Mama's Hand
                                   By
                              Douglas Helm

                           Edited/Co-Plotted
                                   By
                        "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl
                               Rated : R


Part VII - The Gentle One

Another week passed. To Usagi it passed with tortured slowness as she
struggled with her new responsibilities. Her days of coasting through
life and just barely getting by came to an abrupt halt. Her mother was
consistent and firm in watching Usagi do her homework and no amount of
wailing or pleading dissuaded her mother.

Saturday morning was bright, if slightly chilly. The occasional
powder-puff cloud lazily floated across the early morning sky as the sun
crept up from its watery bed in the east.

Usagi lay awake, thinking. She could feel the warmth as Chibi-Usa
snuggled close to her. She could hear the little girl's breathing as she
slept peacefully, a little arm lightly hugging Usagi. Reaching up, Usagi
gently stroked Chibi-Usa's hair and smiled softly.

<I'm glad you got used to me going to school,> Usagi thought, <Mom was
right. I should have thought about you. I guess I wanted my life both
ways. To be able to help you and not have to work at it.>

Chibi-Usa stirred slightly and slowly opened one eye. She gave a smile
of contentment and looked up to Usagi. "Morning Mommy," the little girl
said sleepily, "Time to get up?"

"No, it's Saturday. You can sleep some more if you want," Usagi said and
gave Chibi-Usa a hug, "Or do you want to get up?" Shaking her head
slightly, Chibi-Usa closed her eyes and snuggled against her mother.
For the moment, Chibi-Usa was content to simply lay next to her mother,
eyes closed, enjoying the warmth.

                                  ******

Later that morning, Usagi entered the kitchen and said, "Mom, can I talk
to you?"

"Where's Chibi-Usa?" Ikuko asked, noting that the little girl wasn't
trailing Usagi.

"She's watching TV with Shingo," Usagi said, "She didn't seem to mind.
Chibi-Usa must be getting used to him." <I'm glad he isn't being a pain
either. Although I think maybe Mom had a talk with him.>

"What did you want to talk about, Usagi-chan?" Ikuko asked while sitting
down at the table. <I know this week's been hard on you, Usagi. I'm so
proud of you though. You've actually started to do homework without me
having to goad you into it.>

"I thought I'd take Chibi-Usa over and introduce her to Ami," Usagi
said, "She seems pretty comfortable with you now. I know Chibi-Usa can't
spend all her time here. I thought Ami would be best because she's the
quietest of my friends."

Ikuko smiled at Usagi and nodded, "I think that would be a good idea.
Have you told Chibi-Usa yet?"

"No, I haven't yet. I wanted to see if you thought it was a good idea
first. I don't need her getting really scared again." <I had enough
trouble the last time.>

"Usagi-chan, what a pleasant surprise," Ikuko said, "I think Chibi-Usa
should like Ami."

                                  ******

Shortly after her conversation with her mother, Usagi took Chibi-Usa
upstairs to get dressed and to talk to her about going to Ami's. The
first order of business was to put Chibi-Usa's hair up in "rabbit ear"
odangos. It had taken Usagi nearly two hours the previous Sunday to get
the knack of putting Chibi-Usa's hair up in the original style. What had
utterly amazed Usagi was the patience that Chibi-Usa seemed to have.
She simply sat contentedly looking through a book.

Now, however, it didn't take much time for Usagi to get the hair up into
the odangos. Once that was done, Usagi said, "Chibi-Usa-chan, would you
like to meet one of my friends?"

"Pardon Mommy?" Chibi-Usa asked looking up from her book.

"I thought that you'd like to meet one of my friends. Her name is Ami,"
Usagi said, "Would you like to meet her?" Chibi-Usa gave this some
thought before nodding, "That's great!" Usagi exclaimed. <I thought I'd
have to con you into it.>

"You're not gonna leave, are you Mommy?" Chibi-Usa questioned looking at
Usagi with he large, innocence eyes.

