Hey everyone, it's Osaga-chan. I'm sorry that I haven't updated in a while, but my computers been down. Also, with midterms I haven't had much time to write. This chapter should be nice and long, so enjoy. Warning: It does get a little intense at the end of this chapter. There is a gunshot involved.

Ch. 2: A Family Thing

The Senshi, cats, Serenity, Endymion, and knights were all at Rei's temple, trying to wake the unconscious Sailor Mars.

"I wonder what made her faint like that?" Serenity asked, whining a little. She was anxious to tell her story, and she couldn't.

Jupiter looked pointedly at Serenity. "It was like seeing a ghost, or some one risen from the dead. For three years now we've believed you're dead. And, believe it or not, I think Mars took your death harder than anyone." Suddenly, Mars stirred, and woke up. There was a collective sigh of relief as Mars sat up, shaking her head. Out of nowhere, she began to cry.

"Guys, I had the most awful dream that Sailor Moon had come back, and…" Her voice trailed off as the others parted, letting her see Serenity and Endymion. Mars gasped and paled, but did not faint.

"I guess it's time for us to explain now," Serenity said quietly. "Maybe you should start first, Endymion."

"Well, you guys all know that I went to America to study at Harvard. But when I got there, things did not go exactly as planned. At about the same time that Sailor Moon "died" I met a man named Apollo. He and Helios are the guardians of the Earth Kingdom. Apparently, the Old Kingdom still exists, just sealed off from the rest of the world. Apollo awakened my Knights, and we trained together. We trained for three years, and arrived back in Tokyo about two weeks ago. Apollo warned me not to reveal myself yet, so I did not. Not until tonight, when Pluto gave the OK." Endymion took a deep breath as he finished his story. After the Knights introduced themselves, everyone turned to Serenity.

"OK, now it's my turn. Once Sailor Star appeared, she made it clear that she could help train you guys, and you would become stronger. But, she also said that I could not be trained by her. I knew that soon you guys would be much stronger than me, and that I would not be able to help. But it was worse than that. Until I was able to reach my ultimate form as Serenity, you Senshi would not be able to reach your ultimate, cosmic forms. It seemed obvious that I had to train. Pluto told me that the only thing I could do to get stronger would be to conduct intense training for three years. I would have liked to tell you the truth, but she said that this time period would be important for you to learn how to grow as Senshi. It would be the only way you would be prepared to become Cosmic Senshi by the time I got back." Serenity stopped for breath, and the other Senshi looked accusingly at Pluto, who had lied to them about their friend's death.

"I'm sorry," was all Pluto could say. "It had to be this way."

Serenity continued, "At some point in my training, I left for Aernia, a distant planet at war. Their, I became what you see today, Princess Serenity. And in effect, Usagi and Sailor Moon died that day. I can no longer de-transform, I am always in this form now." She paused to let the news digest, then continued, "A week ago I came back. I met Endymion's Knights, got a job and an apartment, and I've been doing pretty well. I've missed everyone so much."

Of course, after that, they all had to share a group hug, amidst tears of joy. When they'd all settled down, Serenity said, "Now, what about my family? What did you tell them? How have they been doing?"

The Senshi exchanged a look. Ami cleared her throat, and spoke up. "Serenity, after your supposed death, we thought the truth would be best, to all our families. We called them all together, and told them the truth about the Senshi and your death."

Serenity was shocked. Her family knew the truth. She had often envisioned telling her family the truth. Sitting down and explaining to them that she was Sailor Moon. Asking them if they had questions and explaining things to them. It seemed so horrible to her that someone else had answered the questions, some one else had told her parents what she never could. And what must they have thought! The whole time their daughter was a superhero and they never noticed. They must have felt like it was their fault that she had died.

Serenity stood up. "I'm sorry; I have to go you guys. I have to see my family."

"Tonight?" Minako questioned. She and the other girls had hoped to have a sleepover, just like old times.

"I'm sorry, Mina-chan, but I have to do this." Serenity sped out of there as fast as she could, and made her wings appear. She flew into the night sky, headed for her old home.

