Author's notes at bottom - enjoy!
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From the Beginning - Round Two
Part III ~ Explanations
Rated: PG. (Language)
Author: Bethany
Edited by: Meara
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"Daddy, I owe Jupiter twenty yen for my ice cream, will you pay
it?" Chibi-Usa asked Tuxedo Kamen sweetly. They were sitting in the
lobby two doors down from Sailor Moon's room. Chibi-Usa had bubble gum
ice cream and was very much enjoying it.
Everyone chuckled lightly as Tuxedo Kamen pulled out his wallet
and handed Jupiter the money. (AN: didn't know he had a wallet? let's
pretend, k?)
"Don't worry 'bout it," Jupiter said between biting into her own
ice cream cone.
Tux shoved the money closer to her. "Here take it."
Jupiter stubbornly shook her head no and pushed his hand back.
"Whatever," Tux mumbled, putting the money back in his wallet.
Ami had been working frantically with Luna and Artemis on her
computer, trying to figure out exactly what had happened. No one could
understand how the enemy had attacked Sailor Moon. None of them seen how
or when. Or why Beryl, if it really was her, saved Sailor Moon's life.
Again Ami scanned the vial of blood they had taken from Usagi.
"Nothing. Why isn't there anything in her blood? A trace to tell us
what we are up against?"
"I don't know," Luna replied, frustrated as well.
"Maybe there was nothing in her blood to begin with?" Artemis
suggested.
Both Mercury and Luna looked at him, feeling like they could slap
themselves for not thinking the obvious.
Tuxedo Kamen stood up. "I'm going back to her room. I want to be
there when she wakes up."
*****
The being known only as Lady closed her eyes, concentrating hard
on man she had seen in the room earlier. Within a couple of minutes
she had molded herself to look exactly like him. "You won't be so lucky
this time," she whispered, jumping in the room.
*****
Sailor Moon looked up, startled for a moment, before realizing it
was only Tuxedo Kamen coming in the window. "Honey, why are you coming
in that way?"
He seemed confused for a moment before stepping up closer to her.
Usagi sniffed the air, something wasn't right. The smell of roses hadn't
entered the room when Mamoru did. And she *knew* he always smelled like
roses.
"Mamo-chan?" she squinted her eyes, trying to see why she was
afraid all of the sudden.
Lady smiled down at her before pulling out the knife she had
hidden in her cape. "Now you die," she said simply.
Sailor Moon may have been weak physically but her voice was doing
well, as Lady found out, when a high pitched note hit full strength.
Vibrating off the empty walls, making it sound even louder than it was.
The door flew open and Venus and Uranus came running in to find
Usagi sitting on the bed screaming. Other than her the room was
deserted.
"Sailor Moon!" Venus cried, running toward her. "Daijobu?
Doushita no?"
Uranus went to the window and looked out in time to see a foot
disappear on the roof above.
Sailor Moon started crying. "Where's Mamo-chan? Where is he?"
she repeated, desperately.
Venus stroked her hair reassuringly. "He'll be here in a minute,
don't worry. He was just down the hall with the others."
The door swung open again and Tuxedo Kamen came in and went
straight to Sailor Moon's side, holding her and kissing her head.
"What happened?" he asked the two senshi that were already in the room.
Venus shrugged, still watching Sailor Moon worriedly.
"Someone was in here, I saw them going up to the roof," Uranus
answered, still glancing out the window, hoping to see them again.
Sailor Moon was shaking badly, even though she was in Mamoru's
arms and the familiar scent of roses filled her nose, telling her that
this was indeed her real Tuxedo Kamen. "He... he was... you," she
cried, her teeth chattering with a sudden cold.
Tuxedo Kamen wrapped his cape around her, bringing her closer to
him to share his body heat. "Looked like who Usako?"
"Y.. you..." she stuttered.
"Me?" Tux said, making sure he had understood her right.
"Hai."
Venus, Uranus and Tux all meet gazes.
*****
"Gomen nasai, my queen," Lady repeated, bowing to her feet. "She
screamed and her guardians came running in room."
Queen Beryl sneered down at the general. "No thanks to your
failure we probably won't have another chance for a while. I'm sure
they will tighten security around the princess now."
Lady looked remorsefully down at the floor.
"No matter," Beryl suddenly said in a lighter tone. "We will
have that moon brat soon enough. Prince Endymion and the silver
crystal will be mine. Go now and think of something to redeem
yourself with, I want that brat dead."
*****
"Did anyone else hear a scream just now?" Jupiter asked,
standing up.
A couple of the senshi nodded, following Jupiter's lead down
the hall toward Sailor Moon's room.
When they entered they found Usagi laying in Tuxedo Kamen's
cape, crying.
Venus, Uranus, and Tux were looking VERY worried.
"What happened?" Mars demanded.
"Some one was in here trying, we think, to kill her," Uranus
answered.
Chibi-Usa had powered down, and ran up to the bed and climbed up
next to her mother. Usagi threw her arms around the girl and held on
tightly not bothering to ask why she was here, but strangly relived to
see her; Tux pulled his cape off to cover both of them.
"We are going to have to tighten the guards around this room
until she is released. Somebody must be trying to finish what they
started," Mercury advised.
Mars climbed out the window onto the roof of the next level.
"Jupiter and I will patrol out here, while Uranus and Venus continue
to stand at the door. Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, and the Lights need to
stand watch at the end of the hall. Everyone else stay in this room,
we will NOT leave another chance open to the enemy."
"I thought I was the leader," Venus whined, trying to make
Chibi-Usa, or someone, laugh.
"No, I am," Sailor Moon smiled at her.
*****
Usagi opened her eyes and slowly sat up. Chibi-Usa and
Tuxedo Kamen were in the opposite bed beside hers, asleep.
The room was dark, but she could see Mars and Jupiter outside the
window talking, and Venus and Uranus were outside the door, keeping
post. The clock on the table beside the bed read 7:25 am.
She reached over and picked the phone up.
After two rings a woman picked the phone up. "Moshi, moshi,
Tsukino residence."
"Hi mom."
Ikuko let out a breath of relief. "Oh my God sweetheart, where
are you? Are you ok? We've been trying to get a hold of you or
Mamoru all night."
Usagi knew she was going to have to tell her parents some time
or another about her being Sailor Moon, now seemed like a good time.
"Mom, did you hear about Sailor Moon being in the hospital?"
Her mom seemed confused about the chance in subject. "Um, yes.
There was a thing on the news about it. Um, it seemed that that
Tuxedo guy got mad at one of the reporters and stuff. It's all over
the TV. And they have a daughter, a small version of Sailor Moon done
in pink. Isn't that something? But, Usagi, why do you ask?"
Sailor Moon looked over at her husband and future daughter and
let out a small laugh. "Mom, don't panic, I'm in the hospital."
She immediately panicked. "Nani?!"
"Calm down, I'm ok. Come down here and Sailor Mercury will let
you in."
"Sailor Mercury? Why? What's going on?" Ikuko demanded.
Sailor Moon sighed. "Just do it, okay mom? I'll explain every-
thing when you get here. And mom, don't talk to any reporters on the
way."
"Reporters? Usagi! I want to know right now what's going on!!"
"Bye mom, see you when you get here."
"Demo..." Ikuko was cut off by the click of the phone.
Ikuko hung the phone up. "That girl, I've got a good mind to
ground her!" Then she laughed. Yeah right, I'm going to ground my
married daughter!
*****
Seiya, Taiki, Yaten, Pluto, Neptune and Saturn had been taking
turns between sleeping and keeping post.
Saturn covered her mouth to hide her yawn and looking quizingly
at the StarLight beside her. "Ne, Yaten-kun?"
"Hai?" he answered in his normal dejected tone.
"Why do you always seem so mad at the world? We aren't bad
people," Saturn explained in her soft whisp of a voice. "I don't
understand."
The StarLight blinked and looked at her young face. So small,
but still she fought like a true Senshi. Thinking this small child
had the power to distroy the world made him debate his role in protecting
that same world. "I don't know. I just feel so... out of place here."
