Spin the Bottle 2, part 1

Chapter One

It took a surprisingly little amount of time to purchase a house, Usagi realized with shock. Her Dad had pulled up next to the curb and in the morning sunshine a strangely dressed group of people alighted from three different cars. How surprised the two sales men had been to see them so early-and so eager to buy. Mamoru led the way to a large desk, one arm each about Rei's and Usagi's shoulders to keep them in close contact. Usagi had held her blue coat closed against the curious eyes of them men, who had looked them over assessing as if doubting they could have afforded a shack. Mamoru put a swift end to that, by coolly pinning the two men to the spot with his gaze and demanding to see the largest secluded house in Juuban. Hastily scrambling, a brochure was procured and they were all soon looking eagerly from photo to photo.

It took five minutes for Mamoru and the Senshi to decide on the most strategically placed house. It was a mansion really, but Mamoru had never even blinked at the price. He'd reached into his jacket as if for a wallet and then gestured into his sub space pocket. The wallet had dropped into his palm and he'd calmly withdrawn it and got out his Gold Card. Everyone's eyes had almost popped out at the sight of it. Cool, calm Mamoru, who always wore the same green jacket-was stinking rich! Not that it had mattered to Usagi. She loved him. A transaction later and one of the sales men were leading them to the posher side of town, just a few blocks from Mamoru's apartment actually. The man stopped outside the large iron gates, with a white drive behind and jumped out of his car to run back to Mamoru. Mamoru wound down his window and took the keys, password to the security system and the main gate. Then, delighted at his easy sale, the man had driven quickly off to leave the new owners alone with their 'cozy shack'.

Usagi blinked up at the front gates now, as Mamoru told Kenji the password for the main gates. ["It's really big"] she said mentally to Rei. She frowned in thought, silver eyes curious. "Not as big as the Moon Palace though," she finished in a murmur, regretting that she remembered so little about her past. Her Mother, Queen Serenity had told them very little, she and Endymion about their past. Just the last day and the decision to send her dead daughter, her lover and her guardians into the future. And in the process, the Silver Crystal had stolen Queen Serenity's life. ["Mother..."] Usagi thought painfully, silver eyes filling with tears. She was jolted as the car started up again and began its slow wind through the main gates and up the drive. She glanced out the window as they passed the open gates, which had swung so ponderously outwards. The place was really beautiful. It had lush green lawns, trees everywhere, flowerbeds and then house-it was enormous!

"WOW!" Makoto shrieked from the car behind them, voice clearly heard. Though the large house led off of a busy Juuban district, the house itself was so far into the property that it was secluded. Safe. ["Safe"]

["Yes. Safe my darling"] Mamoru murmured, slipping an arm about Usagi's waist and pulling her close. He felt Rei lean against his arm from the other side, her breasts pressed against his jacket. For a moment he tensed, then smiled wryly. Rei was like a sister to him now...

["Lucky you said that, buster"] Rei muttered teasingly into his mind, adding a mental slap.

Usagi smiled at her best friend, eyes alight. Maybe everything would turn out okay after all.

"Did we-really need such a large place, Mamoru?" Kenji chocked out from the drivers seat, flabbergasted at the sight of the huge white house looming over them. He pulled up right outside the double front doors and gaped.

Next to him, Ikuko did the same, eyes glazed over with delight. "Oh my! This is wonderful!" she exclaimed, hastily undoing her seat belt and scrambling out of the car.

Usagi, Mamoru and Rei exchanged an amused and bewildered look. "She's always wanted a large house," the silver-haired girl confided to them in a whispered. She undid her seatbelt and reached for the handle of the car door, throwing it open. She hopped out, feeling Mamoru exit the same way behind her.

Rei got out the other side and slammed the door behind her loudly, breaking the awed silence. "Hmm-impressive," she muttered derisively, unimpressed. She stomped up the five front steps to the front door and waited for Mamoru and Usagi to sprint hastily after her, both glaring. "Sorry-forgot," she said sheepishly.

Mamoru's eyebrows rose incredulously. ["You-forgot?"] he said to her disbelievingly. After ALL they'd gone through-she FORGOT?

["CUT IT OUT JERK AND OPEN THE DAMN DOOR!"] she bellowed into his mind, infuriated. There was nothing Rei hated MORE than for someone to harp on about something! She crossed her arms and waited impatiently as Mamoru entered the security code on the panel beside the double oak doors. He sighed, reached for one golden handle and threw open the door grandly. "Ladies," he gestured inside grandly.

Rei sniffed and swept past him. What was all the fuss about, anyway? It was a hide-out, that was...all. She gaped upwards at the spectacular staircase, clad in blood red carpet. A double staircase! "Wow!" she breathed, finally impressed.

Usagi giggled, walking past her best friend. As she did, she reached out and playfully yanked one of Rei's long locks of red hair. "Suuuure Rei. It's just a hide-out!" the silver-haired girl giggled, voice echoing musically around the hall. EVERYTHING was impressive.

As everyone entered the house, they gaped around, eyes huge.

"Jeez, Mamoru," Makoto breathed, utterly taken-in by the surroundings. "Remind me to ALWAYS let you pick our hide-outs!"

"Oh I AGREE, Makoto dear," Ikuko said enthusiastically, eyes glowing with excitement. She passed by Usagi and Mamoru and Rei, reaching out absently to pat his back. ["After all, he'll be my son in law some day"] she thought, giggling like a Schoolgirl under her breath. It was plain to see that Mamoru and Usagi were as much in love as the Prince and Princess had been a thousand years ago. Her smile faded slightly as she remembered the revelations of an hour ago. ["I'm not her real Mother...but does it really matter? We both raised her in different lifetimes, Queen Serenity and I"] she sighed.

Kenji walked up behind his wife and wrapped his arms about her waist, resting his head next to hers as they gazed up the broad staircases. "Magnificent, isn't it?" he said, mouth twisting slightly. "I hate to admit it, but I'm beginning to like that young man," he admitted in a whisper.

Ikuko's eyes widened. "Really? Well-maybe we're both growing up finally, Kenji."

"I LOVE it!" Ami squealed happily, throwing her arms wide and twirling about crazily in the hall.

"Now that's very un-Ami-like behavior," Rei said with some surprise as they watched the blue-haired girl's exuberant face.

Usagi was silent for a long moment, lost in a vision of the past. Mercury laughing, smiling, in love...kissing...

["Kissing who?"] Rei cut in curiously, trying to trace Usagi's visions. But she couldn't. It was like she was thrust entirely out of Usagi and Mamoru's minds as soon as they became the Princess and Prince. ["That's really awkward you know"] she scowled up at Mamoru, who's eyes were a little above hers. "Are you Mamoru or the Prince?"

"Both," Usagi and Mamoru answered simultaneously. They looked at each other and smiled tenderly.

"We are-past and present...and future. Princess Serenity and Prince Endymion, Tsukino Usagi and Chiba Mamoru...and we'll probably die both also," Usagi said slowly, eyes shadowing over. Her Mother had hinted about the future. Something...something that she could not tell of, but knew.

["One day, all will be revealed, daughter"]

["Will it really?"] Usagi whispered wistfully, eyes glinting with silver lights from the sunlight streaming though the windows high above them.

["Of course it will, silly"] Rei cut in, thumping Mamoru's shoulder next to her nose, as she clung to his arm tightly. "We're all here for you, Princess."

"Thank YOU, Rei," Usagi said with great surprise. ["How quickly they are accepting our past"] she thought to Mamoru, focusing her will. A look at Rei's blank expression showed that she had NOT heard Usagi's mental words.

Mamoru eyed his love with shock, then his lips curved into a seductive smile. ["Really?"] he purred at her, trying to direct his thoughts just as tightly.

"Really what?" Rei exploded, eyes flashing red fire. ["Did you two just leave me out of a conversation!?"]

"Tried to" Mamoru muttered sourly, fingers tightening about Usagi's small waist. He stepped forwards, towards the main staircases, pulling the two girls along with him. "It looks as if Usagi is more proficient at her mind-bond than I am, Rei."

"No-I think it might be the Crystal, Mamoru," Luna said from behind. She bounded in up to the first set of stairs ahead of Mamoru and then girls, scouting ahead as usual. "Just how big is this place? I couldn't hear a thing from inside the car," she glanced back inquiringly to Mamoru, who was now the Prince to her and had earned as much respect as Serenity had. She would defer to him from now on. Not Central! That cad! She gritted her teeth and bounded further up to the first floor. ["When I get my claws into Artemis-!"] she threatened angrily.

["You'll probably smother him with kisses"] Usagi's voice said with great amusement.

Both the cat and the girl froze abruptly, realizing that neither had spoken aloud. "I WONDERED when that was going to kick in!" Luna groaned, turning to face her Princess. The two eyed each other with delight and amusement.

"What?" Makoto demanded, jumping up next to the others on the top step. She glanced from face to face. "What'd I miss?"

"Luna and I have bonded-just now I think," Usagi said faintly, yet smiling with great love at her guardian.

"HUH?!" Rei, Makoto and Ami exclaimed in shock and astonishment.

"Say again?" Makoto said suspiciously. "It sounded like you said-"

"But she didn't DIE!" Shingo protested from behind them all. "Did she?" he finished doubtfully.

"NO!" Luna yowled, outraged. "I did NOT!"

"She doesn't NEED to die," Usagi hastily said, trying to cut off any arguments. She stepped forward this time, yanking Mamoru and Rei along with her so that the rest of her 'family' could come up the stairs. They all gathered beneath a huge painting of some strange man with penetrating eyes. "Luna was bonded to both my Mother and I on the Moon Kingdom. Luna and Artemis are the royal advisers of the Moon family" Usagi frowned, trying to recall her lessons. "Luna and Artemis were also bonded. The Senshi were all bonded to each other-and Endymion and I were bonded."

"We were ALL bonded to everyone?!" Ami cried out in shock. A hand flew to her pale cheek. "Why didn't you say so on the way here?"

"I-" Usagi frowned, perplexed. The answer didn't readily come to her.

"Usagi is just starting to remember her past as Serenity. Mamoru will be similarly affected," Luna sighed heavily, lowering her head to the carpet in slight shame. "I didn't want to mention it, but I too had forgotten quite a lot about the Moon Kingdom-"

"Like Usagi being the Princess?" Rei teased. She rested her cheek against Mamoru's shoulder, skin against the soft material of his jacket. She frowned lightly as she realized what she was doing. Something-strange was happening to her. She felt so much closer to Usagi and Mamoru lately...Her eyelashes swept up and she gazed sideways at Mamoru and then Usagi's profiles. Neither had noticed anything out of the ordinary. ["What do they remember that I don't?"] Rei thought curiously.

["We'll talk later, Rei"] Mamoru said with amusement threaded though his tone.

Rei flushed brightly, having forgotten that both he and Usagi could read her mind. ["Don't you-FEEL closer? Somehow?"] she asked them tentatively, a strange feeling coiling in her stomach.

["Yes, we do"] Usagi said gently, reaching out a slender hand to touch the side of Rei's face. An angel's touch.

"Which way are the bedrooms? I'm dead on my feet!" Makoto groaned theatrically, weaving on her feet as if she were about to fall down the stairs.

"I haven't the faintest," Mamoru muttered, looking first left then right down the halls branching off from the staircases. The place was only two stories high, but STILL large enough to get lost in!

"This place is going to be FUN!" Shingo announced gleefully.

"NO running in the halls, young man!" Ikuko shot in quickly before her son could rush off to explore.

"Oh Moooooom!" he pouted, and then sped off anyway.

"Let him go. He needs to relax," Grandpa said quietly.

"Like yeah," Yuuchiro muttered, peering around at them all through his bangs of brown hair. "I'm toasted!"

"Toasted?" Ikuko whispered to Ami, who looked rather amused.

"Tired?" Ami offered, yawning widely. She stretched her arms over her head languorously, grinning around. "Let's find somewhere to lay down before we sleep on the landing," she suggested, heading off down the left hallway.

"Is Ami way more laid-back than usual, or is it me?" Makoto hissed in a stage-whisper to everyone, eyes on the genius' back as she peered into each room she passed.

"Actually," Mamoru said, grinning. "As I recall, Mercury was always so happy on the Moon Kingdom. She was always smiling and so in love with-" he broke off, mind going completely blank. As if a wall had come down into place. "That's weird," he murmured, trying to recall what he had been thinking.

"In love with who?" Makoto demanded, wanting the gossip. "Ames was in love in the Silver Millennium?"

"I can't remember," Mamoru said shortly, annoyed at his memory loss. "But you all were in love-I remember that much"

"It must have been nice. I wonder who they were," Rei murmured tiredly, leaning her weight into Mamoru's side.

For some reason, Usagi suddenly got a flash of a vision-four men. But their faces weren't clear enough to make-out. "Darn," she gasped, suddenly furious. "What is the point of these powers if we cannot even remember anything of our past!" she cried out in frustration, that strange inflection entering her voice.

Everyone exchanged a glance, and then stepped back to let Mamoru handle it. But Rei stayed close, still clinging to Mamoru's arm. For reassurance more than anything. He and Usagi were at the center of her crazy life. Her only lifelines.

"Serenity," Mamoru said, saying her name easily. "Calm down. It will come to you," he soothed, kissing the top of her head gently.

"Right, of course it will," she murmured to him. A smile broke over her face at the worried looks on Kenji and Ikuko's faces. "Don't worry Mom, Dad. I remember whenever I change into Serenity now. She IS me. We aren't separate souls anymore," Usagi told them tenderly. "You won't loose me again."

"I hope not," Ikuko whispered, eyes filling. But she quickly blinked them back and smiled. "Now, about those bedrooms-"

"I found one! It's huge!" Ami called back from further down the hall. She waited for them to catch up to her and then pointed into the room she was standing in the doorway of. Sure enough, it was HUGE! In fact, it looked the size of the Tsukino's HOUSE!

"Oh my!" Ikuko exclaimed, looking at the huge French windows, the large canopied bed, the spare furniture, then fireplace and the Persian rug in the center of the room. "I don't really think that we need to use this one. It's so large dear," she told Ami, blinking at the luxury about them.

