World Shaking: Chapter 5 Disclaimer: I do not claim ownership of Sailor Moon or anything that comprises it. This is a non-profit story written solely for my own enjoyment and that of anyone who wishes to read it. The story and original characters are mine. Please don't use them without permission. *** World Shaking - A Sailor Moon Fan-Fiction by Nutzoide - Chapter 5: Happiness is... When Children Wish to be Heard Tokyo seemed not to have been the best place to live over the last few weeks. No matter how the 'Parents Club' might have loved the capital that they lived in - and it wasn't all that much in a few cases - there was a worrying consensus among them that Tokyo had taken a turn for the worse in recent times. Tsukino Genji was convinced it was an overstatement, but even he - who possessed a rare, joyous optimism about his job, his neighbourhood and the public services that saw him from one to the other - had to admit that the last few weeks of Tokyo news reports had been worrying. While Aino Yokozuki and Mizuno Katsura agreed that this worrying trend had been going for years in one way or another, it was the last seven months that had finally shaken Genji's nerves. Until that point, no matter how destructive or dangerous any event might have been, the powers that protected Japan had emerged triumphant. Gang crime had been brought to an all time low, the police had been visible and efficient, and the Sailor Senshi had not only been proved to exist but had saved Tokyo from all manner of unnatural threats. Then, seven months ago, half of the Sailor Senshi had been struck down by a single enemy, and Japan's confidence had been shattered. And just to bring it closer to home, almost all of Usagi's closest friends had been caught in the crossfire. No-one had known that the Senshi would survive and re-appear, and with them the lost women who had vanished alongside them. It had been a terrible blow to all of Japan, but every one of the other parents sitting with him in the Hikawa Shrine's living quarters had lost someone at that time. Genji and his wife had been distraught on behalf of their daughter, but they had been the lucky ones. But, while both the Sailor Senshi and their children had returned safe and sound, Genji could see that while the national mood had been lifted again, it had only signalled the start of a subtle downward spiralling of Tokyo's fortunes. With the Senshi missing tourism had been hit badly in the city as people feared that those guardians who remained would not be strong enough to deal with any second battle. Tokyoites had come to recognise that the Senshi's battles came in sequence, and everyone had feared the second fight to come. That fight had never materialised, but the damage had been done. Similarly, individual petty crime had risen in their absence, and the police had been stretched to bring it back under control even after the Senshi had returned. Then they had barely been given time to celebrate before more demons came to prey on the city. Now a second attack from such creatures had been put down just outside the city limits, and at a time when gang crime seemed to be back on the rise. On the back of Mita Lili's baffling disappearance from a crowded amusement park a prominent businessman, one Mochizuki Ryuuji, had vanished while on the Tokyo subway system. The police knew he had used his card enter the subway station by his workplace, but it had not been used since. The man had apparently disappeared while underground, and one again no body or suicide note had been found. The two disappearances had nothing in common at all beyond their baffling nature, but that seemed to be enough for the press to link them. Genji didn't think it sounded that implausible that the two might be connected either. No-one else had any ideas. "For all we know they might be behind the jewellery store break-in as well," he guessed. "If they can spirit away two people as easily as that they are probably organised enough to need financing." "Oh, honestly Gen-chan," his wife said with a sigh, putting her teacup back on the table. "You might as well say they were summoning the demons that have been popping up recently as well. Even Aino-san wouldn't go that far, right Aino-san?" Yokozuki didn't seem all that amused, but he nodded. "Yes. That would be unlikely. But if there is a 'they', then they must have a motive. Beyond drawing people to them, what do they have to gain? They haven't asked for a ransom, or reward." Genji just shrugged. "I don't know. You're the conspiracy expert, Yokozuki-san." The pair were interrupted by Katsura, who surprised Genji with an authoritative look that reminded him of his dreaded mother-in-law. "Please, both of you. You have no proof of any of this, and you will just work us all up for no good reason. I am as worried for my daughter as you are for yours, but there is no 'conspiracy' here. By your logic we are just as likely to be victims as our children our!" "True enough," Yokozuki admitted. "But I will be glad when Minako's stage run is over and she won't have to travel home at night." Grandpa Hino seemed wholly undisturbed by the conversation. "It isn't Minako I would be worried about," he chuckled. "Those poor yakuza." Genji forced himself to keep a straight face while Yokozuki and Kikon glared at him. "Just what are you saying about our daughter, Hino-san?" *** Makoto had never been told not to make a cake before. There was plenty she could be doing before her friends arrived, of course. The amount of dusting that she *hadn't* done this week was shocking, and she had been neglecting to put away or bin her mail for a while. None of them were bills this time, so they did not dampen her high spirits in the least, but sorting that lot out kept her mind off cake mix and icing for a good few minutes. Getting her apartment in order also made her feel a little less guilty about requesting the day off work. Matsubashi at the noodle shop had already allowed her to recoup her time in Seiji as holiday, so she had none of that left to use, but her laid back boss had let her take the day off all the same. She could afford to lose one day's pay when almost everyone would be able to do the same that day. Her flat was always cramped when she did manage to host for everyone else, but she possessed a certain vanity in making sure that when those times came her home was as ready as possible to receive her guests. There was the usual cleaning, but furniture had to be rearranged to get so many people into the small living room and her pride had her pushing the settee and chairs around for twenty minutes before she was satisfied. After that she had to make *herself* presentable with a quick shower - She couldn't greet her guests wearing her dusty cleaning overalls - but before that she put the two trays of biscuits she had prepared the night before into the oven. Hey, they weren't cake, so they didn't count. Right? She just didn't feel comfortable having people over without the smell of baking emanating from the kitchen. She had invited everyone to arrive at whatever time they wished, since so many of them had also been available during the day. Rei would be at the shrine all morning, but beyond saying they would be free for lunch the others had mentioned little in the way of plans beforehand, or ETAs. As such Makoto had expected to have the morning mostly to herself to tidy and prepare, but the invasion descended almost as soon as she had finished in the shower. Makoto answered the door with her hair still in a towel, and stepped back as she was greeted not by one or two, but five smiling faces. In fact Usagi's beaming grin was almost electric as she thrust a large white box in Makoto's direction, wrapped