Hellow again,

My original goal was 10 parts, honest.

Enjoy,

Doug
----
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon, Sailor Senshi, and all terms, names, etc.
associated with the series are copyrighted by Naoko Takeuchi and
Kodansha. We make no claim to them and this work of fanfiction should
not be seen as making a claim.

Those characters that are original and the story "Tales of Younger
Venus" are copyrighted (c) 1997 by Douglas Helm & Will Wolfshohl.

This fanfic and over 320 other SM fanfics reside in "Tuxedo" Will's SM
Fanfics Archive at http://log.on.ca/users/helm/anime/index.htm

Send comments to: Douglas "Candle Light Author" Helm (dhelm@log.on.ca)
or "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl (wwolfshohl@logicon.com)


Chapter 14 - Crime and Punishment

<Uh oh!> was the thought that ran through everyone's mind. Usagi blushed
and shuffled her feet, "Ah... Mom... I guess we got ah... a little out
of hand."

"A LITTLE!?!" Ikuko stated in disbelief, "We left you in charge to watch
things not destroy MY kitchen." She looked around at the girls. Usagi
was looking guilty. Rei looked like a deer caught in headlights. Kimeko
and Minako were looking like guilty little girls who were trying to
think of a way out of the mess. <Ami?> Ikuko thought, <Ami... quiet shy
Ami!> Ami had a blush from the base of her neck all the way up to her
hairline. She was looking at the ground and appeared to be trying not to
giggle. Chibi-Usa and Misako froze as if statues praying that Ikuko
wouldn't see them.

"Gomen Mom," Usagi apologized and bowed, "I guess I got carried away and
let the food fight happen. Gomen nasai." She stifled a bark of laughter.
Mamoru was not looking very well at all. <Oh poor Mamo-chan... I've
really hassled him.> Usagi sighed, <If I ever get out of being grounded,
I'll try and make it up to him.>

"You'll clean this place, Tsukino Usagi, until it shines," Ikuko ordered
trying hard to keep her stern image. <They all look so ridiculous.>

"That's right Usagi," Kenji added. <When was the last food fight I was
in?> Kenji wondered. "Maybe even be grounded."

"Well we'll wait 'til tomorrow to discuss that," Ikuko remarked, "Now I
don't think Usagi started this... So who did?" She pinned Chibi-Usa and
Misako with looks. She felt a tug of a smile but fought it down, <Oh you
poor things!> Ikuko thought. There was no answer to her question so
Ikuko decided to add to the pressure a little, "Well it's either Misako
or Chibi-Usa."

Chibi-Usa looked over at Misako. The little girl was sitting in the tub
looking all soggy and wet and very unhappy. <Can't let her cry. I'm her
Onee-chan,> Chibi-Usa thought, <This was her party and it was my fault
this whole thing got started.> "I started it, Ikuko-mama. Gomen nasai,"
Chibi-Usa said deciding to accept the blame.

Misako was looking at her with confusion plain on her face. <Why
Onee-chan say she did it when she not do it?> She looked at her
grandmother. She was about to say that Chibi-Usa didn't do it but her
courage fled her and she just lowered her head and sniffled.

"All right then... Usagi, Chibi-Usa, you two clean this place up.
Tomorrow after school you two and me are going to sit down for a talk
about what else MIGHT happen."

"I help too," Misako squeaked as she got out of the tub dripping with
goo.

"Iie, young lady, YOU are going to have a bath."

"Iie!" Misako yelled, "Wanna stay with Mommy and Onee-chan! Not wanna
bath!"

Ikuko walked over, picked Misako up at arm's length and said, "You are
going to have a bath! You can either take your bath quietly and stay up
or you can have your bath and be put to bed... what do you want?"

Misako gave this some thought, <Mommy said we go for walk later... But
Obaa-san mad.> After some internal struggling Misako decided, "Bath,
Obaa-san." She had a grumpy expression on her face, <I hate bath!>

Ikuko nodded and headed for the stairs, "Girls you can either go home or
help clean." She gave Mamoru a wink as she headed up the stairs and
entered the bathroom. Misako, who had been grumpily mumbling how she
hated baths, stopped and looked around.

"Obaa-san, not like mine," Misako observed, "Where tub?" It was larger
than her bathroom in the Crystal Palace. All her bathroom in the Crystal
Palace had was a tub, a sink, and a toilet.

"Not like yours, Miko-chan?" Ikuko asked, "You mean you have a tub with
knobs and a tap?" Misako at first didn't understand but then got what
Ikuko had asked and nodded, "Oh you have a western style bathroom then."

"Nani?" Misako asked. <Funny looking tub.>

Setting the little girl in a tiled area Ikuko started peeling off the
child's clothes, constantly making a face at the good mess both on and
underneath the clothing. "See this is a furo," Ikuko explained. <Maybe I
can get her to like baths... Usagi loved them even as a child and
Chibi-Usa seems to as well.> "What we do is wash here." Misako looked
around the tiled area. It was about a little over one meter square and
was tiled to the ceiling; The stall was equipped with a flexible shower
head, the controls and a drain in the floor. On one wall was small shelf
that held a bar of soap and shampoo.

"Like sha...sho... shower?" Misako finally got out.

"Kind of," Ikuko conceded setting the last of the little girl's dirty
clothes to one side. Getting two washcloths she soaped them well and
then handed one to Misako, "Here you can help." She then started
scrubbing Misako with one while Misako "helped" with the other. <It's
been a long time,> she thought and reminisced about helping a young
Usagi bath.

                                  ******

"Where's Ami?" Usagi asked. Cleaning up while being a mess yourself was
kind of difficult so Usagi was trying to do two things at once. Kenji
had retreated upstairs to let the girls work. Chibi-Usa was keeping away
from Sakuya who was helping wash dishes with Mamoru.

"She slipped into the downstairs' bathroom, before me!" Rei growled but
she couldn't blame her friend. She felt uncomfortable and was hoping Ami
wouldn't be long. Kimeko's giggling drew the girl's attention, "What's
so funny?" Rei asked. <Not like we just got a reprieve or anything.>
Minako too was wondering what was wrong with her daughter.

"This is just like the time with Chibi-Usa and the pudding!" Kimeko
burst out into a full chuckle, "What I wouldn't give to have seen that
in person!"

"You know about it, Kimeko-chan?" Usagi asked, "Sakuya told us but
wouldn't give any juicy details."

"Iie!" Chibi-Usa protested, "Iie, don't tell... please Kimeko-chan?"

Usagi looked at Chibi-Usa, "I would like to hear this."

"But that would hurt the timeline if you know about it!" Chibi-Usa
insisted, "Come on, I don't want to hurt Ami. She's really nice and this
might cause her to switch..."

Usagi's look turned from mild exasperation into THE LOOK. "I will hear
this story," Usagi stated firmly, "Kimeko, you may tell US the story but
not Ami."

Kimeko looked at Chibi-Usa who scuffed the partially clean floor and
mumbled something out. <Gomen, Small Lady.> "Hai Usagi-sama, well let's
see I was about eleven when it happened," Kimeko began, "Princess Usagi
was very jealous over her newborn sister."

