Previous parts maybe requested by e-mail or at the web-site address below.
------
Tales of Younger Venus
By Douglas Helm and "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi, and all terms, names, etc.
associated with the series are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi and
Kodansha. We make no claim to them and this work of fanfiction should
not be seen as making a claim.
Those characters that are original and the story "Tales of Younger
Venus" are copyrighted (c) 1997 by Douglas Helm & Will Wolfshohl.
This fanfic and over 320 other SM fanfics reside in "Tuxedo" Will's SM
Fanfics Archive at http://log.on.ca/users/helm/anime/index.htm
Send comments to: Douglas "Candle Light Author" Helm (dhelm@log.on.ca)
or "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl (wwolfshohl@logicon.com)
Chapter 10 - Hearts, Starlight, and Thunder Part 2
"Are you sure you won't go shopping with us, Rei-chan?" Usagi asked. She
was talking on the phone attempting to get Rei to go with the gang
shopping later that evening.
"Iie, Usagi, I have things to do," Rei replied. <Kami-sama, how many
times do I have to explain it to this odango atama?>
"Oh that's it," Usagi said in a knowing tone, "You and Yuuichiro are
going on a date tonight!" She stated happily, "You'll have to tell us
all about it tomorrow, Rei-chan."
"Usagi! I am not going on a date!" Rei growled out, "If you must really
know, I'm going down to the Izuko Homeless Shelter to give spiritual
guidance."
"Better go as Sailor Mars, Rei-chan," Usagi whispered, "That's a nasty
area... even for the Juuban District."
"I've been going there for several years now. I'll be perfectly fine,"
Rei said testily, "Now I have to go or I'll be late." <What an odango
atama but it's sorta nice that she's worried about me.> With that Rei
hung up the phone.
Usagi stared at the receiver for several seconds before setting the
phone down. <Rei seemed edgy,> Usagi thought, <I hope everything's all
right.>
"Misako, Chibi-Usa, time for supper!" Ikuko called up the stairs. Usagi
went and sat down at her place and watched with some apprehension as
both girls came bounding into the room.
<Kami-sama, where do they get all that energy? I get tired just watching
them!> Usagi thought, <How on Earth can I ever manage to keep up with
them?> "Miko-chan, I like your outfit," Usagi said noticing for the
first time that Misako had replaced her yellow sundress with a pair of
light blue shorts and a light blue shirt.
"Arigato Mommy," Misako replied coming over to Usagi, "Obaa-san, got it
for me." Usagi glanced at her mother who was looking just slightly worn
out, "Mommy, can I go with you shoppin'?" Misako asked.
"Gomen, Miko-chan, we'll be out past your bed time."
"But Mommy, I be good, I promise," Misako implored her mother, "I was
good with Obaa-san when we went shoppin'... Ne Obaa-san?"
"Hai, Misako was very good, `Mommy'," Ikuko giggled out. <Well if I'm
going to get ribbed for being a grandmother, then I can play along and
rib Usagi.>
"Mom!" Usagi said and flushed in embarrassment, "Miko-chan, call me
Usagi, or Onee-san." <Come on it's not that hard to do.>
"Iie, not allowed, Mommy. 'Sagi Onee-chan, you Mommy," Misako stated
stubbornly, "Please can I go with you shoppin'?"
"I said iie, Misako," Usagi repeated beginning to get irritated.
"Aww!" Misako pouted and plopped into her chair at the table.
Chibi-Usa was grinning ear from ear watching Usagi suffer. <Maybe Usagi
will `appreciate' me more,> she thought evilly. <It's just as well
Misako can't come with us.> She would have liked Misako to come with
them but this gave her an opportunity to talk to Usagi without Misako
finding out about the party.
"Usagi, why don't you take Misako with you?" Ikuko suggested, "She just
wants to go along and she was well behaved. I know she has school
tomorrow but so do you guys; I don't think you'll be out that late."
<Why did you have to say that, Obaa-san?> Chibi-Usa was trying to think
up a way to stop Misako from coming but she couldn't think of a way to
tell Usagi without Misako being hurt. After a little more pleading from
Misako and a non-verbal conversation between Ikuko and Usagi, Misako was
finally allowed to go with them, much to Chibi-Usa's dismay.
******
The evening meal at the Aino residence was rather bleak. Kimeko, not
being in the mood to talk, didn't say much. Minako was trying to keep
her parents off of the subject of her upcoming math test so she could go
with the girls shopping tonight.
"Oh Minako-chan, I forgot to tell you. I registered for school today,"
Kimeko suddenly spoke up, breaking her silence when Mrs. Aino managed to
bring up the subject of Minako's math test. "We'll be able to walk to
school together. That'll be fun and maybe we'll even have some classes
together! It'll be nice to have you there with me... That high school's
big." <I'll be lost! With Mercury-sensei teaching it was like a one room
school.>
Minako who had been taking a drink of tea started to cough and then
flushed, "Um high school?" Minako choked out, "I-I thought you'd be in
my school."
"Hai grade ten... You mean I won't be?" Kimeko asked, somewhat confused
her troubles forgotten for the moment.
"Um..." Minako flushed some more, "Iie, Kimeko, I'm in junior high
school, grade nine."
"Nani? How old are you?" Kimeko was shocked, "I knew Usagi was younger
than me but I thought you'd be at least my age." <You weren't held back
I hope, Mom.>
Minako shifted uncomfortably in her chair before saying, "I'm fifteen.
You mean you're sixteen?" <Kami-sama! I thought she was fifteen too. My
own daughter and I'm younger than she is and smaller than her to boot!
Good thing the others don't know about me being younger, I'd be so
embarrassed.>
"Hai, I'm sixteen," Kimeko giggled and then cooed evilly, "Aw my imouto,
just wait till we meet somebody. I'll be able to introduce you as my
baby sister!" Kimeko broke out into a howl of laughter when the
embarrassed expression of Minako turned sour. Mrs. Aino was unable to
keep from giggling herself.
The meal progressed more cheerfully after that. Kimeko and Minako headed
out for a walk before going shopping with the girls. They left the house
in high spirits but the mood shifted to a darker tone as the time
passed. They walked down towards the park with the sun a glowing ball of
fire setting in the west.
"Mom, can I ask you a personal question?" Kimeko began.
Minako squashed the urge to correct her, "Hai." She could see that
Kimeko was chewing on whether to really ask her or not.
"Did you trust Sakuya when she first came back to the past?"
"Why?" Minako asked. She was slightly embarrassed by the way she did
treat Sakuya.
"I'm just curious is all, did you?"
Minako paused. She had a desire to help Kimeko but what to say? It was a
problem she puzzled over until they reached the railing that ran around
the small lake in the park. "Iie, Kimeko-chan," Minako started, "I
didn't trust her... In fact I thought she was working for the enemy.
She was so secretive and evasive. We didn't get along well together."
<It probably seems strange to you considering how I was told we get
along in the future.> It was hard to admit. Minako prided herself on
giving everyone a chance but something about Sakuya had just struck her
the wrong way.