"I was thinking of the bond," Ami said, shaking her head. "If my calculations are correct and the memories Usagi has recalled, then all of us NEED to be together in ONE ROOM," she emphasized the last two words pointedly.

"Oh dear, you're right," Rei exclaimed in dismay. She blushed bright red as something occurred to her. "FIVE GIRLS and ONE GUY in a room together?" she gasped out incredulously, tilting her head back to stare at Mamoru.

"Are you trying to be funny?" Mamoru said sardonically.

"You-" Kenji began automatically, then he bit his lip and choked back the hasty words. Not only could the young man take him on, he was a Prince...and would probably marry Usagi one day! ["A son in law!"] he thought proudly. In that case, it was okay for Mamoru to be in her room... "But keep your clothes on!" he blurted out.

The girls all flushed brightly, staring at Kenji.

"Daaaaad!" Usagi exploded, face as red as a tomato. "Endymion is a gentleman!"

"Is Mamoru?' Ikuko giggled.

"YES" Mamoru gritted out from between his closed teeth. "Can we please go in and get some sleep now?" he said with exasperation, coming to the end of his strength. He'd barely slept in days! "Makoto and I'll find another room next door," Ami suggested, eyeing the large canopy. "I think we'd all roll off the side in that thing. Six of us, that is," she mused, eyeing the bed with thought. "Well, when Minako comes."

"We can carry another bed or so in here later on," Makoto said from behind the others, peering about eagerly. "It's a NICE room!" she said admirably.

"So are the others," Ikuko said firmly, reaching out to grab both Kenji and Makoto's arms. She dragged them from the room, followed by a smiling Ami. The blue-haired girl closed the door behind her, winking.

"Well..." Rei said, breath exploding from her chest. "Finally, some peace!" She yawned, stretching her slender arms over her head, flinging her long red hair over her shoulders. She felt a gaze and looked up to see Mamoru staring at her fixedly. "What?"

"Just-flinging your hair back like that. It looked familiar," he murmured, a strange look in his eyes.

"Mmm-it's weird. Remembering," Usagi agreed, detaching herself from her love and walking warily towards the canopy. The other two followed slowly, silence awkward.

["What's it like?"] Rei finally demanded a second later, afire with curiosity.

["It's like-seeing two of you sometimes. Not seeing DOUBLE, just-" Mamoru halted, unable to explain the visions he had.

"It's like seeing your past self integrated over your present self," Usagi explained casually, patting at the covers on the bed. She frowned as no dust came off of them. "Who cleans here? Are we likely to be disturbed?" she asked the other two worriedly. The thought that some stranger could just walk in on them...asleep and helpless...

"It WON'T happen," Mamoru said grimly, flexing the muscles on his arms easily as he slipped off his tuxedo jacket and then his shirt. He felt Rei's wide eyes on him and looked up to meet her startled gaze. "I'm not sleeping in a tuxedo, Rei," he warned her.

She blushed and averted her eyes. "You're keeping the pants on, right?" she said rather weakly.

"REI!" Usagi shouted, eyes blazing wrath. "That's MY guy you're drooling over! Eeek! I can't believe I said that!" the silver-haired girl said weakly also, flushing as brightly as a tomato. "I'm SO sorry!" she apologized to her friend, feeling her heart clench. Not long ago, Rei had been dating Mamoru.

Mamoru's eyes softened as he picked up what the two had been hiding from him since the party. "Oh, Rei," he said softly, "I didn't know"

"It's fine," Rei said quickly, waving a hand about negligently. She dived onto the bed, laughing as it gave way slightly beneath her weight. She lay her face against the slightly cool covers and closed her eyes contentedly. "I have my best friends in the whole world with me, right here in this house. I don't need anything else," she murmured sleepily. It really didn't hurt as much as it had...it was like her thoughts were drifting away from Mamoru and towards someone else. A man standing in the shadows of her mind...only half-remembered and loved...

Usagi crawled up beside Rei, grabbing a pillow from the headboard. She slumped down next to the red-haired girl and buried her face into the pillows softness. On her left, she felt the bed depress and knew that Mamoru was lying down. His warmth enveloped her a moment later, hand sliding over her back. "Goodnight," Usagi murmured, turning her face towards Rei's. The two girl's eyes met, so close to each other. ["All I need is right here"]

["And for this moment in time, everything is perfect"] Rei agreed sleepily. ["You didn't die. We found the Princess-and you found your true love"] Usagi's arms slipped about her waist and pulled her closer comfortingly. The three lay there sleepily, minds drifting and arms about each other, wondering what the rest of their lives would bring.

"Can you pass the flour please, Luna? And Shingo, you can bring me the milk from the fridge?" Ikuko instructed from the counter, deftly mixing the ingredients in a bowl.

"Sure Mom!" Shingo sang out cheerfully, bounding towards the huge fridge.

Luna nodded. "Of course," she murmured, padding along the bench top until she reached the bag of flour. She leant down and grasped the bag in her teeth, then carefully picked it up. She kept her head high above the bench top as she awkwardly made her way along the bench and then the sink to the other side of the kitchen, where Ikuko was busy making pancakes.

"Thank you, Luna" Ikuko smiled down at the cat, feeling a little guilty. ["I keep forgetting that Luna is a cat She was just so human all the time. Even her mannerisms."]

Luna caught the expression on the woman's face and grimaced slightly. "Don't worry about it. I was forever running after Usagi when she forgot her lunches-" Luna smiled, eyes lightening with the memory. "Or that time she dropped the crescent moon wand."

"She DROPPED it?" Ikuko exclaimed, taking the milk from Shingo and carefully pouring it into a measuring cup. "That's my klutzy daughter all right," she murmured fondly.

"Believe it or not, Princess Serenity was very graceful and lady-like. She was brought up right from birth to be every inch a royal personage," Luna mused proudly.

"MY sister? Graceful?" Shingo said disbelievingly, glancing askance at Luna. He waved a hand about negligently. "NAH!"

"No, really," Luna said, watching Ikuko pour the pancake mixture onto a hot pan. ["Usagi will enjoy these."]

"Can't see it," Shingo disagreed, eyes greedily fixed on the rising pancake in the pan. "Can I have the first one, Mom?"

"No, this is for Usagi," Ikuko said, grinning fondly at her son. "She's bound to be hungry after the goings on of the last few days."

"Well, so am I!" Shingo grumbled, "We didn't even get to EAT before that Zoisite woman attacked last night!"

"Oh dear," Ikuko paused, stricken. "I hope I turned off the stove..."

"It would have probably been in the papers if the house exploded," Shingo said gleefully. "When Dad and I picked up the groceries, we would have seen it."

"We were lucky that the real-estate men had turned on the power here so quickly," Ikuko murmured thoughtfully.

"He DID pay cash, Mom," Shingo said, eyes gleaming. "Boy, I'd kill to be as rich as Mamoru!"

"Maybe one day, you will, dear. Who knows what you'll be when you grow up?"

"I'm already brother to Sailor Moon AND a Princess!" he announced grandly, chest puffing out. "What more do I need?"

"GOOD LORD!" Luna suddenly gasped, eyes going wide. "Sailor Venus!"

"Sailor Venus?" Shingo said, confused.

"Yes!" The cat was panicked. She leapt down from the bench, landing on the tiled floor easily. "She's supposed to be ringing us when she gets to Tokyo! No one is at HOME!"

"Oh dear, yes," Ikuko exclaimed, dismayed.

"When was she coming in?" Kenji asked suddenly, walking into the room with a newspaper folded under one arm. He glanced inquiringly at Luna, who still looked horrified and dismayed.

"I'm not sure. But how could I have forgotten! Sailor Venus is the new leader of the Senshi. She will be most responsible for protecting Serenity."

"Usagi has Mamoru and Rei to protect her," Ikuko soothed, turning back to the pan to flip over the pancake. "They can't leave her side-remember?"

"Right," Luna said, relaxing slightly. "The fact still remains that Venus will be calling, and maybe already HAS, home!"

"Let's call the airline," Kenji suggested helpfully.

"What's going on everyone?" Ami asked, walking into the kitchen. She blinked around sleepily, then yawned and grinned, "Mmm! Pancakes!"

"They'll be ready soon" Ikuko smiled at the blue-haired girl. "You look much better, Ami."

"I FEEL heaps better, thank you, Ikuko," Ami said cheerfully. She looked around the kitchen, eyes widening. "Wow, this is a big place!" she exclaimed. "Makoto will love this!"

"We were saying how Sailor Venus was going to call at the Tsukino's house when her flight came in, Ami," Luna said, rehashing the previous conversation.

Ami blinked in surprise, then slapped a palm against her forehead. "Oh! I should have remembered! How could we have left without informing Venus?"

"We WERE a little rushed, Ames," Makoto drawled from behind. She was leaning against the door frame to the kitchen, long green hair loose from it's confining ponytail.

Shingo gaped at Makoto. ["Wow, I never noticed how beautiful Usagi's friends all were"] he thought.

"Has anyone called the airport yet?" Ami inquired, looking around for a phone. Then her expression changed into one of chagrin. "Oh! why didn't I think of that before!" she exclaimed, self-mocking. She made a gesture with her left hand and her communicator dropped smoothly into her palm.

"Boy are we out of it," Makoto groaned, rolling her green eyes skyward. "Did we completely forget that we were Senshi or what?"

"It's understandable, dear," Ikuko said, smiling slightly. She eyed the communicator with interest. "What IS a communicator exactly?"

"sort of like a phone-but you can see each other," Makoto explained impishly.

"Makoto! The Senshi's communicators are NOT a phone!" Luna yowled, supremely disappointed with her pupil.

"I know that, Luna. Just kidding," Makoto grinned at the cat. "Hey, did YOU get any sleep, Luna?" she asked suddenly, surprising Luna.

Luna looked at everyone self-consciously. "Why-no actually. I watched over the house while you all rested," she admitted sheepishly. ["Now that I know who the Princess is, how can I possibly rest with Queen Beryl out there?"]

"You should rest," Ikuko admonished the cat, serving out pancakes rapidly from the pan. If she was right, then Usagi would soon smell the cooking and come bolting down to the kitchen. "Er-did Serenity like pancakes?" she asked worriedly.

"We-didn't have any back then," Luna said, smiling. "But you know, Usagi is essentially still Usagi. She may be Serenity also, but the Princess will not fully emerge for quite some time."

"Ah," Ikuko said with some relief. To know that her daughter was not really her daughter had been shock enough, but if she had completely turned into her past self-Usagi would be no more...

"Mercury to Venus!" Ami called out, after pressing a previously unused symbol in one corner. Now that they knew there was another Senshi, they could see that it was the orange symbol for Venus.

"Now why didn't I think of that?" An annoyed male voice came over the communicator clearly.

"Because your a cat, silly!" Minako giggled.

"Minako!" Artemis yowled indignantly. "What a ditzy thing to say!"

"You've never met Usagi-have you?" Makoto stage-whispered over Ami's shoulder.

"The Princess?" Minako said innocently, smiling. "But I thought that you said she was graceful, Artemis!"

"YOU KNOW?!" Ami, Makoto and his wife yelled, shocked. "We sort of got a clue when my hair turned from pale blonde into gold," Minako giggled, angling the communicator so that they could see her hair.

Everyone gaped in astonishment. Minako's hair was now as golden as Usagi's had used to be!

"Then, of course, we had to explain to the flight hostess' that I'd dyed it in the toilets during flight-" the blonde rolled her eyes. "You wouldn't BELIEVE the stink-up that caused!" she grinned wider. "Anyhow, Artemis decided to spill the beans then when we landed and contacted you and got no answer."

"I assumed that something had gone wrong, since you knew we were coming," Artemis said from somewhere in the background.

"Yeah," Ami said grimly. "Something DID happen. We don't live at the Tsukino's house anymore. Zoisite attacked us there and she knows what Usagi looks like-"

"So Mamoru got us this MANSION!" Makoto squealed in delight.

"MANSION!?" Minako shrieked. "Really? I've always wanted one!"

"Ditz," Artemis muttered.

"Hey!" Minako protested. She looked back at Ami in the communicator. "So-the Princess was revealed, right? And you found the Silver Crystal?"

"Yep," Shingo said, popping up beside Ami.

Minako grinned at him. "Well hello there cutie, and who might you be?"

Shingo got a star-struck look in his eyes as he saw Sailor Venus for the first time. "wow!" he uttered, then recovered and tried to act cool. "I'm Shingo-Usagi's brother."

"Adorable!" Minako squealed. "I just can't WAIT to meet you guys! What's the address?"

"Hang on a second, Minako," Ikuko said, gesturing for Kenji to go find the piece of paper the real estate agents had given them. She peered over Ami's shoulder at the golden-haired girl. "My husband is just going to get the address."

"So-I guess that this means you all know about Usagi being Sailor Moon and the Princess?" the girl giggled. "How cool! My parents don't have a clue that I'm Sailor Venus!"

"Not at all?" Ikuko looked a little dismayed. "And I understand that you're just here on holiday, Minako? But-aren't you head of the Sailor Senshi now?" she finished, confused.

"Yeah-but how did you know that?" Minako demanded, throwing a startled look at Artemis.

"Luna told us" Ami said, regaining control of the communicator from the others. She blinked slowly at the communicator, expression wary. "You don't know-do you?" she said in dismay.

"Know what?" Minako queried, perplexed.

"Didn't Luna tell Artemis that Usagi can no longer become Sailor Moon?" Makoto said, just as shocked that Luna had kept something so important from the new Senshi.

"Umm-" Artemis muttered.

"WHAT?!" Minako's shriek echoed around the kitchen. "But the Princess hasn't fully emerged!" she wailed, looking very upset. "You mean to say that Serenity can't defend herself at all?!" The Senshi of Venus was horrified to say the least.

"Hey! What are we then?" Makoto said indignantly.

"But Serenity has-umm...Endymion and Sailor Mars bonded to her," Shingo added, feeling really weird about calling his sister and her friend by those ancient names. He grinned proudly after, pleased that he was adjusting so well to the weirdness that was now his life.

"Of course she does," Minako said with relief, slumping.

"Where ARE you exactly?" Ami asked, curious.

"In a hotel room. I figured that I'd wait for you guys to find ME," the golden-haired girl answered cheerfully.

