~Chapter Two-Aftermath~
Lita forced her tired eyes open and waited for them to adjust to the dark room. She hadn't remembered falling asleep or turning out the lights.
"Lita…?" Amy moaned and sat up. "What time is it?"
Lita used the couch to push herself up and flipped on the light switch, then glanced at the grandfather clock. She gasped and put a hand to her heart.
"Amy, it's six in the morning!" She told her friend.
"What?!" Amy shot up and got to her feet. "I'm late for work!"
"Guys…" Raye sat up slowly and faced Lita and Amy. "What's going on? Why'd we all fall asleep?" It was true. Raye, Mina, Serena, and Setsuna were all still on Lita's living room floor; of the four, only Raye had awoken.
"The last thing I remember is saying goodbye to all of you." Lita rubbed at her eyes. "Then, just now, waking up on the floor."
"I knew I was tired last night, but," Raye began. She stopped herself when she realized this was serious, and stood as well.
"I'm sorry, Lita…" Amy gathered her purse and coat in a hurry.
"No, Ames, it's okay." Lita hugged her then opened the door.
"Thanks for coming." Soon after Amy had left, Serena, Setsuna, and Mina all yawned and stretched.
"Lita?" Mina, rubbed at her eyes as well and forced her fatigued body to get up. "Did I sleep over last night?"
"No, I don't think so." Lita's worried face startled Serena, who quickly jolted up and grabbed her cat. Luna awoke with a start and she, too, gasped at the time.
"Serena! Darien must be terribly worried about you!" Luna yelled.
"Something happened to us last night." Setsuna whispered almost to herself.
"Obviously!" Shouted Serena, more concerned about Darien's wrath than what occurred the night before.
"I remember the stroke of midnight, and then, waking up here." Setsuna continued. "I assume we all do. There's something not quite right with any of it. My vision was right after all. You were all in grave danger last night." She paused, then rose and walked to the door. "And somehow, so was I."
* * * * *
The next few days were a blur to Lita. She felt almost sick ever since the party, and tried quite hard to figure out what had happened that night. It wasn't until Raye visited her one night she was actually forced to do something. The two decided to watch some movies together, to take their minds off the their troubles.
"Do you want me to make some popcorn, Raye?" Lita asked, getting up.
"Sure." Raye answered, then picked up the movie cover to read the description on the back. Lita walked only a few steps toward the kitchen when a wave of nausea hit her and she groped for the counter, swaying.
"Lita, are you okay?" Raye observed her friend's actions worriedly.
"I think so," Lita replied, her balance slightly restored. Raye frowned, not convinced, but Lita smiled back at her, heading toward the cupboard quickly. It was then, for the second time in only days, Lita grew extremely tired, and everything eventually went black.
* * * * *
Much to her surprise, Lita awoke in a hospital bed. Glancing at a clock on the nightstand next to her, Lita's eyes widened. Two o' clock in the morning! Her eyes wandered around the room. Raye sat in a brown chair across from Lita's bed, asleep, with her red jacket covering her like a blanket. "Raye…" Lita whispered. Raye didn't stir. "Oh, where's Serena when you need her?" She added to herself. "Raye!" The raven-haired woman opened her own eyes sleepily, then bolted up when she realized it was Lita calling to her. She wasn't the only surprised person.
"Konnichi wa, Miss Kino." Amy greeted as she walking into Lita's room, chart in hand. "Did you sleep well?"
"I remember falling; getting sick, and drowsy…" Lita recalled. Her face contorted. "Amy, we didn't…it didn't happen again, did it?"
"No, Lita." Amy put the chart down and took her friend's hand in her own. "It didn't happen again." But there was something in Amy's eyes, something that didn't tell the whole truth.
"So, what did happen to me, Amy?" Lita inquired. Raye and Amy exchanged fearful glances, as if they wished she hadn't wanted to know.
"When you blacked out, Raye called the hospital. I checked you out, Lita, and the test results came back an hour ago…" Amy was hesitant.
"And…?" Lita blinked expectantly.
"And…" Amy repeated, clearing her throat, "…you're pregnant."
At first, Lita could not speak. She sucked in her breath whispered, "That's impossible."
