Unfinished Sympathy

16 year Old Usagi’s got it good. Her boyfriend is back from Harvard, there’s no new enemies attacking Tokyo, and her grades are finally on track; Until her mom gets remarried and she and Shingo are forced to move in with their new brothers. With 14 brothers, how’s a princess supposed to graduate?
-
She was in coming close to her final year of school. She had one more year until she could join Mamoru in University. When she had started high school, Ami had pointed out, quite reasonably, that just because Usagi had managed to get into Mugen Academy didn’t mean she could slack off. After all, she had argued, didn’t Usagi want to go to University with Mamoru? Usagi had had a meltdown, realizing that she needed to score in the top percentile of Japan in order to get into University of Tokyo. She would have several years of overlap with Mamoru, since he had already committed to going to medical school at University of Tokyo.

There hadn’t been any enemies for over a year, and her grades (with Ami’s and Mamoru’s help) were improving. She spent more time studying since there were no youma to defeat. Shingo was being less of a brat, recently. Usagi guessed that he had finally come to terms with the fact that their father had abandoned them four years ago.

Usagi blinked as she realized that her phone was ringing. “Hello?” she asked.
“Hello, Usa!” cried the voice on the other end, “I’ve got the most amazing news for you!”
Usagi smiled at how happy her mother sounded, “We’ve won the lottery?”
“Well, just as good!” her mother replied, “Hinata’s asked me to marry him!”
Usagi blinked but then smiled, “Mom, that’s lovely news. I’m so happy for you. Does that mean you are coming back?” she asked hopefully. Hinata Asahina worked overseas, and her mother had been traveling with him for the past six months on his newest project. She missed her terribly but wanted her mother to be happy so she supported Ikuko’s relationship with Mr. Asahina.
There was silence on the other end, “That’s why I wanted to call you. There’s something I need to talk to you about.”
“Okay, Mom. Shoot.”
“Well, Hinata has projects planned for the next two years abroad. I don’t want you and Shingo to be alone in that house but I can’t leave him…” her mother paused, “And you know Hinata has thirteen sons. They live in a complex near your school – closer than our house. Would you and Shingo be willing to move in there? Hinata’s oldest son, Masaomi is 31. I would feel much more comfortable if you had someone to supervise you. I know you don’t need it, but I worry.”

Usagi mentally sighed. On one hand, she enjoyed the freedom that came with being the oldest person in the house. But she recognized that if another enemy did come, Shingo would be alone in the house. Thirteen more brothers would make it thirteen times harder to keep her secret if there was another attack from Chaos, but Shingo was still young – he had just turned 12, and had become impressionable. She had to agree with her mother about this.

