THE FLASH POINT
Mama's Hand #10 (Reel 1)

(Flashman, Zero and Bison are still quibling over the details of 
their torture machine as the lights come up again.)

Flashman:(Looks up) Uh oh, we're back.

(The three take their seats and go to work.)
__________________________

Part X - School

Monday morning found Ikuko sitting in the Principal's office for the 
local elementary school. Along with her were Haruna Koume, Chibi-
Usa's case worker, and Matsudara Senji, the Principal.

Senji appeared old. His slightly dull brown eyes were framed with an 
ancient set of bifocals. His almost snow white hair framed a narrowed,
 haggard looking face. The image made Koume glad she hadn't listened 
to her mother and stayed away from the teaching profession. Taking a 
moment to arrange the papers on his desk, Senji said, "We have two 
choices. Chibi-Usa can either be placed in grade one or kindergarten.
"

"Nani?!?" Koume asked slightly shocked, "Is it that bad?"

[Flashman:(Draws Sentai Saber) That bastard!
(Zero makes a few modification to the blue prints.)]

"Academically, if she was placed in the first grade, she would need 
some help," Senji said, "However, I don't see any major problems in 
her catching up to the others; it is close to the beginning of the 
school term. Chibi-Usa would have to work though."

"I think she would," Koume said, "She's the type of person who would 
work at something especially if she thinks it's important. To Chibi-
Usa, school's important because her `mother' goes to school."

Senji frowned slightly, "I was meaning to ask you about that, Haruna-
san. Why isn't Chibi-Usa being encouraged to call her cousin `Usagi' 
instead of `Mommy'?"

[Flashman: Long, long, LONG story.]

Koume shifted slightly before saying, "It's a complicated situation 
really. Chibi-Usa needs that emotional attachment for stability. 
Somehow, she's associated Tsukino-san's daughter with her mother. To 
call her mother any other name except `Mommy' would be a violation of 
her father's rules; she's scared of breaking any rule that would 
upset her father."

[(All three once again modify the blue prints.)]

Senji grunted his understanding but didn't look pleased, "That brings 
us to the other test we conducted. We've figured out that Chibi-Usa 
has about the same social skills that a child of five would have." 
Shifting some papers. Senji asked, "So do we place Chibi-Usa into 
grade one or kindergarten?"

"I would recommend grade one," Koume said, "It will be a bit of a 
struggle but I think it would help Chibi-Usa's self-esteem. Placing 
her in kindergarten may also cause her to regress."

"I think grade one as well. I don't have any strong reasons but I 
think Chibi-Usa would work hard as Haruna-san said. It would 
certainly help her self-esteem," Ikuko mused. "Would that be a 
problem?"

"No, well I'll have the paperwork started. I'll also see if I can 
find the most docile class at the grade one level that we can place 
Chibi-Usa into," Senji said. <If any such thing exists!> he thought.

[Flashman:(Moping) That brings back... painful childhood memories.
Zero:(Pats him on the back) Don't feel sad.  After this, how about we 
go find an Endymion to test the machine on?
Bison: And we'll do it while playing the theme music to Ohranger.
Flashman:(Perks up) Okay!]

"Hai, I wanted to talk to you about school..."

"Honest Mom," Usagi said, "I'm doing my homework. You can ask Haruna-
sensei yourself."

[(All three snicker.)]

Ikuko gave a small smile and shook her head slightly, "Usagi-chan, 
let me finish." Usagi took on a sheepish expression, "I was saying 
that I wanted to talk to you about school for Chibi-Usa."

"Oh," Usagi said, "Gomen. She's really looking forward to going too.
"

"Usagi, a little girl Chibi-Usa's age would usually be placed in the 
second grade. However, Chibi-Usa can't go into the second grade. She 
would have too much trouble with the work."

[Bison:(Strangly nutral) I will wait... I will not jump the gun...
Flashman:(Taking deep breaths) Anger is bad for a stomach problem.  
Do not get mad.  Vengance is best served cold.
Zero:(Evil grin while drawing Z-Saber) When it is time, he will see 
just how dark I can be.]

"Well I'll help her, at least help her the best I can," Usagi said, 
"I'll have a lot of work to do." Usagi then took on a thoughtful 
expression. <Ami would like to help. I'm sure of it. I'll ask her 
tomorrow if she wants to help.>

"Usagi, if you're looking for a raise in your allowance you can 
forget it," Ikuko said with mock sternness.

