Good morning,
Yes it's done!!! After several weeks of pushing this out this fic is now
complete! Since I had these parts done before now though I can start on my
next project. Previous parts to this story can be found at the URL below or
via e-mail:
NOTE! - People with Juno accounts if you e-mail me for previous parts you
must provide a non-Juno account for me to send them to. Sorry but I've had
too many problems in the past and don't feel like spending an hour copying
and pasting. Juno doesn't support attachments and the Juno limite is small
(60KB) I'm told.
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 "Chibi-Usa Times Two"
are copyrighted (c) 1997 by Douglas Helm & Will Wolfshohl.
This fanfic and over 300 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)
Chibi-Usa Times Two
Part 13: Old Wounds
The light faded and a single Chibi-Usa collapsed to the ground. Usagi
wasn't sure what had happened. Carefully she started to approach the
child. She stopped a little ways away and crouched down. Usagi couldn't
see the expression on Chibi-Usa's face but could tell that her shoulders
were shaking slightly.
Reaching out she took the bunny from Sailor Venus and holding it out
said, "Imouto?"
Chibi-Usa's head snapped out, eyes focused on Usagi, and screamed, "BAKA
ODANGO ATAMA!!! How could you do that to me?!?!" <She's gone... Why did
you take away my onee-san?> Scrambling up she knocked the offered toy
out of Usagi's hand and started to swing her fists wildly at her.
Usagi backed up as fast as she could, away from the sudden and violent
outburst. "Gomen, I didn't mean to!" Usagi pleaded.
"Didn't mean to?! You BAKA ODANGO ATAMA! You split me in two pieces
and... and... Do you know what `I' was going to do!?!?" The terrible
image of seeing her evil self telling her what she would do to `their'
parents played over in her mind. Chibi-Usa continued her tirade while
going after Usagi. Chibi-Usa had Usagi backed up into a corner now,
cowering.
"Now just hold on a second!" the angry voice of Sailor Jupiter started,
"Usagi cares about you very much." With that Jupiter grabbed hold of
Chibi-Usa and dragged her back a little from the frightened teen.
"It's HER fault!" Chibi-Usa yelled pointing to Usagi, "Give me the
Ginzuishou and I can get out of this awful place! Away from you, BAKA!"
<Why did you do this to me? Don't you love me anymore?>
"What... what about our deal?" Usagi said meekly. <Please Imouto...>
Chibi-Usa took several deep breaths trying to calm herself down. <Why
did you spoil it, Usagi? It was so nice before...> After a bit she
said, "Iie! I can't wait for Rubeus to be finished... I have to go and
save my mommy. How were you going to get Sailor Moon to go with me?"
Usagi was almost in tears by this point. She really hadn't expected this
reaction. <I knew Chibi-Usa might be angry but I didn't think she'd be
this upset!> Usagi meekly said, "Gomen nasai, Chibi-Usa-chan, I can't
give you the Ginzuishou yet. I will once Rubeus is defeated. I promise."
"You don't care about Mommy... NONE OF YOU DO!" Chibi-Usa yelled. She
struggled to get out of Jupiter's restraining hug but failed, "I have to
save her!" <Please?>
"Sailor Moon wouldn't leave Tokyo with Rubeus still around," Sailor Mars
said softly. She walked in front of Chibi-Usa, "Sailor Moon would help
you and your mommy but she wouldn't leave the city unprotected." Then
swallowing a bit of her pride Mars continued, "Too often we require her
help to destroy the evil droids."
Chibi-Usa seemed to sag in defeat. Jupiter let her down and she just
stood there. Someone raised the bunny in front of her face and she
pushed it away.
"It was a gift, Chibi-Usa-chan. You should keep it."
"I'm not a little kid," Chibi-Usa replied. <Why don't you just leave me
alone?! Please... Just put the bunny down and I'll take it.>
"Imouto, Minako has stuffed animals and she's older than you," Usagi
pointed out. This drew an odd look from Sailor Venus.
Pounding on Usagi again Chibi-Usa shouted, "I'm not YOUR sister! I'm not
even related to you! I HATE YOU!" Grabbing the bunny she pelted back
through the park before anyone could do anything to stop her.
******
Chibi-Usa came to an area of the park that had several tall trees
surrounded by bushes. Crawling under the bushes she sat down on the
ground squeezed the toy bunny tightly and vented her emotions; tears
flowed freely now. She wouldn't cry in front of Usagi or the Sailor
Senshi. <How could I even think of hurting Mommy? Why did I do all those
nice things for Usagi? I was so happy before... Now... now I feel so
mixed up and... alone!>
Unseen by the crying child Luna sat in the bushes watching, <Oh I wish I
had arms... I could give you a hug. Why didn't you stay where Usagi was?
She could have comforted you. She really loves you.>
******
Usagi was walking home, <The others said to give Chibi-Usa some time...
I just can't help but feel that I really deserved what she said.> Her
mind was whirling with what had happened. She could barely remember that
the Senshi had told her that they'd meet tomorrow after school.
<I know I had to bring Chibi-Usa back, but why couldn't my imouto have
been there too? At least a little bit of her...>
"Usagi-chan?"
The voice caused Usagi to jump, <When did I get home?> Usagi wondered,
<I thought I was walking?>
She noticed her mother had a worried look on her face, "Usagi-chan? Are
you okay?"
"Hai," Usagi replied without meaning it. She really didn't want to talk
now; she might start crying. Nothing could bring back HER imouto.
"Dear, did you and Chibi-Usa have a fight?"
"Hai! Baka Odango Atama here really screwed up," Chibi-Usa's voice
interrupted when she came into the house, "You should have seen it!"
Usagi winced, <She's actually enjoying my misery... I tried to
apologize! What else does she want?> Usagi turned and walked up to her
room and closed her door.
Ikuko was surprised at this new change, <I'm actually relieved to hear
that they had a fight. These past two weeks have been rather strange.>
"Chibi-Usa-chan, that wasn't very nice. I want you to go apologize to
Usagi."
"Hai," Chibi-Usa grumbled.
"Is that the bunny Minako bought you?"
"Hai, Minako said Usagi gave her the money but I don't believe her.
Usagi would never buy me anything without wanting something. I think
Minako's fibbing to help Usagi."
A small frown crossed Ikuko's face as she said, "Chibi-Usa-chan, Usagi
DID pay for that. She gave up most of her allowance and offered to do
double chores to get more money. I hope you thanked Usagi for buying you
that toy?"
Chibi-Usa lowered her head slightly and shuffled her feet, "Iie." <Usagi
did that for me?!> Hearing the exasperated sigh, Chibi-Usa hurriedly
added, "But I will, Ikuko-mama."
"I hope so." Ikuko sighed, <Well I did want things back to normal... I
guess I got my wish. Still...>
******
That night the gulf between them grew wider. Usagi offered to read
Chibi-Usa a bedtime story but had the door abruptly slammed in her face.
Both girls laid in their separate beds awake thinking about the day.
Usagi for her part was now silently crying. She had lost the respect and
love from Chibi-Usa that she had so desperately wanted. She had lost her
imouto. But the worst thing was... she was alone. Only now was she
realizing how much a hole Chibi-Usa had filled; the hole had once been
occupied by Mamoru but no more.