"NO! No, Chibi-Usa-chan, I won't leave you. I just want you to meet Ami.
You should like her. She likes to read too." <Boy, does she ever like to
read! I think that girl was born with a book in her hands.> Rifling
through her closet, Usagi produced two dresses, "What one do you want to
wear?"

Chibi-Usa hopped off the bed and, going over to stand in front of her
mother, gave the question some thought. <This is Mommy's friend. Mommy
said somethin' about Ami but I can't remember.> "Mommy, what's Ami's
color?"

"Nani?" Usagi questioned, "You mean what color does Ami like?" Chibi-Usa
nodded. "Well Ami likes blue, I think." <Why can't she like a really
kawaii color... like pink?!>

"Then I want to wear that one, please Mommy," Chibi-Usa said as she
pointed to a light blue dress. <I hope Ami likes me. I wonder where
Daddy is?> She had asked Usagi before and Usagi kept saying she didn't
know where her father was. In fact, in the past few days this was the
first time that she had even thought about her father. <I hope when I
see Daddy, he won't be mad at me for running away,> Chibi-Usa thought.
"Mommy, can we see Daddy?" Chibi-Usa questioned, "I don't want him to be
mad at me."

<Uh oh, I've been avoiding that question. So should I answer it fully? I
don't think she'd understand. Me trying to get her to call me Usagi
didn't work either.> Crouching down so she could look at Chibi-Usa in
the eye, Usagi said, "Honey, I'm not sure where your dad is. Now let's
get ready and then I'll phone Ami see if it's okay that we come over."
Chibi-Usa nodded happily and gave her mother a hug. Usagi hugged the
little girl back before standing up, "Now are you sure you don't want to
wear the pink one?"

"I'm sure, Mommy," Chibi-Usa replied.

<Darn.>

                                  ******

Usagi looked down to the little girl who was holding her hand tightly.
Chibi-Usa was gazing around the streets, acting as if everything was new
to her. If the sidewalk became particularly crowded, Chibi-Usa would
press close to Usagi's leg making walking difficult and crushing Luna in
the process. The Lunar Cat was being held by Chibi-Usa almost like a
security blanket.

After a few minutes they approached the Mizuno's front door and it was
opened by Ami. "Konnichiwa Usagi-chan, and who's this?" she asked
turning her gaze onto Chibi-Usa. <You do look like Usagi,> Ami thought,
<Luna never mentioned that.>

"Konnichiwa Ami-chan," Usagi replied happily, "Ami-chan, this is Tsukino
Usagi, but we call her Chibi-Usa. Chibi-Usa-chan..." Usagi stopped and
looked around, "Where'd she go?!?" Usagi questioned. Chibi-Usa, who had
been standing beside her had disappeared.

"I'm here, Mommy," came a soft voice from behind Usagi.

Usagi turned and found Chibi-Usa standing behind her, "Chibi-Usa-chan,
you don't have to be scared. This is my friend. Come on," Usagi said
taking Chibi-Usa's hand, "Chibi-Usa-chan, this is Mizuno Ami."

"Konnichiwa Mizuno-san, you and Mommy are friends?" she asked Ami. <She
not look mean,> Chibi-Usa thought examining the strange girl who her
mother was introducing her to.

"I'm very pleased to meet you, Chibi-Usa-chan, please come in," Ami said
and stepped out of the doorway to let the small group enter. <Hmmm...
Luna looks uncomfortable.> "Chibi-Usa-chan, why don't you let Luna down
and I'll get her some milk."

Chibi-Usa seemed reluctant at first but after getting a reassuring smile
from Usagi she let Luna go. The black cat dropped to the ground and
shook her fur out before saying, "Arigato Ami-chan, I could use a drink.
Now Chibi-Usa, I promise that Ami won't hurt you," Luna said turning to
look at the young child, "I think you'll like Ami."

