Disclaimer - I do not own the rights to any of the characters in this fanfic, nor do I claim them. The idea, however, is mine. Enjoy!
AN - This is the final part of Whatever It Takes! I want to thank everyone for the wonderful support and feedback I got for this fanfic. Most of all thanks for being so patient with me for the time it took to post in between parts, and for mistakes I made here and there. You all are great! ^_^
Whatever It Takes
Epilogue
A raven-haired woman, with her hair pulled up into a bun, stood over the stove, preparing dinner for her family. After stirring rice in one pot, and dumping vegetables into another, she turned away from the stove to look at her youngest son, who sat looking longingly out the window. His face was nearly pressed against the pane, and his breath slightly fogged the glass every time he breathed. She smiled fondly and cleared her throat. "Goten, what's the matter," she asked.
"I wanna play outside with Gohan and Papa," Goten whined. He turned towards his mother as she joined him by the window. "Can I play too, Mama?"
Chichi looked out the window to where Goku and Gohan sparred. A worried frown crossed her face as she thought about her youngest son fighting. "You're too young, Goten," she began. "Maybe you can play along with them in a few years."
"But I'm almost three," Goten whined again, holding up four pudgy fingers. "Please, can I go play, too?" He looked up at her with a look that only he and Goku seemed to share, and Chichi felt her resolve begin to falter.
"Alright, Goten," she conceded. Goten cheered and wrapped his arms around Chichi's waist in a quick hug before he bolted towards the door.
"Thanks Mama," he yelled, slamming the door behind him. Chichi smiled and turned to look out the window just in time to see Goten tackle his father with a hug. She watched as Goku laughed and picked Goten up, tossing him into the air and catching him, just like he had done with Gohan.
"Oh, Goku," she breathed lovingly. She continued to watch her family, smiling as she watched Goku laugh at Gohan, who was chasing Goten. She turned away from the scene, looking towards the phone as it rang. "Moshi moshi," she spoke as she answered it. She listened to the person on the other end of the line, and a smile broke out on her face. "Okay, Bulma," she stated. "We'll be there soon." Hanging up the receiver, Chichi turned off the burners to the stove, and then ran out the door, to share the news with her family.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
Chichi and Bulma stood together talking excitedly about the birth of Krillin and 18's child, while they and their families waited for their other friends to arrive to the hospital. Vegeta stood leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, his annoyance growing as he listened to Goku's one-sided conversation. Trunks and Goten were wrestling with each other on the ground, and Vegeta scowled down at them as they bumped into him. Gohan talked with Tien and Chaotzu, greeting the others as they arrived.
Meanwhile, Krillin and 18 sat together in the recovery room, watching the nurse who had assisted in 18's delivery, as she picked up their baby. She wore a regular nurse's smock and she had on hat, with some of her darkish-green hair spilling out in tendrils, framing her face. She held the newborn carefully, turning towards the couple. "Have you thought of a name for her, yet," she asked.
"Marron," 18 answered, surprising Krillin. The nurse nodded her head and smiled, a light shining in her eyes as if she already knew what 18 was going to say. As the nurse left the room, Krillin turned to his wife.
"Marron," he asked, raising an eyebrow. "That's what her name will be?" 18 narrowed her eyes slightly, causing Krillin to laugh nervously. "I like it, though! I love it … But why did you choose Marron?"
18's gaze softened as she sighed. "Because, for some reason, she reminds me of that girl; the one who helped kill Cell," she answered, looking at him. "It may have just been the shadows playing tricks on me, but when she looked at me, her eyes looked like they were a maroon color."
Krillin smiled. "I think it's a perfect name for her," he stated, kissing 18 softly. After they parted, he walked to the wheelchair that was in the corner of the room, and wheeled it towards 18. "Let's go and see if everyone is here." Smiling, 18 allowed Krillin to help her into the chair.