in a pink ribbon. "Happy Birthday Mako-chan! Cake! I made it!" Ami, Haruka, Michiru and Mamoru all echoed Usagi's premature birthday celebrations, and rather than end up buried in boxes and bottles Makoto ushered the motley troop inside before the neighbours came to join in. Not that she would have minded, but her apartment would be cramped enough as it was. "I hope you don't mind that we both brought bottles," Mamoru apologised as they filled her living room table with comestibles. "It seems Haruka-san and I have something in common after all." Haruka also looked somewhat embarrassed by it, in a grumpy way. "I knew I should have brought a table wine." Makoto just laughed, glad to have the company so early. "It's fine. I'm sure they won't last past today with everyone here." Then she noted the overlarge shirt that Haruka wore. "Though you are off the booze now, aren't you?" Haruka remained grumpy in a way that Makoto thought made her look strangely cute for such a suave tomboy. "Yes, I'm not drinking, and I have had the lecture already thanks. Twice, in fact. It doesn't mean I can't bring wine." Both Usagi and Ami had the decency to blush and find something to fuss over on the table, while Michiru just giggled and Haruka plopped down into the comfortable chair that now sat by the table instead of the back window. Makoto was hard put to bite her tongue about how fantastic she thought Haruka looked. This was the first time she had come and socialised with everyone for almost a month, and since then she had gone from her normal trim self to being noticeably pregnant now. The small softball bump that she had hated (Ami had mentioned something of that to her when they had last got together) was now a much more 'normal' outward curve that became evident as soon as she sat down. In fact, Makoto suspected that she had put on a fair bit of weight apart from her bump, as it had seemed to have softened her jaw line as well as whatever else the baggy shirt and trousers hid. Ami had given her strict instruction not to mention Haruka's appearance though. It was still a sensitive point apparently. Instead Makoto just smiled to herself and let Haruka collapse in the chair. "So, what's in the box?" She moved to take off the lid, but her hands were caught by Usagi. "Naughty Mako-chan. It's not time for cake yet!" "Not time for cake? Who are you and what have you done with my Usagi-chan?" Usagi was not moved though. "I want to show it off to *everyone*! And you always made me wait for cake in our study group! Aha, you see? I have my revenge!" Michiru had settled herself on one of the cushions around the table and shook her head. "She skipped school and descended on my kitchen at half past eight this morning for it as well. I didn't even think she knew such a time of day existed." "But," she added, before Usagi had time to protest, "we have plenty of provisions, as well as lunch. You are officially off the clock, Makoto-chan." Makoto thought about the biscuits she had in the oven already, and wondered just how much trouble she would be in when she went to fetch them now. And just as she did so, the kitchen timer started to bleat. Ami burst in a fit of giggles as suddenly all eyes were focused on a very sheepish looking Makoto. Honestly, the timing couldn't have been worse. "Well," she said, trying to laugh it off, "I had to prepare something, didn't I? And I thought you said you had the day of, Usagi- chan! You're skipping your lectures?!" Usagi gave Makoto a firm look and nodded. "Priorities, Mako-chan. Now sit down." Makoto, not knowing how else to react, did so. "Relax." Makoto blinked. Twice. "And I'll get the kitchen," Usagi finished, leaping to her feet and hurtling into the kitchen before Makoto could get a word out. "Don't worry," Mamoru reassured her from opposite the table. "We have all made her promise to be on her best behaviour." That helped, but it didn't completely remove the doubt that nagged in the back of her mind. "Yes, but will that save my kitchen?" "She's not a threat any more, Makoto-chan," Michiru replied. "I haven't had to supervise her for a little while now." However, Michiru's reassurance was cut down when Usagi screamed, and she, Makoto and Mamoru all bolted for the kitchen. Usagi stood panting against the counter top while Setsuna stood at the open oven, a mitt and a tray of biscuits in each hand, looking surprised at having caused such a scene. "I thought I would let myself in, since they were ready." "Setsuna-san, you almost scared the *life* out of me! Really! Is my hair turning white?" Haruka and Ami came up at the rear of the group, and Haruka sighed. "So, you never appear on your own birthdays, but you can turn up at Mako-chan's party unannounced?" "I do have an invitation, Haruka-kun. Now, where do you keep your cooling trays Makoto-chan, or shall I bring them straight through?" *** Rei arrived just in time for lunch, as she had said she would, but even before she had got the chance to wish her girlfriend a happy birthday her mothering instinct had taken over and her foot had wedged itself firmly in her mouth. "Haruka-san your tummy! That's so great!" Makoto, Michiru, Ami and Mamoru all found their palms reaching their foreheads in exasperation, while Usagi instantly nodded, pulling Rei down to where she had Makoto trapped. "I know, doesn't she look great?! But she won't let me touch it, stingy!" For her part Haruka just glared from the comfortable chair she had claimed, and rearranged her shirt so that it clung to her stomach less obviously. "Thank you for noticing girls. When I'm finally overwhelmed by the urge to be groped about the midsection I'll know who to come to." "Now now, Haruka, be nice," Michiru chided gently from Haruka's side of the table. "It's a compliment." Haruka rolled her eyes and the grumpy glare vanished. "I know. I know. Being bloated is such a wonderful thing, don't mind me, dear." At the table Rei blushed and looked down at the plate that Setsuna offered her, after having let her in in Makoto's place. "Sorry Mako. I know you said, but I... forgot. Umm, happy birthday." She picked a small wrapped box out of her purse and passed it across, and Usagi's eyes tracked it every inch of the way. "Ooooh, presents. Mamo-chan, where did we put ours?" Next to her Mamoru sipped on his glass of lunchtime wine and completely failed to get them. "Weren't you going to wait until Mina- chan got here, Usa-ko? I think Rei-chan is allowed priority in this case." Usagi 'umm'ed for a moment before deciding she agreed with him, and with that she went back to peering across at the box. "Well, go on Mako-chan. Open it!" "Well, if you insist." The necklace inside was simple and delicate - and small, closer to a choker than a hanging necklace - but Rei had thought it would look nicer around Makoto's neck than any of the sales girls she had bought it from. And when Makoto put it on she was proved right. It may have been modest, but it was a very elegant accessory. "I know it's not like the one we saw in Osa-P, but I thought you'd like it." The others seemed to think so too, and Rei was glad to see Makoto smile under all the attention. "Thanks, Rei." And then, bold as brass, Makoto leaned over and kissed her. In front of their friends! True, she was bright red when it was done, but then so was Rei after that! Progress! From her chair Haruka took a glass and the bottle of wine they had opened for the meal. Since she wasn't allowed to drink she had taken it upon herself to see that everyone else was well watered. "Ami, could you pass that to Rei-chan? She doesn't have a glass in front of her." "And Minako-chan did say she would be late," Ami said, noting that everyone else was present. "Don't you