"Nani?" Chibi-Usa's head snapped up, "I was jealous?!?" <I don't
remember that.>

"Hai!" Kimeko said, "I believe your exact words were `Not want that
THING for a sister and could Mommy get rid of it.'"

The fiery blush that spread across Chibi-Usa's face was only one sign of
the discomfort she was feeling. <Oh Misako... Imouto. I was jealous of
you from the start.> She felt someone place a hand on her shoulder.

"Chibi-Usa-chan, I was jealous of Shingo when he was born," Usagi
admitted. "At three we can't understand that younger children need more
attention than us." Chibi-Usa gave Usagi a slimy hug of gratitude.

"Anyway," Kimeko continued into the silence, "When Prin... errr..."
Kimeko stopped and blew a breath, "When Chibi-Usa wouldn't apologize Her
Majesty banned her from having pudding."

<The reason's different,> Chibi-Usa thought, <I can't believe I was THAT
obnoxious when I was little. I wonder what other mean things I did to
Misako... Maybe I can ask Kimeko... Yet Misako still loves me.>

"Chibi-Usa has an obsession with pudding. She was bound and determined
to have it." Kimeko shook her head, "She used Luna-P to fill every tub
in the Palace and the pool with chocolate pudding."

<The tubs too!> Chibi-Usa thought incredulously, <Kami-sama! I mean I
know I was a brat but was I THAT much of one?> She glared at Usagi who
was snickering, <I don't think it was that funny!> Chibi-Usa was red as
a beet now. There was only one thing to do. She moved closer. She had to
try and get Kimeko to stop before she told everything, <That would be
REALLY embarrassing!>

"Ami went for her morning swim and didn't notice the pudding until she
dove into the pool!" The girls broke out into giggles at the thought of
Ami diving into a pool of chocolate pudding. "And then..." Kimeko was
about to go on when she was dinged off the side of the head with some
left over cake. "Hey!" she squawked and turned to Chibi-Usa. Chibi-Usa
was shaking her head furiously.

"Please Kimeko-chan?" Chibi-Usa pleaded, "I mean they don't have to hear
everything, do they?" <Come on this is the most embarrassing part. I
could see if it was just Minako and my parents but the whole group! Bad
enough you know about it.>

"No way, Kimeko-chan, spill it all... That's where Sakuya stopped,"
Usagi demanded, "What harm can it do?" Sakuya and Chibi-Usa exchanged
looks.

<I'll give you a break, Small Lady.> "Well I don't really know," Kimeko
admitted, "I know what Mom told me but not exactly what happened."
Kimeko waited to see if there was any further protest but Chibi-Usa was
just glaring at her. "Sako-chan, what do you say?"

"Chibi-Usa knows, Kimeko-chan. If she wants to tell, let her tell. If
she doesn't, then don't," Sakuya said. Chibi-Usa switched her glare to
Sakuya as she felt the eyes of the entire group land on her. <Well it's
your choice now.>

                                  ******

While Chibi-Usa was reliving a rather embarrassing experience downstairs
her sister was now clean and enjoying the warmth of the Tsukino furo.

"Obaa-san, this cool!" Misako declared from the heated wooden tub.
"Kinda like bath but good bath."

"Hai Misako, it's like a bathtub. You wash first with cold water and
then soak in here," Ikuko explained, "But we only fill it once a day.
That's why we wash in the stall."

Misako's features changed slightly, "Obaa-san, I was bad." Misako
apologized softly, "I get Onee-chan into trouble. She not bad, I bad."

"Honey, what do you mean?" Ikuko asked, "Your onee-chan started the food
fight."

"Iie Obaa-san, Onee-chan fibbin'; she say she did it but I did." Misako
paused, "I not know why Onee-chan do that." She sniffled, a little, "I
sit in corner?" she asked.

Ikuko got a towel and observed, "Come on, Miko-chan, stand up you're
turning into a prune. Let's get you into your pajamas." After Misako had
stood Ikuko wrapped the little girl in the towel and lifted her up, "Oh
you smell nice and clean... You look like a good little girl." Ikuko
reassured, "You aren't bad, Miko-chan. You were just having fun. Usagi
and Chibi-Usa were the two that were bad."

"Who Chibi-U...'Sa?" Misako questioned, "Onee-chan and Mommy in
trouble?"

"Hai!" Ikuko answered, "You aren't in trouble. You took your bath and
now you're going to get into some nice clean pajamas." Ikuko was having
fun. <If we hadn't decided that Shingo was going to be our last, I would
tell Kenji that I'd like another one. I miss these types of moments.>

"But Obaa-san, I bad 'cause I get Onee-chan and Mommy in trouble when it
my fault... I have to sit in corner," Misako reasoned. She didn't like
it but it was very obvious that she had gotten her sister and mother
into trouble and she was feeling badly that she had done that.

Ikuko didn't say anything until she had went into Misako's room and had
the girl change into some pajamas. Sitting on the bed she lifted Misako
onto her lap and said, "Miko-chan, you weren't bad. Now would you like a
to hear a story?"

"Iie Obaa-san, I naughty," Misako tried again. <Obaa-san not think I bad
but if I fib and say I not bad, then Mommy be mad at me.> It was not the
best of situations. Here her grandmother was saying she wasn't in
trouble and Misako would like to agree with her grandmother BUT her
mother had seen her start the whole thing so she couldn't lie. <Mommy
say that fibbin' is baddest thing to do.> "Obaa-san, I not want to get
in trouble with Mommy by fibbin'. I bad."

Ikuko sighed, <How can I convince you? By saying I thought it was
funny?> "Hai, Miko-chan, you wait right here. I'm going to get your
sister." She sat Misako on the bed who climbed off and headed for the
corner, "Young Lady, get back on that bed and don't move." Ikuko watched
as Misako halted and then with a sigh climbed back on the bed. <Kids!>

                                  ******

Chibi-Usa was trying desperately to find a solution to her dilemma when
Ikuko came back down. "Well, Usagi, it's only partially clean. Chibi-Usa
go see if you can convince your sister that she wasn't bad."

"Nani?" Chibi-Usa said in surprise, "Why does she think she's bad,
Ikuko-mama?"

"She thinks she got you and Usagi into trouble and that means she was
bad. I've tried reasoning with her but maybe you'll have better luck
explaining it to her." Ikuko looked at her, "But first you can get
cleaned up."

"Do I have to get my pajamas on?" Chibi-Usa asked, "Onee-san was maybe
hoping to go for a walk later to watch the stars and we were going to
take Misako." <Well might as well get into Usagi's good graces so she
can save me from Sakuya and Mamoru.>

"If you can convince your sister, maybe you can go. I'll see how late we
are cleaning," Ikuko replied. <What a mess! Just like my college days.>
"And Usagi hasn't convinced me she deserves to go out after not being
responsible."

Chibi-Usa thankful for an excuse NOT to finish the story, bolted up to
her room grabbed some clean clothes and then went to the bathroom to
clean up. After ten minutes of scrubbing thoroughly she changed and
headed to have a talk with Misako.

She found her sister in a corner, sitting on a chair. Misako turned her
head slightly to see who was coming in and when she saw it was Chibi-Usa
her head drooped and her mouth took on a sad expression. Chibi-Usa
walked over to her and said, "Imouto, you aren't bad. Now come on." She
pulled Misako out of the corner and sat her on the bed. "You didn't do
anything wrong."

