Mamoru took the girls order as they entered McDonald's and Usagi took Chibi-Usa into the play place. Mamoru joined Usagi at the table shortly after with their drinks and order number. "Where is Chibi-Usa?" He asked taking a drink of his coke.
Usagi pointed to the bridge near the ceiling. [I am still amazed she has never been to McDonald's before.]
[Just wait till you see her face when the food arrives.] Mamoru laughed with a wink. The couple did their best to keep track of the little girl as she ran around the play structure with the other kids. Usagi couldn't stop smiling as she watched the little girl that seemed so troubled so much of the time running around happy and playing like any other kid her age.
The worker brought the tray and placed it down, collecting the number and wishing them a good evening. "Chibi-Usa, time to come and eat."
The pink haired girl stopped what she was doing and came running. She stopped and looked confused as there was a cardboard box in front of her chair on the table, "What is this?" She asked sitting down.
"Open it," Mamoru encouraged.
Her face lit up as she pulled out a square box labelled chicken nuggets, a container of fries, a tube labelled yogurt and a sailor moon toy. "It is called a Happy Meal," Usagi whispered as to not embarrass the little girl. "Can you guess how it got its name?"
"Arigatto gozimasu." She said with the biggest grin. "Ikidakimasu."
The couple smiled as they ate their own meals enjoying the joy that such a small thing such as a Happy Meal brought to their future daughter. They almost forgot how traumatized she was. After finishing their meals and letting Chibi-Usa wear herself out, they got ice cream and headed to the Tsukino home to drop off a very tired but very happy Chibi-Usa.
The next morning started the same as the day before with Mamoru all but breaking down the door on his way to comfort Usagi as she woke from a nightmare. Roselyn going back to bed till her alarm, getting up making breakfast as she waited for the generals and the couple to join her. After breakfast everyone going their own way to get ready for school, Usagi sobbing in the shower as Roselyn got ready. Usagi putting on a fake smile when Roselyn found her checking her school bag. Everyone meeting downstairs before walking to school and meeting Ami and Makoto part way.
After school the senshi and generals gathered at the shrine to work on their homework before splitting into couples to get to know each other's modern forms. Roselyn having no one to pair off with headed to see if she could take Chibi-Usa out for the afternoon, giving Ikuko a break. Usagi and Mamoru spent some time in the park, where Mamoru did his best to put Usagi at ease enough to tell him the full extent of her nightmare.
The week progressed with very little changing, with the exception that a couple evenings Usagi and Mamoru would meet up with Roselyn and Chibi-Usa for an activity and dinner, before returning the child back to the Tsukino's for bed. The child warming up to the couple although sometimes Usagi would feel her reverting to her skittish nature around her. This did frustrate the teen but she tried not to let it bother her as she recognized there was a lot they needed to learn about Chibi-Usa and where and when she came from.
Finally, Saturday arrived, and the group decided to return to the festival for some fun, except for Rei who was back running her fortune telling booth. They all came together this time as Chibi-Usa had started warming up to almost everyone, meaning there was no reason for them to keep apart. Usagi seemed to be enjoying herself despite her re-occurring nightmare and her smile never leaving her face as long as the cotton haired child had one.
However, Minako was the opposite as she was on edge. One look at the other senshi and she knew that despite their princess' mood they could sense the enemy. Ami kept discreetly checking her computer and shaking her head.
The boys took turns at the different games trying to win this or that for their female companions. However, it seemed that Chibi-Usa was ending up with most prizes, which just made the child laugh and dance with joy. No one could miss how the royal couple stayed close and shared the joy of the child.
[If I didn't know any better, I would say that they were her parents.] Jason said as he watched Chibi-Usa run to show the couple the balloon he had won her.
The generals all nodded causing the senshi to look at the boys curiously as they were unaware of the telepathic abilities the generals shared. Roselyn laughed as she realized that the boys forgot the girls weren't in on the secret. She tapped the senshi on the shoulder and whispered, "The boys, Endy and I are all telepathic."