think you've made Mako-chan wait long enough, Usagi-chan?" She looked towards the cake box, and Usagi leapt to attention. "Right!" With amazing care and skill from someone with her lacklustre reflexes Usagi managed to extricate the two layer chocolate cake from the box. It was not fancy, at least by Makoto's standards, Rei thought, but as one of Usagi's confections it looked very tasty. And, impressively, twenty one candles sat clustered on top in kanji that spelt out the same number. "Mamo-chan, can you help me light them?" She then turned to Makoto with a cheeky grin. "I bet you can't blow them all out together." While she was right Makoto gave it a good try, and Rei was impressed to discover that the cake was every bit as appetising as it looked. Michiru was evidently a very good teacher. *** It was well into the afternoon when Minako arrived. She looked like death, but then the first run of her play was closing that week, and the months of late evening performances had been taking their toll for a while now. She'd probably slept until midday at least, and happily accepted a plate of left over lunch for her breakfast. "Thanks, Mako-chan," she said, as energetic as she could manage. "Sorry I couldn't come earlier, but Happy Birthday!" "Thanks Mina-chan. I'm glad you could come." "Hee hee, me too! And cake for breakfast as well! Lucky!" *** Haruka had felt guilty enough to apologise for her mood before she had left Makoto's place that day. She had every right to be irritable, but then she also realised that she might not have attracted quite as much attention if she'd had her head on straight and spent a bit more time with the other girls over the last month. They *were* girls after all, and it was their prerogative to get excited. To be fair, Haruka was finally feeling a little of that excitement herself. She had been telling the truth when she'd admitted that she had wanted children to Makoto, and she was now reclaiming some of that early anticipation. The whole thing had just been thrust upon her so suddenly, and she had not been the least bit prepared for the rollercoaster that had followed, both physical and emotional. Now, though, she seemed to have found a stable middle ground. She couldn't hide herself any more, and that had forced her to accept that her self image would have to change. And it wasn't that bad. True, the doting had long worn thin already, but it gave her licence to give her overactive emotions a longer leash, and while she felt little desire to flirt right now the baby had a comparable effect on the girls' composures. As long as she was willing to put up with the fawning that followed, that is. It may also have had something to do with being able to feel it move, as well. She had been disappointed to realise no-one else would be able to yet, but every now and then she would feel a little fluttering from inside her abdomen. It was something she could at last recognise as her baby and not just something inert and foreign that was happening to her, and it made up for the stress and panic that the kid had put her through already. Mostly, anyway. Haruka had a second reason to be taciturn that day though. Now, in the pocket of her winter jacket, she held the business card that Ami had given her a fortnight before. At first Haruka had been furious that Ami had confronted the reporter without her knowledge, but mostly because it had brought up a problem that she had already dismissed as a non-issue. If Haruka's adopted sister was that intent on tracking her down then it would happen one way or the other, and if it turned bad - as Haruka expected it to - then it would only get worse if the media got involved. Better to have the meeting then, and decide afterwards if getting Karasuro-san and his magazine involved was either wise or worthwhile. Haruka's e-mail to the girl said that she would see her by at the fountain in Juuban park on December 7th - two days after Makoto's birthday - and that they should meet without bringing anyone else along. While she would have liked to take Michiru or Ami for moral support she didn't want them getting tied up in her family issues, and she still did not know what this sister of hers intended to get out of the meeting. Tenoh Maki had replied the same day with a condition of her own. Haruka was not to tell their parents that they had met. Maki would be skipping school to come to Juuban earlier than suggested, and she gave the impression that their parents didn't want her asking about Haruka in the first place. But maybe wanting to meet Haruka against their parents' wishes was a good sign. *** Sitting by the side of the fountain, her hair in a yellow ribbon as she had said it would be, Tenoh Maki looked much as Haruka had expected. When Haruka had first learned she had an adopted sister, three years ago, she could only think that her parents would have chosen a girl as different from Haruka as they could. A traditional Japanese girl, who would not grow up to make the same gamut of 'mistakes' Haruka had. Maki did look exactly like the traditional Japanese girl as depicted in so many television dramas. Sixteen or seventeen years old probably, with straight black hair that fell down her back to a modest length, and neither too tall or too short. Her plain, heavy coat might have been worn by any typical high schooler, and she wore a pleated skirt even though she was not going to school and the wind had turned cold over the last few weeks. Her one concession to individuality was the yellow ribbon, which captured a lock of hair that fell past her right temple rather than tying it all back. She did at least look confident and composed, Haruka thought as she approached to make herself known. And the girl was fairly pretty, in a serious sort of way. The type of girl that Haruka would have liked to fluster, not that she could manage it these days. Maki saw her before Haruka got to the fountain, and the girl leapt to her feet and gave a short bow before introducing herself. "Tenoh-san, I am pleased to meet you, at last. I am Tenoh Maki." At least she didn't ask to call me 'Onee-sama', Haruka thought, but she kept her face blank. That had been a very formal greeting. "Tenoh-san," Haruka echoed in a rather cold greeting of her own. "What can I do for you?" As expected Maki's eyes darted to Haruka's stomach, barely showing beneath her coat, before she looked her in the eyes. "Umm, should we... take a seat?" That annoyed Haruka slightly, but at least the girl's formality slipped to reveal a real, slightly nervous person underneath. Haruka did have the upper hand in composure after all, and she wanted to keep it that way. "Let's." However, rather than going to a bench Haruka sat on the edge of the fountain, and nodded for Maki to do the same. "I've wanted to meet you for a while," Maki finally said when it was clear Haruka wasn't going to be the one to start, and she looked a little awkward behind her serious, honest expression. "I mean, you're a celebrity, and your... girlfriend... is even more famous. I suppose you get this a lot." "Not from people I'm related to," Haruka replied, testing the waters. Maki nodded and looked away. "No, I guess not. I hope I'm not intruding, but there seems to be so much going on in your life now, and I was afraid that if I didn't try to introduce myself now then I would never get the chance." Hmm, that was interesting. Haruka pulled Karasuro Jin's business card out of her pocket and handed it over. Maki started to accept it thinking it was Haruka's until she noticed the notes scrawled on it. "To be blunt," Haruka said, "I think you *have* been intruding, but that might not necessarily be your fault." Maki accepted the criticism without a flinch. "... I