"Here's the address," Kenji murmured, walking back into the room. He handed it to Ami, who swiftly scanned down the list till she came across the address for the place Mamoru had bought for them. "Write this down, Minako and get here as soon as you can," Ami advised. "The Princess is still asleep, but we need to discuss all of this as soon as possible."

"Right!" Minako saluted. "I'll be there soon! Venus out!"

Ikuko sighed, brushing her blue bangs back from her eyes and studying Luna and then Ami and Makoto. All three were silent, yet looked excited at the prospect of meeting the new Senshi. "I hope you all like, Minako," she said lightly, turning back to the pancakes.

Makoto grinned wildly, throwing her long hair back over her shoulders. "I'm SURE we will Ikuko. She's one of us, after all. And she sounds funny!" the girl giggled.

"I wonder if she's smart?" Ami murmured, wishing for someone with her own intellect to talk with.

"With Artemis calling her a ditz all the time?" Shingo said, frowning incredulously. "I think she's going to turn out to be more like Usagi."

"I have to agree with you there," Luna said wryly. "Lets hope that Serenity is a good influence on Usagi-rather than the other way around."

"I like Usagi how she is," Kenji said quietly, looking wistfully at the pancakes. "The klutzy little girl who eats everything in sight, trips over her own feet and makes everyone who knows her love her."

"Yeah," Makoto muttered, green eyes shadowing. ["Just how WILL changing into her past-self affect Usagi?"]

"Don't forget that you yourself are changing into your past-self Makoto, Ami," Luna pointed out rather scathingly. She honestly couldn't see what it was about Serenity that everyone was so upset about! Usagi and Serenity were one soul. Serenity had been a Princess and brought up that way, but Usagi had been just a plain girl...both were merely facets of the same personality. Usagi would never truly be gone...

Ikuko grinned and spun back to her cooking, eyes alight. "Well, I better make some more food! We've got two more guests coming!" she announced. "Everyone who's not helping-get out of my kitchen!" she told them all laughingly.

Hastily, Kenji and Ami retreated, but Makoto went to stand next to Ikuko eagerly. "What can I do?"

Usagi's eyes fluttered open as she felt a delicious sense of desire sweep through her body. She groaned and realized that there was a skilful pair of lips upon hers, delving deep into her mouth. A tongue brushed hers, sending waves of electricity down every limb. ["Endymion..."] she groaned at him, having no doubts whatsoever to who was making her bones melt in such a delicious way.

["Afternoon my angel"] he said silkily, mind wrapping about hers. He smiled against her lips, then pressed his even deeper into hers passionately.

Serenity was in heaven-but vaguely remembered that something was amiss. Then it hit her- ["MARS!"] she gasped at him in panic, trying to wrench her lips away. How embarrassing for-

["She's asleep. Forget her"] he prompted, wrapping his arms about her tighter. A hand delved into her long silver hair, then other brushing her waist and upper thigh. She pressed herself even closer-yearningly...then felt a mind brush theirs as Mars woke up.

The first thing that Rei felt was an overwhelming sense of desire and passion, swirling abut her. She gasped in shock, then buffeted the feelings away, realizing that they were coming from the bed right behind her. Usagi and Mamoru were OBVIOUSLY er-enjoying each other’s company! A lot! "Oh great Mars!" Rei groaned at them disbelievingly. Her red eyes stared at the head board fixedly, refusing to turn over and witness...that! ['Will you two get a room or something? Preferably one far away from me!"] she snapped at them.

There was a startled silence, then Mamoru's full-throated chuckle of amusement. "But we ARE in a room, Rei" he purred at her silkily, bending down to kiss Usagi's inviting lips again.

Rei rolled her eyes, spun over onto her side and glared daggers at the two eagerly making-out behind her. "Let me rephrase that-GET ANOTHER BED!" she bellowed at them.

Usagi peeked a silver eye out at Rei, filled with languorous desire and amusement. ["Are you really so upset at Mamoru and I being in love, Rei?"] she asked teasingly. She reluctantly unlocked her lips from Mamoru's to stare thoughtfully at her friend. Rei looked almost-haggard, despite the sleep they'd all had. "Are dreams bothering you?" she asked her friend gently.

Rei started in shock, staring with incredulity at the silver-haired beauty laying next to her on the bed. ["Dreams?"] she queried, getting a flash of a man's face...but then it was gone. "Yes," she said slowly. "I keep seeing this man's face-but not. It's frustrating me," she stared down at her slender hands. "I can't quite see who it is, but I have a feeling that we've met before."

Usagi and Mamoru exchanged a speaking glance. ["I don't think that we should tell her who she was in love with a thousand years ago"] Usagi said on a tight thought to Mamoru.

Since he had not yet mastered it, he merely nodded at her, agreeing. "I'm sure it's nothing," he told Rei out loud, reaching out to brush a lock of dark red hair from her troubled eyes. His fingers lingered on her cheek, a deep frown between his brows. "You let us know if you need to talk about it, okay Rei?" he ordered her softly, fingering a lock of her fringe.

She blushed and nodded, slightly bewildered at Mamoru's sudden concern and-tenderness? She looked into his dark blue eyes, perplexed. Familiarity-yes. That was what was in Usagi and Mamoru's expressions. Familiarity with...her. Rei's lashes swept down over her eyes to cover their expression. What did Mamoru and Usagi remember that she didn't about their past? Ever since Mamoru had discovered that he was Endymion, he'd treated Rei almost like a sister. She hesitated, then blurted the first thing that popped into her mind. "Mamoru-were we...related in any way?" she asked him anxiously.

Mamoru's eyes widened in surprise, then shuttered over completely. "Why do you say that?" he asked casually, rolling away from her and off of the bed. He stood there, staring down at Rei and then Usagi.

Rei bit her lip, unable to convey the weird feelings that she was sending within her self and him. "Just-a feeling," she said uncomfortably. She looked up coyly. "You can tell me, Endymion," she teased, lips curving into a sly smile.

He stared at her, startled at her changed emotions. Mamoru threw a wary look at his love. ["Why do I have a feeling that Rei is up to something, Angel?"] he questioned wryly. He stretched his arms over his head easily, muscles rippling.

Usagi watched him admirably, eyes darkening. She smirked at him. "Nice," she said silkily.

"Later," he answered mockingly, glancing significantly at Rei, who was blushing furiously.

"Cut it out, you two," she muttered, jumping off of the bed. She looked back at Usagi, who had not moved off of the bed, but was laying there with the strangest expression on her face. "What is it?" Rei asked quickly, concerned.

"Usako?" Mamoru said sharply, going to the bed. He sat down on the end, next to Usagi's head and brushed her silver bangs back from her forehead lightly. ["Is-anything wrong?"] he said hesitantly, also feeling a little strange.

"I feel...weird," Usagi said on a faint tone, silver eyes clouding over. Her whole body felt light and she was dizzy.

Mamoru and Rei were shocked when the golden moon symbol on Usagi's forehead flared to brilliant light, bathing the girl from head to toe in shimmering gold.

Usagi smiled brightly, wiggling within the golden aura. "I feel-really good actually," she told them, giggling. She blinked as the golden light disappeared, leaving her feeling euphoric. ["I felt so weird just then"] she thought to them, dazed.

"Weird?" Rei said, still concerned. She looked her Princess over for injury or change-but there was nothing. "Describe weird" she ordered, eyes narrowing.

"Sort of-nice and free and joyous," Usagi uttered faintly, still smiling like an angel. She nodded at them both. "Incredibly free"

"Free?" Mamoru questioned, frowning slightly. He was as perplexed as Rei was. Are you sure that you are okay?" he asked her searchingly, eyes sweeping over her delectable form. Even in bunny pj's, Usagi was...delicious!

Both Usagi and Rei flushed brightly, then stared at him with twin accusing expressions.

He shrugged at them sheepishly. ["I can't help it. Honestly"] he told them mentally, a grin spreading across his lips. His eyes glittered at them mockingly, as if daring them to say something more.

"I can't be bothered with defining the bizarre workings of the male mind," Rei said flippantly, stomping towards the window. She glanced outside and noted what a nice day it was. "We should go for a walk."

Mamoru gestured at his forehead meaningfully, to where the symbol of earth was shining brightly blue. "And what did you intend to do about these? Hmm?"

"Bandanna?" she said helplessly, casting around her mind for a solution.

"A bandanna?" Mamoru choked out indignantly. "It would hardly go with my hero visage," he told her sarcastically, striking a Tuxedo Kamen pose.

Both girls giggled at him helplessly.

Suddenly a scream came from downstairs, full of horror and shock. The three of them were on their feet and running for the bedroom door simultaneously within seconds. Mamoru wrenched the door open and then fled down the hall.

["It came from downstairs"] Usagi said urgently. "It sounded like Mom," she went on out loud, eyes filling with dread.

They ran down the hall to the double stairs and practically flew down them a few steps at a time. As she reached the bottom, they ran into Kenji, Grandpa and Yuuchiro running in from out back.

"Where did the scream come from?" Kenji demanded, eyes frightened. He'd know the sound of Ikuko's voice even in the thick of a blizzard.

"In here!" Makoto called out from the direction of the kitchen. "Hurry!"

Everyone ran in that direction, skidding into the large kitchen. Then, they just stared-gaping. Ikuko was on the floor, legs spread and Makoto and Shingo and Ami knelt around her.

"Great Serenity!" Luna gasped out from her perch on a bench, her red eyes impossibly wide with shock.

"Mom?" Usagi said weakly, eyes on the woman. At first, nothing had seemed wrong-that was until they looked at her stomach...which was no longer flat. In fact, Ikuko looked to be about 5 months pregnant...

Chapter Two

"Oh my god!" Ikuko gasped out, panting as if she were giving birth right there and then. Her blue eyes were dilated with shock and her entire weight was resting back against Makoto-who was supporting her from behind. "HOW can I be PREGNANT, Kenji?" she bellowed at him, almost accusingly.

Kenji blinked and held out his hands in front of his body placatingly, as if to say he had nothing to do with his wife's present condition. "Now honey, don't jump to conclusions!" he told her hastily, beginning to sweat. He glanced at her swelling stomach and swallowed hard.

"CONCLUSIONS?!" she shrieked at him. "I was just STANDING here cooking and-poof, my stomach balloons out!"

"It was amazing," Makoto breathed, caught between shock and awe.

Ami quickly pulled out her Mercury computer and aimed it at Ikuko's stomach. She scanned quietly for a long moment, eyes skimming down over the data displayed there. Then, her eyes suddenly widened at the results. "Don't panic everyone-but according to my scans the baby growing inside of Ikuko is already five months old-and it grew in a matter of moments!"

"Don't panic?!" Ikuko shouted, flopping weakly back into Makoto's arms like a beached whale. Her eyes took on a wild look. "You can't tell me that this will be a natural birth, Ami!"

"Well no," Ami faltered as if not knowing how to go on exactly. "The-the baby is a girl...and she's not human," the blue-haired girl concluded, paling.

"WHAT?!" everyone screamed at her.

"It's lunarian," Ami added weakly.

"LUNARIAN?" Luna gasped in shock, "Are you SURE?" she demanded.

Ami frowned down at her mini computer as if perplexed. "It's the same blood type as Usagi's-in fact, it's near identical!"

Everyone was pole-axed.

"What does it mean though?" Grandpa asked with interest, eyeing Ikuko's stomach with awe. In a very few hours, he had seen enough miracles and displays of powers to last him a lifetime.

Re frowned, trying to figure it out. She cast a sidelong look at Usagi and saw that the silver-haired girl looked as confused and shocked as the rest of them.

"I wish that Artemis would hurry up and get here," Luna said, almost reluctantly.

Usagi blinked, coming abruptly out of her shocked state. ["He'll be here soon enough, Luna"] she told the cat softly. She hurried forwards to where her Mom lay, flanked by Mamoru and Rei, and knelt down beside the woman. Usagi smiled gently at Ikuko. "Are you feeling all right, Ikuko? Do you need a glass of water?" Serenity asked, emerging solicitously.

Ikuko blinked in a daze, then smiled weakly at her 'daughter'. "No thank you...Serenity. I'm fine. Just shocked," her face suddenly crumpled into shock and despair. "I'd LIKE to know what the hell is going on around here!" she wailed hysterically, bursting into tears.

Serenity immediately leant forward, eyes concerned and lay a warm had comfortingly upon Ikuko's brow. Suddenly, the moon Broach burst into brilliant golden light, spilling down Serenity's arm and down to her fingers, where they touched Ikuko's forehead. Serenity quickly pulled her hand away, knowing that the power of the Silver Crystal would hurt anyone not of the Royal Moon family. She gasped in surprise as she saw a small golden crescent moon glowing on Ikuko's forehead, where there had been none before.

"What?" Serenity whispered in disbelief, falling backwards away from Ikuko limply. A pair of strong arms caught her up easily and she was surrounded by a familiar comforting warmth of her love.

"Are you all right, Serenity?" Mamoru asked her softly, looking at her and then Ikuko with intent eyes.

"Is Mom from the Moon Kingdom too?" Shingo asked, bottom lip trembling. "Does this mean that she's going to die and bond with Usagi?"

"No," Luna said rather sharply, expression wary" The Senshi are the only one's who will die around here. They alone were reincarnated," she hesitated. "They alone are immortal."

"Immortal?" Rei gasped weakly.

"The power of the Silver Crystal makes us immortal, Mars," Serenity said knowledgably. "Rather, Luna ought to have said that we have longer life-spans. If we are not killed, we will live Millennia and more-as my Mother did."

"It's a double-edged sword really," Luna said sadly, eyes upon her Princess' pale face. "That which gives immortality can also drain it's user unto death."

"Death?" Mamoru said sharply, blue eyes narrowing on his love. "Did you know this, Serenity?"

Serenity nodded, eyes indifferent. However, her hands were clenched in her lap, belaying her expression. She was obviously trying to hide a lot from them all-even Endymion.

"Just how much DO you remember, Serenity?" he asked her rather sharply, hands sliding from around her waist up to her shoulders from behind, to grip almost harshly. ["What aren't you telling me?"]