                                  ******

A little while later, Ami along with Usagi, Chibi-Usa, and Luna were
sitting in Ami's room. Ami smiled as Chibi-Usa giggled. She could see
that Usagi was happy to see Chibi-Usa enjoying herself.

"You're smart, Ami-san," Chibi-Usa said while clapping, "You can read
pretty good!" She then giggled again as Usagi gave her a hug. She was
sitting in Usagi's lap and had listened to Ami read a story.

"Chibi-Usa-chan, do you like school?"

"What's school?" Chibi-Usa asked again. <Mommy never had school before
but now she has to go. I don't think I like school very much. It takes
away my mommy.> Then an idea occurred to her, "Mommy, does Daddy go to
school, too?"

"I don't think so, Chibi-Usa-chan," Usagi said.

Ami raised and eyebrow quizzically at Chibi-Usa's first question before
saying, "School is where you go to learn stuff."

Chibi-Usa wrinkled her forehead, "But Sobo not got to school with Mommy.
How can Mommy uh... do stuff if Sobo not show her?" This response made
both Ami's eyebrows raise in curiosity. "I not like school. It takes my
Mommy away. It bad!"

Usagi giggled, "No, Chibi-Usa-chan, school isn't that type of bad. You
know what rules are right?" Chibi-Usa nodded, her daddy made a lot of
rules. "Well one of the rules is that I have to go to school."

"What about me?" Chibi-Usa questioned. <I not want to be naughty.>

"When you're not scared anymore, then we'll talk about you going to
school," Usagi said, "How does that sound?" Chibi-Usa looked skeptical
but nodded her acceptance.

"So you learn stuff from your mother, Chibi-Usa-chan?"

"Hai, Mommy's GREAT! She shows me all sorta stuff!" Chibi-Usa then said,
"But when you sent me to the past you stopped showing me stuff, how
come?" <I have fun when you show me stuff. Like that birdie.> The image
of the great bird brought a smile to her face.

"Because..." Usagi trailed off looking for an answer, "Because, I don't
know," she finally admitted, "Would you want me to show you stuff?"
Chibi-Usa nodded, "Like what, honey?"

"Show me Kanji. Mommy, you said you didn't know it. But if you go to
school, then you must know it, ne?"

"Gomen," Usagi said and flushed, "I don't know Kanji but Ami could show
you."

"Really?!?" Chibi-Usa asked turning to Ami, "You..." <I better not say
she smarter than Mommy. Mommy might get mad.> "Please show me, Ami-san?"

"Only if you call me `Ami-chan'."

"'Kay," Chibi-Usa said happy to comply, "You show me now?"

"Hai, come over here and sit by me." Ami noted the hesitation, "You come
over to Usagi-chan and we'll show you some too." That last comment made
Usagi stick out her tongue, "Now Usagi-chan, that's not very polite,"
Ami admonished then giggled at Usagi's scowl. <Maybe she'll learn
something... well I can dream at least,> Ami thought as she retrieved
some writing material.

                                  ******

Just after lunch Ami waved good by to Usagi and Chibi-Usa, "Good-bye
Chibi-Usa-chan, Usagi-chan. I enjoyed having you over!" Ami called,
"I'll send Luna home soon, Chibi-Usa-chan, I promise!"

"Arigato Ami-chan!" Chibi-Usa said as she waved good-bye.

"Bye Ami-chan, arigato for lunch. We'll see you later!" Usagi called and
taking Chibi-Usa's hand they started heading for home.

When the door closed Luna looked up towards Ami and said, "Ami-chan, did
you get a chance to do a scan?"

"Hai, come into my room. I need to talk to you." Picking Luna up, she
went walked back into her room and shut the door. Retrieving her
minicomputer, Ami typed a command to pull up the data that she had
recorded, "I set my computer to do a broad spectrum scan. I also had it
do a comparison on both Usagi's and Chibi-Usa's DNA structure."

"I'm not going to like this, am I?" Luna questioned.

