Heeeeelllllooooo! It's almost over! This is THE last chapter! (How many
times have I said that now???) It's like me, the Energizer Bunny. It just
keeps going and going and going and going.....
Anyhow, what Pltuo says at the very end of the chapter is from something
called the 'Desirdeta' or something like that. I don't know what it is, but
if you do, please email me (akamoonsugar@yahoo.com) and tell me what it is.
I hope you all enjoyed hanging on with me. This story was originally about
half as long, and was supposed to end at chapter 13!!!
BTW: Just because this is the last chapter doesn't mean you shouldn't
review!! Also, for anyone waiting on any of my other stories, they'll be
coming along soon! I got so caught up in this one that I forgot about
'Eros' and 'Circus'. GOMEN!
"Pluto-sama, what are you doing here?" Matoko asked.
"I came for two reasons. First, I wanted to apologize for allowing Usagi to do what she did. I saw it coming." the tall woman said.
"Then why didn't you prevent it?!" Wufei asked snidely.
"You didn't let me finish. I said that there were two reasons I came." Pluto said, glaring at the blunt Chinese boy.
"You see, when Usagi died, she was pregnant." she began. Gasps and various replies came from around the room.
"Go Hiiro!" Duo exclaimed. Hiiro's color rose a bit.
"So what about it?" Ami asked.
"Well, you see, at the time that the child was concieved, there were two seperate timelines that could have occured. One was what really happened. The other was that Usagi would not end the war, and would go on to have the baby. I made an important decision, I think. I have decided to stop being governed by how Time should go and start guiding it by what's right. What happened two weeks ago wasn't fair-"
"No shit Sherlock." Hiiro said.
"Look did you just come here to rant about how it was wrong of you to let Usagi die? Because if so, save your breath. We know already." Trowa said, eyes showing that he was furious. Pluto sighed.
"No, I came here to try and rectify my mistake. Usagi knew she was pregnant, but gave up her life anyway. I went into the timeline in the future where her baby was born, and took the baby. With the permission of the Gods, I took her to them. They took the baby's Star Seed out and replaced it with Usagi's. I then traveled forward enough in the baby's time so that she would look the same as when she left."
They were so confused it wasn't funny.
"To make a long story short, she's alive." Pluto said, trying to clear up some of the confusion. Nine pairs of eyes widened as another portal appeared. Usagi stepped through, looking exactly the same as when she had died. She was dressed simply, wearing a white satin dress that fell off her shoulders to her feet. It clung to her nicely until her hips, and then it loosened a bit. She was an angel in contrast to the black clothes all around her.
Hiiro pushed himself off the wall he had been leaning on and walked up in front of her. His mind told him not to believe it, that it was too good to be true. Hesitantly, he put his hand out and touched her cheek. It was warm and soft, just the way human flesh should be. She smiled at him.
"Hiiro, it's me. I'm here. I'm back." she said. She threw herself at him and they embraced tightly, not wanting to let go of one another.
"Thank you so much, Pluto." Usagi said. Pluto nodded.
"I'll see you in a while, Hime." the Guardian of Time said before disappearing. Soon Usagi was in the center of nine very happy people who all wanted to be near her.
After awhile, the excitement died down a little. They moved into the living room, where Usagi sat on Hiiro's lap on the couch. The others did the same.
"I thought you promised you wouldn't leave me." Hiiro said, hurt.
"Didn't you read my letter?" Usagi asked.
"What letter?" he replied. Her eyebrows furrowed.
"Rei!" she suddenly exclaimed. The raven haired girl's head snapped towards her.
"Hai?" Rei asked meekly.
"You promised you would take the letter out from under my mattress if anything happened to me in the battle." Usagi said accusingly.
"Omigosh Usagi you're right I did promise but with everything that happened I completely forgot and I thought it was a joke to begin with anyways because I didn't think anything could ever happen to you especially not when you were fighting cause no matter what I say sometimes I have always thought that you were strong but I really honestly just forgot and can you ever forgive me?" Rei asked, all in one breath. Usagi smiled.
"How could I not?!" she asked, smiling even wider. "I'm just happy to be back!"
"What did the letter say?" Hiiro asked. Usagi thought for a second, and then the letter appeared in her hand.
"Here you go, see for yourself." she said, putting it into his hand. He opened the envelope which had his name on the front, and unfolded the paper.
