And now, for Valentine's Day...

	(Note:  this fic really really violates continuity.  But I have 
decided to set it a couple of years into Usagi & Mamoru's relationship, 
thus they are 16 and 18 respectively...)

				MISCONCEPTION IV
				by Scott K. Jamison
				(Takeuchi disclaimer)

	Usagi had butterflies in her stomach, and not all from Ichiro.  
Though it didn't help that she now really was feeling the symptoms of 
pregnancy. 
	The past two months had passed in a whirlwind of preparations.  
Usagi had never realized how much work went into a wedding!  Invitations, 
decorations, cake, dresses, a thousand different things.  It was a good 
thing Mama knew about these things, because if she'd had to do them 
herself, Usagi would've just broken down and cried.  A lot.  Even more 
than usual. 
	"Say, Rei, you remember the time my home ec teacher was possessed 
by a wedding dress youma?"
	The shrine maiden didn't pause in arranging her robes.  "Who 
could forget?  That's when I found out your mother couldn't sew!"  
Fortunately, Makoto could, and she'd also helped pick out the 
bridesmaids' dresses.
	Mama re-entered the room, and no more talk of youma was heard.
	Rei's grandfather had agreed to a hybrid Shinto/Western 
ceremony.  He might be old, but he was adaptable.  Rei would help him 
officiate, and Usagi was given to understand Representative Hino, her 
father, would be putting in one of his rare personal appearances. 
	Usagi was suddenly very grateful for Mama and Papa.  Rei's mother 
was gone, as was Naru's father.  Ami's parents were divorced, and both 
Makoto and Mamoru were orphans.  Only she and Minako had a full set of 
parents.  She resolved that she was going to be there for Ichiro and 
Chibiusa as much as possible. 
	Speaking of the little imp, here she was now.  She spun to show 
off her dress, then asked, "Am I pretty, o-nee-san?"  As long as Mama was 
in the room, Chibiusa was just Usagi's favorite cousin, rather than her 
future daughter.
	"You look fine, Chibi-chan!"  The pink-haired child had been 
assigned flower girl duties, as Shingo had been dragooned into being the 
ringbearer. 
	Shingo was quite possibly the only person in the temple who 
didn't at least suspect Usagi was pregnant.  After all, there weren't 
many other reasons a sixteen-year-old girl got married on only two 
months' notice.  But to him, she was still his gawky, clumsy older 
sister.  He was amazed enough Mamoru even dated her, let alone wanted to 
marry such an ugly girl.  So it wasn't too surprising he hadn't realized 
what was going on. 
	Either that, or he'd done an amazingly good job of holding his 
tongue.  
	Luna mewed.  Usagi looked down at her mentor/pet and giggled.  
"Sorry, Luna.  I'd love to talk, but Makoto's still fixing up my kimono, 
so I can't bend over."  Luna had been (in private) quite indignant about 
having to *prove* she was well-trained enough to attend the ceremony.  It 
was certainly the first wedding Mama had ever heard of that would have 
cats in the reception line. 
	"Here, Luna, you can talk to me," said Ami.  Even today the 
blue-haired girl was carrying a book, though Usagi hadn't seen her even 
turn a page yet.  She scooped up the cat and put her on her shoulder. 
	"Usagi, don't wiggle," mumbled Makoto, her mouth full of pins.  
They'd decided to go with Shinto-style garb for the ceremony for the 
happy couple; Western formal wear would be just a little too reminiscent 
of their alternate identities.
	"Oh, Usagi-chan, you do look so pretty!" gushed Naru. 
	"Thanks, Naru-chan.  You look like a princess yourself."  Usagi's 
best friend blushed.  She did look splendid in her maid of honor dress.  
Ami, Makoto and Minako had to settle for bridesmaid; Usagi hoped thaey 
understood.
	Ami came over and whispered to Usagi.  "Luna says she's checked 
the grounds again, and there's no sign of evil energy."
	"That's a relief."  The last thing they needed was a monster 
attack.  They'd been lucky since Usagi had discovered her pregnancy; only 
three monsters had appeared, and there didn't seem to be any pattern to 
them.  
	"Okay!  We have closure!" said Makoto, giving a thumbs-up sign. 
	"A last kiss for luck!" cried Mama, suiting action to words, but 
careful not to disturb Usagi's outfit. 
	"And just in time, too," commented Rei.  "Time for me to start 
the ceremony!"  She exited. 
	Mama arranged everyone in order of appearance.  Usagi found 
herself moving a bit stiffly after standing still for so long.  It didn't 
help that the kimono seemed specifically designed to hinder walking.
	One or two at a time, the women left the dressing room.  At last 
it was Usagi's turn.  Papa met her at the door, and guided her into the 
ceremony room.  She was quietly grateful for his help.  It wouldn't do to 
fall flat on her face now!  Papa looked so dignified, almost proud.  But 
she could see just a little drop of sweat on his neck.  He was as nervous 
as her!
	That made her feel a little calmer herself, knowing she wasn't 
the only worried one.
	Her mind drifted back to the wedding shower.  Minako had taken 
bets on which one of them would get married next.  Ami and Naru had been 
2-1 because they were both in relationships of a sort; Minako and Makoto 
were at 3-1, and poor Rei had been 4-1.  Minako had gotten a taste of the 
priestess' sharp tongue for that.
	Mama had been surprised at how many of the gifts had a "sailing" 
or "moon" motif.  Come to think of it, even Naru's gift had been sailboat 
earrings, silver with moonstone sails.  Did she suspect?  Nahh.
	The nervousness returned when Usagi saw the crowd.  So many of 
her relatives, many of whom she hadn't seen in years.  Lots of her 
