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Diamohns are Forever	By : SailorSol Category: Sailor Moon > General Views: 22490 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Sailor Moon, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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CHANGE FOR THE WORSE

Kunzite smiled as Takara appeared before Metalia�s throne. His youma had been destroyed, he was bruised, battered and bloody, and his uniform was mere tatters thanks to the swords of Endymion and Kishi Mercury.

On one side of Kunzite, Zoisite chuckled at Takara�s appearance. On Kunzite�s other side, Nephrite started choking in an effort to contain his laughter. Jadeite sighed and shook his head sadly.

�It is a sorry day in the Dark Kingdom,� Jadeite said. �When a General cannot hold his own against mere Kishi.�

�You try it, Jadeite,� Takara growled, turning towards the blonde Tennou. �There were eight of them, and two Senshi! Then, Endymion�s guards took their turns!�

�Which Senshi, Takara,� Kunzite asked, seemingly all business.

�I don�t know which ones,� Takara snapped. �One in dark blue with short blonde hair, and one in green with a brown ponytail.�

�Sailor Uranus and Sailor Jupiter,� Jadeite said. �You are paying the price for abducting Sol and Terra from them, Takara. I can read body language as well as anyone. Uranus is Sol�s lover, and Jupiter is Terra�s. They suffered as much as the Kishi when you took them.�

�I don�t need that from you, Jadeite,� Takara snarled.

�You will take it, nonetheless,� Metalia said. �First, you abducted them without my permission. Then, you and Beryl attempted to use them to usurp my throne. You abused them while they were here, and attempted to abuse them even after you were ordered to leave them alone. Now, you are surprised that those they chose to bestow their favors on were displeased with losing them. You deserve every harsh word that my senior generals choose to give you. If you had not defied me, perhaps the Shitennou would still be the Rokotennou.�

�I resent the implication that I am responsible for their loss,� Takara said. �Jadeite was there when Tanzanite was taken, and it is hardly my fault that Soladite became pregnant.�

�Unless the child was yours,� Nephrite said quietly. His voice echoed in the throne room.

�Nephrite has a point, Takara,� Metalia said. �I do not believe that the Shitennou could breed with someone born on Earth. You, on the other hand, are fully human. It could very well be your fault.�

�That�s absurd!� Takara growled. �She was spreading her legs for anyone and everyone that approached her, including Galaxite! He�s more likely to have fathered a child on her!�

�Nevertheless, Takara,� Metalia said. �You have earned some derision. Go to your quarters and contemplate your punishment, while I decide what will be appropriate.�

�Yes, Great Queen,� he said, his eyes hooded. A doorway appeared next to him, and he stepped into it and disappeared.

Kunzite caught the eyes of Nephrite and Jadeite and they both nodded. They all agreed that they needed to talk.

~*~*~*~

When Jadeite and Quartzite arrived, Nephrite was already seated in a leather armchair with a bottle of brandy between his feet and a snifter in his hand.

�You�re behind,� he said. �Zoisite and I were just agreeing that Takara and Beryl may try something soon. We need to be prepared.�

�Agreed,� Jadeite said. He made a couch to recline on and draped himself on it. Quartzite made a thick futon on the floor in front of the couch and reclined on that, leaning back against the couch so that he was touching Jadeite. Jadeite reached down and ran his fingers through Quartzite�s hair.

�What we have to agree on is what to do,� Kunzite said as he and Zoisite came into the room.

�Agreed,� Jadeite said. �Now, what do we do?�

�It is times like this that I miss Soladite the most,� Zoisite said, sitting down in midair. �She could always decide on the correct action, even if none of us understood it.�

�You were second only to Soladite in strategy, Jadeite,� Kunzite said. �What do you think we should do?�

�We should prepare Nephrite�s house outside Tokyo,� Jadeite said cautiously.

