Everyone looked around, confused. "For what?" Ami asked, speaking for the entire group.
Michiru moved over towards Setsuna and carefully took Kiseki into her arms. "For everything. You guys have been such good friends and I just wanted to thank you," she said.
Haruka moved over and lightly hugged her wife. She glanced at Kiseki and felt even more proud.
Setsuna reached over and placed her hand on Michiru's arm. "That's what friends are for," she whispered. She liiked around at the other senshi who all nodded in agreement.
Makoto felt a little awkward. She wasn't exactly the mushy-feelings type of person. "Not to change the subject, but since Usagi can't leave the palace, she asked that we all go over there today."
Michiru nodded. "I knew she wasn't going to be able to get out of there," she said with a shrug.
"Is it ok for Kiseki to be moved around so much?" Ami asked. Although she was the "genius" of the group, she knew absolutely nothing about childcare.
Setsuna turned to the blue-haired girl and nodded. "She'll be ok," she assured everyone.
Minako bounded up from Makoto's side. "Let's go then," she said as she headed towards the door.
Everyone else, except Haruka and Michiru, got up and walked outside and got into their cars.
Setsuna stopped and turned to the pair before walking out the door. "You guys ok?"
Michiru nodded. "I have to get a few things before I leave. We'll be out there in a minute."
Setsuna smiled and nodded. "All right. I'll tell the others to wait," she said, then walked out the door. She told everyone to wat for Michiru and then got into her own car.
Something dawned on Haruka when the door closed after Setsuna. "Oh no! I almost forgot about Hotaru!" she exclaimed as she jumped up from the couch. She walked down the hall to where her daughter slept and went inside.
Michiru was shocked. She, too, had almost forgotten about her. As Haruka brought the barely-awake child out to the living room, she thought about what she should have Kiseki wear.
Haruka sent Hotaru outside to get into Setsuna's car and turned to Michiru. She offered her hand to her wife, helping her to her feet. "You're not too tired to go, Michi?" she asked, her voice full of concern.
Michiru chuckled, leaned forward carefully so she didn't crush Kiseki, and kissed Haruka. "I'm fine, Ruka. I'll rest if I need to."
Haruka forced herself to smile. "I just don't want you to exhaust yourself," she said apologetically. She reached over and lightly ran her hand over Kiseki's head. "I love you, Michiru," she said quietly, looking up into her wife's eyes.
Michiru's smile brightened slightly."I love you, too, Haruka." She kissed Haruka again and went to Kiseki's room to dress her. She decided ona cute, light blue pajama set since she slept so often.
Haruka got Kiseki's carrier ready. She barely knew what she was doing and had a hard time with it. She finally got it right and ready when Michiru had come back with a fully-dressed Kiseki. She smiled as Michiru laid the child down in the carrier.
Michiru stood up slowly, letting out an exaspirated sigh. She looked over at Haruka and smiled reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'm all right." She reached out and took Haruka's hands into her own. "I'm not going to pass up a chance to see our prin-" She stopped and sighed, thinking about Usagi. "I mean queen. Everything's gonna be ok. Usagi is as dedicated to us as we are to her so you don't have anything to worry about."
Haruka sighed in defeat. She knew that Michiru was right, but she just wanted her wife to take it easy. "Ok. Let's go." She picked up the carrier and walked to the front door, checking her pocket for her key ring.
Michiru held up Haruka's key ring and smiled. "You left them in the kitchen," she smirked. Michiru had sent Haruka to the store for some ice cream when she got home and after the blonde had come back, she had placed her keys on the counter and left them there.
Haruka smiled, slightly embarassed. She wasn't the type to ever just leave her car keys lying around. Next to her family, they were the most important things in her life. She managed to hold the door open for Michiru while still holding Kiseki's carrier. She checked to make sure that the front door was locked before heading over to her "family car," a gold Taurus. Michiru had already opened the back door and Haruka set up the carrier into the car seat. She stood up and closed the door, turning to her friends after glancing at Kiseki through the window. "We ready?" she asked them.
Everyone was either waiting outside their cars or they were sitting in them with their windows rolled down. "Yeah," they all said in unison. Those who weren't in their cars got in and, with Haruka and Michiru leading the way, left for the palace. When they got to the palace gates, they were given unquestioned access since they were senshi. Once parked, they headed for the main hall, where Usagi and Mamoru sat each and every day. When they arrived, they all knelt in front of their rulers.
Usagi smiled brightly when she seen her friends. "I'm glad you all could make it on such short notice. Please, stand. You all don't have to kneel for me. I'm still the same old Usagi." She looked directly at Michiru and the baby. "Is that the little one?" she asked excitedly. She stood up and walked away from her thrown. She stopped in front of Michiru and looked over at Haruka. "Congratulations."
Haruka smiled. "Thanks," she murmured. She looked over at Mamoru, who had also stood up and was making his way over to the group.
Mamoru held out his hand to Haruka and shook her own. "Congratulations," he said with a hefty smile. "It's good to see you all again," he said as he looked over the entire group. He had just recently returned from a trip to America for a peace meeting. The threat of a world war was close at hand and Mamoru decided that it would be best if they allied themselves with the strongest army. He was exhausted from his duties as king and it was quite easy to see in his cloudy eyes. Everyone else was holding their attention on Michiru and Kiseki so he decided to speak with Haruka. "You racing anymore?"
