A fan-fiction Sailormoon/ X-Men crossover.
BIRD HUNT
Disclaimer : none of the characters in this fan-fiction are mine but
Kella ( Read note in Chapter 2).
The Sailor Senshi, Tuxedo Kamen,
Queen Serenity, Queen Beryl, Queen Metallia, Luna, Artimis,
Chibi-Usa (Chiba Usagi) and Tsukino Shingo are the copyrighted
property of Takeuchi Naoko and Teio Animation.
The X-MEN, GENERATION-X, EXCALIBUR, the Starjammers , Shi`ar Empire,
and the Watcher are all copywrited property of Marvel Comics.
In this chapter, there are more references to my last fan-fiction,
THE EXECUTIONER'S DRUM.
Also, There are song lyrics in this chapter. The songs in question
were written by Lefty Frizzell ( "Everything Keep Coming Back" and
"Mom and Dad's Waltze") and Henson Cargill. (" Skip A Rope").
The reference to Dente's Inferno is a reference to UNCANNY X-MEN
ANNUAL # 3, now probably considered An antique.
Chapter five - The Calm.
The Senshi could barely say "No" to Shadowcat's offer of room and board,
especially after Sailor Mercury's diagnosis of their ability to trust Her.
Sailor Mercury still marveled at that, although she felt strangely comfortable
with her pronouncement. The reason to wonder was simple enough: No one had ever
asked- no, told- her to mediate like that!
Dinner was turning into an excellent affair, too! The chef-du-jour was turning
out his best. Despite the jokes about Gambit trying to kill the X-Men's new-found
friends, everyone was now complimenting the spice- master.
"I can't eat anymore", Ami said after her third bowl of gumbo and accompanying
French bread. Actually, she wondered where she had put it all ! She looked around
at the rest of the table.
Usagi was on her fourth bowl. But that wasn't unusual. She'd probably have a fifth
and sixth! But it was delicious! And Ami was glad to see her friend's appetite,
and spirits, rise again.
But what really surprised Ami was how much Hotaru was eating! 'Where IS she putting
it?' Ami wondered to herself, smiling. 'And do the X-Men have any bicarbonate-of-
soda?'
The Senshi had just moved their bags into the X-Mansion when Kate had them
draw lots to divide the sleeping quarters. Shadowcat and Usagi wound up rooming
together, followed by Ami and Jubilee, Rei and Kella, Mako and Monique, Minako
and Pennance, Uranus and Paige, Neptune and Rahne, Hotaru and Rogue, Setsuna
and Ororo, Mamoru and Everett, and Shingo and Kurt.
"Who's for dessert ?" Gambit sang out from the kitchen. "A Rogue specialty!"
Ami was about to decline when she took a sniff of what came out of the kitchen.
"Peach cobbler!" Rogue announced proudly, "With ice cream for whoever wants it!"
Something inside Ami melted along with the ice cream on the fresh cobbler. The way
the X-Men felt for each other mirrored how the Senshi felt, especially for Usagi.
Ami wiped away a tiny tear.
"Are you alright, Ami ?" Jubilee asked.
"Yes," Ami said, "just remembering something. I'll take some cobbler, please!
With some ice cream ?"
With dinner over, and the dining room and kitchen cleaned up (in record time,
Jean Grey Summers thought), the Senshi and their friends were given a tour of the
mansion, culminating in an explanation and workout in the Danger Room. After a
short workout led by Shadowcat, Emma Frost and Sean Cassidy ran a modified Shi'ar
attack-battle sequence. Emma and Sean were surprised at how well the Senshi did
with the X-Men against the simulation. Then, the modifications were dropped, allowing
for a full battle-scene to be run. After the sequence was over, Shadowcat ordered
a workout to cool down and ran over the high- and low- points of the simulation-run.
Emma Frost smiled at she watched Shadowcat.
"What's on your mind, Emma ?" Sean asked.
"I'm just remembering Kathryn !" Emma said softly. " When we first met, she was
just another young girl in Deerfield that I was trying to get into the Massachusetts
Acadamy. The Hellfire Club knew she was a mutant. So, we figured to use her as a
pawn in our power games." Emma then smiled and shook her head. "She's no one's pawn
now, Sean! In fact, reading Xavier's notes on her, I don't think she ever was!"
