“Well, that’s just ridiculous.”

  Usagi turned to look at Rei, whose large, dark eyes seemed to bore into her soul.

  “Rei!”

  Ami, ever the most loyal of friends, came to Usagi’s defense. With a raised hand, Usagi signaled to Ami that it was fine.

  “I never said I believed her, Rei. I’m just telling you what Chibiusa told me. She claims she is my daughter from the future.”

  Rei huffed, but added nothing further.

  So far, their reunion wasn’t quite what Usagi had expected. Naru had offered to take Chibiusa out for ice cream so they could chat with no distractions. The former Sailor Guardians had reunited in their old hangout spot at Crown Karaoke. The peeling paint and dusty cobwebs seemed to serve as a metaphor for how they had neglected their friendship. Still, Usagi had hoped for a happy, maybe even tearful reunion.

  Instead, there had been awkward hugs and silences. Usagi had recounted the last day’s events: Chibiusa’s sudden arrival, the creature’s attack, and the girl’s shocking revelation that she was Usagi and Mamoru’s future daughter.

  Minako cleared her throat but avoided looking at Rei as she spoke.

  “Whoever she is, the girl is in danger. If we can help her, we should.”

  Rei turned her fiery gaze on Minako.

  “Who says we can trust her? Maybe she’s an enemy trying to lure us out of hiding. We know nothing about this girl.”

  Minako’s eyes blazed.

  “It seems you have forgotten everything I taught you about leadership.”

  They glared at each other. Usagi looked from one to the other.

  What’s going on with these two?

  Ami’s voice cut through the tension.

  “I took samples from Usagi, Mamoru, and Chibiusa this morning. A friend at the hospital is running some tests. If Chibiusa is lying, we’ll know later today.”

  Makoto, who had been silent for most of the meeting, suddenly slapped the table with her palm.

  “Listen to yourselves bickering about this girl! Don’t you understand that something almost killed Usagi?”

  A heavy, uncomfortable silence filled the air. The Sailor Guardians had sworn to protect their princess, to protect Usagi. They had been confident that their victory over the Dark Kingdom had banished all danger. Instead, they had failed in their duty.

  Usagi put a hand on Makoto’s shoulder.

  “Mako, I’m fine.”

  She turned her attention to Luna and Artemis. The two plush cats huddled in the room’s corner and spoke in hushed tones.

  “What are you two whispering about over there?”

  Luna trotted over to the Guardians and jumped up on the table.

  “We just put our heads together for a bit. To be honest, we’re just as confused as all of you.”

  Ami leaned forward.

  “You spent the night watching over Chibiusa. Did you notice anything suspicious?”

  Luna sat down and shook her head.

  “Not at all. In fact, she sleeps an awful lot like Usagi.”

  Usagi stood.

  “Wait a minute, now…”

  Luna ignored her protests.

  “She sprawls out, hogs the blankets, and drools all over the pillow. There’s also the matter of the snoring…”

  Usagi’s face turned crimson.

  “Luna!”

  Ami snickered. Soon, the others joined in and the tension that had been present in the room evaporated.

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  Usagi tried to get the meeting back on track.

  “Luna, do you know anything about a black crescent moon symbol?”

  Luna shook her head once more.

  “As you all know, our memories of our past lives in the Moon Kingdom are incomplete. Usagi’s memory, in particular, is quite bad since Princess Serenity faded away. Maybe this creature is connected to our past, and we just can’t remember it.”

  Makoto’s frustration was palpable.

  “So there’s a new enemy, maybe even from our past lives, and we have no power to fight against them?”

  In response, Minako reached under the table and pulled out a long object wrapped in cloth. She placed it on the table next to Luna and unwrapped it with great care and reverence. Before the gathered Guardians lay the Lunar Blade, which had temporarily restored their powers one year ago.

  “Luna, could this restore our powers again?”

  Luna stood.

  “I don’t know. Whatever power remained on the moon was used to bring this sword to us. The last remaining powers of the Moon Kingdom rested in that sword, and it only gave you back your powers for a few minutes.”

  Usagi looked at each of her Guardians.

  “According to Chibiusa, future me said that the Guardians’ powers are not gone, just dormant. We can reawaken them if we find our ‘inner light’. If she is telling the truth, this sword could be the key.”

  Usagi placed her hand on the blade.

  “We won’t know until we try.”

  The Guardians looked at her, but didn’t move. Rei was the first to speak. Her tone had grown softer.

  “Usagi, we love you, but you are asking a lot. We don’t know who Chibiusa is or who this enemy is. Each of us has made a life for ourselves. Becoming a Sailor Guardian again…that’s a big decision.”

  Usagi cleared her throat.

  “I will never ask you to abandon the lives you made for yourselves, or even ask you to stand by my side in battle if you don’t want to. I just need my powers back. Mamoru almost died yesterday. I almost died. I can’t go through life without the strength to defend myself and my family.”