“I think that’s a great idea, Mom.”
Her mother let out a breath. Clearly she had been nervous about Usagi’s answer.
“Well, that’s perfect! You have a week left of break, correct? Do you think you could get those friends of yours to move you into Sunrise Mansion by the end of the week?”
“So soon?”
“Just so you don’t have to worry about it when your classes start back up.”
“Fair enough. Okay. I’ll ask the girls if they would be willing to help. Mamo and Haruka both have cars so that should help.”
“Excellent! I’ll tell the boys to expect you. I’ve got to go now, darling. Hinata will be home any minute.”
“Okay, Mom. I love you.”
“Love you too, Usagi.”
Usagi hung up the phone and turned towards Shingo’s room in resignation.
_
“I’m just saying, Usagi. Fourteen boys in one house is a lot. And thirteen of them could be nasty perverts!” Luna exclaimed as Usagi carried her towards the building that would be her new home.
“That’s not nice, Luna. We don’t know them yet. Be more open minded.”
“When did you become so pragmatic, Princess?” Setsuna asked with a small smile.
Usagi smiled, “I’ll be Queen in less than five years, Puu. I realized I needed to start growing up so I can be the best Queen I can be.”
Setsuna smiled even wider, “I know. Your mother would be proud.”
“I know,” Usagi whispered. A moment later she rung the doorbell. Shingo popped up behind them with his box of video games, and they waited together expectantly.
A tall man with brown hair answered the door. This must be her oldest stepbrother, Masaomi.
“Usagi, Shingo! Welcome!” He turned towards Setsuna who introduced herself.
“Setsuna Meiou. I’m an astrophysics student at University of Tokyo.” She surprised Masomi with a firm handshake.
“Come in. We’ve been waiting for you.”
A small voice started hollering excitedly and Usagi had to steady herself when she was almost knocked over by a boy who looked a few years younger than Shingo.
“Hi, hi, hi,” he said, “I’m Wataru. You’re Usagi and Shingo. You’re going to be my new siblings. That’s what Masa-nii said. Can I call you Onee-chan?”
“Wataru, please. She just got here-” Masaomi began.
“It’s fine!” Usagi said with a smile as she leaned in, “Yes of course you can call me that, Wataru. I’m very excited to get a younger brother.”
Shingo kicked her lightly, “What am I? Chopped liver?”
Usagi rolled her eyes, “You’re a pain in the behind, that’s what you are, Shingo.”
“Your mother mentioned that your friends would be helping you move your things in,” Masaomi said.
“Yes,” Usagi agreed, “They should be arriving in the next few-”
A loud crash rang out.
Usagi sighed, “Or they may be here already.”
Sure enough, Rei was hollering at Minako for dropping a box marked ‘FRAGILE’.
Usagi just sighed.
_
She met Tsubaki and Azusa next. They were twins, and were apparently voice actors. Ukyo was a lawyer, and Kaname was a monk. Subaru was a student at Meiji University and Louis was a hairdresser. She’d met Iori, a student at Bright Centrair for only a few moments before he had disappeared again. Suddenly she spotted a head of red hair.
“Yusuke?”
He turned as red as his hair and began stuttering, “What are you- How did- Tsukino-san!” How the hell did the girl he’d been crushing on since the first day of middle school end up in his house? They’d been in the same class during junior high, and he had begged Iori to tutor him for the entrance exams when he heard that Usagi was planning on attending Mugen Academy. He had gotten in (barely) and every day he tried to convince himself to confess his love. How did she end up as his step sister? This was the worst day of his life.
In the corner, she heard Tsubaki laughing quietly.
“That’s right,” Ukyo said, “You two are in the same class, are you not?”
That’s when Minako had to butt in, “That’s right! Minus Rei and Ami we’re all in Class 2-B.” Minako leaned in mischievously, “Weird that you know Usagi’s name but have never talked to her.”
Makoto kicked Minako, “Mina, shut your gob.”
Ami sighed, “Why are you both like this?”
“Anyways,” began Setsuna warningly, “Let’s leave Usagi and Shingo to spend time with their new family.”
Usagi smiled greatfully, “Thank you guys for helping Shingo and I today. I’ll see you guys at school, tomorrow.”
Minako waved and Rei began to drag her out while Makoto lingered and Ami hastened to get away from the testosterone filled room.
“Your friends seem nice,” Ukyo said kindly.
Usagi smiled fondly, “They’re the best friends a girl could have.”
_
That night, Usagi stayed awake gazing at the moon. Luna was already asleep, so Usagi sat silently thinking about her past. She had realized about six months previously that if she thought about the past, and tried to remember she could remember things from her first life. Just the other day she had remembered the first time she had met her guardians. Somehow, this night she remembered her first wedding. Under the shaded light of a cherry blossom grove, Princess Serenity vi Lunaria of the Silver Millennium and Prince Endymion IV of Earth recited their vows with no witness but the eyes of the Gods and Helios.
She fell asleep whispering Endymion’s name.
_
The next morning, she was eating breakfast when Kaname sat across from her. “Hey little sis.”
“Hello, Kaname. How are you?”
“Doing well, thanks. How’d you sleep?”
Usagi shrugged, “Fine.”
Kaname looked at her pensively.
“Who’s Endymion?” he asked abruptly.
Usagi blinked in confusion, “Um- What?”
“I went to check on you last night, but you were already sleeping and you said that name.”
“Oh,” said Usagi, “It’s just from some mythology we learned about in history the other day.”
Kaname looked appeased and let it go.
Luna jumped onto the table and looked pointed at Usagi and then pointed towards the door and Usagi’s wrist.
“Oh crap! I’m going to be late. I haven’t been late in months! Miss Haruna is going to kill me! Bye guys!” In the blink of an eye, Usagi was out the door and running towards Mugen Academy at top speed.
_
They’d been studying together at the Crown for hours. Mock exams were coming and Mamoru, Setsuna, Haruka, and Michiru were trying to help the youngest members of their group get the scores necessary to get into University of Tokyo. Haruka and Michiru had already been accepted to University of Tokyo starting the following year, and since they had taken the exam only a month and a half prior were up to scratch to tutor. Ami was a shoo-in to be accepted, and Rei was as well. Makoto would need to revise a little, but was well on her way. Minako and Usagi needed the most help. Both of them had the possibility of getting in, but they would need to really amp up their game in the next ten months before their exams.
The hours passed quickly and before she knew it, it was almost 10pm. Usagi cursed. She would definitely be home late, and she had definitely missed dinner without telling anyone that she wouldn’t be there. She checked her phone and noticed she had about a dozen missed calls. Most of them were from Masaomi and Ukyo, but there was also one from Azusa.
The only way for her to get home at this point was a feat of magic. She transformed quickly and began to race across the rooftops until she got close enough to her new home that she could detransform and sneak quietly into her room. She’d made it back in only ten minutes rather than the thirty-five it would have taken at human speed.
She creeped into the hallway to take her shoes off, and was busted almost immediately.
“Where exactly have you been?” asked Masaomi angrily.
Usagi gulped, “I’m sorry. I was at my study group revising for mock exams. I turned my phone off and time got away with me.”
“Do you know how worried we were?”
“I know,” Usagi whispered, “I’m truly sorry. I’ve been living alone with Shingo for a while and I guess I forgot what it’s like to have someone waiting at home for me.”
Masaomi looked a little guilty at that, “It’s okay. I understand. Next time, please let one of us know where you are. When it’s late like this one of use can pick you up. And if you ever need to talk about anything, you know you can always talk to me.”
“I know,” said Usagi, honestly, “Thank you.”
In the back of his mind, Azusa thought about the familiar blonde he had seen that was jumping across the skyline straight to Sunrise Mansion.
_
Things had been normal around Sunrise for a few days. There had been a few encounters. Namely, Usagi was pretty sure that Tsubaki, Yusuke, Kaname, and Fuuto were coming onto her. And she did not like it. Especially paired with the fact that Subaru was acting strange. She wasn’t sure if his strangeness was for the same reason or if he just hated her. Her only course of action was to invite Minako over and see if the Love Doctor herself could see if she sensed anything.
Ukyo had given her permission and so the blonde had come over for dinner that night after they were done studying. Minako had basically confirmed Usagi’s suspicions. Worse, she had mentioned that both Iori and Azusa were also interested. It seemed that the only brothers who weren’t after her were Louis, Masaomi, Ukyo, and of course Wataru.
Dinner had been slightly awkward. Tsubaki kept flirting with her, which lead Azusa to argue with his twin. Yusuke sulked silently, and Wataru, trying to diffuse the tension (but only adding to it) had started yammering on about how his friend at school had mentioned Sailor Moon had been seen earlier in the week.
“I love Sailor Moon,” said Wataru adoringly, “She’s so cool. When I grow up, I want to be just like her. She saves people, and she always defeats the bad guys.”
Usagi smiled indulgently, “Is that right?”
Wataru looked amazed, “Of course. She’s a superhero, onee-chan!”
“Natsume told me that his company is making a Sailor Moon video game,” offered Azusa.
“Really?” Wataru exclaimed, “Can we get it?”
“We’ll see, Wataru,” Masaomi replied.
“I would love a role in the voice acting for that game,” Tsubaki thought pensively.
Usagi idilly considered that Tsubaki sounded reasonably similar enough to Mamo-chan that he might be able to make him sound right.
The conversation continued until Usagi mentioned that both she and Minako were going to chat in her room for a while before Minako went back to her house.
“Iori is kind of hot, though, isn’t he? He reminds me of-” Minako stopped herself.
Usagi gave her friend a sympathetic look, “It’s okay to miss him, Mina.”
“I shouldn’t,” Minako disagreed, “After what he did to me. He betrayed me. He-” she took a deep breath. “You know my curse, Princess. I am destined to choose Duty over Love.”
“Minako, please. You know Mamo and I are trying to restore Kunzite and the rest.”
“For what?” Minako demanded through wet eyes, “They’re traitors to the Crown. Twice.”
“Oh Minako,” Usagi whispered as she held her friend.
“What if Kunzite was the only person for me?” whimpered Minako, “What if I’ll never have love again? All because I broke what was given to me.”
“You broke nothing, Minako. He broke your trust. He broke Mamo’s trust. He was poisoned by that witch. He didn’t mean what he did. He wasn’t in his right mind.”
Minako cried pitifully, “When I think about that day, I can still feel the sword pierce my chest. I remember, Usa. I remember what it felt like to be the last guardian, and I remember what it felt like to stop breathing, for my heart to stop. I remember what it felt like to die. I can’t forget that he murdered me.”
“I know,” Usagi whispered, as she remembered plunging her lover’s sword through her chest, “I know.”
She lent her friend a set of pajamas and tucked her into bed before heading towards Ukyo’s study. Luckily, he was heading into this room with a cup of hot tea and she stopped him then. “Um, Ukyo? Mina’s had a rough day. Do you mind if she stays over?”
Ukyo blinked, surprised that Usagi was asking permission from him, “I don’t see why not, as long as you both are up for school tomorrow and her parents are okay with it.”
Usagi smiled tightly, “Mina’s parents won’t notice she’s gone.”
Ukyo narrowed his eyes in concern, “Would you like to elaborate?”
Usagi paused, realizing she shouldn’t have said anything at all. “It’s not really my place to say but… the Ainos are really… how should I say this? They are trailer trash. Mean trailer trash.”
Ukyo blinked in shock. Mina was goofy enough, but she was well-mannered, and well-spoken aside from the terrible malapropisms.
Usagi frowned, “They don’t care about Mina very much. She used to stay with my family pretty often to get away from them.”
Ukyo nodded slowly, “Alright. She can stay, anytime she needs to, as long as you are both being responsible.”
“Thanks, Ukyo,” Usagi replied, and waved as she headed back towards her room.
Before she could get their she ran into Fuuto.
She groaned mentally. He was almost worse than Tsubaki. He was just as pushy, but at least he was often away working. Unfortunately, he was home for a few days before he would be back on tour.
“Hello, Onee-chan,” he spoke suggestively.
Usagi took a step to the side to get around him but he side-stepped.
“I missed you while I was away. Maybe we can make up for lost time? I’ve never seen inside of your room.”
Usagi forced a smile, “Sorry, Fuuto, but I’ve got school tomorrow and Mina is waiting for me.”
Fuuto paused and then leaned in, which made Usagi lean back.
“I’ll make you want me like I want you.” He moved his arms to rest on either side of his head but Usagi was far faster and shot down the hall, calling goodbye as she ran into her room.
_
Usagi hated parent teacher conferences. Mostly because when she was a terrible student her mother always seemed so disappointed in her when she left the meetings. Now that her grades were up it wasn’t a problem, but Usagi couldn’t help but still feel strange during the meetings. Especially since Kaname was the one who was standing in as her parent in this meeting.