�We should tell my sisters,� Quartzite said, looking up at them. �They would never reject someone and leave them to Takara�s nonexistent mercy.�

�I agree,� Jadeite said. �Nephrite and I can work on the hideout. You and Zoisite work on the girls.�

�You�re a fine one to call them �girls�, Jadeite,� Quartzite said. �I seem to remember interrupting you and Soladite outside the arena while you were training her.�

�I was helping her relax,� Jadeite said. �There was nothing personal in it, and Kunzite knows that. Fighting stirs the blood, and I was responsible for her health.�

�So long as that�s as far is it goes,� Kunzite growled.

�She was completely devoted to you, Kunzite,� Jadeite said. �I never stood a chance of anything.�

�I will contact Hoshiko as soon as possible,� Kunzite said.

~*~*~*~

The five of them had finally decided to break up their �meeting� and start on their individual projects when Queen Metalia�s summons rang in their heads.

They appeared in the throne room, obedient to her summons. Beryl was standing at the foot of the dais, and Takara was half way up the steps. Metalia had a puzzled look on her face as she turned her attention to them.

�Kunzite,� she said. �Takara swears that he has information that will gain us more energy than we could ever use.�

�I seriously doubt that, My Queen,� Kunzite said. �Takara�s history of failures does not qualify him for any kind of strategy, let alone one for collecting energy.�

�So I believe, as well,� Metalia said. She turned her attention back to Takara.

�You will discuss your plan with Kunzite and Jadeite,� she told him. �If they believe that it has merit, then and only then, we will implement it.�

�That is what I thought you would say,� Takara said.

Before their eyes, he disappeared and reappeared at the top of the dais. He created a sword with a wide jagged blade. Metalia rose from her throne with her mouth open to reprimand him, and he pulled his hand back and drove the blade into her body to the hilt.

All four of the Shitennou immediately readied attacks and were about to let fly when they were interrupted.

�Stop!� Beryl�s voice rang out. They turned to look at her, and she brought her staff down on the ground. The resulting crack echoed through the throne room.

�You will not attack Takara,� Beryl said. �I am Queen, now. You will obey me in all things.� She turned away from them and climbed the stairs of the dais to the throne. She waved her hand and Metalia�s body rose into the air and attached itself to one of the pillars in the throne room. Beryl seated herself on the throne and gazed down at the Shitennou and the four junior generals with a smile.

�Nephrite,� she said. �You and Jadeite will begin formulating plans to retrieve Soladite and Tanzanite. We will not be deprived of generals. Quartzite, you will methodically check with the senior officers to be certain that they are prepared for battle. Zoisite, you will send your spy youma out for information on the Senshi, and you will wait for their reports. Kunzite, I wish to speak with you privately.�

Beside Kunzite, all of the color drained from Zoisite�s face. He knew what Beryl meant. His muscles bunched and his hands balled into fists.

Beryl caught his eye and smiled at him. She knew exactly what she was doing.

�You have your orders,� she said.

Zoisite turned his eyes to Kunzite, who nodded, almost imperceptibly. They would talk about it later. It seemed that the day they expected had come sooner than any of them thought.

None of them noticed that Takara was watching Hematite as he turned and walked out of the throne room.

***** *****

Aster was lying next to the pool, drowsing in the sunlight with Vincent spooned behind her. Haruka was on a lounge nearby while Michiru swam in the pool. She lay on her side. It was already uncomfortable to lie on her stomach. Her little bulge constantly reminded her of her time in the Dark Kingdom, and Kunzite. The presence of the rest of Endymion�s guards constantly reminded her of Atlas.

She sat up abruptly as she felt a surge of Dark Kingdom energies. She and Vincent transformed together and leapt to their feet. Outside the solarium, Sailor Terra and Endymion leapt up from the stone bench they had been lying on and ran towards the front of the house.

Sailor Sol grabbed her partner and teleported the two of them to the rooftop deck. From there, the two of them dropped down to land near the front stoop, where the surge of energies had come from.

Instead of an enemy ready to attack them, they found Terra and Endymion standing over Quartzite, bruised and disheveled. His uniform was disarrayed and torn, with bloodspots on it. He had his arms wrapped around a nude male figure that was covered in bruises and scratches.

