Tales of Younger Earth
By Douglas "Candle Light Author" 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
Earth" are copyrighted (c) 1998 by Douglas Helm & Will Wolfshohl.

This fanfic and over 380 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 5 - Friends

Later that evening, Princess Usagi paused briefly before the entrance to
the Royal Family Suite. Pulling Younger Mars aside, she said, "Thanks
for stopping me, Younger Mars. If I had hit Misako..." She let her voice
trail off. <I can't blame you. Sakuya would've done the same thing.>

"I was looking out for you, Princess Usagi. That's my job," Younger Mars
remarked. <Maybe if you realized that, we can be friends or at least get
along with each other...>

"Why'd I get so mad though?" Usagi asked. It had been bothering her. She
never could remember actually wanting to hurt Misako before.

"Well Your Highness," Younger Mars began after some consideration, "I
think you were upset because your new dress was ruined. Princess Misako
also used a dirty trick to get you over to the sandbox. She knows how
much you care about Sakuya. She used that against you to try and get her
way."

"I still don't think it was very nice," Usagi grumbled, "But why did I
want to hit her?" <I really wanted to hit her. My own imouto...> That
caused a chill to run through her. "You won't tell Mom, ne?"

"Unless I'm ordered to or it's a security issue, I'll always keep our
talks private," Younger Mars assured her charge, "You wanted to hit your
imouto because she hurt you; she hurt your feelings. That's what starts
wars sometimes. Someone hurts another person and they want revenge. It's
such feelings we humans should strive to control."

Usagi regarded Younger Mars for a moment before saying, "Good night."

"Good night, Princess Usagi," Younger Mars said, and bowing, turned to
head for home. Usagi stood in the hallway thinking. It was a long moment
before Serenity came back to collect her daughter and take her inside.

                                 ******

The next day turned out to be a very lovely day. Unfortunately for
Misako, she was grounded. Her only exposure to it was the view from her
window. Misako wondered about what had happened the day before.

<'Sagi don't want to play with me anymore,> Misako thought as she
pressed her face against the window, <She only wants to play when my
friends are around.> This annoyed Misako even more. Usagi certainly
never allowed Misako to play with her friends. <'Sagi's still mad about
Chibi-Shingo,> Misako thought. Walking over to her desk, she tapped her
lower lip in thought before sitting down. Opening one of the drawers,
she carefully removed the heavy sheet of white paper with a drawing on
it. <I'll finish this, then 'Sagi will play with me again.> That idea
made her smile. She'd win her sister back. Getting her crayons, she
started to carefully finish the drawing. She had been working on it for
weeks, ever since Chibi-Shingo's funeral.

While Misako continued to work on her picture, King Endymion was
relaxing in the living room. He had intended on talking to Usagi and
Serenity this morning but Serenity had been called away to a meeting and
had decided to drag Usagi along so she could "observe".

Endymion watched the video program with only a mild interest. It was
discussing the historical significance of certain events since the
"world deep freeze". Endymion was never one for history though. He had
hated the subject in school, no not hated it. History and the past were
both important to Endymion. He just never could acquire the passion for
it that he found for other subjects.

However, his mind was occupied with other matters. More specifically, a
way to ensure that his daughter wouldn't give any problems to Sawa. He
and Serenity would be leaving in about a month on a two week tour. By
then, he wanted to be reasonably sure that Sawa would be able to handle
things. He was also dreading the upcoming fight; Serenity was hinting
that she'd like Usagi to accompany them. Endymion didn't care for that
idea. Not that he could stave such situations off but Usagi wasn't
working well with Sawa and he wanted to keep that a private matter.
Abroad there were security issues and none of the Senshi needed to have
the task made more difficult by an uncooperative princess.

As the credits rolled by, he switched the video unit off and got up.
Walking down the hallway, he gently tapped on the door. After a brief
pause, the door opened and Misako looked up at him. "Hi Daddy," she
squeaked and gave him a warm smile.

"What were you doing, Miko-chan?" Endymion asked.

"Come look," Misako said and taking his hand, guided her father over to
her desk. Picking up the picture, she handed it to Endymion.

Before taking a look, he walked over to Misako's bed and sat down. Then
he looked at the picture and whistled. "That's a very pretty picture,"
he commented, "You must have been working a long time on this."

Giggling, she came over to her father and, climbing up beside him,
hugged him. "Hai, I worked really hard on it." Hugging his daughter with
one arm, Endymion looked back towards the picture. It was definitely of
Usagi and she was holding a teddy bear. "Do you know who that is?" she
asked.

"Hai," Endymion said and smiled, "That's your onee and Chibi-Shingo."

"Daddy, you're so smart!" Misako cheered and, hopping onto his lap, gave
him a big hug. "You always get my pictures. Mommy never knows what they
are." Misako pouted slightly, "I gotta tell her what they are."

Carefully setting the picture down, he settled Misako more comfortably
before hugging her. "Miko-chan, do you know why Mommy can't tell what
your pictures are?" Misako shook her head. "Well, when you draw, you
`hide' what you draw. Mommy was never good at playing hide 'n' seek so
she can never find what you draw."

Misako scowled and gave this statement some serious thought. <Mommy's
not good at playin' hide 'n' seek. She always gives up.> She tapped her
bottom lip in thought, <I hide what I draw...> She didn't really
understand that part but it would certainly explain why her mother never
knew what she drew. "So I shouldn't hide what I draw?" she asked her
father, "Onee don't hide what she draws. Mommy always gets hers right."

"Iie," he stroked one of her pigtails and said, "That's what makes your
pictures very special. You have to be extra good to see what you hide.
It's more fun that way." He gave her a smile and she smiled back. "Your
sister's are very special too." <Better add that in or I'll never hear
the end of it.> "What are you going to do with the picture, Miko-chan?"

Misako paused before answering softly, "I want Onee to come play with
me. I was gonna give it to her." She looked up at her father and said,
"Daddy, are you mad 'cause I was bad?"

"You mean about yesterday?" Endymion asked. Misako nodded. "Honey, I've
already talked to you about that. I love you and so does your mother. I
know you want to play with Usagi but pushing her into the mud was
wrong."

"That how come I couldn't go with Mommy?" Misako asked.

"Iie, you're just a little girl." Misako scowled. "You're not old enough
yet and you wouldn't like that stuff anyway. It's really boring and you
hafta sit still for a real long time." He grinned at her, "You're lucky.
You got to play yesterday. Usagi had to do... `homework'." Giggling
again, Misako gave her father another hug; being grounded wasn't so bad.
"When are you going to give your sister the picture?"

"For her birthday, Daddy," Misako answered, "I want it to be a
surprise."

"You know, that's a long way off," Endymion observed, "Do you think you
can wait that long?"

Misako considered it then said softly, "'Sagi's mad at me and I want to
make her another picture. One's not enough." <I want to buy her another
teddy bear.> She just didn't have enough of her allowance saved.

                                 ******

Later that afternoon, King Endymion and Neo-Queen Serenity along with
Younger Mars and Princess Usagi were in the study. Usagi was fidgeting
slightly while Younger Mars kept a neutral expression on her face. After
the initial greetings, an awkward silence fell over the room; it was
only after a minute or so that Endymion began to speak.

"Yesterday, I informed Serenity of Misako's actions," Endymion began
while making eye contact with the others, "What I did not tell her is
what I overheard Usagi saying." Usagi squirmed a little bit. "Now Small
Lady, I'd like to know why you called Younger Mars a `cow'?"

Blushing slightly, Usagi began softly, "I was mad and I wanted to get
Misako for ruining my new dress." Squirming slightly, she continued,
"When Younger Mars stopped me, I was mad at her... at first."

"Usagi, I hope you apologized," Serenity snapped sternly. She scowled as
Usagi blushed even more and shook her head. "I see." Turning to Younger
Mars, she said, "Has Usagi said or done anything else since she
`torpedoed' you?"

"Your Majesty," Younger Mars began, "We still have some bumps to smooth
out but they are not as rough as before Endymion-sama's last talk with
Her Highness."

Serenity narrowed her eyes and said, "Younger Mars, that wasn't what I
asked. What has Usagi said or done that would be seen as one of these
`bumps'?" Younger Mars shifted slightly but her face gave nothing away.
"Younger Mars," Serenity said with a little more authority, "I'm not
asking you to violate any confidence that you might have with Usagi.
This behavior, though, reflects on our family as a whole."

