Konnichi' wa minna-chan!! Here is part three for ya! Just a few notes; the Star Lights have NOT changed into their senshi form yet, they will, but only when they absolutly have to. Usual disclaimers apply, you know this whole routine by heart, I'm sure. So I'm not going to repeat it as long as no one sues me or anything, k? HUGE thanks to my editors!! You guys are great!! *hugs* Anyone else want to be an editor for me? The more the merrier! Email me! And while I'm going on, visit my web page too... http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/9333 Japanese Translations daijobu - what's wrong? doushita no - are you okay? hai - yes gomen nasai - very sorry moshi, moshi - hello (used to answer the phone) nani - what youma - monster shiji nai - I don't believe it shimatta - shit *************************** From the Beginning - Round Two Part III ~ Explanations Rated: PG. (Language) Author: Bethany Edited by: Meara, Jesse, Lunas Meow, Aimee '....' - indicates thought Author email: Bethany212@aol.com *************************** "Daddy, I owe Jupiter two dollars for my ice cream, will you pay it?" Chibi-Usa asked Tuxedo Kamen sweetly. They were sitting in the lobby two doors down from Sailor Moon's room. Chibi-Usa had bubble gum ice cream and was very much enjoying it. Everyone chuckled lightly as Tuxedo Kamen pulled out his wallet and handed Jupiter the money. (AN: didn't know he had a wallet? let's pretend, k?) "Don't worry 'bout it," Jupiter said between biting into her own ice cream cone. Tux shoved the money closer to her. "Here take it." Jupiter stubbornly shook her head no and pushed his hand back. "Whatever," Tux mumbled, putting the money back in his wallet. Ami had been working frantically with Luna and Artemis on her computer, trying to figure out exactly what had happened. No one could understand how the enemy had attacked Sailor Moon. None of them seen how or when. Or why Beryl, if it really was her, saved Sailor Moon's life. Again Ami scanned the vial of blood they had taken from Usagi. "Nothing. Why isn't there anything in her blood? A trace to tell us what we are up against?" "I don't know," Luna replied, frustrated as well. "Maybe there was nothing in her blood to begin with?" Artemis suggested. Both Mercury and Luna looked at him, feeling like they could slap themselves for not thinking the obvious. Tuxedo Kamen stood up. "I'm going back to her room. I want to be there when she wakes up." ***** The being known only as Lady closed her eyes, concentrating hard on man she had seen in the room earlier. Within a couple of minutes she had molded herself to look exactly like him. "Now it begins." she whispered, jumping in the room. ***** Sailor Moon looked up, startled for a moment, before realizing it was only Tuxedo Kamen coming in the window. "Honey, why are you coming in that way?" He seemed confused for a moment before stepping up closer to her. Usagi sniffed the air, something wasn't right. The smell of roses hadn't entered the room when Mamoru did. And she *knew* he always smelled like roses. "Mamo-chan?" she squinted her eyes, trying to see why she was afraid all of the sudden. Lady smiled down at her before pulling out the knife she had hidden in her cape. "Now you die," she said simply. Sailor Moon may have been weak physically but her voice was doing well, as Lady found out, when a high pitched note hit full strength. Vibrating off the empty walls, making it sound even louder than it was. The door flew open and Venus and Uranus came running in to find Usagi sitting on the bed screaming. Other than her the room was deserted. "Sailor Moon!" Venus cried, running toward her. "Daijobu? Doushita no?" Uranus went to the window and looked out in time to see a foot disappear on the roof above. Sailor Moon started crying. "Where's Mamo-chan? Where is he?" she repeated, desperately. Venus stroked her hair reassuringly. "He'll be here in a minute, don't worry. He was just down the hall with Chibi-Usa and the others." The door swung open again and Tuxedo Kamen came in and went straight to Sailor Moon's side, holding her and kissing her head. "What happened?" he asked the two senshi that were already in the room. Venus shrugged, still watching Sailor Moon