"Usagi is Chibi-Usa's mother. The margin by which Usagi could NOT be the
mother is so slim even I'm not willing to consider it."

<That's certainly saying something,> Luna thought, then frowned. "But if
Usagi IS Chibi-Usa's mother, does that mean that Mamoru is the father???
I'd hate to think that. I mean Mamoru is a very caring person. Could it
be that he is her abuser?"

"Unfortunately, I have never really gotten a good scan of Mamoru. At
least at the genetic level," Ami admitted, "Although I wouldn't want to
speculate on the matter if we rule out either Usagi or Mamoru being
unfaithful, then we have to look at the possibility that he is the
abuser."

"Damn!" Luna swore, "This is all I need." She sat down, "We call the
Senshi for a meeting, tomorrow. I'll try and get Chibi-Usa to stay with
Ikuko long enough for Usagi to come. Ami do you think you can get over
and do a scan on Mamoru? Say you just need to update your records or
something."

"I'll try Luna but if Mamoru is the abuser, wouldn't that raise his
suspicions? Or rather his future self's suspicions? If he can travel
back in time, what else could Mamoru's future self do? He knows where we
live."

Luna twitched her tail in irritation, "I forgot about that. Okay, we'll
have to be sneaky about it. I'll try and think of something." Turning,
Luna headed for Ami's bedroom window, "Well I better get home before
Chibi-Usa worries that something's happened to me."

"Ja ne, Luna."

"Ja ne, Ami-chan. I'll see you tomorrow."

                                  ******

Later that evening at the Tsukino home, the phone rang. Usagi bounded
down the stairs and grabbed it before her mother could get to it. "Moshi
moshi," Usagi said into the mouth piece, "Tsukino residence."

"Usako?" came the man's voice.

"Mamo-chan?!?" Usagi cried softly, "What are you doing calling me
here?!? Not that I mind or anything but my dad'd blow a fuse or
something if he heard me talking to you."

"I haven't seen you in two weeks," Mamoru said in a very depressed
voice, "You never showed up for our meeting that Saturday and I haven't
heard anything since."

"Oh my poor Mamo-chan," Usagi said, "I'm sorry I missed our date. I've
just been really busy." She pictured Mamoru's sad face and said, "Gomen,
can you ever forgive me?"

"I suppose," Mamoru said taking on a reluctant air, "What do I get out
of it?"

"Ice cream?"

"Usagi..."

Usagi giggled, "Gomen, ah, how about a kiss?"

"Well I'd like a kiss from you Usako but I was thinking maybe something
a little more romantic. Say like that boat ride we WERE supposed to go
on?"

"I wish I could," Usagi said as she noticed Chibi-Usa watching her
intently, "But I have to stay at home for a while... Say would you mind
if someone tagged along?"

"Usagi, I said romantic. Typically, that only involves only TWO people.
Might I also remind you that Rei gave up on me?" Usagi was glad Mamoru
couldn't see her blush, "Well give me a call, okay? I'm worried about
you."

"Love you," Usagi whispered and stood there deep in thought, long after
Mamoru had hung the phone up.

Chibi-Usa was also thinking. <Was that Daddy?!? I wonder who Mommy was
talking to? I'd like to go on a boat ride; I never been on a boat
before.> Her curiosity was just dying to know who her mother had been
talking to but Chibi-Usa knew that it would be impolite to ask,
especially when she really shouldn't have been listening in to the
conversation at all.



Part VIII - Mommy's Reflection

As the days passed towards another weekend, Chibi-Usa became more
comfortable with the idea of Usagi going to school. Each day after
school, Usagi would come home and then take Chibi-Usa over to Ami's
house. Although why her mother kept muttering to herself, Chibi-Usa
didn't know. She liked Ami who always seemed to have something new to
talk about. They kept up with Kanji but mostly for Usagi. Chibi-Usa got
help with her spelling, math, and reading.