"Minako-chan..." Kimeko trailed off and flushed, "Forget it." Kimeko
looked away embarrassed, a light red covering her cheeks.
"Nani?" Minako asked softly, <Please, Kimeko, I want to help and you can
trust me.>
"So when did you start to trust Sakuya?" Kimeko asked, there was a
pleading quality in her tone. <I need to know what you think of her. I
know your future self wouldn't even think twice about Sakuya's motives
but I need to know why.> It helped that Minako had doubted Sakuya's
motives; it assuaged some of the guilt.
"I think our friendship started... started when she found me sitting on
a bench feeling sorry for myself. I didn't know it at the time but what
Sakuya said helped." Minako probed further, "I guess the exact moment
that I knew I could trust Sakuya was during the fight on top of the Dark
Crystal..." Minako trailed off as if lost in deep thought. It lasted
several minutes. Kimeko was about to ask something else when Minako
suddenly spoke again but as if to herself, "When we were facing Black
Lady... She... Younger Jupiter pushed me out of the way and took Black
Lady's attack full in her chest."
"Nani?!" Kimeko breathed out, "What happened?"
Minako snapped out of her daze and looked strangely at Kimeko, "You mean
you don't know?" <I thought Sakuya or my future self would of told her.>
"Iie," Kimeko said she could feel her heart starting to pound in her
chest. She had always wanted to know what happened when Sakuya was back
in the past.
"We were facing Black Lady on top of the Dark Crystal... Younger Jupiter
took an attack meant for me." Minako paused and took several breaths
before continuing, "It hit her fully in the chest flinging her over the
edge... I thought she died," Minako admitted, "Saving MY life. I thought
that to the bitter end she held onto her convictions..."
"Even into death's maw I hold my head high and my duty as a shield
wrapped around me..." Kimeko mumbled out; it made sense now. At school
she had tried not to think too much of it. The passage had been such a
depressing one that she was surprised that she remembered it.
"Nani?" Minako questioned, "That's an odd passage coming from a
teenager; sounds more like a wise person or something."
Kimeko gave Minako a smile, <To bad I can't tell her who actually said
it.> "Just something I learned in school."
"Kimeko-chan, you probably can't tell me what the fight was about but
you're going to have fights. It'll hurt too, if I had a fight with Usagi
I would feel terrible, so would Usagi."
Kimeko looked down at the serene water of the lake for a moment before
looking at Minako, "Arigato," she hugged Minako who returned the hug, "I
feel a lot better... Now let's go shopping!" Minako smiled she was glad
to have helped her daughter. <Arigato, Mom.>
******
"Sako-chan?" Makoto asked, "Are you okay?"
"I bet someone else is being asked that question," Sakuya quipped.
"Nani?" Makoto asked. She placed the dish she was holding down on the
table and headed back into the kitchen. "Something's been worrying you.
Won't you please tell me what it is?"
"I don't like Small Lady being a Sailor Senshi."
"Nani?!?" Makoto asked coming fully into the kitchen, "I know you're her
guardian, Sako-chan, but she will make a great Senshi if she's anything
like her mother. I thought you'd be proud of her."
"Of course I'm proud of her, Mako-chan. I KNOW she'll be a great Senshi.
It just annoys me that she's back here training, is all." Sakuya took a
sip of tea and continued, "I can't even properly measure her power." <Or
protect her.>
"Oh cheer up! We'll be going shopping and we can find us a couple of
kawaii boys, ne?"
<That's my obaa-san.> "Hai!" Sakuya answered coming partially out of her
foul mood, "Do you know I haven't had a real date in over one hundred
years?" Makoto's mouth swung open, eyes bulging in disbelief.
******
The Amazon Trio was sitting at their favorite bar deciding on who their
next target would be. There was always some tension between the Amazon
Trio when it came to deciding who they would go after. FishEye seemed to
be unable to fathom why the other two were interested in females at all.
The real tension was between HawksEye who preferred mature women and
TigersEye who, on the other hand, preferred young women barely in their
teens; TigersEye took enjoyment in goading HawksEye for his choice in
women. For HawksEye's part this particular goading was a constant
annoyance.
"What about this one?" TigersEye held up a picture of a teenage girl,
"So sweet and innocent." HawksEye scowled. "Really I don't know why you
insist on those older girls, I mean some of them aren't even pretty."
HawksEye held up a picture of a lank looking woman in her thirties, her
hair graying slightly and a slightly haunted expression in her eyes.
"This one must have pure dreams," he surmised. He glared at TigersEye
who was snickering at him.
"That one?!?" TigersEye hooted, "Now there is an ugly thing if I ever
saw it... She's too old," TigersEye said, "Why don't you try something
with a little less gristle on her, HawksEye?"
"I don't know why either of you bother with those... females," FishEye
ventured, "Now here is one..." He showed his two companions a picture of
a young businessman with his shirt half-unbuttoned. TigersEye and
HawksEye stared at the picture for several seconds before going back to
their own debate; it was only a man after all.
"Youths are too naive to have pure dreams," HawksEye retorted, "She must
have pure dreams... She helps those less fortunate."
"She could not have pure dreams because her years have embittered her,"
TigersEye countered. "If you really insist on going to see her then I
have to give you something first." TigersEye slid off the barstool and
disappeared momentarily; HawksEye was just about to leave when TigersEye
came back and handed a roll of toilet paper to HawksEye. "She's such a
prune, you'll like going to need this!"
HawksEye snarled slightly while flinging the toilet paper away before
composing himself and gritting his teeth. "I believe the one we are
looking for is hidden in her dreams, and I will capture him," HawksEye
declared amid the chortle of laughter from TigersEye, HawksEye stalked
out of the bar. <I will look into her dream mirror and prove that the
mature woman is hiding him.>
******
"Arigato for coming again, Hino-san," Mrs. Lisu said, "I appreciate the
help." She and Hino Rei were standing in the homeless shelter's office.
"Lisu-san, why don't others help, or stay to help?" Rei asked, "I mean
it gives me a good feeling to help people. I do it because I want people
to be happy spiritually; it helps the body heal."
"I will not presume to argue with you, Hino-san, but there are those
that do not share our dedication." She shook her head, "They either do
not have the dedication to their faith that you have or my dream that
continually drives me."
"If-if you wouldn't mind telling me, what is your dream?" Rei asked.
"My dream... my dream is that one day no one will need a place like
this. My dream is that some day those that use this place can find a
stable home that offers them shelter, warmth, and friendship... those
things that we take as common place." Rei didn't answer, she was lost in
thought.
******
<It isn't fair!> Chibi-Usa thought grumpily, <She's in there with MY
Onee-san having a great time and I'm stuck out here with no one!> She
kicked the wall she was leaning against with her shoe, <Baka Odango
Atama! No one wants to buddy with me. Makoto and Sakuya are chasing
after a couple boys they know from somewhere, Kimeko and Minako are
discussing the value of wearing different types of clothes, and
Misako...> Chibi-Usa glowered and sent a look of displeasure towards the
toy store where Misako was looking at the teddy bears with Usagi. <She
wasn't supposed to come! We had this planned for a week! Now all Usagi's
doing is spending her time with Misako. It's just not fair!> So lost in
her own thoughts that Chibi-Usa didn't hear Usagi approach or Usagi
talking to her for a minute or so.
