Well here's part #11. I apologize for the delay but it couldn't be helped.
Unfortunately #12 won't be released until week after next :(

Enjoy,

Doug
----------------------
Tales of Younger Venus
By Douglas "Candle Light Author" Helm and "Tuxedo" Will Wolfshohl

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

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

This fanfic and over 330 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)


Part XI
Chapter 28 - Hearts and Spirits Part 2

With Kimeko performing the magic show things went a lot more smoothly.
By the end of the evening, everyone was smiling. Mamoru gently got up
and then picked up Chibi-Usa who had started to doze as the magic show
was coming to an end. She mumbled something before sliding back into
sleep. She was still in the bunny costume and she looked especially
kawaii sleeping in it. Usagi with help from Rei stood up cradling Misako
who was sound asleep, the excitement of the show taking its toll as
well. Quietly bidding their good-byes, the small family headed for the
Tsukino home.

Makoto rose, walked over to Kimeko, and smiled. "You're pretty good,
Kimeko-chan." Kimeko blushed and Minako beamed proudly. Makoto turned to
Minako and smiled, "And you... weren't bad either." <But you could have
used more practice though.>

"Arigato, Mako-chan. Gomen, I really didn't mean to slime you," Minako
said, "Are you going to be okay?"

"Yeah," Makoto replied, "It's just my place seems so... empty." She
sighed, then giving her friends a smile said, "Well there's school
tomorrow. I'd better get going home and do my homework. Ja ne!"

"Ja ne!" Minako and Kimeko called.

After packing up the equipment Minako and Kimeko thanked Grandpa Hino
for the use of the shrine. They said their good-byes before heading down
the shrine steps then towards home. They walked in silence for several
seconds before Kimeko remarked, "Minako-chan, I really had fun tonight."

"I'm glad, Kimeko-chan," Minako replied softly, "I had fun too. Misako
sure liked it. Even Chibi-Usa liked it. Although I don't think she liked
having to sit in that bunny outfit all evening." <Poor thing... But it
was so funny!>

"That's because SOME people continued to make cat calls. It did not help
when you asked me to pull a rabbit out of my hat and Misako shouted that
her sister was too big to fit in the hat." Kimeko smiled when Minako
flushed slightly and giggled, "Speaking of hats..." Kimeko said and
started rooting around the box she was carrying, "We forgot it. I'll go
back and get it."

"Do you want me to wait, Kimeko-chan?" Minako asked.

"Please, I'll be right back." With that Kimeko set her box down and
started down the street again before turning the corner and heading back
to the shrine grounds. <I'm really glad Mom did this for me. She's never
shown an interest before... I liked working with her.> That was one of
the great things about being a Sailor Senshi. However, it was also a
drawback. Her position let her work along side her mother. The drawback
was if they had a fight, which was rare but it happened, she had to
endure her mother's annoyance during her hours when she was on-duty and,
in addition, at home when she was off-duty.

                                  ******

<Come on, Kimeko!> Minako thought. She didn't really like standing on
the street this late at night. Not that she couldn't transform if she
had to but it was certainly something to avoid if she could. Kimeko had
only left a minute or so before but the silence of the surrounding area
was making Minako uncomfortable. The lighting in the area was not the
greatest either. With streetlights spread roughly one hundred feet
apart, it made patches of inky blackness that you couldn't see into.
<What's that?!> Minako thought nervously as she heard a noise.

Turning her head, she saw a cloaked figure approaching her. She could
feel her heart start to pound slightly. As the figure drew closer she
could see it was a man with a nice build to him. Some of the worry left
Minako and she smiled at him. As he came along side her he smiled but
continued down the street much to Minako's dismay.

<Kawaii!> she thought, <Come on Kimeko! We can go chase after this guy!>
He was certainly good looking and he had a presence about him that made
Minako's heart race. <Maybe Kimeko will see him...> Minako thought as
she watched him but he continued on up the road rather than turning at
the corner. "I'll give her another ten seconds, then I'm going to go
look for her," Minako said to herself as she suddenly felt a cold chill
run down her back. As she began to count she looked around and noticed
that the caped figure had disappeared. <Now where did he go?> Minako
thought, a vague sense of fear starting to crawl up her spine.

                                  ******

Kimeko sighed as she walked down the steps. Grandpa Hino had insisted on
a couple more tricks to satisfy him and as partial payment for letting
Minako use the shrine grounds. <I bet he wasn't expecting Rei to put him
into a trash can!> Kimeko thought and giggled. <Mom is probably
wondering where I am.> After reaching the bottom step she started to jog
along the sidewalk but soon slowed and stopped. <I feel like I'm being
watched.>

Turning slowly around, she came face to face with a young man. Giving a
yelp of fear, she took a step back. "Pardon me, Miss," he said, his
voice was light and melodic, "I didn't mean to frighten you."

"That's okay," Kimeko answered somewhat relieved, "Can I help you with
something?" She sensed something. She took another step back and tensed
slightly, ready to run. She was glad that both Minako and Rei were in
range to hear her calls for help if need be.

"I just noticed you carrying that top hat. Are you by chance interested
in magic?"

"Hai," Kimeko replied, "You look like you practice magic yourself."

"Hai," he said and smiled, "Were you heading somewhere? We could walk
and talk if you'd like..." His eyes twinkled as he smiled at her.
Kimeko could feel her heart starting to speed up and she graced him with
a smile.

<He sorta looks like Trevor.> "Sure," Kimeko agreed and the pair started
to walk towards where Minako was waiting, "Are you a professional?"

"You might say that," the young man replied, "Is your dream to be a
professional magician some day? Maybe like those American ones that make
lots of money?" He turned his head and looked searchingly at Kimeko. "A
beauty like you would certainly drive the crowds wild."