worriedly. "Someone was in here, I saw them going up to the roof." Uranus answered, still glancing out the window, hoping to see them again. Sailor Moon was shaking badly, even though she was in Mamoru's arms and the familiar scent of roses filled her nose, telling her that this was indeed her real Tuxedo Kamen. "He. . .he was. . .you" she cried, her teeth chattering with a sudden cold. Tuxedo Kamen wrapped his cape around her, bringing her closer to him to share his body heat. "Looked like who Usako?" "Y. . you. . ." she stuttered. "Me?" Tux said, making sure he had understood her right. "Hai." Venus, Uranus and Tux all meet gazes. ***** "Gomen nasai, my queen," Lady repeated, bowing to her feet. "She screamed and her guardians came running in room." Queen Beryl sneered down at the general. "No thanks to your failure we probably won't have another chance for a while. I'm sure they will tighten security around the princess now." Lady looked remorsefully down at the floor. "No matter," Beryl suddenly said in a lighter tone. "We will have that moon brat soon enough. Prince Endymion and the silver crystal will be mine. Go now and think of something to redeem yourself with, I want that brat dead." ***** "Did anyone else hear a scream just now?" Jupiter asked, standing up. A couple of the senshi nodded, following Jupiter's lead down the hall toward Sailor Moon's room. When they entered they found Usagi laying in Tuxedo Kamen's cape, crying. Venus, Uranus, and Tux were looking VERY worried. "What happened?" Mars demanded. "Some one was in here trying, we think, to kill her." Uranus answered. Chibi-Usa had powered down, and ran up to the bed and climbed up next to her mother. Usagi threw her arms around the girl and held on tightly; Tux pulled his cape off to cover both of them. "We are going to have to tighten the guards around this room until she is released. Somebody must be trying to finish what they started," Mercury advised. Mars climbed out the window onto the roof of the next level. "Jupiter and I will patrol out here, while Uranus and Venus continue to stand at the door. Pluto, Neptune, Saturn, and the Lights need to stand watch at the end of the hall. Everyone else stay in this room, we will NOT leave another chance open to the enemy." "I thought I was the leader," Venus whined, trying to make Chibi-Usa, or someone, laugh. "No, I am." Sailor Moon smiled at her. ***** Usagi opened her eyes and slowly sat up. Chibi-Usa and Tuxedo Kamen were in the opposite bed beside hers, asleep. The room was dark, but she could see Mars and Jupiter outside the window talking, and Venus and Uranus were outside the door, keeping post. The clock on the table beside the bed read 7:25 am. She reached over and picked the phone up. After two rings a woman picked the phone up, "Moshi, moshi, Tsukino residence." "Hi mom." Ikuko let out a breath of relief, "Oh my God sweetheart, where are you? Are you ok? We've been trying to get a hold of you or Mamoru all night." Usagi knew she was going to have to tell her parents some time or another about her being Sailor Moon, now seemed like a good time. "Mom, did you hear about Sailor Moon being in the hospital?" Her mom seemed confused about the chance in subject. "Um, yes. There was a thing on the news about it. Um, it seemed that that Tuxedo guy got mad at one of the reporters and stuff. It's all over the TV. And they have a daughter, a small version of Sailor Moon done in pink. Isn't that something? But, Usagi, why do you ask?" Sailor Moon looked over at her husband and future daughter and let out a small laugh. "Mom, don't panic, I'm in the hospital." She immediately panicked. "Nani?!" "Calm down, I'm ok. Come down here and Sailor Mercury will let you in." "Sailor Mercury? Why? What's going on?" Ikuko demanded. Sailor Moon sighed, "Just do it, okay mom? I'll explain every- thing when you get here. And mom, don't talk to any reporters on the way." "Reporters? Usagi! I want to know right now what's going on!!" "Bye mom, see you when you get here." "But. . ." Ikuko was cut off by the click of the phone. Ikuko hung the phone up. "That girl, I've got a good mind to ground her!" Then she laughed. 