Quartzite looked up at Sailor Sol and her partner, his eyes wide and full of tears.

�Aster,� he whispered. �Help us. Takara � �

He never finished the sentence, as he passed out, collapsing on the steps of the house.

Sol automatically reached out with her Dark powers to cushion his fall and to lift both of them off of the ground. As she did, the two of them separated to allow Sol a clear look at the other man�s face.

�Hematite!� she whispered.

The name brought Terra�s head up, and she stared at Sol in disbelief.

�Who would do such a thing to Hematite?� she demanded. �Everyone loved him, and would protect him.�

�Almost everyone,� Sol corrected. She removed her tiara and Aster put her henshin wand in her pocket.

�Let�s get them inside,� Aster said. �After they�ve been healed and they�ve woken, then they can tell us what happened. It can�t possibly be good.� She reached out and turned Hematite�s bruised face to reveal a scratch above his eye that was very familiar to all four standing there.

�We need Toshio,� Aster said. �Yoshi should see someone he loves when he wakes.�

�He doesn�t love Hyperion,� Mamoru said. �He loves Jadeite.�

�It was Hyperion originally,� Aster said. �This gives us the lever we need to get Jadeite out of the Dark Kingdom.�

�What about the other three?� Lucinda asked as she looked Hematite over.

�I think he is exhausted from the beating and the assault,� Lucinda said finally. �I believe he will recover with minimal attention and a great deal of rest.�

�I agree,� Aster said. �The most wrong with both of them is exhaustion and shock. As for the other three, if we can find Naru, we will have Nephrite. Setsuna and I are still looking.�

�What about Zoisite and Kunzite?� another voice joined the conversation. Aster looked up to see Taro standing there, with Toshio and Masato standing behind him.

�When the time comes, they will come to us,� Aster said. �I cannot imagine that Takara would have the nerve to attack Hematite unless something has happened to Metalia. That would leave Beryl in control. She can only push Kunzite and Zoisite so far, before they will leave.�

�What do you think will push them?� Masato asked.

Aster looked pointedly at Hematite�s bruised face, and then looked at Masato meaningfully.

�I hope not,� Taro said. �Zoisite doesn�t deserve that.�

�No one ever deserves it,� Lucinda snapped, uncharacteristically short tempered. She paused immediately and walked over to Taro.

�I am sorry,� she said. She pressed her forehead into his chest and put her hands on his waist.

Unable to be angry with her, Taro put his arms around her and pulled her close.

�I know you didn�t mean it,� he said. �You go with him. Toshio will stay with Yoshi. They will recover, don�t worry.�

�I cannot help but worry,� Lucinda said. She pressed into Taro�s chest, and did not move as Mamoru came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her from behind.

Aster shook her head and sighed as she levitated both of the new arrivals into the house.

***** *****

Two days after their arrival, Yoshi and Hematite shakily made their way down the stairs and into the living room. Hematite immediately went to Lucinda and huddled next to her. He kept his eyes on every man who came near him. He was not afraid, only wary.

Yoshi immediately sought out Rei and stayed with her. He let Eduard and Michie near him without question, but the approach of any other male brought tension and a hint of fear to his eyes.

�What are we going to do?� Aster queried Usagi.

�Do what you did for me,� Usagi said. �Why don�t we restock the liquor cabinets and the bar here in the big house, and then we girls all have a night out, no boys allowed. When we get back from the night, we climb into bed with whatever pairing we want.�

�That sounds like a capital idea,� Aster said. �Those of us who are pregnant will act as the designated drivers.�

�That�s most of us,� Usagi said. �Who�s going to babysit?�

�Some of us who don�t want to go out,� Haruka�s voice made them both turn. She slipped one arm around Aster and patted her bump gently with the other hand.