The petite senshi smiled and twirled her Glaive. "You know, when
I first regained my senshi powers, everyone was more or less in awe
of me. I felt out of place, too. Like no one wanted to treat me like
a little girl because I held so much power. But Usagi and Chibi-Usa
showed me I was wrong, and that I had real friends, if I would accept
them. And Yaten-kun? I'd like to be your friend."
Yaten smiled looked at her for a moment. "I'd like that, too."
Yawning, he looked down at the petite Sailor of Saturn. "You ready for
sleep kiddo?"
"Yes!" she immediately answered. It was way past her bed time,
but she insisted on doing her part of protecting the princess.
"Let's switch out with Seiya and Pluto." He walked toward the
waiting room and poked his head in. "All right sleepyheads, time
for us to get some sleep."
Silence.
"Seiya! Pluto! Get Up!"
Pluto immediately sat up straight. "What's wrong?" she demanded,
grabbing her time staff.
Seiya turned over slightly and glared at his brother. "Nani?"
"Saturn and I would like some sleep, so get up." Yaten laughed,
going back out the door.
"I don't wanna..." Seiya moaned, trying to turn over, only to fall
out of the chair.
Pluto went over and stuck her time staff in his stomach. "Get
up! Saturn needs to get some sleep."
"Ok, ok, ok..." Seiya got up and slugged out of the room after
Sailor Pluto.
*****
"Rei-chan, are you ok?" Jupiter asked for about the tenth time.
Rei nodded and looked back in the window at the family. "I just
can't believe that we almost lost her, and not the first one of us can
figure out how, who, anything!" She slammed her fist into her thigh,
causing Jupiter to flinch.
"Well, it will not happen again, not if the sailor senshi have
anything to do with it! Even if I have to personally guard her twenty
four hours a day for the rest of my life, I will not let the Negaverse
get to her," Jupiter said, determined.
"They won't," Mars assured her. "Between all of us, the princess
will be safe, I'm sure of it." She didn't feel as confident as she
sounded, however, and she was sure that Jupiter could sense that.
Suddenly Jupiter laughed.
"What?" Mars asked, amused at her laughter.
"Remember Tuxedo Kamen yesterday when that reporter said that
Sailor Moon was too young for him? Have you ever seen him so mad?"
Mars laughed also. "No, not since Prince Diamond got to Chibi-
Usa."
"The world better watch out for that man when it comes to his
family. He probably would have killed that woman if about five or
more of us not been holding him back."
*****
Venus yawned and stretched her arms up. "Boy will I be glad
when we get relieved."
"Who's suppose to be relieving us?" Uranus asked.
"Um, Taiki and Neptune I think, I'm not sure, I just wish they
would hurry," Venus said, yawning again.
The door to the room opened and Mercury came out. "Hi guys,
you doing ok?"
"Sure, how's Us-Sailor Moon?" Uranus asked, catching herself
before she revealed her identity.
"She seems fine this morning, I'm worried about Tuxedo Kamen
though. He just went to sleep about an hour ago. He stayed up all
night watching her every move. Anyway, Ikuko and Kenji is on their
way, Sailor Moon is going to tell them about everything. Usagi asks
that you treat her like the princess instead of a friend, at least
until she can convince her mom how serious this is."
"Really?" Venus stood stunned, she had thought Usagi wasn't
going to ever tell her parents.
"Yes, she says it's time she stopped lying to her parents."
"I couldn't tell my momma, she'd have a litter of kittens or
something," Venus said and then covered her mouth. "Um, sorry Artemis,"
she said to the cat at her feet giving her a dirty look.
"Not funny!" Artemis growled as everyone busted out laughing.
*****
The Tsukino's walked up to the hospital and entered. The lobby
was filled with people, mostly waiting for news on Sailor Moon.
Impressive, Ikuko thought. How much Tokyo cares about the Sailor
Senshi.
They got in the elevator and went up to the fourth floor. As
they turned the corner they was cut off by Sailor Pluto and Seiya.
"Gomen nasai, you can not go in here," Pluto said, crossing her
staff cover the hall entrance.
"I most certainly can, my daughter is in this wing!" Ikuko
said, stomping her foot.
"Gomen nasai, you cannot," Fighter echoed Sailor Pluto.
"But I think I can, who do you think you are anyway?" she
demanded.
Sailor Pluto stood straight, her mission backing her spine up,
"We are guarding the Princess, you may not enter without her permission."
"Well I--"
She was cut short by Sailor Mercury. "It's okay, the Princess has
asked for them," she told the two guards.
"Yes, Lady Mercury," Pluto said and bowed. "Gomen nasai
Tsukino-san."
"That's all right," Kenji replied in a daze.
Silently they followed Sailor Mercury down the hall to Sailor
Moon's room where two more senshi were standing. It was impressive,
the sense of duty, the manner in which they held themselves. It was
obvious that they would give their life for the princess. The princess?!
Was their little Usagi the princess they spoke of? No, there's a better
reason for all of this, isn't there?
"Mercury?"
"Yes, Tsukino-san?" Sailor Mercury turned toward her, looking
up briefly from her computer.
"Is my daughter in this room? Are you sure there's not a
mistake?"
Mercury looked her in the eyes. "No mistake, she's in there."
"That's what I was afraid of," Ikuko sighed.
Mercury turned back around so that only Venus and Uranus could
see her smile.
*****
"Mamo-chan, I'm hungry," Usagi said. Mamoru was in the bathroom
splashing cold water on his face. It had been one hell of a long night.
"Ok Usako, after your parents leaves I'll get you something."
Usagi pushed back a couple of pink strands of hair that had fallen
over Chibi-Usa's face and kissed the sleeping child's forehead.
"Mamo-chan?"
"Yes?" he replied, coming back in the room and sitting down next
to her.
"What's Chibi-Usa doing here?"
Mamoru shook his head, "I don't know. Jupiter said something
about her coming back to learn how to use her new powers. She saved
the senshi. She threw her tiara and attacked just in time to kill
that youma yesterday."
Usagi smiled. "That's my little girl. But she so young to already
have a broach like my first one."
"What? About twleve now isn't she? That is a little young, but
if your future self decided it..."
Usagi laughed. "I'm sure *your* future self had some choice words
for me after I decided that one."
Mamoru laughed with her. "I'm sure I did."
The door opened and Mercury came in. "Princess, Tsukino-san
to see you," she said formally, just as Sailor Moon had asked, and
stepped back to let the couple pass.
"Thank you, Lady Mercury." Sailor Moon said, trying hard to
contain her laughter. She wanted her parents to see how important
this was. And in order to do that all the senshi had been asked to
treat her like they would the queen she would one day be. If she
saw them acting like they the friends they were, she may not take it
as seriously as she needed to.
"Mom, Dad?" Usagi said uncertainly.
Ikuko put her hand over her mouth, "Usagi? Are you really my
little girl?" she almost cried.
"Yes," Sailor Moon replied in a small voice.
Suddenly the window flew open, causing everyone in the room to
jump, as Jupiter and Mars leaped inside.
Mars started to say her name, but seen her parents standing in
the room. She bowed slightly. "Princess, we need to get you out of
here, there is an evil energy field drawing close."
Usagi woke Chibi-Usa up and tried to stand up herself. But her
legs were still like Jell-O.
"There's no time Princess, we need to go - now," Mars said. At
the same time Jupiter was on the communicator to the other senshi.
"Let's get out of here, now. I need all of you in here to help get
Princess Serenity out of here in one piece. Clear the halls," Jupiter
ordered.
Tuxedo Kamen picked Sailor Moon up and covered her in his cape
and started for the door where he was meet up with the rest of the
sailor senshi and Lights.
Ikuko stood there, watching everything happen so quickly and
efficiently. Suddenly a tall girl with an orange uniform and long
blonde hair took her gently by the arm. "We must go."
Four senshi walked about five feet ahead of Tuxedo Kamen, Sailor
Moon, Chibi-Usa and the Tsukino's, while the four outers and Seiya
walked behind. Taiki walked ahead of the inner senshi, making sure the
halls were clear. Yaten walked behind the outers making sure they weren't
followed.
They made it outside to a nearby alley. "Inners come with me, I'm
taking to the rooftops with the Princess. Outers and Lights make sure
Chibi-Usa and Tsukino-san get to my apartment safely and with no one
following."
