Sailor Moon Fan Fiction ❯ This Love We Give To You ❯ One-Shot

This Love We Give to You

By: The Firefaery

PG

Disclaimer: I don't own Sailor Moon

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"Quickly! Take him! You know what must be done. He must be kept safe, and right now, this is the…" the harsh whisper was interrupted by a choking sob, "This is the only way. They won't find him there. Please, do this for me, my friend." The pale figure lying on the shadowed canopy bed slowly handed a sleeping bundle to a figure standing by her bedside. The figure took the baby from his mother's arms reluctantly.

"Are you sure? You won't see him again until he's at least eight, time enough for him to mature and become capable of protecting himself." The saddened white figure on the bed nodded solemnly. She tapped her temple lightly with her finger.

"I remember. They weren't there before, but they are now. Things can still be changed, but right now, the future is brighter than it has been in a long time. They must not find him, or all will be lost." She turned her face away from the figure, crystal tears leaking from the corners of her eyes. The figure sighed sadly, but turned to go, bundle held close to her chest.

"Don't tell them who he is. If they don't know, they can't tell anyone else, even by accident." They were her final words. She closed her eyes and wrapped her arms around her stomach, where the baby had so recently dwelt. The swell was gone, and an ache remained in its place. Sobs began racking her body as she listened to the figure open a portal and walk through.

She sat up suddenly, throwing off the covers and taking a few stumbling steps towards the portal, her hand upraised as if to stop them and call them back. She was too late, though, and could only watch through blurry eyes as the portal closed over her son and Sailor Pluto. She crumpled to the floor, and the room was dark and silent, save for the tormenting sobs that came from the heartbroken woman.

* * *

As Pluto strode through the halls of Time, she made no effort to wipe away the tears slipping down her usually stoic face, letting them fall with tiny plopping noises on to the swaddling of the baby. He moved restlessly in his sleep, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. Pluto knew he would wake soon from hunger, and she wished she could take him back and hand him to the woman who owned the nurturing he searched for.

But it was not to be. She had been aware of the possibility that the Time Line would flow this way, but could only hope it didn't. Now, her hopes were dashed upon the rocks of reality and the inevitable. She looked lovingly down at the sleeping infant, not at all surprised by this emotion she felt. He was a lovable baby, even asleep, and would no doubt carry that trait to adulthood. She wondered briefly what he would look like as a man, but brushed the stray thought aside as she reached the Gate.

She repositioned the baby so she held him in her left arm only. In her right hand, a silver staff appeared. Her Time Staff, with a garnet Cyclops-like eye glinting from the top that matched the wielder's own two orbs. She used it now to rap on the door of Time, holding clearly in her mind her time and destination. The Gate slowly swung open, and she stepped through, her Staff and Senshi fuku disappearing as she went. She reached the other side, clad in a long black trench coat, sunglasses, a pair of black slacks, and a black tank top. The only thing that ruined her assumed punk image was the bundle of cheery yellow blankets held in her arms.

She began walking towards a destination she knew well, the bustle of 20th century Tokyo filling her ears. No one noticed her strange appearance. In fact, no one noticed either of them at all. She glided among them like a wraith, not touching or bumping anyone, a slight breeze the only sign of her passing. She walked down a side street, and looked up for a moment at the apartment building, recently made the home of the newly engaged persons of Tsukino Usagi and Chiba Mamoru.

She went through the turnstile doors and walked across the silent lobby, taking off her sunglasses as she went. She reached the elevators, entered, and punched the according number. The ride up was silent, and only when the bell rang, telling riders they had reached their floor, did the baby stir. His eyes opened partially, and his fists waved in the air. As the doors slid open, he made angry sounds, and just as she touched foot to the hallway, he began crying lustily. She sighed, and lifted him to her shoulder, gently patting his back. Her attempts at comfort went unheeded as the baby continued crying.

Setsuna walked down the hall, and finally reached the door number she was looking for. She knocked, at the same time continuing her ministrations to the baby. After waiting, the sound of locks being undone inside could be heard, and the door swung inward to show a figure clad in only a pair of jeans, no shirt. His blue-black hair was mussed, and he had a groggy expression on his face. For a moment he did, anyway, but as the sight before him registered, he came wide-awake very quickly.