read his magazine. It's the only way I can find out who my sister is. I was hoping he might help me get in contact with you. That's how I got your address, but he never called again about seeing you." That softened Haruka's shell a little. If the girl had an agenda then she was a very good actor. "Well it worked, though not in the way he hoped." She tried to put a twinkle in her eye, to lighten the mood. "So, am I everything you'd hoped for?" Maki blinked, confused, before smiling. That was better. "I don't know what I hoped for. I used to think people were just teasing me about us having the same surname. Then I found out you really *are* my sister. Sort of, I mean. But Mum and Dad never used to talk about you, until after I found out." Naturally. "That sounds about right." "Is that why you left?" Haruka nodded. "They didn't approve. And I didn't care." Maki sighed as if she'd guessed as much already. "I used to wonder why you'd give up on rich parents like them. But I suppose it was obvious. They don't hate you though. Nowadays, they do talk about you. They were really upset when you got caught up in the Sailor Senshi disappearance." Haruka had to admit, she was a little surprised. "Were they now?" Maki nodded. "And it's hard living up to you, you know. I'm not musical, or artistic, and I struggle at maths. The way they tell it, you'd have been even more successful that you are if you just been... uh, more conventional. As if that matters." She giggled, breaking the serious image and revealing the schoolgirl underneath. "They say that even after paying for my karate and judo classes." Okay, now *that* surprised Haruka. "You practice martial arts?" Maki nodded. "That's what I asked for, when they said they'd pay for lessons outside school. I, uh, was kind of a troublemaker when I was a kid. Hence, you know, adoption. Our parents have done a good job since then, I think." So maybe skipping school wasn't quite so daring for her after all. Or maybe Haruka was jumping to conclusions. "... Maybe they have." She glanced over to one of the benches, where another trio of school girls sat gossiping. Maki blushed, not that Haruka had been trying, but she had evidently noticed Haruka looking at the other three girls. "I... do have a confession to make, Haruka-san. I didn't come alone." "Your gang?" Haruka asked with a smirk. "I am not a delinquent! I might have started taking lessons for the wrong reasons, but I want to be a self defence instructor. I was ten years old!" "And them?" "Yes, I sort of brought them with me. Himeko wants to be a musician, and wanted me to ask if maybe she could do work experience week with you. And maybe you could have your picture taken with us?" Oh boy. "And maybe we could talk, sometimes. I think, it might be nice to be your sister. If it's not a hassle to you." "Maybe so," Haruka admitted. Though it sounded like she had a few oddities about her, such as looking completely out of place in a karate class, Maki seemed to be a nice enough girl. "Though that would mean having a niece who is almost as old as you are, near enough." Maki stared at her for a moment, trying to work that out. "Then I'm an aunt *already*!? Oh, you mean Hotaru-chan. I hadn't thought of it like that." "And you'll be one twice over soon enough." Haruka added mischievously. "Now, maybe you'd like to introduce me to your gang?" "We're not a gang!" *** By the following week Usagi had been counting down the days until she would get her own gang back for exactly a month. Her group weren't schoolgirl gangsters, but in the past they had certainly inspired the same fear among the local gaming and ice cream emporiums, and getting them all together had been murder ever since Minako had starting rehearsing for her play. Well, now that play had officially come to a close for the winter, and Minako would be free for at least four whole weeks. Maybe longer depending on what her director had in store for her. True, Ami wasn't with them for their first shopping trip together again, but then she had a good excuse. Haruka was getting another ultrasound today. Usagi couldn't help but sigh out of broody whimsy. If only Haruka knew how lucky she was. But enough of that. She and her friends were there to have fun too, damn it, and that's exactly what they would do Or they would do as soon as Minako actually turned up. "Really, she's worse than *you* are these days," Rei said as she sat by the exact same fountain where Haruka had met Maki. What Usagi would have given to see that! Except that, "Rei-chan!" "Huh? What?" "I am not that bad and you know it!" Usagi glared as Rei leaned back and shot her an evil smile. "I know enough to know that you *are* that bad, dumpling head." But these day Usagi had a weapon of her own, and she hopped off the fountain wall to sit by Makoto instead, pouting mercilessly. "Mako-chaaaan, Rei-chan's being mean to me." Makoto wasn't the type to take sides amongst her friends, and even now all the tall girl could do was try to smile and mollify the pair of them without her girlfriend roasting her with that glare she now sported. "Now, now, Usagi-chan. I'm sure she doesn't mean anything by it, right Rei-chan?" And there was a certain earnest look in Makoto's eyes that could dampen even Rei's fiery temperament. Victory to Usagi! "Hey, you know it's true," was Rei's limp retort, but the argument was over and Rei accepted defeat with a minimum of grouchiness. "Maybe we should wait for her inside the Crown or something. It's cold out here." However, they hadn't come to a consensus before Minako had careened into the park square on her scooter and pulled up in front of them in a cloud of petrol fumes. Needless to say, there wasn't a soul in the park who wasn't staring at them after that. "Whew, sorry I'm late guys," Minako said as she pulled off her helmet and dumped it in the luggage box on the back of the pink scoter. "I am *so* tired. And is it me or is it *really* bright out?" "Not really," Usagi said, shrugging. "Maybe you've been playing a vampire for too long and you're going day blind." "Never mind that," Rei interrupted. "Are you even allowed to ride a scooter in the park?!" Minako evidently hadn't thought of that. "Umm, probably not, actually. Should we go before I get arrested?" With surprising strength she hauled Makoto to her feet and sat her on the back of the scooter. "Time to rescue your damsel in distress, Rei-chan." And then she promptly failed to get the scooter turning over again. "Oh my, whatever will I do?" Amused sarcasm, dripped from Makoto's voice, while Rei looked distinctly non-plussed. "And why don't I get to be the damsel?" "Hey, I walked through fire for you. I think it's my turn to be rescued." Rei paused for a moment before nodding, getting to her feet, and helping Makoto off Minako's not so stalwart vehicle. "Damsel get. Gain 300 XP and one Heart." And with that she gave Makoto a kiss. "Drat, foiled again." Minako gave the scooter's pedal another kick, but Makoto just put a hand on the handlebars to stop her. "Maybe we should walk it out." Usagi smiled broadly. Her friends were so much fun! Even when they were being annoyingly cute and in love. "Oh, if only Mamo-chan were here." *** Six shopping bags later, three of which were Makoto's, she, Rei, Usagi and Minako sat in the Crown's ice cream parlour, each with a glass of their chosen confection in front of them. "And what happened to you being broke, Mako-chan?" Usagi asked, having paid great attention to the growing collection of bags that now sat at Makoto's side. "What? They weren't expensive or anything," Makoto justified. "And I need a new pullover. I've patched my old one four times already!" "Besides," said Rei, "she has some very kind