Kimeko blushed a deep red and said, "Iie, my dream is to feel confident
about the job I do." Kimeko looked into the man's eyes, "Magic just
helps me build that confidence."

"May I show you a trick?" the man asked stepping in front of Kimeko.

"Please!" Kimeko chirped. <Imagine a professional magician showing me a
trick... I can't wait to tell Mom. Maybe I can get some secrets out of
him too!>

His smile changed. Stepping back he was obscured by a cloth with weird
symbols on it before reappearing in a strange outfit. "You should like
this one." Kimeko was about to compliment him on his quick change trick
when TigersEye shouted, "One!" A board appeared behind Kimeko, "Two!"

"Nani?!" Kimeko called as shackles latched onto her and pulled her tight
against the board.

"Three!" TigersEye cried and Kimeko answered with a deafening scream as
her dream mirror emerged from her chest. "Then again, maybe you won't
like this trick," TigersEye mused as he went to look into her mirror.

                                  ******

Minako never gave the scream she heard time to die on the wind before
she had transformed and was running in the direction that it had come
from. As she rounded the corner she came to a complete halt. "IIE!!!"
she cried as she saw Kimeko strapped to the board. "Leave her alone!"
Sailor Venus challenged as she started running towards TigersEye and her
trapped daughter. "I will not allow you to hurt her! In the name of
VENUS, I WILL PUNISH YOU!"

TigersEye turned and glared at the Sailor Senshi that was rapidly
approaching him. "Boris-kun!" TigersEye called. A Lemure from his shadow
appeared. It was a large brown bear wearing a red vest and little cap
riding a red unicycle. Boris growled and peddled towards Sailor Venus
who stopped and considered what she was going to do.

Taking the advantage of the pause to look inside the young girl's dream
mirror, TigersEye remarked, "Interesting... A very beautiful dream but,
alas, HE isn't hiding here." Withdrawing his head TigersEye was about to
say something more when another voice shouted out.

"CRESCENT BEAM SHOWER!" Venus yelled as she aimed her attack at the
advancing Lemure. Her attack lanced out and hit the monster squarely in
the chest. Giving a roar of pain the bear toppled from its unicycle and
tumbled backwards end over end. "Damn!" Venus swore as she saw her main
target looking into Kimeko's mirror. <I don't want to hit Kimeko...> "So
I'll rip him apart with my bare hands!" she snarled and ran towards
TigersEye. She was closing the gap on him when she heard Mars' voice off
to her left up ahead.

"BURNING MANDALA!!!" Whipping his head around TigersEye barely managed
to move out of the way of Mars' attack. The fiery Senshi landed in front
of his victim and said, "You're dealing with something just a little too
hot to handle! In the name of Mars, I'll punish you!"

"BORIS-KUN, kill these bothersome pests and the girl too!" TigersEye
growled before vanishing away from the battle scene.

"IIE!!!" Venus yelled, "Come back here, you coward!!!" She shook her
fist at where TigersEye had been, "You better never let me catch you!"
Venus yelled. That's when she heard a fierce growl behind her. Mars'
warning was too late and she was flung aside by the impact of a large
paw. It slammed into her side and picked her up off the ground. Venus
grunted in pain when the blow came and was struggling for breath when
she landed hard on the ground.

Rolling to her side to avoid the claw that had come speeding down at
her, Sailor Venus was about to begin her attack anew when the Lemure let
loose with a piercingly loud roar. She gasped and covered her ears in
pain. The sound felt almost like a drill boring through her skull. It
was so intense that she started to collapse to her knees. That's when
she heard Mars use her attack again and suddenly the sound stopped. The
pain subsided to a dull throb in her head. Struggling to get to her feet
Venus tried to concentrate to attack but her head throbbed too much to
allow it. <Hang on Mars...> Venus thought hazily as she saw Mars
defending her daughter.

Sailor Mars was having her own problems as she tried to keep the Lemure
away from Kimeko. She had only managed to hit the thing from the rear.
For a Lemure of its size, it was fairly fast and dodged or batted away
the flaming ring of her attack. "Venus! Call the others!" Mars commanded
before she was enfolded in the bear's furry arms. She began to feel the
breath being squeezed out of her.

Sailors Jupiter and Mercury arrived at roughly the same time. Jupiter
frowned as she surveyed the situation. She saw Mars being slowly
squeezed to death and... "KIMEKO!!!" Jupiter called out with some
surprise. Running forward Jupiter yelled, "Hey you!" The Lemure turned
to face the oncoming Sailor Senshi. Giving a grunt of delight, Boris
heaved the unconscious Senshi toward Jupiter. She dove to tackle Boris
just as it released Mars. "Gotcha!" Jupiter cried jubilantly as her arms
came into contact with the Lemure and forced it off of its unicycle once
again. "Let's see if you can handle a BEAR hug."

Mercury hurried to try and catch Mars but she wound up acting like a
crash mat. As Mars impacted her, both Senshi went skidding along the
ground and into a nearby wall. Mars, still unconscious, lay in a heap
pinning a dazed Mercury to the ground.

"TEDDY BEAR!!!" came Misako's voice, "Kawaii!!!" She was being carried
by Tuxedo Kamen. "What Kim'ko doing, 'Amo-chan?" she asked. She had been
surprised when she had awaken to find someone other than her father.
<Daddy look kawaii!>

"She's resting, Honey," Tuxedo Kamen told his daughter making sure he
kept a firm grip on his younger daughter.

"I want teddy bear!" Misako shouted and then turning to her father said,
"'Amo-chan, where S'nshi fuku? I want to play with teddy bear!" <He look
so soft!> She could just picture herself being hugged by him.

"Baka!" Chibi-Moon muttered. She wasn't happy that she had been woken
up.