'Yeah right, I'm going to ground my married daughter!' ***** Seiya, Taiki, Yaten, Pluto, Neptune and Saturn had been taking turns between sleeping and keeping post. Yaten yawned and looked down at the petite sailor of Saturn, "You ready for sleep kiddo?" "Yes!" she immediately answered. It was way past her bed time, but she insisted on doing her part of protecting the princess. "Let's switch out with Seiya and Pluto." He walked toward the waiting room and poked his head in. "All right sleepyheads, time for us to get some sleep." Silence. "Seiya!! Pluto!! Get Up!" Pluto immediately sat up straight. "What's wrong?" she demanded, grabbing her time staff. Seiya turned over slightly and glared at his brother. "Nani?" "Saturn and I would like some sleep, so get up." Yaten laughed, going back out the door. "I don't wanna. . ." Seiya moaned, trying to turn over, only to fall out of the chair. Pluto went over and stuck her time staff in his stomach. "Get up! Saturn needs to get some sleep." "Ok, ok, ok. . ." Seiya got up and slugged out of the room after Sailor Pluto. ***** "Rei-chan, are you ok?" Jupiter asked for about the tenth time. Rei nodded and looked back in the window at the family. "I just can't believe that we almost lost her, and not the first one of us can figure out how, who, anything!" She slammed her fist into her thigh, causing Jupiter to flinch. "Well, it will not happen again, not if the sailor senshi have anything to do with it! Even if I have to personally guard her twenty four hours a day for the rest of my life, I will not let the Negaverse get to her," Jupiter said, determined. "They won't," Mars assured her. "Between all of us, the princess will be safe, I'm sure of it." She didn't feel as confident as she sounded, however, and she was sure that Jupiter could sense that. Suddenly Jupiter laughed. "What?" Mars asked, amused at her laughter. "Remember Tuxedo Kamen yesterday when that reporter said that Sailor Moon was too young for him? Have you ever seen him so mad?" Mars laughed also. "No, not since Prince Diamond got to Chibi- Usa." "The world better watch out for that man when it comes to his family. He probably would have killed that woman if about five or more of us not been holding him back." ***** Venus yawned and stretched her arms up. "Boy will I be glad when we get relieved." "Who's suppose to be relieving us?" Uranus asked. "Um, Taiki and Neptune I think, I'm not sure, I just wish they would hurry," Venus said, yawning again. The door to the room opened and Mercury came out. "Hi guys, you doing ok?" "Sure, how's Us-Sailor Moon?" Uranus asked, catching herself before she revealed her identity. "She seems fine this morning, I'm worried about Tuxedo Kamen though. He just went to sleep about an hour ago. He stayed up all night watching her every move. Anyway, Ikuko and Kenji is on their way, Sailor Moon is going to tell them about everything. Usagi asks that you treat her like the princess instead of a friend, at least until she can convince her mom how serious this is." "Really?" Venus stood stunned, she had thought Usagi wasn't going to ever tell her parents. "Yes, she says it's time she stopped lying to her parents." "I couldn't tell my momma, she'd have a litter of kittens or something," Venus said and then covered her mouth. "Um, sorry Artemis," she said to the cat at her feet giving her a dirty look. "Not funny!" Artemis growled as everyone busted out laughing. ***** The Tsukino's walked up to the hospital and entered. The lobby was filled with people, mostly waiting for news on Sailor Moon. 'Impressive,' Ikuko thought, 'how much Tokyo cares about the sailor senshi.' They got in the elevator and went up to the fourth floor. As they turned the corner they was cut off by Sailor Pluto and Seiya. "Gomen nasai, you can not go in here," Pluto said, crossing her staff cover the hall entrance. "I most certainly can, my daughter is in this wing!" Ikuko said, stomping her foot. "Gomen nasai, you cannot." Seiya echoed Sailor Pluto. "But I think I can, who do you think you are anyway?" she demanded. Sailor Pluto stood straight, her mission backing her spine up, "We are guarding the Princess, you may not enter without her permission." "Well I--" she was cut short by Sailor Mercury. "It's okay, the Princess has asked for them," she told the two guards. "Yes, Lady Mercury," Pluto said and bowed. "Gomen nasai Tsukino-san, I did not know." "That's all right," Kenji replied in a daze. Silently they followed Sailor Mercury down the hall to Sailor Moon's room where two more senshi were standing. It was impressive, the sense of duty, the manner in which they held themselves. It was obvious that they would give their life for the princess. 