The thought of Mamoru brought another sob to her. She was going to have
to tell Mamoru everything so he wouldn't be mad at Chibi-Usa. It would
be her final duty to the imouto she once had. <He'll be mad with me, yet
another thing to blame on Usagi. Another baka thing SHE'S done.>
Chibi-Usa was curled up in her bed. She dearly wished she could have
been in Usagi's bed. Instead she was in her own, no bedtime story read
to her, no reassuring good night hug. The only thing that she had was
the toy bunny and the past now gone it represented. Clutching it tightly
to her chest, Chibi-Usa started to cry. <Mommy... how could I have
wanted to kill you? I want to talk to you... I'm so mixed up. I don't
know what to do. I have no one...>
Chibi-Usa didn't hear the door swing open or the soft footsteps walking
over to her bed. The first thing she knew was someone was rubbing her
back, <Onee-san?> Chibi-Usa really didn't understand it. She was angry
with Usagi but at the same time she really did hope that it was Usagi.
"Chibi-Usa-chan, what's wrong?"
Chibi-Usa turned and was shocked. It was Kenji. Dressed in pajamas and a
bathrobe he looked like he'd just gotten out of bed. Chibi-Usa's heart
sank, not only wasn't it Onee-san but it was Kenji; her mind could only
think of one reason why Kenji would be in here and she didn't like the
prospect.
"Do you miss your parents?" Kenji said softly while lifting Chibi-Usa
out of bed and continuing to rub her back.
Sitting comfortably on Kenji's lap, Chibi-Usa nodded. Kenji smiled
slightly before saying, "I remember when Usagi was little and went to
summer camp. She got really homesick but wouldn't let the camp councilor
call us." Kenji chuckled slightly, "So the fellow got smart and called
us explaining the situation. So we drove up to camp and surprised her.
We told her that we just missed her too much and would she come home..."
Chibi-Usa sniffled a little before saying, "What happened, Kenji-papa?"
"She stayed and wasn't homesick again. All she needed to know was that
we still cared about her and that we missed her," Kenji comforted. He
had continued rubbing Chibi-Usa's back and it was clear that Chibi-Usa
was starting to settle down slightly. Then he laid her back down and
quietly left.
<Then why can't I tell Usagi that I love her? It was so easy before,>
Chibi-Usa asked herself silently. Sniffling once more she hugged the
last remaining symbol of her onee-san and closed her eyes. Soon drifting
off into sleep, but it wasn't filled with nice dreams, she saw herself
staring back saying over and over again, "I'm going to kill Mommy and
Daddy."
******
The next shock to occur to Chibi-Usa was in the morning. She got dressed
into her school fuku stopping only once to wonder exactly how she could
actually like school. She passed by Usagi's room and an impulse struck
her, <I'll just wake up that baka!>
She reached up, put her had on the doorknob and was about to open it
when the door suddenly swung inwards. She was pulled into the room and
hit something solid.
Usagi stood there already dressed in her school fuku and smiled, "Good
morning, Chibi-Usa-chan, did you want me to walk you to school?" <Please
say yes, Imouto.>
"Iie, that's for little kids and I'm big... I wouldn't want you to
embarrass me anyway."
Usagi winced at that but said, "Okay, fine." <I have really lost my
imouto. She DOESN'T want me to be her onee-san. I feel so very empty.>
Chibi-Usa watched Usagi go down the stairs, <I think I made Usagi sad. I
could have been nice and let her walk me to school. It wouldn't have
hurt anything. It was fun having Usagi walk me to school before. Now she
won't ever do it.>
******
Chibi-Usa was thrilled, Usagi had shown up to walk her home. Hiding a
smile Chibi-Usa walked up to Usagi and asked, "What are you doing here?"
<I hope she's not mad at me for this morning.>
"We have to go talk to Mamoru, Chibi-Usa-chan," Usagi replied. She
automatically reached for Chibi-Usa's hand. Chibi-Usa jerked away from
Usagi and glared at her.
"I'm not going to help you get him back!" <What on Earth?! Why do I
think that she wants my help?>
<Well might as well tell her; she hates me!> "Listen spore, I'll get him
back. He told me that you weren't allowed to see him anymore. I have to
tell him what happened so that he'll let you visit him again."
<Why didn't Usagi tell Mamoru what happened? I don't think he would have
yelled at her.> "Okay let's go," Chibi-Usa conceded but didn't take
Usagi's hand.
******
Mamoru answered the door and found the two people he didn't really want
to see standing in front of him. "Usagi, I said we were through. I also
told you that Chibi-Usa couldn't see me anymore."
"Mamoru-kun... I need to talk to you and this isn't about US."
Sighing Mamoru let Usagi and Chibi-Usa inside and closed the door. He
went and sat down on the couch, crossed his arms, and waited. Chibi-Usa
instinctively went to sit down beside Mamoru but was glared down. She
instead perched at the end of the couch.
Usagi shuffled her feet for a few minutes considering whether to tell
everything in front of Chibi-Usa or not. Glancing up she saw Mamoru
becoming impatient so she started her explanation, right from the
beginning.
Mamoru and Usagi were so focused on each other that they failed to
notice Chibi-Usa blush every so often. As Usagi described what the evil
Chibi-Usa had done Chibi-Usa took on a mortified expression. <I knew I
did naughty things but I didn't think I do that! No wonder Usagi doesn't
like me... But this is all Usagi's fault so why should I care; Mamoru
won't be mad at me now and then we can be together again.>
After Usagi's explanation was done Mamoru sat silently for several
minutes. <She thinks I'll blame her, I'll use this against her...>
Mamoru heaved a sigh, "Arigato Usagi-san. Gomen Chibi-Usa-chan, a lot of
stuff now makes sense."
Chibi-Usa happily got up, plopped herself beside Mamoru, and promptly
stuck out her tongue at Usagi. Usagi reacted by lowering her head and
walking towards the door; Mamoru's voice stopped her though.
"Chibi-Usa-chan, you apologize to Usagi."
Chibi-Usa couldn't believe it. Mamoru was making HER apologize?! Looking
at Mamoru he motioned for her to do so. Getting up Chibi-Usa walked over
to stand in front of Usagi and said softly, "Gomen Usagi." <Gomen nasai,
Onee-san.>
Mamoru got up and walked over to Usagi and Chibi-Usa, "Okay
Chibi-Usa-chan, let's set a few ground rules..."
"Rules?" Chibi-Usa whined out, "I hate rules!"
"Rule one... You may only come over here if you come with Usagi or
another grown-up that we both know."
"Usagi?! A grown-up?" Chibi-Usa asked incredulously.
Mamoru ignored the smart mouthed remark and continued, "Rule two... You
will be respectful of Usagi. She has treated you with kindness and she
is older than you." Seeing Chibi-Usa didn't have any smart remark about
that he continued, "Rule three... You will address me as either
Mamoru-kun, Mamoru-san, or even Mamoru-chan. You will NOT address me as
Mamo-chan."