"Earth to Chibi-Usa-chan?" Usagi said waving her hand in front of
Chibi-Usa's face, "Are you there?"
"Nani?" Chibi-Usa growled out. She didn't like the look of that new
stuffed teddy bear that Misako was holding. <Why didn't you get me
something too? I still like toys too you know.>
"What's the matter, Chibi-Usa-chan?" Usagi asked in a concerned tone.
"Nothing, now what did you say?"
"I said it's time to go home. We have school tomorrow."
"About time," Chibi-Usa growled again and started stalking towards the
entrance.
"Misako wished she could have been at your birthday party, Imouto,"
Usagi mentioned trying to get Chibi-Usa to talk about whatever was
bothering her.
"It isn't like she has been to any before," Chibi-Usa mumbled out before
Usagi could ask for clarification, Chibi-Usa hissed out, "Yeah well she
didn't miss much!"
Usagi was hurt. It had been great when she found out she and her
daughter shared the same birthday. She had thought the birthday party
her friends had thrown for them both was excellent and that Chibi-Usa
liked it too. <What's wrong? She's acting really strange.> Usagi mulled
over that problem but it was soon forgotten when they spotted Minako and
Kimeko walking their way. They waited for the blonde duo to catch up.
"I see you two bought out the stores," Usagi commented, "Do you have any
money left?"
"Hai!" Minako answered grinning broadly, "Kimeko is a good shopper just
like us." Kimeko grinned. "She learned from the best."
"Hai, I sure did," Kimeko said looking at Minako mischievously, "Sakuya
taught me well." Kimeko giggled when Minako tried to bat her but instead
managed to send several packages flying from her grasp.
As the three teenage girls, along with Misako, went to retrieve the
packages, Chibi-Usa wandered out of the mall and waited for them. She
wasn't sure what to think. Yes, she was happy to see Misako but she'd
have to put her foot down about Misako thinking she could have Usagi all
to herself, "And I'll put a stop to that `Mommy' bit too," Chibi-Usa
grumbled out. "I can't call you Mommy but she can." <Do I want you as
Mommy instead of Onee-san?>
"Nani?" came a familiar voice. Chibi-Usa turned to see that it was
Sakuya and Makoto, both looking extremely pleased with themselves.
"Nothing... Where did you two go?" Chibi-Usa asked. Before Sakuya and
Makoto had taken off they had provided some company for Chibi-Usa.
"We got ourselves dates," Makoto beamed.
"You're kidding," Usagi said coming out of the mall, "Those two kawaii
guys in one night? Aren't they jealous of each other?"
"Iie, baka!" Makoto snapped good naturedly, "Sakuya got the older guy."
<Unfortunately, but the younger one's kawaii too.>
"Hai, we met them the last time I was back."
"Mommy I'm sleepy. Can we go home?" Misako asked while leaning into
Usagi's legs. Her head started to droop as she asked the question.
"Hai, come on," Usagi agreed and awkwardly picked Misako up. Only Sakuya
noticed the frown that went across Chibi-Usa's face. The group started
walking towards their homes discussing what they'd bought or did during
their shopping spree and what Rei had missed in the process. That's when
their communicators sounded off. Rei wasn't missing much action after
all that was for sure.
******
"Hino-san, I need to run an errand... Can you please watch the place?"
"Hai," Rei replied, "Do you think you'll be long?"
"Iie, I just have to run down to the corner and mail a few letters,"
Mrs. Lisu said, "I won't be long." She then slipped out of the homeless
shelter. The early evening air was nippy and in this part of Juuban,
there were other less pleasant odors.
As she walked down the street the sky still holding the last rays of
sunlight she noticed a person who was wearing priest garb and carrying a
Bible.
As she approached he stopped. "Gomen, Miss, I appear to be lost," the
man informed her, "I am looking for a shelter of some type... the Izuko
Homeless Shelter... that's in this area." He noted that the woman in
front of him was the one he was looking for.
"There is the Izuko Homeless Shelter there," Mrs. Lisu said pointing
back to where she had come from, "I run the shelter... Can I help you
with anything, Father?"
"Hai," the priest said, "I want to write an article for our weekly
newsletter to my parishioners. I'd like to interview you to find out
about the shelter you run and your dreams for it."
Mrs. Lisu's eyes lit up, so rarely did she ever get to make her case to
other people, "My dream is to see the day when places like this shelter
aren't needed. I want to see the day when everyone has a home...
someplace they call their own." Realizing that she was babbling Mrs.
Lisu flushed, "Gomen, Father, I just don't get the opportunity to do
this very often..."
"That's all right," the priest said, "You were headed somewhere? Could I
drop you off? A beautiful woman like you shouldn't be out alone."
She flushed. "Iie, I was just going down to the corner to mail..." Mrs.
Lisu trailed off and leafed through the envelopes, "I missed a couple.
Would you like to come with me? I have to go back and we could talk some
more."
With out answering the man took two quick steps back up and smiled. A
tapestry with a strange symbol on it appeared above him; the tapestry
rolled down temporarily hiding the man, then disappeared. Suddenly the
man was in a strange outfit. "One!" he called out; it was HawksEye.
"Nani?" Mrs. Lisu asked as she first was confused by the response and
then even more so by the board that had suddenly appeared behind her.
"Two!" HawksEye said. Mrs. Lisu was shackled to the board by her wrists
and ankles.
Rei, who had noticed Mrs. Lisu had forgotten two of the letters she
wanted to mail, had gone out onto the street and had seen that something
was terribly wrong... Especially when the older woman started to yell in
fright. Slipping into an alley she called the others and then
transformed into Sailor Mars before heading to help out her friends.
"Three!" HawksEye shouted with expectation. Mrs. Lisu gave a small
shriek as her dream mirror came out of her chest. HawksEye was just
about to look into the mirror when Sailor Mars' voice stopped him.
"I AM SAILOR MARS and I will not allow your evil to hurt those that try
to help others... On behalf of Mars, I WILL PUNISH YOU!" HawksEye
glowered at the interloper and summoned forth his Lemure.
******
Usagi looked worriedly around, "We have to go and help but what about
the packages?"
"Transform! Kimeko, can put them in one of those rentable storage
lockers the mall has," Sakuya directed, "Leave Misako here."
"Iie, I wanna see Onee-chan be S'nshi!" Misako complained, "Show! show!"
Setting both Misako and her packages down Usagi stepped back and in
unison Usagi, Chibi-Usa, Minako, Makoto, and Sakuya transformed. If
anyone had been walking past them it would have been a dazzling light
show. Misako clapped happily.
"Onee-chan kawaii!!!" Misako howled joyfully, "Onee-chan S'nshi!!!" She
paid so much attention to Chibi-Usa that she hadn't noticed her mother
transform. Her eyes grew large and her mouth swung open in surprise,
"MOMMY GONE!!!" she cried in shock.