Also between the high amount of fiber her grandmother was feeding her
and the continually diminishing amount of stress in her young life,
Chibi-Usa was starting to feel a whole lot happier. As Friday evening
rolled around, Chibi-Usa was feeling on top of the world. She was
spending time with her mother, getting to do new things every day and
she seemed to be behaving very well. She had been in trouble once since
she had arrived at the Tsukino home.

At bedtime on Friday evening, Chibi-Usa was dozing while laying on her
stomach. <Cold,> Chibi-Usa thought as she dimly felt Usagi apply some of
the salve to her bum. The welts didn't hurt so much now; it was more
like an itching sensation. After the medicine was applied, her mother
gave her a back rub and she really liked that.

After a few moments Usagi said, "Okay, Chibi-Usa-chan, I'm done." At
that cue, Chibi-Usa lifted her hips slightly so her underpants could be
slid back up. Once they were settled, she lowered herself again. "Want
me to rub your back?" Chibi-Usa nodded slightly; she was almost asleep.
"Okay," came Usagi's voice as if from a distance.

She felt her mother's hands tenderly work their way up, relaxing her.
Chibi-Usa gave a sigh of contentment. She felt warm and safe and as
Usagi worked her way back down again Chibi-Usa slipped from the real
world into the dream one, she mumbled out, "Daddy, please love me."

                                  ******

Chibi-Usa stared with some consternation at the person she had just been
introduced to. After having gone to the doctor's for one more checkup on
Saturday, Chibi-Usa had found that they were not going over to Ami's,
much to the little girl's disappointment.

"Konnichiwa Aino-san," Chibi-Usa finally managed to get out, "You look
like Mommy."

"Oh she's so kawaii!!!" Minako gushed to Usagi, "She just looks like
you. Come inside." Then turning, Mina bounced with a large amount of
energy into her house.

<She's weird,> Chibi-Usa thought as they followed Minako into the house,
<Not like Ami.> Stopping, she looked at the white cat that was staring
at Luna. "Hi kitty," she called, "What's your name?"

"His name is Artemis," Luna answered, "Don't mind him. He's slow on the
uptake sometimes."

"Watch it, Luna!" Artemis retorted, "So when did you become a living
hat?" Luna, who was nestled between Chibi-Usa's odangos, declined to
answer and instead simply hopped off the little girl's head.

"Oh you two stop," Minako admonished playfully. She noted that Chibi-Usa
was looking worriedly at Artemis, "Oh don't mind him, Pumpkin, Artemis
and Luna are in love."

"Oh," Chibi-Usa said, "That's why they fight."

"Nani?!?" Minako asked, "What do you mean?"

"Well Daddy says that he loves Mommy but Daddy and Mommy fight all the
time," Chibi-Usa said. <They fight over me too.> Unconsciously, she
sniffled.

"Oh," Minako said unsure what to say, "Well why don't we go to my room."
And turning, led the way up the stairs.

                                  ******

<This was a bad idea,> Usagi thought as soon as they walked into
Minako's room, <I forgot that Minako has a thing for stuffed animals.>
Sure Usagi had her own collection of stuffed bunnies but it was small,
in fact tiny, compared to Minako's collection. Ninety-eight percent of
the room's surface area was covered with some type of stuffed animal. It
ranged from the giant red hippo chair to a family of stuffed toy mice
that were sitting on Minako's neglected homework.

"Here you go, Chibi-Usa-chan. You look like you could use a friend,"
Minako said and shoved an overly large stuffed bunny into the child's
arms. Chibi-Usa's reaction confused Minako. The little girl acted as if
holding the toy was painful. However, she didn't drop it, instead
Chibi-Usa stiffened while taking on an expression similar to one that
deer get when caught in the glare of oncoming headlights. "Don't you
like it?" Minako asked taking on a hurt expression. This just caused
Chibi-Usa more stress and she gave a small whimper.