"That what Obaa-san said but if I say I not bad, then I fibbin' because
Mommy SAW me." Misako stated defiantly, "Mommy say that fibbin' is the
baddest thing to do." <Baka Onee-chan, you know that!>

"Misako, do you know I did something like that when I was little?"
Chibi-Usa asked, Misako shook her head, "You aren't naughty Misako
because Mommy was having a fun time and she was helping, ne?"

Misako brightened slightly, "Hai Onee-chan, Mommy look funny when she
squish ice cream on you." She giggled, "Onee-chan, got Mommy mad!" <It
not nice though.>

"Hai!" Chibi-Usa agreed, "See Imouto, Mommy got me good and then
everybody was having fun. You didn't get anybody into trouble." <Please
understand.>

"Obaa-san mad at Mommy," Misako said, "But Mommy mad at me 'cause I get
Mommy in trouble with Obaa-san," Misako sighed and flopped back on the
bed, "Onee-chan, you not mad at me?" She knew her grandmother had to be
mad at her somehow but she didn't want to try and figure out how.

"IIE!" Chibi-Usa shouted before catching herself, "Miko-chan, do you
want to hear a story?" Misako sat up and nodded, "When I was little I
got very mad at Mommy. I put pudding in the pool."

"Onee-chan put pudding in pool?" Misako asked with disbelief, "Onee-chan
love pudding, ne? Why you put in pool?"

"I was mad at Mommy," Chibi-Usa explained. <I was jealous of you,
Imouto, and I'm ashamed of that.> "I was mad and I was naughty."

"What Mommy do?" Misako asked in suspense, "She sit you in corner?"
<Onee-chan naughty? I think Onee-chan fibbin', she nice... well after
come back but before...> She didn't hear Chibi-Usa's answer the first
time.

"Miko-chan?"

"Nani?" Misako asked. "Oh," she giggled.

"Miko-chan, Mommy didn't sit me in the corner." This brought a pout to
Misako's face. <Well here we go,> Chibi-Usa thought, <This will either
break her out of her mood or have her bawling...> Taking a breath
Chibi-Usa asked, "Miko-chan, do you know what Mommy did when I was very
naughty?" Misako shook her head. "She spanked me, Misako." <I deserved
it for wanting Mommy to get rid of you.>

Misako's eyes grew wide and she stared at Chibi-Usa for several seconds
before saying, "Really?" The disbelief was there. <Mommy spank
Onee-chan?!?! Onee-chan THAT bad?! I never see that.>

"Hai really," Chibi-Usa answered, "Now do you want to come with us for a
walk?"

"But Obaa..." Chibi-Usa cut off Misako's protest with a sigh.

"Miko-chan, didn't Obaa-san say you weren't in trouble?"

"Hai."

"And Obaa-san didn't put you in the corner and Mommy didn't put you in
the corner, ne?"

"Hai," Misako chirped.

"And," Chibi-Usa said as if summing up a long speech, "Obaa-san and
Mommy didn't spank you, ne?"

"Hai."

"Well then they aren't mad at you and you aren't bad!" Chibi-Usa stated
with conviction, "Now are you going to come or not?!" <If she says
`iie', I'm going to scream!!!> Chibi-Usa thought.

"Hai," Misako said grinning. <I get it. Onee very smart.>

Chibi-Usa blew her breath out and fell forward on the bed. <Why me!?!>
Chibi-Usa thought, <Is this some cruel joke? I never did this to Usagi.>

                                  ******

Minako, Kimeko, and Ami slipped home to change and said they'd meet the
others in the park. Rei bid her good-byes and said she'd see the others
later. That just left Sakuya and Makoto to run home and change in record
time; well they didn't say how though. Commuting by rooftop is much
speedier than by sidewalk, especially when one's in Senshi form.

Now with Sakuya and Makoto hanging back and Chibi-Usa walking in the
middle, Usagi led the way to the park. Misako was bundled in her coat
and pajamas. It was warm enough that the flimsy material would suffice
and it being dark, they would look like a set of light pants.

Mamoru walked stiffly beside Usagi not really sure how to act. Misako
for her part was starting to dose off in her mother's arms, lulled to
sleep by the gentle motion of Usagi walking and the rhythmic sound of
her mother's heart. It had been a very full day for the little girl.

<Well Onee-san said that Mamoru was more mad at her than me so he'll
just likely scold me,> Chibi-Usa thought and scurried past another dark
alleyway entrance, <Onee-san's expression about `You made your own bed
so lie in it' certainly doesn't help me with Sakuya.> Glancing back
Chibi-Usa looked at Sakuya and Makoto who were having a quiet
conversation. <I really put my foot in it.> There was, however, another
fear, one far more subtle that Chibi-Usa, at that moment, wasn't even
aware of. The undertone was the same, "Someone might get you again!"

"Oh come on, Sako-chan, Chibi-Usa was just having fun and got carried
away a little bit. She's just a little girl," Makoto said, "I mean
didn't you ever do anything that got out of hand?"

"I can't tell you," Sakuya stated coldly. That pretty much ended the
conversation. <Hai, Obaa-san, I did do something that got out of hand
and it's haunted me ever since.>

Soon enough they arrived at the park and found a good spot to put down
their blanket. Kimeko and Minako soon arrived. After a few moments'
discussion Kimeko, Minako, and Makoto decided that they'd take a quick
jaunt to the store to get a couple LIGHT snacks. Actually they wanted to
give Usagi and Mamoru some time alone with Misako.

"Let's you and me take a little walk," Sakuya said to Chibi-Usa.
Chibi-Usa looked like she was about to protest and then complied and
headed off with Sakuya. She knew she'd have to pay the piper.

That just left Usagi, Misako, and Mamoru sitting on the blanket.
"Usako," Mamoru began, "Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Gomen Mamo-chan," Usagi lowered her head and looked down at her
daughter, "I wanted to surprise you. I didn't want to hurt you! Please,
Mamo-chan, believe me. I didn't intentionally keep this from you." Usagi
looked at the sky for a few moments before saying, "She's very special,
Mamoru, and I wanted to surprise you..." She looked at him pleadingly.
Mamoru seemed to waver between forgiving and being mad.  "Miko-chan,"
Usagi called softly, "Miko-chan, honey, I want you to meet someone."

Misako slowly woke up from her partial sleep and looked at Usagi,
"Nani?"

"Misako, you know how I'm your Mommy?" Usagi asked. Misako nodded but
continued to look confused, "Well this is your daddy." She indicated
Mamoru. He gazed at Misako in wonder as she examined him in return.

"That Daddy?" Misako asked, "I know he look like Daddy but NOT like
Daddy."

"Misako, you remember when you thought I wasn't your Mommy?" Misako
nodded, yes. She remembered that. "But now you believe that I'm your
Mommy, ne?"

"Hai!" Misako chirped. <Mommy wouldn't fib to me.> She examined Mamoru
closer and the more she looked the more the man in front of her took on
the likeness of her father. In a tentative voice she asked, "Daddy?"

