This will likely the most graphic part of the fanfic... except for Usagi's
vengence. After talking with my Co-Plotter we downed the rating a little to
just an "R" instead of "R+"

Tissues might be required.

Doug
---------
                               Mama's Hand
                                    By
                               Douglas Helm

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


AUTHOR'S WARNING!!!

This piece of fanfiction contains disturbing images and deals with
material that IS inappropriate for younger readers. Please respect the
rating that I've given it.

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.


Part III - A Painful Past

She screamed. It echoed through the room, reverberating and bouncing
back. Her body arced to try and get away from the pain but it was too
intense, too close. Suddenly the pain became dull, throbbing but not as
intense. She bit back the bile that rose in her throat. She could smell
the charring skin, hear the sizzling, the skin was literally cooking.
The acrid odor hung in the air and filled her nostrils with its
sickening odor.

Weakly, she tried to move her hands but they were securely bound. Her
shoulder ached, all of her weight was placed upon them as she hung
suspended from two poles and a crossbar. There was no relief and as her
head was lifted up she had to fight down the nausea.

"So," Endymion voice said, "You're strong." His form was backlit by the
light coming in through the doorway. "I really should put some light in
this place. At least so you could see it." She couldn't see the smile
but his tone implied it, "The dark ages had some interesting equipment,
ne?"

"I wouldn't know," she choked out, "You try to keep us ignorant."

He gripped her throat, pulling her towards him. She whimpered slightly
as her already stretched muscles were pulled even further. "Where has
that brat gone?"

<He doesn't remember?!?> she thought dully, <Why can't he remember her?>

"ANSWER ME!!!" he shouted while throwing her back. She swung backwards
and, when she swung forward, he planted his fist into her stomach. She
gave a hoarse cry, "Tell where your little `Rabbit' has gone..."

"No," Serenity gasped out. She dimly saw him turn and walk towards the
door, "Endymion..."

"Don't worry, Serenity," he said, "I'm not going to kill you. I want you
to watch. I want you to watch as your little Rabbit slowly withers in
front of your eyes."

"NOOOOO!!!!!" Serenity screamed, but he had gone closing the door and
closing out the light. "No..." she sobbed into the darkness. But there
was no reply.

She was alone.

                                  ******

The door opened and Ikuko stepped into the house. Kenji who had been in
the kitchen stepped out and was about to say something when Ikuko held
up her hand and made a shushing motion. He gave her a quizzical look but
complied. As Ikuko stepped out of the doorway Usagi entered the house
one hand behind her back.

"Dad, I want you to meet someone," Usagi said, gently she pulled her arm
out and Chibi-Usa slid around. She stared at Kenji in silence, a small
tremble showing on her lip, her one arm snuck around Usagi's leg trying
to seek comfort. "This is Tsukino Usagi, but we can call her Chibi-Usa."
She looked down at Chibi-Usa and said, "Chibi-Usa-chan, this is my dad."

"Konnichiwa Ojii-san," came the soft reply.

Kenji was about to explode over being called "Grandfather" but Ikuko was
desperately shaking her head. Taking a couple of deep breaths, he said,
"Konnichiwa Chibi-Usa-chan."

"Hey, who's the rugrat?" came Shingo's voice from the stairs. Chibi-Usa
yelped and hid behind Usagi once more. Ikuko glared at her son.
Chibi-Usa then whimpered a little bit.

"Mommy, who's that?" she asked Usagi.

"MOMMY?!?" both males shouted. Chibi-Usa gave another whine of fear and
tears started to come to her eyes.

"Kenji, Shingo, why don't you go into the living room," Ikuko directed
them. After a moment Shingo slunk by his mother while Kenji gave his
wife a curious look before heading off after his son. Turning to Usagi,
Ikuko said, "Usagi-chan, why don't you take Chibi-Usa up and show her
around."

