moon could never turn from someone in need."
"They will protect each other," the Emperor said, nodding to his wife. "You know she has been trained well, and I've taught her everything I know about the Jade Dragon. She will return to us, if there is a way."
"Hai," she replied, bowing her head. "I cannot help but worry."
Minako hugged the woman impulsively. "I have a number you can call," she whispered. "Sailor Moon's mother might help."
"Let her keep her secrets," she replied, smiling to show there was no anger in her words. "I have my husband to help me, and we have many things to do to calm the people. What of this new enemy?"
"That is another matter. We think we might have an idea who they are, but proving it without giving ourselves away will be difficult. What we really need is Sailor Moon. She could heal them, turn them away from whatever is making them so angry."
"Not all can be healed," the emperor said sadly.
Minako bowed her head. "I know," she told him, and Kunzite knew she was thinking of Beryl, who they had almost saved, and Metalia, who they had destroyed. "I won't give up without trying though," she added determinedly.
"And that is why you will succeed." The Emperor stood, helping his wife to her feet, and moved to the side of the room, where he reached onto a shelf and pulled down a small wooden box. Turning, he handed the box to Minako. "This will help you speak to us, at any time. Simply speak your message, and it will bring it to me, anywhere in the world."
"Arigato," Minako bowed her head low.
"And remember," the Emperor's wife said in a soft voice, "you are never entirely alone. Even if you were to fall into the deepest pit, even there you would not be abandoned. The Senshi and Shitennou have earned our help a million times over. You need only ask."
Kunzite bowed low, lower than he had to anyone other than his prince, and that in a former life. The respect and admiration he had for the couple, who were worried and grieving, was growing even as he stood there, hardly understanding half of what they were saying.
"We need to get back," he said softly.
"Go. The hearts of Japan go with you," the Emperor answered.
***Minako***
It had been a long afternoon. Back at the large house they shared with the other heroes, Minako let her henshin go and hurried to help with the afternoon chores. There were many to do, in a house full of so many people, and they had to be finished before they could eat. Minako was starving. She and Kunzite had given their report to Luna and Artemis, but she was still reeling from all that she had learned. Luna had been just as confused as she was about the whole thing, as she'd stated three times on the walk through the secret tunnel.
Just as they were sitting down to dinner, someone rang the bell next to the front door. With a heavy sigh, Minako stood, waving Ikuko back to her seat. "I can get it," she said softly. "It's just another reporter."
"Remember," Luna started, but Minako shook her head.
"I remember," she said softly. "Eat. I'll be back."
The others nodded and turned back to their meal. She smiled as she walked out of the room. At least, with so many all cramped in one house, she wasn't on her own.
Walking into the massive entryway, Minako hurried to the door and swung it open. "I'm sorry," she said as she pushed the huge door to the side. "We can't give any interviews right..." her voice trailed off as she looked at the two people on the doorstep. The woman had long, lilac-colored hair, pulled back into a single ponytail. The man wore his dark hair slicked back and adjusted a pair of black-framed glasses on his nose.
"Mom? Dad?" Then she was throwing herself into her parent's arms. "When did you get here? I thought you couldn't make it until next month?"
Her mother, Aino Atsuko chuckled softly. "Ikuko called us when Usagi went missing," she murmured. "She said you might need someone to talk to." She was smiling broadly, and looked very much like Ikuko, which was rather funny, as they had never met and weren't even remotely related.
"Come in," Minako said, laughing, as she realized they were all still standing on the porch, and there were still several reporters near the gate. "I'm sorry, you caught me by surprise," she added. "We were going to come visit you tonight after our meeting."
"Where is my future son-in-law?" her father asked, grinning as he gave her another hug. He was Aino Oliver, and in spite of being only half-Japanese himself, looked very similar to Kenji, which was perhaps why she found it so easy to talk to Kenji.
"At the table, with the others. There's plenty. When Makoto gets upset she cooks, and Ikuko-mama tends to cook extra. Are you hungry? How was your flight?"
"Breathe little one," her mother whispered, giving her another hug. "We are both hungry."
"Good," Kunzite said from the doorway, grinning broadly. He moved forward and gave his hand to Minako's father. "Aino-san. It's good to see you, but why so soon?" he asked, moving to give her mother a hug as well.
"Ikuko called," her mother repeated.
"I'm glad," Kunzite said softly. "We've been a bit overwhelmed. I'm sure Ikuko could use someone to talk to just as much as Mina and I." He let out a soft sigh. "This has gotten very overwhelming."
Minako's father, Oscar, drew his face into a frown. "Well, we can help. I don't know how much, but we can help."
"I'm so glad you're here," Minako repeated, clinging to her mother for a moment. "I really have missed you both."
"We've missed you too," her father said, kissing her forehead. "It's far too quiet without you in the house."
"It's very loud here," Kunzite warned. "When everyone gets talking it can be hard to hear."