"S-Setsuna? Is that you? What are you doing here?" Mamoru asked her bewilderedly, his gaze moving from her garnet eyes to the yelling baby held in her arms. She half-smiled, and waited. Finally, she was forced to ask.

"Mamoru-san, can I come in?" The Mistress of Time arched one finely formed eyebrow at the man in the doorway, enjoying the blush she was creating.

"Yes, yes, come in! Sorry…you just caught me by surprise," he added, stepping aside so she could enter. The baby continued to cry a little softer, but not much. Mamoru winced as a particularly loud cry hit the high octaves. A voice called from the other room.

"Mamo-chan, who is it?" Usagi called, her voice sounding muffled. `She must be getting dressed,' Setsuna thought to herself. It was early afternoon, and these two had still been asleep.

"Come see for yourself, Odango Atama," he called back playfully, eliciting a mild shriek of mock anger from his fiancé. She walked into the room, her moves now graceful and smooth, where as a young girl she had been klutzy and would most likely have knocked over a lamp upon entry. Her searching eyes found Setsuna's, and she smiled in welcome, then shock crossed her face as she heard the baby cry. Setsuna sighed mentally, realizing they both thought the baby was hers.

"We should probably sit down. Would one of you like to hold the baby?" she asked, hoping they would be able to quiet him when she could not. Mamoru reached to take him, a tad hesitantly, and was rewarded with a hiccup-sob, then silence. His eyes widened in surprise. "He seems to like you, Mamoru. That's the first time he stopped crying since we came off the elevator."

"Is he yours, Setsuna?" Usagi asked tentatively, watching in fascination as Mamoru gently rocked the baby back to the sleep he had woken from. Setsuna laughed softly, shaking her head.

"No. He's not mine, Usagi-chan." Her expression sobered, and accordingly so did Usagi's and Mamoru's. "He is from the future. Who his parents are I can not tell you. His mother wished it so. This tiny baby is in grave danger. An evil force is after him, and his mother feared she wouldn't be strong enough to protect him. Just before his birth, she was grievously wounded, and she might not survive to heal. It would leave her son vulnerable. He holds great power, and this evil wishes to control him. He is strong enough to pose a threat to Crystal Tokyo, and until he is old enough to control his powers, and guard himself, he will be vulnerable. His mother asked me to take him somewhere safe, where he would be loved and protected. I brought him to you two. I know you can do it." The two lovers sat in stunned silence, looking from one mysterious figure to another.

"Who are his parents? How is this baby so powerful he could destroy Crystal Tokyo? Are Endymion and I there, too?" Usagi asked, questions brimming in her mind and running out her mouth almost faster than she could say them. Setsuna sighed, and looked at her hands, which were clasped in her lap. She looked back up to meet the sky-blue gaze.

"I can't tell you. I can't tell you anything. Only that the fate of the future once again depends on you two. This child's only hope for a life in the light is you. I can't explain anymore. It is forbidden to me. I'm sorry." The troubled garnet gaze met another pair of eyes, stormy blue-gray.

"How long? How long is our care needed?" Was his only question, and Usagi looked at him in surprise. Usually, he was the more suspicious one, but here he was, basically asking to name it.

"Eight years…maybe longer." Was the answer, and Usagi's eyes opened wide in shock.

"Eight years! In less time than that Chibi-Usa will be born! We'll be married! I know he needs us, but still…" Usagi looked at Mamoru for support, and found him staring down at the baby with an emotion in his eyes she had only seen when he looked at Chibi-Usa. The love of a father for his child. Mamoru had fallen in love with this baby. Usagi sighed. `Well, that's the end of it. I guess we're now officially parents.' Strangely, the thought didn't disturb her. She was twenty-one, Mamoru twenty-six. They were more then old enough to be parents.

"We'll do it." Mamoru said, and only then looked up at Usagi, a little sheepishly. She only smiled indulgently, and nodded.

"Hai. We'll do it."