Giving Usagi an apologetic smile, Younger Mars said, "Your Majesty, the
worst that Princess Usagi has done was to make me some tea with salt
water." She noted a small flicker of a smile play across Endymion's face
but he quickly hid it.

"Is calling you a cow the worst she's said?" Endymion asked, now
recalling what Misako had attempted to tell him. Younger Mars paused; it
stretched on for several seconds. Finally, Endymion prodded, "Younger
Mars, we aren't having a diplomatic negotiation. We," he indicated
himself and Serenity, "are concerned parents. Having dealt with Usagi's
former guardian for several years, I doubt there's much that you could
say that would shock us."

<Wanna bet?> Younger Mars thought, then she sighed. <Gomen Usagi, I
don't have much choice in the matter. I would prefer to work this out
with you but...> Giving another sigh, Younger Mars smoothed her skirt
before saying, "Just recently, there was an incident that occurred." She
saw them straighten slightly, attentively listening. Usagi was looking
worried now. "We had a fight over me disallowing her to travel to the
mall with her friends. I tried to explain that security was the primary
factor in my decision. If she wished to wait, I would see about
arranging something. Princess Usagi claimed I wasn't anything like
Sakuya and I agreed..." Younger Mars trailed off and shifted
uncomfortably, "She pointed out the differences quite clearly."

"What did she say?" Serenity asked, her eyes narrowing to look intensely
at Younger Mars once again.

Looking towards the floor for a moment, Younger Mars then turned her
gaze to look at Usagi who by then was looking very pale. Licking her
lips, Younger Mars said, "Her Highness questioned my parentage."
Serenity opened her mouth but Younger Mars had anticipated the question,
"If I recall correctly, Your Majesty, Princess Usagi said, `I wonder who
the Daimon was that wagged his crystal to make Rei have a gaijin freak
like you.'" The room fell silent then, after a few seconds, there could
be heard an audible moan from the heavy wood as Endymion squeezed the
arms of his chair.

The oppressive silence that filled the room was thick with tension.
Slowly Endymion brought his hands up to steeple them in front of his
face. He closed his eyes and asked, "Is this true, Usagi?"

"Of course, it isn't true," Serenity burst out, "You must be remembering
it wrong. Maybe it was one of her friends."

"Your Majesty, what Princess Usagi said deeply hurt. I've tried to
actively forget it. It haunts me though." <Why did you have to ask me?
I'm sure things would have gotten better. Usagi just won't give me a
chance to prove that I'm not trying to threaten Sakuya. I want Sakuya
back as much as she does.> As a diplomat though, she had to hold her
peace. It wouldn't be proper for internal conflicts to make public news;
it had been bad enough that it was in front of Usagi's friends.

Endymion hadn't moved during this exchange so, when he spoke, his voice
was a surprise. It was calm and somber, "Usagi, I asked you if this was
true."

Usagi stared towards the floor looking very ashamed that she'd been
found out. She had been dreading her parents finding out about that
conversation. <I guess Sawa didn't really have any choice. She kept that
secret all this time.> It was even more amazing that Sawa hadn't used
any of it against her. No threats of "You do this or I'll tell your
parents about this." <What am I going to say?> The excuse that she
wanted Sakuya back was only going to bring down even more of her
parents' wrath. <I tried talking to Mom and Onee about it. She's tired
of hearing about Sakuya. Mom keeps telling me that Sakuya will serve out
her time, unless I can tell her something that's important.> But Usagi
couldn't. She couldn't take that chance that her mother would use the
information Usagi gave her as justification to keep Sakuya in jail.

"Usagi?" Serenity asked, her voice was small and sounded a little
frightened. <Why doesn't she deny it? She can't have said that... not my
mesume.> Serenity looked pleadingly towards Usagi. <Tell me Sawa is
wrong, please Mesume.>

"I... I..." Usagi faltered, licked her lips, and then said softly, "I
wasn't willing to listen to her. I thought she was trying to keep me
away from my friends. You forced Younger Mars on me and made her my
guardian. I didn't have any say in the matter."

Serenity gave an exasperated sigh but Endymion held up his hand. Opening
his eyes, he said, "Usagi, you didn't have any say in Sakuya either."

<But Sakuya's one of my best friends.> Taking a shaky breath, Usagi
said, "Otou-san, if you want me to be an adult, then let me choose
whether or not I want a guardian." It was at this point that Serenity
exploded.

"HOW DARE YOU!" Serenity roared as she jumped to her feet and glared
angrily at her daughter. "You have no say in the matter! I have no say
in the matter!" She stalked towards the window and turned back, "I have
four very good friends who HAVE, who WILL lay down their lives for me.
Do you think I want that?!?"

"Iie," Usagi snarled with her own growing anger, "But at least they are
YOUR friends! You didn't have to put up with them to be alone with your
other friends!" Usagi gave Younger Mars a hard look before turning to
glare at her mother. "YOU took my friend away from me and are FORCING me
to take on a new friend. I don't want that!!!"

"Usagi, what are you saying? That you wouldn't want Younger Mars as a
friend?"

"Okaa-san," Usagi argued while rising and clenching her fists at her
side, "YOU'RE NOT being FAIR to either of us. You are FORCING Younger
Mars on me and expect me to be her friend. That isn't how a friendship
is made!"

"Please!" Endymion interrupted. He quickly rose to interpose himself
between his daughter and his wife. "Usagi, sit down." Usagi seemed
reluctant but, after a moment, moved to take her seat. "Come now,
Serenity, please sit down. Yelling won't solve anything except making
you feel better."

Serenity looked like she was giving serious thought to arguing with
Endymion then decided against it. Stiffly walking over, Serenity sat
down and, giving Usagi one more look, said, "You are a princess. You
have to have a guardian. Younger Mars is the best choice for this
position. We, your parents, have decided this."

<You mean `you have'!> Usagi bitterly thought, <Daddy wouldn't do this.
You're just trying to make me mad at him...>

The room fell uncomfortably silent for another moment. As Endymion sat
down, Serenity smoothed her dress while looking at the floor. "I thought
I was raising a young lady. I thought that my mesume was a responsible,
mature young lady," Serenity remarked softly, lifting her eyes that were
still smoldering with anger, she said, "But I was wrong, I don't have a
young lady for a mesume. I have a little girl. A spoiled little girl who
thinks she can have her own way all the time." Usagi bristled but kept
her mouth tightly clenched shut. "Usagi, even a queen can't have her own
way all the time. As a princess, you need to learn that; Sakuya is gone,
period. You'll have to accept Younger Mars... and respect her."

"I won't accept her. I won't ever accept anybody but Sakuya!" Usagi
growled out. <You're just mad because I'm a free thinking person. You
won't make me like Younger Mars simply because YOU want me to!> Usagi
tried clenching her fists tighter. <I'm going to be punished all right.
I'm not that baka. But it isn't because I was rude to Sawa. You're
punishing me because I won't bow to your will!>

Before Serenity could say anything, Endymion raised his hand once again.
Serenity who had opened her mouth closed it. She instead looked towards
the floor while strongly flicking imaginary dust off her dress. Sighing
silently, Endymion thought, <Usagi can wait and stew in her own juices.
Sawa is going to require some immediate attention. I want to find out
exactly what has gone on and to what extent.> Endymion was having a hard
time controlling himself; his daughter had just placed him in a very
difficult position. <Lock me in a room with a very pissed Younger
Jupiter for a year... I'd rather have it than this.>

Taking another pause to collect his thoughts, Endymion stated, "I'm very
disappointed in you, Usagi especially after the talk we had before."
Usagi resisted the urge to shrug; her father's disapproval didn't mean
much. "Usagi, go to your room and wait there." Usagi gave a glare
towards her mother, got up, and was stalking towards the door when she
muttered something. "Tsukino Usagi!" Endymion called. When Usagi turned,
he said, "You might as well stand in a corner." <That'll really give her
something to think about.>

"Hai, Otou-san," Usagi snapped stiffly and with a quick motion opened
the door and stepped out. She came close to banging it when she left but
managed to resist the urge.

"Now, Younger Mars, shall we discuss exactly why you were keeping this
from us?" King Endymion said with authority, "And exactly what has our
daughter been up to since my last talk with her?"

"Hai, Your Majesty," Younger Mars responded with great reluctance,
"Where should we begin?" <Don't worry, Usagi. I'll try my best.>

                                 ******

<When was the last time I was put into the corner?> Usagi thought as she
stared at the wall, <It's hard to remember...> She always hated standing
in a corner like this. Not only was it boring but it gave her time to
think. And typically thinking in these situations caused her to worry.

