Chapter Eight: Sabotage
(Note from the Author: This chapter is a bit different in a few ways.
First, Tenma makes a serious appearance in this chapter, wreaking havoc and
mayhem wherever she goes. Also, this chapter is narrated by Fukumi whenever
possible. I got a little bit tired of the "bystander" point of view)
Tenma was sitting in her throne room, thinking. It was not natural for her to think hard and long, but she needed to think about the new problem. That is, the threat that the Sailor Senshi posed to her plans. She knew that this threat was not one that would go away with some time. No, she was going to have to take this into her own hands, seeing as Kuki was too incompetent to handle what should be a small operation. Tenma smiled with pleasure as she imagined presenting the remaining pieces of those sailor brats. She shook her head. Now was the time to plot for her upheaval.
As I walked down Main St. with Seirei, I couldn't help but think that I had fallen into a dream and couldn't wake up. I mean, just how many guys like Seirei are actually out there, and still single (not to mention in someone's league like me)? I sighed and snuggled a little closer to him. He smelled good. "Hey, Fukumi?" he asked, snapping me out of my "little" daydream. "Wha?" "I was thinking, do you want to invite a few of your friends to a cruise?" "Since when did you get a couple o' cruise tickets, hotshot?" I said teasingly at him, poking his side. "Well, my parents decided that as an early birthday present, I could take a bunch of my friends on a cruise. And, well, I thought that-" "That I might not want to go?" I asked gently. He nodded mutely. I think, to be honest, that he's just as semi-confused and happy as I am. He doesn't show it much, but so do I. He knew that I hated frilly stuff, and knowing his parents (we'd met a handful of times), it was going to have a few other dignitaries, and would be rude to not dress up. "Seirei, I'd walk over burning coals if it meant going on a thing like this. Even with the frills." I said, adding the last part. "Thank you, Neb. I know that you and my parents have had a few misunderstandings, but thank you." "Thank you for what?" Usagi asked, popping out of nowhere and pretending to be a reporter. "Was it a thank-you compliment thank you? Or was it," she said, pausing dramatically. "a KISS thank you?!" "Usagi, you baka," Rei-chan panted as she caught up to her. "You don't know when to keep you big mouth shut! I'm really sorry, Fukumi," she said directing her comments at me. "I tried to keep her from spotting you guys, but she got past me." "It's okay," I laughed, holding my sides with mirth. "just seeing the look on Sei-chan's face made it worth it." Seirei made the offer to both of them (however, he was a little bit more stiff than usual). Both of them readily accepted the invitation, and were planning their dresses when we left them. "Seirei, I hope that you're not mad at me for laughing at you. You really did look a little bit funny." "It's okay," he said, a bit bashfully. "I should be used to it from being around you guys." I laughed and ruffled his hair, racing down the street to escape his retaliation.
I had finally caved into Minako's persistence and allowed her to dress me up for the cruise. Seeing as I lack taste in my clothes (Minako's words, not mine), she thought that I might turn up at the cruise wearing a pair of muddy boots and biker chick clothes! As if. "Let me see," she said, eyeing my figure. "I think that the best thing for you would be a nice bluish color." "What?" I said, but she had already disappeared into her wardrobe, shifting her many dresses. She reappeared holding a gown of aquamarine colored silk. "Here," she said, shoving the dress at me. I cringed. Dresses were just too frilly for me. "Just put this on and see," she pleaded, patronizing. "Fine!" I said, throwing up my hands. I ducked behind a screen and shed my usual clothing and pulled on the gown. It was so soft and light, I almost didn't notice it. Almost. I missed my pants with their pockets for hiding things. When I came out a few minutes later, blushing furiously, Minako gasped. "What?! Do I look like a man in woman's dress?" I hated dresses, and I probably DID look like a fish out of water. "No, not at all," she said stunned. Without another word, she grabbed my shoulders and pushed me around to the mirror that was hanging nearby. My mouth dropped when I saw my reflection. I looked like a princess. Not that I wasn't one already, but this went beyond that. The dress resembled Princess Serenity's own royal gown, but there were changes. Where the Princess' dress had interlocking circles, this dress had patches of cloth that resembles heart crystals. Also, the bow on my back was more of a small knot, with the tassels hanging down from it in shifting colors, from pink to green to almost white and black. Minako crept to my back and undid the elastic that held my braid. My red hair billowed around my face, curly from so many braiding. It framed my face like a model's would before a photo-shoot. "Wow," I breathed. I had never looked this good, no matter what Seirei said. I grinned when I thought of his eventual reaction. "Do you want to have any earrings, Fukumi-chan?" Minako asked quietly. Not that she needs them, with the way that she looks now. She was a little bit jealous because of the way her friend looked with so little effort. "No, I think that I'll just wear a pair of hoops." But the earrings that I had didn't look right, so I had to eventually borrow a pair of Minako's.