Chibi-Usa didn't look happy at that point, seeing no alternative though,
she complied. "Well if that's settled, Chibi-Usa-chan remember supper is
at five. If you're late, I'll get into trouble." <Maybe that's what she
wants...>
Usagi started for the door and Chibi-Usa followed, <Why doesn't she
stay... I think we could have fun together. We did before.>
"Mamo-cha... Mamoru-kun, could Usagi stay? Please?" <She and Mamoru
should be together...> Chibi-Usa blinked, <Why would I want that?>
Mamoru looked uncomfortable but the choice was taken out of his hands
when Usagi answered, "Iie. I have to go. This is your special time,
Chibi-Usa-chan." As Usagi started to slip out the door Chibi-Usa heard
her whisper, "Besides he doesn't love me anymore."
Chibi-Usa couldn't tell how she felt. On the one hand, she was glad
Usagi was gone. On the other, she'd really like to be able to curl up
between Usagi and Mamoru and go to sleep. She hadn't slept well last
night and what she wanted was warmth, comfort, and security; this was
what Mamoru and Usagi could provide.
******
The Senshi meeting was rather subdued. The only real business was how
Chibi-Usa was fairing. Rei, as usual, was annoyed when Usagi was several
minutes late and told her so in no uncertain terms.
"I had to tell Mamoru; he wouldn't have let Chibi-Usa come see him if he
hadn't known the truth," Usagi said. <I've done all I can, now I am
truly empty.>
There was a shocked silence, even Rei couldn't believe that Usagi would
give up a prized bargaining chip so easily. "Boy, that kid sure did a
number on you."
Usagi just slumped; she didn't have any wish to fight. All she really
wanted to do was crawl into a hole, curl up, and watch the world go by.
Minako glared at Rei for a few seconds before breaking the awkward
silence.
"Chibi-Usa said her mother's name was Serenity."
"As in `Queen Serenity'?" Makoto asked, eyes wide.
"I don't know, Mako-chan, but that's the only Serenity I know of besides
Usagi's past self," Minako added.
"The probability of Chibi-Usa having a mother named Serenity and having
knowledge of the Ginzuishou without any relationship between them and,
in addition, is not from the Silver Millennium is practically nil." Ami
sighed, <Why is it I have to always restate everything?> "The chance of
Chibi-Usa having a mother named Serenity is small by itself." Ami paused
to make sure the others were following, "The chance of Chibi-Usa knowing
about the Ginzuishou is even smaller. The chance that both occur and
they aren't related to the Silver Millennium is almost impossible."
"Why didn't you say that in the first place?!" Rei asked. Ami slapped
her forehead in disbelief. "Luna, did Queen Serenity have any other
children?"
Luna looked edgy before saying, "Well... I don't really remember any but
it certainly isn't out of the question. It would explain how Chibi-Usa
knows about Usagi, the Ginzuishou, and have a mother named Serenity."
"That spore my imouto from the Silver Millennium? As if!" A spark of
hope in Usagi's eyes told a different story though. Luna hated to crush
it but why give her false hope.
"I wouldn't worry, Usagi. I can't confirm it and, anyway, Chibi-Usa
needing it for Queen Serenity doesn't make sense. Her Majesty died of
mortal wounds, once she used the Ginzuishou's full power, it claimed her
essence." That statement pretty much squelched any further talk on the
matter and the Senshi quietly went home.
******
Later that night found a restless Tsukino home. An arm swung up and
found an empty place. Usagi winced a little as her heart ached. She had
forgotten that Chibi-Usa wasn't in bed next to her. She had gone to hug
the little girl only to find a cold bed.
<Mamoru's gone... Imouto's gone. I am all alone.> Usagi sniffled
slightly, <I tried... I tried to get her back but Chibi-Usa just doesn't
want to. I think she asked if I could stay so that Mamoru would be happy
with her... Why does it have to be like this? Why can't she be my imouto
again, even for a little while?>
Wanting to hug something Usagi took the pillow that Chibi-Usa had used
and hugged it closely to her chest, soft moist tears started to trickle
out of her eyes.
Luna again wished she could comfort this obviously hurting girl.
******
That morning a hopeful Usagi put the question forth once more,
"Chibi-Usa-chan, would you like me to walk you to school today?"
Chibi-Usa's irritation at not having Usagi read her a story and not
being able to snuggle up and get warm shot down any hope of a civil
response. "Iie Odango Atama... I don't need your klutz attacks to kill
me." She saw Usagi droop slightly, "Your way of punishing me for being
in your room nearly did."
Usagi turned angry. She was furious now, "Well fine, you rotten spore,
walk to school by yourself!" Usagi pushed Chibi-Usa out of her way and
started to pull her door closed. Turning back to face Chibi-Usa, Usagi
continued, "And another thing, I don't want to ever catch you in my room
again or I'll warm your backside until it glows!" With that Usagi
started for the stairs.
"Oh yeah! You and what army?!" <How did this get going? All I said
was... Oh I could have said that better. I wish I could take it back.
Gomen.>
"What do you know they're back at it again. What a relief!" came
Shingo's voice from the doorway of his room.
"SHUT UP SHINGO!" came the simultaneous response. Both Usagis glared at
each other for a moment and then headed downstairs.
******
Chibi-Usa sniffled slightly and tried to push the swing. It just wasn't
fun in the park without somebody watching her. Usagi to Chibi-Usa's
dismay had not come to her school to walk her home. Coming to the park
Chibi-Usa had tried to play but all she could do was remember the really
good time that Usagi and her had when they went to the park.
Chibi-Usa unconsciously giggled at the remembered sight of Usagi stuck
in the slide, <I'd like to do that again...> Chibi-Usa thought, even
that night was fun. <I feel so safe when I'm with Usagi. I don't know
why though. She even let me stay in bed after I woke her up... That
should have surprised me.>
Chibi-Usa tried to ignore the intense emotions of fear she felt when
she was threatened to be removed from Usagi's presence but without
success. <I don't understand... I was more scared of leaving Usagi
than Ikuko-mama being mad.> Remembering how Usagi had comforted her
after Ikuko had left nearly brought Chibi-Usa to tears. <Usagi didn't
have to do that. She was so nice to me...>
"Would you like a push?"
Chibi-Usa jumped at the voice and whirled around, standing there was
Minako. This set the tears flowing, <Usagi bought me Rini and she let me
stay with Minako and Ami and we did have fun together.> She felt herself
being picked up and hugged comfortingly.
"Chibi-Usa-chan, what's the matter?"
<I can't stand it. I have to tell someone. Minako was my onee-san that
day. Onee-san...> "M-Minako-chan... Usagi... Usagi-chan and I are
fighting," the child sobbed, "I don't know what to do. Usagi tries to
be nice to me but all I do is pick on her."
"What do you mean?" Minako asked softly.
"She wanted to walk me to school this morning and I said..." Chibi-Usa
trailed off while flushing. There was a silence for several moments as
Chibi-Usa struggled with her feelings, "I said... that I didn't need one
of her klutz attacks to kill me. The way she punished me for being in
her room nearly did."
"Did you apologize?" Minako asked, <Poor Usagi... First Mamoru then
Chibi-Usa. She was really down... I have to do something to help her out
but what?>
Chibi-Usa sobbed once before saying, "I was going to after school but...
SHE WASN'T THERE! I don't think she'll listen to me again." <Why was I
so mean to her?> "Please don't tell Usagi!"