and generous friends, don't you Mako." Makoto decided that it was time to be more modest, and quickly shut her mouth. However, Usagi and Minako had taken the bait. "Huh? What do you mean?" "Ami-chan, Michiru-san and Haruka-san gave her a joint present for her birthday, remember?" Rei said. "And Ami-chan's Mum sent a card as well." "They gave you money?" Usagi asked. Against her better judgement Makoto nodded under the weight of blonde gazes that fell upon her. "Yeah. They did." "Quite a lot of money too," Rei said seriously, though it was clear even to Makoto that she was bragging just a bit. "Rei-chan!" "Hey, it's true. It was a good present. Now you can actually shop on your shopping trips." It was a great present, but Makoto had already accepted more financial support that she felt comfortable with, so this had been more than a little excessive. She would have to do something really special when it came to their birthdays. However, for the moment she would settle for changing the topic of conversation. "Well anyway, Usagi-chan, you went to see Koan-san, right? Are they doing okay now?" "Hmm? Yeah, they are. Well, Tyra-chan and Are-chan are still kind of down, but who can blame them? Petz-san though, Koan-san said that she's really picked up. She wasn't even there when I went. She's actually going out a *lot* now." That was a turnaround. "Wow. Maybe she's found a man after all." But Usagi shook her head. "Koan-san didn't think so. She's looked more... driven than that, apparently." "You mean, maybe she's been practicing with her 'you know what'." Minako twitched her finger over the table, but the others knew what she meant: Black Lightning magic. It was a reasonable guess, but Usagi couldn't say. "Maybe, but Koan- san didn't know either. She actually seemed kind of worried, but she was glad that Petz-san is getting out of the flat now, at least." Rei looked to Minako over the table. "I guess you had no luck at the park." Minako had obviously not been looking forward to that question, and they had made a point not to ask at Makoto's party. "No. I'm... I'm really sorry, guys. I just... couldn't find anything." Makoto bent down over the table to catch her eyes again. It was obviously troubling Minako a lot more than she was letting on, but then with the play over she no longer had any good reason to spend so much time at the park. If there was anything there, she had missed her chance to find it, at least for now. But it wasn't like they *knew* there was anything to find in the first place. It had been worth a try. "Hey, Mina-chan, don't worry about it. Maybe we were wrong. We'll find out soon enough." While it didn't bring back their old Minako she did seem thankful for the support. "Yeah. Maybe... maybe we will. Thanks Mako-chan." *** Across town, thoughts of youma and thwarting potential evil plots where the furthest things from Haruka's mind. After all, being pregnant was uncomfortable enough without the doctors inventing new ways to make it even more so. Lying in a small hospital room with her pants pulled down as low as they could go while still preserving her modesty was pushing it, but the cold jelly the nurse squeezed onto her stomach was, in her mind, just adding injury to insult. "You can't do this without the goo?" she complained as the nurse used the end of her ultrasound instrument to spread the jelly over her skin. The nurse took it in her stride though, and smiled. "Call it tradition." By her side Michiru and Ami both smiled at her awkwardness, so Haruka decided that it was about time to bite her lip and let the nurse do her job. For all her complaining Haruka did care how her baby was doing, and if nothing else today would settle the boy/girl issue once and for all. "Though really," the nurse added, "I know Mizuno-san is also on record as one of your doctors, but you should have scheduled this appointment sooner. It is quite irregular to have a student doctor monitoring a baby like this." Though only a student, Ami did look the picture of professionalism. She had her own doctor's coat and everything. Haruka would have brushed it off, but Michiru spoke up for her. "We have every faith in both yourselves and Ami-sensei. And Ami-sensei's studies will be proved quite important, I'm sure." That seemed to put the nurse in her place somewhat, and Haruka had to grin at how quickly Ami tried to look modest after that. But that wasn't what any of them were there for. Haruka would have been happy just to have Ami keep performing her checkups, if not for the fact that, as the nurse said, they were already overdue for another official visit. And as advanced as Ami's machine was, it could only present scanning data, not ultrasound images. Probably. "There we are," the nurse said, as she finally turned the monitor around so that they could see, having found a picture. Ami had wanted to get them a room that had the hospital's one 3D ultrasound machine, but even on the grainy black and white image Haruka was struck by how clearly she could see her child. Two little arms rested under its chin, while one hand - they couldn't tell which - seemed to be grasping up by the side of its face. The fact that she could see that much was enough for Haruka to lapse into silence, but as that little hand flexed she could count each of its stubby little fingers. "And you wanted to know the baby's sex?" Haruka nodded, but her eyes didn't lave the screen. She just couldn't think of anything witty to say. "Yes please. Uh, if you don't mind?" That question went to Michiru, and more subtly to Ami as well, but neither of them had any objections. "No, I'd like to know," Michiru replied, smiling from ear to ear as she too watched the little arms twitch on the screen. "It will give me an excuse to finally throw you a baby shower." Haruka was less than thrilled about the idea of pregnancy parties, but right then it actually seemed like it might be a nice idea. Up until that point she hadn't really wanted to share her pleasure at having a child, but now... Usagi would be over the moon. So to speak. "Okay then. We move around to... here..." Haruka couldn't keep track of what she was seeing as the nurse moved the scanner across her stomach. In profile it had been easy to see the outline of the baby's body and limbs, but now she was lost, even when the nurse found the right spot. "... And there she is!" The nurse pointed to a small shape on the image. "A little behind schedule, but she's a girl." If Haruka had wanted a boy before now, her preference was quickly wiped away as the nurse brought the image back to her daughter's profile. "Beautiful, isn't she?" "Yeah," Haruka replied, hardly believing she was saying so honestly after all the trauma the girl had put herself through. "She is." It was amazing what a difference seeing her finally made, even after all the little quickening movements she'd felt. Ami and Michiru could feel those now, if faintly, but this was something else entirely. After that Michiru took Haruka's hand while the nurse went to fetch her a towel. "You're not too disappointed, I hope." Haruka shook her head, grinning like a fool. "Are you kidding? She's my daughter, whatever she is! I hope she inherits my height though, because I'm teaching her basketball!" *** Katsura thought that it was probably polite to give the girls some time to themselves when the baby shower rolled around that Sunday. She knew all the girls to some degree or another, but it was obvious that hers was not so much a social invite, but one of obligation. None of Haruka's own family would be there - the sad truth was that they were either not welcome or still too much of an unknown quantity to be considered friends, let alone close family. Michiru had no