Later on that night in my little room at Rei's temple, I was nervous. Did I have my hair right? Should I put my hair back up? I had become increasingly annoyed with my loose hair as the day had worn on. It got into everything, and I could barely see out of it when it got in my eyes. I whipped my head around as I heard a car pull up to the entrance. Rei poked her head in. "Fukumi-chan, come on! Seirei's here." "Okay." Alright Fukumi, take a deep breath. Straighten your shoulders. If he doesn't like the hair, then you can quickly put it back into a braid. I gulped and walked out towards the main hall, where Seirei and Rei were waiting. I blushed when I saw him. He was wearing a white tuxedo, which was immaculate. He was all nice and clean, and I could smell his favorite brand of cologne as I got closer. But there was something different about him. When he gave me a hug and a kiss, I finally noticed what was throwing me off so much. "Sei-chan, you cut your hair!" I exclaimed, running my hands through his newly shortened hair. He had gotten it cut before, but never as short as this! It was now about as short as Mamoru's, maybe shorter. "Yeah, but it started to get to be too much of a hassle," he said, walking us out to the car like a gentleman. "It was almost as long as Ami- san's." "I think you look good like that, Seirei." Rei said as if that settled the matter. She started talking about random topics, and before we knew it, we were at the dock. I stepped out of the car and almost fell over my own big feet. Minako (bless her heart) had managed to find a pair of oversized heels for me, but I still hadn't mastered the art of walking in them. Seirei caught me right before I fell into a big mud puddle. "Now I think that it is you who looks funny, Fuku-chan," he whispered into my ear. "I saw your face right before you fell." I blushed again. I had had a split second to think "oh no" before I lost my balance. We walked over to where everyone else was standing. Ami had Luna draped over one shoulder, and was hearing a dark blue dress with some frills. She looked like I felt, but at least she could walk in high heeled shoes. Minako was talking to Chibi-Usa about something secret, because I couldn't hear them. Usagi and Chibi-Usa were wearing almost identical dresses that bore a resemblance to their Silver Millennium dresses. Minako was wearing a red party dress, and Mamoru was wearing, as always, a black tuxedo. We all filed slowly into the boat to meet Seirei's parents. As I walked with Seirei, I heard the one voice that I did NOT want to hear. "Nice place. They could use a little bit less draperies, though." "Jadoku," I hissed angrily at him, ducking into a corner so that Seirei wouldn't see me. "What in hoolies are you doing in my backpack?" "I just thought that you would need a chaperone." he said with all the coolness of a cucumber. "I don't want any funny business," he said, giving me the fish eye. "Fuku-chan? Who are you talking to?" Seirei said, finally having realized that I wasn't just being extra quiet. "Are you hiding someone from me?" he asked slyly. "No, I just decided to have a talk with the wall," I said, smiling weakly. I felt Jadoku slide up into my backpack, staying out of sight. We resumed our walk to the ballroom (yes, there was a ballroom, big enough for the inaugural ball), and made it there in time. I had to take a step back and look at everything. It was almost as if someone had painted the place with gold paint. There were gold tables, silver plates, and ebony seats. "I didn't know that your parents were this rich," I hissed at him as we made our way over towards his parents. "I thought I told you. Anyways, my sister is the reason for all of this stuff." Before I could ask him what he meant, he had walked with me up to the dais saying, "Mother! Father! It is so nice to see you again." He took his mother's hand and kissed it, drawing strange looks from Usagi until Rei hissed an explanation. "It is good to see you too, son." Seirei's father said, stepping down from the small platform. He looked like an exact duplicate of Seirei. The only difference was that he had stark white hair. He had a slightly heavier build, and was very wrinkled. Before I could say anything, I found my hand being vigorously shaked by gnarled weather beaten hands. "And you are the young 'fire hair' who has so captured my son's heart." I was astonished. I had only gotten a glimpse of them before, and they had been cold hard and aloof. This was a totally different pair of people. "I also