(continued from part 1)

The rest of August passed uneventfully. The Senshi's plan to guard Usagi
during the night soon fell apart when their leader discovered it.
Although Usagi was grateful for the effort, she wouldn't allow the
others to lose sleep over her. Exactly how Usagi found out wasn't clear;
Makoto suspected that Rei told Usagi but there was no proof of that.
Another theory was that Venus had slipped from the Tsukino roof and was
spotted by Usagi although Minako hotly denied this allegation. In any
event, the plan was scrapped except that the cats would alternate during
the day to watch Chibi-Usa who was the most vulnerable.

September was also quiet except for the birthday party that the girls
threw on the tenth for Ami. As the month passed so did the seasons and
by the start of October, the leaves had changed color. The fall air was
refreshing and cool. It was definitely a change from the mostly muggy
summer. Chibi-Usa found new wonders to discover in the fall. Walking
through leaves was a particular favorite.

As the year progressed so did both girls' grades. Usagi who had nearly
flunked out of every class was sitting with a "B" average in most
classes by October. Chibi-Usa was also doing well. Although she was
still not caught up to her age group's average academic level, she was
quite content to carry a "B" average in her first grade class with an
occasional "A".

The biggest change, though, was likely Chibi-Usa's comfort level. The
worry, fear, and tension that had been present some months ago were
quietly slipping away. She was learning what reasonable limits were but
the most important lesson in that field was likely that breaching those
limits didn't necessarily result in severe punishment.

Chibi-Usa's non-verbal declaration that Kenji was her father and she
wanted it that way was a relief to both Ikuko and Usagi. The shift from
Usagi as a mother was going more slowly but it was at a steady pace. As
time passed, Chibi-Usa lessened her attempts to irk Ikuko or Usagi. But
within her heart, there was still a piece that wanted Usagi as a mother
and at times that showed through. Usagi tried her best to quash it, to
take a hard-line approach to the matter but her heart wouldn't let her
and, more often than not, she found herself giving in.

Mamoru had spent the time since he had last saw any of the girls moping
about his apartment or doing those things that had to be done, like
going to work. Those things became automatic. Something he cruised
through while his thoughts turned to the future and what it held for
him. The dreams had sputtered out and had eventually disappeared. Now
lonely and somewhat lost. Mamoru tried to find the strength to
rebuild... to move on, likely without Usagi.

As he sat in his apartment one day early in October, Mamoru heard a
knock at the door. Getting to his feet, he approached the door. "Who is
it?" he called out.

"Someone interested in your future," the voice replied.

Mamoru paused, his hand hovering above the knob. <Why does that voice
sound so familiar?> he thought, <What does he mean `someone interested
in your future'?!> "If you're a..."

"No, I'm not a salesman, Endymion. Open the door."

<Endymion?!?> Mamoru thought, a cold chill running down his spine.
Cautiously flinging the door open, he gave a gasp of surprise and fell
backwards. "No," he breathed out, "It can't be!"

"But it is," Endymion answered and entered the apartment before closing
the door. Mamoru shook his head and backed away, "Are you afraid of me?"

"Monster!!!" Mamoru yelled. Producing a rose, he transformed and started
stalking towards the man who looked like him, his future self. <You will
NOT hurt Usagi!> Mamoru thought, his rage fueled, <You will not hurt
that precious child!!!>

"Endymion... Mamoru," Endymion said, "Would you hurt your future self?"

"If it meant the safety of Usagi and Chibi-Usa... hai!" Tuxedo Kamen
snarled.

"I see she's gotten to you," Endymion said. Tuxedo Kamen stopped and
looked towards Endymion suspiciously, "You don't believe me?"

"Why should I?" Tuxedo Kamen questioned. <I don't trust you.> "You're
the monster... The coward who beats helpless children and women. I'll
kill myself first before I allow you to come to be!" Tuxedo Kamen
started forward again but Endymion held up a hand, "Why should I stop?"

Lowering his hand, Endymion said, "Because, if you inflict pain on me,
you will eventually feel it. Time is a cycle and sooner or later, you
will be here facing the same you." A grimace flitted across Endymion's
face as he recognized the disbelief. Allowing his face to sag, he said,
"I am YOUR future self. What would I gain by not telling you the truth?"
He saw Tuxedo Kamen waver slightly but the resolve was still there.
"Think Mamoru, we died in trying to save Serenity. We died so that
Sailor Moon could fight Queen Beryl. Our love lasted through death
itself, not once, but twice."