Usagi nodded and, reaching around, took Chibi-Usa's hand, "Come on,
honey." She saw that Chibi-Usa seemed reluctant. Kneeling, she said,
"They were just surprised to see you." She reassured the young girl,
"Shingo's nice and my dad wouldn't hurt you." Sniffling a little,
Chibi-Usa wiped away some of her tears and looked deeply into Usagi's
eyes, "Now come on, let's go see my room." A panicked expression went
through Chibi-Usa's features. "What's the matter?" Usagi asked softly.

"Daddy says I'm not allowed in your room," Chibi-Usa said softly.

"But it's only my room. Your dad doesn't live here." Usagi tried to
smile. It seemed to reassure Chibi-Usa who relaxed slightly. Giving her
hand a reassuring squeeze, Usagi led the little girl up to her room and
opened the door.

"Wow!!!" Chibi-Usa exclaimed, her eyes shone brightly as she looked
around the room. Tentatively, she entered and started turning around
trying to see every square inch. Drinking in all the details, she
stopped when her eyes landed on something in a corner. "Mommy, what's
that?" she asked pointing towards a neatly stacked pile of stuffed
bunnies.

"Those are stuffed animals. Toys, don't you have any?" Usagi asked
curiously. Chibi-Usa shook her head, "Well let's get you one then."
Walking over, she dug through her pile until she found what she
considered a suitable bunny. "Here you are," she said holding out a
small gray bunny who had large shining pink eyes.

Chibi-Usa stared at it for several seconds before walking over. She
reached out as if to take it then stopped. "I can't have it," she said
sadly, "Daddy says I'm too big for toys. He says bad little girls like
me don't deserve them." She gave a little shiver, "He gets mad if I ask
for a toy."

"Well what if he didn't know that you had this? It could be our secret,"
Usagi said, "I promise that I won't tell him."

Chibi-Usa shook her head, "If Daddy finds out, he'll be really mad," she
said seriously, "I don't want him to be mad." <But the bunny is so
kawaii...> She was torn. Her mother was giving her something that she'd
like to hug but if her father found out... <I have to be good or Daddy
won't love me.> "Please Mommy..." she said. She didn't want to upset her
mother. <I wish I could hug that bunny,> she thought longingly.

"Okay, Chibi-Usa-chan," Usagi said softly, "You don't have to take it.
If you ever want it again, it'll be here, okay?" Chibi-Usa gave a small
nod but didn't look at Usagi. "Are you scared?" Another nod, this time
accompanied by a sniffle. Reaching out, Usagi slowly drew her into a
hug. "Shhh..." Usagi comforted, "It's going to be okay. I'm going to
help you." She stroked Chibi-Usa's hair, "I know it's all scary but I'll
be here and my friends will be here." Chibi-Usa just wrapped her arms
around Usagi's neck and cried.

Everything was so different. <If Mommy can't stop Daddy when I was in
the future, how will she help me in the past?> Her mother was safe, but
was what her father doing? Where was he?

                                  ******

Endymion entered his throne room. Stepping up to the dais, he sat down
on the single finely crafted chair that was placed there. He sat
silently for several seconds before reaching into his pocket and pulling
out a key. It was a Time Key, one of four he had removed from Pluto. <So
where did you get a fifth, Serenity? Did Pluto make it?> He clutched it
in his fist, <No matter! Serenity you will watch your future die a slow
death.>

"Rubeus!" he said, his tone resonating power through the Throne Room.

A young man with flaming red hair stepped from the courtiers that were
present and bowed low. As he raised his eyes he snapped expectantly. He
liked Endymion; Diamondo had been such a fool. <Why should I follow a
prince when a king is present?> He also liked Endymion because Endymion
gave him free rein over his "projects".

"Rubeus, I have a special mission for you," Endymion said, "Take four
others, find the child. Bring her back alive!" He tossed the Key towards
Rubeus, "Use this to go back to past. Find the Rabbit and bring her
here."