'The princess?!' Was their little Usagi the princess they spoke of? 'No, there's a better reason for all of this, isn't there?' "Mercury?" "Yes, Tsukino-san?" Sailor Mercury turned toward her, looking up briefly from her computer. "Is my daughter in this room? Are you sure there's not a mistake?" Mercury looked her in the eyes. "No mistake, she's in there." "That's what I was afraid of," Ikuko sighed. Mercury turned back around so that only Venus and Uranus could see her smile. ***** "Mamo-chan, I'm hungry" Usagi said. Mamoru was in the bathroom splashing cold water on his face. It had been one hell of a long night. "Ok Usako, after your parents leaves I'll get you something." Usagi pushed back a couple of pink strands of hair that had fallen over Chibi-Usa's face and kissed the sleeping child's forehead. "Mamo-chan?" "Yes?" he replied, coming back in the room and sitting down next to her. "What's Chibi-Usa doing here?" Mamoru shook his head, "I don't know. Jupiter said something about her coming back to learn how to use her new powers. She saved the senshi. She threw her tiara and attacked just in time to kill that youma yesterday." Usagi smiled. "That's my little girl. But she so young to already have a broach like my first one." "What? About twleve now isn't she? That is a little young, but if your future self decided it. . ." Usagi laughed. "I'm sure *your* future self had some choice words for me after I decided that one." Mamoru laughed with her. "I'm sure I did." The door opened and Mercury came in. "Princess, Tsukino-san to see you," she said formally, just as Sailor Moon had asked, and stepped back to let the couple pass. "Thank you, Lady Mercury." Sailor Moon said, trying hard to contain her laughter. She wanted her parents to see how important this was. And in order to do that all the senshi had been asked to treat her like they would the queen she would one day be. If she saw them acting like they the friends they were, she may not take it as seriously as she needed to. "Mom, Dad?" Usagi said uncertainly. Ikuko put her hand over her mouth, "Usagi? Are you really my little girl?" she almost cried. "Yes," Sailor Moon replied in a small voice. Suddenly the window flew open, causing everyone in the room to jump, as Jupiter and Mars leaped inside. Mars started to say her name, but seen her parents standing in the room. She bowed slightly. "Princess, we need to get you out of here, there is an evil energy field drawing close." Usagi woke Chibi-Usa up and tried to stand up herself. But her legs were still like Jell-O. "There's no time Princess, we need to go - now," Mars said. At the same time Jupiter was on the communicator to the other senshi. "Let's get out of here, now. I need all of you in here to help get Princess Serenity out of here in one piece. Clear the halls." Jupiter ordered. Tuxedo Kamen picked Sailor Moon up and covered her in his cape and started for the door where he was meet up with the rest of the sailor senshi and Lights. Ikuko stood there, watching everything happen so quickly and efficiently. Suddenly a tall girl with an orange uniform and long blonde hair took her gently by the arm. "We must go." Four senshi walked about five feet ahead of Tuxedo Kamen, Sailor Moon, Chibi-Usa and the Tsukino's, while the four outers and Seiya walked behind. Taiki walked ahead of the inner senshi, making sure the halls were clear. Yaten walked behind the outers making sure they weren't followed. They made it outside to a nearby alley. "Inners come with me, I'm taking to the rooftops with the Princess. Outers and Lights make sure Chibi-Usa and Tsukino-san get to my apartment safely and with no one following." "Yes Prince," Sailor Pluto said, taking Mrs. Tsukino's arm. She watched in amazement and fright as Tuxedo Kamen jumped straight up to the roof with Sailor