Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ After the Battle is Over ❯ Introductions ( Chapter 10 )

Authors Notes: Sorry this took so long but with the funeral, getting my sister back to school, finishing work and moving back to school I haven't really had time to work on this. I hope this was worth the wait for you.

Chapter 10

Shingo's POV

I can't believe it . . . Usagi baka is my favourite super hero? That's not possible, she's must be faking it.

Ikuko's POV

But what's wrong with her hair? What's . . .

Kenji's POV

NO!!! My little girl isn't going to be hurt. She can't fight, she's too clumsy! She . . . oh my gosh, Ikuko's fainting!

Serenity's POV

I watched as my family ran their gauntlet of emotions. I wasn't surprised to see the anger on my father's face, demo I was surprised by it when I saw it in Shingo's eyes. What's he angry about? I thought that finding out he had a famous sister would make him happy.

"Ikuko!" I returned my attention to my parents in time to see Haruka catch my mother as she passed out.

"Okaa-san!" I lurched forward but didn't get very far. I was still so weak I could hardly move and I only succeeded in almost falling down myself. Mamo-chan effortlessly caught me around the waist (practise does make perfect they say) and then scooped me up again. "Let me go Endy. I have to find out what's wrong with Mother."

"Nothing is wrong with your mother Usagi, she just fainted." Ami was already scanning my mother and when I heard her diagnosis I calmed down and leaned my head back against Mamo-chan's shoulder. "She'll wake up in a minute. Just give her a moment."

"I'll go get more chairs from the store room." said Haruka. "We'll need them now that your family is here Usa. Hotaru, would you like to help me?"

"Yes, Haruka-papa."

It was a few moments later, just as Haruka and Hotaru were coming back in with some black fold-down chairs, that my mother started to come around. I'm glad it wasn't much longer because I don't think I'm going to be able to hold this form forever. Demo, I can't let it go. I think Mother has to see me in it when she wakes up or this whole thing could be written off as a hallucination caused by fatigue or something.

"Usagi . . . where is Usagi?" She laying on the floor and the first thing she thinks about is me. I suppose that makes some sense. I was the last thing she was thinking about before she keeled over.

"Right here, Okaa-san." She turned to look at me and put her hand to her head. "What is wrong with your hair dear?" So we're back to that, doesn't she care about any of the rest of it?

"It's going silver Okaa-san. It's a genetic quirk that's been passed down to each woman in my family. By the age of 18 all the women in my family are totally silver. Normally it would happen slowly demo, because of recent events I'm going through the process a little quicker then normal."

"Usagi, no one in our family goes silver like that."

"I know Dad, and I didn't mean my earth family. I meant my Moon family. I have a past and memories to go along with this funky fuku. Will you let me tell you about them?" My legs are starting to tremble . . . I can't stand here like this for much longer.

Endymion's POV

Just a bit more . . . ah . . . there. I slowly slid my arms around Sere's waist and took some of her weight. I know she wasn't going to last much longer but I also know that any abrupt movement by anybody will break the spell over her parents. She sighed a little as she leaned back against me and I received a very big thank-you.

"I think we're ready to listen now Usagi." Mr. Tsukino looks so defeated. "Usagi, don't you trust us?" Usako jerked in my arms. Of all the things I had anticipated her parents would ask, that wasn't even on the list.

"Of course I do Daddy, why would you even ask me that?"

"Well you've obviously told your friends about your alter-ego, why didn't you tell us?"

Sere's face just melted. I'm not sure how else to put it. One moment it was rigid with strain and worry, the next she was smiling her thousand-watt smile again.

"Oh Daddy, I didn't tell them any thing. They found out when they joined the group. I think maybe another REAL round of introductions is in order." She started waving at the others who quickly lined up, in order of appearance I note.

"Mom, Dad, Shingo, I'd like to introduce my court, the Inner Senshi. Henshin ho minna." All four of the girls stepped forward together and yelled their transformation phrases at the same time. The room was momentarily filled with light and then each girl settled to the ground in her fuku.