"Hai honey," Mamoru said and held his arms open. Misako got off her
mother and slowly walked into Mamoru's arms. She put her little arms
around his neck and sighed contentedly as Mamoru hugged her. "Kawaii,"
Mamoru whispered out. Misako smiled. He could feel a very tender and
gentle love coming from the small girl. <Nothing like Chibi-Usa. I love
her and I know she's my daughter but she's so forward.> Misako seemed to
be more to his personality, very quiet and shy, <Oh Usagi, I could
just...> Impulsively he reached over and cupping Usagi's head in one
hand drew her into a kiss that lasted for a long time. Misako watched in
fascination as her parents kissed and then seemed to get stuck. Deciding
that she was uncomfortable, Misako pushed off Mamoru and laid on her
back looking up at the stars in the sky.  She blinked once, blinked
twice, and then as the third blink started, her eyelids slid shut and
she fell into deep sleep; the events of the day finally demanding rest
from her little body.

The kiss seemed to last forever. To Usagi the world around them had
melted away into a fuzzy haze. She was unaware of the gentle breeze or
the sounds of the city. In the back of her mind she noticed where Misako
was though. After they separated they stared at each other for a long
time before Usagi said, "Wow!" Usagi breathed out slowly, "That was..."

"Magical," Mamoru finished softly.

"Gomen," Usagi whispered, "I love you so very much and I didn't want to
hurt you."

"I love you also, with all of my heart." Mamoru looked down at Misako
who was curled up, "This just proves it, Usako. Our daughter, Chibi-Usa
was the first bond that we were shown."

"Hai, but you wanted to break up then," Usagi recalled, "I don't care
what Endymion's reasons were; he had no right."

"Shhh..." Mamoru said placing a finger on his girlfriend's lips, "Don't
wake Misako up." He started to move in for another kiss when they heard
a voice from not so far off.

"Kami-sama you two make me sick!" Minako said sarcastically, "All that
mushy stuff right out in public." Usagi blushed fiery red and hid her
face in her hands. Mamoru was glaring openly at Minako.

"Mom!" Kimeko hissed out, "Don't tease them." <I mean it isn't like your
the restrained one either! I remember you and Dad...>

"Say where's Sakuya and Chibi-Usa?" Makoto asked coming to sit down
beside Usagi. "And Minako-chan, what's the matter?"

Kimeko and Minako came over and sat down. "Gomen Usagi-chan," Minako
sighed, "It's just that Makoto's got a date, you have Mamoru, Ami
well..." Minako shrugged, "Rei has Yuuichiro and I got nobody."

"Kimeko is here, isn't she?" Usagi asked, "So you have to find someone,
ne? Kimeko-chan, tell your mother she has nothing to worry about."

"Um... Well..." <Hurry up Sakuya! I need to hide behind your authority.>

                                  ******

They walked in silence for a long time. Chibi-Usa was oscillating
between getting whatever Sakuya was going to do over with right now and
glad that all they were doing was walking. They finally were a fair
distance from anyone else when Sakuya stopped and walked over to the
railing surrounding the lake.

Moving beside her Chibi-Usa said tentatively, "Are you really sore at
me, Sako-chan?" Sakuya turned to look at Chibi-Usa, "Are... are you
going to um..." Chibi-Usa trailed off and broke her gaze with Sakuya.

"Iie, Small Lady, you're growing-up and growing-out of getting spanked."
Sakuya gazed at the water for a long moment, "Chibi-Usa-chan, I'm not
mad at you. It was all in fun." Chibi-Usa took on a hopeful expression,
"I'm disappointed in you. You're eight now and becoming a young lady.
You knew that I didn't want to get involved in the fight. You're also a
Senshi and your lack of control and a need for revenge in the fight just
shows how much training you still need." <And I probably won't get that
chance to do it,> Sakuya thought sadly.

Chibi-Usa had the impulse to hug Sakuya and she did. The older woman
hugged her back. "Gomen Sako-chan, I guess I have a lot to learn... and
Mommy and you will teach, ne?"

<Iie, Small Lady.> "We'll see," Sakuya said simply. She was glad
Chibi-Usa was hugging her so that the little girl couldn't see her face,
Sakuya could feel tears forming. <Gomen, Small Lady.> Chibi-Usa was
about to ask what Sakuya had meant when Sakuya said, "I owe you one, My
Little Princess. I'll get my revenge, it won't be tonight but sometime
soon..."

Chibi-Usa didn't let the hug go but did mumble out, "I think I'd rather
be spanked." Sakuya gave a bark of laughter and they started to return
to the others.

                                  ******

"Arigato Mamoru-kun," Ikuko said taking the sleeping form of Misako,
"Have a good night." <He'll be a good father someday.>

"Hai, good night, Tsukino-san. Good night Usagi-chan." Mamoru gave Usagi
a quick kiss and then left, leaving Usagi to give a little sigh.

"I don't know why he gave me the heavy one." Usagi griped as she came
into the house, "I mean he's stronger than me." <And she was lighter
when she was here before too.> Ikuko grinned and led the way up the
stairs. Usagi mildly grumbling about Chibi-Usa's weight the entire time.
<She's eating way too much.>

With Usagi's help Ikuko got Misako and Chibi-Usa ready for bed without
waking them up. Giving each a gentle hug and tucking them in, both
mothers left the room. Misako had a huge grin on her face; she was quite
awake. She hadn't figured out why her parents didn't live in the same
house but it was a question for tomorrow. She snuggled close to her
sister and gave a little burble of contentment. <'Night Onee-chan.>

It was deep into the night that the nightmare resurfaced. Chibi-Usa was
trapped once again. She could feel the cord wrapped around her hands,
the gag in her mouth, the hardness of the wooden chair. Then she heard
that voice over and over again talking to her, forcing her to tell about
the others. She tried to fight her way loose; she knew what was coming
but couldn't get away. She watched as the scene changed suddenly
perverting itself. Now a skeletal figure reach out a hand towards her...
<HELP ME MOMMY!!!!!!>

Chibi-Usa snapped into a sitting position. With only a minimal amount of
effort at being quiet she hurried to Usagi's room. Without even giving a
second thought of waking her mother she snuggled under the covers and
wrapped her arms around her mother seeking protection from her fears.

"It's okay..." Usagi whispered as she settled her daughter down again,
"It's just a dream... come on go to sleep, I'll be right here." <What's
wrong with her? She's frightened of something.>



Chapter 15 - Dogs!!!

The Amazon Trio were sitting at their bar looking at various photographs
for a new victim when TigersEye spotted an excellent choice. "Now, my
friend, look at this picture of perfection. Soft face, silky black hair,
those doe brown eyes that bespeak of innocence much better than that old
hag who you chose."

HawksEye glared at him, "You are sick. Only an idiot would go after such
a girl. She is like candy, sweet yet very unhealthy. That `old hag' as
you put it had a beautiful dream. What can this child have but
impurity?"

TigersEye chuckled, "She is hardly a child. You are losing your touch,
or has that Sailor Mars caught your fancy?" He leaned back as if
considering art work, "Oh ho! That's it... It takes a young Sailor
Senshi to get you off this prune kick."

