Note: Final part here. I apologize that this took so long to get to in general. This fic is only 8 chapters (number was ranging around that in my head) and it's taken MONTHS to get to? And when I have other projects to work on? It's really bad. So sorry about that.

Chapter 8

By the time the police arrived, the group had made themselves scarce. They were mainly called for the safety of the young nun. True, she seemed all right, yet given she was still unconscious and unaware when the whole battle was occuring, it was a unanimous decision to make sure. True, they were questioned by the paramedics that came there, yet given that the young sister was awake and able to testify for them, they at least weren't suspect. Ultimately though, they had to go to the station as the police were given details of what happened. Minako was also being seen by the ambulance workers due to her being attacked as well, yet aside from general exhaustion and somewhat low blood pressure, she was generally declared stable, thus, she could be released. By the time everyone had done all that, it was late at night, and thus, it was decided that things would have to wait until tomorrow. Everyone was warranted a bit of rest after what happened, even if such a thing as blasting otherworldly monsters was routine at the point.

The next day, Minako's place was open for visitors, though her parents asked that they keep the visit brief, seeing as their daughter could still be recovering from the attack she had suffered last night. "Her cat was unusually affectionate to her all night." they told the girls and Mamoru. "I mean, yeah, he sometimes gives her small rubs on her face and all, but I've never seen him that clingy to her." No one said anything, but they made their way up to the girl's room, Artemis awaiting them.

"Hey." Usagi greeted Minako, who was still in her pajamas and sitting on her bed as she listened to a CD player. Once she saw that she had company, she removed the headphones from her ears.

"Mom and Dad finally allow some people in?" she asked, the other blonde nodding, though then, she threw herself on her.

"I'm so sorry!" she hollered, tears welling up in her eyes. Everyone rolled their eyes collectively. Typical Usagi. Artemis outwardly groaned. "I'm so sorry I let that stupid octopus get the better of me at first!"

"Please," the white cat then spoke up. "Please, no more apologies. I've heard them nonstop already."

"Artemis is right." Minako agreed, gently pushing the other girl off her. "I'm not happy about all that went down yesterday either, but…" she then looked at the white cat, nodding for her to continue. "It's like that nun said." then to Luna. "And you." she confirmed. "Frankly, this whole thing's been dragged out longer than it needed to be."

"Sniff...I guess." Usagi agreed, still a little teary eyed.

"I'm just ready for it to be over and done with." Minako sighed. "I didn't believe it at first, but with some...coaxing," she looked at Artemis. "I realized that just wallowing in it makes it worse."

"Yeah...I got it." Usagi said, lifting herself up. "But...we ARE glad that you're ok. That both of you are ok."

"Well...I'll admit, it still is kinda fresh." the other blonde admitted. "But I guess it's still raw. It'll take some time to feel normal again." Artemis hopped up next to her, her hand gently rubbing his back. "But hey, skin doesn't patch itself together in one day. But you can put a band-aid on it." She looked to the spot that the ivory cat had scratched her before, a couple of bandages on the spot. Artemis gave them a series of small licks, she in turn patting his head.

Everyone seemed to be in agreement with that, though when Artemis' blue eyes fell on Luna, everyone gave pause. "Luna," he began, hopping down from the bed. "I need to tell you something."

The black cat's eyes widened, nervousness clear on her features. Still, she exited the room with him, antsy and somewhat worried as to what he could possibly want to discuss with her. "Yes?" she asked. "What is it?"

Artemis sighed, clearly uncomfortable. "It's about Diana…"

…

While it was sort of nice to have an entire bedroom to herself, the grey kitten couldn't help but feel somewhat lonesome. True, from what her daddy and mama had said, everything had been resolved...but...something still just felt wrong.

She felt wrong. Being here, that is. The Lemure's words echoed in her head, unable to leave her mind, even in her dreams, of which only cemented her choice.

"Diana?" the kitten looked up from the pillow and saw her ivory and ebony parents.

"Hm?" she was quite surprised and startled to see her parents on the windowsill. "What are you doing here?"

Both cats hopped down, Luna speaking first. "Your father told me that you're not ok."

"What do you mean-"

"Do you think that this is your fault?"

Diana simply stared at her. "What do you mean?"

Luna lowered her head. "Your father said that is what you told him."

The grey kitten looked to her dad, somewhat betrayed that her father had up and told her mother everything. Still...perhaps it was unavoidable. "Y-Yeah." she sighed. "And...I'm still thinking of going home-" Suddenly, the kitten was silenced by her mother taking a hold of her in her paws, small licks delivered on her head.

"I'm so, SO sorry." Luna breathed out, trying to hold back tears. "I wasn't thinking."

"Mama...I'm sorry for calling you mean-"

"You have NOTHING to apologize for." Luna pulled back for a moment, steeling herself and trying to appear authoritative, also one that she could confide in. "And if you won't listen to your father, listen to me."

"Mama-"

"None of this is, in any way, YOUR fault. None of it. Don't you DARE think such a thing."

"But...but if had just told you that I was-"

"I am at fault. Not you." Luna interrupted, finding it somewhat surreal that she was giving her recently discovered daughter such a lesson. Still, she sighed, looking to Artemis, who agreed. "And...please. You can't go back."

Diana widened her equally red eyes. "Go back where-"

"You can't go back to Crystal Tokyo. Now that I know what you are...who you are…" Luna hugged her child again. "I can't bear to just let you go."

Diana's eyes grew moist. "Mama…" she then buried her face in her mother's chest. "I don't wanna leave either."

"Then stay." Artemis then said, drawing close to them. "Though...you might have to be a little patient with us." he then gave Luna a nuzzle. "We're both new to this."

Diana then rubbed her head against her father. "Then you had BETTER make me happy, or else!"

All three of them laughed at that and embraced on another. It couldn't be denied that, in some way, Diana served two purposes. Their bonds were tested and somewhat torn...but also, that the emergence of this little kitten served to strengthen them even more.

Note: And that's the end. So sorry for the wait on one of my far shorter stories. Thank you for your patience, and I hope I entertained you all!