Author's Note: I am so sorry this update took so long. I have a ton of projects on my plate all at once, which is my own fault. But I want to reassure you, I will not abandon any of my stories. They may take another year or two to finish (cause I can't stop adding more stories to them) but they will be finished. I hope all of you are doing well as we come out of quarantine. Stay safe and healthy, and happy reading!
Sailor Silver Ladybug
~ Tori

Shadows of Destruction:
Search for the Holy Grail
Chapter 2
Stirrings

As the sun rose on the third day after Ikuko's dream, it found a sleeping couple wrapped in their bedding and each other. Ikuko leaned on her elbow, her hand resting on Kenji's chest, playing with the short curly hair usually hidden by his work shirts. As far as she could recall, neither she nor Kenji had ever spent so long in bed, even in the first days of their marriage.

The Soul-Bond was partially responsible, she knew. Every time one of them felt the stirrings of lust it transferred to the other, doubling and returning until neither could think of anything other than being connected. Of course, there was also the drive to conceive two children. She could feel Kenji's breath moving the tiny hairs at the edge of her forehead. His breathing was still slightly heavy from their latest lovemaking and she could feel a sheen of sweat coating her back.

"How do you think Shingo and Usagi will react to the news?" Kenji asked, pulling her from her reverie.

Ikuko laughed. "I have no earthly idea," she admitted.

"Do you think they know? About the Soul-Bond?"

"Hai." Ikuko grinned at him. "Usagi once told me she could hear the songs of the Soul-Bonds from all the others."

"That's sort of weird isn't it?" Kenji asked, frowning. "Shouldn't it be more private?"

Ikuko shook her head. "You have your memories now," she reminded him. "That sort of thing was always known. Marriages among the royals were highly celebrated and often their subjects danced in the streets when their ruler's Bond-Song rang out. Even among those who were not rulers, family and friends often kept vigil during the Bonding and a priest was always there during the first moments to make sure the marriage was consummated and that neither was harmed in the initial moments."

With a small sigh, Kenji pushed himself upright, pulling her with him. "I know," he muttered. "It just feels different when it's your children who hear it."

"That I will agree with," Ikuko said, laughing again. "At least we know they'll be happy for us."

"You don't think they'll be jealous about the babies do you?"

"Not in the slightest. I'm rather sure Usagi already has some idea, and Shingo is nearly as grown and so focused on Hotaru he doesn't need us as much anymore. I think they will be excited and happy."

"I just wish we'd had a chance to talk to them before we got... crazy," Kenji blushed slightly. Ikuko couldn't help grinning at him. "It's been days. They must have been worried."

"Maybe a little."

"Did you feel it?" Kenji asked, blushing even brighter.

"I did," she admitted. "Both of them. I was starting to wonder how long it would take," she added, slightly grumpy. Their son had been conceived that first night, but their daughter not until that morning. It hadn't been until after she felt life stirring that the passion had ebbed enough for them to calm themselves. She was excited though, about the pregnancy, and about the future. Their daughter would finally have a chance to live. But what part she would play in any of the prophecies Ikuko didn't know.

"Don't worry," Kenji said, picking up on her distress. "Usagi and Mamoru will help us protect the babies."

"There are other things to worry about," Ikuko reminded him.

"Well, we can't really do anything about that here in bed, now can we?" Kenji asked, nuzzling her neck.

"Nope," she answered, giggling now as he tickled her sensitive skin.

"Although," Kenji said, pulling her into his lap, "another hour wouldn't hurt." He bent his head and kissed her with so much fire and passion Ikuko felt she would spontaneously combust.

Usagi was sitting in the living room with her IV drip in her arm, using the computer to attend class. Naru sat next to her, chattering excitedly about her mother's upcoming date. It was late in the morning and Usagi was more worried than ever, but she tried to give her best friend the attention she deserved.

"I mean, she said he was persistent, but that's going above and beyond right?"

"Hmm?" Usagi asked, a little lost.

"Still worried about your folks? They'll be alright. I'm sure of it."

"Thanks Naru," Usagi murmured, leaning against her in a loose hug. "Now, tell me again, what did he do?"

"Mom said he asked her two weeks ago. She said no, like always, but he just kept coming back and asking, telling her just how beautiful she was and all sorts of things. When she still didn't go out with her he had flowers sent to the store. A lot of flowers. And a note, asking for one date. She didn't answer. So he sent more, every day until she agreed to a date."

