Minako and that bastard came into the playroom, where Kunzite was watching
Psyche play. He was amazed to see them together and did not hide the feeling as
they approached. He looked at his wife questioningly and acquiesced only when
pressed upon to shake Artemis' hand.
He nearly growled and jerked the man away when he presumed to start a
patty-cake game with Psyche, but subsided to his wife's calming hand on his arm.
She watched the game curiously, the area around her mouth a little tense, her
eyes strained as if waiting for some imperial judgement.
Kunzite wanted to ask what was wrong, but he didn't have a chance. Artemis
stood up, patted Psyche on the head, gave her a cookie, and told her to go to
the kitchen to get some milk for it, which she did with a cursory glance at her
mother. Then he turned to the anxious Minako.
"She is your daughter in every sense of the word. Both of yours," he nodded
at Kunzite and turned back to Minako, stepping forward to take her hands. "And I
am very happy to be able to say so." He smiled. He was glad to be of use to his
precious Mina-chan again, even if they would never be as close as they once
were.
"What?" Kunzite was baffled.
Minako turned to him, her happy face tipping up to his. "People from Mau
have some basic animalistic instincts – and one is being to be able to tell by
touch and smell if two people are related by blood."
"So . . ." Kunzite looked half skeptical, half joyful.
"What is it?" Minako tugged at his sleeve, frowning.
Kunzite looked down at her and his troubled gaze intensified. "How do we
know he's telling the truth?"
Artemis looked as if he was about to get affronted, but seemed to drop the
thought and sighed instead.
Minako paused. "We can ask Serenity if her crystal will check his
truthfulness." Kunzite looked more content with this, but Minako grabbed his arm
and squeezed hard, her gaze steeling. "But after we do this, you have to promise
me not to question Psyche's parentage again. You have to promise me,
Kunzite, because I can't stand having you look at me like I betrayed you." Tears
were in her eyes and her lips were trembling.
Kunzite kissed those trembling lips once, gently, brushing his thumbs across
her cheeks to wipe the spilt tears away. "I promise," he whispered, and meant
it.
So to Serenity they went, and her crystal was held in full view. She chanted
a few words over the stone, closed her eyes, and concentrated. When her eyes
opened again, Serenity supported Artemis's trustworthiness in this matter.
Minako smiled and looked up at Kunzite, his eyes looking blankly back at
her. And then . . . a transformation took place. Minako watched as the
skepticism, bitterness, and pain drained out of her husband's eyes. And all that
was left . . . was his love.
Minako was distracted from him as Serenity groaned and leaned against
Endymion, putting a hand to her head.
"Serenity?" Minako asked, worried. Serenity groaned again and clutched her
heavy stomach. Endymion looked at her in panic, holding her firmly.
"Owww," she moaned. "The baby . . ."
Endymion took charge and started ordering people about, sending servants
here and there.
Minako dashed out to get the midwife, Kunzite heading to tell Sailor
Mercury. On her way, Minako passed a startled Rei and Jadeite, gasping out a
quick explanation before running on.
She didn't notice the ring on Rei's finger.
In the rush and haste, all Minako really had time to think of was the baby .
. . and underlying that was how much she loved her husband – and how good it was
to have him back. Truly, honestly back.
Minako smiled to herself and ran faster.
End