wish to see the young woman as well, Shiroi." Seirei's mother was also looking at me. She had beady eyes, but they were a dark red, darker than mine. She too had white hair, but not the dark skin that both her husband and her son had. She peered at me, and must have decided that I was suitable, because she turned away and started greeting the other people who were there. "Fuku-chan! I have someone that you'll love to meet!" Seirei called, drawing my attention from his parents. He was standing next to a girl who looked like she could be his twin. She had blonde hair with purple highlights (which was odd in itself). She had eyes that could have been Seirei's in a masculine face. She was lithe, muscular, and very skinny. I'll bet an arm and a leg that Mako-chan would love to face off with this girl. I thought grimly, preparing myself for another round of introductions. But this was different. She just walked towards me and held out her hand, saying, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Jinkyou Fukumi." "And you, Awai..." "Kagirinai. Awai Kagirinai," she finished for me, a devilish glint in her eye. "Think you can say that?" "Probably not, but I think that I'll just stick with Kagiri for now." I said, trying to imitate her parents attitude. Thankfully, Seirei appeared at my side, giving me comfort. I hated to admit it, but I was claustrophobic, and this room was not helping one bit. Seirei saw my discomfort, and asked his sister (because that was why they bore such a resemblance) to please excuse us, he had just promised to take me around the boat. We walked out onto the main deck, where some couples (Usagi and Mamoru included) were dancing to a small orchestra. Seirei and I just stood near the side of the boat, watching the city skyline pull away. We just stood there for a few minutes, standing close to each other. "Hey, Fuku-chan, do you want to dance?" he asked after about ten minutes of silence. It kind of startled me, having him talk like that. His voice had gotten all husky and deep, not at all like the man that I knew. "Sure," I said, trying to mask my uncertainty. I was never a good dancer, my big feet had never quite mastered the lessons that I had tried for Mako- chan's sake. Not to mention I wasn't sure how long I could go for without tripping over my feet in the high heels that I was currently wearing. But before I could try and fib out, he had pulled me over to the dancing floor, and held my hands in preparation for the waltz that was coming up. I felt all wobbly and scared. What if I messed up? What if I made a huge idiot of myself, and Seirei decided to break up with me? But these thoughts were swept away as the musicians sprang up into the music. All at once, we were swept away into another world. Seriously. Another world. I blinked, clearing my eyes. There was Seirei, but where were we? I couldn't move, all that I could do was watch as I danced with him. He looked, different. He had on what looked like a white version of Prince Endymion's uniform. It had grey where there should be black. But what was really interesting was what he was saying. "Princess Nebula, do you think that this is seemly?" he asked in a whisper. "I know that everyone is watching us." Fukumi glanced down at herself, and saw that she was still wearing the dress that she had been wearing to the cruise! She felt herself say, "Don't worry, Seirei. They would have found out soon enough." As Seirei swung me past the orchestra, she saw Princess Serenity goggling at her, along with the rest of the senshi. Queen Serenity was restraining Prince Endymion, but just barely. Within a few moments, the quartet had faded away, and the entire court of the Moon was in an uproar. "Princess Nebula." Queen Serenity's voice penetrated the babbling. "Worker Seirei." Seirei bowed respectfully to his queen. "I would appreciate if there was some sort of explanation for all of this." Her voice was strained. Seirei stepped forward to start, but I gently pushed him back. I smiled at my queen and said. "I am truly sorry for all of the disruption that we have caused tonight, my queen." I curtsied, which I would never do in my life, but who knew what was happening? "Seirei and I met when I was reassigned to the Moon Palace for the Princess's protection." I smiled at my petite friend, and she smiled shakily back. "He was assigned to my rooms, as you may recall." The queen nodded, but made no move to stop me, so I plowed on. "We became, close, closer than twins. It took a while, but he managed to break my