Ah... Second to last part, the last part will be out within two weeks.
Sorry but my beta reaers are wamped with RL commitments at the moment and
I'll likely be busy next week since it's Xmas. I haven't heard back from my
beta reaers on this part so there might be some mistakes taht would
normally not be here. I sincerly hope this doesn't detract from the work
much. I apologize ahead of time.

Enjoy,

Doug
----
Tales of Younger Venus
Part XIII
Chapter 35 - Lasting Impressions

Sailor Moon and Tuxedo Kamen were the first to rush to their fallen
daughter, Chibi-Moon was close behind her parents. Taking her daughter
Sailor Moon cradled her gently and protectively. A look of concern was
evident on her face.

"Misako... Mesume...." Sailor Moon breathed out. She could feel tears
start to streak down her face, "How could this happen? What were you
doing out here?!" Although her questions were directed towards Misako,
Chibi-Moon flinched.

Walking around to stand beside her mother, she reached out and gently
touched her little sister's arm. "Miko-chan?" she called softly, her
voice growing thick, "Come on, Miko-chan." <Gomen nasai, Imouto.>

Unseen by either Sailor Moon or Chibi-Moon, Tuxedo Kamen caught the
frown on Mercury's face. He saw her raise her head and shake it
slightly. He felt his heart grow heavy. Misako just was taking too long
to recover. "Transform back," he instructed softly, "We have to get
Misako home and into bed." He looked to his youngest daughter and
wrapped an arm around Sailor Moon. "She'll be okay," he added trying to
comfort her.

"Hai!" Chibi-Moon chimed in trying to hide her own concern. "Michael-kun
was."

At the sound of Chibi-Moon's voice Sailor Moon whirled around and glared
at her daughter. "What were you doing with Misako?!?!?" she demanded
angrily. Chibi-Moon gulped and took a step back, "ANSWER ME!!!"

"We-We... I-I mean I... I just wanted to let Misako play being a Senshi
for a little while and..." Chibi-Moon finally got out with moistness in
her eyes. She had rarely seen her mother so angry.

"`PLAY BEING A SENSHI'!!!"

"Usako..." Mamoru said softly placing a hand on her shoulder.

"IIE!" Sailor Moon snapped, "Of all the irresponsible things to do!!!"
She stepped towards her daughter. "You KNOW how dangerous it is! Didn't
you THINK about that?!?"

"Bu-but how was I supposed to know we would run into a Lemure?!"
Chibi-Moon demanded, "If you want to get mad at someone, get mad at
Misako! She's the one that thought up this whole thing!"

Sailor Moon detransformed and then said, "I never thought I'd see the
day you pulled a stunt that's more irresponsible than taking the
Ginzuishou!"

"BAKA ODANGO ATAMA!!!" Chibi-Moon screamed with hurt showing plain in
her speech, "Don't you think I care about Misako?!? Don't you think I
want to see her safe?!?" She sniffled a little, "I tried! I really
tried! Gomen nasai!" Chibi-Moon detransformed and now stood there in her
bunny pajamas tears beginning to fall. <Please Mommy...>

"If you REALLY cared about Misako, you would have stopped her from
coming here rather than tagging along! You're her onee! You should be
more responsible!"

The others drew in their breath. They had never seen Usagi act this way
towards Chibi-Usa and it was rather disconcerting to say the least.
Chibi-Usa, balling up her fists, gave a half choked sob and screamed, "I
HATE YOU! My mommy wouldn't think I didn't care about Misako! My mommy
would be worried about me!" She swiped away a few tears and continued,
"I WISH YOU WEREN'T MY MOMMY!!!" And with that Chibi-Usa turned and ran
further into the park.

Without hesitation Tuxedo Kamen ran after Chibi-Usa leaving the others
standing in shocked horror or impotent fury. As the shock wore off,
Kimeko was the first to speak. Turning to Usagi, she said flatly, "We
need to get Misako home." She looked at Usagi and added, "But I think we
should wait for Chibi-Usa and Mamoru-kun." Usagi's only response was to
walk over to a nearby bench and sat down.

                                  ******

Mamoru ran down the path looking around for his daughter. After a few
minutes he realized that he must have ran right by her. Turning around,
he walked this time listening. This time as he approached a clump of
bushes, he could her sniffling. Getting down on his hands and knees, he
looked into the bushes and saw Chibi-Usa sitting on the ground, her
knees drawn up to her chest and face buried.

"Chibi-Usa-chan," he called softly. Chibi-Usa's head shot up and she
stared at him. Her facial expression was a mixture of anger, fear,
worry, and resentment. "Chibi-Usa-chan, come on out of there, please?"
he asked softly and slowly reached his hand out to her. She looked at it
for several seconds before taking it tentatively. "Come on," Mamoru
said, "I'll listen to you." He slowly drew his daughter out of the
bushes and into a hug. <She's so much like Usako...>

Chibi-Usa clamped tightly to him and started to cry in earnest. Mamoru
gently held her and started to rock slowly, comforting her distress.
"Misako will be okay," he told her gently, "Gomen if we didn't make sure
you were okay." He wasn't quite willing to say that he didn't blame her.
Not only would that make Usagi out to be the heavy but Mamoru couldn't
truthfully say that he wasn't upset either.

After Chibi-Usa quieted down but kept a tight grip on him, Mamoru
suggested, "Honey... we should really go back." Chibi-Usa shook her head
and didn't look up at him, "You want to see how Misako's doing, ne?"

"Hai..." Chibi-Usa whispered out, "But Usagi will yell at me again." She
just couldn't bring herself to face Usagi, not after what Usagi had
said. <Not after what I said,> Chibi-Usa sadly thought.

Brushing back part of her hair, Mamoru looked into her sad red eyes and
said, "Chibi-Usa-chan, you know Usagi yells a lot... We might be angry
with you but we do still love you." Mamoru stood up and started walking
towards where they had last left Usagi and the others. "Chibi-Usa-chan,
if Misako wakes up she'll want to know where you are." Mamoru added,
"You can help Misako get over this. You know how scared she'll feel;
you've been through some things just as scary." He hugged her a little
tighter for a moment to try and give her confidence, "You're Misako's
onee. Nothing will ever change that. "

Chibi-Usa remained silent. She couldn't trust her voice and she wasn't
sure what to say. She was hurt, confused, angry, and even a little
jealous of Misako. Even though she was snugly in a comforting hug from
her father, Chibi-Usa felt alone in the world and that scared her.

                                  ******

The others had discreetly left; they said they would wait over at
Makoto's apartment to see what the news was. Kimeko had decided that she
would stay. Actually, she would have stayed even if Usagi had wanted her
to go. So as the city came awake and the sun continued to rise in the
east, the two girls sat silently on the bench. Usagi was murmuring to
Misako who hadn't yet regained consciousness and Kimeko was deep in
thought.