Minako just hugged the sobbing Chibi-Usa and tried her best to console
the little girl. Her heart was in pain and the only person that could
probably ease it was probably hurting and scared as well.
******
Chibi-Usa was headed for bed, tapping softly on the door she peeked into
Usagi's room. Usagi was sitting on at her desk scribbling away, a
textbook lay open beside her.
<Usagi's doing homework. She wouldn't want to read me a story.> As if
the thought was a question Usagi said flatly, "Chibi-Usa-san, please
leave. I have homework and you aren't allowed in my room."
Chibi-Usa's head drooped. She softly closed the door and walked to her
own room. The tears weren't long in coming. <No story, no hug...>
Picking Rini up she snuggled into bed and tried to pretend that Usagi
was there reading a bedtime story to her. <Mommy reads stories but
Usagi's much better at it. She does all the voices and she sometimes
acts it out...> Chibi-Usa giggled but it was only short lived.
Off in the distance there was a crack of thunder and Chibi-Usa yelped.
There was no one there to give her a comforting hug or wipe away her
tears. Snuggling under the covers as much as possible Chibi-Usa clutched
Rini tightly and whimpered, it was going to be a long night.
******
The next few days proceeded in the same general fashion. Shingo found it
pleasing to finally have someone back on his side. Ikuko tried for the
most part to ignore it. She figured it was a period of readjustment
between the two girls and they were just trying to make up for lost
time. However, as the arguing grew more frequent and Usagi's obvious
depression deepened, Ikuko's patience wore thin.
One afternoon when there was no school Ikuko was in the kitchen trying
vainly to read a recipe. Chibi-Usa and Usagi were in the living room and
whatever they were fighting about was growing in intensity.
Finally her patience snapped and Ikuko marched into the living room.
Usagi was near tears on the couch looking dejectedly at Chibi-Usa who
was standing confidently, hands on hips. Ikuko paused. Chibi-Usa looked
like she was going to say something.
"BAKA ODANGO ATAMA, you know you really aren't very smart. You've been
working on that math homework for two hours now. Why don't you give up
this silly habit? It isn't impressing me any?"
Usagi's lower lip started to tremble slightly, she was about to yell at
Chibi-Usa when she saw her mother standing in the doorway. <What's the
use? Chibi-Usa will get away with it and I'll be in the dog house
again.> Usagi lowered her head just hoping that Chibi-Usa would get
tired of tormenting her and go away.
Usagi glanced up to see the very angry face of her mother looming over
Chibi-Usa, "Young lady, that's just earned you the rest of the day in
your room!"
Chibi-Usa whirled around to see Ikuko glaring at her, "NANI?! You're
grounding ME?"
"You'd better believe it! You march up to your room. I'll get you for
supper but you won't be going anywhere for the rest of today or tonight
so you might as well put your pajamas on."
"But... But... you've never grounded me before!" Chibi-Usa protested.
"Tsukino Usagi get up to your room... NOW!" With that Ikuko pointed
towards the stairs.
Chibi-Usa knew that tone; it was one of authority. Scurrying up the
stairs Chibi-Usa thought, <Boy she could pass for my mommy sometimes!>
******
"Usagi!" Minako called out, "Usagi-chan, wait up!"
Usagi came to a halt and waited for her friend to catch up, "Hi
Minako-chan, what's up?"
"Usagi-chan, are you still upset about Chibi-Usa?" Minako questioned.
Usagi's happy expression disappeared. "You should really try and make up
with her."
"Who wants that spore as an imouto? The pest is just like Shingo, a real
royal pain in the butt!" <And I love them both.>
"You're not fooling me, Usagi-chan. You care about that little girl far
more than you are letting on. I can see it in your eyes."
A pained expression crossed Usagi's face, "Mina! You don't know
anything!" With that Usagi took off down the street. Minako was stunned;
she'd really struck a nerve.
******
Tuxedo Kamen was perched above Minako's bedroom window. Even though he'd
been actively avoiding Usagi, Mamoru couldn't help but notice her
depression. He had seen it himself, heard about it from Motoki, and even
Chibi-Usa had hinted that there was a real problem. He wanted to know
more and now he was listening covertly to Minako and Artemis conversing.
"I feel really bad, Artemis. I mean I didn't think that pushing her like
that would make her hurt so much!"
"Minako-chan, you shouldn't let this bother you. Usagi's is still
hurting and you just put a little salt onto the wound by accident. It
isn't like she'll hate you."
"I know Artemis... I just wish I could do something to help Usagi. What
I need is a plan. A plan that even Chibi-Usa would be willing to help
with."
Tuxedo Kamen had an idea and it was a great opening. Leaping from the
rooftop to the nearby tree Tuxedo Kamen only checked to make sure the
window was open before diving into the room.
He heard Artemis give a mighty yowl as he landed behind the bed. Tuxedo
Kamen's head popped up and he was about to offer his apology for the
abruptness of his entry when heard a rather strange attack phrase...
"MINAKO STUFFED ANIMAL ATTACK!"
End of Part #13
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Part 14: Onee-san
There was a flurry of stuffed animals and very soon Tuxedo Kamen was
pinned to the floor with a very angry teenager sitting astride him.
"WHO THE HECK ARE YOU AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING IN HERE?!" Minako
commanded. Most of the stuffed animals were covering Tuxedo Kamen's face
and Minako failed to notice the tuxedo.
"Minako, it's ME!" came the muffled voice of Tuxedo Kamen. Minako gave a
yelp of surprise and vaulted off of Tuxedo Kamen while turning very red.
Getting up Tuxedo Kamen detransformed to make sure that Minako knew who
it was. Mamoru's actions seemed to make Minako turn even redder.
"Gomen, Minako-san, I didn't mean to embarrass you," Mamoru offered.
"Mamoru, you BAKA! Kami-sama, you're lucky my parents aren't home! I
don't care how well you fight, my father'd skin you alive if he caught
you up here." That's when a fire started to burn in the teenage girl's
eyes, <What if I had been changing?!> Minako started to stalk toward
Mamoru while saying, "If you think I'll let you get some perverted kick
and annoy Usagi, you're dead wrong! Just wait until I tell Usagi. You
must really want to crush her spirit!"
"NANI!?!? IIE!" Mamoru protested, "I don't want to hurt her, I want to
help her. Gomen nasai, Minako-san. I should have thought before making
that type of entrance." Mamoru stepped back from Minako a little and
continued, "I heard you saying you wished you had a plan to get Usagi
and Chibi-Usa together... Why don't you get Chibi-Usa to do something
nice for Usagi? Call it a peace offering."
Minako's irritated look remained but she halted her advance, "Have
Chibi-Usa do something nice for Usagi? Like what?"
"Iie just suggest that she does; let HER decide what to do. It'll be
that much more special if she thought of it all by herself."
Minako's irritation slipped away as her brain began formulating a plan,
"I could get the others to help out and work on Usagi... Usagi should be
fighting to keep her imouto but she hasn't." Minako gave Mamoru a glare
before continuing, "If we could get her motivated to do something, then
our chances are doubled."
Just then a voice boomed from behind the door, "Minako! Do you have a
boy in that room?!?" Minako froze in terror, it was her dad!