"That's very pushy," Usagi murmured.

"I think it's romantic."

"Maybe," Usagi agreed. "But if he wouldn't take no for an answer on a date, what will he be like later?"

"I hadn't thought of that. I should have, given what Ronnie went through. And you."

"Very different," Usagi reassured her. "But maybe we should put a tracking device on her with an alarm. She can just press it if she needs us and we can get to her fast."

"You would do that?" Naru asked, sniffling.

Usagi rolled her eyes. "Naru, she's as much my mom as yours. Just like my mother is as much yours as mine. I've known her since I was six years old. I'd do anything for her."

"She doesn't really understand the Senshi stuff," Naru cautioned.

Usagi frowned. "You should probably keep that part secret, for now. But, let her know we can track her down. Just tell her Sailor Moon said you were a danger magnet and gave it to you and beg her to wear it. And you are, you know. Total danger magnet."

Naru snorted. "Let's just hope it doesn't run in the family."

"That what doesn't run in the family?" Ikuko asked, standing in the doorway.

Squealing, Usagi stood and hurried to her mother, barely remembering to grab the IV bag in time. "Mommy!" she yelled, wrapping her mother in a huge hug. The moment she touched her mother, Usagi gasped and nearly fell to her knees. She stared into her mother's eyes for a long moment and started to cry. "It's true. You're pregnant!"

"What?" Ikuko asked, startled. "How did you know?"

Laughter filled the room as Usagi sat on the couch, pulling her mother down next to her. "I had a dream. Okay, to be honest, I've had several. But when my little sister came to tell me she was coming back, I listened. The boy though. I knew him, but I didn't, if that makes sense."

"It does," Ikuko told her.

"You know who he is?" Usagi asked.

"I do, but I promised not to say anything until I receive a signal, which I will apparently know when it comes. That's all I can say."

Usagi sniffled. "You're going to have twins," she murmured. "Oh my goodness," she added, shocked, "my babies will be older than yours!" She frowned then. "It is safe for you? I assume it was King Endymion, or perhaps King Pontus, my former father, who healed you. You are safe right?"

"I am."

"She will be fine Usagi-chan," Kenji said, entering the room. "And so will the babies."

Naru was staring at all of them like they'd grown extra heads. "Wait a second. Are you telling me your mother, who couldn't have kids after that accident, is somehow now pregnant with twins? Ikuko-mama, that's wonderful. And terrifying," she added, hugging her hard.

Ikuko laughed. "It is terrifying," she agreed. "I'm nearly forty years old."

"You're thirty-seven mom," Usagi argued. "Still young enough. Some people don't even start their families until they hit their thirties."

"It's weird to start over," Kenji said, smiling at Usagi as he poured a cup of coffee. "Good, but weird."

"You can say that again," Ikuko murmured, then held a hand up to stop him from doing just that.

"You want to know what's really weird?" Usagi asked. When both her parents were looking her in the eye, Usagi announced, "Osako Nozomi has a date!"

"What?" both her parents asked, wide-eyed.

Makoto and Haruka sat on the roof, using the chaise lounge Mamoru had gotten for Usagi to relax in the late afternoon sun. Haruka was worried about Hotaru, and needed someone other than Michiru to talk to. Michiru thought Haruka was overreacting, but she had seen the girl sneak back into her room the night before and it drove her to a near panic.

"Shingo was with her," Haruka said, "but Usagi said she was near the school. I asked her about it."

"What did she say?" Makoto asked, running a strand of hair around her finger.

"That she wanted a glimpse of her father. I guess Shingo can feel her transform. He paid attention to Mamoru apparently. So when he felt her transform, but no monster appeared, he got worried and followed her."

"That's a good thing isn't it?"

"Maybe. I just wish she'd come to us. I would have gone with her."

Makoto sighed. "Look, I'm not taking her side or anything," she said, "but I would give just about anything for one more glimpse of my parents. Ru already lost her mother. Her father is acting strange and is dangerous, but in her mind, he's still her father. She loves him."

"I know," Haruka said, launching herself up so she could pace from one end of the roof to the other. "I know that, but it doesn't make me less worried. Or scared. I can't lose her now."