family to invite, and so that left Katsura as the sole 'grandparent' in attendance. She could only presume that her ex-husband had not replied to whatever letters Ami might have sent, if she still wrote any these days. How such a wonderful man could still be so arrogant she never had managed to understand. So, while the child would be Katsura's granddaughter - and didn't that thought weaken her legs! - the party seemed intended more for friends than family. She could at least leave her daughter and their friends to have some of their fun before she came along to subdue the event. It was easy for her to make the excuse that she worked late, and so would not arrive until mid-afternoon. It was true enough most of the time, but Ami would know better than to think it could keep her from an earlier appointment. When she came to stand on the doorstep she hoped that it had been the right thing to do. And she never failed to be taken aback when Michiru answered the door to her daughter's house. Or rather, the household Ami had chosen to live in. It was distinctly unsettling. "Mizuno-san," Michiru welcomed wearing a prize-winning smile. "Please, do come in. We have been waiting for you." Katsura bowed gently before stepping inside and slipping off her shoes. "Thank you. I hope I haven't been holding anything up." "Oh no," Michiru reassured, "not at all. Everyone is in the lounge, so please come in and make yourself at home. I hope you can forgive them, but they are all quite excitable still." The young woman's manners were exemplary, as always, and there was never any of the accusation or resentment in her manner or her words that Katsura always unconsciously expected. She knew intellectually that Ami, Haruka and Michiru had come to some sort of arrangement, but on an emotional level she still found it hard to accept. But Michiru acted as the perfect hostess and led her through to the open kitchen come living space. Rather than rejoining the chattering throng on the settees she slipped behind the kitchen worktops that separated the two rooms, and offered Katsura a drink. "Coffee, please," Katsura replied, noting the fuss that was being made with what she presumed were baby gifts Haruka had already been given. "I think I may need it!" Michiru chuckled and put the pot on. "Okay, I'll bring it through for you." Katsura might have liked just to try and talk in the kitchen for a moment, but then she supposed this was neither the time nor the place to try and understand her daughter's celebrity partner's lover. Just thinking of the grammar and etiquette required there made her head hurt, so she went to join the giggling throng as she was bid. "Mizuno-sensei!" Makoto greeted, waving a pair of red rattles in greeting. Yes, the girls were having just as much fun as expected. Haruka sat on the settee, overwhelmed as Makoto and Minako flanked her with toys, baby socks and the like in their hands, and Rei sat at their feet evidently having been given permission to try and feel the baby move at last. On noticing her approach Haruka tried to extricate herself from her younger friends, but Katsura stopped her. "Please Haruka-san, don't get up. I'm not sure it would be wise, considering." She looked at the three girls and all of them decided that she was right, pinning Haruka back to the sofa. "Exactly, Haruka-kun," Minako agreed. "You said baby was moving, and she isn't at all!" "She's probably asleep," Makoto replied, shaking the rattles over Haruka's belly again in a half hearted attempt to wake the unborn child up. Rei's take on it was far simpler, "She's just stubborn, like you, Haruka-san. She knows we're waiting, so she's teasing us." Haruka sat herself up straight again after being hauled back onto the settee. "Come on girls, at least make room for her to sit down." Minako did scoot over to the arm of the sofa, but Katsura politely declined. "That's alright, Haruka-san. I should say hello to my daughter before I join you. However..." From under her arm she pulled a plainly wrapped package, and offered it to her. "I understand you bring gifts to this sort of party. Congratulations, Haruka-san." Haruka at the green parcel for a moment before accepting it with as much dignity as the other girls would allow her. "Thank you, Mizuno- sensei." All three girls sat on tenterhook as Haruka unwrapped the present, and out came two pink baby suits. "Aww, they're adorable!" Minako fawned, instantly taking one and laying it out over Haruka's stomach. "There we go!" "I am sure you have been given some already," Katsura said, "and I doubt they are quite your colour, but believe me, you cannot have enough of them." It was difficult to tell what Haruka thought, partially because Minako and now Rei were playing around with them on her belly, but she nodded in acceptance all the same. "Thank you." "Well, I'll leave you in their capable hands for a moment," Katsura said with a smile as she excused herself. Ami, Usagi and Hotaru were over by one of the other chairs. Not in it since it was filled with opened wrapping paper (and another ball came sailing over just then, courtesy of Makoto) but the three of them sat on the floor, chatting more sedately. That was quite unlike Usagi in Katsura's experience, but then maybe she had run out of steam for the moment. Hotaru she didn't know beyond a few passing greetings and Ami's moving day, but she seemed like a nice, well mannered girl. Much more in Ami and Michiru's vein than Usagi or Haruka's. "Hello Ami," she greeted, and her daughter got to her feet to share a hug with her. The other two rose as well. "Hello Mother, I'm glad you could come along." "As long as you don't mind and old woman crashing the party," Katura said, mocking gently. "You are keeping well?" "Yes, just as I was last time. Haruka and Michiru-san are still forcing me to eat properly as well." "Just like you've been forcing her to eat," Hotaru said with an innocent giggle. "It's nice to see you again, Mizuno-sensei." "You as well, Hotaru-chan. And it is always a pleasure to see Usagi- chan." Usagi grinned and bowed slightly, feigning modesty as she enjoyed the compliment. And then, quite out of the blue, Hotaru asked a question. "Um, Mizuno-sensei, should I call you Auntie, or Grandma? Ami-papa just avoided the question this morning." If she hadn't known it was anatomically impossible Katsura would have worried that her eyes had literally fallen out of her head. And there were her daughter and Usagi, giggling like schoolgirls again, and Hotaru wanting to join them if only she knew she hadn't offended 'Ami- papa's' mother. Oh goodness, what was she to think of this development? And bang on time Michiru appeared with a cup of coffee. "Here, Mizuno-sensei. Perhaps you would like this now?" "Yes, thank you Michiru-san." She took a sip and let out a sigh. "Umm, I think perhaps 'Auntie', Hotaru-chan. As excited as I am, I think I would like another few months before becoming a grandmother. And in any case, don't you look a little too old to be my granddaughter just yet?" Hotaru blushed, glad that her mischief had not gone awry. "Heh heh, okay, Auntie Mizuno." *** Mamoru welcomed his fiancee back home just as he had started preparing the dinner. Only God would have known when to expect her back, but even a mere mortal like Mamoru could anticipate that, fed or not, Usagi would always be willing to partake in whatever meal was on offer. Tonight it was a rather nice piece of fresh trout they had found the day before, and he had something more traditional in mind for it this time. However, the fish was left on the counter top when Usagi announced her return home, and Mamoru cleaned his hands before going out to meet her. "Welcome back, Usa-ko. You had