Hiiro- I'm sorry for doing it, but it was just something that had to be done. I never did get to tell you- I'm pregnant. Or was, which ever you choose to look at it. Hiiro, have faith in this- everything happens for a reason. Some things are meant to be. Please don't hate me for doing it. Besides, death can't tear us apart. I'll be back, I know it. I have faith in Pluto and her plans for this time. Aishiteru, Hiiro, and don't ever forget it. Aishiteru.
Now that the world isn't ending, it's love that I'm sending to you..... *Usagi*
Hiiro hugged Usagi close to him, stashing the note in the inner pocket of his suit.
"Aishiteru, Usa." he whispered.
"Aishiteru, Hiiro." she replied softly before leaning on his chest and falling asleep. Rei opened her mouth to say something, but once again Wufei silenced her with his hand. The two watched as Hiiro fell asleep as well, with his cheek resting on the top of her head.
"Let them have a little peace. The rest of the worlds' got it, why shouldn't they?" he asked. The others continued to talk amongst themselves quietly, but one by one they dozed off. A figure stepped out of a portal in the midst of the room.
"It's too bad their destiny hasn't been fufilled yet." she whispered, sighing, and disappeared to whatever corner of the galaxy she spent her days in.
It was morning in Quatre's mansion. The sun was nearly at it's peak in the sky. Most days Duo would be the only one still asleep, and the house would be filled with talking, music, and laughter. But this morning was different. The dew on the grass outside disappeared as the afternoon rolled around, and still no one entered or exited the already empty house.
"Where am I?" Usagi wondered, opening her eyes. She was laying on a white marble floor that seemed to have clouds hovering over it just a few centimeters off the ground. She looked around and saw a large, white, circular room, devoid of any furniture except ten cushions that lay off to one side. Upon further inspection, there were two that had each planet symbol on them.
"Wha?" Duo woke up. Not seeing Usagi, he began to shake everyone awake.
"Come on you guys wake up we're in some wierd place and Usagi's not here and-"
"What?" Hiiro demanded. He had snapped awake with the mention of Usagi.
"Hush Maxwell no baka. I'm right here." Usagi said, grinning. The others slowly stood with her.
"Hey this isn't what I fell asleep in!" Minako exclaimed. It was true. Each of the Senshi were wearing their princess dresses from the Silver Millenium, and the Arashi were wearing their armor and uniform.
"Duh?" Rei said stupidly. "So are we dreaming or what, cause I know Wufei's not this quiet in real life." she teased.
"Onna! Do not insult me! I'm merely studying my surroundings." the Chinese one snapped.
"You are not asleep." a new voice said.
"Queen Selenity!" Usagi said happily. They curtsied/bowed, and approached the woman.
"Where are we?" Usagi asked.
"You are in the Imperial Palace on the Moon." she replied. Wufei opened his mouth to object, this time he was silenced by Rei. "Before you say anything, there is a mirage around the whole place to make it appear as if the Moon is just a barren land. The Palace remains, though, as well as the gardens and several villages.
"I've brought you here because it is time for you to finally fufill your destiny and complete the 'Loop in Time', as Sailor Pluto calls it. You five Senshi are the daughters of the Gods and Goddesses of each of your respective planets. But your parents are not the ones meant to watch over all Eternity. You are. You shall become the new Goddesses and live here on the Moon, hidden from the rest of the world."
"Great." (Sarcasm)
"Say goodbye to boys." (Cynisicm)
"Really." (Obviously they weren't thrilled). Selenity shook her head.
"No, no, that won't be nessacery. Because of your little run-in with Venus" (here she sounded a bit perturbed) "you ten have been Bonded. Therefore, in order for you to become Goddesses, the others must become Gods. You are soulmates, after all. But, even as Gods, you can roam on Earth. Not for too long, only a few days at a time at maximum, but you can go back now and then. Anything you wish to have can be brought here, except other people. Can you accept this responsibility?" she asked. They looked at each other, and then to Usagi and Hiiro.
"We must be willing to abandon the life we have planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." Usagi said softly. She and Hiiro gazed at each other another moment before nodding.
"Hai!" they all replied. Queen Selenity's birthmark began to glow brighter, making the Senshi's appear as well. The birthmarks duplicated themselves, and passed on to each of the pilots. Quatre had Mercury's birthmark, Wufei had Mars's, Duo had Jupiter's, Trowa had Venus's, and Hiiro had the birthmark of the Moon.
