A/N: Thanks so much for all the reviews once again! Some of them even made me laugh out loud; apparently, I've 'killed the wrong one' and the one dead should be Mamoru. Just stick with me, I think I have an even better a more ironic punishment for him soon!
Act III: Planted SeedThere is nothing quite like a woman's scorn.
A seed that is planted in her mind when she is betrayed.
It grows.
Into rage.
"Mamoru did what!" Minako looked back at Usagi's blank face through the communicator; all the senshi kept their old communicators in case of emergency. Usagi knew it would have been better to tell Minako in person, but when her friend's happy face appeared on the communicator she could not keep it inside any longer.
"He cheated on me with Setsuna, got her pregnant, and ran away with her. Ha, took Chibi-Usa with him too. Though, not before I stripped Setsuna of her senshi duties." Usagi laughed bitterly.
Minako was speechless.
"Get everyone together, Minako, including Haruka and Michiru. Tell them to meet me here in the palace in an hour. I have to tell them as well."
"Usa", Minako smiled faintly, "…of course."
"Pluto-mama!" Chibi-Usa, unaware of what was taking place, raced into Setsuna's arms upon seeing her, without Mamoru too far behind. Setsuna caught the pink-haired girl in her arms, looking surprised.
"Mamoru..what?" Setsuna gave Mamoru a confused, almost disapproving look, even more so when she spotted the many suitcases Mamoru struggled with.
"I thought you would be happy to see us." Mamoru looked genuinely hurt by Setsuna's less then enthusiastic response.
Setsuna could not help but giggle at such a puppy dog expression from Mamoru. Maybe it would not be so bad having a couple extra people in the house. The Queen, in return for upholding her duty as the Guardian of Time, gave Setsuna a lavish house on the outskirts of Crystal Tokyo. The house was not far from a palace, with multiple rooms and a balcony. Probably to make up for keeping me from a normal existence. It was invisible to all but the senshi, and the holder of the Key. But that means..
"Mamoru! You took the Queen's Key to the Gate of Time?" Setsuna sat Chibi-Usa down and ran over to Mamoru. He always took the Key, but with the current circumstances, now probably was not to the best time to 'drop by' for a visit. Setsuna stood in front of Mamoru practically shaking.
Mamoru laughed out loud. "Silly girl, no I did not take it. Usa simply gave it to me."
"She gave it to you?"
"Yes, after..after we said our goodbyes."
"Goodbyes?"
"…Yes, I left Usagi."
Silence. She dared not say it.
Mamoru knew she was holding something back.
"Ask what I know you want to." Mamoru smiled at her.
'For me?"
Mamoru wrapped his arms around Setsuna.
"Yes love, for you."
"Thanks for coming everyone." The Queen's voice reflected seriousness.
"Of course, but what seems to be the problem, to bring all of us together like this?" Michiru must have sensed trouble in her Mirror; she was the first to ask questions.
"Please, let me expl--" The Queen started.
"I'll explain!" Minako chimed in, furious, "That bastard Mamoru, he cheated on Usa, with Setsuna, AKA SAILOR PLUTO, got her pregnant, ran way with her and took little Princess!" Minako was out of breath after such a display.
Usagi actually laughed. "Minako, love, are you finished letting me explain?"
Minako blushed and sat down.
Usagi stuck her tongue out at the embarrassed Minako; it was almost like old times.
"Usagi-chan, is this true?" Ami spoke up timidly.
"Yes, Ami, it is." Usagi stared back blankly.
"Oh God.." Michiru seemed genuinely surprised, "I never would have guessed..Setsuna.." Michiru squeezed Haruka's hand.
"I always thought Mamoru was a bit too quiet for his own good. I mean, who saves people with a mask on? He was tryna hide something." Rei nodded, proud at her own deductive reasoning.
"Ignore her." Makoto slammed a fist into her opposite hand. "If you like, Usagi, I'll punish him myself."
Haruka released Michiru's hand and got up from her seat approaching the Queen.
"I'm truly sorry. I felt something was wrong when I brought you little Princess; but I didn't wanna pry." Haruka hugged Usagi.
Usagi began to tear up. "It is okay Haruka, I'm just glad you were concerned."
Haruka kissed the Queen's forehead. "See, from day one I always told you, girls are better." Haruka winked at Usagi and then at her own queen, who sat blushing at the table.