"As you command," Rubeus said and bowed low. He started to back away
when Endymion's voice drew him up short.

"Rubeus, do not fail me in this or you shall take her place." He smiled,
it was disarming and friendly, "And one other thing, be careful there
are Senshi where you are going. They will oppose you."

Rubeus bowed once more before he left the room. Endymion began to brood.
<She must have fled into the past. That is the only reason for her to
take a Time Key. But why can't I remember her?> Endymion scowled.
"Pluto!" he called out, rage building. <She dare interfere!> "Pluto! I
command you to appear! I, YOUR King, summon you!"

She did not appear. "Damn you, Pluto," he said, "It will only go harder
on Serenity because of your lack of respect. Play your tricks, hide that
abomination... it will do you no good."

                                  ******

That first supper at the Tsukino home was an awkward one. Chibi-Usa
shied away from everyone except Usagi. She adverted her eyes away from
Ikuko, Shingo, and Kenji. Any sudden movement in her direction made her
freeze, and a terrified expression would come over her. Chibi-Usa sat
silently beside Usagi staring at her plate.

"Chibi-Usa-chan, would you like a drink?" Ikuko asked. The little girl
raised her head and looked at Ikuko if she didn't understand and then
turned to look at Usagi.

"Honey, would you like some milk?"

"Hai, please," Chibi-Usa said softly. Usagi poured her a glass of milk
and Chibi-Usa said, "Arigato, Mommy," when she was handed the glass.
Chibi-Usa took a small sip and then sat it down carefully, almost as if
she thought it might shatter at any moment.

Dinner proceeded at a similar pace. Chibi-Usa seemed reluctant to speak
to anybody except Usagi. Occasionally, she would be forced to make some
type of answer but Chibi-Usa kept it very polite and very short. Usagi
chalked it partly up to the fact that Chibi-Usa was likely very
uncomfortable sitting. They had put a thick cushion on her chair to make
it easier for her but, even when she sat down on it, she couldn't hide
the wince of pain. The other part was likely that Chibi-Usa didn't know
anyone.

<Although why she trusts me and thinks I'm her mother is beyond me,>
Usagi thought, <I'm glad that Shingo's not being a pain. He even seems
concerned.> Usagi glanced over towards Shingo and noticed that he indeed
was looking slightly worried.

"Chibi-Usa-chan?" Kenji said when it was nearing the end of the meal,
"How old are you?"

"Seven," she said, "Me and Mommy have the same birthday." Ikuko and
Shingo stared at Chibi-Usa for some moments. That had been the longest
thing she had ever said to anybody that wasn't Usagi.

"Well, you're a very polite little girl for seven," Kenji said, "You
should be very proud of yourself." Kenji was trying to make Chibi-Usa
feel a little bit better about herself and it seemed to work.

She raised her eyes to look at him for the first time since coming into
the house. She gave a little smile and said, "Really Ojii-san? Did I
behave?"

Kenji stifled the grumble he felt about being called "Ojii-san" and
smiled at her. "Hai, you were a very good girl. You ate all your food."
That got a little bigger smile out of her. <If I ever find that bastard,
I'll rip his heart out,> Kenji thought darkly. "Would you like some
dessert?"

"Mommy, may I please have some dessert?" Chibi-Usa asked Usagi. <I was
very good! Daddy won't be mad at me. I can tell him how good I was!> She
smiled to herself, <If I'm good all the time, then Daddy won't get mad
at me anymore... He'll love me then.>

"Hai, Mom made a chocolate cake and it looks yummy," Usagi said licking
her lips. "Would you like a little more milk?"

"Hai, please," Chibi-Usa said, "I've never had this much food before."
For some reason that seemed to be the wrong thing to say. It was like
the entire room paused. Starting to feel nervous again, Chibi-Usa looked
around and saw different expressions on the people's faces. Kenji was
looking grim. She quickly moved on hoping he wasn't mad. Shingo and
Ikuko seemed surprised, not as threatening but maybe they were surprised
that she had said anything like that. <But it was true,> she thought to
herself as she looked towards Usagi, <Mommy looks sad for some
reason...> "Mommy are you sad?"