<Mina no baka!> Usagi thought. Crouching down, Usagi looked at Chibi-Usa
and said, "It's okay, Chibi-Usa-chan, Minako didn't know." She then
slowly took the toy. Chibi-Usa immediately took on a relieved expression
but looked worriedly towards Minako who was looking extremely confused.
"Minako-chan, Chibi-Usa's Daddy doesn't let her have toys. You wouldn't
want to get her in trouble with him, would you?" Usagi said while
handing the toy back to Minako.

"No, I wouldn't want that," Minako said after a brief pause, "Gomen,
Chibi-Usa-chan."

"You're not mad?" came the soft question. The little girl asked it as
she leaned up against Usagi's leg for protection.

"Nope," Minako said, "Now let's say we have a sing along." Hearing those
words, both Lunar Cats shot out of the room and fled down the stairs.
"Spoil sports!" Minako yelled after them, "Now Chibi-Usa-chan, what type
of music do you like to listen to?"

                                  ******

"Bye Minako-chan," Chibi-Usa waved, "Arigato!" <I like Minako. She's
like Mommy but different.> She and Usagi had endured Minako's "sing
along" with good grace before the three girls found something all found
entertaining. <I wonder if Mommy has anymore friends like that...
Minako looks like Mommy too.> As they walked towards the Tsukino home,
Chibi-Usa asked, "Mommy, is Minako your sister?"

Usagi glanced down and gave Chibi-Usa a smile, "No, but some people
think we are. It's silly really. Me and Minako are just friends. Did you
have a good time at Minako's?"

"Hai, arigato," Chibi-Usa said.

<Arigato Minako, you made her happy and I like that. She took meeting
you better than Ami but I'm not sure meeting Makoto will go over so
well. I'll have to think of something special for that.> The rest of the
walk to the Tsukino home was pleasant. Chibi-Usa kept up a continuous
chatter about different things, ranging from Artemis to the different
stores along the street.

Once they were within the Tsukino home, Usagi said, "Chibi-Usa-chan,
would it be okay if I went out for a little while?" <I gotta meet
Mamoru. I haven't seen him in such a long time and he sounded really
lonely.>

"Can I come?" Chibi-Usa asked, "Please Mommy?"

"Chibi-Usa-chan," came Ikuko's voice from the kitchen door, "I could use
your help. Why don't you let Usagi go for a little while and you can be
my helper." <I'm very proud of you, Usagi. You're being considerate of
Chibi-Usa's feelings.>

"I tell you what, Chibi-Usa-chan, you help my mom now and I'll read you
two stories tonight," Usagi offered.

"O-Kay," Chibi-Usa said sounding a little depressed. <I wanted to come
with you. I like to go places with you.> As Usagi lifted her into a hug,
Chibi-Usa wrapped her small arms around Usagi's neck and hugged her
back. "I'll miss you."

"I won't be gone long," Usagi said, "Now you be good for my mom and I'll
be very proud of you." Setting Chibi-Usa down, she gave the little girl
a smile before slipping out of the door.

<Hurry back, Mommy,> Chibi-Usa thought then turned towards her
grandmother, "Obaa-san, what are we doing?"

"We're going to make your mommy a special treat," Ikuko answered.

"Really?!?" Chibi-Usa asked, "What?"

"Come on and I'll show you," Ikuko said and much to her delight
Chibi-Usa skipped towards her and then into the kitchen. <Usagi, you're
certainly doing something special for that little girl.>

                                  ******

High above Tokyo, a crystalline ship floated and inside Rubeus was
plotting. "Cooan!" he summoned to the youngest of his traveling
companions, "Come here!"

Cooan walked out of one of the many mirrors that surrounded Rubeus and
said, "Hai Rubeus-sama?"

"I have a mission for you. His Majesty has ordered me to capture his
daughter. First though, we must deal with these supposed Sailor Senshi.
>From what His Majesty has told me, they're fourteen."

"Tokyo is big, Rubeus-sama, where should we start to look?"