"Your fuku's at home," Tuxedo Kamen answered. <And I'm glad!>

Venus could feel something building inside her; it was hot and fiery.
As she looked on at the battle scene playing itself out in front of her,
it welled up and explosively burst out. <I'll get you!> she thought, her
face twisting into a snarl, <I'll get you and hurt you... No one does
this to my family!> "You're going to pay for that!" Venus snarled, "You
hurt my daughter and my friends!!!" She went stalking towards the bear
with a maternal hatred burning in her eyes, "Jupiter get out of the
way!" Venus ordered with a continued snarl, "This brute is MINE!"

"Right!" Jupiter called. She was quickly discovering that her adversary
was fairly strong. She was finding it increasing difficult to gain any
advantage hand to "paw". Taking a step back, she began a leap backwards
when Boris reached up and snagged her ankle, "Nani?!?" Jupiter
questioned as she was jerked to a sudden halt. Boris reached up and
grabbed her other ankle. It started swinging her over its head. Jupiter
thought it might toss her as it did Mars but, to her surprise, it
instead started to use her as a backbrush. This just caused Jupiter to
curse loudly while trying to grip some of its fur to make it let go.

"That look fun!" Misako declared and started to wriggle, "'Amo-chan,
please let me down so I can play too!"

"Iie, Miko-chan, you stay with me."

"But I wanna play with teddy bear..." Misako protested, "I be good
PROMISE!" She looked pleading towards her father and increased her
efforts to get free.

"Miko-chan, you have to stay with me," Tuxedo Kamen stated again and put
both arms around his daughter. "I know you've been good but you can't go
out and play with the... `teddy bear'."

Venus in her anger wasn't even aware of Sailor Moon's arrival. She was
continuing to slowly stalk towards the Lemure that seemed to be one of
the more intelligent ones. She could hear someone yelling but the voice
took on Kimeko's tone asking for her help. <I'm coming!> Venus thought.

"Venus, get Jupiter out of there!" Sailor Moon called. She looked on
worriedly as Venus seemed not to hear her. "VENUS!" she shouted again
running towards the Sailor of Love as she kept stalking towards the
Lemure with hate in her eyes. "SAILOR VENUS, GET JUPITER OUT OF THERE
NOW!" Sailor Moon yelled as loud as she could.

Somehow Sailor Moon's words broke through the hatred that was
controlling Venus letting some of her common sense take over. Raising
her hand she attacked! "VENUS LOVE-ME CHAIN!" Venus shouted. Her chain
wrapped itself around Jupiter and she yanked it. Jupiter flew out of the
Lemure's grasp and towards Venus who managed to catch her. At this point
Mercury managed to get Mars off of her and was trying to revive her
friend.

"Chibi-Moon, hurry before it does something!" Tuxedo Kamen shouted. <Or
worse before Misako gets away and wants to hug that thing!> That's when
he felt Misako start to kick. She managed to land a relatively well
placed kick and with a grunt of pain, he let Misako go.

"Teddy!!!" she giggled happily as she darted forward. "MY turn!!!" she
called again. Suddenly, she was jerked to a stop and was lifted into the
air. "Nani?" she asked as she felt herself being pulled backwards.

"Miko-chan," Tuxedo Kamen stated warningly, "You're staying with me!"
With that he folded both arms around her and made sure she couldn't kick
him again.

"But I wanna play too...." Misako said while pouting.

<Baka little kid!> Chibi-Moon thought. "Hang on to her!" she called to
her father before kneeling and clasping her hands. Chibi-Moon prayed to
the Pegasus, "Please Pegasus... protect everyone's dreams!" Getting up,
she started to ring the Charion Bell while yelling out, "Twinkle yell!"

After the Pegasus came forth, much to the delight of Misako, Super
Sailor Moon used her "Moon Gorgeous Meditation" attack and blasted the
Lemure back into its shadowy realm.

Boris gave one final roar, that made Misako hide her face in Tuxedo
Kamen's shoulder, before it growled out, "Stage out!" and vanished.

"You killed teddy bear!" Misako whined with some disbelief,
disappointment showing in her eyes.

"Kimeko!" Venus called running towards where her daughter had fallen to
the ground. "Please be all right," Venus cried softly as she gently
cradled her daughter's unconscious head. <I wasn't fast enough. I should
have stopped it from hurting you.> She could feel the tears starting to
cloud her eyes. "Kimeko-chan, come on, wake up," Venus said again.

"Kimeko should come around in a minute or so if the other victims were
any indication," Mercury stated. She ran a quick scan with her palm-top
before saying with detached objectiveness, "She didn't suffer any
injuries except those that are common with these attacks."

"Shut up!" Venus snapped. Mercury winced. This just wasn't some victim.
It was HER daughter. Someone she really cared about. <Why do you always
say these things, Mercury? Can't you see that just isn't a stranger?>
She felt something stirring and looking down she noticed that Kimeko's
eyes had started to flutter open. "Oh Kimeko-chan..." Venus cried with
some relief, "It'll be okay, Kimeko-chan. I'm right here." <Poor thing.
Why couldn't I protect you?>

"Mom?" Kimeko asked shakily, <What happened? I feel really weird.> She
then noticed the other Senshi looking at her with expressions of worry
on their faces, "What's going on?" All the Senshi detransformed.

"Come on, we got to get out of here before the cops show up," Minako
said trying to lift her daughter, "Why didn't Yuuichiro come down here?"
she asked turning to Rei.

"I told him to make sure Grandpa stayed away. That will keep him busy."

"Come on, I'll help you get her home," Makoto offered. She bent down and
took one of Kimeko's arms and helped Minako lift her daughter into a
standing position. Kimeko was still quite weak.

"Minako-chan," Ami said softly, "Kimeko will be all right."