After several moments of awkward silence Kimeko turned to Usagi and
said, "Usagi-san, I hope you don't take this the wrong way but what you
said to Chibi-Usa was THE dumbest thing I've ever heard!"

Usagi slowly turned to stare at Kimeko for several seconds before
saying, "You don't understand, Kimeko-chan."

"I most certainly do!" Kimeko snapped, "Kami-sama! Chibi-Usa is only a
little girl!" It had pained Kimeko to see Usagi yelling at Chibi-Usa
like that. She could understand Usagi's worries and being angry but what
Usagi had said was very unreasonable in Kimeko's opinion. "Chibi-Usa
looks up to you. You should have been supporting her, reassuring her
that Misako would be okay!"

Usagi abruptly got up from the bench and walked a few paces away. "What
do you know, Kimeko? You aren't a mother. How can you feel what I'm
feeling?"

"Usagi-san," Kimeko said coming up behind Usagi, "I spend almost every
day with Misako and, to a lesser extent, Chibi-Usa. When your future
self and Endymion-sama are away from Crystal Tokyo, I and Sakuya have to
look after them." <Damn the timeline!> Kimeko thought, <This is just too
important.> "I've noticed too that Chibi-Usa regards you differently
here. She's more relaxed around you than her mother."

"Nani?!?" Usagi asked turning to look at Kimeko, "I don't understand."

"I don't either," Kimeko admitted, "But what I see is that you have a
very special relationship with Chibi-Usa that even Misako couldn't break
but now you're drifting away from her." Kimeko said gently, "She tried
to do something for her imouto and it blew up in her face."

"That doesn't..."

"That doesn't excuse her behavior, I know." Kimeko stated firmly, "What
it also doesn't excuse, Usagi-san, is that you blamed EVERYTHING on
Chibi-Usa." Kimeko's knees suddenly felt like Jell-O. Stepping back, she
sat down and sighed. <I never ever want to have to talk to Serenity-sama
like that.> She looked at Usagi but Usagi had turned away and stared
towards the east. <I hope I did the right thing,> Kimeko thought, <I...
I would say it all over again,> and that thought surprised Kimeko.

Timed seemed to pass slowly. Kimeko shifted uncomfortable on the bench
and was just about to go look for Mamoru and Chibi-Usa when a sudden
scream frightened her. Looking around for the source, she found that
Misako was awake and howling in terror, her arms and legs flailing
wildly around.

"Misako!" Usagi cried in relief. Misako, upon hearing her mother's
voice, Misako located the source and immediately clung desperately to
her mother. She buried her face in her mother's chest and sobbed, her
entire body shaking.

Usagi hugged her daughter closely. "Oh Miko-chan!!!" Usagi said, her
voice thick with and coarse, "It's going to be okay!" Walking back over
to the bench, she sat down and started to rock gently while rubbing
Misako's back. "You're safe. The bad man went away and he'll never hurt
you again."

"Onee..." Misako finally managed to chock out, "Where Onee?!?"

"Small Lady's okay," Kimeko reassured Misako and proceeded to hug the
terrified little girl the best she could, "Your mommy's right, that bad
man won't hurt you again." Kimeko felt her heart pause for a moment as a
little arm released its death grip on Usagi and instead was clamped
tightly around her neck. "Oh honey, it'll be okay..." Kimeko reiterated
while hugging the little girl, "We'll protect you."

The three girls didn't notice Mamoru or Chibi-Usa coming down the path.
Mamoru had heard the scream and, as he drew closer, he could see that it
was Misako who had screamed. She was now fearfully clinging to any
support she could get find.

Kimeko looked up and spotted Mamoru and Chibi-Usa closing rapidly. "See
Miko-chan, Chibi-Usa's okay..." She pointed in the direction that
Chibi-Usa was. Misako turned her head and let out a little sob. It
sounded more relieved than anything else. Her tears started to abate
and, by the time that Chibi-Usa had worked up enough courage to approach
her sister, Misako was only sniffling. She still kept her tight grip on
Kimeko and Usagi though.

"Are you okay, Miko-chan?" Chibi-Usa asked softly. She didn't look
towards Usagi; she couldn't really. <Gomen nasai.>

Misako's answer was to let go of Usagi and Kimeko and, leaning over,
hugged her sister tightly, "I love you, Onee-chan!" she replied. "I
thought you hurt... Gomen, I not mean to get you hurt!" she sniffled
again.

Chibi-Usa sniffled herself and wrapped her arms around Misako. She could
feel the little body trembling still, could hear her sister's ragged
breathing, and she could feel the fresh tears soaking into her pajama
top. <Imouto... I'm glad to see you're okay.> She blinked and looked as
someone lifted her up. Looking around she saw that Usagi had lifted her
onto an opposite knee so that Misako could hug her sister better. <Gomen
nasai, Mommy... Onee-san,> Chibi-Usa thought. She lowered her head and
sniffled again. <Mommy was right. It was my fault...>

"Let's go home," Usagi suggested softly, "Mom will be really worried
about us."

"Kim'ko-chan, you come too!!!" Misako pleaded.

"I will, Miko-chan. I'm not going anywhere."

With Kimeko's and Mamoru's help, Usagi managed to stand and start
walking with both daughters. Mamoru was surprised to see her be able to
managed with both of them but as they started to walk it seemed that
Usagi was doing it because Misako wanted it that way, not because Usagi
wanted it that way. He looked over to Kimeko who was walking on the left
side of Usagi, where Misako could see her, and noticed that she was
shaking her head slightly. He sighed silently. The road ahead was going
to be bumpy.

                                  ******

Just outside of the Tsukino home, Usagi let Chibi-Usa down. Misako
seemed ready to protest, that is, until she caught sight of a very angry
Ikuko stalking towards them. Kenji remained at the door. Misako
immediately resumed her iron clad grip, which hadn't really lessened
since she first applied it at the park, and promptly hid her face.

"Where were they?!?" Ikuko demanded without preamble, "I've been worried
sick?!?"

"We found them in the park, Mom," Usagi explained, lowering her head to
look at Misako, she added, "Misako was really really scared." She hugged
her youngest daughter and, looking back towards her mother, while
saying, "Someone who looked like a police officer tried to kidnap
Misako." She felt her daughter shiver and could hear the little girl
give another sniffle.

"Kami-sama!" Ikuko breathed and walked over towards Misako, "Miko-chan,
are you okay? Did that person hurt you?!?" She reached out towards
Misako but the child flinched away and just clung tighter to her mother.
She didn't want to remember that bad man; she didn't wanted to remember
what had happened to her. "We need to tell the police," Ikuko stated and
started back into the house when Kimeko's voice drew her up short.