A wave of relief washed over Setsuna. She smiled her first real smile that day, and Mamoru noted the fact the when she smiled, she was stunning. The thought flitted across his mind, and then he met gazes with Usagi, and it was blown away by the force of her love for him. He held the baby out for Usagi to hold, and she took him from Mamoru gently. Her heart fluttered in her chest as she beheld this miracle of life. His features were exact miniatures of the mature version, with little fingernails, and wisps of dark hair on his head. He yawned sleepily, but didn't wake. Her heart brimmed, and she knew she was lost.

"What's his name?" she asked, looking up at Pluto, only to find she had vanished. She met gazes with Mamoru. He shrugged. "What should we call him?" Usagi asked, biting her lip nervously. Naming him felt so odd, as if by doing so, she tied the three of them together forever.

"I don't know…how about…Shayaki? What do you think?" This was addressed to the baby, who sighed in his sleep and smiled a little bit. "Shayaki it is…Chiba Shayaki."

"Shay…our little Shay…" Usagi whispered, standing, still holding the baby. Mamoru stood as well, and wrapped them in his arms. He leaned down, and kissed Usagi gently.

"Where do we go from here?" he asked, and Usagi handed him the baby and reached for the phone.

* * *

The reaction of the scouts was varied. Minako was delighted.

"I'm an auntie! Yes I am, you cutie wutie wittle baby…" she cooed at Shay, who squirmed uncertainly in his surrogate mother's arms. Makoto snorted at the expression on the baby's face.

"You better lay off, `Auntie' Minako. He looks like he's about to throw up," she commented, and Minako hastily backed away, much to the amusement of the others present. The Inners were all there, along with Hotaru, Michiru, and Haruka, plus Luna and Artemis. Setsuna had left a few years ago, they supposed to go back to her duties as Guardian of Time. The day she brought Shay was the first time they had seen her since then.

"Well, he looks like he might have the makings of a Shinto priest," Rei said, peering closely at the baby. He reached out and tapped her head, as if blessing her. This display of divinity made Rei beam. Ami took her place. She moved her finger in front of his eyes, and was pleased at the way he tracked. She tickled his feet, and he responded to the stimulus by giggling and pulling his feet away.

"He's healthy, and I'm sure, with me as his tutor, he'll be very bright," the blue-haired young woman looked hopefully at Mamoru and Usagi. Makoto cut in.

"If she gets to teach him books, I get to teach him food! Guys should always know how to cook," she added, her hopeful gaze matching Ami's. Haruka chose this moment to speak.

"Then I get to teach him about machines…nothing is more masculine then messing with engines." The blonde racer slung an arm around Makoto's shoulders, and another hopeful gaze was joined to the first two.

"Well, I'll teach him about girls. I should know! I am one, right?" Minako asked, staring down at her generous chest as if checking to make sure. Rei rolled her eyes.

"If I may, I will guide him through his spiritual education," the priestess' voice was solemn, and Usagi took her request very seriously.

"I will teach him how to play," Hotaru added softly, blushing. She was now fourteen, and turning into a beautiful young lady, but she remembered well that time in her life when her body failed her often, and play was a thing of dreams. Usagi smiled at her encouragingly.

"We will teach him wisdom and restraint, once he is old enough to understand who we are," Luna said, having stayed silent, enjoying the happiness of the Senshi. Artemis nodded agreement.

"But also, I'll teach him when to have fun, right, Mina-chan?" Artemis called to his partner, and was rewarded with a `V' for victory.

"And I will teach him about music and art. He will be well rounded, in all ways," Michiru said, smiling down at the baby held in her friend's arms.

"Yes, he will, Michi. And Usagi and I will teach him about love." The Senshi smiled lovingly at their leaders, as Mamoru embraced his soon to be wife and new child. Suddenly, Usagi reached out and grabbed onto as many Senshi as she could reach, and pulled them into the embrace. Makoto held Luna, while Artemis was cradled in Minako's arms.

"We will teach him about family. He will know all his Aunts, or Uncle, as the case may be," she added, winking mischievously at Haruka, who had the good grace to blush.

"Yes," they all chorused together, "family."