Usagi could not help but giggle.
"There is one more thing you all must know." The Queen was back to being serious.
Minako jumped up. "Oh my God, don't tell me Setsuna's having twins!"
"MINAKO! SIT DOWN!"
"Ahaha, all in unison huh? I guess I'd better sit down."
Minako sat down.
"There, enjoy!"
Setsuna untied the apron and set her hair free from the long evening of cooking.
"Um, Pluto-mama, what's this?" Chibi-Usa seemed to be poking some long object in her food.
Setsuna blushed; she was not the best cook.
Mamoru tried his best to save Setsuna's pride. "Look little Usa! Mmm, Pluto-mama's macaroni is really yummy!" Mamoru shoved a handful in his month, grinning widely.
"Hahahaha, Daddy looks funny!" Despite her laughter, Chibi-Usa began to eat her macaroni.
"Mmm, Pluto-mama's macaroni is better than Mommy's macaroni!"
Mamoru had suddenly lost his appetite.
"Um, Setsuna?" Mamoru looked nervous.
"Yes?" Chibi-Usa was flinging cheese everywhere and Setsuna was unsuccessfully cleaning it up.
"May I see the baby?"
Setsuna seemed surprised by the request.
"Oh, why..of course. She's in here."
Mamoru followed Setsuna down a long hallway. He counted at least four rooms. To think my wif--Usagi—gave Setsuna all of this. It is beautiful. It feels lonely here though.
Usagi..
"Mamoru, I said she's in here."
Mamoru was ripped out of his peaceful thoughts of his former lover by Setsuna's voice and the gentle cooing of a baby in the room ahead of him.
"Go see her." Setsuna smiled.
Mamoru entered the dimly lit room. There were colorful pictures and animal prints all around. Just like any other baby's room; no one will ever know the circumstances of how the baby was brought into this world. Mamoru was thinking again.
"Here, she's awake now." Mamoru was once again ripped from his daydream, only to see a baby in his arms.
The baby was beautiful. A bit paler than Setsuna; but, she had her father's intense eyes. Her hair had already begun to grow long like her mother's. Mamoru stroked her head. The babe cooed and her big green eyes sparkled. She knew this was her father.
Mamoru cradled the baby nervously.
"What's her name?"
"Miyo." Setsuna took the now sleeping baby from Mamoru's arms.
"Miyo, why Miyo?" Mamoru looked interested.
Setsuna set that baby in her crib and turned and faced Mamoru.
"Miyo means 'beautiful generation'. Our baby is the beginning of the beautiful generation of Crystal Tokyo."
"I can certainly understand why you stripped her of her duties my Queen, but what is she to do now?"
The Queen had informed her Senshi that they were one member less now. They seemed to take it well, though a few questions arose from Haruka.
"She can live a happy life with Mamoru and their child."
"What about little Princess, and who will guard the Gate of Time?" Another set of questions from Haruka.
"As far as the Gate of Time, I will have many guards on different shifts, and I will keep an eye out myself."
"And little Princess?"
"I intend to retrieve my child soon enough."
That ended the discussion. Everyone seemed to understand where the Queen was coming from. Setsuna was not completely cut off from them, everyone knew where her house was and were free to visit. The Queen made that quite clear.
All hugged the Queen as they prepared to leave.
"Feel free to call me anytime."
"You know we are always here."
"Talk to me if you need to."
Everyone was very kind and it made Usagi's heart warm. She loved her Senshi dearly. All though she did not show it, she did miss Setsuna's motherly wisdom.
Of course, Minako was the last to leave, after raiding the Queen's always full 'fridge.
"Minako, are you sure you can manage?" Usagi laughed. Minako had taken all her bread, half the candy, some chips, and the can of complimentary pocky she had left out in case the girls got hungry during the meeting.
"Sure thing Usa!" Minako blew a kiss, despite her load.
"Byeeeeeeeeeeee Usa-chan!"
"Haha, bye Minako! Be careful!"
"Sailor V's always here to protect you! If I were you Usa, I'd have already killed Setsuna myself! Laying a hand on my man like that! Hell, I'd off Mamoru too!"
"Haha, get out of here you nut!" Usagi tossed a roll in Minako's direction that she had dropped. She caught it.
…
Usagi raced back inside of the palace, her mind a burr.
If I were you Usa, I'd have already killed Setsuna myself!
The seed was planted.