Sean walked over and held Emma lightly.
---------------------------------------------
"I think ye're right," the Irishman whispered.
"She's a special lady, isn't she ?" Jubilee asked. "Tsukino Usagi."
"Yes she is !" Ami answered as she readied for bed. "She's the puzzle-key."
"Sounds like Shadowcat", Jubilee said, picturing Kathryn as part of a Chinese
puzzle, and giggling as she found herself working her fingers to unlock the imaginary
cube. Jubilee smiled sadly, " I was never real good at those things." She sat the
cube down. "Shadowcat's the sister I wish I had, the mom I lost.." Her voice trailed
away. Jubilee brushed a tear away.
"I'm sorry", Ami said apologetically. "I know what it's like to be alone.
A bit. You asked if I was alright at dinner? Well, I wasn't."
Ami looked straight at Jubilee. "What I saw tonight, what I see now, is the
family I wish I had. My mom and dad are divorced. And I live with my mom. We're
very close. But, sometimes, I feel we're so distant. And I hardly see my father.
So, the Senshi are almost like a second family. Especially Usagi.
"I know I'm not Usagi's best friend. I guess I'm too distant at times to be
anybody's best friend. But Usagi is mine." Ami sighed. "When I was transferred to
the school where I met Usagi, before I learned I was Senshi, I was a very lonely
girl. I guess being different is like that." Jubilee nodded.
"I have a genius I.Q., and most kids don't seem to make friends with a bookworm."
"Or a firefly", Jubilee added.
Ami nodded. "But, Usagi tried to make friends with me. The first kid who
actually did. And.. two years ago," the blue-haired Senshi broke down "I almost
lost her !"
Jubilee moved closer and lightly held the trembling warrior.
"What happened, Ami ?" Jubilee asked.
"I was offered a chance to study abroad, a become a doctor like my mother,
and, to make the dicision easier, I withdrew from the Senshi for awhile. Unfortunately,
something happened to Usagi. We still don't know what. But, she needed our help.
She needed MY help. And I wasn't there!" Ami began to cry.
Jubilee could guess the rest.
Ami continue softly. "Usagi tried to kill herself."
Jubilee held on to Ami. "It wasn't your fault, Ami! You didn't know!"
"But now I do !" Mercury swore. "I will not loose her now. I've died for her
three times. And it will be four before I see her dead !"
Jubilee pondered what Ami said as she rocked Ami to sleep and a Senshi's tears
subsided. 'I remember Kate rocking me like this once or twice.' Jubilee thought.
And smiled. 'The Boss-lady's rubbing off on me!'
---
"Rei alright?" Kella asked the Priestess.
"Yes. No." Rei answered as she came out of her meditations. "Just trying to
figure things out." She turned to Kella, trying to guage her. "You could have killed
Mamoru tonight."
"Would have, if not for Shadowcat !" Kella said. "But then, Cape-boy toss
rose to kill! Shadowcat lucky she living-ghost. She'd be dead ghost! So would
Cape-boy!"
"What is she like? Kathryn?" Rei asked, watching the alien intently.
"Kate? Best friend here!" Kella said. "First friend ever made on earth!"
"She must be special!"
"Kate is! Say she had trouble making friends once. If so, didn't last. She
make friends with Usagi fast enough !"
"Well," said Rei, "Usagi is easy to make friends with." Rei turned away when
she said this.
"Words say that," Kella noted, "face doesn't."
"NANI???" The priestess snapped to attention.
"Face say you and Usagi have to work to be friends."
"Well," Rei fidgeted. "We- did- have problems at first. Usagi's a bit lazy..
and klutzy.. and whiny.. and a bit of a crybaby.."
"And ?" Kella prodded.
"And- I didn't think she had what it took to be a leader", admitted Rei,
"But, I was wrong! I learned that she WAS a leader ! Scratch that- IS a leader !
We may have to kick her butt occasionally, but she can find the good in anyone
and bring it out ! Hell - she's brought MY good qualities out ! And I'm NOT easy
to get along with! " Rei turned away again. "Just ask my father."
"Kate like that," Kella said. "Find good in anyone ! Make best come out of
you you no even know there!"
"She's a real leader, huh ?" Rei asked.
"She find something in Mercury Mercury not know was there! Yep, She is! Won't
admit it, though ! Not leader of any class here. But first one people come to with
problem!"