Moon still in his arms, and the inner senshi followed. "He won't drop her, will he?" she asked shakily. "No, he would never harm her in anyway. He loves the princess very much," Saturn replied. "Come, all will be explained." Pluto said, again leading her away. ***** Usagi gratefully de-transformed back into herself and took a hot bath. She knew her parents were in the living room listening quietly to the story Luna was telling her. She laughed to herself as she remembered her mom's reaction to hearing the cat talk. "AHHHHH!! Ohmygod! that. . .talked!!" Ikuko had screamed, backing up from Luna. "I can, and quite well I might add," Luna replied, trying to hide her amusement at the situation. "What is wrong with me? This is a dream, right? A horrible dream! I knew I should have never let Usagi keep you!" she shrieked. At that point everyone, including Kenji, busted out laughing. "I assure you, we can talk, and this is not a dream" Artemis told her. That started another I'm-going-off-the-deep-end scream from Usagi's mom. Usagi, throwing a short summer dress on over herself, giggled at the memory. "Whatever do the heavens owe for such an adorable smile from your beautiful lips?" a voice said. Usagi knew he was trying to be romantic, but Mamoru never was very good at formal speech. "Just remembering my mom's reaction to Luna." Mamoru laughed. "That, indeed, will bring a smile to my face for the next thousand years." "Mine too," Usagi giggled again. Mamoru felt a weight being lifted from his soul to see her smile. How much he had missed it, how it scared him was that he would never see it again. A near death situation didn't happen very often to begin with. When it did, however, it left him scared for days. Usagi noticed the darkness go through his eyes briefly. "Mamo-chan? What's wrong?" He put on his best smile. "Nothing sweetheart, I'm fine." Usagi crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't you hand me that bull, I know you better than that." A smile crept up to Mamoru's lips. "Yes, you do," he said absentmindedly. "So what's wrong?" Mamoru felt his slip on his emotions, he didn't want to break down and cry. She didn't need to be worried about him, he needed to be strong, for her. But the truth was, he had been scared to death, and pent up emotions were threatening to surface. Her demanding, yet understanding, gaze pierced through him. Tears streamed down his face in rivers and he put his head in his hands. "I have never been so scared in my life. . .the doctor told me . . .you. . .you were dying. . .and. . .oh God, Usako, please don't ever leave me. . ." he cried brokenly. Usagi quickly came over to him, wrapping her arms around his neck. She sat down on the floor and pulled Mamoru in her lap, running her fingers through his hair. "Shhh, baby, it's ok. I'm never leaving you. There's not a force strong enough to take me from you." "But. . .you were so still. . ." he continued to cry. Usagi turned his head so his face was buried in her stomach, his arms wrapped awkwardly around her waist. "Mamo-chan, I'm here, it's okay." The silence stretched on and on. Mamoru cried for a few minutes before simply just laying in his love's arms, listening to her breathing. Her hands played in his hair as she hummed some unknown tune. It calmed Mamoru down, giving him a safe feeling. He didn't like to show this side of himself to anyone but Usagi. Only she would understand. 'One of the many reasons I love her so much,' he mused silently, not wanting to break the spell that seemed to have been cast over the moment. "I love you," she whispered. He loved hearing those words, nothing made him happier than being reminded just how much she cared for him. "I love you. Do you know, Usako, just how much you mean to me? Do you have any idea?" She giggled slyly. "Oh I think I have some idea. . .but just in case. . ." she left off a well stated hint. "Just in case, you want me to tell you?" She nodded. He turned over and looked up at her. "You see me laying here?" She nodded. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you. If you died, I will kill myself. Without you I am no one. Your love is what keeps me going--" he was cut off by Ikuko. "MY DAUGHTER IS PRINCESS OF THE WHAT?!" Usagi laughed and bent down to brush her lips against Mamoru's. "You know as much as I love hearing you tell me how much you love me, I think it best we get in there before my mother kills all my guardians." Mamoru sat up. "I love you Usako. More than anything, I love you." "I love you Mamo-chan, just as much." ***** "No, my daughter is just plan old Usagi, silly, sweet Usagi, not some princess, not some warrior," Ikoku repeated, wanting so much to believe it. Even though everything she had seen so far today told her different. "Mama, I know this is hard, but it's all true." Usagi said gently, coming in the room. As soon as she appeared Venus and Neptune stood up to let her and Mamoru sit down. They knew that until Usagi said otherwise, they were to keep treating her like the princess. Kenji and Ikuko just stared as the guardians stood. "Moon princess. . .my daughter. . .but, your not really MY daughter, your Queen whoever's daughter, not mine. . ." "Whoa, wait a minute!" Usagi cried, jumping to her feet. "I am still your daughter. I always will be, it's just that I am also Queen Serenity's daughter, the princess. I am Sailor Moon, the warrior. But most important, I am Usagi, your daughter." Kenji and Ikuko hugged her tightly, "My sweet baby, I'm so proud . . .and very upset!" she stated, mocking a mad face. "How come it never occurred to you to tell me before now that you have been running around Tokyo saving the universe?" Usagi giggled nervously and sat next to Mamoru again. "I had to keep you safe, I didn't want the nega-verse, nega-moon, black moon circus or any of them to come after my family. That's why none of us told our families." "None of us. . ." Kenji mumbled, looking around the apartment at the guardians. "Then you are...?" He eyed each one of them suspiciously. Usagi stood up, with a wave of her hand, the guardians came fourth. "Mom, Dad, this is Sailor Venus, the leader of the inner senshi. The senshi of love and beauty, also known as Aino Minako." Usagi waited for her parents to recollect themselves before continuing. "This is Sailor Mars, the senshi of fire and soul, also known as Hino Rei. This is Sailor Mercury, senshi of ice and wisdom, also known as Mizuno Ami. This is Sailor Jupiter, senshi of thunder and protection also known as Kino Makoto. Umm, you know Mamoru. . ." Ikuko shook her head. "You're that Tuxedo guy that was on the news last night?" Mamoru's face turned bright red."Yeah, that was me. . ." "Shinji nai. . ." Usagi's mother breathed heavily, noticing that there were seven people in the room that Usagi hadn't introduced yet. "Who are. . ?" she nodded to the outer senshi and Lights. Usagi motioned for Sailor Pluto to do the talking. "Tsukino-san," she addressed both of the princess' parents, "we are the outer solar system senshi, we do not have 'true' human forms, meaning we do not have parents. We do, however, have human names and purpose. I am Sailor Pluto, senshi of the time gate, my Earth name is Meiou Setsuna." "The time gate?" Kenji's eyebrow rose an inch or so. "Yes, I guard the gate of time as well as fight with the senshi." Pluto replied, hiding her smile. Kenji's eyes went wide. "That's. . .great. . ." Sailor Pluto decided to ignore that remark and continue. "This is Sailor Uranus, she is the senshi of the sky, her Earth name is Ten'ou Haruka. This is Sailor Neptune. Her Earth name is Kaiou Michiru. This is Sailor Saturn, the senshi of silence. Her Earth name is Tomoe Hotaru. I leave the Lights to defend themselves," she added with a small laugh. "Thanks," Seiya smirked, standing up. "I am Kou Seiya or Sailor Star Fighter. I can transform into a senshi, but as of yet my services are not needed. This annoying young man," he explained, ignoring the look on Setsuna's face, "is my brother Kou Yaten or Sailor Star Healer. And last, but not least, this is Kou Taiki or Sailor Star Maker." "Wait a minute," Ikuko interrupted. "I still don't understand Mamoru. Someone called him 'prince' earlier. . .what does that mean? And who is the other Sailor Moon? And where is she for that matter?" Mamoru winked at Usagi and stood up. As he approached Ikuko he bowed and kissed her hand. "I am Prince Endymion, of Earth. Also known as Tuxedo Kamen, protector of