"We will protect and guard him for as long as there is breath in our bodies," Mamoru added fiercely, and all present agreed without hesitation.

* * *

Shay grew, and was loved. Mamoru was there as he said his first word.

"Da, da," a voice came from the crib that was the newest addition to their slightly more cramped apartment. Mamoru was on his way to get Shay up for the morning when he heard it. He stopped in his tracks and stared in wonder at the crib.

"Usagi! Come here!" he yelled, though not too loudly. He heard her race down the hall. She came through the door at a run, and tripped, as she rarely did these days. Luckily, he was there to catch her.

"What's wrong? Is Shay all right?" she asked anxiously, moving to go to the crib. Mamoru stopped her.

"Listen," was all he said, so Usagi did.

"Da, da, da," Shay called, and they could hear him squirming. He rolled over, and looked through the bars of the crib at them. He gave them a toothless smile.

"Da!" Usagi looked at Mamoru with tears in her eyes.

He learned how to walk, and they were there. He learned how to talk, and they were there. He grew, and changed, and they loved him as if he were their own. They were married a year and a half after Shay was brought to them. Usagi's parents and brother had long since been told of the Senshi, and their daughter's destiny. When Shay was given to them for safekeeping, they understood. They loved him as their grandson, and in Shingo's case nephew.

He learned from his numerous Aunts. Ami taught him to read at three, and from then on books were an addiction. He banged pots in the kitchen with Makoto, and tools fascinated him, as they did Haruka. He was able to stay quiet as Michiru played or painted, and was delighted when for his fourth birthday he received a little pipe, and a palette of paints. He had a ball with Minako, and at five learned meditation with Rei. In Hotaru, he found a friend. They grew close, though she was much older than he was. She could always be counted on to baby-sit, even at the last minute. And he never thought it odd that his mother's cat, Luna, could talk, or that Auntie Minako's cat Artemis did as well.

And from his parents, he learned to love. Usagi gave him light. Just as she did, he was able to toddle, and later walk, then run into a room, and fill it with light. He had an ability to make people smile, even when he was too young and naïve to understand what was bothering them. From Mamoru, he learned to enjoy solitude, and reflection. He learned how to look at people, and see the real them, not a façade they put up to hide behind.

Through all this, there was a shadow. A shadow of fear, cast by the knowledge that one day, Pluto would come for Shay again. So they loved him while they could, and guarded him with their lives. And kept the sadness from their faces and manner, never letting him know. All they could do was love him, and hope that the power they knew he possessed would take a little longer, just a little longer, to show itself. And every day that it remained dormant, they were happy. No new threats appeared, and the legend of the Senshi became just another urban myth, to be resurrected only when the need was greatest.

Just a few months after he turned six, Usagi called a family meeting. Luna now lived almost exclusively at Minako's with Artemis, so it was just she and the guys. The three of them met in the living room of the same apartment they had when he was a baby. She sat down across from the boys, and marveled for a moment at their similarities. Shay had dark, almost blue-black hair, just as Mamoru did. His eyes were a dark blue, not quite the stormy blue-gray of Mamoru's, but close. They sat the same way, talked the same way. Even if Mamoru wasn't his biological father, nobody would be able to tell the difference anymore.

"Mamo-chan, Shay-chan, I have some news for you," she began, looking from one to the other, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

"What is it, Mommy?" Shay asked, his eyes lighting up with hope. Maybe she was going to let them get a puppy. `That would be great' Shay thought, looking at his mother.

"Well, I'm not sure how to put it…" she trailed off, eyes dancing with mirth as Mamoru and Shay groaned.

"What is it, Usako?" Mamoru prompted, becoming impatient. `Maybe she's going to let us get a dog' he thought hopefully.

"First of all, we are not getting a dog," she nearly burst out laughing at the sad-eyed faces looking at her from across the coffee table. "No. No dog," she said, and that was her final word. They sighed, and nodded. "But how about something better?"

"Like what?" Was Shay's innocent question, but a gleam of a different kind of hope was building in Mamoru's eyes as he took in Usagi's features more clearly. He couldn't believe he hadn't noticed it. She was glowing, as if the Silver Crystal was shining out through her skin.