When the light show ended, Usagi had only a few questions for her mother.
"So will we age?" she asked.
"Iie." her mother replied.
"Will we still be able to see our parents?" Minako asked.
"Hai." the Queen said. "Oh and by the way Motoki's here. He was the firstborn son of a noble family. He got to come back on special grounds, and is living with others like him in a little village not too far from here. The Palace is yours to do whatever you want with. We won't live here anymore, we live with the stars, but we can come back."
"Will we ever have children?" Usagi asked. Selenity winked at her.
"It is possible. And if you do," she added, smiling, "I hope that they're as much of a handful to raise as you were, Usagi." At these words, she disappeared from sight.
"Can you believe this?" Quatre asked. The others shook their heads.
"I still can't believe this." Quatre said, three years later. They hadn't aged a day, as promised, but they sure had gotten wiser.
Not too long after they had become Gods (and Goddesses), they had brought up their clothes and personal items from the mansion. The ex-pilots had even had their Gundams brought up, now that there was no need for them. The peace on Earth was holding up quite well, but the ex-pilots still enjoyed tinkering with the machines as much as normal men love tinkering with their cars.
Usagi had been renamed Selene, for reasons unknown to them except that it was 'tradition'. They continued to call her Usagi in all but the most serious discussions.
About a year into the 'job', as Duo called it, Pluto had shown up, carrying a baby in her arms. Usagi had been surprised that she was the one to give herself back life, but had sucked up the astonishment and done it.
A year later, each of the Senshi was pregnant. Actually, they were extremely pregnant. They were like normal mothers-to-be, walking around and moaning about their backs and doing 180-degree mood swings on the guys every ten seconds. One day Matoko had scared Duo so much that he ran off and hid in a closet. It took them three days to find him and coax him out.
Then came the delivery days. Matoko's babies had come first. Through some kinky twist of fate, each couple had twins- one boy and one girl. Duo came out of the delivery room with ten broken fingers and a broken wrist, not to mention shattered eardrums from the screaming.
When Minako had had her babies, poor Trowa had come out with a broken arm, nail scratches, and a bruised stomach. He refused to tell them how his stomach had been turned black.
Rei had been even harsher on Wufei- she had kicked him about an hour into labor and broken his leg in two places. She also managed to break seven of his fingers and both his wrists.
Ami was the only one that was civil. She was polite enough to warn Quatre when she was about to hit him, and even when he ducked, she hit him anyway. He came out with a dislocated shoulder, a broken rib, and eight broken fingers.
Finally came Usagi's turn. Hiiro, armed with a large bottle of asprin and ear plugs, accompanied her. Eight hours later he was brought out on a stretcher. He had three broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, a dislocated elbow on the opposite arm, a huge bump on his head from Usagi whacking him with a bedpan, ten broken fingers, and a leg that was broken in three places, not to mention a major migrane from her screaming. He soon came hobbling out to greet his friends, who laughed their heads off at him. It was a strange sight to see, indeed- five supposedly 'tough' God-men, all on crutches or in wheelchairs, joking around with each other about the joys of the delivery room.
But you had to admit, they made great fathers, even Hiiro and Wufei.
One night, after safely tucking their children into their cribs, the ten of them did what they usually did at night- they sat around together, talking and laughing with one another. This night was different, though. The topic of discussion had turned to their past, as it rarely did.
"Are you glad.... That everything turned out the way it did?" Ami asked Usagi. Everyone stopped their chatter to listen. The blonde thought for a moment.
"I think so." she said. "I'm happy to be here with you all... I've got Hiiro, I've got you guys, and I've got two beautiful children. I can talk to my mother anytime, and have the freedom to wander anywhere in space and time I want... What more could I ask for?"
"I agree with you, Usa." Minako said.
"I feel a butt coming on." Matoko replied in a joking tone. Duo promptly stuck his butt in her face. After a few moments of screaming at the braided one, everything calmed down again.
"But," the Goddess of Venus began again. "I sometimes wonder how it's going to end."
"What do you mean?" Rei asked. "It's not going to end. The peace on Earth has lasted four years now, it's a record. We're going to be around to help keep it, too. Usagi no longer pops in and out of our lives like a yo- yo, and we're immortal."
"Exactly my point. We'll never die... We're going to stay looking like this forever." Minako replied.