"Sounds like Usagi", smiled Rei.
"Rei not get along with father ?" Kella asked. "Where's Mother?"
"Dead" Rei said, the tears starting to fall.
"Oh ! Kella sorry to ask, make Rei sad." Kella steadied the Priestess by
the shoulders.
"I feel like an orphan at times !" Rei cried. "And Usagi's so fragile. I'm
going to lose her !"
Kella began to softly sing:
I guess I'll always be ashamed of the way I treated you
I know I'll never be the same without the love of you
I wish I had you back again, my heart's breaking in two
Everything keeps coming back, everything but you.
"Dad always sing that song. Like singer. Kella think his name Frizzell"
"Will anything come back, Kella ?"
Kella smiled. "We watch after Usagi- mean 'Rabbit', right ?- She come back.
Rabbit be back in hutch safe. As for Father- maybe he come back, too ? Remember he
got cub ?"
Kella cradled Rei gently. And sang again :
I walk for miles, cry or smile, for my momma and daddy,
I want them, I want them to know
How I feel, my love is real, for my momma and daddy,
I want them to know I love them so.
Kella looked out onto a starry nighttime sky-
"I love them so." Kella chorused as a tiny tear fell from her eye.
---
Monique couldn't sleep. Makoto was nervously pacing the floor.
"Are you nervous?" Monique asked.
"Is it that obvious?" Makoto replied.
"Yes."
Makoto started shadow-boxing to replace the pacing.
"This has nothing to do with the Danger Room workout." Monique observed.
"There is something more." Makoto looked at her.
"I need something to hit." Makoto said darkly. Monique slipped out of bed
and stood up straight.
"Take your best shot", the dusky Barber said.
"OK, You asked for it", said Makoto. "But at least try to defend yourself."
"Don't worry", Monique smiled.
For the next hour- and- a- half, the bedroom filled to the sounds of thrown
punches and kicks. Makoto was throwing solid, but Monique kept blocking.
She didn't even try to dodge Makoto.
"Why are you trying to kill yourself ?" Asked Monique in amazement as the
last punches were thrown.
"This.." Mako gasped "is for Usagi !" She finished with a kick straight to
Monique's pelvis and two quick hits to the chest that, somehow, managed to
double the Algerian and send her to the floor. "Where'd THAT come from ?"
Monique asked, the surprise on her face bordering on shock.
"Just remembering", Makoto said. She sat on the bed with a far-away look.
"I've lived alone since my parents were killed in a plane crash. And- well-
I guess I take my frustrations out a little too much on those around me
since I don't have anyone to talk things out with. At least, that's why I
was kicked out of every school I was in. And, my reputation gets around.
But Usagi never cared about what others said about me. And she's always
been there for me. For all of us." Mako sighed, "And I almost killed her".
"What happened ?" asked Monique.
"It was a couple of years ago. I was remembering my parents and a couple
of friends and feeling really down. Unfortunately, Usagi was there. She..
tried.. to cheer me up, but she only wound up sinking into the quicksand
I was in. Anyway, I didn't hear from her for about three weeks. Then, one
day I heard she'd tried to end her life. Can You believe it ? This bubbly
girl, this gift of LIFE, blamed HERSELF for my problems! Anyway, as I ran
to the hospital all I could see was the casket I'd put her in! Fortunately,
she didn't die. But, ever since, I've promised myself if anything happened
to her, I'd kill the things responsible!"
Monique reached out to give Makoto a hug. She could not help but admire
the tall Senshi.
"If only my family were like the Senshi", Monique thought to herself.
---
Minako sat just staring out the window into the night sky. The moon shone it's
silver light over the land, turning Westchester County into a dreamscape.
Pennance sat beside her, studying the Senshi.
"Artemis is asleep," Pennance said softly. "Maybe you should join him."
"I will in a bit. It was lovely, once, the moon. From the stories Artemis and
Luna tell." Minako said. Pennance nodded slowly.
"I saw Usagi's mom, Queen Serenity, once," continued the Senshi, "or at least
her spirit. Remembering her, I can see where Usagi gets her gentleness from.
Usagi has the kindest heart of anyone I've ever met! Why does it have to be
this way, Pennance? Why does Usagi have to fight? Why does she have to die?"