fun?" Usagi nodded happily before bouncing out of her shoes and over to give him a peck on the cheek. "Yep! Mizuno-sensei and Rei-chan's baby clothes were sooooooo cute!" Then, without warning, she wrinkled her nose and stepped back to look him over suspiciously. "Heey, I smell something fishy! What have you been up to in here?" "I was going to start on dinner, but I thought my girlfriend might get offended if I chose an old dead fish over her for company." He had learned by trial and error that was the right tack to take when she was in this kind of mood, and Usagi gave him a smile that showed she approved of the excuse. It only lasted a moment before disappearing if favour of a more bubbly triumph over their dinner, but he knew that her subtle assessment just then was hardly a rare occurrence, if only you know what to look for. "Hah! Take that, evil fish-for-the-eating-of! Mamo-chan likes me best!" "I wouldn't say there was a contest," said Mamoru, heading back to the kitchen. "He's a terrible conversationalist." Usagi followed him through, her enthusiasm putting the fish out of her mind. "Oh, but the little itty-bitty booties, Mamo-chan! They were so cute." She sighed and hugged him, stopping him getting back to the task at hand. "I want babies too, Mamo-chan." Of course she did. She had done for a while, though she had been good and resisted the urge to say so. "I know, Usa-ko. But there's plenty of time." "We could get married, and have a baby, and then Haruka-chan's daughter would have someone to play with!" "It's a girl then? You know, I think that would suit Haruka-san. People focus on her nonchalant masculine side too much to see the very conscientious young woman that's there too." "But Haruka-kun is so cool in suit trousers and a shirt!" Then she sighed, calming back down again. "When can we get married, Mamo-chan?" "There's no rush, Usa-ko. Plenty of time, remember, and I'd like it if your father gave you away willingly. And we'll have a beautiful, precocious, time travelling daughter, and we'll name her after you. It *will* all happen, Usagi." "I know." She sighed again. "Sometimes I wish Chibi-Usa-chan had listened to Pluto and not come back. I know it saved us, but knowing the future sucks sometimes. It's so long before we have a baby of our own." And that was the crux of the problem. They already knew that their daughter Chibi-Usa, Tsukino Usagi II, was not due to arrive for a very long time yet. "Just remember," Mamoru reassured her. "Setsuna-san does say that the future is always in flux. And especially so since Ami-chan and everyone took their trip to an alternate world. We only know about the future that would take place had we carried on our set path. Having so many of us taken out of our own time stream caused Pluto no end of worries for our future, remember? And now Haruka-san having a child... We don't know for sure, but if that *wasn't* part of the future that you visited then it is a large change that the time-stream has to absorb." "So then, Chibi-Usa might not even get born at all!" Mamoru shook his head and smiled, "I don't think that's likely. We have already met her. If I understand it correctly, the future is already committed to her being born, and coming back to visit us. That's the problem with paradoxes, apparently. The future changes based on what happens in the present - or the past, in her case - but events of pre-destiny, like time travel, become locked into occurring. If something so contrary to the natural event line occurs that it destroys that lock, like if Chibi-Usa-chan was not born, that's when it gets bad. The locked aspect of the timeline is sliced out of the time space continuum and becomes a floating N-time entity in its equivalent point in the timeline, and the rest of that future shifts along the new natural event line from the point that the paradox occurred." It was only then that he realised he had been going into more time- space theory than Usagi could handle, and quickly put his mind back on track for the sake of his confused fiancee. "Okay, ignore all that. It *will* happen because we've seen it already happen. That's why Pluto monitors the Gate so carefully, especially now. To make sure that our destiny comes to pass properly." Usagi stared at him, goggle eyed for a moment longer, before taking a deep breath. It was as if she was forcing all the techno-babble out of her system before it could cause any more damage. "Well, as long as it's all right. She might be annoying, and loud, and cheeky, and *so* annoying, but when she *is* actually my daughter I think it will be nice." Then something occurred to her. "Hey, you've seen Setsuna-san recently? She wasn't at the baby shower, even though it's her house as well. Actually, Luna and Artemis didn't come either." Mamoru had no idea why any of them might have been absent. "I've spoken to Setsuna-san. She gets the same bus out of town after work sometimes, when I don't take my bike. She likes to know how you are doing, and she talks about Crystal Tokyo and time stream theory sometimes." Usagi frowned. "Well, she asks me how I'm doing when I cook with Michiru-san. Well, she does sometimes, but more like, 'Hello Usagi-chan, how are you today?' Not about what I think of the future or being Senshi or anything." Mamoru shrugged. "I think she knows you'd say you were fine. Even if you were worried! Sometimes it's people around you who notice the things you don't think anything of." Usagi eyed him suspiciously again. "And you're sure you're not having an affair with her." "Absolutely sure. How else can I become king if I don't marry the queen?" "Ah! So you only want me for my destiny!" "Well, you have lovely eyes too. And a very nice mouth. And there is something to be said for a girl who treats her hair well enough to be able to grow it so long." "Hee, okay. I forgive you." She gave him a quick kiss, and wandered over to the sink. "But don't let it happen again, mister. Now: Fish." *** At the same time Makoto was back at home and tired out from celebrating with Haruka and Ami all day. Not only that but they had been fed quite well at Haruka's place, so unlike Mamoru and Usagi her mind had not yet turned to food when her phone rang. Though they had only said goodnight to each other an hour ago Rei was calling her on her mobile, rather than the house phone. She sounded just a bit hard done by. "Hi, Mako. Sorry about this, but I don't know if I'll be able to go out tomorrow after all. Grandpa went and caught himself a cold, so I'll probably have to be at the shrine until closing instead of school." With her re-taking her year of school starting from the autumn semester Makoto had much more control over her timetable than her tutors liked. Her coursework study for tomorrow would only have been to continue work on an essay that thanks to her recent diligence was fully researched and nearly complete. That she could do at work in the morning, in between customer orders, giving the two of them a chance to slot in a rare full afternoon & evening date once Rei had finished her own lectures for the day. But while that had been the plan, Makoto's disappointment was buried under the news of Grandpa Hino's illness. "He's sick? Let me pack a bag and I'll come over to help. I can make soup for him." "Don't worry Mako, you don't have to. It's just a cold. That's what he gets for bouncing around and giving talks to people outside in this weather! He should start acting like a responsible senior citizen - No you are not responsible *or* respectable Grandpa, and look what it got you!" That might have been the case, the old man could be very... spirited, for his age, but Makoto liked the old coot a lot, and was determined to help out. Besides, it