"Yes Prince," Sailor Pluto said, taking Mrs. Tsukino's arm. She
watched in amazement and fright as Tuxedo Kamen jumped straight up to the
roof with Sailor Moon still in his arms, and the inner senshi followed.
"He won't drop her, will he?" she asked shakily.
"No, he would never harm her in anyway. He loves the princess
very much," Saturn replied.
"Come, all will be explained in due time," Pluto said, again leading
her away.
*****
Usagi gratefully de-transformed back into herself and took a
hot bath. She knew her parents were in the living room listening
quietly to the story Luna was telling her.
She laughed to herself as she remembered her mom's reaction
to hearing the cat talk.
"AHHHHH!! Ohmygod! That... talked!!" Ikuko had screamed, backing
up from Luna.
"I can, and quite well I might add," Luna replied, trying to hide
her amusement at the situation.
"What is wrong with me? This is a dream, right? A horrible
dream! I knew I should have never let Usagi keep you!" she shrieked.
At that point everyone, including Kenji, busted out laughing.
"I assure you, we can talk, and this is not a dream," Artemis told her.
That started another I'm-going-off-the-deep-end scream from
Usagi's mom. Usagi, throwing a short summer dress on over herself,
giggled at the memory.
"Whatever do the heavens owe for such an adorable smile from your
beautiful lips?" a voice said. Usagi knew he was trying to be
romantic, but Mamoru never was very good at formal speech.
"Just remembering my mom's reaction to Luna."
Mamoru laughed. "That, indeed, will bring a smile to my face for
the next thousand years."
"Mine too," Usagi giggled again. Mamoru felt a weight being
lifted from his soul to see her smile. How much he had missed it, how
it scared him was that he would never see it again. A near death
situation didn't happen very often to begin with. When it did, however,
it left him scared for days.
Usagi noticed the darkness go through his eyes briefly. "Mamo-chan?
What's wrong?"
He put on his best smile. "Nothing sweetheart, I'm fine."
Usagi crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't you hand me that
bull, I know you better than that."
A smile crept up to Mamoru's lips. "Yes, you do," he said
absentmindedly.
"So what's wrong?"
Mamoru felt his slip on his emotions, he didn't want to break
down and cry. She didn't need to be worried about him, he needed to
be strong, for her. But the truth was, he had been scared to death,
and pent up emotions were threatening to surface. Her demanding, yet
understanding gaze, pierced through him.
Tears streamed down his face in rivers and he put his head in his
hands. "I have never been so scared in my life... the doctor told me
you... you were dying... and... oh God, Usako, please don't ever leave
me..." he cried brokenly.
Usagi quickly came over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
She sat down on the floor and pulled Mamoru in her lap, running her
fingers through his hair. "Shhh, baby, it's ok. I'm never leaving you.
There's not a force strong enough to take me from you."
"You were so still," he continued, trying to come to grips with
this emotional overload and get it back under control. "I felt like
my heart had been ripped from my chest. Hollow and empty. And all I wanted
was to see your beautiful eyes looking at me again.."
Usagi turned his head so his face was buried in her stomach, his
arms wrapped awkwardly around her waist. "Mamo-chan, I'm here, it's okay."
The silence stretched on and on. Mamoru cried for a few minutes
before simply just laying in his love's arms, listening to her breathing.
Her hands played in his hair as she hummed some unknown tune. It calmed
Mamoru down, giving him a safe feeling. He didn't like to show this side
of himself to anyone but Usagi. Only she would understand. One of the
many reasons I love her so much, he mused silently, not wanting to break
the spell that seemed to have been cast over the moment.
"I love you," she whispered.
He loved hearing those words, nothing made him happier than being
reminded just how much she cared for him.
"I love you. Do you know, Usako, just how much you mean to me?
Do you have any idea?"
She giggled slyly. "Oh I think I have some idea... but just in
case..." she left off a well stated hint.
"Just in case, you want me to tell you?" She nodded. He turned
over and looked up at her.
"You see me laying here?" She nodded. "I wouldn't be here if it
wasn't for you. If you died, I will kill myself. Without you I am no one.
Your love is what keeps me going--" he was cut off by Ikuko.
"MY DAUGHTER IS PRINCESS OF THE WHAT?!"
Usagi laughed and bent down to brush her lips against Mamoru's.
"You know as much as I love hearing you tell me how much you love me,
I think it best we get in there before my mother kills all my
guardians."
Mamoru sat up. "I love you Usako. More than anything, I love
you."
"I love you Mamo-chan, just as much."
*****
"No, my daughter is just plan old Usagi, silly, sweet Usagi, not
some princess, not some warrior," Ikoku repeated, wanting so much to
believe it. Even though everything she had seen so far today told her
different.
"Mama, I know this is hard, but it's all true." Usagi said
gently, coming in the room. As soon as she appeared Venus and
Neptune stood up to let her and Mamoru sit down. They knew that until
Usagi said otherwise, they were to keep treating her like the princess.
Kenji and Ikuko just stared as the guardians stood. "Moon
princess...my daughter... but, your not really MY daughter, your
Queen whoever's daughter, not mine... a Princess."
"Whoa, wait a minute!" Usagi cried, jumping to her feet. "I am
still your daughter. I always will be, it's just that I am also Queen
Serenity's daughter, the princess. I am Sailor Moon, the warrior. But
most important, I am Usagi, your daughter."
Kenji and Ikuko hugged her tightly, "My sweet baby, I'm so proud
...and very upset!" she stated, mocking a mad face. "How come it never
occurred to you to tell me before now that you have been running around
Tokyo saving the universe?"
Usagi giggled nervously and sat next to Mamoru again. "I had to
keep you safe, I didn't want the nega-verse, nega-moon, black moon
circus or any of them to come after my family. That's why none of us
told our families."
"None of us..." Kenji mumbled, looking around the apartment at the
guardians. "Then you are...?" He eyed each one of them suspiciously.
Usagi stood up, with a wave of her hand, the guardians came fourth.
"Mom, Dad, this is Sailor Venus, the leader of the inner senshi.
The senshi of love and beauty, also known as Aino Minako."
Usagi waited for her parents to recollect themselves before
continuing.
"This is Sailor Mars, the senshi of fire and soul, also known as
Hino Rei. This is Sailor Mercury, senshi of ice and wisdom, also known
as Mizuno Ami. This is Sailor Jupiter, senshi of thunder and protection
also known as Kino Makoto. Umm, you know Mamo-chan..."
Ikuko shook her head. "You're that Tuxedo guy that was on the news
last night?"
Mamoru's face turned bright red."Yeah, that was me..."
"Shinji nai..." Usagi's mother breathed heavily, noticing that
there were seven people in the room that Usagi hadn't introduced yet.
"Who are..?" she nodded to the outer senshi and Lights.
Usagi motioned for Sailor Pluto to do the talking. "Tsukino-san,"
she addressed both of the princess' parents. "We are the outer solar
system senshi. I am Sailor Pluto, senshi of the time gate, my Earth
name is Meiou Setsuna."
"The time gate?" Kenji's eyebrow rose an inch or so.
"Yes, I guard the gate of time as well as fight with the senshi."
Pluto replied, hiding her smile.
Kenji's eyes went wide. "That's... great..."
Sailor Pluto decided to ignore that remark and continue. "This
is Sailor Uranus, she is the senshi of the sky, her Earth name is Ten'ou
Haruka. This is Sailor Neptune. Her Earth name is Kaiou Michiru. This is
Sailor Saturn, the senshi of silence. Her Earth name is Tomoe Hotaru. I leave
the Lights to defend themselves," she added with a small laugh.
"Thanks," Seiya smirked, standing up. "I am Kou Seiya or Sailor
Star Fighter. This annoying young man," he explained, ignoring the
look on Setsuna's face. "Is my brother Kou Yaten or Sailor Star Healer.
And last, but not least, this is Kou Taiki or Sailor Star Maker."
"Wait a minute," Ikuko interrupted. "I still don't understand
Mamoru. Someone called him 'prince' earlier... what does that mean?
And who is the other Sailor Moon? And where is she for that matter?"