Pennence thought on this herself. Many times before. Her Balkan home had been
the scenes of much bloodletting. And each time it occurred, another cry came up
for vengence. It is an old dance.
"Whenever I see Usagi," Minako said, "I see the one I want to be ! Not the
PRINCESS. But the PERSON I want to be! The loving person, the forgiving heart,
the understanding eyes. Everyone kids her about being an airhead, but there's
not one of us that doesn't shudder to think of what would happen without her
here! And it almost happened. We almost lost her by taking her for granted! We
thought she'd always be around when our lives blew up. We never thought she'd
need help. And we almost lost her."
"We thought, we hoped, the fighting was behing us. We should've known better.
Now here we are, staring at the moon. It was Usagi's birthplace. A thousand
years ago. And now it will probably be her grave." Minako started to weep.
Pennance brushed the tears away gently with her fingers.
The night suddenly felt very cold and forbidding.
---
"What are you doing ?" Haruka asked.
"Reading", Paige answered. "It helps we relax."
"Why would you need help relaxing ?" Haruka said.
"Probably the same reason you do." Replied the Kentuckian. "We're still wound
up too tight."
"True", Haruka admitted. Then she added, "Sabertooth had too much fun catching
us."
"He can do that", Paige said. "He gives me the creeps."
"Who is this 'Kathryn' that everyone demurs to ?" asked Haruka. "Is she your
leader?"
"Not really," Paige said, trying to gauge Haruka. "She's more an Upperclassman.
She was here when my brother arrived. But Kate's the one that tries to help out
when someone's in trouble. Sorta like Usagi, I take it ?"
"The Princess is the Saviour !" Haruka added, "When we first met, I did not see
her as such. In fact, I doubted she was even a fighter. And, yet, she is a
fighter- and a lover, and a healer."
Haruka reflected a bit. "How did your 'Kathryn' know to talk to the Princess
Mercury as she did ? I know the Small-Lady spoke to her, but that still does
not explain her words ! Had I been in her place, or had Michiru, I would have
charged boldly to your leader and stated my case !"
Paige thought a bit. That may have also been her approach, if the tables had
been turned. " I don't know, honestly. Sometimes I wonder if any of us can
understand the others, especially Kathryn."
"I know this feeling. Although it is my duty to protect the princess, I do not
understand her that well. But that is not my job. The only one I feel close
enough to understand is Michiru."
---
Rahne was thinking about Kathryn that night, and of the allies the X- Men had
found to help Kathryn. More immediately, The young Scotswoman was thinking of
her bunkmate for the night.
"The Lord surely sends strangers to touch our lives", Rahne thought. But,
surely, she thought, none as strange as Kaioh Michiru.
It wasn't so much that Michiru had said or done anything strange. In fact, it
was just the opposite. Michiru hadn't spoken or done anything since everyone
went to bed. Nothing, that is, but observe.
"I am not used to this", Michiru finally said. "Nothing is getting done !"
"And what our we s'posed t' do ?" Asked Rahne. "We know precious little of
what's going on."
"We know enough", said Michiru calmly.
"Maybe you Senshi do," growled Rahne, "but we poor mortals don't ! And I, for
one, dinna intend to leave my friends, my family, only-God-knows-where hurting
or worse!" Rahne snapped this last part as she glared at Michiru. "If you
thought out yuir situations more carefully, maybe the Princess Usagi would no'
be in such dire straits!"
"I... am sorry", Michiru said. "You are right, Miss Sinclaire. I do not claim
to know strategy. I just go by the feelings and instincts of another." Michiru
paused. " How are you tonight, my Haruka ?"
"Och ! Haruka's yuir love, I take it." The young werewolf comprehended Michiru's
tone.
"Haruka holds my heart", Michiru smiled. "Does Rahne hold any in her heart ?"
"Do I ? Nay. I'm still a wee bit young an' shy." Rahne blushed.
"Not even Kathryn ?" asked Michiru.
"Kathryn ? Och, no! We're - well - more than friends, but no' lovers! She is the
big sister I never had. An' she been as a mother t' me, especially.. since ..."
Rahne's voice trailed off as tears choked at her words.
"Do not worry, Rahne!", Michiru said as she wrapped her arms protectively around
Rahne. "Kathryn will be safe, as will Usagi."