"That's why were late bringing them back, Tsukino-san. We called the
police and they told us to wait there. We did and they know where we
live if they need anymore information." Kimeko fervently hoped that it
wouldn't take Luna-P to make Ikuko forget. That would cause problems she
didn't wanted to think about.

Ikuko stared at Kimeko sternly for a moment, then said, "Well I suppose
that it's all right... Now I have some questions of my own." She then
motioned them into the house and, taking up the rear, entered before
closing the door.

                                  ******

Five minutes later, a new set of tears flowed from Misako along with a
demonstration of her lung capacity. Ikuko finally gave up trying to get
answers from her. Misako simply didn't want to deal with it. Ikuko
wasn't heartless though. She could see that Misako was clinging
desperately to Usagi and even mentioning the fake police officer seemed
to send Misako into almost a state of pure fear!

"Miko-chan, why don't we go have a little rest?" Usagi asked softly.

Misako gave a yawn but looked worriedly at Usagi, "Kim'ko and Onee come
too?!?" she asked. Mamoru was relieved that Misako didn't want him to go
with them.

"I want to talk to your onee. You go ahead with Usagi," Ikuko instructed
sternly.

"Come on, Princess," Kimeko said softly, "I'll be there and Usagi will
be there. We won't let that bad man come after you." She gave Misako's
back a little pat before continuing, "Your sobo can talk to Chibi-Usa."
Kimeko didn't notice Ikuko or Usagi wince at her last comment.

Misako gave this serious thought. Her face bunched up for several
moments before she gave a yawn and, relaxing a little, snuggled against
Usagi and said very softly, "Hai." Usagi got up and Kimeko followed her
up the stairs. They went into Usagi's room and shut the door.

Ikuko walked over to a chair sat down and look sternly at Chibi-Usa who
squirmed under her glare. "Young lady," Ikuko began softly, "I want the
truth, the whole truth!" Ikuko raised a finger, "You and your imouto
scared ALL OF US including Shingo!" <Shingo's still out looking for
them...>

"Where..." Chibi-Usa trailed off and looked at the ground.

"Where to start? Start with the puddle of milk on the kitchen floor this
morning and why you didn't stop your sister," Ikuko demanded. She folded
her hands in her lap and waited patiently.

Chibi-Usa hated this. She felt she was standing before her mother back
in Crystal Tokyo because she had done something wrong. "I-I felt cold,
and when I noticed that Misako wasn't coming back to bed, I wondered
where she had gone to," Chibi-Usa began, "I looked around and found her
downstairs. I guess when she was getting the milk it slipped and spilled
out onto the floor." Chibi-Usa shifted slightly and looked up to see
that Ikuko was sitting silently, simply looking at her, "Ikuko-mama, I
tried to talk her into coming back to bed..."

"Were you going to clean up the milk?" Ikuko asked.

Chibi-Usa flushed, "Iie," she finally confessed, "I thought that if I
could get Misako and me back to bed fast enough that you and Kenji-papa
might think that it was Shingo's fault."

"I see..." Ikuko said, the statement hung in the air thickly, "go on."

"Um well... I tried to get Misako back to bed but she didn't want to go
and said that if I told on her, that she'd say that I had spilt the milk
and that getting up that early was my idea." Chibi-Usa sniffled, "She
made me feel guilty 'cause I said she wasn't really a Senshi." Another
sniffled followed the first and Chibi-Usa paused before saying in a
raspy voice, "Gomen nasai. I didn't mean for it to happen, Ikuko-mama,
really I didn't!" She turned her eyes to regard her grandmother, begging
to be believed, "I tried to stop her but... I thought that it wouldn't
do any harm."

Ikuko got up and walked over to Chibi-Usa, "And now it has," she
responded, her voice controlled, "Chibi-Usa, YOU should have known
better." Ikuko gently placed a hand on Chibi-Usa's shoulder, "Honey,
you're eight years old, no longer a baby. I thought I could trust you."

"But Ikuko-mama..." Chibi-Usa started but at Ikuko's upraised finger,
she fell silent with another sniffle. She could feel a lump started to
form in her throat. She looked at the ground again.

"But nothing," Ikuko said sternly, "Chibi-Usa-chan, you knew that Misako
wasn't allowed out of the house by herself or even with you when you
weren't with Kenji-papa, Usagi, or me." Ikuko lifted Chibi-Usa's chin,
"You also knew that Misako was grounded by Usagi." Ikuko said more
softly, "Chibi-Usa-chan, you KNEW that it might be dangerous and that's
wrong."

"Are... Are you going to punish me?" Chibi-Usa asked softly.

"I'm going to have to give that some thought. For now, go to your room
and stand in the corner." Chibi-Usa nodded meekly and started to move
off when Ikuko brought her up short with a question, "Honey? Are you
okay?" Chibi-Usa just stood there and nodded slightly. Ikuko walked over
to the little girl and, giving her a hug, said, "I'm glad your okay."
When Ikuko let her go Chibi-Usa ran up the stairs, a set of tears
rolling down her cheeks.

"Wow..." Mamoru commented. He had sat silently through the entire
process and was now staring in awe at Ikuko. Ikuko turned and looked at
him oddly. "That was incredible!" Despite her mood, Ikuko graced Mamoru
with a smiled and then sat about getting him some tea.



Chapter 36 - Duty

By mid-morning, Ikuko had finished the housework for the day. It was a
great stress reliever. Most of her concern was focused on Misako. It
troubled Ikuko and the more she thought about the possible consequences,
the more distressed she got. Which led to more of the house getting
thoroughly cleaned.

Kenji, Shingo, and Mamoru had vacated the house. Actually, Ikuko had
told them to go find something to do and not get in her way. So they had
disappeared out the front door, Kenji and Mamoru looking relieved and
Shingo reluctantly following along; he wanted to know how Misako was.

Quietly walking up the stairs, Ikuko placed her hand against Usagi's
door and listened. There was no sound coming from the room. Gently
opening the door, she looked in and found that Misako was curled up in
Usagi's bed. Her little arms tightly clamped around Kimeko. <How'd she
ever get Misako to let go of Usagi?> Ikuko thought, <And where is
Usagi?!?> Turning her gaze, she saw Usagi sitting at her desk scribbling
away with a pencil. Ikuko tapped softly on the door.

Usagi jumped and whirled around ready to attack. That got Ikuko's
attention and earned Usagi a quizzical look. Sheepishly, Usagi relaxed
and walked over to the door. "Gomen Mom," Usagi said softly.

"Come downstairs, Usagi, I'd like to have a talk with you," Ikuko asked.
<It's time to get to the bottom of this.> She wondered why Usagi had
flushed again but decided to let it pass for the moment. Turning, she
headed downstairs. Usagi closed the door softly and quickly caught up to
her mother. Once seated at the table, Ikuko looked directly at her
daughter and said, "Usagi, what made you wake up?"