Outside of the room, the nurse stood listening to their conversation, and smiled. Holding Marron close, she walked to an empty room, closing the door and locking it behind her. She walked over to a bassinet, placing Marron inside. As she looked down at the baby, a soft glow began to emanate from her forehead. "Ah, so there you are," the nurse stated, touching Marron's brow. "The sign of Saturn…"
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
As Krillin and 18 came into the waiting room area, all talking ceased. All of their friends were there: the Son family, the Briefs family, Yamcha, Tien, Chaotzu, Yajirobe, Roshi, and even Piccolo. Most surprising, however, was the fact that 17 stood away from the others, leaning against the wall with his hands stuffed in his pockets.
"17," 18 exclaimed in shock, causing her brother to look up. He smirked slightly at the surprised expression on her face.
"Hi, everyone," Krillin spoke. All present began to murmur excitedly and bombarded him with questions about the baby, save for Piccolo, Vegeta, and 17. Krillin chuckled, waving his arms for silence. "We had a daughter and named her Marron."
"Well, when can we see her," Bulma asked; though since it came from her, it sounded more like a demand.
"She's in the nursery, so I suppose we can go see her now," Krillin answered. Turning 18's chair around, Krillin led the large group towards the nursery viewing-window. As they all gathered around the window, he tapped on the glass, gaining the attending nurse's attention. She smiled at him, as he pointed towards Marron's bassinet.
At that exact moment, the nurse who had taken Marron earlier entered the nursery area with the newborn in her arms. After placing Marron in her bassinet, she rolled her over to the window, offering an apologetic smile towards her parents. The attending nurse held Marron up, so that the group could take a better look at her.
"She's beautiful," Chichi and Bulma gushed. While the others ohhed or ahhed, Goku watched as the other nurse left the room. He turned to look down the hallway, watching as she walked past at the end of the hall.
"Goku, is something wrong," Krillin asked, noticing that his best friend was surprisingly quiet. Goku turned towards him, smiling.
"Everything's fine," he exclaimed, resting a hand on Krillin's shoulder. "Congratulations, Krillin! You're a father now!"
"Thanks," Krillin replied, a blush covering his face. "I'm just glad you were here to celebrate today with us."
"Me too, Krillin," Goku stated. "Me too."
The group stood together for a little while longer, fussing over Marron. 18's exhaustion finally caught up with her, and 17 took her back to her room to rest. After that, the other warriors began to leave, until only the Briefs family, the Son family, and Krillin were left.
"Congratulations again, Krillin," Bulma stated, giving her childhood friend a brief hug. "I think we'll go home now, though. Trunks is exhausted."
"Alright, Bulma," Krillin chuckled, looking at the little boy. Trunks was asleep, resting against his father piggyback style, and drooling on Vegeta's shoulder. Vegeta glared at Krillin, causing the man to sweatdrop. "Thanks for coming," he quickly amended. The Sons' and Krillin watched as Bulma and Vegeta walked down the hall, disappearing around the corner.
"She really is a beautiful baby, Krillin," Chichi stated, turning her attention back towards Marron, who was back in her bassinet with the other newborns. "But we should probably get going soon, too."
They heard the click of heels against the floor and looked up, expecting to see Bulma. Instead, they saw a woman who was carrying a baby walking towards them. Her free flowing, knee-length skirt billowed with every stride she took, and her long, darkish-green hair fanned out behind her slightly from her quick pace.
"Hey, dad," Gohan stated. "She looks familiar." The woman slowed her pace, stopping near the group. She looked in towards the nursery, and then smiled towards Krillin.
"Congratulations," she stated, surprising the much shorter man. He raked a hand through his newly grown hair, and offered a smile.
"Thank you. How did you…"
"You have that fatherly glow about you," she supplied as he trailed off. The baby in her arms began to fuss, and she rocked her arms gently. "Quiet little one. We're going home soon." She felt a tug at her skirt, and she looked down.
"Can I see the baby," Goten asked.
"Goten," Chichi scolded. "I'm sure that this lady is very busy."
"It's no problem," the woman replied, kneeling down next to Goten. "I think she may have fallen back asleep, though." Goten pouted in disappointment, and as the woman began to stand back up, Gohan helped her, guiding her up gently by her elbow. "Thank you."
Gohan smiled at her, and as he looked at her more closely, recognition and surprise crossed his face. "Setsuna-san," he exclaimed, causing her to smile. He looked down towards the baby, and at that moment, she opened her eyes. Familiar violet-blue oculars locked with black, and Gohan's eyes watered slightly. "You… you found her," he whispered.