"Iie Miko-chan," Sailor Moon comforted, "I'm right here." Misako looked
at her and then at Kimeko and Younger Jupiter who nodded in affirmation.
"Mommy," Misako said, "You look very pretty... but better pretty in
other."
"Translation please?" Sailor Moon asked looking at Kimeko.
"You look very pretty but I think Miko-chan was saying you look prettier
in your Neo-Queen Serenity form." Misako nodded in complete agreement,
that was exactly what she had meant.
"Stop talking and start moving!" Younger Jupiter barked, "You can take
compliments from your daughter later, after we go help Sailor Mars." The
others nodded and started moving off. Younger Jupiter held back for a
moment and then asked, "Do you have your communicator with you, Kimeko?"
"Hai, do you want me to stay back?"
"Iie, I'm sorry if I treated you like a pack mule... I'll help you with
the bags if you want."
"Iie, what's with the communicators, Younger Jupiter?"
"We might need them," Younger Jupiter replied, "Put the stuff in the
lockers and then come meet us. With Misako with us I don't want to get
involved unless we absolutely have to."
Kimeko nodded, "Got it. I'll be there as quick as I can."
******
Sailor Mars observed this Lemure warily, it was a mime after all. It was
clothed in black pants with suspenders and a black and white striped
shirt. Its face was painted white, the lips highlighted with a blood red
color, its eyes were dark and menacing. As it smiled the teeth it showed
were jagged and sharp looking.
Hoping to slow it down Sailor Mars tried one of her ofuda on the Lemure
but it held up its hand. The ofuda struck something invisible and flared
as it contacted something evil.
"Truly a beautiful dream but he is not here," HawksEye declared,
"TigersEye was right about you but your dream is too beautiful and he
might come here. Take care of them both my Lemure!" With that he left
leaving Mars to deal with the demonic Mime.
Sailor Mars backed up and hoped the others would get here soon.
"BURNING MANDALA!!!" Sailor Mars shouted trying to force the Mime to
retreat to give her some breathing room.
Again the Mime raised its hand and the attack ricocheted off of the
invisible wall. Mars gave a yelp of surprise and scrambled out of the
way. The Mime leered at Mars while wagging a finger at her as if
scolding a naughty child. It started a series of rapid motions that
looked like it was forming a lasso.
Deciding that this was a good opportunity, Mars started to launch her
attack again but was shocked to feel something slip around her shoulders
pinning her arms in place. With a malevolent grin the Mime started to
pull the imaginary rope towards him pulling a struggling Sailor Mars as
well.
"For not letting me get home by my curfew, I am the Pretty Sailor Suited
Senshi, SAILOR MOON..." Sailor Moon started.
"SAILOR CHIBI-MOON!" Chibi-Moon added.
"And IN THE NAME OF THE MOON, WE WILL PUNISH YOU!" Sailor Moon and
Chibi-Moon shouted in unison.
Both Sailor Mars and the Lemure looked up to see the other Sailor Senshi
standing on top of a building. Leaping to the ground Venus and Jupiter
attacked the Lemure:
"VENUS LOVE ME CHAIN!"
"SPARKLING WIDE PRESSURE!"
Sailor Mars felt the rope vanish as the Lemure put both hands up to
block the attacks. She staggered backwards to give the others some room.
"It's about time, Sailor Moon!" she snapped at Sailor Moon, "If you had
been any later, I think I would have been that thing's lunch!"
"Hey we were far away!" Sailor Moon whined out, "Do you know how far we
had to run?"
Venus and Jupiter were shocked that their attacks failed to even make
contact. Chibi-Moon examined the Lemure and said, "Boy this one would be
scary even if it was human!"
The Lemure seeming to have taken offense to the remark made as if
reaching into a bag, after pulling something out he tossed them at
Chibi-Moon. On instinct Sailor Chibi-Moon jumped up but when her feet
came down on the ground they landed on something round and solid. Her
feet slipped from beneath her and she fell hard on her bottom.
The Lemure crowed silently with glee and did three backflips before
starting his next attack.
"You're going to pay for that!" Chibi-Moon yelled while getting up
rubbing her behind, "That wasn't funny at ALL!" She shook her fist at
the Mime. This made him stop for a moment to laugh even harder, if
silently, at Chibi-Moon. <I might be little but I'm no joke!> Chibi-Moon
thought darkly.
"Hai!" Sailor Moon agreed. "Guys distract him," Sailor Moon directed.
"Hai!" the other Senshi agreed and launched into their respective
attacks. Mercury's and Mars' attacks got through when the Mime ran out
of hands to block attacks.
"Now Chibi-Moon!" Mars yelled out.
Kneeling and clasping her hands Chibi-Moon prayed to the Pegasus,
"Please Pegasus... protect everyone's dreams!" Getting up she started to
ring the Charion Bell while calling out, "Twinkle yell!"
After the Pegasus came forth, Super Sailor Moon used her "Moon Gorgeous
Meditation" attack and blasted the Lemure back into its shadowy realm.
"Stage out!" was the only words the demonic Mime ever uttered.
******
As the battle started Younger Jupiter was the only silent observer. As
time passed Younger Venus arrived with Misako. The little girl couldn't
make up her mind whether to watch the fight or hide from the scary
monster. Her eyes shown brightly with excitement but she was still
clinging to Younger Venus for protection, part of it was subconscious
fear.
"How are they doing?" Younger Venus asked. <Come on Mom!>
"Not good, their taking too long to get rid of the damn thing," Younger
Jupiter observed.
"You said BAD word," Misako admonished, "Go stand in the corner!"
Younger Venus giggled and was soon joined by Younger Jupiter.
"You know she's got a point," Younger Venus giggled out.
"Bad thing is if she really put her true authority behind it..." Younger
Jupiter let that dismal thought trail off and scowled as Younger Venus'
smile got bigger. <Don't you dare say a word, Kimeko.>
They watched silently as the battle progressed. "Onee-chan..." Misako
said in a worried tone as Chibi-Moon fell. The concern look disappeared
when Chibi-Moon got back up. Misako clapped happily when the Pegasus
appeared; this was better than anything she had ever seen and her
Onee-chan and her mommy were Sailor Senshi!
******
As the Elder Senshi detransformed Younger Jupiter and Younger Venus
along with Misako descended to street level. After they were safely on
the ground the Younger Senshi detransformed back as well. Misako, once
allowed back on the ground ran towards her mother clapping happily.
"You kawaii! Onee-chan S'nshi!!!" Misako declared and gave Chibi-Moon a
hug, "Mommy and Onee-chan S'nshi!!!"
"Misako, you shouldn't be down here. This place is too dangerous for
little girls," Usagi cautioned, "I wouldn't want anything to happen to
you."
"Mommy and Onee-chan S'nshi!" Misako shouted with excitement oblivious
to everything else.
"Misako!" Usagi picked her daughter up, "Not so loud."
"Nani?" Misako asked curiously, she noticed a crowd forming, "Why not
Mommy?"
There were some muttering from the gathering crowd. An older woman's
voice, although meant not to be heard, commented, "Must have been out of
wedlock... pity, so young." Her companion hushed her.
