Thank you to my beta chimichurri for going over this story for me! You are the best! Thank you to all of you who have reviewed this story, it really makes me happy to hear that so many of you are enjoying this story. I thank all of you truely from the bottom of my heart.
BETA REQUEST! - my beta Chimichurri can no longer beta for me because of work and stuff so I am in need of a new beta, I want to thank Chimichurri for being fantastic though out this whole story! and wish her all the luck and blessings! if your interested and would like to beta for me, know that I am not bossy nor am I pushy. I understand that life can get a little crazy :o)
I do not own sailor moon or its characters. Please enjoy,
Slamming her head against her bedroom door Usagi let out a frustrated breath "I know what you're thinking" Usagi froze as she heard the now conscious Senshi of Saturn "you know you'll be playing right into his hands"
"You didn't see their faces" the blond replied, her voice nothing more than a whisper, hate lacing every syllable "you didn't see her body lying there unmoving…dead" she punched her door leaning her head against the cool wood, the heat in her belly rising "he can't get away with this" she hissed "He needs to pay" she had never felt this type of anger before, the kind of anger and hatred that was unforgiving…uncaring.
Hotaru stood walking over to her princess, placing a small hand on Usagi's arm "I know you're angry"
Usagi turned around causing Hotaru to take a step back; she had never seen her princess so…heated "Mad? Hotaru that bastard killed my daughter! Right in front of me, I watch as she fell to the ground…and now…now she's lying down stairs in the arms of her grieving distort father and brother!" she ran her hand though her hair shaking her head "I'm sorry Hotaru-chan…I'm just…just so…so angry!"
Hotaru nodded "I understand…but princess…I won't stop you from leaving, but just remember that nothing good will come out of attacking your enemy in blind anger….hatred is the worst weapon…don't allow him to use your hatred against you…"
"Thank you for understanding" Usagi whispered "I think you should head down stairs now Hotaru-chan…the others will be relieved to see you well"
Hotaru nodded hugging her princess tightly "I love you Usagi-chan…and Pluto" she whispered her hand on the door handle "her safety is in your hands" with that said she left the room
"I should have known she would have sensed me" Stepping out of the shadows the Senshi of time knelt down before her princess
Usagi smirked "Yes, but she is also the most trusted out of them all, I know she won't say a word to the others" with a breath Usagi stared at the Senshi of time "I know that Neo- Queen Serenity said that I should wait…wait 13 years to attack this monster…but I can't" she shook her head "he has done too much damage"
Pluto nodded already knowing that the small blond would make this decision "I understand your frustration princess, and I understand why you're taking action now"
Usagi nodded "alright then" the young reincarnated moon princess walked to her mattress laying down a small envelope and grabbing her precious pendant "We should go" she whispered turning her eyes to the Senshi of time
"Just hold on to my arm" and with that said the two disappeared.
-oOoOo-
Making the deal
Neo-Queen Serenity walked along the dark corridor that leads to the goddesses chambers. With her head held high she entered the room. "Ah, Neo-Queen Serenity I've been expecting you"
Quickly falling to her knees the Queen of Crystal Tokyo bowed her head shocking the Goddess of death "I come to you Izanagi-sama, not as a fallen Queen but as a mother begging, no pleading for your mercy"
Relaxing in her chair the dark haired woman smirked intrigued by Neo-Queen's actions "Go on"
"My daughter, Serenity Usagi Chiba, was sent here due to the plan that my mother, Queen Serenity, Pluto and myself set into motion"
"Yes and as I recall I've allowed the young princess to stay in your company instead of sending her to another part of the darkness"
Serenity nodded tears forming in her eyes as she looked up at the goddess before her "And for your graciousness I am forever in your debt" bowing her head once more the Queen of the crystal world fought to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall
"Spit it out child, what is it that bring you here" the older goddess laughed
"I beg of you Izanagi-sama return my daughter to the land of the living, allow her to live out the life that was unrightfully taken!"