Time crept by; each second seemed to fight to linger. Each minute
reluctantly gibed into the next. Her legs were starting to get stiff.
<What are they talking about?> Usagi thought, <They never take this
long.> Shifting from foot to foot, she glanced towards the clock.
<They've been talking for half an hour...> A morbid thought came to
mind, <Maybe Sawa's negotiating my punishment with them.> A smile crept
onto her face and she found herself giggling at the idea.

Another fifteen minutes passed but to Usagi though, it felt more like
fifteen years. Finally, she took the risk of being caught and slipped
into the bathroom. After a moment, she was just coming out when her door
started to open. <Iie! If I'm caught out of the corner, I'm dead!>
Scrambling, she ran but in her haste tripped and landed heavily on the
floor. "EFU!" Usagi snarled.

"Onee-chan?" came the curious voice of Misako. Usagi turned her head and
saw the little girl staring curiously down at her. "Whatcha doin'?" She
tilted her head to the side and added, "And what's `efu' mean?"

<Effectively Fu.... Fouled Up!> Usagi thought and then flushed brightly.
Rising to her feet, Usagi closed the door before walking over to the
corner. "Get out, Miko-chan, I don't want Mom or Dad to catch you in
here."

Misako padded over and, giving her sister a hug, asked, "Onee-chan, what
happened?!" She looked worriedly towards her sister. "How come you're
standing in the corner? Daddy looked really mad."

"Misako, I'm in trouble," Usagi confessed. <And THAT'S all I'm going to
tell you.> "Now please get out of here." She turned slightly and pushed
her sister towards the door. "Imouto, if Mom and Dad catch you in here,
then they'll be mad at both of us. You know that when one of us is
standing in a corner the other isn't supposed to go into the room."

Misako gave this some consideration then nodded. "Hai, 'Sagi-chan."
Giving her sister one more hug, she slipped from the room and came face
to face with her very stern looking father. Gulping, Misako started to
slowly pass by him when he reached out a hand. "Hi Daddy," she squeaked
softly and blushed slightly.

"What were you doing in there?" Endymion asked, his voice tightly
controlled.

"I was worried about 'Sagi. She seemed sad; I wanted to cheer her up,"
Misako explained nervously. To her surprise, her father smiled.

"I'm glad to hear that at least I have one big girl." Misako gave him a
large smile, "Now you go play in your room for a little bit. Maybe
Younger Mars will come and play with you. I need to talk to Usagi."

"Daddy?" Misako questioned, "Is she in trouble?"

"Go on, Misako, this is between your mother, me, and Usagi. You don't
need to know anything about it," Endymion replied and gave his daughter
a gentle push in the direction of her room. She paused for a moment to
consider him before turning to leave. He turned to knock and then
stopped. <Young lady... or little girl.> The first half-hour had been
spent talking to Younger Mars.

It had been a painful conversation for all involved. Younger Mars hadn't
wanted to disclose what Usagi had been doing; she felt strongly that she
could have eventually handled it. For Endymion, it was difficult because
he liked Younger Mars and didn't want to offend her while trying to be
clear on what he and Serenity expected -- from both Younger Mars and
their daughter. By far, though, the most hurt had been Serenity. She had
oscillated from anger to disbelief and back to anger again. The rest of
the time had been spent discussing Usagi's punishment with Serenity.

<Little kid,> Endymion thought as he recalled Serenity's repeated
statement. "If she wants to be act like a little kid, that's how she'll
be treated!" Serenity continually drove that point home while pacing.
WITHOUT knocking, he entered Usagi's room and firmly closed the door.

Misako was oblivious to what was occurring in Usagi's room. Sawa was a
great playmate; even though she was older than Kimeko, she didn't seem
to have any inhibitions about playing with Misako and Misako liked that.
The time slipped past quickly and neither noticed it. They were playing
a quiet board game in Misako's room when a knock came at the door.

"Come in," Misako called out with mild irritation. <I had a great move
too.> She resisted the urge to pout at the distraction and instead
turned her attention towards the door.

"Miko-chan," Endymion said while opening the door, "Want to come with me
and Mommy for some ice cream?"

"Onee come too?" Misako said then flushing slightly, "And Sawa too?"

"Iie, your sister is being punished. She doesn't deserve ice cream."
Turning to Sawa, Endymion added, "I suppose you wouldn't mind staying
with Usagi?" Sawa shook her head. "Good, so what do you say, Miko-chan?"

"YEAH!!!" cried the little girl making both adults grin.

                                 ******

Sawa knocked on Usagi's door and waited. There was no response from
within. She briefly considered going in then shook it off. Sawa turned
away from the door and was about to head down the hall when it opened.
Turning back, she saw a miserable looking Usagi. The little girl's eyes
were red and puffy from crying and her cheeks were stained with tears.

"May I come in?" Sawa asked softly. Usagi sniffled then giving a little
nod, opened the door even further before stepping away. After entering,
Sawa shut the door and admitted softly, "I miss Sakuya too, Princess."
Usagi's bottom lip started to tremble and a fresh set of tears started
to trickle out of her eyes. Gently Sawa reached out and taking Usagi's
hand, led her into the bathroom. "Let's get you cleaned up." Lowering
the toilet seat lid, Sawa sat down and said, "Could you get me a
facecloth?"

"Hai," Usagi said, her voice thick and distorted by the tears. Shakily
the little girl retrieved a clean facecloth and handed it to Sawa. <Why
are you doing this?> Usagi thought sadly, <Please don't yell at me.> She
wanted someone, anyone, even Sawa to be with her. <I'm all alone.>

Filling the sink with warm water, Sawa wetted the cloth before gently
wiping away Usagi's tears. "Usagi-chan, I hope your parents weren't too
hard on you."

"Don't you know?" Usagi asked with a little amazement.

"About your punishment?" Sawa asked. Usagi nodded. "Iie, His Majesty
hasn't told me yet."

Usagi took several breaths to try and calm herself before she said, "I'm
grounded for two weeks. And when I'm grounded, I go to bed the same time
as Misako." Sawa gave no apparent reaction either way. "I've also lost
my allowance indefinitely."

"Nani?!?" Sawa demanded her eyes growing wide.

Shifting slightly, Usagi lowered her head and said, "Younger Mars, Dad
says that an allowance is a privilege. A privilege that requires a
certain amount of maturity. If I prove I can be mature, they'll talk
about giving me an allowance again."

"Oh Princess..." Sawa said a little disheartened, "Gomen, I wish your
parents hadn't of found out." Usagi looked towards her, a confused
expression on her face. "I've always thought that we could work things
out ourselves."

Blushing brightly, Usagi looked towards the floor and mumbled out, "That
isn't all of it." She shot a glance towards Sawa. The young woman was
looking at her with a confused expression on her face. <Do I really want
to tell her?> Usagi thought, <I suppose she has a right to know.>
Blushing even more, Usagi tried to look at Sawa but couldn't. <Oh...
Kami-sama...> "You promise not to tell anybody about what we talk
about?"

"Princess Usagi, I've already told you that unless I'm ordered to or
there's a security issue, I won't talk about what we discuss. Your
parents had to order me to tell them what you did."

<True.> Usagi gave it a little more thought before nodding a little.
Still blushing, she said softly. "Um... I got spanked." Quickly ducking
her head, Usagi felt her cheeks flame red in embarrassment. <I couldn't
believe it. When Dad told me...> She felt the pit of her stomach curl
into a knot. <I hope Misako doesn't find out. She can't find out or
this'll be all over school.> How could she ever face her friends? The
facecloth hit the floor with a dull "plop" as it slid from Sawa's hand.
She raised her hand to her mouth and gave a little gasp of surprise.
"When Dad talked to me before, he warned me what would happen. I guess I
didn't give him much choice." <At least, Mom didn't do it.> Her father
was bad enough, having her mother do it would have been even more of an
embarrassment.

When she felt a hand on her shoulder, Usagi looked up to see Sawa
staring at her intently. "Gomen nasai," Sawa apologized, "I never wanted
this to occur. I never wanted your parents to get involved." Brushing
away one of the girl's tears, she said, "I'll try to give you as much
privacy as I can if you'd like. Your parents can't find out about it,
though; I have my very defined orders now."

"Dad told me," Usagi admitted, "Very clearly." She grimaced. She had
hated that conversation worse than the punishment. <He just sat there
and talked, didn't yell, didn't pound stuff. It was like he was
discussing plans for the day or something.>

A ghost of a smile played across Sawa's face before saying, "Would you
like anything?"

