Tokyo
Juuban Prefecture
It was a beautiful spring day in Tokyo. Naru gave Umino a lingering smile as their hands met across the table as a warm breeze enfolded them. The young couple finding themselves lost in a timeless moment outside a botanical café aptly named, The Cherry Blossom Café, nestled within a circle of beautiful Sakura.
The branches bowing before them, caught in the warm breeze, reminding Umino of a beautiful Japanese flower maiden draped in pink silk.
Suddenly, four fast moving cats sped past their table.
"Wasn't that Luna and Artemis, Umino?" Naru's eyes shot back to her lover's face as they rose to see where the cats were heading. "But those other cats?"
"Yeah," he replied, as the girls flew past in hot pursuit, "What's the hurry? They didn't even bother to say hi," Umino mumbled as he stared after the girls as they followed hot on the heels of the cats.
He frowned as he pulled out Naru's chair.
Naru shook her head, smiled, and adjusted her skirt and shoulder bag, wondering why they were in such a great hurry.
Naru was a tall slim redhead; her bright attentive emerald-green eyes shone with a curious gleam. Umino loved the way she tossed back her tumble of vermilion whenever she laughed at something he said or did.
Umino had proved a worthy partner in all things, especially in matters of the heart, and his skill as a lover surprised and thrilled her. She grinned to herself, remembering their first night of tender lovemaking. Recalling how shy they were that magic night.
Then Mamoru called out as he approached his friends, "Come on guys, there's somebody you might like to meet."
As they entered the familiar interior of the Crown Arcade, Umino found the flashing lights, sounds and atmosphere a welcome sight. The aroma of freshly percolated coffee seducing his senses as the sound of the cappuccino machine, sizzling burgers and other treats -- both western and Japanese -- brought a smile to his lips. Both he and Naru had come here for years.
Usagi, had sat Naru and Umino down and explained to them the legacy that she, Usagi, the girls and Mamoru all shared. But Michiru and Haruka were reluctant to accept Usagi's decision to bring them into the fold. She had to take the girls aside and explain why. Naru and Umino were honored to be included in this world of danger, intrigue and incredible adventure of which their friends were a part. They looked at one another nervously as Usagi and the two reluctant Senshi came back into the room. But fortunately, they were relieved to find the two women had radically changed their attitude and were all smiles as they hugged each of them warmly and welcomed them into their circle.
Mamoru and the girls sat in a nearby booth. Luna, Artemis, and the new fur-lined arrivals sat watching the door while Naru stroked Loki and Morgana.
Then, the bell rang and in came Aki, having used the disguise pen. She winked at her sister, Magenta Dawn only having just arrived on Earth herself.
Aki then clapped eyes on Motoki, a strange sense of déjà vu overcoming her. She wanted so to talk to him, but didn't know why. She knew this guy was not somebody for which she felt a romantic attraction. Rather, he was a kindred spirit, a mentor, relative, or something.
She stood there staring at him.
Suddenly, a vision of a man, looking a lot like Motoki flashed in her head. He looked almost identical to the guy standing before her, but for his clothing, and she knew deep in her heart she had seen her birth father in her vision. But was this guy he? She didn't know, but she was determined to find out.
"Hi, I am Furuhata Motoki at your service," Motoki grinned as he looked at the girl and felt something of a tug at his heart, but was not so sure why.
Aki smiled, "Hello, Furuhata Motoki, I am Aki and pleased to meet you," she said in a cheerful voice. Motoki felt a pulse of energy shooting up his arm to his heart and it scared him, such was its sense of warmth and familiarity. He couldn't explain it and just stared at the pretty girl standing before him. Remembering himself, he bowed.
She smiled and approached the table where the girls and both Umino and Mamoru sat and performed the Senshi salute. The other girls seated in the booth sputtered and coughed, but were glad only they, Mamoru, the cats, Naru, and Umino knew the significance of the gesture.
"Hi Aki," Usagi greeted, as the blonde sat down in the booth beside her.
"Motoki, take a seat…," she said, pulling him down beside her. The girls giggled. Rei whooped Usagi almost sprayed her shake all over Ami and Makoto while Mamoru arched an eyebrow, giving Aki a questioning look and winked at Motoki, glad to have an opportunity to tease his best friend for a change.
"Oh-oh, looks like trouble, look at who's coming up behind Motoki-kun!" Artemis whispered to Luna and the other two Mauans, all their ears pressed back against their heads as they looked on, feeling sorry for the fair-haired manager of the Crown Arcade .
Aki was touching Motoki's cheek and hair, examining his features close-up, unaware of the fact Reika was standing in shock, tears welling up in her eyes, trying not to cry behind him.
Motoki couldn't move, finding himself in some sort of trance.
‘That face, I know her, but from where?'
He found it increasingly difficult to take his eyes off the stunning girl's face.
‘She's so beautiful, and that face…it could launch a thousand, no…10000 ships. I shouldn't be thinking this way. But I can at least admire her from afar, can't I?'
She leaned forward, pecked his cheek, and said something he didn't quite catch and blushed at the innocent gesture.
"Sorry, I missed that..."
"Father… you are so like the image of my father!"
Reika stood stunned, rooted to the spot, glaring at Motoki and the girl who was practically draped all over him and he wasn't doing anything to stop her.
‘He must be…seeing her in secret. But…'
"Motoki! What the hell is all this? Reika growled, clenching her fists.
"I-I'm sorry Reika, honey. But Aki here thinks I am her-"
"I don't want to hear it, of all the people you had to take up with, a girl still in junior high. I am sorry, I expected more of you than…this!" she said, pointing at Aki, who looked confused. But she looked at Reika and startled her by jumping up to hug her.