"Do you think it has anything to do with Usagi's visions?"

"Maybe?" even to her own ears it sounded like a question. "I don't know what to think anymore. And then there's the other thing on the news. Did you hear mention of this invisible man, or shadow man?"

"I did!" Makoto said excitedly. "No one else seemed to notice it, but I've heard him mentioned several times now. He's appeared in the shadows, telling people what to do. They don't want to listen but can't stop themselves. It's kind of freaky actually."

"It is. We need to figure out who this guy is. What if he could affect one of us like that?"

"I don't think he can," Makoto argued. "Not with the Soul-Link."

Haruka shook her head. "No. That only prevents us from being turned evil. It doesn't stop us from being hypnotized or something."

"Do you think that's all it is? Someone hypnotizing people?"

"I have no idea. But whatever he's doing, he needs to be stopped. According to the news he made a woman walk into the store and rob it. She walked back out and he took the money, then ordered her to wait to be arrested. She didn't come out of it until she was in the police car."

"Maybe it's just people making excuses," Makoto mused. Then she shook her head. "We couldn't possibly get that lucky. We know there is another enemy coming. We know we will have to face whoever it is. The best thing we can do is get prepared."

The sun was starting to set when Usagi, Naru, and Ikuko filed into Nozomi's bedroom. The red head was sitting on a chair next to the bed, dressed in only a towel, with her wet hair falling in dark ringlets around her face and shoulders. She stared at them, wild-eyed, and announced, "I can't do this."

"You can," Ikuko reassured her.

"I haven't been on a date since..." her voice trailed off.

"It's time mom," Naru said.

"I don't want anyone but your father," Nozomi argued. "I'm not trying to protect my heart or any of that nonsense. I just don't want another man. He was it. My soulmate. The only man I could ever really love."

"Love comes in a bunch of different packages," Usagi argued. "Who knows, maybe you'll be great friends with him. Or maybe it will be romance. But you'll never know if you don't get dressed. What are you going to wear?"

The question brought nothing but a high-pitched moan from Nozomi.

"Where is that emerald dress?" Ikuko asked, moving to the closet and throwing open the door.

Usagi followed her and peeped inside. Everything was neat and organized, sorted by function and then by color. And one shelf held a jewelry box that held several drawers. Shoes lined the bottom of the closet on low shelves in every color of the spectrum. Ikuko seemed to know just what she was looking for. She reached out and pulled down a hanger with a green strapless dress, then bent and picked up low-slung heels with an open toe.

"Naru, grab the nail polish," Ikuko ordered. "Usagi, look through the jewelry box for the emerald set with the rope necklace."

The girls followed her orders. Ikuko ordered Nozomi into undergarments that matched the dress, then grabbed a bottle of perfume and gave a spurt on her wrists and neck. Usagi helped her climb into the dress, then fastened the four buttons under the left arm. Ikuko ordered her back into the chair. Naru began painting her nails while Usagi put the jewelry on and Ikuko did her hair. In less than twenty minutes the three of them had her dressed, in makeup, and the heels on her feet.

"Are you ready?" Ikuko asked.

Nozomi sighed. "Ready as I'll ever be," she admitted.

Naru stepped forward and added a little pin to the dress. Usagi had brought four of them, in different styles and colors. The one that most matched was a silver pendant with an emerald heart. She moved in front of her mother and knelt to look her in the eyes.

"Mom?"

"Hmm?" Nozomi answered, obviously distracted.

"I need you to listen to me for a minute, okay?"

Nodding her head, she focused on her daughter. "What is it?"

"This little pendant cannot be taken off until you are back home and safe."

"Why?"

Naru sighed. "Do you remember when the jewelry store was attacked. And all the other attacks I went through?"

"Of course." She shuddered.

"Well, Sailor Moon told gave me this. She told me if I was ever going into an unknown situation, to bring it with me. And when Sailor Moon tells you to do something, you listen." She sighed. "I don't know anything about this guy taking you out. He could be a great guy, and that would be wonderful. But if he isn't, I want you safe. Sailor Moon knows you are going out tonight and told me to have you wear this. If you need help, press on the heart and she and the others will come for you. Do you understand?"

"Wait. You've talked to Sailor Moon?"

"Yes."

"And she is worried about my date?"