outer cover that I have kept on myself, for my past, and what has happened and what will happen. And, we became so very close," my throat closed up, afraid at what the reaction would be to my statement. "that we formed a bond that is unbreakable. There was no ceremony," I said, shaking my head at the horror on Endymion's face. What was I doing? I felt like a bystander, just listening to my own words with some interest, but with the rest of me somewhere else. I had no idea what was going on, but hopefully this would sort itself out. "We.became even closer after the ceremony..and." I said, stumbling over the words that would have to come. "There is life inside of Princess Nebula's body." Stoic, solid Seirei said, hugging me to him, but making sure that the Royal moon couple got the message. "The child in her body is my child." My mind is reeling. A kid?! I'm barely out of high school, let alone old enough to have a kid. But then it hit me. This was the Moon Kingdom. I had been in shock from all of the stuff that was going on, I hadn't recognized the descriptions that everyone had told me about. I had felt so out of place when I got my powers, I had wanted to know everything. But Usagi had never mentioned stuff like this! "Would.Would you please repeat what you just said?" Queen Serenity said, quiveringly. She had stood up, shakingly holding onto her husband. He had remained seated, knowing that this was something for the two to figure out by themselves. "I am carrying a child." I heard my voice saying, almost on the verge of sobs. "Queen Serenity, Prince Endymion, minna," I said, turning to my friends. "I would prefer to talk to you in private." The scene changed. It was in my personal quarters. Don't ask me where that information came from, because I have absolutely no idea. I was sitting on my bed, and Seirei was right next to me holding me as I cried. The rest of the Sailor Senshi filed into the room, seating themselves on the chairs. Sailor Jupiter was the first to speak. "Well," she said, running her hand through her brown hair. "Well, Neb, I'd say that you have the place set on it's ears, and that's a bit more than Serenity has ever managed to do." Serenity stuck her tongue out at her friend, while everyone else tittered nervously. Then all at once, I found myself covered in my friends, getting hugs and slaps on the back. I could barely make out sounds of congratulations, and comments like "so that's why you've refused to transform for the students", or "I thought that your waistline was getting bigger". "So, Neb," Mars said, trying to be offhand about it. "how old is the baby? How much more time do we have before a chibi of you is running around the palace?" "Ummm.." I said, stalling. I had no idea, but I knew that Seirei knew. He had been a bit stunned at the Princess's informality. Of course, he had never known me like this. "It will be due in about another few months, Mars." He said, smiling at my raven friend. "About two more, I think." "Two months!" everyone shrieked, startling Jadoku out of his slumber. Jadoku, true to form, had both not mentioned my love with Seirei and had also slept through the commotion that was first made. He glared at the senshi and said, "Yes, two more months. But I think that the baby is still relatively undamaged, seeing as you all just about half crushed her with you happiness." Everyone cringed, and Usagi started crying. "Fuku-chan," she sobbed, using my informal name, "did we hurt it? Is it going to die because of us?" I laughed at her. I just couldn't help it! "No, baka, I can still feel her." "It's a her?" Seirei asked, surprised. That was one thing that I hadn't told him: that I had mental contact with my daughter. I could feel very vague thoughts, like happy or uncomfy. It helped me keep her from being unhappy. "Yes, and she's a very happy her." I said, laughing at his face. But then, thank goodness, everything suddenly shifted back to the dancing floor. I was standing there, leaning on Seirei shaking. This would have worked, had he not been trembling just as bad as I was. Seirei, did you." "Yeah. What was that?" he said. Oh great, he saw ALL OF IT. The ballroom, my room, EVERYTHING. He knows that we're REAL. I need to find out how to make him forget. "Let's go sit down." I finished quaking with fear. What was I going to tell Usagi?! What was I going to do! No one was supposed to know, I knew that much. Rei had hammered that into my head all the time that I had spent at her shrine. Shimatta, and this was such a nice evening...