AT THE TSUKINO'S HOUSE

Ikuko stood over the sink, trying to wash the dishes. But it was too hard. It was always too hard, the first few weeks after the anniversary of her daughter's death. The whole family became silent. Her son moped, her husband worked late, and she cried. Ikuko sighed. Maybe she should just go to bed. She dropped the rag, then turned around and gasped. In front of her was an angel. An angel that looked a lot like her daughter.

Serenity's face crumbled as she beheld her mother, standing there staring. She started to sob, and soon her mother joined in.

"What's going on!?" Kenji ran into the kitchen, and stopped. "Usagi? Is that you, my daughter?" He walked over slowly, not daring to believe it. He walked up, and toughed her face. Tears of joy sped down his face, as realization hit home. It was his daughter, his child who he had lost, a little over three years ago.

The three stood in the kitchen and hugged each other, not willing to let go.

LATER, IN THE TSUKINO LIVING ROOM

Ikuko and Kenji sat next to each other on the couch, while Serenity faced them in a chair. She had just finished telling her story.

"I'm sorry, mama and papa, for making you heart. I really did not want to." Serenity cried a little. "I'm so sorry. All these years, I've lied to you. I just could not bring myself to tell you. I didn't want to hurt you, did not want to make you worry. But, I ended up doing it anyway." Serenity hung her head.

"It's OK honey, you did what you had to do." Ikuko reached over, trying to comfort her daughter.

"But I wanted to be there when you found out the truth. I wanted to be able to help you through all the emotions I know you experienced. I've failed you, I've disappointed you."

Kenji reached over and lifted her head up. "You could never fail us. You're too perfect a daughter, to special. Whatever you do, we still love you. We understand that you had another obligation, as princess of the moon. If anything, what we feel is pride. Pride that we've raised a responsible daughter, who knows what her duty is and is not afraid to do it." Kenji kissed her forehead. "We're so proud."

A door slammed, and a male voice called out, "Mom! Dad! I'm home!" A sixteen year old Shingo came into view. He stopped when he saw Serenity. "Mom, Dad, who is this?" He asked quietly.

"Shingo, don't you recognize your older sister?" Serenity stood up, smiled, and opened her arms, ready to hug him, but his cold voice stopped her.

"What are you doing back? I thought some monster had vaporized you are something." Serenity's mouth hung open. Of course, Shingo had been mean to her before, but never like this. Shingo had always loved her, no matter what she did.

Kenji stood up angrily. Shingo, you apologize to your sister, now."

Shingo mumbled an apology, then questioned her. "Where have you been?"

"I've been training with Sailor Pluto."

Before she could go on, Shingo exploded. "Training! You were training!? The whole time we thought you were dead, and you were out having a good time, I bet. It was bad enough when I had thought that you had been killed because you were Sailor Moon, but no. You were just out lying to us."

"Shingo, you don't know what you are talking about!"

"Save it, I don't want to hear it!"

Shingo stormed out the house. Serenity turned to her parents. "What happened to Shingo?"

Her mother sighed. "He went to a tough time, at first. He would not talk to anyone, just locked himself in his room and cried. He began being made fun of in school. Then, one day, he came out of his mourning stage and stepped into his love of Sailor Moon stage. He became your biggest fan. He went around school, telling everyone that he was Sailor Moon's brother, and how you had died protecting everyone. He became obsessive. He was teased more and more, and soon, it became physical. It got so bad, that we had to switch his schools, and get him a therapist. Once he switched schools, it seemed like everything was better. He made friends, and his obsession went away. But it was little things we noticed. Comments here and there. It seemed like he had a built up resentment against Sailor Moon. It probably came from a lot of things. At any rate, he has never shown his anger like this before.'

"Give him time. I'm sure he'll calm down." Kenji tried to reassure Serenity.

Serenity bit her lip nervously. She wasn't so sure that was true. She was momentarily distracted when, in her head, she heard Endymion contacting her. Apparently, another monster was attacking, this time in an empty office building.

"I'm sorry, mom and dad, but I have to go. Another monster attack. After saying goodbye, she ran out of the house and her wings appeared. She soared into the sky, then took off.