******
Usagi stepped out into the hall the next morning and found Chibi-Usa
standing there. Sighing slightly Usagi decided to ask the question. She
knew it was more a tribute to her lost imouto but she had to try.
"Chibi-Usa-chan, would you like me to walk you to school?"
Chibi-Usa's heart started to beat faster. She had hoped Usagi would ask
that question. <She DOES care about me...> Chibi-Usa irritatedly brushed
aside the pleasant thought and said, "Hai, if it'll make you feel
better."
The hope that shot up in Usagi's eyes nearly made Chibi-Usa wince in
shame. <How can I do this to Usagi... Why does it have to be like
this?>
After breakfast they headed for school. The two girls walked side by
side without holding hands and Usagi was starting to get the feeling
that Chibi-Usa wasn't enjoying herself. An attempt to talk was shot down
quickly enough by Chibi-Usa saying, "I said I'd walk to school with you
not talk to you."
No sooner had the words left her mouth then Chibi-Usa regretted what
she'd said. <Why am I trying to spoil it? Usagi is being very nice...>
She expected an explosion from Usagi. She wouldn't have faulted Usagi
any either. It never came; Usagi simply put a neutral expression on her
face and remained silent the whole time.
After a while Chibi-Usa began to skip. Soon she was ahead of Usagi a few
meters acting like the little girl she was and thoroughly enjoying being
with Usagi. Then it suddenly dawned on her exactly what she was doing.
<What am I doing?!? I'm acting like a little kid!> Chibi-Usa thought
disgustedly. Stopping she solemnly walked back towards Usagi. Chibi-Usa
noted the smile that had been on Usagi's face had slid away.
<She looked so happy for a few moments. I thought she was enjoying
herself.> Usagi sighed, <I guess Chibi-Usa doesn't really want me to
walk her to school... Well I won't ask again then.> Usagi had enjoyed
watching Chibi-Usa skipping ahead. It reminded Usagi of herself as a
little girl but to see the solemn expression on Chibi-Usa's face was too
much.
Chibi-Usa remained beside Usagi the rest of the way to the school all
the while fighting the urge to skip and act like a little kid. She would
not give Usagi ammunition.
As the reached the entrance to the schoolgrounds, Usagi said, "I won't
be picking you up, Chibi-Usa-chan. You don't seem to like having me
around. Don't worry, I won't ask to walk you to school again." With that
Usagi started off down the street.
<IIE! Please I want you to pick me up! I want you to ask me again! I've
got to tell her.> Chibi-Usa was about to follow her when she heard a
sensei call her into the building, <Now what do I do?> Chibi-Usa
wondered. She spent the rest of the day miserable.
******
It was sometime after school the same day when Ikuko first heard the
ruckus. <I have to put a stop to this. If it isn't one extreme, it's
another!> Ikuko sighed again as she headed for the stairs, <I wish Kenji
were here that way I wouldn't have to act like an ogre all the time...>
Ikuko came up the stairs and her suspicions were confirmed. Chibi-Usa
was outside Usagi's door and shouting at the top of her lungs.
"Do you enjoy annoying me?!" Chibi-Usa gave Usagi's door a kick and
shouted, "Come on out, ODANGO ATAMA! All you have to do is give me what
I want and I'll leave you alone."
Ikuko waited to see if Usagi would do anything but the door remained
shut. <This can't go on... What if we have to go some place? Shingo by
himself isn't so bad but Usagi's become nearly paralyzed over Chibi-Usa
and if she had to baby-sit, that could be bad.>
Walking up to Chibi-Usa Ikuko said, "Chibi-Usa, go to your room and
stand in the corner! I'll be in to deal with you in a minute or so."
Chibi-Usa looked at Ikuko and then looked at the door, <I would have
preferred Usagi to tell me that!> Not wishing to push her luck,
Chibi-Usa did as she was told.
Ikuko waited until Chibi-Usa was in her room and then knocked on Usagi's
door. There was no reply so Ikuko opened the door and stepped inside.
Usagi was sitting at her desk hunched over doing her homework.
"Chibi-Usa, what did I tell you about my room?" Usagi asked flatly
without turning around.
"Usagi-chan, would you go downstairs and start some tea? You and I have
to have a little talk," Ikuko asked.
Usagi whirled around and stared at her mother for several seconds before
nodding. Ikuko followed her daughter out of the room and then turned
towards Chibi-Usa's room. She waited until Usagi was down the stairs
before going into Chibi-Usa's room and shutting the door.
The little girl was standing in the corner facing the wall, her
shoulders were shaking slightly. Ikuko sat down on the bed and asked,
"Chibi-Usa, come here please."
Slowly Chibi-Usa turned around, lowered her head, and shuffled across
the floor to Ikuko. "Look at me, Chibi-Usa." It was a few moments before
Chibi-Usa raised her head, two streams of tears were running down her
face. "Chibi-Usa-chan... Chibi-Usa, I'm grounding you for the rest of
today and all of tomorrow. You're to come straight home from school
tomorrow."
A surprised expression spread across her face. She wasn't really sure
whether she was relieved that Ikuko was only going to ground her or not.
Something tugged at her heart and she gave Ikuko a hug while saying, "I
promise, Ikuko-mama, I'll try to be nicer to Usagi-chan." <I don't know
why it's so hard to be nice to her.>
Ikuko returned the hug before saying, "You'll have to stay in your room
except for supper." Chibi-Usa nodded. Getting up Ikuko went to the door
and before opening it said, "Chibi-Usa-chan, this is the second time I
had to ground you... I won't do it a third time." With that Ikuko
slipped out of the room and down the stairs.
<Gomen Usagi... I wish I knew what was going on. I really did like
walking to school with you.> Chibi-Usa hopped up on her bed and picking
Rini up said, "I wish you could explain it to me... I'm sure Mommy
could." That thought brought another tear to Chibi-Usa as a fuzzy
memory surfaced, she remembered saying, "'Night Mommy," to Usagi... now
why would she do that?
******
Ikuko found her daughter waiting with two cups of tea. They sat at the
kitchen table for a little while in silence before Ikuko decided she had
to start the conversation.
"Usagi-chan, you really want to be Chibi-Usa's `Onee-san', don't you?"
Usagi's reaction was a start of surprise before she lowered her head, <I
don't like hiding things from Mom.> Sighing Usagi nodded before saying,
"Hai, how did you know?"
"A mother's instinct, Usagi-chan... If you really want to be Chibi-Usa's
`Onee-san', you're going to have to take on some responsibilities."
Usagi gave her mother a puzzled look so Ikuko continued, "Usagi, as the
oldest, your father and I need know we can trust you. To trust you to
watch Chibi-Usa and, to a lesser extent, Shingo. If you can't stop them
from doing things that your father or I don't approve of, then we'll
have to get a baby-sitter and you'll lose that money."
"I don't know," Usagi said, "Chibi-Usa doesn't respect me."
"She used to, Usagi... When I said taking on responsibility that
includes disciplining her for bad behavior. You wouldn't have stood for
her actions today or that episode in the living room. You should have
and I was really expecting you to handle Chibi-Usa instead of letting
her walk over you. She's a child and you're nearly an adult now."
Usagi winced and lowered her head, "I know, Mom... It's just that...