"But, Chibi-Usa... How could I... You could just be telling me this,"
Tuxedo Kamen said. <But is he right? Is Chibi-Usa wrong? That little
girl was so shook up.>

"Think," Endymion said taking another step and Tuxedo Kamen retreated,
"Listen to me. Would I hurt you? If I killed you or hurt you, I would
not exist." It was several seconds before Tuxedo Kamen resumed his
Mamoru form. Sitting down heavily, he looked sadly towards Endymion. "I
came back to help you," Endymion said.

"I still don't trust you. There isn't any reason for Usagi or Chibi-Usa
to lie." Mamoru ran a hand down his face, "I don't understand. What is
going on?!" He looked towards his future self and finally noticed that
Endymion was wearing a pair of black dress pants, shirt, and tie. A navy
blue jacket completed the outfit.

Walking over to the couch, Endymion sat down and smiled, "Usagi had no
reason to lie, but she only gets her information from Chibi-Usa... and
MY daughter has all the reason in the world to lie, especially around
Usagi."

"Nani?!?" Mamoru demanded now looking sternly at Endymion.

Endymion's face took on a look of weariness, regret, and lost hope.
"What are the symptoms of child abuse?" Endymion asked.

"Well... I'm not really sure," Mamoru admitted, "Usagi told me that one
of them is a need for the child to be close to the abuser, so he or she
could make sure that they were pleasing them."

"Hai," Endymion nodded sadly, "Have you noticed how attached Chibi-Usa
is to Usagi? No doubt Chibi-Usa has told her mother that I am the one
that beats her." Endymion's eyes misted over but he smiled internally at
Mamoru's reaction. The younger man's eyes enlarged and had a slightly
horrified look about him. "Serenity is the one who beats Chibi-Usa.
Spankings, harsh ones, are a constant threat to MY little girl."

"But... but Chibi-Usa was clinging to me. Was showing the signs that I
abused her," Mamoru said, "How can you say that Serenity is the abuser?
How can you say that she would do such cruel things?!?" Shaking his head
violently, Mamoru said, "I can't believe it! I won't believe it!"

"Mamoru, do you think Serenity with the Ginzuishou and the Sailor Senshi
would allow me to harm the Crown Princess even if it was in our nature
to harm a child? We are protectors. You protect Sailor Moon and in the
future, OUR daughter." Mamoru thought for a moment before shaking his
head. "At some point, Serenity becomes unfaithful; I can't tell you much
as I was trapped..." Endymion shivered and unconsciously he bared his
teeth. <Pluto, you bitch, I'll get you for that.> "I don't know what
type of husband she had but Serenity seemed to enjoy the... rough
stuff." He couldn't help the smile. Fortunately, Mamoru didn't notice.

"No," Mamoru whispered head bowed, "I can't believe it..." Raising his
head, he looked at Endymion and said, "Chibi-Usa came to me expecting to
be punished. Why would she do that?"

"Her mother," Endymion replied, "Whether it is the hand of Serenity or
one of the Senshi who beats that little girl makes sure I receive the
blame." For extra effect, he shed a single tear. It rolled down his face
and dangled for a moment before dropping onto his shirt. His voice thick
with emotion, Endymion said, "I remember the day that Chibi-Usa fled."
He shook slightly, "I was going to take her out of Crystal Tokyo, get
her to safety. It was set for after breakfast, that..." <Careful!>
Endymion thought as he caught himself, "Usagi..."

"Usagi?" Mamoru questioned now having moved to sit beside Endymion, a
look of terror and renewed worry on his face.

"Hai, Usagi. We named her that after Usako. Serenity and I thought it
was a lovely name." Endymion shook his head and said softly, "That day
we were eating breakfast and Usagi spilled her juice on me. I tried to
reason with Serenity. It was only a shirt after all but she was furious
that a new shirt had supposedly been `ruined'."

"Wh..." Mamoru trailed off and licked his lips, "What happened?"