Ami stepped forward again and bowed, "Milord, Milady. I am Sailor Mercury, the Soldier of Ice, and personal adviser to her majesty Princess Serenity of the Moon Kingdom."

Next Rei stepped forward and bowed, "Tsukino-sama, I am Sailor Mars, the Soldier of Fire and 1st General of the Moon Kingdom."

Makoto-chan was next and her bow, although abrupt and obviously unpractised as just as perfect as the previous two. "Lord and Lady Tsukino, I am Sailor Jupiter, Sailor of the Element Earth and personal bodyguard of Princess Serenity."

Mina was the last to step forward and her bow was as perfect as the others. "Lady Tsukino, Lord Tsukino, I am Sailor Venus, Sailor of Love and leader of the Inner Senshi, Guard to Princess Serenity."

"Other wise known as Ami-chan, Rei-chan, Makoto-chan and Mina-chan." Usagi smiled broadly at her friends as they took two steps back into the line up once again.

"It's rather odd that all your friends happen to be Senshi Usagi. I mean, what were the chances of that!" Shingo sounded really sceptical and I can't really blame him.

"Not really Shin-chan, we met as scouts. Remember, we've been scouts for over two years now, and if you think back you'll notice that as I found each friend, a new Sailor Scout showed up."

Minako's POV

I think the Tsukino's eyes dropped about 4 feet in surprise.

"You mean you've been doing this for two years USAGI!!! How could we not have noticed?"

"Demo, you did Mom. You did notice my grades getting worse and the time I spent away from home. You even noticed me crawling out of the house at odd hours. However, you attributed it to late hours reading comics and sneaking out to be with Mamoru. There was really no way you could find out without me actually telling you. There's a sort of magic that surrounds us. It's the same reason that the media can't get any pictures of us. They've had to go on people's sketches of us and that's what has allowed us to stay so well hidden. Rather convenient really."

Usagi's parents were just staring at her as though she had grown two noses . . . I think we were all a little surprised. I mean I knew Usagi knew some of that but I've never really heard her say it.

"Right." I don't think Usagi's parents were really ready for this. I feel sorta sorry for them. Anyway it's back to the introductions I think.

Haruka's POV

Okay it's our turn. I think she's going to have a harder time explaining us. I mean we've never even met her family until now.

"Now I'd like to introduce the Senshi of the Outer Solar System. It's their job to protect the edges of the solar system against outside attack." I waited for Michiru to step forward for a few moments and then felt a hand slid into mine. Yes, we do this together, just as we have from the beginning. Together we yelled out our Henshin phrases and landed with our hands still clasped together.

"I am the Senshi of the Sea . . . "

"I am the Senshi of the Wind . . . "

"Sailor Neptune."

"Sailor Uranus."

Each of us bowed toward the Tsukino's as we introduced ourselves and then stepped back again. Hotaru and Setsuna then moved around us and stood in front of us. They whispered their phrases and came to rest on the ground holding their glaives straight up and down.

Setsuna stepped forward first and knelt with her glaive in front of her. "I am Sailor Pluto, Guardian of the Time Gate. I have watched your daughter grow these past two years Tsukino-sama. You have much to be proud of. She will make a wonderful Queen." She then gracefully stood and back up until she was standing beside Michiru. That left Hotaru.

Instead of kneeling as I thought she'd do, she swung her glaive to the side and stood completely still. She did not bow as the rest of us had.

"I am the Sailor of Destruction, Death and Rebirth. Sailor Saturn." Serenity didn't seem all that surprised at her attitude. She just calmly smiled at her and only then did Hotaru nod her head in submission. She then backed up to stand beside me and winked her Glaive out of sight.

"They are other wise known as Setsuna, Michiru, Haruka, and Hotaru. Any questions?"

I think Usagi is really starting to enjoy this.

Serenity's POV

Now that I know Dad's not likely to blow a gasket I'm really starting to enjoy this. I've wanted to do this for so long and now I'm finally getting to!