["Leave her alone, Mamoru"] Rei said to him harshly. ["Isn't there enough going on at the moment without you upsetting her?"] the red-haired girl sighed, then reached up to run a hand across her eyes wearily. "You know that Serenity can't use the Crystal yet until she learns to control it's powers-so there's no use worrying about what's the future" she glanced pointedly at Ikuko. "Deal with the now"

"She's right" Serenity said slowly, tilting her head back to gaze limply into Mamoru's eyes. "Ikuko is what is important at the moment-not my mastery of my Mother's Crystal."

"Very well," Mamoru said rather distantly, arms falling from about Serenity's shoulders. He got to his feet gracefully and stepped back a pace, face cold.

["Don't be like that, Mamo-Chan!"] Usagi pleaded, emerging abruptly. Her eyes almost filled with tears at the distant look in his beloved face.

Endymion turned his face away deliberately. It hurt him that Serenity was taking such risks and bearing the burden all upon her slender sholders. By herself. ["We will talk later"] he told her icily.

"Yes, Endymion," Usagi murmured quietly, turning back to face her Mom. She smiled tremulously. "So-lets try and figure this out, Mom."

"What's to figure out exactly?" Ikuko demanded irrationally, already displaying side-effects of being pregnant. Her flittered over everyone, her nose twitching. "Shingo!" she ordered, flapping a hand in his direction. "Get me that plate of pancakes I made!"

Shingo's mouth fell open slightly at her tone, but then he scrambled to obey her. He ran to the counter and grabbed the plate piled high with pancakes, then hastened to his Mom. He offered her the plate-which she snatched up eagerly.

Everyone watched with shock as Ikuko proceeded to stuff her face full of pancakes, hardly finishing mouthfuls before shoving another pancake inside.

"Is this normal?" Makoto asked, green eyes wide. Her long green hair slid forwards over her shoulder and onto Ikuko's back as she peered down at the woman doubtfully.

Kenji nodded, smiling fondly in remembrance. "Oh yes. Ikuko was like this through both Usagi and Shingo's pregnancy. No food was safe-" he looked at his daughter, blinking. "That might explain your abnormal love of food," he uttered.

Usagi's face flushed. "Daaaaad!" she wailed at him, covering her face with her hands. "I am NOT a pig!" she turned her eyes back to her Mom, who had almost finished of 20 or so pancakes. "Mom just did way better than I could have," she pointed out.

"It's close. Real close," Makoto muttered, looking down at the empty plate, as Ikuko placed it on the floor.

Ikuko groaned, then smiled contentedly. "Okay, I feel better now," she looked at Ami. "Can you please figure out what is going on here, Ami?" she sighed. "Frankly, I'm surprised that I panicked so much-given what I've discovered about you all over the last few days."

"No one ever expects it to happen to themselves," Grandpa pointed out.

Yuuchiro peered down at Ikuko's stomach. "Dude!" he exclaimed. "Is her stomach even BIGGER now-or is just me?"

Immediately, everyone's eyes went to Ikuko's stomach...and sure enough, it was looking bigger!

"OH NOOOOOOOO!" Ikuko wailed loudly. She shook her head in denial. "Don't tell me I'm going to give birth today!"

"Six months now," Ami said after a moment of looking at her mini-computer. "At this rate, you'll be giving birth within the hour."

"WHAAAAAT?!" Ikuko screamed, eyes wild. "An HOUR! NO NO NO!" she thrashed about, trying unsuccessfully to get to her feet. "I will NOT give birth to my baby on the kitchen floor!" she announced, out of no where.

Everyone stared at her.

"Take me to my bedroom!" Ikuko bellowed up at them, glaring.

"I'll get her," Kenji said, starting towards his wife, but Mamoru abruptly moved forward.

"No, I'll take her. I'm stronger," he said, not boasting at all. He WAS in fact, a lot stronger as both Tuxedo Kamen and Endymion. He was no longer mortal.

"You-" Kenji began automatically, face suffusing with fury. Then he caught himself up, giving Mamoru a strange look. "Fine, you help your mother...I mean Ikuko upstairs, Mamoru," the man corrected himself hastily, flushing. ["Why did I just call my wife Mamoru's Mother?"] he wondered, completely bewildered. Sure, he's accepted that Mamoru would one day marry is little girl-but had he really-in a mere day-fully accepted Mamoru as his son in law?

Usagi smiled at her Dad, having caught the slip-up. "Thank you, Dad," she whispered to him.

He smiled back in embarrassment. "You're welcome honey," He turned all business-like as Mamoru leaned down and scooped the pregnant woman into his arms easily. "Er-this way," he led the way out of the room.

Rei and Usagi followed close behind Mamoru's form as they ascended the stairs and went along the hall to the room that Ikuko and Kenji had chosen. Just a few doors down from Usagi, Rei and Mamoru.

"In here," Kenji pointed to the bed and watched as Mamoru carried his wife there and tenderly deposited her upon the covers. He smiled rather proudly at the young man as Mamoru brushed the blue bangs back from Ikuko's forehead soothingly.

"Do you need anything?" Mamoru asked her gently, noting the beginning of black smudges under Ikuko's eyes. He half-turned to look at Ami. "Ami, I think it's about time we let your mother know about us. Besides, she's going to worry when she comes home tonight and doesn't find you there."

"IS that a good idea-involving another person?" Grandpa asked anxiously, eyes falling upon his grand-daughters strained face.

"My mom is a doctor, Grandpa," Ami explained lightly, eyes on Ikuko. She shrugged, hands tightening about the Mercury computer clutched between her hands. "I have to tell her some time....I guess."

"I'll come with you," Makoto offered from the doorway, leaning casually against the frame.

"No," Mamoru said firmly. "Get her to come here instead. We still don't know for sure how long Zoisite was following Motoki and Reika. It's possible that the Dark Kingdom knows where we all live."

Ami's eyes widened. "Oh my god, Mamoru! Then she's in danger!" the blue-haired girl turned and ran out of the room, followed closely by Makoto, Yuuchiro and a curious Shingo.

Ikuko placed a hand over her bulging stomach, smiling weakly at everyone. "I guess all we can do is wait-until Ami's mother gets here."

Usagi nodded, eyes shadowed. ["I hope that she can do something for Mom"] she whispered mentally to Rei and Mamoru. Hadn't she heard that some mothers died giving birth?

"It won't happen," Mamoru said grimly, leaving Ikuko's bedside. He crossed to his love in a few strides and enveloped her into a hug, arms strong about her.

Rei moved to the side awkwardly, blushing. She still had to get used to her best friend and the guy that Rei had wanted to be with, being so close now. And it made it worse that she was privy to their private thoughts. She frowned lightly upon the two of them, as they held each other close. Usagi and Mamoru had been powerfully attracted to each other since the other night-but as they changed into Endymion and Serenity, it had disappeared somewhat. The bewildering thing was-that Endymion and Serenity had been QUITE passionate with each other...even in front of witness'-until Usagi and Mamoru began to regain their memories.

Usagi looked at Rei from Mamoru's chest, having heard the girl's thoughts. The thought too, had bothered HER. She wanted to kiss Mamoru so BADLY at times, it was like a physical blow not to just...touch him. It was as if she NEEDED to touch him...to do-something. Strange images filled her head suddenly, of Endymion in his armor and she in her white dress laying on her bed in her chambers in the Moon Palace. Endymion leaned over to kiss her and a warm flush spread through her body, coiling low in her stomach...

Usagi and Mamoru both gasped out loud simultaneously, having had the same vision. The blood was burning through their veins all of a sudden ,sending waves of pleasure spiraling all through their bodies.

Usagi reeled against Mamoru, feeling limp under the onslaught. "M-Mamoru?" she gasped at him, reaching out to cling to his broad shoulders. Her vision swum as feelings raged through her unchecked.

"Usagi?" Ikuko called from the bed, eyes dark with worry.

"What's going on?" Kenji added sharply, hands tightening into fists.

Mamoru's arms tightened almost painfully about Usagi's slender body. ["I feel so-hungry"] he said to her, voice filled with dark longing.

["What is going on?"] Rei demanded on a gasp, staring from Usagi to Mamoru. She was being pelted by overwhelming waves of desire from both of them, making her head spin. She staggered over to Ikuko's bed and reached out for a pole to the canopy, clinging for dear life. She turned back to stare at Usagi, who's legs were barely holding her.

"Need....to..." she moaned, face flushing uncomfortably. Her eyes glazed over as she tilted her head back to stare up at Mamoru, hardly knowing what she was doing.

"Kiss..." Mamoru finished for her, moaning. His lips swooped down, obeying his mind and capturing Usagi's. Sensation exploded inside of them both, blood boiling. A raging tide of desire was fighting it's way through them both. Their kisses became harder and then more frantic, passion zinging from one to another. They'd denied themselves this for far too long, being caught up in the events of the last few days. Both had even forgotten all about Ikuko, Grandpa, Rei and Kenji-who were gaping, eyes shocked.

["Endy...mion"] Serenity moaned into his mouth, mind merging with his own. Her arms slipped up his shoulders slowly, savoring the feeling of the muscles under the smooth skin of his chest.

He devoured her sweet lips hungrily, wrapping his arms tightly back around her back and waist. He hauled her closer, molding their bodies together.

["Guys?"] Rei said mentally, flushing to the roots of her hair. She quickly flung a glance at the others, noting their pole-axed expressions. And from Usagi and Mamoru, there was no answer. Their presence was gone....which meant that it was now Serenity and Endymion...making out. She flushed brighter. "Princess!" she shouted, hanging off of the pole still, eyes rather wild. Serenity and Endymion began to undress each other, quickly peeling off clothes as fast as their hands could move-lips still locked.

"USAGI!" Kenji bellowed, utterly horrified. He switched his gaze to his wife...and was astonished to see a strange expression on her face. Like-tenderness. ["What-?"] he thought, bewildered. Ikuko usually would have been screaming at her daughter...but looked instead...rapturous and triumphant.

"GUYS!" Ami wailed, coming back into the room with Makoto. She took in the scene quickly, noting that Usagi was down to only her pj top, long legs and undies showing clearly to all. Mamoru was down to his pants-and both were ignoring EVERYTHING but themselves.

"Usagi!" Makoto faltered, lost for words.

["Need more"] Serenity moaned helplessly to Endymion, burying her tongue into his mouth. They kissed long and deeply, not even needing to breath.

["I'm here, Serenity"] he moaned back, hand slipping under her top and caressing the silky skin of her back. His ever senses were filled with her. He could smell her, feeling her-even his mind was merged with hers. And he knew what she wanted him just as badly as he wanted hers...and, he was going to HAVE HER! ["I've waited so long!"] he said triumphantly, blood on fire.

["So long...."] she repeated, in agony. She wanted him so much. So much!

Ikuko abruptly screamed, arching with agony. Her hands clutched at her distended stomach, eyes closing with pain. The bed under her was wet with liquid from the broken water. "It's coming!" she shrieked at Kenji.

Serenity and Endymion froze, waking suddenly to where they were and what they were doing. They jerked away from each other, staring into each others eyes. Their ardor cooled immediately as Ikuko's pain communicated itself to them.

"Oh my god," Usagi whispered, hand flying to her mouth. She covered her lips, eyes wide and shattered. ["What were we doing, Mamoru? I-I couldn't control myself!"] she cried out to him, spinning away. She couldn't bear to even look at him. A draft swept up her legs, revealing her near-nakedness, but Usagi was more intent on getting to her Mom's side. She raced over, followed by a totally shocked Mamoru and a bewildered Rei. "Mom, is the baby coming?" she asked urgently, eyes going to her Mom's stomach. Somehow, in the time that she and Mamoru were kissing-Ikuko had grown full term with the baby.

Ikuko nodded frantically, head thrashing from side to side. "Help me! Oh God it hurts!" she screamed at them, tears running from the corners of her eyes. "Kenji!" she reached out her hand blindly to him.

He grasped it quickly, trying to breath along with her. "Deep breaths, Honey," he encouraged, looking very pale. "You remember how it's done!"

"I REMEMBER!" she screeched, arching again. Her breath came in short gasps, the sheets under her staining with blood rapidly.

Usagi stood uncertainly, eyes wide with horror and helplessness. She'd never witnessed a birth before-and it looked so painful! She turned to look at Ami pleadingly. "Please help her!"

Ami's hands fluttered nervously at her sides. "I-I don't know what to do! Mom is the doctor!"

"Heeeelp meeeeeeee!" Ikuko screamed shatteringly, hurting all their ears. She began to glow faintly and then steadily golden as the power spread from her head to her toe. Ikuko went limp, the pain fading. She felt light and-wonderful.

"Mom?" Shingo said anxiously from behind. She didn't answer, eyes closing peacefully. "MOM!" he shouted, fearing that she was dead.

"Mom!" Usagi whispered fearfully. Her Mom was so still, all though she had the strangest half-smile playing about her lips.

Mamoru and Rei hovered nearby, then Mamoru stepped forward to take command again. He lightly picked up Ikuko's right arm and felt for a pulse. The golden light still played about her body. "She's alive," he reassured Usagi and Shingo gently.

Usagi relaxed slightly-silver eyes flittering over the still form of Ikuko. ["Then why is she so still, Mamoru? Aren't births supposed to be incredibly painful?"] she asked anxiously.

["Yes"] was the short answer. Mamoru was very worried. As a practicing student of medicine, he KNEW very well that Ikuko should have been screaming her lungs out! He turned his head, eyes alighting on Makoto. "Can you go get me a cloth, Makoto?" he asked her softly.

She nodded hesitantly, backing from the room, her face pale and green eyes glittering. "Sure-wait a sec!" she ran out of the door.

Usagi thought of something and turned to Ami. "Can you scan her, Ami? With the Mercury computer?" she said carefully, trying to be calm. Her Mom would be all right-she would!

["Of course she will, love"] Mamoru said soothingly. Makoto ran back into the room with a wet cloth and he took it from her, then leant over Ikuko and wiped her heavily sweating forehead. "You're going to be fine," he whispered to her.

Ami gestured, the Mercury computer falling smoothly into her palm from her subspace pocket. She opened the cover and scanned Ikuko quickly. A sigh of relief escaped her. "She's okay. Just in some sort of trance. I THINK it's helping her to give birth," the girl said doubtfully.

"Helping? Are you sure?" Shingo said, biting his lip.