Every time she's at fault I seem to get the blame and wind up in the dog
house. I'm trying to earn her respect," Usagi quirked her mouth, "It
doesn't seem to be working and you might think I'm nuts but I really do
want to be Chibi-Usa's `Onee-san'."
Ikuko placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder and said, "Usagi-chan,
what you want is natural. You may not show it openly, which is a shame,
but you really love that little girl and care about her." Usagi nodded,
"I've never known you to give up getting what you want. When you were
little you fought until the bitter end." Ikuko smiled at the grin that
graced her daughter's face, "Usagi, I want an answer from you. It's very
important because it'll determine if your father and I can trust you."
Usagi seemed slightly uncomfortable but nodded her understanding,
"Usagi-chan, if Chibi-Usa misbehaves are you willing to discipline her?"
"But she'll hate me!" Usagi protested. She was sure of that fact. Why
give the spore something else to use against her?
"Usagi-chan, Chibi-Usa might be angry at you but she'll also recognize
the boundaries that have been set for acceptable behavior."
"She might as well call me `Okaa-san' rather than `Onee-san'," Usagi
grumbled.
Ikuko laughed, "Some other time I'll tell you what a hellraiser I was
for MY Onee-san and what she had to do. You two aren't so different
really. So will you, Usagi-chan?"
"Hai!" Usagi agreed. <Gomen, Chibi-Usa, but Mom is right.>
******
Rei paced back and forth and said, "Where is that baka? She's late
again!"
Minako frowned and said, "Rei-chan, I said Usagi wasn't coming."
"Probably forgot about this meeting," Rei griped.
"Iie," Minako said evenly, "I didn't tell her about this meeting." The
others looked at Minako in surprise, "I called this meeting to discuss
how we're going to get Usagi to fight for her imouto! We all know that
Usagi may not admit it but she loves that little girl and the more they
pull apart the more it hurts them both!"
Rei sighed, Minako was right. She missed the good Chibi-Usa's intense
loyalty to Usagi. That had helped assuage some of her own guilt, to know
that Usagi had a person who would trust her to do what she promised.
"Minako-chan's right, Usagi's pretty shook up over this whole thing.
It's like losing a family," Makoto declared, the others looked at her
oddly but remained silent, "Mamoru left her, Chibi-Usa loathes her..."
"Iie, she doesn't," Minako interrupted, "Chibi-Usa was in the park a
couple of days ago and broke down. She's very confused. She wants to
show Usagi that she loves her but something's stopping her. She isn't
old enough to set her... `pride' aside to get closer. Maybe she's
scared that Usagi will reject her."
Rei winced, she knew what an enemy like pride could be. On more than one
occasion she had to swallow it to cheer Usagi up and although she didn't
like to, she did it anyway.
"I agree we need to do something to get them back together. Chibi-Usa
does care about Usagi. When she was over at my place she became very
homesick. That aspect of her personality is still within her," Ami put
in.
"So what do we do?" Rei asked, as the others stared at her she said, "It
isn't like I care what that baka does but Chibi-Usa actually got her to
do her homework and get up on time." <And make me proud to be their
friend.>
Makoto sent a wink Rei's way and turned to the others, "What about a
party? Usagi can always be tempted with food. We'll just attract her to
someplace and then refuse to let her go until she promises to fight to
get Chibi-Usa back."
The others quickly added their agreement to this plan; Minako was
plotting a move on her own. She was going to work on two fronts, to
double their odds. She'd have to find Chibi-Usa and speak to her without
Usagi being around.
******
"Hi Chibi-Usa-chan!" Minako called. She couldn't believe her luck,
Chibi-Usa was just coming out of the school's gate, "I thought you'd be
home by now."
Chibi-Usa grimaced and then ran to Minako giving her legs a hug, Minako
bent down and lifted Chibi-Usa up into a hug and started walking towards
the Tsukino home. Chibi-Usa had her head buried in Minako's shoulder and
seemed to be crying.
"Honey, what's the matter?"
"Minako-chan... I... I..." Chibi-Usa couldn't continue and just sobbed
some more. Minako waited a little bit, letting Chibi-Usa take her own
pace and explain what happened, "I was really mad at Usagi yesterday...
She walked me to school and we... I don't know something made Usagi mad
and she said she wouldn't ask to walk me to school again!"
"Oh Chibi-Usa-chan, I'm sure Usagi didn't really mean that. So what's
got you all upset today?"
"Well... This morning Usagi-chan didn't ask me and I was lonely and
wanted to pretend that Usagi was walking me to school so I took Rini."
Minako smiled, "One... One of the sensei took Rini away! She said I was
too big to need stuffed animals. She took it down to the office. They
said Ikuko-mama came by and picked it up. I got detention too."
Minako grimaced, "Why? Because of Rini?"
Chibi-Usa shook her head. "'Cause I didn't have all my homework done."
<When Usagi helped me I liked doing my homework.> "I'm supposed to go
right home from school, I'm grounded." Chibi-Usa sniffled, <I want
Onee-san... She'd be very mad at the Sensei... Maybe she could get
Sailor Moon to punish the Sensei!> Chibi-Usa giggled at the thought of
Sailor Moon yelling at her teacher, <Or Sailor Venus!>
"I'm glad to see you're feeling better, Chibi-Usa-chan. Remember behind
every dark cloud is a gold lining." Chibi-Usa gave Minako a funny look.
"I think I have a way you can get Usagi to at least talk to you."
Chibi-Usa looked up at Minako, "Why don't you give Usagi something
nice?"
"Like what?"
"That's for you to decide. If I told you, it be from me not from you...
If you give Usagi something that you thought of, Chibi-Usa-chan, then
she'd see that you really do care about her."
"I don't care about that baka!" Chibi-Usa defiantly stated but she could
feel a plan forming in her mind; it was something very special. She'd
have to think about it.
<You know I don't believe that. You're worse than Usagi.> "Would you at
least think about it, Chibi-Usa-chan?" Minako set Chibi-Usa down and
said, "Chibi-Usa-chan, we're at your place and I need to get home too!
Ja ne."
"Arigato, Minako-chan... for walking me home."
Chibi-Usa walked slowly into the house, Ikuko smiled slightly at
Chibi-Usa and crouched down to look Chibi-Usa right in the eyes, "I
think you want this," Ikuko said, holding the stuffed pink bunny to
Chibi-Usa.
The little girl's eyes widened and she lovingly reached out and snuggled
it close to her chest. She looked at Ikuko and said, "Gomen Ikuko-mama,
I didn't mean to get into trouble."
Ikuko smiled and said, "Chibi-Usa-chan, you just earned a reprieve.
You're not grounded anymore."
"Nani?!?" asked the shocked child, "I'm not grounded?"
"Iie... you took something that came from your onee-san. You care about
her very much and you were willing to take Rini with you even though it
was against school rules."
"I don't understand, Ikuko-mama," Chibi-Usa said. <Why would she not be
mad at me for breaking the rules?> She had followed a little of what
Ikuko had said but had not been able to make much sense of it.
"Do you love Rini?" Chibi-Usa nodded vigorously, "I think you love
somebody else in this house, Chibi-Usa-chan, and your behavior hasn't
show them that love."