"That rotten banana will not have what you want," HawksEye said, "And I
will even bet on it."

TigersEye grinned, "What are the stakes?"

                                  ******

Shingo had woke up early that morning deciding that he wanted to try and
make peace with Mika by walking her to school. <I don't know why she's
getting all bent out of shape,> Shingo grumpily thought as he ate some
cereal, <Not like she's in Kimeko's league or anything.> Even thinking
Kimeko's name sent a shiver through him and he began to blush, <Those
lips, that hair, those...> his examination of Kimeko's body was cut
short as Misako walked into the room. "Hiya squirt."

"Onii-chan, I not squirt," Misako stated brightly. She was still dressed
in her pajamas. She climbed onto a chair at the table and looked at
Shingo.

"Whatever, Peanut," Shingo answered. <Kami-sama, she's even more
sugar-filled than Chibi-Usa!> Shingo continued to eat and tried to get
back to his fantasy of Kimeko but Misako's staring at him finally made
him ask, "What do you want, Peanut?"

Misako wrinkled her brow before saying, "Onii-chan, I hungry."

"Well wait until Mom comes down; she'll get you breakfast."

"Please Onii-chan?" Misako asked making her eyes take on a pleading
quality, "I really hungry..." She rubbed her belly and looked at Shingo
again. "Please?"

<Why me? She is so kawaii though,> Shingo thought. "Hai, Peanut, what do
you want?"

Misako looked at herself and then Shingo. <I not feel wet,> she thought.
"Onii-chan, I want that." She pointed to Shingo's cereal. Sighing
slightly Shingo refilled his bowl and poured some more milk into it.
Getting another spoon he handed it to Misako. She hopped off her seat
and walked over to where Shingo was sitting, "Up please, Onii-chan."

<Great! I hope Usagi doesn't come in. This is SO embarrassing,> Shingo
darkly thought but complied. "Okay Peanut up you come," he said.
<`Peanut' kinda fits her,> he thought while lifting Misako onto his
knee, <This HAS to get me into Kimeko's good graces.>

Misako for her part started happily eating, <I think Onii like me now.>

                                  ******

Chibi-Usa was getting dressed when Misako came bounding into the room.
She seemed quite happy and said, "Onee-chan, I want be S'nshi at
school."

"Iie Miko-chan," Chibi-Usa replied, "I don't think that would be good."

"But why, Onee-chan?" Misako wondered, "You and Mommy S'nshi so I be
S'nshi too!" <I got fuku now.>

Chibi-Usa stopped pulling on one of her socks and looked at Misako,
"Miko-chan, all the other little girls can't be Senshi at school.
Everybody has to wear a school fuku." <This is not what we need.>

"Hai Onee-chan," Misako conceded, "But I really want to be S'nshi!"

Chibi-Usa finished pulling on her sock and walked over to Misako,
"Imouto, I know you want to be a Senshi but you can't tell anybody about
us. You can't tell ANYBODY that me and Mommy are Senshi."

"But EVERYBODY know that you is S'nshi and Mommy is Queen," Misako said,
"I so proud of you, Onee-chan!"

"Misako, are you getting dressed?" Ikuko voice came from down the hall,
"It's nearly time to go!"

"Hai Obaa-san!" Misako called and scurried to get dressed.

After Chibi-Usa had helped Misako a little Chibi-Usa remarked, "You're
becoming very good at dressing, Misako." Misako beamed. "I'm very proud
of you and I think Mommy would be very proud of you. Now I don't want
you to tell ANYBODY about us being Senshi."

"Hai Onee-chan," Misako chirped. <I not know why Onee-chan not want me
to tell... I proud of her. I want to be S'nshi like Onee when I grow
up.>

                                  ******

Chibi-Usa and Kimeko were walking together a little further back from
Usagi. Misako was in between Minako and Usagi looking not the slightest
bit put out that she couldn't walk with her sister. Chibi-Usa also noted
that Sakuya was in evidence but going along the rooftops.

"She never gives up does she?" Chibi-Usa observed pointing to Younger
Jupiter.

"Nope," Kimeko confirmed, "I guess she just wants to make sure you're
okay."

"Hai but she could do it from the ground," Chibi-Usa griped, "Then again
with her telling me she's going to get me back..." <But at least they
won't get me again.> Chibi-Usa shook that off for the moment and said,
"Kimeko-chan, was I really that bad before I went to the past? I mean
about me wanting Misako gone?"

"Hai," Kimeko said slowly, "I'm very happy to see you improve, Usa...
er... Chibi-Usa-chan. I'm proud of you now. You used to tease and annoy
Misako constantly."

"But why then doesn't she hate me?" Chibi-Usa asked. She noted that her
mother, Minako, and Misako were pulling away widening the gap as the
three charged down the street, Misako giggling as she was carried by the
other two.

"Well by the time you went to the past you and Misako were getting along
most of the time although it was more because..." Kimeko flushed and
closed her mouth.

"More because of Mommy, ne?" Chibi-Usa finished. <Kami-sama! I didn't
need to hear that.>

"Iie, Her Majesty didn't have anything to do with it," Kimeko corrected,
"It was because by then Misako was fighting back. You seemed to pride
yourself on having a sister that would stand up to you. Near the time
that you left she knew exactly which buttons to press. If worse came to
worse, she had her mother to back her up."

Chibi-Usa smiled, "I can just picture it."

<Strange she acts likes she can't remember...> Kimeko was about to
respond but saw a girl, "Notoka-chan!" she called out to the girl and
waved. The girl stopped and waved back waiting for the duo to catch up.

"Konnichiwa Kimeko-chan," Notoka said, "If we don't hurry, we'll be
late."

"Hai," Kimeko said, "Notoka-chan, this is Tsukino Usagi number two."

"Nani?" Notoka asked.

"My cousin is named Tsukino Usagi too so they call me Chibi-Usa,"
Chibi-Usa explained, "She's older than me." <And my mommy,> she added to
herself.

"I'm pleased to meet you. You can call me Notoka."

"Hai Notoka-sempai," Chibi-Usa chirped. This caused Notoka to blush. The
girl started to move quicker hoping not to be late. The talk turned
mainly towards the subject of boys and in particular why Chiba-san was
hanging out with that junior high girl. Both Kimeko and Chibi-Usa had to
resist the urge to defend Usagi to any great degree. Kimeko because she
was also in high school and it would have looked funny if she had
defended Usagi. Chibi-Usa because she being younger should NOT have had
a crush on him, <Which I did at one point.>

"Kami-sama!" Notoka declared, "I forgot my science report... I have to
run home."

"Okay I'll see you in class then," Kimeko said.

Notoka started to jog down the street cursing herself all the while
about forgetting her science report. She turned a corner and bumped into
someone. Looking up she a man that looked familiar. "Gomen, I should
have watched where I was going..." Then the realization struck her,
"You're the geologist who wrote the article about Tectonic Plate
Movement." <He looks just like his picture.>

The disguised TigersEye smiled; his victim had come right to him.
"Arigato Miss... I didn't think to be recognized by someone outside my
field of study."

Notoka flushed with excitement, "I try to keep up to date. I wrote a
science paper based on your article. I hope someday I can inspire others
like you do."