Tenma was sitting in her throne room, thinking. It was not natural for her to think hard and long, but she needed to think about the new problem. That is, the threat that the Sailor Senshi posed to her plans. She knew that this threat was not one that would go away with some time. No, she was going to have to take this into her own hands, seeing as Kuki was too incompetent to handle what should be a small operation. Tenma smiled with pleasure as she imagined presenting the remaining pieces of those sailor brats. She shook her head. Now was the time to plot for her upheaval.
As I walked down Main St. with Seirei, I couldn't help but think that I had fallen into a dream and couldn't wake up. I mean, just how many guys like Seirei are actually out there, and still single (not to mention in someone's league like me)? I sighed and snuggled a little closer to him. He smelled good. "Hey, Fukumi?" he asked, snapping me out of my "little" daydream. "Wha?" "I was thinking, do you want to invite a few of your friends to a cruise?" "Since when did you get a couple o' cruise tickets, hotshot?" I said teasingly at him, poking his side. "Well, my parents decided that as an early birthday present, I could take a bunch of my friends on a cruise. And, well, I thought that-" "That I might not want to go?" I asked gently. He nodded mutely. I think, to be honest, that he's just as semi-confused and happy as I am. He doesn't show it much, but so do I. He knew that I hated frilly stuff, and knowing his parents (we'd met a handful of times), it was going to have a few other dignitaries, and would be rude to not dress up. "Seirei, I'd walk over burning coals if it meant going on a thing like this. Even with the frills." I said, adding the last part. "Thank you, Neb. I know that you and my parents have had a few misunderstandings, but thank you." "Thank you for what?" Usagi asked, popping out of nowhere and pretending to be a reporter. "Was it a thank-you compliment thank you? Or was it," she said, pausing dramatically. "a KISS thank you?!" "Usagi, you baka," Rei-chan panted as she caught up to her. "You don't know when to keep you big mouth shut! I'm really sorry, Fukumi," she said directing her comments at me. "I tried to keep her from spotting you guys, but she got past me." "It's okay," I laughed, holding my sides with mirth. "just seeing the look on Sei-chan's face made it worth it." Seirei made the offer to both of them (however, he was a little bit more stiff than usual). Both of them readily accepted the invitation, and were planning their dresses when we left them. "Seirei, I hope that you're not mad at me for laughing at you. You really did look a little bit funny." "It's okay," he said, a bit bashfully. "I should be used to it from being around you guys." I laughed and ruffled his hair, racing down the street to escape his retaliation.
I had finally caved into Minako's persistence and allowed her to dress me up for the cruise. Seeing as I lack taste in my clothes (Minako's words, not mine), she thought that I might turn up at the cruise wearing a pair of muddy boots and biker chick clothes! As if. "Let me see," she said, eyeing my figure. "I think that the best thing for you would be a nice bluish color." "What?" I said, but she had already disappeared into her wardrobe, shifting her many dresses. She reappeared holding a gown of aquamarine colored silk. "Here," she said, shoving the dress at me. I cringed. Dresses were just too frilly for me. "Just put this on and see," she pleaded, patronizing. "Fine!" I said, throwing up my hands. I ducked behind a screen and shed my usual clothing and pulled on the gown. It was so soft and light, I almost didn't notice it. Almost. I missed my pants with their pockets for hiding things. When I came out a few minutes later, blushing furiously, Minako gasped. "What?! Do I look like a man in woman's dress?" I hated dresses, and I probably DID look like a fish out of water. "No, not at all," she said stunned. Without another word, she grabbed my shoulders and pushed me around to the mirror that was hanging nearby. My mouth dropped when I saw my reflection. I looked like a princess. Not that I wasn't one already, but this went beyond that. The dress resembled Princess Serenity's own royal gown, but there were changes. Where the Princess' dress had interlocking circles, this dress had patches of cloth that resembles heart crystals. Also, the bow on my back was more of a small knot, with the tassels hanging down from it in shifting colors, from pink to green to almost white and black. Minako crept to my back and undid the elastic that held my braid. My red hair billowed around my face, curly from so many braiding. It framed my face like a model's would before a photo-shoot. "Wow," I breathed. I had never looked this good, no matter what Seirei said. I grinned when I thought of his eventual reaction. "Do you want to have any earrings, Fukumi-chan?" Minako asked quietly. Not that she needs them, with the way that she looks now. She was a little bit jealous because of the way her friend looked with so little effort. "No, I think that I'll just wear a pair of hoops." But the earrings that I had didn't look right, so I had to eventually borrow a pair of Minako's.