With that Ikuko got up and walked towards the table, "Now go wash up,
Chibi-Usa-chan."
<I understand now, Ikuko-mama. Arigato.> Happily Chibi-Usa skipped out
of the room. She had a great plan of what to give Usagi. Ikuko smiled,
now if only she could do that with Shingo, it would make things so much
easier!
******
Usagi was pulled in by Makoto who opened the door. "You're here!" Makoto
said, "Good, you can help us eat!"
"Nani? I thought this was a Senshi meeting?" Usagi questioned, that's
what Luna had told her. She hadn't figured out why they were holding it
at Makoto's though. Then she walked into the main room and found the
dining table and one of the side tables laden down with a large lunch of
almost every dish she liked. "Wow! Are you having a party? Ah...
Mako-chan, why did you just lock and bolt your door?"
"It is a party, Usagi-chan. A party to plan how to get your imouto
back!" Minako happily declared.
"Mina! I told you that I did NOT want that spore as my imouto!" Usagi
said firmly and started to put her coat back on.
"None of us believe that, Usagi-chan, so we're going to stay here, eat,
have fun, and convince you to fight to get your imouto back," Minako
stated confidently and helped Makoto drag Usagi's coat off. "Rei-chan,
I'll get you some stuff in a second if you'd like to take your
position."
Usagi looked over and saw Rei place a chair in front of the door and sit
down while glaring at Usagi. <I hope she doesn't press the issue,> Rei
thought but she didn't have anything to worry about. Once Makoto had
popped a juicy morsel into Usagi's mouth the girl with the endless
hunger was hooked.
<Minna... Arigato,> Usagi thought.
******
Chibi-Usa hesitated, Usagi wasn't home. She remembered what Usagi had
said would happen if she went into Usagi's room. <I don't care. She can
spank me if she wants but I think she'll be very pleased with my present
and won't want to.> With that logic in place Chibi-Usa slipped into
Usagi's room followed by Luna-P. Once in she wandered over to the wall
and called out, "Luna-P HENGE! Give me painting supplies, kawaii
coveralls, and a painter's cap!"
With a pink flash of smoke Chibi-Usa was standing on a dropcloth,
wearing a pink set of jeans coveralls and a pink painter's cap. She put
Rini in a place where it wouldn't get spattered but she could see it.
Picking up one of the brushes she opened the first can of paint and
wrinkled her nose, <Stinky stuff... Onee-san won't like it.> Walking
over to the window Chibi-Usa opened it and then turned back to her work.
She had to hurry, no telling when Usagi would be back.
******
"Alright, alright I give!" Usagi declared after three hours of partying,
"Minna-san I give! I'll think something up."
"We want to hear it!" Rei demanded. She had been enjoying the party as
much as anyone else and was also running on a sugar high at the moment
so she wasn't her usual self, "Come on Usagi-chan, tell us what you're
going to do or I ain't letting you out."
"Mako-chan, what did you put in that one cake?" Ami asked softly. Rei
was acting strangely to say the least.
"Nothing really... and don't even think I put liquor in that cake!"
"Well she's certainly acting weird," Ami said, "Maybe it's the sugar."
"Well she's eaten nearly the entire thing and there were four cups in
it." Makoto admitted, "A sugar buzz will do that to some people."
"I'll take her to the park!" Usagi suddenly declared, "I'll take her to
the park and get her some ice cream!"
The others smiled, their plan had worked... too bad they didn't know
what Chibi-Usa was doing.
******
"I'm back!" Usagi called out.
"Hello Usagi-chan, I hope you have room for a big supper," Ikuko teased.
The girls had told her what they had planned to do. Usagi flushed a
bright red before nodding. "Good, well I see you came up with an idea."
"Hai, I'm going to ask her if she'd like to go to the park for some ice
cream."
"That's good. She's been up stairs all day..."
"I'll go up right now and ask her," Usagi said and immediately headed
for the stairs. The first indication that something was wrong were the
fumes... Something smelled bad. Usagi traced the smell coming from her
room, <What on earth?> Usagi thought as she opened up the door; and
cried out at what she saw.
Chibi-Usa was standing by the bed in pink paint-spattered coveralls and
a matching painter's cap admiring her work. The work consisted of a
representation of Rini. It was about four feet high and a little over
two feet wide. The detail was rather good and Chibi-Usa seemed quite
pleased with herself.
Chibi-Usa upon hearing the noise turned around and said, "Usagi-chan,
you should have knocked! I was going to surprise you with it."
Usagi's jaw opened and shut several times before her voice came out in
full vocal rage, "You're in my room! YOU'RE IN MY ROOM AND YOU PAINTED
MY WALL!"
"But Usagi-chan... I thought you'd like it... I wanted to thank you for
getting me Rini. She's very special to me," Chibi-Usa said. <Why's
Onee-san turning red?>
"You painted my wall!" Usagi's anger grew, "How could you do such a
thing?! WHAT DID I SAY WOULD HAPPEN IF I CAUGHT YOU IN MY ROOM AGAIN?!"
"But Usagi-chan, I... this was a present. I didn't mean to be bad. I
thought you'd like it!" Chibi-Usa protested and started to back up in
fear. <Nothing I do is any good!!!> Tears started to form on Chibi-Usa's
face as the pent up emotions took over.
"You rotten little spore! All you do is torment me! Why couldn't you
just stay where your mother was?!"
Chibi-Usa's anger piqued and she yelled, "ONEE-SAN, I LOVE YOU! I wanted
my Onee-san to help me! Mommy isn't here and I'm so confused and I
just... I just..." With a sob Chibi-Usa grabbed Rini ran past Usagi and
into her room slamming the door behind her.
Usagi was stunned, "Onee-san?" Usagi mouth those words, "Onee-san! She
called me Onee-san..."
"Usagi what's going on up here... And what's that smell?" Ikuko
demanded.
"Mom, I'll explain in a bit... Could you go downstairs, please? I have
to talk with MY IMOUTO." The words rolled up over Usagi like a wave and
she started to cry. Ikuko nodded and headed back down the stairs. Slowly
Usagi made her way to Chibi-Usa's room and opened the door.
Chibi-Usa was laying on her bed. She had Rini in a bear hug and was
crying into her pillow. Usagi softly walked over to the bed and put a
hand on Chibi-Usa's back. "Ikuko-mama... Gomen Ikuko-mama, I tried!"
Chibi-Usa sobbed out.
"Imouto?" Usagi called softly.
There were a couple more sobs before Chibi-Usa lifted her head and
looked up to find Usagi crying as well. Usagi gathered the child into a
hug and fell to her knees on the floor.
"Oh Imouto... I've missed you so much!" Usagi cried, "I couldn't stand
being without your love. When I thought I lost you... I felt so alone!"
Chibi-Usa couldn't believe it, "Onee-san!" she replied and cried into
Usagi's shoulder clinging on for dear life. <Onee-san... You'll help
me, won't you Onee-san?>
They stayed in that hug for a long time, each seeking the other's warmth
and comfort for all the aches that had built up over the past few weeks.
"Imouto... I love you very much. I'm very sorry for yelling at you. I
know your mother's in trouble and when Rubeus is defeated I will give
you the Ginzuishou. I promise."