"Really? I don't suppose you'd be interested in showing it to me."

Notoka suddenly came back to Earth, "Oh my paper... I completely forgot
about it. It's at home. But look at the time, oh darn! Maybe if I ask my
sensei, she'll let me hand it in tomorrow. It was nice talking to you,
ja ne!"

TigersEye scowled taking a step back and was hidden for a moment before
reappearing in his normal dress. <She's not getting away!> "One!"

"Nani?!?" Notoka asked surprised as a board appeared behind her.

"Two!" Notoka was strapped to the board. She gave a shriek of fright as
TigersEye approached her.

"Who are you?!?!" Notoka demanded, "What are you doing!?!?"

"Three!" TigersEye said triumphantly. Notoka's dream mirror appeared. He
was about to look into the mirror when a child-like voice from above
made him pause.

"For making me late for school... I am the Pretty Sailor Suited Senshi,
SAILOR CHIBI-MOON," Chibi-Moon began, "AND IN THE NAME OF THE MOON, I
WILL PUNISH YOU!" Chibi-Moon shouted.

"Great, another speech writer," Younger Venus grumbled out, "I hope
Younger Jupiter can call the others."

"We can take care of this!" Chibi-Moon told her with a fake sense of
confidence. <They saw me detransform before. What if someone else sees
me?> It took a nudge from Younger Venus to get Sailor Chibi-Moon to jump
to the ground.

"Fercis-kun!" TigersEye called. A man dressed in a candy-striped shirt
and red pants with suspenders appeared out of TigersEye's shadow. He
produced a whip and moved towards the two young Senshi.

"Ah we have new trainees!" he crowed almost jovially. He wriggled his
handlebar mustache before saying, "Time to get started!"

"Starlight Shimmer!" Younger Venus called out. A beam of light like her
mother's crescent beam shot out and strobed. The Lemure flicked his whip
and the attack was intercepted. "Uh oh!"

Chibi-Usa visibly gulped, "I-I think we're in trouble... We need Sailor
Moon!" Chibi-Usa observed. <Mommy hurry up, please!> "We have to keep
him busy!" Seeing that Younger Venus was looking expectantly at her
Chibi-Moon tried her "Pink Sugar Heart Attack" but again the attack was
intercepted.

"Now now, naughty dogs won't get any treats!" Fercis said sarcastically.
Cracking his whip, several hoops appeared. "We should really train you,
but for some reason you don't look right." Giving another crack of his
whip Chibi-Moon and Younger Venus soon found themselves in what could
only be described as white poodle costumes.

"Please tell me I'm dreaming!"

"I wish you were."

Meanwhile TigersEye had looked into the dream mirror and hadn't found
who he was looking for. "Alas a beautiful dream but he's not here.
HawksEye was correct, but he might return to hide here... Fercis-kun,
finish them all off!"

At this point Chibi-Moon and Younger Venus were being run through what
appeared to be an animal obstacle course. Younger Venus was quietly
cursing her inability to kill the thing while Chibi-Moon was openly and
loudly cursing the costume she was being forced to parade around in.

"We have to get his whip!" Younger Venus finally said, "If we can get it
away from him, we can stop at least this part!" Fercis cracked the whip
again. "Yip!"

"Did you just say `yip'?" Chibi-Moon asked.

"I... Yip! We have to get that whip!" Younger Venus replied flushing
slightly.

"Easier said then done!" Chibi-Moon puffed as she leapt through a
shrinking hoop, "We... bark!" Chibi-Moon faltered for a moment before
resuming the pace, "We... bark! Aren't going to... bark... get close to
him."

"Are you... yip... barking?" Younger Venus asked but Chibi-Moon just
blushed.

"Very good, now on to the true test!" Fercis said, with a crack of his
whip the hoops ignited into flame.

"Hai that's... yip... it!" Younger Venus stopped dead and turning aimed
as carefully as she could, "Starlight Shimmer!"

"Pink Sugar Heart Attack!" Chibi-Moon added with anger in her voice she
wanted out of this costume!

Fercis couldn't decide which one to delay, that pause cost him as
Younger Venus shot the whip out of his hand. The hoops disappeared and
to Chibi-Moon's delight so did the costumes. Fercis wasn't about to put
up with that. Pulling out a hoop he ordered, "Get them my pretties!" To
Younger Venus' and Chibi-Moon's horror several demonic looking black
poodles poured out of a hoop and headed straight for them.

"Run away!" Younger Venus shouted and started out at a breakneck speed.

Chibi-Moon just stood gaping speechlessly at the on rushing hoard of
snapping demonic poodles. <They'll get me... just like that other day!>
She just stood there unable to move.

Younger Venus snagged Chibi-Moon's arm and commanded, "Move it,
Chibi-Moon, or they'll have you for dinner!!!" After that Chibi-Moon was
quick to follow but it became obvious that, as they were literally
herded around in a large circle, the pack of howling snapping beasts was
getting closer with every step.

"Why are we running? They're just dogs!"

"Hai but I don't want rabies..." Younger Venus puffed out. <Where are
they?>

"But they have a cure for that, even back here," Chibi-Moon panted out
knowingly.

"Hai but back here it's several needles and if I remember my history
correctly, they give them to you in the rear!"

"Several? As in not one?"

"Hai!"

"Keep running!" Chibi-Moon shouted and started to pick up the pace.

That's when the cavalry showed up. The Elder Sailor Venus pulled the two
tired Senshi to safety to where the others were standing on a nearby
rooftop.

"Onee-chan look silly!" Misako declared. The little girl was happily
comfortable in Younger Jupiter's arms, "I go help now?"

"Iie, Miko-chan," Sailor Moon said, "Chibi-Moon, let's get this over
with!"

"Hai!" Chibi-Moon agreed half-heartedly. <Try to give me rabies will
they!>

"MOON CRISIS, MAKE-UP!" Sailor Moon and Chibi-Moon shouted in unison.

Leaping down along with both Venuses for cover Super Sailor Chibi-Moon
and Super Sailor Moon started to get into position to destroy the
Lemure. Younger Venus kept taking pot shots but her aim and power were
oscillating so much that it was actually becoming hazardous.

<I have to fight! I'm a Sailor Senshi!> Chibi-Moon thought as she moved
into position, <I have to fight and not be scared because Mommy needs me
to help her defeat the Lemures! If I don't, Misako won't be born!> With
a renewed vigor she kneeled and clasping her hands Chibi-Moon prayed to
the Pegasus, "Please Pegasus... protect everyone's dreams!" Getting up
she started to ring the Charion Bell while calling out, "Twinkle yell!"

Then the Pegasus came forth and gave Super Sailor Moon the power to
banish the Lemure with her "Moon Gorgeous Meditation" attack. As the
attack hit, Fercis gave muffled snarl before saying, "Stage out!"

"Kawaii!!!!" was Misako's resounding reply. She was mad at her mother
for not letting her help but was still happy to have seen her Onee-chan
in action.



Chapter 16 - A doll, Mamoru's Revenge, and Mother's Support

That afternoon after school Kimeko appeared at the Tsukino's and knocked
on the door. It was soon answered by Shingo who smiled and stood there
staring at Kimeko for a minute or so before flushing. <Kawaii!> "Gomen,
come in please, K-Kimeko-san." <What's wrong with me? She'll think I'm
baka.>

"Arigato Shingo-kun," Kimeko said, "Is Misako here?"