"Would you read me a story?" Usagi asked softly, a trace of
embarrassment coming into her voice, "Sakuya did but... she's not the
story type." A smile tugged at Usagi's lips when Sawa giggled.

"Okay Princess, we'll get you cleaned up and then we'll pick out a book,
together." And as Sawa smiled, Usagi smiled back.

<Maybe Dad was right... nah!> But Usagi wasn't going to say anything.
She wanted someone to be with her and Sawa was willing. <Don't worry,
Sakuya. I won't give up, I won't!>

                                 ******

It was early March when Endymion and Serenity called Kimeko into one of
their private offices. She grinned as she entered the outer office and
saw her father. "Konnichiwa, Otou-san," she greeted him; her father was
one of Endymion's private assistants.

"Konnichiwa Kimeko-chan," Hiroshi greeted his daughter, "Aren't you
supposed to be taking a test?"

"Hai, but the sensei let me take it during my lunch period," Kimeko
explained, "I'm here at Their Majesties' request."

Hiroshi nodded. "They're expecting you. They told me to send you right
in when you arrived." With that, he announced his daughter to King
Endymion and Neo-Queen Serenity with such grace that it caused Kimeko to
flush brightly.

Once inside though, she regained her composure and bowed. "Please have a
seat, Kimeko-san," Endymion said. Taking a chair, Kimeko looked towards
Endymion with a little worry. "We've called you in here on a delicate
matter."

"What is it, Endymion-sama?" Kimeko asked. <Kami-sama, what's so
important that they'd pull me out of school?> A better question was why
had Serenity insisted on such a quick meeting.

"Kimeko-san, we would like you to scout about for some activities
outside of the Royal Family Suite for Misako to do," Endymion explained,
"With the nice weather, she's becoming more active. She's almost seven
as well. Misako needs to... `get out of the house' more often. Do things
with other girls her own age."

"You don't want Misako to find out about this?" Kimeko questioned.

"Iie," Serenity replied, "We don't want Misako forced into anything. We
would like you to present some options to her and see what she likes
best." Serenity smiled softly. "The most important thing is that Misako
WANTS to do it." <It'll be a fight getting Endymion to consent though. I
had a hard time in getting him to even consider the idea.>

Kimeko tapped her lips and mused, "I think I know what she'd like to
do." Both Endymion and Serenity looked quizzically towards Kimeko. "I
think Misako would like gymnastics."

"What leads you to that assumption?" Serenity questioned. <Endymion will
never go for it,> Serenity thought but kept the thought to herself.

"Serenity-sama, Misako likes to do things that test her agility.
Everything from somersaults to using the couch as a makeshift palmo
horse." She grinned as a sour expression came across Serenity's face,
"Your Majesties must remember that."

"Hai," Endymion replied wryly, "That's one of the reasons why we want
Misako to find something to ABUSE outside of the Suite."

"Endymion!" Serenity said with some shock.

"Well it's true," Endymion said in his defense, "You can only go so far.
We've tried to curb her behavior through discipline. We need something
to focus it on." Frowning slightly, he suggested, "Perhaps, dancing or
painting... or even a musical instrument." <Gymnastics... just as bad as
bungee jumping without the cord.>

"We want her actively socializing not torturing us," Serenity admitted
gruffly. This drew a smile from Endymion and Kimeko covered her mouth to
hide the grin that was there as well.

"Okay, so no music lessons. But gymnastics is dangerous; she could get
hurt." <She isn't like Usagi. Usagi is durable. She has to be if she
klutzes out like her mother did.> His eyes twinkled with mirth as he
looked towards Serenity.

"Endymion, Misako could get hurt playing in the backyard," Serenity
retorted and then noticed her husband's expression, "And WHAT were you
THINKING?!?"

"Nothing," Endymion said innocently and grinned. "I still say gymnastics
is more dangerous,"

"Endymion-sama," Kimeko interrupted, "Playing in the backyard is
actually MORE dangerous. In gymnastics, you have everything from
spotters to coaches to mats. Lessons are controlled and the younger
students have a lot of supervision. Better to have Misako learn in a
structured environment than have her try something outside... or inside
for that matter." Endymion seemed ready to argue so Kimeko quickly
added, "It has to be special for her."

"Nani?" Serenity asked quizzically. <You'll have to do some fast talking
to make Endymion give up his belief that Misako would be in mortal
danger. I bet he wouldn't even let her take more advanced swimming
lessons unless the pool was drained first.> This last thought made
Serenity giggle but she quickly controlled her mirth.

"If it wasn't gymnastics, then what? Painting is something that Usagi
does and does well; dancing isn't really suited to Misako's interests,"
Kimeko explained. <Anytime she sees dancers she thinks they're silly
looking.> Pulling her mind away, she focussed on the topic at hand.
"Anything else, or almost anything else, Misako would be competing with
Usagi."

"A little competition never hurt anybody," Serenity retorted, "Just ask
Sakuya that." She winced then at her thoughtlessness. "Gomen nasai,
Kimeko-chan."

Kimeko gave her godmother a sad smile and said, "That's all right,
Serenity-chan. But Misako really does need something that she can be
proud of that Usagi DOESN'T do." She paused for a moment, then said, "I
remember when I was little and competing with Masao. That was rough. He
was bigger, stronger, and older than me. Everything I tried to do, that
I thought would make my parents proud, he could do better. I always
thought that I was competing with Onii." Shifting slightly, Kimeko
continued carefully, "Misako's losing some of her awe of Usagi. If you
put them in direct competition, then Usagi is always going to win and
that will ruin Misako's self-esteem. She'll always think that she will
never be any good because she hasn't beaten her sister. Gymnastics could
be for Misako what magic is for me."

"I wish you would choose something else," Endymion stated. <Why is she
so insistent on Misako breaking her neck?>

"Endymion-sama, I'm not choosing for Misako. I'm just suggesting it. If
you don't want Misako to do it, then I'll try and think of some other
activities to present to Misako as options; but I really think that it
has to be something that Misako can be good at. She's a very athletic
little girl." <She takes after her father in that department.>

There was a brief silence then Serenity said, "We will take the matter
under advisement and let you know our decision. Thank you for coming by,
Kimeko-chan."

Rising, Kimeko bowed and said, "I'm glad to be of help, Your Majesties."
Bidding her good-byes, Kimeko headed for school once again hoping that
she had pushed the right buttons. <Please, let them see that Misako
needs this,> Kimeko thought, <That little girl needs something that she
can have that her sister doesn't have already.>

                                 ******

Hilda Anakoff, owner and head administrator of the Crystal Tokyo
Athletics Center, fidgeted as King Endymion gave the mats on the floor
serious consideration. <I'm too old for this,> Hilda thought, <Wonder if
he can hear my heart beat?> Her heart seemed to be pounding loudly
against her chest wall. She had nearly fainted when King Endymion
followed by Elder Mars, Elder Venus, and Younger Saturn came stalking
into the building.

<I knew Princess Misako was going to be taking lessons here but I didn't
think that Endymion-sama was so concerned about it,> Hilda thought as
Endymion grunted and stalked over to consult with Elder Mars.

"Well?" Endymion asked as he approached Elder Mars.

Elder Mars briefly considered telling Endymion what she thought of this
whole affair but firmly squashed it. <One thing to argue with Serenity
over a teddy bear's funeral,> Mars thought with a sour look, <It's
another when Endymion's worked up over letting Misako have some fun.>
"Your Majesty, the area is safe. As you know, though, from past
experience, it is hard to guarantee such things." <Damn! Shouldn't have
said that.> Endymion had started to scowl. <If he thinks I'm coming over
here every time Misako comes, he's nuts!>

Fortunately, Endymion didn't press the point. "True." He seemed
reluctant to admit that but he didn't say anything further on the
subject. Turning to Elder Venus, he asked, "Elder Venus, have you
completed your inspection?"

"Hai Your Majesty," Elder Venus said, "The equipment is up to standard."
She noticed that Hilda bristled and gave her an apologetic smile. "As
Your Majesty knows this facility has been in operation for several years
now. Its safety record is clean. It is fully accredited by the World
Gymnastics Federation." Endymion grunted slightly. <He was hoping I'd
find something. Kimeko and I have been using this place for a while
now,> Elder Venus thought, <Kimeko didn't say anything but now I know
what she was hinting at.>

Endymion turned and looked towards Hilda Anakoff. The woman appeared to
be in her mid-forties. Her short-cropped black hair was showing her age
as it was salted by the occasional white strand. And as he studied her,
something came racing to the forefront of his mind, <Gaijin.> She was an
outsider, born in Austria if the reports were to be believed.