Mamoru winked at Usagi and stood up. As he approached Ikuko he
bowed and kissed her hand. "I am Prince Endymion, of Earth. Also
known as Tuxedo Kamen, protector of Sailor Moon, the princess of the
moon. And most importantly I am your son-in-law, Chiba Mamoru, who is
deeply in love with your daughter."
That got a smile out of Usagi's mom. Usagi felt the need to
hug her husband as he sat down for lightening the tension in the apartment.
The relief didn't last long though, as Chibi-Usa came in the room,
crying. "MOM! DADDY!" Then threw herself in Usagi's arms.
Venus busted out laughing, "Does that answer your question Tsukino-san?"
The color drained out of Kenji's face. "She... didn't, no... not
called... my daughter... mom?!"
"Ok everyone, I think it's time to get rid of the formal acting,
we've scared my parents to death already," Usagi announced. After a
loud cheer from over half the senshi, they watched in wonder as eight
lights flashed in the room, replaced by all of Usagi's friends.
"Shiniji nai... shiniji nai... how come I never noticed?! Ami-chan,
Rei-chan, Minako-chan, Makoto-chan... you don't look that different, but
somehow completely different... how can this be?" Ikuko asked in wonder.
Usagi shrugged. "Magic."
"Works for me!" Minako agreed and everyone laughed.
Usagi, remembering the crying child in her arms, lifted Chibi-Usa
to a sitting position. "Now sweetheart, what's the matter?"
"I had this horrible dream! And you and daddy got kidnapped
and I was all alone!" she mumbled, looking more upset at the memory.
Usagi stroked her back lovingly and kissed her forehead. "It was
only a dream, Mamo-chan and I are fine. You know nothing can beat us."
"Yeah," Makoto piped in. "We're the sailor senshi, undefeatable!"
Usagi smiled. "See? Everything's okay, now you tell that nasty
dream to go away. No one messes with MY daughter. 'Cause if they do,
your father will whack them in the head with a rose."
Chibi-Usa giggled. "Thank you Mom." She curled up closer to Usagi
and closed her eyes.
Usagi looked up just in time to see her mom's eyes soften.
"She's your daughter?" she asked, looking back and forth between Usagi
and Mamoru.
Mamoru nodded. "But she hasn't been born yet," he added, causing
another blood curling scream from Usagi's mom.
"She Hasn't Been What?!"
After the laughing subsided, Usagi and Luna explained how Chibi-
Usa was from the future, then proceed to explain all about the sailor
senshi, the enemies they had faced, and answered all of her parent's
questions.
*****
"You called my queen?" Lady asked, kneeling before the great
throne that held the dark kingdoms ruler.
"Yes Lady, it is time to act. I need to know what their weakness
is. I need to know how to come between the princess and my prince. Once
you find it, bring it between them..."
"And what about that brat?" Lady inquired.
Beryl laughed evilly. "Leave her - for now," she commanded.
Lady hid her face. God what a horrible sound, she thought, but
dared not say. "Yes, my queen."
*****
Mamoru lifted Chibi-Usa from Usagi's lap and carried her in the
bedroom to sleep. From the bedroom he over heard Ikuko asking Usagi to
transform.
When he re-entered the room, Sailor Moon and all of the planet
guardians were now in the room.
"Come on Mamo-chan, you have to transform also," Usagi said sweetly.
Mamoru sighed, pulling out a rose. In a flash he stood in the familiar
cape, top hat and mask. Ikuko's eyes widened. "That is so... weird. Now didn't
Luna say that you could also turn to your royal outfits?"
"Yes mom," Usagi sighed.
"Come on Mamo-chan, besides I like your 'prince' get up. It's sexy."
Mamoru blushed, but did it. He held out a rose, concentrating intently on
it. After a few very tense moments, another light flashed and his armor
and sword appeared. "Ta-da!" he sang out, holding his arms to the side.
"Now come, my princess, show off your beautiful gown." Usagi blushed and
opened her crystal. As she concentrated, a crescent moon appeared on her
forehead, shining brightly. Mamoru glanced over to see the astonished look
on her parent's face. In a flash of ribbons, the light subsided to be
replaced by a very pale and weak Princess Serenity. She started to fall,
but not before Mamoru caught her.
"Usako? Are you all right?"
Usagi smiled and nodded. "Using the crystal took more strength
than I thought it would."
Ikuko, by this time, had almost fainted. "What's wrong with her? Why
is she so pale?" she demanded.
Mars laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. Sometimes
she over does it. But as long as the crystal is with her, she will be fine."
"The crystal? What does that have to do with my daughter's life?" Kenji
demanded.
Mamoru looked up to meet his eyes, "It is her life force. Without it,
she dies." He said it so calmly, like it was just a fact of life. When in
reality he hated the idea just as much, if not more than, her parents.
Ikuko, on the other hand, wasn't about to be so calm. "HER WHAT? Why
does her life depend on that piece of glass? What happens if it breaks?"
Mercury sat Mrs. Tsukino down in a chair. "Do NOT get upset right now.
She will be fine, but if you upset her, she may grow worse."
Surprised at Sailor Mercury's tone of voice, heck everyone was, Ikuko
shut her mouth and watched. The crystal started glowing brightly, causing
everyone in the room to cover their eyes.
"What the hell is happening Mercury?!" Mamoru demanded. Mercury typed
madly on her small computer, glancing up every now and again at the princess
on the sofa. "It's that damned evil field that was at the hospital, the
crystal is reacting to it. It's as if Usagi commanded it to destroy the
evil. But if she uses the crystal for that she will..." Mercury trailed
off, one because she wanted to make sure, two because they didn't need a
hysterical attack from her mother.
"She will what?!" Usagi's father demanded. "What will happen to her
if she uses that thing?" No one answered, Kenji could tell they all knew
what was going on, but no one was going to tell him.
"We have got to get her back to her civilian form, NOW! She can not
use that crystal for something that the sailor senshi can handle!" Makoto
screamed, going toward Usagi. At the same time all the other guardians and
Mamoru grabbed her.
"NO! If you take that crystal off her while its in use you could kill
her!" Mamoru yelled at her.
"But..." Makoto started to question, when suddenly Mamoru appeared in his
prince form again. "Jupiter!"
"Gomen nasai, your majesty." Jupiter apologized, her head hanging down.
Kenji and Ikuko watched with wide eyes.
"You may get up," he stated. Jupiter walked outside to the balcony and
punched the wall in frustration. A few seconds later Mamoru followed.
"Makoto-chan, I'm sorry, but you cannot risk her life that way. We
still don't know what will happen if all that energy is pulled from her at
once."
"I know that Mamoru-san, but why the hell is this happening? And why
can't we do something about it?" Jupiter demanded, refusing to give into the
tears brimming in her eyes.
"I don't know, but I will find out. No one is taking Usako from me again.
Never." Jupiter looked over and seen that Mamoru was no longer looking at her,
but an image in his mind.
"Don't worry, we'll protect her," Jupiter assured him.
*****
"Mamo-chan..." Usagi mumbled, turning over. Mercury quickly stepped
toward her and scanned her life force.
"Shimatta!" "Nani?!" came a chorus of voices.
Mercury again scanned Usagi, then turned abruptly to the senshi. "Where's
Chibi-Usa and Mamoru?" she demanded.
Saturn ran in the bedroom and came back out with a sleepy, but alert
Chibi-Usa, at the same time Mamoru came back in from the balcony. Mercury motioned
for them to get closer to Usagi, "She needs your energy, NOW!"
Chibi-Usa started crying. "Mom? No!"
"Small Lady," Mamoru looked at his daughter in pity, but covered it well
with a mask of authority. "Do not show weakness now, your mother needs us to be
strong."
"Yes, Father," Chibi-Usa replied and stood in front of her mother.
Mercury typed a mile a minute. "Okay, concentrate your energy on her, not
the crystal. We know the crystal is strong, now we need to help Usagi." Everyone
held their breath as father and daughter joined hands and gathered their energy.
---End Chapter 3.
Hehehehhee... this is sorta fun ;)
Me going now, thanks to everyone! Hope you enjoyed it!