"I know she will," Minako agreed and with that started to lead her
daughter down the street, "Someone pick up those boxes we left, please."

"Ami-chan," Usagi said walking over to the demure girl, "I don't think
Minako meant to snap at you." Ami gave Usagi a small smile, "You wanted
to reassure Minako that's all. When Minako is satisfied that Kimeko is
okay then I think she'll apologize." <Wow! I've never seen Minako like
this before.>

"Onee-san, I don't want to sound rude," Chibi-Usa said, "But could we go
home?" The others turned and noticed that she was still wearing the
rabbit costume.

"Chibi-Usa-chan, why don't you walk with Misako for awhile? That way we
can carry Minako's stuff," Usagi suggested. Chibi-Usa didn't hesitate
and nodded her agreement. As she took her little sister's hand, Mamoru
and Usagi went to retrieve the items that Minako had left behind.

Rei sighed before turning to Ami and saying, "Come on, Ami, let's go get
some tea." Ami nodded and the pair headed back up the shrine steps.
Once again the street fell silent except for the closing sound of
sirens.

                                  ******

As Chibi-Usa still clad in her bunny costume walked hand in hand with
Misako, Mamoru and Usagi trailed slightly behind them. Usagi glanced
over to Mamoru and smiled. She could see herself in the future taking
walks with her children and her husband. She was about to say something
to Mamoru when her attention was drawn to a dispute that Chibi-Usa and
Misako seemed to be having.

"Baka Onee-chan, I wanted to play with teddy bear," Misako remarked
hotly. <Everyone got to play but me!>

"But it was dangerous..." Chibi-Usa sighed, "Only real Senshi could play
with it. It would have hurt you." She saw the gleam of defiance in her
sister's eyes.

"But I S'NSHI!!!" Misako yelled, "You not let me play but I know I
could."

"Girls..." Usagi chided quietly. Both girls stopped to look at their
mother, "Your onee-chan's right, Misako. It WAS dangerous." <Uh oh!>
Usagi thought as she saw her youngest daughter cross her arms and start
to pout. "It wasn't a teddy bear," Usagi tried to explain.

"Was so teddy bear," Misako huffed out, "Mommy just not want me to have
fun!" With that she turned and started stomping off down the sidewalk.
Chibi-Usa and Mamoru watched with some disbelief but Usagi just giggled
and hurried to catch up to her daughter.

"She's insane..." Chibi-Usa muttered out. <I was never like that when I
was a kid!> Mamoru was about to demand which "she" Chibi-Usa was
referring about when she finished her thought, "Misako's flipped."

                                  ******

Getting Kimeko home and into bed wasn't a major problem especially with
Makoto helping Minako. The primary obstacle had been Minako's parents.
It didn't help that Minako was so preoccupied that she at first didn't
know what to say when her parents asked her what had happened to the
girl. Fortunately, Makoto had thought of something and after giving
Minako's parents a suitable explanation headed for home.

Kimeko soon was fast asleep after being put to bed. Minako settled
herself for the night to watch Kimeko but soon was asleep herself. The
next day at school was hell for Minako. Kimeko had remained asleep. Mrs.
Aino decided that Kimeko should stay home. Minako, on the other hand,
had been forced to go to school. On several occasions, she thought of
sneaking out to check on her daughter but reminded herself that she
couldn't do anything.

Finally, when she was released from school, Minako raced home and found
that Kimeko was sitting up in bed. Minako let out a small sigh of relief
as she came over to sit on the edge of the bed.

"How are you feeling?" Minako asked while giving Kimeko a hug.

"Better," Kimeko replied, "I woke up a little while ago, Minako-chan."
She looked at Minako and asked, "How are you?"

"Gomen, Kimeko-chan," Minako said guilt apparent, "I wish I could have
done something sooner. But I wasn't sure what to do." She lowered her
head and stared at the bed, "I kept thinking about you all day. I was
going to watch you sleep but I fell asleep." <Some Mom I am...>

"Minako-chan... Mom, you're the greatest," Kimeko reassured her, "It's
the thought that counts. At least that's what you always tell me." She
reached out and hugged her mother, "I'll be okay."

"Are you sure?" Minako asked looking at her daughter.

"Hai," Kimeko said smiling, "I have you looking after me, don't I?"

"That might not be the best thing in the world," Minako mumbled out,
"From what I hear, they've banned me from treating the ill." Her eyes
opened slightly as she heard Kimeko giggle. "Nani?"

"Well that's true, but you always seem to make me feel better," Kimeko
smiled, "You're my mom... I think mom's can look after their own."
<Although Dad does all the cooking.>

"Great!" Minako chirped brightly, "Now the first order of business is to
make you comfortable!" She giggled as Kimeko groaned slightly, <I wonder
if Sakuya told her about what I did.> As she fluffed Kimeko's pillow her
curiosity grew and finally she asked, "Did Sakuya every tell you about
the time that she got sick with the flu when she was in the past?"

"Iie... She was vague about certain parts. Mainly it was what Tokyo
looked like and some of the battles against the Droids. But nothing
specific." <She did say that she understood about the decree... I better
not mention that.>

"Well... I'll get us a snack and then me and you are going to have a
little chat. This should definitely cheer you up," Minako said happily
and before Kimeko could so much as answer, she bounded out of the room.

"Kami-sama, what did I get myself into?" Kimeko asked the empty room as
she heard a crash from downstairs.

                                  ******

Minako slowly opened her eyes; the room was quiet. She could hear
Artemis' steady breathing beside her and the ticking of her alarm clock.
Blinking some of the sleep out of her eyes, Minako turned her head
slightly so she could see the time. It was well past two in the morning.
<Why'd I wake up?> Minako thought sleepily. Then she noticed that
something was out of place in her room. Blinking again she saw Kimeko
sitting by the window staring out into the night, her face framed by
dancing moonlight. There must have been a gentle breeze blowing because
the leaves on the tree outside were causing a swirling effect, making
the Moonlight appear to dance.