"Endymion-sama told me that the Sailor Senshi are closest to the Juuban
District. We are to start our operations there and move outwards. My
observations indicate that there is a popular arcade in the Juuban
District. Start there, go and crush it and all that are inside. That
should draw the Senshi out."

"As you command, Rubeus-sama." Cooan turned to leave but Rubeus' voice
drew her up short.

"Cooan, you are NOT to harm the girl they refer to as Sailor Moon. That
is a direct order from Endymion himself. You hurt her and you will be
explaining it to His Majesty in person." Cooan paled slightly but nodded
her understanding before disappearing through one of the mirrors again.
<Soon Rabbit, the fox will find you and he might play a little before
handing you over,> Rubeus thought and started to laugh. This was going
to be excellent sport.

                                  ******

"Oh... lost again," Usagi pouted as she started at the "Game Over"
screen for the "Sailor V" video game.

"What's the matter, Usagi-chan?"

Turning around, Usagi smiled at the sight of Motoki. "Hi Motoki-kun, oh
this stupid game beat me again." She pouted and looking sadly at the
young man, said, "It took the rest of my tokens."

Motoki's eyes enlarged. "But Usagi," Motoki protested, "You spent almost
one thousand yen on tokens. Are you saying that you put them all into
that one machine?!?" Usagi nodded. "And you still lost???" His voice was
now incredulous.

"Yeah, I nearly beat the thing too," Usagi whined, "Not fair! I managed
to save up all my allowance and then this dumb thing steals it on me."
<I would have spent more but I spent it on Chibi-Usa. Better not tell my
mom how I wasted the rest of my allowance; she might get annoyed.>
Getting up from the chair, she sauntered coyly over to Motoki and said,
"You wouldn't happen to have an extra token on you, Motoki-kun?"

"Usagi-chan," Motoki admonished, "If I went around giving free tokens to
people, this place would never make any money." He sighed as Usagi
pouted at him, her bottom lip sticking out and eyes drooping slightly in
disappointment. "No Usagi-chan, go home," Motoki said, "I have to get
back to work now." With that Motoki turned and waded into the crowd.
Heaving a sigh, Usagi also turned but towards the front doors and, after
squirming through the crowd, managed to slip out into the less crowded
sidewalks.

<I guess I should get home,> Usagi thought, <Dumb game! I lost all my
allowance.> Her self-pity was interrupted by a voice yelling. Turning to
see what was happening, her eyes enlarged and her mouth swung open in
surprise.

"SENSHI!!! COME OUT, COME OUT, WHEREVER YOU ARE!" the heavily armored
figured called. Hefting a car like a dumbbell, it tossed it into the
arcade that Usagi had just left. As the car flew towards and then
impacted the arcade, Usagi could hear screaming, first of fear and then
of pain as the window in front shattered sending deadly projectiles in
all directions.

<NO!!!> Usagi desperately thought and then commanding her legs to run,
she scurried down the street looking for a place where she could
transform. Behind her, she heard and explosion and then the monster
called out again. <Where did it come from?!? And why's it looking for
us?!? They never look for us!>

As she watched her Droid cause havoc, Cooan smiled. She would not fail
Rubeus and he would reward her. <Yes, come out my pretty little Sailors.
And if I'm lucky, you'll have the Rabbit with you.> "Tumble, get that
one!" Cooan shouted spotting a figure running down the street.

"Hai Cooan-sama!" Tumble cried out. Snaring a lamppost, she turned and,
aiming at the fleeing figure, flung it like a javelin. "When the weak
run, the tough get after them!" Tumble shouted and raised her spiked
arms high above her head in triumph as her makeshift javelin found its
target.

To Tsukino Usagi, seeing a girl of her own age being flung down the
street by a flying lamppost was a little too much to take. Grabbing at
her communicator, she frantically pushed the call buttons and then
started to jabber away as if her life depended on it.