<Good thing I thought about this,> Usagi thought, <Or I'd be in big
trouble.> Settling herself better in the chair, Usagi responded, "Well,
Mom, Luna was restless. Normally she sleeps until I wake up." Usagi
smiled internally; it was all true. "I wondered what had agitated her,
so I got up to have a look around."

"So you noticed that Misako and Chibi-Usa were gone?!?" Ikuko asked.

"Iie," Usagi said, "At first I headed downstairs and found the milk. I
was confused... Maybe somebody had started to pour a glass and got sick
or something." Usagi shrugged, "Anyway, I looked in both bathrooms and
nobody was there so I started to look around. That's when I found out
that Chibi-Usa and Misako weren't in their room."

Ikuko remained silent for several seconds before saying, "I see... So
why did you scream?"

Usagi winced internally. <I hope Mom buys this.> "Well you know me,
Mom," Usagi explained after an extended pause, "I immediately assumed
the worst. I've become very attached to Misako and Chibi-Usa and I
didn't want anything bad to happen to them."

Much to Usagi's surprise, Ikuko gave a small smile, "Tsukino Usagi, you
don't know how proud that makes me feel." Ikuko continued, "You've grown
up a lot over the past few months."

"Mom..." Usagi said while blushing brightly, "Maybe it just easier
getting along with them than fighting with them." She was trying
desperately to keep up her image. Not that she minded her mother being
proud of her just that she was fifteen and there were certain things you
simply didn't admit to!

"You don't fool me, Usagi-chan. I've even seen you encourage Shingo to
play with them," Ikuko grinned, "You love them, ne?" Ikuko didn't miss
the semi-pained expressions that flashed across Usagi's face before she
nodded. <I wonder...> Ikuko wondered if she should ask Usagi about it
but decided not to. <I trust her now and I think that, in time, Usagi
will tell me.>

"I really care about them and when I found them gone I got really
scared," Usagi admitted softly, "I don't know what I would have done if
that man had taken either of them." Usagi was feeling guilty that she
hadn't managed to hurt the main guy responsible for the attack against
her daughters.

They sat silently for a few moments, the clock in the hall ticking off
each second. Finally Ikuko said, "Usagi-chan, do you think that the
girls should be punished?"

<Wow, Mom really does think I'm grown up...> After several long seconds
Usagi answered, "Hai, I mean, if Shingo and I ever did anything like
this, I think you'd punish us."

Ikuko nodded and then said solemnly, "Usagi, I and your father think
that you should punish the girls." She tried not to laugh at Usagi, her
eyes had grown large and her jaw had dropped in shock.

"Nani?!?" Usagi squeaked out, "But Mom, you're the adult, er... the...
parent." <Kami-sama! Did Mom and Dad find out that... Nah!!!>

Ikuko resisted the urge to give an exasperated sigh. "Usagi," she said
seriously, "You are a very responsible young woman." She gave her
daughter a smile, "You've done a lot of things for the girls. I've seen
you let Misako treat you as a mother..." <And me as a sobo...> "And
Chibi-Usa looks up to you as her onee." Usagi blushed again. "There's
nothing to be embarrassed about," Ikuko continued, "You've taken over
most of the things I usually would do. You get the girls ready for bed,
get them to take their baths, and, typically, you're the one to break up
their minor squabbles." Another thought occurred to Ikuko, "They also go
to you for comfort. Usagi-chan, YOU grounded Misako yesterday. I could
have done what she wanted to me to do and overridden your decision but I
won't do that."

"Why?" Usagi finally asked, still blushing.

This time Ikuko let her exasperation show. "Usagi-chan, I and your
father trust you and you seem to be fair. You were perfectly right in
grounding Misako yesterday. Responsibility has its down sides,
Usagi-chan, and this is one of them," Ikuko said firmly but kindly.
"Another reason is that you probably know more than I do," Ikuko
admitted, "I can't be fair to the girls if I don't have all the facts."

Usagi placed her elbow on the table and rested her chin in her hand and
furrowed her brow in thought. After a long pause she said, "Well I guess
I could ground Chibi-Usa."

"And Misako???" Ikuko questioned.

"Misako?!?" Usagi asked surprised, "Well I mean she's scared and
well..." She faltered and gave a shrug.

"Hai, Misako too. Misako is scared, yes, but once she calms down, I
think you should." Ikuko explained, "Misako thought up this plan. She
might be scared now but if she's anything like her onee, she'll get over
it and probably do something similar again." <Not to mention that
Chibi-Usa would carry a large chip on her shoulder.> Usagi looked
dubious about Ikuko's reasoning, "Well, Usagi, it's up to you. I and
your father will stand behind any decision you make." Ikuko got up and,
as she passed Usagi, said, "Just please give it some thought," and then
left the room.

"Hai," Usagi said. <Wow!> Usagi thought as she sat at the table, <I
can't believe I just had that conversation. It'll be tough to be as good
a Mom as she is.> It was like being let into an elite club. There was a
warm feeling though; Ikuko had said that they were proud of her. This
just increased her love for her daughters. They were the reason why she
had started to improve, trying to better herself. But the warmth was
also tinged with guilt. <I came down pretty hard on Chibi-Usa,> Usagi
thought. As she reflected back on the day's events, she found a lump
forming in her throat. <Oh Mesume...> Usagi thought sadly, slowly she
got up and headed up the stairs.

                                  ******

Chibi-Usa was still staring at the same corner. Fortunately, she was now
sitting on a chair instead of standing. Half an hour after being sent to
her room, Ikuko had came in and instructed her to pull one of the desk
chairs over to the corner. Chibi-Usa was bored, hungry, and sore. She
was also very worried.

She was just starting to doze off when the door opened. Looking over her
shoulder, Chibi-Usa gulped as she saw Usagi enter the room, a dark cloud
hanging over her head. Quickly, she turned back to the corner and stared
straight ahead. Her heart sank as she heard the door close solidly and
Usagi start to walk across the room.

"Young lady, come here!" Usagi ordered sternly.

Reluctantly Chibi-Usa got up and turned around to face Usagi. Her mother
was sitting on the bed, a stern expression entrenched in her posture and
features. Hesitantly, Chibi-Usa walked across the room to stand in front
of her mother. She couldn't meet Usagi's eyes so she looked down at the
floor instead.

Usagi regarded her daughter for a long moment before saying, "Usagi,
tell me EXACTLY what happened. Everything."

<She never calls me Usagi...> Shakily Chibi-Usa began, how she had woke
up and found Misako gone. About finding her sister downstairs and how
she had agreed to help Misako be a Senshi. She told her mother about the
plan that had gone horribly wrong and of the last thing she remembered
-- FishEye's attack. As Chibi-Usa began her tale, her voice had been
clear but by the end, her voice was thick and ragged. When she finished
Chibi-Usa stood looking at the ground, head hung in shame and fear. Two
streams of tears running down her face.