“Thank you for taking care of my delinquent of a brother and my adorable little sister,” Kaname said.
Her teacher swooned.
“Why are the four of us in one meeting?” Yusuke demanded.
Kaname ignored him, and began to look at Usagi’s paperwork.
“I see you’ve selected the college Iori is going to next year as your first choice.”
“Yeah,” Usagi agreed.
“Is this because of Iori? If so, I’ll be heartbroken,” Kaname sighed dramatically.
Usagi smiled slightly, “No, Kaname. It’s where all of my friends are going or want to go.”
“It says you’re applying to the International Relations and Politics course. Do you have any idea what you want to do with that degree?”

Usagi laughed in her head. She was doing that course because as Queen she figured it would be important to have understandings of politics outside of absolutism. When both she and Mamo had been taught how to rule the universe was a very different place. Earth had been an absolute monarchy under King Terran and Queen Gaia with smaller monarchies representing each region and Queen Serenity had been a constitutional monarch of the Moon Kingdom and the Empress of the Silver Millennium for over a thousand years. Although it was a constitutional monarchy, the Moon Kingdom was under the complete control of Queen Serenity. No one had dared to defy any of her wishes. Neither of the living heirs had experience with ruling in today’s society where politics were a very different game.

“I would like to be an ambassador,” Usagi said, somewhat truthfully. After all, she would be ambassador to other planets as Queen of Crystal Earth, “And I think that this program would allow me a global understanding of international politics and government.”
Satisfied, Kaname began to needle Yusuke until he cracked and exclaimed he would go to University of Tokyo as well. Kaname looked bemused and told him he would need to pull his grades up in order to make that an option.
This had gone on for far long enough.
_
As she lay next to him in his bed, Usagi smiled. “Mamo-chan, I want her to come already.”
“We’ve got another four years, Usako,” he said warmly, and by then I’ll be part way through my residency and you’ll be graduating.”
Usagi sighed deeply, “I know but I miss her.”
“I do too,” Mamoru confessed, “I love her so much – she’s a product of you.”
Usagi smiled and cuddled into his side. Then she turned serious, “Mamo?”
“Yes, Usako?”
“I think you should meet my new brothers.”
Mamoru didn’t even flinch, “All right.”
“Do you want to come over for dinner? I just… I need to tell you something but I don't want you to get mad.”
“That sounds bad,” Mamoru said, and then he sat up. “What’s wrong?”
“I swear it’s nothing bad, it’s just something that needs to be addressed. Well, the Asahina brothers don’t know that I’m in a relationship.”
“Why would that make me mad? You’ve only moved in about two weeks ago.”
“Well, it wouldn’t but, a few of them have… well, they’ve made advances on me.”
Mamoru didn’t react for a few moments, “As in romantically?”
“…yes.”
“I see.”
“I swear I don’t feel anything back, Mamo-chan! And I don’t want to move Shingo out, he loves it there so much. But I feel... weird sometimes. I wish they would just see me as a sister, but some of them just don’t.”
“I understand. We can handle this, Usako.”
_
“And so, if it’s alright with you, I’d like to have him over sometime this week,” Usagi stated plainly.
Tsubaki was having a meltdown. “You can’t have a boyfriend! You’re too young for a boyfriend!”
Subaru had just gotten up and left the room, and Fuuto was scowling angrily. Yusuke was unsurprised. He’d seen her meet up with her boyfriend several times after school.
Usagi hesitated, “Mamo-chan’s not my boyfriend-” she began.
Tsubaki sighed in relief.
“He’s my fiancée. He proposed to me last year and I said yes.”
This time Masaomi was horrified. “You’re too young to get married!”
Usagi giggled, “We’re not getting married right away! We’re going to wait until I graduate.”
“That’s only a year and a half from now!” fumed Tsubaki.
“No, you numpty, I mean from University!”
That made him feel a little better.
_
Mamoru knew he was walking into a hostile situation but he was still surprised with the death glares he was receiving from several of Usagi’s step brothers.
“Usagi told me that there are thirteen Asahina brothers, yet there are only eleven here,” he said, trying to diffuse the tension.
Masaomi had come to deeply like Mamoru so far, and so he replied, “Hikaru and Natsume both live away.”
Iori was staring at Mamoru intently.
“You went to Moto-Azabu, didn’t you? I knew I had seen you somewhere before.”
“Ah, yes,” Mamoru replied, “Before I went to University.”
“What exactly do you study?” Yusuke asked while stabbing his food harshly.
Mamoru smiled, “I’m on the pre-med track, and I’ve already committed to going to University of Tokyo’s medical school when I graduate in two years.”
“What type of medicine?” asked Ukyo curiously. So far, Mamoru Chiba seemed like a good guy. Was he happy that his step-sister was engaged already? No. But she could do far worse than Chiba, who seemed to love her, and had his head on straight.
“I’d like to be a neurosurgeon,” Mamoru replied carefully.

Usagi squeezed his hand, knowing that this desire had stemmed from the fact that Mamoru had survived a car accident that had erased six years of his memory from his life.

Fuuto had spent most of the dinner insulting Mamoru subtly, and Azusa hadn’t said a single word as he ate his meat. Kaname was flirting with her right in front of Mamoru. Subaru hadn’t even bothered to do anything but glare angrily. Masaomi and Ukyo were trying to keep Tsubaki from being too annoying, but it wasn’t work well so far. Wataru was happy enough. He had been asking many questions about Mamoru’s internship at Juuban Second Hospital.