Gently sliding out of bed Minako softly walked over to Kimeko and asked,
"Kimeko-chan? Is everything okay?"

"I keep seeing his face," Kimeko whispered back after a short pause, "I
close my eyes and I can feel those straps wrap around me." She shivered
and cradled her knees to her chest. <What if that had been you?> she
thought gazing at Minako, <I don't know what I would do.> She felt
Minako hug her to try and reassure her.

"It's okay, Kimeko-chan," Minako said softly, "You're going to be fine."
Sitting down beside her daughter Minako continued, "It was scary, ne?"
Kimeko nodded, "I was scared about you." Minako offered softly, "I was
afraid that I would lose you." <I was more frightened than when we
fought Beryl or Wiseman.>

A long silence grew between them. Minako looked at Kimeko who looked
back. They sat like that for several seconds before Minako finally
sighed.  "Do we talk, Kimeko-chan?" Minako asked.

"Of course, we do, Minako-chan," Kimeko replied shock showing through in
her voice, "I think we get along great." She looked at Minako now
slightly worried as she asked, "Why?"

"Well..." Minako trailed off and fidgeted for a moment before saying,
"My mind tells me I should know you but I don't." She looked at Kimeko
before continuing, "We talk and I've had a lot of fun over the past
couple of weeks but I feel like we're strangers. Just making idle talk
to pass the time without saying anything really."

"Mom," Kimeko said, "We talk all the time. You know I can't tell you
about the future and telling you things about me is the future." She
smiled, "I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise for you."

"Nani?" Minako asked surprised.

"Well, if I tell you everything I do, then what's the fun in doing it?"
Minako wrinkled her brow, "I have stories that I could tell you but then
those stories might be gone." Kimeko explained, "I just don't want to
take away from you those special moments that you can be proud of me."
<Like when I became Misako's guardian.> The thought of the little girl
brought another thought to Kimeko's mind, <Maybe we should head back.
That guy took me by surprise. What if this had happened to Misako? I
wouldn't be able to stop it. She could be in danger.> Kimeko let a small
sigh escape and lowered her head to rub the bridge of her nose.

"I know that look," Minako said softly, "Misako will be fine. I think
Sakuya would agree with me. You're being overly protective." Kimeko
lifted her head and smiled at her mother. "See I'm learning to read your
expressions, Daughter." She gave her daughter's arm a squeeze, "Now come
on, we need to get our rest."

Kimeko smiled, "Arigato..." <I wonder how Sakuya's doing?>



Chapter 29 - A shattered heart

Ikuko and Kenji were sitting on the couch in the living room enjoying
the silence. "Chibi-Usa looked kawaii in that costume," Ikuko mused, "It
reminds me of that play Usagi was in when she was little."

"Hai, maybe we should show the girls some of those pictures of Usagi
when she was little. They'd probably like that." Kenji observed, "Misako
was certainly excited about something." Kenji then scowled slightly,
"She kept mumbling something about them killing a teddy bear..."

Ikuko smiled, "I'm not sure... I will say one thing, Kenji. Usagi has
certainly improved over the last couple of weeks. And then this morning
when Shingo was actually civil..." Kenji chuckled as he hugged her,
"Scary thought, ne?" <Something's going on with him.>

"Make's me feel old." He sighed slightly, "Just think, soon Usagi will
be married and we'll likely be grandparents." <I wonder what her
children will be like?> He grunted slightly as Ikuko elbowed him, "What
did I say?"

"I have no intention of growing old," Ikuko stated. <Bad enough when
Misako kept calling me `Obaa-san'.> Turning her head to smile at Kenji,
she added wistfully, "I plan on staying young!"

"And what's the fun in that, Ikuko?" Kenji said and smiled at Ikuko's
frown, "I mean, as you get older your beauty grows stronger."

"Okay, what do you want?" Ikuko questioned looking at Kenji sharply.

"Can't a husband compliment his wife without wanting something?" he
asked innocently.

"Iie, now spit it out."

"How terribly modern you are," Kenji griped and crossed his arms.
Ikuko's only response was to giggle before reaching up and kissing him.
<Misako's affecting more than one girl in this house,> Kenji thought,
<I'll have to write her mother a nice thank you note.>

                                  ******

The next morning Kimeko and Minako were eating breakfast when they heard
a knock at the door. Getting up, Minako crossed the room and opened the
door. Standing there was Usagi along with Misako and Chibi-Usa, all
dressed for school.

"Good morning, minna," Minako greeted, "What's up?'

"How Kim'ko-chan?" Misako demanded.

"Miko-chan... be polite," Usagi chided softly before smiling, "Hello
Minako-chan. We wanted to know how Kimeko was feeling."

"Good morning Usagi-chan, Chibi-Usa-chan, Miko-chan," Kimeko said coming
over to the door. Misako darted forward and wrapped her arms around one
of Kimeko's legs, "I'm glad to see you too," Kimeko said bending down to
give Misako a hug.

"You okay, Kim'ko-chan?" Misako squeaked out.

"Hai," Kimeko reassured the young girl. "I see you got rid of that bunny
costume, Chibi-Usa-chan." She smiled as Chibi-Usa frowned and muttered
something acidic under her breath.

"Now, Chibi-Usa-chan, be polite," Usagi chided, "Besides everybody
agreed that you looked kawaii. I'm quite sure Michael would agree."