"She'll be fine, son," Grandpa said, staying back politely.

"Yeah," Yuuchiro added, taking his cue from Grandpa. However, his eyes were on Rei.

Rei sighed, running a hand through her long hair. ["I wonder what's taking Motoki and Reika so long?"] she wondered idly.

Mamoru's leant back from Ikuko, eyes dark with worry. ["And Ami's Mom and Minako"]

"Right! Sailor Venus and Artemis are coming!" Rei exclaimed, having forgotten them momentarily.

Kenji blinked at his wife, wiping the sweat from his own forehead with a shaky hand. "Do you think she knows anything about giving birth?" he asked them.

Ami shut the computer lid and stared solemnly at Ikuko. "My Mom will."

This is it!" Minako said, looking down at a white piece of paper to double-check.

"Are you sure?" Artemis said suspiciously. Minako WAS known to stuff up here and there. She wasn't the smartest Senshi, but she had a very big heart and was amazing to watch in battle as Sailor V.

"Don't worry so much, silly!" she waved a hand down at him negligently, grinning. "We're here and this is the right place-and we better hurry 'cause we need to meet the others pronto."

"No kidding," Artemis muttered, annoyed. He WASN'T looking forward to meeting Luna again. As he remembered, she had quite the temper. Especially now that she knew he was Central and had been reporting to HIM all those months. He winced.

"Hmm-" Minako looked at the tall iron gates and then at the panel to the side with all the numbers on it. "Something tells me we're going to have to break in."

"Really?" Artemis sighed. he leapt up onto Minako's shoulder and peered at the panel also. "Why not just press the intercom-and they'll let us in?" he suggested dryly.

Minako flushed to the roots of her hair, thinking herself an idiot. And in front of her guardian too, not less! She rolled her golden eyes, flung back her golden hair and pressed a manicured nail for the red intercom button. "Hello, hello! This is Minako! Er-Sailor Venus? Let me in you guys!" she sang out into the speaker.

"Minako! You DITZ!" Artemis yowled into her ear. "Make sure you have the right house first!"

Minako turned her head and gave him a haughty look. "Look here buster, I've GOT the right address, okay? Okay?" her eyes narrowed at him. "And quite calling me a ditz or I'll dye your fur bright pink, Artemis!"

"Okay, okay! Don't get your panties in a bunch!" he muttered, looking away. He stared back at the intercom. "Not-not to rub it in or anything...BUT TAKE YOUR FINGER OFF THE INTERCOM SO THAT THEY CAN ANSWER!" he roared at her, loosing all patience.

Minako flushed, jerked her finger off the button, then glared murderously down at her cat. "What-you think this is a walkie-talkie?! They didn't answer!"

"Because your finger was there, you ditzy blonde!" he yelled back at her, white fur bristling.

"Pink" she said sweetly, reminding him. Her golden eyes narrowed on him further, a wicked smile curving her lips. "Fluorescent pink"

An amused laugh came from behind them and Minako whirled around, almost throwing Artemis off of her shoulder. A woman stood there with black hair, blue eyes and a doctors white coat. Minako blinked at her. "A doctor?" she questioned, forgetting that the woman had just heard her and her cat talking!

"Hello, you must be a Senshi?" the woman said warmly, holding out her hand.

Artemis almost fell off of Minako's shoulder, eyes bugging out. "Meow?" he tried, looking innocent.

"Senshi? What's a Senshi?" Minako tried to act dumb also, eyes going wide and vacant.

The woman laughed again, highly amused at their antics. "I'm Ami's Mother, Marie. And don't worry, your secret is safe with me," she told them both calmly.

Minako slumped in relief. "Whew! Thought I'd blown it there! Ami's Mercury-right?"

"That's right," Marie said, looking past Minako. "And you are-?"

"Minako. Sailor Venus," Minako said promptly. She pointed to her shoulder, where Artemis was looking pole axed. She didn't blame him! If Marie had been a normal person, their secret would be all over Juuban by now!

"And you don't know the combination?" Marie guessed. She passed Minako and pressed a finger to the intercom. "Hello? Ami? Are you there, honey?" she pulled her hand away and waited. Yet again there was no answer. "Hmm-" she said in concern.

"This doesn't sound good" Artemis muttered, recovering from his shock.

"Right!" Minako answered, brightening. "So-this means we HAVE to break in...right?" she said mischievously.

Artemis rolled his eyes. "Yes, Minako. Break in."

"Ha! Tricked you!" the blonde giggled, moving towards Marie. She grabbed her about the waist easily and pulled her close, sizing up the gate with her eyes.

"What are you doing?" Marie exclaimed, utterly bewildered.

Artemis dug in his claws to Minako's yellow sweater, grinning. "Hold onto your hat, Marie! Sailor V is in business!"

"What?" Marie said, still in the dark.

Minako took out a small pen, then smiled mischievously at the woman. "We're going to JUMP over the fence, then break into the house!" she announced calmly.

Before Marie could blink, light surrounded her and the golden-haired girl.

"Hello?" Motoki called out, walking along the long corridor. He hadn't found a soul downstairs, though there was evidence that someone had been in the kitchen cooking. He and Reika had been walking around the bottom floor of the house for about 20 minutes with no luck and now they were trying upstairs.

Reika frowned. "Where do you think they are?" she asked her boyfriend, bewildered. She bit her lip. "I hope nothing bad happened to them!" The fight with Zoisite was still clear in both of their minds.

"HELLO!" Motoki shouted, increasingly worried. He looked at Reika grimly "Maybe we should have left informing the police till later."

"It had to be done, Motoki. The neighbors had already discovered the state of the Tsukino's house," Reika said soothingly. She smiled, "At least now the police have a description of Zoisite and that other guy and can keep an eye out for them!"

"Right," Motoki answered. He raised his voice again. "HELLO!"

"In here!" Rei hollered back from just a few doorways ahead.

Motoki and Reika hurried down and walked through the doorway-then stopped dead. Their eyes bugged out incredulously at the scene before them. Ikuko was on the bed-obviously VERY pregnant-and glowing a golden color, while everyone else hovered about her worriedly.

"WHAAAAAAT?" Motoki yelled, eyes impossibly wide. He gasped, looking from face to face. "What-how-WHEN....HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?" he finally thundered, feeling faint. "We weren't gone for THAT long, people!"

"About a half-hour ago," Mamoru said calmly, reaching out with a cloth to wipe the sweat gently from Ikuko's forehead. He checked her temperature with the back of his hand and sighed. There'd been no movement from Ikuko for about 10 minutes now.

Reika blinked, dazed. "How?" she managed in a squeaky tone.

"We've been asking ourselves that question too," Makoto said dryly, green eyes fascinated.

"Is she okay?" Motoki whispered, noting that Ikuko's eyes were closed peacefully., She continued to glow like a small sun.

"She's in some sort of trance-" Ami began, when I voice cut in.

"What's her temperature, Ami?" a familiar voice asked calmly.

Ami gaped and spun with a welcome smile. In the doorway stood her Mom, a strange golden-haired girl and a white cat on her shoulder. "MOM!" she cried out gladly.

Minako blinked around, smiling. "Umm-did we come at a bad time?" she said, surprised. No one had mentioned anyone being pregnant on the phone. But here was someone clearly ready to give birth!

"Who is that?" Artemis said sharply, staring at the golden glow surrounding the woman.

"It's my wife-Ikuko" Kenji said, wringing his hands. "I assume that you're Minako and Artemis?" he asked them, eyes blood-shot. He looked at Marie. "And you're Ami's Mother..."

"Marie," she offered, eyes going to the very pregnant Ikuko. She took in details calmly as the other's talked.

"About time you showed up!" Luna told Artemis resentfully. She sniffed and turned her back on him.

"Same old, Luna," he muttered sourly.

"How did you get in?" Usagi asked curiously. Her silver eyes were shadowed, but she managed a smile of greeting to their newest friend. "There's a security panel."

Minako grinned, holding up her fingers in a triumphant V sign. "There's NO security system that Sailor V can't get through!"

Artemis groaned. "I knew I shouldn't have taught you that..."

"YOU'RE sailor V?" Usagi said, blinking at Minako. She grinned briefly. "Wow! You're my idol!"

"Well-thank you!" Minako giggled back, blushing.

"Ami, why didn't you tell me that Ikuko was pregnant? I assumed it was one of your friends hurt," her Mom demanded, interrupting the two girls. She went swiftly to Ikuko's side, pausing only slightly, as she saw the glowing golden color suffusing the woman's body. "She's almost ready to give birth!"

Ami blushed, bewildered by her Mom's absence of curiosity. Here Ikuko was, glowing like a small sun. Mamoru, Rei and Usagi with glowing symbols on their foreheads....and all her Mom could ask is what Ikuko's temperature was? She suddenly felt a surge of pride. Her Mom was a true doctor all right! "I'm-sorry, Mom," she said awkwardly.

"She wasn't like that five minutes ago," Rei muttered, frankly not knowing what to do. ["Thank God Ami's Mom is here!"]

"OR four hours ago!" Motoki put in, eyes darting around the room nervously. "Er-HOW did you say this happened, everyone? Mamoru?" he said to his best friend, pleading for an answer.

Mamoru moved away from Ikuko and Ami's Mom, the wet cloth clenched hard in his hand. "We're not sure. It just happened," he murmured quietly to Motoki and Reika, who had moved closer to the birthing bed in deference to Mamoru, Rei's and Usagi's bond. His deep blue eyes narrowed as he cast a look back at Ikuko. "Take a good look at her forehead though, Motoki. That's a crescent moon like Serenity's."

Motoki craned his head past his best friend, eyes gluing to Ikuko's heavily sweating forehead. Sure enough, there was a small golden crescent moon. His eyes widened. "I didn't even NOTICE that past her stomach!" he muttered, flushing.

"Is Ikuko from the Moon Kingdom too?" Reika whispered, utterly amazed at the developments. She and Motoki had only been gone for a few hours!

Ami's Mom looked up briefly after pressing lightly on Ikuko's swollen stomach. "She's in some sort of trance. If she doesn't snap out of it, the baby might die" she said solemnly to them all. "Ikuko HAS to push or I'll have to do a C-section."

Everyone rushed back to the bed, surrounding it and the pregnant woman. Ikuko lay there calmly, eyes closed and a half smile playing about her mouth. Other than that, the golden glow still surrounded her body in a comforting warmth. Suddenly, her eyes opened and she stared around peacefully. "I'm not in a trance. I'm just-incredibly relaxed. No pain at all."

"NONE?" Several voices asked simultaneously. Everyone exchanged a look, then stared at Ami's Mom expectantly.

Marie looked shocked, then laughed half-nervously. "Er-I have no idea everyone. Really." She gazed back at Ikuko, who was regarding her with a calm expression. "You know, if I already didn't know something of this, I'd be freaking out about now." she confided to them all.

Ami's eyes widened, her mouth falling open. "What do you know, Mom?" she asked tentatively.

Marie looked at her daughter with an amused expression, then at Usagi, Mamoru, Rei and Makoto. "Well for one darling, your friends have glowing symbols of the planets on their foreheads-" she smiled at Rei and then Makoto. "And as far as I can remember, Rei never had dark red hair and Makoto's was certainly never green" her eyes flittered over Usagi. "And Usagi was always a blonde"

Everyone stared at her, not knowing what to say. They really should have expected it, however, with such changed looks.

"Right" Makoto said with embarrassment, reaching up to lightly touch her green hair with a rueful expression. "We sort of forgot about that."

Marie smiled wider, leaning down over her patient to check Ikuko's slightly murky eyes. "And of course-" she added casually. "Knowing that my daughter was Sailor Mercury was a big clue."

"WHAT?!" everyone screamed at her, stunned.

Ami's eyes went even wider, her face paling. "You-you KNEW?" she stammered incredulously.

Marie threw her an amused look over her shoulder. "Of course, Ami. You're my daughter. AND I'm a doctor too. Did you think I didn't notice and wonder about all those bruises and cuts you came home with? I knew you weren't the sort of girl to get into fights-and one day you were in a hurry to get to a battle and I saw you transforming in your room."

Ami looked chagrined as everyone looked at her. "Sorry everyone," she murmured, flushing brightly. Of them all, SHE was the genius...and yet it had been HER that had betrayed herself to her Mom. She flushed harder, a hand going to her cheek. "Oh dear."

"Don't worry about it, Ami," Usagi said gently, smiling at her friend. "It could have happened to any of us. Right now I'm glad that your Mom DID know-or else she wouldn't have come so quickly."

"That's true." Marie said slowly, lost in thought. "Of course, I didn't realize that it was for a pregnancy when you called and said it was an emergency or I would have sent an ambulance. I thought that maybe one of the Senshi had been injured and so came alone."

"Whew!" Makoto breathed in relief. She gestured at Mamoru, Usagi and Rei. "We'd have had a WONDERFUL time explaining those three to the ambulance crew!" she said sarcastically.

"OR school." Rei muttered thankfully.

"Yes." Marie frowned, glancing at Ami.

"It's coming!" Ikuko said, breathing hard. Sweat dripped down the side of her face as it contorted. She wasn't in pain, but it DID take some effort to get a baby out-as she well knew.

"Everyone back off!" Marie ordered, waving everyone back.

Motoki turned away, a hand firmly over his eyes. "This, I do NOT want to see!" he announced weakly, grimacing.

The girls all glared at him, huddling in a group with Mamoru on the other-side of the bed from Marie.

"Breathe honey!" Kenji said anxiously, hovering behind Marie.

"I AM, Kenji!" Ikuko exploded back, glaring. Her eyes softened somewhat. "You're not helping, hovering like that-come and hold my hand!" she ordered him gently.

He hurried forwards and picked up one of her limp hands in a death-grip.

"Not-so-hard-honey!" Ikuko gasped out, clenching her muscles.

"Right! Right!" Kenji nodded frantically, loosening his grip.

Usagi fixed her eyes firmly on Ikuko's face, looking for any signs of pain. If her Mom looked as if she were in danger, Serenity wouldn't hesitate to use the Crystal. ["I won't"] she vowed, a hand raising to cover the broach pinned to her bunny pj's.

Mamoru frowned at her, then slipped an arm about her waist, hauling her tightly against his taller frame. "There will be no stupid moves here, Serenity!" he whispered into her ear, breath stirring the bangs at her temple. "Whatever you do-we do together."