"I know this must be quite a surprise for you." Amy sighed. "I'm very bewildered myself."
"I've never…" Lita found her voice again. "Never…had…never done…anything!"
"You haven't?" Raye spoke up.
"Have you?" Questioned Lita, immediately ashamed.
"No," Raye answered, "I just meant, you have a point. How could this pregnancy be possible if…you've never…?"
"Amy?" Lita turned to her friend for an explanation.
"Well, first, I have to tell you that I'm the only doctor who knows the whole truth about this. It's never happened before, and that means if any of the other doctors knew, you, Lita, would become a scientific experiment." Lita nodded, taking a deep breath. "Second, I've done my best to date the 'conception', and what I came to the conclusion of…was…" Amy stammered.
"Please, Amy, just tell me!" Lita demanded.
"The night of your party."
"That's when we all blacked out." Lita swallowed, fear welling up inside her.
"There's more." Amy licked her lips nervously.
"I don't want to frighten you, Lita, but I have to tell you…"
"Go ahead." Lita nodded.
"Being a doctor, I've always kept myself fit, therefore, I always know when my body's trying to tell me something. I checked myself out this morning on my break…the results were clear." With Amy's next words, Lita's fears were confirmed. "I'm pregnant, too."
* * * * *
Lita laid on her couch, staring at the ceiling. A week or so had gone by; she hadn't really cared enough to keep track of the days. Looking back at the recent evens made her frown. Raye was immediately examined as well. Sure enough, she was with child, also. Mina and Serena were informed, tested, and each took the news differently. Serena cried. She didn't want to tell Darien, though she knew it was inevitable. Serena had been a mess, sobbing and asking,
"What about Reenie? I thought she was my one and only child! This can't be Reenie! Not yet!" And she crumpled into a nearby chair, bawling. Mina, on the other hand, had taken the news quite well.
"Remember the time you guys had the flu and I took care of you?" She reminded them.
"Unfortunately." Raye mumbled. Amy nudged her, shaking her head.
"Well, it will be like that. I'll have a sense of responsibility." Then, sighing, she added, "But I'll have to take maternity leave from the elementary school."
And that had been that. Sure, they all were still skeptical as to why and how they'd suddenly all become pregnant, but they'd also been afraid to find the answers.
There was just one problem left: what about Setsuna?
Now, Lita shifted uneasily on the couch. Setsuna didn't know. What if she had returned to the Gate of Time already? And months later, when it was time to deliver, would she be able to leave the Gate, just to have the baby? What if she couldn't?
"No." Lita shook her head and sat up. She wouldn't think the worst for Setsuna. The Scout of Time probably knew. But still… Without a second thought, Lita reached for the phone and dialed the Cherry Hill Temple's number.
"Hello?" Chad answered.
"Chad, it's me, Lita Kino. Can I speak to Raye?"
"Sure, Lita. Just a sec." A click; the phone being set down. A few seconds later, Raye picked up.
"Raye, it's me, Lita. I know it's been years, but…well, I need to talk with all of you guys. Can I call a Scout meeting at your temple?"
"Of course." Raye's voice showed signs of slight alarm. "I'll call Amy and Serena, and you can call Mina."
"Okay. Thanks, Raye."
* * * * *
"Chad's sweeping the stairs," Raye told her friends, "so he won't bother us."
"I haven't been here for so long," breathed Amy.
"It's exactly like I remember it." Mina smiled at Raye brightly.
"Grandpa wouldn't want any fancy changes, and neither would I." Raye explained, half-smiling.
"You're in better spirits." Observed Serena, sighing.
"I realized that Grandpa would have wanted me to be happy and get on with my life. And the fire readings I've been doing lately have helped."
"Would the fire tell us what's going on?" Lita ventured softly. Raye's half- smile faded and she sighed additionally.
"Guys, come on in and sit down," she advised them, pointing to the Fire Room. "If there's any chance of finding out the truth, I'll find it with you guys by my side." All five knelt down; Raye in front of the fire and the other four women behind her. Raye clasped her hands together. They closed their eyes, clearing their minds, concentrating on the flickering orange flames. "Oh, Great Fire, please tell me what's happening to us!" A large flame leapt above them, causing screams and cries of fear. Raye chanted almost inaudibly, and the fire ceased its terror. The flames subsided, and Raye turned to her friends.
