A/N: Thanks so much, I'm pleased everyone loves seeing more of Shingo!

Shingo's words had given me pause. For a couple of minutes, I honestly did not know how to respond to what he said. I took the time to take a good, long look at him and realize that he wasn't a baby anymore. My little brother was growing up - no, he had grown up, right in front of my eyes, and somehow I had missed it. He was almost as tall as I was, and he'd grown his hair out so that it curled over his ears. His green eyes were warm and compassionate as they gazed at me. He wasn't the little brat who used to tease me mercilessly anymore. I wondered how it was that I could have been so preoccupied with my own business that I had never stopped to see the man he was becoming.

"I am in love with him," I said, remembering at the last minute to amend that to him. Shingo didn't know that Seiya was actually a girl. I would have told him, but that wasn't my secret to share. It felt weird to say it out loud, to acknowledge my feelings to someone else, but it felt good, too. I had kept it inside for a long time. "But in spite of what you might think, I don't know if he loves me back. So please don't say anything, Shingo, unless I can be absolutely sure. I would much rather have Seiya's friendship then have nothing at all."

"I figured you might say that. I hope that you'll be able to be sure soon," he replied. "He's pretty famous, you know. Some other girl could come along and snatch him out from under you."

I knew that he was teasing, but the comment still stung because it was a very real fear. I put a hand over my stomach unconsciously and only recognized what I had done when Shingo looked at me questioningly. It was, undoubtedly, a foolish notion on my part, but at that moment I wanted to tell Shingo the truth. Not about my being Sailor Moon, there was still too much I had to work out for me to share that with anyone, but about the baby. He was going to be an uncle. He deserved to know. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Things are more complicated than you realize. It's not that easy."

"What do you mean, it's not that easy?" Shingo frowned. He'd always been a smart kid and I knew it wouldn't take him long to put two and two together. I made no effort to hide from his searching gaze. I kept the hand pressed against my belly and sure enough, his eyes eventually fell to my stomach and then widened. He opened his mouth like he was going to say something and then stopped. He shook his head.

"Yes," I said, my voice cracking because of my nerves. I knew there was a chance this could go very badly. If Shingo told Mom and Dad... I didn't want to imagine what they would say. I knew that confrontation would be coming sooner rather than later as it was, but I needed more time. I prayed that he would understand. "I didn't tell anyone, Shingo, but Mamo-chan came back from America. He was... worried about me. He didn't stay for very long. That's... that's actually how he died, trying to get out of Japan." And I had to swallow back tears, because at least that much was true. "Part of me wishes he had never come back. But while he was here, one thing led to another and we…"

"You're pregnant," he breathed. "Oh my god."

I nodded. "Yes, I'm pregnant," I confirmed. "After the attack at my school the hospital gave me a standard test while they were checking me out, and that's how I found out." I smiled bitterly. "It wasn't a very good day for me."

"I can't believe this. Or actually, I can, but I never thought that you..." Shingo trailed off and shook his head again. He looked away from me and stared out the window for a minute before he glanced back. "You... you're not joking, are you? Because I have to tell you, this would be in really poor taste."

"Shingo! No, I am not joking. I really am pregnant," I said. "You just can't tell yet because I'm not very far along. I figure I have another month or two before anything is visible. And right now, very few people know so you cannot tell anyone, understand? Not Mom, not Dad, and definitely not Seiya, Yaten or Taiki. I only told you because I wanted you to know."

He scratched his head and sighed. "Well, I'm glad you told me. But don't you think that's something your friends should know?"

"I know, and I do want to tell them, but I'm afraid." I licked my lips nervously. "Not about what they'll say, I actually think they will be very understanding. I'm worried about what everyone else is going to say. There are enough rumors about us already, Shingo. I've seen the magazines and the newspapers. I've heard what people are saying. They're all convinced that one of the Three Lights is dating me, and those are the nicer rumors I've heard." I scowled briefly, thinking about the worse ones I had come across. "If it comes out that I'm pregnant, you know what everyone is going to say. It's not fair to put that kind of backlash onto the three of them, not after they've been so nice to me."

Shingo didn't say anything for a moment. "Alright, I can see where you're coming from. I get how that's a major source of concern. But still, Nee-chan, you can't keep this from everyone forever. Like you said, you're going to start showing and I doubt people are going to believe that you're just getting fat no matter how much you eat." He gave me a weak smile.