"Of course, Endymion," she said absently, sending him a slight smile. Then her eyes went back to her Mom. ["Push"] she urged silently.

["I think she IS"] Rei said faintly, eyes on all the blood over the sheets. It reminded her too much of watching Usagi and Mamoru dying on their living room floor...An arm came about her waist and pulled her close to a warm chest. She glanced up in surprise to see that she was pressed hard against Mamoru's side. She smiled tentatively. "Thank you," she whispered.

"We're all one here, Rei," Mamoru said perplexingly, eyes darkening as they rested on Ikuko.

["All one?"] Rei questioned, bewildered. But there was no answer and it didn't look as if Mamoru was going to give one.

"Just a little more!" Marie urged, leaning over Ikuko and obscuring the view from everyone else.

Kenji's face paled and then went red as he watched the usually excruciating procedure.

Suddenly, a wail broke the silence and everyone's breath exploded out violently. At the exact same moment of the birth, the room was filled with a blazing golden light, spiraling out from the bed to fill the whole room. Everyone it brushed was left with an intense feeling of love and protectiveness.

Marie fell back, revealing that Ikuko was glowing like a small sun, the baby clutched in her arms.

Even as Usagi watched, then crescent moon symbol faded from Ikuko's forehead and reappeared on the baby's-then everything abruptly clicked. ["MOTHER!"] she exclaimed, mind reeling.

"MOTHER?!" Rei shrieked, having heard Usagi's thoughts and immediately connecting it.

Ami, Makoto, Artemis, Luna and Minako ALSO got the meaning and blanched, eyes going with disbelief and shock.

"No way!" Minako breathed in awe.

"Queen Serenity!" Luna and Artemis chorused, stunned motionless by the revelation.

Mamoru merely smiled, having realized at the same time as his love, just who Ikuko was giving birth to.

A moment later, the golden light as sucked back and into the baby, who smiled and then closed silver eyes, contentedly.

Ikuko merely lay there, looking totally dazed, her eyes blank. All sign of blood was gone from the sheets and Ikuko looked as clean and unruffled as if she'd just had a shower. Not even one hair was out of place. However, she was now sporting a beautiful baby upon her flat stomach. "What just happened here?" she demanded, eyes sharpening. Her arms came automatically around the baby in a protective way, despite the fact that she had NO IDEA how it got inside her.

Marie blinked, then smiled in a daze. "Well-" she said, blinking again. She gazed at the naked baby, who appeared to be sleeping peacefully in Ikuko's arms. "It's a girl," she said finally.

"It's my MOTHER!" Usagi corrected absently.

Ikuko's mouth fell open, she looked from her daughter to the baby, comparing crescent moons and such. "Queen Serenity?" she gasped out, blue eyes wide with incredulity. "She-I....we...WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?" she bellowed, momentarily forgetting the sleeping baby.

"You Mother?" Marie said in bewilderment.

"Queen Serenity!" Luna cried out, bowing down on her front paws. Artemis did the same and then a moment later all the Senshi followed, along with Endymion.

Usagi let Serenity's memory's fill her and walked hesitantly towards the bed, the bond separating from her and the others. "Mother," she whispered, leaning over the bed to touch one small warm cheek.

The baby opened her eyes and gazed at the Princess with calm knowing eyes. ["Serenity. My daughter"] the baby thought joyously, extending the mental embrace out to all present.

Promptly, Kenji fainted, falling like a sack of potato's onto the floor. Yuuchiro followed a moment later, sprawling at Grandpa's feet.

Marie gaped, eyes glazing over. "This-I wasn't prepared for," she said faintly.

"Interesting," Grandpa rumbled, eyes on the baby.

The Senshi just gaped, Rei still clinging to a bemused Mamoru.

And as for Usagi-the threw herself onto the bed and tenderly clasped both Ikuko and the baby into her arms. The Silver Crystal responded by glowing a brilliant silver that encompassed the three...and it sang! A beautiful wordless sound with a haunting melody that Serenity faintly recognize. "My Mothers," she whispered to them.

Queen Serenity smiled peacefully, a small hand going out to touch her daughter's silver hair. ["At last"] she thought to them all. ["At last"]

Chapter Three

["My Mothers"] Usagi had said.

Ikuko smiled down at her daughters and felt a surge of pride. Despite the fact that she'd just discovered that she was having a baby-which was really a thousand year old Queen...Her blue eyes glazed over slightly at the thought. Her new daughter was actually the MOTHER of her OTHER daughter. So-that made Queen Serenity...Usagi sister ALSO? "This is giving me a headache," she groaned aloud, head thumping back against the pillows.

The baby smiled slightly, then was silent. The golden crescent moon on her forehead glowed slightly as she looked closely into her daughters eyes, as Serenity lay with her arms about her and Ikuko. ["Serenity"] she thought longingly, wishing that she could hold her daughter oncemore.

"Mother-how?" The Princess began, eyes staring right into those gray one's of the baby on Ikuko's stomach only a few centimeters away. The baby looked so innocent, as any baby would, all but for the eyes. Her Mother's eyes looked ageless.

["Later, Serenity"] Queen Serenity soothed, waving about a small hand rather imperiously.

Rei got to her feet from her kneeling position, looking VERY confused and shocked. "Queen Serenity? Umm-Can you tell us why you're here?" she asked nervously, unsure how to treat the small baby. She WAS their Queen after all.

"First things first, Rei!" Kenji said, glaring around at everyone because he was so shocked over the events. His wife had just given birth in the space of an hour-to a thousand year old dead Queen! His daughter's MOTHER for crying out loud. "WHY did you use MY wife?" he demanded.

Every else got to their feet, tempted to yell at Kenji for speaking to the Queen and a BABY in that manner, but also afire with curiosity.

["Ikuko was the most perfect of choices to be my Mother. Other than it being foreordained"] the baby said mysteriously, soft mature voice brushing their minds. It was NOT the voice of the baby before them, but rather a woman. A Queen who had seen so very much and lost so much and whose spirit had survived it all. ["You see, Ikuko-though her name was not that then-was my nurse when I was a child"]

Everyone gaped, eyes popping open wide at THAT revelation.

"So-so, my MOM was from the Silver Millennium TOO?" Shingo gasped out incredulously. His eyes went to his Mom, who was looking similarly stunned.

Serenity blinked, surprised. "Truly?" she breathed, tilting her head back to look into Ikuko's eyes. She frowned slightly. "So-we are sisters then, Mother?" she murmured, perplexed.

The baby laughed musically into their minds, while her mouth never moved. And her small silver eyes were vastly amused as they swept over everyone's faces. [I will tell you one day all about this, everyone. Serenity. But for now, call me Seline"] she instructed them.

Ami smiled slightly at the name. "As in the Moon Goddess?" she inquired.

Queen Serenity's tiny lips curved into a disconcertingly proud smile. To see such emotions on the new born baby's face was-inconceivable! ["Exactly"] she said, pleased. ["You always were the most intelligent of my daughter's Senshi, Mercury"]

Ami blushed. "My name is Ami here, Queen Serenity," she muttered, lowering her eyes. She reallydidn't know how to act!

["I know. I know all of you from my daughter's mind. I know-everything"] the baby told them with a significant look at Serenity and then Mamoru.

The Princess flushed. "Mother!" she protested.

"Right!" Kenji said, frowning heavily upon his daughter and then at Mamoru. "Exactly WHAT was going on with you two? Hmm? You were making out like there was no tomorrow-" he shouted hotly,having remembered his wrath.

["Perfectly normal, Kenji"] Queen Serenity interrupted him gently.

Kenji and Ikuko blinked at him, while everyone gaped.

"NORMAL? Excuse me?" Rei exploded. "Queen Serenity-did you SEE them? They couldn't control themselves!"

["You have to understand the nature of the bond that my daughter and Endymion share"] Seline said quietly. ["Serenity and Endymion were bonded by the Crystal, but to fully bond to their heritage, each other and the Crystal...they must consummate their union as the Crown Princess of the Moon Kingdom and the Crown Prince of the Golden Kingdom"

"C-CONSUMATE?!" Kenji roared at the baby. His glare was one of death as he shot a look at the shocked Mamoru. He'd become very close to the young man, but there was NO WAY IN HELL that he was going to consummate ANYTHING with HIS little girl! "Over his dead body!"

"Kenji!" Ikuko yelled, startling Serenity and Seline with her anger. "Stop being so immature about this! You KNOW that Usagi has to be able to control the Crystal-" tears gathered in her eyes. "Or she might die again!"

Makoto's eyes boggled at the thought. She looked from Serenity to Mamoru-a large grin curving her lips. "So-you two have to do the dirty for destiny to be fulfilled?"

"MAKOTO!" everyone shouted.

Serenity shot up from Ikuko’s chest, spinning to look at her love. "Consummate? Why does that sound so familiar?" she wondered aloud, meeting his dark blue eyes.

["You tried once before, Serenity. Just before the great ball when Queen Beryl destroyed our kingdom. Without having completely bonded, then Crystal could not protect you"] Seline sounded sad beyond comprehension. ["I had to watch you die"]

"I-remember a little. But not much Mother," the Princess apologized, trying to avoid Mamoru's penetrating gaze.

"Really?" Mamoru drawled mischievously. He met Kenji's enraged stare and carefully changed his expression to a shocked on. "Really?" he said, sounding utterly horrified at the thought of himself CONSUMATING their union. He suddenly got a picture of Usagi’s long slender legs wrapped about his middle and an explosion of pleasure spiraled through his body. He groaned.

Serenity shook her head, groaning also. She sort of-slumped and then it was Usagi’s eyes staring at Mamoru. ["Mamoru. Stop that!"] she growled at him, radiating outrage. Both she and Rei caught snatches of uncontrollable desire coming from the dark-haired guy.

"Stop WHAT?" Kenji demanded, looking quickly from Usagi to Mamoru and then to Rei accusingly.

Rei glared at Mamoru, folding her arms. ["Hentai"] she said, frowning at him like a thundercloud.

Usagi and Mamoru stared at her and then at each other-and immediately sank in their depths of each others eyes. Everything vanished from around them. Without even noticing, both staggered towards each other, arms outstretched and eyes glazed with passion. Excitement spiraled through their bodies....and then Ami moved between them, cutting off their view of each other.

"REALLY you two! Get a room or something," Rei snapped at them in exasperation, fanning her face. She looked uncomfortably red about the checks.

["Oh dear, I forgot how uncontrollable it was"] Seline said, sounding startled. Everyone had bore witness to the way that Mamoru and Usagi had practically ate each other up without even TOUCHING.

"We can't even put them in a room alone," Motoki noted, slipping an arm about his girlfriend’s waist.

Marie was curious, eyeing Mamoru and Usagi like rare species of animal. "It was like this before? And they never consummated. Oh dear," she murmured. "This could be potentially disastrous..."

"TELL me about it!" Shingo groaned, looking rather disgruntled. He really didn't get older people and their kissing!

"Well we can't separate them. And I can’t LEAVE them...So Luna can be chaperone again," Rei announced, looking about for the small black cat.

"Again?" Luna said with exasperation, jumping onto the bed. She gave the baby an unhappy look. "How did I handle this LAST time, Queen Serenity?" she inquired.

The baby smiled serenely. ["You managed quite well, Luna. And Artemis helped, of course"

"HIM!" Luna shot a disbelieving look at the white cat. "That lazy-bones?!"

"Hey!"

"Don't mind her Artemis, you still have me," Minako said brightly, leaning down to sweep the cat into her arms. She smothered his face with kisses, making Luna glare and Artemis blush.

"Put me down, Minako!" he ordered, tail stiffening. She let him go and he dropped to the floor, sniffing disdainfully. Artemis muttered something under his breath about blondes and stalked from the room.

Luna cast a significant look at the baby, red eyes triumphant. "SEE?" she said. "A hopeless case."

Seline looked somehow teasing. "You REALLY should learn to get along with him again, Luna," the silver eyes turned sly. "You WERE a lot closer back in the Silver Millennium."

"WHAT!?!" Luna yowled disbelievingly. "With HIM?!" she shook her head, looking dazed. "I must have had no taste."

The baby giggled, then looked sharply to the left. "Serenity!" she scolded.

Usagi started, hand flat against Mamoru's naked chest. She turned her head, looking guiltily at her Mother. "Sorry, Mother," she apologized, blushing brightly. She tried to take her hand back, but Mamoru covered it with one of his own, the other snaking about her slender waist.

"I THINK that you can appreciate my NEED to be as close to my fiancée as possible, Queen Serenity," he said innocently, pulling Usagi closer so that she molded to him.

Queen Serenity looked amused. ["Don't try to play THAT game with me, Endymion"] she told him calmly. ["I know full well the ramifications of you and Serenity getting 'close'"

"MOTHER!" Usagi wailed into Mamoru's ear, making him wince.

"Usagi! Move away from him," Kenji ordered, crossing his arms and glaring. It seemed that all his good will towards Mamoru had disappeared with the er- blatant display earlier.

Motoki and Mamoru exchanged a rueful look. "He's right buddy. You two can't be trusted to keep your hands off of each other."

"Thanks a lot, BUDDY," Mamoru ground out, through clenched teeth. He reluctantly let go of Usagi, who moved a few steps away sheepishly.

"There will be NO consummating in THIS house!" Kenji thundered, startling them all.

"We'd already established that, dear,” Ikuko said calmly.

He looked nonplussed. "Oh. Right."

A faint beeping began, unnoticed at first. Then Ami looked down at the Mercury computer in her hand and her blue eyes widened as she saw the flashing red light on the side. "Oh no!" she exclaimed, opening it. She paled. "A Youma!"

"Where?" Mamoru said curtly, suddenly all business.

"In the center of Juuban, near the Mall," Ami said after a moment. She looked up. "What do we do?"

"I'll have to pretend to be Sailor Moon again and use the Luna Pen," Usagi said nervously, not sure if she liked that idea at ALL.

["No. You are NOT to leave here,”] Queen Serenity said harshly.

Everyone jumped and looked at the baby in shock.

"But Mother-" Usagi began.

"No. You're helpless at this moment. You must stay here and help me with the Crystal."