"What is it?" asked Serena instantly. "Raye, what's going on?" The blond's desperation for the truth made the priestess bite her lip. "Tell me!"
"The fire…doesn't sense that an enemy did this…"
"Well, thank God!" Mina breathed a sigh of relief.
"So, it's…it's not my fault!" Serena screamed defensively. "I told Darien I didn't know how it happened, and he said he didn't care, as long as I was okay! It's not my fault!"
"We know it isn't your fault, you Meatball Head!" Shouted Raye, the challenge of the old Fighter coming to the surface. "No one ever said it was! All we know is that there is evil inside us!" Raye looked away from her friends, swallowing.
"What are we going to do?" Before any of them could give it a second thought, Luna and Artemis bounded into the room, out of breath.
"We've…..we've…..found Setsuna!" Luna panted, collapsing on the floor. "She was…..meditating……in the…..park."
"Did you….find out…..anything….about the…..pregnancies?" Inquired Artemis, also heaving breaths.
"Yeah. The fire got out of control, and when I asked it was evil it sensed, it told me the evil was growing inside us." Raye glanced up.
"Does Setsuna know?"
"She might….." Luna stood up shakily. "All of….you must come….with Artemis and…..myself. We'll bring……you to her….."
No sooner had the two cats started to run again had the girls raced after them, in pursuit of Setsuna. Hopefully, it wasn't too late to convince her to stay.
* * * * *
"Setsuna!" Mina called out. She ran ahead of the group and fell on her knees in front of the Scout of Time. Setsuna, who'd been sitting cross- legged against a large oak tree, now opened her red eyes and smiled.
"Hello, Mina."
"Setsuna, do you know?" Amy wondered, concerned.
"Yes, I do." Setsuna's smile disappeared. "I saw horrible visions. Only…"
"Only, what?" Lita sat beside her.
"I could not see everything. I could see danger, and…death…but nothing was clear. It's as if someone-or something-doesn't was me to know."
"There's still an unanswered question." Raye reminded them. "The fire told me the unborn children are evil. Setsuna says she saw visions of death and danger. The question is…" Raye paused, almost willing herself not to say it. "Will be have our babies?" The long silence that followed made them all uneasy. There was so much to think about; so much to fear. It wasn't just the responsibility of having a baby-diapers, feedings, and caring for the children-though that was part of it. Their biggest fear was that these children would be born evil. They could be wrong; how each of the women hoped the fire and visions were wrong. Say there were physical defects? After all, each one of them had blacked out, unable to recall the events that involved them that night. So, it took all of Mina's courage to be the first to say,
"I will."
Everyone turned to stare at her, blinking.
"Are you sure you've thought this through well enough?" Serena asked, putting a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Yeah, I have." Mina nodded.
"My mom and I weren't always on the best of terms, but I knew she loved me, and she was proud she had me. I want to feel that same kind of pride. I want to be a mother."
"And the evil factor doesn't matter at all?" Serena raised her eyebrows.
"I didn't say it didn't matter," Mina argued, "but how evil can a baby be? Nothing I can't handle." A moment passed, and Lita, too, nodded.
"I'm tough enough to handle this! I used to take challenges all the time. Why should this one get to me?"
"You mustn't only do it for the sake of taking a challenge," Setsuna admonished. "You have to really want to do it."
"I do. I want my baby." Lita looked at the others expectantly.
"I'd make an ideal mother, I think." Amy added. "I would know whenever he or she is sick, what to feed it, and what to do to help it grow."
"Your own little science experiment." Mina joked, grinning.
"Actually, Amy, wouldn't a baby take too much time away from being a doctor?" Raye pointed out.
"Normally, it would. But I've put in so many more hours than some of the doctors at the hospital, I'm up for a few days off." Serena and Raye still hadn't had their say. Setsuna stared at her hands, still thinking it over.
"I…don't know," Raye began. "I have a temple to run…"
"Setsuna, if Reenie's not my first born…" Serena swallowed. "I mean, this can't be Reenie… How will this effect Crystal Tokyo?" The Scout of Time looked up slowly.