Hilda squirmed under his intense gaze and said, "Is something wrong,
Your Majesty?"

Endymion flushed slightly and said, "Gomen, I was just thinking."
<You're a baka!> He mentally kicked himself. <She's a citizen. She was
born in Crystal Tokyo. Her parents moved here from Austria.> The
security check had uncovered a lot of information. <She's not an
outsider and you just thought that!> He'd have some serious
contemplation to do but that could wait till later. "I see no problem in
allowing my daughter to come here." It had been a hard fought battle.
Kimeko had presented her idea to Misako who seemed to be interested in
it. <Hopefully, she'll grow out of it. It must just be a phase.>

Within another five minutes, the final details of Misako's enrollment
had been completed and Hilda Anakoff breathed a sigh of relief as King
Endymion and the Senshi left. As they rode back to the Palace, Endymion
stated, "Younger Saturn, I want another Younger Senshi to accompany
Younger Venus and Princess Misako when they come here."

Younger Saturn exchanged looks with the Elder Senshi before saying,
"Your Majesty, with all due respect, I do not think that it is
necessary."

"This is a public facility. Younger Venus is likely going to participate
in these activities along with Misako here. She can not effectively
protect Misako; an additional Younger must be assigned."

"Your Majesty, I am quite sure that Younger Venus would not participate
when she is on-duty..." Younger Saturn started to say more but trailed
off as Endymion held up his hand.

"I am not questioning Younger Venus' ability to protect Misako. However,
that is a big area and I think it's prudent to have another Younger
Senshi there." He sighed as Younger Saturn looked unconvinced and both
Elder Senshi were looking the same way. <Don't they see I'm just trying
to protect my little girl?> Running his hand over his face, he sighed.
"Younger Saturn, I am ordering you to assign another Younger Senshi to
Misako when she is at gymnastics practice, or at a gymnastics meet. You
may not select Younger Mars, however."

"Nani?" Elder Mars questioned with some venom. She'd just recently heard
what Usagi had been doing, from Serenity of all people!

"Princess Usagi has had enough upset for a while. She still isn't fully
accustomed to Younger Mars yet and it would likely disrupt any type of
healing that Usagi's managed to do," Endymion explained. <Gotta be
careful. I don't think the others know about what Usagi's done... which
is a good thing.>

"As you wish, Your Majesty, but that leaves me with very few choices,"
Younger Saturn commented.

                                 ******

The late April weather was wonderful; however, Usagi wasn't able to
enjoy it with her friends after school because she had other
obligations. She and a few of the other Youngers were in the Senshi's
training area. They had been running an obstacle course. At first, it
had been simple but, once everyone had completed one part of it, a new
element was added and they had to start all over again.

Younger Saturn glanced down at the clipboard and announced, "Okay,
Chibi-Moon, your turn." When there was no response, she furrowed her
brows a little and looked up, "Chibi-Moon, you're up!" Instead of
walking to the start of the obstacle course, Chibi-Moon walked up to
stand in front of Younger Saturn. "Is something wrong?"

"Hai," Chibi-Moon began, her hands on her hips. She glared up at Younger
Saturn and stated with conviction, "I'm YOUNGER Moon." <Mom sent me to
Minako; that didn't get me anywhere 'cause she said Younger Saturn would
handle it.> "I'm getting tired of this Chibi-Moon thing. I'm not a
little kid."

Hiding her smile, Younger Saturn said, "You're not?"

"Iie," Chibi-Moon snapped and glared, "I should be Younger Moon. Not
Chibi-Moon!"

Younger Saturn glanced towards the ground trying desperately to hide the
smirk on her face. "I'm afraid Chibi-Moon that even the law isn't on
your side in this matter."

"Nani?" Chibi-Moon demanded then scowled as she saw the twinkle of
amusement in Younger Saturn's deep green eyes.

The smile pulled a little more at Younger Saturn's mouth as she
explained, "The law says you're a minor child till you're twelve."

"So I get to become a young adult after twelve?" Chibi-Moon questioned.
<Hmmm.... this could have possibilities.>

"Don't get your hopes up, Chibi-Moon. You're considered a juvenile until
you're sixteen," Younger Saturn added, now openly smiling at Chibi-Moon,
"However, this has nothing to do with your title. You haven't earned the
right to be called Younger Moon yet." She pointedly ignored the
snickering coming from the other Younger Senshi.

"But... I took training in the past!" Chibi-Moon complained, "That
should count for something!"

"Chibi-Moon, the ONLY reason why you were PERMITTED to take training in
the past is because of your parents," Younger Saturn said now with a
hint of sternness in her voice, "Younger Jupiter made it quite clear.
She was not going to give you any special treatment. She's gone, and I'm
in charge now. But you won't get any special treatment from me either."

"Younger Jupiter saw me fight," Chibi-Moon grumbled out, "She'd let me
be Younger Moon."

"You think so?" Younger Saturn replied with some sarcasm. <If Sakuya
hadn't helped Kimeko practice, she'd still be Chibi-Venus. She certainly
wouldn't let a pip-squeak like you be Younger Moon... at least not at
the moment.>

"Hai," Chibi-Moon shot back, "Younger Jupiter knows I'm a good fighter."
<Sakuya knows perfectly well that I can handle myself in a fight.>

"You haven't passed the exam yet," Younger Saturn countered, now with a
slight frown, "Don't go thinking that your training stint in the past
means anything to me. I didn't see you and I'm the one calling the
shots. Younger Jupiter wouldn't give you the Younger Moon designation
now and neither will I."

Setting her jaw firmly, Chibi-Moon said, "As Crown Princess, I demand
you give me the exam."

Younger Saturn thinned her lips in irritation and considered the very
presumptuous CHILD before her. The other Younger Senshi present started
to protest this when Younger Saturn glared at them to silence them. "Is
that your order as Crown Princess?"

"Hai!" Chibi-Moon reiterated, "I'm not gonna stay Chibi-Moon if I can
help it."

"All right, YOUR HIGHNESS," Younger Saturn conceded, "Girls, head up to
the observation deck. Chibi-Moon step out of the training area while I
go to the Control Booth to prepare the exam." Turning, she motioned the
other Youngers out of the room. <Order me to give you something you
haven't earned, ne?> Younger Saturn thought as she walked up the stairs
to the Control Booth. <We'll just see about that.>

After making the adjustments, she called, "Are you ready, Chibi-Moon?"

"Hai," Chibi-Moon said. <Watch this, girls, and see what a true warrior
can do.>

"Then you may begin when you're ready," Younger Saturn instructed. <This
won't take long.> It didn't either. Almost as soon as the test began, it
was over. Younger Saturn reset the obstacle course to where it had been
previously before walking down the stairs. At the bottom, she met a
sheepish looking Chibi-Moon. "Well, you set a new record. That's the
quickest time somebody has ever been disqualified. Three seconds after
engaging the enemy, you were dead." Chibi-Moon blushed brightly. "You
really need to curb those speeches." This just caused Chibi-Moon to
blush even more. "Now CHIBI-Moon, shall we continue training on the
obstacle course?"

"Hai, Younger Saturn," Chibi-Moon said and then asked softly, "Um... you
won't tell my parents, will you?" Younger Saturn gave her a quizzical
look. "I mean... ah... that I ordered you."

"Ordered me to do what?" Younger Saturn asked, "I had a Senshi who
wanted to attempt to qualify for her Younger designation and failed.
There will be a report filed with Elder Venus but I suspect it won't
make its way to Their Majesties."

"Arigato," Chibi-Moon mumbled out.

"For what?" Younger Saturn said, "Now if you insist on holding up the
training, then you can run laps while the rest of us finish up and then
you and I will just start from the beginning."

"Iie," Chibi-Moon squeaked and quickly scurried to the starting
position, "I can't be home late. I got homework to take care of." <I'd
also have to tell Mom and Dad why I was late.> This drew some giggles
from the Younger Senshi but Chibi-Moon didn't really mind; she'd likely
giggle too if the situation was reversed.