Usagi blinked and then forced a smile, "Oh, Chibi-Usa-chan, I was just
thinking. Don't worry, I'm happy that you are here." <Better here than
in the hands of that monster!> "Now would you like some cake?" Chibi-Usa
nodded and gave her mother a smile, "Okay, honey, I'll go get you a
piece." She gave Chibi-Usa a reassuring pat on the head before standing
to get the little girl some cake.

                                  ******

It was about seven that evening when Ikuko went up the stairs and tapped
softly at Usagi's door. When a soft response came she opened it and
found that Usagi was sitting at one of her low tables scribbling
something on a sheet of paper. Chibi-Usa was sitting beside her looking
at a picture book that Usagi had managed to find.

Ikuko looked at the little girl and saw the look. <She doesn't trust me
yet,> Ikuko thought. She could also see the haunted expression on the
child's face, <I want to help you, little one. I hope that you can learn
to trust me soon.> But Ikuko knew that it might take a long time to gain
that trust. "Chibi-Usa-chan, why don't you come and have a bath." Ikuko
said, "Why don't we let Usagi finish her homework." She looked at her
daughter, "You ARE doing homework, ne?"

"Um well..." Usagi said looking sheepishly. "No," she admitted.

Ikuko sighed, "Usagi, while I give Chibi-Usa a bath, I'd like you to
FINISH your homework." Ikuko then noticed that Chibi-Usa had inched over
towards Usagi and was pressing up against her leg. She had a light grip
on Usagi's arm and was looking worriedly at Ikuko. "Honey, are you
scared?" Chibi-Usa nodded and tried to inch around in front of Usagi.
"Are you scared of me?"

This caused Chibi-Usa to pause. <I don't wanna fib, but... I don't know
her.> She looked at Ikuko, <She's Mommy's mommy but she's not with Mommy
in the future. And she looked mad at Mommy, not like Daddy but I don't
want her to hurt Mommy.>

"Chibi-Usa-chan, I promise I'm not going to hurt you," Ikuko said
holding out her hand, "Now come take a bath." Chibi-Usa gave a little
whimper. Ikuko could see the indecision, the pleading look towards
Usagi. "Honey, would you take a bath if Usagi helped you?"

"Hai," Chibi-Usa squeaked out.

"Okay, Chibi-Usa-chan, I'll help you," Usagi said putting down her
pencil, "Let's find you something you can wear for tonight."

"Usagi-chan, I'll leave the salve in here too. When you're done you can
put it on like the doctor was telling you. Okay?" Ikuko asked. Usagi
nodded. <Good, I don't think she would have let me put the salve on. I
wonder why she's so attached to Usagi?> Softly closing Usagi's door,
Ikuko went down the hall wondering about that puzzle.

Usagi found a extra pajama top and held it up to Chibi-Usa. The arms
were certainly too long but it would make a suitable nightgown since it
would stretch past Chibi-Usa's knees. "What do you think,
Chibi-Usa-chan? Would you like to wear this?" Chibi-Usa felt the fabric
and considered the question for several seconds before nodding. "Okay
then, let's go get you washed up," Usagi said setting the make shift
nightgown on her bed.

Chibi-Usa took Usagi's hand and they walked to the bathroom. Once Usagi
had the door closed, she said, "Honey, let's get you undressed, okay?"

"Hai," Chibi-Usa said and lifted her arms above her head, "I like having
baths. Mommy always tells me stories." She smiled. It was one of the few
retreats that Chibi-Usa and her mother had when her father was around.
That was where bedtime stories were told and secrets shared.