"What do you think of getting a baby sister?" she asked, and Mamoru whooped, causing Shay to jump. He leaped up off the sofa and was at Usagi's side before she could blink, grinning like an idiot. He wrapped his arms around her, and swung her around the room. Shay didn't fully understand what the news was, but he giggled at his parents' antics. Mamoru finally set Usagi down, and kissed her, long and deep. After he broke away, Usagi looked up at him, her skin flushed.

"I believe that's how I got this way in the first place," was her mischievous suggestion. Mamoru could only grin, unrepentant.

"What is it, Mommy?" Shay finally asked, getting a little frustrated. Usagi smiled at him happily, sat on the sofa, and took him into her lap. He looked up at her, questioningly.

"You know what babies are, right Shay?" she asked, and smiled as he rolled his eyes at her.

"Mommy, I know what babies are! What is the surprise?" The young boy crossed his arms impatiently, wanting to know the secret.

"Shay, Mommy is going to have a baby. A baby girl. A sister for you," she said, brushing a lock of dark hair out of his face. His face remained puzzled for a moment, then cleared. He grinned.

"I'm going to have a sister!" he yelled happily, and the waiting began. He and Mamoru waited, and waited, and waited. In two months, Shay could see his Mommy's tummy getting bigger. When he asked about, she said that's where the baby was. From then on, he couldn't get enough of patting her stomach, or laying his head against it, or kissing it. When the baby started kicking, Usagi called Shay into her room. She patted the bed next to her, and he hopped up.

She took his hand, and placed it against her stomach. The baby chose that moment to kick. Shay looked at Usagi with wide eyes. Mamoru came in at that moment, and wondered what was going on. Shay copied Usagi, and patted the bed. Mamoru smiled slightly, and sat down. Shay took one of his large hands, and placed it against Usagi's stomach. Mamoru was about to say that yes, he knew that's where the baby was, and then she kicked. He felt the small movement beneath his hand, and his eyes filled with wonder.

"Mamo-chan, we're having a baby," Usagi said, and the family embraced.

Just two months before Shay's seventh birthday, Usagi went into labor. It was July 29th, the day before Usagi's own birthday. She would be twenty-seven. They were all relaxed on the sofa, watching some TV show. Mamoru and Usagi were side by side, his arm around her shoulder. Shay had his head resting against her now very large stomach. Shay was almost asleep when he felt her belly ripple with a spasm, and heard a sharp intake of breath.

"Mamoru, it's time," was all she said, and that sent him into action. Rei was called to come stay with Shay. The hospital was notified, as were Usagi's parents. Then Mamoru got her bag ready, grabbed his car keys, and trotted out the door. Usagi still sat on the sofa, Shay next to her. She counted on her fingers.

"One…Two…Three.." at three, Mamoru came back through the door, a very sheepish look on his face. "Forget something, honey?"

"Hai, though not for long." He swooped her up in his arms, and carried her to the car, ignoring her pleas to put her down, damn it! He set her down next to the passenger side, and opened the door for her. Just as she was buckling up, Rei squealed into the parking lot.

"Go on up, Rei, its unlocked," Mamoru called, waving. She nodded.

"Good luck, Odango Atama!" was her affectionate and slightly worried reply, which only made Usagi smile. They drove to the hospital, and after twelve hours of labor, cussing, threats of castration, and much use of anesthesia, a beautiful girl was brought into the world along with the dawn. She had a light fuzz of pink hair on her head, and big reddish eyes, but you couldn't see them at first because her little face was scrunched up, and she was wailing her woes out for the world to hear.

A nurse handed her to Mamoru, who stared at her in wonder, before handing her to a very tired Usagi. After a few hours rest, Rei arrived with Shay, and the new baby was brought back to the room, and shown proudly to the two. Rei was proud of her friend, and gave Usagi a big, noisy kiss that made her squeal in shock, followed by laughter.

Shay studied his sister carefully. He felt so large compared to her, which was a new experience for him. He touched her small hand with his finger, and was delighted when she wrapped her hand around it.

"What's her name, Mommy?" he asked, still transfixed. Usagi smiled.