"Mommy that great, do it again!" Misako declared happily. She was so
proud of her sister and mother for being Senshi... it was just what she
wanted to do when she grew up.
Usagi noticed the curious onlookers, some were helping Mrs. Lisu and
trying to offer comfort to the woman but most were openly, even loudly,
speculating about what age Usagi must have been when she gave birth to
the little girl.
"Isn't that kawaii?" Usagi said with embarrassment showing through, "She
thinks I'm her mother."
Sailor Chibi-Moon who had been about to change back scowled and stalked
down the street. <Onee-san doesn't even make sure I'm okay... No `Good
Job' or `I'm proud of you'!> She stopped, <What was that?> She had heard
a noise from the alley to her left. She slipped into it and looked but
didn't see anything. Going further in she noticed two cars. Waiting out
of sight she watched. After a few moments the one car left. The other
car appeared to be lifeless. Hearing her name being called Chibi-Moon
shrugged and while heading for the alley entrance detransformed back.
******
"Yeah the payment went fine but we have a problem... Hai, I'll see you
later tonight." The second car left slowly following the unsuspecting
young girl. <Well, well,> the man thought, <So she's one of those
mythical Sailor Senshi... This will certainly be excellent for me, bad
for her.>
******
Chibi-Usa and Misako were getting ready for bed. Ikuko did not take too
kindly to them coming in past their curfew but she placed the blame
squarely on Usagi. The younger girls had to go right to bed so there
wouldn't be any story tonight for that reason; although Chibi-Usa took
the announcement in stride, Misako thought it was terrible. It also
didn't help that Misako kept up a high pace chatter about seeing the
Senshi, or more specifically Chibi-Usa and Usagi being Senshi and her
pride of the same.
"Onee-chan?" Misako asked.
Chibi-Usa turned to find Misako holding out a newly acquired teddy bear
towards her. The annoyance of having Misako getting a new toy when she
didn't reared its ugly head again; pushing it and Misako away Chibi-Usa
growled out, "I don't want to see that bear of yours."
"But Onee-chan..." Misako began.
Chibi-Usa who had turned away whirled around and snatching the bear out
of Misako's hand and flung it into the corner, "I said, Misako, I didn't
want that baka bear!" She stood there glaring at Misako, <Watch she'll
screech again and I'll be in really big trouble. I don't care.>
That was certainly a plausible reaction, but Misako's lip only trembled
and she slowly turned around and went to retrieve the bear. Chibi-Usa
finished changing, turned out the light and slid under the covers. That
left the room dimly lit by a nightlight that had been installed for
Misako's sake.
Chibi-Usa could hear Misako sniffling. The girl had retrieved the toy
but hadn't made any move to return to the bed. The annoyance fled and
was replaced by a guilty feeling along with confusion. Climbing out of
bed Chibi-Usa went to her sister.
<Why am I mad at her? She didn't do anything wrong,> Chibi-Usa thought.
She reached out while saying, "Come on, Miko-chan, time for bed."
Misako looked at Chibi-Usa with a forlorn expression on her face. She
sniffled again and shied away from Chibi-Usa. "Iie," her voice said
softly.
"I promise I won't hurt your bear," Chibi-Usa comforted, "We need to
sleep. We have to go to school tomorrow."
Misako's features took on a confused look, "Iie, Onee-chan, not MY
bear."
Chibi-Usa blinked, "What do you mean `not your bear'?" Her irritation
starting to come back. <Baka little kid, can't even keep her mouth shut
about anything... probably will go to school tomorrow and blab that she
has Sailor Senshi for relatives!>
"Onee-chan, not my bear, YOUR bear," Misako tried to explain, "I get it
for your birthday. You eight." <Onee no like?> Usagi had told Misako
that Chibi-Usa had her eighth birthday recently. This information had
been relayed while they were in the toy store; Misako had wished that
she could have been at Chibi-Usa's birthday party. Unfortunately, it had
been held over a month before Misako arrived in the past. It had been a
hard battle to convince Usagi to buy a teddy bear for Chibi-Usa as a
present from Misako but she had succeeded.
"My Bear?" Chibi-Usa asked incredulously. <Is that why Onee-san
mentioned it to me?>
"Hai Onee-chan," Misako sniffled, "I missed your birthday... I sad that
I not there."
Chibi-Usa felt like she was going to be sick. Here all the time she had
been jealous that Misako had gotten a new toy, jealous that Usagi hadn't
even thought of buying her one. <Jealous of Misako, my own imouto. I was
shocked to see her in the future but I wouldn't want to have it any
other way...> Chibi-Usa groaned, <Baka Chibi-Usa!>
She felt like crying; she was very embarrassed about her behavior, <I've
been acting like a spoiled brat,> Chibi-Usa thought; she felt tears
start to well up in her eyes. "Gomen nasai, Misako-san," Chibi-Usa was
just able to get out with a lump in her throat, "I-I..." Words failed
her she just stood there mouth opening and closing.
When Misako, seeming to understand, wrapped her little arms around
Chibi-Usa and whispered, "I love Onee-chan... I not want to make you
mad." Chibi-Usa sniffled. Her head was swimming with emotions that
confused her. All she could do was hug Misako back a few tears streaking
her cheeks. "Onee-chan not cry? You not bad," Misako reassured her
sister. There were only certain times you should cry, this, at least to
Misako, was not one of them.
Picking Misako up Chibi-Usa walked over to the bed and carefully placed
her little sister down. "Arigato Miko-chan, I love the teddy bear. You
made me very happy." She took the soft stuffed bear and examined it.
Misako at first was unwilling to let the bear go but after Chibi-Usa
reassured her that she wouldn't throw it Misako let her have it. Its
"fur" was of a dark brown color. Its two plastic eyes where also of a
brown color and it was wearing a little green vest.
Hopping into bed beside Misako, Chibi-Usa asked, "Should we name it,
Imouto?"
"It has name, Onee-chan," Misako said sleepily.
"Nani?"
"Chibi-Sh'ngo," Misako sleepily replied before starting to drift off to
sleep.
Chibi-Usa buried her face into the stuffed bear and tried her hardest to
control the laughter that had sprung up. <Chibi-Shingo!!! How does
Misako do it?> Chibi-Usa thought, <How come she can be so perceptive
about people?> Continuing to snicker Chibi-Usa snuggled under the covers
hugging her new bear and Misako at the same time. <Chibi-Shingo!> was
her mind's last thought before slipping into sleep.
Chapter 11 - A Large Mistake
Later that same night in a well furnished home just on the outskirts of
Tokyo, three men were sitting. One of those men was from the car that
had at first followed Sailor Chibi-Moon and then Chibi-Usa all the way
to the Tsukino home before returning back to their original destination.
"You want us to capture a Sailor Senshi?" the man in his fifties asked.
He wore a black sweater with black pants even in the late August heat.
His brown hair had dark streaks of gray running through it from the
forehead down to the ends of the ponytail that stretched nearly to his
waist.
The other man by comparison wore what appeared to be a military set of
fatigues. His hair was cut extremely short and he appeared to be in his
late thirties. "Who and where?"