classmates of course.  Umino was taking pictures like mad, since they 
were forbidden during the ceremony itself.  Then there were her friends 
from outside school.  The Outer Senshi (in civilian garb) sat together, 
as did the Black Moon sisters.  She spotted others she'd met through 
Sailor Moon. 
	That's right, Usagi thought to herself.  I am the champion of 
love and justice, I've faced down beings that have conquered entire 
worlds and triumphed.  My friends are here for me, this is just a 
wedding, I can handle it.
	And it didn't hurt that Usagi really had done some growing up in 
the last two years, mentally as well as physically. 
	There were a sprinkling of people she didn't recognize.  Some of 
them were Mamoru's friends, others were her parent's invitees. 
	Papa nudged her a little bvit.  Oh, they'd reached the front.  
Papa released her, and Usagi went to join Mamoru.
	He was handsome in his formal kimono, but then he was handsome in 
everything he wore.  Part of it was the training he'd had in modeling, 
the rest was just good genes.  Oh, and the fact that she loved him, of 
course.
	Motoki stood next to him as best man.  He'd been her first crush, 
but he had his own fiancee, even if she was in Africa.  If things had 
been otherwise...
	Rei's grandfather beamed a wide smile at them, and began the main 
part of the ceremony.
	Suddenly, the doors of the shrine slammed open.  Everyone turned 
to look.
	There was a tall, dark-skinned man in a familiar-looking gray 
uniform standing there.  He was handsome in a sinister way, bald with 
glittering silver eyes. 
	"I am Fulgurite, last of the Dark Kingdom!  At last Queen 
Metallia shall be avenged upon you, Sailor Moon!"
	Oh no!  Not now!  Usagi fretted over whether to transform in 
front of all these people, and she began to whine.  Mamoru's hand in hers 
held her back. 
	Several people were rising to their feet, including a couple 
Usagi was pretty sure *weren't* secretly superpowered, but the first to 
reach Fulgurite was a blonde woman in a blue dress and matching veiled 
hat.  She grabbed the Dark Kingdom officer by the throat and lifted him 
off the ground.
	"I have been waiting for this day for a very long time.  You will 
*not* disrupt this ceremony further, or in the name of the Moon, I *will* 
punish you.  Do you understand?" 
	Fulgurite was being too closely choked to speak.  Finally, he 
nodded. 
	"Good.  Then shut up and sit down."  She giggled a bit.
	He shut up and sat down.  Gramps cleared his throat and picked up 
where he'd left off.  Everyone seemed relieved their energy hadn't been 
drained...
	There were no further interruptions, and soon it was time for the 
sharing of sake.  The strong spirits burned Usagi's throat a bit. 
	Usagi remembered her first experience with alcohol, at Princess 
Daiya's ball.  She'd gotten smashed on the punch.  That had been the 
first time Mamoru had kissed her too, though she was in such a daze at 
the time, she'd thought it a dream.  And then she'd had such a hangover 
the next morning!
	Recalling Luna's stern lecture on the evils of drunkeness, Usagi 
couldn't help but giggle.  It was all she could do to focus her attention 
back on what Gramps was saying. 
	At last the ceremony ended, and after a quick change into Western 
semi-formal garb, everyone was moved outside for the reception.
	Both Fulgurite and the woman in blue had vanished.  The rumor 
among the attendees was that she had been Sailor Moon herself, for it was 
well known she was a friend of Usagi's. 
	Usagi had her own thoughts on the matter of course.
	Yuuichirou had set up a stereo system with some taped music.  
According to Rei, he had a hidden talent as a DJ.  
	Most people sat out the macarena, a new import from the States.  
They preferred to browse the buffet.
	Papa gave a short speech, as did Haruna-sensei.  There were some 
quick toasts from Mamoru's college friends.  There were more speeches 
congratulating the newlyweds, and then the serious celebrating began.
	Mamoru and Usagi essayed a waltz with each other.  She only 
stepped on his foot once, a major improvement. 
	Next, she danced with Papa.  Usagi giggled again when she saw 
Naru vainly trying to guide Umino in the proper steps.
	"He's a dear, but I've got a lot of polishing to do before we'll 
be ready to for a wedding ourselves," said Naru as they both took a 
breather.  "I think I'll hold off on the baby-making for a good long 
time." 
	"Excellent idea, Naru-chan," admitted Usagi.  "I thought I was 
safe as houses, but then the roof blew off..."
	More dancing followed, including one with Shingo.  When had he 
learned how to tango?
	"Nee-san, how come everybody keeps whispering and then shutting 
up when I come near?  Is there something wrong with my suit?" 
	"No, you're fine.  But there are some things kids aren't supposed 
to hear."
	"Such as?"
	"You'll find out when you're older."
	"I wanna know now!"
	"You won't be that much older.  Trust me."
	At last, she returned to Mamoru's arms.  She didn't even begrudge 
Rei what seemed an awfully long kiss.
	They said farewell to all the guests.  Chibiusa was very 
disappointed not to be going on the honeymoon, but Luna reminded her the 
cat wasn't going either.  "There are some things parents need to do 
alone, Small Lady."  Then the black feline had to shut up as non-Senshi 
camne into earshot.
	"Time to go, Usagi Chiba," remarked her husband.
	"Let's!"
	For all the magic and wonder she'd experienced, Usagi felt none 
of it could compare to what had happened today.  Love was a very good 
thing. 


		TO BE CONTINUED


SKJAM!
"Love is in the air, there's magic everywhere"