"I pray yuir right !" Rahne said through her tears.
---
Rogue watched as Hotaru started off to sleep. It did not seem an easy path to
sleep. And Rogue somehow felt as though she could touch the loneliness in the
child. Perhaps there was a kinship. The thought made Rogue shudder.
It wasn't easy being alone. It was harder still to remembering it. Hotaru
stirred and woke.
"Mama!" The smallest Senshi cried. "Rogue-san !"
"It's alright, Hotaru-chan!" Rogue said. "We're OK."
"But for how long ?" Hotaru asked fearfully. Rogue instinctively cradled
Hotaru, ignoring the fear of she and Hotaru touching. Hotaru wrapped
herself around the southern belle. " I fear the coming fight." Hotaru wept.
"Everything'll be alright, Hotaru", Rogue said, as much to assure herself as Hotaru. Something seemed to be missing. "From what Wolverine said, I think you Senshi could handle anything the Shi'ar can come up with !"
"The Canadian is right, Rogue-san. But, it is not for me I fear, Rogue-san ! As
Sailor Saturn, I know what I can do ! I fear it, but I will use the power if needed.
It is for the Princess Usagi that I fear."
"The Moon-Princess?" Rogue asked.
"Hai. Two years ago, the Princess was faced with a problem she could not correct,
although she tried to do so valiantly. In desperation at her failure, she attempted
to take her own life."
"Suicide ???" Rogue gasped, "Oh, my God !!! Well, obviously, things turned out
alright!"
"It was a near-thing, Rogue-san. The Inner Senshi and Chiba-san were to blame for
their negligence at bringing the Princess to that point, and their execution was
at hand."
"Execution ?" Rogue asked.
"By Setsuna and I", Hotaru answered. "Had Usagi not intervened on their behalf."
"And ... now ?" Asked a stunned Rogue.
"Now, she turns to meet an enemy in a battle she does not wish to fight. Nor does
she wish others to fight, and die, for her. She has seen enough death. The last
death she wishes to see is her own. And I feel lonely for her. And scared."
Rogue held the child-warrior tightly, trying to comfort her.
Outside, thunder rumbled over Westchester County.
---
Ororo and Setsuna sat watching the moon disappear behind a thundercloud.
Both women pondered the near-future, and the not-so-distant past.
Ororo felt a bit better as the now-offensive moon was hidden from view.
"I cannot believe you would have killed the Senshi, Setsuna !" Ororo tried to
piece together the puzzle she'd just been told. "Was their crime that worthy of
destruction ?" She sat studying the Senshi before her.
"It was the greatest of villainies", said Setsuna. "The breaking of an oath to
one's friend, and one's Mistress." Said the Senshi. "Surely you remember Dante's
Inferno ?" Ororo winced at the remembrance. Margali Szardos' version of Hell still
gave her nightmares occasionally. " The treacherous, the breakers of oathes, have
their own place in it."
"I.. remember", Storm said weakly. " But, still ! The Senshi bore enough of a
burden ! They knew their guilt ! Although an accident like this shows no guilt."
"It was not enough that they know, Wind-rider. Nothing is put to right simply by
acknowledging that something is simply broken. The cycle had to start anew."
"But, then, why bring in Hotaru ?!" The African demanded. " You were obviously
destined to be the judge ! But what part was she to play in this mad drama ? The
executioner ???"
"Most think that Hotaru's curse is destruction." Satsuna said, adding sadly, "As
does Hotaru herself. Tis why she fears herself still. Tis why I stay by her."
"What else is she ?" Ororo asked quietly.
"With help, she is also rebirth."
"With who's help, Setsuna ?" Ororo asked again.
"Ask Kathryn", said Satsuna.
Ororo eyed Setsuna closely. "And who ELSE is Hotaru, Satsuna ?"
Pluto grew oddly silent.
The moon reappeared.
"I'm sorry about earlier tonight," Tuxedo-Kamen said to Everett, "we shouldn't have
fought."
"Don't mention it !" Everett replied. "It's forgotten. Besides, we didn't fight!"
"Hai." Mamoru said. " But if I had not have attacked Paige, Minako would not have
attacked you."
"Maybe." Everett added, "I understand why you fought, though. Usagi's a special
lady."
"She is", Mamoru blushed. "And I understand why you fought !" he added. "Pryde-sama
is special, too!"