Later on that night in my little room at Rei's temple, I was nervous. Did I have my hair right? Should I put my hair back up? I had become increasingly annoyed with my loose hair as the day had worn on. It got into everything, and I could barely see out of it when it got in my eyes. I whipped my head around as I heard a car pull up to the entrance. Rei poked her head in. "Fukumi-chan, come on! Seirei's here." "Okay." Alright Fukumi, take a deep breath. Straighten your shoulders. If he doesn't like the hair, then you can quickly put it back into a braid. I gulped and walked out towards the main hall, where Seirei and Rei were waiting. I blushed when I saw him. He was wearing a white tuxedo, which was immaculate. He was all nice and clean, and I could smell his favorite brand of cologne as I got closer. But there was something different about him. When he gave me a hug and a kiss, I finally noticed what was throwing me off so much. "Sei-chan, you cut your hair!" I exclaimed, running my hands through his newly shortened hair. He had gotten it cut before, but never as short as this! It was now about as short as Mamoru's, maybe shorter. "Yeah, but it started to get to be too much of a hassle," he said, walking us out to the car like a gentleman. "It was almost as long as Ami- san's." "I think you look good like that, Seirei." Rei said as if that settled the matter. She started talking about random topics, and before we knew it, we were at the dock. I stepped out of the car and almost fell over my own big feet. Minako (bless her heart) had managed to find a pair of oversized heels for me, but I still hadn't mastered the art of walking in them. Seirei caught me right before I fell into a big mud puddle. "Now I think that it is you who looks funny, Fuku-chan," he whispered into my ear. "I saw your face right before you fell." I blushed again. I had had a split second to think "oh no" before I lost my balance. We walked over to where everyone else was standing. Ami had Luna draped over one shoulder, and was hearing a dark blue dress with some frills. She looked like I felt, but at least she could walk in high heeled shoes. Minako was talking to Chibi-Usa about something secret, because I couldn't hear them. Usagi and Chibi-Usa were wearing almost identical dresses that bore a resemblance to their Silver Millennium dresses. Minako was wearing a red party dress, and Mamoru was wearing, as always, a black tuxedo. We all filed slowly into the boat to meet Seirei's parents. As I walked with Seirei, I heard the one voice that I did NOT want to hear. "Nice place. They could use a little bit less draperies, though." "Jadoku," I hissed angrily at him, ducking into a corner so that Seirei wouldn't see me. "What in hoolies are you doing in my backpack?" "I just thought that you would need a chaperone." he said with all the coolness of a cucumber. "I don't want any funny business," he said, giving me the fish eye. "Fuku-chan? Who are you talking to?" Seirei said, finally having realized that I wasn't just being extra quiet. "Are you hiding someone from me?" he asked slyly. "No, I just decided to have a talk with the wall," I said, smiling weakly. I felt Jadoku slide up into my backpack, staying out of sight. We resumed our walk to the ballroom (yes, there was a ballroom, big enough for the inaugural ball), and made it there in time. I had to take a step back and look at everything. It was almost as if someone had painted the place with gold paint. There were gold tables, silver plates, and ebony seats. "I didn't know that your parents were this rich," I hissed at him as we made our way over towards his parents. "I thought I told you. Anyways, my sister is the reason for all of this stuff." Before I could ask him what he meant, he had walked with me up to the dais saying, "Mother! Father! It is so nice to see you again." He took his mother's hand and kissed it, drawing strange looks from Usagi until Rei hissed an explanation. "It is good to see you too, son." Seirei's father said, stepping down from the small platform. He looked like an exact duplicate of Seirei. The only difference was that he had stark white hair. He had a slightly heavier build, and was very wrinkled. Before I could say anything, I found my hand being vigorously shaked by gnarled weather beaten hands. "And you are the young 'fire hair' who has so captured my son's heart." I was astonished. I had only gotten a glimpse of them before, and they had been cold hard and aloof. This was a totally different pair of people. "I