"I never saw this when I saw the future, your highness." Setsuna's eyes began to water. "I'm afraid for Small Lady! If she's not born in the present, she doesn't exist in the future!" Setsuna buried her face in her arms as she pulled her knees up against her chest. Serena felt guilty for her outburst, and put an arm around her friend.
"Raye," Mina spoke up, "you could always hire more help at the temple. I mean, I know there's Chad-and he could help you out with the baby, too-but you could have a few more people to work there." She paused, smiling. "We could help each other."
"We're not trying to pressure you into having it," Lita explained. "Only helping you to consider all the options." She put a hand on Raye's shoulder. "But you'll never be the same if you lose it." Raye thought about everything her friends had said. Three of them were going ahead with the unplanned-and, up until now, unwanted-pregnancies. Two of them didn't think it was right. The fire gave her a reading of evil; Setsuna's visions confirmed it. Then Raye repeated Lita's words in her mind. You'll never be the same if you lose it.
"I'll…I'll do it." Raye took a deep breath. "With my friends' help, I can do this." At this, something impulsive came from Serena. If the other women hadn't been sitting down, the shock would have caused their legs to give out.
"Me, too." No hysteria, no tears. Serena stood and put a slightly trembling hand to her abdomen. "Darien told me things happen for a reason. So I'll take this chance. It may not bee what was written in the future, but there's a reason for it." One by one, the five hugged. Silence didn't matter to them; nothing mattered. The feeling of happiness that the Sailor Scouts were going to be mothers together was overwhelming. They began crying, joyously and falteringly, not sure what to anticipate. Setsuna looked up at them and wiped her eyes.
"I, also, will have my child." She told them softly. All five turned toward her and blinked in disbelief. "I've seen visions-I usually trust them-but they're much too hazy and vague, and something tells me it will be okay." Setsuna joined her friends, but instead of hugging them, she took a step back cautiously. "I'm only permitted to stay in the past until my child is born. After that, I will take the baby back to the future. I want to be near Small Lady…" It was no use arguing. She had agreed to have her baby with them; that was enough.
So began the days of nameless evil.
Lita forced her tired eyes open and waited for them to adjust to the dark room. She hadn't remembered falling asleep or turning out the lights.
"Lita…?" Amy moaned and sat up. "What time is it?"
Lita used the couch to push herself up and flipped on the light switch, then glanced at the grandfather clock. She gasped and put a hand to her heart.
"Amy, it's six in the morning!" She told her friend.
"What?!" Amy shot up and got to her feet. "I'm late for work!"
"Guys…" Raye sat up slowly and faced Lita and Amy. "What's going on? Why'd we all fall asleep?" It was true. Raye, Mina, Serena, and Setsuna were all still on Lita's living room floor; of the four, only Raye had awoken.
"The last thing I remember is saying goodbye to all of you." Lita rubbed at her eyes. "Then, just now, waking up on the floor."
"I knew I was tired last night, but," Raye began. She stopped herself when she realized this was serious, and stood as well.
"I'm sorry, Lita…" Amy gathered her purse and coat in a hurry.
"No, Ames, it's okay." Lita hugged her then opened the door.
"Thanks for coming." Soon after Amy had left, Serena, Setsuna, and Mina all yawned and stretched.
"Lita?" Mina, rubbed at her eyes as well and forced her fatigued body to get up. "Did I sleep over last night?"
"No, I don't think so." Lita's worried face startled Serena, who quickly jolted up and grabbed her cat. Luna awoke with a start and she, too, gasped at the time.
"Serena! Darien must be terribly worried about you!" Luna yelled.
"Something happened to us last night." Setsuna whispered almost to herself.
"Obviously!" Shouted Serena, more concerned about Darien's wrath than what occurred the night before.
"I remember the stroke of midnight, and then, waking up here." Setsuna continued. "I assume we all do. There's something not quite right with any of it. My vision was right after all. You were all in grave danger last night." She paused, then rose and walked to the door. "And somehow, so was I."
* * * * *
The next few days were a blur to Lita. She felt almost sick ever since the party, and tried quite hard to figure out what had happened that night. It wasn't until Raye visited her one night she was actually forced to do something. The two decided to watch some movies together, to take their minds off the their troubles.