"Why haven't we met you before? If I remember the local media coverage correctly, you girls have been around for only a few months. Why didn't you show up with the others?" Kenji was full of questions but for once it wasn't me who had to shush him. "Kenji dear, I think that's going to be part of their explanation later. Let's let them finish so we can get on with hearing the details." Shingo just grunted. Actually he doesn't look too happy about all this yet. I'll have to make sure I talk to him and find out what's wrong.

"Okay, onto the next group." I waved at Seiya and Kaykuu to come forward. "Mom, Dad I'd like you to meet Princess Kaykuu of the planet Kinkomu and her guardians'; Sailor Star Fighter, Sailor Star Healer, and Sailor Star Maker. They came to earth to help us fight against Galaxia." Each of the Starlights bowed once and then backed up.

"Hey how come we don't get to see them transform?" asked Shingo belligerently.

Oh boy . . . this could complicate things just a trifle. Oh well. As Mamoru said, in for a penny in for a pound. "Don't worry Shingo you will. I just have one more person to introduce. They guys are also known as the Three Lights, Seiya Kou, Taiki Kou and Yaten Kou." I turned, leaned back a bit more against Mamo-chan, and continued. "The little girl in Seiya's arms in their daughter Hope, or Sailor Chibi-Star."

"You knew the Three Lights and didn't tell me Usagi! How could you do that?" Shingo was totally up in arms now. I truthfully didn't realize that he was such a fan, or I would have mentioned it.

"I didn't realise you liked them so much Shingo or I would have said something about it. I've just got to really know them recently so it wouldn't have done you too much good to know I knew who they were anyway." Shingo only grunted and flopped back down.

"Sailor Fireball if you wouldn't mind showing my doubting Thomas of a brother that these three really are the Sailor Starlights..."

"I don't mind transforming demo is it really wise for my Scouts to transform as well?"

"It won't do any harm. I think there are enough other shocks going around that this one will be lost in the shuffle. Shingo has already promised not to tell anyone about any of this so . . . what can it hurt?"

"That is true Princess. All right then . . . Henshin ho Starlights." All four of them called out their transformations at the same time as the guys had already pulled out their mics. The only one who didn't was Chibi-Chibi but that doesn't matter. She knows she has some growing to do before she can transform again anyway.

When they settled on the ground again, I glanced at my family. They were gaping. There's no polite way to describe the way they were looking at the Starlights now. I nudged my father's leg and he lurched a bit and looked down.

"Yes Dad, the Starlights are girls when transformed."

"But Usagi, two of them are married."

"They are from a different world. And it doesn't matter, they love each other and that's all that counts. (Corney but true! :-)You will find out about all of this in due course. We have a story to tell now. But first, right before we start there are two more people I would like you to meet."

"Nani? Usagi, I think you're going blind again...there aren't any more people in this room for you to introduce." Shingo's tone was scathing and before I could put in a calm rebuttal Hotaru rounded him upon.

Makoto's POV

It was rather funny watching Hotaru take on Shingo. They're both around the same age I think, but Shingo is still far taller then Hotaru. That doesn't seem to matter to her. She stalked out of her place in line and planted herself in front of her unsuspecting victim. "That is the second time you have insulted our Princess in your ignorance."

"Hotaru, please, let Serenity-sama deal with Lord Shingo." begged Michiru.

"Iie! It's our job to protect her and ...."

"Hota-chan." Serenity called to Hotaru and held out her hand beckoning the young girl toward her. Hotaru gave Shingo one last glare and then walked over to stand beside our young Princess.

"Thank you for wanting to protect me Hotaru. There are some battles that I need to fight on my own however."

"Usagi-chan, he shouldn't be talking to you like that. Even Chibiusa-chan wasn't that bad!"

"He doesn't understand yet Hotaru and it's not his fault. There's no way he could know. He just sees me as he's always seen me. It will take a while for his opinion to change and until it does we'll have to be patient. Maybe you could help me? Could you be his friend, answer any questions me might have about all of this. You are the youngest one among and you may be better able to talk to him then any of us."