"H-Hai!" Shingo stuttered. <Wait till Kimeko hears that I was nice to
Misako!>

"Kim'ko-chan!" Misako chirped coming into the kitchen, "Kim'ko-chan,
have you seen Onee-chan? I wanted to be S'nshi with her."

Kimeko lifted Misako up and said, "I think your sister's going to be a
little late coming home."

"Nani?" Ikuko asked, "Kimeko-san, what was that about Chibi-Usa?"

"Konnichiwa Tsukino-san," Kimeko bowed, "From what I heard, Chibi-Usa
and Usagi were late for school." Ikuko gave her an odd look, "I wanted
to see if Misako wanted to go to the park."

"Obaa-san, can I?" Misako asked.

"Hai," Ikuko conceded, "But don't be late for supper."

"Um... could I come with you?" Shingo asked hopefully, "Maybe we could
stop by Mika's. I know she wanted to give Misako something."

"Hai Onii-chan, you can come too! We all be S'nshi!" Misako said and
clapped happily, "But need to have Onee-chan here first."

<Yeah...> Shingo thought as he followed Kimeko out the door.

                                  ******

Kimeko was right, both Usagi and Chibi-Usa were late in coming home.
They had both gotten detention for being tardy for school. Giggling
privately to themselves they sheepishly stepped into the Tsukino home
where a less than happy Ikuko was waiting for them.

"I don't think this is a laughing matter, girls. What were you two up
to? You left early enough."

"Um well..." the girls looked at each other with the same thought, <What
are we going to say?>

"Well while you're trying to remember what took you so long you two can
get started on the list of double chores you'll be doing for the next
week."

"Double chores!?!?" they both whined.

"Hai two Usagis means `double chores'... Unless you'd rather lose your
allowance and be grounded for a month."

"Errr... Well maybe double chores aren't that bad after all!" Usagi
agreed sheepishly. Chibi-Usa just nodded.

"I thought so," Ikuko said handing each girl a lengthy list.

                                  ******

Shingo was in heaven, or rather as close to heaven as he could get.
Kimeko was favoring him a particularly brilliant smile as Misako
described her day. This of course started with Shingo getting her
breakfast.

"Peanut?" Kimeko questioned, "Why did you give her the nickname
`Peanut'?"

Shingo gulped, <Maybe that wasn't such a good name...> Kimeko had
narrowed her eyes and appeared to be glaring at him; her entire attitude
changed. <Um... Well, gee even when she's asking questions she's the
hottest babe... Hold it... Have to concentrate...> He was silent for
what seemed like several moments before saying, "Well Miko-chan is
k-kawaii," he tripped over the word as if it was terrible tasting, "And
I thought that it was a kawaii name." Shingo looked at Misako and said,
"Besides she likes it, ne Peanut?"

"Hai Onii-chan!" Misako agreed. <Onii-chan can call me anything if he
like me.> "Onii-chan, give me ride please?"

Shingo restrained himself from jumping up and down, <Hai, perfect time
to score a brownie point.> "Sure Peanut," he said and with Kimeko's help
got Misako onto his back. She wrapped her arms around and hung on as
Shingo started to pick up the pace a little. "Let's go over to Mika's,
okay?"

"Hi Onii-chan!!! Gitty-up!" Misako squealed in delight.

<Poor kid,> Kimeko thought, <Well I won't tease him. I'll have to let
him down gently.>


                                  ******

Later that evening Chibi-Usa was looking at the doll that Mika had given
Misako. It was a little girl playing with two kittens. Misako thought it
TOO pretty for her but had accepted it politely. She then wondered where
Misako was. She was about to start searching for the little girl when
Misako burst into the room dressed in her Sailor Senshi fuku.

"I Sailor Chibi-Chibi-Moon! And I will sit you in the corner!"

Chibi-Usa felt a snicker coming on and tried desperately to stop it but
it just kept growing until she expelled her mirth in a loud long
chortle. This however considerably annoyed her sister who stamped her
foot and while pointing to the corner demanded, "Onee-chan, go stand in
the corner! You mean!!!" Overcome with mirth Chibi-Usa fell to the floor
gripping her sides. <Why onee no go? I S'nshi. It not funny.>

"Chibi-Chibi-Moon?!?! Go stand in the corner?!?! HAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!" <I
wish Usagi was here.> Chibi-Usa chortled some more, "That's the dumbest
thing I've heard!" She soon found that falling onto the floor was a
mistake. Misako... Or rather Chibi-Chibi-Moon promptly sat on
Chibi-Usa's chest and glared at her sister.

"Onee!!! You not laugh! Not baka! You Chibi-Moon and I smaller so I
Chibi-Chibi-Moon!"

Chibi-Usa could see that Misako was taking the Senshi thing just a bit
too seriously. "But Misako..."

"Iie, I Chibi-Chibi-Moon. I wear fuku! Now I S'nshi and Mommy S'nshi and
you S'nshi... But Daddy not S'nshi."

Chibi-Usa grinned evilly, <Mamoru hasn't scolded me yet but I'm sure he
will... might as well go for broke!> "Why not Sailor Earth?"

"Iie, there not any S'nshi Earth," Chibi-Chibi-Moon replied.

"Hai, there IS a Sailor Earth. Daddy is Sailor Earth," Chibi-Usa said
craftily.

"But Daddy not wear fuku..." the littlest Senshi responded.

"Hai, he does. Daddy's coming here tonight. Why don't we go down and you
can ask him?" Chibi-Usa hid a snicker as her sister got up and walked
over to the bed to give it some consideration.

"So I be Chibi-Earth?" <That good.>

"It would sound a lot better and I can believe you got out
Chibi-Chibi-Moon!"

Seeing her sister approve, the newest Senshi stated proudly, "I am
Sailor Chibi-Earth and I will sit you in the corner!" Thus with her
speech prepared she headed out the door with her sister laughing
silently while following behind her.

Chibi-Usa watched as her sister entered the living room and did a
curtsey to the people gathered there. Usagi and Mamoru clapped happily.
What happened next had Chibi-Usa grinning for the next four hours.

Misako walked over to Mamoru and asked, "Daddy, show me your fuku."

"Nani!?!?" Mamoru demanded sitting forward in his seat. "I don't wear a
fuku!"

"But you Sailor Earth, you S'nshi... show please, change!" Chibi-Earth
demanded, "I Chibi-Earth, Daddy. You proud, ne?

"Hai, we are very proud of you, honey," Usagi saved Mamoru, "Your
grandparents will be proud of you too when they see you."

"Daddy, show me fuku please!" Chibi-Earth pleaded, "Onee-chan said you
Sailor Earth so that makes me Chibi-Earth!" <Why Daddy not show me?>

Mamoru glanced around and when he spotted Chibi-Usa, he demanded
sternly, "Chibi-Usa, you can come out right now and wipe that smirk off
your face!" Chibi-Usa guiltily came out and went to stand in front of
her father, "Well... is this true?"

"Hai," Chibi-Usa answered meekly.