"I am sorry, but I thought he was my father. I am new to this plan- I mean prefecture and am unfamiliar with local – customs?" Aki explained, looking at Motoki who was white as a ghost. But as Aki clung to Reika, a burst of soft mauve light almost blinded her.
Everyone seated at the table, and surrounding customers looked at the booth in search of photographers and blinked as their vision cleared.
"Whoops, sorry guys, I didn't mean to do that…" Aki said, and Reika stood there dumbstruck as the vision of a crystal girl clinging to her totally stunned her, but she was back to normal, whatever that meant. She touched Aki's hair to make sure it was no longer crystal and shook her head.
"Okay, I believe you, but how did you do that?"
"Do what? I don't understand," Aki said, biting her bottom lip as she'd seen Usagi do and let it quiver and forced a tear to trickle down her cheek. "I am sorry for making you think I was trying to steal your boyfriend."
"It's okay, don't cry, hey!" she said, pulling the strange, but cute girl into a hug. Aki winked at Motoki as he watched her salvage what looked like a compromising situation to his fiancé.
"Aki, I would like you to meet my fiancé, Nishimura Reika, Reika, this is Aki…"
"Nice to meet you, I am sorry for thinking the worst and hope we can start off on a better footing," she said, hugging an embarrassed and relieved Motoki.
Minako, glad to see Reika and Motoki kissing and making up behind the counter, smiled and commented on the delicate pink rose pinned to Aki's white t-shirt, contrasting with her dark complexion, the bubblegum-pink vest and skirt -- completing the picture.
"I love your world, it's so cool," Aki pronounced as she licked her strawberry cheesecake ice-cream cone, "Meao-Setsuna will soon arrive."
Setsuna entered the arcade in the company of a tall and well-built man in his early twenties. Enki was a little shorter than Mamoru, the difference in height negligible.
Motoki, curious about the guy beside the radiant Setsuna, leaned on the counter and listened in as Reika massaged his shoulders.
"I have wonderful news. I only wish I could have sent for you. But due to circumstances out of my control, this was impossible. Enki and I met four years ago on Orpheus. Over time, we became good friends and fell in love. We're married," Setsuna, blurted out, no longer able to contain herself.
Not a sound stirred. Then Usagi jumped to her feet and flung her arms about Setsuna's neck, almost hugging the breath out of her lungs. "Eeeee, that's fantastic news, Setsuna, nice one guys," she said, with a smile as tears of joy ran down her cheeks.
"Well, we didn't want to steal as they say Setsuna-chan's thunder!" Aki giggled as the crystal girl introduced her brother and called to her sister sitting in a nearby booth observing the reunion acknowledged Aki. She knew it was time to step up and make herself known to all.
"Hello, my brother, and you're looking radiant, Lady Setsuna," Magenta Dawn declared with a bow, "And sister, you must introduce me to all your friends," she said, winking at Aki who nodded as Setsuna and Enki embraced the taller of the two sisters.
Everyone added there congratulations and the sound of laughter soon filled the arcade and customers from behind their machines were clapping and cheering, wishing the newlyweds all the best for the future.
At seven o'clock, that night, they had begun to arrive at Motoki's place. He was due to return at ten, to join the party after locking up the arcade and picking up Reika.
Setsuna and Enki sat chatting away. After everyone had settled down, she stood up, Enki by her side and began to discuss Senshi business, covering the history of Orpheus and events leading to the present in a brief account.
"We're up against a Celestial Shitennou with great power, his name is Janus. His sympathies lie not with the Alliance, but his own agenda is enough of a problem. He's working with an old enemy, well, sort of. Remember Mistress 9?"
Usagi shuddered as painful memories of those moments leading up to Souichi and Hotaru Tomoe's tragic deaths. "I almost lost Chibi-Usa to those monsters. So why is Mistress 9 important here?"
Setsuna put a hand on Usagi's shoulder and spoke in a soft tone, "I know that was a difficult time for you. You had come into your own, having helped Saturn destroy the Sovereign of Silence. You had to deal with the loss of Hotaru and her father, only to face a test of your power and right to the throne by Haruka and Michiru. Through it all, you came through. But you need to listen carefully now."
Usagi took Setsuna's hand and squeezed it as she went over the events leading to her encounter with the strange Senshi, Sailor Praxis. Usagi gasped, clinging to Mamoru.
Minako shook her head, stroking Artemis for comfort. "I thought I was done for. I teleported to my crystal glider and headed for the moon, with shadow warriors like I'd never seen the like, not even during the Silver Millennium, chasing after me," Setsuna took a deep breath, and pressed on, "I escaped with the help of Morgana here."
"How did you manage to escape once on the moon's surface, Setsuna?" Rei asked, leaning forward, elbows propped upon her knees.
"I happened upon a strange crystal portal in a chamber far beneath Queen Serenity's former capital. My time staff set it off I believe."
Mamoru interrupted, "Why didn't Queen Serenity ever mention it?"
"I don't know for sure, but she might not have understood its purpose and sealed it off. Queen Serenity may also have been unaware of its existence...I just don't know, Mamoru."
There was a knock at the door. Ami, cradling two large medical textbooks took her place, setting these on a side table.
"Sorry guys for arriving late."
"That's okay, I'll bring you up to speed later," Usagi said, handing her a hot chocolate.
After Setsuna, Aki and Magenta Dawn had explained the situation they were facing, discussion went on for another half hour while Makoto and Motoki who had just arrived, started preparations for the evening meal. Later, they watched the conjoining ceremony for Enki and Setsuna. She made a beautiful bride, and to see her so happy lifted all their heats, but they knew there would be troubled times ahead and whatever the future brought from hereon in, they would be ready – they had to be.