"Hey I'd much rather look like this than be some seventy year old fatso with white skin and wrinkley balls... Eww!" Duo exclaimed.
"You prove it, Duo no baka. You're only young once, but you can be immature forever." Wufei said, sighing.
"I think what she meant was that we're going to be around each other for a very, very, very long time." Usagi said. Minako nodded.
"Then it's a good thing that we're the best of friends!" Ami said happily. They all nodded.
"We are, aren't we?" Quatre asked.
"Even Trowa laughs, and Wufei doesn't threaten to kill Duo whenever he gets called 'Wu-man'." Hiiro said.
"Sometimes, though, I think keeping the peace in this house between 10 people is harder then keeping it on Earth between 10 billion people." Usagi replied. They all laughed, the tension broke, and the conversation turned to lighter subjects.
"You're glad to be here, aren't you, Hiiro?" Usagi asked, turning to look at him. It was late at night now, and she was back in their room, standing on their balcony.
"I'm glad that I can be here with you for forever, Usa." Hiiro replied.
"That's not what I mean." she said, turning away. "When I first met you, you couldn't wait for the war to be over so you could die. Now, you, the Perfect Soldier who didn't know what to do in peaceful times, are stuck here, keeping the peace for all eternity. That's got to be a depressing thought."
He sighed, and strode over to her, crossing the small gap quickly. He grasped her arms gently and turned her to look at him. Azure clashed with Prussian for the billionth time since they had met.
"I know better than that now. Don't ever think that I am less than estatic to be here with you. I love you, Usagi... Selene." he said softly, assuring her. She smiled, and he bent down to kiss her.
"I love you, Usa." he repeated, just before their lips met. She replied in the bonding of their mouths, accepting his love and passion and adding her own to it until it was like a small fire- left alone, it soon becomes a huge blaze.
As Usagi had predicted, they were together a very, very, very long time. The peace endured, as did their love for one another. It wasn't until mankind spread it's population to the farest reaches of space many, many years later that they could let go of their grown children and allow them to watch over the other universes. It wasn't until they had watched billions be born and then die that they fully appreciated what life was. It wasn't until they had talked for hours on end with their parents that they truely understand what wisdom was. It wasn't until the Eternal Flame of Peace burnt out that they ever once regretted becoming immortal.
And as we all should know by now, the Flame can never be put out.
They never regretted it.
"I think it worked quite well." Pluto said, closing the window to her favorite Timeline. "Humanity never ceases to amaze me. Usagi, you are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding exactly as it should."
"Pluto-sama, what are you doing here?" Matoko asked.
"I came for two reasons. First, I wanted to apologize for allowing Usagi to do what she did. I saw it coming." the tall woman said.
"Then why didn't you prevent it?!" Wufei asked snidely.
"You didn't let me finish. I said that there were two reasons I came." Pluto said, glaring at the blunt Chinese boy.
"You see, when Usagi died, she was pregnant." she began. Gasps and various replies came from around the room.
"Go Hiiro!" Duo exclaimed. Hiiro's color rose a bit.
"So what about it?" Ami asked.
"Well, you see, at the time that the child was concieved, there were two seperate timelines that could have occured. One was what really happened. The other was that Usagi would not end the war, and would go on to have the baby. I made an important decision, I think. I have decided to stop being governed by how Time should go and start guiding it by what's right. What happened two weeks ago wasn't fair-"
"No shit Sherlock." Hiiro said.
"Look did you just come here to rant about how it was wrong of you to let Usagi die? Because if so, save your breath. We know already." Trowa said, eyes showing that he was furious. Pluto sighed.
"No, I came here to try and rectify my mistake. Usagi knew she was pregnant, but gave up her life anyway. I went into the timeline in the future where her baby was born, and took the baby. With the permission of the Gods, I took her to them. They took the baby's Star Seed out and replaced it with Usagi's. I then traveled forward enough in the baby's time so that she would look the same as when she left."
They were so confused it wasn't funny.
"To make a long story short, she's alive." Pluto said, trying to clear up some of the confusion. Nine pairs of eyes widened as another portal appeared. Usagi stepped through, looking exactly the same as when she had died. She was dressed simply, wearing a white satin dress that fell off her shoulders to her feet. It clung to her nicely until her hips, and then it loosened a bit. She was an angel in contrast to the black clothes all around her.