"That she is," said Everett. "When I came here, I started hearing stories, mainly
from Jubilee ! She had been a member of the X-Men before coming to the freshman class.
So, we were used to hearing her talk about how great they were. But when she talked
about Shadowcat, I dunno, something in her changed. She became.. reverent, I
guess.. and a bit circumspect. It's like she was talking about someone who saw right
through her. When we finally met Miss Pryde, most of us were half-expecting a
telepath !
"And then we met her. I'd never met anyone like her besides my mom in my life ! She's
a best friend, big sister, and mom rolled up in one body !" Everett had to laugh at
that.
"Sounds like Usagi", Mamoru smiled. "What you see is definitely not all you get !
When I first met 'Odango-tama', I thought she was just a klutzy whiner! It was only
later that I learned how caring and brave she actually is. That's when I learned she
was the Princess I'd been searching for," then Mamoru's voice cracked, "and when I
started hurting her." He continued talking to a stunned Everett.
"It is amazing what brainwashing can do to a person. But Usagi never gave up on me!
Even after I almost killed her, she never gave up ! Then, after she broke the
brainwashing, I lost all memory of her. Perfect, huh ? Then I hurt her again. This
time just through ignorance. And, that wasn't the last time."
"But she stayed there by you and for you, Mamoru !" Everett said. "A lot of people
wouldn't have."
"Maybe it would've been better if she hadn't", added Mamoru. "If I can't be her
lover, I should at least be her protector. Right ?" He laughed scornfully. "Some
protector I've been ! I can't even protect her from me !" He turned to Everett.
"I started taking Usagi for granted two years ago, when she needed my help! She
was so depressed, she almost killed herself ! And, I STILL don't know how I became
so fortunate I didn't LOSE her ! So, here I am, fighting to keep her alive." Mamoru
hit the wall of the bedroom.
"Damn it ! Usako doesn't deserve this !"
---
"Shingo ! Halten Sie !" Kurt advised, "You will not do Usagi any good wearing
yourself out like this !"
"Gomen nisai, Herr Wagner," Shingo apologized, "but I cannot help but think. To the
Senshi, Usagi is leader. But, she is my sister! And I cannot stand to see her harmed
while doing nothing !"
"I completely understand, mein Freund", said the sympathetic German. "But you will
not be able to help her by wearing yourself down here! Try to get some rest."
"Kurt, when Usagi started having these dreams, I swore to myself my sister wouldn't
go fighting this alone. I may have no powers, but I cannot- will not- abandon my
sister!"
"When the time comes," Kurt reassured the young man, "you will know what to do."
---
"They're worried about me, I can feel all the hurting." Usagi sighed as she readied for bed for the fifth time.
"You're empathic ?" Kathryn asked.
Usagi shrugged. " A bit. I guess. I dunno. They worry that this is like it was when I
tried to kill myself."
"Well ! It's not !" Kathryn said reassuringly. "You're not alone, Usagi-san. Everyone
is standing here for you now !"
"I know." Usagi stared out, then started crying. " They and you, standing beside me
to fight.." Usagi then whispered through her tears, ".. and die ! I'm beginning to
HATE the Moon !"
Kathryn gently held Usagi. "Usagi, we can only do our best. And we will, when the
time comes. You're really worried, aren't you ? Especially about Shingo."
"He shouldn't be here !" Usagi cried. "He should be at home with mom and dad !"
"And, I'll bet, if your mom and dad knew where you were, and what was about to
happen, they'd say their place would be right here with you." Usagi nodded weakly.
"As does your brother. He's more worried about his big sister than whether or not
he lives through this. But he will live." Kathryn held onto a trembling Usagi a if
the young mutant were a lifeline. "A few years back, I went to a Holocaust Convention
to try to find out what happened to my grandfather's sister. He had made a promise
to find her, but died before he could fulfil that promise. So, it fell to me to
find ouut about her. I found out she'd died in the Warsaw Ghetto. But I heard from
those who knew her of her strength and courage. She went about living in that Hell
just trying to help others to live. An extra piece of bread, some extra soup. And
it wasn't easy. Not under the eyes of the guards and dogs. But she did it ! She lived,
in spite of the death ! God will give us what we most need when we most need it."