Sailor Moon, the princess of the moon. And most importantly I am your son-in-law, Chiba Mamoru, who is deeply in love with your daughter." That got a smile out of Usagi's mom. Usagi felt the need to hug her husband as he sat down for lightening the tension in the apartment. The relief didn't last long though, as Chibi-Usa came in the room, crying. "MOM!! DADDY!!" Then threw herself in Usagi's arms. Venus busted out laughing, "Does that answer your question Tsukino-san?" The color drained out of Kenji's face. "She. . .didn't, no. . . not called. . .my daughter. . .mom?!" "Ok everyone, I think it's time to get rid of the formal acting, we've scared my parents to death already." Usagi announced. After a loud cheer from over half the senshi, they watched in wonder as eight lights flashed in the room, replaced by all of Usagi's friends. "Shiniji nai. . .shiniji nai. . .how come I never noticed?! Ami-chan, Rei-chan, Minako-chan, Makoto-chan. . .you don't look that different, but somehow completely different. . .how can this be?" Ikuko asked in wonder. Usagi shrugged. "Magic." "Works for me!" Minako agreed and everyone laughed. Usagi, remembering the crying child in her arms, lifted Chibi-Usa to a sitting position. "Now sweetheart, what's the matter?" "I had this horrible dream! And you and daddy got kidnapped and I was all alone!" she wailed, looking more upset at the memory. Usagi stroked her back lovingly and kissed her forehead, "It was only a dream, Mamo-chan and I are fine. You know nothing can beat us." "Yeah," Makoto piped in. "We're the sailor senshi, undefeatable!" Usagi smiled. "See? Everything's okay, now you tell that nasty dream to go away. No one messes with MY daughter. 'Cause if they do, your father will whack them in the head with a rose." Chibi-Usa giggled. "Thank you Mom." she curled up closer to Usagi and closed her eyes. Usagi looked up just in time to see her mom's eyes soften. "She's your daughter?" she asked, looking back and forth between Usagi and Mamoru. Mamoru nodded. "But she hasn't been born yet," he added, causing another blood curling scream from Usagi's mom. "She Hasn't Been What?!" After the laughing subsided, Usagi and Luna explained how Chibi- Usa was from the future, then proceed to explain all about the sailor senshi, the enemies they had faced, and answered all of her parent's questions. ***** "You called my queen?" Lady asked, kneeling before the great throne that held the dark kingdoms ruler. "Yes Lady, it is time to act. I need to know what their weakness is. I need to know how to come between the princess and my prince. Once you find it, bring it between them. . ." "And what about that brat?" Lady inquired. Beryl laughed evilly. "Leave her - for now," she commanded. Lady hid her face, 'God what a horrible sound', she thought, but dared not say. "Yes, my queen." ***** Mamoru lifted Chibi-Usa from Usagi's lap and carried her in the bedroom to sleep. From the bedroom he over heard Ikuko asking Usagi to transform. When he re-entered the room, Sailor Moon and all of the planet guardians - save the Star Lights - were now in the room. "Come on Mamo-chan, you have to transform also," Usagi said sweetly. Mamoru sighed, pulling out a rose. In a flash he stood in the familiar cape, top hat and mask. Ikuko's eyes widened. "That is so. . .weird. Now didn't Luna say that you could also turn to your royal outfits?" "Yes mom." Usagi sighed. "Come on Mamo-chan, besides I like your 'prince' get up. It's sexy." Mamoru blushed, but did it. He held out a rose, concentrating intently on it. After a few very tense moments, another light flashed and his armor and sword appeared. "Ta-da!" he sang out, holding his arms to the side. "Now come, my princess, show off your beautiful gown." Usagi blushed and opened her crystal. As she concentrated, a crescent moon appeared on her forehead, shining brightly. Mamoru glanced over to see the astonished look on her parent's face. In a flash of ribbons, the light subsided to be replaced by a very pale and weak Princess Serenity. She started to fall, but not before Mamoru caught her. "Usako? Are you all right?" Usagi smiled and nodded. "Using the crystal took more strength than I thought it would." Ikuko, by this time, had