Hiiro pushed himself off the wall he had been leaning on and walked up in front of her. His mind told him not to believe it, that it was too good to be true. Hesitantly, he put his hand out and touched her cheek. It was warm and soft, just the way human flesh should be. She smiled at him.
"Hiiro, it's me. I'm here. I'm back." she said. She threw herself at him and they embraced tightly, not wanting to let go of one another.
"Thank you so much, Pluto." Usagi said. Pluto nodded.
"I'll see you in a while, Hime." the Guardian of Time said before disappearing. Soon Usagi was in the center of nine very happy people who all wanted to be near her.
After awhile, the excitement died down a little. They moved into the living room, where Usagi sat on Hiiro's lap on the couch. The others did the same.
"I thought you promised you wouldn't leave me." Hiiro said, hurt.
"Didn't you read my letter?" Usagi asked.
"What letter?" he replied. Her eyebrows furrowed.
"Rei!" she suddenly exclaimed. The raven haired girl's head snapped towards her.
"Hai?" Rei asked meekly.
"You promised you would take the letter out from under my mattress if anything happened to me in the battle." Usagi said accusingly.
"Omigosh Usagi you're right I did promise but with everything that happened I completely forgot and I thought it was a joke to begin with anyways because I didn't think anything could ever happen to you especially not when you were fighting cause no matter what I say sometimes I have always thought that you were strong but I really honestly just forgot and can you ever forgive me?" Rei asked, all in one breath. Usagi smiled.
"How could I not?!" she asked, smiling even wider. "I'm just happy to be back!"
"What did the letter say?" Hiiro asked. Usagi thought for a second, and then the letter appeared in her hand.
"Here you go, see for yourself." she said, putting it into his hand. He opened the envelope which had his name on the front, and unfolded the paper.
Hiiro- I'm sorry for doing it, but it was just something that had to be done. I never did get to tell you- I'm pregnant. Or was, which ever you choose to look at it. Hiiro, have faith in this- everything happens for a reason. Some things are meant to be. Please don't hate me for doing it. Besides, death can't tear us apart. I'll be back, I know it. I have faith in Pluto and her plans for this time. Aishiteru, Hiiro, and don't ever forget it. Aishiteru.
Now that the world isn't ending, it's love that I'm sending to you..... *Usagi*
Hiiro hugged Usagi close to him, stashing the note in the inner pocket of his suit.
"Aishiteru, Usa." he whispered.
"Aishiteru, Hiiro." she replied softly before leaning on his chest and falling asleep. Rei opened her mouth to say something, but once again Wufei silenced her with his hand. The two watched as Hiiro fell asleep as well, with his cheek resting on the top of her head.
"Let them have a little peace. The rest of the worlds' got it, why shouldn't they?" he asked. The others continued to talk amongst themselves quietly, but one by one they dozed off. A figure stepped out of a portal in the midst of the room.
"It's too bad their destiny hasn't been fufilled yet." she whispered, sighing, and disappeared to whatever corner of the galaxy she spent her days in.
It was morning in Quatre's mansion. The sun was nearly at it's peak in the sky. Most days Duo would be the only one still asleep, and the house would be filled with talking, music, and laughter. But this morning was different. The dew on the grass outside disappeared as the afternoon rolled around, and still no one entered or exited the already empty house.
"Where am I?" Usagi wondered, opening her eyes. She was laying on a white marble floor that seemed to have clouds hovering over it just a few centimeters off the ground. She looked around and saw a large, white, circular room, devoid of any furniture except ten cushions that lay off to one side. Upon further inspection, there were two that had each planet symbol on them.
"Wha?" Duo woke up. Not seeing Usagi, he began to shake everyone awake.
"Come on you guys wake up we're in some wierd place and Usagi's not here and-"
"What?" Hiiro demanded. He had snapped awake with the mention of Usagi.
"Hush Maxwell no baka. I'm right here." Usagi said, grinning. The others slowly stood with her.
"Hey this isn't what I fell asleep in!" Minako exclaimed. It was true. Each of the Senshi were wearing their princess dresses from the Silver Millenium, and the Arashi were wearing their armor and uniform.
"Duh?" Rei said stupidly. "So are we dreaming or what, cause I know Wufei's not this quiet in real life." she teased.
"Onna! Do not insult me! I'm merely studying my surroundings." the Chinese one snapped.