Chibi-Usa turned her head, eyes wide, "Nani?" Chibi-Usa chirped, "You
aren't getting me back into that suit again!" <Michael WOULD think I was
a baby.>

"But, Chibi-Usa-chan, you did look very kawaii and when you're going
after a boy that is one of the most important things," Minako mused,
"Besides being yourself, of course." She hurriedly added the latter
after receiving glares from Usagi and Kimeko. "Well come in so we can
finish breakfast. We can walk to school for a little bit before having
to split up." She stepped out of the doorway and let Usagi and Chibi-Usa
enter the room.

After a moment or two, they were settled around the kitchen table
chatting while Kimeko and Minako finished breakfast. Chibi-Usa was glad
that they seemed to have left the topic of her and Michael alone. <He
never came to school yesterday.> She found this somewhat troubling,
<Maybe he's embarrassed about me.> Her train of thought was interrupted
by Kimeko asking a question.

"Usagi-chan, what did you mean when you said that Michael would think
that Chibi-Usa was kawaii in the bunny costume?" Chibi-Usa turned to
look at her mother and she gulped when a crafty smile spread across
Usagi's face.

"Oh just this..." Usagi responded. Reaching into her school bag, she
drew out what looked like a small piece of paper and handed it to
Kimeko.

"YOU GOT A PICTURE!!!" Kimeko crowed, "Oh he's going to love this!"

"Nani?!?" Chibi-Usa croaked out, "Let me see it!" She lunged across the
table but Kimeko was faster and moved it out of the way.

"Kawaii!" Kimeko said looking at the picture.

"Kimeko-chan!" Chibi-Usa whined as she was hauled back to her side of
the table by Usagi. "I... Michael can't see that!" <I'd be so
embarrassed! And what if Momo saw it too?> After being set back in her
seat, she crossed her arms and stuck out her lower lip in a pout. "It
isn't nice to tease," she huffed out.

"I'm not teasing, Small Lady," Kimeko replied. "I thought you didn't
have a camera, Usagi-chan." She sent Usagi a questioning look and then
handed the picture to Minako who giggled. This just seemed to infuriate
Chibi-Usa. "I promise I won't give Michael the picture." This seemed to
mollify the little girl somewhat.

"Dad took the picture with the instant camera he has," Usagi explained.

"But how?!? I don't remember any camera!" Chibi-Usa protested and was
about to make a swipe for the picture when it was handed back to Usagi,
Misako not wanting to be left out moved around to take a look herself.

Usagi smiled and said, "Well my dad's pretty sneaky about taking
pictures. He probably took it when Misako was just being taken upstairs
to bed." Usagi saw that she might have carried it a little too far.
"Gomen, Chibi-Usa-chan," she apologized and handed the picture to
Chibi-Usa, "I wasn't going to show Michael. I was going to give it to
you before you went into school."

"Speaking of school," Minako interrupted, "If we don't want to be late,
we should leave now." The other girls nodded and after a few moments
they were on their way to school.

                                  ******

During the lunch hour that day, Chibi-Usa found herself debating whether
or not to show Michael the picture. He was sitting at her table but he
had remained quiet most of the time. <Doesn't he like me?> Chibi-Usa
thought as she sat there. <I can't ask him with all these people
around.> She was also worrying about where Momo had gone to. Finally she
worked up enough courage to show Michael the picture. Moving over to sit
beside him she was about to hand him the picture when Momo's voice asked
for quiet.

The lunchroom fell silent as the "Queen of Gossip" stood to address her
loyal subjects. Michael blinked and turned to look over his shoulder at
Chibi-Usa who was growling, teeth clenched, eyes sparking with anger.
"Ladies and Gentlemen!" Momo started out grandly, "I have the great
pleasure of reading THIS story to you." She held up a very familiar
looking folder.

<Oh no, you don't!> Chibi-Usa thought angrily. Springing up from her
seat, she went charging after Momo who had somehow gotten the story that
Michael had written. <You're going to pay! I promise you that!>

Now Momo was a sensible girl. She recognized when to make a stand and
when to flee. This was most definitely a time to flee. Hopping off her
chair, Momo raced out of the lunch room with Chibi-Usa in hot pursuit
yelling at the top of her lungs to stop and take her medicine! Momo,
giggling, might have gotten away except for one unforeseen obstacle. The
Vice Principal of the school happened to be standing around the corner
that Momo took at high speed. The resulting crash knocked both parties
involved to the ground. The Vice Principal landed heavily on the ground;
Momo got off slightly easier as she crushed the woman's lunch.

Chibi-Usa raced around the corner and came to a screeching halt. Before
she could stop herself, she giggled; it was a funny sight to behold.
Taking that opportunity she darted forward and gathered up her prized
possession. While checking it over she didn't notice the hand reaching
for her. As it landed on her shoulder she gave a yelp of surprise,
whirling around she came face to face with the Principal.

"Young ladies, why don't we go have a talk?" It wasn't really a question
but more of an order. Looking sheepishly at the ground, Momo scrambled
up to her feet and followed Chibi-Usa who had been alleviated of her
book.

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. Chibi-Usa spent the better part
of the afternoon worrying about what Michael had thought of the entire
affair or glaring at Momo. <Thanks a lot, Momo! I got detention because
of you!> It was infuriating to Chibi-Usa who thought that she should not
have been punished for something that Momo had done. Her only
consolation was that Momo had been sentenced to a week's worth of
detention.

It was, therefore, a surprise to see Michael waiting for Chibi-Usa when
she got out of detention. Chibi-Usa immediately blushed and lowered her
head as she walked out of the door. She halted and when she looked up,
she was standing with her nose almost touching Michael's. Giving a
nervous giggle, she took a step back. "Hi Michael-kun, I'm really
embarrassed by what happened at lunch today."

"That's okay, Chibi-Usa-chan," Michael said, "Can I talk to you?"

"Hai," Chibi-Usa chirped and they started to walk down the hall of the
school. They both walked in silence until they were outside the school
building. "Michael-kun..." Chibi-Usa started tentatively, "Is everything
okay?" She could see that Michael had a lot on his mind.