Naru giggled. "She is."

"So she wants me to wear this, and if I'm in trouble, she'll come running?"

"Exactly."

"Well doesn't that beat all?" Nozomi said, staring at the little piece of jewelry. "She keeps an eye on you now? No wonder you haven't been in as many attacks lately."

Usagi giggled. "It's a full-time job with this one," she said, hip-checking her best friend. "But it's worth it, don't you think?"

"I definitely do," Nozomi agreed, giving Usagi a shrewd look. "Alright, what time is it?"

"If he's on time you have about three minutes," Ikuko told her.

Seconds later the bell rang.

"Or not," Naru said. "I'll run down and get it. Make sure you make an entrance mom."

Usagi followed Naru down the stairs and to the door. When it swung open she saw a middle-aged man who looked fairly normal. He was of an average height and weight, and no alarms blared in her head. He seemed nondescript. And maybe it was a good thing he was Nozomi's first date after so many years. He looked steady enough, and smiled as soon as he saw them.

"You must be Naru," he said to the red-head. "Your mother talks about you all the time. That would make you Usagi, best friend of Naru and honorary daughter. It's a pleasure to meet you both." He bowed in respect and then came inside to wait when Naru gestured him in.

Moments later Nozomi came down the stairs looking like a dream. Ikuko followed a moment later, letting Nozomi have the spotlight. Usagi met her mother's eyes excitedly. This was something new for all of them. She was happy for Nozomi, and still worried, but she was glad she was putting herself out there.

"Katashi-san," Nozomi murmured, blushing slightly. "I'm glad you could make it."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world." He looked over at Ikuko then, and smiled. "Don't worry, I'll have your friend back before midnight."

Usagi and the others grinned as they watched Nozomi walk out of the apartment on his arm. They went down the back steps and out through the back of the jewelry store. As soon as they lost sight of her they collapsed, giggling, and talking over every second the man had been there. It was a happy trio that settled in to wait with a romantic comedy on the television and Usagi's communicator open in her lap.

Nozomi shifted uncomfortably in her seat. The date was not going well at all. Katashi was polite, almost to a fault, but he was boring. There wasn't so much as a hint of a spark, yet he was already talking about future dates. Ones he wanted Naru to come along for. And Usagi. Nozomi felt there was something strange about that, but couldn't be sure why she felt that way. Nothing he did was necessarily a red flag, but he felt disingenuous.

"Do you like your meal?" Katashi asked, bringing her out of her musings.

"It's wonderful," she lied. He had ordered the meal for her, and it was something she never would have chosen for herself. She didn't like sushi and had only barely managed to choke down half of it.

"I think we should go on a picnic this weekend," he said, reaching for her hand.

Very casually she moved it out of his reach. "I don't know," she said. "I had my reservations about dating at all. And we have another sale coming up. I have inventory to check and I need to make a new display for the window. I don't have a lot of time."

"You can handle it," he said, his voice softer now, smoother. "You want to go on a picnic with me. You will bring Naru and Usagi and we will have a wonderful time."

"I would love to go on a picnic with you," Nozomi agreed. "I think I should bring the girls, give them a chance to meet you. We'll all have such a wonderful time." She shook her head, trying to understand why she had agreed, but there was no logic behind it. She opened her mouth to tell him she had changed her mind, and found she couldn't manage the words.

What was happening to her?

It had been nearly one in the morning when Usagi and her mother got home. Both exhausted, they had hurried to their rooms and crawled into bed. Almost immediately Usagi fell into a restless sleep. It felt like something was wrong, but she had no idea what it was, or why she was feeling that way.

Tossing and turning in the bed, Usagi whimpered as the dream pulled her in. Her dreams hadn't been this bad when she'd been remembering her past. Now she could feel pain and pressure from wounds she'd never been given. Her muscles ached as though she had been in long battle. Usagi even felt the echo of fear she had never known. Whatever was happening it wasn't real... yet.

Usagi stared into the darkness, her heart pounding in her chest until she felt her ribs were in danger of shattering. The wind kicked up before her and the others, almost seeming to beat at them with heavy fists. The scattered pinpricks of starlight made no difference. They couldn't see what was coming.

Who was the Shadow Man? What was the Shadow Man? Was this his attack on Tokyo? On the Earth? Or was this something else? Could it be the attack they'd felt was coming from within the city itself? From that school?