"I want to help serenity-sama...demo I'm not sure we'd get along." She turned and glared a bit more. Oh...she's really going to push him. Shingo looks like he's going to burst.

"I don't want a baby-sitter Usagi. I understand all of this just fine. Your nuts and so are all your friends." Oh boy this isn't good.

"Oh Shingo, just listen and watch. If you still feel that way at the end, that's your prerogative. However, don't close me off just yet, give it a chance. Give Hotaru a chance. Give each other a chance. I think you could be good friends." Usagi smiled at both of them and then turned back to her parents. Apparently she's going to give them a little time to think about it. I'm surprised that she paired them like that. Hotaru won't take kindly to Shingo's pranks...but then again he wouldn't like hers either. Maybe Usagi knows what she's doing after all.

Michiru's POV

This should be interesting. Hotaru may look small but she's got enough attitude to make Shingo's life hell. I think maybe I'll talk to her later. She's got to accept this as well. Usagi is right, they both need someone to talk to and without Chibiusa here Hotaru is alone. She needs someone of her own age and Shingo will do well. After all, there aren't any other kids who know about our secret. This will allow them both to vent. To top it all off, Haruka can't object. Our Princess has already put her stamp of approval on the relationship, be it romantic or platonic, so she'll have to deal with it. Rather smart of Serenity-sama.

"Now back to the introductions." Serenity then motioned to someone who was standing over by the door. We all knew it was Luna and Artemis but her family had no idea who she was signalling.

The two felines sauntered over right under the Tsukino's noses and jumped up on the settee at Usagi's side. It wasn't until Luna meowed loudly that the Tsukino's even noticed they were there.

"Luna! What is your cat doing here Usagi and who's this?" Mrs. Tsukino leaned down towards the new white cat and started to pet his head and scratch behind his ears. That is until Artemis introduced himself.

"My name is Artemis, former advisor to Queen Serenity of the Moon Kingdom, Guardian of Sailor Venus and future advisor to Neo-Queen Serenity." I'll must give her credit, she didn't faint like she did earlier. Maybe they're starting to get used to surprises. She did sit down though, hard. Right onto the floor.

"My name is Luna, former chief advisor to Queen Serenity, Guardian of Neo-Princess Serenity and future advisor of Neo-Queen Serenity of Crystal Tokyo."

Mr. Tsukino wasn't looking much better then Mrs. Tsukino. "Usagi dear..."

"Yes Daddy?"

"How long has Luna been able to talk?"

"From the start. She's the one who found me and told me about being Sailor Moon. She's my guardian and she's the one who trained Ami, Makoto, Rei and I before Artemis showed up with Minako. Then they trained us all together."

"Oh my gosh!" Shingo just about jumped over Hotaru in his excitement. "You don't talk to yourself!" What on earth is he talking about? Who talks to herself?

"Shingo-chan, who are you talking about?" asked Serenity.

"You!!!"

"Of course I don't talk to myself you! I keep telling you that."

"I know you do demo until today I could never figure out why you kept denying something that was so darned obvious. I'd voices in your room and then when you came out you would say you weren't talking to yourself, but who else would you be talking to? You don't have a phone in your room."

Usagi shrugged, "I was talking to Luna."

"Of course you were talking to Luna, demo I didn't know that! Now that I know she talks I understand who you were talking to. I was really starting to think you were going nuts sis. I teased you about it cause I hoped that would make you stop. I didn't want to have to tell Mom and Dad about it, they would really have thought you were going batty."

"You mean that's why you teased me so bad...because you wanted to save me from my supposed wacky behaviour? Shingo why didn't you just ask me about it??"

"I did, you said you weren't talking to anyone!"

"True. And I couldn't have told you otherwise at the time. Oh well, we can't change it now. But yes, I was talking to Luna the whole time."

Well that settles that, Shingo doesn't look nearly as antagonistic towards Serenity as he did when he came in. It must have been very frustrating for him. He must have been dealing with this by himself for at least the past year and it must have seemed to him like he was getting nowhere. Hmm...even Hotaru seems a little happier now, she's not scowling at him. I must mention to her that if she does that too much her face will freeze like that. She won't believe it of course, too much life experience for that, but maybe she'll stop glaring at people so much.