I smiled back. However mild the taunt was compared to normal, it was still reassuring to hear. "I realize that. I guess I'm just trying to put it off as long as possible." Just long enough for us to get rid of Rubeus and for me to think about leaving so that the Starlights wouldn't have to face this possible media storm at all. "And you have to promise me that you're not going to tell anyone else. I told you this in confidence."

"I don't know." Shingo hesitated. "I don't feel right hiding this from Mom and Dad."

"You have to! I'm not ready to tell them yet."

"But don't you think it will only get worse the longer you wait?"

Logically, I knew he was right. The smart thing to have done would have been to have gone to Mom and Dad as soon as I found out. Mom would be even more hurt and angry when she knew I'd been hiding this all along. It wouldn't help to convince her that the father was Mamo-chan, either. I looked at him and spoke the truth. "I couldn't," I said very quietly. This was a fear I had shared with no one. "I was afraid… I'm only sixteen, Shingo. If Mom and Dad wanted to, they could try to make me get rid of the baby or give it up for adoption. And I couldn't bear that." My eyes filled with tears.

He looked stricken. I could tell that wasn't something he had thought about. "Mom and Dad wouldn't do that," he said, but he didn't sound very convinced and I knew that we were both thinking the same thing: that image was really important to our parents and this would not reflect very well on either one of them, especially now that Mamo-chan was dead. It would've been different if he'd still been around and could have supported me until we got married, but I would be a single mother. That was bad enough without taking into account the fact that I was living amongst three boys.

"I'd like to think that, too, but you can't be sure," I replied as gently as possible, wiping at my eyes. My family didn't remember who Chibi-Usa was. She had faded from their memories every time she left for the future. I had always been careful to gather up the things she owned or that would give us away, like pictures, and put them in my bedroom where no one would see them. And even if they did remember, they would've known her as my cousin. I couldn't explain how important this child was, but there was no way I was going to let anyone jeopardize its future. "If I wait long enough, at least they can't make me get rid of it."

"But what about adoption?" he asked, looking troubled.

I bit my lip. That was an altogether different situation because I knew that in a normal situation, adoption would probably be the best route for me to take. But I could never let my baby be taken away even if it wasn't Chibi-Usa; this was the last thing I had of Mamo-chan and probably the only daughter or son I would ever have aside from Chibi-Chibi. "If they suggest it, I'll fight them on it," I whispered.

"God," Shingo muttered, rubbing at his forehead. "I knew that there was something up with you, but I never imagined…"

"I know. I'm sorry. I probably shouldn't have dumped all this on you."

"It's alright. I'm glad you trusted me enough to tell me. And… I won't tell Mom and Dad." Shingo reached out and put his hand over mine. My stomach was still flat, but at that moment it was easy to imagine a few months from now when it would be rounded. "I can tell that you want this, Usagi. I don't know if it's a good idea, but I do think it should be your choice to make."

I hugged him. "Thank you, Shingo."

"You're welcome, but I still think you should tell your friends, especially Seiya. They deserve to know something so important. You can tell them without letting anyone else know. Maybe they'll be able to think of a way for you guys to present it better to the public."

"I doubt it, but I will think about it," I promised. After all, he had a point. This was huge, and I didn't have a good reason to hide it from them other than fear. I was terrified to know what they would think, if it would mean my chances with Seiya would be over forever. Right now I could still imagine that the two of us could be together, but if I told her and it turned out that she wasn't interested in me anymore for whatever reason, regardless of whether it was the baby, I would have to face that.

"Alright," Shingo said, dropping his arms from me. He sounded doubtful, like he thought I was going to dismiss what he'd said.

"You can tell Mika," I added.

"Really?"

"Yes, as long as you promise she'll keep it to herself. I know what it's like to have to keep secrets in a relationship. It's not a good thing." He watched me curiously at that, but I avoided his gaze. Even if I hadn't consciously faced it at the time, having feelings for Seiya while I was tied to Mamoru had put a strain on me. I could tell that Shingo was serious enough about Mika that I didn't want to put that on him.

"She can," he said. "Thanks."

I watched as he went back into the living room, and a minute later I heard Mika gasping so loud it was audible even over the television. I had to smile as I came in with the drinks and she began asking me a series of excited questions. It was nice to be around someone who was actually excited about the baby, because I had the feeling that most of the reception I was going to get was not going to be good.

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