Endymion sat silently staring off into space. He gave the impression
that calling up that memory was difficult. After a few minutes, he said,
"Serenity called the Senshi in. While Jupiter and Mars made sure I
didn't interfere, Venus and Mercury held Chibi-Usa down over the arm of
the couch." <Hai, come on, that's it,> Endymion thought as he saw
Mamoru's face as the information sunk in. <Almost there.> "Serenity took
a belt to Usagi. I tried to stop her but Jupiter and Mars held me
still." Endymion raised his hands and covered his ears, "I will never
forget that sound. Of the belt hitting flesh or the screams of OUR
little girl." Endymion dabbed at his eyes before saying, "Serenity sent
her back here. To keep her away from me so she could pursue her own
sadistic ends."

"What about the dreams?" Mamoru said, his face a pale white. Rising, he
paced around the room, "What about those dreams?"

"If you could stay close to Serenity, she would be fine!" Endymion
pleaded now, "I wasn't there to stop her adultery... I wasn't there to
stop whatever caused her to change but if I could be... The future isn't
set in a mold for you. Break that mold and save OUR child... OUR wife!
Fulfil the role you were meant to take. Be the protector!"

Mamoru paced the floor, an internal battle waged. Whom should he
believe? Usagi was getting all her information from Chibi-Usa. But here
was Endymion, a future Endymion. Although some of the information
contradicted Chibi-Usa's tale, other supported it, even clarified
sections. Endymion watched him, knowing what was happening, knowing that
if Mamoru didn't believe him that the future would unravel for him.

"Mamoru," Endymion said, "What happened to Chibi-Usa when Usagi came to
get her?" Mamoru stopped, "Did you hear that she was spanked because she
came over here? Who would punish a child for wanting to see her father?"

Mamoru didn't move. His eyes looked straight ahead and it was as if he
was stone. After a moment, he blinked and, walking over to sit on the
couch, said, "What's the plan?" Endymion smiled. Everything was going
according to plan... HIS plan.

                                  ******

Ikuko heard the clatter of feet on the steps and looked out into the
hallway from the kitchen. Seeing Chibi-Usa enter the hall, she smiled
slightly and said, "Chibi-Usa-chan, why the big hurry?"

"I'm going over to Maia's," Chibi-Usa said brightly and started to pull
her shoes on, "She and I are gonna play a new game." <I can hardly wait!
I hope the others are there.>

Stepping out into the hall, Ikuko said, "Who said you could go over to
Maia's?" <If it was Kenji, I'll kill 'em...>

"Onee-san. She told me it was okay," Chibi-Usa said.

"Gomen, Chibi-Usa-chan, but you can't go over to Maia's," Ikuko said and
walked towards the little girl. Chibi-Usa stopped tying her shoes and
looked towards Ikuko.

"How come?" Chibi-Usa wondered, "I was good, Mommy." <How come I can't
go over to Maia's? Onee said she'd walk with me.>

"I know you were good, Chibi-Usa, I just don't want you going over to
Maia's today." She looked at Chibi-Usa apologetically, "Why don't you
come help me in the kitchen?"

Getting up, Chibi-Usa walked over, turned her face, and looked
pleadingly upward at Ikuko. "Please Mommy?" Chibi-Usa asked, "I'll
behave, honest!" She gave Ikuko a quick hug before allowing her eyes to
droop slightly. <I don't want to miss the game. It's gonna be really
fun.>

"Gomen, no," Ikuko said firmly, "You'll just have to find something else
to do. You can help me if you want to." Turning, Ikuko re-entered the
kitchen. The hall was silent for several seconds before a double bang
was heard. The sound of very angry little feet pounding up the steps
could soon be heard. "Chibi-Usa!" Ikuko said coming out of the kitchen,
"Come back down here." There was a pause then little feet pounded their
way back down the steps.

"Nani?!?" Chibi-Usa said, arms folded, her lower lip sticking out in a
defiant pout. <I wanted to go to Maia's! It was important... baka
Sobo!!!> She gave Ikuko her best somber glare.

"Young lady, go pick up your shoes and put them away correctly," Ikuko
directed. Chibi-Usa didn't move for a few seconds then, stiffly walking,
she went over to her shoes and put them away. "Now come here please."
Chibi-Usa complied but reluctantly. She raised her head and looked at
Ikuko but was surprised to find a look of understanding with only a
slight hint of irritation. "If you want to pout, you might as well stay
down here and stand in a corner. Sometimes you just can't do things that
you want to."