                                 ******

The next day found Chibi-Moon in good spirits, even with the ribbing she
was getting. The reason for her good mood was that her grounding was
nearly over. <Tomorrow!> Chibi-Moon thought, <Tomorrow I can stay up. I
can be with my friends!> She and the Younger Senshi were sitting in the
lounge listening to Elder Venus give a briefing. She allowed her mind to
wander back to the day before. <I really blew it,> Chibi-Moon thought.
She had been seething internally for failing the test. <How am I
supposed to show them I'm serious about being a Senshi?> It had been
embarrassing. Not that she died but that she had been presumptuous
enough to demand something that she didn't deserve.

"Earth to Chibi-Moon! Come in Chibi-Moon!" Elder Venus' voice broke into
her thoughts.

Jumping slightly, Chibi-Moon looked around the room. The others were
looking at her with mixed expressions. Blushing, she said, "Gomen, did
you want something, Elder Venus?" As soon as she had said it, she'd made
another slip. The other Youngers looked at each other, sharing a common
thought.

Elder Venus gave Chibi-Moon a stern look before saying, "I was wondering
if something was wrong. You were turning rather red... and since you
weren't listening, I was wondering what was wrong." Chibi-Moon turned a
deeper shade of red and lowered her head. "Now as I was saying," Elder
Venus continued turning her attention back to the rest of the room, "Is
there any other business?"

There didn't appear to be any. <Oh... gotta do it now,> Chibi-Moon
thought and meekly put her hand up. <I feel like I'm in school.> Elder
Venus gave her a quizzical look but motioned for her to take the floor
before sitting down. Nervously getting up, Chibi-Moon walked to the
center of the room and gulped. She looked around the room, at the faces
of the adults before her. <Maybe this wasn't such a good idea,>
Chibi-Moon thought but then firmly pushed the idea away.

Licking her lips, Chibi-Moon said hesitantly, as if unsure of herself,
"I want to apologize for yesterday." She shifted from one foot to the
other as the Younger Senshi just stared towards her. "I used my
authority as Crown Princess in a childish way. Gomen nasai." There was
no immediate reaction, although Younger Mars along with Elder and
Younger Venus were smiling. "What I did yesterday wasn't showing proper
respect to my elders."

Younger Saturn rose and, walking over to Chibi-Moon, said, "Arigato,
Chibi-Moon, I think we'll find that to be acceptable." She gave the
little girl a calculating look before saying, "So we won't have any
repeats in the future?"

"Iie Ma'am," Chibi-Moon said quickly, "I want to be a Sailor Senshi."
<Some of them don't believe me,> she thought as she looked towards the
Youngers, <I have to show them that I'm serious.> "Younger Saturn, I'd
like to take some extra training, please."

"Because you're the Crown Princess?" Younger Saturn asked.

"Iie Ma'am." Squirming slightly, Chibi-Moon said, "When I'm like this,"
she indicated her Sailor fuku, "Then I am Sailor Chibi-Moon. I don't
want to have any special treatment. When I'm not Sailor Chibi-Moon, then
I have to be Princess Usagi but that's different. If I'm going to be a
Sailor Senshi, I have to earn it like everybody else." She looked
hopefully towards Younger Saturn trusting that what she had just said
would convince them.

"All right, Chibi-Moon, today..." Younger Saturn trailed off at
Chibi-Moon's sheepish look, "Nani?"

"Uh... Ma'am, could I start my extra training tomorrow?" Chibi-Moon
questioned, "I know I said I wanted it and I'm not trying to be a
princess but I gotta answer to an authority over you."

"How's that?" Younger Saturn questioned while thinning her lips in
disapproval.

"Well... you see..." Chibi-Moon squirmed and explained, "I'm grounded
till tomorrow and if I'm late getting home, my parents are going to kill
me." She blushed brightly as someone giggled. "I really want to do extra
training like I said; it's just that how would I be able to do it, if I
was dead?"

"Quite logical, however, I'm busy tomorrow. Stop by my office the day
after and we'll set something up," Younger Saturn replied while trying
to hide her own amusement. At Chibi-Moon's nod of understanding, she
added, "Now, go do ten laps and then you can go home early."

"Hai Ma'am," Chibi-Moon squeaked. <I will not ask... I will not ask!>
But she could feel the question begging to be let out. Turning to Elder
Venus, she said, "Commander," and bowing, left the room.

"Younger Neptune make sure she isn't by the door," Elder Venus directed
while stunned, "I was wondering how we were going to get her out of the
room."

"She's running, Commander," Younger Neptune reported.

"Good, the following is classified. I know Chibi-Moon has clearance but
this involves her and Princess Misako; you are not to discuss it with
her. In fact, I'm ordering you to feed her false information. She is not
to know any of what we're discussing." The Younger Senshi nodded their
understanding. "Good, first things first. I-Net's picked up reports of a
possible attempt."

"Kami-sama..." Younger Mars breathed, "Who?"

"We're unclear about that. It's rumors only at this time but they're
exceptionally quiet ones. That's what's got us worried. Somebody's
keeping a very bad secret. We're lucky to have found out about it this
early. Early speculation is it'll likely be one of the Princesses." The
Youngers exchanged looks. This was bad. Very, very bad.

                                 ******

Later that evening, Endymion looked into the dining room and asked,
"Usagi, are you done with your homework yet?"

"Hai Dad," Usagi said, "I didn't think it would take me this long to do
it." <I had lots of stuff to do. How does Misako get through hers so
quickly?> That was both a pleasure to Usagi and a pain. It was a
pleasure because Misako seemed to be a very intelligent girl and it was
something to brag to her friends about. It was a pain, however, because
she could never seem to finish her homework fast enough to help Misako.
<I wish you weren't so fast,> Usagi thought, <I'd like to help you.
Onee-san helped me and I want to be a good onee like her.>

"Good," Endymion said drawing his daughter out of her thoughts. "It's
time for bed." Usagi groaned. "I know, Usagi-chan, but it's only one
more night."

"It wasn't that, Dad," Usagi answered, "I just remembered that Misako
has a practice tomorrow." Usagi gathered her things up and said, "I know
that part of my punishment is I have to go to bed at the same time as
Misako. I was just thinking that maybe... I could go to Misako's
practice?"

"Iie," Endymion replied as he led the way into the living room, "It's
after school and you have to do your homework then. Your marks still
have not improved."

"Aw, come on. Pretty please? I haven't seen Misako at practice yet and
I'd really like to go," Usagi begged as she followed her father out,
"Mom, please let me go to her practice. My imouto will think I don't
care about her."

"Iie," Serenity replied as well, "Now give me a hug then go get ready
for bed."

"Mom, I want to talk to Onee-san before I go to bed." <Maybe if I
apologize to her for being such a pain, she'll let me go.>

Rising, Serenity walked over to her daughter and said, "Gomen, iie. You
haven't proven to me that MY imouto is around yet." Usagi slumped.
Giving her mother a small hug, she sadly bid her parents goodnight
before heading down the hall. <Baka, you could have been nicer to her,>
Serenity thought. She saw Usagi give her one last sad look before
slipping into her room. <I can understand her feelings and she has been
trying so hard with Misako...> Turning to Endymion, she wavered, "I'm
going to go talk to her."

"Iie," Endymion said while gently catching his wife by the arm. "She
needs to prove to us that she deserves the privilege of your onee talks.
To me, she hasn't done that."

"But Endymion, she tries with Misako. She gets Misako's bath and makes
sure she's dressed. She's even started to help make their bentos for
school," Serenity said, "She's hurt, Endymion; I can understand her
wanting Sakuya. It must be hard on her, and she wants to talk to her
onee not her mother. What harm could it do to let her talk to her onee?"

Frowning slightly, Endymion explained, "Serenity, you know perfectly
well what harm could come of letting her have an onee talk." <I knew
these would cause problems. Why can't Serenity just be content to be the
child's mother?> He sighed as Serenity gave him a quizzical look.
"Firstly, she's being punished. Onee talks are a privilege and a special
one at that. If Misako was being punished, you certainly wouldn't give
her any special privileges because she asked for it."

"This is different though," Serenity stated.

"How?" Endymion asked, "Because SHE IS Usagi?" Serenity opened her mouth
to answer and then closed it again. <That's what I thought,> Endymion
observed. "Secondly, I was the one that handed out punishment. If you do
this, then it makes me out to be the bad guy. I'm the ogre who's not
allowing her to do what she wants."

"Don't be silly," Serenity argued, "She knows that onee talks are
special and that we both discussed her punishment."