Izanagi raised a perfectly sculpted brow as she slowly stood from her seat "You want me to return one of my souls to the land of the living? To my ex-lover, Izanami? Do you know what you are asking of me?" Izanami, who once was Izanagi lover, now her rival would want nothing more than to see her release the soul of the fallen moon and earth princess...
Serenity nodded, her head still downcasted "I understand that the plan was for myself to return to the land of the living…so that I may raise my son…be with my husband and attend to my people" she slowly raised her head, tears glistening down her cheeks "I am willing and wanting to stay deceased as long as my child is given the chance to live out her life"
"You are willing to give up your resurrection for your child?" Serenity nodded her hands shaking in front of her, big blue eyes pleading. A smile came to the goddess of death's lips "a mother's love truly knows no bounds" taking a seat in her chair Izanagi sighed "Stand already Serenity its pathetic seeing you grovel." The older goddess mumbled, turning her head to the broken Queen, Izanagi smiled "You do know I have no ill feeling toward your family. Your mother and I were best of friends as children. She was the only one who saw me as an equal. I owe her a great deal; she kept me from feeling this darkness" She waved for Serenity to sit beside her, which the Neo-Queen did "it's a lonesome job we have, sitting alone in the shadows with no companionship" Izanagi turned to her friend's only child and smiled "My support to your mother was to assist in this arrangement in order to hamper and obliterate that bothersome young man's horrifying plans. That was unjustly set in motion toward yourself and your unborn child. I have done what was asked of me, and now you wish to ask of something else?" Serenity looked down at her hands a look of defeat etched across her features. Seeing her reaction the goddess laughed "Don't look so defeated child, I did not turn your proposition down"
"I know that I am asking a great deal from you, but my daughter was innocent in all of this…she deserves a chance at life…she deserves her own happiness"
"And you do not?"
"I have lived my life Izanagi-sama; I have experienced love, happiness joy and pain in two life times…my life was nothing but blessed"
"And what of your husband? His heart is not worth a happy ending?"
"If it were my husband in my position he would do as I am now, I am not saying that this will be easy for him…nor will it be without pain…but our child our precious daughter deserves to experience what her parents were given two times over"
Izanagi nodded a small smile on her lips "you are just like your mother, kind hearted and forever loyal." She breathed a sigh before slumping in her chair "Very well I will grant your request" Serenity's eyes lit up "out of the kind love that I have for your family, I will also grant you a moment to say your goodbyes to those of your relatives." Serenity nodded standing "This will not be easy Serenity, but a deal is a deal you will return to me, remain with those who have departed in return I will grant your daughter life and promise she will not be seen in these dark caverns till she is in her olden years"
The deal had been made…
"I don't think I can do this" the Queen whispered as she watched her husband hold on to their daughter closely, his cries hollow, ringing though out the house as her son sat in the arms of his grandparents.
"This isn't a time to back down Serenity" a voice from behind her whispered "We made a deal, I listened to your pleas, and I watched you grovel, something a Queen of your power has never done before."
"They're so heartbroken" Serenity whispered "how can I face them now?"
"My dear, you are returning what has been wrongfully taken from them. Would you rather them stay this way? In complete and utter despair?" Neo-Queen Serenity shook her head "then I suggest you follow through with our arrangement"
-oOoOo-
Hours had passed before Endymion's and Moru's cries quieted. Leaving the small Tsukino home silent…haunting.
"It seems he has cried himself to sleep" Ikuko whispered brushing the bangs away from her grandson's eyes "poor dear"
Kneeling down Mamoru lifted the small boy up from his grandmother's lap, laying a pillow under his head "We should give them a moment" Mamoru whispered catching each and every eye in the room "they need a moment alone" he added before anyone could argue. His own blue eyes turning to the pink haired child wrapped in his future self's arms.
Slowly standing Ikuko turned to the tear stricken Senshi "come along girls, you all can help me with dinner" she whispered "it will do us some good to get our minds off of this horrid day"
Nodding each of the Senshi grabbed on to one another as they slowly vacated the room.