3 Bethany
03-13-01
***************************
From the Beginning - Round Two
Part III ~ Explanations
Rated: PG. (Language)
Author: Bethany
Edited by: Meara
***************************
"Daddy, I owe Jupiter twenty yen for my ice cream, will you pay
it?" Chibi-Usa asked Tuxedo Kamen sweetly. They were sitting in the
lobby two doors down from Sailor Moon's room. Chibi-Usa had bubble gum
ice cream and was very much enjoying it.
Everyone chuckled lightly as Tuxedo Kamen pulled out his wallet
and handed Jupiter the money. (AN: didn't know he had a wallet? let's
pretend, k?)
"Don't worry 'bout it," Jupiter said between biting into her own
ice cream cone.
Tux shoved the money closer to her. "Here take it."
Jupiter stubbornly shook her head no and pushed his hand back.
"Whatever," Tux mumbled, putting the money back in his wallet.
Ami had been working frantically with Luna and Artemis on her
computer, trying to figure out exactly what had happened. No one could
understand how the enemy had attacked Sailor Moon. None of them seen how
or when. Or why Beryl, if it really was her, saved Sailor Moon's life.
Again Ami scanned the vial of blood they had taken from Usagi.
"Nothing. Why isn't there anything in her blood? A trace to tell us
what we are up against?"
"I don't know," Luna replied, frustrated as well.
"Maybe there was nothing in her blood to begin with?" Artemis
suggested.
Both Mercury and Luna looked at him, feeling like they could slap
themselves for not thinking the obvious.
Tuxedo Kamen stood up. "I'm going back to her room. I want to be
there when she wakes up."
*****
The being known only as Lady closed her eyes, concentrating hard
on man she had seen in the room earlier. Within a couple of minutes
she had molded herself to look exactly like him. "You won't be so lucky
this time," she whispered, jumping in the room.
*****
Sailor Moon looked up, startled for a moment, before realizing it
was only Tuxedo Kamen coming in the window. "Honey, why are you coming
in that way?"
He seemed confused for a moment before stepping up closer to her.
Usagi sniffed the air, something wasn't right. The smell of roses hadn't
entered the room when Mamoru did. And she *knew* he always smelled like
roses.
"Mamo-chan?" she squinted her eyes, trying to see why she was
afraid all of the sudden.
Lady smiled down at her before pulling out the knife she had
hidden in her cape. "Now you die," she said simply.
Sailor Moon may have been weak physically but her voice was doing
well, as Lady found out, when a high pitched note hit full strength.
Vibrating off the empty walls, making it sound even louder than it was.
The door flew open and Venus and Uranus came running in to find
Usagi sitting on the bed screaming. Other than her the room was
deserted.
"Sailor Moon!" Venus cried, running toward her. "Daijobu?
Doushita no?"
Uranus went to the window and looked out in time to see a foot
disappear on the roof above.
Sailor Moon started crying. "Where's Mamo-chan? Where is he?"
she repeated, desperately.
Venus stroked her hair reassuringly. "He'll be here in a minute,
don't worry. He was just down the hall with the others."
The door swung open again and Tuxedo Kamen came in and went
straight to Sailor Moon's side, holding her and kissing her head.
"What happened?" he asked the two senshi that were already in the room.
Venus shrugged, still watching Sailor Moon worriedly.
"Someone was in here, I saw them going up to the roof," Uranus
answered, still glancing out the window, hoping to see them again.
Sailor Moon was shaking badly, even though she was in Mamoru's
arms and the familiar scent of roses filled her nose, telling her that
this was indeed her real Tuxedo Kamen. "He... he was... you," she
cried, her teeth chattering with a sudden cold.
Tuxedo Kamen wrapped his cape around her, bringing her closer to
him to share his body heat. "Looked like who Usako?"
"Y.. you..." she stuttered.
"Me?" Tux said, making sure he had understood her right.
"Hai."
Venus, Uranus and Tux all meet gazes.
*****
"Gomen nasai, my queen," Lady repeated, bowing to her feet. "She
screamed and her guardians came running in room."
Queen Beryl sneered down at the general. "No thanks to your
failure we probably won't have another chance for a while. I'm sure
they will tighten security around the princess now."
Lady looked remorsefully down at the floor.
"No matter," Beryl suddenly said in a lighter tone. "We will
have that moon brat soon enough. Prince Endymion and the silver
crystal will be mine. Go now and think of something to redeem
yourself with, I want that brat dead."
*****
"Did anyone else hear a scream just now?" Jupiter asked,
standing up.
A couple of the senshi nodded, following Jupiter's lead down
the hall toward Sailor Moon's room.
When they entered they found Usagi laying in Tuxedo Kamen's
cape, crying.
Venus, Uranus, and Tux were looking VERY worried.
"What happened?" Mars demanded.
"Some one was in here trying, we think, to kill her," Uranus
answered.
Chibi-Usa had powered down, and ran up to the bed and climbed up
next to her mother. Usagi threw her arms around the girl and held on
tightly not bothering to ask why she was here, but strangly relived to
see her; Tux pulled his cape off to cover both of them.
"We are going to have to tighten the guards around this room
until she is released. Somebody must be trying to finish what they
started," Mercury advised.
Mars climbed out the window onto the roof of the next level.
"Jupiter and I will patrol out here, while Uranus and Venus continue
to stand at the door. Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, and the Lights need to
stand watch at the end of the hall. Everyone else stay in this room,
we will NOT leave another chance open to the enemy."
"I thought I was the leader," Venus whined, trying to make
Chibi-Usa, or someone, laugh.
"No, I am," Sailor Moon smiled at her.
*****
Usagi opened her eyes and slowly sat up. Chibi-Usa and
Tuxedo Kamen were in the opposite bed beside hers, asleep.
The room was dark, but she could see Mars and Jupiter outside the
window talking, and Venus and Uranus were outside the door, keeping
post. The clock on the table beside the bed read 7:25 am.
She reached over and picked the phone up.
After two rings a woman picked the phone up. "Moshi, moshi,
Tsukino residence."
"Hi mom."
Ikuko let out a breath of relief. "Oh my God sweetheart, where
are you? Are you ok? We've been trying to get a hold of you or
Mamoru all night."
Usagi knew she was going to have to tell her parents some time
or another about her being Sailor Moon, now seemed like a good time.
"Mom, did you hear about Sailor Moon being in the hospital?"
Her mom seemed confused about the chance in subject. "Um, yes.
There was a thing on the news about it. Um, it seemed that that
Tuxedo guy got mad at one of the reporters and stuff. It's all over
the TV. And they have a daughter, a small version of Sailor Moon done
in pink. Isn't that something? But, Usagi, why do you ask?"
Sailor Moon looked over at her husband and future daughter and
let out a small laugh. "Mom, don't panic, I'm in the hospital."
She immediately panicked. "Nani?!"
"Calm down, I'm ok. Come down here and Sailor Mercury will let
you in."
"Sailor Mercury? Why? What's going on?" Ikuko demanded.
Sailor Moon sighed. "Just do it, okay mom? I'll explain every-
thing when you get here. And mom, don't talk to any reporters on the
way."
"Reporters? Usagi! I want to know right now what's going on!!"
"Bye mom, see you when you get here."
"Demo..." Ikuko was cut off by the click of the phone.
Ikuko hung the phone up. "That girl, I've got a good mind to
ground her!" Then she laughed. Yeah right, I'm going to ground my
married daughter!
*****
Seiya, Taiki, Yaten, Pluto, Neptune and Saturn had been taking
turns between sleeping and keeping post.
Saturn covered her mouth to hide her yawn and looking quizingly
at the StarLight beside her. "Ne, Yaten-kun?"
"Hai?" he answered in his normal dejected tone.
"Why do you always seem so mad at the world? We aren't bad
people," Saturn explained in her soft whisp of a voice. "I don't
understand."
The StarLight blinked and looked at her young face. So small,
but still she fought like a true Senshi. Thinking this small child
had the power to distroy the world made him debate his role in protecting
that same world. "I don't know. I just feel so... out of place here."