"Chibi-Usa-chan, I don't know how to say this... I really like you
but..."

"BUT?" Chibi-Usa asked. She could feel her blood pounding through her
ears. <Oh no! He doesn't like me anymore! That Momo...>

Michael sighed taking on a sad smile, "I really wish I didn't have to
say this but we're leaving."

Chibi-Usa blinked, "Leaving? But I'll see you Monday, ne?"

"Iie, my parents have got a new posting in Japan until we're ready to
start traveling again. They think that Juuban is too dangerous a place
to raise my otouto. They're concerned about my safety, too."

She felt like she was falling, "You're leaving Tokyo?!" Chibi-Usa asked
hoarsely as she felt a lump forming in her throat. <I won't cry!> she
thought and bit her bottom lip to stop it from trembling.

"Hai, I'm really glad I met you," Michael continued, "I really enjoyed
the beach and I think you're very kawaii... I just hope you're not mad
at me."

Chibi-Usa shook her head not trusting her voice to hold steady. She
wanted desperately to give him something so he would remember her.
Reaching around, she came to the pocket where the picture was hidden.
Pulling it out, she looked at it and tentatively held it out to her
departing friend.

Michael reached out and took the picture. Glancing at it, he slowly
began to smile. "Kawaii!" He looked up from the picture and added,
"Chibi-Usa-chan, the costume fits your name." He started to hand the
photo back but Chibi-Usa stopped him. "You're giving it to me?" Michael
asked. Once again, Chibi-Usa only nodded not trusting her voice; she was
also now slightly blushing. "Arigato, I'll always treasure it."

A silence stretched between them until Michael broke it by saying,
"Gomen, I should go. We're leaving tomorrow. Ja ne, Chibi-Usa-chan."
<I wish I could stay. You're a really special friend...>

"Sayonora," Chibi-Usa croaked out. She watched as Michael bowed, walked
out of the school grounds, and down the sidewalk. <Michael...> The name
ran through her mind. <Why are you leaving?> Chibi-Usa thought. She
could feel an ache take form but she couldn't explain it. Chibi-Usa
stood there, the wind blowing her strawberry blonde hair, her feelings
unclear. The only thing that Chibi-Usa knew for certain was that he had
to go and she didn't want him to. <I got mad at Momo because of him... I
fought with Usagi so I could be with him.> She didn't feel the tear roll
down her face. It soon was joined by another.

"Imouto?" Usagi's voice ask softly, concern tingeing her tone. Chibi-Usa
didn't answer. Giving a heaving sob, she wiped her eyes before running
over and hugging Usagi. "Imouto, what's the matter?" Chibi-Usa just hid
her face against Usagi and started to cry in earnest. Usagi lifted
Chibi-Usa into a hug and started to head for home.

"H-He's going a-away," Chibi-Usa finally sniffled out. A confused
expression passed over Usagi's face, "M-Michael-kun's going away."
Chibi-Usa hugged Usagi. "He said his parents thought that Juuban
District wasn't safe."

"And how does this make you feel, Imouto?" Usagi asked returning
Chibi-Usa's hug. <I think you feel terrible but I want you to tell me.>

"I don't know, Mommy," Chibi-Usa confessed after a bit. She sniffled and
looked up to see the concerned expression on Usagi's face.

"You're sad that he's going away?" Usagi asked looking at Chibi-Usa.
<You really ARE my daughter. So much like me...>

"Hai, but... I'm already missing him." She couldn't quite define it, "I
really liked him. I was so embarrassed when Momo was telling the school
but he..." Chibi-Usa trailed off and sniffled again, "He was really
great."

"Gomen," Usagi said softly. Chibi-Usa blinked and looked at Usagi with a
slight frown, "I shouldn't have teased you. I was so happy that you had
found someone that you really seemed to... care about." She looked at
her daughter questioning, "You weren't expecting this, ne?"

"Hai," Chibi-Usa agreed. <I do care about him. I was worried that he was
hurt because of that Lemure.> "You're really smart, Onee-san," Chibi-Usa
said trying to smile, "I mean you know how I feel and I don't have to
try and explain it."

Usagi said, "That's because I went through the same thing with Mamoru."
<Baka Usagi!> she thought as she saw Chibi-Usa's face droop,
"Chibi-Usa-chan, I'm not blaming you... You didn't have anything to do
with it." Her daughter gave her a small smile, "Feel better?"

"I'd feel better if we could get some ice cream, Onee-san," Chibi-Usa
remarked. She wiped away a few tears from her puffy red eyes but she did
finally manage a smile.

Lowering her daughter to the ground, Usagi took Chibi-Usa's hand and
said, "Well I won't tell if you don't tell." She giggled as Chibi-Usa
grinned and hugged Usagi. <Well that's the first part. Poor thing... I'm
sure there will be more.>

As they started to walk Chibi-Usa felt the reassuring grip of Usagi's
hand and wondered about another person that also reassured her.
<Sakuya...>



Chapter 30 - Peer Pressure

Neo-Queen Serenity and King Endymion were sitting silently in a private
conference room along with all of the Elder Senshi. There were soft
conversations going on as the Elder Senshi discussed the crisis at hand.
Serenity felt Endymion give her hand a gentle squeeze. Glancing over,
she met and held his gaze for several seconds. He understood what
pressure Serenity would be under in the coming days. She looked over and
saw that Makoto was talking to Minako in hushed tones that were very
intense. Glancing once more around the room just to see that everyone
was there she prepared to speak.