would give her something worthwhile to do instead of collapsing in front of the TV with her dinner. "It's not a problem, love. Do you have any chicken in your fridge, or soup stock?" Rei sighed over the phone. "Uh, we have packet chicken soup. I was going to make that, with noodles." "That I can work with. I'll pick up a few things extra things on the way and we'll have noodle soup. You just take care of Grandpa." "Okay, I'll leave it to you. I'll run him a hot bath while we're waiting for you." That was more like it. Makoto was already thinking about how to get the best out of the packets that Rei would have sitting in her kitchen cupboard. "Great. I'll be there soon." "And, Makoto? Thanks." *** It took Minako little more than twenty minutes to reach the boundary of Greater Tokyo from Haruka's house, and then run the length of motorway that took her to The Midnight Garden. She only spent one in every three or four nights at home now, but to her surprise her parents had not questioned her about it once. Of all the times they could have begun to give her the freedom she wanted without question it was now, when she no longer knew if she could be trusted with it. Her scooter lay unused by the side of her parents' house, and she had not dared to touch her transformation pen in weeks. If Aino Minako could scale a building unaided, outpace a family car on foot, or pass unseen by man or machine while standing in plain sight, she did not want to think what might have become of Sailor Venus. If Sailor Venus still existed within her at all. Minako walked through the gates of the Midnight Garden unmolested by the ticket girls or the security guards who should have stopped anyone aiming to sneak in. Past the open green and the dismantled stage she leapt the hedges that stood between her and the House on the Haunted Hill. The staff entrance yielded to the key card that had now taken its place in her purse. She was late, but any guilt she felt was soothed by the afterglow of the party. She could no more give up her time with her friends than she could fully walk out on her parents, even for this new family. Even the Shadow that sat behind her could hold no sway over her feelings for her loved ones. Minako didn't actually know if the Shadow watched her, or had a will of its own. She suspected that it might, but more likely it was just a side effect of the power she had been given in exchange for her energy. None of the others seemed to recognise their Shadows as a separate entity from them, but Minako could not dismiss the feeling that there was *something* there. Her conscience was not satisfied by what had happened to her, and what she had done since, but her heart could not allow her to back out now. Her Marya-sempai needed her, as did her brothers and sisters who shared this new power. "I'm here," Minako announced, stepping into their chamber under the Haunted House. She did not apologise for her tardiness because she was not sorry, and she did not like to lie to them. All seven of the others sat on the comfortable leather chairs or lay on the few beds in the corners of the room. This chamber was theirs alone, when any of them wanted seclusion from the outside world. A secret place where they all knew who and what they really were. Kizugi sat in his usual chair, his face set in impassive disapproval as it always seemed to be. He lay his book on his knee and spoke. "You are late, Minako-san." "I know. I wanted to stay for the end of the party. It would have been rude to leave early." Mochizuki Ryuuji, the sharp minded businessman she had helped kidnap, seemed wary. "Your 'Senshi' friends are not interfering, I hope." "Of course they aren't." Minako was growing tired of having to say as much, and put her bag down with a huff. "I told you, what we're doing doesn't matter to the Senshi. We're all on the same side." Lili couldn't see the problem. "Then introduce us. I want to know who they are." That was where Minako's argument always fell down. "No. They won't understand. Not yet. Especially if Pluto threatened Marya-Sempai." All eyes turned to Marya, who sat at the desk she'd had installed at the back of the room. For her part Marya just got up and stepped over to Minako. "And you, Minako-chan. You trusted us with the knowledge that you are the mighty Sailor Venus. Do *you* not understand either?" "... I don't know. It's wrong, Marya-sempai. Even if it's for the best, I don't like how... underhanded we have to be. I lied to my friends today." "Because they don't agree with the taking of life." Minako nodded. "Even if there's no danger to those we might take it from? Even if it can save others in turn? Even when we can give them power - great power - in exchange." Minako nodded again. "They wouldn't believe me. They don't trust me like they used to. They'll think I've started believing that the end justifies the meanness." She sighed. "Maybe I have." From the sidelines another young woman with long auburn hair and a serious face spoke up. "You're wrong, Sailor Venus. Sailor Moon knows that everything comes with a price, and so do you. You've paid far more in the past than you did giving up your life energy to be with us." "Yuuka-san, I don't think I'm Sailor Venus any more." Takagi Yuuka disagreed. "Then why do you carry around your wand?" Because if Minako had to use it - if she really had to - then she would try. She had not asked to be drained of her energy, or willingly taken the power of the Shadow in exchange to keep her alive. If the transformation into Sailor Venus did work, would that also exorcise the Shadow? Would she survive if it did, now that her life energy had been taken in its entirety? And with the Shadow's power at their disposal, what reason could she possibly have to try and transform except to fight the other Sailor Senshi? She only hoped that Pluto's threat against Marya had been premature, because Minako did not know what she would do if it came to that. Yes, Marya was using unpleasant methods to achieve her goals - Lili and Kizugi had even been used as test subjects to ensure that the process worked properly and safely on the rest of them. But they had not all been forced through the process, and those that had - Lili, Yuuta and herself - had come to terms with the necessity of it. They would never have accepted if it had been voluntary, Minako especially. She, like the rest of her friends, would never have understood that it was not something to be feared. Marya had needed the energy more than Minako had. And it hadn't killed her, so it had been a good thing to give up for the sake of others. Hadn't it? It was no secret that Minako's energy had been the most potent and bountiful by far, and despite the jealousy it had brought out in some of the others her powerful energy had boosted Marya's studies far further than had been expected. It had identified key signatures and natures within each person's contribution, and set Minako's energy aside as an important resource for their work. And they had also needed strength in their new family members. While Minako had not been granted the greatest gifts the Shadow had to offer - those had been reserved for Lili and Kizugi, who had suffered for the work - her capacity for the Shadow was just as vast as her life energy had been. She had been an agent that they *needed*, and Minako could not abandon them. Not when the Shadow tied them together so closely. For all their flaws, they were family now. *** To Be Continued... *** Please send any comments and constructive criticism to: nutzoide@nutzoide.net They are always greatly appreciated, and there is no better reward for a writer than to hear back from the readers. (c) Nutzoide 2009-2011 http://www.nutzoide.net