"Chibi-Usa-chan?" Usagi asked softly. She waited until her daughter had
lifted her face, her eyes puffy from tears, "I only have one more
question?"

"N-Nani?" Chibi-Usa choked out.

"Do you think you should be punished?"

Chibi-Usa stared at Usagi incredulously for several seconds. She blinked
to make sure she wasn't hallucinating the entire thing but found that it
was definitely real. <If I say no, would that mean I wouldn't get
punished?!?> Chibi-Usa thought, <That's a weird question.> She was about
to answer Usagi, who was looking at her expectantly, but found that she
wasn't sure what to call Usagi. "Well Usagi-san," Chibi-Usa began
tentatively, "I know that I should have told one of you." Chibi-Usa took
a breath and said, "I guess it is all my fault that Misako got
attacked."

"That's what I thought too..." Usagi admitted gently. "When I first saw
what had happened, I was very angry with you." She reached out and drew
Chibi-Usa into a hug, "Gomen nasai, Chibi-Usa-chan. I know that just
saying sorry won't make what I said go away but I am sorry that I didn't
listen."

She felt little arms snaked around her middle in a hug and as Chibi-Usa
hugged her, she could hear the little girl's muffled voice say,
"Onee-chan..." A burst of tears came then cutting her off. "Gomen
nasai!" Chibi-Usa sobbed out, "I... I..." she sniffled again and simply
hugged her mother. "You probably hate me." The voice was almost a
whisper.

"Chibi-Usa-chan, I don't hate you," Usagi said, "I am angry with you but
I don't hate you." She could feel the moisture in her own eyes beginning
to build.

Chibi-Usa lifted her face up to look at Usagi and sniffled out, "What's
the difference?"

"Hating someone means you don't love them," Usagi explained, "I still
love you, Chibi-Usa-chan. I will always love you. I'm just not very
happy with you at the moment." She stroked her daughter's hair and
asked, "Usagi, do you really not want me as your mother?" She tried to
ask it as gently as possible. Usagi really didn't want to ask it but she
had to know the answer.

Chibi-Usa squirmed out of Usagi's hug and started to pace for a moment
before saying, "Hai." It was a soft reply and she glanced at Usagi but
the older girl was sitting on the bed with a stunned expression. Sitting
in the corner had given her a lot of time to think about what she really
wanted Usagi to be. "You and Mommy are different," Chibi-Usa started to
explain. She hopped up onto the bed and slid against Usagi, "I mean I
know you and she are the same person but both of you are really
different."

"Nani?!?" Usagi asked confused, "I don't understand."

"I can be with you a lot more than Mommy," Chibi-Usa admitted, "And I
can do things that Mommy wouldn't allow. We can get into trouble
together." Chibi-Usa smiled and continued, "I have fun with Mommy but
she's always so busy and, even with Misako there, I don't really have
any friends." She sniffled again, "I wanted to do something for Misako
and then you yelled at me, you sounded just like Mommy."

Usagi wrapped her arm around Chibi-Usa in a hug, "I guess with your
imouto here wanting me to be `Mommy', I guess I started to act
differently." Usagi gave her daughter a little squeeze, "I'll try to
give you some space, Chibi-Usa-chan," Usagi said, "But I think you might
not like me very much in a couple of seconds."

"Why?" Chibi-Usa asked. She felt her stomach tighten into knots.

"Because I'm grounding you for two weeks. That means, no friends, no
phone, no television, and double chores." Much to her surprise,
Chibi-Usa hugged her. "That wasn't the reaction I expected."

"Onee-san, you didn't treat me like I was Misako's age," Chibi-Usa said,
"And I wanted that. Ikuko-mama was right. I knew that Misako was
grounded and I knew that it could be dangerous, I just didn't think."

"Imouto, you just made your onee proud!" Usagi declared and hugged her
daughter back. "I'll be speaking with Misako when she calms down a
little bit."

"You mean she's in trouble too?!?" Chibi-Usa tried to keep the hope out
of her voice but failed. At Usagi's look she flushed slightly and said,
"At least you treat Misako the same as me. Mommy always lets her get
away with stuff. If she does punish Misako, Mommy just sits her in a
corner or puts her in her room. I always seem to get into trouble more
though."

"After talking with Mom and you, I see that I jumped to some conclusions
that were wrong," Usagi admitted. She lifted her daughter onto her lap
and noticed that Chibi-Usa winced. "Are you okay, Imouto?" she asked in
a worried tone of voice.

"Hai!" Chibi-Usa squeaked. "It's just that when I got tossed, I landed
rear end first and it's still a little sore." She gave a sheepish smile,
"I would've said something to Ikuko-mama but I wasn't sure how to tell
her."

"Well Ami said you'd likely have a couple scratches and a bruise or
two," Usagi reported, there was still a worried note in her voice, "But
I can understand why you didn't mention anything." Usagi paused, "But I
think to be safe, we'll think of something to tell Mom." She gave her
daughter a hug and said, "Chibi-Usa-chan, I want you to be happy and if
that means I have to be your onee instead of your mommy, then I will."

"Arigato," Chibi-Usa replied happily, "You're the best, ONEE-SAN!"

"I know it!" Usagi said smugly and then giggled at her daughter's sharp
look. "I know it because YOU said it, IMOUTO," she said again. Things
were going to be different. <I promise, Chibi-Usa,> Usagi thought.

                                  ******

By six o'clock that evening Usagi figured that Misako was about as calm
as she was going to get for awhile. "Come on Misako, time for your
bath," Usagi told the child.

"Onee-chan, you come have bath too," Misako requested.

"Iie," Usagi said firmly, "You, young lady, are going to bed early. I
also want to talk to you." Misako took on a worried expression but
before the little girl could say anything, Usagi had taken her hand and
was now guiding her up the stairs.

Chibi-Usa, who was snuggled up beside Ikuko on the couch, watched her
mother and sister leave the room and disappear upstairs. She turned to
her grandmother, curiosity piqued, and said, "Ikuko-mama, did you tell
Usagi that Misako should go to bed early?" Ikuko shook her head.
Chibi-Usa hid a smile. She felt sorry for her sister but at least Usagi
was being fair.

By the time that Misako was in the furo, she was extremely nervous. Her
fears about the "bad man" were still present but with her mother, her
sister, and Kimeko nearby, she was feeling a little better. What she was
nervous about was that Usagi hadn't said one word. She could tell that
Usagi had become very serious and Misako's instincts were telling her
that she was in trouble.

"Okay, Misako, time to get you into your pajamas," Usagi said. Misako
stood and her mother lifted her out of the furo and wrapped her in a
towel. She then began to dry her daughter off.