Luna's POV

Well I'm glad those two have finally worked out their problems. It was getting very tiresome watching them day after day! Not to mention I can finally talk in my own home, the freedom of it!

"Now that the introductions are done we should get on with answering your questions. Oh wait, I also forgot to mention that each of my Scouts is also the Princess of her respective planet too."

"You mean that your also royalty?" My father looked a little astonished by this, after all it's not often you turn out to be talking to this much blue blood at one time.

"Yes Otou-san. Even Endymion is the Prince of Earth."

"A Prince huh? Well being born royal still doesn't make you good enough for my daughter." Boy will this man never give up. Hasn't he figured out yet that you can change destiny? Well he'll know it after I finish telling him about it.

"I understand sir. Love is not something given because of a rank. Actually once you've heard about our 'courtship' I think you'll understand this is more then just a type of arranged marriage thing." Now that I think about it I shouldn't be surprised that he is still angry, I should be totally blown away by the fact that he's letting Endymion-sama hold Serenity-sama at all.

"Luna would you do the honours?" Serenity swept her hand towards me and I nodded.

"Hai Serenity-sama."

"Luna is going to start our story because she is really the start of it all. Why doesn't everyone sit down and get comfortable. This could take a while."

"Hime-chan......do we have to listen to the whole thing?" I can't believe this. You would think Haruka was one of the children whining like that.

"I think what she means is she's hungry and since we don't even come into the story until half way through, and since she's already listened to it a few times, could she got get something to eat? Or at least I think that what that whine meant." translated Michiru.

Mina's POV

Haruka looks like a pouting puppy dog. In fact she had the same look on her face when Michiru was dragging her out of the kitchen earlier to answer the door.

"No Haruka you don't have to stay. Demo in payment you have to tell your part of the story. I'm sure that by then Luna could use a break."

"Sure, but don't forget that Michi will help me." OH....I think she's just put her nose in it now, Michiru-san has that look about her. I don't think Haruka-san is going to get as much help as she thinks.

"Yes dear, now lets go to the kitchen and let Luna get on with the history lesson." The two of then turned and left while the rest of us helped the Tsukino's, who appear to have gotten their legs back, to the couch and then sat ourselves down again.

"Please keep any questions until a break, we've got quite a bit to tell you and I don't really want to be here all night and Usagi needs more rest." Luna was back to her old bossy self again but before she could start she was interrupted by Ami-chan of all people.

"Serenity-hime, I think it would be a good idea to drop your transformation now. Your almost too weak to sit up." What she said appeared to be true. Although our Prince and Princess had sat down along with the rest of us, Usagi seemed to be leaning quite heavily on Mamoru still.

"Right Ami, I'm so tired I almost forgot. Thanks." She touched her broach lightly and light flared and then faded away to reveal our Princess, still in her dress, laying in her Princes arms. Her hair was more silver then before and her crescent moon was starting to show. Hmm.. that could cause trouble at school. Oh well maybe concealer will be able to cover it.

"Usako, why don't you get some sleep while Luna tells her story. After all she was there for most of it." Oh he's sneaky our Prince is. He's rubbing her back trying to put her to sleep. She must need it more then we realize.

"Iie, I want to be awake. I want to explain. And quit trying to make me sleepy Mamo-chan!" She tried to lift herself out of his arms but didn't get very far.

"Alright, alright, no sleep, but just stay there. I like you here." Oh that's so cute! I wish I had someone to look at me like that. Somehow I don't think Tsukino-san would agree with me, he looks like he wants to rip Endymion-sama's heart out with a fork!

"Fine, fine."

"Now that we're all settled. Tsukino-sama here is our story..."

Note: That line about the fork is taken from "Robin-Hood: Prince of Thieves" I just thought it worked well here! (P.S. It's

actually supposed to be a spoon, but you know Mina-chan.)