"But what about the battle?" Rei demanded. "The Senshi can't be without Mars, Moon and Tuxedo Kamen!"

"Mars and Tuxedo Kamen WILL be there," the baby said, more calm now. She pinned her daughter with her silver eyes. "This will require all your concentration daughter. You must become Serenity and stay that way until Mamoru and Rei return."

"STAY that way?" Usagi said in horror. "But Mother-I can't control it!"

["You will have to"] the Queen said firmly, but gently. ["Mamoru and Rei can go to the battle as long as you are concentrating on your past self and then Silver Crystal-but if you should loose concentration all three of you will die"]

"Die?" Usagi cried out, eyes wide with disbelief. "But Mother-"

"Queen Serenity is right, dear" Ikuko cut in, uncharacteristically stern. "You're the most important to us at the moment. Being my daughter, the Princess AND possessing such a powerful object as the Silver Crystal."

"Ikuko's right" Marie murmured. "From what you've told me, the Dark Kingdom would just LOVE to get their hands on the Crystal."

Usagi bit her lip, knowing that they were right. ["But that doesn't change a thing! I'm still worried about Mamoru and Rei."]

["We'll be fine, Usagi"] Mamoru murmured to her, wrapping an arm about her waist comfortingly. Both of them tingled strangely, but suppressed the feelings. The situation too important.

["Mamoru is right"] Rei said, reaching out to touch Usagi's shoulder lightly with her fingertips. When the she turned to her the priestess gave her a grin. ["We have Tuxedo Kamen on our side! AND Sailor Venus"]

"That is right, Mars," the baby said, looking somewhat relieved. Her silver eyes became contemplative as she looked at the newest addition to the Senshi.

Minako's eyes widened and she took on a slightly hunted look as everyone in the room followed Queen Serenity's gaze and stared at her. "What?!" she demanded. "What? is my hair messy?" her hands went quickly to her wealth of golden hair, expression panicked. "Why didn't someone TELL me?" she almost wailed, flattening her hands frantically over her locks.

Ami giggled. "No, no, Minako!" she said, blue eyes filled with mirth. "I think that Queen Serenity just came up with a plan."

"She DID?" Kenji said, looking flabbergasted. He still wasn't used to the fact that his wife had given birth to a baby that could talk AND who was over a thousand years old! "I need a holiday," he muttered, rubbing a hand over his eyes wearily.

"You'll be fine dear," Ikuko said, smiling at him.

"All right?!" he suddenly burst out, pointing a finger at Usagi and Mamoru-then wildly gesturing at everyone else. "All right? My daughter was Sailor Moon! Heroine of Tokyo! Her ditzy friends are the protectors of the world! The guy Usagi hated turns out to be her true love, a Prince and a caped crusader of the night," he took a deep breath as Mamoru's face turned rueful.

["I think your Dad just reached the end of his tether, Usagi"] Mamoru murmured wryly to Rei and Usagi, his deep blue eyes filled with laughter.

Rei stared at Kenji. ["I think you're right. Look at that vein throbbing in his forehead!"] she remarked in fascination.

"What? Usagi muttered, staring at her Dad too. Her eyes widened as she saw the said throbbing vein. ["Oh dear"]

"My daughter is a PRINCESS. Has a magical Silver Crystal that can destroy worlds. My WIFE just gave birth to a thousand year old Queen and-and-" his face turned red and thunderous, eyes murderously pinned on Mamoru's face. "YOU can't keep your hands off my daughter!" he boomed.

"I'm going to marry her," Mamoru said lightly, standing bravely before a steaming Kenji. His arms crossed over his chest, blue eyes challenging.

"That's no excuse!" Kenji almost screamed, "You stay away from her until she's 25!"

"Dad!" Usagi wailed, outraged. "You can't do that!" she threw herself into Mamoru's arms, gripping is about the neck tightly in a strangle hold. ["I won't be able to kiss you or anything until I'm 25!"] she shouted mentally, making both Rei and Mamoru wince.

["Odango! How many times do we have to remind you that WE'RE in here too?"] Rei bellowed back, voice ringing about Usagi's mind.

["HEY!"] Usagi yelled, glaring.

["Please don't start this now"] Mamoru groaned, bowing his head until it touched Usagi's. ["This really isn't the time or the place"]

"Get your mitts off her!" Kenji shouted, like an enraged bull. He strode purposefully towards Mamoru and Usagi-who looked startled.

Surprisingly it was Marie who cut him off, stepping in front of his path bravely. She took a hold of the man's stunned wrist, ignoring his gape. "Right-you need some time out," she ordered him firmly.

"WHAT?!" he yelled at her, eyes wide and incredulous. His heels dragged as the determined doctor began to drag him from the room by one arm, to the amusement of all present.

"Go doc!" Motoki grinned widely.

"Mom!" Ami said, gaping at her mother.

"I'll be back later dear," Marie said calmly, dragging Kenji out the bedroom door. "Kenji has to calm down before he has a heart attack!"

"Be good, Kenji!" Ikuko called after him encouragingly.

"IKUKOOOOOOOOOO!" Kenji shouted back, voice sounding fainter and fainter. "Heeeeeeelp!"

Everyone burst into laughter as Kenji's outraged wails died away.

"And HE'S a grown man?" Reika said in amazement, rolling her eyes.

"That's debatable. Really." Ikuko said in a dry tone, running a hand soothingly over the baby's soft head. "Now what was it that you were thinking about, Seline?" she asked calmly, staring down at the beautiful baby in her arms.

Usagi blinked. "Seline? Oh right-you said to call you that Mother" she said quietly, disconcerted.

The baby smiled, looking adorable. She looked then at Minako, eyes somehow taking on a cunning edge that looked startling in such an innocent face. "Venus-you will be Sailor Moon" she said cryptically.

"Huh?" Minako said intelligently.

Everyone stared at the golden-haired girl and then the Queen, perplexed.

"Umm-mother? I'm Sailor Moon," Usagi said tentatively, wondering if the birth had somehow warped her mother's memories.

Seline's musical laughter filled all of their minds, feelings of amusement washing over them all. ["Serenity darling-I HAVE missed you"] she said in delight.

Usagi flushed brightly, realizing that she'd just embarrassed herself. ["Right! She said that Minako could BE Sailor Moon. Not WAS Sailor Moon"] she flushed brighter as Mamoru and Rei laughed at her teasingly, exchanging a look.

["Princess you may be my love, but you still have MUCH of the Odango Atama left in you"] Mamoru said mockingly, kissing her forehead.

Usagi scowled and pulled away, sticking out her tongue at him. His eyes darkened and she spun way, face as red as a potato as she gleaned his thoughts.

"Guys! Keep your hentai thoughts to yourself!" Rei shouted, flushing also as she got a visual from both of her mind bonds-coming from Usagi!

"Stay out of my head, you Pyro!" Usagi shouted back, ears turning red with mortification. She threw a dark look at Mamoru-wondering what cosmic joke had them all linked together in such a way.

"Serenity-you're projecting already?" Seline said with some interest, voice intent.

Usagi turned to look at her Mother, blinking in surprise. "Projecting?" she queried. Suddenly, she got a vision of herself as a little girl, being held by Queen Serenity in the gardens of the Moon Kingdom. She gasped in wonder and delight.

"What was that?" Mamoru said, stunned. He blinked a few times rapidly, as if trying to rid the vision from his senses. They had been incredibly clear.

["They were the royal gardens on the Moon"] Usagi thought in awe. ["I haven't seen them in so long. Mother used to take me there as a child..."]

["That is what a projection is, Serenity"] Seline said gently, mind stroking her daughters to calm the turmoil within. There was so much that her daughter did not remember. But she was glad that Serenity recognized something from her childhood on the Moon. The silver eyes grew wistful as she looked at the silver-haired girl.

"It was-amazing! I saw the gardens perfectly!" Usagi exclaimed to everyone.

"Gardens?" Motoki looked at Usagi and then Mamoru weirdly. "You two aren't starting to lose it are you?" he demanded suspiciously.

Mamoru grinned. "No Motoki-we just got a vision projected at us from Queen Ser-I mean Seline. It was amazing!" he said with wonder. He frowned lightly, looking disturbed. "Why can't I do that?" he asked the baby.

["You will, Prince,"] the baby assured him, projecting motherly feelings at his mind to calm it. She frowned lightly, startling them all with her intent expression. Once again, it was a shock to see such animation on a baby's face! "Serenity, it seems is projecting because if the Silver Crystal in her possession. I must admit that I did not expect it to happen this fast. The rest of you will learn in time."

"All of us?" Makoto exclaimed in astonishment, abruptly breaking her brooding silence. Her green eyes glinted mischievously. "So-we can send pictures to each others minds?"

"Like a photograph," Ami murmured, musing. She itched to take out her Mercury computer and enter in this amazing data-or perhaps there was something on it already there! Her expression grew hungry, fingers flexing.

"Ami-you're scaring me." Makoto said tentatively, backing away slightly from the blue-haired genius. Makoto's fingers went up to her ponytail, fingers winding into the long green hair comfortingly. Ami's expression was-gleeful.

"Hehehe" Ami giggled, rather evilly.

Everyone stared at her warily.

Ami giggled in amusement, looking around at them all. "This is just too perfect," she said, as if it explained it all.

"Perfect?" Rei said suspiciously, eyeing her friend. "How do you mean perfect?"

"Just think!" Ami said in excitement, the blue symbol for Mercury glowing brightly upon her forehead. "We won't need the communicators anymore! We can talk directly to each other when we link and even project an image of our location!"

"Wow-she's RIGHT!" Makoto said in delight and shock. "Wow-I never thought of it like that."

["That IS it's purpose, Jupiter"] Seline said mentally. ["The bond was forged by the Silver Crystal the very day each of the Senshi vowed to protect the Moon Princess from all harm. Your minds were all linked to each other and her so that you could sense if she was ever in any danger"]

"Truly?" Ami gasped, stunned at the Queens revelation. "But that's brilliant, my Queen!" she thought about it a moment more, as the others exchanged happy glances. They'd always be together, even if they were apart! "And you are linked to the Princess too." it wasn't a question, merely a statement.

["Yes-and Luna and Artemis were linked to you all, as well as to each other. A different link again was between Endymion and Serenity when they became engaged"] Seline explained. Her eyes grew amused as she looked over to her daughter and her love. ["You wondered, Endymion, how you could sense whenever Sailor Moon was in danger? Why you always ran into each other? Why you couldn't stay away from each other, no matter how much you thought you disliked and annoyed? It was the bond working"]

"And the Silver Crystal strengthened it. So-that's why Usagi and Mamoru began to remember their past?" Ami queried.

["No"] Seline said seriously, eyes hiding something in their silver depths. ["It began when Endymion touched the Moon Broach. He was never meant to, you see. Both he and Serenity were meant to remember their pasts when the Silver Crystal was formed. So that Serenity would be ready to be trained"]

"And instead-my past self began to emerge within me. No WONDER I was confused and kept having blackouts!" Usagi said, mind boggling.

["There is a time for everything, my darling"] Seline said gently. Her eyes firmed. "And now it is time for battle"]

"OH MY GOD! The battle!" Ami said in horror. Everyone had similar expressions. How on earth had they forgotten something so important?

"Some Senshi we are!" Makoto said with disgust.

["Be calm, children"] Seline told them softly. ["The Dark Kingdom wants the Silver Crystal now and that is all that they will aim for. They will have waited for you to arrive"] a mocking smile graced her lips. ["I imagine that the Dark Generals are QUITE infuriated by now that you have not appeared to battle them."]

Minako giggled. "To bad!" she taunted evilly. "So-what was this about me being Sailor Moon?" she demanded directly.

["Serenity-give Venus the Luna Pen"] the baby instructed.

Usagi gaped, feeling a fool. "Of COURSE! Minako can use the pen to disguise herself as me. The Dark Kingdom doesn't KNOW there's another Senshi yet!" she said happily, feeling her burden lifted from her shoulders. If she could not protect her Prince and her friends-then perhaps Minako could!

["Wow, Usagi...that IS you right? Not Serenity?"] Rei said with admiration and suspicion as she eyed the silver haired girl. ["You came up with that all by yourself?"]

"Of COURSE I DID!" Usagi screeched at the red-haired priestess.

"Don't scream at me, you ditz!"

"I'm not a ditz!"

["Serenity! Mars!"] Seline's voice snapped like a whiplash in their minds. ["Venus, use the pen quickly"] she then urged the golden haired Senshi.

"Right!" Minako held out an expectant hand to Usagi.

Usagi reached into her sub space pocket and grabbed the pen. She thrust it at Minako, eyes concerned. "Be careful, Okay-okay?" she murmured.

Minako flashed her a v with her fingers. "Don't worry about it, girl! Sailor Venus to the rescue!" she giggled. "I mean Sailor Moon!" she glanced down at the pink Pen in her hands, frowning. "Umm-how do I use this thing?!" she asked sheepishly.

Chapter Four

The pen tingled in Minako's hand, making her nervous.

Seline flashed her a toothless smile from Ikuko's chest. "Don't worry Venus-now that you have started to become your past-self more, the Luna Pen recognizes you as Serenity's protector."

Minako's eyes widened. "Umm-you mean that it would have HURT me if I wasn't recognized?" she said nervously, eyeing the pen askance.

"Yeah," Rei said sourly. "It zapped me but good before this all started."

Makoto grinned widely. "Boy did it! I thought Rei's hair would actually start smoking."

"You AREN'T making me feel better guys!" Minako seethed, eyes flashing. "I'm on your side-remember," she whined, rolling her eyes towards Queen Serenity. "Right?"

"Of course you are, Venus," Usagi said warmly, stepping towards the blonde. She winced as the bond began to be felt, sensing pain tingling vaguely along her nerve ends. ["This is difficult"] she groaned at Rei and Mamoru.

["A PAIN, more like"] Rei grumbled good-naturally. "Anyhow, Minako, transform into Sailor Moon-we have to get to the battle...whether Zoisite has waited or not."

"Yes, do," Motoki said nervously, blinking. "I wonder if my arcade is okay!"

"Why do you ask?" Makoto asked curiously, green eyes staring at him.