Seeing Mamoru staring brokenly at his future self and the child he would one day come to have, Kenji placed a hand on his future son's shoulder "come on son, you could use some air"
Not saying a word Mamoru slowly followed Shingo and Kenji out into the back yard.
It was like she was back in time, 16 once again as she made her way down the steps of her family home. The sweet smell of her mother's home cooked meals making its way though out the home, bringing countless memories to her mind. At the end of the steps Serenity listened as Endymion spoke to himself. "How can fait be so cruel?" his voice was ruff and ragged from his tortuous screams "first my beloved wife and now…now my precious daughter…how am I expected to carry on…to live my life without my angels to guide me?"
Serenity waited as Endymion shook his head a new set of cries escaping his already raw throat. "Why won't you answer me?" he cried "is this what you wanted? To see me fall?"
She couldn't take it any longer closing her eyes she spoke "Endymion" her arms wrapped around her mid section as the King of Crystal Tokyo turned his head his eyes wide "…U-Usako?"
With a small nod the Queen of the Crystal world knelt before her King and unmoving child "I-I don't understand?" the King whispered "y-you're dead"
"Yes" was all she could say her sad eyes looking down at her pink headed princess. Soft fingers running over the long candy colored strands "I've come to say goodbye" she whispered "and to give you something precious"
Endymion shook his head "you've come to torture me" he whispered his eyes watering as she looked up at him startled by his words "I would never" she whispered "it was not my intention to cause you more pain my love" her own tears filled her crystal orbs "I-I only came back so that I can return someone precious…so that you would not feel so…so alone" she looked down her tears dripping down her chin "I never meant to hurt you"
"Usako" he whispered lifting his one hand to her moistened skin "You are what's precious to me…to my heart…you and…and" he looked done to find his arms empty "where did she go?" he asked looking around frantically standing to his feet as he noticed he no longer stood in the Tsukino's living room but a beautiful bright white…nothingness…
"She's safe" Serenity whispered standing before her husband "Love" she whispered placing her hand to his cheek "there are some things I need to explain…that I need for you to understand…before I go"
Endymion shook his head, grabbing her hand from his cheek and kissing the palms "I can't see you leave, not again please"
Serenity tilted her head staring at her lover with sad heart breaking eyes "I will never truly leave you Mamo-chan…I will always be with you, watching over you and those we love" she placed her finger to his lip "shh, love there is something of great importance I need to share with you, my time is short, I do not wish to waste it. " She waited for his nod to continue "Destiny had turned on us, what we knew as a happy fruitful future had been turned upside down. It had been decided that during my final months of pregnancy that I and small lady would be murdered by Daitaro…the man who caused this mayhem….it was my mother Queen Serenity and Sailor Pluto who bought this to my attention and shared with me the plan that would change our lives forever."
Endymion stared at his wife, her words running though is head. It only took a few moments before he looked at her wide eyed "You knew? When you lay in the hospital wing of the palace dying…you knew?"
Serenity nodded "I never meant to deceive you love…but I knew that if I were to tell you what was happening…you would of never allowed me to go through with the plan…" she placed her hand over his cheek "I knew that by accepting this mission and setting it in motion that the death of small lady would happen…that she would be killed…as part of the deal my mother made with Izanagi-sama, my mother was granted life…Izanagi-sama feeling that the death of two Crystal monarchs would cause more damage than good, granted me life…once Daitaro was taken care of."
Endymion's eyes widened "You'll be returning home? She is giving you your life back?" tears of joy slowly fell from his eyes, but quickly vanished as his wife shook her head "Why are you shaking your head? You just said that Izanagi-sama, the goddess of death was granting you a second life!"
"Though it is true she did grant me a second life…a chance to raise our son, be with you and attend to our people…as joyful and wonderful as it was…I could not take it"
"W-What?" he whispered dropping his hands to his sides
"I made a deal love, a deal that I would stay in the land of the living forfeiting my resurrection so that my daughter, our child is given the life that was taken from her" Endymion looked up at his wife his eyes wide with shock, Serenity smiled "We were never meant to be together forever love, all stars meet their ends at one point."