"Good," Atsuko murmured. "Less for those reporters to find out. How are you supposed to keep your secret with them all over the place? We saw the news at the airport while we were collecting our bags. They were all over you."
"It was pretty bad," Minako murmured. "Come in and say hi," she added, tugging her father's arm. "I can't wait for you to meet Kenji. You're going to be the best of friends."
Oscar chuckled and followed her into the massive dining room. The others looked up from their plates in surprise.
Ikuko leapt to her feet. "That was fast!" she exclaimed. "Wait just a minute. I made up plates for you." She rushed out of the room without another word.
Kenji walked around the table and gave a polite bow to Oscar and Atsuko, before holding out his hand. "Glad you're here," he said. He grinned widely. "We're outnumbered."
Minako couldn't help laughing. Mizuno Saeko, Grandfather Hino, and Sakurada Haruna were the only other adults that truly knew their secret. Naru's mother knew as well, but wasn't entirely involved in the managing of the more than dozen superhero teenagers. Kenji seemed to be handling it very well, and the others did what they could. Grandfather was great at giving advice, and Ami's mother was a fount of medical information and encouragement. Still, it was nice to have her own parents there. She glanced over at Makoto, who she knew felt a little sad, and held out her hand.
"I also wanted you to meet one of my very best friends," she added. "This is Makoto."
"You're the future chef!" Oscar grinned widely and pulled her into a quick hug. "Mina brought us the cookies you made a few days ago. They were wonderful."
"I'm glad you liked them," Makoto said softly, her voice barely carrying. She looked a little nervous.
Kenji wrapped one arm around her waist and tugged her close. "We all love your cooking Mako," he said, his voice low and soothing. Minako barely held back her tears. Kenji had always accepted all of them. Now she wanted her parents to accept Mako too.
"Well, you'll have to teach me your secret," Atsuko whispered. "I can never get mine just right. The Western style just confuses me." She shook her head.
Ikuko bustled back into the room. "Luna," she asked, as she put the plates on the table, "did you say you wanted any of the tuna casserole? Mako made a huge batch and you and Artemis haven't eaten very much today."
"I'm very hungry," Luna said, trying to be neat as she made her way through the food on her plate. "Artemis always said mental work took almost as much energy as physical, but I didn't listen."
"Where is Artemis?" Oscar asked, looking around for the white cat.
Minako nearly giggled. When Kunzite had asked her to marry him, she'd explained about her parents, including the fact that she had never told them she was Sailor V. He had insisted that she needed her parents after watching how well Usagi's parents had taken the news. So they had teleported to England one night, during the time when Usagi had disappeared and Mamoru had followed her. It had been Artemis that had done most of the talking, since her father was incredibly fascinated with the alien cat.
"He went back to the command center," Kunzite explained. "We aren't entirely sure, but we think the new enemy might be a couple students from our school. He has been at the computer since the attack this afternoon." He coughed. "Are you staying here or at the house? We need to get your room set up if you are staying here tonight."
"For tonight we are going to the old house. It closes in less than a month, so we want to get it all cleaned out first. Any volunteers who like heavy lifting?"
Makoto raised her hand, and her eyes. "I don't mind carrying things," she said softly. "I can help."
"Oh good!" Atsuko enthused. She grabbed Makoto and pulled her back to the table. "So what else can you cook?" she asked, setting the younger woman at ease. "I'm trying to learn how to do something called a chicken salad, but none of the recipes seem to have lettuce. Can you help me?"
Minako couldn't help smiling. Her parents had obviously gotten the hint. Makoto was no longer alone in the world. She had all of them. Still, she looked around the table at the others. Many were orphans, or had family and friends who didn't even know they were alive. She wished she could ease the heartache of all her friends, but she wasn't sure how. Usagi would know.
***Kunzite***
At just after midnight, Kunzite sat up in bed. Something was off. Hurrying to throw his clothing on, he raced out of his room and up the stairs to the top floor, then up onto the roof. Standing in the center of the roof, arms outstretched, was Sun Knight. He was almost glowing in the darkness, and looked to be holding as much power as it was possible to contain.
"What are you doing?" Kunzite asked angrily. "Are you trying to get us caught?"
Startled, Haruki turned and stared at Kunzite, his face devastated. "I just want them back," he said softly. "I don't want to lose them."
With a heavy sigh, Kunzite stepped forward and clapped Haruki on the back. "They will come home," he said. He was absolutely sure of it. There was no doubt in his mind at all. The couple could handle anything. "And you have Setsuna to consider," he added, playing on the Soul-Bond, which pulled couples together, to remind Haruki he had other responsibilities.
"I'm sorry," Haruki said softly. He sat heavily on one of the folding chairs that Shingo had added to their set up. "I guess I just thought it would come after me. Why was I in Elysion both times the vortexes appeared?"
"Perhaps because you are meant to remain here," Kunzite mused. "At least until after you've accepted your birthright. I would think, with Usagi and Mamoru gone, you are probably the strongest of us, even without gaining that power." He frowned at the dark sky.