almost fainted. "What's wrong with her? Why is she so pale?" she demanded. Mars laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry. Sometimes she over does it. But as long as the crystal is with her, she will be fine." "The crystal? What does that have to do with my daughter's life?" Kenji demanded. Mamoru looked up to meet his eyes, "It is her life force. Without it, she dies." He said it so calmly, like it was just a fact of life. When in reality he hated the idea just as much, if not more than, her parents. Ikuko, on the other hand, wasn't about to be so calm. "HER WHAT? Why does her life depend on that piece of glass? What happens if it breaks?" Mercury sat Mrs. Tsukino down in a chair, "Do NOT get upset right now. She will be fine, but if you upset her, she may grow worse." Surprised at Sailor Mercury's tone of voice, heck everyone was, Ikuko shut her mouth and watched. The crystal started glowing brightly, causing everyone in the room to cover their eyes. "What the hell is happening Mercury?!" Mamoru demanded. Mercury typed madly on her small computer, glancing up every now and again at the princess on the sofa. "It's that damned evil field that was at the hospital, the crystal is reacting to it. It's as if Usagi commanded it to destroy the evil. But if she uses the crystal for that she will. . ." Mercury trailed off, one because she wanted to make sure, two because they didn't need a hysterical attack from her mother. "She will what?!" Usagi's father demanded. "What will happen to her if she uses that thing?" No one answered, Kenji could tell they all knew what was going on, but no one was going to tell him. "We have got to get her back to her human form, NOW! She can not use that crystal for something that the sailor senshi can handle!" Makoto screamed, going toward Usagi. At the same time all the other guardians and Mamoru grabbed her. "NO! If you take that crystal off her while its in use you could kill her!" Mamoru yelled at her. "But. . ." Makoto started to question, when suddenly Prince Endymion was replaced by King Endymion. "Jupiter!" At the voice of the king everyone in the room got down on one knee. "Gomen nasai, your majesty." Jupiter apologized, her head hanging down. Kenji and Ikuko watched with wide eyes. "You may get up," he stated. Everyone in the room stood again, except Mercury and Usagi's parents, who never got down to begin with. Jupiter walked outside to the balcony and punched the wall in frustration. A few seconds later Mamoru followed. "Makoto-chan, I'm sorry, but you cannot risk her life that way. We don't know what will happen if all that energy is pulled from her at once." "I know that Mamoru-san, but why the hell is this happening? And why can't we do something about it?" Jupiter demanded, refusing to give into the tears brimming in her eyes. "I don't know, but I will find out. No one is taking Usako from me again. Never." Jupiter looked over and seen that Mamoru was no longer looking at her, but an image in his mind. "Don't worry, we'll protect her," Jupiter assured him. ***** "Mamo-chan. . ." Usagi mumbled, turning over. Mercury quickly stepped toward her and scanned her life force. "Shimatta!" "Nani?!" came a chorus of voices. Mercury again scanned Usagi, then turned abruptly to the senshi. "Where's Chibi-Usa and Mamoru?" she demanded. Saturn ran in the bedroom and came back out with a sleepy, but alert Chibi-Usa, at the same time Mamoru came back in from the balcony. Mercury motioned for them to get closer to Usagi, "She needs your energy, NOW!" Chibi-Usa started crying. "Mom? No!" "Small Lady," Mamoru looked at his daughter in pity, but covered it well with a mask of authority. "Do not show weakness now, your mother needs us to be strong." "Yes, your majesty," Chibi-Usa replied and stood in front of her mother. Mercury typed a mile a minute. "Okay, concentrate your energy on her, not the crystal. We know the crystal is strong, now we need to help Usagi." Everyone held their breath as father and daughter joined hands and gathered their energy. ***** Email minna!! Email is gooooood!! *see author jumping around the room, singing a baka 'email me' song* Also, visit my web site... http://www.geocities.com/Tokyo/9333 Ja 'til next week!!