"I hope so." Usagi said, and then asked "Where was Kella, I did not see her in the
Danger Room."
"And you won't !" Kathryn answered. "Not with all the Shi'ar technology in there !
In fact, last year, when Kella first came here, she wouldn't set one foot in this
house ! 'Smells like Shi'ar', she'd say. She didn't trust anyone here. Not that I
blame her. We'd worked with the Starjammers before, and they were gracious hosts,
but we were linked too heavily with the Shi'ar. Kella had little reason to trust
anyone. But, I couldn't see her living on a strange planet all alone. So, I kept
trying to be her friend. And I wouldn't take 'No' for a final answer." Kate amiled.
I can be VERY hard-headed ! Eventually, she found she could trust me. We're been
friends ever since !"
"Great !" Usagi smiled. "But - how could you tell she trusted you ?"
"Easy !" Kathryn said. " She bit me !"
---
The morning sun broke over the mansion 15 minutes before the breakfast yell.
"Breakfast is ready! Breakfast is ready!" Kella cried in a voice her brothers
always insisted was reminiscent of Paul Revere's warning cry to the minutemen.
"She's our family- rooster", Alex would say with a grin. Often to an accompanying
remark of someone making "cat and dumplings".
Luna prepared herself to wake Serena up three or four times and turned to a
surprisingly empty pillow.
"Usagi ?" Luna called.
"Over here, Luna", came a voice at the window. " I was up an hour ago", Usagi
said, much to Luna's surprise and concern. " I haven't gotten that mush sleep
lately." Luna jumped up on the window sill.
"Another nightmare, Usagi?" Luna jumped upon Usagi's shoulders.
"Iie, Luna. I just decided to greet the dawn." Usagi said. "The sun looks so friendly
this morning."
"Not like the moon ?" Luna asked.
She had heard.
"Oh ! I'm sorry, Luna !" Usagi cried, hugging Luna.
"There's no need to apologize, Usagi ! I can't blame you for feeling as you do."
Luna reassured her. "Too much has changed with our worlds." Luna trailed off
in thought.
"I know, Luna." Usagi said as she stroked the cat. " I just hope Mom understands."
"If she's a mother, and not just Diety-Queen of the Moon, she'll understand" Kathryn
said. "Tradition is one thing, destiny is another. But family should rise above them
both. C'mon ! We better go to breakfast before Kella sends up a search-party !" All
three then headed down to breakfast.
"Usagi !" A startled Ami yelped. "You're up already ? I told Kella to wait thirty
minutes before sending out a search party !" Ami then ducked out of the line-of-fire
as Kella remarked about Jubilee and the need for search parties.
"Hey, Usagi !" Rei called from the kitchen. "Grab a seat ! Hotcakes are coming up!" A minute later, a stack of buckwheat cakes were placed before Usagi. The blonde thanks Rei and then started demolishing the stack.
"Hey ! Are there anymore of those ?" Everett called out as he, Mamoru, Kurt, and
Shingo filed in from upstairs.
"Kella's in the kitchen. There's enough" , Jubilee said.
"Is that befor or after Typhoon Usagi ?", Mamoru quipped.
"Oh, Mamo-kun !" Usagi laughed. Everyone took that as a good sign. "Sit down and
eat!"
"Where's Luna ?", Rei called out from the kitchen, "Her chicken's ready !" The
feline trotted into the kitchen.
After everyone had made it to the table, and finished the last of the hotcakes
(a herculean task, Rei thought ),the talked turned to schedules. "I think we need
a bit more practice", said Minako, "no telling what the Shi'ar will throw at us."
Everyone nodded.
"Can you handle entering the Danger-Room, Kella ?" Rei asked.
"Will have to", said Kella.
"Everyone needs to know the Shi'ar game plans", said Makoto.
"A mute point", Kathryn spoke up suddenly. The room grew silent.
"What do you mean, Shadowcat ?" Rahne asked slowly.
"The Shi'ar are already here", answered Usagi. "The endgame starts now."
As the room grew silent to take in what Shadowcat and Usagi had just said, Kella
softly sang. The song echoed everyone's thoughts:
Listen to the children while they play,
Now ain't it kinda funny what the children say.
Skip a rope.
As if on cue, the X-Men, Senshi, Chiba Mamoru, and Tsukino Shingo were teleported
to the Moon.