OUTSIDE THE OFFICE BUILDING

Shingo was walking along, angrily kicking a stone. It was nighttime, and nobody was around. He heard a sound, and looked up in time to see his sister land on top of a nearby building and then disappear from sight. His eyes widened, and he ran into the building.

It wasn't hard to find the fight. Almost as soon as he walked in, he could hear the noises. The fight was taking place in large room, full of boxes and crates. He ducked behind some large boxes to watch the fight.

It did not look like it was going to well for the Senshi. None of the Senshi powers seemed to be working. The only ones having any effect were the Knights and Endymion. This monster was stronger than the last, much stronger. It was obvious to the Senshi that their new enemy was stronger than they could have imagined.

"Moonshine Blind!" Serenity leaped into the fight. She studied the monster. It was an ugly thing, green and slim looking with insect wings coming out of its back. Two antennas stuck out of its head. It did not look to powerful to Serenity, and she took out her dagger, ready to finish it.

"Silver Moon Dagger Slice!" The dagger admitted a powerful burst of energy that should have forced the monster to disintegrate. Though the monster was thrown back, it was not destroyed.

The monster stood up and angrily buzzed, before sending a powerful burst of energy towards Serenity. She barely had time to dodge, before more were sent her way. Sailor Saturn quickly blocked Serenity by jumping in front and creating a shield. The monster opened its mouth, and out poured hundreds of locusts, ready to attack the Senshi.

"Fireside Flame Uproar!"

"Mars Flame Sniper!"

The two attempted to burn the locusts, but the locusts flew through the flames. The Senshi backed up. Shingo, behind the boxes, moaned as he was afraid of the giant bugs.

Serenity raised her hands, and called the Silver Crystal's power to her. A shield was draped over them, and as the locusts tried to break through, they were destroyed.

"Endymion, I will attack it with a stronger attack, then you can finish it off." Pluto watched, knowing what attack she would use. It was more powerful, because it drew directly from the Silver Crystal. Because of her training, Serenity now knew how to use the crystal as a weapon without killing herself, yet she still knew that using the crystal was dangerous.

Serenity raised her arms on top of her head, and cupped them together. The shield vanished, as she called out her attack. "Silver Moon Frost!" Glowing light formed in her raised hands. She released the power from her hands, before it grew too powerful and drained all of her energy. The glow had taken on the form of glowing powders of frost. The monster screamed as it was hit. Endymion finished it off with his sword.

Serenity breathed deeply, but otherwise was fine. They all left together, more than a bit tired. As Shingo watched them walk away, a plan formed in his mind.

THREE WEEKS LATER

In short time, the Senshi had become famous again, this time with four new male members. They had had more fights, and the media was constantly trying to figure out their hidden identities.

Now, they were in the midst of another fight, with the media a safe distance away, recording.

This monster looked like a giant tarantula, and was quite revolting to look at. In its web, it had captured Mercury, Venus, Saturn, and Fireside. It was now aiming for Chill and Jupiter, fighting side by side against the tiny spiders it had sent attacking them.

Serenity gritted her teeth and shouted, "Silver Moon Dagger Slice!" All of the tiny spiders were destroyed. She then aimed her attack at the struggling warriors trapped in the web. Once they were free, she turned her attention to the spider creature.

"I've had enough of you! Silver Moon Dagger Slice!"

"Fireside Flame Uproar!"

"Chill Freeze!"

"Lightning Bolt Strike"

"Energy Blast"

"Powers of the Earth Attack!"

Endymion, his Knights, and Serenity all attacked at once. The monster was destroyed, and the media came pouring out, before they could escape. Microphones were shoved into their faces, and cameras flashed. A million and one questions were asked before any of them could even open their mouth.

"Serenity, Endymion, Knights, who are you?" seemed to be the prevailing question.

"I can answer that!" Everyone turned. A mob of people had come up, each with posters saying things like, "Go Back Where You Came From", and "Earth Doesn't Need The Senshi". But most of the posters exclaimed, "Down With Serenity" and "No More Serenity". And the person who had spoken up was none other than Serenity's brother Shingo.