"Mommy?" Misako asked hesitantly, "Are you mad?"

"Hai," Usagi admitted, "but we're going to talk about it when you have
your pajamas on." She finished drying Misako off, wrapped the towel
around her again, lifted her daughter, and carried her down the hall.
Once in the bedroom with the door closed, Usagi helped Misako into her
pajamas.

Sitting on he bed, Usagi drew her youngest daughter close and said,
"Miko-chan, why did you leave the house without permission?"

"'Cause I wanted to be S'nshi. I real S'nshi!" Misako responded softly,
"I wanted you be proud of me, Mommy."

"Miko-chan, you knew that you were grounded," Usagi said, "I told you
what that meant yesterday. You also know that you left the house without
permission." Misako lowered her head and she sniffled slightly, "That
was very naughty, Misako."

"But you and Onee S'nshi!" Misako protested, "I want to fight baddies!"

"You made your onee go with you," Usagi said sternly, "If Usagi didn't
help, you were going to fib and get her into trouble." Misako flushed
bright red in embarrassment, "You know that fibbing is very bad, ne?"

"Hai," Misako whispered out. "Gomen Mommy," she said and looked up to
her mother, two small streams of tears running down her face.

"Misako, you know I'm going to have to punish you," Usagi said. <Gomen
Misako... I have to do this.>

Misako looked to her mother pleadingly, her face framed by her hair,
blue eyes misted over, and colored light pink from the tears that were
starting to come. "Please Mommy," Misako said, "I not mean to be bad. I
be extra good, I promise!" She hugged her mother the best she could and
said, "I not mean to get Onee into trouble."

With some effort Usagi fortified her resolve and gently pulled Misako's
arms from around her waist. "I know you didn't mean to get your onee
into trouble but what you did was wrong." Usagi said softly, "Your
sister was punished and I'm going to have to punish you too."

"Nani?!?" Misako asked as Usagi lifted her up. She was even more
confused when Usagi laid her on her tummy across Usagi's lap.

The first swat took Misako completely by surprise. She sucked in her
breath and started to kick her legs slightly. She felt Usagi tighten her
hold slightly. The second swat made Misako give a yelp of pain and start
to squirm a little more. The third swat set Misako to howling, kicking
her legs and arms trying to understand what was happening. Tears
streaked down her cheeks as she cried. She couldn't believe what her
mother was doing! Usagi gave her daughter three more firm swats on the
bottom before stopping.

Picking Misako up, she hugged her daughter close, "I do love you,
Misako," Usagi told her child softly. Her only response was a sob. To
Usagi's surprise, Misako wrapped her arms around Usagi's neck and hugged
her while continuing to cry. After the worst of the crying faded out and
when Misako was now softly crying with the occasional hiccup, Usagi
stood up and pulled the covers back. Settling the little girl on her
stomach, Usagi said, "Have a good sleep, Miko-chan, if you get scared
you can come into my room."

Misako just hid her face in her pillow and continued to cry. Gently
pulling the covers up Usagi turned and found Chibi-Shingo. She handed
the teddy bear to Misako and gave her daughter a kiss before leaving the
room. Misako took the teddy bear and hugged it tightly. She cried
herself out and then sleep finally to took her. With a little heart that
had been broken she blinked once, twice and then the blackness took her
and the world was still.



Chapter 37 - Difficult Decisions

"Kimeko-chan!" Minako called with some relief as she saw her daughter
entered their bedroom at the Aino home. It was well past seven in the
evening. "I was starting to worry."

"Gomen, Minako-chan," Kimeko said softly, "Usagi was telling me some
things." Kimeko shuffled over and sat down on the bed, "What a day!"

Minako got up and walked over to her daughter. Sitting down, she put a
comforting arm around Kimeko. "I hope you aren't blaming yourself,"
Minako said looking seriously at her daughter, "Because if you are, then
you can sleep downstairs!"

Despite her mood, Kimeko smiled before saying, "Just a little." She gave
a shake of her head and replied, "Iie, I know that there was nothing I
could do."

"But you were great!" Minako said, "It doesn't matter that you didn't
stop the attack but you were there when Misako needed you. That's just
what a guardian should do." Minako smiled at her daughter, "I never even
thought of attacking that fashion freak that controls the Lemures."

"I figured you were right behind me, Mom, and I had this undeniable urge
to hurt that guy badly." She grinned, "I might not be as powerful as
Sailor Moon but to see the utter look of shock on his face made the
effort with it."

Minako giggled, "So you aren't going to mope around because Misako got
attacked?"

Kimeko shook her head, "I feel a little guilty but I know that even
Sakuya couldn't have prevented the attack and that's comforting." Her
smile slid away as she said, "I'm just worried about Misako."

"Yeah, Kimeko-chan," Minako said, "Were you over at Usagi's all this
time?" Kimeko nodded, "Why'd you stay over there so long?"

"Duty," Kimeko stated, "Misako had been hurt. I had to make sure she was
all right. And then when we got to the Tsukino's, Misako didn't want me
to leave. When Misako got put to bed I was going to leave but Usagi
wanted to talk to me." She took on a solemn expression, "I do have to
wonder if it was the right decision."

"Nani?!?" Minako asked confused, "What decision?"

"Gomen," Kimeko apologized, turning to her mother, "Just thinking out
loud." She stared at the ground for a long moment before saying, "When
you left with the others, I had a talk with Usagi."

"Oh?" Minako prompted.

"Hai, I told her that I what she had said to Chibi-Usa was one of the
dumbest things I had ever heard." Kimeko looked over to her mother, "I
told her that I thought she was treating Chibi-Usa unfairly." She took
an unsteady breath before saying, "I've never talked to Serenity-sama
like that before."

"In my opinion you had every right to!" Minako said, "The other girls
and I thought that Usagi was being a bit harsh." Minako shrugged, "We
could see that Usagi was worried but I think we would have mentioned it
later on."

"Serenity-sama always said that she paired me with Sakuya so that some
of her forwardness would rub off on me." Kimeko mused, "I don't know...
I guess I was worried about Misako and just couldn't stand to see
Chibi-Usa heartbroken because she had made a mistake."

"Well you don't have to convince me, Kimeko-chan," Minako said, "I'm on
your side." She looked over at her daughter hopefully, "Was Usagi really
angry?"

"Iie," Kimeko answered after a pause, "She was at first but after she
had a talk with her mom and thought it over some, she realized that she
had been a little hard on Chibi-Usa." Minako gave a small sigh, "Well
Chibi-Usa didn't get off the hook... but then again neither did Misako."

"You don't mean..." Minako looked at Kimeko who nodded, "What the... so
what did Usagi talk to you about?"