also wish to see the young woman as well, Shiroi." Seirei's mother was also looking at me. She had beady eyes, but they were a dark red, darker than mine. She too had white hair, but not the dark skin that both her husband and her son had. She peered at me, and must have decided that I was suitable, because she turned away and started greeting the other people who were there. "Fuku-chan! I have someone that you'll love to meet!" Seirei called, drawing my attention from his parents. He was standing next to a girl who looked like she could be his twin. She had blonde hair with purple highlights (which was odd in itself). She had eyes that could have been Seirei's in a masculine face. She was lithe, muscular, and very skinny. I'll bet an arm and a leg that Mako-chan would love to face off with this girl. I thought grimly, preparing myself for another round of introductions. But this was different. She just walked towards me and held out her hand, saying, "It is a pleasure to meet you, Jinkyou Fukumi." "And you, Awai..." "Kagirinai. Awai Kagirinai," she finished for me, a devilish glint in her eye. "Think you can say that?" "Probably not, but I think that I'll just stick with Kagiri for now." I said, trying to imitate her parents attitude. Thankfully, Seirei appeared at my side, giving me comfort. I hated to admit it, but I was claustrophobic, and this room was not helping one bit. Seirei saw my discomfort, and asked his sister (because that was why they bore such a resemblance) to please excuse us, he had just promised to take me around the boat. We walked out onto the main deck, where some couples (Usagi and Mamoru included) were dancing to a small orchestra. Seirei and I just stood near the side of the boat, watching the city skyline pull away. We just stood there for a few minutes, standing close to each other. "Hey, Fuku-chan, do you want to dance?" he asked after about ten minutes of silence. It kind of startled me, having him talk like that. His voice had gotten all husky and deep, not at all like the man that I knew. "Sure," I said, trying to mask my uncertainty. I was never a good dancer, my big feet had never quite mastered the lessons that I had tried for Mako- chan's sake. Not to mention I wasn't sure how long I could go for without tripping over my feet in the high heels that I was currently wearing. But before I could try and fib out, he had pulled me over to the dancing floor, and held my hands in preparation for the waltz that was coming up. I felt all wobbly and scared. What if I messed up? What if I made a huge idiot of myself, and Seirei decided to break up with me? But these thoughts were swept away as the musicians sprang up into the music. All at once, we were swept away into another world. Seriously. Another world. I blinked, clearing my eyes. There was Seirei, but where were we? I couldn't move, all that I could do was watch as I danced with him. He looked, different. He had on what looked like a white version of Prince Endymion's uniform. It had grey where there should be black. But what was really interesting was what he was saying. "Princess Nebula, do you think that this is seemly?" he asked in a whisper. "I know that everyone is watching us." Fukumi glanced down at herself, and saw that she was still wearing the dress that she had been wearing to the cruise! She felt herself say, "Don't worry, Seirei. They would have found out soon enough." As Seirei swung me past the orchestra, she saw Princess Serenity goggling at her, along with the rest of the senshi. Queen Serenity was restraining Prince Endymion, but just barely. Within a few moments, the quartet had faded away, and the entire court of the Moon was in an uproar. "Princess Nebula." Queen Serenity's voice penetrated the babbling. "Worker Seirei." Seirei bowed respectfully to his queen. "I would appreciate if there was some sort of explanation for all of this." Her voice was strained. Seirei stepped forward to start, but I gently pushed him back. I smiled at my queen and said. "I am truly sorry for all of the disruption that we have caused tonight, my queen." I curtsied, which I would never do in my life, but who knew what was happening? "Seirei and I met when I was reassigned to the Moon Palace for the Princess's protection." I smiled at my petite friend, and she smiled shakily back. "He was assigned to my rooms, as you may recall." The queen nodded, but made no move to stop me, so I plowed on. "We became, close, closer than twins. It took a while, but he managed to break my outer