She gave Ikuko's proposition some thought before shrugging without
uncrossing her arms. She felt like pouting and standing in the corner
wouldn't change her mind. Something deep within her tugged at her brain
and before Chibi-Usa could stop herself, she blurted out, "Which one?"
Ikuko bristled but, putting her annoyance in check, simply guided
Chibi-Usa over to a corner. Making sure the little girl was facing the
wall, Ikuko gave a sigh and went back to her work.

For the first several minutes, Chibi-Usa fumed. She was experiencing
anger and, in a way, it felt good. It also was a little scary. Chibi-Usa
had done something that a few months ago she wouldn't have even
considered. A sound attracted her attention. Turning her head, she saw
that it was Usagi coming down the stairs. As Usagi entered the hallway,
she gave Chibi-Usa a curious look before heading into the kitchen. <What
are they talkin' about?> Chibi-Usa wondered, <Maybe I can go to Maia's!>
That hope was soon squashed though as Usagi came back out into the
hallway and, picking up the phone, dialed a number. Apparently, she was
speaking with Maia's parents informing them that Chibi-Usa couldn't
come. Chibi-Usa jerked her head around and glared at the wall.

<I'll ask Daddy. He'll let me go.> As Chibi-Usa thought about that
something occurred to her, <Daddy is married to Mommy...> Although she
knew Ami's mother wasn't with Ami's father, it was a confusing concept.
<But Daddy's not married to Usagi cause Usagi is Daddy's mesume like
me.> She ventured down that line of reasoning a little further. <So Sobo
is really Mommy cause they... um, a-ado...> Screwing up her face with
concentration, Chibi-Usa thought hard for the word. <Adoption!> she
thought and gave a smile. <But if I don't want Sobo as Mommy, then I
can't have Sohu as Daddy.> Her smile slowly slipped from her face when
she came to another realization, <I was mean to Mommy. Sometimes Maia
can't play with me cause her mommy says so...> Chibi-Usa sniffled a
little bit. <I guess I shouldn'ta pouted.>

Ikuko softly approached Chibi-Usa. She was feeling a little guilty for
putting Chibi-Usa into the corner. It had been the wrong thing to do.
When she heard the sniffle, Ikuko's heart skipped a beat. When she was
standing behind the little girl, Ikuko reached out and gently touched
her shoulder. "Chibi-Usa-chan," Ikuko said softly.

"Gomen," Chibi-Usa sniffled out, her shoulders trembling a little bit.
Ikuko turned her around and saw two little streams of tears running down
Chibi-Usa's face. She flushed in embarrassment and guilt at her actions
towards Ikuko. When the woman picked her up, Chibi-Usa just wrapped her
arms around Ikuko's neck and clung desperately. If Ikuko rejected her
now, then Kenji would reject her and Chibi-Usa wanted Kenji as a father.

Walking into the living room, Ikuko sat on the couch and settled
Chibi-Usa onto her lap. "Gomen, Chibi-Usa-chan," Ikuko said softly while
rubbing Chibi-Usa's back, "I shouldn't have gotten angry with you. I
know you're mad that you couldn't go over to Maia's..."

"I shouldn'ta got mad at you," Chibi-Usa said between shuddering breaths
and sniffled. She raised her eyes and blearily looked towards Ikuko who
was looking a little confused.

"How come?" Ikuko asked. Chibi-Usa tried to explain in her own way. It
was rather muddled but Ikuko managed to realize the point Chibi-Usa was
trying to make. The silence that filled the room after Chibi-Usa stopped
talking was comforting. Ikuko was working through her own feelings and
wondered what to say to Chibi-Usa while Chibi-Usa was worrying if she
was making the right decision. Usagi seemed to be supporting the idea
that Ikuko was Chibi-Usa's mother and the little girl could live with
that but she also felt some guilt over only taking Usagi as a sister.

It was Chibi-Usa who broke the silence. "Do you want to be my mommy?"

"Hai," Ikuko said softly trying to communicate her sincerity, "I love
you very much and you being my mesume would make me very proud."