"You are not asleep." a new voice said.
"Queen Selenity!" Usagi said happily. They curtsied/bowed, and approached the woman.
"Where are we?" Usagi asked.
"You are in the Imperial Palace on the Moon." she replied. Wufei opened his mouth to object, this time he was silenced by Rei. "Before you say anything, there is a mirage around the whole place to make it appear as if the Moon is just a barren land. The Palace remains, though, as well as the gardens and several villages.
"I've brought you here because it is time for you to finally fufill your destiny and complete the 'Loop in Time', as Sailor Pluto calls it. You five Senshi are the daughters of the Gods and Goddesses of each of your respective planets. But your parents are not the ones meant to watch over all Eternity. You are. You shall become the new Goddesses and live here on the Moon, hidden from the rest of the world."
"Great." (Sarcasm)
"Say goodbye to boys." (Cynisicm)
"Really." (Obviously they weren't thrilled). Selenity shook her head.
"No, no, that won't be nessacery. Because of your little run-in with Venus" (here she sounded a bit perturbed) "you ten have been Bonded. Therefore, in order for you to become Goddesses, the others must become Gods. You are soulmates, after all. But, even as Gods, you can roam on Earth. Not for too long, only a few days at a time at maximum, but you can go back now and then. Anything you wish to have can be brought here, except other people. Can you accept this responsibility?" she asked. They looked at each other, and then to Usagi and Hiiro.
"We must be willing to abandon the life we have planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us." Usagi said softly. She and Hiiro gazed at each other another moment before nodding.
"Hai!" they all replied. Queen Selenity's birthmark began to glow brighter, making the Senshi's appear as well. The birthmarks duplicated themselves, and passed on to each of the pilots. Quatre had Mercury's birthmark, Wufei had Mars's, Duo had Jupiter's, Trowa had Venus's, and Hiiro had the birthmark of the Moon.
When the light show ended, Usagi had only a few questions for her mother.
"So will we age?" she asked.
"Iie." her mother replied.
"Will we still be able to see our parents?" Minako asked.
"Hai." the Queen said. "Oh and by the way Motoki's here. He was the firstborn son of a noble family. He got to come back on special grounds, and is living with others like him in a little village not too far from here. The Palace is yours to do whatever you want with. We won't live here anymore, we live with the stars, but we can come back."
"Will we ever have children?" Usagi asked. Selenity winked at her.
"It is possible. And if you do," she added, smiling, "I hope that they're as much of a handful to raise as you were, Usagi." At these words, she disappeared from sight.
"Can you believe this?" Quatre asked. The others shook their heads.
"I still can't believe this." Quatre said, three years later. They hadn't aged a day, as promised, but they sure had gotten wiser.
Not too long after they had become Gods (and Goddesses), they had brought up their clothes and personal items from the mansion. The ex-pilots had even had their Gundams brought up, now that there was no need for them. The peace on Earth was holding up quite well, but the ex-pilots still enjoyed tinkering with the machines as much as normal men love tinkering with their cars.
Usagi had been renamed Selene, for reasons unknown to them except that it was 'tradition'. They continued to call her Usagi in all but the most serious discussions.
About a year into the 'job', as Duo called it, Pluto had shown up, carrying a baby in her arms. Usagi had been surprised that she was the one to give herself back life, but had sucked up the astonishment and done it.
A year later, each of the Senshi was pregnant. Actually, they were extremely pregnant. They were like normal mothers-to-be, walking around and moaning about their backs and doing 180-degree mood swings on the guys every ten seconds. One day Matoko had scared Duo so much that he ran off and hid in a closet. It took them three days to find him and coax him out.
Then came the delivery days. Matoko's babies had come first. Through some kinky twist of fate, each couple had twins- one boy and one girl. Duo came out of the delivery room with ten broken fingers and a broken wrist, not to mention shattered eardrums from the screaming.
When Minako had had her babies, poor Trowa had come out with a broken arm, nail scratches, and a bruised stomach. He refused to tell them how his stomach had been turned black.
Rei had been even harsher on Wufei- she had kicked him about an hour into labor and broken his leg in two places. She also managed to break seven of his fingers and both his wrists.
Ami was the only one that was civil. She was polite enough to warn Quatre when she was about to hit him, and even when he ducked, she hit him anyway. He came out with a dislocated shoulder, a broken rib, and eight broken fingers.