"Oh just that if I went back and there were some differences, don't be
surprised." A sad expression slid across her face, "We'll have to leave
soon. I would say leave tomorrow but Usagi wants me to wait until she's
shown her us a surprise she has."

"Do you know what it is?" Minako asked.

"Iie, Minako-chan, she just said that it would be another day or two."
Kimeko held up her hand, "I think that what Misako needs is her home
environment. We've been gone two weeks... I'd kinda like to see Sakuya
too." <I have to find out what's happened to her.>

Minako reached out and hugged Kimeko, "Oh, Kimeko-chan, I'll miss you."
She leaned back. "I've really enjoyed having you here." Getting up, she
said, "Let's go and have a milkshake or something!" Kimeko smiled and
nodding both girls bounded down the stairs giggling.

                                  ******

Kimeko was up bright and early the next morning. Changing into a track
suit, she quietly slipped down the stairs and out into the city. The
morning was clear, a mild nip in the air tasted slightly salty. The
morning birds warbled to each other creating a tune of sorts. As Kimeko
jogged along she considered how to tell Usagi that it was time for her
and Misako to leave. <I think Misako will be sad to leave but Crystal
Tokyo's where she should be.> A small shadow slipped across Kimeko's
face, <Where I want to be.>

It had been a very exciting visit. She enjoyed meeting her grandparents
and enjoyed seeing Misako interacting with relatives she didn't have in
Crystal Tokyo. However, Crystal Tokyo was where her friends were, where
her real mother and father were, and where her home was. She was hoping
that her older brother would be on leave when she got back. <Onii would
never believe that I saw battle!> She was sure her older brother would
be very proud of her. Turning into the park, Kimeko continued to jog and
glancing at her watch noticed that it was only six o'clock.

As she jogged, her mind wandered over her conversation with Usagi the
previous evening. It had been rather strange, at least in Kimeko's
perspective. <I can't believe Usagi did it,> Kimeko thought to herself
as she slowed and walked over to the railing. The morning sun reflected
off of the water and Kimeko had to squint. <Considering that Usagi
seemed serious yesterday, then I guess there will be some changes made.>

Giving a sigh Kimeko started to jog back towards home. <I guess I should
tell Misako and Chibi-Usa today that we have to leave soon.> She was
sure that Chibi-Usa wasn't going to take it well. It was quite evident
to her how much Chibi-Usa had missed her little sister.

                                  ******

Kimeko knocked on the door of the Tsukino home and waited patiently.
After a moment or two the door was opened by Shingo and he smiled
slightly. "Konnichiwa, Kimeko-chan," Shingo said, "Maybe you can help
us."

"What's the problem?" Kimeko asked as she stepped into the house and
removed her shoes. Shingo only smirked and shook his head slightly.
Sliding into a pair of guest slippers, she followed Shingo. "Shingo-kun,
what's the matter?!" Kimeko demanded. Shingo, however, kept quiet and
simply motioned Kimeko towards the living room. Giving an exasperated
sigh, Kimeko stepped in to see what the mystery was.

"But, honey," Usagi was saying, "We all have to go to school." She was
kneeling in front of Misako, "I know you're scared but I promise that
bad man won't come after you at school. Your onee will be there too."

"NOT WANNA GO TO SCHOOL!!!!" Misako shouted, "Please?!?" She took on a
sad look and said, "U-'Sagi-chan, if I go to school you come too." Usagi
gave an exasperated sigh, she had been down this road before!

"Konnichiwa minna-san," Kimeko interrupted. The others started at the
new voice and looked in its direction.

"Kim'ko-chan!!!" Misako cried happily and bounded over to Kimeko,
"Kim'ko-chan, you come with me to school?!? Please?!"

"I will walk you to school, Miko-chan, but I have to go to MY school
too."

"But I want you to come. If you not come, then I not wanna go to
school." Misako crossed her arms and started to pout.

Kimeko lifted Misako and said softly, "I know you're scared but you'll
be safe at school. Usagi promised you too." She gave Misako a hug and
continued, "You wouldn't want Usagi-chan to get into trouble because you
didn't go to school."

"Please, Kimeko-chan?" Misako begged softly, moisture building in her
eyes. "I scared. Had scary dream last night. Not want to go alone." She
looked pleadingly at Kimeko, "You be with me before." Misako paused,
"When Mommy not there, you watch me... baby-sit me." Giving Kimeko a
hug, she sniffled a little and said, "Pretty please???" As a finishing
touch she batted her eyelids at Kimeko innocently.

Kenji who had come in from the kitchen muttered out, "Definitely related
to Usagi." He had been, on more than one occasion, on the receiving end
of Usagi's "kawaii attack", and generally speaking he gave in as a
result. This didn't win him any popularity contests with Ikuko either.

Kimeko giggled at the muttered comment. Usagi flushed brightly but then
sobered. "Miko-chan," Kimeko explained, "Gomen, but I can't go to school
with you."

"Aww..." Misako started to whine.

"Misako," Usagi said softly, "Come here for a second." Kimeko let Misako
down who slowly walked over to her mother. Bending down, Usagi whispered
something into Misako's ear. Standing up, Usagi asked, "Do you
understand?" Misako paled slightly, nodded, and scampered out of the
room and up the stairs to get ready for school.

"Wow," Chibi-Usa asked, "Onee-san, what did you say?"

"That's between Misako and myself," Usagi replied, "Now go get ready for
school too." Chibi-Usa nodded and headed off after her sister. "Hi
Kimeko-chan, thanks for trying to get her to go to school."

Kimeko walked over to Usagi and said, "Usagi-chan, what did you say to
her?"

"Gomen, like I told Chibi-Usa, that's between Misako and me. I doubt
that she'll tell anyone anyway." And Usagi was right. Misako never did
reveal exactly what her mother had said.

                                  ******

That afternoon Usagi found herself snuggled against Mamoru on his couch.
She sat, head resting comfortably on his shoulder. Mamoru had one arm
snaked around Usagi and they sat quietly enjoying each other's company.
After a moment Usagi turned her head slightly and, reaching up, drew
Mamoru down into a kiss. She gave a little contented sigh; Mamoru did
likewise.

"Ewww!!!!" came the voice of Chibi-Usa from the balcony doorway, "MUST
YOU DO THAT?!?" She put her fists on her hips and glared disapprovingly
at her parents, "Why are you into all this mushy stuff anyway? I mean he
just kissed you, Onee-san, not likely anything special happened."

Usagi gave a growl of annoyance. Mamoru tightened his grip slightly
before saying, "Chibi-Usa-chan, it was very thoughtful of Usagi to let
you come. I suggest you watch how you behave considering you're
grounded." Chibi-Usa gaped at Mamoru for several seconds, her mouth
working but nothing was coming out. "I thought you were watching Misako
anyways."