Haruka shrugged. "I'm thinking of taking some time off to help Michiru take care of Kiseki," she explained. "I might do a few races, if they're close enough to the house, but I'm not doing any that might have me going across or out of the country. I wouldn't be able to maintain what little sanity I have left."
The two shared a laugh and then Mamoru got a little more serious. "If you two need help or anything, let us know. Usagi already said that she'd bend over backwards for you. She's actually in the process of planning a vacation for you when the baby's old enough. By the way, what's her name again? I didn't catch it earlier."
Haruka chuckled. "Kiseki." She took a quick glance at Michiru to see if she was ok.
Mamoru noticed a hint of concern in Haruka's eyes. "You worried about something?" He looked over at the group of girls to see if he could decipher what it was.
Haruka shook her head. "Not really. I just don't want Michiru to get too tired out is all. I'm still a little overprotective of her," she realized.
Mamoru smiled. "That's to be expected, though. You two did just have a child, afterall. It's ok to be a little overprotective. Just don't let it get the best of you."
Haruka nodded. "That's what everyone keeps telling me." She looked over at Michiru one last time and turned to Mamoru.
Usagi left the little group and stood by Mamoru's side before hugging Haruka. "Congratulations, Haruka," she repeated. She let got of her friend and stepped back to her husband's side.
Haruka smiled and bowed slightly. "Thank you, your highness." She stood up to her queen glaring at her.
"Haruka," Usagi said firnly. "You don't have to be formal with us." She shook her head and scoffed, then looked around at everyone. "You may not be scouts right now but you're not everyday citizens, either. They have to be formal. You're my closest friends. I don't want you guys to be like that. It makes me feel like I'm better than all of you. You guys are my equal."
Everyone was touched by their queen's words, even Mamoru. He reached over and wrapped an arm around his wife.
Michiru stepped up next to Haruka and leaned against her. She smiled up at Haruka and then the Usagi. She only nodded as she was at a loss for words.
After a few minutes of nobody speaking or even moving, someone came into the room. "King Mamoru, you have an urgent telephone call," the man said before walking out.
Mamoru sighed. "Sorry. Duty calls." He bowed to his friends before walking out of the room.
Makoto was the first to speak after he left. "So, Usagi? How have you been?"
Usagi shrugged. "It's been pretty boring and lonely without you guys with me. Of course, I still have Mamo-chan but I miss out little adventures." She decided to lighten the mood for her friends. "How about you all? How does it feel to have peace from the daimon?"
"Shh!" Minako raised a finger to her lips. "Be quiet of you'll jynx it."
Everyone laughed. Then, almost out of nowhere, Kiseki let out a loud shriek. Everyone looked at the child in shock.
Michiru smiled. "She's just hungry," she assured them all. She set down the diaper bag that she was carrying and took out a bottle to feed her.
Haruka's ears were ringing from Kiseki's cry. "She'd make a good cheerleader with that voice," she joked. She looked at Michiru who shook her head and smiled.
Everyone chuckled. "Or volleyball player," Minako said as she thought of her teenage years.
Usagi seen Michiru's smile fade as the aqua-haired senshi closed her eyes. "You ok, Michiru?" Her voice was full of concern.
Haruka quickly turned to her wife and waited for her response. She knew it was a bad idea for Michiru to leave the house.
Michiru smiled at them to calm them down. "It's just a little headache."
Haruka went over and took Kiseki from Michiru's arms. "Do you need to rest?" She tended to Kiseki as she stared at Michiru.
Michiru hesitated, then nodded. She felt someone take her arm and looked over to see Usagi.
"Why didn't you just say so?" Usagi asked. She started to walk Michiru out of the room.
Haruka watched helplessly as her wife walked out of the room. She felt someone tap her shoulder so she turned around to see who it was.
Setsuna smiled at her friend. "Want to go?" When Haruka nodded, she held out her arms. "I can take care of her for a while if you want."
Haruka smiled. "Thank you, Sets." She carefully handed Kiseki to Setsuna. "She's done with her bottle so she should just go to sleep." She turned and jogged to catch up with her wife and queen. She slowed down to a walk when she got to Michiru's side.
Michiru didn't see her baby and panicked. "Ruka, where's Kiseki!"
Haruka took her hand. "Calm down, baby. Setsuna has her. She'll be ok."
Michiru took a deep breath to calm herself and nodded. "Sorry," she murmured.
Haruka shrugged. She looked over at Usagi and smiled. "Thanks."
Usagi scoffed. "Haruka, I'd do just about anything for you and the others. This is the least I can do right now." She stopped in front of a large door. "You guys can stay here. If you need anything at all, just let me know, ok?" When her friends nodded, she smiled at them. "I'll be in the main hall with the other girls. Oh, and don't worry about Kiseki. I'll make sure that she's taken well care of."
Michiru smiled, then reached over and hugged Usagi. "Thank you so much," she whispered.
Usagi let go of Michiru and shook her head. "We have to take care of our families, right? Don't mention it. Now go and rest. you look horribly tired."
Michiru nodded and after Usagi walked away, entered the room with Haruka. What they seen inside put their bedroom to shame.
AN: Special thanks to everyone who reviewed so far. Sorry it took a little longer to get this chapter up. I'm not at home so I don't have my highspeed connection. I'm on dial-up right now so it tookforever to even get online. I'll try to put up the next chapter soon. If you guys have any ideas or suggestions, you guys can email me about them THANKS!