Author's Note: Updated 5/22/20

Epilogue
A New Plan

Usagi breathed a heavy sigh as she sank into the beach chair, her head resting on the pillowed back as she stared out at the ocean. It was very hot out, but she didn't mind in the slightest. If she wanted she could simply walk to the water's edge to cool herself. Hawaii had been a perfect idea for their honeymoons.

In keeping with the tradition they'd begun in their previous lives, all five couples had decided to go together. They had rented five cabins, all side by side, and had spent nearly the entire first week of August vaction together in couples or as a group. Their private beach was a training ground in the morning, a delightful resting place in the afternoons, and a spirited area for bonfires in the evening.

The entire week had been magical. She and Mamoru had grown closer than ever. He tended to dote on her a little, making her a bit frustrated with his constant worry, but she adored him enough to overlook one of his few faults. Becoming pregnant hadn't erased her abilities to protect herself. In fact, her power had only grown.

Besides, she wasn't even showing yet.

Their plans had been forced to change. Without an enemy as a valid reason to avoid pregnancy in their normal lives, she and the others had discussed the need to show others they were actually pregnant. It wouldn't do to suddenly appear with infantws if no one realized they were expecting. She certainly didn't want to be accused of kidnapping, and while a blood test could show that the children were theirs, Mizuno Saeko, Ami's mother, explained that even human tests could show the change in their blood.

There were other physical changes Usagi had not expected, though apparently the men had been informed. Not only had her hair, and Mamoru's, changed, but also the other Senshi and Shitennou, and even Haruki's had flecks of gold and Shingo's flecks of blue. The changes were gradual though, and so far no one had noticed. Still, Usagi had decided to hide them with the disguise pen so that only those involved with protecting their secret could see them.

That number had grown too when Haruna-sensei and Osaka-sensei had informed the teens they knew who they were. Both women had abilities of their own, and were in training with the others in Elysion. Reika had returned and wasn't planning on going on another dig until she started college.

The dojo would open a week after their vacation ended and the guys and Makoto would teach classes on various martial arts while Usagi taught tumbling and Minako taught dance after their children were born. They would also be attending school only in the mornings starting the next school year, which would be helpful with seven babies to worry over.

They'd finally all moved into the property only a week before their honeymoon began and Usagi was excited to get back and finish decortating the little apartment she now shared with Mamoru. They had a nursery to design and she was already planning it in her head.

"Hey," Mamoru said, coming up beside her. "The guys and I were hoping you girls would come inside for a few minutes. There's something we wanted to talk to you about."

Usagi looked up at him. Surely they could talk where they were. Then she realized he was trying to get her out of the sun. She snorted, but sat up and reached for his outstretched hand so he could help her to her feet.

The other girls grumbled and groaned but they all got up as well. The five of them followed Mamoru into the large cabin that served as a kitchen and dining area with a large recroom and an entertainment center surrounded by plush couches.

"What is it?" Usagi asked, sinking into a thick, cushy red chair.

"We had a thought," Jadeite started, putting several platters of cut vegetables and dip on the table in the center of the living area.

"What is it?" Rei asked this time, with a lot less patience in her voice

.
"Soul-Bonding," Kunzite explained, sitting next to Minako.

"We already Soul-Bonded," Usagi said, feeling a bit confused.

"All of us have, yes," Mamoru explained, "but there are several who haven't and something Yume said to us once got all of us thinking. He was talking about the lack of Soul-Bonding in the population of Earth in the old days and wondered what would happen if certain individuals with extra-sensory abilities tried it."

"You mean people who have never been Soul-Bonded before?" Usagi asked.

"They would have to go through the trials," Minako insisted.

"Who are you planning to suggest?" Rei asked.

Nephrite leaned forward in his chair and looked at all the girls. "We were thinking of suggesting that Naru and Umino as well as Reika and Motoki go through the trials and if they pass they can be bonded," he said, his tone hopeful.

"It's dangerous," Usagi murmured.

"What do you mean?" Zoicite asked. "The tests never hurt anyone."

Usagi shook her head. "I just mean that most Soul-Bonded cannot survive the passing of their mates. I don't want to see anyone destroy themselves."

Mamoru frowned, "Usako," he said, his voice gentle. "Do you honestly think Naru would survive losing Umino? Or Motoki losing Reika?"

Usagi bit her lip. He was right, though she still thought it was dangerous. "They have to be told all the dangers," she said, meeting his eyes. "They need to know what to expect, especially about the consumation of the bond and what will happen to them during and after. It will take them by surprise otherwise."

It had been Ami who had eventually discovered that the reason they were all more, for lack of a better term, randy than other couples, wasn't only because of the need for heirs, but was a side-effect of the Soul-Bond. The emotional state of one could trigger that of the other, making it much more difficult to abstain from sex.

"It will be their choice," Mamoru promised.

"Okay," Usagi agreed.

"Good. So, what's next on the Youma front? Have we cleared the entire negaverse?" Kunzite asked, changing topics so fast Usagi thought she should have whiplash.

"No," Mamoru answered. "Agate says there is an entire series of hidden chambers. And according to them Youma have been escaping into old portals for years. No one bothered to rein them in because they fed the energy to Metallia without the need for orders."

"I wonder what more there could be in the Negaverse," Ami said curiously. "At least we've destroyed most of it. I would hate a new enemy to get their hands on everything. Could you imagine?"

Usagi shuddered at the thought of someone creating more Youma or taking over the usurper's throne. They finally had peace and she hoped it lasted forever. If it didn't, they'd be ready. But she could dream of a future without battles.

Author's Note: I wanted to let everyone know that the sequel, To Save The World, will be available shortly (the prologue will be published tonight).

Also, if you haven't read any of my other stories, I wanted to let you know there are thirty-five of them! About a dozen are in progress, though two of those will be completed shortly.