Walking over, Usagi gently pulled the top off. She could hear Chibi-Usa
pull in her breath slightly as the bottom part brushed against the
tender areas of her skin. Once the top was off, Usagi gave a little
gasp. She hadn't really seen the bruises when she was helping the
doctor. She had been more focused on reassuring the little girl that
everything was okay and that the doctor was trying to help her.

"Mommy?" Chibi-Usa asked in a concerned tone, "What's the matter?"

Usagi didn't respond. Stepping over, she gently lifted the back part of
the track bottoms before pulling them down as well and then removed
Chibi-Usa's underpants. "Honey, how do I help you in the bath?" Usagi
asked softly. She was trying to look at Chibi-Usa's face without seeming
repulsed by the sight before her.

"Mommy washes the back and I wash the front." Chibi-Usa said, "Mommy can
reach the places I can't."

Getting two washcloths, Usagi handed the little girl one and, turning on
the water, adjusted it so it wouldn't be too hot. After soaping her
washcloth she handed the soap to Chibi-Usa who did the same. As the
little girl started to scrub her front, Usagi was faced with the
prospect of doing her back. The little girl's back was a mass of bruises
varying in color and size. Some were dull and fading others appeared to
be fresh and painful looking.

"Chibi-Usa-chan, I'm going to start washing your back now. You let me
know if it hurts."

"'Kay," Chibi-Usa said. Usagi was slightly shocked. Chibi-Usa's response
sounded like Usagi's request was just a natural fact of life.

As she gently started to wash Chibi-Usa's shoulders, Usagi could see and
feel Chibi-Usa tense. As she slowly moved towards the small of the
little girl's back Chibi-Usa would occasionally whimpered or shudder a
little. Usagi felt herself start to cry. She just couldn't understand
what type of person would do this. She felt angry as well. She wanted to
call the Senshi together, to find this person.

<Oh you poor thing,> Usagi thought sadly and sniffled, <I promise you
that when I find the person responsible, I'll make him pay!> She gritted
her teeth as Chibi-Usa gave a muffled yelp of pain as the cloth brushed
against one of the fresh welts on the small of her back. <I'll make you
pay! What I did to Beryl is NOTHING compared to what I'm going to do to
you!>

Then Usagi growled, Chibi-Usa's buttocks were a mass of fresh welts
caused by what the doctor thought was a belt. Chibi-Usa turned slightly
and saw that her mother was looking angry. She gulped slightly but
didn't move. Usagi let out a little sob and bit her lower lip as tears
started to stream down her face in earnest. Chibi-Usa became even more
alarmed at this and gave a little burble of fear. Reaching out, she
gently touched Usagi, seeking reassurance that everything was all right,
that she wasn't in trouble.

Usagi looked towards her and sniffled. Wiping away a few tears, Usagi
tried to smile but she faltered. "I'm sorry, honey," Usagi said softly,
"I just don't like to see anybody hurt." She looked at Chibi-Usa and
noticed the concerned look. "I wasn't angry with you," Usagi said
softly, "I was just angry because you got hurt."

"I thought I did something wrong," Chibi-Usa said softly. <I'm always
bad.> Why else would her father punish her so much? <I want to make
Daddy love me but I'm scared.> She trembled, partly in fear but also
because the water was cooling.

"No, you are very good!" Usagi reassured, "Chibi-Usa-chan, I have to
wash your bum." She reached out and gently touched Chibi-Usa's arm, "It
might hurt some. I don't want to hurt you though."

Chibi-Usa understood, "I know you wouldn't hurt me on purpose, Mommy."
She smiled back trying to reassure her mother. Usagi, after a moment,
smiled too.

"Okay then, let's get that over with that way you can relax in the furo
for a little bit." Chibi-Usa nodded and turned to face the wall. Despite
Usagi's gentleness though, it was still painful and when it was done
both of them had tears in their eyes.

Settling Chibi-Usa into the furo, Usagi wiped away some of her other
tears and made a silent vow. <Kami-sama save your soul you monster,
because when I get my hands, your life won't be worth living!>

End of Part III