Finally, Usagi sent Mamoru off, kissing him silently. She knew they’d been seen when she heard an enraged shriek come from her step brother. “I’ll see you tomorrow, Mamo-chan.”
He whispered his, I love you and then set off towards his car to go home.
Usagi spun around in barely concealed rage. “Everyone, at the table. NOW.” She stormed down the stairs to the living room and fumed silently in her seat.
Masaomi, suspecting what was coming sent Wataru to play in his room.
Tsubaki shrunk away, having not seen his sister upset a single time since she had moved in.
“What the heck was that?” she cried, “Is there a specific reason that you guys were so mean to Mamo-chan?”
“He’s not good enough for you!” said Subaru finally, after hours of silence.
Usagi shrieked a little, “Who are you to decide that? We’ve barely shared words since I’ve moved in! No one here has the right to treat him badly!”
“But-” Fuuto began.
“No!” said Usagi forcefully, as tears began to pool in her eyes, “Mamoru and I have been together for almost four years. I love him. He loves me. We want to get married. He has my mother’s permission. It is done. He makes me happy, and he treats me like a Princess. He would never hurt me. I only asked for one thing!” she said, her voice hitching, “We’re supposed to be a family, and I only asked for one thing. All I asked is that you be kind to Mamo-chan. We will be together, forever. And if I have to move out of here and leave Shingo with you all to keep him happy and live with Mamo-chan then I will. Because if you all plan to treat him like this every time I want him around, I will not stay here.”

That sobered up both Fuuto and Tsubaki. Kaname felt a little guilty, but Usagi wasn’t done.
She turned to Fuuto, “You! Stop trying to corner me,” then to Tsubaki, “I am not a possession and you do not get to try to kiss me without my say on the matter!” then to Kaname, “You knew Mamo-chan and I were together and yet you flirted with me in front of him – and in front of my teacher at the school conference.” She let out a calming sigh. “I have someone I love. Please. I want us to be a family. Think about what this would do to our parents.”
Subaru and Azusa looked at each other guilty, while Iori just swallowed heavily.
Usagi went to her room.
_
She sighed. In only a week she would take her final set of practice exams of the school year and she would know if she had a shot at getting into University of Tokyo. Tonight however, she and Mamoru had finally figured out how to revive the Four Heavenly Kings. They were sitting in Mamoru’s apartment staring at the rocks pensively.

“Is this the right thing to do?” Mamoru questioned.
Usagi looked at him, “Does it feel right to you?”
“I think so,” Mamoru hesitated. “What if they don’t want to come back, Usako?”
Usagi smiled, “We both know that’s not true. Mina told me that Ami was crying the other day because she didn’t understand why no guys wanted to ask her out because she’s too smart. She intimidates them, you know. If Zoicite were here…”
“I know,” Mamoru agreed. “But will they want to take up their duty?”
Usagi looked at him in surprise, “Of course. Mamo-chan, they love you. You are their brother. They swore to protect you. You grew up together.”
Mamoru bit his lip somewhat nervously, “Okay. Let’s do it.”
The two joined hands, and between them glowed a light infused with both silver and gold. The stones between them started to radiate light. From them, souls began to form.”
“Go now,” Usagi said as her crescent moon glowed, “Join the body in which you were meant to have. Find your Prince. Kunzite, Jadeite, Nephrite, Zoicite.”
The glowing stopped, and the rocks were out the window and gone.
“Hopefully they will find us soon,” Usagi whispered.
“Hopefully,” Mamoru agreed.
_
Time was flying. Ikuko and Hinata had gotten married and were back off traveling within 48 hours. After some time and the conversation at dinner, things between Usagi and the brothers had improved. She could tell Tsubaki and Fuuto were still interested. Subaru had isolated himself and Yusuke was acting the same as always. Iori was still subtle, but Usagi knew he still had feelings as well.

“What do I write for your student number on the check for your school fees?” asked Ukyo.
Usagi looked at him in confusion.
“Your school fees?” Ukyo asked again, “Tuition?”
“Oh,” Usagi replied, “You don’t need to.”
“It’s quite alright, Usagi. It will be coming from our parents,” Ukyo replied with his pen ready on the check.
“No,” said Usagi, “That’s not what I mean. Headmaster Tomoe is a family friend and I babysit his daughter occasionally so he waives my fees. I go to Mugen for free.”
Ukyo rose his eyebrows in surprise. He knew exactly how much Mugen cost, after all, it cost about 20,000$ a year to send Yusuke with lunches after school activities, and uniforms included. Usagi, of course, wasn’t a financial burden, but Ukyo had been dreading writing out a check for 60,000$ on sheer principle. On top of Iori’s tuition (Subaru was on a full ride scholarship), and Wataru and Shingo’s elementary tuition, the beginning of the school year always meant several large checks left the family bank account. The Asahinas were a wealthy family, but as a lawyer, Ukyo knew exactly what 60,000$ could do for a poor family.
“Oh,” he replied, “I didn’t realize.” He signed the check, placed it in an envelope and handed it to Usagi. “Do you mind bringing this in? I’m not sure Yusuke is responsible enough.”
Usagi giggled and put the envelope into her school bag, “Okay, Kyo-nii. I’m leaving now. Ami promised to look over my homework before class.”