"Hai," Chibi-Usa squeaked out. Stepping out onto the balcony, she closed
the door again.

"Good, they're playing quietly," Mamoru observed after a moment, "It was
really nice of you to let Chibi-Usa come too."

Usagi wrapped her arms around Mamoru in a hug and sighed, "Yeah, well we
had been planning to have dinner over here with her and Misako. If it
had been uh... impromptu?" Usagi looked at Mamoru who nodded with a soft
smile, "Then I wouldn't have let her come." Usagi closed her eyes for a
moment and said, "She was looking forward to it and I think that it
won't put any ideas that she's not grounded into her head."

"I suppose that I should start cooking," Mamoru decided. He moved to get
up but Usagi stopped him, "Usako, I would love to sit here with you but
supper would never get cooked."

"Mamoru, Kimeko, and Misako are going to be leaving Wednesday," Usagi
said softly. Mamoru stopped his motion and seemed to sink deeper into
the couch. "We're having a going away party tomorrow night." Usagi
turned her head to look at him and said, "I was thinking that I'd send
Chibi-Usa back with them." She sniffled a little.

"Usako," Mamoru asked softly, "Do you really think that's right?"

"I don't know, Mamo-chan," Usagi admitted after a long pause, "She was
hurt fighting that Lemure. What if they come after her?" She shook her
head, "Chibi-Usa's home isn't really here." <It would be safer for her
to go home.> Usagi gave a little sniffle before continuing, "I'd miss
her..."

"So would I," Mamoru interrupted, "But, Usagi-chan, I think Chibi-Usa
should stay." Usagi raised her head and looked questioningly at him,
"She's just starting to get over the attack. You two have some wounds to
heal. Sending her away might make her think that you aren't willing to
forgive her." He laid a finger on Usagi's lips, "Shhh.... I know you
care very much about both of them. So do I. It's just that Chibi-Usa's
had some rough spots, especially where we're concerned, and right now
what she wants and needs is your comfort and support."

Usagi stared out at her two daughters for a long time, "She needs to
stay here to help destroy the Lemures," Usagi finally admitted, "I kept
trying to figure out a way to beat them without her but she's needed
HERE in this time." Lowering her gaze to the floor, she sighed, "Her
life would be in danger here; she could get hurt again."

"So could you," came his soft reply, "So could you." He lifted her chin
so he could gaze at her a moment before saying, "Usako, did you tell
Chibi-Usa that Misako's leaving Wednesday?"

"Iie, I was going to do it tonight after supper," Usagi said, "That way
she could have us around if she wanted a hug." She stared into his eyes
for a moment longer and then kissed him again.

"EEEWWWWW!!!!" came two voices this time from the doorway, "THAT'S
DISGUSTING!!!" Chibi-Usa and Misako chorused together.

It was Mamoru's turn to growl. Getting up, which in the process made
Usagi fall over, he stalked towards his two young daughters. Misako
giggled and, using her speed and size to her advantage, darted to the
side and skidded around Mamoru. Chibi-Usa gulped slightly and took a
step back.

"Ah... Now Mamo-chan..." Mamoru gave a little louder growl, "Ah...
Daddy, it was just a joke!" Chibi-Usa quickly explained and took another
step back. Mamoru reached out, slid the balcony door closed, and locked
it. "HEY!!!" Chibi-Usa protested while knocking, "Let me in!"

Misako giggled but decided to go help her sister. Before she took a step
though, Mamoru interrupted, "I think I'll go start supper now.
Miko-chan, would you like to help?"

"Yay!!!" she declared happily and, coming over to her father, started to
pull him towards the kitchen. She seemed to forget about her trapped
sister.

"Onee-san!" Chibi-Usa whined, "Please, Onee-san, let me in!" She tapped
a little louder while saying, "I promise I'll be good!" For a few
moments Usagi pretended that she didn't hear Chibi-Usa. Relenting, Usagi
got up and wandered over to the door. Opening it up, she gave a mock
glare of disapproval before returning to the couch. Chibi-Usa followed
and, snuggling up beside her, said, "What were you and Mamoru talking
about?" Usagi sighed, this was going to be hard.

                                  ******

Tuesday evening found the Tsukino home packed. Everyone was in the
living room and there was hardly any place to sit. Ikuko and Kenji were
seated on the couch. Mika was also sitting on the couch while Shingo sat
beside her on a foot stool. Apparently, they had made up sufficiently
that Mika deemed him worthy to hold her hand. Usagi held her tongue,
although Ikuko couldn't resist giving her son the "all knowing smile".

Minako and Kimeko opted to sit on the floor. Misako was seated on
Mamoru's knee while Chibi-Usa took up another chair. Rei and Makoto
chose to stand rather than sit on the floor and Ami had skillfully
snatched up the last comfortable armchair in the room.

"I know this is supposed to be a party," Usagi began. "And it will be!"
she reassured the gathered audience, "However, wishing to live to see my
next birthday, I have decided to show you the surprise I've been talking
about..." Usagi noted the glares. "Or not talking about," she added
meekly. She was standing beside a covered object. Almost everyone in the
group had figured out that it was a painting, they just weren't sure
what the painting looked like.

Nervously, Usagi looked towards her parents before reaching up to remove
the cloth that was covering the painting. She didn't look at the
painting; she wanted to see her parents' faces. Slowly, she unhooked it
and let the cloth slide down on its own accord. As the canvas was
revealed, peopled started taking on stunned expressions. The Senshi
gathered in the room gave a little gasp of surprise.

Luna who had been perched on the arm of the couch lost her balanced and
toppled to the floor with a thud. No one except Usagi noticed though. A
minute passed then two. Usagi was starting to get nervous when her
father finally managed to speak.

"Kami-sama," he breathed softly.

Before his eyes was a very stunning work of art. Mamoru and Usagi were
formally dressed. Mamoru was wearing a tuxedo. Usagi was wearing a white
flowing dress, her odangos held in place by tiny strings of pearls. The
fabric and pearls seemed to almost glisten. Misako and Chibi-Usa were
dressed in pale blue dresses, while pale yellow ribbons held their
odangos in place. Chibi-Usa's odangos had been tweaked to match her
mother's and sister's rather than her regular style. Chibi-Usa was
perched gracefully on Mamoru's knee her hands folded and in her lap.
Misako was similarly perched upon Usagi's knee. They were slightly
turned to look at each other but they still managed to look at you, eyes
bright and full of energy. The background was of evening tones, hues of
royal blue, purple, red, yellow, and orange made up the sky while a
marbled wall ran behind them. A gibbous moon showed high and to the
right peeking through an archway of stone.

Usagi hadn't been expecting her father to be this stunned. However, his
next words nearly made Usagi faint. "They look like a family," he said
softly.

<Uh oh!> Usagi thought, <This is not good!>

End of part XIII