Finally came Usagi's turn. Hiiro, armed with a large bottle of asprin and ear plugs, accompanied her. Eight hours later he was brought out on a stretcher. He had three broken ribs, a dislocated shoulder, a dislocated elbow on the opposite arm, a huge bump on his head from Usagi whacking him with a bedpan, ten broken fingers, and a leg that was broken in three places, not to mention a major migrane from her screaming. He soon came hobbling out to greet his friends, who laughed their heads off at him. It was a strange sight to see, indeed- five supposedly 'tough' God-men, all on crutches or in wheelchairs, joking around with each other about the joys of the delivery room.
But you had to admit, they made great fathers, even Hiiro and Wufei.
One night, after safely tucking their children into their cribs, the ten of them did what they usually did at night- they sat around together, talking and laughing with one another. This night was different, though. The topic of discussion had turned to their past, as it rarely did.
"Are you glad.... That everything turned out the way it did?" Ami asked Usagi. Everyone stopped their chatter to listen. The blonde thought for a moment.
"I think so." she said. "I'm happy to be here with you all... I've got Hiiro, I've got you guys, and I've got two beautiful children. I can talk to my mother anytime, and have the freedom to wander anywhere in space and time I want... What more could I ask for?"
"I agree with you, Usa." Minako said.
"I feel a butt coming on." Matoko replied in a joking tone. Duo promptly stuck his butt in her face. After a few moments of screaming at the braided one, everything calmed down again.
"But," the Goddess of Venus began again. "I sometimes wonder how it's going to end."
"What do you mean?" Rei asked. "It's not going to end. The peace on Earth has lasted four years now, it's a record. We're going to be around to help keep it, too. Usagi no longer pops in and out of our lives like a yo- yo, and we're immortal."
"Exactly my point. We'll never die... We're going to stay looking like this forever." Minako replied.
"Hey I'd much rather look like this than be some seventy year old fatso with white skin and wrinkley balls... Eww!" Duo exclaimed.
"You prove it, Duo no baka. You're only young once, but you can be immature forever." Wufei said, sighing.
"I think what she meant was that we're going to be around each other for a very, very, very long time." Usagi said. Minako nodded.
"Then it's a good thing that we're the best of friends!" Ami said happily. They all nodded.
"We are, aren't we?" Quatre asked.
"Even Trowa laughs, and Wufei doesn't threaten to kill Duo whenever he gets called 'Wu-man'." Hiiro said.
"Sometimes, though, I think keeping the peace in this house between 10 people is harder then keeping it on Earth between 10 billion people." Usagi replied. They all laughed, the tension broke, and the conversation turned to lighter subjects.
"You're glad to be here, aren't you, Hiiro?" Usagi asked, turning to look at him. It was late at night now, and she was back in their room, standing on their balcony.
"I'm glad that I can be here with you for forever, Usa." Hiiro replied.
"That's not what I mean." she said, turning away. "When I first met you, you couldn't wait for the war to be over so you could die. Now, you, the Perfect Soldier who didn't know what to do in peaceful times, are stuck here, keeping the peace for all eternity. That's got to be a depressing thought."
He sighed, and strode over to her, crossing the small gap quickly. He grasped her arms gently and turned her to look at him. Azure clashed with Prussian for the billionth time since they had met.
"I know better than that now. Don't ever think that I am less than estatic to be here with you. I love you, Usagi... Selene." he said softly, assuring her. She smiled, and he bent down to kiss her.
"I love you, Usa." he repeated, just before their lips met. She replied in the bonding of their mouths, accepting his love and passion and adding her own to it until it was like a small fire- left alone, it soon becomes a huge blaze.
As Usagi had predicted, they were together a very, very, very long time. The peace endured, as did their love for one another. It wasn't until mankind spread it's population to the farest reaches of space many, many years later that they could let go of their grown children and allow them to watch over the other universes. It wasn't until they had watched billions be born and then die that they fully appreciated what life was. It wasn't until they had talked for hours on end with their parents that they truely understand what wisdom was. It wasn't until the Eternal Flame of Peace burnt out that they ever once regretted becoming immortal.
And as we all should know by now, the Flame can never be put out.
They never regretted it.
"I think it worked quite well." Pluto said, closing the window to her favorite Timeline. "Humanity never ceases to amaze me. Usagi, you are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding exactly as it should."