"Do you want me to make some popcorn, Raye?" Lita asked, getting up.
"Sure." Raye answered, then picked up the movie cover to read the description on the back. Lita walked only a few steps toward the kitchen when a wave of nausea hit her and she groped for the counter, swaying.
"Lita, are you okay?" Raye observed her friend's actions worriedly.
"I think so," Lita replied, her balance slightly restored. Raye frowned, not convinced, but Lita smiled back at her, heading toward the cupboard quickly. It was then, for the second time in only days, Lita grew extremely tired, and everything eventually went black.
* * * * *
Much to her surprise, Lita awoke in a hospital bed. Glancing at a clock on the nightstand next to her, Lita's eyes widened. Two o' clock in the morning! Her eyes wandered around the room. Raye sat in a brown chair across from Lita's bed, asleep, with her red jacket covering her like a blanket. "Raye…" Lita whispered. Raye didn't stir. "Oh, where's Serena when you need her?" She added to herself. "Raye!" The raven-haired woman opened her own eyes sleepily, then bolted up when she realized it was Lita calling to her. She wasn't the only surprised person.
"Konnichi wa, Miss Kino." Amy greeted as she walking into Lita's room, chart in hand. "Did you sleep well?"
"I remember falling; getting sick, and drowsy…" Lita recalled. Her face contorted. "Amy, we didn't…it didn't happen again, did it?"
"No, Lita." Amy put the chart down and took her friend's hand in her own. "It didn't happen again." But there was something in Amy's eyes, something that didn't tell the whole truth.
"So, what did happen to me, Amy?" Lita inquired. Raye and Amy exchanged fearful glances, as if they wished she hadn't wanted to know.
"When you blacked out, Raye called the hospital. I checked you out, Lita, and the test results came back an hour ago…" Amy was hesitant.
"And…?" Lita blinked expectantly.
"And…" Amy repeated, clearing her throat, "…you're pregnant."
At first, Lita could not speak. She sucked in her breath whispered, "That's impossible."
"I know this must be quite a surprise for you." Amy sighed. "I'm very bewildered myself."
"I've never…" Lita found her voice again. "Never…had…never done…anything!"
"You haven't?" Raye spoke up.
"Have you?" Questioned Lita, immediately ashamed.
"No," Raye answered, "I just meant, you have a point. How could this pregnancy be possible if…you've never…?"
"Amy?" Lita turned to her friend for an explanation.
"Well, first, I have to tell you that I'm the only doctor who knows the whole truth about this. It's never happened before, and that means if any of the other doctors knew, you, Lita, would become a scientific experiment." Lita nodded, taking a deep breath. "Second, I've done my best to date the 'conception', and what I came to the conclusion of…was…" Amy stammered.
"Please, Amy, just tell me!" Lita demanded.
"The night of your party."
"That's when we all blacked out." Lita swallowed, fear welling up inside her.
"There's more." Amy licked her lips nervously.
"I don't want to frighten you, Lita, but I have to tell you…"
"Go ahead." Lita nodded.
"Being a doctor, I've always kept myself fit, therefore, I always know when my body's trying to tell me something. I checked myself out this morning on my break…the results were clear." With Amy's next words, Lita's fears were confirmed. "I'm pregnant, too."
* * * * *
Lita laid on her couch, staring at the ceiling. A week or so had gone by; she hadn't really cared enough to keep track of the days. Looking back at the recent evens made her frown. Raye was immediately examined as well. Sure enough, she was with child, also. Mina and Serena were informed, tested, and each took the news differently. Serena cried. She didn't want to tell Darien, though she knew it was inevitable. Serena had been a mess, sobbing and asking,
"What about Reenie? I thought she was my one and only child! This can't be Reenie! Not yet!" And she crumpled into a nearby chair, bawling. Mina, on the other hand, had taken the news quite well.
"Remember the time you guys had the flu and I took care of you?" She reminded them.
"Unfortunately." Raye mumbled. Amy nudged her, shaking her head.
"Well, it will be like that. I'll have a sense of responsibility." Then, sighing, she added, "But I'll have to take maternity leave from the elementary school."