Fuuto had surprised them all by showing up in Mugen Academy’s signature red and green uniform on the first day of Usagi’s third year. Yusuke nearly beat his brother up because he was so annoyed that Fuuto would be at school with them.
“Is that your sister, Fuuto?” asked one of his fangirls who had caught Yusuke, Fuuto and Usagi arriving to school together.
Fuuto took the opportunity to hug her close and drape his arm around her shoulder, “That’s right ladies! This is my beautiful big sister – Usagi. She’s a third year but as you can see, I’m the taller one.”
Usagi internally sighed. Fuuto was driving her nuts but she dealt with it because it was just his personality.
“Tsukino-san, I can’t believe Fuuto is your brother. You’re so lucky!” squealed a girl with glasses.
Usagi laughed and hugged Fuuto closer, “Anytime you want to come look at baby pictures, just let me know!”
_
“So, how were the entrance exams?” Ukyo asked as Usagi collapsed onto the couch.
“I think I did pretty well today. I’ve been revising and revising. The last practice test I took I got a B+ and I’ve done lots of revision since then.” Usagi had partially transformed into her Princess form for the exam, knowing that when she did, she felt more confident, and had an easier time recalling the things she had studied in her previous life. It made the language, politics, and history sections easier. “I think I did very well in three of the sections – Civics, Geography and History, Foreign language.”
“Which language exam did you take?” Iori asked, “I took Korean and Chinese.”
Usagi frowned, “Minako is fluent in English, and Ami is fluent in German so they’ve been tutoring me in those. Mamo-chan has been helping me with French. So I took those three. I think it was fine.”
“What score do you need for University of Tokyo, exactly?” Masaomi asked.
Usagi sighed, “Solid A. I’m just worried about the questions in section 2 tomorrow. They were absolutely horrendous in the mock exam. It was all calculus, which is my worst area. I’m going to eat, study, and then go to bed.”
As she walked out of day two of the exam, Usagi died a little inside.
“I can’t wait for the scores to come out.”
“I can,” Usagi whined, “I know I screwed up on day 2.”
“I don’t think you did,” Rei said, “We talked about the questions you were unsure of afterwards and most of them that you guessed on, Ami and I wrote that answer too.”
“It’s not over yet,” Ami said, “University of Tokyo requires a separate exam from each department.”
Usagi groaned, “I know, but what if I don’t even make it that far?”
“Well, we’ll find out in about two weeks anyway, so stop worrying.”
All five girls were able to sit the University of Tokyo exam, after more revision and several more practice exams. Yusuke never made it to the second round.
_
At around 4:00am Usagi was violently awoken by her communicator.
She fumbled to open her bag at her bedside and pressed the button to accept the chat.
“There’s a youma in the park near northern Juuban!” Mina cried, “Artemis is going to contact everyone else. Come quick!”
Usagi cursed and looked out her window carefully to make sure no one could see her.
“Silver Moon Crystal Power, Make up!” she whisper yelled. She grabbed Luna and jumped out her window to the roof of the mansion before sprinting across the rest of the buildings in the area.
By the time she arrived on the scene, Sailor Jupiter was the only one there.
It cackled and sent ice bolts in Sailor Moon’s direction. She hopped out of the way, just in time for Sailor Mercury to arrive.
“Why does it always have to be the park?” Whine Sailor Venus as she landed swiftly.
“Youma don’t know how to have a good time,” Sailor Mars responded.
“What does your computer say, Mercury?” Sailor Moon demanded.
“It’s analyzing… what!”
“What?” Mars called back after shooting a large fireball at the ice creature.
“Well – This makes no sense.”
“Spit it out, Mercury!”
“These Youma have the same makeup as those of the Black Moon!”
Jupiter cursed and released a powerful attack at the same time that Tuxedo Mask sent a rose into the ice creature’s neck.
“Now, Sailor Moon!”
After the youma was defeated the group stared at each other in silence.
“How is this possible?” Mars demanded, “We defeated the Black Moon almost three years ago.”
“Maybe it’s a stray,” said Jupiter, “Maybe the droid has been inactivate this whole time and something triggered it.”
“It’s possible,” Venus agreed, “But I think that that would have been more likely of the youma from Mugen, since they were pre-created. And we’ve been at Mugen for a while – nothing out of the ordinary has happened there since the death busters.”
This whole time, Sailor Moon had been quiet, “Does this mean that Prince Diamond is back? That… Wiseman is back?”
Venus and Tuxedo Mask shared a look.
“I think we should discuss this tomorrow,” said Mercury, “Or, I guess later today. It’s almost sunrise, and we can’t be seen. It will cause panic if the public sees us after having been youma free for over a year.”
Sailor Moon nodded.
“Should we meet at the Shrine?”
Mars shook her head, “Grandpa has taken in loads of monks to train. There’s too much risk.”
“We can’t go to mine,” Venus said bitterly.
“I don’t have the space,” Jupiter said, “Especially since we need to contact the Outers.”
Mercury hesitated, “You know how my mother feels about having everyone over.” Ami’s mother did not care for Ami’s friends to be over after Usagi and Minako had accidently broken her favorite antique vase that had cost a small fortune.
“I guess that means that we’ll go to yours,” Venus said to Tuxedo Mask.
“Can’t,” he said, “I’m staying with Motoki while they finish renovating my apartment.”
Sailor Moon hesitated before replying, “I have the space… And the privacy as long as we stay in my area of the apartment. We’ve got to be careful though. After school, we’ll meet at Crown and go to mine.”
“Why not go to your old house?” Luna suggested.
“Mom’s sold the house,” Sailor Moon said, “We’ve only got one option. We need to have this meeting.” She turned to Mars, “Send a message to the Outers. 3:30 on the dot at Crown.”
_
As the group filed into the house Ukyo looked on in surprise. When Usagi had asked to have a few friends over, he had thought four or five at most, not ten.
“I made you guys some snacks,” he said, as he handed over the platters to Usagi, Minako, and Rei. “And I told the boys not to bother your study group. Did you want to use the library?”
“Er – no, thanks, Ukyo. We’ll just go to my room. We don’t want to bother anyone.”
Ukyo smiled and waved as they disappeared up the elevator and towards Usagi’s room.
As the group sat in a circle, Usagi was silent. This had been on her mind all day. She had been near sick thinking about the possibility that Prince Diamond had returned.
“So they’ve got to be back,” Haruka snarled, “That asshole!”
“We don’t know for sure,” Michiru pointed out, “At his point when he was attacking in the future he might have started attacking the past later and moved his way back.”
“What do you mean?” Makoto questioned.
Ami nodded, “That makes sense. What Michiru means is that when Diamond attacked the 30th century, he and the Black Moon may have sent droids to a few different times. Maybe they attacked this time first, and then moved to 3 years ago because we were weaker then.”
“It would be a smarter move on their part. They don’t know they’ve been defeated either way,” reasoned Mamoru.
“Which means that if we do see the Black Moon Clan, we can’t make them aware that they will lose,” Minako pointed out, “That could risk the present, the past, and the future.”
“You think we may see them?” squeaked Usagi as she began hyperventilating.
Minako and Mamoru shared a look again.
“Guys, I think it’s time for us to leave Usagi and Mamoru. Come on, let’s go.”
The girls hugged Usagi worriedly and filed out her door quietly so they wouldn’t disturb anyone.
Meanwhile, Usagi was openly weeping into Mamoru’s shirt. “I can’t do it again, Mamo-chan.”
“I know,” he whispered, “He won’t take you, I promise.”
“How can you promise me that?” Usagi loudly demanded, “You- he did terrible things to me!”
Mamoru wanted to cry himself, because he knew. Most of the girls didn’t know how truly terrible Diamond had been in the few hours that he had captured Usagi before. Only Minako, and presumably Setsuna truly knew. Mamoru hadn’t arrived fast enough, and Diamond had brutalized Usagi. She’d returned bruised and battered, and terrified. She’d been on the edge of 15 and this man had scarred her for life. At the time she had been brave because that was the only option she had, but now, thinking about seeing him again horrified her. She had taken some solace in knowing that he was dead. It was terrible, but it was true.