�You make sure you�re one of the responsible ones, Sun-Face,� she said. �I�ll babysit, with Michiru and Sean. I already know some of the satellites will help.�

�Okay,� Aster said. �I promise, we�ll take Washino.�

�You better.�

~*~*~*~

It was after 2AM when the group of women returned to the Compound. They had finally decided on packing a picnic and go to the beach. It was not common to visit the beach at night, but they found a firepit, built a fire, and sat around it eating, talking, and singing.

They entered Chiba house stealthily, on stocking and bare feet, and stopped where they were, staring.

Every table in the living room was littered with bottles and drinking vessels, from sake bowls to highball glasses. Futons had been pulled from the extra couches and laid out in front of the television. Nude male bodies, in twos and threes, sprawled in several different directions.

Usagi smiled at Aster and gave her a �thumbs up� before she padded over to where Mamoru and Thomas lay with their arms around one another. She shed her clothes in a compact pile and wiggled in between them.

Aster looked at Lucinda, and the two of them walked over to where some blankets had been piled. They carefully covered each group of men, one at a time, until everyone had something over them against the early morning chill that would shortly creep into the house.

Lucinda shed her clothing and lay down behind Makoto, wrapped in Vincent�s arms, and within arms� reach of Mamoru.

Aster looked around, and finally padded over and laid down with Joben and Sakura. Joben reached for her and pulled her between the two of them. He buried his nose in her hair and sighed in contentment. She closed her eyes and let the world fade away.

***** *****

Sunrise brought consciousness to Aster. She stirred in Joben�s arms, and raised herself up to look around. Across the room, she saw Vincent rise up as well. He smiled wanly at her and then levered himself up to stagger towards one of the two downstairs bathrooms.

When he came out, Aster had found aspirin and some water. She handed them to him quietly, and waited while he took some.

�Get the others up,� she said. �ChibiUsa and the children will be in or over soon to have breakfast, and we don�t want them finding a living room full of naked adults.�

�Right, honey,� he said. �I�ll get everybody up, an� then I�ll go up an� grab a shower before I come down to help you fix breakfast.�

~*~*~*~

While everyone else was eating, Aster sat watching Hematite interact with Mamoru. Of all the men in the room, Mamoru was the only one who Hematite was not flirting with.

In the Dark Kingdom, Aster had never once questioned that Hematite and Galaxite were brothers. She had also wondered why Galaxite looked like Mamoru. Now, she found herself looking at the two of them, wondering if Hematite was a Chiba.

She thought hard as she finished eating, helped clear the table, helped clean up, and then went upstairs to shower herself and change into fresh clothes.

When she came downstairs, she approached Hematite, who was still near Mamoru.

�Hematite,� she said. �I know this is going to sound strange, but I want you to pull out a few hairs for me.�

�You want a ring like Kunzites?� he asked. �Of course, if you think it will help.�

�Not exactly,� Aster said. She waited while Hematite pulled a few of the hairs from the locks at his temples and handed them to her with a smile.

Aster smiled back and put the hairs into a plastic envelope.

�I�ll send these to Kyoto,� she said. �I�m very curious about why you and Mamoru look alike.�

�We could fly down,� Haruka said. �We could bring the results back the same day.�

�You stay here,� Takagi said, taking the envelope out of her hand. �I�ll take it to the laboratory in Kyoto.�

�I�m perfectly capable of doing it myself,� Aster said, reaching for the envelope.

�Takagi is right, Aster,� Lucinda said. �You and I should stay here. Besides, you are the one who is legally responsible for the children. Takagi can fly down and come back with the results.�

�Besides,� Takagi said. �Someone has to check on things in Kyoto. Your cousin Huyu is there with my mother and servants. She is talking about moving to Nagasaki with my brother Kagara and his family, but she hasn�t made any definite plans.�

�Is she uncomfortable, having no other close family nearby?� Aster asked.

�Not especially,� Takagi said. �Remember, she was raised in Nagano.�

�I have an idea,� Aster said. �Something that will solve all of our domestic troubles, except those involving property.�

�What?� Takagi was very interested in having his mother safe.