Shingo stepped up, and said, "Serenity and the others are imposters. They're evil, and want to rule our planet! Just ask them. Serenity aims to become Queen Serenity. She already calls herself Princess of the Moon." Shingo smiled triumphantly.

The reporters all looked to Serenity for a response.

"I'm sorry, I have no idea of what he is talking about."

"Yes you do Serenity! Why don't you tell them all about your ideas for Crystal Tokyo! How about you tell them about how you wish to overthrow the emperor, and create your own monarchy!"

Serenity looked flustered. "I'm sorry that this boy is bothering you, he's just telling lies. I'm sorry, but we really have to go."

The reporters pushed on with their questions, now wanting to know what she thinks about the accusations, are they true, what her response is. By now, the other Senshi, Knights, and Endymion had broken through the crowd of reporters, but the reporters swarmed around Serenity, packing her in. "I'm sorry, I have to go. I have to do something. It's a family thing!" Serenity suddenly opened her wings, and pushed herself over the heads of reporters, into the sky. She breathed a sigh of relief, then frowned. She needed to get to her parents house.

AT TSUKINO RESIDENCE

Serenity rushed up her parent's driveway, no longer clad in her all white Senshi uniform, but in normal clothes so that she would not be recognized. She did not even have to knock before he door was pulled open. One look at her mother's face told her that she had seen the news.

"I cannot believe that Shingo did this!" Kenji was pacing in the living room and bellowing his anger.

The three waited in silence for Shingo to come home. As the minutes turned to hours, they began to worry.

"Shingo never stays out late without calling!" Ikuko was way passed worried now. Even Serenity's anger had been replaced by fear. It had turned dark hours ago, Her father had gone out to look for him, but he had not called or returned. Looking at her mother's fearful face, she assured her mother that he was fine, and offered to go out and look.

Serenity flew through the night sky, looking for her brother. Flying over an abandoned construction sight, she thought she heard his voice. She heard a loud shot. Fear spiraled up and down her body, as she hurried towards the noise. She found her brother laying on the ground, and two men standing over him. Serenity screamed, and one looked up and pointed his weapon at her. She sent a blast of energy at him so fast, he had no time to react. Both men went flying back The two men jumped up and ran away, but Serenity didn't notice. She was too busy crying over her brother, laying prone on the grown.

A flash of light appeared, as the crystal reacted to her pain. Light washed over Shingo's body. As the healing process finished, Shingo opened his eyes. He watched in amazement as Serenity finished healing him, before collapsing.

"Usagi!" He yelled. Then remembering she was now Serenity, called her again. There was no answer. He shook her and yelled her name. Still, no answer.

"Using the crystal exhausted her." Shingo jerked his head up, and saw Sailor Pluto. "Using the crystal to heal someone requires a lot of energy and effort. She could die curing you."

Shingo gasped stricken. "She won't die. She can't die! She's my sister."

"You haven't been acting like that much lately. But, she still cared enough for you to look for you, then to risk her life to save yours."

Shingo was sobbing now. "I can change, I can!" His cries fell on deaf ears, as Pluto was already gone. He did not notice as Serenity lifted her hand, and began to stir. As she opened her eyes and looked at the crying Shingo, she smiled. He was alright.

"Shingo, it's OK. I'm here."

"Serenity! I thought you were dead."

"I had just enough life force left to sustain myself. I'm just glad you are Ok." She forced herself to sit up. "Why did they shoot you?"

Shingo hung his head. "I was being stupid. I didn't want to come home, knowing how angry everyone would be. I was wandering around here, and I saw those creeps selling illegal drugs to some guys in a car. I memorized the license plate number, and got excited, thinking that I was going to be some hero. But, they saw me and I tried to run away, but they caught me." His voice broke from the tears. "How can you ever forgive me?"

Serenity took her little brother into her arms. "I already have. You're my little brother. How could I not forgive you? Can you forgive me for lying?"

Shingo smiled. "I already have, sis, I already have."

Hey everyone. I really liked this chapter a lot, and I'm pretty pleased. Please Review.