Usagi hugged Mamoru tighter and cried for a little while longer. “What if- He’ll know it’s me!” Usagi whispered, “My hair has been changing, Mamo-chan. It’s becoming white just like my mother’s did when she started using the Crystal.” She pulled up a chunk of silver hair mixed in with the blonde. “He’ll see me and he will know!”
“If I asked you to let the girls take care of this alone, would you consider it?”
Usagi glared, “Of course not. What if he tried to kidnap them again?”
Mamoru sighed pointing out, “He’s not going to attack them if he doesn’t see you. Maybe you not being present is what caused him to go further back.”
“But-But, if we defeat him now – I’m much stronger now, I know I can- maybe I- maybe he won’t-”
“Usako, you know it doesn’t work that way.”
“But why can’t it?” Usagi cried, “Why not?”
“This problem with the Black Moon is a circle. Remember what he said to you? That he couldn’t believe you had left the palace and you looked at him with such disgust that he-. She knows, just like you know, what will happen to Usagi 3 years ago. They experienced it.”
“I have to continue this cycle.”
Mamoru glowered unhappily, “Yes.”
Usagi sighed, “I know.”
_
Louis’s finger twitched, “Um, Usagi, I really like, want to cut your hair.”
Usagi frowned, “I like the length it is now, Louis.”
“I know, I know. I just want to give it a trim. Can I? It looks so healthy…” he trailed off while running his fingers across the smooth tresses. He frowned, pulling several hanks of silver hair “Did you dye it?”
Usagi raised a brow, “No. I’m just going prematurely grey.”
Louis looked skeptical, but he had a great time trimming her hair.
_
For the fourth time in the last week and a half, a droid had appeared in Juuban. And for the fourth time, Usagi didn’t leave her room during the attack. This time, several droids had hit in the North part of town and the girls had broken up into groups to defeat them before they could do damage to civilians and the city.
She sighed from her window, glancing over at Wataru who was having a great time reading some of her manga.
“Onee-chan, why do you look sad?”
“I’m just a little bored, I guess, Wataru.”
Before he could look offended, Usagi continued, “I love spending time with you, but I miss my friends and Mamo-chan. They’ve been very busy with other things recently.”
“Oh,” said Wataru, “I’m bored too, sometimes. Hey, want to go to the park?” he asked excitedly. “We can ask Masa-nii and Azusa-nii and-”
“Slow down, Wataru!” Usagi was worried. She knew there were youma attacking at this very moment. They were on the other side of town, far from the park though. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to bring Wataru to the park? The nearest one was only a five minute walk away. “Let’s ask Masaomi if we can go. It’s getting close to dinner time and we don’t want to make them wait for us.”
“Okay, okay,” Wataru agreed as he raced towards where he knew Masaomi would be, hollering the whole way about going to the park.
Masaomi agreed, and even said he would go as well. On their way out, Iori asked if he could join. The four headed towards the park with Wataru asking Iori a thousand questions about what he liked to do at the park when he was little.
Then he asked Usagi who smiled. “I liked the sandbox the best, Wataru. You can make anything you want in a sandbox.”
Wataru gasped, “I like sandboxes too!” He raced to the swings, “Push me, push me!”
Masaomi began to walk towards him before Wataru demanded that Usagi push him. He reminded her so much of Chibiusa that for a second, she felt a dull ache in her heart. She missed her daughter more than anything in the world.
She had been pushing Wataru for ten minutes on the swing when Iori reappeared from his walk by the water. Wataru ran to the jungle gym and was swinging across the monkey bars with practiced ease.
“The flowers will bloom soon. I found the perfect place to watch the cherry blossoms.”
“I love cherry blossoms,” Wataru said excitedly. He turned towards Usagi when something changed.
She had that feeling, like her hair was standing on end. Something, everything, was telling her that they were not alone. She whipped her head around, and even checked the sky but saw nothing. “We should go,” she said gravely, “Now.”
Masaomi knit his brows together, but seeing how shaken she looked her agreed. Wataru complained a little but was starting to get off the monkey bars when everything went south.
Usagi spun around and behind her, in the sky was the person she never wanted to see again.
Prince Diamond.
_
The way he smiled at her terrified her, as though he knew her, as though he thought she would smile at him back.
“I can’t believe it worked,” he said, “You haven’t shown to a battle in days, have you?” he asked, “So all I needed to do was figure out a way to make them so busy that there would be no one to watch you.”
“Who are you?” demanded Masomi as he tried to move closer to Wataru.
Diamond’s smile widened, “Why, my name is Prince Diamond, of the Black Moon Clan. I’m Serenity’s fiancé. Isn’t that right, my love?” He asked, looking at Usagi expectantly.
She hated that he remembered the first life. A thousand years ago, before she had met Endymion, her mother had started to negotiate a marriage contract with Nemesis that would have betrothed Diamond and Serenity. Serenity had no interest in Diamond, but had agreed knowing that without Nemesis as part of the Silver Millennium, they could become an enemy. No matter what she said, there would be a repercussion. She couldn’t afford for her step brothers to find out about her secret. It would put them in grave danger.
She settled for glaring at him, the way that she had done that day, “You’re crazy!”
It was a mistake as soon as she did it, because Diamond seemed to remember that look, the same look Neo-Queen Serenity had given him that had changed his life.
“Now, Serenity, you know that’s not true. Your mother signed the contract. A contract you broke, my love.”
Usagi glared, “You know nothing about my mother. Leave us. Now.” In that moment, her hair stood on end again and she knew by looking at Diamond he had a card up his sleeve.
Emerald! She grabbed Wataru viciously, holding the screaming boy in a chokehold.
Iori started to run towards her but was rammed to the ground with a groan by a droid that Diamond had summoned. Masaomi was rushing towards Iori and Wataru but she knew that nothing they would do would work against the Black Moon Clan.
In that moment she took a deep breath and pulled out her locket. There was only one way to solve this now.
“Let them go, Diamond, and return to Nemesis.”
“How about a wager, Princess? I will have Emerald release the brat and call off the droid if you come back to Nemesis with me.”
Usagi narrowed her eyes, “We both know that I will not go to that planet with you, Diamond.”
“In that case-” he began.
“Silver Moon Crystal Power, Make up!” she cried and in her place
“So that’s what you want to play?” Diamond sneered, “Fine!” he called to the droid, “Make him suffer!”
Sailor Moon called on her tier and faster than a blink of an eye slammed the droid into the nearby lake. Masaomi was only semi-conscious, his energy almost entirely depleted. “U-sa-gi?” he whispered.
Unfortunately, Iori was losing blood at a rapid pace. The grass around him was nearly covered in red. She needed to get Wataru back before she could do anything about Iori.
She turned her tier on Emerald, “I’ll ruin you if you hurt him. Do you understand me, hag?”
Emerald shrieked and threw Wataru to the ground. A sickening snap rang through the air and Sailor Moon guessed Wataru might have broken his leg in the fall. With all three brothers out of the direct hands of Emerald and Diamond, Sailor Moon raised her tier.
“You do not want to mess with me, right now!” Sailor Moon yelled, “How dare you invade this park when a child is trying to enjoy the monkey bars?”
Before Diamond or Emerald could respond, a flash of lightening struck, sending Emerald flying.
“The others have come!” she yelled.
Diamond turned to Sailor Moon.
“It’s time I make my exit. Until I see you next, Princess Serenity.”
And they were gone in a flash.
_
“Is he going to be okay?” Sailor Moon asked.
“I’m scanning for broken bones, now.”
She was holding the wound to Iori’s stomach hard. “It won’t stop bleeding.”
Masaomi had recovered with the destruction of the droid after Diamond and Emerald fled and was whipping out his phone to call an ambulance. Mars grabbed it to stop him.