"You go stand in the corner," Mamoru instructed and then motioned Usagi
out to the kitchen. Chibi-Usa complied and watched warily as Mamoru and
Usagi conferred.

<Is this where they started doing that?> Chibi-Usa thought, <If so, I
should kick myself for starting them on the habit of them both deciding
what to do... gives me the creeps!>

Misako had lost interest in being a Senshi for the moment and was
watching in fascination. She had rarely seen her sister stand in a
corner. Soon the conference broke up and Mamoru and Usagi separated.

"Chibi-Usa, come here," Mamoru ordered. She did so with some reluctance,
"I'll give you a choice: I'll tell Kenji and Ikuko when they come back
or you can go to bed now..." Mamoru never got a chance to finish as
Chibi-Usa took off up the stairs and ran to her room as fast as her legs
would carry her. She had no desire to hear the remainder of her choice.

"Very nice," Usagi complimented, "I would have preferred the water
balloon myself. So what do you do when she's over at your place?"

"I tell her `I'll tell your mother'," Mamoru quipped and then hurried to
get away from Usagi who was coming after him. Misako who had regained
her Chibi-Earth form, having lost the scene that she was hoping for,
decided to defend her father from her mother.

Jumping in front of her mother she shouted, "I AM SAILOR CHIBI-EARTH AND
I WILL SIT YOU IN THE CORNER!!!" Of course she was thoroughly disgusted
when her mother broke out into giggles. <Baka Mommy!>

                                  ******

Chibi-Usa hurriedly changed and snuggled under the covers. Parentally
speaking she'd gotten off easy. <Better not push my luck any further.
Especially when Mamoru might give Sakuya an opportunity to get her
`revenge'!> she thought as she willed herself to go to sleep before
Ikuko and Kenji returned home.

                                  ******

Minako came into the room and noticed Kimeko sitting on the floor
"picking" away at her homework. <What's the matter?> Minako questioned
in her thoughts. She could see that something was definitely bothering
her daughter. Kimeko had actually been avoiding her all day. Minako
closed the door softly and went to sit beside Kimeko.

"Want to talk, Kimeko-chan?" Minako asked, "School go badly?"

"Nawh," Kimeko replied her cheeks taking on a reddish tinge, "Today at
the fight..." she trailed off.

"What about the fight?" Minako prodded. <Please don't keep quiet.
Something's bothering you.>

Kimeko gave a sigh and leaned back against the bed. She sat like that
for several seconds, her eyes closed. Minako had been about to say
something when Kimeko said, "Minako-chan... Mom... I couldn't kill the
thing!"

"None of us could," Minako admitted, "It takes both Sailor Moon and
Chibi-Moon to do it. I highly doubt even Younger Jupiter could destroy
it alone. All we can do is get a few good licks in first." Kimeko stared
at the carpet and didn't respond. Minako gave a sigh of her own and
continued, "Come on, Kimeko-chan, this has something to do with me,
doesn't it?" Kimeko nodded slightly still not looking up. "Please,
Kimeko-chan, I can't guess what's wrong... I want you to tell me."

"I-I... It just didn't go very well," Kimeko told her mother with
obvious depression, "I tried and well..." she trailed off and remained
silent. <All my work and then when I finally had my chance... I froze!
In front of Mom and Sakuya and Her Majesty and...  Gomen, Mom, I'll
never be as good a Senshi as you...> It was a very depressing situation.

"Kimeko-chan, come on. Even I can't beat Lemures. Like I said Sailor
Moon and Chibi-Moon have to do it," Minako reassured her daughter,
"Look, is that why you think that you're not any good?" If Minako hadn't
been paying close attention, she would have never heard the slight
sniffle. "Now you look here!" Kimeko raised her head and looked at
Minako, "We've all had `bad days' even Usagi... especially Usagi but
that is no reason to feel this sorry for yourself. You'll get better."

<That's what you said in the future too, Mom.> "But all that training!"
Kimeko said with a mix of rage and sadness.

"Isn't anything compared to practical experience!" Minako countered with
some heat of her own. "Tell me, has Younger Jupiter had any practical
experience?" Kimeko nodded, "And have you had any battles but practice?"

"Only these," Kimeko sniffled out. She was feeling somewhat miserable
about the performance she had put on in front of her mother.

"Well then... You'll get better!" Minako declared, "Now look I,
Commander of the Senshi and your mother, order you to cheer up!" She
waved an finger menacingly at Kimeko who smirked, "Is that a smile I
see?!" Minako demanded. "Senshi aren't supposed to smile. Just look at
Sakuya!"

"Hey!" Kimeko protested, "Sakuya smiles." <Occasionally.>

"Iie, she doesn't," Minako stated defiantly, "It's against the rules."

"Oh yeah!" Kimeko countered and proceeded to give the biggest and
silliest grin she could. Minako giggled and Kimeko responded in kind.

"Feel better?" Minako asked and stifled another giggle.

"Hai," Kimeko chirped, "You always think of ways cheer me up. Arigato,
Mom." <You're great.>

"What are `cousins' good for, if not cheering up?" Minako said but her
eyes said exactly what she meant, "I hate to see you sad," and that was
all there was to it. Kimeko gave Minako a hug who returned it but Minako
sensed her daughter was still holding something back. "Kimeko-chan, what
else?"

There was a long pause before Kimeko blurted out, "I froze... Hai, I was
attacking but my control wasn't there." Kimeko blushed and continued,
"It feels like I'm letting you down, letting Sakuya down."

"You aren't letting me down, Kimeko-chan. I understand that's it's hard.
I had to go through the same thing when I was Sailor V in England. Say
what does Sakuya say about all this?"

"I'm not sure," Kimeko admitted, "Most of what I've heard was during my
last evaluation session. She said I would get better with age... You
were in England, Mo... Minako-chan?"

Minako blinked, "Hai, please tell me I've told you about that." Kimeko
shook her head, "Well if I didn't tell you about England, then did I
ever tell you how I met up with the others?"

Kimeko paused for a long moment before saying, "Hai but... all I can say
is that it didn't involve England...", Kimeko eyes took on a mischievous
look, "but it did involve His Majesty's affection for you and something
about going off to fight some demonic horde." <If you buy this, then I
have an inflatable airport to sell you.>

"Nani?!?!" Minako hissed out, "What have I been telling you?!?!"

"Well that's what you told me," Kimeko said somehow able to keep a
straight face; the contortions her mother's face was going through
didn't help matters. Eventually she relented and apologized, "Gomen..."
Kimeko gave a snicker and covered her mouth, "Gomen nasai, I just
couldn't resist." Minako scowled, "Oh Minako-chan please, don't be
angry. I just wanted to have a little fun. Honestly though, you didn't
tell me about England."

Mollified somewhat and overly annoyed at herself for missing the joke
Minako sighed. <Why wouldn't I tell her about that period? Alan...
maybe.> "Well it all started when this blasted white cat with a crescent
moon on his forehead showed up and started talking."

Kimeko pointed at Artemis who was coming in through the open window.
"Nani?" he asked. Both Minako and Kimeko broke into laughter leaving
Artemis to ponder if Usagi wouldn't be safer.

End of Part #6