Endymion pulled her hand into his staring at her sternly "No Serenity, Usako…we were always meant to live and die together"
"Only in fairy tales do things such as that come true my dear only in fairy tales" she whispered "You must find the will to carry on without me love"
"There is no such life"
"Not even for our children? Our son?" her eyes turned to the small child sleeping peacefully "You would leave him with no one again?" Endymion said nothing he only stared at the sleeping child "the difference between you and I is that this was always your home, you were always meant to live here on this planet, on your planet regardless of me…you must live my love, you must go on with your life if not for me then for him, raise him with all the love and dedication you have shown me" Smiling she kissed his cheek "I have lived a life that others could only dream of, I had friends, family…I was able to live as a princess on the moon" she giggled "then as if being granted a wish, I was given the chance to live on earth…as normal as it could have been, with friends and a wonderful family…then I fell in love with my soul mate, my prince…I have been blessed beyond words Mamo-chan…and now…it's time for our daughter to live such a magical life…to love…to laugh…to live"
It was true they both were granted two remarkable lives. Even though he had lost his parents at such a young age, he would later gain wonderful friends and a beautiful family. As he stared at his wife he understood why she did what she did. Giving up her chance at life would mean nothing knowing that their daughter was granted the same chance.
Endymion embraced his wife "I understand" he whispered into her silver hair "you have been the star in my night sky and the love that fills my heart" he pulled away slowly "I'll be waiting for the day that I see you again"
Serenity smiled pulling him back into her arms "I'll be waiting" she whispered as he closed his eyes tightly, savoring the feeling of her in his arms. It only took a moment as Endymion felt his wife body become smaller.
"Papa" Endymion stiffened as he heard the voice he longed to hear "Papa" slowly releasing the love in his arms he stared wide eyed as the woman in front of him was replaced by his daughter
"C-Chibiusa" he whispered his hands shakily touching her cheek "Chibiusa?" his tears making their way down his face "it's you" he smiled pulling her into his arms "oh thank the stars my angel!"
"I'm so sorry papa" Chibiusa cried into her father chest
Endymion rubbed his daughters back as he smiled tears of joy running down his face "You have nothing to be sorry for, your mother and I are so proud of you!"
"Papa?" came a groggy voice, rubbing his eyes Mamoru stared at his father who held a pink haired girl in his arms…wait…pink haired… "Papa…is that…" Mamoru slowly stood his eyes wide with tears as he stared at his sister crying into her father's chest "Cotton candy head?" he questioned running to his father's open arm "how is she alive?" he asked pulling her to face him "how are you here?" Chibiusa said nothing her eyes staring down at the ground "it was mama wasn't it?" he whispered causing Chibiusa to nod. Without another word the young boy embraced his older sister tears of joy running down his face "Thank you mama" he whispered "Don't you ever leave me again!" he cried as the pink haired princess wrapped her arms around her eight year old brother kissing the top of his head "I won't leave you again Mamoru…ever"
Endymion smiled as he stared at his two children 'Thank you Usako….my love' placing his arms around the two children he yelled"I say let's head home!" Endymion laughed joyously grabbing hold of his two children.
Never noticing the two women who stood far behind, smiling "I love you too, Mamo-chan"
-oOoOo-
In the kitchen the Senshi along with Tsukino Ikuko quietly tended to their individual duties. Ikuko stood silently stirring a pot of soup, next to her Minako stood silently chopping the onions, Makoto whipped her forehead as she continued to knead the dough underneath her fingers, Rei stood by Makoto adding flour as she needed, Haruka and Michiru both noiselessly patting the rice balls they were making as Ami stood beside them mixing a large bowl of eggs.
