Luna actually found herself shivering with anticipation. She had missed all of the Senshi so much. Especially Usagi. Her red eyes misted over slightly as she realized just how much she missed the blonde tornado. Certainly she had improved and matured over the years, but she still had that undeniable spark of Usagi in her. 'And frankly' Luna thought to herself with a smile, 'I wouldn't want her any other way.'

"Getting a little antsy?"

Luna smiled at her fellow feline. "Oh Artemis, don't tell me you aren't excited about coming home and seeing the others." Artemis cocked his head to one side and grinned unabashedly

"Okay, you got me. I've been thinking a lot about seeing Minako and the others."

"And they should be most pleased with the alliance treaty we worked out with Princess Kakyuu."

"Now THAT sounds more like the Luna I know." His teasing tone dwindled when he saw Luna's face grow pensive.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Luna turned to look at him, worry evident in her eyes.

"I can't seem to shake this feeling there is something wrong back home. Artemis tensed "You don't think it could be Dark Kingdom forces, do you?" he asked. She shook her head.

"No, I'm not sure what it is. Something feels, out of place." She sighed.

"Maybe I'm just imagining it. You know me, the first to jump at any shadow." The two cats chuckled nervously at Luna's ill-fated attempt at humor, and waited anxiously for their arrival on Earth, their former good humor forgotten. The sense of foreboding only got worse as they approached the Cherry Hill Temple. By now even Artemis could feel it. They entered the common room to a disturbing scene.

The Senshi and Mamoru were all sitting in a circle, silently fidgeting and glaring at each other. Each pair of eyes held the same sense of anger and hurt, but also shame and guilt, and most of all, betrayal.

Not sure how to react to the tension, Artemis quipped"Heads up kids, the parents are back!" Almost all of the Senshi flinched at his choice of words.

"Hey Arty." Minako smiled at him tremulously. "I'm glad to see you again." Luna frowned at this. Minako was usually a lot more enthusiastic about her greetings, especially with Artemis. Her thoughts were interrupted though, when she realized one subject was missing.

"Has anyone seen Usagi?" she queried.

"She's gone." Luna looked sharply at Mamoru, noting the bitter anger in his voice.

"What do you mean gone?"

"Exactly what I said." Mamoru retorted, his eyes flashing angrily. "Usagi was here, telling usual about how she was leaving us all to be with her new 'Soul Mate'. "

Luna gasped. "I don't believe it."

"Believe it," he said bitterly. "She even told us she was pregnant by him, the bitch!"

Artemis frowned. "Mina, is this true?" he looked up at his mistress with concern. Her eyes clouded over.

"Yeah, pretty much." She whispered quietly. Luna shook her head. Something was wrong. The girls were upset and angry to be sure. But something about it seemed out of place. Suddenly her eyes widened. Out of place. That's what she had been sensing before. Their Senshi auras seemed off somehow, as if being redirected. But that would only happen if... Quickly, she concentrated her senses on the girls. Sure enough, each carried the unmistakable signs of new life. She probed further, and was shocked by what she found.

"How could she do this thing?" Artemis asked sadly.

"Don't be so quick to blame Usagi." Luna growled. "She doesn't seem to be the only one keeping secrets."

"What are you talking about Luna?" Makoto asked, suddenly nervous. The small cat glared at them.

"When are your children's' due dates?" she hissed. Artemis looked at her in disbelief. Then he turned and concentrated on Mina. When she finally met his gaze, he saw the truth of Luna's accusation in her eyes.

"Mina why?" Mina's face scrunched up as if she were about to burst into tears.

"I'm sorry Arty.," she said, her voice cracking slightly. "We never meant for Usagi to get hurt. It's just that-"

"Hey now!" Rei suddenly spoke up angrily. "We don't have to justify ourselves to you."

"You're right." Luna said, glaring at the fire priestess. "And quite frankly, I'm not interested in hearing any pathetic attempts at rationalizing your behavior. I'm more concerned with what happens next."

"What do you mean?" Ami whispered. Artemis spoke up.

"Surely you realize you are carrying the next generation of Senshi. And the day will come when they feel the need to seek out their queen."

"Not if we have anything to say about it." Mamoru snarled

"Oh really?" Luna sneered, disgust dripping off her tone. "And how do you plan to stop it?"

Mamoru's eyes shot poisoned daggers at Luna "If necessary, we'll abort the babies." All the Senshi looked at him alarmed, while Luna and Artemis actually took a step back in shock.

"You wouldn't dare." Luna whispered fearfully.

Mamoru's face suddenly became thoughtful."Maybe, maybe not." A cruel glint shone in his eyes. "That all depends on Usagi."

Luna frowned."What do you mean?" she asked, dreading the answer.

He smiled at her charmingly. "I'm sure we can avoid any unpleasantness, if Usagi is willing to rethink her position, and come back."

"Usagi will never succumb to blackmail." Luna retorted. Mamoru's smile quickly turned into a smirk.

"Oh I think she will," he said. "Future Court or no, she could never live with the knowledge that seven lives were ended, when she could have prevented it."

Artemis' hackles rose. "Chiba you are a real bastard." he spat.

"Call me what you like." Mamoru said. "Just make sure Usagi gets that message."

"Serenity." Luna corrected. "You do not have the right to call her Usagi."

"Whatever." He shrugged, casually standing up and strolling out the door.

"He didn't really mean that, Luna." Makoto said trying to placate the ebony feline. "He's just trying to bluff you, that's all." Luna just looked at her.

"I am not naive, Makoto. I saw the truth in his eyes. He wouldn't hesitate to end those children's lives to further his own needs."

"No you're wrong." Rei said. "Mamoru cares about us a lot."

Artemis rolled his eyes. "Quit deluding yourself Rei. The only one Mamoru cares about is Mamoru."

"But-"

"Oh shut up and use your head for once Rei!" He burst out angrily, startling the girls. "Do you honestly believe all seven of you becoming pregnant at the same time was an accident?"

The Senshi all stared at him in disbelief. Michiru finally found her voice. "Y-you can't mean-"

Luna quickly interrupted."Common practice in ancient Earth times. Soldiers of an invading country made it a point to rape as many women as possible, trying to impregnate them, and spread their gene pools. Just ask Setsuna." The others turn to the time warrior, who closed her eyes and nodded slowly.

"But this is different." Rei faltered. Her former belligerence forgotten. "We weren't raped."

Artemis shook his head. "That's not the point. Mamoru now has familial connections to almost every kingdom in the Silver Millennium. His power base would be incredible."

Mina shook her head. "But then, why would he threaten to have them aborted?"

He sighed and looked up at her."Because he doesn't think of them as his children, only as political bargaining chips, and he will use those chips anyway he can to get what he wants."

Rei shook her head. "No, Mamoru loves me. He would never hurt my child."

Luna started to feel sorry for the girl. She walked over to her and looked her in the eyes. "Rei," she said softly."He doesn't love you, or your baby. He only loves himself, and won't hesitate to use, or dispose of anyone who gets in his way." Rei looked at her for a second, before dropping her head to hide her tears.

"So what happens next?" Haruka asked

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