"She chose her moment to return," Setsuna replied. Gohan laughed as the baby reached up towards him, grabbing a lock of his hair.
"I thought I recognized you earlier," Goku spoke, causing Setsuna to look towards him.
"You're that nurse," Krillin exclaimed, coming to realization. His expression quickly turned to one of concern. "You didn't do anything to Marron, did you?"
Setsuna smiled. "I assure you, no harm came to your daughter, Krillin," she stated. "But it was time for Hotaru to return, which is why I had to interfere. Otherwise, problems may have arisen. Sorry to have deceived you all."
"It's alright, I believe you," Krillin stated. The relaxed expression on his face told Setsuna that she didn't have to explain any further, but she offered more words of comfort anyway.
"She was watching over you the past three years," she stated. "She watched all of you. She wanted to make sure you all moved on with your lives without regret. That's why she chose now to return; she's pleased with the way you have moved on." In her arms, Hotaru yawned tiredly, and fell back asleep.
"Will she be happy," Gohan asked, feeling a lump beginning to form in his throat.
"I'll make sure personally that she is," Setsuna replied. She frowned, as if debating over some internal battle. Sighing, she cleared her throat. "Son Goku, Son Gohan. You should continue to train. In a few years, there will be another tournament that will take place. The participants may not be what they seem." She looked at Goku, and an underlying message passed between the two.
"Alright," Goku exclaimed. "We'll do that then, Setsuna. I can't wait for this tournament!"
"I must go, now," Setsuna stated, smiling slightly at Goku's enthusiasm. "The other Senshi have been waiting for Hotaru to return for long enough." She bowed her head slightly, and then turned on her heel. She was suddenly in her sailor fuku, and as she began to walk away from them, she disappeared.
"Will someone please tell me what's going on," Chichi asked, confusion filling her voice. "Who was she?" Goku laughed, and then began to tell her what had happened in the fight against Cell.
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
"It's a beautiful day, today," Usagi murmured, shielding her eyes from the sun as she looked up in the sky. She sat on the steps of the Hikawa Shinto shrine, and her friends surrounded her. Chibi-usa sat with Mamoru, and even Haruka and Michiru were there. Sighing, she propped her elbows on her knees and rested her chin on her knuckles.
Rei was sweeping the walk as usual, and when she swept past Usagi, she noticed the girl's somber mood. "What's the matter, Usagi-chan," she asked, putting one hand on her hip. When she didn't get an answer, she frowned. "Aren't you paying attention, Odango atama!"
"Oh, sorry Rei-chan," Usagi exclaimed, cocking her head to the side and smiling. "I must have been daydreaming!"
Rei smirked, shaking her head. "What else is new," she stated dryly. As she began sweeping again, the smile on Usagi's face slowly faded.
"Hotaru, where are you," she wondered silently, returning to her thoughts. "It's been three months here already… How much time has passed where you are?" Chibi-usa's laughter broke through her thoughts, and Usagi looked in the direction of her future daughter. Although she was laughing, the usual, happy light in her eyes wasn't there. Against her will, her mind wandered back to the day she and Pluto had returned…
"Sailor Moon, you're back," Minako exclaimed, running over to her friend and hugging her as she and Pluto appeared suddenly. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, Minako," she replied, her henshin reversing. "Where are the others?"
"They're inside, Usagi," Ami replied. "But they're unconscious. What happened?"
"Perhaps we should go inside," Pluto stated, ushering them towards the house/shrine. Once they were inside, Minako and Ami led them towards Rei's bedroom, where the other girls were. When they got there, they saw Mamoru.
"Mamo-chan," Usagi gasped, upon seeing him.
"Usako," he exclaimed, standing and wrapping his arms around her as they met each other halfway. "I missed you!"
"I missed you too, Mamo-chan," Usagi murmured, slightly pulling away from him. She smiled up at him, and noticed tears in his eyes. "Mamo-chan, what is it?"
Wordlessly, he pulled her to him once again, and sighed in relief. "I was worried about you," he whispered in her ear, his voice full of emotion. "When you didn't return with the others, I didn't know what to think. I'm so glad to have you in my arms again, Usako."