It wasn't until Ikuko smelled the freshly kneaded dough that she remembered her precious daughter "Have any of you seen Usagi?" she asked looking around the large kitchen, a worried expression on her face
Ami stopped mixing the eggs turning to her fellow Senshi; Rei slapped her forehead letting out an irritated groan "I can't believe we completely forgot about her!"
"Come to think about it I don't remember seeing her down stair" Makoto added concern laying her words
"Actually I saw her on the stairs when you brought in…." Minako turned away her hands resting on the counter tops as she fought the urge to cry.
"Did she happen to say anything to you Minako-chan?" Haruka asked her expression softening as she stared at the goddess of love.
Minako shook her head "honestly I didn't pay much attention to her reaction…I just stood protectively in front of her not knowing what it was or who it was you were bring into the house" she whispered
"It's alright Minako-chan, you did the right thing" Michiru whispered as she laid a comforting hand on her fellow senshi's shoulder "Should one of us go check on her?"
Ikuko shook her head "She must be in her room resting" she whispered "let her rest…after today I think she'll need it"
Ami nodded holding her bowl close to her chest "are you sure?" the blue haired Senshi asked her body feeling anxious, she couldn't explain the feeling-she just felt as if something was right…out of place
The lavender haired woman nodded "I can only begin to imagine what she must be feeling right now" Ikuko shook her head tears sliding down her check "…no mother…past, present or future should have to watch or see their child die"
The others nodded staring at each other, their sadden expressions deepening.
-oOoOoO—
Mamoru took in the cold night air, his eyes staring up at the night sky before him. How could this be happening to him? To his family? He shook his head as he thought of the small child that changed his life forever… "Chibiusa" he whispered her laugher playing around his ears as if haunting him, breaking his heart even farther. How was he to go on knowing that one day he would not only have a child but…lose her short years later? Is this how life was supposed to be for him and his beloved? Maybe if he had never entered Usako's life she would of married someone who could have protected her…kept her and her children safe from harm.
"You shouldn't blame yourself" Mamoru turned quickly to find Usagi's father staring up at the same dark sky "You did what you could"
"I'm sorry"
Kenji turned to his future son in law confusingly "what are you sorry about?"
"If I stayed away from her…from Usak-Usagi…then…then none of this would have happened…she would be better off"
Kenji shook his head laughter bubbling past his lips "sorry for laughing" the older man chuckled as Mamoru stared at him bewildered "but isn't she Sailor Moon?" Mamoru nodded slowly "and if I'm correct from what she told us of her past and what not…did she not become Sailor Moon before the two of you got together?" Kenji raised his bushy brow at the young earth prince
"Yes" Mamoru whispered
"Well then she would be in danger regardless if you were in her life or not" smiling Kenji placed his hand on Mamoru shoulder "Chiba-san if my daughter was with an average Joe like that Furuhata guy, she would probably be dead right now" Mamoru cringed at the thought "You saved her countless times…now I'll deny this if this ever comes up again…" Mamoru nodded "knowing that my daughter has you by her side…I can sleep easier at night"
"I just feel like I failed her…my family somehow…" he whispered looking up at the large silver moon "I know it sounds strange, since technically we aren't married yet and Chibiusa isn't born…"
Kenji laughed "a father isn't just someone who creates a child Chiba-san, any male with half a brain can do that…no" he shook his head "it takes time, love and devotion…same goes with creating a family and from what I saw with your future self…you couldn't ask for a more perfect family"
Mamoru smiled bowing in front of the older man with much respect "thank you Tsukino-san"
-oOoOoOo—
Eternal Sailor Moon walked out of the shadows of the empty dark corridor "This is where that snake's hiding?" She asked turning to Pluto, who stood beside her "Yes, just past those large double doors"
Looking ahead of her Eternal Sailor Moon took in her surroundings "It feels so heavy here" she raised her gloved hand to her forehead "I know I felt this negative energy before"
Pluto nodded pulling her staff close to her "Princess, you must be cautious…the heaviness your feeling is from the dark crystal he holds."