And that had been that. Sure, they all were still skeptical as to why and how they'd suddenly all become pregnant, but they'd also been afraid to find the answers.
There was just one problem left: what about Setsuna?
Now, Lita shifted uneasily on the couch. Setsuna didn't know. What if she had returned to the Gate of Time already? And months later, when it was time to deliver, would she be able to leave the Gate, just to have the baby? What if she couldn't?
"No." Lita shook her head and sat up. She wouldn't think the worst for Setsuna. The Scout of Time probably knew. But still… Without a second thought, Lita reached for the phone and dialed the Cherry Hill Temple's number.
"Hello?" Chad answered.
"Chad, it's me, Lita Kino. Can I speak to Raye?"
"Sure, Lita. Just a sec." A click; the phone being set down. A few seconds later, Raye picked up.
"Raye, it's me, Lita. I know it's been years, but…well, I need to talk with all of you guys. Can I call a Scout meeting at your temple?"
"Of course." Raye's voice showed signs of slight alarm. "I'll call Amy and Serena, and you can call Mina."
"Okay. Thanks, Raye."
* * * * *
"Chad's sweeping the stairs," Raye told her friends, "so he won't bother us."
"I haven't been here for so long," breathed Amy.
"It's exactly like I remember it." Mina smiled at Raye brightly.
"Grandpa wouldn't want any fancy changes, and neither would I." Raye explained, half-smiling.
"You're in better spirits." Observed Serena, sighing.
"I realized that Grandpa would have wanted me to be happy and get on with my life. And the fire readings I've been doing lately have helped."
"Would the fire tell us what's going on?" Lita ventured softly. Raye's half- smile faded and she sighed additionally.
"Guys, come on in and sit down," she advised them, pointing to the Fire Room. "If there's any chance of finding out the truth, I'll find it with you guys by my side." All five knelt down; Raye in front of the fire and the other four women behind her. Raye clasped her hands together. They closed their eyes, clearing their minds, concentrating on the flickering orange flames. "Oh, Great Fire, please tell me what's happening to us!" A large flame leapt above them, causing screams and cries of fear. Raye chanted almost inaudibly, and the fire ceased its terror. The flames subsided, and Raye turned to her friends.
"What is it?" asked Serena instantly. "Raye, what's going on?" The blond's desperation for the truth made the priestess bite her lip. "Tell me!"
"The fire…doesn't sense that an enemy did this…"
"Well, thank God!" Mina breathed a sigh of relief.
"So, it's…it's not my fault!" Serena screamed defensively. "I told Darien I didn't know how it happened, and he said he didn't care, as long as I was okay! It's not my fault!"
"We know it isn't your fault, you Meatball Head!" Shouted Raye, the challenge of the old Fighter coming to the surface. "No one ever said it was! All we know is that there is evil inside us!" Raye looked away from her friends, swallowing.
"What are we going to do?" Before any of them could give it a second thought, Luna and Artemis bounded into the room, out of breath.
"We've…..we've…..found Setsuna!" Luna panted, collapsing on the floor. "She was…..meditating……in the…..park."
"Did you….find out…..anything….about the…..pregnancies?" Inquired Artemis, also heaving breaths.
"Yeah. The fire got out of control, and when I asked it was evil it sensed, it told me the evil was growing inside us." Raye glanced up.
"Does Setsuna know?"
"She might….." Luna stood up shakily. "All of….you must come….with Artemis and…..myself. We'll bring……you to her….."
No sooner had the two cats started to run again had the girls raced after them, in pursuit of Setsuna. Hopefully, it wasn't too late to convince her to stay.
* * * * *
"Setsuna!" Mina called out. She ran ahead of the group and fell on her knees in front of the Scout of Time. Setsuna, who'd been sitting cross- legged against a large oak tree, now opened her red eyes and smiled.
"Hello, Mina."
"Setsuna, do you know?" Amy wondered, concerned.
"Yes, I do." Setsuna's smile disappeared. "I saw horrible visions. Only…"
"Only, what?" Lita sat beside her.
"I could not see everything. I could see danger, and…death…but nothing was clear. It's as if someone-or something-doesn't was me to know."