Chibi-Usa having run dry of tears felt very secure in Usagi's hug and
she said, "I... I love you too, Usagi-chan. I wanted to surprise you
with a present. Rini means a lot to me and I pretended it was you."
Chibi-Usa sniffled a little and raised Rini up to show Usagi.
"I know, honey," Usagi said as she got up and sat on the bed. Chibi-Usa
curled up in her lap, "I know... I understand what you wanted to do.
Imouto..." Rising Chibi-Usa's chin Usagi said, "Imouto, I'm going to
have to tell Mom. She won't like that you painted on my wall. She'll
understand that you wanted to give me a present but she'll still be very
upset. We'll have to buy paint to cover up Rini."
Chibi-Usa's face fell, "You don't like it?" she whispered out.
Usagi lifted Chibi-Usa up so the little girl was looking right into
Usagi's eyes. "Imouto, I like it. I love the fact that you wanted to get
me a present but Mom won't approve." Giving Chibi-Usa another hug Usagi
stood Chibi-Usa on the floor and said, "I have to go tell Mom what's
happened."
"Do you want me to stand in the corner?" Chibi-Usa asked. She was
hugging Rini but not as tightly.
"Would you feel better?" Usagi asked. <Now where'd that come from?>
"Hai," Chibi-Usa said and headed towards the corner. Usagi missed the
smile on the little girl's face as HER Onee-san left the room.
<Onee-san, you're very much like my Mommy... She always asked me that
question, I wonder why?> Chibi-Usa's smile broadened slightly, "Rini, I
have a big sister!" Chibi-Usa stated with confidence.
******
Ikuko's features were rather grim. "Usagi-chan... Are you sure you want
to handle this?"
Usagi fidgeted before saying, "Mom, you said if I really wanted to take
on being Chibi-Usa's Onee-san, I'd have to be responsible." <Well this
is where our new relationship gets put to the test.>
Ikuko nodded, "Alright Usagi-chan, I'm going to go buy some paint for
that wall. We'll have to wait until the first paint to dry though. I
don't think you should sleep in that room tonight." Ikuko smiled, <Well
what can it hurt?> "I think maybe you could talk your `imouto' into
sharing her bed."
Usagi smiled slightly, "Hai... Ah Mom, are you sure you won't change
your mind?" Usagi tried to plead for leniency for Chibi-Usa one last
time.
"Gomen Usagi, you know what I said and she knows what I said." With that
Ikuko left the house.
Usagi slowly turned and walked up the stairs, <Now I know what the guys
that are going to cut off people's heads feel like before they do it.>
******
Walking into the room Usagi sat down on the bed and said, "Imouto could
you come here please?" Chibi-Usa stepped out of the corner and walked
over to Usagi, head held high. "Imouto, what say we go to the park and
get some ice cream? We have to wait for the paint to dry."
"Really?" Chibi-Usa asked, "I didn't think Ikuko-mama would let us."
"She doesn't know," Usagi admitted, "I was going to ask you before I
caught you in my room." Usagi lowered her eyes a little, "Could... could
I sleep in your bed tonight?"
Chibi-Usa giggled, "That'll be fun... Will you read me a story?"
"If you'll speak to me," Usagi mumbled out.
"Nani?" Chibi-Usa asked, <Why isn't Onee-san looking at me?>
"Imouto... Chibi-Usa-chan... I... I have to..." Usagi trailed off and
got up, <Mom was right. I can't do this.> A little hand caught Usagi's
hand and stopped her from leaving the room. Looking down Usagi peered
into the child's eyes that were completely trusting and Usagi couldn't
believe the words that Chibi-Usa spoke.
"You have to spank me, don't you?" Chibi-Usa asked. Usagi tried to find
a note of hatred but all she found was love. Usagi couldn't talk; she
was having trouble breathing. She felt like she was going to cry again,
so close to the goal and then she fell short. Chibi-Usa placed Rini
carefully on the bed and then reached up with both arms. Usagi bent down
thinking this was a good-bye hug and picked Chibi-Usa up. "Onee-san,"
Chibi-Usa began seriously, "I love Mommy very much, and she spanks me
when I'm bad..." Wrapping her little arms around Usagi's neck Chibi-Usa
said four little words...
"I love you... Onee-san."
The end.
Author(s) Afterwards:
Firstly to Will, a good friend and co-author. He is certainly a
necessary part to my writing. I'm finding that longer works require
someone I can talk and rant to. Will does this while being too humble
for his one good in my opinion. As I said before I am finding that my
longer works require his input even as a co-plotter. I am a taskmaster
sometimes. No sooner had a full week passed then Will and I were hard at
work on our next project.
Thanks should also go to our Beta Readers. In alphabetical order they
are: Allan, Ethan, Greywolf, and Jendra. These people fill a very
necessary role. We get a lot of information from them about the plot and
what works, what doesn't, and what needs improvement.
As thanks to our "Offical" story artist Chibi-Mars and Jacy please come
and visit the site and view thier artwork. Although there's only a few
pictures up there I suspect there will be more.
Lastly but certainly not least, you the reader. You've suffered through
my "restrained" style of writing and seem to be sticking with me...
Especially those people on my distribution list. Those people deserve
some extra kudos; they've stuck with me since "Tales of Younger Jupiter"
and seem to be rather determined to at least see the sequel.
That leads me into my next topic. My next work of fanfiction is the long
awaited, and in some cases demanded, sequel to "Tales of Younger
Jupiter". The sequel's name is "Tales of Younger Venus" and no I will
not give away plots!
Policy on posting this story and to that matter any of my other works:
I have a general policy that turns down any requests to post my works.
This is not because I am a snob but I prefer a sense of control over my
own works. I choose the sites I want my stories to be posted that have a
broad distribution. Through two MLs, my distribution list, a select
number of sites, and when a story is complete RAAC and AFSM newsgroups I
gain both broad distribution and my needed sense of control.
How did this story come about? That is a long and somewhat convoluted
process that I am at a loss to describe. I can't even tell you where
this story idea came from. The only contrived swipe I took was at the NA
version of SM... Well there was one other one, and that was Sir
Flop-alot, that was directed towards the famous knight. There were
others in there, I'm sure of it.
Well enough of me rambling, thanks for reading.
Douglas Helm AKA Candle Light Author
http://log.on.ca/users/helm/anime/index.htm
http://log.on.ca/users/helm/sako/sakohome.htm
Wait a second, Doug, I remember how we came up with the original concept
for C-Ux2. ;) It was a certain picture of two Chibi-Usas mirror images
of each other that someone created that you sent me. I asked you what if
there really were two of them? It was decided that they be nothing like
each other and Usagi be the cause. Somehow a concept emerged, then an
outline, and then a story which I thank all of you for taking your time
to read.
My friend, Doug, is really a great guy to put up with my ramblings and
doing the site administration for my SM Fanfics Archive. He works very
quickly and I am constantly amazed by the excellent quality of the raw
copy that he sends me. It's a wonderful thing to throw ideas back and
forth and then see those ideas materialize on the screen. Thanks Doug
for continuing our collaboration on our next project "Tales of Younger
Venus" and editing/alpha-reading "Adventures of the Chibi-Scouts". The
future continues to look bright...
"Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl
wwolfshohl@logicon.com