"Dark crystal? You mean like the Wiseman dark crystal?" Eternal Sailor Moon visibly paled
Shaking her head the Senshi of time placed a hand on her princesses shoulder "No, just the dark powers of the dark moon family" Eternal Sailor Moon breathed a sigh of relief "Don't underestimate its power princess, though the dark crystal slowly drains the power of light…going after Daitaro you'll need to do it quickly. For the longer you stay in his demotions the weaker you'll become."
"thank you Pluto for all of your help but…I think it's time you leave" she whispered causing the Senshi of time to take a step forward, raising her hand Eternal Sailor Moon said calmly "this fight is between Daitaro and I, if I wanted help then I would have brought the others…You brought me here you did your part now I'm ordering you to leave" Knowing there was no way of changing her mind Pluto nodded her head "as you wish…just please…be careful" Eternal Sailor Moon smirked "Am I not always?" she turned her back to the Senshi of time and glared at the double doors in front of her
"Alright Daitaro it's time to end this"
-oOoOoOo-
"It looks like everything finished" Ikuko whispered "Makoto-san will you please go and get Moru and Endymion…tell them that they need to come and eat something…it's alright if Endymion will not come, but Moru is too young to miss out of a meal…Rei-san can you please go outside and get the boys" nodding the two Senshi left the kitchen
"I'll go get Usagi-chan" Ami whispered as she went to the stairs to retrieve her princess and best friend.
It only took a few moments before she came running down the stairs a frantic look on her face "Usagi's gone!" she yelled causing everyone in the room to look at her
"What do you mean she's gone?" Rei yelled
"I don't know I went into her room and it was empty all that was left was this" she held out a white envelope
Mamoru quickly took the envelop from Ami's shaken fingers "it's a letter" he whispered pulling the pink paper out of its confinements. His eyes wondered down the paper, his face becoming paler as his eyes made it to the end of the letter
"Well what does it say?" Minako asked worriedly
"She's gone" he whispered "she went after Daitaro"
"Oh god" Ikuko whispered as her husband wrapped an arm around his wife
"That blonde headed baka!" Rei yelled turning to a frantic Makoto "we already know Usagi-chan gone!"
"So are Endymion and Mori" the Senshi of Jupiter added looking around at the worried group
"What the hell is going on?" Rei yelled "First Usagi and now the others, God damn it! Why would she do something so stupid?"
"Why are you guys just standing around? Don't you have some kinda tracking device or something?" Shingo yelled "you're the Sailor Senshi for crying out loud stop wasting time and find my sister!"
Ami pulled out her computer "I'll try the computer see what I get…"
"We'll search the city" Michiru and Haruka added as they pulled out their henshin sticks.
"You won't be able to find her" everyone turned around to find Hotaru standing at the bottom of the stairs
"Hotaru" Michiru rushed to the small child's side, quickly looking her over
"I'm find Michiru-mama" the raven haired child assured as she made her way into the dining room, everyone's eyes following her.
"Hotaru what do you mean we wouldn't be able to find her?" Mamoru asked as Rei took the note from his hands.
Hotaru took a seat at the table "She left this time"
"What do you mean she left this time?" Rei yelled "if you know something then you have to tell us!" she inched closer to the small Senshi, Haruka now taking a protective stance beside her adopted daughter.
"Rei-chan's right Hotaru-chan, if Usagi-chan said anything to you we need to know." Ami employed a look of desperation on her face
"It's our duty as her Senshi to protect her, going after Daitaro is nothing but a suicide attempt!" Minako cried
Hotaru shook her head, the child hissed her eyes darkening "I don't have to tell you anything, I know all too well about our mission…so do not come to me acting as if I am some worthless child that you can pump for information" her violet eyes softened as they fell on the defeated earth prince, tears falling from his eyes as he looked to Hotaru for help "I'm sorry I cannot say too much…I am under orders by Usagi-sama…but know dear prince that she is in good hands"
"And who hands would that be?" Makoto yelled her fist hitting the table cracking it
One simple word left the young senshi's lips
"Her own"