cover that I have kept on myself, for my past, and what has happened and what will happen. And, we became so very close," my throat closed up, afraid at what the reaction would be to my statement. "that we formed a bond that is unbreakable. There was no ceremony," I said, shaking my head at the horror on Endymion's face. What was I doing? I felt like a bystander, just listening to my own words with some interest, but with the rest of me somewhere else. I had no idea what was going on, but hopefully this would sort itself out. "We.became even closer after the ceremony..and." I said, stumbling over the words that would have to come. "There is life inside of Princess Nebula's body." Stoic, solid Seirei said, hugging me to him, but making sure that the Royal moon couple got the message. "The child in her body is my child." My mind is reeling. A kid?! I'm barely out of high school, let alone old enough to have a kid. But then it hit me. This was the Moon Kingdom. I had been in shock from all of the stuff that was going on, I hadn't recognized the descriptions that everyone had told me about. I had felt so out of place when I got my powers, I had wanted to know everything. But Usagi had never mentioned stuff like this! "Would.Would you please repeat what you just said?" Queen Serenity said, quiveringly. She had stood up, shakingly holding onto her husband. He had remained seated, knowing that this was something for the two to figure out by themselves. "I am carrying a child." I heard my voice saying, almost on the verge of sobs. "Queen Serenity, Prince Endymion, minna," I said, turning to my friends. "I would prefer to talk to you in private." The scene changed. It was in my personal quarters. Don't ask me where that information came from, because I have absolutely no idea. I was sitting on my bed, and Seirei was right next to me holding me as I cried. The rest of the Sailor Senshi filed into the room, seating themselves on the chairs. Sailor Jupiter was the first to speak. "Well," she said, running her hand through her brown hair. "Well, Neb, I'd say that you have the place set on it's ears, and that's a bit more than Serenity has ever managed to do." Serenity stuck her tongue out at her friend, while everyone else tittered nervously. Then all at once, I found myself covered in my friends, getting hugs and slaps on the back. I could barely make out sounds of congratulations, and comments like "so that's why you've refused to transform for the students", or "I thought that your waistline was getting bigger". "So, Neb," Mars said, trying to be offhand about it. "how old is the baby? How much more time do we have before a chibi of you is running around the palace?" "Ummm.." I said, stalling. I had no idea, but I knew that Seirei knew. He had been a bit stunned at the Princess's informality. Of course, he had never known me like this. "It will be due in about another few months, Mars." He said, smiling at my raven friend. "About two more, I think." "Two months!" everyone shrieked, startling Jadoku out of his slumber. Jadoku, true to form, had both not mentioned my love with Seirei and had also slept through the commotion that was first made. He glared at the senshi and said, "Yes, two more months. But I think that the baby is still relatively undamaged, seeing as you all just about half crushed her with you happiness." Everyone cringed, and Usagi started crying. "Fuku-chan," she sobbed, using my informal name, "did we hurt it? Is it going to die because of us?" I laughed at her. I just couldn't help it! "No, baka, I can still feel her." "It's a her?" Seirei asked, surprised. That was one thing that I hadn't told him: that I had mental contact with my daughter. I could feel very vague thoughts, like happy or uncomfy. It helped me keep her from being unhappy. "Yes, and she's a very happy her." I said, laughing at his face. But then, thank goodness, everything suddenly shifted back to the dancing floor. I was standing there, leaning on Seirei shaking. This would have worked, had he not been trembling just as bad as I was. Seirei, did you." "Yeah. What was that?" he said. Oh great, he saw ALL OF IT. The ballroom, my room, EVERYTHING. He knows that we're REAL. I need to find out how to make him forget. "Let's go sit down." I finished quaking with fear. What was I going to tell Usagi?! What was I going to do! No one was supposed to know, I knew that much. Rei had hammered that into my head all the time that I had spent at her shrine. Shimatta, and this was such a nice evening...