  The room fell silent. It was Minako who made the first move. She placed her hand on the blade next to Usagi’s.

  “My princess, I will stand with you.”

  Ami squeezed Usagi’s shoulder, then placed her hand on the blade, as well.

  “You know I won’t let you down, Usagi.”

  Rei sighed, then placed her hand on the blade, too.

  “I’m with you, Usagi. I always have been.”

  The four young women looked at Makoto. Last time, it took Usagi’s four Guardians, together, to unlock the powers of the Lunar Blade. For a long moment, Makoto hesitated. All the color drained from her face. Then, without a word, she placed one hand on the blade.

  The five young women looked down at the blade for a long moment. Nothing happened. Was that relief Usagi saw on Makoto’s face?

  Rei’s hand brushed against Minako’s and she quickly withdrew as if she had touched a hot stove. Her face turned a bright shade of red.

  There’s definitely something strange going on between those two.

  Usagi sighed.

  “Well, that’s disappointing. Now what?”

  Ami put her hand on Usagi’s shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze.

  “We investigate. Later today, we’ll get the results of Chibiusa’s tests. We’ll know for sure if she is your daughter.”

  Artemis hopped up on the table and sat down next to Luna.

  “Luna and I can try to access the database on the moon. If there is any power remaining up there, maybe we can get some information about the black crescent moon symbol.”

  Minako spoke up.

  “I’ll experiment with the Lunar Blade. Maybe I can wake it up somehow. Rei can use her psychic powers to learn more about this enemy.”

  Rei nodded once. Usagi thought she looked nervous.

  “And while we try to access our powers, Makoto can teach us some self-defense moves that don’t rely on strength.”

  Usagi gave Rei a half-hearted smile. Reuniting with her Sailor Guardians may not have been the joyous occasion she had pictured, but she was grateful for their love and support.

  “Aunt Mina! Aunt Rei!”

  Chibiusa dashed into the room, Naru in hot pursuit. Rei rose from her seat, confused.

  “Aunt…?”

  Chibiusa threw herself on Rei and wrapped both arms around her waist in a big embrace. Rei looked terrified.

  “Wow, Aunt Rei, your hair is so long! I’ve never seen it so long before!”

  Rei placed a hand on Chibiusa’s head and looked at Usagi with pleading eyes.

  “Usagi…?”

  Usagi almost burst out laughing.

  “Everyone, this is Chibiusa.” She hesitated. “Chibiusa…these are my friends.”

  Usagi remembered what Mamoru had said. If Chibiusa was from the future, she should know things. This may be an opportunity to test her.

  “Chibiusa, why don’t we play a game? Why don’t you tell me something about each of my friends?”

  Chibiusa let go of Rei and frowned.

  “You’re trying to test me, aren’t you?”

  Usagi chuckled.

  “Well…”

  Chibiusa continued to pout.

  “I’m not a baby, you know? If you want to know something, just ask me. You don’t have to trick me.”

  Chibiusa pointed at Rei.

  “This is Aunt Rei. She’s a priestess who can predict the future. She always tells me when my teachers plan surprise quizzes. Mama doesn’t like it when she does that.”

  She pointed at Minako.

  “This is Aunt Mina, a famous singer. She wrote a lullaby for me when I was a baby. She’s been teaching me to play piano.”

  Makoto was her next target.

  “This is Aunt Mako. She cooks the most delicious food! She…” Her voice faltered. “I’ve not seen her in a while. She’s been taking some time for herself.”

  She pointed at Ami.

  “This is Miss Mizuno. She’s a doctor.”

  Usagi raised an eyebrow.

  “Can you tell me a little more about Ami?”

  Chibiusa looked at Ami for a moment, then shook her head in defiance.

  “No. I don’t like this test.” She turned her attention back to Rei. “Can I have a sleepover with you and Aunt Mina tonight?”

  Rei’s face turned fire-red. Nearby, Minako’s face lost all color. They both cried out at the same time.

  “What?!”

  Chibiusa looked from one to the other.

  “Wait…you mean…”

  She smacked her forehead like she had just remembered something important.

  “Never mind. I’m sorry.”

  She hurried over to Usagi. On the way, she spotted Luna on the table. She and Artemis had collapsed as they pretended to be ordinary stuffed animals. Chibiusa snatched Luna off the table and squeezed the plush cat to her chest.

  “Are you done, Usagi? Ice cream with Naru was fun, but I’m getting hungry for some actual food.”

  Usagi glanced at each of her friends. Ami looked confused. Makoto was deep in thought. Rei and Minako avoided making eye contact.

  She sighed. Maybe it was for the best that they remained powerless for now. It may be some time before they could fight like a unit again.

  “Sure, Chibiusa, let’s go home.”