The petite senshi smiled and twirled her Glaive. "You know, when
I first regained my senshi powers, everyone was more or less in awe
of me. I felt out of place, too. Like no one wanted to treat me like
a little girl because I held so much power. But Usagi and Chibi-Usa
showed me I was wrong, and that I had real friends, if I would accept
them. And Yaten-kun? I'd like to be your friend."
Yaten smiled looked at her for a moment. "I'd like that, too."
Yawning, he looked down at the petite Sailor of Saturn. "You ready for
sleep kiddo?"
"Yes!" she immediately answered. It was way past her bed time,
but she insisted on doing her part of protecting the princess.
"Let's switch out with Seiya and Pluto." He walked toward the
waiting room and poked his head in. "All right sleepyheads, time
for us to get some sleep."
Silence.
"Seiya! Pluto! Get Up!"
Pluto immediately sat up straight. "What's wrong?" she demanded,
grabbing her time staff.
Seiya turned over slightly and glared at his brother. "Nani?"
"Saturn and I would like some sleep, so get up." Yaten laughed,
going back out the door.
"I don't wanna..." Seiya moaned, trying to turn over, only to fall
out of the chair.
Pluto went over and stuck her time staff in his stomach. "Get
up! Saturn needs to get some sleep."
"Ok, ok, ok..." Seiya got up and slugged out of the room after
Sailor Pluto.
*****
"Rei-chan, are you ok?" Jupiter asked for about the tenth time.
Rei nodded and looked back in the window at the family. "I just
can't believe that we almost lost her, and not the first one of us can
figure out how, who, anything!" She slammed her fist into her thigh,
causing Jupiter to flinch.
"Well, it will not happen again, not if the sailor senshi have
anything to do with it! Even if I have to personally guard her twenty
four hours a day for the rest of my life, I will not let the Negaverse
get to her," Jupiter said, determined.
"They won't," Mars assured her. "Between all of us, the princess
will be safe, I'm sure of it." She didn't feel as confident as she
sounded, however, and she was sure that Jupiter could sense that.
Suddenly Jupiter laughed.
"What?" Mars asked, amused at her laughter.
"Remember Tuxedo Kamen yesterday when that reporter said that
Sailor Moon was too young for him? Have you ever seen him so mad?"
Mars laughed also. "No, not since Prince Diamond got to Chibi-
Usa."
"The world better watch out for that man when it comes to his
family. He probably would have killed that woman if about five or
more of us not been holding him back."
*****
Venus yawned and stretched her arms up. "Boy will I be glad
when we get relieved."
"Who's suppose to be relieving us?" Uranus asked.
"Um, Taiki and Neptune I think, I'm not sure, I just wish they
would hurry," Venus said, yawning again.
The door to the room opened and Mercury came out. "Hi guys,
you doing ok?"
"Sure, how's Us-Sailor Moon?" Uranus asked, catching herself
before she revealed her identity.
"She seems fine this morning, I'm worried about Tuxedo Kamen
though. He just went to sleep about an hour ago. He stayed up all
night watching her every move. Anyway, Ikuko and Kenji is on their
way, Sailor Moon is going to tell them about everything. Usagi asks
that you treat her like the princess instead of a friend, at least
until she can convince her mom how serious this is."
"Really?" Venus stood stunned, she had thought Usagi wasn't
going to ever tell her parents.
"Yes, she says it's time she stopped lying to her parents."
"I couldn't tell my momma, she'd have a litter of kittens or
something," Venus said and then covered her mouth. "Um, sorry Artemis,"
she said to the cat at her feet giving her a dirty look.
"Not funny!" Artemis growled as everyone busted out laughing.
*****
The Tsukino's walked up to the hospital and entered. The lobby
was filled with people, mostly waiting for news on Sailor Moon.
Impressive, Ikuko thought. How much Tokyo cares about the Sailor
Senshi.
They got in the elevator and went up to the fourth floor. As
they turned the corner they was cut off by Sailor Pluto and Seiya.
"Gomen nasai, you can not go in here," Pluto said, crossing her
staff cover the hall entrance.
"I most certainly can, my daughter is in this wing!" Ikuko
said, stomping her foot.
"Gomen nasai, you cannot," Fighter echoed Sailor Pluto.
"But I think I can, who do you think you are anyway?" she
demanded.
Sailor Pluto stood straight, her mission backing her spine up,
"We are guarding the Princess, you may not enter without her permission."
"Well I--"
She was cut short by Sailor Mercury. "It's okay, the Princess has
asked for them," she told the two guards.
"Yes, Lady Mercury," Pluto said and bowed. "Gomen nasai
Tsukino-san."
"That's all right," Kenji replied in a daze.
Silently they followed Sailor Mercury down the hall to Sailor
Moon's room where two more senshi were standing. It was impressive,
the sense of duty, the manner in which they held themselves. It was
obvious that they would give their life for the princess. The princess?!
Was their little Usagi the princess they spoke of? No, there's a better
reason for all of this, isn't there?
"Mercury?"
"Yes, Tsukino-san?" Sailor Mercury turned toward her, looking
up briefly from her computer.
"Is my daughter in this room? Are you sure there's not a
mistake?"
Mercury looked her in the eyes. "No mistake, she's in there."
"That's what I was afraid of," Ikuko sighed.
Mercury turned back around so that only Venus and Uranus could
see her smile.
*****
"Mamo-chan, I'm hungry," Usagi said. Mamoru was in the bathroom
splashing cold water on his face. It had been one hell of a long night.
"Ok Usako, after your parents leaves I'll get you something."
Usagi pushed back a couple of pink strands of hair that had fallen
over Chibi-Usa's face and kissed the sleeping child's forehead.
"Mamo-chan?"
"Yes?" he replied, coming back in the room and sitting down next
to her.
"What's Chibi-Usa doing here?"
Mamoru shook his head, "I don't know. Jupiter said something
about her coming back to learn how to use her new powers. She saved
the senshi. She threw her tiara and attacked just in time to kill
that youma yesterday."
Usagi smiled. "That's my little girl. But she so young to already
have a broach like my first one."
"What? About twleve now isn't she? That is a little young, but
if your future self decided it..."
Usagi laughed. "I'm sure *your* future self had some choice words
for me after I decided that one."
Mamoru laughed with her. "I'm sure I did."
The door opened and Mercury came in. "Princess, Tsukino-san
to see you," she said formally, just as Sailor Moon had asked, and
stepped back to let the couple pass.
"Thank you, Lady Mercury." Sailor Moon said, trying hard to
contain her laughter. She wanted her parents to see how important
this was. And in order to do that all the senshi had been asked to
treat her like they would the queen she would one day be. If she
saw them acting like they the friends they were, she may not take it
as seriously as she needed to.
"Mom, Dad?" Usagi said uncertainly.
Ikuko put her hand over her mouth, "Usagi? Are you really my
little girl?" she almost cried.
"Yes," Sailor Moon replied in a small voice.
Suddenly the window flew open, causing everyone in the room to
jump, as Jupiter and Mars leaped inside.
Mars started to say her name, but seen her parents standing in
the room. She bowed slightly. "Princess, we need to get you out of
here, there is an evil energy field drawing close."
Usagi woke Chibi-Usa up and tried to stand up herself. But her
legs were still like Jell-O.
"There's no time Princess, we need to go - now," Mars said. At
the same time Jupiter was on the communicator to the other senshi.
"Let's get out of here, now. I need all of you in here to help get
Princess Serenity out of here in one piece. Clear the halls," Jupiter
ordered.
Tuxedo Kamen picked Sailor Moon up and covered her in his cape
and started for the door where he was meet up with the rest of the
sailor senshi and Lights.
Ikuko stood there, watching everything happen so quickly and
efficiently. Suddenly a tall girl with an orange uniform and long
blonde hair took her gently by the arm. "We must go."
Four senshi walked about five feet ahead of Tuxedo Kamen, Sailor
Moon, Chibi-Usa and the Tsukino's, while the four outers and Seiya
walked behind. Taiki walked ahead of the inner senshi, making sure the
halls were clear. Yaten walked behind the outers making sure they weren't
followed.
They made it outside to a nearby alley. "Inners come with me, I'm
taking to the rooftops with the Princess. Outers and Lights make sure
Chibi-Usa and Tsukino-san get to my apartment safely and with no one
following."