The girls looked at the boys, unsure of what to think. The senshi were all aware of their past lives and relationships with the generals since being re-awaken, but none of them were ready to commit to a relationship considering they had only known them for a week in this life, let alone the type of relationship that Usagi and Mamoru seemed to have developed over the course of several months.
Usagi and Mamoru showed interest as Chibi-Usa showed off her balloon and relished in the child's happiness. Usagi looked over at the two groups sadly. Mamoru followed her gaze and put his hand on her shoulder, [Give them time. They only met a week ago and they aren't soul-bonded. It may take some time but they will find each other again.]
Rei suddenly came running out of the school, spotting the senshi she waved them over. "The enemy is here." She told them breaking everyone from their thoughts as they turned and focused on the direction that Rei was pointing. There was a group of nuns that appeared to be surrounded by dark energy.
Usagi looked helplessly at Mamoru. [Don't worry. The generals and I will keep her safe. You go and take care of the enemy with the girls.] He then gave her a kiss. "Hey, Chibi-Usa. I wonder which of these guys is better at plinko." Chibi-Usa stopped and looked at him and her face changed to look as if she was thinking. Now that he had her attention, he held his hand out, "What do you think? Should we find out. I saw a plinko booth near the entrance." She laughed taking his hand and doing Eeny, meeny, miny, moe to decide who she thought her champion would be as she followed the generals and Mamoru.
The senshi then raised their transformation wands to transform. Soon the six senshi took off following Sailor Mars as she took off after the nuns who appeared to be heading to the second fortune telling booth. The evil energy radiating from the booth was almost suffocating. The fortune teller exited the booth the energy emanating from her.
Any bystanders quickly turned and ran as the nuns transformed into shapeless warriors and the site of the senshi facing off with the mysterious fortune teller scared off the rest. The fortune teller raised her hands sending a wave of fire at the senshi.
"Nice to meet you. I am Koan the youngest of the spectre sisters sent here to capture the rabbit and put an end to Crystal Tokyo." The fortune teller said pulling off her disguise to reveal her true form. A woman with long purple hair in a purple tutu and a black upside down crescent moon on her forehead.
"Spectre Sisters?" the senshi asked.
Sailor Moon whispered, "Crystal Tokyo?" as the view from the window of her nightmare flashed in her mind as the city beyond exploded. Closing her eyes to collect herself she reached above her head and declared loudly, "I am Sailor Moon, the guardian of love and justice and in the name of the moon I will punish you."
Koan laughed as she collected more energy to attack again. "Mars Flame Sniper!" Koan looked at the fire senshi and laughed as the flaming arrow disintegrated as she held her hand up and laughed.
"Mercury Aqua Rhapsody!"
"Jupiter Oak Evolution!"
Again, Koan seemed to be able to deflect the attacks with ease. However, her droids were quickly defeated.
"Terran Rose Storm!" Causing Koan to be surrounded in a furry of roses.
Using her allies attack as a distraction Sailor Moon removed her tiara, " Moon Tiara Attack!"
As the flower attack died down, Koan was able to redirect the Tiara back toward Sailor Moon.
Swooping in at the last minute as always Tuxedo Mask arrived and blocked the Tiara with his cane before it could hit. Turning he reached out gingerly to check she was unharmed. Unaware of the prying eyes from three different locations, they took each other's hands and a warm light came to life and a new weapon appeared.
"The moon rod!" Luna said aloud as she recognized the weapon.
"Mama," whispered Chibi-Usa from behind the Lunar advisor causing her to look at the child.
"BURNING MANDALA!" Sailor Mars called her attack.
Koan threw all her energy in retaliation and overpowered the fire senshi just before Sailor Moon sent her new attack, "MOON PRINCESS HALATION!"
Koan dematerialized as Sailor Mars was encapsulated in the dark fire.
"Shine Aqua Illusion!" Sailor Mercury sent her attack in an attempt to free her friend.