"Her name is Usagi, but we will call her Chibi-Usa," she said, and he smiled. She was beautiful, just like their mother, and Usagi was a good name for her.

"Chibi-Usa," he whispered, feeling protective of this little baby he had only just met. He felt a power swelling in him, boiling to the surface in answer to his need to protect his sister. Rei whirled around to look at him, feeling the building of power as well. Shay started glowing. A symbol appeared on his forehead, but in the brightness of the light, neither of them could make it out.

In the hallway, Mamoru could see a light shining from underneath the door, and rushed in to see what was going on. He found to his dismay, his son, with fully awakened powers. He didn't know how he knew, but somehow he could feel that Shay had come into his own, almost two years early. The thought chilled him to the bone. The light faded, and so did the symbol they still hadn't gotten to see.

He heard a crack behind him, and slowly turned to see a portal, with Pluto standing in it, Time Staff planted firmly in the hospital corridor. Rei could feel tears welling up in her eyes. She heard gasps from down the hall, and peeked out of the door to see that all the Senshi were there, including the cats, who had been stuffed into purses. They had thought to surprise Usagi with their visit, but were now the ones surprised. They trailed sadly behind Pluto, like a rain-washed parade, as she walked into the hospital room where Usagi lay with Chibi-Usa in her arms.

Shay looked up at her. She smiled at him briefly, then faced the figure lying on the bed. She sighed.

"I am sorry, Usagi-chan. It is time. I know it has come early, but that is because you loved him so much. Now, he is needed in his time." The mysterious Senshi of Pluto looked into each of the faces in the room. They had loved Shay, cared for him, watched him grow. Now he would leave them forever.

"Mommy, what's going on? Who are you?" This was directed at Pluto.

"I am Sailor Pluto, Guardian of the Gates of Time. I brought you here, almost seven years ago, to live with Usagi-san and Mamoru-san. Now, it is time for you to return. You are needed greatly." The answer was one that would have confused almost all six-year-olds, but Shay was not a normal six-year-old. He thought about it for minute, then looked up at Pluto with understanding in his eyes, which began filling with tears that he valiantly tried to hold back. He looked at his family, the only one he had ever known.

"Will I get to see them again?" was all he asked. Pluto was not surprised.

"I do not know for sure, but perhaps." Her enigmatic reply would have frustrated most, but Shay merely nodded.

"Can I say goodbye?" She nodded. He ran to the group of Senshi watching, most of them crying. They all hugged and kissed him, and whispered advice and love in his ears. Then he turned to his father, mother, and new sister. The tears he had held back spilled over, and he threw himself into Mamoru's arms. Tears leaked out from Mamoru's eyes, and he made no effort to hide them. Shay let go, and turned to Usagi and Chibi-Usa. He hugged them gently, and kissed his sister on top of her head. He walked back towards Pluto and the portal, and Usagi spoke.

"Shayaki, we love you. We have loved since we met you. We will love you until we die. You have been the light in our lives these seven years, and filled them with happiness and laughter, and most importantly, love. Now, so that you will never forget us, this love we give to you." As she said this, she held up her hand, and a glow surrounded it. When the glow faded, a ring remained in its place. It was a plain gold band, and she read what was engraved on the inside.

"This love we give to you, eternally. Remember us."

* * *

Late that night, in the same hospital room, Usagi carefully opened the letter Pluto had slipped her as she left with Shay. She read and then re-read it, tears brimming in her eyes, but this time ones of joy. Mamoru stirred in the chair next to her bed where he had fallen asleep, and slowly opened his eyes. After waking up almost fully, Usagi handed him the letter. He read it, and he too felt tears of joy sting his eyes. They looked at each other, full of love for one another.

Usagi scooted over so that there was room for Mamoru in her bed. He climbed in and held her close to him, until they both fell asleep, their last thoughts of the letter.