"I love you... Mommy," Chibi-Usa responded and gave Ikuko a hug. <You're
a great mommy.> Hearing a noise, Chibi-Usa and Ikuko turned their heads
to the living room archway. There standing with a sad expression on her
face was Usagi. Chibi-Usa gave a little sniffle. Her heart cried out
towards Usagi, hoping that Usagi would understand. She saw Usagi's
bottom lip tremble slightly. <Don't cry!> Chibi-Usa pleaded. Sliding off
of Ikuko's lap, she padded over to Usagi and reach upwards.

Reaching down, Usagi lifted her daughter into a hug. A tear rolled down
her cheek and she sniffled slightly. <Mesume...> Usagi thought as she
felt the little arms wrap around her and heard the small voice plead for
her not to cry. "I love you, Imouto," Usagi said softly, her voice
threatening to crack.

"Gomen... Mommy," Chibi-Usa whispered, then a little louder she said, "I
love you, Onee-san." She gave Usagi a kiss on the cheek and another hug.
Usagi for her part simply sniffled but returned the hug before walking
over to the couch and setting Chibi-Usa down. <Onee-san?> Chibi-Usa
questioned as she watched Usagi quietly leave the room, <Gomen.> But
somehow she knew it would be all right; Usagi didn't blame her, or love
her any less, but needed to work it through for herself.

                                  ******

Neo-Queen Serenity slowly lowered her hand and blinked. She felt
disoriented, strange. A gentle touch made her jump. Turning, she stared
for several seconds not recognizing the concerned face that was before
her. It was a man. "Diamondo?" she questioned softly. Her eyes became
bleary and a tear rolled down her cheek. <You're alive!>

"Are you feeling okay? Is it the baby?" His face was creased with lines
of worry. Gently, he touched her. "Serenity?" he questioned softly,
"What's wrong?"

She moved to embrace him but felt awkward. After straining a bit,
Serenity sank back and gave a little sob. <I want to hold you in my
arms... to feel you hold me close,> she thought. Moving her hands
downward, she discovered what was making it awkward to rise and one of
Diamondo's questions came back to her. Distressed at her behavior,
Diamondo gently placed his hands on Serenity's stomach seeking some type
of reassurance that the baby was fine.

<Baby?> Serenity thought, <Why do I have a feeling that I shouldn't have
a baby?> She quietly ran her hands down to meet Diamondo's. "I don't
feel well," she said and looked around again. The Throne Room was empty
save for Diamondo and... <The Senshi?! They're ALIVE?!?> She shook her
head to try and clear it but nothing happened.

"I can take Court today. You should maybe go and lay down," Diamondo
said rising to help Serenity to her feet, "Jupiter, call Mercury. Tell
her that Serenity isn't well. We'll head back to our quarters." Serenity
turned her head and saw Jupiter and Mars standing together. She
stumbled, eyes wide, staring at Mars in disbelief. She looked wildly
around once, twice, then slipped beneath the blackness of
unconsciousness.

Slowly she rose from its murky depths. As Serenity became aware again
she kept her eyes closed. Feeling with her fingers, she felt the smooth
fabric underneath of her. <A bed?> she thought, <It smells nice in
here.> She couldn't place the odor but it was definitely pleasant. Her
mind said her left eye was hurt and she couldn't open it. <Why though?>
she thought and carefully bracing herself for a jolt of pain opened it
slowly. <Strange...> The room was brightly lit by the sun streaming in
through a double set of windows. Opening her other eye, she saw
something that made her heart skip a beat.

"Ami?" she whispered out. Why was it such a shock to see her friend? She
studied Ami for several seconds trying to reconcile the knowledge she
had with the sudden rush of relief. <Why would I miss her? I just saw
Ami this morning.>

Turning, Ami gave Serenity a curious look before giving a small sigh of
relief. While running a hand through her hair, she walked over to the
bed and took Serenity's arm to check her pulse. "How are you feeling,
Serenity-sama?"

She tried to sit up but found it difficult. <I'm pregnant... baka... How
can anybody forget they're pregnant?!> Giving up, Serenity sank back
into the softness of the bed. "Disoriented," Serenity said in answer to
Ami's question.