[(All three facefault.)]

"Nani??? I was just thinking that with my homework and then helping 
out Chibi-Usa that it would be a lot of work. Then I have chores and..
."

"Usagi-chan," Ikuko said cutting her daughter off, "What if I said 
you could give some of your easier chores to Chibi-Usa."

"Really?!?" Usagi asked excitedly, "I think she'd really like that."

"Well I mean some of the easier things she can do," Ikuko said, "That 
way Chibi-Usa will get some confidence in herself. Do you think 
you'll be able to help Chibi-Usa out with her homework and not get 
her confused?"

"I think so," Usagi said while scowling slightly, "But maybe I could 
ask Ami to help out. I'm not saying every day but Chibi-Usa likes to 
visit with Ami. I think they'd both like it."

                                  ******

Late Monday night, a storm broke over Tokyo unleashing a torrent of 
water on the city below. The wind rattling the trees moaned and the 
Tsukino home creaked slightly as the wind buffeted it. Thunder echoed 
and rebounded off of Tokyo Bay seeming to double its volume. 
Lightning streaked through the sky in a dazzling light show.

[All: Ooooooh!  Aaaaaaah! (Clap, clap, clap)]

At the Tsukino home most of the occupants were asleep. Usagi was wide 
awake, however, cowering under her covers. She HATED thunder and this 
storm seemed specifically designed to scare her.

[Flashman: I know how that feels.]

"Mommy, are you scared?" asked Chibi-Usa. She was wide awake as well.


"Yeah, I hate thunder," Usagi said.

"But Mommy," Chibi-Usa said with a hint of confusion, "You not scared 
before." She looked towards her mother and said, "Why you scared in 
past but not in future?"

[Flashman:(Growls) 'Cause a wife beater is much worse then thunder.
Zero:(VEG) However, people can do something about a wife beater.]

"No," Chibi-Usa said. <Mommy's scared and I'm not... Does that mean 
that I'm brave?> She was feeling a little proud of herself for not 
being scared of the storm. "Mommy, I scared before but you say that 
thunder is only Kami-sama bowling. Lightning is for when Kami-sama 
gets a strike."

[(All three giggle.)
Flashman: When I was five, I thought rain was God going to the 
bathroom and thunder and lightning was a number 2.
Bison/Zero: O_o
Flashman:(Shrugs) Hey!  I was five at the time.]

                                  ******

Tuesday morning dawned brightly, the sun glistening off the dew and 
freshly washed structures. After breakfast was over Usagi took Chibi-
Usa up to their room to get ready for school.

"Honey, we have lots of time," Usagi said to Chibi-Usa who was nearly 
dragging her mother up the stairs, "We'll get you ready, don't worry.
"

Stopping at the stop of the stairs, Chibi-Usa turned towards her 
mother. "But Mommy..." Chibi-Usa started to protest but then ground 
to a halt and covered her mouth, "Gomen, I want to go to school with 
you." <I want to be a good girl.>

[Zero: You are kid.  You are.  And NEVER let anyone tell you other 
wise.
Flashman: Can I get an Amen?
Bison: Amen.]

That's when she saw herself in the mirror. Walking closer to the full 
length mirror, she turned slightly and noticed that a little of the 
bruising was still visible on her legs. Her smile slipped from her 
face and she looked sadly at herself before giving a little sniffle.

"Chibi-Usa-chan, what's the matter?" Usagi asked getting up to stand 
beside the little girl.

"Mommy, I not kawaii," Chibi-Usa said softly, "I don't think Daddy 
would like me wearing this." <I'm not pretty like Mommy is,> Chibi-
Usa thought sadly.

"Chibi-Usa, I think your daddy would want you to go to school. If you 
want to go to school, you have to wear a fuku." Lifting the little 
girl into a hug, Usagi said, "I think you're a very pretty little 
girl. My dad thinks you're kawaii."

"But you can see those," Chibi-Usa said pointing to the nearly faded 
bruises that were peeking from underneath the fuku's skirt.

[(The plans for the machine finished, the group now discuses battle 
plans to capture the evil Endymion.)
Flashman: Remember, his arms need to be intact.
Zero: What about his legs?
Bison: Can we chop 'em off?  Please?
Flashman: Weeeeellll... okay.]