�Suggest that she AND Huyu move to Nagasaki,� Aster said. �Remember, my father lives down there, and my niece Mariko is about a year younger than Huyu. While you are in Kyoto, call Kagara and have him get together with my father to find something appropriate to your mother�s station and Huyu�s interests. That means something on the edges of the city, where Huyu can dirt bike in the hills. Then, since you and I are what passes for the head of the family, tell your mother that she will be safer in Nagasaki, and that you and Kagara will make the arrangements. I can ask my father to send some of the family to get her moved and keep her safe on the way.�

�And possibly send Mariko along to keep Huyu company,� Takagi mused.

�No,� Aster said. �However, it will take almost a whole day for the moving truck to get to Nagasaki. It will take another whole day to unpack and set up house, possibly two. Where do you think they can stay in the meantime?�

�Kagara decided on an apartment,� Takagi said. �He doesn�t have the room.�

�My father has an estate in the hills,� Aster pointed out. �He definitely has the room.�

�Nikkou, you are devious,� Takagi said, kissing her lightly.

~*~*~*~

When Takagi came back, he found several people clustered around an unconscious Hematite on one of the couches, while Aster embraced her sister, comforting her.

�What happened?� Takagi asked, the report in his hands forgotten for the moment.

�Hematite asked to �look� at the babies,� Aster replied. �He�s never been around pregnant women. Everything went fine, until he �looked� at Lucinda�s babies. Then he fainted.�

�I am afraid, now,� Lucinda said. �I am afraid that there is something terribly wrong with them.�

A murmured conversation attracted their attention before everyone around Hematite burst into laughter. Hematite sat up, his face crimson with embarrassment. Sean clapped his hand on Hematite�s shoulder in reassurance.

�That�s alright, lad,� he said. �When I was told I was goin� t� be a father, I almost fainted meself.�

�He might have more reason to faint,� Takagi said, raising the envelope. �I went to the same lab that Hosyu used. When they were done with the lab work, I asked for a comparison. They told me that he was closely related to one of the samples that we brought last time.�

�Which one?� Aster asked, looking from Hematite, to Mamoru, to Takagi.

�He only gave me a number,� Takagi said. �I don�t have the key list.�

�I do,� Lucinda said. �I put it in the office. I will get it.�

She left Aster to cross the living room and disappear into the office. She returned a few moments later with the folded paper that Aster had handed her. It seemed like a lifetime ago.

�Don�t keep us in suspense, Takagi,� Aster said. �Who is he related to?�

�They say he is closely related to Sample 9,� Takagi said. �The experts down there said they are siblings. Now, we have to figure out how he got to the Dark Kingdom.�

�I think I know,� Lucinda said. �Mamo-chan�s mother was pregnant at the time of the crash. She was due to give birth in a few days. Mamo-chan had already promised to share with his new brother, and his mother had decided on his name. He was going to be named Hiroshi.�

�That�s perfect,� Aster said, smiling. �If there�s one thing that Hematite is, it�s generous.�

�Let me make sure I understand this,� Mamoru said, coming over to the three of them. �We already know that Takara caused the accident. The memories that Lucinda taped for me told us that. So now, you are saying that he stole my brother before he was even born, and took him to the Dark Kingdom, and gave him to the Black Queen?�

�I don�t think so,� Aster said. �Amethyst didn�t end up raised as Metalia�s child. I think, perhaps, that Metalia herself took Hiroshi and presented him to the others as her child.�

�How would Metalia get here?� Mamoru asked. �She didn�t have the ability.�

�Who knows what abilities she has?� Aster asked. �Even I couldn�t tell you, and I spent more time there than you, and as a willing member of the establishment. Metalia�s mind control was minimal. I don�t even think the Shitennou know the extent of her abilities.�

�Perhaps we have a better idea than they,� Lucinda said softly. �We know something that the Shitennou do not. We have seen people like her before.�

�Who?� Mamoru asked, cocking his head as he studied his partner.

�Terrene.�

TBC
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Diamohns are Forever