“Mortals cannot heal the wounds inflicted by youma.”
“Where’s Saturn?” questioned Venus, “Surely she can heal him.”
“She’s not here. He’ll bleed out before we can her here.”
Sailor Moon looked up, “V-Babe take over. Mercury, Jupiter, bring Wataru here.”
Venus pressed her hands on the wound obediently and the others carefully moved Wataru closer to Iori.
Sailor Moon kneeled next to them. They were both looking at her in both confusion, terror, and wonder. She put her hands in front of her chest and in front of them materialized a lotus flower with a bright white light that was almost blinding to behold.
“Princess, you can’t!” exclaimed Mars, “You’ll deplete your energy if you heal them both right now.”
“I will be fine, Mars. And so will they.” She raised her crystal in front of her and the light grew brighter and brighter until in Sailor Moon’s place was Princess Serenity. “Moon Crystal Power!” The white light engulfed them all and in that moment, Iori swore he saw heaven.
_
“I guess I should explain.” Usagi said from her seat on the couch.
Masaomi just nodded. Wataru sat silently. He was still terrified, which Usagi understood. He might be traumatized for life after this event.
“In that case, we should get everyone else here. I know it would be unfair to ask you to keep this secret from the rest of your brothers.”
Fifteen minutes later, thirteen Asahinas, Shingo, and the detransformed scouts sat in the living room in an uncomfortable silence.
“I don’t really know where to start,” Usagi admitted, “Or what to say to explain myself and what happened tonight.”
She looked at Mamoru and the two of them looked at each other in silent agreement. “I can show you.”
She stood and told everyone to hold hands. Fuuto complained but a pinch from Iori shut him up fast.
When they opened their eyes, Yusuke screamed.
“Is that!”
“Where are we?”
“Everyone please be quiet,” Usagi said in a strong voice, with the blue tone of the earth in back of her. “We are on the Moon. We’re at my home. Please, follow me.”
Behind them were ruins of white stone and a massive pillar that was chipped and cracked.
“How has nobody found this place?” Ukyo asked in disbelief.
“There is powerful magic that keeps this place secret,” Ami replied.
Usagi took a deep breath and pulled out her Crystal once again.
Azusa gasped in amazement.
“One thousand years ago,” Usagi began, “There was life on every planet in the galaxy.”
They all watched as Queen Serenity prayed for a child, and how without a man she produced a beautiful baby, Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom. That child grew in the light, protected by warrior princesses of the surrounding planets, ever curious of the big blue planet in front of her. They watched her mother begin negotiations on Serenity’s fifteenth birthday with Prince Diamond, who Princess Serenity felt no affection for. And then they watched as the Princess snuck to Earth and met a young Prince – Prince Endymion of Earth, the High Prince of the planet. They watched the Princess sneak to Earth to see him, and they watched the two of the fall in love, much to the amusement of their respective guardians. They saw Venus and Kunzite, Mars and Jediete, Jupiter and Nephrite, and Mercury and Zoisite. They all became lovers. They watched as fifteen year old Princess Serenity and twenty year old Prince Endymion disappeared into a cherry blossom grove and were married by a young priest by the name of Helios. They watched as the young princess smoothed her lover’s hand over a prominent swell that was hidden under her empire waist dress.
Usagi checked on Wataru and noticed he was deeply asleep in Masaomi’s arms before continuing.
That was when everything turned black. They saw very little, but they could feel the fear as Serenity screamed for her lover who had taken an attack aimed for her. They saw the Senshi dead- Mercury decapitated; Jupiter drowned in the Sea of Serenity; and Mars with an arrow through her chest. They watched as Princess Serenity tried to shake her lover alive after he breathed his last breath. They saw her cry out in pain as blood began to stain the white dress she wore between her legs. She hunched over in pain as the wicked witch cackled. All they could hear was Serenity’s traumatized screaming as she miscarried her baby and watched the destruction around her. Venus impaled Queen Beryl with the Holy Sword and was then immediately struck herself by Kunzite, dropping the sword in front of her Princess as she crumpled to the ground. Her lover, and their child, her friends, her kingdom – all gone in a single fell swoop. In desperation, she picked up the Holy Sword, and she plunged it straight through her chest, blood from both her womb and her wound pooled around she and the Prince as Queen Serenity wept, and sealed away the evil, sending her daughter and her court to a new time and a new place.
When the images stopped Kaname was in tears. Ukyo was hunched over his own sick and Hikaru was staring blankly at the ground. Fuuto was on the ground in a ball and the triplets were huddled together in horror. The rest were so stunned they couldn’t think at all. Mamoru held Usagi who was crying softly.
“I’m so sorry,” Iori cried, “So sorry for your loss.”
Their baby. “We were going to name her Serena,” whispered Usagi, “She was going to have my hair and Dymion’s eyes. She was going to be perfect, and I never even got to hold her in my own arms.”
Setsuna took over, changing into Sailor Pluto and ushering the group through a portal back to their living room before telling them about the enemies that they had faced in this time, and how Prince Diamond was attacking here before giving up to attack further in the past.
“We have to protect her,” Louis cried.
“Yes,” the triplets agreed.
“We will make sure she isn’t alone,” Masaomi continued.
“I’ll walk her to and from school,” Yusuke said.
“And Iori and I’ll make sure she gets back at night safely,” Subaru continued.
“I’ll hire security,” Hikaru growled, “And we’re adding extra safety measures in and around the house. How soon before he finds out where she lives?”
Ukyo nodded in agreement.
“We’re all in danger,” said Usagi, who had been silent in her grief for over an hour. “Diamond is…” She looked at Minako who nodded encouragingly.
“He is more than obsessed with me. He’s come to the past specifically to take me to the future. He’s successful only once, that I know of.”
“What do you mean?” asked Ukyo in horror, “He took you?”
Usagi hesitated, “3 years ago he kidnapped me in the future and forced me to Nemesis. He pulled the planet out of orbit and it meant that Mamo-chan was delayed trying to rescue me. I can’t use my powers well on Nemesis, you see,” Usagi said in a strained voice, “There’s so much dark energy that it makes me so ill I can barely stay conscious.” She paused and then whispered, “Diamond used that to his advantage.”
She barely heard her step-brothers shouting before Minako demanded they be quiet for her sake.
“I think it’s time for us all to get some rest,” Masaomi said with finality.
Setsuna nodded in agreement, “It’s almost dawn. We should all return to our homes.”
_
The mood was gloomy in Sunrise Mansion.
Usagi sat at the kitchen table staring into her breakfast without touching it. Every time she remembered the past it hurt. She’d been doing it pieces, trying to separate her emotions of the time with her memories. Showing it yesterday had made it so real. Her hand fell to her belly, and tightened around the fabric that covered her flat stomach. She could still feel the sharp pain that had radiated from her womb that night.
“Do you feel sick?” asked Fuuto, probably in the kindest voice she had heard from him.
She shook her head, as one of her tears fell onto the table.
“It hurts,” she whispered.
Azusa and Tsubaki leaned towards her in concern when she continued.
“Losing a child hurts.”
“Maybe you should stay home today,” said Ukyo, “I’ll call the school and tell them you’re sick.”
Usagi nodded without argument, and left to her room without another word.
Wataru had followed her, and although he didn’t fully understand why she was upset, as he’d fallen asleep before he could see the true tragedy that had befallen his step-sister, he cuddled next to her as she slept.
_
Usagi yanked a little harder on Mamoru’s arm.
“Usako, the results are posted in three hours and we’ve still got to get there.”
“But I’m nervous,” Usagi complained.
Mamoru gave her an exasperated look.
“Please?” she begged, “This will relax me!”
“We still have to go get the girls from Rei’s,” Mamoru countered. “To make it on time we need to leave in half an hour.”