The original man smiled, "That's what I like about you two, as long as
it pays you don't care if I want to nab some important official or some
supposedly mythical Sailor Senshi." He ran a hand through his black
hair, three small scars were visible on his face, one below each eye and
a third that was centered around one ear.
"As Adder said, who and where?" the older man asked.
"Juuban Elementary School... The picture will be dropped off in the
usual place... Now I have another job you can take care of right away
though."
******
Chibi-Usa groggily woke up. She was being gently shaken by someone.
Turning slightly, her voice thick with sleep she mumbled, "Don't wanna
get up."
"Come on, Chibi-Usa-chan, time to get up," came Ikuko's gentle voice.
Fighting through the haze Chibi-Usa opened her eyes and looked at Ikuko,
"Hai Ikuko-mama... I shouldn't keep Misako waiting." Chibi-Usa looked
around, "Where's Misako?"
"She was up with the birds and is hiding downstairs. It seems she woke
her `Mommy' up." Ikuko grinned, "I hear Usagi growled something and it
sent Misako scurrying away."
Chibi-Usa got out of bed and grinned. She knew exactly what Misako had
gone through. It was a very dangerous thing to wake Usagi up; even if
the older girl had started to get up earlier, no one with the possible
exception of her parents was crazy enough to get her up before it was
time to get up.
"You have a little while before breakfast is ready. Misako's been
driving me nuts wanting to know when you'd get up." <She's a handful.>
Chibi-Usa looked at the clock and noticed it was only seven-fifteen.
"Gomen Ikuko-mama, I guess she's excited about me walking her to school.
Tell her I'll be down after I get ready."
"Hai," Ikuko said and left the room.
Chibi-Usa ran a hand through her hair. She was about to get ready when
the sight of her new toy bear caught her eye. <Oh Imouto...> Giving an
involuntary sniffle she reached for the bear and slipped down to Usagi's
room. Hesitating only once she knocked softly on the door and waited.
"Come in," was the soft reply.
Chibi-Usa tentatively opened the door and slid into the room. She didn't
look up until she had closed the door solidly and turned around to face
Usagi. Her cheeks were already red from flushing in guilt and
embarrassment.
"I was just about to come have a talk with you, Chibi-Usa," Usagi said
in a stern voice. Chibi-Usa looked up nervously and found Usagi had
crossed her arms and any trace of being a big sister had fled; it was
all mother. "I see Misako gave you the teddy bear."
"Hai, Mommy," Chibi-Usa said meekly. <Better make this good. She's not
in a very good mood.> "I apologized to Misako for my behavior towards
her and I thanked her for the gift." Chibi-Usa paused for a moment and
took a deep breath, "I want to apologize to you for what I did
yesterday. I acted like a spoiled brat and showed you and my sister
disrespect, gomen nasai." Chibi-Usa lowered her head and looked at the
floor. <Please Onee-san...>
Usagi walked over and crouched in front of Chibi-Usa raising the girl's
chin Usagi brushed away the tears that had started to run down
Chibi-Usa's face. "Imouto," Usagi began comfortingly, "I accept your
apology." Chibi-Usa gave a half hearted sob and hugged Usagi who hugged
back, "Chibi-Usa-chan, I would never buy Misako something and not get
you something too, unless it was for a birthday..." Usagi said while
picking Chibi-Usa up and sitting her on the bed. <My she's getting big.>
"You having nothing to be jealous about; Misako could never be my
imouto..."
"Gomen, Onee-san," Chibi-Usa sniffled out, "I just don't know what
happened... I-I..." she trailed off for a moment and the room was
silent, "I thought you were more concerned with Misako being there than
me! Then when Misako gave me the bear... you two set me up!"
"Hai, Misako cares about you!" Usagi said, "I was hurt Chibi-Usa. I
thought my imouto was a young lady but last night I saw a little girl."
Usagi stopped Chibi-Usa from looking at the floor and made her look at
Usagi directly, "I'm not saying this to be mean... I thought you enjoyed
your birthday party and I want you to know something..."
"Nani?" Chibi-Usa said sullenly. <What does she want me to know?>
Chibi-Usa was feeling miserable; yes Usagi had forgiven her but it just
didn't feel complete somehow.
"You gave me a birthday present that Misako couldn't never give me,"
Usagi said with as much comfort and warmth in her voice that she could
put in.
"Nani?" Chibi-Usa asked again but it was with a trace of curiosity.
"Chibi-Usa-chan, you and I share the same birthday. That's a very
special and rare gift and Misako could never give me that."
Chibi-Usa didn't really understand all of what Usagi was saying but her
actions and tones spoke volumes. Chibi-Usa hugged Usagi and snuggled
into her Onee-san for several seconds before saying, "Arigato
Onee-san... Usagi-chan, I wanted to throw a surprise birthday party for
Misako since I missed hers. Could we have one, please?"
"Hai," Usagi said, "This will be great! Now we can't have it tonight...
hmmm... maybe tomorrow." Usagi was lost in thought for a few moments
before saying, "We need to go down to have breakfast and take Misako to
school but I'll get together with Minako and we'll plan it." Usagi set
Chibi-Usa down, gathered up her books, and was about to leave the room
when she said, "You need to get dressed, young lady... Say did you ever
name your bear?"
Chibi-Usa gave a broad grin, "Hai, but I'LL tell EVERYONE."
******
By the time breakfast was over with, Usagi was bursting with curiosity.
Misako was bursting with energy to walk to school so it was by a narrow
margin that Chibi-Usa managed to make known the bear's name without
having to fight for time.
"Misako got me this for a birthday present," Chibi-Usa announced
retrieving the bear from its position on the couch, "Minna-san, I'd like
to introduce Chibi-Shingo..." Whatever else she was going to say was
lost when Usagi gave out a howl of laughter and fell backwards off her
chair.
"Rotten spore," Shingo mumbled out flushing with embarrassment. <Baka
little kid!>
"Chibi...Chibi-Shingo!!! HAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!" Usagi was trying in vain to
right her chair and speak, "Oh that's prefect! Where's a camera? I have
got to get a picture of Shingo's face!" After being admonished to tone
it down Usagi finally got herself under control. "Gomen... It's just
that..." Usagi stopped and started to snicker again. Shingo got up and
stalked out of the room which made Usagi snicker even louder.
"Sh'ngo no like Onee-chan?" Misako questioned, a slight pout forming on
her face. <Onii look mad. I think he not like Chibi-Sh'ngo>
"Come on we have to go to school," Chibi-Usa giggled out after coming
back from putting the bear into her room. Misako hopped up from the
table happily. She was dressed in a dark green kindergarten fuku with a
white-stripe on her green neckerchief. Taking Chibi-Usa's hand she held
out her other hand towards Usagi.
"Mommy, we go?" she asked.
"Mom, did you want to take her?" Usagi asked looking to Ikuko.
"Iie, she should be fine. Just stop by the office and they'll direct you
to the right class. Go on, `Mommy', you shouldn't be late," Ikuko said.