There were no answers, and no time to second-guess. Usagi turned to the others, feeling Mamoru's hand tighten around her own. It was the final moment. The last deep breath before battle. Giving her soulmate an encouraging smile, she scanned the others. Tears wanted to fall but she held them back. These others who hadn't been born to fight this battle, but who were here at their sides now, made her want to weep with gratitude.

"Henshin yo," she whispered, full royal command behind her words. They had a city to protect, people who they loved who were depending on them to once again battle the monsters they couldn't. This wouldn't be the time they let their families down.

The blaze of light and the strength of their glamour covered them from exposure to any who were watching, though most had already fled the streets in search of refuge. The columns of whirling clouds surrounding the city grew and Sailor Moon turned back to face the growing shadows on the edge of the city. Whatever it was headed straight at them.

Taking a deep breath, Sailor Moon pulled air into her lungs and lifted the Moon Wand. It was time. "Silver Moon Heartwave!" she screamed.

The Moon wand, much changed from the small stick Luna had once given her, stood nearly six feet tall, well over her head, and glowed silver as magic gathered within. An explosion of moonlight lit the night for miles around, as bright as the moon usually stood in the sky. A shockwave flowed out of it at a fast clip she could hardly follow with her eyes.

A muted roar grew closer and closer as the darkness and shadow boiled and bubbled in writhing waves. She heard the others sending out their own attacks and felt the heat of flames, the cool chill of ice, and the crinkling feeling of thunder as they raced past her.

Bolting upright in bed, Usagi couldn't hold back the squeak of fear and worry that felt just as real now as they had in the midst of the dream. Something was coming. Something awful. Shadow Man. She'd already received one warning about him. Why was this happening to her? Shouldn't it be Rei or Jadeite, even Mamoru? Why was she receiving dreams of the future? That's what it was. She knew it the same way she knew it was Mamoru in bed beside her.

Her breathing calmer now, she lay back and snuggled against his side. "I need help," she muttered. The past few weeks had been plagued with dreams, most of them strange and possibly all of them telling the future. Closing her eyes again was difficult, but she knew she needed sleep. It took several long minutes to calm down and drift away.

"Moshi?" Saeko mumbled, blinking her eyes open. She glanced at the clock. Not even ten yet and she had been up late working at the hospital. She yawned and sat up, listening intently to the heavy breaths on the other end of the line. Finally, after what felt an hour, someone spoke.

"Saeko?"

Shock raced through Saeko's system. She knew that voice. Knew it well. Kaiou Tagashi.

Her husband.

"Tagashi?" she questioned, though she already knew the answer.

"You're alive," he breathed, sounding surprised.

"What? Where? Tagashi?"

"I thought you and Ami were dead," he whispered, then broke into tears.

Saeko had no idea what to do. She climbed out of her bed deep in the haze of shock, and made her way to Ami's bedroom door. She knocked, but automatically opened it, hardly pausing at the sight of both teens asleep half-sitting up, books in their laps. She hurried to the bed and shook Ami awake, telegraphing her shock and fear with her eyes.

Ami reached out and took the phone. "Who is this?" she asked.

Tagashi must have answered because Ami's eyes widened, the blue growing lighter for a moment, before she reached out and shook Zoicite, handing him the phone before his eyes were fully open. Zoicite yawned, but took the cordless and put it to his ear.

"Moshi?" he asked.

There was a moment where Zoicite listened, then he was speaking so rapidly Saeko couldn't understand. "I'll be there in twenty minutes," he promised, then hung up the phone. Saeko sat on the chair in front of the desk and continued to stare at the teenagers, unsure what she should do next.

"Tagashi was found in your old apartment. He was unconscious," Zoicite added. "The person who found him tried to wake him up and he freaked. I guess there was blood on the walls and floor. Old blood. He has no idea where he has been for the past seven years."

"That's impossible," Ami murmured.

"So is a teenage girl who can make an ice berg," Zoicite rebutted. "I think we should hear him out."

"We need backup," Ami insisted. "This could be some sort of trick from a new enemy."

"My thoughts exactly," Zoicite answered. Then he lifted his communicator and pressed the earth symbol. "I'm calling Mamoru. He'll know what to do."