Walking towards the bedroom door, Usagi said, "You know I was scared 
on my first day of school." Chibi-Usa looked dubiously at Usagi. "I 
missed my mom very much but when school was done, she came and took 
me home." Smiling to reassure the little girl, Usagi said, "When 
school's all done, I'll come and get you too." Usagi had to fight the 
urge to sniffle as Chibi-Usa wrapped her arms around her mother, "I 
love you."

"I love you too, Mommy," Chibi-Usa whispered back. <With you there, I 
won't be scared.>

                                  ******

A short time later Chibi-Usa stared wide-eyed at the transformation 
that had taken place. The schoolyard was crowded with children, all 
of them strangers. Pressing close against Usagi, she nervously looked 
around at the unfamiliar setting. When she had come the day before 
the yard had been nearly deserted and wasn't as noisy.

"Who are they, Mommy?" Chibi-Usa asked ask as she tightened her grip 
on Usagi's hand.

[Zero: WE ARE DOUG.  RESISTANCE IS FUTILE.  YOU *WILL* FEEL SORRY FOR 
THIS VERSION OF CHIBI-USA.]

<I thought Mommy was going to be with me,> Chibi-Usa thought as she 
followed her mother closely, <I'd be scared if Mommy left me.> At 
least in here. Chibi-Usa had grown accustomed to Usagi going to 
school and spending her days with her grandmother.

Once inside the school building, the noise lessened. After hunting 
around for a minute or so they came to the main office. Standing 
outside it was the Principal.

"Konnichiwa Matsudara-sensei," Usagi said and bowed.

"Konnichiwa Matsudara-sensei," Chibi-Usa politely. She bowed but kept 
her hold on Usagi's hand. <He's kinda scary looking,> Chibi-Usa 
thought.

"Konnichiwa," Senji said, "Well Tsukino-san, I thought you were in 
junior high. But alas you've come back." He then smiled at Usagi to 
take some of the stinging out of his words. <Well I see you haven't 
swelled to balloon size yet,> Senji thought, <Considering you were 
the `Bento Box Bandit'.>

[All: .....
Flashman:(Snicker) Much as I hate to admit it... it sounds like her.
]

"I'm in junior high, Matsudara-sensei, but I wish you were still my 
principal. Nobody yells like you," Usagi said and gave a grin. <You 
look just like I remember you.>

"Tell me, Usagi-chan, have you given up being the `Bento Box Bandit'?
" Usagi flushed brightly, "Ah now there was an interesting case. 
Several bento boxes were cleaned out before lunch time and I wouldn't 
have caught you either except for the stains on your fuku that one 
time."

"No, I've given that up. I have friends who make extra just for me," 
Usagi admitted and then flushed brightly again.

[Flashman: I say it's something in her abilities to being Sailor Moon 
that make her so ravinously hungry.
Zero: But she was like that before she got her powers.
Bison: And if that was true, then ALL the Senshi would be marathon 
eaters.
Flashman: Not really.  1) Her body was gearing up for when she came 
in contact with the Ginzuishou and 2) The Ginzuishou is a bit 
different then the others power sources.]

Senji chuckled good-naturedly and said, "I'll just show you to Chibi-
Usa's classroom." Turning, he led the two girls down the hall and 
then up a flight of stairs. Stopping at the first open door, Senji 
called out, "Sonoda-sensei, could you step out into the hall for a 
moment?" After a brief pause a petite woman stepped into the 
classroom doorway, "Sonoda-sensei, this is Tsukino Usagi, but they 
call her Chibi-Usa. She's the girl I was talking to you about 
yesterday." Turning slightly, Senji said, "Chibi-Usa-chan, this is 
Sonoda Sawa. She'll be your sensei."

Chibi-Usa studied the new person. <She's shorter than Mommy,> Chibi-
Usa noted, <But pretty.> Sawa was about twenty-five, short trimmed 
dark hair and deep green eyes. "Konnichiwa Sonoda-sensei," Chibi-Usa 
said and politely bowed.

"Konnichiwa Chibi-Usa-chan, I'm glad to meet you. Why don't you come 
on in and we'll get you settled."