"Yes Prince," Sailor Pluto said, taking Mrs. Tsukino's arm. She
watched in amazement and fright as Tuxedo Kamen jumped straight up to the
roof with Sailor Moon still in his arms, and the inner senshi followed.
"He won't drop her, will he?" she asked shakily.
"No, he would never harm her in anyway. He loves the princess
very much," Saturn replied.
"Come, all will be explained in due time," Pluto said, again leading
her away.
*****
Usagi gratefully de-transformed back into herself and took a
hot bath. She knew her parents were in the living room listening
quietly to the story Luna was telling her.
She laughed to herself as she remembered her mom's reaction
to hearing the cat talk.
"AHHHHH!! Ohmygod! That... talked!!" Ikuko had screamed, backing
up from Luna.
"I can, and quite well I might add," Luna replied, trying to hide
her amusement at the situation.
"What is wrong with me? This is a dream, right? A horrible
dream! I knew I should have never let Usagi keep you!" she shrieked.
At that point everyone, including Kenji, busted out laughing.
"I assure you, we can talk, and this is not a dream," Artemis told her.
That started another I'm-going-off-the-deep-end scream from
Usagi's mom. Usagi, throwing a short summer dress on over herself,
giggled at the memory.
"Whatever do the heavens owe for such an adorable smile from your
beautiful lips?" a voice said. Usagi knew he was trying to be
romantic, but Mamoru never was very good at formal speech.
"Just remembering my mom's reaction to Luna."
Mamoru laughed. "That, indeed, will bring a smile to my face for
the next thousand years."
"Mine too," Usagi giggled again. Mamoru felt a weight being
lifted from his soul to see her smile. How much he had missed it, how
it scared him was that he would never see it again. A near death
situation didn't happen very often to begin with. When it did, however,
it left him scared for days.
Usagi noticed the darkness go through his eyes briefly. "Mamo-chan?
What's wrong?"
He put on his best smile. "Nothing sweetheart, I'm fine."
Usagi crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't you hand me that
bull, I know you better than that."
A smile crept up to Mamoru's lips. "Yes, you do," he said
absentmindedly.
"So what's wrong?"
Mamoru felt his slip on his emotions, he didn't want to break
down and cry. She didn't need to be worried about him, he needed to
be strong, for her. But the truth was, he had been scared to death,
and pent up emotions were threatening to surface. Her demanding, yet
understanding gaze, pierced through him.
Tears streamed down his face in rivers and he put his head in his
hands. "I have never been so scared in my life... the doctor told me
you... you were dying... and... oh God, Usako, please don't ever leave
me..." he cried brokenly.
Usagi quickly came over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
She sat down on the floor and pulled Mamoru in her lap, running her
fingers through his hair. "Shhh, baby, it's ok. I'm never leaving you.
There's not a force strong enough to take me from you."
"You were so still," he continued, trying to come to grips with
this emotional overload and get it back under control. "I felt like
my heart had been ripped from my chest. Hollow and empty. And all I wanted
was to see your beautiful eyes looking at me again.."
Usagi turned his head so his face was buried in her stomach, his
arms wrapped awkwardly around her waist. "Mamo-chan, I'm here, it's okay."
The silence stretched on and on. Mamoru cried for a few minutes
before simply just laying in his love's arms, listening to her breathing.
Her hands played in his hair as she hummed some unknown tune. It calmed
Mamoru down, giving him a safe feeling. He didn't like to show this side
of himself to anyone but Usagi. Only she would understand. One of the
many reasons I love her so much, he mused silently, not wanting to break
the spell that seemed to have been cast over the moment.
"I love you," she whispered.
He loved hearing those words, nothing made him happier than being
reminded just how much she cared for him.
"I love you. Do you know, Usako, just how much you mean to me?
Do you have any idea?"
She giggled slyly. "Oh I think I have some idea... but just in
case..." she left off a well stated hint.
"Just in case, you want me to tell you?" She nodded. He turned
over and looked up at her.
"You see me laying here?" She nodded. "I wouldn't be here if it
wasn't for you. If you died, I will kill myself. Without you I am no one.
Your love is what keeps me going--" he was cut off by Ikuko.
"MY DAUGHTER IS PRINCESS OF THE WHAT?!"
Usagi laughed and bent down to brush her lips against Mamoru's.
"You know as much as I love hearing you tell me how much you love me,
I think it best we get in there before my mother kills all my
guardians."
Mamoru sat up. "I love you Usako. More than anything, I love
you."
"I love you Mamo-chan, just as much."
*****
"No, my daughter is just plan old Usagi, silly, sweet Usagi, not
some princess, not some warrior," Ikoku repeated, wanting so much to
believe it. Even though everything she had seen so far today told her
different.
"Mama, I know this is hard, but it's all true." Usagi said
gently, coming in the room. As soon as she appeared Venus and
Neptune stood up to let her and Mamoru sit down. They knew that until
Usagi said otherwise, they were to keep treating her like the princess.
Kenji and Ikuko just stared as the guardians stood. "Moon
princess...my daughter... but, your not really MY daughter, your
Queen whoever's daughter, not mine... a Princess."
"Whoa, wait a minute!" Usagi cried, jumping to her feet. "I am
still your daughter. I always will be, it's just that I am also Queen
Serenity's daughter, the princess. I am Sailor Moon, the warrior. But
most important, I am Usagi, your daughter."
Kenji and Ikuko hugged her tightly, "My sweet baby, I'm so proud
...and very upset!" she stated, mocking a mad face. "How come it never
occurred to you to tell me before now that you have been running around
Tokyo saving the universe?"
Usagi giggled nervously and sat next to Mamoru again. "I had to
keep you safe, I didn't want the nega-verse, nega-moon, black moon
circus or any of them to come after my family. That's why none of us
told our families."
"None of us..." Kenji mumbled, looking around the apartment at the
guardians. "Then you are...?" He eyed each one of them suspiciously.
Usagi stood up, with a wave of her hand, the guardians came fourth.
"Mom, Dad, this is Sailor Venus, the leader of the inner senshi.
The senshi of love and beauty, also known as Aino Minako."
Usagi waited for her parents to recollect themselves before
continuing.
"This is Sailor Mars, the senshi of fire and soul, also known as
Hino Rei. This is Sailor Mercury, senshi of ice and wisdom, also known
as Mizuno Ami. This is Sailor Jupiter, senshi of thunder and protection
also known as Kino Makoto. Umm, you know Mamo-chan..."
Ikuko shook her head. "You're that Tuxedo guy that was on the news
last night?"
Mamoru's face turned bright red."Yeah, that was me..."
"Shinji nai..." Usagi's mother breathed heavily, noticing that
there were seven people in the room that Usagi hadn't introduced yet.
"Who are..?" she nodded to the outer senshi and Lights.
Usagi motioned for Sailor Pluto to do the talking. "Tsukino-san,"
she addressed both of the princess' parents. "We are the outer solar
system senshi. I am Sailor Pluto, senshi of the time gate, my Earth
name is Meiou Setsuna."
"The time gate?" Kenji's eyebrow rose an inch or so.
"Yes, I guard the gate of time as well as fight with the senshi."
Pluto replied, hiding her smile.
Kenji's eyes went wide. "That's... great..."
Sailor Pluto decided to ignore that remark and continue. "This
is Sailor Uranus, she is the senshi of the sky, her Earth name is Ten'ou
Haruka. This is Sailor Neptune. Her Earth name is Kaiou Michiru. This is
Sailor Saturn, the senshi of silence. Her Earth name is Tomoe Hotaru. I leave
the Lights to defend themselves," she added with a small laugh.
"Thanks," Seiya smirked, standing up. "I am Kou Seiya or Sailor
Star Fighter. This annoying young man," he explained, ignoring the
look on Setsuna's face. "Is my brother Kou Yaten or Sailor Star Healer.
And last, but not least, this is Kou Taiki or Sailor Star Maker."
"Wait a minute," Ikuko interrupted. "I still don't understand
Mamoru. Someone called him 'prince' earlier... what does that mean?
And who is the other Sailor Moon? And where is she for that matter?"