<Mom!> "Hai, well let's get going then." Usagi picked up her own bookbag
and headed out the door. Misako released Chibi-Usa's hand and scurried
after her mother. Usagi waited for the two younger girls outside; it
would have been tough trying to go through the door all holding hands.
"Miko-chan, why don't you walk with Chibi-Usa," Usagi suggested.
Misako complied and they started their journey towards school. Chibi-Usa
sent a smile of thanks towards Usagi. Somehow Usagi knew what she wanted
and that was great. Chibi-Usa was very happy to be Misako's sister and
even happier to see the little girl not even scared about going to
school. It was a proud and special experience for her. Usagi looked on
at her two daughters, knowing what it meant to each of them and to her.
As they walked Misako asked question after question about school and on
the odd occasion glanced back to see where Usagi was. Usagi for her part
was content. She had noticed that Chibi-Usa was hoping to walk with
Misako by herself. She could understand that well enough although
Chibi-Usa's reaction to some of Misako's behavior was odd.
Usagi shrugged. It was a nice warm sunny day and she had a party to
plan. She was so wrapped up in trying to think how to keep it a surprise
that she nearly didn't notice that the two younger girls had stopped.
"Mommy," Misako said, "Wanna walk with you." She reached out her hand
towards Usagi. Usagi glanced at Chibi-Usa who didn't seem to mind the
request so Usagi took Misako's hand and the trio started off down the
street with an extremely happy Misako in the middle.
They quickly reached the school and entered the grounds. Chibi-Usa was
torn. On the one hand, she wanted to pull away from Misako and on the
other hand, she didn't want to hurt her sister. Usagi came to the rescue
though.
"Miko-chan, why don't we go find your class? I have to go to school
too," Usagi said while turning Misako to look at her.
"Mommy go to school?" Misako asked incredulously, "Mommy not go before."
"Please call me Usagi-chan or Onee-san, Miko-chan," Usagi implored. All
she needed after last night was to have some teacher think that she'd
had a kid when she was really young.
"Iie," Misako stated stubbornly. <Why Mommy want me to do somethin' that
get me in trouble?> She simply couldn't understand why her mother wanted
her not to call her Mommy but her sister's name.
Sighing Usagi prepared to suffer the talk and strange looks and started
to lead Misako off towards the main building, "Bye Onee-chan!" Misako
waved to her sister. Chibi-Usa waved back shyly, hoping none of her
classmates saw.
"Awww ain't that just kawaii!!!" came the sarcastic voice. Chibi-Usa
tensed; it was the class bully. Nearly four inches taller than her, he
must be at least nine. Turning around she saw a sneer on his face,
"Ain't it boys... Our `little rabbit' here making nicey-nice with a
baby!" his associates hooted with laughter.
"Oh yeah!" Chibi-Usa said, "She's a lot more intelligent than you!"
"Big talk for such a small shrimp," the boy sneered out.
"You take back what you said about my sister!" Chibi-Usa demanded, "At
least she doesn't wear diapers anymore!"
The sneer on the bully's face turned into a grim expression, "I'll give
you one chance to take that back," he snarled out, "Or I'll wipe the
ground with that prissy little nose of yours..."
Chibi-Usa balled up her fists, perfectly willing to defend her sister
from the bully. "I might have a prissy little nose but at least I'm in
no danger of tripping over it like you are!"
What happened next was so fast that Chibi-Usa didn't even register it
until it was all over. The bully had cocked his arm back and sent his
fist towards Chibi-Usa who had been about to move out of the way. That
is until someone rather large got in between her and the bully.
"You wouldn't be trying to hurt her would you?"
Chibi-Usa blinked and then blinked again, standing there was Usagi with
a very grim expression on her face. The bully gulped, decided not to
push his luck and scurried away.
"You watch out for your sister," Usagi instructed, "I have a tutoring
session today so I'll be home late."
"Nani?" Chibi-Usa asked with feigned surprise, "You mean you have a date
with Mamoru?" She bolted for the school entrance with Usagi's protests
ringing in her ears. She had no doubt that she'd be hearing more on that
subject when she got home.
******
Chibi-Usa groggily opened her eyes, "Na-Nani?" she questioned. She was
sitting on a hard wooden chair with her hands tied behind her back.
Trying to move she found she was bound to the chair. The last thing she
remembered was waiting for Ikuko to come and pick her up from school
with Misako. She had been waiting and then something had stung her
backside... <Then what?> Chibi-Usa tried to remember but couldn't. She
could hear low voices talking just outside of the door that was behind
her; a light from the ceiling cut off her view so she couldn't see
anything except what was in the tight beam of light.
"You had to shoot her?" the one voice asked.
"Look it was only a tranquilizer dart. She took it on her ass and no
harm was done. If she's really a Sailor Senshi, then why take chances.
You didn't say NOT to knock her out."
<OH NO!!!> Chibi-Usa thought. It certainly explained the throbbing of
her bottom but that was not her main concern. <They know I'm a Senshi!
They saw me somehow and now they've got me!>
"So I see you're awake," the first voice said from in front of her. She
hadn't been aware of the man entering the room. His bulk was all she
could make out from the shadows.
Chibi-Usa tried to talk but found that she was also gagged. She began to
panic. <What are they going to do?!?> she thought worriedly, <Where's
Sakuya?!? Where's Usagi?!? Mommy!>
"You're probably wondering what I want from you, little girl," the man
stated, reaching out and removing the gag, "I have big plans for you and
those other Sailor Senshi friends of yours."
"I'm not a Sailor Senshi; they don't exist." <I can't tell them.>
The bulky shadow shook his head, "Hai..." The smirk was obvious, "Adder,
Weasel, kill the little kid."
"Got it," came the second voice she had heard.
<Little kid? MISAKO?!?> "IIE! IIE!" Chibi-Usa strained, "Hai, I'm a
Sailor Senshi."
"Very good... Forget the kid for now, boys," the bulky man called out to
the men at the doorway and turned his attention back to Chibi-Usa,
"That's how it's going to be from now on. We know where you and your
family live. You cooperate and we don't hurt anyone, understand?"
Chibi-Usa nodded. She could feel tears starting to run down her face.
Where was Sakuya? Where was her guardian? <Mommy, I'm scared! Where are
you?!> she thought. <I'm sorry, Puu... Onee-san, I should have been more
careful. I wish I knew where they saw me though.>
"It was fortunate that you walked into that alley... Chibi-Usa-chan."
Hearing her name was like a blow to her body. Suddenly, she heard a
large explosion after someone yelled out, "STARLIGHT SHIMMER!!!"
<YOUNGER VENUS!!> Chibi-Usa cheered gleefully. If Kimeko was here, she
doubted that Sakuya wasn't far behind. As if that thought was a cue, she
heard Younger Jupiter's snarled battle cry.
<Kami-sama, she's really mad!> "You're gonna get it now!" she declared
joyfully, "Moon Prism Power, MAKE UP!" Chibi-Usa shouted and was stunned
when nothing happened. She didn't know whether to be annoyed that she
couldn't personally pound on the person who shot her in the rear or
happy to have Younger Venus do it for her. The only problem was she
couldn't see anything except a rather gory display of what electricity
does to the human body as Younger Jupiter applied her sheet lightning to
the people in the room.