Chibi-Usa looked pensively at her mother. Usagi bent down and, 
hugging Chibi-Usa, said, "Chibi-Usa-chan, I have to go now but I WILL 
be back to pick you up when school's finished."

"Aren't you coming with me, Mommy?" Chibi-Usa asked hopefully.

"No, gomen, I have to go to school too, a different school," Usagi 
said and stood again.

"Chibi-Usa-chan, it'll be okay. You'll be with your mommy after 
school's done," Sawa said, "Why don't we go find you a desk." She 
then slowly held her hand out.

Chibi-Usa sniffled and, clamped onto Usagi's leg, before saying, 
"Please Mommy, stay with me."

Gently taking Chibi-Usa's hands from around her leg, Usagi placed one 
of the little girl's hands in Sawa's. "I promise I'll come get you. 
Remember how I said I'd be home at twenty to four?" Chibi-Usa nodded. 
"Well I'll be here at that same time." Giving Chibi-Usa a kiss on the 
forehead, Usagi said, "Now you have a good day at school."

[(All three pull out hankeys and wipe their eyes.)
Flashman:(Blubbering) That was so... touching.]

"Don't worry, Usagi-chan," Senji said comfortingly, "I know Chibi-Usa 
is more sensitive than most but I think once she gets used to things, 
it'll all work out okay."

"Arigato Matsudara-sensei," Usagi said. <Gomen nasai, Chibi-Usa-chan,

Usagi thought sadly. She cast one longing look back up the steps 

before heading for the exit.

"Usagi-chan," Senji called after her. Once Usagi had stopped and 
turned around, Senji said, "I always thought you'd make a great mom." 
The smile he got in return was brilliant.

[(Flashman bawls with happy tears and the force is so extreme that 
Zero jumps back out of fear of rusting.)]

The end of the school day brought much relief to both Chibi-Usa and 
Usagi. When Chibi-Usa saw her mother standing in the classroom 
doorway, she bolted and applied a vice-like hold to Usagi's leg. 
Usagi, reaching down, lifted the little girl into a reassuring hug.

"Shhh... I said I'd come back," Usagi said while stroking Chibi-Usa's 
hair. "See, I did come back to get you." She felt Chibi-Usa crying 
softly, little arms wrapped around her neck in a effort to gain 
comfort.

"I missed you," Chibi-Usa said through her tears. <I was so scared, 
Mommy.> She lifted her head and, looking at Usagi, said, "Why you not 
stay with me?"

Usagi wiped away a stray tear before saying, "Gomen, I should have 
told you before. I have to go to school too; Chibi-Usa-chan, I love 
you and I would have stayed with you at school but I couldn't. Do you 
understand?" Chibi-Usa just shook her head and, hugging Usagi again, 
hid her face in Usagi's shoulder. <Oh my little one,> Usagi thought 
and then blinked. <I'm even starting to think of you as my daughter.> 
"Chibi-Usa-chan, why don't we go home."

"Hai," Chibi-Usa said softly without raising her head.

Usagi was about to turn to walk down the hall when she felt a tug on 
her skirt. Looking down, she saw a little girl looking worriedly at 
them, "Is Chibi-Usa okay?" the little girl asked softly.

Usagi smiled. "Hai, arigato." <I think you made a friend.> "Hai, 
she's okay. She just missed me." Then Usagi remembered something, 
"Chibi-Usa, did you have anything to bring home?"

Sheepishly, Chibi-Usa looked at Usagi for a moment before saying, 
"Hai." Flushing slightly, she added, "I forgot."

Usagi chuckled, <Yep we're related and not just in looks either.>

[(All three chuckle.)]

End of Part X

___________________

Flashman: Good work Doug.  I'm glad that you're showing Chibi-Usa 
getting better... although I can't help but get the feeling that this 
is all leading to a REALLY upseting ending.
Zero: Don't worry, if it comes to that... (VEG) we have ways of 
making sure that doesn't happen.
Flashman: See if we can get the original me to drop in during Otaku 
Leap?
Bison: That's one way.  Now about these battle plans... Do we use gas 
when we grab Endymion or should we just club him over the head with 
the nearest blunt object?
Zero: How about both?

(The three continue to plot as the scene fades out.)

The Flashman
(Proud member of The Church Of Tsukino Usagi)

3 Months till I-con

May The Spirit Preserve You!