<Hai, we both discussed it but I was the one to hand it out,> Endymion
thought, <You always do this with Usagi... You always place her on some
type of pedestal. She can't do any wrong because she is Usagi.> He
sighed silently at the look that Serenity was giving him before saying,
"Thirdly, she is still resisting Younger Mars. Not as badly as she was
and nothing to get extremely upset over but she's `dragging her feet'
when it comes to doing things Younger Mars asks her to do. Or arguing
with Younger Mars. She still hasn't accepted Sawa as her new guardian
and I won't reward her behavior by allowing her some special privilege
that you seem to think she deserves."

"Now Endymion..." Serenity started. <I really want to help her. That
look in her eyes was of hurt. She needs to be comforted. She needs me.>

"Iie, if you feel the absolute need to have an onee talk, do it with
Misako." The look Serenity gave him was as if he'd just suggested
jumping off a building. "I know you want to help Usagi, so do I. If you
want to have your onee talk go ahead, there's nothing I can do to stop
you but Usagi will never grow up that way." Turning, he walked down the
hallway and into their bedroom before closing the door.

<Gomen Usagi-chan... Imouto, but your father's right,> Serenity thought
and winced, <I wish I could take your pain away though.>

                                 ******

"Hey Usagi-chan, you aren't grounded anymore, ne?" one of her friends
asked as they left school the next afternoon.

"Hai," Usagi chirped. <It still feels like I am, though. Mom's really
mad at me still.> "Why Hana-chan?"

"Let's go to the mall, Usagi-chan. I hear they've got a new store
opening up," Hana suggested, "It's a sport's store or something. We can
go and check out the guys." This set the other girls off into a fit of
giggles.

"Gomen," Usagi said, "I have things to do."

"Usagi-chan," said one of her other friends, "You're always busy... Is
it her?" She nodded towards Younger Mars who was hovering a short
distance away.

"Iie," Usagi replied and gave Younger Mars an apologetic smile, <Sawa's
tried to give me a lot of privacy.> "I got to do homework." <I have
someone to see too.>

"Your parents are really cracking down on you," Hana observed while
brushing some of her short brown hair out of her face, "It's like
they're continually ragging on you." Her hazel eyes narrowed slightly
and said, "And that sister of yours."

"What about her?" Usagi snapped starting to feel defensive.

"She follows you around like a little lost puppy or something. `'Sagi
play with me!' Kami-sama!!!" This set the girls off into giggling again.

"Misako's just a little kid. At least she respects me," Usagi said, "Not
like your otouto, Hana!" <Misako's a great imouto.> Then nervously
looking around, she motioned to the others to huddle, "You really want
to know what I'm going to do?" The others nodded now alert. "I'm going
to see Sakuya."

"So your Mom gave you permission..." Hana started.

"Iie," Usagi answered and grinned, "She doesn't know a thing about it.
There's no way she'd let me see her." The shock on her friends' faces
was priceless. Grinning again, she turned and walked over to Younger
Mars. "Come on, Younger Mars, we got someplace to go."

"Where's that, Princess?" Younger Mars questioned.

"Don't worry, it's a surprise... but I promise it's on the Palace
grounds," Usagi said and giving Younger Mars a wink started walking down
the hallway.

                                 ******

As the heavy security door opened, the guard quickly rose to his feet
and bowed towards Princess Usagi as she entered. "Your H-Highness," he
stuttered out, "Ah we weren't expecting you here."

"I want to see Rakurai Sakuya!" Usagi demanded as she walked up to the
window, "And I DO NOT appreciate my life being threatened!" <Bloody
machine.> "What do you think would happen if I hadn't identified myself
correctly and I was killed?!"

"G-Gomen nasai, Your Highness, but this IS a maximum security area." He
felt himself start to sweat under the child's intense gaze, "I-I assume
that you have a written clearance."

"Iie, now let me in so I may talk with Sakuya," Usagi ordered. <What's
the hold up?> She saw the guard nervously lick his lips. "Well?"

"Um... Your Highness, we have rules, procedures. I'm afraid that unless
you have a written clearance, I can't allow you to go in." <I don't need
this... Bad enough I have to put up with Elder Uranus.> "What if I call
Her Majesty and request special permission?" he tried to compromise.

<Iie! I'm already taking a chance coming here but I have to talk to
Sakuya. I have to get her support. I need it to help Sawa and me get out
of each other's hair.> "Iie, I am not asking to see Rakurai Sakuya, I am
ORDERING you to let me in and visit Rakurai Sakuya." She folded her
hands in front of her and glared towards the guard. <Make this look
grown up; don't act like a little kid.>

<Gomen,> Younger Mars thought as the guard gave her a pleading look. <I
can't do anything.> "I am a Sailor Senshi. Her Highness is under my
guard." <Besides, I'd like to see Sakuya, too.>

"As you wish, Your Highness, I'll call down and have her brought up to
the Visitation Room at once." He reached for the phone but the look
Usagi was giving him gave him pause.

"Iie, I will see her in her cell. I do not wish my conversation to be
recorded and I do not wish her to be shackled," Usagi stated with some
venom, "I will see MY friend in her cell."

"This is highly unusual, Your Highness. We do have security issues to
think about and your safety. Elder Uranus or Her Majesty would..."

Usagi waved him silent and said, "My safety is Younger Mars' concern.
She will be with me and I suspect that the other cells will be locked so
what is the issue?" Seeing that he was going to argue, Usagi snapped, "I
will not be questioned on this! You have your orders!"

"As you wish, Your Highness," the guard complied, "I'll make the
arrangements." <Then I'll call Her Majesty and get her to come and take
away this pushy little brat home.>

Ten minutes later, Usagi was walking down the hallway towards Sakuya's
cell. She felt nervous but hid it well. <Maybe... maybe this wasn't such
a hot idea,> Usagi thought, <But if I pull out now, I'll look silly.>
She scowled as the guard talked into one of the cells doors. <Do they
always talk to prisoners like that?>

When the door opened, Usagi gave a little gasp. There was something
different looking about Sakuya. "Konnichiwa, Your Highness," Sakuya
greeted softly and bowed. <She's grown since I last saw her. She's
become a young lady.> Usagi took a step forward and blinked rapidly,
"It's very nice to see you," Sakuya added and then gave her a soft
smile. Not caring what others thought, Usagi dashed forward and before
anyone could stop her, clamped her arms around Sakuya and hugged her.

<Gomen!> Usagi thought as she buried her face against Sakuya's side.
<You shouldn't be in here.> She felt tender hands hold her close and she
cried. "I tried," she sobbed out, "I tried but Mom wouldn't listen."

"I know, Princess," Sakuya comforted.

Raising her face to look through tear-filled eyes at Sakuya, she cried
out, "Do you hate me?! Are you mad at me, Sako-chan?!" <Please Sakuya,
don't leave me all alone. I'm sorry I did this to you.>

"Why do you think I'm mad at you?" Sakuya asked with some surprise as
she fought her own tears as well, "I would never hate you... never."

"You're... you're calling me `Princess'," Usagi choked out as she hugged
Sakuya again. <Why?>

Shifting slightly, Sakuya sat down, took Usagi's hands, and said,
"Because... I'm no longer your guardian. I'm not even a Sailor Senshi
anymore. I don't have the right to be so informal with you."

Trembling in rage, Usagi shouted, "Don't say that! You raised me. You
have as much right as my parents." <More as far as I'm concerned.> "I
want you back. Don't you want to be my friend?" She desperately tried to
wipe away her tears but it was no use, more came to replace them.

"I do," Sakuya answered, tears coming down her cheeks, "I do want to be
your friend, Usagi-chan. I've missed you so much." She felt Usagi hug
her again and she rubbed the little girl's back in comfort. "How did you
get down here? Who's with you?" Sakuya questioned, finally realizing
where they were.

Sitting beside Sakuya, Usagi replied, "I'm a princess." <I know that
look,> Usagi thought, her heart warming. <You used to give that to me
when I was little and in trouble.> Sniffling, she said, "I ordered my
way in here."

"I take it then Her Majesty doesn't know about it?" Sakuya questioned.

"I think Mom will by the time I get home," Usagi deduced. Blushing
slightly, she said, "It's been rough. Mom wants me to have Younger Mars
as a guardian." She giggled nervously when Sakuya scowled. "We've had
fights of our own too."

Sakuya looked up and saw Younger Mars standing in the doorway,
"Konnichiwa Younger Mars."

"Konnichiwa Sakuya-san," Younger Mars said, "As Her Highness has said,
we've had our fights. I think most things are calmed down since His
Majesty's last talk."