No sooner were her bonds loosened then Chibi-Usa found herself clinging
to Younger Jupiter, shaking and crying at the same time. She could hear
Younger Jupiter comforting her as they backed out of the room. She
caught a glimpse of Younger Venus with two men laying crumpled at her
feet.
"Go round them up and hustle them here; he's out of it." Younger Venus
nodded and left. Younger Jupiter squatted down and gently placed
Chibi-Usa's feet on the ground, "I know Princess... I know," Younger
Jupiter said soothingly.
"My broach!" Chibi-Usa choked out, "It's gone."
"Stay right here, Princess, I'll be right back," Younger Jupiter
instructed. Chibi-Usa huddled where she was, eyes closed, hands around
her head in a protective position. "Here," Younger Jupiter said.
Chibi-Usa took the broach and transformed into Sailor Chibi-Moon. She
felt safer now that she was in Senshi form but she didn't protest when
Younger Jupiter lifted her back up.
"Why didn't you stop them?" Chibi-Moon asked, "I thought you were
following me."
"I had to let them take you, Small Lady... I'm sorry for that but I had
to."
Chibi-Moon snuggled into Younger Jupiter trying to clear her mind of
that image, "Did you have to kill him, Younger Jupiter?" the child asked
softly, "Couldn't you just have rescued me?"
"Gomen, Small Lady. Here in the past, we couldn't take the chance that
they'd come back to use that information against you." They heard
footsteps. Seven others came marching in with a grim looking Younger
Venus guarding them, "Here go with Younger Venus." She handed her charge
over to the younger Senshi before saying, "Go on, Younger Venus, get her
out of here. I'll meet you later. Princess, don't tell Usagi about this
or Misako."
"But Usagi should know!" Chibi-Moon protested, "I can see not telling
Misako what happened..." <It would give her nightmares.> "But I need to
tell Usagi!"
Younger Jupiter walked over to Chibi-Moon and said, "Iie Small Lady.
None of the other Senshi find out about this. It's in the history books
that way. You're needed here too. If Usagi knew about this, she'd order
me or Younger Venus to take you home and we'd have to. You could never
finish your training."
Chibi-Moon didn't look to happy about that but nodded her head, "Hai."
Younger Venus then gave Younger Jupiter a questioning look before
leaving with the Princess.
"What are you going to do?" one of the rounded up people questioned.
Younger Jupiter just stared coldly at the man, counting off the seconds
hoping that neither Younger Venus nor Chibi-Moon would reappear to see
the task set before her.
******
"Young lady, where were you? I was worried sick!" Ikuko demanded, coming
out of the house. She sent a look towards Kimeko.
"Luna-P henge!" Chibi-Usa shouted. Luna-P produced an umbrella that
began the process that would "adjust" Ikuko's memories; soon it was
complete.
"Did you have a nice time painting after school, Chibi-Usa-chan?" Ikuko
asked, all thoughts of Chibi-Usa not waiting for her after school and
her subsequent searching for Chibi-Usa gone from her mind.
"Hai Ikuko-mama. I'd like to introduce Aino Kimeko, Minako's cousin,"
Chibi-Usa said, "She came with Misako on the train. She and Misako live
really close to each other."
"Konnichiwa. I am pleased to meet you, Tsukino-san," Kimeko said
gracefully. She stopped herself from saying "Tsukino-sama." <Wow! The
Queen Mother!> Kimeko bowed and then continued, "I often baby-sat...
watched Misako for her parents. Please call me Kimeko."
"Kimeko-san, I've very happy to meet Minako's cousin. Come in, come in.
Misako will be happy to see you," Ikuko beckoned while ushering the two
girls into the house and shutting the door.
******
"Hey Sarge!" one of the uniformed officers called out, "We got a live
one here!"
Detective Sergeant Tom Wong trotted over to where the officer was
standing. There huddled on the ground was a man of about twenty; he was
sweating profusely and was staring around nervously.
"You a cop?" he questioned. He was trying to demand the information but
it came out as more of a plea.
"Hai, I'm Detective Sergeant Wong of the Tokyo Police Department
Homicide Division." He showed the man his badge. He was keeping his
distance but the young man appeared to be relieved. "Can you tell me
what happened here?"
"Not here," the man pleaded, "Not here, man, they might come back...
might come back to make sure no one saw!" He started to spin looking
everywhere as if expecting an attack to come but not knowing from which
direction.
"It's okay," Wong said, "They won't hurt you. We have got a lot of men
around. These people won't come with police around. Now can you tell me
what happened?"
He stopped his spinning but remained in a covered position, "The boss...
the boss spotted this kid, little girl... Had it in his head that she
was one of those mythical Sailor Senshi!" he chortled and shook his
head, "Never screw with Sailor Senshi, man!" He suddenly became serious,
"Two of them came in here like bats out of hell."
"What's this kid look like?" Wong asked.
"Before she changed? She had an elementary school fuku on, man... then
she screamed something and in this ball of light she shimmered and then
next thing I knew, man, she was wearing this pink Sailor fuku with
things in her hair... was like these rabbit ears."
"Are you shooting me a line of shit?" Wong asked; he didn't believe one
word of this story.
"Hey, man, I know what I saw! The boss got pros to grab the kid. These
two Sailor Senshi come in, blow away my pals, the boss, and rescued the
kid." He was scared. Scared to tell the truth in case the Sailor Senshi
knew he was talking but the fear that the police wouldn't arrest him was
greater. "She musta been somebody important."
Wong who had nearly given up on this guy said, "How's that?"
"The one broad who got her called her `Princess'."
<This guy's a loon.> "Take him downtown and book him... There's enough
drugs and guns in here to do the job nicely... even without his story
about the Sailor Senshi." Wong sighed and walked over to the forensic
team working the scene, "Well, Doc, what do you think? Freak
electricity?"
"Iie," the balding man said, "Nothing we know of."
"The live one says that a Sailor Senshi did this."
"Possibly," the balding man shrugged, "I've never seen anything like
this unless electricity and laser beams start having a mind of their
own."
"Doc, don't say that!" Wong moaned, "We've already got a wacko saying
that Sailor Senshi bumped his buddies and his boss off... Please tell me
I have something substantial to put into my report besides this loony's
statement.
"Hai Detective, full results will take some time but here is a brief
preliminary report. We do know that there was a child, possibly eight or
nine... height say at about four feet or a little over... We picked that
out from the blurry videotape we managed to salvage."
"This guy was taping something that would send him away for a long
time?" Wong asked, "Now I've heard everything."
"If I may continue?" Wong inclined his head, "Weight unknown likely
around seventy to eighty pounds but that's a rough guess... best I can
do... no prints and the hairs we got could be blonde but it's hard to
say. Best I can do off the top of my head."
Wong sighed, "Great the Captain is just going to love this! Kid
kidnapped by mob but saved by mythical female Senshi wearing very short
miniskirts... not what I would call a great investigation!" Sighing once
more Detective Sergeant Wong walked away shaking his head. Maybe it was
time to think about retirement or a transfer...