"That's not a surprise," Ami said while retrieving her computer and
starting a new scan, "It appears you were the focal point for a temporal
anomaly. Pluto would likely have to confirm my readings but..." She
trailed off as she noticed Serenity's complexion slowly shifting from a
healthy pink to an ashen white. "What is it? Do you feel sick again?"

"Endymion... is he here?" Serenity questioned looking nervously towards
the door. Ami shifted uncomfortably under the intense gaze that Serenity
had leveled at her. "Please, I don't remember... Is Endymion here?!?"

"No," Ami said softly while looking away, "If you can't remember,
Serenity-sama, then it's best to leave the past be." The room fell
silent for several seconds before Ami started the scan again. "What else
don't you remember?"

"Is Mamoru dead?" Serenity questioned, her heart ached at the thought.
Endymion for some reason could be dead but Mamoru... she wanted alive.
Noting the odd look that Ami was now giving her, Serenity said, "Please
Ami-chan, I'm not crazy. I just..." she trailed off unable to phrase
what she was feeling. <Oh Kami-sama!> she thought and shivered, <What
are these memories?> Things were starting to come back; things that
should not be.

"Mamoru's alive and well." Ami glanced at the clock and said, "He's
probably having supper with his family now." Hearing a beep from her
computer, she checked the results. "As far as I can tell, you're fine.
The baby's fine as well."

It was as if Serenity never even heard. <Family?> she silently mouthed
the word to the thought. She tried to remember and found she could. She
found the memory and it appeared not to be false. <Mamoru and Minako are
married. She wanted to help him after we...> She found that thought to
painful and shied away from it, <I don't know how Mamoru survived.
Somehow, though, he did.> "They have children, ne?" Serenity questioned.

"Mamoru and Minako?" At Serenity's nod, Ami nodded, "Hai, they have
three." She could see the question in Serenity's eyes but Serenity
couldn't ask it. <Why are you doing this to yourself? It's in the past!>
She really wished Serenity hadn't woken up when she did. <I wanted to
talk to Pluto.> "Minako won't thank you when this little one's ready for
school either."

"That's right," Serenity said. She had been listening and finding more
conflicting memories. "Minako runs the school." A grin spread across
Serenity's face. "I never thought we'd see the day when Minako would
spend a good amount of her time in a place she claimed to detest." Ami
giggled allowing some of the relief to show through. Serenity's mood
shifted suddenly and a sad smile spread across her face. <Oh Rei...>

"Serenity?" Ami asked, she gently reached out and touched her arm, "What
is it?"

"Rei... she's dead," Serenity said softly. The look on Ami's face had
swung from concern over to pure shock. Her eyes, rimmed behind glasses,
threatened to burst. There was no sign of her eyebrows as they were
hidden by her hair.

"Wh-When?!?" Ami questioned, now shaking sat down on the bed. <How did
Serenity know?> Ami thought as she watched Serenity, <This certainly
isn't good for the baby.>

"When she was riding a motorcycle. I don't know... She had to be
twenty-two." Ami's features underwent another rapid transition. They
went from shock to concern again.

"Rei's alive, Serenity-sama. I saw her this morning; you did too."
Serenity just stared. Thinking back, Ami tried to remember that day. "I
don't recall Rei getting hurt in an accident when she was twenty-two."
Entering a few commands into her computer, Ami nodded in confirmation.
"No serious medical problems, nothing that would indicate an accident."
Turning, Ami looked with some concern towards Serenity.

"What's going on?" Serenity questioned, her voice sounding very much
like an Usagi-type whine. This produced a smile on Ami's face. "I keep
having all these thoughts and stuff and I'm so confused."

"It's likely the baby," Ami said as she entered a query into her
computer, "The last time you were pregnant, you dredged up several facts
about the Silver Millenium and tried to associate them with the present.
It appears you're doing the same thing but not reaching as far back in
time."

"This will be my second child?" Serenity said. She missed the
uncomfortable look that sped across Ami's face. Serenity was about to
say more when a gentle tap came at the door. "Help me up," Serenity
directed. Ami turned and gave her a disapproving look but did as
requested. With Ami's help, she managed to sit up in the bed. Sliding
back to lean against the headboard, Serenity said, "Enter."