"Well come on!" Motoki said in exasperation. He looked at Mamoru. "YOU tell them, buddy. My Arcade is ALWAYS attacked!"

"He's right, you know," Mamoru said lightly, an arm snaking about Usagi waist and bringing her back into contact with him. He nuzzled his face into her soft locks absently, inhaling her flowery scent. She felt so soft beneath his hands and involuntarily his hands began to wander from her waist to her outer thigh.

"HEY!" Makoto yelped at them. "Battle, remember? No touchy-feely!"

Mamoru narrowed his eyes at her, eyebrows lowering. "Should I call you Kenji, Makoto?" he mocked her lightly, still stroking a hand over Usagi's outer thigh.

["Endymion. That is QUITE enough"] Seline said to him firmly, voice clear in all of their minds. ["I know that you are stronger than this and can fight the bond for now"]

"Are you sure of that?" Mamoru said, voice strained. He released his love and stepped back a pace reluctantly. Yet how could he refuse Queen Serenity?

["I certainly don't recommend it!"] Rei said warningly into Mamoru's mind, crossing her arms. "Can we go now?" she said aloud, looking at Minako.

"Say 'Luna Pen, transform me into Sailor Moon', Minako," Usagi directed.

Minako grinned at her and then Mamoru and held the pen aloft. "Luna pen, transform me into Sailor Moon-so that I can kick Zoisite’s butt!" she added mischievously. Golden light surrounded her for a moment and when it faded, Sailor Moon stood there. Albeit different. The hair was shorter for one. "Hmm-how do I look?" Minako said, twirling about gracefully for the all to see her form.

"Good. I don't think Zoisite will see the difference,” Mamoru said approvingly. He reached into thin air and a perfect red rose appeared into his hand. He transformed silently, without any speeches and stood there in his tuxedo. He felt Usagi's eyes on him and turned to see a mixed look of love, concern and wistfulness that made his breath catch.

["I wish that I could come with you"] Usagi said slowly, her deep silver eyes filling with helplessness and silent anger. ["I should be with you. By the side of my family!"]

Everyone watched with silent confusion-but for Seline-as both Sailor Mars and Tuxedo Kamen abruptly stepped up to the silver-haired girl and enveloped her into a tight hug.

["Don't worry about us, Usagi. Serenity"] Sailor Mars said teasingly, reaching up to ruffle her Princess' hair as if she were a small child. Or a loved sister...which was exactly what she was. ["I'll take care of Mamoru for you"] she shot a naughty look at Tuxedo Kamen, elbowing him in the ribs in a playful way. She expected the usual screams of outrage from Usagi about touching her guy-but she was surprised when a gentle smile spread over her friend's lips.

["I know you will Mars. My sister"] Serenity murmured, lifting a hand to stroke Sailor Mars' soft skin and staring into her amazed eyes.

["Serenity...."] Sailor Mars said uncertainly, feeling a wonderful warmth envelope her as her best friend called her sister for the first time. She blinked back tearful red eyes, flinging back her long hair defiantly as everyone looked at her in bafflement. "What? Never seen a girl happy before?" she demanded of them, scowling through her tears. She then began muttering under her breath, rolling her eyes.

"Oooookay," Sailor Jupiter said slowly, curious what the others had said mentally to make Rei look so happy but also as if she were about to burst into tears. Jealousy surged through her at the realization that she would not have that same bond with her Princess as Mamoru and Rei shared-until she died. A sobering thought, nevertheless. "Okay! Let's get this show on the road before Zoisite decides we've died and the world is fair game!" she announced in a more cheerful voice. She was startled to see an understanding and sad look in Venus' and Mercury's eyes upon turning to face them. It made Jupiter feel better to know that they too felt the lose.

"Right!" Venus-er Sailor Moon chirped, then she pulled a face, staring up at the odango's. "How the heck do you get used to these things, Usagi?!" she demanded in exasperation, reaching up a gloved hand to yank at one long blonde ponytail. "Doesn't you hair, you know-hit you in the face?" she pouted, worried about possible black eyes.

"Ditz!" Artemis groaned, stalking back into the room. He sniffed at Luna and turned his furry back on her.

She growled lightly, fur going up at the insult. "Why-that FURBALL!" she seethed quietly to Ikuko.

"Never mind Luna," Ikuko said in a low voice, hiding a grin at the cats' obvious attraction with each other. How could no one else have seen it?

["You're a mother, as am I"] Seline's voice caressed Ikuko's mind in a private thought. ["We were born to look out for this sort of thing"] she sighed mentally, a smile curving her small lips. ["This is the second time I have seen this happen. The fur truly flew back a thousand years ago, to coin a phrase"] the baby frowned lightly, eyes far away. ["Of course, that was only a metaphor. Luna and Artemis weren't always cats..."]

"They WEREN'T?!" Ikuko gasped out loud, too shocked to be prudent. Immediately, every eye in the room was centered on her questionably. "Never mind! Just thinking aloud," she giggled nervously, blushing. Her arms tightened about her baby, as she aimed a superfluous look at Seline. "We're going to have a LONG talk later, Seline," she murmured firmly.

["Of course"] the baby gave a gurgle of laughter, startling everyone again. It was hard to associate this laughing baby with a thousand year old Queen reborn. ["Oh dear"] she thought then, remembering the Guardian of Time. Pluto was NOT going to be pleased with her for this interference in the timeline! Her small silver eyes went to her daughter. ["Serenity-it's time"]

["Right, mother"] Usagi murmured. She turned to Tuxedo Kamen and went up on her tippy-toes to give him a burning kiss. Warmth spread down her body, making her tremble with a desire to touch him everywhere and battle be damned! But she fought it and pulled away, gasping. ["Good-BYE my Prince!"] she shot at him mentally, dancing out of range of his hands as he made a grab at her.

["Later, you two!"] Sailor Mars groaned, latching onto Tuxedo Kamen's arm. ["And YOU, keep close! I don't want to end up dead because you couldn't control your hormones, Chiba Mamoru!"]she poked at his chest and glared up into his dark blue eyes.

Tuxedo Kamen grinned openly at her. ["We'll talk again when you get your own love, Rei and YOUR hormones are going nuts!"]

Sailor Mars and Usagi blushed brightly, then giggled.

["Yeah right! Like that will happen around here"] Mars rolled her eyes and looked away, inwardly sad at the thought that she would never have a soul mate like her Princess did.

Usagi and Tuxedo Kamen exchanged a significant glance, reading each other’s minds. Neither was fooled for a moment by Mars' words. "All right-lets go," he ordered, wrapping an arm about Sailor Mars shoulders and leading her to the window.

"Good luck buddy!" Motoki called out, arm about Reika. "Be careful."

"I will," Tuxedo Kamen promised.

Usagi followed them as far as the bed, then sank weakly into the covers. Her love was only a foot away, opening the window, but she could not touch him for fear that they would be overcome with passion and he would never leave!

["That is a very mature thought, daughter"] Seline's thoughts broke into Usagi’s startling thegirl. ["Come here to the bed. You must summon the crystal and concentrate before Endymion and Mars can safely leave"] she instructed.

The Senshi and Tuxedo Kamen gathered by the window and waited, their eyes on the silver haired girl sitting there with her head bowed.

["I can do this"] she whispered mentally to herself, taking a deep breath. As she summoned the silver crystal and the beautiful object fell into her slender hands, she felt her bond with Mamoru and Rei recede. "Be careful," she told them aloud, before staring down deep into the crystal's depths. ["Be Serenity. Be your true self. Be powerful"] she chanted to herself and the crystal. A strange emotion washed over her, powerful and warm and loving-before Serenity looked up, eyes clear and silver. "I am ready, Endymion. Mother." She told them calmly. She turned her eyes back to her love and her lids narrowed at him as she concentrated. Reaching deep into his soul, she found Endymion there. ["Be careful my love"]

Tuxedo Kamen stiffened as he felt Serenity enter his mind and was shocked to hear her voice in his mind. But he had thought that the Princess could only talk mentally through her bond with the Prince!

["You ARE my Prince"] her voice caressed his mind lovingly before withdrawing.

Tuxedo Kamen shuddered and then took a deep breath. He smiled at his Princess, then gathered Sailor Mars into his arms and leapt out the window. The other Senshi followed swiftly, leaving the others to stare blankly at the spot that they had been standing in moments before.

"Will they be okay?" Reika voiced her concerns and broke the strained silence.

["They will be fine, Reika"] Seline told her in a convincing tone. ["They have fought these battles many times before-and now that their past memories are beginning to emerge, they willbecome even more powerful and beautiful warriors"]

Ikuko gave her daughter a curious look. "You sound so certain, Seline. How can you be sure?"

"Do not worry, Mom" Princess Serenity said, turning her face towards her mothers and gently smiling. "I-remember the past in flashes and-" she frowned delicately. "I do remember them looking different and being more powerful."

["They were and soon it will be time"] Seline murmured, looking rather distracted. She turned her eyes to her daughter. ["The time has come for you to help me, daughter. Touch the silver crystal to my forehead and concentrate"]

Princess Serenity looked bewildered, but did as the baby said, laying the beautiful silver crystal over the golden crescent moon. Immediately they both felt a surge and an echo of a million voices chorusing through their minds. She cast a look at her Mother uncertainly as warmth spread up from arms from the silver crystal and into her body with a dazzling display of silver and rainbow lights surrounding her. It soon surrounded Seline and SHE looked just as surprised, silver eyes opening as wide as her mouth as they were both consumed.

Ikuko was forced to remove her hands swiftly from the baby as she became to hot to hold, and she and the other two shielded their eyes.

["This is-unexpected"] Seline exclaimed mentally, before she was cut off totally from her daughter and the crystal. She opened her eyes as the glow faded from her and Serenity's bodies-revealing a TOTALLY different form! The Silver Crystal rolled from her forehead and into Serenity’s lap unnoticed.

"Oh my god!" Ikuko half-shrieked, almost smothered under the weight of two full-grown girls.

Seline's eyes were wide and startled as she stared into Ikuko's from a few centimeters away, long legs and arms splayed ungracefully over the bed covers, Ikuko and Serenity.

"MOTHER!?" Serenity shrieked also as her eyes cleared and she got a look at her mother. Seline was no longer a baby, but a tall beautiful girl about Serenity's age of 16! In fact-they looked like identical twins!

"Oh dear" Seline murmured in dismay, eyes meeting those of her daughter's. "This-is unexpected" she said again, this time aloud.

"What did you EXPECT!?" Motoki yelped, eyes boggling at the sight of TWO Usagi's-er Serenity’s. Apart from the age clearly seen in Seline's eyes, they BOTH could have been the same age. He flapped a hand at his face, feeling faint. ["Boy is Mamoru going to faint when he sees THIS!"] he thought to himself. He flushed and stared ruefully at Seline, who had turned to look at him with a frown.

"Did you just think something?" she demanded of him, scrambling to her knees. It was then that she and everyone else realized that the Queen was NAKED as the day she was born-with only her hair to cover her modesty. She uttered a startled scream that sounded very much like the one Serenity also gave and dived under the covers next to Ikuko. "Oh I am SO mortified!" Seline moaned, holding the covers up to her chin desperately, flushing as brightly as Motoki and Serenity were.

Reika slapped a hand over Motoki's eyes as he gasped, as if struck blind and his mouth gaped like a fish. "I didn't see a THING!" he yelled out, flushing brightly. "Not a THING!"

"Neither did I, my Queen!" a forgotten Artemis swore as he valiantly keep his back to the bed, furry cheeks turning pink.

"Artemis!" Luna growled at him, red eyes flashing wrath.

Seline moaned again from under the covers and Ikuko and Serenity exchanged bewildered looks.

"Mother?" Princess Serenity asked, gently peering over the sheets to see her Mother's near identical face staring back.

"Oh dear, Serenity! The Crystal DID something to me" Seline wailed-reminding all present of Usagi. "It was supposed to AGE me, not turn be back into 16!"

Luna gave a yelp, spinning to look at her Queen. "TURNED you back?! Serenity preserve us all!" she and Artemis gave similar groans of dismay and outrage, then covered their faces with their paws.

"What does that mean?" asked a bewildered Ikuko.

Princess Serenity looked similarly startled as she stared at the once calm and graceful Queen.

Luna raised her head and gazed at Ikuko helplessly. "You remember how Usagi usually acts? The klutziness? The wailing and crying? Hating classes?"

"Yes?" Ikuko admitted cluelessly.

"Queen Serenity was JUST like that as she was growing up!" Artemis broke in, rolling over onto his back and groaning some more.

"You mean...?!" Motoki said, paling as he looked from Seline to Serenity.

"Yes. Now we have TWO Usagi's to deal with!" Luna moaned. She slapped a furry paw to her forehead-and then her red eyes were drawn from her Queen to the Princess.

Princess Serenity gasped and looked down as the Silver Crystal began to glow and became warm in her hands. “What?” she began-but then the silver crystal’s power spread up her arms and into her body, consuming her with it’s light.

“Serenity!” Seline cried out, scrambling up from the bed, a sheet clutched about her slender body. Her silver eyes were wide and afraid as she saw her daughter consumed by the powerful crystal. But-she had not WILLED it to do anything!

“Seline. What’s happening?” Ikuko screamed, trying to touch her daughter, but the force of the power surrounding her pushed her violently back into the pillows.

“I don’t know!” Seline screamed back, panicking. “The Silver Crystal isn’t sentient! It only responds to commands! This shouldn’t be happening!” she reached up to grip her long loose silver hair in frustration and fear, not knowing what to do. Instinctively she knew that the Silver Crystal would not even let HER touch it at this moment-making her even more afraid for her daughter. As a last resort, the Queen called out the name of the one person in all the universe that could help her. “PLUTO!”

Ikuko, Motoki, Reika and the two cats all looked at the desperate Seline-but there was no answer.

"Pluto?" Seline whispered, a hand going up to her smooth cheek in horror. She bit her lip. ["Could it be that, Sailor Pluto no longer knows me?"] she thought, silver eyes going wide and blank. It was true that she was no longer the Queen she once was-in fact, she was now mortal. Her head bowed. "Of course she wouldn't answer me. I am nothing to her now..."

[  Part Two ]

[ CMSMFFA - Adult section ]

[ The Main CMSMFFA ]