"Birthright?" Haruki asked, his voice slightly more optimistic.
Kunzite could have sword, long and loud, for his idiocy. He hadn't meant to give Haruki something else to go after. "Forget about it until Usagi and Mamoru get back," he said. "They can explain it much better than I. And Shingo is still too young, in spite of the fact he looks older than his sister now." He shook his head.
"Shingo and I have a birthright?" Haruki asked, turning to look Kunzite in the eyes. "Why weren't we told?"
Kunzite sighed. "Because we were about to fight Beryl and Metalia when they came back before, and I guess they forgot to tell you. I honestly thought they would have by now."
Haruki nodded once, then sighed. "For now I will bide my time," he told Kunzite. "I can't promise not to try again if they haven't returned in a reasonable amount of time."
Kunzite nodded. He had suspected as much. "Do me one favor?"
"Hie," Haruki agreed instantly.
"It you ever plan to do this again, let me know. We can bring in all the others. Maybe that will keep people safe. But remember Setsuna needs you. Do you remember Usagi's promise?"
"Hai," Haruki nodded. "She would never be alone again. Heliodor is with her now."
"And what if your future self were to send someone for her while you were gone?" Kunzite asked. "We don't understand much about time travel, only Setsuna seems to have a grasp of it. I wouldn't want you to miss saying goodbye, or see Setsuna all alone. Would you?"
Haruki shook his head and gave another heavy sigh. "You're right," he said softly.
Kunzite settled into the chair next to his friend. "Why don't you tell me what your biggest worry is?"
Haruki sighed. "I don't really know," he finally admitted. "I guess, it occurred to me that whatever these new monsters are, they were sent by someone. Someone who is either evil, or controlled by something evil. I only know two people who have healed someone controlled by evil. Usagi and Mamoru. What if we can't beat this new enemy without killing them?"
"Minako wouldn't let that happen," Kunzite said confidently. "She won't let Usagi down, anymore than I would willingly let Mamoru down."
"I guess," Haruki sighed. "Usagi has always been there, pretty much since I can remember. Even after my mom died and dad dragged us all over Japan, there was always Usagi. I see how worried Shingo is, and my aunt and uncle, and then I think, I don't want to lose anyone else."
"You won't" Kunzite said confidently. "They're coming home." He wasn't sure when, but he could feel it in his bones. His prince wasn't about to give up. No matter how long it took, or how hard it was, they would find a way back.
***Luna***
Artemis had fallen asleep in front of the computers, again. With a little snicker, Luna did a back flip, making a blanket appear. She used her teeth to pull it over her soulmate, then moved along the desk until she reached a different monitor, one that was designed to watch the moon. There was a blinking light in the far right corner and Luna moved the mouse over with one paw and clicked the button.
Still no response from the former queen of the Silver Millennium. She had hoped it would work. With a sigh, she turned away and sidled over to Artemis, curling up around him for comfort. "I could really use some help Serenity," she whispered. Then she closed her eyes and let sleep sweep her into dreams.
The palace was brightly lit, though empty, as Luna moved silently through the halls. She recognized the rooms she passed, remembering events from her former life with each new tapestry or painting. Moving more quickly, Luna headed for the throne room, hoping the queen would be there, where they had so often talked before.
"Ah, Luna," Serenity called, reaching out the moment Luna entered the throne room. "I've missed you."
"I have missed you as well, my Queen," Luna said, bowing her head. "I have failed you."
"No," Serenity said softly. "They are safe, and will return, though not yet. Until they return, it is best to let Minako and Kunzite do their work. They will need the practice as there are many refugees that will need homes and Venus is the best spot for some of them. This solar system will be full again, not too long from now."
"What are you saying?" Luna asked, horrified. "Is there some new enemy out there terrorizing people on other planets."
"New? No. Terrorizing, absolutely. There will be more battles to face, more enemies to heal or defeat, and many more trials and tribulations before the Cataclysm."
Luna gulped. Cataclysm? That sounded very, very bad. "Is the world going to end?" she asked.
"No. It will simply sleep. Do not fret Luna. There is nothing that can be done yet, and I have every confidence that when the Cataclysm does come, Usagi will remember the safeguards. Even should she forget, they will begin working automatically. I have done what I can to keep the palace running since she and Shingo restored it," she added, looking around with a beautiful smile as she took in the now whole castle.
"What should I do?" Luna asked.
Serenity let out a very childlike laugh. She winked at Luna conspiratorially and whispered, "just go drive Artemis crazy for me." Another peal of silver laughter rang from the queen. "And remind him that he needs to take a break. He cannot work at this pace much longer. He will be no good to Minako if he makes himself sick."
Luna nodded. She had thought, and even said, some of the same things. "I will take care of him," she promised. "What of you?"
"I am going to rest with my own soulmate, while we wait for the next moment when we can help. Remember Luna, you are not alone. I will always be here, should you need me."
"Thank you Serenity," Luna said, bowing her head respectfully. "Thank you."