"I have reached a decision," Serenity said, her voice wavered slightly.
The room immediately became quiet as all looked to their Queen. Taking a
breath, she started again, "I can not interfere in this trial." She
gazed around the room and noted that Haruka, in particular, was looking
rather pleased with that information, "I, as a matter of duty and honor,
can not stop due process, no matter what the circumstances are that
surround the case." She saw that Minako was scowling and added, "We are
not under martial law, nor in a state of war. I must abide by our laws."
<Gomen nasai, Sako-chan.> She sank back slightly. She hated feeling
helpless but she could do nothing.

"Elder Venus, as Senshi Commander, we wish you to be the presiding
judge," Endymion decreed. This wasn't unusual in these types of
proceedings rare though they may be.

"Yeah right!" Haruka snorted, "She won't be able to try this case
impartially." <She'll probably just let her go on some technicality...>

Minako turned and stared incredulously at Haruka. She opened her mouth
to say something but the only thing to come out was a squeaking sound;
she was just too astonished. Endymion put his hand on Serenity's arm,
his wife had started to rise. After she had taken her seat, he said,
"Elder Uranus, as you know, the law decrees that three Elder Senshi sit
as judges. We feel that Elder Venus will be able to be objective." He
looked questioning at Minako.

"Hai, Your Majesty, I will be objective." She then sent a glare at
Haruka, "Who will be the other two?"

"Elder Mercury and Elder Mars," Serenity replied, "We feel that they are
the best qualified to serve as the associate judges." Ami and Rei looked
up and nodded. Serenity looked around the room, "Who among you will
prosecute?"

"I will, Your Majesty," Haruka quickly answered with some jubilation.
She was going to enjoy prosecuting this case. "I will also say now for
the record that the State will be seeking the Death Penalty on all
charges."

The only sound in the room was the arm of the chair being crushed under
Makoto's grip. The silence continued for a long time until Minako spoke,
"Very well, Elder Uranus, that is the maximum penalty for the
indictments brought against Younger Jupiter."

"Who among you will defend?" Serenity asked.

"I will." Every pair of eyes in the room swung to the back where a lone
figure stood. "I will defend Sakuya," Hotaru stated softly, "That way it
will be fair." Makoto smiled evilly at the shocked expression that went
across Haruka's face.

"Very well, Elder Saturn, if Younger Jupiter accepts you as her
counsel," Minako stated.

"We will leave the matter in your hands then," King Endymion said.
Reaching for his wife's hand and after nodding to them, the Royal Couple
swept out of the room.

                                  ******

Makoto stalked through the corridors of the Crystal Palace, nostrils
flaring, green eyes sparking with anger. She was barely perceptive of
the people that went scurrying out of her way. <Haruka, why are you
enjoying this?> Makoto thought bitterly, <I know you do prosecution work
but... why enjoy it?>. Makoto felt her blood pressure start to rise as
she thought back to the very recent "exchange" of words with Haruka as
they were leaving the conference room. <I never thought I'd see the day
that you'd do something like this!> Makoto thought while shaking her
head.

                                  ******

Sakuya looked around her cell. Most people believed that a jail cell in
Crystal Tokyo conferred some comforts that other cells in other places
didn't. This would be a false assumption. Although the walls were made
of a tough crystalline substance, there were still bars and magical bars
at that. Not that Sakuya would have stood much of a chance getting
through them. She had to surrender her transformation pen before being
confined. Sakuya's cell was just large enough to hold a bed, a chair,
and a privy. There was also a small fold-down plank that could act as a
table or writing surface.

Sakuya's concentration was drawn to the small hallway that ran past her
sparse cell. Turning her head, she listened. Immediately, her spirits
brightened when she heard Makoto's voice. However, as her grandmother
came into view, she saw that Makoto was looking very serious.

"I know, I know," Sakuya said moving over to stand against the far wall.
She heard the key turn and the door open. She then heard the door close
with a resounding clash as it locked once again. Turning around, she
looked at Makoto who just stared at her. Sakuya moved over to sit on the
bed. Makoto took the chair, sitting heavily as if a great weight was on
her shoulders. "Obaa-san?" Sakuya asked gently.

"Th-They..." Makoto started but trailed off, she sniffled. She sat fists
clenched for a few seconds before saying hoarsely, "They want to execute
you."

"I always knew that it might come to that," Sakuya confessed after a
long pause. Makoto looked at her with a mixture of shock and anger.
"Don't worry. I'm not going down without a fight, Obaa-san," Sakuya
reassured her grandmother, "I'm just saying that I knew what I was
getting into when I did what I did."

"And what did you do, Rakurai-san?" came a new small voice.

Sakuya turned her head, eyes widening. "Tomoe-san?!?" Sakuya said in
surprise. She rose and stared at the woman for several seconds, "I
thought you were in the Philippines." She looked questioningly at the
woman that was Sailor Saturn.

"I was but Her Majesty called a meeting of all the Elders... so I came,"
Hotaru answered and smiled slightly, "She wouldn't give me any details
but asked me to come immediately. I can see why she didn't tell me even
over secure channels. This would certainly cause a scandal."

Sakuya blushed, "So who's prosecuting?"

"Haruka," Makoto growled out. <That bitch!>

"And I will be defending you, if you'll accept me," Hotaru said.

"Hai, I most certainly will accept you, Hotaru-san." <She's the best I
could ever hope for... But why would she do this?>

Allowing a small smile to play across her face, Hotaru ventured, "This
will certainly be an interesting fight."

"I'll say," both Jupiters agreed.

"So where do we begin?" Sakuya asked.

"First off, Sakuya-san, I want to sit down to chat. Secondly, WHAT THE
HELL DID YOU DO?!?" Hotaru blinked as Sakuya giggled. <Not good... Not
good at all!>

End of Part #11

Doug

"I write in broad tapestries, interweaving characters lives leaving
 the little details to the reader unless the detials are important."
	- Anne McCafrey

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