                                  ******

Having heard the desperate plea for help, the rest of the Sailor Senshi
rushed to the location. They found Sailor Moon in a daze. The street
outside had been chewed up and pockmarked as the monster kept calling
out for the Senshi and tossing anything heavy she could get her hands
on.

"What is that thing?!?" Sailor Jupiter asked.

"I don't know!!!" Sailor Moon wailed, "I was coming out of the arcade
and then all of a sudden, that thing shows up and starts wrecking the
place while calling for us to come out."

"Well, what are we waiting for?!?" Mars demanded, "There are innocent
people being hurt. We have to help them!"

Pushing herself shakily up, Sailor Moon nodded, "Okay let's go." With
that she leapt up to the rooftop and noticed Cooan floating below her
and across the street. "YOU!!!" Sailor Moon cried, "For hurting the
innocent and ruining my afternoon, IN THE NAME OF THE MOON, I WILL
PUNISH YOU!"

"Nani?!?" Cooan asked surprised as she looked upwards towards the new
voice. <It's Sailor Moon... I think.> "Tumble, take down the Senshi!"

"Hai Cooan-sama!" Tumble called and picking up a good sized chunk of
concrete, flung it at the ledge on which the Sailor Senshi were
standing. Sailor Moon gave a cry of surprise and leapt away to land down
the street about twenty feet from the enemy. She needn't have worried
though as the concrete sailed over her previous position easily and,
instead, impacted in the middle of the other Senshi.

<Baka Droid!> Cooan thought. Moving to stand beside the droid she said,
"Tumble Don't hurt the one with the funny hairstyle!" <Rubeus is not
going to be pleased if she does.>

After recovering from the shock of having a chunk of concrete tossed at
her, Sailor Mars ran towards the ledge. "BURNING MANDALA!" Mars called
from the rooftop firing her attack towards Cooan. The hot flaming rings
shot forth but passed harmlessly through the space that Cooan had been
occupying. <Where'd she go?!?> Sailor Mars thought.

"Nice try, child, but you'll have to better than that!" Cooan sneered
out to Sailor Mars. "Allow me to show you how it's done." With that
Cooan summoned her ice fire and started her own attack.

Meanwhile, Sailor Jupiter and Sailor Venus had decided to double team
the creature. Venus used her "Venus Love-Me Chain" to encircle the
brute. "Now!" Venus called.

"Right!" Jupiter signaled back, "SUPREME THUNDER DRAGON!" The powerful
energy forces which formed the energy dragon swirled for a moment before
coalescing into a brightly glowing form of a dragon. It hovered briefly
above the struggling armored figure before shutting down and engulfing
its target.

"Sailor Moon, get it now!" Sailor Mars called, "Before it can do
anything!" Turning her attention back to Cooan, Sailor Mars attacked
once again, "BURNING MANDALA!" The flaming rings shot out and managed to
singe Cooan.

"You'll pay for that!" Cooan yelled as she quickly squelched the flames
on her gaudy outfit.

"Hai!" Sailor Moon said and, drawing out her Moon Scepter, she called
upon her attack. "MOON PRINCESS HALATION!" And after the giant crescent
moon had obliterated the creature, Sailor Moon gave a cheer, "Dusted!"

"How dare you destroy my Droid!" Cooan shrieked. She was about to launch
into another attack when a streak of red shot forth. At the sound of an
impact, Cooan looked down to see a red rose imbedded into the road at
her feet.

"If you are going to play this game, you must be prepared to lose!"

"Tuxedo Kamen-sama!" Sailor Moon cried in delight turning her head
towards her love, "Just in time!"

<I shall be back!> Cooan thought angrily, <If I could kill you, Sailor
Moon, I would... slowly.> "You won that round," Cooan snarled, "But this
was just a test. Be warned, children, we are out to kill you!" With that
Cooan flitted out of sight leaving the Sailor Senshi to ponder their
newest enemy's words.

End of Part VIII

Next set should be out Friday or Saturday.