* * *

Dear Usagi,

This is Shayaki's mother. How do I know what you named him? Because once, we named him the same thing. Chiba Shayaki. In this time, I am known only as Serenity, but once I was just Usagi, and to someone special, Usako. Don't lose heart. You will see Shay again, though many, many years lie between your time and now. The evil that almost killed me is growing stronger, and I know that, with the help of both my daughter, and son, I can defeat it. We can defeat the evil, along with the help of our Senshi. If ever you need help, just buzz Pluto, and she can drop me a line. ;) We are one and the same, my friend. And remember, this love we give to you.

Queen Serenity of Crystal Tokyo

Wife of Endymion

Mother of Chibi-Usagi, and Shayaki

* * *

Shay followed the silent Pluto through the halls of Time. The floor was shadowed in mist, and so was the way back and forward. All he could see was the woman walking ahead of him. Not a word was spoken between them, but it wasn't an empty silence. Shay knew that if he were older, he would know what this kind of silence was.

They reached a doorway, and Sailor Pluto knocked her Staff against it. It opened, and before them lay a city of crystal. Shay gasped in delight at the wondrous sight before him. All was not peaceful in the crystal city; a foreboding hanging over its glimmering skyscrapers. On the dim horizon, a black, roiling cloud of something brewed, slowly creeping up on Crystal Tokyo. Shay knew it was Evil. Pluto stepped solemnly out of the portal and Shay followed. A hilltop came into view, and a crowd of people waited there. Pluto walked towards them, her steps calm and collected.

Shay heard a familiar voice calling his name. He looked, and there stood his mother and father, just as he had left them in the past. He ran the rest of the way to the hill, and threw himself into his mother's arms. Serenity hugged him to her, joy filling her heart. He was so grown up. Endymion ruffled his son's hair, just as Mamoru of old had done. Shay looked around him, and saw that all the scouts were present. He hugged them, and was happier than he could ever remember being.

He searched the small crowd for one face, one small figure with pink hair. She was no where in sight. He turned to his mother.

"Mommy, where's Chibi-Usa, my imouto-chan? I don't see her." As he spoke, a shadow was cast over him, and he turned around quickly to see a teenage girl standing behind him. She wasn't much older than him, seven or eight years, but for him, seeing her only an hour ago as a baby, then seeing her as this almost grown woman, was very confusing. She looked at him uncertainly.

"I remember you…from long, long ago," she whispered, smiling tentatively at him. He finally decided age didn't matter, and threw his arms around his big little sister. As he stepped away, he turned to face his mother again, a smile on his lips, his dark hair tousled.

"You gave me love," the amazing little boy whispered, happiness filling him. "Now, I give this love to you…" The power inside him boiled up again, and a symbol appeared on his forehead. This time, it was clear. A crescent moon shown on his forehead. They all knew what must be done. The time had come. A circle was formed, with the three royals connected to the moon in the middle. Endymion joined hands with Mars and Venus.

As one, they said, "Cosmic Moon Power!" Serenity and Small Lady were transformed into their dresses, while Shay received a white suit of armor identical to Prince Endymion's armor. The power roared through them, filling the Senshi with hope and light. This was more than they had ever touched before. They let it build, slowly, not rushing it. As it reached its peak, they let it loose, and it sped towards the cloud of darkness he had seen earlier.

The white light pierced the darkness, burning it to ash, destroying it completely. Shay, Serenity, and Chibi-Usa lay on the ground, sleeping, warn out from controlling and channeling so much power. The darkness was gone, the land laid to rest.

Shay awoke first, and smiled happily at the figures gathered around him. After the excitement had died down, he slipped away to think. He took off the gold ring and read the inscription.

"This love we give to you, eternally. Remember us."

"How could I ever forget?" he asked aloud, and jumped when a hand came down on his shoulder. He turned to have his gaze met by his sister's. She pulled him back towards the group, and he followed willingly.

The towers of the city sparkled in the clear sky, a new legacy dawning from the depths of loss and darkness. Where Shayaki and Chibi-Usagi would end up in the future was anyone's guess, save for the lone figure standing away from the crowd, enigmatic eyes catching the light and glowing with hidden knowledge. A satisfied smile came to her lips, a portal opening behind her. The last strand of forest-green hair slipped through as a silver-eyed queen watched her guardian disappear once more, awaiting the Time when she would be called on again.