Mamoru winked at Usagi and stood up. As he approached Ikuko he
bowed and kissed her hand. "I am Prince Endymion, of Earth. Also
known as Tuxedo Kamen, protector of Sailor Moon, the princess of the
moon. And most importantly I am your son-in-law, Chiba Mamoru, who is
deeply in love with your daughter."
That got a smile out of Usagi's mom. Usagi felt the need to
hug her husband as he sat down for lightening the tension in the apartment.
The relief didn't last long though, as Chibi-Usa came in the room,
crying. "MOM! DADDY!" Then threw herself in Usagi's arms.
Venus busted out laughing, "Does that answer your question Tsukino-san?"
The color drained out of Kenji's face. "She... didn't, no... not
called... my daughter... mom?!"
"Ok everyone, I think it's time to get rid of the formal acting,
we've scared my parents to death already," Usagi announced. After a
loud cheer from over half the senshi, they watched in wonder as eight
lights flashed in the room, replaced by all of Usagi's friends.
"Shiniji nai... shiniji nai... how come I never noticed?! Ami-chan,
Rei-chan, Minako-chan, Makoto-chan... you don't look that different, but
somehow completely different... how can this be?" Ikuko asked in wonder.
Usagi shrugged. "Magic."
"Works for me!" Minako agreed and everyone laughed.
Usagi, remembering the crying child in her arms, lifted Chibi-Usa
to a sitting position. "Now sweetheart, what's the matter?"
"I had this horrible dream! And you and daddy got kidnapped
and I was all alone!" she mumbled, looking more upset at the memory.
Usagi stroked her back lovingly and kissed her forehead. "It was
only a dream, Mamo-chan and I are fine. You know nothing can beat us."
"Yeah," Makoto piped in. "We're the sailor senshi, undefeatable!"
Usagi smiled. "See? Everything's okay, now you tell that nasty
dream to go away. No one messes with MY daughter. 'Cause if they do,
your father will whack them in the head with a rose."
Chibi-Usa giggled. "Thank you Mom." She curled up closer to Usagi
and closed her eyes.
Usagi looked up just in time to see her mom's eyes soften.
"She's your daughter?" she asked, looking back and forth between Usagi
and Mamoru.
Mamoru nodded. "But she hasn't been born yet," he added, causing
another blood curling scream from Usagi's mom.
"She Hasn't Been What?!"
After the laughing subsided, Usagi and Luna explained how Chibi-
Usa was from the future, then proceed to explain all about the sailor
senshi, the enemies they had faced, and answered all of her parent's
questions.
*****
"You called my queen?" Lady asked, kneeling before the great
throne that held the dark kingdoms ruler.
"Yes Lady, it is time to act. I need to know what their weakness
is. I need to know how to come between the princess and my prince. Once
you find it, bring it between them..."
"And what about that brat?" Lady inquired.
Beryl laughed evilly. "Leave her - for now," she commanded.
Lady hid her face. God what a horrible sound, she thought, but
dared not say. "Yes, my queen."
*****
Mamoru lifted Chibi-Usa from Usagi's lap and carried her in the
bedroom to sleep. From the bedroom he over heard Ikuko asking Usagi to
transform.
When he re-entered the room, Sailor Moon and all of the planet
guardians were now in the room.
"Come on Mamo-chan, you have to transform also," Usagi said sweetly.
Mamoru sighed, pulling out a rose. In a flash he stood in the familiar
cape, top hat and mask. Ikuko's eyes widened. "That is so... weird. Now didn't
Luna say that you could also turn to your royal outfits?"
"Yes mom," Usagi sighed.
"Come on Mamo-chan, besides I like your 'prince' get up. It's sexy."
Mamoru blushed, but did it. He held out a rose, concentrating intently on
it. After a few very tense moments, another light flashed and his armor
and sword appeared. "Ta-da!" he sang out, holding his arms to the side.
"Now come, my princess, show off your beautiful gown." Usagi blushed and
opened her crystal. As she concentrated, a crescent moon appeared on her
forehead, shining brightly. Mamoru glanced over to see the astonished look
on her parent's face. In a flash of ribbons, the light subsided to be
replaced by a very pale and weak Princess Serenity. She started to fall,
but not before Mamoru caught her.
"Usako? Are you all right?"
Usagi smiled and nodded. "Using the crystal took more strength
than I thought it would."
Ikuko, by this time, had almost fainted. "What's wrong with her? Why
is she so pale?" she demanded.
Mars laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. Sometimes
she over does it. But as long as the crystal is with her, she will be fine."
"The crystal? What does that have to do with my daughter's life?" Kenji
demanded.
Mamoru looked up to meet his eyes, "It is her life force. Without it,
she dies." He said it so calmly, like it was just a fact of life. When in
reality he hated the idea just as much, if not more than, her parents.
Ikuko, on the other hand, wasn't about to be so calm. "HER WHAT? Why
does her life depend on that piece of glass? What happens if it breaks?"
Mercury sat Mrs. Tsukino down in a chair. "Do NOT get upset right now.
She will be fine, but if you upset her, she may grow worse."
Surprised at Sailor Mercury's tone of voice, heck everyone was, Ikuko
shut her mouth and watched. The crystal started glowing brightly, causing
everyone in the room to cover their eyes.
"What the hell is happening Mercury?!" Mamoru demanded. Mercury typed
madly on her small computer, glancing up every now and again at the princess
on the sofa. "It's that damned evil field that was at the hospital, the
crystal is reacting to it. It's as if Usagi commanded it to destroy the
evil. But if she uses the crystal for that she will..." Mercury trailed
off, one because she wanted to make sure, two because they didn't need a
hysterical attack from her mother.
"She will what?!" Usagi's father demanded. "What will happen to her
if she uses that thing?" No one answered, Kenji could tell they all knew
what was going on, but no one was going to tell him.
"We have got to get her back to her civilian form, NOW! She can not
use that crystal for something that the sailor senshi can handle!" Makoto
screamed, going toward Usagi. At the same time all the other guardians and
Mamoru grabbed her.
"NO! If you take that crystal off her while its in use you could kill
her!" Mamoru yelled at her.
"But..." Makoto started to question, when suddenly Mamoru appeared in his
prince form again. "Jupiter!"
"Gomen nasai, your majesty." Jupiter apologized, her head hanging down.
Kenji and Ikuko watched with wide eyes.
"You may get up," he stated. Jupiter walked outside to the balcony and
punched the wall in frustration. A few seconds later Mamoru followed.
"Makoto-chan, I'm sorry, but you cannot risk her life that way. We
still don't know what will happen if all that energy is pulled from her at
once."
"I know that Mamoru-san, but why the hell is this happening? And why
can't we do something about it?" Jupiter demanded, refusing to give into the
tears brimming in her eyes.
"I don't know, but I will find out. No one is taking Usako from me again.
Never." Jupiter looked over and seen that Mamoru was no longer looking at her,
but an image in his mind.
"Don't worry, we'll protect her," Jupiter assured him.
*****
"Mamo-chan..." Usagi mumbled, turning over. Mercury quickly stepped
toward her and scanned her life force.
"Shimatta!" "Nani?!" came a chorus of voices.
Mercury again scanned Usagi, then turned abruptly to the senshi. "Where's
Chibi-Usa and Mamoru?" she demanded.
Saturn ran in the bedroom and came back out with a sleepy, but alert
Chibi-Usa, at the same time Mamoru came back in from the balcony. Mercury motioned
for them to get closer to Usagi, "She needs your energy, NOW!"
Chibi-Usa started crying. "Mom? No!"
"Small Lady," Mamoru looked at his daughter in pity, but covered it well
with a mask of authority. "Do not show weakness now, your mother needs us to be
strong."
"Yes, Father," Chibi-Usa replied and stood in front of her mother.
Mercury typed a mile a minute. "Okay, concentrate your energy on her, not
the crystal. We know the crystal is strong, now we need to help Usagi." Everyone
held their breath as father and daughter joined hands and gathered their energy.
---End Chapter 3.
Hehehehhee... this is sorta fun ;)
Me going now, thanks to everyone! Hope you enjoyed it!
3 Bethany
03-13-01