"Give up. Your no match for the Black Moon." A new voice declared. "I am Crimson Rubeus, although you defeated Koan her eternal fire is inextinguishable."
Rubeus' demeanor changed in a way that Tuxedo Mask recognized, he was talking telepathically to someone. "I will return."
The senshi stared as Rubeus disappeared with their friend.
"Sailor Mars!" The senshi screamed.
As the echoes of their screams died off, several voices could be heard calling out, "Small Lady!"
The senshi turned to see the generals searching for their charge as said child turned and ran in a different direction. Luna turned in time to see a necklace around the child's neck which looked like a key and a crystal.
"Chibi-Usa?" Sailor Moon called out as she watched the cotton haired pigtails disappear around the corner. The image too close to her nightmare she stuttered briefly before passing out.
Tuxedo Mask catching her while looking after the child. "Find her!" he commanded as he was unable to leave his unconscious girlfriend.
The generals raced off after the child while Tuxedo Mask stood with the heroine in his arms and leapt onto the rooftop and made his way to his apartment by which time her transformation fell. Placing her on the bed, he released his transformation and laid down beside her.
Getting up as he heard the rain start to fall he looked out over the city, "Where are you, Chibi-Usa? Please come home."
Luna had found the child exhausted and asleep under a playground as the rain fell around her. She turned to go get help when she happened upon Jason.
Jason had gone into shook as he was unable to stop the enemy from taking Rei and had been wandering aimlessly until Luna snapped him out of his stupor by jumping onto his shoulder. Jason was soaked but followed Luna to retrieve the small girl and brought her to Mamoru's apartment.
Mamoru opened the door, "Oh, thank God. Where did you find her?"
"Luna found her asleep in a park near the shopping district." Jason answered handing the soaking wet, sleeping child to his prince before heading to his apartment to dry off.
As Usagi was still unconscious, Mamoru took it upon himself to get his daughter into something dry.
Once the child was dry he tucked her in next to girlfriend. Then Mamoru went to the kitchen to make tea, only to be startled by Luna. "Mamoru, what do you know about Chibi-Usa?"
Mamoru shrugged, "The same as the senshi."
"Endymion Mamoru Rhea! Do not give me that bull. I saw what was around her neck." She paused gaging his reaction. "What are you and Usagi hiding?"
Mamoru was about to answer when he heard the bedroom door. [Usako, you had me so worried.]
She nodded, her cheeks still burned from her tears and looked at the cat that was sitting on the counter like a drowned animal, "You first, Luna." She said getting a towel before joining them in the kitchen.
Luna looked concerned as she climbed onto the towel and let the teen dry her fur. "She looks like you. She wears the royal hairstyle. She is able to block terran powers. She wears a crystal around her neck, that resembles the ginzoshou and when she saw the moon rod she said mama." The teens nodded as Luna finished. "Is she your daughter?"
Mamoru served the tea and nodded. "That is the conclusion that we came to."
"But she is somehow from the future." Usagi added before her guardian could say anything. Usagi turned to the glass doors letting her thoughts go to her friend. [I will find you, Rei. I promise you.]
"What makes you think she is from the future?" Luna asked as she struggled to remember, but remember what?
"Firstly, we have not been intimate."
"Further emphasis, I have never been pregnant. Let alone given birth." Usagi added rejoining the conversation.
"When I first touched her I got a vision of a futuristic city of crystal. "
Usagi looked toward the bedroom door and nibbled on her lip as she wasn't sure if she was ready to talk about it or if it truly was a vision of the future. Luckily, she didn't have to decide as they could hear Chibi-Usa stirring in the other room.
"Do any of the court know?" Luna asked and both shook their heads as they headed towards the bedroom to check on the newly awakened child.
"Hey, sweetheart," Usagi said going to join the child on the bed.
"You had us worried," Mamoru added bringing in and putting a teacup next to the bed for the little girl.