“It will only take like twenty minutes.”
Mamoru scowled, “That’s insulting. It took five last time.”
“See! We have time!”
Mamoru sighed, realizing he had been played.
“Okay, okay. Lean back.”
Usagi, excited, scooted back on her bed as she felt Mamoru flip her school skirt up and pull her underwear down.
Although the two had both an active and adventurous sex life, moving into Sunrise Mansion had cut down on their activities severely, and Usagi missed the feeling of closeness that she and Mamoru shared.
His tongue was her favorite thing. He was very talented, both in this life and the last, Usagi had deeply enjoyed the way he made her feel. Although Mamoru was a very generous lover, he reserved this particular act for special times only – mainly because Usagi begged him to do it constantly.
He pulled her legs under her arms and around his head and in only a moment Usagi was already arching her back. His finger was rubbing her gently and his tongue was already fully inside and she just –
“Mamo-chan,” she whimpered, threading her fingers into his hair and clutching her bed post with her other hand.
Only a few minutes later, she bucked up her hips and felt liquid run from her thighs.
They kissed for a while after.
_
Yusuke sat in the back seat of the car while Usagi and Mamoru held hands in the front. They were on their way to the Temple where they would put two more people in Mamoru’s car and two into Haruka’s car.
In only an hour they would find out if they had all successfully gotten into University of Tokyo.
Yusuke was hopeful but knew he wasn’t going to get in. Usagi was a lot calmer in the front seat than she had been this morning at breakfast.
Minako and Rei hopped into Mamoru’s car and Ami and Makoto filed into Haruka’s. Thirty minutes later they were parking at University of Tokyo and Usagi was nervous again.
“What happens if I don’t get in Mamo-chan? I don’t want to do another year of studying for entrance exams!”
“It’s going to be fine Usako.”
“But-”
“Usako, if you don’t get in here, you could get into any number of safety schools you applied to, and then if you still need to come here, you can transfer.”
That placated her enough but Yusuke felt his heart sink a little further. In all his bravado, he hadn’t bothered to apply to a safety school. All he could focus on was going to school with Usagi.
They ran up to the boards, which were being put up, and Yusuke jumped in excitement – “Usagi, you got in! There’s your number!” Sure enough, her number was on the board and Yusuke hugged her tightly, followed by Mamoru.
Yusuke didn’t get in.
_
There were few things Usagi knew to be true but this was one of those things. The timing was not right.
Her period was late. She hadn’t missed a dose of her birth control since she started, and she and Mamoru always used condoms. But her period was late. She’d written off the first two late periods to revision for entrance exams, but three?
She had confided nervously to Luna who had insisted she tell Mamoru.
“But shouldn’t I ask Ami? Maybe-”
“What if you are pregnant, Usagi?” demanded Luna, “And you find out without Mamoru. How would you feel about that?”
Usagi frowned and realized Luna was right. “What do I do? Should I tell him to come to me or go there?”
Luna looked at her with a ‘seriously?’ expression.
“Okay, you’re right. I’ll go to him. I’ll text him now.”
She sent him a quick text telling him she was coming over for something urgent but that she was fine. He responded almost immediately.
The twenty minute walk to Mamoru’s felt like it took an hour. Finally she was outside of his door and using her spare key to walk right in.
“Hello, my love,” came Mamoru’s voice from the kitchen.
“Mamo-chan!” she greeted and hugged him tightly, “Okay, so I’m not going to beat around the bush. My period is late. For the third time. Luna thinks I’m pregnant.”
Mamoru just blinked, “Third time?”
Usagi sighed, “I thought it was just stress from exams. I’ve never been regular, so I didn’t think anything of it.”
“And you had that stomach flu about a month and a half ago didn’t you?” Mamoru thought consciously. He put the bowl he had been eating out of down, “Should we go buy a pregnancy test?”
Usagi nodded, “There’s a convenience store nearby that should have them.”
The walk there was both nerve racking and filled with tension. They found the test, paid for it, and were out the door in only a few minutes. When they were back to the apartment, Usagi started drinking the orange juice she had bought.
While they waited for her to build up fluid they talked.
“What happens if it’s positive?” Usagi asked, “Is it Chibiusa? Just early?”
Mamoru looked at her thoughtfully, “Perhaps. Although, are we sure she’s early?”
“What do you mean?”
“King Endymion said the you finished your schooling, had Chibiusa and then became Queen. We assumed that you would be 22 because of university.”
“So you think this might be what was supposed to happen,” Usagi said.
Mamoru sighed, “I don’t know. Do you?”
“I don’t know either. I’m worried that the timing is wrong.”
Mamoru hugged Usagi close, “If we called Pluto would that make you feel any better?”
“She probably won’t answer any questions we ask.”
“No, she probably won’t. But if the test is positive, there’s no harm in asking.”
They sat in comfortable silence for another fifteen minutes before Usagi announced that she had to pee. Mamoru waited anxiously as he heard Usagi flush and wash her hands. She walked out of the bathroom with the stick in her hand and bit her lip nervously before setting it down on the kitchen counter.
“How long until we know?” Mamoru asked.
“It says 5 minutes on the box,” Usagi replied.
The two sat on the couch anxiously.
“If it’s positive and it’s not Chibiusa I’ll love him or her anyway,” Usagi declared, “Just like I loved our other baby, from before.”
“Me too,” Mamoru agreed, “I’ll be happy no matter what. If now is the right time, it’s the right time. If we wait a little longer, that’s okay too.”
“I just feel like I’m hurting your career,” Usagi whispered.
Mamoru kissed her forehead, “Usako, we have the girls, the Heavenly Kings and an army of step-brothers all ready to help us through this. Your oldest brothers have a lot of experience with caregiving. It will be fine.”
“I know,” Usagi responded, “I just wish my mother was here.” She paused, “I wish both of my mothers were here.”
The timer Usagi had set on her phone went off and Usagi and Mamoru nearly jumped over themselves to get to the stick.
“I can’t look,” Usagi said suddenly, “You do it.”
Mamoru picked up the test and looked up at Usagi with a wide smile.
“Usako, we’re going to be parents.”
They cried.
_
“Usa-nee, Usa-nee, Usa-nee,” hollered Wataru as he slid into the dining room.
“What’s up, Wataru?” Usagi asked as her little brother jumped excitedly and tugged on her shirt.
“The Sailor Moon café is opening tomorrow. Can we please go? Please? Pretty please?”
Usagi laughed, “I’m not sure that’s a good idea, bud. What if someone recognizes me?”
“They won’t,” Wataru insisted, “If you wear a disguise!”
_
Sakura season had finally arrived and the Asahina household was finally ready to go see the trees in full bloom. They had a picnic of food packed, and several large blankets ready to sit outdoors. The boys would all meet them there, as Usagi and her friends would be coming from the temple.
Natsume was shocked when he finally saw his step sister arrive. She wore a white based kimono with gold thread embroidery of flowers. Underneath he saw a hint of a pink nagajuban. Her Obi was silver with a pink obiage and a silver obijime with pink stones on it. Her hair had been tied into four buns and was prominently silver-white today.

_
Wataru was especially fascinated by Usagi’s pregnancy. As the youngest Asahina brother he had never seen his mother pregnant and was constantly asking questions about his niece.
Questions like ‘What happens when she has to go to the bathroom?’ and ‘Can she hear me?’ poured out of him at lightening speed. Usagi had laughed hysterically when Wataru had finally asked her if he could bring her in for show and tell to his elementary class.
Masaomi had been horrified, “Wataru! She’s your sister not an item for show and tell!”
Wataru had been genuinely confused, explaining that he wanted everyone to see the baby.
Usagi had agreed to go anyway, which is how she had a bunch of ten year olds huddled around her with their hands at her belly, fascinated by the baby kicking.
Usagi had returned that day and had immediately knocked out on the couch after telling Kaname she felt like a chia pet.