She tightened her arms around Mamoru, and the two stayed like that, parting only when they heard a groan come from the unconscious girls. Usagi pulled away from Mamoru completely, walking over to Chibi-usa and sitting next to her. The youngest Senshi slowly opened her eyes, and sat up.
"Usagi," she asked groggily. She slowly looked around the room, snapping to attention once she realized where she was. "Where's Hotaru?" She turned as she heard the others begin to regain consciousness, however didn't see her friend anywhere. "Where is she?"
"Chibi-usa," Usagi began hesitantly. Rei, Makoto, Michiru, and Haruka were fully awake and noticed Usagi.
"How did we get back here," Rei asked, confused.
"Why did you send us back, Sailor Pluto," Haruka demanded.
"It was the Princess' doing, not mine," Pluto stated.
Haruka turned towards Usagi. "Koneko-chan?"
"Not Usagi-hime," Pluto stated. "Serenity-hime." Usagi cleared her throat, and all eyes were on her.
"I think I'd better tell you what happened," Usagi began quietly. Tears began to form in her eyes as she retold what had happened; from the moment she became Princess Serenity, to the bitter end of Cell, and finally to the fact that Hotaru could not be found. As Chibi-usa listened, she shook her head in disbelief.
"It's not true," she cried, tears streaming down her own face. "It's not true. You're lying!"
"I wouldn't lie about something like this, Chibi-usa," Usagi replied, anger lining her voice. Her features remained calm, however, as she took Chibi-usa into her arms. "I'm sorry, Chibi-usa. I'm so sorry."
"It's not fair, Usagi," she cried in anguish. "It wasn't Hotaru's fight! She shouldn't have died just to kill Cell!"
"It's what she wanted to do," Usagi stated softly. "Hotaru will return to us, I promise." Chibi-usa buried her face into Usagi's shirt and the room began silent, save for the young princess' heart-wrenching sobs…
"Usagi," Makoto stated, breaking through the girl's thoughts. "Did you hear me?" Usagi shook her head, smiling apologetically. "I asked where Setsuna was," she said, repeating her question.
"I'm not sure," Usagi replied, turning towards Haruka and Michiru. "The three of you have been living together, right? Did she say anything to you?"
"Not really, Usagi," Michiru replied with a shrug. "She just said that she would be along later in the afternoon because she had something else to take care of first." Haruka gasped suddenly, causing everyone to look at her.
"What is it, Haruka-san," Usagi asked, concern entering her voice.
"Koneko-chan, look," she replied, pointing down the stairs. Everyone looked to see what she was talking about, and Usagi gasped. There, at the bottom of the steps, stood Setsuna; and in her arms was a baby. Everyone stood up, and Mamoru joined Usagi's side as Chibi-usa stepped forward.
"Puu," Chibi-usa exclaimed, running down the stairs and waving excitedly. "Puu!"
"She found her, Mamo-chan," Usagi said hoarsely, as Mamoru slipped an arm around her waist. She leaned against him and sighed contentedly. "We're finally all back together again."
Setsuna watched as Chibi-usa ran towards where she stood, with the others quickly following behind her. "You're finally home, Hotaru," she stated, smiling down at the baby. "I'm sorry it took so long for me to realize you belong here, too." She leaned forward, leaving a kiss on the baby's forehead. "I'll be your family, now," she continued, a tear slipping down her cheek and landing on the spot she had kissed.
"Setsuna," the Senshi exclaimed.
Setsuna looked up, smiling, as their approach grew ever closer. "We will all be your family, Hotaru," she stated.
Snuggled safely in the security of Setsuna's arms, Hotaru laughed happily.
Fin.
I hope that you all enjoyed the story! I got a few reviews requesting for Usagi to end up with Mirai-kun … I apologize that didn't happen in this story, but it just didn't fit into the plot. I was focusing mainly on Hotaru, because I think she deserves to have a story revolve around her! Then again, you also wanted Hotaru to end up with Gohan. *sweatdrops* I'm sorry that didn't happen, either. I'm happy with the way the story ended, though, and I hope you are as well!
Please leave a review! Give me your thoughts on this fanfic.