"There's still an unanswered question." Raye reminded them. "The fire told me the unborn children are evil. Setsuna says she saw visions of death and danger. The question is…" Raye paused, almost willing herself not to say it. "Will be have our babies?" The long silence that followed made them all uneasy. There was so much to think about; so much to fear. It wasn't just the responsibility of having a baby-diapers, feedings, and caring for the children-though that was part of it. Their biggest fear was that these children would be born evil. They could be wrong; how each of the women hoped the fire and visions were wrong. Say there were physical defects? After all, each one of them had blacked out, unable to recall the events that involved them that night. So, it took all of Mina's courage to be the first to say,
"I will."
Everyone turned to stare at her, blinking.
"Are you sure you've thought this through well enough?" Serena asked, putting a hand on her friend's shoulder.
"Yeah, I have." Mina nodded.
"My mom and I weren't always on the best of terms, but I knew she loved me, and she was proud she had me. I want to feel that same kind of pride. I want to be a mother."
"And the evil factor doesn't matter at all?" Serena raised her eyebrows.
"I didn't say it didn't matter," Mina argued, "but how evil can a baby be? Nothing I can't handle." A moment passed, and Lita, too, nodded.
"I'm tough enough to handle this! I used to take challenges all the time. Why should this one get to me?"
"You mustn't only do it for the sake of taking a challenge," Setsuna admonished. "You have to really want to do it."
"I do. I want my baby." Lita looked at the others expectantly.
"I'd make an ideal mother, I think." Amy added. "I would know whenever he or she is sick, what to feed it, and what to do to help it grow."
"Your own little science experiment." Mina joked, grinning.
"Actually, Amy, wouldn't a baby take too much time away from being a doctor?" Raye pointed out.
"Normally, it would. But I've put in so many more hours than some of the doctors at the hospital, I'm up for a few days off." Serena and Raye still hadn't had their say. Setsuna stared at her hands, still thinking it over.
"I…don't know," Raye began. "I have a temple to run…"
"Setsuna, if Reenie's not my first born…" Serena swallowed. "I mean, this can't be Reenie… How will this effect Crystal Tokyo?" The Scout of Time looked up slowly.
"I never saw this when I saw the future, your highness." Setsuna's eyes began to water. "I'm afraid for Small Lady! If she's not born in the present, she doesn't exist in the future!" Setsuna buried her face in her arms as she pulled her knees up against her chest. Serena felt guilty for her outburst, and put an arm around her friend.
"Raye," Mina spoke up, "you could always hire more help at the temple. I mean, I know there's Chad-and he could help you out with the baby, too-but you could have a few more people to work there." She paused, smiling. "We could help each other."
"We're not trying to pressure you into having it," Lita explained. "Only helping you to consider all the options." She put a hand on Raye's shoulder. "But you'll never be the same if you lose it." Raye thought about everything her friends had said. Three of them were going ahead with the unplanned-and, up until now, unwanted-pregnancies. Two of them didn't think it was right. The fire gave her a reading of evil; Setsuna's visions confirmed it. Then Raye repeated Lita's words in her mind. You'll never be the same if you lose it.
"I'll…I'll do it." Raye took a deep breath. "With my friends' help, I can do this." At this, something impulsive came from Serena. If the other women hadn't been sitting down, the shock would have caused their legs to give out.
"Me, too." No hysteria, no tears. Serena stood and put a slightly trembling hand to her abdomen. "Darien told me things happen for a reason. So I'll take this chance. It may not bee what was written in the future, but there's a reason for it." One by one, the five hugged. Silence didn't matter to them; nothing mattered. The feeling of happiness that the Sailor Scouts were going to be mothers together was overwhelming. They began crying, joyously and falteringly, not sure what to anticipate. Setsuna looked up at them and wiped her eyes.
"I, also, will have my child." She told them softly. All five turned toward her and blinked in disbelief. "I've seen visions-I usually trust them-but they're much too hazy and vague, and something tells me it will be okay." Setsuna joined her friends, but instead of hugging them, she took a step back cautiously. "I'm only permitted to stay in the past until my child is born. After that, I will take the baby back to the future. I want to be near Small Lady…" It was no use arguing. She had agreed to have her baby with them; that was enough.
So began the days of nameless evil.