The door opened partially and Diamondo entered carrying a very worried
looking eight year old. Serenity's heart grew a little lighter as she
saw the little girl's face. But there was something odd about it...
subtle differences and the hair... <There's no odangos, just a
ponytail.>

Ami rose and bowed towards Diamondo, "Diamondo-sama, Serenity-sama is
not in serious danger and the baby seems to be fine." In return,
Diamondo gave her a relieved smile.

"Usagi was worried about you," Diamondo said while holding his daughter
close for comfort. Ensuring that the door was closed, he walked over and
sat down on the edge of the bed. "So was I. Are you okay?"

"Hai," Serenity said never taking her eyes off the little girl's
features. <Your hair's blonde white... not the strawberry blonde I
remember,> she thought. "Are you okay?" she asked her daughter. She
reached out and, after a brief moment, Usagi slid from her father's arms
and hugged her mother.

"Are you okay, Mommy?" she asked softly while carefully hugging her
mother, "Is the baby okay?" She gently placed a hand on her mother's
swollen stomach and felt the baby give a gentle nudge. A soft smile
spread across her face. "She gave a kick; she must know we're talking
about her."

Drawing her daughter close, Serenity gave a little sniffle before
whispering out, "Hai, we'll be just fine..." <As long as you are.> After
a moment, she released her daughter and turned to look towards Diamondo
again. "You know... I thought Makoto was dead." All three of the
occupants of the room gave her quizzical looks. "I have this memory that
Makoto was killed in a war. She was flying a plane of all things."

"Serenity-sama, Makoto did get shot down," Ami said starting to feel
worried again, "But she didn't die." The thoughts that Serenity was
having might cause unnecessary stress. <I have to go find Pluto...>

"Hai," Usagi declared grinning, "They thought they could capture
Mako-oneesan but they couldn't!" She grinned broadly at her mother, eyes
twinkling.

"Let's let Her Majesty rest. I need to consult with Pluto and I want my
patient to have quiet." She then politely motioned Diamondo towards the
door.

"As you command, oh great Sensei!" Diamondo declared and giving a lavish
bow, grinned impishly at Ami. This just earned him a glare from Ami
while Usagi giggled.

"Please Daddy, can I stay with Mommy?" Usagi begged, "I promise I'll be
really quiet!" Hugging one of his legs, she looked towards him, "Pretty
please?" Diamondo glanced towards Ami who nodded slightly so he nodded
is approval. "Yeah!" Usagi declared and promptly earned two disapproving
glares. "Gomen," Usagi whispered out then giggled.

After Diamondo left, Ami administered a dire warning of the consequences
if Serenity didn't get her rest. She gave a final warning look towards
Usagi before walking out of the room and closing the door. Once they
were alone, Usagi scrambled onto the bed and going to the left side of
her mother, snuggled up beside her. Laying her head on Serenity's
shoulder, she closed her eyes and gave a little contented sigh.

"I was really scared," Usagi admitted. She felt the fingers of her
mother's left hand run gently across her forehead and she started to
relax. It was rather soothing.

"I was scared too," Serenity said. The room fell silent for several
minutes. As time passed, Serenity wandered down her memories, trying to
sort fact from fantasy. "You know, I used to know a girl by the name of
Usagi," Serenity said.

"Really?" Usagi replied, tilting her head to look at her mother through
partially hooded lids.

"Hai," Serenity said, "We used to call her Chibi-Usa until she grew up."
Usagi giggled, "She was a lot like you, very kawaii... and smart... and
full of life..." Serenity trailed off and she could feel a lump forming
in her throat.

"What happened to her?" Usagi asked softly.

Serenity sniffled then said, "She died." <When she was thirty-six.> That
had been a very long night. It looked like she had fallen asleep at the
wheel coming back into Tokyo from a trip. Her car had flipped several
times before coming to stop. <She fell asleep and never woke up.> There
had been no foul play suspected and Ami hadn't detected any type of drug
either.

"I bet you were sad," Usagi said softly. Her features indicated that she
was feeling a little guilty for asking what had happened to the girl.

Feeling tired, Serenity gently slid forward before lying down and waited
for Usagi to settle herself again before she answered her daughter's
question. "Hai, I was sad... but then I thought about all the good
times; you and Daddy and the Senshi all make me very happy. So you help
me and when your imouto is born, then she'll make me happy to." Closing
her eyes, Serenity fell into sleep and dreamt... about the past.

                                  ******