She looked down at her hands as she gripped the blankets. "I am sorry. It is all my fault." She said tears falling down her cheeks like waterfalls.
Usagi and Mamoru looked at each other and then Usagi reached over wiping the girl's tears and gently asking, "What's your fault, Small Lady?"
The child stayed quiet save her tears. Mamoru retrieve a stuffed Tuxedo Mask miniature and a rose. He the crawled back to the side of the bed, "Please don't cry little lady or this rose will wilt. This magical rose lives on smiles."
Chibi-Usa smiled and laughed as she reached for the doll. "There now. That's better." The couple smiled and Usagi laid her daughter down while Mamoru pulled the blankets up to tuck her back in. "Close your eyes it's time for all little princesses to get some sleep."
Her eyes popped open at the mention of princesses. 'Do they know I am a princess?' She thought as exhaustion from the day overtook her.
Luna made her way out of the room and contacted the senshi to let them know that Chibi-Usa was safe. The generals would already have been told by Jason or would hear from the senshi. Once she had sent the update. Luna returned to the bedroom and got comfortable on the bed to comfort the child if she woke.
Usagi and Mamoru sat watching her sleep for a little while before getting up to go finish their tea. [She looks so peaceful when she is asleep.]
[Are you ready to tell me what has been disturbing your sleep? It has been a week and who knows maybe talking about it will help.] Mamoru offered praying his girlfriend would open up to him.
Usagi shrugged as she snuggled up to Mamoru on the couch with her tea. Taking a long sip, she opened her mind and recalled the nightmare, letting Mamoru experience what had been interrupting their sleep for the past week.
Mamoru blinked as he was pulled into Usagi's nightmare but from his perspective. He couldn't control his actions or voice. He was a bystander watching through his own eyes as he ran searching for her. Finally, he found her near a window as an explosion rocked the palace.
He braced himself and as he got closer, he noticed the barely noticeable bump. 'She's pregnant 'he realized as he heard himself speak. "Sere,"
She looked up at him. "Oh, Endy. I can't find her."
He pulled her as close as he could with her baby bump. He smiled at the thought but could feel her growing anxiety. "Leave that to the senshi and generals. Let me get you to the safety of the nursery. Small Lady knows the protocol and I can't focus on anything until I know you and our growing family are safe."
She paused and pulled away looking at him curious despite the battle raging outside. He took her silence as agreement giving her just enough time to look down at herself. As another explosion rocked the palace, he found his arm reaching around to support her and his other hand going to the slight bump barely visible under her dress, he hears Usagi's thoughts. [Growing family? Is that what was between us?] Her hands finding his resting on her slightly rounded belly just as her eyes see something and she called out, "SMALL LADY?!"
Mamoru jerked back as he was back in the present. Looking at Usagi as tears silently fell, he reached over and pulled her close. [Growing family that has an existing nursery.] He thought of the highlights.
[Explosions! Danger! Missing child!] She paused before looking down and then away out the balcony. [Missing friends…]
He reached out and gently turned her to face him. [We will get her back! That I promise you and I will be there to protect all of you, always] He responded and kissed her. They half laid, cuddling in each other's embrace as they fell asleep. Both able to sleep peacefully knowing that their family was safe and sound.
Luna tossed in her sleep, a long forgotten memory playing out in her subconscious. "Luna?"
The feline had wandered farther than she had ever gone before, deep into a forbidden area where she found a mysterious, solitary door that stood detached from any of the surrounding structures.
Queen Serenity had come searching for her concern etched in her features and in her voice. "Luna, what are you doing here? You know it is off limits. You know that." The Queen froze as her gaze landed on the door. "Stay back that is a forbidden door. Beyond that door is sacred ground defended by the solitary guardian."
The Queen picked her up and commanded her, "Luna, forget this place, what you have seen here and everything I have just said. Do you understand?"
Luna woke up and turned to look out at the moon. 'Was I dreaming? Could this child be from the future?'