"Aw man..." Usagi whined, "Do we gotta tell her about that?"

"Iie, I was just commenting," Younger Mars mused. Sakuya looked
curiously between Usagi and Younger Mars and decided that it wasn't the
best time to ask. "I bet you're lonely here," Younger Mars added.

"Hai, has Minako said anything to either of you?" Both girls shook their
heads. "She hasn't been to see me since the trial. Kimeko's been trying
to get her to come and see me but no luck."

"You're not mad at Minako?" Usagi asked. Sakuya glared at her and gave a
sigh of exasperation, "Well I mean it's possible she thinks that."

"Hai," Sakuya admitted, "I wish she'd come and talk to me. From what
Kimeko's been telling me..." she trailed off and looked towards the
floor, "Well some things were never meant to be." Looking over at Usagi,
she said, "So what's been happening?"

Usagi didn't even pause for consideration. She launched into a detailed
account of what Sakuya had missed since her return. At first, Usagi was
hesitant about discussing certain things but as the time passed, it was
like old times. Like they weren't sitting in a prison cell; it was as if
they were just catching up after a really long separation. The more she
talked, the more Usagi convinced herself that her plan of action was
sound.

As Usagi finished her narration, Sakuya smiled. "I see you've grown up,
Usagi-chan, I bet you're a beautiful young woman. Quite impressive
standing beside your mother." Usagi's face drooped and she gave a little
sniffle. "Nani?"

<Here it goes,> Usagi thought as she took a shaky breath, "Me and Mom
have been... fighting; she's being stubborn and insists that I have
Younger Mars as a guardian when she could release you." Sakuya frowned.
"I've tried to tell Mom that you were just doing your job."

"When you say, `fighting' exactly what do you mean?" Sakuya questioned.

"I... I torpedoed Younger Mars." <Uh oh...> Sakuya's frown had shifted
into one of her more sever scowls, "I also... I also implied some not
very nice things."

"WHAT not very nice things?!?" Sakuya demanded now looking between
Younger Mars and Usagi.

"Well, I called her a cow, and wondered what monster knocked Rei up to
give her a gaijin freak like Younger Mars," Usagi admitted, "Mom is
trying to force us together and I don't want that."

"So you were both insulting and hurtful?" Sakuya questioned, an eerie
calm coming over her.

"I was doing it because of you," Usagi said in defense, "I want you out.
I want you as my guardian. I want Mom to stop being such a uptight image
concerned queen and start being a real mother."

"You did this because of what?" Sakuya asked softly, her fingers curling
into fists.

"I did it for you," Usagi stated again, "You just wait. Sooner or later
Mom will see that she's acting stuck up and worrying about her image
more than how much her daughter's hurting."

Sakuya suddenly rose and walking to the wall glared at it for a minute
or so. Taking several deep breaths, she turned around to Usagi and said
softly, "Don't you ever try and justify your recent actions as trying to
free me!"

"Nani?" Usagi asked surprised, "I'm doing this so you can get out."

"I will be set free but by the proper channels," Sakuya stated her anger
rising, "You disrespect your mother, not only privately but publicly as
well. You disrespect the Senshi and all because you want me free?!"

"Come on, Sako-chan..." Usagi started.

"Young lady, it's Sakuya-san!" Sakuya thundered. Usagi gave a little
whimper of protest. "You aren't doing this because you want me free.
You're doing this because you can't have YOUR OWN WAY!" Sakuya took
several breaths to try and control herself, "Every day I sat here and
thought about you. Thought about how you were making your parents proud,
how you were acting mature, and how you were setting a good example. I
was so proud of thinking that you were growing up and would be able to
move on."

"But Sako-chan..."

"Sakuya-san," Sakuya corrected, "More to the point, it will be
Rakurai-san if this behavior continues, Princess Usagi."

"I'm doing this for you!" Usagi yelled, now rising to glare at the
person she thought was her friend, "I want you back!"

"You don't deserve me," Sakuya snapped, "I was the guardian of Small
Lady, of a Crown Princess whose dream was to be one of the Senshi she
respected. To be a refined lady like her mother," Sakuya said, "I tried
my best to help Their Majesties raise a little girl with the proper
sense of values and etiquette. I see I've failed miserably."

"NANI?!?" Usagi shouted, "WHAT ARE YOU SAYING?!?" She could feel the
tears building within her. <Why aren't you happy, Sakuya? I'm doing this
for you!>

"I am disappointed in you, Princess Usagi. You've disgraced not only
your parents but me as well. I am quite sure Her Majesty has told you
that I will no longer be in your life. That is true. Do the honorable
thing and respect what was a very tough decision for her."

"Please Sako..." Usagi started to beg, tears running down her cheeks,
"You don't know what you're saying. I'm going to get you out."

"Princess Usagi, if you have any respect for our former friendship you
will stop this childish behavior and accept Younger Mars as your
guardian," Sakuya stated coldly, "Your behavior is shameful and I'm
ashamed to hear about it."

Usagi opened her mouth, gave a high-pitched almost inaudible whine
before turning and running past Younger Mars and down the hall, her
vision blurred by tears and her heart shattered. <I'm all alone!> Usagi
thought sadly as she cried, <Everyone's against me!> She didn't care if
others saw her. Her only desire was to get away, to hide, to cradle her
wounded heart.

                                 ******

Sawa knocked softly at Usagi's door. With Endymion and Serenity at
important meetings and Misako at gymnastics practice, Usagi and her were
alone. Sawa preferred it that way. <I know Serenity will be mad, but
Usagi had to see Sakuya.> There was no answer to the knock. She knocked
again a little louder and waited. <Leave it to Sakuya to crush the kid's
heart.> Again, there was no answer. Frowning, Sawa softly opened the
door and looked in. The room was dark. Usagi was lying on her stomach,
her face buried in her pillow. <I think she's asleep.> Softly walking
over, she sat on the edge of the bed and gently shook Usagi.

"Go away," Usagi said, her voice thick and shaky, "I don't want
anybody." Then in a softer voice, she added, "I don't deserve anybody."
Giving a hiccup, she sniffled and turned her head to look towards Sawa.
"How could she say that? What did I do wrong?" <Why Sako-chan?>

"You pushed too hard, Usagi-chan," Sawa explained, "You know what
conditions your mother set. She has the authority to do what you want.
You have to be willing to compromise." She brushed away some of Usagi's
tears and said, "Your mother is in a very difficult position. I think
she would free Sakuya but there are rules even that Her Majesty has to
follow."

"She's queen..." Usagi began but Sawa placed a finger to her lips.

"Usagi, what happens when you break rules?" Sawa asked.

"I get punished," Usagi answered and scowled slightly, "Are you saying
Mom would get punished?" Despite her mood, the thought brought a small
smile to her face.

"Well not in the way that you're thinking but yes. She has rules to
follow and if she breaks those rules, then people wouldn't trust her,"
Sawa said, "You think she's cares about her image, ne?" Usagi flushed
slightly but nodded. "Well if she broke rules here, what's to stop other
governments from thinking that the treaties that Her Majesty has signed
wouldn't get broken?"

"But Mom wouldn't do that," Usagi pointed out.

"I know that, you know that," Sawa retorted, "But other countries only
know what is shown in the public and if they don't trust us, it can have
very serious consequences for Crystal Tokyo... For all of Japan."

Usagi swung her feet over the edge and, sitting up, looked towards the
floor. "I guess... I was wrong." She fought to stay in control and
blinked to clear the moisture from her eyes. "But it isn't fair to you.
Mom's forcing us to do something that we don't want."

"I'm not trying to replace Sakuya. I never want to replace her; you do
need a guardian though. I don't mind doing this, I don't mind helping
you through this, Usagi-chan," Sawa said softly, "You're a very special
young lady. You've gotten to see something that very few get to see.
You've seen Sakuya's heart, and soul."

<And now it's gone,> Usagi thought sadly, the tears forcing their way
through. <I've lost a friend. The friendship I was trying to save.> A
sob wracked her body. <I'm all alone.> She gave another sob and was
about to curl up when a strong arm pulled her close and then she was
being hugged. Clinging desperately to the source of warmth, she hugged
Sawa and continued to cry. "Gomen nasai," Usagi was the only thing she
managed to get out. <Please believe me. Please don't leave me alone.>

And Sawa didn't.

End of Chapter 5

Coming in Chapter 6 - Friendship, a Precious and Fragile Thing